FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 FFORMULAORMULA 1 | Page 6 Griezmann I had to dodge stars as Barca bullets to win, keep title says Mercedes’ hopes alive Bottas

Tuesday, July 7, 2020 TENNIS Dhul-Qa’da 16, 1441 AH Federer ‘missing’ GULF TIMES Wimbledon, aiming to be back next year SPORT Page 7

FOOTBALL HORSE RACING Sheikh Mohamed’s Al Rayyan Stadium Sayaad wins Prix De Bournazel on debut

Agencies Sayaad was very green and re- Pompadour, France ceived two smacks of the whip, but ultimately he was the best horse in the six-furlong race for achieves health and he three-year-old Pure- three-year-old maidens. Despite bred Arabian Sayaad, a his inexperience, he went two Thomebred for His High- lengths in front of his nearest ri- ness Sheikh Mohamed val under Laurie Foulard. bin Khalifa al-Thani, won the Zulfaa, trained by D. Moris- Prix De Bournazel on his debut in son, was the runner-up under Pompadour, France, on Sunday. Maxime Foulon, while trainer E. safety milestone The black colt broke out well Dell’ova’s ward Rahi was a fur- of the starting stalls and sat in ther four-and-a-half lengths fourth position, with the run- behind in third under Gary Project reaches 20mn working hours on two occasions without a lost time injury ners very strung out on the sand Sanchez. track, with the pacesetter Heros Sayaad is out of Al Shahania l Rayyan Stadium has Des Vialettes running very free. Aseala, also bred by His High- achieved a signifi cant Coming up the middle of the ness Sheikh Mohamed. The colt AFIFA World Cup Qatar straight, Thomas Fourcy-trained is her fi rst winner. 2022 milestone by be- coming the fi rst project site to reach 20 million working hours on two occasions without a lost time injury. The major milestone was reached thanks to rigorous health and safety standards implemented by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Lega- cy (SC), in collaboration with the main contractors – a joint ven- ture between Al Balagh Trad- ing & Contracting and Larsen & Toubro Limited – WSP Middle East, the construction super- vision contractor, and project managers AECOM. The 40,000-capacity sta- dium is slated to host matches up to the quarter-fi nals stage during Qatar 2022. It was built on the site of Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium – previously the home of popular local team Al Rayyan Sports Club. Around 90% of the materials from the old venue were reused in the new stadium and surrounding precinct. The stadium is set to be completed later this year. Engineer Abdulla al-Fehani, Precinct Director, Al Rayyan Sta- dium, said: “We are very proud to achieve this milestone. The health and safety of our workforce is our number one priority – and mile- stones like this only serve to illus- trate that fact.” Al-Fehani said progress on the venue – which will become Al Rayyan Stadium and the surrounding project uses 90% of the materials from the old venue. the home of Al Rayyan Sports Club – continues unabated. to health and safety were vital in project sites. dedication and hard work in sign features a glowing facade, “We remain on track to com- achieving this milestone. “I would like to pay tribute to the area of health and safety – comprised of patterns that plete the stadium in 2020 – ac- “We have achieved this mile- everyone involved in this eff ort something which will remain as characterise diff erent aspects of cording to our schedule. I am stone thanks to strong manage- – it is thanks to the hard work of a legacy for our country when the country: the importance of sure that football fans across the ment, robust implementation the SC and our various contrac- it comes to construction and family, the beauty of the desert, Laurie Foulard rides Sayaad to Prix De Bournazel victory in country – particularly the pas- and a culture of continuous tors that we have achieved this hosting more major events.” native fl ora and fauna, and local Pompadour, France, on Sunday. (Maxime Dupuis) sionate supporters of Al Rayyan improvement across our health outstanding milestone.” Located adjacent to the Mall and international trade. A sev- – cannot wait to attend a game and safety programme. We con- Al-Bishri said the SC had of Qatar and within walking enth shape, a shield, brings to- at this stunning venue.” tinuously monitor our work, now exceeded 300 million work distance of Al Riff a Station – gether all the others, represent- FOCUS Engineer Abdulla al-Bishri, the including regular inspections hours across its sites and has a on the Doha Metro Green Line ing the strength and unity that SC’s Health & Safety Manager, and comprehensive audits. We low accident frequency rate of – Al Rayyan Stadium will be a is particularly relevant to the said exceptional collaboration also make the eff ort to regularly just 0.02% for the entire project. sporting landmark for the lo- proud desert city of Al Rayyan. and an unwavering commitment share lessons learned across our “Our record is the result of cal community. Its striking de- (Qatar2022.qa) Qatar to host Asian

SPOTLIGHT and World snooker Dutch football star Hoogendijk to discuss gender c’ships in November QNA safe, and that access to travel is Doha without challenges in order to al- equality on Generation Amazing Instagram Live low the biggest number of teams to participate. omen’s football star themed arts and crafts challenges ous career, along with football’s atar Billiards & Snook- He added that Qatar will host, Former Ajax women’s team Anouk Hoogendijk throughout the summer holidays. power to unite people and break er Federation (QBSF) on the sidelines of the two com- player Anouk Hoogendijk (left). Wwill be the special Moza al-Mohannadi, Gen- down cultural barriers. Qannounced yesterday petitions, two general assemblies guest on this week’s eration Amazing’s Marketing Winter said: “Sport, but es- that they will host the for the international and the Generation Amazing Instagram & Communications Director, pecially football, is so power- Asian Snooker Championships Asian federations of the sport, Live. said: “We are looking forward to ful that you can achieve many in November, which will coincide noting the importance of the The former Ajax player won this week’s live sessions. Anouk things, including connecting with Doha’s hosting of the World two meetings as they will see the more than 100 international Hoogendijk will provide us with people all over the world.” Snooker Championship. election of a new board for each caps for the Netherlands and insight on women’s football A Supreme Committee for QBSF Executive Manager Mu- federation. represented her country at the and gender equality, and our Delivery & Legacy social and barak al-Khayarin said that the Meanwhile, the Qatari federa- 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. collaboration with Qatar Chil- legacy programme, Generation coronavirus (Covid-19) pandem- tion announced the precaution- Hoogendijk, who won the FA dren’s Museum will provide Amazing has reached 500,000 ic led to the postponement of the ary measures that will be taken Women’s Cup with Arsenal, will some much-needed inspiration benefi ciaries around the world. Asian championships, which will as the sport returns. The meas- discuss gender equality – a core for younger viewers during their It aims to positively impact 1 take place this time in November ures will include keeping a safe Generation Amazing value – summer break.” million people via unique foot- along with the World Champi- distance, in addition to testing along with other topics related Ahead of Hoogendijk’s ap- tion with Qatar Children’s Mu- Last week’s programme fea- ball for development training onships. He stressed that the two players for the disease in co- to women in sport tomorrow at pearance, Generation Amazing seum today at 4pm, providing tured Dutch legend Aron Win- sessions by the time Qatar 2022 competitions will not take place ordination with the Ministry of 6pm Doha time. will kick off a weekly collabora- young audiences with sports- ter. He spoke about his illustri- kicks off . (Qatar2022.qa) in Qatar unless it is completely Culture and Sports. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, July 7, 2020 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Messi will fi nish career at Barca, Griezmann stars says club president FREE-FLOWING BARCA Reuters DISPLAY STRENGTHENS Vila-real SETIEN’S POSITION After a harrowing week in which arcelona president Josep his reputation was dragged as Barca keep Maria Bartomeu has through the mud, Barcelona Bsaid that captain Lionel coach Quique Setien came out Messi will end his career fi ghting by overseeing a spec- at the Catalan club, dismissing tacular 4-1 win away to Villarreal a report saying the Argentine no which showed the 61-year-old’s longer wishes to renew his cur- coaching abilities are still in tact. rent contract when it expires The superb display might not next year. be enough to prevent Real Ma- title hopes alive “Messi has said he will end drid from winning the title, but it his working and footballing life was enough to get a vote of con- at Barca,” Bartomeu told Span- fi dence from Bartomeu. Setien’s side reduce the gap back to four points behind leaders Real Madrid ish network Movistar after his “Today we saw a dynamic Bar- side beat Villarreal 4-1 away on ca who created a lot of chances AFP Sunday in La Liga. “I’m not go- and they looked like real title Madrid ing to explain the details because contenders,” he told Spanish net- we are focused on the competi- work Movistar. “We’re going to tion and we are negotiating with fi ght until the end in this league ntoine Griezmann answered his many players but Messi has ex- campaign and in the Champions critics in style on Sunday night plained to us that he wants to League.” Aby scoring with a sensational stay and so we’re going to enjoy Setien was not the club’s fi rst chip as Barcelona thrashed Vil- him for much longer.” choice to succeed Ernesto Val- larreal 4-1 to keep their faint La Liga title The 33-year-old Messi, who verde in January and his posi- hopes alive. After the humiliation of be- signed his last contract in 2017, tion has been questioned as the ing brought on in the 90th minute against has become more outspoken team’s title bid unravelled with his former club Atletico Madrid, Griez- against the club’s hierarchy in draws against Sevilla, Celta Vigo mann was back in the starting line-up the last year and radio station and Atletico Madrid. His lack at La Ceramica and repaid the faith with Cadena Ser said last Thursday of experience in dealing with a a stunning goal, teed up by Lionel Messi. he is unhappy with how Barca is dressing room such as Barca’s, “It was the kind of goal only great being run and wants to leave in full of world class players but players can score,” said Barcelona coach 2021. high maintenance egos, also Quique Setien. “He played a spectacular The win against Villarreal kept came under the microscope after match.” Messi also laid on a curling Luis Barca in the title hunt with La he brought Antoine Griezmann Suarez shot into the top corner after Ger- Liga leaders Real Madrid, who on in added time against Atletico. ard Moreno cancelled out a Pau Torres hold a four-point advantage af- But his ability to get a team own-goal that had put Barca in front. ter beating Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on playing truly attractive and ex- Ansu Fati then added a fourth late on. Sunday thanks to a late penalty citing football was fi nally evi- An impressive victory for Setien’s side by Sergio Ramos. denced against Villarreal, and reduces the gap back to four points be- The spot kick was awarded led Bartomeu to dismiss reports hind Real Madrid, who earlier ground out following a VAR review while there had been a rift between another 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at Athletic had their own penalty the coach and players. “I know San Mames, with a Sergio Ramos penalty appeal turned down and Bar- there have been rumours going proving the diff erence. tomeu said the technology was around but they are completely Madrid’s resilient performance, and not being applied fairly since the false,” Bartomeu added. “Quique their third 1-0 victory in a row, off ered a season resumed following the has the full support of the play- stark contrast to a goal-fest from Barce- novel coronavirus stoppage. ers and the directors and is doing lona that was certainly easier on the eye “I saw the game in Bilbao and a great job.” but instructive on the title race too. An although I don’t like to say it, I’ll Barca’s free-fl owing display end-to-end contest, full of chances for repeat that VAR is not being used was sparked by a tactical shift by both sides, showed Messi, Suarez and as it should be,” added Bartomeu. Setien, who placed Griezmann Griezmann at their free-fl owing best yet “Since the season returned af- alongside Luis Suarez in a front the defence was opened up with ease by ter the Covid-19 crisis it has not two with Lionel Messi as the Villarreal, who might have scored more. been equal, that has been refl ect- playmaker, in contrast to previ- Madrid’s discipline and organisation ed in the results and it looks as if ous matches where Griezmann has made them fi rm favourites with four Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann (centre) celebrates with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba (right) after scoring against Villarreal it always favours the same team. was deployed out on the left wing. games remaining. “We needed this match in the La Liga at the Madrigal stadium in Villarreal, Spain, on Sunday night. (AFP) VAR should be there to help out Messi set up goals for Suarez a while ago,” admitted Setien. “We have the referee but in the last few and Griezmann, teeing up the to keep adding points and we’ll see what behind Sevilla, who were playing Eibar brilliantly to switch to Santi Cazorla on edge of the box and curled fi rst time into weeks everyone has been able to latter’s audacious chip with an happens.” last night. The fi rst half was perhaps the the opposite side. the far corner. If that was power, Griez- see the instances in which it has irresistible backheel. “I felt truly Griezmann had experienced his lowest most entertaining in La Liga since the re- Cazorla’s drive was parried but only mann’s was fi nesse, Messi and Suarez not been used fairly.” satisfi ed with the performance moment since joining Barcelona on Tues- start, with four goals and chances for two to Moreno, who fi nished. Messi laid on combining before Messi dragged back to Real coach Zinedine Zidane and I’m sure the players did too day in the draw against Atletico but this or three more. two sumptuous assists before half-time the Frenchman, who caressed a delightful said he was tired of his side’s because they played a great game was the perfect response. He celebrated Barca were ahead within three minutes, but the fi nishes were even better. After chip over Sergio Asenjo and in. winning run being put down to and enjoyed themselves,” Setien his goal by sharing a warm embrace with Torres diverting Jordi Alba’s cross into his chesting the ball down in the centre cir- Messi thought he had his goal in the marginal decisions going their explained. “I would like to play Messi. Villarreal looked a diffi cult oppo- own net under pressure from Griezmann cle, Messi touched and turned, leaving his second half but Arturo Vidal was off side. way. like this in every game.” nent after winning fi ve games out of six at the near post. But Villarreal were level marker for dead. Suarez was taken off , presumably rested, since the restart, a run that has put them 11 minutes later as a superb pass from He drove through two Villarreal de- and Fati added a fourth off the bench. The in in touching distance of the top four. Samuel Chukwueze sent Paco Alcacer fenders before pushing the ball left to teenager cut in from the left and pulled This defeat leaves them three points scampering in down the right and he did Suarez, who arrived from the angle on the his shot back inside the near post.

