CRICKET | Page 3 BASEBALL | Page 6 Cook hits 50 Aguilar as England slams two tighten grip homers in on fi rst Test Brewers’ win

Sunday, July 9, 2017 FOOTBALL Shawwal 15, 1438 AH Leicester warn GULF TIMES Mahrez he could be dropped SPORT Page 4 TENNIS Djokovic, Federer march on as Kerber scrapes through The 35-year-old Federer is looking to become the oldest man in the professional SPOTLIGHT era to win the title and has not dropped a set in his opening three rounds Wozniacki back from guruza. Agnieszka Radwanska also had to come from behind in her third round tie, while in the men’s draw, last year’s the brink, into last 16 RESULTS beaten fi nalist Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov made it through — as did Sam Men (3rd rd): Sam Querrey bt Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 6-4, 6-1, Querrey, who took one game to beat Jo- (USA) bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7/2) Wilfried Tsonga. (FRA) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-5 Women (3rd rd): Angelique Their match was suspended Friday Milos Raonic (CAN x6) bt Albert Kerber (GER x1) bt Shelby at 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 6-5 due to Ramos (ESP x25) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, Rogers (USA) 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 bad light, with the French 12th seed not 7-5 Alexander Zverev (GER x10) Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP x14) bt wanting to fi eld Querrey’s returns of bt Sebastian Ofner (AUT) 6-4, Sorana Cirstea (ROM) 6-2, 6-2 serve in the gloom. 6-4, 6-2 Grigor Dimitrov (BUL Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x9) They came back Saturday but it was x13) bt Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-1, 6-1 — bt Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x19) all over in minutes as the US 24th seed retired Roger Federer (SUI x3) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 Svetlana Kuznetsova broke serve.“My opponent was good bt Mischa Zverev (GER x27) 7-6 (RUS x7) bt Polona Hercog (SLO) today. He did three, four good shots, and (7/3), 6-4, 6-4 Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-0 Magdaléna Rybáriková yeah, that’s it,” said Tsonga. (AUT x8) bt Jared Donaldson (SVK) bt Lesya Tsurenko (UKR) Canadian sixth seed Raonic downed (USA) 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 Tomas 6-2, 6-1 Petra Martic (CRO) bt Spain’s 25th seed Albert Ramos-Vino- Berdych (CZE x11) bt David Zarina Diyas (KAZ) 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 las 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 7-5 to book a fourth Ferrer (ESP) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 Adrian Coco Vandeweghe (USA) bt Ali- round spot against Alexander Zverev. Mannarino (FRA) bt Gael Monfils son Riske (USA) 6-2, 6-4 Caroline The German 10th seed beat Austrian (FRA x15) 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, Wozniacki (DEN x5) bt Anett qualifi er Sebastian Ofner 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. 6-2 Novak Djokovic (SRB x2) Kontaveit (EST) 3-6, 7-6 Bulgarian 13th seed Dimitrov had an Reuters Kontaveit, one of the most danger- easy ride when Israeli Sela was forced London ous unseeded players in the women’s to pull out at 6-1, 6-1 down after strug- draw having won the Den Bosch gling with a right thigh injury that re- grasscourt title in the build-up to quired treatment during the match. ormer world number one Wimbledon, served for the match at The 2008 Wimbledon junior cham- Caroline Wozniacki came 5-4 in the second set and was 30-0 pion will next face meet either Federer. within two points of defeat ahead in that game. Tomas Berdych, the 2010 beaten fi - Fagainst unseeded Estonian She missed a routine backhand nalist, beat David Ferrer in straight sets. Anett Kontaveit before recovering that would have given her three The Czech 11th seed will play either to win 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2 and reach the match points and Wozniacki levelled Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the third round match against Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis at Wimbledon yesterday. Austrian eighth seed Dominic Thiem fourth round of Wimbledon yester- at 5-5. or Jared Donaldson of the United States day. World number 38 Kontaveit broke AFP nis,” said three-time champion Djokovic lowing his serve into the net, but had tomorrow. The Dane, seeded fi ve, was get- again to lead 6-5 but faltered on serve London after making the second week without only limited success. The deft Radwanska, the 2012 beaten ting overpowered as she trailed by a once more with the winning line so dropping a set. He forced a tiebreak in the fi rst set, fi nalist, came back from a set down to set and 3-5 to the powerful Kontaveit close. Meanwhile, Roger Federer stayed on which Federer won without losing a beat Swiss 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky but she hung on grimly and turned She crumbled in the tiebreak and ovak Djokovic fended off a course for a record eighth Wimbledon point on serve, and then the Swiss took 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Centre Court. the match around. Wozniacki’s experience paid off brief challenge from Ernests title with a 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4 victory over control, breaking once in each of the “I expected a lot of tricky shots from Her next task will be to break in the decider as the Dane moved Gulbis to reach the Wimbledon German serve-volley expert Mischa next two sets before wrapping up victory her and a lot of entertaining rallies,” said through to the quarter-fi nals for the through to a last-16 clash with hard- last 16 yesterday as women’s Zverev. with an ace. the Polish ninth seed. fi rst time, having fallen at the fourth hitting 24th-seeded American. topN seed Angelique Kerber scraped into The 35-year-old Swiss is looking to Elsewhere in yesterday’s third round Radwanska next faces Russian eighth round stage fi ve times in the past “I felt like I wasn’t playing my best the business end of the championships. become the oldest man in the profes- ties, Kerber looked mightily relieved af- seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2004 US eight years. in the beginning,” the Dane said. “It Djokovic was a break down in the fi rst sional era to win the title and has not ter saving her world number one status and 2009 French Open champion, who “I’m just happy I survived today,” defi nitely took me a while to get into set and was taken to a tie break in the dropped a set in his opening three en- in a tense 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 win over cruised through with a 6-4, 6-0 win Wozniacki, who will face another it. third but beat Gulbis 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) counters at this year’s tournament. US world number 70 Shelby Rogers. over Slovenian qualifi er Polona Hercog. stern test against American big-hit- “I thought I played really well in on Centre Court, before Roger Federer World number 30, Zverev, who had The German star was a break down Croatia’s Petra Martic, ranked 135, is ter Coco Vandeweghe tomorrow, told the third set and at the end of the took on Mischa Zverev. not beaten Federer in four previous at- in the second set but did just enough the last qualifi er still going at Wimble- reporters. “I’m not really too worried second set. I was pleased to just keep “I’m delighted with the perform- tempts, hoped to upset the 18-times to claw her way into tomorrow’s fourth don after beating Kazakh wild card Za- yet about Monday. I’m just going to fi ghting. I felt her getting just a little ance. I thought I raised the level of ten- grand slam champion by doggedly fol- round where she will face Garbine Mu- rina Diyas 7-6 (8/6), 6-1. enjoy having won today.” bit nervous towards the end.”

RUGBY Lions, All Blacks series ends in frustrating draw AFP alties, with four by Farrell and one giant line, only for the two rookie All Blacks to Auckland eff ort by Elliot Daly just after half-time. turn defence into points. The All Blacks’ gamble in starting An intercept by Jordie Barrett set Lau- New Zealand All Blacks rookies Jordie Barrett and Laumape paid mape racing 80 metres where he was cut n Owen Farrell penalty three captain Kieran Read and off in the fi rst half, with both scoring down from behind by Jonathan Davies. minutes from time saw the his British and Irish Lions tries when the hosts were dominant. From a resulting scrum, Beauden Bar- British and Irish Lions snatch counterpart Sam Warburton By half-time the All Blacks were up rett kicked across fi eld for Jordie Barrett a 15-15 draw against the All with the trophy after 12-6, but the Lions struck back with two to leap high and instinctively palm the ABlacks to end a riveting series all square second-half penalties to level the scores ball back to Laumape for the opening try. their third Test match yesterday. in Auckland yesterday. at 12-12. In a frantic fi nal 20 minutes, the The Lions replied with a penalty to The All Blacks scored two tries in the All Blacks regained the lead after Wyatt Owen Farrell, but their time in All Blacks fi rst half and in the dying seconds, they Crockett forced a Lions scrum collapse, territory was limited and it was only were awarded a penalty well within allowing Beauden Barrett to put them poor handling by the New Zealanders kicking range only for the decision to be ahead 15-12 with the penalty. that eased the pressure on the tourists. overruled after a video review. But their slim lead evaporated on 77 When the Lions did get within strik- It left the series tied at one win and minutes when Farrell, also the Lions’ ing range they made it count, with Far- a draw each, the fi rst such result in the hero in last week’s 24-21 victory when rell adding a second penalty to close Lions’ 129-year history — and only the he kicked the winning points, landed a within one point before Jordie Bar- second time in 12 visits that they have penalty from 48 metres. rett was back in the action with the All not lost a series to New Zealand. The All Blacks clearly stung by losing Blacks’ second try. But neither side appeared satisfi ed by the second Test last week in Wellington, In the countdown to half-time, Brodie the result. For the All Blacks, it was the and they hit back with a vengeance in Retallick won an untidy lineout and the fi rst time in 39 games they have failed to the fi rst half. All Blacks went wide for Barrett to score win at Auckland’s Eden Park. The Lions were considered underdogs in space on the right. Fullback Jordie Barrett, in his fi rst Test and the tour’s schedule was labelled A third penalty to the Lions, this time start, set up Ngani Laumape for a try and “suicidal” before it began, but in the end a 52-metre shot from Daly, lifted the Li- then scored another, with his brother they proved their critics wrong. ons at the start of the second half and Beauden Barrett kicking a conversion After a helter-skelter opening 10 Farrell’s third successful kick, also from and one penalty. minutes, Daly beat Israel Dagg in the air distance, drew the Lions level with 20 The Lions’ points all came from pen- to take the Lions up to the New Zealand minutes remaining. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, July 9, 2017 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT REPRIEVE Florida police hint Venus not at My worst ever fault for fatal crash injury, says tearful Mattek-Sands Mattek-Sands, the winner of 24 doubles titles including seven at the majors as well as a mixed doubles gold at the Rio Olympics last year, said she has yet to see the video of the incident.

