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Wednesday, September 26, 2018 FOOTBALL Moharram 16, 1440 AH Ronaldo turns to GULF TIMES Juve challenge aft er FIFA best player snub SPORT Page 3 QOC president HE Sheikh Joaan at Best FIFA Football Awards

Qatar Olympic Committee president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (left) meets FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in London on Monday. (Right) HE Sheikh Joaan, Infantino and other off icials watch the proceedings at the awards ceremony.

SPOTLIGHT COMMENT World gymnastics Tirapongpaiboon message to those who aim to stop wins Asian 6 Red Qatar’s pioneering march: al-Hitmi

QNA Doha honours in Doha atar Gymnastics Fed- eration president Ali Thai 25-year-old beat Mohamed Bilal of Pakistan 7-3 in the final yesterday al-Hitmi has said that Qatar’s hosting of emony for the tournament and theQ Artistic Gymnastics World By Mikhil Bhat Doha the Asian Team Snooker Cham- Championships Doha 2018 from pionship, which immediately October 25 to November 3 is a preceded the 6 Red event and strong message to those who n the ninth frame of the concluded on Friday, was held want to stop the country’s pio- Asian 6 Red Championship yesterday. neering march in the region. fi nal, Pakistan’s Mohamed Present at the ceremony Speaking exclusively to Qatar Bilal was putting together a were International Billiards News Agency (QNA), al-Hitmi Icomeback after being 3-5 down. and Snooker Federation (IBSF) said that the unprecedented par- A 32-point break had put him president Mubarak al-Khayarin, ticipation in the tournament, 33-0 up in the frame with only Asian Confederation of Billiard which is being organised for the the coloured balls left. Sports (ACBS) president Mo- fi rst time in the Middle East, However, the 33-year-old hamed Salem al-Nuaimi, Qatar and will see more than 700 ath- team of Ahmad Nabil and Ahmed missed potting the yellow. A Billiards and Snooker Federa- letes representing 83 countries, al-Deyani will compete with the couple of shots later, his oppo- tion (QBSF) president Mohamed confi rms the full confi dence world champions in all six men’s nent, Thailand’s Thanawat Ti- Mubarak al-Ramzani and other and support of the world in Qa- apparatus events. rapongpaiboon, snookered Bilal offi cials. tar as sports capital because of Qatari gymnast Jana Elkiky on the yellow and snapped his its long-standing reputation in will compete in the fl oor exer- fi rst points when the Pakistani NEW ASIAN TOUR 10 REDS organising and hosting major cises and pommel in apparatus player fouled on it. TOURNAMENT sporting events and because of for women. Thirapongpaiboon looked at Starting today, QBSF Hall will the security and safety it pro- He said that the Qatar play- the scoreboard, and found the also host the fi rst edition of vides. ers will certainly gain experience cue favourable for him and be- the ACBS Asian Tour 10 Reds The World Gymnastics Cham- through the world champion- gan potting the rest, eventually Championship, with as many as pionships will be the fi rst stop ships. taking the frame by 1 point at 24 top players. that will keep the world’s eyes on Besides players, there will be 34-33. “It’s the fi rst of its kind in- us before returning again when Qatari participation as arbiters in “That was a key shot for me,” ternational tournament in the Doha will host the 2019 IAAF the tournament being represent- Thirapongpaiboon told Gulf world, and the fi rst time Qatar World Championships, the 2022 ed by referee Mahmoud al-Saad Times, referring to the snooker will be hosting it. I think it is a World Cup and the 2023 World and Abeer al-Buainain. shot, after his 7-3 win in the very tough tournament, the very Swimming Championships, said A delegation representing the tournament at the Qatar Bil- best 24 players from the region, al-Hitmi, also the Executive Di- directors of the technical com- liards and Snooker Federation Asian 6 Red Championship winner Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon (background, left) of Thailand, runner-up Asia and IBSF will play in Doha,” rector and Tournament Manager mittees of the international fed- Hall yesterday. Mohamed Bilal (background, right) of Pakistan, Asian Team Snooker Championship winners Mohamed al-Khayarin told Gulf Times. of the 2018 Gymnastics World eration will be present in Doha on “I… ahh… don’t know how to Asif (background, second from left) and Babar Masih (background, third from left), runners-up Pankaj The 24 players have been di- Championships. October 15 and 16 to make sure of say,” he just smiled with lot of Advani (background, second from right) and Manan Chandra (background, third from right) pose with vided into eight groups of three He explained that the sports the readiness before the start of relief and happiness. International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) president Mubarak al-Khayarin (foreground centre), each, with the top two players world put its full confi dence in the tournament. In the next frame, Bilal tried Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports (ACBS) president Mohamed Salem al-Nuaimi (foreground, second making it to the last 16 stage. Qatar because “we have the in- Al-Hitmi thanked the sports paying back with a snooker of from right) and other off icials yesterday. The tournament will conclude frastructure needed at the high- offi cials in the country and HE his own as the game was at 34-0 on Saturday, September 29. est level, stadiums and modern Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Tha- in favour of the Thai player. long time since I won a big tour- er, I am very happy that I played Earlier in the day, Tirapong- Four players — Ahmed Saif, facilities”. ni, the President of the Qatar Ol- A couple of fouls by Ti- nament in Asia, but I am really really well,” he added. paiboon had eased past Paki- Ali al-Obaidli, Mohsen Buk- He added that the infrastruc- ympic Committee and Chairman rapongpaiboon and a 14-point happy,” he said. Talking about the tournament stan’s in-form Babar Masih, shaisha and Mhanaa al-Obaidli ture being provided for world of the Organising Committee of break later, the score was at 34- Tirapongpaiboon had won the and the facilities, the Thai player who had been unbeaten in the — will represent Qatar in the gymnastics championships in the championship. 31, but it wasn’t enough to pro- Asian Under-21 Snooker Cham- said, “Qatar have organised a tournament so far, 6-1 in the tournament. Doha would be of a global con- He also thanked the offi cials long the game. pionship in 2014 and the World really good tournament, a great semi-fi nals. “I hope the Qatar team does fi guration and also show the of the Ministry of Culture and Tirapongpaiboon potted the Under-21 Snooker Champion- venue, and I really like com- Bilal had booked his place in well in this tournament. It is not country’s readiness if it hosts the Sports for their eff orts with the pink to take the frame, and with ship in 2011. ing here to play tournaments. I the fi nal with a 6-4 victory over an easy tournament for us. If our Olympic Games in the future. Organising Committee and eve- it his fi rst Asian title in four “There was a lot of pressure would like to thank all the fans Hong Kong’s 19-year-old Che- players make it to the top eight, I On the Qatari team’s partici- ryone concerned with the suc- years. but today I felt that I was a bit who came here each day to sup- ung Ka Wai. think it will be a very good result pation in the tournament, al- cess of the World Championship “I am really happy. It’s been a lucky. Bilal is a really good play- port me.” The prize distribution cer- for us,” Khayarin said. Hitmi confi rmed that the Qatar in Qatar. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, September 26, 2018 SPORT

ASIA CUP Shahzad slams hundred as Afghanistan tie against India Title holders India have already qualified for Friday’s final where they will meet Pakistan or Bangladesh

