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Tuesday, June 11, 2019 Shawwal 8, 1440 AH India World Cup GULF TIMES hero Yuvraj ends roller-coaster SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL Brazil trip ‘signifi cant step’ for Qatar ahead of 2022 WC ‘You have to always focus on your overriding goal. The State of Qatar is heading towards a historic event’

AFP Doha Qatar win warm-up game against Brazilian club Madureira

irst-timers Qatar go into the Copa America with the young team riding high following their tri- umphF in the Asian Cup but hum- bled by “higher calibre” compe- tition than they encountered in the Emirates. Head coach Felix Sanchez also said that the tournament would be a “signifi cant step in our jour- ney towards the World Cup” which Qatar will host in 2022. “We’ll play against experi- enced teams that are certainly of a higher calibre than what we saw at the Asian tournament,” he said in an interview with FIFA ahead of the Brazil tournament. “Our group includes Argen- tina, whose abilities are well known, and Colombia, who are exceptionally good performers, whether at World Cups or the Copa America. Paraguay also boast a pedigreed history.” The South American conti- nental championship gets un- derway on June 14 with the hosts Brazil looking for their fi rst title since 2007. “So, I believe these matches will serve as an important stag- Action from the match between Qatar national team (in maroon) and Brazilian club Madureira (in yellow) in their final Copa America tune-up game in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Qatar scored a 2-1 win. After losing to ing post for me and the players. five-time World Champions Brazil in an international friendly on Wednesday, Felix Sanchez’s men put up a good show against Madureira, which was played behind closed doors. Qatar and are the two guest They’ll tell us where we currently teams at the Copa America, which will be held in Brazil from this Friday till July 7. Qatar are in Group B and will open their campaign against Paraguay on June 16 at the prestigious Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. stand and what we need to do in They then face Colombia on June 19, before taking on Lionel Messi’s Argentina on June 23. Qatar has never played in the Copa America before and will be using the experience of the tournament to get used to a higher the next phase,” added Sanchez. standard of football ahead of their hosting of the 2022 World Cup. Chile are the two-time defending champions, having won the 2015 and 2016 editions of the tournament, though host nation Brazil will be eager to win Qatar got off to a cautious start their first major title since 2013 on home turf. in a friendly against Brazil who won 2-0, although the visitors’ credible performance was over- outing since the Asian Cup. Ali said the Copa was all about America we will learn more.” “We need to make sure the tournament would be a proving a major tournament in front of shadowed by Neymar’s travails. Qatar’s inclusion in the Copa learning for Qatar, continuing The team source acknowl- squad are in top form and up to ground for his side’s young stars. many fans. It will also allow us to The forward sprained his an- America initially raised eyebrows the methodical approach which edged to AFP that “it won’t be the nation’s expectations. This After spending many millions of address important details on and kle and was forced to limp off the but both they and Japan reached has already paid dividends. easy”. means that we’ll not be partici- dollars on their world-class Aspire off the pitch. pitch on crutches, ruling him out the Asian Cup fi nal in Abu Dhabi. Qatar also has one eye clearly pating just for its own sake, but Academy, and scouring the world “I want the team to perform in of the tournament. Qatar triumphed in that tour- ‘IT WON’T BE EASY’ fi xed on the 2022 World Cup. that we’re determined to leave for top coaches, Qatar are begin- a proper and honourable way and “It was a great game for us. nament going from zero points “We’re not expecting to win, but “You have to always focus on our mark on World Cup history, ning to recoup their investment. demonstrate that they’ve pro- (But) we should learn from our at the last Asian Cup to their just to learn because after the your overriding goal. The state especially since this will be Qa- “Since our squad has many gressed. That’s not just measured mistakes,” said a Qatar team of- fi rst continental title in record- World Cup, the Copa America is of Qatar is heading towards a tar’s fi rst World Cup. young players, we look forward in accumulating points and pro- fi cial. “In the second half we breaking style, beating Japan 3-1. the biggest competition in the historic event: hosting the 2022 “Our participation in the 2019 to gaining as much experience gressing to the next round, but if played better.” Forward Almoez Ali’s bicycle world,” Ali said following the World Cup,” said Sanchez who Copa America can be seen as a as possible in this high-profi le that happens, it would of course The side, which with Japan was kick helped bring home the tro- Asian Cup win. was given a mandate last month signifi cant step in our journey tournament,” said Sanchez. be great.” invited to make up the required 12 phy and broke Ali Daei’s 23-year- “The weakest teams are in to lead Qatar into the global soc- towards the World Cup, a journey “Specifi cally, that means ex- Qatar’s Copa America cam- teams, has struck a cautious tone old mark for goals at a single Asia, Asia is the weakest conti- cer spectacle when his contract that we started some time ago.” periencing the Latin American paign will begin on June 16 ahead of their highest profi le Asian Cup. nent for football so in the Copa was extended to 2022. Sanchez said that above all the style of play and taking part in against Paraguay.

2019 ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP Winning matters more to Mashrafe than respect

AFP suff ered an agonising two- out of the group stage on the way ers Afghanistan. Bristol, United Kingdom loss to New Zealand before being to reaching the quarter-fi nals of But Mashrafe insisted he felt on the wrong end of a 106-run the 2015 World Cup. no extra pressure with Bangla- thrashing by tournament hosts But this year’s format is diff er- desh being regarded as favourites angladesh and favourites England in Cardiff ent, with 10 teams taking part in to beat Sri Lanka. can last weekend. a round-robin group stage that “Even the New Zealand match, live without the respect Those defeats make Bangla- will see the top four qualify for even the England match, I’m of his opponents so long desh’s match against a struggling the semi-fi nals. not sure what other people were asB his side are winning matches Sri Lanka in Bristol today all the “If you are asking all 10 captains thinking, but we were expecting at the World Cup. more important. this question, they will look to the to win,” he said. The Tigers launched their “I’m not worried about who semis, which is an honest call,” said “I think the pressure will be campaign with an impressive win is respecting us, I’m more wor- Mashrafe as he answered a query there every match. I don’t want over South Africa but afterwards ried about our performance,” about Bangladesh’s ambitions for to say there’s no pressure — 100 Mashrafe was annoyed by sug- Mashrafe told reporters in Bristol this World Cup. percent pressure will be there. gestions the result constituted an yesterday. “Obviously we would like to “But at the same time we have upset. “Winning matches is more be in the semis but right now, the to cope with that pressure and “Do you think this was a sur- important for us. I don’t think calculation is diffi cult. make sure we deliver.” prise?,” he asked pointedly. “If respect is going to work in the 22 “But again I’d say it’s very Forecast rain in Bristol, how- we can deliver our best we knew yards (of a pitch). It all depends much possible. We have to make ever, could scupper the hopes of what we could do. I’m sure some on how we react on the ground. sure we come back onto the win- both sides for a morale-boosting people don’t think well of our “If we can win two points, this ning track.” win. cricket. We are concentrating on is more important than respect at Sri Lanka were overwhelmed “I hope that we’ll play a full our game and letting other peo- the moment,” added the 35-year- by champions Australia and then match tomorrow,” said Mashrafe. ple talk.” Bangladesh’s captain Mashrafe Mortaza (second from right) celebrates with teammates after taking a catch old veteran paceman. suff ered a collapse before “The boys are really hungry to Since then Bangladesh have to dismiss England’s Jason Roy (not pictured) during the match in Cardiff , Wales, on Saturday. (AFP) Bangladesh knocked England just doing enough to beat outsid- win matches.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, June 11, 2019 CRICKET WORLD CUP

FAREWELL India World Cup hero Yuvraj ends roller-coaster AFP day internationals and bludgeoned ball and a middle-order lynchpin, reached the World T20 fi nal against ODIs, including 14 centuries. A handy Mumbai England’s Stuart Broad for six sixes in Singh played the last of his 304 one- Sri Lanka in 2014 and he was later bowler, he also took 111 to un- one over at the 2007 World Twenty20. day internationals two years ago. dropped from the one-day side after derline his all-round talent. “I have been playing international He played a key role in India’s World playing poorly. Singh’s stats in were uvraj Singh, a winner of two cricket on and off for 17 years. Now it is Twenty20 triumph in 2007 and was “I scored 11 off 21 balls. It was so less fl attering. He collected 1,900 runs World Cup titles who over- time to say goodbye,” he said, at times player-of-the-tournament — scoring shattering that I felt my career was from 40 games at an average of under came cancer and a drop in fi ghting back tears as he made the an- four fi fties and a century — when India over.” 34. form to fi ght his way back into nouncement. won the 50-over World Cup in 2011. Again Singh did not give up. “My life has been like a roller coast- India’sY national side, announced yes- “Cricket has given me everything A few weeks later, Singh was diag- He was recalled for a home series er ride. Winning the World Cup (in terday that he is retiring from cricket. and that’s why I am standing here,” he nosed with a rare lung cancer. against England in 2017 to bring sta- 2011) and being named the man of the “It was a great roller coaster ride said. “It was a harsh reality...(but) I was bility to the middle order. series was like a dream,” Singh said and beautiful story but it has to come “It’s been a love-hate relationship. not going to let that disease defeat Singh posted a career-best ODI as his mother and wife — Bollywood to an end. It was the right time to go,” It taught me how to fall, how to fi ght, me,” said Singh. score of 150 in the series and was in- actress Hazel Keech — sat among the the 37-year-old left-hand batsman how to get up again. Although he fought back to play cluded in India’s squad for Champions audience. told a press conference in Mumbai. “I am proud of what I have achieved again, he was not able to match his Trophy the same year but his form Singh had been with the Mumbai At his peak, Yuvraj was a rip-roaring on and off the field.” high-scoring skills. dipped again. Indians in the Indian Premier League batsman. He hit 14 centuries in one- One of the cleanest strikers of the He suff ered a new blow when India He scored 8,701 runs from 304 this year.

