SPORT Thursday 9 August 2018 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 18 New-look England Pogba keen to leave hope to tackle India Man United for without Stokes Barca: Reports

Yaqoub Chanu’s Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi in withdrawal action in this Qatari swimmers file photo. latest setback for Team India REUTERS gear up for Asiad NEW DELHI: India’s bid to FAWAD HUSSAIN win their first Asian Games THE PENINSULA gold medal in weightlifting suffered a major jolt with DOHA: Eyeing maximum medals, women’s 48kg world Qatari swimmers are leaving no champion Mirabai Chanu stone unturned in their prepara- pulling out of the competition tions for this month’s Asian Games with a back injury. in Indonesia. Expectation has been high To give final touches to their since the Manipuri lifter added preparations, the swimmers are Commonwealth Games gold in undergoing a training camp in April to her 2017 world cham- Slovakia - their second training pionship triumph but a spinal tour ahead of the multi-sporting spasm will keep the 24-year- continental event - under the old out of the Games in Indo- supervision of top coaches. nesia beginning on Aug. 18. The Slovakia camp that Chief national coach Vijay started on August 3 will conclude Sharma has advised the fed- on August 15 before team returns Abdulrahman Hesham, Yousef Swimming events of signalling form ahead of their eration against rushing home to join the national con- Hesham, Feras Al Saadi the 18th Asian Games important assignment. QATAR SWIMMING TEAM Chanu’s return and risk aggra- tingent ahead of departure to Al Obaidli, 16, who is the ‘Jakarta - Palembang Al Anabi will play in Group A FOR ASIAN GAMES vating the injury. Indonesia. youngest member of the Qatar’s 2018’ will take place alongside Iran and Malaysia. The In her email to the feder- The 18th Asian Games swimming team, is eyeing an national handball team claimed Nouh Abdulaziz Al ation, Chanu said she wanted ‘Jakarta - Palembang 2018’ will impressive performance at Asian from August 19 to 24 at a gold medal of the last edition to focus on November’s world be held from August 18 to Sep- Games. the GBK Aquatic Center with a 24-21 victory over South Khelaifi, Yaqoub championship in Turkmen- tember 2 while the swimming “The team and I are getting in Jakarta. Korea in the final. Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, istan instead as it would events will take place from ready before heading to Jakarta Qatar will send a contingent Abdulaziz Hassan double up as a qualifying August 19 to 24 at the GBK for the Asian Games. I will be the Belarus last month as part of their of over 250 athletes including 40 Al Obaidli, Musalam event for the 2020 Tokyo Aquatic Center in Jakarta. youngest swimmer among my preparations. female athletes at the Asian Abdullah Al Nabit, Olympics. Qatar national team com- team-mates at the Games; this Meanwhile, Qatar handball Games. Hassan Abdulrahman Chanu’s withdrawal is a prises eight swimmers including makes me proud and I am team is also close to finalising The Al Anabi squad will be latest setback for the feder- Al Ebaidan, Nouh Abdulaziz Al Khelaifi, looking forward to give my best,” their preparations as they will targeting medals in 30 disciplines ation following the provisional Yaqoub Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, he said. defend their gold medal at Asian with their primary goal is to Abdulrahman Hesham, suspension of two-time Com- Abdulaziz Hassan Al Obaidli, Prior to the ongoing camp in Games. better their tally of 10 gold Yousef Hesham, Feras monwealth Games gold med- Musalam Abdullah Al Nabit, Slovakia, Qatar diving team The team defeated Portugal’s medals they won at the 2014 Al Saadi allist Sanjita Chanu whose A Hassan Abdulrahman Al Ebaidan, underwent an outdoor camp in Lisbon in back-to-back matches edition in Incheon, South Korea. sample tested positive for an anabolic steroid in May. Qatargas Four key players to skip U-23 League Asian Games as Team to kick off on September 4 Qatar leaves for Indonesia THE PENINSULA Thailand, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh. THE PENINSULA Al Anabi face Uzbekistan on August 14 DOHA: Key players Almoez Ali, Akram Afif, in their first match. DOHA: The second edition Basam Al Rawi and Abdullah Abdulsalam All countries participating at the Asian of the hugely popular will miss the Asian Games in Indonesia as Games will be represented by a U-23 squad Qatargas U-23 League will they will focus on the AFC Champions with three overaged players and the top kick off on September 4. League (ACL) quarter-finals, Qatar Football two from each group will advance to the The Qatar Football Asso- Association has announced. round of 16. ciation (QFA) confirmed yes- Coach Unai Melgosa announced Qatar’s QATAR SQUAD: Ahmed Moin, Khaled terday that the 2018-19 21-member squad for this month’s Asiad Munir, Abdul Rahman Mohammed, Hazem edition will feature 12 teams. and the four players are part of the two Ahmed, Adel Bader, Mishal Ibrahim, Hatem Qatar Volleyball players and team officials pose for a photograph. The competing teams Qatari teams which will feature in the ACL, Kamal, Tariq Salman, Tamim Al Muhaize, are, Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Qatar Al Duhail and Al Sadd. Elias Ahmed, Ahmed Al Saadi, Saud Farhan, SC, Al Rayyan, Al Kharaitiyat, The national squad left for Jakarta yes- Mashaal Al Shammari, Mohammed Al Al Gharafa, Umm Salal, Al terday, and will compete in Group B during Bakri, Yazen Naim, Jassim Mohammed, Qatar off to a winning Ahli, Al Khor, Al Arabi, Al the Games which will begin tomorrow, Marwan Sharif, Omar Al Emadi, Nasser Al Sailiya and Al Shahaniya. eight days before the opening ceremony Nasr, Ahmed Fadel and Mohammed Saeed. All these clubs have of the Asiad. Group B also includes Coach: Unai Melgosa teams which feature in top start in Chinese Taipei League, the QNB Stars CHINTHANA WASALA League. Al Rayyan players prepare for QSL second round pull out of the AVC Cup because of The first-round matches THE PENINSULA limited gap between several major will commence on Sep- events including Asian Games and tember 4. DOHA/TAIPEI: Qatar began their World Championship, leaving the The matches will con- debut campaign in the Asian top nine teams to compete in this tinue until December 11. Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup year’s tournament. The matches will be for Men in style with a brilliant Team Qatar will meet Thailand played on Mondays and three-setter against Vietnam in the second Pool match today. Tuesdays with three games yesterday. In other matches which were on each day. At the University of Taipei Gym- played on the opening day of the The matches will be nasium in Taipei, Chinese Taipei, event, defending champions Iran played at Hamad Bin Khalifa Qatari men had the better of their beat the hosts 3-1 (25–23, 14–25, Stadium, Suhaim Bin Hamad East Asian counterparts 25-20, 25–21, 25–23) at the same venue. Stadium, Saud Bin Abdul- 25-19 and 25-23, to take the lead in Earlier yesterday, Japan and rahman Stadium, Thani Bin Pool C which also includes Thailand. South Korea were involved in a Jassim Stadium, Al Arabi In Pool A, there are Kazakhstan, thrilling five setter in which the Stadium and Al Khor Japan and Korea while Australia, South Korean men prevailed 3-2 Stadium. Iran and hosts Chinese Taipei are (25–20, 19–25, 23–25, 25–23, The QFA also announced Al Rayyan players take part in a practice session at the Al Rayyan Stadium yesterday, in drafted in Pool B. 17–19). that during the first three preparation for their QNB Stars League (QSL) second round match against Umm Salal. Former champions China had The tournament concludes on rounds, the matches will kick The match will be played at the Al Sadd Stadium on Friday and will kick off at 5.30pm. announced earlier that they had to August 15. off at 6:15pm and 8:30 pm. THURSDAY 9 AUGUST 2018 SPORT 17 New-look England hope to PCB Award winners tackle India without Stokes

AFP spinner Moeen Ali to partner leg- ENGLAND VS INDIA “I think it’s sometimes easy break bowler Adil Rashid even SECOND TEST: TEAMS to criticise the batting group but LONDON: England will be though England captain Joe Root I thought the way both seaming without Ben Stokes while India bowls occasional off-breaks. groups in particular bowled was ENGLAND: Alastair Cook, Keaton could make changes too for the Root confirmed yesterday that outstanding.” Jennings, Joe Root (capt), Ollie second Test at Lord’s today. Pope would bat at number four India too could make a top- Stokes played a starring role but that England would delay a Pope, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Jos order change with the experi- in England’s 31-run win in the first decision on whether to play Ali or Buttler, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, enced Cheteshwar Pujara waiting Test of a five-match series at Edg- Woakes instead of Stokes until the Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, James in the wings if struggling opener baston last week, including taking morning of the match, with the Anderson Shikhar Dhawan is omitted. the wicket of India captain Virat uncapped Jamie Porter released They also have the option of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi Kohli, who had been anchoring from the 13-man squad. INDIA: Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar playing a second-spinner, be it (left) presenting the Imtiaz Ahmed Spirit of Cricket the tourists’ run-chase. “Ollie Pope will come in and Pujara, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli orthodox left-armer Ravindra Trophy to Sarfraz Ahmed during the annual PCB Awards But Stokes was omitted by bat at four,” said Root. (capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Dinesh Jadeja or left-arm wrist-spinner Ceremony held in Karachi, yesterday. BOTTOM: Hasan England because he is in court this That England won their Karthik (wkt), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, with all-rounder Ali receiving his award for the best ODI player of the week on a criminal charge of 1,000th Test owed much to Pope’s Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Hardik Pandya the man most year from former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi. affray. fellow 20-year-old Surrey rising Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant likely to miss out if either slow Fellow pace-bowling all- star Sam Curran. Sharma bowler is selected. rounder Chris Woakes has been As well as taking five “It’s a good choice, a tough calledcalled up in hhisis pplacelace to thethe wicketswickets in hishis mainmain rroleole oneone too,”too,” BharatBharat AArun,ru India’s EnglandEngland squad, withwith as a left-arm swingswing NeitherNeither sideside mademade 300300 in thethe bowlingbowling coach, told reportersre at uncappeduncapped SurreySurrey bowler,bowler, Curran’sCurran’s match,match, EnglandEngland postingposting 287 Lord’sLord’s on TuesTuesday.day. batsmanbatsman OllieOllie Pope sparklingsparkling beforebefore InIndiadia reprepliedlied witwithh 274 in “We really selectedselected iinsteadnstead ofof second-secondsecond- the first inningsinnings. . needne to look DawidDawid Malan,Malan, inningsinnings 63,63, India struggledstruggled againstagainst the at any droppeddropped afterafter a runrun hihiss maidenmamaididen swingingswinging bballball,all, wwithith EnEnglandgland cchangeh in ofof lowlow scoscores.res. TestTest