Qatar’s Samba among IAAF nominees for 2018 Athlete of the Year award PAGE 19 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018

Twenty-two World, Olympic champions form ODI CRICKET PAGE 19 all-star lineup at world INDIA VS WEST INDIES (11 AM) Traditional ceremony to welcome gymnasts, delegates to

While the welcome ceremony will be held at the Torch Ballroom at Aspire Zone on Wednesday, the opening for the 48th FIG World Championships Doha 2018 will be held at the Aspire Dome’s main hall (above) on Thursday. Spotlight to be on Qatari culture, craftsmanship & folklore

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK evening. It will include cul- the unveiling of the medals for opening is also in the same As- has an enhanced capacity of DOHA tural and heritage sections of Doha Worlds which have been pire campus. 6,000 to accommodate all. Qatari craftsmanship, folklore designed in Arabic and include Meanwhile, Qatar gym- A distinct and truly Qatari and dance. Islamic inscriptions reflecting Championship to begin nasts Ahmed al Dayani, cultural show on Wednesday Once the gymnasts, offi- Qatari culture. on Thursday Ahmed Nabil and Jana al Kiki evening will mark the welcome cials and distinguished would The Organising Commit- The championships proper are all geared up to put up ceremony for participants and be welcomed, the audience tee has invited the members will kick off at the Aspire their best and compete with officials of the 48th FIG Artis- will be treated to a short live of the international federa- Dome on Thursday with the the world’s best. tic Gymnastics World Cham- Kiki has a good train- pionships Doha 2018, the first ing session on Tuesday and of its kind to be held in the seemed in good readiness. All Middle East, at the Torch Ball- the three gymnasts recently Qatar’s room at Aspire Zone. have had training camps over- 16-year-old In what would be an hour seas and are keen to raise their gymnast Jana and a half long ceremony, performance levels. al Kiki on over 1300 delegates including show on Qatari children’s liv- tion and members of the fed- national anthem of Qatar the balance gymnasts, officials and other ing in the olden days. This will erations of the participating and a presentation of the Technical Committee beam during guests from more than 78 be followed by a short film on countries besides the regional participating nations and holds briefing the women’s countries will be welcomed in Qatar – about the past and and Asian federation mem- their gymnasts. The Technical Committee for podium train- a traditional Qatari way before present and how gymnastics bers and almost all of them An entertainment show on Doha Worlds Championships ing at the the athletes hit the centrestage as a sport has grown in the have arrived in Doha. gymnastics will be then pre- held a meeting with the ref- Aspire Dome’s at the Aspire Dome. country. While Doha has played sented by a Chinese team. ereeing officials for the tourna- main hall on The participating coun- Later, the Qatar Gymnas- host to many memorable major The organisers have ex- ment under the chairmanship Tuesday. tries also include six Arab na- tics Federation (QGF) Presi- sports events in the past includ- pressed its satisfaction with of Donatella Saki, Chairman of tions – Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, dent Ali al Hitmi and president ing the in 2006, all facilities at Aspire and have the FIG Technical Committee Syria and Jordan besides host of the International Gymnas- the gymnastics world champi- put the spectators at the fore- for Women. All participating Qatar. tics Federation (FIG) Morinari onships opening is expected to front of their attention. A large referees were given a plan of The theme will be very Watanabe shall be delivering be traditional yet dazzling. The weekend crowd is expected on action for the championships See also page 19 Ô much Arabic at the ceremony their welcome speech. grand Khalifa stadium which the first two days of the com- and about the different timing to be at held from 6.30 in the This will be followed by hosted the 2006 Asian Games petition and the hall already devices. SO NEAR, YET SO FAR: Al Sadd miss out on AFC Champions League final after a 1-1 draw

