SPORT

Thursday 21 September 2017

PAGE | 30 PAGE | 31 PAGE | 36 Benzema extendstends Infantino says Nadal, Federer to Madrid contractract time to reform spearhead Europe to 2021 transfer rat race against Team World Hairane wins gold as Qatar bag fifth medal in Ashgabat

Chinthana Wasala Rashid Ahmed Al Mannai member Abdulrahman Saad QATARI MEDALLISTS IN ASHGABAT The Peninsula secured Al Annabi’s second bronze said: “When you win, everything medal of the day when he leapt Gold medal: Men’s 400 metres: is fine. It happened and we feel he 2016 Asian Indoor Cham- 15.99 metres in the men’s triple Abdalelah Haroun good. pionships silver medallist, jump behind the gold medallist, Gold medal: Men’s 800 metres: “Since we didn’t play together TJamal Hairane grabbed hon- India’s Arpinder Singh and Thai- Jamal Hairane in the last months, our priority is ours as he secured Qatar’s second land’s Tepparak Pratchaya. Silver medal: Men’s 4x400m: Jamal to find our chemistry and play at gold medal at the Ashgabat 2017 Kazakhstan topped the med- Hairane, Abdalelah Haroun, Mohamed Nasir our level. We will need one or two Asian Indoor and Martial Arts als chart with six gold, one silver Abbas and Ali Hassan Al Jassim games to reach our level.” Games yesterday. and three bronze medals as cur- Bronze medal: Men’s triple jump: “I like it here. Everything looks The 24-year old athlete, who tain came down on track and field Rashid Ahmed Al Mannai perfect so far. The venues, the trailed for the better part of yes- events at the Indoor Athletics Bronze medal: Men’s Taekwondo people, the atmosphere. It is a very terday’s final, later picked up pace Arena yesterday evening. Next (80kg): Ali Juma Al Aaraimi well organised event,” Saad com- when it mattered the most to leave were India with five gold, two sil- mented on the Ashgabat 2017 a shell-shocked Sri Lankan Ind- ver and one bronze. Games. unil Herath in the second spot and Earlier, Qatar secured a and two bronze, Qatar are cur- Samoan cager Theodore Iranian Amir Moradi in third place bronze medal in men’s Taek- rently placed 16th in the medals McFarland was disappointed after as he surged past them in the last wondo through Ali Juma Al tally. losing to Qatar. 50m to take gold in 1:49.33. Aaraimi who beat South Korea’s They also have high hopes “I am disappointed because Later, Hairane and Qatar’s Kim Seyoung in the 80kg weight from their 3x3 basketball team we made a lot of mistakes and golden boy from Tuesday, Abdale- class. The Qatari martial artist lost which is one of the favourites at when you do so against a strong lah Haroun teamed up with to Iranian Erfan Nazemi in the the Ashgabat Games. opponent, you pay for them,” he Mohamed Nasir Abbas and Ali semi-final and later, Nazemi went Qatar beat Samoa 21-11 in a said. Hassan Al Jassim in the men’s on to secure the gold medal when Pool C game in the men’s 3x3 “We knew that Qatar are very 4x400 metres relay team to secure he beat China’s Chen Linglong in Basketball tournament at the good and they proved it. I think Qatari athlete Jamal the bronze in a keenly contested the final. 3x3 Basketball Arena yesterday. they can go all the way,” McFar- Hairane celebrates final. With two gold medals, a silver After the win, Qatari team land commented. after winning an event in this file photo

Duhail focused Former champs Al Gharafa on winning the eager to pick up first points first QSL titile The Peninsula Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula l Duhail captain Yusef Msakni is confident that his side can challege ormer champions Al A for the QNB Stars League title come Gharafa are eager to pick the end of the season. Ahead of his team’s up their first points fol- round two match against Al Arabi which lowing last week’s 1-1 is set to take place on Saturday evening unexpected draw against at Al Duhail stadium, Msakni stressed that FAl Ahli in the opening round of the Al Arabi will be eager to get a result against QNB Stars League. the Red Knights. Coach Jean Fernandez, how- “Arabi will be looking for a victory ever, said his squad is willing to be against us on Saturday. They lost in their patient as the Cheetahs look to build first match, and will be wanting to mak- a strong side for the future. ing it up to their fans.” “We are looking to make our “I don’t want to discuss our strengths young side stronger. These (young) heading to the match. As a team we are players will have a big role to play not afraid of Al Arabi, as with any team in in the league (matches),” Fernan- the league and we are focused for the dez said during a press conference game.” yesterday. “Of course we will be fighting for the “This is the vision of the Presi- league this season, along with Al Sadd and dent and this is the long-term Al Rayyan who have signed many impres- project at Al Gharafa,” the Al sive players in the transfer window. We Gharafa coach added. taking each game at a time, and the whole Al Gharafa coach Jean Fernandez (left) and Umm Salal coach Diogo Amado speak during press conferences The Frenchman said Umm Salal squad is focused on winning the first - who beat Al Kharaitiyat 3-1 last held yesterday, ahead of their QNB Stars League match which will be played at Al Gharafa Stadium today. league title as Duhail.” week - won’t be pushovers in the round two clash to be played at Al aiming for a win. We did really well “We have more strength and Gharafa Stadium. in the first game. We should of won depth in the side this season. This QNB STARS LEAGUE FIXTURES “Umm Salal we are playing a the match against Al Ahli,” Amado was one of our major problems last Today good brand of football. They are a said yesterday. season and we have addressed this Al Gharafa Vs Umm Salal strong and well organised side - a Umm Salal, on the other hand, in the transfer window. I think this At Al Gharafa Stadium (8.00pm) team won the opening game of the will be targeting their second win will really help us this season,” season last week,” Fernandez said. of the season following their com- added the Egyptian coach. Tomorrow “They will have plenty of moti- prehensive 3-1 opening day victory To a question, Jaber insisted Al Kharaitiyat Vs Al Rayyan vation to win back-to-back games. over Al Kharaitiyat. that his side will not be changing At Al Khor Stadium (5.50pm) Having said that, I feel that we Umm Salal coach Mahmoud their playing style to counter Al played well against Al Ahli and come Jaber, however, admitted that his Gharafa. Al Sailiya Vs Al Sadd into the game in a positive spirit,” side is wary of their opponents. “Our positive result against Al At Al Ahli Stadium (8.00pm) he added. “We are in good form and did Kharaitiyat shows that we are Qatar SC Vs Al Markhiya Meanwhile, new recruit Diogo well against Al Gharafa but we must doing things right. We will continue At Al Duhail Stadium (8.00pm) Amado said his team remains capa- be careful when taking on Al to play our football in the best pos- ble of producing a positive result in Gharafa. They did well against Al sible way,” Jaber said. On Sturday a match to be played on home soil Ahli and they will be hungry to get In other matches this week Al Al Duhail Vs Al Arabi at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium. their first victory of the season. We Kharaitiyat take on Al Rayyan, Al At Al Duhail Stadium (5.50pm) “We have been training well in will have to play well to get the Sailiyah face Al Sadd, Qatar SC bat- Al Khor Vs Al Ahli the week. Umm Salal are a strong result we need,” Jaber said during tle Al Markhiya, Al Duhail play Al Yusef side, but we our focusing on our a pre-match press conference Arabi while Al Khor have a date to At Al Khor Stadium (8.00pm) Msakni own performance and we are yesterday. keep with Al Ahli. 30 SPORT THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2017 Benzema extends Madrid contract to 2021