FOCUS UPDATE South Africa v West Indies tie rained off Batting coach backs They were quickly in trouble, AFP Southampton, United Kingdom with Hashim Amla edging Cot- trell to at slip for just six, sparking the bowler’s he World Cup match trademark celebration featuring between South Africa a short march and salute. and the West Indies was That brought Aiden Markram Mendis, Mathews abandoned yesterday to the wicket but he had only Tafter persistent heavy rain in made fi ve when he tickled a Cot- Southampton, with both sides trell down the legside earning a point each. and wicketkeeper ‘There was nothing about Earlier, West Indies paceman completed the catch to leave reduced Faf du South Africa in deep trouble at his form to suggest there’s Plessis’s team to 29 for two be- 28-2 in the seventh over. anything to worry about’ fore rain stopped play. In the following over, delivered to come good “Very disappointing, but you by , rain stopped can’t control the weather. We play and the covers came on. AFP one-day international hundreds didn’t get close to a game,” Du The West Indies are fi fth in Bristol, United Kingdom and 37 fi fties. Plessis said. the World Cup table with three Mendis has just one ODI hun- The West Indies are back in points after three matches, while dred from 65 matches, although Southampton on Friday to play South Africa are second from ri Lanka batting coach it did come against Bangladesh England and skipper Jason Hold- bottom after four games, leaving Jon Lewis believes it is in Dambulla two years ago. er hopes all-rounder Andre Rus- their hopes of making the semi- just a matter of time be- This is in marked contrast to sell will be fi t to face the hosts fi nals hanging by a thread. fore Kusal Mendis and the 24-year-old’s Test record of after missing yesterday’s game South Africa face Afghanistan AngeloS Mathews hit form at the six centuries in 38 matches. with a knee injury. at Cardiff on Saturday and Du World Cup. Lewis, asked to explain the “We are hoping he pulls up al- Plessis admitted his team were Experienced all-rounder diff erence, said: “Mendis could right. I guess it is a blessing this in need of a morale-boosting win Mathews has yet to open his ac- do with a little bit of a confi - game is over and we can look against the minnows. count after ducks against both dence boost. I think for him it’s forward to the game against Eng- “Everyone should be fi t for the New Zealand and Afghanistan a case of just getting through land,” Holder said. next game. We are in a bad posi- while Mendis has scarcely been those fi rst 20 balls. South Africa, desperately tion but it’s our own fault,” he more productive with a nought “In the build-up to the World needing a win after defeats in said. in the defeat by the Black Caps Cup, he played well against their fi rst three matches of the “We haven’t played our best followed by just two runs in a Scotland and the two warm-up tournament in England and cricket so far and we need a solid tense win over the Afghans. games he looked in good form Wales, lost the toss and were put performance to get the team’s Sri Lanka, whose last match even though he only got 20s and in to bat under threatening skies. confi dence up.” against Pakistan was abandoned 30s, which was a downer. without a ball bowled, face “Those would have been a Bangladesh in Bristol today. good opportunity to get a big SPOTLIGHT “We have some experienced score, but there was nothing players in the middle with Kusal about his form in either of those Mendis and Angelo Mathews,” two games to suggest there’s Lewis said yesterday. anything to worry about. Kohli comes to booed “They obviously haven’t quite “He’s had two low scores and fi red yet but Afghanistan let us of course it would be good if he get away with that. I’m confi dent had more runs behind him, but I Smith’s defence players of that quality will defi - think he’s probably only 20 balls nitely come to the party soon. from being really away.” “With Angelo you have to have Lewis, former coach of English faith in a guy who has done as county side Durham, confi rmed much as he has over a long period Sri Lanka would be without Nu- of time and he tells me he is in a wan Pradeep, who took four for good place and good headspace.” 31 against Afghanistan, after the “I have no reason to doubt that paceman suff ered a finger injury the runs will come from him,” during training on Sunday. Suran- added Lewis of the 32-year-old ga Lakmal is set to be brought in as all-rounder, who has scored two a like-for-like replacement. Sri Lanka’s player Kusal Mendis (right) bats in the nets in Bristol, England, on Sunday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE India and Australia captains India’s captain Virat Kohli (left) speaks with Australia’s David Warner during the match at The Oval in London on Sunday. (AFP)

Reuters someone down like that, to be call for action over ‘unfair’ bails honest,” Kohli told reporters. London AFP situation was unacceptable. more, which is unfortunate. “We’ve had issues in the past. London “Defi nitely. This is not some- “I’m not sure what they can We’ve had a few arguments on thing you expect at internation- do. I don’t know how much irat Kohli won a match the fi eld. But you don’t want to al level,” he told reporters. “The lighter they can make the bails. with the bat and hearts see a guy feeling that heat every ndia captain Virat Kohli and technology is great. It’s very “You would hate to see some- with his sportsmanship time he goes out to play. Australia skipper Aaron precise when you make some- thing like that happen in a World after silencing Indian “What’s happened has hap- Finch joined forces to con- thing happen with the stumps. Cup semi-fi nal or fi nal when Vfans who booed Australia’s Steve pened. Everyone has known that. demn the “unfair” bail con- “But you literally have to you have done the hard work to Smith in Sunday’s World Cup He’s come back. He’s worked Itroversy that threatens to ruin smash the stumps really hard to set up the batsman.” contest at the Oval. hard. He’s playing well for his the ongoing World Cup. knock them out. That’s me as a Smith and teammate Dav- side now.” Australia opener David Warner batsman saying that. BALL-TAMPERING id Warner have faced hostile Smith’s 69 was the highest avoided being bowled early in his “These are fast bowlers, these Finch had to defuse another po- crowds since returning from score in Australia’s unsuccessful side’s unsuccessful run-chase at are not medium-pace bowlers. tential controversy after Australia year-long bans for their roles in a chase against India who won the the Oval on Sunday when he de- “We checked and the stump spinner Adam Zampa faced alle- ball-tampering scandal in South high-scoring contest by 36 runs. fl ected Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery was not knocked in very hard so gations of ball-tampering. Africa early last year. Kohli said he apologised to onto the wicket via his boot. I don’t know what’s going on. Is Zampa was pictured during A section of the predominant- Smith for the behaviour of the Not for the fi rst time in this the stump too thick or too rigid? the match putting his hand into ly Indian crowd at the Oval booed India fans. tournament, the ball struck the “No team will like to see that, his pocket and then rubbing the Smith when the Australian was “There’s so many Indian fans stumps but failed to dislodge the if you bowl a good ball and you ball several times. stationed at third man and Kohli here, I just didn’t want them to bails, meaning Warner earned don’t get a guy out. I haven’t The incident came just a year noticed. set a bad example, because he an unexpected reprieve. Australia’s David Warner (left) and India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni seen that happen so many times after Australia stars Warner and The India captain, who went didn’t do anything to be booed in It was the fi fth incident in the look on after a Jasprit Bumrah delivery touched the former’s stumps in the past.” Steve Smith, as well as team- on to score a typically fl uent my opinion,” added Kohli. tournament of the ‘zing’ bails, but did not dislodge the bails during the match on Sunday. (AFP) Finch’s team were benefi ciar- mate Cameron Bancroft were 82, raised his hand to draw the “He was just standing there, which contain lights that fl ash ies of the latest bail incident, but banned for their roles in a ball- crowd’s attention, gestured for and I felt bad because if I was when the ball hits the wicket, England in the tournament’s at the time of his escape, went that did not stop the Australia tampering scheme during a Test them to clap the Australian in- in a position where something failing to come off when hit. opening game and Sri Lanka’s on to score 56, and the issue is captain from also voicing his in South Africa. stead, and shook his head before had happened with me and I had In the West Indies’ game Dimuth Karunaratne surviving becoming a huge talking point, concerns. On this occasion, Finch insist- resuming batting. apologised, I accepted it and I against Australia on Thursday, against New Zealand. with former England captains Asked if it was wrong the bails ed Zampa was using hand-warm- The International Cricket came back and still I would get Chris Gayle was saved when The International Cricket Michael Vaughan and Nasser could eff ectively decide a major ers he had put in his pocket, as he Council shared the video on its booed, I wouldn’t like it. the bails stayed on despite his Council (ICC) have defended Hussain calling on the ICC to do match, Finch said: “Yeah, I think apparently does for every match. Twitter handle calling it “abso- “So I just felt for him, and I stump being clipped by a 91mph using the ‘zing’ bails’, claiming something about the issue. so. We were on the right end of it “I haven’t seen the photos, so I lute class”. told him, ‘I’m sorry on behalf of (146kph) Mitchell Starc delivery. they are lighter than the stand- Although India won the today, but I think going forward can’t comment on them. I know “I think what’s happened has the crowd’, because I’ve seen that Other high-profi le instances ard wooden ones normally used match by 36 runs, Warner’s es- it is a bit unfair at times. It hit for a fact he has hand warmers in happened long back. The guy happen in a few earlier games as included South Africa’s Quinton at all levels of cricket. cape could have been a turning the stumps pretty hard. It does his pocket. He has them in every is back, he’s trying to play well well and in my opinion that’s not de Kock being reprieved against But Warner, who was on one point and Kohli made it clear the seem to be happening more and single game he plays,” Finch said. for his side... it’s not good to see acceptable.” Gulf Times Tuesday, June 11, 2019 3 CRICKET WORLD CUP