Reuters showed that a car not involved Orlando in the collision stalled Williams’ progress, causing her to linger in the intersection. When the traf- lorida police said on Fri- fi c light changed, an approach- day that a newly surfaced ing car driven by Barson’s wife, video shows that tennis Linda, collided with Williams’ star Venus Williams vehicle. Fwas acting lawfully when she The initial traffi c report said drove her sports utility vehicle Williams, 37, was at fault for into an intersection before a fatal failing to yield the right of way crash with another car on June 9. to Barson. But on Friday, Major Jerome Barson, 78, who was Paul Rogers of the Palm Beach a passenger in a sedan that col- Gardens Police Department said lided with the vehicle Williams a fuller investigation began after was driving, was fatally injured. Barson’s death on June 22. His family fi led a wrongful death He said police have not made a suit against Williams last week. fi nal determination of fault in the Williams, the former top- investigation. ranked tennis player in the world, The Barson family attorney, on Friday won her third-round Michael Steinger, in a statement match at the Wimbledon tourna- issued Friday, said the video ment in England. “continues to support the fact A statement from the Palm that Ms. Williams remained in Beach Gardens Police Depart- the intersection at a red light, US player Bethanie Mattek-Sands returns against Poland’s Magda Linette during their women’s singles first round match on the second day of Wimbledon. ment said a video, taken from the violating the Barsons’ right of entrance to the gated community way.” AFP the Rio Olympics last year, said she has where Williams lives, indicates Williams’ attorney, Malcolm London yet to see the video of the incident. Murray bemoans state of courts she acted lawfully in entering the Cunningham, on Friday did not “I remember I heard a pop in my leg intersection before the crash. immediately reply to an email re- and everything went slow after that,” she London: Defending champion Andy The statement said the video questing comment. ethanie Mattek-Sands broke said from her hospital room in Wimble- Murray added his voice to the grow- down in tears yesterday as she don. ing list of players unhappy at the state GRITTY relived the sickening injury “My knee felt really tight and I knew it of Wimbledon’s grass courts, even which shocked Wimbledon and was either dislocated or broken. I freaked claiming the hallowed Centre Court has hasB left her facing surgery to repair a dis- out. It’s the most painful injury I have developed divots. located kneecap. ever had.”Concerns were raised over the World number one Murray said the Top seed Kerber The 32-year-old American collapsed amount of time it took a medical crew to courts were not in as good a condition to the court after her right knee buckled reach Mattek-Sands even though Court as they have been in the past. in her second round match against Sora- 17 is just a stone’s throw from the tourna- Other players have criticised the state of lives to fi ght on na Cirstea on Thursday. ment’s Centre Court. Court 18 with France’s Kristina Mladen- She was left screaming in pain: “Please, Cirstea said only she, her physio and ovic claiming that a hole had appeared help me, please, please” in scenes so dis- Justin Mattek-Sands, the player’s hus- in the surface. tressing that TV cameras panned away band, attended to the American star and Weeks of hot weather and little rain from the stricken star. said it took around 10-15 minutes for a have left many surfaces stripped of stretcher to arrive. grass after just five days of the two- Concerns were raised “I have seen photos and Justin telling week long tournament. over the amount of time it me not to look at the leg but I said ‘fyi, I “The court I don’t think is in as good of took a medical crew to reach have already looked at it,” she added. condition as previous years,” said Mur- Mattek-Sands even though Court “I said please cover it up. Sorana came ray after beating Italy’s Fabio Fognini 17 is just a stone’s throw from the over and said it’s OK. She was there as my 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 on Centre Court on tournament’s Centre Court friend. I also remember telling the med- Friday to reach the last-16 for a 10th ics that if they tried to straighten my leg, straight year. Yesterday, Mattek-Sands said she had I’d kill them! I want to be knocked out in “There’s quite a few spots on the court, dislocated the patella and ruptured the hospital when you do it.” like just behind the baseline and just in patella tendon in her knee and will need “I gave the medics a hard time because front of the baseline, where there’s quite surgery. “I have had lots of injuries in my I didn’t feel the pain medication was big lumps of grass, sort of almost like lit- career but this is defi nitely the worst. I kicking in. Then I woke up in hospital and tle divots there, which I don’t remember am fl ying to New York on Sunday to see my leg was straight.” really being the case.” more doctors to see what’s going on with Mattek-Sands has her right leg in a Fognini agreed, saying the court “was the knee,” an emotional Mattek-Sands brace and had been visited by close friend really bad”. Germany’s Angelique Kerber reacts at going 2-1 up in the tie-break of said in a Facebook Live video. Sania Mirza as well as Cirstea. the second set against US player Shelby Rogers during their women’s “I will be out for a while but I will get Messages of support have also poured shoes when he played on Friday night. the world number four wrote on Twitter. singles third round match at Wimbledon yesterday. through this.” Mattek-Sands, the winner in while her Rio Olympic mixed doubles Novak Djokovic also sent his best “So sorry that you are going through of 24 doubles titles including seven at the gold medal winning partner Jack Sock wishes. so much pain. Glad to see many people Reuters third game of the second set. majors as well as a mixed doubles gold at even painted her name on his tennis “I feel for u and wish u fast recovery,” sending u love.” London World number 70 Rogers ap- peared to have one foot in the next round as she streaked to a BOTTOMLINE f Angelique Kerber hopes 4-2 lead but when Kerber pro- to become the fi rst German duced a net charging half-volley to win the Wimbledon title winner in the eighth game, she Isince Steffi Graf in 1996, she was sparked into life. Polona Hercog: The girl with the skull tattoo will have to draw up an emer- A forehand error from Rog- gency game plan as she cannot ers handed Kerber the break for AFP think it’s part of me. But some Before Wimbledon, she had aff ord to keep fl irting with dan- 4-4 and from then on the duo London people think it makes me look played just four events all season ger as she did against American were engaged in a battle of wills scary. — all on clay — starting with a outsider Shelby Rogers. as they dragged each other into “I only look like that on court loss in qualifying at Roland Gar- Kerber, who was runner-up heart-pumping rallies that often olona Hercog boasts an because I am very tall. It’s a good ros. to Serena Williams last year, stretched to over 15 shots. impressively-tattooed thing to have on the court. She even admitted that she has struggled for form in recent Once Kerber won the longest right arm with a skull “Some of the other girls say had originally wanted to skip months and lived dangerously rally of the match, a 21-shot bel- as the centrepiece but they could never do it. Others Wimbledon to play more small- for more than two hours yester- ter from the baseline, she strode Peven that dramatic image wasn’t say they really like them, others scale clay events in Europe, bu- day before eventually securing a 6-2 ahead in the tiebreak. enough to save her at Wimble- ask me if it hurts. Of course, it oyed by having won a $60,000 fourth-round place with a 4-6, But as she stood one point don yesterday. does!” event at Brescia in Italy. 7-6(2), 6-4 victory. away from levelling the match, The 26-year-old Slovenian, Her rivals may be happy to “I wasn’t planning to play on That Kerber eventually landed she stopped dead in the middle who cuts an impressive fi gure at learn that Hercog, who was as grass this season. It was a last- safely in the fourth round was of her service motion as a bee 6ft (1.82m), slumped to a 6-4, high as 35 in the world in 2011 minute decision to come here,” more down to Rogers’s lack of buzzed around her head. 6-0 defeat against two-time before a succession of injuries she said. grasscourt experience than the Yet the hovering pest was the Grand Slam winner Svetlana pushed her down to her current “It was a good decision. After German suddenly fi nding her least of her worries as Kerber Kuznetsova. 265, isn’t planning to add to her all the injuries I have had it’s a range. desperately tried to overcome But if her game on Court 12 personal art collection. great way to come back.” Rogers belted down 48 win- an opponent whose stinging wasn’t making an impression, “I think one arm is plenty for Her progress to the third ners compared with just 25 from groundstrokes were proving to her ink work certainly had fans now,” she said. round also boosted her bank ac- Kerber but she was eventually be a continual nuisance. transfi xed. Hercog came through quali- count. undone by her unforced errors — A backhand winner at the end The Doha-based Hercog has fying to reach the third round at Before Wimbledon, Hercog the fi nal tally totalling 47. of a 13-shot rally earned her the tattoos covering her entire right Wimbledon, having seen her ca- had made just under $20,000 Kerber was fi rst thrown off second set but the players barely arm and the forearm of the left. reer suff er a series of blows since in 2017 but that has now been course just three games into the had time to catch their breaths “There are roses, there’s half a retiring in the fi rst round of the augmented by a cheque for match when a backhand error as they were soon engaged in a woman’s face, a wing and also a US Open last year. $116,000. handed Rogers a break. 10-minute game that stretched skull,” she told AFP. She has suff ered a stress frac- “If you had told me I would The 24-year-old held on to to six deuces before Kerber fi nal- “I chose the skull because ture of the shoulder, a left knee have made the third round, I the advantage to pocket the set ly converted a fi fth break point to I like the image. Sometimes I Slovenia’s Polona Hercog of Slovenia. injury and a right wrist injury. would have taken that.” and repeated the same feat in the go 1-0 up in the decider. Gulf Times Sunday, July 9, 2017 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Cook hits fi ft y as England tighten grip on the fi rst Test Hosts were 119 for one in their second innings at stumps on the third day at Lord’s, for a lead of 216 runs

AFP a mere 36 balls, including 10 bounda- London ries. But his next ball proved his last, de Kock slicing Anderson to short square cover where Stokes took an excellent lastair Cook’s unbeaten fi fty low catch. “As much as I would love to strengthened England’s grip say it was my idea, it was Joe’s,” said on the fi rst Test at Lord’s after Anderson of the unusual fi eld placing.” South Africa had to toil in the Anderson added: “He’s doing well. fiA eld without Vernon Philander yester- In particular, yesterday (Friday) when day. England were 119 for one in their it was a really hot day he could have let second innings at stumps on the third bowlers bowl really long spells but he day, a lead of 216 runs in this opening chopped and changed and got the best match of a four-Test series. out of the bowling attack. We were re- Former captain Cook was 59 not out, ally happy to keep them below 400.” after more than three hours of typi- Philander made a fi ne fi fty of his own cally painstaking eff ort, with fellow before he was last man out slogging at left-hander Gary Ballance unbeaten on off -spinner Ali, who fi nished with fi ne 22. “England are in a strong position, fi gures of four for 59 in 20 overs after he there’s no hiding from it,” said South completed both halves of the Test ‘dou- Africa batsman Temba Bavuma, who ble’ of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets on made 59. Philander, whose fi ve-wicket Thursday. innings return saw him bowl the Proteas to a series-clinching win at Lord’s fi ve SCOREBOARD years ago, did not bowl a single one of England I Innings 458 the 51 overs the Proteas sent down yes- South Africa I Innings (overnight: 214-5) terday. He was off the fi eld after going T. Bavuma c Stokes b Ali 59 for an X-ray on a hand injury suff ered K. Rabada c Bairstow b Dawson 27 when he was hit by James Anderson Q. de Kock c Stokes b Anderson 51 while making 52 in South Africa’s fi rst V. Philander b Ali 52 innings 361 earlier in the day. K. Maharaj lbw b Dawson 9 It was a worrying absence for the Pro- M. Morkel not out 2 teas given they are already without Ka- Extras (b4, lb7, nb3) 14 giso Rabada, another member of their Total (all out, 105 overs, 454 mins) 361 pace attack, for next week’s second Test Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Kuhn), 2-82 (Amla), at Trent Bridge after he was banned for 3-98 (Elgar), 4-104 (Duminy), 5-203 (De verbally abusing England all-rounder Bruyn), 6-244 (Rabada), 7-248 (Bavuma), Ben Stokes on Thursday’s fi rst day at 8-314 (De Kock), 9-337 (Maharaj), 10-361 Lord’s. South Africa, with Dean Elgar (Philander) leading the side for the fi rst time in the Bowling: Anderson 19-6-44-2; Broad 18-5- absence of Faf du Plessis on paternity 62-2; Wood 20-5-65-0; Dawson 15-2-67-2; leave, wasted their two reviews in the Ali 20-7-59-4; Stokes 13-2-53-0 (3nb) fi rst 80 overs on Cook. Both times they challenged sound not out decisions by South Africa’s Vernon Philander (left) is bowled by England’s Moeen Ali (unseen) as wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes (right) look on during the third day of England II Innings umpires Paul Reiff el and S Ravi in re- the first Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground in central London, yesterday. (AFP) A. Cook not out 59 sponse to lbw appeals. K. Jennings c de Kock b Morkel 33 But Cook was still on his tea score of But he fell for 33 when, trying to cut a third chance at Test cricket and out for which featured Joe Root’s 190 in his fi rst tively. But after Root took the new ball, G. Ballance not out 22 31 when partly unsighted wicket-keep- Morne Morkel ball that was too close to just 20 in the fi rst innings. Cook’s three Test as England captain as well as fi fties de Kock twice struck fast-medium Extras (lb4, nb1) 5 er Quinton de Kock missed a stumping him, he was caught behind by de Kock on another sun-drenched day at Lord’s from Moeen Ali (87), Stuart Broad (57 bowler Broad for three successive fours Total (1 wkt, 51 overs, 190 mins) 119 chance off left-arm spinner Keshav Ma- — who played in the same XI as Jennings saw him to a 127-ball fi fty including not out) and Stokes (56). — the best a whipped drive through To bat: J Root, J Bairstow, B Stokes, M Ali, haraj. Keaton Jennings, born in South when they were both pupils at Johan- eight fours of which a cover-drive off Bavuma was 48 not out and night- mid-on from a ball pitching outside off L Dawson, S Broad, M Wood, J Anderson Africa but England qualifi ed through nesburg’s King Edward VII school. Maharaj was the pick. South Africa re- watchman Rabada unbeaten on nine. stump. It was a typically dashing dis- Bowling: Morkel 10-5-25-1; Rabada 13-5- his mother and residence, helped Cook Jennings’s exit brought in Ballance, sumed on 214 for fi ve — still 244 runs Both Rabada (27) and Bavuma fell to play by the left-hander, who completed 35-0 (1nb); Maharaj 19-8-34-0; Duminy put on 80 for the fi rst wicket. under pressure in what was now his behind England’s fi rst innings 458 spinners Liam Dawson and Ali respec- the second-fastest Test fi fty at Lord’s in 9-2-21-0.

