SPORT Thursday 31 May 2018 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Messi grabs hat-trick Qatar’s Adel Abdulla as Argentina fastest in Kenderly thrash Haiti loop stage Al Thawadi highlights importance of 2018, 2022 World Cup editions

THE PENINSULA nology) of the IEF, which was most popular game with the World focus of all participants due to attended by several dignitaries from Cups being hosted in Russia and Qatar’s strong progress in all areas ST PETERSBURG: The Secretary- around the world including the Min- Qatar. particularly projects relating to Qatar General of Supreme Committee for ister of Sport of the Russian Feder- With these two countries, 2022. Delivery and Legacy (SC), Hassan ation, Pavel Kolobkov, who is also hosting the World Cups for first While Russia is set to host the Al Thawadi in his speech at the the Head of the Local Organising time, the SC secretary-general World Cup from next month, Qatar International Economic Forum (IEF) Committee of the 2018 World Cup pointed out the importance of intro- is well ahead of the construction in St Petersburg highlighted the in Russia. ducing new cultures and civilisa- work on eight of the proposed host importance of FIFA World Cups in In all, over 10,000 representa- tions, and in showing the great venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Russia and Qatar, saying the mega tives from 120 countries including passion being enjoyed by the sport With the iconic Khalifa International tournaments in the two football French President Emmanuel Macron in two regions. He promised Qatar Stadium ready, all the other venues loving nations will highly and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo would continue prolong association are also expected to be completed benefit the game. Abe attended the IEF. with the stakeholders for bet- well before the schedule. Al Thawadi spoke Al Thawadi said the modern terment of football. One of the unique elements of in one of the sessions technology being used by Russia Apart from attending the IEF, Al the Qatar 2022 will be that fans (fields available to and Qatar for construction of sta- Thawadi held several media descending here will be able to the modern diums and in other aspects in an meetings with the various media watch two matches a day due to the infra- unprecedented manner will take outlets that covered the forum, proximity of stadiums and an structure football to a new level. He predicted according to a report posted on excellent local public transport of tech- a brilliant future for the world’s alkass.net. Al Thawadi remained the system.

The Secretary-General of Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), Hassan Al Thawadi speaking during the International Economic Forum (IEF) in St Petersburg. Djokovic reaches third round; Halep survives

AFP RESULTS

PARIS: Former champion Novak MEN: FIRST ROUND Djokovic reached the French Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt Peter Polansky (CAN) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 Open third round for the 13th SECOND ROUND consecutive year by beating Spanish qualifier Jaume Munar David Goffin (BEL x8) bt Corentin Moutet (FRA) 7-5, 6-0, 6-1 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4 yesterday, while Marco Cecchinato (ITA) bt Marco Trungelliti (ARG) 6-1, 7-6 (7/1), 6-1 second seed Pablo Carreño-Busta (ESP x10) bt Federico Del Bonis (ARG) 7-6 (7/0), 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4 staged a fightback to win a five- (ESP x13) bt Santiago Giraldo (COL) 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 setter against Dusan Lajovic. (SRB x20) bt Jaume Munar (ESP) 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4 Djokovic, the 2016 Roland (ESP x30) bt (ARG) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 Garros champion and former Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x4) bt Jared Donaldson (USA) 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 Simona Halep of world number one, is seeded 20 Matteo Berrettini (ITA) bt Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 Romania in action this year after struggling to redis- (JPN x19) bt Benoît Paire (FRA) 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 against Alison Riske of cover his best form after Gilles Simon (FRA) bt Sam Querrey (USA x12) 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-1 the USA during their first returning from a right elbow Damir Dzumhur (BIH x26) bt Radu Albot (MDA) 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 1-6, 7-5 round match yesterday. injury. Alexander Zverev (GER x2) bt Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 