Beiranvand showed his Persepolis make quality and kept his side in history at a packed the front seat with a com- posed performance, which Azadi stadium included a stunning reflex qualifying for save to keep out Xavi’s head- er in the 86th minute. the first time As the clock ticked on, Al Sadd pushed forward with all AFC.COM their strength but it was Perse- polis who held on to clinch a famous result in front of their ’S Persepolis FC created home fans. history at a jam-packed Azadi In the 49th minute, Sia- Stadium by reaching the AFC Persepolis’ Siamak Nemati (centre) celebrates with teammates after mak Nemati (pictured below, Champions League final for scoring during the AFC Champions League second leg semi-final match left) volleyed in Mensha's the first time in their history, against Al Sadd at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Tuesday. (AFP) cross from the left to make it after playing to a 1-1 draw 1-1 and put his side back in with Al Sadd of Qatar in the hosts threatened at the Al Sadd after. It took until the 39th front on aggregate. second leg of their semi-final box. In the 14th minute, God- minute for one to materialise, Al Sadd struggled to make clash on Tuesday. win Mensha headed across the but Godwin Mensha's shot was inroads after Nemati's strike, The result gave Persepolis goalmouth after Ahmad Nou- saved by Meshaal Aissa. having to resort to desper- a 2-1 aggregate win and a place rollahi's corner but Ali Mosleh The script of the game ate attempts. In one such in- in the Continental showpiece, was unable to connect. changed dramatically right stance, Pedro Miguel had a go where they will face either Su- Then, three minutes later, after half-time break, when at goal from over 35 yards out won Samsung Bluewings or Al Sadd broke the deadlock Persepolis scored. but the ball bounced wide off . and levelled the aggregate Al Sadd struggled to make Beiranvand's post. Trailing by a goal from the score. The Persepolis defence inroads after Nemati's strike, In the 64th minute, Aissa's first leg, it was Al Sadd who were flustered by a loose pass having to resort to desper- point-blank save from Alipour had greater impetus to score, across them, and tournament ate attempts. In one such in- denied Persepolis of what could fashioning an opportunity in top scorer Baghdad Bounedjah stance, Pedro Miguel had a go have been a deciding goal. the third minute. However, (pictured below) finished off at goal from over 35 yards out Beiranvand showed his Abdelkarim Hassan’s shot a first time shot with aplomb but the ball bounced wide off quality and kept his side in at goal flew straight into the past the outstretched arms Beiranvand’s post. the front seat with a com- hands of Persepolis goalkeep- of Beiranvand. Persepolis re- In the 64th minute, Aissa's posed performance, which er Alireza Beiranvand. sponded with more urgency point-blank save from Alipour included a stunning reflex The momentum soon but were denied any clear-cut denied Persepolis of what could save to keep out Xavi’s head- Baghdad Bounedjah after scoring for Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League second leg semi-final match swung the other way and the scoring opportunities there- have been a deciding goal. er in the 86th minute. against Persepolis FC at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Tuesday. Persepolis won 2-1 on aggregate. (AFP) Sports Wednesday, October 24, 2018 17

AFC U-19 Championship WORLD SUPERBIKE FINALE Qatar target QF berth against Chinese Taipei Maroons beat hosts Indonesia 6-5 on Sunday to keep their hopes alive The Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex is already wearing a Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki new look with attractive branding reflecting mood of the tournament. Racing Team WorldSBK) is only 1one win short of the all-time season record of wins, 17, set by Doug Polen in 1991. Rea already Final countdown recorded 16 wins last season.

There is another record in sight for Rea: a seventh double in a for Qatar Squash 2single season would be unprecedented in WorldSBK history. So far, the value of six has been Classic begins recorded four times in history: the first was Doug Polen in 1991, fol- lowed by Troy Bayliss in 2002, and TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK main draw for the first since the then Rea achieved the feat in 2017 DOHA 2006 edition, are leading the and now 2018. home challenge. WITH less than four days to go, As a PSA World Tour Plati- Since the introduction of the the final countdown has begun num tournament, the winner new rules, which force the for the Qatar Classic 2018, the of the event will automatically 3winner of Race 1 to start from ninth on the grid in Race 2, winning 16th edition of the annual pre- qualify for a coveted berth at the from ninth on the grid has become mier squash tournament which season-ending PSA World Tour a frequent challenge for Jonathan will be held from October 27 to Finals, which includes both a Rea. At San Juan, Rea won his 12th November 2. men’s and women’s tourna- race starting from ninth on the grid The Khalifa International ment and features the reigning or lower. This feat is exactly double Tennis & Squash Complex, ven- PSA World Champions togeth- the record number of wins from ue of the event, is already wear- er with the season’s Platinum outside the top eight, previously ing a new look with attractive event winners and players that held by Noriyuki Haga, with six. branding reflecting the mood of qualify by placing high enough Qatar palyers after their win against Indonesia at the AFC U-19 Championship. the tournament. on the PSA Road to Dubai Lea- There is another record already TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK in the bag for Rea: after the World No.1 Mohammed El derboard. dium. be worried after the team let With his team now unlikely 4first race in Losail, his count of Shorbagy of Egypt is leading Ticket sales are on and more DOHA “It is key to remember that in four goals as the defence to qualify for the last eight, Chi- races at the top of the championship the pack of 48 players, includ- importantly, the best players are we won the game with Indo- looked shaky in the later stages nese Taipei’s Vom Ca Nhum is will be 100. His best competitor in ing most of the world's top 20, warming up ahead of their big QATAR coach Bruno Miguel nesia, and that we still have a of the match. Against Chinese expecting another tough test this field is Troy Bayliss at 92. who will be competing for the dash in Doha. “There is a huge wants his team to go all out and chance of advancing,” said as- Taipei who has a poor defen- for his side. tournament's total cash prize of expectation for this year’s tour- attack against Chinese Taipei sistant coach Lino Godinho, sive record also, the young “We struggled physically There have been 12 different $177,750 and trophy. nament considering the caliber on Wednesday when the two who will deputize for suspend- Maroons should be relatively in our last game against the winners out of 18 races held in Squash fans will have the of players on parade. We are sides meet in the AFC U-19 ed head coach Bruno Miguel, comfortable. UAE and we could face the 5Qatar so far, no-one has won here more than twice. No less than six wonderful opportunity of wit- delighted to play host to such a Asian Cup Group A match at referring to the fact that Qa- “We must focus on the pos- same issues when we play Qa- riders are tied for the record number nessing their favorite stars on strong field. Fans of squash in the Pakansari Stadium. tar were, at one stage, 6-1 up itives that we saw in the last tar,” he said. of wins here (2): Troy Corser, James parade with stars including the country are set for a week- Qatar were handed a 1-2 against the Indonesians. game and continue to do what “But, we will see. Of course, Toseland, Ben Spies, Sylvain Guintoli, World No.2 Ali Farag, 2011 long feast of great games which defeat against UAE in the Qatar will rely heavily on we do well which is keeping the we will be doing everything we Chaz Davies and Jonathan Rea. winner Gregory Gaultier, the in is something we are happy tournament’s opening match striker Abdulrasheed Umar, ball and creating chances. can to get a positive result and form Simon Rosner and Miguel about. before beating hosts Indone- whose three goals propelled “There are several plus continue our development.” Seven different riders have Angel Rodriguez among others. “Ticket sales have been quite sia 6-5 in memorable contest Qatar to a huge lead before points which we can take into Having won their opening secured pole in qualifying in the Qatar Champion, Abdulla encouraging and we believe Qa- last Sunday. conceding for consecutive the game against Chinese Tai- two matches in the group, UAE 6history of the Qatar round. The Mohd al Tamimi, and Syed Az- tar Classic 2018 will be the best Indonesia and UAE will goals in the latter stage of the pei and we will not change the currently lead with six points, only ones who have qualified on pole twice are Troy Corser (2007-2008) lan Amjad and Abdulrahman ever,” said Tournament Director lock horns simultaneously at game against Indonesia. way we play as we wholeheart- meanwhile Qatar and Indonesia and Jonathan Rea (2016-2017). al Malki, who will appear in the Tareq Zainal. the Gelora Bung Karno Sta- The coaches will no doubt edly believe in our methods.” both have three points.

