SPORT

Wednesday 7 June 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Stroll excited Bosz unveiled Rain postpones ahead of as new coach of French Open home race Dortmund quarters Winners honoured as QMMF England reach Trophy semis after NZ rout

Cardiff Ben Stokes (48) all got out when chief hails 'thrilling' season AFP well set. But Jos Buttler's dashing Rizwan Rehmat onward, I couldn't regain my top ark Wood took the key unbeaten 61 helped take them The Peninsula spot." wicket of Kane Wil- to 310 all out. "This is racing and these Mliamson as England New Zealand lost their first opular rider Saeed Al things happen but I am happy booked their place in the semi- wicket just four balls into their Sulaiti yesterday was with my result and performance. finals of the Champions Trophy innings when Luke Ronchi was honoured with the Saeed deserve the championship with an 87-run win over New clean bowled for a golden duck winner's trophy and a title as he worked very hard," he Zealand at Cardiff yesterday. by Ball. cheque of QR 100,000 added. New Zealand, set 311 for Martin Guptill (27) and Wil- Pfor winning the Qatar Super- victory, finished on 223 all out liamson dug in before the stock 600 Championship at a with 39 balls left. former edged an intended drive glittering ceremony that marked They were in the hunt while off all-rounder Stokes to Root the end of the motor sport sea- captain Williamson, fresh from at a wide slip. son in the country. "It was a thrilling a hundred in the Blackcaps' Both Williamson, posting The ceremony, organised by season for the opening rain-marred no result his fifth fifty in as many ODIs Qatar Motor and Motorcycle against Australia, was making against England, and Taylor Federation (QMMF) and Losail riders and the 87. were hit on the helmet by fast Circuit Sports Club (LCSC), was drivers. We are But fast bowler Wood made bowler Liam Plunkett, who fin- held at the Ritz Carlton. the key breakthrough to dismiss ished with four for 55. The trophies were presented very happy to see the star batsman. But Williamson still drove by QMMF President Abdulrah- new Qatari faces in Then, as happened after Wood back over his head for man Al Mannai and LCSC Vice Williamson's departure against four at a Cardiff ground rival- President and General Manager our championships Australia, the Blackcaps lost a ling Wellington as a windswept Khalid Al Remaihi. and this was one cluster of wickets. Wood's fel- venue. Taylor, without being at QMMF President Al Mannai low paceman Jake Ball was his fluent best, offered sound said: "It was a thrilling season for of our goals: QMMF named man-of-the-match for support in a stand of 95. the riders and the drivers. We President a miserly return of two for 31 in England captain Eoin Mor- are very happy to see new Qatari Saeed Al Sulaiti receiving winner's cheque of QR 100,000 eight overs up front. gan, shuffling his pack, recalled faces in our championships and from QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai and LCSC Vice- Abdulrahman Al Victory saw England into Wood and the Durham quick this was one of our goals. We President and General Manager Khalid Al Remaihi at Ritz Mannai the last four of a tournament duly delivered the wicket his tried to reduce the cost on our Carlton yesterday. featuring the world's top eight side badly needed when a ris- competitors and we are happy one-day international sides ing ball took Williamson's glove with the results. finishing third overall in the round when I crashed with after an eight-wicket defeat of and diving wicket-keeper But- "There are some areas where QTCC. Saeed and from this point Bangladesh at the Oval last tler clung on to the catch. we can improve and we are Meanwhile, Al Sulaiti was week, regardless of the result It was the end of William- going to work harder in the next thrilled with his performances of their last Group A match son's 98-ball innings featuring season." in the season. against arch-rivals Australia at eight fours. And when Taylor "With the concept of the "First of all, congratulations Edgbaston on Saturday. (39) holed out off Ball to mid- QSTK championship, same bike to everyone - competitors, rid- England were in danger of wicket, New Zealand were 168 for all the competitors brings ers and the marshals for their falling short of 300 after Joe for four in the 34th over, even- more competition and we’ll try contribution in the running of Root (64), Alex Hales (56) and tually losing the match. to unify the same for the cars," this successful championship. he added. Also, I want to thank my spon- SCOREBOARD Al Sulaiti, who finished the sors Ooredoo, the QMMF and ENGLAND NEW ZEALAND bike season ahead of veteran LCSC for their support in this J Roy b Milne ...... 13 M Guptill c Root b Stokes ...... 27 rider and arch-rival Mashel Al championship and my team A Hales b Milne ...... 56 L Ronchi b Ball ...... 0 Naimi and Nasser Al Malki, which stand next to me to J Root b Anderson ...... 64 K Williamson c Buttler b Wood ...... 87 received his trophy from the achieve this title," Al Sulaiti said. E Morgan c Ronchi b Anderson ...... 13 R Taylor c Root b Ball ...... 39 QMMF President. "About my win, I am really B Stokes c Milne b Boult ...... 48 N Broom lbw Rashid...... 11 In-form driver Abdullah Al happy as it is my first career J Buttler (not out) ...... 61 J Neesham c Hales b Plunkett...... 18 Khelaifi emerged as the runa- championship victory. Of course M Ali c Boult b Anderson ...... 12 C Anderson c Hales b Plunkett ...... 10 A Rashid lbw Santner ...... 12 M Santner st Buttler b Rashid ...... 3 way winner of the QTCC class, it was not easy," Al Sulaiti said. L Plunkett c Southee b Milne ...... 15 A Milne c Rashid b Plunkett...... 10 winning 10 out of 12 races. Al "I had great battles with M Wood c Taylor b Southee ...... 0 T Southee c Roy b Plunkett ...... 2 Khelaifi and Mansour Al Hajri other riders like Mashel and J Ball c Boult b Southee ...... 0 T Boult (not out) ...... 0 received special recognition for Nasser. We were able provide Extras (LB-5, W-11)...... 16 Extras (B-4, LB-8, W-4)...... 16 promoting QTCC. great entertainment. There were Total (all out in 49.3 overs) ...... 310 Total (all out in 44.3 overs) ...... 223 Shady El Mohandes was lots of solid races," he said. Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-118, 3-134, 4-188, 5-210, Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-63, 3-158, 4-168, 5-191, awarded as the 'Best Improved Second-placed Al Naimi 6-230, 7-260, 8-309, 9-310, 10-310. 6-194, 7-205, 8-211, 9-223, 10-223.