FOCUS UPDATE England’s Buttler Pakistan have no ‘responding well’ aft er hip injury

AFP treatment and will be reassessed London later this week.” need to fear The England squad reconvene tomorrow for two days of prac- ngland’s Jos Buttler is tice in Southampton, with But- “responding well” to tler hoping to take part to show treatment on a hip injury he is ready for the hosts’ fourth but the star batsman still group game against the West In- hasE to prove his fi tness in time dies. for Friday’s World Cup match “We anticipate he will train Australia: Hafeez against the West Indies. with the rest of the squad at the Buttler suff ered a heavily Hampshire Bowl on Wednesday ‘England were playing top cricket and people thought it would be hard to beat them’ bruised right hip while hitting ahead of the match against West a six during England’s 106-run Indies on Friday,” the statement AFP Lanka with both teams receiving win over Bangladesh on Satur- said. Taunton, United Kingdom a point. day. England captain Eoin Mor- “Yes, that was frustrating but The 28-year-old, one of the gan suggested after the Bangla- you cannot do much about the World Cup’s most destructive desh match that there would be eteran batsman Mo- weather and now we have moved batsmen, was visibly hampered no temptation to gamble with hamed Hafeez has on. But I am sure when we play for the remainder of his innings Buttler’s fi tness with so many urged his side to take again we will put up the same of 64 in Cardiff . matches still to play. the confi dence from game that we played against Jonny Bairstow took over But- Tournament favourites Eng- Vtheir win over hosts England England,” Hafeez promised. tler’s wicket-keeping duties land have won two of their fi rst into their next World Cup match Hafeez said Pakistan’s re- when he was unable to come out three group matches as the hosts against champions Australia. markable turnaround in their for the Bangladesh run-chase. bid to win the World Cup for the The 38-year-old was Paki- fi rst two games — they were “Jos sustained heavy bruising fi rst time. stan’s saviour in their sensa- bowled out for a paltry 105 by on his right hip during the match “We’ll use every day as much tional 14-run win over England the West Indies in Nottingham against Bangladesh,” a statement as we can to try to get him back in Nottingham, riding his luck — was down to acknowledging from the England and Wales on the park, but if he is a risk go- on the way to a match-turning their mistakes. Cricket Board said yesterday. ing into the next game, it might 84 off 62 balls. “I think we realised that we “He is responding well to not be worth it,” Morgan said. That helped Pakistan post a played a very bad game and we challenging total of 348-8 and gave confi dence to each other set up a confi dence-boosting and convinced each other that win after they fl opped badly in we can win and that positive their opening seven-wicket de- thinking helped bringing the feat by the West Indies. change,” said Hafeez, a veteran “I think all 10 teams are beat- of 212 ODIs. able,” Hafeez told AFP on Sun- Their win over England, who day. “If you look at England they defeated them 4-0 shortly be- were playing top cricket and fore the start of the World Cup, people were thinking it would be ended Pakistan’s sequence of 11 hard to beat them.” consecutive defeats since los- Hafeez, speaking before Aus- ing the fi fth and fi nal one-dayer tralia suff ered a 36-run loss to against South Africa in January. India at the Oval on Sunday, “Yes, we had been losing but added: “But all teams are beat- Mohamed Hafeez’s 62-ball 84 had helped Pakistan pick up a sensational 14-run win over hosts and we were playing good cricket,” able... if you talk of our next op- favourites England in Nottingham last week. (AFP) Hafeez explained. “The best ponent (Australia) they are also thing about the England win was playing very good cricket but internationals between the teams rested seven of their top players. “This is a World Cup and we that everyone contributed. they too can be defeated.” dating back to October 2014. now have momentum after our “Even Hasan Ali, who didn’t Pakistan, who face the title- Australia — who have won ‘MOMENTUM’ win over England.” get a wicket, but his last three holders at Taunton tomorrow, four of the last fi ve World Cups “Yes, we don’t have a very good Pakistan were left to rue per- overs were good and brought us have a dismal recent record — completed a 5-0 whitewash of record against Australia because sistent rain in Bristol on Friday, back,” said Hafeez. “When you against Australia — they’ve won Pakistan in the United Arab Emir- they play tough cricket but every which led to a no-result wash- play like that you get confi dence just one of the last 14 one-day ates in March, albeit Pakistan day is a new day,” said Hafeez. out in their match against Sri and momentum.”

Pakistan’s Imam relishes World Cup battle with Australia’s Starc

AFP 82-run opening stand against to prepare according to my Taunton, United Kingdom England in Nottingham, setting strengths instead of bowlers’ up Pakistan’s second-highest strengths. I don’t think like that, total ever in a World Cup of 348 because you need to beat top akistan opener Imam- for eight in a match they won teams if you want to play the ul-Haq is relishing facing by 14 runs. World Cup final.” PAustralia pace spearhead That came after he could only Imam, who hit a century on his Mitchell Starc when the two muster two runs in Pakistan’s ODI debut against Sri Lanka teams meet in the World Cup in seven-wicket defeat against the in 2017, scored a brilliant 151 Taunton tomorrow. West Indies in their opening against England in the series WAR OF WORDS The 23-year-old, a nephew of game, when they were bowled between the two countries Pakistan great Inzamam-ul-Haq, for a paltry 105. before the World Cup. said the confidence he had “I have played (Kagiso) Rabada He stressed the importance of gained from facing England and Dale Steyn in more diff icult giving Pakistan a platform in Shahzad cries foul, quicks Jofra Archer and Mark conditions in South Africa,” said every game, with the help of Wood would help him tame the Imam, referring to Pakistan’s tour opening partner Fakhar Zaman, Australia attack. of South Africa earlier this year. as they prepare to face the de- Afghan board CEO “Starc isn’t a threat,” said Imam. Imam was Pakistan’s most suc- fending champions, who will be “In fact I am excited over the cessful batsman on that one- smarting after a defeat to India. prospect of facing him. Same day international series with “If you analyse then you notice says keeper injured was said about Archer and 271 runs, including a century, in that teams have succeeded in Wood but we played them with the five matches. the World Cup mostly when the IANS mates were not aware of the de- confidence.” “You can’t say a bowler is top three players have done New Delhi cision. But CEO Asadullah Khan Imam scored a solid 44 in an threatening,” he said. “I try well,” he said. has claimed otherwise in media reports. he Afghanistan Cricket “What he is saying is com- Board (ACB) announced pletely wrong. A proper medical FOCUS on June 6 that wicket- report to the ICC was submitted keeper and opening and then only his replacement Tbatsman Mohamed Shahzad was announced. The team could wouldn’t be taking any further not have fi elded an unfi t player. part in the 2019 World Cup in I understand he is upset at not England and Wales. They cited being part of World Cup any- Windies ready for Archer test: Reifer an injury to Shahzad’s knee as more but the team could not have the reason behind them calling compromised on his fi tness,” he AFP And Reifer, speaking after a replacement in Ikram Ali Khil. said. Southampton, United Kingdom yesterday’s match against South But the 31-year-old has now Shahzad’s failure to score runs Africa was abandoned due to revealed that while he did have a and his misses while keeping rain, is confi dent they have a knee issue, he was fi ne after tak- hasn’t gone down well with the est Indies head game-plan to combat his threat. ing adequate rest. management. coach Floyd Reifer “I’m sure Jofra will be chomp- He further added that it was Afghanistan’s next match in insists his batsmen ing at the bit to come at us and only during training for the New the tournament is against South are up for the chal- we will be ready for him,” Reifer Zealand game that he came to Africa which will be played on Wlenge of taming England’s elec- told reporters. know of ACB’s decision to rule June 15. They have lost all the tric pace bowler Jofra Archer in “To be honest, we knew Jofra him out of the World Cup citing matches they have played in the their World Cup clash on Friday. for a long time. He is from Bar- injury. He said even his team- tournament thus far. Archer was born in bados, where we are from. We to a British father and played for knew him from the U15, U17, U19 West Indies Under-19s before so he is not new to us. declaring his allegiance to Eng- “Yes, he’s bowling quickly, but land earlier this year. there’s nothing that we are not The 24-year-old qualifi ed accustomed to. We are looking for England in March and the forward to the challenge. So we match against the West Indies will see how it goes on Friday.” in Southampton will be just his Asked if he was disappointed seventh one-day international that Archer didn’t chose to play appearance. for the West Indies, Reifer said In that short time, Archer has pointedly: “He made his choice. already established himself as “I actually played club cricket one of the sport’s most explo- against him as a young guy. So sive bowlers, with three-wicket Jofra is a tremendous talent, we hauls against both South Africa all know that. Like I said, we are and Bangladesh in the World looking forward to the game on Cup underlining his quality. Friday. He obviously had the pace. Finding a way to subdue He had a few injuries as a young Archer will be one of the West guy. But I’m guessing though he’s Indies’ main tasks as they look fully over those injuries and he is England’s Jofra Archer (right) celebrates taking the wicket of Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar (not pictured) to beat hosts England. bowling very well for England.” during the ICC Cricket World Cup match in Cardiff on Saturday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, June 11, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS FORMULA 1 Ferrari to appeal Vettel penalty, say ‘Bigger house, he is moral winner