Afghanistan players celebrate after their one-day international match against India ended in a tie at the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai yesterday. (AFP)

AFP middle order unravelled, leav- to help Afghanistan post a chal- Dubai ing them seven to get off the fi - lenging total after they won the nal over, bowled by Rashid Khan, toss and batted at Dubai stadium. with just one wicket in hand. With India already in fi nal SCOREBOARD fghanistan pulled off Ravindra Jadeja, who had and Afghanistan out of conten- a sensational tie off played cautiously till then, tion, Shahzad’s knock spiced up AFGHANISTAN INNINGS Fall of wickets: 1-65 (Ahmadi), 2-81 (Shah), D Chahar b Alam 12 the penultimate ball launched the leg-spinner for a the inconsequential match. So Mohamed Shahzad c Karthik b Jadhav 124 3-82 (Shahidi), 4-82 (Asghar), 5-132 (Naib), Kuldeep run out (Naib/Alam) 9 6-180 (Shahzad), 7-226 (Zadran), 8-244 (Nabi) against India in their four. He then took a single to ex- dominant was Shahzad that fel- Javed Ahmadi st Dhoni b Jadeja 5 S Kaul run out (Shahidi) 0 SuperA Four stage match of the pose No. 11 Khaleel Ahmed, who low opener Javed Ahmadi was Bowling: Khalil 10-1-45-1 (1w), Chahar 4-0-37-1 Asia Cup in Dubai yesterday. was only playing his second ODI. only fi ve in a stand of 65, before Rahmat Shah b Jadeja 3 (2w), Kaul 9-0-58-0 (1w), Jadeja 10-1-46-3 (1w), K Ahmed not out 1 Mohamed Shahzad’s 124 lifted Ahmed managed to snatch a sin- India struck four times within Hashmatullah Shahidi st Dhoni b Yadav 0 Yadav 10-0-38-2, Jadhav 7-0-27-1 Extras (lb5, nb1, w3) 9 Afghanistan to 252-8 in 50 overs gle leaving India needing one run the space of 17 runs. Asghar Afghan b Yadav 0 Total: (all out; 49.5 overs) 252 while India were all out in 49.5 from two balls. Spinners Jadeja (3-46) and overs with the scores level. However, Jadeja went for a Kuldeep Yadav (2-38) derailed Gulbadin Naib c Jadhav b Chahar 15 INDIA INNINGS Fall of wickets: 1-110 (Rayudu), 2-127 (Rahul), Title holders India have al- glory shot and hit straight to Na- the innings but Shahzad held one Mohamed Nabi c Yadav b Khalil 64 KL Rahul lbw b Rashid 60 3-142 (Dhoni), 4-166 (Pandey), 5-204 (Jadhav), ready qualifi ed for Friday’s fi nal jibullah Zadran at deep midwick- end, adding 50 for the fi fth wick- 6-205 (Karthik), 7-226 (Chahar), 8-242 Najibullah Zadran lbw b Jadeja 20 A Rayudu c Zadran b Nabi 57 where they meet the winners of et as the match ended in a tie. et with Gulbadin Naib who made (Kuldeep), 9-245 (Kaul), 10-252 (Jadeja) Rashid Khan not out 12 D Karthik lbw b Nabi 44 Pakistan and Bangladesh match Earlier, burly opener Shahzad 15 and another 48 for the sixth Bowling: Aftab Alam 10-0-53-2, Mujeeb Ur in Abu Dhabi today. knocked a fi ghting hundred to lift with Mohamed Nabi. Nabi made Aftab Alam not out 2 MS Dhoni lbw b Ahmadi 8 Rahman 10-1-43-0, Gulbadin Naib 4-0-41-0, Yesterday, India were on course Afghanistan to a fi ghting total. a fi ery 56-ball 64 with four sixes Extras: (b1, nb1, w5) 7 M Pandey c Shahzad b Alam 8 Mohamed Nabi 10-0-40-2, Rashid Khan for a comfortable win as KL Ra- The 31-year-old smashed seven and three boundaries. Shahzad 9.5-0-41-2. Javed Ahmadi 4-0-19-1, Rahmat hul and Ambati Rayudu added sixes and 11 fours in his 116-ball was fi nally out in the 38th over Total: (eight wkts; 50 overs) 252 K Jadhav run out (Mujeeb) 19 Shah 2-0-10-0 110 for the opening wicket. But 124 — his fi fth one-day century but by then had given a good Did not bat: Mujeeb Ur Rahman R Jadeja c Zadran b Rashid 25 once they were dismissed India’s but fi rst against a top nation — platform to his team.