He wasn’t at his best on Court Suzanne Lenglen, but goes on to WOMEN: FIRST ROUND face ’s 13th seed Roberto Simona Halep (ROM x1) bt Alison Riske (USA) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 Bautista Agut for a place in the SECOND ROUND last 16. The Serbian 12-time Grand Katerina Siniaková (CZE) bt Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-4 Slam champion fired 39 winners Barbora Strycova (CZE x26) bt Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 6-4, 6-2 but 33 unforced errors and was Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) bt Jennifer Brady (USA) 6-4, 6-3 broken three times by Munar, the Wang Qiang (CHN) bt Petra Martic (CRO) 6-1, 6-1 world 155. Madison Keys (USA x13) bt Caroline Dolehide (USA) 6-4, 6-1 “I am very happy to be here Naomi Osaka (JPN x21) bt Zarina Diyas (KAZ) 6-4, 7-5 on Suzanne Lenglen and see so Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROM x31) bt Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 6-1, 6-2 many people and see the support,” Elina Svitolina (UKR x4) bt Viktoria Kuzmova (SVK) 6-3, 6-4 said Djokovic. Petra Kvitova (CZE x8) bt Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) 6-0, 6-4 “Jaume is a great player, he Anett Kontaveit (EST x25) bt Alexandra Dulgheru (ROM) 7-5, 6-2 has lots of quality and good con- Camila Giorgi (ITA) bt Mariana Duque Marino (COL) 6-0, 6-3 centration. I congratulate him on a great match today.” Serbia’s Novak Djokovic plays a backhand German world number three return to Spain’s Jaume Munar during their Zverev found himself in deep men’s singles second round match of 2018 trouble when trailing by two sets French Open in Paris yesterday. Djokovic won to one against Lajovic, but the 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4. Serbian ran out of gas as it finished 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. The 21-year-old, a winner of the crucial break in the 17th game German world number three Zverev beat Dusan Lajovic in a semi-finals or better if she is to Svitolina reached the last 32 for three Masters titles, is yet to reach of the deciding set as his opponent marathon five-setter. retain the world top spot. the fourth straight year by a quarter-final and started to struggle with cramp. Her main rival for the top brushing aside Viktoria Kuzmova was knocked out in the first round Japan’s Kei Nishikori also Japan’s Kei Nishikori stages a comeback to advance. ranking, second seed Caroline in straight sets. at Roland Garros last year. staged a comeback to edge out Wozniacki, joined her in the last The 23-year-old, who arrived But Zverev moved into round Frenchman Benoit Paire on 32 by thrashing Spanish qualifier in Paris having won her second three for the second time, where Philippe Chatrier court, winning World number one Halep fights back after a disastrous opening Georgina Garcia Perez 6-1, 6-0 straight title, saw off he will play Bosnian 26th seed 6-3, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in his first set in first round. in only 51 minutes. her Slovakian opponent 6-3, 6-4 Damir Dzumhur, as he looks to Grand Slam event since Wim- Eighth seed Petra Kvitova and will next take on Romanian become the first German man to bledon last year after recovering  eased into the third round with a 31st seed Mihaela Buzarnescu. win the title since 1937. from a wrist injury. Second seed Caroline Wozniacki joins last 32 by thrashing 6-0, 6-4 victory over Spain’s Lara Elsewhere, charismatic Jap- Fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov World number one Halep Spanish qualifier Georgina Garcia Perez 6-1, 6-0. Arruabarrena on Court One. anese 21st seed Naomi Osaka came went the distance, too, eventually fought back after a disastrous The two-time Wimbledon through a tight match with Kaza- coming through a marathon with opening set to beat American at the tournament came in 2014. “It’s always difficult in the champion has now won 13 con- khstan’s Zarina Diyas 6-4, 7-5. American Jared Donaldson 6-7 Alison Riske 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 in their The Romanian committed 16 first round of a Grand Slam, you secutive matches on clay after Serena Williams, who made (2/7), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8. delayed first-round match. unforced errors in the set but are always nervous,” said claiming titles in Prague and her Grand Slam return with a The Bulgarian was pushed all Halep, the runner-up in Paris stepped up a gear from that point 26-year-old Halep after a match , and will face Estonia’s singles win on Tuesday, part- the way by world number 57 Don- in 2014 and 2017, slumped 0-5 on to book a second-round match that was pushed back from 25th seed Anett Kontaveit for a nered sister Venus in a 4-6, 6-4, aldson in a match that lasted four down in the opening set to world against Taylor Townsend of the Tuesday due to rain. place in the last 16. 6-1 doubles victory over Japan’s hours and 19 minutes, but grabbed number 83 Riske whose only win United States. Halep needs to reach the Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Shuko Aoyama and Miyu Kato. 26 SPORT THURSDAY 31 MAY 2018

