FOOTBALL | Page 2 GGOLFOLF | Page 5 Ronaldo not Spieth leaves missed as behind Masters To Advertise here Portugal sink nightmare with Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 Norway 3-0 Colonial win
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 CRICKET Sha’baan 24, 1437 AH Cook becomes fi rst GULF TIMES Englishman to reach 10,000 Test runs SPORT Page 11
FOCUS Dream is to reach 2022 WC knockout stage: Hassan Al Sadd player thinks the 2018 World Cup qualifiers will accelerate his evolution as a player aving recently been awarded uate will not settle for anything other the Qatar Football Associa- than being the best. “I am happy to be tion’s (QFA) Best Under-23 in that list,” said Hassan. “But I still Player award, Abdulkarim need to improve. I want to win the HHassan has said he would love to win QFA Best Player Award soon and the QFA and AFC Player of the Year Inshallah the AFC Player of the Year awards, ply his trade in Europe and award as well. But the biggest dream make a diff erence for the national team is to progress into the knockout stage in the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with the Qatar. whole country behind us.” The 22-year-old left-back scored four goals in Qatar’s fourth-place fi nish in “I still need to improve. I want to January’s AFC U-23 Championship in win the QFA Best Player Award Doha, and was a core member of the Al soon and Inshallah the AFC Sadd side which fi nished third in the Qa- Player of the Year award as well,” tar Stars League (QSL) behind Al Rayyan Hassan said SC and El Jaish SC. After claiming his third best player trophy in age-group And though he loves his club Al categories, Hassan has said that with the Sadd, with whom he won the Asian third round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Rus- Champions League in his debut sea- sia qualifi ers looming large, there is no son in 2011, Hassan wants to try his time to rest on his laurels. hand in Europe before 2022. “I want “The upcoming 12 months are going to play in Europe for one or two sea- to be important because of the third sons. This exposure will enable me to round of 2018 World Cup qualifi ers,” realise my dream of playing well in the said Hassan, who made his Al Annabi 2022 World Cup,” he said. debut in 2010, aged 17, and has already Further proof of a calm head on clocked up an impressive 51 senior ap- young shoulders can be found in his pearances while still an U-23 player. choice of favourite stars – Roberto Car- “The qualifi ers will give young players los and Paolo Maldini. While Hassan valuable experience and prepare us for identifi es with the Brazilian World Cup the dream of playing in the 2022 World winner’s natural instincts for surging, Cup in front of our home fans.” overlapping runs, he admires the tac- Though Hassan admitted it would be tical acumen of the Italian World Cup diffi cult to claim a direct route to Russia runner-up, who made his Serie A debut with Iran and South Korea in their quali- for AC Milan at 16 and claimed his fi rst fying group, he does not rule out a sur- international cap three years later. prise from Jose Carreno’s Qatar side. “Maldini’s positional awareness was “Football is a strange game and the mind-blowing. He is a player to admire big boys of the continent should watch from afar because he is so perfect. But out for us. Giving a good account of Roberto Carlos plays with natural fl air ourselves in the opener in Tehran on and I feel I can relate to him,” said Has- September 1 is very important to build san with a smile. confi dence for the rest of the campaign. However, though the Brazilian has If we stage an upset at the intimidat- a FIFA World Cup medal in his trophy ing Azaadi Stadium, nothing will stop cabinet, there is one reason why Hassan us during the rest of the journey,” said Abdulkarim Hassan receives QFA Best Under-23 Player award from Spanish football star Xavi earlier this month. would prefer to be in the Italian’s shoes. Hassan. “Maldini is one of the few lucky profes- Hassan, who says he has matured a qualifi ers will accelerate his evolution stature before the completion of the goalkeeper from 45 yards in an AFC the 50 best current Asian footballers sional footballers who has played in a lot this season by watching Spain leg- as a player. qualifi ers,” said Hassan. Champions League group game against published by UK-based FourFourTwo World Cup at home, in 1990. My big- end Xavi’s professionalism at close “I have already made a mark in Asian He made heads turn in the conti- Lokomotiv Tashkent last season. He magazine in April. gest dream is to emulate him in 2022,” quarters at Al Sadd, thinks the 2018 circles and I can further improve my nent with his audacious chip over the also secured 26th spot in the list of However, the Aspire Academy grad- he concluded. (SC.qa)
ROUND-UP Al Wakrah need fi ve players: club offi cial l Wakrah club management seeks to resolve all of the con- tracts in the coming days, in- Acluding new signings and the decision on the foreign training camp. In terms of player contracts, the management has decided to extend the contract of defender Mohamed Arafa for two more seasons, while other play- ers, including Mohamed al-Sulaiti, will be renewing their contracts too, according to Abdullah Saqr, the club’s deputy head of Football. The deputy head of football also praised Arafa, who came up with some great performances over the last sea- son, where he was one of the main pil- lars of the team, and wished him and all the players luck. Al Wakrah’s deputy head of football Abdullah Saqr Saqr commented on the possibility of Al Wakrah signing some new players diffi cult for all the teams, and we look 19 in preparation for the 2016-2017 after a few names were linked with the forward to playing at a better level than season. club. “Certainly we are moving in this we did in the last season.” The team will be preparing for the direction, in co-ordination with the Saqr added that talks are under- upcoming season by undergoing tech- coaching staff , led by Uruguayan coach way to renew the contract of their top nical and physical training, as well as Mauricio Larriera, but at the same time scorer, Sasha. While the club has made friendly matches under the guidance of Al Khor we have not signed any new players so the fi nal off er, the player has not yet French tactician Jean Fernandez. players far,” Saqr said. reached an agreement with the team. Al Khor is scheduled to play three Regarding the needs of Al Wakrah in yet-to-be-decided friendly matches son training in Doha on July 10, with ing to the training camp. a bid to strengthen their team for next terms of new talent, he continued, “I AL KHOR TO PLAY THREE while in Germany. They will be work- all the players participating under the A few days ago, Al Khor acquired season. see that Al Wakrah need fi ve local play- FRIENDLIES DURING CAMP ing on an agreement with some of the leadership of Fernandez, who will then services of Moroccan player Mouhcine Al Khor fi nished the 2015-2016 Qatar ers to strengthen the ranks for the new Al Khor will be partaking in a training teams in the coming days. decide, along with the other team offi - Iagur for one season to join their Brazil- Stars League season in 10th place with season, which will be harder and more camp in Germany from July 31-August The team will start their presea- cials, as to which players will be head- ian duo Madison and Marco Antonio, in 33 points. (QSL) Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 31, 2016 FOOTBALL
SPOTLIGHT Ronaldo not missed as superb Portugal sink Norway 3-0 ‘We played on the attack right from the start, and we showed that we are in good form ahead of the Euros in France’
Portugal’s Ricardo Quaresma (2L) celebrates his goal against Norway with his teammates. (Reuters)
Reuters 22-year-old left back curled in a delightful free Porto, Portugal kick in the 65th minute, with Norway goal- Ronaldo rests to show the ‘jealous’ who’s best keeper Rune Jarstein clutching thin air. Portugal continued to press and their tower- Cristiano Ronaldo will not play in Portugal’s problems in recent weeks but should be ready to carry on like that. ortugal made sure the absence of top ing striker Eder made it 3-0 fi ve mintues later, pre-European Championship friendly against to play Estonia in a final friendly on June 8, two “I feel good and I love to play for Real Madrid. scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, resting the sweeping home a perfect low cross from the England on Thursday as he rests from his third days before the tournament starts. I want to carry on. I have more than 4,000 day after after Real Madrid’s Champi- right by midfi elder Joao Mario. Champions League triumph but he insists those “I am not worried. What interests me is that he minutes (playing time this season). I was the Pons League triumph, went unnoticed The performance set a perfect stage for Por- who doubt his talents are “jealous”. will be with us next weekend and he really wants number one in the team, again, for most min- as they thrashed Norway 3-0 in a Euro 2016 tugal’s visit to Wembley on Thursday, when The 31-year-old, who looked jaded in Real Ma- to help us and to win,” Santos said after Portu- utes. That means a lot to me. warm-up on Sunday. they meet England in their fi nal warm-up drid’s win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday even gal’s 3-0 friendly win against Norway on “It means I am still good, I still feel good physi- Ronaldo would have been impressed with for next month’s European Championship in though he scored the winning penalty in the Sunday. cally, mentally.” the fi nishing of his international teammates as France. shoot-out, believes he is still “number one” and Ronaldo said he was also not worried and that However, Ronaldo did acknowledge feeling Ricardo Quaresma and Raphael Guerreiro net- The Norwegians missed two gilt-edged has nothing to prove. he had every reason to feel proud and happy fatigued at the end of a long season. “I have a lot ted spectacular goals before Eder added a clini- chances as Joshua King was denied by goal- After a sixth straight season with more than 50 after helping Real win their 11th European Cup. of minutes in the legs. But I am still there. I am cal third at the Dragao stadium. keeper Anthony Lopes and Veton Berisha hit goals, Ronaldo has been given extra time off “Only the jealous don’t feel that,” he said. always there. I showed the team I am there for The Portuguese started in an adventur- the bar when the visitors were trailing 1-0. and will miss Portugal’s game at Wembley on “But I don’t care about that. I always keep the the good moments and bad moments. This is ous 4-3-3 formation and it soon paid off as Portugal are strong favourites to advance Thursday. people who love me. So this Champions League what makes me feel proud. 32-year-old winger Quaresma fi red them ahead to the Euro 2016 knockout stages from Group “Come on, let me rest my legs. Now is the time to is for them, the guys who support me all the “My performance (in the final) was maybe not against Norway, who failed to make the Euros, F which also includes Austria, Hungary and rest and enjoy this moment. I have six days to be time, my fans in Portugal and around the world.” the best one but who played unbelievable? No with a viciously swerving shot from the edge of Iceland. prepared to play a good competition,” Ronaldo Ronaldo highlighted that he was the Champions one.” the area in the 13th minute. Giving his markers a Later on a busy night, Romania crashed 4-3 told reporters after Saturday’s triumph in League’s top scorer for the fifth time with 16 Ronaldo’s performance in Madrid’s celebra- roasting all night with dazzling footwork before at home to impressive Ukraine in an action- Milan. goals while also reaching 50 goals altogether for tions, however, was firmly in the limelight. The he was substituted on the hour, the unsettled packed game. Andriy Yarmolenko, who scored Portugal coach Fernando Santos said Ronaldo’s the campaign once again. Portuguese took centre stage at the Santiago and often inconsistent Quaresma rolled back Ukraine’s fi nal goal, said: “This was an impor- performance in the Champions League final was “But I am asking more,” he declared. Bernabeu stadium on Sunday night. the years to show why he was once regarded as tant victory for us. We played on the attack not a concern for his campaign. “I am always in the top level. I just want to main- “I am so proud to wear this white shirt, it suits one of Europe’s hot prospects. right from the start, and we showed that we are The star forward has struggled with fitness tain. I still feel good, I still feel fresh ... and I want me and I am very happy,” he told the crowd. It was then Guerreiro’s turn to impress as the in good form ahead of the Euros in France.”
