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Sunday, August 11, 2019 CRICKET Dhul-Hijja 10, 1440 AH Australia’s cupboard GULF TIMES is full of fast bowlers, says Starc SPORT Page 7

FOOTBALL / ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Sterling shines in City rout as Spurs rally to beat Villa English midfielder scores a hat-trick against West Ham while Kane scores a double as Spurs bounce back for a 3-1 victory

AFP goal gave the visitors a half-time London lead before Florin Andone and Neil Maupay on his debut sealed a highly impressive three points aheem Sterling scored a for a Brighton side that narrowly hat-trick as Manchester escaped relegation last season. City launched the de- Burnley were also 3-0 winners fence of their Premier at Turf Moor as an Ashley Barnes RLeague title in style yesterday double and Johann Gudmunds- before Harry Kane scored two son’s strike condemned South- late goals to complete a dramatic ampton to a heavy defeat. comeback against Aston Villa. Crystal Palace’s wantaway star Pep Guardiola’s City thumped Wilfried Zaha put his grievances West Ham 5-0 in the early kick- with the club’s hierarchy behind off but despite City’s devastat- him to make an appearance as a ing display, the use of the Video second-half substitute against Assistant Referee (VAR) system Everton, but neither side could for the fi rst time in the Premier break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw. League proved the big talking Sheffi eld United grabbed a point. late point away to Bournemouth In the later match, Champions on their return to the top fl ight, League fi nalists Spurs recovered with Billy Sharp cancelling out from the shock of conceding an an earlier Chris Mepham strike to early goal to beat newly promoted salvage a 1-1 draw for the Blades. Villa 3-1, with a goal for new sign- Manchester United host Chel- ing Tanguy Ndombele and two in sea today while Arsenal travel to the last fi ve minutes for Kane. Newcastle and Leicester take on Elsewhere, there were big wins Wolves. for Burnley and Brighton. Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (left) lifts the ball over West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to score Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (left) celebrates after scoring during City, whose match at the Lon- their third goal during the English Premier League match at The London Stadium yesterday. (AFP) the EPL match against Aston Villa in London yesterday. (AFP) RESULTS don Stadium was interrupted by a Bournemouth 1 (Mepham 62) series of reviews, had a goal ruled sage to City that they are up for the break as Sterling scored twice. KANE DOUBLE the visitors’ hearts with a fi n- ways nice to win, at home as Sheff ield United 1 (Sharp 88) out for the tightest of off side calls another titanic title battle after Aguero then denied the Eng- In the evening kick-off Spurs ish from close range in the 86th well,” added the England captain. Burnley 3 (Barnes 63, 70, Gud- against Sterling and Sergio Ague- missing out by just one point last land international the chance to were given a huge scare by Villa, minute and made sure of all three “We know we have the quality, mundsson 75) Southampton 0 ro was given the chance to retake season. seal his hat-trick from the spot, who led for the bulk of the game points with a composed fi nish we have been in big games. It’s Crystal Palace 0 Everton 0 a penalty by VAR after seeing his But in a worrying sign for those before the 24-year-old eventu- at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadi- into the bottom corner with 90 down to us players to perform on Tottenham 3 (Ndombele fi rst attempt saved. trying to stop Guardiola’s men ally grabbed his third goal of the um through John McGinn’s early minutes on the clock. the pitch.” 73, Kane 86, 90) Aston Villa 1 “Only what I wish is that VAR romping to a third straight league game in stoppage time. strike. “We came out in the second Brighton’s new manager Gra- (McGinn 9) doesn’t make mistakes please,” crown, City cruised to victory “Perfect start? It terms of the But relentless pressure from half with a high tempo, pressed ham Potter enjoyed a dream Watford 0 Brighton 3 (Dou- said Guardiola, who felt that his despite being far from their best result yes, in terms of the per- the Champions League fi nalists well,” said Kane. “When Tanguy start to his time in charge as the coure 28-og, Andone 65, Maupay side’s disallowed goal should before half-time. formance no,” said the ever- eventually told as France mid- got his goal it was full throttle Seagulls beat last season’s FA 77) have stood. The visitors led at the break demanding Guardiola. “In the fi elder Ndombele equalised in until the end. Thankfully a cou- Cup fi nalists Watford 3-0 at Vic- West Ham 0 Manchester City Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over thanks to Gabriel Jesus’s opener, fi rst-half we were sloppy with the 73rd minute. ple of chances fell to me.” arage Road. 5 (Jesus 25, Sterling 51, 75, 90+1, Norwich on Friday sent the mes- but moved through the gears after our passes.” England captain Kane broke “It’s the fi rst game but it’s al- Abdoulaye Doucoure’s own Aguero 86-pen)

HORSE RACING Al-Kuwari’s Lady Princess wins QREC-sponsored Group 1 in Deauville

Gustavus Weston victorious in QREC Phoenix Sprint Stakes at Curragh

QREC Board member Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah presents the owner’s trophy to Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari after Sheail bin Khalifa Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) CEO Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi (third from right) crowned al-Kuwari’s Lady Princess won the Al Rayyan Cup. (Zuzanna Lupa) Christophe Soumillon rides Lady Princess to victory. (Zuzanna Lupa) the winners of QREC Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Group 3) in Curragh, Ireland, on Friday. (JDG)

Agencies at Toulouse in April, showed a Dutch trainer Karin van den Bos. ville yesterday was dedicated to Agencies The annual event has been spon- Joseph Murphy-trained Gusta- Deauville, France smart turn of foot to pull clear He travelled in second posi- the French Jockey Association. Curragh, Ireland sored by QREC since 2015 as part vus Weston secured his victory and fi nished ahead of two Al tion before storming away with Each race was in favour of the As- of the organisation’s initiative to in a photo finish with Woody Shaqab Racing runners — Um Taj an impressive acceleration once sociation, which is also support- foster horse racing locally and Creek. The three-year-old geld- homas Fourcy’s run- and Mounjared Al Cham. in the straight, putting his ri- ed by France Galop. The sponsor- ustavus Weston won the internationally. QREC CEO Nasser ing, ridden by Gary Carrol in the ners swept the top three “I wasn’t sure who would be in vals to bed. His Highness Sheikh ship contributions of the races, fifth edition of the Qatar bin Sherida al-Kaabi was present colours of Alfred Sweetnam, spots in the Qatar Rac- front of who. Mounjared Al Cham Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s including the QREC-sponsored GRacing and Equestrian on the occasion and crowned the was quickly away to sit in third ing and Equestrian Club is becoming a very good horse, but Marid went past the post in sec- Prix Qatar National Stud race Club Phoenix Sprint Stakes winners of six-furlong contest in this dash down the straight (QREC)-sponsoredT Al Rayyan Lady Princess is also very classy, as ond, while Al Shaqab Racing’s were for the benefi t of the French (Group 3) at Curragh in Ireland reserved for three-year-old and that was led by seasoned cam- Cup (Group 1 PA) with Sheail bin her early races showed.” Khataab fi nished well to take Jockey Association. on Friday evening. older thoroughbreds. paigner Gordon Lord Byron. Khalifa al-Kuwari’s Lady Prin- third. cess taking the win in Deauville, AKOYA WINS DOHA CUP SAMAGACE DU VIEN WINS France, yesterday. Earlier in the day, the QREC- QREC SUPPORTS FRENCH PRIX QATAR NATIONAL STUD the QREC-sponsored Prix Qatar for the fi ve-year-old horse. sented the trophies to the win- Christophe Soumillon-ridden sponsored Doha Cup (Group 1 JOCKEY ASSOCIATION Samagace du Vien, trained and National Stud. The win in the mil- QREC Board member Kha- ning connections of all the three fi lly, who had won on her debut PA) went to Akoya, saddled by The nine-race meeting at Deau- owned by Stephane Gouvaze, won er was the second consecutive win lifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah pre- races sponsored by QREC. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, August 11, 2019 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS Rashford Man City boss Guardiola ready to be United’s main man AFP has concerns about VAR London

‘The only thing I’m concerned is when VAR makes a mistake. It happened quite often in the past’ arcus Rashford wel- comed yesterday AFP the extra responsi- London bility he has been Mgiven at Manchester United, after becoming one of Ole Gun- ep Guardiola says VAR will only nar Solskjaer’s leaders at Old be worthwhile if decisions tak- Traff ord. Rashford, 21, faces his en by the controversial system biggest season yet after the sale are always correct after Man- of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan Pchester City’s 5-0 win at West Ham was confi rmed his position as Unit- interrupted by several replay reviews. ed’s number one striker. Guardiola’s side kicked off their Premier “For me it’s just about be- League title defence with a confi dent coming the guy that’s respon- display as Raheem Sterling’s hat-trick sible and reliable,” the England and goals from Gabriel Jesus and Sergio international said to the United Aguero demolished the Hammers. Review ahead of United’s opener But City’s ruthless fi nishing wasn’t against Chelsea today. the main talking point in east London “I feel like that’s the next step as VAR made a fi rst major impact on a for me. Everything goes in order Premier League match. The Video As- of the way it should be done. I sistant Referee technology is being used remember these similar steps in the Premier League for the fi rst time when I fi rst went into the under- this season after featuring in the FA and 18s and it takes you a season to League Cups in England last term. grow into that standard of foot- The system was given quite a work- ball. Before you know it, you’re out at the London Stadium, with several one of the leaders there and you decisions reviewed, including City’s Je- take responsibility on the pitch. sus having a goal disallowed for off side Now I’m in that situation for the against Sterling, while Aguero was able fi rst team.” to score a retaken penalty after his ini- Rashford, who joined United tial saved spot-kick featured West Ham at the age of seven, signed a new encroachment. four-year contract in July to keep There was also VAR approval for him at United until 2023. “I give Sterling’s second goal and an early West my life for the club and that’s the Ham penalty appeal was turned down most important thing,” said the by the system. The off side decision forward, who has scored 45 goals against Sterling was extremely close for the club in 170 appearances. and Guardiola disagreed with the call, For me, when you’re in a squad insisting the constant interventions are with a lot of young players who only worth the hassle if they are always share the same ambition and right. have the same drive, I can only “Only what I wish is that VAR doesn’t see us succeeding. It might take make mistakes please. When it’s off - us some time, but if we all stick side it’s off side, when it’s a penalty it’s to the game-plan, work collec- a penalty,” he told reporters. “Rules are tively as a team, and we’ve got rules, no problem. But I will be upset if a good manager who knows the it’s something that is right and it’s dis- Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match against West Ham United in London yesterday. (AFP) club and who shares the same allowed. Then it will be not good. The ambition, who knows what we only thing I’m concerned is when VAR rial counterparts for a VAR demonstra- we lost because it was off side. Now I’m spectators. It will be a good lesson for the fi rst half we were sloppy with our can achieve?” makes a mistake. It happened quite of- tion in London. He remains hopeful used to these situations,” he said. our future.” passes,” Guardiola said. “We didn’t have Rashford scored 13 goals last ten in the past, then it is better for the the system will prove to be fairer in the “We had a managers’ meeting in Lon- Regardless of the latest VAR issues, the rhythm but that is normal in the season as Solskjaer succeeded referee to make decision.” long-term, even if it needs to be quicker don last week and they showed us how Guardiola was content with the way fi rst game. In the second half we settled Jose Mourinho in December. The Guardiola has already experienced to make decisions after both teams had VAR will work with all the cameras and City recovered from a lethargic fi rst 15 down.” Norwegian, himself a former the agony of VAR overturning a key de- returned to their kick-off positions be- angles. I think it will be fairer. Maybe it minutes to put West Ham to the sword. Sterling stole the show with a display United striker, has put his faith cision when Sterling had what would fore Jesus’s goal was eventually disal- will be quicker in the future. You have It was the ideal response from the of lethal fi nishing that convinced Guar- in Rashford to help the Red have been a last-gasp Champions lowed. to be mentally strong when VAR is not champions after title rivals Liverpool diola the England winger could thrive as Devils improve on last season’s League winner against Tottenham ruled “After what happened against Tot- on our side. You think at 3-0 the game crushed Norwich 4-1 in their season a central striker. “For me a striker would disappointing sixth-placed Pre- out for off side last season. tenham in the quarter-fi nals last sea- is almost over but at 2-0, it’s completely opener on Friday. be an i ncredible position for him. I mier League fi nish. “It’s about Since then, the Spaniard has joined son, we were there, 60,000 people diff erent. It is going to change the dy- “Perfect start? It terms of the result know the quality of the player, the con- putting those experiences to- the rest of his Premier League manage- jumping with joy, then one second later namic not just for the team but for the yes, in terms of the performance no. In sistency,” he said. gether now,” said Rashford.

