SPOTLIGHT | Page 2 RUGBY | Page 7 Hantuchova Lions excited about sense historic future aft er win over All quitting tennis Blacks

Saturday, July 8, 2017 FOOTBALL Shawwal 14, 1438 AH Rooney’s United GULF TIMES future should be settled soon SPORT Page 5 TENNIS CRICKET Nadal and Murray Ali and Broad put power into last 16 England in Nadal’s second and most recent Wimbledon title came in 2010 command AFP London

afael Nadal slugged his way into the Wimbledon last 16 with a bruising dismissal of Karen Khachanov, while Kei Nishikori Radmitted he can’t cut it on grass after the Japanese star crashed out yesterday. Having won his 10th French Open crown without dropping a set last month, Nadal has made the switch from clay to grass with such ease that his title rivals might be getting a little worried. His 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win against Russian 30th seed Khachanov equalled the Spaniard’s personal record of 28 suc- cessive sets won at Grand Slams, a blis- tering streak dating back to this year’s Australian Open fi nal. England’s Moeen Ali bowls at Lord’s against South Africa yesterday. Nadal’s second and most recent Wim- bledon title came in 2010 and the 15-time AFP know that — but I was really major winner hasn’t been past the fourth London happy with the way I bowled to- round for six years. day,” added Ali, who took an eco- But world number two Nadal is in for- nomical two for 35 in 13 overs. midable form heading into only his sec- oeen Ali and Stuart England resumed on 357 for ond fourth round tie in his last fi ve visits Broad both starred fi ve, with Joe Root 184 not out in to Wimbledon. with bat and ball to his fi rst Test as England captain. His opponent is 16th seed Gilles Mull- leave England well- Ali was 61 not out and just 12 er, who defeated Aljaz Bedene 7-6 (7/4), Mplaced come the close of the sec- runs away from reaching 2,000 7-5, 6-4 to reach the last 16 for the fi rst ond day of the fi rst Test against in Tests. time at the age of 34. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Russia’s Karen Khachanov during their men’s singles third round match on the fifth day of South Africa at Lord’s yesterday. England twice lost two wickets the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. Ali made 87 and Broad an un- for no runs in three balls yester- Results beaten 57 — his fi rst Test fi fty in day yet passed 450 thanks to an Andy Murray also advanced to the reach the last 16 as he was over-powered Goolagong, who was the last Wimbledon four years — as England piled up entertaining last-wicket stand MEN (3RD RD): Andy Murray (GBR x1) bt last 16, but not before surviving a scare 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-3 by Spanish 18th mum to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish in 458 all out in their fi rst innings. of 45 between Broad and James Fabio Fognini (ITA x28) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 Benoît from Fabio Fognini. Murray didn’t have seed Roberto Bautista Agut. 1980. The pair then shared four Anderson. Paire (FRA) bt Jerzy Janowicz (POL) 6-2, 7-6 it all his own way against Fognini, but the Nishikori’s third round exit means Only Goolagong, Margaret Court and wickets between them to reduce Root had made the most of (7/3), 6-3 world number one eventually subdued Wimbledon remains the only Grand Slam Kim Clijsters have won a Grand Slam South Africa to 104 for four, being missed several times on Kevin Anderson (RSA) bt Ruben Bemelmans the eccentric Italian 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 he has failed to make the quarter-fi nals. singles title after having a child. with Ali completing the Test Thursday to lead an England re- (BEL) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) Rafael Nadal to secure a 10th successive appearance in It was the 27-year-old’s earliest de- “The whole match I was a little bit on all-rounder’s double of 2,000 covery after the hosts had been (ESP x4) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x30) 6-1, the Wimbledon fourth round. parture from a major since his fi rst round the back foot. The second set I started to runs and 100 wickets by striking in trouble at 76 for four. 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) Gilles Muller (LUX x16) bt Aljaz In a tetchy Centre Court clash, Murray defeat against Benoit Paire at the 2015 US step in a little bit more,” Azarenka said. twice with his off -spin. But the fi rst chance he gave Bedene (GBR) 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, 6-4 Roberto complained about Fognini taking too long Open. “I was very happy that I was able to Temba Bavuma (48 not out) yesterday brought about his Bautista (ESP x18) bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x9) between points as the 28th seed, who was “It’s not easy. I don’t have good results fi nd other ways to win.” and Theunis de Bruyn (48) re- downfall on 190 — the highest 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-3 Marin Cilic (CRO x7) bt given a point penalty for a visible obscen- on grass. I have got to work on it every Next up for Azarenka, who reached the alised crease occupation alone score by an England captain in Steve Johnson (USA x26) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 Suspended due to darkness: ity, shrugged off a mid-match injury to year,” Nishikori said. Wimbledon semi-fi nals in 2011 and 2012, would not get South Africa out of his fi rst Test in charge, surpass- Sam Querrey (USA x24) leads Jo-Wilfried push the Scot to the brink. Former US Open champion Marin Cil- is world number two Simona Halep.Ha- the hole they were in. ing Alastair Cook’s 173 against Tsonga (FRA x12) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 6-5 Murray had to save fi ve set points to ic advanced to face Bautista Agut with a lep, beaten in the French Open fi nal last But de Bruyn, only playing Bangladesh in 2010. Women (3rd rd): Ana Konjuh (CRO x27) avoid being forced into a deciding set, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win against American month, eased through with a 6-4, 7-6 because regular captain Faf du There was no reprieve when bt Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x8) 7-6 (7/3), reeling off fi ve successive games to se- 26th seed Steve Johnson. (9/7) win against China’s Peng Shuai. Plessis was on ‘paternity leave’, the 26-year-old Yorkshire- 3-6, 6-4 cure his 105th win on grass and remain With former England captain David British sixth seed Johanna Konta fell for 48 shortly before the man was caught behind off fast Venus Williams (USA x10) bt Naomi Osaka on course for a titanic semi-fi nal show- Beckham watching from the Royal Box, showed why she is the new bookmak- close and at stumps the Proteas bowler Morne Morkel — denied (JPN) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 Jelena Ostapenko (LAT down against Nadal. former world number one Victoria Aza- ers’ favourite for the title with a 6-4, 6-1 were 214 for fi ve — still 244 runs a wicket Thursday by a no-ball x13) bt Camila Giorgi (ITA) 7-5, 7-5 Elina The 30-year-old, who faces France’s renka defeated British wild card Heather rout of Greek world number 101 Maria behind in the fi rst of this four- — as he fell just 10 runs shy of Svitolina (UKR x4) bt Carina Witthoeft (GER) Benoit Paire for a place in the quarter-fi - Watson 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Sakkari. Test series. his second Test double hundred 6-1, 7-5 nals, is bidding to become the fi rst Briton Competing in her fi rst Grand Slam With two-time champion Petra Kvito- “It’s a great feeling to do it on at Lord’s. Johanna Konta (GBR x6) bt Maria Sakkari to successfully defend a Grand Slam ti- since taking a year off to have her fi rst va and third seed Karolina Pliskova elimi- the same day at Lord’s,” Ali told Root walked off to a standing (GRE) 6-4, 6-1 Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) bt tle since Fred Perry at Wimbledon from child — son Leo — in December, Aza- nated, Konta hopes to become the fi rst Sky Sports when asked about ovation from a capacity and sun- Madison Brengle (USA) 6-4, 6-3 Victoria 1934-1936. renka was caught out as Watson made a British woman to win Wimbledon since completing both halves of the drenched crowd, having batted Azarenka (BLR) bt Heather Watson (GBR) 3-6, Former US Open fi nalist Nishikori had fast start to her attempt to reach the last Virginia Wade in 1977. double yesterday. for over six hours, facing 234 6-1, 6-4 hoped to fi nally advance past the fourth 16 for the fi rst time. Women’s world number nine Dominika “I’m still inconsistent — I balls including 27 fours and a six. Simona Halep (ROM x2) bt Peng Shuai (CHN) round at Wimbledon after years of un- But the two-time Australian Open Cibulkova slumped to a 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) derachievement. champion stepped on the gas to keep 6-4 defeat against Croatian 27th seed But the world number nine didn’t even alive her attempt to emulate Evonne Ana Konjuh. SCORECARD

England 1st Innings (overnight: South Africa 1st Innings PUNISHMENT 357-5) D. Elgar c Ballance b Ali ...... 54 A. Cook c de Kock b Philander ...... 3 H. Kuhn c Cook b Broad ...... 1 K. Jennings lbw b Philander ...... 8 H. Amla lbw b Ali ...... 29 G. Ballance lbw b Morkel ...... 20 JP Duminy lbw b Broad...... 15 J. Root c de Kock b Morkel ...... 190 T. Bavuma not out 48 S. Africa’s Rabada banned from second England Test J. Bairstow lbw b Philander ...... 10 T. de Bruyn c Bairstow b Anderson . B. Stokes c de Kock b Rabada ...... 56 week on Friday. That incident saw both players fi ned ...... 48 AFP M. Ali b Rabada ...... 87 K. Rabada not out ...... 9 London An ICC statement said Rabada, who and have three demerit points added to L. Dawson lbw b Morkel ...... 0 Extras (b4, lb5, nb1) ...... 10 came into this match with an impres- their disciplinary records. S. Broad not out ...... 57 Total (5 wkts, 68 overs, 289 mins) .. sive haul of 71 wickets in just 17 Tests, The pair were warned than that if they M. Wood lbw b Rabada ...... 0 ...... 214 outh Africa fast bowler Kagiso had “used inappropriate language after reached four or more demerit points J. Anderson c de Kock b Morkel ....12 To bat: Q de Kock, V Philander, K Rabada will miss next week’s dismissing England batsman Ben Stokes, within a 24-month period, those would Extras (lb2, nb13) ...... 15 Maharaj, M Morkel second Test against England af- which was audible over the stump micro- be converted into suspension points Total (all out, 105.3 overs, 487 mins) Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Kuhn), 2-82 ...... 458 ter his verbal abuse of Ben Stokes phones and also resulted in the batsman which would see them banned from their (Amla), 3-98 (Elgar), 4-104 (Duminy), S Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Cook), 2-17 5-203 (De Bruyn) during the series opener at Lord’s, the to turn before walking off the fi eld”. country’s next international in whatever (Jennings), 3-49 (Ballance), 4-76 Bowling: Anderson 12-4-27-1; Broad International Cricket Council (ICC) an- It added that Rabada admitted the of- format at the time of a subsequent of- (Bairstow), 5-190 (Stokes), 6-367 14-5-27-2; Wood 11-3-30-0; Dawson nounced yesterday. it points reached four within a 24-month fence yesterday and accepted the sanc- fence. (Root), 7-367 (Dawson), 8-413 (Ali), 8-1-45-0; Ali 13-5-35-2; Stokes 10-1-41- Rabada, 22, uttered an audible obscen- period following his latest breach of the tion proposed by match referee Jeff Nightwatchman Rabada ended the 9-413 (Wood), 10-458 (Anderson) 0 (1nb) ity after dismissing all-rounder Stokes on ICC code of Conduct for which he re- Crowe, the former New Zealand captain. second day’s play nine not out in South Bowling: Morkel 25.3-2-115-4 (6nb); Match position: South Africa are the fi rst day of the fi rst Test on Thursday, ceived a 15% fi ne and one demerit point,” Rabada, one of the rising stars of world Africa’s 214 for fi ve, a defi cit of 244 runs Philander 20-3-67-3 (5nb); Rabada 244 runs behind with five first- his latest off ence triggering a one-Test said a statement issued by the global gov- cricket, was already on thin ice after after England made 458 in a fi rst innings 28-4-123-3 (1nb); Maharaj 22-1-107-0 innings wickets standing (1nb); De Bruyn 5-1-30-0; Bavuma ban. erning body. physically clashing with Niroshan Dick- where he took three for 123 in 28 overs. Toss: England 5-0-14-0. Umpires: Paul Reiff el (AUS), S Ravi “South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada has The paceman will now play no part in wella while the Sri Lanka batsman tried His absence is set to be a big blow to the (IND) been suspended for next week’s Trent the second Test of a four-match series to complete a single in a one-day inter- Proteas, with all-rounder Chris Morris in TV umpire: Simon Fry (AUS) Bridge Test after his accumulated demer- at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge starting a national in Cape Town in February. line to replace him at Trent Bridge. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, July 8, 2017 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT Mattek-Sands undergoes more said Cirstea. tests on knee injury “I tried to comfort her but I panicked. I felt useless. All she kept saying was ‘Sorana, help London: Bethanie Mattek- me, help me. Sands was undergoing more “I wish I could have done tests on her right knee yester- more. You wouldn’t wish that Hantuchova day following her sickening on your worst enemy.” injury at Wimbledon which left Concerns were also raised her screaming: “Please, help over the amount of time it me, please, please”. took a medical crew to reach The 32-year-old American the stricken Mattek-Sands was being treated in a nearby even though Court 17 is just a private hospital where she stone’s throw from the tourna- was taken on Thursday after ment’s Centre Court. faces the future as her knee appeared to buckle Cirstea said only she, her as she approached the net in physio and Justin Mattek- her second round clash with Sands, the player’s husband, Sorana Cirstea on Court 17. attended to the American “Bethanie is currently star and said it took around undergoing more scans this 10-15 minutes for a stretcher morning and we should know to arrive. more within the next few However, the All England Club she calls it quits hours,” said the WTA Tour in a insisted in a statement: “The statement. first response to Court 17 was “Bethanie of course thanks within one minute, by a quali- The Monte Carlo resident’s plans include getting married and having a family, everyone for their kind wishes fied ambulance technician”. and messages of support.” growing her protein bars business and continuing her nascent tennis punditry career Romanian player Cirstea was visibly upset and said her friend’s knee was “out... and in a very weird position”. “I freaked out. I have never seen such an injury before, the knee was really in a bad position. It was like something you see only in the movies,”

