SPORT SPORT | 08 SPORT | 09 Mickelson grabs Root reminds one-shot lead at England of West Travelers Indies' bowling Championship depth

SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2020 FA Cup: Maguire sends United into semis

AFP — NORWICH Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s interval and grabbed the lead in down the Nigerian, triggered a red side had to work hard for the 51st minute. Luke Shaw’s cross card from referee Jonathan Moss. Manchester United moved into the their place in the last four was helped on by Juan Mata and Krul made good saves to keep FA Cup semi-finals as Harry as Todd Cantwell forced Ighalo sniffed out the chance, out efforts from United substitutes Maguire’s strike late in extra time extra time by cancelling out flicking an agile finish past Tim Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood clinched a 2-1 win over 10-man Krul from inside the six-yard box. in a frantic finale. Norwich yesterday. Odion Ighalo’s opener at The Nigerian has scored in With five subs allowed since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had Carrow Road. each of his four United starts, the lockdown and an additional to work hard for their place in the making it five goals in 11 appear- one given to teams who go to extra last four as Todd Cantwell forced ances since he arrived from time in the FA Cup, United become extra time by cancelling out Odion Bruno Fernandes survived from Shanghai Shenhua in January. the first English side to make six Ighalo’s opener at Carrow Road. the midweek Premier League win Norwich kept pressing and changes in the same game when Norwich defender Timm Klose against Sheffield United. drew level in the 75th minute when Anthony Martial replaced Eric was sent off for hauling down United’s stand-ins were out of Cantwell’s 20-yard strike swerved Bailly. Ighalo in the 89th minute and that sync for much of a first half that away from slow-to-react United United dominated extra time eventually tipped the balance in followed the pattern of many post- keeper Sergio Romero. and Marcus Rashford’s strike was United’s favour. lockdown matches, both teams Suddenly in the ascendency, pushed over by Krul, who made They gradually wore Norwich lacking energy and invention. Norwich almost won it in the final an even better save to stop down and England defender In a rare threat, Maguire had minutes when Buendia shot just Maguire’s header. Maguire pounced to extend their to stop Lukas Rupp’s shot with an past the far post. Maguire wasn’t to be denied unbeaten run to 14 games in all alert block after Cantwell’s run But with extra time looming, and in the 118th minute United’s competitions. opened up the visitors’ defence. Fernandes’ superb flick found pressure finally told as the England Harry Maguire (left) celebrates Solskjaer made eight changes Solskjaer’s team finally awoke Ighalo on the edge of the area and defender poked home from close his match-winning goal. as only Maguire, Luke Shaw and from their slumber after the Klose’s panicked response, hauling range after Ighalo flicked on.

QNB Stars League: Preparing for tough competition ahead Title blow as Barca draw with Celta despite Suarez's double

AFP — MADRID

Barcelona’s title hopes suffered a hammer blow yesterday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Celta Vigo, handing Real Madrid the chance to move two points clear at the top of . Luis Suarez twice put Barca in front at Balaidos with his first goals since January but Iago Aspas bent in a late free-kick to earn Celta a Barcelona’s Luis Suarez draw, in what could prove a (foreground) celebrates with pivotal moment in the title race. team-mates after scoring their Barcelona edge a point ahead first goal, yesterday. of Madrid but Zinedine Zidane’s side will hope to take a big step towards becoming champions by winning away at bottom club Espanyol today. Madrid own the superior head- to-head against Barca and have won four out of four since La Liga TOP: Al Duhail players during a team's training session restarted earlier this month. With yesterday. Al Duhail are leading the QNB Stars League a kinder run-in than the Catalans, (QSL) points standings with 42 points and are expected who play Atletico Madrid next on to face stiff resistance from second-placed Al Rayyan (38 Barcelona edge a point Tuesday, the trophy appears to be to start 20-year-old Riqui Puig and post. The warnings went unheeded points) in their title hunt when the league resumes on Madrid’s to lose. 17-year-old Ansu Fati, and the duo ahead of Madrid but and when Arturo Vidal played a July 24. BELOW: Al Rayyan player takes part in team's “The feeling is a negative one,” impressed, injecting energy and Zinedine Zidane’s side careless pass early in the second training session. said Suarez afterwards. “If we speed into Barca’s attack. will hope to take a big half, Celta capitalised. want to stay in the title race and was left on step towards becoming Aspas sent Okay Yokuslu have it in our hands we have to the bench and when he came on, champions by winning sprinting in behind and he squared win all our games. But we now he was on the side of the wall that away at bottom club for Smolov to tap in. have to rely on Madrid to drop Aspas breached with his free-kick Celta look invigorated but points.” to find the bottom corner. Espanyol today. Barca landed a sucker-punch. Suarez played his best game Messi was at the heart of eve- Denis Suarez lost possession under Madrid own the superior since undergoing knee surgery in rything going forward and it was pressure from Fati, Messi played January, his first goal coming from his early corner that Gerard Pique head-to-head against Barca into Luis Suarez, who backed in, a surprise free-kick from Lionel headed against the crossbar. and have won four out of turned and drove into the far Messi, who crossed when eve- With a free-kick on the edge four since La Liga restarted corner. It looked like they had ryone expected him to shoot. of the area in the 20th minue and earlier this month. weathered the storm but Celta hit Yet Barcelona’s defensive a 700th career goal in sight, Messi back again, Aspas curling around frailties hurt them again and Celta sized up the sprawl of Celta the side of the wall and into the should even have won it in injury- defenders in front of him. chances too on the break. A poor corner with two minutes left. time, only for Nolito to miss a But with everyone expecting clearance from Marc-Andre ter They should even have won it golden chance at the back post. a shot, Messi clipped a cross Stegen went unpunished by Fedor in injury-time as Denis Suarez teed Celta climb to 16th, eight points towards the post, where Suarez Smolov, who then overhit his pass up Nolito at the back post but a clear of the bottom three. headed in. Messi even tried to when Aspas was clear. Brais scuffed finish let Ter Stegen save Quique Setien answered calls score from a corner but Celta had Mendez slid through and hit the on the line. Vettel expects tight margins at Austria double-header

