FOOTBALL| Page 4 GGOLF|OLF Page 7 Former Tearful Stanley Chelsea star ends drought Terry signs for with PGA Aston Villa National win

Tuesday, July 4, 2017 Shawwal 10, 1438 AH CYCLING Sagan powers to GULF TIMES stage win despite pedal glitch SPORT Page 8 Nadal, Murray stroll as Wimbledon starts ‘I am through to the second round. That’s a very important thing for me’

DPA London Wawrinka knocked out in fi rst round eading seeds Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal moved confi dently into the sec- ond round of Wimbledon yesterday with crushing straight-set wins against out-matchedL competition. A brief rain interruption stopped play, but the All England club was back in business within half an hour to get through a busy opening day of 64 singles matches. Holder Murray produced a fl awless 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Kazakh Alexander Bublik, while number four seed Nadal dispatched Australian John Millman 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 for his 850th win. London: Swiss fifth seed and French Open Top seed Murray had been plagued by hip runner-up Stan Wawrinka was knocked out of worries in the run-up week to the grass court Wimbledon in the first round by Russia’s Daniil major, but showed no sign of any compromise Medvedev yesterday, losing 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. as he schooled his opponent in one and three- World 49 Medvedev, making his Wimbledon quarter hours. debut, goes on to face Belgian qualifier Ruben Nadal was merciless as he moved onto grass Bemelmans for a place in the last 32. after dominating the clay season, hammering Defeat was Wawrinka’s sixth first round loss at out a no-drama victory. the All England Club although his eff orts were hampered by a left knee injury which required Top seed Murray had been an ice pack at the changeovers. Britain’s Andy Murray reacts after winning plagued by hip worries in against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik. the run-up week to the grass rhythm. But I hit the ball well. I don’t feel like I ness at “60, 65 per cent.” court major, but showed no made too many unforced errors. Kyrgios quit after receiving a visit from the sign of any compromise as he “I’m not in a lot of (hip) pain when I’m walk- trainer. It was the fi rst loss for him in the Wim- ing, that’s for sure. I’m certainly not hurting be- bledon fi rst round after reaching the last 16 the schooled his opponent in one tween the points. When I’m walking, it’s fi ne.” year before. “I just wasn’t 100 per cent. Take and three-quarter hours. Murray’s upcoming opponent will be dread- nothing away from him. He plays great grass locked German Dustin Brown, who beat Joao court tennis. He serves well. So he’s going to do “That was a very positive match for me, a Sousa 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-4. Murray is com- well,” Kyrgios said. good start,” the Spaniard said. “The only thing peting for the 12th time at Wimbledon and hop- Kyrgios said he had been warned off attempt- that means anything today was a very positive ing to become the fi rst British player — man or ing to play: “I spoke to the doctor before the start. woman — to defend a grand slam title since Fred tournament started. He was leaning towards me “I am through to the second round. That’s a Perry won Wimbledon from 1934-36. not even playing. very important thing for me. I didn’t win a lot Japan’s ninth seed, Kei Nishikori, mowed “But this is my favourite tournament, I do of matches over the last couple of years here in down Italian Marco Cecchinato 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 well here every year. So it’s tough for me to go Wimbledon. while French 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dis- out there and get beaten and pull out. It’s not “Today I won one, and I am looking forward patched local Brit Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-2, the easiest thing for me to do.” In women’s play, to play the second one.” 6-2. number two Simona Halep overwhelmed Kiwi Murray broke Bublik for 5-2 in the third set Nick Kyrgios quit his opening-round match qualifi er Marina Eraovic 6-4, 6-1; and fourth and earned three match points a game later with hip pain in a horror start for the Australian seed Elina Svitolina dispatched Ash Barty 7-5, as he served for victory. Bublik saved one on a 20th seed. Only an hour or two into the kick-off 7-6 (10-8). Murray error, but could not handle a return at of the fortnight, Kyrgios pulled the plug, tak- “My clay court season was pretty good. I his feet off a drop shot. Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves against Australia’s John Millman ing a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Pierre-Hugues Herbert, played the maximum of the last three tourna- “I played pretty good, moved quite well,” during their men’s singles first round match on the first day of ranked 70th. He had complained of the left hip ments, the fi nals.” Halep said. “But here is dif- Murray said. “He doesn’t give you loads of Wimbledon yesterday. problem coming into the major, rating his fi t- ferent, way diff erent than the clay court.”

BOTTOMLINE I’ll urge Pacquiao to quit, says trainer Roach

AFP sive style rocked Pacquiao, with the powers is that the Philippines senator can’t argue with the result. I scored a Brisbane, Australia three judges scoring the fi ght 117-111, hasn’t stopped an opponent in eight lot of the early rounds for Jeff . Then I 115-113 and 115-113 to the Australian years. had Manny coming back in the middle. before 51,000 fans at Suncorp Sta- Roach however called for an inves- “The 12th round, Jeff really won. If anny Pacquiao’s trainer dium. tigation into the scoring of American you give Manny the 11th, you have it a advised the Filipino legend Pacquiao, (59-7-2) who insisted on judge Waleska Roldan. draw. You give Jeff the 11th, it’s 7-5.” to quit boxing yesterday a Brisbane rematch as a clause in his She had the bout 117-111 to Horn, Horn’s father, Jeff Snr, revealed af- after his sensational defeat contract for the fi ght, declared how- giving Pacquiao only three of the 12 ter the fi ght that he had been ready Mto unheralded Australian Jeff Horn. ever that he would “absolutely” return rounds, despite Horn fi nishing the fi ght to throw in the towel after the brutal While controversy raged over the for a rematch. badly bruised and with a shut right eye. ninth round. scoring of Sunday’s World Boxing Or- “We have a clause for a rematch. No According to CompuBox statistics, His son had been battered by Pac- ganization welterweight title bout in problem,” Pacquiao said in the ring af- Pacquiao landed almost twice as many quiao and blood was streaming from a Brisbane, after all three judges awarded ter the judges’ decision. punches as Horn — 182 to 92. Judges nasty cut over Horn’s right eye. it to unbeaten Horn, there were doubts But Australian boxing great and American Chris Flores and Argentine As American referee Mark Nelson whether 38-year-old Pacquiao would three-time world champion Jeff Fenech Ramon Cerdan both thought it was made his way to Horn’s corner to ask return for a possible rematch. also called for Pacquiao, who retired closer, but Horn had edged the fi ght them whether they wanted to stop the Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach briefl y last year, to hang up his gloves 115-113. fi ght, Jeff Snr feared the worst. said he would consider advising Pac- for good this time. “I respect the judges’ decision,” Pac- “He was dead in the water in round quiao to retire after a glittering 22-year “If they let Manny fi ght again, that’s quiao said. “He was much tougher than nine, he was gone,” Jeff Snr said. professional career in which he won stupid,” Fenech said. I expected. Much, much tougher.” “I was very worried. If I had a towel I world titles at an unprecedented eight “He should go relax and enjoy the Pacquiao told Philippines television: may have thrown it myself in the ninth. weight divisions. money he has made. He’s got nothing “We thought that we won this fi ght.” I looked at his eyes and I thought he “I’m going to talk to Manny about to prove. Retire. However, Top Rank veteran supremo was out on his feet. I really thought he maybe calling it a day, maybe this is it,” “Jeff fought the right fi ght and took Bob Arum, who was ringside, felt the was in danger of getting hurt in round Roach said. Manny to places he’d not been before... win was fair. “It could have gone either nine. Given no chance by most observers, he made it a bit dirty.” way,” he said. “I didn’t expect him to come back the 29-year-old Horn’s ultra-aggres- Pacquiao: fading legend? A sense of Pacquiao’s declining “A couple of close rounds, but you like he did in round 10.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, July 4, 2017 SPORT

Kvitova makes winning Wimbledon comeback SPOTLIGHT Horn brushes AFP, London Johanna Larsson, ranked number 53. play here again. I was a bit tight, I was injury.“I feel no pain, which is good, but of But the Czech number two triumphed nervous before and I started really badly course I missed a few days of practising,” 6-3, 6-4 in a match on Centre Court with my serve and I need to improve it Kvitova said after yesterday’s win. aside backlash over wo-time champion Petra Kvi- watched by Prince William’s wife Kate, for sure, and my ground strokes.” “I hope with matches and practice it will tova made a victorious return to the patron of the All England Club and a It was only Kvitova’s eighth match back be better and better.” Wimbledon yesterday after the sympathetic crowd. after six months out recovering from her Larsson, who went into the contest hav- Pacquiao decision Tknife attack that threatened to “I felt the energy from the crowd and it knife wounds. ing lost all six of her previous matches end her career. was amazing to be back here at Wimble- Kvitova went out in the second round at at the All England Club, put up more of a In December she suff ered severe injuries don and playing on the beautiful Centre the French Open in May in her comeback fight in the second set but Kvitova broke to her left playing hand while fighting off Court. It’s the favourite court of my tournament but went on to win Birming- serve at a crucial time for a 5-4 lead a knife-wielding burglar at her home in a career,” Kvitova said. ham, one of the Wimbledon warm-up before serving for victory. terrifying assault. “It was my motivation to come back and events. Kvitova, 27, won the 2011 and 2014 The world number 12 had a relatively play in Wimbledon. I’m very happy that She was due to play at Eastbourne last Wimbledon titles in her only Grand Slam tough first round opponent in Sweden’s the dream came true and I was able to week but pulled out with an abdominal finals appearances.

TENNIS Devastated Venus sobs over crash that killed man Williams was repeatedly asked about the incident by the media and eventually became so emotional she began to cry

Newly crowned World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jeff Horn of Australia holds up his belt as he is embraced by his wife Jo during a press conference in Brisbane yesterday.