The most successful manufac- turer at Losail is Suzuki, with 7five wins. Aprilia is just behind at four, with Ducati next up at three. Team Qatar golfers win silver medal at Arab Championship In the last four visits to the Losail circuit, both wins were TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK hosts Tunisia seized the 8by a single manufacturer: Yamaha in 2009 (Spies); Aprilia in DOHA bronze medal. 2014 (Guintoli) and 2015 (Torres, Meanwhile in the single Haslam); Ducati in 2016 (Davies); QATAR team made im- event, Qatar's Saleh Ali al Kawasaki in 2017 (Rea). pressive performance to Kaabi took the bronze medal win the silver medal on behind Moroccan opponents Only three wins out of 18 came Monday at the prestig- who dominated the first and from the pole spot in Qatar: the ious Arab Golf Champion- second places. 9double recorded by Ben Spies ship 2018 which took place The prestigious event in 2009 and Race 1 last year (Rea). in Tunisia. brought together 12 Arab na- Only three manufacturers Qatar golfers ended tions, Qatar, Lebanon, Pal- recorded pole here and their campaign on high note estine, Iraq, Jordan, KSA, 10 they did it three times claimed the second place Morocco, Egypt, United Arab each: Yamaha, Ducati and Kawasaki. overall behind Morocco the Emirates, Bahrain and hosts gold medalist winners, while Team Qatar golfers after receiving their silver medal in the Team competitions at the 38th Arab #Golf Championship in Tunisia. Tunisia.

WTA Finals – Singapore Wozniacki back on track with win over Kvitova; Svitolina dumps Pliskova

