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Wednesday, September 4, 2019 TENNIS Muharram 5, 1441 AH Nadal reigns in clash GULF TIMES of former US Open champs as Zverev exits SPORT Page 2

PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil

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From Arabic language influences to reflections of Middle Eastern culture, the Qatar 2022 emblem represents aspirations and potential of the region

Madrid Buenos Aires Kuwait City Beirut

QUALIFIERS Contenders for fast start as Asia’s road to Qatar 2022 resumes

Agencies Cup on home soil. The Central Asian nation, who “Moreover, playing on an arti- Arabia as well as Palestine, Yem- cation record and are aiming to where they are joined by Syria, Hong Kong The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 went close to sealing a place at fi cial pitch is always unpleasant en and Singapore, ensuring Cu- secure an appearance at a 10th the Philippines, Guam and the champions have continued work- the 2006 fi nals in Germany, start for players who are not accus- per and his team will face a seri- consecutive World Cup — and 11th Maldives. ing and played in the Copa Amer- their latest attempt in Palestine tomed to playing on this kind of ous challenge in the attempt to in total — while Japan are also a Jordan will present the big- atar will headline ica in June and will be ready for the and the Argentine believes a win- surface conditions. But we are progress to the next round. dominant force, having played at gest threat to Australia in Group Group E of the Asian challenges expected in Group E. ning start will stand his team in going to do everything possible in “There is no team to be under- every tournament since 1998. B, which also includes Chinese Qualifi ers for the 2022 The top seeds in each of the good stead. order to get a good result.” estimated in our group,” Cuper Australia, too, are one of the Taipei, Nepal and Kuwait, with FIFA World Cup Qatar eight groups — including World “It’s always very important to The fi rst place fi nishers in each said. “In theory, Saudi Arabia powerhouses of the region, Iran’s meeting with Iraq the andQ AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Cup regulars such as South Ko- start with three points, because a group is guaranteed to advance to may seem to be the main con- booking their place at each World highlight of a Group C that also with Bangladesh, Oman, India rea, Japan, Australia and Iran favourable result will lay the foun- the next round of Asia’s qualifi - tender to win the group as they Cup since their second qualifi - features Hong Kong, Bahrain and and Afghanistan determined to — do not commence their cam- dation for the next victories,” Cu- cation campaign, with the four were in the fi rst pot during the cation was sealed in Germany in Cambodia. challenge the defending AFC paigns until next Tuesday. per told the Asian Football Con- best runners-up across the eight draw, but now they need to prove 2006. Iran, meanwhile, are aim- Japan being their campaign Asian Cup champions. Uzbekistan are among those federation’s offi cial website. groups also advancing. it on the pitch also.” ing to qualify for a third fi nals in a against Myanmar next week Qatar are the overwhelming hoping to mount a challenge for “Talking about Palestine, I The 12 teams will be drawn into The task facing the countries row and a fi fth in total. in Group F, where Kyrgyzstan, favourites to win the group and one of the four guaranteed berths should state that they are a really two groups of six, with the top who are hoping to muscle in on Group G features the United Tajikistan and Mongolia will head coach Felix Sanchez will at the fi nals in Qatar, with former tough and aggressive opponent two teams certain of a place at Asia’s established order is monu- Arab Emirates, Thailand, Viet- also play and South Korea will go be expecting top quality per- Egypt coach Hector Cuper signed who will be trying to take advan- the fi nals. mental. nam, Indonesia and Malaysia. head-to-head with North Korea formances from his team as they up to lead the country to a maid- tage of playing in front of their Uzbekistan share their group South Korea have the conti- China should be strong enough in Group H along with Turkmen- buildup to the 2022 FIFA World en qualifi cation. fans. with fi ve-time fi nalists Saudi nent’s most impressive qualifi - to secure a way out of Group A, istan, Lebanon and Sri Lanka. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, September 4, 2019 TENNIS

FOCUS COMMENT Behave like Roger Nadal reigns in clash and Rafa, Zverev tells unruly tennis youngsters of former champs as DPA another suspension over multiple New York off ences recently in Cincinnati and naming the men’s ATP Tour “corrupt.” ‘The emotions I have when I play lexander Zverev is not Zverev, 22, named the veterans impressed by the be- and multiple grand slam champi- here are impossible to describe’ haviour of other young- ons Federer and Nadal role models Zverev exits Asters at the US Open and in this respect, from whom the tells them to look at veterans youngsters should learn. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal “I hope some of the NextGen or to learn how to conduct them- the young guys will kind of learn selves on court. from the older guys like Roger and “There’s a lot of young guys that Rafa who have been unbelievable do things on the tennis court that over their career, really let their maybe is not the best thing to racquet talk for them, not try to do. I don’t want the next genera- distract opponents, something tion to be known for that,” Zverev like that,” he said. said after going out in the fourth But, looking at Medvedev, he round of the US Open Monday in also said that success is the ulti- four sets against Diego Schwartz- mate goal, regardless of behaviour. man. “He’s winning. He’s in the Zverev mentioned antics by quarter-fi nals. He’s playing Stan Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and [Wawrinka]. At the end of the day wondered about Russian Daniil it all doesn’t matter if you’re win- Medvedev and his stirring up of a ning,” Zverev said. now hostile to him crowd. The German himself has also “I think a lot of the times Tsitsi- not always been on his best behav- pas gets over the line with chang- iour and on Monday was docked a ing his shoes 15 times in a tourna- point for a verbal obscenity. He ment, going to the bathroom in contested the call, stating he never the middle of a set. Stuff like that,” heard that he was given a warning he said. “Medvedev is obviously earlier in the match, in which he going over the line a little bit now.” was supported by Schwartzman. Zverev was also bewildered a “Code violation is fi ne. I didn’t few days ago when Frances Tiafoe even argue that. But neither of us took a bathroom break that lasted heard me getting a warning in the more than 10 minutes during their fi rst place,” he said. “I didn’t hear second-round match. it. Diego didn’t hear it. Most of the And he will likely also not be crowd didn’t hear it. I think the pleased with the antics of Aus- umpires next time should let me tralia’s Nick Kyrgios who faces know about it.”

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his fourth round match against Marin Cilic of Croatia at the US Open on Monday. (AFP)

AFP grasped control by breaking for after the 5ft 7in (1.70m) Argen- “Generally my season so far progress to the US Open quar- New York 3-1 in the third, a series of daz- tine chopped down sixth seed has not been the best,” said ter-fi nals, 42 years after Corrado zling winners drawing an ani- Zverev. Zverev, who has reached just two Barazzutti’s run to the last four mated fi st-pump from golf leg- “He is playing amazing, noth- quarter-fi nals in 18 Grand Slam in New York. afael Nadal ramped up end Tiger Woods at Arthur Ashe ing new, he’s one of the players appearances. Berrettini, the 24th seed, his quest for a fourth Stadium. with best talent on tour,” the 18- Zverev said he was hindered eased to a 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) US Open title Monday Nadal reeled off nine games in time Grand Slam champion said a “very swollen” back and right win over Russia’s 43rd-ranked with an impressive win succession across the third and of his upcoming opponent. hip following a fall in his previ- Andrey Rublev to reach the last SPOTLIGHT overR 2014 champion Marin Cilic fourth sets and 12 of the fi nal 15 “It will be a big challenge. I ous match. eight at a Grand Slam for the to advance to the quarter-fi nals to nail down a 40th Grand Slam have to play my best. I’m happy “I had a lot of chances which I fi rst time. while Alexander Zverev slumped quarter-fi nal appearance, nine for him. He’s a close friend and I didn’t use early in the match. He “It’s something really crazy. I to a four-set defeat. of which have come at the US hope to play a great match.” kind of ran away with it.” cannot believe it right now. I need Svitolina downs Second seed Nadal — the Open. Zverev lost his serve three a few hours to understand what winner at Flushing Meadows in “The emotions I have when I BERRETTINI, times during the second set happened,” said Berrettini, 23, 2010, 2013 and 2017 — produced play here are impossible to de- MONFILS WIN but appeared to have steadied who goes on to play French 13th Konta to reach US some electrifying moments of scribe. I love the sport and feel Zverev rolled through the open- himself when he moved a break seed Gael Monfi ls. brilliance to end the challenge very lucky to still be playing ten- ing set against Schwartzman ahead at 3-2 in the third, only for “I’m just happy. Seeing my of Croatian 22nd seed Cilic 6-3, nis here. Eight years ago I didn’t under the roof on Ashe during a Schwartzman to wrest the mo- team and family here and crying, Open semis 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. think that would happen as my rainy afternoon session, but he mentum back in his favour after for me it’s unbelievable.” After barely breaking a sweat body was suff ering badly,” Nadal lost his way to go down 3-6, 6-2, a lengthy sixth game. Berrettini went one step fur- Reuters “I’m very happy with how I in reaching the last 16, a run said. 6-4, 6-3. “It was tough because I was ther than his run to the last 16 at New York handled the pressure.” that included a second-round “It’s a huge honour playing in The German was enjoying his feeling I had the chance to win Wimbledon in July, where he was Svitolina rifl ed a backhand win- walkover, Nadal stared down front of all of you and playing in deepest run in New York but this and I had a few break points beaten by Roger Federer. ner on break point for a 4-3 lead in his stiff est test so far to surge front of Tiger is a very special committed 17 double faults and I could not take,” Schwartzman Monfi ls, a 2016 US Open semi- lina Svitolina contin- the second set, celebrating with an into a quarter-fi nal meeting thing. I always say I don’t have 65 unforced errors and received said. “He was up a break and fi nalist, crushed the 33-year-old ued her dominant run emphatic fi st pump in front of the with Argentine 20th seed Diego big idols but one idol is him and I a point penalty for swearing as then I recovered really quickly Andujar’s bid to become the oldest against Johanna Konta crowd that included her boyfriend Schwartzman. always try to follow him.” Schwartzman advanced to a sec- and I felt great after that.” player in the Open era to reach his Ewith a 6-4 6-4 win Gael Monfi ls, who plays his quar- The Spaniard exchanged the Nadal’s path to the fi nal sees ond US Open quarter-fi nal in Matteo Berrettini became fi rst Grand Slam singles quarter- yesterday to reach the US Open ter-fi nal today. fi rst two sets with Cilic but him take on Schwartzman next three years. just the second Italian man to fi nal with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 rout. semi-fi nals for the fi rst time. Konta continued to fi ght, how- The fi fth-seeded Ukrainian, ever, saving two match points on who has won all of her meetings her serve, but Svitolina ended the with the Briton, reached her sec- contest in the next game when the Inspired Nadal has ‘idol’ Tiger roaring at US Open ond straight Grand Slam semi- Briton fi red long. fi nal after also making the last Svitolina said that Frenchman AFP ter-fi nal of a major for the 40th pump from Woods, who was (To) have him supporting and be “The emotions I have when I four at Wimbledon in July. Monfi ls has been a big help to her New York time in his glittering career with equally appreciate of an outra- able to be in touch with him very play here are impossible to de- Svitolina’s sturdy baseline at- during the tournament. a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 defeat of geous round-the-netpost fore- often for me is something that I scribe. I love the sport and feel tack wore down the 16th-seeded “Defi nitely we are pushing each Croatia’s Marin Cilic. hand that brought up match am super happy and I hope one very lucky to still be playing ten- Konta, who made 35 unforced er- other I think because we are trying afael Nadal called Tiger But it was the reaction of point. “It means a lot to me to day we can play golf and tennis nis here. Eight to 10 years ago, I rors, 22 more than her opponent, to join each other in the quarter- Woods an “amazing in- Woods, a winner of 15 golf majors, have him supporting. As I said, together.” didn’t think that would happen on a sun-soaked day at Arthur fi nal and now the semi-fi nal... so spiration” as the Span- to an assortment of sensational he’s an amazing inspiration, all Nadal, who like Woods has as my body was suff ering badly,” Ashe Stadium. now he has to step up his game,” iard had the golf super- Nadal winners during a crucial the things that he accomplish in endured more than his fair share Nadal said. “It’s a huge honour “It feels amazing,” she said of she said with a laugh. starR roaring with approval during section of the match that caught the sport, the way that he man- of injury nightmares, looked playing in front of all of you and being the fi rst player to reach the Next up for Svitolina is a a majestic US Open performance the eye at Arthur Ashe Stadium. aged to keep fi ghting that hard,” healthy and hungry at Flushing playing in front of Tiger is a very semis at the tournament this year. meeting with either eighth seed on Monday. A blistering cross-court back- Nadal said. “Watching him on Meadows, where he is chasing a special thing. I always say I don’t “It was a very, very tough Serena Williams or 18th seed The 18-time Grand Slam hand passing winner off a Cilic the golf course, has been an ex- fourth US Open title after 2010, have big idols but one idol is him match... I think we were both Wang Qiang, who play their champion advanced to the quar- overhead elicited a fi red-up fi st- ample, a real inspiration for me. 2013 and 2017. and I always try to follow him.” striking the ball. It was quite even,” quarter-fi nal match later on she said. Tuesday.