FOCUS Pelle strikes as pale Azzurri beat Scotland 1-0
AFP clinical strike from the edge of right road. We have to be posi- ing sprinted behind the defence Ta’ Qali, Malta the area. tive. If we get to France thinking to meet De Rossi’s smart delivery. But before then, the Azzurri negatively, we’ll get nowhere.” Candreva and Roma’s Ales- fl attered to deceive in a largely sandro Florenzi, whose shot outhampton striker messy fi rst half punctuated by Under threat fi zzed just off target, came close Graziano Pelle hit a sec- three near misses from enterpris- Scotland’s sole victory over again but it was a frustrating half ond-half winner as an ing Bologna midfi elder Emanuele Italy came in 1965 and this was for the Azzurri. injury-depleted Italy beat Giaccherini. the sides’ fi rst meeting since a An early return to the pitch ScotlandS 1-0 in a disjointed Euro After complaining about the Euro 2008 qualifi er. Almost im- three minutes before kick-off 2016 friendly in Malta on Sunday. state of the “poor” pitch, Conte mediately, Gordon Strachan’s was a sign of Italy’s intentions With his midfi eld decimated told Rai: “We put a lot into the men were under threat, Marshall and the hosts visibly moved up through injuries to Claudio Mar- match, but the pitch didn’t help. producing saves to stop Antonio a gear before breaking the dead- chisio and Marco Verratti, and “We’re still in construction Candreva’s fi erce free-kick and lock. De Rossi threaded a great Thiago Motta and Riccardo Mon- mode and we’re doing it little by Giaccherini’s follow-up. ball through for Eder, who did tolivo resting due to calf prob- little. There’s positives but we Deploying his preferred 3-5-2, well to hold off his markers and lems, Italy coach Antonio Conte know there’s a lot of work to do.” Conte saw Italy create chances push the ball into the path of gave Roma’s Daniele De Rossi Giaccherini is expected to but he will be disappointed with Pelle, whose powerful strike gave a chance to impress before an- travel to France this summer the lack of return. Marshall no chance. nouncing his 23-man Euro 2016 where he could fi ll in at central Yet he added: “I couldn’t fault Conte made a series of changes squad today. midfi eld, but he said: “We have a the lads’ commitment and we which likely left Conte with more Inter Milan striker Eder was in lot of great wingers so the coach didn’t concede, or give Scotland questions than answers as Italy a similar position, having failed sees me more in the middle, but any real chances.” failed to build on their opener. to spark for the Nerazzurri fol- I’ll play where he asks me to.” Giaccherini was wasteful twice Norwich striker Steven Nai- lowing his move from Sampdo- He added: “I think we played more, ballooning over from 12 smith’s tame shot went just wide ria. Thankfully for both, Eder well, but this won’t be enough for yards from Candreva’s assist of the upright and although the and De Rossi were involved when us at Euro 2016. and, after the Lazio man’s vol- visitors pushed for a late equalis- Pelle pounced to beat David Mar- “We have quite a few things to ley fl ew wide, spinning a great er, Italy were fi rmly in command Italy’s Graziano Pelle (No 9) vying for the ball with Scotland’s Russell Martin (No 4) during their friendly shall in the 57th minute with a iron out but I think we’re on the chance beyond post and bar hav- and happy to sit on the win. match at the National Stadium in Ta’Qali, Malta. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, May 31, 2016 3 FOOTBALL
SPOTLIGHT OPINION Terry backs Mourinho Nolito dreaming of Euro to succeed at United
Reuters 2016 aft er Spain double London helsea captain John Terry ‘I try to do the best I can just as I do in my club. I have the confidence of the coach’ expects Jose Mourinho to be a success at Manchester United, saying the Portu- Cguese is the right manager to lead AFP Madrid the 13-time Premier League cham- pions back into contention for major honours. elta Vigo forward Nolito Mourinho, who was named as strengthened his case for in- Louis van Gaal’s successor on Friday, clusion in Spain coach Vicente will hope to usher in a return to the del Bosque’s squad for Euro glory days the club’s fans took for C2016 with his fi rst two international granted until Alex Ferguson ended goals in a 3-1 friendly win over Bos- his trophy-laden 26-year tenure nia and Herzegovina in Saint Gallen, with his retirement in 2013. Switzerland, on Sunday. Terry won eight trophies un- Del Bosque named an experimental der Mourinho during the 53-year- side with no players from Champi- old coach’s two spells at Stamford ons League fi nalists Real Madrid and Bridge. Atletico Madrid or those sides involved “It’s fantastic news for Manches- in domestic Cup fi nalslast weekend, ter United,” Terry said at a charity including Barcelona andBayern Mu- event on Sunday. nich, other than out of favour Barca “I’m sure that United’s fans and defender Marc Bartra. players will be delighted with that Nolito has been included in Del because, as I’ve said many times Bosque’s provisional 25-man squad – before, he’s the best manager I’ve which will be trimmed to a defi nitive worked under... He’ll be great for list of 23 today – after leading Celta to Manchester United, I’m sure.” Europa League qualifi cation with 12 With a host of highly coveted goals this season. managers, including Pep Guardiola And it would be a huge surprise if at Manchester City and Antonio the former Barcelona man is now cut Conte at Chelsea, set to ply their from the squad as he curled expertly trade in England’s top-fl ight next into the far coner before delightfully season, Terry expects exciting times chipping Bosnia’s Chelsea goalkeeper ahead. Asmir Begovic to make it 2-0 after just “I think it’s great for English foot- 18 minutes. ball... Jose and Pep Guardiola up in The 29-year-old, making his sev- Manchester, Conte coming to Chel- enth international appearance, scored sea,” the defender added. twice in the friendly in St Gallen, “There’s real fi ght amongst the Switzerland. managers who’ll be eager to start Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will well so I think it will be interesting name his fi nal squad today. times.” “I try to do the best I can just as I do United midfi elder Michael Carrick in my club. I have the confi dence of the has urged Mourinho to prioritise re- coach. We know that in this national sults over an attractive style of play team there is a very high level but despite British media reporting Van dreaming is free and we will see who Gaal lost his job because of his side’s ends up making the fi nal squad,” No- poor quality of football during his lito told the Spanish football federa- two-year reign. tion website. “There is going to be change, Hamburg defender Emir Spahic Spain’s Manuel Agudo Nolito celebrates after scoring a goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their friendly match in Saint Gallen, Switzerland. (Reuters) without doubt. He is coming in and halved Bosnia’s defi cit when he headed he is his own man, he’s got an unbe- home from a corner just before the half lievable track record. I know there hour mark. However, Spahic then got Spain’s preparations hampered by absence of Madrid-based players is a lot of talk about styles, but it is himself needlessly sent-off just before about winning,” Carrick told British half-time when he clashed with Cesar Spain’s veteran coach Vicente del Bosque is pre- us out in a diff icult situation caused by the ab- media. Azpilicueta. paring for Euro 2016 - but he can still not count on sence of many players,” said the veteran manager, “You have to be number one, you Having named three debutants in the players from Atletico and Real Madrid. who is planning to retire after Euro 2016. have to be winning trophies, and if goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, Arsenal’s The Madrid-based players are recovering from Del Bosque singled out right-back Hector Bellerin you can do that with a bit of style Hector Bellerin and Real Madrid mid- their gruelling clash in Saturday’s Champions for special praise, and the Arsenal rookie actu- and a bit of fl air then obviously that’s fi elder Marco Asensio in his starting League final in Milan Saturday, in which Real ally stands a chance of snatching a place in the the perfect match but, fi rst and fore- line-up, Del Bosque handed four more prevailed 5-3 on penalties after a bruising, intense final squad of 23 – which has to be submitted by most, it is about winning and getting youngsters their international debuts 1-1 draw. midnight Tuesday – given that Real Madrid’s Dani back on top.” in the second-half. However, it was These players will be absent from Wednesday’s Carvajal suff ered an untimely thigh injury in the United missed out on Champions one of the old guard in Chelsea forward game against South Korea as they don’t join the Champions League final. League qualifi cation for the second Pedro Rodriguez who added the third squad until June 4, just six days before the tourna- “It was wonderful to make my international de- time in the last three seasons after deep into stoppage time. ment in France kicks off . Del Bosque, therefore, but,” said Bellerin, 21. they fi nished fi fth in the table. How- Spain have two more warm-up will be the last of the 24 coaches at Euro 2016 to “I felt very comfortable and I was not nervous ever, they did win the FA Cup in Van friendlies against South Korea in Salz- have all his players available. at all.” The friendly against South Korea will be Gaal’s fi nal game in charge, a 2-1 vic- burg, Austria, tomorrow and Georgia “This situation is obviously not ideal,” Del Bosque played in the Austrian city of Salzburg, close to tory over Crystal Palace. in Madrid on June 7 before they begin said after Sunday’s 3-1 defeat of Bosnia-Herzegovi- Spain’s pre-Euro training camp at Schruns. their defence of the European Cham- na in the Swiss town of St Gallen. Leading the attack for La Roja will be Celta Vigo pionships against the Czech Republic “But this is what we have. It is good that Spanish striker Nolito, who scored twice against Bosnia. in Toulouse on June 13. teams reach the European finals, but it does com- Spain have bad memories of South Korea because Later, Turkey had to sweat and suff er plicate our preparations to a certain extent.” of a controversial defeat against the Asian co- to score a late 1-0 win over minnows Against Bosnia, Del Bosque was forced to beef up hosts in the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup. Montenegro on a late goal from Meh- his thin squad with several youngsters from the After the match, Del Bosque’s squad will return met Topal. Spain Under-21 team, eight of whom were given to Spain to prepare for their final tune-up game, “We did not play really well tonight, their full international debuts. against minnows Georgia in Getafe on June 7. I have to admit that. But the important Del Bosque has blooded 68 new players since tak- Spain are bidding to become the first country to Real Madrid’s Spanish defender Dani Carvajal leaves the thing is that we’re patient, and we won ing over the Spain job in 2008. win three straight Euros, following on from their pitch after being injured during the UEFA Champions in the end,” Turkey’s veteran playmak- “The youngsters did very well today, they helped triumphs in 2008 and 2012. League final against Atletico Madrid in Milan, (AFP) er Arda Turan said.
FOCUS Slovakia stun green Germany in storm-hit tie
AFP said Loew. “Combinations were 24, and defender Joshua Kimmich, set to be gathered by Ter Stegen, on Berlin impossible at the start of the sec- 21, then 20-year-old midfi elders Ju- for Leno, only for the ball to roll be- Slovakia’s Michal Duris celebrates aft er ond half. We did well in the fi rst half lian Weigl and Julian Brandt. tween his legs on 52 minutes. scoring a goal against Germany in their hour, but we had a few problems in Schalke’s Leroy Sane, also just 20, It was virtually identical to the friendly in Augsburg, Germany. (Reuters) n inexperienced Germany defence. made only his second appearance in own-goal the Barcelona shot-stop- team suff ered a self-con- “You can’t expect everything the attacking midfi eld role behind per leaked against the USA in Ger- fi dence sapping 3-1 defeat from the young players, but all four Gomez. many’s 4-3 friendly defeat in Wash- to Slovakia in Sunday’s have the necessary quality.” The hosts took the lead when ington in June 2013. storm-affA ected friendly as the world Germany took an early lead when Mario Goetze was fouled in the area Loew must now cut four names champions fi elded four new caps Mario Gomez converted a penalty, and Gomez banged home the 13th- before submitting his 23-man squad ahead of Euro 2016. while goals from Marek Hamsik and minute penalty. for Euro 2016 before midnight on Slovakia, who will make their Michal Duris just before half-time Napoli attacking midfi elder Tuesday while Slovakia coach Jan European championships debut in put Slovakia 2-1 up at the break. Hamsik made Slovakia’s fi rst clear Kozak is set to name his on Monday. Group B alongside Wales, England A calamitous error by Germany’s chance count by drilling home “We found it hard to get into the and Russia next month, deserved replacement goalkeeper Marc-An- the equaliser on 40 minutes and game, because we had a lot of re- their win in Augsburg as Germany dre ter Stegen then gifted Slovakia’s his long-range shot gave Leno no spect, even a bit of fear of the world coach Joachim Loew blooded a Juraj Kucka the only goal of the sec- chance on his debut. champions,” said Kozak. youthful quartet. ond half. The goal fi red up the visitors who “The Germans were better, until A heavy storm in Bavaria at half- Centre-back Jerome Boateng, went ahead a minute before the we shook them with our (fi rst) goal. time meant the break was extended who was at the centre of an off -fi eld break when striker Duris slipped his “The rain turned the second half to 39 minutes and it was Slovakia political storm after a right-wing marker and fl oated his header past into a fi ght and we fought better.” who profi ted from the soggy sec- politician said most Germans would Leno. Germany have one more warm- ond-half conditions by adding their not want to have him as a neighbour, The skies opened during the half- up match, against Hungary in third goal. Loew was more relieved was the only member of the Germa- time break as torrential hail, then Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, the that none of his players picked up ny team who had started the World rain, pelted the pitch and the black same day Slovakia host Northern injuries rather than bothered by the Cup fi nal two years ago. clouds mirrored Loew’s dark scowls Ireland in Trnava. result. Banners reading “Jerome, move as he trudged off . Germany play their fi rst Euro “I have never experienced such in next to us” showed the feelings of The match resumed with pools of 2016 match in Group C against a long half-time break. The pitch most Germany fans. water on the surface and Slovakia Ukraine on June 12 in Lille, the day wasn’t undangerous and, thank god, Loew gave out two new caps in profi ted from the deluge. after Slovakia open their campaign nothing happened (injury wise),” each half to goalkeeper Bernd Leno, Kucka’s speculative shot looked against Wales in Bordeaux. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 31, 2016 FOOTBALL
FOCUS SPOTLIGHT ‘I don’t know what I sign’, Messi told Rashford signs judge in fraud case
AFP of Messi’s income earned Barcelona through the sale of his image rights from 2007-09. They have been charged long-term contract rgentina star Lionel with three counts of tax fraud. Messi, who is due According to the alleged to go on trial in Bar- statement published by the Acelona for alleged Barcelona daily, the judge tax fraud, told a judge that he showed him several sponsor- never looks at the contracts ship contracts that he signed, he signs, the El Periodico daily but he did not remember them. said yesterday. “This is something that with Man United The newspaper got access to my dad manages. And I trust Messi’s September 2013 state- him. I devote myself to playing ment to a judge and published football,” he reportedly said. ‘I have always been a United fan, so to be playing in the team really is a dream come true’ extracts just a day before the “I do what he tells me to.” fi ve-time World Player of the Spanish prosecutors are Year and his father stand trial. seeking a jail sentence of “I signed things, but I never 22-and-a-half months for England’s striker Marcus Rashford (second right) takes part in a team look at the contracts. I don’t Messi and his father if they are training session in Watford, north of London, yesterday. (AFP) know what I sign,” he allegedly found guilty, plus fi nes equiva- said. lent to the amount that was al- Messi and his father, Jorge legedly defrauded. Horacio Messi, are accused But any such sentence of using a chain of fake com- would likely be suspended as is panies in Belize and Uruguay common in Spain for fi rst of- to avoid paying taxes on 4.16 fences carrying a sentence of million euros ($4.7 million) less than two years.
Pirlo says no hard feelings over Euro omission Andrea Pirlo says he has no hard feelings towards Italy coach Antonio Conte after the veteran playmaker was overlooked for next month’s European Championship in France. The 37-year-old midfielder, who plays for Major League Soccer (MLS) club New York City, has featured in every major tourna- ment for his country since Euro 2004 but that run ended when he was left out of the provisional squad last week. “I have spoken to Conte and there is no disappointment on my part,” Pirlo told Sky Sports Italia. “He knows what he has to do and what he should not do. “We had discussions during the season and both parties made their own decisions. He is the coach and it’s only right he makes his decisions and decides what is best for him.” Conte said last week that Pirlo and Sebastian Giovinco, who plays for Toronto, had paid the price for their decision to play in MLS. Italy’s coach suggested in November that 2006 World Cup win- ner Pirlo should return to his homeland if he wanted to continue his international career. Pirlo made the last of his 116 appearances against Malta in September. He was called up for subsequent Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Norway but missed those games through injury and has not been picked since. “I hope Italy win although the favourites are other teams such as Germany, Spain and France,” said Pirlo. Italy have been drawn in Group E with Belgium, Ireland and Sweden.
