SPORT SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2017 21 Saad’s hat-trick powers Steele off to hot start Blackhawks to big win; Capitals edge Senators in defence of title New York defeat Arizona. Rakell blasted Agencies a shot through the glove of goaltender Louis Domingue. San Francisco randon Saad scored a hat- Corey Perry scored twice while AFP trick, and Ryan Hartman Ondrej Kase and Andrew Bregistered a goal and four Cogliano each recorded a goal efending champion assists as the Chicago Black- for the Ducks. Cogliano’s tally Brendan Steele hawks stormed to a 10-1 victory came with 6:15 remaining to ripped up the back over the Pittsburgh Penguins on make it 4-4. nine en route to a Thursday. Rookie center Clayton Kel- seven-under 65 to Patrick Kane added a goal ler, the number seven overall Dtake a share of the lead after the and three assists as Chicago pick in the 2016 draft, scored first round of the USPGA Tour’s blitzed the two-time defending his first career goal in his fourth Safeway Open on Thursday. Stanley Cup champions. The game for the Coyotes, who Steele was tied with fellow Blackhawks scored 10 goals in scored twice on their first six Americans Tom Hoge and Tyler a game for the first time since shots. Duncan heading into the second Oct. 12, 1988. Chicago’s Corey Rookie Christian Fischer round of the Tour’s season- Crawford turned aside 28 shots. scored his fourth career goal in opening event for 2017-18 at the Phil Kessel scored for Pitts- his eighth contest for Arizona. Silverado Resort and Spa. burgh, which has lost seven in Domingue made 36 saves. Steele, who has two wins on a row to the Blackhawks. Canadiens 3, Sabres 2 (SO) the Tour, recorded five birdies The Penguins’ Antti Niemi Jonathan Drouin scored the in a six-hole stretch from was pulled midway through the lone goal in the shootout to lead number 13 to number 18. first period after surrendering Montreal over Buffalo. He added an eagle on the four goals on 13 shots. Matt Drouin, playing his first fifth but followed with a bogey Murray replaced Niemi and game for the Canadiens since on the next hole. allowed six goals on 31 shots. being acquired in the offseason “A little bit of everything Capitals 5, Senators 4 (SO) from the Tampa Bay Lightning, worked for me today,” Steele Brendan Steele plays his shot Alex Ovechkin scored a beat Robin Lehner with a nifty said. from the 12th tee during the third-period hat-trick and Evg- fake, freezing the Sabres goal- “I had a really good ball- first round of the Safeway eny Kuznetsov had the shootout tender before lifting a backhand striking day. I don’t think I Open at the North Course winner as Washington defeated shot into the top of the net. missed a green, so that really of the Silverado Resort and Ottawa. Buffalo’s Sam Reinhart helps. And then I had a good Spa on Thursday in Napa, Brett Connolly had the came up short on the final putting day as well, so you put California. other goal for the Capitals. Mark attempt. Max Pacioretty and that together and it’s going to be Stone led the Senators with two Phillip Danault scored in regu- pretty good.” goals, while Derick Brassard lation for the Canadiens and and Chris Wideman had the Carey Price made 43 saves. SAFEWAY OPEN SCORES Chez Reavie, Lucas Glover, season finale. Beginning his greens and then made a few others. 65 - Brendan Steele, Tyler Duncan, Tom Hoge Jamie Lovemark and Argentina’s Thursday round on the back putts. I just took advantage of Washington’s Braden NHL RESULTS 67 - Lucas Glover, Chez Reavie, Jamie Lovemark, Emiliano Grillo are tied for nine, the 28-year-old Hoge some opportunities. Holtby stopped 28 shots, while Emiliano Grillo (ARG) fourth at 67. made birdies at 11 and 12, sand- “I feel like I’ve been playing Ottawa’s Craig Anderson made Anaheim 5 Arizona 4 68 - Zach Johnson, Kevin Tway, Ryan Moore, Zach Johnson, Kevin Tway, wiched two pars around a birdie pretty well. So it was nice to get 24 saves. The Senators’ Johnny Los Angeles 2 Philadelphia 0 Maverick McNealy Ryan Moore and Maverick at the 14th, then added birdies going right away here in Napa Oduya left the game in the third Chicago 10 Pittsburgh 1 69 - Graham DeLaet (CAN), Zac Blair, Brian McNealy share eighth place at at holes 16, 17 and 18 to make the and keep the momentum going,” period with a lower-body Washington 5 Ottawa 4 68. turn in 6-under 30. He carded he said. injury. Stuard, Bud Cauley, Webb Simpson, Phil Mickel- Detroit 4 Minnesota 2 Hoge’s hot round came three one more birdie at number six Duncan’s round was high- Ducks 5, Coyotes 4 son, Scott Brown, Harold Varner, Kevin Streel-

days after he earned his PGA to cap his bogey-free round. lighted by an eagle at the 10th. Rickard Rakell scored the Boston 4 Nashville 3

man, Conrad Shindler, Joel Dahmen, Zhang Tour playing card for the season “I played really well the Phil Mickelson shot a 69 and game-winning goal with 3:30 Montreal 3 Buffalo 2

