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Sunday, August 12, 2018 FOOTBALL Dhul-Hijja 1, 1439 AH Chelsea, Spurs win GULF TIMES away as promoted teams struggle SPORT Page 2 ASIAN GAMES RALLYING 222 athletes Qatar’s Abdulla closes in on T2 on a mission to make lead with win in Hungary the nation proud Agencies Veszprem, Hungary

‘We hope their success will inspire young athletes to one day represent Team Qatar’ atar’s Adel Abdulla closed the gap on his By Sports Reporter T2 rival Ahmed al- Doha Shegawi to 23 points Qafter claiming a dramatic victory in the Veszprem-based Hungar- he 18th edition of the ian Baja, the eighth round of the Asian Games will be FIA World Cup for Cross Coun- held in the Indonesian try Rallies, yesterday afternoon. cities of Jakarta-Palem- The Nissan Patrol Y62 driver bangT from August 18-Septem- and French navigator Jean- ber 2 and will see 222 athletes Michel Polato trailed the Saudi at proudly represent Team Qatar. the overnight halt, but a superb Indonesia will be the fi rst run through the fi rst selective country to ever host the 2nd section yesterday morning gave largest multi-sport event in two the QX Rally Team star the ad- diff erent cities. The Opening vantage. Ceremony will be held on Au- Abdulla maintained that lead gust 18 at the Gelora Bung Karno in diffi cult conditions to reach 39sec and that enabled the Qa- Stadium in Jakarta. The 37th the fi nish 1min 09sec in front of tari to extend his overall advan- General Assembly of the Olym- his arch rival in the race to win tage to 2min 21sec on a section pic Council of Asia will be held the title for series production of the special where Romania’s on August 19 at the Mulia Hotel cross-country vehicles. Claudiu Barbu had dropped an Indonesia. Abdulla said: “I am very happy hour to his two Arab rivals before Team Qatar will be represented about this result. Jean-Michel retiring. by 20 national sport federations did a very good job as usual. I After service and a regroup- and will compete in 30 events and thank the team, the media, my ing in Veszprém, Abdulla headed disciplines at the Asian Games sponsors, the Qatar Motor and for the repeat of the two sections 2018. Team Qatar will also com- Motorcycle Federation, Ooredoo with a T2 lead of 3min 20sec. Al- pete in two new sports for the fi rst Qatar and Nissan Qatar for their Shegawi clawed one minute back time in Qatar’s Asian Games his- support. It was a very tough race on the repeat of the shorter sec- tory, including 3x3 basketball and and we managed to take the win.” tion, but the longer part of the air sports. Abdulla complained that he stage was shortened to 153km Showing his support for Team had been blocked through Fri- and fi nished at PC2 because of Qatar at the Asian Games 2018, day’s opening super special stage inclement stage and weather Qatar Olympic Committee by a rival competitor, who had not conditions. (QOC) secretary-general Jas- moved out of his way in the dust, Abdulla reached the fi nish in sim al-Buenain said, “With the and that was the reason for the a time of 1hr 41min 26sec and, directions of HE Sheikh Joaan 18.6-second gap to the T2 leader even though al-Shegawi beat bin Hamad al-Thani, the QOC at the start of the second day. him on the stage by 1min 12sec, President, we are committed The Qatari had a good start- the Qatari had done enough to to always support our National Team Qatar competitions will begin with the handball team, who are looking to defend their Asian Games 2014 title. ing position on the road for the secure the victory by 1min 09sec Sports Federations in delivering fi rst run through the opening and close the gap on his rival in the appropriate environment for selective section of 219.50km, the T2 standings to 23 points. our athletes to train and achieve nonetheless. He clocked a time Action resumes in the FIA excellence, as this is a key stra- of 20min 42sec for the short fi rst World Cup for Cross-Country tegic goal for the QOC.” part of the timed test and that Rallies with Baja Poland on Au- Al-Buenain added: “Qatar is was 18 seconds faster than the gust 30-September 2. a nation passionate about sport time set by al-Shegawi. and we strongly believe in the That should have put the Nis- FIA WORLD CUP FOR power of sport to unite, inspire, san driver 0.6 seconds behind his CROSS-COUNTRY RALLIES empower and educate people of rival, but the Saudi had incurred T2 STANDINGS all ages and abilities. The 2006 a one-minute time penalty and 1. Ahmed al-Shegawi (SAU) 183pts Asian Games has been a cata- Abdulla inherited a one-minute 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT) 160 lyst for Qatar’s sport develop- outright lead to take into the 3. Yuliya K-Migunova (RUS) 42 ment. Hosting the Games in longer second part of the stage. 4. Marat Abykayev (KAZ) 36 Doha holds a special place in Abdulla completed the longer 5. Alexey Titov (RUS) 25 our hearts. Today we stand be- part of the stage in 2hrs 29min 6. Anders Svensson (SWE) 15 hind our athletes and confi dent that they will make us proud. We hope that their success will in- spire young athletes in Qatar to follow in their footsteps and one day represent Team Qatar.” The diverse and ambitious team includes 29 females who will take part in new and ex- citing sports, everything from shooting to taekwondo. Team Qatar forms a strong team with over 890 previous achievements from winning Olympic medals, to claiming Asian champion ti- tles and are eager to return home with even more medals. Team Qatar will be led by QOC presi- dent HE Sheikh Joaan bin Ha- mad al-Thani. On his medal prediction Rania al-Naji will represent Qatar in women’s hammer throw. Hamad al-Attiyah is part of the Equestrian contingent for 2018 Asiad. and hopes for Team Qatar, al- Buenain said, “It is with no Team Qatar athletes have re- tional ‘I am Qatar’ campaign was tions Director at the QOC, said, compete in competition they doubt that our athletes at the ceived an outpouring of public introduced by an energetic short “We hope the ‘I am Qatar’ cam- compete for us all.” Asian Games 2018 will be car- support in response to a new ‘I fi lm produced by Al Kass Sports paign brings everyone together Team Qatar competitions will rying a huge responsibility to am Qatar’ campaign recently Channels featuring some of the to support our athletes at the begin with the handball team, showcase the Qatari sport at its launched across its digital plat- prominent Team Qatar athletes in 2018 Asian Games. Our athletes who are looking to defend their best. The Games act as a great forms as part of the exciting build diff erent sports. represent everything that Qa- Asian Games 2014 title. The opportunity for our athletes to up to Asian Games 2018 Jakarta- Commenting on the remark- tar stands for. We are extremely team will play against Malay- shine and gain wonderful ex- Palembang. To celebrate Qatar’s able response to the campaign, proud of them and we want sia in the preliminary round on periences. Wishing them all the continued emergence onto the Sheikha Asma al-Thani, the them to feel the support of the Monday, August 13, fi ve days Qatar’s Adel Abdulla (also top) in action on his way to victory in the best at their competitions.” world stage of sport the inspira- Marketing and Communica- entire community. When they ahead of the Opening Ceremony. Hungarian Baja. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, August 12, 2018 FOOTBALL

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Neymar is my key player, says PSG coach Tuchel Proud Pogba happy AFP fi nal three months of last season with Paris injury before being ridiculed for regular to repay trust as playacting at the World Cup. In contrast, teenage sensation Mbappe ew Paris Saint-Germain head shone in Russia, scoring four goals, in- Man Utd captain coach Thomas Tuchel insisted cluding in France’s fi nal victory over that Neymar is the “key player” Croatia. AFP piqued by his frosty relationship for his side, as his team prepare But Neymar did score 19 league goals in Manchester, United Kingdom with the Portuguese coach. Nfor the start of their title defence 20 games last term before his foot injury, And Pogba seemed to call for against Caen today. and made 13 assists. more trust from Mourinho this The stunning performances of Kylian German Tuchel was keen to play down anchester United season. “Like I always say, I always Mbappe at the World Cup and consistent concerns that the 26-year-old doesn’t midfi elder Paul Pog- give my best for the fans, for my speculation linking Neymar with a move work hard enough for the team. ba declared his pride teammates, for the people that away from the club have left the Brazil- “There are other people in the team at being named cap- trust me,” the midfi elder said. ian’s status as PSG’s star man somewhat who are responsible for defence, the Mtain for Friday’s Premier League Mourinho has clashed with the in danger. structure of the team, but that’s not his opening 2-1 win over Leicester, club’s hierarchy in recent weeks “It’s totally clear that he’s my best job,” said the former Borussia Dortmund but pointedly suggested he wants and showed his frustration at player,” said Tuchel, who took over at the boss. to be trusted more by manager not adding to his squad before Parc des Princes from Unai Emery in May. “There is not one single leader who Jose Mourinho. Thursday’s transfer deadline. “He’s one of the best players in the has to manage everything on his shoul- Mourinho surprisingly put “Football is changing, and world. He’s an artist, a creative player, ders, but Neymar is of course one of them Pogba straight into the start- managers should be called head and for players like that, it’s easier if you (leaders), that’s obvious.” ing line-up and handed him coaches,” said Mourinho after don’t put too much pressure on them. The capital-city giants host Caen at the armband even though the beating Leicester, who he fl agged That’s important. Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (left) and teammate Neymar take part in a the Parc des Princes looking for a second Frenchman had just returned to as a side that should not be un- “There are many ways to be a leader. training session at the Ooredoo Training Centre in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. (AFP) straight domestic title, although all eyes training on Monday after his ex- derestimated as they “invest For ‘Ney’, in my opinion, he’s our leader will already be focused on their latest tilt ertions in lifting the World Cup more than us.” when he’s happy, happy in his game, in others by taking risks.” all-time, will be hoping to remind the at the Champions League with the group less than a month ago. Yet, despite Mourinho’s earlier his creativity, and being an inspiration for Neymar, the most expensive player of PSG fans of his quality after missing the stage set to start on September 18. Pogba responded with what warning that United face a “dif- Mourinho described as a “mon- fi cult” season after failing to be ster” performance and took re- back him in the transfer market, ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE sponsibility from the penalty a winning start did brighten the spot to open the scoring after mood around Old Traff ord. just three minutes of the season. “It’s three points, it’s what we “Of course it makes me proud, wanted,” said Pogba. it makes me happy to wear this “Of course the performance (armband) at a big club like Man- wasn’t the best, but it’s better to chester United,” said Pogba. start like this and fi nish well than The man who cost United start very well and fi nish bad. a then world record £89mn “We know the players, and Chelsea, Spurs win (105mn euros, $116mn) in 2016 myself as well, didn’t have a lot was routinely dropped by Mour- of training and we played a game. inho last season, and had been “We knew we were not going linked with a move away from to be fi t, 100 per cent, but the Old Traff ord in recent days with most important was to start well away as promoted Barcelona’s interest reportedly the Premier League.” teams struggle ‘For three to four weeks we can work with only one match a week, so we’ve to improve’