Saeed Al Sulaiti poses Bowling: Southee 9.3-0-44-2 (2w); Boult 10-0-56- Bowling: Ball 8-2-31-2; Wood 9-0-32-1; Plunkett

Driver' while Mahmoud Al Kha- said: "Saeed was very strong 1; Milne 10-0-79-3 (4w); Anderson 9-0-55-3 (3w); 9.3-0-55-4; Stokes 8-0-46-1 (3w) Rashid 10-0-47-2 laf received two trophies from the middle of the season. I with his bike. Santner 8-0-54-1 (1w); Neesham 3-0-17-0. (1w). Result: England won by 87 runs. - Rookie of the Year and for lost my top position from the 4th Tiote dies in hospital after training collapse: China club

Beijing Former team-mates and managers He was a warrior and could play Reuters took to social media to mourn the loss too." of the latest high-profile African player Tiote grew up playing football bare- ormer Ivory Coast international to have collapsed and died while play- foot on the streets of his hometown of Cheick Tiote died in hospital on ing football. Yamoussoukro before moving to Europe F Monday after collapsing during a Newcastle United, where Tiote with Belgian club Anderlecht in 2005. training session, his Chinese club Bei- played for seven years before moving He moved to Twente in 2008 and jing Enterprises said. to China, said the club was "devastated" was part of the side which won the Ere- The Chinese second flight club con- at the news, while manager Rafa Beni- divisie title in 2010. He played at the firmed his death at the age of 30 on its tez spoke of his "sadness" at the death 2010 and 2014 World Cup and was a Weibo social media account, saying the of "a true professional ... and above all, member of the Ivory Coast squad which former Twente Enschede and Newcas- a great man". won the 2015 African Cup of Nations. tle United midfielder had "fainted Former England manager Steve A combative defensive midfielder, without any warning" during training. McLaren, who coached Tiote at Twente Tiote's more than 130 appearances for "He was rushed to hospital imme- and Newcastle, spoke of Tiote's Newcastle featured many yellow cards diately. However, all revival measures competitiveness. but only one goal. proved ineffective and he died around "I knew him first as a young player It was a spectacular effort, though, 7pm on June 5, 2017. The club has at Twente. He was the toughest player a left-footed volley from well outside already contacted his family," it read. I've ever seen," he told the BBC. the penalty area two minutes from time "Since joining the team, he had made "On the field and in training he was which secured Newcastle's comeback an outstanding contribution to the club such a competitor. He wanted to win from 4-0 down to secure a 4-4 draw and won praise from the club, the coach- every game, kick every player and win against Arsenal in February 2011. ing team and his team mates with his every tackle. Tiote's move to Beijing earlier this A Chinese fan of Ivory Coast international and Beijing Enterprises club superb skills and professionalism. "He was a winner. I just can't believe year was his second attempt to cash in football player Cheick Tiote pays his respects in front of a bouquet of "Beijing BG football club expresses it. Some days we would have to pull him on the riches on offer in the Chinese flowers on the field of the National Olympic Sport Centre Stadium in Beijing, our deepest sorrow following Mr Tiote's out of training because he was such a Super League after holding talks with yesterday. Inset: Cheick Tiote's file photo. passing." ferocious competitor, such a winner. Shanghai Shenhua in 2016. SPORT 7 JUNE 2017 WEDNESDAY 21

MotoGP set for Stroll excited ahead of home race Thailand debut in 2018 Bigger picture the bigger picture. "Of course we’re going to go to Montreal Canadian teen is and work as hard as we can and Bangkok focussing on a bigger try and do the best we can ... but AFP picture. Without a if we just always think we need point in six races, the to score points, then we start for- hailand's sports author- 18-year-old Williams getting about the stuff we ity says it has secured driver is keen to open actually have to do to get there." Trights to host a MotoGP his account. Williams have gone well race next year, after years of before in Montreal, with Fin- lobbying to bring top motor- land's Valtteri Bottas -- now at cycle racing to the kingdom. champions Mercedes -- finish- The Sports Authority of London ing third for the last two years. Thailand (SAT) said on its Reuters It is an unfamiliar track for Facebook page that MotoGP Stroll but he hoped to use home owners Dorna Sports gave ance Stroll has been energy in a positive way. them the green light after excited about racing on "I do strongly believe that talks on Saturday in Florence, home soil from the tables will turn and things will Italy. moment he was start working out. And they have The motorcycling equiv- announced as a For- been... there have been positives alent of Formula One will Lmula One driver last year but, as as well," he said. stage a grand prix in Buriram, the Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying in the top 10 in a provincial Thai city in the approaches, the teenager is China was one such plus point, impoverished rice farming focusing on a bigger picture. although he spun off on the northeast that has been trans- Without a point in six races, Lance Stroll (right) Williams Formula One driver is seen along with Valtteri Bottas at the Williams opening lap after a collision with formed into a sporting hub. the 18-year-old Williams driver Force India's Sergio Perez, and "The talks took three 2017 driver announcement at Williams headquarters, in Grove, England, in this November is wary of the need to break the he finished 11th in Russia after hours and concluded with 2016 file picture. blank becoming an obsession as another early spin. Dorna Sports being willing to he heads to Montreal's Circuit "I don’t want to sound cocky, give Thailand rights for three Gilles Villeneuve for this week- "I look at Canada and say Formula One since 1997 world The rules have also changed, but I don’t doubt my capabilities years beginning in 2018 up to end's race. 