Reuters 38-year-old in his fi rst title de- Sydney fence. “I’m happy to have a rematch, ustralia’s Jeff Horn it’d be good to have him back here brushed aside the out- fi ghting,” he added. cry against his shock “Manny Pacquiao is an abso- victory over Manny lute warrior, he’s a legend of this PacquiaoA on Monday and said he sport. He might have come in hoped taking the Filipino’s WBO underdone, if we have a rematch, welterweight title would help re- if he puts it all in, I don’t know...” invigorate boxing Down Under. Horn, whose career record The 29-year-old former improved to 17-0-1, said he schoolteacher was awarded a would also like to have a crack at unanimous 12-round decision 40-year-old Mayweather, who over the eight-division world has come out of retirement for a champion after a bloody battle in 12-round crossover bout against front of more than 51,000 fans at mixed martial arts champion Brisbane’s Lang Park on Sunday. Conor McGregor. Not everybody was happy “I hope so,” Horn said. “I’m with the victory, awarded with world champ now. And he has scores of 117-111, 115-113 and been out of action and coming 115-113 by the three judges, and back to have a fi ght with Conor former undisputed world heavy- McGregor. It will be a good test weight champion Lennox Lewis for him to cement his record in was among those who disputed history to fi ght another boxer for whether Horn should have won. his title.” “There’s always going to be the Horn, whose meeting with backlash where people are going Pacquiao shattered the Austral- to say I lucky, or whatever,” Horn, ian attendance record for a fi ght, his right eye swollen shut, told said he would prefer to defend his reporters in Brisbane yesterday. title on home soil and was hoping “There’s always naysayers say- for a bit more recognition ahead ing I didn’t win the fi ght. I think of his next bout. I won the fi ght, a lot of Queens- “It was, I guess, the Manny US player Venus Williams waves as she leaves the court after beating Belgium’s Elise Mertens during their women’s singles first round match on the first day of the 2017 landers think I won the fi ght and Show,” he said of Sunday’s fi ght. Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, yesterday. people around the world. So you “Even on TV, I can remember will always have the select few watching programmes saying the AFP son with a fractured spine and the room before returning, still “I’ve defi nitely played a lot of liams was deemed at fault for that are against you.” Manny Pacquiao fi ght in Bris- London numerous internal injuries be- visibly shaken, to fi nish the in- tennis. It’s a good thing to be on blocking the right of way of the The critics of the decision bane. fore his death several weeks later. terview session several minutes the court,” she said. other vehicle. pointed to the 182 to 92 punch “My name wasn’t normally After her 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 vic- later. “Tennis is still the love of my When she was asked how she count in favour of the Pacquiao, mentioned in those programmes, enus Williams broke tory over Elise Mertens in the Williams, who owns a home life. You know, it gives me joy. was coping mentally, Williams with some suggesting that Horn but now hopefully I’m a bit more down in tears during a Wimbledon fi rst round, world near the crash site, last week said “This is my 20th Wimbledon. added: “I have no idea what to- was awarded the victory for ef- recognised and I’ve established Wimbledon press con- number 11 Williams was repeat- she was “heartbroken” over the I never thought that I’d play this morrow will bring. That’s all I fort. myself in the boxing community ference yesterday when edly asked about the incident tragic incident as she prepared many. But I’m grateful to be here can say about it. That’s what I’ve “This is what’s wrong with a bit more.” Vshe was asked about her involve- by the media and eventually be- to make her 20th appearance at and to play.” learned.” boxing,” Lewis tweeted. “Horn Horn said he was prepared for ment in a fatal car crash. came so emotional she began to Wimbledon. The accident remains under At such a traumatic time, the was a very game but I’m hard the media attention becoming Williams is being sued by the cry. She was focused enough on investigation and Williams has seven-time Grand Slam winner pressed to see how he could have a world champion would bring, estate of an elderly Florida man “There are really no words to court against Mertens, but it not been charged. admitted she would have loved to won that fi ght by any stretch!” and hoped his victory would who died last month after his describe, like, how devastat- quickly became clear the press Williams’ attorney, Malcolm be able to spend more time with Pacquiao, whose defeat was trigger a renaissance in Austral- vehicle was hit by a car driven by ing and — yeah. I’m completely conference wasn’t going to be so Cunningham said his client en- her sister Serena. his fi rst since his blockbuster ian boxing. the American star. speechless. It’s just...” Williams easy to deal with. tered an intersection on a green But reigning Wimbledon clash with Floyd Mayweather “It puts Australian boxing on The 37-year-old is accused of said. Asked about her feelings dur- light that turned red during her champion Serena is out of action Jr in 2005, indicated on Sunday the map, it’s what we’ve needed running a red light, inattentive The fi ve-time Wimbledon ing such a diffi cult period, she turn, but she was stuck in the in- at the moment as she prepares to that he would take up the op- for a long time, it’s kind of died a driving and negligent operation champion held her head for sev- tried to keep her answers limited tersection because of traffi c. give birth to her fi rst child later tion of a rematch and Horn said bit in the past but hopefully this of a vehicle, leaving Jerome Bar- eral moments and asked to leave to tennis at fi rst. The police report said Wil- this year. he would be delighted to face the will invigorate it,” he said.

BOTTOMLINE Last thing Djokovic needs is a break: Agassi

Reuters than later. set against Thiem in Paris led some to knows,” he added. London “What’s really benefi cial is being suggest that Agassi may have underes- “We all go through that as former clear,” Agassi said. “A break isn’t ben- timated the magnitude of his task. number one players in the world or efi cial if you’re not giving yourself a But as the Serb earned his fi rst title champions who have gotten over the ndre Agassi has big plans for break because you know you want to be since January by winning in Eastbourne fi nishing line. Novak Djokovic as he looks to doing something else. last weekend, former world number “We all go through that and I think I steer him back toward his best “Playing isn’t benefi cial when you’re one Agassi said he had not been under went through that as extreme as any- tennis but there is one thing spent and you feel like you need a break any illusions before accepting the role, body.” Agassi said he was confi dent heA won’t be advocating — a break. and your team’s pushing you to play. So a job he says he is doing for free. Djokovic would fi nd a way back to his Former world No. 1 Mats Wilander does he need a break? No, I think he’s “You’ve got to remember my history best, sooner rather than later. was among those to suggest that the ready and he has clear objectives.” coming into this — I’ve seen behind the “I’m learning (about) somebody who best thing Djokovic could do would be When Djokovic was beaten by Do- curtain so I don’t look at these guys as has many more skills than me and a to take an extended break after Wim- minic Thiem in the French Open quar- machines,” said the 47-year-old Amer- huge heart — the heart of a lion — and bledon, allowing him to rest and regain ter-fi nals, Agassi had already left Paris, ican who won eight grand slam titles. the work ethic of a soldier,” he said. the form that deserted him in the fi rst due to prior commitments. “I knew what I was getting into. I “It’s beautiful tools to work with. I half of the year. He will be at Wimbledon throughout knew it was a daunting task to care can honestly say the hardest part about But Agassi, who began working — handily coinciding with his role as about somebody and care about him winning Wimbledon, the French or any with Djokovic at the French Open last ambassador for the Italian coff ee com- enough to show reservations. It’s easy of the slams, with his skill-set would be month, says Djokovic is motivated to pany, Lavazza. to say this is how you play your best sleeping at night because I’d be excited do the hard work required now, rather Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. The way Djokovic faded in the third tennis but he knows that, everybody to play the next day.” Gulf Times Tuesday, July 4, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

CONFEDERATIONS CUP Germany coach Loew spoilt for choice with World Cup looming Despite resting more than half a dozen key players this summer, Germany won the Confederations Cup for the first time

Reuters Saint Petersburg

fter Germany’s success at the Confederations Cup and Un- der-21 European champion- ship over the last few days, coachA Joachim Loew must feel like a kid in a candy store as he maps out his plans for next year’s World Cup title defence in Russia. Despite resting more than half a dozen key players this summer, Germany won the Confederations Cup for the fi rst time on Sunday by beating South American champions Chile 1-0. Two days earlier, the country’s Un- der-21 team secured the European title, shocking favourites Spain by the same score and confi rming the country’s stellar work at youth level. The 57-year-old Loew, now in his 11th year in charge, has a pool of more than 40 players to monitor as the clock ticks down to next year’s World Cup fi nals. All of them battle-tested and with tournament experience. “Joachim Loew now has the big chance, with a mix of experience and dynamism, to put together a strong squad (for next year),” said German Football Associa- tion (DFB) President Reinhard Grindel. “We have a big pool to chose from.” The biggest problem for Loew is like- ly to be who to leave out. Players like Confederations Cup top scorers Timo Werner, Lars Stindl and Leon Goretzka, who all netted three times at the tour- nament, have every right to believe their fi ne performances in Russia will be a stepping stone to the 2018 World Cup squad. Antonio Ruediger, Sebas- tian Rudy and Mathias Ginter also rose to the occasion while Julian Draxler, FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands the trophy to captain Julian Draxler after Germany beat Chile to win the Confederations Cup in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday. (AFP) who captained the team in the absence of Manuel Neuer, was voted player of Judging by performances over the one can aff ord to feel their position is Confederations Cup and the Under-21 something was happening in training, Chile were lucky not to have defend- the tournament. “We certainly have a last few days, it appears he may have secure with the likes of Under-21 play- Euro win are no guarantees. At a World we came together and it’s a really de- er Gonzalo Jara sent off for elbowing lot of players who in those two tour- at least three. At the top of the pile are ers Jeremy Toljan, Niklas Stark, Maxi- Cup there are fi ve, six teams you battle served win.” Werner in the face during the second naments have fi lled up on confi dence,” Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hum- milian Arnold, Max Meyer, Serge Gna- against and everyone must almost be “The team had to fi ght back, the half, but despite a review by the video Loew said. mels, Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, Mesut bry and Davie Selke pushing for a place superhuman to succeed.” Chileans are very robust and things assistant referee (VAR), Jara was only “But for those players the work is Ozil, Thomas Mueller and Marco Reus, in the full squad. Loew hailed Germany’s next genera- were heating up in the second half, we booked. “I didn’t see it from where I just starting, the big tournaments are who all sat out the tournament to be fi t While Loew was delighted to win tion of stars. Lars Stindl’s simple tap-in were fi ghting for every metre to defend was standing, but the VAR was con- still to come. To get to world class level and fresh for the coming year. both tournaments, he said the World was enough to seal Germany’s victory our lead. It was a magic match for our sulted and I saw the reply,” said Loew. is an even bigger challenge.” Loew has Injury kept several other fi rst team Cup would be an entirely diff erent in Sunday’s fi nal in St Petersburg. “I am young players, they haven’t had much “It could have been worthy of a red card long preached the importance of hav- players from the Confederations Cup, proposition. “Germany will always be immensely proud of this team, we have experience, but they showed their sin- and I think if a referee sees something ing two players for every position to be such as Leroy Sane, Ilkay Guendogan, one of the favourites, no matter what only been together for three-and-a- gle-minded determination, which was like that, he could and should have dis- successful at international level. Julian Weigl and Jonathan Tah. But no tournament,” Loew said. “Winning the half weeks,” said Loew. “You could feel quite impressive.” missed him.”

