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Saturday, July 27, 2019 CYCLING Dhul-Qa’da 24, 1440 AH Bernal on verge of GULF TIMES victory as hail storm cuts stage short SPORT Page 3

CRICKET Pakistan fast bowler Amir retires from Tests AFP where he is signed to play for Es- also jailed by a UK court. “Playing for Pakistan remains Karachi sex in the English season. Amir returned to play for Pa- my ultimate desire and objective, Amir made an impressive en- kistan again in 2016 but the other and I will try my best to be in the try into international as a two failed in their bids to resume best physical shape to contribute akistan fast bowler 17-year-old, taking six in their international careers. in the team’s upcoming challeng- Mohamed Amir an- his debut Test against Sri Lanka es, including next year’s ICC T20 nounced his retirement at Galle in 2009. Playing for Pakistan World Cup (in Australia). from yes- The following year, he was remains my ultimate “It has not been an easy de- Pterday to concentrate on the instrumental on a tour in Eng- cision to make and I have been desire and objective, and limited-overs game, nine years land, helping Pakistan to level a I will try my best to be thinking about this for some after a spot-fi xing ban halted his two-match neutral-venue se- ‘ time. But with the ICC World in the best physical shape burgeoning career. ries against Australia with seven to contribute in the team’s Test Championship commenc- The 27-year-old, regarded as wickets in the Leeds Test. upcoming challenges, ing shortly, and Pakistan boast- one of the best left-arm pacers He took 20 wickets in four including next year’s ICC ing some very exciting young fast after countryman Wasim Akram, Tests against England but it T20 World Cup bowlers, it is appropriate that I said he wants to move away from culminated in a shocking spot- call on my time in Test cricket the traditional format. fi xing saga unearthed by the — Mohamed Amir so that the selectors can plan ac- “It has been an honour to rep- now-defunct tabloid News of the cordingly.” resent Pakistan in the pinnacle World. Overall, Amir took 119 wickets PCB managing director Wasim and traditional format of the Amir, along with then Test in 36 Tests, the last of which was Khan praised Amir’s services. game,” Amir is quoted as saying captain Salman Butt and new- against earlier this “Amir has been one of the in a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ball partner Mohamed Asif, year. His best bowling returns most exciting and talented left- release. was charged for illegally taking — six for 44 — were against the arm fast bowlers in Test cricket “I, however, have decided to money in return for delivering West Indies in Kingston in April in recent times. We respect his move away from the longer ver- deliberate no-balls in the Lord’s 2017. decision and look forward to sion so I can concentrate on Test. Amir said he is committed to him continuing to play an inte- white ball cricket.” All three were banned for a play for Pakistan in ODIs and gral role in white ball cricket for Amir is currently in England minimum of fi ve years and were . Pakistan.”

FOUR-DAY TEST England dismiss Ireland for 38 to complete dramatic win Woakes takes career-best six wickets for 17 while Broad scalped four for 19 as England won by 143 runs at Lord’s

AFP London Scorecard ENGLAND 1st Innings 85 all out (2nb); McBrine 10-1-47-0 ngland gave themselves a IRELAND 1st Innings 207 all out huge pre-Ashes boost by skittling Ireland for just ENGLAND 2nd Innings (o/n 303-9) IRELAND 2nd Innings 38 to win their one-off J. Leach c Adair b Murtagh 92 W. Porterfield c Bairstow b Woakes 2 TestE by 143 runs yesterday, em- R. Burns c Wilson b Rankin 6 J. McCollum c Root b Woakes 11 phatically crushing the visitors’ J. Roy b Thompson 72 A. Balbirnie c Root b Broad 5 hopes of a stunning upset. Ireland, playing only their J. Denly run out (O’Brien/McBrine) 10 P. Stirling b Woakes 0 third Test, were chasing just 182 J. Root c Wilson b Adair 31 K. O’Brien lbw b Broad 4 runs at Lord’s to complete what J. Bairstow lbw b Adair 0G. Wilson lbw b Woakes 0 would have been one of the big- gest upsets in cricket history. M. Ali c Wilson b Rankin 9 S. Thompson c Root b Woakes 4 But they did not get close, last- C. Woakes c Balbirnie b Adair 13 M. Adair b Broad 8 ing just 94 balls as Chris Woakes S. Curran c McCollum b Thompson 37 A. McBrine c Root b Broad 0 took a career-best six wickets for 17 runs and Stuart Broad re- S. Broad 21 T. Murtagh b Woakes 2 turned fi gures of 4-19. O. Stone b Thompson 0B. Rankin not out 0 Ireland’s pitiful second-in- Extras (b1, lb7, nb4) 12 Extras (b1, lb1) 2 nings score was the seventh- lowest total of all time and the Total (all out, 77.5 overs) 303 Total (all out, 15.4 overs) 38 lowest since 1955. Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Burns), Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Porterfield), England ultimately prevailed 2-171 (Roy), 3-182 (Leach), 2-18 (Balbirnie), 3-19 (Stirling), on a ground where they won the 4-194 (Denly), 5-194 (Bairstow), 4-24 (McCollum), 5-24 (Wilson), World Cup just 12 days ago but 6-219 (Ali), 7-239 (Root), 8-248 6-24 (O’Brien), 7-32 (Adair), 8-36 there are major concerns over (Woakes), 9-293 (Curran), 10-303 (Thompson), 9-36 (McBrine), 10- their batting as they turn their (Stone) 38 (Murtagh) thoughts towards the fi ve-match Bowling: Murtagh 18-3-52-1; Bowling: Broad 8-3-19-4; Woakes Ashes series starting next week. Adair 20-7-66-3 (1nb); Rankin 17-1- 7.4-2-17-6 “I knew that was a lot of runs 86-2 (1nb); Thompson 12.5-0-44-3 RESULT: England won by 143 runs (to make) on that surface,” said England captain Joe Root, whose Lowest Test innings totals side mustered just 85 runs in their fi rst innings. 26 New Zealand, v England 36 Australia, v England “It’s very pleasing, the way we Auckland, 1955 Birmingham, 1902 managed certain pressure situa- England’s Chris Woakes celebrates taking the of Ireland’s James McCollum on third day of the Test at Lord’s in London yesterday. (Reuters) 30 South Africa, v England 38 Ireland, v England tions,” he added. “It wasn’t by any Port Elizabeth, 1896 Lord’s, 2019 stretch the perfect game for us but son at Lord’s. Test wicket-taker, was missing Ireland had yet to give off the fi eld caught behind by wicket- 30 South Africa, v England 42 New Zealand, v Australia sometimes that can be a really im- “I don’t like saying this but with a calf injury. All three are mark in their second innings keeper Jonny Bairstow for two. Birmingham, 1924 Wellington, 1946 portant part of your learning.” the wicket was substandard for a expected to be in the Ashes squad when rain stopped play just seven Andy Balbirnie, who top-scored Root accepted that England Test match,” Root said. due to be named today. balls into their chase and kept the with 55 in Ireland’s fi rst innings to- 35 South Africa, v England 42 Australia, v England would need to tighten up their “Ireland bowled very well. Ireland, playing England for players off the fi eld for more than tal of 207, fell next when he edged , 1899 Sydney, 1888 batting against Australia after Credit to Jack Leach for his 92 — the fi rst time in a Test, have now an hour. Broad to Root at fi rst slip. 36 South Africa, v Australia 42 India, v England they had man-of-the-match it set an example to everyone, he lost all three of their matches at But when the match resumed Kevin O’Brien, who hit the Melbourne, 1932 Lord’s, 1974 Jack Leach to thank for their was very disciplined, knew where this level following defeats by the overcast conditions — the quickest World Cup century second-innings 303 — the night- to score his runs and left well. Pakistan and Afghanistan, but fl oodlights were switched on — when Ireland beat England at watchman made 92. “We’ve got to be slightly tight- their day started brilliantly. made conditions ideal for seam- Bangalore in 2011 and made a ed when Woakes cleaned up “We knew it was going to be er and more selective at times, England, resuming on their ers Woakes and Broad. hundred in their inaugural Test at tailender Tim Murtagh for his tough with the lights on and driz- ‘SUBSTANDARD’ especially the captain.” overnight 303 for nine, saw their The cascade of wickets in an home to Pakistan last year, fell for best return in Test cricket. zle in the air,” he said. But the England skipper also England had decided to rest second innings end with the fi rst innings where only opener James just four, lbw to Broad — one of Porterfi eld said his side were “But we had to dig deep and get criticised a green pitch prepared World Cup winners Jos Buttler ball of the third day’s play when McCollum made it into double three wickets that fell for no runs particularly disappointed be- through that. Fair play to the two by Irish groundsman Karl Mc- and Ben Stokes while James An- debutant Olly Stone was bowled fi gures began when Woakes had to leave the visitors 24-6. cause they had put themselves in lads to how they bowled — they Dermott, who is in his fi rst sea- derson, their all-time leading for a duck by Stuart Thompson. Ireland captain William Porter- An extraordinary match end- a position to win the game. made it diffi cult.” Gulf Times 2 Saturday, July 27, 2019 SPORT

SWIMMING Dressel sparks record-breaking night at Worlds

AFP record, clocking 2:03.35 to erase Gwangju, South Korea Missy Franklin’s old mark by more then seven tenths. “I’m in shock,” gasped the merican star Caeleb 17-year-old. “I didn’t think I’d Dressel, swimming’s ever do that — it’s crazy.” chiselled, tattooed pin- Sun, who retained his 200 and up boy, beat Michael 400m free titles this week, and Phelps’sA 100m butterfl y world China fi nished a distant sixth in record yesterday as country- the men’s 4x200m freestyle be- woman Simone Manuel retained hind winners Australia. her 100m freestyle world title. Mack Horton, who refused to Reigning champ Dressel take the podium after losing to clenched a fi st in the direction of Sun in the 400m fi nal last week- fl ag-waving American fans after end, conjured an astonishing late clocking an astonishing 49.50 fi ghtback to anchor the Aussies seconds in Gwangju to eclipse the Gold medallist Simone Manuel (centre) of the US, silver medallist Cate to gold in a time of 7:00.85 with American legend’s old bodysuit USA’s Caeleb Dressel in action during the men’s 100m butterfly semi-final at the 2019 World Championships Campbell (left) of Australia and bronze medallist Sarah Sjostrom of Russia taking silver and the Unit- mark by 0.32 and rob him of a in Gwangju, South Korea, yesterday. (AFP) Sweden pose on the women’s 100m freestyle podium. (Reuters) ed States bronze. second world record in 48 hours. Russian Yulia Efi mova, who Dressel’s fi reworks were “It can be a scary thought,” said happy watching me do that.” China’s Sun Yang, the 11-time ances he’s had over the years “I felt a lot of pressure to re- has twice tested positive for matched in the next event when Dressel, who looks on course to Phelps, the most decorated Ol- world champion who a FINA without doing the work,” he said. peat,” said Olympic champ banned substances in the past, American teenager Regan Smith match or even surpass the seven ympic athlete of all time, has lost doping panel report has accused “He’s tested year in, year out and Manuel. “It feels amazing.” became the fi rst woman to three- crushed the women’s 200m golds he scooped at the 2017 world both of his 2009 long course but- of destroying blood vials after a winning every year.” Chupkov found an extra gear peat in the 200m breaststroke, backstroke world record, before championships in Budapest. terfl y world records in Korea after visit from drug testers. off the fi nal wall to snatch 200m clocking 2:20.17 — more than two Russian Anton Chupkov emu- “I woke up today and I wanted to Hungarian teenager Kristof Mi- Sun’s Australian coach Denis RUSSIAN HAT-TRICK breaststroke gold in 2:06.12 — seconds faster than silver medal- lated them as he stormed to gold do it,” added the 22-year-old, who lak destroyed his previous mark Cotterell told AFP that the hulk- Manuel exploded from the knocking more than half a second list Tatjana Schoenmaker. in the 200m breaststroke. logged a 21.18 in the 50m freestyle in the 200m fl y. ing Chinese athlete has been blocks in lane one to win gold in off the previous world best, with Meanwhile, Evgeny Rylov But Dressel, who has already semis after a quick turnaround. “I A record-breaking night made a scapegoat for grievances the women’s 100m free in 52.04 Aussie Matt Wilson taking silver. retained his 200m backstroke won three gold medals this week, didn’t really have the nerves, I just helped turn the spotlight back on swimmers have against FINA, the ahead of Australian Cate Camp- Smith covered her face with crown in 1:53.40 and complete a remains the hottest ticket in wanted to do it. Records are meant swimming after a week of athlete sport’s governing body. bell and Sweden’s world record her hands after shattering the Russian hat-trick of gold medals South Korea. to be broken, I hope Michael was protests and insults targeting “You can’t have the perform- holder Sarah Sjostrom. women’s 200m backstroke world on day six.

