SPORT Wednesday 19 September 2018 PAGE | 25 PAGE | 27 Al Rayyan, Al Sadd Sarfraz, Rohit gear up for promise blockbuster Clasico India-Pakistan clash

India survive Messi scores hat-trick in big HK scare at Asia Cup Barca win; Liverpool pip PSG AFP DUBAI: India survived a REUTERS scare against Hong Kong after Shikhar Dhawan’s hundred BARCELONA: Lionel Messi as they battled to a 26-run scored a sensational hat-trick as win over the minnows in the Barcelona kicked off their Cham- Asia Cup yesterday. pions League campaign with a Chasing a big 286-run 4-0 win at home to Dutch cham- target, Hong Kong gave their pions PSV Eindhoven yesterday illustrious opponents a run for although they had defender their money with an opening Samuel Umtiti sent off in the stand of 174 runs before col- second half. lapsing to 259-8 in 50 overs. Barca’s all-time top scorer India were lifted to 285-7 Messi broke the deadlock in the by a punishing 127 by Dhawan 32nd minute at the Nou Camp -- his 14th one-day interna- with an immaculately struck free tional hundred -- and an kick, curling the ball over the wall attractive 60 by the recalled and right into the top near corner. Ambati Rayudu at Dubai It was his second free kick Stadium. goal in three home games this The Group A match was season. expected to be a one-sided Coached by former Barca and affair, but Netherlands midfielder Mark van scored a brilliant 115-ball 92 Bommel, PSV had produced an with 12 fours and a six, with admirable performance in their skipper Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his third goal during the UEFA Champions’ League group B match first visit to the Nou Camp in 21 adding 73 to make India against PSV Eindhoven at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, yesterday. RIGHT: Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring their sweat for victory. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS first goal against PSG at Anfield yesterday. Their stand is the best for any by Hong Kong Group B years until they began to tire late later, turning Ivan Rakitic’s smash-and-grab raid as goals by scored a late winner for Liverpool in an ODI, bettering the In Barcelona, Spain in the second half. In the first dinked pass into the near corner skipper Mauro Icardi and Matias as they beat PSG 3-2 at Anfield 170-run stand for the fourth Barcelona bt PSV Eindhoven 4-0 period they successfully shut down with one flick of his boot and then Vecino secured a 2-1 home win in their opening Champions wicket by the same pair In Milan, Italy most of Barca’s attacks and also completed his treble in the 87th over Tottenham Hotspur on their League fixture of 2018/19. against Scotland at Mongkok Inter Milan bt Tottenham 2-1 plotted several dangerous breaks, by receiving another chipped long-awaited return to the The Reds had taken a two in 2016. Group A which led to Mexico international pass, this time from Luis Suarez, Champions League yesterday. goal lead in the first half thanks But both fell in successive In Bruges, Belgium Hirving Lozano firing narrowly and ruthlessly smashing home. Spurs appeared to have to a Daniel Sturridge header and overs to give India a sigh of bt Club Brugge 1-0 over the bar after the interval. The mood was briefly delivered the perfect response to a James Milner penalty, but the relief ahead of their high- In Monaco The Spanish champions dampened when France their stuttering domestic form as visitors pulled one back before profile match against Atletico Madrid bt Monaco 2-1 began to demonstrate the gulf in defender Umtiti was dismissed they led through Christian Eriksen’s half time as Thomas Meunier Pakistan on Wednesday, also Group C class as the second half pro- in the 79th minute for a second deflected 53rd-minute strike. scored from inside the area. in Dubai. gressed and they doubled their yellow card, ruling him out of Inter, who have started Liverpool had most of the Leg-spinner Yuzvendra In Liverpool, England lead in the 75th minute through Barca’s next Champions League poorly in , were offering possession and created most of Chahal (3-46) and debutant Liverpool bt Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 a lovely curling strike from game away to Tottenham little threat but Icardi’s superb the chances but PSG held on and paceman Khalil Ahmed (3-48) In Belgrade in-form French forward Hotspur on October 3. 86th-minute volley brought the posed a threat on the counter. were the pick of Indian Red Star Belgrade draw with Napoli 0-0 Ousmane Dembele, who scored Barca lead Champions San Siro to life and Vecino’s Eventually that threat told as bowlers. Group D a fifth goal from sixth games in League Group B on goal dif- stoppage-time header left Tot- Kylian Mbappe finished a move Earlier, Dhawan hit 15

In Gelsenkirchen, Germany all competitions this season. ference after Inter Milan beat tenham crestfallen at the final started by after a loose fours and two sixes during his Schalke 04 draw with FC Porto 1-1 Messi got his second and Tottenham 2-1. whistle. Mohamed Salah pass and brought 120-ball knock. But once Barca’s third goal two minutes Inter Milan staged a late Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino the scores level. Dhawan and Rayudu fell, India lost their way with Mahendra Singh Dhoni falling without scoring. The total was much lower Al Sadd gear up for ‘tough’ Persepolis semis than India’s 374-4 in the only RIZWAN REHMAT previous match between the against Esteghlal at Jassim Bin two teams in Karachi in the THE PENINSULA Hamad Stadium. 2008 Asia Cup. “It feels great to have reached : Al Sadd coach Jesualdo the semi-finals of this prestigious SCOREBOARD Ferreira has urged his players to championship,” Al Haydos said India bring their A-game to the AFC after the thrilling contest under R Sharma c Nizakat b Ehsan ...... 23 Champions League semi-finals lights. S Dhawan c Afzal b Shah ...... 