CCYCLINGYCLING | Page 2 RUGBY | Page 4 Geoghegan All Blacks Hart claims blow away stage 15 in Giro Wallabies to d’Italia silence critics

Monday, October 19, 2020 MOTOGP Rabia I 2, 1442 AH Rins wins Aragon GULF TIMES MotoGP as Mir takes championship lead SPORT Page 6 MOTORSPORTS Al-Attiyah wins Cyprus Rally for seventh time It was the Qatari star’s second straight victory at the MERC event

By Sports Reporter Doha

atari star Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah won the Cy- prus Rally for the sev- enth time in his career andQ for the second consecutive year yesterday. Al-Attiyah, along with his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel, romped to victory in the second race of the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. Al-Attiyah had won the Oman Rally in February. The third and fi nal round of the truncated MERC series is the Rally of Leba- non in November, where al-At- tiyah could extend his regional record with a 16th title. At the Cyprus Rally, al-At- tiyah’s seven wins are a record, three more than that of Sebastian Loeb. Yiangou Panagiotis-Kyriakou fi nished second in a Hyundai i20, while the podium was completed by Christos Demosthenous-Cos- tas Pavlou in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. The duo had clawed their Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and French co-driver Matthieu Baumel way back up from 12th after SS2 celebrate with the winners’ trophies on the podium for the Cyprus to start the fi nal day in fourth po- Rally yesterday. (Facebook/CyprusRally) sition. Two other Cypriot teams fol- a broken right axle in the fourth Polo 2:46:25.1 lowed — Savva Savvas-Andrea stage cost him dearly in the battle 2. Yiangou Panagiotis (CYP)/Kyri- Papandreou in fourth and Sofi - and he retired on the next stage. akou Panagiotis (CYP) Hyundai anos Rousos and Andreas Gian- The 2018 winner Simos Gala- i20 +17:10.4 nakou in fi fth. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and French co-driver Matthieu Baumel in action during the Cyprus Rally yesterday. (Facebook/CyprusRally) tariotis was also very fast yester- 3. Christos Demosthenous (CYP)/ The 2WD category was won day winning a special stage and Costas Pavlou (CYP) Mitsubishi by Chrysostomos Panteli-Tho- to fi nish the fi rst day. Under the not held after the government’s gotten the job done with ease in Tsouloftas, after tying for the fi nishing in the top three in three Lancer +19:03.2 mas Theofanous in a Ford Fiesta rally regulations, six of those who decision to ban the presence of the past. exact same time, a rarity in rally more. 4. Savva Savvas (CYP)/Andrea ahead of Constantinos Televan- left, returned yesterday. The race spectators at all sport events in This year, the Qatari was happy racing. Papandreou (CYP) Mitsubishi tos-Takis Stavrou in a Peugeot covered a total of 510km of which Cyprus. to drive with consistency without The Cypriot, who also raced OVERALL CLASSIFICATION Lancer +20:29.4 208. 178km were the 10 special stages. While it has never been enough “hurting” his vehicle. He won with a Volkswagen Polo, won the (TOP 5) 5. Sofianos Rousos (CYP)/ An- As many as 21 crews started T he last one, which was the to just be the fastest to win the only three stages, while sharing fi rst two stages, before tying with 1. Nasser al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mat- dreas Giannakou (CYP) Mitsubishi the race, 13 of whom managed Eneos Super Special Stage, was Cyprus Rally, al-Attiyah has a stage win with local driver Alex al-Attiyah on the third. However, thieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswagen Lancer +22:03.6

FOOTBALL / PREMIER LEAGUE Spurs rocked on Bale’s return, Mitrovic suff ers penalty misery AFP that found Son, who cut into the commit the unwanted penalty London, United Kingdom West Ham area and curled his double in the same Premier League shot into the far corner. game since Mikel Arteta for Arse- It was Kane’s turn to get on the nal against Fulham in 2012. est Ham ruined Ga- scoresheet in the eighth minute Alexis Mac Allister’s fi rst Pre- reth Bale’s Totten- as he nutmegged Declan Rice and mier League goal gave Brighton a ham return with a fi red into the bottom corner from dramatic 1-1 draw at rivals Crys- stunning late fi ght- the edge of the area. tal Palace. Wback from three goals down to Tottenham’s sizzling start Palace took the lead in the 19th rescue a thrilling 3-3 draw, while featured a third goal in the 16th minute when Tariq Lamptey was Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic minute, with England captain harshly adjudged to have pulled endured a penalty nightmare in a Kane heading in from Sergio down Michy Batshuayi in the 1-1 draw at Sheffi eld United yes- Reguilon’s pin-point cross for his penalty area. terday. 10th goal of the season. Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Tottenham were leading 3-0 Having crushed Manchester Zaha sent Brighton keeper Mat when Bale came on as a 72nd United 6-1 in their last game be- Ryan the wrong way from the spot minute substitute for his fi rst ap- fore the international break, Jose for his fourth goal of the season. pearance since joining on a sea- Mourinho’s side looked odds on But, after a poor clearance son-long loan from Real Madrid. for another emphatic victory. from Palace defender Joel Ward, But Bale suff ered a debut to Back at Tottenham seven years Argentine substitute Mac Allister forget as Tottenham capitulated after leaving for Real in a then fi red home via a slight defl ection in astonishing fashion. world record deal, Bale hopes to from the edge of the area in the The Wales star was one of the prove he is still a world-class talent 90th minute. main Tottenham culprits as he despite a long spell out of favour Brighton had defender Lewis missed a golden opportunity to with Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini (right) celebrates after equalising the EPL match against Tottenham in London yesterday. (AFP) Dunk sent off for a two-footed wrap up the points before West But it was West Ham who were lunge on Gary Cahill in stoppage- Ham’s Manuel Lanzini snatched the dominant force after Bale’s Bale should have scored in stop- “The game was under control. but maybe we deserved that.” solo eff ort, beating two men before time. a stoppage-time equaliser. introduction to replace Steven page-time, but he shot wide after We had Harry Kane to score the fi ring into the roof of the net. Tottenham took the lead with Bergwijn. bursting into the area and Lanzini fourth when he hit the post, then MITROVIC MISERY But Serbia international RESULTS just 45 seconds gone when Son Fabian Balbuena nodded in made him pay with a brilliant 25- Gareth Bale to kill the game. This At Bramall Lane, Fulham’s Mitro- Mitrovic was penalised for a Crystal Palace 1 (Zaha 19-pen) Heung-min and Harry Kane from Aaron Cresswell’s cross yard blast into the top corner. is a game that was in the pocket vic fi red over with his second half high foot on Robinson in the 85th Brighton 1 (Mac Allister 90) combined to create a goal for the after 82 minutes and Davinson West Ham are the fi rst team in and we lost two points,” Mour- penalty after Jack Robinson han- minute following a VAR check Sheff ield United 1 (Sharp 85- seventh time this season. Sanchez’s headed own goal from Premier League history to avoid inho said. dled. and Billy Sharp made him pay as pen) Fulham 1 (Lookman 77) Kane was the catalyst, drop- Vladimir Coufal’s delivery three defeat in a game having trailed by “We should be stronger. They On-loan Leipzig winger Ad- he drove his penalty down the Tottenham 3 (Son 1, Kane 8, ping deep into midfi eld before minutes later left Tottenham three or more goals as late as the were lucky but maybe they de- emola Lookman put Fulham ahead middle. 16) West Ham 3 (Balbuena 82, unfurling a majestic long pass panicking. 81st minute. served that luck. We were unlucky in the 77th minute with a superb Mitrovic is the fi rst player to Sanchez 85-og, Lanzini 90+4) Gulf Times 2 Monday, October 19, 2020 SPORT

TENNIS Zverev dominates Auger-Aliassime to win Cologne title AFP came second seed Roberto Djere captures Sardinia crown Cologne Bautista Agut in the semi-fi nal but failed to repeat his perform- Serbia’s Laslo Djere beat Italy’s Marco Cecchinato ance against Zverev. 7-6(3) 7-5 yesterday to win his second career ATP title S Open runner-up His run of losses stretches at the Sardinia Open, the final claycourt tournament of Alexander Zverev back to his maiden ATP fi nal in the year. Djere capitalised on Cecchinato’s poor second clinched the Cologne February 2019 at the Rio Open. serve to convert four break points in the match while ATP title yesterday “I just played bad from start to the Italian also made a slew of errors in the tiebreak to Ubeating Felix Auger-Aliassime fi nish,” Auger-Aliassime said. hand his opponent the advantage. 6-3, 6-3. Zverev will also be top seed The Serb started the second set on the front foot The German world number for next week’s Cologne Cham- and nearly took a 3-0 lead before the home favourite seven claimed his third ATP Tour pionships tournament where he mounted a comeback. win on home soil as third seed is joined in the draw by French Djere lost some of his rhythm and made a few errors Auger-Aliassime lost his sixth Open semi-fi nalist Diego himself but kept his nerve before eventually breaking successive fi nal. Schwartzman and Auger-Alias- Cecchinato in the final game. “I had a very tough fi nal in sime who will be fi fth seed. Cecchinato was looking to become the first Italian to New York and the next fi nal I “Quite happy that there are win a title on home soil in 14 years but took solace in played here I wanted to come out back-to-back weeks here at this the fact that his run to the final would see him enter and obviously play my best ten- indoor [venue],” Zverev said. the top 100 in the rankings. nis, fi nish the match,” 23-year- “Next week is going to be diffi - “I’m very happy for this,” he said. old Zverev said. cult, but I’m looking forward to “I stayed very focused on my game during the match “Felix, you’re an unbelievable it already.” from the first to the last point. There are so many posi- player. I know it doesn’t mean tive things from the past few weeks.” much right now, but I’m sure Djere, the world number 74, is the third Serbian to you are not only going to win one Germany’s Alexander Zverev win an ATP title this year after world number one and title, you’re going to win multi- celebrates after winning the Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic (four titles) ple, multiple titles in your career, Cologne final against Felix and 21-year-old Miomir Kecmanovic, who captured his bigger titles than this,” he added. Auger-Aliassime yesterday. maiden title in Kitzbuehel. Auger-Aliassime, 20, over- (Reuters)

CYCLING/GIRO D’ITALIA FOCUS Rublev joins Djoko as four-time Hart claims stage 15 champion in 2020

Reuters break point opportunity. Af- St Petersburg ter the opening set went with serve, Rublev clinched it on the tiebreak despite being ussian third seed An- 2-5 down before converting a as Almeida clings drey Rublev won his break point in the second to fourth ATP Tour ti- emerge victorious. tle of the year when Victory also gave Rublev a ‘Crossing the line heR beat Croatia’s Borna Coric big push in his quest to qualify 7-6(5) 6-4 to lift the St Peters- for next month’s season-end- first is something burg Open trophy yesterday. ing ATP Finals for the fi rst time Having also won tourna- and the Russian will move up truly incredible’ ments in Doha, Adelaide and to eighth in the world rankings. on to race lead Hamburg this year, Rublev is Two spots remain to be fi lled now tied with Novak Djokovic as Rublev leads Argentina’s for most titles in 2020 and the Diego Schwartzman, who cur- 22-year-old is also three wins rently occupies the fi nal quali- shy of the world number one’s fi cation position. 37 victories. World number one No- It was deja vu for Coric as he vak Djokovic, French Open fi nished runner-up in St Pe- champion Rafael Nadal, US tersburg to a Russian again af- Open winner Dominic Thiem, ter a straight sets loss to Daniil Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev last year. Medvedev and Alexander Rublev was fl awless on his Zverev have already qualifi ed serve and never gave Coric a for the ATP Finals.