'what are my weaknesses? I need champion Jacques Villeneuve, with the cars harder to handle as a racing driver... and I still 2020," said the statement "I do have my targets, in to improve in this area, this who won his title in a Williams, and the new fatter tyres also don’t doubt myself even though which was published on terms of what I need to improve needs to happen and that needs Stroll dominated last year's proving tricky to get into the per- it’s been a tricky start of the Sunday. on. In terms of position, not to happen.' And then hopefully European F3 championship. formance window. year," said Stroll. It stated the first race really," he told reporters at Sil- points will come." But Formula One is another "I think we all have to look "I’m improving race by race weekend would be held verstone during a recent event Stroll's arrival in Formula world entirely. at it in the right way. I’m 18 years and I’m getting more comforta- between October 5-7, 2018, to mark the team's 40th One has been accompanied, While the youngest driver on old, the team knows that. It’s a ble and more confident in but there has been no official anniversary. inevitably for the son of one of the grid has shown maturity and challenging year in Formula One, Formula One. But to be the best confirmation of the deal from "I don't look at Canada and Canada's richest men, by a focus commitment, Red Bull's Max and I think the team looks at it I can be, just like I was in other MotoGP or owners Dorna say 'I need to finish in the points' on his privileged upbringing and Verstappen raised the bar by as a bigger project than just the championships and categories, Sports yet. The SAT said it because that would be the wrong the ease of his entry to the sport. winning a race last year at the next race," said Stroll. I just need time and expected to receive "written approach. The first Canadian in same age. "I think we’ve got to look at experience." confirmation" shortly. A Thai debut for MotoGP would be a personal coup for Newin Chidchob, a 58-year- old survivor of Thailand's bear-pit politics who has Mercedes hold firm on driver equality: Wolff enticed deep-pocketed con- tacts into building sports facilities in his hometown of London behind Ferrari's German, and -- making it his most successful great job and I don't feel like we Buriram. Reuters Finland's Valtteri Bottas. circuit along with Hungary. have to favour one over the In 2014 he unveiled the "We have two excellent driv- Bottas has also been on the other," he said. "We have to $58.9m Formula One-certi- ormula One champions ers and we will hold true to our podium in Canada for the last work collectively as a team more fied circuit in the 30,000 Mercedes will continue to philosophy of letting them race two years, with his previous than ever before to beat the Fer- population town. Fgive their drivers equal each other to drive the team for- team Williams. raris in the constructors' The motorcycling extrav- treatment despite the emergence ward -- even if sometimes it can Hamilton told reporters in (championship)." aganza could pour millions of of Sebastian Vettel as Ferrari's be difficult because you can't Monaco, where Ferrari finished Ferrari lead champions Mer- dollars into Buriram, a huge clear title contender, team boss always have the one who is first and second, that it was clear cedes by 17 points in the sum for a province that was Toto Wolff (pictured) said ahead in the championship win- to him that the Italian team were constructors' standings. once among Thailand's yesterday. ning," Wolff said in a team favouring Vettel. Wolff, who said in Monaco poorest. Championship leader Vettel preview of Sunday's Canadian "It's clear to me that Ferrari that Mercedes were now the Thailand's junta has ear- has won three of the six races so Grand Prix. have chosen their number one underdogs, acknowledged that marked millions of dollars to far, finishing second in the rest, Hamilton, who was only sev- driver," he said. it hurt. win the hosting of MotoGP in and scored nearly twice as many enth in the previous race in "They are pushing every- "We have to fight with all partnership with private points as team mate Kimi Monaco, has 104 points to Bot- thing to make sure Sebastian will that we are worth for every sin- sponsors. Raikkonen. tas's 75. maximise on all of his gle win, pole position, podium Thai sports authorities Mercedes have also won Both Mercedes drivers have weekends." finish and every point," he said. also want to stage Formula three races but they have been gone well in Canada in the past, The Briton added, however, "You can no longer expect that One, but political instability shared between Britain's triple Hamilton winning for the last that he saw no need to change when you look at a timesheet the has so far hampered efforts champion Lewis Hamilton, with two years at the Circuit Gilles Mercedes' approach. two Mercedes (cars) will be right to secure the motor sport two victories but now 25 points Villeneuve and five times in total "Valtteri has been doing a at the top." jewel in the crown.

