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Saturday, August 29, 2020 FOOTBALL Muharram 10, 1442 AH Henderson expects GULF TIMES Liverpool to make statement vs Arsenal SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL / QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Khor defeat Al Markhiya to keep place in top fl ight Two extra time goals by Hammoudan and al-Moraisi win it for Al Khor in the play-off against Second Division runners-up

By Sports Reporter Markhiya, whose woes com- Doha pounded when Luciano Vasquez, nicknamed Lucho, was sent off soon after they conceded their l Khor edged Al Markhi- second goal. ya 2-0 at the Al Janoub Al Markhiya goalkeeper Mo- Stadium yesterday hamed Saeed held fort against courtesy two extra- the rival attacks for most of the Atime goals in the play-off to de- game, but for two late goals. termine which team would fea- Al Khor’s Ibrahim Amada had ture in next season’s top fl ight. his rising shot parried by Saeed The play-off pitted the 11th- in the 39th minute. placed team in the 2019-20 sea- After Al Khor’s Anas Ibrahim son QNB Stars League (Al Khor) sent his shot wide of the target, against Second Division runners- Lucho and Al Khor’s Helal Mo- up of this season (Al Markhiya). hamed both headed over the bar QNB Stars League’s bottom- and Helal’s teammate Tiago Bez- placed side Al Shahania have erra headed wide as Al Markhiya directly been relegated to the went defensive. Second Division, while Second Hammoudan and Robert Alex- Division champions Al Kharaiti- ander Melki made goal attempts yat earned promotion to the top for Al Khor in the second half, but fl ight. were unsuccessful and the game A bad patch saw Al Khor end went into extra time. up 11th and go into the play-off . Hammoudan gave Al Khor the However, they were given a tough breakthrough by heading in sub- fi ght by Al Markhiya before win- stitute Mohamed El Sayed’s low ning by two extra-time goals. cross from the right in the fi rst Ahmed Hammoudan (99th half of extra time. minute) and Abdulla al-Moraisi Al-Moraisi found the mark (112nd minute) scored for Al Khor with a chip shot over the head of after regular time ended goalless. an advancing Al Markhiya goal- The match regulations stipu- keeper after Aden Ali failed to lated that in the event of a tie, clear a through pass from deep extra time of 30 minutes (15 into the Al Khor area. minutes in each half) was to be played. Had that also ended in a Al Khor players celebrate their draw, penalty shoot-out would victory over Al Markhiya in the have decided the winners. play-off at Al Janoub Stadium Al Khor dominated Al Markhi- yesterday. Ahmed Hammoudan ya throughout with 64 percent (third from right) and Abdulla possession. The Knights forced al-Moraisi (right) scored in extra 10 corners as against two by Al time for the win. (Twitter/QSL)

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Scottish Premiership set to NBA playoff s resume today as pilot fan return at 3 matches

AFP A BBC report said Rangers’ match league vows more social support Glasgow against Dundee United at Ibrox and champions Celtic’s trip to Ross County AFP The league vowed to work with are likely to be chosen for the tests, with Washington, United States players and broadcast partners on cottish Premiership fans are set one additional fi xture from that week- advertisements in each playoff tel- to be allowed back in stadiums for end’s games also possible. ecast dedicated to promoting greater up to three matches on a test basis The Scottish Premiership test events BA playoff games will civic engagement in elections. on September 12 after government are expected to have crowds in the low resume today after the “These commitments fol- talks.S hundreds. league and players agreed low months of close collaboration Scottish Football’s Joint Response The BBC said all Scottish top-fl ight yesterday on plans for around designing a safe and healthy Group yesterday said Sports Minister Joe clubs could host limited numbers of fans greaterN social justice and racial environment to restart the NBA sea- Fitzpatrick had confi rmed three Premier- from the following weekend if the test equality measures following the po- son, providing a platform to promote ship pilot events could take place. games are successful. lice shooting of Jacob Blake. social justice, as well as creating an “If successful, this would be part of a In England, Premier League clubs fi n- NBA commissioner Adam Silver NBA Foundation focused on eco- phased return of supporters to football ished last season with all matches played and National Basketball Players As- nomic empowerment in the Black stadia with incrementally increased num- behind closed doors. sociation executive director Michele community,” the statement said. bers in the weeks following the initial pi- The aim is to get fans back into stadi- Roberts said in a joint statement that Silver had told league employees lot event date,” a statement said. ums in the Premier League by October, “All parties agreed to resume NBA An empty arena is seen as all NBA playoff games were postponed at ESPN Wide the measures were coming as he ex- “The JRG will be liaising with Premier- with Brighton and Chelsea due to play a playoff games on Saturday.” World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Thursday. (AFP) pressed full support for the players’ ship clubs and the Scottish Government friendly in front of 2,500 supporters at the The move came on a third day of walkout. over the next week to fi nalise details.” Amex Stadium today. postponed NBA playoff games after ing shot in the back seven times by sentatives from players, coaches and “We are dedicated to driving the the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take a policeman in Kenosha, Wisconsin, team owners to focus on a broad range sustainable change that is long over- the court on Wednesday for a sched- as he tried to get into a car where his of issues, including increasing access due,” Silver wrote in an open let- uled Eastern Conference fi rst-round three children were seated. to voting, promoting civic engage- ter to NBA employees posted on the Four Roma players positive Aouar misses Lyon opener matchup against Orlando in the Cov- “We look forward to the resump- ment and advocating meaningful po- league’s website. for coronavirus aft er positive Covid-19 test id-19 quarantine bubble at Disney tion of the playoff s and continuing lice and criminal justice reform. “I wholeheartedly support NBA World in Orlando, Florida. to work together — in Orlando and in In cities where the NBA team owns and WNBA players and their com- Serie A club Roma postponed their return Midfielder Houssem Aouar was ruled The move led to postponements all NBA team markets — to push for and controls its own arena, team mitment to shining a light on impor- to training yesterday after four players out of Lyon’s first match of the Ligue in support of social justice over the meaningful and sustainable change,” owners will work with local elections tant issues of social justice. tested positive for coronavirus. After 1 season against Dijon yesterday after past two days in Major League Base- the joint statement said. offi cials to convert the facility into a “I understand the pain, anger and goalkeeper Antonio Mirante announced testing positive for Covid-19, his club an- ball, Major League Soccer, the Wom- “We had a candid, impassioned voting location for the 2020 US gen- frustration that so many of us are he was positive last week, Spanish striker nounced shortly before kick-off . Aouar, en’s NBA and the National Hockey and productive conversation yester- eral election, allowing safe in-person feeling in this moment. These are in- Carles Perez on Thursday confirmed he 22, returned a positive result following a League. day between NBA players, coaches voting options in communities fear- credibly challenging times. also had Covid-19. Yesterday, Brazilian left- round of testing carried out on members While players weren’t on the and team governors regarding next ful of Covid-19. “While I don’t walk in the same back Bruno Peres said on Instagram that of the Lyon squad and coaching staff on court, they were talking with NBA steps to further our collective eff orts If that option won’t work, NBA shoes as Black men and women, I he too was “unfortunately positive”. Dutch Thursday. Lyon said in a statement that club owners about their desire to see and actions in support of social jus- team owners will try to fi nd another can see the trauma and fear that ra- forward Justin Kluivert was the fourth Aouar would “return to training with the league undertake broader meas- tice and racial equality.” election-related use for the arena, cialized violence causes and how it player to test positive, according to Sky the first-team squad in 10 to 15 days, ures for social change, frustrated Players and the NBA established a such as for voter registration or bal- continues the painful legacy of racial Sport Italia and Gazzetta Dello Sport. depending on his next follow-up tests.” by video of Blake, a black man, be- social justice coalition, with repre- lot counting. inequity that persists in our country.” Gulf Times 2 Saturday, August 29, 2020 FOOTBALL

COMMUNITY SHIELD COMMENT Arteta fears virus Henderson expects spike could damage EPL season

AFP on a knife-edge, the 38-year-old London, United Kingdom said: “Yes, and I think we are go- ing to have many more cases in Liverpool to make the future unfortunately. rsenal coach Mikel “You are just planning to do Arteta fears the spike something and then that player in Premier League play- tests positive, and that positive ers contracting corona- was a false positive. virusA is a sign the forthcoming “We are trying to get used to season might be damaged by the it, get around it, and trying to statement vs Arsenal pandemic. manage the situation as well as Several top-fl ight players have we can. tested positive for Covid-19 “There is not much we can do ‘I’m really excited to see what we can do this season, another big season for us’ since returning from holiday and we know that there are some ahead of the Premier League uncertainties we cannot control campaign’s opening matches on at the moment.” September 12. It is understood the Premier Manchester United star Paul League is not expecting there to Pogba and Tottenham midfi elder be any need to delay the start of Tanguy Ndombele were left out the 2020-21 season. of the France squad after positive Should clubs feel there is an tests this week. issue with fulfi lling a fi xture due Arteta was the fi rst Premier to a virus outbreak, the protocol League fi gure to get the virus is that they should approach the in March, just days before the league’s board concerning a pos- 2019-20 term was halted until sible postponement, and issues June. will be dealt with on a case-by- The Spaniard recovered fully case basis. and led Arsenal to FA Cup fi nal The number of positive cases victory against Chelsea. when the season resumed in June But, talking ahead of today’s were minimal given players had Community Shield clash with been training and operating in- Liverpool, Arteta warned the side of a bubble. season could be put at risk if cas- That is diff erent this time es continue to climb. round as players travelled abroad He believes clubs will have to on holiday in the off -season be- plan for losing players to the vi- fore reporting for pre-season du- rus in the coming months. ties, the hope being now squads Asked if the increased positive are reassembled, the number of results were a sign the season is cases will once again drop off .