127 clash against Iranian giants “We have worked extremely A Rayudu c McKechnie b Nawaz ...... 60 Persepolis. hard to reach thus far. The K Karthik c Hayat b Shah ...... 33 On Monday, Al Sadd pro- players have put in great efforts M Dhoni c McKechnie b Ehsan ...... 0 duced a feisty 2-2 draw against all through the AFC Champions K Jadhav () ...... 28 Iranian outfit Esteghlal to com- League so far,” he added. B Kumar c Rath b Shah ...... 9 plete a 5-2 win on aggregate, to “I want to say ‘well done’ to the S Thakur c Carter b Aizaz ...... 0 K Yadav (not out) ...... 0 sign in for the last-four clash set players and want to thank the fans Extras (LB2, NB1, W2) ...... 5 to be played over two legs in for their support,” Al Haydos said. Total (for 7 wkts) ...... 285 October. “It was a great team effort. Al Sadd are eyeing a place in the AFC Fall of : 1-45, 2-161, 3-240, 4-242, “There’s no doubt the game Hopefully we go all the way,” he Champions League final. 5-248, 6-277, 7-282 against Persepolis will be tough,” added. Bowling: Afzal 4-0-34-0, Nawaz 8-0-50-1 (1nb, Ferreira said in his post-match Al Sadd’s goals were scored 1w), Aizaz 8-0-41-1 (1w), Ehsan 10-0-65-2, Na- comments. On Monday, Persepolis over- the aim of making up for the our strength as well by reaching by Akram Afif (27) and Bounedjah deem 10-0-39-0, Nizakat 1-0-15-0, Shah 9-0-39-3 “We need to be at our best turned a 1-0 deficit against Qatari two-goal deficit from the first the semi-finals.” (90 + 2). Esteghlal, who played Hong Kong when we play them, and that side Al Duhail to win the return leg. With an AFC Champions most part of the second half with Nizakat Khan lbw b Ahmed ...... 92 match is going to be like a final,” leg 3-1 at Azadi Stadium in “They almost scored a third League semi-final berth con- 10 men, were lifted by goals by A Rath c Sharma b Yadav ...... 73 the seasoned Portuguese coach Tehran. goal in the latter stages of the firmed, Al Sadd now turn focus Rouhollah Bagheri (32) and c Dhoni b Chahal ...... 18 C Carter c Dhoni b Ahmed ...... 3 added. “We played them earlier (in game. We feared that the game to QNB Stars League. Morteza Tabrizi (49). K Shah c Dhawan b Chahal ...... 17 the group stage), but this time it would go on to extra-time and “Now, we need to focus on “It was an amazing fight. We Ehsan Khan c and b Ahmed ...... 22 will be completely different. We penalties but we were able to our game against Al Rayyan in worked as a team,” influential lbw b Chahal ...... 0 saw how they overturned the maintain the score-line and then the league and then we will be midfielder S McKechnie st Dhoni b Yadav ...... 7 result against Al Duhail,” Ferreira scored a late goal to go through able to properly think about the said. Tanvir Afzal (not out) ...... 12 said of the clash. to the semi-final. semi-final,” Ferreira said. “We hope we can continue Ehsan Nawaz (not out)...... 2 We need to be at our Al Sadd coach admitted the “It is true that we got a lot of “I’m sure that we have like this. We have done well in Extras (LB4, NB3, W6) ...... 13 best when we play second leg against Esteghlal took chances to score but we weren’t enough experience to deal with this year’s championship. We Total (for 8 wkts) ...... 259 Fall of wicktets: 1-174, 2-175, 3-191, 4-199, them, and that match a lot out of his boys compared to able to benefit from them. When the tough matches that are have won the title in the past,” he the first leg in Tehran. you play against a team with 10 coming up, both at home and in added. 5-227, 6-227, 7-240, 8-256 is going to be like a “The game in Tehran was men, it doesn’t always mean that Asia,” he added. The first leg will be played on Bowling: Kumar 9-0-50-0 (1w), Ahmed 10-0- final: Al Sadd coach easier than this one,” he said. they are weak. Meanwhile, Al Sadd October 2 in Doha followed by 48-3 (1w), Thakur 4-0-41-0 (3nb, 1w), Chahal 10- 0-46-3, Yadav 10-2-42-2 (1w), Jadhav 7-0-28-0 “Esteghlal came with full “Esteghlal showed that they Hassan Al Haydos was all praise the return match in Tehran on Jesualdo Ferreira Result: India win by 26 runs strength and they played with are a strong team but we showed for the way his team fought October 23. 26 SPORT WEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2018

US rolls past Doha Worlds: Gymnastics teams Panama in World Cup set for traditional reception qualifying AP THE PENINSULA “The ceremony will have a tra- at the distribution site to facil- ditional welcome symbolising itate the process. The registration PANAMA CITY : US coach Jeff DOHA: The Local Organising Qatar’s heritage, custom and tra- (for volunteers) was opened well Van Gundy came into the start Committee of the Qatar dition. There will also be a in advance and will be closed on of this second round of qual- Gymnastics Federation for the closing ceremony for the cham- the 27th of this month. We are ifying for the FIBA Basketball forthcoming 48th Artistic pionship and we are working also cooperating with the World Cup cautioning his Gymnastics World Champion- continuously for the prepara- security committee with regards players that they would face ships Doha 2018 is meticulously tions to be complete as far as to this. The cards will be issued enormous challenges. planning various aspects of the possible. after obtaining the approvals,” They clearly heeded his first event to be held in the “We will also be providing he said. words, and the Americans are Middle East with great care and all support to the sub-com- Al Maraghi thanked the Higher now closing in on a trip to in detail. mittees, including the two com- Organising Committee for its China next year. Mohammed Abdullah Al mittees formed for the regis- support and of all the sub-com- Reggie Hearn scored 12 Maraghi, Director of Institutional tration cards and the reception. mittees in ensuring that the