WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 SPORTS Eagles players latest to join anthem protest

CHICAGO: defensive the protests, sparked by San Francisco 49ers sary of the Sept. 11 attacks. “We didn’t want Rams, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans The protesting players have been seen players , Ron Brooks and quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the to mess with that day, so we left last week protested during the anthem on Sunday, as allies of the Black Lives Matter move- Steven Means stood together with raised NFL’s pre-season. alone. But moving forward, I’m sure there will while Megan Rapinoe has also knelt during ment, which grew in response to a string of fists during the US national anthem before “Last week, we talked about doing some be guys that will probably join in.” the anthem at the U.S. women’s soccer high-profile police killings of unarmed their game against the Chicago Bears on stuff, but we wanted to make sure that we Kaepernick started the protest when he team games. Other NFL players have cho- African-Americans across the country. Monday. The trio joined the movement of didn’t do anything to take away from the chose to stay seated, and then later opted sen to raise fists, recalling a similar demon- About two-thirds of NFL players are black. athletes who are using the anthem as an families that suffered from 9/11,” Jenkins said to kneel, for the anthem. He said it was a stration by athletes Tommie Smith and John Other athletes and fans have spoken out attempt to draw attention to racial inequali- in a radio interview on Friday, referring to gesture against injustice and police brutali- Carlos during their medal ceremony at the against the protests, viewing them as disre- ty. Jenkins said last week he planned to join games that coincided with the 15th anniver- ty. Several players from the Los Angeles 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. spectful. — Reuters call up young guns for Saudi, Japan W Cup games

SYDNEY: Austrian-based midfielder James They face Saudi Arabia, who beat Jeggo could earn his first cap for the Thailand and Iraq in their first two matches, Socceroos after being named yesterday in in Jeddah on October 6 before returning to Australia’s squad for World Cup qualifiers on October 11 to play Japan. against Saudi Arabia and Japan next “These two games come pretty quickly month. after the two matches we played against Coach has made Iraq and the UAE and we face similar chal- three changes to the squad, calling up the lenges against tough opposition, but we uncapped Jeggo and Netherlands-based are confident in our processes and plan- Craig Goodwin, while defender Bailey ning,” Postecoglou said. Wright returns after missing the first two Australia - (Melbourne qualifiers through injury. City/AUS), Milos Degenek (1860 Jeggo, 24, moved to SK Sturm Graz this Munchen/GER), Adam Federici year after stints with Melbourne Victory (Bournemouth/ENG), and Adelaide United in Australia’s A- (Rosenborg/NOR), Craig Goodwin (Sparta League. “We’ve made a couple of slight Rotterdam/NED), (Aarhus tweaks to the squad in line with our mantra Gymnastikforening/DEN), of selecting players who are in form and fit- (Burton Albion/ENG), (Aston ness and we’d like to have a good look at Villa/ENG), (SK Sturm Craig Goodwin and James Jeggo, who have Graz/AUT), (FC Luzern/SUI), started their seasons well in Europe,” (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Postecoglou said. (Vfb Stuttgart/GER), “ also comes back in after (FC Ingolstadt/GER), he missed the first two matches through (Queens Park injury and we go to Saudi Arabia and then Rangers/ENG), Ryan McGowan (Henan back to Melbourne with a squad we are Jianye/CHN), (Baniyas/UAE), comfortable can continue the good start (Huddersfield Town/ENG), we achieved.” Tommy Rogic (Celtic/SCO), Asian champions Australia defeated Iraq (Valencia/ESP), (Jiangsu 2-0 in Perth and the United Arab Emirates Suning/CHN), Brad Smith 1-0 in Abu Dhabi earlier this month to kick (Bournemouth/ENG), off their final round qualifying campaign (Hangzhou Greentown/CHN), Bailey Wright for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. (Preston North End/ENG). — AP

CHICAGO: Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) as he is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao (97) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, in Chicago. — AP Tougher tests to come for Wentz, high-flying Eagles

