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Tuesday, August 4, 2020 GOLF Dhul-Hijjah 14, 1441 AH Thomas outduels GULF TIMES Koepka for WGC win, World No. 1 ranking SPORT Page 6 QNB STARS LEAGUE Al-Haydos strikes as Sadd beat Al Ahli on ’s return Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez was back on the touchline after recovering from coronavirus

By Sports Reporter

assan al-Haydos scored the all-important goal as Al Sadd edged past Al Ahli 1-0 in the QNB Stars League at the Al JanoubH Stadium yesterday. The midfi elder struck in the 43rd minute as the reigning champions Sadd moved on to 38 points, eight adrift of leaders Al Duhail, who beat Al Gharafa 2-0 on Sunday. Xavi Hernandez’s men stay third in the table, four points four less than second-placed Al Rayyan, who drew goalless with Al Arabi on Saturday. Al Sadd had beaten Al Ahli 2-1 in the fi rst leg, but the return encounter was far from easy for them. Head coach Xavi was back on the touchline after recovering from coro- navirus. The Spaniard had missed out on Sadd’s 2-1 win over Al Khor in the previous match. Sadd dominated the proceedings and created more chances than Al Ahli. was thwarted by Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues as early as the fourth minute, while Al Ahli’s Hernan Perez had a goal disal- lowed for off side in the 12th minute. Even though al-Haydos shot over the bar in the 25th minute, the national team captain was not to be denied late into the fi rst half as he was assisted by in what turned out to be the winning goal. Sadd’s Jung Woo-young then had his free-kick blocked by the goalkeeper. Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez gives instructions to his players during the QNB Stars League match against Al Ahli at the Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. Both teams had opportunities in the second half, but Sadd hung on to win. Umm Salal played out a 1-1 draw at the help them in their bid to stay in the fi rst dire straits. The latest display by Ben goal was blocked by goalkeeper Baba through Kayke, who was assisted by New recruit came in Al Sadd Stadium. Kayke Rodrigues put division. Askar’s wards is also commendable, Malick, who also parried Sardor Rash- Rashidov in scoring. for al-Haydos as Abdulaziz al-Ansari’s Qatar SC ahead in the 52nd minute, Umm Salal’s performance has been given that they had lost to Qatar SC by idov’s long-range eff ort. At the other The equaliser came when Qatar SC’s shot was blocked by Ivanildo, whereas while Fahad Khalfan scored for Umm on the rise ever since Moroccan Aziz a 0-5 margin in the fi rst leg. Umm Salal end, Umm Salal’s Raul Bezerra could Abdulaziz Adel brought down Ayyoub Hernan missed a chance in the 65th Salal in the 72nd minute through a Ben Askar, himself their former de- had slightly more of the ball in a barren not connect the ball ahead of the goal- Azzi and Fahad Khalfan converted the minute after being blocked by goal- penalty. Qatar SC and Umm Salal now fender, took charge of the side from fi rst half, but Qatar SC had a bit more keeper. resultant penalty. keeper Saad al-Dossari and sent a shot have 18 and 16 points respectively. Both Spaniard Raul Caneda this season. The advantage in the second. Qatar SC, who have also improved Malick thwarted Rashidov on yet wide of the target late on. teams are not completely out of the Orange Fortress had lost many points In the opening session, Qatar SC’s under former Qatar international another occasion, in the last minute of In another match, Qatar SC and danger zone, so the point earned will in the fi rst leg, leaving themselves in Abdenasser El Khayati’s attempt at the midfi elder Wesam Rizik, went ahead regular time, as the deadlock remained.

HORSE RACING Cazorla arrives in Sheikh Mohamed’s Caracole Qatar to join Al Sadd Former Arsenal and Villarreal midfielder is set to sign for Al Sadd after arriving Du Loup lands fi rst victory in Qatar yesterday. The 35-year-old will join the Qatari champi- Agencies ons on free transfer, after leaving the La Liga Royan-La Palmyre, France club at the end of the season. Cazorla made a huge impact during his third spell with Villar- real after recovering from a career-threatening is Highness Sheikh Achilles injury in 2018. Mohamed bin Khalifa He scored 11 goals and provided nine assists al-Thani’s Caracole to help the team secure a fifth-place finish last Du Loup landed her season. Cazorla will reunite with former Spain Hfi rst victory, winning the Prix teammate Xavi Hernandez, who last month Maderba-Prix des Vignerons signed a one-year extension to remain as de Glanes (maiden) at Royan- coach. La Palmyre, France, on Sunday evening. The four-year-old Purebred Arabian managed to put the ATHLETICS 2,200m race for four-year-olds and older horses to bed com- fortably by a four-and-a-half- length margin. The chestnut Doha Diamond League brought forward fi lly, trained by Francois Ro- haut, had been the runner-up Damien Morin (left) rides Caracole Du Loup to Prix Maderba-Prix Reuters pushed back from its April 17 slot due to the holm, Lausanne, Brussels, Rome/Naples, in a good race at Toulouse last des Vignerons de Glanes (maiden) victory at Royan-La Palmyre, London Covid-19 pandemic. Doha and a yet to be determined location in time out. France, on Sunday evening. (Geraldine Prezeau) “Due to the ongoing global health situation China. Diamond League meetings in Eugene, It was Chafi ka, who led the and ever-changing Covid-19 regulations, London, Paris, Rabat, Gateshead and Shang- race with a very steady pace pecially considering the four- behind in third under Clement his year’s Diamond League athlet- the 2020 Wanda Diamond League calendar hai have been cancelled. while Caracole Du Loup, rid- kilo weight penalty. Damien de Merille. ics meeting in Doha, initially sched- remains provisional and subject to further Organisers said the Diamond League will den by Damien Morin, sat in Watrigant-trained Chafi ka, the Bred by Jean-Marc Saphores, uled for October 9, has been brought changes,” organisers said in a statement. not be a structured series of events leading third position. Wearing blink- pacesetter, fi nished in second Caracole Du Loup is the sister forward by a fortnight and will take The plan is to stage 12 disciplines, a list to a fi nal as is usually the case. Athletes will ers, Caracole Du Loup showed a under Laurie Foulard. of Faucon Du Loup, champion placeT on September 25, organisers announced of athletes who will compete in the Qatari therefore not earn Diamond League points nice turn of foot in the straight, Bahjah, who is trained by in Russia and Group 1 PA win- yesterday. capital is to be announced in due course. The this season, and there will not be a single, overhauling the leader and Charles Gourdain, was further ner. She comes from the famous The event in Doha, which serves as the tra- competitive season is set to begin in Monaco 24-discipline fi nal in Zurich as originally taking the lead with ease, es- three-quarters-of-a-length French dam line of Nevada II. ditional season opener, had previously been on August 14 followed by meetings in Stock- planned. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, August 4, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Infantino to ‘respect’ any ethics committee decision: FIFA AFP “I’ve no doubt that Gianni In- serious, there’s a case for sus- news organisations. But he was forced to recuse Lausanne, Switzerland fantino would respect any decision pension,” said Bell. In a statement Thursday, Swiss himself from the investigation in by the ethics commission,” FIFA Questioned about Infantino’s authorities said special prosecu- June 2019, following media rev- deputy secretary-general Alasdair absence during yesterday’s video tor Stefan Keller “has reached the elations that he had held several IFA president Gianni Bell told a video news conference. conference, Bell said the FIFA conclusion that...there are in- undeclared meetings with Infan- Infantino will “respect “We don’t see any evidence of chief “will be available and will dications of criminal conduct” tino during the probe. any decision by the eth- criminal or unethical behaviour.” speak in order to clear his name”. in relation to meetings between Switzerland has pursued a ics committee”, world FIFA on Sunday insisted In- He added: “FIFA and Gianni Infantino, Lauber and another number of cases since a raid on football’sF governing bod!y said fantino would continue to fulfi l Infantino have absolutely noth- offi cial, Rinaldo Arnold. a luxury hotel in Zurich in May yesterday after Swiss authori- his duties as president and blast- ing to hide, we want to be trans- “This concerns abuse of public 2015 led to the arrests of a sev- ties opened criminal proceedings ed the Swiss probe. parent. There’s no factual basis offi ce, breach of offi cial secrecy, eral FIFA executives and exposed against him last week. It gave no indication yesterday for this criminal procedure.” assisting off enders and incitement an allegedly corrupt underbelly A Swiss special prosecutor has whether or not its ethics com- Infantino and Lauber are said to these acts,” the authorities said. in world football. In total, more launched proceedings against mittee had instigated proceed- to have held a series of meetings Lauber, who off ered his resig- than 20 FIFA proceedings have Infantino, as part of an investi- ings against Infantino. in 2016 and 2017. nation on July 24, was in charge been opened in Switzerland over gation into suspected collusion “The ethics committee will Two such meetings were ini- of Switzerland’s probe into the the past fi ve years into allegations with the country’s attorney-gen- have to come to its own conclu- tially exposed in 2018 by “Foot- towering corruption scandal that of corruption and vote-buying, eral, Michael Lauber. Both have sion... In every case, it needs to ball Leaks”, a cross-border in- exploded at the heart of Zurich- and allegations over the award- denied any wrongdoing. be tested, if there’s something vestigation by several European based FIFA in 2015. ing of television rights contracts.

