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Saturday, August 1, 2020 FOOTBALL Dhul-Hijjah 11, 1441 AH Lazio’s Immobile set GULF TIMES for coronation as Europe’s goal king SPORT Page 3

HORSE RACING Qatar International Stakes fi tting fi nale to Goodwood Ebraz and Tayf will go head-to-head in the Arabian feature today; Battaash wins King George Qatar Stakes on Day 4

Agencies be involved in a horse like him until well inside the fi nal furlong is trained by Haggas and was Chichester, United Kingdom just means everything really. He that she was in the clear to deliver ridden by Marquand. The Roger has broken his own track record. a challenge but when she did, she Varian-trained Khaloosy fi nished It is brilliant. Four consecutive quickened tremendously to get third with Crowley in the saddle. he Qatar International Group Twos takes some doing up on the line and score by a short Hills said: “Tilsit has done so Stakes (Group 1 PA) will and I am just so proud of him. head for trainer William Haggas well. He had two runs at New- be a fi tting fi nale to the Battaash is not the biggest horse and jockey Tom Marquand. castle which is a completely dif- 2020 edition of the Qatar in the world, but he is well-bal- Valeria Messalina, trained by ferent track to Goodwood and it GoodwoodT Festival today, with anced and a true athlete really. He Jessica Harrington, was the run- was his fi rst start on turf – he has past winners — His Highness might only have two more runs ner-up under Frankie Dettori. really stepped up. It was a good Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al- this year and for a six-year-old, Charlie Appleby’s trainee Alth- step forward really. He has beaten Thani’s Ebraz (2019 winner and he is lightly-raced really. We’ll iqa fi nished third under William two very nice horses. We’ll see the world’s highest-rated Ara- keep going until he tells us he is Buick. how he is tomorrow morning and bian) and His Highness Sheikh not what he is today,” Hills said Haggas said: “That is our 30th go from there – we could maybe Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s after the win. winner in July. I get all the glory come back here for the Celebra- Tayf (2017 winner) — going head- The eight-race card also in- and my team do all the work. Tom tion Mile.” to-head yet again. cluded three other black type managed to get out and it was Yesterday, however, it was Bat- races — the Saint Clair Oak Tree great – she has a terrifi c turn of PROMPTING TOP GOLDEN taash that lit up the Qatar Good- Stakes (Group 3) for three-year- foot in this company. We are go- MILE HANDICAP wood Festival with his fourth old and older fi llies and mares ing to York now for a Group Two Prompting, trained by David straight victory in the King over seven furlongs, the Bonhams race and then the Foret (Group 1 O’Meara, was the well-sup- George Qatar Stakes (Group 2), Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3) Longchamp, October, a race One ported favourite for the Unibet beating his own course record. for three-year-olds over a mile, Master won in 2018 and 2019).” Golden Mile Handicap and amply The day’s feature was a fi ve- and the L’Ormarins Queen’s justifi ed his position at the head furlong sprint for three-year-old Plate Glorious Stakes (Group 3) TILSIT CLAIMS BONHAMS of the market with a comfortable and older horses and the Charlie for four-year-olds and older over STAKES victory. Hills-trained Battaash won the a mile and three furlongs. Tilsit landed the Group 3 race run Travelling well, under Harry contest in a time of 55.62s, a new over a mile for three-year-olds Bentley, behind the leaders, the course record. ONE MASTER LEAVES IT LATE for trainer Hills and jockey Ryan four-year-old Bated Breath geld- Ridden by Jim Crowley, Bat- One Master justifi ed her position Moore. The winner, a colt by First ing took the lead entering the taash was in front after the fi rst as a market leader for the Saint Defence, began to make progress fi nal furlong and without be- two furlongs and never in any Clare Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3), three furlongs from home. As he ing asked any serious questions serious danger thereafter. Com- Jim Crowley rides Battaash to King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2) at Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday. getting up on the line to take the entered the fi nal furlong, he hung scored by a length and a half from ing home, he continued to win PICTURE: Goodwood honours. Entering the fi nal two signifi cantly towards the rail, top-weight Urban Icon, who is by two lengths and a quarter, furlongs, it was not clear if a gap hampering My Oberon. Tilsit trained by Richard Hannon and beating Tom Eaves-ridden Glass Griffi ths, fi nished third under we are very proud to have a horse lucky to have six-year-olds like would appear for the six-year- kept on well despite hanging, was ridden by Pat Dobbs. Afaak, Slippers, trained by Kevin Ryan, Oisin Murphy. like him in the yard. He is a six- Battaash, Enable and Stradivar- old Fastnet Rock mare as she coming out on top by a length trained by Hills was third under while Ornate, trained by David “Battaash is so talented and year-old now and racing is so ius still doing their stuff . Just to raced close to the rail. It was not and a half from My Oberon, who Dane O’Neill.

FORMULA 1 Stroll fastest as Hulk returns at Racing Point Reuters Silverstone, United Kingdom Racing Point boss says F1 Covid-19 code anadian Lance Stroll led may need tightening the way for Mercedes- lookalikes Racing Point Reuters stark reminder that these proce- in British Grand Prix Silverstone, United Kingdom dures are here for a reason”. practiceC yesterday while Red Szafnauer said the Mexican, Bull’s Alex Albon crashed and who flew on a private plane, had brought out red fl ags. ormula One teams may done nothing wrong in going to Nico Hulkenberg meanwhile need to keep drivers one of the countries worst hit signed on as a stand-in team- Fwithin protective ‘bubbles’ by the virus and had no clause mate for Stroll after Mexican all season after Sergio Perez in his contract ruling out such Sergio Perez tested positive for contracted Covid-19 following trips. Covid-19. a trip home to Mexico, Racing “I think it’s no diff erent to Ferrari The team owner’s son lapped Point boss Otmar Szafnauer going back to Italy,” he said. the former World War Two air- suggested yesterday. “There are many people that are fi eld with a best time of one Racing Point’s Perez went into in hotspots all around the world. minute 27.274 seconds — mar- quarantine after the posi- A big contingent of our factory ginally quicker than Max Ver- tive test ruled him out of this live in Northampton, and North- stappen’s best eff ort of the weekend’s British Grand Prix, ampton was shut down as well.” morning for Red Bull. and quite likely the following A small group of employees Verstappen, whose teammate Sunday’s 70th Anniversary race The sport has been operating who came into contact with Albon crashed at Stowe in the af- at Silverstone. in ‘bubbles within bubbles’ at Perez were self-isolating as a ternoon but still ended up second Asked whether the sport’s racetracks, with groups of em- precaution but Szafnauer said overall, managed a 1:27.422 in a novel coronavirus code needed ployees kept apart from others none had tested positive. sizzlingly hot opening session Racing Point driver Lance Stroll steers his car during the first practice session for the British Grand Prix at tightening, Szafnauer agreed it within the same team to limit Three were present, but in a when Stroll was third fastest. the Silverstone circuit yesterday. (Below) Nico Hulkenberg. (AFP / RacingPointF1) might be something to consider. the spread of coronavirus. separate room and wearing The Dutchman was only 14th “In hindsight... perhaps we The teams are also separated masks, when Perez did a session after lunch when he was blocked and third fastest in the respective name on the screens, the expe- should look at that, change the from each other and races run in the simulator while the others on his sole attempt at a quick lap. sessions, in the standings by fi ve rienced driver walking back into code and say throughout the without spectators. Even the se- were his physio and a personal Hulkenberg, back for what points after three races. the paddock 10 minutes before season you stay within your lect group of reporters allowed assistant. may be two races, looked like Ferrari had Charles Leclerc the start of the session to take bubble,” he told a video news into the media centre can only Formula One’s original Austral- he’d never been away after lap- fi fth and fourth but the Mon- over the Mexican’s ‘Pink Mer- conference. talk to drivers and team off icials ian season-opener in Melbourne ping ninth and seventh fastest egasque’s teammate Sebastian cedes’. “I don’t know. That’s something remotely. in March was cancelled due to respectively for a team whose car Vettel was sidelined for the open- Wearing a spare pair of Stroll’s for the (governing) FIA to Everybody must also test nega- a McLaren employee testing is subject to an ongoing protest ing session after Ferrari detected overalls, the German acquitted consider. tive before they can enter the positive. over its legality. something wrong with his car’s himself well. “I read through the code a cou- paddock at the start of an event The bubble system was Mercedes six times Formu- intercooler system and decided Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Gio- ple of times now and it is a living but are given freedom of move- designed after that to limit la One world champion Lewis to strip it down. vinazzi brought out red fl ags at document. They say at the very ment in between races when contagion, keep teams safe and Hamilton was second and fi fth in The German was then 18th af- the half hour mark after spin- beginning, from time to time not back-to-back. enable them to slot staff in and the sessions run in front of empty The Briton, a six times win- ter lunch, when Ferrari decided to ning at the exit to Becketts in the as we learn this will change, so Red Bull boss Christian Horner out without jeopardising the grandstands with spectators not ner at Silverstone, leads Finnish change his car’s pedals. morning, leaving debris across perhaps that will change.” said Perez’s result served as “a overall event. allowed due to the pandemic. teammate Valtteri Bottas, sixth Hulkenberg was the ‘new’ the track. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, August 1, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS GA’s partnership with Leeds elevated by EPL promotion SC’s Nasser al-Khori talks about Generation Amazing’s programme and the partnership with Leeds and Sheff ield