CHICAGO: took some hard hits, showed poise in the pocket and led the NFL result/standings Philadelphia Eagles to another victory. They’re about to find out how they stack up against a play- Philadelphia 29, Chicago 14. off contender. But they’re doing just fine so far. Conference National Football Conference Wentz followed up an impressive NFL debut AFC East NFC East with another solid performance, throwing for W L T OTL PF PA PCT NY Giants 2 0 0 0 36 32 1.000 190 yards and a touchdown, and the Eagles beat New England 2 0 0 0 54 45 1.000 SANT JOAN DESPI: FC Barcelona’s coach Luis Enrique, left, Gerard Pique, center, and Philadelphia 2 0 0 0 58 24 1.000 the Chicago Bears 29-14 on Monday night. “It NY Jets 1 1 0 0 59 54 .500 Neymar attend a training session at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Dallas 1 1 0 0 46 43 .500 was a cool stage, Monday Night Football,” Wentz Miami 0 2 0 0 34 43 0 Sant Joan Despi, Spain, yesterday. — AP Washington 0 2 0 0 39 65 0 said. “Everything’s sweet. But again, it was a foot- Buffalo 0 2 0 0 38 50 0 ball game and we came out with a win.” NFC North Luis Enrique, Simeone unite AFC North Minnesota 2 0 0 0 42 30 1.000 The No. 2 overall pick, Wentz is delivering as Baltimore 2 0 0 0 38 27 1.000 advertised so far for the Eagles (2-0). He followed Detroit 1 1 0 0 54 51 .500 Pittsburgh 2 0 0 0 62 32 1.000 Green Bay 1 1 0 0 41 40 .500 to defend ‘spectacular’ Neymar up a strong performance against Cleveland by Cincinnati 1 1 0 0 39 46 .500 Chicago 0 2 0 0 28 52 0 completing 21 of 34 passes and playing Cleveland 0 2 0 0 30 54 0 NFC South BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique ments. “He has his own style and I think it’s turnover-free ball for the second straight game. AFC South and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone spectacular for football. We enjoy his play a But it’s one thing to do it against the rebuild- Houston 2 0 0 0 42 26 1.000 Tampa Bay 1 1 0 0 38 64 .500 have launched impassioned defences of lot at Barca,” Luis Enrique told a news confer- ing Browns and Bears. The schedule gets a little Tennessee 1 1 0 0 32 40 .500 Carolina 1 1 0 0 66 48 .500 Neymar after the Brazilian’s showboating ence yesterday. “We know what world we live tougher next week when the Eagles host the Indianapolis 0 2 0 0 55 73 0 Atlanta 1 1 0 0 59 59 .500 again came under the spotlight. in and what people focus on, but I like his Pittsburgh Steelers. Jacksonville 0 2 0 0 37 65 0 New Orleans 0 2 0 0 47 51 0 Former Barcelona great Michael Laudrup concept of football, and no-one in can The Bears, meanwhile, are in danger of seeing AFC West NFC West lambasted the Brazil international for “pro- be surprised by it now. their season slip away. Not only did they follow Denver 2 0 0 0 55 40 1.000 San Francisco 1 1 0 0 55 46 .500 voking” the opposition in Saturday’s 5-1 win “Perhaps it’s better to criticise things that up a season-opening loss at Houston with a dis- Kansas City 1 1 0 0 45 46 .500 Los Angeles 1 1 0 0 9 31 .500 at Leganes and Neymar’s flamboyant style are against the rules, as there is nothing say- mal performance, they lost quarterback Jay Oakland 1 1 0 0 63 69 .500 Arizona 1 1 0 0 61 30 .500 will be scrutinised again on Wednesday when ing you cannot do spectacular tricks.” Atletico Cutler to a right thumb injury. With that in mind, San Diego 1 1 0 1 65 47 .500 Seattle 1 1 0 0 15 19 .500 Barcelona host Atletico. coach Simeone also defended Neymar when here are some takeaways from the game. Commentating on Saturday’s game at asked if he would be bothered if Neymar Leganes for BeIN sports, Laudrup said he attempted similar tricks against his side HELPING WENTZ TAKE IT AWAY ON THE BRIGHT SIDE? understood why Lluis Sastre kicked out at today. “He has a particular style of play, like The Eagles aren’t getting much from their run The Eagles won the turnover battle 3-0, includ- As bad as the Bears have looked