SPOTLIGHT Conte says he is committed to three- year project with Inter Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte is committed to a three-year project with the club, he said yesterday, two days after his highly critical and typically outspoken outburst raised questions over his future with the Serie A outfit. Conte, in his first season in charge, led Inter to a second-placed finish, their best perform- Champions League ance for nine years, but then publicly slammed his employers immediately after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Atalanta. He said the club had failed to back him and his players in the face of heavy criticism and that his eff orts had not been recognised. However, yesterday, he appeared to soften his stance, telling the ANSA news agency: “I am committed to a three-year project with Inter and, as I always have done in my life, I will work hard and fight with all my strength and everything in my power to make ready to resume, at it a winning project.” Inter’s season is still not over as they are involved in the Europa League and face Spanish side Getafe in a It is the Europa League which is first up, single leg last 16 tie tomorrow. Napoli confi rm Insigne injury ahead though, with the last 16 being completed of Champions League tie at Barca on Wednesday and Thursday long last Napoli confirmed yesterday that forward Lorenzo Insigne had suff ered a tendon injury in their 3-1 win over Lazio in their final AFP Serie A game, casting doubt on his participation for Saturday’s Paris, France Champions League tie against Barcelona. Captain Insigne, who scored a penalty in the 54th minute, limped off in tears during the final minutes of Saturday’s game at the San Paolo stadium. fter an enforced hiatus Napoli, who drew 1-1 in the home leg of the last-16 tie in Febru- of almost fi ve months, ary before the COVID-19 pandemic suspended the Champions the UEFA Champions League, did not mention if the 29-year-old would miss the League and Europa second leg. “Lorenzo Insigne has undergone tests that have LeagueA resume this week in or- confirmed that he has suff ered tendon damage to the adduc- der to clear up the last remaining tor longus muscle in his left thigh, in addition to bone bruising,” business in a troubled season. Lazio said in a statement. The Italian has registered 12 goals Both competitions were fro- and eight assists in all competitions this season. Napoli finished zen in March as the coronavirus seventh in the league but qualified for the Europa League after pandemic took hold across the winning the Coppa Italia. continent, and while European football’s governing body acted swiftly to move Euro 2020 back Cagliari appoint Di Francesco as boss a year, for a long time it was un- Cagliari have appointed Eusebio di Francesco as manager, the clear how it would manage to Serie A club announced yesterday. In a statement, the Sardinian complete its two landmark club outfit said that Di Francesco had signed a two-year deal. The competitions. former Sassuolo and Roma boss, sacked in October by Sampdo- In the end the solution was ria, replaces Walter Zenga. Later yesterday Cagliari announced to set up two mini tournaments that they had “relieved Marcello Carli from his duties as sporting bringing all teams together in director”. Di Francesco, 50, made his mark as coach during his one place from the quarter-fi - five years at Sassuolo, leading the club into Serie A for the first nals onwards, with all ties being time in 2013 and qualifying for the Europa League in 2017. The decided in one-off matches be- former midfielder won 14 Italy caps and was part of the Roma hind closed doors. team that won Serie A in 2001. Under Zenga, who was appointed And so the Champions League in March, Cagliari finished 14th. will move to Lisbon for the ‘Final Eight’ starting on August 12 and ending with the fi nal at Benfi ca’s Gladbach doppelgangers’ job is done, Estadio da Luz on August 23. ready for removal The Europa League, mean- while, will be played to a con- Borussia Moenchengladbach’s thousands of cardboard cutouts clusion at a series of venues in of fans that were installed late last season when Bundesliga sides western Germany, with the last were playing in empty stadiums due to the pandemic are now eight beginning on August 10 ready to leave the stands, the club said yesterday. Fans who paid and the fi nal in Cologne on Au- 19 euros ($22.29) to put their eff igies up in the seats during the gust 21. home matches in May and June can this week pick them up as “I believed it from the fi rst their job is done. More than 20,000 cutouts had been produced. moment,” said the UEFA presi- Inter Milan’s Danilo D’Ambrosio celebrates scoring a goal during the Serie A match against Atalanta at Stadio Atleti Azzurri in Bergamo, Italy, “Everyone can pick up their ‘doppelganger’ personally until Aug. dent Aleksander Ceferin recent- on Saturday. Inter play Getafe in a one-off Europa League last 16 tie in Germany as the first leg was not played. (Reuters) 16,” Gladbach said in a statement. “The cardboard comrades ly when asked if he ever doubted will start leaving from Tuesday.” Bundesliga clubs are hoping to it would be possible to play the it was “confi dent” there would Court of Arbitration for Sport. Austrian side LASK, which will be game, we know we’ll win the start their new season in September with at least some limited tournaments to a conclusion. be no more delays despite cases The winner of that tie will face a formality for Ole Gunnar Solsk- trophy.” number of fans — and no standing tribunes — with authorities set “You should always be opti- of coronavirus emerging among Juventus or Lyon in the quarter- jaer’s team after they won 5-0 in United, Europa League win- to discuss the issue next week. mistic, and if something like this players at Real Madrid and Sevilla. fi nals in Lisbon. the fi rst leg in March. ners in 2017, could yet fi nd crisis happens, you must have a It is, in any case, now or never. Their form since the Premier themselves facing Premier plan ready. Indeed, the preliminary round WOLVES’ LONGEST YEAR League resumed in mid-June has League rivals Wolverhampton Sent off for a cough? FA issues “At the present time, we will of next season’s Champions It is the Europa League which is been excellent and they have al- Wanderers in the semi-fi nals in guidelines to referees be playing matches without League begins next Saturday, fi rst up, though, with the last 16 ready sealed a place in the 2020- Cologne on August 16 should spectators until further notice. the same day Bayern Munich being completed on Wednesday 21 Champions League, but now both teams get there. Players who deliberately cough at opponents or referees can be We will not take any risks.” entertain Chelsea and Napoli and Thursday. they want to fi nish this never- Wolves entertain Greek shown red or yellow cards under new guidelines issued by Eng- visit Barcelona in their out- Two ties — Inter Milan against ending season with a trophy. champions Olympiakos on land’s Football Association (FA) amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The UEFA NOT WORRIED standing last 16 second legs. Getafe and Sevilla against Roma “Now our focus is on the Eu- Thursday having drawn 1-1 in instructions to referees taking charge of games when Covid-19 There is, though, no question Before that, Manchester City — will go ahead as one-off ties ropa League because this is a the fi rst leg of their last-16 tie. restrictions are in place will come into force immediately and be of further changes being made defend a 2-1 fi rst-leg lead at in Germany as the fi rst legs were really good trophy and we want Their campaign started more applied at all levels of the game. The FA document for referees to the formats despite concerns home against Real on Friday never played. to win,” Bruno Fernandes told than a year ago now, with a 2-0 said action should be taken when “the referee is certain some- about an increase in Covid-19 as Pep Guardiola’s side target Six second legs will also be MUTV. win over Northern Irish side one deliberately, and from close range, coughed into the face of cases in and around Lisbon, and Champions League glory on the played with the winners heading “I came to Manchester to win Crusaders in the second quali- an opponent or match off icial...” It added that the off ence would more recent worries in Germany back of the club’s success at get- to Germany for the last eight. trophies. We need to play every fying round on July 25, 2019. fall under the category of “using off ensive, insulting or abusive about a rise in cases there. ting a two-year ban from the Among the ties to be completed game to win. If we go into the Extending it by another couple language and/or gestures”. “If the incident was not severe UEFA also recently insisted competition overturned by the is Manchester United’s against Europa League and win every of weeks would do them no harm. enough to merit a sending-off , a caution could be issued for ‘un- sporting behaviour — shows a lack of respect for the game’.” The document added that referees must not look to punish “routine” LA LIGA coughing and should remind players to avoid spitting on the ground, although it is not an act of misconduct. Sebastian Hoeness starts in Espanyol want relegation cancelled amid Segunda chaos Hoff enheim, too early to name goals AFP before the suspension”. match should now be played on last month without mishap. RCD Espanyol argues for the Madrid, Spain Promotion and relegation Wednesday but Depor’s play- The Barcelona-based side elimination of relegations this Sebastian Hoeness did not want to declare an aim for the season between Spain’s top two divi- ers failed to turn up for required claim they were unfairly disad- season in competitions super- as he started his job as Hoff enheim coach but can’t wait to train sions has become a thorny issue tests early yesterday, with their vantaged both by empty stadi- vised by La Liga, as has hap- with the team starting tomorrow. “I don’t think this is the right spanyol called on La Liga after the Segunda match be- place in the bottom four already ums, given their remaining fi x- pened in all those organised by time,” Hoeness told a news conference yesterday when asked to cancel their relegation tween Fuenlabrada and Depor- now confi rmed. tures against relegation rivals, the Spanish football federation about his expectations for the 2020-21 season which starts next yesterday as the end to tivo La Coruna on the fi nal day The delay to the play-off s has and the high number of positive (RFEF).” month. Hoeness, 38, was appointed coach last week at Hof- the season in Spain con- could not go ahead due to sev- also irritated Real Zaragoza, who cases suff ered by the club during The RFEF oversees Spain’s fenheim who finished sixth in the past Bundesliga season and tinuesE to prove problematic fol- eral Fuenlabrada players testing just missed out on the top two the crisis. third and fourth tiers and called qualified for the Europa League. It is his first Bundesliga engage- lowing a spike in cases of coro- positive for coronavirus. automatic promotion spots and The club’s statement read: off relegation in those divisions, ment after he led Bayern Munich’s reserves to the third-division navirus. Victory for Fuenlabrada will now be without their star “Taking into account all the with promotion decided in a title last season. He gets plenty of publicity as the son of former Despite fi nishing bottom of would have earned them a place player Luis Suarez, whose loan conditions that have occurred compressed play-off format. Germany striker Dieter Hoeness and nephew of ex-Bayern the table, Espanyol said in a in the play-off s while Deportivo from Watford has ended. since the return to competition Espanyol fi nished 20th in Munich president Uli Hoeness. “I am looking forward to the job a statement the run-in had been could have avoided relegation if Referencing the problems in and in light of the events that La Liga after a nightmare sea- lot. I have had a very good impression here over the last days. A “undoubtedly unfair in a sport- they had won and other results the second-tier, Espanyol have have occurred in recent days, son that saw them sack three lot fits together here, the club’s identity and the idea of football,” ing sense given the last stage of gone their way. made a desperate plea for their in which various clubs have ex- coaches and register only a sin- said Hoeness who feels “nervousness, a certain tension and the league was not competed in A three-person competition relegation to be scrapped, de- pressed their opposition to the gle victory in the 11 games after anticipation”. the same, equal conditions as committee have decided the spite the top fl ight completing injustice and lack of solutions, the restart. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 4, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

REVIEW SPOTLIGHT EPL start date too One more Serie A early for Chelsea, title for Juve in says Lampard disrupted season After the virus crisis, football has been one of the symbols of recovery, completing the season with a packed programme that tested stamina and focus

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard (right) walks off the field with Reece James after the FA Cup final against Arsenal on Saturday. (Reuters)

Reuters media on Sunday. London, United Kingdom “It is not ideal if we carry on against Bayern — the players need to be given a break to play at helsea manager Frank the level and the quality product Lampard says starting that the Premier League is. the new Premier League “Even in a worst-case scenar- season on September 12 io, we don’t go through against Cis too early and his players run Bayern, the 12th feels too early the risk of sustaining injuries for me for the players to start given the short turnaround be- playing again.” tween campaigns. Cesar Azpilicueta, Christian Chelsea trail Bayern Munich Pulisic and Pedro picked up in- 3-0 heading into the second leg juries during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat of their Champions League last- by Arsenal in the FA Cup fi nal 16 tie on Saturday and even if and Lampard fears other players they fail to overcome the defi cit could meet a similar fate. Lampard’s side will have little “The players need a break. over a month to recover before That is why we have pulled two the new season begins. hamstrings and had players pull “I am guessing we will be told out of the game before this. I when we start and that will be would like to think the Premier dependent on how we go against League would look seriously at Bayern,” Lampard told British that,” he said.

