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Tuesday, August 31, 2021 TENNIS Muharram 23, 1443 AH King lauds Osaka GULF TIMES for stand on mental health, racial issues Page 2 TENNIS SPOTLIGHT 100m Paralympic track thriller Halep, Stephens as Streng unseats Peacock AFP Tokyo, Japan

erman sprinter Felix advance as fans Streng stormed his way to Paralympic gold in the T64 100m in Tokyo Gyesterday, dethroning British ri- val Jonnie Peacock who ended up sharing the bronze after a photo fi nish. return to US Open The track thriller saw Streng fi nish in 10.76 seconds, short of the Paralympic record he set just a day earlier in heats, but ahead Rublev reaches second round with straight sets win Karlovic of Costa Rica’s Sherman Isidro Guity Guity, who took silver. AFP sociation, which oversees the After several tense minutes, New York, United States event, acknowledged the delays the decision came back: a shared but said the last-minute deci- bronze, with both Peacock and sion to impose a vaccine re- Germany’s Johannes Flores com- heering spectators quirement for fans was not to ing in at precisely 10.78 seconds. brought energy to the blame. The pair beamed as they re- fi rst matches of the The tennis major, which took ceived their fl ags to join the other US Open yesterday as place amid empty stands last medallists. two-timeC champi- year due to the coronavirus pan- “It felt amazing,” Streng said on Simona Halep, battling back demic, commenced yesterday afterwards of his win. from injury, and 2017 US Open with thousands of visitors again “I’m so happy that I could champion Sloane Stephens ad- thronging the grounds in New execute a race and win in such a vanced to the second round. The York City’s Queens borough. competitive fi eld.” hardcourt tennis Citing concerns about the The race was one of the last on began with crowds not limited highly contagious Delta variant the sixth day of competition in by Covid-19 rules after no fans Simona Halep of Romania returns a shot against Camila Giorgi (not of the virus, Mayor Bill de Bla- Tokyo, with records again tum- were allowed in 2020. pictured) of Italy during their US Open first round match in Flushing sio’s offi ce said on Friday that all bling from the track to the pool. “Playing without fans here neighbourhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (AFP) fans entering Arthur Ashe Sta- At Tokyo’s Aquatics Centre, was brutal,” Stephens said. “We dium would have to show proof 16-year-old Jiang Yuyan won her feel the energy with everyone then suff ered a right thigh in- of at least one vaccine shot. fi rst Paralympic gold in the S6 screaming and yelling.” jury at Cincinnati, but made a Tennis offi cials then extended 50m butterfl y fi nal, after smash- Germany’s Felix Streng (left) celebrates his victory in the men’s 100m Stephens beat Madison Keys solid start. the mandate to anyone attend- ing her own world record in the (T64) final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games yesterday. (AFP) 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7) in a rematch on “I’m confi dent,” Halep said. ing the tournament. heats. Ashe of the 2017 US Open fi nal. “I believed I had a good chance Outside the main entrance at “This is my fi rst Paralympic ghan athletes who escaped from Also stepping onto the podium “We’re both looking to get and I handled well the impor- midday, staff members strug- experience and in terms of my Kabul after the country’s fall to yesterday was Francisca Mar- back that form we had in 2017,” tant points of the match.” gled to direct a sea of people personal goals, it’s a self-confi - the Taliban this month, will take dones Sepulveda, who became Stephens said. “I knew I had to On the men’s side, while top- awaiting admission. dence boost,” the teenager told part in the men’s T47 long jump the fi rst Chilean woman ever to hang in there and fi ght and do ranked Novak Djokovic waits “I’ve been coming since AFP straight after her winning today having arrived too late for win a Paralympic medal in any what I do best, run around and until today to begin his quest for 1963, and this is my last time swim. his favoured T47 100m. Compa- sport. hit balls.” a US Open crown to complete a ever,” Howard Lefkin, 71, said, “Of course, it’s very exciting. triot Zakia Khudadadi will com- The 43-year-old shot putter Halep defeated Italy’s Cam- calendar-year Grand Slam, his explaining that he had spent But most of all, I think it’s the pete in the women’s -49kg K44 won the F54 category and broke ila Giorgi 6-4, 7-6 (3) to book top-seeded rivals take the court. two hours trying to get into the beginning of the next chapter of taekwondo on Thursday. her own world record with a a second-round match against Russian fi fth seed Andrey Ru- grounds. “This is hideous.” my life.” Yesterday also saw the medal throw of 8.33 metres. Slovakian lucky loser Kristina blev advanced by ousting 221st- A handful of fans complained Jiang was nearly killed when ceremony for the winners of the The Chilean competed at the Kucova, who ousted American ranked Ivo Karlovic 6-3, 7-6 (3), to police offi cers or shouted at she was run over by a truck as women’s swimming 4x100m — London and Rio Games in wheel- Ann Li 7-5, 6-1. 6-3 in 96 minutes. The 42-year- staff , vowing to seek refunds. a three-year-old, but by 14 she 34 points, which was delayed chair tennis, but later switched “First round is always a tough of Russia old Croatian was the oldest US Others headed around the sta- was breaking world records and from Sunday after the US team to athletics, and is competing in match so yeah, I’m happy to celebrates a point against Ivo Open qualifi er in the Open Era dium in search of shorter lines. had earned the nickname “Fly- lodged a protest over their dis- shot put, discus and javelin in win,” Halep said. “I’m happy Karlovic of yesterday. (since 1968). “If I knew it would be two ing Fish”. qualifi cation. Tokyo. because I can feel my serve im- (AFP) hours in line, I would have She is the youngest member of The team thought they had “I want to be an inspiration proving.” TWO HOURS IN LINE stayed home,” said Michael Ber- China’s Paralympic team, which come away with the silver, but for other girls that will start ap- The 29-year-old Romanian feel alive on court,” Halep said. Fans attending the US Open man, a 55-year-old attorney continues to top the medal table the second spot was instead proaching the sport to become 12th seed could feel an “Hopefully it will stay like that.” yesterday confronted long from Fair Lawn, New . — as it has at every Games since handed to Australia after judges enthusiastic for it,” she said after intensity from screaming tick- Halep, the 2018 French Open lines at the main gate’s security A USTA spokesman, Chris Athens 2004. disqualifi ed the US side for an il- her win. etholders, who had to prove they and 2019 Wimbledon cham- checkpoint, forcing some ticket Widmaier, said in a state- legal changeover. “I will tell them to believe in were vaccinated to be allowed pion, tore a left calf muscle at holders to wait in the heat for up ment that the organization was ‘AN INSPIRATION FOR OTHER Their protest was denied by their dreams and in themselves, onto the grounds. the Italian Open, missed the to two hours to gain entry. seeking ways to speed up the GIRLS’ a referee and an appeal to a jury thinking that whatever goal they “You feel the energy. You French Open and Wimbledon, The United States Tennis As- process. Hossain Rasouli, one of two Af- was also rejected. have, they can achieve it.”

