MMOTOGPOTOGP | Page 4 RUGBY | Page 6 Dovizioso Springboks clinches stretch victory at winning run to Silverstone fi ve matches

Monday, August 28, 2017 BOXING Dhul-Hijja 6, 1438 AH Fifty and out as GULF TIMES Mayweather stops brave McGregor SPORT Page 7 ATHLETICS Qatar’s Barshim ends season on a high

Agencies mained together up to a height of 2.2m. At 2.24m Eberstadt, Germany Ilya Ivanjuk and Michael Mason exited. All the other nine, tackled the 2.27m. Except for Qatar’s Hamdi al-Amin, the winner of the U-23 jump- atar’s world champion high jumper ing on Friday, who had made the fi eld, Maksim Mutaz Barshim ended his season on Nedasekau and the co-favoured Robert Grabarz a high, jumping 2.40m to win the an- also made it over the bar. nual Hochsprung-Eberstadt compe- Danil Lysenko, who also started under a neutral titionQ in Germany yesterday. fl ag, was the fi rst to attack the 2.30m mark. He was About 2,000 spectators were treated to some also the only one to make it in the fi rst attempt. high class action at the event exclusively for high He fi nished second in the second to Barshim, jumpers, where for the fi rst time in the history of followed by local competitor Mateusz Przybylko. the meeting, two jumpers cleared 2.38 metres. For the Mexican Edgar Riviera, the Polish Barshim, who won the World Championships Sylwester Bednarek and the Syrian Majd Eddin title in London earlier in August and later went on Ghazal the bar was too high at 2.30m, even if to dominate the Diamond League events in Bir- they had previously delivered fantastic jumps. mingham and Zurich, mastered 2.40m and even So there were still three jumpers left. Howev- attempted 2.44m, missing the mark narrowly. er, the double-skirmish quickly became a duel, But his outstanding show fetched him a bo- as Lysenko and Barshim fl ew over 2.33m in the nus 1,500 euros for equalling his best jump of fi rst attempt. Przybylko also scored the third in the year. the third attempt. “It was great today. It is the best meeting in What Lysenko and Barshim provided in the se- the world here, the weather was very good, there Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim jumped 2.40m to win the annual Hochsprung-Eberstadt competition in Germany yesterday. (Twitter) quel was enthralling. First, both mastered 2.36m was a really good atmosphere in the stadium. – Lysenko in the second, Barshim in the fi rst try. There were great and hard duels, that spurs me carries me ever higher up. I wanted the arena Neutral athlete Danil Lysenko bolstered his “I did not expect two personal records. The Then both sailed over 2.38m in the fi rst try. on,” the Qatari champion said. record and also the world record I had in mind, personal best by four centimetres to jump 2.38m World Championships have not been so long Now the bar was at 2.40m. Barshim mastered He added that pressure only motivates him to but I was too excited and also somewhat tired by and took the third place, while Mateusz Przyb- and I have not practised so much at the end, so I the height in the third attempt. Lysenko made do better. “When I have pressure and a competi- that whole trip this season. But, I am very satis- ylko of Germany with 2.30m came third. was surprised to see the results.” three mistakes and was second in a competition tor with whom I have to fi ght, that I love, which fi ed with the result.” Lysenko was delighted with his performance: The fi eld, consisting of eleven athletes, re- at a higher level than the Worlds in London.

FORMULA 1 Hamilton marks 200th race with victory in Belgium Vettel finishes second but has his championship lead cut down to seven by Briton; Ricciardo completes podium

Reuters the second time bringing out the safety Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium car when Ocon — who fi nished ninth — tried to get past on the run down to Eau Rouge and was almost squeezed into ewis Hamilton celebrated his the wall. 200th Formula One race in style “I can accept the fi rst one — perhaps yesterday with a pole-to-fl ag he couldn’t see me but the second one Belgian Grand Prix victory for was ridiculous. He was risking our lives. MercedesL that halved Sebastian Vettel’s He risked my life,” said a furious Ocon. championship lead to seven points. Debris from his car’s broken front The Briton’s fi fth success in 12 races wing littered the track while Perez’s this season, and 58th of his career, came right rear tyre was punctured, leaving a day after he equalled Michael Schu- him limping back to the pits on a rim. macher’s all-time record of 68 pole “It looked like Sergio squeezed Es- positions. teban into the wall and came out the “Sebastian put a great fi ght on but loser of that scrap,” the team’s chief this is what I said I was coming to do so operating offi ce Otmar Szafnauer told I did it,” Hamilton told the crowd from Sky Sports television, warning that the the podium. team would read the riot act. Vettel fi nished second for Ferrari, 2.3 “We’ve let them race up until now. seconds behind, after pushing his rival If they can’t do it in a manner which is all the way without being able to get good for the team, then they won’t be close enough to make a move stick in racing any more,” he said. what amounted to a two-horse race of Spaniard Fernando Alonso was also relentless pressure. an unhappy man in the McLaren, the “It was really intense because every double world champion making a lap I was waiting for Lewis to do a mis- storming start but his Honda-powered take. He didn’t,” said Vettel, whose next car’s lack of speed leaving him with an race is Ferrari’s home Italian Grand Prix impossible task and increasingly frus- at Monza. trated before retiring. “He was probably waiting for me to “Embarrassing, embarrassing,” he make a mistake. I didn’t,” added the had said earlier. German, who set a race lap record of one minute 46.577 seconds in the clos- BELGIAN GP RESULTS ing stages. 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:24:42.820 With eight races remaining, four- 2. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) +2.358 times champion Vettel has 220 points 3. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) +10.791 and Hamilton 213. 4. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) +14.471 Australian Daniel Ricciardo took 5. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) +16.456 third place for Red Bull after a storm- 6. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) +28.087 ing re-start following a late safety car 7. Romain Grosjean (Haas) +31.553 period that had closed the gap to the 8. Felipe Massa (Williams) +36.649 frontrunners and triggered a fl urry of 9. Esteban Ocon (Force India) +38.154 pitstops. 10. Carlos Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso) +39.447 Ricciardo, on fresh ultra-soft tyres, passed Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri DRIVERS STANDINGS Bottas to surge into the top three, with 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 220 pts the Finn also losing out to the Ferrari of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates his Belgian Grand Prix win on the podium at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit yesterday. (AFP) 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 213 compatriot Kimi Raikkonen as he ran 3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 179 wide. MAX RETIRES sheer frustration after eight laps. said Verstappen, whose orange-clad plenty of action further down the fi eld Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg fi nished “It’s pretty much for all the Dutch here, It was his sixth retirement in 12 races. compatriots accounted for a majority with the Force India duo of Mexican CONSTRUCTORS STANDINGS sixth for Renault, Romain Grosjean was so thanks for hanging around,” said Ric- “There are so many fans paying a lot of the crowd. Sergio Perez and Frenchman Esteban 1. Mercedes 392 pts seventh for Haas and Brazilian Felipe ciardo, whose teenage teammate Max for the tickets and you fi nish like this. While Hamilton and Vettel played Ocon playing a starring role. 2. Ferrari 348 Massa took eighth for Williams. Verstappen retired shaking his head in That cannot happen with a top team,” out their own private duel, there was The simmering pair clashed twice, 3. Red Bull 199 Gulf Times 2 Monday, August 28, 2017 FOOTBALL

QATAR PREPARE FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFIER AGAINST SYRIA

Qatar players underwent training at the Khalifa International stadium in Doha yesterday ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Syria. Felix Sanchez’s side will play the Syrians in Malaysia on Thursday before returning home to take on China in the last league match on September 5. Ahead of the qualifiers, Qatar held an extensive training session in the United Kingdom, where they also played friendly matches against Andorra and other English clubs. On return last week, Sanchez’s men also hosted Turkmenistan in a friendly. Team Ibrahim Majid will not be available for Syria game because of suspension.