In this July 22, 2020, picture, Liverpool players celebrate with the Premier League trophy after the match against Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Liverpool’s title defence begins on September 12 but they kick off the new season against Arsenal today.(AFP)

AFP back to business at a training their foot off the gas this term. against Arsenal in the Commu- expires at the end of this season. London, United Kingdom camp in Austria and England Klopp has yet to make any nity Shield. Arteta is confi dent Arsenal’s midfi elder Henderson is pleased major new signings and they will “We’ve got to be right at it captain will commit his long- with the attitude he has seen face a renewed challenge from come that fi rst game and we’ve term future to the club, while ordan Henderson has from his team-mates so far. Manchester City, big-spending got another chance to win sil- Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guen- urged Liverpool to show “We’ve been cracking on, re- Chelsea and Manchester Unit- verware. douzi could be brought back their hunger to retain ally working hard. New season, ed’s emerging young side. “After that, the Premier from exile after being banished the Premier League title new start and a lot more things But Henderson, whose team League starts pretty quick after towards the end of last season. whenJ they face Arsenal in the we want to go on and achieve,” fi nished 18 points ahead of sec- that as well, so you need to be Ozil and Guendouzi were fro- FOCUS Community Shield today. Henderson told Liverpool’s ond-placed City, has no doubts ready.” zen out over Arteta’s concerns Just fi ve weeks after Liverpool website. Liverpool are up to the task of For Arsenal, the curtain- about their commitment and captain Henderson lifted the “I’m really excited to see what keeping their rivals at bay. raiser to the new season off ers attitude respectively. Premier League trophy, Jurgen we can do this season, another Gunners boss Mikel Arteta an “I have been really clear that Messi told Guardiola Klopp’s side kick off the new big season for us. ‘ALWAYS WANTING MORE’ opportunity to gauge his side’s everybody starts from zero,” season in the glamour friendly “Hopefully we can take confi - “You’ve got to look at the play- progress heading into his fi rst Arteta said. at Wembley. dence from the last year or two ers in the squad and the manager full campaign in charge. “All the time in football, what last week that he’d While their Premier League but we need to stay hungry and as well, it’s always about looking The Spaniard’s impres- you did two weeks ago or two title defence doesn’t get un- need to keep the desire to go and forward and wanting more and sive work after arriving from years ago doesn’t matter. It is derway until September 12, the want more. improving,” he said. Manchester City in December what you are able to contribute quit Barca: reports Reds are keen to lay down an “I can certainly see that from “Just to keep going and win culminated in FA Cup glory to the team now so everybody is early marker to their title rivals. the fi rst days that I’ve watched as many trophies as we can be- against Chelsea, a success keyed going to have the same opportu- Henderson knows FA Cup training in pre-season.” cause we’ve proven that over by Arteta’s astute tactics and nities. winners Arsenal will pose a good Having ended the club’s 30- the last few years we’re a top Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s “They have to show with their test of Liverpool’s desire for year wait to win the English ti- team. brace. performance and attitude that more silverware after beating tle, just a year after clinching “Pre-season is no diff er- Since that memorable victory, they are better than their team- the champions 2-1 at the Emir- the Champions League crown, ent. You’ve got to train so hard Aubameyang has kept Arsenal mates or they are somehow ates Stadium late last season. it would be understandable if to be ready for the fi rst game of waiting as they try to persuade contributing to what we want to Liverpool have been getting Henderson and company took the season, which for us comes him to extend a contract that achieve this season.”

BOTTOMLINE ‘No chance’: Klopp rules out Liverpool move for Messi

AFP City and make it more diffi cult London, United Kingdom to beat them,” Klopp said. “For the Premier League it would be great, but I am not sure urgen Klopp says there is the Premier League needs that In this March 17, 2010, picture, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (right) “no chance” of Liverpool boost. celebrates in front of his then coach Pep Guardiola after scoring a signing Lionel Messi, but “Good player to be honest! goal against VfB Stuttgart during their Champions League match in the German admits the It would be interesting to see Barcelona, Spain. (Reuters) unsettledJ Barcelona star would as well. Messi has never played be a great addition to the Pre- in another league, other than DPA Messi’s father, Jorge, in the com- mier League. Spain. London, United Kingdom ing week, the report said. Messi has told Barca he wants “Actually, I would like to see it Messi played under Guardiola to leave after growing unhappy but I’m not sure I will.” from 2008 to 2012. The pair won with the club’s problems on and Liverpool have made just one ionel Messi told his old two Champions League titles to- off the pitch. close-season signing in Greece mentor, Manchester City gether, among a welter of other The Argentina forward has left-back Kostas Tsimikas from manager Pep Guardiola, trophies. been linked with a move to Man- Olympiakos. last week that he intend- Argentinian newspaper La Na- chester City, where he could link But, with a number of prom- Led to leave Barcelona, according cion said that Messi could sign a up with his former Barca boss ising youngsters available, to yesterday’s edition of British so-called “three-plus-two” con- Pep Guardiola. Klopp insists there is no urgency newspaper The Times. tract with City. That would see Paris Saint-Germain, Inter to bring in fresh faces despite Guardiola, who was Messi’s him stay for three years in Man- Milan and Juventus have also the spending of title rivals City boss for four years at Barcelona, chester before moving to City’s been mooted as potential des- and Chelsea. told the player that he would sister club, New York City FC, in tinations for Messi if he gets his “We will see what other speak to City’s owners about America’s Major League Soccer. wish to quit the Camp Nou. teams are doing, we will deal signing him, the report said. Messi has fi led a registered Klopp insisted he would love with our situation like we al- Websites Goal and Spox had document with Barcelona stating to have Messi, but made it clear ways did. We will see how on Thursday reported that a that he wants to leave the club for the 33-year-old would not end much we can or want to spend,” phone call had taken place be- free, but the Catalans do not be- up at Anfi eld. Klopp said. tween Messi and Guardiola. The lieve he can exercise the clause in “Interest? Who doesn’t want “I’m happy with what we have Times says that this is further his contract that allowed him to to have Messi in their team? But but we will look constantly for indication that City are in pole do so before June 10. no chance,” Klopp told reporters improvements. We will look for position to sign the sought-after The player has been angry in yesterday. title for the fi rst time since 1990. under threat if Messi joined City. lish football to have one of the improvements internally as well, 33-year-old. recent years because of the club’s Liverpool fi nished 18 points And Klopp conceded Liver- But the former Borussia Dort- world’s greatest ever players in how can we improve the players City chief executive Ferran failure to compete for the Cham- ahead of second placed City last pool’s bid to retain the Premier mund boss believes it would the Premier League. and make them more ready for Soriano is already in Catalonia, pions League, which they last season as they won the English League crown would clearly be be a signifi cant coup for Eng- “It would obviously help Man specifi c occasions.” where he intends to speak to won in 2015. Gulf Times Saturday, August 29, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Ibra agrees to play Wolfsburg eye treble another season at AC Milan: reports

AFP Milan, Italy against mighty Lyon latan Ibrahimovic will remain at AC Mi- lan next season having reached agreement on a Znew deal reportedly worth 7mn euros ($8.3m) without bonuses, according to multiple reports in in women’s CLeague Italy yesterday. Ibrahimovic, who turns 39 years in October, yesterday post- Germans are aiming to complete a treble, while Lyon chase a fifth straight title ed a photo of himself on social media wearing an AC Milan jer- DPA sey with the number 11 written Berlin, Germany over the 21, and his arms wide: “As I said, I’m just warming up”. The Swedish forward also or Wolfsburg’s Fridolina posted a photo showing him ly- Ibra has played an important part Rolfo, the excitement at ing relaxing with the caption in our season and our growth,” playing in tomorrow’s “The quiet before the storm”. AC Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis said Women’s Champions Gazzetta Dello Sport reported this week. LeagueF fi nal in San Sebastian that Ibrahimovic was expected “We are doing everything we hasn’t been dimmed by the fa- back in Milan ahead of the new can to see that this can continue.” miliarity of her side’s oppo- season on August 29, the same The former seven-time Euro- nents. day he fi rst joined the club back pean champions moved up from “I can hardly wait for the fi - in 2010. 11th on his arrival to sixth, fi n- nal,” she told Wolfsburg’s of- Ibrahimovic rejoined Milan in ishing the league season on a 12- fi cial website after Olympique January on a six-month contract game unbeaten run. Lyon confi rmed their place with after leaving Los Angeles Gal- Ibrahimovic helped AC Milan a hard-fought win over Paris axy, on a deal worth 3.5mn euros to the last of their 18 Serie A ti- Saint-Germain. ($3.9mn) with the option for an tles in 2011. But, as Wolfsburg look to em- additional season. He also won three league titles ulate compatriots Bayern Mu- The former Manchester with Inter Milan and two with nich, who completed a treble of United, Paris Saint-Germain Juventus which were both re- trophies in the men’s game with and Barcelona player had a big voked because of the ‘Calciopoli’ their recent Champions League impact, scoring 11 goals in 20 match-fi xing scandal. win, Rolfo is under no illusion as games. The Italian season kicks off to how diffi cult it will be to over- “I think that we can all see that again on September 19. come the French side. “It was a very hard-fought game,” the Swedish international said of Lyon’s semi-fi nal win on Chelsea sign former PSG centre back Wednesday. “PSG played very ag- gressively and won a lot of balls. Thiago Silva That wasn’t easy for Lyon, but you could tell once again that when Chelsea have bolstered their defence by bringing in Thiago Silva, Lyon are given a chance, they’re with the former Paris Saint-Germain centre back signing a one-year ready for it and end up getting the contract with the option of a further 12 months, the English Premier goal. We need to be very careful League club announced yesterday. The 35-year-old Brazilian and alert against them to prevent Wolfsburg’s Fridolina Rolfo (centre) celebrates after scoring a goal against Barcelona during the Women’s Champions League semi-final at defender joins the west London club, coached by Frank Lampard, situations like that.” Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain, on Tuesday. (Reuters) after eight seasons at PSG where he won seven Ligue 1 titles and Wolfsburg’s own narrow five French Cups, making over 300 appearances in all competi- semi-fi nal win — a 1-0 defeat of But Parris’ teammate Wendie added: “There is joy but no eu- side has since become a bogey “We have proven again that tions. He arrives on a free transfer after leaving PSG following the Barcelona in which Rolfo scored Renard said on Wednesday that phoria because we have not yet team for the Germans. we are the best team in the club’s defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. “I the only goal — took place on the setback had only given Lyon reached our goal.” Lyon have ended Wolfsburg’s world,” left-back Sakina Kar- am so happy to be joining Chelsea. I am delighted to be a part of Tuesday, giving the Germans more motivation to win. That goal is to win a seventh campaign at various stages of chaoui told the Lyon website af- Frank Lampard’s exciting squad for next season and I’m here to one day extra to prepare. “It’s a shame about Ni- Champions League — and a fi fth the competition in each of the ter the PSG game. challenge for honours. See you soon Chelsea fans, I look forward to Lyon are also without Eng- kita Parris’s red card,” she told in a row. Wolfsburg themselves last four tournaments. Last sea- Wolfsburg will have to break playing at Stamford Bridge very soon,” he said. lish international Nikita Parris, Lyon’s offi cial website. “We will have two titles under their belts. son, they gave the Germans a down the rock-solid self-belief whose red card in the semi-fi nal do everything to win the fi nal Their fi rst came with a win over 6-3 aggregate spanking in the of serial champions if they are to Parma name Liverani as coach to means that she is suspended for and lift this cup.” Lyon at Stamford Bridge in Lon- quarter-fi nals — it’s no wonder bring a second treble to German the showdown in Spain. Ominously for Wolfsburg, she don in 2013 — but the French they’re not short of confi dence. club football in 2020. replace D’Aversa