SETBACK SPOTLIGHT Injured Alisson to miss Solskjaer needs fast start to dispel doubts

AFP Super Cup clash with Chelsea Manchester, United Kingdom

anchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists he does not perceive fans’ frustration over the Red Devils business in Mthe transfer window, but needs a fast start to the new Premier League season against Chelsea today to turn the tide of opinion at Old Traff ord. Frank Lampard will take charge of his fi rst competitive game in charge of Chelsea, but while some of the pressure on the Blues’ record goalscorer to make an instant impact has been eased to due a transfer ban this summer, Solskjaer’s honeymoon period is over. The Norwegian enjoyed an incredible start to his time in charge as caretaker boss last season, but after being handed the job on a permanent basis, won just one of Unit- ed’s fi nal nine games of the season to fi nish sixth in the Premier League. Liverpool’s Alisson Becker injured his calf during the Premier League match against Norwich City. (AFP) A huge summer rebuild was forecast, even by Solskjaer himself, but only three players AFP free transfer after Simon Mignolet departed to join have arrived in the form of Harry Maguire, Liverpool Club Brugge. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James. But the former West Ham stopper could now Moreover, United have sold striker Romelu have a huge role to play in the coming weeks to en- Lukaku without replacing the Belgian to iverpool could be without inspirational sure Klopp’s men cede no early ground in the title increase the goalscoring burden on Marcus goalkeeper Alisson Becker for a number of race to City with tricky matches against Southamp- Rashford, Anthony Martial and an out-of- weeks after the Brazilian suff ered a calf in- ton and Arsenal to come. sorts Alexis Sanchez. jury in Friday night’s 4-1 thrashing of Nor- Friday’s game was already won before Alisson de- Solskjaer is also not blessed with depth in Lwich to kick-off the Premier League season in style. parted as from Origi’s low cross, Hanley’s wild hack midfi eld. Ander Herrera and Marouane Fel- The European champions are aiming to end a 30- at a clearance fl ashed beyond Tim Krul in the Nor- laini have departed in recent months with- year wait to win the Premier League after missing wich goal. A Golden Boot winner in each of the past out replacements being recruited, meaning out by only one point to Manchester City last sea- two seasons, Salah then opened his account for the it is inconceivable the wantaway Paul Pogba son and laid down an early marker in the title race season with a calm fi nish from Roberto Firmino’s could be let go before the end of the Euro- by racing into a 4-0 lead before half-time. pass on 19 minutes. pean transfer deadline despite interest from Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Norwich captain Grant Hanley’s hapless own Despite a comfortable lead, Klopp was soon rant- Real Madrid. goal just seven minutes in set the tone for what ing at his players for letting their guard down as United fans’ fury saw calls for execu- in an £80mn move from Leicester and will seasons. However, rather than talk down ex- could be a long season for the Canaries before Mo- only a brilliant save from Alisson prevented Marco tive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to resign be expected to shore up a United defence pectations to ease the pressure on himself, hamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Divock Origi net- Stiepermann from halving Norwich’s defi cit. Sec- start trending on Twitter in the hours after that conceded 54 goals in the league alone Lampard believes a Chelsea squad that won ted as Liverpool shot out of the blocks. onds later and it was 3-0 as Norwich’s dreadful de- the Premier League transfer window closed last season. the Europa League and fi nished third in the However, the Reds’ joy was curtailed when Al- fending was exposed again to leave Van Dijk free to on Thursday. “Within the team and club “Harry has impressed me, very much so. Premier League last season has been talked isson pulled up after kicking the ball clear from a head home from a Salah corner. we are feeling very confi dent, we don’t feel He has come in as a presence,” said Solsk- down too much due to Hazard’s departure. routine goal kick and needed support to limp off Origi was also left carelessly unmarked to make that negativity you’re talking about,” said jaer. “He is taller and bigger than I thought. “This is start of our cycle. I think it is the fi eld. “Nothing bad to say about the game apart it 4-0 with a simple header from Trent Alexander- Solskjaer at his pre-match press conference He has come in as a real plus. He will have an huge for us both,” said Lampard on meeting from Ali’s injury,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Arnold’s cross. Liverpool could have piled on more on Friday. “That isn’t the feeling inside the impact on the rest of the boys.” United on the fi rst weekend of the season. Klopp, who confi rmed his number one will miss pain for the visitors at the start of the second half club, it’s not the feeling with fans I’ve met. Lampard has not had the luxury of star “Can we remain competitive when we are in Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Chelsea as Jordan Henderson hit the bar, Firmino fl uff ed a They are excited.” buys since taking over at Stamford Bridge this position? I believe we can. We just have in Istanbul. “We have to see how serious it is and glorious chance at the back post and Salah curled The cause for optimism is that Maguire’s and will have to cope without Chelsea’s best to accept that and use the challenge. I think deal with it.” just wide. signing could have the same transformative player of recent years after Eden Hazard’s with the ban it’s been very easy to write off Alisson kept 20 clean sheets in his fi rst Premier However, it was promoted Norwich’s adventure eff ect Virgil van Dijk’s arrival had on Euro- move to Real Madrid. Instead, the former this squad somewhat. And I’m not writing it League season and was also instrumental in Liver- that was rewarded as moments after Moritz Leit- pean champions Liverpool 18 months ago. England midfi elder has had to focus on in- off , I’m saying that we are hungry to try and pool’s Champions League triumph. Spanish goal- ner crashed a shot against the bar, Teemu Pukki The England international surpassed Van tegrating a host of promising youngsters prove everybody that we will be up there this keeper Adrian only joined Liverpool this week on a pounced to drill low past Adrian. “ Dijk as the world’s most expensive defender who have been farmed out on loan in past year and I believe in the squad.” Gulf Times Sunday, August 11, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 GERMAN CUP Mainz, Augsburg Villas-Boas suff ers suff er shock defeats AFP Hackenberg’s own-goal and Berlin strikes from Kevin Volland, Leon Bailey and Kai Havertz saw Leverkusen sail into the next ainz were one of two round. An extra-time goal from poor return as Reims Bundesliga sides to Luca Waldschmidt saw Freiburg be dumped out of beat third-tier Magdeburg, while the German Cup in second division sides Dynamo Myesterday’s fi rst round after fall- Dresden, Erzgebirge Aue and ing to a 2-0 derby defeat at Kai- Arminia Bielefeld all comfort- serslautern. Midfi elder Florian ably knocked out lower league down Marseille Pick sealed a sensational win for opposition. third-tier Kaiserslautern with a On Friday night, Borussia 90th minute strike after Manfred Dortmund captain Marco Reus Starke’s penalty had given them said his team had “big plans” Lyon beat Monaco in opener as Fabregas is controversially sent off the lead on 63 minutes. for the coming season after they “We lost our heads after we secured a routine 2-0 win over went behind,” said Mainz mid- third-division side KFC Uerdin- fi elder Daniel Brosinski. Four- gen in the fi rst round of the Ger- time German champions Kai- man Cup. Reus’ second-half goal serslautern were not the only set Dortmund on their way to a giant-killers, with fourth-tier comfortable victory, just a week side SC Verl humbling Bundes- after they beat Bayern Munich liga outfi t Augsburg with a de- 2-0 in the German Supercup. served 2-1 win. “The two wins were important Augsburg’s defence looked for us to fi nd our rhythm,” Reus helpless in the fi rst half as an said. “We are not yet at the level own-goal from Marek Suchy that we were at last season, but and a well-worked goal from Ron we have big plans this year, and Schallenberg gave Verl a shock we want to show that when the 2-0 lead. Andre Hahn’s 83rd Bundesliga starts next weekend.” minute penalty proved to be lit- tle more than a consolation ef- GERMAN CUP FIRST fort. “Verl deserved to win and ROUND RESULTS we have a lot of work to do before we play Dortmund next week- Kaiserslautern 2 (Starke 63-pen, end,” said Augsburg coach Mar- Pick 90) Mainz 0; Alemannia tin Schmidt. Aachen 1 (Batarilo-Cerdic 56) Elsewhere, Fortuna Duessel- Bayer Leverkusen 4 (Hacken- dorf came from behind to sur- berg 19-og, Volland 39, Bailey 72, vive a scare against fi fth-tier Havertz 88); TuS Dassendorf 0 side Villingen. Rouwen Hennings Dynamo Dresden 3 (Loewe 37, and 18-year-old Ghanaian Kevin Burnic 75, Roeser 77); Villingen 1 Ofori sealed the win in extra- (Ukoh 42-pen) Fortuna Dues- time for Duesseldorf after Nana seldorf 3 (Ampomah 56, Ofori Ampomah had cancelled out 102, Hennings 116); Drochtersen/ Steven Ukoh’s fi rst-half penalty. Assel 0 Schalke 5 (Skrzybski Schalke fans used their 5-0 44, Burgstaller 61, 83, Daniel victory over Drochtersen/Assel Caligiuri 65-pen, Mercan 73); SC to protest against chairman Cle- Verl 2 (Suchy 8-og, Schallenberg mens Toennies, who has tempo- 23) Augsburg 1 (Hahn 83-pen); rarily stepped down over a rac- Wacker Nordhausen 1 (Mickels ism scandal earlier this month. 22) Erzgebirge Aue 4 (Baumgart Supporters held up banners 38, Hochscheidt 57, Testroet 80, reading “Show Toennies the red 84); Magdeburg 0 Freiburg 1 card” and “Toennies out” before (Waldschmidt 93); Viktoria Berlin watching their side cruise into 0 Arminia Bielefeld 1 (Voglsam- the second round thanks to goals mer 15) from Steven Skrzybski, Guido Played Friday: SV Sandhausen Burgstaller, Munir Mercan and 0 Borussia Moenchengladbach Daniel Caligiuri. 1 (Thuram 19); KFC Uerdingen 0 Reims’ forward Boulaye Dia (left) scores past Marseille’s goalkeeper Steve Mandanda during the French Ligue 1 match in Marseille yesterday. (AFP) Bayer Leverkusen also pro- Borussia Dortmund 2 (Reus 49, gressed, beating fourth-tier Alcacer 70); Ingolstadt 0 Nurem- AFP collecting Dimitri Payet’s tame eff ort. opening games will be diffi cult and Mo- doubled their advantage with nine min- Alemannia Aachen 4-1, Peter berg 1 (Dovedan 87) Paris Marseille midfi elder Kevin Strootman naco were a diffi cult opposition, I’m utes of the fi rst 45 to play. Netherlands rattled the crossbar in the 57th minute, happy with the result,” Sylvinho said. attacker Depay lined up from outside but Reims deservedly found a break- “I hoped my team would play like this, the box catching Monaco’s Lecomte off - ndre Villas-Boas endured a through shortly afterwards as Dia played there’s always improvements to be made guard to nutmeg him for a 2-0 lead. miserable return to football a neat one-two with Tristan Dingome and but I am happy,” the former Champions The referee was the subject of whistles yesterday as his Marseille side drilled the ball over the advancing Man- League winner added. as the teams walked off at the break with slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by danda. Argentine international striker His side showed minimal rustiness the unhappy Stade Louis II crowd voicing ReimsA in their Ligue 1 opener. The former Benedetto was handed a Ligue 1 debut despite seeing infl uential trio in former their discontent at Fabregas’ dismissal. Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham manager is with 17 minutes remaining, but failed to skipper Nabil Fekir, left-back Ferland Despite being a man down, Leonardo back coaching for the fi rst time since an make an impact as Reims substitute Suk Mendy and midfi elder Tanguy Ndombele Jardim’s side looked the most likely to acrimonious departure from Shanghai instead ran clear at the other end to wrap leave during the off -season. They claimed score early into the second-half. SIPG in 2017, but saw second-half goals up the three points in the fi nal minute of an early lead with six minutes on the clock Some tidy passing outside the box led from Boulaye Dia and Suk Hyun-jun sink normal time. with a powerful Dembele header. to Martins forcing Lyon’s Lopes into a Marseille at the Velodrome. Reigning champions Paris Saint- The former Celtic forward beat de- tidy save with his feet on the hour mark. Villas-Boas has been given the task of Germain have left out the world’s most fenders Kamil Glik and Brazilian Jemer- Bertrand Traore, who set up Dembele for returning OM to the Champions League expensive player Neymar for their fi rst son in the air and his eff ort fi zzed past Lyon’s fi rst, could have added his side’s for the fi rst time since 2013, after tak- match against Nimes tonight, admitting Monaco’s Benjamin Lecomte, making his third but his header from Depay’s 65th- ing over the reins from Rudi Garcia. But talks over a possible move away for the debut for the club. The home side’s best minute corner found the side-netting. on yesterday’s evidence he faces an ex- Brazilian are “more advanced”. chance of the fi rst half fell to 22-year-old Lyon made sure of all three points with tremely diffi cult job with a team who n- fi On Friday night, Cesc Fabregas was Benjamin Henrichs quarter of an hour 10 minutes remaining to guarantee a ished fi fth last season to miss out on Eu- controversially sent off after a VAR review later. He received the ball from winger positive start to Sylvinho’s tenure. Dem- ropean qualifi cation altogether. as Monaco were brushed aside 3-0 by an Gelson Martins, but his low shot failed to bele broke down the left, cut back to fi nd The 41-year-old named close-sea- impressive Lyon in the opening game of trouble Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. summer signing Thiago Mendes who laid son arrivals Dario Benedetto and Alvaro the season. Moussa Dembele and Mem- Things turned from bad to worse for a pass off to Tousart at the edge of the box Gonzalez on the bench, with France at- phis Depay scored either side of Fabregas’ the hosts when experienced playmaker who hammered home a powerful half- tacker Florian Thauvin missing through dismissal in the fi rst half. Midfi elder Lu- Fabregas was shown a red card for stamp- volley. injury. The Portuguese coach saw his cas Tousart added a third with 10 minutes ing on the back of Leo Dubois’ leg on the team make a laboured start, failing to remaining as former Brazil defender Syl- half hour mark. In his attempts to chase FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTS manage a single shot on target in the fi rst vinho started his coaching reign in perfect Dubois down, who was shielding a loose Marseille 0 Reims 2 (Dia 58, Suk 90) half, with goalkeeper Steve Mandanda style. The inexperienced Monaco were cross out for a goal kick, the Spain mid- forced into fi ne saves to deny Moussa without former captain Radamel Falcao fi elder took a stood heavily onto the Today: Lille v Nantes (1300), Strasbourg Doumbia and Dia. who is expected to leave the Principality right-back’s calf. v Metz (1500), Paris Saint-Germain v The hosts fi nally called visiting ‘keeper before the end of the transfer window on Referee Ruddy Buquet referred the in- Nimes (1900) Mainz’s Jerry Juste (right) and Kaiserslautern’s Timmy Thiele vie for Predrag Rajkovic into action seven min- September 2. cident to VAR who chose to send Fabre- Played Friday: Monaco 0 Lyon 3 the ball during the first round of the German Cup match at the utes after the restart, with the Serbian “I said in the week all of three or four gas for an early shower. Sylvinho’s outfi t (Dembele 5, Depay 36, Tousart 80) Fritz-Walter Stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany, yesterday. (Reuters)