FOCUS Qatar national team in Europe Qatar Women’s Sport Committee signs agreement with ‘You Are Important’ initiative

QNA the co-operation agreement Doha with the Ministry of Interior, represented by Stadium Secu- rity Section, noting that the atar Women’s Sport Women’s Sport Committee has Committee (QWSC) partnership with all sectors of signed a strategic the Ministry of Interior, espe- partnership agree- cially with the Stadium Security mentQ with the ‘You Are Impor- Section for its infl uential role in tant’ initiative which is imple- the movement. mented by the Stadium Security Supervisor of the ‘You Are Section at the Authorities and Important’ initiative Capt Missions Security Department Saeed Juma al-Hitmi said that of the Ministry of Interior. the partnership contributes to The agreement aims at pro- achieving the common goals moting community awareness and unifying eff orts for the ben- of stadium security, and consol- efi t of all those interested in at- idating the security partnership Assistant Director of the Authorities and Missions Security tending sports events. between the community and se- Department of the Ministry of Interior Brig Gen Jassim Mohamed The signing ceremony was (Above) Qatar players curity services. al-Hail (right) and Assistant Secretary of the Women’s Sport attended by member of Qa- take part in a training The agreement was signed by Committee Maha Yousef al-Abduljabbar signed the agreement. tar Women’s Sport Committee session ahead of their Assistant Director of the Au- Kaltham al-Rumaihi, Supervi- match against Serbia thorities and Missions Security ment, Brig Gen al-Hail said that ness among the members of the sor of the ‘You Are Important’ tomorrow as part of Department of the Ministry of the agreement is a culmination Women’s Sports Committee in initiative Capt Saeed Juma al- the European Qualifiers Interior Brig Gen Jassim Mo- of the joint and fruitful coop- particular and the public in gen- Hitmi, Executive Director of for the FIFA World Cup hamed al-Hail and Assistant eration between the two sides eral, in addition to participating the Women’s Sport Commit- Qatar 2022. (Left) The Secretary of the Women’s Sport and their previous meetings and in the activities and events or- tee Amna al-Qasimi, in addi- match will be played at Committee Maha Yousef al-Ab- educational workshops, aiming ganised by the two parties. tion to the initiative’s team and Nagyerdei Stadion in duljabbar. at enhancing the joint co-oper- Maha al-Abduljabbar ex- members of the Women’s Sport Debrecen, Hungary. Commenting on the agree- ation to spread security aware- pressed pleasure with signing Committee. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, August 31, 2021 SPORT

TENNIS MOTORSPORT ‘Money talks’: Hamilton blasts two-lap Belgian King lauds Osaka Grand Prix ‘farce’

