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Home , Euro T20 Slam, Red Star Belgrade, Rui Faria, Virgil van Dijk

Lyon rips through England as Aussies seize Ashes advantage PAGE 14 TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019

Qatar aim to make history in Asia AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Rugby Women’s 7s in Jakarta PAGE 14 AL SADD VS AL DUHAIL (7PM) eager to win Asian trophy as Al Sadd face Al Duhail today Qatar teams’ AFC Champions League Round of 16 First leg clash at Al Janoub

AYENI OLUSEGUN hard, we have a tough game DOHA against one of the best teams in the Middle East. THE buzz around the Asian “We respect them but we Champions League Round of remember the Amir Cup fi- 16 clash between the two big- nal (Al Sadd lost 4-1) against gest teams of Qatar is no doubt them last May. Maybe this is a about one of football’s most chance to get revenge on them. recognised names and his It’s exciting for me to start like foray into coaching. this as a coach in my career,” Xavi Hernandez took over Xavi said at a press conference the top job at Al Sadd after the on Monday. resignation of Jesualdo Fer- The Spaniard takes charge reira last season. The Span- of a group of players who have

Al Sadd players warm up for a training session at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah on Monday. The Wolves will be guided their former player and Barca Xavi Hernandez.

I am happy to be here as a coach. It is a big opportunity for me, and I am thankful to the club for their trust and I am especially happy to coach these players. – Xavi Hernandez

IN A NEW ROLE: Al Sadd’s newly-appointed coach Xavi Hernandez caught in a pensive mood at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday. iard who mesmerised fans superb chemistry and have while playing for Barcelona scored 100 goals in the QNB Al Duhail players train under the watchful eyes of their coach Rui Faria at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah on Monday. and the Spanish national team Stars League last season. But faces a new challenge – a test after four fruitful years as a win. Football gives you oppor- so our is to win everything about the team’s fitness going okay. I trust my players, let’s Barcelona we played against the midfield maestro says he’s player with Al Sadd, one trophy tunities and we have one now again,” the former World Cup into the season, Xavi said, “We see what happens tomorrow.” Real Madrid like this so we ready to take on. remains absent from the mid- to do better. winner said. are ready! Sure many players Both Al Sadd and Al Du- are okay. I’m a positive guy, “I am happy to be here as fielder’s trophy cabinet and he “Our idea is to attack and Al Sadd had a training were busy in the summer but hail will see a lot of each other we can lose and we can win. In a coach. It is a big opportunity aims to claim it as coach. play on the front foot, but camp in Spain over the sum- the players have the experi- in the next 14 days both in football, you never know. for me and I am thankful to “I won everything as a the objective is not only to mer but some of the team’s ence to compete. It’s better for Asia and the season-opening “It will be tough for us the club for their trust and I player except the ACL and we score goals but win impor- core players had a busy June/ me that they have played a lot Sheikh Jassim Cup. Xavi who against Duhail who aren’t big am especially happy to coach can do it now. We came close tant matches. Sure if we score July with the Copa America of football, it gives them more himself was once involved in alone in Qatar but also in the these players. against Persepolis last year in many goals we have the best and the African Cup of Na- knowledge. I’m just three back-to-back Spanish Clasico region and in Asia. But come “We are ready and training the semi-final but we didn’t chance of winning something, tions. In response to questions weeks into the job, so I am said, “I’m okay with that. In on, we are positive.” We will not focus on the coach alone, says Duhail manager Faria