fifty,fifty, enenabledabled findingfinding it ddifficultifficult to comcombatbat RRav-av- sstrategy,t r ButBut inn a drydryy EnglandEngland to setsett ichandranichah ndran AsAshwin’shwiin’ss off-spin.off-spin. dependingdepend on the EnglishEnglish summersuummer thatthat IndiaIndia a trickytrriicky targettarget In 1177 TestsTeT stts sisincencn e RootRoott wicket.”wicket.” hashas seseenenn ppitchesiitchess mmoreore off 194.1944. becamebecame ccaptainaptain in JuJulylyy 22017,017,7 ButBut Arun said Jasprit receptiverecceeppttive too sslowllow Itt provedproved bebeyondyond EnglandEngland have mmanagedanaggede BumrahBumrmrah was “out“o of con- bowlingbowwllini g ththanhaan uusual,sus ala , thetthe tourists,ttourrisists, despitedespiti e jujjuststt nnineini e hhundredsundredss tention”,ttention”n”, thethe pacemanpace still EnglandEngglaand couldccould KohliKoK hhli mmamakingaking 5511 to betweenbetween ththemhemm sidelinedsiddeelined afterafa ter missmissingin the first recallreccall ooff-fff- followfollooww hishisi first-first- anand,nd,d eveneveen TestTesstt withwith thethe brokenbroken thumb he inningsinnnings 149149 -- thethe moremoree ccon-on- sufferedsuffffered dduringuring a TTwenty20 starsstar batsman’sbattsms an’s internationalinteernational againsagainstt Ireland in maidenmaidi enn TestTesst June.Juunnee. centurycentury on cerninglycerningly AsA fforor India needingneed more EnglishEnglish soil.soil. forfor theirtheir ffans,ans, runsruns ffromrom theirtheir batsmen,batsm Arun havehah vee bbeeneee n dis-dis- said:saidd: “I“Iff yoyouou look aatt the (Edg- Recovering Afridi missedmissed fforor underunder baston)bastoon) scscores,cores, it’s only Virat 3303000 ini ttheirhheir ffirstirst KoKKohlihlli andand JJoeoe Root who have inningsinnnings seseveneven titimesmem s andand bebeeneen ableable to contendcontend with the to miss CPL 2018 forfor ununderder 2502550 inn thetheh secondsecond movingmoviinng bball.all. inningsini niinggs ninenin ne times.timese . “The“TThhe cconditionsonditions werew trying. THE PENINSULA InI PopePoppe theythhey hhaveavave a babatsmanatst mam n TheThe challengecchhala leenge is tthereher for us to whowhho hashas beenbebeenen inin sussuperbupeperbrb fformorm foforr adaptadappt eevevenvenn betterbetter anand we have CountyCoC unntyy CChampionshiphahampmpioonsshih p leaderslel ada ers ourouo r pplplanslaans iinn pplace.”lace.” KINGSTON: Jamaica Tallahwahs will miss the services of SurreySuSurrrreye soso farfaf r ththisisi seasonseaeason wiwwiththt 66848484 ButBBuut hhee was wary of playing Shahid Afridi in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League runsrunns atat a huhhugegeg aaveragevev rage ofof 85885.50,5.550,0 anan extraexxtrra batsmanbatsa man at Lord’s.L 2018 after the former Pakistan all-rounder confirmed his includingiincllududining thtthreehrer e cecenturiesnturiees anandd a “I wwouldould considerconside that as a unavailability yesterday. toptoop sscscoreore ooff 1581588 notnoto out.out. conservativecconseervative movemove,”,” AArun added. Afridi cited rehabilitation from a long-standing knee England’s Ollie Pope inspects a bat during a practice session Root,RoR ott, frustratinglyffrustratatiinglgly rurunn ououtt forfor “Everything“EEveryr thing dependsdepe on the injury as the reason behind his absence. at the Lord’s Ground in London yesterday. England captain 8080 iinn EnEngland’sglg and’d s firstfirst ininningsninggs aat conditionscconditionsn ---- andand if thethe conditions The 38-year-old sustained the injury while playing for Joe Root confirmed yesterday that Pope would bat at number Edgbaston,Edgbbaston, saidsaid it waswass importantimpm ortant areare nnonott ggoingoing to be as friendly as Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League in March, and four in the second Test against India which begins today. tot putput thethhe side’sside’e s battingbatting strugglessttrugglles ini thethe firstfirst Test,Test, it mamakes more with the rehabilitation process still ongoing, he tweeted intoiinto pperspective.erspective. sensesenseto to playp five bowlers.” bow that he would not be able to turn out for the Tallahwahs this year. “Due to my knee rehab I’ll have to sadly miss out this year’s #BiggestPartyInSport with the @JAMTallawahs,” Afridi tweeted. “I’ll be cheering for the team from home Sri Lanka clinch rain-hit thriller in Kandy and I’m sure @simadwasim (Imad Wasim) will fill up for me.” Afridi has taken the field even after sustaining the injury REUTERS Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka hits a boundary during his innings SCOREBOARD – he played six matches for Edmonton Royals in the Global of 65 against South Africa at the Pallekele International Canada T20 League in July, and also captained ICC World KANDY, Sri Lanka: Suranga Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, Kandy yesterday. SRI LANKA XI against the Windies in the Hurricane Relief T20I in May. Lakmal bowled a tight final over Niroshan Dickwella c de Kock b Duminy ...... 34 to help Sri Lanka win the rain-hit Upul Tharanga b Mulder ...... 36 fourth one-dayer against South Kusal Mendis lbw b Maharaj ...... 14 Africa by three runs under the Kusal Perera c Miller b Duminy ...... 51 ‘Hundred’ will look Duckworth-Lewis method Angelo Mathews (c) c de Kock b Ngidi ...... 22 yesterday and snap their losing Dhananjaya de Silva c Dala b Ngidi ...... 10 streak. Thisara Perera not out ...... 51 normal, says MCC Having lost the five-match Dasun Shanaka c Mulder b Phehlukwayo ...... 65 series following three defeats, Sri Akila Dananjaya not out ...... 1 AFP Lanka batted with conspicuous Extras (lb 9, w 12, nb 1) ...... 22 freedom to post 306-7 after rain had reduced the match to 39 Total (7 wkts, 39 overs) ...... 