AFP unfortunately they couldn’t see Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium what they came for and paid for. “I love racing in the rain, but today was diff erent. You really orld champion couldn’t see the car in front of for stand on mental Lewis Hamilton de- you. There was aquaplaning. It scribed Sunday’s was unfortunately just a disaster rain-lashed Belgian on the track. You couldn’t really WGrand Prix as “a farce” and said see fi ve metres in front of you, the “money talks” after title rival car in front was disappearing.” Max Verstappen was declared the Hamilton, whose lead over winner at the end of just two laps. Verstappen in the title race is In the shortest race in history now just three points, continued health, racial issues - just 14km - and all behind the his criticism later. “Today was a safety car, the grand prix started farce,” the 36-year-old wrote on three and a half hours late. Instagram. ‘EVERYONE LOVES YOU GUYS. THEY LISTEN TO YOU GUYS, AND I THINK IT’S But after two laps, and with “The only people to lose out the spray fl ying, the race was are the fans. We were sent out for GREAT WHEN YOU TALK AND TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS. KIDS NEED THAT’ abandoned with conditions one reason and one reason only. deemed too dangerous at the “We should have just called it Reuters Ardennes track where Formula 2 quits, not risked the drivers and In this fi le photo taken on February driver Anthoine Hubert lost his most importantly refunded the 18, 2021, Japan’s Naomi Osaka serves life in 2019. fans who are at the heart of all of against Serena Williams of the US “Money talks. It was only two our sport.” ennis great Billie Jean King has during their singles semi-fi nal of the laps for the race to start - it’s all a In a statement, the FIA and praised Naomi Osaka for speak- Australian Open in Melbourne. (AFP) money scenario,” said Hamilton Formula 1 said they were “dis- ing out on mental health is- who was third behind Verstap- appointed for all the fans at the sues and her stand against racial pen and George Russell in the track and at home that today’s Tinjustice. Williams. race could not go to full distance, Japan’s Osaka withdrew from this “So since everyone gets their but the safety of the drivers, year’s French Open after being fi ned and money back, I think the fans marshals and spectators must threatened with expulsion for refusing to should get theirs too because always be the priority.” do media duties, which she said had con- tributed to the depression issues she had struggled with for years. The 23-year-old, a four-times Grand Slam champion, also pulled out of Wim- bledon, leading to a broader conversation about mental health in sport. Osaka was joined by King, mercu- rial Australian Nick Kyrgios and former American player Mardy Fish for a discus- sion hosted by Racquet Magazine on the eve of the US Open. “Everyone loves you guys. They listen to you guys, and I think it’s great when you talk and talk about your feelings. Kids need that,” King, a leading fi gure in Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton reacts after taking third the campaign for gender equality in ten- place on the podium after the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the nis, told Osaka. Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Spa on Sunday. (AFP) “Every time I go to any place now I have to talk about mental health. Why? Because you guys talked about it. That’s fantastic progress.” Perera returns to squad The 77-year-old has in the past lik- for series ened Osaka’s off -court stance to that of the Original Nine, a group of players Batsman has been Kasun Rajitha have been left led by King who fought tirelessly to named in the Sri Lanka squad out. Sri Lanka play South Africa start a professional women’s tennis tour, Konta not sure if she should have taken Covid vaccine for next month’s limited-overs in three one-day internationals which led to the creation of the WTA in home series against South and three T20s, with the first 1973. Osaka was lauded for supporting Britain’s Johanna Konta said on Sunday so I was sleeping or just existing for a few Konta’s compatriot Andy Murray has said Africa after recovering from ODI in on Thursday. the “Black Lives Matter” campaign as she she is still not sure if she should have tak- days,” she told reporters ahead of the US players travelling around the world had a Covid-19, the country’s cricket Sri Lanka squad for the three highlighted racial injustice by wearing en the Covid-19 vaccine despite having Open, which begins on Monday. ‘responsibility’ to get vaccinated. board said yesterday. ODIs and three T20s against diff erent face masks at her 2020 US Open to pull out of the Tokyo Olympics after a “There was also a period there where I “This is a tricky thing to talk about Experienced batsman Dinesh South Africa: matches bearing the names of positive test aff ected her preparations. had to work through my own feelings of because it’s a very inflammatory subject Chandimal and veteran fast Dasun Shanaka (), African Americans who died in recent Konta, who won the Nottingham injustice at all of it, like: ‘Why now?’ sort and there’s no real right answer,” Konta bowler have Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Per- years. grasscourt title in June, was forced to of feeling. I needed a bit of space and a added. also been recalled. era, , Avishka “After my fi rst Slam, I was supposed to withdraw from Wimbledon a day before bit of licking my wounds.” “I don’t want to talk about it because I Perera tested positive for Cov- Fernando, , be the good girl,” Osaka said. the Grand Slam got underway when a When asked if she regretted not taking wouldn’t be able to get my point across id-19 this month, having also Pathum Nissanka, Charith “But now that I’m talking about stuff member of her team tested positive for the vaccine, she said: “I don’t know, I’m without it being a case for argument.” missed the home limited-overs Asalanka, , that bothers me, I think it’s confusing a Covid-19. The 30-year-old then tested not too sure.” Konta returned to action at Cincinnati series against India in July due , Minod Bhanu- lot of people. I honestly don’t know what positive during her self-isolation and said The Briton also said she did not want earlier this month, falling in the first to a shoulder injury. ka, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika people think about me.” Covid had aff ected her both physically to be drawn into an argument about round of the tune-up tournament for New additions include leg- Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, In a social media post on Sunday, Os- and mentally. Covid-19 vaccinations being mandatory the US Open where she plays Kristina spinner Pulina Tharanga and Binura Fernando, Dushmantha aka said she intends to celebrate her own “It was a combination of feeling quite ill to play at certain tournaments. Mladenovic in the first round. batsman Kamindu Mendis, Chameera, , achievements more and will not worry who both impressed during the Praveen Jayawickrema, Lahiru about the expectations others place on authorities for his on-court behaviour, sport’s fi nancial strength would not have ourselves,” she said. “We only had the domestic league this Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka, her as she prepares to begin her US Open said he did not feel the media cared about been possible without the support of the traditional media. So if we don’t get them month, while left-arm spinner Pulina Tharanga, Maheesh title defence. players’ well-being. But King, who won press. “In our generation we played for to tell our story then we wouldn’t have and seamer Theekshana. (Reuters) Kyrgios, who has been punished by 12 Grand Slam singles titles, said the $14 a day and we played for more than what we have today.”

