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Monday, June 19, 2017 FOOTBALL Ramadan 24, 1438 AH Ronaldo’s Portugal GULF TIMES held by Mexico at Confed Cup SPORT Page 7 ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY Fakhar, Amir sparkle as Pakistan demolish India ‘Fakhar is a great impact player, he played like a champion batsman today. Amir bowled brilliantly today... We have a young team and credit to my boys’
Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman holds the trophy as he celebrates. (AFP)
Pakistan celebrate after winning the ICC Champions Trophy final where they defeated India by 180 runs yesterday at the The Oval. (Reuters) Pakistan fans celebrate winning the ICC Champions Trophy. (Reuters)
Reuters my bowlers bowled really well. We have a Trophy fi nal. on many occasions, pulled Hasan Ali to Champions Trophy fi nal scoreboard London young team and credit to my boys.” Babar Azam chipped in with a solid 46 Imad Wasim at deep square leg to depart After India had won the toss, Fakhar, on and Mohamed Hafeez struck three sixes for four. PAKISTAN Yuvraj Singh lbw b Shadab Khan 22 three, was caught by wicketkeeper Ma- in a punchy unbeaten 57 that left India Shadab picked up his second wicket Azhar Ali run out (Bumrah) 59 Dhoni c Imad Wasim b Hasan Ali 4 akhar Zaman and Mohamed Amir hendra Singh Dhoni off a Jasprit Bumrah needing to produce the highest success- when Kedar Jadhav, on nine, gave Sarfraz F. Zaman c Jadeja b Pandya 114 K. Jadhav c Sarfraz b Shadab 9 shone as Pakistan defi ed the odds no-ball and the 27-year-old left-hander ful run chase in the tournament’s history a simple catch and India appeared to be Babar Azam c Yuvraj b Jadhav 46 H. Pandya run out (Hafeez/Ali) 76 to overwhelm arch-rivals India by took full advantage to make his fi rst in- to lift the trophy for the third time. crumbling meekly at 72 for six. Shoaib Malik c Jadhav b Kumar 12 R. Jadeja c Babar Azam b Junaid 15 180 runs and pull off a major up- ternational century. Within three overs, however, their re- Pandya, however, briefl y raised their Mohammad Hafeez not out 57 R. Ashwin c Sarfraz b Hasan Ali 1 setF in the Champions Trophy fi nal at The He shared a fl uent century opening ply was in tatters as Amir produced a dev- spirits with a quickfi re 76, reaching his Imad Wasim not out 25 B. Kumar not out 1 Oval yesterday. partnership with Azhar Ali (59), the pair astating spell of bowling. fi fty with three successive sixes off Shad- Extras (lb9, w13, nb3) 25 J. Bumrah c Sarfraz b Hasan Ali 1 Fakhar capitalised on a lucky escape to unleashing a barrage of crisp attacking He trapped Rohit Sharma lbw for ab and hitting six maximums in all before Total (4 wkts, 50 overs) 338 Extras (lb2, w1) 3 strike a superb 114 and lift Pakistan to a strokes all around a sun-kissed ground. nought with a swinging delivery and re- he was run out. Did not bat: Sarfraz Ahmed, Total (all out, 30.3 overs) 158 commanding total of 338 for four and fast Azhar also continued his fi ne form, moved India talisman Virat Kohli with Jadeja nicked Junaid Khan to slip for Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Sharma), 2-6 bowler Amir ripped out India’s top three reaching fi fty off 61 balls before he was another fi ne ball which the captain could 15, Hasan had Ashwin caught by Sarfraz Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan (Kohli), 3-33 (Dhawan), 4-54 (Yuvraj), batsmen before the defending champions run out following a mix-up with his part- only edge to point for fi ve. and Hasan forced Bumrah to lob another Fall of wickets: 1-128 (Azhar), 5-54 (Dhoni), 6-72 (Jadhav), 7-152 subsided to 158 all out. ner. Kohli, the world’s top-ranked one-day catch to the wicketkeeper, who pouched 2-200 (Fakhar), 3-247 (Shoaib), (Pandya), 8-156 (Jadeja), 9-156 (Ash- Pakistan had come into the tourna- Fakhar lofted Ravindra Jadeja over batsman, had been dropped off the previ- it gleefully to complete Pakistan’s fi rst 4-267 (Babar) win), 10-158 (Bumrah) ment as the lowest-ranked team and lost long-on for six and got to three fi gures ous delivery in the slips and the India fans Champions Trophy win with 19.3 overs Bowling: Kumar 10-2-44-1 (1w); Bowling: Amir 6-2-16-3; Junaid heavily to India in their opening group by sweeping Ravichandran Ashwin to the looked shell-shocked as he trudged off . to spare. Bumrah 9-0-68-0 (3nb, 5w); Ashwin 6-1-20-1 (1w); Hafeez 1-0-13-0; Hasan match but they beat South Africa and Sri boundary. Their hopes now rested largely on the “Early wickets are never good, es- 10-0-70-0 (4w); Pandya 10-0-53-1 (1w); 6.3-1-19-3; Shadab 7-0-60-2; Imad Lanka to make the semi-fi nals where they He celebrated with an extravagant twirl shoulders of Shikhar Dhawan who had pecially in a chase. We thought one big Jadeja 8-0-67-0; Jadhav 3-0-27-1 (2w) 0.3-0-3-0; Fakhar 3.3-0-25-0; knocked out hosts England. of his bat and kissed the turf as the Paki- been in fi ne form in the tournament but partnership would have set it up nicely,” Result: Pakistan won by 180 runs “Fakhar is a great impact player, he stan supporters sensed an unlikely win. he made only 21 before nicking the in- Kohli said. INDIA Man of the Match: Fakhar Zaman played like a champion batsman today,” Fakhar hit 12 fours and three sixes be- spired Amir to wicketkeeper Sarfraz. “Pakistan had to earn their win and R. Sharma lbw b Amir 0 Golden Bat: Shikhar Dhawan Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said at fore skying a catch off Hardik Pandya Spinner Shadab Khan snared Yu- they made us make mistakes. We have no S. Dhawan c Sarfraz b Amir 21 Golden Ball & Man of the series: the presentation ceremony. but Pakistan had the perfect platform to vraj Singh lbw for 22 and Dhoni, India’s hesitation or shame to admit we didn’t V. Kohli c Shadab b Amir 5 Hasan Ali “Amir bowled brilliantly today but all make the highest total in a Champions former captain who has saved the team play our best game today.”
BOTTOMLINE Hafeez hails Pakistan spirit for India stunner AFP the fi rst game, we had no chance to lose early wickets — and I did it,” he said. nament hadn’t fi nished yet. Credit goes London again,” said Hafeez, who played an im- Pakistan’s fi rst global 50-over ti- to my boys. portant role in the win with a classy 57 tle since the 1992 World Cup refl ected “Fakhar is a great impact player, he not out. well on their Australian coach Mickey played like a champion batsman. Amir ohamed Hafeez hailed “We showed great character. I’m so Arthur, who kept his squad from losing bowled brilliantly but all my bowlers Pakistan’s team spirit as happy for the nation of Pakistan who focus after their dismal display against bowled really well.” the key to their stunning have been waiting for this for a long time.” the Indians earlier in the tournament. India captain Kohli conceded Paki- Champions Trophy fi nal Fakhar Zaman’s maiden one-day Arthur admitted Pakistan were des- stan were worthy winners and, while Mtriumph against India. international hundred laid the founda- perate to prove they could go toe to toe he claimed to be proud of his players, Just two weeks ago, Pakistan were at tions for Pakistan’s formidable total of with tournament favourites India with his admission that the new champions a low ebb after crashing to a humiliat- 338-4. the title up for grabs. played with more passion was a damn- ing 124-run defeat against India in the After man of the match Fakhar fi n- ing indictment. group stage. ished on 114, Pakistan pace bowler Mo- CHAMPION BATSMAN “I want to congratulate Pakistan But Pakistan batsman Hafeez says hamed Amir ripped the heart out of the “It’s been an up and down ride for us but fi rst, they had an amazing tournament. his team-mates vowed to stick together India batting line-up with the wickets I’m so proud of the boys,” Arthur said. The way they turned things around despite the avalanche of criticism and of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and “The whole group kept believing, speaks volumes for the talent they have they reaped the rewards in memorable Virat Kohli. we knew we were better than what we in their side,” Kohli said. fashion yesterday. India, looking to retain the Champi- showed in the fi rst game against India. “They were more intense and pas- Gaining sweet revenge over India, ons Trophy, went down without a fi ght “That was an aberration. We want to sionate today, they deserved to win. Pakistan thrashed their arch rivals by as they collapsed to 158 all out and Amir be more consistent as a team.” “I’m disappointed but I have a smile 180 runs at The Oval to win the Cham- felt his spell was crucial. Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed on my face because I’m proud of how pions Trophy for the fi rst time. Pakistan’s Mohamed Amir celebrates taking the wicket of India’s Rohit Sharma “Rohit, Dhawan and Kohli have been added: “After the India match in the my team has performed in the tourna- “It’s a great team eff ort. After losing during the ICC Champions Trophy final yesterday. (AFP) in tremendous form so I was looking for group stage, I told the players the tour- ment overall.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, June 19, 2017 SPORT
TENNIS FOCUS Pouille beats Lopez in three sets to Muller topples win Stuttgart title
Reuters Stuttgart
ig-serving world number 16 Lucas Pouille tuned up for Karlovic in battle Wimbledon by muscling past Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in just over two hours yesterday to win the Stuttgart Open. BThe 23-year-old, seeded fourth, fi red a total of 29 aces on his way to his second title of the year following his victory in Budapest in April. He also reached the fi nal in Marseille earlier this year. The 35-year-old Lopez, who last reached a fi nal in August 2016, was aiming for a sixth career title and third on grass when he broke of the veterans early in the fi rst set to race into the lead. He then had a handful of opportunities to break again with the Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit beats Russian Natalia Vikhlyantseva 6-2, 6-3 for her first title score at 1-1 and 2-2 in the second but Pouille held serve and even- tually claimed the set on a tiebreak. Pouille’s patience paid off when a double fault and two unforced Reuters errors from Lopez gave the Frenchman his fi rst break points mid- ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands way through the third set. He took his chance at the fi rst opportu- nity and then comfortably held serve. Pouille who saved a matchpoint against Jan-Lennard Struff in uxembourg’s Gilles the round of 16, squandered his fi rst against Lopez with a double Muller out-aced the fault but made amends on his third with an ace. record-breaking Ivo Kar- lovic in a landmark battle Lof the big-serving veterans to lift the grasscourt title in Den Bosch yesterday. Croatia’s 38-year-old Kar- lovic became the fi rst man to ever pass the milestone of 12,000 aces as he blasted down another 19 yet he still could not stop his 34-year-old opponent coming out on top 7-6(5), 7-6(4) in the Wimbledon warm-up tournament. With a combined age of 72, it was the oldest sin- gles fi nal on the ATP World Tour since Hong Kong in 1976 when 42-year-old Ken Rosewall de- feated 30-year-old Ilie Nastase. Earlier, Estonia’s Anett Kon- France’s Lucas Pouille poses next to the winner’s car, a Mercedes- taveit, one of the rising talents of Benz E 400 Cabrio 4 Matic, after defeating Spain’s Feliciano the WTA tour, won her fi rst tour Lopez (not in picture) in the final match at the ATP Mercedes Cup title in the women’s fi nal, beat- in Stuttgart yesterday. (AFP) ing Russian Natalia Vikhlyant- seva 6-2 ,6-3. Muller, Luxembourg’s best- You cannot be serious: Murray ever player, has enjoyed a re- markable season, winning his hits back at McEnroe claim second title of the year here after Andy Murray has slammed John McEnroe’s claim the world previously never having managed number one should be seen as ‘a distant fourth’ behind old rivals to earn one in 13 years of trying. