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Thursday, August 25, 2016 FOOTBALL Dhul Qa’da 22, 1437 AH Blatter in last GULF TIMES fi ght against FIFA ban SPORT Page 3

FOOTBALL Wanderley nets two as Nasr hand Qatar’s Jaish 3-0 loss Jaish had 47 per cent of the possession, 14 attempts out of which eight were on target but still they will be going into the second leg with a three-goal deficit. They now need to produce something incredible to win this quarter-final

By Sports Reporter Doha l Jaish suff ered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Al Nasr in the fi rst leg of their Asian Champions ELeague quarter-fi nal tie yes- terday. Wanderley scored a brace for the UAE club as they head into their home tie with a signifi cant advantage. But despite what the score line sug- gests, the match wasn’t a one-sided aff air. Jaish will be left ruining their de- fensive horrors and equally, the inability of their strikers to fi nish off the oppor- tunities. The match played at the Lekhwiya Stadium began with Al Nasr looking the more composed team and made some threatening forays into the Jaish box. But the Qatari side soon got their rhythm going and were able to create chances of their own. Romarinho had an early at- tempt but it ended up being a weak shot and then Sardor Rashidov engineered a toe poke that called the Nasr goalkeeper Ahmad Shambih into action. reacts to making an eagle putt on the 18th hole during the final Nasr got a great chance in the 38th round of the 2016 PGA Championship golf tournament at Baltusrol on Sunday. minute when Abdelaziz Barrada got a Picture: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports great cross inside the box but his header was just over the bar. The problem for Jaish was that there was no one mark- ing Barrada. Jaish had two big names up front – in Romarinho and Rashidov but were ragged in defence. But just when it looked like the two teams would head into the break goal- less, a long ball from the deep found Nasr ‘s Jonathan Pitroipa. Jaish keeper Khalifa Ababacar came out to defend Visiting Al Nasr supporters from the UAE cheer their team at the Lekhwiya Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil but the Nasr midfi elder crossed to Wan- derley who had an empty net in front of of play and were causing problems for fend. This period of play provided a and the Brazilian calmly slotted it into him and he made no mistake. The UAE the Nasr defence. Romarinhoeven had great chance for Jaish to reduce the def- the goal. Jaish defence were complete- side had the lead in the 45th minute. his shot blocked by the Nasr keeper. icit but their strikers couldn’t convert ly missing since no one seemed to be Jaish almost got an immediate equaliser But instead it was the UAE side who the chances. marking the opposition’s main striker. when Rashidov crossed to Romarinho doubled their advantage. In the 54th In the 73rd minute Rashidov got a In the 89th minute, Keita attempted a inside the box but the Brazilian’s header minute, Barrada provided a great pass great ball inside the box but his shot was header from inside the box only to see it was saved by Shambih. to Pitroipa who unleashed a shot from over the bar. Four minutes later, he got cleared off the line by Ahmed al-Yassi. Jaish came out of the break rejuve- the edge of the box and a fully stretched another through ball inside the box but Jaish had 47 per cent of the posses- nated and eager to take the fi ght to their Jaish keeper Ababacar couldn’t save it. it was behind him and he slipped and fell sion, 14 attempts out of which eight opponents. They also brought on their The Jaish defence should have been in as he tried to reach it. were on target but still they will be go- latest signing, former Barcelona player, place to block such long shots. Jaish were desperate for goals but ing into the second leg with a three- Al Nasr forward Wanderley (L) celebrates his opening goal with teammate Seydou Keita in place of Ahmad Moein Jaish stepped up their off ence after again it was Nasr who found the back of goal defi cit. They now need to produce Jonathan Pitroipa during their Asian Champions League quarter-final first leg to shore up the midfi eld. this goal. And it also looked like Nasr the net. Substitute Salem Saleh provid- something incredible to win this quar- match against Qatar’s El-Jaish at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha yesterday. They dominated the initial passage were now content to sit back and de- ed the pass into the box for Wanderley ter-fi nal.

BOTTOMLINE FOCUS Three top Chinese Seoul in control aft er 3-1 win weightlift ers fail over China’s Shandong 2008 doping tests DPA datory provisional suspensions upon AFP Sun-Hong’s decision to be vindicated as seemed no way back. Berlin the athletes, who remain provisionally Seoul Park, who in the 16th minute had blasted But a foul just outside the penalty suspended in view of potential anti- wastefully wide when it seemed easier area after a rare Shandong forward foray doping rule violations until their cases to score, turned provider three minutes gave Walter Montillo a sniff of goal and hree former Olympic weight- are closed,” an IWF statement read. C Seoul took a grip of their AFC later. the Argentine expertly curled home the lifting champions from China Weightlifting has been battling a se- Champions League quarter-fi - The Seoul number 10’s cross found 35th-minute free-kick to reduce the have failed retests of their rious doping problem for years and the nal after overcoming Shandong Damjanovic with the freedom of the defi cit to 2-1. Tdoping samples from the entire Russian team was barred from Luneng 3-1 in the fi rst leg in the penalty area as he nodded home un- The home fans erupted in delight 2008 Games, the International the recent Rio Olympics because of FKorean capital yesterday. marked his eighth goal in his last eight when their hero Adriano fi nally made Weightlifting Federation (IWF) said state-run doping. Poland’s gold medal Goals from Park Chu-Young, Dejan games from the edge of the six-yard box his entrance in the 60th minute in place yesterday. hope Tomasz Zielinski was then sus- Damjanovic and Brazilian top scorer to open the scoring. of Cho. Beijing gold medallists Cao Lei, Liu pended just before Rio after a positive Adriano gave them a deserved two-goal It was man-of-the-match Park’s turn Just nine minutes later he took his Chunhong and Chen Xiexia tested pos- test while during the Games, Kyr- cushion to take to China for the second on 31 minutes to take advantage of shod- AFC Champions League tally for the itive for a growth hormone stimulant gyzstan weightlifter Izzat Artykov was leg on September 14. dy Shandong defending. season to 12 when he was sent clear in and face having their medals stripped stripped of his Rio bronze medal for Adriano was dropped to the bench Park was found lurking in acres of the box by Damjanovic’s delightful back by the International Olympic Commit- doping. after a recent form slump despite 11 space on the edge of the box by Cho heel to make it 3-1. tee (IOC). Retests also led to 12 other The IOC is retesting doping samples Champions League goals this cam- FC Seoul forward Dejan Damjanovic (top) Chan-Ho’s pass before having time to There was time for Shandong mid- weightlifters from Russia, Azerbaijan, from the 2008 and 2012 Games using paign. Instead it was former Arsenal at- fights for the ball with China’s Shandong turn and shoot past Wang Dalei to make fi elder Jin Jingdao to earn himself an ear- Belarus and Kazakhstan showing ad- new techniques to try to catch drug tacker Park who was preferred to partner Luneng FC midfielder Liu Binbin (front) it 2-0. With big-money signing from ly shower in the 81st minute after being verse analytical fi ndings. cheats. A host of suspected dopers, in- Damjanovic up front. during their AFC Champions League Southampton Graziano Pelle making lit- needlessly booked twice in the space of “In line with the relevant rules and cluding others weightlifters in June and It didn’t take long for coach Hwang match in Seoul yesterday. tle impact up front for the visitors, there four minutes for petulant fouls. regulations, the IWF imposed man- July, have so far been snared. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, August 25, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT DEMAND Chelsea need to be better at killing off Liverpool cruise, games, says Conte

Reuters London

Chelsea squeeze helsea must develop a ruthless mentality to kill games and not invite pressure from their op- Cposition, manager Antonio Con- te has said after his side endured a tense fi nale in their 3-2 League Cup win against third-tier Bris- in League Cup tol Rovers. Two goals from Michy Batsh- uayi handed Chelsea a 3-1 lead at Chelsea coach Antonio Conte. ‘This was a very serious, professional display from our side. There were nice goals — the interval but Ellis Harrison’s penalty early in the second half to interfere in the situation. nothing to criticise. It was humid today — not easy for either team’ for Rovers ensured a nervous fi n- “I’m a former international ish to the second-round game for team coach so I know this situ- the side.. ation and prefer it to be solved “We must understand when between Sam Allardyce and John you have the people to kill the Terry,” the former manager game you must,” Conte told the added. “That’s the right way. British media. “John Terry has a great atti- “When you leave it open, a tude during training and is work- situation like tonight can happen ing very hard. I’m very happy and until the game has fi nished with his commitment. you are afraid (of a draw).” “But for the international manager Sam Al- team, it is important for it to be lardyce recently said he would solved between Sam Allardyce be open to hold talks with John and John Terry.” Terry over a possible return to Chelsea welcome Burnley in international football, and Conte their next Premier League fi xture said it would not be right for him on Saturday.