Reuters Fulham manager Slavisa Huddersfield, England Jokanovic said his team needed to adjust quickly to the new level of quality they will face. helsea and Tottenham “The Premier League is more Hotspur enjoyed away power, more speed and more wins on the opening quality and we must adapt,” he Saturday of the Premier said. LeagueC season while promoted “We have to trust ourselves Fulham and Cardiff City were and work hard and we know we given quick reminders of the can play better than today.” tough task they face on their re- Cardiff City also tasted de- Manchester United’s Paul Pogba (right) celebrates his goal during turns to the top fl ight. feat on their return to the elite their Premier League match against Leicester City at Old Traff ord in Goals from N’Golo Kante, — midfi elder Ryan Fraser’s fi rst- Manchester, England, on Friday. (AFP) Jorginho (penalty) and Pedro half goal and forward Callum gave Chelsea an impressive 3-0 Wilson’s late strike securing the win at Huddersfi eld Town as three points for Bournemouth at their new Italian coach Maurizio the Vitality Stadium. Mourinho makes ‘head coach’ Sarri watched his team respond The other promoted team, well after enduring early pres- Championship winners Wolver- jibe aft er transfer frustration sure from David Wagner’s side. hampton Wanderers, played out Chelsea gave a debut to the a 2-2 draw with host Everton in Manchester United manager more head coaches than man- world’s most expensive goal- the late game yesterday. Jose Mourinho said he was agers,” he said. keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who Argentine Roberto Pereyra closing the book on a frustrat- A number of clubs, such as Ar- joined from Athletic Bilbao scored twice — the fi rst a superb ing transfer window but could senal, have begun to use the ti- for 72mn pounds ($92mn) last volley — as Watford enjoyed a not resist one last jibe after tle ‘head coach’ rather than the week, but the Spaniard had little 2-0 victory over Brighton and his team’s opening Premier traditional ‘manager’ to reflect work to do. Hove Albion. League 2-1 win over Leicester the changed structures with Sarri, who took over from An- Champions Manchester City City on Friday. increased roles for Directors of tonio Conte in July, said that he begin their title defence at the Mourinho has made no secret Football, heads of recruitment now had a month to try to shape Emirates against Arsenal today of his disappointment that he and chief executives. his new side before midweek while Liverpool, tipped by many was not able to significantly While Mourinho was happy Europa League games were add- to challenge Pep Guardiola’s strengthen his team during the with his team’s eff ort against ed to the mix. side this season, host West Ham close-season. Leicester, he refused to be “We are lucky now because United. On Friday, British media re- drawn on whether his team for three to four weeks we can Manchester United kicked off ports suggested that the club’s would be genuine title con- work with only one match a the season on Friday with a 2-1 chief executive Ed Woodward tenders this year after finishing week, so we have to improve in win over Leicester City at Old had rejected some of Mour- in second place, 19 points this month,” he said. Traff ord. inho’s targets and that the behind champions Manchester “Then it will be diffi cult with pair had divergent views over City, last season. three matches in a week, with RESULTS United’s recruitment policy. “We have to wait until the end of the suspension for the national Newcastle 1 (Joselu 11) Tot- “It will be a diff icult season for November to understand if we teams. I hope in this month to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante (centre) and teammate Pedro (right) celebrate a goal during their Premier tenham 2 (Vertonghen 8, Alli 18) everybody, not just for us. I can fight for the title,” he said. improve the team,” he said. League match against Huddersfield Town at John Smith’s Stadium yesterday. (Reuters) Bournemouth 2 (Fraser 24, had my plans for many months Mourinho’s transfer frustration Spurs fans’ concerns about Wilson 90+1) Cardiff 0 and I find myself with the mar- was evident again when he dis- their club’s lack of transfer busi- side, with two headed goals for tino was delighted with the ap- everything in a few days — a Fulham 0 Crystal Palace 2 ket closed in a situation I did cussed the Leicester perform- ness may have eased after Jan the north London team coming proach his players had taken. massive challenge — but we kept (Schlupp 41, Zaha 79) not think I would be in,” said ance. “We played against a Vertonghen and Dele Alli scored either side of Joselu’s equaliser “I feel very proud. The play- going and made a massive eff ort Huddersfield 0 Chelsea 3 the former Chelsea and Real team that invest more than us. as Mauricio Pochettino’s team for Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle. ers showed great character and in our performance.” (Kante 34, Jorginho 45-pen, Madrid manager. They spent more money than began the campaign with an Like several clubs who had commitment,” he said. “We Well-taken goals by Jeff rey Pedro 80) “That’s football management. I us, so in the Premier League entertaining 2-1 victory at New- players competing at the World fought hard and they deserve Schlupp and Wilfried Zaha fi red Watford 2 (Pereyra 35, 54) think football is changing and we must get used to teams castle United. Cup, Spurs have had to cope full credit because the mentality confi dent-looking Crystal Pal- Brighton 0 managers should be called with players of the same qual- All three goals came in a fran- without several key performers was amazing. ace to a 2-0 win over promoted Wolves 2 (Neves 44, Jimenez head coaches. I think we are ity that we have,” he said. tic opening 20 minutes on Tyne- during pre-season and Pochet- “It wasn’t easy to connect Fulham at Craven Cottage. 80) Everton 2 (Richarlison 17, 67)

BOTTOMLINE Emery in spotlight as Arsenal begin life without Wenger

AFP Arsenal’s Premier League era — a torrid campaign laid out status, Emery, who parted ways at Arsenal — who will compete in London opener against champions Man- to a soundtrack of angry protests with Paris Saint-Germain at the Europe’s second tier competition chester City today will provide against the manager from frus- end of last season, jumped at the for a second successive season. an early look at how Emery is far- trated fans. chance to follow in Wenger’s foot- Returning to the Champions nai Emery faces a daunt- ing in cleaning up the mess left by Wenger’s remarkable feats in the steps in north London. League will be Emery’s main tar- ing task to lift Arsenal out Wenger at the Emirates Stadium. fi rst half of his reign will stand the The 46-year-old Spaniard ar- get. But without European action, of the doldrums as the Arsenal had been stuck in a test of time, but few Arsenal sup- rives with an intriguing pedigree, Arsenal are no longer a big draw for Gunners head into a new downward spiral for years and with porters lamented his departure af- having enjoyed success with PSG, top stars. UPremier League season without Wenger unable to reverse the de- ter 14 years without a league title. only to pay the price for failing to Instead, Emery must focus on Arsene Wenger as their manager cline, owner Stan Kroenke fi nally Arsenal have fallen so far be- fulfi l the club’s desire to win the getting the best out of Gabon striker for the fi rst time in 22 years. dispensed with the most successful hind their top-four rivals that, at Champions League. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who Emery was hired to replace manager in his club’s history despite present, it is unthinkable Emery A cynic might suggest Emery’s made a fi ne start with Arsenal fol- Wenger following the Frenchman’s the Frenchman’s desire to stay. could ever match his predecessor’s feat of winning the Europa League lowing his January move from Dort- exit at the end of a dismal campaign Finishing 37 points behind City haul of three Premier League titles three years in a row with Sevilla mund, while also fi nding a way to which saw Arsenal labour to a sixth was a fi tting ending for the dis- and seven FA Cups. was the most relevant achievement dovetail the creative talents of Mesut place fi nish in the Premier League. piriting fi nal season of the Wenger Yet despite Arsenal’s reduced on his CV prior to his appointment Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Gulf Times Sunday, August 12, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

FOCUS LIGUE 1 Falcao inspires Monaco to opening Ronaldo set to begin victory at Nantes