Mohamed Portugal to use ‘Euro-winning Salah formula’ at Russia World Cup AP Euro 2016 squad will be in Russia. Among those not going to Russia LISBON: After finally breaking are Ricardo Carvalho, Andre through with its first major title Gomes and Eder, who scored the at the European Championship title-winning goal in the extra two years ago, Portugal will use time against the hosts. the same formula at the World Portugal began its World Cup EFA hopes Cup. preparations with a 2-2 draw The European champions will against Tunisia on Monday, Salah will travel to Russia with many of the when it was without Ronaldo players from the squad that won because he played with Real be fit in Euro 2016, including Cristiano Madrid in the Champions League Ronaldo, and it will also carry the final on Saturday. All three three weeks same low-key mentality it had Sporting Lisbon players in the REUTERS when it succeeded in France. squad also were not available “We are fully aware that we because they played in the Por- are not the favorites,” Portugal tuguese Cup final. CAIRO: Egypt are hopeful coach Fernando Santos said. Portugal will play two more that forward Mohamed Salah “History shows it, as do all the warm-up matches before the will have recovered from his titles of the other teams that will World Cup - against Belgium on shoulder injury in three Portugal’s players celebrate after scoring against Tunisia during a warm-up match at the Estadio be playing at the World Cup. Saturday and Algeria on June 7. weeks which would allow Municipal de Braga in Braga, Portugal on Monday, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup. Before the European Champi- The team was drawn into him to play in their final onship I also didn’t believe we Group B at the World Cup, along group game at the World Cup were the favorites.” These teams are the favorites, Iceland and Austria in the group confidence in my players and in with Morocco, Iran and Iberian in Russia. Santos said Portugal can be then there is a group of candi- stage, then faced Croatia, Poland my team that I had before the rival Spain. Portugal’s opener will The 25-year-old suffered considered a “candidate” for the dates in which we can naturally and Wales in the knockout European Championship. We will be against the Spaniards on June a heavy fall in a challenge title but it still shouldn’t be include Portugal,” he told Portu- matches. have the same goal now that we 15 in Sochi in one of the most with Real Madrid defender included among the top con- guese television channel RTP. Santos said this time he can had then.” anticipated matches of the Sergio Ramos while playing tenders despite being European Portugal won its first major make the same type of promise Nine of the players who tournament. for Liverpool in the Cham- champions. title in 2016 - after coming close he made to the Portuguese people started in the final against France “It will be the game between pions League final against “We have the same three or a few other times in the Ronaldo before the European are back with the World Cup the favorite and the candidate,” Real Madrid on Saturday. four teams that were favorites in era - by avoiding all those tradi- Championship. team, with the only absences Santos said. “We will need to be He left the field in tears the European Championship - tional favorites until the final “We will give our best and we being veteran forward Nani and very careful in this group, but if amid serious doubts about his Germany, Spain, France - and against host France, when it won will be a contender to win every young midfielder Renato Sanches. Portugal doesn’t advance it will chances of playing for Egypt now we add Brazil and Argentina. in extra time. It played Hungary, match,” he said. “I have the same In total, 13 players from the be disappointing.” at their first World Cup since 1990. But the Egyptian FA (EFA) was more optimistic after Salah met the national team Ghana spoil doctor in Spain. FIFA drops disgraced Saudi referee “The (Egyptian) football Nishino’s association confirms once AFP again... Salah will be in the As referees at the 2018 World Cup were selected in teams