CCRICKETRICKET | Page 2 FOOTBALL | Page 6 Pakistan Betis beat paceman Irfan Real Madrid raring to return on Ronaldo aft er ban return

Friday, September 22, 2017 TENNIS Muharram 2, 1439 AH Wozniacki makes GULF TIMES it to quarter-finals in Tokyo SPORT Page 3 MERC champion Nasser al-Attiyah honoured CRICKET / AUSTRALIA’S TOUR OF INDIA Yadav hat-trick gives India big win in 2nd ODI

AFP Fast bowlers Nathan Coulter-Nile Kolkata and Kane Richardson claimed three wickets each. There was also a bit of drama in the uldeep Yadav’s maiden hat- 48th over of the Indian innings when trick and a fl uent 92 by Virat Pandya was caught off a no-ball, but Kohli helped India cruise to Smith ran him out only to see the a 50-run win over Australia batsman walking off the ground fol- Kin the second one-day international lowing a slight drizzle. in Kolkata yesterday. Smith and company tried to argue Yadav once again combined with with the on-fi eld umpires for their fellow wrist spinner Yuzvendra Cha- run out call but in vain. hal to dismiss the visitors for 202 in The third match is scheduled for 43.1 overs while chasing 253 and earn Sunday in Indore. India a 2-0 lead in the fi ve-match se- Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (second from right) receives a memento from Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) president Abdulrahman al-Mannai ries. SCORECARD (left) during a ceremony to honour the rally star on his 13th FIA Middle East Rally Championship title victory at Mall of Qatar yesterday. PICTURE: Anas Khalid Pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Ku- INDIA mar struck early after removing the A. Rahane run out (Cartwright) 55 two Australian openers including R. Sharma c and b Coulter-Nile 7 David Warner for one in an inspired V. Kohli b Coulter-Nile 92 ASIAN INDOOR AND MARTIAL ARTS GAMES fi rst spell that lasted six overs. M. Pandey b Agar 3 Skipper Steve Smith, who made 59, K. Jadhav c Maxwell b Coulter-Nile 24 and Travis Head then forged a 76-run M.S. Dhoni c Smith b Richardson 5 partnership as the duo tried to steady H. Pandya c Warner b Richardson 20 the innings by counter attacking the B. Kumar c Maxwell b Richardson 20 Indian bowlers. K. Yadav c Wade b Cummins 0 But the introduction of spin once J. Bumrah not out 10 again proved troublesome for the visi- Y. Chahal run out (Wade) 1 tors with leg-spinner Chahal sending Extras (b1, nb1, w13) 15 Qatar win team back Head, for 39, and then the big- Total (all out, 50 overs) 252 hitting Glenn Maxwell, for 14. Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Sharma), 2-121 Maxwell, who looked threatening (Rahane), 3-131 (Pandey), 4-186 with two sixes during his brief stay, (Jadhav), 5-175 (Kohli), 6-204 (Dhoni), was stumped by wicketkeeper Ma- 7-239 (Kumar), 8-239 (Yadav), 9-246 hendra Singh Dhoni who was quick (Pandya), 10-252 (Chahal) to clip the bails off . Bowling: Cummins 10-1-34-1 (w1), Smith though carried on the good Coulter-Nile 10-0-51-3 (w5), Richard- jumping silver in work to register a gritty 50 in his son 10-0-55-3 (w1, nb1), Stoinis 9-0- 100th ODI but the delight was short 46-0 (w2), Agar 9-0-54-1 (w3), Head lived after he fell to paceman Hardik 2-0-11-0 (w1) ‘We have a new team here... The Pandya. Yadav, plying just his ninth ODI, AUSTRALIA boys gave their best and did then turned on the heat with his tri- H. Cartwright b Kumar 1 ple strike in the 33rd over that spelt D. Warner c Rahane b Kumar 1 really good for a first time’ doom for the visitors. S. Smith c Jadeja (sub) b Pandya 59 Ashgabat He got Matthew Wade, Ashton T. Head c Pandey b Chahal 39 Agar and Pat Cummins to become G. Maxwell st Dhoni b Chahal 14 only the third Indian after Chetan M. Stoinis not out 62 Sharma and Kapil Dev to ever record M. Wade b Yadav 2 an ODI hat-trick. A. Agar lbw b Yadav 0 Marcus Stoinis remained unbeaten P. Cummins c Dhoni b Yadav 0 on 62, but his valiant knock came too N. Coulter-Nile c and b Pandya 8 late in the day as Kumar wiped up the K. Richardson lbw b Kumar 0 tail. Extras (b4, lb6, w6) 16 Earlier a fi ne batting eff ort by Kohli Total (all out; 43.1 overs) 202 made India post 252 all out in 50 overs Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Cartwright), 2-9 after the hosts elected to bat fi rst at (Warner), 3-85 (Head), 4-106 (Max- Eden Gardens. well), 5-138 (Smith), 6-148 (Wade), India depended on a 102-run 7-148 (Agar), 8-148 (Cummins), 9-182 second-wicket stand between Kohli (Stoinis), 10-202 (Richardson) and Ajinkya Rahane, who made 55, to Bowling: Kumar 6.1-2-9-3, Bumrah 7-1- start strongly before the Australian 39-0, Pandya 10-0-56-2 (w1), Chahal bowlers struck back. 10-1-34-2 (w3), Yadav 10-1-54-3 (w2)

Qatar team, comprising Hamad al-Attiyah, Faleh al-Ajami, Salmen al-Suwaidi and Salman al-Emadi, celebrate on the podium after winning silver in the Equestrian Team Jumping event in Ashgabat yesterday. (Garsi Lotfi)

Agencies Qatar riders went through clean. Saudi “It couldn’t have been closer. But we Nezad picked up 1.5 points, after a win Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Arabia’s Saad al-Ajami too incurred 16 have a new team here and it’s the fi rst over Shuaau Mohamed of Maldives in penalties after hitting four fences. But time we jumped as a team. The boys the fi rst round and a draw with Jakhon- with the rest of the three riders going gave their best and did really good for gir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan. atar won a second silver to through without a penalty, they fi n- a fi rst time. Hopefully we will do better Mohamed al-Sayed ended the fi rst the medals haul at the Asian ished with gold, and Qatar’s fi rst round next time.” day of the competition with a win and Indoor Athletics and Mar- time penalty resulting in a silver. a loss, beating Sri Lanka’s Rajeendra tial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Syrian Arab Republic, with four QATAR’S CHEN UNBEATEN IN FIRST Kalugampitiya before losing to Mo- Turkmenistan,Q when the equestrian faults, took bronze. hamed Lutfi Ali of Indonesia. TWO CHESS ROUNDS Jumping quartet narrowly missed out “Thank God for the silver medal, we Qatar’s Zhu Chen stayed unbeaten in her Today, Qatar’s 3x3 basketball team on gold by one time point yesterday. are happy. The team could have done fi rst two games in the women’s standard is in action against Afghanistan and At the Equestrian Centre yester- better, but that’s sport. One day you individual chess event yesterday. Jordan, while the men’s snooker team day, Qatar team, comprising Hamad have it, one day you don’t,” said al-At- Chen beat Jordan’s Ghayda Mo- faces Turkmenistan in a Round of 16 al-Attiyah, Faleh al-Ajami, Salmen al- tiyah said after winning silver. hamed al-Attar in the fi rst round, be- match. Suwaidi and Salman al-Emadi, missed “At least we ended up on the podium fore following up with a win over Uz- The Qatari swimming team begin out on the top spot after incurring a so I am very happy about that. In our bekistan’s Nodira Nadirjanova. Chen their campaign with heats in 50m free- India’s Kuldeep Yadav (left) celebrates with Virat Kohli (right) and MS Dhoni time fault in the opening round. sport, you always have a chance until next faces China’s Tingjie Lei today. style, 100m breaststroke, 200m indi- after completing his hat-trick with the wicket of Australia’s Pat Cummins In the second round, three out of four the last jump. Among the men, Qatar’s Husein Aziz vidual medley and 4x50m medley relay. during the second ODI at Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 2 Friday, September 22, 2017 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Coach says Sri Pakistan pacer Lanka morale Irfan raring to strengthened by India thrashing

