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Thursday, July 20, 2017 ATHLETICS Shawwal 26, 1438 AH Bolt winning race GULF TIMES against time to peak for London SPORT Page 6 2018 AFC U-23 CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS Qatar register comfortable 2-0 win over Turkmenistan Despite missing many chances Qatar, thanks to a brace from star player Akram Afif in the first 15 minutes of the game, eased past Turkmenistan in their opening encounter of the AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers yesterday at the Al Sadd Stadium

By Sahan Bidappa ran in hard with his speed catching the Doha opposition unaware on many occasions but he lacked the fi nesse to fi nish as he glanced his header wide off the post, espite blowing many chances, with plenty of open space available. Qatar scored a comfortable Moez Ali was also brought down in the 2-0 win over Turkmenistan in box couple of times, but the referee the AFC U-23 Championship waved off the penalty shouts much to qualifiD ers here yesterday. the relief of Turkmenistan. In sweltering conditions at the Al With just three minutes remaining Sadd stadium, Qatar were off to an im- for the half-time, Qatar’s Bassam Alrawi pressive start, opening up a 2-0 lead came close in the 43rd minute but his free within 15 minutes. But as the match kick sailed just wide of the right post. progressed, the hosts wasted plenty of Qatar continued to threaten after the opportunities to score, which would break, with Afi f carrying much of the have frustrated coach Felix Sanchez on workload. Five minutes into the second the night. half, Afi f, who plies his trade for Belgian Qatar’s both goals came from the club KAS Eupen on loan from Villarre- highly-rated Akram Afi f, who showed al, found Moein with just goalkeeper to his calibre with a slick display of tech- beat. But the captain sent the ball wide. nique as he found the net with ease. Turkmenistan, which played most However, the 20-year-old benefi ted of the game in their own half, defend- from some impressive build-up play ed stoutly, relying on counterattack to and passing from his teammates. score. And their fi rst real chance came Afi f fi rst found the net in the fourth in the 53rd minute, when Rejebov Ber- minute but Qatar were lucky to keep the dimyrat’s left-footed shot was well goal, after the ball had clearly gone out saved by Qatar goalkeeper Mohammed of play. A throw-in from the touchline Ahmed al-Bakari. by Abdulrahman Anad was collected by Afi f, meanwhile, was prowling in the Moez Ali, who ran past two Turkmeni- opposition box for his hat-trick and he stan defenders into the box. But in do- almost had it in the 58th minute. But ing so the Qatar forward clearly took the his low shot was anticipated by keeper ball out of play, which was not picked Berdiyev Dovletyar, who dived to the up by the offi cials. Ali then picked up an left to make a neat save. unmarked Afi f with a great pass, and the In the 66th minute, Afi f once again forward slotted home to the right of the looked dangerous as he ran past Turk- top post to give Qatar a head-start. menistan defenders after a nice pass Qatar’s play brimmed with belief, with from Abdullah Abdulsalam. But Dovle- Afi f, Moez Ali and skipper Ahmed Moein tyar was there to deny Qatar’s talisman troubling the opposition. Moein had a his much-deserved hat-trick. Sanchez golden chance to double the lead, but the soon replaced Afi f by bringing in Nass- captain fi red wide, from just inside the box. er Ibrahim al-Nasr, as the Qatar coach The second goal, however, was around chose to preserve his star striker’s en- the corner and it was gifted by the Turk- ergy from the sapping humidity for fu- menistan skipper Atayev Selim in the 15th ture matches. minute. Anad intercepted a mistimed Even in the closing stage, Qatar had pass from Selim and laid it on to Moein, slew of chances but failed to fi nd the who played a perfect through ball to the net, which left Sanchez shaking his waiting Afi f, who took a couple of deft head in disbelief at the touchline. Qa- touches and found the net with ease. tar’s next match is tomorrow against From thereon, it looked like it would India, who lost to Syria 0-2 earlier in rain goals from Qatar. But to the dismay the day. While Qatar will go into that of Sanchez and a sizeable home crowd match too as the overwhelming favour- Qatar wasted numerous chances to in- ites, Sanchez will hope his boys will crease the lead. show more clinical display than they Moez Ali, playing as central forward, Qatar’s Akram Afif (left) in action during his team’s 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification match against Turkmenistan yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma did against Turkmenistan.

BOTTOMLINE India go down 2-0 to Syria in opener Agencies in the clear but his prompt right-footer double substitution in the 81st minute er as they’re scheduled to clash their Doha rebounded off the post for a corner. – Sarthak Golui and Robinson Singh horns with hosts Qatar at the Jassim The resultant corner, a long one coming in for Lalruatthara and Anirudh Bin Hamad Stadium tomorrow. from Anirudh Thapa was met by Nishu Thapa respectively. Stephen also didn’t mince his words ndia U-23 went down fi ghting two- Kumar from the top of the box but it Three minutes later, Nikhil Poojary praising his boys for showing their true nil to Syria U-23 in their opening missed by a whisker as both teams powered another cross from the right potential in the fi rst match of the Qual- encounter of the AFC U-23 Cham- headed to the interval locked goalless. fl ank but it Hitesh mistimed his leap to ifi ers. pionship China 2018 Qualifi ers Changing over, striker Manvir Singh fi nd the elusive equaliser. The British coach said, “The boys Iopener at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadi- came close to scoring the opener but Syria sealed the fate of the match in have played their heart out. Boys have um in Doha yesterday. Both teams were his header landed safely into the Syrian the 88th minute — Fares Arnaout dou- almost got the better of the Syrians but locked goalless at the interval. goalkeeper’s gloves. bling the score for them. eventually, the lack of experience cost The U-23 boys next play hosts and As the game neared the hour-mark, us the match.” group favourites Qatar U-23 in their Indians appeared to lose the plot a bit — LACK OF EXPERIENCE COST US, Although he rued the half-chances match tomorrow. skipper Lalruatthara and Nishu Kumar SAYS INDIAN COACH CONSTANTINE those were created in the fi rst-half, he India began on a cautious note and going into the referee’s book for chal- Despite going down by two second-half didn’t hesitate from expressing that pressed hard in their eff ort to unsettle lenges. goals against Syria India’s boys will take he’s “proud of the boys’ performances.” the physically superior Syrians. The Syria went ahead in the 64th minute inspiration from the praise bestowed on Even some of his boys had a standout fi rst chance of the day fell to striker — striker Rabie Srour lobbing it over them by Syrian coach Hussain Afash. performance tonight, he emphasised Daniel Lalhlimpuia but he could not goalkeeper Vishal Kaith who was “In actual facts, Indians pressed us on the ‘team game’ during the post- make the most of the opportunity. caught out of position — central de- very hard in the fi rst half and they’re match press conference held after the Nikhil Poojary on the right fl ank kept fender Salam Ranjan Singh’s valiant playing a manoeuvring football. In the Syria game. the rival defence busy with his incisive attempt to keep off the lob not being second half, they conceded two goals “Some of the boys might have had a crosses, as the Indian midfi eld preferred successful. but I must say, they got under our skin good game but I believe this is a team to rotate from one side to the other. India’s fi rst substitution came in the and these boys are defi nitely going to game where everyone needs to perform The high point for India came in the 72nd minute – Hitesh Sharma com- have a great future ahead,” said Afash and they’ve had a great team eff ort to- 37th minute when a string of passes ing in for Daniel. Head Coach Stephen yesterday. night. We’ll take it forward to the next found the tireless Germanpreet Singh Action during the match between Syria and India. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Constantine followed it up with a India have a little time left to recov- game.” Gulf Times 2 Thursday, July 20, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT STAYING Conte signs new Chelsea agree deal Chelsea deal for Real’s Morata ‘I feel indebted to him (Conte) because he’s the coach that most trusted in me, most wanted me, who made me feel I could perform at the highest level’

This file photo shows Chelsea’s Italian manager Antonio Conte.

AFP competition in the Champions London League,” Granovskaia said in a statement. “Since arriving in west Lon- helsea manager Antonio don, the 47-year-old Italian’s Conte signed a new two- passion, tactical acumen and year deal with the Pre- winning mentality have en- mier League giants yes- deared him to Chelsea support- Cterday as the club moved to quell ers all over the world and we look reports of a rift with the Italian. forward to further triumphs with The deal was confi rmed as Antonio at the helm.” Conte, who guided Chelsea to Conte’s coaching staff has the title in his fi rst season last been augmented by the arrival year, prepares to take his squad of two more Italians, with Paolo on a pre-season tour of Asia. Vanoli joining as an assistant to “I am very happy to have the fi rst team head coach and signed a new contract with Chel- Davide Mazzotta working as as- sea,” he said in a statement on sistant/player analysis. Chelsea’s offi cial website. The contract boost for Conte “We worked extremely hard in comes amid reports that the Ital- our fi rst year to achieve some- ian has grown frustrated with thing amazing, which I am very Chelsea’s inability to reinforce proud of. Now we must work their title-winning squad. even harder to stay at the top.” Chelsea had long been linked No terms of the deal were dis- to a move for Everton striker closed. Romelu Lukaku but saw the Bel- English press reports said the gian international join Manches- new contract improved the terms ter United instead. of the remaining two years left on Conte had also reportedly the three-year deal Conte signed been keen on Juventus duo Le- when he joined the club last year. onardo Bonucci and Alex Sandro, Chelsea director Marina but neither came to fruition. Granovskaia said the contract re- Chelsea’s hierarchy mean- warded the “incredible success” while were reportedly unhappy Chelsea had enjoyed in Conte’s that Conte had notifi ed unset- fi rst season. tled striker Diego Costa that he “This new contract refl ects does not feature in his plans — our belief that he can continue to potentially weakening the club’s deliver results both domestically bargaining position in the event and as we return to European of any transfer negotiations. File picture of Alvaro Morata of Real Madrid celebrating after scoring during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo.

