ATHLETICS | Page 2 RACING | Page 4 Netherlands’ 16 quality Hassan takes horses entered 10,000m gold for Qatar with late surge Arabian W Cup

Sunday, September 29, 2019 RUGBY Muharram 30, 1441 AH World Cup explodes GULF TIMES into life as hosts Japan stun Ireland SPORT Page 7

ATHELTICS Coleman is fastest man on earth with sizzling 100m win ‘I have been blessed with incredible talent and tonight I was able to show it. Being able to come and compete here and run in this race is a dream’

By Mikhil Bhat an injury that had plagued him at the Rio Games for a bronze in 9.90 seconds. “I have been blessed with chest-beating, roar- incredible talent and tonight I ing, kiss-blowing, was able to show it. Being able all-swagger Chris- to come and compete here and tian Coleman blitzed run in this race is a dream,” an throughA to the men’s 100m gold ecstatic Coleman said. “I have in a pulsating fi nale on the sec- been working incredibly hard ond day of the IAAF World Ath- and this just makes it all worth- letics Championships Doha 2019 while. yesterday. “At the end, all my worries Coleman, who made it to the just evaporated out there. It was Worlds after USADA dropped a crazy feeling. To add my name charges against him for missed to the list of the legendary guys tests earlier this month, had who have come before me is an made his intentions crystal clear honour and a blessing. after coming through the open- “Justin Gatlin is a great guy ing rounds as the man to beat and a great competitor. He has with sub-10 second times. always been there. I remember A few moments after an in- watching him back in 2004 when credible light show at the state- I was eight years old and to think – I’m coming. He’d better be of-the-art Khalifa International all these years later I could come ready.” Stadium introduced the eight- and win gold too is a great feel- For De Grasse, the bronze was strong fi eld on the pink track to ing.” an encouraging sign. He said: “I a bedazzled audience, Coleman Veteran Gatlin was all praise am grateful to get myself back on was quickly in business, taking for his younger compatriot the podium. I thought I could do the lead almost out of the blocks even as he felt good about his a little bit better, but I can’t dwell with compatriot and defending achievement. “This season is a too much as I have to get ready champion Justin Gatlin in pur- testament to my endurance and for the 200m tomorrow. suit. 100M RESULTS USA’s Christian Coleman will power because I have had “In the last couple of years, Halfway through, however, (L) crosses the finish line so many knick knacks. Even in I have been trying to keep my one knew that there was no Gold: Christian Coleman ahead of USA’s Justin warm up I was feeling knee nig- mind positive and telling my- catching the 23-year-old, who (USA) — 9.76secs Gatlin to win the Men’s gling,” he said. self that I can come back and be swapped places with Gatlin from Silver: Justin Gatlin (USA) 100m final at the 2019 “But I managed to get out and back where I was and even bet- the 2017 Worlds for a — 9.89secs IAAF run 9.89 and get a silver medal. ter. Defi nitely today was a good fantastic victory in a world lead- Bronze: Andre De Grasse Championships at the Christian has had a spectacular sign. I had a personal best. I will ing time of 9.76 seconds, which (CAN) — 9.90secs Khalifa International season and I knew he would be take it.” is also the sixth fastest time in Stadium in Doha tough to beat.” African champion Akani Sim- history. yesterday. At right, But Gatlin did add an aster- bine and Jamaican Yohan Blake Canadian Andre de Grasse Coleman lets out a roar. isk too. “He ran a great race but rounded the top fi ve with 9.93 made a fantastic comeback from I have a message for next year and 9.97 eff orts respectively.

BOTTOMLINE Samba storms to fi nal, Abubaker makes semis By Mikhil Bhat his fi rst world championships. “I time – 1:45.16. Doha Abderrahman Samba feel pretty good. I just wanted to Korir’s compatriot Ferguson of Qatar reacts after get out there and manage the race Rotich (1:45.98), second on this the 400m hurdles and run smart so that I could set year’s world list with 1:42.54, was urdler Abderrahman semi-finals yesterday. up a good fi nal on Monday,” he the last of the 10 athletes who Samba and 800m run- said. were under 1minute 46 seconds. ner Abubaker Haydar “All the Diamond Leagues have “As planned I tried to get to the Abdalla kept the Qatar prepared me for this. I am used semi-fi nal, and thanks to God, Hfl ag fl ying high on the second to the hype and the talk, so it is I managed to do that. Tomor- day of the IAAF World Athletics pretty exciting. I love the warmth row hopefully we will be run- Championships yesterday, both here a lot.” ning again, and I will do my best advancing to the next round of That night in Zurich in August, to reach the fi nals,” said Abdalla, their respective disciplines. it was defending world champion who reckons that a time of 1:44 Samba was in the same heats Karsten Warholm who had ran a will be a safe time to earn a spot as his American rival Rai Ben- blistering 46.92 seconds to beat in the fi nal. jamin, and the two unsurprising- Benjamin, and even yesterday, Talking about his experience ly locked the top two spots for a ran the fastest time of the semi- out there on the track at home, lane in tomorrow’s 400m hurdles fi nals, winning the second heat of he said, “It was great. We had the fi nal. the discipline in 48.28 seconds. Asian championships here too, While US national champion Norwegian Warholm, eased and now the Worlds. To be able Benjamin ran a 48.52 to win the past his competition in his semi- to compete at two big champi- heats, Samba, the Asian cham- fi nal heat and was his usual con- onships at home, that is some- pion, crossed the fi nish line in fi dent self, when he said, “On the thing… Not every athlete gets 48.72 seconds. The two have al- track, I felt better than yesterday. that opportunity. ready clocked the third fastest I think I managed a pretty good “Your friends and family are time in history at 46.98 – while run and maybe spared some en- here to cheer you on. It gives you Samba ran the time in Paris last ergy for the fi nal. I did not have Qatar’s Abubaker Haydar Abdalla (R) in action with Canada’s more motivation to perform well. year, Benjamin’s eff ort was good the chance to watch the others Brandon McBride and France’s Pierre-Ambroise Bosse during their We have great athletes on our enough for a second place in Zu- but it is OK. I am just focused on 800m qualifier yesterday. team: Barshim, Haroun, Samba rich. myself.” and I am fortunate to be a part of “So far, I am enjoying these Brazilian Alison Dos Santos’ dles has expectedly become a pion Abdalla breezed into the it.” championships and the atmos- personal best of 48.35 was good tantalising aff air, with the ath- semi-fi nal of the men’s 800m Abdalla’s compatriot Jamal phere. But ask me after the fi nal enough for a win in the fi rst heat letes with three fastest times in with a second place fi nish in the Hairane fell just short of a place if I still do. It is great to run here and a spot in the fi nal. 26 years since Kevin Young set a third heat of the discipline. in the semi-fi nal after he fi n- in front of my home crowd. Feel- South American champion world record 46.78 all in tomor- The 23-year-old fi nished sec- ished fi fth in the second heat, ing great support… (but) no pres- Dos Santos fi nished 0.04 sec- row’s fi nal. ond behind Canada’s Brandon which was won by Kenyan Ngeno sure,” Samba said after his run onds ahead of Turkey’s Yasmani Earlier in the evening, after a McBride on a day when the sixth Kipngetich. While Hairane’s time yesterday. Copello, who ran his season’s loud cheer at the air-conditioned fastest athlete of all time in the of 1:46.40 kept him in the fray for For his part, Benjamin felt con- best 48.39. Khalifa International Stadium discipline, Emmanuel Kipku- a spot right till the last heat, it fi dent about his preparations for And with that, the 400m hur- from the home fans, Asian cham- rui Korir of Kenya set the fastest wasn’t enough. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, September 29, 2019

