SPORT Saturday 29 September 2018 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 18 Murray Hamilton sets the crashes out of pace in Russian Shenzhen Open GP practice Qatar clinch Asian Beach Volleyball title THE PENINSULA

BANGKOK: The Qatari team consisting of Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse, were crowned the Asian Beach Volleyball cham- pionship in Satun, Thailand yesterday. The Qatari duo got the better of Iranian duo of Bahman Salemi and Arash Vakili 2-0 (21-18, 21-11) in the final match. In the women’s category, Australian Clancy/Artacho Del Solar beat Chinese Wang/Xue 2-1(21-17, 19-21, 15-9) to win the title. Iran had won the title of the previous edition, beating Indo- nesia in the final match. This is the second major title for Ahmed and Cherif having won The members of the Qatar beach volleyball team, winners of the Asian Beach Volleyball title pose for a picture. RIGHT: Qatar’s Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse, during the Asian Games Beach Volleyball the event. title in Indonesia this year in August. At the Asian Games Qatari Championships is an interna- of Asian Volleyball Confeder- The winners complete the after winning three consecutive Qatar team entered the final pair defeated the Indonesian tional beach volleyball compe- ation. The twin wins will help the Bangkok tournament with an matches against Saudi Arabia 2-0 of the event with a convincing pair of Mohammad Ashfiya and tition in Asia and Oceania con- Qatari duo’s bid to earn a direct all-win record. (21-12 and 21-14) and Singapore 21-15, 21-14 win over Kaza- Ade Rachmawan The Asian tested by the double-gender qualification to the finals of the In the group stage the Qatari 2-0 (21-15 and 21-11) and against khstans Alexey Sidorenko amd Beach Volleyball beach volleyball of the members 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. team managed to lead the group Oman 2-0 (21-19 and 21-18). Alexandr Dyachenko. India down Bangladesh in thriller to retain Asia Cup AFP SCOREBOARD but once both were dismissed Bangladesh: India Bangladesh looked like pulling DUBAI: India retained the Asia Liton Das st Dhoni b Yadav ...... 121 R Sharma c Islam b Rubel ...... 48 off an upset. Cup with a three- win off Mehidy Hasan c Rayudu b Jadhav ...... 32 S Dhawan c Sarkar b Islam ...... 15 Ravindra Jadeja (23) and the last ball against a fighting Imarul Kayes lbw b Chahal ...... 2 A Rayudu c Rahim b Mortaza ...... 2 Bhuvenshwar Kumar (21) Bangladesh who were anchored Mushfiqur Rahim c Bumrah b Jadhav ...... 5 D Karthik lbw b Riyad ...... 37 brought the target within India’s by a maiden hundred from Mohammad Mithun run out ...... 2 M Dhoni c Rahim b Mustafiz ...... 36 reach through a 45-run stand for opener Liton Das in Dubai Mahmudullah Riyad c Bumrah b Yadav ...... 4 K Jadhav () ...... 23 the sixth wicket but Bangladesh yesterday. Soumya Sarkar run out ...... 33 R Jadeja c Rahim b Rubel ...... 23 removed them both with eight B Kumar c Rahim b Mustafiz ...... 21 India made heavy weather Mashrafe Mortaza st Dhoni b Yadav ...... 7 runs still needed. India then Nazmul Islam run out ...... 7 K Yadav (not out) ...... 5 of a modest 223-run target as Mustafizur Rahman (not out)...... 2 Extras: (B1, LB 7, W 5) ...... 13 required six off the last over and Bangladesh fought for every run Rubel Hossain b Bumrah...... 0 Total: (for seven wkts; 50 overs) ..... 223 one off the final which before the title holders achieved Extras: (LB2, W5) ...... 7 Did not bat: J Bumrah, Y Chahal came as a leg-bye. Kedar Jadhav Indian batsman victory off the last ball watched Total: (all out) ...... 222 Fall of : 1-35, 2-46, 3-83, 4-137, 5-160, finished with 23 not out. Mahendra Singh Dhoni by a capacity 25,000 holiday Fall of wickets: 1-120, 2-128, 3-137, 4-139, 5-151, 6-212, 7-214 India won the Asia Cup -- plays a shot during the crowd at Dubai stadium. 6-188, 7-196, 8-213, 9-222; 10-222 : Mehidy 4-0-27-0, Mustafiz 10-0-38-2, Is- under a format -- in final of the Asia Cup Das held the innings together Bowling: Kumar 7-0-33-0 (1w), Bumrah 8.3-0-39-1 lam 10-0-56-1, Mortaza 10-0-35-1 (1w), Rubel 10-2- Bangladesh in 2016. against Bangladesh at (2w), Chahal 8-1-31-1(1w), Yadav 10-0-45-3, Jadeja 26-2, (1w), Riyad 6-0-33-1 (2w) during his 117-ball 121 which fea- Yesterday’s result meant the Dubai International 6-0-31-0, Jadhav 9-0-41-2(1w) Result: India won by three wickets tured a dozen boundaries and Bangladesh lost in a second Asia Stadium in two sixes but Bangladesh, who Cup final after coming up just Dubai yesterday. were put into bat, were all out in Dhawan, India were expected to 15 and Sharma for a punishing short by two runs in the 2012 48.3 overs despite a solid run away with victory, like they 55-ball 48, studded with three final against Pakistan at home. opening stand of 120 with did in the previous matches but sixes and as many boundaries. Earlier Bangladesh lost all Mehidy Hasan. Bangladesh were not ready to Dinesh Karthik (37) and their wickets for 102 runs in a With their settled opening give up without a fight. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (36) major middle order collapse after pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed for added 54 for the fourth wicket a brisk opening stand of 120. Patience key as Australia seek Steyn gets World to end Asian woes, says Paine Cup bid under way AFP Dale is fit, to me he’s still one of the AFP United Arab Emirates (UAE) as leg- stay in the game for as long as you can.” best two bowlers in the country. He’s spinner Yasir Shah and left-armer Paine, named captain in the wake of KIMBERLEY, SOUTH AFRICA: gone away and proven his fitness, so DUBAI: AUSTRALIAN captain Tim Zulfiqar Babar shared 26 wickest Smith’s ban, said discipline will also be Veteran fast bowler Dale Steyn’s we’ll see how he goes in the next Paine Friday said his team will need to between them in two Tests. the key. “It’s about us being really patient, challenge for a place in South Africa’s couple of games,” said Gibson. show more patience in their two-match Australia landed in UAE a week ago really disciplined. Langer (Australian 2019 Cricket World Cup squad gets Steyn said he was ready to Test series against Pakistan in a bid to to acclimatise to the scorching weather, coach) spoke about leaving our egos at under way with a three-match compete for his place. better a terrible record against Asian with temperatures still hitting 40 degrees home, particularly as a group and one-day international series against “Having played my last game sides. Celsius (104F). They take on Pakistan’s being prepared to bat for a long, long Zimbabwe, starting at the Diamond only two weeks ago for Hampshire Shorn of experienced captain Steve second string in a four-day match in time. If we can do that we can have some Oval tomorrow. I feel like I’m going, I’m flying. But Smith and dashing opener David Warner Dubai from Saturday. success.” Steyn, 35, has not played in white-ball is a whole new challenge. -- banned for a year in the wake of ball The first Test starts in Dubai from Besides Smith and Warner, Australia one-day internationals since October I’ve been playing red-ball in the UK.” tampering saga in South Africa in March October 7. The second will be played in will also miss the injured pace duo of 2016. He has been plagued by injuries Gibson said the series against Zim- -- Australia will face a trial by spin, as Abu Dhabi from October 16. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. but is fresh from a stint with English babwe and three matches in Australia has happened in the past. “We’ve just spoken about little ways But to counter Pakistan’s spin trap county Hampshire, taking 20 wickets in October and November would be Australia have won only one out of we can change,” said Paine. “Tradi- they have rehired former India bowler in five first-class matches. crucial for players trying to stake a 17 Tests in Asia since 2007 as they tionally Australian teams have been Sridharan Sriram as a consultant, who “It was good to go over and play claim for the World Cup in England. struggled against spin in India, Bang- aggressive and tried to take the game to has brought leg-spinner Pardeep Sahu there, be on the park consistently,” He said the selectors would be looking ladesh and Sri Lanka. the opposition. Over here in particular, and left-arm wrist spinner Karapak Jiyas he said. to pick a probable World Cup squad They lost 2-0 to Pakistan in the you’ve got to be really patient and try to from India for practice. His ability to stay fit is a key for home series against Pakistan and factor for coach Ottis Gibson. “Once Sri Lanka early next year. SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 17

Fernando Verdasco of Spain hits a return during his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Britain at the ATP Shenzhen Open in Shenzhen, in south Serena pulls plug China’s Guangdong province yesterday. on China Open AFP “even half of what a guy can took time off to have a baby. do”. “Right now we are not, In 2016 she called it quits BEIJING: American great as it’s proven, in that same after the US Open citing a Serena Williams was left out position,” she told Australia’s shoulder injury, and in 2015 of the China Open tennis Channel Ten. she took a break after nar- draw yesterday as she “But that’s neither here rowly failing to win all four appeared to call time on her nor there. I’m just trying most majors in the same year, fol- season following her of all to recover from that and lowing a shattering defeat in meltdown at the US Open. move on.” The episode New York to Italy’s Roberta Williams’ name, along polarised tennis with many Vinci. The biggest event left with that of her sister Venus, expressing sympathy for Wil- on the 2018 calendar is next did not appear on a list of 64 liams, while others said her month’s elite, eight-player players ahead of the start of behaviour was out of line. WTA Finals in Singapore. the tournament in Beijing, Osaka was in tears during Williams is currently 11th on one of the women’s tour’s the victory ceremony for her the Race to Singapore mandatory events. It comes first Grand Slam win as boos rankings. less than three weeks after rang out from the New York Williams, who won her the tempestuous US Open crowd, prompting Williams to first Grand Slam title in New final, where Williams, 37, call for calm. York in 1999, captured her accused the umpire of lying “We cannot measure our- 23rd while pregnant at last and sexism in an angry rant selves by what we think we year’s Australian Open, but Murray crashes out during her 6-2, 6-4 defeat to should also be able