AFP return aft er ban Colombo ri Lanka cricket coach Nic Pothas said yesterday a series ‘I am happy that I am back... and still have a chance to revive myself’ of thumping defeats by India had strengthened resolve and evenS boosted morale as the squad seeks Reuters Mumbai redemption against Pakistan later this month. The islanders were handed a drub- ohamed Irfan expects to bing on home soil against India, losing avoid a backlash from Pa- all nine games against the formidable kistan fans after the pace- tourists in a humiliating whitewash man served a six-month across all three formats of the game. Mban for failing to disclose approaches Pothas said the whitewash had bol- made by bookmakers during a domes- stered spirits ahead of Sri Lanka’s two tic Twenty20 tournament and is hap- Tests, fi ve one-day internationals and py for the chance to resume his career. three Twenty20 matches against Pa- The 35-year-old, who played for kistan. Islamabad United in the UAE-based “That (defeat) actually makes morale Sri Lanka’s cricket coach Nic Pothas 2017 Pakistan Super League (PSL), even stronger,” the former South Af- addresses a press conference in was fi ned and banned for a year — six rica international told reporters ahead Colombo yesterday. (AFP) months of which were suspended — as of the squad’s departure to the United part of a probe by the country’s cricket Arab Emirates (UAE), where the tour Tempers boiled over as Sri Lanka lost board (PCB). gets underway on September 28. the ODI series against India in August The PCB was investigating whether The squad had been instructed ahead in three straight matches, with fans an international betting syndicate of the fi rst Test to put negative public- booing the home side and lobbing bot- tried to infl uence PSL matches and ity out of mind as Sri Lanka’s press tles. also handed out fi ve-year bans to mauls the poorly performing side. But Pothas said the squad had batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid La- “They are writing bad stuff about bounced back and was training solidly tif as part of the spot-fi xing scandal. you. You have a choice. That happens in the run-up to the Pakistan tour. “I regret that I didn’t report it and to athletes all around the world... If “We have a few things in place, and I have realised how serious it is if you someone shoots a bullet at you, you can of course winning games of cricket don’t report a corrupt approach,” Irfan wimp away or say ‘You are completely builds confi dence, but this is a fantastic told cricket website ESPN Cricinfo. wrong’,” Pothas said. bunch of players who are all very, very “But I am still very much accepted and In July, Sri Lanka lost a three-match good friends,” he said. people still like me. ODI series on home soil to bottom- Former skipper Angelo Mathews was “I don’t want to go into details ranked Zimbabwe, hot on the heels of ruled out of the fi rst Test due to in- about whether the punishment was In this September 1, 2016, picture, Pakistan’s Mohamed Irfan celebrates taking his second wicket during the fourth ODI their early exit from the Champions jury. Two uncapped players have been harsh. There were reasons I didn’t against England in Headingley. (AFP) trophy in England. brought into a 15-member squad. report instantly but I did reject them (the bookies) straightaway. porting the approaches to the PCB. wasn’t any worse. the rigours of international cricket. “...I am happy that I am back after “The last six months have been very “I was actually working in my pri- “In the last six months, I have been a minor ban and still have a chance to tough on me. In fact, it felt like six vate gym at home to keep myself fi t. resting with no workload and that has Bangladesh star Tamim injured in revive myself.” years, during which I incurred great But I had been training privately, so really helped me,” Irfan said. The giant Irfan, who has played four losses,” Irfan said. I hope things will go well. These six “I got time to take a break from South Africa warm-up Tests, 60 one-day internationals and “Indeed, it was my mistake, and I months, I think I can view it as a rest cricket; otherwise, the early part of my 20 Twenty20 internationals, said the admitted it instantly, but there was period which will help me rejuvenate.” career, I was playing a lot. Due to my AFP make a comeback to the Test side death of his parents had clouded his no fi xing allegations against me. But, Irfan believes the ban helped him height and body structure, I get tired Benoni, South Africa after being dropped earlier this year, judgement and led to his delay in re- in all this, I am thankful the situation rest his body and that he was ready for early, and need more time for recovery.” was out first ball to 19-year-old fast bowler Michael Cohen, who took four angladesh opening batsman for 23. UPDATE Tamim Iqbal was forced to Bretire hurt with a thigh muscle injury, after facing just 13 balls on the first day of his team’s three-day match Birthday boy Gayle set for hamstring scan against a South African Invitation XI at Willowmoore AFP Park yesterday. Nottingham, United Kingdom Second ODI between Bangladesh made 306 for England and West seven declared after winning Indies rained off the toss. The Invitation XI were est Indies star batsman 21 for one at the close. Chris Gayle was set to The second one-day international Tamim, a veteran of 51 Tests spend part of his 38th between England and West Indies and the team’s all-time leading birthday in a Notting- at Trent Bridge was abandoned run-scorer, made five runs before Wham hospital after a hamstring injury because of heavy rain yesterday. leaving the field in the fifth over. ruled him out of the second one-day Only 2.2 overs were possible Team manager Minhazul Nanna said international against England at Trent after West Indies won the toss the batsman had suff ered a strained Bridge yesterday. and elected to field first. England right thigh muscle. He left the field as The big-hitting Jamaica left-hand- reached 21 without loss when a precaution and his condition would ed opener suff ered the injury while the rain arrived. England lead the be assessed today following a scan. warming up and was ruled out shortly series 1-0 after a seven-wicket vic- Bangladesh are already without lead- before the toss, with Kyle Hope taking tory at Old Traff ord on Tuesday. ing all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who his place. is being rested from the two-Test A team spokesman later confi rmed series against South Africa which that Gayle had injured his right ham- That defeat meant the two-time starts next Thursday. string and would be having a hospital former champions could no longer Mominul Haque, captain Mushfiqur scan to assess the extent of the damage. gain direct entry to the 2019 World Rahim and Sabbir Rahman made “Chris Gayle came to me before the Cup in Britain and would have to enter half-centuries for the tourists but toss and said he was feeling something a qualifying competition instead. Mahmudullah, who is hoping to in his hamstring,” West Indies captain On the fi eld, only 2.2 overs were Jason Holder told BBC Radio’s Test possible before rain stopped play at a Match Special after he sent England gloomy Trent Bridge on Thursday. into bat. “Hopefully it’s not something Jonny Bairstow, fresh from his 100 SCHEDULING too serious and it’s a precaution. tour, having missed West Indies’ 2-1 four sixes, as West Indies beat Eng- not out — a maiden ODI century — on “He came to me as I was walking up Test series loss to England. land by 21 runs in the lone Twenty20 Tuesday, was nine not out, with Alex to the coin so I don’t know the extent He eff ectively made himself ineligi- of their tour in Durham last Saturday Hales 10 not out on his Nottingham- of the injury,” the all-rounder added. ble for selection by not playing fi rst- — a repeat of their World Twenty20 shire home ground. SA to play four-day Yesterday’s fi xture was the second class cricket in the Caribbean, having fi nal win in Kolkata last year. Rain was still falling more than two of a fi ve-match series that concludes become a well-paid globe-trotting Gayle followed up with a brisk 37 hours later, although plenty of hardy in Southampton a week on Friday. star of the Twenty20 game. before he holed out in the fi rst ODI spectators, some sheltering beneath Gayle only recently arrived in Brit- Gayle struck a typically dynamic 40 at Old Traff ord on Tuesday, a match umbrellas, remained in the hope of Test against Zimbabwe ain for the limited-overs leg of the off 21 balls, including three fours and West Indies lost by seven wickets. seeing yet more cricket. Reuters “The extensive revamping of our Sydney international grounds are on schedule and the day-night Test match promises India’s Pandya survives no-ball confusion in 2nd ODI vs Australia to be a world-class experience for the outh Africa will play a four-day players and fans.” AFP this commotion, had already started pink ball Test against neigh- CSA also announced the broad itin- Kolkata walking back to the pavilion with rain bours Zimbabwe in Port Eliza- erary for the tour by India, who will also coming down at Kolkata’s Eden beth as the traditional Boxing play three Tests, six one-day interna- DayS fi xture before India arrive for a tour tionals and three Twenty20s against Gardens. ndia’s Hardik Pandya survived a run- Smith and company tried to argue with in late December, Cricket South Africa their hosts. out scare against Australia despite Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary for their has announced. The fi rst Test in the “Mahatma Iwalking off the ground in a chaotic run-out call but the off icial stayed with The day-night match has yet to be Gandhi-Nelson Mandela” series be- situation in the second one-day interna- his decision. granted Test status by the Interna- tween the current top two in the world tional in Kolkata yesterday. The laws of international cricket clearly tional Cricket Council but there are rankings will take place at Newlands in The drama unfolded in the middle of the state that “an umpire shall intervene if precedents for contests in the longest Cape Town starting on Jan. 5 with the 48th over of the Indian innings when satisfied that a batsman, not having been format of the game being played over dates and venues for the other matches Pandya was caught by Australia skipper given out, has left his wicket under a three, four and six days as well as the to be confi rmed. Steve Smith at cover after mistiming a misapprehension that he is out”. usual fi ve. “The time constraints faced by In- waist height full-toss. “The umpire intervening shall call and “To ensure we do not disappoint our dia have forced us to reduce the Test While the on-field umpire declared it to signal Dead ball to prevent any further loyal fans over the traditional Boxing matches to three while increasing be a no-ball, Smith responded by throw- action by the fielding side and shall recall Day period and to take advantage of our white ball cricket to six ODIs and three ing the ball back to fast bowler Kane the batsman.” brand-new lights at St George’s Park, T20I matches,” Lorgat added. Richardson at the non-strikers end, who Pandya finally made his way back to we will host Zimbabwe in the fi rst ever India will arrive in South Africa on ran the batsman out. the crease after rain and discussions four-day day-night Test match to be Dec. 28 and play a two day warm-up Pandya, who remained oblivious to all relented to resume the innings. played,” CSA chief Haroon Lorgat said match at Boland Park in Paarl on the in a news release. last two days of the year. Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 3 SPORT