CRICKET SELECTION Bancroft joins Smith, Warner in Aussie Malinga signs off in Ashes squad

AFP has produced impressive num- London bers for county side Durham this season. “His innings in the intra- style as Sri Lanka pening batsman Cam- squad match in Southampton on eron Bancroft was a tough pitch was outstanding yesterday included and showed his quality.” in Australia’s 17-man Fast bowlers Peter Siddle and squadO for the fi ve-Test Ashes James Pattinson were recalled to series against England alongside the squad, with their fellow pace- Steve Smith and David Warner. man Josh Hazlewood returning All three batsmen served following a recent back injury. beat Bangladesh lengthy bans for their roles in a But uncapped Queensland ball-tampering scandal in South seamer Michael Neser was a sur- Africa last year. prise selection. Retiring Malinga scalped three after Kusal Perera ton helped hosts put 314 on board Former captain Smith and his Wicketkeeper-batsman Mat- then deputy Warner were both thew Wade was also included, AFP given 12-month suspensions by having not played a Test for Colombo Cricket Australia, with Bancroft nearly two years. — who actually applied sandpa- Wade edged out Alex Carey, per to the ball while in the fi eld who impressed during the World asith Malinga shone in during a Test in Cape Town — Cup, as the back-up wicketkeep- his farewell match af- banned for nine months. er to Test captain Tim Paine. ter Kusal Perera struck a Both Smith, also given a two- Top-order batsman Usman quick-fi re century as Sri year ban from captaining Aus- Khawaja is in the squad despite LLanka crushed Bangladesh by tralia, and Warner, hit with a continuing to recover from a ham- 91 runs in the fi rst one-day of a lifetime prohibition from leading string injury suff ered during the three-match series in Colombo his country, were expected to be World Cup but there i no place for yesterday. in the Ashes squad after doing all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Malinga rattled Bangladesh well in the recent World Cup, Australia hold the Ashes but with his fi ery opening spell, re- when the defending champions have not won a Test series away ducing the visitors to 39-4 in the reached the semi-fi nals. to England for 18 years. process, without allowing them Bancroft, who has been cap- And with the Ashes tak- to recover from the damage de- taining English county side Dur- ing place in the same season as spite the best eff orts by Mush- ham, appears to have wowed the a World Cup for the fi rst time fi qur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman. selectors with an unbeaten 93 in since 1975, next week’s fi rst Test Mushfi qur made 67 while Sab- the tourists’ intra-squad match at Edgbaston will be Australia’s bir added 60 as the duo shared an at Southampton this week. opening fi rst-class match of 111-run partnership for the fi fth their tour. wicket but Bangladesh stuttered ‘OUTSTANDING’ to 223 all out in 41.4 overs replying “David Warner, Steve Smith and SQUAD: Tim Paine (capt/wkt), to Sri Lanka’s 314-8. Cameron Bancroft have forced Cameron Bancroft, Patrick Retiring Malinga claimed their way back into the Test Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh 3-38 while Nuwan Pradeep (3- squad through the excellence Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman 51) and Dhananjaya de Silva (2- of their recent performances,” Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, 49) played their parts in the win. said Australia national selector Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, “I feel it’s the right time for me Trevor Hohns. Michael Neser, James Pattinson, to retire from ODIs. I have been “David and Steve also have the Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitch- playing for the last 15 years for Sri advantage of being proven play- ell Starc, Matthew Wade (wkt), Lanka and this is the right time to ers at Test level while Cameron David Warner move on,” Malinga, who fi nished his ODI career with 338 wickets, said after the game. “My time is SPOTLIGHT over and I have to go.” Perera struck 111 off 99 balls with 17 fours and a six, his fi fth ODI century, to set up Sri Lan- Windies recall Gayle ka’s total after skipper Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and elected to bat fi rst. for India ODI series Perera put on 97 runs with Karunaratne for the second AFP records for most ODI runs for wicket before adding 100 with Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga (left) celebrates taking the wicket of Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal in the first ODI in Colombo yesterday. (AFP) St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda the West Indies (10,348) and by a Kusal Mendis for the third wicket. West Indian (10,405). Gayle trails Shafi ul Islam, who fi nished with Mustafi zur dismissed Math- by 10 in the fi rst category and, 3-62 in his fi rst match in three ews before fi nishing with 2-75. Scorecard hris Gayle changed his including a tsunami relief match years, drew the fi rst blood for Malinga, who was unbeaten on mind about interna- and two games for an ICC World Bangladesh when he had opener six with the bat, hit the leg-stump SRI LANKA Perera), 4-212 (Mendis), 5-272 M. Hasan c Mendis b de Silva 2 tional retirement and XI against Australia, by 12 in the Avishka Fernando caught by Sou- of opener Tamim Iqbal in his fi fth A. Fernando c Sarkar b Islam 7(Thirimanne), 6-276 ( T. Perera), S. Islam b Pradeep 2 the West Indies selec- second. mya Sarkar at slip for seven. ball with a deadly yorker. 7-302 (Mathews), 8-309 (D. de Ctors yesterday gave the ‘Universe The West Indies dropped D. Karunaratne c M Rahman b R. Hossain not out 6 Perera was reprieved on 49 Tamim, who debuted as Silva) Boss’ a place in the one-day batsmen Sunil Ambris and Dar- Hasan 36 runs when the third umpire Bangladesh’s 14th ODI captain, Bowling: Islam 9-0-62-3 (5w), M. Rahman c T Perera b Malinga squad to face India in a three- ren Bravo, off -spinner Ashley overturned a caught behind de- was unable to open his account K. Perera c M Rahman b Sarkar 111 Hasan 9-0-56-1, R Hossain 9-0- 18 match series. Nurse and fast bowler Shannon cision off Shafi ul. and the team’s other top-order K. Mendis c Rahim b R. Hossain 43 54-1 (2w), M Hossain 7-0-45-0, Extras (lb4, w24) 28 Gayle said in March that he Gabriel from the squad that fi n- Part-time seamer Soumya batsmen did hardly any better. planned to retire following the ished ninth in the 10-team fi rst- A. Mathews c S Rahman b M Rahman 10-0-75-2 (4w, 1nb), Total (all out; 41.4 overs) 223 ended the valiant knock of Per- Pradeep trapped one-down Sarkar 5-0-17-1, Mahmudullah Cricket World Cup but changed round group at the World Cup. Rahman 48 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Iqbal), 2-30 era as he was caught at short fi ne Mohamed Mithun leg-before for 1-0-4-0 his mind during the tournament. Andre Russell, who was forced leg by Mustafi zur Rahman. 10 and Malinga bowled out open- L. Thirimanne c Sarkar b M (Mithun), 3-30 (Sarkar), 4-39 Gayle was not selected for the out of the World Cup with a knee Mendis, who was dropped on er Soumya for 15 in the next over. Rahman 25 (Mahmudullah), 5-150 (S Rah- T20 squad announced on Tues- injury, has been omitted for the 28 by Mahmudullah Riyad off Kumara compounded Bangla- T. Perera c Sarkar b Islam 2BANGLADESH man), 6-182, 7-187 (Hasan), 8-199 day for the three matches that ODIs after being included in the (Rahim), 9-200 (Islam), 10-223 Soumya, fell to Rubel Hossain desh’s problem once he removed D. de Silva c S Rahman b Islam 18 T. Iqbal b Malinga 0 open the Indian tour. T20 squad. the next over after making 43 off Mahmudullah for three. (Rahman) Gayle is playing for the Van- Three players who failed to S. Sarkar b Malinga 15 49 balls. De Silva ended the resistance of L. Malinga not out 6 Bowling: L. Malinga 9.4-2-38- couver Knights in the Global make the World Cup squad, left- Mendis walked after a muted Sabbir, forcing him to give a catch N. Pradeep not out 0M. Mithun lbw b Pradeep 10 3 (8w), N. Pradeep 9-1-51-3, T. T20 competition being held in handed opener John Campbell, appeal for caught behind from at deep midwicket to leave Sri Extras (lb1 nb1 w16) 18 M. Rahim c Mendis b Pradeep 67 Perera 6-0-36-0 (1w), L. Kumara Brampton, Canada, though the batsman Roston Chase and all- wicketkeeper Mushfi qur and Lanka’s victory all but a formality. 7-0-45-1 (4w), D. de Silva 10-0- ODI schedule means he would rounder Keemo Paul, are recalled Total (eight wickets; 50 overs) 314 Mahmudullah c sub b Kumara 3 bowler Rubel. Malinga took the fi nal wicket 49-2 (2w). have to miss the semi-fi nals and for the games on August 8 at Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Fernando), S. Rahman c Fernando b de Silva 60 Angelo Mathews took Sri fi ttingly having Mustafi zur, who RESULT: Sri Lanka won by 91 fi nal if the Knights get that far. the Guyana National Stadium, 2-107 (Karunaratne), 3-207 (K. Lanka’s total past the 300-run made 18 off 14 balls, caught by M. Hossain run out 12 runs The ODI series gives Gayle and on August 11 and 14 at the mark with 48 off 52 balls. Thisara Perera at mid-off . the chance to break Brian Lara’s Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad. Gulf Times Saturday, July 27, 2019 3 SPORT