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK in his first job as coach after We know their quality but they between the players so that DOHA 17 years under Jose Mourinho also need time to adapt to the they can implement our ideas. said, “Our ambitions are big new thinking of coach Xavi.” “We Know that this match AL Duhail coach Rui Faria and this is our first match this Changing of Al Sadd coach Al Duhail added new attack- is important and from our says his team will not take any- season. We have been preparing is a change of football ing options in Iraq’s Mohanad side, we are focusing on quali- thing for granted in their Asian since July 1 despite many play- philosophy and mind. Ali and the returning Yousef fying to the next round.” Champions League match ers being absent due to national But we won’t focus on the Msekni. With the exit of Youssef Also speaking on his return, against Al Sadd despite the team commitment. Al Sadd coach or player. We know El Arabi, Al Duhail Face an up- Msekni who went on a loan to Wolves having a new coach. also suffered the same, but this hill task to replace the goals pro- Belgian side KAS Eupen said, Faria led his team to sec- will be an important and special their quality but they also duction of the Moroccan. “After the injury I suffered, I ond place last season be- match against one of the strong- need time to adapt to the “We had changes also to have just began to play at a high hind Al Sadd but managed to est teams in Qatar and Asia, and new thinking of coach Xavi. our team, We brought special level and I am happy to return win the Amir Cup with a 4-1 now they have a new coach. players like Msekni and the again. We begin a new season thumping of Al Sadd at the Al “Changing of Al Sadd coach – Rui Faria striker Mohanad Ali. This sea- and our ambition is clear but Janoub Stadium last May. is a change of football philoso- son is different from the last first we have to win against Al The Portuguese who’s also phy and mind. But we won’t Al Duhail coach Rui Faria speaks to the media on Monday. focus on the coach or player. and our goal is the harmony Sadd and I hope to help in that.” Sports Tuesday, August 6, 2019 13 Manchester United make Maguire world’s most expensive defender

AFP home to Chelsea on Sunday and United manager land reached the semi-finals for the first time Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident he will live up to since 1990. his hefty price tag. United were interested in his signature last Three things MANCHESTER United signed from “Harry is one of the best centre-backs in the summer, but baulked at Leicester’s asking price. Leicester on Monday for a reported £80 million fee game today and I am delighted we have secured his A year on and with the heart of their defence that makes the England centre-back the world’s signature,” he said. brutally exposed in finishing sixth in the Premier about Harry most expensive defender. “He is a great reader of the game and has a League last season to miss out on Champions United have secured Maguire on a six-year con- strong presence on the pitch, with the ability to League qualification, the Red Devils finally paid the tract with an option for a further 12-month extension. remain calm under pressure - coupled with his fee the Foxes’ demanded. AFP ed academy manager John The £75 million Liverpool paid for Virgil composure on the ball and a huge presence in both Solskjaer had made strengthening central de- LONDON Pemberton switched him to van Dijk in 2018 was the previous record fee for boxes - I can see he will fit well into this group both fence a priority, with that need only becoming more central defence, saying his a defender. on and off the pitch. acute when Eric Bailly suffered a knee injury dur- HARRY Maguire became the ability to bring the ball out of However,, JuveJuventus’ tus captucapture e oof VaVan Dijk’s j s NNethet - “Heeasa has a greatgeatpe personalityso a tya andd is s a fantastic a tast c ad - ing the prepre-season season tour of CChinahina which iis expected most expensive defender in the defence made him stand out. erlands teammatemmate MatthijsMatthijs de LigtLigt ear-ear- ditiondition toto the club.”club.” ManchesterManchester CityCity toto kkeepeep him out for at least four monthsmonths.. world when he signed for Man- Hardly a surprise then lier this monthth (July)(July) couldcould rise to 85.5 hadhad been interested in Maguire,Maguire, but Maguire’sMaguire’s arrival also continues ththee trend of chester United from Leicester that Maguire’s idols were million euross (£77(£77 million)million) in add-ons.add-ons. PepePepe Guardiola admitted on SunSun- UnitedUnited ttargetingargeting youyoungng British talent rrathera than City for a reported £80 million and Terry’s long- It is alsoo a recordrecord feefee betweenbetween dayday that the championschampions couldn’t big-namebig-name foreiforeigngn imimports.ports. ($97 million) on Monday. time international partner Premier Leagueague clubs,clubs, surpassing afford his hugehuge fee.fee. TheThe EEnglishnglish ggiantsiants have alreadalreadyy ssplashedplas nearly AFP Sport picks out three Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand Van Dijk’s movemove to AnfieldAnfield fromfrom £70£70 million on ppromisingromising yyoungstersoungsters DaDanieln James facts few people know about stood out for Maguire. “I re- Southamptonn andand RomeluRomelu Lukaku’sLukaku’s Meteoric riserise and AAaronaron WanWan-Bissaka.