SPORT

Tuesday 27 June 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Spieth holes bunker Sprint king Usain Kerber says top shot to win Travelers Bolt set for ranking weighs, but in play-off final season readyre for grass season Australia see positives despite early exit

Rizwan Rehmat team," Postecoglou pointed out. Moscow Australian football star Tim FIFA ref boss Cahill said: "We could have won ustralia's fighting 1-1 but we could only finish in third wants shorter draw against South spot. Chile proved to be our American giants Chile toughest opponents here. I think on Sunday pleased my players showed grit and video delays coach Ange Postec- determination in the tournament oglouA who said the Socceroos as a whole." Saint Petersburg squad provided sparks of bril- Cahill, who played his 100th AFP liance at the Confederations Cup. international game for Australia Australia took the lead against Chile on Sunday, added: IFA's referees chief said through James Troisi in the 42nd "Most of the game we were yesterday he wants less minute but Chile were rescued pushed to serious physical effort. Fdelays caused by the by Martin Rodriguez (67) at Spar- We played against a top oppo- video assistant referee and to tak Stadium. nent. I think we showed a good reduce disruptions from the The draw allowed Chile to game. Our main goal was to give system being tested for next qualify for the semi-finals while young players the exposure they year's World Cup. the Socceroos finished Group B needed at this level." World football's govern- in third place after two draws. Cahill has now joined former ing body is using the "From our perspective it was goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer (109) Confederations Cup in Rus- a good performance. I thought we as the only other Australia player sia to test the video assistant were the better side and deserved to play 100 or more games for the referee (VAR) system for the to get something out of it," Socceroos. first time at a major senior Postecoglou said after the match. Cahill said: "We didn’t get international tournament. "The Confederations Cup per- through the group. That was our Qualified referees review formance doesn't show the objective and so we’re disap- game-changing incidents -- progress these boys have made," Australia's defender Aziz Behich (left) vies with Chile's defender Mauricio Isla during the 2017 pointed with that. goals, penalty decisions, red he added. Confederations Cup group B match at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on Sunday. He added: “We needed to be card decisions and cases of "I would say the players take at our best today and we were mistaken identity -- during a lot of confidence from their per- against the world two matches. I going to need energy for that and matches, which gives the ref- formances," Postecoglou said. champions. always said that we that’s why we made the changes. eree on the pitch the chance "Players gave their 100 per- "Against Cam- would get to the Credit to the guys who came in. to correct decisions. cent and exceeded our eroon, we had fairly From our perspective World Cup and will They certainly brought that and FIFA has yet to decide expectations. They applied them- an equal game it was a good try to impose our more. From our perspective it whether the VAR system will selves very well," Postecoglou although they were performance. I thought style of play on our was a good performance." be used at next year's World said. physically stronger we were the better opponents. We will Chile finished behind Group Cup in Russia. "Chile's is a world-class team (in the 1-1 draw). We side and deserved to continue to play B leaders Germany who pro- The system has proven and we had to prove ourselves initially thought that get something out of more matches duced a 3-1 victory over controversial at the Confed- against one of the best sides," the we have good it, says Australia coach against strong con- Cameroon in Sochi. The world erations Cup for breaking up Australian coach added. chances of qualify- Postecoglou tenders so that our champions will face Mexico for a play. A VAR review meant Postecoglou said his players ing from the group players get serious place in the final in Saint there was a confusing four- would continue to work hard in and therefore we practice. Petersburg. minute break in Germany's the coming months to ensure a are disappointed as "The players European champions Portu- 3-1 win over Cameroon on better performance at 2018 FIFA far as the results go," have shown here gal and South American giants Sunday in Sochi. Colombian World Cup in Russia. Postecoglou said. that they can play Mexico have qualified for the referee Wilmar Roldan ini- "We fought with the best but "Yes, we had set a lofty goal among the best in the world. We against best in the world. The semi-finals from Group A. Por- tially booked Sebastien Siani we have not yet reached their but we could not do it today. I played with an equal footing. I difference between us and them tugal play Chile in the first for a high challenge on Ger- level. We will continue to work," admire the Chilean team which know the players will take a lot is the tournaments where they semi-final on Wednesday while many's Liverpool midfielder Postecoglou said. has grown significantly over the of confidence from this event," play. It is necessary to take the Mexico face Germany in the other Emre Can, even though it was "Against Germany, we began last 4-5 years. We have had many Postecoglou said. final