ICC WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FOCUS South Africa beat India, New Ervine blitz helps Zimbabwe Zealand knock out Pakistan Agencies Captain Sana Mir hit 50 as Pakistan was bowled draw level in one-day series Leicester, England out for 144 with Hannah Rowe taking three for 22. New Zealand’s strong batting line up was able to AFP score the runs it needed in just 15 overs with Amy Hambantota, Sri Lanka ane van Niekerk starred with the bat Satterthwaite supplementing 38 to Devine’s 93. and ball as South Africa ended In- The win strengthened New Zealand’s chances dia’s unbeaten run in the ICC Wom- of making the semi-fi nal as it moved up to third atsman Craig Ervine hit a quickfi re Den’s World Cup and enhanced its own position in the eight-team round-robin league. 69 to help Zimbabwe pull off a four- chances of securing a spot in the semifi nals yes- That was due to some stunning hitting from wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the terday. South Africa defeated India by 115 runs in Devine, striking a record nine sixes in her 93 from rain-shortened fourth one-day in- Leicester thanks largely to captain Van Niekerk, 41 balls, as the White Ferns comfortably chased ternationalB and level the fi ve-match series at who took four for 22 and scored 57 runs. 145. Hannah Rowe led the way with the ball, tak- 2-2 in Hambantota yesterday. Lizelle Lee scored 92 as South Africa compiled ing three for 22 on tournament debut, including Chasing a Duckworth-Lewis revised target 273-9 from its 50 overs. In reply, India was always the dismissals off successive balls of Javeria Wa- of 219 in 31 overs, Zimbabwe rode on Ervine’s struggling with Deepti Sharma top scoring with dood and Marina Iqbal, both leg-before wicket as 55-ball unbeaten knock to win with 10 balls to 60, as it was bowled out for 158 in 46 overs. Pakistan was bowled out for 144. spare at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International After an early departure for Laura Wolvaardt, She wasn’t the only White Fern to deliver an ex- Stadium. Earlier, openers Niroshan Dickwella Lee ensured total South Africa domination in the emplary performance with the ball however as all (116) and Danushka Gunathilaka (87) put to- early stages, hitting nine boundaries within the contributed to the cause, notably teen leg-spinner gether 209 runs in Sri Lanka’s 300-6 — be- opening 10 overs on her way to clinching her 12th Amelia Kerr, Lea Tahuhu and Leigh Kasperek, who coming the fi rst pair in ODI history to score ODI 50. all took two wickets. back-to-back double century partnerships. She was eventually bowled leg before wicket for The left-handed batting duo had put on 92, after which India’s bowling slowed the pace BRIEF SCORES a 229-run match-winning stand in the pre- of its opponents’ scoring down, adding two more South Africa 273-9, 50 overs (Lizelle Lee 92; Dane vious ODI on Thursday at the same venue dismissals within 28 balls. Van Niekerk then pro- Van Niekerk 57; Ayabonga Khaka 2-33; Dane Van but their eff orts went in vain the second duced a half-century to add to India’s woes. Niekerk 4-22; Sune Luus 1-27) bt India 158 all out time around. Solomon Mire (43) and Ham- A diffi cult start to the innings saw India lose from 46 overs (Deepti Sharma 60; Jhulan Goswami ilton Masakadza (28) set up the Zimbabwe Smriti Mandhana in the second over, before three 43; Shikha Pandey 3-40; Harmanpreet Kaur 2-18; Ekta chase before teenage leg-spinner Wanindu wickets in fi ve balls – including a golden duck for Bisht 2-68). Player of the match - Dane Van Niekerk Hasaranga, who took three wickets, got the India captain Mithali Raj – extended the defi cit. (South Africa) openers trudging back to the pavilion. Three more were quickly dismissed within 24 Pakistan 144, in 46.5 overs (Sana Mir 50, Bibi Nahida But Ervine and Malcolm Waller (20) made Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine (left) celebrates after victory over Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day balls, but India managed to hold out for 46 overs. 18, Ayesha Zafar 17, Iram Javed 14; Hannah Rowe 3-22, sure the chase remained on track with their international in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, yesterday. (AFP) In the day’s other game, Sophie Devine hit a Amelia Kerr 2-27, Lea Tahuhu 2-35, Leigh Kasperek 43-run sixth-wicket partnership after rain brilliant 93 off 41 balls, including a record nine 2-35) lost to New Zealand 147-2, in 15 overs (Sophie interrupted play for over one-and-a-half- way the bowlers pulled it back was excellent,” 5-263 (Mendis), 6-300 (Mathews) sixes, as New Zealand scored a facile eight-wicket Devine 93, Amy Satterthwaite 38 not out; Diana Baig hours. “We knew we were ahead (of the rate) said Cremer. Meanwhile Cremer was docked Bowling: Mpofu 9-0-61-2, Chatara 5-0-32-1, Raza win over Pakistan. Pakistan is now out of conten- 1-28, Nashra Sundhu 1-33) Player of the match: and we were always in the game and the way 20 per cent of his match fee for his team’s 9-0-56-1, Williams 5-0-37-0, Mire 3-0-21-0, Cremer tion for the semifi nals after losing all fi ve games. Hannah Rowe (New Zealand) we batted was excellent,” Zimbabwe skipper slow over rate while the rest of the side was 9-0-47-0, Waller 10-0-44-2 Graeme Cremer said. slapped with a 10% penalty. Zimbabwe were “We have seen we can chase down a score found to be one over short of their target af- Zimbabwe innings South Africa’s Dane van Niekerk and set a score and our batting has come ter time allowances were taken into consid- (Duckworth-Lewis revised target: 219 in 31 overs) celebrates taking the wicket of right,” Cremer said on the prospect of his side eration by the International Cricket Coun- H. Masakadza b Hasaranga 28 India’s Harmanpreet Kaur during eyeing a major series win in over eight years. cil match referee Chris Broad. The fi fth and S. Mire c mathews b Hasaranga 43 the ICC Women’s Cricket World Ervine, a left-handed batsman and a right- deciding ODI is scheduled tomorrow at the T. Musakanda c Dickwella b Chameera 30 Cup in Leicester, England, arm spinner, smashed eight fours and a six to same venue. The two sides will also play a C. Ervine not out 69 yesterday. (Reuters) get the man of the match award. one-off Test starting July 14. S. Williams st Dickwella b Gunaratne 6 For the hosts, Dickwella hit his second suc- S. Raza c & b Hasaranga 10 cessive century with a commanding knock, SCOREBOARD M. Waller c Gunathilaka b Sandakan 20 while Gunathilaka was bowled 13 short of Sri Lanka innings P. Moor not out 0 what could have been his second ODI ton. N. Dickwella lbw b Waller 116 Extras (b4, lb1, w8) 13 Wicketkeeper-batsman Dickwella, who D. Gunathilaka b Waller 87 Total (6 wickets, 29.2 overs) 219 scored 102 in the third ODI, played a patient A. Mathews c Masakadza b Chatara 42 Did not bat: G. Cremer, C. Mpofu, T. Chatara 118-ball knock laced with eight boundaries U. Tharanga b Raza 22 Fall of wickets: 1-67 (Masakadza), 2-82 (Mire), before being trapped lbw. A. Gunaratne c Williams b Mpofu 1 3-128 (Musakanda), 4-145 (Williams), 5-172 (Raza), Zimbabwe off -spinner Waller got the two K. Mendis c Waller b Mpofu 0 6-215 (Waller) prized wickets in successive overs to pull W. Hasaranga not out 19 Bowling: Malinga 4-1-18-0, Fernando 2-0-22- things back for the visitors. Paceman Chris Extras (b1, lb1, w11) 13 0, Chameera 5-0-32-1, Gunaratne 7-0-41-1, Mpofu also got two wickets to rattle the Sri Total (6 wickets, 50 overs) 300 Hasaranga 6-0-40-3, Sandakan 3.2-0-45-1, Lankan middle-order as the hosts slipped Did not bat: L. Malinga, A. Fernando, D. Cha- Gunathilaka 2-0-16-0 from 216-1 to 263-5. “The turning point was meera, L. Sandakan Result: Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets via when we pulled it back in the last ten overs. Fall of wickets: 1-209 (Gunathilaka), 2-216 (Dick- Duckworth-Lewis method Sri Lanka looked like getting 340-350, so the wella), 3-257 (Tharanga) , 4-260 (Gunaratne), Series: The five-match series is level at 2-2. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, July 9, 2017 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE GOLD CUP Davies double Leicester warn Mahrez as Canada down he will be dropped if French Guiana AFP side of Mexico and the United New York States, had earlier dominated the exchanges at with New York Cosmos defender Dejan Jakovic his attitude is not right eenage winger Alphon- bundling home from close range so Davies scored twice in the 28th minute to make it 1-0. as Canada withstood a Scotland-born Burnley mid- We’ve not had any bids for him, says coach Craig Shakespeare fi ghtback from minnows fi elder Scott Arfi eld doubled FrenchT Guiana to open their Canada’s lead on the stroke of By Stuart James CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign half-time, surging forward and The Guardian with a 4-2 victory in Group A shooting low to beat the diving on Friday. Vancouver Whitecaps Leon. forward Davies, 16, who was Davies added a third midway raig Shakespeare plans to hold born in a refugee camp in Ghana through the second half, latch- one-to-one talks with Riyad in 2000 as his family fl ed fi ght- ing onto a deft pass from Lucas Mahrez to establish the Algeri- ing in Liberia, fi nished clinically Cavallini to burst clear and slip an’s state of mind in the wake of in the 60th and 85th minutes to his fi nish beneath Donovan Leon. hisC announcement that he wants to leave. give Canada all three points at However Canada were given a The Leicester City manager has already the Red Bull Arena. scare when Contout’s header in issued a public warning to the player he Davies’ second goal snuff ed the 69th minute made it 3-1. Gu- will be left out of the team if he shows a out French Guiana’s hopes of sal- ingamp striker Privat was then lack of commitment. vaging a draw after they scored on hand to stab home a close- Speaking on the same day that Mahrez twice in the second half through range fi nish moments to make it returned for pre-season training, Shake- Roy Contout and Sloan Privat 3-2 before Davies’ late strike set- speare insisted that Leicester have not re- after Canada had earlier cruised tle Canada’s nerves. ceived any bids for the 2016 PFA player of into a 3-0 lead. It was a dazzling In Friday’s other opening the year and made it clear that he expects debut from Davies, who only be- Group A game, 2014 World Cup the winger to conduct himself profes- came a Canadian citizen in June quarter-fi nalists Costa Rica sionally while his future remains unclear. and who has reportedly been downed Honduras to open their Mahrez has been the subject of plenty scouted by English giants Man- campaign with a win. San Jose of transfer speculation since he took the chester United and Liverpool. Earthquakes striker Marco Ure- decision to release a statement at the end French Guiana’s preparations na scored the game’s only goal, of May, saying he was “fi ercely ambi- for the game had been overshad- tucking away Rodney Wallace’s tious” and had “informed the club that owed by controversy concerning cross in the 39th minute. I feel now is the time to move on”. The forward Florent Malouda. The 26-year-old also implied in that press re- former France and Chelsea star RESULTS lease that there was a gentlemen’s agree- had hoped to play for the terri- Group A ment in place with Vichai Srivaddhana- tory of his birth but was deemed Canada 4 (Jakovic 28, Arfield 45, prabha, Leicester’s chairman, at the end ineligible by CONCACAF chiefs Davies 60, 85) bt French Guiana 2 of the previous season that he would stay on Thursday. (Contout 69, Privat 71) on for another 12 months after winning French Guiana manager Jair Honduras 0 lost to Costa Rica 1 the Premier League title. Karam had threatened to play (Urena 39) “It can be disappointing when players Malouda regardless — and risk Next Fixtures go public with it but I think you have to forfeiting the game — but even- United States v Panama (2030) understand the modern game,” Shake- tually opted not to start the vet- Martinique v Nicaragua (2300) speare said, refl ecting on Mahrez’s situ- eran. Canada, the only other Curacao v Jamaica (2300) ation. “Sometimes outside infl uences team to win the Gold Cup out- Mexico v El Salvador (0100) are secondary behind that and there can Leicester will allow Riyad Mahrez to leave but only for the right sum, with club believed to be looking for close to £50mn. be reasons for that. Him coming out, we know where it stands, but ultimately he’s and there is no suggestion that any trans- the party that goes on to Hong Kong later players want to go, ultimately they have contracted to the football club. fer deal is imminent. Leicester will allow in the month to compete in the Premier contracts and they have to honour them. “He has to be professional. We have Mahrez to leave but only for the right sum League Asia Trophy. Beyond that Shake- If they want to go and we get a bid, we’ll to be professional with him. But more and are prepared to play hardball over speare said he is “open-minded” about refl ect on it.” importantly he has to be committed and any negotiations on the fee, with the East selecting Mahrez. The anticipated departure of Mahrez I think he has to show supporters, staff Midlands club believed to be looking for “Knowing him as I do, I think with Riy- will be off set by the arrival of Kelechi and players that. If he’s selected, he has to close to £50mn. ad he was just trying to be as honest as he Iheanacho from Manchester City, with perform and, if he doesn’t show commit- “We haven’t had any bids and, if we can [by issuing the statement],” Shake- the Nigerian striker expected to sign for ment, he won’t play. He’s got a contract don’t have one, we’ve got no decision to speare said. “Of course it can disappoint Leicester for about £25mn. There is a with us, so he has to understand that.” make,” Shakespeare said. The Leicester the fans but I need to really sit down with willingness on the part of both clubs to Arsenal remain Mahrez’s most likely manager confi rmed Mahrez will defi - him one-to-one and see where he’s at get the deal done, although Leicester do suitors, yet the two clubs appear a long nitely be in the squad that travels to Aus- in his head and how he feels. I’ve always not anticipate the transfer being com- way apart on their respective valuations tria for a pre-season training camp and in had a decent relationship with him. But if pleted for at least another week.