FOOTBALL Arsenal’s steady demise hits rock bottom AFP regas, Robin Van Persie and Samir Dortmund chief scout Sven Mis- London Nasri departed. Despite fan pro- lintat left after just 14 months in tests towards the club’s American 2019 due to diff erences with then billionaire owner Stan Kroenke, head of football Raul Sanllehi. rsenal’s worst start to Arsenal have long since ditched However, Sanllehi also left the a league season for 67 their frugal policy on transfer club last year due to dissatisfac- years will see the Gun- fees. Since Wenger left in 2018, tion with his transfer business. ners spend the next the Gunners have spent £425 mil- Arteta was promoted from fortnightA during an international lion ($585 million) on new sign- head coach to manager, with break bottom of the table with- ings and have the second highest more say over recruitment, after out a point or even a goal to show net spend in the just nine months in the job. from their opening three games. behind Manchester United. Arsenal’s focus now appears ’s position as Even this window they have on youth with all of their summer manager is under increasing been the biggest spenders with signings aged between 21 and 23. pressure with the Spaniard re- £130 million splashed on Ben But that followed the expen- portedly given four more Premier White, Martin Odegaard, Aaron sive mistakes of giving huge con- League games against Norwich, Ramsdale, Nuno Tavares and Al- tracts to players over 30 such as Burnley, Tottenham and Bright- berti Sambi Lokonga. However, former Chelsea duo on to save his job before the Oc- so much of that money has been and Willian, Ozil and current tober international break. wasted. Two years on from a £30 captain Pierre-Emerick Au- To rub salt into Arsenal million move from Saint Etienne, bameyang. Ozil even poked fun wounds, for the fi rst time ever William Saliba is yet to play a game at Arteta after Saturday’s 5-0 they sit bottom of the English for the fi rst team. Young midfi eld- thrashing by Manchester City by top-fl ight table while north Lon- ers Lucas Torreira and Mateo tweeting “trust the process”. don rivals Spurs are top. Guendouzi have been deemed As Arsenal have gone back- However, their decline has surplus to Arteta’s requirements wards, the teams at the elite end been a slow and steady process and farmed out on loan. of the Premier League continue since the fi nal years of Arsene Club record signing Nicolas to improve. City, Chelsea, Man- Wenger’s 22-year reign in charge Pepe has failed to live up to his £72 chester United and Liverpool and has only accelerated since million price tag, while a series of have fi nished in the top four for the Frenchman’s departure. huge pay packets have also been the past two seasons and all look AFP Sport looks at what has wasted and made it diffi cult to even stronger this season for gone wrong for one of English move players on. The club had to their new signings, or in Liver- football’s traditional giants. pay up for the remaining months pool’s case the return from in- on contracts for Mesut Ozil, Sok- jury of a number of key players. SHODDY RECRUITMENT ratis Papastathopoulos and Shko- During Wenger’s reign, Arsenal Long after Wenger’s great sides dran Mustafi before they left for boasted a record only matched of the late 1990s and early 2000s free in January. Should Arteta face by Real Madrid of 19 consecu- stopped winning league titles, he the sack in the coming months, he tive seasons in the Champions managed to keep Arsenal as part will be the third manager in three League. Now they have failed to of the Champions League fabric years to leave the club. qualify for a fi fth straight sea- despite a limited budget to buy Changes have also been con- son and would need a miraculous players and even selling some of stant among the hierarchy. High- turnaround to prevent that streak Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League match against Manchester City at the his best as the likes of Cesc Fab- ly-regarded former Borussia stretching into a sixth year. Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Saturday. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, August 31, 2021 3 SPORT

CRICKET FOCUS to allow limited crowds in Australia cricket New Zealand series

AFP September 17, 19 and 21. The Karachi Twenty20 internationals will be played on September 25, 26 akistan announced and 29 as well as October 1 and yesterday that it will 3. in a ‘better place’ allow a small number Since the Covid-19 outbreak of Covid-19 vacci- last year, Pakistan has hosted Pnated fans at the limited over Zimbabwe and South Africa home series against New Zea- with no crowds allowed. land starting next month. PCB chief executive Wasim New Zealand will play three Khan welcomed the change. one-day internationals and “Spectators are the essence fi ve Twenty20 internationals of any sport event as they cre- aft er talks: Langer on their tour – their fi rst to Pa- ate an ambience and atmos- kistan in 18 years. phere for the players to excel, “The National Command perform and we hope the fans ‘WE ALL GOT A LOT OFF OUR CHESTS. I THINK WE ARE ALL IN A BETTER PLACE NOW’ and Operation Centre (NCOC) will enjoy,” Khan said. has approved 25 percent crowd Pakistan will also host Eng- AFP attendance for the upcoming land for two Twenty20 inter- Sydney Pakistan versus New Zealand nationals on October 14 and 15 series matches,” the Pakistan – both matches in Rawalpindi. Cricket Board said in a state- England’s tour will be their mbattled coach Justin ment. fi rst to Pakistan since 2005. Langer yesterday insist- “The decision means around Pakistan is resuming hosting ed the Australian cricket 4,500 spectators will be able to duties after teams for several team was “in a better attend the ODIs and approxi- years had refused to tour there place”E after clear-the-air talks mately 5,500 spectators will be over security fears. with senior players following able to watch T20Is in Lahore.” In 2009, the Sri Lankan discontent over his management New Zealand will arrive in team’s bus was attacked in La- style. Langer came under intense Islamabad on September 11 hore – forcing the suspension scrutiny in the wake of recent with the three ODIs scheduled of international cricket in Pa- consecutive white-ball series at the Pindi cricket stadium on kistan. losses to the and , with friction over his intense leadership and mood SPOTLIGHT swings again resurfacing. It sparked an emergency meet- ing with Test skipper , his deputy Pat Cummins, lim- Hojgaard becomes ited-overs captain Aaron Finch and executives. Langer admitted it had been 3-time European a “tough” time personally, but said he had learned from the ex- perience, drawing on the darkest Tour winner at 20 moments in his playing career as a parallel. AFP again,” said Hojgaard who joins “I look back at 1993, 1998 and Crans-Montana, Switzerland the likes of Seve Ballesteros, 2001 when I was dropped from Colin Montgomerie and Sergio the Australian team,” he told the Garcia in winning the title. West Australian newspaper as asmus Hojgaard be- “At the moment it’s a bit sur- he aimed to reset ahead of the came a three-time Eu- real. I didn’t expect to be in this upcoming Twenty20 World Cup versations with select players ryone is happy and gets on with tiny amid media reports players friends have reached out to him.” ropean Tour winner at position but it’s amazing. and a home Ashes series against in which numerous issues were things but when you are losing, have tired of his intense coaching Test captain Tim Paine and the age of 20 on Sunday “I knew I had to make a bird- England. “I was devastated when aired. “We all got a lot off our that is when the fi nger-pointing style after disappointing results other senior players have held afterR a bogey-free fi nal round 63 ie (at the 18th) to have a chance they happened and thought they chests,” he said. “I think we are starts and people look for excuses,” on recent limited-overs tours of talks with Langer. gave him a one-shot victory at to maybe get in the play-off , so were amongst the worst times in all in a better place now.” he said. “We have had a rough trot the West Indies and Bangladesh. “As I made really clear to Jus- the European Masters. we were just trying to set up a my life.” While Langer has been widely in recent times but we retained the “I know there’s been a lot of tin, when you’re in that position The Dane was 13-under after chance. “Yet I look back on them now praised for restoring the culture Ashes only a little while ago and negativity the last few weeks, I in Australian sport, whether sinking a nine-foot birdie putt “I made a birdie and then we and realise that those experiences, of the Australian team after the were ranked No.1 in Test and T20 really felt for Justin, I rang Jus- you’re a high-profi le coach or on the 18th. had a bit of a strange ending. It as gutting as they were at the time, 2018 “Sandpaper-gate” scan- cricket not that long ago. tin a few times,” Ponting, who a captain of a national team, if Behind him, closest rival was crazy.” made me stronger and better as a dal in South Africa, rumours “Get back to winning and you captained Australia from 2004 to you’re not getting the results Bernd Wiesberger of Austria Wiesberger, who was har- player,” he added. “The situation of dressing-room friction have won’t hear about anything else.” 2008, told 2GB radio. then you’ve got to expect the found the water at the last to bouring hopes of a late charge at the moment is very tough but I never been far away. Former captain Ricky Pon- “They just got back from that negativity,” Ponting said. surrender a double bogey and into the European Ryder Cup am confi dent that I will become a He was forced to address nega- ting has also lent his support to tough tour of the West Indies “If you wind the clock back not slip to 12 under. team, fi nished alone in second better coach from it.” tive feedback earlier this year ex-teammate as and then Bangladesh, and he was even 12 months ago, the Austral- “I’m very proud. It’s very place, a shot behind Hojgaard. Both Paine and Cricket Aus- when discontent surfaced about the embattled coach attempts to locked up in his hotel room in ian team were the number one- special. It’s an amazing place Henrik Stenson was another tralia chief Nick Hockley have his “headmaster-like” leadership. weather a challenging period at Adelaide, and he was sort of cop- ranked test team and T20 team in and I can’t wait to come back shot back on 11 under. publicly backed Langer, who re- Langer said criticism came with the helm of Australian cricket. ping it left, right and centre. the world, we know all the talent vealed he had held candid con- not winning. “When you win, eve- Langer has come under scru- “Me and a lot of his close is there.”