eeds United’s promotion want and what the needs are What is the future for Genera- to the Premier League is for their communities. Leeds tion Amazing? a huge boost to the club’s expressed an interest because Generation Amazing is four partnership with Genera- there’s a big number of refugees year project going beyond the Ltion Amazing (GA), Qatar’s ‘foot- around the club. We wanted to World Cup and closer to the ball for development’ programme create a more inclusive society tournament we’re going to break which is central to its World Cup involving refugees around a club away and become a stand-alone legacy. community. One project can be foundation so it can continue af- Nasser al-Khori, Director of the league, another can be work- ter the World Cup, like any other Programmes at the Supreme ing with the club to see how we football for development foun- Committee for Delivery and Leg- can deliver more sessions by go- dation. We don’t want it just to acy, spoke about that and much ing to schools, connecting with be linked to an event and then it’s more with Gulf Times London parents, by bringing them to the done. We want it to carry on. Correspondent, Anthony Har- club to meet others, and being wood. reintegrated in a more comfort- How important is football for able way. It’s not necessarily to the mental health and well- Can you talk about the Leeds play football professionally – being of children, something partnership? more a development programme which is at the centre of the We launched it last year at one to help underprivileged youth legacy you want to achieve? of the home games at Leeds Unit- and refugees in the UK. Football is a very unifying ed, at the Elland Road stadium. game – it’s almost magical how The partnership emerged with a Your Generation Amazing football unites people. We al- lot of diff erent outcomes over the partnership with Leeds has ways talk about accessibility and last couple of months, especially been given a big boost by the reaching diff erent people. The with the current situation with club’s promotion to the Pre- online world means we can reach Covid-19. But despite that we’ve mier League, isn’t it? anyone in the world who has ac- been able to do a lot of diff er- I think given that this partner- cess to the Internet. ent and exciting initiatives with ship is a four-year partnership Physical and mental health Leeds and Sheffi eld FC, including I’m very excited and delighted has been aff ected by this pan- the ongoing GALive sessions on that Leeds are returning to the demic and we see how important social media platforms, in terms Premier League. We’re all happy it is especially for young people of developing the long-term for Leeds for that. It will defi nite- to stay physically and mentally programme for refugees and un- ly elevate the partnership with healthy. derprivileged youth around both Generation Amazing, because we Every day at 4.30pm we have Leeds and Sheffi eld. The idea will be developing more projects live sessions and that helps create was always that there’d be some Nasser al-Khori, Director of to be rolled out in the community a sense of routine that has been kind of tournament and we’d do Programmes at the Supreme in Leeds and we’re committed to disrupted or lost during the pan- a ‘train the trainer’ model, and Committee for Delivery and Leeds United players Pablo Hernandez, Tyler Roberts and Kalvin Phillips warming up at Elland Road in positively impacting the lives of demic. It has created a very posi- we’d build a physical league for Legacy Generation Amazing shirts. people around the club tive outcome and that’s the rea- these underprivileged and disad- It’s a four-year partnership son we will continue to do these vantaged refugee communities. lot of interest in them because vocacy component to Generation that goes beyond the World Cup sessions post Covid-19, and con- they’re a big name and they’ve Amazing and they are used as in 2022 so obviously we’re go- tinue these online engagements. Is that happening? been out of the top fl ight for ambassadors to spread the move- ing to see how the vehicle of the Because of the current situ- 16 years. How does your part- ment in their own community. World Cup can be used to elevate How many youth advocates ation we weren’t able to launch nership with the club work? They would come to us when this partnership and to create have been trained by you, and it’s been delayed. But we’ve We have dealings with the club they need support, if they need more awareness in terms of the people from disadvantaged been able to do a lot online. We and the academy there. Last year supplies, balls, kits we would football for development move- backgrounds who to go back haven’t stopped the partnership our Master Coach, Michael Rich- send them all that and they ment that we all believe in. to their communities and but expanded it to include wider ardson, fl ew over to deliver train- would deliver these sessions in The disadvantaged popula- spread the Generation Amaz- things, with ‘train the trainer’ ing sessions on the Sheffi eld FC their communities. tions around Leeds want us to ing word? sessions online. They’ve all been Coach and Horses Ground. We They could use their schools – help them integrate them with About 1,500. It’s very empow- on Instagram and Facebook Live. delivered the ‘Football for De- in AS Roma we had kids deliver society and give them a better ering when you hear their stories The Sheffi eld FC Football Foun- velopment’ Generation Amazing sessions in their PE class. life and a better future, inspiring and how it off ers them a life they dation Director, Chris Dolby, is sessions, which is a three-day At the Doha festival we had some of the youth and the leaders would not otherwise have re- featured on one of our GALive session where we delivered life chaperones who were coaches of their community. That’s the ceived. chats where he discusses the skills, communication, team- that had been trained by GA and narrative that we want to form. partnership with us and how work and leadership workshops were part of Leeds entourage, I can’t fi nish without men- we’re using football for develop- which is the curriculum we have and helped us by delivering the I saw a very inspirational tioning the World Cup. It’s ment to inspire youth across the adopted over the last couple of sessions. video of how you took chil- now two years since the last community. People can tune in years, which is aligned with UN dren from around the world World Cup and two years until and ask us questions. sustainable development goals, Do you envisage all these peo- to watch and be part of the yours in Qatar. You’re enter- and which promotes diversity, ple getting together and play- World Cup in South Africa in ing the home straight and this How does the tie-up with inclusion, equal rights and com- ing each other on day? 2010. So you were doing that is where the fun starts isn’t it? Leeds United work? mon solidarity as well as other We’ve been in touch with plac- before you even won the bid to One of the things we have pro- We have bi-weekly calls not themes we promote through (From left) Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani, club’s Director es like Roma, Eupen, Leeds and host the tournament? moted is inclusion – we want to just with Leeds, but with PSG, football. So we do a lot of diff er- of Education Spencer Taylor, Sheff ield FC Director of Football Chris Sheffi eld and there’s an impetus It was not about us winning or make sure we include all people AS Roma, Eupen in Belgium and ent drills and activities on the Dolby and Generation Amazing Executive Director Mushtaq al-Waeli to create a network so the teams not winning the bid. It was about when it comes to races, nation- Sheffi eld. We’re also expanding pitch. at Elland Road stadium. can play together. That’s an idea giving back and using football alities, gender, their religion, the list to include other clubs in which is being explored a bit fur- and specifi cally the World Cup whatever their background. South America, and we recently How did the sessions operate? hosted in Doha last December. AS Roma and all the other clubs ther down the line after corona- to help refugees in the region. The World Cup has always hosted Flamengo which is a club The trainer sessions were de- The idea was to bring together that I mention. Plus delegations virus, maybe in 2021 or 2022 dur- The issue in Syria was very fresh been seen as an opportunity to in Brazil. We’re currently in con- livered to the refugee and disad- from across the world diff erent from the 30 communities and the ing the year we host the World at the time, the Rohingya refu- bring the Middle East together versation with Real Madrid, and vantaged members of the com- partners and diff erent NGOs who ten countries we operate in – Pa- Cup when countries can come gees, mass migration popula- and closer with other parts of the FC Barcelona have also expressed munity, the youth populations work in this world of football de- kistan, Nepal, Jordan, India. PSG together and we can have a mini- tions around Jordan, a lot of world as well. an interest in our initiatives and around the club, but the concept velopment. We had FIFA Founda- had an academy and they wanted World Cup for these refugees and people leaving Palestine. So our This is very much in line with we’re also in negotiation with was to create some kind of league tion as a partner and it was held to deliver a workshop. There were disadvantaged children. leadership decided we wanted to our religion and culture, of Islam them as well. and we were in conversations at Qatar Foundation. We used the FIFA legends coming in giving use football to give young peo- being a unifying religion and all with Leeds and Sheffi eld on that. Oxygen Park and fl ew in a del- motivational talks. What about the interest from ple a brighter future to help and people and all races are equal. It’s Now that Leeds United have egation of six people from all the youngsters in the UK? inspire them to help themselves an opportunity for the world to been promoted to the Premier Tell me about the Generation clubs, so Leeds sent a delegation, What is the next stage? It’s always interesting to hear through the game, basically. come and visit Qatar in 2022 and League there is going to be a Amazing youth festival you Sheffi eld sent a delegation, from Basically we have a youth ad- from the clubs about what they see what we’re all about.

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT Celtic quest for historic 10-in-a-row EPL looking at clinical passports for fans’ return piles pressure on Rangers and Gerrard “We are considering all areas of a AFP London, United Kingdom match day, from ticketing solutions, AFP Celtic manager Neil Lennon. “I know The squabbling that engulfed the stadium seating allocation confi gura- London, United Kingdom it’s been on the tip of a lot of our sup- Scottish game as Rangers sought an tion and timed entries, to temperature porters’ tongues and we’ll be going all independent investigation into the linical passports may be the checks and an in-seat food and drink out to do it.” vote that saw league tables decided solution in getting fans back service for fans,” said Masters. eltic launch their quest for Celtic have been quiet in the trans- on points-per-game highlighted the to football stadia, the Premier “We will work with local authori- a record 10th consecutive fer market other than the £4.5mn landmark staging post that is nine- League’s chief executive Rich- ties and clubs to seek solutions to local Scottish Premiership title ($5.9mn) signing of Greek interna- in-a-row in Scotland. Card Masters said yesterday. transport challenges such as introduc- this weekend, with Rangers tional goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas. Rangers have turned a loan deal for Masters says having defi ed the scep- ing additional car parking and secure managerC Steven Gerrard under in- However, unlike recent seasons when Ianis Hagi, son of Romanian great Ghe- tics in resuming and bringing the season bicycle spaces and implementing park- tense pressure to stop them. Moussa Dembele, Stuart Armstrong orghe Hagi, into a permanent transfer to a climax — behind closed doors — af- and-walk schemes.” Nearly fi ve months after the coro- and Kieran Tierney departed, they have and fl eshed out their squad with the ter the hiatus caused by the coronavirus Masters said bringing fans back was navirus shut down Scottish football, so far kept hold of key players, despite additions of goalkeeper Jon McLaugh- pandemic, the next step was to resolve vital not only for their teams on the pitch the 2020/21 season starts today with admiring glances from some of Eu- lin and defenders Calvin Bassey and the supporters’ conundrum. but for a variety of reasons off it too. the battle for supremacy in Glasgow as rope’s heavyweight clubs for Odsonne Leon Balogun on free transfers. The 2020/21 Premier League and low- “The importance of fans is not only fi erce as ever despite the empty stands. Edouard and Kristoff er Ajer. But the club were already relying on er-tier English Football League begin related to the match-day experience and Celtic and Rangers have each Rangers manager Steven Gerrard. investors to cover a loss of £11mn in their new seasons on September 12 and team performance,” he said. achieved nine titles in a row before, GERRARD CHALLENGE Gerrard’s fi rst season before corona- Masters said in a column for The Times “Without them, there is also a signifi - but neither Celtic’s European Cup- For Rangers boss Gerrard, the time edged the gap the former England virus closed stadiums. that every solution was being examined cant fi nancial impact on clubs at all lev- winning side that won nine titles from has come to prove he can achieve as captain had to bridge when he took “We need more,” Gerrard said after to give fans the chance to watch their els of the game, and their cities, towns 1965 to 1974, nor Rangers cast of stars a manager what he failed to do in his the job in May 2018. completing an impressive pre-season team again. and communities.” that reigned from 1988 to 1997, could storied playing career at Liverpool — Gerrard has made the blue side of unbeaten with notable victories over “We are also willing to see how we Masters, though, urged patience as complete a full decade of dominance. win a league title. Glasgow a respected force in Europe Lyon and Nice. “I have told the club can support the development of “clini- the solutions will not be found quickly. The current Celtic squad look well No Rangers manager has ever failed again at Europa League level and that. I’ve been honest and open with cal passports” — an app-based system “There is still a lot to be done, and it set to succeed where those two great to win a trophy in his fi rst two seasons beaten Celtic home and away in one- what I feel we need. that looks at all symptoms and other will not happen overnight,” he said. sides fell short as the economic con- in charge and been given the opportu- off matches. “In terms of where we are at from a Covid-19 contributing factors — as well “We must test and prove what is pos- sequences of the pandemic have left nity for a third. But when the Covid-19 pandemic fi nancial point of view, they are ques- as other measures,” he wrote. sible, in tandem with the authorities, little chance for others to catch up. Circumstances have given Gerrard ended the 2019-20 Scottish season, tions for other people — but I have Masters said the EPL was seeking to within a framework that is fl exible and “Going for the 10, it’s historic, it’s that chance. Even the historically de- Rangers were 13 points adrift of their made it quite clear that we need to add work with local councils on transport can adapt to fast-moving circumstances momentous and very special,” said manding Rangers support acknowl- bitter rivals at the top of the table. to what we’ve got.” solutions. and developing expertise.” Gulf Times Saturday, August 1, 2020 3 FOOTBALL