CYCLING / TOUR DE FRANCE GOLF Rahm roars to lead Bernal on verge of at St. Jude event AFP Los Angeles

pain’s Jon Rahm tied his career low round victory as hail storm on Thursday by fi ring a bogey-free eight-under 62S to take the lead after the fi rst round of the WGC-St. Jude Invi- tational. Rahm, who is coming off a tie for 11th at last week’s British Open, has a three-stroke lead cuts stage short over fi ve others including Bubba Watson, Cameron Smith, Patrick Cantlay and a pair of Japanese ‘I don’t think I can win the yellow jersey back. I was beaten by something stronger’ players Hideki Matsuyama and Shugo Imahira. all that, it was my positioning,” AFP Rahm needed just 23 putts he said. Tignes, France on Thursday, using his red-hot World No. 1 Brooks Koepka putter to shoot fi ve under on the opened with a two-under 68. front nine on the TPC Southwind Koepka fi nished in a tie for fourth gan Bernal snatched the course in Memphis, Tennessee. at The Open to join Jack Nick- overall lead on the Tour His eight birdies overall ties his laus, Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler de France yesterday after career most on the PGA Tour. and Jordan Spieth as the only stage 19 was abandoned He hit nine of 14 fairways and players to fi nish in the top fi ve in inE a massive hail storm with the 13 of 18 greens to take his fi fth ca- all four majors in a single year. Team Ineos rider now poised to reer 18-hole lead. After playing his fi rst nine become the fi rst Colombian to It has been a whirlwind last holes in three-over 38, 2016 win cycling’s greatest prize. couple of months for Rahm champion Dustin Johnson fi n- The stage will have no offi cial who competed in two majors on ished with a one-under 69, seven winner, but the yellow jersey two diff erent continents, won shots back of Rahm. goes to Bernal as he crossed the the Irish Open, appeared at the day’s penultimate summit fi rst Spanish Masters and attended LINGMERTH IN RENO LEAD and was racing downhill with the wedding of a friend. Swede David Lingmerth fed off Simon Yates when the pair were “I didn’t do anything Mon- his friendly pairing with Ameri- told of the danger ahead. The day or Tuesday, I just rested and can Robert Streb to charge to a road to Tignes was buried in hail stretched at the hotel, in the clubhouse lead at the end of the and rubble from a landslide. room,” said Rahm, who tied for truncated fi rst day of the Barra- “It’s a big day tomorrow and I third at this year’s US Open. cuda Championship in Reno on haven’t won the Tour yet. I need “And then yesterday I came Thursday. to concentrate and fi ght to keep with the plan of playing 18 holes. Lingmerth made a blister- the lead,” said Bernal, who led I putted and warmed up, and ing start with nine birdies at the atop the Col de l’Iseran in the after four holes I was dead. I Montreux Golf & Country Club Alps where the race times were couldn’t swing properly. on a day when play was brought taken when the stage was halted. “I was really tired, so I just de- to a halt by lightning with more The 22-year-old will become cided to just fi nish the round of than a third of the fi eld yet to the fi rst Colombian to win the nine holes, eat and just putt a lit- complete their rounds. race should he hold on over the tle bit and go. The event is played under the 33km climb to today’s summit “I tried to put a little emphasis modifi ed Stableford format, and fi nish in the Alps with just to- on being rested and it paid off to- awards eight points for an al- morrow’s procession into Paris day. I have three more days to go batross, fi ve for eagle, two for to follow. and hopefully the battery lasts.” birdie, zero for par, and subtracts He also became the 270th man Rahm is seeking his second ti- a point for bogey and three for to wear the fabled yellow jersey tle of 2019 after teaming up with double-bogeys or worse. 100 years after its introduction Ryan Palmer to win the Zurich Lingmerth accumulated a tally to help roadside fans identify the Classic of New Orleans team of 18 points for the lead, while overall leader. competition. his good friend Streb was tied Overnight leader Julian Alap- Colombia’s Egan Bernal (also below) of Team Ineos launches an attack as Great Britain’s Simon Yates follows in a breakaway during the 19th “My last 10 holes, I made a lot for second on 13 along with Tom hilippe was a further minute stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France in Tignes, France, yesterday. (AFP) of putts. I hit really good putts Hoge and Tyrone Van Aswegen adrift when the stage was halted and I read the greens properly, when the players were called and was disconsolate after the last climb, about 5km from the short of the peak, scampering but I think the main key out of from the course. race. summit, with defending cham- away with ease. “I don’t think I can win the pion Geraint Thomas, plus title Earlier, France’s other yellow yellow jersey back,” said Alap- rival Steven Kruijswijk trailing jersey hope Thibaut Pinot was hilippe, who is 45 seconds off around a minute behind by the also ruled out. the overall lead. “I was beaten by time the Colombian crested. Trailing behind the peloton in Incumbent Coe is only candidate something stronger than me.” Many felt it was the right de- tears, Pinot pulled out an hour for IAAF presidency Alaphilippe wore the yellow cision to call off the race. into the race, still suff ering from jersey for 14 days, carrying the “It was the only decision pos- the thigh injury picked up in a AFP obstructed sanctions against hopes of a public eager to see a sible, imagine what might have crash two days ago. Paris Russia for doping in return for French winner for the fi rst time happened?” FDJ sports director The FDJ contender for overall payments. since Bernard Hinault in 1985 Marc Madiot said. victory was fi fth at the start of a In June, French authorities and defying pundits who felt he Ineos may feel robbed of a stage which suited his qualities. ebastian Coe is set to said that the 86-year-old Diack would wilt in the Pyrenees. further opportunity because When he dismounted from his continue as president and his son Papa Massata Bernal looked set to pulverise bike he ended a roller-coaster Sof the International As- Diack are to stand trial on ‘WE’RE NOT IN PARIS YET’ the overall standings. ride which included victory atop sociation of Athletics Federa- charges of corruption and Bernal’s family and girlfriend Ineos led the ascent of the the fi rst Pyrenean climb to the tions after the organisation money laundering. were waiting for him at the of- Col de l’Iseran with three men, summit of La Col du Tourmalet, announced yesterday that no The Diack aff air has dominated fi cial presentation, where he Wout Poels, Dylan van Baarle where his performance put him one else has put their name Coe’s first term along with the strode towards the podium with and Jonathan Castroviejo ahead in the frame for a tilt at the title. forward for the September Russian doping crisis. calm dignity as many of his en- of Thomas and Bernal. Today’s 20th stage fi nishes election. The double Olympic 1,500 me- tourage cried openly. with the longest climb of the The 62-year-old Briton became tres champion will now serve a “I was going at great speed PINOT OUT Tour at the end of which the race president in 2015, taking over second four-year term following when they told me to stop and I I was the new leader, and then I feel like crying. Tomorrow will With the isolated Alaphilippe leader will be the de facto win- from Lamine Diack whose the election, due to be held in said no way, not now, please,” he accepted it and pulled over,” said be hard and I will do everything struggling for breath towards ner, ahead of tomorrow’s parade 16-year reign ended in chaos Doha in September before the said. the youngest man on the race. to defend this,” he added. the summit of the highest point through Paris and sprint fi nish amid charges he and his son IAAF World Championships. “But they told me it was okay, “We aren’t in Paris yet. But I Bernal attacked on yesterday’s of the Tour, Bernal attacked 5km on the Champs-Elysees.

ATHLETICS Felix advances in fi rst race in 13 months on time qualifi er Reuters Des Moines, United States Gatlin ‘chasing unicorns’ ahead of Worlds, Olympics

humble Allyson Fe- AFP rounds at Drake University’s start chasing unicorns, man,” lix returned to racing Des Moines, United States famous Blue Oval. Gatlin told reporters. for the fi rst time in 13 But while Gatlin acknowledges “You want to put together the months on Thursday he has to manage his fitness perfect race. You want to put to- andA made the semi-fi nals of the phalanx of hungry young more carefully these days, the gether the perfect start. It’s like 400 metres on a time qualifi er at American sprinters may competitive fires within his mus- a runner’s high for sprinters. the US national championships. A be waiting in the wings, cular 6ft 1in frame are burning “It’s about that adrenaline rush, The 33-year-old multiple Ol- but Justin Gatlin is in no mood just as brightly. getting the middle of the race, eve- ympic and world champion is to be shoved off centre stage. “He likes winning,” was the rything in your sight is just a blur. on the comeback trail after giv- The 37-year-old 100m world verdict of training partner Isiah That’s what it feels to run fast. Eve- ing birth to daughter Camryn in champion is plotting to defend his Thomas, standing nearby on rything around you is a blur, but November through an emergency title in Doha this year, a warm- Thursday when Gatlin was asked you’re so dialed in and so focused, caesarean section, 32 weeks into up act before a fourth Olympic why he continued to compete at everything is slowing down. her pregnancy Games campaign at Tokyo 2020. the highest level. “You want to feel that every “It was rusty, but kind of ex- On Thursday, Gatlin breezed That opening heat may turn Gatlin, whose career has been time. When you come across pected since I haven’t raced in a through his 100m heat at the US out to be the last outing of this punctuated by two suspensions the line, you want to excite long time,” Felix said after clock- championships in Des Moines, weekend’s meeting for Gatlin, for doping off ences, explains his yourself, like: ‘Man, look at that ing 52.20 seconds in her fi rst run safe in the knowledge he has al- who was non-committal about relentless need for speed as a time I just ran. That’s crazy.’ I’m at the nationals, which are dou- ready booked his ticket to Qatar whether he planned to put his quest for the unobtainable. always chasing that feeling. That bling this year as world champi- Allyson Felix competes in the opening round of the 400m during the by dint of his 2017 gold medal. ageing limbs through two more “You get to a point where you unicorn, man.” onship trials. USATF Outdoor Championships yesterday. (AFP) Her time, almost three seconds slower than her personal best in cleaning bottles, changing dia- opening day of the four-day tri- lin crossing the line in 10.16, sec- (10.24) and Ronnie Baker (10.26) Stewart went faster in 44.76. with Emily Sisson (32:02.19) also 2015, was only good enough for pers and getting ready for races.” als that will determine the Amer- ond fastest. were also heat winners. Olympian Lopez Lomong, who qualifying for Doha. fourth in her heat and she needed The 2012 Olympic 200 metres ican team for September’s world Gatlin, who has a bye to the Dezerea Bryant was fastest in was born in South Sudan, won Offi cials paid tribute to the late to wait for other races to confi rm champion looked strong through championships in Doha. world championships, left the the women’s 100 heats in 11.25 the men’s 10,000 metres fi nal in Gabe Grunewald before the wom- her qualifi cation. “It was very three quarters of the race but World champion Justin Gatlin track undecided whether he would seconds. Collegiate champion a personal best 27 minutes, 30.06 en’s 1,500 metres preliminaries, humbling,” she added. “I’m just tired coming home. fi nished second to training part- run in Friday’s semi-fi nals but lat- Sha’Carri Richardson, who has seconds. placing a bouquet of fl owers on the happy to be running because I “It’s a starting point for next ner Isiah Young in their 100 me- er told Reuters he would compete. run 10.75 this year, was seventh He will be joined on the track in honour of the former US didn’t know if that was going to year,” said Felix, who hopes to run tres heat, while 2017 world silver He needed to run only one fastest at 11.41. American team by Kenyan-born indoor 3,000 metres champion. be the case. “Things that were in her fi fth Olympics in Tokyo in medallist Christian Coleman round to collect his bye. Michael Norman, favourite Shadrack Kipchirchir (27:47.71) Grunewald, 32, died of cancer once very easy for me are now 2020. “Now I have time. I know I won his. Coleman, who is seeking a for the world championship 400 and Leonard Korir (28:01.43). in June. She delayed a round of pretty challenging. And I’m a can get where I need to go.” Young ran 10.14 seconds, the 100-200 metres double, won his metres, won his heat in 44.81 US record holder Molly Huddle treatment to run in the 2017 US regular mom. I’m in the hotel Heats dominated much of the fastest time of the day, with Gat- race in 10.29, while Mike Rodgers seconds but collegian Trevor won the women’s race in 31:58.47 championships. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, July 27, 2019 SPORT