AFP “The club wishes to express its thanks £150,000 a week. “I feel indebted to him because he’s FIRM London for the dedication, professionalism and Real exercised a buy-back clause to bring the coach that most trusted in me, most exemplary conduct displayed by the Morata back from Juventus a year ago, hav- wanted me, who made me feel I could player over the years, spanning his time ing joined the Italian club in 2014 just days perform at the highest level,” Morata told helsea have reached an agree- in our academy right through to his spell after Antonio Conte’s exit in Turin. the newspaper. Aguero not going ment to buy Spain international as a member of the fi rst-team squad,” the He scored 20 goals in 43 appearances Morata’s arrival in London could sig- striker Alvaro Morata from Real statement added. last season as Real retained their Cham- nal the end of his international team- Madrid for a reported 80 million Chelsea had reportedly tabled a £62 pions League crown while edging Barce- mate Diego Costa’s time at Chelsea, with anywhere: Guardiola eurosC ($92.2 million), the two clubs an- million (70 million euros, $80 million) lona to the Spanish title. the latter strongly tipped for a return to nounced yesterday. bid for the 24-year-old last week but Morata had previously been linked Atletico Madrid. AFP ers coming, but until the deal is “Chelsea Football Club and Real Ma- Madrid, according to Spanish radio sta- with a move to Manchester United, but Costa was granted extra time off by the Houston done, out of respect for the other drid have agreed terms for the transfer of tion Cadena Ser, have agreed the sale for their reported interest ended after the Blues and has missed the start of pre- clubs I cannot say anything. Alvaro Morata to Stamford Bridge,” Chel- 80 million euros. signing of Romelu Lukaku from Everton. season training after the 28-year-old “Mendy is the same case as sea said on their club website. Morata is expected to leave Madrid’s The Spaniard told The Guardian in revealed in June that he was not part of anchester City man- Danilo. We have targets and we “The move is now subject to him training camp in the United States as April that Chelsea boss Conte, who was Conte’s plans. ager Pep Guardiola see what happens. He’s a Mo- agreeing personal terms and passing a soon as possible. instrumental in persuading him to sign The Brazil-born Spain striker is keen said yesterday he had naco player so I’m quiet in my medical.” British media reported last week for Juve, had given him self belief and on rejoining Atletico despite them not no plans to sell Sergio comments.” Madrid confi rmed the news as well in a that Chelsea had off ered Morata a ve-fi that he was looking forward to working being allowed to register new players un- MAguero but confi rmed the club City, meanwhile, are planning brief statement on their website. year contract at Stamford Bridge worth with the Italian one day. til January because of a transfer ban. was in talks with “three or four” to offl oad striker Kelechi Ihea- potential new signings. nacho, who is on the brink of a Speaking to reporters ahead of deal to join former champions ON TOUR Manchester City’s Houston derby Leicester City. with Manchester United today, Guardiola said the 20-year-old Guardiola attempted to draw a line Nigerian needed regular football. under speculation about Argen- “Kelechi’s a young player. It’s not tina striker Aguero’s future. easy for him,” Guardiola said. “He’s our player. He will re- “He needs to play at that age main here,” Guardiola said of and that’s why he and the club de- Arsenal hit by food poisoning Aguero. cided it was best for him to leave.” The City boss, meanwhile, was The City manager, however, coy about a possible move for admitted that the uncertainty Arsenal’s Chilean international surrounding the transfer market Alexis Sanchez. was distracting from his team’s in China but still beat Bayern Sanchez is reportedly keen pre-season and suggested the AFP “I don’t think this kind of to leave the Emirates although European transfer market should Shanghai game wipes out what manager Arsene Wenger has in- be shortened so it closed before happened last season. We dicated the player is not for sale. the start of the new season. will always remember that. “Alexis is a player from Arse- “Unfortunately the market rsenal were ravaged We had a nightmare last nal. Arsene said that, it’s because fi nishes the 31st. I think that’s a by food poisoning in season in the second half” he knows more than me,” Guar- huge mistake from UEFA,” Guar- Shanghai that ruled diola said. diola said. several key players out Juan Bernat’s soft spot kick after Guardiola appeared to confi rm “I think the market should fi n- ofA their pre-season friendly with Gunners substitute Alex Iwobi City’s interest in Real Madrid ish when we start the season. It’s Bayern Munich yesterday, man- nodded in the leveller right at defender Danilo and Monaco’s too long, too large. ager Arsene Wenger said. the end of normal time. Benjamin Mendy but again de- “We are playing here with guys Wenger’s ailing men were Robert Lewandowski had clined to go into details. who maybe will not continue, or outplayed for long periods by needed just nine minutes to “We are talking to three or four with players who are coming but Bayern before salvaging a last- fi re German champions Bayern players - with the next three, are not here. We are playing in a gasp 1-1 draw and then winning ahead from the penalty spot as four, fi ve years in mind. They are situation where we don’t know 3-2 on penalties. they swept through Arsenal, young players,” Guardiola said. what is going to happen for the rest But the Frenchman said that before Iwobi’s late intervention “We have options for play- of the season, so we miss time.” the sickness that had swept the meant the game went straight to Arsenal camp, coupled with the penalties. severe heat in China and long Both sides fi elded a mixture Neuer replaces Lahm as Bayern’s captain fl ights, made for far-from-ideal of fi rst-team regulars and re- preparations for another taxing serves, with new Bayern signing Germany goalkeeper and cap- appearance last August. campaign. James Rodriguez and new Arse- tain Manuel Neuer will replace The 31-year-old Neuer steps in Wenger was shorn of Olivier nal striker Alexandre Lacazette Philipp Lahm as Bayern Mu- to skipper Bayern after Lahm Giroud because of food poison- starting. nich’s skipper for next season, retired from all football in May ing, then captain Per Merte- Wenger’s team were thrashed the Bundesliga champions’ after 22 years with the Bavar- sacker pulled out of the game 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern last chairman Karl-Heinz Rum- ian giants. just moments before kick-off season in the Champions League menigge has confirmed. Neuer has sat out Bayern’s because he too fell ill with the CAREFUL OF THE FOOD, BOYS! Arsenal’s Petr Cech celebrates with the trophy and teammates after and the manager said his players “Our number one is the current tour of China and same problem. the match against Bayern Munich during the International Champions Cup in Shanghai, China, yester- were still hurting. number one (choice) — Singapore to recover from a New signing Sead Kolasinac “I don’t think this kind of Manuel Neuer,” Rummenigge foot surgery, but is expected had to come off before the break, Monday and Tuesday so I was a Wenger said the Premier not. game wipes out what happened told Munich daily newspaper to be back for the German gi- while substitutes Aaron Ramsey bit scared that tonight we could League club — who next travel to “Has it got other advantages? last season,” said the Arsenal TZ. ants when the new Bundesliga and Theo Walcott both also felt have big problems and in fact in Beijing to face Chelsea on Satur- Yes because we can meet fans boss. “He is an established profes- season kicks off on August 18. unwell. the fi rst half we suff ered a bit,” day — did not know what caused all over the world so that is very “We will always remember sional, who will take the arm- Bayern will be hunting a sixth Arsenal were particularly poor said Wenger, under pressure to the food poisoning. positive and the team bonding is that. We had a nightmare last band from Philipp Lahm. straight German league title in in the fi rst half in the 36 degrees get Arsenal back in the Champi- Wenger added of the punish- easier as well because we live to- season in the second half. “He has developed really well 2017/18. Celsius (97F) heat and Wenger ons League this season. ing pre-season schedule that gether for two weeks.” “But it’s still good to win with the national team — not Having signed for Bayern in admitted that the extreme con- “Ramsey fi nished the game many top European clubs now against a team like Bayern.” only on, but also off the pitch.” 2011, Neuer will become the ditions in Shanghai were “a (feeling) bad and Walcott, Ko- undertake to far-fl ung destina- ‘NIGHTMARE’ Bayern play AC Milan in World Cup-winner Neuer has fourth goalkeeper to captain shock” after fl ying in from Aus- lasinac, Mertesacker, Giroud, tions for commercial reasons: Reserve goalkeeper Emiliano Shenzhen, southern China, in been Germany’s goalkeeper the side after Oliver Kahn, tralia, which is in its winter. they all had a little food poison- “If you ask me is it ideal physi- Martinez was the unlikely hero their next warm-up game on since Bastian Schweinsteiger Raimond Aumann and Sepp “We worked very hard on ing.” cally to prepare? I’d say certainly for Wenger and Arsenal, saving Saturday. made his final international Maier. Gulf Times Thursday, July 20, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT QATAR STARS LEAGUE

Kings unveil Jassimi with the signing of Spanish and Abdelnasser striker Francisco Sandaza. Club off icials confirmed the news on social media last night, whilst the club also add- ed that Ahli’s quartet of foreign Mourinho ‘ready players had been decided for the new campaign. Sandaza is joined by summer signings Kim Gwi-hyeon and Simão QSL new boys Qatar SC Mate whilst the Brigadiers unveiled two further local have also elected to keep hold signings as the Kings look to of striker N’Guessan Yessoh strengthen their side ahead of who spent the second half of for 15 years’ at the 2017/2018 campaign. the season with Muaither. The club called a press confer- Sandaza will now continue to ence yesterday to formally an- train with his new team until nounce the signing of former the August 2nd when Al Ahli Al Arabi defender Ali Jassimi will then head to their presea- and former Al Ahli keeper son training camp, which is set Satea Abdelnasser. to take place in Holland. Speaking on joining the Kings Man United Ali Jassimi, who penned a Saad and Al Maliki three year deal admitted he head to Al Arabi was looking forward to com- ‘I think Sir Alex’s career is unique. I don’t think it is possible to emulate. Nobody is going peting with the side. “Qatar Sports Club is well known in to be in the same club for so many years, be in the same league for so many years’ Qatar as the side is used to high quality, and I think we will do well in the League and get back to our rightful place competing in the QSL.” Whilst keeper Satea Abdel- nasser, who signed a one-year Al Arabi’s busy summer deal with the side stated that transfer window has continued he will do all he can on making with the club announcing the an impact at the Kings. “This addition of two further players decision to start in goal will to the squad. The club took to not depend just on me, it will social media to confirm that be down to the coach and I Mahmoud Saad and youth will do my best to grab the prospect Khalifa al-Maliki had number one shirt for my new signed deals with the Dream side.” Team. The signing of Jassimi and Experienced attacker Mah- Abdelnasser caps off a busy moud Saad previously played couple of weeks of signings for for Al Kharaitiyat and El Jaish, the Kings. Last week the club and has penned a two-year signed no fewer than four local deal with the side. Whilst As- players as they prepare for the pire graduate Khalifa al-Maliki new QSL campaign under the is a highly-regarded youth guidance of new Argentine player, and has joined Arabi on head coach Gabriel Calderón. a three-year contract. The signings of Saad and Ahli swoop for al-Maliki mean that Arabi Spaniard Sandaza have now signed a total of ten players in the summer transfer window. These include the professional trio of Diego Jardel, Ammar Jemal and Syr- ian attacker Mardik Mardikian. They are joined with five local players in the form of Abdul- rahman Anad, Hesham Kamal, QSL side Al Ahli has completed Jasser Yahya, goalkeeper Mu- their foreign contingent for the hannad Naim and Al Shahania upcoming 2017-2018 season youngster Jassem al-Jaber.