Gudjohnsen signs up for Indian Super League The veteran former Chelsea was it,” said Gudjohnsen who and Barcelona forward Eidur played in this summer’s Gudjohnsen signed up yes- 2016 championship in . terday for the third edition of “I have the confidence of the the Indian Super League (ISL) coach and will ensure that as the marquee player for FC they find it diff icult to leave Pune City. me out. The much-travelled Icelander, “Everyone needs to be moti- a two-time winner of the Eng- vated to succeed, and I have lish Premier League with Chel- the same aim here. I love the Key Results sea and a Champions League sport. I still love going to train- winner with Barcelona, said ing every day.” Crystal Palace 2-0 Blackpool he still has an appetite for the Pune’s head coach Antonio Burton 0-5 Liverpool game at age 37. Habas was a happy man. “Ei- Everton 4-0 Yeovil “There were other clubs inter- dur has experience of playing Chelsea 3-2 Bristol Rovers ested in me but when FC Pune at highest levels and a profes- City showed their interest, sional motivation to succeed,” intent and plans, I knew this said Habas.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Celtic survive scare Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring their fifth goal against Burton Albion during the second round of the League Cup. (Below) Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

AFP criticise. It was humid today — not easy for Firmino to head in the visitors’ sec- as Porto dismiss London for either team. We gave a few players ond goal. match-time because that’s important. A Tom Naylor own goal just after the Some only got minutes in pre-season.” hour made it 3-0 and Sturridge came off nine-man Roma aniel Sturridge scored twice Premier League teams Crystal Pal- the bench to complete the rout with a late as Liverpool strolled into the ace, Everton, Hull City, Swansea City brace, tapping in James Milner’s cross League Cup third round with and Stoke City also went through, Peter and slamming home from Mane’s pass. a 5-0 win at Burton Albion on Crouch scoring a hat-trick for Stoke in a At Stamford Bridge, Batshuayi put Tuesday,D while Chelsea edged third-tier 4-0 win at Stevenage. Chelsea ahead in the 29th minute by Bristol Rovers 3-2. But Watford lost 2-1 at home to third- sweeping in Nemanja Matic’s cross and Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino and tier Gillingham after extra time and West two minutes later Pedro Rodriguez set up Sturridge all scored as Liverpool, last Bromwich Albion were beaten 4-3 on Moses for a tap-in. season’s beaten fi nalists, crushed Cham- penalties by League One side Northamp- Batshuayi claimed a second from Ruben pionship side Burton, who are managed ton Town following a 2-2 draw. Loftus-Cheek’s cross, but Bristol Rovers by ex-Liverpool midfi elder Nigel Clough. Klopp handed a debut to Cameroonian scored either side through Peter Hartley Michy Batshuayi marked his full Chel- centre-back Joel Matip and welcomed and Ellis Harrison to keep Conte’s men on sea debut with a brace against Bristol back Senegalese winger Sadio Mane fol- their toes until the fi nal whistle. Rovers, while Victor Moses was also on lowing a shoulder injury at Burton’s United, holders Manches- target as manager Antonio Conte enjoyed . ter City, Arsenal, Leicester City, Totten- a third straight competitive win. Mane teed up Origi to break the dead- ham Hotspur, Southampton and West “This was a very serious, professional ager Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports. lock with a clever back-heel in the 15th Ham United will all enter the competi- Roma’s midfielder Radja Nainggolan reacts after the match. display from our side,” Liverpool man- “There were nice goals — nothing to minute before Nathaniel Clyne crossed tion in round three. AFP the group stage. Paris A stoppage time penalty from BOTTOMLINE Fabinho handed Monaco a 3-1 aggregate victory over Villarreal, cottish champions Celt- with Legia Warsaw ending the ic withstood a furious dreams of Irish champions Dun- fi ghtback from Hapoel dalk as a 1-1 draw sent the Polish Beer-Sheva to reach the club through 3-1 overall. Injured Ramsey not in squad ChampionsS League group stage Ludogorets Razgrad of Bul- on Tuesday despite a 2-0 defeat garia advanced 4-2 on aggregate in Israel, while Porto beat nine- over Viktoria Plzen following a AFP France before falling to eventual sey (Crystal Palace/ENG), Dan- man Roma 3-0 to advance. 2-2 draw in the Czech Republic. Hensol, United Kingdom champions Portugal. ny Ward (Huddersfi eld Town/ Leading 5-2 from last week’s Hal Robson-Kanu, one of ENG, on loan from Liverpool/ fi rst play-off leg in Glasgow, Results Wales’s stars of the tourna- ENG), Owain Fon Williams (In- Celtic were made to sweat in the njured Arsenal midfi elder ment, was called up despite be- verness Caledonian Thistle/ Israeli desert with goals from Ben Results from the second-leg was not in- ing without a club following his SCO) Sahar and Ovidiu Hoban setting matches on Tuesday: cluded in the squad an- departure from Reading. Defenders: Ben Davies (Tot- up a nervy fi nish. nounced by Wales manager Newcastle United full-back tenham Hotspur/ENG), James However, Brendan Rodgers’ Roma (ITA) 0 Porto (POR) 3 IChris Coleman yesterday for Paul Dummett, City Chester (Aston Villa/ENG), side held on to progress 5-4 on (Felipe 8, Layun 73, Corona 75) next month’s opening World midfi elder Emyr Huws and James Collins (West Ham Unit- aggregate and qualify for the Porto win 4-1 on aggregate Cup qualifi er against Moldova. Leicester City striker Tom Law- ed/ENG), (Read- group stage for the fi rst time in Ramsey, 25, is nursing a ham- rence have all been drafted in. ing/ENG), Jazz Richards (Car- three seasons, with Maharan Ra- Hapoel Beer-Sheva (ISR) 2 string injury and will miss the Wales will also face , diff City), (Swansea di’s fi rst-half penalty miss prov- (Sahar 21, Hoban 48) Celtic Euro 2016 semi-fi nalists’ open- Serbia, the City), Paul Dummett (Newcastle ing particularly costly for the Is- (SCO) 0 ing Group D fi xture against and Georgia in Group D as they United/ENG), Ashley Williams raeli champions. Celtic win 5-4 on aggregate Moldova in Cardiff on Septem- bid to qualify for a fi rst World (capt, Everton/ENG) Joining Celtic in today’s draw ber 5. Cup since 1958. Midfi elders: (Stoke will be two-time former winners Legia Warsaw (POL) 1 (Ku- Real star The Football Association of City/ENG), David Edwards Porto after the Portuguese giants charczyk 90+2) Dundalk (IRL) is included, but Crystal Palace Wales recently rejected an ap- (Wolverhampton Wanderers/ punished Roma for their indisci- 1 (Benson 19) playmaker Jonathan Williams proach for Coleman from Hull ENG), Andy King (Leicester pline in the Italian capital, after Legia Warsaw win 3-1 on ag- is also injured and Notting- City and he said he was fully City/ENG), (Crystal the fi rst leg fi nished 1-1. gregate ham Forest midfi elder David committed to the World Cup Palace/ENG), Emyr Huws (Car- Felipe headed Porto into an Vaughan, 33, has retired from in- qualifying campaign. diff City), George Williams (Mil- eighth-minute lead but Roma Monaco (FRA) 1 (Fabinho ternational football. “There was an approach, the ton Keynes Dons/ENG, on loan lost Daniele de Rossi to 90+1-pen) Villarreal (ESP) 0 “When you’ve got a player as FAW turned it down and that is from Fulham/ENG) a straight red card before the Monaco win 3-1 on aggregate good as Aaron, take him out of the end,” Coleman said. Forwards: Gareth Bale (Real break after a wild lunge on Maxi any team and you are going to File picture of Wales and Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey. “I’m fully focused on what I Madrid/ESP), Simon Church Pereira, with Emerson Palmieri Viktoria Plzen (CZE) 2 (Duris know about it,” Coleman told a have to do for my country, am (Milton Keynes Dons/ENG), dismissed just after half-time 7, Mateju 64) Ludogorets press conference. to any team.” for Wales”. looking forward to this next (Birmingham following another crude tackle. Razgrad (BUL) 2 (Misidjan 17, “He is irreplaceable. He Coleman described Vaughan, Ramsey, Williams and challenge and am ready to go.” City/ENG), Tom Lawrence Two quick-fi re goals from Keseru 90+5) makes a huge impact for us. who made his international de- Vaughan were the only absen- (Leicester City/ENG), Hal Rob- Mexico internationals Miguel Ludogorets Razgrad win 4-2 He is a great player and it’s a but against the United States in tees from the squad who reached WALES SQUAD son-Kanu (unattached), Sam Layun and Jesus Corona then on aggregate shame he’s not here. He’s a loss May 2003, as “a great servant the last four at Euro 2016 in Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennes- Vokes (Burnley/ENG) rubberstamped Porto’s place in Gulf Times Thursday, August 25, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA EARLY BIRD Dortmund beat Bayern to sign Father-fi gure Dembele, says CEO

AFP Berlin

Ancelotti out to orussia Dortmund’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke claims they beat Bayern Munich to sign FrenchB starlet Ousmane Dembe- le, but admits it will be harder to halt the Bavarians bid for a fi fth straight German league title. keep Bayern on top The new German league sea- son starts on Friday with Bayern, under new head coach Carlo An- File photo of Borussia ‘Under Ancelotti, I finally feel like I’m trusted again. I don’t need a coach to tell me celotti, hosting Werder Bremen Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele. at Munich’s Allianz Arena while what I have to do right on the pitch when I have the ball’ Dortmund start their Bundesliga Pep Guardiola as head coach. season on Saturday against Mainz. “They (Bayern) have estab- Winger Dembele was voted lished themselves on the same France’s Young Player of the Year level as Real Madrid, so it would last season and Dortmund paid be rubbish to say we’ll attack Stade Rennes 15 million Bayern,” said Watzke. ($16.9m) in the off season, beat- “You can only attack when the ing Bayern to the 19-year-old’s opponent has a weak period.” signature. Dortmund have made eight “At that moment, we were new signings, including Dembele quicker (than Bayern), but I don’t plus forwards Andre know how deep their interest Schuerrle and Mario Goetze. was,” Watzke told Sport1. Germany’s World Cup win- “We got to him early and dis- ner is back in the black and yel- covered him before he had played low shirt after three frustrating in the (French) league. years at Bayern, when the World “He is an exceptional talent, Cup winner was either injured or but there is more to it than that, left on the bench by ex-Munich he has to learn the language and coach Pep Guardiola. assimilate.” Watzke says he believes The France Under-21 interna- Goetze, who came up through tional only made his French league Dortmund’s youth academy, debut for Rennes last season, but went to Bayern for the wrong he announced himself with a su- reasons, especially as Guardiola perb goal for Dortmund in their had wanted to sign Brazil star 4-1 win over Manchester United Neymar, but eventually brought during last month’s tour of China. Barcelona’s Thiago Alcantara to Bayern have won the German Munich. league title for each of the last “I believe the problem actu- four seasons since Dortmund ally was that he (Goetze) wanted took the 2011 and 2012 titles. to work with Pep Guardiola more But having signed Dortmund than to the club (Bayern Munich) captain Mats Hummels and Por- itself,” said Watzke. tugal midfi elder Renato Sanches, “Then he realised that Guar- the Bavarians are again clear fa- diola had wanted to sign Neymar, vourites for the 2016/17 crown that was where the misunder- with Ancelotti having replaced standing lay.”

