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Tuesday, August 23, 2016 Dhul-Qa’da 20, 1437 AH FOCUS Athletics nervously enters post-Bolt era Page 3

SPOTLIGHT Goodbye Rio, hello Tokyo Jamaica’s Usain Bolt drew down the curtain on his brilliant Olympic career by securing a sweep of the sprint titles for a third successive Games. And American gymnast Simone Biles, the US flag bearer in the closing ceremony, kicked off her Olympic run by tying the record of four gold medals in a single Games

Reuters ing.For all the troubles before and Rio de Janeiro during the Games, Rio will surely be remembered for great sporting mo- blustery storm, a touch of ments. melancholy and a sense of There was the remarkable comeback pride converged at the clos- of American swimmer Michael Phelps, Aing ceremony of the 2016 Ol- who won fi ve golds to reinforce his dis- ympics on Sunday as Brazil breathed a tinction as the most decorated Olym- collective sigh of relief at having pulled pian of all time. off South America’s fi rst Games. Jamaica’s Usain Bolt drew down the After a gruelling 17 days, Rio de Ja- curtain on his brilliant Olympic career neiro cast aside early struggles with by securing a sweep of the sprint ti- empty venues, security scares and a tles for a third successive Games. And mysterious green diving pool to throw American gymnast Simone Biles, the a huge Carnival-like party. US fl ag bearer in the closing ceremony, Samba dancers, singers, drummers kicked off her Olympic run by tying the and a giant plumed macaw fl oat mixed record of four gold medals in a single with hundreds of athletes in the storied Games. Maracana stadium while a fi nal volley But at times it was hard to focus of fi reworks lit up the night sky. on the sporting triumphs taking place Brazilians came to the closing cere- across the sprawling city. mony happy, many wearing the canary A low point for Rio came when Ryan yellow jersey of the nation’s sports Lochte, one of America’s most deco- teams, having won two late gold med- rated swimmers, said he was robbed at als in their two favourite sports, men’s gunpoint. That ignited further secu- soccer and volleyball. rity concerns after a series of assaults But Sunday served up tough weather against government ministers, ath- conditions for such a big party. High letes and tourists. But Lochte’s story winds buff eted the Maracana, power quickly unravelled, enraging Brazilians briefl y went out in the upper part of the and Americans alike. Brazilians could stadium, and rain drenched perform- nevertheless take heart in the fact A photo shows the Brazilian, Greek and Japanese flags flying during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the ers and athletes as they entered the that there were no major mishaps or Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. ceremony, many with medals hanging breaches after deadly attacks in Europe around their necks. and the United States had prompted To the beat of traditional Brazilian the biggest security operation in Bra- music, Olympians danced and waved zil’s history with 85,000 troops. their countries’ fl ags to celebrate their “Even with all our problems we place on the world’s premier sporting pulled off a good Olympics. Noth- stage. ing too bad happened and I’d say it In the last of 306 medal ceremo- Michael Phelps (top) and Usain Bolt was better than expected,” said Nivea nies, International Olympic Commit- dominated the Olympics with their Araujo, a Rio resident attending the tee President Thomas Bach draped the brilliant individual performances. closing ceremony. gold around the neck of Kenya’s Eliud For many in the soccer-mad nation, Kipchoge, winner of the men’s mara- In the midst of it worst economic re- the best Olympic moments happened thon earlier in the day. cession since the 1930s, Brazil’s open- in the Maracana, where Brazil defeated The city handed over the Olympic ing and closing ceremonies relied more Germany in soccer on Saturday and fl ag to Tokyo, site of the 2020 Summer on the country’s unique talents and pieced together a widely hailed open- Games, and Japanese Prime Minister natural beauty and less on expensive ing ceremony despite the tight budget. Shinzo Abe appeared in the stadium technology. Rio won the right to host the Games dressed as popular video game char- On Sunday, there was an ode to the in 2009, when the economy was acter Mario, tunnelling from Tokyo to white-clad lacemaking ladies and booming and millions were pushing Rio. the forro music of the Northeast that into the middle class. Bach declared the Rio Games closed sparked waves of pride among Brazil- “We are in a diffi cult moment as a and expressed hope that they had left a ians.One of the more stunning mo- country right now, we can’t hide that, lasting mark on the metropolitan area ments of the ceremony focused on the but the Games were scheduled and I’m of 12mn people. ancient art found in the Serra da Capi- glad we could enjoy them,” said Ales- “These Olympic Games are leaving a vara National Park — a Unesco World sandro Freitas, also from Rio. unique legacy for generations to come,” Heritage site in northeastern Brazil One of the major concerns for Bra- he said. “History will talk about a Rio featuring cave paintings, some more zilians is what will be the fi nal cost of de Janeiro before and a much better Rio than 25,000 years old. the Games for a country and how much de Janeiro after the Olympic Games.” But the beauty was betrayed by Bra- they actually helped improve the city’s In a fi nal symbolic act, the Olympic zil’s tough times. infrastructure. Many Rio residents fl ame that had burned since Aug. 5 was Just this week, the foundation that could not aff ord tickets to events, leav- then extinguished in a downpour of ar- maintains the park said it could no ing them feeling on the sidelines of the tifi cial rain. longer do so because of a lack of fund- city’s biggest undertaking. Qatari flags are waved by performers during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games on Sunday night.

BOTTOMLINE Groundbreaking Olympics for women in Rio

AFP African-American after Gabby Doug- Kelmendi. Silva, 24, who grew up in Malik, who carried the Indian fl ag at the fi rst US Olympian to wear a hijab — Rio de Janeiro las in 2012 to win the all-around title, Rio’s violent, poverty stricken ‘City of the closing ceremony. a headscarf worn by Muslim women — ending her Olympics in the spotlight God’ slum, won special mention from Women from the Middle East were during competition, came away with by carrying the United States fl ag at IOC president Thomas Bach as the more represented than ever before in a bronze in the women’s team sabre rom the dizzying gymnastics the closing ceremony. Games drew to a close. Rio. event. heights of African-American “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or “Rising from the favela to become Weightlifter Sara Ahmed, wearing a Saudi Arabia’s Kariman Abulja- Simone Biles to Indian wres- Michael Phelps,” the Texan had said. Olympic champion, when you look sports hijab, blazed a trail by becoming dayel — one of four women athletes tler Sakshi Malik and Brazilian “I’m the fi rst Simone Biles.” at her childhood and what she had to the fi rst woman from Egypt to stand sent by the conservative Gulf king- goldenF girl Rafaela Silva in judo — Rio Despite the shining success of Biles, overcome, she’s an inspiration across on the podium, lifting 255kg to fi nish dom to Rio — competed in the 100m proved a groundbreaking Games for a gender gap remains with 169 events the world,” Bach said. third. sprint. women. for men staged in Rio compared to 137 Malik also told how she had to over- Ines Boubakri won the Arab world’s Emirati swimmer Nada al-Badwawi, Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps had for women. come prejudice to become India’s fi rst fi rst ever women’s Olympic fencing who carried her country’s fl ag in the already arrived in Rio as global su- Nevertheless, the Games still had medallist with freestyle wrestling medal, dedicating her bronze to “the opening ceremony, said: “We are slow- perstars of men’s track and fi eld and many fi rsts with judoka Majlinda Kel- bronze. Tunisian women, the Arab woman... ly starting to change the mentality. swimming. mendi winning Kosovo a gold at its The 23-year-old from Rohtak, 76km who has her place in society”. “My main goal is to break down But newcomer Biles’s amazing ac- maiden Games, as Monica Puig gave northwest of New Dehli, said her par- US fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad suc- these gender barriers and pave the way robatic skills also won star billing with Simone Biles of the US competes on Puerto Rico tennis gold. ents had been criticised by local people ceeded in her ambition to show the for other female swimmers.” her record-equalling four women’s the vault during the women’s individual “I just proved that even after we when she started wrestling. world that Muslim-American women Forty fi ve % of the 11,444 athletes gold and a bronze at her fi rst Games. all-around final. Biles was one of the survived a war, if they (kids in Kosovo) “I want to say that girls can also do could compete in elite sports. — 5,175 — in Rio were women, slightly The 19-year-old became the second standout athletes among women. want something they can have it,” said a lot if you give them confi dence,” said The 30-year-old from New Jersey, higher than in London 2012. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, August 23, 2016 OLYMPICS

SPOTLIGHT From Olympics to Wall Street: Athletes who became brokers Reuters started investing at 14,” said Samuel- Lopez recalled telling himself before he year career with a 60-year retirement,” New York son, now a fi nancial adviser for Bank joined UBS AG as a fi nancial advisor in Jordan Waxman, a Barron’s listed fi - of America Merrill Lynch in Michigan. Houston in 2011. nancial adviser at HighTower HSW, “Good, honest direction is lacking in Samuelson said her Olympic career who works primarily with athletes with mily Samuelson competed at the Olympic sphere when it comes to has opened doors for her with prospec- $30 mn or more, including Olympians. the highest level as an ice danc- fi nances.” tive clients, who became more inter- Waxman said his clients are laser- er over the course of her 15-year Cheri Lytle, Merrill Lynch’s head of ested in talking after learning of her focused on the next game, not so much Ecareer, retiring after skating advisor strategy and development, said athletic background. Lopez also sees on retirement, budgeting or how to in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. But Olympians like Samuelson are also ap- the promotional value of his athletic avoid being “prey for fl y-by-night in- like many Olympians, she never earned pealing for their youth and work ethic. success: In his picture on the UBS web- vestment ideas.” enough to cover her expenses. Brokerages have hired thousands of site, he’s holding his silver medal. David Emma, a professional hockey Her parents spent $50,000 a year on trainees in recent years to build up a Lopez, 34, counts his brother Steve player who played in the 1992 Olym- her sport, an investment she tried to next generation of advisers, but about and sister Diana, both Olympic medal- pics, said he lost 80 % of his savings in pay back by giving them three-quar- half drop out, according to media re- lists, among his clients. While he would the tech bubble because his fi nancial ters of her winnings. She saved and in- ports. Olympians are team-oriented be happy to work with more Olympi- adviser invested the majority of his vested the rest. and competitive people who have al- ans, realistically, he knows that few portfolio in the technology sector. Samuelson, 26, knew that many Ol- ready achieved success in another ca- meet the Swiss bank’s high net worth The loss decimated the nest egg ympic friends struggled with money, reer, often before 30. targets. Emma had saved over his decade-long and she saw an opportunity for a ca- Samuelson and two other Olym- The US Olympic Committee pro- career, and it drove him to pursue a reer after skating. She’s now among pians told Reuters they liked Wall vides all Olympians with health insur- career in wealth management, fi rst at a number of Olympians working in Street’s competitive, eat-what-you- ance, but the stipend each athlete is Merrill Lynch and later at HighTower. wealth management at big banks, kill culture, along with paychecks that paid depends on the sport and can vary Emma currently advises 35 profes- which hope that the cachet of their are bigger and more stable than their from about $6,000 to tens of thou- sional hockey, golf and tennis athletes, athletic careers impresses prospec- sports careers could off er. sands per year. including several Olympians. tive clients. UBS Wealth Management After winning a silver medal in Even celebrity Olympians, who net “The less in the dark you are, the Americas, Bank of America’s Merrill Taekwondo at the 2008 Beijing Ol- lucrative sponsorships and profes- better,” Emma said. “These guys enjoy Emily Samuelson (left) and Evan Bates of the US perform during the ice dance Lynch and Morgan Stanley all employ ympics, Mark Lopez’s training partner sional contracts, often fail to plan for the opportunity to be empowered, to be figure skating competition at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Emily now several retired Olympic athletes. suggested he looked to Wall Street for the future. involved in the markets and investment works as a financial adviser for Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Michigan. (Reuters) “I got addicted to saving, (and) I his next career. “I can’t kick forever,” “The average athlete has a 15- to 20- decisions.”

FOCUS Of that brief, shining moment when a country gets its fi rst medal The Olympic spirit is perhaps best in evidence when an outsider from a small nation grabs the glory with their first-ever medal

DPA gold is a memory for a lifetime,” said the stopped crying, I probably would have old Abughaush said. “It is an incredible The Asian island-state had previously Rio de Janeiro winner of the 10-metre air pistol event. started to sing along. But I couldn’t feeling to win the fi rst medal ever for earned a pair each of silver and bronze “This is something I’ll never forget.” stop. I was sobbing the entire time.” one’s country.” medals before the Rio Games—but never a gold. That changed when 21-year-old ears of joy, being overcome by PUERTO RICO JORDAN SINGAPORE swimmer Joseph Schooling won the emotion, instant fame, tel- 100m butterfl y, beating his idol Michael ephone calls from their rulers... Phelps. “I feel honoured and privileged Olympic athletes from small to have a chance to swim against him,” countriesT go through a gamut of feelings Singapore’s fi rst gold medal athlete said. and new experiences when they win the fi rst-ever medal for their country. FIJI Thousands of miles away back home, Afterwards, even the opponents con- the moment becomes a national cel- gratulated them: Fiji’s men’s rugby 7s ebration. It happened often in Rio. Here team had won their tiny island-nation’s are some instances: fi rst medal ever—and it was a gold. To do it, Fiji had to defeat Britain, which they KOSOVO did soundly, 43-7. Halfway around the Majlind Kelmendi didn’t even try to keep world back home, a new national holiday the tears in check as the judoka stood on was declared in the rugby team’s honour. the podium and received the fi rst gold Ranked only 34th in the world of wom- medal ever for Kosovo. “I simply wanted en’s tennis, Monica Puig fl ew into Rio to cry, it was so special,” the 25-year-old as a rank outsider. A few days later, she IRAN said about the moment when for the found herself up on the podium with Taekwondo athlete Ahmad Abughaush It wasn’t Iran’s fi rst ever Olympic med- fi rst time, Kosovo’s national anthem a gold medal—the fi rst one ever for won the fi rst-ever medal for Jordan at al—but it was the fi rst one for a woman. was played at an Olympics. Puerto Rico—draped around her neck, an Olympics, and it was the gold medal Taekwondo athlete Kimia Alisadeh having vanquished number-two ranked to boot. The next thing he knew, he was even received a tweet from President VIETNAM German Angelique Kerber. getting a phone call from the Prince of Hassan Ruhani after her bronze medal The fi rst gold medal ever for Vietnam For the 22-year-old Puig, the emo- Jordan. “The Prince congratulated me in the 57kg class. “My daughter Kimia, was an unforgettable experience, espe- tions overcame her during the playing and said people in Jordan were crying you have made all of Iran, especially the cially for Xuan Vinh Hoang. “Winning of the national anthem: “If I would have tears of joy for me,” a beaming 20-year- women, happy,” he tweeted. SC gives Barshim another special Rio moment OPINION Compact World Cup in Qatar will be great for fans: Ronaldo

egendary Brazil centre-for- the former Inter Milan and Real as the best ever centre-forward ward Ronaldo joined his Madrid striker exclusively told in the game’s history concluded 2002 World Cup-winning www.sc.qa. “We had also looked by saying that he is also im- captain Cafu and team- at downsizing of stadium seating pressed by the stadium cooling matesL Lucio and Denilson in pass- after the 2014 World Cup Brazil as technology which is being devel- ing by the Supreme Committee for a legacy initiative,” he added. “It is oped by SC as a legacy initiative. Delivery & Legacy’s (SC) booth at good to note that Qatar are think- “I have heard about the tech- Bayt Qatar in Rio de Janeiro, and ing in this direction.” nology and I think it will make said the 2022 tournament will be a Ronaldo, who also scored four a positive change to the future game-changer for fans. goals in the 1998 World Cup in of football,” said the man who Ronaldo, who with eight goals France, was briefed at length about scored 62 international goals in was the Golden Boot winner in Qatar’s progress in preparing for 98 appearances including 15 in Hours aft er improving the colour of his Olympic medal from particular interest to the holder of the Asian men’s high jump the 2002 World Cup, welcomed the second ever edition in Asia. the World Cup. bronze to silver, Qatar high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim visited record was the proposed downsizing of the stadium capacity the SC’s plans for modular seat- The man nicknamed ‘Il The SC’s booth at Bayt Qatar the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s (SC) booth at following the 2022 showpiece event. ing with many of the stadiums at Fenomeno’ (the Phenomenon) received many visitors including Bayt Qatar. The 25-year-old, who won Qatar’s solitary medal in SC delegates at the Qatar Olympic Committee’s hospitality the 2022 World Cup Qatar. during his time in Italy, said he members of the Brazilian public, As part of the SC’s sustainabil- appreciated the concept of the global media and sports admin- Rio de Janeiro, received a special reception following which he house explained the modus operandi of achieving this — by ity commitment, the modular compact World Cup which Qa- istrators. A number of former was briefed about the progress made by the future stadium of dismantling the stadium’s modular upper tier seating which upper seats of stadiums such as tar will be introducing to global footballers and coaches includ- his favourite football team, Al Rayyan Sports Club, as it gears would be donated to developing countries in the region. Al Rayyan and Al Bayt – Al Khor football fans for the fi rst time. ing Cafu, Dunga, Lucio, Denil- up for the fi rst ever FIFA World Cup in the Middle East. Barshim, who won the bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, City will be donated to develop- “The opportunity to watch two son, David Trezeguet and Chris- Barshim, who fi nished behind Canada’s Derek Drouin was also keen to know all the other 2022 legacy initiatives of ing nations. or three World Cup matches a tian Karembeu also visited the with a jump of 2.36 metres, heard about the legacy initia- the organisation including stadium cooling technology, Chal- “I am happy that Qatar is think- day will be path-breaking from a booth during the course of the tives undertaken by the SC involving Al Rayyan Stadium. Of lenge 22 and Generation Amazing. (www.sc.qa) ing about stadium infrastruc- fan’s perspective,” he said. 2016 Olympic Games that con- ture after the 2022 World Cup,” The man considered by many cluded on Sunday. (www.sc.qa) Gulf Times Tuesday, August 23, 2016 3 OLYMPICS