-Bissaka. the 26-year-old England cen- ally looked up to them, espe- switch from EvertonEverton to ManchesterManchester Maguire,Maguire, 26, shot to promi-promi- MaguireMaguire startestartedd hhisis career at SSheffieldheffie United tral defender: cially Rio Ferdinand, because United. nnenceence for his performancesperformances at beforebefore mamakingking ththee lleapeap iintonto tthehe PremPremieri League Head for figures Jamie he brought the ball out of “I am delightedlighted to have signedsigned lastlast yyear’sear’s World CupCup aass Eng-Eng- withwith HHullull in 22014.014. Vardy may joke about the defence really well,” Maguire for this greatat club. I have thorthor- AfterAfter impressing even as the TTigersigers were rel- size of his former Leicester said when he was at Hull. oughly enjoyedyed mymy time at Leices-Leices- egatedegated two yyearsears aago,go, he jjoinedoined LeicestLeicestere in a £17 teammate’s head but, ac- “Very comfortable on the ter and wouldd like to thank everyoneeveryone millionmillion deal. cording to a former school- ball and he had a bit of eve- at the club. However,However, when Man-Man- HisHis EEnglandngland debut followed in OcOctobert 2017 teacher, Maguire has brains rything in his prime. A great chester Uniteded come knockingknocking on andand he emeremergedged as one of the unlikelunlikelyy sstars of the as well as brawn. centre-half in his time.” your door, iitt is an incredible WorldWorld CCup,up, where he featured in all of the Three “He was a remarkable Bin there done thatMagu- opportunity,”,” MaguireMaguire toldtold MaguireMaguire became tthehe Lions’Lions’ seven ggamesames and scored in the ququarter-final pupil who always came in ire turned up at his first in- United’s website.bsite. victoryvictory over SSweden.weden. and worked very hard,” Sue ternational get-together in “From my con- world’sworld’s most expensiveexpensive ThatThat signifiedsignified a meteoric rise for MaguireMa who Cain, deputy headteacher at 2017 not with his belongings versations withwith the justjust two years previouslypreviously hhadad travetravelledlled aas a fan to Maguir’s old school told the in designer luggage but in a manager, I amam ex- defender on MondayMonday supportsupport EEnglandngland at EEurouro 2012016.6. Derbyshire Times. bin bag. His mother was not cited about thethe NicknamedNicknamed “s“slablab hhead”ead” bbyy fformerormer Leicester “He was never in any impressed and social media vision and planslans whenwhen ManchesterManchester teammateteammate Jamie VarVardydy fforor hhisis pphysicalhysical pprowess in trouble and he had such a had lots of fun at his expense he has for thethe thethe air, Maguire hhasas aalsolso impresseimpressedd witwithh his ability good attitude. He did eve- with tweets such as “Harry team. It’s clearear United signedsigned himhim toto plplayay out ffromrom tthehe bback.ack. rything you asked him to already sorting out the rub- to see that Ole forfor a reportedreported ffeeee However,However, CityCity were lessless in needneed to break the do and he never questioned bish defence”. is building a bankbank for the 26-year-old26-year-old after winningwinnin the first why. He was a popular lad.” He took it in good heart. team to winin ofof £80£80 millimillionon everever domestic treble of trophiestrophies in EnglishEng foot- Cain said he could have “I’ve seen that on Twitter trophies. I ballball history.history. forged a career in the grey- with the bags – it was just full am now lookk- ($97($97 million)million) By ccontrast,ontrast, United need to shorshoree up a de- suited world of accountancy. of boots and shin pads and ing forwardrd fencefence tthathat conceded “He got A* and A grades in dirty stuff, which I’ll give the to meeting mymy 54 ggoalsoals in the his GCSEs,” she said. “I think kit man,” he explained. “I’ll new team-am- he would have gone on to try and get some in future. mates and getget- lastlast seseason and study business or maths and My Mum mentioned it. She ting the seasoneason areare cocountingu on probably have been an ac- gave me a text later on saying started.” Maguire,guire, Maguire’sMaguir pres- countant.” what’s with the bags? It was 26, could make enceence toto cut the Rio had it all although just a bit of fun. I try my best his debut inn his massivemassive gapg to ri- Maguire began his nascent to keep my feet on the floor new club’s Premierremier Harry vals CityCity anda Euro- football career as a teenager and stay humble and let my League openerner at Maguire peanpean championschampions Liverpool.L in midfield, Sheffield Unit- ability do the talking.”

THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE DEFENDERS O Harry Maguire, £80 million, with a fee so huge that defender to sign the million, Atletico Madrid to before joining Bundesliga to centre-back. De Manchester City (January Leicester to Manchester even big-spending Netherlands centre-half and Bayern (July 2019) champions Bayern. Ligt played more than 100 2018) The French centre-half United (August 2019) Manchester City bowed out Van Dijk has proved a huge games for Ajax and captained joined Athletic Bilbao at the of the race to sign him. success, helping Liverpool The France international O , £67.5 a youthful side to the semis age of 16. Also able to play The England centre-back reach two Champions League moved to Spain at the age of million (could rise to £77 of the Champions League left-back, Laporte made more was top of Manchester O Virgil van Dijk, £75 million, finals. They won the second four and joined Atletico million with potential last season before joining than 200 appearances for United’s transfer window Southampton to Liverpool of those, against Tottenham, Madrid’s junior set-up. add-ons), Ajax to Juventus Juventus a month before Bilbao before Manchester shopping list after their (January 2018) to be crowned European Hernandez became a World (July 2019). De Ligt made his his 20th birthday. City signed him for a then defensive woes last season champions for a sixth time. Cup winner in 2018 and Ajax and Netherlands debut club-record fee in January and boss Ole Gunnar Liverpool paid Southampton made more than 100 aged 17, quickly making the O , £57 a then world-record fee for a 2018. He has since won two Solskjaer finally got his man O Lucas Hernandez, £68 appearances for Atletico switch from deep-lying million, Athletic Bilbao to Premier League titles at City.

‘A star is born!’ Golf-mad Japan Ajax dealt tricky Champions League salutes ‘Smiling ’ playoff after last season’s heartache AFP AFP THE DRAWS TOKYO Hinako Shibuno’s NYON (SWITZERLAND) win at her first Draw for Champions League playoff round (first JAPAN on Monday hailed LAST season’s Champions legs August 20/21, second legs August 27/28): Major dominated Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) or Ferencvaros (HUN) v a fairytale finish for Hinako League semi-finalists Ajax Maribor (SVN) or Rosenborg (NOR); CFR Cluj (ROM) Shibuno, the 20-year-old golf morning televi- will take on either Qarabag or Celtic (SCO) v Slavia Prague (CZE); Young Boys sensation known as ‘Smiling sion shows in or Apoel Nicosia in this year’s (SUI) v (SRB) or FC Copenhagen Cinderella’ who was crowned playoff for the group stage if (DEN); Apoel Nicosia (CYP) or Qarabag (AZE) v PAOK Japan on Thessaloniki (GRE) or Ajax (NED); Basel 1893 (SUI) the surprise winner at the Monday, topping they find a way past PAOK or LASK (AUT) v Club Brugge (BEL) or Dynamo Kiev British Open. Thessaloniki in the third quali- (UKR); Istanbul Basaksehir (TUR) or Olympiakos v “She did it!” said TV pre- news items. The fying round of the showcase Krasnodar (RUS) or Porto (POR) senter Tomoaki Ogura after story was also European club competition. Draw for Europa League playoff round (first legs August 22, second legs August 29): Shibuno, in her debut tourna- splashed across The Dutch side do not get Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR) or FK Suduva (LTU) v Dinamo ment overseas, became Japan’s their websites. automatic entry to the groups Zagreb (CRO) or Ferencvaros (HUN); Red Star first Major-winner in 42 years. despite winning the Belgrade (SRB) or FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Riga FC “Who expected she could for the 34th time and coming (LVA) or HJK Helsinki (FIN); CFR Cluj (ROU) or Celtic (SCO) v FC Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA) or AIK (SWE); do this much in her first compe- Pedestrians walk past a screen in Tokyo reporting about Japanese within seconds of reaching the The group formations are shown on an electronic panel next to the Ararat-Armenia (ARM) or Saburtalo (GEO) v F91 tition abroad, a Major champi- golfer Hinako Shibuno, who captured the Women’s British Open, in final of last season’s campaign. UEFA Champions League trophy, after the