FOCUS ROUND-UP Kohli, Chanu conferred with Law leaving Windies to coach Middlesex tuart Law is leaving his role as sustained in Sri Lanka in August. West Indies head coach to take over He could be fi t for a three-match Twen- India’s highest sporting honour at Middlesex from next season, ty20 international series against Zimbabwe the English county announced on starting on October 9. Monday.S The former Australia batsman has Amla injured a tendon in his left little signed a four-year deal and will begin du- fi nger in the Caribbean Premier League in ties in January following West Indies’ tours the West Indies and will need three weeks of India and Bangladesh. to recover. JP Duminy will captain South “It is a great privilege to be asked to coach Africa in the one-day series, while Test Middlesex and to accept one of the plum opening batsman Dean Elgar has been jobs in world cricket,” Law said. “I have added to the squad. very much enjoyed my time with the West Indies and wish the staff and players every TRESCOTHICK SIGNS success. There is never a good time to leave NEW SOMERSET DEAL but the opportunity to work with Middlesex Marcus Trescothick has signed a one-year for four years at the home of cricket was too contract extension with Somerset as the good to decline.” former England batsman extends his stay After brief stints in charge of Sri Lanka reasons, and along with everyone at Cricket with the county into a remarkable 25th sea- and Bangladesh, the 49-year-old took over West Indies want to thank him for his son. Trescothick made his fi rst-class debut the Windies’ reins in January 2017 and led dedication and commitment whilst in the in 1993, two years after joining Somerset, his team to a memorable Test victory over role and wish him the very best of luck at and has gone on to score more than 26,000 England at Headingley last summer. Law Middlesex.” runs in the longer formats of the game. said his time in charge of the Windies had The 42-year-old made 76 Test appear- been “very enjoyable” DU PLESSIS, AMLA OUT ances for England, scoring 5,825 runs in “I believe we have made tremendous OF ZIMBABWE SERIES an international career spanning 2000 to strides forward as a team during the past South African captain Faf du Plessis and 2006. Trescothick was a member of the India’s cricket captain Virat Kohli receives the Khel Ratna award from World champion weightlifter two years,” he said. His departure means batsman Hashim Amla were ruled out of a England team that won the Ashes against the Indian President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi yesterday. (AFP) Saikhom Mirabai Chanu. West Indies will have a new coach in charge three-match one-day series against Zimba- Australia in memorable style in 2005. when England visit the Caribbean in Janu- bwe because of injuries. The fi rst match Trescothick has made nine County IANS received a medal, a citation and a certifi cates and a cash prize of ary. West Indies director of cricket Jimmy is in Kimberley on Sunday. Cricket South Championship appearances this season, New Delhi cash prize of Rs7 lakh. Rs5 lakh each. Adams said: “While I regret his leaving Africa announced that Du Plessis had not scoring three half-centuries and one ton for Besides the Khel Ratna, star The President also gave away and the timing of it, I fully understand his fully recovered from a shoulder injury he First Division side Somerset. javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, the Dronacharya awards to CA ndian cricket captain Virat sprinter Hima Das, table tennis Kuttappa (Boxing), Vijay Sharma Kohli and world champion star Manika Batra were among (Weightlifting), A. Srinivasa Rao weightlifter Saikhom Mira- the 20 recipients of the prestig- (Table Tennis), Sukhdev Singh Starc ready to carry burden of lone paceman against Pakistan bai Chanu were conferred ious Arjuna award. Pannu (Athletics). Iwith the country’s highest sport- The other Arjuna awardees Among the Dronacharya Dubai: Mitchell Starc is ready step up and before,” Starc said yesterday in Dubai. “If Asia since that 2013 match in India. ing honour – Rajiv Gandhi Khel were long distance runner Jinson awardees for lifetime achieve- do the heavy lifting as Australia’s sole I need to bowl long spells and be the only The left-arm paceman took 24 wickets on Ratna award – by President Ram Johnson, shuttler N.Sikki Red- ment were Clarence Lobo (Hock- specialist pace bowler should the tourists out-and-out quick, then I can definitely fill the 2016 tour of Sri Lanka, the biggest haul Nath Kovind at the annual Na- dy, boxer Satish Kumar, woman ey), Tarak Sinha (Cricket), Jiwan opt for a three-pronged spin attack in next that role. We’ve got guys like (all-rounder) by an Australian in a three-Test series, and tional Sports Awards ceremony cricketer Smriti Mandhana, golf- Kumar Sharma (Judo) and V.R. month’s two-Test series against Pakistan. Mitch Marsh who’s back bowling now, I’m will look to replicate that form on slow spin yesterday. er Shubhankar Sharma, hockey Beedu (Athletics). The Drona- Using a trio of slow bowlers in the United sure he’ll be a big part of the team with bat tracks in Dubai, which hosts the first Test This year’s award ceremony stars Manpreet Singh and Savita charya awardees were also given Arab Emirates remains a strong possibility and ball. from Oct. 7, and Abu Dhabi 11 days later. was postponed to September 25 Punia, Col. Ravi Rathore (Polo), statuettes, certifi cates and a cash for the Australians as they explore means to “We’ve got other part-timers to call on if “It’s something I’ll probably look at and from the usual August 29 Na- shooters Rahi Sarnobat, Ankur prize of Rs5 lakh each. capture 20 wickets in the absence of injured need be. If conditions suit spin and they go try to take little things out of to take into tional Sports Day event due to Mittal, Shreyasi Singh, paddler The Dhyan Chand award, that pace duo Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cum- down the road of the extra spinners, I can this series on the subcontinent with where the clash of dates with the Asian G. Sathiyan, tennis player Rohan also includes statuettes, cer- mins. Cummins played the lone paceman change my role slightly again.” and how I bowled — the lengths and some Games in Indonesia. The Khel Bopanna, wrester Sumit, Pooja tifi cates and a cash prize of Rs5 role in Bangladesh last year when Australia Starc, who tested a new run-up to reverse swing,” Starc added. Ratna award is given for a ‘spec- Kadian (Wushu). lakh each were given to Satyadev selected three specialist spinners for the prevent further injuries but retained his old “In the UAE we’ll use the Kookaburra ball tacular and most outstanding Para athlete Ankur Dhama and Prasad (Archery), Bharat Kumar first time in 40 years and the 28-year-old one as he was losing pace, went wicketless like we did in Sri Lanka — hopefully we can performance in the fi eld of sports para shuttler Manoj Sarkar were Chetri (Hockey), Bobby Aloysius Starc is poised to emulate his fellow quick in his first Test in the region but has been get it moving around and I can get a few by a sportsperson over a period of also conferred with the Arjuna (Athletics) and Chougale Dadu against Pakistan. “I haven’t had to do that Australia’s most successful bowler in South wickets and help the team out.” four years’. Both Kohli and Chanu award, that included statuettes, Dattatray (Wrestling). Gulf Times Wednesday, September 26, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SERIE A Italy's Rossi tests positive for banned substance

Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi is facing a doping ban after testing positive for the banned substance dorzolamide. Rossi, who has played 30 times for the Azzurri in a career blighted by knee injuries, Ronaldo turns to Juve tested positive following an Italian league match between his team at the time, Genoa, and Benevento on May 12. Dorzolamide is commonly found in eye drops. Its use is permitted if the athlete obtains a therapeutic use exemption, although if not applied to the eyes, it could be used as a diuretic. The 31-year- challenge aft er FIFA old Rossi, formerly of Manchester United and Fiorentina but currently without a club, has denied using eye drops, according ti reports.