Reuters car to the space where his Ferrari Montreal should have been. “People want to see us race and that was, I think, racing. I hope errari intend to appeal the people come back, that’s the bigger TV’? Nadal the time penalty that main thing obviously... it’s just cost Sebastian Vettel vic- a shame when we have all these tory in Sunday’s Canadi- little funny decisions,” he said. Fan Grand Prix, the Formula One Ferrari team boss Mattia Bi- team said. notto said there was no doubt Vettel was handed a fi ve- about the real winner. second penalty for rejoining the “It’s not down to us to decide track in an unsafe manner, the and that’s the sport. But cer- cool on Slam record German’s error forcing Mercedes tainly if you look at the crowd, rival Lewis Hamilton to take eva- everybody I think today believes At 33, Nadal is the best part of five years younger than Federer but with sive action on lap 48. that there was nothing Sebastian Hamilton crossed the line sec- could have done,” he said. a career blighted by injuries, he refuses to target the all-time record ond but was the winner after the “I don’t think he had any bad penalty was applied. intention in what he was doing The stewards’ decision re- at all. He stayed ahead the entire AFP very special.” minded Ferrari that they had the race, he crossed the chequered Paris Nadal revealed that in Barce- right to appeal, although tech- fl ag fi rst, for us he’s the moral lona, he had even locked himself nically the sporting regulations winner. away, questioning where his sea- state that in-race penalties such “We won today. I think hon- afael Nadal insists he son was heading. as the one handed to Vettel can- estly we have been the fastest is not obsessed with “Mentally, I lost a little bit of not be protested. on track today and that’s impor- beating Roger Federer’s energy, because I had too many Ferrari now have 96 hours to tant,” he added. record of 20 Grand issues in a row. It is tough when gather fresh evidence and decide Ferrari found considerable Slams,R claiming “you can’t be you receive one after another, whether to pursue the appeal. support from former champions frustrated all the time because and then sometimes you are (Writing by Alan Baldwin in Lon- who felt the regulations were at your neighbour has a bigger groggy,” he explained. don, editing by Greg Stutchbury) fault and that the stewards had house than you or a bigger TV or “In Barcelona, I was able to Meanwhile, Ferrari hailed Se- come to the wrong decision. better garden”. stay alone for a couple of hours in bastian Vettel as the moral win- Former Ferrari driver and 1992 Nadal swept to an historic 12th the room and think about what’s ner while the German raged at world champion Nigel Mansell, Roland Garros title with a 6-3, going on, what I need to do. being robbed of victory by race who has also served as a steward, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Aus- “One possibility was to stop stewards. said on Twitter that the penalty tria’s Dominic Thiem on Sunday. for a while and recover my body. “They are stealing the race was ridiculous. That took him to 18 majors, And the other was change dras- from us,” the angry German ex- “Very, very embarrassing. No just two behind Federer. tically my attitude and my men- claimed over the team radio as he joy in watching this race, two At 33, Nadal is the best part tality to play the next couple of was told he was under investiga- champions driving brilliantly, of fi ve years younger than the weeks. tion after running off the track will end in a false result,” he add- Swiss veteran but with a career “Thinking a lot, fi nally I think and into the path of Mercedes ed. blighted by injuries, he refuses to I was able to change and was able rival Lewis Hamilton. Jenson Button, the 2009 target the all-time record. to fi ght back for every small im- Vettel was given a fi ve-second champion commentating for Sky “That’s not the way that I see provement.” penalty, fi nishing fi rst but having Sports, felt it was a sad outcome. the life,” said the Spaniard. “It’s On Sunday, Nadal took his to hand victory to Hamilton. “It’s always disappointing a motivation, yes, but it’s not my Roland Garros record to an as- “No, no, no. Not like that. You when there’s a proper fi ght out obsession. tonishing 93 wins and just two have to be an absolute blind man, on track between two greats, “It’s not what makes me get losses having previously won the you go on the grass how are you two multiple world champions, up every morning or go and train title in 2005-2008, 2010-2014, supposed to control your car? and then the stewards are able to and play.” 2017 and 2018. This is the wrong world,” the come in and take that away from Nadal’s caution is well- It also gave him an 82nd career Ferrari driver yelled after being us really,” he said. founded. title and 950th match win. notifi ed of the penalty. “It’s a shame. For me, it’s a By his own estimates, his ca- “All the things that I went “It’s not making our sport racing incident... it doesn’t de- reer-long battles against knee through probably give me that popular is it? I mean, with these serve a penalty.” and wrist injuries have cost him extra passion when I am playing, kind of decisions,” he told Sky American Mario Andretti, “around 15 or even more Grand because I know I will not be here Sports television after the po- the 1978 world champion, also Slams”. In the aftermath of his forever. dium ceremony. joined the criticism on Twitter, latest Roland Garros triumph, “So I just try to be positive, to He had earlier parked up in saying: “I think the function of he admitted that after an injury- be intense, and to be passionate the wrong place and stormed the stewards is to penalise fl a- hit start to 2019, he felt “down about what I am doing.” straight to the Ferrari hospitality grantly unsafe moves not honest mentally and physically” and Next up for Nadal is his latest before returning to the pitlane. mistakes as result of hard racing. questioned his love for the sport. assault on Wimbledon, where There he rearranged the num- What happened at #CanadaGP “I was not enjoying it too he has twice been champion, in bers in front of the cars, switch- is not acceptable at this level of much, I was worried about my 2008 and 2010. ing the ‘one’ from Hamilton’s our great sport.” health. I was down mentally and However, the All England Club physically after Indian Wells,” has also been the site of some said Nadal. spectacular lows. “I was too negative. After Ma- He lost four years in succes- drid and Barcelona, I was think- sion to players outside the top ing about what I needed to do. 100 — Lukas Rosol, Steve Darcis, I could stop for a while and re- Nick Kyrgios and Dustin Brown cover or change my attitude and Spain’s Rafael Nadal poses with the — from 2012-2015. recover.” Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) In 2017, he was knocked out in After a loss in the Australian after winning the French Open final the last 16 by Gilles Muller, 15-13 Open fi nal to Novak Djokovic, against Austria’s Dominic Thiem on in the fi nal set. where he won just eight games, Sunday. Last year, he lost a marathon a second round exit in Acapulco semi-fi nal to Novak Djokovic by was followed by a withdrawal dropping the last set 10-8. from the semi-fi nals in Indian “I played a great event last Wells, when a knee injury meant year. I have been able to be very that an eagerly-awaited clash close to win another title there. with Federer was shelved. As everybody knows, I love to His return in the clay court drid before a much needed title and fi nished just seven of them,” and surgery on my foot, so many play on grass,” said Nadal who season saw semi-fi nals losses in triumph in Rome. Nadal added. issues in the last 18 months that added he will not play a warm- Second placed Sebastian Vettel of and Ferrari swaps the Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Ma- “In 2018, I played nine events “I had issues with my knee have made the last few weeks up event before Wimbledon. number boards at parc ferme in Montreal on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT International media hail Nadal aft er 12th French title Sharapova confi rms DPA Paris return from injury