Madrid to smash Madrid’s all-time goal- AFP Contract till 2021 scoring records, Benzema has Real Madrid star signs also been a prolific scorer a new bumper four- himself. arim Benzema became year contract with the His 181 Madrid goals at just the latest Real Madrid star European champions, under a goal every two games Kto sign a new bumper the club announced is the eighth best in the club’s four-year contract with the history and just one off club leg- European champions to 2021, end and six-time European Cup the club announced yesterday. Jose Mourinho complained winner Paco Gento. “Real Madrid and Benzema of his meek nature claiming he The Champions League is have agreed to extend the con- wanted a “hunter” whilst where Benzema has most con- tract of the player, who will describing Benzema as a “cat” sistently shone as his record of remain tied to the club until June when Real boss, and Benzema 51 goals in the competition is 30, 2021,” Madrid said in a has often found himself whis- only bettered by Ronaldo, Lionel statement. tled by the demanding Bernabeu Messi, Raul and Ruud van Nis- Vice-captain Marcelo, Isco crowd for his lack of killer telrooy, excluding the qualifying and Dani Carvajal all extended instinct. rounds. Benzema has been to 2022 over the past week as “When you play at a big club ostracised by France at interna- Real reward key members of the and you are a big player, you tional level since 2015 due to his squad that became the first side will always receive criticism. If alleged role in a sex-tape plot to retain the Champions League you are never criticised, it is aimed at blackmailing former trophy in June. because you are a small player,” international teammate Math- Coach Zinedine Zidane’s Benzema said in May. ieu Valbuena. renewal is also imminent after However, it is his unselfish However, he has always the Frenchman repeated on play that has seen him form a received the full backing of Tuesday that his deal is “done”. perfect partnership with Cris- Zidane and in particular Madrid Benzema is currently side- tiano Ronaldo and see off the president Florentino Perez lined by a hamstring injury that challenge of Gonzalo Higuain throughout the lengthy legal is expected to keep him out for and Alvaro Morata among oth- battle in his homeland. another month. ers to be Madrid’s number nine. That faith has been The 29-year-old has won 14 “Morata plays so little rewarded on the field as Ben- trophies, including three Cham- under Zidane because Ben- zema was a pillar of Real’s first pions League and two La Liga zema is the best striker to play La Liga and European Cup dou- titles, since joining Real from with Cristiano,” another of ble last season for 59 years Lyon as one of Europe’s most Benzema’s former Madrid -- scoring the goal that sealed promising strikers in 2009. coaches Carlo Ancelotti told the league title at Malaga on the Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring during the second leg of the Spanish The Frenchman’s eight-year Italian newspaper Corriere final day of the season. stint at the Santiago Bernabeu della Sera before June’s Cham- “For me, he’s one of the best Supercup football match against FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, has been filled with highs and pions League final. strikers in the world,” said in this August 16, 2017 file picture. Benzema became the latest Real Madrid star to sign a new lows. As well as helping Ronaldo Zidane last month. bumper four-year contract with the European Champions to 2021, the club announced yesterday. German FA investigate Baier Liverpool rocked; Alli lifts Spurs

for obscene London area and he controlled well four games without a win after in the English domestic cups AFP before scoring with a deflected frustrating home draws with largely irrelevant for the Totten- gesture strike. Burnley and Sevilla followed a ham boss. eicester’s Shinji Okazaki Reds boss Jurgen Klopp had 5-0 thrashing at Manchester But Pochettino still sent out Berlin sent Liverpool crashing out made eight changes to his start- City. a strong side featuring Dele Alli, AFP Lof the League Cup, while ing line-up, giving a first start to At Wembley, Tottenham Son Heung-Min, Mousa Dem- Tottenham edged past Barnsley Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while won for just the second time at bele and Jan Vertonghen, while ugsburg captain Daniel to reach the fourth round on Philippe Coutinho played the the national stadium since mov- Argentine defender Juan Foyth Baier (pictured) could Tuesday. first 45 minutes before coming ing into their temporary home made his debut and Fernando Aface a heavy German Okazaki came off the bench off at half-time. at the start of the season. Llorente got a first start. Football Association (DFB) fine to fire Leicester ahead in the sec- But Liverpool’s disappoint- With White Hart Lane being - Stoke shocked - after being investigated for ond half of their 2-0 win at the ing recent form showed no signs redeveloped, Tottenham had Tottenham once again making an obscene gesture more can I say?” However, he King Power Stadium. of improving and Islam Slimani been suffering from home sick- looked uncomfortable in their during a televised Bundesliga apologised in a statement The Japan forward, on as a finished them off 12 minutes ness after failing to win any of new abode as second-tier Barns- match. posted on social media chan- second-half replacement for from full-time. their three Premier League ley held out for 65 minutes When Baier was tackled nel Instagram yesterday. Leonardo Ulloa, broke the dead- Slimani took Okazaki’s pass games there. before succumbing to a 1-0 near the RB Leipzig bench late “Out of the emotion, I let lock in the 65th minute of the and drove a fine strike into the Mauricio Pochettino admit- defeat. England midfielder Alli in Augsburg’s 1-0 victory dur- myself be swept into making a third-round tie. roof of the net from the edge of ted this week that his priorities finally broke the deadlock with ing Tuesday’s bad-tempered gesture that I don’t know how Vincent Iborra headed into the penalty area. are the Premier League and a smart finish from Kieran Trip- match, the 33-year-old spat in I got to,” Baier wrote. Okazaki’s path in the penalty Klopp’s side have now gone Champions League, with success pier’s cross to give Tottenham the direction of RB coach Ralph “I apologise to all those who win number two at Wembley Hasenhuettl. interpreted it as offensive. following last week’s Champi- The television camera “I apologised to the team ons League success against caught Baier also making an before training, because the Borussia Dortmund. obscene gesture. senseless gesture pushed our Elsewhere in the third round, The DFB confirmed yester- great performance into the Premier League side Stoke day they will investigate, background. slumped to a surprise 2-0 defeat referee Daniel Siebert not hav- “I hope that those at RB at second-tier Bristol City. ing seen the incident. Leipzig will also think differ- Famara Diedhiou headed Baier claims he twice tried ently following last night, when City in front in the 50th minute to apologise, both after the final I tried to apologise on the pitch and Matt Taylor added the sec- whistle on the pitch and again and later in their dressing room ond on the hour. Roy Hodgson in the dressing room, but that to clean up the got his first win as Crystal Pal- Hasenhuettl rejected the misunderstanding.” ace manager as Bakary Sako apology. There is a history of bad- sealed a 1-0 win against “He should have been blood between the pair after Huddersfield. shown a red. It was a pity that Hasenhuettl previously com- The former England coach’s the fourth official didn’t see it. mented on Baier’s behaviour. first game had ended in a 1-0 He (Baier) did not apologise,” Augsburg are having a stel- home defeat against Southamp- fumed Hasenhuettl. lar start to the season with 10 ton in the Premier League at the Immediately after the points from their first five weekend. match, Augsburg’s skipper saw league games to go third in Ger- But Sako nabbed the first no reason to say ‘sorry’. many’s top flight. goal of the Hodgson era with a “What should I apologise In contrast, Champions close-range header from a 13th- for?” he told Sky. League side RB Leipzig are minute corner at Selhurst Park. “My god, it’s a football struggling to recapture last sea- It was Palace’s first goal Tottenham Hotspurs midfielder Dele Alli (left) vies with Barnsley’s defender Angus MacDonald match and emotions are son’s form, which saw them since August 22 and Mali for- involved. finish second to reigning cham- during the English League Cup third round football match at Wembley Stadium in London ward Sako’s first since August “I made a gesture, what pions Bayern Munich. on Tuesday. 2015. Malaysia and North Korea to play in Pyongyang

Kuala Lumpur Confederation (AFC) had already Korean capital after officials the North Korean leader Kim using a towel soaked with nerve Malaysia. They discussed the AFP confirmed that the match, orig- judged that recent matches in Jong-Un, in Malaysia in agent at Kuala Lumpur Interna- safety of players and team offi- inally scheduled for March, Pyongyang went smoothly. February. tional Airport. The president of cials, according to a statement n Asian Cup qualifying would finally go ahead on Octo- “At this moment, it will go The killing sparked a diplo- the Football Association of on Facebook, accompanied by a match between Malaysia ber 5 after twice being ahead on October 5 in Pyongyang matic crisis which saw both Malaysia, Tunku Ismail Sultan picture of the men smiling and Aand North Korea that was postponed. as decided by the AFC competi- countries banning each other’s Ibrahim, raised concerns earlier shaking hands. It also said that delayed by a row over the mur- But the venue had not been tions committee,” he said. citizens from leaving, and with- this year about players being Tunku Ismail -- the crown prince der of Kim Jong-Un’s finalised amid concerns about The match, originally sched- drawing their ambassadors. deliberately poisoned if their of the southern state of Johor -- half-brother will be played in player safety. uled for March 28, was Tensions have since cooled. qualifier went ahead in would be allowed to travel Pyongyang, officials said However AFC secretary-gen- postponed during a furious dip- South Korea accuses the Pyongyang. However Tunku directly through North Korea’s yesterday. eral Windsor John told AFP it lomatic row over the murder of North of masterminding the Ismail on Tuesday met Kim Yu- airspace anytime he wants to The Asian Football would take place in the North Kim Jong-Nam, half-brother of murder, which was carried out Song, a North Korean envoy in visit the nuclear-armed nation. THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPORT 31 Infantino says time to reform transfer rat race

