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Thursday, September 22, 2016 FOOTBALL Dhul-Hijja 20, 1437 AH PSG beat Dijon 3-0 GULF TIMES to keep pressure on Monaco SPORT Page 9 2016 PARALYMPIC GAMES Team Qatar brings home historic medal haul from Rio Abdulrahman Abdelqader goes down in history by winning Qatar’s first ever Paralympic medal while Sara Masoud became Qatar’s first ever female Paralympic medallist. Both athletes won silver medals in their respective events

By Sports Reporter Doha

he Rio 2016 Paralympic Games have ended on a high note for Team Qatar after winning two silver medals thanks to the incredibleT performances of Abdelrah- man Abdelqader and Sara Masoud. The Rio 2016 Paralympics were held in South America for the fi rst time in history. The city hosted over 4,000 athletes from 176 countries from all over the world, who competed in 23 diff erent sports from 7th to 18th of September 2016. Abdelqader took home Qatar’s fi rst ever Paralympic medal after an incred- ibly diffi cult F34 shot put fi nal on 11th September in the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Abdelqader, who is ranked third worldwide in shot put, battled tough competitors Azeddine Nouiri from Morocco, who took gold, and Mauricio Valencia from Colombia who won bronze, to secure his silver medal – the fi rst ever Paralympic med- al for Team Qatar since their Paralym- pic debut in the 1996 Atlanta Games. The 27-year-old shot putter stood his ground against the other seasoned athletes and secured his medal early on with an astounding 11.15m. Speaking after the competition Ab- delqader said: “When I fi rst came here I wasn’t expecting a medal – I placed 6th in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Of course it was my ambition to win a medal in the Rio 2016 Paral- ympic Games and thankfully I made it happen. Winning silver was an inde- scribable feeling – it is the fi rst Paral- ympic medal in Qatar’s history which is something I am incredibly proud of.” Abdelqader adds his fi rst ever Paral- ympic medal to an already growing and impressive repertoire which includes Qatar’s contingent that travelled to the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro team greeted on their arrival in Doha recently. Team Qatar returned with a successful haul of two silver medals. PIC: Jayan Orma a gold medal in shot put and bronze in javelin during the 2014 Asian Para talent, hard work and limitless po- Games, as well as a gold medal in shot ‘Something I am incredibly proud of...’ ‘Extremely proud of our Paralympians...’ tential. Both of them have made his- put during the 7th Fazaa International tory by winning their silver medals Championship 2015. and both have competed in the Doha The Qatari athlete also competed 2015 IPC Athletics World Champion- in the Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World ships – which undoubtedly played a Championships where he narrowly role in developing their skills ahead missed out on a world medal in shot of Rio. This is the kind of legacy we put and took 4th place – an experi- hope to achieve – one which inspires ence he undoubtedly built on ahead audiences and creates new sporting of Rio 2016. heroes.” Meanwhile Masoud also went down Mohammed al-Kubaisi was the in the history books as Qatar’s fi rst ever third and final member of Team Qa- female Paralympic medallist after win- tar, and competed in the 100m T34 ning silver in the F33 shot put event on wheelchair race. Al-Kubaisi went 16th September. The 30-year-old gave head to head with the fastest athletes it her all in the Olympic Stadium that in the world and managed to secure a night and won the silver medal after spot in the final. an especially close fi nal where Alge- Rio 2016 marks al-Kubaisi’s Para- rian Asmahan Boudjadar and Sara Al- lympic debut although has already Senaani from the UAE challenged her had great success on the regional lev- with every attempt. The Qatari Paral- el at only 23 years old including win- ympian secured her medal with an im- ning gold medals in the 100 and 200 pressive 5.09 m throw, with which she meters events during the Beijing 2015 entered the history books. IPC Grand Prix, and snagging a gold medal in 100 meters from the 2014 DEVELOPING TALENT Asian Para Games. Masoud is developing her talent year Commenting on Team Qatar’s after year; after winning a gold medal performance in Rio 2016, Ameer al- in discus throw for F33 and F34, and Mulla, Executive Director of the Qa- shot put F32 and F33 in the 2014 Asian tar Paralympic Committee said: “We Para Games, she went on to win a silver are beyond happy with our team’s medal in the discus throw and shot put performance in Rio 2016. They com- in the Beijing 2015 IPC Grand Prix. peted against the strongest athletes Commenting on the success of in the world and walked away with Team Qatar in the Rio 2016 Paral- Abdelqader and Masoud exemplify what can be done when you silver medals – for the first time in ympics, President of the Qatar Ol- combine talent, hard work and limitless potential. Both of them Qatar’s history. Our athletes have ympic Committee HE Sheikh Joaan have made history by winning their silver medals and both have been training extremely hard for Rio bin Hamad al-Thani said: “We are competed in the Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships 2016 and we are pleased to say that extremely proud of our Paralympians “It was my ambition to win a medal in the Rio 2016 Paralympic – which undoubtedly played a role in developing their skills all of their hard work and preparation and the historic accomplishments Games and thankfully I made it happen. Winning silver was an ahead of Rio. This is the kind of legacy we hope to achieve – one has paid off. The future of these ath- they’ve made in the Rio 2016 Games. indescribable feeling – it is the fi rst Paralympic medal in Qatar’s which inspires audiences and creates new sporting heroes.” letes is as bright as ever and we can- Abdelqader and Masoud exemplify history which is something I am incredibly proud of.” - HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, QOC President not wait to see what else is in store in what can be done when you combine their sporting journey.” Gulf Times 2 Thursday, September 22, 2016 CRICKET

FIRST TEST Captain Kohli admits India need to play spin better ‘It’s an area where we can improve, we lost a Test in Sri Lanka because we couldn’t play as well as we would have liked’

AFP Kanpur, India

kipper Virat Kohli conceded yesterday that India must bat better against spin, as the favourites prepare to take on a dangerous New Zealand in the fi rst Test Sin Kanpur. Kohli pointed to India’s loss last year at the hands of Sri Lanka’s spinners on a raging turner as evidence of his side’s weakness, as they be- gin their quest to regain the number one world ranking spot. His team take on the Black Caps from today in the fi rst of three Tests and India’s 500th in total, at Kanpur’s Green Park which is expected to prove favourable to spinners. “It’s an area where we can improve, we have lost a Test match in Sri Lanka because we couldn’t play as well as we would have liked,” Kohli told reporters. “The team wants to improve on that aspect of the game, (its) something that (we) surely need to get stronger. What has happened is that there was so much being built up about us not being able to play well away from home that we kept focusing on playing fast bowling, and we got re- ally good at it. “We countered conditions really well in Eng- land, in bursts, in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. We sort of didn’t pay that much attention to spin. Now we are putting in more eff ort, to face the spinners longer in nets and practicing small little things by ourselves – someone might sweep, someone might play off the backfoot – whatever it is. If you want to be a champion side, you don’t want to give the oppo- sition any window to get into the game.” he said, adding that his batsmen were working on this. Sri Lankan veteran spinner Rangana Herath claimed seven wickets to skittle India for 112 last August in a stunning victory, although In- dia went on to win the next two matches. Kohli, known for his aggressive brand of cricket, said he was impressed with New Zealand’s “fearless” style of play in recent times and believes the visitors will prove tough opponents. “I think Kane is leading the side very well. We expect very good competition and good India under Virat Kohli (third left) will be playing 13 Test matches this season at home. They take on the New Zealand from today in the first of three Tests and India’s 500th in total. (AFP) hard-fought cricket,” Kohli said of his opposite number Kane Williamson. India, who start the India will have an extended season that will so has been to show composure in Test cricket ers can lack coming into international cricket – fearless, the results will fall your way because series strong favourites after their recent 2-0 comprise 17 Tests. It’s a daunting fi gure, and and get the victories that are required. We have there can be a lot of insecurities, like ‘Whether you’re willing to take that extra risk in the course away victory against the West Indies, are also Kohli pointed to the coming season as one that been able to do that. So the important thing is to I’ll play in the next game or whether my position of the game. I certainly feel that this team has eyeing a return to the top of the International could be ‘career-defi ning’ for the members of continue the same.” is secure or not’. It’s all about getting them rid of what it takes to be the best. Cricket Council rankings. his team. While emphasising that the team had the tal- that feeling. “What it requires is sustained concentra- India recently toppled Australia from the top “I feel this season is a phase where we can lay ent and skills in place, Kohli said his team had “When you step on to the pitch, you need to tion, attention to detail, practicing the same of the rankings, only to be leapfrogged by their a foundation as to where the Test team can go or the self-belief to be the best in the world. “We tell yourself, ‘I own this position for the next way everyday… you know doing boring things. archrivals Pakistan. India’s spin king Ravichan- Test cricket can go as far as India is concerned,” believe we certainly have what it takes to be the 8-10 years in Test cricket for India.’ That’s the At this level you need to be boring if want to be dran Ashwin is in form, picking up 17 wickets in said Kohli.“We started off really well. This team best team in the world. We defi nitely believe only way you can go out there, be confi dent and successful, as simple as that. Your training, your the Caribbean, while batsmen Lokesh Rahul and is full of exciting players who are very talented, that,” said Kohli. “One area we have tapped into express how good you are. And that’s what this practice, the way you prepare for games should Ajinkya Rahane have also been in good knick. as we all know. The challenge for the last year or is belief. It’s something that lot of young play- team has done. More often than not if you’re not change.”

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS New Zealand aim to turn tables Prasad named India’s new

New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson (left) chairman of selectors and Luke Ronchi during a training session in Kanpur, India yesterday. (AFP) IANS Mumbai