DeGale set for shoulder Fasting Sonny Bill passed fit to face Lions

Wellington from his ability to offload the Hansen is juggling quite a surgery All Blacks Reuters ball from the tackle. lengthy injury list with Jerome centre Sonny "The key thing for Sonny is Kaino, Kieran Read, Liam London Bill Williams in ll Blacks centre Sonny Bill he comes with a certain skillset Squire, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty AFP action in this Williams safely came and attributes and we want to and Dane Coles all currently file picture. Athrough training yester- see that, as long as it sticks sidelined by setbacks of varying ritain's IBF super-mid- day and will line up for the within what we're trying to degrees of seriousness. dleweight world Auckland Blues against the Brit- achieve and the patterns we're To that group yesterday was Bchampion James ish and Irish Lions on trying to play," Rogers added. added first-choice lock Brodie DeGale revealed yesterday he Wednesday. "His communication is very Retallick, who was ruled out of is set to undergo shoulder Williams has been sidelined good and brings a lot of comfort this week's Super Rugby clash surgery but hopes to fight with a knee injury and Blues to those around him." between the Waikato Chiefs and again by the end of the year. coach Tana Umaga bracketed A convert to Islam, Williams Wellington Hurricanes because The 31-year-old -- who him with TJ Faiane in his team is fasting during daylight hours of concussion symptoms. won middleweight Olympic pending the captain's run at for the month of Ramadan but Meanwhile, England head gold at the 2008 Games -- Eden Park for the Lions' second does not think it will hinder his coach Eddie Jones said he aims said he had been suffering tour match. effectiveness. to foster responsibility and self- from the right shoulder com- "Sonny has come through "Getting through the field- reliance in the squad to build a plaint for over a year. really well," Blues assistant based footy is easy, and I just top quality team ahead of the He was injured in the run- coach Alistair Rogers told local push back the weights until I 2019 World Cup in Japan. up to his victory over Rogelio media. break fast," he told reporters on England have been accused Medina in April last year. "He came through yesterday Monday. of inflexibility and sticking to "It has been a frustrating pretty good. When he cooled "The first week is the tough- gameplays too strictly and Jones, few months since I drew with down last night he was feeling est, but after that the body starts who previously coached the Badou Jack in New York, and really good and he looked very to get used to it. I just try and do Brave Blossoms, is confident I had hoped to have fresh out there this morning. the best I can." that nurturing independence is announced my next opponent "We're pleased he's in and Williams's fitness is good the key to dealing with issues on by now," DeGale told The look forward to seeing him go." news for All Blacks coach Steve and off the field. "We very much Daily Mirror. Williams, twice a World Cup Hansen, who is expected to want to have two levels of man- "But tomorrow (Wednes- winner with New Zealand, will name the former rugby league agement, one is the staff, one is day) I will have surgery on my be just one of a handful of All international and heavyweight the players," Jones told British right shoulder that will mean Blacks in the Blues side and give boxing champion in his squad media. "We want the players to I will be out of the ring for a the Lions backline a thorough for the Lions series on be responsible, self-driven, while." test of the defence, not least Thursday. self-reliant. 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 7 JUNE 2017 Advocaat, Gullit join hands Bosz unveiled as new Dortmund coach

Berlin to revive Dutch Cup chances AFP

Advocaat upbeat utchman Peter Bosz (pic- about qualification tured) has been named Das the new coach of Advocaat, who Borussia Dortmund, the Ger- previously managed man giants announced the Dutch national yesterday. side from 1992 to "Peter Bosz is the new BVB 1994 and 2002 to Head Coach. Contract will last 2004, takes over until 2019," Dortmund said on from Danny Blind their Twitter account, announc- ing the appointment. The Netherlands are Bosz, 53, arrives from Ajax fourth in Group A, six after leading the Dutch side to South Stand at the Signal Iduna points behind the final of the Europa League, Park. Switzerland's Lucien leaders France and where they lost 2-0 to Man- Favre, formerly in charge at chester United last month. Borussia Moenchengladbach, three behind Sweden Briefly a player in Germany had been linked with a return in second with five with Hansa Rostock in the to the German game with Dort- matches to play 1990s, he replaces Thomas mund but his current side Nice Tuchel, who was sacked despite refused to let him go. Dortmund winning the German Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Noordwijk, Netherlands Cup -- their first major silver- whose Feyenoord side pipped AFP ware in five years -- and Ajax to the Dutch title, had also finishing third in the Bundes- been linked with the Dortmund ick Advocaat began liga in the season just job, as had Cologne's Peter The new coach of the Dutch national football team Dick Advocaat (right) and his assistant his third stint in finished. Stoeger