FOCUS Juventus players celebrate being crowned champions at the end of the Serie A match against Roma on Saturday at the Allianz stadium in Turin, Italy. (AFP) African Champions DPA For many, the blame for the Atalanta. Rome, Italy Genoa survive again, Lecce relegated lacklustre game of the Biancon- The Bergamaschi lost the on fi nal day of season eri was on new coach Maurizio closing game 2-0 against Inter, League fi nal to be Sarri. but displayed the best football he usual Juventus title Reuters Brescia in Serie B next season. The veteran tactician, since January and impressed triumph, Ciro Immo- Rome, Italy Antonio Sanabria scored twice who lifted his first Scudetto, with their 98 goals. played October 16-17 bile’s goal record and in the first half hour for Genoa brushed off criticism and not- Inter and Roma are to play the great scoring perform- and Cristian Romero, sent off ed that “few active coaches Europa League quarter-fi nals Reuters The fi rst legs of both ties will Tances from Atalanta and AC enoa, Italy’s oldest in the second half, added the have won both in Italy and in this week, while Atalanta have be played in Morocco on Sep- Cairo, Egypt Milan were the highlights of a professional club, guar- third before halftime. Genoa’s Europe,” recalling his Europa a quarter-fi nal against Paris tember 25-26, with the returns in Serie A season that this weekend Ganteed Serie A survival Francesco Cassata and Ve- League success with Chelsea in Saint-Germain on August 12 Egypt on October 2-3. reached its conclusion despite on the final day of the season rona’s Sofyan Amrabat were the past season. in their fi rst ever Champions he Confederation of Af- Should the two winners be the coronavirus pandemic. for the second year running on sent off in the last minute. Lazio, albeit disappointed, League campaign. rican Football (CAF) has from the same nation then the As Italy recorded more than Sunday by beating Hellas Vero- Fabio Lucioni put through secured a Champions League Juve and seventh-place Na- abandoned plans to play fi nal will be in that country in 35,000 Covid-19 deaths, 23 na 3-0 while Lecce became the his own goal before Gianluca place they had missed for 13 poli and are also still in the elite the semi-fi nal and fi nal mid-October, but if not, CAF has top-flight footballers suffered last team to be relegated. Caprari added a second for years and celebrated their striker event and have to complete the Tof the 2019-20 African Champi- asked member associations to contagion during the early Lecce, promoted last season, Parma but Antonin Barak and Immobile as he won the Euro- last-16 round this week. The ons League in a single venue and bid to host the decider at a neu- March lockdown that stopped lost 4-3 at home to Parma and Biagio Meccariello pulled Lec- pean Golden Boot, while equal- Neapolitans clinched an Europa have set a date of October 16-17 tral venue, setting a deadline of the season with 12 games re- were relegated for the ninth ce level at halftime. Andreas ling the 36-goal overall Serie A League slot with fi fth-place for the continental decider. August 17 for interested parties. maining. time since their Serie A debut Cornelius and Roberto Inglese record of Gonzalo Higuain. Roma and AC Milan, who are to Cameroon had been ear- CAF has also confi rmed the At that point, Juve were lead- in 1985-86. Genoa finished restored Parma’s two-goal lead Juve star Cristiano Ronaldo go through the play-off s. marked to host the fi nal stages of dates for the African Confed- ing but not convincing, with a 17th with 39 points, four ahead and Gianluca Lapadula pulled closed the season on 31 goals The Devils were the only un- the competition, but following eration Cup’s closing stages that buoyant Lazio one point adrift of Lecce who join SPAL and one back. and dedicated the Scudetto “to beaten side after the lockdown, their withdrawal CAF confi rmed will be played in Morocco. after having twice beaten the all those who have suff ered dur- scoring 35 goals, seven of which the semi-fi nals will be played Pyramids of Egypt meet Bianconeri 3-1 in December, at ing the pandemic that caught all from veteran star Zlatan Ibrahi- over two legs on a home and away Horoya from Guinea in Casa- home in the league and in the with two games left. rounds in six weeks. of us by surprise and upset the movic, who, at 38, looks set to basis, with the fi nal potentially at blanca on September 22, while on Super Cup. Lazio, on the contrary, lost Juve, however, had the worst world.” play one more season. a neutral venue. the same day there is an all-Mo- But when action resumed their momentum, suff ering fi ve season in their winning run, Inter Milan finished sec- In the lower reaches, Brescia Both semi-fi nals feature Mo- roccan clash between RS Berkane without fans in June the Juven- defeats in the fi rst eight games with seven total losses, three ond one point behind the dis- and Lecce returned to Serie B roccan clubs against Egyptian and Hassania Agadir in Rabat. tus found four straight wins back, and dropped to fourth of which were in the last four arming Bianconeri and will after last year’s promotion as opposition as Raja Casablanca The fi nal will be staged at the and went on to clinch a record- at the end of a gruelling, heat- games, and an unimpressive 76- also play the next Champions SPAL ended a three-year top- take on Zamalek, while Wydad Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium extending ninth successive title plagued schedule that packed 12 43 goal record. League along with third-place fl ight stint. Casablanca meet Al Ahly. in Rabat on September 27.

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF Brentford, Fulham clash in high-stakes battle to reach Premier League AFP London, United Kingdom

rentford and Fulham will slug it out for a place in the Premier League today when the London rivals clashB in a Championship play-off fi nal worth an estimated £170 mn ($220 mn) to the winners. The rewards for promotion mean the Wembley showdown is often called the richest match in world football. After 73 years outside the Eng- lish top-fl ight, unfashionable Brentford are within touching distance of an unexpected berth among the elite. Fulham’s manager Scott Parker. (AFP) English Premier League trophy. Brentford’s head coach Thomas Frank. (AFP) In contrast to their west Lon- don neighbours, Fulham are alytics-infl uenced approach over- stars off the production line. ford’s Danish boss Thomas Frank. Brentford beat Fulham 1-0 and dream hopefully come true to get is cautiously optimistic about hoping for an immediate return seen by two directors of football, That trio took Brentford to Frank’s team-building philos- 2-0 earlier this season and their through to the Premier League.” Mitrovic’s chances of featuring to the Premier League after last ensuring the club make the most the brink of automatic promo- ophy takes inspiration from New captain Pontus Jansson knows Fulham would love to spoil the at Wembley. season’s relegation. of their resources, which are mea- tion last month before successive Zealand’s All Blacks, while his what it would mean to get that Brentford fairytale, but their bid “I’m hopeful — he was close to It is Brentford’s story that has gre in comparison with the Cham- defeats against lowly Stoke and willingness to think outside the lucrative third victory. to get back to the top tier would playing the second leg,” Parker captured the imagination of neu- pionship’s wealthier teams. Barnsley forced them to settle for box has seen him employ a “head “It’s quite obvious, for the club be damaged if Serbia striker Ale- said. “We pushed and pushed. trals. After spending 59 out of It has proved a successful for- a third-place fi nish. of set pieces and individual de- it means everything,” Jansson ksandar Mitrovic is unable to re- The medical team did everything 60 seasons in the third or fourth mula as Brentford unearthed velopment”. said. “This is what we’re fi ghting turn from a hamstring injury. they could but he just wasn’t tiers before reaching the Cham- gems such as Neal Maupay, Ezri ‘IT MEANS EVERYTHING’ Winning promotion would be for as a club for a lot of years, es- Mitrovic, the Championship’s ready. It would have been too pionship in 2014, the Bees have Konsa, Chris Mepham and Jota An impressive 3-1 win over the perfect way to say farewell to pecially this year. top scorer with 26 goals this sea- great a risk to involve him. risen well above their traditional before selling them on for signifi - Swansea in the play-off semi- Griffi n Park — Brentford’s home “We know the fi nancial thing son, missed both legs of Fulham’s “He’ll be working now, work- status thanks to innovative own- cant profi ts. fi nal second leg overturned a 1-0 since 1904 — as they prepare to of playing in the Premier League, 3-2 aggregate play-off semi-fi nal ing over the next few days. And er Matthew Benham. Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma fi rst-leg defi cit and emphasised move into a new arena nearby it’s one of the biggest fees, if not victory over Cardiff . we’ll just do everything we can to Benham has introduced an an- and Bryan Mbeumo are the latest the quality nurtured by Brent- next season. the biggest, in the world. It’s a Fulham manager Scott Parker try to have him ready.” Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, August 4, 2020 SPORT

BASKETBALL NHL Stalock carries Wild to shutout Westbrook, Harden win over Canucks

Reuters Montreal

lex Stalock made 28 saves for the shutout victory and rally Rockets over Jared Spurgeon collected three points as the Minnesota Wild recorded a 3-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 1 of their Western Conference qualifying round seriesA on Sunday in Edmonton. Game 1 was just Stalock’s second playoff start and fifth over- all postseason appearance of his nine-year NHL career. The Wild didn’t reveal their starting goaltender until close to game time, leaving the Canucks guessing as to whether Stalock or the more NBA-best Bucks playoff -tested Devan Dubnyk would be in net. Spurgeon had two goals and an assist, set- ‘We’ve got to keep executing at the end of close games’ ting a career best for RESULTS points in a playoff game. Arizona 4-3 Nashville The forward scored one of the Wild’s two pow- Philadelphia 4-1 Boston er-play goals as well as Colorado 2-1 St. Louis an empty-net goal in Columbus 2-0 Toronto the fi nal minute of play. Minnesota held the Minnesota 3-0 Vancouver edge in both special teams play and outshot Vancouver by a 31-28 margin. The Wild did a strong job of limiting the Canucks’ high-powered off ence, as Vancouver’s six defencemen collected more shots (17) than the 12 forwards (11). Eric Staal had two assists for the 10th multi-point playoff game of his career. The veteran forward has 48 points (20 goals, 28 assists) over 59 career playoff games. Kevin Fiala gave Minnesota the early lead 2:50 into the game, just three seconds into the Wild’s fi rst power-play chance. Staal won a faceoff in the circle and quickly sent the puck back to Fiala, who blasted a wrist shot from the slot past Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom. The long hiatus during the league shutdown didn’t seem to cool off Fiala, who scored 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) over the Wild’s fi nal 18 games of the regular season. Minnesota struck again on another power play 10:24 into the second period. Staal made a circle-to-circle pass to Spurgeon, who converted the shot to extend the Wild’s lead. Game 2 of the best-of-fi ve series takes place Tuesday night in Edmonton, with the Canucks again serving as the designated home team.

Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets goes up for a shot against the Milwaukee Bucks during their NBA game at The Arena in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP ronto to top the Eastern Conference. they took the court for a 117-115 loss to the Miami RESULTS In the other feature interconference Phoenix Suns. It will be the fi rst Dallas game, Jayson Tatum scored 34 points and post-season appearance since 2016. Brooklyn 118-110 Washington Jaylen Brown added 30 to spark the Bos- Phoenix’s Devin Booker scored 30 ussell Westbrook scored 31 points Boston 128-124 Portland ton Celtics over Portland 128-124. points and Ricky Rubio added 20, both Alex Stalock (left) and Carson Soucy of the Minnesota Wild and James Harden added 24 Sun- San Antonio 108-106 Memphis Gordon Hayward added 22 points for hitting key free throws in the fi nal minutes celebrate their win over the Vancouver Canucks in game one of day to rally the Houston Rockets the Celtics, including two crucial free to preserve the Suns’ lead. the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 over NBA overall leader Milwau- Orlando 132-116 Sacramento throws with three seconds to play to help Luka Doncic led Dallas with 40 points NHL Stanley Cup Playoff s at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, keeR 120-116 despite a big night for Giannis Houston 120-116 Milwaukee seal a Boston win after squandering a while Kristaps Porzingis added 30 for the Canada. (Getty Images/AFP) Antetokounmpo. Phoenix 117-115 Dallas 24-point advantage. Mavericks. The Bucks led 112-104 after Khris Mid- Boston opened the game by mak- Caris LeVert scored 34 points, 14 of dleton’s three-pointer with 3:14 to play, ing 9-of-12 shots, fi ve of them for three them in the last seven minutes, to spark but Houston closed the game with a 16-4 points, hit 10-of-21 from the fl oor, 1-of- points, for a 26-15 lead and stretched the Brooklyn Nets over Washington 118- Patriots’ McCourty slams league for run.“It’s amazing,” Westbrook said. “We 3 from beyond the arc, and 10-of-12 free their advantage from there before the 110. attempt to change opt-out deadline fought through. Adversity showed up and throws. Harden had six steals, seven re- Trail Blazers rallied.Portland’s Damian Jarrett Allen had 22 points and 15 re- we showed off . All the guys in our locker bounds and seven assists. Lillard had 30 points and 16 assists while bounds and Joe Harris scored a season- New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty said it is an “abso- room showed up to play for 48 minutes.” Greek big man Antetokounmpo led the Jusuf Nurkic added 30 points and nine re- high 27 points for Brooklyn, which moved lute joke” that the National Football League (NFL) was looking to The Rockets went 21-of-61 from three- Bucks with 36 points, 18 rebounds and bounds for the Trail Blazers. seven games ahead of the ninth-place bring forward a deadline for players to opt out of the upcoming point range, matching an NBA record for eight assists. Middleton had 27 points and Washington in the Eastern Conference. season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Under an agreement the most three-point attempts by a club in 12 rebounds and Brook Lopez added 23 DEROZAN SEALS IT The Wizards must be within four games approved by the league and the players’ union last month, a non-overtime game, with Danuel House points and 12 rebounds. FOR SPURS of eighth to force a play-in series and they players have the choice to opt out. An ESPN report, quoting hitting four and Harden among fi ve other “We’ve got to keep executing at the end The San Antonio Spurs, powered by 21 have only six games remaining. league sources, said the NFL was pushing to move the deadline players who landed three from outside the of close games,” Antetokounmpo said. points and 10 rebounds from Dejounte Orlando stayed half a game ahead of from one week after the new collective bargaining agreement is arc. “We weren’t able to do that. We’ve got to Murray, edged eighth-place Memphis in a Brooklyn by routing Sacramento 132-116 signed to as early as Wednesday. As many as eight New England “You have to make the right reads and fi nd the open man and hit more shots.” Western Conference game. behind 25 points from Terrence Ross plus players, including linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety trust your teammates and that’s what I DeMar DeRozan completed a 108- 23 points and 11 rebounds from Nikola Patrick Chung, have chosen to skip the campaign. “I think it is tried to do all night long,” said Westbrook. TATUM LEADS CELTICS 106 win by sinking two free throws with Vucevic. an absolute joke that the NFL is changing the opt-out period, The Rockets also rallied from seven The Rockets improved to 42-24, level with one second remaining, the last of his 14 The Magic’s victory joy was damp- mainly because they don’t want to continue to see guys opt out,” points down in the fi nal minute to defeat Utah for fourth in the Western Conference points. Grizzlies rookie star Ja Morant had ened by a third-quarter left leg injury to McCourty told US media on Sunday. “I’m sure they’re shocked Dallas on Friday. and only one game behind Denver, while 25 points and nine assists in a losing cause. Jonathan Isaac, who had just worked his about how many guys have opted out. I think it’s terrible that the Westbrook, on a career-best run of the Bucks fell to 54-13, still the best record The Memphis loss ensured a playoff way back from a left knee injury. He exited league has changed that date.” (Reuters) 36 consecutive games with 20 or more in the NBA and six games better than To- spot for the Dallas Mavericks even before the court in a wheelchair.

MLB Cincinnati Reds sweep Tigers in doubleheader Reuters didn’t make it out of the second inning, al- Detroit RESULTS lowing two runs, four hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings of work. Reds 4-0 Tigers Harold Castro and Jody Mercer recorded revor Bauer pitched a complete- Yankees 9-7 Red Sox the only hits of the game for the Tigers, both game shutout to lift the Cincinnati Astros 6-5 Angels singles. Reds to a 4-0 win over the Detroit Tigers in the second game of a dou- Dodgers 3-0 D’backs JUDGE’S HOMERS POWER YANKEES Tbleheader in Detroit on Sunday. Orioles 5-1 Rays TO SWEEP OF RED SOX Following a 4-3 win in the fi rst game, the Twins 3-1 Indians Aaron Judge hit his second homer of the game Reds swept both ends of a historic modern- with two outs in the eighth inning, and the day twin bill where each game lasted seven Rockies 9-6 Padres host New York Yankees completed a three- innings, per new rules for doubleheaders es- Braves 4-0 Mets game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with a 9-7 tablished for this shortened season. Cubs 2-1 Pirates victory Sunday night at Yankee Stadium. The last time a doubleheader in MLB took Judge hit a three-run homer in the second Athletics 3-2 Mariners place where each game lasted fewer than nine off Matt Hall and then hit the decisive homer innings was in 1912 - though those games Rangers 9-5 Giants when he hammered a 2-0 curveball from were shortened due to weather and darkness, White Sox 9-2 Royals Matt Barnes (0-1) over the visiting bullpen according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The and into the left-centre fi eld bleachers to give Reds took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fi rst on the Yankees a 9-7 lead. an RBI single with two outs by Matt David- Colon. Colon and Kyle Farmer each had two Judge’s 468-foot drive occurred three son, who singled on the 10th pitch of the at- hits and Nick Senzel doubled twice to lead pitches after DJ LeMahieu hit a game-tying bat against Tigers starter Daniel Norris. the off ensive attack for the Reds, who had 11 single that scored Mike Tauchman, who sin- Cincinnati then went ahead 2-0 in the hits and left 11 men on base. gled and stole second base. second inning on an RBI single by Aristides The off ensive output was more than Judge homered for a career-high fi fth Aquino, although the Reds did leave the bases enough support for Bauer. In seven dominant straight game. He became the fi rst Yankee to loaded when Eugenio Suarez fl ied out to left innings, Bauer allowed two hits, struck out homer in fi ve straight since Alex Rodriguez to end the inning. But that missed opportu- seven and walked two to earn his fi rst win of did so in September 2007. nity ultimately didn’t cost the Reds. the season. Bauer threw 111 pitches and re- Luke Voit also homered, while Gio Urshela Leading 2-0 going into the seventh, tired his last 13 batters of the game. and Gary Sanchez contributed RBI doubles Cincinnati added two insurance runs, taking Making his fi rst start of the year after test- as the Yankees ran their winning streak to six Trevor Bauer (right) of the Cincinnati Reds smiles as he is greeted by Mike Moustakas after their win over a 4-0 lead on a two-run single by Christian ing positive for Covid-19 in early July, Norris games. Detroit Tigers in game two of a doubleheader in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, August 4, 2020 5 SPORT

FORMULA 1 FOCUS Lewis is uncatchable, Hamilton enjoys say closest rivals

AFP “The best bet would be to be Silverstone on top of the points all the time, so it’s a big loss of points. This kind of thing we can’t re- ewis Hamilton is un- ally aff ord, but obviously Lewis double success catchable in this year’s had a good race, but he also got drivers’ world champi- away [with it] in a way. onship, according to his “What can I do? What can mainL rivals. I say? It’s not ideal, but I can’t Both Max Verstappen of Red change what has happened. Bull and Charles Leclerc of Fer- “I’ve just got to move on and rari eff ectively conceded the title take the learning and try again on Sunday after the British Grand next weekend. I’ll keep pushing with sense of relief Prix as the six-time champion and believing because you never claimed his third straight. know.” The race helped him take another step towards a record-equalling seventh title That the championship lead- After his 87th career win, er completed the race on three Hamilton is only four victories wheels made no diff erence to short of Michael Schumacher’s their view that the only man with record 91 and, while enjoying his a chance of overhauling Hamil- supremacy, said he would wel- ton is his Mercedes team-mate come a more vigorous challenge. Valtteri Bottas. “I’m a through and through After claiming his record sev- racer at heart,”he said.”I’ve enth victory in Sunday’s dra- grown up, particularly in karting, matic race, Hamilton is 30 points where you’ve got the wheel-to- clear of the Finn, who fi nished wheel racing and that’s what has 11th after suff ering an identical always excited me. front-left tyre failure. “That’s what gets me up in the With only four of an expected morning. This not the champi- 15 races completed, his rivals onship fi ght I would have hoped were was asked if Hamilton can for. be caught. “I’d much, much prefer to be Verstappen, the runner up on having a super-close battle with Sunday, simply replied: “No.” these two here (Verstappen and Leclerc, who fi nished third to Leclerc) because that’s what gets move up to fi fth in the title race, me going. 55 points adrift of Hamilton, “I really, really hope that in fu- echoed the sentiment. ture it’s closer. It’s the rules. “If the question is ‘can any- “Ultimately every team is giv- body stop Lewis?’ then, no. en rules and at the end of the day “I think the guy that has some we’ve just done an exceptional chances is Valtteri, but that’s it,” job collectively and you can’t the Ferrari driver said. fault my team for that. Bottas, who slipped 25 points That’s not our fault.” further behind Hamilton after He said he hoped that an over- failing to score, admitted: “Of haul of the technical regulations course, it’s not ideal... for 2022 would usher in more “For the moment, if every- competitive racing. “Hopefully, thing goes to the plan with the it’s not as slow as a GP2 car, but calendar there are going to be hopefully also we’ll get some more than 10 races, but we just more karting-like races in the don’t know. future.”

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton gestures on the winners’ podium after winning the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in central England on Sunday.