TENNIS Jockey Club off ers 1mn pound Triple Crown bonus

London: Britain’s Jockey Club racing across the board,” he has announced the return of added. Wozniacki fi nds mojo a 1mn pounds ($1.35mn) Triple The last horse to complete Crown bonus for the 2017-18 the hat-trick was Kauto Star in season. The Jockey Club, which 2005. Two seasons ago Cue owns a number of leading Card won two of the feature racecourses, is off ering the races — the Betfair Chase and windfall if any horse wins the the King George — before Betfair Chase at Haydock Park falling three fences from home just in time in Tokyo in November, the 32Red King at Cheltenham. Cue Card George VI Chase at Kempton prevailed in the Betfair Chase Park on Boxing Day and the last season as well but with Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Thistlecrack winning the 32Red Dane recovers from a break down in the final set to beat American Shelby Rogers “Since we introduced the King George VI Chase and bonus in 2015-16 it has caught Sizing John winning the Timico AFP the public’s imagination,” said Cheltenham Gold Cup, there Tokyo Caroline Wozniacki hits a return during Jockey Club Chief Executive was no bonus winner. her win over Shelby Rogers at the Pan Pacific Paul Fisher. “Cue Card coming Fisher said Jockey Club will Open in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) so close two years ago helped contribute a record breaking efending champion Caroline grow the interest in not only 22.9mn pounds to prize money Wozniacki of Denmark clawed these three races but Jumps this year. her way into the Pan Pacifi c Open quarter-fi nals yesterday, narrowlyD avoiding the fate fourth seed Johanna Konta earlier suff ered in Tokyo. FOCUS Former world number one Wozniacki re- covered from a break down in the fi nal set to beat American Shelby Rogers 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 after fi nding her mojo just in time. Russia’s new The third seed, a two-time Pan Pa- cifi c winner chasing her 26th career title, stormed through the second set to level anti-doping chief the match with an ace before inexplica- bly allowing Rogers to open a 3-0 lead in the decider. But Wozniacki came roaring looks for fresh start back, punching a backhand deep into the corner to turn the tide and spark a purple Reuters RUSADA had its global patch of form where the Dane suddenly Moscow accreditation suspended began smashing winners from all angles. aft er reports by the World Rogers had no answer to Wozniacki’s Anti-Doping Agency found unerring accuracy thereafter and the lmost two years after evidence, still denied by world number six fi nished her off with Russia crashed out of Moscow, of state-sponsored a looping forehand the American could world athletics amid a doping. Next week, WADA only dump into the net. Wozniacki will spate of drugs scandals, returns to the anti-doping face Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova in formerA university lecturer Yuri agency to see what steps it the last eight after the fi fth seed thrashed Ganus sits in his Moscow offi ce, has made towards Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-2 in just plotting the rehabilitation of the returning to world arena 68 minutes. national anti-doping agency. “It defi nitely wasn’t easy,” Wozni- The 53-year-old, who took led to the suspension of Rus- acki told reporters after her close shave. over as the RUSADA agency’s sia’s athletics federation and its “(Rogers) has a big serve and she played director general just three weeks Paralympic Committee, has ef- really aggressively. I’m just happy I man- ago, told Reuters sweeping staff fectively barred Russians from aged to turn it around.” changes and a switch of mindset competing in global athletics Konta, who crashed out in the fi rst another forehand wastefully long to give OSTAPENKO ADVANCES TO really have nothing to lose against me. had already left the organisation events — though some have been round of the US Open last month, again Strycova her fi rst win over a top-10 op- KOREA OPEN QUARTER-FINALS They try to show their best because they almost unrecognisable. “We have allowed to appear as neutrals. paid for her profl igacy as she was upset ponent this year. “I defi nitely wasn’t as Top seed Jelena Ostapenko dispatched have less pressure,” the 20-year-old said changed our director, our leader- Russian competitors in oth- 7-5, 7-6 by Czech Barbora Strycova to match-fi t as I would’ve liked,” said Kon- Japanese rival Nao Hibino 6-2, 6-2 yes- after her fi rst round match against Swede ship, 90% of our staff ,” Ganus er sports can still appear at become the fi rst major casualty in Tokyo. ta. “But for my fi rst match in the last few terday to secure a spot in the Korean Open Johanna Larsson. “I’m a favourite to win said. “All inspectors in charge of events — including, currently, Britain’s world number seven commit- weeks, I don’t think I did that badly.” quarter-fi nals, as she seeks to move up this tournament so I have to prepare well taking samples are new.” Pyeongchang — though they ted 43 unforced errors and squandered a Elsewhere, ninth seed Caroline Gar- the world ranking. and play my best,” added Ostapenko, who RUSADA had its global ac- have to fi nd someone else to test 4-2 lead in the fi rst set against Strycova, cia safely advanced, the Frenchwoman The French Open champion became now advances to play Veronica Cepede creditation suspended after re- them for drugs. Under the cur- who came into the match 18 places below thrashing Japan’s Kurumi Nara 6-1, 6-3 the fi rst Latvian to break into the WTA Royg today. Elsewhere, Romanian Sora- ports by the World Anti-Doping rent suspension, RUSADA still Konta in the WTA rankings. to set up a quarter-fi nal with top seed Top 10 when she advanced into 10th place na Cirstea put an end to the tournament Agency (WADA) found evidence, has to send samples abroad — a Konta also blew several chances in Garbine Muguruza. The Spaniard is play- earlier this month and will now sail into hopes of American Nicole Gibbs with a still denied by Moscow, of state- “real problem” for the agency, the second, particularly in the tiebreak, ing her fi rst tournament since reaching her seventh quarter-fi nals of the year. 6-3, 6-3 win to face 24-year-old Thai sponsored doping. Next week, says Ganus. which she surrendered 7-5 after whiffi ng the top of the women’s world rankings. “I’m a Top 10 player now, and players Luksika Kumkhum. WADA returns to the anti-dop- RUSADA recently contact- ing agency to see what steps it ed other national anti-doping has made towards returning to agencies, inviting their offi cers to the world arena. help test athletes in Russia while Ganus said there was still their Russian counterparts are work to do but said his staff was trained, Ganus said. “One of the ready for the review. “We want to ways in which the current organ- show WADA what the situation isation diff ers from the old one is actually like,” said Ganus, who is that we are open to coopera- has no apparent ties to Russia’s tion,” he said. RUSADA was eager sports bureaucracy. “We won’t to learn from the world’s leading paint pretty pictures.” national anti-doping organisa- Some of the reforms that tions (NADOs). WADA says Russia still has to “This is a matter of trust,” he make are out of Ganus’s hands. said. “Maybe they wouldn’t want The government has to give test- to work with the old organisation, ers access to stored urine sam- but I don’t see why they wouldn’t ples in a Moscow laboratory. work with the new one.” Potentially most diffi cult of all, That trust may take a while to Russia’s sporting authorities — build. Last week 17 NADO lead- including the sports ministry ers called for Russia’s exclusion and the Russian Olympic Com- from Pyeongchang, saying that mittee — have to acknowledge a country’s “sport leaders and the fi ndings of the 2015 WADA- organisations should not be giv- commissioned reports by Ca- en credentials to the Olympics nadian lawyer Richard McLaren when they intentionally violate into wide-scale doping. the rules and rob clean athletes”. Ganus did not comment di- But Joseph de Pencier, chief rectly on the accusations of past executive of the Institute of Na- wrongs. He also did not give de- tional Anti-Doping Organisa- tails on how Russia would meet tions, went out of his way to the demand to acknowledge welcome Ganus and his calls for wrong-doing, saying only that co-operation. “Now that it has a all reinstatement criteria were new permanent Director General taken equally seriously. “We we want to support RUSADA to need to understand that the cul- become code-compliant again ture needs to change, not only and to rejoin active participation RUSADA,” he said.”That’s the in the NADO network,” de Pen- basis of clean sport.” cier said. RUSADA is also facing more “It is in the best interests of immediate concerns, most all NADOs, and of the clean pressingly how to get sports- athletes they serve, that Russia (From left) tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver and John McEnroe pose on the stage ahead of the Laver Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. (AFP) people tested who hope to com- and its athletes have a strong, pete at 2018 Winter Olympics in independent, eff ective, code- SPOTLIGHT Pyeongchang, South Korea. The compliant and internationally- doping scandal, which has also connected RUSADA.” McEnroe wants Laver Cup to spark Davis Cup reform AFP ing anything diff erent, so maybe this will Bjorn Borg, consists of Federer, Rafael said he may be a little ring-rusty over the Prague push it along. Hopefully they both (Davis Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Marin Cilic, Do- weekend having taken a break following Cup and Laver Cup) can do well.” minic Thiem and Tomas Berdych. his New York triumph. “I didn't practice Speaking in Prague, Swiss legend Roger With four matches a day — three sin- here yet, of course after the US Open. Af- ohn McEnroe said yesterday the Federer, who snubbed his country’s Dav- gles and a doubles, the players can earn a ter a big event you go down a little bit, you new Laver Cup pitting Europe’s is Cup play-off tie against Belarus last point for each win today, two tomorrow need to recover energy. I have today and top players against the rest of the weekend, declined to draw comparisons and three on Sunday. In today’s ties, Cilic tomorrow to practise hard and let's see world might fi nally inspire a re- between the two competitions “because will take on Tiafoe, Thiem faces Isner and then,” said the Spaniard. formJ to the format of the Davis Cup. “I they’re very diff erent”. Zverev will play against Shapovalov, be- Ironically, the Laver Cup presentation think we’re all excited and hopeful that “This is a very unique event, very new, fore Nadal and Berdych take on Kyrgios took place on Wednesday in Prague's old this is going to be successful and force we’re holding it for the fi rst time, whereas and Sock in the doubles rubber, follow- town on the same day that tennis's fl ag- some people to take a good hard look at the Davis Cup has a very rich history be- ing yesterday’s draw. It will be Nadal and ship team event, the Davis Cup was hold- the rest of the schedule too,” the 58-year- hind it. Both seem very exciting, Davis Federer's fi rst appearance on the same ing its draw for the 2018 season. Last old McEnroe told reporters in Prague. Cup has been and I hope this one in hope- side of the court in a rivalry which has weekend, the semi-fi nals and play-off s “Davis Cup for example,” added the fully long, long time from now will be spanned the best part of two decades. for this year's Davis Cup took place but fi ve-time Davis Cup winner, who cap- very special for the players always want- “I would love to play with Rafa and see without the likes of Federer who opted tains Team World in the three-day Laver ing to play and always wanting to repre- that forehand do damage on the other out of Switzerland's tie against Belarus. Cup starting today. “(The Davis Cup) is sent their country and... their continent side," said Federer, this year’s Australian The Davis Cup schedule has come in such a big commitment that they need if you like.” Open and Wimbledon champion. “I'm for a constant stream of criticism from to make some changes,” the seven-time At the Laver Cup, McEnroe’s Team sure that the crowd would go absolutely top players wary of adding more pressure Grand Slam champion said, backing up World comprises Sam Querrey, John Isner, crazy and just because of that it would to their calendars. players claiming the team competition Jack Sock, Frances Tiafoe, Denis Shapo- just be great to play.” However, Kyrgios did play at the week- adds more pressure to their already tight valov and Nick Kyrgios. Team Europe, Nadal, who added the US Open to his end as Australia lost to Belgium in the Russian Anti-Doping Agency Director General Yuri Ganus gives an calendars. They’ve been very slow in do- skippered by McEnroe’s former arch-rival Roland Garros title earlier this month, semi-fi nals in Brussels.a interview in Moscow yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Friday, September 22, 2017 SPORT

CYCLING JAPAN OPEN BADMINTON Sindhu, Saina crash out; Srikanth and New UCI chief vows Prannoy advance

IANS Championships, Saina failed Tokyo to put up a fi ght and meekly went down 16-21 13-21 to the reigning Olympic champion. ndia’s campaign in the Saina too squandered a to avoid another women’s singles category bright start, with a slender of the $325,000 Japan 11-9 lead in the fi rst game be- Open Superseries ended fore trailing 10-17 in the sec- Iafter P.V. Sindhu and Saina ond and eventually bowing out Nehwal lost in straight games meekly. to local favourite Nozomi Among the men, World No.8 Okuhara and Spain’s Caro- Srikanth, who clinched back- lina Marin, in their respective to-back titles in Indonesia and ‘Armstrong aff air’ matches here yesterday. Australia this year, demolished However, there was good Hong Kong’s Hu Yun 21-12 21- ‘To lose credibility takes five minutes, to regain it takes 20 years – we have to be careful about it’ news from the men’s singles 11 within half an hour to make with Kidambi Srikanth and it to the fi nal eight. AFP president from 2009 until March H.S. Prannoy advancing to the The Indian will now face Bergen, Norway and has been European federa- quarter-fi nals here. the recently crowned world tion president since 2013, a posi- Playing local favourite Oku- champion Viktor Axelsen of tion he now leaves to take on his hara for the third consecutive Denmark. US Open Champion renchman David Lap- new role. time in as many tournaments, Prannoy managed to upstage partient said his main The 44-year-old is also mayor Sindhu failed to repeat her Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Jen Hao job after being elected of a small town in Brittany. Korea Open form and com- 21-16 23-21. He will now play the new president of the A crackdown on hidden mo- mitted too many errors to go against second seed Chinese UCIF yesterday was to maintain tors is a top priority for Lappar- down 18-21 8-21 in a lop-sided Shi Yuqi. cycling’s credibility. tient to restore credibility to the 47-minute contest. In the mixed doubles cate- The 44-year-old beat in- scandal-ridden sport. Lappar- Sindhu squandered a lead of gory, the pair of Ashwini Pon- cumbent Brian Cookson by a tient Cookson, who was elected 11-9 and 18-16 in the opening nappa and Satwiksairaj Ran- landslide 37 votes to eight at the as UCI president on a similar game and looked completely kireddy played their hearts out world cycling governing body’s promise in 2013, at the gov- out of sorts in the second game before losing 27-29 21-16 12-21 Congress in Bergen, Norway. erning body’s congress during to bow out early. to Indonesian fourth seeds And having vowed in his elec- this week’s road Cycling world On the other hand, playing Praveen Jordan and Debby Su- tion campaign to fi ght against championships. her fi rst tournament after the santo in a match that lasted an corruption, doping and techno- But Cookson failed to con- bronze medal feat at the World hour and six minutes. logical fraud, Lappartient said he vince UCI delegates that the or- would not be getting complacent ganisation was eff ectively fi ght- now that he is president. ing so-called mechanical doping “We have to be stronger be- after Femke Van den Driessche, cause I don’t want tomorrow was caught with a hidden motor to have new Armstrong aff air in 2016. The Belgian rider said it - it would be a disaster for our was not her bike. sport,” said Lappartient. “I will be focused on guaran- “To lose credibility takes fi ve teeing the credibility of the re- minutes, to regain it takes 20 sults, especially on technological years – we have to be careful fraud,” Lappartient told Reuters. about it.” The UCI implemented a sys- He vowed to ensure independ- tem under which stewards check ence and transparency in drug bikes with iPads adapted with testing and “continue the fi ght This file photo taken on October 01, 2016 shows president of the French Cycling Federation (FFC) David Lap- magnets to detect hidden mo- against technological fraud”, al- partient during the French Track Cycling championships in Bordeaux, southwestern France. Lappartient has tors, but a joint report earlier this though he said the UCI would succeeded Briton Brian Cookson as UCI president. (AFP) month suggested the method, “need to implement new sys- also criticised by several riders tems”. lowing years of doping scan- gutter.” partient, the incumbent Euro- and team managers, was inef- He also admitted that the dals and the fall-out from Lance In the build-up to yester- pean Cycling Federation presi- fective. “economic model of our sport Armstrong’s admission of cheat- day’s election, Cookson ac- dent and until March the French “We were not professional is not very strong”, pointing to ing throughout his career, which cused his predecessor McQuaid federation president too, said enough on this subject and I will the team sponsors being local or saw him stripped of his record of working against him behind it was “not a photo-fi nish, the bring some new ideas to check national companies rather than seven Tour de France wins. the scenes. McQuaid was frank message of the membership was the bikes and to be stronger global names. “The UCI I leave behind is in his support for Lappartient, clear: they want to have new on this subject. I don’t want Briton Cookson, 66, had beat- unrecognisable from the organi- telling Cyclingnews website that leadership”. the UCI to be seen as weak in en Ireland’s Pat McQuaid in a sation I took over in 2013 and I the UCI “needs a change” and Lappartient, who said he was the fi ght against technological bitter and farcical election four depart with my head held high,” describing Cookson as a “fraud”. “deeply honoured” by his elec- fraud,” Lappartient said. years ago but in defeat became said Cookson. The election vote was a sur- tion, becomes the 11th president The 44-year-old Frenchman the fi rst UCI president to fail to “Someone needed to stand up prise for many who had expected of the UCI since its creation in added he wants a method used earn a second term. and take on the previous regime, a close-run battle. 1900. by Tour de France organisers to India’s Srikanth Kidambi hits a return against Hu Yun of Hong He came to power in 2013 fol- who had dragged cycling into the But in earning 37 votes, Lap- He was French federation be used more widely. Kong during their men’s second round match at the Japan Open Badminton Championships in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) Bike change storm in a tea-cup for Dumoulin World champion Tom Dumou- bike for the twisting ascent to decided to stay on his time-trial ens opened, making the time- a change – which was thought Bosse’s alleged attacker lodges lin sparked a storm when his the finish. bike and soldier on up the hill. trial bike a more risky option could gain 20-30sec while taking own complaint promptings led to cycling bosses That move sparked outrage from “I was doubting for a long time for a slippery climb, the leading less than 10sec to perform – had agreeing to let riders change four-time world champion Tony actually,” he said after securing contenders almost to a man any aff ect on the outcome. The man world 800 metres champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse bikes during Wednesday’s world Martin, who feared it would cost his first world title, with Primoz decided not to change bikes. Roglic was one to change and said attacked him has himself filed a complaint that the athlete championships time-trial. Back him a chance of defending his Roglic of Slovenia second and In the case of Dumoulin, the he was fastest up the climb but provoked him, his lawyer Arnaud Dupin said Wednesday. in the spring, the Dutch cycling title, but after the UCI gave the Briton Cris Froome third. At first decision had been made before Dumoulin was second quickest Bosse, 25, was victim of a late night attack in a casino car park federation had asked global go-ahead, several riders opted to I thought definitely bike change, he set off , and because he had and didn’t. in his one-time training base of Gujan-Mestras in southwestern governing body the UCI to allow make the change on a specially but then I saw the climb last expected to be riding in the dry. Portugal’s Nelson Oliveira France that left him with “multiple facial fractures” and 18 days a bike change for the time-trial laid out red carpet just before Friday and was already doubting. “It started raining and I needed climbed from fifth to fourth of sick leave. French police arrested a 24-year-old man in con- course which finished on a steep the climb began. “Then yesterday I thought ‘let’s to take the corners really slowly, while Wilco Kelderman went nection with the assault, which forced Bosse to put an early 3.4km climb after 28km of nor- That led to farcical scenes in Ber- not take the risk’. “I’m one of the especially in the first kilometre from 11th to seventh after chang- end to his season. mal, flat riding. gen as several riders, including guys who can do a good climb of the climb with all the twists ing their bikes. But the alleged aggressor, while not denying he punched The idea was to allow Dumou- Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko, clum- on a TT bike, I have no problems and turns,” he said. But Froome climbed from sev- Bosse, has lodged a complaint saying that the altercation lin, who went on to win gold, sily leapt off one and onto the handling it – so it was the right “On every corner my back wheel enth to third and Rohan Dennis started when the athlete threw a beer can at his head, which the chance to ride a specialist other, almost toppling over as he decision, I think.” was slipping as I had the TT bike of Australia surged back from he managed to deflect with his arm – that was left bruised. time-trial bike with a back wheel did so. But when Dumoulin’s turn Most riders had dry conditions because I thought it was going 22nd to eighth after sticking “The trigger was the beer can being thrown,” said lawyer disc for the first 28km and then came, like many of the other for their race and decided to to be dry!” to their TT bikes, leaving that Dupin, adding he didn’t know why Bosse “had targeted my jump off and onto a normal road leading contenders, he simply change bikes but once the heav- There was no way of telling if debate a mystery. client”.