Xinjun (CHN) by climbing into the top 25 of the whole day,” Hoge said. “I was in was one of 12 players tied for remaining and Anaheim rallied Colorado 4 NY Rangers 2 Web.com Tour at that circuit’s a lot of the fairways, a lot of 12th. from a three-goal deficit to

UK set to bid for Tour stages, Altuve hits 3 homers as Astros Champions beat Red Sox 8-2 in opener League final Houston Maddox to give Houston a quick to the crowd, one fan near the London AP boost in the best-of-five series. dugout held a sign that pro- AFP “As soon as I cross the white claimed in blue block letters: ose Altuve had just arrived in line, I feel the same size as eve- “That Kid Can Hit.” osting stages of the the Astros dugout after ryone else,” Altuve said. Verlander pitched six effec- 2021 Tour de France, Jlaunching his third home run It was just the 10th time a tive innings and improved to Hanother edition of the of the game when George player hit three homers in a posts- 6-0 since Houston got him in IAAF World Championships Springer grabbed his right eason game, and first since Pablo late trade with Detroit. He is 5-0 and the 2023 Champions biceps and examined it, as if Sandoval for the Giants in the with a 2.24 ERA in nine career Legaue final are in the sights searching for an explanation for 2012 World Series opener against starts in the division series. of British sport’s elite funding his team-mate’s extraordinary Detroit. Babe Ruth did it twice. Altuve hit .346 this year, his agency, UK Sport. pop. Altuve became the first fourth straight 200-hit season. Whilst UK Sport would The major league batting Astros player to hit three hom- He had 24 home runs this year not confirm the events it is champion put on an unprece- ers in one game since 2007, — this was his third career mul- going to bid for, the BBC dented show of power on when Carlos Lee did it in the tihomer game, and the first time reported it had seen a ‘host- Thursday as Houston roughed regular season. He seemed as he’d hit three all at once. ing targets list’, declaring an up Chris Sale and the Boston Red surprised as anyone else that he Alex Bregman and Altuve hit intent to host either the 2027 Sox 8-2 in Game 1 of the AL was now in a category with the back-to-back homers in the first or 2029 athletics showpiece Division Series. Sultan of Swat, Reggie Jackson inning , making Sale look a bit and the 2023 Champions Buoyed by chants of “MVP” and Albert Pujols. rattled. League final, which would in each trip to the plate, the After he finished talking to The Red Sox tied it up by scor- Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve hits a solo home mark Wembley’s 100th anni- 5-foot-6 Altuve hit solo homers Springer following his third shot, ing a run each in the second and versary. The government has in the first and fifth innings off Altuve’s teammates goaded him fourth innings before Marwin run during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox in set aside £30m for bids Sale. He connected again in the into exiting the dugout for a cur- Gonzalez lined a two-run double game one of the 2017 ALDS play-off baseball series at Minute between 2017 and 2025. seventh off reliever Austin tain call. And as he tipped his hat in the fourth for a 4-2 lead. Maid Park on Thursday. According to UK Sport, the events would attract over seven million paying fans and have an economic impact of more than £440m (493m NBA: Hornets guard Batum out for at least six weeks euros, $578m) to host cities and regions. Britain’s Sports Minister Los Angeles game against the Detroit second campaign with game on Wednesday. Cava- Tracey Crouch said that glo- AFP Pistons. Charlotte. liers coach Tyronn Lue is bal sporting bodies could rely Batum was clearly in pain He is entering the second hopeful Shumpert will return on the United Kingdom harlotte Hornets shoot- as he left the court. season of a five-year, $120m before his team concludes the putting on a great show. ing guard Nicolas “He just got tangled up,” contract. preseason on Oct. 13. “The UK has an incredible CBatum will miss at least Hornets coach Steve Clifford Meanwhile, Cleveland The news on Shumpert track record of hosting some six to eight weeks after tear- said. Cavaliers guard Iman Shump- was announced on the same of the biggest events in sport ing a ligament in his right “It was one of those kind ert is expected to be sidelined day in which forward LeBron that help showcase the best of elbow, the NBA club said on of contact/collision plays seven to 10 days with a James (ankle) returned to Britain to the world, make a Thursday. where his arm got stuck sprained left foot, the team practice. significant contribution to the The French guard could between two guys. He was in announced. James participated economy and encourage peo- miss even more playing time a lot of pain.” Shumpert sustained the through an entire practice on ple to get involved in sport as with the injury that occurred Batum averaged 15.1 injury while landing awk- Thursday as he continues to volunteers and participants,” 34 seconds after the start of points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 wardly after a missed dunk make progress from the left Nicolas Batum she said in a statement. Wednesday’s pre-season assists last season in his attempt during a preseason ankle he injured last week. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2017 Markram hits ton as South Africa dominate Bloemfontein SCOREBOARD scoring rate doesn’t show it, they South Africa’s AFP were at us quite a bit.” South Africa (I innings): Rahim defended his deci- D Elgar c M Rahman b Subashis Roy ...... 113 new T20 league ight days after being A Markram b Rubel Hossain ...... 143 sion. “It was a very good run out for 97 in his H Amla (batting)...... 89 to bowl on early but our bowl- first Test innings, T Bavuma c Liton Das b Subashis Roy ...... 7 ers didn’t capitalise,” he said. heading for loss Aiden Markram eased F du Plessis (batting) ...... 62 “When they pitched the ball up into the 90s again - Extras (B4, LB2, NB1, W7) ...... 14 they were driven down the Bloemfontein Ethen reached a maiden Test Total (3 wkts) ...... 428 ground and when they went AFP Fall of : 1-243, 2-276, 3-288 century with two successive Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman 18-3-78-0 (1nb, back (of a length) they were too boundaries. 1w), Subashis Roy 20-2-85-2 (1w), Rubel Hos- short. After that they tried hard outh Africa’s new Global Markram’s 145 helped pro- sain 18-1-91-1 (1w), Soumya Sarkar 5-0-21-0, and bowled well in patches.” T20 league will go pel South Africa to a massive 19-0-98-0, 7-2-27-0, Already without opening Sahead, South 428 for three on the first day of Mominul Haque 1-0-6-0, Sabbir Rahman 2-0- batsman Tamim Iqbal because Africa pledged yesterday, but