Venus oldest player in last-16 for 23 years

London: Venus Williams Osaka was born a month after became the oldest player to Venus reached her first US reach the last 16 at Wimbledon Open final in 1997 and the in 23 years as the five-time world number 59 was unable champion defeated Japan’s to spring a surprise against Naomi Osaka 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 one of her childhood idols yesterday. despite an battling display on At 37 years and 29 days old, Court One. Williams is the most senior Venus, a seven-time Grand player to make the fourth Slam winner, last won Wim- round since Martina Navrati- bledon in 2008, but she has lova, aged 37 years and 258 enjoyed a late career revival days, in 1994. which saw her make the All Navratilova went on to finish England Club semi-finals last as Wimbledon runner-up that year and the Australian Open year and, given the absence final in January. of her sister and defending She faces Croatian 27th seed champion Serena Williams, the Ana Konjuh in the fourth world number 11 will believe round as she eyes a 13th she can at least emulate that Wimbledon quarter-final ap- feat. pearance.

FOCUS Daniela Hantuchova poses for a picture as she gives interviews to the media about her retirement from tennis in London yesterday. Wimbledon dismiss AFP She last played at Rabat in May before able to do all my life. It’s those little “Looking back now, everything seems London suff ering a rib stress fracture. things that make me so happy.” so easy, I should have done this or that,” “For almost two months, I couldn’t re- The Monte Carlo resident’s future she said. court fears aft er ally do anything. Suddenly there was a plans include getting married and hav- “But those are the moments that ac- aniela Hantuchova called time day when I didn’t miss going to the gym ing a family, growing her protein bars tually made me really strong. I wouldn’t on her career and voiced the and training, for the fi rst time ever. I did business and continuing her nascent be the person I am today if it was not for players complain fear and excitement of a top my rehab and tried to ignore it, but it just television tennis punditry career. those times.” tennis star calling it quits and kept coming back.” “As far as work goes, I’m really open Though her career earned her more steppingD into the unknown. A tennis player’s life is dictated by the to anything,” she said, though there is than $10mn, her bids for the top prizes Argentina’s Juan Martin del Hantuchova, 34, who won a giant fan next match, the next plane, the next city, “zero chance” of her going into coach- in tennis were typically halted by Serena Potro slips on the grass against base with her supermodel looks, was the drifting between hotels around the world ing. and Venus Williams as the sisters domi- Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis during world number fi ve who suff ered a very on an annual rhythm of tournaments. After turning professional in 1999, nated the sport. their men’s singles second round public meltdown struggling with the But despite initial worries, Hantu- 2002 was Hantuchova’s breakthrough But Hantuchova relished duelling match. pressure of her rapid rise to the top. chova is looking forward to breaking the year when she stormed up the rankings with the best. After putting her career back on track, pattern of her entire adult life. and won Indian Wells, beating Martina “They were always pushing me, espe- she became only the fi fth player to lift “The freedom of not knowing is really Hingis in the fi nal. cially Serena, to fi nd a way how I can al- every Grand Slam mixed doubles title. exciting. It was a bit scary to make that But the following year things fell apart ways improve,” she said. Hantuchova also won the 2002 Fed Cup step but once I did it, it felt amazing,” amid claims — always denied — that Besides her tennis talent, Hantuchova with Slovakia. she said. she was struggling with anorexia, end- is a classically-trained pianist and is Her decision to quit came quickly in “You know every week what’s going to ing with a tearful meltdown on court at looking to tinkle the ivories once more. the last couple of weeks. happen. Now I have no idea what comes Wimbledon. “I do want to start with that again “I’ve done so much for so many years. next and that’s what I love about it. “It was pretty simple. “You have an when I have time because it’s something I felt like it was time to close the chapter “Suddenly I can plan holidays. I can unbelievable year, everything goes so I really enjoy doing and I do regret that I and start a new life,” she said yesterday, think about where I’m going to spend fast, so obviously the year afterwards is stopped,” she said. the fi rst full day her retirement. Christmas — something I’ve not been going to be a tough one. “So now I have to go back to basics.”

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AFP “The colour of the court, the London fact that there’s no more grass, the fact that the baseline where we are running, it’s very slip- Djokovic says he respects Mac imbledon offi cials pery. There’s no grass,” said dismissed growing Mladenovic, who was beaten in concerns over the three sets. state of the All Eng- “There was a huge hole on the landW Club courts despite some sides where the referee came to despite Tiger comparison surfaces already stripped bare of actually take pictures of it. So it grass after just four days of the was not even fl at.” Grand Slam event. Swiss 19th seed Timea Bac- AFP sure. But in the end of the day, I The tournament’s Court 18, sinszky had similar complaints London respect everything he says.” where John Isner and Nico- after beating Olympic champion McEnroe is no stranger to re- las Mahut famously played out Monica Puig on the same court cent controversies having stated their three-day match in 2010, on Tuesday — just the second ovak Djokovic says that Serena Williams would has come in for the fi ercest crit- day of the two-week long event. he still respects John only rank 700 in the world if she icism. “I’m pretty disappointed McEnroe despite the played on the men’s tour. On Court 17, meanwhile about the quality of the grass, American compar- While describing 23-time ma- on Thursday, American star especially on Court 18, I’m not ingN the Serb’s slump to Tiger jor winner Williams as the “best Bethanie Mattek-Sands suf- saying it’s dangerous, but it was Woods’s similar decline and female player ever — no ques- fered an horrifi c right knee in- the second day of the tourna- hinting at troubles in the three- tion”, he put her around 700 jury after her leg buckled. ment, and it was already ru- time Wimbledon champion’s compared to men. It was not clear, however, ined,” said Bacsinszky. private life. “If she had to just play the whether the state of the surface “Sorry, Wimbledon, it’s not McEnroe caused a stir by men’s circuit that would be an was a contributing factor in the against you, but there are im- claiming that Djokovic’s recent entirely diff erent story”. 32-year-old’s accident. provements to do on this thing. diffi culties on the court, which Long-time world number one “The court preparation has “Maybe the weather. But I’m have seen him lose possession of Williams, who won this year’s been to exactly the same me- curious to see how they’re going all four Grand Slam titles, could Australian Open while pregnant, ticulous standard as in previ- to handle the quality of the grass have been caused by “off -court is taking the rest of the year off to ous years,” said the All England for the next few days, especially issues with the family”. have her fi rst child. Club. with so many matches that need “The person that comes She hit back at McEnroe. “Grass is a natural surface to be played.” to mind immediately is Tiger “Dear John, I adore and respect and it is usual for the baselines Seven-time champion Roger Woods,” said McEnroe in refer- you but please please keep me out to start to be showing signs of Federer said that if both play- ence to the golf superstar whose of your statements that are not wear and tear four days into the ers complained about the state life and career imploded after factually based,” she wrote on championships.” of a court then their concerns a series of extra-marital aff airs Twitter. However, French 12th seed should be taken seriously. were revealed. “He’s very well known for his whatever is on his mind,” said got along very well with John. “I’ve never played anyone Kristina Mladenovic said there “It’s been extremely hot. You But Djokovic, the winner of 12 kind of bold comments and not 30-year-old Djokovic. “You know, I guess whether ranked ‘there’ nor do I have time. was a hole on Court 18 and that should always take the players’ Grand Slam titles, shrugged off really caring too much about be- “That’s all I can say. I really don’t that’s his opinion or criticism or Respect me and my privacy as I’m she and opponent Alison Riske opinion serious, especially when McEnroe’s comments. ing politically correct but saying take anything personal. I always something else, I’m not really trying to have a baby. Good day sir.” had wanted to stop playing. both say it,” said the Swiss. Gulf Times Saturday, July 8, 2017 3 SPORT