drawing of the matches Dudelange (LUX) or Nomme Kalju FC (EST); onship?” he said in his morning Tokyo on Monday. (AFP) It is not the easiest of ties for the Champions League 2019/20 Play-offs round, at the UEFA Ludogorets (BUL) or The New Saints (WAL) v NK headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on Monday. (EPA-EFE) Maribor (SLO) or Rosenborg (NOR); Sutjeska (MNE) show on a private TV network. for Ajax who have already lost or Linfield (NIR) v Apoel Nicosia (CYP) or Qarabag Shibuno’s win at her first On Japanese television, tised until she graduated several players from their ex- (AZE); Slovan Bratislava (SVK) or Dundalk (IRL) v Major dominated morning Higuchi said Shibuno looked from high school, told the citing young squad, with cen- Istanbul Basaksehir or Olym- Torino meanwhile, who PAOK Thessaloniki (GRE) or Ajax (NED); FC Astana television shows in Japan on as “relaxed” as if she were Mainichi Shimbun he was tral defender Matthijs de Ligt piakos if they beat Krasnodar, also finished seventh but in Se- (KAZ) or Valletta FC (MLT) v FK Sarajevo (BIH) or FC BATE Borisov (BLR); Torino (ITA) or Shakhtyor (BLR) v Monday, topping news items. playing in Japan. elated by the victory. at Juventus and midfielder while Slavia Prague await the rie A, qualified for the competi- Pyunik (ARM) or Wolves (ENG); Universitatea Craiova The story broke too late for the “She is a new kind of play- “I don’t just feel happy, I joining Lionel winners of CFR Cluj and 1967 tion after AC Milan accepted in (ROM) or AEK Athens (GRE) v AC Sparta Praha (CZE) front pages of Japan’s newspa- er,” the Daily Sports newspa- feel superb!” he said. Messi at Barcelona. European champions Celtic. June a voluntary ban from Eu- or Trabzonspor (TUR); Legia Warsaw (POL) or pers, but was splashed across per quoted Higuchi as saying. Shibuno herself seemed First, however, they have to Red Star Belgrade, who won ropean football for the coming Atromitos (GRE) v Midtjylland (DEN) or Rangers (SCO); (NED) or Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) v their websites. Shibuno hit a gutsy 18-foot overwhelmed by the victory. see off PAOK, who went unbeat- the competition in 1991, will season over breaches of finan- IFK Norrköping (SWE) or Hapoel Beer-Shev (ISR); Despite the huge popularity birdie putt at the final hole “I didn’t feel that nervous en on their way to winning the face Swiss outfit Young Boys if cial fair play rules. FCSB (ROM) or Mlada Boleslav (CZE) v Ventspils of golf in Japan, only one Japa- to seal victory at Woburn on when I was on the last putt,” Greek Super League, finishing they beat FC Copenhagen. Roma took fifth-placed Mi- (LAT) or Guimaraes (POR); AEK Larnaca (CYP) or nese player -- male or female Sunday, finishing with a 68 she told reporters. five points ahead of Olympiakos In the Europa League draw, lan’s place in the group stages, Gent (BEL) v HNK Rijeka (CRO) or Aberdeen FC (SCO); Haugesund (NOR) or PSV (NED) v Austria -- had previously won a Ma- and 18-under-par as she beat But after the win “I was as they claimed their first league Torino and Wolverhampton opening up a preliminary Vienna (AUT) or Apollon Limassol (CYP); Luzern (SUI) jor: Chako Higuchi at the 1977 American Lizette Salas by a just covered in goosebumps title in more than three decades. Wanderers will meet up in the round spot for Walter Maz- or Espanyol (ESP) v CSKA (BUL) or Zorya Women’s PGA Championship. single stroke. and I feel so tense now I just The first leg of the third pick of the playoff ties if they get zarri’s side, who impressed in Luhansk (UKR); Partizan Belgrade (SRB) or Social media was abuzz South Korea’s world num- don’t know what to say!” round in Greece takes place on past Belarusian side Shakhtyor the second half of last season. Malatyaspor (TUR) v Molde (NOR) or Aris Thessaloniki (GRE); Brondby (DEN) or Braga (POR) v Thun (SUI) with congratulations for the ber one Ko Jin-young, who She said she planned to Tuesday, with the return leg and Armenians Pyunik. The Europa League draw also or Spartak Moscow (RUS); Malmo (SWE) or HSK 20-year-old Shibuno, who was seeking her third Major celebrate her historic victory seven days later in Amsterdam. Flamboyant Wolves