REUTERS — LONDON offoff withwith thethe track, as part of aann eight-race tackle that challenge.” The eight Meanwhile, Australia's AustrianA ustrian EuropeanEuropean leg. “I haveha no expe- races on the initial calendar will Daniel Ricciardo insisted that he Sebastian Vettel (pictured)tured) GrandGrand PrixPrix riencerience heading backback to the same be held without fans present and doesn't see his preparations believes the back-to-backk rracesaces at thethe RedRed tracktrack just a weeweekk after and in controlled conditions due to being hindered when the in Austria at the start ofof thethe Bull RingRing hhavingaving a second rrace,a but I’ve the novel coronavirus outbreak, delayed Formula One season I think there will be Formula One season willwill be onon July been around for a wwhile,” Vettel which has killed over 493,000 finally gets underway in Austria a chance to look at decided on slim margins aandnd his 55,, fol-fol- toldtold FerrariFerrari in aann iinterview.n people globally. next weekend. Ferrari team will need too finfine-e- lowedlowed a “I“I guess the levelle of per- Vettel, who has already con- "Next weekend, I don't see the race in particular, tune their racing strategyegy to weekweek fection will be eveneven higher the firmed his departure from any preparations being hin- review the strategy remain competitive overer two later by a secondsecond weekend,weekend, the level of Ferrari at the end of the season, dered," said the 30-year-old. and we get another weeks. secondsecond racerace errorserrors willwill be eevenven smaller. says racing in front of empty "We've got our driver space Four-times world championmpion at thethe “I“I thinkthink therethere will be a stands will be an unusual expe- to warm up and to prepare for chance just seven Vettel and team mate Charlesharles same chance to look at thethe race in par- rience for all the drivers. the race itself so... I guess it's days after, so that’s Leclerc hit the track in Ferrari’serrari’s ticular, revierevieww the strategy “I’ve never done it. I can’t more from a general hygiene 2018 car, the SF71-H, earlierier this and we get another really imagine how it will be,” point of view. a first, and we’ll see week in a test at Mugelloo as chancechan just seven the 32-year-old German said. "But as far as getting into the how we tackle that the Scuderia stepped upp daysda after, so “I think it’s good to race. It’s car ready to go, I believe I'll still challenge: Formula 1 their preparations for the ththat’s a first, good to get going but if I could be able to use everything I have 2020 campaign. anda we’ll see choose, obviously I would race before to make sure I am hopping star Sebastian Vettel The season will kick how we with fans.” in the car one hundred per cent." 08 SPORT SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2020

Phil Mickelson reacts on the Mickelson grabs one-shot lead at Travelers second green.

REUTERS —NEW YORK World No. 1 Rory Gordon, in only his TRAVELERS SCORES three short of matching the McIlroy (68) and Xander eighth PGA Tour start and record held by Tiger Phil Mickelson used a solid Schauffele (68) were playing on a sponsor 127 - Phil Mickelson 64-63 Woods. finish to seize a one-shot among a pack of five exemption, made the most 128 - Will Gordon 66-62, Mackenzie “Just couldn’t get the lead following the second golfers a further three shots of his opportunity as he Hughes (CAN) 60-68 ball in the hole,” said round of the Travelers back. Mickelson, in his first mixed six birdies and one 131 - Xander Schauffele 63-68, Brendan Morikawa. Championship in tournament since turning bogey over his opening eight Steele 69-62, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 63-68, “That’s the name of the Cromwell, Connecticut, 50 last week, will have a holes before adding another Brendon Todd 66-65, Marc Leishman game, right? So it was where a third PGA Tour short turnaround as third three birdies after the turn. (AUS) 66-65 bound to happen at some player tested positive for round action will feature “I knew that (the 132 - Kevin Streelman 66-66, Kevin Na point.” Denny McCarthy COVID-19. threesomes off split tees course) was going to be 66-66, Kang Sung Kang (KOR) 65-67, withdrew ahead of his Mickelson closed with starting at 7 a.m. EDT (1100 gettable this morning,” said Zach Johnson 68-64, Viktor Hovland second round after he a birdie at the last hole of GMT) due to expectations Gordon. “Just tried to come (NOR) 63-69, Patton Kizzire 66-66, Ab- became the third PGA Tour the TPC River Highlands for inclement weather later into today with a really raham Ancer (MEX) 67-65, Troy Merritt player to test positive for course for a seven-under- in the day. positive mindset and 68-64, Bryson DeChambeau 65-67, Bri- COVID-19. par 63 that brought him to “It’s probably a little bit aggressive mindset and I “Last night, I woke up

an Stuard 65-67, Noh Seung-yul (KOR)

13 under on the week and difficult as you get older, was able to do that.” in the middle of the night 64-68 one shot clear of first- but when you’re playing Collin Morikawa came with additional aches and round leader Mackenzie well, you have that extra into this week riding a soreness and sensed some- Hughes (68) and sponsor momentum, and it should streak of 22 consecutive professional career but thing was off,” said invite Will Gordon (62). be okay,” said Mickelson. cuts made to begin his finally ran out of gas, falling McCarthy.

