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Monday, November 11, 2019 FOOTBALL Rabia I 14, 1441 AH Qatar under-19 GULF TIMES qualify for Asian Championship SPORT Page 2

ASIAN SHOOTING FOOTBALL Liverpool go eight points clear with 3-1 Qatar trio claim victory over City

Agencies RESULTS Liverpool Liverpool 3 (Fabinho 6, Salah iverpool opened up an 13, Mane 51) Manchester City 1 team gold in skeet eight-point lead at the (Bernardo 78) top of the Premier League Manchester United 3 (Pereira with an emphatic and 17, Propper 19-og, Rashford hugelyL impressive 3-1 win over Nasser al-Attiyah hopes for a wild card after missing out on Olympics quota place 66) Brighton 1 (Dunk 64) defending champions Manches- Wolves 2 (Neves 41, Jimenez ter City at Anfi eld yesterday. 84) Aston Villa 1 (Trezeguet The victory, sealed with goals 90+2) from Fabinho, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, leaves unbeat- en Liverpool on 34 points from Sergio Aguero, who had a dis- 12 games, eight ahead of Leices- appointing game, forced Liv- ter City and Chelsea, and nine in erpool keeper Alisson Becker front of Pep Guardiola’s fourth- into action in the 25th minute placed City. and then the Argentine should While talk of decisive results have done better three minutes in November, with 26 games before the break when he shot of the campaign remaining, is wide after being fed by Kevin De premature, the manner of Liv- Bruyne. erpool’s win over a team which Guardiola needed to adjust has dominated the league for something at the break to fi nd a the past two seasons was cer- foothold in the game but City’s tainly a declaration of intent. third defeat of the season, after Anfield exploded when Liv- losses to Norwich City and Wol- erpool grabbed a sixth-minute verhampton Wanderers, was lead with a thundering drive assured when Liverpool made from Brazilian Fabinho, who it 3-0 six minutes after the in- pounced on a poor clearance terval. from Ilkay Gundogan and Jordan Henderson superbly blasted past Claudio Bravo worked space on the right fl ank from over 20 metres out. and whipped in a cross which Yet City felt the stunning Mane dived to head home at the effort should have been ruled back post. out — and a penalty awarded Bernardo Silva pulled a goal to them — as prior to the break back for City in the 78th minute, that led to the goal Liverpool drilling home a low cross from defender Trent Alexander- Angelino and the visitors en- Arnold appeared to handle the joyed some late pressure but ball inside the box but the VAR it was too late for a comeback review went against the visi- from the champions. tors. City have not won at Anfi eld It was the latest VAR contro- in the league since May, 2003 — versy in the Premier League and their only win at Liverpool in 38 is certain to spark more debate, years. but while the opening goal set Meanwhile, Manchester the tone, Liverpool’s dominance United and Wolverhampton was soon evident all across the Wanderers climbed into the top Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (C) poses with Masoud Hamad and Rashid Hamad after Qatar won the team gold in skeet at the Asian Shooting Championships. fi eld. half of the Premier League with PICTURES: Nasser T K City pushed forward in re- home wins. sponse and Raheem Sterling United beat Brighton 3-1 and By Sports Reporter um. Tomar ultimately had to settle for missed a close-range header, Wolves held off Aston Villa 2-1 Doha bronze with a score of 449.1, while the but Liverpool struck again in in a West Midlands derby. Korean nabbed top spot on the podium the 13th minute when Andy The wins leave the sides level with a lead of just 0.8. Robertson crossed from the left on 16 points, with United above Meanwhile, continuing India’s im- and Salah nodded the bouncing Wolves in seventh on goal dif- atar’s shooters won gold in the pressive performance at the champi- ball past Bravo to make it 2-0. ference. skeet team event but agonis- onships, the duo of Manu Bhaker and Juergen Klopp’s European “It was an excellent per- ingly missed out on a quota Abhishek Verma got the better of com- champions, without a domes- formance from the lads,” Unit- place for the Olympics at the patriots Saurabh Chaudhary and Ya- tic league title since 1990, now ed manager Ole Gunnar Solsk- 14thQ Asian Shooting Championship yes- shaswini Singh Deswal 16-10 to win the had a fi rm grip on the game and jaer told the BBC. terday. gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed caused constant trouble for “The table does not really At the Lusail Shooting Range, Rashid team event. Bhaker and Verma shot 577 City’s shaky defence with their matter at the moment. Hamad, Masoud Hamad, and Lon- and 387 in the two qualifi cations, while powerful surges forward. “We need to keep improving don Olympic bronze medallist Nasser Chaudhary and Deswal managed 576 Liverpool were on top physi- and keep winning games and see al-Attiyah shot 120 points each out of and 387. In the junior’s Mixed team air cally and their pressing stopped where it takes us.” 125 in the qualification stage as Qatar’s pistol, India’s Esha Singh and Sarabjot City from establishing their Two early goals at Old Traf- total of 360 earned them a top place in Singh won gold. usual possession game but still ford started Manchester United the team event, ahead of Kuwait and they managed to carve out some on the way to their fi fth win in Kazakhstan. The results: openings. six games in all competitions. However, disappointment was in store Mixed team Air pistol: 1. India (Manu for the trio as none of them could reach Bhaker, Abhishek Verma) 16 (387, 577); the fi nal in the individual competition, 2. India-A (Yashaswini Singh Deswal, thus missing out on a place at the Tokyo Saurabh Chaudhary) 10 (387, 576); 3. Games next year. Rashid, Masoud and Iran 17 (386, 575); 4. China 15 (387, 581). Nasser all were involved in a qualifying Men: 50m rifle 3-position: 1. Kim shoot-off with fi ve others for four places Jonghyun (Kor) 459.9 (1178); 2. Zhao in the fi nal, but could not clear the in- Zhonghao (Chn) 459.1 (1173); 3. Aishwary tense competition. Pratap Singh Tomar (Ind) 449.1 (1168) Nasser will be the most disappointed Team: 1. China 3505; 2. Korea 3499; 3. of all. Having been in a good position India 3477. after three rounds on day one, the Qa- India’s skeet gold medallist Angad Vir Singh Bajwa (C), silver medallist Mairaj Skeet: 1. Angad Vir Singh Bajwa (Ind) tari legend shot a 21 in the fourth round, Ahmad Khan (L) and bronze-winner Saud Habib of Kuwait pose on the podium. 56(6) 120 (14, 22); 2. Mairaj Ahmad Khan which dealt a huge blow to his fi nal (Ind) 56(5) 120 (14, 24); 3. Saud Mukha- hopes. Though he shot a perfect 25 in the tions. I’m glad for the team because it’s a the 12 for the 2016 Rio Games and 11 for mediyev Habib (Kuw) 45 (120)14, 23. fi fth and fi nal round, it only meant he strong team and to win an Asian champi- London 2012. Team: 1. Qatar 360; 2. Kuwait 358; 3. was involved in an eight-way shoot-off . onships gold is great,” he added. There was a shoot-off for the gold Kazakhstan 357; 4. India 357. The windy conditions at the Lusail Nasser was hoping to receive a wild medal and Bajwa prevailed 6-5 against range did not help their cause, which card for Tokyo, in what it will be his sev- his compatriot after both were tied on Women: later Nasser admitted. “The concentra- enth Olympics. “It will not be easy to 56 at the Lusail Shooting Complex. The Skeet: 1. Wei Meng (Chn) 20 (124); 2. tion was good. Yesterday we had good qualify for the Olympics but we will see. bronze medal and the last quota place Zhang Donglian (Chn) 18 (120); 3. Kim results, but today we couldn’t do any- I have some good results and I hope to went to Saud Habib of Kuwait. Minji (Kor) 17 (117)3. thing because there was sandstorm and receive a wild card,” he said. Earlier, teenager Aishwary Pratap Team: 1. China 363; 2. Thailand 350; 3. a lot of rain. Yet, we did our job winning Meanwhile, it was a double delight for Singh Tomar’s secured India a Olympic India 339. the team gold medal,” Nasser said. “In- India in the skeet as Angad Vir Singh Ba- quota in the men’s 50m rifl e 3-position dividually, we were in the shoot-off but jwa won gold, while Mairaj Ahmad Khan after he won bronze. Junior women: all three of us were not lucky. There were picked up a silver to go with two Olym- It was a closely contested fi nal, with Mixed team air pistol: 1. India (Esha eight qualifi ers with a score of 120 and it pics quotas. Their medals ensured India Tomar, South Korea’s Kim Jonghyun Singh, Sarabjot Singh) 16 (381, 569); 2. Liverpool’s English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (L) vies with was stiff competition. But this is how the secured a record 15 quota places for the and China’s Zhonghao Zhao compet- Korea 10 (378, 574); 3. China-A 16 (376, Manchester City’s English defender Kyle Walker (R) during sport is. You can’t do much in such situa- 2020 Tokyo Olympics, easily surpassing ing amongst themselves for the podi- 569); 4. China 10 (376, 565). their match at Anfield yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Monday, November 11, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT QNB STARS LEAGUE Xavi ‘disappointed’ Qatar qualify for and ‘frustrated’ aft er Sadd’s loss to Qatar SC