AFP Paris

Juventus adventure adamel Falcao came off the bench to score and set up another goal as Monaco brushed aside NantesR 3-1 yesterday to get their Ligue 1 campaign off to a strong start. With Falcao left out of the in alpine friendly starting XI following his World Cup exertions with Colombia and big summer signing Ale- Ronaldo will wear the Juve kit for the first time in pre-season friendly in Villar Perosa ksandr Golovin out injured, Mo- naco struggled for long periods. Radamel Falcao (second from AFP But the game changed when right) of Monaco celebrates his Rome Falcao was introduced in the goal with teammates during the 66th minute, and Rony Lopes Ligue 1 match against Nantes continued his excellent form yesterday. (AFP) uventus fans will get their from last season by stooping to fi rst glimpse of superstar nod in the opening goal just three but this victory is good to start summer signing Cris- minutes later. the season well,” Portuguese tiano Ronaldo in rarifi ed Falcao set Stevan Jovetic free youngster Lopes told Canal+. surroundingsJ today, when he with 10 minutes to go, and the “Last week (4-0 Champions makes his debut for the Ital- Montenegrin coolly slotted Trophy loss to Paris Saint-Ger- ian champions at the foot of the home. main) was diffi cult, but here, Alps a week before the start of Samuel Grandsir, who also fi rst game of the championship, a the new Serie A season. came on with Falcao to make win, we’re happy.” Ronaldo, who signed for Ju- his Ligue 1 debut for the club, Reigning champions PSG get ventus from European cham- crossed low for the Colombian their title defence underway to- pions Real Madrid in a shock to tap into an empty net in the day when they host Caen. 100mn euro ($117mn) deal ex- 83rd minute, as Monaco cruised Marseille opened the season actly a month ago, will wear the to victory despite Emiliano Sala’s in style on Friday night as Dim- Juventus kit for the fi rst time in injury-time consolation. itri Payet scored twice in a 4-0 the club’s traditional pre-season “We still have a lot to improve, thrashing of Toulouse. friendly between Juve’s fi rst XI and a “B” team in Villar Perosa, a small town 40 kilometres (25 SPOTLIGHT miles) west of Turin. Set in a valley at the foot of the Italian Alps, Villar Perosa (population: roughly 4,100) is Will not be returning the home of the family estate and summer retreat of the pow- erful Agnellis, who, apart from a to Spain team: Pique brief period around the Second World War, have run Juventus Reuters hosts Russia in the last 16 of the since 1923 and established the Barcelona World Cup, but he said he had traditional alpine curtain raiser. already told Luis Enrique — who Members of the industrial succeeded Julen Lopetegui last dynasty — founders of Fiat car arcelona defender Ger- month as national team coach — manufacturers and often called ard Pique has confi rmed that he would not be returning to the “Italian Kennedys” — have he will not play again the set-up. lived at “The Castle” in Villar Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo (left) tweeted his picture from a training session on Friday. for the Spanish national “I spoke to Luis Enrique a few Perosa since the 19th century, Bteam despite his former Barca days ago. He called me and I told while deceased former club drafted in the town for the Cup in the United States. levels that had characterised his the Champions League scoring coach Luis Enrique being ap- him the decision was taken a long chairman Gianni Agnelli was match, including a complete ban The 33-year-old’s arrival time in Spain as Madrid fi nished charts and fi red Real Madrid to pointed as coach. time ago and that I had thought town mayor between 1945 and on the sale of alcohol from Sat- pushed striker Gonzalo Higuain third behind local rivals Atletico continental glory for the third Pique declared his intention to about it carefully,” the defender 1980. urday. to rivals AC Milan, and the Ar- and a whole 17 points behind straight year. quit international football after told a news conference yesterday Ronaldo’s arrival had sparked gentine was joined by the im- champions Barcelona. Interest in Juve and in Italian the 2018 World Cup following a ahead of today’s Spanish Super UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL rumours that the match would pressive Mattia Caldara, who However Juve’s closest recent football has spiked following World Cup qualifi er against Alba- Cup game against Sevilla. Used to imposing arenas such be moved to the Allianz Stadium has established himself as one challengers — Napoli and Roma Ronaldo’s arrival. July visits to nia in October 2016, saying he was “It was a beautiful time with as the , Old Traff ord such was the enthusiasm from of Serie A’s best defenders since — have sold important players the club museum shot up 15 per- tired of repeated criticism from the national team in which I had and the Bernabeu, current Bal- fans after his signing, but the breaking through at Atalanta this summer, and Napoli have to cent compared to last year, and supporters and the media, and the chance to win the World Cup lon d’Or holder Ronaldo will club decided to stick with the two years ago. adapt to new coach Carlo Ance- were nearly a third more than in that he wished “to be left in peace”. and the European Champion- take his fi rst steps in black and traditional bucolic setting. Caldara arrived at Juve in ear- lotti following talismanic Mau- 2016, and the over 29,000 sea- The outspoken Barcelona- ship. Now I want to focus on Bar- white stripes at the town’s com- That could mean Ronaldo gets ly July only to be swapped last rizio Sarri’s departure and sub- son tickets available to fans have born defender has never enjoyed ca,” he said. “I have a few years pact ground, named after noto- even more up close and personal week with Leonardo Bonucci, sequent move to Chelsea. been sold despite a deeply un- the same rapport with Spain left here and I’m going to enjoy riously brutal Italy centre-back with Juve fans. who returned to Turin after just popular 30 percent price bump supporters as his international them a lot.” Gaetano Scirea. Established custom dictates one unconvincing season with EURO AMBITIONS announced before Ronaldo’s ar- teammates, and he has often Pique played 102 times for There should be more fans that fi ve minutes after half-time Milan. Juventus have signed Ronaldo rival. been booed at games due to his Spain and represented his coun- at the match than the entire fans invade the pitch, bringing The decision to deprive them- not to cement their domestic ESPN have snatched the repeated jibes at Real Madrid and try at two European Champi- population of Villar Perosa, the game to a halt as fans charge selves of a proven Serie A goal- dominance, after winning sev- rights to broadcast Serie A in the his support for a referendum on onships and three World Cups, with the 5,000 tickets available after and greet their heroes. scorer and in particular to swap en straight league titles, but to United States from BeIN Sports Catalan independence. helping his country win their long-since sold out and even Caldara, 24, for 31-year-old boost their international profi le (although the league has not said Pique, 31, did not confi rm only world crown in 2010 and more supporters desperate to SUPERHUMAN? Bonucci has left some question and bag their fi rst Champions how much the network will pay) his departure immediately af- triumphing at Euro 2012 two try and catch a glimpse of their Ronaldo joined the team for marks over Juventus despite Ro- League triumph in over two dec- and World Cup Golden Ball win- ter Spain were eliminated by years later. new idol. training on Wednesday with naldo’s proven prowess. ades. ner Luka Modric is also ponder- Such is the enthusiasm for Juventus two important players His domestic form — despite Last season, Ronaldo was his ing a move to join former team- Ronaldo’s debut, that special lighter after their return from scoring 26 goals in La Liga — was usual dominant self in Europe mate Ronaldo in Italy — at Juve’s security measures have been the International Champions below the almost superhuman as he smashed 15 goals to top arch rivals Inter Milan. Iniesta scores fi rst goal for Japanese side Kobe BOTTOMLINE Barca kick off in Supercup with Messi as captain

AFP cans, Brazilian Philippe Coutin- Tangiers, Morocco ho, obtained his Portuguese passport on Friday, but the deci- sion means that coach Ernesto arcelona kick off a new Valverde can play three recent season and a new era major signings Chilean Arturo when they take on Se- Vidal and Brazilians Malcolm villa in the Spanish Su- and Arthur together. percupB in Morocco today with Barcelona could also give a Lionel Messi newly installed as debut to Clement Lenglet, a club captain. French defender they bought Messi has occasionally worn from today’s opponent, Sevilla. the armband before when An- The game pits Barca, who won dres Iniesta, who replaced Xavi the Spanish double, against the as skipper in 2015, missed a club they thrashed 5-0 in the fi - game. nal of the Copa del Rey and who Vissel Kobe’s Andres Iniesta (left) scores during their J-League The Argentine has also led his fi nished a distant seventh in La match against Jubilo Iwata in Kobe, Japan, yesterday. (Reuters) country, with only mixed re- Liga. sults. Barcelona follow today’s game Reuters an Iwata defender before With Iniesta moving to Ja- with a home friendly against Tokyo rounding the goalkeeper to pan, Messi takes the job full time Boca Juniors on Wednesday roll the ball into the net. starting in Tangiers after Sergi before kicking off the defence Iniesta’s goal opened the Roberto captained an inexpe- of their Spanish league title at ndres Iniesta scored his scoring in the 16th minute and rienced Barca squad during the home to Alaves next Saturday first goal for J League a further goal from forward club’s recent tour of the United evening. Aside Vissel Kobe in their Kyogo Furuhashi secured the States. Sevilla played on Thursday, 2-1 victory over Jubilo Iwata victory. Messi can eclipse Iniesta in beating Zalgiris Vilnius 1-0 at yesterday. Kobe moved up to fourth another way in the Supercup, as home in a third qualifying round The great Spanish midfielder, place as they look to close both have won a club-record 32 fi rst-leg game. who moved to Japan follow- the gap on J League leaders trophies with Barca and victory After today’s match, they ing an illustrious career with Hiroshima Sanfreece, who today would break the tie. must cross Europe to defend boyhood club Barcelona, beat Nagasaki to maintain an The match marks a break with that slender lead in Lithuania scored a sensational goal to eight-point lead over Tokyo FC tradition. Since its return in next Thursday before kicking off open his account, assisted by in second. 1982, the competition has been their domestic league campaign former Arsenal forward Lukas Iniesta’s former Spain team- played over two legs with each at home to Villarreal on Sunday. Podolski. mate Fernando Torres failed team hosting one game. the United States, the Spanish ball is keenly followed. ball authorities made another “It is more important to The German slid the ball to open his account for Sagan This season, with Sevilla in football authorities switched to Sevilla, who therefore lost an ruling that helped Barcelona, progress in the Europa League through to Iniesta in the Tosu, although the struggling the Europa League and Barce- a single-game format. attractive home game against announcing that the normal re- than win the Spanish Super penalty area and the 34-year- team did secure a 1-0 victory lona keen to play in the lucra- They also moved the match one of Europe’s most glamorous strictions on non-EU players in Cup”, Joaquin Caparros, Sevilla’s old displayed all his trademark over Urawa Red Diamonds in tive International Champions across this Straits of Gibraltar to teams, protested to no avail. Spanish games would not apply. director of football told the Cope intelligence to pirouette past their battle against relegation. Cup exhibition tournament in Morocco, where Spanish foot- This week the Spanish foot- One of Barca’s South Ameri- radio station. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, August 12, 2018 SPORT

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT Indonesia sets aside worries Ton-up Woakes a week before Asian Games