step to ensure that they per- last-four clash on Thursday. Ernest Mabouka who had to slowly but fought till the end," opportunities in the match "I do not think that we had form at the highest level. We are The final will be played on committed the foul. Postecoglou said of the 3-2 loss against this team, which is ranked done something wrong in the first close to becoming a truly good July 2. Following a review by the VAR, Siani was instead shown a straight red, but eventually a further review led to the Cameroon player's dismissal Broos says Cameroon are living on past successes being rescinded and a red card shown to Mabouka. Massimo Busacca, FIFA's Sochi, Russia Cup exit. Despite winning the Germany left them with one leave them four behind leaders reporters after Sunday's defeat. Head of Refereeing, admitted Reuters African Nations Cup in Febru- point from three matches, an Nigeria. Only the winners "We saw the proof that a lot the confusing delay was too ary, Broos added that the outcome which Broos said he qualify. of work still needs to be done... long, but he was ultimately ameroon need to improve five-time continental champi- had been expecting. "It was not a surprise for me. it is of course a quality issue, but pleased that the correct deci- their football infrastruc- ons had to stop living on their The Indomitable Lions are I always said after we won the it's mostly a training issue," the sion was made. Cture if they want to past success and face reality. also struggling to qualify for next Nations Cup that we are one of Belgian said. "There is a lot to be "I have to agree, it was too compete with the world's top Cameroon were knocked out year's World Cup, having taken the best teams in Africa but there done on that front in Cameroon, long, but the correct decision teams, coach Hugo Broos said of the tournament in Russia on only two points from their first is still a difference between us we still live on our past was made. The right player following their Confederations Sunday after a 3-1 defeat to two games in African Group B to and modern football," Broos told successes." was sent off," said Busacca. Qatar aim to defend 3x3 Basketball U18 World title

The Peninsula next two days. These year's FIBA France's women won the last World Cup will be played on the 3x3 U18 World Cup 2017 will fea- two editions while Qatar's men same court with 20 men's and atar's 3X3 basketball U-18 ture 40 teams from 37 different struck gold last year in Astana, 20 women's teams competing in team will defend their title countries and every continent Kazakhstan. the event and in three individ- Qat the FIBA 3x3 U18 World will be represented, at the event Both teams were automati- ual contests (men's dunk contest, Cup 2017 which begins from June which ends on July 2. cally qualified for the event as women's skills contest and mixed 28 in Chengdu, China, at the The event - organised by well as the Chinese hosts. shoot-out contest). imposing Global Center. FIBA in cooperation with the The other teams earned a Earlier this month, Interna- Last year, Qatar won the Chinese Basketball Association ticket to the FIBA 3x3 U18 World tional Olympic Committee world title after winning beating (CBA) and the Chengdu Munici- Cup thanks to their position in announced the inclusion of 3X3 Brazil 20-12 in event held in pal Government - will be the the FIBA 3x3 Federation basketball in the upcoming Kazakhstan. sixth edition of the FIBA 3x3 U18 Ranking. Olympic Games of 2020 which Qatar will start their title World Cup (previously known as This ranking includes sport will be held in the Japanese city quest with a match against Bah- 3x3 U18 World and development criteria, allow- of Tokyo". rain on Thursday, then on the Championships). ing both the strongest teams on Participating teams: same day a match against It's the first time that the the field as well as the most Bahrain, Belgium, China, Ukraine. On July 1, Qatar will competition is hosted in China A file picture of Qatar team celebrating their win at the 2016 active countries to participate in Georgia, Hungary, Indonesia, play against New Zealand and after being staged in Italy (2011), FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship in Kazakhstan. the event, which fulfills a key aim Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Netherlands, Georgia. Spain (2012), Indonesia (2013), of 3x3: diversity. New Zealand, Philippines, The defending champions Hungary (2015) and Kazakhstan Qatar is in group 2 along with tournament were held in Italy Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, Turk- Poland, Qatar (2016 winners), left Doha on Sunday , where the (2016). Ukraine, New Zealand, Bahrain 2011, Spain 2012, Indonesia 2013, menistan and Uganda will make Romania, Slovenia, South Korea), team is expected to hold their Twenty men teams are and Georgia. Hungary 2015 and Kazakhstan their debut at the event. Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, final practice session over the divided into four 5-team groups. The previous editions of the 2016. All games at the FIBA 3x3 U18 Ukraine. SPORT TUESDAY 27 JUNE 2017 21 The gloves are off between Hamilton and Vettel