afael Nadal was praised by in- AFP ternational media yesterday Madrid after winning the French Open for a 12th time to take his tally of R ormer world number majors titles to 18, only two short of the record held by Roger Federer. one Maria Sharapova “At 33, with 18 Slams, Rafael Nadal is a confi rmed she will play more complete player than ever,” tennis. at next week’s Mallor- caF Open after more than three com wrote. In Nadal’s home country Spain, Marca wrote: “Eternal legend months out through injury. of Roland Garros. There will never be Sharapova, 32, a fi ve-time anyone like Rafa again,” while AS simply Grand Slam champion, has been said, “Nadal is an alien.” sidelined since February after Nadal became the first tennis player to having surgery on a shoulder win one grand slam a dozen times when problem which has troubled her he beat Dominic Thiem 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in since 2008. Sunday’s final. “I’m so happy to be able to “Impregnable Nadal: 12 wins at 12 finals announce that I’m going to ac- in Roland Garros,” El Pais wrote In cept a wildcard into the Mallorca , L’Equipe sports daily headlined Open,” Sharapova said in a state- “Herculean” and said: “With the 12th ment. victory of his career in Roland Garros, “I want to thank the tourna- Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he is ment for the opportunity it’s pearance came at the St Peters- definitely the king of Porte d’Auteuil. Spain’s Rafael Nadal (R) holds the Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) as he poses with Australian tennis legend Rod Laver given me and for my incredible burg Open in her native Russia “Above all, however, he won his 18th in Paris on Sunday. fans who have been supporting in January after she had lost to Grand Slam title and is thus closer to me these past months.” eventual French Open winner Roger Federer and his 20 trophies. But body. “But Nadal remains Nadal — and game over the years, has become more Chatrier the old champion once again Sharapova has struggled for Ashleigh Barty at the round of 16 can the Spaniard catch up with his big beating him on sand over three winning aggressive and tactically more flexible.” reigned supreme.” fi tness since her 15-month dop- of the Australian Open earlier in rival at the age of 33 or even surpass sets remains one of the biggest chal- Britain’s Guardian said: “Rafael Nadal, The New York Times also referred to the ing ban that ended in 2017. the month. him?” Switzerland’s Neue Zuercher lenges across all sports.” Tages-Anzeiger hair thinning, legs slowing imperceptibly changing look of Roland Garros over the “After more than a week test- The competition at the WTA Zeitung wrote: “He has adjusted his wrote: “It is impressive how many physi- but genius intact, remains unbeatable years in its report of the final. “But for ing in Mallorca, Maria Shara- grass event in Mallorca begins game somewhat. He acts more aggres- cal setbacks he has put behind him in his on the clay of Roland Garros.” now, and for honestly who knows how pova has decided to accept the on June 17 and Sharapova will sively, with the aim of keeping the rallies career. He never lets himself be discour- The Independent wrote: “They have much longer, Nadal, 33, remains a pillar wildcard off ered by the Mallorca be joined by reigning Wimble- shorter out of consideration for old age aged, always finds his way back to his rebuilt the main stadium here at Roland of the place: more immovable, as it turns Open,” a statement from the don champion Angelique Kerber and his equally impressive and fragile top level. And how he has developed his Garros but in the new Court Philippe out, than many a stadium,” it said. Mallorca Open said. as well as fellow former world Sharapova’s last on-court ap- number one Victoria Azarenka. Gulf Times Tuesday, June 11, 2019 5 SPORT

NHL SPOTLIGHT Parker announces Rask spoils Blues’ retirement aft er 18 seasons in NBA AFP longer compete at the very high- Los Angeles est level. “A lot of diff erent stuff ultimately led me to this deci- sion,” Parker said. “But, at the ormer San Antonio Spurs end of the day, I was like, if I can’t party as Bruins star Tony Parker con- be Tony Parker anymore and I fi rmed his retirement can’t play for a championship, from basketball yester- I don’t want to play basketball dayF after 18 seasons in the NBA. anymore.” The 37-year-old French interna- Parker had previously spoken tional, who won four NBA titles of his desire to play 20 seasons with the Spurs between 2003 and in the NBA, but said his view 2014 announced his decision in a changed after playing in Char- keep hopes alive post on Twitter. lotte, who fi nished outside the “It’s with a lot of emotion playoff standings. “I wanted to that I retire from basketball, play 20 seasons and I still think I The winner-take-all game seven will be held tomorrow in Boston it was an incredible journey!” can play,” he said. Parker wrote. “Even in my wild- “I had a good season with the est dreams, I never thought I Hornets, and I was healthy. But would live all those unbelievable at the same time, now I don’t see moments with the NBA and the any reason to play 20 seasons. If French National Team. Thank I don’t play for a championship, you for everything!” I feel like, why are we playing? Parker is one of the most suc- And so that’s why it was very dif- cessful foreign players ever to ferent for me mentally to focus play in the NBA, and was a key and get motivated to play a game fi gure in the Spurs teams which that I love, because I want to win consistently challenged for something.” championships during his time Parker’s retirement comes af- with the franchise. Injuries ham- ter Argentina’s Manu Ginobili, pered his fi nal years with the another key member of the dom- Spurs and he spent last season inant Spurs teams of the past two playing with the Charlotte Hor- decades, retired in August last nets, appearing in 56 games but year. Parker, the NBA Finals MVP not starting in any. in 2007, averaged 15.5 points and In an interview yesterday, six- 5.6 assists per game in his career, time All-Star Parker said he was which spanned more than 1,200 walking away from the sport games, including 1,151 career after realising that he could no starts.

Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues scores past Tuukka Rask (left) of the Boston Bruins during Game Six of the NHL Stanley Cup Final in St Louis, Missouri, on Sunday night. (AFP)

AFP plans to improve to 8-3 on the road in the lining up four hours before the opening Rask was Boston’s best player on Sun- Los Angeles postseason. puck drop on nearby Market Street for a day making several clutch saves, but none Game six was St. Louis’ turn to strug- watch party. “Listen, if you told me four bigger than one he combined on with de- gle with the man advantage as they went months ago we would be in the fi nals in fenceman Charlie McAvoy in the second rad Marchand had a goal and an zero-for-fi ve in front of a sold out crowd game seven, I think I would take it,” said period. assist and Tuukka Rask stopped of 18,800 at Enterprise Arena. The Bruins Blues coach Craig Berube. “We have been With Boston holding a slim 1-0 lead, 28 shots as the Boston Bru- have been in this situation before. In the a good road team. We have won twice up defenceman McAvoy prevented a a goal ins forced a game seven in the opening round against Toronto they were there in this series so we are a confi dent by batting a fl uttering puck out of mid air StanleyB Cup fi nals with a 5-1 win over down 3-2 with game six on the road. group.” into the back of Rask, who reached be- the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. Marchand They rallied to win the series in seven The excitement seemed to get the best hind to try to trap it in his jersey. scored on the powerplay and David Pas- games. A victory by the Blues Sunday of the team and the city earlier on Sunday, Rask then glided to the far right side trnak also had a goal and an assist for the night would have ended the longest wait when the Blues mistakenly revealed some of his crease so it didn’t drop down into Bruins who levelled the best of seven se- in NHL history — 51 seasons — for a team info on their victory parade plans in a let- the goal. Brandon Carlo, Karson Kuhl- ries at 3-3. to win its fi rst championship. But they ter that club owner Tom Stillman sent to man and Zdeno Chara also scored for the The winner-take-all game seven to- still stand on the cusp of history heading the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Bruins. Ryan O’Reilly, who is one of the morrow at Boston. “The whole hockey into game seven. They need one more win Stillman wrote the letter as part of a frontrunners for the Stanley Cup MVP world loves a game seven. to complete an improbable turnaround package of congratulatory advertise- award if St. Louis win, scored the lone May the best team win,” Boston coach after a season in which they were in last ments and notices which were mistakenly goal and rookie netminder Jordan Bin- Bruce Cassidy said. Marchand’s goal place in the NHL in early January. posted on the newspaper website on Sun- nington made 27 saves. snapped a mini scoreless streak on the The Blues playoff run has taken the day before being taken down. In the letter “We’re confi dent,” said O’Reilly.”We powerplay for the visiting Bruins, who city by storm. People who couldn’t aff ord Stillman said the victory parade would are a great road team. Maybe that’s our Tony Parker won four NBA titles with San Antonio Spurs spoiled the Blues’ Stanley Cup party the $2,000 for a scalper ticket started take place on Market Street. story, we have to get it done on the road.” between 2003 and 2014. (AFP)