OPINION Guardiola news hurt Man City,
Reuters including two on his debut gest club in the world means has signed a new contract, he is wick-Jackson also signed a new says Pellegrini London against Midtjylland in the Eu- everything to me and my family.” at the right club to continue his contract, keeping him at the club ropa League. The emergence of Rashford development.” until 2020, with an option of ex- AFP diola here, Guardiola in Arse- He followed up with two goals under former manager Louis van Rashford’s performances tending for a further year. London nal, Guardiola in Manchester triker Marcus Rash- against Arsenal and scored the Gaal was one of few positives for caught the eye of England man- “I have grown up at United United. ford has signed a new winner in the Manchester derby United in a disappointing cam- ager Roy Hodgson, who named and have enjoyed every minute “It was not fair for all man- contract at Manchester against City in March. paign in which they fi nished fi fth the youngster as a surprise pick of being here. Last season was he announcement of Pep agers, when everyone knew he United which will keep “I am delighted to have signed in the Premier League. in his 26-man provisional squad an incredible experience to make Guardiola’s appoint- was coming here.” himS at Old Traff ord until 2020 a new contract. I have always “Marcus is a naturally talented for the European Championship. my fi rst team debut and a dream ment by Manchester Pointing to the run of three with an option to extend for a been a Manchester United fan, footballer with great potential. Rashford became the young- come true for myself and my City had a negative im- straight league defeats that further year, the club said on so to be playing in the fi rst team He has taken his chances well est player to score on his Eng- family,” the 19-year-old said. Tpact on the team’s performanc- followed the announcement, their website (www.manutd. really is a dream come true,” and has integrated into the fi rst land debut, when he netted 138 “I will continue to work hard es, outgoing manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “The most dif- com) yesterday. Rashford said. team very quickly,” United’s Ex- seconds into his fi rst senior start and take advice from the man- Pellegrini said in an interview fi cult thing in a group is when The 18-year-old United acad- “I am grateful for having the ecutive vice chairman Ed Wood- in the 2-1 win over Australia on ager and his coaching team to published yesterday. you break something. emy graduate scored eight goals chance to prove myself. To be ward told the club’s website. Friday. improve with every training City were second in the Pre- “Something was broken in in 18 appearances this season, able to play football at the big- “I am delighted that Marcus Left back Cameron Borth- session.” mier League when Pellegrini that moment so, as I say, the revealed on February 1 that complete glass is broken.” Bayern Munich coach Guar- Pellegrini’s contract with diola would be succeeding City does not expire until June Sturridge returns to England training him, but fi nished fourth after 30 and although the season winning only six of their last 15 is now over, he is continuing Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge games. to work at the club’s training made a timely return to England While Pellegrini succeeded centre. training yesterday, the day before in steering City to League Cup He has previously stated manager Roy Hodgson submits his glory and into the Champions that he would prefer to remain final 23-man squad for Euro 2016. League semi-fi nals for the fi rst in England, but he told The Sturridge missed England’s 2-1 win time, he harbours regrets over Guardian that if the right job over Australia in Sunderland on Fri- his decision to make Guardio- does not come up, he could day after sustaining a calf strain dur- la’s appointment public. retire. ing Liverpool’s Europa League final “If I ask if I would do that “If I don’t have a really inter- defeat by Sevilla. But the 26-year-old again, I have some doubts,” esting option I will stop until I emerged for training with the rest of Pellegrini told The Guardian. fi nd one,” said the 62-year-old his teammates at Watford’s training “I don’t want to use (this) as an Chilean, who led City to two ground yesterday. excuse, but it was so diffi cult to Premier League titles and two Sturridge’s place in the squad is work after that. Not for me, for League Cups during his three- thought to be under threat, with the players.” year tenure. 18-year-old Manchester United He added: “It was my deci- “If I have to stop, I will stop. striker Marcus Rashford having sion. After Guardiola said he It can be now, (until) Decem- marked his debut with a goal against was coming to England, it was ber, one year or forever. Of Australia. Southampton left-back my decision because all the course, I would miss it. The Ryan Bertrand, who is nursing a media was talking about Guar- challenge keeps me alive.” knock, was the only injury-enforced absentee on Monday, which left 24 players training. Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill trained after missing Friday’s game because of a hip problem. Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph has already dropped to the standby list due to a groin injury. England play Portugal at Wembley on Thursday in their final warm-up game before travelling to France next week. They open their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia in Marseille on June 11 and will also face Slovakia and neighbours Wales in Group B. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 31, 2016 5 GOLF
FOCUS Wood fi nally delivers on his early potential
Reuters “I’m not somebody who needs to be going to do me some good.” world. I’ll need to still show some re- London motivated. I can motivate myself but... Wood also put himself in the frame ally good results in the next couple you just want that feeling of winning a for a place in the European Ryder Cup of months to give myself a chance at tournament again and holding a tro- team, under Darren Clarke at Hazel- pushing one of those two out.” t has taken some time but Chris phy. It defi nitely spurs you on.” tine, with his one million euro ($1.11 Wood had a chance of winning this Wood fi nally delivered on the po- The 6-foot-6 (1.98-metre) Wood million) prize money, but still has to tournament back in 2010 when he was tential he showed when fi nishing said he found it tough to enjoy the ex- overtake Willett and Justin Rose in the in front going into the last round, only fi fth as an amateur at the 2008 perience as he was plotting his way to world rankings to make the Great Brit- for Simon Khan to win after Wood had BritishI Open by winning the BMW his third, and most important, tour ain team for Rio. shot a fi nal-round 77. And the player PGA Championship at Wentworth. win. “I’m pretty tired,” he added after The Wentworth victory will push from Bristol claims the experience of The beanpole Englishman’s one- fi nishing with a three-under-par 69 Wood into the top 25, but Willett was throwing that away helped him fi nally stroke victory at the European Tour’s and a nine-under tally of 279. ninth and Rose 10th the week before land the biggest title of his career. fl agship event on Sunday sent him “It is so hard to win a golf tournament the event. There is an added compli- “I was leading by two going into the rocketing from 54th to 22nd in the and particularly one of this stature. The cation—Wood is getting married the last day, and I think the whole thing got world rankings and went a long way golf course is so demanding, the fi nal week after the Olympics and his stag the better of me. Even I can remember towards clinching a debut Ryder Cup six holes or so, when they play into the party is due to take place when the golf back that day, that was a Ryder Cup appearance in September. wind, it seems like every shot you’ve is on in Brazil. year. I sat at breakfast thinking, ‘Oh Wood said compatriot Danny Wil- got to hit good shot after good shot just “My stag do is the week of the Ol- my God, if I win this, I might make the lett’s fi rst major victory at the US Mas- to try and make pars. That’s how it feels ympics now,” the 28-year-old laughed. Ryder Cup’. ters in April had given him the kick up when you’re leading so mentally it’s “You could probably postpone that but Those sort of thoughts aren’t what the backside he needed to make the very draining and you can’t really enjoy not the wedding, which is the week af- you want four hours before you tee off . next step in his career progression. it to be honest, even though obviously I ter. I had sort of put it in my head that You can’t ignore the fact that if you “I’ve grown up with Dan since we played really nicely.” that sent him back into the pack after a patch,” said Willett. “That kind of Justin and Dan were locked in, really. If win an event like this, it is going to put were about 13, 14, through England Swede Rikard Karlberg fi nished tournament record outward half of 29 killed it really. There was a lot of good that changes, then great. you in the frame. But it’s being able to amateur golf, and there’s no doubt in second place, one ahead of world had pushed him into fi rst place. in there this week but the bad shots “We can always have a stag do in manage those shots, and six years on, seeing players like that win pushes number nine Willett, who lamented a “It was easier on Friday in the morn- have been pretty bad. A couple of Rio, can’t we? I’m still a little bit off I’m older and more experienced... I can you,” the 28-year-old told reporters. poor back-nine 39 in the second round ing and then we hit a bit of a slow weeks off now before the US Open is the pace. They are both top-10 in the do that.”
DEAN & DELUCA INVITATIONAL Mediate wins his fi rst Champions Tour major
Reuters perfect,” said Mediate, who Michigan had looked in danger of drop- ping shots at the 17th before holing out from the sand. Spieth dispatches occo Mediate holed “That hole was good to me this out from a greenside week. I hit a couple of funny Rbunker at the par-three shots there and I made a par 17th for birdie to close out a and a birdie.” wire-to-wire victory at the Mediate, a six-time PGA Tour Senior PGA Championship winner, said the experience of in Michigan on Sunday. The losing the 2008 US Open in a 53-year-old, who claimed his 18-hole playoff to Tiger Woods Masters nightmare first Champions Tour major, had helped him close out the posted a five-under-par 66 in win over Montgomerie, who the final round for a 19-under has won three senior majors tournament record total of since joining the Champions 265, beating Sam Snead’s Tour in 2013. score of 268 set in 1972. “Absolutely, 100 percent,” Mediate finished three shots Mediate said. “I played some in front of two-time defending of the best golf in my life that with Colonial win champion Colin Montgomerie day and lost. Okay, to the best (67) and was the first wire-to- player in the world at that ‘I’m already looking back, thinking this will be a very important day to get back on top wire winner at the event since time. But today I’m playing Jack Nicklaus in 1991. German against pretty much the player and be in the winner’s circle. As a golfer I can always look back on this experience and Bernhard Langer (67) and in the world of our age. Bern- American Brandt Jobe (68) hard, obviously too, but Colin say we were strong in what shouldn’t have been tough times, but were tough times’ tied for third at 13-under. doesn’t make a whole bunch “The bunker shot... it was of mistakes.”
Reuters Fort Worth, Texas VOLVIK CHAMPIONSHIP ordan Spieth exhibited his short-game wizardry with six back-nine birdies to claim the Colonial tournament on Sun- Third successive day for his eighth career PGA Tour vic- Jtory before his 23rd birthday, an impressive run that is one better than Tiger Woods managed at LPGA triumph for that age. The emphatic win not only gave Spieth, who turns 23 on July 27, his fi rst win in his Thailand’s Ariya home state after three second-place show- ings in Texas, but the performance came in his third start since his back-nine collapse at the Masters last month. He carded a closing 65 at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth for a 17-under to- tal of 263, good for a three-shot cushion over fellow American Harris English (66). “To come back in only our third tournament and close it out is really, really special,” Spieth said. “I’m already looking back, thinking this will be a very important day to get back on top and be in the winner’s circle. As a golfer and as a person I can always look back on this experi- ence and say we were strong in what shouldn’t AFP I really want to win my fi rst have been tough times, but were tough times.” Chicago major,” Ariya said. Asked Only the late Horton Smith, with 14 victo- what she will do on her week ries, recorded more wins than Spieth at age 22 off , Ariya replied matter-of- or younger. hailand’s Ariya factly: “Practice harder.” Spieth, the world number two, opened with Jutanugarn won Ariya fi nished 72 holes three straight birdies on his back nine and her third consecutive at Ann Arbor, Michigan, on closed with three straight birdies. LPGA title on Sunday, 15-under 273, putting her at On his fi nal three holes, he curled in a 20- fiT ring a fi nal-round fi ve-under a combined 43-under par for foot birdie putt, chipped in from 40 feet and par 67 to win the inaugural her past 12 rounds. Kim was punctuated his performance with a 35-foot Volvik Championship by fi ve second on 278 after a clos- putt on the closing hole. strokes over American Chris- ing 71, with Canada’s Brooke He also received a little help from the golf- tina Kim. Henderson and American ing gods. With a one-stroke lead on 17, Spi- Ariya became the fi rst play- Jessica Korda, the 23-year- eth received a break when his pulled tee shot er to capture her fi rst three old daughter of former tennis glanced off the leg of a marshal and finished in LPGA crowns consecutively, standout Petr Korda, sharing the fi rst cut of rough. He drilled his approach pushing the 20-year-old third spot on 279 and Spain’s shot over the green and received a free drop from Bangkok within two of Belen Mozo fi fth on 280. from a grandstand. the tour record win streak of Korda was paired with Ariya “Seventeen was one of the luckiest holes fi ve events by Sweden’s An- in Sunday’s fi nal group and I’ve ever had personally,” Spieth said. “I hit a nika Sorenstam and American marveled at the Thai star’s guy in the side and it goes in the fi rst cut, get a Nancy Lopez. performance. drop and chip in. If I’m playing against me I’d Ariya became the fi rst Thai “It was great. I’m speech- be pretty upset.” player to win an LPGA title when less. That was amazing. I Spieth began the fi nal round with a one- she took the Yokohama Tire didn’t see 5-under there when shot lead and had to withstand an early charge Classic in Alabama earlier this we started the day,” Korda from English, who knocked in his 83-yard ap- month and added the Kingsmill said. “Honestly, she putted proach shot for eagle on the par-fi ve opening Championship last week. “It so well today. It wasn’t easy, hole. Spieth, who also made lengthy par putts feels easier,” Ariya said. “I got greens were a little bit bumpy. at eight and 14, became the fi rst Texan to win a little bit excited before this She made it look so easy.” the Colonial since Ben Crenshaw in 1990. crowd but I just decided I would Ariya birdied the par-5 sixth He understands why golf fans and media do what is under my control.” and fi nished with fl ourish in her have talked at length about his performance Ariya is the fi rst LPGA third bogey-free round of the at the Masters, where he threw away the green player to win three events in a week, sealing her triumph with jacket with a quadruple-bogey at the 12th hole row since South Korean Park back-to-back birdies at the during the fi nal round. In-Bee in 2013, the woman par-4 13th and par-5 14th plus But Spieth kept telling himself over the en- nicknamed ‘May’ in her home- the par-3 16th and par-4 17th. suing weeks to tune it out the incessant bab- land after sweeping the LPGA “When I (fi rst) see the ble. “Don’t listen to the noise,” he told himself. events in the month of May. course, I just feel like it’s really It seems to have worked. She will skip next week’s Sho- hard for me because I can’t hit The win also helped Spieth eat into Aus- prite LPGA Classic to focus on my driver and I really have to tralian Jason Day’s lead at the top of the latest the year’s second major tour- have a good game plan,” Ariya world rankings. Meanwhile, Englishman Chris nament, the Women’s PGA said. “So to be honest, fi rst Wood climbed 32 places to 22nd thanks to his Championship at Sammamish, time I see it, I think this course win in the European PGA Championship at American golfer Jordan Spieth poses with the trophy with father Shawn, mother Chris, sister Ellie and girlfriend Annie Verret after Washington, from June 9-12. is hard and I don’t think I’m Wentworth on Sunday. winning the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas on Sunday. (AFP) “To be honest, my goal is going to win.” Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 31, 2016 SPORT
RUGBY Strauss to captain Springboks against Ireland
AFP pions. “I would like to make sure that Vermeulen widely considered the best Stellenbosch, South Africa the captain of the national side should South African No. 8. Newly anounced be there to make sure that we win Test The appointment of Strauss covers Springboks matches,” he said. only the internationals in Cape Town, captain Adriaan driaan Strauss will captain The coach last Saturday chose 12 blacks Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth as Co- Strauss, a lock, South Africa in the upcom- in a 31-man squad amid government etzee seeks to avoid a trap that entan- ing three-Test home series pressure for the national team to refl ect gled his two immediate predecessors. passes a ball against Ireland during June, the demographics of a country whose Peter de Villiers and Meyer made during the first newA national coach Allister Coetzee population is 90 percent non-white. hooker John Smit and centre Jean de training ses- announced yesterday in Stellenbosch, His predecessor, Heyneke Meyer, Villiers long-term skippers in deci- sion after the near Cape Town. stubbornly refused to embrace racial sions that came back to haunt them. announcement The hooker succeeds veteran centre transformation, consistently picking De Villiers continued to choose Smit of his appoint- Jean de Villiers, who retired from Test 12 whites in his fi rst choice starting leading up to the 2011 Rugby World ment in Stellen- rugby after being injured during the line-up for four years. Other captaincy Cup when it was widely accepted that bosch, near Cape Rugby World Cup in England last year candidates included Bath fl anker Fran- understudy Bismarck du Plessis was town, yesterday. and later joined the Leicester Tigers. cois Louw and two No. 8s, Golden Lion the top performer. Northern Bulls skipper Strauss Warren Whiteley and Duane Vermeu- The same problem beset Meyer Strauss will made his Test debut against Australia len of Toulon. ahead of the World Cup in England last captain South in 2008 and has been capped 54 times. Playing outside South Africa count- year with centre De Villiers starting Africa in a three- He will lead the Springboks into a new ed against Louw and Vermeulen with Tests ahead of superior rivals. Test home series era with nearly half the World Cup Coetzee saying “it was not ideal to have South Africa play Ireland on June 11 against Ireland squad not chosen to face the Irish due your captain based abroad”. (Cape Town), June 18 (Johannesburg) during June, new to retirements, age or locals being pre- Whiteley has been in outstanding and June 25 (Port Elizabeth). It is the national coach ferred to those playing abroad. form and an inspirational leader of the fi rst Irish tour of the republic since Allister Coetzee Coetzee has spelt out what he ex- Johannesburg-based Lions, the most 2004 when new Springboks coach Jake has announced. pects from the 30-year-old forward successful South African franchise this White plotted a 2-0 series triumph (AFP) who will captain the country that were season in Super Rugby. But he was not with his side winning 31-17 in Bloem- the 1995 and 2007 world rugby cham- guaranteed a starting Test place with fontein and 26-17 in Cape Town.