FOCUS BOXING France’s Yoka follows fi ancee Estelle to gold Athletics nervously AFP follow 2012 Olympic gold med- Rio de Janeiro allist Anthony Joshua — the International Boxing Federa- tion heavyweight champion — rance’s Tony Yoka into the pro ranks. completed a roman- “I’ve won everything there tic Olympic double on is to win as an amateur. Four FSunday, winning the su- years ago Anthony Joshua was enters post-Bolt era per-heavyweight title just days standing in my shoes,” he said. after his fi ancee had secured her “I can go as far as him, maybe own boxing gold medal. even further.” ‘It’s a massive gap, but it’s not a gap that is insuperable. You’re not going The 24-year-old from Paris Joyce meanwhile believed he — the fi rst Frenchman ever to had done enough to claim the win the Olympic super-heav- decision. to fill that gap overnight, but there are great, talented athletes out there’ yweight division — outfoxed “I thought the gold was Britain’s Joe Joyce to claim a mine, I’ll just have to watch it AFP launch from.” split-points decision. again. I was landing shots on Rio de Janeiro “Just now we’re not seeing the fruits After the victory Yoka him and getting through his of his accomplishments and labour, but I sought out his fi ancee Estelle guard. He nicked it,” Joyce, 30, think in the years to come you’ll see a lot of Mossely, who won France’s a fi ne arts graduate, said. s dope-tainted athletics emerges young athletes who’ll say ‘I got inspired by fi rst women’s Olympic boxing “I gave it my all, got the from its darkest hour fi ghting to Usain Bolt.’” crown on Friday. training right, just disap- restore its credibility, the reality for “When I got inspired by Michael John- The couple embraced ring- pointed. Silver isn’t that bad Atrack and fi eld is that it will have to son I was eight years old and I didn’t start side after he got the narrow win but I expected the gold — it just cross that rocky road without Usain Bolt. coming into fruition in track until I was 18, before wrapping themselves in wasn’t to be.” The Jamaican, who sealed an amazing so give it a decade.” a French Tricolour. Joshua, who watched the third haul of three Olympic sprint gold Bolt will not be lost to the sport, how- “It’s incredible, this story,” bout from ringside, said Joyce medals in Rio, has consistently been a ever, with Coe saying he envisaged the Ja- Yoka said. “We dreamed about deserved the win. beacon for clean athletes amid doping and maican, so often able to defl ect bad news competing in the Olympics as a “The sky is the limit for him. corruption scandals that mired Sebastian with his on-track performances, playing a couple. And we dreamed about He is a credit inside and out- Coe’s fi rst year in offi ce as IAAF president. key role in years to come. winning medals, or even gold side the ring. I was just praying Bolt will compete at next year’s World “I’ve been very clear, I said ‘Whenever medals. And now we’ve done he would catch him with one Championships in London as his swan- you decide to do other things, let’s make it. Incredible.” punch. The power Joe possess- song, meaning the next Olympics in Tokyo sure in that portfolio of those things you will Yoka revealed he’d received es... he is a phenomenal fi ghter.” will not feature one of sport’s most recog- obviously want to go off and do, we don’t a simple instruction before the Joyce made the better start, nisable fi gures. lose you from the sport’,” Coe continued. bout from Mossely. “Estelle landing some clumping punch- Coe insists, however, that athletics will “I’m very intent on that,” he said, add- just said: ‘I’ve done my job, es to rock the Frenchman. Yoka endure, telling AFP that Bolt had tran- ing: “It’s one of those discussions that you do yours’. It was my turn. I was more mobile but Joyce scended his sport in a way that was compa- probably you can in reality only have once couldn’t fail,’” Yoka said. was packing the greater power rable to boxing icon Muhammad Ali. “The someone’s got their competitive years be- Yoka meanwhile said he was in the fi nal bout of the boxing man is a genius,” Coe said. “There’s been hind them. He’s in no doubt at all about surprised that Joyce had not tournament in Brazil. nobody since Muhammad Ali who’s got how the sport feels about him and certainly sought to vary his approach. Joyce was working the body remotely near to what this guy has done in how I do as a president.” “He’s not intelligent. Look frequently as Yoka seemed terms of grabbing the public imagination.” Bolt himself said he thought the future at my face,” Yoka said. “He hit sluggish and unable to get his However, Coe argued that just as a new of track “looked good”. me a lot on the arms, in my punches away. The pair were generation of boxers emerged after Ali’s re- “I want to stay around the sport. I want gloves. And every time I struck gasping by the third and fi nal tirement, so track and fi eld would unearth to stay in the sport,” the 30-year-old said. him I hit him in the head. ” round, with Mossely watching new personalities after Bolt. “The sport’s being doing better, they’re go- “Look at the guys on the po- anxiously on from the stands. “It’s a massive gap, but it’s not a gap that ing to clean it up and it’s going to do great.” dium — they are black and blue However, a confi dent Yoka is insuperable,” Coe said. “You’re not go- Bolt’s training partner Yohan Blake said everywhere. Look at my face, stuck his tongue out at the Brit- ing to fi ll that gap overnight, but there are it was up to the current wave of younger I’m pretty good.” on seconds from the fi nal bell — great, talented athletes out there.” athletes to try to carry on the great man’s Yoka said he now plans to confi dent he had the decision. American Ashton Eaton, who defended track prowess. “He is more than an im- his decathlon title in Rio, was described by mortal. He always encourages us to do bet- Bolt after his victory in London four years ter. We can push on after him and keep the ago as the world’s best athlete. legacy going.” And Eaton was adamant that Bolt’s ab- As for Bolt, he hopes his achievements sence would not leave a vacuum. “I will say will never be broken. “I hope I’ve set the bar that it is an absolute pleasure to be able to high enough that no one can do it again,” he compete in the same era as Usain Bolt,” Ea- said after the latest of his astonishing 20 ton said. “I really disagree he’ll leave a vac- Olympic and world titles. “I’ll have to make uum. If anything, he’s provided a platform a new bucket list now, I’ve achieved all I for all the other young, aspiring athletes to wanted to in track and fi eld.” Despite Bolt, too many empty seats a worrying factor

Reuters Bolt did his best to lift his sport, as he al- set personal bests. 13 golds, while Pole Anita Wlodarczyk broke Rio de Janeiro ways does, completing his incredible triple- While Van Niekerk’s mark was widely her own world record to take the women’s triple of 100 metres, 200m and 4x100m acclaimed, Ethiopian Almaz Ayana was hammer. relay to join Paavo Nurmi and Carl Lewis immediately questioned after destroying For home supporters there will be one sain Bolt delivered. Mo Farah, Elaine on nine gold medals as the most successful Wang Junxia’s 1993 record by 14 seconds. memory above all as Thiago da Silva pulled Thompson, David Rudisha, three athletes in history. There was also spectacular hypocrisy in off a shock pole vault victory to win Brazil’s Uworld records and a dominant The Jamaican also made sure that every the widespread booing of American double- first athletics gold for 34 years. United States played their part too, as ath- media outlet and every fan got to see and doper Justin Gatlin while many other The shame for Da Silva was that, unlike letics enjoyed being back in the limelight for hear him, aware as he is of his extraordinary off enders, including some American team Sydney’s cacophonous Cathy Freeman the right reasons after a torrid year. standing as the shining beacon of hope and mates, were accorded a polite welcome. night or London’s Super Saturday, his mo- The absent Russia team were not missed excellence amid the murk of doping and Back on the good news side of the ledger, ment in the sun was witnessed by no more but the absent fans were and organisers will corruption. Farah impressively matched Lasse Viren’s than around 10,000 fans. need to find out why the crowds were so There was much talk in Rio about who achievement of retaining both the 10,000 IAAF President Sebastian Coe acclaimed small for what should have been the centre- is going to fill the void once he retires next and 5,000m titles, Thompson pulled off a the 10 days’ “enthralling” action as evidence point of the Games. year and South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk brilliant 100/200m double while Rudisha that “our sport is alive and incredibly strong”. Empty seats for morning sessions are made an early case with a stunning 400m overcame a troubled year to retain his However, with positive drugs tests litter- not unusual, though not to the scale wit- victory to demolish Michael Johnson’s 1999 800m title. ing the last two Olympics and still emerging nessed in Rio, and if they cannot sell out a world record. Ashton Eaton underlined his status as the even eight years on from Beijing, the time 60,000-capacity stadium to watch Bolt in Even that performance though was greatest all-round athlete in the world by to judge whether athletics in Rio has been the Olympic 100 metres final then there is a eclipsed by the extraordinary women’s successfully defending his decathlon title, a success or another festival of doping is problem somewhere along the line. 10,000m final, where the first 13 finishers helping the United States to a table-topping probably still a long way down the road.

BASKETBALL US NBA stars rip Serbia for third gold in a row AFP Serbia led 14-11 with 3:12 remaining in the fi rst Rio de Janeiro quarter when the Americans, who opened the game shooting only 5-of-17 from the fl oor, began a 32-8 run to break it open. ompleting a third consecutive unbeaten run Durant, who joins the NBA Western Conference to gold, the United States crushed Serbia 96- champion Golden State Warriors next season, had 66 in Sunday’s Rio Games basketball fi nal to 14 points in the pivotal spurt including a spectacular win their sixth Olympic title with NBA talent steal and fast-break slam dunk. inC seven tries. Although it went unbeaten, the USA was played a Kevin Durant scored 18 of his 30 points in the sec- little too close for comfort in most of its Rio Games. ond quarter to trigger the rout, stretching the USA’s That raised doubts about the ability of the newly Olympic winning streak to 25 games and decade-long assembled team to play as a unit and handle the per- unbeaten string to 76 in what was the fi nal gold medal petual motion of international play. match of the Games. Anthony and Durant were the only players to re- With the win, US forward Carmelo Anthony be- turn from 2012. came the fi rst man with three Olympic basketball “It was the best thing that happened for us,” centre gold medals. He was on the 2004 team that settled DeMarcus Cousins said of those wake-up calls. for bronze, a result that sparked a re-organisation of “It let us know that we had to take it to another the USA programmed that has gone unbeaten in the level because it’s not going to be a walk in the park. If Games since. anything, I think that was the best thing for us.” “It was a special moment for me,” Anthony, 32, Cousins had 13 points and 15 rebounds in the game. said of the third gold. He ruled out returning for To- The fi rst half ended with the Americans ahead 52- kyo 2020. “I know this is the end. This is it for me. I 29 and playing like the confi dent, fl amboyant side committed to this in ‘04. I’ve seen the worst and I’ve most expected to see once the roster was named. seen the best. I’m here today three gold medals later.” “We’re a confi dent group. We corrected our mis- It was the USA’s 15th overall men’s basketball gold takes and came together as a team. Winning’s not al- medal since the sport was fi rst added to the Olympic ways easy,” Cousins said. line-up in 1936. In the second half, it was only a matter of settling It was also the farewell game for US coach Mike the fi nal margin and adding to the USA highlight reel. Krzyzewski, who will be replaced by San Antonio Durant and Anthony hugged late in the fourth quar- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. ter with the result long decided, and after the fi nal A Serbian team that tested the US squad before buzzer, the Americans were dancing at mid-court in falling 94-91 in a group stage game — the closest celebration. Nemanja Nedovic led Serbia with 14 points. call yet in the Americans’ long Olympic win streak — Spain, which lost to the US team in the past two stayed close for barely a quarter before the NBA play- Olympic fi nals, edged Australia 89-88 in the bronze makers went wild. medal game. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, August 23, 2016 OLYMPICS

RIO MARATHON Jordanian trots in last, 37 minutes behind Kipchoge AFP nival, waving to fans, carnage was un- “The rain wasn’t helpful,” sniff ed Rio de Janeiro folding ahead. Abu Drais, who won the 2012 Stock- Second to last Kuniaki Takizaki of Former Olympic silver medallist Meb holm Marathon. “You have to deal with Cambodia (right) embraces last finisher Kefl ezighi led the way when he lost his the elements, circumstances change Methkal Abu Drais of Jordan. (Reuters) mid celebrations for the end of footing and skidded across the fi nish from race to race. You just want to get the Rio Olympics, few spared a line on all fours. Mortifi ed, he stayed to the fi nish.” thought for Jordan’s Methkal where he was and began to do push-ups If the rain was not as advertised, nei- Abu Drais who fi nished the to loud applause. ther was the smorgasbord of comedy: marathonA behind a Japanese comedian, A stray black dog made a lengthy Argentine runner Federico Bruno did a a stray dog and an Argentinian running cameo appearance, to further cheers, cracking impersonation of a wounded sideways. trotting alongside runners who looked crab as he crossed the line sidewards- It sounds like a punchline to a a little wary of the furry intruder. on in 137th, dragging his cramping leg joke, but that’s what happened as the Abu Drais was still some way off at behind him. 32-year-old army sergeant trotted this stage, huffi ng and puffi ng his way Iran’s Mohammadjafar Moradi col- home last in Sunday’s race, fi nishing to the closing stages of a course which lapsed 20 metres from the line and 140th more than 37 minutes behind snaked through the heart of Rio’s his- crawled desperately home. gold medallist Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya. toric centre. Fifteen runners failed to fi nish, one Enough time perhaps to fashion a He insisted he had little time to wag wondering if they had stumbled sign warning ‘Slippery When Wet’ for take in any of the city’s iconic land- into one of the city’s notorious ‘favela’ rivals toppling like tenpins along the marks, such as the giant Christ the slums, never to be seen again. home straight on a concrete surface Redeemer statue, peeking through the As if praying for divine intervention, that resembled an ice rink after a morn- clouds above. Cuba’s Richer Perez unfurled a banner ing downpour. “I wasn’t here for sight-seeing,” reading: “Love Jesus”. “It wasn’t my best day perhaps,” Abu shrugged Abu Drais, who trains in the Abu Drais, meanwhile, was pipped at Drais said. “But my presence at the Olym- Atlas mountains, which stretch through the line by pint-sized Kuniaki Takizaki pics among the best marathon runners in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. “A mara- — a Japanese comedian who competes the world is an achievement for me.” thon runner doesn’t have time to check under Cambodia’s fl ag. Undeterred the Before Abu Drais schlepped up the out the tourist spots.” doughty Jordanian said: “I’m off for a long concourse of the Sambadrome, After watching Abu Drais race, some shower. I will be back to fi nish in the top the spiritual centre of Rio’s famed car- may beg to diff er. 10 at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”