RUGBY PREVIEW Manu leads Tonga as Pacifi c nations Boks to have ‘guns start WCup buildup

Reuters Jackson now heading the twice Wellington World Cup quarter-fi nalists. Jackson named an extended and inexperienced 38-man onga’s Nasi Manu will squad for the PNC, including blazing’ at All Blacks make an emotional uncapped prop Alofaaga Sao, return to the interna- who impressed in the domes- ‘Whoever wins or controls that area will go a long way to having a good night’ tional rugby fi eld in tic competition and has al- theT Pacifi c Nations Cup (PNC) ready been touted as the future AFP opener against Samoa today of the team. Wellington after being cleared of testicu- While the Pacifi c neigh- lar cancer. bours begin the tournament in The annual test tourna- Apia, much of the focus will be ival captains Kieran ment, which this year wel- on Kamaishi later on Saturday Read and Duane Ver- comes guest teams the United where Fiji begin their quest meulen may be mates States, Canada and Japan, will for a fi fth successive PNC title off the fi eld but they are be a crucial part of the World against the World Cup hosts. setR for a “massive” confronta- Cup preparations for Fiji, Ton- Jamie Joseph’s Brave Blos- tion when two of rugby’s fi ercest ga and Samoa. soms squad have been in cot- rivals clash in Wellington today. Manu has had much big- ton wool for the best part of a It will be “guns blazing”, Ver- ger things on his mind since year preparing for the World meulen warned as the battle of he was diagnosed with cancer Cup and their clash with John the loose forwards, led by the last year while playing for Ital- McKee’s team should show two bruising back rowers, took ian club Treviso but a welcome how both are tracking. centre stage ahead of a match medical update has fi nally left Both have proved on more both sides see as a trial for play- him free to focus on his rugby. than one occasion they can ers to force their way into World “I was given the good news compete with top tier nations Cup contention. on June 16 that I was in full re- and Fiji are on a high after Read and Vermeulen both used mission,” the told TVNZ. “The they beat the Maori All Blacks the word “massive” to describe support I received, I couldn’t for the fi rst time since 1957 in the historic All Blacks-Spring- believe it.” Suva two weeks ago. bok rivalry. “It epitomises what With regular captain Siale With teams only playing they’re about and their physical Piutau unavailable, Tonga three matches, the clash at approach and never giving up at- coach has turned Kamaishi Recovery Memo- titude. It’s the same things we do to the former Otago Highland- rial Stadium could turn out to as well,” Read said. ers number eight to captain be the title decider even if the Much had been made of the the side in Apia for the fi rst tournament runs until Aug. All Blacks’ bold decision to start of their three tournament fi x- 10. The U.S. and Canada, who both their two world-class fl y- tures. The New Zealand born meet in Denver, have both halves - with Beauden Barrett at and raised loose forward has concentrated on the America’s 15 and Richie Mo’unga wearing played just three tests for Ton- Championship since they last 10 - in their search for winning ga but makes up part of a big played in the PNC ahead of the combinations going into the pack along with former Wel- 2015 World Cup. World Cup in September. lington lock Sam The advent of Major League But when experimenting with Lousi and Racing 92 prop Ben Rugby has boosted the number the crucial loose forward trio, Tameifuna. of professionals in North coach Steve Hansen has sacri- Tonga have played just America and both sides will be fi ced experience, with neither 16 tests since the last World keen to leave Colorado for Fiji Sam Cane nor Ardie Savea re- Cup four years ago and their with a win under their belts. quired to suit up. matches against Samoa, Ja- Former Springboks assist- Starting fl ankers Shannon pan and Canada will be vital ant coach Gary Gold has cast Frizell and with Vaea as they look to put together the net wide for the US Eagles, Fifi ta and Dalton Papalii on the their combinations for rugby’s naming players bench have a combined total showpiece tournament. Madison Hughes and Mar- of 33 Tests experience, and the Samoa have had another tin Iosefo along with former Springbok showdown will give coaching clearout after beat- NFL player Paul Lasike in his Hansen the opportunity to see ing Germany in a two-legged squad. New Zealand-born how they handle the pressure. playoff last year to qualify for Lasike switched back to rugby The Springboks have gone for the World Cup, with former last year and joined English form with the vastly experienced Maori All Blacks player Steve club Harlequins. Vermeulen and Pieter-Steph du Toit along with , who was arguably the most ef- Unbeaten Davis defends against fective fl anker in this year, while is Nunez in troubled hometown in the reserves. Unbeaten Gervonta Davis, was because of people get- Todd was frank in his assess- hoping to bring something ting killed in this city,” Davis ment of how vital the loose for- positive to his murder- said on Thursday. ward clash will be. plagued hometown, defends “I want to be seen as one of “Whoever wins or controls his World Boxing Association the people who can bring the that area will go a long way to New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett takes part in the captain’s run at Westpac Stadium in Wellington ahead of their Rugby Championship match super featherweight crown city together on a positive having a good night,” he said, against South Africa. (AFP) against Panama’s Ricardo note. I fought in LA, London while expressing respect for Nunez today at Baltimore, and New York, so it was about former South African sevens star players remain in the starting for him as a player and as a cap- meet again in the fi rst round Smith, Anton Lienert-Brown, Maryland. It’s the second time time for me to come home.” Smith. line ups for both sides after their tain,” Vermeulen said. with the loser on course for a George Bridge. Davis, 21-0 with 20 knock- Davis, 24, will become the “With that speed he can at- fi rst round Rugby Championship Since the All Blacks 57-0 tri- probable quarter-fi nal date with South Africa (15-1) outs, will defend the crown he first Baltimore boxer to de- tack like a back and has the full outings last week when the All umph in 2017, the last three an in-form Ireland. ; , won by stopping Argentina’s fend a title in his hometown range of skills. He’s not the big- Blacks beat Argentina and South matches contests have been de- , Damian de Jesus Cuellar in the third in nearly 80 years when he gest man but he punches above Africa downed Australia. cided by two points or less with SQUADS Allende, ; round in April 2018. meets Nunez, 21-2 with 19 his weight as well. He has that With World Cup positions at the Springboks winning 36-34 in NEW ZEALAND (15-1) Handre Pollard, ; Davis also knocked out knockouts. all-round game that can chal- stake, Vermeulen said his friend- Wellington last year. Beauden Barrett; , (capt), Pieter- Mexico’s Hugo Ruiz in the “We both have big knockout lenge you in so many diff erent ship with Read, with whom he While looking ahead to the Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith; first round last February. As power and may the best man areas.” enjoyed “a beer or two” after the World Cup, the All Blacks will Williams, Rieko Ioane; Richie , ; of July 11, there had been 171 win,” Davis said. “I hope he’s - Super Rugby also be looking to avenge that Mo’unga, TJ Perenara; Kieran , , murders this year in Balti- ready, because I was born ALL BLACKS AFTER REVENGE clash two months ago, will be defeat on home soil. Read (capt), Matt Todd, Shannon . more, a 16 percent jump from ready.” Nunez, who turns 26 The forward selection is a gam- blotted out. “The guys who played that Frizell; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Replacements: Bongi Mbon- last year as deadly gun vio- on Sunday, has won 10 bouts ble by Hansen who has no spe- “There’s a special relation- game will be feeling it again. It’s Retallick; , Codie ambi, , Trevor lence and multiple shootings in a row, nine of them inside cialist lock cover with Fifi ta, who ship on and off the fi eld, but on nice to have in the back of your Taylor, Joe Moody. Nyakane, RG Snyman, Francois became a daily way of life. the distance, to earn his first struggled against Argentina last the fi eld we’re not going to hold mind,” Read said. The winner Replacements: Dane Coles, Louw, , Frans “The main reason why I world title fight and first US week, likely to cover the mid- back. We’re going to go out guns will take a psychological edge Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Steyn, . wanted to come back home bout. dle row if required. Only three blazing, but I’ve a lot of respect into the World Cup where they Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papalii, Aaron Referee: Nic Berry (AUS)

SPOTLIGHT Wallabies out to seize chances against dangerous AFP “That’s probably the thing we “Guys have moved into start- who shifts to outside centre with Argentina - on home soil last Brisbane, Australia need to work on the most... and ing positions this week and it’s Matias Orlando dropping to the year. translate those opportunities been pretty seamless.” bench. Joaquin Tuculet will start into points.” Genia will be playing his last at full-back ahead of Emiliano SQUAD ustralia coach Michael Cheika has just four more op- Test in Brisbane before retiring Boff elli. Australia (15-1): Kurtley Beale; Cheika insists the em- portunities to nail down his best from international duty after Most of the Pumas play for Reece Hodge, Tevita Kuridrani, battled Wallabies are combination ahead of the World the World Cup, while bad boy Super Rugby club and Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; heading in the right di- Cup in Japan later this year, utility back James O’Connor is are coming off their best-ever Christian Lealiifano, Will Genia; Isi rectionA ahead of the World Cup, starting with ’s set to make his fi rst appearance season, making the fi nal. Naisarani, Michael Hooper (capt), with his upbeat assessment fac- fast-improving Pumas in Bris- in six years, off the bench, since That quality was on show Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; Rory Ar- ing a stiff Test today against a bane. He has picked a new-look having his contract ripped up for against New Zealand where they nold, Izack Rodda; Sekope Kepu, dangerous Argentina. backline, with cancer-survivor misbehaviour. were desperately unlucky not to Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio The Wallabies won just four of Christian Lealiifano starting his win after sustained late pressure. Replacements: Tolu Latu, 13 games last year - their worst fi rst Test in three years at fl y- STOP THE MOMENTUM Ledesma, a former forwards James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, campaign in decades - and af- half. Argentina, who agonisingly lost coach with Australia, said there Rob Simmons, Luke Jones, Nic ter a 35-17 loss in the Rugby The ACT Brumbies skipper to the All Blacks 20-16 in Bue- were a lot of positives going for- White, Matt Toomua, James Championship opener against replaces Bernard Foley along- nos Aires last weekend, have ward. O’Connor South Africa in side scrum-half Will Genia, also made fi ve changes to their “It was disappointing last Argentina (15-1): Joaquin last weekend the pressure is on winger Marika Koroibete and run-on side with veteran hooker weekend, we could have won. Tuculet; , again. Kurtley Beale at fullback, with Agustin Creevy omitted due to Obviously those four points is not Matias Moroni, Jeronimo de Despite two disallowed tries Nic White, Tom Banks and Dane injury. a big diff erence, but it means we la Fuente, ; last week, the Wallabies had Haylett-Petty missing out. Argentina coach Mario Ledes- still have work to do to win those Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli; chances to stay in the hunt but Prop Scott Sio returns from ma will hope to upset the Walla- kind of games,” he said this week, , Tomas Lezana, failed to convert them, some- a hamstring injury to replace bies in Brisbane after last week’s pointing to neutralising Austral- (capt); Tomas thing Cheika wants to see fi xed. James Slipper. agonising loss to the All Blacks. ia’s pack as key in Brisbane. Lavanini, ; Juan “Making opportunities isn’t “What’s important about a He is replaced by Julian Montoya “The Wallabies I think are Figallo, Julian Montoya, Nahuel good enough, taking them is World Cup is having a squad with Toulon backrower Facun- playing a more direct style of Tetaz Chaparro what it’s about,” he said. that you can have injuries, games do Isa at number eight instead rugby, especially because they Replacements: Santiago “We’ve just got to understand where you need to rotate, to have of Javier Ortega Desio while To- have very big guys... so it will be Socino, Mayco Vivas, Ramiro the momentum of the game, players or groups of players that mas Lezana plays at blindside a challenge to stop their momen- Herrera, Matias Alemanno, Juan when we’ve got the fl ow and it’s can come in at diff erent times is fl anker. tum.” Manuel Leguizamon, Felipe happening to have a real go at critical for us,” skipper Michael Santiago Cordero comes in at Australia have lost just of one Ezcurra, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Argentina coach Mario Ledesma attends the team’s captain’s run it... show our hand. Hooper said. right wing for Matias Moroni, their last eight games against Matias Orlando. training session at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Saturday, July 27, 2019 5 SPORT

BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT Thunder GM Presti: George Young and Randle trade wish not ‘mutual’

Reuters among six added to New York aul George summarised his exit from Okla- homa City as a mutual parting from the Thunder, a characterisation general man- ager Sam Presti took umbrage with on Thursday.P “I think the world of PG. I think everybody US World Cup squad knows that,” Presti said, speaking one day after the Los Angeles Clippers introduced George and Kawhi ‘Since USA Basketball started the men’s national team programme in 2006, we have Leonard. “I know that he had used the term ‘mu- tual.’ I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that because understood the necessity of fluidity within the programme and the importance of having that would infer that we were wanting to trade Paul George, which I think most people would agree that a deep national team roster that features both young and veteran standout NBA players’ that probably wasn’t on the top of our off season priority list. But I would say that it was not adver- AFP sarial at all, and I also fully respect the way that Washington it was handled. And the fact that we were able to make it work in a way that benefi ted the franchise made it something that we could do.” hicago’s Thaddeus Young, George said at his joint press conference with New York’s Julius Ran- Leonard in L.A. on Wednesday that the Thunder dle and Denver’s Mason worked “hand in hand” to work out a “mutual thing Plumlee were among six between both of us that the time was up and we playersC added Thursday to the both had ideas of doing things diff erently.” United States team of NBA stars for Leonard, according to reports, kept the Toronto the Basketball World Cup. Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers on hold during the The additions announced by US free agency courting period while trying to con- national team managing direc- vince George to demand a trade in order for the two tor Jerry Colangelo also included to unite with the Clippers. The opportunity for the Boston’s Marcus Smart and Jaylen Thunder wasn’t entirely one-sided, but losing an Brown and Montrezl Harrell of the All-Star one year into a landmark contract for the Los Angeles Clippers. small-market team has left a mark Presti expects The newcomers replace nine won’t heal quickly. Commissioner Adam Silver has players who have withdrawn from also decried star players forcing their way out of consideration for the team coached town with time remaining on their contracts. by Gregg Popovich that will travel A similar circumstance took place in New Orle- to China in quest of a third con- ans, where the Pelicans gave up on Anthony Davis, secutive crown for the Americans shipping the All-Star center to the Lakers for a in the global showdown. package of draft picks and veteran players. The absentees include NBA “I wouldn’t say that we were going to appease the scoring leader James Harden of request simply because it was made, but more than Houston, Anthony Davis of the anything, it was because of the fact that we were Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland’s able to get the return that we did, which then al- Kevin Love, Denver’s Paul Millsap, lowed us to accommodate what he was looking for, Portland’s Damian Lillard and C.J. as well,” Presti said. McCollum, Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris, Houston’s Eric Gordon and Washington’s Bradley Beal. “Since USA Basketball started Ex-wife of slain Wright the men’s national team pro- pleads guilty gramme in 2006, we have un- derstood the necessity of fl uidity Sherra Wright agreed to a deal in court Thursday within the programme and the im- admitting guilt in the facilitation of the murder of portance of having a deep national her husband, ex-NBA player Lorenzen Wright. team roster that features both Lorenzen Wright was found dead with multiple young and veteran standout NBA gunshot wounds in July 2010. players,” Colangelo said. Sherra Wright, who will be remanded to serve a “The six players we added today 30-year jail sentence as part of her plea agree- are all outstanding players in their ment, and co-defendant Billy Turner were sched- own right and along with the other uled for a September trial for first-degree murder. players who will attend the World Sherra Wright, prosecutors asserted in court Cup team training camp will off er filings, planned the murder of Lorenzen Wright coach Popovich and his staff some In this file photo taken on March 8, 2014, Julius Randle of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball during the second half of the game against the Florida at his home in Atlanta. But the plot failed, and remarkable athleticism and versa- Gators at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. (AFP) she recruited Turner, with whom the Wrights had tility.” attended church, to assist her in the crime. Others set for the US training Detroit’s Andre Drummond, Sac- Rookie First Teamers Trae Young of establishing a national team pro- The US team will travel to Aus- Wright played collegiately at Memphis and was camp on August 5-9 at Las Vegas ramento’s Harrison Barnes, Kyle Atlanta and Marvin Bagley of Sac- gramme after a disappointing tralia for training and play exhibi- the seventh overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He are Boston’s Kamba Walker and Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers ramento that will serve as practice bronze-medal performance in the tion games on August 22 and 24 played in 778 career NBA games from 1996-2009 Jayson Tatum, Milwaukee’s Khris and Kyle Lowry of the NBA cham- opponents and extra players for a 2004 Athens Olympics, will face in Melbourne and August 26 at including stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Middleton and Brook Lopez, Hou- pion Toronto Raptors. USA Blue versus USA White exhi- Spain at Anaheim on August 16, a Sydney ahead of the 32-team Bas- Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento ston’s P.J. Tucker, Utah’s Donovan USA Basketball also announced bition game to conclude the camp. day before the fi nal 12-player World ketball World Cup from August Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers. Mitchell, Indiana’s Myles Turner, a select squad including NBA All- The US team, 88-1 overall since Cup roster is named. 31-September 15 in China.

MLB O’s top Angels in 16; Wilkerson makes history with save Reuters six innings for the win, allowing two runs (one Anaheim RESULTS earned) on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Right-hander Erik Swanson served Orioles 10-8 Angels as the opener for Seattle, throwing two score- onathan Villar’s two-out, two-run home Twins 10-3 White Sox less innings with three strikeouts and a walk run in the top of the 16th inning gave Bal- Red Sox 19-3 Yankees before handing off to LeBlanc. timore the lead, and center fi elder Ste- John Hicks homered for the Tigers, who lost vie Wilkerson pitched a perfect bottom Mariners 10-2 Tigers their third in a row and are 2-11 since the All- halfJ of the inning to become the fi rst position Indians 5-4 Royals Star break. player in major league history to record a save Rangers 11-3 Athletics Tigers right-hander Drew VerHagen (1-1), as the Orioles beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-8 making his fi rst start of the season, went four Thursday night in Anaheim, Calif. Cardinals 6-3 Pirates innings and allowed seven runs (six earned) on The Orioles used 10 pitchers in the game, Rockies 8-7 Nationals six hits. He walked four, struck out four and hit which lasted 6 hours, 19 minutes. Wilkerson, Mets 4-0 Padres a batter. who played the fi rst 15 innings of the game in The Tigers opened the scoring in the third as center fi eld, threw pitches ranging between 53 Calhoun was coming off a big series against Hicks, the fi rst batter LeBlanc faced, hit an 0-1 and 56 mph to get Brian Goodwin, Kole Cal- the Dodgers, in which he went 6-for-9 with all changeup over the left-center fi eld fence. houn and Albert Pujols in order to seal the win. six hits going for extra bases (four doubles, two The Mariners took the lead in the bottom of The Angels also used 10 pitchers in the game, homers). the inning. Tim Lopes, making his fi rst major including Griffi n Canning, who was scheduled He came to the plate with two out and the league start, led off with a walk and advanced to to start Friday’s game but entered in the 15th bases loaded in the seventh to face Orioles lefty third on J.P. Crawford’s one-out single to right. inning and gave up fi ve runs in two innings and Paul Fry with the Angels trailing 2-1. Omar Narvaez walked on a 3-2 pitch to load the took the loss. Fry got too much of the plate on a slider that bases. Both teams scored three runs in the 15th in- Calhoun hit over the head of Wilkerson in cent- Daniel Vogelbach then hit a potential double- ning. After the Orioles got a two-run single er fi eld, scoring all three baserunners to put the play grounder to second baseman Niko Good- from Jace Peterson and an RBI single from Angels up 4-2. rum that was bobbled, tying the score and leav- Hanser Alberto for an 8-5 lead, the Angels ral- But the Orioles got a couple runs back in the ing the bases loaded. Beckham then hit an 0-2 lied in the bottom of the inning against Orioles top of the eighth, getting a sacrifi ce fl y from pitch over the wall in left fi eld, his 15th home lefty Tanner Scott. Dwight Smith Jr. and an RBI double by Wilker- run of the season, to give Seattle a 5-1 lead. Scott gave up a leadoff single to Pujols, then son to tie the game at 4-4. The Mariners scored twice more in the fourth after striking out Kevan Smith walked three in a Both teams scored in the ninth inning on as Lopes was hit in the helmet leading off , stole row, the third forcing home a run to make it 8-6. solo homers, the Orioles getting one from Trey second and scored on Crawford’s triple. Nar- Mike Trout followed with a liner into the left Mancini for a 5-4 lead before Goodwin’s homer vaez then hit a run-scoring, ground-rule dou- fi eld corner, scoring two runs to tie the game. in the bottom of the inning tied the game and ble to right-center to make it 7-1. But David Fletcher, trying to score from fi rst on sent it into extra innings. The Tigers got a run back in the fi fth after the play, was thrown out at home. The Angels loading the bases with no outs on a Goodrum asked for a replay review, but the call was up- BECKHAM SLAM IGNITES single, Hicks walk and error on second base- held. Scott (1-0) retired Shohei Ohtani for the M’S TO ROMP OF TIGERS man Lopes. Jeimer Candelario’s one-out single fi nal out of the inning, sending the game to the Tim Beckham hit a grand slam as the Seattle drove in Hicks before Miguel Cabrera grounded 16th. Mariners won consecutive games for the fi rst into an inning-ending double play. Canning (3-6) retired the fi rst two batters in time in a month by defeating the visiting De- Seager greeted left-hander Blaine Hardy by the 16th before Pedro Severino’s bloop single to troit Tigers 10-2 on Thursday night. hitting the fi rst pitch in the bottom of the in- left fi eld, his fourth hit of the game. Canning Kyle Seager also homered for the Mariners, ning over the wall in right-center, his eighth, to fell behind in the count 2-0 to Villar, who hit an who last won two in a row June 25-26 at Mil- make it 8-2. 89 mph slider into the right fi eld seats for the waukee. Vogelbach hit a two-run double in the eighth Baltimore Orioles center fielder Stevie Wilkerson throws in relief against the Los Angeles Angels game-winning homer. Left-hander Wade LeBlanc (6-3) pitched to cap the scoring. during the sixteenth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Saturday, July 27, 2019 SPORT