are in includes sides from the Champi- Zrinjski (BIH) v Neftci (AZE) or Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv only turned pro last year. title of the year, had to settle by indulging her cravings. The playoff ties will be held on Europe for the first time in 39 ons League draw, who will drop (ISR); Lokomotiv Plovdiv (BUL) or Strasbourg (FRA) v “A star is born!” tweeted for third place following a 66. “I want to buy as many 20/21 and 27/28 August. years after finishing seventh into the lower ranked competi- Vaduz (LIE) or Eintracht Frankfurt (GER); Mariupol (UKR) or AZ Alkmaar (NED) v Royal Antwerp (BEL) or one Japanese user. “A historic Jun Sato, chief of the golf snacks as I can eat,” Kyodo Two-time European cham- in the Premier League in their tion should they lose their third Viktoria Plizen (CZE). achievement,” another wrote. club where Shibuno prac- news quoted her as saying. pions Porto will face either first year following promotion. qualifying round matches. 14 Tuesday, August 6, 2019 Sports Qatar aim to make rugby history in Asia Women’s Rugby 7s QATAR RUGBY TEAM of rugby in Qatar, Abdulla said Nineteen-member the national men’s team is do- QATAR WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM PLAYERS: ing very well and the women’s squad to leave Salma Marwa Tedjini, Safaa Tedjini, Yasmine team is shaping good after Dehbi, Nour Shalaby, Sarah Jane, Gihad winning two successive West for Jakarta on Waled Atallah, Lauren Mudgway, Teagan Asia Championships. “The Qa- McCormack, Phillipa Frances Innes, Rachel tar men’s team just emerged Wednesday Frances Innes, Yasmine Asabi Aisha Tobun, Angel Janine Nieters, Rebecca Richards and the winners in the West Asia Hana Gildam-Clark Division last year, we have a TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK good squad and we are hoping DOHA Coach: Hassan El Sabeh to compete against stronger Team Manager: Heba Ali Hoham teams this year. QATAR’S 14-player women Chef de Mission Hamad al Medical Crew: Monia Slim and Olivia “The women’s team has rugby team is soon going on Abdulla Barbosa bagged the West Asia Champi- its maiden trip to figure in the Chef de Mission: Hamad al Abdulla onship for two years in a row, Asia Seven’s Trophy in Jakar- ey and Federation, which proves they are among ta, Indonesia. said the sport has grown big in Cup pitch provided by the Su- the strongest teams in the The national team will Qatar in a relatively short time preme Committee for Delivery region. The sport is gaining leave Doha on Wednesday as and he is feeling very proud to and Legacy. ground nicely but we want to the two-day championship is head the team to Indonesia. “We want to thank the Su- do well outside the region and hosted by Indonesia Rugby “It is indeed a very proud preme Committee and its Sec- prove that we’re also tough,” from August 10. The compe- moment for the federation. retary-General Hassan al Tha- he added. tition is expected to be quite Three years ago, the women’s wadi for all the support which “We’ve three Qatari female tough as the winners will se- rugby was started and we used helped us prepare the team in players in the full training squad. cure a spot in the elite sevens the ‘Get Into Rugby’ (GIR) the best possible ways. Also we Unfortunately due to their study competition – the Asia Rugby programme to push the sport. The Qatar women’s rugby team poses for a group picture after a training session at West Bay in Doha. wish to thank Aspire, Aspetar commitments, we could not se- Sevens Series. The federation also saw a lot of and sponsor Acvia Melt Water lect them in the team. The team Chef de Mission Hamad al potential in players and tried “The aim is of course to do the sport for some time now the Asian championship, we Original for their backing to is a fine fettle and hopefully it Abdulla, who is a Board Mem- to support them in every pos- as well as possible and finish and we’ve been competing trained hard for two months the team,” Abdulla said. will return with good results,” ber in the Qatar Rugby, Hock- sible to grow it,” he added. on the top. We’ve been playing against some tough teams. For at an indoor FIFA 2022 World Talking about the growth Abdulla informed.