FOCUS Today is Mother’s Day at the athletics worlds

The first Sunday at the Doha world championships could in the future be remembered as an out-of- season Mother’s Day. Jamaican 100 metres sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser- Hassan wins 10,000m Pryce and Chinese 20 kilometres race walker Liu Hong are hot gold medal contenders in their return to action after giving birth. And it could even be three mums atop the podium on the day should the US pick Allyson Felix, the most successful athlete ever at the worlds, for the inaugural 4x400 metres mixed relay. Mothers enjoying vast success in sport are nothing title with late surge new, looking at tennis players such as Serena Wil- liams and Kim Clijsters. ‘I knew that I am more of a 1,500 or 5,000 runner so if I could get close I would have enough to win’ Athletics also has a quite a history in this, topped by Dutch legend Fanny Blankers-Koen winning four 1948 Olympic golds as a Mother-of-two. Now disgraced Russian high jumper Anna Chich- erova won the 2011 world title after giving birth; and the 2015 shot put gold medallist Christina Schwanitz of is seeking more silverware in Doha as a Mother of twin boys. Fraser-Pryce, 32, gave birth to her son in August 2017, the day after the 100m final at the London worlds, and has fully returned to top form this season in search of a fourth 100m world title. Known as “the pocket rocket” because of her diminutive size, the double Olympic champion can claim a 10th major event gold as the joint season leader with compatriot Elaine Thompson, the Olympic 100m and 200m champ from 2016. The fast Jamaican duo are locked on 10.73 seconds, just three-hundredths off Fraser-Pryce’s personal best, and she readily credits her son for her strong comeback. “He gives the energy in my life and makes every- thing easier, and he gives me that extra motivation to keep going,” Fraser-Pryce told the BBC recently. “I get home from practice and sometimes my son is exhausting but it’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything else because he’s actually made me bet- ter at what I do and a lot more relaxed by remem- bering that after a race, there’s still more to life.” Liu, who is also 32, meanwhile has two world titles and Olympic gold in the 20km walk, the distance she will also compete in at these worlds. She could have also opted for the 50km held later Saturday, having shown in impressive fashion that she hasn’t lost her form after maternity leave in 2017-18 when she became the first woman at the time in March to break the four-hour barrier over the distance. Felix, 33, has not managed to reproduce her form of the past after giving birth to a daughter last November but has been picked into the US relay pool, all but certain to run in the women’s 4x400m on the closing day, October 6, but possibly also Sunday in the mixed event. The American is the most successful athlete at the worlds with 16 medals, 11 of them gold. She is also Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan celebrates winning the 10,000m gold at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma the most successful women’s Olympian in athletics, with nine medals, including six gold. Reuters and 5,000 metres two years ago. She Felix is also on the forefront of women in the sport Doha broke the world mile record in July and Price is right as American claims hammer gold demanding the end of lost sponsorship income be- boasts a European record of one minute cause of pregnancy, a force that has now prompted 5.15 seconds for the half . DeAnna Price of the United States won the gold equipment giants Nike to end performance-related ifan Hassan displayed her re- Hassan has entered the 1,500 and medal in the women’s Hammer at the World payments for athletes when they are pregnant. markable versatility by produc- 5,000 metres later in the Doha competi- Championships here Saturday, completing a “Right now I am far from my best, working with a ing a stunning fi nal lap to win the tion but will have to choose only one of superb victory after a career ravaged by injury. whole new body,” she told the Olympic Channel women’s 10,000 metres at the them as they clash. The 26-year-old from Missouri took gold with ahead of her ninth worlds and with a fifth Olympics IAAFS World Athletics Championships “I have been a middle-distance runner her third throw of the night, launching a 77.54 in sight next year in Tokyo. yesterday, an event she ran for the fi rst and this was a test for me,” said Hassan. eff ort onto the field at the Khalifa Stadium. “My motivation is diff erent now, I am doing things time only in May. “It was okay at the beginning but then ’s Joanna Fiodorow took silver with that my daughter can see them so that she can The Dutchwoman overtook Ethiopia’s when they were kicking at the front, I had a throw of 76.35 while ’s Wang Zheng have a great example, she said. Letesenbet Gidey just before the bell and to try hard to keep in touch. claimed bronze with a best throw of 74.76. Like Fraser-Pryce, Felix now has a more relaxed at- powered away over the fi nal lap to win in “But I knew that I am more of a 1,500 Price looked close to tears after sealing what is titude but the same time giving birth and Mother- a season’s best time of 30 minutes 17.63 or 5,000 runner so if I could get close I comfortably the biggest win of her career. hood “makes me feel I can get through anything.” seconds and claim the fi rst world or Ol- would have enough to win.” The American, who has only one kidney, has ympic title of her career. As expected, the race turned into a fought back from a catalogue of injuries over Gidey, who also started to run 10,000 cagey battle between Ethiopians and her career including a dislocated shoulder, frac- metres this year, was second and Kenya’s Kenyans with Hassan in their midst as a tured shoulder blade, torn stomach muscle and Agnes Tirop third. group of six runners broke away. torn knee ligaments. Price is also a passionate Gidey and the other Ethiopian runners Hassan at one stage looked uncom- advocate for body positivity, hoping to inspire enjoyed the backing of a small but noisy, fortable and when Gidey made a break young female athletes of all shapes and sizes. fl ag-waving contingent of their com- with four laps left, she seemed the likely “Who I am doing it for is to impact female patriots in the crowd, but thousands of winner. athletes and let them know that you can be any seats remained empty at the Khalifa In- But Hassan stayed in touch, closed the shape and size and still be strong and beautiful,” ternational Stadium. gap to go second with two laps left and she said in a recent interview. “You get the best The arena’s air conditioning system burst away over the fi nal lap to clinch the of both worlds being the athlete and the girl. ensured that the runners did not have to gold. “Society has a way of making you feel that cope with Doha’s searing heat. “Sifan simply was better than me to- there’s still something wrong with what you Hassan, who moved to the Nether- night,” said Gidey. have versus embracing it. But you can definitely USA’s DeAnna Price reacts after winning the Chinese 20km race walker Liu Hong is a gold lands after leaving Ethiopia as a refugee “I expected to come fi rst but being see that mould being broken by just loving who women’s final at the IAAF World medal contenders in her return to action after when she was 15, won world champion- second is still good as these are my fi rst you are.” Athletics Championships yesterday. (AFP) giving birth. ship bronze over 1,500 metres in 2015 world championships.”

SPOTLIGHT Gayle upsets Echevarria to take long jump gold Reuters IAAF World Athletics Cham- in a 45.44 eff ort on anchor to Doha pionships Doha 2019 came just bring the team home in 3:12.42. half way through the second Their winning time is the session of competition as USA fi rst offi cial world record in this amaican Tajay Gayle up- won their heat of the mixed event. set favourite Juan Miguel 4x400m yesterday. The IAAF Council agreed that Echevarria of Cuba to win The event, making its debut the inaugural world record will gold in the long jump at at the championships, attracted be the fi rst performance to bet- theJ world athletics champion- the powerhouses of one-lap ter the recognised world best ships yesterday with the biggest sprinting, many of whom were performance at end of 2017, leap of the season. drawn in the fi rst heat. which was USA’s 3:13.20 clock- The 23-year-old sped down the runway at high speed, leap- ing into the air to claim a dis- tance of 8.69 metres on his fourth attempt, recording a personal best and beating his Cuban rival’s 8.65m season best. Jeff Henderson of the United States, the 2016 Olympic cham- pion, fi nished second with a jump of 8.39m, his longest eff ort of the year. USA led from the outset, ing from 2016. Echevarria made a slow start thanks to a 44.51 run from Tyrell Four teams bettered that and could not replicate his best Richard. mark tonight in Doha, all from form of 2019, taking bronze with He then handed over the fi rst heat. a jump of 8.34m on his third to Jessica Beard and Jasmine Jamaica fi nished second in attempt.South Africa’s Luvo Blocker, who maintained the 3:12.73, Bahrain was third in Manyonga, the defending world USA’s lead with near identical an Asian record of 3:12.74 and champion, fi nished fourth with splits of 51.20 and 51.27 respec- Great Britain & Northern Ire- 8.28m. tively. land placed fourth in 3:12.80. With strong challenges Poland won the second heat in USA SET WORLD RECORD mounting on the fi nal leg from 3:15.47. IN MIXED 4X400M Jamaica, Bahrain and Great The mixed 4x400m fi nal will Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle, Jeff Henderson of the US and Cuba’s Juan Miguel Echevarria celebrate after winning long jump gold, silver and bronze The fi rst world record of the Britain, USA’s Ogi Igbokwe put be held today night. respectively at the World Athletics Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Sunday, September 29, 2019 3

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS ‘No stone left unturned in medical preparation Chepngetich wins for endurance events’