F1 SPOTLIGHT Lendl ends troubled Leclerc keeps Ferrari spell as Zverev coach AFP month, Lendl advised Zverev to Berlin “focus more on tennis”. “As far as my work ethic is concerned, I’m pretty confi dent that my track van Lendl has ended his record speaks for itself,” said on top in practice year-long spell as coach to Lendl, who won 94 ATP tourna- Alexander Zverev, just days ments in his career. Under his after the German world guidance, Zverev won the ATP Fi- Inumber fi ve complained the nals in 2018, easily the most pres- Championship leader Hamilton third in both sessions for Mercedes former eight-time major winner tigious win of his career. Lendl, spent more time talking about 59, previously worked with three- “golf and his dog” than tennis. time major winner Andy Murray. “I believe in ‘Sascha’ who is Yesterday, Zverev rallied from still very young. I think he will a set and a break down to defeat become a great player,” Lendl Serbian Filip Krajinovic 2-6, 7-5, said in a statement released 6-2 after two hours and minutes through his agent. to make the semi-fi nals in Ham- “But the problems outside the burg. “The crowd helped me. sport which he has at the mo- The crowd gave me energy. The ment prevent me from working crowd got me through that one,” in the way I would like to. I wish Zverev said. him the best for the future.” Meanwhile, Russia’s world The relationship between the number 78 Andrey Rublev re- two men had deteriorated re- corded the biggest win of his cently, with 22-year-old Zverev career by knocking out top seed criticising what he claimed was a and two-time Roland Garros lack of involvement from Lendl. runner-up Dominic Thiem 7-6 “Sometimes I go on the court (7/3), 7-6 (7/5). It was only the to practice for two hours but 21-year-old’s second Top 10 win, for half an hour, he will tell me following on from his victory how he played golf yesterday,” over then ninth-ranked Grigor the German player told a news Dimitrov at the 2017 US Open. conference on the sidelines of “In my opinion, he is the best the Hamburg ATP tournament player on clay after Rafa (Nadal),” where he is playing this week. Rublev said. “So, of course to “In addition to that, Lendl has a have a match like this is some- new dog with whom he spends a thing special and for sure I hope lot of time.” that it will give me the confi - After his defeat in the fi rst dence and I will keep working round of Wimbledon earlier this and keep improving.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in action during the second practice session of the German Formula One Grand Prix in Hockenheim, southern Germany. (AFP)

Reuters was third in both sessions for Mercedes. trying to keep the tyres in the working Celsius, with ambient temperatures Hockenheim, Germany Gasly, who has struggled to match team range. They were always overheating, hovering around the mid-to-high 30s. mate Max Verstappen’s performances so that’s been the main issue today, but Hamilton had warned on Thursday that this season, smashed into the tyre wall at we’re all in the same boat.” Mercedes, whose only defeat this sea- errari’s Charles Leclerc was fast- the fi nal corner during the afternoon ses- The Briton could take comfort in fore- son came at a sweltering Austrian Grand est in practice at the German sion. He was unhurt but the car was badly casts for thunder showers today and a Prix last month, could again struggle in Grand Prix yesterday, trading damaged. “Fortunately, I wasn’t using my high chance of rain come the race tomor- the heat, but team boss Toto Wolff played places with teammate Sebastian race engine or gearbox, but more impor- row, which could swing the performance down that risk. “The day’s ambient is a VettelF at the top of the timesheets, while tantly I’m really sorry for the boys in the pendulum back in favour of Mercedes. total outlier to tomorrow, and after to- Pierre Gasly crashed his Red Bull. Leclerc garage and I want to apologise to them as Verstappen, fourth in the morning, ended morrow, so it’s very diffi cult to judge,” the was 0.124 seconds quicker than home the repairs will make for a long night,” the the day fi fth-fastest ahead of the Haas Austrian said. “I think in terms of engine hero Vettel in the afternoon session at a Frenchman said. team’s Romain Grosjean, whose car had cooling we are in a good space... I think scorching Hockenheim, with a best lap of Hamilton, who leads team mate Valt- the same specifi cation used for the sea- it’s more grip level.” one minute 13.449 seconds. teri Bottas by 39 points after winning son-opening Australian Grand Prix. The German marque, the parent com- Vettel had been fastest in the morn- seven of the 10 races so far, set his fastest Canadian Lance Stroll was seventh for pany of which is the title sponsor of this ing, with the Monegasque driver second. time in the hotter second session on the Racing Point, ahead of Alfa Romeo’s Kimi weekend’s race, is running its cars in a “Pretty happy... a few hiccups here and same soft tyres as the Ferrari drivers. Bot- Raikkonen. Nico Hulkenberg, who had to special livery to celebrate 125 years of mo- there to fi nd the rhythm,” said Vettel, who tas ended the day in fourth after a morn- stop his Renault with what appeared to torsport involvement. started on pole in last year’s race. “The ing trip into the gravel, half a second off be an engine problem but later rejoined, Tomorrow will also be its 200th Grand car felt good, I think there’s quite a bit of his team mate’s pace. was ninth in the second session. Mexi- Prix start as a constructor. Practice was margin to go faster.” “It’s not been the best of days in terms can Sergio Perez rounded out the top 10 interrupted by two red fl ags, with Kevin Germany’s Alexander Zverev celebrates winning his quarter-final Championship leader Lewis Hamilton, of the heat, but pretty straightforward for Racing Point. Track temperatures in Magnussen stopping in the opening ses- match against Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic at the Hamburg Open in last year’s winner at a wet Hockenheim, otherwise,” said Hamilton. “It’s all about the second session soared to 50 degrees sion before Gasly’s afternoon crash. Rothenbaum, Germany, yesterday. (Reuters)

BADMINTON FOCUS Sindhu’s run at Teen star Coco returns in Washington qualifying AFP “It meant a lot to me as Coco the person. Japan Open ends, Washington I learned I’m capable of doing things I never thought of and that I have a fi ghting spirit. It taught me a lot about myself and Praneeth in semis oco Gauff , the 15-year-old showed I’ll fi ght no matter what.” American who breezed into the Gauff , who has jumped from 313th IANS made sure he doesn’t get com- Wimbledon last 16 this month to 143rd in the WTA rankings after her Tokyo placent and went on to win the in her Grand Slam debut, will Wimbledon eff ort, rested with family game 21-15, thereby progressing returnC in qualifying today at the WTA and friends after the breakthrough eff ort to the semifi nals. Washington Open. before asking about a chance to play in t was a mixed day for India He next faces top seeded Japa- “I’m super excited,” Gauff said yester- Washington. She can’t receive a sponsor’s at the Japan Open as B Sai nese Kento Momota. This is only day. “I’m really happy to get back on the exemption until next March when she Praneeth entered the semi- the second semi-fi nal appear- court. I wasn’t sure I would get to play turns 16 and had to use her pre-Wimble- fi nals while Olympic medal- ance for the world number 23 on any matches before the US Open. I’m don ranking to try and reach qualifying Ilist P V Sindhu was knocked out the tour in 2019. hoping the preparation will show.” due to the entry date but it proved enough of the $750,000 tournament. In women’s singles, Sind- Gauff electrifi ed Wimbledon after her to land a spot in weekend qualifying. While Praneeth defeated Indo- hu once again failed to go past qualifying run by defeating idol Venus Gauff , who has been handling school- nesia’s Tommy Sugiarto to make Yamaguchi as she suff ered a 18- Williams in her opening match and rolled work online since the third grade, turned it to the last four, Japan’s Akane 21, 15-21 defeat in her quarter- into the fourth round before losing to to tennis as a child because of Serena and Yamaguchi defeated Sindhu in fi nal match that lasted for 50 eventual champion Simona Halep. “Defi - Venus Williams, working out at a youth straight games to knock her out minutes. Fifth-seed Sindhu, who nitely it feels like a dream,” Gauff said. “It academy of Frenchman Patrick Moura- of the competition yesterday. went down in the Indonesia Open has been a big change. People recognise toglou, Serena’s coach. But Gauff doesn’t In men’s singles event, Pra- fi nal to the Japanese, started on a me in the airport, at the movie theatre. feel any pressure as a potential role model neeth was at the top of his game good note taking a 11-7 lead at the It’s great people have recognised who I herself for an even newer generation of as he beat Sugiarto 21-12, 21-15 in interval in the fi rst game. am. It was defi nitely a big change.” fans. “I don’t really feel that much pres- his last-eight match that lasted However, Yamaguchi made a Gauff , who made her WTA main draw sure,” she said. “I just feel like myself. My for just 36 minutes. The former stunning comeback and went on debut in March at the Miami Open, oust- American teenager Coco Gauff addresses the media on the eve of the WTA parents raised me well. If I just be me, Singapore Open champion was to win the game 21-18. In the next ed 44th-ranked Williams in round one Washington open in Washington yesterday. (AFP) that will be fi ne. I’ve learned how to adapt in complete control of the pro- game also, the fourth-seeded at Wimbledon, then dispatched Slova- my life. I’ve gotten a lot of attention since ceedings against his higher- Japanese didn’t let her foot of the kia’s Magdalena Rybarikova and saved 60th-ranked Polona Hercog before fall- “I feel like I learned a lot from Wimble- that fi rst (Wimbledon) match and I’ve ranked opponent. peddle and made sure she didn’t two match points in defeating Slovenia’s ing to Romania’s Halep. don as a player and a person,” Gauff said. learned how to handle it.” He led almost all through the give Sindhu any opportunity to fi rst game after 1-1 and Sugia- take the match to the third game. rto was playing a catch-up game Yamaguchi showed brilliant ROUND-UP thereafter as the Indian won the skill-set and went on to win the game 21-12. The second game game 21-15 to set up a semi-fi nal was a bit closer but Praneeth date with China’s Chen Yu Fei. Djokovic, Del Potro withdraw from Montreal event India’s Sai Praneeth hits a return during his quarter-final AFP star Rafael Nadal, an 18-time Grand Slam that he too intended to skip Montreal. The world number 34 booked a fi rst- match against Tommy Sugiarto Montreal singles champion, will be the top seed in Frenchman Richard Gasquet and Mikhail ever ATP matchup Friday against 106th- of Indonesia at the Japan Open Montreal when main draw begins Au- Kukushkin of Kazakhstan will take the rated compatriot Tomic, who eliminated in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) gust 5. Nadal has captured the Canadian two available spots in the Montreal main Aussie Matthew Ebden 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). imbledon champion and crown four times, most recently last year draw as a result of the withdrawals by Tomic seeks his fi fth ATP title after wins world number one Novak by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fi - Djokovic and Del Potro. last year at Chengdu, 2014 and 2015 in Djokovic has withdrawn nal. Djokovic has won the Canadian event Colombia Open and 2013 in Sydney. from next month’s US Open that alternates between Toronto and AUSSIES DE MINAUR, TOMIC De Minaur seeks a second title after Whardcourt tuneup event in Montreal, say- Montreal four times, twice in each city — ADVANCE TO ATLANTA QUARTERS hoisting his fi rst in January at Sydney ing he needs more rest after capturing his Toronto in 2012 and 2016 and Montreal Australians Alex de Minaur and Bernard after losing there in the 2018 fi nal. The 16th Grand Slam singles crown. in 2007 and 2011. He was ousted last year Tomic captured straight-set victories on winner of the Aussie showdown will face The 32-year-old Serbian, who outlast- in Toronto by Greek star Tsitsipas in the Thursday to advance into a quarter-fi nal either Britain’s Daniel Evans or American ed Roger Federer in an epic All-England third round. meeting at the ATP Atlanta Open. Third- Reilly Opelka in the semi-fi nals. Club fi nal earlier this month, was joined Del Potro was injured last month at seeded de Minaur dispatched American In other second-round matches, US by Argentina’s 12th-ranked Juan Martin Queen’s and underwent right knee patella Bradley Klahn 6-4, 6-4, after only 67 second seed Taylor Fritz beat countryman Del Potro in pulling out of the ATP Mas- surgery and is undergoing rehabilitation minutes, dropping only two points on his Kevin King 6-2, 6-3 and French eighth ters Canada tournament. for the setback. World number three Fe- fi rst serve without facing a break point in seed Ugo Humbert lost to Serbia’s Miomir Djokovic’s withdrawal means Spanish derer said after his Wimbledon fi nal loss the match. Kecmanovic 6-2, 6-2. Gulf Times Saturday, July 27, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Guardiola plays Iniesta ready for down prospect of more City signings before deadline face-off against Reuters have to replace if Bayern Munich Yokohama, Japan get their way is German winger Leroy Sane. Bayern have made it clear they would like to take anchester City man- the 23-year-old to Bavaria, but ager Pep Guardiola Guardiola has stated his resolve says he does not ex- to keep Sane in England. pect to make many, Despite Bayern chairman ex-team Barcelona Mif any, new signings before the Karl-Heinz Rummenigge sug- transfer window closes. The gesting earlier this week that Premier League champions have the City manager “doesn’t know ‘It will be special to go up against so many former teammates’ made one big-money signing in everything that goes on in his the close season, brining in Rod- club,” Guardiola refused to be rigo Hernandez Cascante, better drawn into a war of words with known as ‘Rodri’, from Atletico his former side. Madrid for a club record 70mn “I love Bayern Munich. It is euros ($79mn). part of my life. So the people Speaking in Yokohama on the working there, I appreciate a club’s pre-season tour of Asia, lot,” said Guardiola, who won Guardiola said he was happy three league titles with the Ger- with his current title-winning man club. “They gave me an in- squad. “Not many,” the Spaniard credible opportunity to work in said yesterday, when asked if any Germany at this historical club. more transfer deals can be ex- I have real, real friends out there. pected. “The transfer market is so “Football is what it is. Some- diffi cult and we are good enough. times you know I say things the Maybe zero, one or one and a half people on the opposite side don’t (transfers). We will see.” like, but I know that they always One player Guardiola may do it with good intentions.”