By Sports Reporter fi rst half and in the second half Doha we fought to the end but did not succeed in scoring goals. Now, we have a break and we must re- AFC U-19 C’ship aft er l Sadd head coach Xavi turn with a diff erent mentality. Hernandez has ex- The league is not over yet and we pressed his grief over have to think well and overcome his side’s 0-3 loss to what happened to us during this QatarA SC in the QNB Stars League period.” on Saturday. Qatar SC’s victory The Spaniard said he will have draw with Yemen over defending champions Sadd a word with his players and called was the biggest upset of the week the defeat against Qatar SC ‘un- with Sardor Rashidov’s brace and acceptable’. Xavi said: “We were Yemen highly likely to qualify as one of the four best second-place finishers Kayke Rodriguez’s strike giving well prepared and we had ex- The Kings their third consecu- cellent training but we did not tive victory and fourth overall. translate that on the pitch. The For Sadd it was their second performance in the fi rst half and successive loss and are fourth the defeatist mentality was un- in the table with 15 points from acceptable. I need to speak with eight matches. They have played the players about what happened two games less to league leaders in the fi rst half. We must return Al Duhail, with their matches strongly and play like we did in against Al Arabi and Al Khor the start of the season.” postponed due to their AFC He added: “We have a good Champions League engage- team and players of the highest ments. Meanwhile, Duhail are level, they are only exhausted 11 points ahead of Sadd with 26 because of the continuous games points following their dramatic with the club and the national 3-2 victory over Al Khor. team. They have psychological Qatar’s captain Naif Abdulraheem It was a fi ne comeback by The fatigue and not technical, as was al-Hadhrami (centre) celebrates Red Knights after being down by evident in the fi rst half.” with teammates after scoring against two goals by half-an-hour into Asked if he feared dismissal in Yemen in the AFC U-19 Championship the game. The tournament will light of the team’s poor results, qualifiers at the Aspire yesterday. now take a long break during the coach said: “I am not afraid which the 2022 FIFA World Cup of being dismissed and I am con- and 2023 Asian Cup joint quali- fi dent in the state of my team.” fi ers, 24th Arabian Gulf Cup and As for the upcoming league 2019 FIFA Club World Cup will break, Xavi said: “It would be be held. good but the players would go to Speaking at the post-match the national teams and this is not press conference, Xavi said: “I’m a complaint, but I hope they will very disappointed and frus- return without injury, so that we trated to lose, we had a very bad can prepare for the next stage.”

atar held off a Yemen to qualify place in the Finals, the group hosts relied teams through to the Finals, Qatar knew paign, earning a 4-2 win over Sri Lanka in for the AFC U-19 Champion- on a strong save from Abdullah to prevent their AFC U-19 Championship would be an entertaining clash at Aspire Academy. ship in Uzbekistan next year as Jassem Abdulsallam from turning the ball likely to come to an abrupt end with a de- Sri Lanka’s Mohamed Sajid opening Group B winners after a thrill- into his own net in the 10th minute. feat, and their future in the tournament the scoring with a looping header in the ingQ 1-1 draw at the Aspire yesterday. Having survived that scare, Qatar took must have fl ashed before their eyes when 43rd minute, but the South Asians found The group hosts have goalkeeper Yousef the lead three minutes before half-time, Yemen were awarded a penalty after Talal themselves a man short when Mohamed Abdullah to thank for their success, after with a fi rmly struck free kick from cap- Ibrahim Faraj handled the ball in the pen- Kursheeth was shown a second yellow his brilliant penalty save denied Yemen’s tain Naif Abdulraheem al-Hadhrami alty area. But Abdullah saved his team- card in fi rst half stoppage time. Mohamed Abdulwahab al-Thulaia a fi nding the net from 25 yards after taking mates blushes, saving not only from al- Turkmenistan seized in their newfound would-be winner late in the second half. a touch from Yemen’s Muneef Jassar. Thulaia’s spot kick, but also blocking the numerical advantage, equalising through Yemen’s haul of seven points means they Fabio Cesar’s side looked relatively safe Yemeni striker’s eff ort on the rebound, a close range Resul Chopanov volley in are highly likely to qualify as one of the at the interval, but Yemen came storming with the whistle blowing for a foul to the 63rd minute, before a horror stretch four best second-place fi nishers, while back into contention with a terrifi c sec- render al-Qaaod’s subsequent bundling for Sri Lanka saw Hashika Navodha be- Turkmenistan, who beat Sri Lanka 4-2 ond half performance, as Qatar struggled of the ball into the net inconsequential. come the second player sent off in the in the early match, fi nished third. Qatar to keep them bay after a wave of danger- Abdullah’s heroics meant Qatar sur- 66th minute, before Aly Borjakov made held on to secure the draw they needed to ous attacking moves. Their excellent vived the most dangerous moment of the it 3-1 with a sweet strike on the outside win the group on goal diff erence, but only football was rewarded in the 53rd minute, match, ultimately securing their place in of his foot a minute later. Sajid pulled after withstanding a fi ghting second-half when Ahmed Maher got in behind the de- the fi nals, and leaving Yemen to wait on one back for Sri Lanka with a sensational display from Yemen. fence thanks to a sublime pass from Saad the fi nal results from elsewhere before 80th-minute solo eff ort, but a poacher’s With Qatar’s heavy earlier wins over al-Qaaod before beating Abdullah with a joining them in celebration. fi nish from Myratberdiyev with a minute Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan meaning precise fi nish to make it 1-1. Earlier, Turkmenistan added a posi- remaining gave Turkmenistan a morale- Head coach Xavi Hernandez gestures to his players during the QNB simply avoiding defeat would secure their While a draw could potentially see both tive fi nal chapter to their qualifying cam- boosting win. Stars League match against Qatar SC on Saturday.

FOCUS BUNDESLIGA Wenger contradicts Bayern’s Herrmann keeps Gladbach four clear AFP claim they turned him down Berlin AFP Munich orussia Moenchengladbach main- tained their four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga yesterday as rsene Wenger has contradicted a claim new-dad Patrick Herrmann scored by Bayern Munich that they turned him Btwice in their emphatic 3-1 home win over down for the vacant head coach’s job and Werder Bremen. accused the defending German champi- RB Leipzig, who won at Hertha Berlin, and onsA of a lack of discretion. Bayern need a new coach defending champions Bayern Munich, who after Niko Kovac was sacked last Sunday with routed Dortmund 4-0 at the Allianz Arena, former Germany assistant Hansi Flick appointed had both trimmed Gladbach’s lead to just a interim boss for Wednesday’s win over Olympiakos point with their wins on Saturday. However, and Saturday’s 4-0 rout of Borussia Dortmund in goals by Ramy Bensebaini and Herrmann’s the Bundesliga. double sealed their win to restore Glad- On Thursday, Bayern put out a statement claim- bach’s four-point lead at the top yesterday ing Wenger had called club chairman Karl-Heinz Gladbach fi nished with ten men after Rummenigge to express interest in replacing Kovac, Bensebaini was sent off late on for a second but said the former Arsenal boss had been turned yellow card before Bremen midfi elder Leon- down. However, Wenger, 70, rejected that version ardo Bittencourt netted a late consolation of events and criticised Bayern for leaking “ru- goal deep into added time. However, it was a Moenchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram and Patrick Herrmann (left) celebrate after their mours from everywhere”. weekend to remember for Herrmann, whose victory over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga yesterday. (AFP) “My name came out of nowhere,” said Wenger. wife Sandra gave birth to their son Leonard. “On Wednesday, Rummenigge called me, I called Hosts Gladbach took the lead at Borus- gestein at the start of the second-half. The up their mid-week Champions League win back out of courtesy. We talked for four or fi ve min- sia Park with two goals inside 107 seconds. Swiss shot-stopper then saved a penalty at- over Atletico Madrid with a 2-0 victory at utes, maximum, and he reported that they signed Midfi elder Laszlo Benes whipped in a free- tempt by Bremen captain Davy Klaassen on Wolfsburg with goals by Germany winger Flick (as interim coach) for the next two games. He kick and left-back Bensebaini out-jumped 54 minutes. Herrmann made it 3-0 when Karim Bellarabi and Brazilian sub Paulinho. asked me if I would be interested, because they are coming from everywhere”. Wenger wished Bayern the Bremen defence to power home his he dribbled at Bremen defender Marco Wolfsburg are now tenth in the league looking for a coach.” “good luck” in fi nding a replacement for Kovac. header on 20 minutes. Friedl, who backed off and paid the price after four straight defeats in all competi- Wenger says he told Rummenigge that he would Other candidates for the vacancy, Paris Saint- The second followed almost immediately when the Gladbach winger fi red home on tions. After three Champions League de- think about it and “we decided together” to talk Germain boss Thomas Tuchel and Ajax’s Erik ten from a counter-attack when French striker the hour mark. With time almost up, Bense- feats, Leverkusen breathed life into their again “next week because I am in Doha until Sunday Hag, already made it clear last week that they will Marcus Thuram drew Bremen goalkeeper baini picked up a second yellow card for a slim European hopes by shocking Atletico night. This is the true story”. not join Bayern before at least the end of the sea- Jiri Pavlenka to present Herrmann with a foul on Leon Bittencourt having also been 2-1, which Peter Bosz’s team backed up After a decade as Bayern’s president, Uli Hoe- son. After Bayern thrashed Dortmund at the Allianz simple tap-in and an empty net. Yuya Osako booked for giving away the penalty Klaassen by out-muscling Wolfsburg. Bellarabi put ness will step down on Friday and Wenger said Arena, Rumenigge said Flick will remain in charge looked to have halved the lead with 28 min- failed to convert. Then Bittencourt grabbed Leverkusen ahead on 25 minutes, Brazilian Bayern are at a “turning point” with Rummenigge for their next league game on November 23 and utes gone when Bremen’s Japan forward fi n- Bremen’s late consolation goal. midfi elder Paulinho then came on to add a also set to quit as chairman within the coming year. seemed to apologise to Wenger for any “misunder- ished off a owingfl move. The home win means Gladbach will have second goal six minutes into added time. Between them, Hoeness and Rummenigge have standing”. However, the video assistant referee spot- been top for a month by the time they play helped grow Bayern into one of the most successful “First of all, I have an incredible amount of re- ted a foul by teammate Milot Rashica on their next game at newly-promoted Union BUNDESLIGA RESULTS clubs in Europe. spect for Arsene Wenger, I know him for an ex- Denis Zakaria in the build-up and the goal Berlin in two weeks with Leipzig second and “It seems that the future is uncertain,” said tremely long time. I am sorry for any misunder- was disallowed. At the start of the second Bayern in third place. Bremen, who have one Borussia Moenchengladbach 3 (Bensebaini Wenger who added that the German club had al- standing, I have absolutely no problem with him,” half, home captain Yann Sommer pulled off win in their last nine games, drop to 14th and 20, Herrmann 22, 59) Werder Bremen 1 ways been “very discreet and direct” in the past, said Rummenigge. “And we will certainly talk in the two good saves to deny Rashica, and then are two points from the relegation places. (Bittencourt 90+3); VfL Wolfsburg 0 Bayer “but today (they are) very exposed with rumours near future once more on the telephone.” Germany squad member Maximilian Eg- Later, mid-table Bayer Leverkusen backed Leverkusen 2 (Bellarabi 25, Paulinho 90+6) Gulf Times Monday, November 11, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA Messi’s dead-ball hat-trick puts Barca back on top Morata hit his sixth goal in as many games in all competitions as Atletico move third with a 3-1 win over Espanyol