Geneva the co-ordination of transfer He also said that the trans- Reuters windows so they closed before fer market “doesn’t necessarily major championships start. reflect very well” on the sport, IFA president Gianni “We have to make sure that although he still believed it Infantino appealed to transfers don’t affect the integ- played an important role in FEuropean football bosses rity of the competitions, they redistributing resources. yesterday to help reform the should indeed stop before the “What is worrying is the sport’s transfer system and start,” he said. inflation that these transfers described the current set-up as Referring to the way teams trigger and the rat race that this a “rat race” which had cast foot- could strengthen their squads entails with all the other clubs,” ball in a negative light. after a poor start to the season, he said. “It is the responsibility of all he added: “When you run a “All these negative head- of us to tackle the transfer sys- marathon, you don’t run for 10 lines bring the whole football tem,” Infantino said in a speech kilometres and then take a movement into a negative light. at the extraordinary congress bike.” From a perception point of of European soccer body UEFA. Infantino, who was elected view, it doesn’t feel right.” “We have to come up with FIFA president in February of The Swiss, who previously some positive solutions for last year, said that spending on saids in an interview last agents, transfer regulations, for international transfers had November that he wanted to loans and transfer windows, totalled around 4.6bn euros reform the transfer system, said (salary) caps and all these items during the northern hemisphere that leagues and clubs felt the which are somewhere in the air summer compared to 3.6 bil- same way. but which have never been lion euros for the same period “I see it from the discus- addressed... in a significant the year before. sions I had with players, way.” These included Brazilian clubs, leagues, associations,” Later, Infantino told report- forward Neymar’s record-shat- he said. ers from international news tering 222m euro move from “I have never felt it is as agencies of his ideas for new Barcelona to Paris St Germain, strongly as I do now. It’s not regulations governing the roles plus 18-year-old French for- limited only to Europe and we FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 13th Extraordinary UEFA Congress in of agents, limits on the sizes of ward Kylian Mbappe’s move to need to have a framework at Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday. club squads and the same Ligue 1 club. worldwide level.” Close shave as Icardi Messi hits four as Barca rescues Inter Milan

Milan “There are two lost points, AFP we will see what went wrong maintain perfect start this week,” said Inter striker haven-headed skipper Eder. Mauro Icardi rescued a 1-1 “We have to look at our- Madrid Sdraw for Inter Milan at selves not Napoli and Juventus, AFP Bologna on Tuesday that ended our goal is the Champions his side’s perfect start to the League and we have to fight at ionel Messi added four Serie A season. all costs.” more goals to his soaring Luciano Spalletti had been Spalletti had made just one Learly season tally as a looking to make it five wins change to the side that beat much-changed Barcelona main- from five but had to settle for Crotone on Saturday with Jap- tained their 100 percent start to just one point in Bologna. anese defender Yuto Nagatomo La Liga by routing Eibar 6-1 on Simone Verdi’s superb long in for Brazilian Dalbert. Tuesday. range first-half goal was just the But Inter suffered in the first Paulinho and Denis Suarez second conceded by Inter half with Icardi just failing to also netted for the second con- before Icardi -- with a new dis- get on the end of an Ivan Peri- secutive game as Barca stretched tinctive shaved-head look sic cross before Verdi got on the their lead at the top of La Liga to -- stepped up to convert a con- scoresheet after 32 minutes seven points over Real Madrid. tentious spot kick with 13 after half a dozen early shots at Earlier, Valencia moved up minutes to go at the Stadio goal. to third as Simone Zaza scored Dall’Ara. Inter gained momentum a seven-minute hat-trick in a “We had to take advantage after the break but failed to find 5-0 thrashing of Malaga. of the last quarter of an hour,” a way through until the contro- Barca boss Ernesto Val- said Icardi after his sixth goal versial foul by Ibrahima Mbaye verde heavily rotated his side this season. “We could have on Eder which was confirmed for the first time since taking done something more, but we by the video assistant referee. charge with six changes from were not able to finish. Eder won the spot-kick, as Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi (left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring during the Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 win “Now against Genoa (on he was running away from goal at Getafe. Spanish league match against SD Eibar at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on Tuesday. Sunday) we have to go back and when Mbaye tripped and acci- And contrary to their for- win at home. With our fans we dentally landed with his arm on tunes last season, Barca’s Paulinho’s 40-million-euro Marko Dmitrovic, Suarez fired three minutes from time after a have an extra player. We have the forward’s heel. back-ups proved Valverde can ($48 million) signing from home the rebound. Enrich neat one-two with Aleix Vidal. to go back to continue the pos- “He scored tonight, so we’ll take the luxury of resting some Guangzhou Evergrande was one reduced the arrears when he Barca lead second-placed itive streak.” shave his head every day now,” of his star names with Paulinho of a series of moves that drew capitalised on some sloppy Sevilla, who host Las Palmas Inter have emerged as one joked Spalletti of Icardi who particularly impressive on his stinging criticism for Barca’s Barca defending to slot home on Wednesday, by five points of the title challengers to rival had failed to find the net against first start. board following Neymar’s David Junca’s cross. with Valencia now just a point Juventus and Napoli who also Crotone. The hosts had goalkeeper world-record departure for Paris However, Messi quickly further adrift as their had maximum points after four “It’s not a scandal for a team Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank Saint-Germain. restored Barca’s three-goal lead unbeaten start to the season matches. to draw,” added the Inter boss. early on for not falling behind However, after coming off with a lovely measured finish under new coach Marcelino Now with 13 points, Inter “We were slower than usual, though as he made a smart save the bench to score the winner at from the edge of the box. Garcia Toral continued at move provisionally top but unable to make the ball move when one-on-one with Sergi Getafe, Paulinho powered home The five-time world player Mestalla. Juventus and Napoli can pull well in vertical lines, especially Enrich just four minutes in. his second Barca goal from Sua- of the year completed his 43rd By contrast, a fifth straight ahead when they play Fioren- in midfield, so we gave Bolo- Messi opened the scoring in rez’s corner seven minutes career hat-trick just after the defeat to start the season sees tina and Lazio respectively on gna the chance to close down nonchalant fashion from the before half-time. hour mark by prodding through Malaga slip to bottom of the table Wednesday. our channels.” penalty spot on 21 minutes after Paulinho also played his part Dmitrovic’s legs from Paulinho’s and plunges coach Michel into A win by Lazio -- sitting Bologna move up two spots Nelson Semedo had been felled in Barca’s third with a cute pass. further danger of becoming the fourth -- would however put to 11th as they bounced back by an ungainly challenge from dummy that freed Messi and, And he added his 12th goal second La Liga boss to be sacked the Romans equal on points from the weekend defeat at Alejandro Galvez. when his shot was parried by in just eight games this season this term. with Inter. Fiorentina. Atletico Madrid Stadium to host 2019 Champions League final

Madrid Champions League final, whilst the Griezmann after scoring the opening AFP UEFA Super Cup between the Cham- goal at the new ground. pions League and Europa League “As a player or a coach I have never tletico Madrid’s new 68,000 winners will take place at Besiktas’ seen anything like it,” added Atletico capacity Wanda Metropolitano Vodafone Park in Istanbul. coach Diego Simeone. AStadium will host the 2019 Backed by Chinese conglomerate According to a report from Span- Champions League final, European Wanda, who bought a 20 percent ish sports daily Marca, Madrid’s hotel football’s governing body UEFA stake in Atletico in 2015, the club capacity and that of the nearby Bara- announced yesterday. opened the 310 million-euro ($370m) jas international airport swung the As the only other candidate for the Wanda Metropolitano for the first decision in Madrid’s favour. final, Azerbaijani capital Baku receives time on Saturday as Atletico beat “Everyone from the world of foot- the 2019 Europa League final as a con- Malaga 1-0 in La Liga. ball will look towards our new solation for missing out on the main “For me it is the best stadium I have stadium in the 2019 Champions A view of the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium after the Spanish League match event. played in, and I don’t just say that League final,” Atletico said in a Budapest will host the women’s because it is my club,” said Antoine statement. between Club Atletico de Madrid vs Malaga CF in Madrid on Sunday. 32 SPORT THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2017 THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPORT 33