Ronaldinho leads troupe of ex-football stars to Pakistan

Islamabad: Eight former stars of international football, including World Cup winner Ronaldinho, arrived in Pakistan yesterday for the country’s biggest football event in years. The aging stars will take on a group of Pakistani players in two seven-a-side matches in the cricket-mad country, to promote the sport and give a message of improved security. The first was held yesterday in the port city of Karachi while the second is scheduled today in Lahore. The group includes former Brazil players Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho, Frenchmen Robert Pires and Nicholas Anelka, Portugal’s Luis Boa Morte, Englishman David James, Dutchman George Boateng and Manchester United stalwart, Ryan Giggs, organizers said. International sporting events are rare in Pakistan due to the country’s poor security situation in recent times. In 2009, the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus was attacked in La- hore, marking the end of international cricket in the country. Special security arrangements have been made for the football matches by the Pakistan army with military troops deployed in hotels and stadiums. The players will leave Canada’s midfielder Alphonso Davies (centre) celebrates with Islamabad for Karachi after attending a reception hosted by Retired Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho (left) poses with Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa teammates after scoring a goal against French Guiana during the the army chief, broadcaster Geo News said. during his visit to Pakistan to play in two exhibition football games, in Rawalpindi. (AFP) Concacaf Gold Cup match at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, on Friday night. (AFP)

ROUND-UP Bilbao squad shave heads for cancer-stricken teammate The entire Athletic Bilbao squad Nuno said. “I know him well, I worked arrived on June 14 from Sao Paulo. have shaved their heads in solidar- with him last year. When a player who “Since I was a little boy, playing in ity with teammate Yeray Alvarez, is 18 years old is captain of a big team Europe has always been a dream for who is undergoing chemotherapy for like Porto, in the Champions League, me,” said Mendes. “Today, I am very testicular cancer. The team surprised it says a lot,” added the 43-year-old happy to be at Lille. I also want to grow the 22-year-old midfi elder, who was former goalkeeper. individually and collectively, especially forced to withdraw from the Spain Neves, who played for his coun- under Marcelo Bielsa who has a great Under-21 side last month after suff er- try in the recent European Under-21 reputation.” ing a relapse, with their new look as he championships in Poland, said he was Ingla also secured the signature of arrived at the club’s dressing room for delighted to be reunited with Nuno. 25-year old French right-back Kevin a visit. The club also posted a photo on Neves scored four goals in 92 appear- Malcuit, who learned his trade at AC Twitter of the entire squad arm-in- ances for Porto. Monaco, on a fi ve-year deal. arm along with the caption “we are His fee breaks the previous record with you Yeray”. set in January when Wolves signed GRANERO SIGNS FOR ESPANYOL “We want him to feel as comfort- Portuguese winger Helder Costa from FROM REAL SOCIEDAD able as possible here and we did this Benfi ca for £13mn. Spanish midfi elder Esteban Granero not only for Yeray but for all families has signed for three seasons with Es- that suff er from this disease,” mid- Athletic de Bilbao players pose with teammate Yeray Alvarez (centre) at the club’s training facilities of Lezama in Spain. The MENDES BOLSTERS LILLE’S panyol with an option for a fourth from fi elder Oscar de Marcos told a press whole squad shaved their heads in solidarity with Alvarez, who is being treated for a testicular tumour. (AFP) BRAZILIAN CONTINGENT La Liga rivals Real Sociedad, the Barce- conference. Alvarez is “doing well” Brazilian Thiago Mendes has signed a lona club said Friday. The 30-year-old, and is “proving that he is a very strong decided required chemotherapy. The 20-year-old — who in 2015 be- Willy Boly. The infl ux of Portuguese fi ve-year deal with French club Lille who learned his trade at Real Madrid, person”, he added. Alvarez thanked came the youngest Champions League players and coach refl ects the close re- from Sao Paulo, the Ligue 1 outfi t an- becomes Espanyol’s fourth recruit of his teammates in a message posted on WOLVES BREAK TRANSFER captain of all time in a match with lationship between the club’s Chinese nounced yesterday. The 25-year-old the summer. Instagram that said: “What happens in RECORD FOR PORTUGUESE STAR Israeli outfi t Maccabi Tel Aviv — signed owners Fosun and agent Jorge Mendes. midfi elder, who had played for Sao The club fi nished eighth in La Liga this family is crazy.” Highly-rated Portugal Under-21 inter- a fi ve-year contract and is reunited Nuno is bidding to revive Wolves’ Paulo since 2015, recently extended his last season. Granero started his profes- He was diagnosed with a tumour national Ruben Neves became second- with former Porto coach Nuno Espirito fortunes, who struggled to 15th last contract until 2021. sional career at Getafe in 2007 before on his right testicle last year and had tier English side Wolverhampton Santo. Nuno, who was discharged from season and have not tasted Premier In 147 games he scored 12 goals and three seasons with Real Madrid until the organ removed in December. A Wanderers’ record signing yesterday, his duties as Porto coach in May after League football since being relegated in contributed 11 assists. At Marcelo 2012. He returned to Spain on loan to routine medical carried out last month joining the Chinese-owned team from a trophy-less season, also signed on 2012. “Ruben is a very good player who Bielsa’s Lille he will join countryman Real Sociedad in 2013 after a season in revealed an anomoly which doctors Porto for a reported £15.8mn. loan another Porto player, centre-back can bring new things to our squad,” Luiz Araujo, a 21-year old striker who London with Queens Park Rangers. Gulf Times Sunday, July 9, 2017 5 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Verratti apologises to PSG over Manchester United agree transfer talk