the second and final Test against 16-0 of a thigh injury, Bangladesh it is expected to lose money

To bat: Q de Kock, K Maharaj, A Phehlukwayo, Bangladesh at Mangaung Oval suffered another potential injury for the first two seasons. W Parnell, K Rabada, D Olivier yesterday. blow when a rare edge from No broadcast deal has yet Opening partner Dean Elgar Markram pitched short of Imrul been signed but CSA vice- hit 113 before Hashim Amla and home yet but I am very happy Kayes at second slip and crashed president and acting chief Faf du Plessis, unbeaten to have got there, especially into his knee. executive Thabang Moroe on 89 and 62 respectively, after what happened last week.” The incident happened in said negotiations were joined in the run feast. In what was almost an mid-afternoon and Kayes did well-advanced. Markram, who turned 23 on action replay of the first day of not return to the field before the “It is just a matter of Wednesday, admitted there was the first Test, Bangladesh cap- close. “His knee was quite swol- agreeing the finer details,” he “a bit of extra focus in the 90s”. tain Mushfiqur Rahim won the len. He has been having said. If there were any nerves, Bang- toss and sent South Africa in, treatment and hopefully he will Moroe said a deal in the ladesh fast bowler Rubel only for his bowlers to be put to be okay tomorrow.” region of $17-18 m was being Hussain helped settle them. An the sword. Elgar and Markram’s part- sought, but admitted that CSA over-pitched was The only major difference nership of 243 exceeded the 196 was expecting a net loss of punched square on the off-side was that Bangladesh reshuffled they put on to set up South Afri- about $25m, while franchise for four to take him to 97 and he their bowling attack, retaining ca’s 333-run win in the first Test. owners would lose about didn’t have time to dwell on the only Mustafizur Rahman of their Elgar followed up his 199 in $1.5m in the first season. previous week’s mishap because front-line bowlers. Potchefstroom with his tenth Moroe and CSA president he hooked the next ball for Markram said, though, that Test century. He made his runs Chris Nenzani briefed report- another boundary. he was less surprised by being off 152 balls, with 17 fours. When ers for the first time since last South Africa’s Dean Elgar raises his bat as he celebrates his “Fortunately I hit the gaps asked to bat than in the first he reached 16 he became the week’s announcement of the and the outfield was nice and Test. “There was a bit more in first batsman in the world to century during the first day of the second Test match against departure of chief executive quick,” he said. “It hasn’t hit the wicket and although the score 1000 runs in 2017. Bangladesh in Bloemfontein yesterday. Haroon Lorgat, which media speculation linked to unhap- piness over Lorgat’s negotiations for the league. Nenzani said: “We are working very hard to ensure Karunaratne puts Sri Lanka in strong position the Global T20 league launches on November 3. The Dubai SCOREBOARD Chandimal followed his 155 key issue is to get a broadcast AFP not out in the opening Test with deal on the table.” Sri Lanka (I innings): D Karunaratne (batting) ...... 133 another confident innings, col- The league is planned as pener Dimuth Karu- K Silva c Ahmed b Shah ...... 27 lecting five boundaries as the Sri South Africa’s equivalent of naratne compiled a S Samarawickrama c and b Amir ...... 38 Lankan pair blunted Pakistan’s the Indian Premier League Obrilliant century to put K Mendis c Shafiq b Shah ...... 1 bowling attack. and Australia’s Big Bash Sri Lanka in a commanding D Chandimal (batting) ...... 49 Pakistan took the second League. position at 254-3 on the open- Extras: (LB 1, NB 4, W 1) ...... 6 new ball after 82 overs but failed Seven of the eight teams ing day of the second day-night Total: (for 3 wkts) ...... 254 to claim any further wickets, are foreign-owned and sev- Still to bat: N Dickwella, D Perera, R Herath, S Test in Dubai yesterday. Lakmal, L Gamage, N Pradeep with Amir walking off in the eral leading international The left-hander was Fall of wickets: 1-63, 2-131, 3-136 middle of his 17th over with an players as well as all South unbeaten on 133, adding 118 for Bowling: Amir 16.3-5-59-1, Abbas 18-5-48-0 apparent injury. Pakistan, who Africa’s top players are com- an unbroken fourth-wicket (1nb), Riaz 13-5-25-0 (3nb), Shah 29.3-5-90-2, have never lost a Test series in mitted to playing. stand with skipper Dinesh Shafiq 8-1-16-0 (1w), Sohail 5-1-15-0 the United Arab Emirates, also Moroe said owners had

Chandimal (49 not out) after Sri Pakistan: Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, wasted both their reviews off the been consulted. “They are all

Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Lanka won the toss and batted second new ball to cap a woe- committed to staying in the Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, , Wahab on a flat Dubai Stadium pitch. ful day for them. Leg-spinner league and the owners are Karunaratne batted with Yasir Shah was the pick of bowl- happy to accept there will be authority and style to reach his hitting 15 boundaries and a six. ers with 2-90 while Amir losses for the first two years.” Sadeera Samarawickrama (left) and of seventh Test hundred off 197 Karunaratne fell seven runs returned figures of 1-59. Moroe said negotiations Sri Lanka leave the field during the first day of the second balls, hitting Mohammad Amir short of a hundred in the first Karunaratne and opening for a title sponsor were tak- Test match against Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium for two consecutive boundaries Test in Abu Dhabi where Sri partner Kaushal Silva (27) pro- ing place but admitted: in Dubai, yesterday. to complete three figures. Lanka won by 21 runs to take a vided a solid platform for Sri “Everything hangs on a He batted for 381 minutes, 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Lanka with a 63-run stand. broadcast deal.” Stokes will not fly with England to Australia: ECB