AFP Jakarta 8.86 minute per km,” Jakarta’s Lord’s it over India transportation agency chief, Andri Yansyah, told AFP. ndonesia has set aside wor- Athletes and offi cials will ries about terrorism, street travel on dedicated road lanes crime and Jakarta’s notori- and schools will be closed to take ous traffi c, saying it is ready the daily commute of millions of Ito roll for the Asian Games in a pupils out of the equation. week’s time. When Indonesia last hosted a in second Test Jakarta and Palembang in major sports event, the 2011 SEA Sumatra are set to host about Games, two people died in a sta- Bairstow misses century by seven runs England take commanding 250-run lead 11,000 athletes and 5,000 of- dium stampede at the football fi cials from 45 Asian countries fi nal in Jakarta. AFP for the August 18 to September In a bid to safeguard the event, London 2 Games, the world’s biggest some 40,000 troops and police multi-sport event behind the offi cers will be deployed in Ja- Olympics. karta and Palembang. hris Woakes continued a Indonesia started with less Indonesia suff ered its deadli- superb return to England time than most host countries est terror attack in more than duty with a maiden Test after it agreed to hold the Games 10 years in May when suicide century against India at when Vietnam pulled out. bombers killed 13 people in the Lord’sC yesterday as the home side However, offi cials say they are nation’s second-biggest city took a fi rm grip on the match. ready to take the Games in their Surabaya. When bad light forced an early stride. Police say they have been close on the third day, England “There are no problems for rounding up terror suspects and were 357 for six in reply to In- the preparation so far, even if petty criminals in a pre-Games dia’s meagre fi rst-innings 107 — a we have problems we will solve crackdown. commanding lead of 250 runs. them right there right then,” Haze from forest fi res in Su- Woakes was 120 not out, hav- chief organiser Erick Thohir told matra remains another potential ing shared a partnership of 189 journalists Thursday. headache for events in Palem- with Jonny Bairstow (93) that was Seventy percent of tickets bang. an England record for the sixth have been sold for the opening But Indonesian meteor- wicket in Test matches against ceremony in the capital Jakarta ologists have been monitoring India, beating the 171 put on by next Saturday, he added. weather conditions closely and Ian Botham and Bob Taylor at Despite worries about Jakar- extinguishing hotspots. Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1980. ta’s notorious traffi c congestion, “We have been conducting It was a stand made all the authorities say the implementa- weather modifi cation eff orts more valuable by the fact Eng- tion of an odd-even licence plate since May, including cloud seed- land had slumped to 98 for four at system is already bearing results. ing and water bombing,” Hary lunch, after their latest top-order “Traveling speed has im- Tirto Djatmiko, spokesman for collapse threatened to undo the proved by almost 60 %, while national meteorology, climatol- bowlers’ good work. travel time has improved 43 % ogy and geophysics agency, told Warwickshire favourite from 15.56 minutes per km to AFP. Woakes, recalled after England omitted Ben Stokes because of a clash with his fellow pace-bowl- ing all-rounder’s trial for aff ray, had missed the hosts’ 31-run win in the fi rst Test at his Edgbaston home ground last week because of fi tness concerns following England’s Chris Woakes celebrates reaching his century against India at Lord’s yesterday. knee and calf injuries. The 29-year-old had already LORD’S SCORECARD proved his worth with the ball by taking two for 19 on Friday, including the prize scalp of India India 1st Innings: 107 (J Ander- Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Jen- captain Virat Kohli. son 5-20) nings), 2-32 (Cook), 3-77 (Pope), And in his 25th match at this England 1st Innings 4-89 (Root), 5-131 (Buttler), level, Woakes surpassed his A. Cook c Karthik b Sharma.... 21 6-320 (Bairstow) previous Test best of 66, made K. Jennings lbw b Shami...... 11 Bowling: Sharma 19-3-88-1; against Sri Lanka at Lord’s two J. Root lbw b Shami ...... 19 Shami 19-4-74-3 (1nb); Yadav years ago, before completing O. Pope lbw b Pandya...... 28 9-1-44-0; Pandya 17-0-66-2 (1w); a 129-ball hundred, including J. Bairstow c Karthik b Pandya ... Ashwin 17-1-68-0 15 fours, with a pulled three off ...... 93 Match position: England lead Off icials lit the 2018 Asian Games torch during the torch relay in Hardik Pandya. J. Buttler lbw b Shami...... 24 by 250 runs with four first- Bandung, West Java province, yesterday. Jakarta and Palembang “It’s hard to put into words, C. Woakes not out ...... 120 innings wickets standing. will host some 11,000 athletes and 5,000 off icials from 45 Asian I suppose” Woakes told Sky S. Curran not out ...... 22 Toss: England countries for the Asian Games, which will be held from August 18 to Sports. “I didn’t have that (a Test Extras (b7, lb10, nb1, w1)...... 19 Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), September 2. century) on my radar at the start Total (6 wkts, 81 overs, 365 Marais Erasmus (RSA) of the day. mins) ...... 357 TV umpire: Chris Gaff aney (NZ) “It’s an incredible feeling to To bat: A Rashid, S Broad, J Match referee: Jeff Crowe Kenya crush Tunisia to set up Namibia clash raise your bat at Lord’s and be on Anderson (NZ) that honours board,” he added. Nairobi: Kenya ran in eleven decider in Windhoek next week. “I went from 60 to 80 pretty tries to crush Tunisia 67-0 in Kenyan coach Ian Snook said quickly and all of a sudden start- reach three fi gures as well. Ishant Sharma, whose Test- their penultimate game of the he planned to make a few ed thinking about it. The 90s Instead he fell seven short best seven for 44 against Eng- 2019 World Cup qualifying tour- changes to the team for the were a bit of a blur but I am so when brilliantly caught one- land sealed India’s 95-run win in nament yesterday, setting up final match. pleased to get there.” handed by diving opposing the corresponding Lord’s clash a winner-takes-all showdown “The result against Tunisia His innings, which has been in wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik four years ago, bowled the fi rst against Namibia next weekend. was good. But we need a lot progress more than three-and- off Pandya. over.But it was new-ball partner Debutant Willy Ambaka made a of things to be fixed before we a-half hours, meant Woakes’s Yesterday’s play resumed with Mohamed Shami who made the perfect transition from sevens play Namibia. Tactically there name was now on all three Lord’s England yet to begin their reply breakthrough when Keaton Jen- to the traditional form of the will be changes to the team,” honours boards that record cen- after James Anderson, in over- nings (11) was lbw playing across game when he put Kenya said Snook. turies, fi ve-wicket innings re- cast conditions ideal for swing the line. ahead with the first try after After a scrappy opening 20 turns and 10-wicket match hauls bowling, had taken fi ve for 20 on Five balls later Jennings’s fel- only four minutes of play. minutes, punctuated by han- in Tests at the ‘home of cricket’. Friday following Thursday’s to- low left-handed opener Alastair The winger picked up a loose dling errors and poor passes, Woakes took six for 70 and fi ve tal washout. Cook (21) was out as well, caught ball in the middle of the Tuni- Kenya outclassed an injury- for 32 in a match return of 11 for By contrast, England’s innings behind off a superb Sharma deliv- sian defence to open the scor- weakened Tunisian side, which 102 against Pakistan at Lord’s in commenced under sunny blue ery from around the wicket that India’s Dinesh Karthik takes catch to ing for the Simbas, who are set is taking part in the tournament 2016. The only sadness for Eng- skies that promised to make life squared him up and seamed away dismiss England’s Jonny Bairstow off play Namibia in the tournament for the first time. land was that Bairstow did not easier for the batsmen. before fi nding the outside edge. the bowling of Hardik Pandya yesterday.

OPINION India have invested too much power in Kohli

When it came at Lord’s, caught at slip off even then it did not help. Shami got out seconds position at fi fth slip. Kohli looks like a man Chris Woakes just after 6.30pm, the match later and Pandya fell soon after. Here at Lord’s In that split second Kohli calculated there seemed to shift irrevocably with it. There are his batsmen let him down all over again. Murali was a good chance someone was going to be who does not think his countless thousands of cricketers in India. They Vijay draped his bat across the line of an away- out and decided it was not going to be him. So have a larger talent pool to pick from than any swinger and KL Rahul was caught behind. So he turned and ran back to his ground. Pujara players can get things other nation. And yet the way they are set up here was Kohli, batting for the match all over kept coming. And so did Pope, who had time leaves an awful lot resting on just one of them. again, with Cheteshwar Pujara at the other end. to walk the ball right up to the stumps to make done unless he tells Kohli seems to like it that way. You can see his When a burst of drizzle swept across the sure of the wicket. It was a ruthless bit of bat- touch in almost every last thing the team do. ground, the umpires, Aleem Dar and Marais ting from Kohli. He called the run and cancelled them how to do it Their coach, Ravi Shastri, seems almost orna- Erasmus, decided to send everyone in to the it when he realised the risk. He decided he was mental. During their morning huddles he stands pavilion. But as Kohli and Pujara crossed the too valuable to the team. So Pujara paid for By Andy Bull mute while Kohli issues the orders for the day. rope, the rain stopped and the sun peeped out Kohli’s wicket with his own. Moments later the The Guardian In the fi rst Test Kohli made 200 runs on his from behind a cloud. It was only ever going to rains came again and the players made a mad- own, the rest of the side as many again between be a brief reprieve because there was a wave of cap sprint from the pitch while the groundstaff them. And it was still not enough. When Kohli thick black rain clouds coming up from behind hurried the covers on. he second Test was all of 37 balls old was out lbw to Ben Stokes on Saturday morn- the pavilion. But still Erasmus and Dar ordered Kohli has been involved in fi ve run-outs in when Virat Kohli found himself back ing, India still needed 53. And since he was not everyone to start playing again. Test cricket but has been dismissed only once. in the middle, batting again. The series going to be able to get them himself, he decided Pujara left the next ball alone but played the one He is not a man who gives up his wicket for the has had fi ve days of play and it feels as he had to leave his teammates a detailed set of after down to the off side. He took two quick steps sake of a teammate. In the end it turned out Tthough Kohli has been a central fi gure on every instructions on exactly how they should go forward and looked up to see what Kohli wanted that Kohli’s decision bought India only another one of them, centre stage for every hour but the about winning the match. He stopped once to to do. He was deferring to his captain, off ering handful of runs. But it all added to this impres- odd one when his teammates have managed a talk to Hardik Pandya and then again to address him the decision on whether or not to run. Kohli, sion that Kohli is a captain who seems to think stand long enough to allow him some rest. Mohamed Shami as he crossed over the bound- always keen to steal singles, answered him with that, if a thing has to be done, he had best do it A lot has changed in the past six days, both Virat Kohli: domineering ary rope. a quick sprint, four long strides down the pitch. himself. Which seems to mean that, if he does the teams and the weather too, but this has not. Kohli looked, in that moment, like a man who Pujara stuck his head down and started running not, it does not get done at all. Brilliant as he is, Kohli’s is still the key wicket and India’s fate is they have played so far have turned on his dis- did not think his teammates could get it done hard too. And then Kohli changed his mind when it feels as if India have invested too much power, so closely bound to his own that all three innings missal. unless he told them how to do it. And of course, he saw Ollie Pope closing in on the ball from his and too much hope, in just one man. Gulf Times Sunday, August 12, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA LeBron to make Lakers home debut against Rockets AFP play on national television 35 Leonard was traded to the To- facing the Chicago Bulls on Dec. Tuesday in Philadelphia and the Los Angeles times. ronto Raptors on July 18 and the 13 before meeting the Jazz on results displayed the fracture. James, who signed a four- key piece acquired in the deal - Dec. 15. The team did not provide a time- year, $153 million contract with All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan The Knicks and Washington table for how long Smith will be eBron James will make the Lakers in July, faced the War- - has his own beef. Wizards square off on Jan 17 at sidelined. his Los Angeles Lakers’ riors in each of the past four NBA DeRozan was bitterly disap- The O2 arena in London Last Smith was the 16th overall home debut on October fi nals as a member of Cavaliers. pointed to be included in the deal season’s top two rookies square pick in the recent NBA draft by 20 against the Houston The Lakers’ longest road trip to San Antonio after he said he off on TNT on Dec 27 when the Phoenix Suns and traded to LRockets at Staples Center arena, of the season is a fi ve-game, 12- received assurances from gen- award-winner Ben Simmons Philadelphia in a draft-night the National Basketball Associa- day stretch from February 1-12 eral manager Masai Ujiri that he and the 76ers visit second-place deal for 10th overall pick Mikal tion announced on Friday. when the Grammy Awards are wouldn’t be dealt. But the Rap- Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz. Bridges. The 76ers also received The four-time league MVP held at Staples Center. They’ll tors’ all-time scoring leader fi g- The league will stage its earli- a 2021 fi rst-round pick in the James, who left the Cleveland play 13 back-to-back sets. ures to receive a warm welcome est opening to a season since the exchange. If the surgery leads Cavaliers last month to sign with In other key contests, Toron- when the Spurs visit Toronto on 1980-81 campaign began on Oc- to Smith being sidelined for an the Lakers, and his new team- to Raptors Kawhi Leonard will Feb 22. tober 10. The regular season will extended time, it would be the mates travel to Portland on the make his return to San Antonio The NBA previously an- conclude on April 10. sixth straight season the Sixers 18th for their regular season de- on January 3. The Spurs dealt nounced it will begin the season have seen a top pick face a major but contest. Leonard to the Raptors in the on October 16 with a TNT dou- 76ERS ROOKIE SMITH injury. The announcement comes off season for DeMar DeRozan. bleheader featuring the Phila- UNDERGOES FOOT SURGERY Nerlens Noel (2013) missed his two days after the league re- DeRozan returns with his new delphia 76ers visiting the Boston Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard entire rookie season with a knee leased their abbreviated sched- team to Toronto on February 22. Celtics and the Oklahoma City Zhaire Smith underwent surgery injury and Joel Embiid (2014) sat ule for its 73rd season. Leonard developed into a Thunder visiting the champion to repair a Jones fracture in his out his fi rst two seasons with On Wednesday, the league star with the Spurs, winning Golden State Warriors. left foot, the team announced foot injuries. Jahlil Okafor (2015) announced that for the 20th the NBA Defensive Player of The Christmas Day lineup Friday. had his fi rst year cut short at 53 straight year, the Lakers will play the Year Award twice as well as breaks down like this: Milwau- The 76ers said the surgery was games due to a meniscus tear on Christmas Day, travelling to NBA Finals MVP in 2014. But a kee Bucks at New York Knicks, performed Thursday evening in in his right knee, Ben Simmons face the defending champion quadriceps injury limited him to Thunder at Rockets, 76ers at New York City. (2016) missed his entire rookie Golden State Warriors. James nine games last season and a gulf Celtics, Lakers at Warriors and Jones suff ered the injury on season with a foot injury, while returns to Cleveland for his lone widened between him and the Trail Blazers at Utah Jazz. The Monday at a basketball devel- Markelle Fultz (2017) played in game against the Cavaliers on organisation that proved inca- Orlando Magic will play back- opment camp in Las Vegas. He just 14 games last season due to November 21. The Lakers will pable of being patched up. to-back games in Mexico City, underwent an MRI exam on a shoulder injury. LeBron James.