EURO 2017: WOMEN Head coach Jose Mourinho of Manchester United takes the field before their game against the Real Salt Lake during the International friendly game at Rio Tinto Stadium. Spain cruise past AFP United have not won the Premier everybody putting pressure on managers the modern game. Los Angeles League title since Ferguson’s retirement and things that people say — that we have “I think Sir Alex’s career is unique,” in 2013. to win, but in reality only one can win and Mourinho said. “I don’t think it is pos- Portugal 2-0 Mourinho has never spent longer than every year it is getting more diffi cult. sible to emulate. anchester United manager Jose three years as manager of a club during “This club, for so many years, was Sir “Nobody is going to be in the same club Mourinho has revealed he is his trophy-laden career. Alex. People got used to it; people un- for so many years, be in the same league targeting a 15-year stay at Old But the 54-year-old, speaking as his derstood the great consequences of that for so many years. I think [Arsenal man- Traff ord, telling ESPN in an team prepare to face Manchester City in stability. ager Arsene] Wenger will be the last with Minterview yesterday he wants to restore the Houston today in the latest leg of their “After David [Moyes] and Mr.[Louis] a similar story in terms of staying at a stability of the Alex Ferguson era. US tour, insisted he saw United as a long- Van Gaal, I come to my second year and club for so many years. Mourinho, who took over the Premier term project. hopefully I can stay and give that stability “But I what I try to do in modern foot- League giants last year, told the net- “I am ready for this,” Mourinho told that the club wants. I will try, but again, I ball nowadays is to try to deserve to stay work’s website that he is desperate to de- ESPN. “I am ready for the next 15, I would will have to try to deserve that, but that’s in the club, because in this moment, it is liver sustained success over a long-term say. Here? Yes, why not? what I try every day that I work.” about success. You have success, you stay period just as Ferguson did over nearly “I have to admit that it is very diffi cult Mourinho believes Ferguson’s 27-year in the club. You don’t have success, you three decades. because of the pressure around our jobs, reign at United will never be emulated in don’t stay.”

PRE-SEASON Solanke shines as Liverpool

Vicky Losada (L) of Spain shoots past Tatiana Pinto (R) of Portugal during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 football tournament match beat Palace in Hong Kong between Spain and Portugal at Stadion De Vijverberg yesterday. AFP Liverpool’s 75mn euros Keita bid rejected AFP nied by Morais after a fi ne ex- Hong Kong Doetinchem, Netherlands change in the box. Red Bull boss Dietrich Mates- it,” Mateschitz told magazine The second half was very chitz has confirmed RB Leipzig Sport Bild. much in the same vein. ew signing Dominic have rejected an off er of 75 mil- Mateschitz says selling Keita irst-half goals from Spain were in control, barely Solanke came off the lion euros (£66mn, $86.4mn) for would send the wrong mes- Vicky Losada and Aman- letting their rivals cross the half- bench to score as Liv- Liverpool-target Naby Keita and sage to RB’s other stars. da Sampedro handed way line and allowing Portugal to erpool beat Crystal insists the Guinea midfielder is RB Leipzig’s Germany striker Spain a convincing 2-0 have a single shot from captain NPalace 2-0 in a preseason game winF against Euro newcomers Claudia Neto which went wide. not for sale. Timo Werner has been linked in Hong Kong yesterday. On their first season in Ger- to Real Madrid, while Swedish Portugal in the Group D opener At the other end, Hermoso The 19-year-old suggested he many’s top flight, RB Leipzig midfielder Emil Forsberg is at the women’s Euro tournament saw her overhead kick headed to could prove a summer bargain finished second to Bayern reportedly being chased by yesterday. safety by a defender and Losada’s at just $4 million as he linked Munich in 2016/17 and have Liverpool and Arsenal. Losada opened the score on 23 long-range attempt was cleared up well with fellow striker Di- qualified directly for the Cham- “To sell him (Keita) would not minutes after a long pass from by Morais who also stopped a vock Origi, who also got on pions League, but are eager to only be a sign of distrust for Andrea Pereira and the Barcelona vicious volley from substitute the scoresheet in the Premier keep their playmaker Keita. our fans, but would also send midfi elder slammed the ball past Maria Paz. League Asia Trophy win. The 22-year-old has three out the wrong signal to our the keeper Patricia Morais. “We knew we would have to “It’s been a smart move years left on his Leipzig other players, such as Timo Atletico’s Sampedro made it close all gaps in the fi rst half but for him and for us,” Liverpool contract, although Liverpool’s Werner, who are also in de- 2-0 three minutes before half didn’t do it,” said Portugal coach manager Jurgen Klopp said of manager Jurgen Klopp is ea- mand,” added Mateschitz. time, heading in a cross from Francisco Neto. Solanke’s transfer from Chelsea. ger to lure him to Merseyside. Leipzig will not sell talented Mariona Caldentey. “It’s not easy to have ball “He saw the opportunity and However Mateschitz, 73, the players to boost their coff ers. “I’m happy with the result, possession against a team like we could see it also. You could co-founder of energy drinks “We are not, and will never our fi rst half was almost perfect,” Spain.” see immediately he is a smart firm Red Bull, which backs RB be, Manchester City,” added said Spain coach Jorge Vilda. Meanwhile Eugenie Le Som- player. He’s a skilled boy and we Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke (right) scores against Crystal Palace Leipzig, says the defensive Mateschitz. “They are really strong defen- mer converted a late penalty to are happy about this. We will during the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong yesterday. midfielder is not for sale. “I have not only the responsi- sively, but we were better.” lift France past diehard Iceland help him all we can.” “We were flattered when an bility for the fans from Leipzig Spain, who won both qualifi - 1-0 while Nina Burger’s early Origi set up the fi rst goal for of 40,000. international’s agent had been off er of 75 million euros off er but also for the path which we ers against Portugal in the Euro goal gave Austria an equally slim Liverpool on the hour mark with Klopp’s new-look front line spotted in Hong Kong. for Naby Keita recently landed have taken so far. 2017 campaign, started with win over 10-player Switzerland a clever back-heel that found proved a welcome distraction “Are we in Macau?” asked at our door. No way! He still “We’ll do it our way or not at seven players from Champions at the women’s Euro on Tuesday. Solanke unmarked and the teen- for the German coach following Klopp in reference to the world’s has a contract and he will fulfil all.” League semi-fi nalists Barcelona. France coach Olivier Echouaf- ager made no mistake, fi nishing reports that Leipzig had rejected largest gambling hub, situated In the eastern Dutch city of ni said: “We have the win, that’s coolly in the stifl ing Hong Kong a huge bid of $86 million for star just across the Pearl River Delta Doetinchem, they showed their the most important thing. heat. midfi elder Naby Keita. from Hong Kong. “Today both teams played “In the second half we made dominance from the beginning, “I love these games because the Origi then rifl ed home Liv- Klopp bristled when asked “What do you know? Sixty-six good football,” added Klopp, some changes and we scored — with Jennifer Hermoso fi ring girls were in diffi culty, but they erpool’s second in the 79th about the Keita situation as ru- million (pounds) turned down to- turning his attention back to nice. We changed the formation over the bar early into the game were patient. They have been re- minute, to the delight of a crowd mours circled that the Guinea day? I don’t think about this. events on the pitch. and it was nice to watch.” while Silvia Meseguer was de- warded. Everyone did well.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, July 20, 2017 GOLF

BRITISH OPEN SPOTLIGHT R&A chief keen Wide open fi eld to see ailing targets Claret Jug Woods back Last nine majors have all been won by a diff erent name