World Cup, God willing, and debut of three, Mirdasi’s two assistants Mohammed Al Abakry and won’t be absent for more than LAUSANNE: A Saudi referee who has admitted soliciting a Abdulah Al Shalwai are also deselected, the FIFA Referees Com- three weeks,” it said on AFP bribe has been deselected from 2018 World Cup duty, the FIFA mittee said. Twitter without giving further Referees Committee confirmed yesterday. Two weeks ago Mirdasi was given a lifetime ban in Saudi details. YOKOHAMA: Ghana gate- The 32-year-old Fahad al-Mirdasi refereed games at the Arabia after admitting soliciting a bribe from a Saudi club, Egypt begin their World crashed Japan’s farewell game Rio Olympics in 2016 and the 2017 Confederations Cup and according to the Saudi Football Federation. Cup campaign against before the World Cup - coach had been set to oversee World Cup games in Russia. Mirdasi had been scheduled to oversee Saudi’s King’s Cup Uruguay on June 15, before Akira Nishino’s first in charge “Mr. Fahad al-Mirdasi is withdrawn with immediate effect,” final earlier this month but was suddenly replaced a few hours facing hosts Russia on June 19 of the Blue Samurai - with a 2-0 a FIFA statement said. before kick-off. and Saudi Arabia on June 25. win yesterday. On Sunday, Salah posted Thomas Partey put the vis- a message saying: “It was a itors in front after just nine very tough night, but I’m a minutes in rain-lashed fighter. Despite the odds, I’m Yokohama before an confident that I’ll be in Russia Emmanuel Boateng penalty Messi grabs hat-trick as Argentina to make you all proud. Your early in the second further love and support will give me dented Japan’s fragile the strength I need.” confidence. thrash Haiti in warm-up match Egypt reached the tour- It was a harsh reality check nament after Salah scored a for Nishino, who took charge 95th- minute penalty to help last month after predecessor REUTERS ahead against Haiti, whose sole them beat Congo 2-1 in Vahid Halilhodzic was abruptly appearance at the World Cup finals October. given the boot, plunging Japan’s BUENOS AIRES: Argentina came in 1974 and are ranked 108th Liverpool physiotherapist World Cup preparations into showed once again how reliant in the world, 103 places below Ruben Pons yesterday was chaos. they are on Lionel Messi as the them in the world rankings. quoted by the Spanish sports Thomas, who plays in Spain forward scored a hat- “More than the result we were paper Marca as saying that at Atletico Madrid and largely trick in their 4-0 World Cup able to say goodbye to our fans and Salah would be out for up to goes by his first name, blasted warm-up win over Haiti on show that we are going to Russia four weeks. a free kick into the bottom Tuesday. with hope,” Messi said. corner to punish Japan after a With Javier Mascherano Aguero was fit again after a clumsy foul by Tomoaki Makino making his 143rd appearance to knee injury but began the game on on the edge of the box. put him one ahead of Javier Zanetti the bench, with Gonzalo Higuain Casemiro, Japan’s talisman Keisuke as Argentina’s most capped player, and Angel Di Maria starting up Honda twice went close at the Messi got the opener from the front alongside Messi. Marcelo other end, but Boateng stunned penalty spot after 17 minutes. However, both men failed to the home side by doubling He doubled their lead 12 shine and instead it was Aguero join Brazil Ghana’s lead from the spot six minutes into the second half with and Boca Juniors’ Christian Pavon minutes after halftime. a simple tap-in after the goal- who staked their claim for a World squad Nishino cut a dejected keeper could only parry a header, Cup place when they came on after AP figure in a soaked grey sweat- scored Argentina’s third after 65 an hour. shirt and baseball cap, in sharp minutes, and then set up Sergio Argentina now fly to Bar- contrast to Halilhodzic’s dapper Aguero to make it four just two celona to prepare for World Cup LONDON: Real Madrid pinstripe suits. minutes later. matches against Iceland on June team-mates Marcelo and The 63-year-old former JFA Argentina failed to add to their 16, Croatia on June 21 and Nigeria Casemiro have arrived at technical director threw on play- tally but should have been further on June 26. Tottenham’s training center maker Shinji Kagawa, marking to complete Brazil’s 23-men his return to the Japan side after World Cup squad. an absence with ankle trouble The left back and mid- since the start of the year. fielder missed the first week Forwards Shinji Okazaki of training in Teresopolis, and Gaku Shibasaki also came outside Rio de Janeiro, and off the bench as Japan chased the first two days