India all-rounder Sundar ruled out of IPL with fi nger injury

All-rounder was ruled men. His franchise, Royal Challengers shifted to the United Arab Emirates and er Wanindu Hasaranga and fast bowler out of the remainder of this year’s Indian Bangalore (RCB), said in a statement that Oman from India due to the pandemic Dushmantha Chameera to participate in Premier League yesterday due to a finger he would not recover for the IPL, which and will begin right after the IPL. the IPL. But they will not be available for injury, raising doubts over his availability will resume on Sept. 19 in the United Arab Sundar will have no opportunity to prove the playoff s if RCB reach the stage as they for the Twenty20 World Cup later this Emirates. his match fitness for the tournament have been ordered to join the Sri Lanka year. The eight-team IPL was suspended in even if he recovers from the injury, leav- squad on October 10 for two warm-up The 21-year-old Sundar, who off - May after several players and backroom ing India’s selectors with a tricky choice games before the island nation begin spin and is a handy batsman lower down staff tested positive for the novel corona- when they sit down to chose the squad. their T20 World Cup campaign. the order, suff ered the injury in England virus amid a devastating second wave of The RCB, led by India captain , The IPL playoff s are scheduled to start on before being forced out of India’s ongoing Covid-19 in India. received some positive news on Sunday October 10 with the final to be played on Danish golfer Rasmus Hojgaard poses with his trophy after winning five-match test series against Joe Root’s This year’s T20 World Cup was also when cleared all-round- October 15 in Dubai. the PGA European Tour Omega European Masters in Crans-Montana yesterday. (AFP)