AFP improved in recent years, his conver- Madrid sion rate currently at four goals from his last seven attempts in the league. The last time a player scored a hat-trick ionel Messi delivered an in- from set-pieces in La Liga was when credible dead-ball hat-trick on Messi himself achieved the same feat in Saturday night to steer Barce- 2012 against Espanyol, albeit with two lona to a 4-1 victory over Celta penalties and one free-kick. LVigo and ease the pressure on his coach There was good news for Barce- Ernesto Valverde. Messi scored with lona too in the return of Luis Suarez, a penalty and then a pair of sumptu- who came off the bench after recover- ous free-kicks either side of half-time ing from a calf strain. Messi scored his after Lucas Olaza had briefl y pulled penalty in the 23rd minute after Joseph Celta level with a free-kick of his own Aidoo had blocked Nelson Semedo’s at Camp Nou. cross with his hand. Sergio Busquets drove home to make It was Messi that conceded the foul sure of the win late on. A 34th treble in for Olaza’s curling free-kick that was La Liga puts Messi equal with Cristiano well-hit enough to beat Marc-Andre Ronaldo, while a much-needed win ter Stegen, even if the goalkeeper might sends Barca above Real Madrid on goal have been disappointed not to be able to diff erence and back to the top of the ta- get across. There was little Celta keeper ble at the end of a testing week. Ruben Blanco could do about Messi’s “It is impossible not to depend on eff orts, the fi rst in stoppage time before Messi, he illuminates everything,” said the interval and the second three min- Valverde. “We depend on him like any utes after the restart. team would depend on him. He un- They were almost carbon copies of locked the game.” each other, bending over the wall and Yesterday, Alvaro Morata hit his sixth nestling in the top right-hand corner. goal in as many games in all competi- Celta, under their new coach Oscar tions as Atletico Madrid moved third Garcia, never looked like mounting a with a 3-1 win over struggling Espan- comeback and Busquets put the result yol. Morata thumped home his fi fth beyond doubt with a low shot fi ve min- league goal of the season just before utes from the fi nish. the hour mark to put Atletico in front in Madrid after Sergi Darder had shocked LA LIGA RESULTS the Wanda Metropolitano with fi ne Mallorca 3 (Lago Junior 13-pen, Dani opener seven minutes before the break. The 27-year-old also set up Angel Rodriguez 23-pen, Take 53) Villarreal Correa to level the scores in fi rst-half 1 (Cazorla 49-pen); Athletic Bilbao stoppage time as he continued his su- 2 (Muniain 57, Capa 88) Levante 1 perb recent form which has seen him (Postigo 46); Atletico Madrid 3 (Correa fi nd his shooting boots after not scor- 46, Morata 58, Koke 91) Espanyol 1 ing since the fi rst game of the season. (Darder 38) Koke rounded off the victory in Played Saturday: Alaves 3 (Joselu added time when he collected Diego 26, Pina 32, Lucas 75-pen) Valladolid Costa’s low cross to slot the third past Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores during the La Liga match against Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Saturday night. (AFP) 0; Valencia 2 (Wass 74, Torres 90+7) Espanyol goalkeeper Diego Lopez. Granada 0; Eibar 0 Real Madrid 4 Diego Simeone’s side stay just a point run that has seen them win just once But while Madrid appear to be hit- Barcelona’s disgruntled fans had 612 in total for his club. “Obviously (Benzema 17, 29-pen, Ramos 20-pen, behind Barcelona and Real Madrid but since mid-September. ting their stride, Barcelona’s momen- whistled their team against Slavia in when it’s tight we have the advantage of Valverde 62); Barcelona 4 (Messi 23- move above Real Sociedad, who drew Madrid had briefl y claimed fi rst place tum had stalled. After losing to Levante midweek and when Olaza equalised having the best player in the world and pen, 45+1, 48, Busquets 85) Celta Vigo 1-1 with Leganes on Friday. Espanyol after continuing their own goal-surge and failing to break down Slavia Prague for Celta, that tension and restlessness the best free-kick taker in the world,” 1 (Olaza 42) meanwhile stay second-from-bottom by hammering Eibar 4-0, a game in in the Champions League, scrutiny had threatened to return. Instead, Messi said Busquets. after their third league defeat on the which Karim Benzema scored twice and again turned on Valverde and his future took command, this hat-trick taking Yet his precision from free-kicks is a On Friday: Real Sociedad 1 (Merino 63) bounce, adding to a dismal domestic Eden Hazard exploded into life. as Barcelona coach. his tally to nine goals in seven games, skill the 32-year-old has worked on and Leganes 1 (En-Nesyri 78)

SERIE A SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Lazio move third as Cagliari dream Celtic stay in front of Rangers AFP of Europe with a rout of Fiorentina Glasgow AFP eltic ended a historic Milan week with a 2-0 win over Motherwell yester- day to remain top of the iro Immobile scored his 14th league ScottishC Premiership as Rangers goal this season as Lazio bounced stayed hot on their heels. The back from their European disap- Scottish champions won on Ital- pointment with a 4-2 win over pro- ian soil for the fi rst time with a motedC Lecce to move third in Serie A yester- 2-1 Europa League victory over day, ahead of Cagliari who continued their Lazio on Thursday and French superb form with a rout of Fiorentina. striker Odsonne Edouard helped Simone Inzaghi’s side had been stunned them take care of domestic du- when Scottish champions Celtic snatched ties with a 19th-minute opener a late 2-1 Europa League victory in Rome on at Parkhead. Thursday. But Argentine forward Joaquin Motherwell defender Richard Correa hit a brace either side of Sergej Tait scored an own goal in the Milinkovic-Savic’s strike, with Serie A top- 54th minute to leave the home scorer Immobile slotting in a penalty against side ahead of their Old Firm ri- promoted Lecce at the Stadio Olimpico. vals, who won at Livingston by Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard (right) attempts to get past Motherwell’s Lazio move third, level on points with the same scoreline, by a one-goal Declan Gallagher during the Scottish Premiership. (Reuters) Cagliari, but ahead on goal diff erence. The margin. Celtic and Rangers both SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP two teams are seven points behind leaders have 31 points after 12 matches. that Tait knocked the ball past Inter Milan, who moved top after beating Both teams have conceded Gillespie and into his own net. Celtic 2 (Edouard 19, Tait 54-og) Verona 2-1 on Saturday. Defending cham- seven goals but Celtic have scored “We created brilliant opportu- Motherwell 0; Livingston 0 pions Juventus are second and can reclaim 36 compared with Rangers’ tally nities and we had good control,” Rangers 2 (Aribo 32, Morelos 52) the number one spot as they were hosting of 35. Edouard scored the opener Celtic manager Neil Lennon said. Played Saturday: Hearts 5 13th-placed AC Milan late last night. Roma after early Celtic pressure. Ol- “It’s another fantastic perform- (Naismith 6, McLoughlin 30-og, were at Parma where a win would put them ivier Ntcham, Edouard and Mo- ance after Thursday.” Bozanic 42, Walker 46, Mulraney back in third. Lazio’s Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (top) is fouled by Lecce’s Italian defender hamed Elyounoussi all fi red shots Nigeria midfi elder Joe Aribo 77) St Mirren 2 (Obika 21, Mullen Lazio extended their winning run to four Marco Calderoni during the Italian Serie A in Rome yesterday. (AFP) over the bar before Motherwell and Alfredo Morelos scored in 33); Kilmarnock 2 (El Makrini 45, consecutive league games before the inter- goalkeeper Mark Gillespie had to Rangers’ 2-0 victory at Living- Brophy 48) Hamilton 2 (Miller 2, national break. The momentum changed for things and you just have to stand back and of an hour but the Tuscans sit eighth. Ata- beat away a more accurate eff ort ston. Aribo fi red home in the Davies 25); Ross County 1 (Mullin southerners Lecce after a Gianluca Lapadula applaud.” lanta lost ground in the league days after from Jonny Hayes. 32nd minute following good work 5-pen) Aberdeen 3 (McGinn 10, goal was ruled out on 68 minutes. Lapadula, Fiorentina are struggling without Franck their 1-1 draw against Manchester City. It was from the Irishman’s from Scott Arfi eld while Morelos Hedges 52, Considine 70); St who had scored for Lecce fi ve minutes before Ribery who is serving a three-match ban for The Bergamo side are winless in three cross into the six-yard box, af- fi nished from a tight angle early Johnstone 1 (May 90) Hibernian the break, turned in a rebound after Lazio pushing an offi cial. Nainggolan set up Mark league games and played the last 15 min- ter a fi ne pass from Edouard, in the second half. 4 (Doidge 2, 17, 58, Allan 48) goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha had saved a Rog for the opener on 17 minutes, with Fabio utes in Genoa a man down after Ruslan Ma- Khouma Babacar penalty. But the goal was Pisacane nodding in the second less than ten linovskiy was sent off for a second yellow disallowed after consultation with VAR for minutes later. card. Their next game after the international FOCUS encroachment. Lazio earned a penalty fi ve The 31-year-old Nainggolan was involved break will be at home against Juventus. minutes later which Immobile converted for again in Giovanni Simeone’s third goal his 10th goal in seven league games. against the Argentinian forward’s parent SERIE A RESULTS Cagliari meanwhile can dream of a Euro- club, as well as Joao Pedro’s eff ort 10 min- Traore handed surprise Spain call-up Cagliari 5 (Rog 17, Pisacane 26, Simeone 34, pean berth after 10-man Atalanta, in sixth, utes after the break, before blasting in his statement, which read: “Adama representing the Spanish un- Joao Pedro 54, Nianggolan 65) Fiorentina AFP were held to a goalless draw at Claudio Rani- second goal of the campaign from distance. Madrid Traore, the Wolves player, will der-21 side earlier this year. eri’s Sampdoria. The Sardinians, who bat- He was given a standing ovation when sub- 2 (Vlahovic 75, 87); Lazio 4 (Correa 30, 80, be the replacement for Rod- Traore has played 10 times for tled relegation last season, have been in su- stituted in the 78th minute. “We are doing Milinkovic-Savic 62, Immobile 77-pen) Lecce rigo Moreno of Valencia in the Wolves in the Premier League perb form since Radja Nainggolan returned something extraordinary,” said Nainggolan. 2 (Lapadula 40, La Mantia 85); Sampdoria olves winger Adama national team’s squad for the this season after coming through after fi ve years away, including a diffi cult Cagliari claimed a third consecutive win 0 Atalanta 0; Udinese 0 SPAL 0; Parma 2 Traore was called up matches against Malta and Ro- Barcelona’s ‘La Masia’ youth season at Inter Milan last term. and are unbeaten in 10 games, which include (Sprocati 68, Cornelius 90+3) Roma 0 to the Spain squad mania.” system and going on to play for The Belgian contributed three assists and seven victories and three draws. “Nobody Played Saturday: Brescia 0 Torino 4 yesterday, despite Rodrigo pulled out after suf- the club’s B team. capped a stellar performance with the fi fth would have said at the beginning of the year Wreports suggesting the 23-year- fering an injury during Valencia’s The call-up means Traore (Belotti 17-pen, 26-pen, Berenguer 75, 80); goal of the game on 65 minutes in a thump- that we could play so well,” said the Belgian. Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65, Barella 83) Verona old had decided to declare for 2-0 win over Granada earlier on could make his Spain debut in ei- ing 5-2 victory. “Not even in the most op- “There is an enthusiasm that hasn’t been 1 (Verre 19-pen); Napoli 0 Genoa 0 Mali. Traore’s surprise selection Saturday. Few expected him to ther of the team’s fi nal two Euro timistic forecasts could we have imagined seen at Cagliari for years.” for the Spanish national team be replaced by Traore, who had 2020 qualifi ers against Malta on being here,” said Cagliari coach Rolando Serbian Dusan Vlahovic pulled two late Played Friday: Sassuolo 3 (Caputo 34, 75, was confi rmed by the Spanish reportedly closed the door on November 15 and Romania on Maran. “Radja is capable of extraordinary goals back for Fiorentina in the fi nal quarter Boga 68) Bologna 1 (Orsolini 70) Football Federation (RFEF) in a Spain to play for Mali, despite November 18. Gulf Times 4 Monday, November 11, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS ATP FINALS France crush Djokovic romps to Australian dreams victory in opener