London apparent fight outside a night- the players, the coaching staff will add to the range of options with Stokes handed contracts for AFP club. He was included in the and supporters some clarity and the squad will be further both. Hales has been retained as Ashes squad despite reportedly around a complex situation,” said supported by the arrival of the a limited-overs specialist. en Stokes (pictured) will injuring his hand in the incident director of England Cricket Lions in Australia in In a separate matter, the ECB not travel with the England that led to his arrest. Andrew Strauss. November.” has also fined and issued a for- Bsquad to Australia on Octo- The 26-year-old Durham all- “This decision will help us in “We have spoken to Ben and mal written warning to Jonny ber 28 but no final decision on rounder was released without the weeks ahead and give every assured him that our decision in Bairstow, Jake Ball and Liam his involvement in the Ashes has charge but remains under player and the whole England no way prejudges the outcome Plunkett following a disciplinary been taken, the ECB said investigation. set-up the best chance to focus of the ongoing police investiga- investigation into behaviour dur- yesterday. The ECB also announced that on the challenge ahead in tion or cricket discipline ing the recent one-day series Test vice-captain Stokes was Middlesex paceman Steven Finn Australia. commission process, as can be against the West Indies. arrested last month on suspicion will be added to the Ashes tour- “Steven is a high-quality seen by the award of central con- No further details have been of causing actual bodily harm ing squad in light of the ongoing cricketer, with considerable tracts,” Strauss added. given but the ECB has stated and suspended, along with Alex police investigation. experience of both international The board confirmed the clearly that this issue is “unre- Hales, from internationals until “With the Ashes just around cricket and Australian condi- awarding of central contracts for lated to the investigations into further notice following an the corner, it’s important to give tions. The selectors believe he Test and limited-overs cricket, Ben Stokes and Alex Hales”. Vettel quickest as rain lashes Suzuka Basketball festival Suzuka, Japan the end of the opening 90 min- the session was delayed by 45 Lance Stroll were the only other begins today Reuters utes of practice. minutes as drains overflowed cars brave enough to attempt a Vettel set the pace in that and rivers of water coursed flying lap. ebastian Vettel was quick- session with a one minute, down inclines at the undulating The 18-year-old rookie Stroll The Peninsula and Al Khor. The festival aims est in free practice for the 29.166 second lap, edging out his track. was briefly caught out by the to increase the passion of the SJapanese Grand Prix yester- Formula One championship rival World championship leader conditions, running wide and atar Basketball Federa- young players in the game day with the Ferrari driver’s Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes at Hamilton went fastest in that skirting the barriers before tion will begin their Mini through exercises under the morning effort never coming the top of the timesheets. session, setting a time of one rejoining the track without caus- Qand microbasket festival supervision of coaches from under threat in a rain-shortened The rain became heavier minute, 48.719 seconds, kicking ing damage to his car. season from today by hosting clubs and from the QBF. Dur- afternoon session that saw only through the afternoon and was up a dense mist of spray as he The Canadian’s excursion the first festival of the series at ing the season, 5 festivals are five men completed timed laps. positively lashing the 5.8km cir- toured the circuit, nearly 20 sec- elicited a rare smile from Al Gharafa Stadium. held. The second festival is set The opening day of track cuit by the time the clock ticked onds off Vettel’s morning best Kimi Raikkonen but neither Ten teams are taking part for November 4, followed by action at the Suzuka Circuit got down to signal the start of the on a dry track. the Finn nor his team mate in the festival which include Al two other events on December underway beneath overcast second 90-minute session. The Force India pair of Ser- Vettel set a time, both com- Sadd, Qatar SC, Al Arabi, Tar- 16 and February 24, 2018, while skies with specks of rain turn- Originally scheduled to gio Perez and Esteban Ocon, and pleting just a sole installation biya, Al Gharafa, Al Ahli, Al the final festival will take place ing into heavy drizzle towards begin at 0500 GMT, the start of Williams duo Felipe Massa and lap. Wakra, Al Shamal, Al Rayyan on March 10 of the same year. SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2017 SPORT 23 Doha stages another FINA World Cup blockbuster