FIFA set to reintroduce best player snub agent licences FIFA are set to reintroduce licences for player agents and has adopted, in principle, a limit on player loans. FIFA’s Italian champions face a heavy week in Turin with three games in the space of seven days ‘Football Stakeholders Committee’ approved “the introduction of licences AFP and exams for agents” at a meeting in Milan London, according to a source close to the discussions. The governing body of world football did away with agent ristiano Ronaldo turns his fo- licences in 2015. While the committee, cus back to Juventus’s quest chaired by the Canadian Victor Montag- for a treble this season today liani, the Canadian head of CONCACAF, after losing out in the FIFA’s approved a limit on player loans, they bestC player of the year award. Five- could not agree a number. FIFA had pro- time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo posed a maximum of six loans per club skipped the awards ceremony in Lon- as part of plans to reduce the stockpil- don on Monday as his former Real Ma- ing of players by leading clubs. drid teammate Luka Modric beat him for the award. The 33-year-old Portuguese star Sunderland rescind also lost out to Liverpool’s Mohamed missing Ndong’s contract Salah for the Puskas Award for the best goal. He had been nominated for Sunderland have told midfielder Didier his superb overhead bicycle kick for Ndong they intend to terminate his Real Madrid against Juventus in last contract after the club’s record sign- season’s Champions League quarter- ing went absent without leave in the fi nal, which even drew a standing wake of their relegation to League One ovation from Juventus supporters in last season. The Black Cats have also Turin. indicated their readiness to take legal Juventus coach Massimiliano Al- action to recoup the Gabon interna- legri had backed Ronaldo — who has tional’s transfer value should he join scored three goals in his last two league another club. Ndong, 24, who became games — for the award, as he led the Sunderland’s record signing when he way in the Champions League with 15 joined the club for £13.6mn from Lorient goals to help Real to a third straight ti- in August 2016, is understood to have tle. “With no off ence to Luka Modric, belatedly turned up at the club’s train- I’d give the Ballon d’Or to Ronaldo for ing headquarters this week after the what he did last season. I think he de- prospect of a transfer finally receded serves it,” said Allegri. amid interest from Torino and Benfica. The Italian champions face a heavy week in Turin with three games in their Allianz Stadium in the space of Real’s Isco to miss derby seven days. After today’s game against aft er appendix surgery 18th-placed Bologna, who shocked Roma 2-0 at the weekend, Juventus Real Madrid midfielder Isco is set to play Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli in a top- miss the city derby against Atletico Ma- of-the table clash on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo (left) also lost out to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for the Puskas Award for the best goal at the FIFA Awards. (AFP) drid on Saturday after surgery for acute Juventus have had a perfect start to appendicitis. The club announced that the season with fi ve wins and 15 points Insigne. “If we don’t win the midweek Frosinone are second from the bot- lan face a tough task against Fiorentina fi ve points adrift of Juventus, with Isco was set to have an operation but — three points ahead of Napoli. Al- game with Parma, then the result with tom of the table with 12 goals con- in the San Siro Tuesday with coach Inter in ninth. included no time-frame for the 26-year- legri’s side also play Swiss club Young Juve is irrelevant, so we have to take it ceded, including two to Juventus last Luciano Spalletti serving a touchline old’s recovery. Boys in the Champions League a week one at a time.” weekend. “At the end of the year when ban for his over-exuberant goal cel- FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT): Real face a trip to Sevilla in La Liga on Tuesday, a game which Ronaldo Under-pressure Roma host pro- the points are counted the matches ebration against Sampdoria. today before hosting rivals Atletico at Today: Udinese v Lazio (1700GMT), will miss after his controversial send- moted Frosinone looking for a boost like the one in Frosinone you don’t re- Inter have been struggling but their the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend. Cagliari v Sampdoria, Genoa v Chievo, ing off against Valencia in Spain. after slipping to 14th with their week- member immediately, but you know last-gasp win against the Genoa side Isco is also at risk of missing Madrid’s Napoli host promoted Parma, be- end defeat in Bologna. Coach Eusebio how important they were,” said Al- followed their come-from-behind 2-1 Juventus v Bologna, Napoli v Parma, Champions League match away to fore their trip to Turin, with an eye on Di Francesco has reportedly been given legri. win in the Champions League against Roma v Frosinone, Atalanta v Torino (all CSKA Moscow next Tuesday. their Champions League game against a week to save his job, starting against Roma then host Czech club Viktoria Tottenham. Spalletti’s side travel to 1900GMT) His team-mate Luka Modric, who won Liverpool in Naples. “We won there the newcomers from outside Rome, Plzen in the Champions League next the Netherlands to play PSV Eind- Tomorrow: SPAL v Sassuolo (1700), FIFA’s Best Men’s Player award on Mon- (Juventus) last season and still fi nished before the city derby against Lazio at week, having lost their opener to hold- hoven in the Champions League next Empoli v AC Milan (1900) day, had his appendix removed in 2011. second,” said Napoli striker Lorenzo the weekend. ers Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Inter Mi- week. Fiorentina are third in the table He was out for two weeks.

SPOTLIGHT LIGUE 1 Messi the best despite Modric Marseille must beat big rivals if they award, says Barca coach are to return to Champions League The Guardian Paris

t was more of the same for Marseille on Sunday evening at the Parc OL, as their frustrating evening ended in yet more dropped points against a rival for Ia Champions League place. Marseille picked up just two points from 18 against Lyon, Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain last sea- son. Even with the champions operating in another fi nancial stratosphere, it still made for grim reading, especially with the mar- gins for those top three places having been so fi ne in recent seasons. Lionel Messi did not attend With a place in the Champions League the FIFA Awards ceremony their aim of the season, last thing Marseille on Monday night having not needed was a chastening 4-2 defeat at Lyon made the shortlist for best in the Choc des Olympiques. Marseille player award. (AFP) had no problem running roughshod over the bulk of Ligue 1 last season but they did struggle against high-quality opposition. Lyon’s Nabil Fekir (left) clashes with Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car during the Ligue 1 match. Things seemed to be changing this season, Reuters “For us, Leo is the best player ral and Valverde called for more though. seille would have been frustrated to have lost last season. Playing Gustavo deeper makes Madrid in the world. It’s a prize that’s clarity with the system. They were at their opportunistic best to 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek, the midfi eld – already in a position of fl ux called ‘The Best’ and the guy “We all want technology to when they thumped Monaco 3-2 at the Sta- but the real prize on off er this season is fin- following Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s who is, for us, the best player in help us and that football is fairer,” de Louis II at the beginning of the month. ishing in the top three and earning a return move to Fulham – similarly vulnerable, as arcelona coach Ernesto the world wasn’t there. Modric he said. “Especially in clear-cut Even with their southern rivals enduring an to the Champions League. A result away at Kevin Strootman is a long way off his pre- Valverde believes his is a great player who had a great situations, however right now uneven start to the campaign, the same fi x- Lyon would have been a real indication of injury best and Morgan Sanson struggled player Lionel Messi season. A few years ago there everything and everyone is ad- ture last year had yielded a 6-1 defeat. their progress. Garcia was without his fi rst with the physicality of Pape Cheikh Diop should have won FIFA’s weren’t so many prizes, but justing to it. VAR has got parts However, for all of the hand-wringing choice centre-backs, with Rolando and Adil and Ndombele. ‘TheB Best’ award and not Real everything has been magnifi ed, that I like more, because it allows Lyon supporters had done over a perceived Rami both injured, and they were joined The blame for this defeat must also be laid Madrid’s Luka Modric. On Mon- there’s so many galas and prizes you to take a second look at a de- summer of going backwards, perhaps it is on the sideline by Steve Mandanda, who at the feet of Garcia, who chose to bring Duje day, Modric was named the best and each ceremony is something cisive decision, and another part their Olympico rivals who have failed to hasn’t featured in a month. This trio would Caleta-Car back into the side. The young player of 2018 at a glitzy ceremo- of a pat on the back for those who that isn’t so clear. What makes progress. Lyon’s win at Manchester City be missed by any side but, even then, Rami Croatian defender was torn to shreds in a 3-1 ny which Messi did not attend organise them. There’s too much the red card incident more im- notwithstanding, Marseille went into the in particular has hardly covered himself in defeat to Nimes earlier this month and he having not made the shortlist, noise around them. This is sport portant than a foul on the edge game this weekend in far better form, in glory this season, having been embarrassed was no better here, capping a poor evening which was completed by Real and more and more everyday a of the box that isn’t given? The second place and with their fantastic array twice against Monaco. with a rash challenge on Traore that earned Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and form of show-business, too.” other day Real Sociedad scored of attacking players – led by Florian Thau- Their absence, however, has laid bare the him a straight red card. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Valverde, who was speaking a goal against us from a free kick vin – having impressed this season. foolishness of counting on two players of For his side’s biggest match of the year, Valverde, however, said Messi ahead of today’s visit to Leganes, in the middle of the park that was Thauvin extended his record to six goals their age without trusted cover. Garcia has Garcia deployed, in central defence, a de- should have walked away with will be without defender Clem- not a foul. in six league matches, but it mattered not, as often turned to Luiz Gustavo to deputise in fensive midfi elder and a youngster whose the prize and criticised the ent Lenglet, who was shown a VAR’s there for the big deci- Lyon, buoyed by the eff ervescent Bertrand defence, as the Brazilian is capable enough confi dence was fragile. With Gregory Sertic amount of individual awards disputed red card in their last sions, but incidents in other Traoré, the passing nous of Tanguy Ndom- in that role. Capable, however, is prob- and Boubacar Kamara (to say nothing of Ay- creeping into the game. “Every- game against Girona. It was a parts of the game are the same bélé and a determined Nabil Fekir, made ably the limit of his aptitude for playing as men Abdennour) also available, Garcia’s bi- one will have an opinion and I’ve decision taken following a Video and for me there’s not a big dif- short work of Marseille’s defence in a 4-2 a centre-back, especially when compared zarre decision well and truly backfi red, even got mine,” Valverde said. Assistant Referee (VAR) refer- ference between them.” win that slightly fl attered the visitors. Mar- to how infl uential he was in central midfi eld as Lyon failed to sparkle themselves. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, September 26, 2018 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS Sarri will help Hazard reach his Liverpool’s Klopp talks potential, insists Zola