Paris: Italian international midfielder Marco Verratti has apologised to Paris Saint- fee for Everton's Lukaku Germain off icials and fans in a video posted by the Ligue 1 side over the furore whipped Going in the opposite direction could well be United and England record goalscorer Wayne Rooney up by his desire to leave the club. “I’ve been here for five AFP varo Morata came to nothing leading United years, and if I’ve become a London to switch their attention to Lukaku. Ironically good player it’s thanks to Paris Chelsea may now need to beat a path to Real’s Saint-Germain, who believed door to try and secure Morata’s services. in me from the start. That’s elgian international striker Romelu Conte is not reported to be angry with the why I apologise,” the 24-year- Lukaku is set to join Manchester Unit- Chelsea board but sources have told the British old said as he resumed ed for a reported £75million ($97mn, media he feels betrayed by Lukaku especially as training with his French club 85.5mn euros), a record fee between he had held several discussions with him since on Friday. BBritish clubs, after the buying club announced the end of the season. The Italian coach and his Verratti, whose contract yesterday they had reached agreement with backroom staff are yet to sign the new four year runs until 2021, has been Everton. The 24-year-old’s signing — which contracts they were off ered at the end of the linked to Barcelona through- the BBC says includes £15mn in add-ons — rep- campaign. Everton — who have spent freely in out the summer and club resents a coup for United and their manager the close season — are believed to have hoped to president Josep Maria Bar- Jose Mourinho whose former club Chelsea had sell Lukaku for closer to £100mn which would tomeu told Spanish newspa- earmarked him as their top striking target for have made him the world’s most expensive per Mundo Deportivo of his the close season. player bettering the £89mn that United spent frustrations at running into a Going in the opposite direction could well be on Pogba last year. PSG roadblock. “Verratti is a United and England record goalscorer Wayne As it is, the deal could smash the record for a player who interests us,” said Rooney, who was caught on camera by Sky transfer fee between British clubs — the record Bartomeu. Sports arriving at Finch Farm the Everton train- is the £50mn paid by Chelsea to Liverpool for “The technical staff believe ing centre yesterday afternoon. According to Fernando Torres in 2011 — and register as the he is good enough to play press reports the 31-year-old is willing to take joint-fi fth most expensive player of all time. Lu- for Barcelona. We know the a cut in his £13million a year wages to return to kaku, who scored 53 Premier League goals in 110 player is bowled over by the his fi rst club, but with the promise of more fi rst appearances for the club since his permanent prospect of coming to Barca. team football than at United last year. move, declined the most lucrative contract of- But PSG says he is not for sale There are confl icting reports as to whether fer in Everton’s history at the end of last season, and that they don’t have a he would be a makeweight in the Lukaku deal declaring he wished to play at a higher level. release clause.” with the BBC claiming he isn't and will be let Verratti, however, distanced go for free and other media outlets suggesting FACTFILE ON ROMELU LUKAKU himself from his agent’s com- that United might want a fee of £10mn for the Date of birth: May 13, 1993 ments. “I also saw this morn- one year remaining on his contract. It brings Place of birth: Antwerp, Belgium ing (Friday) another statement Mourinho and Lukaku back together again as Nationality: Belgian from my agent,” Verratti said. the Portuguese manager in his second spell as Height: 1.91m “I wanted to tell everyone that Chelsea manager had sold him to Everton in Weight: 93kg these are not my thoughts, 2014 for £28mn. United said in a statement Position: Striker not my words,” he continued. it was “delighted to announce a fee has been Clubs (senior career): Anderlecht (BEL, 2009-11), “He (Di Campli) works for agreed with Everton for the transfer of Romelu Chelsea (ENG, 2011-14), West Brom (ENG, 2012/13 on me, and I want to apologise Lukaku, subject to a medical & personal terms. loan from Chelsea), Everton (ENG, 2013/14 on loan to the club, supporters, the “A further announcement will be made in due from Chelsea — subsequently bought him 2014-17) people who work here. (My course,” added United. Lukaku, who is reported League goalscoring record: 85 in 186 Premier agent) messed up this state- to have been off ered wages of over £200,000 a League appearances (including a club record ment. As I said it’s not what I week by United, should have returned to Eng- 68 for Everton), 33 in 73 Belgian championship think, I hope that there won’t land on Thursday for pre-season training with matches. be anything like this again. Everton but instead was pictured training with International caps: 60 “We started preparing for his close friend and the most expensive player International goals: 23 the season and I’m very happy in the world, United midfi elder Paul Pogba, who Trophies won to start a new season and to he is on holiday with in Los Angeles. 2009/10 — Belgian league title come back to the club, my United are due in Los Angeles this weekend Transfer fee history: team-mates, my coach and for a pre-season tour. According to British me- August 2011 — Chelsea paid Anderlecht initial everyone. I know that the club dia reports the decisive factor in Lukaku’s head reported fee of £10m which rose with add-ons to has a lot of confidence in me.” being turned towards United and not a return to double that. Earlier Friday, PSG said on the club he idolised as a schoolboy Chelsea were July 2014 — Everton paid Chelsea a club record its website that Verratti had Pogba and their agent Mino Raiola. £28m after a successful one season loan there. resumed training, with the Raiola did extremely well out of United last July 2017 — Manchester United agree a reported team’s first match of the sea- year making an estimated £40mn from Pogba’s £75m (including add-ons) with Everton. son in the Champions’ Trophy transfer from Juventus alone while stablemates Other statistics of note: against Monaco on July 29, Henrykh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic 25 — In 2015/16, Lukaku became the first Everton before they start their Ligue 1 also joined the ‘Red Devils’. Chelsea report- player since Gary Lineker in 1985/86 to score 25 campaign on August 5. edly baulked at paying Raiola’s fee for Lukaku’s league goals in a single season. “The number 6 of the capi- transfer although they had made a similar off er 8 — In the 2015/16 campaign Lukaku became the tal club completed a training for the player. Ibrahimovic’s long-term injury first Everton player to score in eight consecutive session alongside the other suff ered in a Europa League match last season matches since Dave Hickson in 1954. members of the group before and the fading powers of Rooney have made the 31 — The time (in seconds) it took him to score carrying out a specific train- capture of a top striker imperative for Mourinho. Everton’s fastest Premier League goal against ing,” the statement said. Romelu Lukaku is reported to have been off ered wages of over £200,000 a week by Manchester United. (AFP) Apparent eff orts to sign Real Madrid’s Al- Bournemouth last February.

FOCUS TRANSFER Palace boss De Boer proud to United ponder fresh Dier bid aft er Matic hopes recede be part of Premier League By Jamie Jackson and David Hytner The Guardian AFP London anchester United are ready to test Tottenham Hotspur’s resolve over ew Crystal Palace manager Frank de Eric Dier (right) by making a re- Boer believes his disappointing spell newed eff ort to sign him. They have as Inter Milan coach has prepared Mhad one bid turned down and with Spurs adamant him ideally for the ultra competi- the 23-year-old defensive midfi elder is not for Ntive Premier League. The 47-year-old Dutch sale, it appeared Jose Mourinho had moved on to footballing great — who was capped 112 times other targets, including Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic. and won the 1995 Champions League with But with United poised to sign the Everton the outstanding Ajax side under Louis van striker Romelu Lukaku from under Chelsea’s Gaal — told The Times he is proud to be cross- noses for about £75mn, it is unlikely they would ing swords with the likes of Jose Mourinho sanction Matic’s move to Old Traff ord. As a re- and Pep Guardiola, both of whom he knew sult United are considering a further push for when he played for Barcelona. “With the Dier, who has always been Mourinho’s No. 1 tar- coaches here, you want to be here, and that’s get in the position, and a bid of about £50mn may why I’m very proud,” said de Boer, who was at change Spurs’ thinking. the Catalan giants from 1999-2003. “A friend Dier is receptive to a move to United, largely be- of mine congratulated me, saying, ‘You can cause he lost his place as Tottenham’s fi rst-choice be very proud, you’re one of the 20 managers defensive midfi elder to Victor Wanyama last sea- of the Premier League, the best league in the son, lathough Tottenham have insisted they are world, the most watched of the world.’” not prepraed to entertain any bids for the player De Boer — who along with twin brother signed from Sporting in 2014. Ronald were mainstays of a sublimely-talent- Mauricio Pochettino came to realise he could ed Dutch national side in the 1990’s and early not play them together in central midfi eld and it 2000’s — says he is looking forward to work- was the more versatile Dier who felt the squeeze, ing with Palace chairman Steve Parish and his dropping back to play in defence. Pochettino had team as unlike the Chinese owners of Inter moved Dier out of defence and into defensive iel Levy, will decide on who is sold and the club they know their football. “They have a lot of midfi eld for the 2015-16 season and watched him will not lose anybody they do not want to sell. Dier punishment and reward in China. That’s the excel; Dier fi nished it as England’s starting defen- is under contract until 2021 and he is not the type culture,” said de Boer. “The owners wanted Frank de Boer has been chosen to fill the vacuum left by Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace. sive midfi elder at the European Championship. to rant and rave but United know money talks and the players (locked) in the training ground for Pochettino prizes tactical fl exibility in his play- they would also off er a huge salary increase. one week because they lost a game. They did De Boer, who like Ronald ended his play- get those players in their best position so they ers but Dier wants to nail down one position and Mourinho had looked set to close a deal for — and lost the next game.” ing career in Qatar, has been chosen to fi ll the can show their qualities. We want to try that he wants it to be defensive midfi eld. United would Matic last week only for talks to stall, which add- However, de Boer — who suff ered the vacuum left by Sam Allardyce, who stepped with Zaha because he can be decisive. He’s play him there and it has not been lost on Dier he ed to the United manager’s frustration. However, heartbreak of losing on penalties in both the down after last season having accomplished shown that already; he’s still young (24), can would have the chance to make the role his own. they did sign the defender Victor Lindelof from 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 semi-fi nals his task of preserving Palace’s Premier League still improve. We’re not going to go suddenly Tottenham are in a period of relative auster- Benfi ca for £31mn in mid-June and the move for — says the Inter experience made him bet- status. He has been particularly taken by Ivo- totally the opposite (to counter-attacking) — ity because of the building of their new stadium. Lukaku has put a diff erent complexion on Unit- ter at his job. “When you come to training ry Coast international wing Wilfried Zaha but that’s suicide. We do it step by step. To play The initial quote for the project was £400mn but ed’s summer. grounds, you see words, messaging that ‘If insists he is not going to overhaul immediate- possession because it’s fun to have the ball it has rocketed to £800mn and Pochettino is un- Lukaku is on holiday in Los Angeles with the You Didn’t Fail, You Didn’t Learn Anything’,” ly the ‘Eagles’ counter-attacking style with has no purpose.” der no illusions he must make ends meet with his United midfi elder Paul Pogba. He is expected to said de Boer, who with Ajax became the fi rst his more cerebral passing game. “That kind of De Boer says being Dutch there will be no trading. He is open to the idea of cashing in on the complete the formalities of his move to United – coach in Dutch club history to guide a side to player (Zaha) is the one you come to visit the problem to slipping into the new way of life £50mn-rated right-back Kyle Walker, who is a inlcuding the medical – in the city and then join four successive league titles (2011-14). “First stadium for,” purred de Boer. and football style that is the Premier League. target for Manchester City, but he would not want up with his new team-mates for the club’s fi ve- you have to fail to be better. I did. It was a good “He can make the diff erence. With the “We (the Dutch) are inventive, we were ex- to lose Dier, whom he values enormously. match tour of the United States, which begins experience. I came out as a better manager.” Robbens, Messis and Ronaldos, you have to plorers. We adapt well,” he said. Pochettino has said he and the chairman, Dan- from tomorrow. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, July 9, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Rangers’ Klein announces retirement from NHL