and David Wagner, a charge of the Neth- Ruud Gullit give a press conference in Noordwijk, yesterday. "Beyond our sporting ambi- former member of the BVB erlands yesterday, tions, the feeling we got straight coaching staff who has just voicing hopes the by Bulgaria. That defeat left the Arab Emirates, South Korea and said. away that we can build some- taken Huddersfield Town into Dflagging national side could still once-proud Dutch facing an Russia as well as briefly Serbia "I believe we can do it, oth- thing together here was the English Premier League. beat the odds and qualify for the uphill struggle to reach the and Belgium. erwise I wouldn't have accepted decisive," said club CEO Hans- But instead Bosz got the next year's World Cup. World Cup finals. The Netherlands, three-time the post." Joachim Watzke at a press nod, ending his one-season The 69-year-old Advocaat They are fourth in Group A, World Cup runners-up, have He also pointed to upcom- conference. stint at Ajax, where he arrived has been brought in, with Dutch six points behind leaders France suffered a tough time in recent ing games when the Netherlands German media reports say last year after a brief spell in legend Ruud Gullit as his assist- and three behind Sweden in sec- years, failing to qualify for Euro play France away on August 31, Dortmund agreed to pay Ajax Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv. ant, on a rescue mission to turn ond with five matches to play. 2016 in France and now facing and then Bulgaria on September five million euros ($5.6 million, He had previously been in around the team's flagging bid Only the group winners wil the prospect of a humiliating 3. A friendly against Ivory Coast £4.4 million) to bring in Bosz, charge at Vitesse Arnhem, while to make the finals in Russia. qualify automatically, with the World Cup no-show. on Sunday in which the Dutch with SID, an AFP subsidiary, his playing career also took in "We are in a difficult situa- runners-up potentially advanc- Their next qualifying match trounced the west African side saying the compensation paid spells in France and Japan and tion, but still everything is open ing to a two-legged play-off. is on Friday against Luxembourg 5-0 will have helped boost team is "the highest in the history of saw him win eight caps for the and possible," Advocaat Advocaat, who was previ- in Rotterdam, and "we hope that spirit, along with a 2-1 victory the Bundesliga" for a coach. Netherlands as a midfielder. acknowledged at a press con- ously at Turkish club we can make a good start," over Morocco in a friendly on "I am proud to be able to Dortmund finished second ference on his first day. Fenerbahce, will also be joined Advocaat said, adding he was May 31. work at such a big club," said in the Bundesliga behind Bay- Advocaat, who previously on the coaching staff by Fred still trying to investigate what "That shows that our team is Bosz in perfect German. ern Munich in Tuchel's first managed the Dutch national side Grim, who temporarily took over went so wrong. not as bad as some people "Borussia is one of the 10 campaign in charge but he was from 1992 to 1994 and 2002 to after Blind's sacking. "The most important thing think," Gullit said, adding he biggest clubs in Europe, with a said to be deeply unhappy at 2004, takes over from Danny Advocaat, known for being is the game on Friday, and prob- hoped his experience would young team and the legendary the decision to sell Mats Hum- Blind, who was sacked in March a disciplinarian, has also ably the players understand the benefit the players. 'Yellow Wall'," added the new mels, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and after the Dutch were beaten 2-0 coached the United importance of that game," he coach in reference to the vast Ilkay Gundogan last year. ayayayayayayayBelgians down Czechs in friendly Turan quits international Inter mourn goalkeeping football after bust-up great Sarti

Istanbul you onto this plane," Turan Milan AFP reportedly ranted at Mese, call- AFP ing him "shameless". urkey captain Arda Turan Eyewitnesses claimed Turan nter Milan paid trib- (pictured) announced his grabbed Mese by the throat and ute to the club's Tretirement from interna- was about to hit him when other Iformer goalkeeping tional football yesterday, hours players intervened. great Giuliano Sarti, who after being kicked out of a train- "Do I feel remorse? No, I died aged 83 yesterday ing camp by coach Fatih Terim don't feel any remorse. I am following an "unex- for allegedly verbally and phys- quite calm," added Turan. pected illness". ically abusing a journalist. "I really love my country. I "Giuliano passed "I think the time has come...I really love my flag. I have away today, surrounded am ending my career with the always said: "If that's what you by his loved ones. The national team," said the want, I will retire." thoughts of everyone at 30-year-old Barcelona mid- lambasted veteran sports jour- Mese -- a sports journalist FC Internazionale go out fielder, capped 96 times, at a nalist Bilal Mese during a flight since 1973 -- has threatened to to him and his family at brief press conference in Slov- after a 0-0 friendly draw against take legal action against Turan this difficult time," said a enia, broadcast on Turkish Macedonia in Skopje on when he returns to Turkey, his statement by the