work points, Dwayne Bacon added Support of the Organising Com- We will also facilitate access to is done in the best possible way. 10 and the US easily got past mittee informed that among delegations participating “The Organising Committee Panama 78-48 in a qualifying other things a traditional through visas. includes Qatari cadres at the game Monday night. The reception for all delegations and “In order to prepare in the highest level. They have great Americans have won both of athletes of 83 countries is being best possible manner, the Organ- experience through working in their second-round qualifying planned for October 24. ising Committee is putting its previous international sporting games so far, winning them The world championships to best foot forward and aims to events. Our common goal is to by a combined 87 points. be staged at the Aspire Dome will deliver a historic Qatar version achieve success. We are working “It’s just an honor to be be held from October 25 to that will witness record unprec- on a given timeline and will do able to go to another country November 3. edented participation in the everything in terms of institu- and wear this jersey,” said US Mohammed Abdullah Al Maraghi, Director of Institutional Support, “A reception for delegations number of nations and athletes. tional support. We hope the forward Henry Ellenson of Organising Committee, 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships participating on October 24 with We are ready to present the best championship will be staged in the Detroit Pistons. “It’s just representatives from each picture as hosts,” he stressed. Doha 2018. the best possible way and high- something really special and country at the ceremony is being With regards to the accred- light Qatar’s global position in I love doing it. I was so excited planned, said Al Maraghi. itation cards for various services, distribution of cards will be done “There will be a large organising top sports events,” he to get the invite. This was a Providing details, he said, Al Maraghi pointed out that the in an accurate manner. number of volunteers and staff said. blast and a hell of an experience.” The US outrebounded Panama 50-34, held the hosts to 31 percent shooting and Golf boosted trailed for only 67 seconds in the early moments. Van by Tiger Gundy went to his bench Tiger’s Ryder Cup return early and often, rotating effect, says players throughout in part because of a steamy feel Monahan inside the arena named for caps amazing comeback Panama’s boxing legend AFP Roberto Duran. AFP know what my playing career beyond special.” moving, anything. It was just “I think our greatest ATLANTA: PGA Tour would be like. This is all Woods still hasn’t won a constant pain in my back and strength is our depth,” Van Commissioner Jay Monahan WASHINGTON: Playing in the uncharted territory.” So far, major since the 2008 US Open down my leg. Gundy said. “Again, we’ve believes the return of a fully- Ryder Cup will be the culmi- Woods’ performances are and hasn’t won any event in “Anything beyond that was pretty much done this fit Tiger Woods has had a nation of an amazing steadily improving and the more than five years, but has going to be a plus considering throughout. We play 10 or 11 “tremendous and significant” comeback season for Tiger medical charts are showing no rediscovered the joy of playing where I was coming from, and guys, anywhere from 10 or 11 impact both on and off the Woods (pictured), one the back issues after years of after fears it might never so to get to where I’m at, I never minutes up to the low 20s. We golf course. 14-time major champion nagging problems. happen again. thought that was going to try to take advantage of our Woods will bring the feared might never happen Woods has hit drives “It’s about enjoyingjy g happen.” - Next wins ‘coming depth. Tonight, the crowd was curtain down on a largely afterafter bbackack surgery.surgery. longerlonger tthanhan hishis youthfulyouthful days,days, beingbeing bback,”ack,” WoodsWoods soon’so - Now Woods, who had good, but it was warm in successful comeback this The 42-year-old42-year-old American ledled the British OpOpenen in the final ssaid.aid. “Enjoying“Enjoying beingbeing 7979 career PGA titles, hasn’t given there.” week when he tees off in the has shownshown flashesflashes ofof thethe formform roundround in JJuly,uly, finished second ableable to playplay ggolfolf again.again. up his quest to reach the record And now, Nov. 29 - the season-ending Tour Cham- thatthat mamadede hhimim gogolf’slf’s ddominantominant in lastlast month’smonth’s PGA CChampi-hampi- CompetingCompeting at thisthis level.level. 18 major wins of Jack Nicklaus next day of qualifying games pionship at East Lake in sub- playerplayer in yyoungerounger daysdays in hishis onshiponship andand firedfired a 62 earlierearlier All ofof thesethese tthingshings at thethe or Sam Snead’s all-time PGA in the Americas Region - sets urban Atlanta. firstfirst campaigncampaign afterafter spinalspinal thisthis montmonth,h, hhisis llowestowest US PGA beginningbeginning ofof thethe year markm of 82. up as enormous. It is the first time that fusionfusion surgery,surgery, a last-gasplast-gasp openingopening round since the 1999 wwereere all unknowns. It “In order to get to Jack’s The US and Argentina are Woods has qualified for operation to trytry and extend his ByronByron Nelson Classic.Classic. has been one of mmyy besbestt record,re I have to pass Snead’s tied atop Group E with 7-1 the elite 30-strong event legendarylegendary career. AndAnd thethe formerformer worldworld yearsyears as a whole.whole. record.re Just simple math,” records and will play that day since a 22nd place finish “It“It was a llast-ditchast-ditch eeffort,”ffort,” numbernumber one acachievedhieved hhisis goagoall “To havehave a winlesswinless WoodsW said. “And I want to with