Manchester City’s coach Pep Guardiola (right) talks to midfielder Bernardo Silva during a training session ahead of the friendly match against Yokohama F. Marinos in Yokohama, Japan. (AFP)

FC Barcelona’s head coach Ernesto Valverde (right) speaks while Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets (centre) and Vissel Kobe’s Andres Iniesta look on during a pre-match press conference ahead of the friendly match in Kobe, Japan, yesterday. (AFP) Everton interested in signing AFP for us,” he said. “On a personal level it’s the 35-year-old but warned that their in a game that saw the unoffi cial debuts of Kean from Juventus Kobe, Japan pretty obvious that it will be special to go friendship may go out of the window World Cup-winning French striker Anto- up against so many former teammates. come game time. ine Griezmann and former Ajax midfi eld- London: Everton have made regarding a buy-back arrange- We will prepare as best we can so that “Andres means a lot to me,” said Bus- er Frenkie de Jong. an inquiry about signing Moise ment. Juventus want that set at arcelona legend Andres Iniesta people have a good time and see a great quets, sitting next to his old friend. “All Manager Ernesto Valverde said he Kean from Juventus, who are around €60mn. Kean has one is looking forward to taking on game and that it is a special day for our the years we’ve spent together on the wanted to see the new arrivals getting willing to sell the forward for year remaining on his contract his former teammates when his fans, for the Barca fans who are here and club, on the national squad, the friend- used to playing with the team and hoped €40mn (£35.7mn) if a buy-back and will likely sign a new deal Vissel Kobe side meets Barcelona for all of Japan,” he added. ship we’ve developed, the experiences for a better result for today’s match. “I’m clause is inserted. Everton if he stays at Juventus because thisB weekend for a friendly, saying yester- World Cup-winning Iniesta, who lifted we’ve had, both on and off the pitch... it’s sure you saw the game the other day, in sold Ademola Lookman to RB relations between the club day the face-off will be “an honour.” 32 major trophies with Barcelona, signed special to be able to be here to be able to which they both played. I want them to Leipzig for an undisclosed fee and his agent, Mino Raiola, are The match today in the Japanese city for Kobe last May in a historic J-League count on him and see him in a new part of play better than that with other players,” on Thursday and would like to strong. The player scored six of Kobe will be a reunion of sorts, with deal worth a reported $30mn a year. The his career.” he said. make Kean, a 19-year-old Italy Serie A goals in 13 appearances Barcelona’s current line-up facing ex- 34-year-old was appointed the team’s “But tomorrow will be really weird,” Defender Gerard Pique will not play international, a marquee sum- last season and has played teammates Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi captain in April. conceded the 31-year-old, who is set to today as a precaution due to discomfort mer signing. three times for Italy. Lookman’s Samper, all now Vissel players. The friendly is Barca’s last match in captain Barcelona today. “But after this, in his left thigh, Valverde said. Iniesta’s The clubs are due to open departure comes after he spent It will be the fi rst time Iniesta has met Japan before they head home, and mid- everything will be the same and tomorrow signing was viewed as a timely boost to talks to establish whether a deal time on loan at Leipzig last year. his former team on the pitch. “We all feel fi elder Sergio Busquets said the chance will be a moment to enjoy and I wish him the J-League, which once attracted lu- can be struck. Juventus’s asking He joined Everton from that it is such an honour to play Barca,” to meet Iniesta on the pitch “means a the best from there on this adventure.” minaries such as Brazilian great Zico price is higher than Everton Charlton in 2017 but has been Iniesta told reporters through a Japanese lot” to the players. Busquets, who played The match comes after Chelsea de- and former England striker Gary Lineker want to pay and the Premier unable to hold down a first- translator. “The team, Barcelona, is spe- alongside Iniesta for club and country for feated Barcelona 2-1 in their friendly in when it began in 1993 but has struggled League club have reservations team place. (The Guardian) cial... It will be a very important match more than a decade, was full of praise for Saitama north of Tokyo earlier this week to tempt marquee players in recent years.

ROUND-UP Juventus upset Korea fans with Ronaldo no-show in friendly uventus drew 3-3 in a friendly ries of social media posts with pictures fee, the promoted Premier League club with a K League all-star team of De Rossi wearing the club’s blue and have said. Villa did not give fi nancial yesterday but 60,000 spectators yellow colours. details but a report said the deal for the couldn’t hide their upset after World Cup winner De Rossi, behind 21-year-old was worth 15mn pounds CristianoJ Ronaldo failed to play. only Francesco Totti (786) in appear- ($18.66mn) which took their close Ronaldo remained on the bench ances for Roma, had rejected a direc- season spending past 100mn pounds throughout the game ignoring appeals tor’s role at the Italian club last season for 10 new players. from the crowd to lace up his boots. after his contract was not renewed. Luiz, who came through the ranks at It was understandable on the Por- De Rossi won Coppa Italia titles with hometown club Vasco da Gama, joined tuguese superstar’s part because the Roma in 2007 and 2008 and narrowly City in 2017 but never played for Pep Italian team arrived in South Korea missed out on a Serie A crown in 2010, Guardiola’s side, spending the last in mid-afternoon on a delayed fl ight when they led the table with four two seasons on loan in Spain’s Girona. from Nanzing, China, with the match games to go only to be overhauled by Villa, who are preparing for their fi rst scheduled only fi ve hours later. Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan. season back in the English top fl ight The kick-off was delayed an hour He played 117 games for Italy, mak- since 2016, visit Tottenham Hotspur in and Spanish midfi elder Osmar Barba, ing him their fourth most-capped their opening league fi xture on Aug. 10. who plays for Seoul FC, quickly put player, and came on as a second-half the all-stars ahead. Simone Muratore substitute in the 2006 World Cup title WOLVES MARK RETURN pulled one back for the Italian champi- clash in which they beat France on TO EUROPE AFTER ons. Then in the 44th minute, Brazilian penalties after a 1-1 draw. 39 YEARS WITH VICTORY forward Cesinha of Daegu FC put the Wolves marked their return to Euro- K League team 2-1 up and Australian VERMAELEN SIGNS FOR pean football after a 39-year absence Adam Taggart of Suwon Bluewings JAPANESE SIDE VISSEL KOBE with a 2-0 home win over Crusaders of widened the lead in the 49th minute. Belgian international defender Thomas Northern Ireland in the Europa League Midfi elder Blaise Matuidi reduced Vermaelen has become the latest high second qualifying round on Thursday. the defi cit in the 77th minute and two profi le player to move to Japanese team Diogo Jota and Ruben Vinagre were on minutes later Matheus Pereira got the Vissel Kobe, according to a report in target at Molineux in the fi rst leg clash. equaliser. the Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws. However, it was a nervous evening The 33-year-old, whose contract for the Premier League side with FORMER ROMA SKIPPER with Barcelona has now expired, Juventus’s star forward Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) sits on the team bench prior to a friendly match against a K League Vinagre’s goal only coming in injury DE ROSSI JOINS BOCA JUNIORS will team up with David Silva, Lucas all-star team in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. time after a mistake by goalkeeper Sean Daniele De Rossi has joined Boca Podolski and his former Barca captain O’Neill. Rangers were also 2-0 winners Juniors on a free transfer following the Andres Iniesta. Vermaelen, who is the 18-team J-league. to buy at the end of the period” when sia. He joined City’s youth academy in over bogey team Progres Niederkorn Italian midfi elder’s departure from reported to have turned down an off er his City contract expires, Granada said 2017 from Atletico Venezuela and was at Ibrox. Serie A side AS Roma after nearly to join Vincent Kompany at Ander- MAN CITY’S HERRERA in a statement. promptly loaned out to Major League The part-timers from Luxembourg two decades, the Argentine club have lecht, passed his medical and visited JOINS GRANADA The 21-year-old Venezuela inter- Soccer club New York City FC for a dished out one of the biggest upsets in announced. De Rossi, who turned 36 the club’s training complex. Vermaelen Newly-promoted Granada have signed national played in La Liga last season season prior to his move to Huesca. Rangers’ history when they dumped on Wednesday, led Roma for the fi nal began his career at Ajax before moving midfi elder Yangel Herrera on loan on a loan spell for Huesca, who were Pedro Caixinha’s side out of the same time in a 2-1 victory over Parma at the on to Arsenal and Barcelona with a loan from Manchester City for a season, relegated at the end of the campaign. ASTON VILLA SIGN BRAZILIAN competition two years ago. Joe Aribo Stadio Olimpico in May and fi nished spell at Roma. He has played 74 times the Spanish club said. “Granada and Herrera played for his country in the MIDFIELDER LUIZ and on-loan Liverpool youngster Sheyi his stint in the Italian capital with 616 for Belgium, most recently in the 3-0 Manchester City have reached agree- recently concluded Copa America and Aston Villa have signed Brazilian mid- Ojo were on the scoresheet in a game appearances in 18 years. Euro qualifi er win against Scotland in ment for the loan of midfi elder Yangel also featured in the side’s failed bid to fi elder Douglas Luiz from champions which saw skipper James Tavernier Boca confi rmed the transfer in a se- June. Vissel Kobe are currently 15th in Herrera for one season, with an option qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Rus- Manchester City for an undisclosed miss a second-half penalty.