AFP breaking immediately and SINGAPORE then wearing down a fading Pliskova, who at one point A tenacious Caroline Wozniacki threw her racquet in disgust. revived her WTA Finals title In the later match, an ag- defence with a third set mas- gressive Svitolina traded blows terclass against Petra Kvitova with big-hitting Pliskova to tri- on Tuesday, leaving the former umph 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in an hour Wimbledon champion’s Singa- and 54 minutes. pore campaign in danger. The Ukrainian has been Rebounding from a disap- in stellar form in Singapore in pointing opening defeat against a determined effort to make Sri Lanka batsman Niroshan Dickwella employs a reverse sweep, as England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler Karolina Pliskova, Wozniacki amends for an early exit in her looks on, during his knock of 95 runs in the fifth and final One-Day International at the R. Peremadasa wore down Kvitova to triumph WTA Finals debut last year. Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday. (AFP) 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 in two hours and 19 “It was a tricky match, I minutes. tried to stay focus,” Svitolina Kvitova has now lost both said after the match. “It has Sri Lanka thrash England her matches but she is still been a tough season for me, afloat in the White Group after but the way I’m playing now is Elina Svitolina defeated Karo- really good.” lina Pliskova in three sets. It was a grinding affair to claim consolation win An undefeated Svitolina from the get go highlighted by is in pole position to qualify a marathon third game in the AFP SCOREBOARD for the semis, needing only first set, where Svitolina saved COLOMBO to clinch one set in her final six break points. SRI LANKA A. Hales c Mendis b Chameera 0 match against Wozniacki on Both players were slug- SRI LANKA’S Niroshan Dick- N. Dickwella c Root b Ali 95 J. Root c Samarawickrama b Chameera 10 S. Samarawickrama b Ali 54 J. Buttler c Dickwella b Chameera 0 Thursday. ging it out from the baseline wella and skipper Dinesh D. Chandimal c Roy b T. Curran 80 B. Stokes c Perera b Dananjaya 67 Kvitova mixed trademark but an aggressive Svitolina Chandimal set up a crushing K. Mendis c Stokes b Plunkett 56 M. Ali c Chandimal b Dananjaya 37 power with exquisite touch but gained control and broke in 219-run win via DLS method D. Shanaka c Roy b Rashid 18 S. Curran c Sandakan b De Silva 2 was matched by Wozniacki's the sixth game en route to over a much-changed Eng- T. Perera c Hales b T. Curran 11 A. Rashid b Dananjaya 4 Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki celebrates after defeating Czech D. de Silva not out 19 L. Plunkett lbw b Dananjaya 5 dogged counterattacks. taking the first set. land on Tuesday to end their A. Dananjaya not out 18 T. Curran not out 1 The Dane recovered from Republic’s Petra Kvitova during their singles match at the WTA Pliskova rediscovered her One-Day International series Extras: (b4, lb3, w8) 15 Extras: (lb1, w1) 2 an injury scare, where she Finals in Singapore, on Tuesday. (AFP) booming serve in the second set on a high. TOTAL: (For 6 wickets, 50 overs) 366 TOTAL: (For 9 wickets, 26.1 overs) 132 needed taping to her left knee and played almost flawlessly, Dickwella smashed 95 and Fall of wickets: 1-137 (Samarawickrama), 2-168 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Roy), 2-4 (Hales), 3-4 (Buttler), (Dickwella), 3-270 (Mendis), 4-300 (Shanaka), 5-328 4-28 (Root), 5-107 (Ali), 6-121 (S. Curran), 7-122 early in the second set, and took its toll. “I’m tired right start the second set before Kvi- hitting 15 winners and making Chandimal 80 to help Sri Lan- (Chandimal), 6-328 (Perera). (Stokes), 8-129 (Rashid), 9-132 (Plunkett) showcased her athleticism in now... more tired than after my tova held and unleashed a roar just three unforced errors. ka register their highest-ever Bowling: Wood 8-0-55-0 (w5), S. Curran 6-0-46-0, T. Bowling: Rajitha 5-0-21-1, Chameera 6-0-20-3 (w1), a dominant third set to out- first match, definitely,” she said. as she skipped out to a 3-1 lead. But Svitolina rediscovered ODI total against England and Curran 8-0-71-2, Ali 8-0-57-2 (w1), Rashid 10-0-52-1, Perera 2-0-18-0, De Silva 4-0-18-1, Dananjaya 6.1-0- last Kvitova. Wozniacki, the Australian Wozniacki needed a medi- her irresistible form from the the tourists slumped to 132-9 Plunkett 5-0-44-1 (w1), Stokes 5-0-34-0 (w1). 19-4, Sandakan 3-0-35-0. Toss: Sri Lanka ENGLAND (TARGET 367) Result: Sri Lanka won by 219 runs (D/L method) “It’s the patella, which Open champion, had the bet- cal timeout and the six-minute first set and forced the Czech when rain stopped play in the J. Roy b Rajitha 4 Series: England won the five-match series 3-1. was hurting me,” Wozniacki ter start and broke in the ninth break seemingly halted Kvito- into errors. She broke three 27th over. told reporters. “It’s something game -- her first of the tourna- va’s momentum but the Czech times in the final set to cruise It was only a consolation I have had in the past and ment after botching 10 break regrouped and levelled it up to victory. victory for the hosts as Eng- est loss came against the West our part. Very disappointed to something I have struggled points against Pliskova -- then emphatically with a sliced back- Even though she lost, Plisk- land, who suffered their biggest Indies by 165 runs in Kings- end the series like this,” Mor- with for years. (Taping it up) earned another break in the hand winner. ova remains in the hunt to qual- ODI defeat, took the weather- town in 1994. gan said after the loss. Akila worked for me today.” 12th game to draw first blood. The match took a turn ify for a second successive WTA plagued five-match series 3-1. “Sri Lanka took advan- Dananjaya took 4-19 while Kvitova said the long match There were three breaks to in the third with Wozniacki Finals semi-final. England's previous heavi- tage of a very poor day from D Chameera claimed three. 