SPOTLIGHT Mixed reaction to Abe’s Super Mario act in Japan

apan reacted with a mix of surprise, delight and Jcynicism at the sight of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dressed up as video game icon Super Mario in a comical cameo at the close of the Rio Olympics. Social media im- Boxing on the brink mediately lit up as scenes of Abe wearing a Super Mario costume proved jaw-dropping to Japanese watching the spectacle on television half a world away. “I was im- pressed to see a national leader sacrificing his reputation and showing up in cosplay at this world event,” posted a Japanese-language Twitter user. “He is great.” Most had apparently never conceived of the normally blue-suited and politically conservative Abe and the aft er string of judging moustachioed Mario merging into one. “I never thought of having Prime Minister Abe play Mario, let alone him emerging from plumbing,” another Twitter user said. That was a reference to Abe’s entrance before the vast crowd at Rio’s Maracana stadium where plumber Super Mario came out from underground after drilling down from Tokyo into the earth to reach Brazil. Some voices, however, were sharply critical. “He controversies in Rio popped up from a pipe grossly contaminated by radia- tion,” said one tweet, apparently referring to the Fukushi- ‘Following questionable decisions and alleged corruption claims occurring in Rio, a ma nuclear power plant that was crippled by a massive 2011 tsunami. Abe came under fire in 2013 after he made global strategy is being put in place to ensure AIBA will address and correct the situation’ a global promise to Olympic chiefs just ahead of a deci- sion to award the Games to Tokyo, saying of the plant: “Let me assure you, the situation is under control.” The facility is being decommissioned and that is expected Kazakh boxer Vassiliy Levit to take decades to achieve, while some areas around it (blue) appeared to have given remain uninhabitable due to high levels of radiation. his Russian opponent Evgeny The closing ceremony and transfer of the Olympic Tishchenko a thorough hiding flag to Tokyo was the top story in Japan’s evening in the heavyweight final of the newspapers, with some including short items on Abe’s Rio Games boxing competition, transformation into Super Mario. Tamayo Marukawa, the but the judges inexplicably Japanese minister in charge of the 2020 Tokyo Games, declared the Russian a told reporters in Tokyo she was not informed of Abe’s unanimous points winner plan to portray the popular Nintendo game character. “I didn’t know about this at all,” she said. “I never imagined he would play Mario.” She then suggested Abe should start calling himself ‘Shinzo Mario Abe’ to raise his global profile. Abe himself seemed satisfied. “I wanted to show Japan’s soft power to the world with the help of Japanese characters,” he told reporters. “I wasn’t sure how the audience would react,” he added. “But I received so many cheers. I appreciate it.” Ethiopia says marathoner will not face prosecution n Ethiopian government off icial said yesterday that Amarathon runner Feyisa Lelisa will not face prosecu- tion after a show of political defiance at the Rio Olympics. Lelisa crossed his wrists in a sign of support for massive anti-government protests in Ethiopia as he raced to silver medal in Sunday’s men’s marathon. A government spokes- man said: “This is an athlete who secured a silver medal for his country. Though it is not permitted to display political messages in Olympic Games, he will be conferred a heroic welcome along with his team members.” The statement came after the athlete said in a press conference in Rio that he might be killed or imprisoned on his return to Ethiopia. He said he was considering not returning to Ethiopia after the Games. Ethiopia won one gold, two silver and five bronze medals at the Rio Games, putting them third in Africa in the medals standing. Ben ‘Ginger with glasses’ Ryan wins Fiji’s top honour nglishman Ben Ryan was yesterday awarded Fiji’s Ehighest honour for coaching the South Pacific nation’s rugby sevens side to a historic gold medal at the Rio Olympics. Tens of thousands of Fijians cheered and many AFP sequently booed up to the podium. have so far been reluctant to criti- of scoring bouts in favour of a will be seen. openly wept as they braved heavy rain to attend a victory Rio de Janeiro The next day Irish bantamweight cise the AIBA, but Boxing Canada judging system like that used in Back in the ring, the United ceremony in the capital Suva with celebrations rolling world champion Michael Conlan broke ranks with a strongly worded professional boxing and removed States men won their fi rst medals through a second day since the team returned home. launched a foul-mouthed tirade statement, warning that the sport’s headguards for men, leaving some since 2008 but failed to get gold, as Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama declared a public loody and bruised, Olym- at the International Boxing Asso- integrity was in serious jeopardy fi ghters nursing nasty head wounds Cuba clinched titles in three of the holiday and free buses were provided to take people to the pic boxing was left teeter- ciation (AIBA) saying he had been and hinted plans were afoot to force and facial cuts. 10 men’s weight classes. national stadium where Ryan and the players were feted ing on the brink of crisis at “robbed” of his Olympic dream, AIBA’s arm. These three moves were de- American hot prospect Shakur as heroes. Ryan, a self-described “44-year-old ginger bloke the Olympics with several again at the hands of a Russian. “Following questionable deci- signed to make Olympic boxing Stevenson had to make do with with glasses” has become the most revered person in Fiji fiB ghters complaining they were the Conlan was enraged and accused sions and alleged corruption claims closer to the pros and hence more silver after a split-points loss to since he guided the sevens team to a 43-7 hiding of Great victims of bad judging decisions the AIBA and judges of corruption occurring at the Rio 2016 boxing popular. Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez — he now Britain in the Olympic final to deliver Fiji its first Olympic and a few alleging more sinister — an allegation immediately reject- competition, a global strategy is In the event, only three profes- holds two Olympic titles at two dif- medal. “In recognition of the achievement, it is an honour wrongdoing. ed by the AIBA, which threatened being put in place to ensure AIBA sionals of debatable calibre took ferent weights. for me that I have this opportunity to present the country’s The Games would not be com- legal action to protect its integrity will address and correct the situa- part and they all went home early. It will not stop the 19-year-old highest recognition medal award to Ben Ryan,” President plete without boxing controversy and that of Olympic boxing. tion,” Boxing Canada said. The fact the little-known pros Stevenson turning pro under the Jioji Konrote said as the coach was made a Companion of of one kind or another and govern- But the boxing body then ac- It told AFP that it wants a “com- never made it to the podium made tutelage of Floyd Mayweather, who the Order of Fiji. The sevens players were each made off ic- ing body the AIBA was soon on the knowledged that “less than a hand- plete review” of what unfolded in a nonsense of criticism from some says the bantamweight will be a ers of the Order of Fiji with the squad members and coach defensive in Rio after at least two ful of decisions (were) not at the Rio. AIBA did not respond to a re- quarters that the rest of the fi eld world champion. Ryan also receiving FJD$30,000 (US$14,700) each. The highly debatable judging decisions, level expected” and sent home an quest for comment. was in danger at the hands of the Claressa Shields of the US and crowd roared their approval when Ryan finished a bowl of the most contentious being in the undisclosed number of judges and AIBA made headlines when, just supposedly more adept pro fi ght- the Briton Nicola Adams success- kava, the traditional drink taken at ceremonial occasions in heavyweight fi nal. referees. two months before Rio, it said that ers, AIBA said. fully defended their titles, while Fiji and he drew even more applause, when he thanked the Kazakh Vassiliy Levit appeared And a day later it “reassigned” professionals would be allowed to The AIBA also said that while Estelle Mossely celebrated her 24th crowd in the native iTaukei language. Ryan, whose value to have given Evgeny Tishchenko a one of its top executives who was compete for the fi rst time in Olym- the controversial move to let pros birthday by becoming the fi rst as a sevens coach skyrocketed after his Olympic success, thorough hiding, but the judges in- in charge of helping run the Rio Ol- pic boxing history. take part at the Olympics was made French women’s Olympic boxing has said he will take a short break from the game before explicably made the Russian a unan- ympic boxing. It had already dumped the un- in time for Rio, it is only in subse- champion—and her fi ance Tony deciding his future. imous points winner—he was con- National boxing federations popular punch-counting method quent Games that its real impact Yoka won super-heavyweight gold. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 23, 2016 5

SPOTLIGHT Medals tally

COUNTRY G S B T 1. United States 46 37 38 121 2. Great Britain 27 23 17 67 3. China 26 18 26 70 ‘Marvellous’ Rio 4. Russia 19 18 19 56 5. Germany 17 10 15 42 6. Japan 12 8 21 41 7. France 10 18 14 42 8. South Korea 9 3 9 21 9. Italy 8 12 8 28 fl ames out as Super 10. Australia 8 11 10 29 11. Netherlands 8 7 4 19 12. Hungary 8 3 4 15 13. Brazil 7 6 6 19 14. Spain 7 4 6 17 Abe takes baton 15. Kenya 6 6 1 13 16. Jamaica 6 3 2 11 A rollercoaster fortnight which mixed off -field hitches with sporting drama comes to an end 17. Croatia 5 3 2 10 18. Cuba 5 2 4 11 AFP to win by more than a minute. 19. New Zealand 4 9 5 18 Rio de Janeiro The USA’s basketball ‘Dream Team’ of 20. Canada 4 3 15 22 NBA stars claimed the 306th and fi nal gold of the Games with a crushing 96-66 win 21. Uzbekistan 4 2 7 13 he Rio Olympics ended in a blaze over Serbia. 22. Kazakhstan 3 5 9 17 of colour with an exuberant clos- With the basketball win, America 23. Colombia 3 2 3 8 ing ceremony on Sunday as Tokyo matched its tally of 46 golds from Lon- took up the baton promising to don four years ago to lead the medals table 24. Switzerland 3 2 2 7 hostT the best Games yet in 2020. from Britain, who sealed surprise second 25. Iran 3 1 4 8 After a rollercoaster fortnight which place ahead of China with 27 golds to 26. 26. Greece 3 1 2 6 mixed off -fi eld hitches with compelling “We are one of those sporting super- sporting drama, Olympics chief Thomas powers now,” beamed UK Sport chief ex- 27. Argentina 3 1 0 4 Bach hailed a “marvellous” Games in the ecutive Liz Nicholl. 28. Denmark 2 6 7 15 Brazilian city. For China, the world’s most populous 29. Sweden 2 6 3 11 “These were marvellous Olympic country, it was the worst Olympics for 20 30. South Africa 2 6 2 10 Games in the marvellous city!” said Bach, years — especially sobering after topping as he declared the Games closed and the the standings at Beijing 2008 and fi nish- 31. Ukraine 2 5 4 11 Olympic fl ame was extinguished. ing second in 2012. 32. Serbia 2 4 2 8 These Olympic Games are leaving a China brought to Rio a youthful team 33. Poland 2 3 6 11 unique legacy for generations to come. with an average age of 24, the lowest of the History will talk about a Rio de Janeiro be- last three Olympics. 34. North Korea 2 3 2 7 fore and a much better Rio de Janeiro after This points to a rebuilding phase ahead 35. Belgium 2 2 2 6 the Olympic Games.” of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, the capital 35. Thailand 2 2 2 6 Just a few hours earlier, the United of China’s war-time rival and former co- States basketball squad won the last gold lonial power which still evokes bitter re- 37. Slovakia 2 2 0 4 of the Games, boosting their country’s sentment among many Chinese. 38. Georgia 2 1 4 7 place on top of the medals table. A string of below-par performances 39. Azerbaijan 1 7 10 18 At the closing ceremony, thousands of saw India win just two medals, fewer than fans and athletes donned ponchos on a wet the six clinched during their best-ever 40. Belarus 1 4 4 9 and windy night for a colourful festival of performance in London four years earlier. 41. Turkey 1 3 4 8 Brazilian culture and music with bursts of There was also controversy as Mongo- 42. Armenia 1 3 0 4 spectacular fi reworks. lia’s Chagnaadorj Usukhbayar became the 43. Czech Republic 1 2 7 10 Smiling and waving athletes danced sixth weightlifter in Rio to fail a drugs test. into the Maracana stadium taking selfi es Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, And police seized passports, phones 44. Ethiopia 1 2 5 8 as Rio’s 16-day Summer Games closed dressed as Super Mario, appears during and computers in a raid on the Irish Ol- 45. Slovenia 1 2 1 4 ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. the closing ceremony. (AFP) ympic offi ce, following the arrest of Irish 46. Indonesia 1 2 0 3 Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe International Olympic Committee mem- made a comical cameo as Nintendo video ling nine gold medals with his third con- ber Patrick Hickey over an alleged black 47. Romania 1 1 3 5 game character Super Mario as Tokyo set secutive 100m, 200m and 4x100m sweep. market tickets scam. 48. Bahrain 1 1 0 2 out its stall for 2020. Swim legend Phelps took his unmatched Brazil added a fi nal fl ourish as they beat 48. Vietnam 1 1 0 2 “The Japanese government will... work career haul to 23 gold medals with another Italy 3-0 to win the men’s title in volleyball, hard so it will be the best Olympics ever,” fi ve in Rio -- plus a silver, after his loss to one of the country’s most popular sports. 50. Taiwan 1 0 2 3 Abe said as he met Japanese medal-win- former childhood fan Joseph Schooling. French fi ghter Tony Yoka won a split- 51. Independent 1 0 1 2 ners earlier. Brazil came late to the party but the decision against Britain’s Joe Joyce to take 51. Bahamas 1 0 1 2 Security scares and logistical problems country celebrated long and loud when the super-heavyweight title in boxing. were a feature of South America’s fi rst Ol- Neymar won a gold-medal penalty shoot- Switzerland’s world champion Nino 51. Ivory Coast 1 0 1 2 ympics, held against the backdrop of Bra- out against Germany to erase memories of Schurter, third in Beijing and second in 54. Fiji 1 0 0 1 zil’s political and economic crisis. their 7-1 World Cup semi-fi nal humilia- London, competed his ascent of the po- 54. Jordan 1 0 0 1 Swathes of empty seats caused disqui- tion in 2014. dium by winning the men’s mountain bike 54. Kosovo 1 0 0 1 et but the Games also witnessed the last competition. hurrahs of both Usain Bolt and Michael ‘SPORTING SUPERPOWERS’ And there were furious scenes when 54. Puerto Rico 1 0 0 1 Phelps, who both lived up to their billing. On a sodden fi nal day, Kenya’s Eliud Kip- a Mongolian coach stripped down to his 54. Singapore 1 0 0 1 Bolt sealed the sprint “triple triple” in choge, 31, shone with his seventh win in underwear to protest a decision against 54. Tajikistan 1 0 0 1 his fi nal Games, reaching a record-equal- eight marathons, timing 2hr 8min 44sec wrestler Ganzorig Mandakhnaran. 60. Malaysia 0 4 1 5 61. Mexico 0 3 2 5 62. Algeria 0 2 0 2 62. Ireland 0 2 0 2 64. Lithuania 0 1 3 4 65. Bulgaria 0 1 2 3 65. Venezuela 0 1 2 3 67. India 0 1 1 2 67. Mongolia 0 1 1 2 69. Qatar 0 1 0 1 Brazilian singer Mariene de Castro performs while the Olympic flame is extinguished during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic 69. Burundi 0 1 0 1 Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. (AFP) 69. Grenada 0 1 0 1 69. Niger 0 1 0 1 69. Philippines 0 1 0 1 74. Norway 0 0 4 4 75. Egypt 0 0 3 3 75. Tunisia 0 0 3 3 77. Israel 0 0 2 2 78. Austria 0 0 1 1 78. Dominican Rep. 0 0 1 1 78. Estonia 0 0 1 1 78. Finland 0 0 1 1 78. Moldova 0 0 1 1 78. Morocco 0 0 1 1 78. Nigeria 0 0 1 1 78. Portugal 0 0 1 1 78. Trinidad & Tobago 0 0 1 1 78. UAE 0 0 1 1 Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, August 23, 2016

“There you go. I’m the “This is how I wanted “There are kids who don’t “I should’ve been more “A little greatest.” to fi nish my career. I’ve know if their parents are responsible in how I tickle with lived a dream come alive, don’t have anything handled myself and a lob wedge. true. Being able to cap it to eat or books. So the for that am sorry to my I thought off with these Games is fact of becoming Olym- teammates, my fans, my it could just the perfect way to pic champion is just huge fellow competitors, my handle fi nish.” for all of us.” sponsors and the hosts.” that.” — Usain Bolt on securing his — Michael Phelps after winning — Majlinda Kelmendi on — Ryan Lochte on fabricating — Golfer Henrik Stenson on ‘triple triple’ his 23rd gold medal winning Kosovo’s first gold story of being robbed in Rio dealing with a croc at Rio course