Pakistan cricketer Khalid Latif Bairstow proud to leaves after appearing before a tribunal in Lahore in this March Re lief for Tharanga as Windies 31 file photo. Pakistan cricket’s crack ODI hundred anti-corruption tribunal Pakistan bans Latif yesterday banned Latif for five years and fined him one loss sees Sri Lanka into World Cup million rupees ($9,489) over barrier at last a spot-fixing case. Manchester Manchester AFP AFP over spot-fixing ri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga onny Bairstow said he was delighted to have joined an backed his side to uphold the island’s “elusive club” after finally scoring his maiden one-day proud World Cup record after their Jinternational hundred as England beat West Indies by Lahore, Pakistan suspension withh a maximum of a life ban. Zimbabwe in 2008, Latif could not Sautomatic qualification for the 2019 edi- seven wickets in their series opener at Old Trafford on AFP Under the PCBCB code playersplayers can appeal cement his place on the national tion in Britain was assured by West Indies’ Tuesday. rulings before anan independent arbitrator team.team. seven-wicket loss to England on Bairstow finished on exactly 100 not out, getting to three akistan cricket’s anti-corruption within 14 days ooff the decisiondecision.. Last yyearear he aappearedppeared to have Tuesday. figures six years after playing a winning hand on debut tribunal yesterday banned Four other playerslayers -- Mohammad Irfan, become a regular player in the With September 30 set as the cut-off against India in Cardiff. opener Khalid Latif for five years Shahzaib Hasan,an, Nasir JJamshedamshed and Twenty20 squad, having scored a rapid date for automatic qualification for the That Tuesday’s match was just Bairstow’s 28th ODI is a and fined him one million rupees Mohammad Nawazwaz -- wwereere aalsolso inincludedcluded 59 not out againstagainst EnEnglandgland last yyear.ear. International Cricket Council’s showpiece reflection both of the difficulty he has had in establishing ($9,489) over a spot-fixing case, in the investigationtion on multiple charcharges.ges. But the latest punishementpunishement looks 50-over tournament, two-time champi- himself in the white-ball set-up and England’s uncertainty the second casualty after teammate Shar- Irfan and Nawazawaz admitted not report- set to all butbut endend a career which ons West Indies (78 points) now cannot over how to best deploy the man now firmly established as Pjeel Khan was banned late last month. ing the bookie’ss offer. Irfan was banned had only briefly taken off. move ahead of Sri Lanka (86 points) in their Test wicket-keeper in the 50-over game. “Latif is banned for five years and fined for one year withith six months suspendedsuspended the ODI team rankings regardless of other But having brought in Bairstow as an opener in place of one million rupees after the proceedings and fined one mmillionillion rupees. Nawaz was results in the remainder of their five- the struggling Jason Roy for their previous ODI, an eight- of the case,” the three-member tribunal banned for twoo months,months, with one sus-sus- match series in England. wicket Champions Trophy defeat by Pakistan in Cardiff in announced. pended, and fineded 200,0000 rupees.rupees. As a result 1996 World Cup winners June, a match where the Yorkshireman’s 43 was a rare high- The 31-year-old has played five one- Both are nowow freefree to play,play, whilewhile thethe Sri Lanka -- also the losing finalists in light for the hosts, they retained him as a specialist batsman day internationals and 13 T20Is, the last of cases against HHasanasan and Jamshed are 2007 and 2011 -- have become the eighth at the top of the order on Tuesday, as Jos Buttler again kept which was against the West Indies in Abu continuing. and last team to qualify directly, joining wicket. Dhabi in September 2016. Latif’s lawyerer Badre Alam repeat-repeat- Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, The selectors’ decision was rewarded by an expertly- In August, Sharjeel was banned for five edly raised objectionsbjections during the New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa. paced innings from Bairstow, who ensured England made years, with two-and-a-half years sus- proceedings, andnd also filed a petipeti-- The confirmation that Sri Lanka had light work of chasing down West Indies’ below-par total of pended, for his role in the spot-fixing tion in the Lahoreahore high court gained direct entry to the next World Cup 204 for nine in a match reduced to 42 overs per side by a scandal. against the tribunal.unal. But the pleas came after their recent hammering at Sri Lankan cricket captain Upul Tharanga wet outfield. Latif had been charged with breach- were rejected byy the court.court. home to India in all three formats, the vis- “I’m really pleased,” said Bairstow, who put on 125 for ing six clauses, including the serious Alam, who likeike Latif did not itors winning Test and one-day series 3-0 the second wicket with Yorkshire colleague and England offense of luring other players to take part attend the announcement,nouncement, and 5-0 respectively before triumphing ODIs against England in the series opener Test captain Joe Root (54). in fixing. rejected the verdict.dict. by seven wickets in a lone Twenty20 at Old Trafford on Tuesday. “It seems a long time ago since I made my debut at Car- The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) pro- “The shortrt decdecisionision international earlier this month. “We knew it was always going to be diff,” added the 27-year-old son of the late former Yorkshire visionally suspended Latif and Sharjeel proves that the tribunal is “It’s no secret that we have been going a tough ask,” said West Indies batting and England wicket-keeper David Bairstow. after they found evidence of spot-fixing not impartial,” AlamAlam told through a tough time,” said relieved Sri coach Toby Radford after a convincing ICC events have always “I’m delighted to have scored my first one-day hundred during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) media. “They hadhad made Lanka ODI skipper Tharanga in an ICC loss. brought out the magic for England. match between Islamabad United and up their mind too pun- statement released shortly after England’s “But we are very positive as a group “There aren’t many people who’ve done it -- and to join Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai in February. ish Latif. We will win in a day/night clash in Manchester. and we are trying to develop in all our in Sri Lanka cricket, and I that elusive club is something, when you make your debut The board said Sharjeel and Latif met decide our plans only “But I want to say a big, big thank you formats of cricket, so every game that at Cardiff against India, you want to do. an alleged bookie and struck a deal. Based after the detailediled to our fans who’ve kept faith with us when comes now we will be positive and if that look forward to proving “So you’ve got to enjoy it when you do.” on the plan, Sharjeel -- an aggressive bats- judgement comes.”es.” things looked bleak.” means qualifiers next year, it’s qualifiers that once again. We have a Just over a month ago, Bairstow was dismissed for 99 man who scores quickly -- agreed to play Latif hadad He added: “ICC events have always next year and we’ll build our way back during a Test against South Africa at Old Trafford. two dot balls after the first over in the shown tremen-n- brought out the magic in Sri Lanka cricket, up.” clear plan toward the World When he slipped going for a third run that saw him com- match. dous promise att and I look forward to proving that once West Indies, who won the first two Cup, and we will work hard pleted his 97-ball century on Tuesday there were, just briefly, Although Latif did not play in that an early age but again. World Cups -- both staged in England -- fears he might once more be denied an international three- game, he was later charged with luring has failed to “We have a clear plan toward the in 1975 and 1979, could still take part in at achieving each step. figure score at the Manchester ground. Sharjeel into the deal and not reporting the make an impact World Cup, and we will work hard at the main 10-team 2019 tournament if they “When I slipped coming back for the third, I thought ‘Oh matter to the PCB anti-corruption unit. at internationall achieving each step. are one of the top two sides in next year’s I know you will see Sri no, not again!’,” said Bairstow after England went 1-0 up in Spot-fixing involves bets on the out- level. “I know you will see Sri Lanka’s spe- qualifying competition. Lanka’s special brand of this five-match series with more than 11 overs left. come of a particular passage of play, unlike Havingg cial brand of cricket out there once again That event, also featuring 10 teams, “But luckily enough, it was slippy enough on the bound- match-fixing in which there is an attempt made his firstst soon.” will see West Indies joined by the bottom cricket out there once again ary for him (the fielder) to slip too.” to prearrange the result of the match. class debut at 15, he Only a 5-0 series win or 4-0 with a three sides in the ODI rankings - Afghan- Ben Stokes, in the middle when Bairstow made his Both players were suspended provi- led Pakistan to victoryvictory tie or no-result against England would istan, Zimbabwe and Ireland - as well as soon, says Sri Lanka’s maiden Test century, was also the Yorkshireman’s batting sionally at the time and withdrawn from at the Junior WorldWorld CupCup in have seen West Indies pip Sri Lanka the top four sides from the ICC World captain Upul Tharanga partner when he got to three figures on Tuesday. the PSL. Bangladesh in 2004.2004. before the cut-off point. Cricket League and the top two from Divi- “He was in the middle when I made my first Test hun- The minimum punishment for the But once draftedafted to the Pakistan But having failed to qualify for the elite sion Two of the WCL. dred, and he said ‘Don’t worry, I’m backing up for two on charges which Latif faced was a six-month side for a one-dayne-day match aagainstgainst Champions Trophy tournament in Brit- The next World Cup, the fifth to be this one’,” added Bairstow. ain earlier this year, West Indies suffered staged in Britain, takes place from May The series continues at Trent Bridge today. a 13th defeat in their last 14 completed 30-July 15 2019.