Russia’s Andrey Rublev celebrates with the trophy after winning the St Petersburg Open final against Borna Coric yesterday. (Reuters)

TOUR OF FLANDERS Van der Poel wins as Alaphilippe crashes out

Reuters the peloton with an attack in Brussels the Kopperberg, went head over heels after his right el- bow clipped the back of a race utchman Mathieu motorbike 35km from the line Team Ineos rider Great Britain’s Tao Geoghegan Hart celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the fifteenth stage of the Giro d’Italia 2020 cycling race, a 185km route between van der Poel beat after the trio had broken clear. Base Aerea Rivolto and Piancavallo, yesterday. (Right) Team Deceuninck rider Portugal’s Joao Almeida crosses the finish line. (AFP) his powerful Belgian The 26-year-old Van der Drival Wout Van Aert Poel, riding just in front of the Reuters The 25-year-old jumped to in a photo-fi nish sprint to win Frenchman, narrowly avoided Pincavallo, Italy STANDINGS fourth overall, a distant 2:57 off the Tour of Flanders ‘Monu- the bike on the right side of the the pace. But his apparent su- ment’ classic yesterday, as road. STAGE Fuglsang (DEN/AST) 1:36, 10. Hindley (AUS/SUN) 2:56, 4. Tao periority on Sunday made him a world champion Julian Alap- Alaphilippe eventually sat ao Geoghegan Hart 1. Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBR/ Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/TRE) 1:36 Geoghegan Hart (GBR/INE) 2:57, force to be reckoned with, with hilippe crashed out of the race. up, holding his right arm and claimed a fi fth stage win Ineos) 4hr 58min 52sec (aver- 5. Pello Bilbao (ESP/BAH) 3:10, 6. three more summit fi nishes left Van der Poel, whose father screaming in pain before be- for Ineos-Grenadiers in age: 37.1 km/h), 2. Wilco Kelder- SELECTED Rafal Majka (POL/BOR) 3:18, 7. in the race. Adri won the one-day race in ing attended to by race doctors this year’s Giro d’Italia man (NED/SUN) at 02sec, 3. Jai 15. Brandon McNulty (USA/UAE) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/TRE) 3:29, Ineos Grenadiers had already 1986, launched the two-man before being taken to a hospital whenT he won the 15th stage yes- won stages through Filippo sprint and managed to just where x-rays showed two frac- Hindley (AUS/SUN) 04, 4. Joao 2:43 8. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA/ terday, a 185-km mountain trek, Almeida (POR/DEC) 37, 5. Rafal NTT) 3:50, 9. Patrick Konrad Ganna, who has claimed the hold off Van Aert after 241km. tures in his hand. as Joao Almeida’s overall lead was Majka (POL/BOR) 1:22, 6. Patrick OVERALL (AUT/BOR) 4:09, 10. Fausto race’s two time trials and a Norway’s Alexander Kristoff “A few motorbikes wanted whittled down to just 15 seconds. Konrad (AUT/BOR) 1:29, 7. James 1. Joao Almeida (POR/DEC) 59hr Masnada (ITA/DEC) 4:12, 11. Bran- mountain stage, and Jhonatan took third place. to go behind us, because our Briton Geoghegan Hart was Knox (GBR/DEC) 1:36, 8. Pello 27min 38sec, 2. Wilco Kelder- don McNulty (USA/UAE) 4:29, 12. Narvaez. “They had already called gap was growing, I wanted to the freshest man at the end of the Bilbao (ESP/BAH) 1:36, 9. Jakob man (NED/SUN) at 15sec, 3. Jai Jakob Fuglsang (DEN/AST) 5:07. “Crossing the line first my name twice, but I couldn’t take profi t as much as possible fi nal ascent, a punishing 14.5km is something truly incred- believe it. I’ve asked for con- to go behind the moto, and I eff ort at an average gradient of ible,” said Geoghegan Hart, fi rmation 10 times. I have no think Julian was not concen- 7.8%, to beat Dutchman Wilco home fourth, 37 seconds be- seventh overall, 3:29 behind Al- pulled out during yesterday’s who dedicated his victory to words for this. I am speech- trating or something. It’s a real Kelderman by two seconds. hind the winner. He retained the meida after cracking with 8.8km stage with knee pain. Frenchman Nicolas Portal, the less,” said Van der Poel, grand- pity that he hit the moto,” said Kelderman’s Sunweb team- overall race leader’s Maglia Rosa left on the last ascent. Ineos-Grenadiers lost team team’s former sports director son of the late Frenchman Van Aert, who had been look- mate Jai Hindley of Australia was jersey, with a 15-second lead Nibali has lost two key team leader Geraint Thomas to a crash who died suddenly earlier this Raymond Poulidor, who won ing to become the fi rst rider to third, four seconds off the pace, over Kelderman. mates in two days after Giulio early in the race, but they can year. another of the Monument win the Tour of Flanders and after pacing the leading trio up It was a bad day at the offi ce Ciccone abandoned with bron- now count on Geoghegan Hart “This one was for Nico Por- classic races - Milan-Sanremo Milan-Sanremo in the same the climb. for double champion Vincenzo chitis ahead of Saturday’s time to mount a challenge in the fi nal tal.” - in 1961. year since Eddy Merckx in Portuguese Almeida came Nibali, however, who dropped to trial and Gianluca Brambilla week. Today is a rest day on the Giro. Alaphilippe, who had split 1975. Gulf Times Monday, October 19, 2020 3 SPORT

CRICKET GOLF Otaegui follows in Seve’s footsteps with Punjab beat Mumbai win on Scottish soil

AFP show, bookending his round St Andrews, United Kingdom with birdies to go with eight more gains in 11 holes from the fi fth and a single dropped shot pain’s Adrian Otaegui on the 10th. in IPL’s fi rst-ever powered to the Scottish The win is the 27-year-old’s Championship title with a third on the European Tour but superb fi nal round of 63 at his fi rst at a stroke play event, FairmontS St Andrews yesterday. having won the Paul Lawrie Otaegui started the day four match play in 2017 and the Bel- shots behind Matt Wallace but gian Knockout in the medal he made 10 birdies to reach 23 match play format the following under and take the trophy by season. second super over four shots. He is only the third Spaniard LEADING FINAL ROUND to win a European Tour title on SCORES ‘It was a dream come true to play the IPL and to have exciting games like this is amazing’ Scottish soil after Seve Balles- (GBR and IRL unless stated, par teros and Rafa Cabrera Bello, just 72): down the road from the famed 265-Adrian Otaegui (ESP) 62, 70, Old Course. 70, 63 “I’m in very good company. 269-Matt Wallace 65, 67, 66, 71 Seve is one of the best golfers I’ve 271-Aaron Rai 66, 67, 72, 66 seen and Rafa is a great friend of 272-Garrick Porteous 66, 69, 66, mine. I know he won the Scottish 71; Chris Paisley 66, 71, 67, 68 Open three years ago and I’m in 273-Adrien Saddier (FRA) 67, 67, great company,” Otaegui said. 71, 68 “I feel so happy. To be able to 274-Marcus Armitage 70, 68, 70, win in Scotland, especially here 66; Jonathan Caldwell 70, 66, in St Andrews, the home of golf, 68, 70 it means a lot to me.” 275-Sebastian Soderberg (SWE) Aaron Rai’s 66 saw him fi nish 72, 68, 70, 65; Jamie Donaldson third at 17 under, a shot clear of 70, 70, 69, 66; Matthew Baldwin two more Englishmen in Chris 70, 72, 68, 65; Sean Crocker Paisley and Garrick Porteous. (USA) 70, 66, 67, 72; Oliver Farr It was Otaegui who stole the 73, 67, 70, 65.