AFP Southport, United Kingdom

hile uncertainty surrounds the form of leading names such as Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, the WBritish Open begins at Royal Birkdale today with a plethora of players hopeful of winning the Claret Jug. When the Open last came to the links at Southport, near Liverpool in north- west England, it was 2008 and Tiger Woods had just won the US Open. That was his 14th major, but Woods has not won any since and no longer AFP infl uence. does a single player dominate the sport. Southport, United Kingdom “I hope he gets well. I hope he gets The last nine majors have all been fi t. I hope he falls back in love with won by a diff erent name, going back to golf. I hope he tees it up at the Open. Jordan Spieth’s back-to-back victories he head of golf’s governing He’d be extremely welcome,” added at the Masters and US Open in 2015. body has expressed his hope Slumbers. Indeed, the last seven have all been that former world number Woods has won the Open three claimed by fi rst-time major win- one Tiger Woods will one times, most recently at Hoylake, not ners, including Brooks Koepka at last Tday feature again at a British Open. far from Birkdale, in 2006. month’s US Open and Henrik Stenson This year’s championship tees off But he has not won a major title in the Open at Troon 12 months ago. today at Royal Birkdale in the town since the 2008 US Open and has not “Golf is in a place right now where of Southport, north-west England, won any event since the 2013 World you have so many players playing re- with Woods again absent. Golf Championships Bridgestone In- ally well. And a lot of the guys that are The 41-year-old’s attempts to res- vitational. playing really well haven’t won a ma- urrect his career have been hit by a This week he dropped outside the jor, like Jon Rahm or Justin Thomas,” series of operations on his back since top 1,000 players in the world for the said McIlroy, 2014 Open champion, on 2014, and he has made only one top- fi rst time in his professional career, Wednesday. 20 fi nish in the past two seasons. sinking to 1,005 in the rankings. Japan’s world number two Hideki His absence this week means it is Since his demise, no one golfer has Matsuyama is another serious threat, so now seven straight majors that he has managed to dominate the sport in the can a fi rst-time winner lift the Claret Jug sat out. same way, and the last nine majors in front of Birkdale’s distinctive white Art “I think the sport should be eter- have all been won by diff erent play- Deco clubhouse on Sunday evening? nally grateful for the transformation ers. “I think Birkdale, because we’re go- he drove in golf. I would love to see “The game also moves on,” added ing back to a place where we’ve been him tee it up here again,” R&A chief Slumbers. before, it’s not a course that’s new to executive Martin Slumbers said at “We’re looking at strong crowds anyone, I think that might make a little Birkdale yesterday ahead of the start here this week. We are expecting to bit of a diff erence,” added McIlroy. Rory McIlroy (right) comes into the championship in relaxed mood despite poor recent results, including missed cuts at the of this year’s Open. be in excess of 220,000, which will “But that is sort of where golf is at Irish Open and Scottish Open. (AFP) Woods has won 14 majors and once make it the number four all time for the moment. No one is really standing held the world number one ranking the Open Championship. out and sort of taking it by the scruff of at Birkdale, a stunning par-70 course The latter won at Birkdale in 1961, said yesterday. The 36-year-old world for a record 683 weeks. “I think there are some wonder- the neck.” that winds its way through the sand and a plaque sits by the 16th fairway number 33, who fi nished tied third in But this year Woods’ rehabilitation ful players out there now that peo- McIlroy comes into the champion- dunes, nine years ago. to commemorate a famous shot he hit the 2012 Open at Lytham, will be re- from injury was overshadowed by his ple want to come and watch, and the ship in relaxed mood despite poor re- He is the last player to successfully from a bush en route to the title. placed by his compatriot James Hahn arrest in May for driving under the game is moving forward.” cent results, including missed cuts at defend the Claret Jug, and Stenson, The course has great history and in the tournament which starts today. the Irish Open and Scottish Open. 41, will hope that is an omen, al- poses a formidable challenge, not least World number one Johnson, 33, sat though he must know the sort of golf if the weather deteriorates. PAST 10 BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONS FOCUS out the Masters with a back injury and that saw him defeat Phil Mickelson on The skies gradually turned black be- 2016 - Henrik Stenson (SWE) at Royal missed the cut in the US Open at Erin the last day at Troon was once-in-a- fore thunderstorms forced a premature Troon Hills. But he has remained among the lifetime stuff. end to practice rounds on Wednesday. 2015 - Zach Johnson (USA) at St An- favourites for the $1.845 million fi rst Five of the last six Open champions Today is expected to be cooler, but drews Furyk in PGA event aft er prize with most bookmakers. have been aged 39 or older. In 1998, mostly dry. However, wet and windy 2014 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) at Hoylake “I feel good. I feel like the game is Birkdale crowned the 41-year-old Mark weather is forecast for Friday. 2013 - Phil Mickelson (USA) at Muirfield starting to get back to what it was,” said O’Meara, although a 17-year-old Justin “I think it’s the fairest links golf 2012 - Ernie Els (RSA) at Royal Lytham fi rst major fail since ’95 Johnson. Rose fi nished fourth as an amateur. course we play, it rewards great golf. 2011 - Darren Clarke (NIR) at Royal St “I really like the golf course. Obvi- Rose and local lad Tommy Fleetwood But we really haven’t played this course George’s AFP the mark needed to qualify for the ously it’s my fi rst time here. But I got over now look the best bets for a fi rst English in good weather,” warned Rose. 2010 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) at St Washington season-ending playoff s. here early. I got here on Saturday. So I’ve winner since Nick Faldo in 1992. Andrews Australia’s Aaron Baddeley, last gotten a lot of practice on the course. And Birkdale — where over 225,000 spec- SNEDEKER PULLS OUT OF OPEN 2009 - Stewart Cink (USA) at Turnberry year’s Barbasol champion to end a 5 I feel like it sets up well for me.” tators are expected this week — is host- DUE TO INJURY 2008 - Padraig Harrington (IRL) at im Furyk, the 2018 US Ryder 1/2-year win drought, will be among ing the Open for the 10th time, with Lee American Brandt Snedeker has pulled Royal Birkdale Cup captain who is ineligible those playing at the Open instead of IN PALMER’S FOOTSTEPS Trevino and Arnold Palmer among the out of this week’s British Open at Royal 2007 - Padraig Harrington (IRL) at for a major championship for defending his title. Padraig Harrington was the last winner former champions at the course. Birkdale due to injury, the organisers Carnoustie the fi rst time since 1995, tees Furyk, the 2003 US Open winner, offJ today at the US PGA Barbasol had not failed to qualify for a major Championship. championship since the 1995 British The British Open in fi ve fi gures The 47-year-old American, who Open, a run of 87 consecutive events, fi red the fi rst 58 in US PGA history although he missed playing in the 1.85mn are making their debut at the British In contrast, Argentina, Austria, Wisconsin, which was the longest ever last August, joins fellow former ma- 2004 and 2016 Masters due to wrist Open. Ben Curtis of the United States is Belgium, China, Colombia, Germany, distance for a major championship. jor champions Angel Cabrera, Retief surgeries. The total prize money, in dollars, the last player to win the Claret Jug on the Netherlands, Paraguay and Ven- Goosen, Yang Yong-Eun and Davis Furyk fi red the lowest score in US designated for the winner. The total his debut, in 2003 at Royal St George’s ezuela have all contributed just one 25 Love in the 132-player fi eld. PGA history, a 12-under par 58, at prize pool is a cool $10.25mn. This in southern England. Sixteen players in player to the line-up. The number of years since there was Most of the world’s top golfers last year’s Travelers Championship. year the R&A, golf’s governing body, the field are past champions. last an English winner of the Claret will be in England for the year’s third But he hasn’t managed a top-20 fi n- has decided to pay out prize money in 7,156 Jug, going back to when Nick Faldo major men’s tournament, the British ish since November and has not won dollars rather than sterling. 25 The total yardage of the course. That won it for the third time at Muirfield Open, at Royal Birkdale. since taking his 17th career PGA title The number of countries repre- is 34 yards shorter than for last year’s in 1992. No Englishman has ever won But this event at the par-71 Robert at the 2015 Heritage tournament. 156 sented in the field. The United States championship at Royal Troon in Scot- The Open at Royal Birkdale, with Trent Jones Golf Trail layout in Au- Love will play in the same fi eld as The total number of players in the field. is the best represented with 52 land. It also pales in comparison to the Americans and Australians dominat- burn, Alabama, off ers lesser names and his son Dru for only the third time in Five of those due to start today’s first players — a third of the total — while whopping 7,741 yards total distance for ing the nine previous editions held on older talents a chance for a top result. their careers. Furyk plays alongside round are amateurs, while 38 players 38 come from the United Kingdom. last month’s US Open at Erin Hills in the Southport links. Most of the fi eld is outside the top Love and South Korea’s KJ Choi in the 125 on the US PGA season points list, fi rst two rounds.

BOTTOMLINE All the president’s fault! Day blames Trump for late arrival

Reuters has been delayed by a US President. he has not won a tournament in over a year Southport, United Kingdom “President Obama held me up one time with injuries and his mother’s ill health dis- fl ying out of Palm Springs. So I understand. rupting his season and causing him to tum- It is what it is. So it was massive delays.” ble down the world rankings to number six. ustralian golfer Jason Day yes- When the 29-year-old Queenslander “I’m trying to not give myself too many terday off ered an unusual excuse eventually arrived at the Southport links expectations and hopefully I’m there in for arriving later than planned for course, he took the rest of Monday off to contention on Sunday. practice at the British Open — it recover. “It’s really diffi cult to play against these wasA US President Donald Trump’s fault. “I usually get in Thursday or Friday and guys. And when things are out of order The former world number one normally play a couple of practise rounds. and you’re trying to battle other things pitches up a week earlier for major tourna- “I did it this year at Augusta and I was just and then you try to get to a golf course and ments to allow himself time to adjust to the truly knackered by (the start on) Thursday.” play against the best players in the world, it course. But this time Day only arrived on By the time he eventually played Birkdale makes it very, very diffi cult to win.” Monday. on Tuesday, the wind had switched, making Day’s last experience of a major was dis- “I had three weeks off before this, so I the conditions diff erent from what can be appointing. He missed the cut at the US could have got in early,” he said. “I was sup- expected today. Open after an opening-day 79, a round posed to come in on Sunday. And I was fl y- “I played in a southeast wind, which is a so bad it prompted his close friend Tiger ing through JFK, and President Trump was totally diff erent wind to what we normally Woods to text off ering advice. there and there was a bunch of delays. So I get here. And I think everything is kind of “I had a chat to him. It was more about just decided to move my fl ight back a little switching for tomorrow’s round. So it’s go- my putting stroke. So obviously it’s great bit later.” ing to be kind of a new golf course for me to have a set of eyes like Tiger’s, especially Trump had been coming back through tomorrow. But regardless, I’m looking for- who’s one of the best clutch putters of all New York from the US Women’s Open at ward to trying to get back into the winner’s time, to be able to kind of see on TV what the Trump National Golf Club in New Jer- circle this year.” you’re doing wrong. So just trying to tidy up sey. Even though Day boasts the best scoring a little bit and hopefully I putt a little better Day also revealed it is not the fi rst time he average of any player in majors since 2013, this week.” Gulf Times Thursday, July 20, 2017 5 SPORT

BASEBALL NFL Cowboys owner speaks to Elliott Harper leads Nats over on-fi eld behaviour AFP it’s like a rock star wherever Los Angeles he goes in terms of attention,” to win over Angels Jones said. “Anybody that’s experienced ‘It could be a lot worse than it is with Cam. We’re grateful that it’s just a sprain’ allas Cowboys owner that knows that takes getting Jerry Jones said Tues- used to. You have to learn many day he has spoken to aspects of that. Certainly, Zeke Ezekiel Elliott fol- is evolving and being subject lowingD a slew of negative head- to needing to learn how to deal lines relating to the star run- with the media and social me- ning back. dia the way it is today.” Elliott, who is facing pos- Several other Cowboys play- sible sanctions from the NFL ers have ran into disciplinary regarding a domestic violence issues during the off -season. case, was embroiled in further Jones appealed to players to controversy at the weekend af- consider the eff ect on the team ter being linked to a bar alter- of individual indiscretions. cation that left a bouncer with “I think the biggest message a broken nose. is not one that has to be stated, The 21-year-old was not ar- and that is your actions impact rested in the latest incident on an entire team, it impacts an Sunday and was not named in a entire fan base,” Jones said. police report. However several “There’s a lot of responsi- US media outlets citing wit- bility there. Then I think to the nesses have said Elliott was in- team it’s a reminder of the in- volved in the bar fi ght. terest that’s in your actions and Jones told ESPN on Tuesday your behaviour, and it’s not dis- he had spoken to Elliott but similar from the message that declined to get into specifi c de- you have when you sit down tails of their conversation. with a child and a young person However he described the when you’re talking about how running back as a “rock star” they represent everybody. struggling to adjust to the ce- “The message is really pretty lebrity which accompanied his simple, and it’s one that you stellar rookie year last season. would naturally see: Try to “As you well know, because think about your activities of his style and personality, when you’re involved in them.”