Parma have appointed Fabio Liverani as manager on a two-year deal to replace Roberto d’Aversa, who was sacked after the end I was scared for my life, says Maguire of Greece arrest of last season, the Serie A club said yesterday. The 44-year-old Liverani had led Lecce to two consecutive promotions back to the AFP off icers, who he says did not friend Christopher Sharman “And at this point I thought top flight but did not manage to save the southern Italian club from London, United Kingdom identify themselves, pulled were also found guilty on a there is no chance these are relegation last season. Liverani, who was a midfielder at several over his group’s minibus, threw range of charges and sen- police or I don’t know who they clubs including Lazio and Fiorentina, was also in charge of Serie him off the vehicle and hit him tenced to 13 months in prison, are so I tried to run away.” A side Genoa and helped Ternana avoid relegation from Serie B. anchester United and in his legs. suspended for three years. Maguire said he had attempted Parma fought their way back to Serie A for the 2018-2019 season England defender Maguire said he tried to run The three men denied all the to take his sister to a hospital after being relegated to the fourth tier in 2015 due to bankruptcy MHarry Maguire said on away because he had no idea charges. because she appeared to be and finished 11th in the top flight last term. The club, based in the Thursday he was “scared” for who the men were. According to media reports, a losing consciousness having Emilia-Romagna region, dismissed coach Roberto d’Aversa three his life and thought he was the “They hit me a lot on the legs. fight started at a nightclub over been approached by two men. weeks after the season finished. victim of a kidnapping when I was in that much of a panic. claims Maguire’s younger sister He also denied attempting to he was arrested on a Greek Fear. Scared for my life,” he Daisy had been injected with bribe the police. Eze does it as Palace boss Hodgson holiday island. said. what the defence said was a When asked about the allega- The 27-year-old United captain The central defender said his suspected drug. tion, he replied: “No, for sure. As signs forward was given a suspended sen- “conscience is clear”. where it could have happened “My initial thought, I thought soon as I saw that statement, tence of 21 months and 10 days “I don’t wish it on anybody. Ob- to anybody and anywhere.” we were getting kidnapped. it’s just ridiculous.” Eberechi Eze became Roy Hodgson’s most expensive signing in his after being found guilty of re- viously the situation has made On Wednesday, Maguire’s legal We got down on our knees, we England manager Gareth time as Crystal Palace manager yesterday, joining for a reported peated bodily harm, attempted it diff icult for one of the biggest team lodged an appeal against put our hands in the air, they Southgate withdrew Maguire £20mn ($26.5mn) from second-tier Queens Park Rangers. Hodgson bribery, violence against public clubs in the world, so I regret the verdict. just started hitting us,” Maguire from his squad for the Nations saw off rivals West Bromwich Albion and West Ham to secure the employees and insult after his putting the fans and the club Under Greek law, the appeal added. League matches against Ice- signature of the 22-year-old forward, who penned a five year contract. arrest on Mykonos. through this, but I did nothing nullifies the original conviction “They were hitting my leg say- land and Denmark next month, Eze, who scored 20 goals in 112 appearances for QPR and has been However, Maguire told BBC wrong,” he added. so there will be a full retrial. ing my career’s over: ‘No more having initially selected him on capped at Under-20 and Under-21 level by England, said Palace of- Sport that plain-clothed police “I found myself in a situation Maguire’s brother Joe and football. You won’t play again’. Tuesday. fered the chance for him to develop as a player. “As a football club, I feel like there are great players here and it’s a brilliant opportunity for me to come and be with these players, to link up with them and to really push on,” he said in a club statement. Palace succeeded at the LIGUE 1 third time of asking after having bids of £8mn and £12mn rejected. Matic calls time on Serbia career: Kawashima comes in from the cold at Strasbourg Serbian FA

AFP fi nishing on the losing side. washima has suddenly gone Serbia and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has Strasbourg, France He has now spent a decade from a back-up role to the start- decided to end his international career in order to make way in Europe, originally arriving er in the blink of an eye. for younger players, the Serbian Football Association (FSS) said in Belgium with Lierse in 2010 “I put in the eff ort to play yesterday. The United enforcer was not immediately available for trasbourg coach Thierry before moving on to Standard well, I work each day with the comment but FSS sports director Vladimir Matijasevic was quoted Laurey is expected to Liege two years later. same mentality in training or in as saying by Belgrade media that Matic was determined to hang up stick with Eiji Kawashi- Kawashima joined Dundee a match,” he said. his Serbia boots. “Other than saying it was time for younger play- ma between the posts for United for the 2015-16 cam- “If there’s a chance for me, ers to take over, Matic did not state any other specific reasons for today’sS Ligue 1 visit of Nice, the paign, one that ended in relega- I’m here to help the group. It’s quitting,” said Matijasevic. “We respect his decision. He is 32 years 37-year-old Japan international tion from Scotland’s top fl ight. then up to the coach to decide.” old and he’s had an exerting club season. European club football is emerging as an unlikely starter Following his release he Kawashima is the league’s sec- demanding and hence we are aware that we’ll have to inject fresh having entered the season as the signed for Metz, staying for two ond oldest keeper behind Mar- blood into the national team.” Matic, who joined United from Chel- club’s third-choice goalkeeper. seasons, and then came to Stras- seille’s Yohann Pele but is still sea in 2017, has scored two goals in 48 appearances for Serbia. Kawashima, a veteran of three bourg in the weeks following the dreaming of playing at a fourth World Cups with Japan, made 2018 World Cup, where Japan World Cup in Qatar in 2022, World Cup winner Rapinoe opts out of his fi rst club appearance since lost 3-2 to Belgium in the last 16 downplaying his advancing years May 2019 in last weekend’s after surrendering a two-goal by insisting “it’s all in the mind”. NWSL fall series 3-1 loss in the season opener lead. For Kamara, 23, the Covid-19 at Lorient after a combination infection was an unfortunate Two-times World Cup winner and OL Reign midfielder Megan Rapi- of injury and illness decimated ‘I WANTED TO STAY IN setback, forcing him into a two- noe is opting out of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Strasbourg’s goalkeeping ranks. FRANCE’ week quarantine until August 18 fall series starting next month, the Washington-based franchise Matz Sels, a virtual ever- “There were possibilities abroad, and stifl ing his momentum. said in a statement yesterday. US international Rapinoe is among present since signing from I could also have returned to Ja- It could also shake up the 10 Reign players who are not available for the tournament, which Newcastle in 2018, ruptured his Lorient’s Yoane Wissa (right) fights for the ball with Strasbourg pan but that wasn’t my aim,” pecking order behind Sels, who is scheduled to start on September 5. No reason was given for her Achilles tendon in July. keeper Eiji Kawashima during the Ligue 1 match on Sunday. (AFP) Kawashima told AFP. “I wanted will not return before 2021. decision but Rapinoe, 35, also skipped the NWSL Challenge Cup Bingourou Kamara, who to stay in France where there are “It’s bound to be disappoint- tournament in June, which was played in empty stadiums due to starred in Strasbourg’s 2019 “It’s clear the players who who have contracted Covid-19. some good competitions.” ing for him deep down but I’m the Covid-19 outbreak. The fall series features nine teams divided League Cup title run, tested are behind physically haven’t Kawashima, idolised in his He has, however, largely trying to tell him it’s part of a into three regional pods, West, Northeast and South, and playing positive for Covid-19 at the start been able to recover. We’ll take home country on the back of ap- watched on from the stands in career,” Strasbourg’s goalkeep- four games each over seven weeks. The NWSL scheduled the Chal- of August, propelling the well- stock after the fi rst international pearing 91 times for Japan, de- Alsace, and occasionally from ing coach Stephane Cassard told lenge Cup and fall series as a replacement for its regular league travelled Kawashima into the break,” Laurey said in reference scribed his return to Ligue 1 action the substitutes’ bench. AFP, advising Kamara to stay season, which was cancelled this year due to the epidemic. lead role. to the nine players at the club a week ago as a “pleasure” despite But just like at Metz, Ka- “patient and positive”. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, August 29, 2020 CRICKET

FOCUS FRUSTRATION Broadcaster threatens to end contract with CSK team members Cricket Australia

Reuters values the relationship with Melbourne our broadcast partners,” the board said in a statement. Seven is in the second year he boss of Australia’s of a record fi ve-year rights deal test positive ahead Channel Seven said with pay TV provider Foxtel. yesterday the broad- CA has pencilled in four Test caster may terminate matches with India, a one-off Tits contract with Cricket Aus- Test against Afghanistan and tralia (CA) over its handling of dates for the men’s and wom- the summer schedule, accord- en’s Big Bash tournaments. ing to comments published in But the schedule has yet The Daily Telegraph. to be confi rmed with a back- of IPL, say reports “It’s a train wreck,” James drop of travel restrictions and Warburton was quoted as say- closed state borders. ing, amid concerns the popu- Warburton’s comments The IPL is set to begin on September 19 with the finale on November 10 lar Big Bash League might be came two days after he told an a diluted competition without investor call that he was frus- AFP international players due to trated with a lack of clarity New Delhi Covid-19-related restrictions. from CA. “We are forced to consider CA has endured a year of all our options including ter- upheaval, with former CEO everal members of the minating the contract and we Kevin Roberts and a slew of Chennai Super Kings have put them on notice. executives departing after the contingent have tested “This is not an acceptable governing body was criticised positive for coronavirus, product and we will not sup- by member states and players localS media reported yesterday, port the season. for its handling of the Cov- dealing a blow to their prepa- “Cricket Australia have an id-19 shutdown. rations for the Indian Premier obligation to deliver a com- Warburton said CA was League starting in the United petition of no lesser standard wrong to sack Roberts and had Arab Emirates next month. than the past.” no full-time CEO “at a time “A right-arm medium fast CA said it was disappointed when the sport needs strong bowler, who has recently played with Warburton’s comments leadership to steer through for India, along with a few staff and would deliver a “full and these extraordinary times”. members have tested positive compelling summer of crick- “There is an obligation to for Covid-19,” a source in the IPL et”. deliver the best quality to the was quoted as saying by the Press “Cricket Australia greatly broadcasters,” he said. Trust of India news agency.