18 Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Sports UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Messi injury gives Barca, Dembele chance to prove their worth The Catalans have been accused of dependence on the star man AFP Unaffected by BARCELONA star absence BARCELONA'S lowest ebbs are invariably followed by “Emotionally we know when questions about Lionel Messi Messi is there he gives us but the issue of over-reliance more confidence because he may become clearer over the is the best in the world,” Pique coming weeks. said on Saturday. “But it does The sight of Messi on the not have to affect us.” ground, grasping his right arm, during Barca's win over Sevilla on Saturday prompted lapse against Roma but then reactions inside Camp Nou the criticism was Barca had normally reserved for the failed to find the answer when conceding of goals. Messi had not provided it. Hands behind heads, fin- There is no team in the gers over mouths, the con- world that would not look cern became real shortly worse with Messi extracted. after the final whistle when As Real Madrid are prov- the club confirmed Messi had ing in the absence of Cristiano fractured his radial bone. Ronaldo, a striker's goals are His absence leaves Barca difficult to replace but so too vulnerable when they need is the aura. him most, for a run of fix- "Emotionally we know tures that includes Inter Mi- when Messi is there he gives lan in the Champions League us more confidence because Paris Saint-Germain’s players during a training session at the Camp des Loges in Paris on eve of their Champions League match against SSC Napoli. (AFP) on Wednesday, the Clasico he is the best in the world," against Real Madrid on Sun- Pique said on Saturday. "But day, before a return match it does not have to affect us." against Inter in Italy at the To maintain a resurgence start of next month. built on wins over Tottenham Houllier lauds Klopp, but If he takes longer than and Sevilla, as well as a draw expected to recover, he could away to Valencia, Valverde miss tricky games against will have to find the solution. Real Betis and Atletico Ma- On Monday, Marca listed drid in La Liga too. six options in a "casting for Barcelona have grown replacements" - Ousmane picks PSG for UCL glory used to accusations of de- Dembele, Rafinha, Munir El pendence, not least when re- Haddadi, Malcom, Carles sults have taken a turn for the Alena and Sergi Roberto. worse. Alena, the 20-year-old Houllier has a close affinity with both clubs, coached PSG in the 1980s and the Reds from 1998-2004 When Ernesto Valverde midfielder, is an exciting tal- left Messi on the bench for ent, while Malcom, only a AFP the 1-1 draw at home to Ath- year older, scored 12 goals for MONACO letic Bilbao last month, the Bordeaux last season. argument was given added But Dembele is the most FORMER Liverpool manager weight by him coming on and obvious. Messi's position on Gerard Houllier has praised making the assist for their the right of the front three Jurgen Klopp for his work at equaliser. is where he is most comfort- the Anfield club but told AFP "This is Barcelona," Messi able, rather than off the left, he feels Paris Saint-Germain afterwards. "We have a strong where the 21-year-old has of- are the favourites to win the team and we have enough ten been made to adapt so far. Champions League this sea- not to have to depend on one After a debut season son. player." blighted by injuries, Dembele Houllier has a close affin- The same point was raised started the first six games of ity to both clubs, who are in last season, when Messi, as this one, scoring five goals. the same group in this season's a substitute, inspired a late But doubts remain about Champions League, with Liv- fightback from two goals him in big games, where his erpool beating PSG 3-2 when down against Sevilla and habit for losing possession the sides met at Anfield in Sep- Napoli’s midfielder Marek Hamsik (left) and Italian head coach Carlo Liverpool’s Manager Jurgen Klopp at a press conference at Anfield in scored in the 89th minute. can be punished by oppo- tember. Ancelotti during a press conference at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Liverpool on Tuesday, on eve of their Champions League Group C match He played the entirety of nents quick in transition and Now 71, Houllier is work- Paris on Tuesday. (AFP) against Red Star Belgrade. (AFP) the Champions League col- clinical on the counter-attack. ing as an advisor for Lyon, but earlier in his career he coached still getting through it,” added “At Liverpool you have to have played in finals. to go all the way in Europe PSG in the 1980s, leading Houllier. attack, with great forwards. “When Klopp was still after struggling to make an them to the first French title in Liverpool host Red Star They have had Rush, Fowler, at Dortmund, I saw him at a improvement in the knockout their history in 1986. Belgrade in the Champions Owen, Heskey and now they coaches meeting at UEFA, he rounds in the last few years. After a spell in charge of League on Wednesday, fresh have Salah, Firmino, Sane, a was sitting next to me, and we Last season they were France, he later took over at from a narrow 1-0 win at Hud- magic trio. spoke about Liverpool, about beaten by eventual winners Liverpool in 1998, lasting six dersfield Town at the week- the club. Real Madrid in the last 16 after years on Merseyside, with the end, their first victory in five “When he was appointed, I losing Neymar to injury before highlight coming in 2001 when games. Winning thought it was a great move, I the second leg. he won a treble of UEFA Cup, They are second in the Pre- was sure it would work and it "PSG are favourites, and FA Cup and League Cup. mier League, behind leaders but no titles is working.” you'll see that this could be “Liverpool are not doing Manchester City on goal dif- Liverpool go to PSG in late their year, even if we say that so well at the moment, even if ference, but are by no means “Liverpool are not doing so November and the presence every year," he said. they are still winning games,” certain to advance from Group well at the moment, even if of Napoli in the group means "You prepare for success, Houllier told AFP on Tuesday C in the Champions League they are still winning it is by no means a given that but you can't programme on the sidelines of the Sportel after losing away to Napoli in games,” Houllier told AFP both of Houllier's old sides will when it will happen. sports marketing and media their last outing. on Tuesday. reach the round of 16. "You need the breaks, no convention in Monaco. Despite that, Houllier His current club Lyon are injuries, no suspensions at key “Teams go through cycles added: "Klopp is a good fit at also involved in the competi- moments, like Neymar before in a season. They are not do- Liverpool thanks to his phi- “They have already come tion this season, but he be- the second leg against Real -- Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho (centre) and teammates attend a training ing so well now, but they are losophy. close to winning trophies, they lieves PSG have what it takes that did a lot of damage." session in Barcelona on Tuesday. (AFP)