MLB NFL Patriots Brady dealing with back injury Rangers’ Guzman and Friday morning were that Reuters New York the team believed Guice sus- tained only a sprained MCL, which likely would have meant om Brady might fi nally some missed time but not the be ready to act his age. season. Before heading to the According to NFL locker room Thursday, Guice Network, the New Eng- had carried the ball six times for hits three homers Tland Patriots 41-year-old quar- 19 yards and was seen later smil- terback is dealing with a minor ing in the locker room and say- back injury. ing, “All is well.” ‘I was ready today, In typical Patriots’ fashion, The former LSU star was the injury and Brady’s prognosis taken in the second round, 59th first pitch I see I were not discussed on Friday, the overall, of the NFL draft in April. day after New England opened In three years at LSU, Guice had want to hammer it’ the preseason against the Wash- 503 off ensive touches for 3,324 against Yanks ington Redskins without the yards (6.6-yard average) and 32 fi ve-time Super Bowl champ. scores. Penn State’s Saquon Bar- “No, sorry, I don’t” was coach kley, the fi rst running back se- Bill Belichick’s response on Fri- lected this year, had 773 touches day to the question of whether he for 5,038 (6.5 average) and 51 had an update on Brady’s back. scores over the same span. New England leaned heavily on Meanwhile The San Francisco its running game on Thursday 49ers received relatively good and rookie Danny Etling split news on three starters who went reps at quarterback with Brian down with injuries in their pre- Hoyer. season opener. The Patriots and Brady agreed Linebacker Malcolm Smith to a revised contract Thursday as returned to the sideline with an well, pushing Brady’s total com- injured hamstring, while de- pensation package for the 2018 fensive end Solomon Thomas season to $20 million. (head) and tight end George Kit- Washington Redskins rookie tle (shoulder) went back to the running back Derrius Guice will locker room in the fi rst quarter miss the season with what the for observation. team called an “ACL injury,” the All are expected to be available club announced Friday. Several for Week 1 of the regular season, media reports said Guice tore the according to coach Kyle Shana- ACL in his left knee. han. The Redskins additionally Backup running back Matt announced that tight end Ma- Breida also suff ered a first-quar- nasseh Garner also suff ered an ter shoulder injury. He and Kit- ACL injury. tle will miss the remainder of the Initial reports Thursday night preseason.

TOM BRADY

Texas Rangers players celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

Reuters He gave Texas a 6-1 lead in the sixth RESULTS Luke Voit hit a two-run single for New New York by hitting another splitter over the Yan- York, which lost for the sixth time in 10 kee bullpen into a gathering area for fans. Rangers 12-7 Yankees games. Austin Romine hit a solo homer in The 433-foot drive chased Tanaka. Red Sox 19-12 Orioles the seventh and a two-run single in the onald Guzman became the For his third homer, Guzman sim- Rockies 5-4 Dodgers eighth. youngest player since Mickey ply pulled a 1-0 fastball off A.J. Cole in Cubs 3-2 Nationals Mantle to homer three times at the seventh down the left fi eld line, and BOGAERTS, BENINTENDI POWER RED any version of Yankee Stadium, the ball landed in the lower rows of the Braves 10-1 Brewers SOX PAST O’S IN 19-12 SLUGFEST andR the Texas Rangers beat the New York seats near the foul pole to give Texas a Xander Bogaerts and Andrew Benintendi Padres 2-0 Phillies Yankees 12-7 on Friday night. 10-4 lead. Guzman delivered the second Mariners 5-2 Astros each hit three-run homers, and the Bos- The 23-year-old Guzman recorded the three-homer game by a Ranger against ton Red Sox rallied from an early fi ve-run fi rst three-homer game in the regular the Yankees and the 18th such game in Angels 4-3 Athletics defi cit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles season by a Ranger since Adrian Beltre on team history. Cardinals 7-0 Royals 19-12 at Oriole Park on Friday night. August 22, 2012. He joined Larry Parrish (April 29, 1985) Giants 13-10 Pirates The Bogaerts homer gave Boston a 3-0 He matched the feat achieved by a as the only Rangers to ever homer three lead in the fi rst against Dylan Bundy. Be- 23-year-old Mantle on May 13, 1955, times against the Yankees. Guzman now White Sox 1-0 Indians nintendi hit a three-run blast off Donnie against the Detroit Tigers and hit two has 12 homers this season; six are against Reds 3-0 D’backs Hart in the seventh to put Boston in front homers off Masahiro Tanaka (9-3). Guz- the Yankees. Mets 6-2 Marlins 14-10. man is also the fi rst rookie to ever have a Texas won for the 10th time in 14 Bogaerts drove in four runs while Be- Tigers 5-3 Twins three-homer game against the Yankees. games by getting production throughout nintendi knocked in three in a game that NBA star Curry fi nishes last at Ellie Mae Classic “I don’t know … I don’t know how to its lineup and by capitalizing on sloppi- Rays 7-0 Blue Jays lasted 4 hours, 1 minute. put the words together,” Guzman said. ness by the Yankees. Brock Holt (three RBIs) hit a solo hom- NBA star Stephen Curry shot 60 to lead the 154 field by two “I mean coming in today, I wanted to Beltre hit a two-run homer in the throwing error on a rundown. As the er in the sixth and later added a two-run a 16-over par 86 in the second shots. Curry missed the cut by hit at least one for them. I was more nerv- fourth off Tanaka to give Texas a 2-0 lead Yankees were trying to get Odor between single in the same frame, driving in three round to finish in last place in 13 strokes and was 10 strokes ous than my fi rst day in the big leagues. I and capped the scoring for the Rangers fi rst and second, Shin-Soo Choo scored runs during that six-run inning which the Web.com Tour’s Ellie Mae behind the next closest player got the fi rst one out of the way, it was an with a two-run double in the eighth. Bel- on the errant throw. put the Red Sox in front for good. Mookie Classic tournament on Friday. Kevin Lucas (72). amazing feeling … pointing at them, see- tre broke a tie for 33rd place on the all- Texas left-hander Mike Minor (9-6) Betts also knocked in three runs. The Golden State Warriors Last year, Curry shot 74-74 to tie ing them so happy and jumping around. time list with recently inducted Hall of allowed four runs on six hits in 5 2/3 in- The Red Sox improved to 11-2 versus player finished at 17-over 157 for 148th and miss the cut by There is no better feeling than that.” Famer Chipper Jones by hitting his 469th nings and won his third straight start. the Orioles this season. Drew Pomeranz after opening with a 71 on 11 shots. Guzman hit his fi rst homer with one homer. Tanaka allowed six runs on six hits in (2-5) earned the win with an inning of Thursday. Curry was making his On Friday, Curry made a out in the fourth to give Texas a 3-0 lead Elvis Andrus had four hits, including fi ve-plus innings. He allowed three hom- scoreless relief, the fi rst time he’s come second appearance in as many quadruple-bogey nine on the by lifting Tanaka’s fi rst-pitch splitter a two-run double in the fi fth and an RBI ers for the fi rst time since June 2 at Balti- out of the bullpen in 2018. years at the event. par-five third, made a triple into the lower rows of the right-cent- single in the sixth. more and lost for the fi rst time in 15 starts Both starters fi nished with a no-deci- Playing as an amateur, Curry on the par-four seventh and a er-fi eld seats adjacent to the Yankees Andrus’ third hit scored Rougned since allowing seven runs in a 9-1 loss to sion. Bundy allowed two more homers - placed a whopping 33 shots double bogey on the par-four bullpen. Odor, who hit an RBI single and also the Miami Marlins on April 17. he’s given up 29 this season - and surren- behind the 36-hole leader Alex eighth at the Stonebrae course “I was ready today, fi rst pitch I see I helped another run score when New York Brett Gardner hit a solo homer, rookie dered eight runs (seven earned) on eight Prugh, who shot a 10-under in Hayward, California. want to hammer it,” Guzman said. shortstop Didi Gregorius committed a Miguel Andujar hit an RBI double and hits in fi ve-plus innings. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, August 12, 2018 SPORT