MLB Nats club four straight home runs against Padres Reuters over seven innings with a walk and fi ve supplied three hits, including a homer, San Diego strikeouts. scored two runs and knocked in two Thinking Muncy took too long to more while Byron Buxton ripped a two- go into his home run trot, Bumgarner run homer and scored twice. Miguel inch hitter Howie Kendrick, shouted at the Dodgers’ left-handed Sano also homered, C.J. Cron had two Trea Turner, Adam Eaton and hitter before Muncy even reached fi rst hits and two RBIs and Ehire Adrianza Anthony Rendon connected on base. Muncy fi rst reacted by brushing scored three runs. four consecutive eighth-inning his hands toward Bumgarner as he ap- Twins starter Jake Odorizzi (9-2) homeP runs off San Diego reliever Craig proached fi rst base, then appeared to gave up one run on fi ve hits in six in- Stammen on Sunday afternoon to break invite the pitcher for a physical alter- nings and struck out eight. Detroit a tie and lead the visiting Washington cation as he jogged between fi rst and starter Ryan Carpenter (1-3) surren- Nationals to a 5-2 victory over the Pa- second base. The two shouted at each dered eight runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 in- dres. The four homers came in a span of other off and on until Muncy crossed nings. seven pitches with one out in the eighth. the plate. It was the second time in Nationals his- ASTROS 4, ORIOLES 0 tory that players had connected on four YANKEES 7, INDIANS 6 Yordan Alvarez homered in his second straight home runs, the fi rst being on Aaron Hicks belted an RBI double with career plate appearance to support a July 27, 2017, against Milwaukee. two outs in the 10th inning as visiting strong outing from veteran Wade Miley Sunday marked the ninth time in New York rebounded to top Cleveland as Houston claimed the rubber match major league history that a team hit four after squandering a pair of leads. of its three-game series with Baltimore. consecutive homers. The Nationals are New York scored fi ve runs with two Alvarez, the Astros’ third-ranked the only team to do it twice. The Padres outs in the second inning and another prospect according to MLB Pipeline, are the only team to twice give up four in the ninth, only to see Cleveland rally broke a scoreless tie with his two-run, straight homers, also doing so against to forge a tie on both occasions. opposite-fi eld homer off Orioles starter the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006. The Yankees claimed a 7-6 lead in the Dylan Bundy (3-7) with two outs in the Kendrick’s one-out drive to left 10th after Cameron Maybin launched a fourth inning. Miley (6-3) completed snapped a 1-1 tie between Nationals double to deep centre off Oliver Perez his afternoon having allowed six hits starter Stephen Strasburg (7-3) and the (1-1) with one out before Hicks doubled Washington Nationals’ Howie Kendrick hits a solo home run against the San Diego Padres. (USA TODAY Sports) and two walks while recording fi ve Padres’ game-long group of bullpen to left-centre one out later. Aroldis strikeouts over six-plus innings. pitchers. Stammen (4-3) was the fourth Chapman (1-1) picked up the win after The Red Sox were held to two or fewer their past fi ve games. homer — and fellow Marlins reliever of fi ve relievers deployed by San Diego. his bid for his 16th straight save went runs in all three losses. Eduardo Rod- Hendricks (7-4) allowed one run on Tyler Kinley gave up a run in the 10th MARINERS 9, ANGELS 3 Strasburg gave up one run in seven in- awry following an error by shortstop riguez (6-4) was tagged for four runs eight hits in seven innings, walking before Adam Conley (1-6) took the loss Edwin Encarnacion hit two home runs, nings. Didi Gregorius with two outs in the on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings, strik- none and striking out three. Cardinals in the 12th. Ozzie Albies sparked the the latter the 400th of his major league ninth. ing out seven and walking two. starter Adam Wainwright (5-6) exited winning rally by diving into third with career, as Seattle defeated Los Angeles. DODGERS 1, GIANTS 0 the game after 4 1/3 innings because a one-out triple. He scored on a single Encarnacion is the 56th player to Max Muncy’s fi rst-inning home run RAYS 6, RED SOX 1 CUBS 5, CARDINALS 1 of left hamstring tightness. He allowed by Joyce, who went 3-for-4 from the reach the 400-homer plateau and the was all starting pitcher Walker Buehler Brandon Lowe homered twice among Kyle Schwarber drove in two runs, Kyle three runs on seven hits while walking No. 8 hole. Dan Winkler (3-1) got the third active player after Albert Pujols needed as Los Angeles earned a fi ery three hits, while Yandy Diaz also went Hendricks won his sixth consecutive one and striking out two. win for Atlanta, and Josh Tomlin picked and Miguel Cabrera. victory at San Francisco. deep and had four hits as visiting Tam- decision, and Chicago pulled away to up his fi rst career save in his 205th ap- Tom Murphy also homered twice, Buehler (7-1) gave up fi ve hits over pa Bay powered past Boston in the fi - complete a three-game sweep of visit- BRAVES 7, MARLINS 6 pearance. and Daniel Vogelbach and Kyle Seager seven scoreless innings with a walk and nale of a four-game series. ing St. Louis. Ronald Acuna Jr. tied the score with a added solo shots for the Mariners, who nine strikeouts as the Dodgers rallied to Tampa Bay hit four homers in the Carlos Gonzalez homered while An- three-run homer in the ninth, and Matt TWINS 12, TIGERS 2 took two of three games in the series. win the three-game series after a de- contest, all solo shots. Blake Snell (4-5) thony Rizzo and David Bote also drove Joyce hit an RBI single in the 12th as the Nelson Cruz blasted one of Minnesota’s Wade LeBlanc (3-2) entered after an feat on Friday. Giants starter Madison gave up one run on fi ve hits and struck in one run apiece for the Cubs. Kolten Atlanta won at Miami. four home runs among his three hits opener and went six innings, allowing Bumgarner (3-6) was nearly as good as out seven in six innings as the Rays took Wong hit an RBI double for the Car- Closer Sergio Romo gave up four and drove in three runs as the Twins two runs on six hits with one walk and Buehler, giving up one run on four hits three of four in the key division series. dinals, who lost for the fourth time in runs in the ninth — including Acuna’s routed host Detroit. Eddie Rosario eight strikeouts. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, June 11, 2019 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Thompson wins Shoprite Classic McIlroy captures with fi nal-round 67 Canadian Open with brilliant 61 ‘This will give me so much confidence. This is a huge tournament...’

Lexi Thompson smiles as she walks off the green after making a putt for eagle on the 18th hole during the final round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway, New Jersey.

AFP is also the 13th diff erent winner New York this season. She combatted three bogeys with fi ve birdies and sealed the exi Thompson eagled her deal with an eagle. closing hole on Sunday The 24-year-old Florida na- for a four-under 67, com- tive started the day two strokes ing from behind in the behind second-round leader Lfi nal round to capture the Sho- Lee, who stumbled on the back pRite Classic tournament by one nine with three straight bogeys stroke. on holes 13-15. Thompson, who fi nished run- Thompson took advantage ner-up at last week’s US Wom- of the par fi ves over the 54 hole en’s Open, carded at 12-under tournament, going 11 under on 201 total at the Seaview Golf those. Club in Galloway, New Jersey. Lee shot a fi nal round 70 to “It was all a matter of just reach 11-under 202 and Ameri- trusting my shots, trusting the can Ally McDonald fi nished lines,” said Thompson. “The by herself in third place after bogeys on the back nine, they shooting 70 for a nine-under weren’t bad shots or bad bogeys, total. Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist so you just have to let them go.” fi red a 69 to fi nish at seven un- She fi nished one shot in front der for fourth place, while a trio of 36-hole leader Lee6 Jeong- of players fi nished tied for fi fth eun for her 11th LPGA title, and at six under, including Thai- it came at the site of her fi rst land’s Ariya Jutanugarn (68), professional win nine years ago. China’s Liu Yu (72) and Mariah “I knew coming into the day Stackhouse (74). that it was going to play very Tour rookie Lily He Muni of diffi cult, just because this golf China had the best opening course can get so windy and round of her brief career with it’s a lot of crosswinds,” said a 64 on Friday but then stum- Thompson. bled to the fi nish with a 78 on The win gives Thompson the Sunday. He, a 19-year-old who longest win streak on the USLP- already has 220,000 Instagram GA Tour, with a victory in each followers, fi nished in a tie for of the past seven seasons. She 64th.