306 LONDON: Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) officials gave a overs-a-side. Did not bat: Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara guarded welcome to plans for a new 100-balls-per-side More rain interruptions left Fall of wickets 1-61 (Dickwella, 11.3), 2-92 competition in the English domestic game after being told South Africa with a revised (Tharanga, 14.3), 3-100 (Mendis, 15.5), 4-159 it would still “look like a normal game of cricket”. target of 191 from 21 overs but (Mathews, 22.3), 5-183 (D. de Silva, 24.6), 6-195 The England and Wales Cricket Board’s proposal for the Lakmal (3-46) conceded four ( K. Perera, 27.2), 7-304 (Shanaka, 38.3) new tournament, set to launch in 2020, has proved hugely runs in the final over to seal a Bowling: Ngidi 8-0-65-2, Dala 8-0-64-0, controversial. thrilling victory in the stop-start Phehlukwayo 6-0-45-1, Duminy 6-0-35-2, Critics have bemoaned the ‘dumbing down’ of the game game. Mulder 6-0-51-1, Maharaj 5-0-37-1 given plans to ditch traditional overs and questioned the Put in to bat, Sri Lanka need for a new format given the global popularity of enjoyed their first 50-plus SOUTH AFRICA (Target 191) Twenty20. opening partnership of the Quinton de Kock b Lakmal ...... 23 ECB chief commercial officer Sanjay Patel told MCC’s series from Upul Tharanga (36) Hashim Amla c Kumara b Dananjaya ...... 40 world cricket committee, an advisory group chaired by and Niroshan Dickwella (34) former England captain Mike Gatting and whose members Reeza Hendricks c D. de Silva b Shanaka ...... 2 which laid the foundation for a include MCC head of cricket John Stephenson and Australia big total. Jean-Paul Duminy run out (Shanaka) ...... 38 great Ricky Ponting, that prospective playing conditions Kusal Perera smashed 51 but Heinrich Klaasen c Mathews b D. de Silva ...... 17 would likely include 20 sequences of five balls rather than it was the 109-run stand between David Miller b Lakmal ...... 21 the traditional six-ball over. Thisara Perera (51 not out) and Andile Phehlukwayo b T. Perera ...... 9 “Basically, they’re still developing the concept,” Dasun Shanaka (65) that took Sri Willem Mulder c D. de Silva b Lakmal ...... 4 Stephenson told reporters at Lord’s on Tuesday. Lanka past the 300-mark. Keshav Maharaj b T. Perera ...... 17 “As custodians of the Laws of the game, what we’re con- Shanaka clobbered five sixes Junior Dala not out ...... 3 cerned about is if you modify the game of cricket too much in his 34-ball blitz as Sri Lanka Lungi Ngidi not out ...... 1 it ceases to look like cricket. plundered 105 runs from the last Extras (lb 5, w 6, nb 1) ...... 12 “They’re still developing how the final format will be.” 10 overs. Total:(9 wkts, 21 overs) ...... 187 The former England international added: “The current South Africa were initially set Fall of Wickets 34-1 (de Kock, 2.6), 51-2 (Hen- thinking is 20 five-ball ‘overs’, but I think today was part of a target of 308 under the Duck- dricks, 4.4), 108-3 (Amla, 9.3), 129-4 (Klaasen, their consultation. worth-Lewis system but further 12.2), 130-5 (Duminy, 13), 149-6 (Phehlukwayo, “I think at the maximum, they’re looking at having a rain interventions left them substitute fielder. But I think what that’s about is per- 15.2), 155-7 (Mulder, 16.4), 183-8 (Maharaj, 19.6), needing 191 runs from 21 overs. formance -- having the best fielders out there at the right Hashim Amla made 40 and 183-9 (Miller, 20.2) time to field. JP Duminy contributed 38 but over with two wickets in hand. South Africa finished on 187-9. Bowling: Lakmal 5 0 46 3, Dananjaya 3 0 30 1, T. “But at the moment, as far as I can make out, they’ll have South Africa suffered a middle- Lakmal dismissed David The tourists will take a 3-1 Perera 4 0 32 2, Shanaka 2 0 20 1, Kumara 3 0 28 11 batsmen, they won’t have ‘overs’ per se but 100 balls, 20 order collapse that left them Miller (21) with the second ball to lead into Sunday’s final one-dayer 0, D. de Silva 4 0 26 1 balls per bowler. needing eight runs from the final effectively clinch the match as in Colombo. “Apart from that, it’ll look like a normal game of cricket.” 18 SPORT THURSDAY 9 AUGUST 2018

Henderson 5 NEW ARRIVALS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN LIGUE 1 Neymar is still there, and Paris Saint-Germain are set to kick off in contention Pogba keen to leave Man their defence of the French Ligue 1 title against Caen this weekend. As Marseille play Toulouse in the opening game tomorrow, take a look at five of the most interesting new signings in France ahead for opener, of the 2018-19 campaign: United for Barca: Reports THOMAS TUCHEL (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN) Age: 44 says Klopp Position: Head coach REUTERS AFP Previous club: Borussia Dortmund (GER) -- The biggest change at PSG ahead of this season has come in the dugout. Indeed, the old season had still not finished when the LONDON: Liverpool will give LONDON: France World Cup star capital club announced the appointment of the German Tuchel as skipper Jordan Henderson Paul Pogba is determined to end his their new coach on a two-year deal. He arrives after a year out of every chance to be ready for fractious relationship with the game following his departure from Borussia Dortmund, and Sunday’s Premier League Manchester United manager Jose succeeds Unai Emery whose last season in charge saw PSG win the opener against West Ham Mourinho and move to Barcelona, United despite the midfielder according to British media reports treble but lose to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16. A only returning to pre-season yesterday. successful defence of the Ligue 1 title combined with a better training on Sunday, manager The 25-year-old -- who scored in performance in Europe are the twin