outright control of first in 2013. WoodsWoods said.said. “I triedtried everythingeverything of securing a RyderRyder Cup cap-cap- year,year, bbutut to go makem that happen. I’m close. I place in the group standings While Woods has yet to elseelse becausebecause fusionfusion is thethe last-last- tain’stain’s pick from Jim FurFuryk,yk, who ththroughrough whatwhat I’ve haveha been close to winning up for grabs. taste a tournament victory ditchditch effort and nothing pulledpulled him from a plannedplanned gonegone through -- I tournamentsto this year. I think Uruguay and Puerto Rico this year, Monahan said. beyondb eyond ththat.at. So assistantassistant captain’s rorolele aafterfter didn’tdidn’t knowknow iiff I wwas a s ifif I keep giving myself oppor- will meet that same day, each “To have a fully-fit Tiger ddidn’tidn’t seeing thethe quaqualitylity ofof hishis game.game. everever goinggoing to pplayl ay tunities,tu I’ll get the job done. entering with 5-3 records, Woods back on the PGA Tour “Deep“Deep down,down, I wantedwanted to again,again, I was justjust hopinghoping “I feel my next wins are meaning the loser there will has been tremendous and sig- makemake the team. I reallreallyy ttoo bebe aableble ttoo plplayay comingco soon. How soon, I don’t be three games behind the nificant,” said Monahan. wanted to play on it,” Woods withwith my kids andand golf know,kn but I’m putting myself in US-Argentina winner with Monahan said at the said.said. “I hadhad nnotot startedstarted wwithith my buddiesbuddies at tournamentsto now so I’m not that three games left in Valspar Championship, playingplaying golfgolf reallyreally yet, bbutut still,still, homehome ---- thisthis hashas farfa away from getting it done.” qualifying. where Woods finished itit was a goagoall at tthehe endend ofof tthehe beenbeen a blessing.blessing. Woods,W whose first major title The top three teams in runner-up behind Paul Casey, seasonseason to make this team.team. “I t hashas beenbeen so cameca at the 1997 Masters, has Group E are guaranteed spots ratings had increased from a “As“As the yeyearar pprogressed,rogressed, I specialspecial toto have this seense huge support from crowds at the World Cup, which starts figure of 3.2 to 5.1. gainedgained some traction and was oppor-oppor- tunitytunity again. at events, his amazing shot- in China on Aug. 31. “That is a lot more people somehow able to get some high I ’m ’ m ccertainlyertainly not makingm at an older age sparking After the way they played seeing Paul Casey and finishesfinishes and lo and behold,behold, I’m ttakingaking it fforor roarsro and cheers rivaling those Monday, it seems like only a hearing his story and the a part of this team. It’s granted, that’s for of his youth. staggering collapse would other players in the mix,” incredible,incredible, it reallreallyy is, to loolookk sure.” Woods went “People are more appreci- keep the Americans from Monahan said. backback at the start of the year and intointo spinal fusion ative,”at Woods said. “They qualifying. “Also, if you are Brooks toto have accomplished a goal fearing his chronic knowkn that I’m at the tail end of The US used a 16-0 run - Koepka and you win back- like that. To be a playerplayer backback pain mimightght linlingerger mym career and I don’t know needing only about two to-back US Opens and then isi s justj ust forfor life.life. howho many more years I have minutes - in the fourth win the PGA Championship “I“I had resigned left.le I’m certainly not like I was quarter to turn what was a with Tiger in the mix with (myself)(myself) to it because I whenw I was 22 -- 42, it’s a dif- relatively one-sided game a TV rating that Sunday in hadhad lived in a pretty ferentfe ballgame.” And, Woods into an even bigger rout. St. Louis of a 5.4 then that difficultdifficult situation for a says,sa people can relate more Chasson Randle, Hearn and is a 75% increase in the while. I just wanted the to fighting back pain than Travis Trice all made ratings. That is more people painpain to gogo away,”away,” superbsu golf heroics. 3-pointers to get that spurt seeing Brooks, hearing WoodsWoods said.said. “It“It waswas “Everyone has got aches going, and Ben Moore’s layup Brooks and learning about painfulpainful sitting, laying,laying, andan pains,” he said with 6:30 left gave the Amer- Brooks talent. icans a 73-40 lead. Italian govt says 2026 Winter Games bid is ‘dead’ REUTERS parliament. “Doubt and sus- pulled out of the 2026 race, with was particularly embarrassing pulling together separate pro- Italian regions of Lombardy and picion prevailed.” The gov- Japan’s Sapporo, Switzerland’s to CONI because it was the third posals from three cities into a Veneto suggested pooling their ROME: The Italian government ernment decision will make it Sion and Austria’s Graz all pre- time in six years that an Italian joint effort. resources to put forward a new, said yesterday it will no longer almost impossible for the Italian viously announcing their drive to host the Olympics has However, the idea ran into revised offer and Italian media back a bid to stage the 2026 Olympic Committee (CONI) to decision to withdraw. ended in failure. immediate trouble thanks to said CONI was working on the Winter Olympics jointly in Milan, press ahead with the plan, Calgary, Stockholm and Tur- Rome withdrew from the strong political differences idea. Turin and Cortina after the although local media said it key’s Erzurum are the only three race to stage first the 2020 and between the mayor of Milan, Giorgetti said such a project mayors of the three cities failed might try to recast the proposal definitely left in the running, with then the 2024 Summer Games who is from the centre-left, and would not have government to unite behind the project. in the coming hours to salvage the International Olympic Com- because of financial concerns the mayor of Turin, who is from backing. “The proposal does not its bid. mittee next month due to name and political opposition the anti-establishment 5-Star Deputy Prime Minister Luigi have the support of the gov- There was no immediate the city or cities which will enter respectively. Movement. Di Maio, who is head of the ernment so it dies here,” Sports comment from CONI. the one-year candidature phase. CONI announced its 2026 With the official bid appar- 5-Star Movement, blamed CONI Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti told Three cities have already Tuesday’s announcement Winter Olympics bid in August, ently now dead, the northern for the impasse. WEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 27