BURGLARY VICTIM RIBERY RAISES DOUBTS OVER ITALY FUTURE Rome: Franck Ribery yesterday raised we feel good here after today?” be women. In 2012 Natalya Rachynska Celta due to suspension. questions over his future in Serie A after became the first female assistant referee a burglary at the home of Fiorentina’s MONZUL TO BECOME to off iciate in the Ukrainian Cup final. ONE CORONAVIRUS CASE AT French star. Ribery posted a clip on Twit- FIRST WOMAN TO REFEREE LIGUE 1 CLUB BORDEAUX ter of the scene he was met with when UKRAINIAN CUP FINAL ATLETICO’S FELIX TO MISS CELTA French club Bordeaux announced yester- he returned to his house in the foothills Kateryna Monzul will become the first fe- TEST DUE TO ANKLE INJURY day a squad member had tested positive around Florence after his club’s win at male to take charge of the Ukrainian Cup Joao Felix will miss Atletico Madrid’s for coronavirus but his name had been Parma on Sunday. final when Dynamo Kiev face Vorskla game against Celta Vigo today after the kept private for medical confidentiality “I went back home, this ‘home’ in Italy Poltava tomorrow, the Ukrainian Football club confirmed he has an ankle injury. reasons. The first tests carried out when where I decided to continue my career Association said. Monzul, 39, was the first Felix came off in the second half of the players originally returned to training after so many great years at (Bayern) woman to referee a Ukrainian Premier Atletico’s 3-0 win over Real Mallorca. on June 22 all showed up negative. Munich, and this is what I found,” wrote League match when she took charge The Spanish outfit would not off er Other Ligue 1 sides, 2017 champions the 37-year-old, reporting his wife had of Chornomorets Odesa against Volyn an estimated recovery time but it is ex- Monaco, Montpellier and Dijon, have also lost jewellery and handbags. Lutsk in 2016. pected Felix will miss the game against said they have recorded positive cases After his trophy-laden spell with She refereed the opening match of Celta at least. With remaining matches over the past few weeks. Bundesliga champions Ribery joined the 2015 Women’s World Cup and the against Real Betis, Getafe and Real Socie- Former Portugal midfielder Paulo Fiorentina last year. But he cast doubt on final between the United States and dad squeezed into the next two weeks, Sousa resigned as Bordeaux coach last how much longer he was going to stay Japan as well as matches at the 2019 Felix might struggle to play again in the week after over a year in charge and after this incident. “Thank god my wife tournament including the quarter-final. league this season. leading them to a modest 12th place as and kids were safe in Munich but how Monzul’s two assistants and the fourth Atletico, who are third in La Liga, will the season was declared over early due can you be sure these days? How can I/ off icial in Kharkiv on Wednesday will also also be without Diego Costa against to the Covid-19 outbreak. Barcelona captain Lionel Messi with coach Quique Setien. (Reuters)

SERIE A First goal caps remarkable journey of Gambian youngster Juwara AFP He was adopted by an Italian up supporting Chelsea and idol- Mihajlovic’s side sit fi ve points Milan couple, who helped him fi ght the ised Eden Hazard, is still yet to off the last possible European Italian Football Federation (FIGC) make his fi rst league start for spot currently held by seventh- for the right to play following Bologna and the 25 minutes he placed AC Milan with eight ambian teenager Musa his arrival in Europe. “I thank played on Sunday is the most he matches of the season remaining. Juwara said he dedicat- the coach (Sinisa Mihajlovic) so has featured in a Serie A match. Elsewhere in Serie A this week, Ged his fi rst Serie A goal much for giving me confi dence But he has now made his mark, leaders Juventus, who sit seven to “all who helped” him against Inter, I’m very happy to with his fi rst goal all the more re- points clear of Lazio, visit Milan after an incredible journey to the have scored my fi rst goal,” Juwara markable given he was embroiled today after Lazio take on relega- top level of Italian football was added. “It’s a dream come true for in a legal battle with the FIGC in tion-threatened Lecce. capped in style when he scored me and I will remember this for 2017 just to be allowed to sign for for Bologna on Sunday. the rest of my life.” Chievo due to a rule preventing SERIE A MIDWEEK FIXTURES The 18-year-old forward, Juwara’s fellow Gambian and exploitation of child immigrants. (ALL TIMES GMT) who arrived in Italy after travel- namesake Musa Barrow scored a Juwara later joined Bologna for Today: Lecce v Lazio (1730), AC ling unaccompanied across the dramatic late winner at San Siro, a reported fee of 500,000 euros Milan v Juventus (1945) Mediterranean as a child in 2016, the sixth time he has netted in ($566,000), but despite being came off the bench to equalise in just 11 league appearances since expected to play for the under-19 Tomorrow: Fiorentina v Cagliari, Bologna’s eventual 2-1 victory joining Bologna from Atalanta on side, has forced his way into the Genoa v Napoli (1730), Roma v at third-placed Inter Milan. “I loan in January. “I’m very happy fi rst-team squad. Bologna host Parma, Atalanta v Sampdoria, dedicate this goal to my family for the other Musa, I gave him Sassuolo tomorrow, when the Bologna v Sassuolo, Torino v and all those who have helped me some advice and after the game ninth-placed side will be hop- Brescia (1945) along the way,” Juwara, who was I asked him for his shirt, because ing Juwara can continue to defy Thursday: SPAL v Udinese brought up by his grandfather he was very good,” said striker the odds as they bid to launch a (1730), Hellas Verona v Inter after being orphaned, told Tut- Barrow, who himself is only 21. late challenge for Europa League Milan (1945) Bologna’s Musa Juwara celebrates after scoring against Inter Milan in Serie A on Sunday. (Reuters) tomercatoweb. Juwara, who revealed he grew qualifi cation. Gulf Times Tuesday, July 7, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE ‘We need to improve,’ admits Guardiola aft er City’s defeat City lost for the ninth time in the league this season after Adams’ spectacular first goal for Southampton