to get she has since stuttered on the Japan’s Naomi Osaka. In away with,” Czech-born brink of Margaret Court’s all- extraordinary scenes, Wil- American Martina Navra- time record of 24. liams went into a tailspin tilova wrote in the New York After returning to the after a warning for receiving Times. circuit as a mother in March, of Shenzhen Open coaching from the sidelines, “In fact, this is the sort of Williams reached the French smashing her racquet and behaviour that no one should Open last 16 before pulling out AFP SHENZHEN OPEN RESULTS Now standing in between Ver- being docked a point and be engaging in on the court.” injured, and she lost the Wim- dasco and a place in Sunday’s final then a game. - ‘On the cusp’ - Reports from bledon final to Angelique Results of yesterday’s ATP Shenzhen Open matches at SHENZHEN, CHINA: Britain’s will be qualifier Yoshihito The 23-time Grand Slam the United States said Wil- Kerber. Williams said she felt the Shenzhen Longgang Sports Center (x denotes former world number one Andy Nishioka. singles champion later said liams’ season is now over, “on the cusp of this amazing seed): Singles Murray had his hopes of a second The 22-year-old Japanese she wanted to “move on” which would make it the moment” at the US Open before Quarter finals: ATP Shenzhen Open title dashed Alex De Minaur (AUS x7) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH x4) player continued his fine run of from the incident, but main- fourth year in a row she has the straight-sets loss to Osaka, yesterday as Spanish veteran 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt Albert form this week by overpowering tained that women players curtailed her playing commit- 20, who stunned her childhood Fernando Verdasco won their Ramos (ESP) 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 Yoshihito Nishioka Britain’s Cameron Norrie 7-6 (7/2), could not get away with ments -- although in 2017 she hero.

quarter-final clash 6-4, 6-4. (JPN) bt Cameron Norrie (GBR) 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 Fernando 6-2. Still in the process of recov- Verdasco (ESP x5) bt Andy Murray (SCO) 6-4, 6-4 Saturday’s other semi-final will ering from hip surgery in January, see Australian teenager and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus Murray had this week produced seventh seed Alex de Minaur face hits a return against Ashleigh some of his best tennis of the year serve to good effect, firing down unseeded Frenchman Pierre- Barty of Australia during at the Shenzhen Longgang Sports 11 aces for the match. Hugues Herbert. their semi-final match at Centre but in the end was simply Verdasco was able to repel the There has been a buzz around the WTA Wuhan Open in undone by Verdasco’s stealth. majority of the attacks mustered the rise of the 19-year-old De Wuhan, yesterday. “When he had his opportu- by Murray, ending the match Minaur as he has moved to 40th in nities, he played well,” said Murray. having staved off five of the six the world across the season, while “First set I had quite a few chances. break points he faced. still chasing a breakthrough tour- Didn’t take them. He was very Murray, a three-time Grand nament victory. aggressive from the back of the Slam title winner, is bringing his Friday’s 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) win over court and didn’t make too many season to a close with two tourna- fourth seed Damir Dzumhur of mistakes so he deserved the ments in China and will now head Bosnia showcased why the young second set.” Murray was broken to Beijing. Aussie is fast gaining a reputation twice -- in the ninth game of the The 31-year-old has seen his as a player who loves a good scrap first set and the third game of the world ranking drop to 311 due to out on the court. second. the persistent hip problems that He should get exactly that Both times the winner came necessitated surgery. against the 27-year-old Herbert, a after Verdasco had kept the But he said he would spend the three-time Grand Slam doubles pressure on at break point, and had northern winter working himself title winner. then pounced to put away his back to the fitness levels that saw Herbert dug deep himself in a opponent’s weaker second serve. him capture nine titles in his stellar 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 quarter- The 34-year-old fifth seed, 2016 campaign, including his final win over Spain’s Albert Ramos who knocked Murray out of the US second Wimbledon and his second Vinolas as the Frenchman chases Open last month, also used his own Olympic gold. a first singles title. Kontaveit, Sabalenka reach Wuhan final

AFP Top-ranked in China, Wang TASHKENT OPEN RESULTS give me that miracle.” Her exit receiving 900 ranking points. aggressive and accurate shots had already made history by means the first final of 2018 for Sabalenka, one of the tour- often left the 17th-ranked Barty Results in the Tashkent WTA tournament WUHAN, CHINA: Wang Qiang’s becoming the first local player the 22-year-old Kontaveit, who nament’s most impressive flat-footed. She blamed nerves yesterday (x denotes seeded player): dream run at the Wuhan Open to reach the Wuhan Open will be looking to win her second players, stands in Kontaveit’s for her wobbly start against the Semi-finals in China ended in heartbreak on quarter-finals. Her march to the WTA title. way. The Belarusian, ranked in-form Barty, who had thrashed Anastasia Potapova (RUS) bt Kateryna Kozlova