Manchester United will be Schweinsteiger’s last European club This file photo shows Bayern Munich’s French midfielder Franck Ribery during the first training session with new Bayern Munich’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti. Manchester United midfielder only one which could make me Bastian Schweinsteiger says leave Bayern Munich,” Schwein- AFP mund ten days ago gave them the German ‘A FRIEND AND A COACH’ guy, a fantastic coach,” said Ronaldo. he will not play for another steiger said on Twitter. Berlin Super Cup title, ending a run of three But Ribery is not the only player to criti- While Guardiola has won six league ti- club in Europe despite being Since moving to Old Traff ord successive defeats in the season-opener cise Guardiola during his time with Bay- tles, three each with Barcelona and Bay- unable to seal a place in the from Bayern Munich last year, under Guardiola. ern – Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri ern, Ancelotti has just three – in Serie squad under new manager the German, who announced ayern Munich will chase a fi fth Like Heynckes before him, Italian An- left Munich in 2015, suff ering from a lack A with AC Milan in 2004, the Premier Jose Mourinho. his retirement from interna- straight Bundesliga title when celotti has a reputation of being a father- of belief from his coach. League with Chelsea in 2010 and Schweinsteiger, who is yet to tional football last month, was the new season starts tomorrow, fi gure, who instils confi dence in his play- “He is a very good coach in terms of what with PSG in 2013. make a first team appearance limited to 18 league appear- with new coach Carlo Ancelotti ers, in contrast to Guardiola, who dishes happens on the pitch, but his communica- But Ancelotti has won the Champi- for United this season, has ances in his first season. attemptingB to continue the dominance out specifi c instructions. tion wasn’t so good with me. He doesn’t ons League three times, including twice been made to train with the However, the 32-year-old forged by predecessors Pep Guardiola Bayern regard themselves as a family say to the players why,” the Swiss star told with AC Milan, while Bayern slipped to club’s reserves and would be insisted he was ready to com- and Jupp Heynckes. club and Ancelotti has already followed the Daily Mail when asked about Guardio- three successive semi-fi nal defeats under sold after Mourinho signed pete when called upon. The Bayern hierarchy are expecting the that tradition by appointing his son Da- la’s manner when dropping players. Guardiola’s tutelage. French midfielder Paul Pogba “I will be ready, if the team 57-year-old Ancelotti to keep the Bavar- vide, a former AC Milan youth-team In contrast, Ancelotti will start with “I’m trying to bring my own ideas here, from Juventus, according to needs me. This is all I can say ian giants, who kick off the new season at player, to his back-room staff , as he did Bayern having been given the seal of ap- but Pep’s style of play was very good and media reports. about the current situation. home to Werder Bremen tomorrow, at the during his spell at Real Madrid. proval by some of football’s big names. I hope the players don’t forget that,” said “MUFC will be my last club in I want to thank the fans for pinnacle of German football. It has not taken long for praise for An- “He just knows how to treat a man,” Ancelotti, as he prepares for his fi rst Europe. I respect other clubs, the amazing support over the Guardiola quit for Manchester City celotti to include some criticism of Guar- said Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who worked Bundesliga season. but Manchester United was the recent weeks,” he added. at the end of last season, after sealing diola from within the Bayern camp. with Ancelotti at Paris-Saint Germain. He has already won the respect of his a third consecutive league title and the “Under Ancelotti, I fi nally feel like I’m “He is not just your trainer, he is your main Bundesliga rival. German Cup. trusted again,” winger Franck Ribery told friend. It’s incredible.” “He has opened my eyes to how beau- Heynckes had signed off by delivering German magazine Kicker, before taking a And Cristiano Ronaldo was full of tiful and spectacular football can be,” PRAISE Bayern’s fi rst major treble in 2013 when swipe at Guardiola. praise for Ancelotti’s style after the Ital- said Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel they lifted the Champions League, Bun- “I don’t need a coach to tell me what I ian won the Champions League title in before his side’s Super Cup defeat. desliga and German Cup titles. have to do right on the pitch when I have the the fi rst of his two seasons with Real Ma- “He will bring us all, me as well, to a But Ancelotti has already won some sil- ball,” said Ribery in reference to Guardiola, drid in 2014. new level, because my team can be com- Rooney would be verware after just two competitive games. which earned him a ticking off from Bayern “I wish every player had the opportunity pared to his.” Bayern’s 2-0 victory at Borussia Dort- chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. to work with him, because he’s a fantastic Now to see what happens next. great for MLS, says BOTTOMLINE Timbers owner

Reuters Blatter in last fi ght against FIFA ban Manchester anchester United striker Wayne Roon- AFP tion at CAS are likely hampered “FIFA made the contract with ey would be a “great Geneva by Platini’s failed appeal at the Platini, and this was an oral con- signing” for Major Lausanne-based court. tract,” he told AFP at a plush res- MLeague Soccer, Portland Timbers In a May ruling CAS judges taurant in Zurich. owner Merritt Paulson has said, epp Blatter will mount said they were “not convinced” “So far in the FIFA commit- adding that the 30-year-old still his fi nal challenge that the $2 million payment was tees, in the ethics committee and has plenty to off er. against his six-year FIFA legitimate. in the appeal committee, they Former England midfi elders ban today, following They did however reduce the were saying: we don’t believe Steven Gerrard and Frank Lam- moreS than a year of scandal that suspension against the former that. But we are not all liars. So I pard, Italy’s Andrea Pirlo, saw him thrown out of football French star and European football think there is a good chance that striker David Villa and Brazilian in disgrace. chief from six years to four, judg- this panel will believe that there Kaka are among the big-name The former FIFA boss has ap- ing FIFA’s penalty “too severe.” was a contract.” players who have joined the MLS pealed to the Court of Arbitra- Arguments at CAS are expect- in recent years. tion for Sport (CAS) seeking to ‘WE’RE NOT ALL LIARS’ ed to last just one day, although a “I would argue he (Rooney) United’s Wayne Rooney. overturn a suspension imposed by Throughout the protracted saga, decision may take several weeks. still has some good soccer ahead world football’s governing body. both Blatter and Platini have in- The hearing marks the latest of him. I think he would be a The Chinese Super League sides “I’m very confi dent,” the sisted the payment was part of a legal battle in a series of inter- great signing for MLS – 100 per- have invested heavily on interna- 80-year-old Blatter told AFP legitimate oral contract. twined scandals that began in cent MLS would be attractive for tional players, including Brazil- last week, although his pros- Platini had been hired by FIFA May of last year, when the US him,” Paulson told the Mirror. ian forward Hulk, Ivorian striker pects for an outright victory as a consultant from 1999 to Justice Department unsealed a “Keeping in mind that is a Gervinho and former Southamp- would appear to be remote. 2002 and had apparently not re- raft of corruption indictments very talented footballer, who ton striker Graziano Pelle. The now infamous, endlessly ceived his full compensation. against top FIFA offi cials. has quality soccer ahead of him, “China is a factor, but also debated case fi rst emerged in Sep- The two men claimed the $2 Prosecutors in New York have you are not talking about a 34 or players need to determine where tember of last year, when Swiss million was authorised in 2011 since indicted 40 football and 35-year-old.” they want to play and what is go- prosecutors said they were in- as an honest eff ort to settle that sports marketing executives “I get excited about the impact ing to be best for their legacy and vestigating Blatter over a suspect File picture of former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter. account. Judges at FIFA and CAS over allegedly receiving tens of he would have in the MLS more lifestyle — where they want to 2 million Swiss franc payment he have so far found that argument millions of bribes and kickbacks. than a guy who is coming in later live,” he added. authorised in 2011 to his one-time by FIFA’s in-house court found cut those penalties to six years unpersuasive. Some of the most powerful in his career.” “The MLS is off ering signifi cant heir apparent, Michel Platini. Blatter and Platini both guilty of in February, just before Blat- Blatter has maintained his in- people in the game have fallen, in- With big-spending Chinese money. There were conversations Those revelations initially ethics violations. ter’s successor and fellow Swiss nocence as his four decade FIFA cluding FIFA’s long-serving sec- clubs rivalling American sides in with some guys who are as big a triggered a provisional suspen- They were banned from foot- national, Gianni Infantino, was career unravelled over the last retary general Jerome Valcke who recruiting players, Paulson be- name as Rooney recently.” sion by FIFA’s ethics committee. ball for eight years in December. elected as FIFA’s new president. 13 months, and continued that like Blatter is facing a criminal in- lieves top players will still fi nd “There are some big-dollar A full investigation and trial A FIFA appeals committee Blatter’s hopes for redemp- trend in the interview last week. vestigation in Switzerland. the MLS more attractive. numbers that have been put out.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, August 25, 2016 OLYMPICS

SPOTLIGHT CONFESSION USA’s Feigen says he omitted facts to Olympic flag protect teammates arrives in Tokyo for 2020 Games 1775225824Jimmy Feigen ‘I wanted to show ’s soft power to the world with the help of Japanese characters. Reuters tourists, until local police ac- Austin cused Lochte, 32, of making up I wasn’t sure how the audience would react. But I received so many cheers’ the story to cover up vandalising a gas station. S Olympic swimmer Lochte said in an interview on Jimmy Feigen (above) Brazil’s Globo TV on Saturday apologized yesterday that he was sorry for exaggerat- for omitting key details ing but that he did not lie. whenU he told Rio de Janeiro po- Feigen said a man at the gas lice this month that he and fel- station pointed a gun at him, and low swimmers had been held up that he was unsure at the time if at gunpoint. the gunman was affi liated with In a statement on the website the gas station. of an Austin, Texas, law fi rm, He and swimmer Gunnar Feigen said he failed to tell police Bentz gave the man money, he that the swimmers had urinated said. “This was the fi rst time I behind a building or that team- have ever had a gun pointed at mate Ryan Lochte had torn a me and I was terrifi ed,” he said. metal-framed advertising poster Brazilian authorities returned from a wall. Feigen’s passport and allowed “I realise that I made a mistake him to leave the country after he by omitting these facts. I was paid a 35,000reais ($11,000) fi ne. trying to protect my teammates Feigen said he arrived home and for this I apologise,” said Fei- late on Saturday, and he praised gen, 26. the people of Rio “for their hos- Initial claims by the Olym- pitality in hosting these games.” pians that they were robbed “I have nothing but respect for at gunpoint had embarrassed the city in undertaking the mas- Brazil, which suff ered a series sive responsibility of hosting the of assaults against visiting gov- Olympics and I feel their perform- ernment ministers, athletes and ance was exemplary,” he said.

