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Wednesday, September 21, 2016 GOLF Dhul-Hijja 19, 1437 AH Tiger Woods brings GULF TIMES buzz, brains to US Ryder Cup team SPORT Page 5

SPOTLIGHT Nadal, Farah defend medical records aft er new hack

AFP Monday’s fourth batch to have their medical London history published by Fancy Bears, following the likes of Serena and Venus Williams, Ameri- can gymnast Simone Biles and British Tour de afael Nadal and British Olympic great France-winning cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Mo Farah said they have nothing to Chris Froome. hide after their medical records were There is no suggestion they are involved in the latest to be leaked by a cyber-hack- any wrongdoing but the leaking of their records Ring group on Monday. has reopened the debate about TUEs and in They are among more than 60 international particular whether the system is open to abuse athletes, including 17 from the British team at from competitors gaining an advantage by tak- the Rio Olympics, who have had their medi- ing banned drugs. cal fi les — mostly therapeutic use exemptions The fi rst of Farah’s two TUEs was in 2008 (TUEs) — published online by the so-called for the same drug prescribed to fellow Olympic Fancy Bears, who have hacked into World Anti- champion Wiggins — triamcinolone, a type of Doping Agency (WADA) records. steroid. His other exemption was for a saline There is no suggestion that any of the named drip and two pain-killers that the 33-year-old athletes — among them some of the biggest was given after he collapsed in Park City, Utah, names in sport — have done anything wrong. where he was training at altitude in 2014. Spanish tennis ace Nadal and four-time Ol- He originally said this 2014 TUE was his only ympic champion distance runner Farah were one at a press conference in Birmingham last shown to have used TUEs in the past to gain British Olympic great Mo Farah. June when asked about his coach Alberto Sala- permission to take substances that fi gure on zar, who remains under investigation by the WADA’s banned list. troublesome knee. Far from complaining about United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). TUEs can be issued to athletes who have an the leak of his fi les — believed to be the work of But a few weeks later in an interview with Sky illness or condition that requires the use of Russian hackers — Nadal said he would support Sports News he mentioned the 2008 triamci- normally prohibited medication. “When you the publishing of all medical records. nolone injection. ask permission to take something for therapeu- “It would be much more benefi cial for A spokesperson for Farah said: “As Mo has tic reasons and they give it to you, you’re not sportsmen and women, spectators and media previously stated, he has got nothing to hide taking anything prohibited,” Nadal, a 14-time that every time a drug test is taken the news is and doesn’t have a problem with this or any of Grand Slam winner, told Spanish media. “It’s made public and two weeks later there are the his (medical) information being released — as not news, it’s just infl ammatory.” results,” he added. “This would end the prob- evidenced by the fact that he voluntarily shared Nadal, who has twice been granted a TUE, lem. Sport has to take a step forward and be his blood data with the Sunday Times last year. said he had never taken anything to improve Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal, who has twice been granted a TUE, said he had never totally transparent. I have been saying this for Mo’s medical care is overseen at all times by his performance but took what doctors advised taken anything to improve his performance but took what doctors advised him was the best years.” British Athletics and over the course of his long him was the best medication to care for his medication to care for his troublesome knee. (AFP) Nadal and Farah were among 26 athletes in career he has only ever had two TUEs.”

LA LIGA Simeone eyes long-awaited Barca win against ‘the best’ The Argentine coach is yet to taste victory in the Catalan capital COACH ENRIQUE DEFENDS AFP Madrid SHOWBOATING NEYMAR Barcelona: Barcelona coach Luis iego Simeone has one of the Enrique insists Neymar’s (right) skills few feats to elude his hugely should be enjoyed rather than criti- successful spell in charge of cised after the Brazilian’s penchant for Atletico Madrid in his sights showboating once again came under todayD by claiming a fi rst win in nine at- the spotlight. tempts at Barcelona’s Camp Nou. Former Barca and Real Madrid Simeone’s biggest achievement as midfielder Michael Laudrup contro- Atletico boss came in winning La Liga versially slammed Neymar for display- at Camp Nou with a 1-1 draw in 2014, ing his full range of tricks towards the but despite also dumping Barca out of end of Barca’s 5-1 thrashing of newly the Champions League in two of the promoted Leganes on Saturday. “Ney last three seasons, the Argentine has has his own style, a style I think is yet to taste victory in the Catalan capi- spectacular for football. We enjoy it tal. “In almost all the games that we a lot at Barcelona,” Enrique said on haven’t been able to win it has been the eve of Barca’s blockbuster La Liga due to the merit of Barcelona. We have clash with Atletico Madrid today. hold out against Neymar, Lionel Messi drawn a few games, but possibly we “There are many players that inter- and Luis Suarez. have never deserved to win based on pret football like that. It is a cultural “Many teams now defend deep the 90 minutes.” Simeone said. thing more common in South Ameri- against Atletico and give them the Atletico went ahead in both meet- can and particularly Brazilian players,” ball, so they are obliged to play more ings between the sides at the Camp added Enrique. “It is something that in tight spaces. I don’t expect that Nou last season before their quest was shouldn’t surprise anyone in Spanish against us,” said Enrique. undone by early red cards for Filipe Luis football. He has been doing it since he “They can press high or, without and Diego Godin in a 2-1 La Liga defeat got here.” doubt, they are the best team at in January and for Fernando Torres as Neymar’s style has led to bad- defending close to their own area. Barca won by the same score in the fi rst tempered clashes with Atletico in the That explains the complexities in play- leg of their Champions League quarter- past. However, Atletico boss Diego ing against Atletico Madrid. They are fi nal in April. Simeone claimed he is a big admirer one of the best teams in La Liga and Barca’s deadly front three of Luis of the 24-year-old. “Everybody has clearly a contender for all the titles as Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar have their own style and way of playing. He always in Simeone’s reign,” he added. proved too hot even for Atletico’s wa- Atletico can call on a in-form, superstar forward of their own in Antoine Griezmann (left) against the mighty Barcelona. is a player that I love,” said Simeone Barca’s two wins over Atletico in tertight defence to handle, and Sime- yesterday. La Liga last season proved decisive one insisted Barca remain the best team form, superstar forward of their own dominance of the Ballon d’Or for the BARCA’S UMTITI RULED OUT “They have criticised him, but he in the title race as Simeone’s men in Spain despite trailing early La Liga in Antoine Griezmann. Euro 2016’s past eight years. “Hopefully Antoine Meanwhile, Barcelona defender Sam- enjoys himself, he dances, he sings finished just three points adrift of the leaders Real Madrid by three points. top scorer has scored four times in will be there because last year he had uel Umtiti will miss the match against and he destroys you. They can keep champions in third. However, Atletico “The truth is yes (Barca are the best his last two La Liga games as Atletico an enormous season. He has started Atletico Madrid due to a knee ligament criticising, but he keeps responding as had their revenge by eliminating team). They continue to play brilliant have bounced back from draws against strongly again this year,” added Sime- strain. “Umtiti suff ered a lateral collat- he has to.” Barca in the Champions League for football and have the players that most Alaves and Leganes to open their league one. “The other day he played as a sec- eral ligament strain in his left knee dur- Both sides come into the game in the second time in three years. make the diff erence individually and campaign to thrash Celta Vigo and ond striker and ended up defending like ing training this morning,” Barca said in free-scoring form after scoring five at “There hasn’t been an easy game collectively. Despite the fact they didn’t Sporting Gijon. a second defensive midfi elder. He is a a statement yesterday. the weekend. However, Enrique be- against Atletico Madrid in the past win the Champions League last year, And Simeone backed a campaign player that off ers us that option and The French international’s absence lieves Atletico will revert to type when few years,” added Enrique. “They are that puts them in an incredible place,” led by French sports daily L’Equipe hopefully he maintains that ambition opens the door for Javier Mascherano they travel to the Camp Nou and rely a direct title rival and these are three the Argentine said. yesterday for Griezmann to end Messi that allows him to aspire to more every to return alongside Gerard Pique at the on their watertight defence to try and very important points.” However, Atletico can call on a in- and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s day.” heart of the Barca defence. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, September 21, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT CONTROVERSY Platini could receive UEFA compensation, Torres relishing claims report

AFP due course following advice and Berlin proposals from the newly formed UEFA Compensation Committee and Legal experts,” UEFA said in x-UEFA president Michel a statement. Barca showdown Platini could receive a Platini was originally sus- cash compensation from pended last December by FIFA’s ‘It seems like they are playing as we have become accustomed to. They are the most European football’s gov- ethics committee from any foot- erningE body, even though he is ball-related activity, which was diff icult opponent we have faced in the last few years without a doubt...’ serving a four-year suspension reduced to six years on appeal, for corruption. then to four years by the Court of German newspaper Frankfurt- Arbitration for Sport (CAS). er Allgemeine Zeitung yesterday Platini and former FIFA leader claimed Platini could yet receive Sepp Blatter are both under crimi- a pay-out as part of a severance nal investigation by Swiss pros- and retirement package. ecutors over a $2 million payment UEFA confi rmed to AFP that that Blatter authorised in 2011 for Platini no long receives a salary, work carried out a decade earlier but the matter of any renumera- without a contract. tion will be discussed. Platini was elected to a third “The overall matter of his re- fi ve-year-term in March 2015, muneration since his suspen- but was suspended last October sion will be addressed by the over the payment and never re- UEFA Executive Committee in turned to his offi ce.