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Chile promise to stay faithful Mourinho frustrated at lack to their adventurous style of United summer signings By Jamie Jackson bling blocks. But there is sense that Woodward Reuters The Guardian needs to rise to the challenge of securing their sig- St Petersburg natures before Sunday. Mourinho said after the Eu- ropa League fi nal victory on 24 May: “Ed Woodward ose Mourinho is becoming increasingly frus- has my analysis, has what I want, what I would like outh American champions Chile trated at adding only Victor Lindelof to his for more than two months. Now it’s for him, now for have promised to stay faithful to sqaud in the current transfer window, with the owners and the people who work with him [to their adventurous approach which the Manchester United manager concerned sort], so I just wait.” often threatens to blow their oppo- noJ more major signings will be in place when the United play LA Galaxy on 16 July, Real Salt Lake nentsS away but also leaves their own defence pre-season tour starts on Sunday. City (18 July), Manchester City (21 July), Real Ma- dangerously exposed. After United won the Europa League fi nal against drid (23 July), and Barcelona (27 July) in a hectic 11- “Our gameplan is always to have the ini- Ajax in late May Mourinho publicly stated it was day schedule, following a six-day training camp at tiative, to take the leading role, have control down to Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chair- in Los Angeles. and create openings,” coach Juan Antonio man, to ensure his targets were secured as soon as Pizzi told reporters after his side lost 1-0 to possible. Yet six weeks later Mourinho has seen EVERTON’S LENNON RETURNS Germany in Sunday’s Confederations Cup deals for Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic and Real Ma- TO TRAINING AFTER TREATMENT fi nal. “Our commitment in the future is to drid’s Alvaro Morata stall. Former England international midfi elder Aaron continue doing the same.” The Portuguese remains hopeful the transfers of Lennon returned to training with his Premier Chile were once renowned as relative the midfi elder and No. 9 can be secured before Sun- League side Everton yesterday almost two months lightweights in South America but in the day. However it is understood that Mourinho will after being detained by police for a ‘stress-related last few years have become one of the con- be dismayed if Lindelof, a 22-year-old centre-back, incident’. The 30-year-old former Leeds United tinent’s most inventive and versatile sides, is the only new player who will be on the plane to and Tottenham Hotspur star – who won the last of with a readily identifi able whirlwind style America and then relations between Mourinho and his 21 caps in 2013 – was photographed in the gym of play. They invariably press high and try to Woodward could become strained. training. win possession deep in the opposition’s half Mourinho is intent that United make a serious “Fantastic to see Aaron Lennon back at Finch and, when they have the ball, throw play- challenge for the Premier League title next season Farm,” tweeted Everton FC Photos referring to the ers forward in numbers in a manner which after fi nishing sixth at the close of his fi rst term in club’s training facilities. Lennon – who won the former Spain coach Vicente del Bosque once charge. In order to do so the 54-year-old wanted 2008 League Cup with Spurs – was detained by po- said was like “facing 11 kamikazes.” to have at least three of the four key new players he lice under the Mental Health Act in early May. Marcelo Bielsa, the eccentric Argentine wants integrated as early as possible. Lennon had not played for the club since February coach who took them to the 2010 World Woodward fl ew to New Zealand to attend the 11th but Everton – who paid Spurs £4 million ($5.2 Cup, began the transformation which was British and Irish Lions fi rst test against the All million, 4.5 million euros) in September 2015 for continued by Jorge Sampaoli who led them Chile’s forward Alexis Sanchez reacts during the Confederations Cup final against Germany Blacks at the end of last month and this caused his services – supported him throughout the time to their fi rst major title, the Copa America in at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Sunday night. (AFP) some surprise among Mourinho’s staff . There is an he was treated. Under the Mental Health Act, po- 2015, and by Pizzi. acknowledgment that Chelsea’s desire to land Mo- lice can detain people to assess whether they need Under Pizzi they also won last year’s Copa their goal is also a way of defending. We support him fully. Of course, he’s disap- naco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko before allowing Matic to urgent treatment for a mental health disorder and if Centenario, a special tournament to cele- prefer this to sitting back and playing on the pointed but we need to move on and become leave and Real’s interest in David De Gea are stum- they are a risk of harm to themselves or others. brate the Copa America’s 100th anniversary. counter-attack.” stronger from this.” Despite their two titles, Chile often threaten He said it had won them admiration from Pizzi admitted Germany’s goal knocked Manchester United manager to blow themselves out and recent results other teams. “It was remarkable how much the confi dence out of the chileans as Arturo Jose Mourinho. have been inconsistent. respect we got from our opponents.” Vidal and substitute Angelo Sagal both fi red They still have a fi ght on their hands to Pizzi defended midfi elder Marcelo Diaz second-half shots over the bar. qualify for next year’s World Cup, currently despite the fi rst-half blunder which cost “Their goal changed everything – it lying fourth in the 10-team South Ameri- ‘La Roja’ the title. Diaz’s momentary lapse changed the way my players felt and made can group where only the top four qualify of concentration in Saint Petersburg let our opponents better,” said Pizzi. directly. Pizzi admitted that poor fi nishing Timo Werner rob him of possession, draw “Even then, we kept fi ghting and control- let them down in Russia. “Converting your goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and pass to Lars ling the game and created more chances, but chances is one of the most diffi cult things Stindl, who tapped the winning goal into an one of the hardest things is to score and we’ll to do in football, and when you take them, it empty net on 20 minutes. keep working to improve the team.” completely changes the course of the game,” “Marcelo, like his team-mates, is sad, Despite chile picking up four yellows he said, adding that his team did not know we are all sad,” said Pizzi. “However, we re- cards – including Gonzalo Jara who could how to play any other way. ally value his style and the world of football have been sent off for elbowing Werner in “Our gameplan was what you saw from knows the way we play is because of Marce- the face – Pizzi defended his team’s aggres- the start,” he said.”We like to play this way lo. With our kind of style of play, things can sion. “It’s a fi nal and that is the reason the and we believe it gives us a better chance. happen. No one expected that, but this sort game is played at such a high intensity,” he Putting opponents under pressure near of situation can happen in a match and we said. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, July 4, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Bellerin joins Sterling in fi re fund Former Chelsea defender donation London: Hector Bellerin joined fellow Premier League star Raheem Sterling in mak- ing a sizeable donation to the victims and their families of the deadly Grenfell Tower fire, Terry joins Aston Villa it was reported yesterday. At least 80 people were killed in the blaze that con- Terry, 36, left champions Chelsea after 22 trophy-laden years at the end of last season sumed the tower block in west London on June 14, with the AFP cladding blamed for spread- London ing the fire throughout the Aston Villa beat off competition 24-floor block. Arsenal defend- from a number of other sides to er Bellerin has given £19,050 ormer long-serving Chelsea sign John Terry. (21,700 euros, $24,700) to captain John Terry signed a one- the fund having pledged to year contract on a free transfer off er £50 for every minute he for second tier side Aston Villa played for Spain at the recent yesterday.F Terry, 36 and who left cham- European Under-21 champion- pions Chelsea after 22 trophy-laden ships in Poland. years at the end of last season having The 22-year-old played 381 lifted the Premier League title, is re- minutes during Spain’s suc- ported to have agreed a weekly salary of cessful campaign which saw £60,000 (68,300 euros, $77,700) with them fall at the final hurdle, the club that is owned by Chinese busi- losing 1-0 to Germany last nessman Tony Xia. Friday. His donation will go to Villa manager Steve Bruce — a former the British Red Cross. central defender of renown himself “I promised to donate £50 having captained Manchester United — for every minute I played at made no bones about the signifi cance of #U21Euro. I will be donating to persuading Terry to join. @BritishRedCross. “It has to be the biggest signing of my Please support in any way career,” said Bruce. “It’s not often you you can,” tweeted Bellerin. get a player of John’s calibre to play for Manchester City and Eng- you. A lot of the younger players will land winger Raheem Sterling, look up to him and it can only be a good who began his football career thing for the dressing room.” at QPR, a mile from the tower, Bruce, though, had one minor quib- also made what has been ble. “We would love to have signed him termed a ‘substantial dona- when he was 26 not 36 but physically he tion’ to those aff ected. “This is is incredibly fi t for his age...,” he said. a deep and sad situation, one Terry, whose fi nal appearance for that’s close to my heart and Chelsea was mired in controversy with hard to swallow,” he told the several fans winning money on betting BBC the day after the tragedy. on him being substituted in the 26th “I would like to help in the minute the same number as his shirt, best way I can. It is only a said he preferred to drop down a league small step, but small steps than have to face Chelsea. lead to big changes if we all “It was that mental side of play- come together.” ing against Chelsea that would be too much to get over,” said Terry, who had off ers from Premier League sides West Brom and Swansea. “I had 22 unbeliev- able years at the football club. This is a new chapter. I wish Chelsea well but my thoughts are 100% here and the ambi- tion to get back in the Premier League.” “I am delighted to be here as a player. to play and give it everything this year. I champions tweeted. By a strange symmetry, he will have season training, before the new sea- It is obviously a huge club, I had a few am here, I am ready to fi ght for the Villa Birmingham City, Villa’s cross-city spent his entire career at clubs who have son which begins at home to Hull City, conversations with (manager) Steve shirt and for this football club.” rivals, also off ered him a deal, their won the European Cup, having also ap- Bruce’s former club, on August 5th. The (Bruce) over the summer. I am very Terry joins the side against whom he manager Harry Redknapp said. “We peared on loan in 2000 for Nottingham signing is a bit of a coup for Villa — who hungry to still play at the top with a club made his senior debut 19 years ago in a made him a good off er. I would be a Forest, the holders in 1979 and 1980. endured a torrid time last season never and a manager who still has the same League Cup third round tie. “Life has hypocrite if I said he was not a top play- Aston Villa won the Cup in 1982, while threatening to return immediately to ambition as me. The ambition for me to come full circle,” he said. Chelsea also er. Aston Villa have signed a top player,” Chelsea claimed the trophy, recast as the Premier League fi nally fi nishing continue playing some people will un- tweeted their best wishes. “Wishing he said. Terry will wear the No. 26 shirt, the Champions League, in 2012. 13th — as they faced competition from derstand and some people will not. I am John Terry the very best of luck at As- the same as he did at Chelsea, and is Terry is expected to fl y out to Portugal not only Premier League clubs but also in good physical condition. I am ready ton Villa! (with a thumbs-up icon),” the tipped to become the club’s captain. to join his team-mates at the club’s pre- Turkish giants Galatasaray.