IPL clears KKR’s Narine to bowl aft er elbow bend warning

Kings XI Punjab players Mayank Agarwal (left) and Chris Gayle celebrate win over Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League in Dubai yesterday. (Sportzpics for BCCI) Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders bowling during their IPL match against Rajasthan Royals in Dubai. (Sportzpics for BCCI) AFP and in the super over at Lord’s. to get wins out of the last cou- Dubai Punjab have improved to ple of games, it didn’t happen The Indian Premier League the conclusion that the elbow- sixth in the eight-team table against Mumbai (Indians); to- (IPL) yesterday said West Indies bend appears to be within and are level with four teams on day we were competitive.” spinner Sunil Narine can the range of permissible limits. ings XI Punjab beat six points with three wins and It was disappointment for continue to bowl after it found “The committee also noted holders Mumbai In- six losses from nine matches. Warner who came into bat at nothing illegal in his deliveries that Narine should reproduce dians as the Indian Mumbai’s Indian speedster number four instead of his usu- during an assessment that was the same action going forward Premier League wit- Jasprit Bumrah returned fi gures al opening position and went prompted by an on-field cau- in the IPL 2020 matches as Knessed a second super over for of 3-24 and West Indies bats- quicker to 5,000 runs than Roy- tion earlier this month. presented to the committee in the fi rst time after skipper K L man Kieron Pollard smashed an al Challengers Bangalore skip- Narine’s team, the Kolkata the video footage.” Rahul’s heroics yesterday. unbeaten 34 off 12 deliveries. per Virat Kohli who reached the Knight Riders (KKR), asked for The bowling all-rounder remod- Rahul smashed 77 off 51 deliv- mark in 157 IPL innings. the assessment after umpires elled his action after he was eries as Punjab equalled Mumbai’s ‘OUTSTANDING’ FERGUSON The left-hand batsman be- suspected an illegal elbow bend reported twice during the now- score of 176 in the second match Earlier in game one, Ferguson came the fi rst overseas player in an October 10 tie against defunct Champions League of the day after the opening game returned fi gures of 3-15 in the and fourth overall to join the Kings XI Punjab and issued a T20 in 2014. He was reported also ended in a tie. Kolkata Knight Hyderabad innings and then 5,000-run IPL club. Kohli leads warning. in the 2015 IPL and also after Riders edged out Sunrisers Hy- claimed two wickets includ- the batting chart with 5,759 The clearance means the a one-day match against Sri derabad in Abu Dhabi with New ing Hyderabad skipper David runs in 186 matches. 32-year-old can continue Lanka the same year. Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson Warner in the super over. bowling in this year’s tourna- He was reported again dur- making an impact in his fi rst IPL Warner became the fastest to BRIEF SCORES ment, which is being held in ing the 2018 Pakistan Super outing this season. Lockie Ferguson of Kolkata Knight Riders celebrates the wicket 5,000 IPL runs in 135 innings as Mumbai Indians 176 for 6 (de the United Arab Emirates due League. Punjab and Mumbai re- of David Warner (right), captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, during he hit an unbeaten 47 but Hy- Kock 53, Pollard 34*, Krunal to concerns over the Covid-19 Each time, Narine was subse- mained level after the fi rst super the super over of their Indian Premier League match in Abu Dhabi derabad could only equal Kolk- 34, Shami 2-30) tied with Kings pandemic in India. quently cleared to bowl. over with paceman Mohamed yesterday. (Sportzpics for BCCI) ata’s score of 163 and the match XI Punjab 176 for 6 (Rahul 77, “KKR requested for an off icial KKR said they were “surprised” Shami keeping down Rohit ended in a tie. Bumrah 3-24) assessment of Narine’s action by the latest warning and would Sharma-led Mumbai to fi ve kind of a match will go down in Council changed the super over Ferguson then bowled a su- Kings XI won the second of two from the IPL suspect bowling work with the IPL to get Narine runs. Chris Gayle and Mayank history,” Agarwal, who hit the rules in limited-overs matches perb super over to send Warner Super Overs. action committee, submitting cleared. Agarwal then combined to get winning runs, said after the after England beat New Zealand back on the fi rst ball and took Kolkata Knight Riders 163 for 5 action footage in slow motion They dropped the Caribbean their team’s 12-tun target af- tense win. “Having an opportuni- on boundary count in the fi nal another wicket to keep down (Gill 36, Morgan 34, Karthik 29*, with back and side angles,” the off -spinner for the next two ter Mumbai managed 11 for one ty to learn from the game’s greats is of last year’s 50-over World Hyderabad to two, a score Eoin Natarajan 2-40) tied with Sunris- league said in a statement. matches. KKR, led by England’s in the second super over of the quite incredible. K L is a wonderful Cup. England was awarded Morgan’s Kolkata surpassed in ers Hyderabad 163 for 6 (Warner “The committee carefully limited-overs captain Eoin Mor- match and the third of the day. player and the kind of performance the cup as they scored more four balls. “For Lockie to come 47*, Bairstow 36, Ferguson 3-15) reviewed all the deliveries of ac- gan, are twice IPL champions “It was a dream come true to he’s put forth as a captain so con- boundaries during their innings in and perform in both phases Super Over Kolkata Knight tion footage sent of Narine with and currently sit fourth in the play the IPL and to have exciting sistently is incredible.” despite New Zealand matching was outstanding,” Morgan said. Riders 3 for 0 beat Sunrisers the naked eye and has come to eight-team IPL. games like this is amazing. This The International cricket their score at the end of 50 overs “We’ve been sort of striving Hyderabad 2 for 2.

FOCUS Captain Kohli lauds ‘most impactful’ De Villiers Reuters help his side chase down a 178- 20 balls but de Villiers smashed Mumbai run target for a seven-wicket Jaydev Unadkat for three con- win against Steve Smith-led Ra- secutive sixes at the start of the jasthan. 19th over to bring the equation in irat Kohli labelled AB “AB always bats by situa- their grasp. de Villiers as the “most tion,” Royal Challengers Ban- “I’m very, very nervous and impactful player” in galore captain Kohli said during erratic (in chases) and all sorts of the Indian Premier the presentation. “AB is always funny stuff (in my head). I try to VLeague (IPL) after the South Af- someone who’s ready to look at hide it,” de Villiers, 36, said with rican batsman’s belligerent half- the team situation and adapt his a laugh. “I get very stressed like century helped Bangalore pull game accordingly. We’ve seen any player does before playing. off an unlikely victory against him do this time and again. “I’m proud of my perform- Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. “In my eyes he’s the most ances, I want to perform for the Kohli had dubbed him ‘super- impactful match-winner in the team and have any impact in us man’ after de Villiers smashed IPL. To be able to chase 50-plus winning games. I want to show 73 not out from 33 balls to set up in four overs and to fi nish off the the owners I’m here for a good the side’s 82-run romp against way he did... it’s purely because reason. Kolkata Knight Riders in an ear- of the presence of that man in “I try and impose myself out lier match. the middle we feel like we are there and show that I’m present, On Saturday the right-handed never out of the game.” show them I’m going to stick to batsman, who retired from in- Few would have put their my game plans and if you don’t ternational cricket in 2018, hit money on a Bangalore victory get me out then I’m going to be Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli (centre) and Ab de Villiers (left) celebrate their win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier an unbeaten 55 off just 22 balls to when they needed 53 off the last a threat.” League in Dubai. (Sportzpics for BCCI) Gulf Times 4 Monday, October 19, 2020 RUGBY

BLEDISLOE CUP SPOTLIGHT All Blacks coach warns Wallabies All Blacks blow will ‘fi ght’ for Bledisloe Cup

AFP away Wallabies to Auckland he All Blacks set a “marker” with their convincing win over the Wallabies but they must Tkeep improving if they want to retain the Bledisloe Cup, new silence critics coach Ian Foster said yesterday. The four-tries-to-one, 27-7 win in Auckland was much need- The result dents Aussie optimism about their new era under coach Dave Rennie ed by New Zealand after they be- gan the four-match series with a disappointing draw last week in Wellington, Foster’s fi rst game in charge. But apart from the devastation wreaked by sensational rookie that,” he warned. “We turned Caleb Clarke, it was not the per- the ball over a lot and we missed formance Foster was looking for. too many tackles. The individual The All Blacks were 10-7 up at tackles were poor and we got put the break before they turned on under the heat from it. the style in the second period “Right across the board we with three unanswered tries. weren’t as sharp as last week and “That’s the level we need to gave them a lot of space and op- start at,” Foster said. portunity.” “We’ve set a marker down of Much of the damage infl ict- where we need to be as a team in ed by the All Blacks came from terms of the mental side of the 21-year-old Clarke, starting a game and the approach to the Test for the fi rst time after mak- physicality and speed of it. ing his debut in 10-minute cam- “Was it a perfect performance, eo off the bench last week. no it wasn’t... We’ve just got to His rampaging runs drew im- climb because it’s a tough series. mediate comparisons with the This is a better Wallabies team great Jonah Lomu, rugby’s fi rst than I’ve seen for a while and global superstar who retired in they want to stay in the fi ght.” 2002 and died in 2015. The All Blacks performance Although Clarke did not score was a considerable improvement himself, he set up a sensational from their display in the 16-16 try by Ardie Savea and was often drawn fi rst Test, while for the instrumental in leading the All Wallabies it was a signifi cant step Blacks out of their danger zone backwards. and on to attack. Wallabies coach Dave Ren- Clarke left the fi eld to a stand- nie had a direct message for his ing ovation and Foster said he squad about their high error rate, had delivered the level of per- particularly missing 40 tackles. formance he wanted from entire “Selection can sometimes fi x squad.

FOCUS New Zealand’s Ardie Savea wins a lineout during the second match of the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland yesterday.

AFP who had the crowd on the edge 1994 and where Australia have most of the fi rst quarter until a ating a huge overlap which saw Exeter boss Baxter Auckland of their seats every time he not won since 1986. carving run by fullback Beauden Marike Koroibete fi nish off the touched the ball, led the way They now need to win only Barrett put the All Blacks deep move unopposed. on his debut as the All Blacks one of the two remaining games in Australian territory, where But when play resumed in the ‘all over the place’ n aggressive All Blacks played with a renewed physical in the Bledisloe series, which fl y-half Richie Mo’unga opened second half it was a three-try team downed Australia presence and cohesion. will be played in Australia as the scoring with a handy pen- All Blacks blitz in the opening 13 27-7 with a rollicking It was the seventh time in part of the upcoming Tri-Na- alty. minutes as Jordie Barrett, Ardie aft er success in second half in Auck- the past 13 years that the three- tions tournament, to retain the Barrrett, Sam Cane and Aaron Savea and Sam Cane crossed the landA yesterday to answer their times world champions have trophy they have held since Smith were frequently able to line in quick succession. critics after an incoherent per- started the annual Bledisloe 2003. After being bullied at highlight frailties in the Walla- Savea’s try was off a block- Champions Cup formance in last week’s drawn Cup series with a mediocre the breakdown in the fi rst Test, bies defensive wall and within busting run by Clarke, in his fi rst Bledisloe Cup Test. performance and immediately there was added steel to the All fi ve minutes of Mo’unga’s pen- fi rst Test start, who brushed off After the dramatic series bounced back. Blacks pack with the inclusion alty they had the All Blacks back would-be tacklers in a 30-metre opener, which ended 16-16, the The four-tries-to-one victo- of Dane Coles and the tension on attack where Smith darted run. All Blacks led 10-7 at half-time ry also dented Australian opti- was evident from the start when around a ruck to score from The Wallabies had chances to and scored three quick tries af- mism about their new era under almost all 30 players joined in a close range. add to their total but Koroibete ter the restart as they piled on 17 coach Dave Rennie, and extend- shoving match between Coles Dan Hanigan, wearing gold was denied one try when he was unanswered points in the sec- ed the All Blacks’ impressive and Taniela Tupou. for the fi rst time in two years, held up over the line and another ond period. record at Eden Park, where they When the dust settled, it was set up the Wallabies’ try with a when he was brought down just Bruising wing Caleb Clarke, have not lost in 44 Tests since constant Wallabies attack for strong run up to the line, cre- short of the line.