By Laura Albanese sists and a plus-22 rating. His best Twitter, with an accompanying Newsday years came with the Rangers, with video with some of the highlights whom he played parts of the fi nal of his career in New York, including four seasons of his career, begin- overtime winners against the Pen- evin Klein, the gritty, ning in January 2014. guins, Devils and Red Wings. physical Rangers defender Klein was integral in helping The righty defenseman was who helped guide them to them recover from a 1-3 defi cit to drafted in the second round of the a Stanley Cup appearance the Penguins in the Eastern Con- 2003 NHL entry draft and played threeK years ago but whose nagging ference second round, and scored nine seasons, going to the playoff s back injury slowed him down last a goal in their 5-1 rout in Game 5 in seven times in that span. season, announced his retirement Pittsburgh. He scored nine even- Former Buff alo Sabres and Colo- from the NHL on Friday. strength goals in both the 2014- rado Avalanche center Mikhail “Thank you to the fans of both 15 and 2015-16 season. He had 75 Grigorenko returned to Russia, cities (New York and Nashville) for penalty minutes in his time with signing a three-year contract with their appreciation,” Klein, 32, said the Rangers and was second among CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental in a statement, also thanking his team defensemen in goals, points, Hockey League. Grigorenko was family, and the Rangers and Preda- and 414 hits. Buff alo’s fi rst-round pick (12th tors, with whom he began his NHL With one year and $2.75 million overall) in 2012 but failed to live up career. “I couldn’t have been happi- left on his contract, Klein’s retire- to expectations in the NHL during er to play in front of you. I’ll miss all ment saves the Rangers $2.9 mil- three seasons with the Sabres and the friends I’ve made along the way lion in cap space. It’s yet unclear if the last two for the Avalanche. from the staff to the guys I played Klein, who played only 60 games Meanwhile Anaheim Ducks with ... I am looking forward to last year because of his back and signed forward Dennis Rasmussen many great years with my extended was a healthy scratch for all but one to a one-year contract through the family. Again Thank You.” game of the playoff s, will look to 2017-18 season. The 27-year-old Klein ends his career having play hockey elsewhere. centre had eight goals, nine assists, played 627 games between the two “Kleiner, together we thank and a plus-5 rating and 16 penalty min- Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brenden Morrow is tied up by the New York Rangers’ Kevin Klein (No 8) at the net in Tampa on May 22, 2015. teams, racking up 38 goals, 116 as- salute you!” the Rangers wrote on utes in 112 career NHL games. (Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

MLB NBA Detroit Pistons acquire Bradley Aguilar slams two for forward Morris

AFP with the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Washington. Raptors re-sign Lowry he Detroit Pistons The Toronto Raptors offi - homers in Brewers’ acquired guard Av- cially re-signed All-Star point ery Bradley from the guard Kyle Lowry and free Boston Celtics in ex- agent power forward Serge Tchange for forward Marcus Ibaka to multi-year contracts. Morris, the Pistons said on Lowry’s contract is a re- Friday. ported three-year, $100mn The deal brings one of the deal, and Ibaka’s is for three best two-way players in the years and worth $65mn. win over Yankees NBA to Detroit, who also re- Toronto also re-signed ceive a 2019 second-round Serge Ibaka to a three-year, Aaron Judge passes Joe DiMaggio for most home runs by Yankees rookie draft pick in the deal. $65 million contract. With Bradley on his way to Lowry, a three-time NBA Detroit, the Pistons withdrew all-star, admitted he had op- By Tom Haudricourt their $5.5mn qualifying off er tions in free agency, but that Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and renounced their rights to Toronto presented him with restricted free-agent guard the best opportunity to chase Kentavius Caldwell-Pope. an NBA championship. he Milwaukee Brewers That makes Caldwell-Pope, “I believe this is the best did things that usually who was reportedly seeking situation to win a ring,” Lowry lose a game Friday night, some $25mn, an unrestricted said. “The (Eastern Confer- but Jesus Aguilar would free agent, with the Brooklyn ence) has changed a lot, but I Thave none of it. Nets reportedly interested in can’t worry about what’s go- Putting his error-prone team acquiring him. Bradley, 26, ing on with other teams, I got on his broad shoulders, Aguilar averaged 16.2 points per game to worry about what’s going almost single-handedly topped and shot 39% from three- on with my organisation, my the New York Yankees, slug- point range for the Celtics last team, my teammates.” ging two home runs, including a season, when Boston reached In fi ve seasons with Toronto, grand slam, and driving in seven the Eastern Conference fi nals. the six-foot, 205-pound guard runs to pave the way for a 9-4 But dealing him gives Bos- averaged 18.2 points, 4.7 re- victory at rain-soaked Yankee ton room under the salary bounds and 6.8 assists over Stadium. cap to sign All-Star free agent 354 regular season games. Aguilar tied the franchise forward Gordon Hayward to a The 31-year-old averaged record with his seven RBIs, al- four-year, $128mn maximum 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and lowing the Brewers to prevail in contract. Hayward, 27, chose 5.6 assists in 39 playoff appear- a game in which they committed the Celtics earlier this week ances with the Raptors. Lowry fi ve errors (one by Aguilar) and over the Miami Heat and Utah opted out of his four-year $48 issued six walks. The Brewers’ Jazz, the team with which he million contract signed in July pitchers did hold the Yankees to played his fi rst seven seasons 2014 to become a free agent in four hits. since he was drafted ninth May, but said he didn’t come Right fi elder Domingo San- overall in 2010. close to signing elsewhere. tana had a second inning in the Morris, 27, played six NBA “You do consider (your op- fi eld that makes a player want seasons with the Houston tions),” he said. “You say, to fi nd a place to hide. With one Rockets, Phoenix Suns and ‘You’ve been here fi ve years, down, he failed to stay in front of Pistons. He averaged 14.0 what about this? What about Didi Gregorius’ sinking liner and points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 trying something new? What it got by him for what was ruled assists in 79 games with the about this or trying that?’ a single and two-base error, al- Pistons last season. “The thought process is al- lowing Gregorius to advance to The Indiana Pacers agreed ways there, but you’re com- third base. to terms with swingman Bo- fortable, you’re happy, you The Yankees immediately jan Bogdanovic, according to want to give more — it makes cashed in against Junior Guerra multiple reports. ESPN re- the decision process a lot eas- as Clint Frazier lifted a sacrifi ce ported Bogdanovic received a ier. Lowry, who will enter the fl y to right. After Ji-Man Choi two-year, $21mn contract. The 2017-18 season as the Raptors’ walked, Austine Romine hit a agreement came shortly after all-time leader with 828 made liner to deep right that Santana Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar follows through on a grand slam in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee the Washington Wizards re- three-pointers, second in as- failed to glove, an error that left Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports nounced Bogdanovic’s rights, sists (2,405) and sixth in scor- runners on second and third. making him an unrestricted ing with 6,430 points, is also Guerra escaped that mess by free agent. Bogdanovic aver- looking forward to embracing popping up Tyler Wade, leaving RESULTS aged a career-best 13.7 points more of a leadership role with New York with a 1-0 lead. Miami ...... 6 San Francisco 1 last season while splitting time the club. Ryan Braun opened the fourth LA Dodgers ...... 4 Kansas City.....1 with a booming double to left- Seattle ...... 7 Oakland ...... 2 center and was on third with Arizona ...... 6 Cincinnati ...... 3 one down when Aguilar battled Colorado ...... 12 White Sox ...... 4 lefty Jordan Montgomery for NY Mets ...... 6 St. Louis ...... 5 eight pitches, fi nally driving a Minnesota ...... 9 Baltimore ...... 6 3-2 slider the other way and out Texas ...... 10 LA Angels ...... 0 to right for a two-run homer that Boston ...... 8 Tampa Bay ....3 put the Brewers on top, 2-1. Cleveland ...... 11 Detroit...... 2 The bottom of the inning be- Houston...... 12 Toronto...... 2 gan with a second error by sec- Washington ...... 5 Atlanta ...... 4 ond baseman Jonathan Villar on (10 innings) a grounder by Gregorius. With Milwaukee ...... 9 NY Yankees ..4 one down, Ji-Man Choi worked San Diego ...... 4 Philadelphia .3 the count to 3-2 and belted a Chicago Cubs .6 Pittsburgh ...... 1 fastball to right for a tower- ing two-run homer that put the Yankees back on top. When the game resumed, Guerra Romine followed with a sharp did not go back out, exiting with comebacker that caromed off a bruised right shin. Guerra’s shin and rolled back to- Judge did what he does best ward the plate. Guerra recovered in the fi fth, blasting a 1-0 pitch and threw in time to fi rst for an from rookie lefty Josh Hader out out but Aguilar dropped the low to centre for his 30th home run toss for the Brewers’ fi fth error of of the season. The big right fi eld- the game. er established a Yankees rookie At that point, the skies opened record for an entire season with and it poured rain, forcing a the blast, eclipsing Joe DiMag- New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge tosses his bat after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee stoppage of play for 51 minutes. gio’s mark of 29 in 1936. Brewers in the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Point guard Avery Bradley. Gulf Times Sunday, July 9, 2017 7 SPORT

RUGBY/ BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS VS ALL BLACKS Gatland’s achievements make case to be next All Blacks coach Critics attack his teams for playing Warrenball but as the only unbeaten Lions coach Gatland has shown yet again he gets results