London suggested they sort things out The championship leader, "Imagine all the young kids Reuters "face to face". now 14 points clear of Hamil- that are watching Formula One "The sport needs the rivalry. ton after finishing fourth to the today and see that kind of he gloves are off and What we have seen today is the Briton's fifth, was also given behaviour from a four-time the fight is on ingredient of a great champi- three penalty points which world champion. I think that between Formula One onship," said Wolff. could prove significant. says it all." title rivals Sebastian The most memorable sea- They bring Vettel's tally in Vettel's assertion that Ham- Vettel and Lewis sons have been fuelled by the last 12 months to nine and ilton had 'brake-tested' him, by THamilton. controversy, passion and a means another such sanction in slowing so suddenly that the Sunday's explosive Azerba- fierce rivalry sometimes spill- Austria in two weeks' time Ferrari ran into the back of the ijan Grand Prix more than made ing into outright enmity. would trigger an automatic race Mercedes, was also undermined up for last year's dull race in Baku, with the champion- ban for the following round at by the evidence. Baku, bursting the budding 'bro- ship favourites colliding and a Silverstone. The governing FIA con- mance' and replacing it with podium of drivers who could Sebastian There were some who felt firmed that Hamilton's car data Lewis something much more scarcely believe their luck, pro- Vettel such a penalty should have been showed he "maintained a con- Hamilton heavyweight. vided enough drama to keep the applied already, even if the sistent speed and behaved in the Mercedes team boss Toto championship bubbling away moment of madness ultimately same manner on that occasion Wolff said as much after a for months to come. and on Sunday he was proven man of 2016, who raged at rivals cost Vettel a victory that would as in all the other re-starts dur- crazy afternoon that saw In Spain last May, Hamilton right. The battle lines were and had to apologise to race have fallen into his lap after ing the race". mutual respect and camarade- had spoken about how enjoya- drawn the moment Vettel went director Charlie Whiting in Hamilton had to pit to fix a loose Mercedes non-executive rie tossed aside amid angry ble it was to be battling a rival into the back of Hamilton's Mer- Mexico last November after an head rest. director and retired triple accusations. who was not a team mate -- his cedes during the second of three expletive-laden radio rant, was "Deliberately driving into champion Niki Lauda said he "Nobody wanted to see the main opponent for the past safety car periods, the German back. another driver and getting away had never seen anything like it. schmoozing anyway, so now the three seasons -- and the admi- shaking his fists and pulling The stewards were clear in pretty much scot-free as he still "Vettel is a decent guy nor- gloves are off," the Austrian told ration he felt for Vettel's speed alongside to bang wheels in a apportioning blame, imposing came fourth, I think that's a dis- mally. This I don't understand. Sky Sports television after Ham- and consistency. gesture that looked a lot like a 10 second stop-and-go pen- grace. I think he disgraced He is crazy. Lewis will hit him ilton had dubbed the Ferrari The Briton had warned then, 'road rage'. alty on the German for steering himself today," said triple one day. Not with the car but driver a "disgrace" and however, that it might not last The frustrated and angry into Hamilton. champion Hamilton. with his fist," he said. De Villiers to Rahane, Kohli shine decide future as India rout Windies in August Cardiff Port of Spain AFP India's Ajinkya Rahane hits a boundary AFP Spieth holes during the second B de Villiers left South Africa's tour of Eng- jinkya Rahane's third hun- match against West Indies at the Queen's land saying he would decide his dred and a blistering Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad on Afuture in August. bunker shot to assault by captain Virat Sunday. Rahane scored a century to guide One of the outstanding batsmen of his gener- Kohli took India to a com- India to a comfortable 105-run victory. ation, the 33-year-old headed home after win Travelers fortable 105-run victory captaining the Proteas in a 19-run defeat by Eng- overA the West Indies in the second one- land in Cardiff on Sunday that saw them beaten in play-off day international at the Queen's Park 2-1 in a three-match Twenty20 series. Oval on Sunday. They previously lost a one-day international Cromwell Replying to the visitors' formida- series to England by the same scoreline and then Reuters ble total of 310 for five in a match suffered a hugely disappointing first-round exit reduced to 43 overs per side due to at the Champions Trophy. ordan Spieth (pictured) early morning rain and an two-hour But a Test series against England is the cen- clinched his 10th PGA Tour delayed start, the hosts were restricted trepiece of a four-month tour. Jvictory in the same way as to 205 for six in reply despite a fluent However, it has long been planned that de Vil- his first, by holing a bunker 81 by Shai Hope at the top of the order. liers would miss the four-Test campaign to take shot to win the Travelers Following the rain-ruined no result a break from the strain of being one of the world's Championship in Cromwell, at the start of the series at the same leading players in all three international formats, Connecticut on Sunday. venue two days earlier, India now take Having dominated a 97-run sec- SCOREBOARD as well as a man in demand at lucrative Twenty20 Spieth triumphed in stun- a 1-0 lead into the next two matches ond- partnership with Rahane, franchise events around the world. ning fashion by holing out the in Antigua next Friday and Sunday. Kohli made centre stage all his own in INDIA Bangladesh are due to tour South Africa in A Rahane c Hope b Cummins ...... 