ATHLETICS Van Niekerk storms to victory Qatar win three silver Lausanne: World record holder Wayde van Niekerk stormed to victory in the 400m at the Diamond League meet at Lausanne on Thursday night, as American veteran Justin Gatlin went medals at Asian meet sub-10sec for the 100m. Van Niekerk is on fire this season, having run personal Ogunode, Hairane and Salem settle for silver after performing well below their best bests in the 100m (9.94sec) and 200m (19.84) last month, Agencies and setting a new world best Bhubaneswar, India time of 30.81sec in the rarely- run 300m in Ostrava last week. That time beat a long- atar had to be content with time record held by Michael three silver medals at the Johnson, the legendary US Asian Athletics Champion- athlete whose record in the ships being held at the Ka- one-lap race he also beat lingaQ Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India when winning gold in Rio. yesterday. Femi Seun Ogunode, Jamal The 24-year-old timed a Hairane and Yaser Salem all three had world lead of 43.62sec in settle for silver after performing below Lausanne, well ahead of their best in their respective events in second-placed Botswana’s rainy conditions. Baboloki Thebe. The biggest surprise came in the Van Niekerk has only run men’s 100m fi nal. Hassan Taftian of the 400m faster on two occa- Iran came from behind in the last half sions: when he won his world of the race to clinch gold by a hun- title in Beijing in 2015; the dredth of a second, ahead of defending other was a year later when Asian champion Ogunode. The Qatari he won Olympic gold. sprinter clocked 10.26 seconds to Taft- Hailed by eight-time ian’s 10.25. Yang Chun-Han of Chinese Olympic champion Usain Bolt Taipei claimed bronze in a tightly con- as his successor as leader of tested fi eld. the sprinting world, with the In the men’s 1,500m, Qatar’s Asian Jamaican legend due to retire Games bronze medallist Jamal Hairane after the world champion- was quite convincingly beaten by In- ships in London in August, dia’s Ajay Kumar Saroj. The Indian run- Van Niekerk said he was ner clocked in an impressive 3:45.85 constantly inspired by his seconds and fi nished over a second performances. ahead of Hairane, while Iran’s Moslem Iran’s Haran Taftian (second left) sprints to victory ahead of Qatar's defending champion Femi Seun Ogunode (right) in the men’s 100m event during the second day of “I didn’t come with a Niadoost rounded off the medals by the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India, yesterday. (AFP) specific time in mind but I am taking bronze. pleased with this result,” he On Thursday, the fi rst day of the of Vietnam ended with the silver medal said. “I do have a love-hate event, Yaser Salem had picked sil- with 52.78. Jisna Mathew completed the relationship with the 400m, ver after fi nishing second in the men’s medals by taking third place, while 2015 but I always try to approach 5000m. Salem was almost second be- Asian Championships silver winner and it with a positive mindset, not hind winners G Lakshmanan of India, Asian Games bronze medallist MR Poo- setting myself any limits. And who came home in 14.54.48 seconds. vamma fi nished just outside the medal the performances keep me Tariq Ahmed of Saudi Arabia was third. standings. going along, which keeps me Meanwhile, it was a superb day for National champion Muhammad passionate about what I do.” Indian athletes as they bagged four gold Anas, who broke the national record Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic medals yesterday. Heavy showers dis- in the men’s 400m two months ago, 100m champion who has rupted the proceedings of the evening emerged in the lead at the fi nal turn and served two doping bans, session on Day Two, but it wasn’t held off stiff competition from compa- clocked 9.96sec in the 100m, enough to stop fans from cheering for triot Rajiv Arokia to make it an Indian nipping in ahead of Ivorian the Indian athletes who responded in one-two in pouring rain. Anas fi nished Youssef ben Meite (9.98) and style on a day where 10 medal events with an impressive time of 45.77 sec- South African sprint hope were at stake. onds and Arokia took silver with 46.14 Akani Simbine.(9.99). India’s lead in the medal standings seconds, just ahead of Oman’s Ahmed Dutchwoman Dafne Schip- stayed put as they won four gold, two Mubarak who settled for bronze. Just pers timed 22.10sec, a sea- silver and two bronze medals to add to like Poovamma in the women’s 400m, sonal best, to win the 200m their tally on Day One. The hosts now Amoj Jacob also fi nished fourth, nar- from Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta have six gold, three silver and six bronze rowly missing out on a bronze medal. Lou (10.16). medals overall. In the women’s 1,500m, Chitra P U Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba, Nirmala Sheoran broke into the lead dominated the fi eld after a spectacular the 1,500m world cham- at the last turn and stayed there until fl ourish in the fi nal lap and opened up a pion, raced to a world lead of the end under the unrelenting rain to lead of more than a second over China’s 4:16.05 in the women’s race take gold with a time of 52.01 seconds Geng Min and Japan’s Ayako Jinnouchi, over one mile. in the women’s 400m, while Quach Thi who got silver and bronze respectively. India’s Ajaoy Kumar Saroj (centre) won ahead of Qatar’s Asian Games bronze medallist Jamal Hairane (right) in the 1,500m. (AFP)

CRICKET ICC WOMEN’S WORLD CUP Kohli leads India to series win India eye semis spot with victory over South Africa Agencies stunning form that saw South Africa bowl the West Leicester Indies out for 48 in Leicester.