NEW TECHNOLOGY Dutch Cup matches to further trial video assistance

Reuters able to freely communicate dur- Amsterdam ing the game. The two offi cials will reverse their roles tomorrow. wo Dutch Cup matches The VAR can review an inci- this week will serve as dent when asked by the match the backdrop for the fi rst referee as well as advise offi cials live testing of a Video on the fi eld about incidents they TAssistant Referee (VAR) as foot- may have missed. ball takes another step closer to “We decided already in 2011 to the introduction of technology try and get video assistant ref- in on-fi eld decision making. erees introduced to football,” said Last month, video technology Gijs de Jong, the Dutch football was used as France beat Italy in association’s operational director. a friendly international in Bari, “Since then, technology has although it did not involve stop- developed and there has been an ping the action to study replays. increasing international lobby That could happen at for change. We are doing it to Wednesday’s match between make play more honest and to Ajax Amsterdam and Willem III assist the referee in what is al- Tilburg at the Amsterdam Arena ways a diffi cult task.” and Thursday’s clash between The International Football File picture of Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres during a training session. Atletico travel to Nou Camp looking to defeat Barcelona. Feyenoord Rotterdam and FC Association Board (IFAB), which Oss, however. oversees the rules of the game, AFP Fixtures (GMT) Camp Nou since Torres scored twice in home to Villarreal today. On Wednesday, referee Pol is expected to decide in 2018 Madrid a 3-1 victory during his fi rst stint at the Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale van Boekel will be connected to whether to authorise the use of Today club in 2006. missed Sunday’s 2-0 win at Espanyol due video referee Danny Makkelie by video technology and include it Real Madrid v Villarreal, Celta Vigo v Barca also hit fi ve at the weekend to illness and injury respectively. means of a headset and will be in the laws. ernando Torres believes Atletico Sporting Gijon (both 1800), Barcelona against newly promoted Leganes to back However, both returned to training on Madrid travel to Barcelona today v Atletico Madrid, Granada v Athletic up their 7-0 hammering of Celtic in the Monday and are expected to start. at just the right time after em- Bilbao, Real Sociedad v Las Palmas Champions League with Lionel Messi, Victory at the weekend saw Real set a CRITIC phatically bouncing back with (all 2000) Luis Suarez and Neymar scoring 10 times new club record for consecutive league threeF wins over the past week. in their fi rst two starts of the season to- wins and match the 16 straight wins Bar- The showdown is the fi rst major clash Tomorrow gether up front. celona managed under Pep Guardiola in of the La Liga season, but despite their Deportivo la Coruna v Leganes, However, a shock home defeat to 2010/11. Aussie coach fi nds free-scoring form, both sides face the Osasuna v Espanyol (1800), Valencia Alaves earlier this month leaves Luis En- Villarreal, though, are unbeaten in the prospect of being cut adrift from league v Alaves (2000) rique’s men three points behind Real in league this season as back-to-back wins leaders Real Madrid even at this early the early running for the title race. have taken the Yellow Submarine up to European football stage. Both sides will make changes having sixth after a disrupted pre-season due to “It’s a good time to visit Barcelona,” Eindhoven and Sporting in eight days. rotated at the weekend. the sacking of coach Marcelino days be- Torres said after netting twice in Atleti- However, they already trail city rivals Enrique will recall Sergi Roberto and fore the campaign got under way. hard to watch co’s 5-0 thrashing of Sporting Gijon on Real by four points after disappointing Sergio Busquets with the only doubt for Sevilla can move up to second on Tues- Saturday. draws against Alaves and Leganes to open the hosts whether Samuel Umtiti or Javi- day if they continue their dominance of Reuters it’s paying credit to our competi- “It seems like they are playing as we the campaign. er Mascherano partners Gerard Pique at the Seville derby over Real Betis. Melbourne tion.” have become accustomed to. They are the “We just needed to fi nd the goals be- the heart of the defence. The Europa League holders haven’t lost Postecoglou has long main- most diffi cult opponent we have faced in cause we have been consistent in the way The rested Gabi and Juanfran are ex- in the league to Betis in four years and are tained that Australia has an un- the last few years without a doubt and we we have played despite the two draws in pected to return for Atletico in place of strong favourites for one of Spain’s most ustralia coach Ange necessary inferiority complex know how diffi cult it will be.” the fi rst two games,” added Torres. Nicolas Gaitan and Sime Vrsaljko. passionate encounters. Postecoglou is fi nding when it comes to football and has “But when you are winning and play- “The team is confi dent and now we have At the bottom of the table Valencia are scouting his Socceroos little time for those who think ing well it always gives you that little the toughest game we have had until now.” RONALDO, BALE RETURN looking to pick up their fi rst points of the a bit of a bore because the Socceroos should count more confi dence.” Despite dumping Barca out of the Real can extend their lead at the top be- season when Alaves visit the Mestalla on ofA the poor quality of some of the themselves lucky just to get to Atletico scored 10 times and kept three Champions League twice in the past fore Barca and Atletico kick off and set a Thursday with Valencia boss Pako Ayes- football in the European leagues World Cups and the like. clean sheets in seeing off Celta Vigo, PSV three years, Atletico haven’t won at the La Liga record with a 17th straight win at taran’s job on the line. where they play. The same clearly goes for the With only one player in the A-League, where Postecoglou 23-man squad he named for two spent most of a successful club BOTTOMLINE World Cup qualifi ers on Tuesday coaching career before landing based in Australia, Postecoglou the Australia job in October 2013. is forced to spend time on the Aaron Mooy’s early success road watching matches in Brit- on loan from Manchester City ain, the Netherlands, Germany, at English second tier club Hud- Denmark and Austria. dersfi eld should have surprised It is an experience that some- no one given his outstanding Ancelotti wants long Bayern stay times compares highly unfa- form in the A-League last sea- vourably with Australia’s A- son, he said. AFP He has already lifted his fi rst “There are clubs which League, he said. “The only surprise was he Berlin silverware, when Bayern won feel like a business and “Watch some football from wasn’t picked up by a Premier the pre-season German Super clubs which feel like a fam- Europe. It’s hard to watch. It’s League club,” he said. “I’m sure Cup at Borussia Dortmund last ily. Here, it’s a family,” the very poor in standard,” the that will happen at some point. head of today’s top- month. Italian, who has coached 51-year-old told a news confer- Maybe he’ll get Huddersfi eld up of-the-table Bundes- at PSG, Chelsea, AC Milan ence yesterday. and they’ll sign him.” liga clash at home to CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AIM and Real Madrid, said the “I’m not just talking about “We shouldn’t continually Hertha Berlin, Bayern His main task will be achieving launch of his autobiogra- the UK. I’ve just come back from seek some sort of validation for MunichA coach Carlo Ancelotti what Guardiola failed to do in Europe and I won’t mention the our competition,” Postecoglou phy in Munich says he has found a true ‘family’ his three-year tenure - winning clubs but I saw a couple of fi rst- added. at the Bavarian giants. the Champions League, a feat comeback win against Ingol- division games and I could have “If a player does well in our “There are clubs which feel Ancelotti achieved with both AC stadt. walked out at half-time.” competition it means he’s got to like a business and clubs which Milan and Real. Ancelotti revealed Bayern de- “That’s not a knock on them, be a good footballer.” feel like a family. Here, it’s a fam- Second-placed Hertha and fender Jerome Boateng will make ily,” the Italian, who has coached league leaders Bayern are the his fi rst start of the season after at Paris Saint-Germain, Chel- only teams in Germany’s top coming off the bench late on Teams face fi nes, bans on fans aft er brawl sea, AC Milan and Real Madrid, fl ight with 100 percent records against Ingolstadt. said the launch of his autobiog- after the fi rst three matches The centre-back picked up an Thai football authorities which saw Muangthong quali- raphy in Munich. ahead of the Allianz Arena clash. injury at June’s European cham- yesterday fined two rival clubs fy for the league cup final. “I want to remain here more Hertha have lost their last pionships when Germany lost in and banned their fans from The Football Association of than two years,” he added, al- nine league matches in Munich the semi-fi nals to France. attending matches for the Thailand ruled Tuesday that though he has a three-year con- and last posted a Bundesliga “Boateng is in good condition, rest of the season following fans from both teams would tract which expires in June 2019. victory in the Bavarian capital he has trained well in the last few a brawl in which police used be barred from attending Ancelotti replaced Pep Guar- in 1977. days,” said Ancelotti. tear gas. all games for the rest of the diola as Bayern’s head coach this Bayern welcomed back “He will start, I think he’s Several were injured in the season, which ends late next season. Philipp Lahm, David Alaba and ready.” clash between fans of bitter month. He has steered the Munich gi- Mats Hummels from illness Winger Arjen Robben is set for foes Muangthong United The ban will also extend to ants to the club’s best start this in Tuesday’s training session, his fi rst appearance, but only off and Port FC, which erupted matches between the two season with a perfect record of while Thomas Mueller returned the bench, “but he’ll come on for outside the stadium after teams during next year’s six wins from six, scoring 23 on Monday. the second-half, he can play 54 last Wednesday’s night game season. goals and conceding just one. File picture of Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti. All four missed Saturday’s 3-1 or 30 minutes,” added Ancelotti. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 21, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT HANGING UP HIS BOOTS Toure retires from international duty Toure won’t play AFP with Barcelona in 2009, it was Manchester fi nally winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 — their fi rst since 1992 — that remained his most our-time African football- precious memory. er of the year Yaya Toure of Toure, who made his Ivory the Ivory Coast announced Coast debut in 2004, captained his retirement from inter- the victorious ‘Elephants’ side until he says sorry, Fnational football yesterday. having replaced Drogba as skip- The 33-year-old Manches- per when the latter fi nally called ter City midfi elder — capped 113 it a day at international level af- times — said it had been an in- ter the 2014 World Cup. credibly diffi cult decision. “I would like to say solemnly “Writing this note was prob- that I am stopping!!!” said Toure. ably ‘the most diffi cult match of “It’s true that I had several my life’,” wrote Toure. titles at clubs, national cups, insists Guardiola “After 14 years at the highest league trophies. level, I’m sure this is the right “I played in Belgium, Ukraine, time for me! The fact that I am 33 Greece, France and in Spain ‘Unless Seluk apologises to Manchester City first of all, then his teammates and now, the intensity of training and where I was able to win the pres- the multitude of games are not tigious Champions League with afterwards the trainer... When that happens, Yaya will have the chance to play’ the reasons why I am making this Barca in 2009 and also in Eng- decision.” land, where I continue to play. AFP Toure, part of the golden gen- “With the Elephants, it was Manchester eration of Ivory Coast players even more special. I learned to such as Didier Drogba, his broth- win for my country. That’s why er Kolo Toure and Gervinho, said I will always retain the pride in aya Toure will not play again for for all his success at club level, having achieved four African Manchester City until the play- including a Champions League Golden Balls for the Ivory Coast.” er’s camp apologises for com- ments made by his agent, man- agerY Pep Guardiola vowed yesterday. PRECAUTION Dimitri Seluk accused the City manag- er of “humiliating” Toure, 33, by leaving him out of the club’s Champions League squad at the start of this month. West Ham to bring The Ivorian midfi elder, who an- nounced his retirement from interna- tional duty yesterday, has not fi gured in a in safety measures single City match-day squad since then. “The day after that, his agent spoke and in that moment, Yaya is out,” Guar- aft er crowd trouble diola told a press conference. “Unless Mr Dimitri Seluk comes back Reuters dium by the club, who have also to the press or to his friends in the media London taken measures to widen the seg- — because he hasn’t the courage to call regation distances between home me, he goes to the media — and apologis- and away fans. “We recognise es to Manchester City fi rst of all, then his est Ham United will and appreciate that there have teammates and afterwards the trainer... bring in a series of been issues and we are working “When that happens, Yaya will be part safety measures to very hard with all stadium stake- of the group and he will have the chance avoid a repeat of holders to address them,” a club to play.” Wcrowd trouble at their new home, spokesman told The Times. While Guardiola said that Seluk should after supporters clashed in their “This includes relocating sup- say sorry for his comments, the club later Premier League game against porters to areas of the stadium indicated the manager wanted an apol- Watford earlier this month. where they can be with like- ogy from Toure. West Ham’s 4-2 defeat by Wat- minded supporters and issuing Toure has recovered from a migraine ford was marred by crowd trouble, bans to individuals who have that made him unavailable for Saturday’s as home fans fought among them- caused signifi cant unrest. 4-0 Premier League win over Bourne- selves and with away supporters at “Additionally, we have re- mouth, but he will not be considered for the London Stadium. ceived assurances from the sta- Wednesday’s League Cup tie at Swansea The Football Association has dium operator that they will sig- City. said it will investigate the reports nifi cantly improve stewarding, Seluk had said: “If he (Guardiola) wins of the crowd trouble. while also providing better seg- the Champions League for City this sea- At the request of their sup- regation lines.” son, then I will travel to England and I porters, hundreds of West Ham The measures are likely to will say on television that Pep Guardiola fans are set to be relocated to dif- come in eff ect when they host is the best manager in the world. File picture of Manchester City’s Yaya Toure (C) being sent off during the UEFA Champions League match against CSKA Moscow. ferent seats at the London Sta- Accrington Stanley today. “But if City don’t win the Champions League, then I hope that Pep has got the a coach that every agent, when his play- player’s agent would go to the media and “It was so diffi cult for me to leave him balls to say that he was wrong to humili- er doesn’t play, goes to the media and speak against Johan Cruyff ,” he said. out of the Champions League squad. UNCERTAINTY ate a great player like Yaya.” speaks. “Maybe it’s the new era, but I’m from So diffi cult,” he said. “I know him and I Toure, who is in the fi nal year of his “I know how much Dimitri Seluk loves the old generation, and an old-genera- know he’s a good guy. It was diffi cult as contract at the Etihad Stadium, has fea- Yaya Toure. If he loves him, show me by tion agent has to make his players his job well for Aleix Garcia.” tured just once for City since Guardiola’s apologising to Manchester City for what and the coach his job. Toure has been at City since 2010 and No timeframe on arrival. he said in the papers.” “Today agents believe they are more has won two Premier League titles, two Guardiola said that, as a player at Bar- than they are. If you have a problem, we League Cups and one FA Cup during that CRUYFF RESPECT celona in the early 1990s, he would never can talk. Until he speaks, Yaya isn’t going time. Kane absence, says He played the full 90 minutes of their have dared to allow his agent to speak out to play.” While he will play no part at Swansea, Champions League play-off second-leg against Dutch legend Johan Cruyff , then Guardiola said the decision to omit captain Vincent Kompany could return, victory over Steaua Bucharest in August. the club’s manager. Toure from his Champions League squad having not played since April after un- Pochettino Guardiola added: “I cannot accept as “I cannot imagine in my day when a had not been an easy one. dergoing groin and thigh surgery.

BOTTOMLINE Rooney at risk as United toil AFP number 10 role behind Zlatan London Ibrahimovic in the second half. A ‘highlights’ video fl agging up his sloppy touches and way- anchester United ward passing circulated widely manager Jose Mour- on social media. File picture of Spur’s Harry Kane being stretchered out of the pitch. inho is under pressure “I think playing him as a to drop Wayne Roon- number 10 is holding back Unit- AFP “He is in a very good mood,” Mey (right), with the captain’s ed,” former Arsenal defender Pochettino added. “We chatted London clanking performances emblem- Martin Keown said in the Daily before in the restaurant. He’s in a atic of the team’s struggles. Mail. very good way. United have lost their last A knock-on eff ect of Mour- ottenham Hotspur man- “There are diff erent rumours. three matches and there is cla- inho’s deployment of Rooney ager Mauricio Pochet- We cannot guess whether it’s mour among supporters and as a number 10 is that several of tino confi rmed yester- eight weeks, 10, four, one. It’s journalists for Rooney to be re- his team-mates have been pre- day that striker Harry impossible to assess today and moved from the starting XI. vented from playing in their pre- KaneT has damaged his ankle liga- know how long.” In an online poll by the United ferred positions. ments, but did not say how long Pochettino said the time off fanzine Red Issue, over 99 per- Teenage striker Marcus Rash- he is expected to be sidelined. the pitch could be used con- cent of respondents called for ford, last season’s breakthrough “He got a ligament ankle prob- structively. him to be axed. star, started on the left wing lem and we need to assess every “We need to be positive now “Where do you want Wayne against Watford. day and see,” Pochettino told a the damage is done,” said Po- Rooney to play? Or should he be Juan Mata and close-season press conference at the Totten- chettino. playing at all?” former England signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, ham training ground. “It’s a good opportunity to captain Alan Shearer wrote in both more conventional number “Today it’s impossible to give build his body, his fi tness, his The Sun after United’s 3-1 defeat 10s, have had to content them- a time for a recovery. I am not a mentality and to work hard on at Watford on Saturday. selves with wide roles or places doctor. I can only explain what diff erent aspects and help him “Not on yesterday’s perform- The Dutchman sidelined said he would have no qualms Rooney has said he is open to on the bench. the doctors said to me.” become more strong.” ance, it is fair to say.” Rooney only once, for a 2-0 de- about dropping Rooney. the idea of moving into midfi eld Perhaps most worryingly, in Kane, 23, had to be carried In Kane’s absence, Dutch Despite United winning their feat at Stoke City on Boxing Day “I can take him out. No prob- as his career progresses. using a 4-2-3-1 system to ac- from the pitch on a stretcher af- striker Vincent Janssen, who fi rst three league games, Roon- last year. lem for me to take him out,” Mourinho appeared to nix commodate Rooney at number ter rolling his right ankle during signed from AZ Alkmaar in July, ey’s lacklustre displays meant David Moyes, Van Gaal’s pred- Mourinho said following Unit- that ambition, in the short term 10 Mourinho has been fi elding Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Sun- is expected to deputise. his place was already under ecessor, was similarly faithful to ed’s last-gasp 1-0 win at Hull at least, prior to the season. Pogba as a holding midfi elder, derland on Sunday. Tottenham host third-tier scrutiny. the United number 10, whose City last month. “For me, Wayne will be a denying him the freedom to at- He had earlier scored the Gillingham in the League Cup With United having since lost career he launched at Everton. number nine or a number 10 or tack that he thrived upon at Ju- game’s only goal. He was philo- today. to Manchester City, Feyenoord, But Alex Ferguson lost pa- POGBA STIFLED a number nine-and-a-half,” ventus. sophical about his injury. Pochettino said Mousa Dem- in the Europa League, and Wat- tience with the England captain As has been the case for much of Mourinho said. “But with me he “Until they fi nd the right bal- “Injuries are never nice but bele and Eric Dier would undergo ford, the calls for him to be towards the end of his storied his career, debate continues to will never be a number six, not ance, you won’t see the best part of the game – working hard fi tness tests ahead of the game, dropped are getting louder. tenure. rage about Rooney’s best posi- even a number eight.” of Pogba,” said Liverpool mid- to get fi t as soon as possible!,” after both players went off due Rooney, 30, was rested for last Ferguson claimed Rooney had tion. Yet in the loss at Watford, fi elder turned BBC pundit Danny tweeted the striker. to cramp in their hamstrings Thursday’s trip to Feyenoord, asked to leave the club for a sec- Never quite a true number Rooney started the game in a Murphy. The England striker has been against Sunderland. but he has started all of United’s ond time in 2013 and he disap- nine, but not a classic number midfi eld three alongside Mar- Rooney needs only four goals Spurs’ top scorer in each of the “We will assess Mousa Dem- other games under Mourinho. peared from view in the dying 10 either, Rooney was deployed ouane Fellaini and record sign- to surpass Bobby Charlton’s last two seasons, scoring 21 bele and Eric Dier today and see It was a similar story during days of the Scot’s 26-year reign. in central midfi eld by Roy Hodg- ing Paul Pogba. United scoring record of 249 league goals in the 2014-15 cam- what happens,” said the Argen- Louis van Gaal’s two-year ten- Mourinho, whose side host son during England’s calamitous Once again he looked off the goals, but his fi rst-team status is paign and 25 last season, earning tine. “We’re not expecting any ure as manager. Leicester City on Saturday, has Euro 2016 campaign. pace, even after moving into a more fragile than ever. him the Golden Boot. big issues.” Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, September 21, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Klopp advised Guendogan to move to Premier League Liverpool coach Juergen “It was good to have my im- Klopp advised Ilkay Guen- pressions confirmed.” dogan to move to the Premier The 25-year-old, who had a League this season, saying the year remaining on his Dort- playing style in England’s top mund contract, was City’s first Buff on sounds the division suited the creative signing after Spanish coach midfielder, the Manchester Pep Guardiola became the City player said yesterday. new boss at the Etihad. Guendogan, who had worked Guendogan was still injured with Klopp at Borussia Dort- at the time, having dislocated mund for four seasons and a kneecap in training in May won the double in 2011-12 as that ruled him out of the 2016 well as reaching the Cham- European Championships in alarm as Juve seem pions League final in 2013, France. joined City in the close season “He (Guardiola) has this amaz- and scored on his debut on ing charisma,” Guendogan Saturday against Bourne- added. “Anyone with a bit of mouth. knowledge of football can “To be honest I asked his see that football under Pep is advice, if the Premier League always extremely dominant was the right thing for me,” he and extremely successful. to be stuttering told Sport Bild magazine. “He “It means a lot if he wants said ‘yes’ and believed I would a player. I was the first he feel very well here and that wanted to bring here and I ‘We have a chance to make amends, although Cagliari are a strong side so we’ll have to the playing style would be was still injured at the time so be very focused. We should be raising our concentration levels, not lowering them’ perfect for me. that says something.”