AFP Eighth-seed Berrettini, ap- to win Fed Cup fi nal London pearing at the ATP Finals for the fi rst time, went toe to toe It was France’s third title and first since they beat the United States 16 years ago with Djokovic at the start of the ovak Djokovic began match but the Serbian broke in his quest for a record- the sixth game. From 2-2 in the equalling sixth ATP fi rst set, Djokovic ran through Finals title and sixth the next eight games for a com- Nyear-end number one spot yes- manding 4-0 lead in the second terday with an imperious 6-2, set, until the Italian halted his 6-1 victory against Italy’s Mat- opponent’s charge with a break teo Berrettini. of his own. The Serbian was last week But the unfl appable 16-time nudged off the top position in Grand Slam champion broke the rankings by Rafael Nadal, immediately and completed who is also in the eight-man victory with a routine forehand fi eld in London. winner off his own serve to take Djokovic must reach the fi - the set 6-1. nal at the O2 Arena to stand any The other two members of chance of dislodging Nadal but Group Bjorn Borg are Federer there are major questions over and Dominic Thiem of Austria, the Spaniard’s fi tness. who meet in the evening match. If the Serbian does claim the Germany’s Alexander Zverev year-end number one ranking shocked Djokovic in last year’s for a sixth time, he would match fi nal but the Serbian is the fi rm the record of Pete Sampras and favourite in London after can- victory at the end-of-season tering to victory at last week’s event would equal Roger Feder- Paris Masters. er’s mark. The second seed saw Federer, Nadal and Djokovic off the challenge of Berrettini in were the top three seeds when just 64 minutes, converting fi ve they fi rst competed together of seven break points and out- at the tournament way back in serving his 23-year-old oppo- 2007 and are still the men to nent. beat 12 years later. “It feels great to be back,” Nadal, who has never won said the Wimbledon champion. the event, is bidding to clinch “Earlier this year I had a great the year-end number one spot stay in London, and over the in the ATP rankings for a fi fth years I’ve played well in this time. The tournament, featuring arena. the year’s best eight players, is “It was not easy for him at contested in a round-robin for- his fi rst Finals match, I knew he mat with the best four players would be nervous at the begin- and doubles teams reaching the ning and I used my experience to knockout semi-fi nals stage. perform well.” Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Ste- Team France celebrate their victory in the Fed Cup final against Australia in Perth yesterday. (AFP) “I’ve been enjoying the con- fanos Tsitsipas and Zverev are in ditions here for many years,” he Group Andre Agassi. AFP won the 2016 French Open dou- Mladenovic. 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) in an epic. volley to extend her streak to 15 added. “It’s suitable to my game, Nadal begins his campaign to- Perth, Australia bles title, bounced back from go- “Three years ago we failed on Croatian-born Tomljanovic, in games this weekend. but it’s never easy playing a big day against defending champion ing an early break down in the fi rst the last step of the tie. Today we her Fed Cup debut for Australia, But Mladenovic held serve to server like Matteo.” Zverev. set to expose Stosur’s weaknesses, just wanted to take this little re- had been thrashed 6-1, 6-1 by end the Barty run and it became jubilant Kristina Mlad- with the veteran out-of-sorts and venge for ourselves and it’s not Mladenovic in the opening singles a closer aff air before the Austral- enovic and Caroline making too many mistakes. describable how we feel right rubber yesterday. ian began forcing errors to take the Garcia led France to its World number one Barty, now.” But captain Alica Molik kept fi rst set. fi rst Fed Cup title since stunned by Mladenovic in a sin- The fi nal marked the last Fed faith with her and she bounced Barty saved fi ve break points 2003A yesterday, winning a de- gles rubber earlier yesterday, did Cup played under the current for- back to beat Parmentier 6-4, 7-5. in the opening game of the sec- ciding doubles rubber to crush her best to keep Australia in the mat, with an overhaul next year “We gave everything today, we ond set, but Mladenovic fi nally Australian dreams 3-2. hunt, but the French pair were seeing 12 nations compete in a six- fell just a fraction short. That hap- worked a fi rst crucial break with In the last tournament played clinical, racing to victory as their day event in Budapest. pens,” said Molik. some quality passing shots, with under the current format, the pair team-mates went wild. That will mean an end to home Earlier Barty, who has been in a forehand long from Barty giving kept their focus at Perth Arena to “I’m the proudest man on the ties and the atmosphere they scintillating form, whipping Gar- her a 5-4 lead. overcome Ashleigh Barty and Sa- planet right now, I’m so proud of bring, with the 26,951 fans turn- cia 6-0, 6-0 on Saturday after She held her nerve to serve out mantha Stosur 6-4, 6-3, denying my girls and my team. They de- ing up over two days in Perth the winning the WTA Finals in China the set. the home team their fi rst crown in serve it because they fought for a second-highest Fed Cup attend- last weekend, crashed in a classic. Mladenovic, who beat Barty 45 years. long time for this title,” ecstatic ance on record after Roland Gar- “From my point of view I fought on clay in Rome earlier this year, It was France’s third title and France captain Julien Benneteau ros (30,000) in 2005. as hard as I could and I hope that I was on a roll with the French star fi rst since they beat the United said. The doubles clash was set up did my team proud and all Aus- breaking then holding for a 3-1 States 16 years ago, piling more For Mladenovic and Garcia it by Ajla Tomljanovic hauling the tralians proud. I fought with eve- third-set lead. misery on seven-time champions was sweet revenge after they lost home team back into the tie by rything I had left,” said Barty. Stung, Barty rallied for 3-3 but Australia who have now lost all the deciding rubber in the 2016 beating France’s Pauline Parmen- Barty started where she left off the errors again crept in and the nine of the last Fed Cup fi nals they fi nal against the Czech Republic. tier 6-4, 7-5. after the “double bagel” of Garcia set ultimately went to a tense tie Novak Djokovic celebrates his straight sets win over Matteo have appeared in. “Defi nitely, it’s lots of emotion She came on court after 40th- on Saturday, breaking Mladen- breaker where Mladenovic tri- Berrettini on day one of the ATP Finals at the O2 Arena in Mladenovic and Garcia, who to share this with Caroline,” said ranked Mladenovic upset Barty ovic’s fi rst service game with a net umphed. London yesterday. (Reuters)

HONOUR EVENT ISC felicitates Indian shooting and swimming teams Aspetar to host 1st