THINGS TO KNOW AS NBA IS COMING BACK NBA releases schedule, THE RACE FOR 8 There are six teams in the race for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference - Memphis, Portland, New Orleans, Sacramento, San Antonio and Phoenix. (Technically, Dallas is also in that race, though the Mavericks need only one win and one Memphis loss to clinch no worse than the No. 7 spot.) Silver admits risk exists There are seven games where those six teams will go head-to-head, including four featuring REUTERS — NEW YORK the Pelicans - who play Sacramento twice, Memphis once and San Antonio once. The other games: Sacramento vs. San Antonio, Memphis vs. San Antonio and Portland vs. Memphis. Even as the NBA was unveiling Phoenix doesn’t play any of the other five teams in the race for eighth. its schedule for the conclusion The Grizzlies start with a 3 1/2-game lead over Portland, New Orleans and Sacramento, of the regular season, commis- along with a four-game edge on San Antonio. Unless the Grizzlies open up space on all four sioner Adam Silver admitted of those clubs, it seems likely that there will be a best-of-two play-in series for the final spot that the league’s “bubble” in in the West playoffs and a probable first-round matchup with LeBron James and the Los central Florida can’t be made Angeles Lakers. totally safe from the corona- The play-in games will take place if the ninth-place team in either conference is within four virus pandemic. games of eighth when the seeding round ends. The league is bringing 22 of In the East, it’s a bit simpler. No. 7 Brooklyn is six games ahead of Washington and No. 8 its 30 teams to the ESPN Wide Orlando is 5-1/2 games clear of the Wizards in the race to clinch a berth and avoid a play-in World of Sports Complex near series. None of those teams can move past the No. 7 spot on the East bracket. Orlando, for the resumption of MAGIC NUMBERS play. Each team will compete Milwaukee needs a combination of two wins or Toronto losses to clinch the No. 1 seed in the East. in eight “seeding games” to The Lakers need a combination of three wins or Los Angeles Clippers losses to clinch the No. 1 spot complete the regular season, out West. and the playoffs will follow, all Denver also has a mathematical chance at the No. 1 seed out West - but would need to go 8-0 and at the Disney site. Action will commence on have the Lakers go 0-8 for that to happen. July 30 with the Utah Jazz Most of the races at Disney will be for seeding. Milwaukee cannot finish lower than No. 2 in the East opposing the New Orleans Pel- and Toronto needs only one win to be assured of a top-four seed. The West can still see some icans, and the Los Angeles shakeups, with four games separating second place from sixth place and only 2 1/2 games separat- Clippers facing the Los Angeles ing fourth place from seventh. Lakers in a doubleheader that HEAT CHECK will air on TNT. Miami had a league-high eight games remaining against the eight teams that didn’t qualify for the Utah Jazz’s players celebrate after win over the Houston Rockets in this February 9, 2020 file photo. The Jazz get to be one of the Disney restart. Action will commence on July 30 with the Utah Jazz opposing the New Orleans Pelicans, and the first teams returning after they Now the Heat will have a fight on their hands just to hang onto the No. 4 spot in the East. Los Angeles Clippers facing the Los Angeles Lakers in a doubleheader. were the team that prompted Miami plays Boston, Denver, Indiana twice, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Toronto and Phoenix in the the NBA’s shutdown when All- finalized the protocols for the announced in a joint statement games to play. The matchups seeding games. That schedule ranks harder than Indiana’s or Philadelphia’s - the Pacers and 76ers Star center Rudy Gobert tested Disney “bubble.” on Friday that 16 of the 302 NBA were chosen chronologically, both will head to Disney two games behind the Heat in the East standings. positive for the coronavirus on The agreement comes at a players who were examined beginning with games that Orlando and the Lakers both saw seven games against the eight Disney-non-qualifiers canceled, March 11. time when COVID-19 cases are Tuesday tested positive for the would have been played March tied for second-most in the league behind Miami. Memphis had the fewest such games lost, with The season has been in spiking in Florida. coronavirus. 11, with four caveats: just one - a matchup against New York. hiatus since, but teams are set Silver said on a conference Silver added that Florida --A matchup couldn’t HOME ON THE ROAD to arrive at the Disney campus call. setting a record with around feature a non-participating All 22 teams will be staying at the Disney campus for the rest of their seasons. Yes, that includes the for training by July 11. “We know that COVID-19 9,000 new COVID-19 cases team. (The non-contending The NBA and the National will be with us for the fore- reported Friday is worrying. Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Orlando Magic - whose home arena is about 20 miles from Disney World. Basketball Players Association seeable future, and we are left “The level of concern has Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit The Magic simply see it as doing their part to make the restart happen. with no choice but to learn to increased, not just because of Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, “We appreciate the leadership of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, our longtime partner, Disney, and live with this virus. No options the increased levels in Florida, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota our local leaders in this unprecedented time,” Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “We look for- are risk-free right now.... but throughout the country,” he Timberwolves and Golden State ward to providing assistance as needed in restarting the NBA season in Orlando, while using our “My ultimate conclusion is said. Warriors will not participate.) collective platform to drive meaningful social impact.” We know that that we can’t outrun the virus, The commissioner wasn’t --A matchup couldn’t result in THEY WILL BE MISSED and that this is what we’re ready to reveal the NBA’s inten- either team going beyond the Milwaukee has the NBA’s best record, and one of the reasons the Bucks hold that mark right now is COVID-19 will be gonna be living with for the tions should a COVID-19 out- maximum of eight games. because of how good they were against the eight teams (Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, with us for the foreseeable future -- which is break occur among players. --A matchup couldn’t Atlanta, New York, Minnesota and Golden State) that didn’t qualify for the Disney restart. foreseeable future, why we designed the campus “I think we want to get prevent any participating team The Bucks were 22-0 against those eight teams - one of three NBA teams to go unbeaten against the way we did. And so it’s a down on the ground and start from having eight possible that group. Oklahoma City was 15-0 and the Lakers were 12-0. Toronto and Boston were both 19-1 and we are left with closed network; and while it’s to see how our testing’s working matchups. and Utah was 15-1. no choice but to not impermeable, we are in and how the protocols are --If two teams facing off Only one remaining team had a losing record against those eight clubs: San Antonio went 7-8. learn to live with this essence protected from cases working and then we’ll make head-to-head twice in the sea- LAKER BREAK around us. At least, that’s the decisions as we go,” Silver said. son’s resumption would prevent The schedule means that the Lakers won’t play a back-to-back-to-back after all. virus. No options are model. Because only 88 of the 259 either team from having a single The Lakers would have played home games on April 7, 8 and 9 against Golden State, Chicago and risk-free right now: “So for those reasons, we’re games remaining on the matchup against another team