ormer India wicketkeeper MSK Prasad was appointed the new chairman of se- lectors while Ajay Shirke was retained unopposed as the Board of Control for CricketF in India (BCCI) secretary at its 87th An- nual General Meeting (AGM) here yesterday. No other nominations were received for the BCCI’s secretary’s post. The AGM was chaired by BCCI President Anurag Thakur. Shirke became the secretary in July after Thakur was elevated to the president’s post, va- cated by Shashank Manohar who quit BCCI to become the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman. A new fi ve-member selection panel was formed, headed by Prasad, , which also in- cluded former off -spinner Sarandeep Singh, ex- batsmen Gagan Khoda, Devang Gandhi, and Jatin Paranjpe. Gandhi, Paranjpe and Singh were the new ad- ditions to the panel. Prasad, who was part of the earlier selection panel, replaced Sandeep Patil as its chairman. He played six Tests and 17 One- Reuters able chance of all three playing in the series certainly watching the previous series here, dayers for India between 1998 and 2000, having Kanpur opener in Kanpur. without much grass on the block, obviously made his international debut against Bangladesh “They’ve got very good spinners, naturally the ball deteriorates quite quickly and reverse in an ODI in 1998. very experienced in these conditions. But swing and spin naturally become big factors,” He played his fi rst Test against New Zealand ew Zealand captain Kane William- we have got some exciting young talent. We he said. in 1999. In 2000, however, he was dropped from son believes his slow-bowling trio have shown that in the (World) Twenty20,” “How our spin bowlers bowl will be impor- India’s Test squad and did not play interna- can prove a handful for India in their Williamson said, referring to the impressive tant, but at the same time we are hoping for tional cricket again. He featured in 96 fi rst-class own spin-friendly back yard in the display by leg-spinner Sodhi and left-armer better reverse swing. We will have to see how matches, amassing 4,021 runs at an average of Nthree-Test series starting today. Santner in the tournament in India earlier things unfold.” Williamson conceded spin 27.73 and claimed 266 dismissals. He also scored Sourav Ganguly, former Indian cricket captain Rolling out raging turners and unleashing this year. might make or break fortunes in the series 1,719 runs in 88 List A games. and president of the Cricket Association of Ben- the spinners has been the tried-and-tested “Yes, the formats are diff erent but we are but did not agree fully with team mate Ross The 41-year-old was appointed the Andhra gal, attends BCCI’s annual general meeting formula behind India’s formidable home hoping they can build on from those experi- Taylor’s suggestion of employing the sweep Pradesh captain for the 2007-08 Ranji Trophy in Mumbai yesterday. (AFP) form, and the cracks on the track in Kanpur’s ences,” Williamson said. “There were a lot of shot frequently to negate the Indian spinners. season. He announced his retirement from the Green Park Stadium suggest the trend will learning experiences to be had, certainly this “I think it’s certainly up to individuals. game in 2008 and later served as Andhra Cricket It was also decided that Thakur will continue continue against the Kiwis. being one of them, being exposed in these Some guys sweep more than others,” Wil- Association’s director for six years. Prasad be- to remain BCCI representative at the ICC and the India have won each of their last three conditions which will certainly suit spin liamson said. “I suppose sweeping is a big part came a national selector in 2015. He has also Asian Cricket Council. home series, against Australia, West Indies bowling. We are certainly hoping they can of an Indian player’s game. They’ve got great served as selector for the India U-19 team. BCCI held its AGM for 2016-17 despite the Jus- and South Africa, without losing a Test. But play a big part in the series.” footwork, they get forward, they get back and Former India pacer, Venkatesh Prasad was re- tice Lodha committee’s recommendations which New Zealand seem to have done their home- Williamson had a good look at the wicket come down the wicket. You can learn a lot tained as the chairman of the junior national stated the board not conduct any new business. work and have included a trio of specialist in Kanpur and the 26-year-old spotted a from the way they play but at the end of the team’s selection committee. Ashish Kapoor and The Lodha committee also recommended a spinners — Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and silver lining in the dry track, in the form of day, it’s up to individual players who are the Amit Sharma were added to the junior selection three-strong panel with all members having Test Mark Craig — in their squad with a reason- reverse-swing potential. “Coming into it, and most comfortable with it.” committee. experience. Gulf Times Thursday, September 22, 2016 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Dean Jones tips ICC says Pakistan Pakistan for T20 resurgence must satisfy on AFP and lengths so it’s a huge learn- Rawalpindi, Pakistan ing curve for some of them, but they will get better within three or four years time they will be- x-Australia batsman come a top two team in world Dean Jones has tipped T20 cricket.” Pakistan’s resurgence in Power hitting has become security to get visits Twenty20 cricket fol- an issue for Pakistan’s limited- lowingE the success of its new do- overs sides recently, with the mestic league, saying fi erce hit- team struggling to pile up big ter Sharjeel Khan can revive the totals. But Jones, who in 1986 fa- Most international sides have stayed away from Pakistan since 2009 country’s fortunes. mously struck 210 in the blister- Jones, who coached Islama- ing heat of Chennai in cricket’s AFP bad United to victory in the in- second-ever tied Test, picked Lahore augural Pakistan Super League out 27-year-old Islamabad bats- this year, was speaking after a man Sharjeel Khan as the man mixed-gender exhibition match who could turn Pakistan’s for- akistani offi cials must satisfy the in Rawalpindi. tunes around. “Sharjeel Khan concerns of visiting security ex- The 55-year-old featured is your next guy for the next ten perts if they want to host major alongside his players, team di- years (in T20). He’ll hurt most teams again, the chief executive rector and bowling legend Wasim bowlers in the world,” said Jones. Pof cricket’s world governing body said Akram, as well as four members Jones rolled back the years yesterday. of the national women’s team. during the exhibition match to Most international sides have stayed Despite rising to the top of Test strike a rapid fi re 26 off 10 de- away from Pakistan since an Islamist rankings for the fi rst time, Paki- liveries, including several lusty militant attack on the Sri Lankan team stan have wilted in shorter for- boundaries in his team’s 106-4 bus in Lahore in 2009, which killed eight mats of the game, dropping to off 12 overs. The match was also people and injured several cricketers. In ninth in one-dayers and seventh notable because of the presence 2015 Pakistan hosted minnows Zimbabwe in Twenty20 rankings. of four women stars, with Anam for a short limited-overs series — three Jones said the success of the Amin claiming the wicket of Zo- one-day internationals and as many PSL, a fi ve-team franchise-based haib Ahmed and batter Bismah Twenty20s — but that failed to change event staged in the United Arab Maroof hoicking several deliver- the views of most security experts. Emirates that attracted top glo- ies off spinner Imran Khalid into “It’s actually quite easy for you to con- bal talent and turned a healthy the outfi eld before he bowled her vince me that international cricket re- $2.6mn profi t despite low expec- out. turns to Pakistan, but unfortunately it’s tations, would help Pakistan’s Jones also hailed Pakistan’s not me or the ICC that needs to be con- players adapt their skills. rise to number one in the Test vinced,” said David Richardson, chief He said: “Let’s not forget why rankings as “phenomenal” giv- executive of the International Cricket India is good at T20 cricket: en the side has been starved of Council (ICC). “It’s the security experts, they have already had eight or matches at home since 2009 it’s the security consultants who are ad- nine IPLs, (which) goes for two terror attacks on the Sri Lankan vising the players, advising the teams, months and their guys have team. He said: “See apart from and that’s really out of our control.” learnt through other coaches and Misbah (ul-Haq) and Younis He was speaking in Lahore, where he infl uence from other players,” Khan maybe, not many boys have came to present Pakistan captain Mis- referring to the Indian Premier played for Pakistan on home turf, bah-ul-Haq with a mace after his team League, the format’s marquee and that is sad, that is really sad reached the world top Test ranking. tournament. “We just have (had) for some of the boys. And can Richardson’s remarks come as England one real Pakistan Super League they get better? You betcha. Oh prepare to tour Bangladesh next month and already now they are starting they can get better. ” despite an attack on a Dhaka cafe in July to get the idea about what’s ex- “There will be a time when that left 20 hostages including 18 foreign- pected at this level.” This game, they improve their batting and ers dead. It was claimed by the Islamic Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq (right) receives the ICC Test Championship mace from ICC Chief Executive David T20 cricket is morphing and improve their fi elding, they State group. Security experts cleared the Richardson in Lahore yesterday, after his team reached the world top Test ranking. (AFP) changing into a diff erent beast, a probably should have beaten tour on the assurances of the country’s diff erent animal. England in the series proper but government and the Bangladesh Cricket “I know that the Pakistan government international cricket in Pakistan,” he said. top, especially in the top format of this “It’s about power, it’s about their fi elding probably let them Board. and the Pakistan Cricket Board are doing Misbah meanwhile praised his play- game,” he said. fi tness, it’s about guys who down,” he added, referring to Richardson acknowledged overall im- whatever they can to try and persuade the ers for making it to number one without Players, he said, had to compete out- can bowl proper death bowl- Pakistan’s 2-2 draw in their away provements in Pakistan’s security situa- people and make the security situation playing at home. “We’ve been playing side the country for almost six to seven ing and proper defensive lines series last month. tion, with a marked decrease in militant better in Pakistan. Pretty soon we’ll get to on foreign soil since 2009 but we are not months. “Credit should be given to the attacks and casualties this year and last. a situation where teams are willing to play only strong enough but we are right at the families.” MISBAH WANTS PAKISTAN ISOLATION TO END SOON Lahore: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq hopes inter- national cricket will soon return to the country as he celebrated the team’s climb to the top of the test rank- ings by being awarded the ceremonial mace to mark the achievement on Tuesday. It was a poignant occasion for the 42-year-old Misbah as he accepted the silver and gold-plated trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, a venue where Pakistan played their last test on home soil. An attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in the city in 2009 led to Pakistan’s exclusion from hosting major international tours with the side forced to play ‘home’ games in the United Arab Emirates ever since. “There can’t be a better location to receive the ICC Test Championship mace than this ground,” Misbah said after receiving the trophy from International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson. “It is ironic for both the players as well as the fans that the journey to the number one position has been (made) outside Pakistan. The players have missed on the crowd support, while the spectators have been unable to watch live some magnificent team and individual performances. But I am confident that things will change and international cricket will soon return to Pakistan.” The Lahore incident saw the Sri Lankan touring party set upon by at least 10 gunmen, who wounded six players and a British coach, and killed eight Pakistanis in the attack. Undaunted by the isolation, Misbah’s men have recently beaten Australia and England in the UAE, drawn with New Zealand, and earned impressive away Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq (ceentre) chats with female cricketer Javeria (left) during an exhibition match series wins in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh before this at Rawalpindi Cricket stadium yesterday. The match featured former players as well as four members of the year’s 2-2 draw in England. Pakistan were then elevated national women’s team. (AFP) to number one in the rankings without bowling a ball after table-topping India were denied the 3-0 series win as the number one ranked test side at the April 1 cutoff formidable sides like the West Indies, New Zealand and they needed to retain top spot against West Indies last date,” said Misbah, referring to the prize money on off er Australia. But instead of getting overawed by our op- month when the final test ended in a damp draw. to the ranking leaders on that day. ponents, we need to trust in our abilities, focus on our Former Australia batsman Dean Jones and the head coach of “The next target we have set for ourselves is to finish “It is not going to be easy as we have series against strengths and try to be as consistent as possible.” Islamabad United plays a shot during an exhibition match at Rawalpindi Cricket stadium in Rawalpindi. Pakistan. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE Doha Falcon Cricket Club emerge champions in Prague Doha: Abdul Samad slammed a fl ying start through openers Sa- bassy in Kuwait. We would also an unbeaten 100 to guide Doha mad and Upul Bandara and the like to extend our thanks to Mr. Falcon Cricket Club (DFCC), an pair sealed the win in 14.4 overs. Karel Ziegler, President of Czech A Division club affi liated with Bandara cracked a stylish 64 not Cricket Union(CCU) the Qatar Cricket Association, out and Samad was aptly de- DFCC faced clubs of fi ve dif- to an easy win over Swedish side clared the Man of the Final. ferent countries – Czech XI, Ev- Evergreen in the fi nal of the third DFCC were thrilled with the ergreen from Sweden, Iceland Pepsi Cup Prague 2016. triumph and said: “We’re de- CC, Winterthur CC, Geneva XI Led by Adnan Khan, DFCC lighted with the success. We’re from Switzerland. made their international Twen- also proud to have contributed In all, DFCC fi gured in seven ty20 cricket bow in the Prague towards promoting Qatar sports matches and clinched six of event, which took place from and more specifi cally, cricket, them, including the semi-fi nal September 8 to 11. abroad. DFCC would like to thank and the fi nal. The DFCC squad Batting fi rst, Evergreen, a the QCA members, for all support consisted of Adnan Khan (cap- Swedish team, made 172 all out to DFCC, and special thanks to tain), Nafaiz, Raju, Abdul Samad, in 20 overs with Upul and Rizwan Mr. Szabo Istvan Lorinc, Deputy Zaheer, Qamar, Ahmed, Upul bagging three wickets each. Head of Mission, Consul of Hun- Bandara, Younas, Rizwan, Adnan Ahmed picked a brace. DFCC had garian Embassy and Czech Em- G and Vishal. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, September 22, 2016 RUGBY

ROUND-UP Ashton’s England future looks bleak aft er 13-week biting ban ‘Having considered detailed evidence the panel concluded that during the course of a ruck Chris Ashton bit the arm of Alex Waller at a time that Mr Waller was attempting to clear him out. The panel concluded it was a low-end entry point aggravated by his previous record’

Reuters fi rst get our players back,” said Boudjel- London lal. “But it really annoys me to see how our backs are playing,” he added, in an unveiled criticism of Australian backs inger Chris Ashton’s coach Steve Meehan. England career was hang- Turning to Clermont in the sixth ing by a thread after he was round of Top 14 matches, the outspoken handed a 13-week ban yes- president said: “I’m under no illusion. Wterday for biting an opponent. Clermont are currently a fi ghter plane”. The 29-year-old Saracens back, who has played 39 tests, was found guilty of biting Northampton prop Alex Waller South Africa recall in one of two incidents within the space ‘rusty but ready’ Lambie of a minute during a Premiership match last Saturday. The second charge was it-again fl y-half Patrick Lam- dismissed. bie was recalled by South Africa “Having considered detailed evi- Fcoach Allister Coetzee yesterday dence the panel concluded that during for rugby Championship Tests against the course of a ruck Chris Ashton bit Australia and New Zealand next month. the arm of Alex Waller at a time that The 25-year-old playmaker was badly Mr Waller was attempting to clear him concussed during a June Test loss to out,” disciplinary panel chairman Philip Ireland in Cape Town and returned to Evans said in a statement. “The panel action only last Saturday for Sharks in concluded it was a low-end entry point the Currie Cup. aggravated by his previous record.” “Rusty but ready,” was the verdict of He is free to play again from Decem- Sharks coach and former Springboks ber 19, the panel added. scrum-half Robert du Preez after Lam- Ashton’s hopes of earning a recall bie kicked two conversions in less than to the England squad for this year’s Six 20 minutes on the pitch. Nations ended when he was handed a However, South Africa coach Allister 10-week suspension for making con- Coetzee cautioned against assuming tact with the eye of Ulster centre Luke that Lambie would replace off -form Marshall during a Champions Cup Elton Jantjies against Australia on Oc- match in January. tober 1 at Loftus Versfeld stadium in The former rugby league player, who Pretoria. “We want to ascertain his has scored 19 tries for England, has not of the 2009 Junior World Champion- further enhance our squad. He is an ex- ‘Stop fantasising about leaders Clermont on Sunday. “Diego readiness and confi dence for interna- represented his country since 2014 and ships-winning All Blacks side which citing talent who has all the attributes Dominguez is not a target today,” he tional rugby or whether he rather needs missed out on Eddie Jones’s 45-man elite included the likes of Aaron Cruden and to be a success here.” Dominguez’s sacking’ said, adding: “If we lose 95-0, that reo- to play another match in the Currie Cup player squad that was named last month. Zac Guildford — joins from French outfi t Tuitavake, whose older brother, oulon president Mourad Boudjel- pens the debate, but that’s the case for for the Sharks,” he said. “Patrick has The punishment rules Ashton out Narbonne. Fijian international lock Api former All Black international back An- lal insisted yesterday that under- every coach.” been included in our squad so that our of four upcoming internationals. Six Ratuniyarawa signed for Saints on Tues- thony, is at Racing 92, said he’d enjoyed Tfi re coach Diego Dominguez was Boudjellal, who made his fortune medical and conditioning team can get Nations champions England will play day from another French side, Agen. his year at Narbonne but Northamp- not in his crosshairs after a poor start from the comic book publishing busi- fi rst-hand feedback.” South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Aus- Tuitavake, who will join up with an- ton off ered him a chance to play at the to the Top 14 season. The three-time ness, continued: “Diego’s not under Fullback Willie le Roux, axed after a tralia in their upcoming Tests in No- other member of the 2009 champion- highest level in Europe. former European champions, beaten pressure. Toulon are not playing well poor performances in a fortunate 2-1 vember and early December. ship winning side but now a Samoan in- “I have really enjoyed my time at in last year’s domestic fi nal by Parisian because we don’t have the players” due series win over Ireland, is also back in a ternational Ken Pisi, brings plenty of top Narbonne, but the opportunity to join arch-rivals Racing 92, currently stand to a raft of injuries. 31-man squad comprising 16 forwards level experience to the side having been a Northampton was one I could not re- eighth on 11 points, with just two wins Toulon have Australian wing Drew and 15 backs. Tighthead prop Julian Re- Tongan international regular for the Crusaders in Super Rugby sist,” said Tuitavake. “They are a world- from their fi ve outings so far. Mitchell and South African Bryan delinghuys and lock Lood de Jager have Tuitavake joins Saints and also represented New Zealand in the renowned club with some amazing play- Last weekend, Toulon were ham- Habana away on international duty, recovered from injuries and were in- the World Rugby Sevens Series. ers and I can’t wait to get started. I know mered by Racing 41-30, two late tries while the likes of captain Duane Ver- cluded. Utility prop Lourens Adriaanse ongan international back Nafi “We have been really impressed with Ace Tuala very well and Ken Pisi from giving a gloss to the fi nal score of a meulen, playmaker Matt Giteau, fl ank- is the only Springbok dropped from the Tuitavake became the second Pa- what we have seen of Nafi ,” said Saints our time at North Harbour and they have match in which they were comprehen- er Juanne Smith, wingers Vincent Clerc previous squad as South Africa seek to Tcifi c Island player to sign for Eng- director of rugby Jim Mallinder. “He nothing but good things to say about sively outplayed for large periods. and James O’Connor, and prop Jean- snap a run of three consecutive rugby lish Premiership outfi t Northampton has performed on lots of big stages from Saints. I am very grateful to Narbonne “You need to stop fantasising about Charles Orioli are all out injured. Championship losses. After a last-gasp Saints in two days when he joined the Super Rugby and New Zealand Sevens president Bernard Archilla for allowing the sacking of Diego Dominguez,” “I carried out an audit on my club, home win over Argentina, they loss side yesterday. The 27-year-old New to international rugby and we think his me to take this opportunity.” Boudjellal said of the ex-Italy fl y-half, spoke with lots of people. I try to fully away to the South Americans, Australia Zealand-born utility back — a member ability and experience from these will with his side due to play in-form league understand the problems. We must and world champions New Zealand.