IAAF Doha

ne of the world’s midnight marathon foremost road race medical co- ‘The race was tough but I didn’t give up. I couldn’t let it out of my mind that I could be winner’ ordinators, Chris Troyanos,O has endorsed the By Sports Reporter medical preparation for last Doha night’s women’s marathon at the World Championships in Doha, saying that the approach iven the challenging to runner safety and rapid re- conditions, the wom- sponse to all locations along en’s marathon emerged the course matched the chal- as a test of endurance lenging weather conditions. Gthan time and pace, with Ruth Troyano, executive director Chepngetich staying true to her of the International Institute top billing at the IAAF World for Race Medicine, said he was Athletics Championships Doha “comfortable and confi dent” 2019 at the Corniche in the early about the measures in place hours of yesterday morning. to protect elite athletes com- The Kenyan, who had run peting in these hot and humid the third fastest time of all time conditions. (2:17:08) in January this year, “Every endurance event stayed in the leading pack for around the world needs to un- much of the six laps of the looped derstand climate change and circuit at the fl oodlit course in what we are facing in terms Czech Republic’s Marcela the Qatari capital, before build- of extremes of temperature Joglova during women’s ing a minute-plus gap in the fi - in various locations,’’ he said. marathon yesterday. (Reuters) nal kilometre, winning the race “Medical planning and co-or- in two hours 32 minutes and 43 dination needs to keep up with a signifi cant contributor to seconds. the demands of our industry this outcome. “Elite athletes Defending champion Rose (endurance events), especially are smarter, they know their Chelimo, who had stayed on as it relates to medical cover- bodies and limitations,’’ he Chepngetich at the 41-km mark age and the safety of our ath- said. “They were battling the along with former world cham- letes. weather and the course. Ac- pion from Kenya, Edna Kipla- “When you look at last climatisation and listening gat, fi nished 63 seconds behind night’s heat and humid- to their bodies the key and all the eventual winner, even as ity, were conditions diffi cult? athletes should know that. veteran Kiplagat, who turns 40 Yes. Of course, but the IAAF Asked if he believed the en- in November, missed out on a planned for that concern. durance races should go ahead medal by 51 seconds as Helalia Working with the local organ- in these weather conditions he Johannes of Namibia took third ising committee, Doha medi- said: “I’ve had this question in 2:34:15. cal leadership and their public asked of me many times. If you “The race was tough but I safety partners they did a tre- don’t have the assets, the med- didn’t give up. I couldn’t let it mendous job of the planning ical staff and the support, not out of my mind that I could be for this event and the medical just from the organising com- the winner,” Chepngetich said coverage.” mittee and the IAAF but from after her victory in a race that Troyanos, a certifi ed ath- the local public safety organi- saw 28 athletes out of 68 starters letic trainer (ATC), is one of sations, you can’t, and should fail to fi nish. several leading experts in the not be hosting events in these “I only used water. I forced fi eld that was consulted to en- conditions. When you look at myself to drink it and also used sure the endurance races were the fi eld size, the fact we were the sponge to help make me Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich celebrates winning the IAAF World Athletics Championships marathon in Doha yesterday. (Reuters) conducted safely in Doha. “I dealing with an elite athlete cooler. have been involved in discus- population, and our medical “At one point it felt tough but I sions for the last few months plan, I knew we would be able made up my mind not to give up. on how this event was going to handle the challenges of the I just wanted it so much because to be covered. IAAF medi- weather conditions. I worked for it in training.” Chelimo said that she had to brush aside thoughts of stop- ping and the fact that she was in the leading pack helped her stay right till the end. “I think the way they planned it, it was OK. They decided to hold it at night because it was too hot during the day,” Chelimo said. cal leadership, along with Dr “Keep in mind, that if we “I saw some other competi- Alonso (the event’s chief med- had 30,000 runners, a deci- tors had stopped but I was near ical offi cer) and his team did a sion to host the race would the front and trying my best to tremendous job,’’ he said. be a diff erent story. Very few, keep going.” “The concerns of athletes if any large scale endurance Third-placed Johannes added: dropping out and athletes get- events have that kind of ca- “The race was not very easy be- ting some kind of heat illness pability. Future events in To- cause of the weather and I can’t was obviously paramount and kyo (Olympics), events host say I enjoyed it. I just tried my we put a programme in place in the Pacifi c Rim and around best because in my mind I had that was going to enable us to the world will be facing simi- a song saying I must keep going rapidly respond anywhere on lar concerns. Finding ways to until I fi nish the event.” the course. Just because medi- mitigate and improve athlete During the race I drank a lot cal coverage was highly visible safety needs to be paramount. because I was afraid of being did not mean we were over- The (IIRM) International In- dehydrated. I made sure I didn’t matched with the amount of stitute for Race Medicine and miss any water points.” injuries. That was by design. others are positioned to off er The top ten fi nishers sealed No athlete was going to be left that support.” their spot for the Tokyo Olympic unattended for any length of He remains confi dent that Games next year. time without medical support. the rest of the road events European champion Volha “If we did have any issues of scheduled over the next week Mazuronak of Belarus was fi fth exertion heat stroke, we had can be managed without un- in 2:36:21. American 41-year- the capability to react imme- due risk to the athletes. old Roberta Groner claimed sixth diately. What was interesting “I felt very comfortable and place in 2:38:44, one place ahead about last night was that we confi dent that we were going of Japan’s Mizuki Tanimoto. had zero cases, not one person to be fi ne (last night). The race Lyndsay Tessier (2:42:03) of was put in a cold water im- had medical and EMS line of Canada fi nished ninth, splitting mersion baths”. sight coverage the whole way. two North Koreans - Ji Hyang He said athlete acclima- The rest of the week is going to Kim (2:41:24) and Un Ok Jo Gold medallist Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich (centre), silver medallist Brunei’s Rose Chelimo and bronze medallist Namibia’s Helalia Johannes tisation and athletes taking be a challenge but I don’t feel (2:42:23). (right) on the women’s marathon podium at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. (Reuters) personal responsibility was any diff erently.”

SUNSHINE GIRL Yellow hair and hot time have Fraser-Pryce in spotlight Reuters semi-fi nals. “The hair is the sunshine,” The Olympic 100m champion’s eff ort Doha said Fraser-Pryce, Olympic champion was not nearly as impressive as her in 2008 and 2012. “It’s defi nitely a won- team mate’s but she easily won her heat derful feeling to be here in Doha. in a time of 11.14. amaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser- “Jamaica is hot. Doha is hot, so why Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou, Pryce clocked the top time ever not bring my sunshine? world silver medallist at 100m and in a heat of the women’s 100 me- “I think it was a good run. I’m pretty 200m in London two years ago, also tres yesterday as the world ath- excited to be able to come back.” turned in a sizzling result with a per- leticsJ championships got off to a blaz- The controlled eff ort delivered a clear sonal best for the second best time of ing start for the second straight day. warning to other gold medal hopefuls as 10.85. While temperatures reached 40 de- the 32-year-old bids to become the fi rst Dina Asher-Smith also dipped under grees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) outside man or woman to win four 100m world 11 seconds with 10.96, taking a fi rst step Khalifa Stadium, inside athletes com- titles. Jamaica’s women have taken over toward becoming the fi rst British wom- peted in the air conditioned comfort the mantle of global sprint superpower an to reach a world championship 100m of the futuristic venue where the ther- from their men whose dominance has fi nal. Defending champion American mometer hovered pleasantly in the declined since the retirement of 100 Tori Bowie also advanced but was made mid-20s. and 200m world record holder Us- to work, coming home third in her heat It was certainly no sweat for Fraser- ain Bolt, who is not competing at the in a pedestrian 11.30. Pryce, her waist-length bright yellow worlds for the fi rst time since 2003. A brilliant display of sprinting got hair fl owing behind her, as she cruised Fraser-Pryce, who only returned to Day Two of the championships off to a home in 10.80 seconds, the fastest time the track in earnest last year after giving fl ying start but there were few to wit- ever in a women’s 100m heat at the birth to a son, will be joined in the semi- ness it in a largely empty Khalifa Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reacts after winning her 100 metres heat at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha world championships not including the fi nals by compatriot Elaine Thompson. Stadium. yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, September 29, 2019

PHOTO FEATURE

Champion DeAnna Price (centre) of USA, runner-up Joanna Fiodorow (left) of Poland and bronze medallist Wang Zheng of China are delighted after the women’s hammer throw final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha yesterday. Athletes exchange batons during the 4x400m mixed relay heats at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Spectators watch the action unfold. PICTURES: Jayan Orma and agencies

Ukraine’s Iryna Klymets breaks into a dance after her eff ort in the women’s hammer throw final. The World University Games champion threw a 73.56m lifetime best to finish fifth in her first World Championships event. Spain’s Eusebio Caceres competes in the men’s long jump final. Japan’s Seito Yamamoto in action during the pole vault qualification.

HORSE RACING 16 quality horses entered for Qatar Arabian World Cup The list includes a trio owned and bred by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani ess than two weeks before grey son of Amer won the (Group 1 PA) the 2019 renewal of the Qa- Shadwell Dubai International Stakes tar Arabian World Cup (Gr1/ over the same distance at Newbury in PA) kicks off , the entries of the July when he was last seen. L2,000-metre race for four-year-old Ebraz fi nished third in the Qatar and older pure Arabians have been Arabian World Cup in 2018. The six- published. 16 quality horses, includ- year-old grey son of Amer won his ing the 2017 winner, Gazwan, and black last outings. He won the (Group 3 PA) type winners, have been entered in the Shadwell - Coupe Du Sud-Ouest Des €1 million race to be hosted at Paris- Pur-Sang Arabes over 1900 metres Longchamp, only 40 minutes before at La teste Buch and the mile-long the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1 PA) Qatar International Stakes race, on Sunday, 6 October. Ten of the at Goodwood in July. MAXR fi nished entries are for Qatari connections. third when he was last seen and that The list includes a trio owned and was in Prix Kann over 2,100 metres at bred by His Highness Sheikh Abdul- Dax this month. His latest win was in lah bin Khalifa al-Thani. The Alban De a 2,400-metre race in Doha when he Mieulle-trained Tayf fi nished second in broke his maiden tag in March. his last two outings; a listed mile race at A third trio are owned by Al Shaqab Baden Baden earlier this month and the Racing and trained by Thomas Fourcy. mile-long (Group 1 PA) Qatar Interna- Khattab was the runner-up in the Qa- tional Stakes at Goodwood in July. tar Arabian World Cup last year. He was However, the seven-year-old grey last seen at Deauville when he fi nished son of Amer won the (Group 1 PA) UAE third in the (Group 1 PA) Doha Cup over Cup at the same course (ParisLon- the same distance at Deauville in Au- champ) and distance (2,000 metres) in gust. The latest win of the seven-year- May. He fi nished nearer last than fi rst in old grey son of Amer was at Toulouse the Qatar Arabian World Cup last year. when he won the (Group 2 PA) Prix De Another De Mieulle’s charge, Yazeed, Carthage – Hannibal over 2000 me- was a winner when was last called out. tres. Kair Al Cham remained unbeaten The six-year-old grey son of Munjiz in his last three outings. The four-year- won the (Group 1 PA) Qatar Gold Sword old grey colt of Dahess won a mile race over the same distance at Al Rayyan at Royan in June, a 2,000-metre race Park, Doha, in April. He fi nished fi fth in at Newbury and fi nally a Group 3 (PA) the Qatar Arabian World Cup last year. 2,000-metre contest at Duindigt ear- The Antoine de Watrigant-trained lier this month. Marid fi nished second last time and Melabi fi nished second last time and that was in the (Group 1 PA) Doha Cup that was in the (Group 1 PA) President over the same distance at Deauville of UAE Cup over the same distance at Ebraz, which finished third in the Qatar Arabian World Cup in 2018, will be one of the entries for the €1 million race to be hosted at ParisLongchamp. in August. The last win of the four- Doncaster earlier this month. His latest year-old grey colt of TM Fred Texas win was in May when the four-year-old up of the (Group 1) Doha Cup at Deau- won a listed mile race comfortably in of Marid, Kattab and Deryan, who fi n- Arabian Breeders’ Challenge Sprint was in October 2018, when he landed grey colt of Dahess won the Prix Aicha ville and the winner of the (Group 1 PA) front of Tayf and Rodess Du Loup at ished second, third and fourth respec- over 1,400 metres at Bdx Le Bouscat the (Group 1 PA) Qatar Arabian Trophy over 2,300 metres at Dax. President of the UAE Cup at Doncaster Baden Baden earlier this month. tively and seek to reverse the places last week. The D Guillemin-trained Des Poulains over the same distance at Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-At- over the same distance in August and The Landgoed Waterland-owned at ParisLonchamp on 6 October. The Deryan fi nished fourth in the (Group 1 Saint-Cloud. tiyah’s Rodess Du Loup fi nished sixth September 2018 respectively. and Karen Van Den Bos-trained Akoya Polska AKF SP. Zoo-owned and M PA) Doha Cup over the same distance at Another trio are owned by His High- in the 2018 edition of the Qatar Arabian The other six entered horses include won the (Group 1 PA) Qatar Cup over Kacprzyk-trained Salam Al Khalediah Deauville in August. The only female in ness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa World Cup. The Charles Gourdain fi ve- three who won their last outings, and 2,000 metres at ParisLonchamp earlier won a Group 3 (PA) event over 2,600 the entries is the RMP SP Zoo-owned al-Thani and trained by Julian Smart. year-old grey son of DAHESS fi nished are considered very strong contend- this month. In his previous outing, the metres at Varsovie in August. and M Janikowski-trained General Gazwan, was the winner of Qatar Ara- fourth in his last outing; a listed mile ers, and three who were placed when fi ve-year-old bay Akoya landed that The Jean-Marc De Watrigant-owned Lady, who fi nished third in the (Group bian World Cup in 2017 and he fi nished race at Baden Baden earlier this month. they were last seen. The P Collington- the Group 1 (PA) Qatar Cup at Deau- and D. Watrigant-trained Ahzar fi n- 1 PA) Qatar Cup the same distance at fourth in 2018. The eight-year-old His record includes being the runner trained Mashhur Al Khalediah, which ville in August when he got the better ished fourth in the Group 2 (PA) French ParisLonchamp earlier this month. Gulf Times Sunday, September 29, 2019 5 SPORT