BOTTOMLINE Andreescu ends Townsend’s run to reach US Open quarters

Reuters “I have been working and sure. critical moments. ment of the Arthur Ashe Stadium New York dreaming of this for a long time,” “I don’t normally play people As expected Townsend came crowd squarely in her corner. said Andreescu. “So it feels pretty like this but I made sure to work on out on the attack but Andreescu The support could not save dam good to be in the quarters. my passing shots yesterday and I was ready countering the serve- Townsend as Andreescu opened anadian teenager Bi- “Every tournament I am in I ex- think it worked in the fi rst and third and-volley with razor sharp pass- the third set with a break and anca Andreescu battled pect to win but I know I have a lot sets. ing shots and clever lobs to race to charged in front 5-1. past a tenacious Taylor of tough opponents before reach- “I’m glad I kept my cool in the a 4-0 lead. Townsend refused to go away Townsend 6-1 4-6 6-2 ing the fi nals.” But Townsend, who end.” In command, Andreescu’s serv- quietly fi ghting off four match inC a late night thriller at the US had already knocked off Wimble- But Andreescu has shown in ing troubles suddenly surfaced points to extend the contest be- Open on Monday to reach her don champion Simona Halep in winning hardcourt titles in Indian double faulting to gift Townsend a fore Andreescu served out the fi rst grand slam quarter-fi nal and the second round, would not be Wells and Toronto that she is much break at 4-1. match. end the American’s fairytale run intimidated even after being blown more than a big serve and ferocious Andreescu’s serving woes fol- Never before past the second at Flushing Meadows. out in the opening set. The match forehand. lowed her into the second set round of any grand slam Andreescu Ranked 116th in the world and was billed as a clash of styles with The teenager comes armed with helping Townsend to an early has confi dently navigated her having clawed her way into the US Townsend employing the serve- an improving all court game and break and a 3-0 lead with an- way into the last eight where she Open main draw via qualifying, and-volley game that baffl ed the has shown a willingness and ability other double fault on set point will face Belgian 25th seed Elise Townsend was the clear underdog fourth seeded Halep going against to come to net. handing the American a break to Mertens, who blasted her way into against the 15th seeded Andreescu, the hard-hitting Canadian. There were, however, a few glar- extend the match. With a shaken the quarter-fi nals with a 6-1 6-1 who arrived at the year’s fi nal grand “She has a diff erent game from ing cracks in Andreescu’s game, Andreescu taking a washroom demolition of another American slam hyped as the next big thing in many other people,” said An- particularly her serve as she com- break Townsend skipped rope on surprise package wildcard Kristie Bianca Andreescu of Canada serves to Taylor Townsend of the US women’s tennis. dreescu. “It wasn’t easy that’s for mitted eight double faults, many at court to keep loose to the amuse- Ahn. during their Round Four match at the US Open on Monday. (AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, September 4, 2019 3 SPORT

PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT Owen, Shearer in Twitter feud over Top teams look to comments in new autobiography march on in Euro Reuters Michael Owen,” Owen wrote. London “It wasn’t until three months later, I discovered that Alan was apparently seething with me. ormer England and New- Not only that, it transpired that castle United strikers he was telling anyone who’d lis- Michael Owen and Alan ten what he thought of me.” Shearer became involved Shearer responded with a post 2020 qualifi ers inF a war of words on social me- on Twitter that had a video of dia yesterday over comments in Owen saying he couldn’t wait to Owen’s new autobiography ‘Re- retire during the last seven years Portugal in tricky group with leaders Ukraine looking to pull further clear boot’. of his career, adding the caption: In an extract from the book, “Yes Michael, we thought that DPA seeking maximum points Before which is being serialised in the also, whilst on £120k a week.” Berlin home fans at the Stade de France Daily Mirror, former Liverpool Owen responded suggest- — against Albania on Saturday and Real Madrid forward Owen ing he was not sure Shearer was and minnows Andorra three blamed Shearer for their heated “as loyal to Newcastle” as the uropean champions Por- days later. rivalry following Newcastle’s 49-year-old made it out to be. tugal are seeking their Turkey, who defeated France relegation from the Premier “I distinctly remember you fi rst win while seven 2-0 at home in June before suc- League in the 2008-09 season. being inches away from sign- teams enjoy perfect cumbing to a 2-1 defeat in Ice- Shearer was Newcastle’s in- ing for Liverpool after Sir Bobby recordsE as Euro 2020 qualifi ers land, meanwhile greet Andorra terim manager for the fi nal eight Robson put you on the bench. reach the half-way stage with six before travelling to Moldova, games of their ill-fated cam- You tried everything to get out,” days of matches from tomorrow. and Iceland entertain Moldova paign. Owen said. Portugal, who have drawn and are then at Albania. “He was brought in at St “My new book has made plen- their opening two games in Italy have trips to Armenia and James’ Park as the saviour... it ty of headlines this morning but Group B at home to Ukraine and Finland after four wins out of could have been a great story. they need to be put into context. Serbia in March, now visit Ser- four, with coach Roberto Man- But he failed. Newcastle Unit- I’ve stayed quiet for years whilst bia on Saturday before going to cini having to tweak his defence ed were relegated... rather receiving plenty of criticism... Lithuania three days later. Since after both Juventus defenders than examine his own short- Once you’ve read the book you’ll the last qualifi ers, Portugal have Giorgio Chiellini and Mattia De comings, it felt easier to blame make your own decision.” shown they can win key games Sciglio were injured last week. by capturing the inaugural Na- “We have been trying to build tions League played on home a good team,” Mancini said. soil, defeating Switzerland 3-1 “Let’s see what happens in the with a Cristiano Ronaldo hat- next eight, nine months; maybe trick and the Netherlands 1-0 in someone will improve, but with the Nations League. those I have called up we already The group though still looks have a team.” Group F leaders tricky for the Portuguese, with Spain are another team with a leaders Ukraine looking to pull perfect record after four match- further clear by winning at es ahead of Thursday’s match in Lithuania on Saturday. Bucharest against Romania, a The Netherlands are mean- side they have never beaten in a while in action in one of the World Cup or European Cham- highlight matches when they pionship qualifi er, and a home visit Germany in Hamburg on game against Faroe Islands on Friday. Sunday. The Dutch will be out to After Nations League action in avenge a 3-2 home defeat to June, England have had just two the Germans in Amsterdam in games in Group A but have be- March and can hardly aff ord an- gun well with two victories and other slip up in Group C, where 10 goals against Czech Republic Joachim Loew’s German side has and Montenegro. Liverpool teenager Duncan three wins out of three. Gareth Southgate’s side now joins Fiorentina The Germans will then travel welcome Bulgaria to Wembley to Belfast for a key game against on Saturday before playing Ko- Reuters the Anfield club were holding Northern Ireland, who top the sovo in Southampton. “We feel London his client against his will after group with four wins out of four. that, as a team, we’re now rightly they rejected a loan off er from “We will take a big step with in the top 10 [of the FIFA rank- the Italian side. two victories,” said Loew, who ings] and fi rmly embedded in iverpool striker In response to Rubie’s com- missed the last two qualifi ers that top 10 but, as we head into Bobby Duncan has ments, Liverpool said: “Liver- following hospital treatment. the Euros, we could beat any of moved to Fiorentina pool Football Club is aware World champions France are those teams on any given day — in a permanent trans- of and disappointed by the neck and neck with Turkey and and, as has been shown, they’re L fer on the final day of the Eu- unattributed comments and Iceland on nine points after four capable of beating us,” Southgate ropean window, the Premier unfounded allegations that games in Group H and will be said. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo during training in Lisbon yesterday. League club said yesterday. have been made in the media Financial details of the deal regarding one of our players. were not disclosed but local “We will, however, continue media reported that the Serie our eff orts to work privately Eight member associations in race to host 2023 women’s WC Football League plays down Bury A club would pay European with the player to find resolu- hopes of quick return to action champions Liverpool about tion in the best interests of all 2mn euros ($2.2mn) for the involved.” Reuters New Zealand, South Africa and do so provided it also submits the Football League in 18-year-old and that the con- Liverpool winger Ryan Kent London South Korea, which is interest- a bidding registration to FIFA.” he Football League 1894, became the first tract included a 20% sell-on also left the club before the ed in a joint bid together with The tournament’s expansion played down ex- team to be expelled since clause. window closed, sealing a per- North Korea. was pledged by FIFA president pelled Bury’s Maidstone in 1992 when a “Bobby Duncan has today manent move to Scottish side ight member asso- Belgium, which registered Gianni Infantino at the end of T hopes of gaining takeover bid fell through completed a permanent Rangers, with whom he spent ciations will continue its interest last month, as well this year’s World Cup, which re-admission next sea- before an EFL deadline. transfer to Serie A side Fioren- last season on loan. their bid to host the as Bolivia were not on the lat- was won for a record-extend- son into League Two, the The EFL said in a state- tina,” Liverpool said on their Rangers said that Kent had Eexpanded women’s est list. “FIFA has dispatched ing fourth time by the United fourth tier of English foot- ment that it recognised the website. signed a four-year deal and World Cup in 2023, soccer’s updated bidding and hosting States. ball, saying yesterday that efforts of local authorities “The 18-year-old striker makes British media reported that world governing body FIFA documents to all eight member Interest in the women’s the established procedure and supporter groups to the move to Italy after one the club, who are managed by confirmed yesterday. associations, which will have game has arguably never been for all clubs is to win pro- have the club reinstated season with Liverpool, during former Liverpool midfielder FIFA agreed to increase the until Dec 13 to submit their bid higher, with broadcast records motion from the lower and admitted into League which he scored 32 goals at Steven Gerrard, paid 7mn number of participating teams book, the signed hosting agree- broken all over the world in the leagues. Two for the 2020-21 cam- Academy level. pounds ($8.59mn) for him. for the 2023 event from 24 to ment and all other hosting and June-July showpiece. Bury, one of English foot- paign. It also said it would “Everybody at the club wishes “Rangers are delighted to con- 32 following this year’s edition bidding documents,” FIFA said Almost 59mn people ball’s oldest clubs, were discuss these efforts with Bobby the best of luck in his firm the return of Ryan Kent,” in France, and it subsequently in a statement. watched France beat potential expelled from the EFL last its member clubs in the future career.” the club said on its website> reopened the bidding process. “Up until the deadline for bid 2023 hosts Brazil in the last 16, month after failing to re- coming weeks. The move follows criticism of “The 22-year-old will join up Bidding member associa- submissions, any member as- becoming the most viewed solve their financial prob- But it added that there Liverpool by the player’s agent with Steven Gerrard’s squad tions include Argentina, Aus- sociation wishing to join an ex- women’s soccer match of all lems or find a new buyer. was no precedent for such Saif Rubie, who alleged on when the team return from the tralia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, isting bid will be permitted to time. The side, which joined a move. social media last month that international break.”