BATES WON’T TAKE PAKISTAN LIGHTLY AS ndia’s Veda Krishnamurthy is confi dent her NEW ZEALAND EYES SEMI-FINAL PLACE side can keep up its perfect record at the ICC In another match, New Zealand take on Pakistan in Women’s World Cup when it takes on South Taunton. A a big win over the West Indies pushed Africa in Leicester today. Having already beaten New Zealand back into the top four after four games IEngland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies, but captain Suzie Bates knows that every game is Indian players celebrate their series triumph over West Indies at the Sabina Park Cricket Ground in Kingston, Jamaica. (AFP) one more victory would see India progress to the crucial ahead. The White Ferns responded to the semi-fi nals. defeat against Australia in the best possible fashion, AFP award. Earlier, opening bowlers Moham- to Shami at the start of his second spell. And Krishnamurthy believes India holds the hammering the West Indies by eight wickets and Kingston, Jamaica med Shami and Umesh Yadav shared seven India conclude this brief visit to the Carib- upper hand against South Africa and knows its chasing down a target of 151 in less than 20 overs. wickets in restricting the West Indies after bean tomorrow when they take on the West strengths and weaknesses with the white ball. She That was enough to leapfrog South Africa in the they were well poised at 76 for one in the Indies in a solitary T20 international at the said: “We’re quite confi dent for the game against points table, and with the game between the sides irat Kohli stroked a command- 16th over. Seeking victory to earn a share of same venue. South Africa because in the last four or fi ve games having been washed out earlier in the tournament, ing, unbeaten 111 to lead India to a the honours from a campaign in which they we have played against them we have done well. We their battle for a place in the last four could come series-clinching eight-wicket win entered as huge underdogs, the home side’s SCOREBOARD are aware of their team, we know what combina- down to net run-rate. over the West Indies in the fi fth only substantial contributions came from West Indies Innings tions and players are there, so we can play accord- While New Zealand cannot focus solely on run- Vand fi nal one-day international at Sabina the Hope brothers, Shai and Kyle. ing to our strengths. We played them a couple of rate, Bates admits it could yet be crucial to her side’s E. Lewis c Kohli b Pandya 9 Park on Thursday. Shai topscored with 51, his second half- K. Hope c Dhawan b U. Yadav 46 months back so we know their strengths and weak- chances of progression. She said: “This whole tour- Responding to the home side’s modest to- century of the series, while Kyle contrib- S. Hope c Rahane b Shami 51 nesses, so we will be working towards them. We are nament we’ve understood that every game was go- tal of 205 for nine after captain Jason Holder uted 46 at the top of the order. All-rounders R. Chase lbw U. Yadav 0 more compact than them, because individually, ing to be a big match, and having the rain-aff ected chose to bat fi rst in Jamaica, the visitors’ Holder and Rovman Powell got to 36 and 31 J. Mohammed c and b Jadhav 16 South Africa are very good, but when it comes to match has made that even more important. Every skipper ensured there was to be no upset respectively but failed to capitalise on de- J. Holder c Dhawan b Shami 36 collective performance, they really depend on their game is almost a knock-out game so we have to with the target reached in the 37th over to cent starts as India tightened the screws on R. Powell c wkpr Dhoni b U. Yadav 31 main players to do well.” bring our A game and play as well as we can against give India a 3-1 series triumph. their opponents with disciplined bowling A. Nurse c K. Yadav b Shami 0 South Africa, which is currently sitting fi fth in any opposition.” Stung by an 11-run defeat in the fourth from the two frontline seamers towards the D. Bishoo c wkpr Dhoni b Shami 6 the table with two wins, a defeat and a washout, is Pakistan are still in search of a fi rst victory in the match in Antigua, when they failed to reach end of the innings. A. Joseph not out 3 looking to bounce back after losing to England af- tournament. Although not mathematically elimi- an even smaller target of 190, the Indians Shami fi nished with four for 48 while Ya- K. Williams not out 0 ter the host spanked the fi fth highest score in World nated, Pakistan’s chances of progressing are slim, were in no mood to let their opponents off dav completed his ten-over spell with three Extras (lb-1, w-6) 7 Cup history to win by 68 runs. But captain Dane van but captain Sana Mir feels the team has learned a lot the hook this time around. An early strike wickets at a cost of 53 runs. Despite their Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 205 Niekerk said her bowlers can reproduce the team’s so far, and needs to build on that experience. by fast bowler Alzarri Joseph in removing combined successes, it was Hardik Pandya Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Lewis), 2-76 (K. Hope), Shikhar Dhawan at the start of the chase who made the fi rst breakthrough. Brought 3-76 (Chase), 4-115 (Mohammed), 5-163 (Holder), ushered in Kohli who immediately set about on to facilitate a switching of ends by Shami 6-168 (S. Hope), 7-171 (Nurse), 9-205 (Powell) the bowling. and Yadav, he induced a loose drive from Bowling: M. Shami 10-0-48-4, U. Yadav 10-1-53-3 He put on 79 for the second wicket with Evin Lewis to have him caught at mid-off . (3w), H. Pandya 6-0-27-1 (2w), R. Jadeja 10-1-27- Ajinkya Rahane before the opener fell leg- Shai joined Kyle Hope and the pair at- 0, K. Yadav 10-0-36-0, K. Jadhav 4-0-13-1 (1w) before to spinner Devendra Bishoo. It was tempted to accelerate on a pitch that ap- his fi rst score of under 50 in the series. Di- peared much better for batting than for the India Innings nesh Karthik joined his leader in the 19th last two games at the Sir Vivian Richards A. Rahane lbw Bishoo 39 over and was prepared to play the support- Stadium. Kyle took a particular liking to Ya- S. Dhawan c Lewis b Joseph 4 ing role to a rampant Kohli, his 28th ODI dav, smashing him for consecutive bounda- V. Kohli not out 111 century coming up off 108 deliveries with ries. But the bowler had the last laugh as the D. Karthik not out 50 one six and 12 fours decorating his authori- batsman found Shikhar Dhawan at mid- Extras (lb-1, w-1) 2 tative innings. wicket attempting another boundary in the Total (2 wkts, 36.5 overs) 206 Karthik reached an unbeaten 50 in an un- same over. Chase’s miserable series with the Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Dhawan), 2-84 (Rahane) broken third-wicket partnership of 122 just bat continued when he was trapped leg-be- Did not bat: M.S. Dhoni, K. Jadhav, H. Pandya, R. before Kohli fi nished the match with his fore to the very next delivery from Yadav and Jadeja, K. Yadav, U. Yadav, M. Shami second six off Roston Chase. “Today was it was left to Holder to give the innings some Bowling: A. Joseph 7-0-39-1, J. Holder 8-1-35-0 another clinical performance for us. Win- momentum. (1w), D. Bishoo 8-0-42-1, K. Williams 8-0-40-0, ning in a chase is always a nice feeling,” said He dominated a 48-run fi fth-wicket A. Nurse 4-0-34-0, R. Powell 1-0-6-0, R. Chase Kohli after receiving the ‘Man of the Match’ partnership with Shai Hope, only to depart 0.5-0-9-0 India have so far won all of their four matches at the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, July 8, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PSG relaunch starts Confederations Cup match for with Berchiche third place. signing Osorio “used insulting words towards the match off icials while displaying an aggressive attitude towards them,” a FIFA statement said. Osorio is suspended for six Messi’s tax fraud off icial matches with immedi- ate eff ect and has also been sanctioned with a warning and a fine of 5,000 Swiss francs (around 5,200 dollars). Mexico next off icial matches are at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which starts on Friday in the United prison sentence File photo of Real Sociedad’s States. defender Yuri Berchiche (R). Mexico begin on Sunday against El Salvador in San Paris Saint-Germain signed Diego. Spanish left-back Yuri Ber- Mexico were defeated 2-1 by chiche from La Liga outfit Real Portugal in Sunday’s third- Sociedad on Friday, making place match in Moscow at the him the first recruit in their Confederations Cup. reduced to fi ne drive to win back the French title. Mertesacker to take The 27-year-old is a direct over Arsenal academy Following the ruling by Barcelona’s provincial court, Messi will instead pay 252,000 replacement for the retired coaching role Brazilian veteran Maxwell and euros ($287,000) and his father 180,000 euros in fines has joined for a fee of around Arsenal’s German World Cup 15 million euros ($17.1mn), said winning defender Per Merte- AFP reports in the Spanish press. sacker will take over as their Barcelona “I’ll do everything I can to Academy manager next year make my new colours shine,” the club announced yesterday. promised Berchiche, who will The 32-year-old central Spanish court said yesterday it be working under a fellow defender — a member of the had replaced Barcelona star Li- Basque in PSG coach Unai 2014 World Cup winning team onel Messi’s prison sentences Emery. — will remain club captain for tax fraud with fi nes. He is the first signing since for the forthcoming season AThe Argentine, one of the world’s best- PSG lost their Ligue 1 title to before replacing Luke Hobbs paid players, and his father had been con- Monaco and lost their pride at the Academy. victed of hiding image rights royalties in in a 6-1 Champions League Mertesacker, who played a off shore accounts and had been given jail last 16, second-leg defeat at starring role in the FA Cup terms of 21 and 15 months respectively. Barcelona last season. final victory over Chelsea de- Following the ruling by Barcelona’s Since that unexpected turn of spite only just returning from provincial court, Messi will instead pay events PSG replaced sporting a long term injury, said he 252,000 euros ($287,000) and his father director Patrick Kluivert with was very happy his relation- 180,000 euros in fi nes. Spaniard Antero Henrique. ship with Arsenal which dates The fi nes correspond to 400 euros for PSG president Nasser al- back to when he joined from each day the two men were sentenced to Khelaifi said Berchiche’s Werder Bremen in 2011 would jail. personality was tailor-made continue. Under the original sentence, neither for the club. “This is the start of an exciting Messi or his father would have been “His performances last season new chapter for me and I am likely to serve time behind bars, because in Spain and his combative delighted that I will be able in Spain fi rst off enders for non-violent spirit are what we and our to stay part of the Arsenal crimes are spared jail time for sentences supporters expect,” said al- family,” Mertesacker said in a of less than two years. Khelaifi. statement on the club website. The two were in July 2016 found guilty “This season I will remain fully of using companies in Belize, Britain, Belgian defender focused on my job with the Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid pay- Foket’s career on hold team and am looking forward ing 4.1 million euros in taxes on income aft er heart scare to a successful last season on Messi earned from his image rights from the pitch. 2007-09. Belgian international defender “After that, I look forward to The income relates to the fi ve-time Thomas Foket’s career has the exciting challenge of help- world player of the year’s endorsement been put on hold for six ing produce young players deals, including with Danone, Adidas, months at least because of good enough to play for the Pepsi-Cola, Procter & Gamble and the a heart problem, local media Arsenal first team.” Kuwait Food Company. reported yesterday. Arsenal manager Arsene The player and his father made a vol- The problem was detected Wenger said Mertesacker pos- untary payment of fi ve million euros — when the 22-year-old Gent sessed the qualities to move equal to the amount of the alleged unpaid player underwent a medical into coaching. taxes plus interest — in August 2013 after this week with a view to a pos- “Per is an exceptional charac- being formally investigated. sible transfer to Italian club ter who is a great example for They were also fi ned around 3.5 mil- Atalanta. young players. He is a deep lion euros when they were convicted for The tests revealed an ischemia thinker about the game and tax fraud. — restriction of blood supply committed to helping players The Barcelona court said it took these to the cardiac muscle — and fulfil their potential,” Wenger payments into account when deciding to Foket is expected to undergo said. exchange their prison sentences for new surgery in the coming weeks. “He will be an inspirational fi nes. After the six months out Fokek figure for everyone connected “This made them both deserving of will undergo further tests to with the academy.” having the prison sentence substituted see if he can continue playing by a fi ne,” the court said in a ruling re- This file photo shows Barcelona’s football star Lionel Messi (L), followed by his father, leaving the courthouse in Barcelona. professionally. China captain Zheng leased yesterday. Foket has two caps for Bel- Zhi gets four-game ban Spanish prosecutors last month said 2021, just days after he married his child- bonuses, according to a list published by from Santos in 2013. gium, earning his first call up for handshake snub they did not oppose the changes to the hood sweetheart in Argentina. Forbes magazine in June. Barca’s Argentine defender Javier in 2016. sentences. The club did not give fi nancial details Messi is not the only footballer to run Mascherano also agreed a one-year sus- China captain Zheng Zhi was They had asked during last year’s trial but club president Josep Maria Bartomeu into problems with Spain’s courts, with pended sentence with authorities for Defoe’s ‘best mate’ handed a four-match suspen- for Messi to be absolved, arguing there said Messi was now the best-paid player Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo tax fraud last year, while Manchester Bradley Lowery dies sion by the Chinese Football was no evidence that the player was in the world. the latest to have been summoned to United manager Jose Mourinho was last Association (CFA) yesterday aware of how his income was managed. “He is the best player in the world and appear before a judge investigating tax month accused of committing tax fraud Bradley Lowery who became following his failure to lead his During the trial, Messi had argued that he is paid like the best in the world and fraud. by Spanish prosecutors in 2011 and 2012, one of the iconic images of Guangzhou Evergrande team he trusted his father with his fi nanc- in the history of football,” Bartomeu said He is due to be questioned on July 31 on when he was in charge at Real Madrid. last season’s Premier League mates into a post-match hand- es and “knew nothing” about how his Wednesday. suspicion of evading 14.7 million euros in And former Barcelona president San- through his friendship with shake with match off icials last wealth was managed. Prior to his contract extension, Mes- taxes. dro Rosell was arrested in May in a mon- then Sunderland striker weekend. The court ruling caps off a golden week si was the world’s third-highest paid Brazil star and Barcelona forward Ney- ey laundering investigation related to the Jermain Defoe has died aged The CFA has been cracking for Messi, who on Wednesday extended sportsman with an income of $80 mil- mar and his parents are due to stand trial sale of the Brazilian national team’s tel- six his family revealed on his down on disciplinary issues in his contract with Barcelona until June lion, of which $53mn was in salary and for alleged corruption over his transfer evision rights. Facebook page. recent weeks. The devoted Sunderland Zheng, who has led supporter suff ered from a rare Guangzhou to the Chinese Su- BOTTOMLINE form of cancer neuroblastoma per League title in each of the and had of late been receiving last six seasons, was also fined palliative care at his home. 40,000 yuan ($6,000) by the Defoe, who had touchingly CFA on top of a 100,000-yuan been accompanied by Lowery fine by his club for the inci- onto the Wembley pitch when dent, which happened after a the striker made his England 4-3 defeat by Tianjin Quanjian. ‘Ronaldinho and friends’ to play return after a four year hiatus According to a CFA circular against Lithuania in March, sent to Chinese Super League broke down in tears on Thurs- clubs, Zheng was fined for day when asked about him “not fulfilling his duty to lead declaring his ‘best mate’ only players... to complete the exhibition matches in Pakistan had days to live. handshaking ceremony”. AFP a statement. sports.” Confirmation of the 34-year- Zheng’s team mates Mei Fang, Karachi “This is a great opportunity The Pakistani Army is set to old’s fears arrived yesterday. Feng Xiaoting, Paulinho, Ricar- for us to induce youngsters in provide security for the players “My brave boy has went with do Goulart, Wang Shangyuan, Pakistan and we will do our best and matches, deploying troops the angels today 07/07/17 at Zeng Cheng, Zou Zheng, ight of football’s biggest to do that.” in and around hotels, airports 13:35, in mammy and daddies Huang Bowen, Yu Hanchao stars, including Brazil- Giggs, who retired after a long and stadiums over the weekend, arms surrounded by his fam- and Zheng Long were all also ian hero Ronaldinho, career with United in 2014, said offi cials have said. ily.??????,” read a message fined 10,000 yuan. will play two exhibition he was “privileged” to take part. Pakistan boasted a top place from the family on Bradley’s The suspension is Zheng’s matchesE in Pakistan this week- He replaced former England in Asian football until the early Facebook page. second of the season. end in hopes of attracting more and Chelsea captain John Terry, 1970s, but a lack of government “He was our little superhero He was banned for two games players from the cricket-mad who pulled out due to new com- support and poor infrastructure and put the biggest fight up after being sent off in a match country. mitments with English side As- helped push them to as low as but he was needed else where. against Beijing Guoan in Recently retired Ronald- ton Villa. 200th in the FIFA football rank- “There are no words to March. inho, famous for his stints with ings. describe how heart broken As part of its attempts to Spanish club Barcelona, is SHOWCASE SECURITY The game is growing in pop- we are. stamp out indiscipline, Beijing the lead attraction among the Pakistani organisers hope to ularity once more, however, “Thank you everyone for all Guoan’s Turkish striker Burak group dubbed “Ronaldinho and both promote football, and sig- even in a country obsessed with your support and kind words. Yilmaz was banned for five friends” set to play in Karachi nal that security has improved cricket. “Sleep tight baby boy and fly games and fined 25,000 yuan today and in Lahore tomorrow. in militancy-plagued Pakistan, “It’s a great occasion,” said high with them angels.” for pushing an opponent dur- Former Manchester United with offi cials ready to welcome Pakistan team captain Kaleem ing his team’s 0-0 draw with stalwart Ryan Giggs, Brazilian back international sport — Ullah, who also played for Sac- Mexico coach Jiangsu Suning on Sunday. Roberto Carlos, former England which fl ed the country after an ramento Republic FC in USA and Osorio banned for Shanghai SIPG’s Oscar was goalkeeper David James, Dutch attack on the Sri Lankan cricket Kyrgyzstan’s FC Dordoi Bishkek. six matches handed an eight-game ban star George Boateng, former team in 2009. He will take part in one of the for instigating a mid-game French players Robert Pires and “Our aim is to promote foot- matches. Mexico coach Juan Carlos melee while team mates Nicolas Anelka, and Portuguese This file picture shows Brazilian football player Ronaldinho (R) meet- ball and this is the fi rst of many Fans in the football-mad Lyari Osorio was banned for six Hulk and Wu Lei along with player Luis Boa Morte complete ing children at the launch of a football academy in China. steps,” said Ishaq Shah, CEO of neighbourhood of Karachi said matches by the discipli- coach Andre Villas-Boas were the line-up. Leisure League, a subsidiary of they had spent their savings on nary committee of football suspended for two games for Ronaldinho, 37, who won the Cup winning team, said he is game. World Group which is organising tickets.”I want to have a glimpse governing FIFA yesterday for showing public support for World Player of the Year twice on a goodwill mission aimed at “I am excited at the prospect the visit. “We want to give a pos- of Ronaldinho,” said young fan insulting match off icials at the the former Chelsea star. and was part of the 2002 World inducing youngsters to play the of playing in Pakistan,” he said in itive image of Pakistan through Mohammad Essa. Gulf Times Saturday, July 8, 2017 5 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT AIM Spain’s women footballers keen to Rooney’s United realise potential future should be settled soon While United hope to add Lukaku, the 75 million pound striker they are luring from Spain’s Vicky Losada poses after a training session.