GOLF NBA James bullish on DeChambeau takes new Lakers teammate Davis AFP working together. Los Angeles “It’s exciting to have such a beautiful young mind, a beauti- two-shot lead at ful player but also a great leader he new-look Los Angeles as well,” James said of the six- Lakers have a lot to fi gure time NBA All-Star, who averaged out before the NBA sea- more than 23 points per game son begins, but there’s through seven seasons with New Tno question in superstar LeBron Orleans. James’s mind of the role new The Pelicans made him the Safeway Open teammate Anthony Davis should fi rst overall pick in the 2012 NBA play. “We all know great An- draft. With a wealth of new play- thony Davis is,” four-time NBA ers, James predicted it will take Most Valuable Player James said some time for the Lakers to de- Watney second after carding seven-under 65, which included eight birdies as the Lakers welcomed report- velop chemistry and camarade- ers to media day on Friday before rie. “It’s going to be a process,” AFP kicking off training camp for the James said. “We ultimately know San Francisco upcoming season. what our goal wants to become “If we’re not playing through but we can’t shortcut the proc- Anthony Davis while he’s on the ess.” ryson DeChambeau fi red eight fl oor, then there’s no sense in With his sights set on a deep birdies in an eight-under par 64 having him on the fl oor because playoff run for the Lakers, the on Friday to seize a two-shot lead he’s that great That doesn’t 34-year-old James declined to over fellow American Nick Wat- mean every time down we throw add his name to the growing list neyB at the US PGA Tour Safeway Open in it to him and throw it to him and of superstars who have pledged Napa, California. DeChambeau, seeking throw it to him, but we have the their services to the United sixth Tour title and his fi rst since he won ability to do that. He has been States for next year’s Olympics in Las Vegas last November, was buoyed very effi cient in his career, he in Tokyo. by a couple of birdie bombs, including a commands double teams, and “I don’t know,” James said 36-footer at the sixth hole and a 23-foot when you’re able to attract two when asked if he’d join stars in- birdie putt at 14 — where he was in a fair- defenders on one team, you have cluding Golden State’s Stephen way bunker off the tee. the numbers game.” Curry and Houston’s James His 21-foot eagle putt at 18 came up Davis arrived this summer in Harden and Russell Westbrook just short, but he tapped in for a fi nal a trade from the New Orleans in committing to the Games after birdie and a 36-hole total of 132 on the Pelicans as the Lakers revamped the United States’ disappointing Silverado course. “I made a couple of a team that failed to make the seventh-place fi nish in the re- good putts, that was obviously awesome,” playoff s last season. James said cently concluded World Cup. world number 11 DeChambeau said after he was “ecstatic” when he heard “I would love to,” he said. “I his second straight bogey-free round. Davis was heading to Los Ange- want to stay healthy as well. “I struck it better today. Honestly the les and the new teammates have That’s most important. I was not key to my play these last couple of days already spent considerable time happy how we did this summer.” was my wedge play,” added DeChambeau, who was delighted with the perform- ance of new wedges with stiff er graphite shafts. Watney had eight birdies and a bogey in his seven-under 65 and was alone in sec- ond on 134, one stroke in front of a group of fi ve players. World number six Justin Thomas headlined the group on 135 after a 64 that featured nine birdies and just one bogey. He was joined by Canadian Nick Tay- lor, who carded a 66, South African Dylan Frittelli who posted a 65 and Americans Adam Long and Cameron Champ, who both shot 68. Thomas, who closed fast after a shaky start on Thursday, kept up the good work to put himself in conten- tion heading into the weekend of his fi rst start of the season. “I know that you can go low out here,” he said. “It’s a course that it’s very short Bryson DeChambeau plays a shot on the eighth hole during the second round of the Safeway Open in Napa, California. (AFP) and the ball goes quite a long way with how fi rm it is. But because of how fi rm promising after his fi rst-round 70, plum- Presidents Cup team, also missed the cut, 136 — Collin Morikawa 72-64, John Oda it is, you have to get it in the fairway and meted down the leaderboard with a six- which fell at two-under, by two strokes. 70-66 really have the correct angles into the over 78 that left him four-over for the 137 — Brian Gay 70-67, Robby Shelton greens, and I felt like I did a pretty good week. LEADING SECOND-ROUND SCORES 70-67, Chez Reavie 69-68, Francesco job of that today.” The 39-year-old American, who (USA unless noted, par 72): Molinari (ITA) 66-71, Zhang Xinjun (CHN) Australian Adam Scott and American played 14 seasons for the Dallas Cow- 69-68 Andrew Landry, who shared the over- boys, was playing on a sponsor exemp- 132 — Bryson DeChambeau 68-64 138 — Talor Gooch 69-69, Adam Hadwin night lead, both slipped back, Scott card- tion for the fourth time in a PGA event. 134 — Nick Watney 69-65 ing a one-over 73 that left him six adrift Five-time major-winner Phil Mickelson, (CAN) 68-70, Jim Furyk 71-67, Harris 135 — Nick Taylor (CAN) 69-66, Dylan and Landry with a 74. Former NFL star hoping for strong enough showings in the English 70-68, Charles Howell 73-65, Se- LeBron James (left) and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers Frittelli (RSA) 70-65, Adam Long 67-68, Tony Romo, whose chances of making tour’s early 2019-2020 tournaments to bastian Munoz (COL) 71-67, Adam Scott arrive for a photo shoot in El Segundo, California. (AFP) a fi rst cut at a PGA Tour event looked become a captain’s pick for a 12th straight Justin Thomas 71-64, Cameron Champ (AUS) 65-73 67-68