AFP ton, he caught City goalkeeper Eder- Southampton, United Kingdom son stranded well outside his area from fully 40 yards out. Guardiola had made six changes from the rout over Liv- anchester City manager erpool with Kevin De Bruyne among Pep Guardiola admitted those dropping to the bench. City still Mhis side cannot lose games created enough chances to win com- in the manner they did in fortably but were only denied by some going down 1-0 at Southampton on inspired goalkeeping by Alex McCarthy Sunday if they are to take the Premier and wayward fi nishing. League title back from Liverpool next Gabriel Jesus has failed to take his season. City lost for the ninth time in chance in the absence of the injured the league this season as Che Adams’s Sergio Aguero in recent weeks and spectacular fi rst Southampton goal blazed over with the goal gaping from condemned Guardiola’s men to defeat Joao Cancelo’s cross before Fernandin- despite enjoying 74% possession and ho struck the post and McCarthy made 26 shots at goal. the fi rst of a string of saves from David “We played really well, but it was a Silva’s powerful header. little bit the résumé of this season. We City continued to dominate after the make one mistake, they punish us,” said break as McCarthy spread himself bril- Guardiola. “We lost a lot of games and liantly to save from David Silva before losing a lot of games you cannot com- Bernardo Silva’s goalbound eff ort was pete to win Premier Leagues. We need defl ected wide. De Bruyne and the in- to improve because it happened many form Phil Foden were introduced on the times this season.” hour mark, but still the hosts’ defence Just four days ago City showed what held fi rm to keep City scoreless for just they are capable of when at their best the fourth time this season. “When you by thrashing newly-crowned cham- want to take something against such an pions Liverpool 4-0. But defeat on the opponent you have to run more, sprint south coast sees the Reds regain their more, fi ght more, be brave and also have 23-point lead at the top of the table. a little bit of luck,” said Southampton Guardiola, though, insisted his plan coach Ralph Hasenhuttl. to get back on top does not involve a Saints were marooned in the bot- summer spending spree on new play- tom three when the sides last met in a ers. “No, I don’t think so,” added the 2-1 City win in November, a week after Catalan when asked if new signings they suff ered a Premier League record were the key to a change in fortunes. 9-0 home defeat to Leicester. “I think we played good. The desire, But the Southampton board’s back- the character to play until the end was ing of Hasenhuttl, who recently signed there, we put Southampton with 10 a contract extension to 2024, has been players in the penalty spot, so we did fully justifi ed as the Austrian’s side really well. When you review the games climb to 13th and could yet be the ben- and the chances we created you cannot efi ciaries of City’s misfortune. do more. I like the way we played but it Southampton are just fi ve points off is not enough.” eighth place which may be enough for Adams has endured a nightmare run a place in next season’s Europa League in front of goal since a £15mn move should City’s appeal against a two- from Birmingham a year ago. But on season ban from European competition his 30th appearance for Southamp- not be successful later this month. Southampton’s Che Adams (second left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday night. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT QNB STARS LEAGUE Martinez leads calls for probe into Wigan administration London: Former Wigan manag- another, both of which were to “a bet in the Philippines on club and the investment over Leicester can Duhail part er Roberto Martinez is leading until recently majority-owned them being relegated”. Once that period has been a big calls for an investigation into by professional poker player Dr their 12-point administration investment, all of a sudden the ways with the controversial decision to Choi Chiu Fai Stanley. penalty is applied, 16th placed team is almost mid-table in the reach Champions place the struggling Champion- Wai Kay Au Yeung, a Chi- Wigan will drop to the bottom Championship, I don’t think that ship club in administration. nese businessman, has since of the Championship table. the timing of this administra- Mandzukic Belgium boss Martinez does replaced Choi as the majority Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has tion was normal. League: Rodgers not believe the timing of the shareholder of Next Leader written to the Government “You would think that you decision by Wigan’s owners Fund, which purchased Wigan and the English Football would try other avenues to try AFP so-called top clubs, for us to be to go into administration was from International Entertain- League asking for an inquiry to maybe get financially in a London amongst it shows the level of “normal”. Martinez is a revered ment Corp (IEC), a Hong and Martinez agrees that the better state before you take performance.” figure among Wigan fans after Kong-based, Cayman Islands- situation must be probed. this drastic decision. So I do feel Arsenal boosted their slim managing them to FA Cup glory registered company. “There is a need to validate this there is a very important cause rendan Rodgers has chances of reaching the Cham- in 2013, having spent six years Adding to the bizarre situa- decision, and there is a need to for investigating the adminis- backed Leicester to pions League with an impres- as a player at the club. tion, British media reports claim investigate and provide clarity,” tration in this case. The rules Bqualify for the Cham- sive 2-0 win at Wolves on Sat- Wigan were put in admin- English Football League chair- Martinez said. are there to be taken on, but pions League despite a urday. The Gunners have won istration on July 1, four weeks man Rick Parry was secretly “Without going into too it doesn’t look too clear to me late-season wobble in the Pre- their past three league games after they were sold from one filmed telling a fan that Wigan’s much detail, if you have been how this administration came mier League. The Foxes travel without conceding to sit sev- Hong Kong-based company to administration was connected 19 months owning a football about.” to Arsenal today as they battle enth, nine points behind the to return to Europe’s elite club Foxes. Rodgers has been im- competition for the fi rst time pressed by Arsenal boss Mikel since 2016/17. Arteta since he replaced the ROUND-UP Leicester are third in the sacked Unai Emery in Decem- Premier League table after Sat- ber. “Mikel has done very well, urday’s 3-0 win over Crystal he has gone into a club with Palace ended their four-match huge expectation which he winless streak in all competi- knows. He has gone in on his Venue selection for 2026 World Cup tions since the coronavirus hi- fi rst job and how he has dealt ix-time Qatar Stars atus. Rodgers believes his team with it has been outstanding,” League champions Al can fi nish in the top four again Rodgers said. “You can see SDuhail announced on delayed by Covid-19: FIFA despite a tight race, with fi fth- the style and it’s not an easy Sunday that they have placed Manchester United just style to implement, especially parted ways with Croatian for- fi nal decision on the venues for side were crowned champions for the ninth comradery amongst the group.” three points behind them. at a club wanting to challenge ward Mario Mandzukic. “The the 2026 World Cup being jointly season in a row in May when the campaign Matic has started each of United’s past “There’s no doubt, we have straight away.” club’s management has reached Ahosted by the United States, was ended prematurely by the coronavirus three Premier League games and made 16 shown over 33 games our tal- Rodgers said Leicester play- an agreement with the Croatian Canada and Mexico has been pandemic. Steven Gerrard’s Rangers will be top-fl ight appearances in total so far this ent. OK, we’re maybe missing maker James Maddison and professional Mario Mandzukic signifi cantly delayed by the Covid-19 out- determined to halt their bitter rivals’ reign season. United, on a 16-game unbeaten run some players but as a squad full back Ben Chilwell are in- to end the contract with him by break, global football’s governing body FIFA of domination as they start their season in all competitions, are fi fth in the Premier we’re very focused on achiev- jury doubts Arsenal match. mutual consent after the period said yesterday. with a trip to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie League table, two points behind fourth- ing it and we’ll fi ght to the fi nal The pair are among the top he spent with the team,” said an FIFA’s chief tournaments and events the previous day. The fi xture list for the placed Chelsea in the fi nal Champions whistle,” Rodgers said. “What chance creators in Rodgers’ offi cial statement from the club. offi cer Colin Smith said they had initially new season was released by the Scottish League spot. the players have done has been side this season. “We’ve got The 34-year-old forward ap- hoped to fi nalise venues by spring 2021 but Professional Football League, subject to ap- remarkable. I’m pretty clear doubts over James Maddison peared in only 10 matches since that timeline was based on having started proval from the Scottish government for the VELA OUT OF MLS TOURNAMENT on that and getting the per- and Ben Chilwell. They could joining Al Duhail from Italian gi- the process in March and conducting two restart of football. AS VIRUS CASES SURGE: REPORT spective of it all. If you think be the two who could struggle,” ants Juventus last December, in- rounds of inspection visits by year end. With fans still barred from grounds, the Los Angeles FC star Carlos Vela has with- of the two teams in front of Rodgers said. “We just have to cluding two 2020 AFC Champi- The workshop was originally set to be opening Old Firm clash of the season, at drawn from Major League Soccer’s restart us (Liverpool and Manches- wait and see. Ben’s (injury) is ons League ties where he scored held in March in person but was delayed Celtic Park, has been scheduled for mid- tournament in Orlando as the region grap- ter City), two of the greatest at the bottom of his foot, it’s their opening goal in Group due to the virus. Canada and Mexico, who October. Celtic and Rangers meet for their ples with a surge in coronavirus cases, the teams the Premier League has giving him pain. We’ll see what C against Islamic Republic of each have three candidate cities, held their traditional New Year showdown at Rangers’ Los Angeles Times reported yesterday. produced, for us to be second the specialist says, sometimes Iran’s Persepolis. workshops earlier this year before Covid-19 ground on January 2 — the 50th anniversary The Times said Vela — the reigning MLS in the league from a defensive you can play through it.” Mandzukic announced on lockdowns. The US candidate cities are of the Ibrox disaster, in which 66 people scoring champion and Most Valuable Player perspective and third-highest Maddison missed Saturday’s Twitter that he had cut short his Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, lost their lives. The winter break has been — had opted to skip LAFC’s trip to Florida goalscorers means the players 3-0 home win over Crystal deal by mutual consent, adding: Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los scrapped. to remain at home with his pregnant wife have been brilliant. The league Palace with a hip injury while “I appreciate the trust and hos- Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York/New and young son. Major League Soccer allows is so competitive, not just the Chilwell came off at halftime. pitality that I have received in Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco MATIC SIGNS NEW MAN UNITED DEAL players to withdraw from the “MLS is Back” Qatar and I wish the best to the Bay area, Seattle and Washington. Nemanja Matic has signed a new contract tournament for health or family reasons. club and the team in the future.” FIFA will select up to 16 of the 23 venues with Manchester United to keep him at the Mexico international Vela’s withdrawal Leicester City’s manager Prior to his successful stint put forward in the joint bid. Smith said the club until June 2023. The 31-year-old Serbia robs the league’s restart tournament of Brendan Rodgers . (AFP) with Juventus, Mandzukic decision on which venues to pick will be midfi elder joined United from Chelsea in one of the league’s biggest names just two played in the Bundesliga with made based on criteria like their location, 2017 and has made 114 appearances in all days before the competition is set to kick Bayern Munich – where he won time zones and weather conditions rather competitions for the Red Devils. off in Orlando. All 26 MLS teams are taking the Champions League in 2013 – than simply try and showcase diff erent “I am very happy that I will continue to part in the tournament, which will start and Wolfsburg, as well as spend- parts of the country. be part of this great club,” Matic said in a with a group stage followed by a knockout ing a season at Atletico Madrid statement on the club’s website. competition. Teams are being based inside in La Liga. Al Duhail will resume CELTIC TO LAUNCH QUEST FOR “As a player, I still have a lot more to give a protective “bubble” at the Walt Disney Qatar Stars League action on 10-IN-A-ROW AGAINST HAMILTON and achieve in my career and to do that with World Resort sports complex in Orlando for July 25 against Umm Salal. Celtic will kick off their bid for a historic Manchester United will be a huge honour. the duration of the tournament, which con- They held a four-point lead 10th successive Scottish Premiership title This is a really exciting team to be part of. cludes on August 11. However, preparations over Al Rayyan prior to the Cov- at home to Hamilton on August 2 after fi x- We have a good balance of youth and expe- for the tournament have been accompanied id-19 enforced break. tures were released yesterday. Neil Lennon’s rience within the squad and there is great by a spike in Covid-19 cases in Florida. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, July 7, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Bucks reportedly close practice facilities over virus concerns The NBA-leading Milwaukee starting on July 30. Bucks have become the The Bucks led the NBA with NBA distributes protocols for league’s latest team to close a record of 53-12 when play their practice facility in the was suspended on March 11 wake of coronavirus testing, because of the coronavirus ESPN reported on Sunday. pandemic. The US sports network re- They will arrive in Orlando players travelling without team ported the Bucks closed the chasing a first NBA title since Reuters tive three consecutive times before facility after receiving results 1971. They’re just the latest Los Angeles rejoining their teammates. There from Covid-19 tests con- NBA team to halt individual are also several players who have al- ducted on Friday, although it workouts at their practice ready tested positive for Covid-19, wasn’t clear how many may facilities over coronavirus s the NBA begins welcom- and according to ESPN, any play- have come back positive. concerns after the Los Ange- ing teams to ESPN Wide of ers who tested positive in the last The team reportedly won’t al- les Clippers, Denver Nuggets ASports Complex near Or- week will likely be unable to travel low players back to train until and Miami Heat. lando this week for the re- with their teams. Players who do they depart on Thursday Teams aren’t allowed to sumption of the 2019-20 season, the test positive must self-isolate and for Florida, where the NBA begin team workouts until league has reportedly set the proto- pass at least two consecutive tests, plans to resume play in a clearing quarantine in the cols for players unable to travel with according to the NBA’s health and quarantine environment at “bubble” at Walt Disney the rest of their team. safety guidelines, ESPN reported. Walt Disney World in Orlando World in Orlando. Citing a memo sent to teams from The NBA announced last Thurs- the league, ESPN on Sunday re- day that 25 players tested positive ported that players must arrange for for the coronavirus in the fi rst eight WNBA confi rms seven virus cases their own travel to the Orlando area days of testing. Among the teams Seven Women’s NBA players Control and Prevention if a) they miss a scheduled coronavi- with players who have reportedly have tested positive for (CDC) recommendations fol- rus test in the two days prior to their tested positive are the Los Angeles Covid-19 ahead of yesterday’s lowed by the league, players team’s scheduled departure date, Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn scheduled team arrivals at who test positive will self- or b) have “extenuating circum- Nets and Miami Heat. a Florida bubble, with one isolate until being cleared by stances” previously disclosed to the The 22 teams taking part in the team delaying its arrival until a physician, generally after league. resumption of the NBA season are at least Saturday. two negative tests at least According to the memo, ESPN re- scheduled to arrive in Florida be- The 12-team league an- 24 hours apart. The Indiana ported that a player can travel on a tween today and Thursday. Begin- nounced yesterday tests of Fever will delay travel to the charter fl ight at their own expense, ning July 22, each team will compete 137 WNBA players between IMG Academy at Braden- travel by car or fl y commercial. If in three inter-squad scrimmages at June 28 and July 5 returned ton, Florida, by at least five the player chooses to fl y privately the ESPN complex before the regu- seven positives for corona- days, the league said, “in an or drive, they must have two nega- lar season resumes July 30. virus, although no names or abundance of caution due to tive coronavirus tests before resum- The NBA suspended its season af- clubs were revealed. the CDC’s close contact self- ing basketball activities. If they fl y ter Utah center Rudy Gobert tested The 22 teams taking part in the resumption of the NBA season are scheduled to arrive in Florida Under US Centers for Disease quarantine requirements.” commercial, they must test nega- positive on March 11. between today and Thursday.