New-look Arabi keen to get QSL season off to a good start The round 2 QSL match of in attendance. the week will involve Al Arabi Tomorrow Arabi will have a playing El Jaish tomorrow at much sterner test of their early Al Arabi stadium. season form when they wel- The Dream Team have had come El Jaish in the QSL match a frantic summer of transfer of the week. Sabri Lamouchi’s activity and have brought in side has been busy already this no less than nine new faces to season and has progressed the club. Having been now of- to the semifinals of the AFC ficially registered Senegalese Champions League for the first defender Moustapha Sall and time in their history. Nigerian attacker Imoh Ezekiel Jaish have also enjoyed a win- could be in line for their debut ning start in the QSL, despite with the club. having to endure a nervous Likewise Qatar international quarter of an hour in their 2-1 midfielder Ahmed Maqsoud victory over Al Wakrah. The could also start, after off icially soldiers looked unstoppable joining the club on Sunday at times in attack and hit the evening. woodwork on two occasions. Arabi enjoyed a narrow open- Summer signing Seidou Keita ing day 1-0 victory over Al pulled the strings in midfield, Sailiya, the result all the more and the former Malian interna- impressive that head Coach tional will have to be at his best Gerardo Pelusso played a side if Jaish are to register a second with no professional players. consecutive league win. Attacker Yusef Ahmed main- It certainly promises to be tained his composure and a fascinating tie when big tucked away the winner much spending Al Arabi takes on to the delight of the Arabi fans title contenders El Jaish.

COMEBACK MAN Returning Ezekiel File picture of Juventus’ forward Paulo Dybala from Argentina (L) reacting during the Italian Serie A football match Inter Milan vs Juventus at the San Siro Stadium in Milan. set for big season AFP blanks in his last two Juve appearances. Fixtures (GMT) of the contenders for the scudetto.” Milan Indeed Juventus, tipped for glory, An opening day defeat to Chievo, fol- perhaps prematurely, in this season’s Today lowed by a dour home draw with Palermo with Al Arabi Champions League following midfi elder Bologna v Sampdoria (1630), Atalanta are now distant memories and De Boer’s he Juventus defence is leaking, Miralem Pjanic’s signing from Roma and v Palermo, Chievo v Sassuolo, Empoli miserable few weeks in the hot seat have goals have dried up and captain wingback Dani Alves’ move north from v Inter Milan, Genoa v Napoli, Juven- made way for plenty of optimism. Gianluigi Buff on has rung the Barcelona, are suff ering in attack. tus v Cagliari, Pescara v Torino, Roma “This result gives us confi dence and alarm after the Serie A cham- Massimiliano Allegri’s men were held v Crotone, Udinese v Fiorentina (all we needed that as a team,” said De Boer, Tpions were exposed during a 2-1 ‘Derby to a frustrating goalless draw by Europa who succeeded Roberto Mancini only 1845) d’Italia’ defeat to Inter Milan. League champions Sevilla last Wednes- two weeks before the start of the season. Juventus host Cagliari today, and goal- day and their 66th minute opener on “It’s important to move on as a team keeper Buff on wants tightening up at the Sunday came courtesy of Swiss wingback “The defeat will help us in the end,” and today we did that. That’s the only back. Stephan Lichsteiner. Allegri said. “Thankfully, on Wednesday way we can get results.” “That’s the third time this season Simultaneously, Napoli forward Jose we have a chance to make amends, al- Elsewhere, Roma host league new boys we’ve conceded a goal from a corner kick, Callejon sits top of the league scor- though Cagliari are a lively, strong side so Crotone, who claimed their fi rst point of it’s not like us,” Buff on hit out. ing charts with fi ve goals in four games, we’ll have to be very focused. the season in a 1-1 draw with Empoli on He spoke out after Mauro Icardi, from and Polish teammate Arkadiusz Milik — “We should be raising our concentra- Sunday, to the Stadio Olimpico looking a corner, and Ivan Perisic rose above the bought from Ajax as a replacement for tion levels, not lowering them.” to make amends for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat Juve defence to head goals and secure In- Higuain — has hit four in four games. Defeat to the Sardinians is unthink- to Fiorentina. ter’s fi rst San Siro win over the Turin giants Although Higuain has three league able, but would be warmly welcomed by It left Luciano Spalletti’s men in third since 2010 and the reign of Jose Mourinho. goals to his name, Paulo Dybala — Juve’s a number of sides looking to end Juve’s at three points adrift and he said: “The Juve’s fi rst defeat of the season has left top scorer last season — has yet to get off fi ve-year grip on the championship. table is really tight but this defeat is a File picture of Imoh Ezekiel. Napoli top with a one-point cushion, and the mark. Inter have been touted as one of Juve’s missed opportunity for us. the southerners can even aff ord a wry biggest challengers this season, and Sun- “When you lose, you go home with By Sports Reporter Ezekiel, the result underlines smile at Juve’s expense. DEFEAT UNTHINKABLE day’s disciplined, compact performance no points but you still have to evaluate Doha the strength of the Arabi side Former Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain Allegri is also facing criticism after a me- gave an indication of just how far the the performance. The team did its job this term. “I watched the game hit a record 36 goals in Serie A last season diocre display by Pjanic in front of the Nerazzurri can go this season under new tonight. Sometimes in football you end against Al Sailiya and was re- but, despite hitting a brace in a 3-1 league Juventus defence, but the 49-year-old coach Frank De Boer. up losing when you play good teams like l Arabi are set for their ally impressed with how the side win over Sassuolo last week, he has fi red coach says he expects a reaction. Even Allegri admitted: “Inter are one Fiorentina.” fi rst QSL match of the preformed with no profession- week of the season als. They gave it their all and we when they take on El got the result and you have to JaishA tomorrow. Ahead of the big give them lots of credit.” QATAR STARS LEAGUE match, QSL online spoke with The summer was busy for the Arabi’s returning Nigerian at- pacey Nigerian, who represented tacker Imoh Ezekiel to get his his country at the 2016 Olympic thoughts on the revitalised Al Games starting in fi ve of his sides Arabi squad and their aims for six game run to the bronze medals. Top strikers hit the ground running the season. “It was a good experience in rep- Ezekiel is no stranger to the resenting Nigeria at the Olympics. By Sports Reporter victory over Al Kharaitiyat on QSL, and enjoyed a brief stint It’s a huge competition, and be- Doha Friday evening. The Algerian at- with Al Arabi before being loaned ing with the team and helping the tacker led the line superbly for for two seasons to Standard squad win the bronze medal is a the Wolves and the opening goal, Liège and Anderlecht in Belgium. major achievement for me.” he fi rst week of QSL taking down a chipped cross Despite his time away the young Al Arabi have been active in the action saw 24 goals in from Xavi, beating the defender striker expressed his excitement transfer window over the close total, with four attack- and calmly stroking the ball into to be back with the side. season; Bringing no less than ers taking the limelight the bottom right hand corner. “I have been away in Belgium nine players to the club. This Twith signifi cant contributions to The young attacker is set for a for two years now, the style of new wave of players including their sides in the opening round big year with the Wolves and European football is diff erent to three professionals should have of the season. if he keeps his form could have that in Qatar, and I learnt a lot a positive eff ect for The Dream Leading the way was Al Rayy- a chance of lifting the Mansor with Standard and Anderlecht Team according to Ezekiel. an’s talismanic captain Rodrido Muftah award come the end of and played in a good competi- “The new players already have Tabata. The Qatari international the season. tion. I want to bring what I learnt changed the mentality on the bagged the fi rst hat trick of the Lekhwiya’s summer signing in Belgium to this Al Arabi side.” training pitch, and you feel that season against newly promoted Yusef El Arabi also looked dan- The 22-year-old attacker was every day at the club. You look Al Shahania. Tabata shared the gerous in his sides 4-0 hammer- left on the sidelines in round 1, at the Al Arabi side now and see Mansor Muftah award for the ing of newly promoted Muaither. following a registration issue Mustapha Sall and Jimenez in league’s top scorer last term, and The Morrocan hit man just took which has now been resolved; the squad you think that Arabi is started the defense of his award (L-R) Lekhwiya’s Yusef El Arabi, Sadd’s Bagdad Bounjah, Ahli’s Meshal Abdulla & Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata. nine minutes to open his sides “For me I love to play football, a good team.” in the best possible style. scoring, latching onto a Nam but thankfully the registration Concluding his interview the Tabata’s all action style was Al Ahli’s veteran midfi elder been highly rated going into the Firmin Mubele crosses. Meshal Tae Hee pass before rifl ing the has been sorted and I will be returning Al Arabi star believes too much at times for Al Sha- Meshal Abdulla rolled back the new season. also turned provider setting up ball into the back of the net. It playing in the next game so I am that this could be the start of a hania, particularly in the sec- years in round 1 with a match The 32-year-old was at the team mate Mojtaba Jabbari to was the second goal in as many very excited.” special season with The Dream ond half when the Oryxes began winning performance against heart of everything good by Ahli cap off a fi ne individual per- games for the former Granada As a result of the registra- Team. “It is still early in the to tire. Al Rayyan’s number ten Al Gharafa. Two goals and as- in the fi nal third, and this was formance. attacker who scored in his com- tion issue The Dream Team were season, but with the new play- took full advantage with his fi nal sist from the Qatar international characterised by his two late Al Sadd attacker Bagdad petitive debut against Al Rayyan without any professional play- ers and providing everyone can long range eff ort a perfect exam- gave his side a vital 4-2 vic- runs into the box resulting in Bounjah grabbed the headlines in the Sheikh Jassim cup. Now to ers for their fi rst game of the remain focused I think Al Arabi ple of his shooting capabilities. tory over a Gharafa side who had two goals from almost identical with a brace in his sides 4-0 see what happens next. season against Al Sailiya. For could go a long way this year.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 21, 2016 5 SPORT

GOLF Tiger Woods brings buzz, brains to US Ryder Cup team ‘They just want Tiger to be on their team. Everybody wants to play with Tiger. Everyone wants to be around Tiger’