TOP OF THE LINE FA Cup fi nal gives Arteta chance to prove Arsenal are going places

AFP City in the space of four days ear- sion and three shots to the Pre- stay put. left on his contract and given London, United Kingdom Arsenal’s fi nancial predicament, FA Cup win would be ‘small step’ in Lampard’s plan for Blues it would make business sense to AFP and on the training pitch,” Lam- sell in the close season if Aubam- ikel Arteta insists London, United Kingdom pard said on Friday. eyang cannot be convinced to ex- even winning the “A top club will compete for tend his contract. FA Cup fi nal against cups and league titles every “It is our responsibility for Chelsea today will rank Lampard believes year. We did it for a long time. make him feel this is the right Mnot salvage Arsenal’s season, Chelsea should be aiming “In the last few years we haven’t next step in his career,” said but a trophy just eight months Fto fight for league titles been able to fight for that Arteta. into his fi rst managerial role will every year, but winning the FA market with Timo Werner and league title so it doesn’t mean “In order to do that he needs to strengthen the impression the Cup on Saturday could be a Hakim Ziyech signed for next all of sudden we are back and in feel valued, feel that he belongs Gunners now have the right man building block towards a title season. that picture, but it will be a nice, to us and we want him and he in charge to right the ship. challenge next season. But Lampard insists victory small step when you consider needs to believe we can take this Arteta won the FA Cup as cap- In his first season in charge at over Arsenal at Wembley will where we want to get to next club forward the way we want to tain when Arsenal ended a nine- Stamford Bridge, Lampard has only lead to greater things if it is year.” do. He is an extremely key player year trophy drought in 2014. guided Chelsea back into the accompanied by the same dedi- Lampard is able to welcome in that.” Yet despite winning the com- Champions League next season cation to improve as his squad N’Golo Kante back from a For one of Europe’s top strik- petition twice more in the six despite the loss of Eden Hazard have shown this season. hamstring injury that kept the ers, Aubameyang has precious years since, standards have con- campaign. Due to the lack of Champions to Real Madrid and a transfer “It’s a nice boost but it will only French midfielder out for the few medals with only a French tinued to slip at the Emirates “Obviously after everything League football, the Gunners ban to contend with. mean anything going forward if last six games. Willian is also fit League Cup at St Etienne and one since Arsene Wenger’s departure that happened, if we are able to posted a loss of £27mn ($35mn) Chelsea are already making we take it in our pocket, move again for what could be his final German Cup with Dortmund to two years ago. win the fi nal and qualify for Eu- in the 2018/2019 campaign for up for lost time in the transfer forward and improve as a club game for the club. his name. Despite an upturn since rope, we can say it’s okay. But the fi rst time in 17 years. In what could be his fi nal game Arteta’s appointment in Decem- it’s not the level for this football That was despite generating lier this month have given Arteta mier League champions’ 24. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the club, a trophy at Wembley ber, eighth place in the Premier club.” nearly £40mn in TV and prize plenty of credit in the bank from “You know how you build was just one goal behind Jamie could go a long way to convincing League was the Londoners worst The Europa League may be money from a run to the Europa the Arsenal support. those squads, there is no magic. Vardy in the battle for the Pre- Aubameyang to buy into Arteta’s league fi nish in 15 years. the poor relation to the riches League fi nal and before the con- But questions remain over how “You need to improve with mier League Golden Boot despite project and Arsenal’s American “For me this club deserves the and prestige of the Champions sequences of the coronavirus much he can do to restore the quality players and you need playing in a struggling side and owners, Kroenke Sports and En- best and you have to be fi ghting League, but failure to qualify for pandemic saw the club’s playing club’s former glories if he is not bigger squads to compete in this it was his two goals that saw off tertainment, to do likewise in the for every title,” said the Spaniard European football at all for the and coaching staff agree a 12.5% backed in the transfer market. competition.” City in the semi-fi nal to make it transfer market in the coming on the prospect of silverware and fi rst time since the 1995/96 sea- pay cut. “The gap is enormous,” said Before looking to recruit for a back to Wembley on Saturday. months. a place in the Europa League next son would be a further blow to Victories over Liverpool and Arteta after beating Liverpool rebuild, Arsenal also have to con- The former Borussia Dort- season redeeming a miserable Arsenal’s already fragile fi nances. former employers Manchester despite having just 33% posses- vince their outstanding talent to mund forward has just one year

SERIE A ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP Fulham and Lazio’s Immobile Brentford to meet in $220mn game AFP came within inches of forcing London, United Kingdom extra time when Robert Glatzel set for coronation as fi red over on the volley deep into stoppage time. ulham will face Brentford However, Scott Parker’s men in the Championship held out to set up a West London playoff fi nal after holding derby against Brentford at Wem- on to beat Cardiff 3-2 on bley on August 4 in the most lu- Faggregate despite a 2-1 defeat in crative game in world football with Europe’s goal king the second leg of their semi-fi nal promotion to the Premier League on Thursday. worth an estimated £170mn Striker has scored 35 goals this season going into the final match of the season Curtis Nelson headed Car- ($220mn) to the winners. diff back into the contest from “It wasn’t pretty at all,” Ful- a corner after just eight min- ham captain Tom Cairney told utes to give the Welsh side hope Sky Sports. of a comeback, but the visitors’ “It was the worst start you can lead lasted less than a minute as think of. These 2-0 leads are a bit Neeskens Kebano swept home an weird in your head. It feels com- equaliser. fortable but is not at the same Fulham then had a host of time. I think we let ourselves chances to put the tie to bed be- down a little bit by not playing fore half-time, but were made to our normal game, and we invited endure a nervy night as half-time pressure. substitute Lee Tomlin hooked in “But, look, we showed a diff er- with his fi rst touch to give Cardiff ent side to us at times as well in life again at the start of the sec- the second half especially. When ond half. our backs were against the wall, Cardiff continued to pepper we dug in deep and we got over the Fulham box with crosses and the line.”

WC winner Hoewedes retires at 32

Benedikt Hoewedes, a German World Cup winner, said yesterday that he is retiring aged 32 for family reasons. He made 44 appear- ances for Germany at centre-back and full-back and played every Lazio’s Ciro Immobile (right) in action during the Serie A match against Brescia at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, on Wednesday. (AFP) minute on the way to triumph in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He played more than 330 times for Schalke before spending the AFP Juventus star Ronaldo, on 31 but whose career before arriving ful six-month spell at Sevilla. assured of a return to the Cham- 2017-18 season on loan at Juventus and then moving to Lokomo- Milan, Italy goals, is four behind before the in Rome had been erratic. pions League after 13 seasons, tiv Moscow for two seasons. The Russian club agreed to release Serie A champions’ fi nal game Success has not followed onto LAZIO REVIVAL target a second-place fi nish. Hoewedes from his contract in June. “I was recently with my wife against Roma in Turin, in which the national team, where he has But scoring is something he has “It is a great achievement and son in a camper van in the south of France,” Hoewedes told azio’s Ciro Immobile is he may not even play with the scored ten goals in 39 games, done with stunning regularity for him, but also for the whole Der Spiegel magazine in an interview published yesterday. “I no- set to join an exclusive Champions League looming. taking the brunt of criticism af- since joining Lazio in the sum- team,” said Inzaghi. ticed how happy I was to see my son next to me. Football seemed club as the highest- It would not be the fi rst time ter Italy failed to qualify for the mer of 2016, at the same time as “And then there is Ronaldo, so unimportant.” He is the seventh 2014 world champion to hang scoring player in Europe that 30-year-old Immobile has 2018 World Cup. coach Simone Inzaghi. with four goals behind, let’s see up his boots. Two weeks ago, former Borussia Dortmund player Lthis season. topped the Serie A goal-scoring Immobile started his career He has has fl ourished in the what will happen. Andre Schuerrle surprisingly retired at the age of just 29. In a decade dominated by charts, having won the ‘Ca- at Juventus, where he made Inzaghi system playing along- “Ciro’s records would be a Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ro- pocannoniere’ twice before in just three appearances before side Luis Alberto and Joaquin nice prize for everyone. He leapt naldo, the underrated Italian 2014 and 2018. a breakthrough loan season in Correa, and midfi elders Sergej over Lewandowski, he broke Five substitutes to be allowed in Ligue 1 is near assured of winning the But he would become just the 2011-2012 at Pescara where his Milinkovic-Savic and Marco every record, he’s just missing a European Golden Shoe for the third Italian winner of the Euro- 28 goals lifted the Serie B side Parolo, scoring 102 times in 141 goal to reach Higuain.” Clubs in France’s top two divisions will be allowed to make five continent’s top scorer. pean Golden Shoe after Roma’s into the top fl ight. Serie A appearances. substitutions per match next season, the French league (LFP) From Messi, to Ronaldo, Mo- Francesco Totti (26) in 2007 and He couldn’t follow up his Lazio can thank Immobile for TODAY’S FIXTURES announced yesterday. The decision brings Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 hamed Salah, Robert Lewand- Luca Toni for Fiorentina in 2006 form the following season with nearly half of their 78 league Brescia v Sampdoria into line with most other top European leagues in allowing extra owski and Erling Braut Haaland, (31). Genoa, but had more success goals, as he slotted in 14 from the Atalanta v Inter Milan replacements due to fixture congestion caused by the coronavirus nobody in Europe has managed Another two goals today with Torino where he scored penalty spot. Juventus v Roma pandemic. Football’s rules makers (IFAB) approved the temporary to keep pace with the Naples- would also see him surpass 22 goals in 33 appearances to The title challenge fell off af- AC Milan v Cagliari change to the law in May. As in other leagues, managers will only born player. Gonzalo Higuain’s Serie A win his first Serie A top scorer ter the lockdown with four de- Napoli v Lazio be allowed to make changes on three occasions during play, as Immobile overtook Bay- record of 36 goals, set playing award. feats in their fi rst fi ve July games TOMORROW well as at half time. In Ligue 1, teams will also be allowed to name ern Munich striker Lewand- for Napoli in the 2015-16 season. An 18mn euros ($22mn) move as Immobile conceded: “I have SPAL v Fiorentina up to 20 players on their team sheets instead of 18. The new owski with his 35th goal against “I am only sorry that I cannot to the Bundesliga followed, but not been myself, I need to get Bologna v Torino French top-flight season is set to start on August 22, after last term Brescia midweek, and will close celebrate these numbers with he scored just three times in 24 back to being calm.” Genoa v Hellas Verona was cut short due to the virus outbreak with Paris Saint-Germain his campaign against Napoli to- the fans,” said Immobile, nick- appearances for Borussia Dort- He has scored six goals in his Lecce v Parma declared champions. day. named ‘King Ciro’ in the capital, mund, followed by an unsuccess- last four games as Lazio, already Sassuolo v Udinese Gulf Times 4 Saturday, August 1, 2020 SPORT

