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Friday, July 29, 2016 TENNIS Shawwal 24, 1437 AH Djoko off to winning GULF TIMES post-Wimbledon return in Canada SPORT Page 6

OLYMPICS Protesters in Rio halt torch relay, extinguish its fl ame Crowds angry over lack of public transport and Rio late payment of salaries fought with police at the torch parade

AFP ness last Friday by running 19.89 seconds to win Rio de Janeiro There was better news for Rio organisers with the the 200 metres at the London Diamond League arrival of Jamaica’s Olympic sprint superstar Usain meeting. He will join the Jamaican pre-Olympic Bolt, who hopes to defend his multiple gold medals. camp as he seeks to become the fi rst man to win riot during the Olympic torch relay PICTURE: Rio 2016/Gabriel Nascimento gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay at cast a shadow over the Rio Games three successive Games. Bolt had been training starting in just over a week yesterday, and receiving medical treatment in Munich af- Amarking a new low in a ritual that had ter he pulled out of the Jamaican trials with the been meant to unite Brazil. The torch is nearing hamstring injury. The lanky sprinter is among the end of a 300-city relay that will end with the 59 track and fi eld athletes in Jamaica’s 63-mem- lighting of the Olympic fl ame in the Maracana ber delegation. The Caribbean nation will also stadium at the opening ceremony on August 5. be represented in diving, swimming and artistic But while organisers portray the epic journey gymnastics. as a chance to ignite public enthusiasm, repeat- Meanwhile, a more controversial set of arriv- ed security incidents have turned the torch into als were expected later in the day, with some 70 a symbol of the organisational glitches and so- Russian athletes due to fl y in at around 6:00pm cial discontent overshadowing South America’s (2100 GMT), their team slashed by bans in a fi rst Olympics. scandal over state-sponsored doping. In Angra dos Reis, a coastal resort south of Rio organisers were also still racing to com- Rio, crowds angry over lack of public transport plete emergency repairs to the athletes’ Village, and nearly bankrupt Rio state’s late payment of where some 19,000 team members will live. salaries fought with police at the torch parade Half of the buildings had problems ranging from late Wednesday. Video broadcast on Globo tel- blocked toilets to faulty wiring when teams be- evision and amateur footage shared on social gan moving in over the weekend. media showed a dense crowd cheering while Although these glitches were expected to be someone shouted “the torch has been put out!” ironed out by the end of Thursday, new contro- The torch bearer, accompanied by police, is versy was brewing over allegations by govern- seen retreating to a bus, with the relay appar- ment labour inspectors that the approximately ently halted. In other scenes, police fi re rubber 600 workers are being made to work nearly bullets and tear gas as the crowd runs and gath- around the clock without legal contracts. ers again to confront offi cers. This came after Most security concerns have centred on Rio’s repeated attempts in other cities to douse the rampant street crime, but authorities last week torch with fi re extinguishers or buckets of water. arrested 12 men accused of forming a would- Highlight reels of other torch mishaps have be jihadist terror cell. Brazilian media reports gone viral online, including runners falling over, said that another man in an apparently separate a police motorbike crashing into the parade, a case has been detained on suspicion of terror- man attempting to seize the torch, and politi- ism links. His lawyer, Edson Ferreira, said the cal protests. In June, a rare, captive jaguar — the allegations lacked substance. “There is no ba- same animal chosen for Brazil’s Olympic mas- sic accusation, or complete accusation,” he told cot — was shot dead after escaping handlers at Globo television. a torch ceremony. “There’s nothing more than suspicions that There was better news for Rio organisers in he put posts on Facebook, that he posted links the arrival overnight of Jamaica’s Olympic sprint related to Islamic State, but which have nothing superstar Usain Bolt, who hopes to defend his concretely to do with him. He has no link with multiple gold medals. Wearing a black tracksuit Islamic State,” the lawyer said. Brazilian offi cials with white stripes, sunglasses and headphones, have downplayed the seriousness of the group Bolt was in a hurry to leave the airport. “I didn’t arrested last week, calling them “amateur” and sleep on the fl ight,” he told a welcoming com- “disorganised.” mittee of journalists and offi cials. Members of the group are accused of discuss- The world record holder, who required a med- ing potential attacks, attempting to buy a rifl e ical exemption after he pulled out of the Jamai- online, and declaring allegiance to the Islamic can trials with a hamstring strain, proved his fi t- State group via the Internet.

FOCUS Three Russian cyclists banned from Rio, three more at risk

Agencies who qualifi ed for the Rio Olympics should be Russian team is going to the Olympics.” Paris allowed to take part. It said in a statement the Some Russian competitors are already in Bra- 16 had been tested in accredited laboratories zil acclimatising to the conditions but despite outside Russia, and were not mentioned in a yesterday’s triumphal farewell it remains un- ussia’s Olympic committee (ROC) has McLaren report. It said one competitor, Viktor clear how many of the 387-strong squad Mos- removed three cyclists from the team Lebedev, should not take part in Rio because he cow named last week will eventually compete. Rheading to the Rio Games while three had a positive doping test in 2006. The track and fi eld team — including stars more, who were potentially implicated in the The Badminton World Federation (BWF) Yelena Isinbayeva and Sergey Shubenkov — has McLaren report, are under investigation, the has included four Russian players in the draws, been banned en masse and now rowers, swim- UCI announced yesterday. The trio withdrawn “pending the validation of the IOC.” The BWF mers, weightlifters and canoeists have been by the ROC had previously been sanctioned held the draws for the Rio Games on Tuesday added to the list. Zhukov said that less than 100 for anti-doping violations, which meant they and included Vladimir Malkov and Natalia Russian competitors were still waiting to fi nd failed to meet the eligibility criteria put in place Perminova in the men’s and women’s singles out their fates and that the fi nal makeup of the for Russian athletes by the International Olym- as well as the men’s doubles partnership of team should be announced over the weekend pic Committee (IOC). Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov. just a few days before the start of the Games. The latest doping scandal to rock Olympic “We have had a rigid drug-testing pro- Meanwhile, Sergei Tetyukhin, the captain of and Russian sport was triggered this month gramme, especially leading up to Rio 2016 and the Russian men’s volleyball team, will carry by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren all four Russian athletes have been tested in and the country’s fl ag during the opening ceremony, whose report for the World Anti-Doping Agen- out of competition and their samples have been twice Olympic pole vault champion Isinbayeva cy (WADA) detailed an elaborate doping system analysed outside of Russia,” Secretary General said. Isinbayeva is one of the athletes unable to directed by the Moscow sports ministry and Thomas Lund said during the draw. The bad- attend the Rio Games because of the decision by used in more than 30 sports over four years. minton competition at the Rio takes place from the governing body International Association The IOC sparked fi erce criticism on Sunday Aug. 11-20. of Athletics Federation to ban Russian track and when it resisted a blanket ban on the country in fi eld athletes from Rio in response to systematic favour of allowing individual sports federations Russia’s depleted squad leave for Rio Russia’s synchronised swimming Olympic team members attend a farewell ceremony before the state-sponsored doping by the country. to make the call on which Russians can go to national team’s departure to the Rio 2016 Olympics at Sheremetyevo International Airport outside “Our fl ag bearer at the Rio Olympics has al- Rio. The UCI decision takes the number of Rus- Some 70 Russian competitors from the coun- Moscow, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters) ready been determined. Voleyball player Ser- sian athletes suspended from Rio to 111 of the try’s depleted Olympics team fl ew out from gei Tetyukhin, who is a great sportsman and 387 initially announced by the ROC. Moscow for Rio yesterday. Dressed in red and run doping. “They have got us fi red up — but in “We anxiously waited for this day, we wor- an Olympic champion, will be given the hon- Meanwhile, United World Wrestling, the white sports uniforms the Olympic hopefuls a good way. We are going to fi ght more to prove ried. You know yourselves what the situation our,” Isinbayeva wrote on her Instagram page. governing body for Olympic forms of wrestling, — including Russia’s volleyball, handball and that it is diffi cult to break Russia,” handball is,” Alexander Zhukov, the head of Russia’s Ol- The 40-year-old Tetyukhin won four Olympic said a special commission it set up had rec- synchronised swimming squads — received a player Polina Kuznetsova told AFP. “We will ympic Committee was quoted as saying. medals, including gold at London 2012. The Rio ommended that 16 of the 17 Russian wrestlers warm send-off despite the scandal over state- fi ght for those who were not able to go.” “It is now time to put all doubts aside: the Olympic Games will be his sixth. Gulf Times 2 Friday, July 29, 2016 ROAD TO RIO