BOTTOMLINE Indonesia face familiar foes in WC qualifying Reuters huge interest in the football-mad of 90,000 and league games are football, suspended by FIFA for draw. The supporters believe we Hong Kong region but which has dissatisfi ed often played in front of 40,000 or governmental interference during have a good chance against these the Scotsman. more, Indonesia is ranked 160th in a long-running saga. guys, and rightly so, but from a “It’s not really the draw I want- the world and 33rd in Asia. The ban came into eff ect mid- coach’s perspective when you play fter a seven-year hia- ed, not from a performance per- That’s a far cry from the coun- way through 2015 and ruled the derby games passion and mental- tus, Indonesia return to spective but more from the point try’s football heyday. In 1938 they country out of the qualifi ers for the ity become a big part of the per- World Cup qualifying to- of view that we play these teams all became the fi rst nation from Asia fi nals in Russia in 2018 while also formance and that can get to be too morrow against regional the time and it limits the experi- to qualify for the World Cup when, preventing the country’s club sides much sometimes. rivalsA Malaysia in Jakarta’s impos- ence that Indonesian players get,” known as the Dutch East Indies, from participating in continental “And that has happened with ing Gelora Bung Karno Stadium McMenemy told Reuters. they represented the continent at competition. It was not lifted until Indonesian players in the past hoping for a change in fortunes “I want these guys to be able the fi nals in France. a year later. because they lose their discipline and frustrated by a parochial draw. to go and compete in Asia and we But Indonesia has had a tumul- As a result, Indonesia’s expo- because their passion takes over Double-digit thrashings and keep going and playing the same tuous relationship with the sport sure to leading Asian nations such a little bit. In these games they’re lengthy bans have marred the teams in South East Asia. We don’t in recent years and the meet- as Japan, South Korea and Saudi going to be tested home and away country’s qualifying bids over get to compete against Turkmeni- ing with Malaysia will be the fi rst Arabia has been limited, allowing and for a coach it makes predict- much of the last decade and cur- stan and those sorts of countries, played by the national team in the gap to the grow at a time when able players become unpredictable rent coach Simon McMenemy is the diffi cult opponents we’re going World Cup qualifying since Feb- other South East Asian nations and that’s what I don’t like in terms slightly defl ated by the challenge to come across at the Asian Cup. ruary 2012, when they were on the have been showing promise, espe- of planning for games. handed to his team for the cam- “I wanted to try to expose the Tough times lie ahead for Indonesia. end of a controversial 10-0 thrash- cially at youth level. “But it’s quite a positive draw paign for Qatar 2022. players more to Asian opposition ing by Bahrain. McMenemy, however, remains with the opposition we face and In addition to Malaysia, Indone- rather than South East Asian op- laysia and Thailand in the Asean onship, is keen to broaden his play- That match was played during confi dent his team can make an their standing. There’s a lot of sia will take on Thailand and Viet- position, so when I saw the draw it Football Federation Champion- ers’ horizons. the height of a damaging period for impact on the competition, de- confi dence we can do well, it’s just nam — as well as top seeds United was double-edged for me.” ship but McMenemy, who was Despite the huge popularity of the sport that saw rival profession- spite his misgivings. I would have liked to have stepped Arab Emirates — over the next 10 Indonesia regularly face off appointed head coach after the the sport in a nation where the rep- al leagues facing off and the PSSI, “There is a positive because it a bit further out of South East months in a group that has stoked against the likes of Vietnam, Ma- team’s exit from the AFF Champi- resentative team can pull in crowds the governing body of Indonesian inspires optimism,” he said of the Asia.” Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, September 4, 2019 SPORT

BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT Britain select 72 athletes for Doha 2019 US survive scare, Gemili, CJ Ujah and Nethaneel IAAF London Mitchell-Blake – are on the team for Doha. European champions Laura ritish Athletics has Muir, Zharnel Hughes and announced a team Matthew Hudson-Smith of 72 athletes for the are also on the team, along- IAAF World Athletics side world indoor champion edge Turkey 93-92 ChampionshipsB – Doha 2019, Andrew Pozzi and European which will be held from Sep- indoor champion Shelayna tember 27 to October 6. Oskan-Clarke. British Athlet- Sprinter Dina Asher-Smith ics will consider any invites heads to Doha as a triple Eu- for the IAAF World Athletics ropean champion from 2018 Championships Doha 2019 in and IAAF Diamond League line with their selection policy. runner-up this year over “In the 72 athletes, I truly in World Cup OT 200m while heptathlete Kata- believe we have selected the rina Johnson-Thompson has strongest team possible to ‘I have to give a shout-out to everybody on team, we stuck together and grinded this thing out’ earned medals at every major compete for medals on the championships she has at- global stage,” said BA’s per- tended since the last World formance director Neil Black. Championships on home soil “The team is full of world- in London two years ago. class athletes who, over the Three of the four men on past two years since we were Britain’s gold-medal-winning hosts in London, have proven 4x100m quartet from the 2017 that they belong on the global World Championships – Adam stage.”