BUNDESLIGA SERIE A Icardi brace sees Werner double helps Inter stun Roma AFP Two minutes later, even Icardi Milan appeared surprised to see Anto- nio Candreva’s smart threaded pass land at his feet. But the Ar- Leipzig fl oor Freiburg auro Icardi scored a gentine swivelled to send a low second-half brace as shot past Roma keeper Alisson. Inter Milan rocked Roma spurned a great chance to Roma 3-1 at the Sta- restore their lead when new Inter Leipzig score four goals in the second half, after falling behind in a poor first period Mdio Olimpico on Saturday night defender Dalbert raced back to to send out an early-season clear off the line after Stephan El AFP statement of intent to their Se- Shaarawy’s lob had beaten Samir Berlin rie A title rivals. An early opener Handanovic. from Edin Dzeko, Serie A’s top The home crowd was stunned scorer last season with 29 goals, into silence on 77 minutes when ermany striker Timo Werner had a packed Olimpico jumping Icardi turned on the spot again netted twice as RB Leipzig came in anticipation of Roma starting to fi re Ivan Perisic’s into from behind to beat Freiburg 4-1 their home campaign with a win. the near bottom corner. Icardi yesterday and get their Bun- But the hosts, playing under spurned the chance for his hat- Gdesliga season on track. Leipzig scored the watchful eye of new club trick when he held off Kostas four goals without reply in the second director Francesco Totti, were Manolas to test Alisson, while at half, roaring back after falling behind in stunned into silence in a thrilling the other end a Nainggolan drive a poor fi rst period on the back of losing second half. was blocked by Dalbert. their opening match of the season 2-0 at Inter followed Juventus, who But the visitors put the result Schalke last weekend. were 4-2 comeback winners at beyond doubt three minutes “When you manage to turn things Genoa thanks to a Paulo Dybala from time, Perisic coasting past around like we did, at some point you are hat-trick — in making it back- former Inter defender Juan Je- going to be rewarded,” said Leipzig coach to-back victories to start the sus deep on the left to deliver for Ralph Hasenhuettl. “It was a victory of season and also vindicated their Matias Vecino, who sneaked in our morale because we never gave up.” new coach Luciano Spalletti. behind Manolas to tap home. Werner’s goals were a timely reminder Spalletti brought his second Yesterday, Torino forward An- for Germany head coach Joachim Loew, spell in charge of Roma to an drea Belotti got off the mark in who included the fl eet-footed forward for end last season, when the saga style, scoring his fi rst Serie A goal World Cup qualifi ers against the Czech surrounding club legend Totti’s of the season with an outrageous Republic on Friday in Prague and against possible retirement weighed scissors kick in their 3-0 win over Norway in Stuttgart four days later. heavily on the coach’s shoulders. Sassuolo. An eventful match also “We know what we have in him — he He moved to Inter determined to saw two penalties over-turned – can make goals out of nothing,” said Leip- make a fresh start with an under- one for each side – after consul- zig midfi elder Diego Demme, heaping performing side, who fi nished tations with the VAR. praise on the striker. Werner and his for- seventh and out of Europe alto- Belotti, who scored 26 league ward partner Jean-Kevin Augustin were gether. And in only two games, goals last season and is one of instrumental in turning the game around. Spalletti has won over the Inter the hottest properties in Italian Freiburg took a deserved lead at the Red faithful. Saturday’s win, a week football, opened the scoring in Bull Arena when left winger Marco Ter- after a 3-0 San Siro triumph over the 45th minute with a truly out- razzino escaped his marker and Florian Fiorentina, was Inter’s fi rst at the standing eff ort. The 23-year-old Niederlechner slotted home his cross on Olimpico since 2008. Italy forward also set up the third 24 minutes. But Leipzig fl ew out of the Yet, trailing 1-0 and having when he slalomed through the blocks for the second half and were level Leipzig’s forward Timo Werner (centre) scores against Freiburg during the Bundesliga match in Leipzig, eastern Germany. (AFP) seen Roma’s Aleksandar Kolarov Sassuolo defence for Joel Obi to within three minutes as a corner by Emil and Radja Nainggolan both hit score in the 88th minute. Adem Forsberg was headed home by Werner. side the fi nal 10 minutes after his foul Benedikt Hoewedes was again left on the GERMAN BUNDESLIGA RESULTS the woodwork in the opening Ljajic had added the second min- Leipzig then took the lead when cap- on Forsberg saw him earn a second yel- bench. The 29-year-old centre-back, RB Leipzig 4 (Werner 48, 69, Orban 55, half, there was little to suggest utes earlier. tain Willi Orban tapped home on 55 min- low. A fortnight before they make their who has spent his whole career at Schalke Bruma 78) Freiburg 1 (Niederlechner 24); Spalletti’s men would launch a utes after some good work by new signing Champions League debut at home to Mo- and has a contract until 2020, is report- Hanover 1 (Jonathas 67) Schalke 0 successful comeback. Inter es- ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS Augustin, recruited from Paris Saint- naco, the victory was a timely confi dence edly considering a move to Juventus in a Played Saturday: Werder Bremen 0 Bayern caped trial by the Video Assist- Torino 3 (Belotti 44, Ljajic 84, Obi Germain. He raced down the right wing booster for Leipzig. 15 million-euro deal. Munich 2 (Robert Lewandowski 72, 75); ant Referee on 55 minutes when 88) Sassuolo 0 before fi ring in a cross which centre-back Later, Brazilian striker Jonathas en- On Saturday, two goals from Robert Eintracht Frankfurt 0 VB Wolfsburg 1 (Didavi Milan Skriniar appeared to trip On Saturday: Benevento 0 Bologna Orban simply had to turn home. joyed a dream debut for Hanover by net- Lewandowski sealed a 2-0 win for de- 22); Bayer Leverkusen 2 (Wendell 33-pen, Diego Perotti at the by-line. 1 (Donsah 55); Genoa 2 (Pjanic 1-og, The Frenchman then provided the ting their second-half winner in a 1-0 fending champions Bayern Munich at Bellarabi 49) Hoff enheim 2 (Kramaric 47, Roma hit the woodwork for the Galabinov 7-pen) Juventus 4 (Dy- killer pass which put Werner into space to victory over Schalke. Just fi ve minutes Werder Bremen. Borussia Dortmund are Uth 70); Augsburg 2 (Finnbogason 1, third time on 65 minutes when bala 14, 45+4-pen, 90+2, Cuadrado slot home his second on 69 minutes and after coming on, Jonathas rifl ed home top of the fl edgling table on goal diff er- Cordova 89) Borussia Moenchengladbach 2 Perotti’s drive bounced off the 62); Roma 1 (Dzeko 15) Inter 3 (Icardi make it 3-1. Augustin made way for Por- the winner on 67 minutes to start repay- ence from Bayern after a 2-0 win at home (Zakaria 8, Wendt 30); Stuttgart 1 (Badstuber inside of the far top corner. 67, 77, Vecino 87) tuguese midfi elder Bruma on 76 minutes ing the 9mn euros ($10.7mn) he cost from to Hertha Berlin, with goals by Pierre- 53) Mainz 0; Borussia Dortmund 2 (Pierre- and just two minutes later the new sign- Russian side Rubin Kazan in a deal com- Emerick Aubameyang and Nuri Sahin. Emerick Aubameyang 15, Sahin 57) Hertha ing from Galatasaray netted with a stun- pleted on Tuesday. Hanover and Hamburg join Bayern Berlin 0 ning shot from the edge of the area. Having been stripped of the Schalke and Dortmund as the only teams in Ger- Played Friday: Cologne 1 (Sorensen 90+7) To compound Freiburg’s misery, mid- captaincy by new coach Domenico Te- many’s top fl ight with 100% records after Hamburg 3 (Hahn 28, Wood 34, Holtby fi elder Nicolas Hoefl er was sent off in- desco, World Cup-winning defender the opening two games. 90+10)

ROUND-UP France replace injured Varane with Zouma urt Zouma has been called up to the France before meeting Luxembourg in Toulouse on Sunday, today after Arsenal’s Premier League game at Liverpool squad in place of the injured Raphael Varane September 3. Les Bleus are currently second in World yesterday. Iwobi, the nephew of legendary Nigeria star for upcoming World Cup qualifi ers against Cup qualifying group A, level on points with leaders Jay-Jay Okocha, had played in Nigeria’s fi rst two World the and Luxembourg, the French and three ahead of the Dutch in third. Only the Cup qualifi ers against Zambia and Algeria, scoring in KFootball Federation (FFF) announced yesterday. group winners qualify automatically for the fi nals in a 2-1 win in Zambia in October last year. He has been Real Madrid centre-back Varane’s withdrawal due to Russia next year. replaced by CSKA Moscow striker Aaron Samuel, who an abductor injury was confi rmed by his club coach Zin- was placed on standby last week. Samuel made the last edine Zidane on Saturday. Zouma, 22, has been capped IWOBI RULED OUT OF NIGERIA WC QUALIFIERS of seven international appearances two years ago. twice in 2015. The Chelsea stopper has been loaned to Nigeria have suff ered a blow ahead of next Friday’s Stoke City for the season. World Cup qualifi er against Cameroon in Uyo after Ar- COETZEE FOOT PROBLEM BLOCKS MOVE TO CELTIC Varane’s withdrawal is a big blow to coach Didier De- senal forward Alex Iwobi withdrew from the squad with The transfer of Ajax Cape Town and South Africa schamps, who felt compelled to leave Ousmane Dem- a thigh muscle strain. The 21-year-old will also miss defender Rivaldo Coetzee to Scottish champions Celtic bele out of his squad for the key games. Dembele has not the September 4 showdown against African champions was called off yesterday after he failed a medical. Ajax trained recently and has just signed for Barcelona from Cameroon in Yaounde, according to the Nigeria Football said a routine medical examination by a Celtic staff er in Inter Milan’s Argentinian forward Mauro Icardi celebrates after Borussia Dortmund for an initial 105mn euros ($125mn). Federation (NFF). Johannesburg revealed a problem with the right foot of scoring his second goal during the Italian Serie A match against France play the Netherlands in Paris on Thursday He was due to join the Super Eagles training camp the 20-year-old international. AS Roma at the Olympic stadium in Rome on Saturday night. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, August 28, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Liverpool thrash Arsenal, Burnley's Wood rocks Spurs Morata scores one goal and made another as Chelsea returned to winning ways at Stamford Bridge with win over Everton

AFP London

iverpool forwards Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah tore Arsenal to shreds as Arsene Wenger’s team crashed to a humiliating 4-0 defeat Lat Anfi eld yesterday. The trio all found the net to condemn Arsenal to a second successive defeat after their 1-0 loss at Stoke City, leaving them six points below early Premier League pace-set- ters Manchester United in 16th place. Liverpool rose to second place, two points be- low United and one above champions Chelsea, who recorded a straightforward 2-0 win over Everton. “We were really well organised,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. “If you give Arsenal space and time, you lose before the game starts, so I don’t think they could do a lot of what they wanted, Arsenal, and that is all credit to the boys because they worked really hard.” Tottenham Hotspur are two points further back in ninth place after their Wembley hoodoo resurfaced in a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley. Ar- senal’s defeat, and the toothless manner of their surrender, will once again raise questions about Wenger’s position, less than three months after the Frenchman signed a new two-year contract. It was Arsenal’s heaviest league defeat since a 4-0 loss at Southampton in December 2015. “Mentally it was diffi cult,” Wenger told said. “A very disappointing performance. It was disas- trous. The result is a consequence of the per- formance. It was not good enough. We were beaten everywhere physically and in the end we made it easier for them.” Wenger was able to hand Alexis Sanchez his fi rst start of the season after an abdominal strain, but saw his side fall behind in the 17th minute when Joe Gomez crossed from the right for Firmino to head home. Firmino turned pro- Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino scores during the Premier League game against Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool yesterday. (Reuters) vider in the 40th minute with a pass down the left to Mane, who cut inside Rob Holding before scoring by heading in a cross from Salah in the Pochettino. “Sometimes you pay.” “We played a really good game,” Chelsea ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS drilling a shot into the bottom-right corner. 77th minute. Tottenham have now won just Alvaro Morata scored one goal and made an- manager Antonio Conte told the BBC. Chelsea 2 (Fabregas 27, Morata 40) Everton 0; It was 3-0 before the hour as Liverpool once in 11 games at the new Wembley after fol- other as Chelsea returned to winning ways at “The only negative thing is we should be more Liverpool 4 (Firmino 17, Mane 40, Salah 57, Sturridge cleared a corner and Salah beat Hector Bellerin lowing up last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea Stamford Bridge with a routine win over previ- clinical.” 77) Arsenal 0; Tottenham 1 (Alli 49) Burnley 1 (Wood to a bouncing ball midway inside his own half with a frustrating draw against Burnley. ously undefeated Everton. West Bromwich Albion’s 100 percent record 90+2); West Brom 1 (Rodriguez 61) Stoke 1 (Crouch 77) before sprinting clear to tuck a shot past Petr Dele Alli put Spurs ahead in the 49th minute Stunned 3-2 by Burnley in their opening came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Played Saturday: Cech. Sanchez, who has been strongly linked after Burnley failed to clear a corner, but new home game, Chelsea took a 27th-minute lead Stoke City at The Hawthorns. Bournemouth 1 (Daniels 13) Manchester City 2 (Je- with a move away, was taken off just after the striker Chris Wood earned Sean Dyche’s men a when Cesc Fabregas steered a shot into the bot- Jay Rodriguez’s diving header put West Brom sus 21, Sterling 90+7); Crystal Palace 0 Swansea 2 hour and looked a picture of misery as he took share of the spoils in stoppage time by applying tom corner from Morata’s knock-down. in front just beyond the hour, but Stoke levelled (Abraham 44, Ayew 48); Huddersfield 0 Southamp- his seat on the bench, sinking his head between a cool fi nish to Robbie Brady’s fi ne pass. Morata scored his second Chelsea goal fi ve 13 minutes from time when a miscued clear- ton 0; Manchester United 2 (Rashford 70, Fellaini his legs. “We had the chance to score a second or third, minutes before half-time, emphatically con- ance by Ahmed Hegazi enabled substitute Peter 82) Leicester 0; Newcastle 3 (Joselu 36, Clark 72, Substitute Daniel Sturridge completed the but we missed,” said Spurs manager Mauricio verting Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross with his head. Crouch to head into an empty net. Mitrovic 86) West Ham 0; Watford 0 Brighton 0