Friday as she retired injured last four included an upset of (UKR) 6-2, 6-3 Margarita Gasparyan (RUS) bt “I’m so sorry that it had to 20th in the world, made a shaky Wimbledon champion Angelique from her semi-final with Anett world number seven Karolina end this way and I feel so bad for start in her semi-final against Kerber on her way to the semis. Mona Barthel (GER) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 Kontaveit, while Aryna Pliskova. (Wang),” said the Estonian, cur- Australia’s Barty, trailing the first “I didn’t really feel my serve Sabalenka advanced to the final The 34th-ranked Wang won rently 27th in the WTA rankings set 5-3 at one stage. and she was serving well. I with an emphatic win over the first two games of the match the crowd cheered her every and aiming to finish 2018 But she soon found her actually didn’t know what do on Ashleigh Barty. to the delight of the home fans, point. With just three games strongly. groove and came roaring back the court,” said the 20-year-old Wang, China’s new great but the clinical Kontaveit won played in the second set, she sig- “From the beginning of the to take the set on a tie-breaker. Sabalenka after becoming the tennis hope, had to stop with the next six in a row to take the nalled to the umpire that she season, the goal has been top Sabalenka, looking for the youngest Wuhan Open finalist. Estonia’s Kontaveit leading 6-2, first set. could no longer continue. 20,” she said. second WTA title of her career “And then there was nothing 2-1, while the hard-hitting Wang was moving gingerly “I wanted to hold on, game Winning the Wuhan Open on after clinching the Connecticut to lose, when she was leading 5-3 Sabalenka beat Barty 7-6 (7/2), as the first set ended, and after game, hoping for a miracle,” Saturday could help achieve that, Open in August, grew even (in the first set), and I started to 6-4. appeared to hold back tears as Wang said. “But my body did not with the tournament victor stronger in the second set as her play well.” HBO throws in towel on live boxing coverage after 45 years

AFP of the sport’s biggest names. Most statement. “As always, we will remain recently HBO produced the highly antic- open to looking at events that fit our pro- LOS ANGELES: HBO is walking away ipated rematch between Canelo Alvarez gramming mix. This could include boxing, from professional boxing after 45 years and Gennady Golovkin for the unified just not for the foreseeable future.” HBO of live fight programming, the US cable middleweight title. sports noted in its statement that boxing network confirmed on Thursday. The only remaining fight card is now available on a “host of networks HBO’s long association with the sport scheduled to air on HBO is on October and streaming services.” “In some cases, began in 1973 when it carried George 27 at Madison Square Garden, headlined this programming is very good. But from Foreman’s stunning knockout of reigning by an International Boxing Federation an entertainment point of view, it’s not A young boxer is reflected in a mirror heavyweight world champion Joe Frazier. middleweight title bout between Daniel unique,” the company said, adding that as he trains with a punching bag at The network pioneered modern pay- Jacobs and Sergiy Derevyanchenko. it wants to focus on “storytelling” suited the re-opening of the Dale Youth per-view coverage of boxing. The fighters “Going forward into 2019, we will be to unscripted series, documentaries, Amateur Boxing Club in west London who have appeared in more than 1,000 pivoting away from programming live reality programming, sports journalism yesterday. bouts aired by HBO include a who’s who boxing on HBO,” HBO Sports said in a and event specials. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018

Turkey press rages over ‘stab in back’ Chelsea face acid test of title after Germany handed Euro 2024 ambitions against Liverpool AFP AFP “People were always Chelsea’s players celebrate after scoring talking about City being clear, their second goal against Liverpool ISTANBUL: Turkey’s newspapers LONDON: Boasting arguably and completely forgot yesterday blasted the decision of UEFA to the best player in the Premier during their Carabao Cup match in Chelsea,” added Klopp. award the Euro 2024 football tournament League in Eden Hazard and Liverpool on Wednesday. “This team is really expe- to Germany over a rival Turkish bid, saying an unbeaten start under new rienced. It won the title it had been “stabbed in the back” and coach Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea before, 80 per cent won it taking particular aim at UEFA President have emerged as surprise twice, and they know how it Aleksander Ceferin. challengers for the title ahead works. That’s a really strong The handing of the tournament to of their meeting with leaders football team.” Germany came as Turkish President Recep Liverpool today. Chelsea also have Tayyip Erdogan arrived in the country for In a chaotic summer at Hazard, who showed his talks with German Chancellor Angela Stamford Bridge, Sarri was class by coming off the bench Merkel aiming to mend battered ties. only officially announced as to score an incredible solo