Quick read Facing Atletico is like ‘toothache’ for Resistance to USA game is a ‘cultural’: La Liga boss

MONACO: La Liga President Javier Tebas on surprise for me. There's a cultural reason, it's a Dortmund goal-ace Alcacer Tuesday claimed that resistance to the controver- story of bureaucracy, because it's new," Tebas sial plans to hold a Spanish top-flight game in the said at sports marketing conference Sportel in AFP his path to the first-team was United States is "cultural". Monaco. DORTMUND blocked by Luiz Suarez. The match between Girona and Barcelona "It's a bit like video refereeing -- the football Alcacer's goal exploits on January 26 is scheduled to be played at Hard family rejected it for years and all of a sudden at GOAL machine Paco Alcacer quickly wrote him into Dort- Rock Stadium in Miami, despite strong opposition the World Cup in we realised that it was says playing against Atletico mund's footballing folklore. and fears that the Catalan giants would effec- fantastic." Madrid feels like 'toothache' -- "The freedom is playing, tively be gifted an extra home game. Spain has played its season-opening Super and he hopes to extract maxi- having minutes and enjoying The two clubs involved support the idea, Cup final outside the country, but taking the mum revenge for past suffer- the profession. I didn't have but Barca's arch rivals Real Madrid reportedly league -- and especially title contenders in Barce- ing when Borussia Dortmund the minutes at Barcelona and protested to the Spanish FA over the matter last lona -- abroad would be far more contentious. meet them in Wednesday's now I am having them, things week, while the country's players' association The English Premier League proposed an Champions League clash. are going well," he added. and football federation have both rejected the extra round of matches to be played overseas 10 The 26-year-old, on loan However, each goal he proposal. years ago, but after much debate the 'Game 39' from Barcelona, has needed scores also carries a tragic re- "There is resistance, but it's not really a plan was shelved in 2010. (AFP) just 109 minutes to score minder. seven Bundesliga goals this When he scored at Stutt- season -- the best goal-rate gart on Saturday, he raised in the league's history, which his arms to celebrate, as does Bayern see off AEK Athens; Young Boys hold Valencia included a deft chip in Satur- after each goal, and looked to day's 4-0 drubbing of Stutt- the heavens with the words BERLIN: Bayern Munich enjoyed a 2-0 win at looking for their first point. gart to keep Dortmund top of "Always in my mind, Papa" AEK Athens on Tuesday to stay on course in the Martinez finished in the 61st minute with a the table. Dortmund’s forward Paco Alcacer. (AFP) tattooed on his left bicep. Champions League. sideways volley after Arjen Robben's shot was In total, Alcacer has netted Alcacer was still a teenager Javi Martinez and Robert Lewandowski scored blocked, and Lewandowski tapped in two minutes 11 goals in his last seven games newspaper Marca, having lost always very aware of every- when his world was turned up- within two minutes midway through the second later from a Rafinha pass after a move on the for club and country, but now six of his nine games against thing. side down on the first game of half as Bayern moved top of Group E with seven left involving Serge Gnabry. In Berne, Young Boys has Atletico in his sights for Atletico for either former clubs “For a striker, it's frustrat- the 2011/12 season. points from three games. earned their first Champions League point and goal the Group A showdown with Getafe or Valencia. He never ing.” His father Francisco died Ajax can join Bayern on seven points if they to leave Valencia still without a win in their group. both teams having won their faced them while with Barce- However, his form has of a heart-attack while leav- win their later game at home to Benfica. Michy Batshuayi in the 26th minute put the first two games. lona. been anything but 'frustrating' ing the stadium after watching In the day's other earlier kick-off, Young Boys Spanish side ahead but Guillaume Hoarau scored "A toothache to play “They are a team that con- since arriving in Dortmund his son play in a friendly for and Valencia drew 1-1 in Group H. from the penalty spot 10 minutes after the break against Atletico? Well, yes, cede very few goals and they in August after two unhappy former club Valencia against In Athens, Bayern took another step towards for the home side, who had a Sekou Sanogo totally," Alcacer told Spanish leave few spaces, while they're seasons at Barcelona, where Roma advancing from their group while leaving AEK still header hit the post two minutes from time. (DPA) Sports Wednesday, October 24, 2018 19 Samba among nominees for IAAF 2018 World Athlete ooff ththee Year award