ATHLETICS SPOTLIGHT Australia invited to fi rst Cash-starved Indian javelin Asian Games in 2022 AFP Games and Martial Arts Games athletes and 150 support Sydney in Turkmenistan. staff ”. Coates, who is also a mem- “Volleyball, football, basket- star Kang mulls Italy move ber of the Association of Oce- ball and equestrian are among thletes from Australia ania NOCs, said the decision the sports for which Olym- AFP dian 400m hurdler now in Italy. selected in the scheme then you and the rest of Oce- on Hangzhou – the next but pic qualifi cation for Australia New Delhi He has been off ered support will fi nd many who have not even ania have been invit- one Asian Games, after Indo- is likely to be through Asia,” worth $2,000 a month but would qualifi ed for the world champi- ed to compete at the nesia hosts the tournament Coates said in a statement. have to compete for Italy. onships. 2022A Asian Games, Austral- in 2018 – was made by OCA However, it is unlikely that avinder Singh Kang, India’s TOPS committee has “I have given them time to put ian Olympic chief John Coates president Sheikh Ahmad al- equestrian will take up the op- who this year became recently named 107 athletes my name in the scheme or else said yesterday, days after the Fahad al Sabah. portunity because rules gener- the fi rst Indian to reach who would be supported for I will be forced to take the Italy Olympic Council of Asia said ally require horses to be quar- the world champion- the Commonwealth Games and route,” he added. such a move was unlikely. Australia has 18 athletes antined for up to six months on shipsD javelin fi nal, has threat- Asian Games next year and the Kang, who won bronze at the The OCA’s invite to the return from China. currently competing in ened to compete for Italy un- 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Asian Athletics Championships Games in China’s Hangzhou is taekwondo, weightlift ing Coates said international less he gets more government Kang came just 12th in the in July, says he has thousands of for selected sports only to en- and wrestling at the Asian federations were currently de- fi nance. world championship fi nals in dollars of debt but will pursue able regional athletes to quali- Indoor Games in termining their qualifi cation Kang told AFP he is struggling London in August but says he his dream of an Olympic medal. fy for the 2024 Paris Olympics Ashgabat, Turkmenistan rules for the 2020 Tokyo Ol- to cover training and travel costs to fi nd my name omitted from is determined to prove Indian The Punjabi insists that he loves through Asian competition, ympics “and these will provide and is in talks with Italian sports the list. What else do I need to sports leaders wrong. his country. Coates said. Sheikh Ahmad said on Mon- a guide as to all of the sports authorities. do to prove my point,” Kang told “I have a shoulder injury but “I owe a lot of money to many Oceania – Australia, New day that the number of Asian and NOCs for which qualifi - Kang, a 28-year-old army of- AFP. will still participate in the the people including some of my Zealand and a swathe of Pacifi c Games athletes was capped at cation from Oceania will be fi cer, is angry at being left out of “If you are not taking your upcoming National Open Ath- supplement suppliers. Pursuing islands – has not taken part in 15,000, suggesting Australia through Asia for Paris 2024”. India’s Target Olympic Podium top and deserving athletes in the letics Championships in Chen- sports is an expenses thing, but I the regional Olympics before, and Oceania would be unable Australia has 18 athletes Scheme (TOPS), a sports min- scheme then I am afraid we are nai and prove my worth by fetch- have chosen this path as a proud but sporting ties with Asia to take part – although excep- currently competing in taek- istry initiative started in 2015 to forced to go out in trying to pur- ing another medal there,” said Indian. have been growing. tions could be made in some wondo, weightlifting and give money help to medal hope- sue our talent and dreams. Kang. “Athletes know that I have re- Australia has been a mem- team sports. wrestling at the Asian Indoor fuls. Kang said he was in talks “There is a team of 27 that corded an 88 meter-plus throw ber of the Asian Football Con- Coates said because of the Games in Ashgabat, Turkmen- “I meet every criteria that with Italy’s Campionati Nazi- went for the world champion- and 90m is an Olympic record federation since 2006, and 15,000 maximum, “the num- istan, the fi rst OCA event to deserves a name in the TOPS onali Universitari, an elite sports ships and I was the lone fi nal- and there is no doubt that I will Oceania nations are currently bers from the NOCs of Oceania feature athletes from the Oce- scheme, but am simply amazed training scheme, through an In- ist. If we talk about the athletes get a medal,” he said. competing at the Asian Indoor will be capped at around 300 ania region. Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 5 SPORT

BASEBALL Sale becomes fi rst AL pitcher to record 300 strikeouts since ’99 Sale joins Pedro Martinez as only the second pitcher in Red Sox history with 300 strikeouts