Saturday, July 27, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

FIA WORLD CUP FOR CROSS-COUNTRY BAJAS Abdulla fourth aft er opening stage at Baja Spain Aragon

Agencies 86.74km late last night and a repeat of the Teruel, Spain two stages today with the longer one of 164.78km set to run before the ceremonial fi nish in Teruel. atar’s Adel Abdulla opened his account with fourth place in the T3 POSITIONS AFTER SS1 T3 category after the fi rst timed 1. Aleksandr Dorosinskiy (RUS)/Dmitry selective section of Baja Spain Pavlov (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3 Aragon,Q round four of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, yesterday. Time: 2hrs 19min 08sec The Can-Am Maverick X3 driver was 2. Gerard Farres (ESP)/Armand Monleón eventually given his stage time of 2hrs (ESP) Maverick X3 2hrs 19min 09sec 19min 45sec by rally offi cials for the first 3. Santiago Navarro (ESP)/Dani Oliveras 164.78km selective section – where high (ESP) Can-Am Maverick X3. 2hrs 19min 19sec summer temperatures and hanging dust hampered progress on the demanding gravel Qatar’s Adel Abdulla (right) with his French 4. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Jean-Michel Polato tracks through remote central Spain. Adel co-driver Jean-Michel Polato. (FRA) Maverick X3. 2hrs 19min 45sec had been running closely behind the leading 5. Abdullah al-Zubair (OMN)/Faisal Al-Raisi pack before dropping time in the dust of the 41.99km waypoint before the next timing (OMN) Maverick X3. 2hrs 19min 55sec fi nal kilometres to the fl ying fi nish. point and went on to fi nish seventh in T3. The stage time put the Qatari and French Adel, who is running a Can-Am prepared 6. Michele Cinotto (ITA)/Rafael Tornabell co-driver Jean-Michel Polato just 37 sec- by the FN Speed Team with support from (ESP) Polaris RZR 1000. 2hrs 21min 18sec onds behind the stage-winning Russian Ooredoo, said: “We fi nished the fi rst stage. 7. Fedor Vorobyev (RUS)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) Aleksandr Dorosinskiy with Spain’s Gerard It was not a good stage for us. We had a Can-Am Maverick X3. 2hrs 40min 44sec Farrés and Santiago Navarro rounding off problem with the dust when we were catch- 8. Ilya Rouss (AND)/Anton Yarashuk (AND) the top three. ing some cars. This is always an issue at this Can-Am Maverick X3. 2hrs 47min 01sec Oman’s Abdullah al-Zubair and Italy’s race. It did not help not having a Prologue series leader Michele Cinotto completed the stage (to determine starting positions) this 9. Adrian Yacopini (ARG)/Ricardo Torlaschi special in fi fth and sixth positions. Belgian time. Now we need to push for the lead over (ARG) Maverick X3. 2hrs 47min 18sec Ghislain de Mevius failed to reach the fi rst the next stages.” Ghislain de Mevius (BEL)/Johan Jalet (BEL) checkpoint on the stage and Russia’s Fedor The competitive action at Baja Spain Yamaha Interceptor 1000R. Retired Vorobyev lost around 15 minutes after the Aragon concludes with a short run of Qatar’s Adel Abdulla in his Can-Am Maverick X3 during the first stage of the Baja Spain Aragon.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Barcelona planning Arsenal stars fend for post-Messi era, says club president Reuters move following a dispute sur- Kobe, Japan rounding the transfer fee. Spanish champions Barcelona off ‘knife-wielding announced the signing of Griez- arcelona’s president mann for 120mn euros ($133mn). Josep Maria Bartomeu Bartomeu said Atletico have no says the club are work- case. “A few days ago, they asked ing on a plan for when me the same question in Barce- theirB talismanic forward Lionel lona and I said ‘it is nothing, it is Messi fi nally hangs up his boots. something that is normal’,” Bar- car-jackers’ Barcelona have been very active tomeu said. in the transfer market in recent “Normally when a player years, with Bartomeu completing changes club, the club that three of the top six most expen- doesn’t want to lose a player, In the footage, Kolasinac is seen outside the vehicle confronting two masked sive transfers ever. then they don’t like it. Like we French forward Antoine Griez- don’t like it sometimes when a aggressors, who had pulled up alongside Ozil’s car on mopeds mann’s move from Atletico Ma- player leaves and we want him to drid was the most recent of those stay. But, there is nothing, this is and Bartomeu says the deals are something that happens in the part of the club’s planning for football industry, something that when Messi, a fi ve-times Ballon happens between clubs and for d’Or winner, fi nally retires. me, no it isn’t a problem at all.” Although there is no sugges- Griezmann is on tour in Japan tion the 32-year-old wants to and is expected to make his sec- walk away anytime soon, Bar- ond appearance in a Barca shirt celona are determined they will against Japanese side Vissel Kobe be able to continue their success today. Bartomeu said Griez- once the Argentine is gone. “We mann’s transfer had been in the think it is our obligation to work works a long time. on the post-Messi era,” Bar- “We were looking for him al- tomeu said in Kobe yesterday ready two years ago,” said Bar- “We are thinking about a post- tomeu, who has also added Dutch Messi era because we are bring- midfi elder Frenkie de Jong to the ing in new players... We have to Barcelona ranks this summer. think about this changing era “It is not easy sometimes to when Messi will give up playing move players like him. He is football but, as president, I hope probably one of the best fi ve, that he is going to be (have) very six top players in the world so to large years playing with us still.” move from one team to another is Messi is not in Japan with not easily normally.” Barca, having been given an ex- Another player who has been tended break following the Copa linked in the media with a re- America, but he will link up with turn to Barcelona is their former the rest of the squad for the sec- forward Neymar, whom the club ond half of their pre-season in sold to Paris St Germain for the United States next month. 222mn euros ($247mn) in 2017. Bartomeu also dismissed Bartomeu, however, refused to Atletico Madrid’s allegation that discuss a potential move for the the Catalan club have not paid Brazilian. “I am reading a lot of enough to trigger forward Griez- newspapers about Neymar, but mann’s release clause, follow- in the end, you know as a club we ing the Frenchman’s move ear- have a lot of respect for Paris St lier this month. La Liga President Germain and Neymar is a player Javier Tebas said on Wednes- for Paris St Germain and there is day that Atletico had asked the nothing else to talk,” stressed the league to block Griezmann’s Barca president.

Arsenal players Mesut Ozil (left) and Sead Kolasinac were both shaken after the incident in North London but had been unhurt. (Reuters)

AFP “He looked like he was running for his fi ne.” The club declined to comment fur- continue.” There has been a sharp in- London life. And I suppose he was. I saw him dis- ther when contacted yesterday. crease in knife crime in London in recent appear into the restaurant with the mo- The Guardian reported that Arsenal years. Over 5,500 people were injured or torcycle guys on his tail,” he said. “They has off ered Mesut Ozil and Kolasinac killed by knife crime in London in the 12 rsenal footballers Sead Kolasi- didn’t take off their helmets and were all psychological support if required. Both months to October 2018 — a record level. nac and Mesut Ozil fought off in black, wearing long sleeved tops in this players were due to train as normal with The owner of the property outside knife-wielding car-jackers in a hot weather. They stood out,” he added. the fi rst-team squad yesterday having which the footballers were attacked has terrifying ordeal in London cap- Thursday was the hottest July day on apparently shown no ill eff ects from the said he has been targeted fi ve times in the turedA on video circulating yesterday on record in Britain, with temperatures hit- incident, which occurred 24 hours earlier. same area. social media. In the footage, Kolasinac is ting 38.1 degrees Celsius (100.6 degrees Arsenal had been in close contact with The man, who drives high-profi le cars seen outside the vehicle confronting two Fahrenheit). Yasmin Tahsiner, the joint the players on Thursday evening and and chose not to be named, told Britain’s masked aggressors, who had pulled up owner of the Turkish restaurant, told confi rmed that both, while shaken, had domestic Press Association news agency alongside the car on mopeds. German broadcaster NTV: “They were been unhurt. The pair were due to report that he had a knife held to his neck at Former Germany midfi elder Ozil, who followed by two people on a motorbike, to the club’s London Colney training cen- midday in one incident. “It’s about time was driving, was inside the vehicle. The they tried to break the windscreen and tre yesterday for training and will be of- the police pulled their fi nger out,” he said. incident happened in broad daylight in a threw bricks at the car.” fered support of any kind they request. “The situation has gone too far... it’s out plush part of north London on Thursday. Ozil’s newlywed wife Amine Gulse, a Kolasinac tweeted a picture of himself of control.” Kolasinac confronted a fi rst aggressor on former Miss Turkey, was with her hus- and Ozil yesterday afternoon with the Arsenal are due to host French club the passenger side of the vehicle, who band. The couple married in June with caption: “Think we’re fi ne”. Lyon in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium appeared to be brandishing a knife at the Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Police confi rmed that they had re- tomorrow, then travel to Angers in France 26-year-old Bosnia defender, then ap- in attendance. sponded to reports of an attempted rob- for another friendly on Wednesday. The proached another who came around the “Her hands were shaking, but I can’t bery. “It was reported that suspects on Gunners’ fi rst competitive match of the back, the footage showed. blame her for that. I would have also been motorbikes had attempted to rob a man season is on August 11 at Newcastle. The Daily Mail reported that the chase afraid,” said Tahsiner. “Put yourself in who was driving a car,” a spokesman for Arsenal fi nished fi fth in the English continued for about a mile as they fl ed to Mrs Ozil’s place: it was the middle of the London’s Metropolitan Police said. Premier League last season, narrowly a Turkish restaurant where they are regu- day, they were on a London high street “The driver, along with his passen- missing out on a spot in the Champions lars. “Ozil looked absolutely terrifi ed, as and people have been chasing you.” ger, managed to get away unharmed and League. Arsenal manager Unai Emery is anybody would after being chased by men A spokesman for English Premier travelled to a restaurant in Golders Green, expected to rely more heavily on 30-year- with knives,” fi nancial worker Azuka Al- League club Arsenal said: “We have been where they were spoken to by offi cers. old Ozil this season after midfi elder Aaron intah, 36, told MailOnline. in contact with both players and they are There have been no arrests. Enquiries Ramsey left on a free transfer to Juventus.