AFP pened,” he said late Sunday evening. repeated warnings to his team to guard took a knee, Kevin Magnussen of Haas Silverstone “In the heat of the moment, the adren- against complacency were justifi ed, even joining the six who had stood at the sea- aline is going, but if the tyre gave up in a though Mercedes had outclassed their son-opening Austrian Grand Prix before high-speed corner, it would have been a opponents in the three season-opening the chaotic and muddled displays at the s the dust settled, world cham- much diff erent picture so I feel incredibly races. second and third races. pionship leader Lewis Hamilton grateful that it didn’t...” “I know that I get lots of criticism “I am happy with what happened,” said refl ected with some relief on Hamilton’s plight after his front left- when I point out that black swan events Hamilton, the sport’s only black driver. two important successes after tyre failed, leaving him running on three happen, that once you think everything “Formula One did a much, much bet- Ahis dramatic three-wheel triumph in the wheels while his car lurched and sparked is smooth and you’re just cruising into ter job after a lot of discussion last week British Grand Prix. on the surface of the circuit was, he said, the sunset, these things can unfold,” said about how we can come together and do His victory for Mercedes on Sunday with a heart-stopping experience. Wolff . it. lifted Hamilton 30 points clear of team- “It was my survival instinct that came “But we could have easily lost two cars “I’m not going to tell you my opin- mate Valtteri Bottas in this year’s title out and I was able to stay calm and re- today, been out of the points and then our ion on whether or not everyone needs to race. The race helped him take another ally measured to bring the thing home,” points advantage would have vanished in kneel or not, but if you look at all the oth- step towards hs goal of a record-equalling he said. “I’ve never known anything like a second. er sports....They are all doing it united. seventh championship, and a much bet- that before.”On his fi nal lap, a luxurious “We may have had the fastest car at Sil- “When the reasoning for not doing it ter-organised pre-race ceremony off ered lead of more than 30 seconds was cut to verstone, but come home with zero. The is how you think it would be perceived in Third-placed Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc reacts as a clearer demonstration of the sport’s only 5.8 as he reached the chequered fl ag race isn’t over until the fl ag drops.” your country, all you have to do is look at he walks on to the podium after the Formula One British Grand Prix proclaimed anti-racism stance. ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Wolff added that the team did not know other sports.” on Sunday. But his fi rst thoughts Monday centred The Dutchman was 28 seconds faster the exact cause of the punctures. “It “But bit-by-bit I think we will just try on what might have happened when his than Hamilton on the lap. For team boss could have been debris,” he said. to improve each other’s understanding. front left tyre laminated and disintegrat- Toto Wolff , Hamilton’s battle to sur- Hamilton himself said he felt satisfi ed “I think the most important thing is the PARALYMPICS ed on the fi nal lap. vive and Bottas’ identical problem two at the more organised anti-racism protest drivers continue to have respect for each “As the minutes go by I feel worse and laps earlier, which forced him to pit from on the start-fi nish line before the race. other, which I think we do, and maybe worse when I think about what just hap- second and fi nish 11th, was proof that Seven drivers chose to stand while 13 there needs to be more conversation.” Specifc Covid-19 BOTTOMLINE measures may be needed for Tokyo, Todt has mixed feelings on say organisers

Reuters “There might be some specifi c Tokyo measures that are needed de- pending on what type of sport or Hamilton beating Schumacher he Tokyo Paralympics competition it is,” he said. Reuters Ferrari-owned Mugello — where the Ital- to Schumacher and his family, said he may require specifi c “We are having discussions London ian team will mark their 1,000th world respected and admired Mercedes’ con- Covid-19 measures to with IFs (International Federa- championship grand prix. tinued achievements but with some res- help keep athletes safe tions) and the IPC (International “If you have a link to the records, you’d ervations. asT they move between venues, Paralympic Committee) and ean Todt, who presided over like the records to stay,” former Ferrari Mercedes have taken the last six driv- organisers said yesterday. others to provide a safe and se- Michael Schumacher’s golden boss Todt, now president of the govern- ers’ and constructors’ titles and have won The 2020 Summer Olym- cure environment.” years at Ferrari, says he would have ing International Automobile Federation all four races so far with four pole posi- pics and Paralympics have been Nakamura added changes to to congratulate Lewis Hamilton if (FIA), told reporters at Silverstone. tions. “I admire the competitivity, the re- pushed back to next year be- the schedule may be necessary. Jthe Briton smashes the great German’s “On the other side, normally a record liability, the durability,” said Todt. cause of the novel coronavirus Japanese para-taekwondo Formula One records — even if he would has a duration in life. All the records are “But for the sport I think like all of the pandemic. athlete Mitsuya Tanaka, who prefer them to remain intact. due to be broken. people who like things more unpredict- Paralympics organisers said joined the news conference re- Six times world champion Hamilton “Clearly Mercedes and Lewis are able, they would like to see more change.” yesterday the schedule would motely, hoped the Games could enjoys a 30-point lead in the champion- putting everything together to bring the Todt said both Schumacher, who has remain largely the same for next be a chance to show the world ship after four races and, with Mercedes record...clearly it’s admirable.If it’s well- not been seen in public since suff ering year. that coronavirus can be defeat- dominant, is set to equal Schumacher’s deserved, you can only congratulate him.” severe head injuries in a 2013 skiing ac- The opening ceremony will ed. seven crowns. The Frenchman led Schumacher to fi ve cident, and Hamilton shared a “special take place on Aug. 24 and the “I think showing ourselves The 35-year-old, who won his home championships in a row between 2000- fi ghting spirit’ and spoke also of his re- Games will feature 539 events at making the eff ort and taking on British Grand Prix for a record seventh 04 when the Italian team were as domi- spect for the Briton’s anti-racism cam- 22 diff erent venues. the challenge with courage, this time at Silverstone on Sunday despite a nant as Mercedes now. paigning. Games Director Hidemasa is something we can contribute dramatic last-lap puncture, is also only The Schumacher era, despite Ferrari “I do admire people who engage for Nakamura said additional meas- to the world,” said Tanaka. four victories short of the German’s fans looking back on it fondly as the team something where they feel they can bring ures against the virus may be “Once Covid-19 settles, it will record 91. struggles, was also sometimes dubbed something,” he said. “If he can bring needed during the Paralympics be a good opportunity for us to On current form, Hamilton can equal ‘Formula Yawn’ for the predictability of something to that, I admire that and as because of the extra time re- show we have won over Cov- that at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in the outcome. much as we will be able to contribute we quired to move para-athletes id-19. This is something I can September and surpass it a week later at Todt, who became particularly close will do it.” between venues. show as a para-athlete.” Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, August 4, 2020 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Kang edges Boutier to capture fi rst title Thomas outduels of LPGA return