Reuters mondbacks extended their lead to 5 1/2 Gonzalez, who struck out eight and Boston games on Colorado in the race for the lowered his ERA to 2.68, hadn’t beaten top National League wild card. the Braves since September 2015. At- Arizona got home runs from David lanta’s Arodys Vizcaino walked in three hris Sale became the fi rst Peralta, Jake Lamb, JD Martinez — his runs in the eighth inning. Adam Lind American League pitcher with 41st of the season — and AJ Pollock. had a two-run single, and Michael A. 300 strikeouts in a season Renfroe has 24 home runs, tying the Taylor drove in the fi nal run of the in- since Pedro Martinez in 1999 Padres’ rookie record set by Nate Col- ning with a single, both off Rex Brothers. andC the Boston Red Sox completed a bert in 1969. three-game sweep of the Baltimore San Diego’s Rocky Gale and Chris- RANGERS 8, MARINERS 6 Orioles with a 9-0 victory on Wednes- tian Villanueva belted their fi rst career Rougned Odor’s grand slam capped a day night at the Major League Baseball. homers. The nine long balls set a Petco seven-run fourth inning, and Texas Sale (17-7) struck out 13 and tied a Park record for a single game. hung on to defeat Seattle. With their career high with his 17th victory. He al- third consecutive victory, the Rangers lowed only four hits and did not walk GIANTS 4, ROCKIES 0 moved 2 1/2 games back of the Twins in a batter over eight innings. Sale joins Matt Moore blanked Colorado on six the American League wild-card chase. Martinez as only the second pitcher in hits in six-plus innings, leading San Shin-Soo Choo and Nomar Mazara Red Sox history with 300 strikeouts. Francisco to victory. Joe Panik stroked each had two hits for Texas, which got Mookie Betts and Deven Marrero a single, double and triple, Pablo San- six innings of three-run ball from An- homered for fi rst-place Boston, which doval laced a pair of doubles and Bran- drew Cashner (10-10). The Mariners’ has won 11 of 14 and remained three don Crawford added a solo home run Felix Hernandez (5-5) yielded six runs games ahead of the New York Yankees for the Giants, who completed a two- (fi ve earned) in 3 1/3 innings. in the AL East. Dustin Pedroia snapped game sweep that gave them fi ve straight an 0-for-18 skid with a two-run double home wins over the Rockies. CARDINALS 9, REDS 2 in the eighth. Moore (6-14), who entered the game Matt Carpenter, Dexter Fowler and Red Sox designated hitter Hanley with the second-highest ERA in the Paul DeJong homered, and rookie Luke Ramirez, who had been bothered by left majors (5.39), cruised to only his second Weaver allowed two runs through fi ve arm soreness, was back in the starting win over Colorado. innings to lift St. Louis over Cincinnati. lineup for the fi rst time in six games. He Tommy Pham went 3-for-5 with two went 3-for-5 with three RBIs. ASTROS 4, WHITE SOX 3 doubles and two RBIs for the Cardinals. Brad Peacock staked his claim to a Weaver (7-1) struck out seven and did MARLINS 9, METS 2 slot in the postseason rotation, working not walk a batter to extend his major- Giancarlo Stanton hit his major- six strong innings as Houston held off league-leading win streak to seven league-leading 56th homer and Jose Chicago. Peacock (12-2) allowed only games. Yadier Molina and Fowler each Urena won his 14th game as Miami one hit, a two-run homer by Yoan Mon- had two RBIs for St. Louis. Four Car- completed a three-game sweep of New cada in the fourth inning, while getting dinals relievers combined to retire 12 York. Stanton went 2-for-5 with three six strikeouts against two walks. of the fi nal 13 Reds batters to fi nish off RBIs, including a two-run shot in the He retired the side in order in four the win. eighth inning. of his six innings while producing his He is on pace to hit 60 homers this sixth consecutive start with two or ROYALS 15, BLUE JAYS 5 season, which would make him the fewer earned runs allowed. The Astros’ Mike Moustakas set a club record for sixth player in major league history to Evan Gattis delivered a seeing-eye, RBI home runs in a season and Jakob Janis reach that milestone. Urena (14-6) al- single in the second inning that scored won his sixth straight decision as Kan- lowed seven hits, no walks and two runs Carlos Correa. Gattis scored in the sas City defeated Toronto. Moustakas in eight innings to win for the fi fth time fourth after working a two-out walk hit his 37th homer in the four-run sixth in his last six decisions. Justin Bour hit and coming home along with Marwin inning to surpass the former mark set a two-run homer and tied his career Gonzalez when Yuli Gurriel hit a two- by Steve Balboni, who hit 36 in 1985. high with his 23rd of the season. Bour’s run double to right-center fi eld. Whit Merrifi eld and Salvador Perez, 71 RBIs are two short of his career high. who had three RBIs, also homered for PHILLIES 7, DODGERS 5 the Royals. Moustakas and Merrifi eld INDIANS 6, ANGELS 5 Aaron Altherr had four late-inning each had three hits. Junis (8-2) allowed Francisco Lindor’s two-run homer in RBIs, including the game-deciding four runs (two earned), three hits and the seventh inning snapped a 2-2 tie double in the eighth inning, as Phila- two walks while striking out three in 6 as Cleveland won its fourth straight delphia defeated Los Angeles for the 1/3 innings. His winning streak is the game and 26th in its last 27 contests. Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale pitches in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles during the Major League third straight time. The Dodgers took a longest by a Royals rookie since Miguel Los Angeles remained 1 1/2 games be- Baseball at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, USA, on Wednesday night. (USA TODAY Sports) 4-2 lead in the seventh when Cody Bell- Asencio won six in a row in 2002. hind Minnesota for the second AL wild inger lined a two-run double to right card spot while the Indians remained 1 York completed a three-game sweep of after. Snell opened the season with came against Corey Knebel (1-3). It was fi eld. Los Angeles’ bullpen, though, ATHLETICS 3, TIGERS 2 1/2 ahead of Houston for the AL’s best Minnesota. 15 starts without a win, but now has a his third career walk-off home run. couldn’t hold the lead. Altherr crushed Daniel Mengden followed up a shutout record. Gregorius hit his 25th homer in the streak of 10 straight starts without a Frazier drove in four runs, and Star- a two-run homer to tie the score 4-4 in by tossing seven scoreless innings and Cleveland also climbed within one fourth inning, breaking the record set loss. Cubs starter Jon Lester (11-8) was ling Marte was 2-for-4 with an RBI for the seventh inning, and Tommy Joseph Marcus Semien drove in all three runs game of the Los Angeles Dodgers for by former captain Derek Jeter in 1999. tagged for seven earned runs and eight the Pirates, who had lost 12 of their pre- put the Phillies ahead 5-4 with a tow- in Oakland’s win over Detroit. Mengden the top mark in baseball. Lindor’s home Judge became the fourth rookie in hits in 4 1/3 innings, ending a run of vious 13. ering shot. Both homers came off Ross (2-1) gave up seven hits but didn’t walk run was his 31st of the season, the most team history to reach 100 RBIs, join- three straight wins. The Brewers missed a chance to move Stripling. Los Angeles tied it in the a batter while striking out four. in major league history by a switch-hit- ing Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio (1936), First-place Chicago maintained its 3 into a tie with Colorado for the second eighth, setting the stage for Altherr. The right-hander allowed two hits ting shortstop. Bryan Shaw pitched the Tony Lazzeri (1926) and Hideki Matsui. 1/2-game lead over the Brewers in the National League wild-card spot. Do- while blanking Philadelphia on Friday. fi nal two innings for the Indians, strik- National League Central heading into mingo Santana and Jesus Aguilar each NATIONALS 7, BRAVES 3 Mengden was recalled from Triple-A ing out Mike Trout to end it. RAYS 8, CUBS 1 their four-game series in Milwaukee. hit solo homers for Milwaukee. Washington scored six runs in the Nashville on Sept. 5. Semien had a run- Blake Snell allowed two hits in seven eighth inning to defeat Atlanta and give scoring double and two-run homer for YANKEES 11, TWINS 3 scoreless innings and Tampa Bay ended PIRATES 6, BREWERS 4 DIAMONDBACKS 13, PADRES 7 Gio Gonzalez a rare victory over the the Athletics, who won their fourth Didi Gregorius set a team record for Chicago’s seven-game winning streak. Adam Frazier delivered a two-out, two- Arizona erased a four-run defi cit and Braves. Gonzalez (15-7) allowed three straight game. Bruce Maxwell, who left home runs by a shortstop with a three- Snell (4-6) won his fourth straight de- run walk-off homer in the ninth inning slugged four home runs to defeat San hits in seven innings, but included were the game in the ninth after getting hit in run shot and Aaron Judge hit his Ameri- cision, giving up two hits and erasing as Pittsburgh halted a seven-game los- Diego despite three home runs by Pa- homers by Freddie Freeman and Kurt the catcher’s mask by a foul ball, sup- can League-leading 45th homer as New both with double plays immediately ing streak. Frazier’s homer, his sixth, dres rookie Hunter Renfroe. The Dia- Suzuki that put Atlanta up 2-1. plied two hits and scored twice.

SPOTLIGHT Over-training cost Lions series win over All Blacks: O’Brien Kings beat Canucks in NHL’s China ice-breaker Dublin: Over-training before the O’Brien criticised backs coach first and the final tests against Rob Howley for not conveying AFP the All Blacks cost the British his messages clearly and said Shanghai and Irish Lions the chance to fly-halfs Johnny Sexton and win the three-test series in New Owen Farrell had stepped up Zealand earlier this year, Ireland to take charge. “Rob struggled anner Pearson scored two break- flanker Sean O’Brien has said. with the group in terms of his away goals to pace the LA Kings After losing the first test 30-15 attributes of trying to get stuff to a 5-2 pre-season win over Van- in Auckland, the Lions inflicted across, whereas Johnny and couver yesterday in the fi rst-ever a rare home defeat on New Zea- Owen drove everything the TNational Hockey League (NHL) game land to level the series in Wel- second week,” he said. played in China. The game in Shanghai lington a week later, before a “The coaches have a lot was the fi rst of two Kings-Canucks ex- 15-15 stalemate in the third test to answer for in terms of our hibitions staged by the NHL, the latest on their return to Eden Park. attack rather than Johnny and foreign sports league to turn hopeful eyes O’Brien, who played all three Faz trying to drive it. I think we toward China’s growing market in search matches, said a triple training should have won 3-0 with the of future fans and revenues. The second session ahead of the first test players we had.” game is in Beijing tomorrow. and a similar schedule before The NHL is hoping to make an im- the decider had ruined the Li- FRANCE VOTES AGAINST pression in China and seven total goals ons’ chances of victory. “I think ENGLAND PLAN TO combined with fi ne passing dazzled we should have won. With the SHORTEN SIX NATIONS the 10,000 spectators though the game players we had, we should have The English Rugby Football Un- was slowed repeatedly by penalties. The won the series,” he said on the ion’s proposal to condense the Kings’ Adrian Kempe scored the NHL’s Off The Ball sports podcast on Six Nations Championship into fi rst goal in China eight minutes into the Ireland’s Newstalk radio station. a six-week schedule from 2020 game with a slapshot from the left point. “The first week we definitely appears to be dead in the water Pearson wristed home his fi rst several over-trained on the Thursday after France voted against the minutes later, and the Kings went up 3-0 and maybe the coaches were plan, according to multiple in the second period when Alec Martinez panicking a little bit about get- reports in the British media. fi rst-timed a pass from the right point Los Angeles Kings’ Oscar Fantenberg attacks the puck during the NHL pre-season game in Shanghai yesterday. (AFP) ting the information into us. On The RFU motion would have and into the net. Vancouver were never the first week (of the first Test), seen England and France sit out able to close the gap despite goals down ston Rockets star centre Yao Ming. But nental Hockey League, widely considered foreign leagues and their sports-equip- we had a triple day, lads’ legs the first weekend of fixtures, all the stretch by Sven Baertschi and Markus a host of other leagues also are testing the world’s second-best, last year ac- ment sponsors smell a potential gold were heavy on the Thursday teams compete on the second Granlund. the waters. Major European soccer clubs cepted Beijing-based hockey team Kun- mine. In 2015, Song Andong, then liv- and we were playing the All weekend, and France and Eng- “I think it’s great for China to see the tour each year, the US National Football lun Red Star as a full-fl edged member. ing in the US, became the fi rst Chinese- Blacks on Saturday. land play each other in the third, NHL up live and in person and see the League is eyeing a possible future game in The team, mixing Russian, Chinese, born player drafted by the NHL when the “We did nearly a similar thing usually a rest week under the speed of the game and how good the play- the country, and Australian-rules foot- US and European players, promptly made New York Islanders selected him. China, in the last week. So maybe it’s current format. However, Wales, ers are,” Canucks coach Travis Green said ball in May staged what it called the fi rst the playoff s. The number of Chinese who meanwhile, is scouting North American more (from) a coaching point of Ireland, Scotland and Italy are afterward. “But any time you bring hock- regular-season match in China by a for- play ice hockey regularly is believed to be players with Chinese links who may be view, in terms of taking lessons. in favour of keeping the present ey to a new country, it’s gonna take time.” eign sports league. miniscule, and the sport’s growth hurdles unable to make the deep US and Cana- Less is more sometimes on a format of five rounds played The US National Basketball Asso- The NHL hopes to ride a wave of inter- include heavy investments for equipment dian squads but could potentially bolster tour like that, rather than trying over seven weeks with two rest ciation remains the standard for tapping est — stoked by China’s Communist gov- and building indoor rinks. China’s national teams. China’s women to pick things up at the end of periods. The quartet were sup- China’s market, earning millions of fans ernment — in winter sports ahead of the But a nascent sports culture is emerg- are ranked eighth in the world but its men the week.” ported by France. thanks in part to Chinese former Hou- 2022 Beijing Olympics. Russia’s Konti- ing as China’s middle-class prospers, and are just 37th, two rungs below Israel. Gulf Times 6 Friday, September 22, 2017 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA BUNDESLIGA Dortmund Express crushes Hamburg Real beaten by Betis 3-0 to stay top