AFP up Chelsea title chances London helsea assistant man- ager Gianfranco Zola believes Eden Hazard Klopp confirms Mignolet will make his first appearance of the season in today’s Cup tie hasn’t yet reached his trueC potential, but can do under AFP the tutelage of Maurizio Sarri London at Stamford Bridge. Now in his seventh season in England, Haz- ard has shone in winning two iverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has Premier League titles and was expressed his admiration for named the second best player at Chelsea manager Maurizio Sar- the World Cup after captaining ri and stressed that the Blues Belgium to the semi-fi nals. Lare strong contenders for the Premier But after netting fi ve times League title. Chelsea — in Sarri’s fi rst in six appearances this season, season at Stamford Bridge — have 16 Sarri has challenged Hazard to points out of a possible 18 in the Pre- continue that improved scoring mier League so far, two fewer than lead- rate by playing closer to the op- ers Liverpool. position’s goal. “I don’t think, in The two clubs meet in London on my opinion, he’s reached his full Saturday but today they will clash in the potential,” said Zola, ahead of third round of the League Cup. today’s League Cup visit to Liv- At his pre-match press conference erpool. yesterday, Klopp said when asked about “I believe he can use his skills Sarri: “It is the biggest change of sys- in a better way. I truly believe in tem I ever saw in such a short period of this. I think this year, the team, time. Wow. Style completely (diff erent). Maurizio in particular, will help What a manager he is, to be honest. I’m him to reach his full potential.” pretty much a supporter of him since I Zola is a Chelsea legend hav- saw them playing at Naples (Sarri’s Na- ing scored 80 goals himself for poli team). the Blues in eight years at the “That’s outstanding football, and Bridge and believes he would now (he is) doing it in a very interrupted thrive in the role being asked pre-season, without a lot of players in- of Hazard. “The closer we keep volved — Eden (Hazard), (Olivier) Gir- him to the goal, the more balls oud — and starting the season, and you we can get him to receive the ball see immediately the impact.” around the box, the more eff ec- Klopp said Chelsea are realistic title tive he can be. So far we play the contenders and is surprised they are not majority of the games so far in being tipped more widely. “This team is the opposition’s half. You get a experienced,” said the Liverpool boss. lot of touches of the ball, espe- “They won the title already — I’m not cially our strikers, in the last 20 sure, but 80 per cent of them probably metres, which is where a striker twice, and they know how it works. So with my qualities would have that’s a really good group, a really strong Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp enjoyed it very much.” football team.” said Chelsea are realistic title In contrast to Zola, Sarri en- Klopp confi rmed goalkeeper Simon contenders and is surprised joyed just an amateur career as Mignolet will make his fi rst appearance they are not being tipped a player, but has had a far more of the season in today’s cup tie as Alis- more widely. (AFP) success as a coach than the Ital- son Becker rests. Dejan Lovren, having ian international, who endured recovered from injury, could join Mig- diffi cult management spells at nolet in getting a fi rst run out of the West Ham, Watford and Bir- season while Virgil van Dijk is being mingham. monitored after coming off in Satur- But he is relishing his new role day’s 3-0 win over Southampton due to as Sarri’s assistant. “For me, it’s a rib issue. a new world. Maurizio opened a “He (van Dijk) is much better. It’s still big world in front of me,” added a bit painful, nothing else,” Klopp said. Zola. “I thought I knew a lot “We will see how we deal with that. It’s about football. I was wrong. It’s not too serious, but it’s not nothing, so been great as an experience.” that needs to settle for sure. We will see old has not played this season after ag- completely normal now four times. He for today’s match, in a competition of- petitions tomorrow night, it’s exactly how he is today and make a decision gravating an earlier pelvic injury during worked with the fi tness guys before ten considered the lowest priority for one we have to play in, not four, and about him.” Croatia’s march to the World Cup fi nal that for 10 days. He looks ready,” Klopp sides involved in Champions League that’s how we will take it, with all con- If Van Dijk is ruled out, the experi- in Russia in July. added. football. centration, all focus, all intensity, nor- enced Lovren could fi ll in. The 29-year- “Dejan looks quite good. He trained Klopp said he will name a strong side “It’s not about the other three com- mal game,” he said.