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Wenger hits out at ‘disastrous’ showing Aguero assault By Andy Hunter in Liverpool The Guardian claim withdrawn AFP hours after learning his father rsene Wenger labelled Arsenal’s per- Bournemouth, United Kingdom had been shot. Bosnia star Besic’s formance against Liverpool ‘absolute- Arsenal manager dad Meho was reportedly shot in ly disastrous’ and ‘unacceptable’ after Arsene Wenger looks the hand and leg following a dis- his side endured another abject de- dejected during his n accusation that Man- pute in his homeland. featA at Anfi eld. Liverpool humiliated Wenger’s chester City striker The 46-year-old was said to team’s defeat against team 4-0 with goals from Roberto Firmino, Liverpool at Anfield Sergio Aguero struck a have been given emergency treat- Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and the substitute yesterday. (Reuters) stadium steward while ment in the Falesici neighbour- Daniel Sturridge – and could have scored more celebratingA the winning goal in hood near Srebrenik. It remains in a one-sided contest. Arsenal have now con- his side’s 2-1 victory at Bourne- unclear how seriously Meho has ceded 17 goals in their past fi ve visits to Anfi eld mouth on Saturday has been been wounded. Besic learned of and have lost two of their opening three league withdrawn. the horrifi c incident as he pre- games for only the third time in 26 seasons. Raheem Sterling scored City’s pared for Everton’s trip to Pre- The uncertainty over Wenger’s future is no winner in the seventh minute of mier League champions Chelsea, longer an excuse for Arsenal’s repeated failures added time at the Vitality Sta- but he told Toff ees boss Ronald against the Premier League’s leading teams, dium before running towards the Koeman that he still wanted to be with the manager having signed a new two-year visiting supporters to celebrate, considered for selection. contract, and he did not spare his players in a where he was joined by several The 24-year-old started on the damning assessment of their eff orts. teammates. Stewards and police bench but came on at half-time Asked what went wrong at Anfi eld, the Ar- intervened to prevent support- and, in the circumstances, deliv- senal manager replied: “Everything. From the ers spilling onto the pitch and in ered a remarkably composed dis- fi rst minute to the last minute we were not at a statement made to police after play. Asked about the shooting the level required for such a game. Not physi- the game, a steward claimed he after the Chelsea match, Koeman cally, not technically, not mentally and we were was hit by Aguero. But Bourne- confi rmed the reports. punished. That’s basically it. Of course, you can mouth later on Saturday put the “That’s true. I spoke to him analyse the chances we gave away, but I just accusation down to a “misun- yesterday evening. He spoke to think overall the performance was not at the re- derstanding” and confi rmed that his father. I don’t like to talk in quired level.” no assault had been committed more detail. This is a family mat- Wenger’s post-match press conference lasted by the Argentinian striker. ter,” he said. “We will see what only two minutes and 10 seconds before he left happens after the game. I don’t the media room at Anfi eld but he also said: “The KOEMAN REVEALS know exactly what happened, result is a consequence of our performance. We Arsenal greats slam Wenger’s side BESIC’S FATHER WAS SHOT but what came out in the papers were not good enough. We were beaten every- Everton midfi elder Muhamed is true. When I spoke to him, where physically, in the end I believe we made Liverpool, England: Arsenal’s always the same. You have seen it was wrong from Arsene, the players Besic played in his side’s 2-0 he said before the game he was it easier for them, and the mistakes gave them shocking performance in their 4-0 before. Everything you see reminds didn’t give it their all. Every single defeat at Chelsea yesterday just ready and committed.” a cushion. Premier League defeat at Liverpool me of what has happened for the last part of their game was off . If their star “It was shocking (conceding a second before yesterday was slammed by the club’s 10 years,” said Henry who won two players don’t perform, they’re bang half-time) but our performance was absolutely former greats with all-time top scorer Premier League titles with the club. average,” he said. disastrous. Not to become too emotional, we Thierry Henry describing the team as Henry added that it was diff icult Arsenal keeper Cech questioned have to take some distance, and there are some “unwatchable”. to watch Arsenal falter in such a way his teammates’ commitment. “It was reasons behind it, and the players now go on Arsene Wenger’s team were 2-0 before suggesting that players such as unacceptable for a club of our size. their international break, but we do have to take down at the break and could have lost Alexis Sanchez appear to be on their OK, you can come and lose a match the consequences of our performance today. If be an even bigger margin if it had not way out. Former Arsenal full back Lee 4-0 if you have a bad day, when you you fi nd a manager who is happy with that per- been for their goalkeeper Petr Cech. Dixon, now working for US television are fighting but are unlucky, but not formance today, I wish you good luck. The emo- Henry, now working as a pundit for network NBC, said it was the worst like how it happened today,” he said. tions are negative, but it’s not the right moment Sky Sports, said he had turned his performance from the club he had “We were not fighting, not winning to talk about that.” studio seat around at one moment witnessed since retiring in 2002. any individual battles, and we com- Wenger was booed by sections of the away during the game. “It was unwatchable, “That was abject. Every one of them pletely failed to respond to their way support when he stepped into his technical area at one point I wanted to leave. I don’t should be given a train ticket and be of playing. This is the most disappoint- for the fi rst time in the second half. On the hos- relate to the team and I don’t think a made to go home with the fans. That ing thing. The only positive out of the tile reception he said: “I don’t want to answer lot of the fans do. That is a problem,” was embarrassing. I was embarrassed game is that we have time to respond, that. That’s part of the crowd’s feelings. If I am said the Frenchman who scored 228 to do commentary up there,” he said. because it is early in the season. I the problem, I am sorry, but I believe all together goals for the North London club. “The shape was all wrong, we were don’t think it can get any worse than Stewards and police intervened to prevent supporters spilling onto we lose. The only thing we can do is come back “It’s painful. It’s how they lose. It’s outnumbered in midfield, the tactics this.” the pitch in Bournemouth and in a statement made to police after the and give them a better level of performance.” game, a steward claimed he was hit by Sergio Aguero. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Monday, August 28, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Eight-woman Nadal and Federer fi ght for No. 1 set to pounce at at US Open AFP Konta, Muguruza, Ukraine’s Eli- New York na Svitolina, Dane Caroline Woz- niacki, Russia’s Svetlana Kuznet- sova and US seven-time Grand ust as Simona Halep has Slam winner Venus Williams. stopped focusing on be- “Everyone gets more confi dence injury-hit US Open coming world number that everything is possible,” Ha- one, the second-ranked lep said. “All the players have to RomanianJ has become the wom- be more confi dent and to think an to beat for the top spot at the that everyone can do big things.” Murray, the 2012 champion, withdrew after failing to recover from a hip injury US Open. Defending champion Angel- Eight women have a chance ique Kerber of Germany cannot to claim the world number one gain points so can’t take the top ranking after the year’s fi nal spot. And 2016 US Open runner- Grand Slam event, which opens up Pliskova defends so many today on the New York hard- points that it’s Halep who has the courts with Halep facing Maria inside track. Wozniacki, Konta, Sharapova in the feature match. Kuznetsova and Williams would But after losing three matches each have to win the title to have in the past three months with a a chance at the top spot. chance to claim the top ranking, Pliskova must reach the fi nal. Halep feels burned by think- Svitolina needs a semi-fi nal spot ing too much about what the and Muguruza must reach the achievement would mean. “I lost fourth round. And that’s just if three times the opportunity to Halep loses to fi ve-time Grand get there. So enough is enough,” Slam winner Sharapova, who Halep said. owns a 6-0 record against the “If I think, ‘looks like I cannot Romanian. make it,’ maybe I change. If I’m The deeper Halep goes, the not thinking about it, maybe I harder it gets for the rest. “I will be more relaxed and I can get don’t feel any diff erence,” Plisk- it. If I deserve it, I will win it. If ova said. “I just try to handle it. not, that’s it.” Just take match by match. I don’t Halep lost playing for number want to put any extra pressure. I one in the French Open fi nal have enough of pressure. I know against Jelena Ostapenko and it’s going to be very diffi cult with Victory in the final would make the 36-year-old Roger Federer the oldest US Open a Wimbledon quarter-fi nal so many girls playing for this po- champion of the modern era and oldest overall since Bill Tilden in 1929. against Britain’s Johanna Konta, sition, but I think I have a good falling each time after taking the chance to stay there if I play Cincinnati and a Montreal last-16 defeat should also present the perfect oppor- fi rst set. Then she was humbled well.” to Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov. tunity for the widely-touted ‘NextGen’ 6-1, 6-0 a week ago by Wimble- Wozniacki, 0-6 in WTA fi nals The Spaniard said he would rather to step up. Zverev, the world number six, don champion Garbine Mugu- this year, would love to end her not have Federer in his semi-fi nal path, downed Federer for the Montreal title but ruza of Spain in the Cincinnati drought in Grand Slam fashion should they get that far. “I prefer to play slumped fi rst time out in Cincinnati to fi nal with yet another chance at and take the top spot. “You can against another player, an easier one if Tiafoe. Zverev has never got beyond the number one. make big jumps if you have a it’s possible,” said Nadal, who has not fourth round of a Slam and was a second- “I was close, in French Open great event. I’m excited to be in got past the fourth round since 2013 and round loser in New York in 2016. really close. And then in Wim- the position I’m in,” Wozniacki starts his campaign against Dusan Lajo- Kyrgios, the runner-up in Cincinnati, bledon, but I can’t say about said. “As