still very comfortable being in league’s schedule will be con- that it was due to play twice, the the Clippers - the last of those coming because a game that was scheduled to be played shortly

after Kobe Bryant’s death was moved until later in the season. Adam Silver Orlando.” tested, the league had to figure league set up one matchup The NBA and NBPA out a way to determine which against each of the other teams. Hamilton hurt by Ecclestone’s racism comments

AP — PARIS assertion when he was asked somebody’s not the same as he seems to be now extremely done more over time to fight my career,” Hamilton said. his opinion on Hamilton setting white people and that Black talented when he’s standing up racism, Ecclestone replied “If someone who has run Formula One champion Lewis up a commission to increase people should think the same making speeches,” Ecclestone “they’re too busy trying to win the sport for decades has such Hamilton has criticised diversity in motorsport. about white people. Because I said. races or find sponsors, so really a lack of understanding of the “ignorant and uneducated” “I don’t think it’s going to do think in lots of cases, Black “This last campaign he’s other things have little if any deep rooted issues we as black comments by former F1 boss anything bad or good for people are more racist than doing for the Black people is interest.” people deal with every day, how Bernie Ecclestone. Formula One. It will just make what white people are.” wonderful. He’s doing a great Hamilton said those com- can we expect all the people Hamilton, a six-timesix-time world people think,think, which is more Challenged to givgive evidence, job and it’s people (who are) ments were indicative of a who work under him to under- champion andd the only Black iimportant,”mportant,” Ecclestone replied: “Things“T over easily recognizable that people deep-seated problem. stand? It starts at the top.” driver in F1, wwasas shocked by EcclestoneEccl eston e the years I’ve noticedno and listen to.” “It makes completecomplete F1 distanced itself from Ecclestone’s claimclaim duringduring an replied.replied. there’sthere’s nono nneedeed for it.” Ecclestone insisted Ham-m- sensesense to meme nownow Ecclestone.Ecclestone. interview with bbroadcasterroadcaster CNNCNN “People“People Hamilton recently ilton had never discussed this,is, thatthat nothinothingng “At“At a time when unitunityy on Friday that “in lots of cases, ooughtught to attended a BBlackl Lives and was surprised Hamiltonon waswas said or isis nneededeeded to tactacklekle Black people areare more racist” tthinkhink a MatterMatter mmarcharch iin London. took offense. donedone to racism and inequality,inequality, than white people.ople. lilittlettle bbitit He has spokenspoke widely “Well, he knows peoplele makemake ourour we comcompletelypletely didis-s- “Damn, I jjustust don’t even and saysay about racismracism in recent have been against him becausese sportsport agreeagree with Bernie know where too startstart on tthishis oneone ‘‘whatwhat thethe weeks afterafter saying he he said they have, but I’m sur-r- moremore Ecclestone’sEcclestone’s com-com- ... so sad and disappointingdisappointing to hell’, felt “so muchmu anger, prised that it concerns himm diversediverse oror mentsments thatthat havehave nono read these comments,”mments,” Ham-Ham- sadnesssadness andand disbelief”dis fol- even,” Ecclestone said. “I’mm to addressaddress place in F1 or society,” ilton posted onn Instagram. lowinglowing the killing of really unhappy if he took it seri-ri- thethe racial F1 sasaid.id. “This is exactlyxactly what is George FloydFloyd - a hand- ously, I never thought he did.. I abuse I wrong - ignorantnorant andand cuffedcuffed aandnd unarmed didn’t think it affected him.” receivedreceived uneducated com-com- Black man - by a police Ecclestone was evasiveve throughoutthroughoutt ments which showshow officerofficer iin Minne- about whether he should haveve us how far we as a apolisapolis lastl month. done more to condemn thosese society need to Lewis “Lewis“Le is a incidents, considering he wasas Bernie Ecclestone go before realal Hamilton little bitb special. in charge. equality cann First he’s very, “Well, I think I did behindnd happen.” very,very very tal- the scenes a little bit,” he said.d. Ecclestonee enteden as a “What else could you do?” made hiss ddriver and Asked if F1 should haveve SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2020 SPORT 09 Young guns Musa, Rohail Captain Root reminds England on plane for England tour of West Indies’ AP - ISLAMABAD