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Murray begins The left-hander even blasted his Wimbledon preparations this week as he defends his title 22 aces to outperform Karlovic, in the grass-court tournament at Queen’s Club and American the most prolifi c purveyor of legend McEnroe may have given the Scot a little extra motivation aces the game has ever seen, with his criticism. winning two tiebreaks after nei- Although Wimbledon champion Murray remains top of the rank- ther man had enjoyed even the ings, the 30-year-old has struggled this year, while Nadal and Fe- sniff of a break point in the one derer have enjoyed unexpected revivals. At Wimbledon, Federer hour 35 minute contest. will be hoping to clinch a 19th Grand Slam, while Nadal and Djoko- vic are gunning for their 16th and 13th respectively. McEnroe told Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit Luxemburg’s Gilles Muller holds the trophy after winning against Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic in the ‘s-Hertogenbosch ATP tennis tournament final in the Sunday Times that Murray, who has won three major titles, won her fi rst tour title in the ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, yesterday. (AFP) can’t be ranked on the same level as his ‘Big Four’ rivals. But while women’s fi nal, beating the Scot admits that rings true for their whole careers, he pointed Russian Vikhlyantseva to his record at the Olympics, where he has won two singles gold 6-2 6-3 Vekic shocks Konta to win Nottingham title medals, as evidence to the contrary. “For me, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I’m very proud of the Olympic medals, The 21-year-old Kontaveit, Donna Vekic ruined Johanna Konta’s ously able to raise her level all through- they mean a lot to me,” Murray said at Queen’s Club yesterday. who had already reached one bid to win her first title on home soil as out that match,” Konta told Eurosport. “Within tennis, a lot of people just go ‘oh that guy was a better WTA fi nal and beaten world the Croatian beat the British number “I was not able to stay with her. Full player because he won more Grand Slams than that one or that number one Angelique Kerber one in the Nottingham Open final credit to her for playing incredibly well. woman was better because she won more Grand Slams’. this season, overcame a dip in yesterday. “But I’m very happy that I got to play “If that’s the case then what is the point in all of us being here to- concentration at the start of the Konta took the first set, but the world five great matches on the grass. For day? Why is everyone here covering this event? There are other second set to earn her victory in number eight couldn’t seal the silver- Donna and I, heading into Wimbledon, tournaments outside the slams as well. just under an hour and a quarter. ware in the second set tie-break and we just want to play on the surface as “If you look at the titles and everything those guys have won, I The 20-year-old Vikhlyant- eventually slumped to a 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), much as possible.” can’t compare myself to them. There’s maybe one or two things seva, another promising talent, 7-5 loss. Thanks to her gutsy eff ort, 20-year- that I have done that they won’t have but for the most part I was outplayed in the opening The 26-year-old’s failure to land her first old Vekic, ranked 70th in the world, would have been fourth. But it’s not true of the last year because set but after breaking to take a grass-court title is a setback ahead of was able to celebrate her second WTA I’m ranked number one in the world. I’ve been better than them for 3-1 lead in the second, Kontaveit Wimbledon, which gets underway next singles title. the last 12 months, that’s how the ranking systems work.” moved into overdrive to halt the month. “It’s pretty amazing. It’s my first grass- Murray also stood by his recent claim that he may only have two comeback swiftly and win the Sydney-born Konta has never been past court title and my second overall. I’m or three more years left challenging for major honours, despite next fi ve games. the second round at Wimbledon, with really happy,” she said. Federer winning the Australian Open aged 35 in January. The victory will shoot the her best Grand Slam performance a run “Jo played amazing, she’s having an “It’s really hard, it’s always tough to stay at the top of any sport,” young prospect from Tallinn to the semi-finals of the 2016 Australian amazing year, but I was just trying to Murray said. “I hope I stay at the top of the game for five, six, seven from world number 49 to a new Open. focus on myself and serve as good as I Croatia’s Donna Vekic celebrates with the trophy after years but I think just because Roger’s done it doesn’t mean that’s career-high of 36 when the “All credit to Donna, she was continu- can and be aggressive.” winning the Nottingham Open yesterday. (Reuters) going to happen to everyone.” rankings are announced today.
BADMINTON CYCLING Spilak wraps up Srikanth, Sato win Indonesia Open second Tour of
AFP per Series event after defeating Jakarta World’s No.5, Sung Ji-Hyun of Switzerland title South Korea by 21-13, 17-21, 21-19. “After the second game, I saw AFP quicker than his teammate ndian shuttler Kidambi Sri- my opponent’s face was quite Lausanne Stefan Keung as Caruso com- kanth yesterday claimed his tense... that’s when I started to pleted a BMC clean sweep of fi rst ever Indonesia Open earn point by point,” Sato told the top three. The win was Superseries title after de- journalists. lovenian Simon Spi- Dennis’ third in time trials this Ifeating Japanese qualifi er Kazu- Meanwhile in the mixed dou- lak claimed his second season, while he also won the masa Sakai in an impressive win. ble, Olympic champion Tontowi overall Tour of Switzer- 6km prologue in Switzerland World No.22 Srikanth who Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir of land victory yesterday, last week. clinched a spot in the fi nal after Indonesia won the only title for asS Rohan Dennis won the clos- scoring a victory against World the country in the tournament ing time trial in Schaff hausen. Stage No.1 Son Wan Ho of South Korea after defeating China’s Zheng Katusha rider Spilak took a 1. Rohan Dennis (AUS/BMC) a day earlier only needed 37 min- Siwei and Chen Qingchen in two 52-second advantage over Dam- 28.6km in 36min 30sec, 2. Ste- utes to overpower Sakai in two straight set by 22-20, 21-15. iano Caruso into the fi nal day, fan Keung (SWI/BMC) at 0:29, straight sets with 21-11, 21-19. “This is very meaningful for and he fi nished four seconds 3. Damiano Caruso (ITA/BMC) “It’s been a long time since us, we’ve won in the Olympics, behind the Italian in fi fth on the 0:47, 4. Jon Izagirre (ESP/BAH) I’ve won a super series as I was we won All England three times day to secure the yellow jersey. 0:51, 5. Simon Spilak (SLO/KAT) actually injured after the Olym- before, but we’ve never really The 30-year-old also won 0:51. pics,” Srikanth told journalists been a champion at home,” Ah- the title in 2015, and he will go Overall after the game in Jakarta. mad said. into July’s Tour de France hop- 1. Simon Spilak (SLO/Katusha) Sakai who ranked 47th man- In women’s doubles, Chen ing to become the fi rst man to 28hr 37min 11sec, 2. Damiano aged to take back control at the Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China complete the Tour of Swit- Caruso (ITA/BMC) at 0:48, 3. beginning of the second game beat Chang Ye Na and Lee So Hee zerland-Grand Boucle double Steven Kruijswijk (NED/LNL) and was leading by 11-6 but Srikanth Kidambi of India celebrates after beating Kazumasa Sakai of Japan to win the men’s singles title of South Korea by 21-19, 15-21, since Belgian great Eddy Mer- 1:08, 4. Domenico Pozzovivo Srikanth quickly caught up and of the Indonesia Open badminton tournament in Jakarta yesterday. (AFP) 21-10. Their men’s doubles com- ckx in 1974. (ITA/ALM) 2:37, 5. Rui Costa ended his tournament in victory. patriots, Li Junhui and Liu Yuche Australian Dennis, 27, went (POR/EAU) 3:09, 6. Jon Iza- “It’s defi nitely much needed The 24-year-old athlete man- admit defeat against fellow In- compatriot Sayaka Sato won her also won the fi nal against Math- into the ninth stage as the fa- girre (ESP/BAH) 3:51, 7. Mathias for me after losing the fi nal in the aged to reach the fi nal in the Sin- dian shuttler Sai Praneeth. fi rst ever singles title in a Bad- ias Boe and Carsten Morgensen vourite, and he completed the Frank (SWI/ALM) 4:00, 8. Marc Singapore Open,” Srikanth said. gapore Open in April but had to In the women’s single, Sakai’s minton World Federation Su- by 21-13, 17-21, 21-14. 28.6km course 29 seconds Soler (ESP/MOV) 4:14. Gulf Times Monday, June 19, 2017 3 SPORT
ATHLETICS THE BIG CLASH Mayweather says fi ght with McGregor De Grasse blown to is what people want
AFP to 49-0. Los Angeles The matchup with McGregor gives Mayweather a chance to reach the 50-0 career milestone. oxing legend Floyd Asked about fi nancial details wind-aided 100m Mayweather says he has of the fi ght, Mayweather said no problem coming out both sides are pleased. of retirement to fi ght “Both parties are very happy,” Bmixed martial arts star Conor Mayweather said. “He’s very McGregor in what some are pre- happy, I’m very happy and I can’t dicting will be one of the richest wait.” fi ghts in history. But many boxing experts have “McGregor is a tough compet- slammed the event as an exhibi- win in 9.69 seconds itor. People all around the world tion spectacle, pointing to the fact demanded this fi ght so I had to that the 28-year-old McGregor ‘It was a shock to me when I saw the time on the board, I just wanted to run sub-10 give them what they wanted to has never had a professional box- see,” Mayweather told BSOTV in ing match and only dabbled in the and I didn’t feel in the shape to run that fast. That’s the fastest I’ve ever run...’ an interview that aired Saturday. sport as a teenager. “They asked for this fi ght. The pair have yet to get to- I was in retirement, but they gether face-to-face since the wanted me back and I’m back.” announcement but they are ex- Mayweather was making his pected to announce a promo- fi rst public comments since tional tour soon that will take Wednesday’s announcement of them to a couple of major US the much-discussed fi ght which cities. will take place August 26 in the “You’re supposed to stand US boxing capital of Las Vegas. behind your man. Stand behind The 40-year-old Mayweather the fi ghter that you believe in,” has been retired since beating Mayweather said about McGre- Andre Berto in September 2015 gor’s supporters. “He’s a hell of a and improving his career record competitor.”