CYCLING Trott irked by Team GB questions

AFP clists’ success in Rio was hard to London understand. Germany’s Kristina Vogel called it “questionable”. our-time Olympic Trott added: “British Cycling champion Laura Trott has always been very much an has expressed annoyance Olympics-based programme, so Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike (R) holds the Olympic flag as she arrives at the Tokyo’s Haneda airport yesterday. over the questions posed for us it wasn’t about clearing up byF rivals about British cyclists’ at the World Championships.” AFP global economic powerhouse. “I strongly feel a heavy reported original forecast of $7.14 billion. extraordinary performances at “Don’t get me wrong, it would Tokyo A kimono-clad Koike on Sunday re- responsibility” for the next The Games were awarded to Tokyo in the Rio Games. have been nice because they were ceived the flag at the closing ceremony Olympics, said. “I’m very happy 2013, with expectations that they would Trott won two gold medals and in London, but it’s always been in Rio where thousands of fans and that we’re able to bring the fl ag be a model of effi ciency with the city her fi ance Jason Kenny claimed around the Olympics.” he Olympic fl ag arrived in Tokyo athletes donned ponchos on a wet and back aft er more than 50 years” touting itself as “peaceful, reliable, safe, three golds as Team GB stormed to “That’s what our funding is yesterday as Japan’s capital gears windy night for a colourful festival of and stable”. the top of the cycling medals table pushed towards, that’s where up to host the 2020 Games, with Brazilian culture and music with bursts preciate it.” Tokyo’s metropolitan conurbation is with six goals and 12 in total. they spend our UK Sport money.” offi cials promising smooth sail- of fireworks. Abe pledged in Rio that he will work the world’s largest with more than 35 Britain won nine medals at this “If we’d come away and un- Ting after Rio’s sometimes shaky 2016 in- hard to host the best Games yet but To- million people, but streets are safe, trains year’s World Championships in der-performed at the Olympics, stalment. ABE, THE STAR kyo’s Olympic preparations have suff ered run on time and the air is clean. London, having won only three we’d have been gutted if we’d After stepping off a plane from the Bra- Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made high-profi le setbacks including soaring And with strict gun control and a pub- silver medals at last year’s event cleaned up at London because zilian host city, Tokyo governor Yuriko a comical cameo as Nintendo video game costs and having to redesign the Games lic honesty visitors fi nd disarming, few in Paris, prompting rival cyclists it would have meant we’d have Koike carried the fl ag at a ceremony at character Super Mario as Tokyo set a logo after accusations of plagiarism. people ever experience serious crime. to question their improvement. peaked at the wrong time.” the city’s Haneda airport. light-hearted tone for its hosting of the French prosecutors have also launched The games in Brazil — which is em- But Trott, 24, told BBC radio: “I think what a lot of other “I strongly feel a heavy responsibil- Games in four years. an investigation into alleged bribes linked broiled in a political crisis over the im- “I’m not angry as such, but it is nations don’t know, and what ity” for the next Olympics, Koike told the Abe came out from a pipe after a video to Tokyo’s winning Olympic bid, which peachment of suspended president Dil- a little bit annoying and frus- they don’t see, is the fact that it crowd. showed plumber Mario drilling down organisers have denied. ma Rousseff — suff ered its own series of trating because it is a lot of hard doesn’t really matter about the “I’m very happy that we’re able to from Tokyo into the earth to reach Brazil. Koike, who was elected in July as To- setbacks. work that has gone into that per- World Championships. It’s all bring the fl ag back after more than 50 “I wanted to show Japan’s soft power kyo’s fi rst female governor, has ordered Tourists, offi cials and athletes have formance.” about the Olympics.” years.” to the world with the help of Japanese offi cials to rein in ballooning costs and had to dodge the scenic city’s notorious ’s Anna Meares and With four gold medals in total, Tokyo last hosted the summer Olym- characters,” Abe told reporters. pledged a formal review, as concerns street crime, structural problems inside French coach Laurent Trott is Britain’s most successful pics in 1964, underscoring Japan’s post- “I wasn’t sure how the audience would grow over soaring costs which could po- the Olympic Village were a challenge and Gane both said the British cy- female Olympian. war coming out party as it grew into a react. But I received so many cheers. I ap- tentially double or even triple from the the Olympic diving pool turned green.

BOTTOMLINE Rio police say evidence links Hickey to ticket scam Brazilian police said they have much higher than the off icial uncovered evidence link- price, under cover of a hospi- ing the detained head of the tality programme.” Olympic Council of Ireland Hickey and another suspect Olympics protest runner Lilesa Patrick Hickey to a Rio Games Kevin Mallon, arrested on ticket scam. August 5, are being held at Rio’s Hickey, 71, also head of the Eu- Bangu 10 prison while arrest ropean Olympic Committees warrants had been issued for and an International Olympic seven others who are on the fails to return to Ethiopia Committee (IOC) member, has run including Evans, police said. been held in a Brazilian top The scandal has been mount- AFP “I don’t think that there is rights of individuals to peace- security prison since police ing since the arrest of Mallon, Addis Ababa any way that he will (go fully express their opinions,” raided his Rio hotel on August an Irish director of THG. back to Ethiopia),” Rosa said the spokesperson. 15 during the Olympics as part Police said they seized hun- said. “There are many Lilesa’s agent Federico Rosa of their probe into the aff air. dreds of tickets from Mallon, lympic marathon sil- people who say that it had earlier told AFP that the Warrants for the arrest of four some of which had the Olym- ver medallist Feyisa would not be good for runner would not be returning others were issued includ- pic Council of Ireland name Lilesa failed to return him to go back” home after staging his protest, ing Marcus Evans, a British on them. to Ethiopia Monday despite Ethiopian government businessman who is also the Tickets, including for the Rio nightO despite assurances he Eliud Kipchoge in Rio, crossed assurances Lilesa would not face chairman of Ipswich football opening ceremony with a face would not be punished for his his arms as he finished the any issued if he went back. club in England. value of about $1,400 were Rio protest over political repres- marathon in a symbolic protest “I don’t think that there is any “The analysis of the pieces off ered for sale at $8,000. sion in his country. against the repressive Ethio- way that he will (go back to Ethi- of evidence, and above all of As part of the probe Rio An AFP journalist at the air- pian regime. opia),” Rosa told AFP earlier on the emails, confirm that the police on Sunday raided the port in Addis Ababa said Lilesa The 26-year-old repeated the Monday. “There are many peo- president of the Irish Olympic off ices of the Irish delegation was not onboard the plane that gesture during the race’s medal ple who say that it would not be Committee, Patrick (Hickey), in the Rio Olympic Village and landed on Monday night carry- ceremony, telling reporters later good for him to go back.” was in direct contact with seized passports from three ing Ethiopia’s Olympics team. that he was afraid to go back to Rosa, who is based in Italy and Marcus Evans, who is the head Irish Olympic off icials. They Ethiopian sports offi cials con- his homeland. has been the athlete’s agent for of THG,” Rio police investiga- also confiscated phones and gratulated team members but Reports have suggested that three years, said he did not know tor Ricardo Barbosa told a Rio computers, Irish off icials said. made no mention of Lilesa’s sil- the runner may seek political exactly what his client was plan- press conference Tuesday. Passports seized belonged to ver medal achievement — one of asylum in the United States, but ning to do next, having stayed on He said the British company Kevin Kilty, head of the Irish only eight medals won by Ethio- a spokesperson for the US State in Rio at the end of the games. THG, a hospitality firm, “was delegation in Rio, Dermot pia — and refused to answer any Department refused to talk spe- “I cannot say for sure because I the organiser of this criminal Henihan, secretary general questions about the athlete. cifi cally about the case. have not spoken to him since just system that consists in the of the Olympic Council of Ire- On Sunday, Lilesa, who came File picture of Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia celebrating after coming “We would encourage all after the race, when we had a very illegal sale of tickets at prices land, and Stephen Martin. second to Kenyan favourite second in the men’s marathon at the Rio Olympics. governments to respect the short conversation,” Rosa said. Gulf Times Thursday, August 25, 2016 5 SPORT

BASEBALL RUGBY ‘Beast’ Mtawarira to equal Springbok Cubs’ Arrieta lauds prop record