Fawad Hussain The Peninsula

peed, thrill and nail-biting contests among the world’s Sbest swimmers came under the roof of Hamad Aquatic Center once again, as the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) hosted the FINA airweave Swimming World Cup leg in a spectacular fashion for the sixth consecutive time. With the QSA President Khaleel Al Jabir announcing the contract extension for the high profile event until 2021, swim- ming fans, who turned out in good numbers to watch live Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu smiles after sealing a victory on last day of FINA World Cup at races during the two-day event in Doha, can anticipate more top Hamad Aquatic Center on Thursday. RIGHT: South Africa’s Chad Le Clos on his way to win notch action in the years to the final. Pics: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula come. “The presence of such a with Le Clos and Hosszu emerg- Hungarian after securing the Diener also made his presence good number of global super- ing as eventual winners. cluster win. felt by winning two gold medals, stars makes Doha FINA World Le Clos, who is leading the Sjostrom, the Olympic and both on the final day. Jamaican Cup leg a unique one,” Al Jabir overall rankings comfortably world champion, also had to world record holder Alia Atkin- said. with 312 points, accumulated a gain a lot in Doha’s leg as she son also returned with a brace of “ Qatar will also host the total of six medals including four managed to clinch five golds gold medals. FINA World Championships and gold and a couple of silver med- and a silver medal to keep her Azerbaijan’s Maksym Shem- Masters in 2023 World Cham- als to win the penultimate overall lead intact with 446 berev also had a memorable run pionships when all the top stars cluster of the FINA series. points. in Doha as he became the first will compete. Such mega events “Doha has been by lucky “Overall I am happy with my swimmer from his country to will be very beneficial for Qatar venue and a second home to me. five gold medals. I have a good win gold medal at a World Cup swimming as well as the whole I am very happy to win the clus- lead in the series,” the Swede star event. region,” he added. ter and also with my tally of said. He won the 400m IM con- The Doha meet, which was medals,” the South African said. Russian giant Morozov test on the first day and on the the fifth leg of World Cup series Hosszu was also in sizzling signed off with three gold med- final day he bagged silver in saw big names including Olym- form throughout the event and als with a victory in 50m 1500m freestyle to sign off in pic and World champion Chad accumulated five golds and a freestyle on the final day. style. Le Clos of South Africa, Swede silver medal to seal cluster Another Russian star, Kirill Over 150 swimmers from a sensation Sarah Sjostrom, Hun- victory. Prigoda, who is holding third total of 25 countries participated gary’s ‘Iron Lady’ Katinka “I am very happy with my spot in the overall rankings, also in the showpiece event. Several Hosszu and Russian legend performance. Spectators enjoyed a commendable run as upcoming Qatari swimmers also Vladmir Morozov. showed a huge support for me he bagged two gold medals in displayed their skills and Sweden’s Sarah Sjastrom celebrates her victory in one of The meet decided the win- that motivated me a lot. A big as any day. marked impressive times, sig- ners of cluster two of the series thanks to them,” said the German talent Christian naling a bright future. the races on the final day.

Australians Liverpool to slam referee Argentina in peril as unveil Dalglish after Syria Stand against penalty blow Man United Malacca, Malaysia Cup race goes to wire London AFP AFP