club. television. Monday. newspaper Milliyet said. As well as being one Turan had been told to leave Turan was furious at articles "We strongly condemn this of Italy's top shot-stop- the Turkey team's camp in Slov- written during Euro 2016 which assault," the Association of pers in the 1950s and Belgium's Thomas Vermaelen and Radja Nainggolan enia where they are preparing claimed the Barcelona winger Sports Journalists of Turkey said 60s, former Fiorentina, celebrate after winning the friendly against Czech for a 2018 World Cup qualifier had a falling out with Terim over in a statement. Inter, Juventus and Italy Republic, at the King Baudouin Stadium, on Monday against Kosovo on Sunday, the player bonuses. "The fact that this assault player Sarti pioneered in Brussels. Belgium won 2-1. daily Hürriyet and news chan- "What kind of a country is was committed by the captain the role of nel NTV earlier reported. this? They allow you onto this of our national side reinforces 'sweeper-keeper'. He was reported to have plane. F*** those who allowed its seriousness." Known to rush off his line to try and close down attacks, Sarti also got involved in build-up Liverpool ready to break record to secure Van Dijk: Reports plays from the back. Beginning his profes- sional career with London later on Tuesday Southampton According to The Sun, Liver- – including Adam Lallana and Fiorentina in 1954, Sarti AFP were unhappy and had asked the pool manager Jurgen Klopp has Senegalese star Sadio Mane – for won one Serie A title, an Premier League to probe whether convinced the Liverpool owners a total of almost £100m. Italian Cup and a Cup utch international defender there had been an illegal Van Dijk is deserving of earning Meanwhile, high-scoring Winners' Cup with the Virgil van Dijk could approach by Liverpool. a weekly wage of almost Everton striker Romelu Lukaku Florence side before he Dbecome the world's most Van Dijk would be Liverpool's £200,000 (230,000 euros, said he had decided where he moved to the "Grande expensive defender and join Eng- most expensive ever signing – $258,000) -- which will make wants to move ahead of the next Inter" side of Helenio lish Premier League giants striker Andy Carroll having cost him their highest ever paid player. season and had reached an agree- Herrera in 1963. Liverpool from rivals Southamp- £35m in moving from Newcastle Van Dijk -- who also caught ment with another club. Sarti notably helped ton, according to British media United in 2011. the eye of both Manchester City Lukaku, who moved to Ever- Inter to successive Euro- reports. Celtic would be in line for 10 and champions Chelsea -- is keen ton in 2014 after a season-long pean Cup titles in 1964 Virgil van Dijk The 25-year-old -- who percent of the fee having included on a move to Liverpool not only loan spell, has been linked with and 1965, finishing sec- joined Southampton in 2015 after a sell-on clause in his transfer to for Champions League football his former club Chelsea as well as ond to pioneering impressing at Scottish champions Saints. but to join compatriot and close Manchester United and Bayern agreement with the club as Scottish giants Celtic in Celtic -- would cost around £60m David Luiz is presently the friend Georginio Wijnaldum. Munich in recent weeks by the well. We stay calm and at Lisbon in 1967. Sarti (69m euros, $77m), according to most expensive defender in the Southampton have become a British media. least we have a direction moved to Juventus in reports. world having been sold to Paris favoured hunting ground for Liv- "My agent knows what's going where we want to go," the 1968 but played only two However, BBC Radio Solent Saint-Germain by Chelsea for erpool in the past three years to happen and I know as well. I'm Belgium international, 24, seasons with the giants. and other media outlets reported £50m in 2014. having signed five players staying calm and we have an told Sky Sports. WEDNESDAY 7 JUNE 2017 SPORT 23 Rain postpones French Open quarters

Paris AFP Davis Cup introduce changes orrential rain forced Rafael Nadal and Novak Djoko- Tvic's quarter-finals at the French Open to be delayed until to bring stars back on board today. Play was held up for over Paris Cup are two of the most iconic United States where Switzer- three hours on Tuesday before AFP team competitions in sport, but land lost 5-0. finally resuming at 1845 local there is no doubt change is Novak Djokovic, however, time (1645 GMT) with the first avis Cup matches will needed to ensure that we max- has played both ties for Serbia two women's quarter-finals at be played on a best-of- imise their full potential," said and has vowed to feature in Roland Garros. Dthree set basis instead International Tennis Federa- September's semi-final against Switzerland's Timea Bacsin- of the traditional five, organ- tion president David France even though it starts szky was a set up on France's isers announced yesterday, as Haggerty. just five days after the end of Kristina Mladenovic on Court a number of changes were "While still needing annual the US Open. Earlier this year, Philippe Chatrier before the made to the 117-year-old general meeting approval, we Spanish football star Gerard interruption. event. are confident that our national Pique revealed he was part of Latvian teenager Jelena The team tournament has associations will see that to a consortium planning a