Players can only start training for the Pope ruled out for four months behind-closed-doors tour- England batsman Ollie Pope has been ruled out of action for up nament aft er passing the to four months with a dislocated left shoulder, the England & tests, and in the tournament Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday. Pope, 22, sustained the bubble they will be barred injury this week during the third test against Pakistan in South- from contact with anyone ampton when he slid to save a boundary. He left the field im- who hasn’t undergone the mediately. He missed three months of cricket last summer after quarantine period dislocating the same shoulder playing for Surrey. The ECB said Pope will undergo surgery in the next couple of weeks before A management offi cial, his starting his rehabilitation with the Surrey and England medical wife and at least two members of teams. “It is hoped that Pope will return in time for England’s win- their social media team have also ter tours of Sri Lanka and India starting in the early part of 2021,” tested positive, the source add- it said in a statement. ed. A top Chennai Super Kings (CSK) offi cial did not immedi- ately reply to a query from AFP. The T20 tournament, origi- REPORT nally scheduled to start in March, was moved from India because of the rapid spread of the coronavirus across the country, Expectant father the third worst-hit in the world behind the US and Brazil. The Chennai franchise, led by Kohli likely to former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, arrived in Dubai on August 21 and underwent the travel to Australia mandatory six-day quarantine as per IPL guidelines. Reuters anonymous. “Now, if he has to The Times of India said the New Delhi come back in the middle of the team will now have to do another tour, he has not said anything week of quarantine following the about that either. Of course latest development, delaying ndia captain Virat Kohli is there’s plenty of time before their preparations for the eight- likely to travel to Australia the series.” team contest. later this year despite his Beginning on December 3 in The entire CSK squad, includ- wife expecting their fi rst Brisbane, India will play four ing support staff and offi cials, childI in January, a key Indian tests in Australia, sandwiched were tested for the fourth time cricket board (BCCI) offi cial between three Twenty20 In- yesterday, the English-language Members of the Chennai Super Kings contingent en route Dubai. (Twitter/Chennai Super Kings) told Reuters yesterday. ternationals and an equal daily said. Kohli’s social media post number of one-dayers. Players can only start train- Delhi Capitals pick Australia’s Sams to replace Roy announcing his wife’s preg- The series against India is ing for the behind-closed-doors nancy went viral on Thursday, reportedly worth 300 million tournament after passing the Indian Premier League team Delhi Capitals Australians Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey injury this week during England’s prepara- drawing good wishes from Australian dollars ($220 mil- tests, and in the tournament have signed Australian all-rounder Daniel at the Delhi Capitals, coached by compatriot tions at Emirates Old Traff ord where the several India teammates. lion) to CA, which has already bubble they will be barred from Sams to replace England’s Jason Roy for the Ricky Ponting. Pakistan series starts later Friday. Media reports Down Under lost this year’s Twenty20 contact with anyone who hasn’t T20 tournament starting next month in the “The IPL is a huge platform for any cricketer, Ahead of the tournament’s start on Septem- said Cricket Australia (CA) World Cup to the Covid-19 undergone the quarantine pe- United Arab Emirates. and back home, we all follow the tourna- ber 19, all eight IPL teams have reached the and its broadcasters would be pandemic and will now host riod. Run-blasting Roy was on Thursday ruled ment extremely closely every year,” said UAE where they are required to undergo a “holding their breath” over the tournament in 2022. Three-time winners Chen- out of England’s T20 series against Pakistan Sams, 27. period of quarantine in their hotels. the availability of one of the CA is also under pressure nai fi nished runners-up in last after sustaining a side strain. However the “I feel fortunate to be a part of it this year... The IPL, originally scheduled to start in biggest drawcards of world from the broadcasters with year’s competition after losing Delhi Capitals said he had opted out of the I can’t wait to join the rest of the players in March, has been moved from India because cricket. the boss of Australia’s Chan- to Mumbai Indians by a run. IPL “for personal reasons”. the UAE,” he was quoted as saying in a state- of the rapid spread of the coronavirus “He’s available for the tour, nel Seven threatening to ter- The IPL is set to begin on Sep- Billed as a rising star after his recent call-up ment by the franchise late Thursday. across the country, the third worst-hit in the at least he has not said any- minate their contract over the tember 19 with the fi nale on No- to the national squad, Sams will join fellow South Africa-born opener Roy suff ered the world behind the US and Brazil. thing to the contrary,” said the board’s handling of the sum- vember 10. offi cial, who asked to remain mer schedule.

SPOTLIGHT Australia’s Wade relishing England series

AFP tion. “It’s exciting just to be back had a lot of match practice. Southampton, United Kingdom on tour and running out there “It’s all good bowling in the with the boys again.” nets, but then to go and stand The coronavirus outbreak in the fi eld is always the hardest ustralia batsman Mat- means Australia have not played part, so these matches are vital thew Wade has no a white-ball match since fac- for us.” doubt the squad will be ing New Zealand at Sydney in The three-match T20 series ready to face England in March. starts at September 4, with three theirA opening Twenty20 inter- But Wade is confi dent Aus- one-day internationals between national despite a rain-aff ected tralia’s warm-up programme – England, the 50-over world fi rst warm-up game. their next intra-squad match is champions, and Australia fol- Wade, however, managed to on Sunday – will allow them to lowing later in the month. smash 36 off 18 overs, including hit the ground running against Australia selector George three sixes off one Andrew Tye an England side who will come Bailey said the tourists already over, before a downpour at the into the series on the back of had an eye on the 2023 50-over Ageas Bowl brought the match three T20s against Pakistan in World Cup in India. to a halt. At that stage, Pat Cum- Manchester. “It’s a funny little time in the mins’ XI to 60 without loss in Finch was in the runs yester- schedule given the removal of their pursuit of 151 against Aus- day with 40, while fellow opener the Champions Trophy, it’s a big tralia captain Aaron Finch’s XI. David Warner made 42. break between World Cups. “Even though it was 15 or 16 “England’s great at having ho- “So we’ve used the last couple overs (short), it was still nice to tels on the grounds and we can of months to start to have a think just blow the cobwebs away a go out there and access an oval,” around the strategy and philoso- little bit,” said Wade. added Wade. phy that will hopefully hold us “The next three or four games “Just to stand there in the in good stead leading up to the will be important for guys to get middle with no nets around you World Cup in India in 2023, and overs in, people to get their runs is valuable. Especially for the we will start to slowly imple- and put their hands up for selec- bowlers, they obviously haven’t ment that,” Bailey said. Gulf Times Saturday, August 29, 2020 5 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Ex-England U-21 star in ‘tears’ as LeBron emerges MLS team owner criticises boycott