Reuters yesterday. Buenos Aires “We expect them to try and put us under pressure with their tactical kicking. Morné is an ex- Hendricks’ style, outh Africa’s Tendai perienced player with good kick- Mtawarira will equal ing attributes, and he will pro- two-time World Cup vide an additional kicking cover winner Os du Randt’s for us.” recordS as most-capped prop for New Bok coach Coetzee said the Springboks after being named he resisted more changes as tries in the starting line-up for the to knit the side together after Rugby Championship clash with a patchy 2-1 home victory over then holds his own in Salta on Saturday. Ireland in the June internation- Zimbabwe-born Mtawarira, als and a wobbly opening win in Arrieta pitches eight scoreless innings in Cubs’ 5-3 victory over Padres aff ectionately known as ‘The the Rugby Championship last Beast’, a name chanted each time weekend. By Mark Gonzales he touches the ball, will earn his “We will continue to build on Chicago Tribune (TNS) 80th cap, having made his debut our cohesion as a team. This is in 2008. the fi rst away test for this side He will have a new front-row and we expect another huge bat- ake Arrieta earned his National partner after Vincent Koch was tle against the ,” he said. League Cy Young Award because of drafted in by coach Allister Co- The Boks will continue with his 95 mph fastball with pinpoint etzee for the injured Julian Re- their preparations in Buenos control and a wicked slider that delinghuys in what is the only Aires before fl ying out to Salta canJ buckle the knees of opposing hitters. change to the starting line-up tomorrow morning. But Arrieta appreciates diff erent ap- from the side that defeated Ar- proaches and is getting plenty of enjoy- gentina 30-23 in their champi- Team: 15-Johan Goosen, 14-Ruan ment watching Chicago Cubs teammate onship opener in Nelspruit last Combrink, 13-Lionel Mapoe, Kyle Hendricks frustrate opponents with weekend. 12-, 11-Bryan his crafty style. Lourens Adriaanse has been Habana, 10-, 9-Faf “He’s one of the most fun pitchers added as prop cover on the de Klerk; 8-Warren Whiteley, for me to watch,” Arrieta said before he bench, while experienced fl yhalf 7-Oupa Mahoje, 6-, pitched eight scoreless innings in the Morne Steyn also takes over from 5-, 4-Eben Etze- Cubs’ 5-3 victory over the San Diego Pa- centre Juan de Jongh among the beth, 3-Vincent Koch, 2-Adriaan dres on Tuesday night. “He’s out there replacements. Strauss (captain), 1-Tendai Mta- pitching. He’s breaking down video. He’s “Vincent did very well when warira. Replacements: 16-Bongi scouting according to his stuff and pitch- he came on as a replacement for Mbonambi, 17- , es to the report very well.” Julian in Nelspruit, and he is re- 18-Lourens Adriaanse, 19-Pieter- “There aren’t many surprises when warded with a starting berth,” Steph du Toit, 20-Jaco Kriel, you face Kyle — you’re going to get a fast- Coetzee said in statement from 21-, 22-Morne Steyn, ball, changeup and occasional curve, but the South African 23-. it’s so much harder to hit than it looks. He’s placing the ball right where he needs to 90 to 95 percent of the time and he’s changing speeds.” Arrieta held his own Tuesday in limit- ing the Padres to two hits and three walks. But thanks to the power surge of Addison Russell and Kris Bryant, the Cubs didn’t have to rely totally on Arrieta and sur- vived a shaky ninth when closer Aroldis Chapman had to be summoned after three of the fi rst four batters reached safely against rookie Felix Pena. Russell hit his fi fth home run in his last fi ve games, a two-run blast to left-centre fi eld in the fi fth inning. Bryant, playing in front of nearly 300 family members and supporters from his days at the University of San Diego, hit his third homer in four games in the third as the Cubs coasted. Arrieta had been fi ghting a bout with wildness. He walked a career-high seven in 5 2/3 innings in his last start Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Arrieta has spoken with rookie catcher Willson Contreras and coach Mike Borzello about using a slightly higher target to establish his sinker and fi nd the right release point. “Typically, being under the strike zone with the sinker isn’t a big issue,” Arrieta Orioles’ Tillman to be sidelined said. “I need to be a little bit higher with the strike zone earlier in the count. If you with ailing shoulder miss under with one here and there when you’re ahead, it’s really not an issue.” Baltimore Orioles ace Chris Tillman is headed to the 15-day disa- “And I got away from using some sec- bled list with shoulder inflammation, the team said on Tuesday. ondary stuff early (against the Brewers). Tillman was scheduled to pitch today against Washington but When I needed to go to it late, I didn’t Arrieta held his own on Tuesday in limiting the Padres to two hits and three walks. (Chicago Tribune/TNS) felt pain in his shoulder during a bullpen session and received a have the feel for it.” cortisone shot. Despite his control issues, Arrieta was are the wide diff erential between the ve- the strike zone or under the strike zone Toronto 7 LA Angels 2 “I thought once it got loose it would really go away, but it never aiming to become the NL’s fi rst 16-game locity of his fastball (often clocked no with his changeup as well as his fastball Boston 2 Tampa Bay 1 really did, and that was my first time actually experiencing it winner. Entering Tuesday, he had limited higher than 90 mph) and his secondary — primarily his changeup — allows him to Kansas City 1 Miami 0 while throwing,” Tillman told reporters after the Orioles’ 8-1 win opponents to a major-league-best .559 pitches and his teasing of opponents by climb the ladder with his fastball pretty Cincinnati 3 Texas 0 over the Nationals on Tuesday. on-base plus slugging percentage. elevating his fastball. much at will.” Milwaukee 6 Colorado 4 “Last time, I was pretty sore right after my start, but after feeling And despite lacking an overpower- “When you use that speed diff erential as “It’s hard to lay off of it because out Detroit 8 Minnesota 3 it today, I’d much rather just get this behind us and get out in ing fastball, Hendricks (11-7) is second at much as he does, it makes his fastball ap- of (his) hand it looks like it’s going to be Chicago White Sox 9 Philadelphia 1 front of it so that way we’re not worried about it for the rest of the .587 while leading the majors with a 2.16 pear much faster than it is,” Arrieta said. a very hittable pitch until it’s 3 or 4 feet NY Mets 7 St. Louis 4 year.” ERA. Hendricks is set to pitch Wednesday “That’s why it’s so important to have that from home plate.” Atlanta 7 Arizona 4 Tillman, tied for third in the American League with 15 wins, had night in front of several family members gap between your fastball and off -speed Oakland 9 Cleveland 1 a start pushed back by three days last week because of right and friends who will make the 45-minute pitches. Then when you eff ectively locate RESULTS Chicago Cubs 5 San Diego 3 shoulder discomfort. drive from South Orange County. your fastball, it plays at a higher velocity.” Pittsburgh 7 Houston 1 NY Yankees 5 Seattle 1 For the season, the right-hander is 15-5 with a 3.76 ERA. Two of the keys to Hendricks’ success “His ability to pitch near the bottom of Baltimore 8 Washington 1 LA Dodgers 9 San Francisco 5

CYCLING ’s Meersman wins stage fi ve of Tour of Spain

Reuters a suspected broken collarbone. Madrid Race leader Atapuma lost more than a minute in the fi nale but organ- isers applied the three-kilometre rule, elgium’s Gianni Meersman meaning the BMC rider could stay in won the fi fth stage of the Tour red. of Spain yesterday, a 171.3 kil- “I’m happy to continue to be lead- ometre-ride from Viveiro and er,” Atapuma said. “I had to wait to Lugo,B with Colombian Darwin Ata- fi nd out if I would wear red tomorrow. puma retaining the leader’s red jersey. It’s a fantastic feeling.” Australian Simon Clarke and “I just hope that those that fell are Philippe Gilbert of Belgium attacked ok.” with 2km remaining but were caught Today’s stage six is a 163.2km ride in the fi nal stretch. from Monforte de Lemos to Luintra. Etixx-Quick Step team rider The race fi nishes on Sept. 11 in Ma- Meersman held off the challenge of drid. (Reporting by Adriana Garcia, Italy’s Fabio Felline and Kevin Reza of editing by Ed Osmond) France, who came in third, in a sprint fi nish. Stage 5 results (top 10) “To be honest I was extremely hap- 1. Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quick-Step) py at the fi rst victory. It gave me a lot 4:16:42” of confi dence,” Meersman, who also 2. Fabio Felline (Trek) ST won stage two of the race, told Span- 3. Kevin Reza (FDJ) ish television. 4. Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) “Everything was good today. I saw 5. Zico Waeytens (Giant) the sign of 200m and I had to start. 6. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) Nobody passed me so I’m very happy.” 7. Romain Hardy (Cofidis) A crash split the pack in the closing 8. Jempy Druecker (BMC Racing) stages and ended the race of Dutch- 9. Kenneth Vanbilsen (Cofidis) man Steven Kruijswijk who sustained 10. Jose Goncalves (Caja Rural) Etixx-Quickstep’ Belgian cyclist Gianni Meersman (centre) sprints to win the fifth stage of the Tour of Spain in Lugo, Spain, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Thursday, August 25, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Nadal to play in Australia ahead of Open for fi rst time