long as I keep putting vic, the world number 84 from Serbia. made the quarter-fi nals at the Austral- fi nal in Cincinnati because the myself in those situations, I’m “Finals are more special than semi- ian Open in 2015 and Wimbledon in 2014 score was pretty bad so I was not pretty happy with that.” fi nals. But anyway, meeting him here in but his US Open best is a run to the third close,” Halep said. “I thought Former number one Kerber, semi-fi nals, if that happens that will be round. World number eight Dominic about it too much and maybe the however, says the top ranking something great and amazing.” Thiem, a semi-fi nalist at Roland Garros pressure came in important mo- brings a happier feeling. “It’s Federer, meanwhile, is looking to move in 2016 and 2017, has never got beyond ments, so now is gone. Everyone for sure a very great feeling to be beyond Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors the last 16 in New York. can take the number one.” number one because this is what Rafael Nadal, back on top of the world rankings for the first time in three years, is a by claiming a sixth US Open and reach a Czech Karolina Pliskova, last you were always dreaming for,” two-time winner in New York in 2010 and 2013. fi rst fi nal in the city since his sensational TODAY’S ORDER OF PLAY year’s US Open runner-up, owns Kerber said. “It’s not so easy to 2009 loss to Juan Martin del Potro. His (all times GMT): the top spot and can take at the get there, but if you are there, it’s AFP oldest US Open champion of the modern record-blazing eighth Wimbledon title ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM (1500 GMT) tournament along with Halep, a feeling you’ll never forget.” New York era and oldest overall since Bill Tilden in in July was followed by a Montreal fi nal Varvara Lepchenko (USA) v Garbine 1929. The path to the title for Nadal and defeat to Alexander Zverev and a pull-out Muguruza (ESP x3); Tennys Sandgren (USA) Federer has been eased. World number from Cincinnati with a back injury. v Marin Cilic (CRO x5); Viktoria Kuzmova heir rivalry has stretched 13 years two Andy Murray, the 2012 champion, But with a 2017 record of fi ve titles, (SVK) v Venus Williams (USA x9) and 37 matches but Rafael Nadal withdrew on Saturday after failing to re- 35 match wins and just three losses, the Not before 2300 GMT: Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer have never cover from a hip injury. evergreen Swiss remains the sentimen- (RUS) v Simona Halep (ROM x2); Darian King met at the US Open, an anomaly Two-time winner Novak Djokovic has tal favourite. Federer said he would like (BAR) v Alexander Zverev (GER x4) Twhich seems certain to be corrected after already shut down his season to recover nothing else than to face Nadal in the LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM (1500 GMT) a host of rivals limped out of contention. from an elbow injury while defending semi-fi nals. Petra Kvitova (CZE x13) v Jelena Jankovic Nadal, back on top of the world rank- champion Stan Wawrinka faces knee sur- “It would be fun for everybody in- (SRB); ings for the fi rst time in three years, is a gery. With Kei Nishikori, the 2014 run- volved. We have our work cut out there. Not before 1700 GMT: Pierre-Hugues Her- two-time winner in New York, his 2010 ner-up, and Milos Raonic also injured, But, you know, I’d love to play Rafa here bert (FRA) v John Isner (USA x10); Sloane and 2013 titles forming part of his 15- fi ve of the current world top 11 will be in New York,” said Federer, who missed Stephens (USA) v Roberta Vinci (ITA) Slam portfolio which was embellished missing when the tournament starts on the 2016 US Open to rest a knee injury. Not before 2100 GMT; Jack Sock (USA x13) v by a record 10th French Open in June. Monday. However, for tennis romantics, Federer starts his bid for a sixth title Jordan Thompson (AUS) Federer, the fi ve-time US champion from Murray’s withdrawal came after the draw against US teenager Frances Tiafoe, the GRANDSTAND (1500 GMT) 2004-2008, is bidding for a 20th major was made leaving top seed Nadal and world number 71 who shocked Zverev in Steve Johnson (USA) v Nicolas Almagro and third of the year after capturing the third-seeded Federer in the same half, Cincinnati. (ESP); Johanna Konta (GBR x7) v Aleksandra Australian Open and Wimbledon titles. thereby ruling out a collision in the fi nal. With Murray, Djokovic, Wawrinka — Krunic (SRB); Sam Querrey (USA x17) v Gilles Victory in the men’s fi nal on September Nadal, 31, heads to New York on the back with 18 Slams between them — Nishikori Simon (FRA); Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x5) v Maria Sharapova during a practice session ahead of US Open in New 10 would also make the 36-year-old the of a quarter-fi nal loss to Nick Kyrgios in and Raonic all missing, the tournament Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROM) York yesterday. The Russian will face Simona Halep in round one. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT F1 ROUND-UP Dovizioso clinches British MotoGP Schumacher’s son Mick takes AFP father’s 1994 car for a spin Silverstone, United Kingdom ick Schumacher, the son of Formula One great Michael, marked the 25th an- taly’s Andrea Dovizioso won the British niversary of his father’s fi rst Grand Prix MotoGP at Silverstone yesterday and victory by driving a lap in the German’s usurped Marc Marquez atop the riders’ Mchampionship-winning 1994 Benetton car ahead of standings after the Spaniard’s race was the Belgian race yesterday. The Belgian Grand Prix Iended by a mechanical problem. is inseparably linked with the seven-time world Dovizioso nipped in front of pace-setter champion as he made his debut there in 1991, won Valentino Rossi with three laps to go to win his fi rst race at Spa-Francorchamps in 1992 and de- his second race in succession after the Aus- livered many spectacular races in the often damp trian MotoGP, with Rossi fi nishing third conditions at the winding hillside track. behind Maverick Vinales. Dovizioso moved For the excited spectators in the grandstands it nine points clear of defending champion was an opportunity to again see Michael’s car in Marquez, whose race ended amid a plume which he clinched the 1994 title in a nail-biting of smoke from his Honda on lap 13 when he fi nish in Adelaide, pipping Britain’s Damon hill by was running third. “I pushed 100% the last one point. “I never experienced so big an audience two laps,” Dovizioso said. “I wasn’t faster, in motor sports. I’m very happy that I was allowed but I put my bike in the right position and Ducati's Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso celebrates his victory at the Silverstone circuit. (AFP) to drive here,” said 18-year-old Mick after parking was able to win the battle with Maverick. the 1994 Benetton. This is an important victory. Leading the his fourth win of the season. at 0.114sec, 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) Mick, ranked 11th in the European Formula championship, thank you to the team.” Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami had ear- 0.749, 4. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/LCR Honda) 1.679, Three Championships after a more successful departed from fi fth on the grid but had to retire on Marquez started on pole for the fourth lier claimed his second career win in Moto2. 5. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Ducati) 3.508, 6. Johann stint in Formula Four, said the 23-year-old car felt lap eight when his Red Bull car spluttered to a halt race in a row, but Italian veteran Rossi, rac- Nakagami charged from fourth on the grid Zarco (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) 7.001, 8. Dani unfamiliar. “You feel that it fi ts diff erently, it is not at the famous Eau Rouge corner. Shaking his head, ing his 300th MotoGP race, darted past him to chase down championship leader Franco Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 10.944, 9. Alex Rins (ESP/ adapted to me. Everything is just that little bit dif- Verstappen yelled “unbelievable” into the team to take the lead going into the fi rst corner. Morbidelli, who trailed in third behind com- Suzuki) 15.661, 10. Alvaro Bautista (ESP/Ducati ferent,” Mick said. Michael left the public limelight radio before leaving his car and riding back to the Dovizioso and Vinales’s attempts to chase patriot Mattia Pasini. Aspar) 25.279 Did not finish: Marc Marquez after a near-fatal skiing accident in 2013 in which pits on a quad bike. Rossi down were initially compromised as Aron Canet took the honours in the (ESP/Honda) 14th lap he sustained severe head injuries. Mick did not “I lost power and everything was done. It is re- they jostled for position with each other, Moto3 category in an eventful race that OVERALL STANDINGS discuss his father’s health yesterday. ally frustrating,” Verstappen said after the race. In before Dovizioso fi nally managed to put was red-fl agged on the fi nal lap. Canet, 17, 1. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 183 pts, 2. 12 races this season, Verstappen has failed to make the Yamaha man behind him. Marquez was awarded victory on account of having Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 174, 3. Maverick VERSTAPPEN FRUSTRATED BY EARLY EXIT it to the chequered fl ag six times, often sidelined also moved past Vinales, only for his bike led the race before a crash involving Juan- Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 170, 4. Valentino Rossi IN FRONT OF ‘HOME’ CROWD by technical issues with his car. “There are so many to betray him as he looked to chase down fran Guevara, who was taken to hospital for (ITA/Yamaha) 157, 5. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen said fans paying a lot for the tickets and you fi nish like Dovizioso. checks. Canet’s Honda teammate Enea Bas- 148, 6. Johann Zarco (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) he felt frustrated by his early exit from the Belgian this. That cannot happen with a top team,” Ver- Dovizioso’s superior speed made it only a tianini took second, with Jorge Martin third. 109, 7. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Ducati) 90, 8. Cal Grand Prix yesterday and equipment faults such stappen said. Verstappen, son of former Formula matter of time before he overtook Rossi. He MOTOGP RESULTS Crutchlow (GBR/LCR Honda) 89, 9. Jonas Folger as the one he experienced should not happen to a One driver Jos, became the Netherlands’ fi rst-ever duly stole past his countryman on Hangar 1. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 40min (GER/Yamaha Tech3) 77, 10. Danilo Petrucci top team. Verstappen, who drew a sell-out crowd winner in Formula One when he took the Spanish Straight before holding off Vinales to claim 45.496sec, 2. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) (ITA/Ducati Pramac) 75 of orange-clad fans from his nearby home country, Grand Prix in 2016. Gulf Times Monday, August 28, 2017 5 SPORT