SPOTLIGHT WEIGHTLIFTING Valentin eyes N Korea’s ‘guerrilla’ London gold aft er rivals fail retests campaign for glory Reuters tive testing serves as a strong Madrid deterrent to athletes that may consider cheating in Rio. “I hope this sends a clear message that in North Korean athletes will compete in judo, wrestling, table tennis and other panish weightlifter Lid- Rio all athletes should be clean ia Valentin hopes to be and no one considers cheating,” events in Rio, but their best hope of medals will come in the weightlifting awarded an Olympic gold she said. medal from London 2012 The three were among six six afterS the athletes that fi nished weightlifting medallists from above her all failed drug tests the London Olympics, including when their samples were reana- three Russians, who tested posi- lysed. Valentin, who will com- tive while it was re-examined. pete at next month’s Games in A total of 11 lifters were provi- Rio, fi nished fourth in 2012 in the sionally suspended for returning Women’s -75kg category. positive tests, including another All three athletes that made fi ve who did not win medals the podium ahead of Valentin — in London, the International champion Svetlana Podobedova, Weightlifting Federation (IWF) silver medallist Nataliya Zabo- added in a statement. lotnaya and Iryna Kulesha who They were among 45 athletes won bronze — tested positive for the International Olympic Com- banned substances when their mittee said last week had been samples were reanalysed. caught in a second wave of test- “Although late, as it has taken ing on samples stored from the four years, fi nally justice has 2008 and 2012 Games. been done,” Valentin told Span- Over 100 Russian athletes ish newspaper AS. “The impor- have so far been banned from tant thing is that is has come out. the Games after the World Anti- It’s not a surprise.” Doping Agency uncovered an The International Weightlift- elaborate doping system direct- ing Federation (IWF) announced ed by Russia’s sports ministry on Wednesday that Russia’s across more than 30 sports. Zabolotnaya and Kulesha of The banned London weight- Belarus had produced positive lifting silver medallists, named samples in a second wave of In- for the fi rst time by the IWF, ternational Olympic Committee were Russians Alexandr Ivanov, (IOC) retests. Nataliya Zabolotnaya and Svet- The IWF said last month that lana Tzarukaeva. The bronze the sample of Kazakhstan’s Po- medallists were Iryna Kulesha dobedova had produced an ad- of Bulgaria, Armenia’s Hripsime verse fi nding in the fi rst wave Khurshudyan and Cristina Iovu of retests. “I wasn’t able to en- of Moldova. In total, 13 weight- joy the podium at the time but lifting medals won in London the important thing is that the have now been tainted by dop- cheaters have been caught,” the ing, comprising four gold, four 31-year-old Valentin said. silver and fi ve bronze. The dop- The IOC stores samples for a ing tally from weightlifting at decade in order to re-test using the 2008 Beijing Games stands newer methods or to look for new at fi ve — one gold, two silver and drugs. The results are part of the two bronze. More positives are IOC’s re-testing of samples from possible from both events. past Games to keep cheats from In a bid to clean up the sport North Korea’s delegation for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games pose for a group photo before leaving Pyongyang International Airport to Brazil. (AFP) competing at the Rio de Janeiro for the Rio Olympics, the IWF Olympics in August. has barred the entire Bulgar- AFP golds it won in 2012 in London — three in events with a high global profi le and a Personally opened in 2012 by Kim Podobedova, Zabolotnaya and ian team for repeated doping Pyongyang weightlifting and one in judo — equalled commensurate chance of success. Jong-Un, the showcase Tongil centre Kulesha have been provisionally off ences and warned Russia, Ka- its best-ever tally. In 2013 the Pyongyang International boasts several fl oors of imported fi tness suspended by the IWF and the zakhstan and Belarus they could Since taking power following the death Football School opened — a modern, equipment and is sometimes used by na- Spanish Weightlifting Federation face the same fate. In addition, or isolated North Korea, the Ol- of his father Kim Jong-Il in late 2011, well-equipped facility with Korean and tional sports teams for circuit training. (Fedehalter) hope Valentin will the IWF has punished North ympic Games off er a rare oppor- Kim Jong-Un has pushed for sporting foreign coaches and a 200-strong ros- Ostensibly “open to anyone”, the centre be belatedly awarded the gold Korea, Romania, Azerbaijan, Uz- tunity to take to the global stage progress with an at times militaristic fer- ter of 8-15 year-old, live-in students was totally empty during a Saturday af- medal prior to the start of the Rio bekistan and Moldova by reduc- and compete for applause and vour. In an open letter to the nation’s ath- — hand-picked from schools and clubs ternoon visit, apart from some slightly Games on Aug. 5. ing the allocation of lifters they prestigeF rather than censure and con- letes last year, Kim urged them to adopt across the country. The brightest pros- bored-looking trainers. Valentin hopes that retrospec- can send to Rio. demnation. A virtual pariah state due “guerrilla-style” tactics to boost the na- pects are sent overseas, some of them to Son explained that it was “foreigners’ to its nuclear weapons programme, the tion’s underwhelming impact on the glo- elite academies in Italy and Spain. day” — although there were no foreigners North has made international sporting bal sporting stage. Six members of the North Korean team working out. He later acknowledged there success a strategic priority, with leader Lamenting the fact that North Korea that won the 2014 Asia Under-16 cham- was a membership system but declined to Kim Jong-Un as cheerleader-in-chief. was “trailing behind the world”, he prom- pionship — with a 2-1 victory over South reveal the fees. While North Korea hopes North Korean athletes will compete in ised to turn it into a sports powerhouse Korea in the fi nal — had trained in Eu- for some gold medals in Rio, the Games judo, wrestling, table tennis and other “within a few years”. Andray Abrahami- rope. Success on the global stage brings organisers will be anxious to ensure they events in Rio, but their best hope of med- an, a North Korea specialist at Australia’s individual rewards, with top performers don’t get their Koreas mixed up. als will come in the weightlifting. While Macquarie University, said the country’s earning the title of “People’s Athlete” At the London Games in 2012, the rival South Korea is an international highly structured society with its em- and gifts that include cars and a high-end North Korean women’s football team sporting success, the North’s sporting phasis on participating in organisational apartment in Pyongyang. walked off the pitch in protest after their record has largely failed to fulfi l its aspi- life was primed for grooming top-class Athletes competing overseas are ex- images were shown on a giant screen rations. athletes. pected to remain relentlessly on-message alongside the South Korean fl ag. Organ- Its brightest moment in the global “The system is very good at spotting in crediting their achievements to state isers apologised profusely and the team spotlight came way back at the 1966 talent, which can then be developed at largesse. “Winning a medal is a personal fi nally returned, but only after each play- football World Cup when it pulled off specialised sports academies and clubs. honour, but our athletes see it as a way of er had been reintroduced with the correct a stunning upset by defeating Italy 1-0 The best of the best are then very well paying back the love of the party and the fl ag. “We also had to explain that it was on the way to the quarter-fi nals. North resourced indeed,” Abrahamian said. Dear Leader Kim Jong-Un,” intoned Son not customary in Britain for such a mis- Korea has competed in nine summer Ol- Sporting accomplishment is seen as a Yong-Min, a director at the Tongil Sports take to be met with a custodial sentence,” ympics since Munich in 1972, but taken valuable propaganda tool and investment Center in Pyongyang. “That’s why they recalled Sebastian Coe, chairman of the home only 14 gold medals. The four is very selective, focusing on sports and make the sacrifi ces they do,” Son said. London Games organising committee. Spanish weightlifter Lidia Valentin

FOCUS Village controversy reignites in pessimistic Brazil

AFP commodations as the worst she had Estadao newspaper found that 60% Rio de Janeiro seen in fi ve Olympics. of Brazilians believe the Olympics will The mayor’s quip that a kangaroo bring more bad than good to the coun- should be sent to make the Australians try. The Ibope poll found only 32% of ontroversy ignited on feel better fell fl at, being widely in- Brazilians expect the fi rst Games ever Wednesday over working con- terpreted as a jibe and quickly surfac- held in South America to be more posi- ditions for labourers racing to ing on Twitter as #kangaroogate. Paes tive than negative. This split showed a repair shambolic conditions explained he had not meant any harm darker mood than on the eve of the last atC the Athletes’ Village in Rio, just nine and off ered “a formal apology, almost a major sporting event hosted by Brazil, days before the Olympics. As the au- diplomatic thing”. the 2014 football World Cup. Then, thorities insisted that the Village was Flanked by Australian athletes, 40% expected more negative outcomes only experiencing teething problems Chiller praised Brazil for the “passion compared to 43% who were optimistic. and would be ready shortly, questions and the commitment” in carrying out Paes brushed off the poll, telling arose over alleged lack of legal protec- emergency repairs — and gave Paes Estadao that “the city of Rio is already tion for the approximately 600 people a stuff ed kangaroo. About half of the benefi ting from the legacy, the popula- drafted to make emergency repairs. buildings in the 31-building complex, tion is already benefi ting”. The ministry of labor said in a state- which will house some 19,000 team When Brazil won the Rio hosting ment that inspectors had discovered members from around the world, have rights back in 2009, the economy was “signs of informality in contracts” and had issues. booming and then president Luiz Ina- working days of “up to 23 hours.” Fines But International Olympic Commit- cio Lula da Silva was immensely popu- may be imposed, the ministry said. tee chief Thomas Bach, who arrived in lar. Today Brazil is in economic retreat, Inspector Hercules Terra said that the Rio on Wednesday, said that “the re- while Lula faces serious corruption absence of proper contracts for the maining ones will be solved in the next allegations and his handpicked suc- workers meant that “if a worker suff ers 24 or 48 hours”. Asked later how much cessor Dilma Rousseff risks being re- any sort of accident or is killed, then the rush repair job was costing, Paes moved from offi ce in an impeachment the family will not have this guaran- responded: “I don’t know.” vote shortly after the Games end. tee”. A spokesperson for the Rio 2016 The Village’s problems are another Amnesty International has high- organising committee said that the ap- embarrassment for Brazil, which is lighted bloody police violence in Rio propriate documents would be handed struggling to show it can cope with the by laying 40 body bags in front of the over soon. pressure during a severe recession and Olympic organizing committee head- Earlier, Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes Rio’s Mayor Eduardo Paes (middle row second left-) and Kitty Chiller (right), Australia’s Chief of Mission for the Rio 2016 political crisis. Organizers are already quarters — each representing people and the Australian team made peace Olympic Games, pose with the Australian athletes at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro. (AFP) facing questions over low ticket sales, killed by city offi cers in May alone. following its harsh complaints about public apathy, fears over the Zika virus, “Our main worry is that there is an conditions in the Village. Paes kissed key to the city and apologised for the leaks. “I saw the things. This was the Paes’ speech was a far cry from his and a spike in street crime as police escalation of police violence as we get Australia delegation chief Kitty Chiller construction hiccups, which included worst building. I recognise the prob- apparently combative reaction on complain of lack of resources. closer to the Games,” said Amnesty ex- on the cheek, handed her a symbolic blocked toilets, dangerous wiring and lems you faced,” a repentant Paes said. Sunday after Chiller lambasted the ac- A poll published in Sao Paulo’s pert Renata Neder. Gulf Times Friday, July 29, 2016 3 ROAD TO RIO