The ground staff at Eden Gardens, Kolkata walk on the covers yesterday as it rains ahead of today’s second One Day International between India and Australia. Not in a bad place with my Mathews out as Sri Lanka captaincy, says Smith add three new faces MS Dhoni for Pakistan Test series Kolkata trying to rectify,” he said ahead of today’s second AFAFPP match in Kolkata. India’s Dhoni “It was a disappointing start to the series the Colombo Pakistan after being whitewashed 3-0 by kipper Steve Smith other day (but) we’ve got the other game tomorrow Reuters India at home last month, in what was one yesterday dismissed to turn things around.” of the most one-sided Test series of recent nominated for suggestions that his Australia had India reeling at 87-5 in Chennai ri Lanka all-rounder and former skip- times. Scaptaincy was under before Hardik Pandya struck back with a blazing per Angelo Mathews has been ruled The first Test against Pakistan begins threat after a string of fifty. The spinners then ensured an easy win for the out of the first Test against Pakistan on September 28. The second starts on Padma Bhushan disappointing per- hosts in the rain-hit tie. Sin Abu Dhabi next week with a calf injury, October 6 in Dubai and will be played in Rain threatens second ODI formancesfo by the once The tourists finished at 137-9 in 21 overs while but the uncapped Sadeera Samarawick- the new day-night format. all-conqueringall-conquering AustralianAustrali side. chasing a revised target of 164. rama, Roshen Silva and Lahiru Gamage Agencies Kolkata was abandonedabandoned witwithouthout a bballall bbeingeing bbowled.owled. SSmith’smith’s men werewer recently tested in a “Obviously, the other day it was more like a T20 are in the squad. SRI LANKA SQUAD: AFP GroundGround autauthoritieshorities ffailedailed to cclearlear pupuddlesddles two-matchtwo-match TTest series against low- game for us, especially while we were batting,” said Middle order batsman Silva could be he BCCI has nominated MS Dhoni for the caused by a 30-minute downpour five hours rankedranked BangladeshB that ended Smith. “I think if we had 50 overs, the guys would given the chance to make a late Test debut Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-high- eavy rain that lashed the easterntern city bbeforeefore thethe scheduledscheduled start. 1-1,1-1, afteraft going down 2-1 to have had a chance to get into their groove and play for his country at the age of 28, along with Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera est civilian award, PTI has reported. of Kolkata yesterday forced thehe Aus- The stadium has since upgraded its drain- IndiaIndia in March. with the right tempo. fast bowler Gamage, who is a year older. Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, T“Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been nominated tralian and Indian teams to skipskip net age system, hostinghosting a WorldWorld T20 game TheirTh form in the “(But) we still believe in these guys. We think Silva was called up by Sri Lanka last year, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Per- by the BCCI for the Padma Bhushan award,” said Hpractice on the eve of their second oone-dayne-day betweenbetween IndiaIndia anandd PaPakistankistan in 2016 just 550-over-game0-over also seems to they’ve got a lot of talent and we’ve got a team here but did not play. era, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishva BCCI’s acting president CK Khanna. international. hours after rain hit the West ben-ben- havehave takentaken a sharp dip, with the that can hopefully challenge India in the next cou- At 22, wicketkeeper-batsman Sama- Fernando, Lahiru Gamage. “It was a unanimous decision by the mem- The ground staff at Eden Gardensns havehave galgal city. teamteam ffailingailing to make it to the semi- ple of games,” he added. rawickrama is the youngest of the trio but bers. He has been one of the greatest names in covered the playing area for the lastst three More rain andand thun- finalfinal of the ChampionsC Trophy in Australia, once called the Invincibles for their has represented his country at the under- TOUR FIXTURES contemporary cricket and the most appropri- days due to the seasonal downpour. derstormsderstorms are EnglandEngland earearlyly tthis year. domination of all rivals, won the 2015 World Cup 19 level. First Test – September 28 to ate choice of the Indian cricket board.” The first match of the five-game sserieseries in predictedpredicted totoday.day. AAndnd currentlycurrently the team is looking to but have since struggled to make a mark. Opener Kaushal Silva is back in the October 2 in Abu Dhabi Dhoni could become the 11th cricketer to Chennai was also hit by rain before Indiadia won level the five-ODIfive-ODI series after losing the The upcoming ODI will be Smith’s 100th match squad for the first time since January. The Second Test – October 6 - 10 in receive the award, after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul by 26 runs. openeropener to IndiaIndia on SSundayu despite a flying since he made his debut in 2010 as a leg-spinner 31-year-old has not been called up since Dubai (D/N) Dravid, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Chandu Australian skipper Steve Smith said his ststart.art. before making his mark as one of the best batsmen his first-ball duck against South Africa at Borde, Lala Amarnath, Prof DB Deodhar, Col CK side was ready for Thursday’s game despitedespite Former captaincaptain MichaelMicha Clarke, who is part in world cricket. the Wanderers on January 14. First ODI – October 13 in Dubai Nayudu, Raja Bhalindra Singh and Maharajah being unable to train outdoorstdoors ofof tthehe TV commentary teateamm for the current series, “I’ve been batting at No. 3 now for a while now. Lahiru Thirimanne will add experience Second ODI – October 16 in of Vizianagram (Vizzy). yesterday. onon Tuesday said Smith’s captaincyca was under the I had to find the right tempo for the game, whether to Sri Lanka’s batting lineup in the absence Abu Dhabi Dhoni has been one of India’s most success- “I don’t think it (lack of net practice)ractice) scannerscanner aalthoughlthough hhisis babattittingn had been outstand- it’s hitting boundaries or finding the right time to of the injured Mathews after being given Third ODI – October 18 in Abu Dhabi ful captains, having led them to victory in the will have a big impact. Guys have workedworked ing all throughthrough.. hit a right boundary. the nod for the first time since the tour of Fourth ODI – October 20 in Sharjah 2007 World T20, the 2011 World Cup and the hard since we’ve been here in India.a. We’ve “I ddon’ton’t tthinkhink so. I’m not in a bad place with my “You learn as you play. It’s pretty exciting to play England in June last year. Fifth ODI – October 23 in Sharjah 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He has 10,949 runs obviously had a game not that long ago so captaincy,” SmitSmithh toldtold reportersrep when asked to my 100th game,” the 28-year-old said. There was also a recall for seamer from 380 matches in ODIs and T20Is, and 4876 the guys are in a fine space,” Smithh told commentcomment on Clarke’sClarke’s reremark.ma Smith, who has a Test average of just under 60, Suranga Lakmal, who missed the second First T20I – October 26 in Abu Dhabi runs from 90 Test matches. He also became the reporters. “Obviously“Obviously resultsresults haven’thav been the way we has accumulated 3,188 runs in 99 ODIs with the and third Tests against India last month Second T20I – October 27 in Abu Dhabi first wicketkeeper to affect 100 ODI stumpings, Eden Gardens has been under thethe wouldwould have liked and that’stha something we are help of eight centuries. with a back injury. Third T20I – October 29 in Lahore (Subject to Secu- during the series against Sri Lanka this month. scanner since a Twenty20 Internationalnal Australia’s skipper Steve Smith Sri Lanka will be hoping for a better rity Clearance) between India and South Africa in 20155 showing in the two-Test series with 34 SPORT THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2017 Legendary Phelps has ‘no desire’ to return to pool

The 18-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps competes in the men’s 200 metre butterfly final at the Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa, Arizona, in this April 2016 file photo.