OPINION Players’ interests must be at the heart of any new timetable being mulled for world rugby The relentless treadmill of professional game is leaving a trail of battered bodies and a sport in need of a streamlined schedule, writes Robert Kitson

he perfect global rugby season petitions are so compelling, your prod- Why not split the world rankings into groups of six—New during international periods. diometabolic health of former players. will never exist. Well, maybe it uct so attractive, your players so skilful Zealand, England, Australia, South Africa, Wales and Ireland The European club competition Dr Karen Hind, senior research fellow does on paper but not in real- and the queues for tickets so long, the would currently be in the premier division—and require them would reach its climax on the fi rst in the school of sport at Leeds Beckett, ity. There are competing hemi- TV and advertising dollars will follow weekend in June alongside an enhanced is well aware of the upside of rugby—“A spheres,T unions and clubs to pacify, not automatically. all to play each other in the same calendar year? England spring-time sevens schedule. life of rugby provides so many benefi ts to mention diff erent fi nancial impera- That is the problem, from a distance, could go to NZ and Australia in June and play the remaining Two summer Tests to fi nish (aside for those taking part”—but the New tives, audiences, time-zones and ambi- with Super Rugby, which will continue in three in Europe in November, although there is nothing to from Lions years) and July and Au- Zealand study uncovered some worry- tions. Sticking half-a-dozen adolescent its present bloated format next year. Full gust would be hammock months in the ing fi ndings, suggesting former rugby ferrets down your trousers simultane- stadia and logistical sense are only minor stop the All Blacks, say, travelling north in June if required... northern hemisphere. players suff ered from more general ously is slightly less problematic. considerations, prompting an increasing The Top 14 in France might have to health issues, including arthritis and Now imagine all six ferrets arriving raft of players from Australia and South be benefi cial and it would help to for- a neutral venue if that helps logistically; bend slightly while the Rugby Football more hazardous alcohol drinking be- with their own legal advisers and you Africa, in particular, to seek a more ful- malise the current summer and autumn Ireland are already due to face New Zea- Union would need to swallow a signifi - haviour, than people who used to play begin to grasp the unenviable situation fi lling professional life in Europe. Test format as well. land in Chicago in November. cant potential reduction in Twicken- non-contact sport. facing World Rugby as it attempts to No, the secret is to make the players Why not split the world rankings into Income from worldwide ticket sales, ham match income but the benefi ts of “Our project will examine links be- broker a schedule that suits everyone. feel they have the best of both worlds: groups of six—New Zealand, England, television revenue and sponsorship greater collective drawing power and tween concussions and future health, Small wonder the initial proposals to playing a great game and not being Australia, South Africa, Wales and Ire- would be pooled and fairly allocated, worldwide sponsorship potential would but it is also a broad study of how people have emerged from negotiations have fl ogged to death for the privilege of land would currently be in the premier rather than the host nation pocketing be huge. Better-marketed women’s in- who played rugby are getting on later in fallen short of jaw-dropping. doing so. If they are fresh and playing division—and require them all to play everything. Nor, with the fi nal being ternationals and age-grade fi xtures life,” said Dr Hind. A suspension of summer Test tours in good opposition on decent surfaces, each other in the same calendar year? played in the fi rst week of December, could all further enhance the mix. “We have previously found vertebral the year after a World Cup? The north- everyone benefi ts. England could go to NZ and Australia would it clash unduly with football’s Get the balance right and, in 20 years’ fractures in one out of three current pro- ern hemisphere club season poking into If they are happy and fulfi lled, fans in June and play the remaining three in World Cup. time, there could be millions thinking: fessional players so we will also be ex- June? The Six Nations staying broadly, and advertisers will take even more of Europe in November, although there is That would mean a player such as “This is far more fun than watching ploring this in retired players. We need if not exactly, where it is? We are talk- a shine to them. If they say they do not nothing to stop the All Blacks, say, trav- Dylan Hartley or Alun Wyn Jones play- football.” people to enrol regardless of how they ing cautious diplomacy, not revolution. want to get on a plane every fi ve min- elling north in June if required. ing 11 Tests, to include any fi nal or play- are getting on—whether they are happy Perhaps there should be gratitude for utes, it probably pays to listen to them. The top two would contest the Global off . A World Cup season would be the Players’ health check and healthy or having diffi culty with any such small mercies, given the world- They also need to be protected from Test Challenge fi nal in late November only year that fi gure rises to 12. Only in aspect of their lives. We also need people wide Test diary between World Cups themselves. Watch a game of modern with the winners collecting the newly the two other autumns might there be Have you passed the age of 30 and who haven’t taken part in rugby post- is currently blank from 2019 onwards. Premiership rugby and it is a minor minted Gus Pichot trophy. traditional incoming three-Test tours played rugby union or league as either school so that we can compare fi ndings.” There will inevitably be some sort of miracle anyone lasts until Christmas, The bottom two would play off , as to Europe, including midweek games a professional, semi-professional or an compromise. never mind next July when the 2017 Li- happens in tennis’s Davis Cup, to avoid against keen club opposition. A world amateur? Technology on the blink But what price a sport so wrapped ons tour wraps up. dropping to the next level where Argen- club shootout between the winners of If so, your sport needs you. Experts in self-interest it cannot see the big- Less is unquestionably more, cer- tina, France, Scotland, Fiji, Georgia and the four major competitions—Premier- at the Carnegie Research Institute at A minor detail but at the last three ger picture: players abandoning cash- tainly for the leading players. To expect Japan would be vying to replace them. ship, Pro12, Super Rugby and Top 14—is Leeds Beckett University are looking to Premiership matches attended by your strapped unions to fl ock to wealthy club them to prepare for 22 league games and Arrange for the Six Nations to start another alternative. study how former players fare health- correspondent—all at diff erent grounds leagues overseas, a dominant world- potential play-off s, plus nine European slightly later in March and, suddenly, Domestically, things will need tweak- wise in later life, following previous around the country in the past 10 days— leading side making many of their rivals club fi xtures and a further 12 Tests per there is a fresh, invigorating, more ing on a case-by-case basis. Expand- studies at the Auckland University of the electronic big screen or stadium look pedestrian, too many meaningless year is ludicrous; in a decade’s time it meritocratic feel to the landscape. Not ing the Premiership to refl ect the fact Technology (AUT) and the University clock has been on the blink for some or games in front of mediocre crowds. Fail will probably be illegal. to mention shorter tours. there are, at most, 16 clubs in England of Aberdeen. all of the game. There were also issues at to think about the many rather than just So let’s draw up something with the It will not happen immediately but who can hope to sustain viable profes- The researchers are looking to recruit the Bath v Newcastle fi xture. the few and everyone will be poorer. players’ interests front and centre. let us just imagine something similar sional rugby is one option; a conference “as many men over 30 as possible” to Apparently, this is often the responsi- So who, precisely, should any new They still want to play in big games for was kicking off in 2018. The draw would system with enhanced play-off s might study whether there are any links be- bility of outside contractors rather than structure be looking to satisfy? The their clubs and represent their coun- be made the previous year, giving eve- work. Either way, international players tween concussions and longer-term the individual club but, currently, spec- easy answer is television, because it tries to the best of their ability. Having ryone plenty of time to market the fi x- would not start playing until October neurological well-being, as well as as- tators everywhere are not being bril- pays the bills. Not so fast. If your com- a fallow summer once in a while would tures. The grand fi nal could be played at and would also be otherwise engaged sessing the muscle, bone, joint and car- liantly served. (The Guardian) Gulf Times Thursday, September 22, 2016 5 SPORT

RALLYING ITF clears Varvara aft er meldonium clarifi cation Reuters sistent with her account. New York “It was accepted by the ITF that Lestienne suspended for betting Lepchenko bore no fault or negligence for the violation and that any period of rench tennis player Constant Les- “The investigation was supported by merican Varvara Lep- ineligibility that may otherwise have tienne has been suspended for information provided by the Autorité de chenko is clear to play again been imposed is eliminated entirely...,” Fseven months and fined $10,000 Regulation des Jeux en Ligne (ARJEL), after she was found to shoul- the ITF said in a statement. (8,900 euros, £7,700) for gambling on the French online gambling regulator. der “no fault or negligence” “The results that Lepchenko ob- tennis, the Tennis Integrity Unit an- None of the bets placed involved match- forA an anti-doping rule violation, the tained at the 2016 Brisbane Interna- nounced yesterday. es in which Mr Lestienne was playing. International Tennis Federation (ITF) tional event are automatically disqual- The 24-year-old — presently at a “The suspension applies with immedi- said yesterday. ifi ed..., and the points and prize money career-high ranking of 164 — placed ate eff ect and means the player is not The world number 79 tested posi- that she won are forfeit.” bets on 220 tennis matches, none allowed to compete in, or attend, any tour- tive for banned substance meldonium, “This presence violation will be dis- involving him, in a three-year period nament or event organised or sanctioned added to the World Anti Doping Agen- regarded for sanctioning purposes in from February 2012 to June 2015. by the governing bodies of the sport.” cy’s (WADA) prohibited list on January the event that Lepchenko commits any The TIU softened the blow by sus- World tennis was rocked in January 1, during an in-competition test at the further anti-doping rule violation.” pending half his period of the ban — so by allegations that the game’s authori- 2016 Brisbane International, and on Russian fi ve-time Grand Slam long as he commits no other off ences ties had failed to deal with widespread three subsequent occasions. champion and former world number — and off ered him the olive branch match-fixing in the sport. The au- The Uzbekistan-born player was one Maria Sharapova is the sport’s of considering half the fine paid if he thorities rejected media reports that 16 provisionally suspended in March but highest-profi le athlete to be banned cooperates with them. players who have been ranked in the successfully appealed against her ban after testing positive for meldonium, “A TIU investigation secured evidence top 50 had been repeatedly flagged on the grounds that the meldonium a drug designed for heart conditions to confirm that between February 2012 to the TIU over suspicions they had traces came from tablets she stopped that increases blood fl ow. and June 2015, he (Lestienne) placed thrown matches in the past decade. taking “on or around 20 December The Court of Arbitration for Sport bets on 220 tennis matches through on- The TIU was established in 2008 to 2015”. (CAS) is set to rule on Sharapova’s ap- line accounts with Betclic and Pari Mutel enforce the sport’s zero tolerance policy The ITF, on the advice from WADA, peal against a two-year ban in the fi rst Ubain,” read the TIU statement. towards gambling related corruption. said Lepchenko’s samples were con- week of next month.

INTERVIEW Japan table tennis star Fukuhara to marry Tennis chiefs plan fellow Olympian Chiang revamp of Davis

Reuters chance,” the 27-year-old Chi- Tokyo ang, who also competed in Rio, told reporters in Tokyo. “With regards to the way I proposed, and Fed Cup fi nals apan’s Olympic medallist I actually gave her a key and Ai Fukuhara (left) and hoped that she would be an Jfellow table tennis player owner of our home.” ‘Our mission is to make tennis broad and wide. We have 700,000 spectators that Chiang Hung-chieh of Taiwan Fukuhara, now 27, competed announced their marriage in her first Olympics in 2004 come to Davis and Fed Cup each year... about 3.6 billion people view it on TV, but yesterday. when she was 15 years old. At Fukuhara, 27, began play- the Beijing Games in 2008, she it’s got to be bigger than that, and with a neutral final venue we can make it a ing table tennis at the age of carried the flag for the Japa- three and gained fame as a nese delegation and in London much bigger show than just two nations that know they’re playing each other’ child prodigy in Japan, but her four years later was a member popularity extends far beyond of the team who won their first her own country. silver in table tennis. Her fluency in Mandarin and The pair showed off their participation in China’s Super custom-made wedding rings, League have won her numer- engraved with table tennis ous supporters there and in balls, which were designed by other parts of East Asia, where Chiang. “I was overwhelmed she is often referred to as the when he proposed, so I don’t ‘Japanese Doll’. remember what I told him in “I proposed to her after the response,” said Fukuhara, who Rio Olympics when I got a won a bronze medal in Rio.

TENNIS Rio champ Puig knocks Kvitova out of Tokyo

AFP Tokyo

io Olympic champion Monica Puig beat sev- enth seed Petra Kvi- tova 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 with a Rdogged display to reach the Pan Pa- cifi c Open quarter-fi nals yesterday. Puig, who beat Germany’s Angelique Kerber in last month’s Olympic fi nal to capture Puerto Rico’s fi rst ever gold medal, re- covered from a nightmare start in Tokyo to stun Czech Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion. “The balls felt heavy today with the roof open,” said Puig. “It took some time to adjust to the conditions but I kept fi ghting and that’s what got me through.” Arruabarrena advances In other matches, former to Korea quarter-finals world number one Caroline Reuters potential revenue which will help grass- American who won a four-year presi- It could be looking at a two-day format,” Wozniacki also advanced, the In Seoul, Spain’s Lara Arruabarrena London roots tennis.” dential spell in 2015. “Right now we know he said. Dane toppling fourth seed Carla advanced to the Korea Open quar- Speaking at his Roehampton offi ce, in who are in the fi nals but we don’t know Haggerty said one of the prime benefi ts Suarez of Spain 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 ter-fi nals after defeating US eighth a suburban district of south-west Lon- where it is going to be.” of the “neutral fi nal” plan was to unlock while Japanese teenager Naomi seed Louisa Chirico in a near three- ennis chiefs plan to adopt the don, Haggerty did not name a fi gure cit- Croatia will host Argentina for the more potential revenue. Osaka upset Slovakia’s Dominika hour showdown yesterday. NFL’s Super Bowl model, by se- ies would have to come up with to host 2016 Davis Cup title after winning their “This can then be used to grow our Cibulkova 6-2, 6-1. Arruabarrena, who is the lecting fi xed-venue cities in ad- the fi nal, but said he thought it would be respective semi-fi nals last weekend. But a mission, which is to distribute funds to Osaka, born of a Japanese world number 90, scored an vance for their showcase Davis “signifi cant”. host city has yet to be named. grassroots tennis, especially to nations mother and Haitian father and upset victory against the 75th- Tand Fed Cup fi nals. “We’re waiting for cities to distinguish “It is really hard to plan and get view- who need money for development. who models her game on her idol ranked Chirico 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 The switch away from one of the fi nal- themselves,” he smiled. “And we’ll see ership and fans excited,” Haggerty said of “Because right now the hosting coun- Serena Williams, insisted she (2) in 173 minutes in Seoul. Ar- ists hosting the decider is part of a broader what it is. I don’t want to prejudge what the current format. try is the one that gets all the glory, and paid no attention to rankings after ruabarrena last advanced past strategy aimed at developing the men’s it might be.” “If you have a fi xed site, people can the money. This would enable us to dis- thrashing the world number 12. the fi rst round at the 2016 Eric- and women’s international team events. The ITF membership will vote on the begin to plan and look ahead. Last year tribute it in a far better way to achieve our “I honestly don’t care about sson Open in July, where she se- “This is all part of our mission to make plans next August. we had a fantastic fi nal in Ghent. But mission. that,” said the 18-year-old tour- cured an upset win against the the appeal of tennis broad and wide,” In- In American football’s Super Bowl, the the reality is, Britain could have sold out “Our mission is to make tennis broad nament wildcard, herself ranked current number one Angelique ternational Tennis Federation (ITF) Presi- host city is selected well in advance, usu- the (13,000-capacity) stadium. Belgium and wide. We have 700,000 spectators 66th. “Maybe she didn’t know Kerber in the round of sixteen. dent David Haggerty (pic) said. ally three-to-fi ve years before the game. could have sold it out, too.” that come to Davis and Fed Cup each much about me.” The 24-year-old previously beat Other options under consideration Similarly, European soccer’s govern- In the women’s competition, Haggerty year... about 3.6 billion people view it on After her upset win, Osaka re- Chirico, 20, in the qualifying include a tweak of formats to reduce the ing body, UEFA, selects the host city for is eager to introduce an expanded Fed Cup TV, but it’s got to be more than that. vealed that her mind had wandered stages of the 2015 Rogers Cup. length of matches, and expanding the the Champions League fi nal two years in top group, and introduce a ‘Final Four’ “It’s got to be bigger than that, and during the match to what she was Arruabarrena will next meet top-tier Fed Cup competition to feature advance. format. with a neutral fi nal venue we can work going to eat for dinner. Asked to second seed Johanna Larsson 16 nations. Haggerty said he hoped to see cities, “We are going to spend the next nine with our broadcast partners and make it pinpoint how her game has im- from Sweden, currently the world Haggerty, elected president a year ago, federations and their sponsors come to- months working with players, with our a much bigger show than just two nations proved over a breakout season, number 45. Camila Giorgi of Italy hopes to have the new hosting system in gether to bid for 2018. nations, talking about other possibilities, that know they’re playing each other. We Osaka replied cryptically: “I don’t also went through to the quarter- place by 2018. “Davis Cup is 135 nations,” “The most likely scenario would be such as formats. Should it be in Davis Cup can make this into a much more massive know. To be honest, I kept thinking fi nals after beating Germany’s Haggerty said. “This is a way to unlock for two-to-three-year terms,” said the two out of three sets, or three out of fi ve? win for tennis.” that I’d fancy some grilled meat.” Mona Barthel 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, September 22, 2016 SPORT

MLB SPOTLIGHT ‘Voice of Summer’ Scully prepares to Giants, Cueto blank hang up microphone aft er 67 years