ustralian players and Montevideo Argentina’s the 83rd minute. The Uruguay- iverpool will offi- media slammed the AFP Lionel Messi ans are all but assured of cially unveil the referee after Syria’s qualification however, needing newly named A gestures at L controversial late penalty ionel Messi and Argen- only a draw or a win against Kenny Dalglish Stand at the end of dented their hopes of reach- tina’s hopes of lowly Bolivia in Montevideo next their match with fierce ing next year’s World Cup reaching the 2018 the goalless week to book their place. rivals Manchester United following a 1-1 play-off draw World Cup were left 2018 World South American champions next week, the club said in Malacca. hanging in the balance Cup qualifier Chile, meanwhile, resurrected yesterday. The Socceroos remain in Lon Thursday after another stale- against Peru in their qualification hopes with a The Premier League the box seat ahead of Tues- mate on a nail-biting day of Buenos Aires on thrilling 2-1 win over Ecuador in giants announced that day’s second leg in Sydney, South American qualifying Thursday. Santiago. Anfield’s Centenary where the eventual winner action. Striker Eduardo Vargas Stand would be renamed will go into a final play-off Argentina were held to a 0-0 drilled in a low shot on 22 min- the Kenny Dalglish Stand with the CONCACAF federa- draw in Buenos Aires by Peru, utes to put the 2015 & 2016 Copa earlier this year to com- tion’s fourth-placed team. leaving the two-time world America champions 1-0 up. memorate the player’s But Omar al-Soma’s 85th- champions outside the auto- But Alex Ibarra equalised in contribution to the club minute equaliser raised matic qualification places as the 82nd minute for Ecuador to both on and off the field. harrowing memories of the they head into the final round of silence the home crowd. Dalglish, 66, won 1997 play-offs, when Aus- fixtures next Tuesday. But with Chile’s fans still multiple league titles and tralia drew 1-1 with Iran in It was another desperately struggling to digest Ibarra’s three European Cups dur- Tehran but were held 2-2 at disappointing display by Argen- strike, the hosts went back up ing a glittering 13-year home to go out on away goals. tina, who once again struggled the other end and Arsenal star stint as a player and in two Forward Robbie Kruse to turn a wealth of possession rammed home a close-range managerial tenures. even claimed Iranian referee into goals. finish after Arturo Vidal’s shot A special mosaic will Alireza Faghani -- who far- Barcelona star Messi hit the was only partially saved. be revealed across the cically gave him a yellow card post in the second half but could The win saw Chile climb stand and the Kop ahead when he went down with a only watch in frustration after from sixth to third in the stand- of kick-off on October 14 serious injury in the 2015 serving up a stream of chances New Zealand in November. Tuesday would guarantee ings. Chile will qualify and the matchday pro- Asian Cup final -- was itch- for team-mates who failed to But with only two points Argentina at least fifth place in automatically if they are able to gramme will feature a ing to give the penalty. convert. separating third-placed Chile the standings, with Peru and beat Brazil in their final game cover dedicated to the “It was evident to every- The result left Argentina in and seventh-placed Paraguay, Colombia guaranteed to drop next week. former player and one it wasn’t a penalty,” Kruse sixth place in the standings. The the final standings could change points against each other in their In Barranquilla, Colombia manager. told Australian media. first four teams qualify automat- dramatically depending on final game. threw away what looked to be “It is testament to Liv- Socceroos coach Ange ically, with the fifth-placed team results on Tuesday. Brazil, who have already a certain victory that would have erpool’s history and status Postecoglou said he was advancing to a play-off against