Smith gets Lyon roars, spins Aussies to emotional after Ashes centuries huge victory at Edgbaston AFP BIRMINGHAM (UNITED KINGDOM)

AN emotional Steve Smith said The spinner’s six-for sees the visitors clinch the opening Test by a whopping 251 runs his brilliant contribution to Australia’s first-Test humbling AFP SCOREBOARD of England was a dream come BIRMINGHAM (UNITED KINGDOM) true after the pain of his ball- AUSTRALIA (1ST INNINGS): 284 tampering ban. NATHAN Lyon took six wick- ENGLAND (1ST INNINGS): 374 Smith hit 144 and 142 as AUSTRALIA (2ND INNINGS): 487 FOR 7 DECL ets as Australia demolished ENGLAND (2ND INNINGS): Australia beat England by 251 England by 251 runs at their Rory Burns c Lyon b Cummins 11 runs at Edgbaston to win the Edgbaston ‘fortress’ to win the Jason Roy b Lyon 28 opening game of the five-match first Ashes Test on Monday. Joe Root c Bancroft b Lyon 28 Ashes series. Joe Denly c Bancroft b Lyon 11 The crushing defeat means Jos Buttler b Cummins 1 It was a personal triumph England’s hopes of a World Ben Stokes c Paine b Lyon 6 for the 30-year-old, who was Cup and Ashes double have Jonny Bairstow c Bancroft b Cummins 6 playing in his first Test since suffered a major blow a month Moeen Ali c Warner b Lyon 4 a 12-month ban for his role in Chris Woakes c Smith b Cummins 37 after the eventual champions Stuart Broad c Smith b Lyon 0 last year’s shocking ball-tam- beat Australia at the same James Anderson not out 4 pering scandal on Australia’s ground in the semi-finals of Extras (4b, 4lb, 2nb) 10 tour of South Africa. the 50-over tournament. Total (all out, in 52.3 overs) 146 “It feels pretty special, win- Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Burns), 2-60 (Roy), 3-80 To make matters worse, (Denly), 4-85 (Root), 5-85 (Buttler), 6-97 (Bairstow), ning the first Test in England England could be without 7-97 (Stokes), 8-136 (Ali), 9-136 (Broad), 10-146 is really special. It feels great, James Anderson, their all- (Woakes) I’m loving being back play- Bowling: Peter Siddle 12-2-28-0, Nathan Lyon 20-5- time leading wicket-taker, for 49-6, James Pattinson 8-1-29-0 (1nb), Pat Cummins ing cricket for Australia, doing the second game of the five- 11.3-3-32-4 (1nb), Steven Smith 1-1-0-0. what I love and contributing to match series at Lord’s. wins,” Smith told BBC’s Test The paceman managed West Indian umpire equalled Match Special. just four overs in the match an unwanted record with eight “To score two hundreds in a before breaking down, depriv- overturned decisions in a Test. match -- the first time I’ve done ing captain Joe Root of his World Cup-winner Ja- that in any form of cricket in main weapon. son Roy appeared to still be my life -- is very special and I’m Root must also work out in one-day mode when he very proud.” how to cope with the threat charged down the pitch and Smith’s appetite for runs is of man-of-the-match Steve was bowled by Lyon for 28. such that he is being compared Smith, who scored twin hun- Australia’s Nathan Lyon (right) celebrates with teammate Matthew Wade after taking the wicket of England’s Stuart Broad in the first Ashes Lyon, whose return was to Australia sporting icon Don dreds at Edgbaston and now Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Monday. (REUTERS) his best against England, was Bradman, widely regarded as has 1,116 runs in his past 10 dangerous on the wearing the greatest-ever Test batsman. Ashes innings. last time they won an Ashes declaring on 487-7 late on by spectators at Edgbaston. two brilliant innings.” pitch and he had Joe Denly Bradman, in a career span- The home side, set a daunt- series in England – and ended Sunday. “We know every Test we caught off bat and pad by Ban- ning the years either side of ing 398 for victory, needed to the home side’s run of 11 suc- “I thought we were cer- play in England, the crowd Vertical slump croft at short leg. World War II, averaged a stag- bat out the final day to save the cessive wins at Warwickshire’s tainly up against it at that will be against us. I thought Rory Burns, whose first-in- The Australia pair com- gering 99.94 in 52 Tests includ- Test but a clatter of wickets ei- headquarters. stage (122-8) but we had the the guys handled themselves nings 133 was his first century bined again to dismiss Root ing 29 hundreds. ther side of lunch left them Australia were in dire best player in the world at the really well and we’ve come out at this level, became just the for 28. Of batsmen to have played staring at a heavy defeat. straits at 122-8 in their first crease,” Paine said. on top,” said Paine. 10th cricketer to have batted England’s 85-4 at lunch at least 20 Test innings, Smith’s They were eventually dis- innings but were rescued by “We’re running out of No England batsman on all five days of a Test. became 85-5 when Cummins career average of 62.96 is sec- missed for 146, with off-spin- Smith’s 144, which lifted them things to say about Smithy. made more than No.9 Chris But he had added just four bowled Jos Buttler and wick- ond only in the all-time list to ner Lyon taking 6-49 and fast to 284. He’s probably the best Test Woakes’s 37 in their second runs to his overnight seven ets continued to tumble as the that of ‘the Don’. bowler Pat Cummins 4-32 in The star batsman then batsman we’ve ever seen.” innings and captain Joe Root when he was caught in the home side slumped to 97-7. And by becoming just the first match of the new ICC made 142 in the second in- Smith, David Warner and admitted: “It is bitterly disap- gully off an excellent seaming All-rounder Woakes defied the fifth Australian to score World Test Championship. nings of his comeback Test Cameron Bancroft were all re- pointing.” and rising Cummins delivery. Australia for a time but Smith hundreds in both innings of Victory gave Australia following a ban for his role in turning to follow- “Credit to Australia,” he Root was twice given out had the last word, catching an Ashes Test, Smith has an their first win at Edgbaston in a ball-tampering scandal, with ing ball-tampering bans and added. “They fought hard to leg before by Joel Wilson but him off Cummins to seal the achievement that eluded even any format since 2001 – the Australia captain Tim Paine the trio were repeatedly jeered get back in it. (Smith played) challenged both verdicts as the win for the tourists. Bradman.