BRITISH TEAM

MEN Daryll Neita, Asha Philip 100m: Ojie Edoburun, Adam 200m: Dina Asher-Smith, Beth Gemili, Zharnel Hughes Dobbin, Jodie Williams 200m: Miguel Francis, Adam 400m: Emily Diamond, Laviai Gemili, Zharnel Hughes Nielsen 400m: Matthew Hudson- 800m: Alexandra Bell, She- Smith, Rabah Yousif layna Oskan-Clarke, Lynsey 800m: Elliot Giles, Kyle Lang- Sharp ford, Jamie Webb 1500m: Sarah McDonald, 1500m: Neil Gourley, Josh Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie Kerr, Jake Wightman 5000m: Jessica Judd, Eilish 5000m: Andrew Butchart, McColgan, Laura Weightman Ben Connor, Marc Scott 10,000m: Eilish McColgan, 3000m steeplechase: Zak Steph Twell Seddon 3000m steeplechase: Eliza- 110m hurdles: Andrew Pozzi beth Bird, Rosie Clarke, Aimee 400m hurdles: C. McAlister Pratt Pole vault: Harry Coppell 100m hurdles: Cindy Ofili Triple jump: Ben Williams 400m hurdles: Meghan Bees- Hammer: Nick Miller ley, Jessica Turner Decathlon: Tim Duckworth High jump: Morgan Lake Marathon: Callum Hawkins Pole vault: Holly Bradshaw 20km race walk: Tom Bos- Long jump: Abigail Irozuru, worth, Callum Wilkinson Shara Proctor 50km race walk: Cameron Shot put: Sophie McKinna Corbishley, Dominic King Heptathlon: Katarina Johnson- 4x100m: Ojie Edoburun, Thompson Miguel Francis, Adam Gemili, Marathon: Tish Jones, Char- Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty, lotte Purdue Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, CJ 4x100m: Dina Asher-Smith, Ujah Kristal Awuah, Imani-Lara 4x400m: Cameron Chalmers, Lansiquot, Daryll Neita, Ash- Dwayne Cowan, Toby Harries, leigh Nelson, Asha Philip Matthew Hudson-Smith, Mar- 4x400m: Finette Agyapong, US players celebrate after their FIBA World Cup Group E match against Turkey at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Centre, Shanghai, yesterday. (Reuters) tyn Rooney, Lee Thompson, Amy Allcock, Zoey Clark, Rabah Yousif Emily Diamond, Beth Dobbin, Reuters hard work of dismissing Turkey, for Jayson Tatum to rescue the Turner admitted that they had ians were “rattled” by Senegal WOMEN Laviai Nielsen, Jessica Turner, Beijing beaten by Team USA in the 2010 Americans by making two of plenty of room for improvement. in the fi rst half, was instrumen- 100m: Dina Asher-Smith, Jodie Williams. fi nal. three free throws at the death to “The chemistry is unbeliev- tal in the victory with 17 points, “I have to give a shout-out to make it 81-81. able right now and it can only go 10 rebounds and nine assists - eigning champions everybody on the team, we stuck The Americans were trail- up from here,” he added. just one assist short of the fi rst the United States were together and grinded this thing ing in overtime and headed for “A game where we can say we triple-double in World Cup CYCLING given a huge scare in a out,” said Myles Turner, of the a rare loss, before Milwaukee were battle-tested and we know history. nail-biting 93-92 over- Indiana Pacers, calling it one of Bucks forward Middleton – who we have to keep on building Patty Mills, the 31-year-old timeR victory over Turkey at the the best games he had played in. was to lead the US scoring with from.” San Antonio Spurs guard, drilled Basketball World Cup yesterday “We know we are going to get 15 points – held his nerve to nail Australia, another team tout- 22 points. Coach Andrej Lemanis Roglic boosts Vuelta to labour into the second round. every team’s best shot. We are two free throws to snatch a dra- ed as a threat to the US, reached called Senegal the tallest team Khris Middleton was the over- Team USA, teams are gunning matic win. the second round with a Joe In- he had faced and admitted his time hero for Gregg Popovich’s for us and want to beat us.” In contrast, Turkey missed a gles-inspired 81-68 victory over side had been “a little clunky at hopes with individual young team, who are chasing a The US led at half-time only succession of free throws down Senegal in Group H. times” off ensively. third straight title, but are miss- for Turkey – ranked 17th in the the stretch. Popovich’s team, They recovered from an indif- Also in Group H, Lithuania ing their stellar names and are world to America’s number one one of the youngest at the 32- ferent start to grind down Sen- are into the last 16 after beating time-trial triumph yet to really gel. – to tie at 59-59 with less than team competition, look vulner- egal with Utah Jazz forward In- Canada 92-69. France and the Following Sunday’s comforta- two minutes left of the third able and, on current form, Serbia gles one assist away from World Dominican Republic also en- Reuters minutes six seconds on Roglic. ble but unspectacular 88-67 win quarter. look the more potent. Cup history. sured they would progress from Barcelona The Slovenian hit the fi rst over the Czech Republic in their That brought a huge roar from Team USA lost 98-94 to Aus- Australia led 36-33 at half- Group G. However Greece, led checkpoint of 11.9km 21 sec- opener, Popovich said the team much of the crowd. tralia in a warm-up ahead of the time after narrowly trailing a by their NBA MVP Giannis An- onds quicker than the previ- “got a ways to go”. After taking the lead with 12 World Cup, ending a run of 78 determined Senegal at the end of tetokounmpo, are in danger after rimoz Roglic eased to ous fastest time, set by his There was more evidence of seconds to play, the Turks looked consecutive wins in major com- the fi rst quarter. they were squeezed out 79-78 by victory in Stage 10 of compatriot Tadej Pogacar, that in Shanghai as they made all set for a famous victory, only petitions and exhibition games. Ingles, who said the Austral- Brazil. the Vuelta a Espana, riding for UAE Team Emirates. taking the red jersey Pogacar fi nished one minute Pafter excelling in the individu- 29 seconds behind Roglic. ATHLETICS al time trial yesterday, putting “You try to go as fast as himself in a commanding po- possible and I’m happy with sition to win the race. the performance for sure,” Jumbo-Visma rider Roglic Roglic told Spanish television was fi rm favourite for the channel tdp. I just tried to go complex, winding 36.2km as fast as possible. We’ll have route between Jurancon and to wait until Madrid (to see if I Sprinter Coleman set for Doha 2019 Pau in southern France, and win), for sure I won today but he duly delivered. we’ll have to go day by day.” Roglic’s time of 47 minutes Second in the stage was six seconds shot him to the CCC Team rider Patrick top of the general classifi ca- Bevin, with a time of 47 min- aft er USADA charge withdrawn tion and put him three min- utes 30 seconds, followed Reuters and 2019 Coleman has provided had whereabouts failures on June utes ahead of Nairo Quintana, by Remi Cavagna of Deceu- New York his whereabouts information by 6, 2018 and January 16 and April with the Colombian climber ninck-QuickStep who took the start of each quarter and has 26, 2019, USADA said. now needing to make back two seconds longer. The race been tested on 20 separate occa- However, under International time in the mountains. continues today with stage orld 100m favourite sions by the US agency. Standard for Testing and Inves- Quintana, the 2016 cham- 11, stretching 180km from Christian Coleman Coleman said he now looked tigations (ISTI) guidelines, the pion, was in red going into Saint-Palais to Urdax through is eligible to com- forward to representing the fi rst failure is backdated to the the stage but had to drag him- picturesque Basque Country pete in this month’s United States in the 100 and 200 fi rst day of the quarter, which in self over the line, losing three greenery. WIAAF World Athletics Cham- metres at the September 27-Oct Coleman’s case would have been pionships Doha 2019 and the 6 World Championships in Doha. April 1, 2018. Thus his April 2019 2020 Olympics after a wherea- While this ordeal has been failure fell outside the 12-month bouts charge against the Ameri- frustrating and I have missed window and was not considered can sprinter was withdrawn by some competitions that I should an anti-doping violation. the US Anti-Doping Agency not have had to miss, I know that “USADA has determined that (USADA) yesterday. I have never taken any banned under the applicable rules, and USADA had charged Coleman substances, and that I have never in order to ensure that Cole- with three failures to properly violated any anti-doping rule,” man is treated consistently with fi le whereabouts information in the year’s fastest man and 2017 other athletes under the World a 12-month period, a potential world 100 metres silver medallist Anti-Doping Program, Coleman anti-doping violation, and the said in a statement. Coleman had should not be considered to have case had been scheduled to go to been charged because athletes three whereabouts failures in a arbitration on Wednesday. are required to notify anti-dop- 12-month period,” the agency But USADA, after receiving ing offi cials where they can be said. “Accordingly, USADA has guidance from the World Anti- Christian Coleman wins 100m semi-final in 9.96s during the USATF reached for a certain period daily. withdrawn its charge that Cole- Doping Agency (WADA) on how Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines on July 26, 2019. If testers are unable to con- man committed an anti-doping to calculate the 12-month win- PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports/File Photo tact the athlete at the designated rule violation.” dow, withdrew the charge. location three times within a The case is still subject to ap- “Every athlete is entitled to a USADA CEO Travis Tygart said have committed a whereabouts 12-month period, he is consid- peal by WADA or the Interna- presumption of innocence until in a statement. “This is certainly violation and is fully eligible to ered to have committed an anti- tional Association of Athletics Team Jumbo rider Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic celebrates on the their case is concluded through the case for Mr. Coleman, who compete under the rules.” doping violation and subject to a Federations’ (IAAF) Athletics podium with the leader’s red jersey after the tenth stage of the the established legal process,” has been found by USADA not to USADA added that in 2018 ban of up to two years. Coleman Integrity Unit but that is unlikely. 2019 La Vuelta in Pau, France, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, September 4, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB FOCUS Texans coach O’Brien addresses Clowney Minor, Rangers end trade fallout

Reuters we felt was in the best interest New York of our organization and of our team moving forward.” Later Saturday, the Tex- wo days after trad- ans did get the lineman they Yankees’ 220-game ing away Jadeveon wanted in Tunsil - and added Clowney and adding a vertical threat in wide re- Laremy Tunsil and ceiver Kenny Stills - but that, KennyT Stills in a pair of trades too, came at a price. that included numerous other Houston gave Miami fi rst- players and draft picks - and round picks in 2020 and ‘21, garnered plenty of outside as well as a second-round pick criticism - Houston Texans in 2021, plus off ensive tackle scoring streak head coach Bill O’Brien on Julie’n Davenport and cor- Monday explained the team’s nerback Johnson Bademosi. ‘Anytime we don’t score or have a good off ensive showing, it’s always a little bit surprising’ logic behind the moves. The Texans got a 2020 fourth- In the simplest of terms, round pick and 2021 sixth- Reuters O’Brien said, “in the end, round pick in return. New York we just could not come to “We feel really good about an agreement on a long- being able to get a proven left term deal” with Clowney, tackle to protect Deshaun ike Minor pitched 7 1/3 out- the three-time Pro Bowl Watson,” O’Brien said in de- standing innings as the Texas pass rusher. The club put the fending the ransom they paid Rangers withstood a lengthy franchise tag on Clowney in for Tunsil. “Laremy Tunsil is rain delay on Monday at Yan- March, but he did not sign an excellent player.” Mkee Stadium and recorded a 7-0 victory his franchise tender before O’Brien would not talk over the New York Yankees, who did not the July 15 deadline, meaning about whether the Texans score a run for the fi rst time in 221 games. the Texans could no longer talked about a contract exten- After a delay of 2 hours, 52 minutes be- negotiate a contract with him sion with Tunsil before mak- fore the fi rst pitch, the Rangers won for until after the season. O’Brien ing the trade. the fourth time in six games thanks to Mi- insisted there were discus- Drafted 13th overall out of nor (12-8). sions within the organization Ole Miss in 2016, Tunsil has The lefty bounced back nicely from a and with Clowney and his played in 44 of a possible 48 pair of rocky outings against the Los An- agent Bus Cook, but “we just games with Miami, starting all geles Angels and allowed fi ve hits Monday. couldn’t come to an agree- of them. He has two years and He struck out fi ve and walked one while ment.” roughly $13.5 million remain- throwing 111 pitches. After discussing a Clowney ing on his contract, after the Minor completed at least seven innings trade with multiple teams Dolphins exercised his fi fth- for the 13th time and produced his seventh - most notably highly pub- year option this off season. scoreless outing this season. licized talks with Miami re- He now will protect the After consecutive walk-off wins over garding Tunsil, their off ensive blind side of Houston quar- Oakland, the Yankees were blanked for tackle - the Texans on Sat- terback Deshaun Watson, who the fi rst time since June 30, 2018, against urday morning sent the 2014 missed the second half of his Boston. It was the second-longest streak No. 1 overall pick to Seattle. In rookie season in 2017 with of scoring a run since 1900, only behind return, the Texans got a 2020 a torn ACL, then suff ered a a 308-game run by the Yankees from Au- third-round pick and line- bruised lung and injured ribs gust 3, 1931, to August 2, 1933. backers Barkevious Mingo and severe enough that the team “Anytime we don’t score or have a good Jacob Martin. The Texans also bussed him to Jacksonville for off ensive showing, it’s always a little bit reportedly paid Clowney a $7 a game last season rather than surprising just because our guys are so million signing bonus while have him fl y with the team good, but it happens,” Yankees manager the Seahawks pick up his $8 over concerns of what chang- Aaron Boone said. “When a good pitcher’s million salary. es in air pressure could have on top of his game, he can make it tough “I understand everybody’s on his lungs. on you, credit to him.” going to dissect how we did Despite the injuries, and it and what we received back though he was sacked an RESULTS and what we gave Seattle,” NFL-high 65 times last sea- O’Brien told reporters Mon- son, Watson did not miss a Rangers 7-0 Yankees day. “In the end, we did what game in 2018. Astros 3-2 Brewers Dodgers 16-9 Rockies Cubs 5-1 Mariners Braves 6-3 Blue Jays Cardinals 3-1 Giants Twins 4-3 Tigers Mets 7-3 Nationals Indians 11-3 White Sox D’backs 14-7 Padres Phillies 7-1 Reds Rays 5-4 Orioles