TRANSFER FOCUS Everton sign Ramirez from Malaga Capello hits rock The Guardian “Everton have made some big signings bottom in China London and we’re hoping we can put in a great Sandro Ramirez scored season and hopefully then we can achieve AFP one point. SIPG did it without 16 goals in 31 games for that aim of getting in the Champions Shanghai the suspended Oscar, Hulk and verton have signed the striker Malaga last season. League,” Sandro said. Wu Lei, and Villas-Boas was also Sandro Ramirez from Malaga for “It will be a big season for us. I was absent as he served the fi rst of a €6mn (£5.3mn). The fee repre- lucky enough to play with some of the abio Capello’s Jiangsu two-match ban for a social media sents the Spain Under-21 inter- best players in the world and managed Suning slumped to the post protesting about an eight- national’sE buyout clause. Sandro, who to win the odd trophy but the important bottom of the Chi- game ban dished out to Oscar for played for Barcelona before joining Ma- thing now is that I’m very happy to be nese Super League at sparking a brawl. laga last year, was on international duty signing for Everton.” Fthe weekend after a defeat to a Their victory, thanks to the at the European Under-21 Championship Sandro won La Liga with Barcelona Shanghai SIPG side missing their only goal of the game by striker in Poland and scored in Spain’s 3-1 win in 2014-15 and 2015-16, making seven banned star players and manager Elkeson, made it no wins from against Portugal last week. league appearance in the fi rst season and Andre Villas-Boas. three games for former Real Ma- The 21-year-old had also been linked 10 during the following campaign. “I’m The Italian coach was left still drid boss Capello in the league. heavily with Atletico Madrid but their bringing a lot of youthful enthusiasm and searching for his fi rst league SIPG’s win, coupled with Ever- hopes were scuppered by a transfer ban. a real desire to improve and work hard,” victory since being appointed grande’s 4-3 defeat at Tianjin He has signed a four-year contract. San- he said. “One of the things I’ve always last month at Jiangsu, who have Quanjian, made it a hugely sat- dro scored 16 goals in 31 games for Malaga had is a good work ethic and a real desire spent heavily on midfi elder isfying weekend for the club af- last season. He is Everton’s fi fth summer and strength of character to do well. Ramires from Chelsea and at- ter a troubled week of bans and signing, following the goalkeeper Jordan “My key strength is goalscoring. It’s tacking midfi elder Alex Teixeira. suspensions for Villas-Boas and Pickford for an initial £25mn, the mid- always good to bring goals to a team and They were runners-up last his stars. The victory for Tianjin fi elder Davy Klaassen for £23.7mn, the that’s what I’m hoping to do. My game season but hit rock-bottom at Quanjian propelled them up to forward Henry Onyekuru for £7mn as is making runs off the ball, trying to fi nd the weekend with the 1-0 home fourth in the table after 15 games well as Nathangelo Markelo for an undis- space, putting in a lot of eff ort and run- loss to SIPG, who closed the gap and ended a 10-game winning closed fee and takes the club’s summer ning hard. I think that’s an advantage in on leaders and reigning cham- run in the league for Luiz Felipe spending to over £60mn. the Premier League.” pions Guangzhou Evergrande to Scolari’s Evergrande.

ROUND-UP Real Madrid defender Coentrao questioned in tax fraud probe Real Madrid’s Portuguese defender Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d’Or in 1995 — made his name at Gonalons has over 300 Ligue 1 appear- out long-term. Swansea, who preserved Fabio Coentrao (left), accused of is due to be questioned by a Spanish Monaco from 1988 and enjoyed success ances and many Champions League their Premier League status by the skin evading nearly 1.3mn euros in income judge on July 31 after allegedly evading with PSG and AC Milan over the next campaigns under his belt. of their teeth last term, are hopeful from the tax man, was questioned in 14.7 mn euros in taxes. Ronaldo’s agent decade. of strengthening their midfi eld in the court yesterday, a judicial source said. Jorge Mendes, meanwhile, appeared in He also played for Chelsea and SWANSEA’S KI FACES coming days with Spaniard Roque Mesa He appeared in court in Pozuelo de court last week where he denied helping Manchester City in the English Premier EARLY SEASON LOCKOUT who plays for Las Palmas. Alarcon, a wealthy suburb of the Span- create shell companies for his clients to League. Like his father, Timothy Weah Korean international midfi elder Ki ish capital where many footballers live, assist them in evading taxes. plays centre-forward but as he was born Sung-Yueng dealt a blow to Swansea WEST BROM SIGN CHINA’S ZHANG said a spokesman for the high court of in New York grew up playing in Brook- yesterday as the Premier League side West Bromwich Albion have signed the Madrid region — which oversees all WEAH’S SON SIGNS PSG PRO DEAL lyn and Queens before joining New York announced he would miss the start of China striker Zhang Yuning from Dutch other courts in the area. The 17-year-old son of iconic Liberian Red Bulls. He then joined PSG at the the season due to a knee injury. side Vitesse Arnhem on a three-year The spokesman refused to give any striker George Weah has joined Paris under-15’s level where insiders say he The 28-year-old — who Swan- contract, the Premier League club said. other details. But according to two Saint-Germain’s professional ranks on has gone from strength to strength. sea signed from Celtic for £6million West Brom described the deal for the other judicial sources, who refused to be a three-year deal, the French Ligue 1 ($7.8mn, 6.9mn euros) in 2012 — is to 20-year-old as a “development project”, named, the 29-year-old paid out 1.7mn club said. Timothy Weah, who strongly ROMA SIGN LYON’S GONALONS remain in South Korea after undergoing adding that he will immediately join euros ($1.9mn) to tax authorities before resembles his father in both look and Lyon captain and midfi elder Maxime an operation on the knee he injured in a German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen going to court — the sum owed plus gait, was unveiled by the club holding Gonalons has signed a four-year deal recent 2018 World Cup qualifi er against on loan for two years. interest. Prosecutors allege that he used their shirt bearing his name and the with Serie A runners-up Roma, the Qatar. Zhang joined Vitesse from Hangzhou companies in Ireland and Panama to number 2020, in reference to the length French club said yesterday. The France The club’s medical team have been Greentown in 2015 and was part of the avoid taxes on the income earned from of his contract. international takes a well beaten trail out to South Korea to assess him fol- side that won the KNVB cup last season. his image rights between 2012 and 2014. His 50-year-old father — a former as Roma have a long history of sign- lowing the operation. Although no date He also scored twice on his international Coentrao is just one of several football three-times African Footballer of the ing French players and the 28-year-old has been set yet for his return to action, debut against Trinidad and Tobago in stars accused of tax evasion. His Real Year and the only African to win the arrives for a fee of 5mn euros ($5.6mn). the injury is not expected to keep him June last year. Gulf Times Tuesday, July 4, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Rich NBA player deals bring envy Iguodala stays with from NFL talent

AFP under NBA rules. New York Among the reported NBA deals is Stephen Curry agree- ing to stay with the reigning uff alo Bills receiver NBA champion Golden State Warriors, Tucker, Sammy Watkins is Warriors for the richest con- looking with envy at tract in NBA history, a fi ve-year new NBA free agency contract for $201mn. dealsB and wondering why NFL Over fi ve 82-game seasons, players cannot have better that’s nearly $500,000 a con- paydays from the world’s rich- test. Over the regulation 48 est sports league. minutes for each game, that’s Watkins, the fourth overall more than $10,000 for every Nene in Houston choice in the 2014 NFL Draft, 60 seconds. took to Twitter on Sunday to Watkins will make $19.9mn Nene loses $4mn on contract because of obscure NBA rule push the notion of NFL players under his four-year rookie getting paid like NBA counter- contract, all guaranteed, but AFP parts. “We gotta get paid more the Bills declined to pick up a New York I’m pretty sure 2014 class will fi fth-year option that would ANDRE IGUODALA change the market,” Watkins have paid Watkins $13.258mn, tweeted. making him a free agent next ree agent swingman An- Watkins also retweeted a year. dre Iguodala has agreed a posting from NFL player pro- Watkins caught 65 passes for three-year deal to remain moter Jake Steinberg that said: 982 yards and six touchdowns with the NBA champion “NFL players have the right to in 16 games as a rookie, then GoldenF State Warriors, with the be (ticked off ). They get the had 60 receptions for 1,047 33-year-old reserve confi rming smallest piece of the pie. NFL yards and nine touchdowns in the move on Twitter. has $12B in annual revenue; his second season. “Sources close to Andre Iguo- NBA has $5B.” But nagged by injuries, he dala reporting agreed to terms Nearly $1bn (875mn euros) caught only 28 passes for 430 to return to the bay....” Iguodala was spent on NBA free agents yards and two touchdowns last tweeted, a poke at the uncer- on Saturday in the fi rst 24 season and has been eclipsed tainty surrounding all news in hours of dealmaking, accord- by other players who entered the fi rst days of the NBA’s 2017- ing to USA Today. While teams the league when he did, nota- 18 free agency frenzy. can negotiate deals, nothing bly Odell Beckham Jnr of the Talks with free agents began can be signed until Thursday New York Giants. Saturday but the league forbids contract signings until Thurs- day. That doesn’t prevent deal- making but it does keep teams Canadiens sign goalie Price to from talking about their moves eight-year extension until they are fi nalized. Iguodala’s deal, worth $48mn NHL All-Star goaltender Carey Price signed an eight-year con- (42mn euros) according to mul- tract extension worth $84 million with the Montreal Canadiens tiple reports, comes after he met on Sunday, keeping him with the team through the 2025-26 with the San Antonio Spurs and campaign. Houston Rockets. The 29-year-old Canadian, a member of his homeland’s Winter The Warriors are working to Olympic gold medal team at Sochi in 2014 and last year’s World retain the core of a club that has Cup of Hockey winners, completed his 10th NHL season this won two NBA crowns in three year, all of them with Montreal. seasons and came within a game Price has a 270-175 record with 55 overtime losses in 509 regu- of sweeping all three. lar-season games with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .920 Golden State agreed to terms save percentage. He ranks fourth in Canadiens history with 39 on the richest contract in NBA shutouts. Last season, Price went 37-20-5 over 62 games with history with a fi ve-year “super- three shutouts, a 2.23 goals-against average and a .923 save max” deal worth $201mn to star percentage and took part in his fifth NHL All-Star Game. guard Stephen Curry, the two- In the 2014-15 season, Price set a team record with 44 wins and time NBA Most Valuable Player took the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender. reaping the benefi ts of a sal- Meanwhile the Chicago Blackhawks traded forward Marcus ary cap jump and a willingness Kruger to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for future to take less than he could make considerations. elsewhere to keep the Warriors Kruger, 27, registered 105 points (33 goals, 72 assists) in 398 a title contender and on budget. career regular-season games with Chicago in seven seasons, That’s much the same deci- including winning two Stanley Cup titles. He had five goals and sion that appears to have been 12 assists in 70 games in 2016-17. made by NBA Finals MVP Kevin The 6-foot, 186-pound Kruger just completed the first year of Durant, who left Oklahoma City a three-year deal that carries a salary-cap hit of $3.083 million. for Golden State in a free agent The Blackhawks reportedly were over next season’s salary cap deal last July. bench player. Iguodala averaged Tucker met with the Toronto Ibaka rejoins Raptors ESPN reported, while Calderon of $75 million by about $2.1 million before the trade. Durant opted out of his con- 7.6 points, 3.4 assists and 4.0 re- Raptors, who obtained him last Spanish free agent forward has a one-year deal. Korver av- The Florida Panthers announced night that they are parting tract so the Warriors had more bounds in 76 games last season February in a deal with Phoenix, Serge Ibaka agreed to a three- eraged 10.1 points a game for ways with veteran Jaromir Jagr. The future Hall of Famer turned money to pay top reserves Iguo- and has averaged 13.0 points, 4.5 but talks with Houston players, year deal worth $65mn to stay Atlanta and Cleveland but could 45 in February and is no longer the scoring threat he was in his dala and Shaun Livingston but is assists and 5.3 rebounds over 13 including Harden and Paul ac- with the Toronto Raptors, ESPN not match that mark in the play- prime. He ranks third in NHL history with 765 goals and second expected to rejoin the club. He seasons with Philadelphia, Den- cording to ESPN, prompted him and the Toronto Star reported. off s. Minnesota and forward with 1,914 points. Jagr, a 10-time All-Star, scored 16 goals and 46 would likely command a huge ver and Golden State. to join the Rockets. Known for Ibaka averaged 14.2 points and Taj Gibson agreed to a two-year points this past season. He played two-plus seasons with the deal next year but his sacrifi ce intense defensive play, Tucker 6.8 rebounds in 23 games after deal worth $28mn, according to Panthers. Jagr recently said on Twitter that he hopes to play this season keeps the nucleus of Rockets get Nene, Tucker averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds being traded from Orlando. multiple reports, that reunites next season. a championship dynasty togeth- His rejection of the Rockets, and 1.4 steals in 81 games for the The Cleveland Cavaliers, who Gibson with former coach Tom The Panthers signed forward Sebastian Repo to a three-year, er for another campaign. who landed point guard Chris Suns and Raptors last season. lost to Golden State in the fi nals Thibodeau. entry-level contract. Repo, 21, appeared in 46 regular-season Iguodala was the 2015 NBA Paul in a deal with the Los Ange- The Rockets also agreed to for the second time in three sea- They were together from 2010 games for Tampere Tappara of Finland’s Liiga, collecting 32 Finals MVP, his insertion into les Clippers to join star shooting terms with Brazilian free agent sons last month, reached deals to to 2015 with the Chicago Bulls, points (11 goals, 21 assists), and he appeared in eight games the lineup producing matchup guard James Harden, prompted center Nene, who took a three- keep 3-point sharpshooter Kyle along with Jimmy Butler, who with the Lahti Pelicans, posting three assists. The 6-foot-2, issues Cleveland could not over- Houston to strike a deal with year deal worth $11mn, ESPN re- Korver and add Spanish reserve was traded by Chicago to the T- 198-pound native of Lahti, Finland, registered six goals and come, and he was a fi nalist for forward P.J. Tucker, multiple re- ported, after a four-year off er for point guard Jose Calderon. Wolves last month. Gibson was one assist in 18 playoff games with Tampere en route to a Liiga this year’s NBA Sixth Man of ports saying it was for four years $15 mn was withdrawn because The Cavs reached a three-year traded to Oklahoma City by the Championship. the Year award given to the top and $32mn. it violated NBA salary level rules. deal with Korver worth $22mn, Bulls last season.