103 sand shot from 30 feet for Rahane's well-paced 103 in the final assault. S Dhawan st Hope b Nurse...... 63 September and de Villiers said he expected to birdie to beat fellow Ameri- another dominant opening partner- He seemed destined to reach V Kohli c Nurse b Joseph ...... 87 know by then what his international workload can Daniel Berger at the first ship with Shikhar Dhawan (63) set the another ODI hundred to the delight of H Pandya c Cummins b Joseph ...... 4 would entail. extra hole at TPC River tone for the tourists after they were a decent contingent of visiting Indian Y Singh c Hope b Holder ...... 14 "I am going to meet with CSA (Cricket South Highlands. put in to bat in heavily overcast and fans when he was caught at long-off M.S Dhoni (not out) ...... 13 Africa) in August, and that will decide my (inter- They embarked on a damp conditions. by Nurse off Alzarri Joseph for 87 off K Jadhav (not out) ...... 13 national) future," de Villiers told reporters after playoff after finishing regu- "Having missed out on the Cham- 66 balls in the penultimate over, a Extras (LB-4, W-4, NB-5) ...... 13 making a typically dashing 35 off 19 balls. Total (for 5 wkts in 43 overs) ...... 310 lation tied at 12-under-par pions Trophy I was really hungry to thoroughly entertaining effort high- Fall of : 1-114, 2-211, 2-223, 4-254, 5-285. "We will see what works for both parties," 268, two strokes clear of perform here," said man-of-the-match lighted by four towering sixes and four Bowling: A Joseph 8-0-73-2 (1nb; 2w); J Holder 8.5-0- added the gifted shotmaker, who has scored more compatriot Charley Hoffman Rahane. fours. 76-1 (4nb); A Nurse 9-0-38-1 (1w); D Bishoo 9-0-60-0 than 8,000 runs in 106 Tests, including 21 hun- and New Zealander Danny "I really enjoy batting with Shikhar West Indies' indiscipline in the field (1w); M Cummins 8-0-57-1; J Carter 0.1-0-2-0. dreds, at an average of over 50. Lee. because he makes it so much easier added to the challenge and their woes WEST INDIES Asked what he would do for the next couple Former world number for anyone batting with him." were encapsulated by a horrific final K Powell c Dhoni b Kumar ...... 0 of months, de Villiers said: "I am going to spend a one Spieth stumbled with a Kohli then picked up the pace even over delivered by their captain Jason S Hope lbw K Yadav ...... 81 bit of time off at home with the family, I'm going J Mohammed c Pandya b Kumar ...... 0 poor back nine to card 70, further when Dhawan departed after Holder. E Lewis st Dhoni b K Yadav ...... 21 to welcome my new youngster into the world, and while Berger shot 67 to force a first-wicket partnership of 114, the He conceded 20 runs, bowled J Carter lbw Ashwin ...... 13 obviously look to stay fit. a playoff. left-hander being deceived by Ashley three no balls and had to be pulled out J Holder st Dhoni b K Yadav ...... 29 "I want to make sure I am ready for Septem- Spieth, 23, joins elite Nurse to be . of the attack with one ball left because R Chase (not out) ...... 33 ber, when Bangladesh come." company as the second- It was the off-spinner's only suc- two of those no balls were delivered A Nurse (not out) ...... 19 For all his success at Test level, de Villiers's youngest player since 1945 to cess of the innings although Nurse was over waist-high to the batsman on Extras (LB-6, W-3) ...... 9 burning ambition is to help South Africa win a notch 10 tour victories after by far the best of the West Indies bowl- strike. Total (for 6 wkts in 43 overs) ...... 205 maiden World Cup title. Fall of wickets: 0-1, 4-2, 3-93, 4-112, 5-132, 6-174. Tiger Woods. ers, conceding just 38 runs off nine It was left to Jonathan Carter to Bowling: B Kumar 5-1-9-2 (1w); U Yadav 6-0-36-0 (1w); Their attempts since a 1992 debut -- after years

overs. Rahane eventually reached complete the over and the innings, H Pandya 9-0-32-0 (1w); R Ashwin 9-0-47-1; K Yadav of isolation due to apartheid -- have been dogged GOLF-WORLD RANKINGS three figures with a boundary off encapsulating a shoddy effort overall 9-0-50-3; Y Singh 5-0-25-0. by bad luck and reverses snatched from the jaws Miguel Cummins. by the home side. of all-but-certain victory, leaving South Africa 1. (1) Dustin Johnson (US) 12.61 However the medium-pacer got Promoted to open the batting, the left-arm wrist-spinner conceded with the unwanted tag of "chokers". 2. (2) Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 8.14 his revenge in the same over when the Hope was the lone bright light in the 32 runs off his first four overs but then The next World Cup takes place in England in 3. (6) Jordan Spieth (US) 7.74 batsmen attempted an ungainly heave West Indies response, his attacking tasted success by having Evin Lewis two years' time and de Villiers, in charge for a 4. (3) Rory McIlroy (Britain) 7.72 and was bowled for 103. innings off 88 balls with three sixes and stumped before adding the scalps of heartbreaking 2015 semi-final loss to co-hosts 5. (4) Jason Day (Australia) 7.28 Rahane's innings occupied 104 five hours keeping slim hopes alive Hope and Holder to complete a mis- New Zealand in Auckland, said Sunday: "It's my 6. (5) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 7.19 deliveries and was embellished by two until he fell leg-before to Kuldeep erable day for the Caribbean side's main dream to win a World Cup for South Africa, 7. (7) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 6.74 sixes and ten fours. Yadav. Having