GOLF Cantlay edges DeChambeau in epic playoff AFP three PGA Tour playoff events the par-fi ve 12th. That kept his make that putt,” Cantlay said. be. If I look the way I do, it’s be- Washington sends Cantlay into the conclud- nose in front even as Cantlay “That was maybe the only time cause I am locked in and focused, ing Tour Championship atop the birdied 11 and 12, but Cantlay that I really thought I was done. and I felt like that today,” Can- playoff standings and in pole po- pulled level with a 21-foot birdie But he didn’t make it; that’s tlay said. atrick Cantlay drained sition to claim the FedEx Cup top at the 14th. golf.” a 17-foot birdie putt at prize of $15 million. A 340-yard drive in the fair- DeChambeau had another LEADING FINAL-ROUND the sixth playoff hole on Cantlay rolled in a 21-foot way at the par-fi ve 16th set De- chance to put it away at the third SCORES Sunday to deny Bryson birdie putt at the 72nd hole to Chambeau up for another birdie, playoff hole, the par-three (x-won at 6th playoff hole, USA DeChambeauP and win the US pull even, piling the pressure on but Cantlay just wouldn’t go 17th. But after Cantlay two- unless noted, par-72) PGA Tour BMW Championship. DeChambeau who couldn’t get away. putted for par from 24 feet, De- 261-x-Patrick Cantlay 66-63- Cantlay secured his fi fth Tour his 12-foot birdie attempt for the Both were in the fairway at the Chambeau saw his own 17-footer 66-66, Bryson DeChambeau title – and his third of the year – win to drop. fi rst playoff hole, the 18th, De- lip out. 68-60-67-66 when DeChambeau was unable DeChambeau had taken a Chambeau yards ahead. DeChambeau was in trouble 265-Im Sung-jae (KOR) 67-65- to get his own eight-foot birdie one-shot lead with a birdie at the Cantlay’s second shot put him at the fourth playoff hole, hitting 66-67 attempt to drop, an agonising par-fi ve 16th, and appeared to be in deep greenside rough, as De- his tee shot into the stream that 266-Rory McIlroy (NIR) 64-70- defeat for a player who had looks in full control when Cantlay hit Chambeau was on the green in winds up the right side of the 65-67 at potential tournament-win- his tee shot into the water at the two. But Cantlay’s chip kissed 18th hole as Cantlay again found 267-Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 67- ning putts at the 72nd hole and par-three 17th. the cup and holed a fi ve-footer the fairway. 68-67-65 fi rst three playoff holes. But both players ended up coming back for par. But he stuck his third shot fi ve 268-Dustin Johnson 67-70-65- “I’m as focused as I can be on with bogey there, Cantlay mak- DeChambeau couldn’t get his feet from the pin, and after Can- 66, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 65-67- every single shot, and I try not to ing a clutch eight-footer to limit long birdie attempt to fall, mak- tlay could only two-putt for par 67-69 let my mind get past the moment the damage as DeChambeau’s ing his two-footer to send it to from 22 feet, DeChambeau made 269-Sam Burns 64-70-65-70 that I’m in,” Cantlay said. poor chip from the greenside the second extra hole. his par-saving eff ort to extend 270-Alex Noren (SWE) 71-66-67- “Then I kind of let the chips rough left him a 10-footer for par They returned to the 18th, the playoff . 66, Jon Rahm (ESP) 64-66-70-70, fall where they do. I try not to get that he missed. where DeChambeau again had Both then birdied the fi fth Abraham Ancer (MEX) 66-67- caught up in being out-driven 45 The two had been neck-and- a golden opportunity to seal the playoff hole, the 17th, and re- 66-71 yards or whatever it is. I just try neck all day, DeChambeau using win but couldn’t do so. turned again to 18, where De- 271-Harold Varner 67-70-69-65, and lock in and do my absolute his long-hitting aggressive style Cantlay’s poor approach left Chambeau shook off his earlier Webb Simpson 67-72-66-66, Lee best in that moment, and my and Cantlay a more methodical him a lengthy birdie try that error with a booming drive up Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 69-69-66- best is pretty good.” approach. Patrick Cantlay poses with the trophy after winning the BMW Championship came up seven feet short. the middle of the fairway. 67 The last-group playing part- “My game feels really good,” golf tournament in Maryland, USA. (USA TODAY Sports) After he rolled in his par putt, But Cantlay also reached the 272-Tony Finau 67-72-70-63, ners started the day tied for the Cantlay said. DeChambeau stepped up for green in two, and rammed in a Jason Kokrak 73-68-65-66 lead and carded six-under par “It has for a while now, since ies on the front nine, while Can- with three birdies in a row at the his six-foot birdie attempt and 17-foot birdie putt that was good 273-Viktor Hovland (NOR) 70- 66s to fi nish on 27-under 261 the Memorial, and I’m fi nally tlay had four birdies and a bogey 10th, 11th and 12th, bombing a watched in disbelief as it kissed for the victory when DeCham- 69-68-66, Kevin Na 72-65-69-67, – four strokes in front of South starting to putt like me again. It’s as they made the turn tied for the 332-yard drive at the 11th and the edge of the cup and rolled beau missed his own eight-foot Aaron Wise 69-66-71-67, Charl Korean Im Sung-jae. really nice.” lead at 24-under par. making a fi ve-footer for birdie two feet past. birdie attempt. Schwartzel (RSA) 71-66-68-68, The victory in the second of DeChambeau had three bird- DeChambeau edged ahead before rattling in a 10-footer at “I thought he was going to “I’m just as focused as I can Hudson Swaff ord 67-66-68-72.