By Jerry Zgoda invaluable. “I’ve told Tiger, ‘All we have to do at Star Tribune the right time is have you say one thing to these Tiger Woods presumably won’t play in the guys,’” Love said. “They just want Tiger to be on next week’s Ryder Cup, but he will be a key their team. Everybody wants to play with Tiger. S Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III advisor to Davis Love as a vice captain. Everyone wants to be around Tiger. Everybody has planned for nearly every conceiv- wants to ride around in the cart with him. He’s able contingency during his 17 months Michael Jordan. He’s Wayne Gretzky. You just back on the job, including this one: His want him on your team.” Uteam features four of the world’s top-10 ranked A 2009 sex scandal altered his public image players and none of them – not Dustin Johnson, and with swing changes and injuries changed Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed nor Rickie Fowler – the course of his career as well. Those injuries might be its biggest attraction come competi- have included back surgery and a follow-up tion week. procedure since he last publicly struck a ball. That’s because Tiger Woods is back. Woods hasn’t won a major championship Absent from public view since August 2015, since the 2008 US Open or a PGA Tour event Woods recently announced he intends to play since the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. again at October’s season-opening event in At age 40, he remains four major victories be- Napa, California. But before he gets there, hind Jack Nicklaus’ career 18, a record Woods Woods will serve as one of Love’s four vice has chased since he was a child. captains in next week’s Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. With so much patriotic THE BEST EVER? pageantry to sense already, the big-top biennial When McIlroy looks at those many years when match-play circus this time around will off er Woods was at its best, he sees nobody who ever fans watching Woods watch golf. played better. “There have been a handful of “We have a strategy for him at the Ryder Cup, great athletes in the world in my lifetime – or too,” Love said. “We know this is going to be dif- any of our lifetimes – who have put up numbers ferent. It’s a lot diff erent than Davis Love being and consistent years like Tiger did basically for a the assistant captain for Corey Pavin (in 2010). 10-year period,” McIlroy said. “An athlete’s ca- Obviously people recognised me, but if I’m reer usually is a 10-year span where you try to driving a cart it won’t create a stir. We’re go- make the most of it, and what he did in those 10 ing to have to do a little more planning for Tiger years, whenever he doesn’t do that again people Woods when he gets out there on the course.” are going to say, ‘What’s wrong?’ Love calls Woods his “tactician,” a man who “People forget how good he was. Those 10 once thought his way around a golf course per- years is the best stretch of golf we have ever seen haps like no other and now has spent weeks and on the planet by anyone. I don’t care what any- weeks devising player pairings and lineup orders one says about Jack Nicklaus’ record or anyone Love will rely upon. else. I think people need to remember he has “Tiger looks at things from maybe a little been – and is – the greatest player who ever bit higher viewpoint than all of us sometimes,” played the game, maybe not by record but by Love said. Included are pairings for the Ryder that 10-year stretch of what he did.” Cup’s two separate formats the fi rst two days Named to the US team last week, Matt Kuchar and just where each pairing fi ts best among the caused a small internet storm when he suggest- four American groups teeing off each morning ed – jokingly, presumably – that Woods could and afternoon. “He has really thought all of this be named the team’s fi nal playing member next through,” US 11-time Ryder Cup veteran Phil week. Calling it “hearsay” and “rumor,” Kuchar Mickelson said. “I’m really impressed.” said, “Gosh, imagine that, Tiger Woods playing for Team USA, being a captain’s pick, that would SOMETHING MISSING be incredible.” Winner of 14 major championships and 79 Love responded in kind with his own jokes but PGA Tour events, Woods curiously has a losing never actually said no to the possibility. Love did record – 13-17-3 – in seven Ryder Cups. But his say he doesn’t worry Woods will overshadow his absence since the 2015 Wyndham Champion- team or players in the week that is to come at ship has demonstrated professional golf, for all Hazeltine. He said Woods wanted to attend last its great young players, lacks the same steam week’s announcement of captain’s picks but has and whistles without him. “gone out of his way” to make sure he doesn’t Love called Woods a “ghost” on the world- distract from the team. wide golf landscape these past 13 months. “You “He’s doing what he can to make it easier for miss the buzz he creates at tournaments,” said the team,” Love said. “We’re going to have to do Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, the world’s US team players Spieth, Reed, Fowler and occasionally with Woods since he accepted the the team rooms. I’ve been on teams with him a little more planning for Tiger when he gets out third-ranked player who grew up just like those others – maybe everybody except for Mickelson vice-captain position last November. and I enjoy it. He already has been texting me a there. He thinks he’s just going to get out and of his generation idolising Woods. “He brings an – are from McIlroy’s generation and spent their “The domination he has had, his knowledge bunch about it.” walk around, but we’re going to have to give him aura and an atmosphere to a tournament that no youths watching Woods win major after major. of the game, how to play, it’s going to be great,” Love calls Woods’ presence and voice in the a leash, make sure we know where he is. This is one else in golf can bring.” Johnson, Spieth and Fowler all have had dinner Johnson said. “He has always been very good in team room and roaming the course in a golf cart Tiger Woods, you know?”

TENNIS ROUND-UP Kvitova makes winning start in Jankovic marches through Tokyo, Wozniacki ousts Bencic to Guangzhou second round

AFP AFP Shuai(CHN) bt Zheng Saisai (CHN x8) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; Tokyo Beijing Sabine Lisicki (GER) bt Kwan Yau Ng (HKG) 6-2, 6-0; Re- becca Peterson (SWE) bt Xu Shilin (CHN) 6-3, 6-1; Jelena Jankovic (SRB x2) bt You Xiaodi (CHN) 6-2, 6-1 ormer champion Petra Kvitova efending champion Jelena Jankovic of stormed through her opening match Serbia sailed through her opening match BEGU SAILS AT KOREA OPEN at the Pan Pacifi c Open yesterday, at the WTA Guangzhou Open yesterday, Top seed Irina-Camelia Begu yesterday sailed into beating American Madison Brengle Djoining German Sabine Lisicki in the sec- the Korea Open second round with an overwhelm- 6-3,F 6-3 in a fl urry of swashbuckling win- ond round. The 31-year-old former world No. 1 ing win over South Korean wildcard entrant Jang ners. The 26-year-old Czech, twice a Wim- eased past China’s You Xiaodi 6-2, 6-1, while 2013 Su-Jeong in Seoul. bledon winner, had too much fi repower for Wimbledon fi nalist Lisicki beat Kwan Yau Ng of The 26-year-old Romanian, who is the world 23 Brengle in a match played under a closed Hong Kong 6-2, 6-0. China’s Peng Shuai beat com- and has won two titles at the Korea Open, ousted roof due to typhoon rains in Tokyo. patriot and eighth seed Zheng Saisai 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 186th-ranked Jang 6-2, 6-1 in 71 minutes in Seoul. Seventh seed Kvitova will next play Rio and is scheduled to face Lisicki in the next round. RESULTS FIRST ROUND: Irina Begu (ROM x1) bt Su- Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig of Jankovic will be confronting 21-year-old Swede Jeong Jang (KOR) 6-2, 6-1; Anna Karolína Schmiedlová Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, sixth seed Domini- Rebecca Peterson, listed as 124th in the WTA rank- (SVK) bt Katarzyna Piter (POL) 6-3, 6-2; Monica Nicules- ka Cibulkova of Slovakia overcame another ings. cu (ROM x5) bt Eri Hozumi (JPN) 6-3, 6-0; Shuai Zhang Czech, Lucie Safarova, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 to set RESULTS (X DENOTES SEEDING): 1st round: (CHN x3) bt Maria Sakkari (GRE) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4; Bethanie up a second-round match with fast-rising Viktorija Golubic (SUI) bt Denisa Allertova (CZE) 3-6, Mattek-Sands (USA) bt Stefanie Vögele (SUI) 6-2, 3-6, Japanese teenager Naomi Osaka. 6-3, 7-6 (7/4); Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt Katerina Sini- 6-3; Kirsten Flipkens (BEL x6) bt Kristýna Plísková (CZE) “I’ve seen her play a few times,” Cibulko- akova (CZE x7) 6-1, 6-1; Nigina Abduraimova (UZB) bt 5-7, 6-2, 6-2; Kristina Mladenovic (FRA x4) bt Luksika va said of Osaka. “She has a powerful serve Cristiana Ferrando (ITA) 6-4, 6-3; Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) Kumkhum (THA) 6-2, 7-5; Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) bt and it’s always tough playing against these bt Junri Namigata (JPN) 6-4, 6-1; Olga Govortsova (BLR) Arantxa Rus (NED) 6-2, 6-2; Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) young players — they are fearless and have bt Elizaveta Kulichkova (RUS) 7-5, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4; Sofia bt Tereza Martincova (CZE) 6-2, 6-3; Johanna Larsson nothing to lose.” Shapatava (GEO) bt Vania King (USA) 6-3, 7-5; Peng (SWE x2) bt Grace Min (USA) 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 In other matches, Denmark’s former world number one Caroline Wozniacki bat- tled to a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 victory over Switzer- land’s Belinda Bencic. Wozniacki main- tained the momentum she built at the US Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic hits a backhand en route to her win over Madison Will be fi t for ‘dream’ fi nal: Del Potro Open. The former world number one pro- Brengle of the US at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) duced her best run at a Grand Slam for two Buenos Aires: Injury-plagued Juan Martin del “I have enough time to prepare (for the final). years by reaching the semi-fi nals at Flushing Elsewhere on a day badly aff ected by Elina Svitolina (UKR) bt Coco Vandeweghe Potro said yesterday that he expects to be fit for “Now it’s time to rest and to have a general medi- Meadows this month, missing out on the fi - the weather, Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova (USA) 6-3, 6-4 Argentina’s “dream” Davis Cup final in Novem- cal examination. I am still not at my best level, nal when she was beaten by eventual cham- beat Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko 7-6, Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt Yanina Wick- ber after the thrilling victory over holders Great even if the last few months were some of the best pion Angelique Kerber. 6-3 while Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Bela- mayer (BEL) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 Britain. Argentina have been finalists four times moments in my career.” Swiss Bencic, beaten by Agnieszka Rad- rus overcame Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x6) bt Lucie Safarova in the past 10 years and will attempt to win their Argentina — whose Davis Cup charge is spear- wanska in the fi nal 12 months ago, was bro- 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (CZE) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 first Davis Cup when they travel to Croatia from headed by del Potro — defeated Great Britain 3-2 in ken eight times as 2010 Pan Pacifi c Open advanced when Andrea Petkovic retired at Magda Linette (POL) bt Olesya Pervushina November 25 to 27. Glasgow at the weekend, while the Croats booked champion Wozniacki delivered a combina- 6-4 2-0 down, while Barbora Strycova, Eli- (RUS) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 “We managed to fulfil our dream to qualify for their berth in the final with a 3-2 win over France. tion of power and precision to set up a meet- na Svitolina, and Magda Linette also moved Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) bt Belinda Bencic the final,” said the world-ranked 64 del Potro, who Victory for the Argentines would cap a return to ing with Carla Suarez Navarro. into round two. (SUI) 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 is still feeling his way back after a series of wrist form for del Potro, who took silver at the Rio Olym- Fifth seed Madison Keys made an early RESULTS Petra Kvitova (CZE x7) bt Madison Brengle injuries pushed him to the brink of retirement. “We pics after losing to Andy Murray in the final — but exit, failing to win two match points as she (x denotes seeding): First round (USA) 6-3, 6-3 have a united group, we talk a lot. It went perfectly got his revenge on Friday when he beat the Scot in went down 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7) against Yulia Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) bt Kateryna Bondar- Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) bt Var- for us,” added the 27 year old on his arrival back in a rubber lasting over five hours. Putintseva. enko (UKR) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 atchaya Wongteanchai (THA) 6-1, 6-1 Buenos Aires. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, September 21, 2016 SPORT