BOTTOMLINE Next Lomu? Clarke compared AFP defence of the season. The occa- Bristol sion itself was a little bit diff erent to some of the other things we have experienced. with All Blacks legend ob Baxter said his emo- “But when we had to, we saw AFP missed tackles, many of them on tions were “all over the it through. We won the game by Auckland Clarke. place” as he praised his four points on the scoreboard, The comparisons between side’s determination and that is pretty much what Clarke and Lomu, the former All Rfollowing their dramatic Europe- people will ever remember in he All Blacks may have Blacks wing who is regarded as an Champions Cup fi nal win over three or four years’ time. unearthed the next Jon- rugby’s fi rst global superstar, are Racing 92 on Saturday. “We’ve had our fi rst go at a Eu- ah Lomu after 21-year- obvious with both big, fast and A decade on from gaining pro- ropean semi-fi nal and a fi nal, and old Caleb Clarke proved direct runners and playing in the motion to the English Premier- we’ve won them both. It is great Tto be a one-man demolition number 11 shirt. ship with victory at Ashton Gate, for this group of players.” squad in the All Blacks’ 27-7 The modest Clarke is hum- Exeter were back at the Bristol The Parisians fell at the fi nal whipping of Australia in Auck- bled to be compared to his hero, ground to beat Racing 31-27 as hurdle for a third time since 2016 land yesterday. who died in 2015 after battling a they were crowned kings of Eu- as half-back Teddy Iribaren and Clarke, the son of former All long-term kidney disorder. rope for the fi rst time. Finn Russell made costly mis- Blacks Eroni Clarke, takes an “He was a big part of my Both Exeter and Paris-based takes including the Scotland fl y- uncomplicated approach to us- childhood and I know he was a Racing scored four tries apiece half throwing an interception ing his 1.84 metre, 107 kilo (6ft big part of my Dad’s life. When in a match eventually settled by pass.Racing director of rugby 1in, 236 pounds) frame. he passed away it aff ected my Chiefs captain Joe Simmonds’ Laurent Travers refused to point “When you get the ball, just Dad. He wasn’t the same for a last-minute penalty. the fi nger at one individual after run. You don’t have to think few weeks. I feel like I have a big There was yet more drama as the defeat. “There was a winner, about anything,” he said after responsibility to do the jersey offi cials checked to see if there it’s not the one we wanted, we his fi rst Test start, after making justice,” he told Stuff on the eve was time for the game to re- would have liked it was us but it’s his debut off the bench last week of the Test. start before referee Nigel Owens out of the question to say ‘it’s his in the drawn fi rst Bledisloe Cup His father, a 10-Test All blew the fi nal whistle on a match or his fault’,” Travers said. Test. Blacks, played alongside Lomu played behind closed doors be- “When the team win it’s down As the All Blacks lifted their in 1998. cause of the coronavirus out- to the team, when the team lose, aggression and accuracy in Such was Clarke’s perform- break. No wonder director of it’s down the team. It’s what Auckland, much of it was off ance that he received a stand- rugby Baxter, a central fi gure in makes us strong,” he added. Clarke’s bruising runs. ing ovation from sections of the Exeter’s rise, having made more Exeter will become just the The build-up to Ardie Savea’s crowed when he was replaced than 300 appearances for the fourth English club to complete try was a standout as Clarke late in the game. club, told reporters: “My emo- a domestic and European dou- bulldozed his way through most “I got caught up in the moment. tions are all over the place, really. ble-winning season if they beat of the Wallabies side before off - I wanted to jog and clap everyone “It was a funny game, wasn’t Wasps in next Saturday’s Pre- loading in sight of the line. else but then I started cramping it?” “It kind of wasn’t an Ex- miership fi nal at Twickenham but Clarke also bounced off four and I had to walk,” he said. eter Chiefs type of game, yet we Baxter said: “I won’t worry about tacklers as the All Blacks worked It was also an emotional time ended up winning it. We didn’t the elusive double right now. their way towards Aaron Smith’s for Clarke having his family really piece the game together at “The important thing is the opening try in the fi rst half. there to watch, particularly his all, really. lads get in the changing rooms Wallabies coach Dave Rennie New Zealand’s Caleb Clarke (C) makes a break during the second Bledisloe Cup rugby union match grandmother who was widowed “In some ways it was some of and have a couple of lagers to- was left counting the cost of 40 between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland yesterday. earlier this year. our poorest attack and poorest gether. Gulf Times Monday, October 19, 2020 5 SPORT

BASEBALL BOXING Lopez stuns Lomachenko in lightweight unifi cation title fi ght Arozarena Lomachenko, defending for the fourth time the title he took from Venezuelan Jorge Linares in 2018, bristled at the deci- sion and immediately left the ring after the scores were an- nounced. “I think I won the fi ght,” said named MVP Lomachenko. “But I am not go- ing to argue it now. “In the fi rst half of the fi ght he won more rounds. In the second half I took it over. I don’t agree with the scorecards. “ Lomachenko is an unusually slow starter and that was the as Rays reach case once again on Saturday. He didn’t start landing meaningful combinations until the seventh or eighth round which left him with a huge hole to climb out of. AFP outs, became the lightweight Lomachenko dropped to Los Angeles king in a fi ght that appeared 14-2 with 10 knockouts. He to be closer than the lopsided was coming off a unanimous World Series judges’ scorecards indicated at decision victory over English nbeaten Teofi mo the MGM Grand Hotel and Ca- southpaw Luke Campbell last ‘Every night we have a diff erent hero. Except for Randy Arozarena’ Lopez upset Vasiliy sino. August in London. Lomachenko by a In the biggest fi ght of his ca- Lopez, a Brooklyn native, was unanimous decision reer, Lopez, of the US, domi- making the fi rst defence of his Uon Saturday to become the nated the fi rst half before Lo- IBF title he captured by stop- undisputed world lightweight machenko came storming back ping Ghana’s Richard Commey champion in Las Vegas. in the later rounds to set the in the second round last De- Lopez defended his stage for a thrilling fi nal round. cember at Madison Square Gar- 135-pound IBF lightweight title At 23, Lopez is the youngest den. He has not lost since his and seized the WBC, WBO and fi ghter to become a four belt last amateur bout at the 2016 WBA belts from Ukraine’s Lo- undisputed champion. He did it Rio Olympics. machenko who suff ered his first in an empty MGM arena where Lopez represented Honduras loss in six years. spectators were banned because in the Rio Games when he failed “I am ready to take over the of the coronavirus pandemic. to make the America team. world,” said Lopez, who won by Lopez received a nasty cut Lomachenko, an Olympic scores of 119-109, 117-111 and over the right eye from an ac- champion in 2008 and 2012, 116-112. cidental head butt in the fi nal was a 3-1 favourite heading into Lopez, 16-0 with 12 knock- round but was able to continue. the fi ght.