Pakistan fast bowler Musa Khan bowling depth and under-19 captain Rohail Pakistan’s Nazir will be among the 20 paceman REUTERS - LONDON cricketers flying to England Muhammad today for a tour whose dates are Musa (right) England batsmen must prepare well if they are to get the better still to be confirmed due to the bowls past of a “formidable” West Indies bowling attack in the three-Test coronavirus pandemic. Australia’s series next month, captain Joe Root has said. Khan and Nazir were added David Warner West Indies will be banking heavily on their pace attack in to the squad after 10 players on day two England to defend the Wisden Trophy which they won after were forced to miss the flight of the second triumphing 2-1 on home soil in the 2019 series. following positive tests for cricket Test Root said England could not afford to lower their guard COVID-19. match between against an attack which featured three bowlers - Jason Holder, The England and Wales Australia and Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel - who are among the top Cricket Board confirmed the Pakistan in 20 in official test rankings. tour on Friday, saying only that Adelaide in “We are very aware of the skill West Indies have and what the three Tests and three this November they will bring to this series,” Root told BBC Sport. Twenty20s will be without 30, 2019, file “One thing that stood out was how formidable their bowling spectators. photo. attack can be. It is really important we prepare well and we The tour was originally to are ready for all of that.” begin on July 30, but the pan- Holder is also the top ranked Test all-rounder, followed by demic delayed all tours, and England’s Ben Stokes, and West Indies head coach Phil Simmons England’s three-test series has predicted their rivalry would light up the series. against the West Indies next negative in the second round number of national cases and understands that flexibility and “Jase is one of the most well-respected guys in interna- month isn’t scheduled to end on Thursday. Fakhar Zaman, availability of testing labs in adaptability will be needed with tional cricket,” Root said. until July 28. Mohammad Hasnain, some players’ hometowns, I his training and practice “He took the job at a young age and we are starting to see Pakistan’s itinerary “will be Mohammad Hafeez, think the PCB medical panel schedule while operating under him at the peak of his career. announced in due course,” the Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab have done a good job to get us various guidelines.’ “He comes across as a very good bloke. I am looking forward ECB said. Khan and Wahab Riaz will now through this process. “I want to reassure the to chatting to him from a social distance.” “This was a challenging and have to pass another test next “Based on the national players and the official left unprecedented process that we week before they could join the spread of players, there were behind that the PCB will provide Pakistan's management has have conducted and I am team in England. always going to be some logis- them best support and look pleased that following a second Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, tical challenges; we have taken after them during the quar- more experience of English round of testing, we are able to Kashif Bhatti and Imran Butt a number of learnings from the antine period. confirm 20 players and 11 again tested positive in the process that we will take “It needs to be remembered conditions than others: Azhar player support personnel will second round of testing. forward with us. that these players were asymp- travel to Manchester on PCB official Wasim Khan “With the Test series being tomatic, which means their IANS - LAHORE Sunday,” Pakistan Cricket said Hafeez and Riaz both played first in August, Misbah chances of regaining complete Board chief executive Wasim underwent testing at a private is satisfied with the group of fitness are higher and brighter Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali said that he hopes the expe- Khan said. lab after their first PCB test was players that are travelling on than most. rience that the team management has of playing in England Upon arrival in England, the positive earlier this week. Sunday as the focus will be on “As soon as these players and away conditions in general would come handy in their players will go into isolation for “Due to the increasing red-ball preparation. Misbah test negative twice through the tour of the country next month. Pakistan’s tour of England is 14 days in Worcester before PCB testing process they will be set to start on August 5 with a three-match Test series. Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez celebrates transferring to Derbyshire’s flown to England to join the Pakistan go in with a star-studded backroom staff headed Incora County Ground on July a half century during an ICC Cricket World squad. by head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq. Batting great 13. During the isolation period, Cup match against England at Trent Bridge, “I am aware Mohammad Younis Khan is the batting coach while former captain Waqar the team will be allowed to train Nottingham, Britain, in this June 3, 2019, Hafeez and Wahab Riaz took Younis is the bowling coach. Former spinner Mushtaque Ahmed and practice. file photo. personal tests outside of our is the spin bowling coach of the team. Pakistan had some good process prior to the second PCB “I don’t think we have any problems as far as experience news yesterday when its Test testing. While their results came is concerned,” said Azhar in a videoconference with reporters captain Azhar Ali and limited- up negative, as per the PCB yesterday. overs skipper Babar Azam were testing programme, they are “Misbah has captained the team for seven years, Younis among players with negative deemed to have one negative bhai has been a captain and a player for so many years around results from a second round of test following a positive test. the world. The experience that Waqar bhai or Mushi bhai have testing. Khan and Nazir were Therefore, once they are is more than any other bowler could have and in terms of crick- among five reserve players and retested and receive a second eting knowledge.” both tested negative. negative result under the PCB Azhar said that the coaches and himself had played a lot Out of the 10 players who testing programme, they will be of county cricket and so they have experience of playing in tested positive in the first round available to join the squad in England. of PCB testing, six tested England,” Khan said. Wuhan’s spot on 2020 calendar offers hope for all, says official