AFP in 2018 after spells at Man- London chester City, Sunderland and as potent political Queens Park Rangers. Hansen told radio station eal Salt Lake City de- KXRK: “It’s (boycott) like fender Nedum On- someone stabbed you and then uoha said he was you’re trying to fi gure out a “brought to tears” and way to pull the knife out and wantedR to leave the club after move forward,” adding “the its owner criticised players for disrespect was profound to me force ahead of polls boycotting a game over the po- personally”. lice shooting of Jacob Blake. The MLS condemned the Real and visiting team Los remarks and also said it was ‘He has the respect and the credibility with the Black community, so he’s a tremendous asset’ Angeles FC decided not to launching an investigation play about an hour before their into alleged racist comments Reuters scheduled kickoff on Wednes- by Hansen, following a re- New York day, following the lead of other port by The Athletic quoting MLS squads as well as the former RSL head scout Andy NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and Williams. wo years after a conserv- several Major League Baseball “We are deeply concerned ative commentator told teams. about the allegations made in LeBron James to “shut The boycotts were in protest a report published this evening up and dribble,” the NBA at police shootings of African- concerning language used by Tstar has become an increasingly Americans, including that of and the conduct of Real Salt infl uential political force as is- Blake. But RSL owner Dell Loy Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen,” sues of racial justice and voter Hansen said he felt “disre- an MLS statement said. suppression move to the fore- spected” by the decision not “Major League Soccer has front in the November presiden- to play. zero tolerance for this type of tial election. “I was brought to tears this language or conduct and will James, an outspoken activist morning as I was listening to immediately commence an in- and frequent critic of President stories of what has happened vestigation.” Donald Trump, helped form a over the last few days and Onuoha, who in June said group that will spend millions knowing the owner isn’t in he feared and distrusted the of dollars to battle voter disen- agreement,” Onuoha told the US police, said calling off franchisement in predominantly BBC World Service. Wednesday’s game was the Black communities ahead of the “I don’t want to be here right thing to do when bigger Nov. 3 election between the Re- because I’m not here to play issues were in play. publican Trump and Democrat for someone who isn’t here to “It didn’t feel right to be Joe Biden. support us. playing a game when people He also has helped push the “We are trying to create a are trying to highlight a big NBA to recognise racial justice bigger conversation but a lot conversation and things that issues and the Black Lives Mat- of the people who are in power are bigger than sport,” he said. ter movement, including the de- don’t empathise or sympathise “These are cries for help and cision to postpone playoff games or do anything. They are more for people at the very top to this week after a player boycott concerned with themselves.” get behind us because that is to protest the shooting of Jacob Onuoha, 33, a former Eng- where the biggest change can Blake, a Black man, by police in land Under-21 international, come, but we are being left and Wisconsin. moved to Major League Soccer being criticised.” That prompted Trump to de- nounce the league on Thursday, saying it was “like a political or- ganisation.” Ravens cancel practice, call for James, who campaigned for police offi cers’ arrest Democratic presidential candi- date Hillary Clinton in 2016, has The Baltimore Ravens will not practice yesterday and instead promised to campaign for Biden will meet for what franchise called a “team unifying session sur- this year. His infl uence could be rounding social justice reform.” critical in 2020, strategists and Nine NFL teams called off practice on Thursday, a day after the activists said, given the party’s Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their game, leading to a temporary need to bolster Black voter turn- shutdown of the NBA playoff s. out, which saw its fi rst drop in 20 NBA player LeBron James introduces US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton (right) during a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio, The teams are protesting the shooting of a Black man, Jacob years in 2016. US, on November 6, 2016. (Reuters) Blake, in Wisconsin last Sunday. “LeBron is likely to have a The Ravens issued a statement on Thursday that called for an huge impact,” said Karen Finney, demonstrations in many U.S. rights group More Than a Vote fewer polling locations in some ating between peaceful protests end to racial injustice, as well as the arrest of the police off icers a Democratic political strate- cities. Blake’s shooting rever- earlier this year along with other states that held primaries earlier and violent ones. involved in both the shooting of Blake, who is hospitalised, and gist and aide on Clinton’s 2016 berated through US professional prominent athletes to counter this year, including Georgia and “If he can get some of that the death of Breonna Taylor. campaign. “He has the respect sports, with leagues postponing misinformation and fi ght what Wisconsin. extra vote out, he will make a She was shot and killed when off icers executed a no-knock and the credibility with the Black games and practices. he said was voter suppression That led to long lines, hours- diff erence,” she said. “The dif- search warrant at her home in March. community, so he’s a tremendous “WE DEMAND CHANGE. in Black communities. “LeBron long waits and widespread con- ference between him and some “With yet another example of racial discrimination with the asset.” James’ longtime activism SICK OF IT,” tweeted James, recognised that these athletes fusion, particularly in hard-hit other celebrities is he doesn’t shooting of Jacob Blake, and the unlawful abuse of peaceful on racial justice issues and criti- whose Los Angeles Lakers are are the most trusted members of African-American communities wade into everything, so he has protesters, we MUST unify as a society,” the Ravens began their cism of Trump prompted white vying for the National Basketball their communities,” said a person that felt the brunt of the cut- credibility and he’s disciplined.” team statement. “It is imperative that all people – regardless of Fox News commentator Laura Association title. familiar with his thinking. “It is backs. Donna Brazile, a former Dem- race, religion, creed or belief – come together to say, ‘Enough Ingraham in 2018 to tell him and James’ leadership on the issue entirely about the Black commu- The group previously part- ocratic National Committee is enough!’. This is bigger than sports. Racism is embedded in fellow Black NBA star Kevin Du- got the attention of the White nity and protecting and strength- nered with teams in Los Ange- chairwoman and the campaign the fabric of our nation’s foundation and is a blemish on our rant to “shut up and dribble.” House, with adviser Jared Kush- ening their right to vote.” les and Atlanta to turn stadiums manager for presidential candi- country’s history. If we are to change course and make our world This week, James, 35, a 16- ner, Trump’s son-in-law, say- The group will collaborate into polling places, and worked date Al Gore in 2000, said James a better place, we must face this problem head-on and act now time NBA All Star who is consid- ing in a televised interview on with the NAACP Legal Defense on an eff ort to help the formerly and other athletes were using to enact positive change.” ered one of the greatest basket- Thursday that he would reach Fund on a multimillion-dollar incarcerated restore their voting their celebrity to draw attention Earlier The NFL and NFL Players Association issued a joint state- ball players of all time, reacted out to James to see what both initiative to recruit young poll rights in Florida. to the inequities of the justice ment. “The NFL community is united more than ever to support angrily to the shooting on Sun- sides could work on together. workers in Black communities Amy Koch, a Republican strat- system. “What they’re saying one another in these challenging times,” they said. “We share day of Blake in Kenosha, Wis- Biden said on Thursday he was in a dozen states, including bat- egist who lives in Minneapolis, to their fan base is if you want anger and frustration, most recently as a result of the shooting consin, which sparked days of arranging a call with the NBA af- tlegrounds such as Michigan, where Floyd’s death sparked the change, you’re going to have to of Jacob Blake. “While our passions continue to run high, we are civil unrest. ter it reached out to discuss the Florida, Wisconsin and Georgia. fi rst wave of protests, said James’ vote for change,” she said. proud that our players and clubs, League and Union, are taking The incident recalled the po- boycotts. He did not elaborate, A shortage of poll workers to voice would have an impact but “If you want to fi x the prob- time to have the diff icult conversations about these issues that lice killing of another Black man, and a spokesman for his cam- staff in-person voting sites amid carried some risk of alienating lem, you’re going to have to put aff ect the Black community and other communities of colour in George Floyd, in Minnesota in paign declined to do so as well. worries about the coronavirus suburban voters who have grown people in offi ce who can change America. May that sparked anti-racism James formed the voting pandemic led to dramatically frustrated and are not diff erenti- the policies.”

MLB Dodgers complete sweep of Giants

Reuters RESULTS scored Pederson in the fourth. and Jesse Winker provided more San Francisco Gausman was pulled two outs off ensive help as the visiting Reds 6-0 Brewers into the fi fth, charged with both Cincinnati Reds completed a Padres 10-7 Mariners Dodgers runs on three hits. doubleheader sweep of the Mil- even members of the He walked two and struck out waukee Brewers with a 6-0 win Los Angeles Dodgers re- Mariners 8-3 Padres six. in Thursday’s nightcap. lief corps combined on a Pirates 4-3 Cardinals Brandon Belt led off the bot- After snapping its four-game two-hit shutout in a 2-0 Pirates 2-0 Cardinals tom of the fi fth with the Giants’ slide with a 6-1 victory in Game victoryS over the host San Fran- fi rst hit, a single, and Graterol 1 of this twin bill, Cincinnati cisco Giants to complete a dou- Dodgers 7-0 Giants got one out before handing the scored twice in the second, two bleheader sweep Thursday. Dodgers 2-0 Giants ball to lefty Jake McGee, who re- times in the fi fth and twice more Clayton Kershaw dominat- tired both batters he faced. in the seventh to complete a 4-6 ed the opener of the twin bill, strong eff ort in the seven-inning Righty Blake Treinen bailed road trip. prompted by the teams’ refusal opener, Ferguson got the call and lefty Scott Alexander out of It was the fi rst doubleheader to play Wednesday night, with didn’t disappoint, needing just a mess in the sixth by getting at Milwaukee’s Miller Park after six four-hit innings in a 7-0 15 pitches – 13 for strikes – to consecutive outs with the po- both clubs mutually agreed to Dodgers triumph. record a 1-2-3 fi rst inning that tential tying runs on the bases, boycott Wednesday’s contest in In the nightcap, Joc Pederson got the Dodgers rolling. setting the stage for closer the wake of the unrest and vio- homered, doubled and scored The start was just the sixth of Kenley Jansen, who pitched lence following Sunday’s police both of Los Angeles’ runs, while his career in 89 appearances. around a Belt leadoff single and shooting of black 29-year-old left-hander Caleb Ferguson be- Left-hander Victor Gonzalez two-out walk in the seventh to Jacob Blake in nearby Kenosha, came the fi rst regular reliever to (2-0) followed up with 2 1/3 record his eighth save, striking Wis. Miley, who pitched for the start a game for the Dodgers this more innings, allowing no hits out three. Brewers in 2018, allowed Mil- season, helping LA create a new and striking out three, before Pederson fi nished 2-for-2 for waukee’s only hit to Luis Urias winning streak after having a righty Brusdar Graterol took a the Dodgers, who totalled only and struck out three over four of four-game run end in Tuesday’s no-hitter into the fi fth inning. three hits in wrapping up a 6-4 the seven-inning game. series opener. Dodgers man- Meanwhile, the Dodgers went season-series win over their ri- Castellanos and Winker, who ager Dave Roberts didn’t decide up 2-0, using Pederson’s homer, vals. The Giants’ consecutive went a combined 6-for-6 with upon his starting pitcher for his fi fth of the season, off Giants losses came on the heels of a three homers and fi ve RBIs in the nightcap until after Game starter Kevin Gausman (1-2) to seven-game winning streak. the fi rst game, each had an RBI 1, waiting to see if he had to use grab a lead in the second inning, Meanwhile Wade Miley al- double in Game 2. Righty Lucas Ferguson in relief. before doubling the advantage lowed one hit over four strong Sims (2-0) pitched two hitless Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the Not needed in Kershaw’s on Will Smith’s double that innings, while Nick Castellanos innings of relief to get the win. sixth inning at Oracle Park. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Saturday, August 29, 2020 SPORT

GOLF Matsuyama grabs lead with stunning late birdies ‘I’m not sure really what I had going today. But that last putt, that long putt that went in, very happy with that one’

AFP birdie putt at the seventh and seized the the par-4 second. Reigning Masters Washington lead with a stunner at the ninth. champion Woods, who found only six Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays “I made some mistakes early but I of 14 fairways, rescued par from eight a shot during the first round of the was able to come back and play good feet at the third hole, just under fi ve feet ideki Matsuyama birdied two BMW Championship in Olympia golf toward the end, so it was a good on the fourth and from six feet on the of the last three holes, includ- Fields, Illinois. (AFP) day,” Matsuyama said. “Greens were fi fth to stay two off the lead. ing a spectacular closing 67- fi rm and playing really tough. There’s But he came up nine feet short from foot putt, to seize the lead af- some water holes that you’ve got to 35 feet out of greenside rough at the Hter Thursday’s fi rst round of the PGA’s avoid, but all in all, I played good and par-4 seventh and missed his par putt BMW Championship. was able to stay out of trouble.” to fall from a share of eighth, then The 28-year-old Japanese star, seek- Duncan, who sank two birdies from missed a four-footer to bogey the par- ing his fi rst US PGA victory since the inside six feet to begin his round, an- 3 eighth and found a fairway bunker on 2017 WGC Bridgestone Invitational, swered his lone bogey at 12 with a 13- his way to a bogey at nine. “Not the way fi red a three-under par 67 in windy foot birdie putt at 14. He made all 16 I wanted to fi nish,” Woods said. “But conditions at Olympia Fields. putts he had inside 10 feet. the golf course is playing diffi cult for That gave him a one-stroke lead over “It was a grind,” Duncan said. “I sure.” American Tyler Duncan and a two-shot drove it well and scrambled well and edge on Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes, those were the two biggest factors I LEADING OPENING the only other players to break par in thought it was going to take to do well ROUND SCORES the US PGA Tour playoff event. this week. It’s fi rm and fast and the “I’m not sure really what I had going rough is long. It’s all you want.” (USA unless noted, par 70): today,” Matsuyama said. “But that last Hughes opened with a 32-foot birdie 67 — Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) putt, that long putt that went in, very putt at the 10th hole, sank a 22-footer at 68 — Tyler Duncan 69 — Mackenzie happy with that one, so we’ll remember one to start his back nine and dropped Hughes (CAN) that one.” in a four-foot birdie at the third, but The top 30 players in FedEx Cup followed it with back-to-back bogeys. 70 — Harry Higgs, Tony Finau, Billy points after the BMW advance to next “The course wasn’t giving up a lot of Horschel, Lanto Griff in, Sebastian Mu- week’s Tour Championship at East Lake birdies,” Hughes said. “You had to be noz (COL), Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG), in Atlanta, with Duncan and Hughes patient and accept you were going to Carlos Ortiz (MEX), Mark Hubbard, needing to move up to reach the sea- make birdies here and there. It was a Rory McIlroy (NIR), Abraham Ancer son fi nale. The suburban Chicago lay- great test.” (MEX) out, host course for the 2003 US Open, Tiger Woods ranks 57th in points, imposed the highest scoring average of needing a top-six fi nish to have a 71 — Ryan Palmer, Dustin Johnson, any 2019-20 PGA opening round, more chance at reaching Atlanta, but the 15- Jim Herman, Joel Dahmen, Tom Hoge, than 2.5 strokes over par. time major winner closed with three Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland (NOR) Matsuyama opened bogey-birdie- consecutive bogeys to shoot 73. Woods, 72 — Brendan Steele, Brian Har- bogey on the back nine, added a birdie who began on the back nine, took a bo- man, Alex Noren (SWE), Adam Long, at 14 but another bogey at 18, but his gey at the 11th but answered by rolling Joaquin Niemann (CHI), Kevin Na, fortunes changed on the front side. in a 28-foot birdie putt at 14. Dylan Frittelli (RSA), Bubba Watson, JT Matsuyama tapped in for birdie at the He missed a par putt from just inside Poston, Adam Scott (AUS), Matthew par-5 fi rst, sank an 11-footer for birdie fi ve feet at the par-3 16th but pulled Wolff , Kevin Kisner, Michael Thomp- at the second, dropped in a 21-foot level again on a seven-foot par putt at son, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)