GOLF American Henley seizes three-stroke lead at CJ Cup

AFP Las Vegas

ussell Henley opened the back nine with three straight birdies on his way to fi ring a fiR ve-under par 67 for a three- stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek. The 31-year-old American, chasing his fourth US PGA title but his fi rst in 3 1/2 years, stood on 15-under 201 after 54 holes over the Las Vegas layout. Compatriots Xander Schauf- fele, Talor Gooch, Lanto Griffi n Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) hits a two-run home run against the Houston Astros at Petco Park in San Diego on Saturday. and Jason Kokrak shared second PICTURE: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports on 204 with Australian Jason Day, England’s Tyrrell Hatton Russell Henley hits a shot out of the bunker on the seventh hole AFP “Our team is feeling very com- and American Justin Thomas during the third round of the CJ Cup golf tournament at Shadow Los Angeles fortable,” said Dodgers starting sharing sixth on 206. Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas. PICTURE: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY pitcher Walker Buehler. “I expect “I had a nice putting day, Sports the same feeling tomorrow.” made some really nice putts. he Tampa Bay Rays Corey Seager and Justin Turn- Kept the ball in front of me and then rolled in his back-nine the start and the end I struggled punched their ticket to er hit consecutive home runs for stayed patient,” Henley said. birdie treble to seize the lead. a little bit off the tee. But the their second World Se- the Dodgers, who trailed 2-0 and “It’s a tough course but if you Henley dropped a 22-foot irons feel good and the putter Tries in franchise history 3-1 in the series but will now play hit some good shots you can putt at the par-4 10th, tapped feels great. It was a fun day.” with a 4-2 win over the Houston a game seven to keep their bid to have some chances.” in from two feet at 11 and sank a Eighth-ranked Schauff ele, Astros in a decisive game seven win their fi rst World Series title World number 121 Henley four-footer at the 12th to reach who shared second at last year’s of the American League Cham- since 1988 alive. plans to keep it simple in his 15-under before parring his way Masters and last month’s Tour pionship Series on Saturday. Seager slammed his fi fth home bid to add to a trophy haul that into the clubhouse. Championship, seeks a fi fth US Rookie Randy Arozarena run of the series and Turner includes the 2013 Sony Open in “You keep making putts, it PGA title and his fi rst since last clubbed a two-run homer in the launched a 418-foot shot to cen- Hawaii, the 2014 Honda Classic makes up for a lot of fl aws in year’s Tournament of Champi- fi rst inning and Charlie Mor- trefi eld as the Dodgers long-ball and 2017 Houston Open. your game,” Henley said. ons in Hawaii. ton worked 5 2/3 solid innings hitters once again took a jack- “Just trying to play my Griffi n, who defends his only Schauff ele, 26, began the day for the Rays, who won the series hammer to the Braves’ starting game,” Henley said. “Gives me PGA title in two weeks at the with a three-stroke lead, but 4-3 and await the winners of the pitcher with three runs in the confi dence to know it’s working Houston Open, ran off four struggled to a 74 with two bird- Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta opening inning. so well. Hopefully I can keep it birdies in seven holes on the ies against four bogeys, includ- Braves clash which also headed to The Dodgers scored 11 runs in going. back nine but closed with his ing at 14 and 17 to fall off the a game seven. the fi rst inning of game three en “I’ve got to play a solid round only bogey to shoot 66. He also pace. Arozarena belted a two-run route to a crushing 15-3 victory. of golf, keep my head down and sank an eagle putt from just in- “It was just a lot of bad homer in the fi rst inning and now “You have to give credit where keep grinding.” side seven feet at the par-5 sev- breaks,” he said. “Not to be like has seven homers in the postsea- credit is due,” Braves manager Henley sank an eight-foot enth. a sour person, but just one of son, matching his total from the Brian Snitker said. “They have birdie putt at the par-5 fourth, “The putter saved me,” Grif- those days. Today was my bad regular season. He was named really good pitchers over there. blasted out of a greenside bun- fi n said. “I hit it all right there day for the week, got it out of the MVP of the ALCS as the Rays They bring guys out of the ker at the par-5 seventh to 10 in the middle of the round, hit the way before Sunday, which celebrated their victory on the bullpen with 100mph sinkers. feet and made a birdie putt, some good shots, but kind of is nice.” fi eld at Petco Park in San Diego. That’s hard to get ahold of. They “He is the best player on the have experienced guys. planet. It’s incredible,” said Rays “Sometimes you get on rolls outfi elder Kevin Kiermaier of and you get in those situations IACA and ICSS join forces to tackle corruption in sport Arozarena. and guys are getting big hits, and Mike Zunino also slugged an sometimes they aren’t.” Recognising the crucial role against integrity violations in together.” early home run as the Rays sal- Buehler worked six superb of advanced education to sport by fostering collective Mohamed Hanzab, Chairman, vaged their season and recov- shutout innings, allowing seven foster both international eff orts with the involvement ICSS said: “This partnership ered from the shock of being in a hits and striking out six batters. co-operation and actions at of diff erent sectors, including with IACA is a significant winner-take-all showdown after He allowed no walks. national and global levels, the law enforcement authorities, milestone in our quest for cruising to victories in the fi rst Buehler didn’t mind being International Anti-Corruption regulators, sport organisa- safeguarding sport. Over the three games then losing three pulled from the game after the Academy (IACA) and the tions as well as the business years the ICSS has developed straight. sixth inning. International Centre for Sport sector, civil society, and the an extensive range of tools “Every night we have a dif- “This is a testament to who our Security (ICSS) signed an future generations of game- and resources such as the ferent hero. Except for Randy team is. I was alright with it. You agreement to fight corruption changers. handbooks produced in co- Arozarena. He’s the hero every Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrate the win over the Atlanta want to keep getting outs, but at in sport through knowledge IACA Dean Thomas Stelzer operation with the Sorbonne night,” said Rays Austin Mead- Braves in game six of the 2020 NLCS at Globe Life Field in Arlington, the end of the day we had (to pro- sharing and education-based said: “This partnership will en- University and the United ows. Texas. PICTURE: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports tect) the lead,” he said. solutions. hance the ability of both our Nations Off ice on Drugs and The Rays’ win prevented the Kenley Jansen needed just six Sharing a common goal of organization to combat cor- Crime (UNODC). Astros from becoming just the hits, three runs and two home cial, the way we fought back from pitches in the ninth inning to get promoting good governance ruption in sports around the “With this partnership, we second team in Major League runs in just 3 2/3 innings of work. adversity,” said Astros shortstop three outs and record the save for and combating the diff erent world. Through education, aim at reaching the front Baseball history to storm back Following a tumultuous off - Carlos Correa on Saturday. In the the Dodgers, who are in the play- forms of corruption threaten- training, and the sharing of liners of sport integrity and from a 3-0 defi cit. season and a regular season in NLCS, the Dodgers used another off s for the eighth straight year. ing sport, the ICSS and IACA knowledge we can empower those who fight corruption in Tampa Bay reached the World which they underperformed, the fi rst-inning scoring burst to stay Los Angeles will send rookie will focus on a multi-pronged professionals in the sports sport and make our resources Series in 2008 before losing to Astros regrouped in the postsea- alive in the playoff s, beating the right-hander Tony Gonsolin to approach including the field to tackle corruption more accessible to support the Philadelphia Phillies. son. Braves 3-1 to force a decisive the mound in the deciding game. development of innovative wherever they see it. their missions. Together we Rays starter Morton allowed Their 2017 World Series cham- game. The Braves are seeking to go solutions and advanced train- “For sport to flourish corrup- look forward to creating a just two hits, struck out six bat- pionship lost much of its lustre The Dodgers are one win from to their fi rst World Series since ing methodologies. tion must be tackled head-on. capacity-building platform ters and walked one against the after a MLB probe found Houston advancing to their third World 1999. In game seven, they will The two organisations will ex- This endeavor is now firmly that is readily available for Astros. illegally stole opponents’ signs Series appearance in four years turn to rookie right-hander Ian plore possibilities for joint ini- on the agenda for the ICSS everyone who strives towards Houston ace Lance McCullers that year. after pulling level at 3-3 in the Anderson, who has yet to give up tiatives that promote actions and IACA as we go forward a corruption-free sport.” struck out seven but allowed four “This group of guys is so spe- best-of-seven series. a run in three playoff starts. Gulf Times 6 Monday, October 19, 2020 SPORT

MOTORCYCLING HORSE RACING Noman is new Rins wins Aragon two-year-old winner for Al Shaqab Racing

Agencies Noman was drawn to the outside Wolverhampton, United Kingdom and was sent wide in the fi rst furlong before coming to join the racing pack in the fi rst turn. MotoGP as Mir takes l Shaqab Racing cel- Settled in mid-division, he trav- ebrated a new two- elled strongly with cover until year-old winning in the straight. Pulled into the cen- Great Britain when tre of the track, he took the lead NomanA won the Visit attheraces. with a furlong left to run. Finish- com Novice Stakes over 1,700m ing strongly, he won by one and on the all-weather at Wolver- three quarter lengths in front of championship lead hampton on Saturday evening. Mickydee with the third, Folk It was just the second start for Magic, another one and a quarter the bay colt, who is trained by lengths further back. This is the third victory for the Suzuki rider Rins who won twice last year Hugo Palmer in Newmarket. He Noman, a son of Al Shaqab fi nished third on his competi- fi rst-season sire Shalaa, was bred tion debut in a smart Newmarket by Eimear Mulhern and was sold maiden in September. at the Tattersalls Book 1 Yearling Ridden by Callum Shepard, Sale.

Callum Shepard rides Noman to victory in the Visit attheraces.com Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton on Saturday. (Debbie Burt)