his first bowl in ODIs, leader. or to be part of it in one way or another" 8. (8) Alexander Noren (Sweden) 6.24 9. (9) Rickie Fowler (US) 5.79 10. (10) Brooks Koepka (US) 5.60 11. (11) Jon Rahm (Spain) 5.34 12. (12) Justin Thomas (US) 5.25 13. (13) Justin Rose (Britain) 5.16 Flat feet at root of Sri Lanka injuries, says Aussie expert 14. (14) Adam Scott (Australia) 4.96 15. (16) Paul Casey (Britain) 4.30 Colombo Nicholas Sprenger was con- "Most players are flat- wearing the special orthotics the national side for about two 16. (15) Matt Kuchar (US) 4.12 AFP tracted by Sri Lankan Cricket footed. What we need to do is when they face Zimbabwe in the years to address injuries and get 17. (17) Patrick Reed (US) 4.08 to get to the bottom of the to get them to wear the right first one-day international at the squad back on track, Sri 18. (28) Daniel Berger (US) 4.00 ri Lanka's cricketers have squad's injury problems, which shoes," Sprenger told reporters Galle on Friday. Lanka Cricket said. 19. (18) Francesco Molinari (Italy) 3.99 been suffering from high last year saw nine out of 12 fast in Colombo. The orthotics are designed Its chief executive officer 20. (19) Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 3.96 Slevels of injuries because bowlers out of action. The squad has been kitted to reduce stress on the bones, Ashley de Silva declined to dis- 21. (21) Tommy Fleetwood (Britain) 3.86 most players are flat footed and After examining more than out with customised innersoles improve muscle activity and cuss the cost of fitting out the 22. (20) Tyrrell Hatton (Britain) 3.82 wearing ill-fitting shoes, an two dozen cricketers from the for players to use at training and reduce pain, Sprenger said. national squad with customised 23. (22) Kevin Kisner (US) 3.73 expert said yesterday. national side, Sprenger detected on the global circuit. He flies out on Friday, but orthotics, but described it as an 24. (23) Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) 3.71 Australian podiatrist a running theme. Some team members will be his expertise will be available to investment for the future. 25. (24) Phil Mickelson (US) 3.71 22 SPORT TUESDAY 27 JUNE 2017 Bolt set for final season

Ostrava, Czech Republic "It's just been a great I'm looking forward to going further finale being added to US national championships AFP career, I've really enjoyed out there and putting on a his programme. at the age of 35. the ups and downs, all the show for the fans for the last "For sure I won't be run- "I was shocked he actu- amaican sprint star experience I've gathered, all time because they look for- ning the 200m" at the ally won, just because how Usain Bolt insists this I've been through, the hap- ward to it," said Bolt. worlds, he said. "People quick young kids were run- "emotional" season will piness and the sadness. "Right now personally, keep asking, but no." ning," said Bolt, 30. indeed be his last, bring- "It's been a wonderful I'm just focused on getting Turning to any possible "As older athletes in the Jing the curtain down on career and I've done every- through the season. I just like events after London, he said: sport, we have a lot of expe- a glittering career which gal- thing I've wanted to do and entertaining the crowd. I "I've discussed with my rience and know how to go vanised track and field at a it's coming to an end and I'm definitely want to try and coach (Glen Mills) what he through the rounds. time of doping and corrup- fine with it." enjoy ever minute of it - it thinks I should do, whether "But I was kind of tion scandals. Speaking ahead of won't be the same sat in the I end my season after the shocked he came out victo- Bolt has won eight tomorrow's IAAF World stadium. world championships, we rious. It shows that Justin Usain Bolt Olympic and 11 world gold Challenge meet in the north- "The fact that I know it's haven't fully made up our Gatlin is a competitor and he of Jamaica medals in his career, but eastern Czech city of that last time it will be emo- mind on what we're doing shows year after year that celebrates importantly was the outgo- Ostrava, Bolt admitted that tional, just seeing it and yet. he is not to be taken lightly. victory after the ing, larger-than-life the season was an emotional feeling, being around peo- "We'll see what happens, I'm looking forward to com- Men’s 4 x 100m personality on whom ath- one. ple and athletes, sitting in I'm not worrying about that petition, always." Relay Final of letics administrators could It started with a home the meal room around eve- until the world champion- Despite the void Bolt will the Rio 2016 rely for a positive slant, an swansong in Kingston rybody, joking and laughing ships or at least getting close leave, the Jamaican was Olympic Games athlete widely recognised before taking Ostrava, the about old times, it'll be to it." confident for the doping- at the Olympic globally. Diamond League meet in emotional." One of his potential rivals mired sport, with Sebastian Stadium in Rio Asked whether he might Monaco in July and the Bolt, 30, confirmed that in London will be former Coe leading the purge as de Janeiro, carry on after this season, World Athletics Champion- he would not be competing doping cheat Justin Gatlin, head of the International Brazil in this file Bolt said: "No, I don't think ships in London. in the 200m in London, but who has maintained his late Association of Athletics Fed- photo. so! "It's an emotional season. left the door open to a bloom, last week winning the erations (IAAF).