FOCUS Chiller, the face VOLLEYBALL of Australia’s China, Brazil win ‘ordinary’ ‘Good-time’ Olympics in closest-fought In Australian Games in decades vernacular, the phrase “a bit ordinary” Reuters Indian offi cials is a damning Rio de Janeiro understate- ment with a meaning closer he Rio Games were the to “pretty ter- most competitive in rible”. decades on the volleyball under fi re Australia’s team court, with half a dozen Tnations vying for the men’s gold chief, Kitty ‘While other countries have scripted a turnaround in Chiller, is one of the few who would not ar- that eventually went to host na- gue that it fairly aptly sums up the nation’s tion Brazil, and major upsets their fortune, we continue to languish in mediocrity’ Rio Olympics. seen among the women’s teams. The post mortem, or “blame game” as The world’s top-rated men’s Chiller put it, was already underway back team, the United States, lost its home on Sunday as the 51-year-old sweated fi rst two matches and was on the on getting the nine athletes embroiled in an brink of elimination, but clawed accreditation row out of Brazil on Monday’s back lost ground to reach the team charter flight. semi-fi nals, only to be knocked It was the final frustration of Australia’s out by Italy. troubled Games, taking in accommodation Hosts Brazil eliminated defend- complaints, theft, a small fire and one of ing Olympic champions Russia their swimmers being mugged a few days and went on to win the gold medal before the nine athletes were detained. by overcoming the powerful Ital- In competition, things went only marginally ians, who had beaten them in the better and defeat for the men’s basketball preliminary round. Chinese women’s volleyball team by a single point in the bronze medal “This was the most even men’s coach Ping Lang (left) celebrates match on Sunday left Australia with eight volleyball Olympic since the victory with a player. (Reuters) gold medals and 29 in total. 1980s. Any of six countries could That was close to their tally from London have won the gold,” said Raul Lo- lands in the quarter-fi nals, but four years ago (8-35) but 10th place on the zano, a former Argentine player persevered under the careful final medals table in Rio was well short of who coached Iran’s men to the guidance of Lang Ping, one of the their target of a top-five finish. quarter-fi nals. the sport’s top women’s coaches While the likes of Kyle Chalmers and Chloe “On the men’s side we had who coached the United States to Esposito will be rightly lauded for their eight teams that were fi ghting a silver medal in 2008. gold medal-winning exploits, Chiller may the entire Olympics for a medal. There were no easy matches end up being the most memorable face of When the diff erence between the in the very competitive Pool B, Australia’s Games. teams is such a small margin, it whose top four teams all went on Brought in as Australia’s first woman can go either way for any team,” to the medal-winning matches, chef de mission to replace the amiable said top US scorer and outside a sign of the high quality of the Nick Green after the London Games were striker Matt Anderson. volleyball being played. blighted by a swimming team scandal, the The American women were “There were upsets, long former modern pentathlete laid down the favourites to win their fi rst gold, fi ve-setters, which is great for law from day one. but, like their men’s team, had to the game,” US women’s captain Anything that compromised, or threatened settle for bronze. Christa Dietzen told Reuters. to compromise, the “culture” of the Austral- China won gold against a Professionalism has grown in Indian athletes parade during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Sunday. (AFP) ian team would simply not be tolerated. surging Serbian team, which had European countries such as Italy, Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic, Australia’s never before reached the medal unlike the United States that has AFP deny any involvement. tler Narsingh Yadav was banned for two top tennis players, were handed warn- stage of the tournament, after no professional volleyball, and New Delhi The minister also sparked ridicule four years for failing drug tests — ings about their brattish behaviour and knocking out Brazil, the reigning no country is a powerhouse to- on social media after praising one of overturning India’s earlier decision withdrew their names from contention. champions of the last two Olym- day, she said. India’s athletes on Twitter, only to to allow him to compete. Chiller took a similarly uncompromising pics, in the quarter-fi nals. “The competitiveness has ris- s Olympic under-achievers use a photo of a diff erent one. Indian offi cials had cleared Yadav stance with Rio organisers. The young Chinese team had en. It was anybody’s Olympics,” India head home from Rio And the Indian Express newspaper just days before Rio, accepting his Six weeks before the Games, she demanded lost to Serbia and the Nether- Dietzen said. having failed to win a gold accused him of spending his time in defence that a rival spiked his food the city immediately ramp up security after medal, its gate-crashing, Rio taking selfi es with “exhausted supplements, after failing two tests a Paralympic sailor and team off icial were selfiA e-taking offi cials have been ac- Indian athletes” — after posting a for a banned steroid. robbed at gunpoint. FENCING cused of failing to help its athletes picture of himself ringside with just The World Anti-Doping Agency When Chiller arrived in Brazil, she created taste success. defeated boxer Vikas Krishan Yadav. swiftly challenged the decision in the an early media storm by refusing to allow A string of below-par perform- The incidents come as little sur- Court of Arbitration for Sport which the team to move into their Athletes’ Village ances saw India win just two med- prise to observers who have long ac- found “no evidence” of such con- accommodation until it was up to scratch. Russian riposte: best als at the Games, fewer than the six cused sport administrators of being tamination. Another row towards the end of the Games clinched during their best-ever per- more concerned about protecting led to accusations that she was running the formance in London four years ear- their own fi efdoms than targeting ‘NOT BOTHERED’ team like a kindergarten when she banned medal haul in 20 years lier. success. India, a country obsessed with crick- swimmers Emma McKeon and Josh Palmer Badminton champion P V Sind- At the 2014 Winter Olympics, In- et, has never fi nished high on the from the closing ceremony for breaches of Reuters Rio with two golds, a silver and a hu’s silver towards the end of the Rio dia suff ered the humiliation of be- medal table — winning just 28 from discipline. Rio de Janeiro bronze — their best fencing since Games sparked an outpouring of na- ing banned from fl ying its fl ag at the 24 Olympic appearances. McKeon, who won a gold, two silvers and 1972 — thanks to veterans in- tional pride and celebrations, along opening ceremony following corrup- But India, with a population of a bronze medal in Rio, earned a reprieve cluding 41-year-old Geza Imre, with wrestler Sakshi Malik’s bronze. tion concerns. more than a billion people and en- when she apologised for not informing her t an Olympics marred the oldest fencer to take an indi- But reports during the competition The Indian Olympic Associa- joying strong economic growth, had team leader about a decision to spend the by doping revelations vidual Olympic medal since 1952. of Indian offi cials seemingly living it tion (IOA) suff ered a 14-month ban been targeting 10 medals in Rio and night with a friend. and a meagre medal France rebounded from a 2012 up in Rio, while athletes struggled to which was only lifted after it elected sent its largest ever squad. Chiller maintained throughout that her main count, Russia fought drought as Gauthier Grumier, make it through qualifying, sparked new leaders, excluding those who India’s government spent about backA on the fencing piste to their who lost his fi rst match in Lon- priority was making sure that the 421 athletes anger back home and raised ques- had been accused of corruption over 1.2bn rupees ($18mn), however, pre- in her care returned to Australia safe and best fi nish in the sport since don, took individual bronze and tions about the commitment of those the chaotic organisation of the 2010 paring the athletes, according to the sound. 1996. led his epee team to gold. in charge. Commonwealth Games in Delhi. sports ministry, a fraction of the Ultimately, though, the quality of Australia’s Russia’s four golds, one sil- Despite fencing in four fi nals, “Offi cials do not have the welfare India’s only individual Olym- amount forked out by China, Britain Games was always going to be decided in ver and two bronze in fencing powerhouse Italy came away of the athletes on their mind. All pic gold medallist, shooter Abhinav and other countries. the pool and velodrome and on the rowing — their best sport in Rio after with just one gold — their worst they are bothered about is having a Bindra, said he was fed up with apa- With the lack of silverware becom- lake and running track. wrestling — gave fans something fi nish in over two decades. good time,” Aslam Sher Khan, India’s thetic offi cials, some of whom were ing evident, media began focusing Australian taxpayers pumped about to cheer amid the worst Summer The United States narrowly former hockey Olympian, told AFP. unqualifi ed for the job and were not on the offi cials, including a former A$340mn ($260mn) into Olympic sports Olympics performance under missed two shots at their fi rst “While other countries have being held accountable for a lack of IOA chief, currently facing trial in a over the four years leading up the Rio and the Russian fl ag since the col- men’s fencing gold in more than scripted a turnaround in their fortune success on the fi eld. corruption case, seen attending the they have always expected the nation to lapse of the Soviet Union. a century, but two silvers and two like the UK, we sadly continue to lan- “I won’t get angry and spoil my Games with an accreditation pass. punch well above its weight. “We would like to dedicate bronzes highlighted a wealth of guish in mediocrity. We have become own health. It happens every time Veteran journalist K Jagannadha On Saturday, Chiller shed tears as she spoke this medal to the athletes who young talent. the laughing stock of the world.” and that is the way it is,” the shooter, Rao who has covered six Olympics of the ‘trauma’ felt by nine athletes who had were not able to compete in these Mariel Zagunis, the most Indian sports minister Vijay Goel who won gold in Beijing in 2008 and said such incidents involving offi cials been held overnight and fined by police Games,” said Sofya Velikaya after decorated American fencer has described as a “misunderstand- fi nished fourth in Rio, told the NDTV were not unusual. for wearing the wrong accreditation to a her sabre team won gold, refer- ever, took her fourth medal and ing” reports that his entourage tried network. Khan, one of the few Indians to basketball game. ring to dozens of compatriots second team bronze, inspiring to muscle unaccredited people ac- “We need a complete overhaul of have tasted success when the hockey Chiller said that numerous athletes had banned for widespread doping. teammate Dagmara Wozniak to companying him into Olympic ven- the system. We need more experts team won bronze at the 1972 Munich approached her to apologise for “letting her The fantastic Russian fencing look ahead. ues. coming in... I have no problem with Olympics, agreed, saying few lessons down”. “I have told each and every one... was remarkable in light of their “I can see why Mariel tried to Rio organisers reportedly accused a politician if he can bring something had been learnt over the years. they have not let anyone down,” she said. two silver medals and a bronze in win so many times,” said Wozni- his entourage of “aggressive and rude to the table.” “They are simply not bothered “I’m not disappointed in them. I am disap- London, following just one gold ak. “It’s an awesome feeling, and behaviour” and threatened to cancel India’s anti-doping offi cials were if the country is winning medals or pointed for them.” in Beijing. I am just more geared up to try to his accreditation, prompting Goel to also left red-faced in Rio after wres- not.” Hungary also impressed in repeat this in Tokyo.”

“He is “For me the gymnastics “In 1936, the crowd was “It’s great for kids who are “The only thing just of the second American against Jesse Owens. watching judo now. See- I ever wanted such a.... (Aly Raisman) is more We’ve not see this since.” ing someone like me who was to com- banana.” artistic than the fi rst (Si- left the City of God, who pete in the mone Biles). The fi rst, it’s — French pole vaulter Renaud started judo at fi ve years Olympics.” — British dressage gold medal Lavillenie comparing his booing winner Charlotte Dujardin on acrobatics.” at the hands of Brazilian fans of age as a joke.” — Syria’s Yusra Mardini, her fiance Dean Golding who — International gymnastics boss to the notorious treatment of — Judoka Rafaela Silva, raised representing the Games’ first wore a shirt proposing: ‘Can we Bruno Grandi not a fan of four- Jesse Owens at Berlin Olympics in a Rio favela, after winning ever refugee team, after win- get married now?’ gold medal star Simone Biles in 1936. He later apologised. Brazil’s first gold of the Games. ning her 100m butterfly heat. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 23, 2016 7

SPOTLIGHT Tops and fl ops of Rio HITS USAIN BOLT Despite coming into Rio with concerns over his fitness, the super- star crowd pleaser romped to a “triple triple” of gold in the 100m, You kidding me? 200m and 4x100m. The Jamaican also sealed his status as track and field’s greatest showman, posing for numerous selfies while even trying his hand at javelin in an eerily quiet Olympic Stadium once the crowds had left. “There you go. I’m the greatest,” said Bolt, who kissed the finish line on the Olympic Stadium track on his final Games appearance. In a perfect finish, Sunday was also China won’t make his 31st birthday.

MICHAEL PHELPS The US swimmer also had his doubters on the eve of Rio, but left with five more golds to take his total to a stunning 23. “I same mistake in 2020 don’t think you’re going to see another Michael,” said coach China seem to be in a rebuilding phase ahead of Tokyo, capital of its war-time rival Bob Bowman. Phelps, watched by fiancee Nicole and baby son and former colonial power which still evokes resentment among many Chinese Boomer, ended his career with no regrets after flirting with AFP retirement coming away from Rio de Janeiro the London Games four years ago. “It definitely was a lot more emotional than I was in 2012,” hina put a brave face on their said the 31-year-old. worst Olympics for 20 years but they will work hard to make sure MO FARAH they aren’t embarrassed again in Britain’s Mo Farah, born in Somalia but nurtured in London, cap- 2020C — when the Games are hosted by tured a “double double” of 5,000m and 10,000m golds to emu- arch-rivals Japan. late Finland’s Lasse Viren, who did the same double at the 1972 A third-place fi nish on the medals ta- and 1976 Games. Farah, 33, last lost a race at a major competition ble below the United States and Britain, when he was beaten by Ethiopia’s Ibrahim Jeilan in the 10,000m made for a sobering Games after China at the 2011 world championships in Daegu, South Korea. triumphantly topped the standings at Beijing 2008 and fi nished second in 2012. SIMONE BILES “You kidding me? The country which American gymnast Simone Biles marked her Olympic debut with has never fi nished above China is about a record-equalling four golds but just short of the record five she to,” spluttered the offi cial Xinhua news sought. “It’s been a long journey, but I’ve enjoyed every moment,” agency, in a tweet that was later removed. said the 19-year-old Texan whose early life struggles had not set As well as their lowest gold medals tal- her out as the future face of women’s gymnastics. The only blip ly (26) since Atlanta in 1996, when Jiang standing between her and history was a slip on the beam on the Zemin was president, China were also left penultimate day of competition, which gave her bronze. She was smarting on a couple of occasions. the fifth woman to win four gold at the same Games after Hun- Australia rebuff ed China’s demand garian Agnes Keleti (1956), Soviet Larissa Latynina (1956), Czech for an apology after Mack Horton called Vera Caslavska (1968) and Romanian Ecaterina Szabo (1984). swimming rival Sun Yang a “drugs cheat”, an incident which prompted a furious NEYMAR response from Chinese media and web- The Barcelona superstar users. scored in the 1-1 draw in the Later, China complained, but again to final against Germany and then no avail, after the United States were al- converted the winning penalty lowed to re-run their women’s 4x100m to give the hosts a first ever heat, knocking the Chinese team out of football gold. With Bolt look- the event and eventually winning gold. ing on from the stands at the A Xinhua commentary said the re-run China’s team march during the closing ceremony on Sunday. (AFP) Maracana, Neymar marked his was against the “Olympic spirit of fair- wonderful free-kick opener by ness” and was “widely regarded as ridic- many Chinese. closing the gap. diver He Zi as she stepped off the Olympic mimicking the sprinter’s ‘Light- ulous and unfair”. In gymnastics, where China won four podium. ning Bolt’ pose in front of the Liu Peng, head of China’s Olympic ‘MORE THAN A CHAMPION!’ gold medals in London, they won none at Offi cial media also made great play of delighted Jamaican. Neymar committee, said China would learn les- “We have trained these (young) athletes all in Rio, prompting comments from the China’s surprise win against Serbia in the then stood down as captain. sons from Rio, when rising standards in but the training isn’t enough,” he said. sport’s boss that China need to move with women’s volleyball on Saturday. “This is one of the best things other teams had taken them by surprise. “Because when these athletes are fac- the times. “Today, the Chinese need the fi ghting that has happened in my life... Tellingly, China brought a large but ing fi erce competition and challenges, “They’ve remained trapped in a robotic spirit of the women’s volleyball team more now the critics have to swallow youthful team with an average age of 24, they have too much to think about and style of training,” FIG president Bruno than ever,” Xinhua said in an editorial. what they said,” said Neymar. the lowest of the last three Olympics. too many mental burdens and they didn’t Grandi told AFP. “As individuals, living in a time of Of the 410 athletes, the most China play at their highest level.” China’s silver lining came in the be- drastic change with both opportunities FLOPS has ever taken to an Olympics away China won only one medal in swim- haviour of their athletes, who unusually and challenges, one needs the spirit to NOVAK DJOKOVIC from home, 73 percent were at their fi rst ming — down from fi ve in 2012 — and two showed their human side and won new go sure-footed and step by step to reach World tennis number one Djokovic, looking to complete a career Games, Liu said. in badminton, after they swept all fi ve ti- fans, at home and abroad, in the process. afar.” ‘Golden Slam’ of Olympic gold and the four majors, was knocked It points to a rebuilding phase ahead tles in London. Swimmer Fu Yuanhui shone through “To be a champion, more than a cham- out in the first round by a rejuvenated Juan Martin del Potro who of Tokyo, capital of China’s war-time They remained dominant in table ten- with her warm personality and honesty, pion! May the fi ghting spirit of the Chi- went onto make the final. Djokovic left the arena in tears and at rival and former colonial power which nis and won seven gold medals in diving, even to the extent of talking about her nese women’s volleyball team be always 29 years old, his Olympic haul remains a modest bronze from still evokes bitter resentment among but even there their rivals seemed to be periods, while Qin Kai proposed to fellow with us,” the editorial added. Beijing in 2008.