BASEBALL SEA GAMES China still top, says Malaysian Cole homers for diving champ game’s only run in win over Reds Until Saturday, the Reds had tormented Cole. His first nine starts against them produced zero wins, six losses and a 5.14 ERA

Cheong Jun Hoong of Malaysia in action yesterday.

AFP beat those Chinese, I think may- Kuala Lumpur be (it was) luck,” she said. Cheong now begins a period of rest and rehabilitation for her alaysian diving longstanding back injury, which queen Cheong Jun also troubled her at the world Hoong dismissed championships. Mher historic world Cheong has suff ered a series title as “luck” yesterday as she of injury setbacks over the years braved a back injury to claim and reportedly considered retir- Southeast Asian Games gold. ing in 2009. But she said she cur- Cheong, who upset Chinese rently had no plans to quit. opposition to win Malaysia’s fi rst “As long as I can dive I think diving world title in July, scored I’ll still be in diving,” she said, 268.55 points for victory yester- adding that Malaysia needed to day in the 1m springboard cat- go “step by step” for the Olym- egory in Kuala Lumpur. pics, and worry about qualifying The 27-year-old, competing fi rst.We really have to focus on on painkillers and restricted to training for the whole Malaysian only one event because of her team,” said Cheong. back problem, beat team-mate Later, Ooi Tze Liang headed Jasmine Lai by 35.55 points. another Malaysian one-two in Cheong teamed with Pandele- the men’s 10m platform as the la Rinong to win Olympic silver hosts made it fi ve wins out of fi ve in the 10m platform synchro- in the diving events so far. nised last year, before stunning The diving victories were China’s Si Yajie and Ren Qian to among 13 golds for table-topping secure the 10m individual world Malaysia as they reached 93 late title in Budapest. on Sunday, nearing their pre- She is at the forefront of an Games target of 111. impressive Malaysia team who Malaysia, who haven’t fi n- are attempting to sweep all 13 ished top since 2001 — the last SEA Games diving golds — and time they hosted the Games — could threaten China at the To- celebrated wins in sailing, rhyth- kyo 2020 Olympics. mic gymnastics, lawn bowls and Gerrit Cole of the Pittsburgh Pirates. But Cheong said China, who taekwondo. have dominated Olympic diving Malaysia’s Julian Yee and Sin- By Rob Biertempfel Joey Votto and Adam Duvall, the Reds’ RESULTS “That guy (Castillo) was pretty nasty,” since the 1990s, were still the gapore’s Yu Shuran became the The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review two best hitters, went a combined 0 for 6 Frazier said. “So for Gerrit to be able to team to beat — and suggested her fi rst SEA Games champions in with three strikeouts against Cole. Milwaukee 3 LA DODGERS 0 do it, we were pretty excited.” world title may even have been fi gure skating, which is mak- “When something like this happens, ARIZONA 2 San Francisco 1 According to Elias Sports Bureau, the down to luck. ing its debut in the tournament, ooner or later, Gerrit Cole was you jokingly say he Little Leagued them,” CLEVELAND 4 Kansas City 0 Reds had not lost 1-0 on a homer by the “China is still the highest when they won the men’s and bound to fi nd a way to beat the Hurdle said. “He shut them out and hit ST. LOUIS 6 Tampa Bay 4 opposing pitcher since June 17, 1983, standard in the world. So in the women’s competitions respec- Cincinnati Reds. a homer. An impressive night for Cole, Colorado 7 ATLANTA 6 when Bob Welch of the Los Angeles world championships when I tively. Even if he had to do it all him- and we played some impressive defense Detroit 6 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 3 Dodgers went deep off Mario Soto. Sself. behind him.” MIAMI 2 San Diego 1 (11 innings) “Honestly, I was just trying not to get On Saturday, Cole tossed seven shut- Scooter Gennett began the seventh Chicago Cubs 17 PHILADELPHIA 2 sawed off ,” Cole said. “Typically, we take Uncertainty clouds Cleveland-Boston deal out innings and smacked a solo home run by smashing a liner off the right-fi eld Pittsburgh 1 CINCINNATI 0 in those situations, but I don’t know. as the Pirates beat the Reds, 1-0. wall. Adam Frazier played the ball on the Baltimore 7 BOSTON 0 Anytime you put the bat on the ball, AFP, Los Angeles: Uncertainty Ainge acknowledged that the “It doesn’t happen very often,” Cole carom and held Gennett to a long single. WASHINGTON 9 NY Mets 4 something good can happen. I knew he surrounded the blockbuster injury played “some” part in said of his homer. “It’s fun to be in the “I knew I wasn’t getting to it, so I got OAKLAND 8 Texas 3 threw hard, so I was just trying to put it trade that sent Kyrie Irving the decision to make the trade, box and hear the sound of the ball off the into position right away,” Frazier said. TORONTO 10 Minnesota 9 in play.” from Cleveland to Boston on telling reporters that Thomas bat. It’s cool.” “It felt like it took a few seconds for it to NY YANKEES 6 Seattle 3 Because it’s “players weekend,” Cole Saturday, a day after a physical could miss the start of the Until Saturday, the Reds had tor- come down.” used a special red, white and blue Old exam raised concerns about season. mented Cole. His fi rst nine starts against As Gennett went back to fi rst base, his past 10 outings. Hickory bat. Will he lobby to keep using the fitness of former Celtics ESPN reported Saturday that them produced zero wins, six losses and Cole turned tipped his cap toward right Castillo held the Pirates hitless until it when the uniform and equipment rules guard Isaiah Thomas. off icials of the teams were to a 5.14 ERA. fi eld. Frazier’s play loomed large two the fourth, when Josh Bell lined a two- are tightened again this week? The Celtics traded two-time All- talk on Saturday, and Cleveland However, Cole went into the game pitches later, when Eugenio Suarez out double into the right-fi eld corner. “No, I think I’m just going to retire it Star point guard Thomas, small could request further com- having won seven of his past eight starts grounded into a double play. David Freese bounced a single to left. on top,” Cole said, grinning. forward Jae Crowder, center pensation from Boston before on the road. “That was awesome. Made me feel Adam Duvall’s throw was slightly up Castillo retired the next six batters be- Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn approving the trade. Something had to give, right? pretty good,” Frazier said. “A big play for the fi rst-base line, but catcher Tucker fore turning the game over to his bullpen. Nets’ first-round draft pick in Cleveland.com cited two The question seemed to confuse man- Gerrit, just what we needed in that situ- Barnhart made a lunging tag to get Bell. The Pirates put a runner at third base 2018 to the Cavaliers for four- Cavaliers sources on Saturday ager Clint Hurdle. ation.” Duvall has 13 outfi eld assists, the most in with two outs in the eighth, but Wandy time All-Star Irving on Tuesday. as saying only that the team “I’m not sure what you mean by, ‘Does Domination was Cole’s only option the majors. Peralta whiff ed Starling Marte to end the But multiple US media outlets was “still in the review process” something have to give?’ “ Hurdle said because Reds rookie Luis Castillo was Through fi ve innings, the Pirates had threat. reported Saturday that a hip in- regarding the trade. before the game. “Do you mean Cole’s superb. Over seven innings, Castillo hit just three fair balls out of the infi eld. The Pirates’ bullpen was short-hand- jury suff ered by Thomas in last Irving, who reached the finals going to dominate tonight? Because yielded three hits and amassed a career- Castillo’s fi rst pitch of the sixth was a ed, as Daniel Hudson and Steven Brault season’s playoff s was causing each of the last three seasons that’s what I’ve got. That’s what I’m high nine strikeouts. 95 mph four-seamer, and Cole jacked it were unavailable because of their recent the Cavaliers concern. with the Cavaliers, winning the hoping for.” With a fastball that touches 100 mph, over the left-fi eld wall. It was his third workloads. Juan Nicasio tossed a 1-2-3 Thomas did not have surgery, title in 2016, had requested a Cole did not disappoint. He scattered plus a quality changeup and slider, Cas- career homer, and it gave the Pirates a eighth inning, and Felipe Rivero struck but Celtics executive Danny trade from Cleveland. fi ve hits, walked none and struck out six. tillo produced quality starts in seven of 1-0 edge. out the side in the ninth for his 15th save.

CYCLING Dominant Froome extends Vuelta lead

AFP But Froome, aiming to become only the ed to claim the stage win. Benitachell, Spain third man to win the Tour and Vuelta in the The race favourites remained together for same year, is beginning to amass a signifi - the fi rst three kilometres up the ascent to cant advantage over the rest of his general the fi nish line before Froome burst clear. hris Froome took another huge classifi cation rivals. Chaves and Woods momentarily bridged step towards a historic Tour de Vincenzo Nibali was 14 seconds back on the gap, but Froome wasn’t to be denied the France-Vuelta a Espana double by the stage to fall 1min 17secs behind Froome stage win he failed to get despite winning his claiming stage nine of the Vuelta in fourth with Fabio Aru a further 16 sec- fourth Tour de France last month. yesterdayC to extend his race lead. onds back in seventh overall. “He looked back and I say again he is re- Froome attacked with 500m to go on the And victory on the Cumbre del Sol was ally an unbelievable rider. You can see why category-one climb of a 174km stage from extra sweet for Froome having lost out to he has won the Tour de France four times,” Orihuela to Benitachell to win in a time of Tom Dumoulin on the same climb two years said Chaves. 4hrs 07mins 13secs from his closest chal- ago. “For me it is a really good result actually, a lenger Esteban Chaves and Canadian “It was still on my mind this morning,” few years ago I arrive 15 or 30 seconds (back) Michael Woods. added Froome. on this climb, but today it’s a diff erent story. “That was incredible today,” Froome told “Watching the scenes of two years ago in “I think I am more mature, more experi- Spanish TV station Teledeporte. the bus this morning just to really calculate enced...more calm and this is the important “It’s such a good feeling to get to the end the climb and know when the right moment (thing). of this fi rst block with the red jersey and also to push was. I felt great today.” “We keep the second place in the GC, a decent gap on the rest of the GC riders.” Froome took advantage of Sky not hav- we put time on the other guys so it’s really Colombian Chaves slips 36 seconds be- ing to drive the pace in the peloton as they good.” hind Froome in the general classifi cation have for many of the early stages as Woods’ After nine gruelling stages in searing with Ireland’s Nicolas Roche 1min 05secs Cannondale team ensured an early 10-man Spanish summer heat, the riders get a break back in third. breakaway never built up the time gap need- with the fi rst rest day of the race today. Gulf Times 6 Monday, August 28, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY WOMEN’S WORLD CUP New Zealand beat England in thriller Boks stretch to lift World Cup

AFP Thompson over in the corner. Belfast An all-action clash then saw New Zealand give themselves a lifeline, prop Natua rolling off a tackle at the winning run to ew Zealand produced a line and crashing over to reduce the stunning second-half per- gap to seven points at the interval. formance to beat England The Black Ferns then took total 41-32 in Belfast and win the control on the game’s resumption. N2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Within six minutes of the restart they Trailing 17-10 at half-time, the were level, Natua again the one to Black Ferns were irresistible after touch down after barrelling over from the break, scoring fi ve tries at the close range. added fi ve matches Kingspan Stadium to go with their her fi rst conversion to tie the game up two from the fi rst period as they de- at 17-17. throned the defending champions. Scarratt restored England’s lead Victory took South Africa to the top of the standings after two rounds, It was a performance not too dis- with a penalty that needed a kind similar to that of their men’s team, bounce off the right hand post to go ahead of arch rivals New Zealand on points diff erence New Zealand’s clinical edge the dif- over, before the two teams racked up ference on the scoreboard as prop three tries between them in a frantic Toka Natua ended the game with a spell. hat-trick. After several drives at the line, England lost Danielle Waterman Charmaine Smith got the fi rst for to concussion earlier in the week, and New Zealand before Thompson it was her replacement Megan Jones grabbed her second of the game for who squandered the fi rst chance, England, showing great speed to out- fl icking the ball over the head of Lydia pace her opposition defence. Thompson with the line gaping. Then came another interesting The Red Roses would immedi- TMO call as Natua wrapped up a rare ately pay for that wastefulness as treble, the loosehead setting the ball New Zealand took the lead, full-back down and picking it up again in order latching on to a cross- to canter over. fi eld kick and outpacing Emily Scar- The score was awarded much to ratt on her way to the line. the bewilderment of the England Scarratt hit back with a penalty to defence. And New Zealand con- open England’s account before the solidated that lead with another two Black Ferns were reduced to 14 fol- scores deserving of their second-half lowing fl anker Sarah Goss’ dangerous performance as Cocksedge got in on tackle on Katy McLean. the try-scoring action before Wini- With an extra body in the pack, ata’s second gave them an unassail- England took full advantage, getting able lead, the full-back sent over by the shove on at a fi ve-metre scrum . and giving referee Joy Neville no England did get the fi nal word, re- choice but to go under the posts for a placement Izzy Noel-Smith dotting penalty try. down from the back of a maul after Goss’ reintroduction did nothing New Zealand fl anker Lesley Ketu was to stem the England tide, Rachael sin binned, but the night belonged Burford making the initial incision to the Black Ferns, who were worthy and a brilliant pass from McLean put champions.