objectives for Tuchel. However, has Juergen Klopp (pictured) the 4-2 World Cup final win over with a large number of players returning late from holidays after said. Croatia -- has agreed terms with Bar- the World Cup, pre-season has possibly not offered too many Henderson, who helped celona for a deal worth £89.5m clues as to how Tuchel will fare at the Parc des Princes. England to a fourth-placed ($115m, 100m euros) over five years, GIANLUIGI BUFFON (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN) Age: 40 finish at the World Cup, according to the Daily Mail. Position: Goalkeeper impressed his manager with The reported agreement would Previous club: Juventus (ITA) his fitness levels and played see him pick up £346,000 a week, -- The transfer window does not close for French clubs until the 20 minutes in Tuesday’s 3-1 almost double what he earns at end of August, so PSG may yet get the cheque book out. So far, pre-season win over Torino. United. however, the only new arrival has been Buffon. Splashing huge “We have to see how he The Sun claims the former amounts of money last year on Neymar and Kylian Mbappe while reacts. But it is Hendo, so to be Juventus star -- who joined United not recruiting a goalkeeper of proven quality left their squad look- honest in the first session it for a then world-record fee of £89m ing rather unbalanced. But it remains to be seen if bringing in the looked like he trained for the in 2016 -- has demanded the Premier whole three weeks,” Klopp League side increase his wages from 40-year-old Buffon is the ideal solution. The goalkeeping great told the club website https:// £180,000 to £380,000 a week so he had the advantage of being available without a transfer fee, al- www.liverpoolfc.com/news/ is paid almost on a par with Chilean though he was expected to retire at the end of last season before first-team/310902-jurgen- star Alexis Sanchez, otherwise he will deciding to have another crack at glory in the Champions League, Klopp-reaction-liverpool- leave. which has thus far evaded him in a long career. torino-quotes. United, though, would be most PATRICK VIEIRA (NICE) Age: 42 “He’s experienced enough reluctant to sell him, with the Daily Position: Head coach not to bring himself in dif- Mail reporting they have already Previous club: New York City FC (USA) ficult situations where he has rejected a bid by Barcelona of £44.5m -- As France basks in the glow of the national team’s World Cup to run two or three miles in plus Colombian central defender triumph in Moscow, one of the stars of the team that won the two minutes.” Yerry Mina and Portuguese midfielder trophy in 1998 makes his return to the French game as a coach. Meanwhile, Burnley Andre Gomes. Vieira is following in the footsteps of other members of his gen- defender Ben Mee has signed Mourinho has expressed his frus- In this file photo taken on May 04, 2018 Manchester eration of World Cup winners by making inroads into manage- a new three-year contract at tration over the club’s transfer policy, ment. Didier Deschamps and Zinedine Zidane have enjoyed fan- Turf Moor, with an option to and Pogba’s departure would leave United’s French midfielder extend for a further 12 little time for executive chairman Ed Paul Pogba controls the ball tastic years, and now Vieira is hoping to make his name as a coach months, the Premier League Woodward to find a suitable during the Premier League in Europe. Now 42, the former arsenal midfielder arrives at Nice club said yesterday. replacement with the Premier League match against Brighton and -- just along the Cote d’Azur from where he started out at Cannes The 28-year-old has transfer window due to close today. Hove Albion in Brighton. -- after two years at New York City FC. He will hope to build on the made 248 appearances for The club has had to deny the claim fine work done by predecessor Lucien Favre. the Clarets since joining from that Pogba sent a text message to ALEKSANDR GOLOVIN (MONACO) Age: 22 Manchester City, initially on Woodward demanding he be allowed team-mate Arturo Vidal also recently the fray, refusing to comment on links Position: Midfielder loan in 2011 and then perma- to leave. moved to the Catalan giants. with Barcelona. Previous club: CSKA Moscow (RUS) nently the following year. The Frenchman is keen to move Essentially, though, Pogba’s “I will never make declarations -- There have again been big departures at Monaco, but they have Mee featured in 29 league to Barcelona -- the Spanish transfer unhappiness stems from the deteri- about Paul,” said the Dutch-Italian pulled off quite a coup with the signing of Golovin. Born in Siberia, matches last season as the window does not shut till the end of oration in his relationship with agent, who is reported to have earned the 22-year-old midfielder arrives in the glitzy Mediterranean club finished seventh in the the month -- to play with Argentina Mourinho, who not only does he just over £40m when Pogba moved principality after enjoying an impressive World Cup with hosts standings and earned their superstar Lionel Messi, while his close blame for his muted performances to United. Russia. Monaco -- whose billionaire owner and vice-president are slot in the Europa League. friend and former Juventus for United since his move but also for “You have to speak to Manchester both Russian -- beat the likes of Chelsea and Juventus to his sig- his qualified praise of his perform- United,” added Raiola. nature, agreeing a reported 30 million-euro ($34.8m) deal to sign ances for France at the World Cup. Former United star Rio Ferdinand “Paul was like the (France) team. told yesterday’s edition of the Daily him from CSKA Moscow. He will have a big role to play in Leonardo He started average and ended top,” Mail