Suzuki Ecstar’s Spanish rider Alex Rins celebrates on the podium after winning the MotoGP race of the Grand Prix of Aragon in Alcaniz, Spain, yesterday. (AFP) CHANGE AFP He has 121 points in the positive and was placed in isola- Raul Fernandez was third at the 8. Cal Crutchlow (Honda-LCR) Alcaniz, Spain championship ahead of Quar- tion along with one of his col- head of a knot of riders. +8.913 tararo (115), Spaniard Maverick leagues. Fernandez, who started from 9. Jack Miller (Ducati-Pramac) Vinales (109) and Italian Andrea In Moto3, young Italian Tony pole position, gained his fi rst +9.390 Yamaha will not lex Rins held off com- Dovizioso (106). Arbolino must quarantine af- Moto3 podium fi nish. 10. Johann Zarco (Ducati-Avintia) patriot Alex Marquez to “I’m trying to be as consistent ter coming into contact with a “I wasn’t expecting to win +9.617 win the Aragon MotoGP as I can,” Mir said. “I’m happy to fellow passenger to Spain who but we have worked hard this Standings (top 3) enter replacement yesterday with another be on the podium.” tested positive for the virus. weekend. In the last part of the 1. Joan Mir (ESP) 121 points SpaniardA Joan Mir fi nishing third Frenchman Quartararo, Spaniard Jorge Martin, who race my rear tyre was very worn”, 2. Fabio Quartararo (FRA) 115 to take the championship lead who started from pole, strug- rides in Moto2, missed two races said Masia, who took his second 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP) 109 for Rossi in Teruel from Fabio Quartararo. gled and finished down in 18th in September after a positive test. victory in the Moto3 class and is Suzuki’s Rins became the place. Elsewhere yesterday, Britain’s now sixth in the world champi- Moto2 results (top 3) eighth winner in this season’s One of the riders attempting Sam Lowes won the Moto2 race, onship classifi cation. 1. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 39:33.202 Grand Prix ten races as the vacuum cre- to fi ll the void left by Marquez is a week after also triumphing in The 19-year-old Masia be- 2. Enea Bastianini (Kalex) +4.195 ated by the early season injury to his younger brother and Honda the rain of Le Mans. came the 100th diff erent Mo- 3. Jorge Martín (Kalex) +4.340 Reuters cided not to enter a replacement reigning champion Marc Mar- teammate Alex Marquez who, Italy’s Enea Bastianini, who toGP winner for Honda across Standings (top 3) Alcaniz, Spain rider to substitute for Rossi for quez has created a volatile and after a slow start to his rookie was second, took the world all classes. The fi rst was in 1961. 1. Enea Bastianini (ITA) 155 pts the Gran Premio de Teruel,” unpredictable title race. season, has fi nished second in championship lead. 2. Sam Lowes (GBR) 153 Yamaha said in a statement, rul- This is the third victory for two straight races. Previous leader Luca Marini MOTOGP RESULTS (TOP 10) 3. Luca Marini (ITA) 150 alentino Rossi has ing out a return for test rider the 24-year-old Rins who won “It’s a pleasure to be on podi- of Italy fell and is now in third 1. Alex Rins (Suzuki) 41:54.391 been ruled out of next Jorge Lorenzo. twice last year but was injured at um with a second second place,” place overall. 2. Alex Marquez (Honda) +0.263 Moto3 results (top 3) weekend’s MotoGP “This decision was based on the beginning of this season. said Marquez. “Next week we Jaume Masia won the Moto3 3. Joan Mir (Suzuki) +2.644 1. Jaume Masia (Honda) Teruel Grand Prix and the high stress that is put on He sliced through the fi eld af- will try harder.” event from 17th on the grid but VYamaha will not enter a replace- Yamaha’s MotoGP project mem- 4. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) 37:45.009 ter starting 10th on the grid. Six-time champion Marc Albert Arenas extended his +2.880 2. Darryn Binder (KTM) ment rider for the nine-times bers during this Covid-19 infl u- “I had a very good start,” he Marquez was overjoyed. championship lead despite fi n- 5. Takaaki Nakagami (Honda- +0.091 world champion who is self- enced season.” said. “I am the brother of Alex Mar- ishing seventh. LCR) +4.570 3. Raul Fernandez (KTM) +0.196 isolating after testing positive Rossi will have to test negative The other Suzuki factory rider quez,” he tweeted in Spanish. Masia on a Honda was chased 6. Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha- Standings (top 3) for Covid-19, the team said yes- for the novel coronavirus before Mir takes over the champion- Michelin, which supplies Mo- across the line by KTM’s South SRT) +4.756 1. Albert Arenas (SPA) 144pts terday. getting back to action and the ship lead even though he has not toGP, also announced yesterday African Darryn Binder with an- 7. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) 2. Ai Ogura (JPN) 131 Rossi travelled back to his earliest he can make his MotoGP won a MotoGP race. that one of its technicians tested other KTM, ridden by Spaniard +8.639 3. Celestino Vietti (ITA) 126 home in Tavullia, Italy, after last return will be at the European weekend’s French Grand Prix Grand Prix in Valencia from No- and confi rmed on Thursday that vember 6-8. BADMINTON he had contracted Covid-19, rul- Yamaha said they would fo- ing him out of yesterday’s Aragon cus their eff orts on supporting Grand Prix. Maverick Vinales in the Teruel Yamaha said Rossi had to self- race and provide a further update Okuhara ends two-year title drought in Denmark isolate for 10 days from the date on Rossi’s condition in the week he tested positive as per guide- after. AFP mark Open because Marin was lines in Italy, meaning he also Rossi, 13th in the champion- Odense, Denmark attending too, so I am happy I would not be ready for the Octo- ship standings with 58 points, has have reached the fi nal and will ber 25 race in Teruel, Spain. failed to fi nish in each of the last be able to play against her,” said “Yamaha has carefully three races, crashing out on the apan’s former world Okuhara. weighed their options and de- fi rst lap of the French Grand Prix. champion Nozomi Oku- She is one of the few Japa- hara won her fi rst title nese players who made the trip since November 2018 to Europe after offi cials pulled yesterdayJ with victory in the a number of top prospects in- Denmark Open fi nal. cluding world champion Kento The 25-year-old defeated Momota. 2016 Olympic gold medallist In the men’s fi nal, Anders An- and three-time world champion tonsen and Rasmus Gemke were Carolina Marin 21-19, 21-17. scheduled to meet in an all- “Compared to other oppo- Danish aff air. nents, Marin is faster and has Antonsen went into his semi- a harder attack. I was focused fi nal against Taiwan’s Chou Tien on defence and footwork, and Chen having won only one of my feet moved very well today. eight previous clashes but came Overall the match went well,” through 21-17, 21-15 on Saturday. said Okuhara, whose last title Gemke had never won a match came at Hong Kong in 2018. in three against Kenta Nishimo- Marin admitted she had made to but saw off the fourth-seeded too many errors. Japanese player, 21-14, 21-17. “I think the main reason was “He had a new plan for me. He the mistakes I made. I made all played with a diff erent tempo, the winners but also all the er- diff erent skill, so it was tough to rors. The game was on me,” said play,” said Chou. “It was tough the 27-year-old Spanish star. Nozomi Okuhara of Japan reacts after winning the women’s final match against Carolina Marin of Spain from the back court. He wasn’t On Saturday, Okuhara had at the Denmark Open in Odense, Denmark, yesterday. (AFP) very fast, but his tempo was good, defeated Michelle Li of Canada, and it was tough to follow. But it 21-10, 21-7 while three-time gold medallist Marin of Spain over Germany’s Yvonne Li for day’s fi nal. was a good tournament, and I will world champion and Olympic enjoyed a 21-17 21-11 victory their respective spots in yester- “I decided to attend the Den- go back to training harder.” Gulf Times Monday, October 19, 2020 7 SPORT

LA LIGA SERIE A Coach Pirlo laments Barcelona sink to ‘carelessness’ as Juve drop points