BOXING Ward stuns Kovalev in rematch to retain three titles
Canada’s Andre De Grasse (C) wins the men’s 100m ahead of Ivory Coast’s Ben Youssef Meite (R) and Switzerland’s Alex Wilson (L) yesterday in Stockholm, Sweden. (AFP) Andre Ward (L) throws a left at Sergey Kovalev in the second round of their light heavyweight championship bout. (AFP) Reuters than twice the 2mps allowable limit, world championships in 2009 is 9.58 performance of the day from Kenya’s Stockholm which ruled it out as a 2017 world leading seconds with wind of 0.9 mps. young newly-crowned metric mile AFP decision. performance. “It gives me a lot of confi dence run- champion, Timothy Cheruiyot, who Las Vegas The 33-year-old Ward needed Nonetheless, De Grasse, who won the ning that fast because I didn’t feel that clocked a world leading mark of 3 min- this victory to validate his fi rst anada’s Andre De Grasse was 100m in the Oslo Diamond League meet fast,” added De Grasse. utes 30.77 seconds to win a high-quality win as many felt the Russian blown to an emphatic and re- on Thursday, underlined the threat he “I know when I actually start coming to- 1500 metres. merican champion boxer won that fi ght and that Ward had markably swift 100 metres win could pose to Bolt in London with a vic- gether and feeling good and getting ready The 21-year-old broke his rivals with Andre Ward kept his IBF, been given a gift decision by the in a wind-assisted 9.69 sec- tory by 0.15 of a second over Ivorian Ben to peak for the world championships, I 300 metres left, his kick leaving Bahraini WBA and WBO titles by three judges. ondsC at the Diamond League meeting in Youssef Meite and 0.2 ahead of Jamaican know it’s going to be something special.” Alsadik Mikhou, previously the fastest in stopping Russian brawl- “I have never been the most tal- Stockholm yesterday. Ryan Shields. The wind, which started to really gust 2017, well adrift in second (3:31.49) and erA Sergey Kovalev in the eighth ented, I have never been the big- De Grasse, who may off er the biggest “It was a shock to me when I saw the as the fi eld prepared in their blocks, was an out-of-sorts Asbel Kiprop, Kenya’s round of their light heavyweight gest, I just keep knocking down threat to Usain Bolt in the Jamaican’s time on the board, I just wanted to run sub- so strong that even the fi fth fi nisher, Ger- triple world champion, way off the pace rematch on Saturday. giants one by one,” said Ward. fi nal major meeting at the world cham- 10 and I didn’t feel in the shape to run that many’s Julian Reus, clocked 9.99 seconds. in fourth (3:33.17). The unbeaten Ward hurt Ko- Kovalev (30-2-1, 26 knock- pionships in August, fl ew down the Ol- fast,” the 22-year-old De Grasse said. The following wind ensured that the Another 21-year-old prospect, Nor- valev with a right hand that outs) sent Ward to the canvas ympic Stadium track to hammer the op- “That’s the fastest I’ve ever run. It’s Canadian record of 9.84, held jointly by way’s much-touted Karsten Warholm, buckled his knees and then fi n- in the fi rst fi ght, and while he position in a race which saw fi ve men dip going to be a shock to the body. Tomor- Donovan Bailey and Bruny Surin, re- underlined his promise with an excellent ished him off on the ropes 30 landed several big shots in the under 10 seconds. row’s going to hurt a little bit.” mained intact as did De Grasse’s per- front-running 400m hurdles triumph. seconds later with a series of rematch, once again he failed to Yet though the Olympic 200m sil- De Grasse’s time was equal to 9.79 sec- sonal best of 9.91, set when he won 100m It came hot on the heels of his national body shots around the mid-sec- close the deal and appeared to ver medallist’s run was by far the fastest onds with wind of 2 mps and 9.88 with no bronze at last year’s Olympics in Rio de record-breaking victory on home soil in tion at the Mandalay Bay hotel tire after the sixth round. anywhere this year, he was aided by a 4.8 wind. Janeiro. Oslo as Warholm outpaced another qual- and casino. “I cannot explain,” Kovalev said. metres per second following wind, more Bolt’s world record set at the Berlin De Grasse’s eff ort rivalled the other ity fi eld in 48.82 seconds. “He’s a great fi ghter, not a lot Kovalev added he wants an of people are going to beat him,” “immediate” rematch because Ward said. “But when you are he felt he got hit with a series of GOLF facing a great fi ghter you have to low blows in the eighth. raise your game to the next level. “I hurt him with a head shot ‘LOW BLOWS’ and I just had to get the right shot “It was a low blow, again another in to fi nish him.” one,” he said as he watched a re- Referee Tony Weeks stopped play of the stoppage with an HBO the fi ght with 31 seconds left in interviewer. Harman edges clear, Thomas the eighth with Kovalev kneel- “We are boxers. I could still ing down from what he said was continue. Why stop the fi ght?” a low blow. Kovalev was the much busier Ward improved to 32-0 with of the two from the opening bell 16 knockouts as he held onto of the entertaining fi ght. dazzles in US Open blitz three of the four major boxing He was the aggressor backing AFP number 13 produced a magnifi - breaking his major duck on Sun- belts that he snatched from Ko- up Ward who seemed content to Erin, United States cent eagle three on the 600-yard day. valev by winning the fi rst fi ght in wait for his opportunity to land 18th hole to crown a spellbinding “It’s going to be a really cool November by a slim unanimous a punch. display that was the lowest to day for someone tomorrow,” the rian Harman opened up a par score in US Open history. world number nine said. one-shot lead at the 117th The previous lowest score in “I’m looking forward to my US Open on Saturday in a relation to par was the eight-un- shot at it. It’s not going to be an Fung claims maiden Asian title at dramatic third round lit der 63 shot by Johnny Miller in easy day, for sure. I’ve been there Queen’s Cup upB by a record-equalling 63 from the fi nal round of the 1973 Open. a handful of times and had some Justin Thomas. Thomas was already on good fi nishes. But I’m looking Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung land five birdies and the final Torrential rain that doused course for a share of the lead as forward to getting the job done.” clinched his first Asian Tour four-foot putt, sealing his spot the 7,818-yard layout at Erin he stepped up to the 18th having South Korea’s Kim Si-Woo was title at the Queen’s Cup in at the top of the leaderboard. Hills overnight presented the carded nine birdies against two one behind Fowler on nine under Thailand yesterday with a On Fung’s heels was local fi eld with a feast of birdie chanc- bogeys in a spectacular round. after also shooting 68, while three solid putt on the 18th hole that rookie and rising star Jazz es, transforming the leaderboard He then drilled a 300-yard players — Patrick Reed, Russell sealed his one-shot victory. Janewattananond, who took into a sea of red as dusk fell. second shot to around eight feet Henley and Charley Hoff man The triumph marked a career second place with two bogey- Harman, who had begun the before rolling in his eagle putt to were on eight under. breakthrough for Fung, who free final rounds, coming in day in a four-way tie for the roars from the galleries. had failed to achieve a top-10 one stroke behind at 270. lead, carded a fi ve-under-par 67 “I feel comfortable. Being in Key scores finish in the previous eight It was the 21-year-old’s second which included six birdies and Justin Thomas (right) greets Jonathan Randolph’s caddie David contention in a major is new and tournaments this season. best finish of the year after one bogey. Dubord on the 18th green. (USA TODAY Sports) I’m excited,” said Thomas. Scores from the U.S. Open at The slight 27-year-old carded a winning his own maiden Asian The 30-year-old from Georgia “I hope the moment will come the par-72 course on Saturday steady 66-68-68-67 during the Tour title at the Bashundhara had never gone past the second done yet, so that was nice. FORGIVING CONDITIONS as soon as possible. I know I’m in Erin, Wisconsin $500,000 tournament on the Bangladesh Open. round in a US Open before this “Struck it well, hit a bunch of The soft, forgiving conditions going to be nervous, I just need -12 Brian Harman (U.S.) southern Thai island of Samui, “It’s a new life for me now as at year, missing the cut on his two greens, and that’s what you’ve created opportunity for major to harness that as best I can.” -11 Tommy Fleetwood (Britain), where conditions were often last I’ve achieved a win,” Fung previous visits in 2012 and 2015. got to do to play well around movement up the leaderboard for Brooks Koepka (U.S.), Justin blustery. said in comments supplied by “We’re breaking down all here.” those players willing to take it. FOWLER CONFIDENT Thomas (U.S.) Fung, who started the final the tour organisers. kinds of barriers,” Harman The world number 50 headed And the prime benefi ciary was Rickie Fowler was two behind -10 Rickie Fowler (U.S.) round one shot ahead, briefly Fung took home US$90,000 quipped. to the clubhouse on 12 under, Thomas, who catapulted up the Harman on 10 under after a -9 Kim Si Woo (Korea) fell out of the lead after bo- from the tournament and slid “I’m proud of the way I hung one ahead of Thomas, Brooks leaderboard with his record- four-under-par 68 which kept -8 Russell Henley (U.S.) geying his second hole. up to 13th place on the Order in there today. I got off to a pretty Koepka and England’s Tommy breaking nine-under-par 63. him fi rmly in contention. -7 Brandt Snedeker (U.S.) But he overcame nerves to of Merit with US$122,007. good start, which I really haven’t Fleetwood. The 24-year-old world Fowler likes his chances of Gulf Times 4 Monday, June 19, 2017 RUGBY