New York months pregnant. The couple already consumed by full-scale training for just watching these transitions in his life.” AP have a 16-month-old son, Boomer. the Olympics. In his latest business endeavor, “I’ve got no desire — no desire — “It’s definitely different going Phelps is spearheading a marketing ichael Phelps wondered to come back,” the 32-year-old Phelps through it again,” he said. campaign for Nulo Pet Food , which if watching others com- said flatly. Boomer, meanwhile, is a chip off he describes as a healthy alternative pete at the world Phelps has attended a handful of It’s time to kind of the old block. for dogs and cats. He’s an investor in championships would swimming meets since the Rio Games, “He skipped the walking part and the company and accompanied in ads pique his desire for where the winningest athlete in Olym- move on and watch went right to running,” Phelps said, by his French bulldogs, Juno and M another comeback. pic history added to his already chuckling. Legend. other people come Nope. massive career haul by claiming five “He just scoots around the house. “Our bodies are like a high-per- Phelps said on Tuesday he has “no gold medals plus a silver. into their own, says It’s funny when we get him in the pool. formance car. You have to make sure desire” to return to competitive swim- A few months ago, he conceded to He basically just splashes around the you’re putting the correct fuel in your ming, but he is eager to stay involved that he wasn’t sure how he would feel Olympic superstar whole time. He’s literally nonstop. As body,” Phelps said. with the sport and cheer on those who about a possible comeback after Phelps soon as he wakes up from a nap or his “We obviously treat our pets like follow in his enormous wake. watching the worlds in Budapest, night’s sleep, he’s just go, go, go. There’s human beings. I’d like my animals to In an interview with The Associ- Hungary. no time for slow moving in our fam- be fed in the right way, with good ated Press while promoting a healthy “We’ll see if I get that itch,” he said ily. He likes to go fast. I guess that’s a nutrition and healthy foods. If we can pet food campaign, Phelps said he is in April . good thing.” do that with a company that’s putting excited about having his second child Turns out, it had no impact. Boomer is even starting to show good, natural ingredients into a pet and building a life beyond Phelps said the second-biggest feat at a major international meet. some good form in the pool. His mom food, it makes sense for me with what swimming. meet after the Olympics “truly didn’t “I’m happy Caeleb decided to go and Phelps’ longtime coach, I’m doing in my own life. It’s some- “For me, it’s about being happy kick anything off or spike any more off this year instead of last year,” Bob Bowman, have detected a bit thing that goes hand in hand,” said the where I am and happy where my fam- interest in coming out of retirement quipped Phelps, who won 23 golds of the stroke that was his father’s legendary Olympian. ily is,” Phelps said. again.” and 28 medals overall in his Olym- strongest. “Nicole and Bob both say he’s With Dressel and Katie Ledecky “We have more goals we want to He is excited to follow the devel- pic career. “I’m kind of happy to see got a good butterfly technique that he’s now leading the American team, the accomplish outside the sport.” opment of his heir apparent, Caeleb him swimming so well when I’m not working on,” Phelps said. US is expected to remain the world’s It was around this time four years Dressel, who emerged as the sport’s there.” “I guess he’s seen his dad doing it dominant swimming country head- ago when Phelps got serious about newest star by winning seven gold While he still travels extensively a couple of times and kind of picks it ing into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. ending his first retirement, but he now medals at Budapest . for his many sponsors, Phelps said up. He’s also now in a stage where it’s Even without Phelps. seems content with his decision to step The 21-year-old Floridian he’s much more involved in his wife’s like all five senses are coming together. “It’s time to kind of move on,” he away again after the Rio Olympics. joined Phelps and Mark Spitz as the second pregnancy than he was He feels everything, recognises every- said, “and watch other people come His wife, Nicole, is about four only swimmers to accomplish that before Boomer’s birth, when he was thing. It’s really fun to watch, as a dad, into their own.”

Spieth eyes FedEx Cup jackpot Star McIlroy adds Atlanta Lake, and I’m in a great things are feeling on the line. It’s essentially a major after British Masters to AFP position.” Tuesday.” coming off a pretty hectic sched- Spieth, who won the FedEx Spieth said the key to a suc- ule in the last six or seven orld number two Jor- Cup two years ago, has not yet cessful final event of the year has weeks.” his schedule dan Spieth (pictured) registered a victory in the play- been learning to conserve Spieth will partner close Wsays he will be target- offs this year. energy. friend Thomas in the first round. ing victory at the season-ending He would be the first player “In 2014 and 2016 I remem- The latter is aiming to crown a London Tour Championship this week to win the title without winning ber being completely worn out successful season with victory Reuters as he bids to pocket another a tournament tou a e t if he e tatakes es tthe e by the t e time t e I got to the t e Tour ou in Atlantat a ta after a te recording eco d g five ve multi-million-dollar jackpot. FedExFedEx CupCup thisthis week,week, andand onlyonly Championship,”Championship,” SSpiethpieth saisaidd winswins thisthis yeyearar incincludingluding a ory McIlroy (pictured) Spieth heads into today’s the second player after Tiger Tuesday. “There’s a lot on the maidenmaiden major title at the PGA will play in next week’s first round at East Lake Golf Club WoodsWoods to win tthehe tittitlele twice.twice. Championship.Championship. RBritish Masters after in pole position to claim the SpiethSpieth finished 10 shots Like Spieth, Thomas could the four times major winner $10m bonus on offer to the win- bbehindehind BMW ChampionshipChampionship winwin thethe FedExFedEx Cup titletitle withwith a top- failed to qualify for the Tour ner of the FedEx Cup series, winnerwinner Marc LeisLeishmanhman on SunSun-- threethree finishfinish thisthis week,week, dependingdepending Championship in Atlanta. leading second placed Justin day,day, but a final round 65 has left on how his rivals farefare.. The European Tour con- Thomas by 340 points. thethe three-timethree-time major winner WorldWorld numnumberber one Dustin firmed on Monday that the That healthy points cushion confidentconfident heading into the sea- Johnson meanwhile will aim to Northern Irishman will join means Spieth could afford to fin- sosonn finale.finale. mamakeke up fforor hhisis near-miss llastast tournament host Lee West- ish second in Atlanta this week “I was pumpedpumped to havehave thethe season, wwhenhen hhee was pippepippedd to wood and US Masters “Teeing it up next week and still win the title, provided round I did on Sunday, to gain the title by Rory McIlroy. champion Lee Garcia at the gives me one more chance to none of the other players in the some momentum, to maintainmaintain JohnsonJohnson won thethe opening Close House course near end 2017 on a high as well,” top five win this week’s event. the number one spot,” Spieth legleg of the FedEx Cup when he Newcastle upon Tyne. he added. Mathematically, Spieth could said.said. beatbeat SpietSpiethh in a pplayofflayoff at tthehe It will be McIlroy’s fourth “If I can sign off the year even take the FedEx Cup title “I“I waswas a littlelittle bitbit offoff at thethe NorthernNorthern TTrustrust in NewNew YorkYork llastast appearance at the British with a win or two in Newcas- with as low as a 29th-place fin- startstart of the week in my striking. momonth.nth. Masters, which he previously tle and then St Andrews I ish, depending on the But I feelfeel pretty closeclose rightright now Since thenthen thoughthough JohnsonJohnson played in 2005, 2007 and would take so many positives performances of his rivals. toto where I was in the first two has failed to challenge, tying 2008 before the tournament into my six-week recovery The 24-year-old Texan how- playoffplayoff events. ThingsThings forfor 18t18thh at tthehe DeDellll TecTechnol-hnol- went off schedule for five period when I am going to ever insists he will not be feelfeel good.good. IfIf thisthis ogies bbeforeefore settsettlingling fforor years from 2009. reset mentally and physically tempted into trying to play for werewere a majormajor a share of 33r33rdd at “I kind of had it in the and concentrate on getting position when the action begins champion-champion- thethe BMBMWW back of my mind that if I myself in the right shape for on East Lake’s 7,385-yard par- shipship I’d be ChamChampi-pi- didn’t make the Tour Cham- next year.” 70 layout. prettyp ret ty onsonshiphip pionship then there was a McIlroy has slipped to “If you start playing for posi- plpleasedeased lastl ast chance to tee it up at Close eighth in the latest world tion that’s when you take your wwithith week- House, so I have decided to rankings after what is look- foot off the gas pedal a little bit, hhowow end.end. do that before finishing my ing like becoming only his and that’s not how we normally season off the next week at second winless season since play,” Spieth said. the Dunhill Links,” he said. turning professional. “I’m comfortable at East THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2017 SPORT 35

NBA’s Dragic retiring from Gordon hits record-setting Slovenia team after Euro win