MOTORCYCLING EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Russian men take gold aft er high bar Marquez takes woe for Britain

Reuters outstanding performance from their Olympic team silver medallist Nagornyy across all six pieces of appa- ussia’s men won the ratus, then produced error- Austrian GP pole — gymnastics team ti- free programmes to take gold tle at the European with a total of 257.260, nearly Championships for four points clear of Britain’s theR third successive time yes- 253.362. terday but only after their Brit- European all-around silver ish hosts suff ered calamities medallist Dalaloyan was also in the fi nal high bar duel while exceptional, earning a 15.433 pushing hard for the gold. mark for his parallel bars rou- by 0.002 seconds! Russia’s fi ve-man team tine and marks of more than of , Nikita 14.5 for his three other disci- ‘This was returning like Nadal, now we’ll see tomorrow how we take advantage’ Nagornyy, Dmitrii Lankin, plines. It was, though, a huge David Belyavskiy and Nikolai anti-climax for the British AFP Kuksenkov were leading by quintet of Cunningham, Hall, Spielberg bei Knittelfeld, Austria just 1.132 points from Britain Joe Fraser, going into the horizontal bar, and double Olympic cham- the last of the six disciplines. pion , who had orld champion Marc Yet Dominick Cunningham performed superbly until the Marquez, riding had a woeful routine, twice fi nal rotation and had to settle a Honda, grabbed slipping to earth off the high for silver. pole position yes- bar, before teammate James The French team of Ju- Wterday for the Austrian MotoGP, Hall also came off , eff ectively lien Gobaux, Axel Augis, Loris edging the Ducatis of Italian ending British hopes of gold at Frasca, Edgar Boulet and Cyril Andrea Dovizioso and Spaniard the SSE Hydro Arena. Tommasone took the bronze Jorge Lorenzo as Valentino Rossi The Russians, led by an with 246.928. toiled. “What a fi ght! What a pole!” the Honda team tweeted After a dominant perform- ance a week ago in the Czech Grand Prix, the Ducatis arrived in Austria hoping to further trim the huge points lead Marquez has built with fi ve victories in 10 races this season. Instead, Marquez delivered a fastest lap of 1min 23.241sec in the second and fi nal qualifying session, just two thousandths of a second faster than Dovizioso, the winner in Brno, with Loren- zo, the runner-up a week earlier, third, 0.135sec back. Russian gymnasts pose on the podium after winning the men’s “It’s the same gaining pole team final during the European Championships positions by a thousandth as by in Glasgow yesterday. (AFP) a second,” Marquez said after gaining the 49th pole position of his career. The two factory Ducatis will be alongside him on ‘King Ferry’ delivers Dutch the front row, which Dovizioso another late, late gold said was good enough. “The front row, that’s always Ferry Weertman was hailed the open water it’s not the the objective,” said the Italian. “I as the “king of the open same. They are completely am content with the time that I water” after once again de- diff erent.” He found that out did, I didn’t expect it. The con- livering one of his celebrated the hard way as Weertman, ditions were strange, with the last-gasp shows in Loch partnered by Esmee Vermeu- rain we’ve had.” Lomond to deliver gold for len, Sharon van Rouwendaal, Spielberg has been a happy the Netherlands in the 5km who collected her third gold hunting ground for Ducati since mixed team event at the of the week, and Pepijn Smits, the track returned to the Mo- European Championships. evidently enjoyed handing toGP calendar in 2016. That Olympic champion Weert- out his open water lesson. year, Ducati swept the top places man, a fractional winner of “Florian is an amazing swim- and last season the lead changed the 10km title, went stroke for mer and I know when he has hands twice on the fi nal bend as stroke with Germany’s Flo- the space to himself, in the Dovizioso edged Marquez to win. Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates after winning the pole position during the qualifying session of the Austrian rian Wellbrock, the 1,500m pool he is the fastest. Luckily, “Here, it’s as if its Ducati- MotoGP Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, yesterday. (AFP) winner in the in the open water there is Land,” Marquez said. “They are programme, on a thrilling last diff erent rules and I could get very fast.” day. In Moto2, the duel between GRIDS FOR AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 1.25km leg. The German may close to him and annoy him This week, over the fi rst three the Portuguese Miguel Oliveira be the quicker swimmer but a little bit. That’s my habitat,” free practice sessions, Ducati (KTM) and Italian Francesco MotoGP (SPA/Ducati Angel Nieto Team) 1.101 found the rough and tumble Weertman said. “I have more again held the upper hand with Bagnaia (Kalex), two points be- Front row Fifth row of open water combat in a experience than him. I’m Dovizioso fastest, Lorenzo second hind in the standings, contin- 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 1:23.241, 2. Andrea 14. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 1:24.309 chilly loch very diff erent to good at a one-on-one fight.” and Marquez only fourth, more ued to rage. Bagnaia took pole Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) at 0.002s, 3. Jorge Lorenzo Moto3 the civilised world of the It allowed the Dutch quartet than half a second slower than the in 1:29.409 with Oliveira next to (ESP/Ducati) 0.135 Front row indoor pool as Weertman, to live up to the “A Team” Italian. “They struck fi rst in the him on the grid after qualifying Second row 1. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/KTM) 1:38.617, 2. Jorge too strong and streetwise, nickname they gave them- free practice,” said Marquez. 0.310 slower. 4. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati Pramac) 0.262, 5. Cal Martin (ESP/Honda) at 0.078, 3. Albert Arenas (ESP/ beat him to the finish board selves in the build-up to the “This was returning like Nad- In Moto3, Italian Marco Bez- Crutchlow (GBR/LCR Honda) 0.571, 6. Johann Zarco KTM) 0.638 touch by 0.6 seconds. “It Championships, when they al, now we’ll see tomorrow how zecchi (KTM), who leads the (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) 0.646 Second row was really hard, I tried to off ered the same pose as we take advantage, but all week- standings by three points after Third row 4. Aron Canet (ESP/Honda) 0.883, 5. Tony Arbolino push the speed. I know he’s the characters from the TV end I’ve felt good. Jorge Martin (Honda) missed last 7. Tito Rabat (ESP/Ducati Avintia) 0.681, 8. Andrea (ITA/Honda) 0.931, 6. Gabriel Rodrigo (ARG/KTM) Olympic champion, world series for an Instagram post. Marquez gained an even big- week’s Czech face following a Iannone (ITA/Suzuki) 0.850, 9. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/ à 1.259 champion, king of the open “It was a joke and something ger advantage over his closest crash in practice, came off him- Honda) 0.883 Third row water,” sighed Wellbrock. “I to bond over, it made us be- pursuer in the standings, Rossi self yesterday but still recorded Fourth row 7. Marcos Ramirez (ESP/KTM) 1.284, 8. Philipp Öttl tried to beat him but it didn’t come a team a little bit more. (Yamaha). The Italian was not the quickest time. Martin, rac- 10. Alex Rins (SPA/Suzuki) 0.986, 11. Maverick (GER/KTM) 1.405, 9. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) work. I was the fastest man We all had our own speciali- fast enough to make Q2 and will ing with a broken bone in his left Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 1.043, 12. Alvaro Bautista 1.508. in the pool this year but for ties,” Weertman said. start from 14th on the grid to- wrist, was second fastest.

PAN PACIFIC SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS Ledecky returns to form, Ikee shines for hosts Reuters “I was the only one to go un- “It was so important to win laeb Dressel setting a champi- Tokyo der four minutes in a textile suit this global competition. I always onship record of 50:75, better- for a few years now and so it want to improve my personal ing ’s time set in is exciting for me to see how I best but this time it was special 2010, to claim gold. atie Ledecky claimed put the standard out there and because I won a gold.” The seven-times world cham- her second gold of there are a lot of girls chasing pion powered to victory to secure the 2018 Pan Pacifi c that.” CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS his fi rst Pan Pacs gold medal, Swimming Champion- In 18-year-old Ikee, Japan Compatriot Yui Ohashi also set a beating compatriot John Conger Kships in the women’s 400 metres may have found their swimming championship record as she se- into second. freestyle yesterday while Ri- talisman for the Tokyo 2020 Ol- cured Japan’s second gold of the There was an one- kako Ikee cemented her place as ympics following her domina- night in the women’s 200 metres two in the men’s 400 freestyle, the rising star of Japanese tion of the women’s 100 metres individual medley. as Jack McLoughlin led from swimming. butterfl y. Ohashi, the world silver med- halfway and held off a late chal- American Ledecky domi- After claiming two silver allist, came into the race as fa- lenge from compatriot Mack nated the 400 metres to win in a medals on the fi rst two days of vourite and won in 2:08:16 to Horton to take gold. time of 3:58:50, the sixth fast- competition, Ikee went one step break the meet record set by Australia also won the wom- est swim in history, and provide further as she broke the cham- compatriot Miho Teramura in en’s 4x100 metres freestyle re- the perfect response to her dis- pionship record she set in the the heats. lay, anchored by a strong swim appointing bronze in the 200 morning’s heats to win gold in Teramura came third in the fi - from , to better metres. 56:08 seconds. nal with Canada’s Sydney Pick- their own championship record The fi ve-times Olympic gold American and rem taking silver. 3:31:58 set four years ago on the medallist was never threatened Australia’s Emma McKeon took Four-times Olympic med- Gold Coast. by 17-year-old Australian Ari- silver and bronze, but the race allist Kosuke Hagino couldn’t The U.S. thought they had arne Titmuss, who went under was all about Ikee as the teen- follow suit in the men’s event won the fi nal event of the day, four minutes for the fi rst time to ager thrilled an expectant home as American ’s the men’s 4x100 metres free- claim silver. crowd with a stunning per- superior breaststroke proved style, but were disqualifi ed for American Leah Grace was formance that threatened Sa- crucial. swimming out of order. third in a repeat of the podium rah Sjoestoem’s world record of Mitchell Larkin of Australia The U.S. team set a new from Thursday’s 800 metres. 55:48 seconds. surged in the fi nal stretch to out- championship record time but “It is exciting for me to see “My speed is improving be- touch Hagino and claim silver were disqualifi ed to hand Brazil that (Titmuss going under four cause I am gaining more strength with the Japanese in third. their fi rst gold of the meet. minutes),” said Ledecky, who and power,” said Ikee, who added There was further success for Australia were bumped up to Gold medallist US swimmer (centre), silver medallist Ariarne Titmus of Australia and bronze won fi ve golds at the 2014 Pan that she was aiming to go under the United States in the men’s second and the Japanese quartet medallist of the US (R) pose on the podium after the 400m freestyle women final of the Pan Pacs aged just 17. 56 seconds soon. 100 metres butterfl y, with Ca- took bronze. Pacific Swimming Championships 2018 in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, August 12, 2018 7 SPORT