AFP minute from when I fi rst fell in Los Angeles love with the game.” Los Angeles Dodgers Scully’s love aff air with radio as a medium began at the same fter nearly 10,000 age. “When I was very small, ‘I felt uncomfortable. It was bothering me, so that’s why I didn’t finish the inning’ baseball commentaries, about 8 years old, the only thing 25 World Series, 18 no- we had was radio. And the only hitters and three per- sports on radio would be college Crawford left the game because fectA games, Vin Scully is fi nally football, basically, with an oc- By Andy McCullough Los Angeles Times of a dislocated left pinky fi nger. hanging up the microphone. casional Joe Louis heavyweight The Dodgers showed an abil- For 67 years, the 88-year- championship fi ght, something ity to make hard contact against old broadcaster known af- like that,” he said. t this juncture of Sep- Cueto during the fi rst three in- fectionately as the “Voice of “My parents had this big tember, with the Los nings, but could not cobble to- Summer” has captivated gen- old four-legged radio with a Angeles Dodgers close gether a run. Justin Turner swung erations of fans as the play- cross piece underneath it. And enough to touch a at the fi rst pitch with two on and by-play announcer for the Los I would get a pillow and maybe fourthA consecutive division title, no outs in the fi rst inning and Angeles Dodgers, a job that be- a glass of milk and some crack- a result like Tuesday’s 2-0 loss grounded into a double play. Toles gan when the iconic franchise ers or whatever, and I would to San Francisco neither creates cracked a line drive into left in the was based on the opposite side crawl underneath the radio on panic nor evokes comfort. There second - which landed in the glove of the country in Brooklyn. a Saturday, put the pillow on is little reason for the Dodgers to of outfi elder Gorkys Hernandez. A Scully’s distinctive, dul- the crossbar, put my head on fret about the immediate future. one-out double by Corey Seager cet timbre and pitch-perfect the pillow, and I was directly The team still holds a fi ve-game in the third went for naught. descriptions have accompa- underneath the speaker. lead in the National League West The Giants stressed Hill in nied so many iconic moments “And I was absolutely car- with 11 to play. the fourth. Buster Posey saw that attempting to list them is ried away by the roar of the On a muggy night at Chavez Ra- four curveballs, and lined the something of a fool’s errand. crowd. It wasn’t the an- vine, Manager Dave Roberts chose fourth a single. Up next, out- Whether it was Don Larsen’s nouncer; it was just the roar not to extend Rich Hill beyond the fi elder Hunter Pence fl icked a perfect game for the New York of the crowd. It came out of fi fth inning. His lone blemish was fi rst-pitch curve into right fi eld Yankees in the 1956 World Se- the speaker like water from a a solo homer in the fi fth. Hill gave for another single. Two batters ries or Hank Aaron’s record- shower head, and I would get up six hits but struck out seven. later, second baseman Joe Panik breaking 715th home run to sur- goose bumps and think, ‘Oh, Giants fi rst baseman Brandon Belt loaded the bases with a walk. pass Babe Ruth in 1974, Scully’s my gosh, this is the greatest added a homer off reliever Grant Into the batter’s box stepped evocative voice was there. sound I’ve ever heard.’” Dayton in the ninth. Belt. Hill favoured his fastball But within a few weeks, one Those childhood experienc- His teammates poked at Gi- over his curve. He snapped a 90- of the most celebrated careers es have informed the way Scul- ants starter Johnny Cueto for mph heater on the inner half to in baseball will be over. ly approaches broadcasting. nearly six innings, but could not freeze Belt for the third strike. On Sunday, Scully will call “When I got into broadcast- produce a run. Cueto scattered Hill skipped off the mound and his fi nal home game from his ing, I was again captivated by eight hits before exiting with a into his dugout. perch in the press box at Dodg- the roar of the crowd. So what leg injury. A pair of left-handed In the fi fth, Hill blinked fi rst. er Stadium, where he has been I’ve tried to do ever since the Giants, Steven Okert and Will He tried to handcuff third base- ever-present since the team beginning was to call the play Smith, collected eight outs. man Eduardo Nunez with a 1-1 moved into the venue in 1962. as accurately and quickly as “I felt uncomfortable,” Cueto fastball inside. Nunez was ready. On October 2, he will take possible, then sit back and said through an interpreter. “It He lifted a high fl y toward left to the broadcast booth for the revel in the roar of the crowd. was bothering me, so that’s why fi eld. The baseball cleared the last time when he calls an in- And for that brief few seconds, I didn’t fi nish the inning.” fence, clipped a camera, bounced ning of the Dodgers’ road game I was eight-years-old again,” The Dodgers (85-66) can still off a wall and returned to the against the San Francisco Gi- he said. claim the series with a victory fi eld. Nunez was initially credited ants, the last game of the regu- Unfailingly modest, Scully Wednesday. Standing in their with a triple, but a replay review lar season. For Scully, there is is quick to put his career as a way will be Matt Moore, who showed the solo homer. a beautiful symmetry to the witness to baseball history in fi nished one out shy of a no-hit- After fi ve, Hill had thrown 77 date of his fi nal game, a sym- its proper context. ter against the Dodgers on Aug. pitches. He was due to bat fi rst bolic bookend to the moment “I’ve done some 20-some- 25. Moore throws with his left in the bottom of the inning. 80 years ago that he fell in love thing no-hitters, X number hand, which makes his presence Roberts sent Howie Kendrick to with baseball as an eight-year- of perfect games and X world problematic for his hosts. hit for him. Hill shook Roberts’ old boy, walking home from series games,” he says. “God The Dodgers could not build hand in the dugout and lament- school in New York. has been incredibly kind to al- off the excitement from Mon- ed the location of the fastball low me to be in the position to day’s game, even if some verbi- to Nunez.Like the night before, A love aff air watch and to broadcast all of age carried over. Suppressed by Giants Manager Bruce Bochy “I was not quite nine years these somewhat monumental Giants ace Madison Bumgarner, turned to his bullpen earlier old. I went by a Chinese laun- events. But none of those are the Dodgers caught a break when than he preferred. Cueto looked dry and in the window was the my accomplishments; I just Bumgarner jawed with Yasiel uncomfortable in the bottom of line score of the World Series happened to be there.” Puig after the seventh inning. the sixth, clutching at his left game, that would be October Scully’s modesty is refl ected “Don’t look at me,” Bumgarner leg. The offi cial diagnosis would 2nd, 1936, and the Yankees in his desire to avoid a pro- hollered at Puig, but it was Bum- be a strained left groin. After he beat up the Giants 18-4,” he tracted farewell. The uncer- garner who left the game and walked Toles to place runners at fi rst told reporters this week. tainty of the postseason left watched from the dugout as the and second, Bochy sent in Okert. “As a little boy, my fi rst reac- him anxious to avoid a “good- Dodgers made a furious come- The Dodgers could not touch him. tion was, ‘Oh, the poor Giants.’ bye like they do in grand op- back in the ninth. Roberts sent up two pinch-hitters, So that’s when I fell in love with era, where they say goodbye 25 A night after letting their bats Yasiel Puig and Enrique Hernandez. baseball and became a true fan. times in 15 minutes.” end the discussion, the Dodg- Both struck out. The Dodgers would My last game with the Giants “We’ll tie the ribbon on the ers revived it with a fashion not place another runner on second will be October 2nd, 2016. That package in San Francisco, and choice. Puig, Adrian Gonzalez, base all evening. will be exactly 80 years to the that will be that,” he said. Justin Turner and a few oth- ers sports T-shirts that read RESULTS “#DontLookAtMe” on Tuesday Boston 5 Baltimore 2 afternoon. “I didn’t see them,” Philadelphia 7 White Sox 6 Roberts said. “What’s that refer- Atlanta 5 NY Mets 4 encing? Technology, man. Peo- Cleveland 2 Kansas City 1 ple are quick these days.” NY Yankees 5 Tampa Bay 3 Hill and Cueto traded score- Miami 1 Washington 0 less frames at the start. Hill gave Chicago Cubs 6 Cincinnati 1 up a pair of two-out singles in Texas 5 LA Angels 4 the second inning. On the second Detroit 8 Minnesota 1 hit, shortstop Brandon Craw- Pittsburgh 6 Milwaukee 3 ford tried to advance from fi rst St. Louis 10 Colorado 5 to third. To do so, he needed to Houston 2 Oakland 1 (10 innings) challenge the arm of rookie An- San Diego 5 Arizona 2 drew Toles. Crawford lost the San Francisco 2 LA Dodgers 0 San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto grimaces in pain after a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers gamble; Toles threw him out, and Toronto 10 Seattle 2 in the sixth inning in Los Angeles. (Los Angeles Times/TNS)

FOCUS Dealing with setbacks the key to NFL success

By Chip Scoggins tive working relationship be- gardless of his paltry rushing to- now Garoppolo is sidelined be- Good coaches have schemes Star Tribune (Minneapolis) tween Teddy Bridgewater and tals this season. And yet the NFL cause of a shoulder injury. Think that mitigate personnel losses. Adrian Peterson. It all sounded shows no mercy. Good teams Bill Belichick will make excuses Zimmer’s defense neutralised encouraging. persevere. or allow players to feel sorry for Aaron Rodgers despite playing n NFL season rarely, if Those plans were tucked away “I don’t want to say you just themselves? without top cornerback Xavier ever, sticks to a script after Bridgewater suff ered a dev- plug in the next guy because you Zimmer has taken a similar ap- Rhodes and starting tackle Shar- written in July before astating knee injury on a routine don’t replace Teddy or Adrian proach with his players. He con- rif Floyd. Nor did Sam Brad- players report to train- drop-back in practice. as people and what they bring tinues to stress team, team, team. ford play like a quarterback still ingA camp. Once the shock wore off , con- to the locker room,” safety Har- “To us, I don’t know if we even learning a new off ense. Narratives too often become versation turned to Peterson and rison Smith said. “But you don’t see it as adversity,” Smith said. Better depth of talent is a tes- fi xated on best-case scenarios his ability to carry the off ense. want to hang your head and say, “Everything is not going to go tament to General Manager Rick when, in reality, chances are Well, on to Plan C. ‘Oh, here we go again.’ You’ve your way all the time. You have Spielman’s personnel decisions greater that plans will get blown A magnetic resonance imag- just got to push forward.” to fi ght through it.” in constructing his roster. to smithereens by November. ing exam Monday revealed that Injuries are the NFL’s great Some teams handle setbacks “It’s not often that you get on “You have adversity through Peterson suff ered a torn me- equalizer. They are inevitable better than others for myriad a football team that when you the season all the time,” Vikings niscus in his right knee vs. the and nondiscriminatory. Every reasons, not the least of which is bring in a second guy, there’s not cornerback Captain Munnerlyn Packers. team encounters them. Some just coaching. much of drop-off ,” defensive end said. “People get hurt, things Mike Zimmer did not provide handle them better than others. Players take cues from their Brian Robison said. Even so, this don’t go your way. You just have many details about severity or Whether dealing with inju- leader, so if a coach acts panicky has been a wacky start to the sea- to learn how to deal with it.” timetable for Peterson’s return, ries, suspensions or other in- when adversity strikes, forget son, even by NFL standards. The Through two games, the Vi- but the injury realistically could ternal drama, successful teams it. Zimmer has conveyed a defi - Vikings have been turned up- kings are proof that success is cost him games. manage those situations without ant tone and message from the side-down and yet they’re 2-0. often determined not by how Peterson has been largely invis- allowing them to sabotage their moment Bridgewater fell to the Handling adversity is a critical teams fare when they’re at their ible the fi rst two weeks, primarily season. ground clutching his knee. component to success. Smooth best, but by how they respond because his off ensive line is get- The Patriots began the sea- “With our coach, he’s crazy,” sailing rarely exists. The best when a crisis hits. ting pushed around and not creat- son with Tom Brady serving a Munnerlyn said, smiling, “but teams cope and improvise. The organisation spent the ing any running lanes for him. suspension but won at Arizona it comes from the top. Got to So far, the Vikings have shown entire off season anticipating a Losing a player of Peterson’s with backup Jimmy Garoppolo come from your leadership, and that capability. “We’ll keep more comfortable and produc- stature isn’t insignifi cant, re- looking more than capable. And it starts with your coaches.” fi ghting,” Zimmer said. Adrian Peterson (R) with Teddy Bridgewater. Gulf Times Thursday, September 22, 2016 7 SPORT

MLB SPOTLIGHT Giannis won’t Rose eager to excite change with new New York Knicks fans contract By Gary D’Amato ‘So my job is to come in and get everybody going, then have my spot where I can try to dominate the game’ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel fter he signed a con- By Al Iannazzone tract extension worth Newsday $100mn with the Mil- waukee Bucks, Gian- nisA Antetokounmpo was asked errick Rose won 62 if he’d splurge on something. games and reached the You know, treat himself to a pri- Eastern Conference vate island in the Caribbean or fi nals with the Bulls a Bentley or at least a diamond- duringD the 2010-11 season, but encrusted Rolex. the former NBA MVP believes “Let me think about that,” An- this Knicks team has a chance to tetokounmpo said, stroking his be better. chin and looking at his father and “I think it’s the most talented mother, Charles and Veronica, team I’ve played on, even though who were sitting in the front row I haven’t played with them yet at the news conference to for- – just looking at the stat sheet, mally announce his four-year working out with them,” Rose extension Tuesday. Antetok- said in a recent interview with ounmpo straightened in his chair. the National Basketball Players “Maybe after this,” he said Association website. with a grin, “we’re going to get “So my job is to come in and some smoothies or something.” get everybody going, then have One hundred mn has a way my spot where I can try to dom- of changing how you look at the inate the game.” world. Or, at least it does for Team president Phil Jackson most people. Antetokounmpo, overhauled the Knicks’ roster though, isn’t most people. Like this summer. He acquired Rose anyone else he wants to be treat- in a trade with the Bulls, and ed fairly, and he has a good sense signed Joakim Noah, Courtney of his value to the Bucks. But Lee and Brandon Jennings to the money truly is secondary to put alongside returning corner- his primary goals of becoming a stone players Carmelo Anthony great player and helping his team and Kristaps Porzingis in hopes win a championship. of ending the Knicks’ three- General manager John Ham- year playoff drought. mond had to pull Antetok- Those moves have led to Rose ounmpo out of a workout to get touting the Knicks every chance him to the 1pm news conference. he’s gotten. The three-time All- And Antetokounmpo got antsy Star point guard called them a as the thing dragged on, because “super team” and said they had he was due back at the gym at 5 “a chance to win every game” to lift weights. earlier this summer. “To be honest with you, I’m But key factors to the Knicks’ going to keep doing what I’ve success will be whether they been doing in past years, keep can stay healthy and how quick- working hard,” he said. “I’m the ly they can develop chemistry, only guy that can put pressure on particularly with a cloud of myself. I want to be great. I want uncertainty hanging over Rose to make my team be great.” with training camp opening a They weren’t just the right week from Tuesday. things to say in front of the TV Rose could miss multiple cameras. In a little over three practices and preseason games years, he’s gone from a skinny because of his civil rape trial that teen playing in Greece’s second is scheduled to begin October 4. division to one of the most ex- That’s the day of the Knicks’ fi rst citing young players in the NBA. exhibition game in Houston. You don’t do that by coasting, Rose, however, seems focused even when you’re gifted with on basketball and proving he freakish length and athleticism. can return to being an elite point “He has done everything he guard after injuries and knee can possibly do to make himself surgeries have limited him the the best player he can become,” past fi ve years. er hung out together,” he said. “Last year or eight years has him even more excited for yet, I haven’t made a basket there oohs and aahs for the little Hammond said. “We have full He has worked out this sum- “We just showed up at training straight, we did the same thing the season to start. yet, and I can only imagine how moves that you do when you’re faith in Giannis that that’s not mer with Noah, his former Bulls camp, like a couple days before. and it didn’t get us any champi- “You feel that a little bit in they’re going to act when we on the opposing team. going to stop.” teammate, and Lee. Earlier this It’s just about pushing each onship. But now we’re trying dif- Chicago, but it’s not on that start winning.” But when you’re on their Antetokounmpo’s rise from month, Rose was one of several other, being able to talk trash to ferent things and staying positive level of New York, so it kind “It’s a basketball culture team, they ooh and aah with poverty in Athens truly is an in- Knicks to train with Anthony one another while you’re work- and pushing each other.” of makes you anxious to ac- there that’s missing. Our job is everything. So I’m waiting for credible story. He, his brothers during his annual “A Very Melo ing out. It’s that bond. That’s Rose also said he’s felt more tually get on the court,” Rose to bring that excitement back that excitement and just try- and his parents, who were ille- Weekend” event in Puerto Rico. what we’re trying to build at “love” from New York fans in said. “It’s, like, ‘Man, they’re to the city. And it’s diff erent ing to be patient for it, because gal Nigerian immigrants, were Rose mentioned that Bulls never least working out together, try- a short time than he did in his excited that I’m actually there.’ playing there than actually be- it’s going to be an exciting year I treated as second-class citizens did anything like that. “We nev- ing something diff erent.” home town of Chicago, and it I haven’t even picked up a ball ing on the team, like the crowd think for the whole city.” in Greece.