BOTTOMLINE Britain fl exes sporting muscle

AFP London

wenty years after a stinging Ol- ympic failure, Britain has risen from the ashes to become a sporting “superpower” typifi ed LEE CHONG WEI Tby the exploits of cycling lovebirds Jason Malaysia’s Lee suff ered a third consecutive badminton final Kenny and Laura Trott. defeat after China’s Chen Long beat the world number one in Kenny won three golds in Rio to take his straight games. “Today leaves me with some regrets,” said Lee, career total to six. His partner Trott won putting on a brave face following his defeat to second-ranked two to double her total from two Olympics. Chen, who became Olympic champion for the first time. The Rival nations have been left confound- Malaysian has never won a world or Olympic title and will retire ed by Team GB’s cool performance with without that elusive gold medal. His country is also still waiting 27 golds out of 67 won in Rio which gave for a first gold medal in any sport. them second place in the medals table be- hind the United States. CAMERON MCEVOY/CATE CAMPBELL But rather than revolutionary coaching Double Australian swim disappointment for McEvoy and Camp- or technology, it is the National Lottery bell, the overwhelming favourites in the 100m freestyle. McEvoy Fund and good old taxpayer’s cash that was the man widely tipped to seize gold after posting a world- has paid off handsomely. leading 47.04sec in April but was relegated to seventh — failing The government and lottery fund has to break 48 seconds. In the women’s event, world record holder spent hundreds of millions of pounds on Campbell faded to finish sixth after leading the field at the turn. sporting success in the past two decades. And it has paid off . AARON COOK UK Sport chief executive Liz Nicholl The former British number one in taekwondo represented declared Sunday: “We are one of those Moldova and was seeded second in the welterweight competi- sporting superpowers now.” tion. But he crashed out in the first round. It was his first Olympics It was “spectacular” to be ahead of since Beijing in 2008 after being controversially overlooked by China in the rankings thanks to the likes British gold medallists Jason Kenny (right) and Laura Trott pose on the podium after they won the men’s Keirin finals and women’s British selectors for London 2012. “I’m absolutely devastated — all of distance runner Mo Farah, Andy Mur- Omnium finals respectively. (AFP) that hard work and sacrifice by myself and my parents, I just feel ray in tennis, Justin Rose in golf, boxer I’ve let everyone down,” he shrugged. Nicola Adams, Trott and Kenny, Max “We got two silvers in Atlanta and considered retiring from sport stayed on out in the cold. Whitlock and Britain’s fi rst ever women’s some top 10 results and in Sydney we got for another Games.” Carr, noting that sport funding “does RENAUD LAVILLENIE hockey champions. three golds and two silvers. He said Major deserved a lot of the not expand because of success,” said UK Defending champion Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper called “We massively improved over that pe- credit for the revolution. Sports could not fund every project. and world record hold- it “Britain’s golden age”. Several papers riod and other sports did as well.” “Well in the late 90s it would have been a Taxpayer money is fi xed by the gov- er in pole vault, the called for a knighthood for the Somali- According to British media estimates, bit of an act of faith, but by the early 2000s ernment and lottery funding depends on Frenchman slumped born Farah. the government spent just £5mn ($7 mil- it was pretty obvious there was a linear re- how many people gamble. to a shock loss to UK Sport chairman Rod Carr, a British lion) per year funding Olympic sport be- lationship between medals and funding.” “We take a cautious approach because Brazilian Thiago Braz yachting coach at three Olympics, sees fore the 1996 Atlanta Games. funding is unlikely to go up,” he said. da Silva. He was booed the origin of today’s success in a failure at That increased to more than £50 mil- LIFTING THE MOOD “That means that to put sports on the when he competed and the 1996 Games in Atlanta when he was lion in the four years before the 2000 The benefi t extends beyond sport. system that we might like for other reasons, booed when he stood team manager. Britain won a single gold. Games where Britain won 28 medals. Team GB has become “a major unifying that maybe are socially inclusive, for want on the podium holding “The reality was at the time of Atlanta Before London 2012 it was spending factor” after the political storm caused of a better word, we have to then deduct the consolation of a John Major (prime minister at the time) more than £80 million a year and Team GB by Britain’s vote to leave the European money from sports that are medalling. silver medal. He didn’t was kicking the whole lottery act through won 65 medals and came third in the table. Union, Carr said. “It can lift the national “That makes for very hard decisions and help his case by com- parliament and we were doing the best we Carr said some of the success in Rio “is mood and you can see that from reading which can be controversial but our remit paring the Rio jeers to could,” Carr told AFP in an interview. down to the legacy of the London Games”. the press coverage.” from the government is to win medals, no the treatment received “However, a year later I could see that “Having a home Games defi nitely pro- However, UK Sports has come under one has said our goal is social inclusion. by Jesse Owens at we had a basis for building success. We pelled everybody more into the public eye fi re for restricting funding to sports that “Our remit is to create heroes and her- Hitler’s 1936 Olympics (yachting) had to write a plan for the fu- than before the Olympics and the Paral- produce medals — leaving some like bas- oines in Olympics and Paralympics which in Berlin. ture so I remember sweating over that. ympics. Some athletes who might have ketball, popular among inner city youth, we’ve done pretty well.” Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, August 23, 2016 SPORT

BASEBALL MOTORSPORTSPOTLIGHT Nissan’s Adel resumes FIA T2 Ramirez homer Challenge in Poland

By Our Correspondent reduce the gap to the leader of Szczecin, Poland the championship. “We have a good set-up and the changes we have made to lift s Indians to win ess than two weeks after the car are very positive. Event- fi nishing second in the after-event, the Nissan Patrol FIA T2 category at the is getting better and better. I’m LHungarian Baja, Nissan’s aiming to push hard and trust the Adel Hussein Abdulla returns to capabilities of my car. I would European rallying action at this like to thank Nissan Middle East, weekend’s Columna Medica Ral- Nissan Qatar and the QMMF for ly Poland, round seven of the FIA their ongoing support.” over Blue Jays World Cup for Cross-Country Columna Medica Rally Poland Rallies. is being organised by Founda- Bryce Harper hit a three-run homer in the third inning for the Nationals With three rallies left in this tion Baja Poland and is cen- year’s FIA World Cup, the pres- tred around the Szczecin, Do- sure is mounting at the top of bra, Drawsko Pomorskie and and Chris Heisey had a two-run shot in the sixth inning the championship leader board Zachodniopomorskie areas of and the Qatari and French navi- northern Poland. The host city of The Sports Xchange gator Jean-Michel Polato know Szczecin is the seventh largest in Cleveland that they must try and fi nish the the country, is a major port near Szczecin-based event in north- the Baltic Sea and the capital of New York Mets starting pitcher Noah western Poland ahead of series the West Pomeranian Voivode- ose Ramirez hit a two-run homer Syndergaard (34) throws to the San leader Yasir Saeidan before the ship. in the bottom of the eighth inning Francisco Giants in action in the first title race moves to Morocco at Scrutineering checks and ad- to lift the Cleveland Indians to a inning of their MLB baseball game on the start of October ministration will take place at 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Sunday. PICTURE: Lance Iversen-USA Running a Nissan Patrol with Northeast Marina in Szczecin Jays.J support from Nissan Middle on Thursday (August 25), be- TODAY Sports With one out in the eighth inning and East and the Qatar Motor and fore crews will be permitted to Toronto leading 2-1, Brett Cecil relieved Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), carry out a shakedown test at the starter Marcus Stroman. Adel Hussein Abdulla trails his military shooting range on Friday Cecil retired Jason Kipnis on a fl y out rival by nine points in the FIA T2 morning. for the second out, but Francisco Lindor rankings and is aiming for the 25 After the ceremonial start in reached on an infi eld single. points at stake for winning Po- Szczecin at 17.00hrs on Friday Ramirez then hit the fi rst pitch over land’s three-day off -road round evening, teams will then tackle the left fi eld wall for his 10th home run. of the world’s toughest cross- the opening 6.9km super special Tigers 10, Red Sox 5 country series. stage in the militarised area from Justin Upton hit a pair of three-run The event always attracts a 18.00hrs. homers and Justin Verlander held Bos- strong entry and Adel Hussein Saturday’s action comprises ton to one run in six innings to help De- is also likely to face a fi erce chal- two selective sections of 175km troit beat the Red Sox. lenge from a strong line-up of apiece in the military area Upton came up in the third with two Polish drivers, including series around Drawsko Pomorskie from on and tagged Boston emergency starter contenders Jaroslaw Kazberuk, 08.20hrs and 13.40hrs. Henry Owens (0-1) for his 14th home Mariusz Wiatr and Tomasz Piec. Sunday’s action consists of run of the season. “This is like any other event in two repeat runs through a pair of Owens, subbing for injured Eduardo the championship that I have not shorter special stages of 39.50km Rodriguez, fed Upton a 2-0 changeup been to before and I have no real and 18.20km in length. These that Upton hit halfway up the stands in idea what to expect,” said Adel Dobra and Lubieszyhn specials left to give Detroit a 5-0 lead. Hussein. “This is my fi rst time will then be repeated at 12.30hrs Upton jumped on a 3-1 Owens fastball in Poland. My rivals have done and 13.20hrs, before the ceremo- with two on in the fi fth for his 15th home the event before, so they have nial fi nish in the Szczecin Rally run of the year to make it 8-0. experience and knowledge of the Park from 14.30pm. In a total Dodgers 4, Reds 0 terrain. This is not a big problem, route of 787.68km, teams will Chase Utley homered and Julio Urias because my goal is the same as tackle a total of 472.30 competi- pitched six shutout innings to send Los before and that is to win T2 and tive kilometres. Angeles over Cincinnati. The Dodgers snapped a three-game losing skid. The loss ended a fi ve-game SPOTLIGHT winning streak for the Reds. Urias (4-2) allowed six hits and had six strikeouts over 97 pitches. Rays 8, Rangers 4 Banana thrower Logan Forsythe hit a three-run homer game losing streak by the Braves, who his fi rst victory since June 14 by com- Gennett’s lazy fl y ball, which fell be- in his return to the lineup to lead Tampa benefi ted from the Nationals’ season- bining with three relievers on a six-hit tween Seattle outfi elders Norichika Aoki Bay over Texas. high fi ve errors. shutout in the Los Angeles Angels’ win and Leonys Martin, brought in Domingo raises Aussie Rules Forsythe’s home run completed a Bryce Harper hit a three-run homer over the New York Yankees. Santana from second base. fi ve-run fourth inning that gave the in the third inning for the Nationals and Chacin (3-6), who had lost four suc- Milwaukee center fi elder Keon Brox- Rays a 6-2 lead. Chris Heisey had a two-run shot in the cessive decisions, conceded six hits and ton had a pair of solo home runs, includ- racism fears Tampa Bay trailed 2-1 going into the sixth inning. one walk in 5 2/3 innings while collect- ing a leadoff shot that sparked the four- bottom of the fourth. Forsythe came up White Sox 4, Athletics 2 ing fi ve strikeouts. run ninth. AFP that she’s made a terrible mis- with two on and sent a 2-1 off ering from Jose Quintana reached a career high Right-hander Fernando Salas struck Seattle (66-57) stormed out to a 6-1 Melbourne take and we’ll work with her on Rangers starter Martin Perez over the with his 10th victory of the season as out two of the three batters he faced in lead but gave all of it back after the fi fth. that,” a club spokesman said. wall in left center. Chicago beat Oakland. the ninth inning for his fourth save. Padres 9, Diamondbacks 1 The supporter was seen wav- Marlins 3, Pirates 2 Quintana (10-9) struck out six, Andrelton Simmons drove in both Right-hander Luis Perdomo took a fan who threw a ba- ing her middle fi nger at Betts Christian Yelich hit a solo home run walked one and gave up two runs and runs while Albert Pujols collected three shutout into the seventh inning and hit nana at an indigenous before throwing the banana in to get the Marlins on the board in the eight hits in seven innings. hits for the Angels. a run-scoring double, and fellow rook- star footballer at a his direction, according to wit- fi rst inning and Miami took advantage He exited after issuing a leadoff walk Rockies 11, Cubs 4 ies Travis Jankowski and Alex Dickerson A weekend game has nesses. of poor defense by the Pirates to add two in the eighth. Quintana reached nine Nolan Arenado hit two three-run homered as the San Diego Padres de- once again provoked a racism Betts had just kicked his fi fth more runs in the fi fth. victories in each of his last three sea- homers as the Colorado Rockies piled on feated the Arizona Diamondbacks. controversy in the Australian goal in his 250th AFL game, and Marlins right-hander Jose Urena (2- sons. the Chicago Cubs for seven runs in the Fellow rookie Patrick Kivlehan Football League (AFL). did not notice the incident. 4) allowed two earned runs on four hits Royals 2, Twins 1 fi rst inning. reached base in all four of his plate ap- A 24-year-old woman was The AFL has been dogged by through six innings. Danny Duff y pitched superbly into Arenado hit a three-run homer in the pearances and scored three runs. fi lmed on social media throw- racially-motivated incidents at Cardinals 9, Phillies 0 the seventh inning as Kansas City fi rst when the Rockies abruptly ended Kivlehan, who was 2-for-4 in his ing a banana in the direction of matches in the past. Brandon Moss’ 23rd home run of the nipped Minnesota for their eighth suc- Jason Hammel’s 22-inning scoreless major-league debut on Saturday, went Adelaide Crows indigenous star “We’re a club, we’re an in- season helped open up the St. Louis of- cessive win. streak. In the fourth, Arenado belted 2-for-2 with two walks on Sunday. Eddie Betts. dustry, we’re a code that doesn’t fense and seven strong innings from The Royals’ winning streak is their another three-run homer off Hammel. Astros 5, Orioles 3 Port Adelaide investigated shirk away from these sorts of Mike Leake paved the way to a win over longest since August 2014. Arenado went 4-for-5 with six RBIs, Dallas Keuchel allowed just two runs after Saturday’s local Aussie incidents,” Port Adelaide chair- Philadelphia. Duff y (11-1) won his 10th straight one shy of his career high. He tied his in eight innings and Carlos Correa had Rules derby concluding it was man David Koch said. Leake (9-9) gave up seven hits and decision, holding the Twins to one run career high with the four hits. two hits and two RBIs as Houston de- racially motivated and imposed “If it was racially motivated, struck out eight. on eight hits over 6-2/3 innings before Brewers 7, Mariners 6 feated Baltimore. an indefi nite AFL ban on the not only would she be banned Braves 7, Nationals 6 (10 innings) being replaced by Peter Moylan after Milwaukee pinch hitter Scooter Gen- Keuchel (8-12) had seven strikeouts woman. for life from the club, we would Jace Peterson hit a 3-2 hanging slider throwing 95 pitches. nett delivered an RBI single in the top of and one walk and did not allow a hit af- Port Adelaide said she has encourage her to come and sit from Shawn Kelley over the right-fi eld Duff y lowered his ERA to 2.66, which the ninth, capping off a four-run frame ter the fi fth. Ken Giles pitched the ninth agreed to take part in a cultural with our players, our Aborigi- fence with two outs in the 10th inning ranks second in the American League. as the Brewers rallied from three down for Houston and got his third save after awareness programme run by nal players and try to under- for a 7-6 victory over the Washington Angels 2, Yankees 0 to beat the Seattle Mariners and snap- allowing a solo homer to Mark Trumbo the club. stand what these actions mean Nationals. The victory snapped a seven- Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin earned ping a six-game losing streak. with one out to make it 5-3. “She quite clearly recognises to them.”