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

SERIE A FOCUS AC Milan re-sign Chelsea’s Bakayoko on loan Ronaldo AC Milan have signed midfielder Tiemoue Bakay- oko from Chelsea on a two-year loan with an option to make the move permanent, the clubs completes said yesterday. The 27-year-old Frenchman moved Abraham and to Chelsea in 2017 but failed to establish himself medical ahead as regular, spending much of his time out on loan including a previous stint at Milan during the 2018-19 season when he made 42 appearances in of Man United all competitions. He spent the last two seasons on loan at Monaco and Napoli, respectively. “AC Milan Giroud score as move: report is delighted to announce the signing of (Bakayoko) from Chelsea FC on a two-year loan, which could Reuters turn into an obligation if certain conditions are Lisbon, Portugal met,” the club said in a statement. Milan, who beat Cagliari 4-1 on Sunday, have won both their league games so far and sit fourth in the Serie ristiano Ronaldo completed a A table. Milan, Roma win medical in Lisbon over the week- end ahead of his return to Man- Suarez to miss WC chester United and he has agreed Milan bag 4-1 win over Cagliari, while Roma rout Salernitana 4-0 Cpersonal terms on a two-year contract qualifi ers with knee issue with the Premier League club, Sky Sports AFP reported yesterday. Atletico Madrid forward Luis Suarez will miss Uru- Milan, Italy United said last week they had agreed a guay’s World Cup qualifiers next month because of deal to re-sign Ronaldo from Juventus after a knee problem, the Spanish club said yesterday. he told the Serie A club he had no intention Suarez, who scored in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Villar- livier Giroud and of staying, but the transfer was still subject real before being substituted, had been due to join Tammy Abraham to the agreement of personal terms and a up with his national team for games against Peru, both got off the mark medical. Bolivia and Ecuador. “In the MRI scan undertaken in Serie A on Sun- The clubs have yet to confi rm the Por- by the player, a moderate edema was detected on dayO as the former Chelsea men tugal forward’s transfer. The Premier the posterior part of his left knee,” Atletico said helped their new teams AC Mi- League’s summer transfer window closes in a statement. “The club’s medical services have lan and Roma to comfortable on Tuesday at 2200 GMT. informed the Uruguayan Federation and the player victories which gave them two Sky reported the fee agreed for the has been ruled out of joining up for the 2022 World wins from the season’s opening 36-year-old Portuguese was around 15mn Cup the qualifying matches.” two fi xtures. euros ($17.70mn) plus a further 8mn euros France forward Giroud, who in add-ons. Sevilla ask for Barca game to has not been picked for Les United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Bleus’ upcoming World Cup was relishing Ronaldo’s return and said on be postponed qualifi ers, bagged a brace in a Sunday that the announcement would be 4-1 win over Cagliari at the San made once the paperwork was done. Sevilla and have requested that the Spanish Siro while Abraham scored in a With the league paused for the interna- Football Federation (RFEF) postpones the club’s 4-0 rout at promoted Salerni- tional break, Ronaldo is expected to play game against Barcelona scheduled for Sept 11, Se- tana. his fi rst game when United host Newcastle villa said yesterday. They made the decision after Both strikers left European United at old Traff ord on Sept 11. the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected La Liga’s champions Chelsea this sum- Ronaldo won eight major trophies at move to stop the South American CONMEBOL mer in the search of more regu- United from 2003-2009, and the Ballon World Cup qualifying window being extended. The lar football and have got off to d’Or as the world’s best player in 2008, two-day extension was granted by FIFA in order to quick starts in Italy. before sealing a then world record 80mn- help national teams get in fixtures that were post- Giroud has been given the pound ($110.1mn) move to Real Madrid. poned in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The number nine jersey at Milan and international fixture window in South America will scored the third and fourth in an now end on Sept. 10 and many teams have players easy victory at the San Siro. scheduled to take part in domestic games 24 hours His name was sung by a large AC Milan’s Olivier Giroud celebrates his goal during the Serie A match against Cagliari at San Siro in later, including the Sevilla versus Barca clash. The portion of the 31,000 Milan Milan, Italy, on Sunday. (Reuters) same issue is set to arise in October, with the CON- fans present, who watched their MEBOL window extended again to accommodate team run riot in a highly enter- 12th minute lead with a stun- 34-year-old stepped up and zo Pellegrini and a third goal in extra fixtures. taining fi rst half which won the ning free-kick which was also stroked the spot-kick home. two games from Jordan Veretout match for Stefano Pioli’s team. his fi rst Milan goal, and Rafael gave the capital club a deserved Henry to stay with Belgium “I am very proud to play for Leao claimed the second after ABRAHAM ON TARGET win. Milan and to play in the San Siro Alessandro Deiola’s surprise Abraham meanwhile crashed “I was perfectly calm right through to 2022 World Cup stadium. It is a great emotion,” header levelled the scores. home the third in the 69th from the start. The team played Giroud said. Giroud then artfully guided minute at Salernitana as a fl urry really well... Again tonight, we Former France forward Thierry Henry will be a “I believe in myself and in home his fi rst Milan goal fol- of second half goals gave Jose dominated the match,” said member of Belgium’s coaching team through to the my abilities. As a child I used lowing a superb run and pass Mourinho’s team a comprehen- Mourinho. 2022 World Cup, the national side said yesterday. to watch Van Basten, Papin and from Brahim Diaz, and when sive win in the Italian south. Both teams sit in a pack of fi ve Henry was previously in the coaching setup under Inzaghi and wearing this shirt Kevin Strootman’s Roma struggled to break on a perfect six points, which Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo attends a Roberto Martinez as Belgium reached the 2018 makes me happy.” was judged to have taken place down the hosts in the opening also includes leaders Lazio, In- training session in Oeiras, outskirts of World Cup semi-finals, rising to assistant manager Sandro Tonali gave Milan a in the penalty area by VAR, the period but a double from Loren- ter Milan and Napoli. Lisbon, yesterday. (AFP) before embarking on his own managerial career. The former Arsenal player had an unsuccessful spell in charge of French side AS Monaco from 2018-19, SPOTLIGHT before becoming coach of MLS team Montreal Atletico avoid defeat Impact. He left the Canadian club in February, saying he wanted to be closer to his London-based by Villarreal with family, before re-joining Belgium in June for their last-gasp own goal beIN Sports to broadcast World Cup 2022 Euro 2020 campaign. That deal has been extended until the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when a Liga champions Atletico Madrid Martinez’s contract is also due to expire. snatched a 2-2 draw at home to European and CONMEBOL qualifi ers LVillarreal on Sunday after an as- Man United’s Diallo out for tonishing own goal in the final seconds By Sports Reporter as national teams compete to The CONMEBOL qualifi - main teammates. from Aissa Mandi. Doha book their place in the upcom- ers continue on Thursday with Duncan Walkinshaw, Acting six weeks, loan move on hold Villarreal looked to be heading for an ing FIFA World Cup. The 2018 Bolivia taking on Colombia at Director of Programs for beIN unlikely victory when new signing World Cup champions France 23:00. On Friday, COPA Amer- Mena said: “With just under 450 Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has suf- Arnaut Danjuma restored their lead in eIN Media Group, the will face Bosnia and Herzegovi- ica 2021 champions Argentina days to go until the FIFA World fered a thigh injury and will be out for six weeks, the 74th minute after Luis Suarez had global sports and enter- na in Group D at 21:45 on beIN take on Venezuela at 3:00 on Cup Qatar 2022, the European putting his planned loan move to Dutch side cancelled out Manu Trigueros’ opening tainment broadcaster, Sports Premium 1. beIN Sports Premium 1 while and CONMEBOL qualifi ers is Feyenoord on hold, the Premier League club said strike earlier in the second half. and its fl agship sports Taking part in the European Chile faces Brazil at 4:00 on an exciting opportunity for our yesterday. “Amad has sustained a thigh muscle in- But in the fifth minute of stoppage time bchannels beIN Sports is set to qualifi ers as a guest nation, the beIN Sports Premium 2. viewers to witness the national jury in training and is likely to be out for six weeks,” Atletico’s Saul Niguez sent a hopeful host an exciting line up of FIFA Qatar national team continues On Sunday, heavyweights teams compete for a place in Manchester United said in a statement. “Unfortu- ball upfield and Algerian defender World Cup Qatar 2022 Europe- its preparations for the FIFA Brazil and Argentina go head- the biggest upcoming football nately, this happened just before his planned loan Mandi rose to head it back towards an and CONMEBOL qualifi ers World Cup Qatar 2022 with to-head in an exciting fixture tournament in the world. As the move to Feyenoord. Amad will remain at United goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, instead live and exclusively across 24 matches against Serbia tomor- at 22:00 on beIN Sports Pre- offi cial broadcaster of the FIFA and rehabilitate back to full fitness.” The 19-year- glancing into his own net to the horror countries in the Middle East and row at 21:45 on beIN Sports 1 mium 2 where Lionel Messi World Cup in the Mena region, old international, who joined United of his teammates. North Africa (Mena). and against the 2016 UEFA Euro and Neymar may face each we are delighted to showcase all from Italian side Atalanta in January, has made (Reuters) Starting tomorrow, the Eu- champions Portugal on Satur- other for the first time since the action on the road to 2022.” eight appearances for the club, scoring one goal. ropean qualifi ers will continue day at 19:45. becoming Paris Saint-Ger-