FOCUS Tanking behind them, 76ers to focus on development

By Keith Pompey ers selected him third overall in the with the free-agent additions of The Philadelphia Inquirer 2014 draft. Jerryd Bayless, Gerald Henderson, However, two operations on the and Sergio Rodriguez. The team navicular bone in the 7-foot-2, is young and still several seasons idway through his an- 275-pounder’s right foot prevent- away from being a serious NBA ti- nual preseason media ed him from playing in the 2014-15 tle contender. luncheon, Brett Brown and 2015-16 seasons. Brown’s goal is to help Embiid, was asked his expec- The Sixers will have him on a Simmons, Saric, and the other Mtations for the season. While the minutes restriction. Embiid also young players reach their poten- 76ers coach declined to disclose isn’t expected to play on back- tial. That’s why he remains focused how many wins he expects, he re- to-back nights. They won’t know on developing a culture and teach- vealed that this season will be sort if he’ll start at centre against the ing his off ensive and defensive of like the previous three – minus Oklahoma City Thunder in the philosophies. He and his staff also the tanking. season-opener until after consult- intend to show the proper way to “The diff erence is everybody is ing with the medical staff . put in work in the weight room and going to want to win some games,” This year’s fi rst overall pick, Ben scout opponents. the fourth-year coach said last Simmons, won’t have the same re- “Those things ultimately mat- week in the second-fl oor dining strictions. Look for the 6-10 point ter,” said Brown, who won four room of Lo Spiedo at the Navy forward to play 30-plus minutes a NBA titles during fi ve Finals ap- Yard. night while initiating the off ense. pearances as a San Antonio Spurs “Let’s call it for what it is. I feel There’s a lot of excitement because assistant. like that we are going to want to see of his ability to play anywhere from “Maybe not so much to the out- growth on the court as it relates to power forward to point guard. side world, but if you really want to wins.” There’s also excitement sur- grow a program [it does]. I’ve seen But the team that won just 10 rounding Dario Saric. Acquired in what championships look like. I’ve games last season and a combined a 2014 draft-day trade, the 6-10 seen fi ve times what it takes to play 47 in Brown’s fi rst three campaigns power forward will make his NBA in June. ... So the growth some- is still heavily focused on player debut after playing the last two times might not be as quantifi able development. seasons in Turkey. to the outside world. But I know it.” Yes, the Sixers will run a pur- “I think we are all going to look And as in the past, the 76ers will poseful off ense and defence. back [on this season] and see did see who on this roster are keepers “And we are going to see the path certain people improve,” Brown to play alongside Embiid, Sim- of these young guys slowly start to said. “I think we are all going to mons, and Saric in the future. look like they belong on an NBA look back and see did we start to But Brown is not ready to say how court,” Brown said. fi gure out a rhythm beat, a rhythm many wins he thinks that will “And we all say, ‘Wow, project to our season of who’s actually translate into this season. “I’m not Joel Embiid out in two or three playing.” going to go there,” he said. years.’” Ultimately, Brown’s job will be In his eyes, the true indicator Embiid was expected to be an to win games. However, he prob- of success will be how his players elite player since the time the Six- ably won’t win more than 25 even improve. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, September 22, 2016 SPORT

OLYMPICS FOCUS Qatar’s Taylor and Flanagan win berths Rome 2024 bid all in Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge Final

By Sports Reporter (13th hole – sponsored by Se- Doha lect Property). but over as new King of the course par 3s was earned by Eugene Bautista he Xerox Corporate and Rolando Valencia with 18 Golf Challenge’s 8th points; Par 4s was taken by and 9th qualifi ers, Andrew Muirhead and Som- held at the Doha Golf posch Sang Orn (37 points), TClub in Qatar on September and par 5s was taken by Bruce 16, saw Mike Taylor and Neil Chalmers and Grahame Mc- mayor says ‘No’ Flanagan of Team UTB take Caig (19 points). King of the home the honours of win- course winners are teams that ning the day’s qualifi ers, with perform best on pars 3, 4, and ‘We won’t be forced to pay for more cathedrals in the desert for years to come’ their prize including spots in 5, with prize rewards as well as the challenge’s fi nal to be held entry into the ‘Golden Ticket’ later this year in Ajman, UAE. draw that off ers a wildcard en- Reuters Taylor and Flanagan took fi rst try into the 2016 Grand Final. Rome place with 42 points (count- This years’ Xerox Corporate back), followed by Mathieas Golf Challenge is supported Freij and Emad al-Emadi with by the Emirate of Ajman, as ome’s new mayor, Vir- 42 points (countback) in sec- 2016 host city, and destination ginia Raggi, pulled the ond place, and with third place partners include the Ajman plug on the city’s bid taken by Ben Sargent and Rob- Palace, Ajman Kempinski, and to host the 2024 Olym- bie Kirkwood, with 40 points. Ajman Saray. Fairmont Ajman pics,R saying staging the summer On-course Nearest to the hotels and Ajman’s Al Zorah games would bury the Italian pin competitions were won Golf Club are venue sponsor capital under mountains of debt by Theo Scheepers (3rd hole – for the 2016 Grand Final. Oth- and tonnes of cement. sponsored by Chrysler); Frans er sponsors of the tournament The decision represents a Smit (8th hole – sponsored by include deVere Acuma, Chrys- blow to the International Olym- Devere Acuma); Ruan Jordaan ler, and Select Property. pic Committee, which has al- ready seen Boston and Hamburg abandon their 2024 bids, and is struggling to convince poten- Gay looks to set pace on ice at tial host cities that it is worth putting on the sporting extrava- bobsled championships ganza. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Former world 100m champion Tyson Gay has traded the track Renzi had championed Rome’s for ice this week after he entered to compete in the US Bobsled challenge, but he needed the National Push Championships in Calgary. backing of the city council to The 34-year-old will make his initial bid for a national team spot press ahead. Raggi’s decision despite only pushing a sled for a “handful of days”, according to means only Paris, Los Angeles the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation. and Budapest are left in the run- Gay was suspended from athletics for a year after testing ning to stage the 2024 games. positive for a banned substance in 2013, and was stripped of his “It would be irresponsible for 4x100 metres relay silver medal from the London Games. us to support this candidacy,” The 2007 triple world champion was part of the 4x100 relay said Raggi, whose anti-estab- team that was disqualified in the final at this year’s Rio Games. lishment 5-Star Movement took Fellow sprinter Ryan Bailey, who was part of the London relay power for the fi rst time in Rome team, is also amongst the entrants in the Sept 21-24 event, which after a landslide victory in local is mandatory for anyone wanting to try and make the national elections in June. team at next month’s trials in Lake Placid. “We have nothing against the Meanwhile the Nice-Cote d’Azur triathlon scheduled for October Olympics and sport... but we 1 and 2 has been cancelled amid security concerns, the French don’t want sport to be an excuse Triathlon Federation announced on Tuesday. Security required for more rivers of cement in the for the event which would bring together 1,200 people would city. We won’t allow that.” require “too great a commitment of public order forces already Boston pulled out over fi nan- mobilised otherwise”, the federation said in a statement. After cial concerns and the residents the Bastille Day truck attack in the Riviera resort in July that of Hamburg voted against that claimed 85 lives, a number of events have been cancelled, city’s bid in a referendum. The including the European road cycling championships from 5-Star Movement had always Rome’s new mayor Virginia Raggi talks during a news conference in Rome yesterday. (Reuters) September 14-18. voiced doubts about staging the sporting spectacular, but the and said the city could not aff ord a pattern of cities pulling out of Rome bid team and Italy’s Ol- such a huge undertaking, add- bidding for both summer and We won’t give up on Rome 2024: CONI chief ympic committee had held out ing it would have left Rome with winter Games after baulking at SPOTLIGHT hopes of changing Raggi’s mind. sports arenas it did not need. the huge investments required. Italian Olympic chief Giovanni Malago insists Rome’s dream of host- Italy’s Olympic Commit- “We won’t be forced to pay Brazil spent about $12bn on ing the 2024 Olympic Games is still alive despite a crushing blow to tee chief Giovanni Malago had for more cathedrals in the desert the Rio Games last month, which their bid by the city’s own mayor. Rome, Paris, Los Angeles and Bu- been scheduled to meet Raggi on for years to come. Romans don’t proved a sporting success but dapest are the cities hoping to stage the Games in eight years’ time. Sagan wins 3rd stage Wednesday, but he left city hall want that,” she said. was marred by complaints over But the Italian capital now looks to be out of contention after an after waiting for half an hour, Revelations of systematic cor- budget overruns and infrastruc- unequivocal ‘No’ by the city’s new mayor, Virginia Raggi, was deliv- saying she had not turned up. ruption involving Roman poli- ture delays. ered yesterday. Malago refuted Raggi’s argument the Eternal City, to close on Eneco Raggi, whose fi rst months in ticians, bureaucrats and busi- The International Olympic rocked by a scandal last year which revealed the extent of mafia charge of Rome have been chaot- nessmen in late 2014 prompted Committee’s “Agenda 2020” involvement in city building projects under former mayor Ignazio ic, with key staff ers leaving and doubts about whether the city aimed to cut the cost of the Marino, could ill aff ord to be burdened with the financial costs Tour lead several important posts still un- could handle work associated Games and make bidding more of holding an Olympics. Malago, who is now expected to turn to fi lled, said she had been delayed with the Olympics in a transpar- attractive, but has failed to stop Italian president Matteo Renzi for continued support of Roma AFP Aalter to Leeuw-St-Pierre. and regretted Malago’s decision ent way. Rome had also bid to cities withdrawing their can- 2024, says he won’t give up hope until the bid is dead and buried. Brussels not to wait for her. host the 2020 Games, but then- didacies, scared off by the size, “Hearing ‘no’ hurts. I’m very sorry. It was possible to do this, and Results prime minister Mario Monti cost and complexity of the event. do it well,” he said. 1. Peter Sagan (SVQ/Tinkoff ) NO ‘CATHEDRALS IN THE withdrew due to concerns over The International Olympic “We will continue (with the bid) until I hear a formal no.” Yet the orld champion 4hr 10min 36sec, 2. Danny DESERT’ Italy’s fi nances. The Olympics Committee is due to select the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) chief now faces a huge task if Peter Sagan won van Poppel (NED) same time, She told reporters that the movement is concerned the 2024 host city in September he is to turn momentum around. a disorganised 3. Nacer Bouhanni (FRA) s.t., Olympics often ran over budget Games is losing its lustre, with 2017. sprint fi nish to 4. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) takeW third stage honours at s.t., 5. Mark McNally (GBR) s.t., the Eneco Tour yesterday and 6. Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA) s.t., CYCLING/UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP close in on the race lead. 7. Martin Elmiger (SUI) s.t., The 26-year-old Slovak 8. Marcel Kittel (GER) s.t., 9. now trails Australian Rohan André Greipel (GER) s.t., 10. Dennis by just three seconds in Alexander Kristoff (NOR) s.t. the overall standings. A fi ve-man breakaway in- Overall standings cluding Japan’s Yukiya Arashi- 1. Rohan Dennis (AUS/BMC) Cavendish heads British hopes ro was caught just 150 metres 8hr 35min 24sec, 2. Peter from the fi nish line at the end Sagan (SVQ) at 3sec, 3. Jos AFP coach, said the Doha course is ide- of the 186km stage that fi n- van Emden (NED) 5, 4. Jasha London ally suited for Cavendish, winner of ished in Ardooie, Belgium. Sutterlin (GER) 14, 5. Martin 30 stages at the Tour de France, to Tinkoff ’s Sagan weaved his Elmiger (SUI) s.t., 6. Wilco Kel- add to his 2011 road race world title. way through the traffi c to pip derman (NED) 15, 7. Matthias ritish sprint ace Mark Cav- “In the men’s race, Mark heads to Dutchman Danny Van Poppel Brändle (AUT) s.t., 8. Primoz endish and controversial Doha as one of the clear favourites into second with Frenchman Roglic (SLO) 16, 9. Taylor Phin- women’s world road race given the nature of the course and he Nacer Bouhanni third. Today’s ney (USA) s.t., 10. Marcel Kittel champion Lizzie (formerly will have a strong team around him,” fourth stage is 202km from (GER) 17. Armitstead)B Deignan will lead their said Dyer. respective teams at next month’s “The depth of talent available to world championships in Qatar it was us on the road this year has been announced yesterday. exceptional and I believe we have It should be an interesting at- picked strong squads for all the races mosphere as Cavendish, who fi - we are entering.” nally achieved his aim of winning Cavendish’s fellow Olympians an Olympic medal in Rio last month Steve Cummings, Ian Stannard and gaining omnium silver on the track, Geraint Thomas are included on the criticised Deignan for missing three shortlist along with current national dope tests, placing her own Olympic champion Adam Blythe. The cham- challenge in the balance. pionships run from October 9-16. Deignan, who married fellow cyclist Philip Deignan last week- Squads: end, was allowed to compete in the Elite Men Road Race (nine places Games road race after winning an qualified): Adam Blythe, Mark Cav- appeal to have the fi rst missed test endish, Stephen Cummings, Alex annulled, but she failed to win a Dowsett, Dan McLay, Luke Rowe, medal in Rio. Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Geraint “Did she dope? No and I don’t Thomas, Scott Thwaites. believe she did. Was it an adminis- Elite Women Road Race (eight trative error? Yes it was, absolutely? places qualified): Alice Barnes, Was it her fault? Yes it was, abso- Hannah Barnes, Lizzie Deignan, lutely,” Cavendish told Sky Sports Danielle King, Laura Massey, An- Slovakian cyclist Peter Sagan of Tinkoff celebrates after winning prior to his event at the Olympics. nasley Park, Abby Mae Parkinson, the third stage of the Eneco Tour cycling race, 186km from Iain Dyer, British Cycling’s head Eileen Roe. Blankenberge to Ardooie, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, September 22, 2016 9 FOOTBALL

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT London the perfect Ceferin hopeful choice for Euro 2020 climax, says Ceferin