TRIBUNETRIBUNE NEWSNEWS NETWORK/IAAFNETWORK in Monaco on December 4. Individual graphics for each nomi- MONACOMONACO Samba had been setting the track on nee will be posted on Facebook, Twit- fire this season and holds the World lead ter and Instagram this week; a 'like' on QATAR’SQATAR’S sensationalsensational tracktrack and field in 400m hurdles being unbeaten in nine Facebook and Instagram or a retweet on aathletethlete AbderrahmanAbderrahman Samba,Samba who re- finals of the Diamond League. Twitter will count as one vote. ccentlyently set thethe world’sworld’s quickestquick time The IAAF confirmed a list of 10 nom- The IAAF Council’s vote will count in 40400m0m hurdleshurdles sincesince 19921992 and the inees for Male World Athlete of the Year for 50% of the result, while the IAAF 400m hurdleshurdles anandd won 4x404x400m relay who were selected by an international Family’s votes and the public votes will ggoldold at the Jakarta AsianAsian Games,Ga has panel of athletics experts, comprising each count for 25% of the final result. been nominnominatedated for tthehe WoWorldrld Athletes representatives from all six continental Voting for the Male World Athlete of of thethe Year aheadahead ofof thethe IAAFIAAF Athletics areas of the IAAF. the Year closes on 13 November. At the AAwardswards 2018. A three-way voting process will de- conclusion of the voting process, five TThishis week marks tthe open- termine the finalists. men and five women finalists will be an- ing ofof the votingvoting processp for The IAAF Council and the IAAF nounced by the IAAF. the 2018 WWorldorld Athletes Family will cast their votes by email, The male and female World Athletes ofof the YearYear aheadahe of the while fans can vote online via the IAAF's of the Year will be announced live on IAAFIAAF AAwardswards function social media platforms. stage at the IAAF Athletics Awards 2018.

2018 MALE WORLD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

O TiTimothymothy Cheruiyot (KEN): * World leads at Championships silver both 1501500m0 and one mile, with nine out of * World number six at 400m 11 wwinsins aacross those distances * Diamond LLeagueeague champion * Silvers at the O Noah Lyles (USA): * World lead and unbeaten in his five CCommonwealthomm Games and African races at 200m, including at the Diamond League final CChampionshipsham *Continental Cup winner at 100m & 4x100m *World lead at 150m straight O CChristian Coleman (USA): * World iindoornd record and & world indoor O Luvo Manyonga (RSA): * Diamond League and cchampionh at 60m champion at long jump *Silvers at * World lead and Diamond League World Indoor and African Championships cchampion at 100m O Kevin Mayer (FRA): * World Indoor champion at O Armand Duplantis (SWE): * heptathlon * World record at decathlon, when he scored EurEuropean champion at pole with exactly the same number of points on each of the two days a woworld-leading height * World under-20 O Abderrahman Samba (QAT): * World lead and chamchampionp *Eight world under-20 records unbeaten in nine finals at 400m hurdles, setting the or bbests,ests, indoors and out world’s quickest time since 1992 * Asian Games O ElEliudiud KKipchogeipchoge ((KEN):KEN * Marathon champion champion at 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay *Berlin*Berlin MarathonMarathon championcham with the biggest improvement *Continental Cup winner *Asian Indoor champion at on a men’smen’s mmarathonarathon worldwo record since 1967 4x400m relay O Emmanuel KorKoririr ((KEN):KEN * World lead and the world’s O Tomas Walsh (NZL): *World lead with the world’s fastest at 800m sincesince 20122 * Diamond League longest shot put since 2003 *World Indoor, Common- champion,champion, ContinentalContinental CupC winner and African wealth Games and Diamond League champion

48TH FIG ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DOHA 2018 Twenty-two World and Olympic champs form the all-star lineup at Doha Worlds FIG DOHA