MLB Martinez roughed up for 5 runs as Cards fall to Nats

By Mitchell Forde RESULTS faced en route to 12 strikeouts row. Hanley Ramirez added three St. Louis Post-Dispatch on the day. He pitched seven in- hits, including a two-run homer, Red Sox 15 Blue Jays 1 nings and allowed two hits for and three RBIs for the Red Sox, Braves 4 Athletics 3 the third straight start. The game who outhit the Blue Jays 21-5. unday’s game was billed (12 innings) was Scherzer’s 10th of the season Braves 4, Athletics 3 (12 in- as a showdown between Diamondbacks 4 Rockies 3 with 10 or more strikeouts and nings) starting pitchers Carlos Padres 5 Dodgers 3 his 59th such game in his career. Kurt Suzuki hit two home Martinez and St. Louis Giants 5 Pirates 3 That leads all active pitchers. runs, including a tiebreaking nativeS Max Scherzer. Cubs 6 Reds 2 The Nationals padded their solo shot in the top of the 12th By the time Scherzer took the Orioles 7 Rays 1 lead with two additional runs in inning, powering Atlanta to a mound for the fi rst time, it was Phillies 7 Mets 1 the top of the eighth. Adam Lind victory against Oakland and a clear that Martinez was not up Royals 6 Twins 2 tagged up from third and scored three-game series sweep. Lead- to the challenge. The Nationals Indians 11 Tigers 8 when Wilmer Difo hit a sacri- ing off the 12th, the former Oak- won 7-2 after jumping out to an Astros 8 Yankees 1 fi ce fl y off reliever Mike Mayers. land catcher launched John Ax- early lead. White Sox 6 Rangers 5 Matt Wieters did the same thing ford’s 3-1, 96 mph fastball into Scherzer entered the game Marlins 10 Brewers 3 two batters later when Goodwin the left-center-fi eld seats for fi rst in the National League in Mariners 5 Angels 3 hit a fl y ball to centre fi eld. his sixth home run of the season. ERA and opponents’ batting av- Nationals 7 Cardinals 2 The Cardinals fi nally got on Suzuki hit a leadoff homer in the erage. Martinez entered fourth the board in the eighth inning second inning. in ERA and second in opponents’ when Tommy Pham hit a two- Ketel Marte singled home the average. Shortly before the fi rst The result was the same. run home run. Stephen Piscotty winning run over a fi ve-man pitch, both were named to the Harper hit another home run followed up the home run with a infi eld in the ninth inning, and NL pitching staff for the upcom- over the fence in right fi eld, this double, giving fans hope of a ral- Arizona extended its franchise- ing All-Star Game. one measuring 392 feet. Daniel ly, but Jedd Gyorko then struck best start with a walk-off victory In the top of the fi rst inning, Murphy then scored on a double out and Yadier Molina’s fl y ball over Colorado. Martinez surrendered a double hit by Anthony Rendon to extend was caught at the warning track Brandon Drury singled with to the game’s fi rst batter, Na- the Nationals’ lead to 5-0. to end the inning. one out in the ninth against tionals left fi elder Brian Good- Martinez was ultimately re- Elswhere, Drew Pomeranz Adam Ottavino (1-3), and Chris win. Two batters later, Bryce moved after fi ve innings. He had pitched six eff ective innings, and Iannetta doubled to put runners Harper, who was also named to pitched at least six innings in the Boston Red Sox trounced the on second and third before Chris the NL all star lineup, hit a 393- each of his last 12 starts. The last Toronto Blue Jays 15-1 to com- Rusin entered and the Rockies foot home run to right fi eld. time he didn’t make the sixth, plete a three-game sweep. went to a fi ve-man infi eld. Marte Martinez found himself in a April 20, was also the last time Betts had three-run and two- lined a single to deep left-centre similar situation in the third in- he gave up fi ve earned runs. run homers and an RBI single fi eld for his fi rst career walk-off Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper is congratulated by third base coach Bob Henley (right) ning, facing Harper with a man Meanwhile, Scherzer struck and a two-run single as the Red hit, the Diamondbacks’ sixth after hitting a two run home run off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (not pictured) on base. out fi ve of the fi rst six batters he Sox won their fourth game in a walk-off of the season. during the first inning at Busch Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, July 4, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS Lions’ Wellington win stirs memories of 1993 decider

By Gerard Meaghe “I remember Sean Fitzpatrick fi nish in the left-hand corner Waikato on the Tuesday and were The Guradian telling me after the second Test, lit up an emphatic win for Mc- thumped 38-10 with Gatland lin- ‘Just wait until you read the pa- Geechan’s side, inspired by the ing up at hooker and scoring a try. pers.’ He was right; they tore into magnifi cent Ben Clarke. By that stage the divisions be- ean Fitzpatrick recalls it the All Blacks and, once they For New Zealand there were tween the Test side and the “dirt as the worst week of his saw that, some of the more in- no red cards to point to and their trackers” were obvious. As Hast- life while conversely it experienced British journalists coach, Laurie Mains, made his ings put it: “At the end of the tour featured one of the high- and some of the more inexperi- feelings clear. there were two distinct parties.” lightsS of Warren Gatland’s play- enced players in the Lions squad Having been granted behind- That, in turn, meant that the ing career. thought that was the series the-scenes access to the All side which had triumphed in It was the seven days between wrapped up and we would now Blacks at the time for a the- Wellington – and that included the British & Irish Lions’ 20-7 have the wind at our backs.” sis, Robin McConnell recorded 11 Englishmen – was unchanged victory in Wellington in 1993 As it was, New Zealand Mains’s speech to his players in at Eden Park. Whereas the All – until Saturday the last time clinched the series with a 30-13 his book Inside The All Blacks: Blacks, with ears ringing, made the tourists have beaten New victory – Fitzpatrick and Co up- “I have never been so bloody the necessary adjustments, no- Zealand – and the subsequent ping the intensity to levels the humiliated as to see Poms domi- tably nullifying Martin Bayfi eld Black-lash at Eden Park. Lions could not live with despite nating an All Black team – Poms, at the lineout, the Lions went And it comes sharply into the tourists taking a 10-0 lead not as fi t as you ... all over the top sideways as Jon Preston, Fitz- focus with all roads leading to after Scott Gibbs’s early try. of you ... Do you accept losing a patrick and Frank Bunce, plus 15 Auckland once more. “We simply could not match Test match? I don’t. We need points from the boot of Fox, did Fitzpatrick had anticipated a their onslaughts and we spent guts, we need good Kiwi tough- the damage. fl aying at the hands of the New the game playing catch-up rug- Frank Bunce carries the attack to the Lions as the All Blacks hit back from losing in Wellington to win the ness and heart. Above all, you’re “That we won the fi nal Test Zealand press, and so it materi- by,” the Lions head coach, Ian decisive third Test in Auckland in 1993. (Getty Images) All Blacks. What are you going to was entirely down to the fact alised with a venom that makes McGeechan, said. do about it?” that we each knew we wouldn’t clowns look, somewhat fi ttingly, The parallels between then with the series all square was tionable refereeing decision by victory. Unlike this week where the be able to face the country if we like child’s play. Gavin Hast- and now are plentiful but the somewhat diff erent. the Australian Brian Kinsey, The next Test in Wellington Lions have no midweek match lost,” said Fitzpatrick. Gatland ings, the Lions captain on that manner in which the Lions found In the opener the tourists felt which gave Grant Fox the chance the Lions took their vengeance for the fi rst time during this can expect a similar revenge tour, recalled to the Telegraph: themselves heading to Auckland they had been robbed by a ques- to kick the All Blacks to a 20-18 as Rory Underwood’s blistering tour, McGeechan’s side faced mission on Saturday.