Reuters football will once again return to its London mythical cradle,” Ceferin said. “London is a wonderful, vibrant of Champions multicultural city and an intense hot- ew UEFA president Aleksand- bed of football.” er Ceferin believes London is Ceferin said UEFA had a vision of the perfect choice to stage the commemorating the 60th anniversary climax to Euro 2020 after 12 of the European Championship in a Nother cities across the continent host true celebration of the game “we all earlier matches, he said yesterday. love and cherish”. Under the controversial format be- “What better way could there be League U-turn ing used for the tournament’s 60th than to take the fi nal tournament for anniversary, those cities will stage four one single occasion to all four corners games each with the semi-fi nals and of our continent?,” he added. Rethink possible on move to give four berths to England, Spain, Italy, Germany fi nal at Wembley in the English capital. The 12 group venues are Amsterdam, Before being elected last week, Baku, Bilbao, Brussels, Bucharest, Bu- AFP Ceferin had said the plan was a risk and dapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, London would be diffi cult for travelling fans. Munich, Rome and St Petersburg. In his fi rst offi cial engagement since “Eight of the 13 host cities will be the election, at the launch of the Lon- celebrating something they have nev- ewly-elected UEFA presi- don logo in a ceremony that will be er done before and might never have dent Aleksander Ceferin replicated in the other host cities, the dreamed of doing,” Ceferin added. yesterday reiterated his be- Slovenian lawyer suggested the format London Mayor Sadiq Khan said his lief that it may be possible to would be for one tournament only. city, which also staged the 2012 Olym- Nblock planned changes to the format “I’m delighted to be in England, the pic Games, was “renowned as one of of the Champions League. home of football, the country that gave the world’s best hosts for major sport- The European governing body an- football to the world,” Ceferin told an ing events”, adding that it had a fan base nounced last month that England, audience including delegates from all from almost every nation on earth. Spain, Italy and Germany will each be 13 hosting football associations and In a reference to England’s failure at guaranteed four berths for their clubs England manager Sam Allardyce. the 2016 tournament, when they suf- in the tournament between 2018 and “The tournament will be unique and fered an ignominious defeat by out- 2021. memorable in a variety of ways.” siders Iceland in the last 16, he added: The move was criticised by smaller England hosted the 1996 European “We’ll keep our fi ngers crossed that European nations and although it Championship. Iceland’s players are not as inspired has been ratifi ed by UEFA’s execu- “Twenty four years after Euro 96, this time.” tive committee, Ceferin suggested the changes may not be set in stone. When it was put to him that it will be impossible to change the format of Antalyaspor drop Eto’o in racism row the Champions League before 2021, he replied: “I don’t necessarily agree with Turkish top flight club Antalyaspor said yes- you, so let’s see.” terday that their star striker Samuel Eto’o “Of course it’s not good for the would be left out of the squad until further small and mid-size associations. But notice in a bitter row over comments on so- as I told you, it was my fi rst day yester- cial media. Former Cameroon international day. I have to check what were pluses Eto’o, who in a glittering career has turned and minuses about that decision.” out for Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea, “There were certainly pluses and had written on his Instagram account he minuses and I will look on it and act. was not being given respect for his achieve- Everything can change.” ments as he is black. Eto’o had moved to Ceferin was speaking at an event to Antalyaspor in June 2015 as the keystone launch Euro 2020 at London’s City Hall. of the club’s bid in the southern Mediter- To mark the competition’s 60th an- ranean resort city to find national and niversary, the 2020 tournament will even European success. But his stint has take place across 13 host cities, with turned sour in the past weeks amid intense the semi-fi nals and fi nal being staged rumours in the close season Eto’o would join Istanbul arch rivals Besiktas. in London. Tensions have been compounded by a dreadful start to the new season Ceferin has previously described which has seen Antalyaspor reap just one point from four matches. the plan as a “risk” and while he is Eto’o had written on his Instagram account in Turkish: “Reminder — perhaps hopeful it will prove successful, he some people do not feel respect for me because I am black.” said UEFA remained wary. “But I am not going to come down from the level I have reached. I have been “We don’t know what to expect in this game for 18 years,” he added, posting a screenshot from Wikipedia of from the revenue point of view, but all the cups he has won. Eto’o did not specify to whom he was targeting his let’s see,” he told reporters. criticism but later posted another message insisting it was not directed at “It will be an interesting event, it Antalyaspor chairman Ali Safak Ozturk. But Antalyaspor said in a terse state- will be a great anniversary and I’m ment on its website that a meeting of its board had decided to leave Eto’o looking forward.” out of the squad until further notice. Ceferin, a 48-year-old Slovenian London mayor Sadiq Khan (left) and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin pose for photographers with a replica cup at an lawyer, beat Royal Dutch Football As- event to launch the logo for the 2020 UEFA European Championship in London yesterday. The 2020 edition of the tourna- Back to school for Korean icon Park sociation chief Michael van Praag ment will see matches hosted in 13 cities across Europe, with the semifinals and final at Wembley Stadium in London. (AFP) by 42 votes to 13 in last week’s UEFA Retired South Korean football great Park Ji-sung is confronting a new chal- presidential election. is in talks with UEFA over a compen- yesterday,” Ceferin said when asked Asked about his own salary, he said lenge in Europe’s best sports management course at De Montfort University He succeeded Michel Platini as head sation settlement, while German about the reports. he did not yet know how much he (DMU) in Leicester, England. The 35-year-old former Manchester United of European football’s governing body newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine “I have a meeting with (UEFA) ad- would be paid. midfielder — who won the Champions League among many other titles when after the former France captain was Zeitung suggested he is still being paid ministration about it on Monday, but I “That’s the most interesting ques- he was at the club from 2005-2012 — said he saw it as the best avenue for banned over a suspect $2mn payment. by the organisation. can assure you we will not do anything tion!” he said. “I don’t know yet. him to potentially pursue a career in the Korean football league administra- Reports this week suggested Platini “Look, I heard about the situation illegal or non-ethical.” Probably next week.” tion afterwards. The course — run by the Swiss Centre International d’Etude du Sport (CIES) and delivered by DMU — was last year named as Europe’s best sports management course and the year before that claimed top spot BOTTOMLINE in SportBusiness International’s world rankings. Park, one of 31 foreign students taking the year long course which also includes semesters in Milan and Neuchatel in Switzerland, said looking back on his career there was one clear standout campaign. “Of my own career I have many happy memories but perhaps it the 2010/11 season, where United broke the record for number Protests put Asian refs on the spot of title wins, was the best,” said Park, who skippered Korea at the 2010 World Cup finals. “I was very satisfied with my performance that year.”

AFP dia questioned whether the Arabic- The Saudi club issued an angry Germans think Beckenbauer should ditch Seoul speaking Qatari referee was biased in statement alleging corruption and favour of the UAE. calling the game a “black spot in the ‘Kaiser’ nickname “Assigning an offi cial from an Ar- history of Asian football” which had rash of complaints about abic-speaking country close to the “looted the rights of an entire nation”. A majority of Germans believe football legend Franz Beckenbauer no longer controversial decisions has UAE in a game between Japan and UAE In a continent which has endured a deserves the nickname ‘Kaiser Franz’, given the latest revelations concern- put Asia’s football referees placed unnecessary pressure on the litany of match-fi xing scandals, sus- ing his role in organising the scandal-hit 2006 World Cup. According to a poll on the spot despite strenu- offi ciating team,” Ghotbi told AFP. picions of corruption are never far published yesterday on the website of German magazine Stern, 55 percent ousA eff orts to raise standards. “Confederations can improve by away. of those surveyed believe the nickname ‘Kaiser’ is no longer justified. Last Japan and Thailand both lodged of- assigning offi cials to matches to elimi- But Alfred Riedl, coach of Indonesia week, weekly magazine Der Spiegel said the 71-year-old pocketed more than fi cial protests after key decisions went nate even a hint of infl uence or bias.” with spells in Vietnam, Laos, Palestine five mn euros ($5.6mn) as head of the organising committee for the 2006 against them in this month’s World Al-Jassim was later criticised for and Kuwait, said sometimes the qual- World Cup in Germany, which he failed to pay tax on. The payment was re- Cup qualifi ers, while standards are disallowing an apparently legitimate ity of refereeing is simply not good portedly taken from a donation of 12mn euros made by a World Cup sponsor, mixed at club level. goal for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors enough. the gambling company Oddset. Beckenbauer’s attorneys rejected the claim, Japan were incensed after Takuma against Shanghai SIPG in the AFC “The standard of referees in South- saying the earning arose from his advertising work and was “promptly taxed Asano’s shot crossed the line against Champions League quarter-fi nals. east Asia is simply not adequate and is at his Austrian residence”. But despite those revelations, 35 percent of those the United Arab Emirates, but went However, the incident was quickly often really bad,” Riedl told AFP. quizzed by Stern said Beckenbauer still deserves the ‘Kaiser Franz’ moniker. unnoticed by Qatari ref Abdulrahman forgotten as Jeonbuk went on to win “Everyone makes mistakes but too The German media first used the nickname in the late 1960s before Becken- al-Jassim. They lost the game 2-1. 5-0. many times, the referees’ decisions bauer captained West Germany to the 1974 World Cup title and managed the And Thailand complained when are unknowable. In Indonesia there is team which won Italia 1990. Beckenbauer is currently under investigation by China’s Fu Ming awarded a penalty in ‘ARIGATO’ still the same bad quality of refereeing Swiss authorities in relation to corruption allegations over the awarding of the closing minutes of their qualifi er The Kuala Lumpur-based Asian Foot- as six years ago as referees are scared the 2006 World Cup to Germany. against Saudi Arabia, which consigned ball Confederation refused to com- to make big decisions.” them to a 1-0 defeat in Riyadh. ment on individual referees. But it Ghotbi said that while improve- “The penalty was not our mistake. has been increasingly active in referee ments have been made in Asian offi ci- Saudi football offi cial banned over ‘dirty In fact, in the fi rst half, we should have development and education, holding ating, more could be done. tricks’ claim been awarded a penalty,” Thai coach seminars and courses all over the con- “Compared to... other continents, Kiatisuk Senamuang told reporters. tinent. there are diff erences in judgement of A Saudi football off icial who hinted at “dirty tricks” in the kingdom’s top Five days later, Saudi Arabia were Strides have been made. Ravshan referees, their management and in- league has been banned for one year, state media reported late on Tuesday. trailing Iraq 1-0 until they were Irmatov of Uzbekistan has taken teraction with players and coaches,” The Saudi Arabian Football Federation also fined board member Abdulatif awarded penalties in the 81st and 87th charge of World Cup semi-fi nals and he said. Bukhari 300,000 riyals ($80,000), the Saudi Press Agency reported. Bukhari minutes by Qatar’s Khamis al-Marri. quarter-fi nals, and Iran’s Alireza Fa- “Most judgement errors has to do is banned “for one year from playing or participating in any activities They scored both to win 2-1. ghani offi ciated at the 2016 Rio Olym- Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura with experience and understanding related to football,” the federation ruled. “This is due to the grave violation Such controversies are hardly new pic gold medal match. was roundly criticised when he gave the context of the game... obviously, in defaming, abusing, insulting, accusing and questioning the integrity and to football, but they have raised fresh High-profi le outing didn’t go so Brazil a highly disputable penalty there is a longer history of profession- credibility” of the federation and the competitions it organises, it said. “This questions about refereeing standards well. In the opening match of the 2014 against Croatia in the opening match al football in other regions, and Asian was done through the media and without evidence.” In an August 22 tweet, as Asian football strives to match oth- World Cup, Japan’s Yuichi Nishimura of the 2014 World Cup. (AFP) football is trying to close the gap.” Bukhari referred to a team in Saudi Arabia’s top flight Abdul Latif Jameel er regions. was roundly criticised when he gave China also complained about a League. “I smell some early hidden preparations and dirty tricks to make Former Iran coach Afshin Ghotbi, Brazil a highly disputable penalty in Japanese). disallowed goal in the 0-0 draw with them win the championship,” he said, urging a “transparent and enjoyable” who has also taken charge of clubs in against Croatia. Later that year, Nishimura was Hong Kong in November which ap- tournament. Bukhari confirmed the federation’s disciplinary action in a tweet Thailand and Japan, said referee selec- After it put the misfi ring hosts 2-1 again under fi re when he turned down peared to have torpedoed their World on Tuesday night. He can appeal the ruling. In July the federation relegated tion was a sensitive area. up and on their way to a 3-1 win, Bra- al-Hilal’s repeated penalty appeals in Cup qualifying campaign. al-Mojzel, a club in the kingdom’s second tier, for manipulating the result of a After Japan’s “ghost goal” in zil’s O Globo newspaper gratefully ran their AFC Champions League fi nal de- But, as is the way with such pro- match. Two Al-Mojzel off icials and a player were banned from football for life. Saitama, Japanese fans on social me- the headline “Arigato” (“Thank you” feat to Western Sydney Wanderers. tests, the result was allowed to stand. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, September 22, 2016 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA LA LIGA Sevilla go second Dortmund rout aft er controversial 1-0 derby win

Reuters BeIN Sports. Wolfsburg to go Barcelona BETTER GOAL “These incidents decide seasons, they uropa League holders Sevilla determine the day-to-day, my job and provisionally moved up to sec- what people will say about the game ond in La Liga after winning a tomorrow. controversial local derby 1-0 at “They (Sevilla) scored a goal be- homeE to Real Betis on Tuesday. cause of one mistake, by a small mar- top in Germany Argentina international Gabriel gin, and we scored a much better goal Mercado scored the winner with a close that wasn’t given. Last week it was the range fi nish in the 51st minute after a handball, a penalty we were not giv- Bad night for Wolfsburg, who have won once in four games, and Mario Gomez set piece. en. There have been a lot of decisions Betis thought they had equalised against us.” AFP three minutes later when Alex Alegria Betis are 13th with fi ve points from Berlin tucked home a low Ruben Castro cross fi ve games. but it was wrongly ruled out for off side Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli, whose by referee Javier Estrada Fernandez. side remain unbeaten in the league, ierre-Emerick Aubameyang Sevilla have 11 points, one behind said: “Apart from a few moments of struck twice on Tuesday as Real Madrid, who were scheduled to friction, Sevilla were the much better Borussia Dortmund romped welcome Villarreal yesterday when team. to another big win with a 5-1 third-placed champions Barcelona, on “The game was tough because Betis Pvictory at VfL Wolfsburg to provision- nine points, host Atletico Madrid, who did not try to play as much as we did. ally top the German Bundesliga. have eight. They didn’t have a shot in the fi rst half Having hammered both Legia War- Real Betis coach Gustavo Poyet did and had one in the second, while we saw and Darmstadt 6-0 in their previ- not hide his anger at the decision to had 10 or 12.” ous matches, Thomas Tuchel’s Dort- rule out the ‘goal’, which came after his Earlier, Malaga picked up their fi rst mund handed out another drubbing side were denied a penalty in Friday’s win of the season, coming from behind with Gonzalo Castro setting up two of 2-2 draw at home to Granada. to beat Eibar 2-1 at home. their goals. “At the end of the day I’m the one Fourth-placed Las Palmas, the sur- “Despite going 2-0 up early on, responsible but this has to stop, this prise package in La Liga this season we were still made to suff er, but we has to stop, there have been too many with nine points, were to visit Real So- got a grip and took our chances,” said (decisions against Betis),” Poyet told ciedad later yesterday. Tuchel. “It’s an unbelievable result, which we worked hard for, and we’re very happy.” The thrashing left Dortmund top on goals scored, with nine points from a possible 12, but Bayern Munich were due to host Hertha Berlin later yester- day, and could lose their lead to Carlo Ancelotti’s men. The only teams still with 100% records meet at Munich’s Allianz Are- na as Hertha chase their fi rst league win in Bavaria since 1977. It was another bad night for Wolfs- burg, who have won only once in four games so far, and new signing Mario Gomez. The Germany striker has yet to score since joining from Fiorentina and was repeatedly denied by Dortmund goal- keeper Roman Burki. Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (right) celebrates after scoring past Wolfsburg’s Belgian goalkeeper Koen “Our conversion of chances wasn’t Casteels during the Bundesliga match in Wolfsburg, Germany, on Tuesday. (AFP) good enough, we had fi ve top chances in the fi rst-half,” Gomez told Sky. shot over Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen minutes later when Castro pulled two Eintracht Frankfurt moved up to “I’m here to score goals and the fact Casteels. defenders out of position to allow fourth with their third win from four that it didn’t work out again makes me But Wolfsburg dragged their way winger Ousmane Dembele a simple games as defender David Abraham sorry for the fans.” back into the match. tap-in. and Bastian Oczipka netted in their Dortmund needed just four min- Burki blocked left-back Ricardo Ro- Castro then sprinted into the area 2-0 victory at Ingolstadt. utes to take the lead at the Volkswagen driguez’s powerfully struck free-kick and squared to Aubameyang, who Newly promoted Freiburg infl icted a Arena when centre-back Marc Bartra with half-time approaching and then slid his shot inside the far post on 62 third straight defeat on Hamburg, who threaded the ball through the Wolfs- Wolfsburg deservedly pulled a goal minutes, before Lukasz Piszczek add- are third from bottom, as ex-Bayern burg defence. back just after the break. ed Dortmund’s fi fth with a powerful Munich striker Nils Petersen scored Portugal midfi elder Raphael Guer- Moments after Gomez was again header. the only goal of the game. reiro sprinted onto the perfect pass denied by Burki’s point-blank save, There were nervous moments be- Hoff enheim picked up a fourth draw and drilled his shot inside the near Daniel Didavi met Paul Seguin’s su- fore kick-off in Wolfsburg due to an after their Croatia striker Andrej Kra- post. perb cross and drilled his shot just in- announcement telling fans and play- maric’s opener was cancelled out by Dortmund doubled their lead on 17 side the near post on 53 minutes. ers to urgently leave the stadium, but Darmstadt’s Denys Oliinyk in the 92nd minutes when Aubameyang looped his But Dortmund hit their third fi ve it was a false alarm. minute.