The leadership in Turkey has, so far, Antonio Conte’s successor a goal to inflict Liverpool’s first been relatively tight-lipped over Thurs- month before the new season defeat of the season in all day’s decision by UEFA, with only Sports got underway, FIFA’s goal- competitions in the League Minister Muharrem Kasapoglu emerging keeper of the year Thibaut Cup on Wednesday. to say that the country had “lost nothing”. Courtois went AWOL to force Sarri has challenged the But the papers were universally a move to Real Madrid and Belgian to follow the scathing over the disappointment, the Hazard also expressed example of Liverpool’s fourth time that Turkey has lost out on the interest in a move to the Mohamed Salah last season right to host the Euro. Spanish giants. by scoring 40 goals in a cam- “It’s not just. UEFA gave its support to Yet, rather than fall paign for the first time in his racism,” said the Yeni Safak daily, a strong further behind after finishing career. supporter of Erdogan. sixth and 30 points adrift of Tottenham and Arsenal to insisted his side can’t yet be by dominating possession Salah was let go by It referred to the scandal that broke Manchester City last season, nestle alongside City just two compared to City or Liv- has been so seamless, a title Chelsea after making just 19 out when Turkish-origin German player Chelsea have stolen a march points behind leaders erpool in their third full challenge can’t be ruled out. appearances, mainly as a Mesut Ozil quit national team duty in the on Manchester United, Liverpool. seasons under Pep Guardiola “The biggest change I substitute, but fulfilled his wake of the World Cup in a row over A soft start with Hud- and Jurgen Klopp. ever saw in such a short potential in an incredible alleged racism in Germany’s football fed- dersfield, Arsenal, Newcastle, “We have started to work space of time. Wow. Style 44-goal debut campaign at eration after he met the Turkish Bournemouth, Cardiff and together 40 days ago. So for completely different. What a Anfield that saw him finish president. West Ham in his first six us I think it is a bit early,” said manager he is, to be honest,” ahead of Hazard and Lionel “UEFA was expected to make a stance Premier League games have the Italian. “We have to work, said Klopp admiringly this Messi in third place for FIFA’s against racism and discrimination but did We have to work, helped Sarri settle in. we need to improve and then week. best player of the year on the exact opposite and gave the event to we need to improve However, the acid test for maybe, in one year, we will While Chelsea struggled Monday. Germany which has been under the and then maybe, in where Chelsea’s title ambi- be at the same level of in Conte’s second season, The Egyptian hasn’t been shadow of racism,” the paper said. one year, we will be tions stand will come when Liverpool.” they also boast much more in such sparkling form at the “Nothing changes in Europe’s head,” Liverpool visit today looking However, his transfor- title winning experience than beginning of this season, but sighed the Turkiye daily. “Turkey experi- at the same level of to extend their 100 percent mation of Chelsea’s style Liverpool with many of the looked back close to his best enced disappointment for the fourth time.” Liverpool: Chelsea start to the Premier League from the cautious approach same squad having won the by scoring in a 3-0 cruise “We did not lose. Europe lost,” said coach Maurizio Sarri season. of Antonio Conte to a side Premier League in 2014/15 past Southampton last Takvim. Sports daily Fotomac described Sarri has repeatedly that asphyxiates opponents and 2016/17. weekend. the voting as a “dirty game”. An evaluation report by UEFA, in the build up to the Euro announcement, had stated several positive active aspects to Real loss shifts momentum to Turkey’s bid but also that it had risks, Modric still including the lack of an action plan in the area of human rights. working Turkey’s disappointment also comes Atletico ahead of Madrid derby after Istanbul in 2013 lost out to Tokyo on towards peak REUTERS hosting the 2020 Olympics. Turkey is now turning its attention to a bid to host the fitness 2026 Winter Olympics in its northeastern MADRID: Atletico Madrid might city of Erzurum. have been dreading today’s derby REUTERS Press owned by the Demiroren Group, with Real Madrid two weeks ago which is chaired by Yildirim Demiroren, following a bad start to the La Liga who is also the president of the Turkish season but the momentum has LONDON: FIFA Men’s Player of the Football Federation (TFF), lashed out at suddenly shifted Diego Simeone’s Year Luka Modric said that he is yet UEFA chief Ceferin. side’s way as they head to the to return to peak fitness this season, “He stabbed us in the back,” said Mil- Santiago Bernabeu. with only three weeks off after an liyet, one of the flagship titles of the After taking a measly five emotionally and physically draining Demiroren Media Group. points from their opening four World Cup campaign with Croatia. “We lost it in one night,” said Hurriyet, games, Atletico appear to have Midfielder Modric played a major also owned by Demiroren, accusing Ceferin turned a corner with convincing role in Croatia’s run to the World Cup of swaying committee members on wins over Getafe and Huesca, final