CYCLING Hollywood star Bellew wins cruiserweight world title
AFP that’s what I do,” Bellew told Sky Liverpool Sports. “I told you I am Everton. That’s why I got up. Nothing was going to stop me tonight. I cried Ruthless Nibali ollywood actor Tony in the dressing room two hours Bellew recovered from ago when I got here. I achieved Ha first round knock- the dream tonight, I am world down to win the vacant WBC champion, that’s what I am.” cruiserweight world title with a The 33-year-old seemed in third round knock-out of Ilunga control of the first round but got Makabu on Sunday. caught flat-footed as Makabu It was a case of third time landed a straight left hand that leaves mark on lucky for Everton fan Bellew af- sent Bellew down and into a ter twice coming up short when backward roll. He got up and challenging for light-heavy- looked unhurt as the bell rang weight world titles previously. to end the first round before the But Bellew, who acted alongside fight resumed. Sylvester Stallone in the 2015 Bellew looked tentative in the boxing movie ‘Creed’, picked second but he started to open himself off the canvas after a up his shots in the third and dramatic Giro win hard first round knock-down to soon had Makabu, 28, on the knock his Congolese opponent ropes before landing a left-hand out cold in the third at Everton’s shot that had the Congolese ‘Riding above 2000 metres isn’t easy for anyone but I felt comfortable. Kruijswijk Goodison Park football stadium. fighter unconscious before he crashed... but towards the summit of the Colle d’Agnello I noticed that he was breathing “I got knocked down but hit the canvas. heavily so I put pressure on him climbing and then descending. Had I not, probably nothing would have happened and (Esteban) Chaves would have had an easy ride as well’
Tony Bellew consoles Ilunga Makabu after winning their WBC cruiserweight bout on Sunday. (Action Images via Reuters)
FOCUS Blues look green for Origin opener AFP on,” Daley said. “But that’s one Sydney of the risks you take when you blood a lot of new guys. You’ve got to come together quickly ew South Wales will and you’ve got to make sure gamble with one of that you prepare as best as you their most inexperi- possibly can.” enced line-ups in a Queensland have some of the Nbid to upset mighty Queens- greatest stars in the contem- land in the State of Origin rugby porary Australian game with league series opener in Sydney record Origin try-scorer Greg tomorrow. Inglis, skipper Cameron Smith, Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali (pink jersey) of team Just eight players remain from Thurston and Cronk. Astana rides during the final and 21st stage the 17-man Blues squad that Match-winning Thurston of the 99th Giro d’Italia on Sunday. (AFP) was decimated by the Maroons has the most consecutive Ori- 52-6 in last year’s series-de- gin appearances with 33 and has AFP on Friday, the race for pink was suddenly next day on the climb to Sant’Anna di Vina- and joy as he hung his arms over the han- ciding game in Brisbane, which totted up the most career points Turin, Italy back on two days before the fi nish. dio when Nibali pulled on the pink jersey. dlebars. stands as the biggest winning with 200, while Smith will be- On stage 19, Nibali forged ahead to On Sunday, Nibali revealed he had been Nibali, 31, left his native Sicily for margin in 35 years of Origin come the most-capped player victory on the summit fi nish at Risoul in suff ering from a stomach bug, news of Tuscany as an ambitious 16-year-old to encounters. There is plenty on in Origin history with his 37th ome will call Vincenzo Nibali’s France, where he also won on his road to which he kept to himself. “I had a stomach follow his dream, and has become one of the line for coach Laurie Daley game for the Maroons, moving dramatic Giro d’Italia victory on Tour de France triumph in 2014. bug during the Giro but it’s better not to the most formidable, and feared stage rac- and his revamped NSW squad past Darren Lockyer. Sunday lucky, but it served as a re- Like a great white patiently circling tell everything sometimes,” he said. ers in the world. against a side that has won nine Queensland are coached for minder that ‘The Shark’ is danger- his prey, Nibali was unforgiving when he It is not the fi rst time the Sicilian has A strong climber with descending skills of the last 10 series. the fi rst time by Kevin Walters ousS when in deep water. went in for the kill. fought back from adversity to triumph in that have left more than one rival fearing Daley will go into this week’s following Mal Meninga’s move Three years after the Italian sealed “Steven Kruijswijk had a good advan- one of the world’s biggest bike races. He for his safety, Nibali copes well in tough fi rst match with three start- to the Test job after 10 years and a maiden pink jersey with an epic ride tage after the Dolomites but I knew the upset pre-race predictions to win the Tour weather conditions. He secured his maid- ing debutants in fullback Matt a 20-10 Origin winning record. through the snowy Dolomites moun- highest mountains were yet to come,” said de France in 2014, becoming the fi rst Ital- en pink jersey on the penultimate stage Moylan, winger Josh Mansour In that context NSW have a tains, a second Giro triumph looked out of Nibali after his win. ian to do so since deceased climbing ace in 2013 when he emerged through a snow and scrum-half Adam Rey- massive task ahead to go one- reach when Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk “Riding above 2000 metres isn’t easy Marco Pantani in 1998. blizzard to triumph atop Trois Cimes de nolds, with a fourth newcomer, up in the three-match series. opened up a huge lead in the fi nal week of for anyone but I felt comfortable. Kru- And when he was excluded from the Lavaredo in the Dolomites. utility back Dylan Walker, on But they have won 15 of the a thrilling 99th edition. ijswijk crashed... but towards the sum- 2015 Tour of Spain for illicitly hanging on After Kruijswijk fl ew over the handle- the interchange bench. 23 Origin encounters at Syd- Over two intense days in the moun- mit of the Colle d’Agnello I noticed he was to the back of a team car following a crash, bars head-fi rst into the snow on Friday, The Blues will pitch three- ney’s Olympic Stadium, a venue tains, pre-race favourite Nibali went from breathing heavily so I put pressure on him he blew away his shame with a stunning Nibali remarked: “Descents are just as capped Origin stand-off James where they won their last series trailing the ginger-haired Dutchman by climbing and then descending. Had I not, performance to win the Tour of Lombardy much a part of racing as climbing.” Maloney and Reynolds against against the Maroons in 2014. 41secs to seemingly out of contention at probably nothing would have happened one-day classic weeks later. Next up is the Tour de France, where Queensland’s crack halves “It’s been a team that’s been 4min 43sec. But ‘Lo Squalo’ (The Shark) and (Esteban) Chaves would have had an Shy off the bike, the Sicilian becomes he is sure to meet tougher opposition in combination of Johnathan hard to get into over the years has a habit of biting back at his rivals. easy ride as well.” a fi erce competitor on it -- although he Spaniard Alberto Contador and Britain’s Thurston and Cooper Cronk. because of our success,” Wal- And when Kruijswijk crashed into a Little Orica team climber Chaves took the is known for his sensible side, too. After Chris Froome, both former yellow jersey “I suppose we can only fi nd ters said. “I’m very happy with snow bank early on the descent of the Colle race lead with a 44sec lead over Nibali on fi ghting his way back into victory conten- champions. Nibali will then focus on Ol- out on the night. I know we’ll the squad. The guys have really d’Agnello climb bordering France and Italy Friday, but trailed in behind the Italian the tion in Risoul, Nibali wept tears of relief ympic gold in Rio this August. get better as the series goes earned their positions in the side.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 31, 2016 7 SPORT
FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Germany’s ‘blade Kenyan-born runner jumper’ still hopes for Olympics chance
AFP a 14-year-old, hopes the study Berlin will now open discussions in Kimani eyes her third the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), ermany’s paralym- which could see him compete as pic long-jump cham- an able-bodied athlete at the Rio pion Markus Rehm de Janeiro Olympics, which run still hopes to compete from August 5-21. Gagainst able-bodied athletes at To compete in the Rio Olym- Olympics for Bosnia August’s Olympics after a study pics, Rehm must prove his pros- published yesterday said it was thesis gives him no advantage unclear whether his carbon-fi bre over able-bodied athletes after She has four national records from the 10,000 metres to the marathon prosthesis gave him an advan- the IAAF brought in a new rule tage. last August. AFP The study, published by the A decision is only expected to Mrakovica, Bosnie-Herzegovine German sports university in Co- be made next month, at the ear- logne, has said it is “diffi cult, if liest, at the next IAAF council not impossible” to determine meeting. he started running on the plains of whether paralympic athletes The German aims to be the her native Kenya and today trains get an advantage over the able- second athlete with a prosthesis in dark Balkan forests. Now mara- bodied when they compete with to compete at both the Olympics thoner Lucia Kimani is set to be- a prosthesis. and Paralympics after South Af- comeS Bosnia’s fi rst athlete to compete in The study, carried out in rican runner Oscar Pistorius ran three Olympic games. conjunction with institutes in in the 400m and 4x400m relay Her unusual journey is propelled by a Cologne, Colorado and Tokyo, at the 2012 London Games. love story, which began in 2004. Kimani, found athletes with a running- The 27-year-old Rehm says then 23, was an unknown runner among specifi c prosthesis have a disad- he will defi nitely compete at the a number of Kenyans taking part in the vantage in the run up, but gain Paralympics, which will take Salzburg marathon. a better technique for the long place in Rio from September The amateur footballer and hair and jump, leaving it open whether a 7-18, but he wants to compete beauty student had completed her fi rst false limb helps or hinders ath- alongside able-bodied athletes marathon a year earlier, “for fun”, on the letes. at the Olympics. advice of a cousin. One of eight children “There was no clear advantage “I haven’t given up hope of in a poor family, she fi nished seventh in detected through those using starting at the Olympics,” said that debut race and won a cash prize. a prosthesis, so that makes me Rehm, who won the 2012 para- “That was really motivating, so... I happy,” said Rehm, who has been lympic long-jump gold in Lon- started training,” she tells AFP. dubbed ‘blade jumper’, and says don and set the world record of Also on the track in Salzburg was Sinisa his goal is to “bring together the 8.40m last October. Marcetic, a 19-year-old Bosnian Serb, Olympic and Paralympic sports”. “I am not concerned about who had been running for a decade on the Rehm, who lost his lower right medals, it’s about giving paral- steep pine-forested slopes of Mrakovica leg in a wakeboarding accident as ympic sport a stage.” mountain, which dominates his small city of Prijedor. Marcetic had caught the running bug after a school race in which he fi nished fourth. He decided he never again want- ed to fi nish without a medal — and he dreamt one day of training with Kenya’s world-dominating runners. In this May 15, 2016, picture, Kenyan-born marathon runner with Bosnia and Herzegovina citizenship, Lucia Kimani, warms-up before He met a group of them in Salzburg, training in Mrakovica, near the western Bosnian town of Prijedor. (AFP) and then came an off er to train with them early the next day. taining, but adults can be less innocent, When she runs for Bosnia, “I feel like I Lucia Kimani Running School that she “There was a group outside the hotel, sometimes calling her racist names. Nev- run for my country,” she says. cofounded with Marcetic. and I saw Lucia for the fi rst time. I fell in ertheless she says she now feels settled in Money cannot be her driving force to They take care of 40 children from love,” says Marcetic. Bosnia. run in the former Yugoslav republic, one Bosnia’s various ethnicities — a mix of In 2005, without a word of Serbian in “I was lucky because Sinisa’s family of Europe’s poorest nations, where ath- Croats, Serbs and Muslims. her luggage, Kimani arrived in Prijedor to really accepted me well, I have a lovely letics is a minority sport. “Even with the small money that we marry the man she now describes as her mother-in-law... and with the help of the To make a living, “I need to run much have, with the small infrastructure that “husband and coach”. rest of family I guess it was not hard for faster,” Kimani says. Just buying two pairs we have, you still can work hard and make me to get adapted.” of running shoes every two months is a something,” says Kimani. ‘THEY ARE ALWAYS AT WAR’ She has fl ourished in particular on the sacrifi ce. She is picking up the local language, She says friends and family in Kenya were tracks, winning four national records although she still struggles with the dif- “kind of scared” by her decision, as they from the 10,000 metres to the marathon. RUNNING SCHOOL fi cult declensions, and she now considers German paralympic long jumper Markus Rehm poses after a news knew Bosnia only from its bitter inter- At the Beijing Games she finished Kimani’s interval training sessions of- herself fully Bosnian. conference in Cologne, Germany, yesterday. (Reuters) ethnic war in the early 1990s. 42th in the marathon in two hours 35 ten take place on old and uneven steps Whatever other people think, “I know “They were like, Lucie, you must be minutes; in London, she dropped out of through the pines to the peak of Mrakovi- for myself,” she insists. crazy, how can you go to that place? They the race. ca, the site of a huge concrete monument Her husband listens silently. She has are always fi ghting, killing each other.” Despite an interruption caused by to a battle between Tito’s Partisan resist- taken him several times to her Kenyan Now in Bosnia, she faces the curiosity of pregnancy and the birth of her daughter ance movement and the Nazis. hometown of Kiserian, near Nairobi. Former Kenyan offi cials’ suspensions children who ask her why she wears “a lot Victoria two and a half years ago, Kimani It is an austere setting, often hidden by “Over there everyone runs,” Marcetic extended of make up”, in reference to her dark skin. has passed the threshold for this year’s mist, where she is sometimes accompa- says, looking at his wife. “It’s very Kimani fi nds such comments enter- games in Rio de Janeiro. nied by young athletes belonging to the beautiful.” The IAAF has extended the suspensions of three former leading Kenyan athletics off icials by six months, lead investigator Sharad Rao said yesterday. The east African nation, a global powerhouse in middle and long-distance running, has been in the spotlight re- cently following allegations of widespread doping by its athletes. Worried Gasol wants more Zika details ahead of Rio The three senior off icials were provisionally suspended by the