FOCUS NHL League and union reach tentative As a players union agreement on plan to resume season

Reuters added, citing the 40-page Los Angeles protocol document, that any leader, Temple wants player may opt out of Phase 3 and Phase 4 without penalty he NHL and the NHL but must notify his team in Players’ Association writing by 5pm ET on Tues- Thave agreed on the day. return-to-play proto- Dates and deadlines are cols for this season, according subject to change. to multiple reports Sunday. TSN also reported that to seize the moment The sides reportedly were there will be daily tests for still negotiating an extension those inside the NHL bubble, ‘WE ACTUALLY CAN GET MORE DONE BY PLAYING THAN BY NOT PLAYING’ to their collective bargaining including players/coaches/ agreement. The NHLPA’s ex- staff members, offi cials, ice By Kristian Winfield ecutive committee must ap- crew, security, hotel bartend- New York Daily News prove the protocols, and then ers, food service staff , arena that document — as well as the food and beverage, hotel CBA extension — will be put to housekeeping, hotel kitchen arrett Temple remem- a vote of all NHL players, ac- staff and transportation. Fail- bers the day Trayvon cording to reports. The NHL’s ure to comply with the proto- GMartin’s killer was set board of governors also must cols in the bubble “could lead free. ratify the fi nal packages. to signifi cant fi nancial penal- He was in Los Angeles, when According to hockey insider ties, and potentially the loss of George Zimmerman — a neigh- Bob McKenzie of TSN, teams draft picks,” TSN reported. bourhood watch co-ordinator in are targeting a return to train- If a player tests positive for Sanford, Florida, who claimed ing camp on July 13 (Phase 3) Covid-19 they will be deemed self-defense after shooting and before reporting to two hub “unfi t to play,” which will be killing the unarmed, 17-year-old cities — expected to be Toron- treated as a hockey-related Martin — was acquitted on mur- to and Edmonton — for games. injury under the CBA, accord- der charges. The 24-team playoff (Phase 4) ing to TSN. That day, Temple says, wildly is set to begin August 1. Play in the NHL was diff ers from the climate in Amer- Teams will be allowed to stopped on March 12 because ica in the aftermath of George have a maximum of 30 skat- of the Covid-19 pandemic. Floyd’s death. ers and an unlimited number The proposed playoff schedule “It was really my fi rst time just of goalies during Phase 3, would end with a Stanley Cup hanging out in LA, and it made according to McKenzie. He champion in early October. me angry that it was so foreign to so many people, or people just didn’t even pay attention to it,” Temple said on a conference Kaepernick signs production deal with call with reporters on Sunday. Disney, ESPN for life documentary series “Whereas fast forward I don’t know how many years, eight SPN Films will pro- the San Francisco 49ers. He or nine years later, it seems like duce a documentary and the NFL settled in 2019. people are fi nally starting to care Eseries about the life “Colin’s experience gives him about unarmed black men being of NFL quarterback a unique perspective on the brutalised by the police and just and civil rights advocate Co- intersection of sports, culture black Americans in general being lin Kaepernick as part of and race, which will undoubt- marginalised.” a wide-ranging production edly create compelling stories Protests broke out across the Garrett Temple of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Atlanta Hawks during a regular NBA game at Barclays Center in New York City on deal announced by Walt Dis- that will educate, enlighten country after Floyd was killed December 21, 2019. (TNS) ney Co yesterday. and entertain,” said Bob Iger, in Minneapolis by a police of- Under the arrangement, Disney’s executive chairman. fi cer who kneeled on his neck for Maya Moore notably saw the is the way we can most utilise themselves. Brooklyn welcomed child, which he is expecting in Kaepernick’s company Ra The docuseries will focus on nearly nine minutes. NBA players fruits of her sacrifi ce come to this extra push, these extra ears, CNN political analyst Van Jones mid-September. The season be- Vision Media will produce the last five years of Kaeper- fi nd themselves at the intersec- life, giving up her career to help and extra eyes that are on this to host a fi reside chat with play- gins on July 31, but the Nets are scripted and unscripted sto- nick’s life through interviews tion of entertainment and social free Jonathan Irons, who served situation? … The world was at a ers, coaches and executives. a longshot for a deep playoff run, ries that explore race, social and archival footage. justice. As the league gears for its 22 years of a 50-year sentence standstill, and (police killing an Temple said he’s followed Jones and that’s only if they hold onto justice and the quest for Kaepernick said that he resumption from the coronavi- before a judge, thanks to Moore, unarmed Black man) happened and his work for a long time and their standing as a playoff team equity, a statement from Dis- hopes to “elevate Black and rus hiatus in Orlando, players are overturned the ruling and set again, and because of the situ- still keeps in touch with him af- after eight regular season games. ney said. Kaepernick, whose Brown directors, creators, fi guring out how best to use their him free on July 1. ation in terms of the pandemic, ter the chat. Temple understands the mo- kneeling protests sparked de- storytellers, and producers, platform to bring about change. “At the end of the day, eve- people are paying…people have Jones, too, was a proponent of ment, and he understands the bate and became a symbol of and to inspire the youth with Temple is in a unique position. rybody has their own thoughts to watch. It’s the only thing that players returning to play in Or- steam and traction several so- the fight against racial injus- compelling and authentic He serves as one of seven vice on how to eff ect change. I think was going on,” he said. “And my lando. cial justice movements had in tice, filed a grievance against perspectives” through the presidents of the NBA player’s the main underlying point is thing is, I think we utilise the “(Jones was) making sure that the weeks ensuing Floyd’s death the NFL in 2017, claiming partnership, which will includ- union. He has been on confer- that everybody wants the same situation — being in the bubble we still have hope in this society. have noticeably tapered off . He collusion as no teams signed ed scripted and unscripted ence call after conference call, thing,” Temple said. “Kyrie, my- – as a way to continue to push it, Making sure that we know how feels the restart is an opportu- him after he parted ways with programmes. listening to his peers’ concerns, self, most of the black men in the because there are going to be so much pull we have as athletes nity to bring this conversation not just with returning to play league that are passionate about many eyes watching these bas- if we use our platform the right back to the forefront. amid the coronavirus pandemic this – or if they weren’t passion- ketball games again because of way, speaking to the right peo- “We actually can get more that has seen cases spike across ate, most of them are passionate the pandemic ple,” Temple said. “One thing he done by playing than by not the country in recent weeks, but about it now – we want the same “So I think the way that we can was saying was, ‘We want y’all to playing. If we don’t go to Orlando also during one of the strongest thing. There are a lot of diff erent utilise those two, three months keep playing. Y’all are some of and play, as I said, the narrative Black Lives Matter movements ways to skin a cat.” in Orlando to continue to push the few Black people in America has died down,” he said. “Every- the country has seen since the Temple has been a proponent the narrative, to continue to have that have a little bit of money, so one who is watching CNN or Fox movement’s inception. of the Orlando restart. He says it on people’s minds, fresh on we don’t want y’all to stop that.’ News or CNBC, ABC News, it’s Temple is one of two NBPA he, like most players in the NBA, people’s minds, is something we “But I think his biggest thing more about the Covid pandemic vice presidents on the Nets’ ros- gave some thought to the idea of can do in terms of keeping it on to us was to continue to have right now, whereas, two weeks ter, the other being Kyrie Irving, sitting out, but ultimately de- people’s minds. Then obviously home as Black men, Black wom- ago, it wasn’t even though (the the star guard who suggested cided to make the trip with his we can utilise the push to get en in America, that he does see coronavirus) still was going on. on a conference call with about team. Temple is among a number things done from a league basis a change in how things are go- “The media is what it is. By 80 others that players forego of socially aware players who that we may want to have done in ing. That was encouraging and I us playing, I think we can keep the Orlando bubble and instead want to utilise their platform terms of donations and putting thank him for that.” more eyes on it and also try to work on social issues like police in the Orlando bubble to take funds into certain things.” The only way Temple is go- save this league that provides a brutality, criminal justice reform advantage of the undivided at- The Nets have continued to ing to opt-out of the Orlando lot of people with jobs that can and systemic racism. WNBA star tention they will have. “What keep the narrative alive among bubble is for the birth of his fi rst help them.” Gulf Times Tuesday, July 7, 2020 5 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Indians’ Francona favours nickname Season ‘at risk’ without change for club MLB intervention, says ‘We will not sacrifice the health and safety of our players, staff Nationals GM and their families’ Reuters Los Angeles Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (left) and first baseman scheduled yesterday Carlos Santana watch batting practice during workouts at Progressive workout was cancelled Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports A by the Washington Nationals as a pre- Reuters League in 1901 and originally caution as they await results of Los Angeles named the Blues, according to team-wide coronavirus testing. the Encyclopedia of Cleveland Nationals president and gen- History from Case Western eral manager Mike Rizzo said leveland Indians Reserve University in the city. all players and staff were tested manager Terry Fran- The team briefl y was called Friday and without timely and Ccona said Sunday that the Broncos, and between accurate testing deemed it un- he is in favour of the 1903-11, was called the Naps safe “for us to continue with team changing its name. in honor of player-manager Summer Camp.” “I think it’s time to move Nap Lajoie. The Houston Astros, who forward,” Francona said dur- For the next two years, while lost to the Nationals in the 2019 ing a Zoom call on Sunday, the team offi cially was known World Series, also cancelled two days after the team issued as the Molly McGuires, lo- yesterday’s workout. a statement saying that the cals still referred to the team Rizzo called on Major League organisation is “committed to as the Naps. When Lajoie was Baseball to quickly “resolve is- engaging our community and traded after the 1914 season, sues with their process and appropriate stakeholders to the team was renamed the In- their lab.” determine the best path for- dians in 1915 on the suggestion “Seventy-two hours later, we ward with regard to our team of sportswriters. have yet to receive the results name.” Both the Indians and the of those tests,” Rizzo said. “We Francona, 61, admitted NFL’s Washington Redskins cannot have our players and that the topic of the team’s long have faced criticism staff work at risk. Therefore, we name and the Chief Wahoo for maintaining their Na- have cancelled our team work- logo has been on his mind for tive American-themed nick- out scheduled for this morn- quite some time, however he names. ing. We will not sacrifi ce the has sidestepped it in previous After the 2018 season, the health and safety of our players, years. Indians stopped wearing the staff and their families.... Major “I’ve been thinking about smiling, red-faced Chief Wa- League Baseball needs to work it and been thinking about it hoo emblem on their hats and quickly to resolve the issues before we put out that state- jerseys, though they still sell with their process and their lab. ment,” Francona said. “I know products with that image. Otherwise, Summer Camp and in the past, when I’ve been Other sports teams with the 2020 Season are at risk.” asked about, whether it’s our Native American nicknames Astros general manager name or the Chief Wahoo, I have toned down the related James Click said the team is think I would usually answer imageries over the years. in limbo awaiting test results, and say, ‘I know that we’re The Kansas City Chiefs re- which prompted the cancella- never trying to be disrespect- tired their horse mascot rid- tion of yesterday’s practice. ful.’ den by a man in a feathered “The safety of our players and “And I still feel that way. headdress, and the Atlanta staff remains our top priority But I don’t think that’s a good Braves retired mascot Chief at the Astros. The team is still Mike Rizzo called on Major League Baseball to quickly resolve issues with their process and their lab. enough answer today. I think Noc-A-Homa in the 1980s. awaiting results from Covid-19 it’s time to move forward. It’s a Universities including tests taken on Friday. Due to the oed Nationals reliever Sean The 33-year-old Doolittle very diffi cult subject. It’s also Stanford, Arkansas State, delay in receiving these results, Doolittle, who said Sunday that also pointed out the irony of Mills to spend season at home delicate.” William & Mary and Louisi- coupled with the contagious the team still hasn’t received starting the season later this The Indians were a char- ana-Monroe have dropped the nature of the virus, we felt it promised personal protection month with the coronavirus leveland Indians bench my left or right hand, whichever ter member of the American Indians nickname. was prudent to cancel today’s equipment — such as masks and outbreak still out of control. coach Brad Mills left one is better, that’s the one he’s workouts at Minute Maid Park gloves — for at-risk individuals. “We’re trying to bring base- Cthe team, instead de- been.” and the University of Houston. Doolittle said he was stunned ball back during a pandemic ciding to join his family Mills, 63, managed the Houston REPORT Players and staff continue to not to have test results. He plans that’s killed (nearly) 130,000 at home during the shortened Astros from 2010 until his firing participate fully in the screen- to opt out of the 2020 season if people (in the United States),” MLB season, manager Terry in 2012 but has spent years by ing and testing protocols while the coronavirus pandemic be- Doolittle said. “We’re way Francona announced Sunday. Francona’s side. He worked we await these results. Despite comes a strain on his mental worse off as a country than “I think it was agonising for with Francona at his previous Nearly half of All Blacks these delays over the holiday health. where we were in March when him to leave home. I think it managerial stops with the weekend, we’re optimistic that “I think I’m planning on we shut this thing down. was agonising for him to leave Philadelphia Phillies and Boston the process will be ironed out playing,” Doolittle told report- “And like, look at where other here,” said Francona, who has Red Sox. The Mills family suf- players not happy with and we’ll be back on the fi eld ers on Sunday during a Zoom developed countries are in their shared a longtime friendship fered a tragedy earlier this year and ready to compete for a call. “But if at any point I start response to this. We haven’t with Mills since their college when 18-month-old Beau Mills, championship soon.” to feel unsafe, if it starts to take done any of the things that oth- days at Arizona. “ But I know the coach’s grandson, was killed Foster appointment Two Nationals players test- a toll on my mental health with er countries have done to bring in my heart he made the right in an accident at the family’s ed positive for coronavirus all these things we have to worry sports back. Sports are like the decision. If there’s ever a bit- Texas home. — swabs were taken two days about and kind of this cloud of reward of a functional society, tersweet moment, it was saying A growing number of major earlier on Wednesday for those uncertainty hanging over eve- and we’re trying to just bring it goodbye to him yesterday be- league players have decided to players — creating urgency to rything, then I’ll opt out. But back, even though we’ve taken cause I care about him enough opt out of the 2020 season and receive results for players who for now, I’ve prepared for the none of the steps to fl atten the that I know where he needs to stay with their families rather have been in contact with those last three months like I’m going curve, whatever you want to be. He’s been, I don’t know if it’s than risk exposure to Covid-19. individuals. Rizzo’s tone ech- to play. I feel ready to go.” say.”