Argentina’s Los Pumas centre Matias Orlando (R) is tackled by South Africa’s centre Jesse Kriel during their Rugby Championship match at Padre Ernesto Martearena stadium in Salta some 1550km northwest of Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday. / AFP / JUAN MABROMATA

AFP Lavanini on the hour. Argentina were South Africa went ahead midway Springboks regained the lead when Salta, Argentina fi rst to score in the northwestern city through the opening half when a train- Jantjies stretched an arm to dot down, with winger Emiliano Boff elli slotting ing-ground move worked to perfec- then converted his try for a 17-10 half- a long-range penalty on four minutes. tion and fl anker Siya Kolisi scored a try time lead. outh Africa celebrated wearing Fly-half Elton Jantjies fl uff ed two which Jantjies converted. After a Hernandez penalty trimmed a red outfi t for the fi rst time by chances to level soon after at a near- A perfectly weighted Jantjies kick the defi cit, South Africa took a 31-13 defeating Argentina 41-23 in the full 20,000-seat Estadio Padre Ernesto found space behind the Argentine de- advantage thanks to a second Kolisi try New Zealand’s captain Fiao’o Faamausili lifts the cup as her team celebrate Rugby Championship in Salta Martearena with the penalty attempts fence and centre Jesse Kriel picked up converted by Jantjies and a seven-point their victory against England at The Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. New Zea- SaturdayS and stretching a winning run veering left. and passed to Kolisi, who scored be- penalty try. land won the game 41-32. to fi ve matches. The home side were reduced to 14 tween the posts. The penalty try resulted from a de- The change from the traditional men after nine minutes when Lavanini Argentina were struggling at scrum liberate knock-on by Lavanini, for green and gold or second-choice white was sin-binned for a no-arms charge time, as they did when beaten in Port which he got a second yellow card fol- SPOTLIGHT was to celebrate 25 years of rugby unity on prop Coenie Oosthuizen. Elizabeth last weekend, and fell seven lowed by an automatic red. in a country where the sport was run on Despite being numerically handi- points behind when Jantjies kicked a As tempers boiled over, two mini- racial lines during apartheid. capped, the Pumas squandered two penalty. brawls erupted and the second resulted All the national fl ag colours — black, great chances to increase the lead soon But South Africa fell asleep from in a yellow card for Coetzee. Cheika optimistic blue, green, red, white and yellow — after. the kick-off , failed to grasp a bouncing Argentina clawed their way back into have been used either in playing or Winger Ramiro Moyano intercepted ball and Moyano grabbed the ball and the game through a Joaquin Tuculet try training kit this season. a Francois Hougaard pass in the Argen- scored a try Hernandez converted for a converted by substitute fl y-half Nico- aft er improved display Victory took South Africa to the tine 22, but lacked the pace to go all the 10-10 scoreline. las Sanchez and a second long-range top of the standings after two rounds, way and was held short of the Spring- An Andries Coetzee try was cor- penalty from Boff elli. ahead of arch rivals New Zealand on boks line. rectly disallowed for a forward pass and Jantjies eased the pressure with his Reuters through a Kurtley Beale try before points diff erence. He did get the ball back, though, and number eight Juan Manuel Leguizamon second penalty for a 34-23 lead eight Sydney Beauden Barrett struck back to seal The Springboks led 17-10 at half- fl y-half Juan Martin Hernandez overhit was sin-binned after the Argentine minutes from time and converted a late a 35-29 victory. time in a match of four yellow cards a cross-fi eld kick into touch when there pack had received several warnings. try from replacement loose forward “We can’t be happy with losing,” and a red for Argentina lock Tomas was a two-man Argentina overlap. A minute before half-time, the Jean-Luc du Preez. allabies coach Michael Cheika told reporters in Sydney Cheika was still down- upon the team’s return from New cast after his side’s Zealand. “We can be proud of how GOLF narrow Rugby Champi- we performed but we need to make onshipW loss to New Zealand but the sure that we don’t sit down on that match showed him his team could and that we keep improving for the play at the same level as the world next one. Spieth leads top-ranked Johnson by three shots champions. “We can play at this level, it’s The Wallabies were embarrassed about being consistent and it’s about by the All Blacks in Sydney last week having the mental aptitude to play at AFP the fi nal round of the Open Champion- In Gee Chun of South Korea, who shot when they were hammered 54-34 that level all the time, never having a New York ship at Royal Birkdale this year and saw it a 1-under 70. Two shots off the lead are but lifted their performance in Dun- minute off .” evaporate before he turned things around Mirim Lee of South Korea, who had a edin, built on a stinging defence and The Wallabies now have a week off for the win. 5-under 66, and Cristie Kerr, who shot a far more direct attack. before they meet a resurgent South ritish Open champion Jordan “Anything can happen on Sunday,” he 5-under 68 Saturday. While they blew an early 17-0 ad- Africa side in Perth on Sept. 9, a Spieth turned up the heat on said. Johnson was confi dent of the same However, lurking among six play- vantage, they defended superbly in place where the national side may the back nine again on Saturday thing. ers tied at 7-under is Henderson, who the third quarter and then took a 29- not be made welcome after the tur- Bto seize a three-stroke lead over “I’m just hitting it really well,” Johnson moved up from a tie for 59th after Fri- 28 lead with four minutes remaining moil in domestic rugby this season. world number one Dustin Johnson at the said. “I feel like I can control my distance day’s round with her 8-under-par round. Northern Trust. very good. I’m getting a lot of really good For the 19-year-old Henderson, who had Spieth fi red four of his eight bird- looks at birdie... I just need to keep doing eight birdies and no bogeys, it was truly ies coming in — including three in a row what I’m doing.” moving day. Suri wins fi rst tour title in from the 14th through 16th — to card a The tournament is the fi rst of four “I moved,” she said. six-under 64 for a 12-under par total of events in the US PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Henderson is a member at Ottawa AFP, Farsø, Denmark: American Ju- Suri, 26, went out in five-under 31 to 198. playoff s. The series ends with the Tour Hunt & Golf Club, site of this week’s lian Suri claimed his maiden European open up a three-shot lead in Farso. His lead would have been a stroke Championship, where a $10mn bonus is tournament, but she said she does not Tour victory by four shots thanks to a Horsey hit back on the back nine with greater but for Johnson’s birdie on the on off er to the series points winner. keep score when she plays the course, so stunning final-round 64 at the Made in a trio of birdies of his own as the final 18th, where he stuck his second shot four she does not know whether Saturday’s Denmark tournament yesterday. pair went to the 18th tee separated by feet from the pin to cap a 67 for 201. Eng- LARSEN, MARTIN TIED round was her best on the course. The world number 213 went into the just a single stroke. land’s Paul Casey (66), Spain’s Jon Rahm Nicole Broch Larsen of Denmark and The 63 tied her lowest-ever score on last day one shot adrift of overnight But the 32-year-old’s hopes of a fifth (67) and Americans Patrick Reed (66) Mo Martin of the United States are tied the LPGA Tour. leader David Horsey, but overhauled European Tour win evaporated at the and Matt Kuchar (68) were a further two ways on that front nine with some nice for the lead after three rounds of the Ca- “It was just like the perfect day,” said the Englishman with seven birdies in final hurdle as he collapsed to a cata- strokes back. putts.” But even with Johnson chasing nadian Pacifi c Women’s Open in Ottawa, Henderson. “I hit the ball extremely well. a bogey-free eff ort as Horsey carded strophic triple, allowing Suri to tap in Spieth’s six-under round matched him, Spieth is in a commanding position. Ontario, but much of the attention in Mentally I was right on. I felt in the zone, a disastrous triple-bogey on the for par and the title. Two-time major the low round of the tournament at Glen He has never lost on the PGA Tour when Saturday’s round focused on Canadian as a lot of athletes call it. I felt like I was in final hole. A bogey for Horsey on the champion John Daly was just three Oaks Club in Old Westbury, New York. leading by two or more strokes going into Brooke Henderson, who played herself the best place of mind for me to play my opening green saw him slip back into strokes back after the third round, but “I didn’t drive the ball quite as well as the fi nal round. into contention with a course-record 63. best. That’s always a great feeling. Shots I a tie with Suri on 13 under par for the a closing 71 left him in a tie for 10th, I did the fi rst two days, and I’m going to “It’s easier to win from that position,” Larsen fi red a 5-under-par 66 on Satur- was hitting them close and making putts tournament, before his playing part- although it was the 51-year-old’s high- need to tomorrow to make it a little easier Spieth said, although he noted that it day, and Martin carded a 4-under 67, and and making a lot of birdies. I guess, eight ner streaked clear with three straight est finish on either of golf’s main two on myself,” the 24-year-old Texan said. wasn’t always smooth sailing. they are both at 10-under 203 after three birdies today. On 18 holes of golf, that’s birdies from the second. tours in over two years. “I got away with missing some fair- Spieth took a three-stroke lead into rounds, giving them a one-shot lead over pretty good.” Gulf Times Monday, August 28, 2017 7 SPORT

BOXING Fift y and out as Mayweather ‘He’s a lot better than I thought... tough competitor, stops brave McGregor but I was the better man’