so far, Neymar during the game. everyone else, but I love it,” Simeone said yes- game, but their defense sure is chipping in. After ing two recoveries. Bradham helped seal things could be worse. Just ask Fox. “Well, “Why are you taking the ball across your terday. “He has been criticised and they have holding Cleveland to 10 points, that group gave the win with his and return to the not as tough as last year because we were 0- own half? You’re provoking the opposition. exposed his private life. He has fun, he sings up only one of Chicago’s two touchdowns. Chicago 2 right after Philadelphia scored. But 3,” he said. The Bears dropped home games When it’s 4-0 you can’t be showboating and he dances and he destroys opponents. They “They’re playing well together as a team,” coach another big one came on the strip-sack by undraft- to Green Bay and Arizona and got shut out at provoking your opponents,” Laudrup said. can keep criticising him. He needs to respond said. “The communication is ed free agent Destiny Vaeao that teammate Seattle before beating Oakland at home. Neymar’s penchant for trying to embarrass on the pitch.” great. The defensive line is rolling off the ball, Connor Barwin said “turned the game.” The take- That was their lone victory at Soldier Field opponents with flicks and tricks has prompt- Simeone added: “He’s extraordinary. He getting pressure, making the (opposing) quar- away came with the Bears on the Philadelphia 43. last season. — AP ed criticism in Spain before, with Luis Enrique went to the Olympics and won gold, he has terback move off one spot, having to relocate his once declaring he sympathised with Athletic found his place at Barcelona to showcase his feet, putting the quarterback in different throw- Bilbao players for fouling Neymar in the 2015 talent, he has just come back from holidays ing positions. “Then the back end is doing a real- King’s Cup final. and he’s still playing just as well. “He has a ly nice job in coverage. They’re just playing The coach, however, took his player’s side personality that allows him to do all that, and together as a unit.” when questioned about Laudrup’s com- I love watching him.” — Reuters AT QUARTERBACK The Bears lost the game and they lost their quarterback. If Cutler is not available, Brian Hoyer figures to start at Dallas next week. Cutler was seen having his right hand examined on the sideline early in the third following a strip-sack by Destiny Vaeao, though he said it happened sometime earlier in the game. That play just aggravated it. As if the injury wasn’t enough, he also got an earful from injured linebacker Pernell McPhee after an interception late in the third quarter. The two had words after a pass got picked off by Philadelphia’s . Cutler walked to the locker room and did not return.

NO GROUND GAINS The Bears are being hurt offensively by the lack of a running game, whether it’s because of poor blocking with a line that has just come together or a lack of execution. Their running backs had just 55 yards on 17 carries after going for 61 on 18 attempts in a season-opening loss at Houston. “I mean, nothing has gotten going MOSCOW: Russian coach Irina Gromova speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia, yes- like we planned to,” Cutler said. “That falls on me. terday. Gromova says the samples in question dated from the period around the That falls on the rest of the offense. So we’ve got BAGHDAD: Iraqi Paralympians Ahmed Naas (2-L), Garrah Tnaiash (3-R) and Kovan Sochi Paralympics and were considered by WADA investigator Richard McLaren to to take a look at it and whatever is bothering us Abdulraheem (R) pose for a picture at Baghdad’s International Airport yesterday upon their show scratches and a ‘hole’ in the bottle which indicated possible tampering. — AP on offense we’ve got to get it fixed.” return from Brazil where they took part in the Rio 2016 Paralympic games. — AFP