SPOTLIGHT Springboks and ‘monstrous’ Kolisi hailed by media
AFP player in the green and gold jersey. want to see a Springbok team play with Concussed Bok Mohoje Durban “Kolisi made two try-scoring passes, pride and enthusiasm, and we have out of final France Test tackled everything that moved and was seen that in abundance over the last South Africa fl anker Oupa Mohoje all over the ball on the ground like a fortnight. will miss the fi nal Test against France in he South African media ap- cheap suit. “The Springbok team looks hungry, Johannesburg after suff ering concus- plauded the resurgent national “And (Kolisi) still found time to score focused and energetic when last year sion in a 37-15 series-clinching triumph rugby team yesterday after they an intercept try of his own in a per- they were lazy, dazed and confused.” this weekend, offi cials said. clinched a series victory over formance for the ages. Mahlatse Mphahlele wrote in the The 26-year-old from the Central TFrance in Durban, with special praise “A performance big on physicality, Sunday Times that skipper and No. Cheetahs Super rugby side had to be reserved for fl anker Siya Kolisi. defence and composure meant South 8 Warren Whiteley and coach Al- stretched off the fi eld during the first A 37-15 second Test victory at Kings Africa not only won the game, but the lister Coetzee may be on to something half in Durban Saturday after clashing Park stadium Saturday gave the Spring- series with a match to spare.” special. with Louis Picamoles. boks a winning 2-0 lead in the three- Mike Greenaway in The Sunday In- “At the rate these youthful and inex- French loose forward star Picamoles match series, which concludes in Jo- dependent drew a comparison between perienced Springboks are going, South continued playing for a short period hannesburg next weekend. the victory over France and the previous Africans can start dreaming again. before being substituted in the second The triumph, coupled with a 37-14 Test in Durban — a humiliating 57-15 “Allister Coetzee said the painful Test. Springbok coach Allister Coetzee fi rst Test success in Pretoria, have re- loss to arch foes New Zealand. chapter of last season was closed and said “Oupa will have to follow concus- newed faith in the team after a record “Who would have thought that eight pleaded with the South African public sion protocols and take at least a one- eight losses during a calamitous 2016 months after the Boks were booed off to take a leap of faith in this new begin- week break from the game”. season. the fi eld, the same crowd would be do- ning. Young Coastal Shark Jean-Luc du Simnikiwe Xabanisa wrote in the ing the Mexican wave and singing ‘ole, “In their thorough demolition of a Preez, who came on for Mohoje, is the City Press that offi cial man of the ole, ole’. signifi cantly bolstered France from the likely replacement in the back row be- match and try-scorer Kolisi delivered a “The celebration was mostly because fi rst Test, the Boks showed unity, fi ght- side skipper Warren Whiteley and Siya “monstrous performance” in front of a the vibrant Boks of 2017 have given ing spirit and determination. Kolisi. 42,000 crowd in Durban. their supporters reason to believe again. “Siya Kolisi was the standout per- Outside centre Jesse Kriel from the “The game had the fi ngerprints of Last year was a terrible car crash in slow former, but every Bok put his body be- Northern Bulls was forced to retire with Kolisi all over it in a monstrous per- motion. hind the wheel and pushed hard with a concussion during the 37-14 fi rst Test Oupa Mohoje of South Africa (left) avoids a tackle during the Test against formance not seen in a while from a “More than anything, South Africans roaring performance of few mistakes.” victory in Pretoria last weekend. France in Durban. (AFP)
REPORT FOCUS Lions Test places still up for grabs Ford spurs England against Chiefs
Reuters Wellington
ritish and Irish Lions Test positions were still up for grabs to series triumph in their clash against the Waikato Chiefs tomorrow with the composition of the back three and loose forwards still an area of contention, according to coach Warren Gat- Bland. The match in Hamilton is the last before the fi rst test against the All Blacks and many pundits believe most of the side who destroyed the Maori All Blacks 32-10 on Saturday will run out at Eden Park on June 24. No players who started the Maori game will face the Chiefs. over Argentina Gatland, however, said that there were still test discussions to be had on Wednesday, with the versatile Liam Williams given the opportunity at fullback to push for inclusion in the test squad, ‘I am pleased for the young players as they have grown on this tour. It is very encouraging’ while tour captain Sam Warburton is under pressure from Sean O’Brien for the openside fl anker role. “We won’t sit down and pick the (test) team until Wednesday AFP and I think that’s only fair on the players that are taking the fi eld Santa Fe, Argentina on Tuesday,” Gatland told reporters in Hamilton. “There’s no doubt there’s some pressure on him (Warburton) because certain players and certain combinations have gone well. ly-half George Ford “The will be some discussions and debates to be had about the starred as England de- fi nal make-up of the back-row for Saturday.” feated Argentina 35-25 The machinations of the fi rst test aside, the match holds strong in a Santa Fe thriller on feelings for Gatland, who played a then record 140 times for pro- SaturdayF to clinch a 2-0 victory vincial side Waikato and scored a try in their 38-10 victory over in the two-Test series. the Lions on the 1993 tour. The tourists, level at 25-25 Last year he returned with Wales to play the Chiefs and watched with 16 minutes left, fi nished as a Stephen Donald-inspired home side tore Gatland’s second stronger as substitute prop Will stringers apart to post a 40-7 victory. Collier barged over for a try that That match helped Gatland’s thinking for the Lions tour and his Ford converted. decision to call in four Wales and two Scotland players has given Ford sealed success for an him the fl exibility to run two separate teams for the rest of their English side lacking 30 of their trip in New Zealand. best players, primarily due to All six players are on the bench on Tuesday. British and Irish Lions call-ups, Despite that decision, Gatland has refused to accept he had split with a drop goal six minutes the touring party into a ‘midweek’ and ‘test’ team. from time. “There is no way we have divided into two,” he said. The playmaker excelled in “I looked back at 2013 (in Australia) and between the fi rst and both Tests, scoring 23 points in third tests we made nine diff erent selections. the fi rst last weekend and 15 in “So for the players who might not be in the fi rst test have to stay the second. alive because they might get a chance in the second or third tests.” Argentina were left to rue That possibility was also in the mind of Chiefs coach Dave Ren- three missed shots at goal in nie who said he expected the Lions would be desperate to push Santa Fe from usually ultra-ac- their cases for test consideration against his team. curate fl y-half Nicolas Sanchez. “They’ve got a number of guys who will be keen to play a bit of England scored fi rst when test footy on this tour and maybe it’s a chance to scrap for some Charlie Ewels took a pass from spots on the bench,” he said. fellow lock Joe Launchbury to “I’d imagine their test 15 will be nailed and probably stay in power over the line and fl y-half Auckland, so I think they’ve got a lot to play for.” George Ford converted. It took Argentina only three minutes to level as a cross-fi eld Cheika vows changes to bumbling Wallabies move ending with full-back Joaquin Tuculet bursting be- Wallabies coach Michael happen for you. “You’ve got to tween two rivals to score and Cheika has demanded greater have guys with that attitude. Sanchez converted. urgency from his players and You eliminate all the excuses Ford and Sanchez exchanged vowed team changes in the and you just stay at it and penalties, before another suc- wake of their spluttering Test make the team come there.” cessful kick at goal by the Argen- defeat to Scotland. The Aus- Cheika, who cut a frustrated tine playmaker gave the hosts a tralians gave away two tries figure watching the game 13-10 lead midway through the and could not make up the from the coach’s box in the opening half. The fi rst Sanchez England’s fly-half George Ford (left) passes the ball during the Test match against Argentina in Santa Fe, Argentina. (AFP) leeway despite dominating stands, said the Wallabies penalty was initially ruled wide territory and possession to were “half-a-yard away all by the assistant referees only for Ramiro Moyano. The fi rst score minutes when replacement prop Full-back Brown engineered tect of a sensational 2015 rugby go down 24-19 to the resilient the match”. Compounding the decision to be reversed when of the half came on 52 minutes Will Collier scored off a driving the pick of the four England tries World Cup triumph by minnows Scots in Sydney on Saturday. the loss was the Wallabies’ the television match offi cial was when a Francis grubber kick was maul and Ford added the extra by leaping to intercept a cross- Japan over twice former cham- The loss will have ramifica- self-inflicted wounds during a consulted. blocked and fl anker Pablo Mat- points. fi eld kick from Argentina fl y- pions South Africa. tions with an imminent slump dreadful opening half. A dominant Argentina were era kicked the ball, then caught it A Ford drop goal