Everton, to their Stateside roster, Rooney looks likely to be left off the flight Reuters eight games in their qualifying Barcelona campaign, scoring 39 goals. “We needed a change and now the team is improving every day,” omen’s soccer is on said Losada, who scored Spain’s the rise in Spain af- fi rst ever goal in a World Cup in a ter years of stagna- opening 1-1 draw with Costa Rica. tion and midfi elder Losada’s Barcelona became VickyW Losada believes she and the fi rst Spanish team to reach her teammates in the national the semi-fi nals of the Women’s team can give it an extra boost Champions League, while the with a strong showing at the biggest women’s games attract European Championship this crowds of over 10,000. month in the Netherlands. It is a far cry from the environ- Spain’s progress under new ment Losada grew up in, when a coach Jorge Vilda has mirrored lack of girls’ teams forced her to the rapid recent growth of the play with boys until she was 11. women’s game in Spain in the The low level of the women’s last year, and Losada says they game in Spain led Losada to move badly needed the change. to Western New York Flash in 2014 The day after their elimination and to Arsenal a year later, but af- from the FIFA Women’s World ter Barcelona turned professional Cup in 2015, where they fi nished and other teams followed suit, she bottom of their group, all 23 returned in November. members of the squad signed an Real Madrid may soon join open letter calling for the resig- Barcelona, Atletico, Valencia nation of their coach of 27 years, and Athletic Bilbao in starting a Ignacio Quereda. women’s team, which Real has “We left the World Cup with said the club are working on, and a bittersweet taste as we felt we Losada is excited at the prospect could have done more. We need- playing against arch rivals Ma- ed to change direction,” Losada drid in a women’s ‘Clasico’. told Reuters in an interview. But, for now, her thoughts are “We arrived in Canada only fi rmly on the European Cham- four days before the tournament pionship, where she believes a began, so you can imagine the jet strong display from Spain can lag. We had hardly any warm up help entrench the rise of the games and the few we had were women’s sport. against sides that weren’t com- “All the players have a big re- petitive enough to give us ad- sponsibility,” she said. equate preparation.” “We have to make sure we have Quereda, who had long been a big role in the tournament so we criticised for outdated training can take advantage of the great methods, quit and the team have state of women’s football in Spain thrived under Vilda, winning all and ensure it keeps developing.”

File picture of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (right) with Wayne Rooney (second left) during a training session. ACROSS BORDERS Reuters The more blue-blooded among Ever- dy Sheringham played in the Premier and add a touch of showbiz to a club who London ton supporters never truly forgave Roon- League until past his 40th birthday, and have remained in the footlights outside ey for his 25.6 million pound move to Old Jermaine Defoe last week joined Bourne- the top six for the past decade. Traff ord 13 years ago. mouth at the age of 35, Rooney is a diff er- “It is a great move for both parties China’s Zhang out ayne Rooney’s footballing Others struggle to see how a 31-year- ent type of striker. and hopefully it comes off ,” said former future should become clear- old consigned to United’s fringes by Jose Heavy-boned and with an abrasive Everton player Joey Barton on Talksport. er within the next 48 hours Mourinho last season would help the style, he has put his body through more “Obviously Wayne is an Evertonian and to exploit rare as Manchester United pre- fast-fl owing football being developed by than 500 games at the very highest level from Everton’s perspective even if he Wpare to fl y to Los Angeles for a pre-season Everton manager Ronald Koeman. and although he has avoided serious in- doesn’t reach the heights as a footballer tour in the United States. The statistics are not encouraging. jury he admits he has lost pace. as he once has, it is a great marketing ex- overseas opportunity While they hope to add Romelu Lu- The past two seasons have been the All of which helps explain United’s ap- ercise.” kaku, the 75 million pound ($96.6 mil- least productive in terms of goals of parent decision to release him from the Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s majority lion) striker they are luring from Everton, Rooney’s career — fi ve and eight, respec- fi nal year of his 250,000 pound per week shareholder and the driving force behind to their Stateside roster, Rooney looks tively — while Mourinho, who began his contract, which also has the option of a their recent 90 million pound ($115.92 likely to be left off the ight.fl reign by warmly praising Rooney’s strik- further 12 months, for free. million) splurge on new talent, clearly The terms of his move back to Everton, ing prowess, did not trust him to deliver For now Everton, and Koeman, have sees the commercial value in Rooney’s the club he where began his career, are despite few options up front. parked any reservations and see the arrival and various ways of fi nancing the being negotiated. Then there is the wear and tear. value in at least talking about signing deal have been discussed. That may not prove the end of his Ever since the 16-year-old Rooney their former striker, and on Wednesday For now no one is saying anything but playing-time problems, however, be- burst on to the scene with a stunning Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford was pho- by tomorrow all may be clear. cause even if the fi ne print over con- turn-and-shoot goal against Arsenal, tographed leaving their London offi ces. The irony is that should Rooney be on tract length and image rights are picked there have been fears about how long his To sign Rooney, who remains the the plane he is probably going nowhere through, Rooney may face a struggle to top-fl ight career would last. record goal-scorer for United and Eng- which, given the build-up, is not an out- win over sceptics on Merseyside. Where former goal-scorers like Ted- land, would certainly represent a coup come to suit any one.

BOTTOMLINE Zhang Yuning (L), new recruit of German first division Bundesliga club Werder Bremen, holds his new jersey.

Reuters to throw money at the game has Hong Kong had an impact on the country’s own players too. As it stands, Zhang Yuning Lukaku trains with Pogba hang Yuning traded is the only member of Marcello AFP should have returned to Eng- Madrid’s Alvaro Morata came to Vitesse Arnhem for the Lippi’s squad attached to a club London land on Thursday for pre-season nothing leading United to switch Bundesliga and Werder outside the Chinese Super League, training with Everton. their attention to Lukaku. Bremen by way of a two- where the wages on off er makes Everton sources were ada- Everton — who have spent Zyear loan from West Bromich Al- overseas moves unattractive. anchester United’s mant no deal had been struck freely in the close season — are bion on Wednesday as he seeks New regulations put in place bid to sign Everton’s with United whilst the buying believed to have hoped to sell to grasp an opportunity that has by the Chinese Football Associa- Belgian internation- club had told the BBC on Thurs- Lukaku for closer to £100mn become increasingly rare for tion have only served to limited al striker Romelu day terms had been agreed. which would have made him the Chinese players. the likelihood of the country’s MLukaku for a record fee between However, according to the world’s most expensive player The 20-year-old striker, who players moving overseas to de- British clubs of £75million British media the twin pronged bettering the £89mn that United has spent the last two seasons velop their careers. ($97mn, 85.5mn euros) looked persuasive powers of Pogba and spent on Pogba last year. at Vitesse in the Netherlands, The situation has created a nearer to completion yesterday Raiola have turned Lukaku’s As it is, the deal would smash joined West Brom on a three- conundrum for young Chinese as photos emerged of him train- head away from Chelsea and to the record for a transfer fee be- year contract before shifting players: move back to China for ing with Paul Pogba. United. tween British clubs — the record immediately to Germany as the more money but few guarantees Lukaku, 24, was pictured on is the £50mn paid by Chelsea to Premier League club looks to of development in the Chinese United star Pogba’s Instagram Top striker Liverpool for Fernando Torres in nurture his talent. Super League or stay overseas account training with his close Raiola did extremely well out 2011 — and register as the joint- “I’m very proud to have the and hope to break through in an friend — who has the same agent of United last year making an fi fth most expensive player of all chance to play for this team,” even tougher environment. Mino Raiola — in Los Angeles estimated £40mn out of the time. said Zhang. “Werder is a big club The issue has caused problems where they are on holiday to- Pogba transfer from Juventus The deal would also see Ever- in China and I’m really excited for Lippi, who faced criticism gether. alone while stablemates Hen- ton make a tidy profi t on the about this opportunity. earlier in the year for sticking With United due in Los Ange- rykh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ib- £28mn they spent on Lukaku “My dream is to play in the by Zhang when he included him les this weekend to start a pre- rahimovic also joined the ‘Red when then Chelsea manager Bundesliga and I hope to be able in the squad for the World Cup season tour, the images supply Devils’. Mourinho — now the United to showcase my skills at some qualifying win over South Korea. further indications that Lukaku Ibrahimovic’s long-term in- handler — sold him in 2014 after point in the near future.” “Zhang Yuning hasn’t had is Old Traff ord bound. jury suff ered in a Europa League a successful loan spell. Should Zhang break into the regular playing opportunities They also suggest that cham- match last season and the fad- Lukaku, who scored 53 Pre- Bremen senior squad, he would at his club and that’s not a good pions Chelsea are losing the race ing powers of record goalscorer mier League goals in 110 ap- be unique as a Chinese footballer thing to maintain his status,” to sign their main transfer target Wayne Rooney, who has also pearances for the club since his in plying his trade in one of Eu- Lippi said back in March. — manager Antonio Conte has been linked with a return to his permanent move, declined the rope’s leading leagues. “But his quality is recognised made no secret of his desire for This file photo shows Everton’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku. fi rst club Everton, have made the most lucrative contract off er in While the huge salaries on at national team level, so I called temperamental Spanish striker capture of a top striker impera- Everton’s history at the end of off er to the likes of Oscar and him up. I hope he can win more Diego Costa to leave with Lu- placement. have been off ered wages of over tive for manager Jose Mourinho. last season, declaring he wished Carlos Tevez have claimed the chances with his club in order to kaku earmarked as a possible re- Lukaku, who is reported to £200,000 a week by United, Apparent eff orts to sign Real to play at a higher level. headlines, China’s headlong rush maintain a consistent level.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, July 8, 2017 SPORT

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Dodgers ride on Taylor’s single for a win over Diamondbacks Taylor lined the first pitch over the head of drawn-in left fielder Rey Fuentes for the winning run