RUGBY Qatar’s Al Arabi beat Iraq’s Al Bahri in Asian club volleyball Ninh Binh, Vietnam: Qatar’s Al Arabi regained its top form as they powered past Iraq’s Al Bahri Sport Club in straight sets 25-22, 25-15, 25-19 in their second playoff Pool ‘E’ match at the round of the last eight teams in the SMM 2017 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship at the Ninh Binh Gymnasium yesterday. All Blacks feel the Mohamed Ibrahim emerged as the top scorer for Al Arabi Sports Club, which finished second at the previous edition in Myanmar last year, with 12 points from seven kills and five kill blocks, while Grozer Gyorgy added eight points. Safaa Lafta Majeed led Bahri with 10 points. With the scintillating win, Arabi finished second in Pool ‘E’ and will next take on the third place of Pool ‘F’ today in the knock-out quarter-finals. pressure as they plot “We did a good job today. It was not a tough game for us to play against them. We tried to find out our way for an important game. Today, everybody in my team got a chance to play and it is good for us. Because the tournament is long, we need to get ready mentally and physically,” Arabis’ German wing spiker Grozer said after the match. “For the next round in the quarter-finals, I think it is going to be more diff icult for us. We need to recover and prepare for the Auckland vengeance next game,” he said. ‘Right now there’s more pressure within the group. It’s do or die, now or never I suppose’

Reuters SPOTLIGHT Auckland

he All Blacks are chomp- South Korea’s Moon ing at the bit to get back out on the pitch and avenge only their urges IOC to help bring Tfi fth loss in more than six years against the British and Irish Li- ons on Saturday. North to Pyeongchang Scrumhalf Aaron Smith and lock Brodie Retallick both said AFP it will contribute not only to they would have been happy Seoul the Olympic spirit but also to to put on their boots yesterday regional and world peace as so desperate were they to put well as the harmony of hu- wrong the rights of the 24-21 de- outh Korean President mankind,” Moon’s spokesman feat last weekend. Moon Jae-in yesterday quoted him as saying. They will, of course, have to urged the International “I hope that the wait until Saturday at Eden Park Olympic Committee to Pyeongchang Olympics will to get stuck into the tourists helpS North Korea participate become the Olympics of peace again in a winner-takes-all de- in next year’s Winter Games, that could heal the pain of Ko- ciding third Test at their Auck- saying it would contribute to reans’ division,” Moon was land fortress. regional and world peace. quoted as saying. “Right now there’s more pres- Moon, who has advocated Bach’s spokesman said the sure within the group. It’s do or engagement with the isolated IOC chief and Moon agreed to die, now or never I suppose,” Re- neighbour, has suggested that “co-operate closely” on prep- tallick told a news conference. two Koreas form a joint team arations for the Games, in- “It would be good just to go to for the 2018 Winter Games, cluding potential participation Saturday right now and not have which the South is hosting in by the North’s athletes. to bother about the rest of the Pyeongchang. But in a statement the IOC week. But we’ll build well, and The South and the nuclear- did not go into details over there are a few things we didn’t armed North are separated by how that might happen, refer- get right on attack that we’ll get one of the world’s most heav- ring only to unspecifi ed “mo- sorted. There’s a lot riding on it.” ily-armed borders and remain dalities”. Retallick, whose monumental technically at war after the Bach said he “appreciates eff ort in the All Blacks’ engine Korean War ended with armi- very much President Moon’s room helped New Zealand to a stice in 1953 instead of a peace vision of how the Olympic 30-15 victory in the fi rst test at treaty. Pyongyang boycotted Games can support dialogue Eden Park, said the Lions had the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. and reconciliation on the Ko- raised the physicality stakes in Organisers of Pyeongchang rean peninsula and beyond”, it game two. 2018 have urged Pyongyang added. The North’s only IOC “The physicality and inten- to take part to make them a delegate has expressed doubt sity of the fi rst two matches have “peace Olympics”. over Moon’s proposal of a uni- been huge,” he added. Lions’ Maro Itoje and New Zealand’s Brodie Retallick (right) jump for a line out during their second Test in Wellington on July 1. (Reuters) But no North Korean ath- fi ed team, citing political ten- “Especially on their behalf, letes have so far qualifi ed for sion between two Koreas and a I thought they were a lot more “It’s what you play rugby for, Smith praised the eff ort of his since 2014, had been “disap- adapt as well as hoped. the Games, raising the pros- lack of time. physical and confrontational these big games,” he said. pack after they were forced to pointed” with failing to do better “We usually fi nd a way and pect that none will attend. Chang Ung said last week than in week one. “I could play today, that’s how face up to the Lions with a man in unleashing their attack. our bench comes on and fi nishes An inter-Korea unifi ed team there was not enough time to “We need to sort that out and ready I am. These are the ones fewer for 55 minutes on Satur- “They really fronted up on really strong but that’s all about could allow North Koreans to reach an agreement with the make sure we’re going back at it you remember and it’s going to day after the personnel reshuffl e defence and closed up that tight learning. There are opportuni- take part in team events such Games only seven months this Saturday because we can’t be a long week in prep but it’ll in the wake of the dismissal of space,” he added.“We didn’t re- ties there and they’ll be there as ice hockey, while “wild away, and stressed “the po- let it happen again.” all be worth it if we get the proc- Sonny Bill Williams. act well to that. There was ac- Saturday so we’ve got to be good cards” could enable them to litical situation should be re- Halfback Smith was also itch- esses right to go out and play our He said the All Blacks, held tually a lot more space than we enough to see them and take bypass the qualifi cation rules. solved fi rst”. ing to get back out onto the pitch. brand of footy.” try-less in a test for the fi rst time thought and we maybe didn’t them.” Meeting the IOC chief Tho- Tension are high on the mas Bach in Seoul, Moon re- peninsula over the North’s newed his push for “sports missile and nuclear weap- diplomacy”, urging Bach’s help ons programmes, which have Lions have ‘poked the bear’, says Gatland to enable the North to take shown signifi cant progress in part. recent years under leader Kim Warren Gatland says his British and Irish are known for. “We’ve coped with that ourselves because they will be using any- Eden Park match. Queenstown was the “If North Korea participates, Jong-un. Lions “poked the bear” with their second and, if we can continue to improve in thing they can to motivate themselves,” scene of the infamous dwarf-tossing Test win over the All Blacks and warned other areas, then we are going to see, he said. He believed there was room for bar-room antics that derailed England’s against riling up the world champions hopefully, a great Test match.” the Lions to improve as they chase a first 2011 World Cup campaign but Gatland ahead of this weekend’s series decider. He expected a strong response from the series win in New Zealand since 1971, said he did not envisage similar incidents But despite advising his players to mind All Blacks to the Lions’ 24-21 win over a particularly the 13 penalties conceded in involving the Lions. “These players are their tongues, the coach could not resist 14-man New Zealand in Wellington. “Yes, Wellington. true professionals. They’ll have a couple his own dig at the world champions’ lack we have poked the bear but hopefully “I’m happy we got ourselves out of a of quiet beers,” he said. “On the last of running rugby in the first two Tests. the wounded Lion from last week is still hole and showed some real character two tours we’ve gone away somewhere, “Ironically, this is the best team in the recovering as well,” he said. and courage and I’m happy with our freshened them up and had a couple of world and, for two Test matches, they Gatland said his players should watch physicality but we’ve got to make sure light sessions later in the week. That’s really haven’t stressed us,” he told British what they say about their opponents in we don’t give away stupid and soft penal- worked really well for us.” media. the build up to the third Test in Auckland ties,” he said. “Key players were guilty The scope for the Lions to get into trou- “They have squeezed us and made us on Saturday. of that.” Gatland was relaxed about the ble may be limited anyway as Altitude, give away penalties but we haven’t seen “Hopefully we don’t give them any am- Lions spending a few days in a South the bar where the England players came the expansive rugby that the All Blacks munition this week and concentrate on Island tourist spot to relax ahead of the unstuck, closed in 2013. Gulf Times Tuesday, July 4, 2017 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT GOLF: BRITISH OPEN Fleetwood prepares for Tearful Stanley special homecoming ends drought with

PGA National win File picture of Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood. Reuters be an amazing experience from ‘There was some doubt there for a little bit. You question whether you are ever going London start to fi nish.” Fleetwood’s engaging manner to make it back. It just feels so good to put the work in and see the rewards’ makes him a natural for the media ommy Fleetwood’s dra- glare which will surround him. matic win at the French But the formbook suggests Open pushed his world Fleetwood has every right to be ranking to a career-high considered among the favour- T15 yesterday, as the 26-year-old ites to win at the links course he looked forward to being thrust knows better than anyone. centre stage in England’s sport- Sunday’s win was his second ing summer. of the season and third of his ca- Partly by dint of his recent reer, and he is 800,000 pounds form, which also saw him fi nish ($1.0 million) ahead of second- fourth at the US Open, and partly placed Sergio Garcia, the US by accident of birth, he will be Masters champion, in the Race to under the spotlight this month Dubai money list. when the British Open is staged “That is a real goal now,” Fleet- at Royal Birkdale, a few miles up wood said on Sunday. “It’s diffi cult the Lancashire coast from Fleet- because I was a long way ahead wood’s Southport birthplace. early on and then Sergio won the It should prove an emotional Masters and then I was a million homecoming for the local lad points behind. But yeah, it’s great who used to sneak into one of to be leading the Race to Dubai. England’s most prestigious clubs “It is something that I’ll look at to hit a few shots because his now and no matter what happens, tarmac-layer father could not af- come the last event, I’m going to ford the sky-high green fees. have a chance of winning the Or- Money, of course, is no longer der of Merit. That’s something an issue and Sunday’s $1.3 mil- that will be very special. lion pay check from Le Golf Na- “Life’s just been great. I’m tional took his 2017 earnings to engaged, expecting a baby, my $2.4 million and career winnings fi ancée is my manager, my cad- past the $11 million mark. die’s one of my best mates in the That eye-watering fi gure will world. Thommo (Alan Thomp- rise further should he become son), I think, is the best coach in the fi rst English winner of a Brit- the world – everybody around me ish Open for 25 years later this I have really strong relationships month. with, and when you enjoy doing “Birkdale is going to be a mas- your job that’s a massive positive.” sive week for me,” he said last And it will get even better month. “I’m going to be playing should he secure a British Open in front of crowds that I never victory in front of his home fans have before and people that I on the course that helped forge have grown up with. It’s going to his career.