Reuters ing off a quick Dortmund break Berlin and he should have scored an- other when he had only keeper Christian Mathenia to beat in orussia Dortmund the 74th. on Ronaldo return steamrollered Ham- Pulisic made sure of the burg SV 3-0 on three points fi ve minutes later ‘The league is very long, in the end we’ll see how it goes but we need to be calm’ Wednesday to remain with his shot going in off the topB of the Bundesliga with post. their 750th league win, setting Dortmund are a point ahead a club record having not con- of Bayern Munich after the ceded this season. champions’ 3-0 win at Schalke Goals from Shinji Kagawa, 04 on Tuesday. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Hoff enheim climbed to and Christian Pulisic helped third, on 11, after recover- lift them onto 13 points and set ing from a two-goal defi cit to a club record of keeping fi ve snatch a 3-2 stoppage-time consecutive clean sheets at the win at Mainz 05 thanks to start of the season. Mark Uth’s late winner “When the team again keeps Hanover 96 failed to keep a clean sheet and then scores pace and dropped to fourth three goals as well then I can also on 11 after their 1-1 draw only be proud of them,” Dort- at Freiburg, who earned a point mund coach Peter Bosz told thanks to substitute Nils Pe- reporters. tersen. “We had chances in the fi rst Super sub Petersen extend- half to score a second goal. If ed his league record of scoring we had done that at that point as a substitute with his 20th it would have been easier. It goal after coming on. was a very tough game, maybe Cologne made it fi ve losses the toughest so far.” in a row, their worst Bundes- Dortmund’s speed in attack liga start in the club’s history, was always going to be a prob- after their 1-0 defeat to Eintra- lem for the hosts and Ameri- cht Frankfurt. can Pulisic almost put the visi- Cologne, however, were left tors ahead early on. fuming after claiming the vid- Last season’s top Bundes- eo assistant referee should not liga scorer Aubameyang then have agreed with a decision headed on to the post from to award Eintracht’s winning a Andriy Yarmolenko cross penalty. before Japan international The club had already been Kagawa slotted in from close let down by the VAR last week range in the 25th. in their 5-0 loss to Dortmund Aubameyang got on the and had briefl y considered ap- score sheet in the 63rd, fi nish- pealing for a rematch.

VAR in focus as Bundesliga wrestles with technology The video assistant referee (VAR) was devised as a means to minimise controversy and provide more accurate decision- Real Betis’ forward from Paraguay Arnaldo Sanabria heads the ball to score a goal as Real Madrid’s goalkeeper from Costa Rica Keylor Navas dives to save it during the La Liga making but the introduction of the system in Germany has so match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. (AFP) far struggled to receive universal backing. VAR’s trial run in this season’s Bundesliga has left some AFP boss Quique Setien. “To win move involving Antoine Griez- clubs claiming the use of technology remains flawed and the Madrid against a team like this, your Atletico agree deal to re-sign mann and Saul Niguez. mechanism will come under close scrutiny once more when goalie has to have a spectacular And Yannick Carrasco secured the sixth round of matches kick off today. game and you have to have luck.” Costa from Chelsea the three points with an angled Cologne will be especially vigilant after they felt a strong ntonio Sanabria struck Ronaldo was recalled among Chelsea have agreed a deal to sell striker Diego Costa to Atletico fi nish from another Griezmann sense of injustice in their 5-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund last deep into stoppage three changes to the Madrid side Madrid, the Premier League club said yesterday, with the player set through ball 17 minutes from week when the opposition’s second goal should never have time to hand Real Betis from Sunday’s 3-1 win at Real So- to move in January. “Chelsea Football Club has today agreed terms time before Raul Garcia netted a stood despite the referee using the VAR. a shock 1-0 win away ciedad as Zinedine Zidane named with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa,” Chelsea said late consolation for the hosts. The side were equally as incredulous on Wednesday when Ein- toA Real Madrid on Wednesday as his strongest available side. How- UEFA awarded their show- in a statement. “The transfer will be subject to the agreement of tracht Frankfurt were awarded a contentious penalty and the the European champions failed ever, it was the visitors who made personal terms and a medical.” piece event for next season to VAR was not even consulted despite protests from Cologne’s to score for the fi rst time in 74 the stronger start and should Atletico said the 28-year-old Brazil-born Spain international, who left Atletico’s new Wanda Metro- players. matches. have gone in front when Sanab- the club to join Chelsea in 2014, would have a medical in the next politano earlier in the day. Cologne should later have been awarded what appeared to be Defeat leaves Real already sev- ria’s goalbound eff ort was cleared few days before completing the move in the New Year. And the feel-good factor a clear penalty but the VAR was once again not deployed as en points adrift of leaders Bar- off the line by Dani Carvajal. Spanish media said that Atletico, who face Chelsea in the Champions around Atletico following their the home side went on to lose 1-0. celona just fi ve games into their Keylor Navas also produced League next Wednesday, had agreed a club-record fee of around 55 1-0 victory over Malaga to open “I have no idea how such decisions are taken,” Cologne sport- defence of La Liga having failed a stunning save to tip Fabian million euros ($65.55 million) to resign Costa. their new 68,000 capacity home ing director Joerg Schmadtke said. “I can understand it on the to win in all three home games Ruiz’s rising drive over the bar. Costa has not featured for Chelsea since the FA Cup final in May, fol- at the weekend continued with pitch but not when I see the replays on TV. I don’t want to play so far this season. Even the pres- At the other end, Adan made lowing which he said manager Antonio Conte sent him a text telling a commanding display in their the chief ref every week but everyone saw the scenes.” ence of Cristiano Ronaldo on his a smart stop to deny Isco just him he was not in his plans for the new season. fi fth away trip in six games so far Cologne, bottom of the table, will now be hoping technology return from a fi ve-match do- before half-time and Betis had The striker won two league titles in three years at Stamford Bridge, this season. “It is another im- will not be a talking point at Hanover 96 on Sunday when they mestic ban couldn’t break Betis’ to resist an onslaught after the scoring 52 goals in 89 appearances. portant step for the club. Hope- look to snap their five-game losing streak. resistance as former Real goal- break. Ronaldo blazed wildly With the European transfer window closed and Atletico banned from fully on the fi eld we can match Schalke 04 also complained about the VAR following their 3-0 keeper Antonio Adan produced over from Bale’s inch-perfect registering new players until 2018 for breaching FIFA rules, Costa the growth of the club,” said loss to champions Bayern Munich, while Bayer Leverkusen stunning saves from Isco, Toni cross before Kroos forced Adan will be unable to play for Atletico until Jan. 2. Atletico coach Diego Simeone. sporting director Rudi Voller accused referees overseeing the Kroos and Gareth Bale. into another fi nger-tip stop. He would, however, be allowed to train with his new team mates “We are making an enormous system of “falling asleep” after last month’s game against Hof- And Betis snatched all three The former Madrid goalkeep- until then. Costa joined Atletico in 2006 and following a string of eff ort. We have played fi ve games fenheim. There have also been some matches played without points in the 93rd minute when er’s fi nest moment came in de- loan spells established himself as a key part of Diego Simeone’s title away from home and the re- the VAR due to a system malfunction. Sanabria powered home a header nying Bale in spectacular fashion winning side in 2013-14 before joining Chelsea in a deal worth 32 mil- sponse has been positive.” Despite not enjoying the universal approval the German Foot- from Antonio Barragan’s cross. 15 minutes from time, though, as lion pounds ($43.21 million). Sevilla moved into second, ball Association (DFB) had hoped for, the authority has called “Last year we won games we the Welshman’s backheeled vol- two points behind Barca, as Je- for patience during the trial period of a system still hated by didn’t deserve to and now it is the ley was turned onto the post. sus Navas scored the only goal many soccer traditionalists. reverse,” said Real coach Zinedine Betis were the side to fi nally be denied as he bulleted a header impressive 2-1 win at Athletic of the game in a 1-0 win over “I have always been in favour of remaining calm,” DFB boss Zidane. “The league is very long, have the ball in the net as the into the far corner from Antonio Bilbao to move up to third. The Las Palmas. Alaves remain with- Reinhard Grindel said. “That is the point for this model project. in the end we’ll see how it goes game entered fi ve minutes of Barragan’s cross. visitors needed to rely on a bril- out a point or even a goal after To evaluate technical and content questions over an entire but we need to be calm and we stoppage time, but Sanabria liant penalty save from Jan Oblak fi ve games as Luisinho’s winner season.” know we will have better days.” had strayed off side as he turned Atletico celebrate to deny Aritz Aduriz just before handed Deportivo la Coruna a 1-0 Grindel is not alone, however, with Dortmund president It is the fi rst time Betis have home Andres Guardado’s shot. Earlier, Atletico Madrid cel- half-time. win for their fi rst victory of the Reinhard Rauball, who also heads the German football league won at the Bernabeu since 1998. However, they broke with ebrated being awarded the hon- Angel Correa opened the scor- season. Leganes stay in the top (DFL) that oversees the top two divisions, saying the technol- “It is impossible to win here purpose once more minutes later our of hosting the Champions ing 10 minutes into the second- half after a 0-0 draw at home to ogy would help make more impartial calls. without suff ering,” said Betis and this time Sanabria wasn’t to League fi nal in 2019 with an half by fi nishing off a fl owing Girona.

SERIE A Napoli storm back at Lazio to top the table Reuters Juve moved two points above In- pions and their attack featured Rome ter Milan who drew with Bologna Diego Maradona. They were sec- on Tuesday. AC Milan are fourth ond best in the fi rst half though after beating SPAL 2-0 – Ricar- against Lazio who took the lead apoli struck three times do Rodriguez and Franck Kessie when Ciro Immobile burst down in fi ve minutes after the both converting penalties. the right and cut back for De Vrij break as they beat Lazio Edin Dzeko continued his rich to fi re home from close range. 4-1 away to move top of vein of form as he scored twice Lazio were stunned when NSerie A on Wednesday. for Roma in a 4-0 thrashing of the game turned upside down Stefan de Vrij had given Lazio bottom club Benevento 4-0 – in two minutes after the break. a halftime lead but Kalidou their ninth consecutive away Koulibaly levelled after 54 min- Koulibaly, Jose Callejon and victory in Serie A. utes before Marek Hamsik set up Dries Mertens with a stunner Benevento’s Fabio Lucioni and Callejon to score from 12 yards. turned the match on its head as Lorenzo Venuti also scored own Napoli were running riot Napoli roared back. goals. Dzeko, top scorer in Serie and Mertens scored an incred- Jorginho rounded things off A last season, already has fi ve ible third, hooking the ball home with a stoppage-time penalty. goals to his name from Roma’s from a tight angle having been Napoli have a maximum 15 four games. Roma are seventh forced wide by Lazio keeper points from fi ve games, the same with nine points, although they Thomas Strakosha. as Juventus who beat Fiorentina have played a game less than all “I would not be uncomfort- 1-0 thanks to Mario Mandzukic’s the sides ahead of them. able with the comparison with 53rd-minute header. Fiorentina Torino are up to fi fth after a Maradona,” Napoli boss Mau- had Milan Badelj sent off . “Na- 3-2 win at Udinese. rizio Sarri said. poli have grown a lot and will Napoli have won their open- Atalanta Bergamo were the fi ght for the title,” Juventus man- ing fi ve games of a Serie A season night’s biggest winners, beat- ager Massimiliano Allegri said. for the fi rst time since 1987-88 ing Crotone 5-1 with Alejandro Napoli’s Belgian forward Dries Mertens (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Italian Serie A match against at the Olympic Both Napoli and champions when they were reigning cham- Gomez scoring twice. Stadium in Rome. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, September 22, 2017 7 FOOTBALL

COMMENT Liverpool boss Klopp: crisis, what crisis?