RUGBY Former Scotland captain Laidlaw

Reuters his fi rst game in charge of the Wellington All Blacks, spent eight years as an assistant to Hansen after signs for Japan’s Shining Arcs earlier playing for and coach- lmost half of New ing the Waikato Chiefs. AFP hope to learn about the won- Zealand’s top fl ight He faced a tough challenge Paris derful rugby culture of this Arugby union players for the role from Scott Rob- wonderful country and to believe New Zealand ertson, who has guided the have various experiences,” he Rugby (NZR) had not made the Canterbury Crusaders to three ormer Scotland skip- added. right choice in appointing Ian successive Super Rugby titles. per Greig Laidlaw has Former Australia back- Foster as the All Blacks coach, Robertson received 16% of Fjoined NTT Com- rower Liam Gill, who had according to a survey released the players’ vote as the best munications Shin- spells with French clubs in- yesterday. coach they had played under, ing Arcs from Clermont, the cluding Toulon and Lyon, has Media company NZME con- with former All Blacks fl y- Japanese club announced also joined the outfi t based in ducted the anonymous survey half and current Otago High- yesterday. Tokyo. of all fi ve Super Rugby teams landers assistant coach Tony Laidlaw, 34, retired from Last week New Zealand on a number of topics about Brown receiving the highest Test duty after last year’s fl y-half Beauden Barrett the state of the sport in New vote of 17%. Rugby World Cup in Japan signed a one-year deal with Zealand, including whether NZR and Foster did not im- having been knocked out in Top League side Suntory Foster should have succeeded mediately respond to requests the group stage by the hosts Sungoliath for a reported sal- Steve Hansen to the job last for comment. in the last match of the pool. ary of £780,000 ($973,000). December. The survey included 40 The scrum-half also played South Africa’s World Cup The survey found 46% of questions to more than 100 against the Cherry Blossoms winning hooker Malcolm Super Rugby players felt NZR players with at least 15 re- in two Tests in 2016. Marx, England’s George got the appointment wrong, sponses from each of the fi ve The length of Laidlaw’s Kruis and Wales’ Hadleigh while 28% said the long-term New Zealand Super Rugby deal was not revealed. Parkes are among other re- All Blacks assistant coach had teams, NZME said. “Every time I visit Japan, cent additions to Japan’s fi - been the right choice. It also found 40% of the I am welcomed with a won- nancially lucrative top fl ight. The remaining 26% said players believe All Blacks fl y- derful hospitality and I look The format of the compe- they were comfortable with half Beauden Barrett is the forward to living in this won- tition is set to change from Foster but not his choice of best player in New Zealand, derful country,” he said. January 2022 with more assistants — John Plumtree, heading off NZR’s Player of “In addition to giving clubs and a second and third Scott McLeod, Greg Feek and the Year in 2019, Ardie Savea back to the team what I have tier to be introduced on top Clermont’s Scottish scrum-half Greig Laidlaw (left) is tackled by Racing92’s French scrum-half Teddy Iribaren Brad Mooar. (20%), and Brodie Retallick learned and experienced, I of the current 16-side league. during the French Top 14 union match at La Defense Arena stadium in Nanterre on January 4, 2020. (AFP) Foster, who has yet to have (12%). Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, July 7, 2020 SPORT

GOLF DeChambeau muscles his way to 2-shot victory AFP “I got a little unlucky on 14 after a 66. 21-under and a big lead. to play and tied for third before Washington going into water but I was able Canada’s Adam Hadwin, He made another lengthy putt roaring back to life with two to persevere and do my best to American Ryan Armour, and on 16 for the fi rst of three con- straight birdies on 12 and 13. make three birdies coming in to Danny Willett and Tyrrell Hat- secutive birdies. “I was telling myself to get ryson DeChambeau win.” ton, both of England, were tied DeChambeau closed in style, back to what I was doing at be- held off overnight leader The 21-year-old Wolff , who for fourth at 16-under, seven blasting 367 yard drive on par- ginning of the week and not BMatthew Wolff down was trying to become the young- strokes behind DeChambeau. four No. 18. That set the stage worry about the outcome before the stretch Sunday, fi r- est two-time winner on the Tour World No. 10 DeChambeau for a dynamic fi nish, which in- it even happens. ing a fi nal-round 65 to capture since Tiger Woods in 1996, bird- and Wolff chose to come to the cluded a stunning approach shot He had a shot at an eagle on 17, the Rocket Mortgage Classic by ied four of his fi nal seven holes to Motor City while many of the which landed just two feet from landing his approach about eight three strokes. shoot a 71. PGA Tour’s top players skipped the fl ag. feet from the hole, but his putt DeChambeau continued his DeChambeau has been the the event. He easily made the short putt curled away at the cup for a miss storybook start to the pandem- story of the USPGA Tour’s re- In the PGA Tour’s fi rst three then celebrated with a fi st bump by an inch. ic-stunted season, fi nishing the start and was the favourite com- events after the Covid-19 pan- for his caddie. “Those putts that didn’t go in, week at 23-under 265 to claim ing into this event. He now has a demic slammed the season, Wolff , who missed the cut it was a little bumpy and it just his sixth career win on the US- streak of seven consecutive top- the top fi ve players in the world in each of his last two events, wasn’t meant to be,” Wolff said. PGA Tour. 10 fi nishes thanks in large part ranking participated in each struggled early after three solid “I have that fi repower that I He quickly erased Wolff ’s to his bulked-up body which al- tournament. None of the top rounds. The 21-year-old hasn’t can rattle off so many birdies in a three-shot lead to start the day lowed him to overpower the De- fi ve competed at the Detroit Golf posted a top-10 fi nish since his row. I made four of the last seven but needed three straight clos- troit Golf Club course. Club and the fi eld included just dramatic maiden win at the 3M with missing a couple of short ing birdies to seal the victory in a Sunday’s win was his fi rst 18 of the top 50. Open in Minnesota last July. ones.” thrilling back-nine duel. since 2018 as he dominated the But that doesn’t take anything Wolff opened with a bogey “I played really well on front Michigan fairways with an aver- away from the power display and after pulling back that shot nine and struck it beautifully,” age driving distance of 350 yards. that DeChambeau put on Sun- with a 53-foot birdie putt on the Bryson DeChambeau celebrates said DeChambeau. “On the back Wolff fi nished alone in second day. He rolled in four birdies on fourth, he had back-to-back bo- with the trophy after winning nine I got a little tight. I didn’t at 20-under 268 and Kevin Kis- the front nine then drained a 35- geys at fi ve and six. the Rocket Mortgage Classic at hit driver the way I wanted to. ner was two shots back in third foot putt on the tenth to get to He was 16-under with eight the Detroit Golf Club. (AFP)