In the fi rst seven innings, Minor allowed multiple baserunners only in the fi rst in- ning when he walked Gleyber Torres with two outs and Gary Sanchez doubled, but he retired Mike Ford on a soft comebacker. He got Clint Frazier to ground into Texas Rangers pitcher Mike Minor delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at the Yankee Stadium. a double play in the second after Mike PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports 49ers Bosa expects to play season opener Tauchman singled, and he retired nine straight after Luke Voit opened the fi fth the lead to 6-0 by hammering Nestor the 30-homer mark for the second time in sent the game into extra innings with his San Francisco 49ers rookie “I’ve had my sights set on with a double. Cortes Jr’s full-count pitch into the left his career. 43rd home run of the season. defensive end Nick Bosa playing my first NFL season. The left-hander was lifted after allow- fi eld seats for his fourth homer of the sea- Bregman went 4-for-5 with an RBI, and Cole gave up just one run on three hits plans to play on Sunday in Every waking hour was spent ing two singles in the eighth, and Shawn son. Shin-Soo Choo made it 7-0 by con- Yordan Alvarez homered for the Astros, and two walks over six innings. It marked the regular-season opener getting my ankle right.” Kelley quickly ended the inning. Em- necting in the ninth off Tyler Lyons. who won for the ninth time in 11 games the 16th time this year that he struck out against the Tampa Bay Buc- Bosa has had three signifi- manuel Clase fi nished up in the ninth. Tanaka gutted out six innings, allowing and pulled even with the New York Yan- 10 or more batters in a game, tops in the caneers. Bosa, the No 2 pick cant injuries in one year and In the fi rst meeting of the season against two runs on seven hits. He struck out fi ve kees (90-49) for the best record in the majors. in the 2019 NFL Draft, has hasn’t played in a game since the Yankees, Texas scratched out two runs and walked two in a 103-pitch outing. It American League. Yasmani Grandal also homered for Mil- been off the field for a month Sept. 15 in Ohio State’s win against Masahiro Tanaka (10-8) and add- was the 14th time this year that he pitched Roberto Osuna (4-3), despite blowing a waukee, which had a two-game winning dealing with an ankle injury over TCU. He sustained a core ed fi ve runs in the last two innings. at least six innings and allowed two runs save chance for the sixth time this season, streak snapped. suff ered Aug 7 in practice. muscle injury in that game Nomar Mazara lifted a sacrifi ce fl y in or fewer. picked up the win. Christian Yelich hit a Grandal gave Milwaukee a 1-0 lead in General manager John Lynch and shut it down for the the fi rst inning, and Jose Trevino homered game-tying home run off Osuna leading the fi rst inning when he lined a Cole fast- said Saturday that Bosa’s entire 2018 college football on the fi rst pitch of the fi fth. SPRINGER’S 10TH-INNING HOMER off the bottom of the ninth. ball 400 feet into the second deck in left- week of practice would de- season. He missed a chunk Texas nearly scored another run in the HAULS ASTROS PAST BREWERS Josh James walked two batters in the centre for his 22nd homer of the season. termine his Week 1 status. All of off season workouts with fi fth, but Frazier made a perfect throw George Springer led off the 10th inning bottom of the 10th but still earned his Houston tied it in the third on Breg- signs Monday pointed to the a hamstring strain and had from left fi eld to the plate to get Elvis An- with his 30th home run of the season, and second save. He struck out three of the man’s line single to centre off Milwaukee 21-year-old being ready, and only 12 NFL practices under drus after fi elding a single by Danny San- Alex Bregman matched his career high fi ve batters he faced, including Yelich and starter Adrian Houser. he punted any previous hesi- his belt as of Monday. tana. with four hits to lead the visiting Houston Hernan Perez back-to-back to end the The hit drove in Springer, who opened tation shown over playing in Head coach Kyle Shanahan Frazier overran Mazara’s one-out sin- Astros to a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee game. the inning with a walk, advanced to sec- the opener. “I don’t think I’ve snapped back at questions gle in the eighth, and following a walk to Brewers on Monday afternoon. Gerrit Cole fanned 14 batters for the ond on a single by Jose Altuve and went ever been as motivated in my about Bosa’s durability this Rougned Odor, Ronald Guzman’s single Springer drove a 2-1 pitch by Junior Guer- second straight game but was denied his to third on a fi elder’s choice by Michael life to get back,” Bosa said. summer. made it 3-0. Delino DeShields then upped ra (8-5) over the centre fi eld fence to hit 16th victory of the season when Yelich Brantley.

NFL Chiefs’ Reid on McCoy: He still has the great feet Reuters to a one-year deal for $3 million good football team as we go for- rushing yards in 2013, one of his fying their off ensive line. Col- New York guaranteed, according to multi- ward and be a part of that.’’ six 1,000-yard seasons. lins, 26, signed as an undrafted ple reports. The Chiefs open the Reid said McCoy’s only limi- free agent out of LSU after NFL season on Sunday at Jackson- tation will be how long it takes COWBOYS, COLLINS AGREE teams passed on him in the draft ndy Reid coached the ville, and Reid said he expects him to become familiar with the TO FIVE-YEAR DEAL days after he was questioned younger version of Le- McCoy to see action behind Chiefs’ playbook. “This is diff er- Right tackle La’el Collins agreed in the murder of a former girl- Sean McCoy over four starter Damien Williams. ent than what we did in Phila- to a fi ve-year contract extension friend. By the time the investi- seasons with the Phila- “He knows what to expect,’’ delphia. There will be some fa- with the Dallas Cowboys. gation showed Collins wasn’t in- delphiaA Eagles, but the Kansas Reid said of McCoy. miliar things but it’s quite a bit The deal includes $50 mil- volved, he was already a member City Chiefs coach likes what he “I’ve been very honest with diff erent,” Reid said. lion in new money, with the fi rst of the Cowboys’ roster, signing a sees of the older version, too. him about Damien and how good McCoy gained the fewest two years and $20mn fully guar- three-year, $1.5 million contract. “There are not a lot of 31-year- of a football player he is. I think yards of his 10-year career in anteed and $35mn guaranteed Owner Jerry Jones promised old running backs running it’s a great situation for both of 2018, rushing for 514 yards and against injury, according to Al- to redo that initial deal, and fol- around out there,’’ Reid told re- them and for the team. For where averaging 3.2 yards per carry. He bert Breer of The MMQB. lowed through with a two-year, porters on Monday. “But he still he’s at in his career, you’re talk- spent the past four seasons in With skill-position stars Dak $15.4 million contract in 2017. has the great feet and the vision.’’ ing about potentially a future Buff alo after six with the Eagles. Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Am- Collins began his NFL career The Buff alo Bills released the Hall of Famer with the numbers For his career, he has 10,606 ari Cooper pining for a payday of at guard but has solidifi ed the Cornelius McCoy (No 83) of the Georgia State Panthers celebrates in the six-time Pro Bowl back on Sat- and stats he’s put together here. yards and 69 rushing touch- their own, the Cowboys locked right side of the line as a bookend end-zone with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the urday, and Kansas City quickly Here he has an opportunity to downs in 147 games. He led the up another young starter by ex- to All-Pro Tyron Smith on the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter of the season opener snapped him up. McCoy agreed come to what potentially is a NFL with a career-high 1,607 tending Collins’ deal and solidi- left side. at Neyland Stadium on August 31 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, September 4, 2019 SPORT