REVAMP World Athletics FOCUS abandons hopes of Chinese European Tour set for Cyprus Diamond League leg Tiger, Champ and Finau support Paris: A second Diamond League meet- double-header in rejigged schedule ing in China has been cancelled because Blake-inspired boycotts of the coronavirus pandemic, World AFP League Soccer and Women’s NBA clubs Reuters ing consecutive tournaments in event attracts a top-class Euro- Athletics announced yesterday. Washington over shooting of Blake in Kenosha, Wis- London geographical clusters wherever pean Tour fi eld to the Sun City The event scheduled for October 17 at consin. possible to reduce the onus on resort and Tommy Fleetwood a venue that had not yet been decided, Woods, a 15-time major winner and international travel,” the Tour from England triumphed last joins the meeting in Shanghai, which was ameron Champ considered not reigning Masters champion, said he did he European Tour yes- said in a statement. year after a play-off . called off in July, and events in Eugene in playing in Thursday’s open- not consider sitting out the round, which terday announced three Also added is the Scottish Although South Africa has Oregon, London, Paris, Rabat and Gates- ing round of the US PGA’s BMW would have ended his bid to qualify for more tournaments as Championship, which has been seen a drop in confi rmed Cov- head in England in being removed from Championship over the police next week’s Tour Championship. “No, I part of their revamped scheduled for Oct. 15-18 at Fair- id-19 cases and fatalities recent- shootingC of Jacob Blake, but made his own talked to the commissioner and they were this season’s calendar. T2020 schedule, including its fi rst mont St Andrews. The 1mn eu- ly, it has the fi fth most infections statement with his shoes. The 25-year- on board. Obviously he released his state- The Diamond League, which is spon- trip to Cyprus for two consecu- ros ($1.19mn) event extends the in the world with 618,286 by sored by Chinese multinational Wanda old biracial American wore one white shoe ment, and all the guys were on board,” tive events. Tour offi cials also Tour’s second British swing of Thursday. Group, had added a second Chinese and one black shoe with messages of sup- Woods said. “There was talk about it be- confi rmed the cancellation of the 2020 season to four events. All borders have been closed meeting to this season’s calendar but port during his seven-over 77 at Olympia cause of obviously what happened, but this year’s Turkish Airlines Open All the tournaments will be since March with no hint as to was unable to fix a host before the virus Fields, where Tiger Woods and Tony Fi- we’re all on board, on the same page.” and the Nedbank Golf Challenge played without spectators. The when they will reopen, rais- outbreak. nau also backed the growing sport boycott Champ had Blake’s name and “Black in South Africa. tour, which was suspended in ing fears that if the tournament World Athletics said on its website the movement. “I defi nitely thought about it Lives Matter” among the messages on his The Aphrodite Hills Resort March due to the Covid-19 pan- went ahead many stars would be new Chinese event would be launched in for sure,” Champ said of sitting out. “But shoes, objecting to police brutality and in Paphos will host the Cyprus demic, resumed on July 22 with unable to compete. South Afri- 2021, when the “Diamond League hopes obviously I feel like I can do a lot more racial injustice. “I want to show my love Open from Oct. 29-Nov. 1, fol- a six-tournament British swing, can golf legend Gary Player, the to return to a full calendar of 15 meet- playing, and again, showing my support and support,” Champ said. “Black Lives lowed by the Cyprus Classic from with players adhering to strict winner of nine majors, is closely ings.” and expressing myself.” Matter means all lives matter. Yes, all lives Nov. 5-8. “The back-to-back health protocols. involved with the Challenge and Meetings in Lausanne, Brussels and The PGA on Thursday backed the game matter, but so do black lives. It’s a situa- tournaments... also continue the The Nedbank Golf Challenge, said “the decision to cancel the Naples are still scheduled and the season boycotts and sport shutdowns by the tion where, again, as a country, as a whole European Tour’s strategy of stag- known as the ‘African major’, the 2020 event was not taken lightly”. is due to end in Doha on September 25. NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball, Major we’ve kind of dug ourselves a hole"

SPOTLIGHT OLYMPICS Russia fi res head of anti-doping body IOC, IPC thank Abe for Tokyo vision AFP Reuters leadership in bringing the Ol- Moscow London ympic Games back to Japan af- ter the Tokyo 1964 Games. His engagement was crucial, he said. he outspoken head of Russia’s Anti- lympic offi cials “Throughout these years, Prime Doping Agency (RUSADA) Yury thanked outgoing Jap- Minister Abe was a strong part- Ganus was fi red from his position anese Premier Shinzo ner who always stood up for the yesterday after accusing the coun- Abe yesterday for his interests of Japan, and who at try’sT sporting leadership of failing to fi ght commitmentO to bringing the the same time could always be widespread drug use. The decision to re- Games to Tokyo and said they trusted.” move the director general “was taken unani- would work closely with his suc- “In this way, we were able to mously”, the president of Russia’s Olympic cessor as Japan bids to overcome fi nd solutions, even in the most Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov said at a the coronavirus pandemic to diffi cult circumstances of the press conference. hold the event next year. Covid-19 pandemic, which allow Ganus, 56, was forced from his role af- Abe, 65, announced his res- his vision for Japan to still come ter the Russian Olympic Committee in July ignation due to poor health yes- true, even if with one year’s de- published an audit of RUSADA that exposed terday three weeks after the what lay.” alleged fi nancial violations. On August 5, the should have been his crowning Andrew Parsons, president supervisory board of RUSADA recommend- glory — the closing ceremony of of the International Paralympic ed the Olympic and Paralympic Committees the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Committee (IPC) also wished consider dismissing Ganus. The World An- Games have been postponed for Abe all the best for his recovery. ti-Doping Agency (WADA) said it worried a year and whoever succeeds Abe “Few will forget his involvement about the decision and continues to have through resignations, but will there be any ban on its athletes competing worldwide as is expected to maintain the gov- at the Rio 2016 Olympic Clos- doubts about RUSADA’s autonomy. “These consequences for the state? Or will global justifi ed by Moscow’s failure to acknowledge ernment’s commitment to host- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo ing Ceremony when he appeared developments reinforce the concerns ex- regulators once again turn a blind eye?” wrongdoing and implement real reforms. ing in 2021, albeit with possibly a Abe announced his resignation dressed as Super Mario,” he said. pressed by WADA in its statement of August Pozdnyakov said the decision to remove Ganus, who was fully expecting the move, slimmed-down version. due to poor health in Tokyo “What has impressed me the 5 in relation to the manner in which (RUSA- Ganus was taken after “carefully consider- said his removal would damage Russian The new leader will be at the yesterday. (AFP) most during his tenure is his de- DA) reached the decision regarding Mr. ing” the arguments laid out by the super- sports since RUSADA “had become a bridge forefront of discussions with the sire to use the Tokyo 2020 Para- Ganus,” said a statement. “(WADA) re- visory board. Russia has been embroiled in for restoring confi dence” between Russia IOC in regard to dealing with the year.” lympic Games as a catalyst to emphasise the critical importance for RU- sporting scandal since 2016 when wide- and international sporting bodies. logistical challenge of putting on Abe threw everything he had drive social inclusion in Japan.” SADA to maintain its operational independ- spread state-sponsored doping was revealed Mikhail Bukhanov, the agency’s lawyer, the event featuring a monumen- behind the Games right back to Parsons paid tribute to Abe’s ence going forward.” in an independent report by sports lawyer has been appointed acting general direc- tal infl ux of athletes, offi cials and the bidding process and devel- commitment to the Paralympic The United States anti-doping body Richard McLaren. tor. His successor will be decided through fans if worldwide travel restric- oped a strong relationship with Movement, saying that thanks (USADA) accused Moscow of violating the In December, WADA banned Russia for elections within six months. A trained law- tions are still in place. IOC President Thomas Bach. to him “millions of persons with WADA code and pressed the international four years from major global sporting events yer with a career in business, Ganus took The government had already “First of all, I would like to wish disabilities can pursue their organisation to take decisive action. “Rus- including the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 the helm of RUSADA without any special tied hosting the games with fi nd- Prime Minister Abe all the very dreams as active members of sian sport appears to intentionally violate World Cup in Qatar. The appointment of knowledge of sports or science. ing a Covid-19 vaccine, with best in his fi ght against this dis- Japanese society, fully harness- the WADA Code by controlling RUSADA,” Ganus as head of RUSADA in 2017 was sup- He was chosen as a candidate who could Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshi- ease with all the strength we ing their potential and capabili- the US body said in a statement. posed to help Russia clean up its image. inspire confi dence in a renewed RUSADA hide Suga saying this week: “Ja- know him to have,” Bach said in a ties. There can be no better lega- “Protests by the NADO (national anti- Ganus sharply criticised the actions of and was untarnished by its central role in the pan will do whatever it takes to statement. cy than transforming the lives of doping organisation) employees have come Russia’s sports leadership and described a doping scandal. host the Olympic Games next He also thanked Abe for his millions of people for the better.” Gulf Times Saturday, August 29, 2020 7 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Henin sure Clijsters Osaka beats Mertens can cause trouble in New York Reuters comeback. Henin believes that New York if Clijsters is physically prepared she can make an impact in New to reach WTA fi nal in York. nly one year separates “She is right to do it. The main the best two tennis question of course is physically. players ever to come I’m sure she can play at a very out of Belgium but one good level, and push her oppo- ofO them will be competing at her nents and give them trouble, I’m fi rst Grand Slam since 2012 next sure of that. But will she be able US Open tuneup week, aged 37, while the other of- to play match after match? That’s fers her expertise as a TV pundit. the big question. She has always Four-time Grand Slam singles been good physically, naturally. champion Kim Clijsters stunned If she can stay away from injuries Osaka will face Azarenka, who defeated eighth seed Konta 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 the tennis world when she an- that’s the key.” nounced her second comeback Henin said the fact that Serena to the Tour this year and no-one Williams, 38, is still the leader was more surprised than seven- of the pack in women’s tennis time major champion Justine and is seeking a 24th Grand Slam Henin. Clijsters won her maiden singles title, has been a motivat- Grand Slam at the 2005 US Open, ing factor for Clijsters. “I’ve not retired in 2007 to start a family spoken to her for the last few and then made a golden return months so only she knows what in 2009, going on to win back- the motivation is,” Henin, who to-back US Opens and the 2011 won twice at the US Open, said. Australian Open before injuries “But I think she always loved forced a second retirement. being on the circuit. Maybe she She is back though and will had the feeling she stopped a lit- face seeded Russian Ekaterina tle too early. She’s got her kids Alexandrova in round one and but it’s not always easy to start a no one will be watching more in- new life. Then she probably sees tently than Henin in her role as Serena with her age, and thinks an analyst for Eurosport who will that maybe I can do something broadcast from their innovative interesting. “I’m very curious, Eurosport Cube studio. I’m sure she can do something. I Whatever happens, Henin, 38, think Kim wants to push her lim- knows Clijsters well enough to its as far as possible.” know she will be pushing herself With so many top players de- to the limit. ciding to skip the tournament “It’s very hard to predict how because of health concerns over she will go,” Henin said. “I was the pandemic, many believe completely surprised that she Williams will never have a bet- is back on the Tour. I couldn’t ter chance to claim the record- expect that but I completely re- equalling 24th Grand Slam title spect it. She wants to do it and after losing in her last four ma- feels there is some space for her jor fi nals. Henin is not so sure to come back at a certain level.” though and believes the lack In her fi rst WTA tournament of fans could work against the for seven years in Dubai in Feb- American. “She likes big atmos- ruary Clijsters lost to Spain’s pheres, she takes a lot from the two-time Grand Slam champion fans and is the kind of player who Garbine Muguruza, then lost to prefers the stadium. That moti- Johanna Konta in the fi rst round vates her. It’s an opportunity for in Mexico in March, before the her but are the conditions going Covid-19 pandemic halted her to be right for her?”