AGELESS Seven-up Leander has Olympics in his blood

AFP Paes was slotted in at the insistence of has carved out his timeless career. Rio de Janeiro the All India Tennis Association (AITA) He has 55 career titles, including eight in a row which had echos of a farce before Grand Slam men’s doubles trophies — the 2012 London Olympics 2012. three alongside Bhupathi with whom or India’s Leander Paes, the Back then, Mahesh Bhupathi was his relationship has veered between Olympics run in the family and teamed with Bopanna in the men’s dou- cordial and ice cold — and 10 in mixed. his record seventh appearance bles despite Paes being in the top 10. His French Open triumph with Martina at the Games represents another As part of a compromise, Paes, Hingis in June allowed him to add the landmarkF in a career which has straddled who had threatened to pull out of the mixed career Slam to his perfect collec- three bruising decades. Games, reluctantly played with Vishnu tion of men’s doubles. The 43-year-old jokes that he was Vardhan in the men’s doubles while be- He has played with more than 100 even conceived during the Olympics — ing controversially teamed with Sania partners in men’s doubles in his 25-year in 1972 in Munich where his father Vece Mirza in the mixed. career — partnerships which include, played in India’s bronze-medal winning It was an unhappy experience all however fl eeting, the likes of Rafael Nad- hockey team and mother Jennifer played round. Paes and Vardhan, who was al, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka. in the basketball. ranked just below 300 in the world at the “I’m fearless about anything. I be- Paes himself went on to win a bronze time, exited in the second round as did lieve in myself. I believe in my partner,” medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Ol- Bhupathi and Bopanna. Paes said. ympics. Four years later, he carried his Paes and Mirza made it to the Paes has also survived a worrying country’s fl ag at the opening ceremony quarter-fi nals in the mixed, losing to health scare to keep his career on track. of the Sydney Olympics. eventual champions Max Mirnyi and In 2003, he was hospitalised in Florida “I love playing for the country. I love Victoria Azarenka. for a suspected brain tumour. His illness playing for our people,” said Paes. Despite the controversies, nobody was eventually diagnosed as a brain ab- Despite his fondness for playing for can doubt Paes’s longevity. He was a scess but it was deemed serious enough India, it has not always been an easy ride Wimbledon and US Open junior singles to keep him off the tour for six months. for Paes. The veteran has been paired champion and world number one in the Away from tennis, Paes has also with Rohan Bopanna in the men’s dou- boys’ division in 1990. notched up a movie appearance, as bles in Rio despite his higher-ranked His bronze medal at Atlanta in 1996 was a gangster on the run in the widely- partner wanting to play originally with India’s fi rst in an individual event in more panned 2013 Bollywood off ering, Rajd- Saketh Myneni. than 40 years. But it is doubles where Paes hani Express.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Note-perfect Flamenco queen Murray ready for more glory AFP Determined to recover men- London tally and physically in time for Marin eyes elusive the Olympics, Murray opted out of Great Britain’s Davis Cup ndy Murray has quarter-fi nal win over Serbia revealed the secret and also pulled out of the Toron- behind the personal- to Masters 1000 event. That will ised notes that fuelled leave the three-time Grand Slam hisA Wimbledon triumph and champion with no match action will inspire his bid for more under his belt since Wimbledon. badminton gold Olympic glory. Instead, Murray was due to fl y Murray was often seen read- to Mallorca to begin his Olym- ing a sheet of paper in breaks pic preparations with a 10-day ‘It is an obsession and an ambitious objective. It will be more diff icult because between games as he marched training camp including practice to a historic second Wimbledon time with injury-plagued Span- there is more pressure, the expectations from the press and the people are very title in July. The Scot off ered a ish star Rafael Nadal. rare insight into the motiva- For all Murray’s success at diff erent. But I am desperate for it to come and, above all, enjoy the Olympics’ tional scribblings after his suc- the majors, the Olympics will cess at the All England Club. always retain a special place. The 29-year-old, who has Having lost in a tearful Wim- worked with a sports psycholo- bledon fi nal to Roger Federer, gist in the past, writes down Murray returned to the All important aspects of his game- England Club weeks later to plan to focus on during each avenge that painful defeat. match and sprinkles in inspira- Inspired by seeing Mo Farah tional reminders of his qualities. and a host of other British ath- As Murray prepares to defend letes take gold on home turf, the Olympics singles gold medal Murray routed Federer in the he won so memorably in Lon- Olympic fi nal — becoming the don four years ago, the world fi rst British man to win the sin- number two will again turn to gles gold medal in tennis since his notes for guidance in Rio. 1908. He also earned a silver “They’re personal notes. Some medal with Laura Robson in of them stay the same the whole the mixed doubles. time. They’re basic things I re- It was a far cry from Mur- mind myself to do during the ray’s Olympic debut in 2008 matches,” Murray said. when he suff ered an embar- “When I play my best ten- rassing fi rst-round loss to Tai- nis I feel like I’m doing these wan’s Lu Yen-Hsun in Beijing. things. They would be like, Murray has his sights set on ‘Make sure you’re moving taking home another medal your feet when you’re nervous’. from Rio. “You obviously want People have a tendency when to try to win a medal. Yeah, I’m they’re nervous to not move, looking forward to it,” Murray not use their legs. I think when said. “I love being involved in I play my best tennis, I do this, the Olympics, hopefully I can X, Y and Z, whatever it is on the have a good run there.” notes. Then I have some notes of the tactics for the match. Nadal’s injury situation “Sometimes when you’re in the heat of a second set tie- ‘delicate’, says Ferrer break in a slam fi nal, it’s easy to Rafa Nadal’s injury situation forget exactly what you’re try- is “delicate” ahead of the Rio ing to do. Sometimes I just look Olympics, according to his at the tactics that I’ve written Spanish teammate David Fer- down for the match. I refer to rer. Nadal, a 14-time Grand them at change of ends. I fi nd it Slam champion, has not played helps me.” a competitive match since May Murray’s notes are typical of 27 when a left wrist injury the perfectionist nature of the forced him to pull out of the British star, who will travel to French Open after the second Brazil refreshed after a long break round and miss Wimbledon. in the aftermath of his draining World number four Nadal won fortnight at Wimbledon. gold in Beijing eight years ago AFP drid she describes as “home”. work we have done. Many hours “Before Nadal we had already further into the media spotlight His imperious march to the and will be Spain’s fl ag-bearer Madrid “It will be more diffi cult than in this centre, which is my home. discovered tennis. Manolo San- if she can see off the likes of Chi- title culminated in a fi nal vic- in Rio. “I will travel with Rafa on the world championships be- It is the fundamental key to my tana was the one that opened ten- nese world number two Wang Yi- tory over Milos Raonic which Sunday to Rio,” Ferrer told Span- cause there is more pressure, the climb up the rankings,” she states. nis to Spain. han, defending champion Li and made him the fi rst British man ish radio Cadena Ser. “His situ- nspired by a love of fl a- expectations from the press and Yet, another key to the unex- “However, I am the one who Indonesia’s Ratchanok Intanon, to win multiple All England ation is more delicate. It’s never menco dancing and sporting the people are very diff erent to pected rise of a girl from Huelva has opened badminton to Spain. who has been cleared of an anti- Club crowns since Fred Perry easy to come back after an injury. hero Rafael Nadal, Carolina a world or European champion- on Spain’s sunny southwest coast I feel very proud and fortunate doping violation, to take part. in the 1930s. We will see how he feels.” Marin dreams of becoming ship. But I am desperate for it to to world number one was her love to have done so. Hopefully in the And unlike many tennis and theI fi rst European woman to win come and, above all, enjoy the Ol- of fl amenco as a youngster. future we will have more Spanish golf stars, Marin insisted she a badminton Olympic gold in Rio. ympic games.” “I danced fl amenco and thanks champions,” she said. won’t let fears of the Zika virus Marin’s ambitions are lofty but Marin was dumped out in the to a friend I got to know badmin- Gone are the days when she ruin her dreams of Olympic gold. realistic. She is a two-time world fi rst round in London four years ton. They are very diff erent, but says taxi drivers used to ask her “When I heard about the mos- champion in a sport normally ago as a 19-year-old by gold med- there are some movements in what badminton was when she quito problem I was worried more dominated by Asia. al winner Li Xuerui of China, but dancing fl amenco, above all the arrived back from international than anything because you could She is also ranked number much has changed since winning fl uidity of my body, which helps competitions with racket in hand. get ill during the Olympics. one in the world and has blazed the world championships for the me play badminton.” “After the fi rst world champi- “To think that after all the the trail for badminton in Spain fi rst time two years ago. Marin will follow Nadal as onship nobody asked me ‘what preparation we have done to get where minority sports strug- She retained her world title in Spain’s fl ag-bearer at the opening is badminton?’ People recognise there and then you could get ill gle for funding and attention in Indonesia last year and won the ceremony on August 5. me in the streets, when I get into when you are there. the shadows of the nation’s star- European championships for a Yet, despite speaking of the 14- a taxi they congratulate me and “But for sure we will have the studded football teams. second time in May to consolidate time tennis Grand Slam cham- say they are honoured to give me means to avoid that. The doctors “It is an obsession and an am- her place as world number one pion in reverential terms, she ad- a lift, so things have changed a lot will take all the precautions and bitious objective,” said Marin at and the only European player in mitted she has already done more in Spain,” she says. in the end the player has to trust the end of another day’s training the top 10. for badminton in her homeland A gold medal on August 19 in the doctors, physios and team at the performance centre in Ma- “The secret of all this is in the than even Nadal has for tennis. could see Marin catapulted even that surrounds them.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, July 29, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Hazard keen to recover title-winning Fabregas sees red form for Chelsea

Reuters The goals, however, dried up London last season for the 25-year-old, who netted just four times in the league. den Hazard said he was “We’ve got to show to every- as Chelsea beat eager to recapture the body we are Chelsea, we’re big form he displayed in players, we’re a big team and we Chelsea’s title-winning didn’t fi nish in a good place last 2014-15E campaign to help the season. Now we want to do bet- club recover from the disap- ter and win the Premier League. pointments of last season and We need to do this,” Hazard said. bring the Premier League trophy Hazard also said if he was to back to Stamford Bridge. ever leave the west London club, Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea launched one of the it would only be as a Premier worst defences of the league title League champion. in living memory last campaign, “When I was in France (with ‘I know Fabregas is a good man, a good boy and is not a player to have this type of fi nishing 10th in the fi nal ta- Lille), I fi nished my last game ble 31 points behind champions with a hat-trick and that was a situation. I’m sorry for him, I’m sorry for the Liverpool player’ Leicester City. good time to leave. And if I must “I want to be the best, like I leave one day, I hope I can fi n- was two seasons ago. I said — af- ish good here and be a champion ter the season like this — I want- again,” he added. ed to stay at Chelsea because I New Chelsea manager Antonio didn’t want to fi nish like this,” Conte has already strengthened Hazard told British media. his squad with two big-money The Belgian winger’s 14 goals signings in striker Michy Batsh- helped Chelsea become the Eng- uayi and midfi elder N’Golo Kante. lish champions for the fi fth time Conte will begin his tenure in in 2015 and earnt him England’s England with a London derby Footballer of the Year and the against West Ham United at Players’ Player of the Year awards. Stamford Bridge on Aug. 15.

Argentine FA hope for Messi international U-turn The acting head of Argentina’s final to defending champions FA, Armando Perez, will travel Chile on penalties last month. to Spain to try and convince Perez is also due to meet star striker Lionel Messi to Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli, reconsider his international re- the man who led Chile past Ar- tirement, according to reports gentina to their maiden Copa in Argentina yesterday. America title a year ago, with “I spoke with Leo’s father, we the aim of recruiting him as have agreed to meet next the new national team coach. week,” said Perez, in quotes Sampaoli, 56, joined Europa published by Argentine sports League champions Sevilla last daily Ole. “The most important month after replacing Unai Em- thing is to see if Messi will take ery and the club have ruled out part in (qualifying) matches” the Argentine’s departure or for the 2018 World Cup in Rus- any job-sharing arrangement. sia, added Perez, the head of a “I spoke with Sampaoli (on FIFA-appointed normalisation Wednesday), we will see. committee currently in charge There is work to do. We need of the AFA. to meet,” Perez told several Messi announced his shock radio stations, adding he was retirement after Argentina lost “not going to leave defeated”. the Copa America Centenario Now to see what happens.