Ljubljana home run of MLB season AP

Toronto BA guard Goran Dragic AP (pictured below) has Nconfirmed he is retir- ansas City’s Alex Gor- ing from the Slovenia team don broke Major that won the European bas- League Baseball’s ketball championship. (MLB) season home Dragic said on Tuesday, run record with 12 “I achieved what I wanted, Kdays to spare, hitting the 5,694th the gold medal, and this is the long ball of 2017 on Tuesday right time to bid farewell.” night. The 31-year-old Dragic Gordon’s home run off led Slovenia with 35 points to Toronto reliever Ryan Tepera beat Serbia 93-85 in the final broke a mark set in 2000 at the on Sunday in Istanbul, earn- height of the Steroids Era. The ing the MVP award. drive, which drove in the last run He says Slovenia’s quali- in the Royals’ 5-2 loss, was his fying campaign for the 2019 eighth this season and the 159th world championship will start of his 11-year big league career. in November, and it would be “A pretty cool thing to be a impossible for him to play due part of,” Gordon said. “I didn’t to his professional duties with hit many this year, but I guess I the Miami Heat in the NBA. made one count.” Tens of thousands of jubi- It was the 17th home run of lant Slovenes greeted the new the night in the major leagues European champions on and came just after Detroit’s Alex Monday in the capital of Presley tied the record when he Ljubljana. connected at home against Oak- Kansas City’s left fielder Alex Gordon hits a solo Meanwhile, Australian land’s Daniel Gossett. home run against the Cleveland Indians during star Andrew Bogut has inked Gordon said he heard talk of a one-year deal with the Los the third inning of their MLB game at Progressive the record on a clubhouse tele- Angeles Lakers, the player’s Field in Cleveland on Saturday. vision after Toronto’s Darwin agent said on Tuesday. Barney homered in the sixth. The deal, confirmed by “I was kind of aware that we agent David Bauman on were getting close to it,” he said. Twitter, is reportedly worth “After I walked back to the dug- There were 5,610 homers last 55 home runs this year, followed the Houston Astros extended their Giles pitched the ninth for his $2.3m for the towering out. I kind of forgot about it.” year, an average of 2.31 per by New York Yankees rookie winning streak to five games on 32nd save. centre Holding the ball he hit over game, and this year’s average of Aaron Judge with 44. Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over Altuve went the other way the right-field wall, Gordon said 2.53 entering Tuesday’s action Yost said he doesn’t believe the Chicago White Sox. for his 24th home run, a solo shot he didn’t plan to keep the his- projects to 6,139. That would be more players are swinging for Jose Altuve homered and to right field in the fourth. Breg- toric memento or anything else up 47 percent from 4,186 in 2014. the fences than in years past. Alex Bregman hit an RBI double man knocked in Marwin from the game. “I don’t know what to make “You’re always looking to for the AL West champions. Gonzalez later in the inning to “I’m going to give it to Coop- of it,” Royals manager Ned Yost elevate,” Yost said. McHugh (3-2) allowed one run give the Astros a 2-1 lead. erstown,” Gordon said . said. “You’re not going to make a and five hits with five strikeouts, George Springer made it 3-1 “I figured they’d probably “Guys are bigger and guys whole lot of money hitting the an encouraging sign as the Astros in the eighth, just getting his fin- have much more reason to have are stronger. but so are the pitch- ball on the ground in this league prepare for the playoffs. gertips on home plate and it than I do. I don’t really want to ers. There sure are a lot of home because the defenders are so “He felt really good. He felt avoiding Kevan Smith’s tag. On remember too much about this runs being hit.” quick and athletic. You’ve got to strong,” Houston manager A.J. the play, Altuve grounded out to season, so I’ll probably just give Blue Jays manager John Gib- get the ball in the air, I think, if Hinch said. third and was thrown out at first, it away and let them take care of bons has noticed the surge in you’re going to be successful.” “I thought McHugh threw the but Smith never tagged Springer it.” homers but doesn’t have an Meanwhile, Collin McHugh ball really well. I thought his after taking the throw from first explanation. made his first start in 11 days and pitch-making ability was really baseman Jose Abreu. After BASEBALL RESULTS “It really looks like the ball nailed it. The right-hander pitched good.” Springer was initially called out, is flying,” he said. five steady innings in his return It was the right-hander’s first the play was reviewed and the San Francisco 4 Colorado 3 Power subsided after the from a detached fingernail, and outing since detaching a finger- call was overturned. San Diego 6 Arizona 2 start of drug testing with penal- nail on his pitching hand Sept. 8. “I thought I’d got the plate; Texas 3 Seattle 1 ties in 2004. The home run Major League Baseball “Obviously when you’re the plate feels a little different Cleveland 6 LA Angels 3 average dropped in 2014 to its warming up it was the biggest than the dirt does,” Springer said. Houston 3 Chicago White Sox 1 lowest level since 1992, then thing for me, making sure I “I thought I had got it and obvi- Washington 4 Atlanta 2 started rising during the second wasn’t feeling it, I wasn’t com- ously did. It’s a good situation to Chicago Cubs 2 Tampa Bay 1 half of the 2015 season. 5,610 pensating for my finger in any go sometimes. The infielders Miami 5 NY Mets 4 “My biggest take on it is that There were 5,610 homers way,” McHugh said. aren’t really expecting it and I Oakland 9 Detroit 8 players are trying to hit more last year, an average of “It was all good today. I took a chance.” St. Louis 8 Cincinnati 7 home runs,” San Francisco man- 2.31 per game, and this didn’t have any issues and I Abreu hit an RBI double in Toronto 5 Kansas City 2 ager Bruce Bochy said. year’s average of 2.53 didn’t think about it when I was the third to put the White Sox up Boston 1 Baltimore 0 When the previous record of entering Tuesday’s action out there. Mentally getting over 1-0. Yoan Moncada had three 5,693 was set in 2000, Sammy that was probably the biggest singles for the White Sox. Philadelphia 6 LA Dodgers 2 projects to 6,139. That Sosa led the major leagues with part.” Lucas Giolito (2-3) threw would be up 47 percent

Milwaukee 1 Pittsburgh 0 50 home runs and Barry Bonds Will Harris, Luke Gregerson well for a second straight start,

NY Yankees 5 Minnesota 2 from 4,186 in 2014. hit 49. Miami’s Giancarlo Stan- and Chris Devenski each threw giving up two runs and seven hits ton leads the major leagues with a scoreless inning before Ken over 6 2/3 innings for Chicago. Predators target NFL concussion victims, say lawyers