Perez, Southgate upstage big names MLB Glasgow: Frenchman Victor under-par 64 at Kingsbarns and pitching in for eagle from 53 Perez and ’s Matthew Southgate shot 65 at nearby St yards at the 18th at St Andrews. Southgate upstaged the big Andrews. The eff ort left the Englishman Rays secure AL wild card spot names, jumping two strokes They will start today’s final four shots behind. “I’ve certainly clear after the third round at the round at 20-under 196 with a been putting in some time in AFP Alfred Dunhill Links Champion- two-shot lead over England’s my game and it’s nice to see Los Angeles ship in yesterday. Paul Waring, who shot a 65 at some results finally,” said Don- Neither player has won on Carnoustie to jump into third ald, who has not won on the Eu- the European Tour, but they set place on 18-under. American ropean Tour since 2012. While ommy Pham crushed a two-run the stage for a possible break- Tony Finau and Swede Joakim Donald surged into contention homer and Austin Meadows blasted through with fine performances Lagergren are three shots with his 64, Northern Irishman a solo home run as the Tampa Bay in benign conditions in an event behind, while former world Rory McIlroy managed only a Rays clinched the American League Twild card spot with a 6-2 win over the To- played on three courses. Perez number one Luke Donald pedestrian 70 at St Andrews to carded a nine-birdie eight- jumped into contention by slip 10 shots off the pace. ronto Blue Jays on Friday. The Cleveland Indians also lost Friday to the Washington Nationals, allowing the Rays to punch their ticket to the playoff s. The Oakland A’s sealed LPGA an AL wild card thanks to Cleveland’s loss. The Rays are going to the playoff s for the fi rst time in six years. “This organisation has created a very winning culture, and there’s Hur maintains sole lead been a little bit of a drought,” said Rays catcher Kevin Cash. “We get to hang anoth- AFP birdies at 10, 12, and 14 before Thompson, meanwhile, both er banner, we want to hang some more. I am Los Angeles giving back two strokes at the missed the cut. really happy to be a part of it.” 16th. Tampa Bay will play Oakland on the wild- Yokomine, who started the day LEADING SCORES card game Wednesday night. The Rays will outh Korea’s Mi Jung Hur tied for second with England’s start Charlie Morton. “This is a small step in defi ed diffi cult, windy Bronte Law and Denmark’s Nan- (USA unless noted, par-72): the right direction,” Pham said. “Oakland is conditions to fi re at two- na Koerstz Madsen, was pleased 133 — Hur Mi-jung (KOR) 63-70 a tough team. We have to get through them under par 70 on Friday to post an under-par score in the 135: Sakura Yokomine (JPN) fi rst. We’re going to probably have to get andS maintain a two-stroke lead windy weather. After a birdie and through Houston next. It’s a long road ahead 65-70 in the LPGA Indy Women in Tech bogey on the front nine she bird- of us, but it’s a step in the right direction.” Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Willy Adames hits an RBI single against the Toronto Blue Jays Championship. ied 15 and 16 to stay in touch with 137: Maria Torres (PUR) 69-68, Tampa Bay right-hander Tyler Glasnow during the fourth inning of the MLB game in Toronto. (USA TODAY Sports) Hur followed up a fi rst-round Hur. Puerto Rico’s Maria Torres Marina Alex 66-71 did not allow a hit and walked two while 63, and might have had a bigger fi red a 68 and shared third on 137 138: Tiff any Chan (HKG) 73-65, Ken- striking out four in 4 1/3 scoreless innings. ond consecutive National League Central Gerardo Parra had three hits, including lead but for a double-bogey six at with American Marina Alex, who dall Dye 69-69, Amy Olson 66-72, Glasnow was making just his fourth start Division title. a home run, and drove in four runs as the the par-four 16th. followed her fi rst-round 66 with Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 66-72 since returning from a four-month absence Milwaukee dropped to 89-71 on the sea- Nationals defeated Cleveland 8-2, and the On 11-under 133 she was two a 71. “Conditions were crazy, so due to an arm injury. Oliver Drake allowed son and trail fi rst-place St. Louis by one Indians were eliminated from playoff con- strokes clear of Japan’s Sakura much diff erent than yesterday,” 139: Caroline Masson (GER) one run in two innings to earn the win. game after the Cardinals were hammered by tention shortly after the defeat. Yokomine, who also posted a 70 Alex said. 69-70, Megan Khang 69-70, Ally Emilio Pagan pitched a perfect bottom of the Chicago Cubs 8-2 on Friday. on the Brickyard crossing course Hong Kong’s Tiff any Chan McDonald 67-72, Jodi Ewart the ninth. Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run Colorado put the game away with a sev- MLB RESULTS Shadoff (ENG) 67-72, Chella Choi that includes four holes on the had seven birdies in an impres- homer for the hosts Blue Jays who dropped en-run sixth inning that featured a lead- Tampa Bay Rays 6 Toronto Blue Jays 2; infi eld of the famed 4km Indi- sive seven-under 65 to share (KOR) 67-72, Clariss Guce (PUR) to 65-95 on the season. Blue Jays starter off homer from Blackmon and a pinch-hit anapolis Motor Speedway. fi fth place on 138 with Americans 140: Katherine Kirk (AUS) 72-68, TJ Zeuch allowed three runs, four hits and grand slam from Tapia. Keston Hiura had Nationals 8 Indians 2; Mariners 4 A’s 3; Rockies Hur, who ended a fi ve-year ti- Kendall Dye (60) and Amy Olson Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 70-70, struck out four in fi ve innings. four hits for the Brewers, who played most 11 Brewers 7; Cubs 8 Cardinals 2; Astros 4 tle drought with a victory in the (72), and Thailand’s Pornanong Chien Peiyun (TPE) 69-71, Park Elsewhere, Charlie Blackmon, Raimel of the night without Ryan Braun. Angels 0; Yankees 14 Rangers 7; Twins 6 Ladies Scottish Open last month, Phatlum (72). Tapia and Ryan McMahon each hit home The star outfi elder left the contest in the In-bee (KOR) 69-71, Georgia Hall Royals 2 (6 1/2 innings); Mets 4 Braves 2; got off to a solid start with three Law and Madsen both posted runs as the Colorado Rockies beat the Mil- middle of the second inning with an injury (ENG) 69-71, Ryann O’Toole 68- Dodgers 9 Giants 2; Pirates 6 Reds 5; Orioles birdies in her fi rst seven holes. 75s to fall seven shots off the 72, Nicole Broch Larsen (DEN) waukee Brewers 11-7 in Denver. The loss after putting Milwaukee ahead 1-0 with a pace. Defending champion Park snapped the Brewers’ winning streak at sev- single in the fi rst. Braun hurt his left calf and 4 Red Sox 1; Phillies 5 Marlins 4 (15 innings); She shook off back-to-back bo- 68-72, Alena Sharp (CAN) 68-72 geys at the eighth and ninth with Sung-hyun and 2017 winner Lexi en games and cooled off their run at a sec- will be checked by team doctors. Diamondbacks 6 Padres 3 Gulf Times 6 Sunday, September 29, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Mannarino beats Ramos-Vinolas in Sabalenka beats , faces De Minaur in fi nal

Reuters narino said. “Even if I lost the second set, Riske to defend I stayed consistent with a lot of energy in the third set. rance’s Adrian Manna- “I fi nally got the break in a re- rino overcame a mid- ally close game at the beginning match blip to beat Albert of the third set and that gave me Ramos-Vinolas 6-0 4-6 a push up and I was able to fi nish F6-1 at the Zhuhai Champion- well too. I hope I am going to keep ships yesterday, advancing to his going like this in the fi nal.” Wuhan Open title second tour-level fi nal. Mannarino is chasing his Mannarino, who now meets second ATP Tour title after win- his Australian practice partner ning the Libema Open in June at ‘I can’t believe that I defended this title. I couldn’t even imagine that I’d be able to do this’ , started with the age of 30 to become the a fl ourish as he reeled off the oldest fi rst-time champion on AFP opening seven games to stamp the men’s circuit this year. Wuhan, China his authority on the match. The unseeded Frenchman, Eighth-seeded Spaniard Ra- now 31, faces his long-time mos-Vinolas got on the score- practice partner De Minaur for ryna Sabalenka was in board early in the second set and the fi rst time in today’s fi nal. disbelief after she be- forced his way back into the con- After impressive wins over came the fi rst player test with a crucial break of serve Andy Murray and Borna Coric, to claim back-to-back to force a decider. But Mannari- De Minaur stunned second seed titlesA in Wuhan thanks to a 6-3, no’s lethal fi rst-serve ensured he Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 6-2. 3-6, 6-1 victory over American continued to dictate play in the “I’ve shown it today, I’ve got Alison Riske in the fi nal yester- fi nal set as he claimed the last fi ve this level, the level Ibrought to- day. games to progress after two hours day,” 20-year-old seventh seed De The 21-year-old improved her and three minutes. Minaur said. “If I can try to bring record at the event to a perfect “Conditions are really humid this level almost every week, then 12-0 and joins Petra Kvitova as here and it was really physical, I’ll be going deep in tournaments the only player to have won the but I was able to stay really con- and beating these top guys tournament twice. centrated,” the 31-year-old Man- and pushing for titles.” “I can’t believe that I defended this title. I couldn’t even imagine that I would be able to do this,” she said. In a rematch of their fi - nal in last January, Sabalenka utilised her power game once again to overcome Riske in 114 minutes in front of a 13,000-strong centre court crowd. She unleashed 18 aces and won 79% of her fi rst-serve points. Sabalenka was emotional during the trophy ceremony as she addressed her coach Dmitry Tursunov, after the duo briefl y split following her second round exit in the US Open. “Special thanks to my team, INJURY SCARE this year has been really tough for us, and I think because of Wuhan, because I was really afraid of this title and I defend- ed,” she said. Both players have enjoyed serves against Albert Ramos-Vinolas during their their greatest success at Chinese semi-final match at the Zhuhai Championships in Zhuhai, China, tournaments, with Sabalenka yesterday. (AFP) lifting her fi rst Premier-level trophy in Wuhan 12 months ago — one of two titles she had previ- ously won in China — and Riske Busta downs Shapovalov to set up reaching six of her nine career Bublik fi nal in Chengdu fi nals in the country. Sabalenka had the better start, Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta final,” the 28-year-old said. racing to a 5-1 lead before Riske produced a clinical display to “In the first game of the match, slowed her down, breaking the Aryna Sabalenka holds the trophy after her victory in the final match against Alison Riske at the Wuhan Open in Wuhan, China, yesterday. (AFP) beat Canadian Denis Shapo- I saved two break points and Belarusian as she was serving for valov 6-3 6-4 at the Chengdu maybe it was the key... He the opening set. But the number eight-deuce game to hold for Sabalenka broke early in the fi - ther Daria Kasatkina or Peng Sh- nal. “I’m really disappointed in Open yesterday, setting up a served really good during a nine seed was unfazed, and con- 1-1 in the second, but dropped nal set and raced to a 5-0 lead and uai in her opening match. my mentality in the third set. I final against Kazakh Alexander lot of the match, but in the verted on her third set point with serve in game six to hand Riske soon wrapped up the win to se- Meanwhile, Riske, who is set think I could have brought more Bublik. two games where I had break a smooth volley winner to snatch a 4-2 advantage. It was all the cure a fourth career WTA crown. to break the top 30 for the fi rst out of myself. Still moving for- Eighth seed Shapovalov fired points, I broke serve.” the fi rst set in 35 minutes. 29-year-old needed to draw level The world number 14 heads to time tomorrow, rued her missed ward, I think that’s something I down 12 aces and won 21 of Bublik, who beat Grigor Dim- She survived a 13-minute and force a decider. Beijing next, where she faces ei- opportunities in the Wuhan fi - have to work on.” his 29 first-serve points but itrov on Friday after saving two Carreno Busta made the most match points, overpowered of his limited opportunities, South Africa’s Lloyd Harris in Halep to play China Open despite chronic back problem converting a break point in a 7-6(6) 6-4 in the other semi- each set to claim victory in just final. The 22-year-old landed Wimbledon champion Simona in the Chinese capital, where She suff ered a herniated disc in today I practised. In my opinion, 2018 French Open champion, over an hour. 21 aces in a dominant display Halep said yesterday that she Serena Williams will not play Beijing a year ago, bringing an I can play tomorrow.” “You twice finished the year number Today’s final will be Carreno to reach his second tour-level will compete at the China Open because of a knee issue. Halep, early end to her 2018 season. never know with the back, every one in the world. She is now sixth, Busta’s first since 2017 as he final of the season. Bublik and in Beijing, days after retiring a former world number one, “The back is better, is getting tournament starts with the back but said that being top of the snapped a six-match losing Carreno Busta have played from the Wuhan Open with a was forced out of the Wuhan better and I’m having treatment (issue) because I had problems rankings was not her primary streak in ATP tour semi-finals. just once before on the Tour, a back problem. If fully fit, the third round on Wednesday, every day,” said Halep, who since 2008,” she added. “So it’s concern. “I lost (semi-finals) in Antalya 2016 clash in Moscow where 28-year-old Romanian will be saying she had a muscle issue plays a qualifier in her Beijing normal to have tough periods.” “My goal is to win Grand Slams and and Hamburg this year. Finally, the Spaniard prevailed in three among the favourites next week in the lower part of her back. opener. “I had two days off and Halep, the Wimbledon holder and also tournaments,” Halep said. I can win a semi-final to be in a sets.