EXPLANATION Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas #4 receives a red card after a hard challenge on Liverpool’s Ragnar Klavan during the 2016 International Champions Cup at Rose Bowl.

AFP Conte told reporters after the fi nal whis- crowd going in the 10th minute when he down a deep-lying Chelsea defense. Ribery expands on Pasadena, United States tle the match was more competitive than rose above several Liverpool defenders to The International Champions Cup is an he had been expecting, apologising for connect with a Fabregas corner for an all- exhibition tournament involving 17 clubs Fabregas’s foul. too-simple header. playing on four diff erent continents, all Guardiola criticism helsea’s Cesc Fabregas was sent “I think that in this period, the fatigue tuning up for their league seasons. off for a reckless lunge at Liv- sometimes can bring a (player) to go too DOMINANT LIVERPOOL Sturridge did not join Liverpool’s erpool new boy Ragnar Klavan, late,” he said. Liverpool looked the more enterpris- traveling party to Southern California, overshadowing a 1-0 friend- “I know Fabregas is a good man, a good ing side for much of the game, creating staying at their base in Palo Alto to com- lyC win at the Pasadena Rose Bowl on boy and is not a player to have this type of chances and dominating possession, but plete extra training sessions. Wednesday. situation. I’m sorry for him, I’m sorry for they lacked a cutting edge up front with Reds fans had been hoping to see The Premier League giants locked the Liverpool player.” striker Daniel Sturridge deemed unfi t. Georginio Wijnaldum after the Neth- horns in the pre-season International Klopp said Klavan had escaped un- Liverpool’s best chance came in the erlands international became the club’s Champions Cup in a match which was scathed from the challenge but revealed fi rst half when Chelsea’s Brazilian winger sixth summer signing following his ar- more remarkable for its clumsy fouls than that fellow recruit Marko Grujic was in Willian gave away a throw inside his own rival from Newcastle, but he was left out. free-fl owing football. hospital after receiving a knock to the half and left-back Alberto Moreno was The £25 million buy is on an intense Spanish midfi elder Fabregas, 29, could head in the fi rst half. played in down the left. training programme designed to ensure he have no complaints as he got his march- “He can’t remember anything... The The 24-year-old Spaniard cut it back can match the fi tness levels of his team- ing orders in the 70th minute for sliding situation’s not too cool but injuries hap- for Roberto Firmino, who got the ball mates, according to the Liverpool Echo. late into Klavan with his studs up. pening in games like this in the pre-sea- stuck under his feet and couldn’t pull Also missing were Belgian forward By then Californian referee Baldomero son, that’s the biggest problem.” the trigger. pairing Christian Benteke and Divock Toledo had already been forced to show Klopp denied that the game had more The striker had a goal ruled off side Origi, who are focusing on fi tness after yellow cards to four Liverpool players — edge than a normal pre-season clash, but minutes later after fi nishing off a gor- extended leave following their involve- with another to come — and one to Chel- added: “It was far away from a friendly geous exchange of back-heel passes. ment in Euro 2016. This win will give sea’s Gary Cahill. game, and that’s okay.” Liverpool pushed for an equaliser in the Chelsea some confi dence with the start Chelsea’s new head coach Antonio England defender Cahill got the 53,000 later stages, but they were unable to break of the Premier League looming. Bayern’s Franck Ribery celebrates after scoring a goal against AC Milan during a friendly in the International Champions Cup 2016. BOTTOMLINE AFP “I don’t need a coach to tell Chicago me what I have to do right on the pitch when I have the ball,” add- ed Ribery. rench winger Franck Having sometimes had a Ribery has again criti- strained relationship with Guar- City beat Dortmund on penalties cised his ex-Bayern Mu- diola, the Frenchman says Ance- nich coach Pep Guar- lotti has given Bayern “what we are so strong. There are many were kinder, with temperatures diolaF during the club’s tour of have been missing a bit” while AFP Shenzhen, China things to improve.” dropping slightly. the United States, claiming the the Italian said Ribery was “one A tap-in from Sergio Aguero He gave Oleksandr Zinchenko, Spaniard talks too much and of the best” players on the pitch for City on 79 minutes was can- Tosin Adarabioyo and Kelechi lacks experience. in Chicago. ep Guardiola got his celled out after Christian Pulisic Iheanacho starts and the chance Guardiola is now head coach In magazine Sport Bild, Ribery fi rst taste as Manchester fi red one home for Dortmund, to impress their new boss, while of Manchester City after three continued his criticism of Guar- City’s manager yester- through a crowded box, with six Guardiola’s opposite number seasons with Bayern and Ribery diola, pointing to the Spaniard’s day night after beating minutes of added time gone. Thomas Tuchel continued to has wasted no time in criticising lack of experience despite win- PBorussia Dortmund on penalties blood his new recruits also as he his former boss. ning 14 titles in four years with in a friendly, but expressed con- GUNN THE HERO had in their 4-1 win over Man- Bayern lost 5-3 to AC Milan on Barcelona and seven trophies in cern about the looming English City keeper Angus Gunn was chester United in the tourna- Wednesday in a penalty shoot- three years with Bayern. Premier League season. the hero of penalties with three ment’s opening match in Shang- out after their friendly in Chica- “He is still a young coach. He “Football today is tough,” said saves, including the one sealing hai last Friday. go fi nished 3-3 after extra time. lacks experience. Sometimes he Guardiola, whose side beat their their victory when he palmed Teenagers Ousmane Dem- Ribery netted twice, including (Guardiola) talks too much, foot- German opposition in the south- away Mikel Merino’s attempt. bele (19) and Emre Mor (18) both converting a 90th minute penal- ball is very simple,” added the ern Chinese city of Shenzen. It was a lively enough aff air started, alongside Marc Bartra, ty, and has refound his form after Frenchman. “Today you don’t have time to in front of a crowd of around Dortmund’s off -season capture injury restricted his number of Ribery also criticised Guar- rest. I don’t know if we are going 32,000 at the Shenzhen Uni- from Barcelona. appearances last season. diola for not starting key forward to kill our players but the sched- versiade Stadium and saw both In all there were six new fac- Carlo Ancelotti, 57, has re- Thomas Mueller for Bayern’s ule is the schedule. We start managers draw deep on their es from the starting XI against placed Guardiola as Bayern 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in in two weeks. But I saw what I substitutes benches as time United as Tuchel looked to put coach for the 2016/17 season and the fi rst-leg of the Champions wanted to see [tonight] – we are wore on. miles into legs. Ribery has been quick to praise League’s semi-fi nal last season aggressive and we want the ball.” Robbed of the chance for a But the goals came late and the Italian, at the expense of the as Munich eventually bowed out City won – and fi nally got the derby against rivals Manches- Tuchel could be excused if he 45-year-old Guardiola. in the last four for the third sea- workout Guardiola had craved – ter United by rain and a ropey thought life was unfair, given According to Ribery, 33, An- son running. thanks to a 6-5 penalty shootout Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola talks to Dortmund coach pitch on Monday, City’s Span- the chances his side had been celotti is an experienced coach, “You can’t make a mistake in win over Dortmund, after the Thomas Tuchel at the end of the match. ish manager had been desperate presented with, and the oppor- “totally diff erent” from Guar- the semi-fi nals of the Champi- game ended one apiece. to get some game time into his tunity – missed – to complete diola, who “has not had a long ons League, you have to have the Guardiola admitted City were ed so far. said Guardiola. “But we have to squad before their tour of China a double over both shades of career as a coach” and the player big names, your best players, on still a work in progress with just “I don’t want to complain but adapt. Today we played one of was over. Manchester. Now to see what says he feels “motivated and lib- the fi eld,” added Ribery. Now to two pre-season games complet- I would like to have more time,” the best teams in Europe – they Yesterday the weather gods happens during the season. erated” again on the pitch. see what happens next. Gulf Times Friday, July 29, 2016 5 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Day off to solid start Stars struggle in defending crown early as Walker grabs PGA lead Jason Day of Australia (left) and caddie Colin Swatton. AFP on the eve of the event at an un- Springfield, United States familiar course. ‘I feel like my game is in good shape. I can hit driver off the tee and from there, if I “I really don’t look at it as a ti- tle defense,” Day said after hav- drive it well, I feel like I have a big advantage’ op-ranked defending ing taken his fi rst major title last champion Jason Day, year at Whistling Straits. “I really battling illness and fa- look at it as I need to come back tigue, birdied the par-4 in, try and execute a game plan T11th hole yesterday at Baltusrol and try and win the tournament. for a solid start to his repeat bid I won it last year. That was fan- at the 98th PGA Championship. tastic and I need to focus on what The 28-year-old Australian, a I need to do this year to win the seven-time winner in his past 18 Wanamaker Trophy again.” starts, stood on one-under after McIlroy won the Irish Open three holes following a back-nine and has nine other top-10 show- start alongside four-time major ings in US and European Tour champion Rory McIlroy and fi ve- events this year, including a time major winner Phil Mickelson. share of fi fth at the British Open McIlroy opened with three two weeks ago. pars while Mickelson began “I feel like my game is in good bogey-par-par after fi nding a shape,” McIlroy said. “I can hit greenside bunker at 10 and miss- driver off the tee and from there, ing a seven-foot par putt. if I drive it well, I feel like I have a Sharing the early lead on big advantage.” two-under were Sweden’s David Mickelson won the 2005 PGA Lingmerth, England’s Paul Ca- at Baltusrol and comes in off his sey, Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo 11th runner-up showing in a ma- and Americans Harris English, jor, having lost a duel with Swe- Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler. den’s Henrik Stenson at the Brit- Sunny skies greeted the early ish Open. starters from the fi eld of 156, the At 46, the US left-hander strongest lineup of talent in any would be the fourth-oldest ma- event based on world rankings jor winner if he claims the title. since their 1986 creation. And it doesn’t hurt that The 7,428-yard, par-70 layout “Lefty” is a fan favorite in the features only two par-5 holes, metro New York area. those at 17 and 18 to ensure dra- “It not only makes it fun to ma and eagle chances to the end play but it also keeps my energy in the quest for the top prize of level up throughout the round $1.8 million (1.6 million euros). when I have a tendency to make a Defending champion Day has mistake or two,” Mickelson said. struggled with illness and taken “It helps me overcome some of extra rest in the run-up to the those mistakes”. year’s fi nal major tournament, “I’m very appreciative for the playing only one practice round way people here have treated me.”

DEBATE Jimmy Walker of the United States plays his shot from the sixth tee during the first round of the 2016 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey.