in Russia, where they were Wednesday night so that a 9-7 advantage moving to within two points of beaten by France. He had earlier for Turkey turned into a 4-12 loss. front-runners Barcelona and Real helped his club side Real Madrid Madrid. claim a third consecutive Champions Victory today would lift them League crown. Atletico Madrid’s players celebrate after Antoine Griezmann scored a above their bitter city rivals and “I had only three weeks of like, goal during the La Liga match against Huesca in Madrid on Tuesday. Real’s flying start under coach let’s say holidays. I think that is the Julen Lopetegui was derailed by a least since I’m playing football,” the humiliating 3-0 defeat by Sevilla. in their 2-0 win over Getafe and remarkable record at the Santiago 33-year-old Modric, who was named Atletico have bragging rights 3-0 stroll against Huesca. Bernabeu, where they have not lost player of the tournament, said. from the last time the two teams “I’m happy because the team a league game since December, “First week we spend in cele- met in August, winning a thrilling have started to look like the 2012, when Jose Mourinho was in bration... and was not easy to start UEFA Super Cup match 4-2 in Atletico we all want to be,” Atletico charge. Real will be without key again after all these emotional extra-time to end their European winger Angel Correa said after playmaker Isco after he underwent moments you are drained com- hoodoo against Real, who beat beating Huesca. surgery this week to treat an pletely and I needed time to get back them in the 2014 and 2016 Cham- “It’s going to be an intense appendicitis while Marcelo is a to my better level.” pions League finals. derby which I’m sure will be doubt after hurting his calf against “Now each day I feel better... I They appeared to suffer a decided by the thinnest of Sevilla. just need more games... but it wasn’t UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin unveils hangover from that win following margins.” Lopetegui may decide to recall easy because we were so eager to the host nation for Euro 2024 during the draws against Valencia and Eibar Despite Real’s dominance in Keylor Navas in goal after an achieve something great with the announcement on Thursday. and a defeat by Celta Vigo but most European matches with unconvincing display against Croatia team.” looked back to their rugged best Atletico, Simeone’s side have a Sevilla from Thibaut Courtois. F1: Hamilton sets the pace in Russian GP practice REUTERS Vettel ended up only fifth- in 2014, with Hamilton twice vic- Rosso’sRosso’s Pierre Gasly and Ricciardo,Ricciardo, fourth after Lando Norris gained experience fastest, in 1:33.928, and behind torious and team-mate Valtteri Brendon Hartley as well lunch,lunch, had sat out ahead of his McLaren debut next SOCHI: Formula One champi- the two Red Bulls driven by Max Bottas winning last year after as McLaren’s Fernando much of the morning year. onship leader Lewis Hamilton Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. now-retired Nico Rosberg in AlonsoAlonso were the others withwith mechanics Giovinazzi was 10th fastest, (pictured) led the way as His Finnish team-mate Kimi 2016. hit with grid penalties.penalties. workingworking on his car.car. with 18-year-old Norris -- who Mercedes ended the first day of Raikkonen was sixth. Verstappen turns 21 VettelVettel took ppoleole in ItalianItalian reservereserve went off but avoided the barriers Russian Grand Prix practice with The German had been fastest tomorrow but cannot become SochiSochi last yyearear but Antonio Giovinazzi,Giovinazzi, -- 13th. a dominant one-two on the in the morning with a best time the first 20-year-old to start on BBottasottas mmadeade a who will step up to McLaren regular Stoffel Van- timesheets while Ferrari of 1:34.488, also on hypersoft pole position due to a raft of lightninglightning start to set up thethe SauberSauber racerace seatseat doorne, who is ceding his place struggled. tyres, with Hamilton third on the engine penalties. thethe win. TThehe Finn was nextnext season,season, tootookk to the Briton at the end of the The Briton, 40 points clear slower softs. Vettel is running out The Dutch driver is one of 0.1990.199 slslowerower tthanhan Ham-Ham- MarcusMarcus EriEricsson’scsson’s cacarr foforr year, was only 16th. of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel with of time to rein in Hamilton, who five listed with confirmed drops iltonilton in yesterday’s thethe opening practice Renault gave Russian F2 six races remaining, lapped has seven victories to his name to the back of the grid, leaving ddryry afternoon while British driver Artem Markelov (15th) a Sochi’s 5.8 km Olympic Park this season, including four of the the exact starting order session.session. teenagerteenager run in Carlos Sainz’s car while circuit with a best time of one last five. uncertain. Canadian Nicholas Latifi (17th) minute 33.385 seconds on the Mercedes have won every Verstappen’s Australian team was in Sergio Perez’s Force hypersoft tyres. Russian Grand Prix since the first mate Daniel Ricciardo, Toro India. SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 19 QSL: Al Kharaitiyat stun Al Gharafa FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA Al Rayyan seek ‘strong DOHA: It took Al Kharaitiyat seven games to clinch their first comeback’ in clash victory at the QNB Stars League (QSL), and they did that in style by stunning last season’s fourth- YESTERDAY›S RESULTS against Al Shahania placed team Al Gharafa 2-0 at Al Kharaitiyat bt Al Gharafa Thani bin Jassim Stadium, THE PENINSULA yesterday. 