Washington Nationals Bryce Harper slides into third after he hits a triple in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

By Pedro Moura in the bottom of the fi rst with gles over the next four innings len from him by center fi elder Brian He cited his club’s baserun- Los Angeles Times a 448-foot homer to a similar and entered the seventh having Goodwin to begin the bottom of ning as the one area where they spot. Earlier in the inning, Cam- thrown only 73 pitches. the seventh inning. Harper jumped were applying pressure. Panthers call back Hurney as eron Maybin suff ered a right His 75th was a 90-mph fast- at the right-fi eld wall to prevent a “Just getting Mike back is not interim general manager or one inning, Tuesday’s knee sprain while attempting to ball on the inside part of the likely Albert Pujols double. the sugar pill that fi xes every- series opener between steal second base. After singling plate. Rendon uppercutted it be- Then Washington sent in newly thing,” he said. “We need the Marty Hurney, a former general manager fired by the Carolina the Los Angeles Angels and taking off , he pulled up short yond both bullpens for a score- acquired right-hander Ryan Mad- guys we’ve been talking about to Panthers in 2012, was called back into his old job yesterday by and the Washington Na- of the base, slid awkwardly and tying solo shot. Six pitches later, son for the bottom of the eighth. start to get into their game and to the NFL club on an interim basis. Hurney, who has been working tionalsF was exactly what it had immediately called for a team Lind shot a single into right and He handled it with ease. Four years have those good at-bats, to have as a sports radio talk show host in Charlotte, returned to the been hyped to be: Bryce Harper trainer. After testing, he was Scioscia came for Chavez. Blake ago, the Angels brought in Madson the walk if it’s there, to knock the job he held from 2002 to 2012 two days after Panthers owner vs Mike Trout, a young superstar helped off of the fi eld, and the Parker entered the game, issued and fellow Nationals reliever Joe guy in from second base with a Jerry Richardson fired general manager Dave Gettleman in a showcase. For the next eight, it safe call on his attempted steal a walk, induced a fl yout and Blanton to stabilize a shaky pitch- base hit. These are all things that surprise move. Hurney, a former San Diego Chargers executive was a baseball game, played by was reversed. struck out two Nationals to es- ing staff . Madson never pitched have been lacking.” who served as a Panthers’ scout from 1998-2001, took the post 27 men and won by the more tal- An hour later, the Angels pulled cape the jam. and Blanton was the sport’s worst And still lacking. one week before the Panthers open pre-season training camp ented team. Shane Robinson from their triple- Cam Bedrosian jogged in from pitcher. Several teams later, they workouts in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Harper and Trout traded A affi liate’s game. Wednesday, the bullpen for the eighth. Im- are back in Anaheim. RESULTS “Marty is the perfect person to help us in the interim,” Richard- homers to begin before the Na- he’ll take over on the active roster mediately, he surrendered a tri- Sean Doolittle, the other new Dodgers 1 White Sox 0 son said. “He worked with us for 15 years and understands the tionals’ thorough off ensive at- for Maybin, who will be put on the ple to Harper and a run-scoring National, recorded a rocky save Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 4 culture we have here. He had a lot to do with the core of our tack took over in a 4-3 victory at 10-day disabled list with a Grade single to Ryan Zimmerman. In in the ninth, after a double and a (15 innings) team being in place. I’m thankful that he is willing to help us in Angel Stadium. Even discount- 1 sprain of the medial collateral the ninth, rookie right-hander walk and a run-scoring ground- Nationals 4 Angels 3 this transition period.” ing Harper, who nearly hit for ligament in his knee. Keynan Middleton hung a slider out from Trout. Again, the An- Cubs 5 Braves 1 Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he had no input in the decision the cycle, Washington doubled “It could be a lot worse than it to Lind, who pounded it for a gels could not convoke the nec- Rays 4 Athletics 3 to fire Gettleman. Hurney’s first job will be to settle upon a staff the Angels’ hit total. Four Na- is with Cam,” manager Mike Sci- home run. essary hit to win the game or Cardinals 5 Mets 0 to guide the Panthers while the team searches for a new full-time tionals logged multi-hit games, oscia said. “We’re grateful that After Trout’s homer, the An- send it to extra innings. Their Giants 2 Indians 1 (10 inns) general manager. which no Angel managed. it’s just a sprain.” gels’ next hit came in the sixth, off ense has repeatedly come up Diamondbacks 11 Reds 2 Hurney drafted Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly in the first round It began when Harper pow- Come the second inning, after Washington starter Edwin short this season, and even since Orioles 12 Rangers 1 in his final two years deciding the team’s NFL Draft picks and ered a fastball from Jesse Chavez Chavez gave up singles to An- Jackson had retired 13 consecutive Trout’s return last week. Astros 6 Mariners 2 both won NFL Rookie of the Year awards. out to left-centre in the fi rst in- thony Rendon and Matt Wiet- Angels. To begin the inning, Mar- “This is not what we expected Yankees 6 Twins 3 Gettleman was criticised for releasing popular Panthers players, ning. Trout jumped to watch the ers around strikeouts of Daniel tin Maldonado aimed a homer just from our off ense,” Scioscia said Pirates 4 Brewers 3 including receiver Steve Smith and running back DeAngelo baseball leave the fi eld but could Murphy and Adam Lind. He then inside the left-fi eld foul pole. before the game. “We’re woe- Rockies 9 Padres 7 Williams. Carolina went 15-1 in 2015, losing Super Bowl 50 to the not come close to catching it. induced a fl yout from Chris Hei- The chances amplifi ed from fully shy on pressuring teams the Tigers 9 Royals 3 Denver Broncos, but the Panthers faded to 6-10 last year. Trout then matched Harper sey. Chavez scattered three sin- there: Trout had a likely single sto- way we need to.” Phillies 5 Marlins 2

NBA Johnson dazzled by Ball magic for Lakers

AFP am going to play my game. Lon- New uniforms do away with home Los Angeles zo is going to play his game. The and away designations great ones do,” he was quoted by ESPN as saying. Nike has unveiled new NBA uniforms for the 2017-2018 season that agic Johnson be- Johnson, who was speaking dispense with traditional ‘home’ and ‘away’ team designations. lieves Lonzo Ball’s at the unveiling of Kentavious The home team will instead pick from four primary uniforms to be dazzling perform- Caldwell-Pope at their El Segun- worn at all home games and visiting teams will choose a contrasting ances in the Las Ve- do training base, said he had seen uniform within their own assortment. Mgas Summer League are a shape similarities between Ball and him- White ‘Association’ uniforms will replace the typical home jersey, of things to come as the Los An- self in his performances to date. while the ‘Icon’ version uses the team’s primary colour and replaces geles Lakers attempt to regain “Lonzo is special, no question the road uniforms. Nike, which has replaced Adidas as the NBA’s former glories. about it, because he makes eve- uniform supplier, will reveal the two remaining uniforms in the com- Ball, chosen by the Lakers ryone better,” Johnson said. “He ing months. The world’s No1 footwear maker said on Tuesday that it with the second overall pick in does something you can’t teach. employed 3D-body maps of players, including heat and sweat maps, the draft, was named MVP of the He gives you a scoring pass. Very to design cooler, lighter uniforms for players to wear during the summer league after posting two few point guards in this league NBA’s gruelling 82-game season. NBA players tested early versions triple doubles and recording four can do that. I am talking about of the uniforms and provided feedback that prompted Nike to evolve games with 10 assists or more. giving you a pass that leads to the designs in ways that included moving the armhole, neck and side The 19-year-old’s perform- the score, not just passing it to seams to eliminate distractions for athletes, the company said. ances rewrote the record books you.... I like him because he also “The mental advantage of a quality uniform is priceless,” Cavaliers in the summer league. Until this is now a great teammate. He has guard Kyrie Irving said in a press release. year, no rookie had posted more a special eff ect on people.” “The fact that Nike listened to all of our feedback while developing than one with 10 assists and no The Lakers, who completed the new NBA uniforms speaks volumes. I’m excited for the new fit rookie had completed more than the worst season in the fran- and feel,” he said. The most significant change comes to the back one triple double. chise’s history in 2016 with a 17- shoulder of the uniform where Nike designers altered the construc- According to Johnson, that 65 record, and were second bot- tion for an improved fit, the company said. The uniform is com- bodes well for the Lakers’ future. tom in the Western Conference prised of a combination of Alpha Yarns and recycled polyester, with “If he’s getting triple-doubles last season, were already a better each athlete uniform representing approximately 20 recycled PET in the summer league, he is going team, Johnson said. (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. to get triple-doubles in the regu- “The roster is more balanced. “Not only does this yarn blend match Nike’s broad commitment to lar season,” Johnson, the Lakers We saw the ball movement in sustainability, it also removes moisture more quickly than previous president of basketball opera- summer league.... We want to go NBA uniforms, wicking sweat 30-percent faster than current NBA tions, told reporters Tuesday. up and down.... Also, our prac- uniforms,” Nike said in a release. Nike will also unveil new tights and “Just like me, when I got here, tices are going to be amazing, socks to complement the uniforms and provide a seamless look for there was pressure. I was the No. and that will lead to us getting the athletes, it said. 1 pick. I didn’t care about that. I better in games,” he said. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, July 20, 2017 SPORT