REUTERS - WUHAN of the first to experience the adding that a final call on the closest to being back to normal event was expected by early When the WTA announced a that we see around the world. August. “In many ways Wuhan provisional list of tournaments It’s a very hopeful story for not is fortunate that the tournament Petra Kvitova of Czech for the remainder of a season just Wuhan but for China, for is towards the end of the cal- Republic plays against that will be forever defined by the world, of overcoming a huge endar and it’s got the maximum Dominika Cibulkova the COVID-19 outbreak last challenge.” time for recovery.” of Slovakia during the week, one name above all stood After a cluster of new cases There are many roadblocks Wuhan Open final clash in out -- the Wuhan Open. of the virus in May sparked fears still and Perry concedes that It was in the central Chinese of a second spike, Wuhan tested convincing players to sign up Wuhan, Hubei Province, city, the home of China’s first 9.9 million people out of a pop- will be a tall order. China, in this October 1, Grand Slam champion Li Na, ulation of 11 million. The current top three in the 2016, file photo. that the novel coronavirus first “I feel that Wuhan did some rankings - Ash Barty, Simona emerged before spreading to incredible job on recovery,” Halep and Karolina Pliskova - the rest of the world, forcing the Perry said. “I don’t think we were in the 2019 field of the suspension of professional hear much about that. Not as event. tennis in early March. much as the fact that COVID-19 Perry appreciates that ath- Wuhan has accounted for started in Wuhan. And they letes will have health concerns the majority of China’s corona- have almost everything back to but she hopes to use her back- virus deaths to date and the city normal, whether it’s transport ground as a former professional was subject to one of the or restaurants or cinemas, and a player representative on strictest lockdowns in the world people going back to work in the WTA board to help convince for 76 days. the offices or their industries.” them to play. “To go through that, to Perry said she had been in “It’s going to be very overcome that, I think it’s huge,” touch with the local organising important that we communicate cities to go to anywhere in the prize money. The Wuhan Open looking at trying to be inno- the tournament’s co-director team on a daily basis as they to the players,” she said. “(If it’s world because it’s probably the is currently committed to vative as to what we can offer,” Brenda Perry said from her prepare to start the tournament unsafe) I’ll be the first one to go most tested city in the world.” having no fans -- 13,500 of Perry said. “One of the things home in Auckland. on Oct. 19, pending government ‘Hey, you shouldn’t be going Because of the financial them turned out for the 2019 could be being associated with “It’s huge symbolism and I approval and confirmation that there’. impact of the COVID-19 final -- and negotiations with such a positive comeback. I think very inspiring for eve- players will be able to travel. “I have zero hesitation right shutdown on sport, Wuhan, like sponsors are expected to be think that will hopefully be a rybody there. “I’ve never heard from Wuhan, now about going to Wuhan... I all of the WTA’s Premier 5 tricky. “It’s a very different con- story of interest for our sponsors “At the moment that’s one ‘we can’t do this’,” she said, believe it’s one of the safest events, will see a 32% cut in versation now and we are to be associated with.” Australians flock to tennis courts after Anisimova rallies to beat lockdown restrictions are relaxed Dolehide in Charleston AFP - WASHINGTON REUTERS - SYDNEY own pace. TA said data from its “Book a and trust have been the most important Court” online system showed a record factors as clubs and coaches across the Amanda Anisimova saved a match point en route to a 5-7, 7-5, Australians have flocked to tennis courts 32,234 bookings made last month, with country have prepared for the return to 10-2 victory over fellow American Caroline Dolehide at the invi- in record numbers since social distancing traffic doubling from a year earlier among tennis and the team has done a remarkable tational women’s tennis tournament in Charleston, South Carolina. measures put in place to contain the venues that were using the system in May job to give everyone the information and Anisimova, 18, was staring at defeat when she trailed 5-7, 3-5 COVID-19 outbreak were relaxed, Tennis 2019. bio security protocols they need to get against her hard-hitting opponent, but the 2019 French Open Australia (TA) said yesterday. “We’ve always known that tennis is a players back on court as safely as possible. semi-finalist blasted a forehand down the line to save match point Australia has been generally successful unique sport – it can be played by anyone As restrictions in most of the country con- and turned the tide, eventually triumphing in a 10-point in containing the new coronavirus, even if no matter their age or ability – and now, tinue to ease over the coming months, we tiebreaker. the populous southern state of Victoria on during the pandemic, we are seeing more hope to build on these results as we With the WTA slated to resume play in Palermo on August 3, Friday experienced a 10th straight day of people enjoying the social, mental and approach our summer.” this week’s 16-player team event in Charleston -- on the green double-digit new infections. physical benefits of (tennis) while main- Professional tennis also returns to Aus- clay courts that normally host a WTA event each year -- is a chance The relaxation of restrictions began in taining strict physical distancing measures,” tralia this weekend with the A$450,000 for players to gain a little match experience in the disrupted year. some parts of Australia in early May and TA chief executive Craig Tiley said in a ($311,000) UTR Pro Series getting underway “That’s why I miss being out here, just trying to face chal- the government has pledged to remove the statement. under strict biosecurity protocols at closed lenges on court and get yourself back together mentally as quick bulk of them by the end of July, although “The increase in bookings we’ve seen venues in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, as possible,” said Anisimova, who won 25 of the match’s final 28 each state and territory is determining its across the country is not accidental. Safety Adelaide and Perth. points. 10 SPORT SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2020