Reuters not to put at risk their health and that of experts,” Gasol said. IAAF on Nov. 30, accused of subverting anti-doping processes. Madrid their families.” “The national Olympic committees and “The suspensions have been extended for a further 180 days in Asked if he was among them, Gasol said: world health organisations need to give respect of (Isaiah) Kiplagat, (David) Okeyo and (Joseph) Kinyua,” “I am evaluating it like any other athlete information that is 100 percent and with Rao told Reuters yesterday. hicago Bulls and Spain basketball or person that is considering going to the biggest clarity possible.” “Their suspensions were due to end on May 29, but that has been centre Pau Gasol wants clarity on Rio. The WHO’s advice is that pregnant extended for a further 180 days,” said Rao. “I have received their Cthe Zika outbreak in Brazil before “Some of my team mates are looking to women should not travel to areas with formal responses denying all allegations against them.” deciding whether to compete at the start a family in the near future and they Zika virus transmission and also advises Up to 40 Kenyan athletes have failed doping tests in the past four Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August. cannot risk the health of their future everyone to make all eff orts to protect years, forcing global anti-doping agency WADA to demand greater Gasol, who has represented his country children or wives.” against mosquito bites and to practice action. Three-times former Boston Marathon champion Rita Jep- at the last three Games, says there is not The World Health Organisation (WHO) safe sex. too is serving a two-year ban. enough information about the outbreak rejected a call on Saturday to move Zika infection in pregnant women has In a bid to meet WADA compliance and avoid being barred from of the virus that is linked to serious birth or postpone the Olympics over the been shown to be a cause of the birth international competitions including this year’s Rio Olympic defects. “The Olympics can be an opportunity outbreak after more than 100 leading defect microcephaly and other serious Games, Kenya’s Parliament enacted anti-doping laws in April and “I feel a responsibility to raise awareness for this virus to spread. I want the health scientists said new findings about Zika brain abnormalities in babies. the government set up the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). and inform about something that we are of sportsmen, fans and their families made it unethical for the Games to go The connection between Zika and mi- WADA, however, rejected the laws and proposed a raft of amend- not talking enough about and which is that will travel to Rio to come first. ahead. crocephaly first came to light last year ments, which were rushed through parliament last week and are a big unknown,” the 35-year-old told a “It wouldn’t surprise me if certain ath- “It’s a very serious situation and there in Brazil which has confirmed more than awaiting presidential assent. news conference on yesterday. letes decided not to take part in order is a lack of knowledge even among the 1,400 cases of microcephaly. Britain’s Johnson-Thompson clinches Olympic place BOTTOMLINE Rio Paralympic organisers worry about ticket sales but promise great show
AFP Q: The IPC is worried about poor the Games right now.” weight categories in boxing, in judo. They Rio de Janeiro ticket sales in Rio. What are you do- cannot compete against each other be- ing to try and fi x that? Q: What will hosting the Paralympics cause it would not be fair. With disabili- A: “It is true that our main focus is the here do for Brazil’s handicapped? ties, it is the same: a quadriplegic cannot razil’s top organiser for the com- tickets sales.... We will have the momen- A: “Sport puts disability into perspec- compete with paraplegic in a swimming ing Rio Paralympics tells AFP tum of the Olympic Games. We will be tive.... With the continuous success of pool. It is not a fair competition.” Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson is relieved after booking that empty stadiums are a worry, targeting specifi c communities such as Brazilian athletes and the new genera- her place at the Rio Games in August and says she is setting her amid struggles to sell tickets 100 schools, churches, and communities in tion of athletes coming, I think we have a Q: What is Brazil’s medal target? sights on a first Olympic heptathlon gold medal. daysB from kickoff . But he promises an in- other areas than Rio, because spectators better understanding. Of course this bet- A: “We will have a very strong Brazil The 23-year-old accumulated the 6,200 points needed for Olym- spirational sporting event. of the Paralympic Games are not interna- ter understanding and perception has to team. We want to be fi fth in the medal ta- pic qualification at the Hypo-Meeting in Goetzis on Sunday to join The Paralympics take place September tional — they are Brazilians.” translate into actions. I see some of them ble. We were seventh in London, ninth in compatriot Jessica Ennis-Hill in the Rio lineup. The Austrian event, 7-18 in the wake of the Summer Olympics, with the transformation of the transport Beijing.” won by Canada’s Brianne Theisen-Eaton, was Johnson-Thomp- the fi rst ever held in South America. About Q: Is the political instability, with system of the city of Rio... (But) it’s not son’s first major outing since a knee operation in October. 4,350 athletes from 170 countries will take president Dilma Rousseff facing an that Rio de Janeiro will be 100 percent Q: Could you merge the Olympics “The feeling is one of relief more than anything else,” she told part in 22 sports and International Paral- impeachment trial, overshadowing accessible, no other city in the world has and Paralympics? British media. “I’ve got a lot to work on between now and then but ympic Committee (IPC) President Philip the Paralympics? that.” A: “From the logistic point of view it this is my first time back after surgery and I know exactly what Craven predicts that records will tumble. A: “Obviously we are in a very special would be a challenge.... If we merge the I need to work on. My goal is definitely a gold medal in Rio. I’m At the start of the three-month count- moment with the political turmoil Q: Do the Paralympics suff er from Paralympics with the Olympics, we’ll always a glass half-full person.” down, the head of Brazil’s Paralympics but nothing that will aff ect the Games having too many diff erent categories? have less Paralympic athletes because we Johnson-Thompson, who finished sixth at Goetzis with 6,304 committee, Andrew Parsons, outlined his dramatically. That aff ects the mood A: “The same principles apply when will have to have less sports. I don’t see points, recorded three personal bests. concerns — and hopes. of some people who do not focus in you split males and females. You have the point to be inside the Olympics.” Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, May 31, 2016 SPORT
SPOTLIGHT NBA Diff erent roads have led old friends Dodgers rally for Jeff erson, Frye to 4-2 win over Mets Cavs, NBA Finals A two-run single by Gonzalez in the ninth inning of a 4-2 win delivered a series victory over the New York Mets and saved Roberts from wearing the weight of a defeat
File picture of Richard Jeff erson of Cleveland Cavaliers.
MCT “It’s like having a boy on your Cleveland fi rst try,” Jeff erson said. “If you get it done early, it takes a lot of pres- sure off the rest of your career.” hanning Frye has waited Jeff erson and Frye have evolved 11 years for this mo- into two important pieces on the ment. Richard Jeff erson Cavs’ second unit that has enjoyed has waited 13 years to get so much success in this postsea- Cback. Together, the close friends son. Jeff erson is shooting 46 per- are perhaps two of the more un- cent from 3-point range while Frye likely teammates to be playing in is shooting a team-best 58 percent the NBA Finals together. from deep this postseason. His 26 Frye and Jeff erson celebrated 3-pointers rank fourth behind J.R. the Cavaliers’ Eastern Confer- Smith, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irv- ence championship together ing despite playing a fraction of in the visiting locker room at the minutes. Air Canada Centre early Satur- Frye missed the 2012-13 sea- day morning. Neither started son with an enlarged heart while a the season here. Jeff erson was member of the Phoenix Suns. He expected to play for the Dallas returned the following season and Mavericks while Frye began the has not had any further complica- year with the Orlando Magic. tions. Now he’s fi nally headed to Jeff erson is returning to the the Finals for the fi rst time in his Finals for the fi rst time in 13 career, although he never spent years, matching the longest gap much time wondering if it would between Finals appearances, ac- ever happen for him. cording to Elias Sports Bureau. “I don’t really think about it Frye is making his fi rst trip after like that,” Frye said. “I’ll think 11 years in the league and a heart about it maybe at the end of my condition that forced him to miss career. But for me, I’m just out a full season. there playing, trying to play the “God has always put me where right way.” I’m supposed to be. I’m a fi rm Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) singles allowing two runners to score during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. believer in that,” Jeff erson said. “Yeah, I was supposed to be “Yeah, I was supposed to be in in Dallas. If DeAndre Jordan MCT With two outs and left-handed hit- with a fastball at the chest. in the neck with the barrel. The jolt jarred Dallas. If DeAndre Jordan doesn’t doesn’t leave, then I’m in New York ter Curtis Granderson batting, Roberts Kershaw struck out two more in the him and he did not run out of the box. leave, then I’m in Dallas 100 per- Dallas 100 percent. And who took the baseball away from Kershaw, second in a 10-pitch inning. He did not A member of the training staff and cent. And who knows? Who knows? Who knows what the sport’s finest pitcher. He did not allow another hit until second base- Utley checked on Kershaw as he walked knows what goes on? But this is goes on? But this is where I drian Gonzalez stopped a few feet hand it to closer Kenley Jansen, who man Neil Walker hit a two-out double in back to the dugout. where I was supposed to be.” was supposed to be” from fi rst base and turned toward was warmed up in the bullpen. Roberts the fourth. Kershaw stranded Walker by Kershaw assured them he was OK Jeff erson agreed to return the Los Angeles Dodgers dugout. chose Adam Liberatore. freezing outfi elder Juan Lagares with a and reoriented himself as his team ex- to the Mavericks after Jordan While Frye is under contract He pumped his fi st to celebrate Liberatore promptly surrendered a 94-mph fastball on the outer half. tended the advantage with a string of agreed to join them, but neither for two more years, Jeff erson is breakingA a deadlock at Citi Field. Standing game-tying triple. The hit diminished In the third, the Dodgers handed Ker- two-out hits. After singles by Seager of them signed deals last sum- on a one-year deal and acknowl- on the dugout steps, manager Dave Roberts the line on Kershaw, who went 7 2/3 in- shaw a run. The sequence caused, yet again and Turner, Gonzalez smacked an RBI mer. When Jordan backed out of edges he isn’t sure how much saluted him. A two-run single by Gonzalez nings, struck out 10 and walked none. But this weekend, a fl ashback to last October. single into right. his verbal agreement to return longer he’ll play. He turns 36 a in the ninth inning of a 4-2 victory deliv- the Dodgers were able to once again score Utley roped a one-out single. Corey Seager Kershaw showed no ill eff ects in the to the Los Angeles Clippers, Jef- couple of days after the Finals ered a series victory over the New York against Mets closer Jeurys Familia, who did the same, which moved Utley to third fi fth, picking up three more outs in swift ferson went to Mavericks owner end, meaning this could be the Mets and saved Roberts from wearing the blew a four-run lead on Friday. With the base. Justin Turner hit a grounder that the order. He had retired six batters in a row Mark Cuban and asked to be let last Finals trip of his career. weight of a defeat. bases loaded, Gonzalez stroked a 99-mph Mets converted into an out at second base. when shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera came out of his deal. Cuban gave him While Finals appearances could In the eighth inning of the 51st game fastball into center fi eld to reclaim the lead. Seager slid near Walker to break up the to the plate with two outs in the sixth. his blessing and sent him on his make nice bookends to his career, of the season, Roberts left the dugout for The Mets were one of three teams Ker- double play as Utley scored. After a pair of strikes, Kershaw tried to way to Cleveland. he isn’t happy just getting there. the fi rst time in his managerial career to shaw shut out earlier in the month. On May Mets manager Terry Collins challenged put Cabrera away with a curveball. Ca- “This is where I’m supposed “This is the most talented visit Clayton Kershaw on the mound. The 12 at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw limited his the call, invoking the rule created after brera hit a lofty fl y into left fi eld. Howie to be right now,” Jeff erson said. team I’ve ever been on, and just two men did not have a conversation. guests to three hits while striking out 13. Utley broke Ruben Tejada’s leg in the Na- Kendrick retreated to the wall. The base- “I’m just enjoying it.” really built for what you need,” Kershaw fumed into his glove as Rob- Granderson placed immediate pressure tional League Division Series. Seager did ball appeared destined to clang against Jeff erson was a rookie when the Jeff erson said. “I’m the one guy erts informed the umpires about his call on Kershaw. The Mets outfi elder doubled shift his body slightly toward Walker, but the railing above the wall. But a fan New Jersey Nets were swept by the that probably didn’t have the to the bullpen. Kershaw clutched the off the wall on a 2-0 fastball to lead off the there was minimal contact. The review touched the ball before it landed. Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 biggest smile on my face. I’ve baseball in his left hand, aware that his fi rst. Granderson advanced to third on a crew upheld the call. Cabrera rounded the bases. Roberts NBA Finals. He returned again the been here before. I’m defi nitely ownership of the evening would soon groundball. Unwilling to concede a run on The Dodgers experienced a scare in the spoke with the umpires. A review ensued, next season when the Nets lost to having fun, I’m relaxed. But you end. He looked away from Roberts as he contact, Kershaw fanned outfi elder Yoenis fi fth. Kershaw broke his bat on an 86-mph but the call was not overturned. Even if a the San Antonio Spurs in six games want to see a smile on my face handed over control. The Dodgers (27- Cespedes with a slider in the dirt and sinker from Mets starter Bartolo Colon. On fan interfered, there was no way for Ken- and has spent the last 13 years try- and tears in my eyes? Talk to me 24) would soon pay for his departure. struck out second baseman Neil Walker his follow-through, Kershaw raked himself drick to reach the ball. ing to get back. after four more wins.”