By Reuters He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven Los Angeles hits in six innings. Brandon Kintzler notched his 23rd save in 26 chances. Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer, but Baltimore left the bases hris Taylor’s fourth hit of the game loaded twice and stranded 10 baserunners. Dy- capped the Dodgers’ rally from a three- lan Bundy (8-8) gave up six runs, fi ve hits and run defi cit in the ninth inning, lifting two walks while striking out four in fi ve innings. Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-4 win over theC Arizona Diamondbacks in the Major League REDS 6, ROCKIES 3 Baseball on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. Sal Romano, recalled from Triple-A Louisville to The Dodgers completed a three-game sweep. make the start, allowed six hits and two runs in Arizona closer Fernando Rodney, who blew a fi ve innings to record his fi rst major league vic- save for the fi fth time in 26 opportunities, gave tory and help Cincinnati earn a split of the four- up a leadoff single to Yasiel Puig and then walked game series. pinch hitters Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger to The Reds banged out 13 hits, seven for extra- load the bases. bases. That output included fi ve doubles and Rodney (3-3) walked Logan Forsythe on four Adam Duvall’s 20th home run. Colorado’s Tyler pitches to force in a run, and Corey Seager fol- Chatwood (6-10) allowed a season high-tying lowed with a ground-ball single up the middle eight hits and three runs in six innings with four to drive in two and tie the score at 4-4. Justin walks and four strikeouts. The Rockies have lost Turner was walked intentionally, and Rodney 12 of their past 15 games. was removed for TJ McFarland. Taylor lined the fi rst pitch over the head of drawn-in left fi elder CARDINALS 4, MARLINS 3 Rey Fuentes for the winning run. Rookie Luke Voit drove in three runs as St. Louis salvaged a split of their four-game series with ATHLETICS 7, MARINERS 4 Miami. Michael Wacha (6-3) earned his third Paul Blackburn scattered eight hits in 7 2/3 in- straight win, tying a season high by fanning nine nings for his fi rst major league victory as Oak- over 5 2/3 innings. land defeated Seattle at Safeco Field. The rookie Brett Cecil pitched 1 2/3 innings to record his right-hander walked one and didn’t strike out a 13th straight scoreless outing. batter in his second major league start. The only Marcell Ozuna drove in all three runs for the run he allowed came on a solo homer by Mitch Marlins, and Ichiro Suzuki collected a pair of Haniger. Jean Segura went 4-for-4 with a dou- hits, giving him 3,054 in his major league ca- ble for the Mariners (41-46). reer and allowing him to pass Rod Carew for the most hits by a foreign-born player. BRAVES 5, NATIONALS 2 Freddie Freeman went 2-for-5, including his PIRATES 6, PHILLIES 3 1,000th career hit, and drove in two runs, as Josh Bell hit a two-run homer and drove in the Atlanta beat Washington in a game that was de- eventual game-winning RBI as Pittsburgh won layed 3 hours, 5 minutes by the threat of inclem- its third straight game. Bell (2-for-5, three RBIs, ent weather that never materialized. two runs), Gregory Polanco (4-for-4, two RBIs, Kurt Suzuki added two hits, including a home two runs) and McCutchen (3-for-4, two runs, run, and scored twice for the Braves. Mike walk) accounted for almost all of the Pirates’ of- Foltynewicz (7-5) gave up two runs on eight hits fense. in six innings before Sam Freeman took over in The rest of the Pittsburgh lineup totalled two the seventh. Foltynewicz has given up only six hits and a walk. Bell’s one-double in the eighth runs in his last four starts after getting shelled Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrate after their win over Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at the Dodger Stadium. (USA TODAY Sports) inning made it 4-3. for 11 hits and eight runs in 3 1/3 innings on June Polanco, who hit a solo home run in the fourth, 12 at Washington. Nationals starter Gio Gonzal- hits and no walks, and struck out 12 to extend BLUE JAYS 7, ASTROS 4 avoided a three-game sweep. Yan Gomes also and Elias Diaz followed later in the eighth with ez (7-4) gave up three runs on seven hits in six his major-league-leading total to 178. Sale had Russell Martin had three hits, including a home homered for the Indians, whose slumbering of- RBI doubles to chase Joaquin Benoit (1-3). innings. limited opponents to three runs or fewer in each run, and Francisco Liriano pitched into the sev- fense stirred to life, producing 14 hits. of his previous six outings. enth inning as Toronto won its third straight. Cleveland’s Josh Tomlin (5-9) pitched seven- TIGERS 6, GIANTS 2 RAYS 4, RED SOX 1 Liriano (5-4) allowed nine hits, one walk and plus innings, giving up two runs on four hits Dixon Machado hit his fi rst major league homer, Wilson Ramos hit a two-run homer in the sixth BREWERS 11, CUBS 2 three runs in six-plus innings while striking out with six strikeouts and no walks. San Diego’s Di- and Anibal Sanchez collected his fi rst victory inning, and rookie Jacob Faria outdueled Chris Domingo Santana went 4-for-5 and fi rst-place four. Roberto Osuna pitched a perfect ninth to nelson Lamet (3-3) allowed six runs (fi ve earned) of the season for Detroit. Machado’s two-run Sale as Tampa pulled off a victory over Boston. Milwaukee jumped on two Chicago pitchers in a earn his 22nd save of the season and the 21st in on six hits and four walks in four-plus innings. It homer off San Francisco emergency starter Ramos, whose RBI double tied the game in the seven-run third inning en route to victory. The a row. Marwin Gonzalez homered in the second was an ugly game for the Padres, who were held Chris Stratton highlighted a three-run second fourth, gave the Rays some separation in the Brewers opened a 4 1/2-game lead over the Cubs inning and was ejected in the sixth inning af- to fi ve hits and committed three errors. inning for the Tigers, who fi nished off a 5-4 sixth. Faria (4-0) made his sixth consecutive in the National League Central. ter striking out for arguing balls and strikes for homestand. quality start to begin his major league career, Zach Davies (10-4) worked six innings to win Houston. The Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr.(7-2) TWINS 6, ORIOLES 4 Sanchez (1-0), who was making his 15th ap- holding the Red Sox to one run on four hits in his third straight game and fi fth in his last seven allowed six runs (fi ve earned) and nine hits in 4 Miguel Sano, Max Kepler and Eduardo Esco- pearance this season, recorded his fi rst victory six innings. Brad Boxberger pitched a 1-2-3 starts. Jesus Aguilar was 3-for-5 and Hernan 1/3 innings. bar each had run-scoring hits in a six-run third since Aug. seventh, Tommy Hunter a scoreless eighth and Perez added two hits to lead a 13-hit Milwaukee inning in Minnesota’s victory over Baltimore. 23. Stratton (0-2) made his fi rst major league closer Alex Colome the ninth for his 23rd save. attack. Chicago’s Mike Montgomery (1-6) suf- INDIANS 11, PADRES 2 Jose Berrios (8-2) recovered from back-to-back start and lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing fi ve runs Sale (11-4) lost for only the second time in his fered the loss in a 2 1/3-inning start, his shortest Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Ramirez combined tough outings to beat the Orioles for the second on six hits while walking fi ve. Johnny Cueto was past nine starts. He yielded four runs on seven of the season. for seven hits and two home runs as Cleveland time this season. a late scratch because of an inner ear infection.

NBA ROUND-UP Stars re-sign right winger Ritchie

Dallas: The Dallas Stars re-signed right winger Pysyk collected nine goals and 34 assists in Mavs' Nowitzki in 20-season club Brett Ritchie to a two-year, $3.5-million contract 207 career contests with the Panthers and Buff alo on Thursday. Ritchie, 24, scored 16 goals to go Sabres, who selected him with the 23rd overall AFP with eight assists in 78 games for Dallas during pick of the 2010 draft. Los Angeles the 2016-17 regular season. His plus-11 rating was ------the best on the team and his 15 even-strength Los Angeles Kings forward Nick Shore signed a goals were tied for the team lead. one-year contract extension worth $925,000, the irk Nowitzki (right) will become He was also fourth on the team in both goals team announced. Shore recorded career highs only the second player to spend 20 and home goals (10). In his career, Ritchie has in goals (six), assists (11), points (17) and games NBA seasons with the same team played 117 regular-season games over three sea- played (70) this past season. The 24-year-old once after inking a new deal with the sons with Dallas, scoring 22 goals and 12 assists. again will be a restricted free agent after this con- DallasD Mavericks on Thursday. ------tract expires at the end of the 2017-18 season. A statement from the Texas franchise said The Washington Capitals re-signed restricted free ------Nowitzki will join retired Los Angeles Lakers agent goaltender Philipp Grubauer to a one-year, The Vegas Golden Knights signed forward Teemu legend Kobe Bryant as the only other mem- $1.5mn contract, the team announced. Grubauer Pulkkinen to a one-year contract through the ber of the 20-season club when he returns posted a 13-6-2 mark with three shutouts, a 2.04 2017-18 season worth $700,000. Pulkkinen, 25, for the 2017-2018 campaign. US media re- goals-against average and.926 save percentage in was selected by the Golden Knights in the expan- ports said Nowitzki had signed a two-year 24 games last season with the Capitals. sion draft on June 21 from the Arizona Coyotes. $10mn contract which would see him play The 25-year-old German joined workhorse The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder has 13 goals and on for two more seasons. Mavs had agreed Braden Holtby in capturing the William M. Jen- nine assists in 83 career NHL games since being the deal after declining to take up a $25mn nings Trophy, an award given to the goalkeeper(s) drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth team option on Nowitzki, widely regarded as having played a minimum of 25 games for the round in 2010. the team’s greatest ever player. team with the fewest goals scored against it. ------Terms of the deal, including the length ------Goaltender Charlie Lindgren agreed to terms on of Nowitzki’s contract, were not revealed Thursday, US media reported. The eight- fl amboyant 30-year-old Teodosic is consid- Florida Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk agreed a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal on Thursday. There was little doubt that time All-Star averaged 8 points and 3.1 re- ered a creative playmaker. He had to pay an to terms on a three-year contract, the team an- Canadiens. Lindgren won both of his starts last Nowitzki, 39, would remain in Dallas after bounds in 24.6 minutes per game for the expensive contract buyout with CSKA Rus- nounce. Financial terms were not disclosed by season against the Florida Panthers and Detroit indicating in April he wanted to stay on for Memphis Grizzlies last season and said in sia to move to the NBA this season. Teodosic the club for Pysyk, who recorded career highs in Red Wings, recording a 1.48 goals-against average at least one more season. April he hoped to extend his 19-year career was named to the all-EuroLeague fi rst-team goals (four), assists (13) and points (17) while play- and a.949 save percentage. He also emerged Nowitzki averaged 14.2 points in 54 games after becoming a free agent. three times and was the EuroLeague MVP in ing in all 82 games last season with Florida. victorious in his NHL debut in April 2016. last season, his lowest average since his Carter helped the Grizzlies reach the 2010. Teodosic averaged 16.3 points and 6.5 rookie season of 1998-99 when he contrib- playoff s, and his physical skills — includ- assists while shooting 54.2% from the fi eld uted 8.2 per game. Nowitzki has appeared in ing his spectacular dunking ability — were and 38.6% on 3-pointers while playing for a franchise-record 13 NBA All-Star Games, on display in their fi rst-round series loss to Moscow last season. and earned 12 consecutive All-NBA Team the San Antonio Spurs, when he became the selections (2000-12). oldest player to start a playoff game since GRIZZLIES TO RETIRE He was named Most Valuable Player of Dikembe Mutombo for Houston in 2008. RANDOLPH’S NO. 50 JERSEY the 2006-07 season and voted MVP of the Carter, the fi fth pick in the 1998 draft, was The Memphis Grizzlies showed their ap- 2011 NBA Finals. Nowitzki became only the 1998-99 Rookie of the Year with the To- preciation to Zach Randolph by announcing the sixth player in NBA history to reach the ronto Raptors. that the veteran forward/center will be the 30,000-point mark this year when he broke He subsequently played for the New Jer- fi rst player in franchise history to have his the barrier in March. sey (now Brooklyn) Nets, Orlando Magic, No. 50 jersey retired. The power forward has scored 30,260 Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Mem- The Grizzlies announced the move in an points, making the top foreign scorer in the phis. For his career, Carter is averaging 18.2 open letter to Randolph, two days removed NBA of all-time. The Mavericks fi nished points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists and his from the two-time All-Star ending his outside the playoff places in 11th spot this 24,555 career points are 22nd on the NBA’s eight-year tenure with the club by agreeing season with a 33-49 record all-time scoring list. to a two-year, $24mn deal with the Sacra- mento Kings. Randolph ranks fi rst in fran- VETERAN CARTER REPORTEDLY CLIPPERS REACH AGREEMENT chise history in rebounds (5,612) and is sec- HEADED TO KINGS WITH SERBIAN GUARD TEODOSIC ond behind Mike Conley in points (9,261). Free agent Vince Carter, at 40 the NBA’s The Los Angeles Clippers have reached The 35-year-old excelled in a reserve role Brett Ritchie oldest active player, agreed to a one-year, agreement with Serbian guard Milos Teo- last season, averaging 14.1 points and 8.2 $8mn deal with the Sacramento Kings on dosic on to a two-year, $12.3mn deal. The rebounds. Gulf Times Saturday, July 8, 2017 7 SPORT