2-0 moment, but the season is still Qatar’s U-23 player Umm Salal bt Al Khor 1-0 DOHA: Al Rayyan are hoping long. We are working now to Abdulhadi Amin was star for Al TODAY to bounce back strongly in the prove ourselves,” he said. Kharaitiyat in their Round 7 QNB Stars League (QSL), “It is a fact that Al Sadd clash, marking a brace by 5:50pm: Al Rayyan vs Al eyeing a victory over Al and Al Duhail are the best scoring a goal each in both the Shahania at Al Sadd Stadium Shahania in their Round 7 sides so far in the league. We sessions. clash at Al Sadd Stadium are keen that our players are With Al Khor losing to Umm 8:00pm: Al Arabi vs Al Sailiya today. not at a disadvantage Salal 1-0 in yesterday’s second at Al Arabi Stadium The coach Rodolfo Arru- psychologically. game, Al Kharaitiyat jump one abarrena’s (pictured) players “We worked on the psy- place up to go 11th in the are looking to get back to chological aspects of our standings from the bottom. Sofyan in goal. With the game winning ways after suffering players. Al Rayyan are a big Al Gharafa missed injured quite an open affair, it looked a 5-0 defeat against leaders team and we will not give up captain Wesley Schneider as Al like Al Gharafa will be the first Al Sadd in Qatar Clasico last just because of one defeat. We Kharaitiyat looked a dominating to take advantage as Vladimir week. are now focusing on the Al outfit for the first time in the Weiss pulled the strings in the “For us, the importance Shahania match,” he said. league during the match. midfield. of this game is that it comes Meanwhile, Al Shahania But, Al Gharafa opened up However, a number of after we lost the Qatar Clasico coach Jose Murcia said his Al Kharaitiyat players celebrate their second goal against Al impressively launching a couple spurned chances allowed the to Al Sadd,” Arruabarrena team will enter the match Gharafa during their QSL match at Thani bin Jassim Stadium, of dangerous attacks against Al visitors to capitalise. said ahead of the match. with an aim to improve their PICS: MOHAMMAD FARAG Kharaitiyat as the game kicked Not long before the break, yesterday. “We are seeking a strong standings. “We are trying to off. Abdulhadi latched onto a comeback by getting a pos- improve our position in the They nearly got off to the through ball and his shot from opener in the 37th minute. The Meanwhile, Al Sailiya coach itive result. We need to win,” table and compensate for the perfect start with Yahya Muath the near post was misread by the confidence offered by the first Sami Trabelsi said his team will Al Rayyan coach said before recent loss that we suffered just unable to smother it over the goalkeeper who let it squirm goal sparked a surge in energy play for victory against Al Arabi warning his team of Al Sha- at the hands of Al Arabi,” he line under pressure from Ahmed underneath his body for the which made him a continual today. hania’s skills. said. “We know that Al Rayyan handful for the home defence. “A very important match for “Al Shahania are a strong will try to make a strong Substitute goalkeeper both teams mainly because we side and we have to be wary comeback into the tournament Abdulaziz Ali was only able to are on same number of points of themthem.. They have got some after they got beaten by Al SadSadd parry a poor back pass into the (12). We will try hard for a win goodgood results,” he said.said. in the QQataratar Clasico. BButu path of Amin who again finished and thus strengthen our Arruabarrena wewe will playplay for a pos-pos from a tight angle with great position,” he said ahead of the addedadded hishis team waswas itiveitive resuresult,”lt,” hhee saisaid.d composure with a goal in 59th match. lookinglooking forwardforward in “We havehave a minute. The two-goal advantage “We will work on our mis- thethe lleague,eague, hhopingoping strongstrong squadsquad andan was enough to dominate their takes and I have great confi- toto put up a pospositiveitive we willwill pplaylay fofor opponents for the rest of the dence in my players. They will display.display. victory.victory. Ours iis match as they held on for a bring out their best to collect all “We hhaveave pputut moremore of a team crucial victory and their first three points,” he added. behindbehind the loss to AAll work and that iis points of the season. Trabelsi said his team was Sadd.Sadd. TTheyhey are tthehe ourour strengtstrength.”h.” Later at the same venue, confident ahead of the match best teamteam aroundaround Mahmoud Kamal Almawas’ goal against Al Arabi. at thethe in the 71st minute proved enough “The atmosphere within the to give Umm Salal full points team has become more better with a 1-0 victory. after the meeting of club pres- The win took Umm Salal to ident Abdullah Al Aida with the Action during the match between Umm Salal and sixth position with 10 points as players recently. He was keen Al Khor, yesterday. Al Gharafa slipped to 7th that young players get opportu- position. Al Khor, who have 2 nities in all matches,” said the points are placed on the bottom. coach.