McDowell qualifi es for British Open Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses for a photo with the trophy after winning the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Canada. London: Graeme McDowell pionship at Portrush, and getting AFP reer national open title in his of the lead with Simpson and The Players Championship in way. His perfect approach shot achieved a season-long goal my spot for that, it’s been a jour- Ottawa Canadian debut. “I said at the Matt Kuchar at 13-under at the March. set up an easy two-foot putt. when he qualified for next ney,” McDowell said after ensuring start that I wanted to be aggres- Hamilton Golf and Country McIlroy bested the previous That left him needing a birdie month’s British Open, which will his spot by sinking a 30-foot birdie sive and play with freedom. Club in Hamilton, Ontario. Canadian Open scoring record on the par-four 18 to shoot a be held in his home town of at the final hole. ory McIlroy blitzed the “This will give me so much He was making his Canadian by fi ve shots. The previous 59. It would have been his fi rst Portrush, when he tied for eighth “This week, with spots available, fi eld at the Canadian confi dence. This is a huge tour- Open debut and improved with record of 263 was set by Johnny birdie of the week on the hole. at the Canadian Open in Ontario people have been reminding me Open on Sunday, fi ring nament and I am so proud of each round, shooting 67, 66, 64, Palmer in 1952 and equalled in But he found the bunker on on Sunday. all week. Every hole out there it a scintillating nine- myself. before opening the birdie fl ood- 2014 by Tim Clark. the right of the green. Instead Three qualifying spots for the was like ‘hope you get to Portrush, Runder 61 to run away with the “I am going to take a lot from gates on Sunday. McIlroy made four straight of holing out from the sand for British Open were available at hope you get in the Open’ so title by a massive seven strokes this and I am so excited for next Lowry, who shot a closing birdies on the back nine, start- 59, he came out too hot, putting Hamilton Golf & Country Club on there was no chance I was going less than a week before the US week (US Open).” round of 67, and Simpson, who ing at the par-four 11th, to put his ball about eight feet past the Sunday and awarded to top-10 to be able to shove that to the Open. The four-time major cham- shot a 68, fi nished at 15-under himself in contention to be- pin. finishers who were not already back of my mind. McIlroy, who fl irted with a pionship winner tied his career 265, two shots ahead of fourth come just the sixth player in Canadian Adam Hadwin exempt. Only one player who “It was nice to play decent 59, put on a golf clinic, rolling best when he shot a 61 in the place fi nishers Brandt Snedeker history to win a tournament carded a 70 to fi nish alone in finished ahead of McDowell, enough to get it done today.” in nine birdies, one eagle and third round of the Wells Fargo (69) and Matt Kuchar (70). with closing score of 59. sixth. Canadian Adam Hadwin, was not McDowell’s next tournament is two bogeys for a 22-under 258 Championship in 2015. His pre- The four-time major winner A bogey-eagle-bogey fi nish World number one Brooks already exempt for the July 18-21 this week’s US Open at Pebble total and a dominating victory vious best closing score to win McIlroy was part of a strong foiled his attempt, but made for Koepka shot an even-par 70 on tournament in County Antrim in Beach, the scene of his only over runner-ups Shane Lowry a tournament was a 62 at the fi eld at the Canadian Open, a highly entertaining conclu- Sunday to fi nish tied for 50th Northern Ireland. Both qualified major championship victory in of Ireland and American Webb Quail Hollow Championship in which this year serves as the fi - sion to his round. place. although the third spot went 2010, when the tournament was Simpson. 2010. nal tune up before the US Open. His eagle on the par-fi ve 17 Defending champion Dustin unclaimed. last held at the famous California “It was awesome,” said McIl- McIlroy, of Northern Ire- The win was also his sec- started with a 341-yard drive off Johnson fi nished with a 69 for a “The chase for the Open Cham- course. roy, who claimed his sixth ca- land, began the day with a share ond of 2019 — he captured the tee to the centre of the fair- tie for 20th at seven under.

BOTTOMLINE Women boxers striking a blow for equality in Cuba AFP Olympic sports, including weightlift- against us,” she says. It’s the offi cials in Havana ing and wrestling — but not in that last suits that draw their ire. bastion of Cuban machismo, inside the Women seemed primed for a break- ropes of a boxing ring. through in 2016, when Cuban Box- n the musty funk of a Havana box- It is generally accepted here that box- ing Federation President Alberto Puig ing gym, Idamelys Moreno smacks ing is a man’s sport, far too dangerous to announced the possibility of opening a series of whomping right hooks accommodate women. competition to females. But three years Iinto a heavy punching bag. Elsewhere, gender equality in sports on, nothing has changed. For the past four years, she has ripped has evolved and boxing joined the ranks They continue to train, fueled by op- it up in training to try to emulate dozens of women’s Olympic events at the Lon- timism that the Cuban Sports Institute of Cuban men in winning Olympic box- don Games in 2012. may eventually give a green light to ing gold. Moreno dismisses the views of Cuban women’s boxing ahead of the 2020 Ol- But she and other big-hitting women men that boxing is too dangerous for her, ympics in Tokyo. are punching not so much a glass ceil- insisting body protection is more than For these young boxers, it’s impossi- ing as a glass wall: In Cuba, only men are adequate. ble not to think of Namibia Flores, held allowed to compete in boxing tourna- “All combat sports are dangerous. But up as an example to women boxers but ments. we have protection for the chest, the who reached the age of 40 — the age “They haven’t given us our chance,” head and mouth.” ceiling for competition — without ever fumes Moreno, a muscular 27-year-old The offi cial reluctance to recognise realising her dream of bringing a wom- with burning ambition and a simmering female boxing “will end up discourag- en’s gold medal to Cuba. frustration. ing” young women who want to climb “I don’t want the same thing happen- Ducking and feinting, her stance into the ring, says Moreno. ing us,” vows Moreno. constantly shifts as she works her way Cuban boxer Idamelys Moreno (L) trains in a gym of Havana. Cuba is one of the world’s leading power in boxing but They have role models aplenty across Correa, the coach, says that if wom- around the swinging bag, the room re- deprives women of getting into a professional boxing ring. the globe, including Ireland’s undis- en’s boxing is eventually sanctioned by sounding as her heavy blows dent its puted lightweight world champion Katie Cuban authorities, the potential for the synthetic leather. won Olympic silver in 2008 and World sparring with men — pleads: “If they’d she was drawn to Cuba by the mystique Taylor, whose path to professional suc- sport is “massive — because this is the The island’s boxing greats beam down Championship gold in 2005. give us the opportunity, we can also of its boxing tradition. cess began with Olympic gold at London island of boxing.” from posters on the walls, among them Cubans are rightly proud of their build on the medal collection that the Ever ambitious, Moreno has set her 2012. Alcides Sagarra, considered by many three-time Olympic champion Teofi lo unique boxing tradition which has men have won.” sights on “a world and Olympic medal”. Ironically, women are welcome to as the father of Cuban boxing, believes Stevenson. brought a haul of 37 Olympic golds and Moreno is not the only woman work- Pascual says: “If men can do it, why train in countless boxing gyms across it is only a matter of time before women “She’s a boxer with a lot of enthusi- 76 World Championship winner’s med- ing the bags. can’t we?” Cuba and Gasquez acknowledges the take their place among the sport’s icons. asm and enormous physical capacities, als — all by men. Taking turns to spar with her are Yu- It’s an ugly paradox for these women gesture from male counterparts at box- “Cuban women cannot be denied but she is nowhere near her full potential But featherweight Moreno — whose ria Pascual, a 26-year-old biologist, and that since 2006 Cuba has been rep- ing’s grassroots level. their rights to participate in boxing yet,” said her coach Emilio Correa, who haymaking right fi st has been honed by Ana Gasquez, a French woman who says resented in the female programs in all “Boys help us, they don’t discriminate competitions,” said Sagarra, 82. Gulf Times Tuesday, June 11, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP Iceland’s reception of Turkey football team sparks Dogged Argentina hold controversy Reykjavik: Turkish off icials yesterday denounced the “disrespect” shown to the national football team when they arrived in Iceland for a Euro 2020 qualifier. The Turkish team was kept Japan to goalless draw waiting for several hours at passport control at Rey- kjavik airport on Sunday and subjected to extensive Argentina earn security checks, according to accounts from the players their first point in carried by Turkish media. Presidential spokesman a World Cup Ibrahim Kalin took to Twitter to show his anger, slamming AFP the “disrespect” shown to Paris the national team and saying the treatment of the Turkish players was “unacceptable”. apan failed to break down a de- Fahrettin Altun, communica- termined and well-organised Ar- tions director at the Turkish gentine defence in Paris yester- presidency, also said the day in the fi rst goalless draw of treatment was “not in line theJ women’s World Cup. Japan, fi nalists with diplomatic courtesy or in 2015 and winners in 2011, enjoyed al- sportsmanlike conduct.” most two thirds of possession, but only The foreign ministry forced two saves from goalkeeper Vani- issued a diplomatic protest na Correa. Argentina’s women, who note to Iceland via the Nor- have never won a match at the World wegian embassy. Icelandic Cup, managed three tame late strikes, off icials confirmed that they none of which tested Ayaka Yamashita. had received the protest The result, which earned Argentina’s but did not provide further women their very fi rst point in a World details. Isavia, the company Cup, leaves both teams on one point who manages the airport, in Group D, behind England who beat said the extended checks Scotland on Sunday. had been made for security Japan came closest to breaking the reasons, since the airport the deadlock against a side quoted as 500-1 players originally departed outsiders after losing all six of their pre- from, Konya, is not party to vious World Cup matches in the second the same security rules as half but Yui Hasegawa’s shot went wide. airports within the EU or When the whistle blew Argentina’s countries that have a related substitutes jumped off the bench to join agreement. the players on the pitch at fi nally get- The company said it was ting a point on the World Cup board at “under obligation to carry the seventh attempt. Later last night, Argentina’s midfielder Estefania Banini (second right) attempts to get past Japan’s Risa Shimizu (second left) and Emi Nakajima (right) during the Women’s World Cup out a security search of all Canada was slated to face Cameroon. Group D match at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris yesterday. (AFP) passengers coming from such airports,” regardless of nationality. “As a rule, the SPOTLIGHT security search does not take long. Last evening, however, the search took longer as a search had to be made Fearless Rapinoe leads United States on and off the fi eld for electronic devices and liquids in unusually many AFP Rapinoe, who will be playing in her Rapinoe’s career. The Seattle player has pect of life, the more we can tackle the in- lessly on social media, with calls for her bags,” the company said in a Los Angeles third World Cup, is an unmistakeable battled back from three serious knee in- equality from a lot a diff erent angles, per- to be dumped from the national team. statement. presence in the US ranks, her shock of juries to earn 153 caps since making her spectives, diff erent lanes the quicker we The US Soccer Federation responded by The Icelandic Football cropped, blonde hair making her instant- international debut in 2006, scoring 44 can rectify the problem,” Rapinoe said. introducing a rule making it mandatory Federation’s security team earless and ferocious, on and off ly recognisable. The veteran also stands goals in the process. In 2012, she came “The incremental change that we’ve for players to stand during the anthem. told the news website Visir the fi eld, Megan Rapinoe will be out for her willingness to speak her mind, out as gay shortly before playing a key seen is not enough. I would like to see a “That was a really good lesson for me: that players from the Icelan- one of the cornerstones of the whether it’s leading calls for greater gen- role in the US women’s gold medal-win- major paradigm shift, a major overhaul to This is what it’s going to take for things to dic team had experienced United States dressing room der equality in the women’s game or sup- ning campaign at the London Olympics, realise that there’s been such a lack of in- change, norms to change, conventions to similar checks when they asF they chase a record fourth Women’s porting NFL quarterback Colin Kaeper- and has since fought tirelessly to promote vestment for all these years, such a lack of change,” Rapinoe said. returned from Turkey after World Cup crown. The 33-year-old at- nick’s 2016 protests by kneeling during the rights of the LGBT community. She is care and attention to the women’s game.” Rapinoe however, has no plans to dial a match two years ago. The tacking midfi elder is one of the four co- the national anthem in solidarity. also one of the leaders of the US women’s Rapinoe’s outspoken nature has, pre- back her activism. She has already stat- incident comes right after captains of the American team, form- Rapinoe continues to speak out, even fi ght for pay equality. dictably, drawn criticism. When she ed that she would not attend any White Turkey defeated world cham- ing a brains trust alongside Carli Lloyd, though those close to her, including her The US women’s team fi led a lawsuit knelt in solidarity with Kaepernick’s House reception for the US team hosted pions France 2-0 in Konya Becky Sauerbrunn and Alex Morgan mother Denise, worry that she risks be- against the United States Soccer Federa- protests against racial inequality in 2016, by President Donald Trump. “Absolutely in a Euro 2020 qualifier on which has amassed around 750 caps be- ing penalised for her candour. That sense tion in March accusing the organisation a stance she took while playing for both not. I have no interest in extending our Saturday. tween them. of combativeness has been a hallmark of of gender discrimination. “In every as- club and country, she was vilifi ed relent- platform to (Trump),” Rapinoe said.