Celtic crash fi ve past Motherwell SPOTLIGHT London: Celtic shrugged off the Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo has the league games — I can’t ask for any Nottingham deny wasteful Leeds loss of Kieran Tierney for a Scottish unenvious task of stepping into the more than that.” record transfer fee to Arsenal and the void left by Tierney at left-back. Donnelly pulled a goal back for AFP concession of an early goal to romp The Belgian has had an erratic Motherwell in stoppage time, but it London Nottingham Forest’s Lewis to a 5-2 win at Motherwell yesterday. start to his Celtic career, but did well was too little, too late for the Steel- Grabban celebrates after Tierney joined the Gunners for to tee up James Forrest to make the men. Newly-promoted Ross County scoring against Leeds. £25mn ($30mn) on Thursday and points safe 24 minutes from time. moved into second, two points eeds had to settle for a point Celtic boss Neil Lennon also ran Edouard and Ryan Christie, who behind Celtic, with a hard fought 0-0 despite dominating for long the risk of resting a few key players scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s draw at Hearts. periods in their 1-1 draw with ahead of Tuesday’s vital Champions 7-0 thrashing of St. Johnstone, were Kilmarnock manager Angelo Ales- Nottingham Forest in the LChampionship yesterday. Pablo Her- League third qualifying round second then introduced and went on to rub sio’s poor start since taking over from leg against Romanian champions salt into Motherwell’s wounds. Olivier Scotland boss Steve Clarke continued nandez scored his second goal of the CFR Cluj. Ntcham teed up Edouard for a classy with a 2-0 defeat at Hamilton, while season for the Whites but Lewis Grab- That decision liked like it could finish into the bottom corner to make St. Johnstone came from 2-0 down to ban’s strike cancelled it out with For- have backfired as an error from it 4-1 and when the Frenchman was draw 2-2 at home to Livingston. Ste- est’s only shot on target. goalkeeper Scott Bain allowed Liam chopped down in the box four min- ven Gerrard’s Rangers are in action Marcelo Bielsa’s United bossed pro- Donnelly to give the hosts a shock utes from time, Christie stepped up today at home to Hibernian. ceedings from start to fi nish but were lead after 12 minutes. However, the to score from the penalty spot. too wasteful in front of goal, with Scottish champions responded im- “My only criticism would be of RESULTS: Patrick Bamford in particular passing mediately as right-back Kristoff er the way we approached the game Motherwell 2 (Donnelly 12, 90+1) up a glut of chances. The hosts, who Dawson nodded over when unmarked under Sabri Lamouchi. Ajer charged forward to level two initially,” Lennon said. “In the first 15 Celtic 5 (Ajer 14, Griff iths 41, Forrest lost in the play-off semi-fi nals in May, from a corner. celebrated a deserved opener shortly Despite Leeds’ dominance, their minutes later. minutes there were a few bad habits 66, Edouard 76, Christie 86-pen); St RESULTS With forward Odsonne Edouard creeping in that we want to eradicate. before the hour mark. one-goal advantage was wiped out Johnstone 2 (Kennedy 55, Hen- Birmingham 1 Bristol City 1; Cardiff 2 left on the bench with the Cluj tie We were inviting pressure we didn’t Mateusz Klich fl icked the ball into with less than 15 minutes remaining. Luton 1; Charlton 3 Stoke 1; Derby 0 dry 82) Livingston 2 (Pittman 13, the path of Hernandez, who dashed A corner was whipped in and no- delicately balanced at 1-1 after the need to. Once we solved that we Swansea 0; Fulham 2 Blackburn 0; first leg in Romania last week, Leigh were outstanding, especially to score Lawless 39); Hamilton 2 (Smith 20, onto it and provided an expert fi nish. body in the home defence reacted as Hull 2 Reading 1; Leeds 1 Nottingham Griff iths was given the chance to five after the quick turnaround from Oakley 49) Kilmarnock 0; Hearts 0 That should have set the tone for more Grabban scruffi ly swept the ball home Forest 1; Middlesbrough 0 Brentford start up front and made his mark by Wednesday night, with five diff er- Ross County 0 goals to follow but instead it encour- to make it 1-1. Liam Cooper nodded arrowing a free-kick into the bottom ent scorers. Second half, we were Today: (1400 GMT) Rangers v aged a response from the visitors. wide as the hosts looked to regain the 1; Preston 3 Wigan 0; QPR 1 Hud- corner just before half-time. magnificent. That’s 12 goals in two Hibernian, St Mirren v Aberdeen First, Ben Watson smashed a rasping advantage but Forest kept the door dersfield 1; Sheff ield Wednesday 2 eff ort just over, before skipper Michael shut and hung on for their fi rst point Barnsley 0; West Brom 1 Millwall 1 Gulf Times 4 Sunday, August 11, 2019 SPORT

GOLF ATHLETICS Fraser-Pryce breaks 40-year-old Pan Late birdie lift s No 2 Am Games record