Coleman Blake takes sprint double stunned at Jamaican nationals in day of Kingston 200m, I will get it right when fourth in 12.70 seconds. Nathon AFP the time comes. I will run faster Allen and World and Olympic as I am getting better and bet- medalist Shericka Jackson were upsets lympic Games silver ter," he said. first time winners of the 400m medalist Yohan Blake Danielle Williams, the World events. Sacramento Ocopped his third sprint Championships defending Allen clocked a 44.58 sec- Reuters double at the Jamaican national champion, ran a personal best onds to snap the season-long track and field championships 12.56 seconds in the 100m unbeaten run of Demish Gaye, ising star Christian Coleman's on Sunday, winning the 200 hurdles. who ran a personal best of 44.64 weekend of disappointment metres in 19.97 seconds. Her time beat her previous seconds. Steven Gayle was third Rcontinued on Sunday as he lost It was just the second 200m 12.57 seconds set while winning in 45.09 seconds. the 200 metres at the US nationals race of the year for Blake who in Beijing two years ago. Both Allen and Gaye came and world championships trials to also won the 100m on Friday She says there is still room off the last corner in front and Ameer Webb. night and says he is pleased with for improvement. raced together until about 40 Coleman, beaten by Olympic sil- how his comeback is "I was hitting all the hurdles meters to go when Allen pulled ver medallist Justin Gatlin in the 100 progressing. and that was not as good or as ahead to win. metres on Friday, was pipped by 0.01 "I have been working for efficient as I wanted," she said. Jackson won in 50.05 sec- seconds by Webb who closed quickly this, making my comeback," he "I am happy with the win, onds to win the women's race to win in 20.09 seconds. said. "I just want to keep doing but not the execution. My aim is and beat Chrisann Gordon who Co-favourite Noah Lyles's world what I am doing." to get back on the podium. Each ran a personal best 50.13 sec- championship hopes ended when he Blake dominated a 200m race I run I aim to get better." onds. Novlene Williams Mills withdrew from the semi-finals with field that was without superstar Williams is the defending was third in 50.14 seconds. a hamstring strain. Jamaica's Yohan Blake (left) Usain Bolt, as he easily beat champion has a bye into the World Championships Upsets also struck in the men's and Rasheed Dwyer in action Commonwealth Games cham- London World Championships bronze medalist Odayne Rich- 110m hurdles and women's 200 on during the Men's 200m final pion Rasheed Dwyer (20.26) and in August. ards retained the shot put title the final day of the selection meet for of the Jamaican national World and Olympic medalist Megan Simmonds was sec- with a season's best 21.29m. August's world championships in track and field championships Warren Weir (20.39). ond in a personal best time of Kimberly Williams had just London. at the National Stadium in "I am putting in the hard 12.63 seconds. Yanique Thomp- three jumps but won the triple Former American indoor cham- Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday. work every day in training and son who ran 12.69 seconds took jump with a 14.60m as she pion Aleec Harris surprised world while I have not done a lot of third and Rushell Burton was recovers from a bruised heel. record holder Aries Merritt in the hur- dles, running 13.24 to Merritt's 13.31. Collegian Deajah Stevens took down Olympic bronze medallist Tori Bowie in the women's 200, also run Japan prodigy Sani Brown eyes big scalps in London into a headwind. Stevens won in 22.30 seconds, followed by Kimberlyn Duncan Tokyo On Sunday, he ran a personal best Brown of his weekend. "I didn't know Having graduated from high school (22.59) and Bowie (22.60), all mak- Reuters 20.32 seconds to seal the 200m, two I could run like this. I hope I get the in March, Sani Brown is now training ing the US team. years after making the semi-finals at chance to compete against top sprint- in the Netherlands with Rana Reider Olympic gold medallists Dalilah apanese teenager Abdul Hakim Sani the world championships in Beijing. ers and break the 10-second barrier." and will move to the United States after Muhammad and Ryan Crouser pro- Brown is eyeing bigger scalps at the No Japanese sprinter has ever bro- Born to a Ghanian father and Japa- enrolling with the University of vided the brightest moments for Jworld championships in London after ken the 10-second barrier in the 100m, nese mother, Sani Brown became the Florida. established athletes, both claiming completing an impressive sprint dou- with Koji Ito coming closest when he first to complete the national sprint "I think there's a difference in the 2017's bests. ble of national titles over the ran 10 seconds flat in 1998. double since Shingo Suetsugu's 2003 way coaches work in Japan and the way Muhammad won perhaps the weekend. But former junior 100 and 200m sweep. the top coaches in the world work," the most impressive women's 400 metres In pouring rain, the 18-year-old world champion Sani Brown is emerg- Injury robbed the 2015 IAAF 'Rising 1.88m (6ft-2in) Sani Brown said in com- hurdles race ever, blazing 52.64 sec- upset members of Japan's Olympic sil- ing as the man most likely and will be Star of the Year' of a run at the Rio ments published by Kyodo on Monday. onds as three women dipped under ver medal-winning 4x100 metres relay keen to test the barrier in London in Olympics, where the 4x100m relay team "I'm very happy about being 53 seconds in the same race for the team to win the 100m in a personal best August. shot to national fame after winning sil- number one in Japan, but I don't want first time in history. 10.05 seconds in Osaka on Saturday. "Even I'm surprised," said Sani ver behind Usain Bolt's Jamaica. to settle for this," he told Kyodo. Horn has '10-point plan' to upset Pacquiao