World Ostapenko was serving for the struggled to get the sport's top vote for these reforms is to Cup of tennis tournament to second set in her match against players to commit to it on a vote for the long-term future rival the Davis Cup. Staff clear the water from the canvas on the central court at Caroline Woznacki after the regular basis in an already of our competitions and our The plans which would see the Roland Garros in Paris, yesterday. Dane clinched the opener 6-4. crammed tennis schedule. sport." the whole tournament take Nine-time champion Nadal In a series of reforms, it The ITF also said that bids place in one location have is due to take on compatriot face unseeded Latvian Jelena the crowd but happy for me." was announced that all singles to host fixed venue finals for reportedly been backed by Pablo Carreno Busta, while title- Ostapenko for a place in Satur- Elsewhere, Ostapenko's matches will be played as best- Davis Cup and Fed Cup have Murray, Djokovic and Nadal. holder Djokovic faces sixth seed day's final. dream run continued as she of-three sets. However, Davis been received and are being Nadal has been one of the Dominic Thiem in a repeat of "I feel extremely privileged stunned former world number Cup ties will retain the three- assessed. The changes are Davis Cup schedule's most last year's semi-final. to be in a second semi-final at one Caroline Wozniacki 4-6, 6-2, day format, with doubles still expected to be approved at the vocal critics. As a result of the down- Roland Garros," said Bacsinszky, 6-2 to reach the semi-finals. played on the Saturday over next annual general meeting "For many years they have pours, all four men's whose run to the last four two the best-of-five sets. of the ITF in Ho Chi Minh City, been static," Nadal said of the quarter-finals will be played on years ago was ended by Serena FRENCH OPEN RESULTS Other changes will see the Vietnam in August. ITF when speaking about the Wedneday with Andy Murray Williams in three sets. finalists in both the Davis Cup World number one Andy proposed new tournament in French Open results yesterday, the rain-hit 10th against Kei Nishikori and Stan Yesterday's match was one and Fed Cup women's tourna- Murray and nine-time French April in Madrid. day of the 2017 tournament at Roland Garros (x Wawrinka facing Marin Cilic. hour 49 minutes in duration but denotes seeding): ment guaranteed the choice of Open champion Rafael Nadal "They haven't moved with Meanwhile, Swiss 30th seed took the best part of six hours to Women hosting their first-round tie in didn't play in the Davis Cup the times or looked for new Timea Bacsinszky reached the complete after two rain delays Quarter-finals the following year. quarter-finals this year. solutions." French Open semi-finals for the -- one lasting three hours. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) bt Caroline Wozniacki The 'dead rubber' policy Nadal also skipped the Djokovic also backed the second time with a rain-hit 6-4, "It was extremely difficult (DEN x11) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 will also be amended to reduce opening round. plans after saying he had met 6-4 win over home hope Kris- today. There was fine weather, Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x30) bt Kristina Mladen- the number of meaningless Roger Federer and Stan personally with Pique "several

tina Mladenovic. then rain, wind and the clay was ovic (FRA x13) 6-4, 6-4 rubbers. Wawrinka opted out of the times" and hoped the tourna- The 27-year-old, who also blowing in our eyes. "I had to "The Davis Cup and Fed first-round tie against the ment "would come to life". made the last four in 2015, will stay concentrated. I am sorry for

Samuels stars Pakistan aim to bounce in win over back against South Africa Afghanistan Basseterre AFP Birmingham, UK in 41 overs. It led former Pakistan what I think our players can do. AFP captain Shahid Afridi, to slam the "So, we're going to be up for arlon Samuels was at current team's "clueless" batting the fight." his most imperious ickey Arthur has no doubt and "abysmal fielding". Pakistan will be without Mwith an unbeaten 89 Pakistan will be "up for Now, in the space of just a few Wahab Riaz after he was ruled to guide the West Indies to a Mthe fight" when they face days, Pakistan must somehow out of the rest of the tournament seven-wicket victory over his native South Africa in the raise their game to beat a South on Monday with an ankle injury Afghanistan in the final fix- Champions Trophy after a humil- Africa side who defeated Sri sustained when falling in his ture of the three-match T20 iating defeat by arch-rivals India. Lanka by 96 runs at the Oval on delivery stride against India. International series at Warner Pakistan's crushing 124-run Saturday in their opening Group But given by that stage the Park in St Kitts on Monday. loss to title-holders India in their B fixture if they are to have any left-arm paceman had conceded Replying to the tourists' tournament opener at Edgbaston chance of reaching the a whopping 87 runs in 8.4 wick- total of 146 for six, the right- on Sunday was labelled the semi-finals. etless overs, his absence may not hander's highest-ever T20 "Mother of all mismatches" by the Arthur suggested too many be that big a blow. International innings took the Indian Express newspaper. Pakistan players had suffered