Reuters That erased Cuban Maria Lima Elena Sarria’s 1983 record of 19.34m. South American record amaican Shelly-Ann holder Alex Quinonez of Ec- Johnson to Northern Fraser-Pryce broke the uador won the men’s 200 in 40-year-old Pan Am 20.27 for an easy victory over Games 200m record Jereem Richards of Trinidad ‘It’s to just continue trying to be consistent. whenJ the twice Olympic 100m & Tobago (20.38) and Yancar- champion clocked 22.43 sec- los Martinez of the Domini- Historically, I’m a very consistent player. I’ve onds to win gold on Friday. can Republic (20.44). Brazil The 32-year-old clipped proved to be the fastest in the lost a bit of that. I still have that firepower’ two-hundredths of a second 4x100m relays, winning the Trust lead off American Evelyn Ashford’s women’s race 43.04 seconds AFP Games record of 22.45 set at and the men’s in 38.27. New York San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1979. The Brazilians also claimed Fraser-Pryce, who won Ol- the men’s 10,000m with Eder- ympic titles in 2008 and 2012, son Vilela running 28 minutes, orld number two beat Brazil’s Vitoria Cristina 27.47 seconds. Dustin Johnson Rose by almost two-tenths of The United States, which rolled in an eight- a second with Bahamian Tynia has found golds scarce in ath- foot birdie putt at Gaither third in 22.76. letics, won two on the sport’s Wthe fi nal hole on Friday to take a Her Jamaican compa- penultimate day at the Games. one-shot lead over Jordan Spi- triot Danniel Thomas-Dodd U.S. record holder Kara eth halfway through the US PGA smashed another Games Winger prevailed in the javelin Tour Northern Trust. record in the women’s shot with a throw of 64.92 metres Johnson shook off an open- put, throwing a national and Nikki Hiltz took the wom- ing bogey to card fi ve birdies in record 19.55 metres. en’s 1,500m in 4:07.14. a four-under par 67 at Liberty National in New Jersey. His 12-under par total of 130 put him a stroke in front of Spie- th - who set the early pace with a seven-under par 64 for 131. The second round of the tour’s fi rst FedEx Cup playoff event opened with 15-time major champion Tiger Woods withdrawing with a “mild oblique strain”. Woods, trying to end the sea- son on a high note after ending an 11-year major title drought with his victory at the Mas- ters in April, had struggled to a fi rst-round 75 that left him equal 116th in the fi eld of 120. Woods said he remained “hopeful” that he would be able to play next week’s BMW Championship at Medinah and continue his bid to make the 30-strong fi eld to defend his Tour Championship title in the playoff fi nale at East Lake. Johnson, who started the day one shot off Troy Merritt’s lead, is chasing a third title in the event after winning in 2011 and 2017 - both times at diff erent venues. “I feel like I’m swinging it re- ally well,” Johnson said. “I’ve got a lot of control with the golf ball and hitting a lot of really nice shots and rolled in a couple putts today which is nice - but still feel like I left quite a few out there. “I’m in a good position head- ing into the weekend, and if I can keep swinging the way I am, Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce waves after receiving her gold I think it’s going to be a good medal on the podium of the women’s 200m final at the Lima weekend.” 2019 Pan-American Games. (AFP) Spieth will be hoping to keep things going through the week- end - something he’s had trou- ‘One positive test so far at Pan Am Games’ ble doing this season. Last week Dustin Johnson lines up his putt on the 17th hole during the second round of The Northern Trust golf tournament at Liberty National Golf at the Wyndham Championship Course. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports There has been one positive Republic’s men’s baseball he shot two rounds in the 60s test at this year’s Pan Am team who tested positive for before a third-round 77 saw him under 70 to join a group sharing Noticing what he thought was just three shots off the lead. Varner 67-67 Games out of 1,197 anti-doping the anabolic steroid Oxan- miss the 54-hole cut. third on 132. a stone nestled against his ball in 135-Brian Stuard 66-69, C.T. Pan controls, off icials said on drolone. The athlete was “The important thing for me He was joined by former Mas- the bunker McIlroy, in accord- LEADING SCORES AFTER (TPE) 68-67, Justin Thomas Friday with three days of informed of the result and his is not to get ahead of myself,” ters champion Patrick Reed, who ance with the new rules insti- SECOND ROUND 67-68, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 67-68, competition remaining. accreditation was immediately Spieth said. “It’s to just continue posted his second straight 66, tuted this year, went to move the 130-Dustin Johnson 63-67 Andrew Landry 68-67 The Pan American Games withdrawn. trying to be consistent. Histori- Spain’s Jon Rahm, who carded a loose impediment only to fi nd it 131-Jordan Spieth 67-64 136-Joel Dahmen 67-69, Dylan Sports Organisation said in a In the case of adverse cally, I’m a very consistent play- 68 and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, was a clump of sand. 132-Abraham Ancer (MEX) 67-65, Frittelli (RSA) 69-67, Bryson statement that the tests repre- analytical findings of athletes er. I’ve lost a bit of that. who fi red a 65. A rules offi cial on the course Troy Merritt 62-70, Patrick Reed DeChambeau 68-68, Hideki sented one of the largest sam- competing in team sports, “I still have that fi repower, but Northern Ireland star Rory McIl- determined he had therefore 66-66, Jon Rahm (ESP) 64-68 Matsuyama (JPN) 68-68, Shane ple sizes taken in the history more than two positive cases the consistency is what I’m try- roy was among fi ve players on violated the rules, even though 133-Andrew Putnam 69-64, Lowry (IRL) 69-67, Kevin Na 69- of the Games, demonstrating are required to invalidate the ing to get back.” 133 - but not before offi cials re- McIlroy didn’t believe he had Justin Rose (ENG) 65-68, Louis 67, Danny Willett (ENG) 66-70 the organisers’ commitment team’s result. The Dominican scinded a two-stroke penalty he improved his lie and hadn’t Oosthuizen (RSA) 68-65, Wynd- 137-Corey Conners (CAN) 66-71, to fair play. Republic finished group play MCILROY ESCAPES PENALTY was assessed during the round. touched the sand on purpose. ham Clark 67-66, Rory McIlroy Ryan Palmer 70-67, Patrick Can- The one adverse finding came with a 1-2 record and did not Merritt, who matched the course McIlroy was two-under for After his round however, the (NIR) 65-68 tlay 70-67, Vaughn Taylor 69-68, from Audrey Joel Perez, a advance to the medal round, record with a nine-under 62 on the day through 13 holes when he penalty was rescinded and McIl- 134-Ian Poulter (ENG) 68-66, Max Homa 66-71, J.T. Poston 67- member of the Dominican placing fifth. Thursday, fell back with a one- found a greenside bunker at 14. roy signed for a 68 that left him Kevin Kisner 64-70, Harold 70, Adam Scott (AUS) 68-69

SPOTLIGHT Jobs done at Pan Am Games, now looks ahead to Olympics Reuters ing young riders she often competes told Reuters. “I think she has jumped Lima against, Jennifer Gates, daughter of double clear in every team competi- Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Jes- tion she has been in this year for us, sica Springsteen, daughter of rocker and I think that says a lot for her level- ve Jobs contributed to a Unit- Bruce Springsteen. headedness and ability to concentrate ed States bronze in team show All three, according to those work- and produce under pressure. jumping at the Pan Am Games ing in the tight knit equestrian com- “This was diffi cult today and she is and narrowly missed out on munity, are driven to walk their own right in there with the top people.” anotherE in the individual event on path and be recognised for their own Like many athletes uncomfortable Friday, putting the youngest daughter accomplishments. No questions with anything encroaching on their of Apple founder Steve Jobs in the Ol- about Steve Jobs are the ground rules private lives, Jobs talked about ympic conversation. going into any interview, includ- the technical details or her per- Representing the US in an interna- ing those conducted in the Pan Am formance and heaped praise on others tional competition for the fi rst time, Games mixed zone. - in this case her team-mates and her the 21-year-old took a small step to- Such transgressions, however, will horse. wards easing out of the huge shadow be harder to defl ect if Jobs lives up to “I’ve had her for two years now and cast by her late father with a confi - the greatness predicted for her. Com- she has taken me to a new level in the dent, controlled performance. peting in a sport where careers can sport,” said Jobs. “I owe her every- She has a long way to go to establish span decades, Jobs now has her sights thing. her name in her own right, however, if on fi ghting for a spot on the 2020 Ol- “She just gives me so much confi - Friday is any evidence to go by. ympic team. dence I am so proud of the partnership Brazil’s Marlon Zanotelli won gold, Madden, who has participated in we have. It is an honour to represent Argentina’s Jose Larocca the silver four Olympics for the US winning four my country always and we had a great and US veteran Breezie Madden the medals including team gold in 2004, team. bronze but the biggest media scrum believes Jobs and her mount Venue “This is my fi rst time at a team was around fi fth-placed Jobs. d’Fees des Hazalles are already Olym- championship and that comes with To the disappointment of many in pic calibre. pressure and I think just getting to the media pack, though, Jobs does “I thought she (Jobs) handled it jump here and jump for my country not talk about her father. It is a rule (Pan Ams) outstandingly as she has in with team mates, I have learned so (Left to right) US team’s Elizabeth Madden, Alex Granato, Eve Jobs and Lucy Deslauriers celebrate their bronze in the equestrian followed by two other up-and-com- every competition this year,” Madden much.” team round 2 competition at the Lima 2019 Pan-American Games. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, August 11, 2019 5 SPORT

NFL Raiders’ Brown threatens to quit over helmet Reuters toms are legitimate, a source told cur as early as next week. A similar ing had happened, accepting the new New York ESPN, the real reason for the former situation occurred with New England helmet from an equipment manager All-Pro sitting out is his helmet. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. without protest and completing the Furthermore, NFL Network’s Mike But Silver reported Brown took the workout. However, sometime in the akland Raiders wide re- Silver reported things have been any- Raiders by surprise with his sudden next couple of weeks, Brown once ceiver Antonio Brown could thing but peaceful between Brown hard-line stance. Per Silver, “When again tried to take the fi eld with his be sitting for almost any and the Raiders, who acquired the he showed up for the 1st OTA, how- old helmet, which he had since had reason from head to toe, wide receiver via trade in the off sea- ever, Brown requested his old helmet. repainted with colours approximating apparently.O And if not allowed to use son. Among other issues, Brown has After being told he’d have to wear an – but not completely mimicking – the the helmet of his choice, Brown re- been chronically late, uses technol- approved model, witnesses say, the Raiders’ silver-and-black design.” portedly told the Raiders he won’t be ogy during meetings and does not WR loudly voiced his displeasure, Silver said the Raiders felt, at that coming back. communicate with team offi cials and complaining QBs such as Brady and time, the helmet saga was over. Ap- ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported coaches. Rodgers were not being subjected to parently, it’s not. Friday that Brown informed the Raid- Brown, ESPN reported, fi led a the same scrutiny. A league policy limits players to ers of the line in the sand over use of grievance to continue using the hel- “Shortly thereafter, Brown stormed helmets certifi ed by NOCSAE. NOC- his preferred helmet. That model, met he wore his entire career with the out of the facility in protest. Later SAE will not certify any helmet older however, was discontinued and is no Pittsburgh Steelers. Now a discon- that day, Raiders offi cials found video than 10 years. longer approved under NFL rules. tinued model, the NFL will not per- footage of Rodgers, during the Green The NFL and NFLPA added 11 hel- Before Friday, Brown reportedly mit use of the helmet because it is no Bay Packers’ OTA session, wearing an mets to their joint list of approved was idle at training camp and for the longer certifi ed by the National Op- approved-model helmet and texted it models for the 2019 season. At the start of his fi rst preseason with the erating Committee for Standards and to Brown. end of last season, the NFL said 32 Raiders due to a cryotherapy mishap. Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). “The following day, Brown showed players were wearing helmets that But while the frostbite-type symp- A hearing, per the report, could oc- up in Alameda and acted like noth- became banned for 2019. Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown.