FORMULA 1 Leclerc emulates Schumacher with fourth pole in a row

Reuters youngster when spoken of in the same breath grid penalty due to an engine change, mean- Sochi, Russia as seven-times world champion Schumacher. ing Hamilton’s team mate and title rival Valt- “There’s still a long way to go tomorrow, teri Bottas moves up to the second row. we’ve been competitive all weekend long and Hamilton leads Bottas by 65 points with six harles Leclerc became the fi rst Ferrari the race simulation seems positive too. It’s races remaining and is well placed to extend driver since Michael Schumacher to looking good for tomorrow.” his lead today, given that he is 96 points clear take four pole positions in a row yes- Hamilton had been third behind the two of closest non-Mercedes rivals Leclerc and terday in a Russian Grand Prix quali- Ferraris after the fi rst fl ying laps of the fi nal Verstappen in the standings. fyingC session that bridged the generations. shootout session but the man who has more Verstappen’s Thai team mate Alexander Formula One leader Lewis Hamilton joined career poles than any driver still lifted him- Albon crashed out of the fi rst phase of quali- the Monegasque, who was three years old self on to the front row with slower, medium fying, smashing backwards into the barriers when Schumacher racked up four successive tyres. at turn 13 and bringing out the red fl ags, after poles in 2000, on the front row with Mer- His time was 0.4 seconds off Leclerc’s best Williams’s Robert Kubica had also spun. cedes unable to match Ferrari’s pace but on a but denied Ferrari a front-row sweep by 0.023 “There’s nothing really to say other than diff erent tyre strategy. ahead of a race that has only ever been won by I went in a bit hot like Max did in FP3 (fi nal Leclerc, 21, has now out-qualifi ed his four- Mercedes since it fi rst appeared on the calen- practice) and I lost the rear. There’s a tail- times world champion team mate Sebastian dar in 2014. wind in that corner and it just caught me out. Vettel, who starts in third place after winning “It was a tough qualifying session because When these cars go, they go quick,” said Al- in Singapore last weekend, for nine succes- these guys have some crazy speeds on the bon. “It was a silly mistake.” sive races. straights,” said the fi ve-times champion after McLaren’s Carlos Sainz will start fi fth The youngster was not about to get carried ending up in a Ferrari sandwich. with Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg sixth on away, however, after his sixth pole of the sea- “They go to another level. You know that a day when the Woking-based team an- son and his career. whole ‘party mode’ you talked about us hav- nounced it would be switching from the French “The car felt amazing. It defi nitely feels ing? They have something else beyond that — manufacturer’s engines to Mercedes from 2021. great to be back on pole but I don’t know if it’s jet mode. Sainz’s rookie team mate Lando Norris the best track to start on pole,” said Leclerc “Nonetheless I gave it absolutely every- starts seventh with Haas’s Romain Gros- after lapping the Olympic Park circuit in one thing I had at the end. I’m so glad it came to- jean eighth and Renault’s Australian Dan- minute 31.628 seconds on the fastest soft- gether, I wasn’t expecting it to.” iel Ricciardo joining former Red Bull team compound tyres. mate Verstappen on the fi fth row. The only “It defi nitely feels very special but I don’t GRID PENALTIES Russian on the starting grid, Toro Rosso’s really want to think about those stats for Max Verstappen qualifi ed fourth for Red Bull Daniil Kvyat, will line up last due to engine Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after qualifying in pole position at the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, Russia, now, I just want to focus on the job,” said the but the Dutch youngster carries a fi ve-place penalties. yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Sunday, September 29, 2019 7

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT All Blacks have no secret plans: Foster Japan stun Ireland the seaside resort of Beppu yes- Reuters Oita, Japan terday. “It’s about how you plan the growth in your game through he All Blacks do not those four games, so if you’re possess “plans C, D and lucky enough to come out the E” to continue their other side you’ve ticked a lot of Tglobal domination and boxes when you get there. as Argentina and would rather just make sure they “It’s not a matter of hiding execute plans A and B at a level stuff or going through plan C, D higher than any other team, as- and E, it’s a matter of doing what sistant coach Ian Foster said yes- we do and trying to execute it at a terday. really high level and then maybe The three-time world cham- changing some of the options we pions are in the middle of a take in certain areas.” comparatively long layoff dur- The All Blacks followed a simi- Boks back on track ing their Pool B Rugby World lar tactic at the last World Cup Cup campaign with their next in England where they faced a ‘We’re very proud of the players... for us, it’s been a great performance’ match against Canada in Oita on tough and resilient Argentina Wednesday. side before clashes with Na- AFP They opened their tournament mibia, Georgia and Tonga. Tokyo with a 23-13 victory over South They then hit the knockout Africa on Sept 21 and after the phase fi ring on all cylinders and intensity of that match, Foster thrashed France 62-13 before go- he Rugby World Cup ex- said they were now using the 11 ing on to beat South Africa and ploded into life yester- days between games to recover, Australia to lift the Webb Ellis day as Japan produced build and fi ne tune their game trophy. Foster, however, recalled one of the biggest upsets plans. that the team were heavily criti- Tin the tournament’s history on Having beaten the Springboks, cised for some of their pool home turf, stunning the highly there is little chance they will not performances and coach Steve fancied Ireland 19-12. qualify for the knockout phases Hansen had to address the media The Brave Blossoms were with the game against Canada at the time to try to ease some magnifi cent against the Irish, followed by clashes against Na- of the concerns of nervous fans who came into the tournament mibia and Italy. back in rugby-crazy New Zea- ranked the best side in the world, “The fact is a World Cup tour- land. “I learnt not to listen to and were roared on by a passion- nament is a completely diff er- criticism and to believe in the ate crowd of 47,000 in Shizuoka. ent animal than a normal year,” plan,” Foster said. “Not every The result throws Pool A wide Foster told reporters at the team plan goes the way you want it to open, as Japan took a huge stride hotel high on the hilltops above go. towards their fi rst-ever quarter- fi nal from a group that also in- cludes Scotland. In the earlier World Cup game, Argentina got their cam- paign back on track after an agonising opening loss against France, beating a spirited Ton- gan side 28-12 with the help of a hat-trick from hooker Julian Montoya. And South Africa routed Na- mibia as expected, also bouncing back after their loss to defending champions New Zealand in their tournament opener to record a 57-3 victory. The Springboks ran in nine tries against their fellow Afri- cans, a mismatch that became even more pronounced when the Namibians went down to 14 men towards the end of the game, the second yellow card of the match. But it was the Japan-Ireland New Zealand’s Kieran Read practises with flanker Ardie Savea during contest that everyone was wait- a training session in Beppu, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) ing for although even the most partisan home fan could not Ireland’s Garry Ringrose (centre) is tackled by Japan’s lock Luke Thompson (rear) during their Pool A match at the have predicted that the hosts Ecopa in Shizuoka, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) would turn over their illustrious France prop Bamba ruled out of WC Six Nations opponents. we played but we’ll have to dust last game of the pool phase, to point win could prove crucial side recording two bonus-point France prop Demba Bamba has a muscle injury in his right thigh “We’ve got another couple of ourselves down and get better,” shore up their route through to in the World Cup’s “group of wins against the two weaker been ruled out of the World Cup contracted yesterday during train- games to go but we’ll enjoy to- said Ireland captain Rory Best. a fi rst-ever quarter-fi nal, with death” that also includes Eng- sides in the group on paper, Ton- with a thigh muscle injury he sus- ing, Demba Bamba is ruled out night I reckon,” grinned Japan Coach Joe Schmidt said a few their next game against Samoa, land and France. ga and the United States. tained during training on Friday, for the continuation of the Rugby coach Jamie Joseph. “We’re very of the off side penalties that went on a short turnaround, on Oc- As coach Mario Ledesma rang Yesterday’s fi nal match the France (FFR) World Cup,” the FFR said on their proud of the players... for us, it’s against them “could have gone tober 5. the changes after they went out saw the Springboks take on said yesterday. feed late yesterday. been a great performance.” either way” but hailed the Brave Scotland were poor by their own to a 28-0 lead, Argentina lost their African rivals Namibia The 21-year-old tighthead prop “His replacement will be commu- Ireland had polished their Blossoms for a result that rivals admission against the Irish and some of their momentum and the at the City of . made his World Cup debut nicated by the management of credentials as one of the tour- their “miracle of Brighton” win coach Gregor Townsend changed spirited Pacifi c islanders fought South Africa were hoping to coming off the bench against Ar- the team of France by tomorrow nament favourites by beating over South Africa in 2015. his entire backrow for their now their way back into the game, bounce back after their opening gentina in their 23-21 victory last night.” Scotland 27-3 in their opener but “Congratulations to Japan. critical clash against the Samoans scoring two tries and fi nishing day loss to treble-chasing New Saturday. He was one of the three He is the second France player to the defeat to Japan leaves their What a furious, intense eff ort it tomorrow. the game the stronger. Ledesma Zealand and racked up a size- players promoted into the senior be ruled out of the tournament qualifi cation for the knock-out was,” said Schmidt. said they have a “fi nal” against able score against Namibia, the squad from their 2018 under-20 after centre Wesley Fofana was stages uncertain. The Brave Blossoms will now ARGENTINA TARGET ‘FINAL’ England at Tokyo Stadium on lowest-ranked team in the tour- world champion side.“Following sent home last week. Reuters “We’ll not be happy with how target the Scotland match, the Meanwhile, Argentina’s bonus- October 5, with Eddie Jones’ nament.