GREAT INDIA-PAKISTAN CLASHES Dark day Asia Cup: Rohit, Sarfraz promise On the same day the teams were playing a one- day match at Sialkot in Pakistan on October 31, 1984, the Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her bodyguards in New Delhi. Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri blockbuster India-Pakistan clash were piling on runs for India when the news came. Pakistan’s president Zia ul Haq ordered the AFP match stopped, and India’s captain Sunil Gavaskar wanted the same. Sri Lanka “Obviously, we weren’t in any frame of mind to : Rival captains carry on and, sure enough, the ODI had to be Sarfraz Ahmed and Rohit abandoned,” Vengsarkar told India’s Telegraph Sharma played down the hype slammed later. “Thirty years have gone by, but it’s a day surrounding the much-awaited one can’t forget,” he said. India-Pakistan clash in Dubai today, insisting that the Asia Cup after early PM’s XI is much more than a contest Imran Khan’s best bowling figures of 6-14 were between the arch-rivals. Cup exit in a one-day international against India March But despite their claims, mil- 22, 1985, but for the swashbuckling Pakistan fast lions of fans across the border AFP bowler it was all in vain. and elsewhere in the world will Khan ripped apart the Indian line-up at be watching the Group A clash, Sharjah in the UAE to send the opposition pack- with a sold out 25,000-crowd COLOMBO: Sri Lankan ing for 125. But Pakistan’s own batting imploded, expected at Dubai Stadium. newspapers and fans skittled for just 87. The game is the first between lambasted the national Khan -- now Pakistani prime minister -- was still the sub-continent rivals since cricket team yesterday man of the match, however. Pakistan thumped India by 180 after the former cham- A sword for a six runs in the final of the Cham- pions were dumped out The match that will always evoke the bitterest pions Trophy at The Oval in June of the Asia Cup by memories for India, and the sweetest ones for last year. up-and-coming Afghan- The two teams are facing istan. Pakistan, was on April 18, 1986, again an ODI in each other for the first time in Indian captain Rohit Sharma (left) talks with Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed during a press conference “The flop of Asia,” Sharjah. With Pakistan needing four off the last the since in Dubai on Friday. ran the private Daily ball to win, India’s Chetan Sharma ran in and 2006, the last of their regular Mirror’s headline, while bowled a full toss -- which Javed Miandad swat- matches which were also held much difference to India. Their times, while Pakistan have been The game is the the state-run Daily News ted for six. Miandad, who was presented with a in Sharjah between batting is very strong so I can say champions twice. first between the said one-day cricket had golden sword, became a national hero, while Shar- 1984-2000. that it will be a good match.” Two teams from each group rivals since Pakistan hit a “nadir”. ma faced barbs and insults on his return home. Sarfraz, who led Pakistan in Sarfraz has told his players will qualify for the Super Four thumped India by The Island daily Tendulkar’s tears that memorable Champions just to enjoy the occasion. stage, with the top two to reach 180 runs in the final lamented the “sad night A century from Sachin Tendulkar, India’s most Trophy triumph, denied that his “My message to the players the September 28 final. for Sri Lankan cricket”. of the Champions celebrated batsman, was usually a recipe for team will have a psychological is not to bother about the result So barring any upsets Afghanistan demon- success in the 1990s and 2000s but not in the advantage. and do (their) best and when against Hong Kong, India and Trophy at The Oval strated their rise in inter- 1999 Test match against Pakistan in Chennai. “We will not take that Cham- you do that you get a positive Pakistan will also face off again in June last year. national cricket with Chasing 271 for victory, Tendulkar brought India pions Trophy win in our minds,” result in all matches because in the Super Four on September their 91-run win over Sri close with a sparkling 136, but Pakistani off- said Sarfraz, a day after his team there are five other teams as 23. India skipper Sharma said his The world will be Lanka in Abu Dhabi on spinner Saqlain Mushtaq got him out and India thumped qualifiers Hong Kong well,” he said. team will be looking beyond watching the Group Monday. in their first match of the Five-time Asia Cup cham- Pakistan. Sri Lanka needed to eventually lost by 12 runs. tournament. pions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and “It’s always exciting to play A clash, with a sold win the Group B match A sporting Indian home crowd gave the Wasim “That was a different atmos- Afghanistan are in Group B. Pakistan, but it’s not about one out 25,000-crowd to stay in the tournament Akram-led side a standing ovation, but Tendulkar phere (in London) and condi- India have won the event -- team as well. There are other expected at Dubai but were outwitted by was heartbroken. Weeping in the dressing room, tions. It was a year ago so that’s