AFP left-hander who was second two weeks rankings since their 1986 creation. win a major or anything like that. It’s not Springfield, United States ago at the British Open, and McIlroy, who The 7,428-yard, par-70 layout features that serious. I’m not going to lie. It would Half a century on, shared fi fth at Royal Troon, each made only two par-5 holes, those at 17 and 18 be nice to get at least one. But it’s not the three bogeys on the back nine — their to ensure drama and eagle chances to the end of the world.” immy Walker birdied fi ve of his fi rst fi rst nine holes of the day — to quickly fall end in the quest for the top prize of $1.8 Germans still 10 holes to seize a two-stroke lead eight strokes adrift. million (1.6 million euros). early in yesterday’s fi rst round of World number one and defending McIlroy won the Irish Open and has Latest leaderboard the PGA Championship while Rory champion Jason Day of Australia, playing nine other top-10 showings in US and Latest leaderboard in the first round dispute THAT goal McIlroyJ and Phil Mickelson struggled. alongside Mickelson and McIlroy, held European Tour events this year, including from the PGA Championship at the Walker, a 37-year-old American who together at one-under through his fi rst a share of fi fth at the British Open two par-70 course yesterday AFP missed the cut in three of his past four nine holes thanks to a 15-foot birdie putt weeks ago. Hamburg major starts, was on fi ve-under through at the 11th. “I feel like my game is in good shape,” -5 Jimmy Walker (U.S.) 11 11 holes at par-70 Baltusrol after starting The star trio was the fi rst morning McIlroy said. “I can hit driver off the tee -3 Jamie Lovemark (U.S.) 9 Brian his round off the 10th tee. group to start on the back nine that failed and from there, if I drive it well, I feel like Stuard (U.S.) 13 Rickie Fowler (U.S.) 11 ifty years after THAT Brian Stuard, a 143rd-ranked Ameri- to produce at least one sub-par score on I have a big advantage.” -2 Jason Kokrak (U.S.) 14 Harris Eng- goal at Wembley, West can who won his fi rst US PGA Tour title the reachable par-5 18th hole. Mickelson won the 2005 PGA at Bal- lish (U.S.) 13 Emiliano Grillo (Argen- Germany captain Uwe this year at New Orleans, was second on Mickelson had trouble fi nding fairways tusrol and comes in off his 11th runner- tina) 13 Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) Seeler still insists Eng- four-under after 14 holes. and greens while McIlroy’s short game up showing in a major, having lost a duel land’sF Geoff Hurst’s controver- 14 Ross Fisher (Britain) 9 Paul Casey Sharing third on three-under were was hurting his hopes. with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson at the (Britain) 11 sial shot never crossed the line in England’s Paul Casey after 12 holes, Ar- Day was battling illness and fatigue. British Open. -1 Chris Wood (Britain) 11 Justin Tho- the 1966 World Cup fi nal. gentina’s Emiliano Grillo through 14 The 28-year-old Australian, a seven- Spain’s Sergio Garcia is trying to win mas (U.S.) 10 Brooks Koepka (U.S.) 11 Hurst’s second goal in the holes and American Jamie Lovemark af- time winner in his past 18 starts, took his fi rst major title in his 73rd try and Lee Westwood (Britain) 9 Robert Streb 101st minute of extra time — ter fi nishing the back nine. extra rest this week and played only one 70th consecutive major start dating to (U.S.) 9 Kevin Na (U.S.) 9 Jason Day which put England 3-2 ahead Casey had three back-nine birdies to practice round. the 1999 British Open. “If it doesn’t hap- (Australia) 9 Jon Curran (U.S.) 16 K.J. after the match had fi nished 2-2 start, took a double bogey at the fi rst then Sunny skies greeted the early starters pen, it’s not going to change my life,” Choi (Korea) 16 David Lingmerth over 90 minutes — is arguably This file photo shows England’s followed with back-to-back birdies. from the fi eld of 156, the strongest line- Garcia said. “I’m not going to go in a cave (Sweden) 13 Victor Dubuisson the most controversial goal in in- captain Bobby Moore holding Mickelson, a 46-year-old American up of talent in any event based on world and stay there until I die because I didn’t ternational football history. aloft the Jules Rimet trophy. England went on to claim a 4-2 win over West Germany with England’s only World Cup tri- BOTTOMLINE Hurst becoming the only player umph, the Germans’ victory at to score a hat-trick in a World the 2014 Brazil fi nals was their Cup fi nal. fourth world title and Seeler says But whether or not the ball it is time to put the 1966 contro- bounced behind the line from versy to bed. Hurst’s shot for England’s third “I believe all the players have goal has been debated for half a now well digested the events,” Higuain hits back at critics century with tomorrow marking he said. “Even if it was a defi ning the 50th anniversary of the 1966 moment, sport is sometimes like AFP be fully digested by Napoli and had slapped a 94.7mn euros buy- fi nal. Swiss referee Gottfried Di- that. You have to absorb it and Turin fans of the southern club. out clause on Higuain’s contract enst awarded the goal after con- put it away.” Azzurri fans were in ecstasy last season — only to slam him sulting with his linesman, Az- Up until his death in 1998, last season when Higuain went when he decided to quit the club. erbaijan’s Tofi q Bahramov, of the Dienst admitted he had no onzalo Higuain hit back on an unbelievable scoring spree “Some say that to speak of then USSR. idea whether the ball ever fully at critics of his contro- to ignite belief in a fi rst ‘scudet- betrayal is exaggerated, but Some modern studies, us- crossed the line and, in his auto- versial move to Juventus to’ title in 26 years. I think the opposite because ing fi lm analysis and computer biography “1966 And All That”, as he prepares to justify He broke Gunnar Nordahl’s there is the full sense of be- simulation, suggest the ball nev- even Geoff Hurst has said the Ghis 90million-euro price tag by 66-year-old Serie A record of 35 trayal in this (Higuain) choice er crossed the line, something Germans were probably right. helping the Italian champions to goals with a tally of 36 as Napoli because of the ingratitude Seeler has been insisting on for And Seeler joked about the as many titles as possible. fi nished runners-up to secure a shown,” said De Laurentiis. half a century. incident whenever he met mem- “In life, you have to make the place in the group stages of the Higuain has also come under “I was standing at the back of bers of England’s 1966 side. best decisions and I made mine Champions League. fi re from former coach Maurizio the box and saw exactly that the “When Geoff or Bobby by choosing Juventus,” Higuain Higuain was feted throughout Sarri, who claimed he had “not ball didn’t cross the line,” said (Moore) or Jackie (Charlton) told a small gathering of media the city by their passionate fans, even received a phone call”. the 79-year-old Seeler. were here, we’d have a laugh to- at his offi cial unveiling in Turin many of whom had tattoos of his At Juventus, Higuain will re- Hurst’s shot beat West Germa- gether about it,” said Seeler. yesterday. “It wasn’t easy, and goalscoring feats tattooed onto portedly earn 7.5mn euros a sea- ny goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski, “They knew alright that the I had to discuss for a long time their bodies. son to overtake Roma midfi elder the ball hit the underside of the ball wasn’t in. They saw it.” with friends and family. But af- But Higuain was blasted as Daniele De Rossi as the league’s crossbar, bounced on the line And Seeler said he is pleased ter three years with Napoli, it Juventus’ forward Gonzalo Higuain from Argentina holds his jersey a traitor by Napoli president highest paid player. before being headed away by de- goal-line technology in the was time for a change.” at the Juventus’ headquarter in Turin. Aurelio De Laurentiis, when he Higuain said it was time to put fender Wolfgang Weber. modern game means there will “Juventus are a club with a signed a fi ve-year deal with Juve the record straight. “Relations But Dienst’s decision has al- be no such repeat of the events great history, a culture of winning Juventus are primed for a third Allegri’s men are also expected to complete the third most ex- with him (De Laurentiis) never ways baffl ed the Germans and 50 years ago. and a project that excites me. I’m consecutive league and Cup to launch a fresh assault on the pensive transfer in history. went well because his way of their skipper Seeler. “Today football has become sure we can do well in the league double-winning season. Champions League having failed Only Real Madrid pair Gareth thinking is at odds with my way “We were all in a state of com- pure business,” said Seeler. and the Champions League.” But after the acquisition of Dani to follow their 2015 fi nal appear- Bale (100.8mn euros) and Cris- of thinking,” added Higuain. motion, none of us knew what “So it’s necessary to under “I can’t wait to show what I Alves from Barcelona, Croatian ance last season when they were tiano Ronaldo (94mn) cost more “I chose to join Juventus but was going on,” said Seeler. take certain measures to prevent can do and look forward to hav- starlet Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Za- ousted in the quarters by Bayern when they joined the Span- he pushed me to do it. Now, I’m “No one (in the West Germany such decisions.” ing a great season.” greb), Bosnian midfi elder Miralem Munich. Yet Higuain’s move to ish giants from Tottenham and really happy I did and I want to team) could understand why the “Of course, there are mistakes Less than a month from the Pjanic (Roma) and Mehdi Benatia Turin, following Alvaro Morata’s Manchester United respectively. thank Juventus for the eff ort goal was given.” from time to time, but that’s just start of the league campaign, (Bayern Munich), Massimiliano return to Real Madrid, has yet to De Laurentiis, a fi lm producer, they made to come and get me.” While the 1966 fi nal remains part of football.” Gulf Times 6 Friday, July 29, 2016 SPORT