that Mourinho needed to fit the Jardim’s team, with Thomas Lemar, Fabinho and Joao Moutinho all having been sold. Pogba has agreed terms Mourinho told beIN Sports on United’s team around Pogba’s sublime talent, unhappy tour of the United States last but accepted the player needed to JEAN-EUDES AHOLOU (MONACO) Age: 24 with Barcelona for a deal week. Pogba, though, is believed to adapt too. Position: Midfielder worth £89.5m ($115m, have been more upset by what fol- “It’s down to the manager to get Previous club: Strasbourg 100m euros) over five lowed in the interview as Mourinho the best out of him, setting the team -- Ivorian Aholou will be one to watch after joining Monaco from years, according to the implied being in an enclosed envi- up and setting Pogba up in the right Strasbourg on a five-year deal for a reported 14 million euros. ronment over six weeks ensured he way to achieve the best,” said the Daily Mail. Aholou’s rise has been remarkable -- two years ago he had just The reported focused just on football and not on former England central defender. been promoted to Ligue 2 with Orleans before being sold to agreement would see him outside matters such as commercial “But Pogba needs to play his part Strasbourg for 350,000 euros in January 2017 and helping them pick up £346,000 a week, contracts. in that. to promotion. His profile means a successful spell in the principal- almost double what he Pogba’s super agent Mino Raiola “It’s a case of the player and ity could have him eventually following the likes of Fabinho,

-- who was also instrumental in manager getting an understanding for Moutinho, and Tiemoue Bakayoko before them, to England. earns at United. bringing Romelu Lukaku to United each other and getting the best out of last summer -- has remained out of the player.” Bolt to be given time to prove Guardiola prefers improving performance over record REUTERS himself, says Mariners boss know but we believe we can do it.” City begin the new season with REUTERS players, all our players are LONDON: Manchester City will aim a trip to Arsenal on Sunday and expected to be living on the to improve their performance Spaniard Guardiola suggested the MELBOURNE: Usain Bolt Central Coast,” he said. rather than beat last season’s London side could pose a serious (pictured) will train at the “It’s a big part of our club record-breaking Premier League challenge this season under new Central Coast Mariners for as and we spoke to him very tally of 100 points, manager Pep manager Unai Emery. long as it takes to become a early doors about living and Guardiola (pictured) has said. “Arsenal I think are going to be professional footballer and has residing here in the Central Defending champions City more consistent as a team,” Guar- agreed to reside in the Coast and he’s agreed to that became the first side to reach 100 diola added. “It will be tough like it A-League team’s sleepy home which is great. points in a Premier League cam- has to be. It’s nice because every base as part of the deal, “The one driving thing that paign and finished last season 19 season the Premier League is Mariners CEO Shaun has been through this whole points above their closest rivals tougher and tougher. Mielekamp said yesterday. thing has been his own personal Manchester United. “UnaiUnai is a work ethic guy.gu He The Mariners confirmed passion, his own personal belief “People ask ‘can youyou improve knows everythingevery on Tuesday the Olympic sprint and personal desire. on 100 points’oints’ andand I say no aboutabout the champion would train “indef- “We’ve spoken to him because we are not here to do opponents.”opponents initely” with the club, which about our club, what our that. However,er, inindividuallydividually tthehe “He achievedach finished bottom of Australia’s beliefs are, we spoke to him players cann improve,” Guar-Guar- somethings ometh 10-team top flight last season “It may take longer, who The Central Coast, a about going down to the local diola said duringuring the Sky SportSportss uuniquenique in and plays in one of the coun- knows? Only time will tell but magnet for domestic holiday- school and doing school Premier Leagueague launclaunch.h. European footballfo try’s smallest soccer markets. it’s exciting to see what this makers and retirees in Aus- appearances and those sort of “Of courseourse we can inin three EEuropa “His training programme will do for our region. But the tralia’s eastern state of New things and he’s bought right improve. If I felt we could not LLeagueseagues in a row will be structured to see if he importance for us right now is South Wales, is an unlikely into that which has been improve thee team I aandnd hhee hahandled can reach a level of play which to look after an athlete who is destination for a global ath- fantastic.” would calll mmyy himselfhimself wellwell ata PSG. earns him a professional con- coming to try to become a pro- letics superstar to reboot his “We’ve been inundated chairman aandnd He’sHe’s a toptop,, top tract,” Mielekamp told fessional player.” sporting career. with sponsors’ calls this say: ‘I leave’.e’. mmanageranager aand it reporters at the Mariners’ base Jamaican Bolt, who won But Mielekamp said Bolt morning which has been But still, wee will be in Gosford, a suburb of the eight Olympic golds before had already committed to the exciting,” he said. believe we tough.”tou Central Coast region north of retiring at the world champi- club’s community-minded “And for us that long-term can do Sydney. onships in London last year, ethos, which requires players effect is something we’ve got better and “This may take three has trained with Germany’s to reside in the area rather to be mindful of. How can we dominate weeks, this may take three Borussia Dortmund, South than enjoy the big-city com- use this moment to improve more. Will itt months, this may take six Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns forts of Sydney and commute. the club for the long-term? happen? months. and Norway’s Stromsgodset. “The same for all our “But it’s still very early days.” I don’tn’t THURSDAY 9 AUGUST 2018 SPORT 19 McIlroy eyes breakthrough win