MLB NBA Bucks sign Giannis to four-year, $100mn Dodgers walk off extension

By Charles F Gardner comes up next year. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Bucks guard Matthew Del- lavedova, who played with LeBron James and the world with a Giant roar iannis Antetok- champion Cleveland Cavaliers ounmpo was a long, last season before signing a skinny unknown multiyear deal with Milwau- ‘To see him come out of the game, there was a little relief on our part’ from the Greek sec- kee as a free agent, already has Gond division when the Mil- seen enough to know Antetok- waukee Bucks drafted him 15th ounmpo can be an elite player. overall in 2013. “I’m really excited,” Del- Now, just over three years lavedova said of playing with later, the 21-year-old Antetok- Antetokounmpo and Parker. ounmpo is a $100mn dollar “I can’t wait to get started. man. Antetokounmpo and the They’re really hungry to get Bucks agreed to a four-year, started, hungry to win. $100mn contract extension, “There’s only a few people a league source said Monday. in the world that have that The team later announced the kind of athleticism. They’ve signing, and a news confer- been in every day putting in ence to announce the deal is the work, and they’ve already planned for Tuesday. been asking questions. ‘What Antetokounmpo will be does LeBron do? What does entering the fi nal year of his he work on?’ Any questions rookie-scale contract this sea- they’ve got, if I can help them son and the extension will kick out a little bit, that’s my job, to in during the 2017-18 season. make them better here.” Bucks coach Jason Kidd Antetokounmpo is expected moved the young player to to handle playmaking duties point guard last season and An- again this season, with help tetokounmpo responded with from Dellavedova and Carter- fi ve triple-doubles as he made Williams. a quick adjustment to his new “Obviously, being on a team role. The 6-foot-11 Antetok- with LeBron and Kyrie (Irving) ounmpo appeared in 80 games and Kevin (Love), they drew a with Milwaukee last season lot of attention,” Dellavedova and averaged career highs in said. “I think a lot of teams focus minutes (35.3), points (16.9), on Giannis and Jabari and clog- rebounds (7.7), assists (4.3) and ging up those driving lanes for fi eld goal percentage (50.6 %). them and for Khris (Middleton) He played for Greece in Ol- and Greg (Monroe) in the post. I ympic qualifying action this think I can provide some three- summer before returning to point shooting and with Gian- Milwaukee to prepare for the nis, I can play on or off the ball.” coming season. The Bucks Former Los Angeles Lak- open training camp in Madi- ers star Kobe Bryant met with son, Wis., next week. Antetokounmpo in the Lak- “Giannis looks great,” Bucks ers’ locker room after a game coach Jason Kidd said Mon- in Milwaukee in February and day before the team’s an- implored the Bucks player to nual golf outing at Westmoor work on his shooting. Antetok- Country Club in Brookfi eld. ounmpo posted the fi rst triple- Wis. “We’re looking for great double of his career that night things from him. Giannis and with 27 points, 12 rebounds and Jabari (Parker) put in the time, 10 assists in a Bucks victory. Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (No 5) celebrates with right fielder Yasiel Puig (No 66) after scoring in the ninth inning on a walk-off double by first baseman Adrian Michael (Carter-Williams) Antetokounmpo has aver- Gonzalez (not pictured) during a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in an MLB game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports too. There are a lot of guys aged 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds who have put in the time in the and 2.9 assists over his fi rst By Andy McCullough Bumgarner as the seventh inning of this season: They turned the ther his slider nor his curveball up an 0-and-2 count on out- summer to get better. three pro seasons. He has Los Angeles Times ended. “Don’t look at me.” game into ash. “To see him come co-operated in reliable fashion fi elder Angel Pagan and tried to “Now it’s a matter of bring- played 238 games and made Puig did not break eye contact. out of the game, there was a lit- Monday. bury the outfi elder with a slider. ing it all together and growing 173 starts. He fi nished third He had jousted with Bumgarner tle relief on our part,” Dodgers He managed to secure better The pitch bounced into the other as a team. We were all disap- in the league’s most improved he eyes of Yasiel Puig verbally before, when Bumgar- manager Dave Roberts said. results in his fi nal two innings, batter’s box and jumped Gran- pointed last year but we can player voting last season, be- sparked it all, inspiring ner hollered at him after a home The Dodgers did not make an retiring the last seven batters dal’s right shoulder. learn from last year.” hind award winner CJ McCol- the brouhaha that ended run in 2014. This time was diff er- out in the ninth. Andrew Toles he faced. At 7:08pm, Kershaw Kershaw did not even attempt Antetokounmpo accepted lum of the Portland Trail Blaz- an ace’s bid for a shut- ent. Bumgarner was in the midst led off with a single. Seager climbed atop the mound at to cover the plate before Nunez slightly less than the maximum ers and Kemba Walker of the Tout, opened the door for a furi- of a one-man demolition of the followed with the same. Af- Dodger Stadium in a game for scored. There was no point in salary of $106mn over four Charlotte Hornets. ous ninth-inning comeback and Dodgers, with 10 strikeouts re- ter Turner roped a score-tying the fi rst time since 2016. Dur- wasting the energy. years, a move that could help “As we move into the fu- granted the Los Angeles Dodgers corded and one hit allowed. But hit against Hunter Strickland, ing the 91-day interval, he re- But the ballpark crackled with the Bucks keep their young core ture, we feel he has a chance a stranglehold on the National his night was about to end. Gonzalez ended it with his drive. ceived the diagnosis of a herni- life as the seventh inning came to together and maintain fl exibil- to develop into an elite player,” League West after a 2-1 victory “What?” Puig said. “What are The late-night comeback ated disk, received an epidural a close. Puig owned the only hit of ity for the team to sign Parker Bucks general manager John over the San Francisco Giants on you going to do to me?” overshadowed a quality out- injection, experienced a setback the evening against Bumgarner, when his turn for an extension Hammond said. Monday night. The two men mixed exple- ing from Clayton Kershaw. He after a simulated outing July 16, a double off the wall in the sec- The game ended in the bot- tives into their speech, height- logged six innings and allowed listened to his manager openly ond inning. This time, he tapped tom of the ninth, after a single ening the rhetoric as they drew one unearned run. Roberts lifted ponder the possibility of season- a grounder toward the mound. by Justin Turner tied the score closer. All around them, the him for a pinch-hitter to start ending surgery, endured hours of Bumgarner spun and made the and a double by Adrian Gonzalez benches and bullpens emptied. the sixth after 88 pitches. Ker- physical therapy to rebuild the throw. As he headed for his dug- crashed into the wall in right fi eld. Puig pawed at Giants outfi elder shaw struck out seven and yield- strength in his back and watched out, Bumgarner saw Puig looking Corey Seager swam across the Hunter Pence. Puig was escorted ed three singles. his team run away with the West. at him. That was all it took. plate as a swarm of Dodgers en- toward centre fi eld. Bumgarner The lone run galled Kershaw. For the Dodgers, the return of gulfed Gonzalez near second base. thrashed in the arms of his team- It resulted from an infi eld single Kershaw heightens the possi- RESULTS In the middle of the pack was mates near his own dugout, try- by third baseman Eduardo Nun- bility for a team with dreams of Kansas City 8 White Sox 3 Puig, who created an opening for ing to break free. ez, a stolen base, a throwing er- ending a 28-year championship Boston 5 Baltimore 2 this madness two innings prior. Nothing came of the row. ror by catcher Yasmani Grandal drought. Kershaw recovered from Atlanta 7 NY Mets 3 And all it took was a sideways There were no punches, no ejec- and a wild pitch. No other Gi- an unsteady, three-inning ap- Miami 4 Washington 3 glance at pitcher Madison Bum- tions, nothing but bluster and ant reached second base against pearance in Miami on September Chicago Cubs 5 Cincinnati 2 garner, starting the chain of events bile. But the rage of Bumgarner Kershaw. 9 to supply fi ve innings of one-hit Texas 3 LA Angels 2 that led to a six-game lead in the took him out of the game. In three starts back from the baseball last week at Yankee Sta- St. Louis 5 Colorado 3 division with 12 games to play. San Francisco manager Bruce disabled list, Kershaw contin- dium. On Monday, San Francisco Houston 4 Oakland 2 “Don’t look at me,” Bum- Bochy turned to his bullpen. ues to show promising life on his presented another test. San Diego 3 Arizona 2 garner barked after Puig ran The relievers did what they have fastball and faltering command Kershaw’s only problem came LA Dodgers 2 San Francisco 1 through fi rst base and stared at done so often in the second half on his off -speed pitches. Nei- in the third inning. He had picked Toronto 3 Seattle 2

NFL Eagles, Wentz continue to impress with win over Bears

By Zach Berman formance that made him look the Bears 30-yard line and re- all the way to the 2-yard line, and line, leaving the Eagles again The Philadelphia Inquirer more like someone who’s played turned 28 yards to the 2-yard Pederson kept his off ense on the with three points instead of eight seasons than eight quar- line. That was Cutler’s last play; fi eld on a fourth down. A Bears seven. And then at the end of the ters. He fi nished 21 of 34 for 190 he left with a hand injury suf- off sides gave them a second half, Matthews dropped a deep t took the Eagles 21 sec- yards and one touchdown, and fered earlier in the quarter, when chance when they missed the pass that could have resulted in a onds Monday night to turn he went another week without a Eagles rookie defensive tackle fi rst attempt, but Mathews took touchdown. Sturgis hit a 53-yard a three-point lead into a turnover. He was helped by Ped- Destiny Vaeao sacked Cutler and the do-over and punched the fi eld goal to give the Eagles a 9-7 15-point advantage, and it erson’s play-calling and a de- forced a fumble. ball in from one yard away for a halftime lead. Imight have only taken two weeks fense that has only allowed only Cutler tried to continue play- 29-7 lead. Chicago’s seven points came for the Eagles to turn Philadel- two touchdowns in two weeks ing, but he was eventually re- The 26 unanswered points in the second quarter after phia fans into believers about a and has forced four turnovers. lieved by Brian Hoyer. were halted when the Bears re- rookie cornerback Jalen Mills team that entered the 2016 sea- The leading receiver was Jordan Wentz made sure the Eagles turned a punt for a score late in bit on a stop-and-go pattern by son with few expectations but Matthews, who had six catches had a bigger lead by the time the fourth quarter, but Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jef- is now 2-0 with two convincing for 71 yards. Hoyer entered the game. He hit could do little to threaten the fery, who brought the 49-yard victories. Tight end Trey Burton re- Trey Burton on a 2-yard touch- Eagles at that point. pass to the Eagles’ 5-yard line. The Eagles sent the Soldier placed the injured Zach Ertz and down pass on the fi rst play after The Eagles had already taken Three plays later, Bears Langford Field crowd home early with caught fi ve passes for 49 yards the turnover. too big of a lead – and they would rushed for a 1-yard score and the a 29-14 win over the Chicago and a score. Ryan Mathews also Although Caleb Strugis have accumulated a bigger fi rst- Eagles’ only defi cit of the season. Bears, and have outscored op- reached the end zone twice on 12 missed the extra point, the half lead if they were as success- The Eagles soon took the lead, ponents by 58-24 to start the carries and totalled 32 rushing Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz drops back to pass 21-second sequence changed the ful in the red zone in the fi rst half and they never looked back in season. Doug Pederson became yards. against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. game. The score went from 9-7 as they were in the second. the second half. the fi rst Eagles coach to win his The Eagles turned a 9-7 half- PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports to 22-7, and the Eagles showed In the fi rst half, the Eagles The competition only gets fi rst two games since Nick Sko- time lead into a rout during the no mercy. needed to settle for fi eld goals more diffi cult when the Pitts- rich, and quarterback Carson second half with a defense that and started fi nding the end zone. his feet to stumble into the end The Eagles forced their third instead of touchdowns. After burgh Steelers visit Lincoln Fi- Wentz became the fi fth rookie devastated Chicago’s off ense – It started with an eight-play, zone for a 3-yard score. turnover of the game when Ben- forcing the Bears into a three- nancial Field on Sunday, but Phil- passer to win the fi rst two games and eventually sent Bears quar- 68-yard drive late in the third The Bears had possession for nie Logan stripped running back and-out, they went on a 13-play adelphia can revel in a 2-0 team of the season since the NFL-AFL terback Jay Cutler to the locker quarter during which Wentz only one play. Cutler threw a Jeremy Langford and Ron Brooks drive that stalled in the red zone. all week and celebrate a rookie merger in 1970. room – and an off ense that completed all three pass at- short pass that Eagles linebacker recovered on the third play of the A second-quarter drive could coach and quarterback who con- For Wentz, it was another per- stopped settling for fi eld goals tempts and Mathews stayed on Nigel Bradham intercepted at fourth quarter. The Eagles drove not advance past the 10-yard tinue to raise expectations. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 21, 2016 7 SPORT

WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY SPOTLIGHT NASCAR accused of racial discrimination Draisaitl winner as in $500mn lawsuit

Reuters Citing NASCAR’s website, New York the plaintiff s said none of the 48 drivers in the Sprint Cup, NASCAR’s top racing series, ASCAR was hit with is black, and only one of the Europe down Czechs a $500mn lawsuit 18 teams has partial African- accusing the auto American ownership. They racing body of racial also said only one driver in ‘I’ve never experienced anything quite like this as a coach in 25 years of head coaching’ Ndiscrimination for preventing NASCAR’s Xfi nity Series black-owned teams and driv- circuit is black. ers from competing, including “Motorsports remain the AFP in the Sprint Cup Series. most racially segregated sport Toronto Terrance Cox and his com- in the United States,” the com- pany, Diversity Motorsports plaint said. “NASCAR and ISC Racing LLC, fi led a lawsuit have been complicit in, and eon Draisaitl scored in late on Friday in US district supportive of, the racially dis- overtime as Europe upset court in Manhattan against criminatory environment that the Czech Republic 3-2 at NASCAR, its parent company, virtually excludes African- the World Cup of Hockey International Speedway Corp, Americans from meaningful Lon Monday to leave the United and 18 teams, according to participation.” States facing a must-win battle court records. The lawsuit seeks $75mn in with Canada to stay in the com- The plaintiff s are also seek- compensatory damages and petition. ing an injunction requiring the $425mn in punitive damages. Edmonton’s German star defendants to “fully integrate Ronald Paltrowitz, a law- Draisaitl scored on a breakaway the African-American com- yer for the plaintiff s, said any after 2min 6sec of overtime at munity.” funds would go toward groups the Air Canada Centre in To- In a statement, NASCAR that the plaintiff s sponsor to ronto to maintain Europe’s 100% said the lawsuit has no merit. boost minority participation record with two wins out of two “Diversity both on and off in motorsports. in Group A. the track continues to be a top Diversity Motorsports The result leaves the United priority for NASCAR and its was founded by Cox, who is States side — beaten 3-0 by Eu- stakeholders,” the organisa- chief executive offi cer, and rope on Saturday clinging onto tion said. Bob Schacht of Bob Schacht their place in the competition. A “We stand behind our ac- Motorsports, and is based in defeat to Canada would see them tions, and will not let a public- Mooresville, North Carolina. eliminated. ity-seeking legal action deter NASCAR is based in Daytona Europe coach Ralph Krueger — us from our mission.” Beach, Florida, and has a Man- the Canadian-born former Ger- The plaintiff s said they sued hattan offi ce. many international who is now after NASCAR refused to let The case is Cox et Al v Na- the chairman of English Premier them fi eld a team or join its tional Association for Stock League soccer side Southampton Drive for Diversity program, Car Racing Inc et Al, US Dis- — said his team had always been and last year told them to cease trict Court, Southern District confi dent of progressing in the contact. of New York, No. 16-07268. tournament despite being rank outsiders with Las Vegas book- makers. “Coming in here at 33-1 long- Valencia to host MotoGP shot, the Las Vegas bookies, it’s a lot of fun,” Krueger said. fi nale for vefi more years “(The guys) always believed we’d have a shot at being where Valencia will host the final round of the MotoGP season until at we are today. Probably nobody least 2021 after agreeing a new five-year deal with promoters outside of our room did. But Dorna. The Spanish city’s Ricardo Tormo circuit has been on I’m just so proud of the way the the calendar since 1999 and became the season-ender for the players have come together in first time in 2002. This year’s season-ending race is scheduled this short period of time, how for November 13. Spanish riders have won the last four MotoGP they’re representing their coun- titles, with Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo taking his third at Valencia tries on their arms and as a group last November. The new contract, finalised two months before how we’ve come together.” the current deal ends, is for another five years. “We are thrilled “There’s just complete buy-in that MotoGP will be returning to Valencia for another five on this group — I’ve never expe- years,” said Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. “The new agreement rienced anything quite like this to return to the track is fantastic for the championship, for the as a coach in 25 years of head Comunitat Valenciana and for fans both in the region and world- coaching. We’re tight, and we’re wide, with the Circuit Ricardo Tormo always providing a unique not done.” and memorable event to end the season.” Spaniards have also won seven of the last 10 races at the circuit Russians overpower North outside the Mediterranean port city. America Europe dominated the Czechs Leon Draisaitl (No 29) of Team Europe celebrates his game winning overtime goal to beat Team Czech Republic 3-2 with Mats Zuccarello (No from the outset and led twice be- 63) during the World Cup of Hockey at the Air Canada Center in Toronto on Monday. (Getty Images/AFP) fore Draisaitl’s late winner. The Europeans took a 2-1 lead in the crept in. The Czechs, however, The opener came from Slovakian Czechs opening goal, beating lead in the fi rst period thanks to third period after Czech goalie came back to level on a power defenseman Zdeno Chara, the Jaroslav Halak with a snap shot a Auston Matthews strike. Petr Mrazek fumbled a shot from play later when Martin Hanzal Boston Bruins players catching from the right. But Russia took control in Mats Zuccarello, the Norwegian swept home a rebound after a out Mrazek as the Czech goalie In Monday’s other game, the second period, scoring winger who plays for the New point shot from Vladimir So- scrambled to recover his stick. Russia were given a fright by four goals through Vladislav York Rangers. botka. It was a rare blemish by a youthful North America be- Namestnikov, Nikita Kucherov, Until then, Detroit Red Wings The late fl urry of goals came Mrazek, who also saved a penalty fore running out 4-2 winner in Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir goalie Mrazek had frustrated after a cagey opening which fi - shot by Europe center Anze Ko- Group B. The North American Tarasenko to power into a 4-1 Europe with a superb display of nally saw Europe take control pitar during the second period team, made up of players who lead. Morgan Rielly pulled a goal defi ance, saving 33 shots before in the second period, pepper- onslaught. are 23 and under from the United back for North America, but it Zuccarello’s long-range eff ort ing Mrazek’s goal with 21 shots. Jakub Voracek scored the States and Canada, took a 1-0 was too little too late.