ATP TENNIS FORMULA 1 Rosberg seeking Djoko makes winning home boost at post-Wimbledon Hockenheim AFP Like Rosberg, Hamilton has Hockenheim, Germany won before at the famous former high-speed track in the forests of Baden-Wurttembeg, somewhat ico Rosberg hopes his- reduced in speed and grandeur in return in Toronto tory will repeat itself as 2002 when it was cut from more he seeks a much-need- than four to around 2.3 miles in ed win on home soil at length. Serbian had not played since a third-round Wimbledon upset loss to Sam Querrey Nthe German Grand Prix to put The defending three-time him back on top of the drivers’ champion was victorious in 2008 world championship. and also won the German race The 31-year-old German, who when it was held at the Nurbur- won the last race at the Hocken- gring in 2011, during a spell when heimring in 2014, fell six points it was alternating between the behind his Mercedes teammate two venues. Lewis Hamilton in the champi- He said he is feeling confi dent onship following the defending again. champion’s victory at last Sun- “Getting that win in Hungary day’s Hungarian Grand Prix. after a less than straightforward It was the fi rst time this sea- weekend was a great feeling,” he son that Rosberg had left a race said. “If I can come out on top weekend in any position other when things aren’t quite perfect, than that of world champion- that can only be a good thing.” ship leader and he is determined Unfortunately, there was no to turn the tables on his rival in German race last year due to fi - front of Mercedes’ home crowd. nancial diffi culties, meaning that “It’s simple for me now,” he Rosberg was the event’s last win- said. “Lewis has done the best ner. job so far this season — by six If that gives him confi dence, points. That’s it. It’s the only it has not persuaded outsiders change, but it doesn’t change to back him for a ‘bounce-back’ much for me. in the title race with two-time “It’s so close. I’m out there at champion Fernando Alonso sug- every race with the opportunity gesting after last Sunday’s Ham- to win and it is always very close ilton victory that he now has the between us. It takes just one momentum. small thing to switch it around. “He is in a good position,” the “I’m happy to have the chance McLaren man told a Spanish ra- to get back in the car again so dio station. “He has come from soon and especially happy that behind and in this sport that it’s at my second home race. gives you something extra. “I had a fantastic day at Hock- “It’s the opposite for the driver enheim a few weeks ago driving who was leading, and had a big Mika Hakkinen’s championship- advantage... They catch you, winning car. It really gave me a they overtake you and you go into massive buzz to be back racing in a mini crisis.” Germany. Alonso added that last week- “Driving in through the cir- end’s qualifying row reminded cuit gates brought back so many him of his experience with Ham- great memories from my child- ilton, when they were teammates hood days at the DTM, with my at McLaren, in 2007. Dad, right through to winning Then, Alonso was penalised the Grand Prix for myself in 2014. for blocking Hamilton in the pits, “Hopefully I can repeat that forcing the Briton to miss his fi - this year for the fans and for eve- nal fl ying lap. As a result, Alonso rybody at Mercedes. lost pole position, which went to “After this race, it’s a well- Hamilton. earned break for the team, too. “Yes, it reminds me of things,” I’ll be pushing fl at out to give said a laughing Alonso. “Let’s them the result they deserve say, Rosberg doesn’t have an easy before they get some time to re- teammate! Lewis is very strong charge their batteries.” on track — very fast, he never Rosberg signed a new two- makes a mistake. Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a shot against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg on Day Three of the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Wednesday. (AFP) year contract with Mercedes in “And off the track he has sig- Hungary and was then engulfed nifi cant infl uence. Good luck to DPA but I was just glad to close this out in posting a 6-3, 6-3 win in just 66 minutes “Maybe I was practising a little bit too in a controversy about his pole Rosberg with that.” Toronto straight sets.” with eight aces. hard after the sickness, because obvi- position lap, delivered under Ferrari are sure to be pushing to Djokovic has now won all but three of The recent Wimbledon fi nalist is now ously I wanted to play well in Kitzbuhel. waved double yellow fl ags, dur- topple Mercedes if they have the his last 22 matches in Canada, playing into a match with American Jared Don- I played very well the whole season until ing an extended rain-hit qualify- power to mount a serious chal- ovak Djokovic took the fi rst step quarter-fi nals or better in eight of the aldson, who beat Italian Fabio Fognini Wimbledon, and if you play that well also ing session. lenge and overhaul rivals Red Bull. toward his current goal of a 30th past nine years. 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. the body works well. He is adamant that he can put The Italian team has struggled Masters 1000 title on Wednes- The 2015 Canada fi nalist improved to There was hip injury disappointment “But when the body needs a little rest that behind him and take the without a win this year and will day as the top seed advanced in 47-4 in 2016, winning six titles. for Austrian sixth seed Dominic Thiem, you lose the feeling. It’s the time to just fi ght back to Hamilton whose arrive in Germany without tech- Nhis opening match in Toronto. Djokovic will next play Czech veteran who has changed his travel plans after give the body a little bit of time to really recent streak of fi ve wins in six nical director James Allison who Djokovic stepped back onto a hardcourt Radek Stepanek, a 37-year-old who put lasting just 20 minutes in a 4-1 loss to get 100 percent.” races has taken him from holding left the team on Wednesday by for the fi rst time since winning the Miami out Canada’s Peter Polansky 7-6 (5), 6-4. Kevin Anderson. He is heading home for Thiem long ago withdrew from the Rio a defi cit of 43 points in the title mutual consent after a troubled fi nal nearly four months ago, emerging Djokovic leads that series 11-1. scans on a lingering hip problem. Olympics and will now prepare for a new race to a six-point lead. period. with a 7-5, 7-6 (3) defeat of Gilles Muller. There was a victory for third seed Kei Thiem, who has burst through the event in Mexico next month. Djokovic had not played since going Nishikori, with Asia’s top player beating rankings this season, is fi ghting out of Belgian seventh seed David Goffi n took out in a third-round Wimbledon upset American qualifi er Dennis Novikov 6-4, a minor slump after losing in the Wim- an easy win as Querrey pulled out while loss to Californian Sam Querrey. 7-5. bledon second round, going down ill and 6-4, 2-1 in their second-round match due He admitted that getting back to hard- “I knew I was going to get up-and- then losing in an opening match at his to back pain. court form was a challenge. downs because I haven’t played matches home event in Kitzbuehel. Ryan Harrison beat seeded American “The ball moved very fast in the heat, long time,” said Nishikori, who quit his “I felt it (the hip) since like two weeks,” compatriot John Isner, the number nine, it was hard to control. The match was not last match at Wimbledon injured. “I didn’t Thiem said. “It didn’t get worse. I de- 7-6 (3), 6-7 (4), 6-4; Australian 12th seed easy to play. But I managed to stay tough. practise much, but I played good tennis.” cided to go out and to try, but yeah, ob- Bernard Tomic stopped Steven Diez of “I was disappointed to lose serve twice Canadian fourth seed Milos Raonic was viously it didn’t work out against such a Canada 6-3, 7-6 (4). The 13th seed Lucas in the second set when I was up a break, untroubled by Taiwan’s Lu Yen-Hsun, good player. Pouille lost to Rajeev Ram 6-4, 7-6.

WTA TENNIS Evergreen Venus coasts into Montreal third round Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (left) celebrates his win in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix as teammate Nico Rosberg looks on. (AFP) AFP Elsewhere, Canada’s Bouchard de- Montreal lighted her hometown crowd with a 6-2, 6-0 drubbing of Cibulkova. Victory was sweet for the former world Indonesia’s Haryanto to race in enus Williams breezed into the number fi ve, who lost to Cibulkova at third round of the Rogers Cup Wimbledon earlier this month. German Grand Prix in Montreal on Wednesday with “It’s special playing in Montreal,” Reuters tion regarding my future to a straight sets rout of Barbora Bouchard said afterwards during her on- Hockenheim, Germany one side and concentrate on VStrycova as home hope Eugenie Bouchard court interview. the racing here in Hocken- upset 11th seed Dominika Cibulkova. “I don’t get to do it often, so it just heim.” Sixth seed Williams, 36, showed no makes me extra motivated to play in front io Haryanto will race in It is still unclear whether the sign of lingering weariness following her of you guys.” this weekend’s German 23-year-old Haryanto will see defeat in the fi nal of the WTA Stanford Bouchard’s win came just a day after a RFormula One Grand out the season. He indicated event in California last weekend, main- gruelling three-set battle with Lucie Sa- Prix, the Indonesian said in a that negotiations to secure taining her 100 percent record over Stry- farova of the Czech Republic on Tuesday. statement issued by his Manor him the seat for the remainder cova with a 6-3, 6-0 win. Bouchard had also been hit by a stom- team on Wednesday. of the year were still ongoing. Williams was pleased to have wrapped ach complaint during a doubles match Haryanto, Indonesia’s first “We’re working as hard as pos- up the win in under an hour after a mara- later Tuesday. Formula One driver, has a sible on the future behind the thon three-hour battle with Strycova in However she looked comfortable dur- contract with Manor for the scenes, but that’s where I want their previous encounter. ing a victory in one hour 13 minutes on full season but the funding to keep that side of things for “It was defi nitely more straightforward Wednesday, saving seven break points his sponsors have committed this weekend,” he said. I think than all of our other matches,” while unfurling a stream of winners — 22 only guaranteed his drive up Haryanto’s main sponsor is Williams said. in total — to clinch victory. to last Sunday’s Hungarian state-owned oil company Per- “I didn’t mind that, especially after “I felt very solid and very focused; it’s Grand Prix. tamina, which has contributed playing a lot last week, just to be able to important for me to keep my focus and “The team have been very five million euros ($5.53mn) come out and hopefully advance to the keep my energy up,” said Bouchard, who supportive and also the fans, towards the funding needed next round. Venus Williams of the United States hits a return against Barbora Strycova of Czech faces another Slovak, Kristina Kucova in so I’m really happy that I will to secure his seat at the sport’s “It’s been intense. Usually I don’t play Republic on day three of the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Wednesday. (AFP) the next round. be racing here,” Haryanto said smallest team. this much back-to-back. But I knew what “I need to keep playing my game, no in a Q&A, previewing engine- Indonesian media reports I was going to do going into the year, what put pressure on Williams’ suspect service break point — unconverted — but was in matter who’s on the other side of the net,” supplier Mercedes’ home race. have put the total needed at it was going to take.” game in the second set. turn broken three times as Williams raced Bouchard said as she looked ahead. “It’s “I intend to put all the specula- 15mn euros. Strycova paid the price for a failure to Strycova managed to earn only one into the next round. about me, being aggressive and enjoying it.” Gulf Times Friday, July 29, 2016 7 CRICKET