MLB BASKETBALL Celtics’ Tatum shines as USA step Conforto leads up World Cup prep

AFP following day, where they are Los Angeles scheduled to play two friend- lies against the Aussies and one against Canada before the he United States, pre- World Cup starts on August Mets to comeback paring their bid for a 31. third straight Basket- Popovich got a good look at ball World Cup title, a number of players on Friday, Twrapped up a week of training with 15 getting some minutes camp with an intra-squad ex- for the Blue Squad. hibition in Las Vegas on Friday. The San Antonio Spurs The Blue squad made up of coach, leading the United players expected to feature States for the fi rst time, will win over Nationals in the United States’ World have to whittle the squad to 12 Cup team in Shanghai handily for the World Cup. ‘What a game. To go down twice, to come back, answer right back. It was special’ beat their training rival White Squad 97-78, with Boston TIMBERWOLVES SIGN Celtics forward Jayson Tatum MARTIN TO 2-WAY DEAL leading all scorers with 17 The Minnesota Timberwolves points. signed former Butler star Ke- With Toronto Raptors guard lan Martin to a two-way con- Kyle Lowry and Boston’s Mar- tract on Friday. cus Smart missing the exhibi- Gersson Rosas, Minnesota’s tion with injuries, head coach president of basketball op- Gregg Popovich could be glad erations, made the announce- no one was hurt. ment, which did not include It was in a similar USA Bas- any terms, per team policy. ketball exhibition in Vegas Martin, who turned 24 on that Paul George suff ered a Aug. 3, was a standout for the devastating broken right leg Timberwolves’ entry in the in 2014. NBA Summer League in Las Although the United States Vegas, where he averaged 12.9 have been hit with a stream of points and 6.6 rebounds in high-profi le defections from 21.9 minutes over seven games World Cup duty – with stars off the bench. including James Harden, An- “All I needed was a op- thony Davis and Kawhi Le- portunity, thanks @Timber- onard among the notable ab- wolves can’t wait to get to sentees – Tatum said he was work,” wrote Martin on social looking forward to a chance to media. take on the world. Martin recorded a game- “It’s a dream come true,” high 19 points in the title game Tatum said. “To represent against Memphis on July 15. your country on a national Last season, the 6-foot-7 level, play for guys like Pop, forward played for MHP Re- Steve Kerr and just wear USA isen Ludwigsburg in Germany, across your chest and play where he averaged 13.7 points with other great players. and 4.4 rebounds in 27 games. “Only being 21, I’m just Martin played four seasons at happy to be here.” Butler, and fi nished his career Tatum’s Celtics teammate as the Bulldogs’ third all-time Kemba Walker added 14 points leading scorer with 2,047 and Sacramento Kings guard points. De’Aaron Fox scored 12. Teams are allowed to sign Lowry, who underwent two players to two-way con- a left thumb operation last tracts in addition to the 15- month after helping the Rap- man regular-season roster. tors capture the NBA title in Such players can accrue no June, is expected to return for more than 45 days with their training camp in Los Angeles respective NBA team during Tuesday through Thursday. the regular season and spend The Americans are sched- the remainder of the season New York Mets’ Michael Conforto is doused with water after hitting a walk off RBI single to beat the Washington Nationals 7-6 at Citi Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports uled to take on Spain in an ex- with the team’s G-League af- hibition in Southern Califor- fi liate. The Timberwolves’ Reuters Alonso homered for the fourth straight this season that Bieber registered double- nia on August 16. G-League affi liate is the Iowa New York RESULTS game – one shy of the team record – when digits for strikeouts in a game. They’ll fl y to Australia the Wolves, based in Des Moines. he launched a two-run shot into the left Jason Castro and Eddie Rosario homer- Mets 7-6 Nationals fi eld seats. It was his 38th homer, one shy ed and Jorge Polanco and Jake Cave each ichael Conforto laced an RBI Indians 6-2 Twins of Cody Bellinger’s record for National had two hits for Minnesota, which lost Hornets sign 7-foot center Welsh single to right fi eld to cap a Cardinals 6-2 Pirates League rookies and three away from tying its fourth straight game for the fi rst time four-run ninth-inning come- the Mets’ single-season record. this season. The two home runs gave the The Charlotte Hornets signed free-agent center Thomas Welsh Red Sox 16-4 Angels back by the scorching New Davis followed with a homer deep into Twins a major league-leading 226 for the on Friday. Mitch Kupchak, the Hornets president of basketball MYork Mets, who moved closer to a Nation- Blue Jays 8-2 Yankees the right-fi eld seats to tie the game and season, breaking the franchise single- operations, made the announcement, which did not include al League wild-card playoff berth with Braves 8-4 Marlins send the crowd of 39,602 into a frenzy. season record of 225 set in 1963. any terms, per team policy. a stunning 7-6 win against the visiting Mets starter Marcus Stroman allowed Devin Smeltzer (1-2), making his fourth Welsh, 23, was a second-round selection by the Denver Nuggets Astros 3-2 Orioles Washington Nationals. four runs on nine hits and three walks major league start, gave up six runs on in the 2018 NBA Draft and played in 11 games last season. The The Mets won their seventh straight Reds 5-2 Cubs while striking out a season-high nine seven hits over 4 1/3 innings to pick up the 7-foot Welsh, who played four years at UCLA, spent time last contest. New York, which began the day Tigers 5-2 Royals over six-plus innings. Nationals starter loss. He walked three and struck out four. season with the G League’s Capital City Go-Go and Iowa Wolves, Stephen Strasburg allowed three runs on Cleveland took a 1-0 lead in the sec- tied with the St. Louis Cardinals and Phil- Athletics 7-0 White Sox and posted combined averages of 10.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and adelphia Phillies a half-game back of the four hits and two walks while striking out ond inning when Ramirez walked, went 1.5 assists. In his 11 NBA appearances last season he averaged Milwaukee Brewers, was eight games out six over seven innings. to second on a balk and scored on a double 1.6 points while shooting 53.8 percent from field-goal range. of the second wild-card spot 15 days ago. fore being engulfed by his teammates, who by Franmil Reyes, snapping an 0-for-19 The Nationals, who entered Friday atop ripped his uniform off . INDIANS TIED FOR AL CENTRAL LEAD streak for Reyes. the NL wild-card standings, had a three- “Probably the most fun I’ve had up here AFTER WIN OVER TWINS The Indians parlayed fi ve singles and a game winning streak snapped. in the big leagues,” Conforto said. “What Jose Ramirez went 3-for-4, including an double into fi ve runs in the fi fth to extend The Mets trailed 6-3 entering the ninth a game. To go down twice, to come back, RBI double to highlight a fi ve-run fi fth in- the lead to 6-0. Allen opened the inning inning, when J.D. Davis led off with a dou- answer right back. It was special. The sta- ning, and Shane Bieber struck out 11 while with a bunt single, went to second on a sin- ble down the third-base line against Sean dium was packed. It felt like the playoff s. picking up his 12th win of the season as gle by Mercado and then scored on a single Doolittle (6-4). Wilson Ramos followed The atmosphere was amazing. We fed off the Cleveland Indians moved into a tie for by Carlos Santana. Puig followed with a with a single to center before Todd Fra- of that, we fed off of each other. I just hap- fi rst place in the American League Cen- single to right to make it 3-0, and Ramirez zier hit a homer well beyond the left-fi eld pened to be the guy that was up last.” tral with a 6-2 victory over the Minnesota then lined a double off the bottom of the fence and just fair. Luis Avilan (3-0) got the fi nal two outs Twins on Friday night in Minneapolis. left fi eld fence to make it 4-0. Roberto Pe- Joe Panik, who was signed earlier in the of the ninth. Anthony Rendon had an RBI Yasiel Puig went 3-for-5 with an RBI rez then singled in Puig, the fi fth consecu- day by the Mets, followed with a single. triple in the fourth and a go-ahead two- and run scored and Oscar Mercado and tive hit for the Indians. Jason Kipnis drove Panik was forced at second on a bunt by run homer in the seventh for the Nation- Greg Allen each had two hits for Cleve- in the fi nal run with a sacrifi ce fl y. Juan Lagares. After Jeff McNeil flew out als. Juan Soto hit a two-run homer in the land, which won its fourth straight game. Castro hit his 12th home run leading to right, Amed Rosario singled to bring up fourth and Trea Turner raced home on a The Indians, who trailed Minnesota by 11 off the bottom of the fi fth to cut it to 6-1. Conforto, who hit a ball well over the head wild pitch for what appeared to be an in- 1/2 games on June 3, have won 41 of their Rosario smacked his 25th homer, a 409- of drawn-in right fi elder Adam Eaton to set surance run in the ninth. past 57 games. Bieber (12-4) allowed two foot drive into the second deck in right- off a wild celebration. The Mets mounted their fi rst come- runs on seven hits and two walks over center, leading off the sixth and breaking Conforto raced beyond second base be- back in the fourth inning, when Pete seven innings. It marked the sixth start the team’s single-season home run mark. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, August 11, 2019 SPORT

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT Japan claim Pacifi c Nations trophy Wallabies stun ahead of World Cup