AFP Las Vegas McGregor eyes more money loyd Mayweather outclassed fi ghts as Mayweather retires Conor McGregor to win their money-spinning superfi ght by Reuters technical knockout here late Las Vegas Saturday,F securing his place in boxing history to head into retirement with a record 50th straight victory. escribed as the fi ght the fans Former welterweight boxing cham- asked for by the executives pion Mayweather, who had come out who made it happen, Sat- of a two-year retirement to take on urday’s clash between Floyd the Irish mixed martial arts star, bided MayweatherD and Conor McGre- his time before exerting his superior- gor was only ever about one thing — ity from the middle rounds onwards at money. the T-Mobile Arena. Having beaten the Irish pretender The end came in the 10th round with a 10th-round technical knock- with a tired McGregor doubled over out, Mayweather can retire with a on the ropes as Mayweather landed perfect 50-0 record and a payday said two hard left hooks, prompting referee to be worth up to 300mn dollars, and Robert Byrd to intervene as a 14,623 the American has promised never to crowd with A-list celebrities roared return to the ring. their approval. McGregor, however, is a diff erent “He’s a lot better than I thought story. he’d be,” a jubilant Mayweather said of His 30-million-dollar purse for the McGregor. “He’s a tough competitor, fi ght is 10 times his previous best dis- but I was the better man tonight.” closed purse from the Ultimate Fight- Mayweather led comfortably on all ing Championship (UFC), where, as three judges’ cards when the fi ght was he says, he endures “shinbones to the stopped. head” as he makes his living. The American boxer said he had de- Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) and his father celebrate the 10th round technical knockout victory over Conor McGregor at the In the altogether more genteel sur- liberately taken his time in order to take T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday. (AFP) roundings of the boxing ring, he made advantage of a fatigued McGregor. a lot more money with a lot less dam- “Our game plan was to take our time, age, and his appetite has surely been go to him, let him shoot his shots early whetted by the enormous riches on and then take him out down the stretch,” off er. he said. “I guaranteed to everybody that McGregor has made no secret of his this wouldn’t go the distance.” desire for more. the right place at the right time to do Asked what he liked most about his the freakish kind of numbers and the CLINICAL DISPLAY boxing experience, “Money” May- watercooler talk that these guys had. McGregor meanwhile suggested the weather prompted UFC lightweight You’ve got to have the right people in fi ght could have been allowed to go on, champion McGregor to say the cash. the right place at the right time.” but praised Mayweather’s clinical tac- “The cheque is alright. The cheque With Mayweather, holder of a tical display. is not bad,” the Irishman laughed on handful of the biggest pay-per-view “He’s composed, he’s not that fast, the podium of the post-fi ght media sales of all time, vacating the stage at he’s not that powerful, but boy is he conference. the age of 40, there is an opening for composed,” McGregor said. “I’ve already been raising the MMA McGregor to move in and take over as “I thought it was a bit of an early (mixed martial arts) cheques. I’m still the biggest draw in combat sports. stoppage. I was just a little fatigued. going to be raising the MMA cheques The problem is that there are few He was just a lot more composed with when I go back there,” he added. prospective opponents for him in ei- his shots. I have to give it to him, that’s The 29-year-old has started his ther boxing or MMA who can generate what 50 pro fi ghts will do for you.” own website, a clothing line and a that kind of interest. It was an explosive fi nale to their Mayweather Jr. poses with the WBC number of other businesses, and he A bitter training-camp row be- much-hyped contest which proved ‘Money Belt’ on Saturday. (Reuters) Mayweather Jr. (right) lands a punch on McGregor during Saturday’s bout. (AFP) was clearly delighted to see the logo tween McGregor and boxer Paulie surprisingly competitive in the early of his latest venture, McGregor Sports Malignaggi might provide the kind of rounds, as McGregor managed to land pected script — but McGregor, in his Mayweather is also expected to be their seats, including Bruce Willis, Le- and Entertainment, in the ring at Sat- intrigue that would get fans to part a string of scoring punches. fi rst ever boxing appearance, by no around $200 mn wealthier, taking his Bron James and Mike Tyson. urday’s fi ght. with their money to see them face But once Mayweather began to fi nd means embarrassed himself. career earnings to around $1 bn. Ever since the fi ght was announced The value of his brand, however, each other in the ring, but McGregor his range and McGregor wearied, it McGregor, who was an unemployed in June the boxing community dis- stems from what he does in the ring or is most likely to return to the octagon was clear who the winner would be. ‘A WIN IS A WIN’ former plumber four years ago before missed it as a farce and a freak show. the octagon and the brash personality to fi ght Nate Diaz. The 40-year-old American scored Mayweather will now head into what emerging as one of the biggest stars of But fears of a one-sided massacre he displays as he goes about his sport- Diaz gave McGregor his fi rst UFC at will after the early rounds, snapping he says is a permanent retirement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, failed to materialize, and McGregor ing business. defeat in a 170-pound matchup in back McGregor’s head with a series of a perfect 50-0 record, one better than is expected to earn around $100mn. fi nished with some respectable statis- UFC president Dana White is keen 2016, which McGregor avenged stinging blows. heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano. If pay-per-view television targets tics. The Irishman’s 111 landed punch- for McGregor’s boxing experiment to months later with an epic fi ve-round McGregor, 29, somehow survived an He rejected suggestions that his are met, the fi ght could become the es were 30 more than Manny Pacquiao end sooner rather than later, and said decision victory at the T-Mobile Are- onslaught in the seventh round when a 50th win, against a novice boxer, most lucrative in history. managed against Mayweather in their that he was in a position to off er Mc- na, before going on to win the organi- right counter from Mayweather stag- would be destined to have an asterisk The start of the bout had been de- 2015 “Fight of the Century.” Gregor similar riches for mixed mar- sation’s lightweight title. gered him badly. against it. layed by several minutes as anticipa- McGregor said later he was open to tial arts bouts. With the teak-tough Californian Finally McGregor’s resistance broke “A win is a win, no matter how you tion built to fever pitch and television venturing into the boxing ring again. “If our fi ghts do what the (pay-per- more than a match for McGregor in in the 10th when a Mayweather right get it,” Mayweather said. “Rocky Mar- providers struggled to cope with the “People ask me what’s next, I’m not view) buys did here tonight, and the terms of trash talk, a trilogy fi ght to sent him lurching across the ring. ciano is a legend and I look forward to surge in demand from pay-per-view quite sure. I’ve multiple titles in the gate, we’ll all be good, trust me. No- bring that rivalry to a close is about A hard left put him on the ropes and going into the Hall of Fame one day. customers. UFC to think about,” he said. body will be bitching about anything,” the only thing that would make sense another hook saw him bent over and “This was my last fi ght tonight. For Anticipation had built steadily at “I could also continue in the boxing White told reporters. — and the required amount of dollars helpless, prompting the stoppage. sure. Tonight I chose the right dance ringside as an array of stars from the game. I’m sure there’ll be options in “It takes two very special people in — for McGregor at this point. The fi ght had followed a largely ex- partner to dance with.” sports and entertainment worlds took boxing.”

BOTTOMLINE Sindhu loses fi nal at Worlds; Axelsen downs Lin

Agencies Glasgow

lympic 2016 silver medal- list PV Sindhu failed to bring India the elusive gold medal from the World Badminton ChampionshipsO after being edged out by Japanese seventh seed Nozomi Oku- hara in a pulsating women’s singles fi - nal here yesterday. Fourth seed Sindhu lost 19-21, 22-20, 20-22 against the Olympic 2016 bronze medallist Okuhara in a gruelling match that lasted an hour and 50 minutes at the Emirates Arena. In the men’s fi nal, Denmark’s ended ’s dream of a record sixth men’s singles world title. Axelsen became the third Dane to take gold with a 22-20, 21-16 win over the ’s Nozomi Okuhara displays her gold medal following her victory over India’s PV Sindhu (right) in the Badminton World Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen celebrates his win over China’s Lin Dan (not pictured) in legendary 33-year-old from China. Championships women’s singles final in Glasgow yesterday. (Reuters/AFP) the men’s singles final yesterday. (Reuters) The last Danish victory had also come in Glasgow, courtesy of Peter Rasmus- edition and in Glasgow, Sindhu became ing rallies, Okuhara had more energy early advantage, taking a 9-3 lead but a stepped up a gear to bring her aggres- Forcing Sindhu to be involved in long sen in 1997, and the fi rst was 40 years India’s only second player with a sec- and pace to prevail. fi ghting Okuhara trailed only by a three- sive game. It paid dividends as Sindhu rallies and tiring her out, Okuhara not ago when Flemming Delfs claimed the ond-place fi nish in the global badmin- Okuhara’s fast-paced game also point diff erence at the mid-game break. equalised 5-5 and went into the break only equalised but also went on to take title at the inaugural championships. ton showpiece. curbed Sindhu’s aggressive strokes, Okuhara then wiped out the defi cit at 11-9. a 20-19 lead. It was Sindhu’s third medal at the India’s fi rst medal from the World denting the Indian’s chances of scoring and led 13-12 but Sindhu fought back to Afterwards, both fought ferociously But a dogged Sindhu pulled level only World Championships, with a bronze Championships, a bronze medal, came winners. lead 16-13. Sindhu then moved to 20- for each and every point. Okuhara espe- to see Okuhara quickly gain another point apiece from the 2013 and 2014 editions via in the 1983 edition. Sindhu started strongly, holding an 17 lead but Okuhara saved three game cially had to bring her top defensive tech- to be on the verge of the championship. in her bag. Sindhu yesterday gave herself a great 11-6 lead at the mid-game break. After points and a delectable drop shot gave niques to the court against an attacking Then came a quick cross-court drop shot Sindhu’s Hyderabadi citymate Saina chance to end India’s quest of a maiden the break, Okuhara staged a remarkable Sindhu a breather and then won 22-20. Sindhu. But each time Sindhu gained a which Sindhu had no answer, allowing Nehwal also stood on the podium after world title but fell short against Oku- comeback to equalise at 14-point mark In the third and deciding game, Oku- point, the Japanese kept coming at her. the Japanese to celebrate her win. losing in the semi-fi nals, settling for a hara, who was the fi rst Japanese to and forced Sindhu to commit errors as hara, the 2012 world junior champion, Sindhu, however, held a 19-17 lead Meanwhile, China’s Chen Qingchen bronze medal as India bagged two med- reach the women’s singles fi nal. the Japanse led 18-14. Sindhu equalised got off to a fl ying start. She raced away when Okuhara failed to retrive one of her and Jia Yifan defeated Japanese duo als for the fi rst time in an edition of the Okuhara kept coming back at Sindhu at this point but Okuhara took the game to a 5-1. smashes and the other was an unforced Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota World Championships. and didn’t allow the Indian to dictate 21-19. Sensing the urgency, Sindhu decid- error. Then it seemed Sindhu had done 21-18, 17-21, 21-15 to win the women’s Saina also has a silver from the 2015 the pace of shuttle play. Especially dur- In the second game too, Sindhu had ed not to involve in the rallies and she the job but Okuhara thought otherwise. doubles title.