which started in 1984 -- six teams also eyeing the title,” said Stadium. Afghanistan who put up according to then-coach Anshuman Gaekwad, the history so we will enter the Sharma, who has the rare record a fighting total of 249 all “little master” refused to come out of the dressing ground with a new strategy and SQUADS of scoring three one-day inter- The two teams are out at Sheikh Zayed room to receive his man of the match award. passion.” national double hundreds. facing each other Stadium. Misbah’s mishit Pakistan India’s regular captain and All six teams have to endure for the first time Sri Lanka, who now An India-Pakistan final in the inaugural Twen- world-class batsman Virat Kohli Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Im- extreme hot conditions in the have lost 30 of their 40 ty20 World Cup and a sell-out crowd in Johan- has been rested for the compe- am-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Shoaib UAE, with the temperature in the United Arab matches since January nesburg, South Africa in 2007 was a perfect tition to help his aching back Malik, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mo- scaling to over 40 degrees Emirates since 2017, had lost to Bang- setting for cricket’s newest format. after a gruelling tour of England. hammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Celsius and expected to rise 2006. ladesh by 137 runs in Pakistan’s Misbah ul Haq was on the cusp of But Sarfraz refused to accept Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Usman Khan further in the coming days. Dubai on Saturday at the taking his team to a memorable win with his Kohli’s absence will make much Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi Sharma said his side will get job. “A few players have come opening match of the India gritty batting in a chase of 158. difference. a chance to assess the conditions from England so it’s going to be tournament. “No doubt he (Kohli) is their in their match against Hong a challenge for them. The Mirror said the But then Haq tried to play an audacious paddle India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, captain and a world-class Kong. “For the rest of us, we have performance did not shot to seal victory against paceman Joginder KL Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, Ke- batsman but I think they (India) “Once we finish the first been here for the last four days augur well for the World Sharma in the final over. The ball went high into dar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik have a good team even without Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar game we will look at Pakistan, so I can probably say we are very Cup in England and the waiting hands of Shanthakumaran Sreesanth. Kohli. what their strengths and weak- much used to the conditions. Wales next year.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s India celebrated like never Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah,

“They have good players Shardul Thakur, Khaleel Ahmed nesses are. Looking at the pitch, “It’s game time, so we have “Sri Lanka now

before as Haq missed a chance of a lifetime. who have done well for India. I think we have the perfect com- to focus on the game rather than require a great deal of So I don’t think it will make bination and the guys to do the the conditions.” soul-searching to be a competitive outfit in white-ball cricket before the 1996 World Cham- England’s Stokes pions become a laughing Australian cricket needs stock in the world -- if they aren’t that already,” charged with bringing the Mirror said. Smith back, says Waugh Disappointed Sri Lankan fans took to social media to went game into disrepute AFP made a mistake and he’s paid a Warner, a dynamic batsman their anger, with many heavy price for it. but a divisive figure in the game, memes ridiculing the AFP SYDNEY: Australian cricket “But if he gets back out there may find it harder to earn national team. needs disgraced ex-captain and plays with the same enthu- acceptance again. “We could have LONDON: Ben Stokes Steve Smith and he is likely to siasm and passion, he loves He was charged by Cricket stayed in the Asia Cup at (pictured) and Alex Hales have be welcomed back with open playing cricket, he loves scoring Australia with developing the least till India played its been charged with bringing the arms, former skipper Steve runs, he wants to get back plot to use sandpaper to alter the first match,” said one game into disrepute by the Waugh forecast yesterday, playing for Australia, I think ball and telling Bancroft to carry social media user. England and Wales Cricket although it might be tougher for Australians will move past what it out. Another social media Board following a late-night David Warner. happened before. Despite this, Waugh said he user ridiculed batsman street brawl last year. The pair are serving one- “They obviously remember hoped Warner would also get a Kusal Mendis who was The independent Cricket year suspensions from interna- it, but they’re big enough to second chance. out for a duck, saying Discipline Commission (CDC) tional and state cricket over realise you can make a mistake “I hope so, you have to give there would have been was tasked with leading an their part in the ballball-tampering tampering and grgrowow from that and be guguysys anaoppotut opportunityy to redeem ede more cheer if a different internal investigation into the scandal againstgainst South Africa in stronger.”stronger.” themselves.themselves. They’ve apoloapologisedg “Mendis” was included -- incident outside a nightclub in March, whilehile openeropener Cameron and paidpaid a heavyheavy price,”price,” he said,s referring to a popular Bristol, southwest England, found not guilty, had been Bancroft waswas banned for nine butbut warned it would not be eeasy drink known as “Mendis