Reuters our fi rst goal was to win the Suva, Fiji PNC... The next goal is to go to the World Cup and play our Japa- nese brand of rugby and make the apan overpowered a top eight.” All Blacks 47-26 in dogged United States Joseph would nonethe- 34-20 to win the Pacifi c less have been pleased with the Nations Cup in Suva yes- form of rugby sevens specialist terdayJ and enjoy a timely confi - Fukuoka and Yamanaka, each of dence boost six weeks out from whom shredded the Eagles’ de- hosting the World Cup. fence with a number of jinking Captain Michael Leitch scored runs. a try in each half, with winger Fukuoka was unlucky not to World Cup boost Kenki Fukuoka and fullback Ryo- have a hat-trick of tries, hav- hei Yamanaka also crossing to ing fumbled an early chance and give the undefeated Brave Blos- later been denied another when ‘The red card (to Barrett) didn’t help us... Our discipline was poor early in the first half’ soms their third triumph in the his foot grazed the touch-line tournament after claiming the after he beat two defenders and AFP 2011 title and sharing the 2014 retrieved his own kick behind the Perth, Australia trophy with Samoa. goal-line. Despite a selection shake-up It was the United States’ fi rst and some early fumbles, Japan defeat of the tournament after ustralia scored a stun- soon produced the high-pace, thrashing Canada in Colorado ning 47-26 upset over running rugby that saw them and edging Samoa last weekend. a shell-shocked New rack up big scores in defeats of “I’m still happy that we’re on Zealand side reduced Fiji and Tonga. song for our World Cup prepara- toA 14 men in a pulsating Rugby Jamie Joseph, back in charge tion,” US coach Gary Gold said. Championship clash yesterday after missing the Tonga game “I’m really proud of our guys for a major confi dence boost due to the death of his mother, for how hard they stuck in and ahead of the World Cup. was underwhelmed by the win, fought right to the end and I A power-packed All Blacks however, and felt his team had think we’re in a good place.” were widely tipped to retain a put themselves under pressure. In the late match in Suva, de- stranglehold over their trans- “I thought the players didn’t fending champions Fiji signed Tasman rivals in Perth, but a play our best rugby tonight but off with a gruelling 10-3 win over red card for Scott Barrett in the we did play a couple of good Samoa, defending grimly after dying seconds of the fi rst half tests,” Joseph said. winger Vereniki Goneva scored for a dangerous shoulder charge “I thought we played well the sole try soon after the halft- made it an uphill battle. against Fiji and then they sort of ime break. He was only the fourth All followed on last week (against The Fijians rode their luck in the Black ever to be sent off , with Tonga). It was diffi cult, the US dying minutes, with Samoa full- Sonny Bill Williams the last, made it really diffi cult for us to- back Ahsee Tuala failing to ground against the British and Irish Li- day. the ball for a try as he dived for the ons in 2017. “I just think it’s our fi rst goal, line at the left corner. New Zealand went to the break 16-12 behind and in a game that doubled as the opening Bl- EQUESTRIAN edisloe Cup clash, they never re- covered with Australia crossing for six tries to the visitor’s four, scoring their most points ever Britain take Nation against the All Blacks. It was a major blow ahead of the All Blacks World Cup de- Cup win to raise fence and follows a narrow 20- 16 victory over the Pumas last month before a scrappy 16-16 Olympic chances draw against the Springboks two weeks ago, raising serious ques- Australia’s Kurtley Beale (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try against New Zealand during their Rugby Championship Reuters For the majority of the Nations tions over their all-conquering Bledisloe Cup match in Perth, Australia, yesterday. (AFP) Dublin, Ireland Cup season Britain have strug- dominance. gled at the bottom of the Western “We’re disappointed, Aus- in Japan next month. RATTLED Rugby Championship since 2016. But another converted pen- European League. tralia played particularly well,” But even before Barrett was “It was some game, plenty of The Wallabies threatened alty put Australia back on top fter a long period in The pressure was immense in said coach Steve Hansen. sent packing, they struggled with action, When you get that at- from the outset and the pressure before Barrett’s clumsy shoulder the doldrums, Britain Dublin, yet they put in a gritty “The red card didn’t help us, ill discipline, giving away three mosphere brewing it makes you paid off with a converted pen- charge caught Michael Hooper claimed the fi nal leg of performance and pulled off vic- but we didn’t help ourselves ei- penalties in the opening stanza, want to play better,” said Aus- alty after seven minutes. on the head and French referee the FEI Nations Cup in tory without needing Smith to ther. Our discipline was poor early all converted by Christian Leali- tralia coach Michael Cheika, They quickly raced 10-0 ahead Jerome Garces sent him off . DublinA on Friday to take a step compete in the second round. in the fi rst half... there were nu- ifano with Australia dominating with a 61,000-strong crowd at with O’Connor sending a lovely Tries from Nic White and closer to Olympic qualifi cation. It was momentous win for merous occasions we got off side possession and territory. Perth Stadium. one-handed off -load to Hodge Lukhan Salakaia-Loto within The quartet of Ben Maher, team performance manager Di when we didn’t need to. It didn’t improve in the second “A few things went our way, who sprinted to the line for a try. eight minutes of the re-start Scott Brash, Holly Smith and Lampard, who has been chal- “They’re the sort of things we half, with the Wallabies pressing but I’m very pleased... We’re all Rattled, the All Blacks hauled left New Zealand with a near- Emily Moffi tt produced stellar lenged by a lack of experienced need to go away and fi x up. At their advantage with two early pumped.” themselves into the game with impossible task. performances to fi nish the two- British rider and horse combina- the end, they found more space tries to rock the All Blacks’ con- The result justifi ed Cheika’s Anton Lienert-Brown flopping They pegged one back through round competition on just one tions for several years. than we could cover.” fi dence and keep alive hopes of gamble in changing up the back- onto a bouncing grubber kick Beauden Barrett before Marika penalty with nearest rivals Italy “We’ve ridden the storm this Hanson tested positional getting their hands back on the line. A livewire Reece Hodge was to get their first points of the Koroibete powered over for an- trailing behind on 12. season, we’ve had the downs and combinations in their open- Bledisloe Cup for the fi rst time a handful, James O’Connor, in game. other Australian fi ve-pointer and The win catapulted the British the diffi culties,” Lampard said ing two Rugby Championship since 2002. his fi rst start in six years, slotted And they snatched the lead on Hodge then got his second. from the bottom of their divi- after collecting the coveted Aga matches, but against Australia The trans-Tasman rivals play in seamlessly and Lealiifano was 16 minutes after a turnover, with Ngani Laumape grabbed a sion to seventh place — a result Khan Trophy. he reverted to what is consid- the return leg in Auckland next his usual calm presence. Dane Coles making a break and consolation try, before Kurtley that earned them a ticket to the “But it had to change some ered close to his starting 15 for week, with Australia needing to It gave Australia their fi rst Reiko Ioane punishing Australia Beale rubbed salt in the wounds Jumping Nations Cup Final in time and with a good team and their fi rst game of the World Cup win to take home the silverware. back-to-back victories in the by dotting down for his 23rd try. with the Wallabies’ sixth. Barcelona. the right spirit, I felt it was going This provides them with an- to come right this week.” other chance to qualify for the It was the 27th time Britain Tokyo Olympics in addition to had won the Aga Khan Trophy the European Championships in in the 93 year history of the Ireland ‘hopeful’ over Carbery injury aft er beating Italy in WC warm-up Rotterdam later this month. event. AFP Schmidt during the week after on the 50-minute mark and was It had been a worriesome peri- With this pivotal victory un- Dublin, Ireland he had returned to his native replaced by Jack Carty. od for the British camp who, de- der her belt, Lampard is focused New Zealand due to a family Schmdit’s side then touched spite winning team gold in Lon- on the European Championships bereavement, made a sloppy down for a fifth time as don 2012 and individual gold in where Maher, Brash and Smith reland head coach Joe start to proceedings in front substitute scrum-half Kieran Rio four years later, have still not will be joined by Amanda Derby- Schmidt said he was “hope- a meagre crowd at the Aviva Marmion charged down an Ian secured a ticket to Tokyo 2020. shire and Laura Renwick. Iful” about Joey Carbery’s Stadium. McKinley attempted clearance They are also reliant on good “Now we are really confi dent fitness after the fly-half suff ered Italy claimed an early 5-0 lead with 17 minutes remaining for results to retain their signifi cant about going to Rotterdam and an ankle injury in yesterday’s after Maxime Mbanda’s 13th- the final score of the game. funding from Britain’s state lot- winning a medal and our place in 29-10 victory over Italy in their minute unconverted try. Ireland continue their prepa- tery. Tokyo,” she said. first warm-up Test ahead of this Carbery dotted down five ration for the World Cup by year’s Rugby World Cup. minutes later and converted his facing England in two weeks’ Carbery, starting instead of the own score. time at Twickenham before rested World Player of the Year Conor O’Shea’s side then back-to-back games against Ruiz-Joshua rematch in December Johnny Sexton, was carried re-took the lead with a Carlo Wales the following two off the field with half an hour Canna try before two Ireland Saturdays. Mexican-American world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr of play remaining after he tries from Dave Kearney and They face hosts Japan, Scot- will fight Britain’s Anthony Joshua in a rematch in Saudi Arabia on was trapped under a heap of Andrew Conway claimed a 19- land, Russia and Samoa in their December 7, Sky Sports reported on Friday. Ruiz produced one of bodies. 10 half-time lead for the home pool at the World Cup. boxing’s biggest upsets by beating the 29-year-old Joshua with a “It looks like a ligament injury side. Italy play Russia next Saturday seventh-round stoppage at New York’s Madison Square Garden in the ankle, the ankle looks Their advantage was extended before taking on France on on June 1. The Briton, previously undefeated and fighting for the pretty stable, we’d be hopeful it Ireland’s Joey Carbery (centre) walks off the field after sustaining five minutes into the second August 30 and England the first time in the United States, was defending his IBF, WBA and wouldn’t be too bad,” Schmidt an injury during the match against Italy yesterday. (Reuters) half with Jordi Murphy touch- following Friday, before facing WBO titles but was knocked down four times in the fight. Promoter told Irish broadcaster RTE. ing down but Carbery missed defending champions New Eddie Hearn had already confirmed three days after the bout that “It’s an ankle sprain, there’s no “We’re going to have to wait if he does we need to let the the conversion. Zealand, South Africa, Namibia Joshua had triggered the contracted rematch clause for what he fracture so that’s a promising probably 48 hours to see swelling go down.” The Munster outside-half was and Canada in their World Cup called a ‘must-win’ fight for the 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight first sign. whether he needs a scan and The hosts, who were without then taken off the field on a cart group. champion.

BOTTOMLINE England’s World Cup plans hit by player spat, injuries ahead of Wales clash

AFP spokesman confi rmed there was Despite the RFU’s earlier ad- A day after naming the start- the starting XV. campaign — adapting, adjusting, list, to be published tomorrow, London an “altercation” during a social mission, Jones bizarrely replied ing XV, Jones was forced into a Facing an experimental side bring people in and out, fi nding will confi rm the end of New Zea- event at the squad’s heat and hu- when asked about the incident: signifi cant reshuffl e, including to picked by the 59-year-old head your role. It’s a most fascinating land’s 10-year reign at the top if midity training camp in Italy last “No, I’m not able to confi rm that. the back row, where the experi- coach is Wales’s strongest avail- time,” he said. Wales triumph. ngland’s World Cup week. I’m not able to confi rm. I think ment of deploying opensides Un- able XV, including 13 starters Wales will become rugby un- Gatland’s side, who are chas- build-up has been dis- As a result, Te’o and Brown I’ve answered the question.” derhill and Tom Curry in tandem from the Grand Slam-clinching ion’s new number one-ranked ing a 15th successive victory, have rupted by a spat between were dropped from the squad for Plans for the opening warm- will have to be delayed. victory over Ireland in March. nation if they avoid defeat made a change to their match-day Ben Te’o and Mike Brown Sunday’s visit of Wales to Twick- up Test against Warren Gatland’s Slade (knee), Underhill (toe) Jones, however, shrugged off against England at Twickenham 23 for Sunday, with scrum-half andE a clutch of injury withdraw- enham in a match staged 24 hours team have been disturbed by and McConnochie (hip) have the mounting problems as ideal today after New Zealand’s 47-26 Tomos Williams being ruled out. als before today’s Test against Six before head coach Eddie Jones injuries to centre Henry Slade, been ruled out, so Jonathan for this stage of tournament Rugby Championship defeat to His place on the bench has Nations champions Wales. fi nalises his 31-man World Cup fl anker Sam Underhill and wing Joseph, Joe Cokanasiga and Lewis preparation. Australia yesterday. been taken by Ospreys’ Aled A Rugby Football Union squad. Ruaridh McConnochie. Ludlum have been propelled into “It’s all part of a World Cup World Rugby’s latest rankings Davies. Gulf Times Sunday, August 11, 2019 7 CRICKET