RUGBY IRISH OPEN GOLF McIlroy misses Lions sense historic cut as Hebert and Im in front win over All Blacks Reuters two under through 13 and with London another par fi ve coming up, and to bogey the sixth took the wind ‘It’s a humungous game. We know how hard it’s going to be out there’ out of my sails,” said the Ulster- efending champion and man, who showed his frustration AFP tournament host Rory by slamming his driver to the Auckland McIlroy missed the cut ground after a poor drive at the at the Irish Open for the 16th. fourthD time in fi ve years after a “My short game, in general, he British and Irish Lions are second-round 73 at Portstewart it’s just silly mistakes,” he said. hoping a beer and bungee jump- Golf Club yesterday. The world “I’m just not being very effi cient ing jolly will give them an ad- number four had opened with a with my scoring and that’s why vantage as they face an edgy All 72 on Thursday. I’m making it diffi cult for myself. TBlacks side in a Test match of historic His halfway total of one over Just need to tidy up the short proportions today. So much is at stake for par was well short of the cut, on game a little bit; I feel like the both sides, after the Lions’ victory last a day when fi rst-round leaders long game is there.” week put them in a position to clinch only Benjamin Hebert from France McIlroy will compete in next their second series win over New Zealand and American Daniel Im stayed week’s Scottish Open before in 129 years of touring. ahead of the fi eld. Each posted a heading down to Royal Birkdale With one victory apiece, the All Blacks 67 to end on 13 under par. for the British Open. “Obviously, ramped up training this week to avoid Spain’s Jon Rahm also shot 67 I might have a few commitments joining the 1971 New Zealand team in to stay one shot behind, on 12 un- here this weekend, but I need to losing a series to the Lions. Reports of der. A cluster of others, including practice,” he said. “I need to get scuffl es among players during intense Japan’s Hideto Matsuyama, re- sharp and get ready for next week training sessions were denied, but fl anker main in touch with the leaders. and ultimately for The Open in a Jerome Kaino spoke of a “defi nite edge” in For McIlroy, it was another dis- couple week’s time.” the camp. appointing tournament to add to Also missing the weekend ac- The Lions, by contrast, took time out many more in an injury-aff ected tion are Ireland’s Darren Clarke at the resort town of Queenstown, where season. and Paul McGinley, who fi nished they swapped training for a relaxed few “I felt like I was battling well, on eight over. days of beers and bungee jumping. Even when they arrived in Auckland they downplayed their excitement about “the biggest game” of their careers, with cap- tain Sam Warburton saying he was “feel- ing pretty chilled out”. “It was good to have that break in Queenstown. Right now I won’t get too excited until match day. You don’t want to waste too much emotional energy over such a big game,” Warburton said. De- All Blacks captain Kieran Read (right) and Aaron Smith take part in the Captains Run in Auckland yesterday. (AFP) spite the tourists’ laid-back approach, Lions assistant coach Neil Jenkins said Wellington Hurricanes, who lead the Su- ing on for an 8-7 win in the titanic 2011 fi - TEAMS (15-1) they knew the magnitude of the task per Rugby competition for tries and line nal against France, the All Blacks seem to New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Israel Dagg, ahead against a wounded All Blacks side. breaks. With Barrett, his fl y-half broth- have shrugged off their former reputation Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Julian “It’s a series decider, a World Cup fi nal, er Beauden, Laumape and Savea there as chokers. Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Kieran whatever you want to label it as. It’s a hu- will be four Hurricanes in the All Blacks The Lions did, however, take a lot of Read (capt), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino; Sam mungous game. We know how hard it’s backs. The forward pack remains un- confi dence from the clinical way they Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Owen Franks, going to be,” Jenkins said. changed, and that is where the platform came from behind to win the second Test, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Replacements: None of the Lions has played in a World will be laid for the outcome of the Test. when their attacking game delivered the Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Cup fi nal, while the All Blacks retain six “It’s to be a physical Test, it has to be,” only two tries in the match. Warren Gat- Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ of the starting forwards from their World Hansen said. “Every Test match is won up land has named an unchanged line-up for Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa Cup victory in 2015 — but only two backs, front. We won the fi rst one up front, they the decider, which gives them the abil- Lions: Liam Williams (WAL); Anthony Watson Julian Savea and Aaron Smith. It is the won they second one up front, so who- ity to mix the astute kick-chase game of (ENG), Jonathan Davies (WAL), Owen Farrell new-look backline that the Lions will be ever wins that battle on the weekend will Conor Murray with the skills of Owen (ENG), Elliot Daly (ENG); Johnny Sexton (IRL), keen to target, with inside centre Ngani probably have a smile on their face.” Farrell should they wish to go wide. Conor Murray (/IRL); Taulupe Faletau (ENG), Laumape and 20-year-old fullback Jordie History is not in the Lions’ favour. In 11 “We know we’ve stressed the All Blacks Sean O’Brien (IRL), Sam Warburton (capt, France’s Benjamin Hebert lines up a putt during the second round of Barrett getting their fi rst starts, in only previous series they have only once won at times and we’ve scored some great WAL); Alun Wyn Jones (WAL), Maro Itoje the Irish Open in Portstewart, Northern Ireland, yesterday. (Reuters) their second Tests. the last Test and that was in 1959. The All tries,” Gatland said. “You always want be (ENG); Tadhg Furlong (IRL), Jamie George It is a bold move by coach Steve Blacks have not lost at Eden Park for 23 regarded as a winner and for us the focus (ENG), Mako Vunipola (ENG) Replacements: Hansen, who seems intent on re-igniting years, a run of 38 games. And having won is on winning on Saturday and winning Ken Owens (WAL), Jack McGrath (IRL), Kyle FOCUS the All Blacks’ spark and has turned to the the last two World Cups, including hold- the series.” Sinckler (ENG), Courtney Lawes (ENG) Kim and Escallon Lions frenzy ‘like World Cup’ grips Auckland share LPGA lead Auckland: A rugby fever unmatched to-back World Cups won by New Zealand champions to a decider is an added Blacks have not been utterly dominant since the 2011 World Cup final has in Britain in 2015 and on home soil at bonus. “What I’ve enjoyed most is the and must go to a decider has prompted AFP a seven-under,” Kim said. “My gripped Auckland as the city readies for a Eden Park in 2011. stunning scenery in New Zealand. It’s an Fairfax New Zealand to label it one of the Los Angeles shots were solid today and the winner-takes-all showdown between the “This is a big game for New Zealand amazing country,” James Dennis said. “I most important Test matches ever played greens were softer so I was able All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions. as a country, up there with the last two came here not expecting to see the Lions in the country. to go after the pins and give my- Up to 30,000 Lions fans travelled to World Cups,” he said. “We’ve got to be win any Tests, so for us to get one is a Radio Sport host Martin Devlin told im Sei-Young, seek- self a lot of birdie opportunities. New Zealand for the six-week tour and confident given our record at Eden Park massive achievement.” listeners he was so excited and nervous ing her second win of And then putting was good, and I they have invaded the city in readiness but I’m expecting a very tight game.” Others, such as Dafydd Evans, were about the match that he had been unable the season, shared the made a lot of birdies.” for the third and deciding Test at Eden The excitement has also rubbed off daring to dream of the Lions achieving to sleep. He also urged the normally silent fi rst-round lead at the Although she’s seeking her ThornberryK Creek LPGA Clas- fi rst LPGA title, Escallon has Park today. on the players, with New Zealand flanker their first series win since 1971. All Blacks fans to match the roar of the Convoys of mobile homes have parked Jerome Kaino saying there was an “edge” “There’s a great atmosphere here and Lions fans, who created an electric atmos- sic with Belgian rookie Laura been impressive in her rookie at specially created camp sites in the at training which added to the World even if the Lions lose on Saturday we’ll phere in Wellington that touring skipper Gonzalez Escallon on Thursday season. She notched a top-10 city’s two racecourses and Air New Cup flavour. “It definitely has that feel. still have the best holiday ever,” he said. Sam Warburton likened to “a 16th man”. in Oneida, Wisconsin. South Ko- fi nish in her debut, and had was Zealand has reported a surge in book- The excitement we had at training today “But if we win, it would just be incredible, “We need sound and volume every rea’s Kim, whose season has in- tied for fi fth at the Manulife ings into Auckland for the occasion. In backs that up,” said Kaino, who was part up there with the biggest sporting upsets time the Lions chant starts we need cluded a win at the Lorena Ochoa LPGA Classic last month. Escal- bars and restaurants, red shirts prevail as of the 2011 and 2015 triumphs. “The Lions in history. It would put the players down ‘black-black-black’,” Devlin said. All Blacks Match Play and three more top- lon birdied three of her fi rst four groups of visiting fans make the most of are a great side and there’s a lot of history in immortality.” have not lost a series at home or a Test at fi ve fi nishes, had eight birdies holes, then came alive again with local hospitality, often chanting support between these two teams, so being 1-1 it Most New Zealanders remain certain Eden Park for 23 years, a record which in- and a bogey in her seven-under three straight birdies at 14, 15 and for the composite rugby team that only does have that feeling about it.” they can improve on the 24-21 loss in Wel- spires confidence among Kiwis. “Worries? 65 while Escallon had seven bird- 16 before capping her round with visits New Zealand once every 12 years. For many Lions fans, visiting New lington, when they were without red-card- You can’t be worried mate. We don’t lose ies without a bogey. another birdie. Kim and Escal- All Blacks fan David Paul rated the Zealand is the trip of a lifetime and the ed centre Sonny Bill Williams for most of many games and we haven’t lost at Eden “It’s been a long time since lon were one stroke in front of match’s importance alongside the back- fact that their team has pushed the world the match. Yet the mere fact that the All Park since 1994,” Will Todd said. I played well in the fi rst round, American Madeleine Sheils and so I’m very blessed to have shot South Korean Kim Min-G.

PGA TOUR Storming 61 lift s Munoz past Love into Greenbrier lead AFP Munoz, who attended the University A 30-foot birdie at the 14th gave Washington of North Texas before turning profes- Love a share of the lead and he chipped sional, and secured his tour card with in from in front of the green at 17. Love, the help of his victory in the Web.com who owns 21 US PGA Tour titles, said olombia’s Sebastian Munoz tour’s Club Colombia Championship, is he was pleased to be able to take advan- shot a sizzling nine-under par trying to improve on his previous best tage of ideal scoring conditions on the 61 on Thursday to upstage ear- PGA Tour fi nish — a tie for 27th at the course that has been renovated since ly pace-setter Davis Love and Texas Open. last year’s deadly fl oods in West Vir- seizeC the fi rst-round lead at the US PGA Love, a 21-time Tour winner, is seek- ginia wiped out the 2016 edition of the Tour’s Greenbrier Classic. ing his fi rst title since his 2015 Wynd- tournament. Munoz, a 24-year-old in search of ham Championship win made him the Love’s recent form hadn’t signalled his fi rst tour title, fi nished the day with third-oldest winner in PGA Tour his- such a round was coming, he admitted, a two-stroke lead over the 53-year-old tory. He was quick out of the blocks as he battled injuries. Love, who had seven birdies without on the Old White TPC course in White “Based on recent scoring average, a bogey in his seven-under 63. Munoz Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. no,” he said. “Based on good attitude, climbed swiftly up the leaderboard Four of Love’s birdies came in the yeah. I’ve been working real hard the with four birdies in a row at the second, fi rst fi ve holes and he added three more last couple of weeks on trying to fi x my third, fourth and fi fth holes. coming in. “That’s about as good as it swing to kind of swing around a stiff He picked up another stroke at the gets,” Love said of a start that included back and stiff hip.” seventh, and moved within a stroke of a birdie from within two feet at the fi rst Love was one stroke in front of half early leader Love with a 15-foot birdie and an 11-footer at the second. a dozen players sharing third place on putt at the 10th. A bogey at the par- After parring the third, Love made six-under 64. The group included New four 13th proved just a hiccup, as Mu- another birdie from within two feet at Zealand’s Danny Lee, who won the noz responded with birdies at the next the fourth and rolled in a fi ve-footer at most recent edition of the tournament four holes. the fi fth. in 2015 for his only PGA Tour title to “Things kind of clicked,” Munoz said “I hit it stiff at the fi rst hole and had date. of fi nding his touch on the greens after a nice putt at the second hole and ac- Lee was joined by Americans Ben feeling uncomfortable over the putter tually had a look at it at the third hole,” Martin and Xander Schauff ele, Cana- in a practice round on Wednesday.”It Love said. “Four and fi ve I was just roll- Sebastian Munoz of Colombia plays his second shot on the 14th hole during the round two of The Greenbrier Classic at the dians Nick Taylor and Graham DeLaet was a good surprise.” ing it real well and hitting it real well.” Old White TPC in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, United States, on Thursday. (AFP) and Sweden’s David Lingmerth. Saturday, July 8, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

TOUR DE FRANCE BOXING WBO says it will review scoring for Six millimetres Pacquiao-Horn bout was all that Kittel needed for the win I think, in my career that’s definitely the closest win I’ve ever had — even closer than last year in Limoges against Bryan Coquard: said Marcel Kittel after his thrilling win File picture of Manny Pacquiao (R) of the Philippines during his bout with Jeff Horn (L) of Australia.