ATHLETICS RUGBY Cooper left out as Wallabies coach Bolt to run 100m calls up new faces

Reuters in England and the form of a Sydney few younger players gave him plenty of options as backup to incumbent playmaker Bernard uade Cooper needs Foley, he added. and 4x100m in to rediscover his Cheika thought Beale, enjoyment of the whose season with Wasps was game before he will ended by a hamstring injury, beQ considered for a return to would be available for selec- Test rugby, Wallabies coach tion for the test against the All Michael Cheika said after Blacks at Sydney’s Olympic omitting the mercurial fl y- stadium on Aug. 19. half from his bumper training The squad included 11 un- London farewell squad yesterday. capped players and there were Cheika selected a 38-man recalls for locks Rob Simmons ‘I’ll try my best to stay as close as possible to sport, stay in sports and try to educate squad to prepare for the Rugby and Kane Douglas after they Championship opener against were left out of the June inter- young athletes coming up and what it’s all about to be a champion’ New Zealand but even with- nationals. out any players from the ACT Experienced props Pek Brumbies, who are involved Cowan and Tetera Faulkner in the Super Rugby playoff s, were rewarded for their Super there was no room for the vet- Rugby form with recalls after eran of 70 Tests. three years in the test wilder- “One of the big things is for ness, helping make up a nine- him to look like he’s enjoying strong contingent from the his footie and getting out there axe-threatened Western Force and really being a competitor team. for that 10 jersey,” Cheika told Number eight Scott Hig- reporters at Coogee Oval. ginbotham’s test career would “I don’t feel that’s been appear to be over after he failed happening and with more op- to have the desired impact in tions about the 10 shirt, I think June, while Rob Horne, Will that that’s the best way to go. Skelton and Scott Fardy will “Sometimes you do these all be released to head to their things to get a response and new teams abroad. clarify a little bit more why “They’ve made their deci- he’s not in the team, so he’s sions to go away, we’ve obvi- clear...” ously talked about renovating The return of the versa- the team and that’s close to tile Kurtley Beale from a stint completed,” Cheika added.

Wimbledon and French Open matches trigger fi xing alerts Matches at Wimbledon and the French Open triggered alerts for potential match-fixing in the second quarter of the year, the Ten- nis Integrity Unit (TIU) said yesterday. It said in a statement that one match at Roland Garros and three at Wimbledon, two of them in the qualifying tournament and one in the main draw, would be assessed and reviewed. Alerts are raised in response to unusual betting patterns, which are not in themselves evidence of match-fixing and can be due to a number of other factors, including conditions and player fitness. The TIU said 40 of 53 alerts received were for matches played on the lower level men’s ATP Challenger and ITF Futures circuits. Three were on the men’s ATP Tour, one on the women’s WTA Tour and five on the ITF women’s circuit. During the April- June period, 31,281 professional matches were played. The cumulative six month match alert figure was 83, compared to 121 received for the same period in 2016.

Ennis-Hill to receive gold medal in

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt during a press conference in Monaco, two days ahead of his race at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London. (AFP) London after CAS verdict Jessica Ennis-Hill will be The CAS dismissed the ap- AFP he would not defend his 200m 10-second barrier. that’s a good sign.” Bolt added: “There’s a lot of presented with the heptath- peal on Tuesday and stuck Monaco world title, meaning he will “I’m feeling good, the season directions I could go, but one lon gold medal from the with the original judgement. not race against South Africa’s started off slow for me. I had a ‘It’s just time’ thing I know is that I’ll defi nitely 2011 world championships at “The panel found there was a Wayde van Niekerk, the athlete setback after my friend Ger- Bolt was adamant there was be close with track and fi eld. this year’s event in London valid arbitration agreement... sain Bolt will run the Bolt has tipped to take over as maine (Mason) passed away,” little chance he would race again “I’ll try my best to stay as after the Court of Arbitration the athlete’s submission 100m and 4x100m at the next track and fi eld super- Bolt said, referring to death of after the world championships close as possible to sport, stay in for Sport (CAS) dismissed concerning the jurisdiction the world champion- star. “I think that’s one of the the British high jumper, a 2008 but admitted he would likely stay sports and try to educate young Russian Tatyana Chernova’s of the CAS first-instance ships in London next most disappointing things in my Olympic silver medallist, in a involved with athletics. athletes coming up and what it’s appeal against her doping decision failed,” CAS said in a Umonth, his fi nal event before re- career now,” said Bolt. motorbike crash in Jamaica in “I’ve done everything that I all about to be a champion.” ban. statement. tiring, the Jamaican sprint star “He came along at this late April. possibly can in this sport,” he The Jamaican, an avid Man- Briton Ennis-Hill was runner- “As this was the only issue confi rmed yesterday. stage and I didn’t get to compete said, before alluding to a conver- chester United fan, also ad- up to Chernova in Daegu six raised in the appeal, the Bolt, winner of eight Olym- against him, because I think he’s Bolt, winner of 8 Olympic sation he shared with American mitted his dream of forging a years ago but the Russian panel dismissed the appeal pic and 11 world gold medals, is one of the best now.” and 11 world gold medals, is track great Michael Johnson, a professional football career af- was stripped of her medals and confirmed the initial CAS looking to bring down the cur- He added: “I’m never afraid, I looking to bring down the four-time Olympic champion. ter hanging up his spikes was last November and received award.” tain on his glittering career in live for competition. But for me curtain on his career in style “I asked (him) because I was no longer a priority. “I really a lengthy ban for blood dop- Retired Olympic champion style at the August 4-13 event. it’s too late now, I’m at the end at the August 4-13 event surprised when I heard he re- stressed that point too much... ing violations. Ennis-Hill, who also won the “My main aim is just to win (in of my career. We’ll never know tired. I said, ‘Why did you retire? We’ve been looking into it and There were concerns about world title in 2009 and 2015, London). I just want to retire on what could happen.” “I’ve been a little behind You were dominating so much.’ I’m really thinking about if I re- when Ennis-Hill, 31, would will be presented with her a winning note,” Bolt said during Bolt will compete in the 100m schedule, but I am training well. And he said, ‘I’ve done every- ally want to go back into doing so receive her medal as Cher- record-equalling third world a press conference in Monaco in Monaco - his third race of I’m feeling much better over thing I wanted to do, I’ve accom- much work right now,” said Bolt. nova appealed the ban and heptathlon title at a special ahead of tomorrow’s Diamond the season after appearances in the past couple of days because plished all my goals.’ And that’s “I haven’t totally given up on questioned the jurisdiction ceremony at the London League meeting. Kingston and Ostrava – where I went to see my doctor in Ger- how I feel at this point. I decided it but it’s something that I’m not of the original hearing. Stadium. The 30-year-old revealed he is hoping to dip under the many, I’ve been training good so that it’s just time.” really stressed about right now.”

SWIMMING Qatar beat Pakistan 3-0 in volleyball Twichell takes fi rst US gold of Budapest worlds Reuters Budapest

shley Twichell won the US swimming team’s fi rst gold medal of the Budapest world champi- onships yesterday with victory in the women’s A5km open water event. It was her fi rst individual title in an event that has now been won by US swimmers in three successive world championships. France’s Aurelie Muller, who defended her 2015 title in the 10km on Sunday, took silver and Bra- zil’s Ana Marcela Cunha the bronze — her eighth world championships open water medal. Twichell, who won gold in the fi ve km mixed team event in the 2011 championships and individual bronze, touched out in 59 minutes and seven seconds after swimming a tactical race and making a break at the start of the second lap at Lake Balaton. Muller was 3.5 seconds slower. “We swam at a perfect pace, and I left the others at the right moment close to the end,” said the American. “My shoulder needed icing after the competition, but it had been injured before and I have had some problems Qatar and Pakistan players in action during their Sixth Invitational Men’s Friendly Volleyball Tournament with it for a couple of years.” American Haley Anderson, match at Al Arabi stadium yesterday. Qatar won 3-0 (25-21, 25-19 and 25-16). winner at the past two world championships, fi nished fi fth. Gulf Times Thursday, July 20, 2017 7 SPORT

CYCLING / TOUR DE FRANCE SPOTLIGHT Qatari equestrian Former ski-jumper constantly evolving, says QEF secretary general