MOTORSPORT SPOTLIGHT PGA calls off plan for fans at Memorial I had to dodge bullets over virus fears

AFP said. Miami This week’s Workday Char- ity Open was created and planned without fans at Muir- pectators will not be fi eld Village as a tune-up for to win, admits Bottas allowed at next week’s having fans back next week, SMemorial tournament, but despite a “robust” health the US PGA Tour an- and safety plan by organisers ‘Winning a Formula One Grand Prix is never easy, but today didn’t definitively come easy at all’ nounced yesterday, citing and permission from state of- concerns over the Covid-19 fi cials for limited attendance pandemic that is spiking near of 9,000 a day, the idea was AFP the host course. scrapped in the wake of grow- Spielberg Since returning last month, ing infection numbers in the the tour had aimed to have area. fans back at events at the Jack “We had a good plan in altteri Bottas admit- Nicklaus-hosted event in place,” said 18-time major ted he had to “dodge Muirfi eld Village at Dublin, winner Nicklaus. “I could not Vsome bullets” and ride Ohio. be more proud of everyone his luck as he claimed But there were 968 cases who contributed to it. In the a convincing victory Sunday in of the deadly virus across the end, we have the responsi- the belated 2020 season-open- state of Ohio on Sunday, 42 bility to recognize the health ing Austrian Grand Prix. more than the day before, and and safety of the players and The 30-year-old Finn, who a state-high 248 of them were all who attend the Memorial started from his career 12th pole in Franklin County, the Co- tournament.” position and third at the Red Bull lumbus area where the PGA is DeWine said last month fans Ring, led from start to fi nish to staging events this week and could come to the Memorial deliver his eighth victory and next. Ohio’s Covid-19 death under Covid-19 protocols al- repeat his fi rst day triumph from toll reached 2,911 with 19 killed lowing up to 20% maximum last year. “Winning a Formula on Sunday. capacity with fans and essen- One Grand Prix is never easy, but “The Memorial tournament tial staff , but warned the situ- today didn’t defi nitively come and the PGA Tour have made ation would be monitored and easy at all,” he said as he over- the right decision in not al- could change. shadowed Mercedes teammate lowing spectators to attend Six US PGA players have and six-time world champion this year,” Ohio Governor Mike tested positive for coronavirus Lewis Hamilton who was fourth. DeWine said. since the tour resumed com- “In the fi rst stint, Lewis lost “I know it was a diffi cult de- petition last month -Ameri- a bit of time getting through the cision to make, but the organ- cans Chad Campbell, Harris Red Bulls, so there was quite a izers of the Memorial tourna- English, Nick Watney, Cam- bit of margin. So, the fi rst stint ment have put the health and eron Champ and Denny Mc- was not that bad because I had safety of players and fans fi rst.” Carthy and South African Dy- a decent gap, I could control and No timetable was given for lan Frittelli. Two caddies also make sure we’d make it to the when the PGA might eventu- tested positive. target stop lap. I tried to do the ally welcome spectators dur- The early move allows spec- right thing with the tyres and ing tournaments. tators who might have trav- maintaining the car. “While this was a diffi cult elled to the event to know they “In the second stint there was decision, it was one made col- will not be able to attend be- never, like, massive pressure, lectively, and we are apprecia- fore they would have arrived because I was up in front and tive of the process undertaken for competition days. we wanted to make really sure to this point that will allow us Many top players have al- we made it to the end, but there to welcome on-site fans when ready arrived in order to play were all these variables in the the time is right,” US PGA Tour back-to-back weeks at the race – we had issues with some commissioner Jay Monahan famed course. sensors that were damaged by the vibration over the kerbs.” Bottas had also won the 2019 season opener in Australia but Vietnam says may host F1 race in November Hamilton regrets being ‘silenced’ on had to wait a lot longer this time taking a knee in the past after the coronavirus pandemic Vietnam could host the coun- the Covid-19 pandemic. ing attended by local media, without spectators, until Sep- left the sport on ice until this try’s first Formula One Grand Organisers said they would of which a recording was tember, with uncertainty about Six-times world champion driver did not say who had weekend. “When you are in the Prix in late November, the monitor the virus situation obtained by Reuters. how many races there will be. Lewis Hamilton has said he told him not to kneel. lead, getting one Safety Car af- ruling body of its capital city and pick another time for the Chung did not elaborate and Thanks to an aggressive, was “silenced” earlier in his Hamilton wore a diff erent ter another! In the end, I was like said on Monday, as the country race. “We are assessing all it was not clear if a November targeted testing programme Formula One career over his T-shirt to the other 20 drivers ‘again?’ because when you are in approaches three months with- virus-related issues and will date had been discussed with and a centralised quarantine plans to protest racism by on Sunday, his reading ‘Black the lead you just want things to out domestic transmission of discuss them with the organis- Formula One. system, Vietnam has contained taking a knee. Lives Matter’ on the front in- be constant and trouble-free. the coronavirus. The Vietnam ers. Hopefully the race can be The 2020 Formula One season infections numbers to just 369, The Mercedes driver was stead of ‘End Racism’. He said “There were so many vari- Grand Prix was initially due to resumed by end-November,” started in Austria on Sunday most of whom have recovered. one of 14 who knelt before he had yet to decide what to ables, but I managed to dodge so take place in Hanoi on April 5 Hanoi’s chairman Nguyen with an initial calendar that so There have been no reported Sunday’s season-opening do for future races. many bullets today and get the but was postponed because of Duc Chung said at a meet- far has eight races in Europe, deaths. Austrian Grand Prix. “Whether that’s continuing win.” Afterwards Hamilton spoke to take the knee, I don’t know of a discussion he had years there’s going to be opportu- ago with former San Fran- nities to do that. I definitely FOCUS cisco 49ers quarterback Colin don’t want to do it on national Kaepernick, whose kneeling anthems,” he said. protests in 2016 became a The 35-year-old recently took symbol of the fight against part in a ‘Black Lives Matter’ Leclerc podium cannot mask Ferrari problems: Brawn racial injustice. march in London but said he “He sat down for the national was supporting racial equal- AFP Schumacher to fi ve drivers’ titles must be a distraction. Under- are some mis-correlations with anthem and got a lot of back- ity rather than taking any Spielberg at Ferrari, is now Formula One’s standably so.” the design, especially the aero, lash... I thought that was a political stance. motorsport managing director Vettel qualifi ed only 11th and and that is a development we really powerful statement “When I wear the shirt and and on Monday suggested that then clashed with McLaren’s have started again. “It wont be that he made and he lost his when I speak out, that’s what harles Leclerc may have four-time champion Vettel is Carlos Sainz, the man who suc- a fi nal solution. There is no sil- job,” said the Briton. I’m supporting. I’m not sup- scored a surprise po- understandably distracted af- ceeds him at Maranello next ver bullet. If I look at qualify- “I had actually spoken to him porting necessarily the politi- Cdium fi nish for Ferrari ter being told this is his last year year, before grabbing a point by ing, compared to the pole, we are a couple of years ago shortly cal movements,” he added. in Sunday’s Austrian with the team. fi nishing 10th. missing a second – that’s three- after that for the US Grand Hamilton, whose car has Grand Prix, but teammate Se- In comments issued on Mon- “It was a disappointing race for tenths in cornering, but then Prix and I had a helmet and changed from silver to black bastian Vettel faces a struggle day, Brawn said: “It was a dif- me, even if we knew beforehand there is still seven-tenths on the everything made in red with for the season, said he would with his concentration, accord- fi cult start to Sebastian’s fi nal it would be tough,” said Vettel. “I straights. And I think that one his number on the top. continue to speak out. ing to former team chief Ross season with the team – every- struggled for the entire race af- will be very much diffi cult for us “But back then I was kind of “There has been awareness Brawn. And team boss Mattia Bi- thing must be swirling around ter the fi rst two laps, just as I had because engines are frozen for silenced, I was told to kind of for a few weeks and what notto warned, the scarlet scude- in his head after fi nding out that done in qualifying. The balance the seaso.” back down, don’t support it. we don’t need is for it to die ria and their fans cannot expect Ferrari don’t want his services and speed I had on Friday slipped Which I will say that I regret. a silent death and disappear the upgrades package planned next season. “Sometimes, the away and I was really struggling So it was important for me and see no change,” he said. for the third race at Budapest to things that put a driver off are to keep the car on track – it was a Charles Leclerc celebrates with to make sure that during this “I could be the guinea pig deliver a ‘silver bullet’ solution quite subtle. Sebastian has ap- relief that I only spun once.” the trophy on the podium after period of time I did my part.” there. I’ve got to keep speak- to their problems. peared surprised and shocked Binotto said; “I think that we finishing second in Austrian Formula One’s only Black ing out.” (Reuters) Brawn, who guided Michael by what has happened and that need to improve our car. There Grand Prix on Sunday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Tuesday, July 7, 2020 7 SPORT