BOASTING 22 World and Olympic champions from 13 nations, the roster for the up- coming 2018 Artistic Gymnas- Argentina’s veteran Ayelen Tarabini is excited about the long-term tics World Championships in prospects for 16-year-old teammate Martina Dominic. Doha (QAT) is the deepest the sport has seen. The 2016 Olympic All- Team Argentina high on around champions (USA) and Kohei Uch- imura (JPN) headline the Youth Olympics spirit field as they share the spot- light with reigning cham- FIG “It was so good to be pions (USA) DOHA there,” Dominici smiles, be- and Xiao Ruoteng (CHN) in fore quickly adding, “But we Doha, where more than 500 TAKE note of the name Mar- didn’t go to anything else be- gymnasts will compete for 42 tina Dominici. Argentinean cause it clashed with training. medals from 25 October to 3 Gymnastics is on a roll after We have been so focused on November. the boost of hosting the 2018 this.” Youth and the The teenager is quietly Doha’s defending titlists 16-year-old Dominici is lead- confident about her prospects In addition to the All-around ing the charge. at the World Championships champions from Rio and Veteran Argentine gym- in Doha, which get underway Montreal, nine of the 10 indi- nast Ayelen Tarabini, in Doha on Thursday. It’s perhaps not vidual apparatus champions (QAT) for her fourth World a surprise to hear her saying a from Rio and seven of the Championships, is seriously spot in the top 24 of the team 10 from Montreal are on the excited about the long-term competition is well within Ar- roster for Doha. Remarkably, Five of the six men’s champions — Britain’s (in pic) on and Exercise; Eleftherios Petrounias (GRE) on Still prospects for teammate Mar- gentina’s grasp, but her next the only reigning World and Rings; Ri on Vault and Oleg Verniaiev on Parallel Bars — will be facing rematches in Doha. tina Dominici. statement is indicative of just Olympic apparatus titlists In the past 12 months, Do- where she is at. missing from Doha will be Floor Exercise, Mustafina on face tough challenges in de- who owns world titles on Floor Vault (four each) from 2001- minici has won the prestigious “Individually I am aiming two-time defending World and Sanne Wevers fending her title. All of the Exercise (1991) and Vault 2009; Arthur Zanetti (BRA), junior competition Top Gym, to qualify for the All-around champions (NED) on — and reigning champions in the six (2003) and an Olympic team the 2012 Olympic champion claimed Argentina's first gold final,” she says simply. (RUS) on Women’s Vault, five of the six men’s champi- men's events from Montreal gold medal with the Unified and 2013 World Champion medal in women’s Gymnastics The teenager’s triumph at Fan Yilin (CHN) on Uneven ons — Max Whitlock on Floor will be back in Doha: Kenzo Team (1992), shows no signs on Still Rings; and the “Flying at a South American Cham- the 2017 Top Gym competi- Bars and Pauline Schafer Exercise and Pommel Horse; Shirai (JPN), who won both of slowing down at 43 as she Dutchman” pionships for 20 years, and tion in Belgium was the first (GER) on Balance Beam, who Eleftherios Petrounias (GRE) Floor Exercise and Vault; pursues an astonishing eigth (NED), 2012 Olympic cham- reached the All-Around final step in Dominici’s transforma- are sidelined this year with on Still Rings; Ri on Vault Whitlock on Pommel Horse; Olympic appearance. pion and 2013 and 2014 World at the Pan American Champi- tion into a genuine contender injury, and Olympic Hori- and Oleg Verniaiev on Parallel Petrounias on Still Rings; Zou Other former World Cham- Champion on Horizontal Bar. onships. on the world stage. And it sur- zontal Bar champion Fabian Bars — will be facing rematches Jingyuan (CHN) on Parallel pions include Lin Chaopan Additionally, Daria Spiri- Not bad for a 16 year old prised even her. Hambüchen (GER), who re- in Doha. Bars; and Tin Srbić (CRO) on (CHN), the 2013 titlist on Par- donova, the 2015 co-world and it is all thanks to the pow- “I went just for the expe- tired after his fourth Olym- On the women’s side, Horizontal Bar. allel Bars; Marian Dragulescu Champion on Uneven Bars, er of the Buenos Aires 2018 rience, to get to know the Eu- pics in Rio. Floor Exercise champion Seven-time Olympian (ROU), who won eight world is an alternate athlete for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), ropeans and understand how Olympic Vault champion (JPN), will (UZB), titles on Floor Exercise and Russian women's team. according to Tarabini. they compete and then I ended Ri Se Gwang (PRK), who was “Gymnastics in Argentina up winning,” Dominici says, absent in Montreal, is back is going through a very good laughing. in Doha and will be aiming NEW NAMES TO WATCH moment and it’s been re- For Tarabini, who is 10 for a third World Vault title ally helped by the YOG,” says years Dominici’s senior and to go with his 2014 and 2015 THE packed lineup headed to be in Qatar. Gabby Douglas to Olympic gold. Rhys McClenaghan (IRL): Tarabini. “Martina’s success says she’s like her “sister or even titles. Aliia Mustafina (RUS), for Doha includes the sport’s With golds already at the is a result of investment made mother”, Doha 2018 will be the the 2012 and 2016 Olym- rising stars who have already (CHN): The gold Dominick Cunningham (GBR): Commonwealth Games and in Gymnastics because of the first of many World Champion- pic Uneven Bars champion tasted success in 2018. medallist in the Women’s He won the only gold for the European Championships, YOG.” ships for the protege. “She has a and 2013 World champion All the titlists from the Asian All-around and Balance Beam host team at the European 19-year-old “Prince of the Born in 2002, Dominici great future ahead of her, she is on Balance Beam in 2013, is Games and European Cham- at the Asian Games, will hope Championships in , pommel” Rhys McClenaghan was a year too old to compete really that good,” Tarabini said. also back after missing Mon- pionships, and nearly all from to bring glory to the Chinese where he won the gold medal (IRL) may make history yet in her home city of Buenos “She could become world or treal and has potential for sev- the Commonwealth Games women’s team, now led by on Men’s Floor Exercise, and again if he manages to win Aires, but she and the rest of Olympic champion – why not. eral medals. and Pan American Gymnastics Liang Chow, who coached could put up big points in the first World medal the senior squad went to watch There is no ceiling. That is what All of the Rio women’s event Championships, are scheduled Americans Shawn Johnson and Doha. for Ireland. the women’s All-around final. we are working towards.” champions — Biles on Vault and