which took place last charged following the fight months. forfor any of them to bounce backb Special”. September. hours after England played the “We needeed him bacbackk in AAus-us- toto the totop.p. Another fan specu- The England pair will have West Indies in a one-day inter- tralian cricket,”cket,” WaughWaugh told Fox “It’s“It’s goinggoing to be a challengechalle lated tongue-in-cheek to answer to two counts of national in Bristol, southwest Sports Australiastralia ooff 29-year-o29-year-oldld forfor allall ofof themthem to come back,back it’s that the poor per- breaching ECB directive 3.3, England, in September 2017. Smith, whoo has played 64 Tests.Tests. notnot going to be as easeasyy as formance was all part of which states: “No participant The incident outside the “You ccan’tan’t lloseose someone ooff peoplepeople tthink,”hink,” hehe saisaid.d. a strategy to dupe other may conduct themself in a nightclub saw England even- his quality overnight and expect “You’re out for 12 months,mon teams into thinking Sri manner or do any act or tually decide against playing to replacee it and he’s still only thethe game does move on, you Lanka were weak omission at any time which him in the 2017/18 Ashes, which relatively young.”youngg.” lose that aura of invincibilinvincibilityi a before next year’s may be prejudicial to the they lost 4-0 after he had been All threeree playersplayers accepted littlelittle bit, yyouou become a bit mmore World Cup. interests of cricket or which removed from the position of responsibilityility for the scandal fragile, a bitbi of may bring the ECB, the game of Test vice-captain. that rockedked thethe sport, withwith self-doubtself-dou cricket or any cricketer or Stokes returned to interna- Smith’s tearfularful apologyapology on his creepscreeps in.in. group of cricketers into tional duty during the post- arrival backack inin AuAustraliastralia “So“So it’s disrepute.” Ashes tour of New Zealand. tugging at thethe ggoingoing to beb a Stokes denied a charge of Big-hitting batsman Hales, heartstrings.gs. rrealeal cchal-h Sri Lanka now affray and was cleared fol- 29, last played for England in Waughh said fans Steve Smith lengelenge forfo all lowing a trial last month. His the third Twenty20 match “still adoree hhim”.im”. threethree of have lost 30 of teammate, Hales, was with against India in early July. “The Aus-Aus- those gguys their 40 matches Stokes during the altercation The disciplinary panel tralian ppublic,ublic, toto comeco since January but was not charged. hearings will be held in they are forfor-- baback 2017. All-rounder Stokes, whose London on December 5 and giving,” hee said. strong.”stro co-defendant Ryan Ali was also December 7. “He (Smith)mith) WEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 25

Even if they have lost Cristiano 10.00PM 10:00PM Ronaldo, I’d still make Real FOOTBALL FOOTBALL Mikel Arteta Madrid the main favourites Real Madrid Manchester City Assistant coach of because of their history and vs Roma LIVE ON vs Lyon experience. Manchester City Live on beIN HD 2 TUBE Live on beIN HD 2 Al Rayyan, Al Sadd gear up for Qatar Clasico

FAWAD HUSSAIN face Al Kharaitiyat. Umm Salal THE PENINSULA have the same number of points (seven) as Al Gharafa, but are DOHA: Former champions Al placed seventh on goal Rayyan and in-form Al Sadd are difference. preparing for the highly-antici- The Thunders are the only pated Qatar Clasico which will team yet to earn a point and who highlight Round 6 of QNB Stars lost all their matches. League beginning tomorrow. Sixth-placed Al Sailiya are up The match between the two against Al Ahli, who collected football giants will play a crucial valuable three points against Al in deciding the League leaders Kharaitiyat in the previous at the end of the round. round. On the opening day of Al Rayyan, the 2015 cham- Round 6, Qatar SC take on Al pions, leapfrogged to top spot Khor while Al Shahania will meet after their victory against Al Al Arabi. Arabi last week. ‘The Lions’ have Al Shahania are eighth with 11 points from five matches, seven points, whereas Al Arabi however, they have played one are fifth on nine points. match more than Al Sadd and Al Duhail, who are placed on QNB STARS LEAGUE second and third position Round 6 fixtures: respectively. Tomorrow Al Sadd have 10 points from 5:55pm: Qatar SC vs Al Khor at four matches and are ahead of Qatar SC Stadium the defending champions on 8:05pm: Al Shahania vs Al Arabi at basis of a better scoring rate. Al Arabi Stadium It will be a huge challenge for September 21: Al Rayyan to achieve the 5:55pm: Al Sailiya vs Al Ahli at Al Ahli Stadium desirable results against the 8:05pm: Al Kharaitiyat vs Umm Salal at -led side who are in out- Al Khor Stadium A file picture from the QNB Stars League (QSL) match between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan in Doha. standing form these days. ‘The September 22: Wolves’ on Monday sealed spot 5:55pm: Al Sadd vs Al Rayyan at in the semi-final of AFC Cham- QSL so far. Meanwhile, Al Duhail was also rescheduled due to their The Red Knights have the defeat at the hands of Umm Salal Al Sadd Stadium