AFP Sydney

Borg, McEnroe orld number five Rafael Nadal will play in the Brisbane International next year, organisers said yesterday, the Wfirst time the Spaniard has kicked off his season in Australia. The tournament, held in the eastern city of Brisbane in January ahead of the Australian Open, was last won by big-serving Cana- dian Milos Raonic who defeated Roger Federer in the final. renew rivalry as “It’s going to be the first time in my career that I’m going to play in Australia the first week of the season and I’m really excited about it,” 14-time Grand Slam champion Nadal said in a statement. “I think this is something I have to do during my career and I think at the same time it’s going to be a great preparation to be in Australia early.” The tournament’s director Geoff Quinlan said organisers had Laver Cup captains been in talks with the 30-year-old for several years and said Nadal would be a big drawcard for fans. “This is just the start of a very exciting line-up of players we will Federer, Nadal to compete for Europe in -style event next year announce over the coming months,” he added. The Brisbane International will be held from January 1 to 8 in the Reuters lead-up to the Australian Open. New York

jorn Borg and John McEnroe, TENNIS who met 22 times during their celebrated tennis rivalry, will break their 11-11 head-to-head tieB when they captain the Europe and Querrey advances World teams in the inaugural Laver Cup next September. Borg and McEnroe announced yester- in Winston-Salem day that they had committed to lead the teams for the fi rst three years of the new AFP competition, patterned after golf’s Ryder Cup, and joined Rod Laver, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at a news conference. Federer and Nadal announced they am Querrey got off to were committing to compete for the Eu- a successful start at the ropean side in next year’s event to be ATP Winston-Salem staged at the 02 arena in Prague from tournament by reaching September 22-24. theS third round with a 6-3, 6-7 “You know to be a captain of maybe the (5), 7-5 win over Guillermo Gar- two greatest players in the history of ten- cia-Lopez. nis here, I think they know what to do or “It’s been a solid year so far,” not to do,” Swede Borg said about Federer said American Querrey, who fi red and Nadal. 24 aces in Tuesday’s match on “But maybe you come into the match centre court. “I don’t feel a ton and maybe something is not working of pressure. I’m just trying to feel (and) I can help.” good, just trying to play some good American McEnroe, who also split his matches. The fans are great here. 14 ATP Tour meetings against Borg, said: They’re really supportive. They “I’m proud to be captain and hopefully get behind the Americans, so that pull off the big upset over Europe next was nice.” year.” Querrey won 86 percent of his Four automatic spots on each team will fi rst-serve points and saved nine be fi lled through the leading ATP singles of 10 break points. He next plays rankings following Wimbledon with the Viktor Troicki of Serbia, who captains adding two other captains’ picks defeated Kyle Edmund of Great after the US Open to round out the six- Britain 6-3, 7-5. man teams. Second-seeded Roberto At present, Europeans hold the top fi ve Bautista Agut defeated Great spots in the rankings and 13 of the top 15 Britain’s Aljaz Bedene 4-6, 6-3, places. 6-3. “A lot of things can change in a year,” Bautista Agut, who has won added McEnroe, noting the rise of young two hard-court tournaments players coming into their own. this year, next faces number 14 Federer said he believes the Laver Cup seed Marcos Baghdatis of Cy- Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain, will resonate from the start. prus, who eliminated American who eliminated Germany’s Jan- “I think it’s going to have a big impact Donald Young 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Lennard Struff 6-4, 7-5. right away just because of the magni- Third-seeded Pablo Cuevas France’s Gilles Simon was up- tude of Rod Laver being involved,” said (From left to right) Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Rod Laver, Roger Federer and John McEnroe pose for a photo during a Laver Cup press of Uruguay had an easier time set in his opening match for the 17-times slam winner Federer, currently conference in yesterday. (AFP) in getting past Malek Jaziri of second year in a row. He lost to sidelined following knee surgery. Tunisia 7-5, 6-1. Cuevas’ next Diego Schwartzman of Argentina “Having the captains John and Bjorn three singles and one doubles. Each play- each day of play by a blind exchange of The competition, which will be held opponent will be 16th-seeded 7-6 (2), 6-1. there is going to create so much attention er will play at least one singles match, and line-ups by the captains. annually except for during Summer Ol- and so much of a diff erent twist being at least four of the six players must play Each match win will be worth one ympic years, will rotate between major able to rub shoulders with legends.” doubles. point on Friday, two points on Saturday cities in Europe and the rest of the world. FOCUS Four matches will be played each day, Match-ups will be determined prior to and three points on Sunday.

GOLF Scot Knox could be record-tying sixth European Ryder rookie Rose, aft er golden Olympic I’ve made my case and hopefully Reuters Farmingdale, New York it’s good enough.” Should Knox make the Euro- pean team, he would become the cotsman sixth Ryder Cup rookie on the run, returns to regular job sits fourth on the FedEx- team, tying a record set in 2010 Cup points list but may when Rory McIlroy and Martin Reuters Cup and the Ryder Cup fi lling the fi nal need a strong showing at Kaymer were among the fi rst- weeks. TheS Barclays, which opens the timers. Farmingdale, New York “Obviously I feel confi dent with my lucrative PGA Tour playoff s this Kaymer and fellow Ryder vet- game. It’s the fi rst time in a while I’ve week, to join the European Ryder eran are rated fa- ustin Rose, still feeling the glow of been in contention and to put it away was Cup team. vourites as wild card selections, winning Olympic golf gold at the a great feeling,” Rose said about his Ol- Knox has won twice this sea- with Knox, and the Rio Games, says he hopes the ex- ympic triumph. “I’m beginning to putt son and had a pair of runner-up experienced among perience will carry him on a strong well and beginning to be comfortable.” fi nishes but landed outside the others in the running. runJ after claiming a prize he considers “at After playing for pride and patriotism group of nine automatic qualifi - Ryder Cup veteran Henrik the top”. in Rio, Rose is now gearing up for a crack ers because his win at the WGC- Stenson said he did not think the Rose prevailed in Rio in a tight, fi nal- at the $10 mn bonus prize for topping the HSBC Champions in China did high number of rookies would round duel with British Open champion list in the FedExCup playoff s. not earn him Ryder Cup points hurt Europe. and the Briton said the “Hopefully I can put a run together. as he was not a European Tour “Even though there might be reaction to his victory has been over- Shouldn’t be one-and-done,” he said. member at the time. rookies on the Ryder Cup team, whelming. Rose looked forward to the upcoming European captain Darren when you have someone that’s “The whole experience...exceeded my challenges, but said there was something Clarke will announce on Aug. 30 the current Masters champion expectations and certainly winning has special about the Olympics — right down three picks to complete a team (), you don’t really blown me away in terms of the reach that to the medal. that will go for an unprecedented put them in the rookie catego- it has and the global audience that it has,” “It’s much easier to travel with than a fourth win in a row against the ry,” said British Open champion Rose told reporters at Bethpage Black, normal trophy. You can just kind of slip it US in the biennial event at Ha- Stenson. where The Barclays will kick off the Fed- in your pocket and then carry on,” he said. zeltine in Minnesota starting on “They have all done well to get ExCup playoff s today. Rose said the feel of the event was Sept. 30. in that position and played really “I’ve really noticed a diff erence from somewhere between a major and the Ry- “It’s important but it’s not the solid to automatically qualify. people’s reactions.” der Cup, and something peers who de- end of the world. If he chooses “It’s always good to have some Even as he was shuttled by golf cart to cided to skip the Rio Games will probably not to pick me, I’m not going to fresh blood on there and I think the media interview room, New York fans want to check out in Tokyo in 2020. sulk in the corner,” Knox told we’ve got a strong team, despite recognised the Englishman and shouted “It was just a unique tournament. reporters at Bethpage Black on having a lot of rookies.” congratulations to him along the way. That’s why I can’t compare it to anything Tuesday. “He has every right not Stenson, who claimed the sil- “I think the Olympic gold medal has else. For me it’s right up there with any- to pick me. He has every right to ver medal at the Rio Olympics, reached a much wider audience. I feel the thing I’ve achieved in the game of golf, pick me.” said he is slowly gearing up for attention that it receives has been huge but kind of lives in a diff erent world,” he Knox may not be as blase about the next series of events. outside of the game of golf,” he said. said. “I kind of see it at the top.” the nomination as he let on. “I haven’t had more than one Rose, 36, said he felt the impact of his Rose said some players have asked to “No contact with Darren week off at any point since the end Rio achievement with all the media at- see the medal. Clarke. They are probably keep- of May, so I guess we might not be tention paid to him the past week and a In this August 14, 2016, picture, reacts to a putt on the 16th hole during the “Maybe it’s something that I can keep ing quiet,” he said. “Hopefully fully charged, but we’re trying to more personal affi rmation at home. final round of men’s golf at the Rio . (USA TODAY Sports) in the golf bag or pop in the locker or I’ll hear from him a week today, conserve energy,” he said. “Leo, my boy, he never really let’s on something. It’s a unique and iconic thing, that’s the goal. “I haven’t touched a club for a that he’s that proud of me or let’s on that champion Rose. Rose limited himself to four tourna- Olympic gold. “I feel like I’ve done every- week. Last time I played on a golf he’s that excited about golf and some of “He was probably wearing it more than ments between May’s Players Champi- “It’s defi nitely an iconic piece of hard- thing I could do. I played my course, was that Sunday in Rio. the trophies I’ve been able to bring home me for the fi rst couple days that I was onship and the Olympics, nursing a back ware. It does capture a lot of people’s best. I made the commitment to “So I came out...today and and this one meant something a little home. Just to see him excited about it injury, but feels fi t and fresh heading into imagination and they are excited to see it join The European Tour so I was luckily the ball went up and it bit diff erent to him,” said 2013 US Open made it even more special for me.” a busy end of the season with the FedEx- and feel it and hold it.” eligible. I played well. So I guess went forward.” Gulf Times Thursday, August 25, 2016 7 SPORT

FOCUS UNODC, ICSS launch guide for ‘fi xing’ investigation Resource guide is the result of an extensive 18-month project