GOLF/ PGA CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT Halep topples Garcia in straight sets to reach Tiger leaps into hunt Montreal semi-fi nals as 3rd round begins ‘Things haven’t been going well for me this year. The last few weeks have been good’

Simona Halep waves to the crowd after her win against Caroline Garcia during the Rogers Cup in Montreal. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP earning two wins on Thursday Montreal over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and 38-year-old Venus Williams. After the match Halep slammed orld number one the WTA about her scheduling, Simona Halep saying she regularly has less time punched her ticket to recover from matches than her to the semi-fi nals of opponents. Wthe WTA Canada tournament for “I am very upset about it,” the fourth straight year, cruising said Halep, who is fi rst up on the past France’s Caroline Garcia Montreal courts on Saturday. “I 7-5, 6-1 on Friday. talked to my team about this and The 26-year-old Halep bat- all of them are upset... I never tled through a diffi cult fi rst set, complained about the schedule, then easily won the second in a but today was enough.” rematch of last year’s quarter- On Friday, Halep broke Gar- fi nal contest with Garcia which cia in the fi fth game of the sec- was also won by the Romanian. ond set for a 4-1 lead and had no “The fi rst set was really trouble icing the win from there. tough,” Halep said. “I just didn’t World number 16 Barty give up at all in the fi rst set. After reached the semi-fi nals by reel- Tiger Woods lines up a shot from the fairway on the 1st hole I took it, I felt more confi dent. “I ing off nine of the last 10 games during the third round of the PGA Championship at Bellerive felt that I’m moving better, I’m against Bertens. “I never played Country Club yesterday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports playing better, stronger. [Garcia] against [Barty], so I don’t re- went a little bit down with en- ally know what to expect,” said ergy after she lost that set.” Halep. “But I know she’s very The top-seeded Halep ham- talented. I just have to talk to mered 19 winners and won 77 my coach tomorrow before the percent of points on her fi rst match, trying to stay stronger on serve in the 88-minute contest. my legs, and trying to be with the Garcia started quickly but energy at the highest level.” could not keep her unforced er- Barty was the more composed rors in check, fi nishing with a player in diffi cult, windy condi- total of 31. She earned her only tions as Bertens, who had seen career win over Halep in fi ve pre- off ninth seed Karolina Pliskova vious meetings in the 2017 WTA and eighth-seeded Petra Kvitova AFP ond round was concluded. Organisers sent Beijing fi nal. Halep moves on to in her previous two matches, was St. Louis off the 80 who made the cut in trios and on Ryder Cup hopefuls Mickelson, DeChambeau miss cut the fi nal four where she will face undone by 31 unforced errors in the front and back nines due to the short Aussie Ashleigh Barty, who oust- the 55-minute quarter-fi nal. turnaround in hopes of fi nishing the third Five-time major winner Phil Mick- after completing his second round ed giantkiller Kiki Bertens of the Barty has reached the semi- iger Woods opened with back-to- round by sunset. elson failed in his bid to qualify on on Saturday. He ranks 20th on the Netherlands in straight sets 6-3, fi nals on her Montreal debut back birdies in yesterday’s round “It’s going to be a long day,” Fowler said. points for a 12th consecutive US Ryder points list despite missing almost a 6-1. Halep, the 2016 tournament having made the last 16 when of the PGA Championship, leap- Lowry, who hasn’t had a top-10 fi nish Cup team yesterday, missing the cut at full season. Mickelson is also seen champion, was playing her third the event was held in Toronto ing into the top 10 as he challenges this year and hasn’t won since 2015, was the 100th PGA Championship. as a likely pick by Furyk, who played match in the past two days after last year. Tfor his fi rst major victory in more than a on seven-under in a pack with top-ranked The 48-year-old lefthander, a fixture alongside Xander Schauff ele and Tony decade. Dustin Johnson, South African Charl on American Ryder Cup squads since Finau, two other contenders to make The 14-time major champion, whose Schwartzel and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters. his 1995 debut, fired a one-over par 71 the squad on points or as picks, in the last major triumph came at the 2008 US “Things haven’t been going well for me to stand on four-over for 36 holes, four first two rounds. Laver leads Australia greats in Open, stood on six-under par after sink- this year. The last few weeks have been strokes beyond the cut line at Bellerive Europe points leaders include British Davis Cup reform fi ght ing a 17-foot birdie putt at the fi rst hole good,” Lowry said. “I have my brother on Country Club. Open winner Francesco Molinari of and dropping his approach to four feet and the bag, and he’s doing a great job. And Also missing the cut were Matt Kuchar, Italy and England’s Justin Rose, Tyrrell Four generations of Austral- history behind the United holing out at the second. He tapped in for now we’re going out on a Saturday after- Bryson DeChambeau and Kyle Stanley, Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood. ian Davis Cup captains and States, winning the coveted par at the par-3 third. noon in the mix at the PGA, it’s great. I contenders just outside the top eight Molinari shared 12th at the halfway players, led by Rod Laver, John title 28 times, and while Tennis The 42-year-old American’s sizzling have my dad here to watch. Look, it doesn’t on the points list who will qualify stage in Missouri, with Rose on four Newcombe and Lleyton Hewitt, Australia acknowledges reform start, after fi nishing off the last 11 holes get much better.” for next month’s showdown against under, while Hatton and Fleetwood united yesterday to oppose pro- is needed, it is against the of a second-round 66 yesterday morning, Second-ranked defending champion Europe in France after today’s final also made the cut. Europe rankings posed reforms, saying they will current plans. “It takes away put Woods into a share of ninth with lead- Justin Thomas had fi ve morning birdies round. DeChambeau was ninth on leaders include Northern Ireland’s ruin an historic tournament. too much of what makes the ers still to start their rounds at Bellerive against a lone bogey to conclude a 65. points, one spot ahead of Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Spain’s Jon Rahm, Swe- Currently, the Davis Cup is Davis Cup unique and special, Country Club. “I was happy to fi nally see some putts go with Kuchar 12th and Stanley 14th. den’s Alex Noren and England’s Paul structured around a 16-nation especially the home and away Former world number one Woods, in,” Thomas said. “I just need to make a lot Mickelson has also made every US Casey. Rahm was level with Molinari World Group, contested over aspect of the competition,” it ranked 51st, is in the eighth month of a of birdies.” Presidents Cup lineup against a non- on five-under with McIlroy two further four weekends during the year. said yesterday. comeback from spinal fusion surgery Four-time major winner Rory McIl- European Internationals side since back, but Noren and Casey both The remaining countries are It has enlisted a who’s who of but led on Sunday in last month’s British roy, whose morning 67 was highlighted 1994 in addition to his Ryder Cup run. missed the cut, Casey by eight shots. then divided into three regional Australian greats in opposition, Open. by a 58-foot chip-in at 14, had two bogeys US captain Jim Furyk, who made the zones. But the International led by Laver, who played Davis Woods remained four strokes behind against a birdie at the second in the fi rst cut on the number at level-par, will Tennis Federation wants the Cup from 1959-1973, winning leader Gary Woodland, who was set to fi ve holes in round three. add four captain’s picks next month to event reduced to a season-end- between 1959-62 and in 1973. tee off in the fi nal threesome with fellow American Tony Finau, who made the cut complete his lineup – the only remain- ing World Cup of Tennis final “The ties I played in for Aus- Americans Kevin Kisner, one stroke off on the number on 140, matched Gary Play- ing Ryder Cup path for those who featuring 18 countries, which it tralia, both at home and abroad, the pace, and US Open champion Brooks er’s tournament record with 10 birdies in missed the cut. says will allow it to attract more remain among my most cher- Koepka, who shared third with Rickie his second round but only shot 66 thanks Tiger Woods, set to be an assistant top players. ished tennis memories,” said Fowler on eight-under. in part to a triple bogey at the par-3 sixth. captain, is expected by many to land The proposal must win approv- Laver, widely seen as one of the Ninth-ranked Fowler, seeking his fi rst Finau’s front nine of seven birdies and a one of the coveted picks after his al at the federation’s annual greatest players ever. major title despite eight top-fi ve major fi n- bogey plus the triple was the event’s fi rst comeback from spinal fusion surgery general meeting in Orlando, “I want players from all nations ishes, and Ireland’s Shane Lowry charged nine-hole run since 1984 without a par. this season. Woods briefly led last Florida this month. to continue to enjoy similar into contention Saturday morning. He’s the only player with three major top- month’s British Open and moved to Australia is the second most feelings when they represent Fowler shot 67 while Lowry shot 64 to 10 eff orts this year, with a best of fifth at four-under, just six shots off the lead, successful team in Davis Cup their countries. share fi fth as the storm-interrupted sec- the US Open.