pions League after beating Iran’s will host Al Gharafa in another AFC Champions League quarter- home advantage. However, Al in Week 5. 8:05pm: Al Duhail vs Al Gharafa at Esteghlal in the quarter-final. thriller of the week. Al Duhail’s final second leg against Iran’s Gharafa will look to be back on Umm Salal will be eager to Al Gharafa Stadium They have scored 21 goals in the Week 5 game against Al Sailiya Persepolis, which they lost. the winning path after suffering break into the top four when they Man City have best players in the world, says Arteta REUTERS to challenge for top European quarter-final stage last season. of how consistent we have been honours this season. “It’s a surprise to be made and the way we play against big LONDON: Manchester City “For me we have the best favourites when there is a team teams. Our aim is to win the assistant coach Mikel Arteta players in the world at this club,” out there that has won the com- Champions League and we feel believes the Premier League Arteta told a news conference petition three times in a row,” we are improving.” The champions have the best players yesterday. “I see them every day Arteta added. Spaniard, who was linked to the in the world but that holders in training and I wouldn’t change “Even if they have lost Cris- coach’s job at Arsenal in the Dorados coach Diego Maradona celebrates with his players Real Madrid are favourites to them for any others because tiano Ronaldo, I’d still make Real close season before the London during their match against Cafetaleros at the Estadio Banorte, win the Champions League they are fantastic.” Real, who Madrid the main favourites club appointed Unai Emery as again this season. sold Cristiano Ronaldo to because of their history and Arsene Wenger’s successor, also in Culiacan, Mexico on Monday. Arteta, who will lead City in Juventus before the season experience. But I do think the said he wanted to make the step their Champions League opener started, have won the Cham- Champions League is going to up to manager in the future. against Olympique Lyonnais pions League three years in a be quite open this season. “I’m privileged to be where Maradona makes today because manager Pep row, but City are the book- “Other people think we are I am in football right now,” Guardiola is suspended, also said makers’ favourites this year candidates to compete against Arteta added. “If you’re asking that his team were better placed despite falling at the the best teams in Europe because will I be a coach one day in the Mexico debut future the answer is probably yes, but I feel lucky to be in this job and there’s still a lot of room with 4-1 victory for this club to grow.” Guardiola is serving a touchline ban for AFP coming on to the pitch to remon- strate with the referee during his CULIACÁN, MEXICO: Diego Maradona won big in his Mexican side’s quarter-final defeat by coaching debut Monday, as the Argentine legend’s new club, Liverpool last season, but Arteta Dorados, routed fellow second-division side Cafetaleros 4-1. is determined to do his best to Maradona has raised eyebrows with his decision to coach make sure the manager’s the struggling team from Culiacan, Sinaloa, in the heart of absence is not felt. Mexican drug cartel country. “Obviously (Guardiola) is But he was all smiles as Ecuadoran forward Vinicio Angulo disappointed not to be as -- wearing Maradona’s old number 10 -- scored a hat trick involved, but he had a reaction to give the new coach the win. in the last game and we respect “We played a great match,” he told a packed press con- UEFA’s decision,” Arteta said. ference afterward. “We have a situation that we “Some people said Maradona’s useless. There were a lot wouldn’t choose, but we will do of stupid people going on television to fill up the time. I hope Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (centre) our best to make sure everything they’ll come to the pitch now and look at my record and see talks with Spanish assistant coach Mikel Arteta (right) during else is as normal as possible.” what we’re actually doing, see that I know how to do this,” a training session at City Football Academy in Manchester, City have been drawn in Group he added. north west England, on the eve of the UEFA Champions F, which also includes Ger- Still, it was hardly a monumental win: Dorados were 13th League first round match against Lyon. many’s Hoffenheim and in their league heading into the match, and Cafetaleros 15th. Ukrainian side Shakhtar With their newly earned three points, Maradona’s team Donetsk. doubled their previous total and leapt to 10th place. Maradona vowed it was just the beginning. “This was nothing, this was just one match,” he said, sporting a gold-and-white Dorados cap. “We’re still going to be playing in a lot of finals. Let’s not think we’ve achieved anything with this match. This is just ACL: Antlers advance to last four the start of a beautiful dream.” Maradona, 57, lived the finest hours of his playing career in Mexico, leading Argentina to REUTERS The Japanese side will be advantage over the Chinese through the second half Shoma the 1986 World Cup title. appearing in the last four of the Super League side from the first Doi underlined Kashima’s dom- His coaching career has been less stellar, and he has pub- MACAU: continental club championship leg three weeks ago. By the 13th inance by curling the ball into licly struggled with drug addiction, alcoholism and obesity booked their place in the semi- for the first time. They will face minute they had extended their the top corner to give Go Oiwa’s along the way. He got a hero’s welcome when he arrived in finals of the Asian Champions South Korean opposition, with lead when Serginho headed side an emphatic victory. Culiacan last week. But he failed to fill Dorados’s 20,000- League yesterday, as the eight- Suwon Bluewings and Jeonbuk home unchallenged. Hiroki Abe “We’re delighted that we seat stadium for his debut. Attendance did more than double time J-League winners brushed Motors facing off on Wednesday added a second 14 minutes later have got through to the semi- from the club’s recent matches, however: there were 10,133 aside China’s Tianjin Quanjian evening to complete the semi- as he swept the ball home fol- finals of the Asian Champions fans in attendance, up from just over 4,000 on average at the 3-0, giving them a 5-0 victory final line-up. Antlers went into lowing good work down the League but our ambitions do not previous two home appearances. on aggregate. the game holding a two-goal right by Atsuto Uchida. Midway end there,” said Oiwa.