AFP who participated in this fi ght are Manila all professional, distinguished, honest and honourable human beings,” he added. he World Boxing Or- He urged the Filipino body to ganization has said it give evidence of fraud or viola- will review the scoring tion of the law, if any, to the Aus- of the Manny Pacquiao- tralian National Boxing Federa- TJeff Horn welterweight title bout tion and the WBO. after the Philippine world cham- Horn welcomed the an- pion’s shock loss, but the verdict nouncement, a day after saying will stand. he was ready for a rematch, an The WBO announced the move option that was specifi ed in the on its website after Pacquiao, Brisbane fi ght contract. backed by the Philippine govern- “Let them review it,” the ment’s sports regulatory body, 29-year-old told Queensland’s criticised the referee and the judg- Courier Mail newspaper. es and demanded a review. “They will see it on a TV screen The Filipino regulator, the and probably see the same thing Games and Amusements Board, everyone else saw — me winning has also called for potential the fi ght.” sanctions on the referee and Both the Filipino board and judges of the July 2 Brisbane bout Pacquiao had criticised Ameri- if warranted. can referee Mark Nelson for “The purpose of this review supposedly allowing the rank- is to be able to give the fans cer- underdog Australian to get away tainty of who was the winner of with illegal tactics without giv- the bout,” WBO president Fran- ing him warnings or point de- cisco Valcarcel wrote to the Fili- ductions. pino regulator on Wednesday. The loss sparked calls in the The WBO is to appoint fi ve Philippines for the 38-year-old “anonymous competent judges Pacquiao, a national icon after from diff erent countries to watch rising from poverty to win an un- the bout without sound distrac- precedented eight world titles in tion” then tabulate their round- diff erent weight classes, to retire by-round scoring. and concentrate on politics. A handout picture released by ASO shows Germany’s Marcel Kittel (R-bottom) crossing the finish line ahead of Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen (R-top) at the end of the 213.5km However Valcarcel stressed Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, and seventh stage of the 104th edition of the Tour de France cycling race yesterday between Troyes and Nuits-Saint-Georges. the WBO did not have the pow- his trainer, Freddie Roach, had er to reverse the decision of the said they would advise him to AFP Overall standings A statistic, a fact and a quote fi ght judges. quit boxing. Nuits-Saint-Georges “The decision of an offi cial Pacquiao briefl y retired from Classification from Tour de France STATISTIC OF THE DAY: 6 it’s from breakfast” - Chris Froome after should only be revoked when boxing last year to pursue his after Stage 7 yesterday The distance separating stage winner being told by a reporter that he was fraud or violations of the law oc- long-held political ambitions arcel Kittel won a sprint fi n- 1. C. Froome (Britain / Team Sky) Marcel Kittel from runner-up Edvald making him hungry as he was eating cur. I assure you that the offi cials and was elected senator. ish yesterday’s seventh stage 2. G. Thomas (Britain / Team Sky) +12” Boasson Hagen, after 213.5km. The time during his post-stage news conference. of the Tour de France by just 3. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) +14” diff erence is three 10000th of a second. six millimetres on Friday, the 4. D. Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) +25” FACT OF THE DAY: MOTORSPORT: F1 M“closest” victory of his career. 5. R. Porte (AUS/ BMC Racing) +39” QUOTE OF THE DAY: For the first time since 2011, Alberto The German edged out Norway’s Ed- 6. Simon Yates (Britain / Orica) +43” “I don’t think you have too much to Contador wrapped the opening week of vald Boasson Hagen by what official 7. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R) +47” worry about this porridge, it’s cold and racing on the Tour de France. Tour data said was a winning margin 8. Alberto Contador (Spain / Trek) +52” Horner insists Sainz of 0.0003 seconds, after more than 9. N. Quintana (COL/ Movistar) +54” five hours and 213.5km from Troyes to 10. Rafal Majka (Poland / BORA) +1:01” form for quite a long time, so I was sur- geting other stage wins when hillier ter- Nuits Saint-Georges. But Kittel was prised to see him (on Thursday).” rain is less likely to suit the burly fast men to stay at Toro Rosso no stranger to such close shaves having like Kittel and his German compatriot beaten France’s Bryan Coquard in anoth- “I’m very happy but a bit surprised ‘IT’S A PITY’ Andre Greipel. er photo fi nish 12 months ago. I could get it today, but it’s a sign that Boasson Hagen showed remarkable grace “We had a plan + we stuck to it. This “I think, in my career that’s defi nitely things can change in one sprint because for a man who’d just lost out on what defi nitely feels like a win,” said Sunweb’s the closest win I’ve ever had — even clos- on the fourth stage (won by Demare with would have been his fi rst Tour stage vic- Matthews on Twitter. er than last year in Limoges against Bryan Kittel 13th) I lost a lot of points.” tory since his only other two in 2011. For the overall contenders, such as race Coquard,” said the 29-year-old Quick- Kittel started the day 27 points behind “The team did so well today. They took leader and defending champion Chris Step sprinter. FDJ’s Demare but is now 15 points ahead. me all the way to the line with a perfect Froome, it was a relatively tranquil day in “Six millimetres decides over a lot of What was less expected in this sprint lead-out. It’s a pity I couldn’t fi nish it the saddle. joy or a big disappointment. I’m really was that Boasson Hagen took second, off ,” he said. A four man breakaway got clear right happy I could throw my bike far enough with Australian Michael Matthews third. “However, I’m happy with this second from the start and built up a maximum to have these six millimetres.” “Honestly I wasn’t surprised because place, even though I would have liked to lead of 3min 45sec on the peloton. His third victory on this Tour, and 12th yesterday (Thursday) already he was re- take the win. I’m not a pure sprinter, so to But their futile eff orts ended 6km from in total — equalling the record for a Ger- ally strong and fast in the fi nal, he just be able to be up there on these fl at stages the fi nish. man with Erik Zabel — allowed Kittel to maybe went a bit too early,” Kittel said of gives me a lot of confi dence for the re- Froome, who sat eating cold porridge snatch back the sprinters’ green points Boasson Hagen. maining part of the Tour.” in his press conference, said: “Noth- jersey from Frenchman Arnaud Demare, “Today, he and Dimension Data timed Matthews, another all-rounder rather ing big happened during the day — for Torro Rosso’s Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr drives his car during the who could fi nish only 11th after a sleep- it right to go in the good moment. It’s than pure sprinter, was also delighted the overall contenders we were thinking second practice session of the Formula One Austria Grand Prix. less night. true Edvald wasn’t in that shape and that with his fi nish, particularly as he is tar- about the weekend and the mountains.” Reuters Sainz appears to have no Spielberg chance of moving up to Red FORMULA 1: AUSTRIAN GP Bull next year since the former champions have Australian Dan- ed Bull slapped down iel Ricciardo and Dutch teenager Carlos Sainz yesterday Max Verstappen locked in. for suggesting he was Horner said there was no change likely to leave their Toro of plan there and “both drivers will RossoR Formula One team at the be with us 100 percent.” Hamilton registers record pace end of the season, prompting Toro Rosso, established as a Reuters Red Bull’s Dutch teenager Max retracted this week. a swift U-turn by the Spanish feeder team for Red Bull, has a Spielberg Verstappen had been second in Hamilton’s team mate Valt- driver. history of moving young drivers the morning, when Vettel was teri Bottas was third fastest in “He’s under contract and we upwards or out. only fourth and half a second off both sessions, with Verstappen have an option on him for next Those who have graduated riple world cham- the pace. dropping back to fourth in the year and the year after,” Red Bull include four-times world cham- pion Lewis Hamilton Mercedes have won every year afternoon after being sidelined team boss Christian Horner told pion Sebastian Vettel. smashed his Red Bull since Austria returned to the early in the session with a brake Sky Sports during practice for Others have been less fortu- Ring lap record twice calendar in 2014, after being ab- problem. the Austrian Grand Prix. nate, their Formula One careers Tin Austrian Grand Prix practice sent for a decade, with Hamilton Red Bull’s Azerbaijan race “He’ll be in a Toro Rosso again eff ectively ended after being cast yesterday, with Ferrari’s cham- triumphant in 2016. winner Daniel Ricciardo and next year.” out of the Red Bull fold. pionship leader Sebastian Vettel The Briton and his Ferrari rival Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen were Sainz had told reporters on Kvyat is in the rare position of close behind his Mercedes rival. have been closely matched on race fi fth and sixth in both. Thursday that he was unlikely to having been promoted and then The two, separated at the top pace, with each winning three Ricciardo injected some Aus- stay for a fourth season and was demoted again in a swap with by 14 points after eight races, grands prix so far this season. tralian humour into the build-up open to off ers. Verstappen, who won in Spain on got back down to business after Vettel will be happy to have when he jokingly told Sky Sports The 22-year-old, who has his Red Bull debut last year. calming a ‘road rage’ controver- the focus back on the racing af- television, while struggling to eclipsed Russian team mate Da- “No-one has had a fourth con- sy that has dominated Formula ter making a public apology to keep a straight face, that Baku niil Kvyat this season, is seen as secutive year at Toro Rosso and One since the previous race in Hamilton for the Baku furore had changed everything. a rising star and has been linked I’m ready to take a step,” Sainz said Azerbaijan last month. last month and his comments “I always said I want to win in media speculation to a number after Horner’s comments. Hamilton, the only driver on afterwards. fi ve races and retire so I’m prob- of other teams. “I appreciate a lot the people the current grid to have won in The German had driven into ably not going to compete this “I don’t know where he thinks working in Toro Rosso, it’s a great Austria following the retire- Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives out of the garage the back of Hamilton’s car, while weekend,” he smiled. “I think he’ll be,” said Horner. group of professionals and the ment of 2016 champion and during the first practice session of the Austrian Grand Prix. the race leader was waiting for I’m done. So it’s changed pretty “He only got a chance in For- Toro Rosso door is open to me. team mate Nico Rosberg, swiftly the safety car to pit, and had dramatically my position in the mula One because of Red Bull in- It’s a nice problem to have. demolished the lap record he set the day with a best time of one the occasional rain shower, four pulled alongside to remonstrate. sport.” vesting in him in the junior years. “My number one target is to be last year. minute 05.483 seconds. times world champion Vettel He ultimately fi nished fourth, He then reassured “people at It’s a little bit disingenuous to be in Red Bull as soon as possible. The Briton then lowered his In changeable conditions in was second on the timesheets a place ahead of Hamilton. home who don’t understand my making comments like that. A lot That has been my dream since I morning time by another half the scenic Styrian hills, with with a lap 0.147 slower than He then accused Hamilton of silly sense of humour” not to of investment goes into these guys was 15 and they picked me up and second in the afternoon to end bright sunshine mixed in with Hamilton’s. “brake-testing” him, words he worry. to give them the opportunity.” that’s not going to change.”