Philadelphia Anita Brody. The hearing was their pro careers, with awards which helps guide retired play- Meanwhile, Miami Dolphins had been travelling to see his AP to present their findings, and as high as $5m for the most seri- ers through the claims process, linebacker Lawrence Timmons baby daughter. they asked the judge to extend ous cases. said on Monday that he’s pro- has been suspended indefinitely Dolphins coach Adam Gase awyers for former NFL her order so they could continue Participants had to register viding a valuable service to following his mysterious disap- deflected questions about Tim- players now eligible for investigating, to see if additional by August. 7, and Seeger told the players who need it. pearance from the team last mons absence during a briefing Lpayments under the action should be taken such as court on Tuesday that over It was among the client weekend, a statement said on with reporters on Monday, league’s $1bn concussion settle- a criminal investigation. 20,000 had registered by the services providers cited at the Tuesday. refusing to say whether the ment said on Tuesday they’ve “The last thing I want to deadline. hearing. “We have suspended line- player would be available this found evidence that unscrupu- happen is to watch these awards A notice to eligible players, Siler said the claims process backer Lawrence Timmons weekend. lous third-party providers are be cannibalized,” Seeger said. approved by the judge this year, wasn’t as easy as advertised, indefinitely,” the Dolphins said “Really just gathering a lot trying to take advantage of play- Benedetto told the court one said that some players had especially for men suffering in a brief statement on Twitter. of information,” Gase said. “I’ve ers with significant brain firm even touted itself as being signed contracts with third- cognitive impairment. Timmons, who joined the Dol- got a few other things I have to damage. able to coach former players on party providers for up to 15 “I don’t mislead,” he said. “I phins this season following 10 deal with the guys who played Christopher Seeger, a law- how to take neurological tests percent of their eventual don’t take advantage of my guys. years with the Pittsburgh Steel- (Sunday).” yer who represented the class to get inaccurate results to qual- awards. I am there for them.” ers, was reported missing ahead Asked if he expected play- of more than 20,000 former ify them for payments. The providers offered to Siler’s lawyer, Jeff Ostrow, of Sunday’s game against the ers to follow certain rules, Gase NFL players, and co-counsel The settlement, which took guide players through a claims said Tuesday Legacy Pro Sports Los Angeles Chargers in Cali- responded: “Be on time and play TerriAnne Benedetto told the effect in January, resolved thou- process they advertised as dif- has completely cooperated with fornia when his hotel room was hard. I don’t know if that’s real judge that some players entered sands of lawsuits that accused ficult. In reality, the notice said, the investigation, and their cli- found to be empty. hard.” contracts with exorbitantly high the NFL of hiding what it knew “none of the steps are compli- ents are extremely pleased with The 31-year-old, a member Timmons agent Drew interest rates for advances on about the risks of repeated cated,” and a court-appointed the services. of the Steelers’ Super Bowl-win- Rosenhaus also declined to pro- their eventual claims, while oth- concussions. claims administrator helped David Willingham, a lawyer ning team in 2009, was vide details on the issue. ers agreed to high fees. It covers retired players who players register or file claims for RD Legal Funding, also reportedly found at Los Ange- “I don’t know. It’s a private They have been investigat- develop Lou Gehrig’s disease, free of charge. named during the hearing, said les International Airport matter,” Rosenhaus said. “I’d ing groups like claims service dementia or other neurological Former NFL linebacker his clients “acted in accordance preparing to board a plane to love to be able to shed some providers and lenders at the problems believed to be caused Brandon Siler, who runs the with the law and vigorously dis- Pennsylvania. light on it, but I’m not. It’s of a request of US District Judge by concussions suffered during company Legacy Pro Sports, putes all the allegations raised.” One report said Timmons personal nature of Lawrence.” 36 SPORT THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2017 Muguruza Nadal, Federer to spearhead crushes Puig to advance Europe against Team World in Tokyo Tokyo Inaugural Laver Cup AFP starts tomorrow ewly crowned world number one Garbine Prague NMuguruza pulverised Reuters Olympic champion Monica Puig 6-4, 6-0 yesterday to afael Nadal and Roger reach the quarter-finals of the Federer will set aside Pan Pacific Open. their long-time Earlier, second seed rivalry when they Karolina Pliskova, who held play for Europe the top ranking briefly over Ragainst the Rest of the World in the summer, crushed Poland’s the inaugural Laver Cup tourna- Magda Linette 6-2, 6-1 as the ment which starts tomorrow. Czech set up a potential date Team Europe, featuring the with another former world world’s top two players, are number one, Angelique overwhelming favourites to win Kerber. the three-day tournament, Wimbledon champion which is named after Australian Muguruza recovered from an great Rod Laver, with a squad indifferent start to reach the boasting a combined 36 grand last eight in Tokyo, the top slam titles against one for Team seed catching fire after a World. trade of early breaks to rattle The teams are captained by off the last seven games. Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, A booming serve down whose own rivalry starting in the the middle sealed the first set 1970s featured a contrast in tem- for the Spaniard, who seemed perament and style that made intent on hitting the fur off the their matches the kind of must- ball in her first match since From left: Austrian tennis player Dominic Thiem, Croatian player Marin Cilic, Alexander Zverev (Germany), Swiss star Roger watch events that Laver Cup reaching the top of women’s organisers hope to showcase. Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal greet the audience from the stage ahead of the Laver Cup in Prague, yesterday. WTA rankings last week. “I’ve been watching these Muguruza, chasing a third guys play for so many years, it’s week. World number two Fed- “The best (players) in the Croatia’s Marin Cilic, Austrian and Federer could see them- title of the year, roared going to be a fun weekend,” erer played down the impact of world are very picky in what Dominic Thiem and Czech selves on the same side of the through the second, a mur- Borg, now 61, told reporters yes- another event, saying matches (tournaments) they play, which Tomas Berdych. Team World net in a mouthwatering doubles derous backhand pass giving terday. “But make no mistake, over a short period were man- (is why it) is great they made this features Americans Sam Quer- pairing. her a 3-0 lead to effectively we are here to win.” ageable and gave players on the a priority.” rey, Jack Sock, John Isner and “We don’t even know if cap- kill off any hopes Puig had of Conceived by Federer and two teams the chance to build “(We’re) looking forward to Frances Tiafoe plus Australia’s tain Borg is going to pick us but, mounting a comeback. his sports management company camaraderie. making friendships because we Nick Krygios and Canadian of course, I would love to play The Puerto Rican, the sur- Team8, the tournament is the “I don’t think it’s too much play together and not against Denis Shapovalov. with Rafa and see that forehand prise gold medallist at last latest to join a crowded calen- otherwise all the players each other for a change.” With five players inside the do damage on the other side (of year’s Rio Olympics, fell apart dar and comes on the heels of wouldn’t be here,” the Swiss Team Europe also includes world’s top 10, the Borg-led the net),” Federer said. thereafter as Muguruza con- the Davis Cup semi-finals last great told a news conference. German Alexander Zverev, European squad is heavily “I’m sure that the crowd tinued to torment her, favoured against a world team would go absolutely crazy and bringing the match to a close hit by Argentine Juan Martin del just because of that it would with an ace after an hour and Potro’s late withdrawal due to just be great to play us 14 minutes. injury. potentially.” Pliskova likewise tore “I’m expecting a lot of fun but through her second-round at the same time I know it’s going match, the world number four to be very competitive,” the taking exactly an hour to see 22-year-old Krygios told report- off Linette. ers. “We are the underdogs.” A ferocious forehand gave The tournament, which will We’re looking the Czech an early break in rotate between Europe and the forward to making the first set, which she pock- rest of the world each year, fea- eted thanks to a clinical tures three singles and one friendships cross-court backhand. doubles match each day. A win because we play The second set was is worth one point on Friday, two almost a carbon copy as on Saturday and three on together and not Pliskova again raced to a 3-0 Sunday. against each other lead before a thunderous In a bid to keep the pace backhand pass brought a humming, the indoor hard court for a change, says double break. matches at Prague’s O2 Arena Federer The end came mercifully will be best-of-three sets with a swiftly for a dejected Linette, 10-point tiebreak deciding the who wafted a Pliskova serve final set. With no player featur- wide on match point to sum Bjorn Borg, former tennis player of Sweden (left) and John McEnroe, former tennis player of ing in singles more than twice up her contribution to a lop- United States pose on the stage ahead of the Laver Cup yesterday. during the first two days, Nadal sided contest. Former star Blake testifies about his mistaken arrest New York took him down with an author- a potentially more severe pun- matched a photo of a suspect AP ised “arm bar” maneuver. ishment, including dismissal sought in the case and that race “I wanted to get control of from the nation’s largest police wasn’t a factor. ormer pro tennis star the situation first,” he said in his force, to the police It also initially claimed that James Blake testified on first public account of the epi- commissioner. Blake had only been detained for FTuesday that a plain- sode. The officers also testified “This officer should not have a couple minutes and was never clothes police officer wearing a that he apologised to Blake once a job,” Blake said later on Tues- manhandled or handcuffed, he T-shirt and jeans didn’t identify the blunder was discovered. day after joining a group of says in his new book, “Ways of himself before throwing him to Blake said that never police reform activists gathered Grace.” the ground and handcuffing him happened. outside police headquarters. In the book, he describes in a mistaken arrest in 2015 out- The dueling accounts came Earlier in the day, Blake tes- seeking out hotel security per- side a Manhattan hotel. two years after Blake’s arrest — tified that during the 10 minutes sonnel, who showed him the “He never said ‘NYPD.’ He captured in a security video he was handcuffed, Frascatore video proving he was slammed never said ‘officer,’” Blake said — became another flashpoint in told him, “You know you’re safe, down and kept cuffed at least at a disciplinary trial for Officer the national debate over police right?” He said he responded: “I 10 minutes. James Frascatore. use of force against unarmed don’t know I’m safe. I don’t He then spoke out about it “He never said ‘freeze,’ like black men. know why I’m here.” on ABC’s “Good Morning Amer- you’d see in the movies.” The 37-year-old American, When it was over, the officer ica,” which he says forced the In his own testimony Fras- once the No. 4 tennis player in offered a handshake, but didn’t department to release the video catore told an administrative the world, is the child of a black apologize, Blake said. Blake said and change its story. This September 2015 frame grab from a surveillance video judge that once a superior mis- father and white mother; Fras- his first instinct was to “tough it After the video was made identified Blake as a target of a catore is white. out and walk it off,” but his wife public, city and police officials released by the New York Police Department (NYPD) Office credit card fraud operation, he Frascatore, 40, rejected a changed his mind by asking took the unusual step of apol- of the deputy commissioner of public information shows dashed through traffic across deal earlier this year asking him what he’d do if the same thing ogising and establishing in an undercover New York City police officer arresting former 42nd Street and sneaked up on to forfeit vacation days to happened to her. Blake’s name a fellowship professional tennis payer James Blake ( in blue shirt) in Blake to keep “an element of resolve New York Police “It shouldn’t happen to me. aimed at helping people get New York. surprise,” having been warned Department internal charges It shouldn’t happen to anyone,” full reviews of abuse allega- that the suspects could be armed that he used inappropriate force he testified. tions from a police oversight his client was being charged Blake told reporters there was with knives. on someone who never resisted “There needs to be account- agency. “because James Blake is a celeb- another reason. He said he waited to tell or tried to flee. ability for everybody.” In an opening statement, rity,” he said. “I don’t think we’d be here Blake “police don’t move” as he The judge will recommend The NYPD has said that Blake attorney Stephen Worth argued But outside the courtroom, if we didn’t have video.”