stretched the half Nicolas Sanchez during the Among the forwards, Jones to sixth in the next world rank- The Scots led 17-12 at half-time well worth their lead, but found and dived over. lead to 10 points with six min- opening half. praised prop Harry Williams, ings - behind Ireland, Scotland with both their tries coming themselves fi ve points behind Sanchez was having an off -day utes remaining. He then darted down the fi eld lock Charlie Ewels and fl ankers and South Africa - the Wal- off Australian mistakes. after a three-minute purple with goal-kicking and a fl uff ed and cleverly cut inside to draw Mark Wilson, Sam Underhill and labies’ lowest position since Centre Duncan Taylor patch from the tourists. conversion attempt was his third Jones hails England defenders before passing out to Tom Curry, a teenager. early 2015. The Scottish defeat swooped on a poor Will Genia Ford levelled via a penalty on consecutive miss of the match. veterans and rookies centre Piers Francis, who scored. Williams, try-scorer Ewels comes against the backdrop pass and fly-half Finn Russell 29 minutes at a packed 33,000- A seesaw struggle took two England coach Eddie Jones Jones also lauded Ford, label- and Underhill started in Santa of a demoralising Super charged down Genia’s clear- seat Estadio Brigadier Estanislao more turns around the hour as hailed his Test veterans and in- ling his performance behind an Fe, Wilson came off the bench Rugby season for Australian ing kick for another try. Lopez. scrum-half Danny Care fi nished ternational rookies. often battling pack as “brilliant”. and Curry was rested after a su- teams and the negativity over Only two tries from Israel The highlight of the opening off a Brown break after a midfi eld “I thought Chris Robshaw “It was not a great attacking perb fi rst Test display. the drawn-out SANZAAR saga Folau - one from a long ball half followed soon after as Eng- turnover and Ford converted for and Mike Brown were absolutely game from him - he had to fi nd “In the back-line, Piers Fran- to cull three teams from next from Bernard Foley and the land full-back Mike Brown leapt a seven-point advantage. exceptional,” said 57-year-old another way given the circum- cis and Alex Lozowski are worth year’s competition. other when the athletic full- to intercept a Sanchez cross- The lead lasted just three min- Australian Jones, referring to stances. We did not have much looking at, also Denny Solo- Cheika has signalled changes back soared spectacularly to kick and raced away to send cen- utes before centre Jeronimo de two of the few “old hands” in the ball, but kicking that fi eld (drop) mona. following the chastening de- snatch Foley’s pinpoint cross- tre Piers Francis over. la Fuente broke clear and sold a Santa Fe line-up. goal at the end was tactically bril- “Nathan Earle did not play, feat for the next Test against field kick -kept the Wallabies Ford saw his conversion fl y dummy before sending winger “Both of them demonstrated liant.” but we will keep looking at him Six Nations strugglers Italy in in the first half. Yet despite the right and wide, his fi rst miss of Emiliano Boff elli in for a try that why they have represented their Jones warned his rookies be- as well,” added Jones, who re- Brisbane on Saturday. intensity ratcheting up after the match and only the second of Sanchez converted. country more than 50 times,” he fore the second Test that it might placed Stuart Lancaster after “I’d say so, I’d say there’d be half-time and Australia hitting the two-Test series. With 20 minutes left it was told reporters. be the last chance to impress be- 2015 World Cup hosts England a few,” Cheika told reporters the front at 19-17 midway England had two let-off s early 25-25, and a thriller was unfold- Flanker Robshaw, back af- fore a 45-man training squad is made a fi rst round exit. after Saturday’s loss. It’s about through the second half, in the second half as Sanchez ing to match the fi rst Test, won ter shoulder and ankle injuries named during August with the “I am pleased for the young being more urgent to the Scotland roared back with a fl uff ed a penalty and Jonny 38-34 by England in San Juan. ruled him out of the Six Nations World Cup in mind. players as they have grown on game, you’ve got to make it magnificent try by openside May dodged a yellow card for a England moved ahead for the Championship and the fi rst Test “A few of the new guys have this tour. It is very encouraging happen - it’s not just going to flanker Hamish Watson. late, high tackle on rival winger fi fth time in the Test after 65 in Argentina, foraged tirelessly. done really well,” said the archi- for me going forward.” Gulf Times Monday, June 19, 2017 5 SPORT
SPOTLIGHT Porsche complete Le Mans hat-trick with stunning win ‘It can be the cruellest race or it can be the best race ever. You never know. The goal was to get maximum manufacturers’ and drivers’ points. Then this morning we saw that actually we can do a little bit more, maybe the podium’
The Toyota TS050 Hybrid No. 9 of French driver Nicolas Lapierre is removed from the track during the 85th Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. (AFP)
French driver Stephane Sarrazin (R) and English driver Mike Conway react after (From L to R) New Zealand’s driver Brendon Hartley, New Zealand’s driver Earl Bamber and Germany’s driver Timo Bernhard celebrate on the podium after winning the teammate, Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi in their Toyota TS050 Hybrid No. 7 85th Le Mans 24-hours endurance race with their Porsche 919 Hybrid No. 2 yesterday in Le Mans, western France. (AFP) abandoned the race during the 85th Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. (AFP)
Reuters of the fi eld on Saturday. to taste overall victory at Le Mans. number 38 Jackie Chan DC Racing number seven and nine cars retired in Final Standings Le Mans, France The trio’s chances had been written It was the fi rst time since 1966, Oreca — the team backed by the Hong quick succession. off by team bosses when the car suff ered when Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon Kong action movie star — fi nishing as “It is so disappointing. The car was 1. Bamber-Bernhard-Hartley (NZL- front axle problems and spent 90 min- won for Ford, that two New Zealanders runner-up. running very well and we were just tak- GER-NZL/Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1) orsche won the 24 Hours of utes in the garage before rejoining some had shared the winning car. Dutch-born Hong Kong racer Ho- ing things steady, building a gap at the 2. Jarvis-Laurent-Tung (GBR-FRA- Le Mans for the third year in a 22 laps adrift of the leading Toyota. The trio hugged and embraced be- Pin Tung shared that car with Britain’s front. Then after the safety car, I just CHN/Oreca-Gibson LMP2) row yesterday with a stunning “It can be the cruellest race or it can fore the podium celebrations in front Oliver Jarvis and Frenchman Thomas had no power,” said pole-sitter Kamui 3. Piquet Jr-Beche-Hansson (BRA- last-to-fi rst victory in a race be the best race ever. You never know,” of a crowd of 260,000. Laurent. Kobayashi. SUI-DEN/Oreca-Gibson) Pof retirements that left early favourites said Bernhard, a winner with Audi in Vaillante Rebellion’s number 13 Ore- The former Formula One driver was 4. Gommendy-Brundle-Cheng (FRA- Toyota nursing more heartache. 2010, who did the fi nal stint to take the ‘CRAZY RACE’ ca driven by Brazilian Nelson Piquet halted by a clutch problem in the lead- GBR-CHN/Oreca-Gibson) The German manufacturer’s 19th chequered fl ag. Their joy could have been that of the Junior, Denmark’s David Heinemeier ing number seven car around the 10 5. Panciatici-Ragues-Negrao (FRA- outright win at the Circuit de la Sarthe “Every lap counted, every second, to number one Porsche drivers — Neel Hansson and Switzerland’s Mathias hours mark. FRA-BRA/Alpine-Gibson) followed a night of drama with Toyota’s get back to P1. Jani of Switzerland, Britain’s Nick Beche took third place. The team, fi ve times runners-up, 6. Owen-De Sadeleer-Albuquerque top two cars retiring and the number one “The goal was to get maximum manu- Tandy and Germany’s Andre Lotterer Early pace-setters and favourites missed out last year when their lead- (USA-SUI-POR/Ligier-Gibson) Porsche also suff ering a terminal prob- facturers’ and drivers’ points,” he said — who were 13 laps clear when the car Toyota saw their hopes of becoming ing car broke down on the fi nal lap only 7. Allen-Matelli-Bradley (AUS-FRA- lem while leading with four hours to go. of the feeling on Saturday. “Then this halted with four hours to go. only the second Japanese manufac- minutes from the chequered fl ag. GBR/Oreca-Gibson) That left the number two Porsche, morning we saw that actually we can do “I’m speechless. It’s a crazy race,” turer to win, after Mazda in 1991, dis- “I tried to come back to the pits but 8. Vergne-Graves-Hirschi (FRA-THA- shared by German Timo Bernhard and a little bit more, maybe the podium.” said Lotterer after being sidelined by appear in an agonising half hour after it wasn’t possible. I feel so sad for eve- SUI/Oreca-Gibson) New Zealanders Brendon Hartley and Bamber had won with Porsche in an oil pressure issue. midnight. ryone in the team who has worked so 9. Buemi-Davidson-Nakajima (SUI- Earl Bamber, to move surprisingly back 2015 but yesterday was a fi rst for Hart- The podium was completed by two After securing pole position with a hard for this race and produced such a GBR-JPN/Toyota TS050 Hybrid) into contention after being at the back ley, the only driver in the two crews yet second tier LMP2 entries, with the record fastest lap on Thursday, their quick car,” said Kobayashi.