ASHES Tamim granted break from cricket by BCB Australia’s cupboard is Dhaka: Tamim Iqbal has been granted a break from cricket by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). According to ESPNCricinfo, the 30-year-old opener’s request for some time off in early August has full of fast bowlers: Starc been approved by the board. This mean’s that he will miss the one-off Test against Australia’s senior quick says he is Afghanistan and the T20I series that follows. This will excited by competition in squad be the first time that Tamim will miss a series without any By Adam Collins at Lord’s he’s been through, and similarly Pat injuries. He will now be avail- The Guaridan Cummins previously.” able for Bangladesh’s tour of He added: “We’re really close mates. India in November where they So having that competition there will play three T20Is and two eft out, rotated, overlooked, whether it be Josh [Hazlewood] and I Tests. It follows the BCB’s deci- rested . . . plain old dropped: playing or a diff erent two playing, it is sion to give Shakib Al Hasan a this was a familiar cycle as far a squad mentality. We’re here to win break during last month’s ODI as Mitchell Starc was concerned the Ashes. We’re not here to make it on series against Sri Lanka. They Lthrough the fi rst four years of his inter- the park. We want to win this Ashes. had also allowed Shakib time national career. By the time he reached Whether that’s a diff erent bowling at- off during the 2017 Test series his 16th Test the left-arm quick had tack each game, or the same through against South Africa. On both missed a match immediately after play- fi ve Tests, it’s exciting.” occasions, the allrounder had ing one on 11 occasions, having never In 2015 it was Hazlewood, along with made the request which was stitched three together on the trot. One Mitchell Johnson, who did the bulk of then granted. of those omissions was at Lord’s in 2013, the damage at Lord’s in a thumping In his letter to the BCB, switched out for Ryan Harris. But in the 405-run victory – yet Starc was im- Tamim, who is Bangladesh’s 36 Tests that have followed since Aus- portant too, in both innings making the highest run-scorer in all for- tralia’s visit here in 2015, the opposite early initial incision. Four years on he mats of the game, had asked has been true: Starc the clear attack says he does not remember much about for a break after a poor run of leader. Sure, he has missed plenty of that experience, other than the lunch. form in which he scored just Tests through injury in that period but But fresh in his memory more recently, one half-century and had a never due to selection. this was the ground where during the lean run in the limited overs With this in mind, that Starc did not World Cup he routed England then New series against Sri Lanka. feature in last week’s Ashes opener at Zealand with fi ve-wicket bags in the He had spoken about the Edgbaston was the result of a big deci- space of fi ve days. issues he faced during the sion. It was quirky, too, given that in his “I don’t know if you’ve been talking 2015 World Cup in which he most recent outing in February he took a to JL [Langer] or not,” Starc laughed was subjected to abuse on neat 10-for-100 against Sri Lanka. when asked if he will get his opportu- social media, and said that But being the senior quick with 211 nity at Lord's on Wednesday. similar treatment was meted Test wickets – on the back of a World “The boys did really well at Edgbas- out to him in recent months. Cup where he had claimed 26 scalps – ton. If called up at Lord’s I’m ready to go Tamim said that the memories was not enough to save him from the as well. We’re not sure what the condi- of 2015 impeded his prepara- new philosophical approach based pri- tions are going to be but, if it’s anything tion for the 2019 World Cup in marily around team balance and gov- like that Irish Test, it’s perfect for us England and Wales. erned by assessing conditions from bowlers.” The 29-year-old also men- venue to venue. tioned that he is fully fi t after the rig- Neither Justin Langer nor Tim Paine ours of a taxing white-ball campaign was shy about this in the lead-up to the earlier in the summer. fi rst Test, the latter stating that he saw Instructively Starc appreciates that it Starc and James Pattinson as playing a is controlling the Duke ball in England “similar role”, clarifying that he wanted where he has fallen short on his two his attack to “complement each other” previous Ashes visits. “That is a bal- in a way that was not so the last time the ance that I’ve slowly gotten better at Ashes were played for in this country. playing through 2013 and 2015,” he said. For Pattinson’s part, he said this week “I’ve been conscious of that and trying that, if he were to feature in either of the to build pressure from both ends. I think next two Tests, he would be content, we’ve got an attack that does diff erent given his own history with chronic back things and builds pressure in diff erent injuries. Whether or not that opens ways.” That was evident in patches at the door for Starc at Lord’s is yet to be Worcester but he did fail to wipe away seen. But when speaking for the fi rst the lower order of the county side, in time since carrying the drinks at Bir- the way he has such a reputation for, mingham (or, rather, organising Steve with his pace and swing. Smith’s batting gloves), he showed no Even though Starc’s place at the top public sign of dissatisfaction about his of the Australian bowling pecking or- current situation. der is not so clear any more for this “Everyone prefers to play but it’s series, there is little doubt he will even- pretty exciting that the cupboard is full tually be called on. It is anyone’s guess of fast bowlers,” he said before hitting what an unexpected spell out of the side the road for London. “It’s awesome to will do when that time comes but it will see Jimmy Pattinson back after what be fun to fi nd out. Mitchell Starc was overlooked for the Ashes opener in Edgbaston, which Australia won by 251 runs.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Archer’s ‘X factor’ can ignite West Indies pick uncapped England Ashes bid, says Buttler Cornwall for India Tests Reuters AFP St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda London est Indies have os Buttler believes Jofra Archer’s “X called up uncapped factor” can re-energise England’s spin-bowling all- Ashes challenge, with the paceman in rounder Rahkeem line to make a much-anticipated Test WCornwall for the two Tests debutJ at Lord’s this week. Australia took a against India later this month but 1-0 lead in the fi ve-match series after win- paceman Alzarri Joseph will miss ning the fi rst Test at Edgbaston earlier this the series with injury. month by the thumping margin of 251 runs. Cornwall’s impressive record Archer is likely to play in the match start- for Leeward Islands Hurricanes ing on Wednesday in place of England’s and the West Indies ‘A’ team record wicket-taker James Anderson, who is earned him his maiden call-up sidelined by a calf injury. with Robert Haynes, head of “He’s got the X factor,” Buttler said of his interim selection panel, saying fellow World Cup winner. they had high hopes from the “In his short international career so far 26-year-old. we’ve seen what an impact he’s had. He’s “Rahkeem has been perform- got amazing skills with the white ball, but ing consistently over a long pe- talking to him he prefers bowling with the riod of time and has proven to be red one. That’s exciting for us, and it’s excit- a match-winner, so we believe ing for the world to see him in the Test arena. his elevation to the test squad He tends to cope with expectation well, he’s is merited at this time,” Haynes portant series coming up later in Gayle has made 7,214 runs a pretty laid-back character who has an im- said in a statement. the year in India and we want to in Test cricket with a highest mense trust in his game. So if he gets his “We believe he can provide an be very careful how his recovery score of 333 but his career in re- chance I expect him to perform really well.” attacking option to our bowl- is managed.” cent years has been confi ned to Australia won the Ashes opener despite ing attack with his sharp turn Along with Cornwall, regular white-ball cricket and franchise stumbling to 122 for eight on the opening and extra bounce,” he said of West Indies ‘A’ captain Shamarh T20 leagues. day, with man-of-the-match Steve Smith the off -spinner, who has taken Brooks is the only other un- Despite the second of the hitting two centuries. But Buttler says there 260 wickets from 55 fi rst-class capped player in the 13-member two-Test series against India be- will be no panic from England after their matches. “He can also lend a bit squad. The Sir Vivian Richards ing played at his home ground heavy loss at Edgbaston. No side has won England’s Jos Buttler had poor returns with the bat in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston. (AFP) of depth to the batting, so we Cricket Ground in Cornwall’s of Sabina Park in Jamaica from the Ashes after losing the fi rst Test since are looking forward to him com- native Antigua hosts the fi rst August 30-September 3, it looks Michael Vaughan’s England side triumphed fi nding a way to dismiss Smith, who now Cup hangover and stated he has been feeling ing into the squad and making a Test from Aug. 22 while the sec- like Gayle’s fi nal international in 2005. averages nearly 63 in Test cricket. But- in the form of his life for a while now. “The valuable contribution.” ond Test is scheduled at Jamai- appearance in the Caribbean will “We played some good cricket at Edg- tler knows Smith well as the two men were World Cup is not a hindrance, it should be Joseph was allowed to re- ca’s Sabina Park from Aug. 30. instead be next Wednesday in the baston, but we didn’t play well enough for teammates at the Rajasthan Royals in the used as a positive. The feeling around the cover from an arm injury sus- Meanwhile, selectors resisted third ODI in Port of Spain. long enough,” Buttler said. “The challenge is Indian Premier League this year. country, I think we will use the momentum tained during the Indian Premier the temptation to grant Chris still the same. Every time you come and play “He’s pretty good, isn’t he?” Buttler said. of that. League earlier this year. “Alzarri Gayle a sentimental fi nal Test West Indies squad: Jason at Lord’s is special, especially in an Ashes “What he does is put you under pressure for a “ We don’t need to use it as a negative. Of is undergoing remedial work and appearance on home ground. The Holder (captain), Kraigg Test. There’s no need to panic. We’re 1-0 long period of time and puts demands on you. course it has gone now and we need to fo- we are monitoring his recovery, 39-year-old Gayle played the Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, down but there’s four matches to go in this He’s a fantastic player who can take advan- cus on Test cricket but there is no hangover but we do not think he is ready last of his 103 Tests in September Shamarh Brooks, John series. We know we’ve got a fantastic team tage of that. He’s been one of the best play- from that. I have felt like I have been in good yet to last fi ve days of a gruelling 2014, but had hinted during the Campbell, Roston Chase, Rah- and we’ve got to stay calm. Nothing really ers for a while now and that’s the challenge of form for 18 months or so. I feel like I am the test match,” Haynes said. “He World Cup this year that he was keem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, changes. We’ve lost that game but we’ve got playing Test cricket against Australia.” best version of myself that I have ever been. represents a key part of West In- open to playing one more Test Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Het- enough belief to make it one-all.” The 28-year-old dismissed claims that I have to take a lot of faith from that and give dies future and we do not want to before bringing down the curtain myer, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, The key to England’s hopes of victory is the side was feeling the eff ects of a World myself the best chance.” rush him back. We have two im- on his international career Kemar Roach.