RUGBY WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT New Zealand Olympic Committee chief open McInally to captain for collaboration with Aspire Academy uring his current stay Born on November 6, 1957, in Qatar, Michael in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, Scotland as Jones, Rowland Stanley, Michael Rowland Stanley took who has been serving up the sport of rowing and asD president of the New Zea- represented New Zealand from land Olympic Committee for 1976 until 1984. 10 years, used the chance to He was a member of the visit Aspire Academy on last rowing eight which came Sunday to discuss opportuni- fourth at the 1984 Los Angeles ties for future collaboration Olympic Games. He was also Hutchinson miss out with the academy’s Director part of the rowing eight which General Ivan Bravo. won back-to-back world ‘Stuart has done a really good job in the opportunities he’s had to captain Scotland’ After a comprehensive tour, championship gold medals, in that was led by Aspire Acad- 1982 and 1983. AFP emy Director of Sport, Markus He was selected for the New Edinburgh Egger and included AZF Busi- Zealand men’s coxed four to ness Development Executive, race at the 1980 Moscow Ol- Fahad Abdulla al-Suwaidi and ympic Games but did not get tuart McInally will cap- Mohamed Khalifa al-Mosal- to compete because of the tain Scotland at the Rug- lam, AZF Business Develop- boycott. He was inducted into by World Cup as coach ment and Intelligence Senior the New Zealand Sports Hall Gregor Townsend axed Specialist, Stanley expressed of Fame in 1995. centresS Huw Jones and Rory his admiration of Qatar’s na- From 1994 to 2003 Mike Hutchinson from his 31-man tional sport academy. was Chief Executive of Rowing squad for the tournament in Ja- “I have travelled a lot and New Zealand (RNZ). In 2003, pan yesterday. seen many places but Aspire he became Chief Executive of Edinburgh hooker McInally is truly unique. The philoso- the Millennium Institute of has been chosen ahead of John phy of combining sport and Sport and Health, but he kept Barclay and Greig Laidlaw to education under one roof his links to Rowing NZ as a lead the Scots, who begin their combined with exceptional member of its board; a role he campaign against Ireland in facilities and international held until 2009. He was elect- Yokohama on September 22. know-how is really impres- ed to the Board of the New “Stuart has done a really good sive and is defi nitely enabling Zealand Olympic Committee job in the opportunities he’s these young Qatari athletes to in 2005 and took over the po- had to captain Scotland,” said thrive,” Stanley said. sition of President in 2009. Townsend. “He captained Ed- inburgh last season and is a real lead-by-example player, both in training and in games. He’s a calming infl uence and is very good at bringing the best out of oth- ers.” The omission of Jones and Hutchinson, who scored two tries on his fi rst Test start in a 44-10 win over Georgia on Sat- urday, caught the eye. Jones burst onto the Test scene with 10 tries in his fi rst 14 ap- pearances for the Dark Blues, but in the 18 months since he scored a sensational double in the 2018 Calcutta Cup win over England his form for club and country has dropped off considerably. “There were a number of tough calls given the quality of our wider training squad, and on the close decisions we’ve looked Kolisi back in strong SA squad for warm-up to select players that have strong Scotland’s Stuart McInally runs in a try against England during their Six Nations Championship match at Twickenham Stadium in London on defensive attributes and are March 16, 2019. (Reuters) South Africa named a strong ingboks. Fellow flanker Pieter willing to out-work their oppo- side yesterday for their final Steph du Toit will make his site number,” added Townsend. hosts Japan in Pool A. World Cup warm-up match 50th test appearance for the “Some very good players have Georgia’s Gorgodze to come out of retirement for World Cup against hosts Japan, with Springboks in a formidable missed out on selection this SQUAD head coach Rassie Erasmus back row that also includes time, but they know they’ll have Former captain Mamuka Gorgodze was named Gogichashvili, Shalva Mamukashvili, Jaba Breg- Forwards (17): John Bar- viewing Friday’s contest as Duane Vermeulen at eight. to keep working hard because, in in Georgia’s 31-man squad for the World Cup in vadze, Vano Karkadze, Levan Chilachava, Giorgi clay, Simon Berghan, Fraser the perfect preparation for Erasmus said he picked a a World Cup, an opportunity can Japan, more than two years after he announced Melikidze, Beka Gigashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Brown, Scott Cummings, Allan their tournament opener strong squad partially to come around very quickly.” his international retirement. Shalva Sutiashvili, Mamuka Gorgodze, Kote Mi- Dell, Zander Fagerson, Grant against New Zealand. prepare for the Sept 21 World With fi t-again Saracens centre Gorgodze, 35, won the last of his 71 caps in March kautadze, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Lasha Lomidze, Otar Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Stuart McI- Erasmus made wholesale Cup opener but also because Duncan Taylor and Sam Johnson 2017 but returns to play in his fourth World Cup as Giorgadze, Beka Gorgadze, Beka Saghinadze. nally (capt), Willem Nel, Gordon changes to the squad from of the respect the Springboks of Warriors the leading duo to coach Milton Haig turned to the flanker, who can Backs: Sandro Todua, Soso Matiashvili, Mirian Reid, Jamie Ritchie, Blade Thom- the victory over Argentina last still hold for Japan, who start in midfi eld, Townsend has also play as a lock and number eight, following a Modebadze, Zurab Dzneladze, Davit Katchar- son, Ben Toolis, George Turner, month with captain Siya Kolisi famously beat them in the opted to take Peter Horne - who run of injuries to his players. Georgia begin their ava, Merab Sharikadze, Tamaz Mtchedlidze, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson returning at flank for Friday’s pool stages in Brighton four can also fi ll in at 10 - and Chris Pool D campaign against Wales on September 23 Giorgi Kveseladze, Lasha Malaghuradze, Lasha Backs (14): Darcy Graham, clash in Kumagaya. years ago. Harris as cover. before matches against Uruguay, Fiji and Australia. Khmaladze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Giorgi Begadze, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Kolisi’s inclusion is the only “We respect Japan a lot and Adam Hastings has also been Squad: Forwards (17): Mikheil Nariashvili, Guram Vasil Lobzhanidze, Gela Aprasidze. Stuart Hogg, George Horne, diff erence from Erasmus’ 23- we think they are a very good given the nod as back-up to star Pete Horne, Sam Johnson, Blair man squad for the draw with team, who are ranked number man Finn Russell at stand-off , Kinghorn, Greig Laidlaw, Sean New Zealand in July which nine in the world,” Erasmus despite a poor display in a 32-3 Prop Jamie Bhatti has paid the with Townsend deciding to take of Willem Nel and Zander Fager- Maitland, Ali Price, Finn Russell, means Japan can expect to told reporters in the central thrashing at the hands of France price for his failure to impress looseheads Allan Dell and Gor- son. After facing the Irish, Scot- Tommy Seymour, Duncan Taylor face the full might of the Sp- Japanese city of Gifu. three weeks ago. during that mauling in Nice, don Reid, plus the tighthead pair land take on Samoa, Russia and Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO).

FOCUS FIFA, China delegations impressed with Aspire esterday Aspire Acad- emy hosted two high powered delegations from FIFA’s Digital TransformationY and Innovation Division and the Chengdu Foot- ball Association from China who toured Aspire during their visit to Qatar. The FIFA delegation included Carlo Torniai, Director Strat- egy, Planning & Digital Ventures House at FIFA, Benjamin Stoll, Director Business Technology & Innovation House and Michael Broughton, Senior Adviser - Business Technology, Innovation & Investment Strategy at FIFA while GU Jianming, Executive Committee Member of Chinese Football Association and Presi- dent of Chengdu Football As- sociation led the delegation that included, XIONG Yan, Direc- that was presented to them in learning context that is required ferent industries – I have done to have for the 2022 FIFA World planning and a successful foot- football development,” Jianming tor of Chengdu Sports Bureau, the Football Performance Center for you to succeed,” said Carlo digital transformation at Pirelli Cup. “The aim is to make a very ball development programmes said. CAO Xu, the Deputy Director and further explained in a video Torniai, who joined FIFA from and I used to work at Tesla before technology driven event that that are well defi ned by the work “We look forward to welcom- of General Aff air Department call with Valter di Salvo, Director Pirelli where he was the Direc- joining FIFA – I think that the serves our fan-base and I think done at Aspire Academy. ing Qatar youth team next year to of Chengdu Sports Bureau and of Football Performance & Sci- tor for Digital Product Develop- real power for what we call dig- it’s going to be crucial how we “First let me congratulate Qa- the 7th edition of the Panda Cup, FAN Fangyuan, Deputy General ence at Aspire Academy. ment, as well the Director for ital transformation is not only in can leverage technology and data tar on your victory in the 2019 the international youth asso- Secretary and Director of Inter- “I am really impressed. I am Data Science and Analytics. technology, but in the interac- to do this better,” Torniai said. Asian Cup as well as winning the ciation football competition that national Relations Department coming from a strong back- Talking about the infl uence tion of technology and the way Meanwhile, GU Jianming, bid to host 2022 FIFA World Cup. we run in annually in Chengdu. of Chengdu Football Association. ground in data and artifi cial in- of the digital transformation in of thinking – if you want the Executive Committee Member Our visit to Qatar has left us with Chinese teams have held their Aspire Academy Director of telligence. Besides the impres- sports, he stressed the impor- tension of the forces of cultural of Chinese Football Association great impressions of the country winter break training camps at Sport and Strategy, Markus Eg- sive facilities that you have here, tance of this movement in many change, which I think is very and President of Chengdu Foot- and the good work been done in Aspire in the past and we look ger, welcomed both delegations I was really struck by the way areas. “Using data and using much needed, particularly in ball Association, congratulated youth sport development and forward to more teams from before going on to lead the tour of you are using data and technol- advanced technology forces a sports.” Qatar on winning the 2019 AFC coaching. We want to enhance China continuing with this trend the Academy complex. The FIFA ogy. Not only by how you shape cultural change that I think is Torniai also mentioned the Asian Cup and described the our cooperation and partnership and when it’s too hot in Qatar, we team showed huge interest with and make sense of training data, very much needed, not only in importance that digital transfor- victory as sensational and con- with Qatar Football Association, would like Qatari teams to come the state-of-the-art technology but also by the way you build the sports. In my experience in dif- mation and innovation are going fi rmation of the astute long term Aspire Academy and Aspetar in to train in Chengdu too.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 4, 2019 7 SPORT

CRICKET / INDIA’S TOUR OF WEST INDIES SPOTLIGHT India’s Mithali Raj Kohli calls Bumrah retires from T20