NBA MLB Indians down Twins and take LeBron James setting up over fi rst place in AL Central
MCT another Decision? Minneapolis By Ira Winderman a video through his Uninter- he Minnesota Twins’ MCT, Miami rupted digital network before strategy-by-necessity Game 4 of the Finals that spoke of starting three con- to the ugly screed Gilbert re- secutive rookie pitchers he lesson learned from leased about James’ 2010 defec- Tagainst the defending American 2010 and 2014 is that tion to the Heat, and how mem- League champions is turning out anything is possible bers of James’ family said they about as well as could have been with LeBron James. would never get over it. reasonably expected. Meaning, TWhich is why, on the eve of The lessons from LeBron are not well at all. 2017 free agency, the summer that championships mollify, Adam Wilk, making his fi fth of 2018 already has come into thus the ease with the Heat after career major league start, fared focus. the 2012 and ‘13 titles, as well as even worse than Nik Turley one That’s when James again can the lack of immediate drama fol- night earlier, surrendering six become a free agent, just like in lowing the Cavaliers’ 2016 title. runs, eight hits and three walks Cleveland Indians players celebrate after defeating the Minnesota 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016, when After the Heat’s loss to the San while recording only 10 outs as Twins at Target Field. (USA TODAY Sports) he in order, stunned the NBA Antonio Spurs in the 2014 Finals the Twins dropped a 9-3 deci- with a move to the Miami Heat, and the Cavaliers’ to the Warriors sion to the Cleveland Indians in ally given us much of a chance.” as of late – (giving up) two-out staggered Pat Riley with a shift in 2015? Drama. Plenty of drama. the fi rst game of a split double- Wilk, called up from Class AAA rallies and still putting up crook- back to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Expect more in coming days, header Saturday. Rochester before the game and ed numbers,” Molitor said. “They and then twice held the feet of File picture of LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. weeks and months, because it’s Pitching the nightcap for the designated for assignment imme- can really hurt you.” Cavs owner Dan Gilbert to the also the best way to assure that Twins: Adalberto Mejia, making diately after it, was a best-of-bad- luxury-tax fi re. misplaced letter. During the Finals, with Cleve- Gilbert again is reduced to little his ninth career start. That game options choice for the Twins, con- Key Results Already the speculation has Still, all the elements are there land down 3-0, Dan Patrick on more than fi nancier, the mere was delayed 75 minutes by rain in sidering he had given up six runs ranged from the subtle – a pod- for legitimate debate, consider- his nationally syndicated ra- posting of that James video a the fi fth inning, and Cleveland – in 12 innings for the Red Wings. (home team in CAPS) cast by Yahoo Sports’ Adrian ing how James left the Cava- dio show quoted a source with clear enough signal that more behind four home runs – even- But the Twins ultimately decided HOUSTON 7 Boston 1 Wojnarowski about James mull- liers for the Heat in 2010 when “fi rsthand knowledge of the will be demanded. tually won 6-2 to take over the that his big-league experience PITTSBURGH 4 Cubs 3 ing heading west to the Los the Boston Celtics stood as a situation” on how James want- Could the endgame leave the AL Central lead and improve to made him a better risk than some LA ANGELS 9 Kansas City 0 Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles super-team roadblock, returned ed Gilbert to trade franchises score Heat 2, Cavaliers 2 when 6-0 at Target Field this year. younger options. Cleveland 6 MINNESOTA 2 Clippers to help advance his en- to Cleveland in 2014 for a more with Detroit Pistons owner Tom it comes to James’ tenures? It Now 14-23 at home, the Twins “We don’t have a lot of experi- TEXAS 10 Seattle 4 tertainment endeavors, or even promising supporting cast, and Gores before James’ 2014 return would appear unlikely based fell out of fi rst place for the fi rst enced options, at least big-time LA Dodgers 10 CINCINNATI 2 back to the Heat – to the prepos- then in 2015 and ‘16 blew up a to his hometown Cavaliers. on where the Heat stand with time since May 9. They will try to experience, but he’s got a little ATLANTA 8 Miami 7 terous, a Tweet debated on ES- Gilbert checkbook that may yet “LeBron,” Patrick said, “was their roster. And rest assured, avoid a four-game sweep Sunday bit,” Molitor said. “Cleveland’s San Diego 7 MILWAUKEE 5 PN’s Around the Horn that read, be in for more sticker shock. willing to go back to Cleveland, after drafting Shabazz Napier with Kyle Gibson on the mound hot right now. A lot of their guys Tampa Bay 3 DETROIT 2 “LeBron will opt out of contract It’s as if seeds already are but he wanted the Cavaliers’ and signing Josh McRoberts and against Trevor Bauer. are swinging well from the right- Washington 7 NY METS 4 in 2018 to form a super team and planted for another Summer of ownership to buy the Pistons, Danny Granger in that fateful “We kind of anticipated hav- hand side, I get that. But of all Arizona 5 PHILADELPHIA 1 ‘defend himself’ in LA.” LeBron, with a pair of particu- and the Pistons’ ownership 2014 off season, there will be no ing some fun this series, and the people we could consider, his OAKLAND 5 NY Yankees 2 The problem with the latter larly curious moments playing would take over the Cavaliers.” more Riley appeasement mo- competing, and it hasn’t re- name kept coming up.” BALTIMORE 15 St. Louis 7 was that it was pulled from a out amid the Cavaliers’ fi ve- The logic came into focus ments as there were in 2014. It ally worked out,” Twins man- The Indians wasted no time COLORADO 5 San Francisco 1 fake Wojnarowski Twitter ac- game capitulation to the Golden when James, he of the social- is why real Woj barely referenced ager Paul Molitor said between revealing the fl aw in that logic. White Sox 5 TORONTO 2 count that craftily included one State Warriors in the NBA Finals. media playoff blackout, released the 2018 Heat possibility. games. “Our pitching hasn’t re- “We’ve done this more common Gulf Times 6 Monday, June 19, 2017 FOOTBALL
PREVIEW Green Germany expect tough Confederations Cup start ‘We don’t all know how fit we are after a long and hard season’ Time right for Socceroos: Cahill Socceroos veteran Tim Cahill says the time is right for Australia to shock inexperienced Germany on Monday and prove themselves at the Confederations Cup. The ex-Everton midfielder, 37, is just three short of winning his 100th cap - a milestone he could reach in the three Group B games against Germany, Cameroon and Chile. Cahill, who scored one of the best goals at the 2014 World Cup finals with a cracking volley against the Dutch, could also break the 50-goal mark for Australia in Russia. Despite the Socceroos’ 4-0 thumping by Brazil in last week’s friendly, Cahill sees this Confed Cup as Australia’s great chance to build on their 2015 Asian Cup win - starting with the Germans in Monday’s Group B match in Sochi. “The belief for me comes from over a decade with the Socceroos,” he said. “As one of the elder statesman, I’ve seen it - three World Cups, three Asian Cups, second time at the Confederations Cup. “In the last two and a half years with this group, I’ve seen up to 60 players buy into a philosophy. “We’ve gone onto the world stage and competed, not just going there and being physical. “The last World Cup in Brazil, we outplayed some of the best teams in the world for long stretches. “Yes, we didn’t win the games, but we evolved to the Asian Cup where we won it, a competition we weren’t supposed to win. “Tomorrow is a big game for them as much as us, they’ll need the points just as badly,” added Cahill, who now plays for Melbourne City in the A-League. Germany’s head coach Joachim Loew has left all of his stars at home and Paris St Germain’s attacking mid- fielder Julian Draxler will captain the world champions. Cahill says this is a great opportunity for Australia to beat the Germans for the first time at a major tournament. “I know there is the thought of them coming in as underdogs, but Draxler is no small name,” said Cahill. “They know they have to produce. If we play the style (that) we know, we can definitely beat them.” With an average age of just 24 years, four months, and a com- bined total of 179 international appearances, Germany have the most youthful squad of the eight Confed Cup teams. However, Socceroos head coach Ange Postecoglou refuses to be- lieve the Germans can be considered as inexperienced underdogs. “Let’s dispell one myth - when the teams walk out tomorrow, if I had to guess, I reckon we’d be younger,” he said. “I don’t buy into any of that stuff . “It’s a great opening game for us, against the world champions, who want to want to win the World Cup next year. “They have faultless during their qualifying. “It’s a great test for us, but I am not buying into the idea we are playing a weakened team - I think that’s a bit of a myth. “Do the maths. Look at their startng line-up and ours before kick- off .” Being on the verge of 100 caps and 50 goals, Cahill can make history at this Confed Cup – whether he starts or not against Germany. “It’s about contributing to the squad whether you start, come off the bench or don’t even play,” said Cahill. “Being able to have the chance to get to either mark would be a massive honour in my career, but I would prefer to take success in Germany’s coach Joachim Loew leads a training session ahead of their Confederations Cup opener against Australia in Sochi yesterday. (AFP) this competition.”
AFP On the back of his break- ence. ers Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos a narrow World Cup qualify- Sochi, Russia through season with RB Leipzig, “We know they are a young rested, the pressure falls on ing win over Saudi Arabia and a striker Timo Werner, 21, expects side, but we also know they have 23-year-old captain Draxler. hammering by Brazil. a fi ery start in Sochi for the un- a lot of great players. There is With 30 caps, the Paris St- After last Tuesday’s 4-0 orld champions tested, green Germans. a lot of pressure on them as a Germain star has the most ex- drubbing by the Selecao in Germany will fi eld “We don’t all know how fi t we country to do well here and on perience and is expected to lead Melbourne, head coach Ange an inexperienced are after a long and hard season,” their players, who are fi ght- by example in the attacking mid- Postecoglou expects Germany’s line-up against admitted Werner. ing for a spot hopefully at (next fi eld role. World-class goalkeep- young guns to prove themselves WAustralia in their Confederations “Now comes an unpleasant year’s) World Cup for Germany. er Neuer is recovering from foot in Sochi. Cup opener today with striker game in which the Australians “They know they have to pro- surgery, so Bayer Leverkusen’s “It’s a great test for us, but I Timo Werner fearing a robust will try, with their physiques duce. If we play the style (that) shot-stopper Bernd Leno is am not buying into the idea we challenge from the Socceroos. and toughness, to take us on. But we know, we can defi nitely beat tasked with keeping Australia’s are playing a weakened team - I With an average age of just 24 we have a duty to win the three them.” attack at bay. think that’s a bit of a myth,” in- years, four months, and a com- points. We need to get a quick goal The world champions have Australia have held their heads sisted the Socceroos’ coach. bined total of 179 international and then exert some dominance.” made no secret of the fact their high against Germany in their After the opening game in So- appearances, Germany have the A year out from the World Cup goal is not to win the Confed- last two meetings in friendlies. chi, Cameroon and Chile then most youthful squad of the eight in Russia, there has never been a erations Cup, but to blood their The Socceroos shocked the await Australia and Germany Confed Cup teams. better time for the Socceroos to next generation of stars. below-strength Germans 2-1 in in Group B, with the top two Only three of the squad - Ar- poach a fi rst win over Germany “The fi rst priority is to devel- Moenchengladbach in 2011. sides progressing to the semi- senal’s Shkodran Mustafi , Mat- at a major competition at the op the team, the second to win Then two years ago, the 2015 fi nals. thias Ginter and Julian Draxler fourth attempt. here,” said team manager Oliver Asian Cup champions drew 2-2 Germany will wear black-arm - lifted the World Cup in Brazil “The key for us is to believe in Bierhoff bluntly. against Germany in Kaiserslau- bands in Sochi to pay their re- three years ago, but none of the the way we play,” said Australia’s tern. spects to former German Chan- Australia’s forward Tim Cahill (No 19) and teammates attend a trio played in the Rio de Janeiro veteran midfi elder Tim Cahill, Pressure on Draxler However, the Socceroos have cellor Helmut Kohl, who died on training session in Sochi yesterday. (AFP) fi nal. 37, in yesterday’s press confer- With the likes of key midfi eld- arrived in Russia on the back of Friday.
CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE UEFA U-21 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Shanghai SIPG lose ground on leaders aft er ill-tempered draw
Reuters patriot Hulk to score Shanghai’s It was the fi rst time in seven second division champions, 1-0. Hong Kong equaliser. Eran Zahavi had ear- games that Villas-Boas’s team Fabio Capello started his ten- lier given R&F the lead following dropped points and, as a result, ure at Jiangsu Suning with a 1-0 a howler by SIPG goalkeeper Yan SIPG lost ground on an Ever- defeat against Changchun Yatai hanghai SIPG and Junling. As the game descended grande side that had goals from that leaves the Italian’s side just Guangzhou R&F were into chaos, referee Zhou Gang Gao Lin and Ricardo Goulart one point off the bottom of the both reduced to 10 men handed Li and Fu a red card each to thank for their 2-0 win over standings. Yanbian Funde prop after a fi ght broke out for their behaviour in the ensu- Guizhou Zhicheng on Saturday. up the table following a 3-1 loss inS their 1-1 draw yesterday that ing melee and Andre Villas-Bo- “Though we won the game, against Henan Jianye. left Guangzhou Evergrande four as’s Shanghai side were unable Guizhou deserved a draw,” said Carlos Tevez set up Shang- points clear at the top of the Chi- to pick up the win they needed to Guangzhou head coach Luiz hai Shenhua’s fi rst goal for Cao nese Super League. keep pace with Evergrande. Felipe Scolari. Yunding but the Argentinian was Both sides were a man down “It was a very diffi cult game “They created more chances, unable to help his team to their for the entire second half af- and 1-1 is quite disappointing,” and we didn’t have 100 percent fi rst win in six games as Gustavo ter Guangzhou’s Li Tixiang and said the former Chelsea and Tot- control of the game. We have Poyet’s side were held to a 2-2 Shanghai’s Fu Huan were sent tenham Hotspur coach. physical issues and the players draw by Chongqing Lifan. off after a brawl following sec- “We came here for the win were not motivated enough.” Diego Tardelli scored twice ond-placed SIPG’s equaliser just and hoped to keep the pressure Evergrande lead the standings for Felix Magath’s Shandong before the break. on Evergrande. However, a draw by four points from SIPG with Luneng in their 3-0 win over Play was disrupted for more makes the gap with Evergrande Hebei CFFC two points further Liaoning Whowin to remain in than seven minutes as Chen even bigger. adrift in third after Stephane fourth while Burak Yilmaz and Germany’s midfielder Max Meyer (right) celebrates scoring the first goal with his teammate Serge Zhizhao pushed over SIPG’s “But I am satisfi ed with my M’bia scored the only goal as Renato Augusto were on target Gnabry (centre) during the UEFA U-21 European Championship Group ‘C’ match against Czech former Chelsea playmaker Oscar players. They tried their best, Manuel Pellegrini’s side beat as Beijing Guoan picked up a 2-0 Republic in Tychy, Poland, yesterday. Germany won 2-0. (AFP) after the Brazilian set up com- and gave us a very good match.” Tianjin Quanjian, last season’s win over Tianjin Teda. Gulf Times Monday, June 19, 2017 7 SPORT
CONFEDERATIONS CUP FOCUS Al-Nuaimi sparkles Ronaldo’s Portugal in Nishan shooting
By Sports Reporter Al-Nuaimi’s performance saw him Doha take the lead in the professional cat- egory ahead of Khalid al-Mohannadi, who managed the second spot ahead of hanem al-Nuaimi impressed at third-placed Rashid Saleh. held by Mexico the prestigious Nishan Ram- Nishan Ramadan tournament is an adan Shooting Tournament at event organised by the QSAA to cel- the Losail Ranges on Saturday. ebrate the Holy Month. ‘We could’ve killed off the match but it didn’t happen. The draw is a fair result’ GThe tournament saw the attendance More than 200 contestants are tak- of Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor al-Thani ing part in the eight-day event, spon- AFP and Qatar Shooting and Archery Asso- sored by Ooredoo, Abdullah Abdul Kazan, Russia ciation (QSAA) president Ali Mohamed Ghani & Brothers, Ali Bin Ali Watches al-Kuwari on the day. and Jewelry and Al Kass TV.
ristiano Ronaldo brushed off speculation about his Real HOCKEY WORLD LEAGUE Madrid future, although Por- tugal conceded a late equal- iserC in a 2-2 draw with Mexico at the Confederations Cup yesterday. Ronaldo teed up Ricardo Quaresma India rout Pakistan to fi re Portugal ahead in the fi rst half in Kazan, but the goal was cancelled out before the break by Mexico striker Javier Hernandez’s bullet header. 7-1 to enter quarters Cedric Soares restored Portu- gal’s lead on 86 minutes, but Hec- tor Moreno’s stoppage-time header salvaged a point for Mexico in their Group A opener. “We could have killed off the match but it didn’t happen. The draw is a fair result without doubt,” said Portugal coach Fernando Santos, whose side wore black armbands in honour of the victims of a deadly forest fi re back home. “I would like to say something on behalf of my players. People are very sad in Portugal and the players are thinking of all those who are suff ering from what’s happened.” Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said his team deserved their point but admitted there was work to be done going forward. “Hector Moreno’s goal handed Mexican football a huge result,” he said. IANS dia’s Harmanpreet Singh went wide. “We still need to work on our fi n- London Mor earned a penalty corner in the ishing, we’re not effi cient enough in 13th minute and Harmanpreet came up the fi nal third of the pitch. The next with a grounder to beat Ali on the lat- match will be very tough because New enalty-corner specialist Har- ter’s right to give the 1-0 crucial lead. Zealand will give it their all.” manpreet Singh, and forwards India, having scored the opening Ronaldo, 32, is reportedly furious Talwinder Singh and Akash- goal, seemed to ease their nerves and over a tax probe into the off -shore ac- Portugal forward Ricardo Quaresma (left) celebrates his goal with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo (right) during their deep Singh scored a brace they played smooth and fl uent hockey counts dealing with his image rights, Papiece as a relentless India fl ayed Paki- thereafter. The way they did the build- Confederations Cup match against Mexico in Kazan, Russia, yesterday. (AFP) and has reportedly vowed to leave stan 7-1 in a Pool B clash to storm into up play through the back and midfi eld Spain. have helped Portugal take the lead, unmarked in the area. up Hernandez, who met the cross with the quarter-fi nals of the Hockey World unsettled Pakistan and the latter ran According to Spanish paper Marca but the video assistant referee came to The Besiktas winger drew Mexico’s a diving header. League (HWL) Semi Final here yester- out of patience. yesterday, Real Madrid’s coach Zined- Mexico’s rescue after Nani had put the goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and After an explosive opening period, day. It resulted in two quick fi eld goals ine Zidane even broke off his holiday to ball in the net. tapped home the opening goal. the second was a much tamer aff air as Harmanpreet (13th and 33rd min- through Talwinder in the 21st and 24th call Ronaldo to try to persuade his star When Ronaldo’s volley thumped But Mexico responded with Her- both teams squandered half chances utes), Talwinder (21st and 24th) and minutes. The fi rst one was a brilliant not to quit the club. the crossbar, Nani pounced on the re- nandez testing Portugal keeper Rui as the tempo dropped. Akashdeep Singh (47th and 58th) team goal, as a Mandeep’s cut-back bound, but the video ref spotted that Patricio, before putting his side level. With time running out, Southamp- ripped apart Pakistan’s defence. Par- from the left byline to SV Sunil, sta- VIDEO ASSISTANCE four players were off side. Mexico’s all-time top scorer ton right-back Cedric pounced on a deep Mor (49th) too contributed a goal tioned in front of the goal, saw him But Portugal’s talisman was at his However, Portugal, and Ronaldo, grabbed his 48th international goal loose ball and slammed home Portu- for India as they registered their big- drive the ball to a waiting and un- best in an action-packed fi rst half in were not to be denied. from 93 appearances after some gal’s second goal. gest victory (six-goal margin) against marked Talwinder at the far post, who his team’s opening match, with hosts The Euro 2016 winners took the dreadful defending by Portugal. But with the 90 minutes up, Mexi- Pakistan. just had to tap it in. Three minutes Russia and New Zealand still to come lead on 34 minutes when Ronaldo Borussia Dortmund midfi elder can defender Moreno rose highest Coming into the match, four-time later, Talwinder dinked past goalkeeper in the group. sprinted into the box and his beau- Raphael Guerreiro failed to deal with a from the fi nal corner of the game to world champions Pakistan had con- Ali from the right to make it 3-0. Ronaldo’s superb volley looked to tifully-timed pass found Quaresma cross into the box and Carlos Vela teed head in the equaliser. ceded four and six goals in consecutive Harmanpreet’s second goal, an un- losses to the Netherlands and Canada, challenged drag-fl ick three minutes respectively. India further exposed Pa- after the half-time break, gave India a kistan’s weaknesses in their ranks in a handsome 4-0 lead, putting the game Zidane pleads with Ronaldo aft er ‘I quit’ bombshell match that saw chances galore for both beyond doubt. the teams right from the start. Trailing by four goals, Pakistan AFP in Russia with Portugal, is reportedly Ronaldo had sworn to quit he broke The 32-year-old Ronaldo is the latest Pakistan got the fi rst opportunity showed some resilience and tested In- Madrid furious over a tax probe into the off off from his family holiday and called football superstar to come under scru- of the match in the third minute when dian goalkeeper Akash Chikte but the shore accounts dealing with his im- his No7 to tell him Madrid “needed tiny for tax evasion after Lionel Messi a counter-attack from the right fl ank Indian didn’t allow their citadel to be age rights, and has reportedly vowed him for his goals, and also his winning was handed a 2.1-million-euro ($2.3mn) saw Indian goalkeeper Vikash Dahiya at breached and instead pounded two eal Madrid coach Zinedine to leave Spain. mentality”. Marca also reported that fine last year for avoiding paying taxes the mercy of Ajaz Ahmad but the latter more goals through Akashdeep and Zidane broke off his holiday to “I am leaving Real Madrid,” Marca club captain Sergio Ramos had called on part of the income he earned from fl icked wide of the far post. Mor to complete the successful outing. Rcall Cristiano Ronaldo in a bid claim Ronaldo told his Portuguese Ronaldo to ask him to stay. image rights via companies in Belize, Akashdeep then was in with a chance Mohamed Umar Bhutta (57th) scored to persuade his unsettled star not colleagues. “I have made a decision. In just 265 games for Real Madrid Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay. to break the deadlock but his soft hit a consolation goal for Pakistan. to quit the club, Spanish sports daily There is no turning back,” the daily Ronaldo has scored 285 goals, win- Ronaldo is accused of defrauding from close range was easily blocked by With this win, India moved to the Marca claimed today. sports paper reported. ning three Champions League finals the authorities of 14.7mn euros in tax goalkeeper Amjad Ali. top spot of the Pool B with nine points, Ronaldo, on Confederations Cup duty According to Marca when Zidane heard in four seasons. through off shore companies. Then drag-fl icks from both Paki- while their neighbours are yet to open stan’s Mohamed Aleem Bilal and In- their account.