BOTTOMLINE Aston Villa, Argentina on collision course over World Cup qualifi ers

Reuters London, England African teams must juggle selection aft er British ban frica kicks off the Liberia on Friday but for of Tottenham for their rgentina said on Sunday As- group phase of its a more diff icult Group C first game in Mozambique ton Villa’s Emiliano Martinez AWorld Cup qualifiers game away to the Cape on Friday but they will be and Emiliano Buendia were tomorrow with countries Verde Islands on Tuesday available for the crunch available for all three of their having to juggle their line- must do without eight play- Group D game against SeptemberA World Cup qualifi ers, de- ups because of the refusal ers based in England and Cameroon in Abidjan on spite the Premier League club saying of British clubs to release Scotland, including midfield Monday. the players had agreed to only take part some of their best players general Wilfred Ndidi and The match between the in the fi rst two. for some matches. his Leicester City team Ivorians, who won the Goalkeeper Martinez and winger Most come from the Pre- mate Kelechi Iheanacho African Cup of Nations Buendia have been called up for Argen- mier League, which refused because the archipelago is in 2015, and Cameroon, tina’s triple header against Venezuela Cavani’s Uruguay call-up cancelled permission for players on the red list. who succeeded them two (Sept 2), Brazil (Sept 5) and Bolivia (Sept to head to countries on Ghana will have five years later, is the pick of 9) in their 2022 World Cup qualifying due to quarantine rules the British government’s English-based players the games in the first two campaign. Covid-19 red list who would Liverpool’s Salah. available for their Group rounds of qualifying, which The Premier League had said clubs Manchester United striker ’s Uruguay call-up for next month’s be forced to quarantine for G home match on Friday runs from Wednesday to would not release players if matches were World Cup qualifiers has been cancelled due to quarantine rules, Uruguay’s 10 days on their return. are playing in countries against Ethiopia but they Tuesday, Sept 7. in a country on the UK’s red list, but Mar- football association (AUF) said yesterday. Premier League clubs last week unani- Egypt must do without tal- on the amber list and cannot then travel to red- The 40 countries are tinez and Buendia fl ew out to join their mously decided not to release players for international duty that required travel isman Mohamed Salah for are therefore available listed South Africa for their divided into 10 groups of teammates in Buenos Aires after Satur- to countries on the UK’s Covid-19 red list. People travelling to red-list countries their home match against for Senegal and next game on Monday. four with only the winners day’s 1-1 draw with Brentford. are required to quarantine for 10 days after returning, and Cavani would have Angola on Friday but could respectively in both their The Ivory Coast, who advancing to two-legged Aston Villa said on their website that missed the league game against Newcastle United on Sept 11 and the Champi- use him away against scheduled qualifiers over dropped both Wilfried Zaha playoff s in March, which the two players had agreed to make them- ons League clash against Young Boys three days later. AUF said the 34-year-old Gabon next week. the next seven days. and Nicolas Pepe, cannot will decide the five African selves available for the fi rst two qualifi ers Cavani will not be involved against Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador due to “the situa- His Liverpool teammates have a full con- use Eric Bailly of Manches- teams for Qatar 2022. but would not take part in the third. tion for players coming from England”. Sadio Mane and Naby Keita tingent at home against ter United or Serge Aurier (Reuters) “These arrangements mean that Martinez and Buendia will only miss However, a spokesperson for the Ar- “Our players are scheduled for three “We now expect the release of play- day’s CAS ruling,” it said. “We have to obey the government our Premier League match with Chel- gentine Football Association said both knockout dates and that’s it,” said the ers for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno law,” he said. “We will try to do so but at sea before being available for the visit players would be available for all three spokesperson. qualifi ers in South America to occur in Espirito Santo, who saw Giovani Lo the same time we don’t have any kind of of Everton to Villa Park on Sept. 18th games and cited an earlier Court of Ar- Football’s world governing body FIFA accordance with the recent FIFA de- Celso and Cristian Romero called up help from FIFA, the government or the in order to comply with the UK’s Covid bitration for Sport (CAS) ruling against said it expected players to be allowed to cision, the legality and legitimacy of by Argentina, wanted clarity on the Premier League in support in this situ- quarantine regulations.” La Liga on a similar issue. play for their countries. which has today been recognised in to- issue. ation.”