FORMULA ONE Rosberg a winner among champions

Reuters successful driver not to win a champion- London ship. Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver Nico He took that from Britain’s Stirling Moss, Rosberg kisses the trophy as he celebrates his victory who won 16 grands prix and was four times aft er the Singapore Grand Prix night race on September ico Rosberg drew level with Da- overall runner-up in the 1950s. 18 in Marin Bay, Singapore. (AFP) mon Hill in Formula One’s all- No driver has ever won eight races in a time list of race winners on Sun- season and not taken the title, even if there day and the odds are narrowing are a record 21 this year, so that would also Non the German matching the Briton again be a fi rst if he fails to prevail. as the only sons of world champions to take Rosberg, whose Finnish father Keke took the title. the 1982 title and won just fi ve Formula Hill, the 1996 champion and son of late One races, already has more victories to his double title-holder Graham, currently name than 19 champions. stands alone with that achievement but His 22 puts him level with Hill, whose fa- maybe not for much longer. ther ranks some way behind on 14. Even if Mercedes team mate Lewis Ham- One more would put Rosberg level with ilton remains the bookmakers’ favourite to triple champion Nelson Piquet of Brazil, take his fourth title, Rosberg is increasingly two would equal fi ve-times champion Juan fancied after retaking the championship Manuel Fangio of Argentina. lead with six races to go. By the end of the season, if he continues “While Rosberg has the advantage on pa- the streak, he could have passed Niki Lauda, per, we think Lewis Hamilton is still favour- Jim Clark (both 25) and Jackie Stewart (27). ite but only just,” commented William Hill Finns have already hailed Rosberg as their spokesman Joe Crilly. most successful driver — the German-born Malaysia, next up in two weeks’ time, Monaco resident has a Finnish passport — could swing the balance further towards since he overtook double champion Mika the German who has won all three races Hakkinen and 2007 winner Kimi Raikkonen since the summer break and eight — out of (both 20 wins). 15 — this season. Rosberg made more history in Singapore He is eight points clear of Hamilton, the on Sunday when he became, in his 200th fi rst time he has led the standings since July, career start, the fi rst non-champion to win and reaching new levels of performance. that fl oodlit race since it joined the calendar “I’ve known Nico since 2013 and that in 2008. is the best Nico Rosberg I have ever seen “What a weekend, crazy stuff ,” he said. throughout the weekend since then,” de- “It just all came together really well... clared Mercedes motorsport head Toto “Singapore hasn’t treated me all too well Wolff . “He was just blindingly fast.” in the past years, especially 2014 breaking The German is already a Formula One down on the start whilst I was in the cham- phenomenon, holding an unwanted record pionship battle. So to get the win here was that he hopes to shed — that of the most also extra-special.” Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, September 21, 2016 SPORT

LOOKING BACK Rio returns to normal aft er marathon of mega events After four years of intense scrutiny surrounding a World Cup, a papal visit and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, cariocas can go back to their normal routine with backslaps and relief

By Jonathan Watts in Rio de Janeiro public funds, and overall the Games The Guardian were within budget. Thanks also to an infusion of private cash and federal funds, Bruno Barth t is the end of an era for Rio de Sobral, an economics professor at Rio’s Janeiro. The Paralympics clos- State University, said the Rio govern- ing ceremony on Sunday, after ment would not be left with a fi nancial Ifour years in the global spotlight, bomb as was the case with the PanA- marks the fi nishing line in a marathon merican Games and the World Cup, of mega events that the host city will but he said poor planning meant the look back on for some time with a mix- city’s short-term economic boost from ture of headaches, nostalgia, relief and the mega events would not maintain no little self-congratulation. momentum in the long run. “Mission accomplished,” the Rio Overall, he said, Rio’s biggest 2016 president, Carlos Arthur Nuz- achievement was to overcome Brazil’s man, declared to the 78,000 specta- “stray dog” inferiority. “It showed the tors before the fi nal pyrotechnics at the world that we are capable of hosting Maracana. these events, contrary to the preju- Sir Philip Craven, president of the diced view that they are only suitable International Paralympic Commit- for the fi rst world.” tee, told the crowd: “You defi ed ex- Few of the politicians who brought pectations and turned ill-found pity this cascade of events to the city will into pride. You are now heroes and be around to reap the rewards. The Ol- role models for sports fans around the ympics and Paralympics has coincided world. You should all be proud.” with a seismic shift in national politics. Despite the mutual back-slapping, Last month the Workers Party presi- honorary medals and lavish praise of dent Dilma Rousseff was impeached the organisers, there were still boos for and replaced by the equally unpopular the politicians and relieved smiles from Michel Temer, who was loudly booed at many of those involved because these every appearance during these Games. Games have been touch-and-go at At the closing ceremony on Sunday, times, coming at the end of a remark- one of the nation’s favourite bands ably turbulent and gruelling period. — Naçao Zumbi — unveiled a ban- From the world’s biggest sustaina- ner reading ‘Fora Temer’ (Temer Out). bility conference in 2012, through Pope The Rio mayor, Eduardo Paes, was also Francis’s fi rst overseas visit in 2013, jeered by the crowd, though he has the World Cup in 2014 and now this done more than any other politician year’s Olympics, this Brazilian city has to push the Games through against somehow come through a series of epic the odds. He is expected to run in the challenges largely unscathed — and, in future for state governor, and perhaps some areas, improved — despite gov- president of Brazil. But at the end of ernment collapse, mass protests, eye- Brazilian capital Rio's four years of playing host came to an end with a spectacular Paralympics closing ceremony at the Maracana on Sunday. (AFP) this year, he will stand down as mayor popping corruption, rampant crime and move to New York. and the Zika virus health emergency. its absences as well as its achieve- chaotic, politically troubled, fi nancially plays and warm crowds — particularly yet to be calculated. Despite promises It is part of an exodus. Stadiums are In no small part that is thanks to the ments. The entire Russian team were insecure Games of modern times, but at the Paralympics, when ticket prices not to use public money, emergency being dismantled. Troops are return- city’s astonishing natural beauty which banned for systematic use of illegal they ended without major calamity. were fi nally dropped within an aff ord- loans had to be provided by the nation- ing to their barracks. IOC dignitaries are has always absolved many of the sins of performance-enhancing drugs. The There were individual tragedies, too. able range for the local population — al government in June to meet a short- fl ying back to their Swiss mountain cha- its residents and visitors. head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, failed The death of the Iranian cyclist Bah- helped to leave a good impression. fall in the Rio state security budget. lets. The airport is packed with depart- Regardless of poor organisation, so- to show up to his own party, perhaps man Golbarnezhad in a crash on the fi - Lamartine da Costa, a professor of Last month, the city had to provide an- ing athletes, sports offi cials, and jour- cial inequality, or the dubious quality not coincidentally because Brazilian nal Saturday was marked by a moment Sports History at the Gama Filho Uni- other 150mn reais (£35mn) to bail out nalists. Foreign correspondents, most of of the water in the pool or the bay, eve- police wanted to question him about of silence. The fatalities of the more versity, said the mobilisation of the the cash-strapped Paralympics. A late them based here for the past few years, ry contest has looked spectacular set ticket-touting allegations against his than a dozen construction workers public made the Paralympics more of boost in ticket sales — from 200,000 to are also leaving in droves, many of them against blue skies, verdant mountains close ally, the head of the Irish Olympic who died building the facilities went a success than its preceeding events. 2.1mn in less than a month — will have unlikely to be replaced as the world’s at- and ocean horizons. These images will council, Pat Hickey. unremarked. “The population is in the legacy. In helped to cover part of this hole. tention switches elsewhere. shape the memory of the billions who Rio’s Games — the fi rst in South There were also several embarrass- fact, it’s beyond a legacy. It’s a feeling In a closing press conference the Cariocas are about to get their city experienced Rio through distant TV America — were also going to be a lit- ing setbacks, such as problems with of belonging. And this becomes a po- Rio 2016 chief executive, Sidney Levy, back to themselves. screens or laptops. tle diff erent. Veteran Olympic offi cials the accommodation at the athletes’ litical fact,” da Costa says. said that at most one % of the organis- At least until the mass parties return The Paralympics was notable for have said privately they were the most village, but impressive sporting dis- The fi nal debt for Rio’s taxpayers has ing committee budget will come from at New Year and carnival.

BRAZIL’S OLYMPIC LEGACY Teenage girls tackle taboos through sport

Reuters half the girls grew up and live in the cussion of sexual and reproductive Rio de Janeiro Cidade de Deus, or City of God, a no- issues with teenage girls is of “huge torious favela. value” in a country, where it is hard They have been inspired by the to talk openly about such topics, said ach week in a northern sub- recent success of another City of Prado. They are not discussed often urb of Rio de Janeiro, a doz- God resident, Rafaela Silva, who this in schools, and a political shift to the en or so girls meet to play summer took home an Olympic gold right has made such conversations Ehandball but are learning far medal for Brazil in women’s judo. even more fraught, Prado said. more than how to master the fast- Another group hoping to capi- “Some teachers have been ac- paced game. talize on the momentum of the Ol- cused or denounced for addressing Part of a project called ‘One Win ympic Games is BrazilFoundation, a these kinds of issues. They are pun- Leads to Another’, organized by UN US-based non-profi t trying to raise ished and are fi red or threatened,” Women and the International Olym- money for a number of local social she said. pic Committee, the teens take part initiatives in Rio through a #TEAM- Stereotypes about female roles before each game in group sessions RIO fundraising campaign. and behaviour intensify when girls with a psychologist talking about “The aftermath of the Rio de Ja- in Brazil hit their teenage years, she women’s rights, reproduction and neiro Olympic Games left a very said. “They alone are responsible sexual health. positive feeling among Brazilians,” for preventing pregnancy and at the ‘One Win Leads to Another’, said Mônica de Roure, vice-presi- same time their bodies are becoming which also receives support from dent of BrazilFoundation. very sexualised,” she said. “It is very the Brazilian Olympic Committee, is But considerable needs remain, complicated for them to deal with all one of several programmes aimed at such as investment, she said. this pressure.” building a social legacy in Rio beyond Government spending on the Ol- One in fi ve births in Brazil are to this summer’s Olympic Games. ympics provoked much opposition mothers aged 19 or younger, accord- The aim of One Win is to create in Brazil, with critics saying most of ing to the United Nations Population a “safe space” for girls to discuss Rio’s population would not benefi t Fund (UNFPA). Teen pregnancy af- subjects that may likely be taboo from the huge event held in their city. fects young women from the “most at home or school, Thays Prado, a Most investment centered on the vulnerable” social groups, said Anna project manager at the United Na- wealthy Barra da Tijuca district, Cunha, a UNFPA program offi cer. tions’ women’s agency, told the home of the Olympic Village, which Experts link teen pregnancy to Thomson Reuters Foundation. is to be turned into a luxury housing a lack of sex education and a per- The girls, quiet and shy at fi rst, development. ception that girls from poor back- have opened up, Prado said. A new transportation system built grounds do not have opportuni- “I like the programme and have for the Games links up southern ties for economic advancement learned a lot about feminism and areas of the city, but critics say the that could be an alternative to early women’s rights,” said 15-year-old northern and eastern areas, where motherhood. Marcelly Victória. “It’s my mother’s many working people live, were in For Marcelly and her teammates, role to approach those topics but as greater need of an improved system the program opens a window to a dif- she doesn’t do it, I now bring them and that work there would have cost ferent kind of future, where women up myself,” she added. less. But some parts of Rio did see can break with traditional stereotypes. Her mother is relieved and pleased important infrastructure changes. Raphaela Lacerda, 16, said the that they can talk about subjects like A new Olympic Boulevard and classes have boosted her self-es- sexual health at home, she said. port regeneration project to the teem, particularly by making her Not only do the girls learn but they north have breathed new life into a feel less embarrassed about playing play better together at handball after core area, for example. sports. “People think it’s not a wom- the discussion groups, said Anderlina One Win aims to encourage dis- an’s thing, that you shouldn’t feel Rocha, the group’s psychologist. advantaged girls in sports in areas confi dent about playing sport,” she Part of a project called ‘One Win Leads to Another’, organized by the UN Women and the International Olympic Committee, the They are dedicated. Some travel far from the high-profi le improve- said. “But the program has helped Brazilian teens take part before each game in group sessions with a psychologist talking about women’s rights and other subjects. as long as two hours by public trans- ments. It has so far been rolled out me to start to understand what I One Win is one of several programs aimed at building a social legacy in Rio beyond this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. portation to reach the centre. Almost at in 16 locations around Rio. A dis- should feel confi dent about.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 21, 2016 9 SPORT