Brisbane said he has watched hours of follow the plan and we win the weekend and just said to read boxing with a full-time job as a AFP the "Pac Man's" previous fights fight, simple as that." it over a few times and make senator in the Philippines. and is confident of having the Former schoolteacher Horn, sure I've got it clarified, what I "In all my years of boxing, I ustralian challenger Jeff blueprint to cause a major 29, who has won 16 of his 17 need to do." have never been as motivated Horn has a 10-point plan upset. bouts with one draw, said he has Pacquiao, who briefly and fired up as this fight," he said. Ato upset legendary Fili- "I have no doubt this is been going over Rushton's plans retired last year before making "My team is very happy with pino boxer Manny Pacquiao in going to be a much better fight and knew them almost off by a successful comeback against my preparation. I am looking their World Boxing Organiza- than we've seen against (Floyd) heart. Vargas in November, said after forward to this and I will be tion welterweight title fight, his Mayweather, even (Jessie) Var- "It's a plan I've heard him arriving in Australia at the going home as world trainer said yesterday. gas and (Timothy) Bradley," speak to me about 1,000 times. weekend he was confident of champion." Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 Rushton told reporters. It's perfectly worded," he said. taking out Horn before an He added that he knows knockouts) is one of the greats "I think we've eliminated all "Reading over it is just like expected crowd of 50,000. how Horn will be feeling. of his generation and a strong of the problems that a lot of listening to him talk to me in the The eight-weight world "I remember when I was favourite to overcome the these fighters have had. ring. What he's written down is champion has said he is using starting out. I would lie awake unbeaten Horn at Brisbane's "I've got a 10-point plan and spot on and I can get the job the bout as an opportunity to at night and dream of winning Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. Jeff is the only person who has done if I follow it 100 percent. prove he remains a global force a big fight. I know how Jeff Horn Australian boxer Jeff Horn But trainer Glenn Rushton that 10-point plan. I said to him, "He only sent it to me on the at the age of 38 as he juggles is feeling this week." TUESDAY 27 JUNE 2017 SPORT 23 Dutch great De Boer given Palace job

Mark Cavendish London there is the possibility to do something AFP Frank de Boer well with that money," he said. The 47-year-old signed a "I've not met the players yet, we ormer Dutch international great three year contract to fill the will look at one or two signings but I Cavendish Frank de Boer (pictured) is the vacuum left by Sam Allardyce think it is necessary to see all the play- Fnew manager of English Premier who stepped down at the ers here first." eyes Merckx League side Crystal Palace it was end of May shortly after The 112-times capped De Boer said announced yesterday. steering Palace to safety. he had been in touch with Louis van The 47-year-old -- who guided Gaal and got a lot of encouragement record in Ajax to four successive league titles De Boer and his twin brother from his compatriot. before a disappointing short spell at Ronald were part of the Van Gaal -- who coached de Boer France Serie A giants Inter Milan -- signed a Dutch side that lost on and the outstanding Ajax side to the three year contract. penalties in the 1998 World 1995 Champions League trophy -- Paris He fills the vacuum left by Sam Cup semi-finals to Brazil. endured a torrid two season spell in Allardyce who stepped down at the charge of Manchester United before AFP end of May shortly after steering Pal- being sacked last year. ace to safety. De Boer is not aiming too high "I spoke with Louis van Gaal and ritish road cycling Palace chairman Steve Parish initially. asked him what the experience was star Mark Cavend- hailed the hiring of de Boer -- who is "The aim is to be a solid Premier like. He has always been very good to Bish will target Eddy the only coach in Dutch history to League team, not to struggle with rel- me, he was the first one to congratu- Merckx's Tour de France manage a side to four consecutive titles egation. That is our main target, if we late me," De Boer said. record of stage wins as he -- as a significant landmark appoint- do more that's nice," he said. De Boer and his twin brother Ron- spearheads the Dimen- ment for the London club. He inherits a talented squad but is ald were part of a sublimely-talented sion Data team's "It's just about the worst kept looking forward to spending in the Dutch side that lost on penalties in the challenge despite an ill- secret in football," he told a press market to further strengthen it. 1998 World Cup semi-finals to Brazil. ness-plagued season. conference. French international centre-back He suffered further penalty shoot- The sprint king is just "Fantastically exciting for this Mamadou Sakho could be one of those out semi-final heartbreak in Euro four wins away from football club, an amazing milestone after impressing during his loan spell 2000 against Italy made worse for him equalling Tour great Mer- for us. I am excited to work with him from rivals Liverpool last season. in missing a penalty both in regular ckx's record of 34 stage and what we can achieve with the "This club can grow further and playing time and then in the wins. club." further. They spend a lot of money and shootout. The 32-year-old has raced little this year due to glandular fever but said the lure of the Tour was too great to consider skip- North Korea ping the world's most Kerber says top ranking weighs, prestigious race. "As has been widely dismisses reported, it's been a diffi- cult few months for me on but ready for grass season the back of the illness that Moon's call for set me back earlier on in the season," said the Eastbourne, England 30-time Tour stage united team Reuters winner. "Despite this setback Seoul orld number one and my lack of race time Reuters Angelique Kerber I've worked incredibly Wneeds no reminding hard both to ensure I leading North Korean sports how perilous life on Tour can could firstly recover from official believes it is too late to be when you are the player the illness as well as then Aconsider South Korean Presi- everyone wants to knock off aiming to build my fitness dent Moon Jae-in's proposal to form their perch. up as much as possible in a unified team for the 2018 Winter Less than a month ago she order to start the Tour. Olympics in Pyeongchang, saying that became the first top seed to "If I am being totally political tension must be resolved first. lose in the French Open first honest, had this not been At the opening of the World Taek- round in the professional era the Tour de France we wondo Championships in Muju on when she was