BASKETBALL Players kneel as NBA restarts in Florida ‘bubble’ PLAYERS KNEEL DURING US NATIONAL ANTHEM; LEBRON HITS GAME WINNER FOR THE LAKERS, JAZZ OUTPLAY PELICANS

AFP Orlando

he NBA relaunched its coronavirus-hit season on Thursday, with play- ers taking a knee dur- Ting the US national anthem in a show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Four months after the league shut down in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the NBA is restarting its season with 22 teams based inside a secure “bubble” at Disney World in Or- lando, Florida. The unprecedented NBA ex- periment began on Thursday with the Utah Jazz defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 106-104 in an empty arena at the resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The fi rst and last points of the game were scored by Utah’s Rudy Gobert - the Frenchman whose Covid-19 case triggered the NBA’s shutdown in March. LeBron James then led the Los Angeles Lakers to a pulsating 103-101 defeat of the Los Ange- les Clippers in the day’s second game. Both games started with play- ers – wearing T-shirts embla- zoned with “Black Lives Mat- ter” – kneeling in unison as the “Star-Spangled Banner” played. “It’s an opportunity to use this platform to spread a lot of posi- tives, a lot of love throughout the course of the whole world,” Lak- ers star James said afterwards. The players’ activism followed weeks of soul-searching about racism and police brutality in the United States following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd during his arrest by police on May 25 in Minneapolis. Many NBA players joined pro- tests against the killing which swept across all 50 states in June, and the cause of social justice has loomed large ahead of the Members of the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz kneel together around the Black Lives Matter logo on the court during the US national anthem before the start of their NBA game at The Arena at ESPN Wide World league’s restart. Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Thursday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Large “Black Lives Matter” slogans have been written on tional anthem was fi rst started racism, a lot of social injustice before games, league commis- resumption of regular season cent weeks. of players conducted since July each court, while players are al- by former San Francisco 49ers and police brutality... It’s some- sioner Adam Silver said Thurs- play to determine the fi nal line- Since Gobert’s positive case 20 returned zero positive cases. lowed to wear jerseys adorned quarterback Colin Kaepernick in thing that we want to have peo- day no players would be sanc- up for the NBA playoff s, which brought the league to a stand- Players are required to under- with messages ranging from “I 2016. ple’s ears open to. We have ears tioned. start on August 17. still, the US death toll from Cov- go regular Covid-19 testing and Can’t Breathe” to “Justice Now” Kaepernick used the gesture to open now, but we cannot stop,” “I respect our teams’ unifi ed The tightly-controlled “bub- id-19 has soared from just 40 to the ability to enter and exit the and “Education Reform.” draw attention to racial injustice James said. “We’ll keep our foot act of peaceful protest for social ble” setting in Orlando is de- more than 150,000. secure zone is subject to strin- Taking a knee has become an but was widely vilifi ed for his on the gas as we’ve been doing justice and under these unique signed to prevent an outbreak NBA offi cials however are gent regulations. emblematic way of showing sol- stance and has not played in the over the past two months.” circumstances will not enforce of Covid-19 halting play once confi dent that the decision to Team and NBA personnel are idarity with anti-racism cam- NFL since being released by San our long-standing rule requir- more. base teams inside a single secure staying in three hotels dotted paigners, adopted by athletes Francisco in early 2017. James ‘UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES’ ing standing during the playing Florida has emerged as one of location will allow them to play throughout the resort, with a around the world in the months meanwhile said there would be While the NBA has a long- of our national anthem,” Silver the worst-hit Covid-19 hotspots the remainder of the season in small number of media, spon- since Floyd’s death. no let up in player activism. standing rule requiring players said. in the United States, with cases safety. sors and inactive players also al- Kneeling during the US na- “We’re dealing with a lot of to stand for the national anthem Thursday’s games marked a and fatalities skyrocketing in re- The latest round of 344 tests lowed in.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT No let-up in racism, brutality fi ght: LeBron Antetokounmpo tightens

AFP Orlando grip as MVP favourite Reuters ‘China academy abuse claims disturbing’ eBron James vowed no New York let up in the fi ght for so- Claims of physical abuse at NBA basketball academies in China cial justice as the NBA’s are “disturbing”, a senior off icial said, while adding that none of virus-hit season made an ith votes now in the coaches provided by the league were accused of wrong- Lemotional return in Orlando on for NBA awards, it doing. Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said the NBA was Thursday. appears that odd- reassessing its programme in China and that the league’s role Los Angeles Lakers star James smakers believe was limited to providing just three coaches at each Chinese-run and players from the Los Ange- Wmore than ever that Milwaukee academy. An ESPN report released this week detailed physical les Clippers, Utah Jazz and New Bucks big man Giannis An- abuse and a lack of schooling at the academies in Shandong, Orleans Pelicans all kneeled in tetokounmpo is taking home a Zhejiang and Xinjiang – the western region where China is ac- unison during the US national second straight Most Valuable cused of holding one million people in internment camps. NBA anthem before their respective Player Award. cut its ties with the Xinjiang academy last year. games in support of the Black The deadline for ballots to “The allegations in the ESPN article are disturbing,” Tatum said, Lives Matter movement. be submitted to the NBA was in a statement sent to AFP. James, who scored the win- Tuesday, two days before the “We ended our involvement with the basketball academy in ning points for the Lakers in a league restarted the season Xinjiang in June 2019 and have been re-evaluating the NBA 103-101 defeat of the Clippers, following its four-plus month Academy programme in China.” said players were determined to hiatus caused by the Covid-19 use their NBA platform to fi ght pandemic. Any stats accu- racism and police brutality. mulated or accomplishments those who did place their bets were both listed at +8000 “This is an opportunity to use achieved at the ESPN Wide in time, odds are they put their by FanDuel, with Leonard at this platform to spread a lot of World of Sports Complex near money on the reigning MVP. +9500. positives, a lot of love through- LeBron James (centre) of the Los Angeles Lakers in a Black Lives Matter Shirt kneels with his teammates Orlando obviously won’t have According to SportsBet- When the NBA season was out the course of the whole during the US national anthem prior to the game against the LA Clippers at The Arena at ESPN Wide an impact on awards voting. tingDime.com, Antetok- halted on March 11, Antetok- world,” James said. World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Thursday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports The result is that MVP con- ounmpo’s average odds for ounmpo ranked third in the “We understand what’s going tenders such as Los Angeles winning the MVP soared from league in both scoring (29.6 on in society right now and we’re America.” have people’s ears open to. We there to battle, we can also come Lakers forward LeBron James, -950 to -3300 in recent weeks. points per game) and rebound- using this NBA platform as play- The United States saw nation- have ears open now, but we can- together to fi ght for something, Houston Rockets guard James As of Wednesday, PointsBet ing (13.7 boards per game). ers as coaches and as an organi- wide protests in June following not stop. “We’ll keep our foot on and I feel like that was huge. Harden and Dallas Mavericks had Antetokounmpo at -5000, His Milwaukee Bucks had the sation to stand strong on that. the death of unarmed black man the gas as we’ve been doing over “That’s one of the reasons guard Luka Doncic won’t be and FanDuel had him at -2400, NBA’s best record, 53-12. This is a good start. George Floyd during his arrest the past two months.” why I feel like [the players] came able to improve their cases for per ActionNetwork.com. James, the NBA assist leader “There’s been progress. But by police in Minneapolis on May New Orleans guard Jrue Holi- back and the league wanted us overtaking Antetokounmpo. James was the second fa- at 10.6 per game, was averag- in the past when there’s been 25. Four police offi cers were later day meanwhile said the an- to come back.” Pelicans team- And likely because vot- vorite at both books, +1200 at ing 25.7 points. Harden was the progress, we’ve let our foot off charged over his death. them demonstration had been mate Zion Williamson agreed. ing is complete, most major PointsBet, +1100 at FanDuel. league’s scoring leader at 34.4 the gas a little bit. We can’t do “We’re dealing with a lot of a unifying moment. “It felt like “It was emotional because all of sites that off ered wagering on PointsBet had Harden, Don- points per game. that. We want to continue to put racism, a lot of social injustice we were able to bring people us (were) there together as one, NBA MVP are no longer post- cic and Los Angeles Clippers Doncic was sixth in scoring our foot on the gas, push forward and police brutality,” James said. together,” Holiday said. “Two doing something we believe in,” ing odds or taking bets on the forward Kawhi Leonard all at (28.7 ppg) and fourth in assists and spread love throughout “It’s something that we want to teams, who were about to go out Williamson said. award as of Thursday. But for +8000. Doncic and Harden (8.7 per game). Gulf Times Saturday, August 1, 2020 5 SPORT