By Sports Reporter Doha UEFA and AFC

ndian Sports Centre (ISC), under the football teams patronage of Embassy of India in Qa- tar, recently felicitated the visiting Indian shooting team participating doctors’ workshop Iin the 14th Asian Shooting Champion- ship at Lusail Shooting Complex. A very By Sports Reporter and experience with their part- strong Indian contingent of 145 team Doha ners in the football sector, and members include players, coaches and the idea behind organising this offi cials. workshop is to create a platform Sharaf P. Hameed, vice president – spetar Orthopaedic and which through we can strengthen corporate and government relations at Sports Medicine hos- the role of sports medicine and ISC, presented a bouquet to the team pital will present the maintain a constant communi- manager Nimit Chopra and the offi cials. 1st Asian and European cation with teams doctors’ aim- Arun Kumar, secretary of indoor sports AChampions League football team ing that outcomes will primarily and managing committee members of doctors’ workshop on 13-14th serve the elite footballers.” ISC presented gifts to the 70 medal win- November. The summit, which is The two-day event will feature ners and offi cials as a token of apprecia- believed to be the fi rst of its kind tools and techniques designed to tion. involving both UEFA and AFC treat a range of issues that direct- Nisha, joint secretary and head of groups, will be attended by over ly aff ect players’ safety and care. yoga, ISC, welcomed and congratulated 30 football doctors of renowned Prof Jan Ekstrand, Aspetar the team for their outstanding perform- clubs in Europe and Asia. These Chief Medical offi cer, said, “We ance in the ongoing Asian championship ISC managing committee. will include Juventus, Liverpool, have had similar meetings at and also applauded the shooters who ISC president lauded the team for Chelsea, Dortmund, and Atletico UEFA for European teams for 20 have secured their spot for the 2020 To- their eff orts in the championship and ex- Madrid from Europe and Kashi- years, I’ve been together with kyo Olympics. On behalf of the Embassy tended best wishes to the team for their ma Antlers, Al Ain, Al Ittihad, my research group leading the of India, ISC extended their best wishes future endeavours. On behalf of Indian Shanghai, and Persepolis from UEFA injury study for 20 years, to the players for Tokyo 2020 Olympics. team, Nihar Ameen, team manager, ex- Asia. we trust with European team ISC also hosted a felicitation ceremo- pressed his heartfelt gratitude to ISC and Dr Michel D’Hooghe, Chair doctors to share the experi- ny for the Indian swimming team which the Embassy of India for this welcome of the FIFA Medical Committee, ence and knowledge and it’s a participated in the FINA Swimming gesture. and Dr Singh, Chair of the AFC successful concept in Europe.” World Cup Doha from 7-9 November. Sports Medicine Department, In 2016, the Asian Football Con- Hassan Chougule, president of ISC, Members of India’s shooting team will also be in attendance. federation (AFC) and Aspetar welcomed the Indian team manager Ni- (top photo) and swimming team pose Speaking about the work- launched a pilot study that inves- har Ameen and the four team members with off icials during their felicitation shop, Dr Abulaziz al-Kuwari, tigated injuries and illnesses dur- — Virdhawal Khade, Viraj Prabhu, Ansh organised by the Indian Sports Aspetar CEO, said, “Aspetar is ing the fi nal rounds of the AFC Arora and Rujuta Bhatt in presence of Centre. committed to share knowledge Champions League. Gulf Times Monday, November 11, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA Celtics beat Spurs but lose Hayward to broken left hand Brown scores 30 points, Walker 26; Hayward manages nine points and two rebounds in 15 minutes before the injury

AFP Los Angeles, United States

oston forward Gordon Hayward fractured his left hand Saturday in the Celtics’ 135-115 victory atB San Antonio, dimming the joy of improving to 7-1 on the NBA season. Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, Kemba Walker added 26, Jayson Tatum contributed 19 and Mar- cus Smart came off the bench for Hayward to add 16 to spark the Celtics’ triumph. Hayward managed nine points and two rebounds in 15 minutes before the injury. Hayward has been enjoying a stellar season with averages of 20.3 points, a team-high 7.9 re- bounds and 4.6 assists a game. He’s also hitting 44% from Gordon Hayward (right) of the three-point range. Boston Celtics. (AFP) The 29-year-old departed af- ter suff ering the injury with 94 seconds remaining in the second RESULTS quarter in a collision with San Houston 117-94 Chicago Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge, who was setting a pick on the Dallas 138-122 Memphis play and was whistled for a foul. Oklahoma 114-108 Golden State Hayward was taken to the New Orleans 115-110 Charlotte locker room and an X-ray con- Boston 135-115 San Antonio fi rmed the break. Hayward spent his fi rst seven NBA seasons with Utah before scored 25 points to lead six New joining the Celtics, only to suff er Orleans players in double fi gures severe leg and ankle injuries in the as the Pelicans notched their fi rst opening minutes of Boston’s 2017- road win of the season 115-110 18 season opener and miss the en- over the Hornets. tire remainder of the campaign. Ingram pulled down nine re- While Hayward has averaged bounds and New Orleans over- 11.5 points a game this season, it came 26 turnovers to notch just wasn’t until the past few games their second win overall in a sea- when he appeared to have fully son in which they’ve had to make shaken off the impact of the 2017 do without overall top draft pick injuries. Zion Williamson — who had ar- “This one doesn’t feel near as Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (centre) shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl (left) during the first half of the NBA game at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, throscopic surgery on his right bad as it did two years ago,” Celtics United States, on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) knee shortly before the campaign coach Brad Stevens said. “So, he’ll began. be back. Be off for a few weeks or a “It sounds like, should he de- proved too much for Golden State, But the Thunder responded teammates got me loose.” time loss to the Minnesota Tim- Ingram scored 10 of his 25 in month or whatever it is.” cide to do that, surgery option thwarting the Warriors’ comeback with a nine-point run that started Danilo Galinari led the Thun- berwolves on Friday. the fourth quarter to help the Stevens said Hayward and the might actually be a better time- bid to triumph 114-108. with Chris Paul’s driving layup and der with 21 points. Paul and Den- Elsewhere, the Houston Rockets Pelicans pull away in a game that team would have a fi rmer time- line. So we’ll see what that all The injury-hit Warriors, ended with his pull-up jumper. nis Schroder scored 16 apiece, thumped the Bulls in Chicago 117- was knotted at 95-95 with fi ve line once he had received further plays out to be. It’s too bad.” thrashed 120-92 by the Thunder Paul scored eight points in the center Brad Stevens added 13 94. James Harden scored 42 points minutes remaining. medical advice. on October 27, trailed by as many last 1:16 as the Thunder sealed and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 10 rebounds and nine assists “We kept fi ghting tonight,” “We’re going to get with the THUNDER THWART WAR- as 23 in the second quarter but had the win. 12 as Oklahoma City withstood and Russell Westbrook added 26 said JJ Redick, wo made fi ve doctors tomorrow and decide if RIORS pulled level through three quarters “It’s winning time,” Paul said a 32-point performance from points for Houston, who won their three-pointers on the way to 22 he needs to do surgery or not,” For the second time in two weeks and inched ahead by two points in of his late burst. “You try to be D’Angelo Russell — who had third straight game. points for the Pelicans. “We just Stevens said. the Oklahoma City Thunder the opening minutes of the fourth. aggressive and fortunately my scored 52 in the Warriors’ over- In Charlotte, Brandon Ingram stuck together.”

RUGBY Heat’s Waiters has THC edible-induced panic attack: report Bok stalwart Louw announces Reuters New York, United States international retirement iami Heat guard Dion Waiters did not suit Reuters Mup for Friday’s game Cape Town, South Africa against the Lakers in Los Angeles after experiencing what ESPN reported as a “panic outh Africa loose-for- attack” on the team plane after ward Francois Louw taking a THC-infused edible. confi rmed his retire- According to the report, pub- ment from international lished Saturday night, Waiters rugbyS yesterday, the second of received medical treatment the Springboks’ World Cup- upon the plane’s landing in Los winning side to call time on Angeles and did not attend the their careers in the green and game. He was listed as out due gold. to illness. Louw, who came off the re- Radio station 640 AM reported placement bench for captain Friday night that Waiters had Siya Kolisi in the 32-12 victory some sort of a reaction to gum- over England in the World Cup mies. was not familiar with the edible. Waiters has yet to actually suit decider on Nov. 2, won 76 test The ESPN report stated that The NBA prohibits use of THC. up for a game and, according caps having made his debut in Waiters sat out Thursday’s ESPN also reported that Waiters to ESPN, could lose out on a 2010. game in Phoenix with a stom- returned with the team to Mi- $1.2mn contract bonus should achache, and that he turned to ami on Saturday. Already strug- he miss four more games this I couldn’t have asked the edible looking for relief, but gling to break into the rotation, season. for a more fulfi lling career with the ‘ Springboks and I bow out with a full heart. I’ve FOCUS had an amazing journey in international rugby — Francois Louw, South Africa loose-forward Australia men and Fiji women “I couldn’t have asked for a qualify for Tokyo Olympics more fulfi lling career with the Springboks and I bow out with a AFP Samoa and Tonga qualifi ed for half and turned with a 12-0 lead full heart,” he said in a media re- Suva, Fiji an Olympic repechage tourna- before Australia rallied with lease from South Africa Rugby. ment in the men’s section as did three tries in the second half in- “I’ve had an amazing jour- Papua New Guinea and Samoa in cluding one from the captain. ney in international rugby. I’ve ustralia and Fiji have the women’s. Fiji dominated the women’s made friends for life in the game qualifi ed for the men’s Australia men’s captain Lewis fi nal with six unanswered tries and created incredible memo- and women’s rugby Holland said his side had put in a against Papua New Guinea. ries with great people.” sevens at the Tokyo Ol- lot of hard work to qualify for the The New Zealand and Fiji Bok coach Rassie Erasmus ympicsA next year following their Olympics. men’s teams, who are taking part was full of praise for the con- wins at the Oceania champion- “The last three months have in the Oceania Sevens champi- tribution of the Bath loose-for- go where the fi re was hottest and servant of South African rugby brought to the group.” ship in Fiji on Saturday. been building towards this mo- onship run in conjunction with ward to their World Cup cam- was the kind of tough-minded and we’re losing a lot with his Louw’s retirement follows In the men’s Olympic qualifi er ment because we didn’t qualify the Olympic qualifi er, have al- paign. character that you’d always want retirement, not just in how he that of prop Tendai Mtawarira, fi nal, Australia edged Samoa 19-12 through the World Series,” Hol- ready confi rmed their berths in “Flo was a real warrior of the beside you,” Erasmus said. played, but in the calmness, who won the last of his 117 caps while Fiji beat Papua New Guinea land said. Tokyo as have New Zealand and back row. He was always ready to “He has been a tremendous insight and character that he in the World Cup fi nal. 36-0 in the women’s fi nal. Samoa had control of the fi rst Australia in the women’s section. Gulf Times 6 Monday, November 11, 2019 SPORT