BOTTOMLINE Sharks, Penguins get a chance to achieve greatness
MCT tionship and it worked well.” Pittsburgh Jeff Zatkoff , the Penguins’ backup goalie, alternated with Jones for the Kings’ farm team in Manchester (N.H.), an Jose Sharks center Joe then in the American Hockey League. Thornton doesn’t hesitate They still keep in touch, though their to call himself a great player, friendship is on hold. Swhich he is. “He’s been great all year,” Zatkoff said “I’m real good. I’ll tell you that all of Jones, who was 37-23-4 with a 2.27 day,” said Thornton, whose humour goals-against average and .918 save per- and 1,341 regular-season points negate centage in 65 regular-season games. “I any perception of arrogance. know he’s won with L.A., but to see him It’s diffi cult to imagine Pittsburgh get a chance to actually carry a team on Penguins center Sidney Crosby de- his own and get that opportunity, I’m scribing himself that way, though he glad to see him make the most of it. I’m has ample justifi cation with 938 points happy for him, but I don’t want him to in 707 regular-season games. He’s not play too well in the Final.” prone to grand statements, though, so Sharks coach Peter DeBoer was im- Thornton said it for him. pressed when he coached Jones with “He’s one of the best to ever play, as Canada at the 2015 World Champion- far as I’m concerned,” Thornton said. ships. “I noticed how calm and composed “His speed, the way he sees the game, he was and how fl uid he was in the net,” he’s very elite.” DeBoer said. “I think the one thing that I Both have withstood the ravages of Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (R) looks on during practice. Paul Martin #7 of the San Jose Sharks addresses the media with staff members. didn’t appreciate, the one question that I a punishing sport and sharp-tongued had, was whether there was competitive- critics. On Monday their paths will want to make the most of it.” an Quick. Jones was about to become a asset they wanted from fl ipping him,” He had fi ne preparation, which in- ness behind that composure. You don’t converge at Consol Energy Center, with Thornton, 36, will play in his fi rst restricted free agent and General Man- Lombardi said. “That’s why it is ridicu- cluded watching Quick up close and see that until you get to three games in the Stanley Cup and a chance to en- Cup Final after 19 NHL seasons and ager Dean Lombardi anticipated Jones lous to assume Boston did something getting guidance from goaltending fi ve nights and you’re on the road.” hance their reputations at stake. many spectacular playoff disappoint- would sign an off er sheet with another underhanded. Caps do not allow you coach Bill Ranford and goaltending de- DeBoer saw competitiveness. Jones’ Crosby, 28, will play in his third Cup ments. “I always believed that next year team, which would have brought the to keep top goalies in a backup role. velopment coach Kim Dillabaugh. teammates saw his poise. “He doesn’t Final but fi rst since he led the Penguins was going to be the year. I really did,” Kings compensation of a second-round They’re like trying to keep a solid back- “You just watch the guy compete and get rattled,” forward Logan Couture to victory in 2009, before their budding he said. “Even last year, not making the draft pick. To head that off , Lombardi up quarterback.” how he battles on every puck,” Jones said said. “Things happen in hockey you dynasty fi zzled and his career was jeop- playoff s, I honestly thought, ‘We’re a traded him to Boston for Milan Lucic. Jones, who appeared in two games of Quick. “That’s something I’ve tried can’t control. You can’t get too high or ardised by multiple concussions. couple of pieces away,’ and here we are.” The Bruins sent Jones on to San Jose for a during the Kings’ 2014 Cup run, wel- to put in my game. Obviously we’re very too low and Joner doesn’t. He’s really “It does feel like it’s been a while, but One of those pieces was starting goal- fi rst-round pick and a prospect. comed the chance to start for the diff erent goalies but he’s a guy that you our backbone back there.” the one thing that doesn’t change is the tender Martin Jones, who will get his fi rst “We knew Boston was fl ipping him Sharks. “I was confi dent I was able to can defi nitely learn a lot from. Jones was modest. “Things have gone excitement,” he said Sunday. “I think chance to defi ne himself and his career. where he was going to end up with an do it,” he said. “It’s a matter of oppor- “Bill and Kim were great. Those are our way and we’ve gotten some bounces,” there’s appreciation after being away. A year ago, Jones, 26, was the backup to off er sheet, anyway, and Boston would tunity and playing well at the right time important development years early on he said. “We’ve played well at the right It’s a great opportunity and you just durable Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonath- not have done it without getting the and playing behind a good team.” in your pro career. We had a great rela- times and that’s why we’re here.” Gulf Times Tuesday, May 31, 2016 9 SPORT
SPOTLIGHT IN SUPPORT Hamilton win a boost Rossi’s F1 dream for his mechanics on hold aft er great
Indy 500 victory Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates his win with his engineers. Reuters a great relief for them and I am Monaco grateful for them for sticking ‘Over there (F1) it’s a lot more politics and it’s just not as fun. Over here, it’s all about through it, sticking with me. “Hopefully today will give racing and it’s fun if you’re a driver. I think he (Rossi) sees what I was talking about’ inning the Monaco them the confi dence to know Grand Prix trans- that I am just as strong as I’ve formed Lewis Ham- always been and I will be for the ilton’s Formula One rest of the year.” Wseason and also provided a timely Hamilton had been 43 points boost for those working on the behind Rosberg before Monaco, triple world champion’s side of the showcase race that every the Mercedes garage. driver wants to win, but ended The reigning champions the weekend only 24 adrift and switched the group of engineers with everything to play for. and mechanics around at the end With 25 points for a win, and of last year, with most of those 15 rounds remaining, the Briton who had worked with the Briton now heads to one of his favourite now assisting his German team- races in Canada with high hopes mate Nico Rosberg. of reducing the defi cit further. With Rosberg winning the fi rst Despite this unexpected bonus, four races of the season to build Hamilton said Mercedes were un- a substantial lead in the cham- der more pressure than ever. pionship, Mercedes have already Red Bull triumphed in Spain, had to deny conspiracy theories 18-year-old Max Verstappen and the pressure was building. becoming the sport’s youngest Sunday’s race, with Hamilton winner, and were favourites to making the right strategy call win again in Monaco before a ca- and clearly faster than Rosberg, lamitous pitstop cost Australian who was asked to move aside af- Daniel Ricciardo fi rst place. ter struggling to get the tyres up Ferrari, off the podium in Mo- to temperature, was the Briton’s naco, are also hoping to come fi rst success of the season. back much stronger in Montreal “Hopefully it will be a boost in what is shaping up as a three- for my mechanics who have way battle despite Mercedes been nervous all year,” Hamil- winning fi ve of six races. ton told reporters.”It’s not easy “There are still issues, mistakes coming from one side of the are being made,” Hamilton added. garage (Rosberg’s) to the world “You are starting to see some champion’s car. more buckles here and there. “Because of the issues we’ve What is really important is that had, they probably felt like ‘we’re we pull together... we need to re- not delivering’ but they have fi ne a few areas.” Now to see what been delivering. Today must be happens next.
Perez reminds top teams of his talent
McLaren reject Sergio Perez “So if the opportunity ever hopes his impressive third comes (with a top team), I will place for Force India at the be ready for it and I’m up for Monaco Grand Prix will re- it. If not, all I can keep doing is Alexander Rossi, driver of the #98 Andretti Herta Autosport Napa Dallara Honda celebrates in victory circle after winning the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. mind Formula One’s top teams my job.” of his talent. Perez was a member of Fer- Reuters will include dozens of appearances on Prix. But this season the reality of For- dretti Autosport. The Mexican hailed Sunday’s rari’s academy and started Indianapolis early morning and late night talk shows. mula One hit home when he found him- “Four months later, here we are.” race as one of the best of his out with Swiss-based Sauber While nearly every driver in the 33- self on the outside looking in after In- Certainly team owner Michael An- career, while dedicating the in 2011, with two second car fi eld had grown up dreaming of win- donesian Rio Haryanto’s backers had dretti and Rossi share star-crossed For- British-based team’s fourth places and a third in 2012 nly three men have ever won ning what American’s label the ‘Greatest off ered the struggling outfi t more money. mula One experiences. ever podium appearance to showing he was much more both the Indianapolis 500 and Spectacle in Racing’, Rossi grew up in Running out of time and options, Ros- A winning IndyCar driver and son of absent co-owner and principal than just a driver bringing Monaco Grand Prix and Alexan- California dreaming of racing Formula si signed on with one of IndyCar’s top former Formula One world champion Vijay Mallya. important sponsorship dol- der Rossi is halfway to becoming One and at 16 left home for Europe to teams, Andretti Autosport, although he Mario, Michael made an ill-fated move “I had a really tough time at lars to the team. theO fourth after the rookie scored an un- pursue that ambition. remains a reserve driver for Manor. to the glamour circuit in 1993 joining McLaren and it seems that this He moved to McLaren for 2013 likely win at the Brickyard on Sunday. “It isn’t. It isn’t at all (where I expected Only Montoya, Clark and Hill won both McLaren as Ayrton Senna’s team mate is what everyone remembers... with high hopes as replace- Better known in Formula One circles to be). That’s no secret,” admitted Rossi Indy and Monaco, which are traditionally but lasted just one season, earning a sin- but no one remembers my time ment for Britain’s Lewis Hamil- than the IndyCar circuit before Sunday, following his stunning win.”I left Cali- run on the same day and with his F1 con- gle podium fi nish with a third place at at Sauber, my time at Force ton, who had joined Mercedes, Rossi will now be forever remembered as fornia when I was 16 to go to Europe. The nections and desires, Rossi could yet fi nd Monza before returning home. India,” he said after enjoying the but his arrival coincided with the winner of the 100th running of the goal was to get to Formula One. It was himself on the Monte Carlo starting grid. “I guess there are some things we can podium celebrations. the former world champions’ Indianapolis 500, his likeness engraved that way ever since I was 10 years old. But a return to F1 may now be on hold. defi nitely relate to,” said Andretti.”The “All I can do is keep doing dramatic decline. onto the Borg Warner Trophy alongside a “The reason I went to Europe was I “I can certainly say I’m not in a thing that I tried to explain to him, when my job, keep doing as well McLaren, who have not won host of motor racing greats like Jim Clark, won a test with BMW Sauber F1 after Grand Prix car anytime soon,” smiled you come over here, you’re going to really as I can, keep improving as a a race since 2012, replaced Graham Hill, Mario Andretti, Emerson winning the Formula BMW World Finals Rossi.”I’m a reserve driver. I sit around enjoy the racing. driver. I think in the last years the Mexican with Denmark’s Fittipaldi and AJ Foyt. in 2008. Went over there, started racing and pretend to look important. There is “Over there it’s a lot more politics I have improved a lot. I’m a Kevin Magnussen for 2014 Many who do not know Rossi soon in Europe.” no driving involved. and it’s just not as fun. Over here, it’s all more complete driver in all and Perez’s future in the sport will, with the 24-year-old American set Last year, Rossi realised his lifelong “I drive to the track in a rental car. about racing and its fun if you’re a driver. aspects, qualifying, race pace, looked in doubt until Force to be jetted around the United States on dream when he moved into a seat with “Things worked out incredibly well “I think he sees what I was talking better experience,” he added. India threw him a lifeline. a whirlwind post-500 media junket that minnows Manor and started fi ve Grand for me to come here and work with An- about now.”
BOTTOMLINE Buoyant IndyCar geared up for challenge ahead
Reuters wonder, something to be crossed off the A great tale but one that will do little the damage done by a bitter decade- Indianapolis sporting bucket list. to elevate the perception of IndyCar as long feud that split the sport into two “This is the beginning of a great era a second-rate series. warring series (Indy Racing League and in IndyCar racing for Indianapolis Mo- “I’m going to carry with a great sense Champ Car) until reunifi cation in 2008. uper-charged by the success of tor Speedway,” said 2014 winner Ryan of responsibility,” declared Rossi, who That left deep scars and as the two the 100th running of the Indi- Hunter-Reay. remains on the Manor payroll as reserve series bickered, NASCAR swooped in anapolis 500, IndyCar sped into “We are moving forward, the mo- driver. “We need to really push this for- to fi ll the void and scooped up unhappy a new era on Sunday but the mentum is going in the right direction, ward. It was an incredible event for the motor racing fans, sponsors and televi- roadS ahead is an uncertain one for both the racing is the best on track product hundredth running of the Indy 500. sion ratings. the series and the “Greatest Spectacle you can fi nd anywhere in the world. “We need to do everything in our Undoing that damage and winning in Racing”. “This is a true drivers’ championships power to continue the momentum for- back fans has been a slow, humbling Watched by a sun-kissed sell-out and the Indianapolis 500 is a big part of ward, make it even bigger next year.” process but there are signs IndyCar and crowd of close to 400,000, who helped that. The future is very bright here.” Despite a youthful vibe and party its crown jewel, the 500, are starting to pump an estimated $350 million into party mantra, a glance around the regain some of their sparkle. the local economy, and topped off by an BEST OF THE BEST stands on Sunday showed the Indy “We’ve always thought as the American winner to highlight a Memo- Run on ovals and road courses at track 500’s fan base to be an aging one. 100th running here as an opportunity rial Day holiday weekend, this year’s and street circuits, IndyCar has long to continue to build the whole of the Indy 500 was by at all levels an unmiti- boasted that its drivers are the best, SOCIAL MEDIA EFFORT series,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hul- gated high-octane success. bravest and most versatile in the world IndyCar and the IMS have actively en- man Company which owns and oper- But what next for the iconic of motorsport. gaged social media and are desperately ates the Speedway. 107-year-old Indianapolis Motor The series, including the Indy 500, trying to connect with a new generation “We still have work to do. We don’t Speedway (IMS) and the IndyCar series off ers plenty of high speed excitement of fans most of whom seem as interest- want to overshadow the other races that has the 500 as its crown jewel? and thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing. ed in the Saturday concerts, which this on the series we want to help profile,” Back in the headlines and giddy at But on Sunday the driver chugging year featured Journey, as Sunday’s race. he added. that sight of packed grandstands, In- the traditional quart of milk in Victory It was Lady Gaga, not race winner “The 100th was not the end of any- dyCar offi cials, racers and team owners Lane was 24-year-old rookie Alexander Rossi, who had Twitter buzzing on thing, the 100th is the beginning of gushed about the 100th race provid- Rossi, who had never before driven at Sunday when she showed up for a ride what’s next and the continual exten- ing a launch pad that would propel the the Brickyard and only made the move with 76-year-old motor racing legend sion of the importance of this event. sport into a new orbit. to IndyCar after losing his seat with Mario Andretti in a two-seater IndyCar “It is not an overnight sensation and Others were less excited, viewing Verizon Indy Car driver James Hinchcliff e (5) and a group of cars pit during the Formula One tailenders Manor Racing, during the formation laps. we are looking forward to the 101st and Sunday’s extravaganza as a one-hit 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. the weakest team on the F1 grid. IndyCar has worked hard to repair building on this strong platform.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, May 31, 2016 CRICKET
SPOTLIGHT Warner lauds cool Hyderabad aft er maiden IPL triumph ‘For us it was about staying composed and having belief and that’s what the players showed when we were out there’
Sunrisers Hyderabad team celebrate after their victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore to win the 2016 Indian Premier League at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Sunday. (AFP)
AFP ing and playing like this,” Warner told report- said. “The plus that I had was I had two inter- Bangalore, India ers. “So for us it was about staying composed national captains (Kane Williamson and Eoin and having belief and that’s what the players Morgan) with me. I would also credit Bhuv- IPL corruption-free, says chairman showed when we were out there,” he added. neshwar Kumar and rising Bangladesh star aptain David Warner hailed Sun- Hyderabad got the breakthrough they Mustafi zur Rahman for their contributions,” Bangalore: Indian Premier ing suspended last year for two In earlier editions the Board risers Hyderabad for staying cool needed in the 11th over when Gayle was the skipper added. League chairman Rajeev Shukla seasons. Shukla said an aggres- of Control for Cricket in India in the heat of an Indian Premier caught by Bipul Sharma off Ben Cutting. Kumar fi nished as the tournament’s lead- told AFP that this year’s edition sive approach to tackling fixing (BCCI), which runs the IPL, has CLeague fi nal to claim their maiden Kohli, who topped the season’s batting chart ing wicket-taker with 23, while Rahman of the cash-rich extravaganza meant there had been no signs not always called upon the ICC’s title at the home of opponents Royal Chal- with 973 runs from 16 matches, then tried to grabbed 17. Bangalore coach Daniel Vettori had been free of corruption of corruption at the ninth edition Anti-Corruption Unit. Kumar is lengers Bangalore. Hyderabad, defending 208 pilot the chase but was cleaned up by Bar- heaped praise on Indian star Kohli, who re- thanks to a multi-pronged ap- of the IPL, which featured 60 a former commissioner of Delhi to win at M. Chinnaswamy stadium, survived inder Sran. wrote the record books this IPL season but proach to tackling fixing. matches in 57 days across 11 ven- police and an ex-joint director of a deadly opening blitz from big-hitting West South African batsman AB de Villiers also still ended up on the losing side. Shukla said organisers ues. “All precautions were taken India’s investigating agency, the Indian Chris Gayle to eke out an eight-run departed soon after and the wheels started to Kohli surpassed Gujarat Lions captain engaged the anti-graft unit of in order to curb corruption and Central Bureau of Investigation. victory late on Sunday. Australian Warner led come off for Bangalore in the face of a resilient Suresh Raina to become the all-time lead- the International Cricket Council we have been successful in that,” He investigated cricket’s biggest by example after winning the toss and elect- Hyderabad attack, with man-of-the-match ing scorer in the cash-rich league. He also (ICC), local police and the exper- Shukla told AFP in Bangalore. match-fixing scandal, involving ing to bat, hitting a sparkling half-century Cutting fi nishing with 2-35. recorded the highest partnership (229) in tise of a former top cop. “We engaged the Interna- former South Africa captain – his ninth of the IPL season – as Hyderabad Earlier Warner’s 38-ball 69, which was Twenty20 cricket history with De Villiers The IPL is the most popular tional Cricket Council’s anti- Hansie Cronje back in 2000 and posted a massive 208. laced with eight fours and three sixes, laid a against Gujarat. domestic league in the world but corruption unit. We also relied the 2013 IPL scandal involving But Gayle came out with all guns blazing, solid foundation for Hyderabad before Cut- “He has been phenomenal and probably has been plagued by controver- on the expertise of our board’s Shanthakumaran Sreesanth. hitting four fours and eight sixes in a 38-ball ting swelled the total with an unbeaten 39 off the main reason why we were in the fi nal,” sies since its inception in 2008, anti-corruption unit led by Mr. Sreesanth, a Rajasthan Royals 76. He put together a 114-run opening stand 15 balls. The left-handed Warner, who accu- former New Zealand skipper Vettori told re- with corruption and match-fixing Neeraj Kumar. We also spoke bowler, was banned for life along with Virat Kohli (54) to give Bangalore hope, mulated 848 runs in 17 matches, was the driv- porters. “If a guy particularly top of the order cases often taking centre-stage. to Mumbai police and said that with team-mates Ankit Chavan but Hyderabad’s bowlers stayed focused. ing force behind Hyderabad’s title-winning takes that much of role and his performance A spot-fixing scandal in 2013 led if we need any assistance, they and Ajit Chandila for their in- “A guy like Chris Gayle, he is always go- season but he singled out a number of his is that great, it allows everything to fl ow from to two teams -- Chennai Super should be ready for it,” Shukla volvement in the spot-fixing and ing to keep going. The hardest thing is to try team-mates for praise. there. That’s what a great captain does and Kings and Rajasthan Royals -- be- added. betting scandal. and maintain our composure while he is go- “It takes a team to win a tournament,” he Virat has been exceptional,” Vettori added.