MLB FOCUS MLB looking for Indians to trade Bieber sets 2-game willow for ash

Reuters MLB has attracted more than New Delhi 30,000 school students in 320 workshops since opening its offi ce. “We eventually want to aseball is one of sev- get there. I don’t think the de- strikeout mark eral sports seeking a mand is here yet, so it wouldn’t slice of the huge In- make sense to suddenly do dian market and its that,” he said. ‘We’re supportive of MLB’s decision to postpone today’s game and look forward similarityB with cricket, often called a religion in the coun- MILLION DOLLAR ARM’ to playing our home opener as soon as conditions safely allow’ try of 1.4 billion, could give The league also plans to revive it a head start, Major League ‘Million Dollar Arm’, a contest Baseball (MLB) offi cials hope. that began as a reality televi- MLB spent a decade and half sion show and inspired a 2014 studying the market before Hollywood movie. opening a sixth international Takahashi said the contest, offi ce in New Delhi last year which drew thousands of as- and was encouraged by the piring pitchers competing throwing, hitting and catching to earn a tryout with a Major techniques that link America’s League team, would now be an pastime and India’s obsession. annual aff air. “Cricket is such a big sport “When it happened, there here. So catching, throw- was a buzz. We plan to do it ing and swing of the bat come again... and make sure we were very naturally,” Ryo Takahashi, able to capitalise on that.” who heads MLB’s business and The Indian men’s team commercial operations in In- played in the Asian Champi- dia, told Reuters. “The sheer onship in 1987 and 1989 but size of this country, the popu- the country’s Olympic As- lation – to be able to hook In- sociation only recognised the dia to baseball, that defi nitely national amateur baseball fed- boosts the sport worldwide.” eration in 2002. Takahashi, perhaps wisely, The long-term goal re- said the plan was not to try to mained to facilitate Indian supplant cricket in India. representation at the elite lev- “We’re not trying to bring el, Takahashi said. baseball as an alternative, or as “I think there’s a lot of ways a replacement, by any means,” for us to measure success. It he said. could be a situation like Yao “Anything new, whether it’s Ming for the NBA (in China). music or restaurants, it’s ex- It could be TV rating numbers, citing. So new sport is some- it could be the national team of thing that might resonate. India competing in the World “Within that, if there’s some Baseball Classic... sort of familiarity, it’s easier “We have the resources, for people to relate. I think it’s we have the experience and a good mix, it’s a perfect mix.” we defi nitely have the will... The National Basketball Tough to put a date to it but Association (NBA), which I think defi nitely all of it is opened an offi ce in India in achievable,” added Takahashi. 2011, staged two pre-season The Covid-19 outbreak has games in Mumbai in October slowed down that eff ort but last year. MLB, which has pre- head of baseball development viously played games in Mexi- David Palese said they used co, Japan and Australia, made the time to extend the coach- a foray into Europe last year ing network through series of when the New York Yankees webinars. and Boston Red Sox took their “Ideally we want to be on the rivalry to London. fi eld... but in the last three- Takahashi said it would four months, we’ve made that be premature to do some- virtual connection with over thing similar in India, where 1,000 participants,” he said.

Jaguars defensive tackle Woods opts out of 2020 season Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Indians delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning of their MLB game at the Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday. (Getty Images/AFP) Jacksonville Jaguars ed with Covid-19, and we will defensive tackle Al Woods fully support any of our play- Reuters lanco on a long fl y ball to center. Cleve- conditions safely allow,” the Brewers said announced yesterday that he ers and coaches that choose Minnesota RESULTS land became the fi rst team ever to have in a statement. The Cardinals, 2-3, are is opting out of the 2020 sea- to opt out this season,” starters strike out 10 or more batters four coming off a series at Minnesota, having son because of the Covid-19 Marrone said. “It is important Indians 2-0 Twins times through the fi rst seven games of the last played on Wednesday. pandemic. The Jaguars for every individual to feel hane Bieber pitched eight shut- Braves 2-1 Rays season. The postponement for the fi rst MLB posted Woods’ statement comfortable and to believe out innings and entered the major Nationals 6-4 Blue Jays outbreak outside the East Coast means six about his decision on their that they’re doing what’s league record books with 13 more CARDINALS-BREWERS GAME of 30 clubs will be idled Friday due to the off icial Twitter account. right for themselves and their Royals 5-3 Tigers strikeouts as the Cleveland In- POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 virus. “While I was excited to join family. As an organisation, we diansS blanked the Minnesota Twins 2-0 Red Sox 4-2 Mets CASES The Miami Marlins have been off since the Jaguars, I made the tough respect Al’s decision and are Thursday night at Minneapolis. Yankees 8-6 Orioles The Milwaukee Brewers called off yester- Monday after positive Covid19 tests dur- decision, given the current fully understanding.” Bieber, who set a franchise Opening Day day’s scheduled Major League Baseball ing their opening weekend of games at Dodgers 6-3 D’backs status of Covid-19, to opt out Woods recorded 204 tackles, record with 14 strikeouts over six shutout home game against St. Louis after the vis- Philadelphia. for the 2020 season,” Woods 5.5 sacks and two fumble re- innings in a 2-0 victory against Kansas Padres 12-7 Giants iting Cardinals had two players test posi- The Marlins were quarantined at a Phil- said in a statement. “The coveries in 125 career games City on Friday, allowed just three singles. Mariners 8-5 Angels tive for Covid-19. adelphia hotel after a reported 18 players health and safety of my fam- (48 starts) with the Tampa His 27 strikeouts in his fi rst two starts The Cardinals were isolating in their and two coaches tested positive, includ- ily has always been the most Bay Buccaneers (2010), of the season tied the modern era (since The Indians had a chance to extend the hotel ahead of additional testing and ing a third player in three days yesterday, important thing in my life. I Seahawks (2011, 2019), Pitts- 1901) MLB record set by Karl Spooner of lead in the sixth inning when they loaded contact tracing as MLB announced they ESPN reported. love the game of football and burgh Steelers (2012-13), Ten- the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954. the bases with one out against reliever would play as scheduled today at Milwau- That wiped out a planned three-game will be rooting hard for my nessee Titans (2014-16) and Bieber (2-0) left after throwing 102 Zack Littell. kee and make up yesterday’s game as part series against Washington in Miami this teammates this season, and I Indianapolis Colts (2017-18). pitches, 69 of which were strikes. He has Franmil Reyes singled to left and then of a Sunday doubleheader. weekend. The Phillies have not played look forward to re-joining the He was a fourth-round pick of allowed just seven hits and a walk in 14 in- went to third on Bradley Zimmer’s infi eld “The rescheduling as a result of two since facing the Marlins after two ballpark Jaguars in 2021.” the New Orleans Saints in the nings this season. single and a throwing error by fi rst base- positive Covid-19 tests in the Cardinals’ clubhouse attendants and a coach tested Woods, 33, signed a one-year 2010 NFL Draft. James Karinchak pitched a 1-2-3 ninth man Miguel Sano. organisation is consistent with protocols positive. contract worth $2.5 million in Kansas City Chiefs running to notch his fi rst big-league save. Domingo Santana then walked to load to allow enough time for additional test- The New York Yankees did not play a the off season with Jack- back Damien Williams said Jose Berrios (0-1) took the loss, allow- the bases, but Littell got out of the jam ing and contact tracing to be conducted,” planned series at Philadelphia over con- sonville after spending last in an interview that he opted ing two runs on three hits and two walks when he got catcher Sandy Leon on a MLB said in a statement. cerns about contracting the virus in the season with the Seattle Sea- out of the 2020 NFL season over fi ve innings. He struck out six and comebacker to start a 1-2-3 double play. The coronavirus pandemic postponed visitors’ locker room and a planned week- hawks. Jaguars head coach because his mother was diag- also hit a batter. The Twins’ best scoring chance against the start of the campaign from March un- end series between the Phillies and To- Doug Marrone said the team nosed with Stage 4 cancer. Cleveland took a 2-0 lead in the third Bieber came in the bottom half of the in- til last week, each team playing only 60 ronto Blue Jays was also scrapped. accepts Woods’ decision to “With everything that’s inning on Francisco Lindor’s second home ning when Byron Buxton and Max Kepler games instead of a usual 162. The Phillies said yesterday that no new opt out. “As I mentioned to going on, she was the only run of the season, a 409-foot drive to had back-to-back one-out singles. “We’re supportive of MLB’s decision to positives were reported from testing on our media yesterday, we all one there for me,” he told right-center to bring home Jose Ramirez, But Bieber rebounded to strike out Josh postpone today’s game and look forward Thursday but the ballpark remains closed understand the risk associat- SiriusXM NFL Radio. who had singled to start the two-out rally. Donaldson and then retired Jorge Po- to playing our home opener as soon as until further notice.