Sunday, August 11, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS MOTORCYCLING Marquez claims Nadal rallies for landmark 59th MotoGP pole with record lap in Austria Montreal semis spot AFP Ducati are seeking their fourth Spielberg, Austria straight win in Austria, but they appear to have their work cut out World No 2 was the only major seed to survive a cull after defeats for Thiem, Zverev with Marquez’s Honda a sizeable arc Marquez will 0.434sec clear of Quartararo. start the Austrian The second row is occupied MotoGP from pole by Maverick Vinales (Yamaha), after Honda’s world Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati- Mchampion posted a new lap Pramac) and Takaaki Nakagami record time in qualifying yester- (Honda-LCR). day to overtake Mick Doohan’s “Honestly, I’m really happy all-time mark with his 59th pole because we worked in a good way in the top division. today,” said Vinales. The Spaniard, who holds a “But we have to keep trying commanding 63-point lead in his because we lose a few tenths on hunt for a sixth MotoGP world ti- the straights which we have to tle, is seeking his fi rst ever win in recover on the brakes and corner Austria but his seventh of 2019. speed. We have to keep working Marquez secured his landmark hard to see if we can improve.” pole in style with a fastest ever Honda’s German test driver lap at the Red Bull Ring of 1min Stefan Bradl, who is replacing 23.027sec, having topped all four Marquez’s injured Repsol Hon- practice sessions. da teammate Jorge Lorenzo, “I produced what was a really starts in 21st and last place in very good lap. I made a minor this 11th instalment of the 19- mistake in the last sector but I race season. had a good rhythm,” he said. Italian MotoGP legend Valen- Fellow Honda rider Cal tino Rossi was looking good for Crutchlow hailed the Spanish a prominent starting position rider. in Q2 before having to settle for “He’s like Houdini,” Crutchlow 10th on his factory Yamaha. told motorsport.com. “He just “Starting from the fourth vanishes in thin air -- you see row will be hard, but my pace is him one minute and he’s gone quite good, I’m not so bad,” said the next.” seven-time premier class world Marquez had drawn level with champion Rossi. retired Australian fi ve-time world champion Doohan’s tally AUSTRIAN MOTOGP GRID at Brno last time out. Front row: 1. Marc Marquez The Lewis Hamilton of the (Honda), 2. Fabio Quartararo two-wheel fastlane is joined on (Yamaha-SRT), 3. Andrea Dovizio- the front row by Fabio Quar- sio (Ducati) tararo, the French rookie with Second row: 4. Maverick Vinales Yamaha’s satellite SRT team, (Yamaha), 5. Francesco Bagnaia who pushed factory Ducati rider (Ducati-Pramac), 6. Takaaki Nak- Andrea Dovizioso into third with agami (Honda-LCR) Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a shot against Fabio Fognini (not pictured) of Italy during their Rogers Cup match in Montreal, Canada. (USA TODAY Sports) his fi nal lap. Third row: 7. Alex Rins (Suzuki), “This front row is like pole for 8. Jack Miller (Ducati-Pramac), 9. AFP I was not playing badly. Things they were unable to complete a TIRED THIEM travel schedule caught up with me,” the talented Frenchman told Cal Crutchlow (Honda-LCR) Montreal, Canada were just going too fast. game before play was suspended Khachanov and Medvedev are him in his 56-minute loss. Canal+. “I’m happy because I Fourth row: 10.Valentino “Things happen quickly here for the night. 1-1 in their rivalry, having played “With all the traveling and never thought I could make the Rossi (Yamaha), 11. Pol Espar- because the court is fast. Some- Austrian second seed Thiem, each other in Moscow last sea- short transition, two very tough front row in Austria and we’ve garo (KTM), 12. Danilo Petrucci afael Nadal needed a times in the fi rst set, the player coming off an emotional home son and in 2017 at the NextGen matches yesterday and two days succeeded.” (Ducati) set to get adjusted be- who is taking advantage has the victory in Kitzbuehel last week, fi nal in Milan. ago, I think the battery was fore unloading on Fabio adrenaline very high. hit the wall in a 6-3, 6-1 thrash- “It’s never easy to play a good empty today. I was not on my Fognini for a 2-6, 6-1, “It’s diffi cult to quickly stop ing at the hands of Russia’s friend, especially from the same 100 %,” he said. 6-2R victory and a place in the ATP that momentum.” eighth-seeded Daniil Medvedev. country,” Khachanov said. “Da- “This is just not enough in Montreal Masters semi-fi nals. World number two Nadal was Number three Zverev was niil is having a great season. The the quarter-fi nals of a Mas- Nadal, who won his fourth ti- the only major seed to survive a unable to make an impression match will be diffi cult. ters 1000, especially against a tle in Canada a year ago, needed quarter-fi nal cull after defeats on Russian sixth seed Karen “He’s a dangerous opponent. guy like Daniil, who is in a great almost two hours on Friday to for Dominic Thiem and Alexan- Khachanov, losing 6-3, 6-3 in 74 He has been destroying eve- shape, who is playing amazing overcome the Italian veteran der Zverev. minutes. ryone this week. It should be a tennis.” who shocked him on clay at He won’t know who he’ll play Zverev suff ered the first blem- great match.” Medvedev admitted he was Monte Carlo in April. for a place in the fi nal until Sat- ish on what had been a perfect Two-time Roland Garros fi - expecting Thiem to be tougher. “It was an up-and-down urday, when Gael Monfi ls and 7-0 record in Montreal after nalist Thiem, who had never “I was happy that I was able to match, but a positive match for Roberto Bautista Agut return to winning the 2017 edition in his won a match in Canada over fi ve play so well, to beat him so eas- me because I played better and complete a rain delayed match. maiden visit to the city, which years of trying before this week, ily,” Medvedev said. “It saved me better as it went on,” Nadal said. Steady rain began as Monfi ls alternates with Toronto as host said he did not have a chance a lot of energy. It gave me a lot of “I lost the fi rst set feeling that and Bautista took the court and venue each year. against Medvedev as a hectic confi dence, so I’m very happy.”

Serena powers past No 1-bound Osaka, Halep retires hurt

AFP York, which was a really good Bouzkova, who advanced when Toronto, Canada match for her,” said Williams, Wimbledon champion Simona adding that she feels her own Halep retired with Achilles game is coming on as she’d tendon trouble after dropping erena Williams won hoped in the buildup to this their first set 6-4. the rematch on Friday, year’s US Open at Flushing “I’ve always wanted to play Sdominating Naomi Osaka Meadows. Serena,” said Bouzkova, a 6-3, 6-4 to ensure the Japanese “I’m getting there,” said Williams, 21-year-old ranked 91st in the Repsol Honda’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates his pole star won’t leave Toronto with a who hasn’t dropped a set this world. “It’s always my dream to position after the qualifying session for the Austrian MotoGP in title to go with her number one week as she pursues a fourth play against her.” Spielberg yesterday. (AFP) world ranking. Toronto title to go with those she Bouzkova notched her third Williams fired 12 aces and didn’t won in 2001, 2011 and 2013. “It’s straight win over a Grand Slam face a break point as she beat definitely not where I want to be, champion, having beaten Osaka for the first time in three but I’m getting there.” former US Open winner Sloane Qatar beat New Zealand in Asian games— avenging her shock loss Osaka said she played too Stephens and former French in last year’s controversial US defensively — something she Open champ Jelena Ostapenko. under-23 volleyball Open final in which the American She broke again for a 2-1 lead in The American’s lone wobble said was hard to avoid when But Halep marked her first win QNA Zealand 3-1 on Friday in the star was docked a point and a the second and never looked like came in the final game. After Williams was hitting 31 winners. over a top-five player. Naypyidaw, Myanmar consolation rounds for 13th- game after losing her temper surrendering the advantage. a pair of aces gave her a triple “But I think there were chances Canadian teen Bianca An- 16th place. when warned about coaching. Even a run-in with the net cord match point, Williams off ered where she hit shorter balls, but dreescu ousted Karolina Qatar won 22-25, 25-20, 26-24, There was no such drama in — as she raced forward trying up a double fault and two back- I wasn’t expecting her to hit the Pliskova 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 to set atar’s under-23 youth 25-13 in the game lasted 120 Toronto, where Williams broke to run down a drop shot — hands into the net before she shorter balls, so I didn’t move up a a semi-final clash with volleyball team won minutes. Osaka for a 5-3 lead in the first didn’t faze her. closed it out with an ace on her up on time,” she said. American Sofia Kenin, who de- Qtheir second match The Qatari team will conclude and closed out the opening set “It hurt, but it wasn’t the end of fourth match point. In the semi-finals Williams feated Ukraine sixth seed Elina in the Asian championship their matches in the tourna- with a service winner. the world,” Williams said. “We haven’t played since New will face Czech qualifier Marie Svitolina 7-6 (2), 6-4. in Myanmar, beating New ment against Hong Kong.

BOTTOMLINE Djokovic, Federer back and Murray returns in Cincinnati AFP fi rst-round Australian Open loss, Andy Murray after a standout week in Montreal. to injury, is missing the US Open hopes to continue her fi ghtback Cincinnati, United States after which the Scotsman tear- The Spaniard called Murray’s tuneup. to match fi tness, which was on fully said his career might be over return “good for the sport,” sug- On the women’s side, Austral- solid display in a victory Friday after playing and losing in severe gesting the decision shows the ian Ashleigh Barty, who lost the over Osaka in a rematch of their ovak Djokovic and Rog- hip pain. 32-year-old feels healthy enough top ranking with a fi rst-match 2018 US Open fi nal. er Federer will make He then underwent a success- to compete at the top level. exit in Toronto, is seeded atop the The 37-year-old American late summer hardcourt ful hip surgery that has given his Fourth seed Dominic Thiem table followed by double Grand will begin her campaign against starts next week as the career a second chance at age 32. will hope to keep lifting his hard- Slam champion Naomi Osaka of a qualifi er. NATP and WTA Cincinnati Mas- Murray, a 2008 and 2011 court form after reaching the Japan. After losing the Wimbledon ters gets underway with all major Cincinnati champion, will open Montreal quarter-fi nals. Greek Czech Karolina Pliskova, the fi nal against Halep, Williams is names set to compete. in the fi rst round against France’s fi fth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will 2016 winner, is third ahead of keeping her hopes toned down. Along to give his resur- Richard Gasquet, whom he leads need to quickly improve after Romania’s Simona Halep and “I go into every match think- faced right hip a test after seven 8-3 in their personal rivalry, tak- losing early in Canada. holder Kiki Bertens of the Neth- ing I can do it, but sometimes months of singles inactivity will ing their past three meetings Cincinnati trophy seven times, Top seed Djokovic and number Japan’s Kei Nishikori take the erlands. that doesn’t happen,” she said. be two-time champion Andy dating to 2015 and 2016. most recently in 2015. three Federer will both be play- fi fth seeding ahead of Montreal Halep is dealing with an Achil- “Overall I just come and do the Murray, with the world number Federer, who turned 38 on The icon with 20 Grand Slam ing for the fi rst time since their quarter-fi nalist Alexander Zver- les tendon injury after managing best I can.” 325 entered on a wild card. Thursday, will need to lift his singles titles has been holding off Wimbledon fi nal, won by the ev and Russian Karen Khachanov. to play only one set in the Toron- Bertens could play Venus Wil- British three-time Grand Slam game immediately as he prepares Djokovic and Nadal, who contin- Serb after Federer held two match South African Kevin Ander- to quarters. liams in the second round if the champion Murray’s most re- for the US Open. ue to close in on his record with points. son, the ATP number 10 who has Serena Williams, a 23-time veteran gets past a qualifi er in her cent singles match was a January Federer has claimed the 16 and 18 titles respectively. Nadal takes the second seeding not played since Wimbledon due Grand Slam singkes winner, opening match.