1ST TEST/ SRI LANKA vs AUSTRALIA 1ST TEST/ ZIMBABWE vs NEW ZEALAND Wagner rocks Mendis’ unbeaten rusty Zimbabwe AFP results. There was no swing or Bulawayo movement. We knew we had to try and use the surprise factor.” Debutant Prince Masvaure eft-arm seamer Neil and tailender Donald Tiri- Wagner’s raw pace and pano did their best to haul the Laggression proved too home side towards some sort ton revives SL hopes much for an out-of-touch of respectability, batting nearly Zimbabwean batting line-up three hours in an 85-run stand as New Zealand stamped their for the ninth wicket. Mendis’ unbeaten 169 helps Sri Lanka reach 282-6 at close of play on Day 3 of the authority on the fi rst Test on Proving that the top order the opening day at Queens had no excuses for their frailty, rain-hit Test, giving them a 196-run lead against the world’s number one Test team Sports Club yesterday. Tiripano registered the highest On a surface off ering little score by a Zimbabwean No. 10. to the bowlers, Wagner bent “It was more about gutsing it AFP his back and used the short ball out out there,” he said. “The guys Pallekele, Sri Lanka to good eff ect to take career- didn’t apply themselves as much best fi gures of 6 for 41, bowl- as they should have. It’s some- ing Zimbabwe out for just 164 thing they need to work on.” atting hero Kusal Mendis backed after they had won the toss and Tim Southee eventually Sri Lanka’s spinners to pile on the elected to bat fi rst. New Zea- made the breakthrough when pressure against Australia after land closed the day on 32 with- he trapped Masvaure lbw for his brilliant maiden century gave out loss, with Tom Latham on 42, before Wagner wrapped up theB hosts an unlikely shot at victory in the 16 and Martin Guptill on 14. the innings to leave Tiripano fi rst Test in Pallekele yesterday. Zimbabwe had not played a unbeaten on 49. Guptill and An unbeaten 169 from Mendis helped Test since November 2014, and Latham had no trouble in see- Sri Lanka reach 282 for six at close of play the hiatus showed in their in- ing out the 10 overs left in the on Day 3 of the rain-aff ected Test, giving ability to occupy the crease on day as they reduced New Zea- them a 196-run lead in a gripping contest a pitch that held no demons. land’s defi cit to 132. against the world’s number one Test team. Opener Brian Chari fell to Mendis’ knock was the highest score by the second ball of the day, and Scoreboard any Sri Lankan against Australia at home after Chamu Chibhabha and Zimbabwe (1st innings) and came after no player from either side Hamilton Masakadza off ered B Chari c Guptill b Southee 4 had managed to even score a half-century some stability with an hour- C Chibhabha c Latham b Wagner 15 in the fi rst innings. long stand, Wagner got stuck H Masakadza c&b Santner 15 Mendis, who came to the crease in the into the hosts. C Ervine st Watling b Santner 13 fi rst over of the day after the early dis- In a 13-over spell either side S Williams c Sodhi b Wagner 1 missal of Dimuth Karunaratne, hardly of the lunch break, the 30-year- S Raza c Latham b Wagner 22 P Masvaure lbw Southee 42 put a foot wrong in his 243-ball innings old removed Chibhabha and R Chakabva c Watling b Wagner 0 which has so far featured 20 boundaries. Sean Williams before the inter- G Cremer c Nicholls b Wagner 0 He played Australia’s seamers with confi - val and then struck three times D Tiripano (not out) 49 dence before cutting loose against the spin in one over to reduce the hosts M Chinouya b Wagner 1 bowlers with an array of boundaries. He to 72 for eight. Extras (lb-2) 2 reached his century in spectacular fash- All but one of his fi rst fi ve Total (all out, 77.5 overs) 164 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-35, 3-35, 4-36, ion when he slog-swept Nathan Lyon for dismissals came from short 5-72, 6-72, 7-72, 8-72, 9-157, 10-164 six and then reached his 150 by cutting the deliveries, as Zimbabwe’s bats- Bowling: Southee 17-8-28-2, Boult same bowler for four. men had no answer to the ploy. 11-5-23-0, Santner 14-5-16-2, Wagner The 21-year-old, playing in his seventh “Tactically it’s one of my 20.5-8-41-6, Sodhi 15-3-54-0 Test, is closing in on the record score by a unlikely sniff of victory. A total of 75 overs so far have been lost which looks evenly balanced. Lyon, play- strengths, trying to get players New Zealand (1st innings) Sri Lankan against Australia and now only Starting the day on 6 for 1, still 80 runs due to rain and bad light but the steady ing in his 55th Test, made his debut in 2011 off the front foot and see if we M Guptill (batting) 14 needs to overhaul Kumar Sangakkara’s 192 behind the Australians, the hosts were succession of wickets on the fi rst two days in Sri Lanka’s Galle, the venue for the next can get a wicket that way,” Wag- T Latham (batting) 16 Extras (nb-2) 2 at Hobart in 2007. soon in even deeper trouble when Karu- means that the match is still expected to match in the series. ner explained. “Maybe get some Total (0 wicket, 10 overs) 32 “It feels great,” Mendis said after the naratne was judged lbw against Mitch- yield a result. Scoreboard doubt in their footwork. With Bowling: Chinouya 4-0-10-0, Tiripano day’s play. “From the position we were ell Starc without adding to the overnight Adam Voges top-scored in Australia’s the wicket being fl at, you have 3-0-13-0, Masvaure 1-0-2-0, Cremer in... to get to a lead of almost 200 is great. score. The hosts also lost their skipper fi rst innings total of 203 all out in reply to Sri Lanka (1st innings)...... 117 to try some options to create 1-0-1-0, Sikandar Raza 1-0-6-0 Hopefully we can add more runs on the Angelo Mathews and opener Kaushal Sil- Sri Lanka’s score of 117. Australia (1st innings) 203 board and put pressure on Australia on a va in the morning session before Mendis The match is the fi rst in a three-Test Sri Lanka (2nd innings; overnight 6/1) wicket that will assist our spinners.” launched the revival act. series which will also see the Australians K Perera lbw Starc ...... 4 BRIEFS The visitors’ bowlers struggled in the Lyon said that the wicket had become travel to Galle and then Colombo. K Silva lbw O’Keefe ...... 7 absence of spinner Steve O’Keefe who slightly improved but was still full of praise D Karunaratne lbw Starc ...... 0 Ireland trio set for Pakistan return pulled a hamstring, as fi rst Dinesh Chan- for Mendis. “It has got a bit easier to bat K Mendis (batting) ...... 169 Ireland are set to welcome back Niall O’Brien, Craig Young and Boyd dimal and then Dhananjaya de Silva gave but you’ve got to give credit where credit Lyon enters 200 wicket-club A Mathews c Burns b Lyon ...... 9 Rankin for their forthcoming one-day international series against Pa- Mendis some solid support. Mendis and is due. The young fella, to get 169, has bat- Australia’s Nathan Lyon yesterday be- D Chandimal lbw Marsh...... 42 kistan. The trio all missed the recent drawn series against Afghani- Chandimal put on 117 runs in their fi fth- ted out of his skin. He’s played extremely came the country’s fi rst off -spinner to D de Silva c Khawaja b Lyon ...... 36 stan but will be available for next month’s two ODIs with Pakistan wicket partnership. well,” said Lyon. “It’s been a tough day for bag 200 Test wickets, during his team’s D Perera (batting) ...... 5 at Malahide, near Dublin. O’Brien, who struck 72 in Ireland’s 2007 After Chandimal was out, lbw for 42 our bowlers, but the good thing about Test fi rst Test against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Extras (lb 10) ...... 10 World Cup win over Pakistan, is fit following a calf problem, while off Marsh’s bowling, the debutant de Silva cricket is you can bounce back tomorrow Lyon dismissed Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Total (6 wickets, 80 overs) ...... 282 Young is back after an elbow injury. Meanwhile, Rankin is set to then scored 36 in a partnership worth 71 and look forward to take the new ball and Silva, who was caught at midoff , to reach Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Perera), 2-6 (Karu- make his return to Irish cricket, having briefly represented England before becoming Lyon’s 200th Test vic- hopefully take some early wickets.” the milestone in the second session of the naratne), 3-45 (Silva), 4-86 (Mathews), in just one Test, against Australia at Sydney in 2014. tim, caught at long-on by Usman Khawa- Sri Lanka will pin their hopes on victory third day’s play, triggering celebrations in 5-203 (Chandimal), 6-274 (de Silva) ja. Sri Lanka only managed another eight on veteran spinner Rangana Herath who the Aussie camp. Lyon, who had already Bowling: Starc 12-4-44-2, Hazlewood 13-3- Latest injury leaves Stokes devastated runs before bad light and then rain brought took four wickets in Australia’s fi rst innings passed former Australian off -spinner 41-0, O’Keefe 16.2-3-42-1, Lyon 26-2-98-2, an early end to proceedings for the third and will be expected to do the lion’s share of Hugh Trumble’s tally of 141 wickets, has Warner 1-0-10-0, Voges 1.4-0-3-0, Marsh 9-1- England all-rounder Ben Stokes has said he is “devastated” after afternoon in a row but they now have an the work when the visitors bat again. now picked up fi ve wickets in the game 33-1, Smith 1-0-1-0 his calf injury ruled him out of the third Test against Pakistan. The 25-year-old tore his right calf muscle during England’s series-levelling 330-run win over Pakistan at Old Traff ord last Monday, in his first ap- pearance since undergoing a knee surgery in May. “Devastated about MENDIS MASTERCLASS SUGGESTS LIFE AFTER SRI LANKA BATTING GREATS the injury especially with all the hard work put in by myself and others or a nation in the throes of a tricky tran- ahead with four wickets in hand. ting great, too. Jayawardene, who also quit Chandimal for the fifth wicket and raising 71 to get me back to FULL fitness,” Stokes tweeted. But he suggested he Fsition since stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara In a bowler-dominated contest where no last year after serving Sri Lanka with distinc- more with Dhananjaya de Silva. As the 20 was optimistic about returning soon, adding: “Another couple weeks and Mahela Jayawardene walked off into other batsman has managed a fifty, Mendis tion for 17 years, tweeted his congratula- boundaries and the single six that flowed of rehab and hoping to finish off what has been great summer so the sunset, Kusal Mendis’ batting heroics nonchalantly brought up his maiden Test tions, warning that the youngster — and Sri from his blade would suggest, he never far for @ECB_cricket.” The third Test in the four-match series against against Australia yesterday will off er new century, hitting off -spinner Nathan Lyon Lanka — were not finished yet. retreated into his shell even when rebuild- Pakistan begins on August 3 at Edgbaston. hope to Sri Lanka. over the ropes. Even on Sri Lanka’s tour of England ing the Sri Lankan innings. Already on the back foot after conced- “What a knock by the youngster @Kus- earlier this year when they lost the Test and With him in full flow, Sri Lanka scored Windies call up fast bowler Joseph ing an 86-run first innings lead, they were alMendis1 character and ability. Sri Lanka one-day series as well as the lone Twenty20 at an impressive four-plus an over in the West Indies have called up uncapped teenage fast bowler Alzarri reeling on six for two when the 21-year-old poised to win this now. What an innings. International, Mendis managed a couple of post-lunch session as Mendis almost single- Joseph to their squad for the second Test against India which gets walked out to bat. By the time he walked Outstanding,” tweeted Sangakkara, who one-day fifties. handedly turned the match on its head. The underway at Sabina Park tomorrow. Joseph, 19, was one of his off — thwarted by rain rather than any of the hung up his bat last year after a stellar 15- And against Australia, as wickets kept right-hander contributed nearly 60% of the team’s stars at the Under-19 World Cup this year, helping the West bowlers from the world’s top-ranked Test year career. tumbling at the other end, Mendis showed team’s total in the second innings, and 52 Indies to the title with 13 wickets to his name. “We feel that Alzarri team — Mendis was unbeaten on 169 after a Mendis, playing only his seventh Test impeccable temperament, adding a more than the entire side had managed in will now benefit from the professional guidance of our coaching 243-ball masterclass and Sri Lanka 196 runs match, earned the praise of that other bat- match-high 117-run partnership with Dinesh the first innings. And he is not done yet. staff and the presence of fast bowling legend Joel Garner as man- ager,” said West Indies chairman of selectors Courtney Browne.