NHL Hockey comes home to Canada as NHL season resumes Reuters mains closed to non-essential and arena walling off players for competing in a round-robin to Cup champions St. Louis Blues Toronto travel but for Canadians there the next two months from the determine seeding. The remain- led the West, two points ahead of are few things more indispen- general public. The NHL has said der of the clubs will immediately the Colorado Avalanche. sable than hockey. There was that approximately 100 security be thrown into do-or-die sce- The Lightning, looking to anada has always of course nothing sentimen- guards and “health ambassa- narios facing off in best-of-fi ve atone for last year’s collapse wanted more National tal about the NHL’s decision to dors” will be stationed through- qualifying round matchups. when they were bundled out in Hockey League teams huddle in Canada but rather a out the downtown Toronto The winners will advance to the opening round, and Bruins and starting today will calculated move that has proven bubble keeping players in and the Stanley Cup playoff s where are betting favourites followed haveC 24 as the sport returns from astute as the US death toll from unauthorised people out. four best-of-seven series will by the Avalanche. a Covid-19 forced hiatus in the Covid-19 climbs past 150,000. “It is all one big distraction decide a Stanley Cup champion. But the stars could also be country regarded as its spiritual Following a four-and-a-half and at the same time, it isn’t,” There will be no spectators at aligning for a Canadian club to home. month shutdown, teams have said Carolina Hurricanes coach either Toronto or Edmonton but fi nally hoist the famous mug for The NHL has long shown a assembled under quarantine Rod Brind’Amour after checking with six games a day available for the fi rst time since 1993. preference for United States ex- bubbles in Toronto (Eastern into the team hotel. broadcast there will be enough For hockey-mad Canadians pansion but opted for the safety Conference) and Edmonton “Once you actually get to the hockey to satisfy even the most the 27-year drought is a national of two hub cities in the Great (Western Conference), which rink, the one time that actually obsessed fan. embarrassment but with six-of- White North where the pan- will also host the best-of-seven feels normal is when you lace When play stopped in March seven Canadian based franchises demic is widely contained over Stanley Cup fi nals scheduled to your skates up.” the Boston Bruins were top of in the hunt and all the postsea- the US which has seen a surge in begin on September 20. Action resumes with the top the East standings and eight son games played north of the Boone Jenner of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates with teammates positive cases. Protective fencing has been four teams in each conference points clear of the Tampa Bay border, hope is high the dry spell after scoring against Boston Bruins in their exhibition game at Scotiabank The Canada/US border re- constructed around each hotel when the season was halted Lightning while reigning Stanley will end. Arena in Toronto. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Saturday, August 1, 2020 SPORT

TENNIS WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP Defending champ Trump slams Kenin ready for ‘selfi sh’ Hamilton for withdrawal

AFP vide as well.” London After beating Scott Don- career restart aft er aldson in the fi nal round of qualifying on Monday, Ham- efending champion ilton had criticised the move Judd Trump has to allow a limited number of labelled Anthony fans into the Crucible. Hamil- Hamilton “selfi sh” ton had warned: “Let’s say one afterD the qualifi er’s late with- person gets ill and dies from drawal from the World Snook- the Crucible - it’s one person Covid-19 disruption er Championship due to his who died for no reason at all, coronavirus concerns. just for entertainment.” Hamilton was scheduled But in a statement on ‘I did not expect that, it was a huge shock. I would say it was a disadvantage, because to play his fi rst round match Thursday, Hamilton apolo- against Kyren Wilson yester- gised to the two players he beat I was playing really well and I had a great two weeks and it was very memorable.’ day, but the 49-year-old, who in qualifying - Donaldson and suff ers from asthma, has de- Sam Craigie - and claimed he Reuters cided to pull out on the eve of made his decision after under- Mumbai the event. taking a “personal risk assess- The World Championship, ment”. which starts on Friday in Shef- “It has been a really diffi - he Covid-19 shutdown fi eld, is one of three events be- cult decision for me. I was ex- could not have come at ing used to test the return of tremely impressed by the way a worse time for Aus- spectators to British sport on a that WST and their partners tralian Open champion limited basis. ran the qualifying rounds, they TSofi a Kenin but the American A reduced capacity is being made the players feel totally says she has made full use of the used at the Crucible Theatre, safe,” Hamilton said. mini off -season and is raring to with spectators issued with a “However due to my health go when the professional circuit code of conduct and asked to condition, after careful con- restarts next month. adhere to strict rules, includ- sideration I have decided not The 21-year-old lifted her fi rst ing wearing face masks. to play in the fi nal stages.” Grand Slam trophy in Melbourne But Hamilton’s exit angered World Snooker Tour said the at the start of the year and then world number one Trump, four-time quarter-fi nalist will added a WTA title in Lyon, days who insisted Hamilton should still receive the £20,000 he before the circuit came to a halt have pulled out prior to the earned by reaching the last 32. due to the novel coronavirus qualifying tournament to give “I want to apologise to my pandemic. other players an opportunity. opponents at the qualifi ers, “I did not expect that, it “I fi nd it very hard on the Sam Craigie and Scott Don- was a huge shock,” Kenin said other people that he has tak- aldson, and assure them that I in a phone interview from the en the opportunity from - I had every intention of playing Greenbrier resort in West Vir- think this was announced with at the Crucible,” he said. ginia, where she is playing in the enough time to know there “But it was only after I fi n- World TeamTennis event. was going to be a crowd at this ished the qualifying rounds “I would say it was a disad- tournament,” Trump said. that I was able to do a full per- vantage, because I was playing “There is a lot of money sonal risk assessment based really well and I had a great two to be played for in this tour- on the latest information and weeks and it was very memo- nament. A lot of low ranked discussions with WST.” rable. So obviously it was very players struggle to put food on Hamilton’s withdrawal upsetting with what happened the table and especially with came 24 hours after fi ve- with this whole virus thing. things going on, you’ve got to time world champion Ronnie “I was just celebrating the try to earn a living. O’Sullivan, who will compete moment after winning my fi rst “People need to think of the in the tournament, claimed Grand Slam. I thought it was bigger picture sometimes and players were being treated like going to be about playing more try not to be selfi sh and give “lab rats” over the fan experi- tournaments, create more expe- others the opportunity to pro- ment. riences, play lot more matches and see all my fans.” The professional tours have been suspended for fi ve months Wallabies centurion Simmons since early March but Kenin did to join London Irish not let it aff ect her mentally. “I was working on diff erent Experienced Wallabies lock earlier this year when aspects of my game. My serve, Rob Simmons will depart Michael Hooper stood getting more power in my shots,” the NSW Waratahs at the aside. the world number four said. end of the Super Rugby “Rob’s an outstanding “I’ve worked (hard) during AU season and join English human being first and this mini off -season, I would Premier League club foremost, just one of those say. I have been practising every London Irish, he announced people you really enjoy day. yesterday. having around your group,” “I know there are some play- Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. The 31-year-old, who has said Waratahs coach Rob ers in Europe that weren’t able played 100 times for his Penney. to practise for a month or more. US Open confi dent of health and safety plans country, will link up once “His leadership and But here I was able to practise, more with former Waratahs influence over our squad doing fi tness, so I keep myself US Open organisers say they Center. “We remain confident Western and Southern Open, the Center. But cases have been teammates Nick Phipps has been outstanding to ready and keep myself in shape are confident of safety plans that our top priority, the health tuneup event normally staged kept down in recent months, and Sekope Kepu when he witness - particularly given for when the tournaments start a month ahead of the Grand and safety of all involved in both in Cincinnati, but said nothing although there has been con- arrives in Britain. the challenges we’ve all happening.” Slam tennis event in New York tournaments, remains on track,” certain about the US Open. cern people visiting from other “It was a really tough recently faced.” (AFP) Kenin has signed up for the even as US Covid-19 outbreaks the USTA said in a statement. Serena Williams and Naomi outbreak areas could raise New decision (to leave) but after Western & Southern Open in increase. The US Tennis As- Just what those health and Osaka have committed to play- York Covid-19 levels. “Work- speaking with many people New York, which was relocated sociation (USTA) said yesterday safety details are, however, re- ing in the US Open but world ing with our Medical Advisory around me, I felt that now from Cincinnati because of Cov- it “continues its plans to stage mains unknown. The USTA says number one Ashleigh Barty of Group and security team and was the time to take the op- id-19, before the US Open starts the US Open” as well as an ATP it will release details of its health Australia says she will skip the the State of New York, we have portunity to play overseas,” on August 31. and WTA tuneup event the week and safety plans “at a later date tournament. developed a strong health and Simmons said. Australian world number one before the Flushing Meadows closer to the tournaments” but The New York area was the first safety plan to mitigate the risk “Timing with situations like Barty has opted to skip the Grand fortnight. The US Open is sched- notes it has worked with both major US hotspot for Covid-19, of infection within the contained this can’t always be perfect, Slam as she was not comfortable uled to begin August 31 in a bub- tours in all aspects of health conditions so tough that a tem- environment comprised of the but the Waratahs have been travelling to the United States ble quarantine setting without and safety. Novak Djokovic and porary hospital was established tournament site and player fantastic in understanding amid the pandemic. spectators at the National Tennis Rafael Nadal have entered the on the grounds of the US Tennis hotels,” the USTA said. (AFP) my desire to take on a new “I would love to play her challenge.” again deep in tournaments. It’s Simmons joined the ‘Tahs unfortunate she can’t come,” fore making her debut this year the regular standings with the whom she has pictures as a health protocols in place. at the beginning of 2018 Kenin said of Barty, whom she in the WTT, which was one of semi-fi nals and fi nal scheduled small girl. “Defi nitely the match play after nine seasons with the defeated in Melbourne in the only a few live sports events to for the weekend. “It’s been a really good expe- is going to help me when the Queensland Reds, where semi-fi nal. welcome fans in North America At the WTT, Kenin also had rience, the WTT. We are having tour starts. It’s already over 10 he won a Super Rugby title Kenin has also kept herself amid the outbreak. the chance to rub shoulders good match play, a lot of com- matches I have played... it’s in 2011. match-fi t, playing an exhibition Her team, Philadelphia with childhood idols Kim Cli- petition,” Kenin said, adding about feeling the pressure again He was appointed captain event in the United States be- Freedoms, fi nished at the top of jsters and Venus Williams, with that she felt safe with the strict and starting off strong.”