dumped out in may have collectively Saturday, Moon said he wanted the Paris by 40th-ranked Ekate- Angelique Kerber taken a different Koreas to compete as one team next rina Makarova. approach with regards to year and highlighted the 1991 World That was the low point of my inclusion but I feel Table Tennis Championships as an a season that, despite spend- Pliskova in the second round motivation and set different -- instead just focusing on that I owe it to myself, the example of a previous merger. ing much of it at the top of the of the Aegon International at goals. playing her top tennis. team, our sponsors and However, North Korean Interna- WTA rankings, has been by Eastbourne after a first-round Kerber, who owns 10 "Right now I am really not most importantly to the tional Olympic Committee (IOC) her own admission a bye, told a news conference career titles, has a mediocre thinking too much about the Tour itself given its his- member Chang Ung ruled out the idea struggle. at a sun-drenched Devonshire 19-13 win-loss record this sea- rankings, the points or what- tory and everything that of a North-South team, telling the The 29-year-old said han- Park on England's Sussex son and has reached only one ever. Right now I'm really it stands for -- as well as Dong-a Ilbo newspaper that it was an dling all the extra baggage that coast. final. Quite a contrast to last trying to focus again more on the emotional attachment unrealistic aim in the present politi- comes with being at the top "But I think I learned a lot year when she won the Aus- my tennis, trying to improve I have for it -- to give it cal climate. of the tennis tree has been dif- during the last six months. It's tralian Open and US Open, my tennis. my best and to put every- "It took us 22 rounds of talks to set ficult. But she believes that something nice to be number reached the Wimbledon final At least she is feeling fit thing I have in to trying to up that joint (table tennis) team for the with a whiff of the ocean and one, of course, but there are and knocked Serena Williams having recovered from a thigh help the team." 1991 games. It took us five months," the grasscourts in her nostrils, much more expectations. off the summit. injury and spending some Cavendish enjoyed Chang, who is leading the North Korea she will enter Wimbledon "The off season was too She will do well to hang time in the Mallorca sunshine, something of a renais- delegation at the Taekwondo event in refreshed and with the slate short and I didn't have time to on to the number one rank- practising on the grasscourts sance last year, winning a city two hours south of Seoul, told wiped clean. sit down and think about what ing post Wimbledon, but she of Santa Ponsa before switch- four Tour stages for his the paper. "Not the best half year," I achieved," she explained. "I says she has stopped worry- ing to the Victorian seaside African team -- his best "That's the reality we face." Kerber, who will play Kristyna need time to find a new ing about rankings and points town of Eastbourne. return since claiming five Chang also ruled out the possibil- stages in 2011. ity of using venues in the North to Since then he'd been co-host the Feb. 9-25 Winter Games pushed into the shade by and dismissed the notion that a uni- German pair Marcel Kit- fied team would help improve ties by Djokovic to have Agassi in his corner tel and Andre Greipel, but saying: "The Olympics should not be he left both trailing in his used for a political aim." wake last year as they "As an expert of the Olympics, it Eastbourne International.A year ago Djok- could win only one stage is a little late to be talking about co- Reuters ovic arrived at Wimbledon as each. hosting. It's easy to talk about holder of all four grand slams. Cavendish has how- co-hosting, but it is never easy to solve ovak Djokovic will have This time, he is down at ever just one stage win practical problems for that. It's the coach Andre Agassi in world number four having this year in the Tour of same for forming a joint team for ice Nhis corner for as long as seen all of his prized crowns Abu Dhabi in February hockey," Chang added. required at Wimbledon as the removed from his possession and was sidelined with Moon, who was a senior official Serb tries to claim back one of - the rot setting in at Wimble- glandular fever for three in the liberal former South Korean his lost grand slam titles. don last year when, as months before only government of Roh Moo-hyun in the The 30-year-old teamed defending champion, he fell to returning to competition 2000s, took office on May 10, winning up with the eight-times major Sam Querrey in the third in mid-June. an election on a more moderate winner before the French Serbia's Novak Djokovic (right) and his coach Andre round. He will be joined in approach to North Korea and a prom- Open, having split with his Agassi of the US attend a training session ahead of the Djokovic is playing a the Dimension Data team ise to engage Pyongyang in long-time coaching team. grasscourt warmup tourna- by two-time British time- 2017 French Tennis Open in this file photo. dialogue. But the American had ment for the first time in seven trial champion Stephen South Korea's sports officials said already flown home before years and looked relaxed as he Cummings. they remained receptive to the idea Djokovic crumbled against vague, and Djokovic says they Wimbledon and he will stay as walked about in the south The 36-year-old has of competing together, however. Dominic Thiem in the are "going with the flow". long as I stay in the tourna- coast sunshine on Monday. focused on the three- "We are still open to possibilities quarter-finals. But he says he will able to ment, so that's great news," "This year I knew I wanted week French race in about forming a joint team," said Chun The exact details of the count on the 47-year-old's Djokovic told a news confer- to play one, but I thought recent years and has stage Byong-keuk, director general of Sports arrangement between wealth of experience through- ence at Eastbourne's Queen's and Halle would be wins in each of the past Corporation of the Ministry of Culture, 12-times grand slam champion out the Wimbledon fortnight. Devonshire Park, where he has too early for me," Djokovic two editions. Sports and Tourism. Djokovic and Agassi remain "He will be in London for taken a wildcard for the Aegon said.