By Michael Aylwin he built – high on physicality, less so The Guardian on fi nesse – is the main reason for the dissent, but the inconvenient truth Gatland dons clown’s nose after ‘unbelievable’ series draw for his critics is that record, which is e would not rule it out, extraordinary for the swiftness and but nor was he chomp- regularity with which victories have ing at the bit for another been achieved. The rollcall of tro- shot. Warren Gatland phies, with Wasps, Otago, Wales and refusedH to be drawn on the pros- the Lions, is what elevates him into pect of another Lions tour. “I don’t the elite of coaches – and he is only 53. know,” he said. But the shadow that has dogged “There’s been a lot of water virtually his every move these past under the bridge.” For now, ob- few years is the term Warrenball, viously, he is just thinking about by which countless wags have de- Wales, the autumn and preparing scribed and disparaged the playing for the World Cup in two years’ style of his Wales team. Gatland time. Whether he is in position to openly dislikes the phrase – and take on another Lions tour in 2021 well he might, for not only is it pe- remains to be seen. jorative, it laughably suggests that It is a scarcely guarded secret there are teams in the modern era that he has his eye on the All Blacks who do not consider sending big job. And the All Blacks are said to men over the gainline a priority. have theirs on him. His contract Gatland inherited just about with Wales runs to the World Cup, the biggest back division to have Steve Hansen’s with New Zealand played the game and Wales built until then, too. Hansen has said their game around them. Who he will step down, sparking the wouldn’t have? When he was at mother of all struggles for the job. Wasps, though, he had a diff er- New Zealand are world leaders in ent set of animals. Under Gatland, producing players, but also coach- they had a policy of consciously es, with Joe Schmidt and Vern Cot- going through the phases until ter having worked wonders with their back division had reassem- Celtic sides, as Gatland has, and a bled. When it was fi nally in place, host of Super Rugby coaches eager they would choose to run against to step up, not to mention Ian Fos- a defence of forwards and backs ter, one of Hansen’s assistants. mixed up by all the phases. It was Warren Gatland delivers a parting shot to his critics by wearing a clown’s nose at the press conference after the third Test against the All Blacks. (AFP/Getty Images) a policy as close to the antithesis of It is a scarcely guarded secret Warrenball as it is possible to con- British and Irish Lions coach Gatland said that given the achievement, considering that In yesterday’s third Test believable character” and was that he has his eye on the All ceive in the professional game. Warren Gatland yesterday tough 10-match schedule, we were completely written off . decider, it was another Farrell in two minds about whether he Blacks job. And the All Blacks On this tour, he has defi ed the called drawing the series which included three Tests, “Everyone was talking about penalty, again three minutes would want to return as head are said to have theirs on him doubters not only by squaring a against New Zealand an “unbe- and the limited time he had to this being a 3-0 whitewash.” from the end, which saw the coach when they reassemble in series few gave the Lions much lievable achievement” for his prepare the Lions, the outcome The Lions had the accurate Lions draw level with the All 2021 to tour South Africa. In a poll by the New Zealand chance in, but by settling on a team after they were “written was better than expected. boot of England’s Owen Farrell Blacks. He said the only certain entry Herald, before the Lions tour, double-playmaker model in his off ” by critics. “If you’d said six weeks ago to thank for securing the series The All Blacks scored the only in his diary was that his con- Schmidt (37%) was the over- midfi eld. The charge that he is “You’ve got to be pretty proud we’d come to New Zealand and draw, with pressure penalties tries in the match, to Ngani tract with Wales ends after the whelmingly popular favourite, infl exible has surely been buried. of that,” Gatland said, after the draw a Test series, you’d prob- in the closing minutes of the Laumape and Jordie Barrett, 2019 World Cup in Japan, and with Gatland (9%) trailing in Other criticisms remain. third Test ended in a 15-all draw ably take that,” said Gatland, second and third Tests. with Beauden Barrett kicking a that he had nothing planned fourth behind Foster (16%), Dave He can be unwise with niggly com- in Auckland to leave the series who wore a clown’s nose after His successful shot at goal in conversion and a penalty. The after that. Rennie (14)% of the Chiefs, soon to ments and is self-evidently not as im- all square with one win each. the Test — in a dig at a New the 77th minute gave the Lions Lions’ points came from four “You never say never. In terms be Glasgow, and Scott Robertson mune to public fl ak as he would have The outcome left the All Blacks Zealand newspaper which had a 24-21 victory in the second penalties by Farrell and one by of after 2019 if there’s a chat (10%) of the Crusaders. us believe. In short, he is human, a flat, with coach Steve Hansen caricatured him as a clown. Test. Elliot Daly. and an opportunity to think This Lions tour will surely have quality manifested in another way by describing it as akin to “kissing “For us to come here to New The last three minutes of that Gatland, who coached the about 2021, and to do the three improved Gatland’s prospects, the clown’s nose he wore to the post- your sister”, while captain Zealand, against back-to-back match were the only time they Lions to a series win over Aus- of them as a head coach and to notwithstanding the clown car- match press conference yesterday. The Kieran Read said he was left world champions and draw were ahead in the entire 240 tralia four years ago, consid- win two and draw one wouldn’t toon of him that paper ran after pressure can get to Gatland, but his “with a hollow feeling”. a series is an unbelievable minutes of Test rugby. ered the Lions had shown “un- be a bad achievement,” he said. the fi rst Test. There have been ability to respond with results is too other bumps along the way, not consistent to be anything other than the least of which was the Geogra- the mark of one of the great coaches. phy Six fi asco, but a series – and a They say the All Blacks job is the Hansen keen to move on aft er accepting controversial call tour – neatly split down the middle most pressurised in the world. Then results-wise is a greater achieve- again, at least they usually win. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has and clinch the three-match series. Poite, that we have to live with it. television off icial and Bernard Foley ment than the 2-1 win in Australia Hansen and his predecessor, Sir Gra- already accepted the contentious call by however, stopped the clock and decided “We are accepting with whatever deci- stepped up to slot the penalty that gave four years ago. ham Henry, know well what it is like referee Romain Poite, who overturned to discuss the decision with his assistants sions were made. It’s the decision the ref the Wallabies a 35-34 victory and a semi- Gatland remains the only unbeaten to be Wales coach and lose. It was his original decision to award a potential Jerome Garces and Jaco Peyper, as well has made and we will live with it.” final spot against Argentina. Lions head coach of the professional an experience that set them in good match-winning penalty for the home as television off icial George Ayoub. Despite trying to avoid the question “I go back to the World Cup and Scotland era, which, now that he has taken a stead for winning World Cups with side against the British and Irish Lions The discussion ended with the French throughout his post-match news confer- missed out because they didn’t use the squad to New Zealand, is a remark- New Zealand, and Gatland’s record yesterday. off icial deciding that Owens was acciden- ence, Hansen compared the decision to video,” Hansen said. “This time they did able record. However much he may with Wales of two grand slams, a Six With the scores locked at 15-15 and less tally off side and awarded an attacking the 2015 Rugby World Cup quarter-final and had a powwow. What we would’ve have been derided for this decision Nations title and a World Cup semi- than two minutes remaining, Poite initial- scrum to the All Blacks instead. The Lions between Australia and Scotland. liked is play on and we would’ve scored or that style of play, results are what fi nal is far better than that of either of ly awarded the All Blacks a penalty when were then able to hold off a late New The Wallabies were awarded a late under the posts. I’d have liked that. Gatland specialises in. Whichever his feted countrymen. he deemed that replacement hooker Ken Zealand surge as the series ended 1-1. penalty by referee Craig Joubert when “His initial instincts were a penalty. He way you dress it up, he is one of the Will Gatland be the next Kiwi Owens was off side when one of his own “It’s a tough game to ref and we all know he adjudged the ball to have touched a spoke to his team and one of them said it most successful coaches in the his- Wales coach to follow that path? A players dropped a kickoff into his hands. what happened and we all know what Scotland player in an off side position, was accidental. tory of rugby. Not that you would World Cup is the highest peak unat- The penalty, had it stood, would have should have happened,” Hansen told even though replays showed it had “We can’t change that. If we scored know that from the way people have tained by him. If he wants to scale it given Beauden Barrett a routine kick at reporters. “And at the end of the day, it’s ricocheted off Australian scrumhalf Nick another try we wouldn’t be having this come to talk about him in the past few with New Zealand, his preparation goal from in front to both win the match a game and as little kids we’re taught Phipps first. Joubert did not consult the discussion.” years. The profi le of the Wales team has been perfect.

ASIAN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLF Rahm joins Im as Qatar’s Salem wins his 2nd silver Irish Open leader Agencies on Friday. Today, the last day of after I resumed training I could Bhubaneswar, India the championship, Asian Games not go all out as I used to get dizzi- AFP 202 - Julien Quesne (FRA) champion Ogunode will looking ness quite frequently. I joined the Portstewart, United Kingdom 70-68-64 to avenge his defeat in the 100m national camp in December and 203 - Scott Hend (AUS) 71-68- atar’s Yaser Salem to Hassan Taftian of Iran, when slowly started to pick up form. 64, Ryan Fox (NZL) 67-66-70, picked up his sec- the two go head-to-head in the “The top runners of Asia had merican Daniel Im Justin Rose 67-70-66, Oliver ond silver medal at 200m fi nal. not come for this meet so the remained joint leader Fisher 65-68-70 the Asian Athlet- Meanwhile, hosts India con- overall standard was below my after three rounds of 204 - Bradley Dredge 68- icsQ Championships in Bhu- tinued to top the medal stand- level,” Sudha told reporters. the Irish Open Golf at 69-67, Matthew Southgate baneswar, yesterday. ings with seven gold, four sil- “I have already competed in PortstewartA yesterday but Jon 65-68-71 The Qatari middle-distance ver and nine bronze medals for two Olympics and wanted to Rahm of Spain was the man 205 - Peter Hanson (SWE) runner fi nished second in the a total haul of 20. Continental achieve something here. I want joining him on 17 under par 68-71-66, Scott Jamieson men’s 3,000m steeplechase, af- powerhouse China are second on to win medals at the interna- going into today’s fi nal round. 70-69-66, Richie Ramsay 68- ter he had also picked up a silver the standings with fi ve gold, six tional level. My target was to do Benjamin Hebert from 70-67, Adrian Otaegui (ESP) in the 5000m on the opening day silver and four bronze for a total well at the Asian Championships France, level with Im over- 68-69-68, Tommy Fleetwood of the event. of 15 medals. Iran are third on the and also at next month’s World night, carded a 69 to leave him 70-67-68, Peter Uihlein (USA) In the 3,000m steeplechase table with four gold and a single Championships.” one shot behind. 69-67-69, Paul Peterson (USA) yesterday, Salem was almost bronze. Among other Indians, Annu R Im had a 68, four under par, 67-67-71 three seconds behind winner India’s Sudha Singh produced took silver in the women’s 400m and Rahm a 67. Japan’s Hideto 206 - Callum Shinkwin 68-70- Hossein Keyhani of Iran, who a superb performance to win hurdles while MP Jabir (men’s Tanihara was fourth, 15 under 68, Andrew Dodt (AUS) 71-66- came home in 8:43.82 seconds. gold in the women’s 3,000 me- 400m hurdles), NV Sheena and Frenchman Julien Quesne 69, Anthony Wall 67-68-71 Qatar’s another runner Hashim tre steeplechase. Sudha fi nished (women’s triple jump) and the made big strides by shooting Salah missed out on the podium at the top of the podium with a women’s 4x100m relay team 64 to lie one shot behind him. after fi nishing fourth behind time of nine minutes and 59.47 comprising of Merlin Joseph, In all nine players, includ- Saudi Arabia’s Ali Ahmad, who seconds in front of cheering, Srabani Nanda, Himashree Roy ing Britain’s Justin Rose, were took the bronze medal. jampacked stands at the Kalinga and local star Dutee Chand took within four strokes of the lead. There was disappointment for Stadium. Hyo Gyong of North bronze in their respective events. Tournament host Rory Qatar in the men’s high jump, Korea fi nished a distant second Annu did well to accelerate McIlroy was not involved after where Mahamaat Allamine with a time of 10:13.94 while Ja- going into the fi nal bend as she missing the cut on Friday. came fourth with a best jump pan’s Nana Sato took the bronze fi nished with the silver in the of 2.20m. Qatar has so far failed with 10:18.11. Sudha, who has women’s 400m with a time of Leading third-round scores to win gold, with all their four been battling injuries and health 57.22 seconds. She fi nished be- 199 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 65-67-67, medals being silver. Apart from problems since the Rio Olympics hind Thi Nguyen of Vietnam Daniel Im (USA) 64-67-68 Salem’s two medals, Femi Ogu- last year, was happy with her per- who clinched the gold with 56.14 200 - Benjamin Hebert (FRA) node and Jamal Hairane also had formance. seconds. Aoki Sayaka of Japan Iran’s Hossein Keyhani (right) and Qatar’s Yaser Salem (left) during the 64-67-69 Spain’s Jon Rahm in action to content with silver in 100m “I was out of action for fi ve took bronze with a time of 58.18 3,000m steeplechase event of the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships 201 - Hideto Tanihara (JPN) during the third round of the and 1500m events respectively months after the Olympics. Even seconds. in Bhubaneswar yesterday. (AFP) 70-65-66 Irsh Open yesterday. (Reuters)

Sunday, July 9, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

CYCLING/ TOUR DE FRANCE Calmejane defeats cramp to win stage, Froome in control ‘Four kilometres from the end and at the finish I had cramps every time I straightened my leg and I wasn’t far away from a catastrophe’