LEAGUE CUP Pochettino won’t let Spurs moan about stadium woe

AFP to play as the ‘home’ team against dium by now, had it not been de- London Watford in Milton Keynes. It is not layed after failures to the alarm sys- an ideal situation, especially as tems. Argentine coach Pochettino Tottenham have played only two admits it is a frustrating situation, auricio Pochettino home games all season, but Po- but he doesn’t want unhappy fans has warned his Totten- chettino is adamant that shouldn’t to create a negative atmosphere ham stars not to use the be used as an excuse for the team’s while the delay drags on. club’s delayed new sta- inconsistent performances. “I am the fi rst that would like to Mdium as an excuse for their splut- “If there is one thing I didn’t fi nish the new stadium. If I have to tering start to the season. want it is to give reason to the go to work after training and help Pochettino’s side have been players to say, ‘If we don’t win it’s the builders fi nish the stadium as forced to play their League Cup because of Milton Keynes, it’s be- soon as possible so the fans will third round tie against Watford to- cause we don’t play at our stadium, be happy, and all the players will day in Milton Keynes due to the on- it’s because we play at Wembley’,” be happy and the chairman will be going problems with the rebuilding he said. happy, I promise I (will) go,” he said. of White Hart Lane. “I understand that it is not the “Of course we feel disappointed Tottenham had hoped to open same as playing in your home and for our fans but they need to under- their redeveloped stadium this sea- the help from our fans will be fan- stand that is a venue for the rest of son, but safety issues have severely tastic in our new stadium and the our lives and for the next genera- delayed the project, meaning the energy is diff erent playing in MK tions and years and years and it is so north London club have returned than your own stadium. That is our important to fi nish (it) in the right to playing their home games at responsibility, it is not to blame the way. Maybe one or two months Wembley. venue or the fans or the chairman. I means a lot but in the end it is no With Wembley not ready to host try to avoid the players fi nding ex- time because the most important a football match this week after cuses.” thing is to fi nish and in the future Chelsea’s Eden Hazard arrives the Anthony Joshua boxing bout Tottenham should have settled have a venue that is going to help us for the FIFA Awards ceremony in on Saturday, Tottenham arranged into their new 62,000-seater sta- win trophies.” London on Monday. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT Mourinho says Pogba will never captain Manchester United again By Jamie Jackson day, seemed to question Mourinho’s season and suggested he was dissatis- that less than £3mn a year has been The Guardian tactics, stating United should “attack, fi ed with life at Old Traff ord. France paid off since, with the cost of serving attack, attack” more. While these are boss Didier Deschamps recently said the debt amounting to £24mn a year. the words of a popular fans’ chant, the perception of Pogba as “individual- Yet the £590mn revenue places ose Mourinho has told Paul Pog- this followed Pogba saying earlier in istic” was inaccurate, and that his mid- United ahead of Manchester City as the ba he will never captain Man- the season he would be fi ned for saying fi elder was misunderstood by fans and most successful club in these terms, chester United again, in a move certain things. the media. with the champions’ recently pub- made by the manager to under- The move from Mourinho is the lat- lished results showing £500.5mn. lineJ his authority at the club. est fracture in his relationship with United last claimed the title in May UNITED EARN RECORD REVENUES Pogba had been given the armband Pogba and calls into doubt the 25-year- BUT HAVE DEBT OF £487MN 2013 and Ed Woodward, the executive by Mourinho for three matches this old’s long-term future at the club. Fol- Manchester United earned record rev- vice-chairman, focused on the drive season in the absence of Antonio Va- lowing last Saturday’s 1-1 draw, Pogba enues of £590m though the Glazers’ for silverware when discussing fi nan- lencia. But it is understood the manager said: “We are at home and we should debt from buying the club 13 years ago cial results which run to June 2018. “We has informed the Frenchman this will play much better against Wolves. We stands at nearly half a billion, accord- are the biggest sports team in the world. not occur again because of his unhap- are here to attack. When we play like ing to the latest fi nancial results. The That requires continued investment. piness with the player. [that] it’s easier for us.” borrowings of the 20-times champions Our aim is to win trophies, it is one of The midfi elder has performed errati- Pogba – who rejoined the club from remain at £487mn despite the Ameri- the reasons we hired Jose Mourinho. cally this term and, after the 1-1 draw Juventus for a then world record £89mn can family having purchased United in Everyone at the club is working Paul Pogba has captained Manchester United three times this season but Jose with Wolves at Old Traff ord on Satur- in 2016 – fell out of favour at United last 2005 for a debt of £525mn. This means tirelessly,” Woodward said. Mourinho (right) has been unimpressed by the midfielder’s performances. (AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, September 26, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA ‘Long way before Lakers challenge Golden State’ AFP ting market Westgate installing MEASURING SUCCESS Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul- Los Angeles them as 7/2 favourites behind James also rejected a sugges- Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Shaqui- the Warriors. tion that the Lakers would need lle O’Neal. James however sought to put a to win a championship to be “I think we all know this fran- eBron James warned Los lid on the expectations on Mon- deemed successful. chise has been a historical fran- Angeles Lakers fans not day, warning that any challenge “I don’t believe that,” he said. chise in this league for years,” to expect an immediate to their Western Conference “There’s only one champion, James said. challenge to the domi- rival Warriors was a long way but that doesn’t mean you’re “You talk about the champion- Lnance of the Golden State off . not successful. There’s going to ships, the players that have come Warriors as the NBA superstar “We’ve got a long way to go to be wins and losses and things of through this franchise, that have addressed the media for the fi rst get to Golden State,” James said that nature. worn this uniform, that’s an ex- time here Monday. at the Lakers’ media day. “But what you can control citement in its own right. The 33-year-old four-time “They can pick up right where is how you prepare every day. “It’s always humbling for me to NBA MVP joined the Lakers they left off , starting with train- How we prepare every day, try be a part of something special.” in July on a four-year $154 ing camp. We’re picking up from and get better every day. We’re a James also emphasised that million deal which was sealed scratch. So we have a long way to new ball club trying to get better. his decision to move to Los just weeks after his Cleveland go. We’re all new to each other. Angeles – which puts him Cavaliers were beaten by the “We can’t worry about what “We have to take our bumps closer to the capital of the enter- Warriors for the third time in Golden State is doing. Golden and our bruises, there’s going tainment industry where he has four years. State is Golden State and to be good times and bad times. multiple television and movie James arrives in Los Angeles they’re the champions. That’s what happens with a team projects – was based solely on with the Lakers desperately try- They’ve been together for a few that’s new. But if we continue basketball. ing to regain their former glory years now. to work the process, and sacri- “My decision was based solely after several years of steady de- “We can only focus one what fi ce for each other and put in the on my family and the Lakers,” cline which has seen them fail we can do to get better every day work and the time everything James said. to reach the playoff s for vefi as a Lakers franchise and hope- will fall into place.” “I’m a basketball player. I play straight seasons. fully some day we can put our- James however he admitted ball. That’s what I do. The capture of James prompt- selves in position where we can he was excited at the prospect “As far as my business is con- ed bookmakers to slash the odds compete for a championship as of donning the Lakers’ yellow cerned, that stuff has been tak- on the Lakers winning another Golden State has done for the jersey and following in the foot- ing care of itself long before I NBA title, with Las Vegas bet- past few years.” steps of iconic fi gures such as came out here.” Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during media day. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

MLB NFL Big Ben’s 3 TD passes lift Steelers past Bucs Brewers beat Cards in yards over the fi nal 5:43. The Reuters New York Buccaneers were forced to punt on their lone possession during that span. en Roethlisberger com- Roethlisberger passed for 273 pleted 30 of 38 passes yards and three touchdowns and for 353 yards and three the defense intercepted Fitz- opener of key series touchdowns, and the patrick three times as the Steel- BPittsburgh Steelers collected ers built a 30-10 halftime edge. ‘You have to capitalise on errors and bad pitches, wild pitches and stuff like that’ their fi rst victory of the season, The Buccaneers struck fi rst on 30-27 over the host Tampa Bay Fitzpatrick’s 4-yard pass to tight Buccaneers on Monday night. end Cameron Brate midway Linebacker Bud Dupree re- through the fi rst quarter before turned an interception for a Pittsburgh scored the next 23 touchdown as the Steelers (1- points. 1-1) picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick McDonald tossed Tampa Bay three times. safety Chris Conte aside en route Cornerback Mike Hilton and to a 75-yard touchdown catch safety Terrell Edmunds also with 5:48 left in the opening picked off passes, receiver JuJu quarter. Chris Boswell kicked Smith-Schuster (nine catches, a 38-yard fi eld goal to give the 116 yards) and tight end Vance Steelers a 9-7 edge with 12:14 McDonald (four catches, 112 left in the half. yards, one touchdown) topped Two plays after Hilton recov- 100 yards, and wideouts Anto- ered a fumble, Roethlisberger nio Brown and Ryan Switzer also connected with Brown on a 27- caught scoring passes. yard scoring pass with 10:33 re- The Buccaneers (2-1) received maining until halftime. Dupree a mixed dosage of “FitzMagic” intercepted Fitzpatrick at the even though the 35-year-old Buccaneers 10-yard line and veteran topped 400 passing returned it for a touchdown to yards for an NFL-record third make it 23-7 with 2:50 left in the consecutive game. Fitzpatrick, second quarter. who completed 30 of 50 passes Roethlisberger tossed a 1-yard for 411 yards and three touch- scoring pass to Switzer with six downs, had a hand in three of the seconds to go to make it 30-10. team’s four fi rst-half turnovers Tampa Bay’s Chandler Catan- while digging a 20-point halft- zaro kicked a 28-yard fi eld goal ime defi cit. midway through the third quar- However, he resumed his suc- ter, and the Buccaneers cut their cess with fourth-quarter touch- defi cit to 30-20 on Fitzpatrick’s down passes to receivers Chris 4-yard touchdown pass to God- Godwin and Mike Evans (six win with 11:06 left in the game. catches, 137 yards), the latter a Fitzpatrick has started the fi rst 24-yarder that pulled Tampa three games in place of starter Bay within 30-27 with 5:43 re- Jameis Winston, who is eligi- maining. ble to return to the team Tues- Pittsburgh was able to hold day after serving a three-game on via the ground game as James suspension for inappropriately Conner rushed for 49 of his 61 touching a female Uber driver.