Reuters Crotone, Italy defeat at Getafe uventus coach Andrea Pirlo was left to fret over two more dropped points Mata’s penalty inflicted a first defeat of the season on Barca after four matches and the “carelessness” of hisJ team on Saturday after they Reuters were held 1-1 at promoted Cro- Madrid tone, who had lost all their pre- vious Serie A games this season. Just as they did in the 2-2 draw arcelona coach Ronald Koeman at AS Roma three weeks ago, Juve claimed that Getafe player Al- had a player sent off midway lan Nyom had insulted him dur- through the second half — this ing the 1-0 defeat by the Madrid time Federico Chiesa — leav- sideB on Saturday night after speaking to ing them with an uphill battle. opposite number Jose Bordalas about the “Unfortunately, in the last two winger’s behaviour. matches we have been reduced to The Dutch coach was seen arguing with ten men due to our carelessness Bordalas at the end of the match and ex- so we had to battle through. But plained in the post-match news confer- we are a young team that needs ence that Cameroon international Nyom more work,” said Pirlo. had mocked him. “I told him (Bordalas) Pirlo was handed his fi rst that his number 12 (Nyom) had shown me coaching role in August after a lack of respect, he had said two or three Juve sacked Maurizio Sarri and Filip Djuricic began the fi ght very ugly things to me which I won’t re- said he had still had little time back four minutes later, ex- peat. He insulted me,” Koeman said. “I to work with his team which in- changing passes with Francesco told Bordalas that he needs to speak to his cludes several young new sign- Caputo before scoring from a player, because we cannot tolerate that ings such as Chiesa, Dejan Kulu- narrow angle. type of behaviour in modern football.” sevski and Weston McKennie. Then Caputo, who scored on Bordalas said he did not think his American midfi elder McK- his Italy debut at the age of 33 player had insulted Koeman. “I’m here ennie was missing on Saturday earlier this month, headed Sas- to talk about football, not about contro- having returned a positive test suolo level in the 70th minute versy. I haven’t spoken to the boy, I will for Covid-19, as was Cristiano after Palacio miskicked an at- tomorrow, but I doubt that Nyom would Ronaldo who tested positive on tempted clearance from a corner. do that, I know him well,” said the Getafe duty with the Portugal national The momentum was now coach. team. “We have worked very lit- with Sassuolo and they won the “He’s very competitive, but he’s a very tle in these fi rst few months, the match seven minutes later when respectful person. I don’t allow bad be- players have been on the national the hapless Tomiyasu attempted haviour among my players but I doubt team and the youngsters need to intercept a cross and turned that Nyom insulted him.” to gain experience playing these the ball into his own goal from Jaime Mata’s second-half penalty in- fi rst games,” he said. “So there six metres. Bologna have three fl icted a fi rst defeat of the season on Barca are going to be moments of care- points from four games. after four matches, and Koeman suggest- lessness, it happens — we have a The goals continued to fl ow ed he thought the crucial spot-kick, giv- young, quality team which is still in two later matches. Torino en for a foul by Frenkie de Jong on Djene under construction, so we need slumped to their third straight Dakonam, was soft. time and the youngsters need to defeat when they lost 3-2 at “I don’t know if it was a penalty, it make mistakes. We haven’t had home to Cagliari despite taking looked like they were looking for it and we time to oil the machine.” a fourth minute lead with an An- fell into the trap. I don’t know if we had Juventus, chasing a 10th drea Belotti penalty. Joao Pedro VAR or not today,” he said. “I don’t like to straight title, have eight points levelled from close range and talk about referees, but if you watch the from four games and have Giovanni Simeone took advan- match and see how many fouls they made dropped four behind leaders AC tage of poor defending to put the and how many cards were given out, then Getafe players celebrate after their win over Barcelona in the La Liga on Saturday night. (Reuters) Milan. “We knew there would be Sardinians 2-1 ahead inside 20 you can make your own mind up.” many teams fi ghting for the title, minutes. Getafe, who have a well-earned repu- managing just two shots on target against PAREJO HAUNTS FORMER CLUB off in added time for a second yellow card it will be a battle day-by-day,” Belotti levelled with an oppor- tation as one of the most unforgiving Cadiz, who could have scored more after VALENCIA TO SEND VILLARREAL TOP while Parejo then limped off the pitch said former Juve midfi elder Pirlo. tunist goal after the re-start but sides to play against in La Liga, made 20 Anthony Lozano’s early strike. Yesterday, Villarreal midfi elder Dani with a muscle injury. Yet Unai Emery’s “We have to pick up points. Un- Simeone gave Cagliari their fi rst fouls to Barcelona’s nine during the game, But Barca were not much better, with Parejo scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 side saw out the win to lead the standings fortunately we are losing some win of the season when he scored receiving four yellow cards to the visitors’ Lionel Messi strangely quiet and the team win at home to former club Valencia to on 11 points after six games, one ahead of on the road but we will be back in from close range in the 73rd three. failing to rebound after Jaime Mata’s pen- take his side top of La Liga. Parejo, who second-placed Real Madrid. . front soon”. minute after a mistake by Torino “We knew this was a very diffi cult alty gave Getafe the lead in the second used to captain Valencia but switched to goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. ground to come to but we tried to create half. Villarreal in August, saying he had been RESULTS SASSUOLO HIT BACK FROM Meanwhile, Fiorentina were Getafe were never really hanging on forced out, barely celebrated his goal af- passages of play and move the ball around Eibar 0 Osasuna 0; Athletic Bilbao 2 3-1 DOWN TO BEAT BOLOGNA held 2-2 at promoted Spezia de- quickly and they kept disrupting that either, even if Barcelona went close to an ter his shot took a heavy defl ection off Yesterday, Irrepressible Sas- spite scoring twice in the open- (Berenguer 68, Williams 79) Levante 0; with fouls,” Koeman added. equaliser, Messi hitting the post and then Mouctar Diakhaby into the net in the suolo scored three goals in 13 ing fi ve minutes. German Pez- Villarreal 2 (Paco Alcacer 6-pen, Parejo Earlier on Saturday, Zinedine Zidane driving a loose ball wide in injury-time. 69th minute. minutes as they charged back zella headed them in front for had made four substitutions at half-time Antoine Griezmann also ballooned over Paco Alcacer, another former Valencia 69) Valencia 1 (Guedes 37) from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at a corner and Cristiano Biraghi but could not spark a lethargic Madrid when put through in the fi rst half. player, had given Villarreal the lead with Played Saturday: Granada 1 (Herrera 82) Bologna in their Serie A derby, doubled their lead from Pol Li- into life as his team fell 1-0 at home to Getafe’s Cucho Hernandez also hit the a penalty in the sixth minute although Sevilla 0; Celta Vigo 0 Atletico Madrid 2 moving up to second place in the rola’s cross. Daniele Verde pulled newly-promoted Cadiz. bar after a clumsy challenge from Frenkie Goncalo Guedes levelled for the strug- (Suarez 6, Carrasco 90+5); Real Madrid league and remaining unbeaten one back before halftime and Madrid’s was perhaps the more con- de Jong on Djene Dakonham gave Mata gling visitors in the 37th. Villarreal had 0 Cadiz 1 (Lozano 16); Getafe 1 (Mata 56- so far. Diego Farias levelled in the 75th cerning display, the reigning champions his chance. Japan international Takefusa Kubo sent pen) Barcelona 0 An own goal by Takehiro minute after Fiorentina failed to Tomiyasu settled a see-saw clear a corner. match as Sassuolo scored four for the third game in a row. The ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS PACIENCIA HEADER EARNS SCHALKE’S FIRST POINT OF THE SEASON Serie A dark horses now have 10 Bologna 3 (Soriano 9, Svanberg points from four games and sit 39, Orsolini 60) Sassuolo 4 (Be- Berlin: Bundesliga crisis club Wagner last month, responded miserable run which stretches when Sebastiaan Bornauw Schalke 1 (Paciencia 69) Union proudly above teams such as Na- rardi 18, Djuricic 64, Caputo 70, Schalke picked up their first by bringing on Paciencia, who back to January. brought down Japan interna- Berlin 1 (Friedrich 56) poli, Juventus and Inter Milan. Tomiyasu 77-og); Torino 2 (Be- point of the season yesterday as levelled the scores with 20 Elsewhere, Eintracht Frank- tional Daichi Kamada in the box. AC Milan lead the table with a Played Saturday: Hoff enheim lotti 4-pen, 49) Cagliari 3 (João Goncalo Paciencia’s second-half minutes to play. furt and Portugal striker Andre Silva stepped up, and slotted maximum 12 points. 0 Dortmund 1 (Reus 76); SC Pedro 12, Simeone 19, 73); Spezia equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw at After former Union player Silva continued his electric the ball past Timo Horn to give Freiburg 1 (Lienhart 15) Bremen Roberto Soriano gave Bologna a ninth minute lead when he fi n- 2 (Verde 39, Farias 75) Fiorentina home to Union Berlin. Pacien- Steven Skrzybski had forced a early season form with a third his side a deserved lead. 1 (Fullkrug 25-pen); Hertha ished off a fl owing passing move, 2 (Pezzela 2, Biraghi 4) cia’s 69th minute header ended corner on the counter-attack, goal in four Bundesliga games Duda levelled the scores Berlin 0 Stuttgart 2 (Kempf 9, a nightmare start to the season the Portuguese striker found as his side drew 1-1 away to shortly after half-time, blasting but Domenico Berardi curled in Played Saturday Castro 68); Mainz 0 Leverkusen : Napoli 4 (Loz- for Schalke, who began the day the net with a glancing header Cologne. Frankfurt missed the in a sharp cross from Kingsley an equaliser nine minutes later 1 (Alario 30); Augsburg 0 RB ano 23, 27, Politano 30, Osimhen with no points and one goal at the near post. The draw lifts chance to draw level on points Ehizibue to secure Cologne after being allowed too much Leipzig 2 (Tasende 45, Poulsen 43) Atalanta 1 (Lammers 69); In- from their first three games. Schalke off bottom spot and with league leaders RB Leipzig their first point of the season. space on the edge of the area. ter Milan 1 (Lukaku 29) AC Milan After a cagey first half, Mar- gives Baum’s side a timely boost after Silva’s first-half penalty Frankfurt now sit in fourth after 66); Arminia Bielefeld 1 (Doan Mattias Svanberg put Bologna 58) Bayern Munich 4 (Muel- 2 (Ibrahimovic 13, 16); Sampdoria vin Friedrich nodded in a Chris- ahead of next week’s derby at was cancelled out by Ondrej four games . back in front six minutes before 3 (Quagliarella 32, Augello 41, topher Trimmel cross to put Borussia Dortmund. Duda’s equaliser. ler 8, 51, Lewandowski 25, the break from Rodrigo Palacio’s 45+1); Moenchengladbach 1 Damsgaard 74) Lazio 0 Crotone Union ahead shortly after the Yet the seven-time German The visitors dominated a BUNDESLIGA RESULTS through ball, and Riccardo Or- 1 (Tochukwu Nwankwo 12-pen) (Hofmann 78-pen) Wolfsburg 1 solini dispossessed Manuel Lo- break. Schalke coach Manuel champions are still without a scrappy first half, and were Cologne 1 (Duda 52) Eintracht Juventus 1 (Morata 21) (Weghorst 85) catelli to score their third on the Baum, who replaced David win in 20 league games, in a rewarded just before the break Frankfurt 1 (Silva 45+2-pen); hour. Today: Verona v Genoa (1845)

LIGUE 1 FOCUS Lyon ‘turn the page’ aft er Depay triple assist Education City Golf Club hosts

AFP Paris innovative SIXT Appeal event ducation City Golf Club yon coach Rudi Garcia said his team hosted a SIXT Appeal had “turned the page” after captain golf tournament on the Memphis Depay set up three goals in 6 Hole Championship yesterday’s 3-2 win at Strasbourg to GolfE Couse. The unique event Lclaim their fi rst victory since August. Dutch featured a fi eld of golfers playing attacker Depay was the provider for Zimba- in a Pairs Betterball Stableford bwe international forward Tino Kadewere Format followed by Match Play and repeated the feat twice for Karl Toko Knockouts. Thirty two players Ekambi in the fi rst half. proceeded to the knockout phase Habib Diallo and Jean-Eudes Aholou that took place over the same day scored for the hoasts but Lyon hung on and as the qualifi er. move up to ninth with their fi rst three points The 6 hole golf course is the re- since August, while Strasbourg remain in alisation of the Golf Clubs vision 18th with just one victory this season. Lyon’s Memphis Depay (left) and Strasbourg’s Lamine Kone vie for the ball during the - to not only attract newcom- Kadewere opened the scoring after 15 French Ligue 1 match in Strasbourg, eastern France. (AFP) ers to take up the game, but also minutes, fi ring home fi rst time from Depay’s off ers the experience of playing long ball. Depay then combined twice with the opening day of last season with a left- win at Saint-Etienne to move up to fi fth. a beautifully manicured Cham- Toko Ekambi before the 42-minute mark footed volley 10 minutes into the second half. Pierre Lees-Malou opened the scoring for pionship course in less than 90 Winners Jason and Gavin Daley. to make it 3-0. The hosts fought back as Depay, who was linked with a move to Bar- Nice before 20-year-old Amine Gouiri add- minutes. The Sixt tournament Senegal’s Diallo cut the defi cit just over a celona during the transfer window, almost ed a second before half-time. Adil Aouch- was no diff erent, ensuring that Jason Olley & Gavin Daley each Placings: 1. Jason Olley & Gavin minute later. claimed a fourth assist but Marcelo’s header iche pulled a goal back for Saint-Etienne on all tournament players fi nished were lucky to be driving home in Daley; 2. Martin Holland & Scott Ivory Coast midfi elder Aholou, on loan from a corner was blocked on the line. 57 minutes but Myziane Maolida completed in fast times in the competitive a BMW 5 Series for the weekend Jappy; 3. Dermot Simpson & from Monaco, scored for the fi rst time since Patrick Vieira’s Nice side eased to a 3-1 the job for the southerners. format The eventual winners courtesy of Sixt Rent a Car. Michael Saretsky. Monday, October 19, 2020 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Ahli secure fourth straight victory to stay top Koo Ja-Cheol and Jonathan Kodjia score as Al Gharafa beat Al Kharaitiyat to occupy second place in the standings