NHL BOXING Haney makes fi rst Meier, Sharks top defence of WBC lightweight title

AFP “He was very crafty. I went Los Angeles, United States in there and got the win. We re- ceived this opponent on a week Predators in 7th notice.” nbeaten Devin Haney Santiago was knocked down successfully defended by a right uppercut late in the his WBC lightweight fi fth round but got up at the title for the fi rst time count of eight and survived the withU a unanimous decision over fi nal 13 seconds of the round. Alfredo Santiago on Saturday Haney was unable to carry that night. momentum over into the sixth round of shootout American Haney, who turns 21 round as Santiago recovered and on November 17, knocked San- kept most of the rounds close by Martin Jones, playing in his 300th NHL game, had 24 saves for San Jose tiago down in the fi fth round of a using his reach advantage to keep surprisingly close fi ght at Staples Haney at a distance. Center Arena in Los Angeles. Santiago, who was making his This was Haney’s fi rst defence US debut, suff ered his first defeat of the 135-pound title which and is now 12-1, with four knock- was given to him after it was va- outs. cated by top-ranked Vasiliy Lo- Santiago is from the Domini- machenko who was then award- can Republic but fi ghts out of ed new title of WBC “franchise Puerto Rico. He was coming off champion”. a technical knockout of Diego Haney won every round on the Contreras in June. judges’ scorecards but Santiago Despite struggling against made him work for the victory. an unknown late replacement, All three judges scored it 120-107 Haney hopes he did enough to for Haney, who was the heavy strengthen his case for a shot at favourite going into the bout unifi ed lightweight champ Lo- but couldn’t give the American machenko. boxing crowd the knockout they Haney and Santiago had to were craving. fi ght on the undercard of a main Haney said after the fi ght that event novelty fi ght between a he thought he dislocated his right pair of YouTube entertainers, shoulder in the fi ght but couldn’t American Logan Paul and Olajide remember in which round. William Olatunji, also known as “It was bad the whole fi ght,” KSI. he said of the shoulder. “I am England’s KSI won the battle not sure what round but he was to see who is the king of social on the ropes and I threw a right media with a split decision six- hand. round victory over Paul.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones (left) deflects a shot during the NHL game against the Nashville Predators in San Jose, United States, on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports)

Both teams were coming and Evgeny Kuznetsov had a goal Vegas turnover in its own end Reuters RESULTS New York, United States off sloppy defensive eff orts on and an assist as the Washington that Vrana sent over to Wilson. Thursday night — Nashville al- NY Islanders 2-1 Florida Capitals defeated the visiting The big winger quickly fired lowed a franchise-record nine Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 Sat- one past Fleury 5:53 into the imo Meier scored in goals, including six over a span Tampa Bay 5-3 Buff alo urday night. first period. the seventh round of of eight minutes in a 9-4 loss at Montreal 3-2 Los Angeles Backstrom scored both of his The Golden Knights an- a previously scoreless Colorado, while San Jose gave Ottawa 4-1 Carolina goals in the third period — the swered when Max Pacioretty shootout to give the up three goals in less than eight fi nal two goals of the game and scored from in front just under T Pittsburgh 3-2 Chicago San Jose Sharks a 2-1 victory minutes late in the third period last into an empty net. Tom Wil- nine minutes in. Vegas won a (SO) over the visiting Nashville Pred- of a 6-5 victory over Minnesota. son and Jonas Siegenthaler each draw, and the puck rolled over ators on Saturday night. They combined for just one Philadelphia 3-2 Toronto also scored as Washington won to Pacioretty, who put it into After Martin Jones stopped a goal over the fi rst two periods, (SO) its sixth consecutive game. the net. Rocco Grimaldi try to start the and that didn’t come until the Washington 5-2 Las Vegas Jakub Vrana and John Carlson Washington and the Golden round, Meier looped in from 14:44 mark of the second pe- both added two assists, as the Knights traded goals in the sec- Minnesota 4-3 Arizona the right side and then roofed a riod, with a highlight-reel score Caps are on a 10-0-1 roll. Goalie ond period. Siegenthaler scored wrist shot over the blocker side by Forsberg. Colorado 4-2 Columbus Braden Holtby earned the win his fi rst NHL goal — and even of Nashville goaltender Juuse Forsberg carried in the puck St. Louis 3-2 Calgary with 30 saves and has gone 7-0- grabbed the puck off the ice mo- Saros. Meier also had an assist on the left side of the blue line (OT) 1 in his last eight games. ments later — with 4:28 left. on the Sharks’ only goal in regu- and passed the puck to himself San Jose 2-1 Nashville These two teams met in the Then, Reilly Smith notched lation, scored by Tomas Hertl. through the skates of Erik Karls- (SO) 2018 Stanley Cup Finals, which his 10th goal of the season, a Jones, playing in his 300th son. Forsberg then powered Washington won in fi ve games. power-play score just under two NHL game, had 24 saves for San around the Sharks defenseman But this is the fi rst time they’ve minutes later to cut the Knights’ Jose, which extended its win- before fl ipping a shot short side Nashville got a four-on-three played since Dec. 4, when the defi cit to 3-2. ning streak to three games. The over Jones’ blocker from the power play with 1:31 to go in Golden Knights won 5-3. But Backstrom gave Washing- Sharks won for the fi rst time in bottom of the left circle for his overtime when Evander Kane The Capitals started quickly ton some insurance on a power- 10 games this season when trail- eighth goal of the season. was called for hooking but failed Saturday when Dmitry Or- play goal with 8:30 remaining ing after two periods, and the Hertl tied it at the 5:22 mark of to capitalise when Jones stopped lov made a pass that sprung in the game. His goal snuck be- fi rst time in nine when trailing the third period with his seventh all four of its shots. Kuznetsov on a breakaway, tween Fleury’s left arm and body after one. goal of the year, slapping in a re- and he beat goalie Marc-Andre and dribbled into the net for a Devan Haney celebrates in the ring with the belt after defeating Filip Forsberg scored for bound of a Marc-Edouard Vlasic CAPITALS KNOCK OFF Fleury 58 seconds into the game. 4-2 lead. Alfredo Santiago-Alvarez (not pictured) in their WBC World Nashville, while Saros fi nished shot that he had defl ected into KNIGHTS FOR 6TH STRAIGHT Washington kept the pres- Backstrom’s empty-net goal Lightweight Championship fight at Staples Center in Los Angeles, with 31 saves. the pads of Saros. Nicklas Backstrom scored twice, sure on and made it 2-0 after a came in the fi nal minute. California, United States, on Saturday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE NFL bucking trend of pro title tyros

By Sam Ross Jr. four Super Bowls in a six-season Back-to-back fi rst-time Cup While these other pro leagues Chances of a fi rst-time Super The Tribune-Democrat (TNS) stretch, as the Steelers did in the champions for the NHL stands have been giving new faces a ride Bowl champion this season seem 1970s. in stark contrast to what had on the title merry-go-round, slight. Rozelle also would have been transpired in the previous nine don’t expect the NFL to follow Buff alo, which has the unfor- onsider it ironic that, disturbed by the contemporary seasons. suit. Just past the midway point tunate record of making it to four at a time when most sustained excellence of the New The Penguins won the Cup of the 2019 season, the NFL consecutive Super Bowls in the pro sports leagues in England Patriots. three times, including going teams with the best records are early 1990s and losing all four, is Cthese United States Instead, Rozelle would have back-to-back in 2016-17 and San Francisco (8-0), New Eng- 6-2 so far this year. But the Bills are welcoming fresh franchise much preferred what’s going on 2015-16; the Chicago Black- land (8-1), New Orleans (7-1), have lost to both teams they’ve names to the championship roll elsewhere these days in the play- hawks also took three cham- Green Bay (7-2) and Seattle (7-2). faced who currently have win- call, the NFL of late mostly is for-pay ranks. pionships in that nine-season San Francisco has won the Su- ning records, and the cumulative seeing familiar faces taking home Major League Baseball had stretch; and the Los Angles per Bowl fi ve times, admittedly record of the six teams the Bills titles. four teams win more than 100 Kings had hoisted the Cup twice. not since 1994, but this former have beaten is 9-42. And this season looks like it’s games each last season, but the Even the NBA, whose title league dynasty seems to have Minnesota, also 0-4 in all- going to be a replay of that trend World Series title went to a 93- picture had been stuck in a been revitalised. time Super Bowl appearances, for the NFL. win Washington Nationals team repetitive loop in recent playoff s, New England has won the although not in consecutive This would horrify former that qualifi ed for the postseason got into the fi rst-timer act last Super Bowl six times, including seasons, is 6-3 this year, but has NFL commissioner ‘Parity’ Pete as a wild-card entry. season with the Toronto Rap- taking three of the past fi ve and been wildly inconsistent. Rozelle, who made it his life’s It was the fi rst Series title for tors earning their initial league losing in a fourth appearance, The Houston Texans (6-3) work to attempt to even out the the Washington franchise that crown. to fi rst-time champions from have yet to make it to a Super competition in the league that had begun play in Montreal in In this November 3, 2019, picture, New England Patriots quarterback In each of the previous four Philadelphia. Bowl, a status likely to continue he ran by penalising successful 1969 before the eventual move Tom Brady (left) throws during the game against Baltimore Ravens at seasons, the NBA Finals had been New Orleans and Seattle this season. teams with tougher schedules, to the US capital for the 2005 M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, United States. USA TODAY Sports) contested by the Golden State each have won the Super Bowl As for the Cleveland Browns, not to mention worse drafting season. Warriors and Cleveland Cava- within the past 10 seasons, as a trendy pick before the season positions. The Nationals claimed this to the St. Louis Blues last season, the league. liers, with the Warriors winning has Green Bay. The Packers also to make it to the franchise’s fi rst While it probably is not true, championship by beating Hou- the fi rst such triumph for that In the 2017-18 season, the three times. won the fi rst two Super Bowls Super Bowl, their stumble to a as some critics complained, that ston, which in 2017 had banked franchise, which had joined the Washington Capitals had ruled Those Warriors did make it ever played, not to mention one 2-6 record all but guarantees Rozelle wanted a league full of that franchise’s fi rst-ever World Penguins and four others as the NHL, claiming the fi rst back to the championship round other Super Bowl title since and their fans once again will sound 8-8 teams, it is true he didn’t Series title. part of the 1967 expansion that Stanley Cup in that organisa- last season, but couldn’t best nine NFL championships in the the battle cry “wait ‘til next want to see one franchise win The NHL’s Stanley Cup went doubled the number of teams in tion’s history. Toronto. pre-Super Bowl era. year.” Gulf Times Monday, November 11, 2019 7 SPORT