FOCUS LOCAL CRICKET Five things we learned from IPL QVC clinch Qalco trophy
AFP David Warner blitzed 848. With four centu- By Sports Reporter overs. No one could reach double fi gures. Mumtaz Bangalore, India ries and seven fi fties, Kohli also became the Doha scored 9 runs with a six, Atiq and Yousef added 8 all-time leading run-scorer in IPL. Kohli runs each. also topped the all-time sixes chart in a sin- Sanjay took 3 Wkts, Indika 2, while Rifas, Qazi, ive things we learned from the gle season with 38 hits over the fence. He VC beat Al Shaqab Real Estate by 6 wick- Jameel, Shaman and Milhan took a wicket each. ninth edition of the Indian Premier and AB de Villiers recorded the highest ever ets to clinch the 1st Mohamed Shamlan In reply, QVC got off to good start and were 33 League, after Sunrisers Hyderabad T20 partnership with 229. Memorial Cricket Tournament for Divi- for no loss after six overs. However, good bowling Fbeat Royal Challengers Bangalore in sion II. by Al Shaqab Real Estate saw QVC lose fi ve wickets Sunday’s fi nal. QThe tournament had the top 8 teams of Divi- in next nine overs. But QVC managed to reach the ‘THE FIZZ’ BUBBLES TO THE TOP Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Mustafi zur sion II compete on a knockout basis and was played target in 11.1 overs. Milhan was the top scorer with WARNER COMES OF AGE Rahman is tipped to be the next big thing in at M.I.C Sports Complex - Umm Mesaieed. The 14, which included 3 boundaries and Rifas made 11 Australia’s David Warner (right) showed world cricket. Hailing from a small village, event was sponsored by Qatar Lubricants Co. The runs with a six. For Al Shaqab Real Estate, Amjad a maturity belying his controversy-fuelled the 20-year-old sealed a lucrative IPL con- tournament was dedicated to the late Mohammed Mirza took a hat-trick and Imran took 2 wickets past to captain Sunrisers Hyderabad to their tract with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Shamlan as a remembrance of his immense contri- Man of the finals: Sanjay of Qvc maiden IPL title, suggesting he is com- Nicknamed “The Fizz”, Mustafi zur bution to the development of local cricket in Qatar. Best batsman: Milan of QVC ing of age as a cricketer. Off -fi eld exploits, grabbed the opportunity with both hands to Al Shaqab Real Estate won the toss and elected Best bowler: Imran of Al Shaqab Real Estate including a bar-room punch on England’s be declared the emerging player of the tour- to bat fi rst. However good bowling and fi elding saw Best all-rounder: Indika of Qvc Joe Root in 2013, have often captured the nament with 17 scalps for his title-winning Al Shaqab Real Estate being all out for 58 runs in 13 Best wicketkeeper: Sanjay of Qvc headlines but Warner took this season’s side. Few expect this young star to go fl at in IPL by storm with 848 runs. The 29-year- coming years. old opener’s leadership skills were praised by Virat Kohli, the captain of losing fi nal- NEVER WRITE OFF GAYLE ists Royal Challengers Bangalore, who said speculation about when he might succeed The big-hitting West Indian bounced back Warner “has come a long way as a leader in Mahendra Singh Dhoni as India’s T20 and from being dropped and yet another sexism this tournament”. ODI skipper. Dhoni’s leadership skills also controversy to prove that he’s still one of appear to be on the wane – his Rising Pune short-form cricket’s most destructive bats- KOHLI READY TO STEP UP Supergiants side fi nished second bottom of men. Gayle warmed the Royal Bangalore Indian Test captain Virat Kohli proved he’s the IPL table. Challengers bench for a couple of fi xtures also ready to add the job of limited-overs after scores of one, nought and seven. skipper to his international responsibilities. IT’S STILL A BATSMAN’S GAME He was dropped a second time after scor- The Royal Challengers Bangalore captain If more proof was needed that T20 cricket ing only fi ve, and was embroiled in contro- rewrote the record books, scoring 973 runs was a batsman’s game then the ninth edi- versy when he told a female journalist he in 16 matches, as he guided his side to the tion of the IPL provided it. Records tumbled had “a very, very big bat”. He came good IPL fi nal. and sixes rained. Virat Kohli smashed the at the business end of the season though, Kohli, 27, relishes the added pressure record for the most runs in a single season notching two half-centuries including a that comes with being captain, stirring by more than 200, fi nishing on 973, while blazing 76 in the fi nal. QVC beat Al Shaqab Real Estate by 6 wickets in the final. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 31, 2016 11 SPORTSPORT
SPOTLIGHT Hussain backs Cook to keep breaking records
AFP and 326 days). This was Cook’s series defeat by Sri Lanka. Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom 128th Test and 229th innings at But Cook responded by scor- At 31 years and 157 days, Alastair this level. The Essex batsman ing his fi rst century in almost Cook became the youngest player scored a hundred on his debut two years against the West Indies ever to score 10,000 Test runs, ngland captain Alastair against India at Nagpur in 2006 in May 2015, before leading Eng- beating the previous record of India Cook’s feat in becoming and has now made 28 Test cen- land to series wins over Australia great Sachin Tendulkar (31 years the youngest player to turies. and South Africa. “After that 5-0 and 326 days). (AFP) score 10,000 Test runs At 31, Cook could have several Ashes loss Down Under, when he won’tE be the only record he sets more years as an international was a broken man and everyone in his career, according to former cricketer left in him, but whether was applauding Michael Clarke’s skipper Nasser Hussain. he will break Tendulkar’s all time captaincy, the easiest thing Cook became the fi rst England aggregate Test record of 15,921 would have been to say, ‘I just batsman to score 10,000 Test runs made in 200 Tests remains want to concentrate on my bat- runs when he made fi ve against to be seen. ting. Never mind this captaincy Sri Lanka on the fourth day of “His greatest thing is his stub- lark, everyone keeps giving me the second Test at the Riverside bornness and taking the hard stick’,” Hussain said. yesterday. path. I really don’t think there’s “But he said ‘no, I’m going to The England captain became ever been an England player prove people wrong’. Since then just the 12th batsman -- and the mentally stronger than Alastair he’s won the Ashes back, he’s only one still playing Tests -- in Cook,” said Hussain, who played won in South Africa and he’ll history to reach the landmark for the same county side, Essex. continue to have that stubborn when the left-handed opener Cook’s career has not been one streak. It’s what makes him the clipped Nuwan Pradeep for four of uninterrupted triumph, how- magnifi cent cricketer that he is.” through mid-wicket. ever. His position as captain was Hussain added: “He’s got an He is also the youngest to do so called into question two years authority and aura about him at 31 years and 157 days old, beat- ago as England suff ered a 5-0 now, his captaincy has gone from ing the previous record of India Ashes whitewash in Australia strength to strength and you great Sachin Tendulkar (31 years and again during the 2014 home can’t argue with it.” Batsmen to have scored 10,000 runs in Tests Read as: player, team, span, matches, innings, not outs, runs, highest score, average, 100s, 50s Sachin Tendulkar (IND) 1989-2013 200 329 33 15921 248 no 53.78 51 68 Ricky Ponting (AUS) 1995-2012 168 287 29 13378 257 51.85 41 62 Jacques Kallis(ICC/RSA) 1995-2013 166 280 40 13289 224 55.37 45 58 Rahul Dravid (ICC/IND) 1996-2012 164 286 32 13288 270 52.31 36 63 Kumar Sangakkara (SRI) 2000-2015 134 233 17 12400 319 57.40 38 52 Brian Lara (ICC/WIS) 1990-2006 131 232 6 11953 400 no 52.88 34 48 Shiv Chanderpaul (WIS) 1994-2015 164 280 49 11867 203 no 51.37 30 66 Mahela Jayawardene (SRI) 1997-2014 149 252 15 11814 374 49.84 34 50 Allan Border (AUS) 1978-1994 156 265 44 11174 205 50.56 27 63 Stephen Waugh (AUS) 1985-2004 168 260 46 10927 200 51.06 32 50 Sunil Gavaskar (IND) 1971-1987 125 214 16 10122 236 no 51.12 34 45 Alastair Cook (ENG) 2006- 128 229 13 10042 294 46.36 28 47
SECOND TEST Ministerial meeting on anti-doping in England cruise to win Sport held Doha: The 13th Asia/Oceania great development made in Region Intergovernmental Min- discovering and reducing cases isterial Meeting On Anti-Doping as well as the role of these in Sport was held yesterday countries in financing studies in Doha and chaired by HE carried out in this field. It also Minister of Culture and Sports discussed all procedures re- against Sri Lanka Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali. The lated to anti-doping, and issues meeting is organized under the concerning pharmaceutical supervision of the International manufacturers. Anderson named man-of-the-match after taking a match-haul of eight for 94 Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The participants reviewed The meeting was attended the international agreements by a number of ministers of in the anti-doping field, as well youth and sports and repre- as coordination among them sentatives from 34 countries as regarding this scourge and well as WADA off icials. the fight against it the field From today, Anti-Doping Lab of sports. Chairman of the Qatar (ADLQ) will be organis- Qatar Anti-Doping Commis- ing its sixth annual symposium sion (QADC) Dr Nasser Ali Al under the patronage of Qatar Ansari said in a statement that Olympic Committee president the meeting is held annually HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al- and this year it is hosted by the Thani at Doha Marriott Hotel. State of Qatar in the presence The two-day symposium, of WADA Director-General which has been titled Anti-Dop- Davis Howman. ing in Humans and Animals: He added that the meeting Parallels and Divergences, touched on the anti-doping ef- will have participation of forts, dope tests at foreign and many experts from the field domestic tournaments, instruc- of anti-doping and veterinary tions for dope inspectors, as medicine. well as the specific procedures Yesterday's intergovernmen- that must be followed in this tal meeting discussed several matter, especially in screening points related to each country’s programs, in addition to educa- eff orts in anti-doping in sport, tion and awareness eff orts at as well as the challenges they both community and academic face, especially in view of the levels.