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Ahli blanked Al Sailiya 2-0 to stay on top of the QNB Stars League. This was their fourth successive win as they con- tinuedA their dream start to the cam- paign. Hernan Perez (2nd minute) and Ab- dulrasheed Umaru (57th minute) scored for Ahli, who raised their points tally to 12 with an all-win record to be the only team to do so thus far in this season’s league competition. Al Sailiya stood on four points from as many games. Perez was the architect of The Briga- diers’ brilliant show as he gave assist for Umaru’s goal as well. Ahli opened the scoring so early in the game and Al Sailiya in fact never recovered from the shock. Nothing went The Per- egrines’ way as the reinforced squad this season, consisting of new recruits Tiago Bezerra, Mohanad Ali and Ahmed Hammoudan, struggled to fi nd a foot- ing. Both goals resulted from defensive mistakes. Perez scored as he pounced on a mi- nus pass by Al Sailiya captain Majdi Siddiq to teammate Ghanem al-Qahta- ni, who failed to receive the ball before the Paraguayan took control and placed it in past goalkeeper Amine Lecomte. Perez and Nabil El Zhar led Al Ahli’s Al Ahli’s Abdulrasheed Umaru (centre) celebrates after scoring against Al Sailiya in the QNB Stars League yesterday. charge and the latter sent a ground shot wide. So was Umaru in the fi rst half Ball possession was almost even in rah. Arabi are languishing at the 11th while, at the other end, Mohanad sent a the match, where Al Gharafa had an place with just one point after three shot over the bar. Changing ends, Tiago upper hand in terms of the number of weeks of action - a stark contrast com- sent a free-kick wide before Umaru chances created. They made good use pared to their superb start in the previ- found the target, with Perez providing of the wings, especially in the second ous season’s league competition, where him with a cross from the right. half, and were rewarded with the goals. they were in the top four for long, even Al Ahli’s Hazem Shehata made two The barren fi rst half saw chances occupying the second spot. serious attempts at the goal. The fi rst for either side. Kodjia, Ahmed Alaael- Umm Salal are at the rock bottom of time, he was unlucky to have missed din, Hanni and Homam El Amin of Al the table with only one point that they the mark in the 72nd minute and then Gharafa, and Evans Mensah and Ra- earned from their goalless draw with Al Lecomte thwarted him in the 86th chid Tiberkanine of Al Kharaitiyat were Khor in Week 2. minute. He scored the next minute, but off -target. The breakthrough came Al Rayyan, who are in fi fth place, face the goal was disallowed for off side. Al when Koo rose above the rival markers Al Wakrah. Rayyan were held 1-1 by Al Sailiya could have reduced the margin to head in a corner kick taken by Sofi - Sailiya in their opener, but put that be- in stoppage time, had Hammoudan’s ane Hanni. Kodjia made it 2-0 towards hind them by defeating Al Gharafa 3-1. header gone in. the end by applying a fi rst-time shot However, The Lions, coached by Uru- Later, Al Gharafa defeated Al to Alaaeldin cross. Kodjia and Hanni guayan Diego Aguirre, lost 0-1 to Qatar Kharaitiyat by two second-half goals combined only to see the latter miss SC in Week 3 after which the QNB Stars to stay second in the standings. Koo Ja- the target by a whisker. It was a repeat League took a break. Cheol (67th minute) and Jonathan Kod- clash of 2020-21 Ooredoo Cup Round Wakrah had made headlines by jia (85th minute) scored the goals for Al 3 match between the teams played on handing a shock 1-0 defeat to defend- Gharafa, who now have nine points. 14th October. Al Gharafa defeated Al ing champions Al Duhail in Week 2. The The Cheetahs had earlier beaten Qatar Kharaitiyat 3-1. Blue Wave, under Spaniard Marquez SC 2-0 and Al Arabi 2-1, but lost 1-3 to Lopez, thus got their campaign on track Al Rayyan. Al Kharaitiyat remained on ARABI FACE UMM SALAL IN after losing 1-2 to Al Ahli in their open- three points. The Thunders beat Qatar CLASH OF BOTTOM PLACED TEAMS er. They are now placed third with three SC 2-1, but suff ered defeat against Al In today’s matches, Al Arabi face Umm points. Wakrah had done well last sea- Sadd (1-5) and Al Sailiya (0-2) too. Salal, while Al Rayyan take on Al Wak- son by fi nishing in the sixth position. Al Gharafa’s Koo Ja-Cheol (right) is ecstatic after scoring against Al Kharaitiyat.

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Liverpool confi rm knee ligament damage Guardiola defends Aguero over for Van Dijk amid fears season is over contact with female assistant referee ep Guardiola backed game,” Schalke said on Twitter. Premier League last season. AFP Sergio Aguero after “Putting emotions of a derby The 29-year-old has made a London the Manchester City aside, we fully condemn such quick return to the top-fl ight by striker was criticised for insults and reject them. We will agreeing to join the Seagulls for Pputting his arm on the shoulder take the necessary measures the rest of the campaign. Wel- iverpool’s Premier League title de- of assistant referee Sian Massey- together with the Schalke fan beck, who has 42 England caps, fence was rocked yesterday with the Ellis during Saturday’s 1-0 win department.” could make his Brighton debut news Virgil Van Dijk must undergo over Arsenal. Aguero disputed a The Cameroon-born Mou- against West Bromwich Albion knee surgery amid reports the Dutch throw-in call which went against koko, considered one of the on October 26. Welbeck spent Ldefender could miss the rest of the season. him early in the second half of biggest talents in Germany, six years with United, winning Van Dijk hobbled off after a shocking chal- the Premier League clash at the scored all the goals in their 3-2 the Premier League in 2013, be- lenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pick- Etihad Stadium. win over Schalke yesterday, with fore joining Arsenal in 2014. He ford in a 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby on After arguing his case with a few fans shouting insults at the played for Arsenal for fi ve years Saturday. Massey-Ellis, Aguero briefl y put teenager, who ignored them. and won the FA Cup in 2017. “The centre-back damaged knee liga- his arm around the female as- Moukoko is eligible to com- ments following an incident involving Blues sistant referee’s shoulder as she pete in the Bundesliga after he MIEDEMA BREAKS WSL goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after six minutes began to walk away. The Argen- turns 16 in November. SCORING RECORD AS at Goodison Park,” Liverpool said in a state- tine star, playing his fi rst game ARSENAL THRASH SPURS ment. “Van Dijk was required to be substi- since June after knee surgery, PALACE’S AYEW TESTS Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema tuted and further assessment on the injury was criticised on social media POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS scored a fi rst-half hat-trick for has revealed an operation will be needed. No and his former team-mate Micah Crystal Palace forward Jordan Women’s Super League leaders specifi c timescale is being placed upon his Richards said on Sky Sports that Ayew says he is “feeling fi ne” Arsenal in a 6-1 hammering of return to action at this stage.” Aguero should “know better”. after missing yesterday’s 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, Van Dijk has been pivotal to Liverpool’s Under rules introduced in draw against Brighton follow- breaking Nikita Parris’ record to resurgence under Jurgen Klopp since mak- 2016 players can be cautioned or ing a positive coronavirus test. become the competition’s all- ing a then world record £75mn move for sent off for touching match offi - Ghana’s Ayew was absent from time top scorer in the process. a defender from Southampton in January cials depending on the nature of the Premier League clash at Sel- Miedema scored in the 2018. The 29-year-old has started every the incident. But City’s all-time hurst Park and Palace boss Roy seventh minute to put her side league game for the past two seasons as the Liverpool’s defender Virgil van Dijk (left) hobbled off after a shocking challenge from record scorer went unpunished Hodgson later revealed a positive 2-0 up and break the record, Reds won the Champions League in 2019 Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in a 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby on Saturday. (AFP) and in his post-match press virus test was the reason. and then added two more goals and ended a 30-year wait to win a league ti- conference, Guardiola told Ayew has gone into self- before halftime for a total of 52 tle earlier this year. pool to cruise to the league by 18 points. mier League for clarifi cation on the use of reporters: “Come on guys. Sergio isolation but insisted he was goals in 50 WSL games as Arse- “Virgil played for us I don’t know how Van Dijk’s absence is compounded by VAR as not only was Pickford not dismissed, is the nicest person I ever met not showing any symptoms, nal cruised to their fi fth victory many games in a row. He plays with pain, goalkeeper Alisson Becker also being side- but Jordan Henderson’s late winner was in my life. Look for problems in tweeting. Ayew, yet to score in in fi ve league games. he plays with pretty much everything, but lined by a shoulder injury. Without the Bra- ruled out for a dubious off side against Sadio other situations, not in this one.” fi ve appearances for Palace this The 24-year-old has netted 10 he couldn’t play on. That’s not good,” said zilian in goal, Klopp’s men have conceded Mane on review. season, had been away with his times so far this season, giving Klopp. nine times in their last two matches, includ- Klopp was also not happy with another SCHALKE APOLOGISE TO country during the international her more goals individually than Prior to Van Dijk’s arrival, Klopp’s time at ing a historic 7-2 humiliation as Aston Villa reckless Everton challenge that earned Ri- DORTMUND TEENAGER break. eight of the entire clubs’ tallies Anfi eld had been beset by defensive collaps- two weeks ago. charlison a straight red card for taking out FOR FAN INSULTS in the 12-team league. On a good es. Now the German must fi nd a solution to The loss of Van Dijk’s dominant aerial Thiago Alcantara. The Spanish interna- Schalke 04 apologised to BRIGHTON SIGN WELBECK day for the Gunners, title rivals the huge hole left in his defence without the presence was obvious as Everton scored tional was able to complete the game, but 15-year-old Borussia Dortmund ON ONE-YEAR DEAL Everton and Manchester City chance to dip into the transfer market with twice from headers to come from behind in has also been sent for scans to discover the player Youssoufa Moukoko after Brighton signed former Arsenal both dropped points, with Ever- the window not open again until January. a contentious derby at Goodison Park. Eng- extent of a knee injury. their fans hurled abuse at the and Manchester United forward ton held to a 2-2 draw at home by There are parallels with the serious knee land international Pickford somehow es- “When I left the pitch, Thiago told me in teenager following his hat-trick Danny Welbeck on a one-year Brighton And Hove Albion. injury that Manchester City centre-back caped punishment for his dangerous lunge the red card situation with Richarlison he in the Under-19 Ruhr derby. “We contract. Welbeck was available City’s stuttering start to the Aymeric Laporte suff ered at the start of last into Van Dijk’s knee as the two collided at thinks he got injured,” Klopp added. “We can only apologise to Yous- on a free transfer after leaving season continued with a surprise season. Without the Frenchman, City’s title the back post. will see if it’s true or not, but if he felt like soufa Moukoko for what fans Watford earlier in October fol- 1-1 draw away to mid-table defence imploded paving the way for Liver- Liverpool have reportedly asked the Pre- this then we need to have a look.” shouted during the Under-19 lowing their relegation from the Reading.