CRICKET GOLF Fedex Cup Series to commence Chahar claims 6/7 this month as India post T20 series victory ‘I KNOW HOW TOUGH IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE CONSIDERING THE DEW FACTOR’

By Sports Reporter tournament calendar for members Doha of both clubs and we look forward to seeing who will be the champion golfer in 2020, our thanks go out to he Fedex Cup Series will Fedex for bringing this event to the commence this month in Amateurs of Qatar.” Qatar. The event which For those looking to participate, is a spin off event from golfers must be a member of either theT PGA Tour will be held at the Doha Golf Club or Education City two Championship Golf Courses Golf Club with a valid handicap to in Qatar — Doha Golf Club and participate. Points will be accu- Education City Golf Club. The mulated each month at the play- tournament series will span a pe- ers home club with double points riod of 7 months and will be open available in the fi nal event. Gary to members of the golf clubs. McGlinchey, General Manager of The participants will have the op- Doha Golf Club, commented, “Since portunity to accumulate points each Doha Golf Club has been open since month with the series that will see 1998 this is the fi rst time an event of 15 players from Doha Golf Club and this magnitude will take place over 2 15 Players from Education City golf courses in Qatar. We are excited to be club participate in the Fedex Cup working alongside Education City Series Final to be held in May 2020. Golf Club in bringing this tourna- This is the fi rst time such an event ment to the members of both clubs.” has occurred in Doha for amateur The season structure will be golfers competing over the two golf formulated between the two golf courses. clubs with rotating monthly quali- Michael Braidwood, General fi ers. Through the season players Manager of Education City Golf earn points in each event they play, Club stated, “ The Fedex Cup Series the goal is to be among the top 15 to for Qatar will be a highlight in the progress to the fi nals.

Indian cricket team poses with the trophy after winning the T20 series against Bangladesh at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, India, yesterday. (AFP) Hatton wins Turkish Open AFP dian bowlers who found it diffi cult Shreyas Iyer, who score 62, made Nagpur, India to grip the ball due to the presence the hosts reach 174 for fi ve after be- Deepak Chahar bowls during under floodlights of last evening due. ing put in to bat fi rst. the third T20 match against “It were the bowlers who won us Iyer and Rahul put on a crucial Bangladesh at the Vidarbha England’s Tyrrell Hatton beat Overnight leader Schwab, who aceman Deepak Cha- the game. I know how tough it was 59-run stand for the third wicket to Cricket Association Stadium in Austria’s Matthias Schwab on the led the field on each of the first har returned best-ever in the middle considering the dew give the hosts a challenging total in Nagpur, India, yesterday. (AFP) fourth playoff hole to clinch his three days, had the chance to Twenty20 bowling fi g- factor,” stand-in-skipper Rohit their 20 overs after India were in- second Rolex Series title at the clinch the title on the 18th with ures of six for seven as Sharma said after the win. vited to bat fi rst in the fi nal match Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya a birdie but finished with a par PIndia clinched the series 2-1 “But this must be one of the best of the series tied at 1-1. yesterday after a dramatic six- score on the hole to set up the against Bangladesh with a 30- comebacks in this format for India. Rahul raised his fi fty in 33 balls man playoff . six-way playoff — only the third run win yesterday. It was easy for them at one stage, as he hit seven fours before falling For the first time at a profes- in European Tour history. Chahar, a medium-pace bowler, with 70 needed in eight overs. But to paceman Al Amin Hossain. sional golf tournament, the Six became three when Perez, fi nished the match with a hat-trick the boys showed characters, took Iyer made the most of a re- floodlights were switched on at Van Rooyen and Hebert were to pack off Bangladesh for 144 in up the responsibility.” prieve on nought when dropped by the Montgomerie Maxx Royal eliminated on the first playoff 19.2 overs while chasing 175 for vic- Aminul Islam off Shafi ul to bring golf course for the playoff as the hole while Hatton’s sensational tory in Nagpur. THE IYER-RAHUL STAND up his maiden T20 fi fty. six golfers battled for the $2mn birdie chip from the edge of the Chahar became the fi rst Indian Chahar, who took two early wick- Iyer took the attack to the op- prize money. Hatton, overnight green saw him remain in conten- bowler to get a T20 hat-trick as ets on successive balls as Bangla- position with a fl urry of sixes in- leader Schwab, American Kurt tion. As the floodlights came he went past Sri Lanka’s Ajantha desh slipped to 12 for two, broke cluding three successive hits over Kitayama, South Africa’s Erik van on in the Turkish twilight, it was Mendis who had fi gures of 6-8 the threatening third-wicket stand the fence off Afi f. Sharma insisted Rooyen and Frenchmen Victor Schwab’s turn to impress on the against Zimbabwe in 2012. after sending back Mithun caught that the team will continue to fi nd Perez and Benjamin Hebert third extra hole with a 20-footer Left-handed opener Moham- out for 27. the right balance for the T20 World entered the playoff after they all from the edge of the green to mad Naim made 81 and put on 98 Dube struck on the fi rst ball of Cup in Australia next year. finished with a 20-under overall stay alive along with Hatton runs for the third wicket with Mo- the very next over as Mushfi qur The two teams will now play two score after 72 holes. while Kitayama bowed out after hamed Mithun, who made 27, but Rahim was played on for a golden Tests starting in Indore on Novem- “It’s so surreal, I actually can’t be- missing his shot. Hatton finished the rest of the batting faltered in duck to give the medium-pace ber 14. Kolkata will host India’s fi rst lieve that I’ve won,” Hatton said. the fourth extra hole on par the chase. bowler his maiden T20 scalp. day-night Test starting November “I said to my team that if I was after missing a birdie putt before Chahar, who wiped off the tail Dube then got Naim’s prized 18. lucky enough to win again, I’d Schwab agonisingly missed his with a wicket on the last ball of his scalp with a perfect yorker that rat- definitely savour the moment putt for par from a few feet out, third over and two at the start of his tled the stumps of the left-hander BRIEF SCORES because it’s quite easy to take with the bogey handing Hatton fourth, was ably supported by fel- and was on a hat-trick after getting India 174 for 5 (Iyer 62, Rahul 52, it for granted. Sport’s great — who looked on in disbelief — low paceman Shivam Dube who new batsman Afi f Hossain caught Sarkar 2-29) beat Bangladesh 144 when it’s going well and when his fourth win on the European claimed three wickets. and bowled. Earlier Indian bats- (Naim 81, Chahar 6-7, Dube 3-30) it’s not going well, it hits home.” Tour. It was a special eff ort by the In- men KL Rahul, who made 52, and by 30 runs.

FOCUS England wrap up series in super-over thriller AFP and needed only 19 deliveries to reach his Auckland 50 before being removed by Adil Rashid one ball later. Munro had four sixes and two fours in his ngland snatched the Twenty20 46 off 21 balls. series against New Zealand in dra- England were rocked early in reply with matic fashion in Auckland yester- Trent Boult removing Tom Banton (seven) day, with a super over required to and Eoin Morgan (17), while Tim Southee breakE the deadlock in scenes reminiscent accounted for James Vince (1) to have the of the World Cup fi nal four months ago. tourists at 39 for three after three overs. A Chris Jordan boundary on the last ball Sam Curran pulled England back into the of the England innings brought the tourists game with 20 runs off Scott Kuggeleijn’s level with New Zealand’s 146 pushing the sole over and Bairstow belted three sixes rain-shortened match into a tiebreaking off Ish Sodhi in the next over. super over. The pair put on 61 in 24 balls before they Jonny Bairstow, whose thumping man- fell on consecutive deliveries with Bairstow of-the-match 47 enabled England to catch caught behind on the last ball of a Jimmy New Zealand after they lost three early Neesham over and Curran (24) stumped wickets, partnered Eoin Morgan in a 17-run on the fi rst ball of Mitchell Santner’s next stand in the match- and series-deciding over. over. But unlike the World Cup fi nal, when In the fi nal over of regular play, England even the super over was tied, this time New needed 13 from the last three balls by Nee- Zealand fi nished nine runs short to give sham when Jordan went to the middle and England the win and take the series 3-2. belted six, two, and four to set up the tie- Somewhat surprisingly, Tim Seifert breaker. opened their super over and was out of six The fi rst of two Tests between New Zea- after four balls while the hard-hitting Mar- land and England starts in Tauranga on No- tin Guptill stood unemployed at the non- vember 21. striker’s end. In a match reduced to 11 overs per side BRIEF SCORES because of rain, Guptill and Colin Munro England 146 for 7 (Bairstow 47, Santner gave New Zealand a fl ying start after they 2-20) tied with New Zealand 146 for 5 lost the toss and were sent into bat. (Guptill 50, Munro 46) Guptill peppered the short Eden Park Super Over England 17 beat New Zealand boundaries with fi ve sixes and three fours 8 for 1. England’s cricket team celebrate winning the Twenty20 series against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday. (AFP)

Monday, November 11, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

WORLD SQUASH ElShorbagy survives Waller test, to meet India’s Ghosal ‘I am not going to tell myself and lie to myself that there is no pressure. On the court, you will feel pressure...’