AFP his first major title since the contending every week, and I least I’m putting myself in find that blend.” McIlroy 2014 PGA. admire his patience and the position. blamed injury and bad habits ST. LOUIS: Rory McIlroy yearns “Where my game is, I feel way he goes about it,” Bjorn “The only thing I haven’t on detrimental swing changes. for a breakthrough victory after like I’ve done as well as I could said. done is win enough. I’ve given “I’m trying to get back to the a season of near misses, with with what I have. It’s still a “He’s in a place where it’s myself a lot of chances. I way I was the last time I won a the four-time major winner work in progress,” McIlroy said. going to go boom and then he’s haven’t played well enough major in 2014 at Valhalla. I think hopeful this week’s PGA Cham- “I’m still working on a few going to start winning a lot of when it has counted. I’m just that’s one of the best times I pionship can launch his “work- things in my swing and trying golf tournaments again. Even- trying to make that little step swung the club really well at that in-progress” game to new to iron a few kinks out. tually when he wins that one, from contending and getting point in time,” McIlroy said. heights. “With a good week this then I think he’ll just start into final groups to lifting “I’ve gotten into a couple of “I’m giving myself chances week, it just puts a different rolling again.” trophies.” bad habits and that just makes nearly every week,” McIlroy spin on my year from being McIlroy won at Bay Hill in McIlroy learned last week it a little tougher for me to be said on Tuesday. what some people see as dis- March but shared fifth at the at the WGC Bridgestone Invi- consistent with a shorter club “It’s not as if my game’s in appointing to back on track and Masters and second last month tational, when he stumbled to in my hand. So I’m working on bad shape at all. It’s just I another major and going at the British Open, his eighth a final-round 73 and shared it. But it’s a process.” haven’t won as much as I would forward again.” top-10 effort without a win in sixth, that part of what makes McIlroy already has a have liked, but there’s still One person expecting great his past 14 major starts. him a strong driver is hurting process for what to do if he plenty of time to change that.” things soon from McIlroy is “It’s certainly close,” his short game. hoists the Wanamaker Trophy Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks McIlroy has risen to fifth in European Ryder Cup captain McIlroy said. “What makes me so good on Sunday. with Dustin Johnson of the United the world rankings ahead of Thomas Bjorn. “I’ve kept giving myself with the driver is sometimes “Maybe I’ll get to see the today’s start of the year’s final “You go through spells chances this year. I haven’t what makes me inconsistent nightlife,” he said. States during a practice round prior major tournament at Bellerive where you don’t quite get over closed out those tournaments with the wedges,” McIlroy said. “And bring that Wana- to the 2018 PGA Championship in St Country Club, trying to claim the line, but he’s still as I would have liked, but at “So it’s just about trying to maker into some of the bars.” Louis, Missouri on Monday. Tiger could play as vice-captain: Furyk

AFP with Furyk, who wanted him early “So trying to interpret whether on as a vice-captain. he’s done enough or not done ST. LOUIS: US Ryder Cup captain “At the time it took me off guard. enough -- I’ve obviously thought Jim Furyk says Tiger Woods could He hadn’t played in so long,” Furyk about it -- but it’s a position that I play and serve as a vice-captain for said. “He knew then that he was on don’t have to put myself in now.” the Americans if needed at next the mend, that he was starting to feel Woods would still have two US month’s team showdown against better. He had a plan in place for this PGA playoff events to impress Furyk Europe in France. year and really felt like he could if he doesn’t win this week. Woods, a 14-time major winner, compete. That was probably a sign “We still get to see weeks ahead must win this week’s PGA Champi- that I should have picked up a lot in big tournaments,” Furyk said. onship to qualify on points. But quicker on.” “And being 20th on the points with Furyk makes four captain’s picks Woods shared second at the US very few events is a pretty good next month to complete the lineup PGA Valspar Championship in spot.” and held out hope of double duty March, fired his best final round in World number one Dustin for Woods, who has battled back this five years in sharing fourth at the Johnson, second-ranked Justin year from spinal fusion surgery. National in June and led the British Thomas, US Open winner Brooks “It’s possible he could do both,” Open on Sunday before sharing sixth Koepka and Masters champion Furyk said yesterday. last month at Carnoustie. Patrick Reed have already clinched “Is it best for the team? That’s “By March I saw that his game berths for the American squad that what we have to consider. was in a lot better shape and his will compete September 28-30 at “He’s a big help in either role. If health was in a lot better shape,” Le Golf National near Paris. he’s on the team, he has always been Furyk said. Two-time Masters champion a leader. As a player he plays both “So he has been challenging this Bubba Watson and