Agencies EUROPOL. Vienna Speaking at the launch of the re- source guide, UNODC director for Treaty Aff airs John Brandolino said: ollowing on from the partner- “The problem of match-fi xing is such ship signed last year at the 13th that it undermines integrity in sport United Nations Congress on with the signifi cant illicit profi ts it Crime Prevention and Crimi- generates allowing organised crime nalF Justice, UNODC and International and corruption to thrive. In addition, Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) on the investigative skills of both law Tuesday unveiled a new resource guide enforcement agencies and sports or- that will help law enforcement and ganisations around the world which sports organisations better detect and are needed to identify and apprehend investigate match-fi xing and cases of those responsible, are relatively un- sports-results manipulation. derdeveloped.” Launched during a side event of the For his part, ICSS president Mo- Seventh meeting of the Open-ended hamed Hanzab, while highlighting the Intergovernmental Working Group on expert contributions in the develop- the Prevention of Corruption, which ment of the guide, mentioned: “This was attended by representatives of the handbook provides a comprehensive 178 states parties to the United Nations range of case studies, investigation Convention against Corruption, the techniques and approaches to combat new resource guide is the result of an match-fi xing as well as providing valu- extensive 18-month project led by the able guidance on how to disrupt the in- UNODC and ICSS. It is available on ternational organised crime syndicates UNODC’s website. that now operate in sport.” The new UNODC-ICSS guide has Using the United Nations Conven- been developed for investigators in tion against Transnational Organised both law enforcement and sports or- Crime (UNTOC) and the United Na- ganisations and also to raise aware- tions Convention against Corruption ness among policy makers about the (UNCAC) as a basis, topics and themes threat of match-fi xing. It provides covered in the guide include co-oper- comprehensive information on the dif- ation between law enforcement and ferent factors, approaches and practi- sport investigators; sources of infor- cal investigation techniques needed to mation, allegations, intelligence and conduct eff ective investigations into evidence; evidence and interviewing; match-fi xing. It also provides guidance why match-fi xing is an international on how law enforcement and sport or- issue; application of existing legal in- ganisations, and other relevant stake- struments e.g. UNCAC, UNTOC etc; holders, can eff ectively work together relationship between investigators and to detect and investigate match-fi xing prosecutors in a criminal or sporting across diff erent jurisdictions. case; and alternative and complimen- Over 40 experts contributed their tary approaches to combat match- knowledge to the development of the fi xing. resource guide. These included of- UNODC and the ICSS will look to fi cials from: FIFA, the International develop the resource guide into a se- Olympic Committee, INTERPOL, the ries of workshops designed to build European Commission, Hong Kong capacities of investigators, prosecu- Jockey Club, World Snooker, Council tors and relevant officials in sports of Europe, Ministries of Justice from organisations on how to investigate The guide was launched during a side event of the Seventh meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the Prevention of Corruption, which was France and the Republic of Korea, and allegations of match-fixing. attended by representatives of the 178 states parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

FORMULA 1 Rejuvenated Hamilton has 50th win in his sights

Reuters Max Verstappen, the track is the driver head protection system Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium closest he has to a home venue. at Belgian Grand Prix practice Hamilton may Verstappen, whose victory on tomorrow, motorsport.com re- his Red Bull debut in Spain in ported yesterday. take grid ewis Hamilton can become May helped the team move up to Although F1 bosses decided in only the third driver to second in the standings ahead of July to shelve the idea until 2018, demotion at win 50 Grands Prix when Ferrari, was born in Belgium to a testing will continue and German Formula One returns from Belgian mother and can count on driver Nico Rosberg is in line to Belgian GP, Lits month-long August break and strong local support. try the device at Spa. gets back to business at Sunday’s His teammate, Daniel Ric- One of the reasons the halo will says Mercedes Belgian Grand Prix. ciardo, won in Belgium for Red not be introduced next season is The triple world champion Bull two years ago after Hamilton because it was felt the product eigning Formula One cham- ended the fi rst half of the season and Rosberg collided. was not yet perfect and needed pion Lewis Hamilton is “likely” in blistering form, opening up a With little risk of a repeat after more testing. Rto take a grid penalty at this 19-point lead in the standings Mercedes imposed tighter rules of There are worries over driver weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, ac- over Mercedes teammate Nico engagement, Verstappen can pin visibility, especially during el- cording to his Mercedes team. Rosberg with six wins — four in a his hopes on the capricious Spa evation changes, meaning the The demotion, which will be worth row — from the last seven races. weather to shake things up instead. famous up-and-down track at at least ten places, is a hangover His win in Germany last French teenager Esteban Ocon Spa off ers a great opportunity for from the reliability woes Hamilton month was number 49, and only will make his Formula One race trying it out. suff ered at the start of the season. Michael Schumacher (91) and debut this weekend, replac- The halo, which fi ts over the The three-time world champion Alain Prost (51) have reached the ing Indonesian Rio Haryanto at cockpit but is anchored to the leads this year’s title race by 19 half century. backmarkers Manor. body of the car in front of the points from teammate Nico Rosberg, Hamilton, who trailed Rosberg Making his debut at Spa, as driver, is meant to prevent ob- reports Sky Sports. by 43 points after May’s Spanish boyhood idol Schumacher once jects striking the helmet follow- Hamilton has reached the penalty- Grand Prix, is determined not to did, Ocon will join fellow Mer- ing a series of fatal or near fatal free limit for two of the six power- ease off . cedes-backed youngster Pascal incidents in recent years. unit elements that the current “The fi rst half of the season Wehrlein with both aiming to Ferrari and Red Bull have al- rulebook regards as comprising an was a bit of a rollercoaster, so it’s impress with Manor in their bid ready tested the device in prac- F1 engine. great to be in the position I’m in for a future Mercedes seat. tice sessions this season but Red A 10-place grid penalty is applied with more than half of the races Bull say they prefer their aero- whenever a sixth unit of any of behind us,” said the Briton, who MERCEDES AND ROSBERG TO screen idea, eff ectively a mini those elements is first used by a spent his break in the Caribbean, TRIAL HALO SYSTEM AT SPA windscreen which others have driver. A five-place penalty is then Costa Rica and the United States. Mercedes will test out the halo said is not yet safe enough. imposed the first time a remaining “I’m feeling refreshed, re-en- sixth element is introduced. ergised and ready to go after a fun Having previously indicated they few weeks off , so hopefully eve- would elect to trigger his long-antic- ryone else has had a good rest too ipated demotion in either Belgium and we’ll come out fi ghting.” or at next week’s Italian GP at over- Rosberg won the opening four taking-friendly Monza, Mercedes is races of the season but has scored expected to fit Hamilton’s car with at only three podiums since Hamil- least two new engines whenever the ton hit his stride. penalty is taken. The break, spent with his wife The Englishman would then suff er and baby daughter in Ibiza, could his penalty in a single hit rather than be the reset he needs with nine of run the risk of enduring a series of a record 21 races still to run. demotions during the rest of the It will be crucial that the Ger- season. man does come back strongly, “An engine penalty is likely and as even fi nishing second behind confirmation is expected tomorrow,” Hamilton this weekend will see a team spokesperson said yesterday. him drop 26 points behind the Although Hamilton’s penalty may be Briton, who is likely to have en- in excess of the 22 positions on this gine-related penalties at the next year’s grid, any remaining demo- race in Italy. tions can’t be carried over for sub- The 7km Spa circuit is an en- sequent races after the rules were during favourite of drivers, with amended at the start of the year. its fl at-out blasts and undula- Sunday’s race will be the first since tions harking back to the sport’s In this April 29, 2016, picture, Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo gets into the sport broke up at the end of July golden age. his car, which is fitted with the halo device. Ferrari and Red Bull have In this July 31, 2016, picture, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the German for a summer break. For 18-year-old Dutch driver already tested the device during in practice sessions this season. (AFP) Grand Prix at the Hockenheim circuit. (AFP)

Thursday, August 25, 2016 GULF TIMES

REPORT SPOTLIGHT ICC sanctions loom over Kingsmead, Aponso, Mathews Queen’s Park Oval