By Mikhil Bhat his 200th PSA event, and is hoping to do bet- Doha ter than his quarter-fi nal appearance at last year’s World championships in Chicago, but has ElShorbagy to deal with tomorrow. The player who played better today didn’t “Obviously Mohamed and me go way back; win. But the player with more experience we have trained in the past as well while we won.” were with David Palmer. I would be happy for That’s how Egyptian top seed and world him to win (today), but if I play him day after, I “number two Mohamed ElShorbagy summed up would want to win,” Ghosal had said yesterday, a testing second-round match with Englishman before ElShorbagy’s match with Waller. Adrian Waller at the PSA Men’s World Squash Ghosal may have won the fi rst two match- Championship in Doha yesterday. es against ElShorbagy, but the Egyptian has While the scoreline may read a breezy 3-0 win not lost to Ghosal in around 11 years. “I think in favour of ElShorbagy, the details (13-11, 11-9, both our levels is much higher than in 2008. In 11-9) and anyone in attendance would tell you terms of the result, of course I would want to otherwise, with Waller probably cursing himself turn back time, but in terms of performances, for making expensive mistakes at crucial mo- I wouldn’t manage the W (win) if I turned back ments, and letting the 2017 world champion off time,” said Ghosal, who has fellow player and the hook. practice partner James Willstrop in his corner. Whether it was serving out of the line for 10-9 lead in the second game, or the number of The man from Alexandria has the most times he hit the ball on to the tin, Waller wasn’t number of Platinum event victories able to close out the opportunities he had. on tour at 18 and has been at the top of The tall left-hander though did well to pro- the rankings collectively for more than vide some fast-paced action and even broke his three years, and a solitary world title opponent’s rhythm at times by mixing the pace doesn’t do the 28-year-old’s resume any well. justice. Twice in Doha – 2012 and 2014 – “I have actually never seen him play that he went down against compatriot Ramy fast-paced before in my life,” ElShorbagy, who Ashour in epic matches has won three Qatar Classic titles in Doha, said after the 49-minute encounter. “He interrupt- ed my rhythm completely. “Him (Willstrop) and me, we started off as “But that’s (quick problem-solving) what practice partners when I moved to Pontefract top players do; when they fi nd trouble they Squash Club (in the UK), I was 18 years old. need to fi nd a way out.” Now it has transcended squash. Obviously The man from Alexandria has the most having him in my corner is brilliant. We are number of Platinum event victories on tour at trying to help each other out as much as pos- 18 and has been at the top of the rankings col- sible this week, and hopefully both of us will lectively for more than three years, and a soli- Egypt’s Mohamed ElShorbagy plays a keep going deeper into the draw,” Ghosal said tary world title doesn’t do the 28-year-old’s shot during his match against Adrian about the former world number 1, who will resume any justice. Twice in Doha – 2012 and Waller in the second round of the PSA play 2016 champion Karim Abdel Gawad in the 2014 – he went down against compatriot Ramy Men’s Squash World Championship third round today. Ashour in epic matches. yesterday. Also through to the next round yesterday Asked about the pressure of expectations, were four more Egyptians, including 2017 fi - also with last year’s champion and world nalist and ElShorbagy’s brother Marwan, be- number one Ali Farag pulling out of the tour- sides New Zealand’s fourth seed Paul Coll and nament, ElShorbagy said, “I am not going to Colombian eighth seed Migurel Rodriguez. tell myself and lie to myself that there is no pressure. On the court, you will feel pressure, Results (Round II) and you just have to deal with it. I can’t lose be- 4-Paul Coll (NZL) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 3-0: 11-7, cause I couldn’t handle pressure. (But) It’s only 11-4, 11-8 (40m) the second round and there is a long time to go.” 12-Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt WC-Syed Azlan Am- Next up for ElShorbagy is Indian tenth seed New Zealand’s Paul Coll (R) jad (QAT) 3-0: 11-5, 11-2, 11-6 (25m) Saurav Ghosal, who too picked up a 3-0 victory in action against Spain’s 14-Zahed Salem (EGY) bt Mostafa Asal (EGY) 3-1: over France’s Lucas Serme earlier in the glass Borja Golan yesterday. 11-7, 6-11, 11-2, 11-7 (58m) court at the Khalifa International Tennis and PICTURES: Jayan Orma 8-Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt Alan Clyne (SCO) Squash Complex. 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 11-6 (29m) While Serme often stayed within a couple of 7-Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt Leo Au (HKG) points of the 33-year-old from Kolkata, India, 3-2: 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 4-11, 12-10 (68m) Ghosal eventually eased past the world number 9-Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Nicolas Mueller 37 winning three straight games, just like he (SUI) 3-1: 5-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6 (40m) had done at last year’s championship in Chi- 10-Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt Lucas Serme (FRA) cago. 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-5 (36m) However, after the 36-minute 11-8, 11-5, 11-5 1-Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Adrian Waller victory, a humble Ghosal had all the respect for (ENG) 3-0: 13-11, 11-9, 11-9 (48m) his opponent. “Lucas is a very good squash player. He Today’s matches (Round III) moves very smooth, very well. He has been 3pm: 5-Simon Rosner (GER) v 11-Joel Makin having a good season. I saw him play in Sep- (WAL) tember in Shanghai, and he almost beat Mo- 4pm: 13-Fares Dessouky (EGY) v 6-Diego Elias hamed (ElShorbagy). He was 2-0 up and Mo- (PER) hamed had to dig deep on a glass court to beat 5pm: James Willstrop (ENG) v 3-Karim Abdel him,” Ghosal said. Gawad (EGY) Ghosal, who won India’s fi rst squash medal 6pm: 3-Tarek Momen (EGY) v Abdulla al-Tamimi at Asian Games in 2006 in Doha, is playing in (QAT)

BOTTOMLINE From gravel pitch to glory: Kolisi comes home AFP thin legs, but strong. He oozed passion The celebrations of the 32-12 Port Elizabeth, South Africa whenever he had the ball. fi nal victory over England in “I saw this diligent, well mannered Japan last weekend will and disciplined boy with great passion conclude today when the team ugby World Cup-winning and enthusiasm for rugby and I knew he drive through the streets of captain Siya Kolisi returned to would go far. Cape Town, a rugby hotbed his South African roots yes- “I am not surprised that he captains terday, holding the trophy as the Springboks. I could see leadership whites had skippered a team that ex- anR open-top bus crawled through the qualities in him even at the tender age cluded black players for 90 years. streets of a Port Elizabeth township. of 12. He was focused.” The gamble appeared to have back- It was in Zwide, 17 kilometres (11 Songwiqi said Kolisi, born to teenage fi red when visiting England raced to a miles) north of the coastal city, that parents in June 1991, loved rugby more 21-point lead in Johannesburg in the the Springboks colossus fi rst handled than his school books. fi rst match of a three-Test series. a rugby ball on a gravel, often wind- “You could see the zeal and hunger But Kolisi and his teammates did swept school sport fi eld. even though it was on a rough, hard, not panic, clawed back into contention Port Elizabeth was the fourth leg of a gravel pitch,” said the coach. with a string of tries and won a thriller national victory parade tour that began 42-39. in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto ‘I PLAYED A PART’ South Africa won seven interna- on Thursday and continued in Durban “I feel great that my product is doing tionals and lost seven in 2018, but the and East London. well and the moment he lifted the Wil- groundwork had been laid for a dra- The celebrations of the 32-12 fi - liam Webb Ellis trophy, I felt that I had matic improvement this year. nal victory over England in Japan last played a part in the win.” An ultimately convincing victory weekend will conclude today when the Kolisi was spotted at a tournament over pre-match favourites England in team drive through the streets of Cape when only 12 and won a scholarship to the World Cup fi nal was the 10th in 12 Town, a rugby hotbed. an elite Port Elizabeth school, where his matches this season. Among those who greeted Kolisi and rugby skills were honed. Travelling to Port Elizabeth also his victorious teammates Sunday on a After representing South Africa at marked a homecoming for Erasmus, wet, windy day under a slate grey sky under-20 level, he joined Cape Town- who turned 47 this week. He was born was Eric Songwiqi, a schoolteacher and based Super Rugby team the Stormers in Despatch, a motor manufacturing fi rst coach of the would-be Springboks. and made his Springbok debut six years town 30 kilometres northwest of Port “Siya handled a rugby ball for the ago against Scotland in Nelspruit. Elizabeth. fi rst time on a gravel sports fi eld at Em- Last year, coach Rassie Erasmus took Meanwhile, loose forward Francois sengeni primary school in Zwide town- over a Springboks squad that had be- Louw has become the second member ship,” he told AFP. come an embarrassment, especially of the Springbok squad to offi cially an- “The boys would hurriedly eat their following a fi rst loss to European rugby nounce his retirement, after legendary food during the school break, then ask minnows Italy. prop Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira. me for the rugby ball so that they could Among his fi rst decisions was to Known as ‘Flo’, the 34-year-old play. make loose forward Kolisi the fi rst black based in England was capped 76 times “I recall Siya being a small boy with Test captain of the Springboks after 60 and came off the bench in the final.