AFP| Washington

anielle Kang held Koepka for WGC win, off France’s Celine Boutier over the fi nal holes on Sunday to winD the LPGA Drive On Cham- pionship, the tour’s fi rst tour- nament since February after a Covid-19 shutdown. It was the fourth career title World No. 1 ranking for the 27-year-old American, whose fi rst win was a major, the 2017 Women’s PGA Champion- Danielle Kang celebrates ‘IT MEANS A LOT, ESPECIALLY WITH HOW I FELT LIKE I DID IT’ ship, and whose other two came with the trophy after at Shanghai in 2018 and 2019. “I winning LPGA Drive On AFP worked really hard for the last Championship at Inverness Washington seven months,” Kang said. “I’m Club in Toledo, Ohio. (AFP) really excited right now.” Kang fi red a two-under par LEADING SCORES ustin Thomas reclaimed 70 to fi nish 54 holes at Iverness AFTER FINAL ROUND the world number one Club in Toledo, Ohio, on 7-un- ranking on Sunday by out- der 209, one shot better than 209-Danielle Kang 66-73-70 duelling defending cham- Boutier, who missed a four- 210-Celine Boutier (FRA) pionJ Brooks Koepka down the foot birdie putt on the last 68-71-71 stretch to win the WGC St Jude hole that would have forced a 212-Minjee Lee (AUS) 69-73- Invitational by three strokes. playoff . 70 Thomas, who began the day Boutier was alone in second 213-Yui Kawamoto (JPN) four shots off the lead, fired a after a closing 71 with Austral- 70-71-72 fi ve-under par 65 fi nal round to ian Minjee Lee third on 212, Ja- 214-Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG) thwart Koepka’s repeat bid and pan’s Yui Kawamoto fourth on 67-72-75 take the title at TPC Southwind 213 and England’s Jodi Ewart 216-Gemma Dryburgh (SCO) in Memphis, Tennessee, on a 72- Shadoff fi fth on 214 after a 73-72-71, Brittany Lang 72- hole total of 13-under 267. closing 75. 72-72, Mina Harigae 71-72-73, “It means a lot, especially The LPGA managed to play Sarah Burnham 70-72-74, with how I felt like I did it,” Tho- only two events in January Sarah Schmelzel 72-69-75 mas said. “In the past, I strug- in the United States and two 217-Megan Khang 74-73-70, gled with coming from behind. I more in February in Australia Caroline Masson (GER) 72- got wrapped up in how far I was before the season was stopped 72-73, Anne van Dam (NED) behind and how many people.” by the global pandemic. 71-73-73, Kelly Tan (MAL) The 27-year-old American The comeback event, played 71-72-74, Lee-Anne Pace (RSA) became the third-youngest US without spectators on the host 68-74-75 PGA Tour player in the past 60 course for next year’s Solheim 218-Lexi Thompson 73-72-73, years to reach 13 career wins, Cup team matches between Perrine Delacour (FRA) 73- behind Tiger Woods and Jack US and European teams, was 71-74, Carlota Ciganda (ESP) Nicklaus and just ahead of Rory played ahead of next week’s 70-74-74, Amy Olson 69-73-76 McIlroy. LPGA Marathon Classic in 219-Kendall Dye 74-75-70, Koepka, who seeks a third nearby Sylvania so players Alena Sharp (CAN) 78-69-72, consecutive PGA Championship could stay in the same area for Madelene Sagstrom (SWE) victory next week in San Fran- both events, easing concerns 73-74-72, Brittany Altomare cisco, closed with a double bogey about contracting the deadly 74-72-73, Azahara Munoz after fi nding water off the 18th virus. The LPGA return came (ESP) 73-73-73, Austin Ernst tee and slid into sharing second Justin Thomas of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the World Golf Championship FedEx St Jude Invitational at TPC South- with safeguards and social 73-72-74, Jasmine Suwan- on 270 with US compatriots wind in Memphis, Tennessee. (Getty Images/AFP) distancing protocols that were napura (THA) 74-70-75, Park Daniel Berger and Phil Mickelson apparent on the 18th green as Hee-young (KOR) 70-73-76. and England’s Tom Lewis. Kang celebrated her victory. Thomas, the 2017 PGA Cham- McIlroy targets majors with renewed LEADING SCORES AFTER FINAL ROUND pionship winner, jumped from focus aft er shutdown (par 70; USA unless stated) 273-Ryan Palmer 69-69-71-64, third past McIlroy and top- 267-Justin Thomas 66-70-66-65 Abraham Ancer (MEX) 67-75-65- ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm to re- Rory McIlroy says the corona- until November to add to my 270-Daniel Berger 71-67-67-65, 66, Scottie Scheff ler 69-67-69- Werenski makes late charge to capture take world number one, a spot he virus shutdown has made him major tally. “Because of all that’s Tom Lewis (ENG) 73-70-61-66, 68, Rickie Fowler 64-67-69-73, PGA Barracuda title held for four weeks in 2018. more focused on adding to his happened this year, it’s made me Phil Mickelson 67-70-66-67, Brendon Todd 64-65-69-75 “It was a hard-fought day, but tally of four major titles, the focus a little more on just these Brooks Koepka 62-71-68-69 274-Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 71- Richy Werenski made three edged him into the final vic- it meant a lot,” Thomas said. last of which came in 2014. The weeks that are coming up.” 271-Xander Schauff ele 68-70-67- 70-68-65, Collin Morikawa 70-71- birdies and an eagle over tory margin of 39-38. Three weeks ago, Thomas 31-year-old will compete in the The US Open and PGA Champi- 66, Jason Day (AUS) 68-67-69-67, 67-66, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) Sunday’s final seven holes to “It’s huge,” Werenski said. squandered a three-stroke lead PGA Championship at Hard- onship will be held without fans Shane Lowry (IRL) 68-69-67-67, 68-71-67-68, Joel Dahmen 72-67- chase down fellow American “I’ve been playing well the with three holes to play, two bo- ing Park starting on Thursday, present due to the virus out- Chez Reavie 66-67-70-68, Louis 65-70, Christiaan Bezuidenhout Troy Merritt and win the Bar- past couple of months but geys dropping him into a play- before the US Open and the break but McIlroy is hopeful that Oosthuizen (RSA) 68-67-68-68, (RSA) 71-69-64-70 racuda Championship for his to win is huge. It helps my off with Collin Morikawa that Masters in September and might change for the Masters. Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 70- 275-Kevin Kisner 70-68-72- first PGA title. confidence a lot.” he lost. “I feel like I learned a November. The British Open, “I think if anyone can make it 64-69-68 65, Matt Kuchar 66-72-71-66, The unique event uses a Austria’s Matthias Schwab lot from that,” he said. “I just the fourth men’s major, was work with spectators, it’s them. 272-Dustin Johnson 69-68-68-67, Bubba Watson 68-70-71-66, Billy Modified Stableford scoring and Argentina’s Fabian didn’t get ahead of myself any- cancelled earlier this year. Georgia is a state that’s maybe Webb Simpson 69-66-69-68, An Horschel 70-70-68-67, Cameron system that awards points for Gomez shared third on 37 time those last two, three holes, “Those were the three, even a little more open to having Byeong-hun (KOR) 68-65-66-73 Champ 71-68-67-69 birdies, eagles and all sub-par points after 72 holes at Old where I felt like my mind was in quarantine, I was looking crowds, and on the ‘getting back scores but subtracts points Greenwood course at Tahoe kind of wandering and maybe towards. Once the schedule was to normal a little quicker’ side of 12-under. calmed me down. You usually for bogeys and worse with no Mountain Club in Truckee, thinking about winning. set it was those three events things’,” the world No 3 added. Thomas found the left rough only get lucky like that when you points for par. California. Werenski, who lost “I basically just told myself I was trying to get ready for,” “But it’s up to Augusta National at 15 but blasted his approach to win the tournament. Merritt reached 38 points a three-man playoff for the to shut up and fi gure out what McIlroy told The Guardian. and governor of Georgia. It’s six feet and made the birdie putt “Luckily, I hung on and stayed with a birdie at the eighth but 2017 Barracuda crown, won you’re doing because I could lose “Everything was normal then not just about players when to match Koepka for the lead. patient and positive.” finished with 10 consecutive his way into next week’s PGA that tournament just as easily as we had this massive gap where I you bring fans back, it’s about Thomas then sent his tee shot Koepka scrambled on 16 but pars, coming up short on a Championship at TPC Hard- I won it. had time to think: ‘OK, what are keeping the community you’re way right at the par-5 16th, but missed an eight-foot par putt to 30-footer for a 2-point birdie ing Park in San Francisco. “I was really proud of myself you looking forward to after this playing in safe. If you can’t guar- recovered by blasting to the low fall two adrift, only to sink a 40- at 18 that would have given Merritt and Werenski both to stay in the moment and get it break?’ It’s a funny year... but I’ve antee that you’ll do that, then it’s rough just left of the fairway and foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th him the triumph. earned berths into next done,” he said. three opportunities from now not worth it.” (Reuters) dropped his approach three feet to move back within a stroke as Werenski closed with birdies month’s US Open at Winged A back-nine shootout saw from the cup, tapping in a birdie he walked to the 18th tee. at the par-5 12th and par-4 Foot in suburban New York. Americans Koepka, Thomas, to claim the lead alone at 13-un- But Koepka sent his tee shot 14th, an eagle at the par-4 “Hit a lot of quality shots. Just Berger and 54-hole leader Bren- Australian Jason Day, Ameri- 10-under. Koepka sank a birdie der. into the water and put his third 16th and a birdie on 18 to couldn’t find a birdie on the don Todd deadlocked with Lewis can Chez Reavie and England’s putt from just inside 10 feet at “I got unbelievably lucky,” into a greenside bunker, sealing complete an 11-point run that back side,” Merritt said. for the lead on 11-under, while Matthew Fitzpatrick were on the par-4 13th to seize the lead at Thomas said. “Somehow, that the victory for Thomas.

TENNIS Vandeweghe winner gives Empire WTT title

cago in front 16-13 going into the Reuters Tennis returns as service resumes West Virginia, United States women’s doubles. Needing only to hold serve to at Palermo WTA secure the title, Canada’s Eug- oco Vandeweghe ham- enie Bouchard and Bethanie The stadium announcer at Pal- passages between the seats and mered a go-for-broke Mattek-Sands were unable to ermo yesterday wished a warm in the entrances. Hand shaking or return that caught the shut the door on Vandeweghe and welcome return to tennis hugging after the matches either back line to earn the and Melichar who won in a tie- lovers as the WTA tournament is forbidden, with players tapping NewC York Empire victory over break to send the fi nal to Extend- in Italy started five months after rackets over the net from a safe the Chicago Smash on Sunday ed Play. The Empire held serve the last one with bottles of hand distance. There were some 350 in the World Team Tennis (WTT) and broke the Smash to leave the sanitiser attached to the nets. fans allowed into the premises fi nal that came down to a win- score level at 20-20, sending it to When Croatia’s Donna Vekic that normally holds 1,500. After ner-takes-all last point. a 13-point super tiebreak. and the Netherlands’ Arantxa Vekic won there was a video The nine team, three-week With the title slipping away Rus took to the clay-court late in press-conference where she told WTT event at West Virginia’s the Smash went to their bench the day some 150 days after the media she was happy to have Greenbrier Resort went as long bringing in Stevens, the 2017 US sport’s hiatus started they were remembered how to play tennis. as it could and a bit more. Open champion, in place of Bou- not wearing face masks. But the “It’s weird, sometimes funny with With fi ve sets unable to decide chard to partner with Mattek- line judges and umpire were all the protocols, masks on your a champion, the contest contin- Sands. masked and the players had to face, visors and screens in the ued into Extended Play and then New York Empire’s Jack Sock, Neal Skupski, Nicole Melichar, Kim Clijsters and Colleen Vandeweghe celebrate Stevens produced some big stand behind a social distancing transport,” she said. “Of course a fi rst-to-seven super tiebreak with the trophy after winning the World Team Tennis title. (Reuters) points including an ace to level line to approach them. As for the its necessary but so diff erent that ultimately came down to the at 6-6 but could only watch stands in Sicily, they are cleared from before it seems unreal,” she very last point. Covid-19 safety protocols were after it, toe-to-toe, it’s won- early on winning both the men’s as Vandeweghe’s winning and disinfected after each match. said. Top seed Petra Martic, who Tied 6-6 with Chicago’s forgotten as Vandeweghe and derful,” said Empire coach Luke and mixed doubles to take a 10-6 shot hit the line. “The second Players in the second meeting faces Alison van Uytvanck on Sloane Stevens serving for the doubles partner Nicole Melichar Jensen. lead going into the singles. (Vandeweghe) hit it and I didn’t were told politely to wear their Tuesday, said it was an honour to title, Vandeweghe blasted a were mobbed by Empire team “Last year, we were one swing But that four point advan- hear an ‘out’ call, I was thrilled,” masks during the rest periods be back. “It’s been so long since forehand return that was chal- mates including Jack Sock and away, and this time the swing tage was quickly erased with Melichar said. “But then the fact and told to sanitise their hands I was at a tournament, so long lenged but to no avail as the shot Belgium’s four-time Grand Slam went in. We’re very fortunate to 18-year-old American Brandon (the Smash) were challenging it, from the dispensing bottles at- since I played, so long since I got narrowly clipped the back of the winner Kim Clijsters, who was be in this position.” Nakashima beagling Sock 5-0 all of a sudden, we were like, ‘Oh tached to the net poles. this adrenaline rush from playing. baseline to give the Empire a 21- sidelined by an abdominal injury The Empire, who lost last sea- and Stevens, wearing a Black no, oh no, oh no.’ There were indeed hand gel It’s a privilege being back on 20 win. and did not play in the fi nal. son’s fi nal against the Spring- Lives Matter singlet, stopping “It was just pure joy after that. bottles placed everywhere in the court,” she said. (AFP) Social distancing and other “To see the best players going fi eld Lasers, looked motivated Vandeweghe 5-3 to push Chi- It was incredible.” Gulf Times Tuesday, August 4, 2020 7 SPORT