AFP continuous support and wish New Delhi the Indian T20 team good luck as they prepare for the home series against South Africa Women.” ndian women’s cricket star Raj, who led India in 32 T20 ‘the most complete Mithali Raj yesterday an- matches including three World nounced her retirement from Cups, has scored 2,364 runs in Twenty20 internationals to 89 matches since 2006 and is the Ifocus on the one-day World Cup fi rst Indian to reach the landmark in 2021. of 2,000 runs in the shortest for- The 36-year-old Raj, the high- mat. est run-scorer in the women’s The top-order batswoman has international game, made a sur- amassed 6,720 runs in 203 ODI bowler’ around prise exit after she had made her- matches since her international self available for selection for the debut in 1999. Indian bowler was the leading wicket-taker in the series with 13 at an average of 9.23 home series against South Africa Raj led India to the fi nals of the starting on September 24. 2017 women’s World Cup only to Reuters “After representing India in lose the title to hosts England. Bengaluru, India T20 internationals since 2006, I New Zealand will host the 2021 wish to retire from T20Is to focus 50-over showpiece edition. my energies on readying myself Her place in the T20 team re- ndia captain Virat Kohli for the 2021 One Day World Cup,” mained in doubt after she was has declared Jasprit Bum- Raj was quoted as saying in a re- left out of the squad in last year’s rah as “the most complete lease by the Board of Control for T20 World Cup semi-fi nal loss to bowler in world cricket” af- Cricket in India (BCCI). England, triggering a high-pro- Iter the quick’s stellar perform- “It remains my dream to win a fi le row with team staff . ance in their 2-0 series sweep World Cup for my country and I Raj hit an unbeaten 30 off against West Indies. want to give it my best. 32 balls in her last T20 outing Set an improbable target of “I thank the BCCI for their against England in March. 468 late on day three, West In- dies lost their fi nal six wickets for 51 runs and were bowled out of 210 to hand India a 257-run win in the second Test at Sabina Park on Monday. Bumrah fi nished as the lead- ing wicket-taker in the series with 13 dismissals at an excep- tional average of 9.23, which follows his impressive perform- ance at this year’s World Cup. “There is not much you can say about Jasprit, the way he has been bowling,” Kohli told a news conference. “All we can say is we are really lucky to have him on our team. “He confuses you with angles, with swing, he’ll set up for the outswinger, then bowl the in- swinger, and it’s coming at pace, and then he can hit you with bouncers as well. So, I think he is the most complete bowler in world cricket right now.” Bowling at a sustained pace and moving the ball through the air and off the seam, Bumrah ripped through the Windies batting or- der twice in the series, including a West Indies’ batting limitations exposed by classy India hat-trick in the fi rst innings spell of 6-27 in the second Test. Reuters caught at cover. QCA to hold under-16 boys His devastating spell of 5-7 in Kingston, Jamaica As so often has been the case, the fi rst Test made him the fi rst the tireless Holder had to res- selection trials bowler from Asia to take fi ve- cue his team, and his average wicket hauls in Australia, Eng- est Indies’ batting of 26 was the best of a disap- he Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) will conduct trials land, South Africa and the West limitations were pointing bunch. to select under-16 boys for an upcoming international Indies — in only his 11th Test. Wruthlessly exposed The all-rounder also enjoyed a Ttournament. The Qatar national under-16 team, after the “He has absolute control of by a relentless and classy India good series with the ball, taking camp, will travel to Oman to take part in the ACC tournament, what he is doing. So when he bowling attack in the two-Test eight wickets at an average of to be held in October. According to Amin-ul Islam, the schools steps out on the fi eld, he knows series swept by the visitors in 22.25. cricket co-ordinator at the QCA, the trials will be held at the Asian how much he can contribute for Jamaica on Monday. Roach showed he would be Town Stadium, Industrial Area, on September 5 (Thursday) and the team,” Kohli said. India won the second Ttest by an asset to any team, picking September 7 (Saturday). The players must report at 4pm at the “It is really pleasing to see a 257 runs, a week after a 318- up nine wickets at 22.22 and venue. Those born on and after September 1, 2003 will only be guy who was tagged as a T20 run victory in the first Test in passing Wes Hall to become the considered eligible for the trials. Interested players may call +974 specialist, he came in and took Antigua. ninth most prolific West Indies 5550 9708 for details. over the one-day scene, and now While West Indies’ pace bowlers bowler with 193 career scalps. he is taking over Test cricket.” Kemar Roach and Jason Holder “We have been on the field in Kohli was also impressed with performed particularly well, the every single day of this Test Hanuma Vihari’s assuring pres- batsmen did not keep their side series, and every single time CYCLING ence at the crease as the middle- of the bargain. our bowlers have delivered,” order batsman enjoyed a break- West Indies made only 327 runs Holder said. through series in the Caribbean. over two innings in Kingston, “India are a quality side. They The 25-year-old fi nished as and produced an even more wore us down. They knew our Team Ineos boosted the top run-scorer with 289 runs meagre grand total of 322 runs Kraigg Brathwaite (left) of West Indies is dismissed by India’s bowling was good, so they that included a century and two in the opening encounter. Ishant Sharma on third day of the second Test on Sunday. (AFP made us work hard for the half-centuries. “I think the fi nd Captain Holder acknowledged wickets. And when we got the by Carapaz capture of the series has to be Hanuma the frailties of his batsmen, averaged only seven and 12 hurt with concussion on 23 on chance to bat, we didn’t bat Vihari,” Kohli added. “The way though he could not off er a runs respectively. Monday after being struck in well enough.” he has batted under pressure... solution. Below them, a maiden Test half- the helmet by Jasprit Bumrah. The series was a reality check his skills we outstanding, his “Lots of problems with the bat- century by Shamarh Brooks Dynamic middle-order batsman for West Indies, who beat Eng- temperament was top notch.” ting,” he said. on Monday, the highest score Shimron Hetymer showed land 2-1 in a three-Test series India’s series sweep helped “Tough question (is) how to fix by a West Indies’ batsman in flashes of his rich talent without early this year. them claim the top spot in the the batting. It’s an individual the series, came after he had posting a big score. Their next Test is against Bang- inaugural World Test Champion- thing.” scored only 13 runs in his previ- He twice scored in the 30s, but ladesh in India starting Nov 27. ship with 120 points ahead of their The problems were most ous three innings. was also out cheaply on two oc- “Quite a bit of time till we play home series against South Africa. acute at the very top of the Darren Bravo also went casions, including on Monday the next Test match so time for New Zealand and Sri Lanka, order, where openers Kraigg cheaply, with 24 runs in his first when he made just one before players to take some owner- who shared their series 1-1, fol- Brathwaite and John Campbell three innings before retiring giving his wicket away cheaply, ship,” Holder said. low with 60 points each.

BOTTOMLINE Bangladesh coach confi dent of beating Afghanistan AFP Carapaz and Brailsford both AFP ladesh head coach in August desh in Test cricket and only Paris spoke of his progress in a star- Dhaka, Bangladesh replacing Englishman Steve third overall after they were studded line up. Rhodes. granted Test status last year. “I feel this is a great opportu- The 45-year old South Af- Bangladesh coach Domingo iro d’Italia champion nity for me to continue my devel- angladesh’s new head rican said he did not intend to found the spin attack of the Richard Carapaz will opment and growth as a rider,” coach Russell Do- bring any change to the system visiting side “threatening” for race alongside three said Carapaz. mingo yesterday that already worked for Bang- his charges. Tour de France winners “(I’ll be) working with a backed his charges to ladesh. “We know how dangerous Gnext year after the Ecuadorian team that continues to go from beatB Afghanistan in the one-off “It is going to be my fi rst their bowling attack can be in signed a three-year deal with strength-to-strength, year after Test starting tomorrow, pro- Test for Bangladesh. I want to limited overs cricket. Look, it is Team Ineos on Monday. year.” vided they could build enough see how they perform. And it a diff erent format but they will The recruitment is a major Brailsford said Carapaz had pressure on the opposition. is diffi cult to make wholesale defi nitely pose us threats in the coup for Ineos principal Dave been a target for a while. “We have to focus on our changes to a system that has next few days,” he said. Brailsford, who is the master- “We have been long time ad- processes and on being pa- worked really well for them “They have some match mind behind Tour de France wins mirers of his talents as a bike rid- tient. We have to build pres- in the last couple of Tests,” he winners in Nabi (Mohamed) for Chris Froome, Geraint Tho- er and have followed his devel- sure against Afghanistan. If said. and Rashid Khan. They are mas and current champion Egan opment closely over a number of we can do those things, results “I am sitting back to see how fantastic bowlers. We have to Bernal, clinching six of the last years, as we have always marked will come our way,” Domingo things pan out for the fi rst Test. make sure we respect them seven titles. him out as a potential member of told reporters in the port city The selectors and Shakib (Al while also looking to score The 26-year-old emerged vic- our Team,” said the Briton. of Chittagong yesterday. Hasan) have led me to think- some runs against them,” he torious at the Giro when favour- “He is obviously a fantastic The one-off Test series ing in a certain way, and I am added. ites Vincenzo Nibali and Primoz climber but also has great ver- against Afghanistan at the Za- pretty comfortable with it be- Afghanistan will also play a Roglic ignored a mountain-top satility as he showed at the Giro hur Ahmed Chowdhury Sta- fore I imprint my way on to the tri-nation Twenty20 tourna- break and Carapaz, then with earlier this year. He is still rela- dium in Chittagong will be the team,” he added. ment from September 13 with Movistar, capitalised to take the tively young and I have no doubt fi rst assignment for Domingo, This will be Afghanistan’s Zimbabwe and hosts Bangla- race lead, which he held all the he can develop and improve even who was appointed as Bang- fi rst meeting against Bangla- desh. way to the Rome fi nish line. further at Team Ineos.”

Wednesday, September 4, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

CRICKET / ASHES SPOTLIGHT Smith overtakes Stokes threat keeps Kohli to reclaim No.1 Aussie skipper spot in Test rankings Paine awake at night Paine believes spinner Lyon has troubled Stokes, urges fielders to provide support England call up Overton for fourth Ashes Test