BOTTOMLINE Qatar unbeaten on Day 1 at 3x3 World Cup Olympic maroon beat Singapore 2-0 in second friendly QNA Doha
atar’s Olympic national foot- ball team beat Singapore 2-0 in a second international friendly that was staged at Aspire as TheQ Maroon prepare for the AFC U-23 Championship qualifi ers in Doha in July. Almoez Ali got the scoreboard mov- ing for Qatar in the 58th minute before Ahmed al-Saadi doubled the Qatari lead 20 minutes later. Qatar had beaten Sin- gapore 3-0 in their fi rst friendly. Qatar coach Felix Sanchez fi elded two diff erent teams for each half in order to give the chance to all the players and en- sure their physical and technical readi- ness before naming his squad. The national team will play another friendly against North Korea on June 22 before they compete in a quartet inter- national friendly from June 29 to July 6. The series of international friendlies concludes with a match against Leba- non on July 10 ahead of the start of the qualifi ers, in which Qatar play in Group C alongside Syria, India and Turkmeni- stan. Qatar’s Abdulrahman Mohamed Saad (second from left) goes for the basket during their Pool C match against Poland The Olympic team gathered on June 5 in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup at Parc des Chantiers de I’lle in Nantes, France, yesterday. Qatar won the match 19-17. Earlier as Sanchez named a 25-man squad who Action from the friendly match between Qatar (in white) and Singapore (in in the day, Qatar had beaten Estonia 20-9 to come away unbeaten on Day One of the five-day competition. (FIBA) then entered a closed camp at Aspire. blue) at Aspire Zone. Monday, June 19, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT
SPOTLIGHT NO-LIMIT BARSHIM Just last week, Qatari high-jumper shot down Sotomayor’s meet record in Oslo. Cuban’s world record is perhaps next
By Mikhil Bhat Doha
or more than two decades, Javier Sotomayor has been like an over- arching glass ceiling on the high jump discipline. FSuch is his domination of the event, that at the peak of his career, in an 11-year pe- riod between 1988 and 1998, Sotomayor’s had the Season’s Best eff ort in eight. No conversation about the discipline is complete without mentioning the Cu- ban, who remains the only athlete to go more than eight feet. Twice. Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim wants to be that athlete. The one who fl ies above the eight feet mark. And the one without whom talking about this sporting disci- pline is incomplete. As part of that quest, the 26-year-old, who has come closest to the world record with a 2.43m jump in Brussels in 2014, went past a Sotomayor record on Thurs- day in Oslo. Barshim had already won the Dia- mond League event at the Bislett Games Barshim jumped a world leading 2.38m in Oslo on Thursday. (Reuters) with a 2.32m eff ort. But he didn’t stop at that and went higher, fi rst clearing 2.35 will only happen by quality jumps and by But the man himself is aware of the on his third attempt, and then lining up breaking records.” good work he has done so far, but cau- for 2.38, which would have taken him Twitter went abuzz right after the tious at the same time. past Sotomayor’s 28-year-old meeting Oslo win. “I’m taking it step by step. Things record of 2.37m. Qatar Olympic Committee president have looked good so far. Having said On his second attempt at the height, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani that, there is still work to be done. I hope he rallied the crowd behind him. His congratulated Barshim on his achieve- I will be ready by then (London),” he said. lanky form, the entire 6 feet 2 inches of ment. “WellDone champ (sic),” Sheikh In 1989, a little less than a month af- it, got into rhythm, long strides and all, Joaan tweeted with four thumbs up ter Sotomayor won in Oslo, the then and once he had cleared the wobbly bar emoticons. “thanks Boss (sic)” was 22-year-old Cuban went past the eight at 2.38m, he fell on his back, was up on Barshim’s reply. feet barrier for the fi rst time in high jump his feet the next moment and a tight fi st history. He jumped 2.44m in San Juan. was in air in celebration. “I want my name to be mentioned Just like in Oslo, does he have any “That was the target; we came (here) at the mere mention of high jump. height in mind for London? for 2.38m. So mission completed,” he That will happen by quality jumps, “No limits,” Barshim said. “I want to had said right after the win. by records,” Barshim said. achieve as high as possible. No limits, It wasn’t about the height. Barshim none. Only extra fuel.” had gone past 2.37m more than a dozen “HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Tha- With less than two months to go for times in the past. ni has supported me no matter what,” the Worlds, Barshim, who participate in It was about going past a Sotomayor Barshim told Gulf Times. the Paris Diamond League meet next on mark. It was the symbolism of the mo- “He understands sport and what it July 1, has based himself in Sweden and ment. needs. It’s motivating for me.” said nothing so far in the season has war- “It was very important (to go past that And motivated he is. He has topped all ranted a special deviation. Sotomayor barrier),” he later told Gulf three Diamond League meets that fea- “We are sticking to the plan, coach’s Times in an e-mail. tured high jump this year, including at plan. Not trying anything special yet.” “It will give me an extra push the next home in Doha. In a year that will see the The Qatari has said this before; the time I line up to write more history. World Championships, this time in Lon- question is not ‘whether’ but ‘when’ the Barshim celebrates his win in Doha Diamond League “I want my name to be mentioned at don from August 4-13, Barshim seems to world record will be broken. The glass meet earlier this year. PICTURE: Jayan Orma the mere mention of high jump. And that be peaking at the right time and pace. ceiling, he is certain, will be shattered.
CYPRUS RALLY HORSE RACING Royal Cavalry of Record-breaking win for al-Attiyah Oman’s Nafees wins
By Agencies Nicosia, Cyprus Qatar Derby for
atar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah Arabians in Chantilly produced another dominant performance to storm to a win Agencies won the French Arabian Breed- at the Cyprus Rally yesterday. Chantilly, France ers’ Challenge (Gr2 PA) last year ThisQ victory saw the Qatari enter the at Toulouse. record books by winning this event fi ve “He keeps improving and times, overtaking Sebastien Loeb’s previ- he Royal Cavalry of one of his biggest qualities is ous record of four wins. Oman’s Nafees won the his courage. Olivier Peslier rode After an eventful first leg on Satur- Qatar Derby des Pur- him perfectly. He did not make day for most drivers, al-Attiyah drove Sang Arabes de 4ans (Gr1 any eff ort during the race and it a measured race yesterday to ensure the TPA) in Chantilly yesterday. made the diff erence at the end. top spot of the podium. “It was fantas- The colt showed great courage He is entered in the Gr1 at Good- tic. I am really happy to have completed to defy a determined Azhar, who wood in July, but we will see what the rally, it is nice to be in the champi- fi nished second ahead of third- we do,” Nafees’ trainer Charles onship. Huge thanks to Matthieu, to my placed Bandar. Gourdain said. team, to everyone,” said al-Attiyah after Nafees was the top favourite Qatar Racing and Equestrian the win yesterday. for the 2000-metre race, after Club’s head of Racing section, Ab- The Qatari, driving the Ford Fiesta R5, his successful return in the Prix dulla Rashid al-Kubaisi, presented had started yesterday’s leg with a comfort- Dormaine (Gr3 PA). He had also the trophies to the winners. able 3 minute and 19 second lead ahead of second-placed Alexandros Tsouloftas. Al- Attiyah knew that if he drove a steady race he would be able to beat the Citroen DS3 of Tsouloftas. And that’s exactly what he did. His case was helped by the fact that Tsouloftas suff ered two punctures, drop- ping him out of the top ten and leaving Simos Galatariotis in the runner-up slot, almost fi ve minutes adrift of the Qatari. Nikolay Gryazin and Kajetan Ka- jetanowicz both rejoined the race after going out on Saturday’s first Leg and set the pace on the first 4 stages but were so far down the field they posed no threat. The final two stages – dubbed the Love Cyprus Golden Stages – were a Qatar’s Nasser al-Attiyah (right) and co-driver Mathhieu Baumel celebrate their Cyprus Rally win. special test with a €24,000 prize mon- ey incentive – to be distributed between sponded with a fastest time on the fi nal lying 10th and had nothing to lose, pulled compensation for him missing out on top the fastest driver over both stages, the stage, but the diff erence between him and out all the stops to fi nish the stage 4.1 Cypriot overall and a podium fi nish. fastest Cypriot driver and the quickest al-Attiyah was 1.1 seconds – and when seconds in front of Timotheou. Christos Demosthenous won the ERC2 driver in a two-wheel-drive car. the times for the two stages were added He added another 2.1 seconds to the category, and victory in ERC3 – and the Al-Attiyah clocked fastest over the together he missed the €10,000 prize by diff erence from Timotheou on stage 14, €7,000 for fastest Golden Stage two- Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s head of Racing section Abdulla fi rst Golden Stage, beating Kajetanowicz 0.3 seconds! and perhaps the €7,000 for fastest Cyp- wheel-driver was claimed by Turkey’s Rashid al-Kubaisi (left) with the winners of the Qatar Derby des by just 1.4 seconds, and the Polish ace re- Meanwhile Tsouloftas, who was now riot on the Golden Stages will be some Ümitcan Özdemir. Pur-Sang Arabes de 4ans (Gr1 PA) in Chantilly yesterday. (Scoopdyga)