BASKETBALL US golden run set to continue at Tokyo 2020

Reuters The US women rubber-stamped world’s undisputed basketball super pow- USA’s DeAndre Jordan (R) shakes hand Rio de Janeiro their credentials as an Olympic er is likely to remain unchallenged for the with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (Rear dynasty when they claimed a sixth foreseeable future with no country com- C) after the final of the men’s basketball straight gold on Saturday with a 101- ing close to matching a talent pool which competition in Rio de Janeiro on August 21. eno Auriemma, coach of the US 72 rout of Spain that ran their Games allowed close to a dozen of their top play- women’s Olympic gold medal- winning record to a staggering 49-0 ers to decline Olympic invitations but still winning basketball team, says win gold. Ghe is constantly reminded that, delivered an equally ruthless performance When it comes to the women’s com- “It’s not whether you win or lose — until in crushing Serbia 96-66 to collect their petition, it seems likely the United States you lose”. third straight gold, extending their un- will eventually claim the crown as the And that is easy to forget when losing is beaten run on Olympic hardwood to 25-0. greatest Olympic team of all time. something you rarely experience. Without many of their top players, in- The perception at the start of each Ol- The US women rubber-stamped their cluding LeBron James and Stephen Curry, ympic tournament is that everyone else is credentials as an Olympic dynasty when the United States was more “B Team” than playing for silver and bronze, conceding they claimed a sixth straight gold on Sat- “Dream Team” but still fi nished 8-0. gold to the Americans. urday with a 101-72 rout of Spain that ran The United States gave fans glimpses of “It’s mind boggling when you think their Games winning record to a stagger- their dominant best in Rio but their play about it what this team has been able to ing 49-0. did not always live up to the high expecta- accomplish, this programme,” said Au- Only two other teams can claim such a tions that follow them to every Olympics. riemma. run of domination at the Olympics. A record 46 current NBA players featured “There is such a level of expectation, The US men’s basketball team earned on national team rosters in the men’s bas- such a level of respect and it fi lters down. seven consecutive gold medals from 1936- ketball tournament, and with the game Everyone who puts that jersey on they get 1968 while India claimed six straight growing globally there are signs that the it. men’s fi eld hockey titles from 1928-1956. gap is closing — even if it its just a little. “We’re doing stuff that may never be On Sunday, the American men’s squad However, the United States’ status as the done again.” Gulf Times Tuesday, August 23, 2016 9 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Murray upset, All Blacks hit back at Kerber denied No. ‘paranoia’ spy claims

AFP Former International Cricket 1 ranking in Cincy Sydney Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said the delay he New Zealand All before police were informed was Cilic accomplished the feat on little rest, as he did not leave the court after his Blacks have denied they “far from ideal” from an anti- are paranoid about be- corruption perspective. semi-final win over Grigor Dimitrov until 2am Sunday morning due to rain delays ing spied on amid revela- “If one of the possibilities is Ttions they routinely sweep hotel that it’s linked to betting or cor- rooms for listening devices, re- ruption, it’s less than ideal that ports said yesterday. it wasn’t reported immediately,” Marin Cilic of Croatia signs autographs after beating Andy An Australian police investi- Speed told Fairfax Media. Murray 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the Western & Southern gation is underway after the All “In cricket we were alert to is- Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. Blacks said they had uncovered sues like this and asked to report a device in their Sydney hotel it to the local authorities imme- ahead of the Rugby Champion- diately.” ship opener on Saturday. Hansen said there was nothing It was planted inside a chair untoward about how long it took and found during a security New Zealand Rugby to go to the sweep of a meeting room in the police. lead-up to the Test, won by the “The reason we didn’t go there All Blacks 42-8. straight away is because we went They reportedly suspected though a process with the hotel being bugged during the World and then our CEO (Steve Tew) Cup in England last year too, but was away at the Rio Olympics,” lacked the technology to confi rm Hansen told reporters. it. “He arrived and he needed to New Zealand coach Steve spoken to and be fully briefed. Hansen, who is a former police- Once he was fully briefed he said man, admitted post-match that we need to take this to the po- the team routinely sweep hotel lice.” rooms for bugging devices. Police were apparently the last All Blacks assistant coach Ian to know when they were fi nally Foster scoff ed at claims the world told on Saturday morning after champions were paranoid. media had reported the story. “It’s interesting you use the Wallabies coach Michael word paranoia. You can kick that Cheika said the bugging was not word for touch,” Foster told The a distraction for Australia, de- Australian newspaper. spite their six-try belting. “All teams are protective of the “It didn’t unsettle me,” Cheika way they want to go about things. said. “They didn’t accuse us of That is something we have done doing it. It’s got nothing to do occasionally and for obvious rea- with us and wouldn’t have un- sons. settled us. “It has shocked everyone. We “There’s no excuse-making. understand a few mixed emo- I’m not sure why it came out on tions. It’s not great for the game, game day when it was done on but it’s happened and it’s out of Monday. It had no material eff ect our hands now. We’ll just move on the game.” forward.” The Wallabies did not sweep New Zealand were also under hotel rooms for listening devices, fi re Monday for not notifying po- he added. AFP lice until fi ve days after fi rst de- “We don’t do that. If that’s Cincinnati in a fi nal in just over a week after losing to claimed the opening set in 32 minutes and Briton Murray’s 22-match winning streak tecting the listening device. their thing, that’s up to them.” Monica Puig in the gold medal Rio match. needed 62 minutes in total to complete with a straight-sets win on Sunday and “I tried my best, but sometimes you her role as spoiler. jumped up fi ve places in the rankings to ormer US Open champ Marin have days where it’s not working so good,” Pliskova is the fi rst Czech to win the ninth. Cilic snapped Andy Murray’s Kerber said. Cincinnati trophy. She fi nished with sev- Two-time major champion Stan 22 match win streak Sunday to Cincinnati is only Cilic’s second title en aces and fi ve breaks of Kerber. Wawrinka moved above his injured fellow Fclaim his fi rst ATP Masters 1000 since winning the US Open two years ago. She earned her second title of the sea- Swiss Roger Federer to become the new title with a 6-4, 7-5 win at the Cincinnati Murray has been on a tear this season, son after claiming the honours in June on world number three. tournament. winning grass titles at Queen’s and Wim- grass at the Aegon Open in Great Brit- Serbian Novak Djokovic still holds a The 94-minute victory for the bledon before triumphing a week ago over ain and is predicted to rise to 11th in the massive lead at the top of the rankings, 27-year-old Croatian marked a career Juan Martin del Potro at the Olympic fi - world. despite not playing in the US last week. breakthrough as he earned his fi rst Mas- nal. Kerber fell into a 5-1 defi cit in the sec- ters title on his 71st career attempt. But the accumulation of tennis fi nally ond set after a double-fault. Pliskova ATP top 20 “This week is going to be remembered, proved to be too much for the Scot, who served out the biggest win of her career a 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 14,840 pts it’s really, really something special,” said played his 14th match in 15 days dating game later on a second match point. 2. Andy Murray (GBR) 9,305 Cilic, who had seven aces and broke Mur- back to the Games. Kerber is looking forward to the US 3. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 4,980 (+1) ray three times. Cilic’s win was his third against 11 Open which begins in eight days. 4. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,945 (-1) “I look forward to the US Open in a losses to Murray. He is the lowest-ranked “This season I won my fi rst grand slam, 5. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 4,850 couple of weeks. I hope we can continue Cincinnati champion since number 17 everything what’s happened in the last 6. Milos Raonic (CAN) 4,805 with good form.” Carlos Moya in 2002. months is just incredible. I’m trying to 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,165 Cilic accomplished the feat on little Momentum mounted for Pliskova on enjoy it,” she said. 8. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 3,570 rest, as he did not leave the court after his a sunny day as she lifted the trophy after “Some days you’re losing matches, 9. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,515 (+5) semi-fi nal win over Grigor Dimitrov until hitting 24 winners. some days you win. I’ll try to take the 10. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,205 (-1) New Zealand players celebrate a successful try against Australia 2:00 am Sunday morning due to rain de- “The match was not as easy as the positive things from the match and from 11. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 2,895 (-1) during their Bledisloe Cup Rugby Championship match in Sydney on lays. score looked. I think she might be a little the last few weeks to New York,” she said 12. Gael Monfi ls (FRA) 2,835 (-1) August 20. Olympic silver medallist Angelique bit tired or she felt a little bit of pressure in reference to the upcoming US Open, 13. David Ferrer (ESP) 2,660 (-1) Kerber lost to Czech Karolina Pliskova on herself,” Pliskova said. the year’s fi nal Grand Slam Tournament. 14. David Goffi n (BEL) 2,565 (-1) 6-3, 6-1 in the women’s fi nal of the joint “I’m really happy with my game today. Paris: Croatia’s Marin Cilic moved 15. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 2,185 Ioane among quintet called into All Blacks squad WTA-ATP tournament. I was playing aggressive almost without back into the top 10 of the ATP world 16. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 2,060 The defeat ended Kerber’s chances of mistakes. There was not one thing what I rankings on Monday, thanks to his vic- 17. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 1,980 replacing Serena Williams as the No. 1 would change in this match.” tory over Andy Murray in the Cincinnati 18. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 1,840 Reuters, Wellington: Un- despite the Wellington Hur- ranked player in the world. The Czech, who now owns seven ca- Masters fi nal. 19. Bernard Tomic (AUS) 1,780 (+2) capped winger Rieko Ioane is ricanes hooker suff ering pain It was the German’s the second defeat reer titles and stands 3-4 against Kerber, Former US Open winner Cilic ended 20. Pablo Cuevas (URU) 1,745 (-1) among five players called into from a rib cartilage injury. the All Blacks squad for their Coles ended up playing for Rugby Championship clash more than 75 minutes in the BOTTOMLINE with Australia on Saturday, after 42-8 victory in Sydney, with Tay- a raft of injuries hit the team in lor being replaced after a head their first clash in Sydney. knock in the opening minutes The 19-year-old Ioane, who All of the game. Blacks coach Steve Hansen Centres George Moala (knee) has earmarked as a potential and Ryan Crotty (head) and centre, has just returned from winger Waisake Naholo India’s Mirza moves alone at the Rio Olympics, where he was (hamstring) were also ruled part of New Zealand’s rugby out of the game at Wellington sevens team. Regional Stadium. Utility back Damian McKenzie The Wallabies also have injury and centre Seta Tamani- concerns after inside centre top of doubles rankings valu, both of whom were in Matt Giteau suff ered two frac- the squad for the June series tures in his left leg in Sydney, AFP In the fi nal on Sunday, Hingis and against Wales but not included while Rob Horne is likely to Cincinnati American Vandeweghe saw a 5-1 lead in for the Rugby Championship, need a shoulder reconstruction. the opening set evaporate, before Mir- have also been called into the Matt Toomua, who had re- za and the Czech Republic’s Strycova team on Monday. placed Giteau, also suff ered a ndia’s Sania Mirza took sole posses- hung in during the second to close out a McKenzie did not play in June, head knock in Sydney and was sion of the WTA doubles number one straight-sets victory. while Tamanivalu made two then replaced by Horne before ranking after teaming up with Bar- “The biggest quality we both have that appearances off the bench. he left the field. All three inju- bora Strycova to beat former partner we discovered together, is that we both Hookers Liam Coltman, un- ries occurred in the first half. MartinaI Hingis and Coco Vandeweghe fi ght no matter what the score is,” Mirza capped, and James Parsons, Australia’s replacement scrum- 7-5, 6-4 in Sunday’s Cincinnati fi nal. said. who was called in as a replace- half Nick Phipps ended up on The 29-year-old will move alone to the “During the whole week when we were ment on the end of season the wing and scored a consola- top of the rankings, after her and Swiss down we were just fi ghting. That’s how tour in 2014, have also been tion try after the All Blacks had Hingis ended their highly successful we felt today.” summoned to Wellington put the game beyond doubt by partnership last month as joint number Though Hingis and Mirza are no longer after Nathan Harris (knee) and halftime with a 32-3 lead. ones. The dominant pairing claimed 14 permanently together, they will still play Codie Taylor (concussion) were The All Blacks can retain the titles, including three Grand Slams. in October’s year-end WTA Tour Cham- injured in Sydney. Bledisloe Cup, the symbol of Hingis came to Cincinnati off the back pionships in Singapore. The loss of both hookers last trans-Tasman supremacy, with of winning Olympics silver for Switzer- Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic and Sania Mirza of India celebrate their win Mirza said that battling for the doubles week meant Hansen was forced a draw on Saturday. They have land with Timea Bacsinszky in Rio de Ja- in the women’s doubles final against Martina Hingis and CoCo Vandeweghe at the top spot against her former partner made to field first choice Dane Coles, held the trophy since 2003. neiro. Lindner Family Tennis Center on Sunday. for a strange situation. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, August 23, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT ENGLAND Wood backed to be Pakistan top Test one-day wonder rankings for fi rst time in history England cricketer Mark Wood. AFP But former England all-rounder Birmingham Collingwood was in no doubt of Misbah-ul-Haq’s side has become only the fifth team after Australia, England, India Wood’s Twenty20 quality. “He’s ideal for this form of the and South Africa to top the ICC Test rankings since these were introduced in 2003 akistan’s batsmen can game because he knows he’s only expect Mark Wood to got four overs to bowl and he’s cause a “lot of problems going to try to bowl every single with the white ball” one at full tilt,” Collingwood told Pwhen they face the England fast reporters after the fi nal. “For us, the number-one ranking is bowler during the upcoming “He’s not worried about sec- not a destination but part of a journey. one-day international series. ond or third spells. He’s a genu- Our long-term objective and strategy The warning has come from ine wicket-taker and in the cur- is to remain competitive, continue Paul Collingwood, Wood’s captain rent game of T20 cricket, where to challenge the top sides with good at north-east county Durham. guys give themselves a base and cricket and once again become the Wood, 26, has been troubled want to hit out, it certainly gives most followed side like the Pakistan by persistent ankle injuries and you another thing to think about teams of yesteryears.” hasn’t played for England since when you can get hit on the head a Test match against Pakistan in at real pace. Dubai last October. “That’s why he takes his wick- However, he has been included ets. He got good quality interna- in England’s squad for a fi ve- tional batsmen out today (Satur- match ODI series against Paki- day) with pure pace. He’s a great stan starting tomorrow. man to have in a T20 side.” Wood showed just how good a And Collingwood was confi - bowler he can be with a brilliant dent Ashes-winner Wood’s fi t- spell of four for 25 in his maxi- ness would hold up in the longer mum four overs during Durham’s 50 overs per side ODI format, seven-run Twenty20 Blast semi- where bowlers are permitted a fi nal win over Yorkshire at Edg- maximum of 10 overs each. baston on Saturday. “Certainly in white ball (lim- Wood, who topped speeds of ited overs), he’s ready because, Rankings 90mph and moved the ball in as I said he doesn’t have to come Rank Team Points the air, made life so diffi cult for back for second and third spells,” 1 Pakistan 111 Joe Root, one of the world’s best Collingwood added. 2 India 110 (-2) batsmen, that the England star “He bowled 20-odd overs 3 Australia 108 said: “He made me look as if I against Middlesex last week in 4 England 108 was batting with my hands and a four-day (fi rst-class, County 5 New Zealand 99 feet on backwards.” Championship) game and obvi- 6 Sri Lanka 95 Wood was unable to repeat his ously his body is still getting used 7 South Africa 92 heroics in the fi nal, taking one for to those sort of spells, but he is 8 West Indies 67 (+2) 25 as Durham — who managed a going to cause a lot of problems 9 Bangladesh 57 modest total of 153 for eight — with the white ball, that’s for 10 Zimbabwe 8 suff ered a four-wicket defeat by sure.” Now to see how he does Northamptonshire. against Pakistan.