The margin for error for qualified in first place, were held put them within touching dis- that we are not lacking in “bemused” by the decision, Argentina, however, has nar- to a 0-0 draw by eliminated tance of qualification as they truly great individuals, while Leckie called it “very SOUTH AMERICAN QUALIFIERS rowed after their latest setback, Bolivia in La Paz earlier on crashed to a 2-1 defeat to whose names could eas- poor”. In La Paz their third consecutive draw of Thursday. Paraguay. ily grace a stand at “It wasn’t like I (made) Bolivia 0 Brazil 0 a faltering qualification That left the focus on the Radamel Falcao scored with Anfield,” principal owner body contact and tried to put At San Cristobal, Venezuela campaign. teams jostling behind the five a deft lob to put Colombia 1-0 John W. Henry said ear- him off, I actually won the Venezuela 0 Uruguay 0 Argentina’s final qualifier is time champions for the three ahead in the 79th minute. lier this year. header. I don’t know what In Santiago a challenging away trip to Ecua- remaining automatic spots. But the Colombians inexpli- “But in Kenny Dal- went through the ref’s mind Chile 2 (Vargas 22, Sanchez 85) Ecuador 1 dor in the thin air of Quito. Uruguay, who are second cably continued to press forward glish we have a person to give a penalty,” Leckie said. (Ibarra 82) Argentina have a poor record in with 28 points from 17 games, and were twice caught on the who carries such The Herald Sun said Aus- In Barranquilla, Colombia the Ecuadoran capital, losing missed the chance to book their break by Paraguay. immense significance to tralia were “robbed” of two out of three of their last place in Russia after being frus- Oscar Cardozo bundled in the the fabric of this club, so Colombia 1 (Falcao 79) Paraguay 2 (Cardozo victory, while one Fox Sports World Cup qualifiers there and trated 0-0 away at Venezuela. equaliser for Paraguay in the 89th it feels somewhat incum- 89, Sanabria 90+1) columnist questioned the drawing the other. The Argen- Uruguay’s Paris Saint-Ger- minute and then Tony Sanabria bent on us to recognise

wisdom of using a referee In Buenos Aires tines’ last World Cup qualifying main striker Edinson Cavani punished poor goalkeeping by this in a manner that is from Iran, which has close Argentina 0 Peru 0 win in Quito came in 2001. squandered a golden chance to David Ospina to poke in a second befitting to the man.” ties with Syria. However, a victory on win the game but shot wide in in injury time to clinch the win. SPORT

Saturday 7 October 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Steele off to hot Markram hits ton Doha stages start in defense as South Africa another FINA Cup of title dominate blockbuster Aspire4Sport Congress opens in London

The Peninsula

inister of Culture and Sport H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali yesterday opened the M8th Aspire4Sport Exhibition and Con- gress at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Stadium in London. The two-day conference organised by the Qatar-based Aspire Academy has brought together around 500 attendees, chiefly repre- sentatives of football clubs and organisations involved in the game. The annual meet, which was held earlier in France, Germany and Netherlands, provides a platform to exchange ideas and build networks. The packed programme features speakers such as Kevin Keegan, Roy Hodgson and Claude Makelele and Arrigo Sacchi, besides Qatar own golden boy of athletics Mutaz Barshim, a silver medal winner at the Rio Olympics and world Minister of Culture and Sport H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali cutting the ribbon to open the 8th Aspire4Sport Exhibition and Congress at champion in high jump event. Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Stadium in London yesterday. Right: Former England manager Kevin Keegan, one of the star speakers at the two-day congress is seen along with Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.