PREVIEW Australia circle their wagons before clash with confi dent Reuters one-score games between us and Austral- Tokyo ia,” the uncompromising Englishman said. “That’s why our discipline is so important. It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s another one- ustralia will look to channel their score game and hopefully, it goes to Wales.” anger at Reece Hodge’s ban into Cheika and Edwards agreed that the his- their performance when they play tory of the fi xture would not matter much at Wales in this weekend’s Rug- kickoff today. byA World Cup Pool D blockbuster, coach Michael Cheika said yesterday. HAIG REMINDS URUGUAY’S PROGRESS Reprising a theme from his press confer- While the rest of the Rugby world was in ence on Friday when he said there was a bit shock at Uruguay’s surprise victory over of “us against them” around the winger’s earlier this week, Milton Haig was not at all three-match suspension for a high tackle, surprised as he prepared his Georgia side for Cheika said he hoped his team would use the their Pool D clash in Kumagaya on Sunday. emotion to fi re their performance. The South Americans produced the fi rst “When you feel hard-done-by and one upset of the tournament with a 30-27 win over of your players is so upset because he’s not the Pacifi c islanders and gave themselves an playing... you can make a meaning to it,” he opportunity against Georgia to secure two told reporters at Tokyo Stadium after con- victories at the World Cup for the second fi rming Australia would not be appealing the successive tournament. ban. The two sides have clashed fi ve times pre- “If you love the game and you’re in the viously with the Europeans winning the last World Cup and you’re representing your three, although Haig said the last game in country, you want to have a bit of (emotion) in 2015 had been tight and the South going,” he added. Americans had taken massive steps forward “It can make you do things that maybe you since then. didn’t think you could do and this will be a “If you’ve watched Uruguay progress in great canvas for us to show that we can do a the past 12 months, and more so in the past few things that people don’t expect us to do.” three months, they’ve made huge improve- Cheika also returned to another of his ear- ments in everything that they do,” Haig said. lier lines about Six Nations champions Wales “I knew they would come into this tourna- being favourites to beat the twice World ment ready to create an upset, and because of Cup winners for only the second time in 15 our experience with Uruguay before in Tbi- matches today. lisi, they are a real courageous side, they are The fi rst win came in last Novem- fi ghters, and you take them lightly at your ber when the home side edged a tight match peril. to snap a 13-march losing streak against the “It didn’t surprise us at all.” Wallabies. Haig’s side lost their fi rst match against Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said Wales and with Australia also in the he thought today’s match could be another pool, Georgia, Uruguay and Fiji are like- close one. ly battling for third spot and automatic “I think there will be more points than 9-6, qualifi cation for the next tournament but history tells you there have been a lot of in France in 2023. Australia’s full back Kurtley Beale (left) takes part in a Captain’s Run training session in Urayasu, Japan, yesterday. (AFP)

Sunday, September 29, 2019 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE Captain Boudiaf’s strike keeps Duhail’s unbeaten run going

By Sports Reporter with Al Duhail’s Mohamed Muntari their lack of opportunities created in Doha outjumping his marker with a long dis- open play. Al Duhail, meanwhile, will tance header which he saw loop mar- be encouraged by another victory which ginally over the bar. keeps them in contention at the top. aptain Karim Boudiaf’s strike The deadlock was fi nally broken In another match, Abdelaziz Hatem helped Al Duhail stave off midway through the half, thanks to the scored a brace as Al Rayyan fought back a spirited Al Shahania side trickery and awareness of Almoez Ali. brilliantly to defeat Al Ahli 3-1 at the Al 1-0 in the QNB Stars League. His jinking run into the box from the Gharafa Stadium. Abdelaziz scored in Boudiaf’sC 23rd minute goal at the Al left saw him skip through three players the 88th and 90+3 minutes. Yacine Bra- Arabi Stadium also kept Duhail’s un- before cleverly laying off to Karim for himi was Rayyan’s other scorer (90+5). beaten run going. Duhail have 11 points, the easiest of tap-ins from close range. Abdulrasheed Ibrahim scored Al Ahli’s while Al Shahania despite a brave eff ort Into the second period and it was very goal in the 58th minute. Al Rayyan yesterday, are yet to collect any. The much about Al Duhail searching to dou- moved to nine points with their second game was scrappy throughout despite ble their lead with Al Shahania unable victory. Al Ahli stayed on six points. a promising start to the evening’s pro- to put enough pressure on their oppo- In an other match yesterday, Al ceedings. Ahmed Yasser had a good ear- nents. Sailiya beat Al Gharafa 3-1. Karim An- ly chance with a header inside the box, Muntari created a chance out of noth- sarifard, Mbrak Boussoufa and Mahir but he failed to trouble the keeper once ing when he teed up the ball and struck Yousef scored for Sailiya, while Ahmed he had found his position. a ferocious volley just wide, while Al- Alaaeldin struck for Gharafa. Shortly after, Al Shahania nearly took moez should have fi nished off the game Meanwhile, Qatar SC edged past Al a surprise lead when the ball fell per- at the death when clean through, but his Khor 2-1. Ahmed Hammoudan gave Al fectly for Ramin Rezaien on the edge of intricate fi nish went wide. Khor the lead but Qatar SC equalised six-yard box. However, he failed to hit The woes continued for Al Shaha- after a Rajab Hamza goal. Ali Awadh the target with a free hit on goal. nia who once again failed to get on the Boujalouf scored the winner for Qatar The end-to-end action continued scoresheet, but equally concerning is SC in the 82nd minute. Al Duhail’s Karim Boudiaf (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Al Shahania during the QNB Stars League.

PREMIER LEAGUE LIGUE 1 Mbappe inspires PSG to victory

AFP City win to keep Paris

ylian Mbappe and Ney- mar played together for the fi rst time this sea- son and combined for Kthe goal that gave Paris Saint- perfect Liverpool Germain a 1-0 victory in Bor- deaux as well as top spot in Ligue 1. Mbappe, who had been out in- jured since August 25, started on the bench but, with PSG strug- gling for a breakthrough, came on after an hour. in their sights The Parisian attack immedi- ately gained a more menacing edge. Both Mbappe, with a shot, Liverpool win seventh successive game thanks to Wijnaldum strike and Neymar, with a header, went Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (left) shoots past Bordeaux’s close before combining to open Laurent Koscielny during the French Ligue match. (AFP) the scoring for the game’s only goal in the 70th minute. Mbappe Mbappe’s angled through ball. though the brilliance of Nantes outpaced the Bordeaux defence PSG, who had suff ered a shock goalkeeper Alban Lafont was on the right. His precise low 2-0 loss to Reims on Wednesday, a major factor in their failure. cross presented Neymar with a survived a late video review for a Lyon remain 11th after a seventh tap in at the far post. potential Bordeaux penalty to re- match without a win, a run that “The most important thing capture fi rst place. includes three losses and three is that these goals are decisive, Angers, who host Amiens later draws in the league and a home in tight matches, that’s why I’m in the evening, could draw level draw with Zenit St. Petersburg here,” Neymar said. “It’s obvi- on points with PSG with a vic- in the Champions League. They ously a pleasure to link up with tory. Nantes had briefl y moved to visit RB Leipzig in Europe on Kylian again. He came back with the top of Ligue 1 when they won Wednesday. his smile and with his football 1-0 win at Lyon earlier in the day. Nantes had not won in Lyon talent,” he added. Lyon had the best of the chances since December 1996, a run of 17 The last time Mbappe and but conceded the only goal in matches. The victory continues Neymar had appeared together freakish fashion just before the their revival under coach Chris- was in the French Cup fi nal last hour. As Samuel Moutoussamy tian Gourcuff . April, a match which ended in broke into the home area, left- defeat. As Bordeaux pressed, back Fernando Marcal slid in and FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTS Mbappe and PSG began to carve attempted to poke the ball out Lyon 0 Nantes 1 (Marcal 59-og); open the home defence. He burst for a corner. Instead, it struck his Bordeaux 0 Paris Saint-Germain through on his own, but goal- other leg and looped over goal- 1 (Neymar 70) keeper Benoit Costil anticipated keeper Anthony Lopes and into the chip. the goal. Playing today: Strasbourg v Then Costil again reacted As the home fans whistled Montpellier (1300 GMT), Nimes v quickly, diving at Angel Di Mar- their team, the Lyon players Saint-Etienne (1500), Marseille v ia’s feet as the Argentine ran onto appeared increasingly lost, al- Rennes (1900)