WHO’S SAYING WHAT AT THE RYDER CUP “Wish we could have done a better job, especially being 2-up. Would Ryder Cup: Veterans help Europe have been a different story if we were down the entire match, but we were down early, flipped it, got up, and we felt like we should have won the match if we made some more birdies coming in, and we did not.” seize 5-3 lead over United States - Tiger Woods reflects on a disappointing return to Ryder Cup action alongside Patrick Reed in the fourballs RYDER CUP RESULTS AFP Rahm -- put in a solid per- “It’s the best break I’ve gotten. When it meant something. I think that Europe 5 United States 3 formance with Stenson which saw one will be replayed for a long time to come. That was a huge momen- Afternoon foursomes SAINT-QUENTIN-EN- them storm 5-up after 11 holes tum changer for our match, and we were able to take advantage of it.” Henrik Stenson/Justin Rose (Europe) bt Dustin Johnson/Rickie Fowler (USA) 3 and 2 YVELINES: Ryder Cup veterans and leave Johnson and Fowler - Tony Finau acknowledges his good fortune after his tee shot Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter This was obviously with too much to do. Rory McIlroy/Ian Poulter (Europe) bt Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson (USA) 4 and 2 on the 16th kicked off a wooden board by the water and landed Sergio Garcia/Alex Noren (Europe) bt Phil Mickelson/Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 5 and 4; starred as Europe claimed a a wonderful Rose and Stenson have now history-making foursomes won five of seven Ryder Cup a few feet shy of the pin Francesco Molinari/Tommy Fleetwood (Europe) bt Justin Thomas/Jordan Spieth (USA) 5 and 4 afternoon, Morning fourballs whitewash in a stunning fightback matches as a partnership. to seize a 5-3 lead over the United disappointing “Henrik and I have had great “I just think the biggest thing is -- well, neither of us, we didn’t ham- Brooks Koepka/Tony Finau (USA) bt Justin Rose/Jon Rahm (Europe) 1-up morning, but there’s and-egg it very well.” Dustin Johnson/Rickie Fowler (USA) bt Rory McIlroy/Thorbjorn Olesen (Europe) 4 and 2 States yesterday. vibes in this event,” said Eng- Trailing by two points after lishman Rose. - Reed on his and Woods’ struggle to combine in the fourballs

Jordan Spieth/Justin Thomas (USA) bt Paul Casey/Tyrrell Hatton (Europe) 1-up a long way to go in

the opening-morning fourballs at McIlroy had struggled badly Francesco Molinari/Tommy Fleetwood (Europe) bt Patrick Reed/Tiger Woods (USA) 3 and 1 this: Dane Bjorn Le Golf National, home captain in the fourballs, failing to make a “We were able to feed off each other. We ham-and-egged it ex- Thomas Bjorn brought wildcard birdie or win a hole as he and tremely well around this golf course. I don’t think we birdied the same picks Poulter, Garcia and Henrik on European soil since 1993, but Danish debutant Thorbjorn Olesen hole once.” Stenson into the action and the they were left shell-shocked after lost to Johnson and Fowler. - Jordan Spieth on his partnership with Justin Thomas in the decision paid off in style. falling apart on the picturesque But, despite taking a two- fourballs Europe roared back at the Albatros course. hole advantage after three, Americans to the delight of Stenson and Rose reprised Simpson and Watson reeled off “Finally. Finally. I love him. What can I say? I love him.” raucous crowds at the first Ryder their successful partnership of five bogeys in just six holes to - Francesco Molinari gushes about partner Tommy Fleetwood Cup to be played in France. Ryder Cups gone by to see off throw the match away. after winning his first full point in his third Ryder Cup “Those guys that sat out this Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson The talismanic Poulter all but morning, I’m very proud of what 3 and 2, while Garcia teamed up ended the encounter as a contest they did because they came out with Swedish rookie Alex Noren with a dead-eyed birdie putt on “It’s not a fun feeling. I probably do it way more than I should. It seems and showed quality and class in to crush Phil Mickelson and the 13th, after an incredible just about every week we’re hitting somebody, and you know, it’s un- what they did,” said Dane Bjorn. Bryson DeChambeau 5 and 4. recovery shot from McIlroy out of fortunate. You’re never trying to. It doesn’t feel good, it really doesn’t. “This was obviously a won- The experienced duo of thick rough. You feel terrible for them.” derful afternoon, disappointing Poulter and four-time major The 38-year-old Garcia had - Brooks Koepka was horrified after hitting a woman in the face morning, but there’s a long way winner Rory McIlroy battled back been a controversial pick by Bjorn with a stray tee shot on the sixth hole to go in this.” from 2-down to beat Bubba after a poor season, but he and US skipper Jim Furyk left out Watson and Webb Simpson 4 and Noren raced into a 7-up lead over “That place was incredible, Hall of Mirrors. It was unbelievable. I’ve Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed 2. the misfiring Mickelson and never seen anything like it. Can only imagine how much it costs.” after their defeat by Francesco Molinari and Fleetwood DeChambeau on the front nine. - Finau marvels at the Palace of Versailles, the venue for this Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood grabbed their second win of the Former Masters champion year’s Ryder Cup gala dinner got Europe on the board, and his day with a 5 and 4 thumping of Garcia has won 23.5 points since players totally lost the momentum Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, making his Ryder Cup debut as a “721,000 square feet. I don’t want that bill. Unfathomable. I mean, I Europe’s Spanish golfer they had built up earlier in the as all the American pairings fin- teenager in 1999, and needs just can’t even imagine.” Sergio Garcia in action at day. ished their rounds over par. All two more to pass all-time record- - Koepka concedes the palace is probably out of his price range 42nd Ryder Cup in Paris. It was the first foursomes four matches saw dominant tri- holder Nick Faldo’s mark of 25, clean sweep for the hosts in umphs for Europe, and finished but he was quick to praise Noren’s Ryder Cup history. within an hour of each other. performance in his first Ryder Cup “It’s from carrying that wallet.” The States arrived at Le Golf FedEx Cup winner Rose -- match. British Open champion - Henrik Stenson’s witty reply to Justin Rose, the winner of the National with a star-studded who had slumped to defeat by Molinari, as he did in the win over $10 million FedEx Cup title, who said his backside was hurting

outfit featuring nine major cham- Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau Woods and Reed, made the after playing 34 holes pions as they look for a first win earlier in the day alongside Jon winning putt.