SERIE A Bacca, Niang send Milan up to third AFP Milan Forgery claims hit AC Milan Sevilla’s Gabriel Mercado (second from right) celebrates with teammates after arlos Bacca scored for the sec- scoring during their La Liga match against Real Betis in Sevilla on Tuesday. (AFP) ond game in a row and M’Baye takeover bid Niang netted from the pen- alty spot in a disjointed per- Chinese consortium formanceC as AC Milan beat Lazio 2-0 looking to purchase AC Valencia sack coach Ayestaran at the San Siro on Tuesday. A Milan has been accused Bacca struck eight minutes before of providing false documents half-time having notched the late during its initial negotiations with aft er torrid start match-winner in Friday night’s 1-0 the Serie A giants, according to success at Sampdoria. reports yesterday. Valencia have sacked coach Pako points in 16. Niang sealed the win after earning Sino-Europe Sports Investment Ayestaran less than six months after Although Ayestaran lost the first and then slotting away a spot-kick Management Changxing Co, led handing him the job following a dire game after succeeding Neville, things on an evening in which his perform- by businessman Li Yonghong, start to the season with the club began to look up after three succes- ance swung between the sublime and has already paid 100mn euros to propping up the La Liga table. sive victories, including a 2-1 win at ridiculous. Fininvest, the holding company They have yet to earn a point after eventual champions Barcelona. The victory, a third in fi ve games of AC Milan owner and presi- four defeats and were beaten 2-1 by Despite his team losing the final three this season, provisionally moved Mi- dent Silvio Berlusconi, who is Athletic Bilbao on Sunday after taking games of the season, Ayestaran was lan up to third ahead of the rest of the AC Milan’s Carlos Bacca (right) and teammate Mbaye Niang celebrate a goal expected to sign off on the 740m the lead. handed a new contract until 2018. midweek programme. during the Serie A match against SS Lazio in Milan on Tuesday. (AFP) euro deal by the end of the year. “After today’s board meeting, The club off loaded 18 players in the Lazio were off to a positive start But a report by the Bloomberg Valencia Football Club have taken close season, including influential with Milan’s teenage goalkeeper Gi- coming off the bench against Samp- Niang should have killed the game financial news site, which cites the decision to relieve coach Pako Germany centre-back Shkodran anluigi Donnarumma forced into a doria, took his time and picked his on 56 minutes but teed up with an a statement from the Chinese Ayestaran of his duties,” the club said Mustafi, Portugal midfielder Andre couple of early saves from Filip Djor- spot to fi nd the bottom corner on 37 open goal by Bacca he somehow barely lender whose name appears on in a statement on Tuesday. Gomes and strikers Paco Alcacer and djevic and Marco Parolo, while Danilo minutes. made contact with the ball and Lazio the documents, alleges that false “The decision was taken after analys- Alvaro Negredo for a total of over Cataldi was off target for the visitors in Suddenly Lazio, who had been the breathed a sigh of relief. documents were used in the ing the team’s current sporting situa- 100 mn euros ($111 mn). an enterprising fi rst 10 minutes. better side until then, were on the Less than 60 seconds later only a initial negotiations. tion and the results obtained.” They brought in only seven new play- Donnarumma’s best save then came ropes. last-ditch tackle by Gabriel Paletta The report claims Sino-Europe Former Valencia defender Voro ers with the most high profile being from a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic header Strakosha saved well from Giacomo prevented Lazio substitute Keita Balde Sports provided documents on Gonzalez has been named as interim former Manchester United winger on 12 minutes. Bonaventura but moments later was Diao from making Niang and Milan “what appears to be Bank of coach while the club find a successor Nani and defender Eliaquim Mangala, But from there the hosts started almost embarrassed by the same play- pay. Jiangsu Co stationery, purporting to Ayestaran. who was signed on loan from Man- to take control, with French forward er as he let a tame shot slip through his The 21-year-old French youth in- to show transaction details of a A former assistant manager to chester City. Niang looking lively, having a shot grasp before spinning around to clasp ternational Niang then sent a woeful consortium member’s corporate Rafa Benitez at Valencia, Ayestaran Ayestaran is the club’s eighth coach saved by goalkeeper Thomas Strako- the ball as it bounced towards the line. shot out for a throw-in. account”. It added that “after rejoined the club in February as since 2012, and the third to lose his sha before turning his marker only to In fi rst-half injury time Lazio were But he gave a glimpse of his un- reviewing the matter, Bank of assistant to Gary Neville and was job in the last year. fail to look up and pick out a team- lucky to survive as the ball pinged doubted potential by shrugging off a Jiangsu found it hadn’t issued named as his immediate successor His sacking, coming so soon after mate with a cross-shot that Albanian around in their box, Strakosha un- marker before stinging Strakosha’s any such document detailing the in March when the former England Neville’s departure, is the latest blow Strakosha dealt with comfortably. knowingly preventing an own goal fi ngers with a venemous shot from account’s transactions”. international was sacked. to billionaire Peter Lim, who acquired Milan took the lead out of the blue with his head before Dusan Basta distance. In a statement yesterday, Finin- Neville had posted the worst record the club in 2014 for 420 mn euros as Bacca ran from the halfway line cleared another Bonaventura shot off And Niang won and then converted vest said it would “not confirm” of any coach in the club’s history but ($469 mn) and cleared the club’s onto a Juraj Kucka through ball when the line. a penalty as Stefan Radu was penalised that it had received the docu- Ayestaran has now got that un- debts of 200 mn euros ($223 mn). Lazio’s high backline was caught out From the resulting corner Kucka for handling the striker’s cross. ments in question, adding: “and wanted honour, taking 10 points in 12 Despite the Singaporean’s investment, by a mistake from Parolo. climbed above Strakosha to head The maverick forward still had time we do not intend to comment on games, winning three, drawing one Valencia are in the midst of the worst The Colombian Bacca, who was home but he was harshly adjudged to to slice a dreadful eff ort off target as he the aff air”. and losing eight. Neville picked up 14 run of results in their 97-year history. restored to the starting line-up after have fouled the keeper. remained centre stage right to the end. Gulf Times Thursday, September 22, 2016 11 FOOTBALL

TOP OF THE LINE We want to do something important in 2022: al-Abdulrahman

By Matthias Krug It has not been an easy journey to the to do something important. I believe SC.qa fi rst team for this Qatari youngster. Al- we are on a good path and we will be Abdulrahman signed for KAS Eupen in ready. Qatar 2022 is a big inspiration November 2013, and initially found it for us, to play a World Cup in your ahad al-Abdulrahman wears challenging to adapt to European foot- country is the biggest thing possible. the number 3 shirt at KAS Eu- ball. We will show the world that we have pen. After helping his side win “At fi rst it was diffi cult to play in the not only nice buildings, great stadi- promotion to the fi rst division fi rst team. In the fi rst two years I was on ums like Lusail, Khalifa or Al Rayyan, Flast season, the 21-year-old Qatari de- the bench and with the reserve team a but also a good national team.” fender is starting to make a name for lot, but it was important for me to get With a new generation of Qatari himself in Belgium’s top fl ight with more experience. It was a better level, youngsters playing at European clubs, plenty of energy and determination. they played faster and the setup was al-Abdulrahman believes his former Al-Abdulrahman’s journey to Eu- very professional. I trained hard every Eupen teammate and close friend ropean football started at the Aspire day to try and learn something new Akram Afi f will also be a big success in Academy in Doha, and has seen him each day. Now I am playing very well in Spain’s La Liga at Sporting Gijón. win the Asian Football Confederation the fi rst team and this experience will “I speak with Akram every day, and Under-19 Championship with Qatar help me in the future for both my club I know he will be successful in Span- in 2014 and play in a FIFA U-20 World and my country.” ish football with the great talent he Cup for his country. Now the skilful Al-Abdulrahman, who is a lifelong has. I remind him that he has to take his right-back says he is working hard each supporter of Al Sadd Sports Club in chance, as we did at Eupen where we day with the long-term objective to Doha – a club he joined at the age of started on the bench and then became “do something important” at his home eight – went through the ranks of the fi rst team regulars. With a bit of time FIFA World Cup in 2022. Aspire Academy from 13 onwards. everybody will see what he can do in “When you play against big clubs He went on to become an important Spain.” like Club Brugge, Anderlecht or Stand- member of the Qatar Under-19 team For al-Abdulrahman, the immediate ard de Liège, who have been in the that won the Asian title in Myanmar aim is to help his Belgian team continue Champions League, you are excited as in 2014, and represented his side at the to enjoy top fl ight football. a player, and you do your best to show FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand “We want to remain in Division 1, we your talent and help your team to win,” the following year. are playing every game at 100 percent Al Abdulrahman told SC.qa. “I believe Aspire Academy is the best and, if we get a bit more than that, then “When we played in the second di- in the world at what it does, with the Fahad al-abdulrahman (right) in that is a bonus. For me, the target is to vision, the level was already high, but best coaches and the top teams coming action for Belgian club KAS Eupen succeed here. Then we will see what this year in the fi rst division there is to play and train there. This helped me happens at the end of the season.” even more pressure in every game. The a lot when I made the jump to European part of the current Qatar squad for the “My focus is on Eupen at the mo- Qatari players in Europe try to do our When asked which team he most ad- stands are full of supporters and when football, because I was able to draw on 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifi - ment and to do my best for the team. best, to let European players know mires in European football, al-Abdul- people see you play well and see that the experience gained at Aspire, both ers, he says he will be ready whenever Any time my national team wants me, that Qatar has good players who can rahman concludes with a smile: “My the team needs you; that is a great feel- on and off the pitch.” needed and is looking towards 2022 for I will be very happy. It is a goal I am compete with the players here. We fi rst team in Europe is Eupen. The sec- ing.” While al-Abdulrahman has not been inspiration. working very hard for. Of course we don’t just want to host 2022, we want ond team I really like is Real Madrid.”

LEAGUE CUP FOCUS Fabregas downs Nice goes top of Ligue 1; PSG Leicester, Norwich second with shock Everton 2-0 Dijon win AFP following a sweeping move down the Paris right between Ricardo Pereira and Wy- Liverpool and Arsenal enjoy comfortable away wins lan Cyprien, before Balotelli provided a crisp fi nish from the edge of the box. AFP ontroversial star Mario Balo- He then went off 10 minutes later to a London telli continued his fi ne start standing ovation. to life on the French Riviera by That denied him a hat-trick chance helping fi re Nice to the top of after Tiemoue Bakayoko, who was sent esc Fabregas made an em- CLigue 1 yesterday. off , conceded a penalty with a foul on phatic point to Chelsea man- The Italy international scored his Valentin Eysseric seven minutes from ager Antonio Conte as his second brace in as many league ap- time. double sealed a 4-2 win at pearances for Nice in a 4-0 thump- Subasic saved substitute Alassane Leicester,C while Everton and Bourne- ing of local rivals Monaco to leap-frog Plea’s spot-kick but Nice did not have mouth suff ered shock third-round champions Paris Saint-Germain at the to wait long for their fourth as Plea, exits from the English Football League top of the table. who had replaced Balotelli, headed Cup on Tuesday. The often wayward 26-year-old now home a Cyprien cross four minutes Fabregas has been limited to three has four goals in three games since he from time. substitute appearances in the Premier joined the Cote d’Azur outfi t on a free The defeat dropped Monaco to third, League since Conte took charge over transfer from Liverpool, where his career level on points with PSG and a point the summer, but the Spain midfi elder had stalled over the last couple of years. behind Nice. proved he can still be a game-changer It means in his two league appear- Bordeaux are fourth after romping to with an infl uential display capped by ances this season, Balotelli has already a 3-0 win at Metz with goals from Mal- the decisive two goals in extra-time. scored twice as many goals as he did in colm, Gaetan Laborde and Isaac Kiese “I was happy to play from the start! league matches over the previous two Thelin. Hopefully this will shut up a few jour- seasons combined – he scored once in Lyon climbed to seventh as Nabil Fe- nalists talking rubbish all the time,” 20 Serie A appearances on loan at AC kir and Corentin Tolisso scored a brace said Fabregas, who has been linked Milan last season and one in 16 Premier each in a 5-1 thrashing of Montpellier, with a move away from Chelsea. League matches for Liverpool the pre- who were leading 1-0 through Morgan Elsewhere, second-tier Norwich vious campaign. Sanson’s fourth minute strike before spoiled Everton’s impressive start to Balotelli had also scored a brace on they had Morgan Poaty sent off on the season and infl icted Ronald Koe- his league debut for Nice in a 3-2 vic- eight minutes. man’s fi rst defeat as Toff ees boss with tory over another south coast rival in PSG cruised to a 3-0 win over Di- a 2-0 win at Goodison Park. fallen giants Marseille. jon on Tuesday as Unai Emery’s team Bournemouth were the other top- Balotelli had already had a low shot continued their recent improvement fl ight casualties as second-tier Pres- saved by Monaco goalkeeper Danijel after a sticky start under the Spanish ton won 3-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Subasic when Nice took the lead on 17 coach, who replaced Laurent Blanc in Denmark striker Simon Makienok. minutes as Paul Baysse headed home a the summer. At the King Power Stadium, Shinji Jean Seri free-kick. Uruguay international forward Ed- Okazaki put Premier League champi- The errant Italian then ran onto a inson Cavani netted a penalty between ons Leicester ahead in the 17th minute pinpoint through ball from Nice’s other an own goal and a header from Brazilian when the Japan striker punished ter- marquee summer signing on loan from Lucas. rible Chelsea defending to head home Dynamo Kiev, Morocco international “The victory is a progression, al- from close range. Younes Belhanda, before fi ring across though today (Tuesday) I saw a lot Okazaki followed his fi rst goal Subasic into the far corner on the half of things to improve on,” said Emery, since March with a second in the 34th hour. who left high-profi le summer signing minute. Cesc Fabregas (right) celebrates scoring Chelsea’s fourth goal against Leicester City during their League Cup third round It could have been two for Balotelli Hatem Ben Arfa out of his squad for the Gary Cahill reduced the defi cit on match at King Power Stadium in Leicester on Tuesday. (Reuters) before half-time but Subasic stuck out third time in a row. the stroke of half-time, the defender a foot to divert away the former Inter “Today we won 3-0 and for me it is heading home after being left un- played well but weren’t clinical a long-range eff ort from Switzerland four minutes later. Milan and Manchester City striker’s very important not to have conceded. marked at the far post from a Fabregas enough. The diff erence was Norwich midfi elder Granit Xhaka. Newcastle defeated Championship left-foot eff ort from a tight angle. Against a team who defended deep, it corner. were clinical with their two chances,” Spanish striker Perez, who arrived rivals Wolves 2-0, Leeds beat fel- His second came in the 68th minute took patience.” The Blues equalised four min- Koeman said. from Deportivo La Coruna on trans- low second-tier side Blackburn 1-0, utes after the interval through Cesar fer-deadline day, opened his Arsenal while Reading won 2-1 in another all- Azpilicueta’s blistering long-range ef- HAT-TRICK HERO account in his third appearance with Championship clash at Brighton. fort. At Dean Court, Makienok, who hadn’t a 60th-minute penalty after a foul on Leicester had to play extra-time scored in his previous 19 appearanc- Chuba Akpom. LEAGUE CUP 3RD ROUND RESULTS with 10 men after Marcin Wasilewski’s es, gave Preston the lead in the 10th Perez got his second in the 71st Bournemouth 2 (Grabban 53-pen, 89th minute dismissal for elbowing minute before Bournemouth equalised minute and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Gosling 76) Preston 3 (Makienok 10, Diego Costa and Fabregas made them through Lewis Grabban’s 53rd minute got Arsenal’s fourth in stoppage time. 85, 111) aet pay, fi nishing a fl owing move in the penalty. “It was a motivated team against us Brighton 1 (Hemed 85) Reading 2 92nd minute and drilling home again Dan Gosling put the hosts ahead and we had a complete performance. (Quinn 32, Swift 54) two minutes later. from close range in the 76th minute, The speed and movement of our play Derby 0 Liverpool 3 (Klavan 24, Everton are second in the Premier only for Makienok to force extra-time was fantastic,” Wenger purred. Coutinho 50, Origi 54) League but Koeman made six changes in the 85th minute and then win it Liverpool, last year’s beaten fi nal- Everton 0 Norwich 2 (Naismith 41, and his stand-ins were brushed aside for Simon Grayson’s men in the 111th ists, remain on course for a return Murphy 74) by promotion-chasing Norwich. minute. to Wembley after a 3-0 win against Leeds 1 (Wood 85) Blackburn 0 The Canaries went ahead when Lucas Perez’s fi rst goals for Arse- Championship side Derby at the iPro Leicester 2 (Okazaki 17, 34) Chelsea former Everton striker Steven Naismith nal inspired a 4-0 rout of second-tier Stadium. 4 (Cahill 45+2, Azpilicueta 49, Fabregas slipped as he went to shoot and inad- Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Estonia centre-back Ragnar Klavan 92, 94) aet vertently lobbed the ball into the net. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who took advantage of poor Derby defend- Newcastle 2 (Ritchie 29, Gouff ran Josh Murphy’s superb strike from has never won the League Cup, made ing to fi re home in the 24th minute. 31) Wolves 0 the edge of the area in the 74th minute 11 changes from the team that thrashed Philippe Coutinho doubled Liver- Nottingham Forest 0 Arsenal 4 completed the upset. Hull on Saturday and the understudies pool’s lead in the 50th minute and Di- (Xhaka 23, Perez 60-pen, 71, Oxlade- Nice’s Mario Balotelli (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal “I can’t criticise the players. We went ahead in the 23rd minute through vock Origi put the result beyond doubt Chamberlain 90+3) against Monaco during their Ligue 1 match in Nice yesterday. (AFP)