QNA The championships will help the Doha federation discover new riders, who will become the nucleus of national Roglic wins stage, teams in the future. atar Equestrian Federation On the federation’s strategy and secretary general Badr Mo- the goals the management aspires to hamed al-Darwish said that achieve, al-Darwish said the man- that Qatari equestrian is con- agement set a clear strategy and work stantlyQ evolving thanks to great support plan before the start of every season, Froome extends lead given by the country’s wise leadership. adding that the strategy of the previ- In an interview with Qatar News ous years was to qualify to the Olympic Agency (QNA), al-Darwish said be- Games. It culminated in qualifi cation ‘It’s crazy, incredible. Right now I cannot really form all these feelings’ cause of this support the Qatar na- to the Olympics, where the national tional jump team reached the fi nals of team achieved honourable results with AFP the Olympic Games last year in Brazil Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani fi nish- Serre-Chevalier, France (Rio 2016) for the fi rst time in history, ing sixth in the competition and three extending his thanks to Qatar Olympic others reaching the fi nal rounds. Committee chairman HE Sheikh Joaan Al-Darwish added, twelve from Qa- ormer champion ski-jumper bin Hamad al-Thani. tar’s equestrian national team are cur- Primoz Roglic took a sen- He pointed out that the support of rently in a three-month camp in Eu- sational solo victory on the the state enabled the Qatari riders to rope to prepare for the current season. mountainous 183km 17th stage participate in the world champion- In addition, Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al- ofF the Tour de France yesterday. ships. Thani, Bassim Hassan and Hamad al- Chris Froome came home third to On the new season schedule, al- Attiyah are in a camp in Holland since stretch his overall lead to 27 seconds Darwish said that the Federation has March as part of their preparation for as Rigoberto Uran moved up to second prepared a new programme for the the Global Champions Tour which be- and Fabio Aru dropped to fourth, with 2017-2018 season, which begins in No- gan last April and runs till November. Romain Bardet remaining third. vember and ends in May next year. It QEF is committed to hold all the com- Slovenia’s Roglic, 27, was junior includes many local and international petitions for the 2017-2018 season, espe- world ski-jumping champion in 2007 championships, he said, adding that cially the three-day Emir’s Sword Inter- but switched to cycling in 2012. this season will see a slight change in national Show Jumping Championship “To win a stage, I’ve dreamt about it the timing of the Qatar and Al Rayyan which the federation organises annu- many times,” said Roglic, whose girl- international championships to allow a ally and takes place in its outdoor arena, friend and family were at the fi nish of wider participation. which has been internationally-certifi ed, the Tour’s ‘Queen stage’, which started He said that all Qatar Equestrian making it a fi ve-star competition. in La Mure. “It’s crazy, incredible. Federation’s tournaments are available Al-Darwish praised the ongoing co- There are no words. Right now I can- to all riders from the Gulf region and operation and co-ordination in organ- not really form all these feelings. Later Arab countries without exception. ising tournaments, between the fed- probably I will know how big it is.” Al Darwish explained that the pro- eration and Al Shaqab, member of the He was part of an initial 33-man gramme of this year’s tournaments in- Qatar Foundation, adding that the new breakaway that was whittled down to cludes 16 local championships across season will witness more shared tour- just six riders when Roglic attacked categories under the guidance of the naments. solo 6.4km from the summit of the Board of Directors of the federation, Renovation works are currently tak- hors category Col du Galibier, which headed by Hamad bin Abdulrahman al- ing place at the outdoor arena to host at more than 2,600 metres above sea Attiyah. national tournaments, he said. level was the highest point of this year’s Tour. Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic rides in a breakaway during the 17th stage of the Tour de France between Le La Mure and He crested the climb, 28km from Serre-Chevalier, France, yesterday. (AFP) CRICKET the fi nish in Serre-Chevalier, with a lead of just over a minute and half on He dropped out of the top 10, with a group of chasers including the top Contador moving back up to ninth and contenders. Disgraced Armstrong back on Tour — Barguil 10th. On the descent, Roglic easily man- as commentator Meanwhile German sprint king Sri Lanka to probe aged his lead while a fi ve-man chase Marcel Kittel pulled out before the group developed, including Froome. Doping disgraced Lance Armstrong, controversy from some corners of halfway point of the stage after crash- But Italian Aru, who started the day stripped of seven Tour de France a cycling world he badly damaged ing in the fi rst 20km. second at 18sec, had been dropped by triumphs in an epic fall from grace, with a long-running doping saga, Kittel had won fi ve stages during the 2011 World Cup loss an acceleration from Bardet just be- is giving his perspective on this but Armstrong’s Facebook page with race and held the sprinters’ green jer- fore the Galibier summit and he was year’s race on a daily podcast called videos and photos from his podcast sey, which has now passed to Austral- AFP The sports minister at the time Ma- chasing desperately to limit his losses. “Stages”. The 45-year-old Ameri- boasts more than 2.2mn “likes.” ian Michael Matthews, winner of two Colombo hindananda Aluthgamage has raised Uran took second, 1min 13sec be- can, who crossed the finish line “We just fundamentally believed that stages himself. fresh concerns, telling local media hind Roglic, to snatch six bonus sec- first in the famed cycling race from he would have some really great there were “several disturbing factors onds that moved him up to second, on 1999-2005 but later admitted taking insights about the tour just based on STAGE 17 RESULTS ri Lanka’s sports minister gave about that game”. the same time as Bardet. banned performance-enhancing his own experiences,” Outside vice 1. Primoz Roglic (LottoNL) 5:07:41” his support yesterday for an in- Four last-minute changes were made Froome also took four bonus sec- drugs after years of denials, also president and editor Christopher 2. Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale) +1:13” vestigation into the country’s to the Sri Lankan side without prior onds for fi nishing third to help in- writes an accompanying blog for Keyes said. “Even (Richard) Nixon be- 3. Chris Froome (Sky) controversial 2011 World Cup approval being sought from the sports crease his lead, and he revealed he was lossS against India, amid fresh allega- minister, breaching convention. Outside magazine. came a valuable talking head... about 4. Romain Bardet (AG2R) congratulated by French President It’s a comeback that has drawn foreign policy,” Keyes said. 5. Warren Barguil (Sunweb) tions of match fi xing. “Then there are also questions about Emmanuel Macron at the fi nish. 6. Mikel Landa (Sky) +1:16” The South Asian nation lost the the behaviour of a very senior player. “It’s a great honour to be congratulat- 7. Daniel Martin (Quick-Step) +1:43” World Cup decider by six wickets at During the match, instructions sent to ed by the president, it’s also a very good ence of twice former Tour winner Al- by Martin but then several times from 8. Alberto Contador (Trek) +1:44” Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, stun- the fi eld were ignored,” Aluthgamage thing for the Tour and the sport that he berto Contador, who couldn’t follow the Bardet. 9. Louis Meintjes (UAE Team Emirates) ning the cricket-mad island. Then Sri said, without naming the player in came here,” said Froome, 32. “My legs Slovene’s acceleration on the Galibier. The Frenchman went over the sum- 10. Fabio Aru (Astana) Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara re- question. are better than in the Pyrenees, today Further down the mountainside, mit with Froome, Uran and Warren signed soon after the match. The former minister said he launched I felt good. I think also for tomorrow, Bardet and Ireland’s Dan Martin put Barguil for company while Mikel Lan- OVERALL CLASSIFICATION Pressure has since been mounting an inquiry after the match, but the in- we have the fi nish on the Col d’Izoard in a succession of attacks that split up da, the yellow jersey’s Sky teammate, 1. Chris Froome (Sky) 73:27:26” for an inquiry into the shock defeat, vestigation was scuttled. which will be very, very diffi cult.” the yellow jersey contenders. caught them on the descent. 2. Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale) +27” with a former cricket captain and a pre- His concerns followed quick on Aru came in 31sec later to drop to Briton Simon Yates was one of the Behind, Aru kept losing time, with 3. Romain Bardet (AG2R) vious sports minister going public with the heels of comments from former fourth at 53sec ahead of Thursday’s fi rst to struggle and eventually lost Yates dropping even more on the rapid 4. Fabio Aru (Astana) +53” their suspicions that Sri Lanka deliber- Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, second straight Alpine stage with its a couple of minutes to see his lead in drag downhill to the fi nish. 5. Mikel Landa (Sky) +1:24” ately lost the match. who last Friday demanded an inquiry brutal fi nish at the summit of the im- the young rider’s competition ahead Earlier in the stage, Colombian 6. Daniel Martin (Quick-Step) +2:37” “The allegations merit an investiga- be held to expose the “dirt” on dodgy posing Col d’Izoard. of South African Louis Meintjes cut to climber Nairo Quintana had been 7. Simon Yates (Orica-Scott) +4:07” tion,” Dayasiri Jayasekera told reporters cricketers. 2min 28sec. distanced on the fi rst category Col du 8. Louis Meintjes (UAE Team Emirates) in Colombo. Last year, the International Cricket BARDET ATTACKS He also lost sixth place to Martin. Telegraphe, the twice runner-up con- +6:35” “As soon as I get a written complaint, Council imposed a three-year ban on Up front, Roglic proved the strongest of Aru was the next to struggle with tinuing to struggle during this year’s 9. Alberto Contador (Trek) +7:45” I will start a probe.” a top Sri Lankan offi cial Jayananda the breakaway riders despite the pres- the succession of accelerations, fi rstly Tour having raced May’s Giro d’Italia. 10. Warren Barguil (Sunweb) +8:52” Sri Lanka, batting fi rst, scored 274- Warnaweera for failing to co-operate 6 off 50 overs and appeared in a com- with an anti-corruption investigation. manding position when Indian superstar Sri Lankan players and umpires have Sachin Tendulkar was caught for 18. been accused of match fi xing in the India turned the game dramati- past, but Warnaweera was the fi rst high Qatar duo win in Olsztyn beach volleyball qualification cally thanks partly to poor fi elding and ranking offi cial to be found guilty and bowling by Sri Lanka. penalised.

Qatar’s al-Qayda wins javelin gold at Arab athletics

Qatar’s Mohamed al-Qayda put up an impressive performance to claim the javelin gold medal in the prestigious 20th Arab Athletics Championship in Tunisia on Tuesday. Al-Qayda secured the top score in the event, by throwing 71.45m, ahead of Saudi counterparts Ali Abdulghani and Abdullah al-Ghamdi. The prestigious event brought together 400 athletes, representing 17 Arab nations. QWSC participates in IHF Hockey Development Camp The Qatar Winter Sports Committee (QWSC) participated in the 2017 Ice Hockey Development Camp, organised by the International Ice Hockey Fed- eration in Vierumaki, Finland, earlier this month. Qatar was represented by Mohamed Tariq al-Obaidly. Apart from hosting young players and representa- tives from various member national associations around the world, the 2017 IIHF Hockey Development Camp, which ran from July 8-15, 2017, also brought together coaches from diff erent levels for knowledge-sharing. Sweden edge out Qatar 22-21 at junior handball Worlds Qatari team were edged out 21-22 by Sweden in their 2017 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship handball opener on Tuesday. Though the teams played at pace, it was a slow-scoring match to begin, with only two goals in the open- ing seven minutes. Sweden took firm control through the last five minutes of the first period, turning the 9-9 score line into a two-goal advantage. Qatar returned stronger in the second half, but they could not shake the diff erence. Sweden maintained a steady advantage, pulling in front to 21:18 by the time the clock ticked past 50 minutes. Qatar staged a late comeback and were just Qatar’s Jeff erson Pereira and Cherif Younousse celebrate a point during their FIVB World Tour Warmia Mazury Olsztyn Open qualification match against one behind at 21:22 inside the last minute but Sweden held on to claim the Latvian duo of Toms Smedins and Aleksandrs Solovejs in Olsztyn, Poland, yesterday. Qatar duo won 2-1 (21-18, 12-21, 15-13). (FIVB) two points.