of practice goals but the hosts never really in London because they were threatened a comeback in a helping Madrid win the poor display. Champions League. Japan travel to Europe to With the late additions, take on Switzerland on June 6 Brazil coach Tite has his and Paraguay on June 12 in final complete squad for the first tune-ups before facing time. Liverpool striker Colombia, Senegal and Poland Roberto Firmino arrived at the World Cup. Monday. Nishino names his final Brazil, which will face 23-man World Cup squad for Croatia on Sunday at Anfield, Russia today. will stay in London for Japan, who will be playing training until June 8. The in their sixth successive World team will then travel to Cup, have only twice reached Vienna to play its last pre- the last 16 -- in 2010 and as co- Argentina’s Lionel Messi (right) scores against Haiti during their international friendly football match in Buenos Aires, on Tuesday. World Cup friendly against hosts in 2002. Austria. THURSDAY 31 MAY 2018 SPORT 27

Zverev Qatar’s Abdulla fastest stumped by reporter’s in Kenderly loop stage accent AFP THE PENINSULA to rally headquarters adjacent to the Caspian Sea. The last two PARIS: German second KENDERLY KAZAKHSTAN: stages of 298.04km and seed Alexander Zverev Qatar’s Adel Abdulla has not 148.52km head north out of the came back from two sets found the going easy over the city, with the last one passing to one down to reach the first three days of Rally Kaza- along the shoreline of the French Open third round khstan, round five of the FIA Caspian Sea before the cere- yesterday -- only to be World Cup for Cross-Country monial finish on June 2. defeated by a broad York- Rallies. He currently holds fourth Meanwhile, Poland’s FIA shire accent. place in the T2 category. World Cup leader Jakub Przy- Zverev beat Dusan Driving a rented Toyota Land gonski reduced MINI team-mate Lajovic of Serbia 2-6, 7-5, Cruiser in a bid to close the Yazeed Al-Rajhi’s overall lead in 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to continue his 56-point gap on series leader Rally Kazakhstan to four minutes bid to become the first Ahmed Al-Shegawi in the with the fastest time on the third German man to take the six-day event through the selective section through the title in Paris since 1937. western Kazakh deserts, Adel western deserts yesterday. But the 21-year-old, and fellow Qatari navigator Driving an X-raid MINI John who also speaks fluent Nasser Al-Kuwari were classified Cooper Works Rally alongside English and Russian, was in third place through the Belgian navigator Tom Colsoul, mystified when a reporter opening 280km special that was the winner of April’s Qatar from the northern English won by local driver Kirill Cross-Country Rally posted a county of Yorkshire Chernenkov from Russian rival time of 3hrs 24min 35sec for the wanted to know what it Konstantin Ivanov. Kazakh varied 327.47km stage and the would take for him to Qatar’s Adel Abdulla during the Rally Kazakhstan yesterday. Marat Abykayev was fourth. former enduro rider will now finally win a Grand Slam. Chernenkov extended his open the road on day four. “Where you from lead over Ivanov to 9min 15sec With Al-Rajhi dropping buddy?,” asked Zverev to in the second and longest finish.” With the car repaired for he held fourth position at the and find the waypoint. Still we 5min 03sec to the stage winner, the stunned journalist. selective section of the entire the start of yesterday’s third Kenderly bivouac. have three days to go. This race Przygonski’s closest champi- “Yorkshire,” replied his event, but Abykayev and Adel timed section of 327.47km, Adel “We did a good time in the is very tough for everybody and onship rival Martin Prokop inquisitor. Abdulla lost over one and a half needed to try and make in-roads stage but we had a problem with I will not give up. I will try and (Ford F-150 Evo) carded the “Nice. If they ever hours and 2hrs 45min respec- into Abykayev’s third place. the clutch before the start. We give the maximum.” second quickest time - 48 make a tournament there tively. The Qatar slipped to The Qatari was rewarded could not climb the dunes. There Adel Abdulla’s campaign to seconds behind the Pole - to I’m coming just because of fourth position and trailed the with the fastest time on the was something wrong in the first win back the FIA T2 Champi- consolidate fourth in the that accent. leader by 2hrs 45min 19sec. day’s special, although 200 metres. We had a choice, onship comes with valuable overall rankings. “Love it. I didn’t under- Adel said: “We had a small Chernenkov was able to either we stop or find a solution support from the Qatar Motor