RUGBY Naisarani ‘Super Time’ try sees Rebels beat Force

AFP worst start to a Super Rugby cam- sulted in the winning try. a man down with Naisarani in Sydney paign since 2010 when they lost “I dropped that one to put us the sin bin, hooker Jordan Uelese six in a row. under pressure and I guess that hauled them back into the game In contrast, the Rebels are un- was a bit of the story of the night with a diving try from a set-piece, si Naisarani crashed over beaten since their opening-day for us,” said the former All Black. and a long-distance Reece Hodge for a try in extra time to loss to the ACT Brumbies, build- “It’s pretty gutting to lose like penalty sent them to the break at shatter Western Force and ing momentum with two wins and that.” 10-10. leave them still searching a draw. The Rebels started strongly but Handling errors marred the Ifor a Super Rugby AU win af- “There was a real pick-up of their momentum was stymied start of the second half, but it ter slumping 20-25 to the Mel- intensity in that Super Time, it when Force fl anker Tevin Ferris sparked to life with 20 points in bourne Rebels yesterday. was almost like we woke up,” said sustained a neck injury and had to barely 10 frantic minutes. The big Wallabies No 8 dotted Rebels skipper Matt Toomua after be stabilised and stretchered off . Toomua slotted a penalty be- down from close range after an the clash at Sydney’s Leichhardt When play resumed, it was the fore a quality converted try from intense build-up from the kick- Oval. Perth team who bagged the fi rst the Force’s Byron Ralston, which off of ‘Super Time’, a new rule that “If we had taken a leaf out of points, courtesy of a Jono Lance Lance converted, only for the sends a game into an extra fi ve that book for the whole game, it penalty, and they began dominat- Rebels’ Matt Philip to barge over minutes each way if tied at full- probably would have been easier ing possession. for a try after a series of pick-and- time, with the fi rst to score win- for us. But credit to the Force, they Their persistence paid off with drives. ning. put us under a lot of pressure.” Fergus Lee-Warner slamming the A Toomua conversion and a It was a cruel blow for the Force It was an handling error by ball over the try line from a well- Lance penalty made it 20-20, who battled hard to be 20-20 after Force captain Jeremy Thrush that worked driving maul on 26 min- sending the game into extra-time 80 minutes. They have now gone gave possession to the Rebels from utes. where Naisarani emerged as the four games without a win - their the kick-off of extra-time and re- But despite the Rebels being hero. Gulf Times Saturday, August 1, 2020 7 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Harrington, Molinari withdraw from PGA Hot putter helps Championship

Agencies Meanwhile, the restart of San Francisco golf’s Asian Tour was thrown into jeopardy yesterday as Japan’s Panasonic Open became the lat- ajor champions est tournament to be cancelled, Koepka seize early Francesco Molinari leaving just one event scheduled and Padraig Har- for the rest of this year. rington have with- Offi cials blamed “disruptions Mdrawn from next week’s PGA caused by the ongoing Covid-19 Championship in San Francisco, pandemic” for the scrapping of tournament organisers said on the event, which was scheduled Thursday. to run in September. Neither player has competed After the Taiwan Masters was lead in Memphis on the PGA Tour since it resumed axed earlier this month, only from the Covid-19 shutdown. the Shinhan Donghae Open in The PGA Championship was South Korea remains on the 2020 ‘The confidence has been there. It is a matter of going out and doing it. It is going to originally scheduled for May be- schedule, which has been fro- fore it was postponed due to the zen since March because of the come around. It feels like I am back to normal, so it is good to see a good result’ Covid-19 pandemic. coronavirus. Asian Tour com- It will be the fi rst of three ma- missioner and chief executive jors set to take place this year. Cho Minn Thant called the lat- Harrington, a winner of three est cancellation “unfortunate”, major titles and Europe’s Ryder lamenting the “challenging cir- Cup captain, has been replaced cumstances the world is experi- by American Talor Gooch for encing in 2020”. the tournament at TPC Harding The Asian Tour has so far been Park, organisers said in a state- unable to join America’s PGA ment. Molinari, the 2018 British Tour and the European Tour in Open champion, has been re- returning to play. placed by Troy Merritt. Only four Asian Tour events Eddie Pepperell, Lee West- have been possible so far this wood and Y E Yang have already year, compared to 23 played in opted not to compete. 2019.

Three MotoGP races cancelled due to pandemic, one added in Europe

Madrid: MotoGP races in Ar- not yet been decided and will gentina, Thailand and Malaysia be confirmed on Aug. this year have been cancelled 10. The season restarted earlier due to the Covid-19 pandemic this month with back-to-back but one more race will be races at the Jerez circuit in added to the calendar and will Spain. be held in Europe in November, The country will host seven MotoGP announced on Friday. races as part of the revised A number of races have been European calendar while four axed this season due to the more circuits are set to host new coronavirus outbreak, double-headers. including the Qatar, Dutch, Ger- Promoter Dorna Sports added man, Finnish, British, Australian, that the Thai Grand Prix will Japanese, Italian and American remain on the MotoGP calendar rounds. until at least 2026 and that they “The FIM, IRTA and Dorna had started work on discuss- Sports regret to announce the ing possible dates for races in cancellation of the Gran Premio Argentina and Malaysia next Motul de la Republica Argen- year. tina, OR Thailand Grand Prix Fabio Quartararo of Petro- Brooks Koepka of the United States and Shell Malaysia Motorcycle nas Yamaha leads the world plays a shot on the 13th hole Grand Prix in 2020,” MotoGP championship standings after during the first round of the World said in a joint statement with winning the first two races in Golf Championship-FedEx St Jude the governing FIM and teams’ Jerez while Maverick Vinales Invitational at TPC Southwind on association IRTA. of Yamaha is second, 10 points Thursday. “After the Gran Premio Motul behind. de la Comunitat Valenciana, Defending champion Marc Mar- another race weekend will quez of Repsol Honda is yet to take place from the 20th to the open his account after crashing AFP FedEx Cup point leader Justin Thomas since suff ering a torn patella tendon last then closed his round out with consecu- 22nd of November at a venue in the season-opening race and Los Angeles and Matt Kuchar highlight a group of four year. tive pars. in Europe, becoming the 2020 missing the second race after players who shot 66, four strokes back of He has been using stem cell treatments “I never felt like I had to work too hard season finale.” failing to recover from surgery Koepka. and has put off having surgery to see if it today, which is diff erent than it has been,” The host venue in Europe has to a broken arm. efending champion Brooks The 78-player fi eld in Memphis, Ten- gets better on its own. Koepka said. Koepka returned to form with nessee features the top eight players in He said he has been tinkering in prac- Spain’s Jon Rahm shot an even par 70 a career-tying eight-under-par the world golf rankings and 45 of the top tice with the mechanics of his swing and and is tied for 36th in his fi rst tournament 62 to grab the lead in the open- 50. his leg positioning and it seems to have as the world number one. WARNING ingD round of the WGC-FedEx St Jude In- Koepka will also be defending his ti- paid off . Rahm won the Memorial two weeks ago vitational on Thursday. tle and aiming for a three-peat at next “We put in a lot of work and found to overtake Rory McIlroy and climb atop American Koepka is back on track af- week’s PGA Championship, the fi rst ma- something by making a little adjustment the rankings for the fi rst time, becoming ter a knee injury caused him to miss two jor of 2020. in my setup — where my weight distribu- the fi rst Spaniard since Seve Ballesteros World Athletics of the last three cuts in his most recent Koepka missed the cut at last week’s tion was going,” Koepka said. to hold the top spot. tournaments. 3M Open which was won by Michael “It is clicking and it feels good. It feels This was the week scheduled for the He had a hot putter Thursday at the Thompson. back to normal. I feel way more in con- men’s Summer Olympic golf tournament to expel Russia TPC Southwind course, rolling in nine It was his third poor performance in a trol.” in Japan. birdies for a two-shot lead over Rickie row. He barely made the cut at the Me- Koepka got off to a quick start by mak- Now Koepka is fi nding his form at just Fowler and Brendon Todd. morial in Dublin, Ohio, then shot 73-80 ing birdie on his fi rst four holes, capping the right time in the season which was unless it pays fi ne “The confi dence has been there. It is on the weekend to tie for 62nd place at that run with a 23-foot bomb on the par- shutdown for three months because of a matter of going out and doing it. It is 12-over 300. three fourth. the global pandemic. going to come around,” Koepka said. “It He missed the cut the previous week After his only bogey of the round on The Tour is entering its busiest phase by August 15 feels like I am back to normal, so it is good in the Workday Charity Open, played on No. with this WGC event, next week’s PGA to see a good result.” the same Muirfi eld Village course as the 7, Koepka birdied three of the next four Championship in San Francisco, three AFP tions including the Tokyo Ol- Fowler and Todd both shot a six-under Memorial. holes, including two from 18 feet on the weeks of US PGA FedEx Cup playoff Paris ympics next year, and taking in 64 while South Korea’s Kang Sung-hoon The four time major champion has par-four ninth and the par-three 11th. events and the US Open on September 17- those who had previously been is third after a 65. been struggling with a right knee injury He made two more birdies on 13 and 16 20 at Winged Foot near New York. authorised to compete as neu- he global governing trals. As well as paying the fi ne, body for athletics said World Athletics has demanded CONCERN on Thursday it would RUSAF set out a detailed plan expel Russia unless it for its reinstatement by August makesT an outstanding payment 31, including commitments for of $6.3mn in fi nes and costs for anti-doping and governance anti-doping violations by Au- reformsWorld Athletics Presi- gust 15. dent Sebastian Coe said follow- The Russian athletics fed- ing a two-day virtual meeting Mexico’s Lopez out of LPGA eration has been suspended of his federation’s Council that since 2015, and its athletes dealing with Russia had been were barred from the 2016 “tortuous”. Rio Olympics. “The history here has been a Rune Andersen, the head of sad and deeply ingrained one,” opener aft er positive virus test the World Athletics Taskforce Coe added. Coe claimed athlet- AFP said in a statement. “And while I’m dis- dealing with Russia’s reinstate- ics had been “a lone voice as a Washington appointed that I’ll have to wait a little ment eff orts, said he had seen sport” in fi ghting Russian dop- longer, I am glad that I was able to get “very little in terms of changing ing. “We have had to plough the tested and to make sure I do not put any- the culture of Russian athlet- fi eld ourselves on most occa- exico’s Gaby Lopez, who one else at risk. “I am self-isolating and ics” in the past fi ve years. sions. But I am pleased we had won this year’s LPGA season will be following all the CDC (US Centers Andersen said Russia’s sports made a bit of a breakthrough. It opener, has tested positive for for Disease Control and Prevention) and minister Oleg Matytsin had is a start, but only a start. Covid-19 and withdrawn from LPGA guidelines to get back to compet- given an “unconditional com- “At least we are now in a po- Mthe tour’s fi rst event after a fi ve-month ing on tour in a safe manner. mitment” in a letter on Thurs- sition to continue the reinstate- coronavirus pandemic shutdown. “I’m feeling good and looking forward day that the overdue amount ment process having at least Lopez was the only player who tested to when I can return to playing on tour.” of $5mn in fi nes and $1.31mn in had a very clear indication that positive on Monday in the fi rst pre-tour- LPGA protocols will require Lopez to costs would be paid by August they have accepted the serious- nament testing for the LPGA Drive On quarantine for a minimum of 10 days, 15. The federation missed the ness and severity of the situa- Championship, a 54-hole event that tees which could force her out of next week’s previous deadline of July 1. tion. “The proof of the pudding off yesterday at Inverness Club in Toledo, LPGA event in nearby Sylvania, Ohio. World Athletics said it would will be in the reinstatement Ohio. More results from later tests were On the 10th day, Lopez will take an- call on its Congress to meet “as plan that we have from them.” expected to be revealed as players con- other saliva test and undergo a medical soon as possible” to vote virtu- Matytsin, the sports minister, ducted fi nal practice rounds for the event, evaluation to determine if she can return ally to expel the Russian federa- welcomed World Athletics’ de- to be staged without spectators. to competition. Lopez won her fi rst LPGA tion (RUSAF) from the sport, if cision as “constructive”. Lopez, 26, has self-isolated and is title in China in November 2018 and cap- the outstanding amount is not “We see a desire from World working with the LPGA and area health tured the second of her career in January paid. Athletics to work together offi cials on contact tracing. in the Tournament of Champions at Or- An expulsion would mean with the Russian side,” he said, “I was very excited to get back to play- lando, beating Japan’s Nasa Hataoka with Russian athletes are sidelined quoted by Russian agencies.tive ing on tour after this long break,” Lopez a birdie on the seventh playoff hole. from international competi- step,” Matytsin added.