TENNIS Nadal stays on track in Toronto with win over Cilic AFP fi cult.” fourth chance. (in the second set), I just broke Toronto Stefanos Tsitsipas saved two Nadal struck back in the sec- him (for 4-5). All along I could match points to beat defending ond with a concluding break to feel the crowd support, I knew I champion Alexander Zverev in square the match before taking was still in the match.” afael Nadal recovered their quarter-fi nal contest 3-6, victory with a break in the fi nal from a slow start, over- 7-6 (13/11), 6-4. game on his third match point CANADIAN REMATCH coming Marin Cilic 2-6, The Greek teenager, who turns after more than two hours. Anderson’s sweep past reigning 6-4, 6-4 as the Span- 20 on Sunday’s fi nal day, defeat- Tsitsipas rallied from a set and ATP World Tour Finals cham- iard’sR chase for a long-sought ed his third straight top 10 op- 5-2 down to turn the tables on pion Dimitrov was a rematch of ATP Masters title on hardcourt ponent at the tournament after Zverev, who had been bidding for their 2014 quarter-fi nal duel in heated up on Friday. knocking out Dominic Thiem in a fourth Masters 1000 title. Canada when Dimitrov claimed The world number one the second round and 13-time Tsitsipas broke in the ninth one of his six wins against the reached the semi-fi nals in To- major winner Novak Djokovic in game of the second on the way South African. ronto and will next face Rus- the third. into a tiebreaker, where he calm- “It defi nitely was a great sian Karen Khachanov, who beat Tsitsipas is the youngest ly converted on his fi fth set point match today. I felt I played really Robin Haase 6-3, 6-1. player to post three top 10 wins after saving two match points for well right from the beginning,” Nadal last won a title at this at a single tournament since the second-seeded Zverev. Anderson said. level on cement in 2013. the 19-year-old Nadal at Monte Tsitsipas then salvaged four “Right from the fi rst point “It was a very important Carlo in 2006. break points for 2-1 in the third, till the last, I felt I was in a re- match for me,” Nadal said. “Be- Tsitsipas will next face Wim- he traded breaks with the Ger- ally good frame of mind, playing ing in semi-fi nals is great news bledon runner-up Kevin Ander- man and saved another trio of the kind of tennis that I knew I at the start of the hard court sea- son, who beat Grigor Dimitrov break points for a 5-4 lead. wanted to be playing and needed son. 6-2, 6-2. He completed the victory after to be playing.” “And winning three good “I’m confused now, is this nearly two and a half hours on “Getting off the court pretty matches in the fi rst Master 1000, real?” 27th-ranked Tsitsipas Zverev’s sixth double-fault. comfortably defi nitely is a really it’s so important for me. said after completing his pres- “This shows that with dedica- good feeling.” “He played unstoppable in the tige hat-trick of upsets. tion and work, dreams do come The big South African rolled fi rst set. I resisted, I played with Nadal got caught on the back true,” Tsitsipas said. “I can see into the semis in just 66 min- the right tactic. I tried to fi nd foot in the fi rst set against Cil- that it’s real – it’s happening. utes, breaking four times while my solutions - but it was so dif- ic, who took the opener on his “I don’t know what happened managing only a modest 11 aces. Rafael Nadal in action against Marin Cilic in their Rogers Cup quarter-final yesterday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, August 12, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Sheikh Abdullah’s Marid, Sheikh Mohamed’s Rajeh power to Group 1 victories at Deauville

Agencies Deauville, France

atar’s horses dominated at Deauville in France yesterday, prevailing in two Group 1s for Purebred Arabians, namely Al Rayyan Cup - Prix Kesberoy and Doha CupQ - Prix Manganate. Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) gen- eral manager Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi was present and presented the trophies to the winners.

MARID TAKES AL RAYYAN CUP His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al- Thani-owned Marid resisted well in order to win the 2,000m Al Rayyan Cup - Prix Kesberoy yes- terday. In the early stages of the contest, Olivier Peslier-ridden three-year-old cantered in second position behind the leader and only fi lly in the fi eld, Mashael, who led at a very low pace. Marid easily Rajeh, with Francois-Xavier Bertras astride, is led into the winner’s enclosure after his win in the passed his rival and resisted well to Deryan’s come- Doha Cup - Prix Manganate (Gr1 PA) yesterday. back to grab the spoils and land the title. “He is not an easy horse,” said trainer Antoine de Watrigant, of the track in the home straight with Khataab and out pace. He was the best three-year-old in 2017 “but he is very good. In the last turn, he looked Rodess du Loup. Fighting with Rodess du Loup and becomes the best four-year-old. I’m not sure like he was cantering very easily. He was cold on for victory, Francois-Xavier Bertras-ridden Rajeh I’m going to the big race at Paris Longchamp. His his debuts. Since then, I took off the blinkers and fi nally had the last word and won by three quar- owner has many good horses. He [Rajeh] is four he keeps going faster. I am happy that Alban (de Jockey Olivier Peslier rides Marid to victory in the Al Rayyan Cup - Prix Kesberoy (Gr1 PA) at ters of a length. Rodess du Loup fi nished second in years old and we can eventually consider the Qa- Mieulle) trusts me and my team. We are very hap- Deauville in France yesterday. front of third-placed Taymour. tar Arabian World Cup for next year. We’ll discuss py. He could go towards the race in Saint-Cloud a “Last time, we were very disappointed,” said it together. I believe that this year we have a large few days before the Arc.” Thani-owned Rajeh took home the Doha Cup - trainer Francois Rohaut. “We put blinkers on him. generation of four-year-olds. He still needs to ma- Lately, Marid had fi nished third in the Qatar RAJEH FIGHTS FOR DOHA CUP Prix Manganate (Gr1 PA) yesterday. Cantering at Last year everything was easy, but in 2018, we had ture. He does it on his quality. Maybe he could go Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes (Gr2 PA). His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al- the back of the fi eld, he accelerated in the middle to fi ght. Today, he’s come a long way in a race with- on the Qatar Prix Dragon and then we’ll see.”

QNB STARS LEAGUE PREVIEW Ferreira wary as Al Sadd take Duhail stroll past on Al Arabi

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Sadd coach Jesu- Khor as Gharafa aldo Ferreira said his team’s QNB Stars ALeague match against Al Arabi today will not be a cake- walk. “There is a big diff erence between the derby and other matches. Derby matches always record fi rst win make the players eager to win. We had been the best in the last Al Duhail were always going to be favourites and yet again it was a two seasons in our Qatar Der- by matches against Al Arabi in typically destructive performance from their star man Yousef El Arabi terms of score, level and per- when they take on Al Shahania. formance,” the Portuguese na- “Whatever the result of our By Sports Reporter tional said. last match (lost to Al Sadd 0-6), Doha “The two teams are renewing we are motivating our players as the rivalry in the new season. we bank on our positives. Al Arabi have improved signifi - “Conceding six goals against l Duhail strolled to a 6-0 vic- cantly over the last season, so Al Sadd is not a big deal. We had tory over Al Khor in the QNB the derby will be stronger and a great chance to score in the Stars League at the Khalifa In- better this time. very fi rst minute of the match. ternational Stadium yesterday, “Preparations were good de- The penalty did not help our thanksA to goals from Youssef El Arabi spite the hot weather and hu- cause either. We mostly played (10th minute), Almoez Ali (23rd and midity. We have been working well, but lost concentration at 73rd), Edmilson (58th and 73rd) and Nam since 12th July to get the players times. Tae-hee (62nd). ready for the new season. We “Some of our players have re- Al Duhail were always going to be fa- are seeking titles and we take covered from their injuries and vourites and yet again it was a typically- it step by step in the QNB Stars I do hope they are all ready for destructive performance from their star League,” said Ferreira. the match against Al Shahania man El Arabi. He grabbed the fi rst from Al Sadd player Yasser Abubakr which will not be easy for us. the penalty spot, coolly slotting home said: “We are all geared up to face “Maybe, we lose points in big after Edmilson had been upended in the Al Arabi. Matches between Al matches and can look to gain box. Sadd and Al Arabi are special in many against not-so-tough op- It did not take long for Al Duhail to net terms of huge spectator turnout ponents. Al Shahania have taken the second as Almoez latched onto a Lucas and we must stay all focused to in many new players, but my Mendes through ball, turned his marker keep winning matches.” team is determined to win. and struck home for the important second Meanwhile, Al Kharaitiyat “Our ambition is realistic - of the evening. coach Nassif al-Bayawi said his stay in the top fl ight. Rest all will Any half-time tactics from Al Khor team are eager to bounce back be a bonus for us. I cannot accept were ripped apart through a succession from the 6-0 thrashing they re- if we win only one or two games of three goals in six minutes. Firstly, Ed- ceived against Al Sadd last week in a league competition.” milson fi nished with aplomb after receiv- ing the ball across the area from El Arabi, VOLLEYBALL followed by Nam chasing up the rebound from El Arabi’s saved shot. In another act of unselfi shness, El Arabi became provider again for Edmilson to net Qatar thrash South his second goal. The scoring was completed by Almoez who reacted quickest to a loose ball in the Korea, to meet box and hammered home. All in all, it was a very satisfactory night for The Red Knights, but a harsh lesson Japan in semis for Al Khor who were never able to get a grip on the game and had no answer to the might of the opposition attack. By Sports Reporter Trailing just two points be- Earlier, Al Gharafa bagged their fi rst Taipei hind at 6-8, South Korea Korea points of the season with a 2-1victory Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi shows his joy after scoring against Al Khor yesterday. At bottom, Al Gharafa players celebrate their win. fought hard for a comeback in over Al Sailiya. the third set. At 22-23, South Wesley Schneider opened the scor- alty following a scrap at a set piece. Sch- ndefeated Qatar head- Korea called a timeout to set ing for Al Gharafa in the 25th minute and neider stepped in and slotted his kick into ed to the semi-fi nals blocking tactics against Qatar. Vladimir Weiss doubled the lead in the the bottom right corner. after thrashing South However, Qatar won the set with 49th. The second half started with Al Gharafa UKorea 3-0 (25-19, 25- three straight points. Rachid Tiberkanine scored an 80th- immediately in the ascendency and they 14, 25-22) on day 4 of the 6th Qatar will next face Japan in minute consolation goal for Al Sailiya. were rewarded as Weiss chased down an- AVC Cup for Men at the Univer- the semi-fi nals after a two-day In a very open encounter, it was Al other through ball, ran in on goal and de- sity of Taipei (Tianmu) Gymna- rest. Gharafa who caused an early scare when ceived the keeper with a low shot into the sium yesterday. “We did a great job today. We Yousuf Muftah’s 30-yard strike dipped far side of the goal. The opening set saw both performed excellently and felt under the bar, forcing a fi ne save from op- While Al Gharafa were able to step off sides come up with great de- better and better day by day. We position goalkeeper Saoud the pace, it did create an opportunity for fence to level at 7-7 before Qa- need to do more research and al-Khater. Al Sailiya to get back into the game. They tar’s height advantage in block- pay to our potential to win next From then on, Al Sailiya sparked into were unlucky on several occasions includ- ing forced the Koreans to make game,” said Qatar head coach life, with Nadir Belhadj forcing a spec- ing shots by both Abdulqadir Adam and more mistakes and concede the Soto Camilo. tacular save and a lot of pressure as their Tiberkanine which hit the bar and post advantage. Renan Ribeiro and Mo- confi dence grew. A lapse in concentration respectively. The second set turned out to hamed Ibrahim both chipped nearly ruined this as Weiss countered, Tiberkanine did get his goal late on be a similar script as the Qataris in with 12 points apiece for turned inside his man and struck a beau- when a quickly-taken free-kick caught remained in awesome form, hold- Qatar, while Kuk-min Han of tiful shot which was saved yet again. the Al Gharafa defence off guard and his ing the Koreans off with their solid South Korean scored a match- Moments later, Al Gharafa had a pen- shot ricocheted into the net. blocks to win it comfortably. high 16 points.