Al Rajhi’s co-driver Timo stand a word you’re accident and broke the front increase his outright lead over to drive around the dunes. We and Motorcycle Federation Gottschalk said: “Today was a saying.” The exchange screen in the dunes and it was Ivanov to 15min 12sec. Time decided to drive around them (QMMF), Ooredoo Qatar and beautiful stage with really nice lightened the mood for not easy to cross because I could penalties of 1hr 45min for and missed some waypoints. I Nissan Qatar. landscape. We did not push so Zverev who is becoming not see clearly. In the last 50km, missing waypoints further start to smell the clutch more and Today crews tackle a stage much today. We are still leading increasingly impatient of I had a mechanical problem, so hampered Adel Abdulla’s we did not push hard. Nasser did of 398.57km between Kenderly the race and everything is going being asked when he will I decided to slow down to the chances of regaining third and a good job to catch up the stage and Aktau City before returning to plan.” make a breakthrough at the majors to match his impressive efforts on the ATP Tour. He has a year-leading 32 wins and arrived in Qatar’s Al Kazim appointed to new Paris with clay-court titles in Munich and Madrid and a runners-up finish to in Rome. post in Wrestling Asian Council But the Slams is a dif- ferent story. His best is a run to the ARMSTRONG VAS which insisted on me taking notched various regional and plans set by the Committee, last 16 at Wimblesdon in THE PENINSULA over the chairmanship,” international achievements, and it will be our role to 2017, just a few weeks after Kazim said. both at the managerial level develop plans for courses he was dumped out of DOHA: The President of the “As Chairman of the Devel- and by Qatari officials, besides and workshops so that their Roland Garros in the first Qatar Boxing and Wrestling opment and Planning Com- Qatari athletes have won dates do not conflict with the round. He was defeated in Federation (QBWF), Yousuf Ali mittee of the United World medals and titles in various regional calendar and inter- the third round at the Aus- Al Kazim (pictured) has been Wrestling Asian Council, in foreign competitions. national wrestling,” said tralian Open in January by appointed as Chairman of the addition to supervising all the The Executive Office of the Kazim, who will be in charge South Korea’s Chung Development and Planning development plans of the United World Wrestling Asian of the post until the current Hyeon. “Everybody tries to Committee of the United various committees of the Council selected two members term of the United World make a bigger story out of World Wrestling Asian Union, I will also be looking to the Development Com- Wrestling Asian Council it than it is,” said Zverev Council, it was announced after the development plans for mittee, one from Kazakhstan Executive Office ends in who has now equalled his here yesterday. trainers, doctors, technicians and the other from Nepal, 2021. best run in Paris by making Kazim, who has served in and referees.” leaving the freedom to select Kazim thanked the the third round. different capacities in various Kazim appointment was other members of the Com- support extended by the Qatar “I have had great Arab Federations, received a made at a meeting of the mittee to the Chairman. Olympic Committee to QBWF success on the ATP Tour, letter from Daulet Tur- United World Wrestling Asian “A member from Nepal programs and activities, won three Masters, made lykhanov of the United World Council Executive Office, was selected as an emerging stressing that the support con- two other finals this year. Wrestling Asian Council, which took place in Bishkek, wrestling state and various tributed significantly to the I’m not worried. I know if urging him to present an inte- the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on plans could be applied to Federation notching various I’m doing the right things grated plan of action for the sidelines of the Asian develop and qualify achievements both in the and if I do the right work development of wrestling. Championship. athletes. sporting arena and at the I’ll win those long matches, “Qatar offered a proposal The choice of Kazim for “And the selection of a administrative levels in boxing and the success will come to the development com- the new continental position member from Kazakhstan as and wrestling, both at the itself.” mittee and I was urged upon is a new achievement for a leading wrestling state national and international by the Executive Office, Qatar sports, which has could help implement the level. Guardiola dismisses Isco move QFA