Naomi Osaka returns the ball during her match against Elise Mertens at the Western and Southern Open in New York yesterday. (USA TODAY Sports)

AFP is typically played in Cincinnati but was “I don’t expect anything drastic to hap- Mertens was supportive of Osaka and New York moved in the wake of the deadly virus pen with me not playing, but if I can get unfazed by the off -again, on-again sta- outbreak. a conversation started in a majority white tus of the match. “I totally get her reason Later the men’s semi-fi nals were tak- sport I consider that a step in the right di- 100% so I’m totally supporting her too,” apanese fourth seed Naomi Osaka ing placed with world number one Novak rection.” Mertens said before the match. “Let’s go won the semi-fi nal match she Djokovic of Serbia playing against Span- Osaka said she was “sick to her stom- to the semi-fi nal and see who wins.” once vowed not to play, defeating ish eighth seed Roberto Bautista Agut, ach” and “exhausted” by repeated vio- Osaka, the 2018 US Open and 2019 Belgium’s Elise Mertens yester- while Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsi- lence against blacks by US police. Her Australian Open champion, broke for a dayJ to reach the ATP and WTA Western pas was facing Canada’s Milos Raonic. move, coming in the wake of the Milwau- 2-0 lead and again in the eighth game to & Southern Open fi nal. Osaka’s 6-2, 7-6 Two-time Grand Slam champion Os- kee Bucks boycotting their NBA playoff take the fi rst set in 38 minutes. After Os- (7/5) victory advanced her into today’s aka said Wednesday she wouldn’t play game for the same reason, prompted the aka broke again for a 2-0 edge in the sec- championship match against two-time in the semi-fi nals to protest the po- WTA and ATP to postpone all semi-fi nal ond set, Mertens rolled through the next Australian Open winner Victoria Aza- lice shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, matches to yesterday, which inspired Os- four games to seize the lead. renka of Belarus in the same New York Wisconsin. “Before I am an athlete, I am aka to change her mind and play. “For me, Osaka broke back in the seventh game Covid-19 quarantine bubble where the a black woman. And as a black woman I this is very diff erent from any semis I’ve and held to pull level at 4-4, then battled US Open will begin on Monday. feel as though there are much more im- ever played,” Osaka said just before walk- to the tie-breaker, which she won when Azarenka defeated British eighth seed portant matters at hand that need im- ing on the court yesterday. “Defi nitely, Mertens hit a backhand wide. The Japa- Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Kim Kim Clijsters stunned Johanna Konta 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the other mediate attention, rather than watching the emotions are very diff erent. All I want nese star saved 18 of the 21 break points the tennis world when she announced her second comeback to the semi-fi nal of the US Open tuneup, which me play tennis,” Osaka said Wednesday. to focus on is the tennis ball.” she faced. Tour this year. (Reuters)

RUGBY F1 Springboks can do Verstappen tips Mercedes to hit back at Spa contact training amid AFP Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium uncertain future ax Verstappen topped the AFP SA Rugby chief executive Ju- times for Red Bull yester- Johannesburg rie Roux said: “Ultimately it will day, but then forecast that he be a rugby decision, so I will would not be fast enough to lean heavily on our director of Mstop Mercedes from overhauling him to outh Africa-based stars rugby (Rassie Erasmus) and the take pole position for the Belgian Grand of the 2019 Rugby World Springbok coach. They will de- Prix. The Dutchman was quickest ahead Cup-winning Springbok cide where we stand and whether of Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo as Mercedes squad were told yesterday we have enough time to be prop- struggled in a surprising conclusion to thatS they can start contact train- erly prepared for international yesterday’s second free practice. ing after being unable to play matches against New Zealand However, he made clear he expected since March because of the coro- and Australia.” the champions to respond and take over navirus. However, whether the Ordinarily, the Rugby Cham- at the top today. “I think they still have champions will be able to defend pionship is a six-round competi- some problems with the balance so I ex- the Rugby Championship title tion staged between August and pect them to be strong tomorrow,” said this November and December October and involving Argentina, Verstappen. “You can also see that they remains uncertain. Australia, New Zealand and South are very fast in the long runs. I don’t ex- Franchise coaches say players Africa. Each team plays the other pect to fi ght for pole position, but I hope need at least four weeks of con- three at home and away with the to be close to them.” tact work before they can play, one accumulating the most points The Dutchman clocked a best lap in Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen in action during the second practice session for the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix at the meaning a local competition from wins, draws and bonus one minute and 43.744 seconds to out- Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, Belgium, yesterday. (AFP) cannot start before the week- points being crowned champions. pace Ricciardo by 0.048 seconds, leav- end of September 25-26. Were Covid-19 meant that format ing championship leader Lewis Hamilton the second Renault, Carlos Sainz in the “That makes it exciting. We’ve got failed to make any impact on the top ten the Springboks to compete in had to be scrapped and New Zea- down in third for Mercedes, just 0.096 second McLaren and Pierre Gasly of Al- some work to do, that’s for sure, to dial and fi nished up 15th and 17th, separated the November 7-December 12 land were tipped to host all six adrift of the pace-setter. The six-time pha Tauri. Gasly had earlier walked on the in the car a bit more, but it doesn’t feel by the Williams of George Russell. Championship, which New Zea- rounds as they have been less af- world champion, on hard tyres, had circuit to leave fl owers at the scene of the bad at all. As I anticipated coming, it’s Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff had land is likely to host, they would fected by the pandemic than the struggled to fi nd the dominant form of crash that claimed the life of his friend only the seventh race, the fi eld is going suggested earlier following the morning’s have to leave South Africa by other three nations. Announcing previous recent race meetings. But he Anthoine Hubert during an F2 race last to get closer as we continue to develop, opening free practice that his cars had October 18. Assuming that do- the move to contact training after wound up ahead of Alex Albon in the sec- year. The top ten were all within eight- the whole of F1 develops and it’s already found the much colder conditions than mestic matches are staged each fi ve weeks of non-contact prac- ond Red Bull, Sergio Perez of Racing Point tenths of a second of Verstappen, a tight showing that this weekend. We seem to the heat-waves experienced at Silver- weekend in South Africa, po- tice, Roux said “we are moving in and his own Mercedes team-mate Valt- bunching of lap times that suggests a be so close with everyone and we’ve got to stone and Barcelona challenging as they tential Springboks would have the right direction and urge the teri Bottas who was celebrating his 31st close contest is in prospect for Saturday’s understand why — whether they’ve taken worked to fi nd a set-up for the calendar’s played only four games by the rugby ‘family’ to bear with us”. birthday. “It’s still early to say anything qualifying and Sunday’s race if the cooler a step up or we’ve taken a step back or if longest lap. travel deadline. Referring to the He did not, however, disclose about it, but from our side this was a good conditions continue. “It’s very close out it’s just track layout or down-force levels. “It’s so rapid here,” said Hamilton. Championship recently, Spring- details of the domestic compe- start,” added Verstappen. “There are still there,” said Hamilton. “I think the Red Who knows? We’ll work on that, but I’m “Every year our cars get faster and faster, boks coach Jacques Nienaber tition behind closed doors that some things we need to work on for to- Bulls are just a little bit quicker at the excited for an interesting race.” particularly with this generation of car. I said that “unless we can play six would see rugby played in South morrow, but overall I am very satisfi ed.” moment, but even Racing Point I think It was a disappointing day for last year’s mean, already last year, the car was pretty domestic matches, I do not think Africa for the fi rst time since Lando Norris was seventh in the lead- is right with us and then also Daniel Ric- winner Charles Leclerc and Ferrari as he spectacular here but, it’s phenomenal the we will go (to New Zealand).” March 14. ing McLaren ahead of Esteban Ocon in ciardo and Renault are very close. and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel speeds we can go through corners.” Saturday, August 29, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