Kyle Stanley (top and inset) of the United States reacts after defeating Charles Howell III of the United States during a playoff in the final round of the Quicken Loans National. FORMULA 1 AFP in and see the rewards. I think that’s where Sweden’s David Lingmerth, Australians after a back-nine shootout that had 12 Potomac, United States most of the emotion is coming from.” Curtis Luck and Marc Leishman and leaders within three strokes. In the dramatic playoff on the par-4 Americans Ben Martin, Keegan Bradley, Stanley opened with a bogey but be- 18th hole, Stanley was in the right rough Johnson Wagner and Spencer Levin. gan a run of three birdies in four holes at Force India drivers yle Stanley wiped away tears off the tee in the playoff but found the the fi fth, sinking 10-foot putts at six and while pondering fi ve years of greenside rough, chipped to four feet and KANG, LAIRD IN BRITISH OPEN eight. struggle and doubt that ended made the putt after Howell had missed Howell had some consolation de- He added a three-foot birdie putt at reminded that the Sunday with his playoff victory his par bid. spite failing to end his decade-old win the par-5 10th and a tap-in birdie at 14. Kover fellow American Charles Howell to “I’m thrilled,” Stanley said. “It’s very drought, joining Stanley, Laird and Kang Howell grabbed a share of the lead by win the PGA National. special to get a second win... I knew it in qualifying for the British Open, the sinking a 27-foot eagle chip at 14, the team comes fi rst After both fi red four-under par 66s at was just a matter of time.” season’s next major event teeing off July 299-yard hole that surrendered the most TPC Potomac to stand atop the leader- Howell, coming off a 10-week layoff 20 at Royal Birkdale. eagles of any par-4 hole on tour this year. Reuters since Mallya arrived in 2008 and board after 72 holes on seven-under 273, with a fractured rib, has not won in 293 “Majors are really special so it will be London renamed a team that had gone Stanley parred the fi rst extra hole to cap- PGA starts since taking a playoff over Phil really fun,” Kang said. “I’ll be fi ne with WATNEY TIES MARK WITH 64 through various previous guises as ture his second PGA crown, the fi rst com- Mickelson at Riviera in 2007. the wind, but I’m not really used to that Fowler was foiled by a botched chip and a Jordan, Midland and Spyker. ing 135 starts ago at the 2012 Phoenix Open. “I’m a bit shocked,” Howell said. “I links-style course.” poor putt to double bogey 14, the week’s orce India co-owner Vi- They have come close, with a “There was some doubt there for a can’t believe how well I played. I start- “To play it anytime is special,” Laird easiest hole. jay Mallya has reminded pole position and second place in little bit,” Stanley said. “It’s no fun. You ed hitting balls eight or nine days ago. I said. “It’s my favourite tournament.” “Making nine birdies is a really good drivers Sergio Perez and Belgium in 2009 with Italian Gi- question whether you are ever going to came in here quite rusty. I’m glad to be It’ll be Howell’s fi rst major start thing because it’s hard to give yourself Esteban Ocon that the ancarlo Fisichella, and four third make it back.” back and hopefully can stay healthy.” since the 2015 PGA Championship and those opportunities,” Fowler said. teamF must take priority after a places for Mexican Perez since he Tears trickled down his cheek. Ninth-ranked Rickie Fowler made a Stanley’s fi rst major since the 2013 PGA. Nick Watney matched the course collision at the Azerbaijan Grand joined in 2014. His voice cracked, then halted, as he career-high nine birdies but the US star “British Opens are a lot of fun,” Stanley record of 64 set by US compatriot Russ Prix wrecked hopes of a fi rst win In Azerbaijan, Perez and spoke, seeking the right words to sum up also made two bogeys and a double bogey said. “You have to get creative and play a Cochran in 2010. in Formula One. French rookie Ocon were fi ghting his perseverance to sustain his career the to settle for a share of third with Scots- non-technical style of golf I think I play “There was nothing groundbreaking, The Indian said they would for a podium spot when they col- past few seasons. man Martin Laird on 275. really well.” no ah ha moment,” Watney said. “I was be allowed to continue racing lided. Ocon suff ered a puncture “I wish I didn’t cry so much,” Stanley South Korean Kang Sung was in a Stanley, who lost his only other PGA doing a lot of good things. Today it all without the need to be reined in, and signifi cant car damage but said. “It just feels so good to put the work pack sharing fi fth on 276 that included playoff in 2012 at Torrey Pines, prevailed came together.” however. continued to fi nish sixth. “It’s still frustrating to ponder Perez initially retired, before what might have been had things the race was stopped and then BOTTOMLINE played out diff erently,” Mallya re-started due to debris on the said in a preview for Sunday’s track caused by the Force India Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, collision. the race following on from Baku. Of the cars ahead of them at “Since Baku we’ve had some the time, Mercedes’ Lewis Ham- conversations internally and ilton lost the lead after pitting to reminded our drivers that the fi x a loose headrest while Ferra- Kang makes fi rst LPGA title a team must always come fi rst. It’s ri’s Sebastian Vettel was handed never acceptable for teammates a 10 second stop and go penalty to make contact with each other and fi nished fourth. and it certainly cost us points in “Vettel got his penalty due to Baku,” added Mallya. that restart, so we would have major with Women’s PGA win “However, the events of Az- beaten him. And (Red Bull’s AFP whose best prior LPGA fi nish had to play, Henderson closed with erbaijan won’t change our ap- eventual winner Daniel) Ric- Chicago been a third-place eff ort in 2013. back-to-back birdies at the par- proach. Our drivers can race ciardo we would have beaten,” Her best major showing had 3 17th and had an eagle putt stop freely and I’m sure they have said chief operating offi cer Ot- been a share of 14th at the 2012 rolling just short of the cup at 18 learned some valuable lessons... mar Szafnauer after the race. merican Danielle Kang US Women’s Open. to fi nish on 272. I know they are mature enough “But without us causing the birdied the par-5 18th “It was stressful,” Kang said. Kang, meanwhile, took a bo- to work together for the good of red fl ag, Hamilton’s headrest hole Sunday to edge “Every single shot was stressful. gey at 17 to fall back into a tie the team.” wouldn’t have come up, so he defending champion Every putt was stressful. I just for the lead, only to fi nish with a Force India, currently fourth would have won it. So, would have, BrookeA Henderson and win the kept trusting in my own game birdie to claim her long-sought overall in the constructors’ cham- could have, should have... we still Women’s PGA Championship, and trusting in my putting. It’s fi rst title after playing her fi rst pionship, have yet to win a race would have been second or third.” making her fi rst LPGA triumph a all about believing in what you LPGA event in 2011. major victory. can do.” “I played great all week. Came Kang, who never managed a After a birdie at the par-4 sec- so close, and it really came down top-10 fi nish in 30 prior major ond, Kang took a bogey at the to those last two holes,” Hender- FIA to take no further action against Vettel starts, fi red a three-under par third, then began the back nine son said. “I would have liked to Ferrari’s F1 championship The FIA said Vettel attended a 68 to fi nish 72 holes at Olympia with another bogey. make one or two more putts on leader Sebastian Vettel will meeting at its Paris headquarters. Fields near Chicago on 13-under But from there she ran off the back nine, but it was a great face no further sanction for his He admitted full responsibility, 271, edging Canadian teen star four birdies in a row starting at week for me. ‘road rage’ collision with Lewis apologised and also “commit- Henderson by one stroke. the par-4 11th to seize a three- “There was a little bit more Hamilton at the Azerbaijan ted to devote personal time “I feel fantastic, absolutely Danielle Kang reacts after a par save on the 16th hole during the stroke lead on 13-under. pressure coming into this week, Grand Prix, the governing FIA over the next 12 months to fantastic,” Kang said. “Having a final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Henderson, a 19-year-old and knowing that I won last year, said yesterday. educational activities across a major win, it’s amazing.” coming off a victory two weeks I really wanted to do it again. I The German, a four times world variety of FIA championships She was the fi rst winner since don’t miss 2-footers so just putt Kim Sei-Young shared fourth on ago at the Meijer LPGA Clas- gave myself the best opportuni- champion, was given a 10 sec- and events.” Meg Mallon in 1991 to birdie the it.’ It was pretty nerve-wracking 275 with South Korean Park In- sic, birdied the par-5 fi rst and ty to do that, and unfortunately ond stop-and-go penalty during The governing body said that last hole for the triumph. but I just did it.” Bee and American Lexi Thomp- par-3 fourth and seventh holes I just came up a little bit short.” the race for angrily banging “in light of these developments, “It feels pretty awesome,” South Koreans took the next son sharing seventh on 277. to reach 10-under, then stayed Choi, also seeking her first wheels with his Mercedes rival FIA President Jean Todt de- Kang said. “That was the hard- four spots with Chella Choi third Kang, a 24-year-old from steady with nine consecutive major crown, fired a 71 but while they were behind the cided that on this occasion the est two-footer I’ve ever had to on 274 after a closing 71. San Francisco, is a two-time US birdies. could not join the title fight at safety car. matter should be closed.” putt. I had to tell myself, ‘You Lee Mi-Hyang, Amy Yang and Women’s Amateur champion Three down with two holes the finish. Tuesday, July 4, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

TOUR DE FRANCE SPOTLIGHT McLay looks to make his mark on this Sagan powers to edition of the Tour stage win despite pedal glitch ‘There was no crash but it was a very hectic final. Happy to get through unscathed.

It’s certainly a great start (to the Tour for Sky) but there is still 18 days to go’ File picture of Fortuneo-Oscaro rider Daniel McLay of Britain.