Monday, August 28, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING / ENG VS WI, DAY 3, 2ND TEST Khalifa bin Hamad al-Attiyah’s Djelamer England wins President of the UAE Cup battle back in Agencies Duindigt, Netherlands ess than a month after his win- gripping Test ning return at Ostende, Djela- mer imposed himself again, at Duindigt, Netherlands, in the LPresident of the UAE Cup. The Khalifa bin Hamad al-Attiyah-owned horse, v Windies trained by Alban de Mieulle, was ridden at the back of the fi eld by Jean Baptiste Hamel. Reuters Blackwood lobbed a Stuart Broad He came closer in the opposite Leeds, England delivery straight to him at mid- straight and then edged Al Shaqab Rac- on and it proved costly as Black- ing’s Metrag for the win. Trained by wood and Holder put on a rapid Thomas Fourcy, the runner-up was rid- ngland battled back 75 for the eighth . den by Qatari jockey, Faleh Bughenaim. into contention on the Holder was out for 43 when he Metrag stayed on a success in a Listed in third day of the second tried to hit Chris Woakes out of Rome. Test against West Indies the ground and Moeen redeemed Djelamer, who did not race in Doha asE Mark Stoneman’s fi rst half himself by holding on to a stee- last season due to health issues, seems century and captain Joe Root’s pling catch in the deep. to be coming back even stronger at fi ve- unbeaten 45 helped wipe out a Blackwood needlessly ran years-old, and he should illustrate him- sizeable fi rst-innings defi cit yes- himself out going for a third self at the best level. terday. run one short of his half cen- West Indies added 98 runs to tury but tailenders Gabriel and Jean Baptiste Hamel (right) rides their overnight total at a sun- Roach added a handy 21 for the Djelamer to victory in the President of drenched Headingley as they last wicket before Gabriel was the UAE Cup in Duindigt, Netherlands. were bowled out for 427 — a lead out lbw to Ben Stokes just before of 169 — and England were 171-3 lunch. at the close, two runs ahead. Anderson was the pick of the CRICKET / SL VS IND, 3RD ODI England had struggled to 94-3 England bowlers as his two wick- before Root and Dawid Malan ets gave him the 23rd fi ve-wicket dug in for a 77-run partnership haul of his career to take his Test that left the match fi nely bal- wicket tally to 497. anced. West Indies skipper Jason SCORECARD Holder, who earlier shared a 75- ENGLAND 1st Inn 258 run partnership with Jermaine WEST INDIES 1st Inn (o/n: 329-5) Blackwood, removed England K. Brathwaite b Broad 134 Sharma, Bumrah opener Alastair Cook for 23 after K. Powell c Cook b Anderson 5 he and Stoneman put on 58 for D. Bishoo c Bairstow b Anderson 1 the fi rst wicket. K. Hope c Root b Anderson 3 Holder then had Tom West- S. Hope c Bairstow b Anderson 147 ley caught behind for eight, the R. Chase c Cook b Stokes 5 England batsman rashly chasing J. Blackwood run out (Stokes/ a wide one. Bairstow) 49 When the impressive Shannon S. Dowrich c Root b Anderson 0 shine in India win Gabriel clattered Stoneman’s off J. Holder c Ali b Woakes 43 stump with a pearler of a delivery K. Roach not out 6 after the opener had played dili- S. Gabriel lbw b Stokes 10 Visitors clinch ODI series against with six-wicket victory in Pallekele gently for 52 England still trailed Extras (b8, lb11, w5) 24 by 75 runs. Total (all out, 127 overs) 427 AFP Had Kyle Hope held a head Fall of : 1-11 (Powell), 2-31 Pallekele, Sri Lanka high catch when Root, on 10, (Bishoo), 3-35 (K Hope), 4-281 edged Kemar Roach to fi fth slip (Brathwaite), 5-296 (Chase), 6-329 England would have been staring (S Hope), 7-329 (Dowrich), 8-404 pener Rohit Sharma’s sublime at an unthinkable defeat, having (Holder), 9-406 (Blackwood), 10- century combined with a maid- crushed West Indies in a one- 427 (Gabriel) en fi ve-wicket haul by pace- sided fi rst Test. Bowling: Anderson 29-7-76-5 man Jasprit Bumrah powered But the chance went down (1w); Broad 24-2-95-1; Woakes 21- IndiaO to a series-clinching win against Sri and Root, who also successfully 4-78-1 (1w); Stokes 25-9-63-2 (3w); Lanka in the third one-day international reviewed an lbw decision, could Ali 24-4-84-0; Westley 4-0-12-0 yesterday. make them pay on Monday when Chasing 218 for victory, Sharma hit England will hope to build a lead. ENGLAND 2nd Inn a 145-ball 124 not out to steer the visi- An enthralling day’s cricket A. Cook c Dowrich b Holder 23 tors home in 45.1 overs, although unruly began in incredible fashion when M. Stoneman b Gabriel 52 crowd behaviour delayed their six-wicket James Anderson took wickets T. Westley c Dowrich b Holder 8 win in Pallekele. with the fi rst two balls of the day J. Root not out 45 Angry home fans threw water bottles after West Indies resumed on 329 D. Malan not out 21 onto the fi eld and play stopped as players for fi ve. Extras (b8, lb2, nb5, w7) 22 walked off with India needing eight runs Anderson had centurion Shai Total (3 wkts, 59 overs) 171 to win. Hope caught behind and with his Fall of wickets: 1-58 (Cook), 2-81 The visitors rode on an unbeaten 157-run next delivery he removed Shane (Westley), 3-94 (Stoneman) fi fth-wicket stand between Sharma and Dowrich. Boos rang out as Hold- Bowling: Gabriel 14-3-41-1 (5nb, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who made 67, to er survived the hat-trick ball. 7w); Roach 11-5-34-0; Holder take a 3-0 lead in the fi ve-match series. Moeen Ali spilled a dolly of 17-4-44-2; Chase 15-3-31-0; Bishoo But it was man of the match Bumrah India’s Jasprit Bumrah celebrates the a catch in the next over when 2-0-11-0 who set up the win for India after his India’s Rohit Sharma (right) hits a as Sri Lanka’s wicketkeeper Niroshan wicket of Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella career-best fi gures of 5-27 restricted Sri Dickwella looks on during the third ODI in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, yesterday. (Reuters) in Pallekele yesterday. (AFP) Lanka to 217-9 in 50 overs. “Bumrah’s got 11 wickets in three happens 2-3 times, it isn’t an issue...Here ing in for suspended captain Upul Tha- (Mendis), 3-100 (Chandimal), 4-138 games, he’s bowled really well, he’s it was just the case of the wicket being a ranga, added. (Mathews), 5-159 (Thirimanne), 6-181 among our top short-format bowlers at bit more challenging,” said Kohli. Sri Lanka’s worries were compounded (Kapugedera), 7-191 (Dananjaya), 8-201 the moment,” Kohli said in praise of the “Rohit was outstanding, MS was great with Chandimal suff ering a hairline frac- (Siriwardana), 9-210 (Chameera) 23-year-old. “He hits the right areas, as well. These things happen, the guys ture to his thumb while negotiating a Bowling: Kumar 9-2-41-0, Bumrah 10-2- bowls at pace, and in the death overs he’s will learn in the middle order...we have to bouncer from fast bowler Hardik Pandya. 27-5, Chahal 10-0-49-0, Pandya 8-0-42-1, like a fi sh in water.” be patient with them,” he added. Patel 10-1-35-1, Jadhav 3-0-12-1 Sri Lankan fast bowlers hurt India’s re- Earlier, Sri Lanka’s SCORECARD ply with two early strikes including skip- scored a 105-ball 80 to give the total some SRI LANKA INDIA per Virat Kohli for one, leaving the visi- respect after the Chamara Kapugedera- N. Dickwella lbw b Bumrah 13 R. Sharma not out 124 tors at 19-2. led side suff ered from regular wicket-fall. D. Chandimal c Bumrah b Pandya 36 S. Dhawan b Malinga 5 Sharma and Lokesh Rahul, who made Thirimanne put on a gritty 72-run K. Mendis c Sharma b Bumrah 1 V. Kohli c Chameera b Fernando 3 17, then tried to steady the chase with stand with Test captain Dinesh Chandi- L. Thirimanne c Jadhav b Bumrah 80 L. Rahul c Thirimanne b Dananjaya 17 their 42-run partnership before spinner mal, who made a sedate 36, but the rest of A. Mathews lbw b Jadhav 11 K. Jadhav lbw b Dananjaya 0 Akila Dananjaya turned on the heat. the let the hosts down. C. Kapugedera b Patel 14 M.S. Dhoni not out 67 Dananjaya got Rahul and Kedar Jadhav “Things didn’t go to our plans. We M. Siriwardana b Bumrah 29 Extras (lb1, w1) 2 for nought in his fi rst two overs. discussed about not playing dot balls in A. Dananjaya b Bumrah 2 Total (4 wickets, 45.1 overs) 218 But Sharma, who made 54 in the team’s the middle overs, but things didn’t work D. Chameera run out (Dhoni/Kumar) 6 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Dhawan), 2-19 (Kohli), previous win, kept his cool amid the out...260-275 would have been a chal- V. Fernando not out 5 3-61 (Rahul), 4-61 (Jadhav) madness to register his 12th ODI hundred lenging score,” said Kapugedera. L. Malinga not out 1 Bowling: Malinga 5-0-25-1, Fernando 8.1- as he paired with Dhoni to thwart the Sri “I enjoyed captaincy — it was pressure, Extras (b4, lb7, w8) 19 2-35-1, Chameera 10-1-59-0, Mathews 3-0- Lankan bowling attack. but I enjoyed it, and hopefully we can win Total (9 wickets, 50 overs) 217 17-0, Dananjaya 10-0-38-2, Siriwardana England’s Mark Stoneman in action on third day of the second Test “Small targets are always tricky. If it next time,” Kapugedera, who was stand- Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Dickwella), 2-28 9-0-43-0 against the West Indies in Leeds, England, yesterday. (AFP)

CRICKET / BAN VS AUS, DAY 1, 1ST TEST Bangladesh spinners spoil strong day for Australia in fi rst Test

AFP session. A third batsman was run out, fi ery opening spell. where David Warner took the catch. after Shane Warne. Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Sarkar), 2-10 (Kayes), Dhaka leaving Australia precariously placed Cummins struck in his fi rst over Tamim, who like Shakib was playing Agar, playing his fi rst Test in four years, 3-10 (Rahman), 4-165 (Iqbal), 5-188 (Shakib), on 18-3 at stumps. when he dismissed Soumya Sarkar for his 50th Test, made 71. did his part with 3-46 which included the 6-198 (Rahman), 7-240 (Hasan), 8-246 (Hos- David Warner was given a reprieve by eight, beating the left-hander with a Shakib scored 84 including 11 fours fi nal wicket of Shafi ul Islam. sain), 9-246 (T Islam), 10- 260 (S Islam) angladesh’s spinners spoilt a the third umpire from a lbw decision off short-pitched ball that took an edge before he was dismissed by Lyon on the Bowling: Hazlewood 15-5-39-0, Cummins strong day for Australia yester- Mehedi Hasan, but the spinner trapped and fl ew to Peter Handscomb at gully. stroke of tea, with Smith taking a sharp SCORECARD 16-1-63-3 (nb2, w1), Lyon 30-6-79-3, Agar 12.5- day, claiming two quick wick- the left-hander the same way with the In his next over he removed Imrul catch at fi rst slip. BANGLADESH 1st inn 2-46-3, Maxwell 5-0-15-1 ets after the hosts had been very next ball. Kayes and Sabbir Rahman for nought Agar then trapped Mushfi qur Rahim T. Iqbal c Warner b Maxwell 71 dismissedB for 260 on the fi rst day of the Soumya Sarkar was responsible for off successive deliveries to reduce leg-before for 18, a decision which the S. Sarkar c Handscomb b Cummins 8 AUSTRALIA 1st inn fi rst Test. a brilliant run out to remove Usman Bangladesh to 10 for 3. Bangladesh skipper unsuccessfully re- I. Kayes c Wade b Cummins 0 D. Warner lbw b Hasan 8 Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Khawaja for one in the next over, be- But Shakib and Tamim came togeth- viewed. S. Rahman c Wade b Cummins 0 M. Renshaw not out 6 Ashton Agar took three wickets each to fore left arm spinner Shakib al-Hasan er to add 155 for the fourth wicket and Nasir Hossain (23) and Mehedi Hasan Shakib c Smith b Lyon 84 U. Khawaja run out 1 wrap up the Bangladesh innings despite dismissed nightwatchman Lyon for a lift the home team’s score towards re- (18) provided brief resistance but were M. Rahim lbw b Agar 18 N. Lyon lbw b Shakib 0 half-centuries from Tamim Iqbal and duck. spectability. undone by Agar and Lyon respectively N. Hossain lbw b Agar 23 S. Smith not out 3 Shakib al-Hasan. Opener Mat Renshaw remained un- Tamim lofted Lyon for a six over ex- for Australia to expose the tail. M. Hasan c Handscomb b Lyon 18 Extras 0 But there was redemption for beaten on six at stumps along with tra cover, growing in confi dence as he Cummins fi nished with fi gures of T. Islam lbw b Lyon 4 Total (three wickets; nine overs) 18 Bangladesh — meeting Australia in a skipper Steve Smith, not out three. built the partnership with Shakib. 3-63, while off -spinner Lyon claimed S. Islam c Hazlewood b Agar 13 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Warner), 2-14 ( Kha- Test for the first time in over a dec- When the match got under way Aus- Occasional spinner Glenn Maxwell 3-79 — surpassing Richie Benaud’s Test M. Rahman not out 0 waja), 3-14 (Lyon) ade — when their spinners took two tralia looked unstoppable as Cummins fi nally broke it when he forced Tamim haul of 248 wickets to become Aus- Extras (b15, lb3, nb2, w1) 21 Bowling: S Islam 2-0-8-0, Hasan 4-2-7-1, scalps in the final moments of the rattled Bangladesh’s top order with a to cut one loose at backward point, tralia’s second most successful spinner Total (all out; 78.5 overs) 260 Shakib 3-1-3-1