FOCUS Taiwanese Paralympians accuse China Brownlees’ selfl ess of banning team badge

AFP act erase fratricidal Taipei aiwan’s Paralympians said yesterday they were forced Tto change team badges on their uniforms in Rio after protests by China, the latest sign of worsen- ing ties with Beijing. image of Cain & Abel The team said they were informed by the International ‘Alistair had the chance to win but threw that away to help me out. I’ll be thankful Paralympic Committee (IPC) about China’s objection to their team em- for the rest of my life. Obviously it takes a very strong and good person to do that. blem two weeks before departure for the games, even though it was Sometimes in sport we talk about winning being the most important thing in the approved by the IPC in 2003. world. A lot of times it is, but maybe helping a brother out was more important’ Instead, they were asked to use an altered badge which looked more like the symbol of Taiwan’s AFP Beijing-friendly opposition party, London the Kuomintang. “China requested the change n one selfl ess act, Olympic tria- from the national emblem to the thlon champion Alastair Brown- lee erased the fratricidal image of (Kuomintang) party emblem,” Cain killing Abel as he helped his team leader Chen Li-chou said dur- Istricken brother Jonny over the line ing a reception hosted by Presi- in the World Series event in Mexico. dent Tsai Ing-wen. However, with praise raining down on him Alastair’s blunt no- “We can feel that our interna- nonsense retort to all the fuss was to tional situation is grave from this tell the BBC: “First I was just think- incident,” he added. ing: ‘What an idiot!’ He could have Although Taiwan is self-ruling, won this race so easily and he’s been China still considers it part of its tactically so ridiculous.’” Indeed Jonny himself tweeted territory awaiting reunification. none too seriously from his hospital Names, titles, emblems and flags bed over an image of him wobbling used by Taiwanese at international on the fi nal stages of the running leg: events are particularly sensitive. “Normally when you have had too much to drink. This time it was the Taiwan is forced to compete opposite #ouch.” under the Olympic flag as Chinese Jonny, who took silver behind Taipei, and does the same at other Alastair in the Rio Olympics, told the international sports competitions. BBC that such an act only came from an exceptional person. Local media described the Paral- “Alistair had the chance to win ympics badge incident as suppres- but threw that away to help me out,” sion by China, and the disclosure said the 26-year-old, who led Sun- triggered anger online. day’s race and could have won the “The Chinese communists World Series crown until the 33 Cel- sius (91.4 Fahrenheit) heat overcame shouldn’t get to decide interna- him around 1.5km from the end. tional sports rules. “I’ll be thankful for the rest of my “It is bullying like this that makes life. Obviously it takes a very strong Taiwanese people dislike them and good person to do that. Some- times in sport we talk about win- and not want anything to do with ning being the most important thing them,” read one comment on the in the world. A lot of times it is, but news website Storm Media. maybe helping a brother out was The KMT government was more important,” he added. Alastair, who also took gold in toppled by Tsai’s Beijing-sceptic London in 2012 with Jonny settling Democratic Progressive Party at for bronze, admitted his gesture had elections in January and since him refl ecting about whether he’d then ties with China have become done the right thing in helping his increasingly frosty. younger brother. British athlete Alistair Brownlee (left) helps his brother Jonathan to cross the finish line first during the World Triathlon Championships in Cozumel on Sunday. (AFP) “I sat for an hour after the race In June China axed a visit by thinking: ‘Did I do the right thing?,” plause icons followed by several cry- the line by offi cials — subsequently had been helped over the line in San and true brotherly love,” trumpeted a popular Taiwanese children’s the 28-year-old told the BBC. ing ones. The best-selling author to be disqualifi ed. Miguel de Cozume. the Daily Telegraph. choir after they sang the national “Would he have received medical at- could have taken a leaf out of fellow “Amid stooping fi gures and The newspapers didn’t miss an The Times thundered that nobody anthem at Tsai’s inauguration. tention quicker if I’d just left him? Is Scot and creator of Sherlock Holmes grasping hands I caught a glimpse of opportunity to wax lyrical on a good would recall in years to come who it the wrong thing to carry someone Arthur Conan Doyle. the haggard, yellow face, the glazed, sports story in a period when they had won the race or indeed the se- There has also been a spate of over the line? But the reaction has The game was indeed afoot when expressionless eyes, the lank black have had to devote pages to Russian ries but: “Instead they will remem- deportations of Taiwanese fraud been nice to reassure me that maybe he was on hand to write down, in his hair streaked across the brow,” scrib- state sponsored doping and latterly ber the sacrifi ce of Alistair Brownlee suspects to Beijing rather than it was the right thing to do.” role as the Daily Mail correspondent, bled Conan Doyle. the exotically-named Russian hack- who, with victory within his grasp, Taipei by countries that do not Harry Potter author JK Rowling how Italian Dorando Pietri wobbled His description could have been ers ‘Fancy Bears’ antics. stopped to help his brother Jonny as recognise the island. led the tributes tweeting, probably in sight of victory in the 1908 Olym- recycled for the state of Jonny ly- “It was a moment that embodied he teetered on the brink of collapse... not with her fi nest lines, several ap- pic marathon and was helped over ing prone on the ground after he the very essence of sportsmanship in a supreme act of brotherly love.”

ROUND-UP Underfi re Kenyan Olympic board warns of stalemate

Agencies with our new offi ce block, which is cur- decided that residents will have their with a fi rst place fi nish at the national Nairobi rently under construction,” Keino said. say and be able to choose some of the trials in Eugene in July. “Unless this impasse is resolved im- amenities around the Olympic venues,” mediately it might result in Kenya be- added Martins. he underfi re Kenyan National ing banned for four years, and this will The council will also vote on a guar- Brazil court orders Olympic Committee (NOCK) greatly have a negative impact on the antee to extend a line of the RER, an ex- seizure of Olympic yesterday warned it faced im- youth of this country.” press train connecting Paris city centre broadcaster’s assets Tminent suspension from the Four top NOCK offi cials including and the surrounding suburbs. The IOC IOC if the government failed to honour Shiroya and secretary general Fran- will reveal the 2024 bid winner in Lima Brazilian court has ordered the seizure an agreement to reinstate it into offi ce. cis Kinyili Paul are currently in court on September 13 next year. Aof goods and assets belonging to the The International Olympic Commit- charged with the shambolic prepara- broadcast arm of the International Olym- tee helped to broker a truce between the tion and mismanagement of the team in pic Committee amid allegations of labor two parties in Lausanne last week, three Rio. Despite turmoil at offi cial level, the US hurdler Allen violations during the Rio Games, prosecu- weeks after Kenyan sports country’s athletes clocked up their best suff ers knee injury tors said in a statement. minister Hassan Wario announced Olympics yet with 13 medals (includ- The Olympic Broadcast Services, set he was disbanding the NOCK over their ing six golds) putting them in 15th place nited States Olympic 110m hur- up in 2001 by the IOC to provide Olym- poor handling of the Olympic team in overall, the best in Africa by far. Udler Devon Allen faces several pic TV coverage, subjected thousands Rio de Janeiro. months on the sidelines after suff ering of workers to “abusive” labor condi- The IOC ordered that NOCK, led by a knee injury during an American col- tions, including work days of longer two-time Olympic gold medallist Kip- Paris commits 145mn lege football game, reports said yester- than 10 hours during the Rio Games choge Keino, be allowed to continue in euros for 2024 bid day. Allen, who fi nished fi fth in the fi nal from August 5-21, and the Paralympics offi ce to spearhead reforms and hold of the 110m hurdles at last month’s Rio Games which followed from September fresh elections before the end of the aris will commit 145mn euros Games, is reported to have suff ered a 7-18, the statement said. year. But Keino has accused Wario of P($162mn) for the renovation of sta- torn anterior cruciate ligament. Allen, a The court on Monday ordered the reneging on his pledge to re-open the diums and other infrastructure to en- wide receiver for the University of Or- seizure of vehicles, broadcast equip- NOCK offi ces, which were closed down sure it hosts the 2024 Summer Olym- competition with Budapest, Los An- 12.5mn for a swimming pool in Seine egon, is unlikely to play again this sea- ment, furniture as well as assets of the by police to allow for investigations af- pics, city offi cials said. geles and Rome to stage the sporting Saint-Denis and 6.5mn on the Pierre de son, several US media reports said. organization held by Brazilian banks. ter four top offi cials were arrested for A meeting of Paris’ City Council next spectacular in 2024, Coubertin Stadium. The injury is a cruel blow for the OBS said in a statement that it had been abuse of offi ce and alleged theft of team week will vote on a resolution formally After the fi rst dossier on the “con- Paris will also guarantee 4mn euros talented 21-year-old who in Rio talked informed of the case against it and was uniforms. giving Mayor Anne Hidalgo the power cept” of the Games on February 17, a to set aside for the future Olympic vil- about the possibility of pursuing a Na- preparing a legal defense. “We have been trying to get in touch to sign guarantees required by the In- second will be prepared for October 7 lage. The overall budget for construction tional Football League career while “OBS takes pride in ensuring that re- with the minister for the last two days ternational Olympic Committee (IOC) on the legal side and fi nancing. Some work for the Games is estimated at 3bn continuing to compete in elite track gardless of where the Games take place but he does not want to talk to us. Right to host the Games. 30 mn euros will be used to build a sec- euros including 1.5bn of public money. and fi eld. Allen injured his right ACL the professionals participating in the now we cannot get access to even pay “It’s a formal stage but at the same ond stadium in Bercy, and 21mn euros “We have gambled on a simple con- returning a kickoff in 2015 and missed operation are provided with working our debtors since the treasurer, Fridah time extremely important,” Jean-Fran- on an aquatic centre near the Stade de cept, relying on existing sites,” said the following track and fi eld season. conditions which are in line with the Shiroya is still in court. We urgently re- cois Martins, Deputy Mayor of Paris France in the north of the city. Another Martins. “This is the fi rst time in the However, he recovered from that injury best practices of the industry at an in- quire to pay for the workers to continue responsible for Sport, said. Paris is in 25mn euros is planned for training sites, history of the Olympics that a city has to win a spot on the US Olympic team ternational level,” the company said. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, September 21, 2016 SPORT PICTURE PERFECT

British Paralympian Kadeena Cox returns from the Rio 2016 Paralympics at Heathrow airport in London, Iraqi Paralympians Ahmed Naas (second from left), Garrah Tnaiash (third from right) and Kovan Abdulraheem (right) pose for a picture Great Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) at Baghdad’s International Airport yesterday. (AFP)

British Paralympian Emma Wiggs plays with her nephew Noah on her return from Wearing Japanese kimonos, Agnieszka Radwanska (right) of Poland and Rio de Janeiro Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig (left) play the badminton-like Japanese the Rio 2016 Paralympics at Heathrow airport in London yesterday. (Reuters) traditional game of “hagoita” while Australian tennis player Jessica Moore (centre) looks on during a fan event in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP)

West Indies cricketer Johnson Charles (centre) prepares to hit a delivery during the warm-up game against Emirates Cricket Board XI at the ICC Academy in Dubai yesterday. Charles scored 42 after West Indies won the toss and posted 166 runs on the board in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, the host team could only manage 144 runs. (AFP)

US tennis player Serena Williams attends the Charity Gala Dinner for the Novak Djokovic Foundation in Milan, (From left) Italian designer Giorgio Armani, his niece Roberta Armani, tennis player Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena attend the Italy, yesterday. (AFP) Charity Gala Dinner for the Novak Djokovic Foundation in Milan yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Wednesday, September 21, 2016 11 SPORT