Reuters The lack of action meant In- Dubai dia clinched the four-Test series 2-0 but surrendered top spot in urban’s Kingsmead and Test rankings to Pakistan, less star as Sri Lanka Queen’s Park Oval in than a week after taking over the Port of Spain risk sanc- number one position from Aus- tions after outfi elds at tralia. bothD venues were rated as “poor” Match referees Andy Pycroft by match referees following and Ranjan Madugalle submit- drawn tests this week, the Inter- ted reports to the ICC, express- national Cricket Council (ICC) ing concerns over the quality of said yesterday. the outfi elds at Kingsmead and level ODI series The fi rst Test between South Queen’s Park Oval respectively. Africa and ended in “The reports have been for- a damp draw on Tuesday without warded to Cricket Australia’s James Faulkner recorded his first ODI hat-trick but Sri Lanka, who a ball being bowled over the fi nal (CSA) and the West Indies Crick- three-and-a-half days due to a et Board (WICB), who now have sodden outfi eld at Kingsmead. 14 days to provide their respons- chose to bat first, still managed to post 288 in 48.5 overs Also on Tuesday, the Trini- es,” the ICC said in a statement. dad and Tobago Cricket Board According to ICC regulations, ter Zampa trapped him lbw for 48. launched an investigation after the maximum punishment for a The 24-year-old Zampa accounted only 22 overs could be played venue which incurs the “poor” Sri Lanka’s Amila Aponso (C) celebrates with for dangerman Mendis and then got over fi ve days in the fourth and rating for the fi rst time is a teammates after he dismissed Australia’s Dhananjaya de Silva to leave Sri Lanka fi nal Test between West Indies $15,000 fi ne, along with a warn- captain Steven Smith at the R Premadasa struggling on 158 for fi ve. and at the Queen’s Park ing and a directive for appropri- International Cricket Stadium in Colombo The hosts were rescued by another Oval due to a soggy outfi eld. ate corrective action. yesterday. crucial 103-run sixth- partner- ship between Mathews, who scored 57, and Kusal Perera who made 54. OPTION But Faulkner hit Sri Lanka hard after getting Kusal Perera with the last deliv- ery of his eighth over. He came back to dismiss Mathews and Thisara Perera to England players complete his hat-trick. The left-arm pacer, who registered match-winning fi gures of 4-38 in the get Bangladesh fi rst match at the same venue, became the sixth Australian bowler to take an ODI hat-trick. tour choice Starc (3-53) claimed two in the fi nal over to stop Sri Lanka from reaching the 300-run mark, with the hosts losing AFP ladesh and India) and we’ll their last fi ve wickets for 27 runs. London chat about it. It has to be quite The action now shifts to Dambulla for open,” Morgan said in com- the third ODI on August 28. ments reported by British me- ngland’s players will be dia on Wednesday. Scoreboard allowed to skip the tour “People have missed tours Sri Lanka of Bangladesh later in the past so you have to make K. Gunathilaka b Starc ...... 2 this year if they have guys feel safe to go. It’s a deci- T Econcerns about security in the sion you’d rather get out of the . Dilshan b Lyon ...... 10 K. Mendis lbw Zampa ...... 69 country, limited-overs captain way sooner rather than later. D. Chandimal lbw Zampa ...... 48 Eoin Morgan has revealed. “There’s always room for A. Mathews c Henriques b Faulkner ....57 Morgan, Test captain a personal decision. You also D. de Silva c Smith b Zampa ...... 7 Alastair Cook and team mem- have to understand guys might K. Perera lbw b Faulkner ...... 54 bers will meet the England and have different priorities.” T. Perera b Faulkner ...... 12 Wales Cricket Board’s security England will play three ODIs S. Prasanna not out ...... 2 director Reg Dickason today to and two Tests in Bangladesh in D. Perera b Starc ...... 5 discuss the matter. October and November before A. Aponso b Starc ...... 2 An attack in Dhaka last heading to India. Extras (b 4, lb 7, w 9) ...... 20 month claimed by the Islamic Bowlers Andy Caddick and Total (all out; 48.5 overs) ...... 288 State group saw 20 hostages Robert Croft pulled out of Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Gunathilaka), killed, including nine Italians, England’s tour of India in 2001 2-12 (Dilshan), 3-137 (Chandimal), 4-146 and Australia have cancelled for security reasons, while (Mendis), 5-158 (de Silva), 6-261 (K. Per- senior and under-19 tours of England forfeited a World Cup era), 7-279 (Mathews), 8-279 (T. Perera), Bangladesh in the past year. match against Zimbabwe in 9-286 (D. Perera), 10-288 (Aponso) “They’ll debrief us on the 2003 after refusing to play in Bowling: Starc 9.5-0-53-3, Lyon 9-0-49-1, findings on both tours (Bang- Harare. Faulkner 9-0-45-3, Head 4-0-41-0, Zampa 10-0-42-3, Finch 2-0-7-0, Henriques 5-0- AFP 288 in 48.5 overs. as the duo managed 64 runs between 40-0 Colombo In reply Australia, who won the fi rst of them to keep Australia’s hopes alive. Australia Cricket becomes Australia’s the fi ve ODIs by three wickets, were dealt Wade’s 88-ball knock was studded D. Warner c Chandimal b T. Perera ...... 1 early blows after losing their openers to with three boundaries as the wicket- A. Finch b T. Perera ...... 4 number one participation sport kipper led Thisara Perera. keeper-batsman fi nally became Thisara S. Smith c D. Perera b Aponso ...... 30 from the front with his allround David Warner was caught behind for Perera’s third victim and the Australian G. Bailey b Aponso ...... 27 IANS, Canberra: The rise CA chief executive off icer James showing to help Sri Lanka regis- 1 while , who scored a half- resistance wilted. M. Wade c Gunathilaka b T. Perera ...... 76 in popularity of Australia’s Sutherland said the growth and ter a comprehensive 82-run win century in the fi rst ODI, was bowled for Head, who scored 31, soon got out to M. Henriques st Chandimal b Prasanna 4 domestic Big Bash League (BBL) interest associated with both againstS Australia in the second one-day four with Australia left struggling at 16 Mathews as the visitors lost their way T. Head c Dilshan b Mathews ...... 31 Twenty20 tournament and the the male and female versions international to level the series at 1-1 in for two. into the chase, losing their fi nal fi ve J. Faulkner lbw b Aponso ...... 13 growing interest in the women’s of the Big Bash League had Colombo. Skipper Steve Smith tried to fi ght back wickets for 24 runs. M. Starc c & b Mathews ...... 0 game has propelled cricket pushed growth in cricket partici- Australia, who were chasing a record with his 33-ball 30, his innings laced with The hosts rode on half-centuries from A. Zampa c Dilshan b Aponso ...... 5 to become the nation’s most pation. “The Big Bash League 289 for victory at R Premadasa Stadium, fi ve boundaries, but his wicket off Apon- Mathews, Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera N. Lyon not out ...... 4 popular participation sport. On rose to unprecedented levels of were bowled out for 206 in 47.2 overs so spelt more trouble for the visitors. to put up a respectable score against a Extras (b 1, lb 3, w 7) ...... 11 Tuesday, Cricket Australia (CA) popularity in its fifth year, with with Matthew Wade top-scoring with 76 George Bailey and Wade put together a persistent Australian bowling attack led Total (all out; 47.2 overs) ...... 206 revealed that record numbers an average audience of more runs. 61-run fourth wicket partnership to keep by Faulkner (3-45). Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Warner), 2-16 (Finch), of Australians picked up the bat than 1 million Australians tuning Left-arm spinner Amila Aponso Australia in the hunt but the required In-form batsmen Mendis and Dinesh 3-41 (Smith), 4-102 (Bailey), 5-118 (Hen- and ball in 2015-16, including a in to watch the tournament claimed four wickets while medium- run-rate just kept mounting. Chandimal put together a 125-run third riques), 6-182 (Wade), 7-184 (Head), 8-185 record number of women, with on Network Ten and a record pacer Thisara Perera took three to choke Bailey, who scored 27 off 46 balls, fi - wicket partnership to build a solid plat- (Starc), 9-202 (Zampa), 10-206 (Faulkner) almost 25 per cent of all par- breaking 1,030,495 people the Australian run chase. nally succumbed to the pressure of scor- form. Bowling: Mathews 6-0-17-2, T. Perera ticipants being female, reports attending matches,” Sutherland But it was man of the match Mathews’ ing quick runs after being bowled by Mendis, who followed up his 67 in the 5-0-33-3, Aponso 9.2-0-18-4, Prasanna Xinhua. said in a statement on Tuesday. two wickets and a 57 with the bat that Aponso, who registered impressive fi g- fi rst ODI with a run-a-ball 69, hit nine 8-1-48-1, D. Perera 10-0-43-0, Dilshan 5-0- Cricket Census, “The Women’s Big Bash League helped Sri Lanka register their biggest ures of 4-18 in just his second ODI. boundaries and forced Australian Smith 23-0, de Silva 4-0-20-0 compiled by CA, found that also achieved impressive results win against Australia in terms of runs. Leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna soon to use seven bowlers until the 21st over. Toss: Sri Lanka 1,311,184 people played cricket in just its first season. We were Sri Lanka’s previous best was a 79-run joined forces with Aponso to get Moi- The pair put quick runs on the board Result: Sri Lanka win by 82 runs across Australia in 2015-16, an able to demonstrate a viable triumph at the Sydney Cricket Ground ses Henriques, who scored four runs, before a triple strike by leg-spinner Series: 5-match series level at 1-1 8.5 per cent increase on 2014- pathway for girls and women (SCG) in 2003. as Sri Lanka gained control of Adam Zampa checked the hosts’ surge. Umpires: Michael Gough (ENG) and 15, while female participation to pick up a bat and ball and Australia’s James Faulkner recorded the match. Chandimal, who top-scored with an Raveendra Wimalasiri (SRI) rates increased by 9 percent to take up cricket as a professional his fi rst ODI hat-trick but Sri Lanka, who Matthew Wade then staged a gritty unbeaten 80 in the previous game, was TV Umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK) 314,936 players. sport.” chose to bat fi rst, still managed to post fi ghtback with support from Travis Head denied his sixth consecutive ODI fi fty af- Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)

BOTTOMLINE Azhar leads from front but England restrict Pak

AFP Pakistan’s Azhar Ali plays England, whose fi elding had proved fallible However, as Sharjeel had wasted Pakistan’s Southampton a shot against England at during a recent 2-2 drawn Test series against lone review of the innings, Babar had to go and The Ageas Bowl cricket Pakistan, then twice dropped Azhar. Pakistan were now 113 for three off 24 overs. ground in Southampton He was put down in the gully by Alex Hales off Azhar pressed on to a relatively sedate 84-ball akistan captain Azhar Ali led from the yesterday. Wood, playing his fi rst match for England since fi fty, including four fours. front with 82 before England fought a Test against Pakistan in Dubai in October fol- He then upped the tempo by sweeping Rashid back to hold the tourists to 260 for six lowing persistent ankle problems. to the boundary. in the fi rst one-day international at Azhar was still on nine when he glanced Azhar and Ahmed shared a fi fty partnership SouthamptonP yesterday In a rain-interrupted fast bowler Liam Plunkett and a diving Buttler in 56 balls before the skipper clouted Plunkett innings, Sarfraz Ahmed (55) was the only other dropped the diffi cult left-handed chance. through mid-off for a well-struck boundary. batsman to make a fi fty and Pakistan’s plight in England captain Eoin Morgan decided to bring Ahmed took up the charge, advancing down this day/night clash would have been worse had part-time spinner Joe Root on ahead of special- the pitch to drive Wood. Azhar not twice been dropped on nine. ist slow bowlers Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. The wicket-keeper went on to make a 52-ball Azhar won the toss in the fi rst of this fi ve- He was rewarded when Mohamed Hafeez (11) fi fty. match series and elected to bat in what was then swept a Root off -break straight to Hales at deep Pakistan were 173 for for three off 35 overs and bright sunshine. backward square leg. on course for a big total. Sharjeel Khan, carrying on from his blister- Azhar and Babar Aslam (40) rebuilt the in- But soon afterwards Azhar top-edged a slog- ing 152 in last week’s 255-run win over Ireland, nings with a third-wicket stand of 61. sweep off Rashid to Moeen Ali at short third man struck three fours in 15 balls. But Babar, who faced just 42 balls, was un- to end a 110-ball innings featuring nine fours. But the left-handed opener fell for 16 when he lucky when given out lbw to leg-spinner Rashid The tourists’ progress was checked again by a top-edged a pull off fast bowler Mark Wood and by Australian umpire Simon Fry, even though brief rain break which stopped play with Paki- was caught behind by Jos Buttler. replays clearly showed an inside edge. stan 218 for four off 42.1 overs.