CRICKET CYCLING Bernal triumphs in pre-Tour mountain test England pace aces AFP in his homeland since winning Toulouse, France last year’s Tour, he warmed up for that by taking overall victory in the Paris-Nice and Tour de efending Tour de Suisse, and looks a nailed on fa- France champion Egan vourite to win this season’s race. Bernal marked out his Four-time Tour winner Chris territory yesterday Froome was dropped at the bot- create ‘headache’ climbingD to a summit fi nish vic- tom of the fi nal climb and ended tory on stage three of the French the day over fi ve minutes adrift Route d’Occitanie. of Colombian Bernal. Bernal’s Ineos teammate Rus- French climber Romain Bar- sia’s Pavel Sivakov was second det, who fell heavily on Sunday, at 10 seconds and Astana’s Ale- was 1 minute 18 seconds off the ksandr Vlasov third 17 seconds winner. After negotiating the behind less than a month ahead narrow lanes in the Pyrenean for captain Root of the rescheduled Tour. foothills the race went up the The Colombian punched the 10km of the Col de Peyresourde The skipper can call on veteran new-ball partners James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the air joyously as he soloed over the at an average of 7.5%, then as- fi nish line to rapturous applause cended the slightly longer Col de express pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood and impressive Sam Curran and Chris Woakes from the fans who had defi ed the Beyrede at 7.2%. vehicle ban by walking or cycling Die-hard cyclo-tourists and AFP to the mountain summit fi nale. those fi t enough to go up on foot London Bernal also clinched the over- had defi ed the 24-hour traffi c all lead of the four-day race, on ban on the day’s fi nal climb. a stage typical of those found on There were camper vans and ngland have the luxury the Tour with around 40km of crowds of masked fans, but it of six specialist pace- hard climbs. was a far cry from the kind of men in their 14-man “This is a test day for all the pop up motorhome villages that squad for this week’s favourites of the Tour,” France’s traditionally straddle summit fiE rst Test against Pakistan at Old Thibaut Pinot said ahead of the fi nishes on the Tour. This year’s Traff ord - a welcome “head- stage in which he fi nished fourth Grand Boucle’s start date was ache” for captain Joe Root. 31 seconds behind the 23-year- postponed to August 29 due to The skipper can call on vet- old winner. A household name the coronavirus pandemic. eran new-ball partners James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the express pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood and the impressive Sam Curran and Chris Woakes. The hosts rotated their quicks during last month’s 2-1 series win over the West Indies which, together with the upcoming campaign against Pakistan, forms a programme of six Tests in seven weeks. That is a particularly tough schedule for fast bowlers in a season cut short by the corona- virus pandemic. Colombia’s Egan Bernal of Team Ineos celebrates on podium after England’s management has winning the 3rd stage of the La Route d’Occitanie, yesterday. (AFP) argued no paceman can play all six Tests, with the restrictions imposed by maintaining a bio- secure “bubble” requiring sev- Abuse allegations deeply concerning, eral options to be immediately at hand. says New Zealand govt But it is an issue they will New Zealand’s Sports Minister by ‘ramifications’, but I’ve had need to handle with care given In this file photo taken on July 25, 2020, England’s Stuart Broad, James Anderson (centre) and Jofra Archer (right) are pictured in the field on Grant Robertson has called al- no complaints raised with me in they have now lost the opener the second day of the third Test against the West Indies at Old Traff ord in Manchester. (AFP) legations of psychological and relation to that,” he told Radio in eight of their past 10 multi- physical abuse in gymnastics in New Zealand. match Test series, which for England could now drop the country “deeply concern- GNZ were not immediately all their resilience could prove Bess or still play four special- ing” and urged any athletes available for comment to Reu- costly if it happens against Pa- ist quicks even if Stokes is fi t aff ected and their parents to ters. Sports Minister Robertson kistan. to bowl for the fi rst Test, which come forward. said that he was concerned Broad revealed on Sunday he starts at Old Traff ord tomorrow. New Zealand’s two largest about the rising number of felt “so low” after being omit- There were times when newspaper companies, Stuff allegations. ted from the West Indies opener Archer, who clearly thrives on Media and the New Zealand “I would like to acknowledge that he considered retiring. responsibility, was relegated Herald, reported at the week- the courage of those who have The recalled Broad respond- to the role of fi rst and second end that club and elite gym- stepped forward,” he said in a ed with 16 wickets at a miserly change during the West Indies nasts had complained of being statement yesterday. average of under 11 in the next fi nale and appeared to bowl ac- verbally abused, body-shamed “It is imperative that sport is two matches as he joined long- cordingly. or forced to train while injured, safe for athletes and that their standing England new-ball Archer was making his return with complaints going back to wellbeing is paramount at all colleague Anderson as one of a after missing the second Test the 1990s. times. select group of seven bowlers to due to a breach of coronavirus A series of new allegations from “Sport NZ is working with Gym- have taken 500 Test wickets. protocols. former gymnasts and parents nastics NZ on the next steps At 34, and bowling a gener- It may be, however, that even emerged in Stuff , the Herald and that should be taken. I would ally fuller length which makes Anderson and Broad will have Radio New Zealand yesterday encourage people to come his ability to move the ball late In this file photo taken on July 20, 2020 England’s Sam Curran celebrates taking the wicket of West to accept they cannot always be about elite gymnasts being forward if they have allegations off the seam an even more chal- Indies’ Shamarh Brooks for 62 on the final day of the second Test against the West Indies at Old Traff ord the “main men” from now on. sidelined after they complained to raise.” lenging proposition, Broad is in Manchester. (AFP) England often appear so ob- about an overseas coach’s Sport NZ and GNZ have institut- in arguably the best form of his sessed with the Ashes that the methods, while allegations of ed an anonymous complaints career. when pitch and overhead con- Woakes is now more inclined his side back into matches by opponent in front of them be- abusive behaviour were not procedure. Anderson, four years older ditions favour the batsmen. to deploy a sharp bouncer, sheer force of personality with comes relegated to a warm-up investigated properly. Mistreatment of gymnasts has and a swing bowler who thrives Then there is Curran, whose which makes it harder for bats- the ball. act for their next confrontation Gymnastics New Zealand (GNZ) been in the spotlight since last in home conditions, is closing in left-arm angle adds variety to men to routinely push forward But the West Indies fi nale with Australia. Chief Executive Tony Compier month’s release of Netflix docu- on 600 Test wickets, with Eng- an otherwise all right-arm at- in the hope of blunting his may serve as a model for Eng- But this season’s compressed told Radio New Zealand on mentary “Athlete A”, based on land’s all-time leading bowler tack. The Surrey bowler has movement. land. schedule may have inadvert- Monday that he had been una- a newspaper investigation into clearly not done yet. won every Test he has played in That still leaves the pace Stokes was unfi t to bowl, al- ently given England a template ware of any such impact the abuse of American athletes at home. bowling of star all-rounder though he featured as a bats- for how to regain the urn Down on gymnasts who had spoken that led to the jailing of team RAW PACE Woakes, who took 5-50 in the Ben Stokes who, as he showed man, and that meant England Under in 2021/22. out, and he defended his doctor Larry Nassar. World Cup winners Archer and West Indies decider, has a better before guiding England to an deployed Anderson, Broad, “With the talent that’s wait- organisation’s investigation In recent weeks, British and Wood provide England with the home average than either Broad astounding one-wicket win Archer and Woakes in an attack ing in the wings it’s an exciting processes. Australian gymnastics authori- option of genuine 90-miles- or Anderson, with his 81 Test with a brilliant century dur- featuring spinner Dom Bess place to be and long may those “I’m not aware of any ramifica- ties have also launched inquir- per-hour-plus pace, with speed wickets in England coming at ing last year’s Headingley Test after omitting batsman Zak headaches continue,” said tions or exactly what they mean ies. (Reuters) through the air an asset even just 22 apiece. against Australia, can also drag Crawley. Root.

FOCUS Woakes eager to keep England place against Pakistan

AFP but I still want to go on and get as England’s Topley to miss third ODI against Ireland with groin injury London many as I can individually. “I still feel like I can provide England fast bowler Reece Topley will miss today’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The three-team Chal- really good services to England one-day international (ODI) against Ireland after lenge tournament, which was introduced in 2018, hris Woakes is happy for many more years to come.” picking up a groin injury, the country’s cricket has been staged on the sidelines of the popular to be an unsung hero World Cup-winner Woakes board (ECB) said yesterday, two days after he men’s Indian Premier League (IPL) in March to but the England pace- said he hoped he had done made his international comeback. With England’s May, ensuring decent crowds and coverage. With man says he is as keen as enough to get into the starting XI first choice fast bowlers rested between tests the IPL being moved to a September 19 start date anyC of his more high-profi le col- for the fi rst Test. against the West Indies and upcoming matches in the United Arab Emirates due to Covid-19, the leagues to play in the fi rst Test “But competition is high at against Pakistan, Topley was called up to the ODI women’s tournament will now clash with Austral- against Pakistan tomorrow. the minute,” he said. “We’ve squad and he made his first appearance in more ia’s WBBL, which runs from October 17 to Novem- The 31-year-old bowling all- still got two of England’s greats than four years on Saturday. The 26-year-old ber 29. Wicketkeeper-batter Healy said on Twitter rounder was a key fi gure in Eng- charging in and taking wickets bowled nine overs and picked up Ireland’s final it was unfair to make players choose between the land’s recent 2-1 series win over is fi erce.That is not even taking I’m fi rst choice to write about or every time they play and we’ve wicket in England’s four-wicket win. The six foot two and asked why the IPL and Women’s T20 Chal- the West Indies. into account star all-rounder not, to be brutally honest.” got exciting fast bowlers as well.” seven inch Topley joins Joe Denly on the sidelines lenge could not be held separately. He took 5-50 on the fi nal day Ben Stokes, unfi t to bowl in the Woakes enjoyed a break- after the batsman was ruled out of the final two “The WBBL and BBL don’t run simultaneously so of the third Test at Old Traff ord, West Indies fi nale because of in- ‘GOOD SERVICE’ through series against Pakistan ODIs when he suff ered back spasms in training why does the IPL and WIPL have to?” she asked, also the venue for the Pakistan jury, or Sam Curran, who played Yet with 81 Test wickets at 22 in 2016, when he took 26 wick- ahead of the second match. England have already calling the decision “dumb”. Compatriot Rachael opener in another three-match in the second Test against the apiece in England, Woakes has ets, but it is still 10 years since clinched the three-match series with wins from Haynes said such clashes were counter-productive campaign. But his fi ne return West Indies. a better home average than ei- England last won a Test cam- the first two games. All matches are being played for the growth of women’s cricket. “... while the came on the same day that fellow “I honestly really don’t mind. ther Anderson or Broad. “My paign against Pakistan. at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton behind closed game continues to grow, premier domestic com- England seamer Stuart Broad I’m not one for being the centre stats have been mentioned and “Pakistan are always a com- doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. petitions do not need to compete against each took his 500th Test wicket. of attention,” Woakes told re- they’re very good in England,” petitive team,” he said. “They’ve other,” she tweeted. With the established new-ball porters yesterday. said Woakes, who has taken 106 got good experience and some HEALY HITS OUT AT WOMEN’S T20 “They can be used to showcase the game and pair of Broad and James Ander- “Don’t get me wrong, I want wickets in 35 Tests overall. exciting young players, as they CHALLENGE SCHEDULING support its development around the world.” New son, as well as express quicks to go out on the fi eld and perform “At my age and where I am always do.” Woakes’s former Australia’s Alyssa Healy has criticised India’s deci- Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who played both of the Jofra Archer and Mark Wood and I want to make match-win- now, at 31, it’s unlikely that I’m Warwickshire team-mate sion to schedule the Women’s T20 Challenge in previous editions of the Indian tournament, said vying for spots, competition ning performances for England going to go on and get 500 Test Jonathan Trott will be England’s November despite it clashing with the Women’s the clash was a “huge shame”. for places in England’s attack but it really doesn’t bother me if wickets like Jimmy and Broady batting consultant for the series.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Time away from track motivates Saeed al-Sulati to keep racing ‘Before the coronavirus I was thinking of maybe it’s time to rest and just coach the young riders. But after this break I realised that I can’t stay without the bike’