Pakistan have applied to the home side to the target with Yet, worryingly for Pakistan 'stage fright' against India in front ICC for an injury replacement, but four balls to spare and com- coach Arthur, there is the poten- of a capacity crowd of more than they appear to have a stand-in pleted a 3-0 series sweep. tial for an even more lopsided 24,000. already with them in Junaid Khan, Samuels' innings occu- match when they return to Edg- "My issue is fear," he said. "My who took four for 73 in a warm- pied 66 deliveries and was baston today -- and that's not issue is getting out there and up match against Bangladesh. embellished with three sixes simply because South Africa are really looking to take the game Mohammad Amir provided and nine fours. top of the International Cricket on. rare moments of respite amid the He deservedly won both the Council (ICC) one-day interna- "The worrying thing for me... India run-spree with a return of "Man of the Match" and "Man of tional rankings while Pakistan are is we just do the basics wrong. none for 32 in 8.1 overs. the Series" awards in a format eighth. "We drop simple catches. We Yet, concerningly, the left- of the game in which he has Pakistan were outplayed in don't run well enough between arm fast bowler was unable to excelled in the latter stage of his every department by an India side wickets. We don't understand complete his full allocation of long international career. who were nowhere near their when to bowl our variations." overs because of cramp, despite "I know my role in this best. But Arthur, a former coach of being repeatedly on and off the team and it was important to Having conceded 319 for both South Africa and Australia, field on what was a cool day. stay out there and ensure we three as India's top order ran riot, was adamant all was far from lost. If Arthur has some 'inside got the target," he said after Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed during net practice in Edgbaston Pakistan were dismissed for just "We'll be thinking firmly of knowledge' on South Africa, the victory was completed in 164, having never once threat- coming back and beating South Proteas' have a 'spy' of their own yesterday ahead of their Champions Trophy match against partnership with Jason ened a rain-adjusted target of 289 Africa," he said. "Because that's in Pakistan-born Imran Tahir. South Africa today. Mohammed. "Partnerships are important to any run chase and it was good that a couple of us worked together effectively." No result gives Australia hopes a cold shower Afghanistan, who now pre- pare to take on the West Indies in three One-Day Internation- London result' for Australia after a sim- runs from victory with nine when Australia came off after 16 Tamim, who scored 128 als in St Lucia starting on Reuters ilar outcome against New wickets in hand and 34 overs overs at 83-1. "We were heading against England in the opening Friday, were left to rue a costly Zealand at Edgbaston on remaining when the rain came down a pretty good path and it game on Thursday, got 95 off 114 miss by their most experienced ustralia and Bangladesh Friday. down. was disappointing not to get a balls, picking up the pace and player that allowed Samuels to saw Monday's Champions They have just two points in Australia, needing to bat 20 result in the end," said Smith. smashing some fierce strokes be the match-winner. ATrophy match at The Oval the standings, meaning they overs to conjure up a result, sat "The game against England before being caught by Josh Having topscored with 38 washed out just four overs short must beat England in Birming- anxiously through a three-hour is now a quarter-final as such. Hazlewood at long leg off Starc after his team chose to bat of forcing a result in a blow to ham on Saturday to have any wait, willing away the clouds, but They're a good side and the with the first ball of the 43rd first, Mohammad Nabi both teams' hopes of reaching chance of advancing to the a persistent drizzle kept the cov- equation is pretty simple now." over. dropped a sharp caught-and- the semi-finals. semi-finals. ers on before the umpires Bangladesh won the toss and The Australian paceman bowled chance offered by the Having been rescued by the Bangladesh, who lost to Eng- abandoned play. chose to bat with Tamim Iqbal bowled Mashrafe Mortaza two batsman when he was just on rain last week, London's inclem- land on Thursday, are also in David Warner had become falling five runs short of a sec- balls later, took out the stumps 40. Thereafter his batting was ent weather turned the tables on peril. the quickest Australian batsmen ond straight century in the of Rubel Hoosain with his next flawless and not even the Australia and left them needing They they were bowled out to reach 4,000 ODI runs – tournament as Mitchell Starc delivery and came within inches belated introduction of the to win their last Group A match for 182 by Australia and then achieved in 93 innings -- on his took three wickets in four balls of a hat trick as another swing- main bowling threat, leg- to avoid going out. looked set to lose with their way to an unbeaten 40 with cap- near the end of the innings as ing yorker flashed past spinner Rashid Khan, could It was the second straight 'no opponents handily placed 100 tain Steve Smith not out on 22 they were out in 44.3 overs. Mustafizur Rahman. contain him.