AFP Thrashed 5-0 at Manchester than it is or we can take it like it is. “I games they have dominated, ques- London City before frustrating home draws understand 100 per cent why we sit tions have been asked about whether against Sevilla and Burnley, Liver- here and talk about the things that Klopp has the right sort of characters pool return to Leicester this weekend have happened. in his squad. urgen Klopp claims criticism with injury concerns over defenders “I know already about all these There are no longer the likes of of Liverpool’s recent struggles Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip. problems and I’ve made my decision Anfi eld icons Steven Gerrard and is unjustifi ed because their In the circumstances, some critics already how to work with it, but if I Jamie Carragher to rally the players, poor run is just a temporary have predicted another dispiriting talk a lot about it I only create head- but Klopp was quick to defend his blip.J defeat against the Foxes. lines ‘Klopp says this. Klopp says current group. “Yes we have the right Klopp’s side crashed out of the Reds boss Klopp admits Liverpool that’ and it doesn’t help us. characters. Yes sometimes we react League Cup at Leicester on Tuesday are far from the fi nished article, but “We have work to do but that really well, sometimes we don’t react to extend their winless run to four he believes the situation is not as bad would be the same if we had 15 perfectly,” he said. matches in all competitions. as portrayed. points, only it would feel diff erent “That is how it always is and we Liverpool have conceded the fi rst “It sounds like we have no points but it would be the same. can improve on each part of our goal in their last four games, result- and are completely the worst team in “We conceded fi rst goal against game. Character is nothing fi xed. ing in two draws and two defeats, and the league,” he said on Thursday. Sevilla and responded really well, “Someone says you cannot im- that defensive vulnerability has been “Yes we have problems, that is we conceded the fi rst goal against prove on this, you cannot change compounded by an inability to con- why we ‘only’ have eight points and Burnley and responded really well.” your mentality but of course you vert a signifi cant number of chances. not 15. We can make it more serious Given Liverpool’s failure to win can.” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp (centre) during a League Cup match. (Reuters)

LEAGUE CUP EPL Palace enter lion’s den with trip to Man United, City Manchester City

Reuters urday with striker Romelu London Lukaku needing one goal to equal Louis Saha’s record for the most goals scored after six he side that cannot Premier League appearances into fourth round stop scoring goals for United (six). hosts one that has The weekend action kicks ‘That was hard work, credit to Doncaster. I was concerned, they looked dangerous’ forgotten what it feels off with a feisty-looking Lon- Tlike to see the net bulge when don derby between West Ham leaders Manchester City face United and Tottenham Hot- rock bottom Crystal Palace in spur – a fi xture that last sea- the Premier League tomorrow. son eff ectively ended the title Pep Guardiola’s City slickers race with West Ham beating look like the real deal this sea- their high-fl ying rivals 1-0. son and 11 of the 16 league goals Fifth-placed Tottenham will they have scored in fi ve Pre- be eager to erase the memory mier League matches arrived of that bitter disappointment in their last two games, either and will probably be happy side of a Champions League to be playing away after three thrashing of Feyenoord. league games without a victo- A 5-0 romp against sup- ry at their temporary Wembley posed title rivals Liverpool was Stadium home. followed by a 6-0 hammering Champions Chelsea, in of Watford and quite what City third place, travel to a Stoke will do to a Palace side without City while faltering Liverpool any points or goals is a wor- have an immediate chance to rying thought for followers of avenge their midweek League the south London strugglers. Cup exit at the hands of Especially considering the Leicester City as they go to the fact that the two previous King Power Stadium again. clashes between the sides this The vultures are circling year fi nished 3-0 and 5-0 to above Everton manager Ron- City. Palace did claim a mo- ald Koeman as his third-from- rale-boosting 1-0 victory over bottom side host Bourne- Huddersfi eld Town in the third mouth. round of the League Cup on Everton snapped a four- Tuesday but with Manches- match losing streak in all ter United and Chelsea loom- competitions, in which they ing after City there is the real scored none and conceded 12, prospect of eight successive by beating Sunderland 3-0 in defeats. Former England boss the League Cup. Roy Hodgson, who took over Surprise packages Burnley from Frank de Boer last week, and Huddersfi eld clash at Turf spoke of a light at the end of Moor in the fi rst top-fl ight fi x- the tunnel on Tuesday. An ture between the clubs since away trip to the Etihad Sta- 1971. Newly-promoted Hud- dium has probably arrived too dersfi eld are sixth, one place early in his reign for Palace to above a Burnley side who have emerge from the gloom. beaten Chelsea and drawn with City’s early-season pace has Tottenham and Liverpool so far. been matched by Jose Mour- Sunday’s fi xture sees inho’s Manchester United who Brighton and Hove Albion joined them at the top with a manager Chris Hughton up 4-0 win over misfi ring Everton against his former club New- last weekend – a result which castle United while Arsenal, means the two Manchester with ground to make up after clubs have identical records. a mediocre start to their cam- United travel to ninth- paign, host West Bromwich placed Southampton on Sat- Albion on Monday.

Manchester United’s English striker Marcus Rashford (right) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the English League Cup third round match against Burton Albion at Old Traff ord in Manchester. (AFP) United post record profits AFP Burton in stoppage-time. the Brazilian winger put Chelsea Manchester United announced record revenues and operat- London At the Hawthorns, City ahead in the 13th minute with his Mourinho calls for end to League Cup ing profits yesterday despite missing out on the riches of the boss Pep Guardiola made eight fi rst goal since March 2016. Champions League last season. The Old Traff ord club earned changes from the 6-0 demoli- Batshuayi’s close-range fi n- Jose Mourinho has admitted dispensable. revenues of £581.2 million ($783 million, 659 million euros) arcus Rashford fi red tion of Watford, giving Yaya ish doubled Chelsea’s lead six English football would be better “You know, if the competition in the 12 months to the end of June and made an operating Manchester United Toure his fi rst start of the season, minutes later before 20-year- off without the League Cup, just is an off icial competition, it profit of £80.8 million. Debt, linked to the purchase of the club into the League Cup while Ilkay Gundogan, back from old Belgian Charly Musonda seven months after winning the is important for Manchester by the Glazer family in 2005, dropped to £213.1 million from fourth round as the a serious knee injury, started for smashed in his fi rst Blues goal in competition with Manchester United and for me as a manager £260.9 million a year previously. Mholders crushed Burton 4-1, the fi rst time since December. the 40th minute. United. and I want the players to think Broadcasting revenue rocketed by 38.2 percent to £194.1 mil- while Manchester City eased It was from Gundogan’s saved Batshuayi got his second from Mourinho celebrated the first the same way,” Mourinho told lion following the Premier League’s new rights agreement. through with a 2-1 win at West shot that Leroy Sane slotted in Hazard’s pass in the 53rd minute major silverware of his United the BBC. Despite finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, Bromwich Albion on Wednesday. City’s third minute opener. and the Belgian striker complet- reign when his team beat “If you ask me could English United qualified for this season’s Champions League by virtue City and United, currently But, casting a shadow over ed his treble four minutes from Southampton 3-2 at Wembley football survive or even be bet- of winning the Europa League and also won the League Cup in fi rst and second in the Premier City’s progress, Gundogan full-time, with Forest replying last season. ter without this competition? Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge. Earlier this year, finan- League, took contrasting routes was forced off with a knock in through Tendayi Darikwa in the But after watching United kick Maybe. cial analysts Deloitte revealed United had returned to the top to the last 16, where they were the second half. Claudio Ya- closing moments. off their defence of the trophy “Maybe we would be fresher of football’s rich list for the first time since 2005, supplanting joined by Chelsea, Arsenal and cob equalised for Albion with a A week after his 17th birth- with a 4-1 win over second tier for European competitions, for Real Madrid thanks to revenues of £515 million. Everton as the big guns advanced close-range fi nish in the 72nd day, substitute Ethan Ampadu strugglers Burton at a well example. In June, US magazine Forbes said the Manchester giants despite fi elding weakened teams. minute, only for Germany wing- became the fi rst player born this below capacity Old Traff ord “But we have this competition, had overtaken Real Madrid as the world’s most valuable United manager Jose Mourin- er Sane to produce a superb curl- millennium to represent Chel- on Wednesday, Mourinho we have to respect, we have to football team thanks to the club’s enduring brand appeal and ho made nine changes from the ing winner fi ve minutes later. sea. Theo Walcott sealed Arse- conceded the tournament often respect the sponsors, we have aggressive sponsorship strategies. “We concluded a success- side that thrashed Everton on Michy Batshuayi’s hat-trick nal’s 1-0 win over third tier Don- does more harm than good. to respect the opponents, we ful 2016/17 season with a total of three trophies (including Sunday, with Rashford and Juan helped Chelsea crush second caster at the Emirates Stadium. Mourinho showed where the have to respect the profession- the Community Shield) and a return to Champions League Mata the only survivors. tier Nottingham Forest 5-1 at Gunners boss Arsene Wenger League Cup ranks on his prior- alism of all of us trying to do football,” said executive vice chairman Ed Woodward. “We are Rashford took just fi ve min- Stamford Bridge. Antonio Conte changed his entire line-up from ity list by making nine changes the best. pleased with the investment in our squad and look forward to utes to open the scoring with made nine changes from Sun- the Chelsea draw, with Per as Marcus Rashford, Jesse “If we can win it, we win it. If we an exciting season.” a deft fi nish and the England day’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal, Mertesacker, Alexis Sanchez Lingard and Anthony Martial don’t win it is because the op- The Premier League joint leaders expect similar figures dur- forward struck again in the 17th with Eden Hazard given his fi rst and Olivier Giroud among the scored United’s goals. ponents were better than us.” ing the current financial year. Woodward is also expecting a minute with a powerful eff ort. start of the season after recover- starters. Sanchez set up the 25th Even Burton boss Nigel Clough, Mourinho has won the League change in dynamic when it comes to bidding for TV rights, Burton, 19th in the Cham- ing from ankle surgery. minute opener, clipping a fi ne more concerned with Cham- Cup four times, including three with non-traditional players such as Facebook and Amazon pionship, were killed off in the Kenedy was starting for the pass to Walcott, who controlled pionship survival, made nine with Chelsea, while United have vying to enter the European football market. “Absolutely, I 36th minute when Jesse Lin- fi rst time since being sent home well before slotting home. changes to reduce the tie to lifted the trophy five times. think they’ll enter the mix,” he said. “I think anecdotally there gard’s shot defl ected in off Ben from Chelsea’s pre-season tour “That was hard work, credit virtual reserve clash status. His criticism about a competi- was strong interest in the last cycle. “We are hearing that Turner. Injury-ravaged United of Asia in July following his of- to Doncaster. I was concerned, The fact Burton view the early tion that has run since the around the Premier League table but we’re also hearing that left-back Luke Shaw came on for fensive social media comments they looked dangerous,” Wenger weeks of the league season 1960-61 season came on a night from a European perspective as well, in terms of interest in the his fi rst appearance since April about China. said. as more important than a trip when Manchester City, Chelsea Champions League and in Europa rights. “But I think the wider before Anthony Martial scored Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s to Old Traff ord highlights the and Arsenal all went through picture you have to look at (is) what is happening elsewhere the fourth from Rashford’s pass Batshuayi shines double blasted Everton to a 3-0 issues with a competition that to the last 16 despite fielding at the moment because obviously there aren’t any clear Euro- on the hour. His bid to get back in Conte’s victory over second tier Sunder- Mourinho believes could be under-strength teams. pean sales to these kind of partners at the moment.” Lloyd Dyer got one back for good books got underway when land at Goodison Park.