Reuters burst, but McLay has to do it all Longwy, France on his own. “I think everyone is in the same boat. People are more looking for hile Mark Cavendish the wheel of guys like Kittel or is often tipped for a Cavendish, it makes it easier to Tour de France stage beat those guys,” he said. win in the massive The two renowned sprinters Wsprints, another Briton is too have won an astonishing 40 Tour often overlooked: Meet 25-year- stages between them over the old Dan McLay. years, although this year Caven- The New Zealand-born Brit dish’s season has been blighted made an impression on his Tour by a bout of glandular fever. debut last year when he fi nished “Kittel is probably the fastest, third in the sixth stage behind Cav is in the unknown I guess sprint aces Marcel Kittel and after being sick (this season) so I Cavendish. guess you can consider it’s more It capped a remarkable year for open than other years.” the Fortuneo-Oscaro rider, add- Overall though, McLay has no ing to his victories in the Grand ‘favourite’ wheel. Prix de Denain and Grand Prix de la Somme. “I’ve got the experience of While some might say a Tour last year, and I’m ready to de France stage victory is still be give it 100 percent. Every a step too far for the soft-spoken time it’s a sprint the aim is to McLay, who turned professional win. That’s the goal” with the French outfi t in 2015, he begs to diff er. “It just depends where you are. “I’ve got the experience of You try to pick a wheel that’s going last year, and I’m ready to give forward. Last year I picked Cav’s it 100 percent. Every time it’s a wheel a couple of time because he sprint the aim is to win. That’s was coming from behind. the goal,” McLay told Reuters in “It is just that as soon as you an interview. reach the last kilometre, you “It would be really nice to do a have to more or less jump on an- Tour as good as last year or im- ything that is going past you - it prove.” does not matter who it is.” McLay believes that while the It did not quite work out for Bora-Hansgrohe rider Peter Sagan of Slovakia celebrates winning the third stage of the Tour de France yesterday. massive sprints on the Tour are McLay in Sunday’s second stage faster than on any other race, it as he ended up 14th, just be- Reuters Overall standings A statistic, a fact and a quote helps clear the fi eld and he feels hind 10-time Vuelta stage win- Longwy, France this gives him a better chance. ner John Degenkolb but ahead Overall standings after the 3th stage Statistic, quote and fact of the day after showing him, Chris Froome and Romain “I noticed last year that it was of two-time Tour stage winner of the Tour de France, a 212.5km ride the third stage. Bardet as they crashed to the ground on faster, but I think it helped me Alexander Kristoff . orld champion Peter Sagan from Verviers to Longwy yesterday: Sunday, said: “I think I looked the best. maybe because there are less McLay will have more chanc- suff ered a pedal problem in STATISTIC OF THE DAY: 18 The other two looked scared, but I’m people able to do the sprint,” he es, however, starting on Tues- the fi nal straight but slotted 1. Geraint Thomas (GBR/Sky) Australian Adam Hansen, who featured used to it.” explained. day with the fourth stage, as he his shoe back into its clip in 2. Christopher Froome (GBR/SKY) in the breakaway of the day, is attempt- “Also, in other races every works to make 2017 his year. Wtime and powered to victory in the third team has a sprinter whereas on “Every year before the Tour 3. Michael Matthews (AUS/SUN) ing to finish his 18th grand tour (Tour, FACT OF THE DAY: stage of the Tour de France yesterday. 4. Peter Sagan (SVK/BOR) Giro or Vuelta) in a row since finishing The Tour de France third stage took the the Tour there are teams who nobody is saying it’s been some- The Slovak’s right shoe unclipped as 5. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR/DDT) the 2011 Vuelta in 129th place. peloton over 212.5 km through three don’t have sprinters, and in the one’s year. It’s after the Tour that he was about to produce his fi nal burst of 6. Pierre-Roger Latour (FRA/ALM) countries for the first time since 1992. last 2 kms it clears a little bit of people decide whose year it is. speed, and Olympic champion Greg van 7. Philippe Gilbert (BEL/QST) QUOTE OF THE DAY: It started from Verviers in Belgium and space.” “I’d be happy with a good re- Avermaet (BMC Racing) may have seen 8. Michal Kwiatkowski (POL/SKY) Yellow jersey holder Geraint Thomas, went through Luxembourg before enter- Some sprinters have dedicated sult, but my big dream is one his chance to attack in the fi nale on the 9. Tim Wellens (BEL/LOT) asked what he thought of a picture ing France for the first time this year. team mates to lead them into the win. Probably after that it will be brutal last climb of the day. 10. Nikias Arndt (GER/SUN) perfect position for their fi nal my year,” he smiled. But Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) took a sec- ond to clip his shoe back in before acceler- climb to La Planche des Belles Filles. too soon. ating to outsprint Australian Michael Mat- behind his team mate a day after both But yesterday was Sagan’s day. Barring the pedal incident, Sagan was thews (Team Sunweb) and Ireland’s Dan crashed on a slippery corner. “It was really tough and I have to thank in control. South Africa captain du Plessis to miss fi rst test Martin (Quick-Step Floors). “There was no crash but it was a very my team for all their hard work. When I “It was a bit weird, Richie went strong Van Avermaet had to settle for fourth hectic fi nal. Happy to get through un- had the pedal problem I wondered what with 600-700m left. When I caught him, South Africa captain Faf du to take part in the first test. He at the end of the 212.5-km ride from scathed,” said Thomas. happened, some more bad luck but I had I looked where we were and sat up as I Plessis will miss the first test will link up with the squad in Verviers, Belgium. “It’s certainly a great start (to the Tour no time to think and I went again,” said wanted to wait a little,” he said. against England at Lords start- the UK later this week.” Britain’s Geraint Thomas of Team Sky for Sky) but there is still 18 days to go.” Sagan. “I was also surprised that Matthews ing on Thursday due to family Theunis de Bruyn or the fi nished two seconds off the pace but While today’s fourth stage looks set to Australian Richie Porte, one of the was coming back so strong.” reasons, the cricket board uncapped Aiden Markram will retained the leader’s yellow jersey as the end in a massive sprint, the GC (general top contenders, launched an attack with In the end, the Slovak was too powerful confirmed yesterday. replace du Plessis’ in the side. main overall favourites fi nished together. classifi cation) contenders will be in proper about 700 metre left in the last ascent — for his opponents, however, and his win Du Plessis has stayed in South Opening batsman Dean Elgar Defending champion Chris Froome action the following day when the fi fth a 1.6 km climb at a gradient of 5.8 percent leaves him fourth overall in the race, one Africa to be with wife Imari will lead the team and become moved up to second overall, 12 seconds stage takes the peloton up the punishing on the Cote des Religieuses — but it was place behind Matthews. following the birth of the cou- the 12th player to captain ple’s first child. South Africa since their “Faf’s wife gave birth to their readmission to international INDIA TOUR OF WEST INDIES first child last week but the cricket in 1992. diff icult nature of the delivery Better news for the squad has delayed his return to the is that experienced seamer UK,” team manager Moham- Vernon Philander has been med Moosajee said in a cleared to play. statement. He had sat out the drawn “The mother and baby have warm-up fixture against Holder inspires stunning victory settled at home, but he will be England Lions with an ankle AFP their other batters who haven’t day wasn’t one.” unable to make it back in time injury. North Sound, Antigua had much work to do of late. It Ealier, pacers Umesh Yadav worked this time.” and Hardik Pandya claimed three Sri Lanka eyes elephant menace at stadium Ajinkya Rahane’s excellent wickets each while wrist-spinner est Indies captain Ja- form at the top of the order con- Kuldeep Yadav again teased and Sri Lanka is to deploy and we are deploying 10 son Holder led from tinued with a top score of 60, tormented the West Indies bats- game wardens to stop wild wardens to make sure that the front with a fi ve- but the rest of the Indian batting men in adding two more victims to elephants straying onto the fans don’t stray into that area wicket haul as his struggled to establish any sort of his series haul as the hosts limped pitch when the country hosts and provoke the elephants,” Wside snatched an 11-run win over momentum as the West Indies to 189 for nine batting fi rst. Zimbabwe for a series of he told AFP by telephone from India in the fourth one-day inter- showed discipline and purpose Openers Evin Lewis and Kyle one-day internationals at the Hambantota. national in Antigua on Sunday. with the ball. Hope were the joint top scorers Hambantota stadium. He said there was a herd of India came into the match at Young pacer Alzarri Joseph, with 35 apiece although their slow Experts will be on hand for about 25 elephants roaming the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium brought into the team in place progress — the opening stand of all three ODI games at the the area, 240 kilometres (150 leading 2-0 in the series and set of medium-pacer Miguel Cum- 57 was broken in the 18th over — 35,000-capacity stadium, miles) south of Colombo, pos- a modest target of 190 to main- mins, set the tone for the fi ght- meant those who followed were which is next to an elephant ing a potential threat to fans. tain their unbeaten run in this back with the wickets of Shikhar required to pick up the pace. sanctuary, a wildlife off icial It is not the first time wildlife has short campaign. Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik. None managed to do so for told AFP yesterday. disrupted games at Hambanto- But the visitors were undone by Meanwhile, Holder removed any sustained period with Pan- The stadium was built in 2009 ta — swarms of wasps that have a combination of disciplined West his Virat Kohli for the second dya and Kuldeep doing the bulk under former president Mahi- taken up residence there have Indies bowling and their own in- time in as many matches via a of the damage to the West Indies nda Rajapakse, who was from also caused problems. explicable lethargy at the crease. top-edged hook. batting line-up early on. Hambantota, but has hosted The last ODI played at Ham- That pedestrian progress was West Indies’ captain Jason Holder (C) celebrates after dismissing Umesh then ensured there only a handful of matches bantota was two years ago. typifi ed by Mahendra Singh Dho- India’s captain Virat Kohli during the fourth ODI. INDIAN OFF DAY was to be no threat from the re- because of its remote location Following a recent refur- ni’s painstaking innings of 54 off “Our shot selection wasn’t up puted lower-order big-hitters as and high maintenance costs. bishment, Sri Lanka Cricket 114 deliveries — the slowest of his critical as Holder sealed the win “At the halfway stage there to mark but credit to the West he accounted for Holder, Rov- “There had been a few scheduled the final three ODI 64 ODI half-centuries — before which keeps the series alive head- were a few heads dropping in the Indies bowlers for the pressure man Powell and Ashley Nurse in instances when elephants matches against Zimbabwe at he fell off the last ball of the 49th ing into the fi fth and fi nal match in dressing room but it took a big they put on us to force those his second spell. broke through the fence and Hambantota. over bowled by Kesrick Williams. Kingston on Thursday. eff ort and I’m really pleased to mistakes,” said Kohli in assess- invaded the pitch at night,” The games will decide the That left India needing 15 runs He dismissed Kuldeep Yadav play a part in keeping us in the ing his team’s surprise defeat. BRIEF SCORES: West Indies 189 said the off icial, who asked not series winner after the two off the fi nal over with only two and Mohammed Shami in the series,” said Holder after receiv- “I am sure the guys are going for 9 (Lewis 35, Kyle Hope 35, to be named. sides notched a victory each wickets in hand. space of four balls to fi nish with ing the man of the match award. to come back extra hard for the Umesh 3-36, Pandya 3-40) beat “A jungle patch starts about in the first two games played It was Williams’ only success of fi ve for 27, his best-ever ODI fi g- “We targeted getting wick- fi nal match. We just needed a India 178 (Rahane 60, Dhoni 54, 100 metres from the stadium at Galle. a miserly 10-over spell but proved ures as India folded for 178. ets at the front to challenge complete performance and to- Holder 5-27) by 11 runs