three-time major roles as well.” This week’s final year and moving up that points list, winner Jordan Spieth have enough major tournament of the year at Bel- which has been fun to watch.” points to all-but secure spots. lerive Country Club is the last US Furyk wants to confirm his first Ninth-ranked Rickie Fowler team qualifying event. eight players Monday before and Webb Simpson, the 2012 US Woods, 42, has not won a major thinking about captain’s picks, but Open champion, hold the last two since the 2008 US Open and not he has already pondered a place for places but a host of rivals are won any event since 2013, having 51st-ranked Woods. within reach, the nearest being missed most of the past two years “I’m excited about seeing what Bryson DeChambeau and five-time with back injuries. The former world we have at the end of this week. major winner Phil Mickelson. number one was only weeks into From that point on, I have three or Furyk recalls being among Jon Rahm hits his tee shot on the sixth hole during yesterday practice round of the PGA his latest comeback in January when four weeks before I have to make many partners who paired up with Championship golf tournament at Bellerive Country Club. he brought up the subject of playing those picks,” Furyk said. Woods in his heyday. Wawrinka, Djokovic advance in Toronto AFP 6-1, 6-4 while good friend Felix tough match. Winning 1-6, 7-5, chronically troublesome hip. The Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays Auger-Aliassime, who turns 18 7-5, it’s great for me. Any victory 33-year-old Wawrinka broke a shot against Mirza Basic of TORONTO, CANADA: Stan on Wednesday, thrilled his home is good to get more confidence. late in the second set to level the Bosnia and Herzegovina (not Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic fans as he defeated Lucas Pouille “I’m happy with the way I’m match, and completed his shown) in the Rogers Cup tennis reached the second round of the of France 6-4, 6-3. Three-time practicing. I’m really happy with fightback on a second match tournament at Aviva Centre. Toronto Masters on Tuesday, Grand Slam champion the level and the way I’m moving point as he also broke in the 12th with both men polishing their Wawrinka put 16th seed Kyrgios on the practice court, and I need game of the decider. pre-US Open form. out with an impressive display to find how to put it in the “My hip is, obviously, a little Wawrinka put his comeback after losing a one-sided opening match.” bit sore. That’s why I called the from knee surgery back on track set. Wawrinka’s victory in just trainer on the court. So it’s pretty with a 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 comeback Wawrinka has been strug- over two hours avenged a 2015 self-explanatory,” Kyrgios said. win over Nick Kyrgios. gling to find his best form since loss to Kyrgios in Canada, when “It’s good to see Stan back, I Wimbledon holder Djokovic returning to the ATP Tour after the Swiss had to retire. That guess. He’s obviously had a eased to victory, beating Mirza two knee operations a year ago contest was also remembered tough 12 months with his injury, Basic 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) after the and has slumped to 195 in the for Kyrgios insulting his oppo- and it’s good seeing him back Bosnian replaced orignal world rankings. nent’s girlfriend Donna Vekic. winning some matches.” opponent Chung Hyeon of South “I’m looking for confidence. Kyrgios, with green fluo- Djokovic, a four-time winner Korea, who withdrew before the I’m looking for matches,” he rescent tape encircling each in Canada, double-faulted while match with injury. said. “I’m grateful I got the kneecap, quit injured in last serving for the match to slip into A pair of Canadian teenagers wildcard to play directly in the week’s Washington quarter- a second-set tie-break, but he advanced, with Denis Shapo- main draw. finals, and he was treated in the finished the job for a second- valov dominating Jeremy Chardy “I knew it was going to be a second set here for his round spot. Azarenka breezes into the second round of Montreal event

AFP Azarenka punched her ticket nothing serious, but sometimes round where she will face British her first Montreal appearance you have to figure things out as to the second round with a dom- when you’re in the moment and No.1 Johanna Konta. since 2014. you go. I think I did a good job of LOS ANGELES: Former world inating 6-0, 6-1 victory in just 55 get a really bad spasm, there’s Azarenka stormed through Elsewhere, Maria Sharapova that today,” Sharapova said. No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, who was minutes over the former world nothing you can do. the first nine games of the match made quick work of Bulgarian Sharapova, a finalist in playing for first time since number 10. “I didn’t really practice much before France’s Mladenovic got qualifier Sesil Karatantcheva, 2009, performed solidly, retiring in the San Jose quarter- “I feel better,” she said. “It after. I’ve only had one practice on the board. easily winning 6-1, 6-2 in a defeating Karatantcheva for the finals, kicked off her WTA was definitely pretty bad in San session this week.” The two-time Australian renewal of their former teenage fifth time in their five career Montreal tournament on Jose to have such a sudden thing Azarenka, who needed a Open champion Azarenka even- rivalry. meetings. “I was aggressive, I Tuesday by dismissing Kristina with my back. wildcard to get into the Montreal tually rolled through the final “No matter what tournament served well throughout the Mladenovic in straight sets. “I was hoping it would be draw, moves on to the second three games to get the victory in or who you’re playing against, match,” Sharapova said.