SPOTLIGHT Saqlain set for second stint as England spin guru

AFP is Pakistan’s fi rst tour of England since their ple that have been top of their fi eld in the past London infamous 2010 spot-fi xing debacle at Lord’s, and are able to pass on their knowledge. (But) both sides are desperate to let their cricket do those greats of the game very rarely get in- the talking. volved full-time, so you do have to bring them akistan off -spin great Saqlain It is also a refl ection of their multi-nation- in series by series.” Mushtaq is set for another spell as al backroom staff , with England head coach One concern for Bayliss ahead of next an England coaching consultant, Trevor Bayliss an Australian and his Pakistan week’s third Test at Edgbaston is Ali’s habit of highlighting how fl uid national alle- counterpart, Mickey Arthur, a South African. bowling ‘moon balls’ or beamers, that see him Pgiances can become when a cricketer’s play- Added to all that, Pakistan fi elding coach no-balled for a dangerous delivery. ing days are over. Steve Rixon, the former Australia wicket- Two such balls in an innings could see Saqlain was brought in by England ahead keeper, and Bayliss — who made his name in- Ali, who collected three wickets as England of the recent second Test against Pakistan at ternationally as Sri Lanka coach — were once wrapped up victory on Monday, removed Old Traff ord. In the build-up he found him- teammates in the same New South Wales side. from the attack by the umpires. “Four or fi ve self working with both off -spinner Moeen Ali Meanwhile, Bayliss was in no doubt about times in the last couple of Tests, and one or and leg-break bowler Adil Rashid, although the impact someone like the 39-year-old two at practice as well,” said Bayliss. only Ali of the pair made it into the XI that Saqlain, who took 208 Test wickets at under Whether Ali was trying to bowl the ‘doos- won by 330 runs with more than a day to spare 30 runs apiece in 49 matches, could make, ra’, a delivery pioneered by Saqlain that is the to level the four-match series at 1-1. even in a part-time role. opposite of a conventional off -break in turn- Saqlain’s former Pakistan teammate “He was here for this Test match. We’ll ing away, rather than towards, a right-handed Mushtaq Ahmed, is carrying out a similar probably look at something else further down batsman, Bayliss was uncertain. role with the tourists in more of a permanent the line as well. Both Mo (Ali) and Rash (Rash- “I’m not sure if he’s trying to bowl any- capacity. Prior to taking up his Pakistan role, id), who was here in the lead-up to the Test, thing diff erent or not, but he has put himself former leg-spinner Mushtaq was England’s enjoyed working with him very much. By the under a little bit of pressure, I think. When spin-bowling coach. sound of it, it was very positive and we’ll look you do that, it’s diffi cult to bowl at this level Off -spin legend Muttiah Muralitha- to use him again,” Bayliss said. and especially against opposition that are ran, Test cricket’s all-time leading wicket- “It wasn’t necessarily a lot technically, it brought up playing against spinners. taker, has come under fi re for working with was more tactical. That’s where we think both “He (Ali) bowls wicket-taking balls. For Australia in their ongoing series in his native Rash and Mo need to make improvements, to me, he’s got to work on his consistency to Sri Lanka. go ahead in the international game... More get the ball to bounce in the one spot a lot By contrast, the atmosphere between fi eld-settings and how to bowl to diff erent more often. He’s certainly working hard at it, English and Pakistani offi cials has been far players. It’s good to have someone like Saqlain so hopefully that starts to come together,” more cordial. That’s partly because, as this come in, Mahela Jayawardene come in, peo- Bayliss said.

Friday, July 29, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING / QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL Al Shaqab’s Mehmas wins Qatar Richmond Stakes Win is Al Shaqab Racing’s second straight in Group 2 race after Shalaa’s victory in 2015

Agencies He doesn’t really bother. Goodwood, United Kingdom He likes a scrap and I took him to a scrap and he came l Shaqab Racing’s Mehmas imposed up trumps. He doesn’t himself courageously at the very end of the Qatar Richmond Stakes know how to run a bad (Gr2) on third day of the Qatar race. He wears his heart on GoodwoodA Festival. his sleeve and I’m pleased Ridden by Frankie Dettori, Mehmas trav- elled on the outside and showed a lot of te- for HE Sheikh Joaan, who nacity to resist Blue Point’s attack in the fi nal is here today furlongs. Blue Point, who had been undefeat- ed in two runs, fi nished a close second ahead — Jockey Frankie Dettori of Intelligence Cross. Jockey Frankie Dettori jumps “He really sticks his head out. He’s not off Mehmas to celebrate their overly big, but he has a big heart to compen- win in the Qatar Richmond sate for that,” Dettori was all praise for his Stakes (Gr2) on Day Three of ride after the win. “He took it to the favourite the Qatar Goodwood Festival and he showed what a tenacious horse he is. yesterday. He’s straightforward. He doesn’t really both- er. He likes a scrap and I took him to a scrap and he came up trumps. He doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He wears his heart on his sleeve and I’m pleased for HE Sheikh Joaan, who is here today.” Experience seemed to have played an im- portant role for Mehmas. The two-year-old colt continued his winning form from the Lord March (left) presents HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani with the trophy after Al Shaqab Arqana July Stakes (Gr2) three weeks ago. He Racing’s Mehmas won the Qatar Richmond Stakes (Gr2) on third day of the Qatar Goodwood won his fourth race in six runs yesterday and Festival yesterday. provided trainer Richard Hannon with his fi rst Goodwood winner this week. Palpably, Hannon was excited. “I just love the horse. He’s very tough and he’s done nothing wrong all year, and ulti- mately he’s extremely talented. He’s a horse that we like, the Sheikh likes him and I love him even more now. I think he’s going to be utilised this year as a two-year-old,” Hannon said yesterday. “We need to win a Group One with him. What we do after that we will have to discuss and wait and see. He can’t do any more than what he’s doing at the moment. We’ll prob- ably think about the Morny and the National Stakes. He was carrying a 3lb penalty and has been on the go all year. He’s not doing much at home, but to give that weight away and still beat them was impressive.” The 2015 edition of the Qatar Richmond Stakes was also won by Al Shaqab Racing, thanks to Shalaa, who was also ridden by Dettori. Big Orange battles to keep title in Qatar Goodwood Cup

Agencies is used to. In the fi nal furlongs, he was last furlong he just outstayed them owners) is very keen, I’d be quite Goodwood, United Kingdom challenged on all sides, but managed again. I always wanted to be leading keen, but I think we will have to see to sustain his speed in order to resist or sat second, but he got on with it what weight he’s got before we com- the attacks and impose himself. and put them to the sword.” mit. There are others possible targets ne of the highlights of the Big Orange had won his second Trainer Michael Bell, who was a bit for him like the Canadian Interna- third day of the Qatar Good- straight Princess of Wales’s Arqana reticent to commit to another Mel- tional and the Hong Kong race, but wood Festival was the Qatar Racing Club (Gr2) three weeks ago. bourne Cup trip in which his pupil there’s a lot to be chewed over and Goodwood Cup (Gr2). After “He’s a big strong galloper and he’s fi nished fi fth last year, said after the we will enjoy doing it. Bear in mind winningO the 2015 edition of the race, got stronger since last year and can race: “He’s an enormous horse and big Melbourne is a handicap and if you Big Orange converted the try again this sustain top speed for longer,” Spencer horses tend to mature with age. It’s a get a prohibitive weight, there’s no year ahead of Qatar Racing Limited- said after the win. cliche, but like a fi ne wine, he’s getting point in going.” owned Pallasator. “I’m not convinced this is his better with age. He’s just a star to have Four-year-old fi lly California won the The latter fought against Sheikhza- track. On flat tracks, he’s much bet- in the yard. It’s lovely to have him. He Markel Insurance Fillies’ Stakes (Gr3). yedroad for the second place, but fi - ter as you can really let him at it, but loves this fast ground and he’s got such The Denford Stud-owned fi lly won eas- nally took the advantage at the very you have to slow down for the bends a high cruising speed, an enormous ily ahead of Tioga Pass and Twitch. end. here. He was tough when it came to stride and, touch wood, he’s a very Big Orange, with jockey Jamie it. They came to me at the three and sound horse. Big Orange’s representative receive Spencer at the helm, led the race as he matched me for speed and in the “Bill is not so keen, Tim (Gredley, their trophy after he won yesterday.

COTIF Tournament: Qatar holds Mexico Qatar coach names squad ahead of Swiss camp Qatar coach Daniel Carreno yesterday named a batch of 28 players in his squad that will play the final phase of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. According to details made available by Qatar Football Association (QFA), the squad will travel to Switzerland for a training camp on August 11, after assembling in Doha on Boudiaf, Moez Ali, Hassan al- August 1. Haidoos, Saad al-Sheeb, Karim In August, Qatar will play Hassan, Ali Asad, Mohamed a series of international friend- Kasola, Ibrahim Majid, Pedro lies before heading to Tehran Miguel, Sebastian Soria, Omar for their September 1 clash Barry, Rodrigo Tabata, Ahmed against Iran. Alaa, Abdulrahman Abakr, On August 8, Qatar face Iraq Ahmed Abdel-Maksoud, in Doha followed by another Khalifa Abubaker, Boualem game against Real Betis on Khuouki, Meshal Abdullah and August 13 in Zurich. Akram Afif. Al Anabi face Jordan on August 18 in Zurich followed SCHEDULE by an international friendly August 8, 2016: Qatar vs Iraq against Thailand on August 24 (friendly), Doha in Doha. August 13, 2016: Qatar vs Qatar fly out to Tehran on Real Betis (friendly), Zurich August 30. On September 6, August 18, 2016: Qatar vs Qatar face Uzbekistan in their Jordan (friendly), Zurich second 2018 FIFA World Cup August 25, 2016: Qatar vs qualifying game. Thailand (friendly), Doha Squad: Claude Amin, Khaled September 1, 2016: Iran vs Muftah, Ahmed Yasser, Mo- Qatar (2018 FIFA WC Quali- hamed Musa, Abdul Rahman fier), Tehran Mohamed, Ismail Mohamed, September 6, 2016: Qatar Luiz Martin, Mohamed Abdul- vs Uzbekistan (2018 FIFA WC Action from the COTIF Tournament match between Qatar (in maroon) and Mexico in Alcudia, Mallorca, Spain, yesterday. The match ended in a goalless draw. lah, Mohamed Muntari, Karim Qualifier), Doha