EQUESTRIAN Al-Ajami leads Carport to easy win in Hathab

By Sports Reporter Doha

aleh Suwead al-Ajami warmed up for the grand fi nale in style as he won the Big Tour class during the 12th and fi nal round of the FLongines Hathab — Qatar Equestrian Tour yesterday. The third season of the annual series will conclude today with overall titles up for grabs. Al-Ajami, who is second in Big Tour title race, sent a strong warn- ing to his rivals after cruising to win with his 14-year-old gelding Carport in the 145cm class. Al-Ajami and Car- port completed the round in 70.00secs at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) Indoor Arena. Leader Hamad Nasser al-Qadi was not far behind al-Ajami as he fi nished second yesterday. The tussle between the two riders today will be the high- Rashid Towaim al-Marri won the Medium Tour astride Lamm Addiction Z. light of the fi nal day’s competition. with jump off , (120/130cm), Prize Al-Qadi fi nished his round in 72.51secs Vleminkhof won in 63.51secs. Moham- Money: QR10,000 with his trusted gelding S I E C Lonnie. ed al-Ghazali was second with Dino BB Nasser al-Ghazali, who won on Thurs- Z, while Saad Ahmed al-Saad was third 1. Rashid Towaim al-Marri, Horse: day, fi nished third with Quel Homme in with Fito R. Lamm Addiction Z, Time: 60.89secs, 72.74secs yesterday. Hathab, an initiative by HE Sheikh Prize money: QR2,500 Al-Qadi leads the Big Tour with 180 Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar Ol- 2. Jaber Rashid al-Amri, Argelith Squid, points but just seven points separate ympic Committee President carries a 64.87secs, QR2,000 top four showjumpers. Just three points total prize money of QR1.2mn. behind is al-Ajami (177). Khalid Mo- 3. Jaber Rashid al-Amri, Cana- hamed al-Emadi (175) is third, while RESULTS varo De Muze (E.T.), 67.49secs, Salman Mohamed al-Emadi (173) is QR1,500 Big Tour, Table A, Two rounds with fourth, with the both riders needing a victory to take the crown. jump off (130/145cm), Prize Money: In the Medium Tour yesterday, QR15,000 Small Tour, Table A, Two rounds Rashid Towaim al-Marri took an easy 1. Faleh Suwead al-Ajami, Horse: Car- with jump off , (100/115cm), Prize win astride Lamm Addiction Z. The port, Time: 70.00secs, Prize money: Money: QR5,000 pair was four seconds clear of second- QR4,200 1. Hussain Saeed Haidan, Horse: Beluc- placed combination Jaber Rashid al- 2. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi, S I E C Lon- ci Van ‘T Vleminkhof, Time: 63.51secs, Amri and Argelith Squid. Prize money: QR1,250 Al-Amri also took the third position nie , 72.51secs, QR3,450 with Canavaro De Muze (E.T.). 3. Nasser al-Ghazali, Quel Homme, 2. Mohamed al-Ghazali, Dino BB Z, Meanwhile, Hussain Saeed Haid- 72.74secs, QR2,625 64.47secs, QR1,000 an continued his sizzling form as he 3. Saad Ahmed al-Saad , Fito R, Faleh Suwead al-Ajami astride 14-year-old gelding Carport clears a hurdle during the 12th and final round of the Longines notched up another Small Tour win. 67.84secs, QR750 Hathab — Qatar Equestrian Tour yesterday. Haidan astride Belucci Van ‘T Medium Tour, Table A, Two rounds

CYCLING FOOTBALL Rayyan face Arabi, Tour crosses familiar Sadd take on Ahli in Ooredoo Cup semis

By Sports Reporter Arabi qualifi ed for the last-four Doha stage by defeating Al Wakrah 1-0. vistas as it enters Rayyan had progressed to the knockout quarter-fi nals as the he Ooredoo Cup semi- fourth team from Group A with fi nals will be held today, seven points, after Al Ahli (12 with Al Rayyan facing Al points), Al Wakrah (eight points) Arabi while Al Ahli tak- and Al Sadd (seven points). Arabi unknown territory Ting on Al Sadd at the Jassim bin had fi nished third in Group B Hamad Stadium. The Qatar Stars with seven points, after Al Khor League has decided to allow fans (13 points) and Qatar SC (10 Defending champ Bernal is again a good bet for the overall leader’s fabled yellow jersey for the semi-fi nals with strict points). precautionary measures in place Meanwhile, Ahli face Sadd in to ensure the safety and secu- the second semi-fi nal at 7pm. rity of everyone. The tickets will Strong contest is on cards as Ahli be on sale on the offi cial website are capable of giving Sadd a good (tickets.qsl.qa). run for their money. Ahli had Rayyan will be eager to clinch defeated Sadd by a 4-3 margin a silverware this season as they when they faced off in the group had exited in the quarter-fi nals stage. of the Amir Cup (beaten 1-0 by Al Sadd, who had won the sea- Markhiya) and fi nished runners- son-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup up, behind Al Duhail, in the just- by defeating Duhail, had fi nished concluded QNB Stars League. third, behind Duhail and Rayyan, The Lions lost out to The in the just-concluded QNB Stars Red Knights by one point in the League. The Wolves are one of fi ercely-competed league cham- the strong contenders to clinch pionship that went down to the the Ooredoo Cup. wire and where champions were Ahli, meanwhile, could end up decided after the last round. only in the ninth position in the Arabi too will be eager to win and league. The Brigadiers will also made it to the fi nal, having ended be keen to go all the way and have up outside the top-four bracket the last laugh. Ahli advanced in the QNB Stars League. to the semi-fi nals by defeat- The Dream Team could bag ing reigning champions Gharafa only the seventh place in the 1-0, whereas Sadd progressed to league. Rayyan and Arabi are the the last four by edging Qatar SC clubs with the most traditional 5-4 on penalties after the regular fan base in Qatar, so the contest time ended in a 1-1 draw. Team Deceuninck Quick Step riders attend a training session one day before the start of the 107th edition of the Tour de France in Nice, France. (AFP) will evoke keen interest among Ahli progressed to the knock- them. Rayyan made it to the out quarters by topping Group A AFP indeed make it all the way to the cobbles Both squads will be concerned that semis by defeating Al Khor 7-6 with 12 points, while Sadd made Nice, France of the Champs-Elysees. limited warm-up time could make the Teams can be excluded in the quarter-fi nals. The match the cut from the same group in “It’s important for sport and important race less predictable and wary of outliers if two riders test was decided in sudden death af- third position with seven points. for society, but we don’t know, nobody capable of summoning a massive climb ter the score was tied 1-1 in regu- Wakrah were second in the group here are always sunshine and knows (if the Tour will make it to Paris), performance. “I’ll have to be patient,” positive for virus: UCI lar time and 5-5 in tie-breaker. with eight points. smiles on the French Riviera but but the organisers particularly deserve says Pinot, who rides for French team the 2020 Tour de France will roll a lot of credit and they really have done Groupama-FDJ and is still trying to be- Nice, France: Tour de France teams out of Nice today under a cloud everything possible to make it work.” come the fi rst Frenchman to win the Tour can be excluded if two riders from the Tof Covid-19 gloom, with doubts the 21- The French authorities feel the cultural since Bernard Hinault in 1985. same outfit test positive for the coro- day jaunt across the peaks and plains will impact of the race is important enough “I’m tougher and stronger than last navirus within a seven-day period dur- end with its usual dash up the Champs- to risk even in the uncertain times of the year,” promised Pinot, who pulled out ing the race, the International Cycling Elysees in Paris. coronavirus pandemic. “The Tour de with injury deep into the 2019 Tour. There Union (UCI) said. Leaving the well-heeled Riviera resort France should provide a sign that we can are also several diminutive Colombian Exclusions, however, will not be the 22 teams will race 3,484km through continue to live, that our society is resil- climbers ready to pounce. Dutch outfi t automatic and the decision will have to some of the prettiest vistas in France in ient,” said French health minister Olivier Jumbo boast not only former ski jumper be made by race organisers, the gov- a globally popular event broadcast in 190 Veran a day after the prime minister put Roglic, but also Dutch former Giro win- erning body said. “In the case of two countries. The organisers of the Grande 19 regions into a coronavirus red zone. ner Tom Dumoulin, in a line-up that was or more riders from the same team Boucle, as it is known, also hope to pro- When the race sets off today from too strong for Ineos in warm-up races. testing positive for Covid-19 within a vide a new blueprint for sports in the time the Promenade des Anglais in chic sea- Shaken by Jumbo’s form, Brailsford period of seven days at a Grand Tour, of Covid-19. Defending champion Egan side Nice, only a few dozen people will dropped two former Tour winners, Chris the UCI will give the event organiser Bernal of Colombia is again a good bet for be present. In the low Alps outside Nice Froome and Geraint Thomas. “You can authorisation to announce the with- the overall leader’s fabled yellow jersey, tomorrow the 176 riders will likely see never look back,” Brailsford said. “I’m drawal of the team for health reasons, with Slovenian strongman Primoz Roglic fewer fans on the roadside after vehicles very excited about this young team with on the condition however, that the and emotional French climber Thibaut were banned, meaning the packed ranks an experienced support cast. Egan de- global medical assessment carried out Pinot chief among his rivals on a course of camper vans are off the menu this year. serves the leadership. He’s a brilliant confirm the positive cases,” the UCI that crosses all fi ve of France’s mountain The action could explode tomorrow rider, a huge talent.” said in a statement. Tour organisers ranges. with Julian Alaphilippe, a Frenchman Whoever emerges from the sunfl owers Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) Bernal’s Ineos team boss, Dave Brails- who led the race for 14 heady days in 2019, and the chateaux wearing the yellow jer- had previously said that teams would ford, told a clutch of reporters by video promising to again try and make an early sey atop the popular culminating climb of be excluded should two riders or staff conference that he had stuck with his 21- grab for the yellow jersey. The real action La Planche des Belles Filles, will have won members test positive for coronavirus day masterplan for an eighth victory in is likely to be the war of attrition between one of the most hotly anticipated Tours in within a seven-day period. Al Rayyan players train yesterday, on the eve of their Ooredoo Cup nine years because he felt the Tour would the two strongest teams Ineos and Jumbo. its 107-year history. semi-finals against Al Arabi.