The team led by Misbah-ul-Haq (above) has shown the world needs Pakistan cricket to flourish, not just survive, for its own greater good, not just Pakistan’s. SA VS NZ Agencies the globe which saw the MRF Tyres ICC to the top of the Test rankings, when he ICC Chief Executive David Richardson Dubai Test Team Rankings top spot change said: “There is no greater feeling than to congratulated Pakistan on achieving the hands three times inside fi ve days. achieve the number-one ranking in the number-one Test ranking. “Misbah and In Africa, New Zealand beat Zimbabwe most traditional and purest format of the his side deserve our heartiest congratu- Wet outfi eld means akistan has topped the MRF 2-0 in Bulawayo, England and Pakistan sport. This is what cricketers play for and lations. The number-one ranking is well Tyres ICC Test Team Rank- played out an absorbing two-all drawn want to achieve in their careers. deserved and a testament to the qual- ings for the fi rst time after wet series in England, Sri Lanka swept aside “Number-one ranking is a reward for ity of cricket the team has consistently another day lost ground at the Queen Park Oval, Australia 3-0, while India beat the West something we had planned as a group a played over the past few years. PPort of Spain, denied India the opportu- Indies 2-0 in the Caribbean. few years ago and have worked extremely “The past few weeks of Test cricket nity to defend the top spot which it had For Pakistan, Misbah-ul-Haq’s side hard to achieve it. To top the Test table, have been incredibly absorbing with reclaimed from Australia on 17 August. has become only the fifth team after which boasts some of the best sides and some high-quality competitive series The result of the fourth and fi nal Test Australia, England, India and South Af- players, is something to be very proud of. being played, exhibiting what is so spe- means India won its series against the rica to top the ICC Test rankings since “I want to compliment everyone who cial about Test cricket. The battle for the West Indies by 2-0, fi nishing on 110 these were introduced in 2003. Paki- has been involved in the process, includ- top ranking has made it even more excit- points – one behind Pakistan and two stan has dropped to as low as seventh ing all the players, the support personnel, ing for all fans.” ahead of third-ranked Australia. Follow- three times in the past 13 years with the management, as well as our loyal fans To mark Pakistan’s number-one Test ing the Sri Lanka-Australia series, India the last being in January/February 2010 and followers who remained committed status, it will be presented with the ICC had needed to win the Port of Spain Test following the three-Test series in Aus- to us and continued to back and support Test Championship mace. The details of to retain the number-one Test ranking. tralia – 10 months before Misbah took the side through the good and not-so- the presentation ceremony will be an- India had entered the series on 112 charge of the side. good days. nounced in due course. points, 44 points ahead of eighth-ranked Pakistan’s steady progress to the top “For us, the number-one ranking is not The battle for the number-one rank- A screen shows umpires and ground staff inspecting the playing West Indies. And because the rankings of the summit can be judged from the a destination but part of a journey. Our ing between the two traditional rivals surface on the fourth day of the first test between South Africa and are weighted to refl ect this diff erence, In- fact that it had entered in its home se- long-term objective and strategy is to re- will resume in September/October when New Zealand in Durban, South Africa. dia’s failure to win by a better margin has ries against Australia in the United Arab main competitive, continue to challenge New Zealand will visit India and Pakistan resulted in it dropping two points and the Emirates (UAE) in October 2014 in sixth the top sides with good cricket and once will host the West Indies in the UAE. Both Reuters reply to South Africa’s fi rst in- West Indies earning two points. position, while it was ranked fourth when again become the most followed side like the series will be three-Test rubbers. Durban nings of 263 before the rain came The Port of Spain Test has also brought it hosted England in a three-Test series the Pakistan teams of yesteryears. If we The Test team rankings are updated just before lunch on Saturday down curtains on what has been highly last year in the UAE. can achieve these on a consistent basis, at the end of each series. The ODI and — consigning the teams to their competitive and entertaining six weeks Misbah was delighted to become the then I am sure there will more laurels like T20I team rankings are updated after wet outfi eld again pre- change rooms for the last two of Test cricket in four diff erent parts of fi rst Pakistan captain to inspire his side this down the line.” each match. vented play on the and a half days. fourth day of the fi rst A soggy draw seems inevitable test between South Af- with only one day left to play. ricaA and New Zealand in what is Work was done to improve the BOTTOMLINE becoming an increasing embar- outfi eld in Durban — removing rassment for the hosts. sand and grass and relaying it — Heavy rain on Saturday night after both teams complained that left the outfi eld at Kingsmead it was too hard when they played patchy, muddy and dangerous there last year in a one-day in- for the players and no improve- ternational. Windies face fl ak for Test farce ment in the situation despite two The work was completed on clear days meant no play for a July 1 but recent fl ooding and a AFP Ranjan Madugalle and offi cials of There was no rain at all over- second successive day. lack of sunshine has not helped Port of Spain the West Indies Cricket Board and night and the sun shone brightly Despite a gusty wind over- the grass to properly cover, leav- the Queen’s Park Cricket Club, through the morning, yet again night, wet patches remained and ing it soft underfoot and patchy. have so far avoided commenting no play was possible despite the any possibility of play ended af- The latest rains have exacer- ffi cials remained on the embarrassing situation. best eff orts of the groundstaff . ter a 2 p.m. inspection, raising bated the situation. tight-lipped on Sun- However, the West Indies It remains to be seen what the questions about a recent deci- The timing of the work is now day even as condem- Cricket Board’s regional cura- consequences of this ground sion to relay the outfi eld. under question as a similar proc- nation rained down on tor, Kent Crafton, acknowledged management fi asco will be but It is also the fi rst ever win- ess in Pretoria, where the second administratorsO deemed respon- that hosting international crick- the situation represents yet an- ter test in Durban. New Zealand test is to be played next week, sible for the fi asco of a water- et at the venue was always going other embarrassment to the were struggling at 15 for two in was completed in April. logged outfi eld that has ruined to be a challenge. WICB, which escaped from two the fourth and fi nal Test be- “We have been having rain similarly shambolic situations tween the West Indies and India. constantly for the past few previously without sanction Only 22 overs were bowled weeks so any additional rain from the International Cricket First coaching post for Boucher before lunch on the fi rst day of would not have helped the situ- Council. Former South Africa wicket- 25 Twenty20 internationals the match at the Queen’s Park ation,” he explained to local me- In 1998, the fi rst Test of the keeper Mark Boucher, whose since debuting for the Proteas Oval in Trinidad, with the West dia on Saturday. series against England at Sabina career was cut short by a freak in 1997. Indies reaching 62 for two after “With the downpour on Park in Kingston, Jamaica was eye injury, was named coach “I am fortunate to have choosing to bat fi rst. File picture of Indian Test captain Virat Kohli. Thursday the rain would have abandoned after less than an of Pretoria-based franchise worked under a lot of success- Not a single ball has been come off the covers and concen- hour’s play when the umpires Titans yesterday. ful coaches and picked up a bowled since due almost entirely day on Sunday less than an hour the series 2-0 but also crucially trated in certain areas around determined that the pitch con- The 39-year-old succeeds New lot of experience during my to areas of the fi eld being com- after the scheduled start. made them lose their number the square which have become ditions were too dangerous for Zealand-bound Rob Walter playing career,” said Boucher. pletely saturated from the heavy The decision was taken as it one Test ranking to Pakistan. over-saturated.” batsmen against fast bowling. in his first coaching appoint- “In pressure situations, I can rains of Thursday afternoon became clear that the conditions India needed to win the se- However Crafton, a native of In 2009, the scheduled second ment four years after being be nice and calm, and asser- which initially interrupted play. would not have improved, even ries 3-0 to stay at number one St Lucia, was proven to be overly Test of the series, also against struck on the left eye playing tive as well. I will have my own Umpires Nigel Llong and Rod with the continuous sunshine as Pakistan’s 2-2 series draw in optimistic when he suggested England, lasted less than two for South Africa in England way of coaching.” Tucker, following a brief inspec- that had prevailed over the pre- England meant they had earned that a full day’s play would have overs at the Sir Vivian Richards against Somerset. Titans are one of six top-tier tion of the ground and in con- vious two days. enough points from that cam- been possible on Sunday. “As long Stadium in Antigua due to a sandy Boucher was forced to retire South African franchises and sultation with West Indies and And with no play taking place paign to displace their arch-ri- as we don’t get too much rain, we outfi eld that made the free move- having played 147 Tests, 295 consistently challenged for India team offi cials, abandoned yesterday, the match fi zzled vals from the top position. should be able to have a prompt ment of fi elders and especially the one-day internationals and honours under Walter. play for the third consecutive out to a draw, which gave India The umpires, match referee start,” was his prediction. bowlers almost impossible. Gulf Times Tuesday, August 23, 2016 11 FOOTBALL

SERIE A BUNDESLIGA Bremen suff er shock De Boer admits German Cup defeat Inter job will take

time aft er fi rst loss Lotte players celebrate after defeating Werder Bremen in the German Cup football match in Lotte. ‘It can’t be denied that today was a diff icult day but we are at the beginning and we AFP a scare, but edged to a 2-1 win Berlin at fi fth-division SC Hauenstein can do better in terms of our play and physical level’ thanks to goals from Javier Her- nandez and Karim Bellarabi. AFP undesliga side Werder Eintracht Frankfurt could only Rome Bremen kicked off their scrape past Magdeburg on penal- new season by being ties after being held to a 1-1 draw, dumped out of the Ger- while Mainz also progressed on rank de Boer admitted he has his Bman Cup in the fi rst round with spot-kicks at fourth-tier outfi t work cut out if he is to turn Inter a 2-1 defeat at third-tier club Unterhaching after blowing a 3-1 Milan into Italian title contenders Sportfreunde Lotte on Sunday. lead in the 90th minute to draw after a shock defeat to Chievo on Viktor Skripnik’s Bremen fell 3-3. Sunday.F behind early on to a goal by de- Ingolstadt were held to a 0-0 Speaking after his fi rst Serie A match fender Matthias Rahn, but Aus- stalemate at Erzgebirge Aue but in charge of the Chinese-owned club, the trian international Zlatko Junu- came on top 8-7 in a marathon former Dutch international said he had zovic levelled on the stroke of shoot-out, while Salomon Kalou not had enough time to put his stamp on half-time. scored the winning spot-kick as the team after only two weeks in charge. Lotte midfi elder Andre Dej Hertha Berlin edged out third- “It can’t be denied that today was a struck though in the 54th division side Regensburg on pen- diffi cult day but we are at the beginning minute, and the home side held alties after a 1-1 draw. and we can do better in terms of our play on for a famous victory over the There were no such prob- and physical level.” said De Boer, who left six-time winners. lems for Darmstadt though, who Ajax at the end of last season. There were no other major thrashed Bremer SV 7-0 to ease “We have to get better in many levels shocks, but plenty of top-fl ight into round two, while Andrej but I have only had a friendly to prepare, teams still struggled elsewhere Kramaric grabbed a hat-trick as I’ve not had much time,” he added. on Sunday. Hoff enheim put six past Eges- Two second-half strikes by Slovenian Bayer Leverkusen were given torf-Langreder. winger Valter Birsa sealed Chievo’s 2-0 win and may have given Inter’s new own- ers pause for thought about the wisdom PREDICTION of ousting De Boer’s predecessor, Rob- erto Mancini, who took all his backroom staff with him when he left “by mutual consent” earlier this month. Coach Bilic expects The Inter defeat was icing on the cake for champions Juventus, who beat Fiorentina 2-1 on Saturday and were then West Ham to thrive able to watch some of their other poten- tial title rivals struggle 24 hours later. Napoli, second to Juve last season, had in new home to come from two goals down to earn a point at Serie A newcomers Pescara while AC Milan needed a last-minute penalty save to hang on for a 3-2 win over Torino. Roma top the fi rst table of the season thanks to their 4-0 win over Udinese, which made them the only club to indicate they might prevent Juventus claiming a Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi (C) reacts after Chievo’s Slovenian midfielder Valter Birsa scored a goal. record sixth consecutive Italian title. Still reeling from the loss of 36-goal his case for staying at the San Siro in em- Serie A results Bonaventura was judged to have been striker Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus, Na- phatic fashion. brought down by Torino’s Nigerian mid- poli looked out of sorts as Ahmad Benali Sunday: fi elder Joel Obi. and Gianluca Caprari gave newly promoted TEEN ‘KEEPER SAVES MILAN AC Milan 3 Torino 2 But Torino were given hope in the fi rst Pescara a two-goal lead at the interval. Strikes either side of half-time were fol- Bologna 1 Crotone 0 minute of added-on time by Daniele Ba- Belgian winger Dries Mertens rescued lowed by a penalty third as the 29-year- Atalanta 3 Lazio 4 selli’s dribble and neat fi nish. a point for the visitors with two well- old striker took his tally to 21 league goals Chievo 2 Inter Milan 0 And they should have claimed a point taken goals in the space of three minutes in 39 appearances for the Milan giants. Empoli 0 Sampdoria 1 in the fi nal seconds only to be denied by around the hour mark. Bacca’s fi rst was the pick of his strikes. Genoa 3 Cagliari 1 the teen ‘keeper Donnarumma throwing Colombian striker Carlos Bacca struck Ignazio Abate broke clear in the inside- Palermo 0 Sassuolo 1 himself full length to his left to keep out AFP happy they are going to pack this a hat-trick as AC Milan began a new era right channel and the Italy defender’s Pescara 2 Napoli 2 Belotti’s well-struck spot-kick, after Milan London stadium. If it’s packed it will be a under Chinese owenership with a nervy fi rst-time cross was buried spectacularly defender Gabriel Paletta had been sent off . great atmosphere.” win over Torino. by Bacca’s diving header. Played Saturday Higuain had marked his off -the-bench If West Ham are to fulfi l Bilic’s It took an injury-time penalty save by Torino were level within three minutes Roma 4 Udinese 0 debut for Juventus on Saturday with the laven Bilic (above) in- prediction of an atmospheric 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Don- of the restart, Andrea Belotti heading Juventus 2 Fiorentina 1 decisive goal in the champions’ defeat of sists West Ham United’s fi rst season in the London Sta- narumma to secure the three points for home left-back Cristian Molinari’s cross. Fiorentina. move to the London Sta- dium, they will need better luck Vincenzo Montella’s side after Torino But the advantage proved short-lived. Roma, Juve’s biggest rivals in recent dium will be a big success with injuries than they are cur- mounted a stoppage-time fi ghtback. M’Baye Niang’s cross from the left ting past Daniele Padelli. seasons, also started strongly thanks to asS long as his team keep winning. rently experiencing. Bacca, a target for West Ham United found Bacca in so much space between Bacca appeared to have ended the a penalty double from Argentinian mid- Bilic’s side celebrated the fi rst Already without record sign- who Milan are reportedly willing to sell to the two Torino centre-backs that he had contest from the penalty spot two min- fi elder Diego Perotti and strikes from Premier League fi xture in their ing Andrew Ayew, France mid- fund a higher-profi le acquisition, made time to bring the ball down before slot- utes after the hour mark after Giacomo Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah. new home with a 1-0 victory fi elder Dimitri Payet and defend- over 10-man Bournemouth on er Aaron Cresswell, Bilic learnt Sunday thanks to Michail Anto- on Sunday that former Liverpool LEAGUE CUP nio’s 85th minute header. striker Andy Carroll would be Having spent 112 years play- sidelined for up to six weeks with ing just a few miles down the road a knee injury. at Upton Park, a storied venue “They told me four to six renowned for its hostile atmos- weeks. It’s a big blow for us. It’s a phere, West Ham’s decision to bit frustrating,” Bilic said. rent the rather soulless Olympic “The worst situation is when Wijnaldum calls for Reds’ revival Stadium, which hosted athletics you have a player and say he is in the 2012 Games, risks damaging the one to build around and then AFP league team, they are now just Fixtures their home advantage and drain- you can’t count on him. London one division below the Premier ing the club of some its character. “He did the whole pre-season League. (1845 GMT unless otherwise A cavernous arena with a large really well and then he’s out. Liverpool are entering the stated) running track separating the That’s why he is so down. eorginio Wijnaldum League Cup in the second round crowd from the pitch, the sta- “There is no point in moaning, has called on his Liver- due to their failure to qualify for Today dium doesn’t lend itself to the we know the situation. We just pool teammates to put European competition. Blackburn vs Crewe, Burton vs kind of intimate atmosphere that have to play diff erently.” the disappointment of Chelsea are in the same boat Liverpool, Chelsea vs Bristol made Upton Park such a daunt- With so many players side- Gdefeat by Burnley behind them and begin their assault on a ing place to visit. lined, Bilic was relieved to see Rovers, Crystal Palace vs in today’s League Cup tie at sec- competition they last won in Blackpool, Derby vs Carlisle, A near-capacity 56,000 crowd West Ham bounce back from ond-tier Burton Albion. 2015 with a home game against Everton vs Yeovil, Exeter vs packed into the London Stadium Monday’s late defeat at Chelsea. Liverpool started the Premier third-division Bristol Rovers. Hull, Luton vs Leeds, Millwall on Sunday, but they were sub- “It wasn’t a good game but League season in enterprising Chelsea have won both their vs Nottm Forest, Newcastle dued for long periods and used if we’re talking about character fashion with a thrilling 4-3 win opening league games courtesy vs Cheltenham, Northampton most of their vocal energy to and team spirit, nobody can say at Arsenal, only to lose 2-0 at of late goals from Diego Costa vs West Brom, Norwich vs protest about the club and local we didn’t deserve it,” Bilic said. promoted Burnley on Saturday and winger Eden Hazard be- Coventry, Oxford vs Brighton, council’s strict guidelines to stay For all West Ham’s eff ort, they despite enjoying over 80 percent lieves the manner of their victo- Peterborough vs Swansea, seated at all times. didn’t look like breaking through of possession. ries is testament to the impact of QPR vs Rochdale, Reading vs Despite the sterile experience, until Bournemouth midfi elder Jurgen Klopp’s side reached new manager Antonio Conte. MK Dons, Scunthorpe vs Bris- Hammers boss Bilic claimed he Harry Arter was sent off for last season’s League Cup fi nal, “The attitude is fantastic. tol City, Stevenage vs Stoke, enjoyed the atmosphere and said a second booking in the 77th losing on penalties to Manches- Even in training, everyone wants Watford vs Gillingham, Wolves the stadium would be rocking minute after chopping down ter City, and Wijnaldum hopes to win games. That’s why now vs Cambridge like the Upton Park glory days if Cheikhou Kouyate. they can use their fi rst game in Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp. we are winning,” Hazard told the his players can repeat or improve However, it was Arter’s fi rst this season’s competition to get Chelsea website after Saturday’s Tomorrow on last season’s impressive Pre- booking for dissent that infuri- back on track. keep your confi dence and look the mid-1990s. 2-1 win at Watford. Accrington vs Burnley, Fulham mier League form. ated Bournemouth boss Eddie “We made two mistakes and forward. Clough, son of legendary “He’s a good manager. He vs Middlesbrough, More- “I’m not paid to say I like the Howe. “Ultimately it’s the red they scored two goals and we “We must move on to the next former Nottingham Forest man- believes in his team and we try cambe vs AFC Bournemouth, new stadium if I don’t like it, but card that has cost us the game. didn’t create any big chances. game, not make the same mis- ager Brian, returned to Burton to give everything for him. We Preston vs Oldham, Sunder- I thought the atmosphere was The second booking is under- That was the story in the fi rst takes we made (against Burnley) for a second spell last year, hav- want to win for the fans too.” land vs Shrewsbury brilliant,” Bilic said. standable. It’s the fi rst one that half,” the former Newcastle Unit- and look forward with confi - ing previously spent nine years Other Premier League teams “I’m a big fan of the old sta- burns,” Howe said. ed midfi elder told the Liverpool dence.” at the club between 1998 and in League Cup action this week dium, I like those freezing cold “It’s dissent and we know we website after the game at Burnley. Today’s game at the Pirel- 2009. include Everton, Crystal Palace, ers Manchester City, Arsenal, stadiums, but I felt it was proper can’t do that. We’re going to get “We expected to create better li Stadium will carry special Burton memorably held Man- last season’s FA Cup runners- Leicester City, Tottenham Hot- loud today and the fans helped us red cards galore if we don’t learn chances than we did. Sometimes meaning for Burton manager chester United to a 0-0 draw in up, and Hull City, the top fl ight’s spur, Southampton and West big time. quickly. I’ve drilled that into the you have the kind of games that Nigel Clough, who spent three the FA Cup in January 2006, but surprise joint-leaders. Ham United will all enter the “It’s up to us. As long as we are players. I don’t know how many it doesn’t work and you have to years at Liverpool as a player in whereas they were then a non- Manchester United, hold- competition in round three. winning and they are going home times I can do it.”