AFP slightly diff erently with an can do when he gets himself Manchester, United Kingdom extra bit of bounce and a taller in, so hopefully batting lower bowler will give us an extra down allows him to do that. option to go to. “Joe (Denly) has played some ngland have made one “I feel like that balances out good cricket throughout the change in personnel to our attack really well in these summer, he has got himself in Etheir side for the fourth conditions.” and he was very good in that Test against Australia at Old Root added: “Craig is a com- second innings (at Headingley Traff ord, with fast bowler Craig petitor. You saw him come into when he made a fifty). Overton replacing the dropped Ashes cricket on debut and “It’s a great opportunity for Chris Woakes. straight away he looked very him to get us off to a good start Somerset quick Overton was much at home. with Rory (Burns).” only drafted into the squad “He got himself in a battle and Smith, now back on top of the after it was confirmed James I expect him to do that this latest world Test batting rank- Anderson, England’s all-time week. I expect him to cause ings published yesterday, will be leading wicket-taker, was ruled some issues for the Aussie returning to Ashes action this out with a calf injury. batters.” match after he missed the Head- The same injury has prevented ingley Test with concussion. Anderson from bowling in the ‘HIGH-QUALITY ROY’ This is former Australia captain Australia’s Steve Smith takes part in a nets session at Old Traff ord in series since his four-over spell Root also confirmed the switch Smith’s first Test series since Manchester, United Kingdom, yesterday. (Reuters) in the first innings of Australia’s of positions between Jason Roy completing a 12-month ban for 251-run win in the first Test at and Joe Denly, with World Cup ball-tampering. Reuters number one Test batsman and Edgbaston. winner Roy dropping down to He marked his return to the for- Bengaluru, India bowler in the world, with Pat Overton comes into the side on number four after struggling as mat with scores of 144 and 142 Cummins leading the bowling the back of England’s stunning a Test opener. at Edgbaston before making charts since February. one-wicket win in the third Test “Jason is a high-quality player, 92 in the drawn second Test at ustralia’s run-machine It is the fi rst time the Austral- at Headingley, inspired by Ben we all know that, and he might Lord’s — where he was felled by Steve Smith has edged ians have topped the charts with Stokes’s superb 135 not out, be better suited at four,” Root a 92mph Jofra Archer bouncer. past Indian captain Vi- both bat and ball since March that saw them square the five- said. Root said he was looking for- rat Kohli to become the 2006, when Ricky Ponting and bestA Test batsman in the world, Glenn McGrath topped the re- match Ashes series at 1-1. “I think to play in an Ashes ward to seeing Archer bowl to Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy (left) chats with Australia The 25-year-old Overton has series is very exciting and he Smith again. based on the International spective rankings. captain Tim Paine in the nets during a training session at Old Traff ord played three Tests and bowled was extremely excited to get “For everyone watching I’m Cricket Council’s (ICC) rankings. Kohli’s next opportunity to re- in Manchester, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) Australia star batsman Steve the chance to open the batting, sure it will be an exciting con- Kohli’s side moved to the spond will be in a home Test se- Smith on debut at Adelaide in but I think that he might be bet- test between two world-class top of the new ICC World Test ries against South Africa starting Agencies “I think Nathan has actually December 2017. ter suited for the middle order players,” Root added. Championship table with a 2-0 on Oct. 2. Manchester, United Kingdom bowled really well to him. He’s England captain Joe Root, ex- on the evidence we have seen “What that Headingley win has series sweep against West Indies. New Zealand skipper Kane created a number of chances plaining why Overton had been over the last three games. done is make this a very special But his own fi rst-ball duck in the Williamson retains third spot, each time he’s bowled to him. included, told reporters at Old “It’s a great opportunity for him week this week and a great second innings at Sabina Park while India’s Ajinkya Rahane re- t is nine days since Ben “But the other side of it is we Traff ord during his pre-match to make it his own and we have opportunity for us to build on meant he slipped to second spot turned to the top 10, rising four Stokes hit a remarkable 135 hold our chances when Nathan press conference on Tuesday: seen him play enough interna- what was a great win and carry in the men’s individual ranking places to seventh. not out to win the third Test is bowling to him. If we can do “This ground does perform tional cricket to know what he that forward.” with 903 points. After fi nishing the Caribbean of the Ashes series at Head- that, I think he can open the Smith leads Kohli by one point series with 13 wickets at an im- Iingley, and as he prepares for the game up for us through that but will have a chance to con- pressive average of 9.23, Indian next instalment, Australia cap- middle order. The last two Tests solidate his position in the fourth paceman Jasprit Bumrah rose tain Tim Paine said thoughts of in particular, we’ve let Nathan Ashes Test against England four places to number three in how to outwit the England bats- down a bit with our fi elding,” he starting today at Old Traff ord, the Test rankings for bowlers, man keep him awake at night. said. where he returns after recovering with a career-best 835 rating England were nine wickets from concussion. points. down with 73 runs required be- PAINE DISMISSES ARCHER’S Former captain Smith has not The 25-year-old is now only fore Stokes’ swashbuckling in- ‘PANIC’ JIBE held top spot in the rankings behind Cummins and South Af- nings almost single-handedly Paine also hit back at sugges- since December 2015. In August rica’s Kagiso Rabada. kept England in the series and tions from England fast bowler last year, while Smith was serv- Already occupying top spot in denied Australia a win that Jofra Archer that the tourists ing a 12-month ban over a ball- the Test rankings of all-rounders, would have ensured the tourists “panicked” during their ex- tampering scandal, Kohli over- West Indies captain Jason Holder retained the Ashes. traordinary loss at Headingley. took him in the standings. rose seven places in the bowling Questions have been asked of Speaking to reporters on The Australian number four list to join England’s James An- Paine’s decisions in the deci- Tuesday — the eve of the fourth has since made a remarkable re- derson in fourth position. sive fi nal hours of that Test. But Test at Old Traff ord — Paine turn to the longest format, with England’s Ben Stokes re- asked whether he fears Stokes’ insisted Australia had not lost twin hundreds in the fi rst Ashes mained in second place in the feat may hang over his captaincy their nerve at Leeds and bristled Test in Birmingham. all-rounder ranking after his in the way that all-rounders Ian at talk they had “choked”. He followed that up with a 92 match-winning second-innings Botham and Andrew Flintoff “No. Jofra is entitled to his at Lord’s before being felled by performance in the third Ashes impacted previous Aussie skip- opinion — he’s had plenty of a short ball from England fast Test at Headingley, behind Hold- pers, Paine said his concern was those that’s for sure — but as I bowler Jofra Archer. er and ahead of Bangladesh’s more basic. said, we made some mistakes,” Australia now boast both the Shakib Al Hasan in third. “Nah, I haven’t lost a hell of Paine said. a lot of sleep thinking about my “It happens. We have ad- captaincy. But I have lost a bit of dressed it as a team. sleep thinking how we’re going “I was certainly one of those All arrangements fi nalised for Doha to get him out, that’s for sure,” people who made mistakes. We he said. move on and we are here ready 2019 athletics Worlds: Anti-Doping “He’s a class player, and he’s for another great Test match,” really confi dent at the moment. added Paine, who worked with Commission chief He’s going well. Like I said, former Australia wicketkeeper QNA “As local national anti-doping we’ve got some plans for him Ian Healy during training yes- Doha committee, we are keen to — but we’ve just got to execute terday. provide ideal environment for them a bit better,” he said. “I would do some things dif- athletes during testing proc- Paine believed spinner Nath- ferently with my fi eld placings. asser Saad Aman esses by using regular testing an Lyon has troubled Stokes at As I said, the mistakes have been al-Saad, Head of procedures” added Saad. various times, but he has urged made. It happens in cricket and NAnti-Doping Commis- He also underscored that his fi elders to provide better we have moved on, learnt from England’s Joe Denly (second from left), Craig Overton (right) and teammates play football before nets sion at IAAF World Athletics Qatar Anti-Doping Commis- support than they did at Head- it, and we are ready for another at Old Traff ord in Manchester, United Kingdom, yesterday. (Reuters) Championships Doha 2019, has sion (QADC) always works ingley. great Test match.” confirmed that the commis- diligently behind the scenes sion finalised all technical and in diff erent international and managerial arrangements to local championships hosted by CRICKET / ASHES perform its challenging task State of Qatar. at the global athletics event, Al-Saad also expressed his which will run from September gratitude and thanks to HE 27 to October 6 in Doha amid Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al- De Grandhomme, Bruce help NZ clinch T20 series international participation. Thani, the President of Qatar “Preparations are underway; Olympic Committee (QOC) and AFP the ball in hand. to bat after being injured while we have around 200 staff Chairman of Higher Organis- Kandy, Sri Lanka Jayasuriya and Kusal Mendis fi elding. members in the committee ing Committee of IAAF World were injured in the clash that For Sri Lanka, Avishka Fern- working in all time, ready to Athletics Championships Doha cost Sri Lanka six runs and end- ando and Niroshan Dickwella use top doping testing elec- 2019, for his confidence in and century partner- ed the fi nal-over drama as Sant- put on 68 runs for a crucial tronic techniques to serve the support of Qatari young sport ship between Colin ner hit the winning boundary third-wicket stand but the rest event” said al-Saad. off icials. de Grandhomme and on the fourth ball off Wanindu of the batting did not make an Tom Bruce helped New Hasaranga. impression. ZealandA to a series-clinching Skipper Lasith Malinga said the Rance claimed three wickets Team Qatar to participate in GCC four-wicket win over Sri Lanka two fi elders “are alright and will while fellow paceman Southee Aquatics Games in Kuwait in the second Twenty20 inter- play the next game hopefully”. returned impressive fi gures of national yesterday. Earlier New Zealand bowlers 2-18 from his four overs. QNA Assistant Secretary General of De Grandhomme and Bruce led by pacemen Seth Rance and The third match will be played Doha Qatar Swimming Association; put on 109 runs for the fourth New Zealand’s Colin de Grandhomme (right) and teammate Tom Bruce skipper Tim Southee restricted in Kandy on Friday. Ibraheem al-Rumaihi, team wicket as the Kiwis chased down run between the wickets during the second T20I yesterday. (AFP) Sri Lanka to 161 for nine. director; Nasser al-Suqairi, their target of 162 with two balls Sri Lankan spinner Akila BRIEF SCORES: Sri Lanka eam Qatar is preparing Administrator, alongside to spare in Kandy and take an sixes in his 46-ball blitz. Daryl Mitchell was out next Dananjaya hurt the opposition 161 for 9 (N Dickwella 39, A to participate in the 27th technical staff members and unassailable 2-0 lead in the Bruce, who made the XI in ball and Mitchell Santner was chase with his three wickets in- Fernando 37; S Rance 3-33, T Tedition of GCC Aquatics 29 swimmers. Team Qatar had three-match series. place of injured Ross Taylor, nearly caught near the bound- cluding two in over as the Black Southee 2-18, S Kuggeleijn 2-38) Games 2019, which will get performed international train- De Grandhomme, who was made the most of the opportu- ary by Shehan Jayasuriya on the Caps slipped to 38 for three. lost to New Zealand 165 for 6 underway in Kuwait tomorrow. ing camp from August 12-30 in dropped on 36, completed his nity, scoring 53, but was run out third delivery but the fi elder New Zealand were also hurt (C de Grandhomme 59, T Bruce Team Qatar delegation is Romania in preparation for the fi fty before falling to Isuru Udana at the start of the fi nal over with tripped after a collision with his by the absence of opener Martin 53; A Dananjaya 3-36) by four chaired by Ahmed al-Nimah, GCC Aquatics Games 2019. for 59. He hit two fours and three the team needing seven. teammate and hit the rope with Guptill who was not available wickets.