AFP 12th player of all time to make 10,000 wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow to spill the The third and fi nal Test starts at Lord’s Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom Test runs. Cook reached the landmark two-handed catch. An edged boundary on June 9. when he clipped Nuwan Pradeep for four off Woakes to third man saw the 26-year- SCORECARD through mid-wicket, having got off the old Chandimal to a 172-ball hundred in- England I Innings 498-9 dec lastair Cook became the fi rst mark with an edged single against left- cluding 11 fours. Chandimal ended the Sri Lanka I Innings 101 England batsman to score arm spinner Rangana Herath. session in style by cover-driving Woakes Sri Lanka II Innings (overnight 309-5) 10,000 Test runs as his side At 31 years and 157 days he was the for four off the last ball before lunch. D. Chandimal b Broad 126 sealed a series win over Sri youngest player ever to achieve the feat, Herath, dropped in the deep by James M. Siriwardana c Hales b anderson 35 LankaA at the Riverside yesterday. Eng- beating the previous record of India great Vince off Anderson on 46, completed an R. Herath lbw b anderson 61 land won the second Test by nine wickets Sachin Tendulkar (31 years and 326 days). 87-ball fi fty with six fours. The 38-year- S. Eranga b anderson 1 after tea on the fourth day to go an unas- Earlier, Dinesh Chandimal’s excel- old spinner, who earlier in this match S. Lakmal c Broad b Woakes 11 sailable 2-0 up in the three-match series. lent hundred kept England waiting as Sri took his 300th Test wicket, eventually N. Pradeep not out 13 Set 79 for victory after making Sri Lanka made 475 in their second innings. fell when Anderson, had him lbw from Extras (b5, lb11, w1, nb6) 23 Lanka follow-on, England fi nished on Chandimal’s 126 was his sixth hundred round the wicket to claim his 450th scalp Total (all out, 128.2 overs, 576 mins) 475 80 for one. England captain Cook was in 27 Tests but fi rst outside Asia. He re- in the fi ve-day game. Fall of wickets: 6-314 (Siriwardana), 7-430 47 not out and Nick Compton, who hit ceived excellent support from Herath Anderson, already England’s all-time (Herath), 8-442 (Eranga), 9-453 (Chandimal), the winning runs, 22 not out. “It’s a very (61) in a seventh-wicket stand of 116. leading Test wicket-taker, then bowled 10-475 (Lakmal) special moment for me, but the game is Sri Lanka resumed on 309 for fi ve, 88 Shaminda Eranga. His return of fi ve for Bowling: anderson 27-9-58-5; Broad 24-6-71- not about personal milestones, it’s about runs behind. Chandimal was 54 not out 58 was the 21st time Anderson had taken 1 (2nb); Woakes 27.2-8-103-2 (1w); Finn 19-0- winning games and scoring runs to do overnight and Milinda Siriwardana un- fi ve or more wickets in an innings his 78-1 (1nb); Ali 28-5-136-1 (3nb); Vince 1-1-0-0; that,” said let-handed opener Cook. beaten on 35 after Sri Lanka captain An- 115 Test-career. Chandimal’s more than Root 2-0-13-0 England paceman James Anderson was gelo Mathews (80) and Kaushal Silva (60) fi ve-hour innings ended when he was England II Innings (target 79) named man-of-the-match after taking a initially kept England at bay. bowled driving at Stuart Broad. A. Cook not out 47 combined eight for 94 across both in- Siriwardana had not added a run to his But Sri Lanka’s batsmen had at least A. Hales b Siriwardana 11 nings. Moeen Ali had set the game up for overnight score when he edged Anderson restored some pride. Their fi rst innings N. Compton not out 22 England with a Test-best 155 not out in straight to Alex Hales at gully to end a 101 all out meant they became the fi rst Total (1 wkt, 23.2 overs, 73 mins) 80 a fi rst innings total of 498 for nine de- partnership worth 92. Chandimal, how- side since New Zealand in England back Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Hales) clared. “Jimmy’s a genius and I’m glad to ever, cover-drove Stuart Broad for four in 1958 to be bowled out for under 120 in Bowling: Herath 10-3-18-0; Pradeep 2-0-12-0; captain this bowling attack,” said Cook. and late-cut Anderson behind point for three successive Test innings. Siriwardana 7.2-0-37-1; Lakmal 3-0-9-0; “It was a brilliant hundred from Mo.” another boundary. Sri Lanka managed meagre totals of Eranga 1-0-4-0 Cook’s innings yesterday saw him score But he was lucky on 69 when he got an 91 and 119 during an innings and 88-run Result: England won by nine wickets the fi ve he needed to become just the inside edge off Anderson only for diving defeat in the series opener at Headingley. Man-of-the-match: James anderson (ENG) Tuesday, May 31, 2016 GULF TIMES TENNIS
SPOTLIGHT No play at French Open aft er fi rst washout in 16 years There could be more problems today with further rain forecast throughout the day before conditions brighten tomorrow
AFP Paris
he French Open suff ered its first com- plete washout since 2000 yesterday when all scheduled matches were can- celled due to heavy rain. “Due to weath- Ter, there will be no matches played at #RG16 to- day,” said the Roland Garros Twitter feed. The last washout 16 years ago also fell on May 30. There could be more problems today with further rain forecast throughout the day before conditions brighten tomorrow. The washout left the French tennis federation having to refund around 30,000 ticket holders. It also prompted tournament director Guy Forget, a former player and Davis Cup win- ner, to warn that France is getting left further behind the sport's three other majors -- Wim- bledon, the Australian and US Opens. All three tournaments have stadiums with roofs. But Roland Garros will not see a roof built over its showpiece Philippe Chatrier Court until 2020 at the earliest. Eight last-16 matches planned for yesterday plus two more which had been held over from Sunday will now be played today. Two quarter-fi nals are also due to take place today – Andy Murray against Richard Gasquet and de- fending champion Stan Wawrinka facing Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Play had been set to get underway at 1100 (0900GMT) yesterday but was eventually called off just before 1400 (1200GMT). “All cancelled for today -- rain, rain go away,” tweeted Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych who was due to face former runner-up David Ferrer of Spain for a last-eight spot. This year’s Roland Garros was hit by rain delays on the opening Sunday when just 10 of the scheduled 32 ties were completed in a little over four hours of play. The second day was then hit by another two and a half hour de- lay. That in turn pushed 12 of the scheduled 66 matches back to the fi rst Tuesday. There was a two and a half hour stoppage on Saturday followed by another hour on Sunday
No play was possible at the French Open yesterday due to heavy rain at Roland Garros in Paris. (AFP)
ORDER OF PLAY ON SHOW COURTS which meant that the planned last-16 pro- roof for the showpiece Philippe Chatrier Court bid for a record-equalling Open era 22nd Grand (x denotes seeded player): Not Before 1200GMT/1400 local gramme remained unfi nished. Under the origi- but that will not be ready until 2020. Slam title. The 34-year-old takes on Ukraine’s Court Philippe Chatrier (0900GMT/1100 local) Men’s singles quarter-finals nal schedule, all of the fourth round was to be Djokovic will be poised to become the fi rst Elina Svitolina who is being advised in Paris by Men’s singles fourth round: Novak Djokovic Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) v Stan Wawrinka completed yesterday, leaving today and tomor- man to win $100 million in prize money if he Justine Henin, one of Williams’ former great (SRB x1) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x14) (SUI x3) row for the quarter-fi nals. makes the quarter-fi nals for the 10th time. Top rivals on the tour and a four-time French Open Women’s singles fourth round: Serena Williams Court 1 (0900GMT/1100 local) But if there are further delays today, world seed Djokovic tackles Spain’s 14th seed Roberto champion. Spanish 12th seed Carla Suarez Nav- (USA x1) v Elina Svitolina (UKR x18) Women’s singles fourth round: To finish: Simona number one Novak Djokovic, who is chasing a Bautista Agut, boasting a 4-0 career lead over arro faces unseeded Yulia Putintseva . Not Before 1200GMT/1400 local Halep (ROM x6) leads Samantha Stosur (AUS x21) fi rst French Open to complete the career Grand the 28-year-old Spaniard. In-form Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens, who Men’s singles quarter-finals: Richard Gasquet 5-3 Slam, could end up playing his last-16 tie to- In other men’s last-16 ties still to be played, knocked out Australian Open champion Angel- (FRA x9) v Andy Murray (GBR x2) Men’s singles fourth round: David Goff in (BEL morrow, quarter-fi nal on Thursday and semi- Belgian 12th seed David Goffi n faces unpredict- ique Kerber in the fi rst round, faces America’s Court Suzanne Lenglen (0900GMT/1100 local) x12) v Ernests Gulbis (LAT) fi nal Friday. able Latvian Ernests Gulbis, a semi-fi nalist in Madison Keys, the 15th seed. Venus Williams, Women’s singles fourth round: To finish: Women’s singles fourth round: Kiki Bertens Djokovic has suff ered at the hands of the 2014. Austrian 13th seed Dominic Thiem faces who was runner-up to sister Serena in 2002, Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x2) leads Tsvetana (NED) v Madison Keys (USA x15) weather in Paris in the past. In the 2012 fi nal Spain’s Marcel Granollers with both men trying takes on Swiss eighth seed Timea Bacsinszky, a Pironkova (BUL) 6-2, 3-0 Court 2 (0900GMT/1100 local) against Rafael Nadal, he had fought back from to make the last eight of a Slam for the fi rst time. semi-fi nalist last year. Men’s singles fourth round: David Ferrer (ESP Men’s singles fourth round: Marcel Granollers two sets to love down to take the third set and Granollers reached the last-16 without hit- The two fourth round ties that were suspend- x11) v Tomas Berdych (CZE x7) (ESP) v Dominic Thiem (AUT x13) lead in the fourth when play was halted. ting a ball when nine-time champion Nadal ed saw second seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, Women’s singles fourth round: Venus Williams Women’s singles fourth round: Carla Suarez The fi nal was suspended until Monday when pulled out of the tournament with a wrist injury. 3-0 up on Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova. Sixth (USA x9) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x8) Navarro (ESP x12) v Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) Nadal raced to victory in just a further 50 min- In the women’s last-16, top seed and defending seed Simona Halep of Romania was leading utes. Roland Garros organisers are planning a champion Serena Williams will continue her Australian veteran Samantha Stosur 5-3.
FOCUS KEY CLASH Home hope Gasquet Tearful Cinderella Shelby eyes semis awaits Murray AFP low-key event in Florida in January. Paris It’s a staggering turnaround for a play- AFP seed Kei Nishikori in four sets. er who hadn’t won a main draw match on Paris But the former French Open the WTA Tour since March. That modest boys champion acknowledged helby Rogers, the tearful Cin- record meant that she struggled to make Murray represents a formidable derella of Roland Garros and the the main draw in Paris, just squeezing in ritain’s Andy Murray challenge in his bid to become fi rst American woman not called as the last direct acceptance when the knows he’ll be fi ghting the fi rst Frenchman to win a Williams to make the French Open cut-off fell. both Richard Gasquet Grand Slam since Yannick Noah last-eightS since 2005, is determined that Lindsay Davenport, 11 years ago, was and the crowd when the in 1983. “He’s a huge fi ghter. He sudden fame will not be her undoing. the last American woman outside of Ser- Bsecond seed targets a fourth ap- runs all over the place. You never Rogers takes on Spanish fourth seed ena and Venus Williams to get this far in pearance in the French Open get a free point. He has the best Garbine Muguruza for a semi-fi nal place Paris. Since that time, the pressure on semi-fi nals today. physical condition on the tour today having defi ed her modest world young American players to prove their Murray struggled through the with (Novak) Djokovic,” said ranking of 108 to see off a series of big hit- credentials as standard-bearers once the early rounds at Roland Garros, Gasquet. ters. First up in her fi ring line was Czech Williams’ era ends has proved to be too squeezing past Radek Stepanek “He’s a big competitor. And he 17th seed Karolina Pliskova, then expe- much of a burden. and French wildcard Mathias always hangs in there and wins rienced Russian Elena Vesnina, followed Melanie Oudin was hailed as a future Bourgue in back-to-back fi ve- these matches. Makes very few by two-time Wimbledon champion Petra star when she reached the US Open quar- setters, but the world number mistakes, is very good at defence, Kvitova, the 10th seed. ter-fi nals in 2009. These days, Oudin is two has looked far more at ease too. He’s confi dent. He had a On Sunday, the 23-year-old from ranked 336 and eking out a meagre living. since. surprisingly diffi cult start to this Charleston became just the ninth woman In March, she picked up a cheque for just Murray swept past Ivo Kar- tournament. But he played very outside the top 100 to make the quarter- $68 when she fell in qualifying in an ITF lovic in three sets before seeing well in Rome and Madrid. He’s fi nals since 1983 when she beat Roma- claycourt event in Florida. off another big server in Ameri- the No. 2 player, and for good nia’s 25th seed Irina-Camelia Begu in Rogers and Oudin are close friends. can John Isner to set up a quar- reason. Because he’s a great play- straight sets. It was a victory greeted with “It was a time we needed an American ter-fi nal clash with ninth-seed- er. I need to play very off ensive, tears on Suzanne Lenglen court where player to grab on to. She was so awesome, ed Frenchman Gasquet. because if not, it will be diffi cult she quickly had to borrow a handkerchief so feisty, and just really confi dent,” said “I’m pumped to be in the for me to win. Of course he will from TV interviewer and ex-Wimbledon Rogers as she remembered her friend’s quarters of a slam. Obviously the be the favourite, but I have noth- champion Marion Bartoli. US Open breakthrough. atmosphere will be tough, but I ing to lose.” “100% tears all the time. Sad, happy, “I hope that I can inspire some people don’t mind that,” said Murray, Defending champion Stan hungry, reading a book, watching a mov- too because that’s really one of the big- who has won his last fi ve meet- Wawrinka faces unheralded ie. They fl ow very easily,” said Rogers. gest reasons why I play is for the kids ings with Gasquet. “I played a 28-year-old Spaniard Albert “Those little puppy commercials, adopt growing up, for the people from Char- number of times against French Ramos-Vinolas for a place in the a puppy. No, change the channel. Can’t leston. I want to be a good role model. players here in diffi cult atmos- last four. The 55th-ranked Span- do it.” Rogers, who had never made it past Hopefully I am.” pheres and I managed okay. So iard, who hadn’t won a match the third round at a major before coming Muguruza will be playing in her third I’m sure I’ll be fi ne.” at Roland Garros since 2011, to Paris, is regarded as one of the nicest successive French Open quarter-fi nal Twice Murray and Gasquet stunned Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-4, players on the tour. “Who I am is what having also fi nished runner-up to Serena have faced off at Roland Garros, 6-4 in the fourth round to con- got me here, and I can’t change it. It’s Williams at Wimbledon last year. “I think with the Briton prevailing both tinue his shock run. who I am, so... I hope everyone likes it,” On Sunday, the 23-year-old Shelby Rogers of US became just the ninth woman the one thing that I have really improved times, including in the 2010 fi rst Wawrinka will fancy his she said. Her fellow players are on board. outside the top 100 to make the quarter-finals since 1983 when she beat Romania’s is not just one type of shot. It’s me, gen- round when he recovered from chances against an opponent he’s “You’re such a gem @Shelby_Rogers_ !! 25th seed Irina-Camelia Begu in straight sets. (AFP) erally speaking,” said the Venezuelan- two sets to love down. beaten in all six of their previous There’s not a single person that deserves born player. It was 13th time lucky for Gas- encounters, but the Swiss third this more! #proud,” tweeted fellow US the rankings to around 59 which would That’s fi ve times what she has made this “It’s the way I prepare matches. I think quet who reached the last eight seed remained cautious despite player Sloane Stephens after win. be a career high. She will also pocket year and a stark contrast to the $390 she I have more experience. When I win I in Paris for the fi rst time on Sun- thrashing Ramos-Vinolas 6-1, Rogers is already guaranteed a leap in over $300,000 for making the last eight. earned when losing second round at a analyse why. When I lose I analyse why.” day after downing Japanese fi fth 6-1 in Geneva earlier this month.