Director General of Aspire Academy Iván Bravo (right) handing over a memento to former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi in London yesterday. Qatar’s top athlete Mutaz Barshim, a silver medal winner at the Rio Olympics and world champion in high jump event, delivering a talk. Right: Sacchi speaking at the Congress. Ruthless Nadal in China Open semis

Beijing Halep eyes top spot The 20-year-old Zverev, like AFP Nadal also searching for a sixth Halep is on the cusp title in a breakthrough season, of overhauling had few scares in dispatching afael Nadal got some Muguruza as world Russia’s Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-3. fibre from a tennis number one after the Simona Halep is on the cusp of ball lodged in his eye Romanian raced into overhauling Garbine Muguruza as but that did not stop the semi-finals. world number one after the Roma- the world number nian raced into the semi-finals of FC Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta (right) shakes hands with club President Josep Maria Rone setting up a China Open “I think it was just a hair or the women’s draw. The second- semi-final today with “great something, a hair from the ten- ranked Halep eased past Russia’s Bartomeu after announcing the agreement of a contract for life with the Catalan club, guy” Grigor Dimitrov. nis ball. It was bothering me for unseeded Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-1 yesterday. The Spaniard tamed the big- a while.” in 69 minutes and will face Latvia’s serving American John Isner “Not important, (but) I am Jelena Ostapenko. 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) yesterday to set still feeling (it) a little bit by the Halep, 26, could potentially up the clash with the third- way,” Nadal, who attempted to usurp Muguruza at the top if she Iniesta signs lifetime seeded Bulgarian. Dimitrov wash the suspected fibre out reaches the final in Beijing, booked his place in the last four with water, added with a smile. although current number three on Beijing’s outside hard courts Nadal will face a familiar Elina Svitolina is also in the mix. with a 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-2 victory figure in Dimitrov -- the pair Halep and Ostapenko met over another Spaniard, Roberto practised together at Nadal’s at the French Open earlier this contract with Barca Bautista Agut. base in Mallorca before the US year, with the Latvian winning The other semi-final will be Open, where the Spaniard won the duel. But Halep is in red-hot an intriguing encounter between the title for a third time this year. form and claimed the scalp of Barcelona role with the club beyond his player of all-time having won two rising talents, with temper- They even went fishing former number one Maria AFP playing career. 30 trophies at club level, includ- amental but talented Nick together, but Nadal said they Sharapova earlier this week, “The lifetime title doesn’t ing eight La Liga and four Kyrgios playing starlet Alexan- will have their game faces on for beating the Russian at the eighth arcelona tied down cap- mean that I will remain here just Champions League titles. der Zverev of Germany. Saturday: “At the end of the day attempt. Ostapenko says Halep tain Andres Iniesta for the for the sake of it. It isn’t my way Iniesta has also made the Nadal, 31, the 16-time Grand we are competitors. will be expected to win this time, Brest of his career as the of doing things,” said Iniesta. second highest number of Slam champion, revved up a “We go on court and we try but added: “If I play my best and club announced yesterday the “When I don’t have the same appearances in a Barca shirt gear against Isner to surge our best and we want to win. I stay aggressive tomorrow and 33-year-old midfielder has force or importance I have behind Xavi Hernandez with through the second-set tie “Of course, he is a player I am consistent, I think every- agreed the first “lifetime con- always had things can always 639 since his debut 15 years ago. break, although there was con- that I really have like a good thing can happen.” tract” in Barca’s history. change. “There is no other player in cern at one point during the set friend on the tour. He’s a great Petra Kvitova, the two-time “It is a way of rewarding an “Today I am hugely grateful the club like him. He will be a when he appeared to be suffer- guy.” Kyrgios, 22, enjoyed an Wimbledon champion from the exceptional player,” said Barce- for the confidence the club has reference for future genera- ing an eye problem. easy passage into the last four Czech Republic, faces Caroline lona president Josep Maria shown in me.” tions,” added Bartomeu. “Just something came to my when Belgian qualifier Steve Garcia of France or Ukraine’s Bartomeu. Along with five-time World “I always say to the kids in eye, that’s all,” said Nadal, who Darcis retired at 6-0 and 3-0 Svitolina in the other Iniesta insisted, though, that Player of the Year Lionel Messi, the academy, to fixate on him is chasing a sixth title this year. down to the Australian. semi-final. he has not planned any future Iniesta is Barca’s most decorated as a player and a person.”