Thursday, September 22, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

PREVIEW BOUNCE BACK Khor, Sailiya look to open their account QSL second round aft er opening losses kicks off with focus on Arabi vs Jaish

We have a team of stars because we want to bring the local and foreign players in the Al Khor coach Jean Fernandez (L) and Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi. same level. As a coach I think all the players are important: Arabi coach Pelusso By Sports Reporter to respect this agreement.” Doha “Our plan for the upcoming By Sports Reporter period is to focus on the Sailiya Doha game. After a week the league l Khor take on Al Sailiya will be paused and in this period in round two of the QSL we have to correct our mistakes he second round of QSL ac- today at the Al Khor with good preparation,” added tion kicks off today evening Stadium. Both sides the Frenchman. with three matches. In the early lostA their opening matches and Al Sailiya like their opponents match Al Khor take on Al Sailiya they will be looking to bounce also lost their league opener. They Tat Al Khor stadium. Both sides lost their back from their defeats. lost by a slim margin against Al opening tie of the QSL season, and will be Khor head into the second Arabi and will be looking to cor- looking to get their fi rst three points. round of the QSL season on the rect their mistakes in the upcom- Khor will be looking to push home ad- back of a defeat after losing 2-1 ing game against Al Khor. vantage, especially after narrowly losing to Umm Salal in their the fi rst Sami Trabelsi, head coach of 2-1 to Umm Salal in the opening game of game of the 2016/2017 season. Al Sailiya, believes that there is a the season. As for the visitors Al Sailiya, Abdulkadir Ilyas has also gone long way to go in the league, “We they narrowly lost 1-0 to Al Arabi in their back to El Jaish after his loan will try to show our character opening fi xture of the 2016/2017 sea- spell ended with Al Khor. in the next game. Our character son. Sami Trabelsi’s side will consider Jean Fernandez, the head is the fi ghting spirit and team themselves unlucky not to have at least coach of Al Khor wants his team work. We don’t need to make a grabbed a point from the tie, and will be to have a positive reaction to big deal of losses in the begin- eager to make amends against Khor. their last defeat. “We lost the fi rst ning of the season because there At the same time at Al Arabi stadium, game and we want to come back. is a long way to go.” the two promoted sides Al Shahaniya and We are preparing for Sailiya they “Al Khor didn’t deserve to lose Muaither will play each other in what will are a good team with good quali- their last game. They are well or- be an early test of their QSL credentials. fi cations. If we want a good game ganised side and they have very Both sides had heavy defeats against QSL against Sailiya we need to con- fast players. A team like that can title contenders Al Rayyan and Lekhiwya centrate,” said Fernandez during face problems like any team,” respectively. the pre-match press conference. added the Tunisian tactician. Shahaniya fell to a 3-0 opening day de- Speaking about the departure Speaking about the last game, feat to reigning QSL champions Al Rayy- of Abdulkadir Ilyas, Fernandez Trabelsi added, “It was one of an. Head coach Fathi Al Jabal will now added, “It is something beyond the worst games of the last three have to lift the spirits of his side, who did my control and the decision was years for us because we lost our play relatively well in the opening ex- made by the club management. identity and our fi ghting spirit. I changes of the clash. The Oryx’s will be There is an agreement between hope we can show our true selves without Spanish defender Álvaro Mejía AL Khor and El Jaish and we have in the upcoming matches.” who picked up a red card last time out. Al Arabi coach Gerardo Pelusso (L) and El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi during the pre-match press conferences. PIC: Anas Khalid Muaither went down to Lekhwiya with a comprehensive 4-0 score line. The Jaish’s Yousef Muftah confident of silverware this season falcons will be expecting better things Boosted by new signings, Arabi take on Jaish against Al Shahania, a team they pipped Yousef Muftah believes that his match: “We have won in the AFC have a tough time this season. “Al to the Qatar Gas League title last season. Al Arabi go head to head teams in the league and ing encounter against Al side will be competing for the Champions League and the first Arabi practically has a new team. The falcons will be hoping that last sea- against El Jaish at the Al they have very good stabil- Wakrah and will be keen QSL title this season. match of the season against Al They have brought in many local son’s top scorer in the Qatar Gas League Arabi stadium today. Both ity. We also have great his- to continue their rich vein “The tie will be a tough contest Wakrah. As a squad we confident and professional players, we have Mahmoud Za’tara can register his fi rst teams got off to a winning tory and some good player of form. for both sides. We have won in our abilities to win football a group who has been together goals in the QSL this term. start in their opening such as Ezekiel, Moustafa Sabri Lamouchi, head both of our opening games so matches.” for some time now, and our team- In the late match at Al Arabi stadium, games at it will be interest- Sall and Paulinho amongst coach of El Jaish had this something will have to give. El Talk turned to El Jaish’s summer work will be a major factor if we Al Arabi will take on El Jaish in the QSL ing to see who comes out others who will give their to say about his oppo- Jaish and Al Arabi have players signing Seydou Keita, who has are to continue with a win.” match of the week. The Dream Team will on top in a highly antici- best to add to this history,” nents, “Our second game is who can win the game for them put in two impressive perform- Concluding the interview the be boosted with Senegalese defender pated match. added the Uruguayan tacti- against an important club with a moment of magic, but I ances in his first games: “He is a defender confidently talked up Moustapha Sall and Nigerian attacker Al Arabi won their first cian at the pre-match press in Qatar. They have a good believe we can defeat Al Arabi,” true professional and has plenty his side’s prospects of picking Imoh Ezekiel, who are set for their league game against Al Sailiya conference. coach and good players said Muftah. of experience in football at some up some silverware this season: debuts. Imoh Ezekiel revealed his excite- even though they were Speaking about his foreign they won their first game Muftah has been ever present of the best clubs. On the pitch he “As ever our ambition is to lift the ment in returning for Al Arabi in an ex- missing key players. How- and local players Pelusso as well. We are ready to for Jaish for the last year now, is a real leader and wants to win QSL title. We are taking this game clusive interview for QSL online earlier in ever, they will be stronger said, “We have a team of play this game and get the eff ectively making the right back everything, he can make huge by game, the season is long and the week. as their foreign profession- stars because we want to maximum points.” position his own and the 28-year- diff erence for us this season.” we have only just started. We will As for the visitors, El Jaish squeezed als will be able to play the bring the local and foreign “It will be diff icult to man- old admitted that his side is full Focusing on the opposition and have to be at full concentration, past Al Wakrah with an opening day 2-1 match against El Jaish. players in the same level. age both AFC Champions of confidence going into today’s Muftah believes Al Arabi may especially when we play Al Arabi.” victory. Sabri Lamouchi’s side where Arabi coach, Gerardo As a coach I think all the League and QSL. I trust in made to sweat out the fi nal fi fteen min- Pelusso, is confident in his players are important.” my players as they have utes after conceding a late goal. Jaish will team’s preparation ahead El Jaish have a tough good focus. And the best Fixtures be hoping summer signing Sediou Keita of the game, “The prepara- schedule ahead as they way to train for Tuesdays BATTLE OF THE UNDERDOGS will be able to dictate play in the center of tions were very good this are in the semi-finals of semi-final is with a good Today the park, just like the former Malian in- week and all the players the AFC champions league performance tomorrow Khor vs Sailiya 5:50pm ternational did in his two previous games are ready.” against UAE’s Al Ain. The against Al Arabi,” added Shahania vs Muaither 5:50pm for the side. Now to see how the action “El Jaish are one of the best Soldiers won their open- the Frenchman. Arabi vs Jaish 8pm Newbies Shahania, unfolds on the pitch today. Muaither face each BOTTOMLINE other in ‘must-win’ tie Tottenham signs partnership agreement with Aspetar By Sports Reporter sisting athletes to achieve their said: “I have heard a lot about Doha maximum performance and full Aspetar and have always wanted potential, and our vision to be a to visit. What I’ve seen has been global leader in sports medicine truly amazing. There are many ne of Europe’s larg- and exercise science by 2020”. things here that we can learn Al Shahania coach Fathi Jabal (L) and Muaither coach Philip Birrol. est football clubs – Tottenham Hotspur Head of from and we look forward to en- England’s Tottenham Medical & Sports Science Dr hancing our cooperation with By Sports Reporter best to try and earn some points Hotspur F.C. – has Shabaaz Mughal said: “We are the hospital.” Doha against Al Rayyan. We came into yesterdayO signed a medical part- always examining ways we can With this agreement, Tot- the game with our players scared nership agreement with Aspetar, enhance our players’ health and tenham, who are competing in of facing the title winners. In the the sports medicine and ortho- performance in order to ensure this season’s UEFA Champions l Shahania takes on future we will try to release the paedic hospital in Qatar, giving they realise their full potential League, joins a long list of top Muaither in the second player psychologically and re- the club priority access to the on the pitch and this partner- sports clubs that benefi t from round of the QSL today lieve them of other pressures,” hospital’s advanced sports med- ship can only help us further in Aspetar’s facilities, services and at the Al Arabi stadium. added the Tunisian head coach. icine services and facilities. achieving this. Aspetar is one of expertise, such as Ligue 1’s Paris BothA newly promoted sides will Muaither also suff ered a heavy A senior delegation from As- the world’s best high level per- Saint-Germain. be aiming for the three points in 4-0 defeat in their opening game petar travelled to London earlier formance centres and off ers us The agreement with Tot- battle of the underdogs. against Lekhwiya. However, this week to fi nalise the agree- Aspetar’s COO Ibrahim al-Darwish with Tottenham Hotspur Head of another outlet to share knowl- tenham Hotspur continues to Shahania were beaten 3-0 by their second game will be a good ment before signing it offi cially Medical & Sports Science Dr Shabaaz Mughal. edge and information with some reinforce Aspetar’s reputation last season’s QSL champions Al opportunity to earn some points. at Tottenham Hotspur’s state- of the leading researchers and as a sports medicine pioneer Rayyan in their opening game. Philip Birrol, the head coach of of-the-art Training Centre. nutrition, and podiatric health in the English Premier League. practitioners around.” amongst the world’s leading But Muaither will be familiar Muaither said, “Last year we had The agreement seeks to build as per best practice international This partnership demonstrates The agreement follows the sports clubs, highlighting its opponents from the Qatar Gas two draws against Al Shahania in on the existing informal rela- standards. once again our ability to pro- visit by Tottenham’s Argentin- ability to enhance team per- League last season. the Qatar Gas League. We hope tionship between the club and Speaking about the visit to the vide world-class medical care ian Manager, Mauricio Pochetti- formance and help athletes Fathi Jabal, head coach of Al to come back from our last defeat Aspetar, and covers medical Club’s Training Centre to sign to elite athletes, and refl ects the no and Dr Mughal to Aspetar last reach their full potential. Shahania believes that this is and play better than we did in the screening, research, athlete re- the partnership, Aspetar’s Chief international confi dence of the May where they were part of an Aspetar is considered one of the a must win game for his team, game against Lekhwiya,” added habilitation and orthopaedic Operations Offi cer Ibrahim al- world’s top clubs and teams in offi cial delegation from the club world’s leading sports and ortho- “This game is important for both the French tactician. surgery at the FIFA-accredited Darwish said: “We are proud to our services and profi ciency”. on a tour of the hospital where paedic medicine hospitals and is teams as both teams are coming “We must learn from our Medical Centre of Excellence. be partnering with England’s Al-Darwish added: “The they learnt more about facili- the fi rst of its kind in the Middle from defeats. We are aware that mistakes and we must try to in- The new agreement will also Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in pro- partnership is one of the lat- ties, services and its pioneering East. The hospital was offi cially the fi rst games are for earning corporate both young and expe- extend to collaboration on ath- viding our medical services and est examples of our dedication sports medicine experts. accredited in 2009 as a FIFA Med- points and we will try to do that.” rienced players and fi nd a good lete performance assessments, expertise to one of the top clubs to fulfi lling our mission of as- During his visit, Pochettino ical Centre of Excellence. “In our last game we tried our balance.”