Thursday, July 20, 2017 GULF TIMES CRICKET

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP Australia stand between India and fi nal berth

IANS to leave no gaps in the make-or-break the veteran Jhulan Goswami and her useful contributions. Derby tie. partner Shikha Pandey. But consid- Their bowling will revolve around Going into today’s tie, India will ering Australia’s left-handed open- the young pace duo of Megan Schutt once again hope for their skipper ing combination of Nicole Bolton and and Ashleigh Gardner with Ellyse olstered by the mammoth Mithali Raj to continue her purple Beth Mooney, Mithali could contem- coming in as the fi rst change. In- 186-run win against New patch alongside the likes of Punam plate opening the innings with an off - dia will also need to carefully deal Zealand in their fi nal Group Raut, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda spinner. with the veteran leg-spinner Kristen game, a confi dent India, aim- Krishnamurthy and Deepti Sharma, Not to forget the magical spell of Beams, who returned with the prized ingB to reach their second Women’s who have been amongst the runs Rajeshwari Gayakwad in the previ- scalp of Mithali in the league stage World Cup fi nal, have a daunting task throughout the tournament. ous match, where she returned with match. when they face World Champions However, the sharp decline in form her maiden fi fer to tame the New Australia in the second semi-fi nal at of opener Smriti Mandhana will be a Zealanders. The Indian spinners have SQUADS the County Ground here today. cause of worry for the Indians. Mand- done a commendable job, taking 36 INDIA: Mithali Raj (Captain), Smriti Going by statistics, Australia hold hana, who turned 21 on Tuesday, wickets in the tournament so far. Mandhana, Punam Raut, Sushma the upper hand winning three of the started the tournament with scores On the other hand, the Southern Verma (WK), Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari four One-day Internationals (ODI) of 90 and 106 not out, helping the Stars will count their hopes on skip- Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi against India, since the last World team secure wins over England and per Meg Lanning, who single-hand- Joshi, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Cup in 2013, with the eight-wicket the West Indies, but has subsequently edly took the match away with a gritty Krishnamurthy, Mona Meshram, win in the group stages of this edition been dismissed for 2, 8, 4, 3 and 13. unbeaten 76 in the league encounter. Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Nuzhat in Bristol, being the latest. Her opening partner Punam, who Meg, however, has missed two match- Parween, Deepti Sharma In the group stages of this edition, scored a valiant ton against Australia es in the tournament due to shoulder Australia: Meg Lanning (Captain), Australia won six of their seven games in the league stage will aim to repli- problems but has been among the top Alex Blackwell, Sarah Aley, Kristen while India won fi ve. cate her form in the big semi-fi nal. run scorers. Beams, Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gard- While England narrowly edged past She also is second behind Mithali Besides the opening combo of ner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy South Africa in the fi rst semi-fi nal among India’s leading run-getters in Nicole and Beth, and one-down Meg (WK), Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney, on Tuesday, the second semi-fi nal the tournament. fi ring in unison, Ellyse Perry has pro- Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda promises to be an exciting contest as Coming to India’s bowling depart- vided the much-needed stability to Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade both India and Australia are expected ment, the hopes will be pinned on the middle order, and chipped in with Wellington Indian players pose for a selfie after their win over New Zealand on Saturday.

INDIA’S TOUR OF SRI LANKA India skipper seeks smooth Shastri, on a two-year contract, spoke of the relations with Shastri need to communicate

AFP Mumbai Last Sri Lanka tour changed India’s mindset, says Kohli ndia captain Virat Kohli said yester- day he wants a good working rela- Reuters Africa, New Zealand, England and tionship with new coach Ravi Shastri Mumbai Australia, during which long-term after the acrimonious departure of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni IAnil Kumble. retired from the format, handing And the skipper expressed confi dence he odds were against over the reins to Kohli. he can make it work with Shastri. “We India the last time they The 28-year-old couldn’t lead know what’s expected and what’s on the Ttoured Sri Lanka in 2015, India to a win in a one-off plate,” he said ahead of India’s departure but Virat Kohli led the inexperi- test against Bangladesh, and for a tour of Sri Lanka. enced side to a comeback win criticism of the team reached its Kohli was accused of forcing out Kum- in the test series which changed nadir after the loss in the first ble after the spin legend resigned last the team’s mindset, the captain test against Sri Lanka. month, saying his relationship with the said yesterday. “We showed more belief in our captain had become “untenable”. “That tour for us was a land- abilities and that we could win Kohli kept silent during the selection mark tour,” Kohli told reporters from any situation,” Kohli said, process that culminated in the return of before India’s departure for the referring to the victories in the Shastri, who was team director between island country, where the team second and third test. 2014-16. will play three tests, five one- “That really turned our mindset Speaking to media with Shastri at his day internationals and a one-off around. From then on you can side, Kohli spoke of the captain-coach twenty20 match. see the results.” relationship and the way ahead for the “If you look at the average age India’s preparation has been world number one Test side. of that team a couple of years less than ideal this time, too, “We have worked together for three back... Obviously the players with head coach Anil Kumble years. I don’t think I need to understand have matured from there on.” stepping down last month citing anything else. We know what’s expected India lost the first of the three-test a breakdown in his relationship and what’s on the plate. I don’t think it series against their South Asian with skipper Kohli. will require any eff ort,” Kohli said. “A lot of neighbours but won the next two Former all-rounder Ravi Shastri speculations and lot of things fl y around, matches. They have since gone was named as head coach last those things are not in my control. on to beat West Indies away and week, while Bharat Arun was “My job is to try and get the best out of registered home victories against appointed bowling coach and this team along with the management and South Africa, New Zealand, Eng- Sanjay Bangar was named as- perform to the best of my abilities which I land, Bangladesh and Australia. sistant coach, following Shastri’s believe in,” the star batsman added. India coach Ravi Shastri (left) and captain Virat Kohli listen to a question during a news conference in Mumbai yesterday. (Reuters) Kohli’s men are currently ranked recommendations. Shastri, who has been given a two-year number one in the world. Shastri said he will approach his contract running up to the 2019 World team he is playing for,” said the former may come and go, it is the team which “The fabric of Indian cricket will re- “That tour for us was start of the role with a fresh mind. Cup, also spoke of the need to communi- all-rounder. should get the credit for any success. main and the credit should go to everyone belief that we can win, win away “Mine will be a refresh button cate better in order for a team to prosper. Shastri, 55, edged other high-profi le “The team has done exceedingly well who’s participated in this Indian team.” from home and we have the that will be pushed and I will “I carry on from where I left. I don’t names including compatriot Virender over three years and they are the people India will play three Tests, fi ve one-day side to win away from home.” carry on from where I left. I come with any baggage... My job is to put Sehwag and Australia’s Tom Moody after who deserve the credit more than any- internationals and a Twenty20 game in India arrived in Sri Lanka in 2015 don’t come with any baggage,” every player in a frame of mind where he a tough selection process. one else. Ravi Shastris, Anil Kumbles will Sri Lanka. The fi rst Test starts on July 26 having lost test series in South the 55-year-old said. is thinking only about his role and the But Shastri insisted that while coaches come and go,” said Shastri. in Galle.

BOTTOMLINE Johnson lobs Ashes grenade at beaten England

Reuters Melbourne England seamer Wood fi t for Third Test

ngland’s abject display against South England fast bowler Mark Wood has been 340-run Second Test defeat at Trent Bridge. Africa in the second test shows they are passed fit for next week’s Third Test against But the England and Wales Cricket Board a side struggling for consistency and South Africa at The Oval after scans revealed confirmed yesterday that Wood is available Australia should be able to exploit their no serious injury on his left heel. for next week — if selected. lackE of cohesion in the upcoming Ashes series, Wood has been blighted by injuries through- Wood’s availability provides a timely boost former paceman Mitchell Johnson has said. out his career, with ankle problems keeping for England with batsman Gary Ballance South Africa thrashed England by 340 runs him out of Test cricket for nearly two years ruled out of the Third Test with a broken in Nottingham on Monday, levelling the four- from October 2015, with the seamer only finger. match series and consigning Joe Root’s men to a making his comeback at Lord’s two weeks The selectors will name their squad for The seventh loss in 10 tests. ago. Oval on Friday or Saturday with at least one With the fi rst Ashes test set to begin on Nov. The 27-year-old sat out some of South Africa’s enforced change required due to Ballance’s 23 in Brisbane, Johnson said England’s prepara- second innings after suff ering from soreness injury. tions had suff ered a setback with the defeat. while bowling during England’s humbling The four-Test series is currently level at 1-1. “It’s only one game, but it’s the way they got beaten,” Johnson told Australian media in Syd- lance, who has failed to surpass 34 runs in his has yet to be resolved four months out from the ney yesterday. past 11 innings. fi rst test in Brisbane but captain Steve Smith has “They’ve got a few issues coming to Australia. Johnson said the Zimbabwe-born 27-year- played down fears of an Ashes boycott. Australia are a huge chance. old was not good enough to bat at number three. Johnson said even if a deal were done, the “(England) probably haven’t got that con- “When you’re a number three you’re meant to relationship between players and board had sistency at the moment; they’ve changed their South Africa players celebrate their win over England in the second Test at Trent Bridge cricket be one of the best players in the team, if not the soured and would take time to heal. team a little bit so they’re trying to fi nd the right ground in Nottingham, England, on Monday. (AFP) best. I don’t think he is,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s going to be very ordinary. Even squad,” added Johnson, a principal architect of “If you’re a bowler and you see Gary Ballance if it gets sorted, the damage has already been Australia’s 5-0 whitewash of England in the last beaten. wickets at an average of 13.97 to be named man- at number three you actually get a lot of confi - done,” he said. Ashes Down Under in 2013/14. “It’ll be a great series but there are some scars of-the-series in the 2013/14 Ashes. dence from that, so I think Australia will have a “There has been big personal insults thrown “It’s getting close to an Ashes series so you there as well.” Although having retired from international lot of confi dence.” around about the players being greedy and those want to try and lock that in, and it’s going to be Johnson wrote his name into Australian cricket in 2015, the left-armer said he would A protracted pay dispute between Australia’s kinds of things, which is not the case, and much hard for them now because they’ve just been sporting folklore by plundering England for 37 relish the chance to bowl at England’s Gary Bal- players’ union and the national cricket board more.”