PRESIDENT GREETS KUWAITI COUNTERPART AFP titles with Barcelona as a player them.” Guardiola´s status in Bar- before leading the team to three celona means his political views MADRID: Pep Guardiola more league successes and two carry weight too, with the (pictured) has ruled out Champions League triumphs as Spaniard regularly wearing a Manchester City signing Real coach. yellow ribbon last season in Madrid´s Isco this summer and His City side were knocked support of those imprisoned for described the European cham- out by Liverpool, however, in the backing Catalan pions as a “spectacular team”. quarter-finals in April as Real independence. Guardiola, speaking at a went on to clinch their third con- He was charged in February Johan Cruyff Foundation event secutive European crown, and by England´s Football Associ- in Barcelona yesterday, also fourth in five years. ation, who ruled that the political made another staunch defence “I congratulate Madrid,” message was in breach of kit of his decision to wear a yellow Guardiola said. regulations. ribbon last season in support of the Frenchman and that playing “When a team gets three “I would have worn it (in imprisoned Catalan for the national team “gives him Champions Leagues in a row, Spain) as well, why can I wear it campaigners. life”. four in five years, it is a spec- in England and not here?” Guar- Isco extended his contract Isco started the Champions tacular team. diola said. until 2022 in September but has League final against Liverpool, “The Champions League is a “People stand up against The President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) not been an automatic pick for however, and enjoyed a strong very tough competition, very AIDS, against gender discrimi- Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani and Real under Zinedine Zidane this end to the campaign in La Liga. complicated, where going nation. It is not a political claim, season. Guardiola says Isco will not be through or going out depends on it is in support of people who are Sheikh Ahmed Al Yousif, newly elected President of the After scoring a hat-trick for at City next term. many things. in jail for expressing a political Kuwait Football Association pose for a picture. During Spain against Argentina in “No, Manchester City are not “And if all these things are option, which can happen to the meeting, the Qatar and Kuwait officials discussed March, the 26-year-old said he going to sign Isco,” he said. with you for three years in a row, anyone. People who are in jail ways and means to develop football in both the countries no longer felt the confidence of Guardiola won six La Liga it means you are in control of for asking that people can vote.” and the region at large. THURSDAY 31 MAY 2018 SPORT 25

It’s a big achievement winning FOOTBALL in Test cricket in England against Pacer Mohammad Amir England. If we win the series I hopes Pakistan will beat International Friendlies: French Open: Second England in the second and think it will be the best memory Slovakia vs Netherlands; LIVE ON rounds of Men’s and final Test to seal series. Chile vs Romania Women’s singles of my life. TUBE

ICC opts for Amir targets Corruption ‘goes right to golden memory tradition, with series win saves toss the top’, says Ranatunga over England in Tests AFP AFP AFP Sri Lanka’s former captain Arjuna Ranatunga speaks during a press LONDON: Mohammad Amir (pictured below) COLOMBO: World Cup-winning conference in Colombo yesterday. claims MUMBAI: Cricket’s skipper Arjuna Ranatunga bowling Pakistan to a Test world body decided yesterday said corruption “goes series win in England would be against scrapping the right to the top” in Sri Lanka and “the best memory” of his life. toss in Test cricket, accused the International Fired-up Amir was a key describing it an integral Cricket Council (ICC) of under- figure in Pakistan’s nine- part of the game. mining the game by failing to wicket win over England in The International tackle match-fixing. the first Test at Lord’s. Cricket Council (ICC) was Ranatunga, now a gov- The 26-year-old pace mulling doing away with ernment minister, said cricket bowler took five wickets in a the flip of the coin during corruption in Sri Lanka went far triumph that put Pakistan on the World Test Champi- beyond the claims made in an course for a series victory. onship scheduled to start Al Jazeera documentary which The second Test of the from July 2019 as part of aired on Sunday. two-match series begins at measures to boost the Ranatunga said the allega- Headingley on Friday and flagging fortunes of the tions must be investigated, “but Amir has his sights set on long