Friday, September 22, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

MATCH REPORT Al Gharafa, Umm Salal play out goalless draw By Sports Reporter to Syrian attacker Mahmoud al- Doha Mawas from a clearance. The Or- ange Fortress striker managed to drive with the ball down the wing l Gharafa and Umm and deliver a beautiful low cross Salal shared the spoils to Ismail Mahmoud. However, as the fi rst match of the Qatari attacker couldn’t con- the second round of the nect with the cross and fi nd the QNBA Stars League ended with a back of the net. 0-0 draw. The result temporar- The Cheetahs young winger, ily put Umm Salal on top of QNB Amr Abdulfattah enjoyed a good Stars league standings with four second half with a number of ex- points from two games, while Al citing runs and almost got his re- Gharafa are still looking for their ward when he had a chance from fi rst win of the campaign. close range and forced a brilliant The game had a slow start with save by the goalkeeper. Al Gharafa having the majority of Al Gharafa should have grabbed possession. The Cheetahs came three points at the death, when close to scoring with a free kick by Luis Jimenez saw the ball drop to Othman al-Yahri, but his shot was him in the 18 yard box. However, saved by Umm Salal’s goalkeeper the former Al Arabi man saw his Basel Zaidan. Umm Salal came eff ort go well wide, missing his close breaking the deadlock in chance to register Gharafa’s fi rst Al Gharafa and Umm Salal players vie for the ball during the QNB Stars League. PICTURES: Anas Khalid the fi rst half, when the ball broke win of the season. Al Gharafa had to settle for their second draw in as many matches.

QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Sadd awarded 3-0 win over Al Markhiya Doha: QNB Stars League side Al the QNB Stars League season. Sadd have been awarded a 3-0 The verdict means that the Al Rayyan eye second victory in their opening game of previous result is now void, and the season against Al Markiya, that Al Sadd won the game 3-0. following a decision made by The disciplinary commit- the Qatar Football Association tee also imposed a fine of Disciplinary committee. QR10,000 on Markiya. Al Sadd, The decision has been made captained by Xavi, are set to successive victory in relation to Al Markhiya field- take on Al Sailiya in their second ing an ineligible player Salah match today, while Al Markhiya al-Yahri in the match which they are set to play fellow promoted Laudrup’s men take on Al Kharaitiyat in today’s early match won 2-1 in the opening round of side Qatar SC this weekend.

By Sports Reporter Doha FOCUS l Rayyan will be looking to con- tinue their impressive start to the QNB Stars League cam- Qatar’s fi rst Padel paign, when they take on Al KharaitiyatA in today’s early match. Lions boss Michael Laudrup said his tournament fi nals side are aiming for back-to-back wins against the Thunders. “Al Khor (Rayyan’s fi rst round opponent) and Al Kharaitiyat to be held tomorrow are similar teams. They are set up in the same way and we expect them to play his weekend, the fi nal the same way. We have to be careful of phase of the fi rst padel Kharaitiyat especially after they lost their tournament will be held opening game against Umm Salal. We at Qatar Sports Club fa- are aiming to continue this good start in cilities,T organised by Padel Qatar, the league, that’s always important and the pioneer of this sport club in builds momentum for the season,” the the country. Danish coach said. Eight pairs of players will fi ght “We still have players we have not to reach the fi nal in the silver seen – Maksoud and Kasola. We have a division, after winning the fi rst good squad and I think that we can make phase of the tournament that changes and still be stronger. We will took place last weekend. Up to make three changes for the game and I this point of the competition expect the players to come in to do well. nine Qatar players are still look- That is all you want as a coach,” added ing for the fi nals, which guaran- Laudrup, when asked about the strength tees the Qatar’s presence on the of the side. podium. In addition, the start of Laudrup stressed that his side will be the gold division will be the high- fi ghting on four fronts for silverware this Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup (left) and his Al Kharaitiyat counterpart Ahmad al-Ajlani attend a press conference. light of this event, the best padel season. “Al Rayyan want to win the title players in Qatar will be fi ghting this season. In the league we want to close about the game and we agreed that we pected an improved performance from Al Arabi will be targeting for more of the for a place in the fi nal that will the gap to Al Duhail and Al Sadd. We will have to work harder, especially against Al his team. “I don’t know the strategy of Al same. Head coach Sami Trabelsi though take place tomorrow at 9pm. try and compete with them in the league Rayyan,” he added. Sailiya for this match, but we must focus knows his team will have to be at their This division is formed by and then compete to win one of the three Kharaitiyat defender Saud Nassr in- on our performance in order to get the re- very best to get a result against Al Sadd. eight teams, among which are six cups which are up for grabs,” he said. sisted that they will have to work hard to sult we need,” he said. We will have to be at full concentration Qatari nationals. This is the fi rst Al Kharaitiyat, meanwhile, will be get a result against their opponents. “We “Our players are not in good condition against Al Sadd. Usually these games are Padel tournament of the season looking to put their opening day defeat are looking to pick up any points, to let at the moment, they are tired. We are try- special occasions, and we have to be ready and also in Qatar history. usually) where the balls can be behind them. Thunders boss Ahmad al- our season start. Nothing is impossible. ing to recover them in time for the game, for the challenge of Al Sadd, who will be Since last June Doha has two played off them in a similar way Ajlani conceded Rayyan will be a tough The side which works the hardest will get against Al Markhiya we dropped in the looking to get their fi rst victory.” padel courts, located in the out- as the in the game of squash and opponent but the Tunisian said his team the victory and this is our aim. The loss to last 20 minutes and we have tried to ad- “We have to follow up on our good door area of Qatar Sports Club, that players use solid, stringless is ready for the crunch match. Umm Salal is now behind us, we have to dress this in training this week,” added match against Al Arabi. We have to nullify where a large number of Qataris racquets. The match against Rayyan is a tough focus on Al Rayyan,” Nassr said. Ferriera. the Al Sadd attack and fi ght right until and expats are enjoying this It is easy to pick up and enjoy one for us. They had a big win against Al Meanwhile, Al Sadd who lost their The Portuguese coach gave an update the very end of the game,” added Trabelsi. sport every day. from day one but sophisticated Khor. I am asking my players to do their opening match to Markhiya but the re- on injured Bagdad Bounjah. “Bounjah Padel is a unique racquet sport enough to keep you learning and best and even if we get a draw it will be a sult was overturned after the newly-pro- had a serious injury in the Sheikh Jas- FIXTURES typically played in doubles on an pushing yourself to become a positive result for us. To play a top side moted fi elded an ineligible player, will be sim Cup. We will make a decision on him Today: Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Rayyan at Al Khor enclosed court, a third the size master player. will give my side plenty of motivation,” clash against Sailiya at Al Arabi stadium. in the coming days. However we have a Stadium 5:50pm; Al Sailiya vs Al Sadd at Al of a tennis court. Scoring is the Padel is for everyone, embrac- al-Ajlani said. While Al Sadd can count themselves big squad, and we have players who can Ahli Stadium 8pm; Qatar SC vs Al Markhiya same as normal tennis and the ing all genders, ages and levels of “We did not play well against Umm lucky having got three points against replace Bounedjah if he is unavailable at Al Duhail Stadium 8pm balls used are similar but with a fi tness. For these reasons, Padel Salal. We did not give our best and this Markhiya despite a defeat, they know they against Al Sailiya,” the coach added. Tomorrow: Al Duhail vs Al Arabi at Al Duhail little less pressure. is a very popular sport all around upsets me. The reaction from my side have to perform better than last week. On the other hand, Al Sailiya, which Stadium 5:50pm; Al Khor vs Al Ahli at Al The main diff erences are that the world and it is considered the is now important. I spoke to the players Head coach Jesulado Ferriera said he ex- registered a fi ne opening day win against Khor Stadium 8pm the court has walls (methacrylate fastest growing sport.

LIGUE 1 Tensions between Neymar, Cavani ‘normal’, says PSG coach

AFP utes remaining for a foul on Kylian Mbappe. Sports daily L’Equipe reported that Alves Paris Having already scored three times from — a former Barcelona teammate of Ney- the spot this season, Cavani assumed the mar — organised a dinner for the whole PSG responsibility would once again be his. Ney- squad at a restaurant in the plush 16th ar- aris Saint-Germain coach Unai mar tried to get the ball from the Uruguayan rondissement of the French capital, near the Emery has admitted that tensions but it was Cavani who eventually took it, Arc de Triomphe, on Wednesday evening. mounted in the dressing room at the only to see his eff ort saved. But Alves has been slammed by a staunch Parc des Princes last weekend fol- Emery’s inability to designate a clear ally of Cavani. Legendary ex-Uruguay Plowing the penalty dispute between Neymar fi rst-choice penalty taker has led to criti- striker Diego Forlan, now 38, called Alves’ and Edinson Cavani against Lyon. cism in some quarters of weak management behaviour at the free-kick “childish” in an “They are two very competitive players. from the Spaniard. “Last year, the penalty interview on Spanish radio. “There was no They want the best for the team fi rst of all, taker was Cavani. This year, with the arrival sense in Dani Alves going and taking the but then they also have individual objec- of Neymar, there are two. After that, who is ball. You can’t have a third person going to tives,” said Emery at a press conference yes- number one and who is number two, that is help one guy so the guy who always takes terday. “I insist: There is a good atmosphere a decision I’ll have to take,” he said yester- (free-kicks) doesn’t,” Forlan, the top scorer in the squad. Just after the match it was day. at the 2010 World Cup, told Cadena Cope. very emotional, so you can have conversa- There has been talk of tensions in the PSG “It’s childish. But the Brazilians are friends tions. People might call them disputes but dressing room between Neymar and his fel- so they look out for themselves.” they are normal and happen after practically low Brazilians on one side and the rest of Alves, who scored from a free-kick on his every match, in one sense or another. But it the squad on the other. Another incident in competitive debut for PSG against Monaco doesn’t break the harmony or the good at- Sunday’s game saw Cavani and Neymar dis- in the Champions Trophy in July, hit back at mosphere in the team,” insisted the Span- agree over who should take a free-kick with Forlan on Twitter. He wrote: “I don’t know iard. the match still goalless. Dani Alves inter- what match you saw but for your informa- PSG beat Lyon 2-0 in the Ligue 1 game to vened to give his compatriot the ball on that tion I did not take the ball from any team- make it six wins from six to start the season occasion, and Neymar’s strike was saved. mate. They took it from me! And also for but the post-match debate was dominated Signed from Juventus in the close season, your information the last free-kick goal by the penalty incident. PSG were leading Alves is already considered a highly infl uen- scored by PSG was by me...so shut up and Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar (left), Edinson Cavani (right) and Lucas Moura attend a training session in Saint 1-0 when they won a spot-kick with 10 min- tial fi gure in the Paris dressing room. stop making a controversy in my name.” Germain-En-Laye, France, yesterday. (Reuters)