INTERVIEW Djokovic’s event taught us to be cautious: Forget

Reuters repeating the mistakes of the Adria it’s wonderful but something is miss- dle of the hardcourt season. Mumbai Tour. “Maybe some people were over- ing without the crowds,” the former Forget said he understood why confi dent there,” Forget said by tel- world No 4 said. some were unhappy about it but ephone. “We are working closely with the thought saving one of the most pres- rench Open organisers are “Luckily no one got hurt really bad administration, the government, to tigious and lucrative tournaments in taking every precaution to but even a few cases is too much and make sure we can provide some crowd tennis was worth it. Fensure the Grand Slam does we want to avoid that as much as we while still following very strict secu- “We’re not going to celebrate or not meet the same fate as No- can. rity measures.” congratulate ourselves for the deci- vak Djokovic’s Adria Tour, which was “We want to reassure everyone that The US Open in New York, which is sion we took,” the 55-year-old said. abandoned after several players tested having people getting ill will be terri- scheduled to start on Aug 31, will have “We thought it’s a risk worth taking. positive for Covid-19, tournament di- ble for us. Let’s be really careful, really no spectators and operate under strict Of course we’ll make people unhappy. rector Guy Forget has told Reuters. cautious.” health protocols, including limiting “But in mid-October, if we’re able Djokovic has come under fi re af- France began easing restrictions in the size of each player’s entourage. to come together and we’ve been able ter the charity event was played in May but has been reporting over 500 Forget said French Open organisers to provide revenue for 600 people, front of packed crowds in Serbia and cases daily in recent days. Protective were not planning anything as strict I think we will be very satisfi ed as a Croatia and saw players hugging at masks will be mandatory for anyone and were even hoping to ease restric- federation and I as a former player.” the net and posing for pictures to- on the move inside Roland Garros and tions. Forget was reasonably confi dent gether. they will be recommended for those “Luckily things are a bit more fl ex- the tournament would be a success Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna sitting courtside. ible in Europe and in France, especial- but would not relax until after the Coric and Viktor Troicki have all test- The French Tennis Federation ly,” he said. “Hopefully, what we’re men’s fi nal on Oct 11. ed positive for the new coronavirus. (FFT) expect some 20,000 specta- going to announce will probably be “I don’t want to shout ‘victory’ The French Open will allow up to tors a day during the early stages of even more fl exible than what we did.” before the tournament actually hap- 60% of the usual capacity inside the the two-week tournament and about The FFT drew heavy criticism pens,” Forget said.“As the tourna- Roland Garros grounds when the 10,000 per day on the fi nal weekend. in mid-March when it unilaterally ment director I’ll only be happy once rescheduled claycourt tournament Forget said a successful event needed moved the French Open to September the men’s winner shakes the hand of starts on September 27 and Forget to have some kind of a crowd. from its scheduled May start amid the the fi nalist. We will all together be said there was no chance of them “We all see soccer on television, Covid-19 crisis, placing it in the mid- able to say, we did it.” French Open tournament director Guy Forget. (Reuters)

TENNIS LOSS Germany’s fi rst Olympic decathlon Federer ‘missing’ champ Holdorf dies

DPA said after learning of Holdorf’s Frankfurt death. “We met every now and then and greeted ourselves with ‘hello Mr Olympic cham- illi Holdorf, Ger- pion.’” Wimbledon, aiming many’s fi rst Ol- Niklas Kaul, the current Wympic champion world champion in the gruel- in decathlon at ling event, said: “There are the 1964 Tokyo Games, has some big names when you died following illness at age start with decathlon. Willi 80, his wife confi rmed to DPA Holdorf was very high up yesterday. there. I was lucky to have met Holdorf entered the con- him a few times, that makes to be back next year cluding 1,500 metres race in me even more shocked.” Japan leading the Soviet Un- Holdorf was elected Ger- ion’s Rein Aun by the equiva- man Sportsman of the Year af- ‘Personally, it has been very pleasant to stay in the same place for a long time’ lent of 18 seconds. In an iconic ter his Olympic gold but ended Olympic image, he staggered his sporting career aged 24 to AFP over the line 11 seconds behind earn money in the amateur era. Paris his rival to take gold - “It was He coached pole vaulter black in front of my eyes,” he Claus Schiprowski to Olympic later said. silver in 1968 but also coached oger Federer yester- “This decathlon made him football team Fortuna Cologne day said he is “missing” an icon in his sport,” Inter- in the Bundesliga, and was a RWimbledon after the national Olympic Commit- prominent fi gure in handball. grass-court Grand Slam tee president Thomas Bach He even had a brief career in was cancelled, but hopes to play said. “The way he staggered bobsledding, taking a 1973 Eu- the tournament in 2021. rather than ran over the fi nish ropean championship bronze The 38-year-old, who has line was the defi ning image of medal. undergone two knee surgeries those Games for me. “Friendship was more than this year, had already announced Competing for the United a word for him. Athletics and he will not play again until next Team of Germany compris- the whole of German sports year. This week was scheduled ing athletes from West Ger- have lost one of its big person- to be the second week of Wim- many and East Germany, only alities,” former German ath- bledon, where Federer has won Christian Schenk of the latter, letics chief Clemens Prokop a record eight men’s singles ti- in 1988, has since repeated told DPA. Bach agreed, naming tles, but the tournament was Holdorf’s victory in the disci- Holdorf a man “with who you cancelled for the fi rst time since pline. could work together in an out- World War II due to the corona- “Willi was a great sports- standing way but who could virus pandemic. man... he was my idol,” Schenk also party.” “Personally, it has been very pleasant to stay in the same place for a long time, I hadn’t expe- rienced that for more than 25 Zanardi operated on for third years,” Federer said at the launch of the “Roger Center Court” time, remains in critical condition running shoes created by Swiss brand On. “But of course I miss Wimbledon, of course I would like to be there currently playing on Centre Court for a place in the second week. “Clearly, one of my big goals, and that’s why I do recovery work every day and work so hard, and why I’m preparing for a 20-week physical preparation block this year, is because I hope to play at Wimbledon next year.” Federer said the coronavirus lockdown gave him the chance to recuperate following surgery, but said he will have to be “pa- tient” as he waits to return to the court. “Combined with my opera- tions, it was an important mo- ment for me, (to know) if I want- ed to continue,” he said. Former Formula One driver Zanardi was returned to the “It’s very easy to say but it’s a and Paralympic champion intensive care department, long way to come back, you have Alex Zanardi has been oper- where he is in an induced to be patient, it also was a time The ATP and WTA Tours are by the time he returns, with his closed doors in New York on Au- hoping to claim Olympic singles ated on for a third time fol- coma. He remains “stable” in for refl ection. We were in the set to resume in August despite a old rival Rafael Nadal just one gust 31, before the French Open gold for the fi rst time next year lowing his June 19 road crash, terms of cardiorespiratory mountains, isolated, we didn’t raft of professional players hav- behind on the all-time list. starts, with fans allowed to at- at the postponed Tokyo Olym- doctors said yesterday. function and metabolism, see anyone, I didn’t see my par- ing contracted Covid-19. Federer The US Open will be the fi rst tend Roland Garros, on Septem- pics in Japan, with the fi nal to Zanardi suff ered major head and in a “critical” neurological ents for almost three months, we could have lost his record of most Grand Slam following the re- ber 24. be played a week before his 40th injuries after crashing against state, the hospital said. were very serious and strict.” men’s Grand Slam singles titles start, getting underway behind The Swiss star will also be birthday. an oncoming truck during The 53-year-old was first a handcycle relay event on operated on hours after the the road between the Tuscan accident and then a second villages of Pienza and San time on June 29. Tsitsipas, Moutet engage in war of words at event in France Quirico. Zanardi is known for his He underwent surgery to never-give-up attitude. Players are allowed to show quarters, with a two-minute tolos watched on before the to have bothered Tsitsipas too Tsitsipas, Richard Gasquet, Mat- reconstruct his skull and He switched from car racing more emotions at the Ultimate break between them, and the umpire intervened and asked much as he squared the match teo Berrettini, and David Goff in stabilize areas aff ected by the to paraCycling after losing Tennis Showdown (UTS) than player with most points win the the players to resume play. at 2-2 and then won it in sudden have booked their spots in the impact, the Santa Maria alle both legs in a CART Champi- normally allowed on Tour and quarter. Moutet, ranked 75th in “I won’t speak about Stefanos, death. “I had experience with semi-finals of the tournament, Scotte hospital in Siena onship crash at the German Frenchman Corentin Moutet the world, saw a 2-0 lead in the because he’s a good guy. But this in the past. I don’t want to which is being held without said in a statement. EuroSpeedway Lausitz race did not hold back in an angry match slip and lost his cool in it’s just (his) father is stupid, say more, but I don’t see why fans at Mouratoglou’s academy Doctors used “computerised, track in 2001. verbal exchange during his the fourth quarter, accusing his everyone thinks he’s stupid,” there should be a problem,” in Nice, France. digital and three-dimensional He won four gold and two match against Stefanos Tsitsi- opponent’s father and coach, Moutet told commentators dur- said men’s world number six World number three Dominic technologies, tailor-made for silver medals at the 2012 and pas on Sunday. Apostolos, for being disrespect- ing the break. Tsitsipas. “My father is trying to Thiem was the highest-ranked the patient,” to tackle “com- 2016 Paralympics and was Matches at the UTS, co-owned ful by talking when he was “He’s speaking when I’m encourage me before the serve player at the tournament be- plex fractures,” maxillofacial to race at the Tokyo 2020 by Patrick Mouratoglou, the getting ready to serve. serving, all the time. It’s not and he’s not really interrupting. fore the Austrian headed off to surgeon Paolo Gennaro said. Paralympics, which was long-time coach of Serena Wil- The players got into a heated respectful.” My opponent makes a big deal play in the exhibition event he The operation lasted about delayed by a year due to the liams, consist of four 10-minute on-court discussion as Apos- The argument did not seem out of it.” is organising in Kitzbuhel. five hours, after which pandemic. (DPA)

Tuesday, July 7, 2020 GULF TIMES CRICKET

FOCUS UPDATE Ganguly credits Tests return with fi tness for India’s fast bowling rise

AFP Stokes and Holder New Delhi, India ndia’s cricket chief Sourav West Indies have Ganguly says improved fi t- Iness standards and a change not won a series in in culture have led to the country developing one of the England since 1988 world’s best pace attacks. head-to-head Spearheads Mohamed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are part of a battery of fi ve formidable quick bowlers that have helped change India’s traditional reliance on spin bowling. Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar “You know culture has Kumar in a deadly arsenal. changed in India that we can be “The West Indies in my gener- good fast bowlers,” Ganguly said ation were naturally strong,” the in a chat hosted on the Board former India captain said. of Control for Cricket in India “We Indians were never such (BCCI) Twitter feed. naturally strong... but we worked “Fitness regimes, fi tness stand- hard to get strong. But I think it is ards not only just among fast the change in culture as well that bowlers but also among the bat- is very important.” ters, that has changed enormously. Shami last month claimed that “That has made everyone un- the current Indian pace attack derstand and believe that we are may be the best in Test history. fi t, we are strong and we can also “You and everyone else in the bowl fast like the others did.” world will agree to this — that no The West Indies dominated team has ever had fi ve fast bowlers world cricket in the 1970s and together as a package,” said Shami. 1980s led by a fearsome pace “Not just now, in the history West Indies’ captain Jason Holder. (AFP) attack that included all-time of cricket, this might be the best greats such as Michael Holding, fast-bowling unit in the world.” Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall Shami took 13 wickets dur- Slimmed down Sibley ready to and Joel Garner. ing India’s 3-0 home Test sweep tuck into West Indies Recently Indian quicks have ris- over South Africa last year, while en to the top in world cricket with Bumrah has claimed 68 scalps in Reuters Shami, Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, 14 Tests since his debut. (Reuters) England’s Ben Stokes (centre) will captain the side for the first time. London, United Kingdom