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

aeed al-Sulaiti displayed a childlike enthusiasm as he took to the track after a three-month break from training. The three- timeS QSTK 600 champion, along with other leading Qatar riders like Abdul- lah al-Qubaisi and Mishaal al-Naimi, were able to put on their riding suits at a training camp organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation at the Saeed al-Sulaiti trains at the go-karting track of the Losail Circuit at the go-karting track of the and Sports Club (LCSC). Losail Circuit and Sports Club. The camp has come at the right time, particularly for al-Sulaiti. The 35-year- old, who fi nished runner-up to his pro- tégé al-Qubaisi last season, is in the twilight of his career and was consider- Three-time QSTK 600 champion ing the option of giving up competing Saeed al-Sulaiti. and going into full-time coaching. But the coronavirus pandemic – ry on racing, al-Sulaiti is excited to whoever wants to be fi t, he can do it ready for the championship here,” he Last year, al-Sulaiti was asked by the online championship organised by the which put a halt to track activities – be back on bike, even though the hot in the gym or without the gym. It’s all revealed. QMMF to groom a bunch of young rid- QMMF during the lockdown, as he left gave some time for al-Sulaiti to ponder weather has made it slightly unpleas- about the mental thing. If you want to “There is no plan to race in Spain. It’s ers for the future with particular focus the young riders in his wake with some over his future. “Before the coronavi- ant for all the riders. “It’s amazing to do it, you will do it. I have been working obviously very diffi cult. But there is a on al-Qubaisi and Hamad al-Sahouti. impressive PlayStation skills. “For me rus I was thinking of maybe it’s time be back. I don’t remember ever training out whenever I get a chance,” he said. plan to go and train there. The weather And al-Sulaiti was happy to pitch in. personally I loved it. I have been train- to rest and just coach the young riders. at this time of the year. It’s extremely In the past, QMMF sent its top riders is great there now. To go and just try the “Last year as a coach, I was delight- ing in simulation for the last fi ve years. But after this break I realised that I can’t hot. We have been wanting to ride for a to Spain for training but with the threat bike on a diff erent circuit is even bet- ed to see Abdullah (al-Qubaisi) win- So, when QMMF conducted the online stay without the bike. It has given me long time. For us riders it’s just a mental of Covid-19 still existing, any future ter than racing here on one circuit. So, ning QSTK600 and also Hamad win- championship, I thought the young the motivation to keep going for some thing, we just wanted to put our suits exposure trip from the federation is un- it’s very important to go and train there ning 300cc. As a coach, I won both the guys would be very good at the PlaySta- more time. I know it’s a diffi cult time on and start riding. It’s good to be back certain. However, al-Sulaiti was keen and I will try my best to do it. Maybe by championships. There are some upcom- tion. Obviously they have been practis- for everybody. But for me, it has given and we are looking forward to more. I to train for a month in Spain in his per- October or November. That’s a personal ing new riders in the academy, but lately ing more than me. me an opportunity to clear up a lot of hope the weather gets better, which I sonal capacity, if travel opens up. plan. I don’t know anything about QM- I have been away from the academy. “But like I said before, when I was things in my head and I see myself rac- doubt, but we’ll keep riding,” he said. “Personally, I already have a bike MF’s plan to train abroad for the riders. They have Spanish coaches to take care in the world championship in 2016, it ing in the future,” said al-Sulaiti, even Al-Sulaiti said he kept himself busy in Spain. I am just waiting for them to But for me personally a few months ago of them. I always keep supporting the was a big help to learn the tracks from as sweat dripped down his face after a during the hiatus by following a fi t- open the port there and just do a month I decided that I will go to Spain when- young guys. Right now, I am only focus- the simulators. It was very easy to catch long training session. ness regime. “I have been working out of training there. I am really look- ever everything opens up there, refresh ing on Abdullah and Hamad,” he said. up for me with the fastest riders in the Now that he has continued to car- at home to stay fi t. Let me tell you this, ing forward to going there and getting my mind and just train,” he added. Al-Sulaiti was also on fi re during the world,” he said.

FOCUS SNOOKER O’Sullivan Riders training camp resumes at Losail Circuit Sports Club records fastest osail Circuit Sports Club ers training camp is a chance for the now after the long wait, we are starting (LCSC) has resumed some championship riders to resume their here. Thanks to QMMF we are in this win in Crucible motorsport activities from trainings and be ready for the start of position where we can resume train- last week after all the events the championship. We have to be very ing,” al-Qubaisi said. history Lwere forced to be stopped due to the cautious and we are maintaining all the “We can’t compete in Europe at this Covid-19 pandemic. One of the fi rst government and federation require- point in time. When we have our win- events to return was riders training ments for everyone’s safety,” al-Re- ter, we can’t be competing there so my camp at the go-karting track, organ- maihi said. focus will be our competitions in Qa- ised by LCSC, Qatar Motor and Mo- “After the training camp event, we tar,” he added. torcycle Federation (QMMF) and Qatar are working on opening again the kart- Al-Qubaisi one of the most exciting Motorsports Academy (QMA, will give ing track and but it will be in further riders in Qatar was aiming to compete an opportunity to the championship steps,” he added. in the world championships in future. riders to train again and get back in Reigning QSTK600 Champion Ab- “My long-term plan is to take part in shape after long period of inactivity. dullah al-Qubaisi was excited to get World Championship. It could be any The trainings are scheduled to take back on the track. “You know we are World Championship,” he said confi - place each Monday and Wednesday involved with this summer camp in dently. from 6pm to 8.30pm all of August. The Qatar. We have the Covid-19 situation. Veteran rider and three-time opening of the activities has been done We can’t go out of Qatar for races but QSTK600 Champion Saeed al-Sulaiti AFP following all the healthy protocols and we are enjoying ourselves. The weath- was lauded the eff orts of QMMF and London maintaining all government guidelines er is hot but at least we are in training LCSC for organising the camp. “It is to avoid any health issue. now. That’s a nice feeling being on the very nice to be back riding. The weath- Khalid al-Remaihi, LCSC Vice- bike,” he said. er is very hot but we don’t mind, it’s al- onnie O’Sullivan re- President and General Manager said The 22-year-old rider said he kept most fi ve months without riding so it is corded the fastest win he was glad to announce the reopening himself busy during the hiatus by fol- a very good idea to participate. Thanks in Crucible history as he of track activities. “‘We are very happy lowing a fi tness regime. “In the three for the organisers and looking forward completed a 10-1 dem- to open gradually the LCSC facilities months, I trained many hours to re- to keep it the following months,” said olitionR of Thepchaiya Un-Nooh Reigning QSTK600 champion Abdullah al-Qubaisi is excited to get back on the track. after a long period. The summer rid- main physically and mentally fi t. And al-Sulaiti. in less than two hours in the fi rst round of the World Champion- ship yesterday. The fi ve-time CRICKET world champion took just 82 minutes to storm to an 8-1 ad- vantage in the fi rst session of their match behind closed doors on Sunday, with an average shot Pakistan must be ready from the word ‘go’: Misbah time of less than 14 seconds. AFP match series in England four years ago, be- And the 44-year-old re- London lieves his side also have the batsmen to give turned to quickly wrap up the their bowlers enough runs to defend. two frames needed for victory “It’s always tough with the Duke ball in and shatter the current Crucible akistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq has England where the ball moves around off record of 149 minutes that Shaun urged his side to get off to a yingfl the seam and also in the air,” Misbah said. Murphy took to whitewash start in their Test series with Eng- “But this is where you can really fi ght and China’s Luo Honghao last year. land, saying they must be at their our batting looked in great shape in the last Thailand’s Thepchaiya missed a Pbest “right from the word ‘go’”. two series. We played in Pakistan but even in chance to prolong the inevitable England are notoriously sluggish starters Australia we managed to score good runs in in the opening frame of the ses- and have lost the opener in eight of their past almost every innings. sion but was punished for miss- 10 Test series, including a recent 2-1 home “Shan Masood, Abid Ali scored centuries ing a simple red on 22. O’Sullivan success against the West Indies that marked in previous series (at home to Bangladesh in stepped in with a clearance of 93 international cricket’s return from the coro- February and at home to Sri Lanka in Decem- — his eighth break of over 50 in navirus lockdown. ber). Conditions are diff erent but still con- the match — to move within one They now return to Old Traff ord, the scene fi dence plays a huge role in your mind when frame of the second round. of their two victories over Jason Holder’s you’re coming from a series where you scored Despite breaking down on 41 men, for the fi rst Test in another three-match runs. when he missed a relatively sim- series, against Pakistan, starting tomorrow. “Azhar (Ali) got a hundred (too, against Sri ple red, O’Sullivan was gifted Misbah, suggesting England would have Lanka). In 2016 Asad Shafi q scored runs here, a second chance to wrap up a the advantage of momentum, said yesterday: Babar Azam last time performed here in 2018 crushing victory with a further “We should be ready for an England team that (when Pakistan drew a two-match series in break of 48. have already had three matches of experience England 1-1) and the way he’s batting at the While the offi cial match time and they won their last two Test matches. We moment, he’s confi dent and playing well.” was yet to be confi rmed, it was have to really come in this Test series right England’s attack, however, is set to feature clear O’Sullivan had smashed from the word ‘go’ at our best if we want to James Anderson, closing in on 600 Test wick- the previous record time for a win a Test series or a Test match here. ets, and Stuart Broad, who took his 500th in Crucible win and become the “We are aware that England have a slight the third Test against the West Indies. “It’s a fi rst man to win a World Cham- advantage but if we are alert and go 100% in challenge for us against an experienced and pionship tie in under two hours. the fi rst Test match, that is the only way we very good seam attack of England but I think O’Sullivan shrugged off his can beat England, otherwise we will fi nd our- we’ve got potential,” said Misbah. record-breaking performance, selves in diffi culty.” “Mentally at the moment the guys are in saying: “I’m not really bothered Both England and Pakistan, who have good shape because they are coming from by records — I stopped bother- played two intra-squad warm-up matches, good performances. When you are confi dent ing about records when I reached boast talented pace attacks but Misbah, mentally and in good shape, then you always them and they didn’t really give Pakistan’s captain when they drew a four- can deliver on the fi eld.” you that buzz for very long.”