Saturday, August 1, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Pilot crowd schemes in England cancelled AFP conditional...that we would not Barry Hearn, chairman of the happen. We’ll get through this.” those who were hoping to attend London hesitate to put the brakes on if organisers World Snooker Tour Goodwood will still go ahead tomorrow’s event and for all required. (WST), said he hoped some with the fi nal day’s racing but those who have worked so hard Our assessment is that we spectators might be permitted to like the rest of the meeting, it to make it possible for spectators he snooker World Cham- should now squeeze that brake watch the fi nal. will now be behind closed doors. to be present.” pionship and today’s pedal,” said Johnson at a press “There is a chance — I’m for- “The government has in- Cricket too has been aff ected fi nal day of the Good- briefi ng. ever the optimist — that maybe formed racing’s leaders in the as crowds had been due to attend wood racing festival will The announcement — which a return for the fi nal (on August past hour that it has withdrawn two of this weekend’s county Tno longer welcome spectators will see no more pilot schemes 16) is the earliest possible op- permission for a pilot event in- games. due to a coronavirus upsurge in until August 16 at the earliest — portunity,” he told the BBC. volving customers, to proceed A spokesperson for the Eng- England, British Prime Minister came too late to prevent access “Congratulations to those at Goodwood tomorrow (Sat- land and Wales Cricket Board Boris Johnson announced yes- to the snooker for the fi rst day guys who went today because urday),” read a joint statement (ECB) said the decision was terday. at the Crucible Theatre in Shef- they will be able to talk about from the British Horse Racing “disappointing for supporters They were to be part of a pilot fi eld. this for the rest of their lives — Authority, Racecourse Associa- who have waited a long time to scheme to welcome back limited The original decision to allow the ultimate golden ticket.” tion and Goodwood Racecourse. see their clubs in action”. numbers of spectators — The 300 per session had not been Hearn said he had gone direct “We understand that concern “However, we understand Oval got the ball rolling with one greeted with universal joy by the to the government in a hope they about the national infection rate the reasons the government has thousand spectators to watch players with Anthony Hamil- would get special dispensation. is the primary reason, and as a made this decision, and remain Middlesex play Surrey last Sun- ton withdrawing and fi ve-time “They (the Cabinet) said: ‘No, result all pilots of larger crowds ready to work with them to en- day. champion Ronnie O’Sullivan it applies to you as well’. in sporting venues will be post- sure supporters can safely return “I have said our plan to reo- saying they were being treated “This is not the worst — the poned until at least 15 August. to stadiums when government British PM Boris Johnson. pen society and the economy is like “lab rats”. worst is the tournament doesn’t “We are very disappointed for advice allows.”

QNB STARS LEAGUE FORMULA 1 Hulkenberg Golden chance up for the for Rayyan to go challenge Reuters Silverstone

ico Hulkenberg de- clared himself up for the challenge after top of the table Nreturning to Formula One, in borrowed overalls and a buttock-numbing seat, at the AL DUHAIL LEAD THE STANDINGS WITH 43 POINTS FROM 18 MATCHES British Grand Prix as a replace- ment for quarantined Mexican Sergio Perez. The German, a veteran of 177 grands prix, raced with the Rac- ing Point team when they were known as Force India and com- boots and helmet, underwent peted for Renault last season be- Covid testing, took in 45 minutes fore losing his seat and turning on the simulator and walked into his hand to TV punditry. the paddock 10 minutes before Perez is in self-isolation after practice started. becoming the fi rst F1 driver to “We got the go from Eurofi ns contract the Covid-19 virus. (the testers) I think at a quarter to “Having to fi nd a replacement 11 saying his test came back neg- for Sergio at short notice is no ative so then we had to quickly easy task, but in Nico we’ve got a get him in the car,” said the boss. fantastic supersub who the team Hulkenberg, wearing a spare knows very well,” said team boss pair of team mate Lance Stroll’s Otmar Szafnauer in a statement. overalls, was ninth fastest in the “He’s certainly being thrown opening session. in at the deep end, but he’s a fast At one point he reported over learner and I’m sure he will get the radio that “my right ass- up to speed quickly.” cheek is getting quite numb.” Hulkenberg, a Le Mans 24 He could remain in the car for Hours winner who is famous in the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix Formula One for never having at Silverstone, the weekend after reached the podium in a career the British Grand Prix. that started at Williams in 2010, Perez tested on Wednesday, said he had been on his way to when a seven day quarantine re- the Nuerburgring when he got quirement was in place for posi- the call. tive cases but Britain changed “That was less than 24 hours that period to 10 days on Thurs- ago, so it feels a bit surreal for me day. right now, but I like a good chal- “If it’s certain he is out for two lenge and this is certainly one,” (races), then Nico will drive in said the 32-year-old. both,” said Szafnauer. “But there Szafnauer said Hulkenberg is a bit of uncertainty and we’re fl ew from Cologne to Birming- still not sure if it’s seven or 10 ham on Thursday evening with days.”

England’s injured Denly to miss rest of ODI series

Al Rayyan star Yacine Brahimi.

By Sports Reporter said. because the diff erence between top four very diffi cult,” said the ing held goalless by Al Wakrah Doha “We have good players, who us and Al Duhail is only two Icelander. in Week 18. The Peregrines have know very well that all games we points, so we must focus on our “We will try to take advantage seven wins, three draws and play will be diffi cult. We will be team and ourselves. We have to of all our chances in the remain- eight defeats, and their goal dif- l Rayyan are hoping at the highest level of readiness take each match separately. We ing four games and see what will ference is -3, having scored 19 to go top of the table to play a strong match. The most consider Al Arabi game as a fi nal happen at the end, but it is dif- goals and conceded 22. when they take on Al important thing for us is that we and we will work to provide a big fi cult to get above Al Gharafa in Al Sailiya have same number AArabi in the QNB Stars play in our usual way and do our match and get the three points. the table. of points as fi fth-placed Al Ara- League at the Al Janoub Stadium best to get what we want from “I play with an outstanding “The defeat had an eff ect after bi, but are placed behind as the today. this match. group of players. Al Rayyan are the match, as the players were latter have a goal diff erence of England batsman Joe Denly duo Barry McCarthy and Boyd Al Duhail lead the standings The Uruguayan added that it a big team and the atmosphere frustrated because we wished to +2. has been ruled out of the re- Rankin ruled out due to injuries. with 43 points from 18 matches was natural for his players to feel inside the club is very good, we win against Al Gharafa. I had to Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi maining two one-day interna- “McCarthy is unfortunately out but with four more rounds to go the pressure as they are a “big play well and achieve good re- explain to our players that they was not taking Shahania lightly tionals against Ireland through of the next two ODIs after this the title race could go down to team.” sults. We have to keep working did their best and have to re- despite them being the bottom- injury, with Liam Livingstone morning’s MRI revealed a tear the wire with Al Rayyan snap- “Certainly, Al Rayyan are a because we have a target now in gain their confi dence against Al placed team. taking his place, the England in a muscle at the back of his ping at their heels just two big team, so we are always un- four diffi cult games and we are Rayyan. I know that both teams “The Al Shahania team is and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) knee, while Rankin has been points behind. der pressure because we have to taking it step by step. always have many fans, but in more than good, they provide said yesterday. taken out of the 14 for tomor- Al Sadd, who are third on 35, win and we certainly suff er from “My main target is to win the the current situation they can- good performances that do Denly was set to feature in the row’s game as he manages a can still crash the party but for pressure, but that is normal. league title with Al Rayyan, it is not attend the games, but I hope not correspond to their posi- series opener on Thursday flare-up of an old back injury,” that they will need to win all “We are ready for every- important for me. I hope to help we will make our fans happy at tion in the standings. They have — which England won by six said Andrew White, chairman of their remaining matches and thing, we know that the up- the team achieve this target.” the end of the game.” outstanding players. They are wickets at the Ageas Bowl — but Ireland’s national selectors. hope Al Rayyan and Al Duhail coming match against Al Arabi Al Arabi coach Heimir Hall- The defeat left them on just coming off a very important suff ered back spasms in train- Fast bowler Peter Chase self-destruct in their quest for is very important, we should grimsson regretted the loss to Al 24 points and with Al Gharafa on victory and have shown a good ing on the eve of the clash. and left-arm spinner George glory. not think about winning or los- Gharafa in the last game which 31, it looks like Al Arabi will have level during this season,” said The 34-year-old has failed to Dockrell have been named as “The preparation for Al Arabi ing, we should only think of dented their chances of a top- to postpone their ambitions to Trablesi. recover and will be replaced replacements in the 14-man match was like all games, noth- providing our best level in this four fi nish. the next season. “Under coach Nabil Anwar, in the squad by Lancashire’s squad. ing had changed. We continued match, which is like a fi nal,” said “Al Gharafa game in the 18th In the second game today, Al Al Shahania have improved. Livingstone, who is one of three England face Ireland in the our training in the same way and Aguirre. round of QNB Stars League was Sailiya face Al Shahania at the Al The victory against Al Ahli last reserves for the series. second ODI today, followed by we should be at the top of our Al Rayyan player Yacine Bra- the most important game for us Sadd Stadium. week have greatly boosted their Cricket Ireland have also made the third on Tuesday, behind readiness and focus, and give himi added: “We know how in the league this season. The Al Sailiya, under Tunisian morale. Normally, we respect all two changes to their squad closed doors at the Ageas Bowl off our best in every match,” Al important is the game against defeat was diffi cult and made Sami Trabelsi, are sixth in the opponents, but we do not fear for the second ODI, with pace in Southampton. Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre Al Arabi at this stage, especially our chances to qualify for the table with 24 points despite be- them.”