Milwaukee Brewers pinch hitter Eric Thames in action against St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning of their MLB match at Busch Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

eight of its past 11 as it looks to fi nish the Reuters throw bounced off Moustakas and sailed RESULTS St. Louis behind the bag as Thames raced home season above .500 for the fi rst time since from third without a throw. Brewers 6-4 Cardinals 2015. Chicago starter Cole Hamels led The Brewers added an insurance run Pirates 5-1 Cubs his team at the plate with a solo homer. ric Thames scored the tiebreak- in the ninth, when Lorenzo Cain led off The Cubs (91-65) entered the day with ing run on an error by losing with a single and scored on Christian Dodgers 7-4 D’backs a magic number of fi ve to clinch the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws the ball pitcher Bud Norris in the eighth Yelich’s double. Rockies 10-1 Phillies National League Central title over the against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter of their inning Monday night as the Mil- Burnes (7-0), the seventh of nine Athletics 7-2 Mariners second-place Milwaukee Brewers, and NFL game at Raymond James Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports waukeeE Brewers outlasted the visiting St. Brewers pitchers, allowed one hit over it stayed at fi ve after the Brewers topped Louis Cardinals 6-4 in a potential Na- two-thirds of an inning. Corey Knebel, Red Sox 6-2 Orioles the Cardinals 6-4 later on Monday night tional League wild-card game preview. pitching the ninth inning in a save situa- Yankees 4-1 Rays to pull to within 1 1/2 games of the Vikings’ Griff en under hospital supervision “You have to capitalise on errors and tion for the fi rst time since July 27, earned Angels 5-4 Rangers Cubs. Pirates starter Jameson Taillon bad pitches, wild pitches and stuff like his 16th save by striking out three. (14-9) limited the Cubs to one run on fi ve Minnesota Vikings defensive question. Indians 4-0 White Sox that,” Thames said. Norris allowed a run on two hits. hits in seven innings. end Everson Griff en is under Police reported to the hotel at “Tonight we did that.” Ryan Braun homered in the second in- Astros 5-3 Blue Jays He walked three and struck out fi ve. hospital supervision after an 1:30pm when a call taken by dis- By winning the opener of a three-game ning for the Brewers, and Matt Carpenter Nationals 7-3 Marlins It marked his 21st consecutive start in incident at a Minneapolis hotel patch from the hotel reported series, the wild-card-leading Brewers laced an RBI double in the third for the which he allowed three runs or fewer – Padres 5-0 Giants on Saturday. a suspect had said “if someone (90-67) reduced their magic number Cardinals before the teams traded blows the second-longest streak in the majors ESPN reported yesterday that doesn’t let him in his room he for clinching a playoff spot to three and in a wild sixth inning. Milwaukee’s Dan Jennings made his this season behind New York Mets ace Griff en was “getting assistance is going to shoot someone.” moved within 1 1/2 games of the fi rst- Braun (bases-loaded walk) and Mous- fi rst big league start and exited after re- Jacob deGrom’s 28-game run. on personal matters.” The NFL No weapon was found and place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. takas (sacrifi ce fl y) each collected RBIs tiring leadoff batter Carpenter. Cardinals Hamels (9-11 overall, 4-2 with the is aware of Griff en’s status and Griff en was allowed to leave the The Cardinals (87-70) hold just a half- before the Cardinals scored three runs off starter Jack Flaherty allowed three runs Cubs) drew the loss after giving up is “comfortable he has a good property, per police. Griff en, 30, game lead for the second wild card over All-Star Josh Hader in the bottom half, on four hits and two walks while striking three runs (two earned) in six innings. support system around him,” has spent his entire nine-year the Rockies (86-70). Colorado beat the when Jose Martinez hit a solo homer and out fi ve over 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and fanned seven. The ESPN reported.According to a career with the Vikings. He was Philadelphia Phillies 10-1 earlier Monday Marcell Ozuna blasted a two-run shot. Pirates opened the scoring in the fi rst police incident report, authori- arrested twice as a rookie in night. The Brewers went ahead in their It was only the second time this season PIRATES SCORE EARLY, when Cervelli belted a two-out, two-run ties from the Minneapolis Police 2011, once for public intoxica- fi rst half-inning following a 31-minute Hader has allowed more than two runs in LATE TO BEAT CUBS homer down the left fi eld line. The blast Department were called to tion and soon after for allegedly rain delay. With one out in the eighth, an outing. Francisco Cervelli and Pablo Reyes each marked Cervelli’s 12th home run of the Hotel Ivy on Saturday because assaulting a police off icer dur- Thames, pinch-hitting for winning The Brewers tied the game on Yelich’s homered and drove in two runs, and the season, adding to his career high. an individual was threatening ing a traff ic stop. pitcher Corbin Burnes, tripled to right grounder to short in the seventh. Keon visiting Pittsburgh Pirates pulled away Hamels helped his cause with a leadoff to shoot someone if he wasn’t Head coach Mike Zimmer did not fi eld off Norris (3-6). Broxton scored from third as the Cardi- for a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on homer to centre in the third. He tracked a allowed in his room. ESPN provide details Sunday about Mike Moustakas was intentionally nals couldn’t pull off the inning-ending Monday night at Wrigley Field. pitch over the heart of the plate and belt- reported that thought the Griff en’s absence. He classified walked, after which Norris got ahead of double play. Cain had three hits for the Jose Osuna added a pair of hits and an ed it several rows deep into the bleachers name on the report is redacted, the issue as a “personal matter, Erik Kratz 0-1. Norris then threw to fi rst Brewers while Martinez fi nished with RBI for the Pirates. Pittsburgh (79-76) for his second career homer and his fi rst Griff en is the individual in and I’m going to leave it at that.” to try and pick off Moustakas, but the two hits for the Cardinals. has won seven of its past nine games and since July 21, 2012. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, September 26, 2018 GOLF