Belgian cyclist South African quick Steyn McCullum to call it curtains Lambrecht dead after retires from Test cricket REUTERS throttle... unfortunately, the Knight Riders. AUCKLAND sacrifices needed and com- He also played for Brisbane Poland crash mitment required to play that Heat in Australia’s Big Bash WARSAW: Belgian cyclist AFP a format of the game I love so FORMER New Zealand skip- type of cricket have now be- League, Lahore Qalandars in Bjorg Lambrecht died in JOHANNESBURG much,” said the 36-year-old per Brendon McCullum will come too great.” the , hospital on Monday at the Steyn, his country’s leading retire from all forms of cricket McCullum played in the Trinbago Knight Riders in the age of 22 after crashing at SOUTH African , Test wicket-taker of all time when the last of his 101 tests against and the Tour of Poland, his team one of the great fast bowlers and one of the top 10 in the league finishes this weekend, Australia at Christchurch in Toronto Nationals in Canada. announced. “The biggest of the modern era, on Mon- history of the game. bringing the curtain down on a Feb. 2016, where he hit the “I owe it to myself and the tragedy possible that could day announced his retirement “In my opinion Test crick- 20-year professional career, the fastest century in the format teams I represent to close that happen to the family, friends from Test cricket in a bid to et is the best version of this 37-year-old said on Monday. (54 balls), finishing his career chapter rather than just plough and teammates of Bjorg has extend his longevity in the game. It tests you mentally, The explosive batsman, with 6,453 runs including 12 on regardless of what I know to happened... Rest in peace shorter forms of the game. physically, emotionally. It’s whose decision comes three tons and 31 half-centuries. be true,” McCullum added. Bjorg,” Lotto-Soudal tweeted. Steyn, who made his inter- terrible to consider never years after his retirement His final One-Day Inter- “I look back with pride Polish news website Onet national debut against Eng- playing another Test again but from international cricket, national was against the same over the way I’ve played the reported Lambrecht collided land in 2004 and last played what’s more terrifying is the will not now take part in the rivals earlier that month as game and what I’ve achieved... with a concrete structure a Test in February against thought of never playing again inaugural Euro T20 Slam he signed off with 6,083 runs in T20 cricket, I’ve enjoyed so around 30 kilometres (19 Sri Lanka, is still contracted at all. starting this month where he from 260 matches. He played many varied challenges, I can miles) into the race after it in the white-ball form of the “So I will be focusing on was to represent Gi- 71 T20 internationals scoring leave the game knowing I left suddenly began to rain. He game for the 2019/20 season Dale Steyn of South Africa ODIs and T20s for the rest ants as an . 2,140 runs. no stone unturned.” was resuscitated on the spot, and therefore remains availa- of my career to maximise “It’s with pride and sat- It was in the shortest for- McCullum’s Nationals, then taken in a critical condi- ble for South Africa in one-day in the International Cricket my full potential and ensure isfaction that I am today an- mat that McCullum was most who are fourth in the table, tion to a hospital in the south- internationals and T20s. Council’s Test bowler rank- my longevity in this sport... nouncing my retirement from sought after and he represent- take on Montreal Tigers on ern city of Rybnik, where he Steyn took 439 wickets ings for a record 263 weeks I look forward to continuing all cricket,” McCullum said ed a number of Indian Premier Wednesday. The top four reach died on the operating table. in 93 Tests at an average of between 2008 and 2014. to play for the Proteas in the on social media. “My style... League teams including Chen- the knockout stage with the fi- 22.95. He held the top spot “Today I walk away from shorter formats.” has always been full noise, full nai Super Kings and Kolkata nal being staged on Sunday.