Tuesday, August 23, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS Arsenal lacks physical Bale brace fi res Real presence, feels Vieira Madrid to opening win in La Liga ‘Physically he’s behind the others and you couldn’t tell. He started in the best way, with an early goal. He’s already said it’s an important year for him, and he’s showing that’

AFP File picture of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Barcelona Reuters “Now when I watch Arsenal, London yes they play good football Gareth Bale brace and a Marco but I just have a feeling they Asensio lob helped Real Madrid are missing something – the make light work of Real Socie- ormer captain Patrick physical presence, the per- dad, running out 3-0 winners at Vieira supports manager sonality, this is what they’re AnoetaA in their opening game of the sea- Arsene Wenger’s strin- missing” son in La Liga. gent transfer policy at Back from his post-Euro 2016 holi- ArsenalF but said reinforcements manages Major League Soccer days, Bale was the only member of the might be needed following the side New York City FC. “They’ve renowned ‘BBC’ forward line who was north London side’s lacklustre been disappointing, losing fi t enough to play in Sunday’s game, as start to the Premier League cam- games they should have won. Zinedine Zidane’s team travelled to San paign. “My generation had lots of Sebastian in the midst of an injury crisis, Arsenal played out a goalless physically strong players. In this with fi ve regular starters unable to make draw with champions Leices- last fi ve or six years, Arsenal the squad. ter City on Saturday after losing went more with this type of mo- As well as star forwards Cristiano Ro- their opening game against Liv- bile, technical players. naldo and Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, erpool at the Emirates Stadium “Now when I watch Arsenal, Keylor Navas and Pepe were also ruled earlier this month. yes they play good football but I out, but it didn’t stop Madrid earning a With the Gunners still search- just have a feeling they are miss- convincing win at a notoriously tricky ing for their fi rst win of the sea- ing something – the physical venue, thanks to Bale’s two goals. son, Wenger has come under presence, the personality, this is “I’m happy for him,” said Zidane. increasing scrutiny from the fans what they’re missing.” “Physically he’s behind the others and and the media for his lack of in- Manchester United spent 89 you couldn’t tell. He started in the best vestment into the squad, which million pounds to bring back Paul way, with an early goal. He’s already said fi nished second last campaign. Pogba from Juventus and Vieira it’s an important year for him, and he’s “I quite admire that, in the hoped the France midfi elder will showing that.” world where some clubs have not crumble under the pressure Bale was picked despite having ap- so much money, they go and of the tag of being the world’s peared in just one friendly in pre-season, buy players who are 40 mil- most expensive player. but the Welshman got Madrid off to a y-fl lion pounds and are worth 10 “I think he’s a fantastic player, ing start, leaping into the air to power- million,” Vieira, who captained no doubt about it, but I also be- fully nod home Dani Carvajal’s tempting Wenger’s last title-winning team lieve the Premier League is dif- cross in only the second minute. in 2004, told British media. ferent, and there will be a lot of Alvaro Morata nearly scored his fi rst Wenger has made three ad- pressure on his shoulders be- goal since returning to Real Madrid but, Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale in action during his team’s La Liga match against Real Sociedad. ditions to his squad during the cause of the price tag and expec- after a clever dribble, his strike was de- current transfer window, bring- tation,” Vieira said. fl ected behind for a corner. the ball over the goalkeeper with ease. improve and correct our errors as soon as ing in midfi elder Granit Xhaka, “He will have to fi nd the right A Toni Kroos eff ort met the same fate, Zidane acknowledged the 20-year- Results wrap possible.” defender Rob Holding and strik- balance because if he thinks he with goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli quick old’s fi ne form was giving him selection Sporting Gijon 2 Athletic Bilbao 1 Atletico Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 er Takuma Asano. will win games by himself that to get down to tip the German’s drilled problems. Real Sociedad 0 Real Madrid 3 draw at home to Alaves after a crazy fi n- “But on the other side the will be a massive mistake for strike behind. “I had to decide and he went out from Atletico Madrid 1 Alaves 1 ish to their game at the Vicente Calderon. team is not doing as good as it him, if he tries to do something Real Sociedad had a good opportu- the start and did well. It’s a headache Diego Simeone’s side won a debatable used to and you need to win foot- that he can’t do that will be a nity to level on the half-hour mark, but picking the line-up. Asensio had a great Saturday penalty three minutes into stoppage time ball matches,” added Vieira, who massive mistake as well.” former Madrid man Asier Illarramendi game, but so did (Mateo) Kovacic and Barcelona 6 Betis 2 when Victor Laguardia was adjudged to opted to pass to Juanmi instead of shoot- others. The important thing is the team,” Granada 1 Villarreal 1 have fouled Fernando Torres and sum- ing when well placed and the ball didn’t Zidane said. Sevilla 6 Espanyol 4 mer signing Kevin Gameiro netted from AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE reach his team-mate. Morata was seeing a lot of the ball in the the spot. second half but was foiled at every turn, Friday But there was still time for Manu Gar- END-TO-END AFFAIR being booked for diving in the area before Malaga 1 Osasuna 1 cia to equalise for the newly promoted It was an end-to-end aff air, with Morata his shot was saved and Kroos cracked the Deportivo 2 Eibar 1 visitors with their fi rst shot on target of Eriksson’s Shanghai denied again by Rulli, while youngster rebound against Rulli’s crossbar. the evening. Asensio, picked ahead of James Rodriguez The goalkeeper was called into action Earlier, Sporting Gijon beat Athletic and Isco, continued to bewilder defenders to tip a Mateo Kovacic piledriver wide himself for the heavy home defeat. “The Bilbao 2-1, while champions Barcelona side faces injury woes with his quick feet on his fi rst start in La as Madrid continued to turn the screw, person most responsible for what hap- opened their campaign in style on Satur- Liga for the European champions. although despite their dominance they pened is me and if we are capable of fac- day by beating Betis 6-2 with Luis Suarez AFP silverware rest with the ACL. The forward scored Madrid’s second could not stretch their lead until Bale ran ing up to Real Madrid, that is my respon- scoring a hat-trick and Lionel Messi net- Shanghai Speaking after his side’s win goal in the 40th minute with an eff ortless through, rounded Rulli and squeezed the sibility,” he explained. ting twice. over Shijiazhuang, Eriksson said lob after he was sent through on Rulli’s ball home with the last kick of the game. “The players are absolutely commit- Also on Saturday, Sevilla beat Espanyol he had been doing his homework goal by Raphael Varane’s pass, scooping Home coach Eusebio Sacristan blamed ted, but it’s clear we have to work hard to 6-4 in an incredible game. ormer England head on Korean opponents Jeonbuk. coach Sven-Goran Eriks- “They are a very good team” son is facing a struggle he cautioned. “We have a lot of LIGUE 1 to save Shanghai SIPG’s tapes of them and we went to see seasonF with key players out for them yesterday... we have a full their Asian Champions League report on them.” (ACL) quarter-fi nal, fi rst leg at Eriksson said Conca had in- home to Jeonbuk Hyundai Mo- jured his knee and gave no date tors today. for an expected return. Chinese Super League (CSL) When asked if Hulk was fi nally PSG see off Metz with easy win club SIPG signed striker Hulk ready to return to action, he said, for 55 million euros ($61 million) “I am not sure that he will play, AFP Results wrap from Zenit St Petersburg last maybe, maybe not, let’s see.” Paris month, but the Brazilian lasted Elsewhere in the CSL over the Sunday just 21 minutes on debut before weekend, Evergrande’s lead was Guingamp 2 (Salibur 1, Sorbon being injured, and has not played cut to six points after Colombian ucas, Layvin Kurzawa and 58) Marseille 1 (Thauvin 78) since. striker Roger Martínez scored Marco Verratti got the Saint-Etienne 3 (Monnet- To add to Eriksson’s woes, twice to give second-placed goals as Paris Saint-Ger- Paquet 46, Saint-Louis 50, chief playmaker Dario Conca Jiangsu Suning a 2-1 victory over main beat newly promoted Beric 85) Montpellier 1 (Mou- managed to injure himself cel- Beijing Guoan. LMetz 3-0 at the Parc des Princes ebrating his 54th minute goal in The league leaders, coached nie 23) in coach Unai Emery’s fi rst home Paris Saint-Germain 3 (Lucas SIPG’s 4-1 CSL win over Shi- by Brazilian Luiz Felipe Sco- game in charge on Sunday. 52, Kurzawa 68, Verratti 90+4) jiazhuang Everbright on Friday. lari, were held 0-0 at home to The result allowed PSG to Metz 0 With SIPG trailing CSL lead- Hangzhou Greentown. continue their perfect start ers Guangzhou Evergrande by 12 In a thrilling mid-table battle, to life under their new Span- Saturday points in third place, the under- Chongqing Lifan were edged out ish coach but the evening was Nantes 0 Monaco 1 (Boschilia pressure Swede’s hopes of major 5-4 at home to Guangzhou R&F. somewhat overshadowed by the 25) whistles of the home support Lille 1 (Sankhare 87) Dijon 0 towards striker Edinson Cavani. Lorient 0 Bastia 3 (Saint-Max- The Uruguay star scored 53 imin 25, Crivelli 38, 82) Gullit agrees to join Netherlands Ligue 1 goals in the last three sea- Toulouse 4 (Diop 4, Jullien 9, sons despite living in the shadow Braithwaite 67, 83) Bordeaux 1 coaching staff of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and toiling (Kiese Thelin 90) Ruud Gullit has agreed to gave me the feeling that I can at times since his 64 million-euro Angers 0 Nice 1 (Plea 5) join the coaching staff of the add value to the staff and the move from Napoli in 2013. Paris Saint-Germain’s Italian midfielder Marco Verratti (R) celebrates with his teammate Argentinian Rennes 2 (Gourcuff 23, Sio 81) Dutch national team after team,” Gullit told Dutch media. With idol Ibrahimovic having midfielder Angel Di Maria after scoring during the Ligue 1 match against Metz. Nancy 0 being asked to play a role by “Blind will give me a free role departed for Manchester United, head coach Danny Blind, local on both the training field and Cavani is now PSG’s main man curled a shot against the bar. Serge Aurier teed up Lucas third goal in as many competi- Friday media reported yesterday. bench to add my ideas. But in attack but he missed chance Cavani kicked the post in and the Brazilian winger took a tive games this season. Lyon 2 (Lacazette 31-pen, Gullit, who won 66 caps for practically it has to be for the after chance against Metz and frustration as the boos rang out touch before steering a low shot Late on, Cavani latched onto 90+6-pen) Caen 0 the Netherlands and was part best of the team. At the end of the French champions won in from the stands in the capital. across goalkeeper Thomas Di- a through ball and rounded Di- of their 1988 European Cham- the day the ultimate respon- spite of the Uruguayan. Fortunately for the home side, dillon and into the far corner. dillon, but he betrayed a lack of pionship winning team, was sibility for the team rests with Cavani had a penalty appeal by that point they were already Paris needed goalkeeper confi dence as he hesitated and “When the strikers start im- expected to sign a contract the head coach.” waved away as he went down un- two goals to the good, with Lucas Kevin Trapp to intervene with refused to shoot as the away de- proving in certain aspects, we through the 2018 World Cup in The 53-year-old, who has der a Georges Mandjeck challenge getting the breakthrough seven good saves from Renaud Cohade fence tracked back to cover. will score a lot of goals,” said Russia, Dutch media added. been working as a television and then saw a netbound shot minutes into the second half. and Mevlut Erding to preserve Substitute Verratti then put the Emery, who defended Cavani. He replaces Dick Advocaat, analyst, had ill-fated coaching defl ected onto the post by Simon Adrien Rabiot was almost dis- their advantage before Kurzawa gloss on the scoreline when he “He demands an awful lot who unexpectedly quit last spells at Chelsea, Feyenoord Falette late in the fi rst half. possessed as he tried to dribble headed in from an Angel Di Mar- got the third goal right at the end, of himself. He has character. If week to take over at Turkish and Newcastle United but Later on, he contrived to slice the ball out of his own box, but ia corner midway through the his shot from the edge of the area we create as many chances in side Fenerbahce. “Blind asked remains one of the biggest the ball wide when a rebound he escaped and the hosts broke second half to make it 2-0. coming off Metz defender Jonath- future, I am not worried about me if I was interested and names in Dutch football. fell to him after Angel Di Maria forward quickly. It was left-back Kurzawa’s an Rivierez on its way in. him scoring.”