INSPIRATION Molinari’s fi rst Claret Jug sip could follow Ryder win AFP GOLF’S ‘HIGHEST PRESSURE’ Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France Becoming a major winner has Fleetwood gets pep talk from changed his perspective and Molinari hopes his Ryder Cup Man City boss Guardiola rancesco Molinari spent luck will change as well. Ryder Cup rookie Tommy a lot. “He’s somebody that’s weeks after winning his “It’s diff erent obviously com- Fleetwood will hope a mes- great to know.” fi rst major title at July’s ing in after a season like I’ve sage of motivation from Guardiola gushed about British Open carrying had,” he said. “I’ve improved a Manchester City manager Pep his first-hand Ryder Cup theF Claret Jug with him, sitting it lot as a player since 2012 and I Guardiola can spur him on to experience as a fan at the 2012 on tables as inspiration but never hope to show that on the course success for Team Europe at Le edition in Medinah, when Eu- drinking a drop from it. this week. Golf National this week. Fleet- rope pulled off a remarkable But the trophy could get a “I probably needed a few wood, introduced to Guardiola final-day comeback to stun workout this weekend if the weeks after the Open to settle through a mutual friend, was the Americans on their home 35-year-old Italian can help the down and get back to the new on a Cheshire golf course with patch. The Spaniard, then on European Ryder Cup team defeat normality, and then since then, the City boss in April when his a 12-month sabbatical after the United States in the 42nd it has been about really prepar- side were crowned Premier leaving his post at Barcelona, edition of the biennial team ing for this week and trying to League champions following was invited to the tournament showdown that starts on Friday get here in as good of form as Manchester United’s defeat as a guest of European captain at Le Golf National. possible. by West Brom. The pair then Jose Maria Olazabal. “The Claret Jug, the fi rst “It’s a great week. It’s the struck up a partnership at “He was at the Ryder Cup in few weeks, it was with me all highest adrenaline and the high- Wentworth for the celebrity Medinah, and he’ll always the time, and now I’ve learned est pressure you’re ever going to Pro-Am event ahead of the mention that that’s one of the to leave it behind, at least some- feel on a golf course. I think the BMW PGA Championship in greatest times he’s had in his times,” Molinari said yesterday. European team players Rory McIlroy (left), Francesco Molinari (second left), Thorbjorn Olesen (second biggest thing is you need to deal May, and Guardiola has shown life being at that Ryder Cup,” “I’ve been asked a lot of times right) and Sergio Garcia pose with their captain Thomas Bjorn (centre) ahead of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le with it the way you deal with his support for Fleetwood said Fleetwood. “Yeah, it was if I’ve drank out of it and I’ve not Golf National Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, south-west of Paris yesterday. (AFP) it normally and in the way you ahead of this week’s show- a very special time. It has a done that yet, but there’s going know you can be successful.” down with the United States. special place in his heart, the to be a time for that, and there’s the fi rst few weeks, it was just done and how I did it.” Woods to win his fi rst major ti- Molinari wouldn’t consider “We all have these videos in Ryder Cup, and he’s been very still obviously this week was a about seeing it, really,” Molinari Molinari enters his third Ryder tle at Carnoustie. “It’s nowhere trying to become the fi rst play- the room, these motivational supportive through the whole massive focus.” said. “And for a guy like me, it Cup appearance having yet to near – Carnoustie was nowhere er-captain since Arnold Palmer videos, and he was one of thing. Maybe we’ll see him, I But Molinari hasn’t needed takes awhile to realise what I’ve win a match, going 0-4 with two near Medinah or in any matching in 1963 when the Ryder Cup the guys that sent a message don’t know.” the spiritual lift of seeing the done and I’ve accomplished halved on Cup-winning teams in ways,” said Molinari. comes to Rome in 2022. to me,” Fleetwood, 27, told City are due to host Brighton cup in recent weeks, the impact something like that. 2012 and 2014. “It’s hard to believe, but it’s “There’s enough stuff going reporters yesterday. in the Premier League on Sat- of his major win at Carnoustie “I’ve got it for one year, and It’s no wonder he says the probably because you play for a on if you’re a player or a cap- “I’m not sure he’s coming over. urday, not ruling out the pos- sinking in deeply. I need to enjoy it as much as pressure and tension of a Ry- team. You play for a continent tain,” he said. “And in your home I’m sure he’s busy at the week- sibility of Guardiola making “After a few weeks, I decided possible. Use it, as well, to gain der Cup match against Tiger in our case, and you know about country – I would probably lose end but he might make it over. an appearance for Sunday’s maybe it wasn’t the case to bring confi dence for me and to re- Woods in 2012 at Medinah was the tradition and what players a few years of my life and I don’t But yeah, we always talk quite singles. it with me all over the place. But ally deeply understand what I’ve greater than he felt in holding off have done in the past.” want to do that, honestly.”

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Team Europe ease tension with laughs A taste of his Sunday thanks to video

AFP pokes for his long hair, and he Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, got to enjoy the dead-on im- France pression of deadpan Frances- co Molinari, the reigning Brit- ish Open champion from Italy. best whets Woods’ uropean golfers broke “I got away lightly, really. the tension of Ry- I’ve just got hair to talk about,” der Cup week with Fleetwood said. “Fran’s was a comedy video that just hilarious. I think Fran’s leftE none of captain Tho- has made me giggle for about mas Bjorn’s 12-man squad 10 hours now. Yeah, it was unskewered and all of them great. (Moore) was really laughing at themselves. good. appetite for battle Irish comedian and impres- “Just how deadpan he was sionist Conor Moore imitated and just trying to make how ‘That record’s not something that I have really enjoyed and I’ve really liked seeing’ the European players in a excited he was with his dead- 10-minute video shown Mon- pan tone. It was perfect, re- Reuetrs day night at a team meeting, ally. It was absolutely spot Paris players revealed yesterday. on. Fran’s was defi nitely my “Thomas made it out how favourite.” it was a serious video, and Fifth-ranked Molinari, usu- new cuddly, feely Tiger then we had this press confer- ally stoic, was laughing as he Woods was on display ence of Conor doing all these recalled the video imitation for the media yester- impressions. It was a nice while at an actual news con- day, but after profess- little laugh,” said England’s ference. “I’m actually thinking ingA his delight at making the Tommy Fleetwood, one of fi ve of it all the time now answer- team and thanking his captain Cup newcomers on this year’s ing questions, trying to smile a for picking him, the mask even- team. England’s Ian Poulter, bit more,” Molinari said. Later tually slipped to reveal a chilling a captain’s pick making his he added dryly, “Can’t you tell reminder of Tiger Mark I. sixth Ryder Cup appearance, the diff erence?” Woods’ triumph on Sunday in was still smiling about the Bjorn said the jests were the PGA Tour Championship, his impressions. taken in the proper spirit, in- fi rst since 2013, has catapulted “Team Europe are great cluding some aimed at 2016 him spectacularly back into the from a video perspective and a Olympic champion Justin limelight and, after missing the perspective of team bonding,” Rose. “I’m not sure Justin will last two editions of the Europe v Poulter said. “So we had a great be showing his gold medal US showdown, he is once again video clip last night, which was too much the next few days,” the centre of attention in Paris. done by Conor, and he kind of Bjorn said. “There might be In his devastating pomp, took everyone off in the team, one or two that found out a Woods had an aura that left and it was extremely funny. few truths about themselves many rivals defeated before “It was hilarious. You know, about how people look at they walked on to the fi rst tee – just clips like that, which kind them, but they took that all in though that all too rarely trans- of help the team get together. great spirits.” lated into Ryder Cup success. Although we’re taking the “When you get into what’s a In the last few years, however, Mickey out of one another, week of high pressure, you’ve as injury and personal issues it’s quite a good way to start also got to have a bit of fun. I sidelined him, a new genera- the week off .” It’s a helpful very much always start in a tion of young players have taken i