CRICKET Kohli’s India eye New Zealand Match marks start of packed programme of international cricket for India, who host scalp in 500th Test England, Bangladesh, and Australia India’s Sharma out of fi rst Kiwi Test with chikungunya Indian pace bowler Ishant Sharma was yesterday ruled out of the first Test against New Zealand after con- tracting the mosquito-borne disease chikungunya. “Ishant Sharma is recovering from chikungunya and will not be avail- able for the first Test match,” coach Anil Kumble told reporters in Kanpur, where the opening Test starts tomor- row. Kumble said a replacement has not been sought for Sharma in the The numbers are not higher than in 15-member squad that includes three previous years but hospitals in New other fast bowlers — Bhuvneshwar Delhi have been struggling to cope, Kumar, Mohamed Shami and Umesh sparking a political row over who Yadav. is to blame for failing to properly Twenty-eight-year old Sharma has prepare for the outbreak. taken 209 wickets from 72 Tests, The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which with seven five-wicket hauls. can carry the Zika, dengue and Some 14,600 cases of the illness that chikungunya viruses, is prevalent causes high fever and joint pain have in India, and is most active during been recorded across the country so the monsoon season from June to far this year. September. India’s top order has been in fine form of late with Lokesh Rahul scoring three tons in the last eight Tests. India captain Virat Kohli NZ’s Neesham out of fi rst India Test AFP The legendary all-rounder, still the Kanpur only player to have scored 4,000 runs with rib injury and taken 400 wickets, said Test crick- et had changed radically in the two dec- New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Nee- short-term injury,” Hesson said. achin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev ades since he retired, praising Kohli for sham has been ruled out of the first “Jimmy won’t be available for selec- will be among the icons cel- his attacking batsmanship. Test against India in Kanpur after tion in Kanpur, but we expect him to ebrating India’s 500th Test in “The mindset of the young crick- being hit in the ribs by a ball while be back to full fitness ahead of the Kanpur this week as Virat Koh- eter is diff erent,” said Dev. “Aggression batting in the nets. Neesham, who second Test.” li’sS team begin their quest to regain the wasn’t part of Indian team in the 80s, was recalled for the tour after suff er- Hesson said there was no need to top spot in the world rankings against a but today I think, God these boys have ing back pain while bowling last year, replace Neesham in the squad. dangerous New Zealand. changed.” would be available for the second The first Test begins tomorrow, with The match marks both the start of The series also marks Anil Kumble’s Test, coach Mike Hesson said. the second in Kolkata from Septem- a three-Test series against the Black fi rst home assignment as coach and he “It will take a few days for the bruis- ber 30-October 4 and the final match Caps and a packed programme of inter- is expected to pack the Indian bowling ing to go away, but it’s very much a in Indore from October 8-12. national cricket for India, who will also line-up with three spinners, includ- host England, Bangladesh and Austral- ing Ravichandran Ashwin who took 17 ia later this season. wickets in the Caribbean. India are strong favourites after their The hosts will also be bolstered by FACTBOX LAST FIVE TESTS recent 2-0 victory over the West Indies the return on home soil of medium- 2014 — Match drawn, Wellington in a four-match away series, which saw pacer Mohamed Shami, who took 11 INDIA 2014 — New Zealand won by 40 Kohli lead from the front by scoring his wickets in the West Indies after a long Captain: Virat Kohli runs, Auckland fi rst Test double century in Antigua. lay-off . Coach: Anil Kumble 2012 — India won by five wickets, But their success was tinged with Williamson, who has so far skip- Squad: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Bangalore disappointment as they managed to pered New Zealand in just four Tests, Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli (cap- 2012 — India won by an innings topple Australia at the top of the rank- In this September 16, 2016, picture, New Zealand’s Tom Latham (right) and captain said he was excited by taking on such a tain), Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya & 115 runs, Hyderabad, ings, only to be leapfrogged by their Kane Williamson run between the wickets during a practice cricket match against tough assignment in the early days of Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman 2010 — India won by an innings arch-rivals Pakistan when rain wrecked Mumbai at the Ferozshah Kotla ground in New Delhi. (AFP) his captaincy. Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit & 198 runs, Nagpur their hopes of a clean sweep in the Car- “We have a great bunch of guys and Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant FIXTURES ibbean. ty20 in March. are expected to join Tendulkar and Dev we are enjoying our cricket. We have to Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh 1st Test — September 22-26, India start the series just one Their last Test series with New Zea- at Kanpur’s Green Park as part of the keep improving and that’s my focus as a Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Green Park, Kanpur point behind Pakistan, and they will land ended in a 1-0 away defeat in 2014, festivities organised by the Board of captain,” he said. 2nd Test — September 30-Octo- be hopeful of returning to number a contest which saw the then Black Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). On the bowling front, all eyes will be NEW ZEALAND ber 4, Eden Gardens, Kolkata one before Pakistan play three Tests Caps’ skipper Brendon McCullum Dev, who skippered India to victory on Indian-born New Zealand leg-spin- Captain: Kane Williamson 3rd Test — October 8-12, Holkar against the West Indies in October score a triple century. in the 1983 World Cup, warned that a ner Ish Sodhi. Coach: Mike Hesson Cricket Stadium, Indore and November. Although McCullum has since re- New Zealand side packed with veterans Fast bowler Trent Boult can expect Squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Inspired by Kohli, India’s top order tired, his successor Kane Williamson of the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 a heavy workload after the visitors lost Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark HEAD TO HEAD has been in fi ne form of late — with the is now established as one of the game’s tournament should not be underesti- Tim Southee to an ankle injury just be- Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, India Draw New Zealand newcomer Lokesh Rahul scoring three fi nest batsmen and he has already found mated. fore the start of the series. Tom Latham, James Neesham, 18 26 10 centuries in the last eight Tests. form in India, hitting a belligerent half- “India will have the home advantage New Zealand, who have never won Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell IN INDIA But they can’t aff ord to be compla- century in a warm-up last week. but times have changed, teams and a series in India, were whitewashed by Santner, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Neil India Draw New Zealand cent after their stunning defeat by New Other former captains such as Sunil players are no longer alien to foreign the hosts in the two-match Test series Wagner, BJ Watling 13 16 2 Zealand at the start of the World Twen- Gavaskar and Mohamed Azharuddin conditions,” he told the NDTV network. in 2012.

CYCLING Lankan bowler FOCUS Kulasekara out Millar calls for drug used on bail aft er Super Rugby format fatal crash unchanged for 2017 Reuters Colombo AFP But the expanded competition by Wiggins to be banned — which straddles 16 time zones Wellington and four continents — resulted in he prominent anti-doping ri Lanka seamer Nuwan Ku- complaints of lopsided contests, campaigner David Millar has lasekara has been released uper Rugby will retain its exhausting travel schedules and a said the in-competition use of Son bail after he was involved much-criticised confer- fragmented four conference system triamcinolone, the drug used in a crash that resulted in the ence format next year, while seen as too complex. Tby Bradley Wiggins before Tour de tweaking kick-off times to In addition, the new teams death of a 28-year-old motorcy- France and Giro d’Italia races between trialS Thursday night matches and struggled, particularly the Sun- clist, the country’s cricket board 2011 and 2013, should be outlawed. said. increase the number of afternoon wolves, who managed just one win Millar, a former professional cyclist Kulasekara, 34, was returning to games. from 15 matches. who was himself banned from the sport Colombo from Kandy on Monday Governing body SANZAAR in- The season kicks off with the in 2004 after admitting to doping, also when the motorcyclist, travelling troduced conferences in 2016 to Melbourne Rebels playing the told the Daily Telegraph there should in the opposite direction, lost allow Super Rugby’s expansion to Auckland Blues at home on Thurs- be a full public disclosure of thera- control of his bike while trying to 18 teams, including Japan’s Sun- day, February 23, and culminates in peutic exemptions (TUEs), the details overtake a bus and got flung into wolves, Argentina’s Jaguares and the competition fi nal on Saturday, of which have been at the heart of the the cricketer’s path. South Africa’s Southern Kings. August 5. widely publicised Fancy Bears website “Kulasekara is currently enlarged leaks in recent days. on bail by the Kadawatha Chief Millar argued that Kenacort, a trade Magistrate pending completion SPOTLIGHT name for triamcinolone, was the most of the investigation,” Sri Lanka potent drug he took and described it as cricket said in a statement. performance-enhancing. “As I said in The right-arm medium pace my book [Racing Through The Dark],” bowler played 21 tests but retired England’s Ashton Millar explained, “I took EPO and tes- from the longest format in June to tosterone patches, and they obviously focus on limited overs cricket. produce huge diff erences in your blood charged with biting and you felt at your top level … Kena- cort, though, was the only one you took AFP Saracens. and three days later you looked diff er- London If the charge is proved, Ashton ent. It’s quite scary because it’s cata- could be facing a lengthy ban which bolic so it’s eating into you. It felt de- would damage his hopes of an Eng- structive. It felt powerful.” aracens wing Chris Ashton land recall. He concluded: “We [athletes] has been charged with two The two incidents occurred in shouldn’t have to face this. If it’s that World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Tour de France, with a third coming acts of biting by the Eng- the 24th and 25th minutes of the strong we shouldn’t be allowed to take their site last week. shortly before the 2013 Giro d’Italia. lish Rugby Football Union clash at Saracens’ Allianz Park it unless there is a serious issue. And Following the leaks Wiggins, the There is no suggestion Wiggins did andS will appear before a discipli- ground in north London, with if we’re suff ering from that serious an 2012 Tour de France winner and fi ve- anything to break anti-doping regula- nary panel yesterday, the governing Ashton’s mouth appearing to make issue, we shouldn’t be racing. I don’t times Olympic champion, was forced tions and that before his use of triam- body said. contact with Waller’s hand during know how a doctor could prescribe it to clarify comments made in his 2012 cinolone his team applied to the race The 29-year-old, capped 39 a clash on the fl oor. [before a race]. I can’t fathom it.” autobiography that he strictly observed doctor of cycling’s governing body times by England, is alleged to have Northampton director of rugby Wiggins’s use of triamcinolone was cycling’s “no needles” policy, despite (UCI), who acted according to WADA bitten Northampton prop Alex Jim Mallinder said after the game revealed when the Fancy Bears hackers having injections of triamcinolone be- guidelines in administering the drugs. Waller during Saturday’s 27-12 that Waller told him he had been published medical data stored by the fore the 2011 and 2012 editions of the (Guardian Sport) Premiership victory for champions bitten on the hand.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

Qatar’s Rio Olympics hero returns

Qatari high jumper Mutaz Barshim returns to Doha after his silver medal-winning exploits at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games yesterday. The 25-year-old won the medal with a leap of 2.36m. (Twitter/QOC)

UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FOCUS Qatar win West Asian Van Vleuten aims women handball title for Doha Time Trial Dutchwoman is fresh off a victory in Tour of Belgium

By Sports Reporter Doha

n unforgettable victory in the Lotto Tour of Belgium only a month af- ter a spectacular crash at the Rio Olympics has set Annemiek van VleutenA’s sights fi rmly on the Time Trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Doha. The 33-year-old Dutchwomen was all smiles in Geraardsbergen, where she de- clared herself a serious contender for the historic UCI Road World Championships Doha 2016. “My preparations for the World Champi- onships started here in Belgium,” Van Vleuten QNA At the victory ceremony, Qa- al-Mane and Qatar Handball As- said after her impressive solo victory on the Doha tar Olympic Committee (QOC) sociation (QHA) secretary gen- famous Flemish Muur van Geraardsbergen. vice president Sheikh Saud bin eral Mohamed Jaber al-Mulla Van Vleuten was on her way to win Ol- Ali al-Thani and Asian Hand- crowned the runner-up team. ympic gold in Rio, when she crashed in the atar women’s handball ball Federation (AHF) executive The event was organised by fi nal descent. Her compatriot Anna van der team beat Jordan 22-19 director Dr Ahmed Abu-Alail the Qatar Women Sport Com- Breggen’s Olympic gold proved little com- to win the title at the crowned the Qatari side in a glit- mittee in collaboration with fort for Van Vleuten. With her victory in inaugural West Asian tering ceremony. the Qatar Handball Association Belgium she showed that she had recovered Women’sQ Handball Champion- Qatar Women Sport Commit- under the supervision of Asian not only physically, but also mentally from ship 2016 in Doha on Monday. tee (QWSC) chairperson Ahlam Handball Federation. the Rio disappointment. “People ask me whether I’ve got some- thing to straighten out, but that’s not the case. I rode super in Rio, but I was unlucky. I’m looking ahead now. My next goal is the Dennis wins stage, takes Eneco lead World Championships in Qatar.” Van Vleuten rode the Tour of Belgium Today’s third stage is a 186km ride between with a selection of Dutch youngsters led Blankenberge and Ardooie in Belgium. The by national coach Johan Lammerts and she Dutch-Belgian race concludes on Sunday. won the prologue, the fi nal stage and the Dennis, a two-time world champion in team general classifi cation. pursuit, held the world hour record for three “It’s nice to join forces with these young months last year before it was beaten by Britons girls, who positioned me perfectly for the Alex Dowsett and then Bradley Wiggins. climbs. Johan told me to wait for the fi nal day in the Tour of Belgium, so I did and it worked STAGE 2 RESULTS out perfectly. After a month of mere holiday 1. Rohan Dennis (Australia / BMC Racing) 10:48” with the bike in Italy, I’m a bit surprised to 2. Jos van Emden (Netherlands / LottoNL) +5” be back at this level so fast. The fi rst time we 3. Jasha Suetterlin (Germany / Movistar) +14” went up ‘De Muur’ I did not even attack, but 4. Wilco Kelderman (Netherlands / LottoNL) +15” when I turned around I only saw Elisa Longo AFP 5. Matthias Braendle (Austria / IAM Cycling) Borghini in my wheel. At that moment, I Brussels 6. Primoz Roglic (Slovenia / LottoNL) +16” knew my legs were very good.” 7. Taylor Phinney (US / BMC Racing) Van Vleuten has a special bond with coach 8. Peter Sagan (Slovakia / Tinkoff ) +17” Lammerts. “We have known each other for ustralian time-trial specialist Rohan 9. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Etixx — Quick-Step) such a long time. We shared so many ups Dennis took the Eneco Tour lead yes- 10. Alex Dowsett (Britain / Movistar) +18” and downs. Johan will quit as national coach terday after winning the second stage OVERALL CLASSIFICATION after this season, so it’s special to be able to race-against-the-clock. 1. Rohan Dennis (Australia / BMC Racing) 4:24:48” celebrate this up together.” ABMC Racing’s Dennis inherited the overall lead- 2. Jos van Emden (Netherlands / LottoNL) +5” The course on which Van Vleuten seized er’s white jersey from Dutch rider and fi rst stage 3. Peter Sagan (Slovakia / Tinkoff ) +13” power in the Lotto Belgium Tour, with its winner Dylan Groenewegen, who lost 51sec over 4. Jasha Suetterlin (Germany / Movistar) +14” cobblestone hills, is diff erent from the flat the 9.6km time-trial in Breda in the Netherlands. 5. Wilco Kelderman (Netherlands / LottoNL) +15” roads in the Doha Road Race. That’s why the The 26-year-old Dennis now leads the over- 6. Matthias Braendle (Austria / IAM Cycling) Dutchwoman is primarily focused on the all standings by 5sec from Jos Van Emden, who 7. Taylor Phinney (US / BMC Racing) +16” Doha Time Trial. other reason why it feels great to be able to course does not suit me very well, because posted yesterday’s second fastest time, with 8. Primoz Roglic (Slovenia / LottoNL) “I hope I will be selected for the Time Tri- show my form here in Belgium. Of course I I’m not a sprinter. We do however have good Slovakia’s world champion Peter Sagan (eighth 9. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Etixx-Quick-Step) +17” al because there are only two slots available also prepare for the road race, because you sprinters in the Netherlands, so we will be overall) 13sec adrift. 10. Alex Dowsett (Britain / Movistar) +18” and the coach has not chosen yet. That’s an- never know what might happen. The fl at able to race for the title as a team.”