AFP Froome maintained his 12sec lead Staion des Rousses, France over compatriot and Sky team- mate Geraint Thomas, and 14sec to Aru in third. renchman Lilian Calme- jane came close to “ca- Scare tastrophe” before win- Froome had his own scare ning his maiden Tour de when he briefl y went off piste a FranceF stage yesterday. little over 50km from the fi nish The 24-year-old suff ered but he stayed upright and quickly cramps over the last four kilome- rejoined the road. tres of the 187.5km eighth stage “There was a little moment, from Dole to Station des Rouses, there was a righthand bend, my- but kept his nerve to fi nish 37 self and my team-mate Geraint seconds clear of Dutchman Rob- Thomas didn’t take the right tra- ert Gesink. jectory, but sometimes it’s like “It’s huge, I can barely believe that,” said a smiling Froome on it, it’s pretty much everything French television. I was dreaming of at the start,” Thomas actually crashed into said Calmejane, who is riding his a bale of hay - his third fall this fi rst Tour and only second Grand week following spills on Tuesday Tour having also won a stage at and last Sunday. last year’s Vuelta a Espana. “It was a choice between going “Last year at the Vuelta I won into the trees or the hay bales, so in a similar manner; it’s my fi rst I chose the hay,” said Thomas. Tour, the eighth stage: a wonder- “I front fl ipped but it was a ful victory. better option than the woods!” “Four kilometres from the end Froome had claimed on Friday and at the fi nish I had cramps that Saturday’s stage wouldn’t every time I straightened my leg see much in the way of a battle and I wasn’t far away from a ca- amongst the top contenders and tastrophe. it proved the case as the favour- “But today was my day.” ites opted to keep the powder dry The Direct Energie rider also ahead of today’s gruelling moun- claimed the polkadot king of tain stage that includes three the mountains jersey for his ef- hors category climbs. forts on the hilly stage, taking it “I think after today’s tough off Italy’s Fabio Aru, winner of stage, tomorrow (Sunday) will be Wednesday’s fi fth stage. very, very hard and very selec- After a breakneck start to the tive for the overall contenders,” day that saw numerous attacks added Froome, who retained the fail to stay away as a fl uid race overall leader’s yellow jersey. situation reigned, eventually a “And defi nitely there will be group of 46 riders were able to riders who gain time and others France’s Lilian Calmejane celebrates as he crosses the finish line at the end of the 187.5km eighth stage of the 104th edition of the Tour de France between Dole and Station des get clear of the peloton before who lose time.” Rousses yesterday. (AFP) that then splintered. Today’s ninth stage is 181.5km A group of nine riders made it long from Nantua with seven RESULTS to the bottom of the fi rst catego- categorised climbs, including the ry climb 24km from the fi nish but three steepest of this year’s race, Eighth stage Overall standings by the summit, 12km from the and a technical 1. Lilian Calmejane (FRA/DEN) 4hrs 30min 1. Christopher Froome (GBR/Sky) 33hrs line, Calmejane was alone with descent to the fi nish in Cham- 29sec. 19min 10sec. only Gesink able to give chase. bery. Most of all, Froome is wary 2. Robert Gesink (NED/LNL) 0:37. 2. Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) at 0:12. Calmejane had a 30-second of the Mont du Chat climb which 3. Guillaume Martin (FRA/AJW) 0:50. 3. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) 0:14. lead by then and he increased it peaks 25km from the fi nish, and 4. Nicolas Roche (IRL/BMC) 0:50. 4. Daniel Martin (IRL/QST) 0:25. on the plateau to the fi nish de- which he and other contend- 5. Roman Kreuziger (CZE/ORI) 0:50. 5. Richie Porte (AUS/BMC) 0:39. spite easing up at one point to ers sampled during last month’s 6. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) 0:50. 6. Simon Yates (GBR/ORI) 0:43. stretch his legs due to cramp, to Criterium du Dauphine. 7. Michael Valgren (DEN/AST) 0:50. 7. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 0:47. win by 37sec. “That climb’s savage, espe- 8. Rafal Majka (POL/BOR) 0:50. 8. Alberto Contador (ESP/TRE) 0:52. The Team Sky-led peloton cially coming quite late in the 9. Nathan Brown (USA/CAN) 0:50. 9. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) 0:54. mopped up the remnants of the race - it’s the fourth big climb of 10. Romain Hardy (FRA/TFO) 0:50. 10. Rafal Majka (POL/BOR) 1:01. breakaway as Guillaume Martin the day. 11. Carlos Betancur (COL/MOV) 0:50. 11. Rigoberto Uran (COL/CAN) 1:01. took third at 50sec. “It’s 10 kilometres at more 12. Louis Meintjes (RSA/EAU) 0:50. 12. Pierre Latour (FRA/ALM) 1:07. (From left) Spain’s Mikel Nieve, Great Britain’s Geraint Thomas, Great Britain’s Christopher But all the top challengers were than 10 percent gradient. 13. Daniel Martin (EIR/QST) 0:50. 13. Louis Meintjes (RSA/EAU) 1:24. Froome, Switzerland’s Stefan Kung and Australia’s Richie Porte ride during the eighth in that group, meaning there was “It’s going to blow the race 14. Emanuel Buchmann (GER/BOR) 0:50. 14. Emanuel Buchmann (GER/BOR) 1:29. stage of the 104th edition of the Tour de France yesterday. (AFP) no change in the standings as apart.”

FORMULA ONE Mercedes’ Bottas on pole for Austrian Grand Prix

Reuters progress was evidenced by Fern- Spielberg, Austria ando Alonso in 12th place and Austrian Grand Prix grid Belgian team mate Stoff el Van- doorne in 13th, although only the 1st row: Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mer- 6th row: Nico Hulkenberg inland’s Valtteri Bottas latter was using the latest speci- cedes), Sebastian Vettel (GER/ (GER/Renault), Fernando Alonso kept champions Mer- fi cation Honda engine. Ferrari) (ESP/McLaren) cedes on pole position 2nd row: Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/ 7th row: Stoff el Vandoorne for the Austrian Grand Formula One to test ‘shield’ Ferrari), Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/ (BEL/McLaren), Daniil Kvyat PrixF yesterday after title-chasing device at Silverstone Red Bull) (RUS/Toro Rosso) team mate Lewis Hamilton was Ferrari will trial a new trans- 3rd row: Max Verstappen (NED/ 8th row: Kevin Magnussen hit with a fi ve-place grid penalty. parent frontal protection cock- Red Bull), Romain Grosjean (DEN/Haas), Jolyon Palmer Hamilton, who is 14 points pit ‘shield’ in British Grand (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) (GBR/Renault) behind Ferrari’s championship Prix practice at Silverstone next 4th row: Sergio Perez (MEX/ 9th row: Felipe Massa (BRA/ leader Sebastian Vettel after week, Formula One’s governing Force India), Lewis Hamilton Williams), Lance Stroll (CAN/ eight races, qualifi ed third fast- body said yesterday. (GBR/Mercedes) Williams) est but will start in eighth place The International Automobile 5th row: Esteban Ocon (FRA/ 10th row: Marcus Ericsson due to the automatic drop result- Federation (FIA) said the aim Force India), Carlos Sainz Jr (SWE/Sauber), Pascal Wehrlein ing from an unscheduled gear- was to carry out a fi rst full track (ESP/Toro Rosso) (GER/Sauber) box change. Vettel will share the test at Italy’s Monza circuit in front row with Bottas, with Finn- September. Silverstone will al- ish team mate Kimi Raikkonen low drivers to give initial feed- and Red Bull’s Australian Daniel back early in the development ‘Formula One should buy Silverstone’ Ricciardo on the second row. process, however. The shield is Formula One’s new owners “I have voiced my views on that “I really enjoy driving here. an open canopy in front of the Liberty Media should buy (to Formula One Managament). The car was getting better and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas (centre) celebrates pole with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel (left) Mercedes’ Lewis driver and made from polycar- Silverstone to end lingering They listen and they will be better as the grip was coming,” Hamilton, who will start eighth after being awarded a penalty in Spielberg, Austria. (Reuters) bonate, a tough but see-through uncertainty over the future of quick to tell you if they disagree said Bottas, who now has a gold- thermoplastic polymer. the British Grand Prix circuit and they didn’t disagree with en opportunity to take a second wasn’t meant to be today,” said over the past two weeks. hoping for the last run but it was The aim is to protect the and grow the sport, McLaren the logic,” he added. career win. “A decent lap at the Hamilton, whose gearbox was Vettel had to make a public a bit of an anti climax with the driver’s head from fl ying debris executive director Zak Brown “But I wouldn’t want to put end, it wasn’t perfect, but it was swapped out after the team dis- apology after accusing his rival yellow fl ags,” said Vettel, who will without obstructing his vision. said yesterday. The Ameri- words in their mouths that that enough.” covered a problem from the pre- of ‘brake-testing’ him after the fancy his chances of a fourth win The FIA has been focusing can, speaking at the Austrian means they are going out and Hopes of a crackling show- vious race in Azerbaijan. Ferrari driver drove into the back of the season. on that concept rather than a Grand Prix, added that he had buying it now because I have down between the Mercedes and “I’ll do the best job I can. I of the Mercedes and then banged “It’s a great track, the car has previously tested ‘halo’ cockpit conveyed that opinion to the no idea.” Ferrari rivals in the fi nal seconds want to get up there and get a wheels while they were behind been phenomenal. I’m looking protection system that was ex- commercial rights holders. The The BRDC fears that the current were blown away when Romain one-two with Valtteri.” the safety car. forward to tomorrow, it should be tensively tested last season to a British Racing Drivers’ Club contract, with an annual rise Grosjean’s Haas broke down on Hamilton won last year with Although Hamilton has ac- a good race.” mixed response from teams and (BRDC), which owns the former in hosting fees agreed with track and brought out the warn- now-retired team mate Nico cepted the apology and said he Red Bull’s Dutch teenager drivers. World Two airbase, is expected previous F1 supremo Bernie ing fl ags. The pole was the sec- Rosberg triumphant in 2014 and still has “the utmost respect” Max Verstappen starts fi fth with Cockpit protection is seen as next week to activate for finan- Ecclestone, exposes them to a ond of Bottas’s Formula One ca- 2015. for Vettel, he refused to play Grosjean sixth. Hamilton will a key area following fatalities in cial reasons a break clause in its “potentially ruinous risk”. reer after Bahrain in April. Vettel along when asked to shake hands split Force India’s feuding duo other series where drivers were contract to host the race. They have argued that the won that race but Mercedes have HANDSHAKE ‘SNUB’ with his rival in post-qualifying of Sergio Perez, seventh, and hit by wheels and fl ying debris. “My view is Liberty should break clause would allow for triumphed in Austria in every The Briton’s grid penalty dis- interviews. Television images Esteban Ocon in ninth. There While the FIA said in Janu- buy Silverstone,” said Brown, a a renegotiation under more year since the Red Bull Ring re- pelled some of the tension from showed, however, that he and has been bad blood between the ary that the safety benefi t of the sports marketing expert who favourable terms. But there is turned to the calendar in 2014. a weekend that started with con- Vettel had done so unprompted Mexican and French rookie since halo had been established, some joined McLaren last year after also a risk that the race could “Congratulations to Valtteri, tinued rumblings from Baku and after they stepped out of their they collided in Baku while fi ght- leading F1 fi gures were wary former boss and shareholder fall off the calendar in 2019 and he did a fantastic job and Sebas- the ‘road rage’ controversy that cars in the pit lane. ing for podium places. about dramatic changes to the Ron Dennis was ousted. go elsewhere. tian has been very quick. It just has dominated the headlines “The car was really good. I was Further back, McLaren slow look of the cars.