Reuters counterpart Jason Holder. victory at Headingley two years Dom SPOTLIGHT London, United Kingdom Holder, embarking on his ago, will be vital. slimmed down 33rd test as captain, is fi rst on Holder has barely made ASibley will open the bat- the ICC’s all-rounder rankings a run in the practice games ting for England in the hen the players of while Stokes is second. while a likely top fi ve of Kraigg first test against West Indies India worried T20 England and West Both have similar problems Brathwaite, John Campbell, this week after admitting he WIndies walk out on to solve, namely fragile batting Shamarh Brooks, Hope and Ros- needed to go on a diet during to the lush Ageas lineups that could be at the mer- ton Chase managed just 29 runs the lockdown. order. World Cup delays Bowl pitch tomorrow it will be cy of top-class bowling attacks. between them in West Indies’ Sibley, nicknamed ‘The Fridge’ The Warwickshire right-hander a landmark moment for inter- West Indies won the last se- second intra-squad warm-up by teammates, has lost 12kg hopes that shedding some national cricket after a 117-day ries between the sides in 2018- match. since experiencing a “wake-up excess baggage will help him could impact IPL hiatus. 19 on home soil, but have not With Root missing, England’s call” while in Sri Lanka earlier achieve that goal. It will also be a milestone in won a series in England since shaky top-order will be under this year for the series that was “I’ve always been someone AFP the game post-pandemic. the career of England’s talisman 1988. scrutiny. Rory Burns and Dom aborted in March due to the that hasn’t been the fittest New Delhi, India Dhumal earlier told AFP the Ben Stokes as he captains the They will be buoyed by virtu- Sibley look set to open with Joe coronavirus pandemic. in the squad,” Sibley said. board would suff er losses of more side for the fi rst time. ally the same pace attack that Denly or Zak Crawley likely to “Training in that heat, I saw “Whether it’s been at Surrey or than 500mn dollars if the IPL is The circumstances will be England found such a problem bat at four. Whatever the pair- some of the lads running after Warwickshire, I’ve always been ndia’s cricket leaders are be- scrapped. surreal with the Covid-19 pan- in the Caribbean with Kemar ings, West Indies bowlers will a big session and it was a bit coasting a little bit. coming impatient with the demic meaning no fans will be Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri fancy their chances. of an eye-opener for me,” the “For the first time in my career world body’s delays in decid- KOHLI FACES CONFLICT OF I INTEREST PROBE present in the bio-secure en- Joseph and Holder compliment- Stokes will have numerous 24-year-old, who will likely I felt a little bit self-conscious ing whether the Twenty20 vironment — the only sounds ed by Bajan quickie Chemar pace bowling options with James open alongside Rory Burns, about my physique and my World Cup will go ahead this year India captain Virat Kohli faces an being the thump of leather on Holder. Anderson and Jofra Archer, both told reporters from the Ageas weight. I saw how fit some of amid the coronavirus pandemic. inquiry into a potential confl ict willow, the chit-chat between “It’s an exciting time for us. of whom struggled with injuries Bowl yesterday. the guys are, especially the The World Cup holdup is of interest over his positions in the players and some piped-in We’ve got a group of fast bowl- in England’s 3-1 win in South “I was sitting on the plane senior guys, and how impres- stopping the Board of Control two business ventures. crowd eff ects. ers we think can challenge any Africa last winter, refreshed. home thinking that I needed to sive they are in their training. for Cricket in India from setting DK Jain, ethics offi cer for the Once the strangeness of the team in the world,” West Indies One of the fi rst tough deci- do something.” “I’ve been working hard. I don’t a date for its biggest earner, the Board of Control for Cricket in ‘new-normal’ sinks in, however, assistant-coach Roddy Estwick sions he will have to make, along Sibley is averaging 40 in feel that’s it’s made much dif- Indian Premier League. India (BCCI), said late Sunday an intriguing series looks on the said. with head coach Chris Silver- six tests since making his ference to my batting. People The International Cricket that a complaint by a state as- cards between the sides ranked “The fast bowling is key to wood, is which of his seamers debut against New Zealand in say I look diff erent which is Council has said it will make a sociation member will be exam- fourth and eighth on the ICC’s us and we’re beginning to get will miss out. Stuart Broad is November and be hoping to nice but in terms of batting it’s decision in July on the future of ined. test list. blessed again.” close to 500 test wickets, the get stuck into the West Indies about doing the same thing, the 20 over event which was due Sanjeev Gupta, a member of With England captain Joe The batting is more problem- rapid Mark Wood has taken 18 bowlers as he tries to nail batting as long as I can. to start in Australia in October. the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Root missing for the birth of his atic and the form of Shai Hope, wickets in his last three test out- down his spot at the top of the “Hopefully this will allow me to But no date for a meeting has Association, has alleged that second child, Stokes will get to who scored two centuries when ings and Chris Woakes revels in problematic England upper do that.” been announced. Kohli’s various posts are in viola- pit himself against West Indies West Indies claimed a famous English conditions. “Why they (the ICC) are de- tion of the BCCI rules that bar an laying we have no idea,” BCCI individual from holding multiple treasurer Arun Dhumal told AFP, positions. COMMENT adding the BCCI was “already “I have received a complaint. England to face Ireland, Pakistan planning (the IPL) and we are I will examine it and then see if in packed summer schedule looking for a window.” the case is made out or not,” Jain “We will see how the situa- was quoted as saying by the In- England will host Afghanistan in March, Lack of Black players in county tion pans out,” he said. “We will dian media. “If yes, then I have Ireland in a three-match have only beaten Eng- explore options whether we can to aff ord an opportunity to him one-day international land once in their 10 ODI have it here or overseas.” (Kohli) to respond.” series starting on July encounters. cricket not good: Atherton The United Arab Emirates and Gupta said that Kohli’s co- 30 before taking on Pakistan, who arrived in Sri Lankan cricket boards have directors at Virat Kohli Sports Pakistan in a packed England on June 28 to Reuters you can count them on the fi ngers from the maximum talent pool. already shown interest in host- (LLP) and Cornerstone Venture summer calendar, the quarantine ahead of the London, United Kingdom of two hands, maybe six or seven. “You don’t want it to be a closed ing the T20 tournament that at- Partners (LLP) were also direc- England & Wales Cricket bilateral series, will face “It’s a complex issue to explain game, for the public schools, you tracts global superstars such as tors in Cornerstone Sport and Board (ECB) announced the hosts in three Tests and there are all kinds of reasons want it to be a game for all commu- England’s Joe Root, West Indies Entertainment Private Limited, yesterday. and three Twenty20 he lack of Black players in impacting upon it. The bottom line nities, right across the spectrum. batsman Chris Gayle and South a talent agency that contracts The Ireland squad will internationals. county cricket is “clearly is that’s it’s not good enough when At the moment, the ECB would Africa’s Faf du Plessis. Indian cricketers and handles arrive in England and The first Test will be Tnot good enough” accord- you think of the amount of talent admit that that net is focussed too The IPL has twice been held their branding and commercial set up their base at the played from August 5-9 ing to former England cap- that’s lost.” narrowly.” outside India in years that it interests. Ageas Bowl, Southamp- at Old Traff ord, before tain Michael Atherton. Only three Black players have Gladstone Small, who played for clashed with national elections. Gupta had previously fi led ton on July 18, before the teams head to A study carried out by Leeds made their England debut since Warwickshire and made 17 Test South Africa hosted the 2009 confl ict of interest complaints facing world champions Southampton for the Beckett University this year found 2000 — the most recent being Jofra appearances for England, said the event and part of it was held in against Sachin Tendulkar, VVS England in three ODIs at second (August 13-17) that there were only nine Black play- Archer who is in England’s squad lack of Black players in the county United Arab Emirates in 2014. Laxman and Rahul Dravid. the same venue. and then third Test ers competing in county cricket last to face the West Indies this week in game needs to be addressed. Dhumal added that the BCCI All the three former players The second and third (August 21-25). season, down from 33 in 1995. the fi rst Test. “I’m sure the people at the ECB will look to open domestic tour- were served notices based on the ODIs between the two The three T20 matches “When I started playing in the “I think the ECB have focussed are doing all the schemes for the naments, such as the Ranji tro- complaints, but they were even- sides will be on Aug will be played at Old early 90s the ration was about one on the south Asian project and youngsters to get them involved, phy, in September to kickstart tually cleared. 1 and Aug 4 respectively. Traff ord, with the open- in 12 or one in 15,” Atherton said on maybe taken their eye off the Black with the Lord’s Taverners in the Ireland, who last played ing game scheduled for the “Cricket, on the Inside” webi- community,” Atherton said. “As a inner city communities. There’s an international against August 28. nar in conjunction with the Lord’s game you want to spread the net as lots being done but lots more that Taverners and Black Opal. “Now far and wide as you can and select needs to be done.” India’s Tambe set to play Caribbean league at 48 BOTTOMLINE AFP the Indian Premier League as New Delhi, India Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008. The wrist spinner, who played just two first-class matches Players welcome Cricket Australia fi nancial ‘reset’ ndian leg-spinner Pravin for his home team Mumbai in ITambe is set to play in the 2013-14, was sold to KKR in the Reuters ated a revenue-share pay deal sport having occurred at the Cricket Australia said in a tions 12 months ahead during a Caribbean Premier League IPL auctions in December. Sydney, Australia for the players in 2017, said the end of the cricket season and statement yesterday that they once-in-a-century pandemic at 48 years of age as the six But could not play the cash-rich “reset” was “welcome and sen- Australia having been rela- had “agreed a way forward on has not been without its chal- franchises announced their league after being disquali- sible” and agreed to drop its for- tively successful in containing Australian cricket’s response to lenges, but we believe we have teams yesterday. fied by the Board of Control ricket Australia (CA) mal dispute of the projections. the pandemic, CA in early June Covid-19” with the union. arrived at a position that pro- Tambe has been signed by for Cricket in India (BCCI) for has withdrawn a “Under this reset, CA has forecast a drop in revenue of “The parties have agreed to vides all parties with greater Trinbago Knight Riders and playing in unsanctioned cricket Cgloomy revenue fore- agreed to withdraw its June nearly 50 percent for the 2020- postpone the Australian Cricket certainty...” will become the first Indian leagues like the T10. cast which led to the 2020 notices containing its re- 21 season. Revenue projection until such CA said when the fi nan- to play at the CPL, which is The CPL draft was carried out departure of chief executive vised revenue forecast, and in its The knock-on eff ect of this time they are better able to as- cial impact of the pandemic scheduled between August 18 remotely as teams filled out their Kevin Roberts last month and place, roll over its ‘pre-corona- drop on grants to the powerful sess the fi nancial impact of the was clearer it would reassess to September 10. Bollywood rosters with both Caribbean threatened an ugly standoff with virus’ April 2019 forecast,” the state bodies and player sala- pandemic and calculate a clear the revenue forecast. The ACA actor Shah Rukh Khan co-owns and overseas players including the players’ union. union said it a statement yes- ries triggered major discontent projection for the year ahead,” said they were “free” to do so the Knight Riders franchise, Rashid Khan from Afghanistan The Australian Cricketers As- terday. in the game and resulted in the the governing body said. “should there be a material rev- which started its journey in and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor. sociation (ACA), which negoti- Despite the shutdown of ousting of Roberts last month. “Calculating revenue projec- enue event aff ecting cricket”.