ROUND-UP

Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (left) vies for the ball with Everton’s Lucas Digne during the English Premier League match. (AFP) Sanchez scores as Inter stay top

AFP took the lead through Gabriel Jesus midway in the Premier League, one spot behind West AFP made to sweat for a 3-2 win at London through the fi rst half. But while Pep Guar- Ham, who drew 2-2 away to Bournemouth Milan Paderborn that sent them top diola’s men were irresistible going forward, after beating Manchester United last week. of the Bundesliga after RB Leip- they looked shaky at the back, with make- Also yesterday, there was a fi rst league zig went down 3-1 at home to anchester City clung onto the shift centre-back Fernandinho and Nicolas win of the season for Wolves, 2-0 against lexis Sanchez scored Schalke 04 for their fi rst loss of coat-tails of Premier League Otamendi in central defence. bottom club Watford, and Crystal Palace and was sent off in an the season. pacesetters Liverpool with a Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised and were 2-0 winners against Norwich. Aston eventful fi rst Inter Mi- Bayern squandered a bagful of hard-fought win against Ever- both sides had further chances to score Villa twice led against Burnley but were lan start as his new club chances, hit the woodwork and Mton yesterday after Jurgen Klopp’s men before a Riyad Mahrez free-kick and a late pegged back and had to settle for a 2-2 draw. maintainedA their perfect start conceded two goals in the second extended their perfect start to the season. Raheem Sterling goal sealed a 3-1 victory, High-fl ying Leicester host struggling to the season with a 3-1 win at half in an inconsistent perform- Elsewhere, 10-man Tottenham put their re- which moved City back to within fi ve points Newcastle today while Ole Gunnar Solsk- Sampdoria to stay top of Serie ance that put a damper on their cent wobbles behind them to clamber into of Liverpool. jaer’s misfi ring Manchester United are at A ahead of champions Juventus, league lead. the top four with victory against Southamp- Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino home to Arsenal tomorrow. who eased past SPAL 2-0. The Bavarians went in front ton while Chelsea grabbed their fi rst home recalled his big guns for the home match Manchester United fl op through Serge Gnabry in the league win under new boss Frank Lampard. against Southampton, making 11 changes ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS: Sanchez moved to Italy on a 15th minute after a sensational In the early match, Liverpool won their from the side that suff ered a shock League season-long loan deal after fail- start that saw them hit the post seventh Premier League game out of seven Cup exit at Colchester in midweek. Spurs Aston Villa 2 (El Ghazi 33, McGinn 79) ing to live up to expectations at and create chance after chance. thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum’s fortunate had won just two of their opening eight Burnley 2 (Rodriguez 68, Wood 81); Bourne- Old Traff ord and the Chilean Top scorer Robert Lewandowski strike in a 1-0 victory at Sheffi eld United. games in all competitions before Saturday mouth 2 (King 17, Wilson 46) West Ham international made a big impact managed to somehow miss a The European champions looked short on and looked in deep trouble when they were 2 (Yarmolenko 10, Cresswell 74); Chelsea in Genoa, defl ecting in Stefano completely open goal from 10 invention against the well-organised Blades reduced to 10 men. 2 (Jorginho 50-pen, Willian 76) Brighton Sensi’s long-range opener after metres, fi ring wide. Gnabry then until Wijnaldum’s shot from the edge of Tanguy Ndombele fi red the home side 0; Crystal Palace 2 (Milivojevic 21-pen, 20 minutes and tapping in an- set up Philippe Coutinho 10 min- the box 20 minutes from time trickled be- ahead but they suff ered a blow when Serge Townsend 90+2) Norwich 0; Everton 1 other Sensi cross two minutes Inter Milan’s Alexis Sanchez utes after the restart for their tween the legs of United goalkeeper Dean Aurier was sent off after half an hour for (Calvert-Lewin 33) Man City 3 (Jesus 24, later. However the 30-year-old (centre) celebrates with second goal but instead of scor- Henderson. Liverpool, who have won 16 two yellow cards. Hugo Lloris then gifted Mahrez 71, Sterling 84); Sheff ield United was sent off after receiving a sec- teammates after scoring against ing again it was the hosts who consecutive league games, fi nished a single Southampton an equaliser with a goalkeep- 0 Liverpool 1 (Wijnaldum 70); Tottenham ond yellow card for diving just Sampdoria. (Reuters) came alive with Kai Proeger’s point behind champions City in the Pre- ing howler, Danny Ings dispossessing the 2 (Ndombele 24, Kane 43) Southampton 1 after the break, leaving his side to powerful volley in the 68th. mier League last season but are now setting Frenchman in his six-yard box and forcing (Ings 39); Wolves 2 (Doherty 18, Janmaat play the entire second half a man hands of Juve. Cristiano Ronaldo Lewandowski got on the a searing pace as they chase their fi rst top- the ball home before Harry Kane restored 61-og) Watford 0 down and wobbling after Jakub notched up his third consecu- scoresheet with his 10th league fl ight title since 1990. the home side’s lead shortly before half- Today: Leicester v Newcastle (1530 GMT) Jankto pulled one back in the 55th tive goal at home this season af- strike when he chipped keeper City were under huge pressure to respond time. minute. ter 78 minutes to add to Miralem Jannik Huth in the 80th to re- Playing tomorrow: Manchester United v in the late kick-off at Goodison Park and The 2-1 win lifted Spurs into fourth place But Roberto Gagliardini slot- Pjanic’s opener just before the store their two-goal cushion but Arsenal (1900) ted in the third just after an hour break. Ronaldo was rested for the a sensational 30-metre missile to give Antonio Conte’s side a midweek win over Brescia as a from Jamilu Collins four minutes huge boost days before their trip precaution with a slight muscu- later renewed the hosts’ hopes GRANADA REGAIN LA LIGA SUMMIT WITH LEGANES WIN to Barcelona in the Champions lar problem ahead of Tuesday’s and set up a nervous fi nale. League. Inter have a maximum Champions League game against Bayern are top on 14 points, : Granada moved temporarily top of last night, with the winner regaining top finished with 10 men with Clement Lenglet’s 18 points from six games — two Bayer Leverkusen in Turin. one ahead of Leipzig who were La Liga ahead of last night’s Madrid derby spot and maintaining their distance from late red card, level on 13 points with Atletico ahead of Juve — after winning Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi caught on 13 by Schalke in third after Antonio Puertas’ first-half strike saw Barcelona, who are a point behind the lead- and Real Sociedad. A remarkable counter- their fi rst six league matches for Buff on was unworried by SPAL after a fourth straight win. the promoted side squeeze past rock-bot- ing pair in third after a hard-fought 2-0 win attack goal launched by Marc-Andre Ter the fi rst time since the 1966-67 as the 41-year-old made his Borussia Dortmund dropped to tom Leganes. Puertas crashed his long- at Getafe. Granada will drop down regard- Stegen and finished off by Luis Suarez put season, with the pair set for a 903rd club football appearance, seventh on 11 after drawing 2-2 range winner into an empty net after Juan less of the result at the Wanda Metropoli- Barca on their way four minutes before the top-of-the-table clash at the San surpassing the Italian record of against Werder Bremen. Soriano had come charging out of his goal tano, as Diego Simeone’s Atleti are also a break, and Junior’s tap-in shortly after the Siro next weekend. 902 achieved by AC Milan legend Schalke and Leipzig were to close down Roberto Soldado just before point back from the surprise league leaders restart made sure of the three points. Samp meanwhile are rock- Paolo Maldini. joined on 13 points by Borussia the half-hour mark, putting the hosts in first and local rivals Real. Earlier Athletic Bilbao lost for the first bottom with three points after Moenchengladbach, 3-0 win- place, level on 14 points with Real Madrid. Barca’s first win away from home since time this season at home to Valencia, who a dreadful start under Eusebio BAYERN EDGE PADERBORN ners at Hoff enheim, and Bayer Real were taking on Atletico Madrid late April puts Ernesto Valverde’s side, who bagged their second win of the season. Di Francesco, level with SPAL TO GO TOP, LEIPZIG SLIP UP Leverkusen, who beat Augsburg following their defeat at the Wasteful Bayern Munich were by the same score.