format. this must have been happening completing a success that The ICC cricket com- for a long time. would ranked as the finest mittee chaired by Indian “This is something that goes achievement of his career. spin legend Anil Kumble right to the top (in Sri Lanka). “It’s a big achievement debated the toss among What they will catch is the small winning in Test cricket in other issues such as fish. As usual the bigger fish will England against England at player behaviour during get away,” he said. home,” he said yesterday. their two-day meeting in The documentary alleged “If we win the series I Mumbai. that a Sri Lankan player and think it will be the best “The committee dis- groundsman were involved a The 54-year-old former been suspended while the ICC “The ICC did not investigate, memory of my life.” cussed whether the toss pitch-tampering plot and that captain, who led Sri Lanka’s investigates accusations made Sri Lanka Cricket did not inves- Amir was delighted with should be automatically there was spot-fixing during 1996 World Cup-winning team, in Al Jazeera’s undercover tigate and we allowed things to Pakistan’s dominant display awarded to the visiting Tests between India and has in the past accused report. Sri Lankan police have continue,” he said, adding that at Lord’s but he expects Eng- team but felt that it was England, and India against Sumathipala of involvement in also started an inquiry. he was still distressed by Sri land’s wounded pride will an integral part of Test Australia. gambling in violation of ICC Asked if the Galle Lanka’s six-wicket defeat in the ensure the hosts push them cricket which forms part “I am so disappointed with rules. Sumathipala has denied groundsman was in a position Mumbai final. much harder in Leeds. of the narrative of the the ICC anti-corruption unit,” the charge. to tamper with the pitch, Rana- Sri Lanka, batting first, “Winning games at Lord’s game,” the ICC said in a Ranatunga said, referring to pre- “If they can’t see what is tunga said: “There is a top guy scored 274-6 off 50 overs and - the home of cricket - it is statement. vious complaints against Sri happening in Sri Lanka... they involved. He should be held appeared in a commanding very hard to win (in England). However the com- Lanka Cricket, which is headed should not sit on this anti-cor- responsible. He should be sus- position when Indian superstar We did well at Lord’s, but it’s mittee, which includes by politician and businessman ruption unit,” Ranatunga told pended, not only the person who Sachin Tendulkar was caught for passed now,” he said. cricketing greats like Thilanga Sumathipala. reporters. got (directly) involved.” 18. “Everybody knows Mike Gatting, Mahela He said the Sri Lankans Ranatunga said the global But India turned the game England are a very good side Jayawardene and David implicated in the Al Jazeera doc- audience for cricket was dramatically, thanks partly to - I think one of the best sides Boon, urged members to umentary could not change the declining because of corruption poor fielding and bowling by Sri in Test cricket - and they will deliver quality pitches outcome of a Test match unless allegations. He blamed the ICC. Lanka. come harder at us here. But that provide a better they had backing from “The ACU has been very Local media raised suspi- we are ready for that balance between bat and This is something superiors. poor. They have not used some cions of Sri Lankans throwing challenge.” ball. that goes right to “They are small fish,” Rana- of their powers and I think that the match, but there was no It also focused on the top in Sri Lanka. tunga said referring to the is one reason why cricket has formal call for an investigation improving players’ groundsman of the Galle gone down very badly in the until Ranatunga’s outburst last behaviour and What they will catch stadium, Tharanga Indika, and world in the last so many years. year. upholding the spirit of is the small fish. As a district coach, Tharindu “They (the ICC) need to take Ranatunga said Sri Lanka’s the gentlemen’s game usual the bigger fish Mendis. a big step and take a lot of hard humiliating 3-2 loss to bottom- which has been hit by a will get away: Arjuna “They can’t do it unless they decisions,” Ranatunga added. ranked Zimbabwe in five recent ball-tampering have agreement with those right Ranatunga said last year, he one-day matches on home soil scandal. Ranatunga at the top.” raised suspicions that the 2011 last year should also be Indika and Mendis have World Cup final was tainted. investigated. James leads long shot Cavs against Warriors

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