1986 WC winning Bayern demolish Wolfsburg former Argentina 4-0 to end season on high manager tests positive for COVID-19 REUTERS - BERLIN

IANS - BUENOS AIRES Bayern Munich, already crowned Bundesliga champions last week, lifted the league trophy in an Carlos Bilardo, the former Argentina manager who led empty stadium yesterday after the team to victory in the 1986 World Cup, has tested crushing hosts VfL Wolfsburg 4-0 positive for coronavirus. According to reports in the on the final matchday. Argentine media, the 82-year-old Bilardo is asympto- The Bavarians, who have matic and lives in a nursing home where 10 other occu- matched a club record of 25 pants have tested positive for the virus. He suffers from a matches in all competitions brain disorder. without defeat and are unbeaten Estudiantes La Plata, the club where he played and in the Bundesliga in 2020, went managed later, sent a message of encouragement for him ahead in the fourth minute with on their Twitter page. “We are in this match with you Kingsley Coman netting from Carlos!” they tweeted on Friday. Thomas Mueller’s 21st assist, a Bilardo was famous for bringing the 3-5-2 formation league record. to mainstream success with his world champion Argentina Mickael Cuisance then rifled side that featured the legendary Diego Maradona. Apart in from 25 metres for a sensa- from leading the team to the title in 1986, he also led them tional goal in the 37th and the to the final in 1990. 20-year-old Frenchman earned In Europe, he managed Spanish side Sevilla after a penalty, which resulted in leaving Argentina. He then went on to manage Argentine Joshua Guilavogui being sent off giants Boca Juniors before spending brief periods as with a second booking. Bun- manager of Guatamela and Libya. He returned to Estudi- desliga top scorer Robert antes to lead them for a year between 2003 and 2004. Lewandowski converted it for his Bilardo was admitted to intensive care in July 2019 34th goal of the season. Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer celebrates with team-mates after winning the Bundesliga title following with Hakim-Adams syndrome. Since his discharge, he has The Polish striker earned his their match against VfL Wolfsburg at Volkswagen Arena yesterday. been residing in the nursing home. fifth Bundesliga top scorer award and his third in a row. Mueller coroanvirus break. So in a way With no families, fans or an address before the trophy then made it 4-0 in the 79th it is a special league title for us,” friends in the stands to share ceremony. minute as Bayern took their he said of his first title in his their joy, the Bayern players were “We have never experienced season goal tally to 100, one less debut season as head coach in left to celebrate lifting the spar- a season ending in such a way, than the league record set by the Bundesliga. kling trophy with a handful of no fans, no whistles, no cheers,” them in the 1971-72 season. For Wolfsburg the defeat club bosses in the stands. he said. “I am just proud of the way denied them a direct Europa Bayern can win more sil- “It is not the Bundesliga we we have presented ourselves in League group stage spot, leaving verware next week with the want but the only Bundesliga that the past months,” said coach them in seventh place. German Cup final against Bayer could be played under the Hansi Flick, who took over as The bizarre trophy ceremony Leverkusen. circumstances. interim coach in November. in the empty Wolfsburg stadium They are also still in the This championship title Flick has since signed a deal was a reflection of the season Champions League. belongs a bit to all of us to have Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona (right) and to 2023. that was interrupted for more “It is a special but strange played the season out and it ends 1986 World Cup winning coach Carlos Bilardo are seen “Obviously we were relieved than two months in March due moment,” said German football with a sporting champion,” he to resume play after the to the COVID-19 pandemic. League CEO Christian Seifert in added. in this file photo. Robben comes out of Coaching wears you out, I won’t retirement to sign for boyhood side Groningen do it for 20 years, says Zidane AFP - MADRID: based on a solid defence, which conceded nine goals REUTERS - AMSTERDAM Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane says during a 21-match unbeaten run being a coach is exhausting and earlier this season. Since La Liga Arjen Robben is seeking to make a sensational comeback to profes- insists he has no intention of doing resumed, Madrid have let in two sional soccer after signing with his boyhood club FC Groningen it for 20 years. goals in four. for the 2020-21 season, the Dutch Eredivisie side said yesterday. Zidane took charge of Real The core of the defensive unit Robben, 36, retired last year after winning his eighth Bun- Madrid in 2016 before resigning two has been Thibaut Courtois in goal, desliga title with Bayern Munich, but will now return to Gron- years later, explaining he felt the with and Raphael ingen, where he made his professional debut as a 16-year-old in club needed a change. In his Varane in front and Casemiro pro- 2000. goodbye press conference, Zidane tecting in central midfield. The former Netherlands international, who has also played said he had not forgotten “the hard “Ramos and Varane are excep- for Chelsea, PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid, has won 12 league moments” of the job. tional,” said Zidane. titles in a glittering career, and 96 caps for his country including But he returned towards the “I don’t like to talk about indi- playing in the 2010 World Cup final in Johannesburg. end of last season and has revi- viduals but this duo has an excep- Groningen confirmed Robben has been back in training for talised a struggling team, with tional record. the past few weeks in order to be ready for the next season and Madrid beating Real Mallorca on “They give us a lot of security. Robben told the club’s website the potential of a comeback had Wednesday to go top of La Liga with For me, even as someone who likes been on the cards for some time now. seven games left. to play more, the defence is the “In recent weeks I have had many discussions with people “I won’t coach for 20 years, I important thing these days.” within the club, but perhaps I listened most to the words of the will retire before that,” said Zidane Madrid play away today against supporters, who said: ‘Arjen, follow your heart!’ in a press conference yesterday. La Liga’s bottom club Espanyol, “It started as an itch and now it’s become my mission. I’m “I haven’t planned anything in who are on their fourth coach of the working on a comeback as a footballer,” he said. my head. What keeps me going is season after sacking Abelardo Fern- But Robben admitted he was not sure whether he can still do the day-to-day. In my head I have andez and putting sporting director it. “I don’t know yet whether this will work. What I do know is always been in football, I spent Francisco Rufete in charge. that it will not depend on my commitment and motivation. It is almost 18 years as a player and I Zidane will be without Luka now my dream to play in the shirt of FC Groningen again,” he said I would never be a coach. Now Modric and Ferland Mendy, who are said. I am and it wears you out a lot. We both suspended. “We aren’t going More details are expected at a news conference, planned by will see but not for 20 years, that’s to be complacent,” Zidane said. “It’s the club for today. for sure.” first against last but that doesn’t The Dutch season is set to start on Sept. 12, giving Robben Madrid’s resurgence has been mean anything.” more than two months of training. Real Madrid’s French coach Zinedine Zidane gestures during the Spanish League football match against at the Reale Arena- Stadium in San Sebastian in this June 21, 2020, file photo. Liverpool slam fans’ ‘wholly unacceptable’ title celebrations

Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben in action with AEK Athens’ Niklas AFP - LONDON in the city’s Pier Head waterfront area, Police and Liverpool City Council, the club Hult during a Champions League, Group Stage, match at OAKA according to Roy. condemned supporters who ignored social Spiros Louis, Athens, Greece, in this October 23, 2018, file photo. Premier League champions Liverpool were Deputy chief executive of the North distancing advice. forced to criticise their fans’ “wholly unac- West Ambulance Service Mick Forrest said “Our city is still in a public health crisis ceptable” behaviour after police claimed crews were sent to 34 emergencies as a and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable,” glasses and bottles were thrown at them result of the violence. read the statement. Gladbach reaches Champions during title celebrations that turned violent. Twenty-seven people were taken to “The potential danger of a second peak Liverpool supporters have ignored hospital, three in a serious condition. of COVID-19 still exists and we need to work League, Düsseldorf relegated coronavirus social distancing guidelines “The crowd largely dispersed by about together to make sure we don’t undo eve- since Jurgen Klopp’s side were crowned 1.30am and a short time later officers were rything that has been achieved as a region AP - BERLIN English champions for the first time in 30 confronted by a group of people more than during lockdown.” years on Thursday. 100 strong who sought confrontation with Liverpool’s mayor, Joe Anderson, also Borussia Mönchengladbach qualified for the Champions League Thousands have flocked into the city the police,” Roy said. condemned the scenes, claiming on Twitter and Fortuna Düsseldorf was relegated by a single point on the centre to party after many initially gathered “They were committing acts of disorder they had brought a “negative focus” on the last day of the Bundesliga yesterday. around Anfield. and then threw glasses and bottles at the city. Germany becomes the first major European league to com- With many drinking to excess, the title police when they tried to intervene,” he Social media images showed a firework plete a full season after restarting during the coronavirus celebrations have turned ugly. said. hitting the Liver Bird building, one of the pandemic. Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Con- “Specially trained officers in protective city’s most famous landmarks, during a Gladbach secured its return to the Champions League for the stable Jon Roy said two officers needed kit had to disperse them and we then had second night of celebrations on Friday. first time since 2016-17 by beating Hertha Berlin 2-1 to finish medical treatment for injuries to their backs a number of really violent, absolutely unac- Vast amounts of rubbish were cleared fourth ahead of Bayer Leverkusen. after bottles were thrown as they went to ceptable, incidents of violence and disorder by the council yesterday morning. Werder Bremen avoided automatic relegation in dramatic help an assault victim in a crowd of sup- throughout the city centre.” “Seeing thousands of people congre- style by demolishing Cologne 6-1 to overtake Düsseldorf, which porters on Friday. Fifteen people have been arrested for gating at the Pier Head into the early hours leaves the Bundesliga after two seasons after losing to Union Berlin A group of about 100 people threw public order offences and one man was and the ugly scenes shared on social media 3-0. Playing its 1,900th Bundesliga game, Werder scored more glasses and bottles at riot police as they tried arrested on suspicion of assault, he said. afterwards was heartbreaking to see,” goals yesterday than in all of its other home games in 2020. to stop them committing acts of disorder In a joint statement with Merseyside Anderson said.