FRIENDLY FOCUS Brazil rout Honduras 7-0 in Gnabry fuels Sane’s Bayern rumours AFP “It’s hard to show you what the handshake Copa America tune-up Berlin looks like when it’s only me,” he laughed. Sane has remained tight-lipped about his AFP future in recent weeks, but he scored in Ger- Los Angeles ayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry many’s 2-0 win over Belarus in Borisov on said yesterday he would ‘love’ to see Saturday, and is expected to start alongside Germany teammate and Manches- Gnabry once again against Estonia. After their hilippe Coutinho ter City star Leroy Sane join him at annus horribilis in 2018, Germany have redis- helped Brazil prepare AllianzB Arena. “I would love to have him at covered their form this year, with Sane, Gnabry for a Copa America Bayern. I am having fun playing with him and and Marco Reus leading the line in attack. without Neymar after he would be an improvement for our team,” “The way the three of us rotate, with any one P10-man Honduras were com- Gnabry, 23, told reporters ahead of Germany’s of us able to drop deep, makes it very diffi cult prehensively thrashed 7-0 in Euro 2020 qualifi er with Estonia today. for teams to defend against us,” said Gnabry. Porto Alegre on Sunday night. Sane, also 23, has been heavily linked with a “It didn’t work out last year, but this year we The Paris St. Germain super- transfer to Bayern in recent weeks, having re- are looking better. We have known each other star will miss the tournament portedly grown frustrated with a lack of game for longer now, which makes it easier.” on home soil which starts on time under Pep Guardiola at City. Gnabry, who Germany remain unbeaten in three games Friday after injuring his ankle has struck up an eff ective partnership with this year, yet both Gnabry and assistant coach against Qatar last Wednesday. Sane in the national team this year, said he had Marcus Sorg admitted yesterday they could But with Barcelona’s Coutinho spoken to his fellow winger about the rumours. Serge Gnabry (left) and Leroy Sane. have scored more goals against Belarus. Sorg, providing an assist and a penalty His admission comes after several Germany who is standing in as head coach while Joachim strike and the likes of Richarlison players spoke out about the potential trans- Midfi elder Julian Draxler, meanwhile, joked Loew recovers from a recent accident, said his and Gabriel Jesus also impress- fer this week. Bayern and Germany defender last Tuesday he now greets Sane with Bayern’s team wanted to “dominate” Estonia today. ing by getting on the scoresheet Joshua Kimmich urged Bayern to sign Sane last offi cial club motto “Mia San Mia”. Asked yes- “We will have to break them fi rst. They are against the outclassed Hondu- week, telling Bild newspaper he would “suit terday whether he does the same, Gnabry ad- a team built on a good organisation and struc- rans, who had Romell Quioto red the club perfectly”. mitted he and Sane have a special handshake. ture,” he said. carded in the fi rst half. Brazil’s Philippe Coutinho (right) celebrates with Richarlison Jesus and Richarlison, who after scoring against Honduras in a friendly match at the Beira both scored against the Qatari’s Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre, on Sunday night. (AFP) U-23 in Brasilia, were particularly lively once again along with the and were left chasing shadows over as a contest. Richarlison, excellent Coutinho to prove the for the remainder of a chasten- who impressed in the fi rst-half, Selecao still have plenty of op- ing 90 minutes. Brilliant work was brought down in the area on Qatar face Bahrain at Toulon Tournament tions in attack despite Neymar from Alves caused panic in the 36 minutes allowing Coutinho to sitting on the sidelines. visitor’s defence and Manchester make it three from the penalty QNA Brazil made three changes City forward Jesus was on hand spot with his 14th international Paris Qatar under-23 players from the side which beat Qa- to head home. And just seven goal before twice being denied train in Toulon, Southern tar — Ajax star David Neres was minutes later Coutinho curled by the post in the space of a few France yesterday. brought in to replace Neymar in a dangerous corner which was minutes. atar under-23 team will con- while Liverpool’s Champions expertly headed in by Silva. Everton’s Richarlison re- clude their participation in League winning keeper Alisson Now the challenge for Bra- mained a menace in the second- Toulon International Foot- Becker and PSG’s Thiago Silva zil was to keep their foot on the half and headed across for Jesus ball Tournament today by also started. The fi ve time world accelerator rather than easing to make it 4-0 just after the re- facingQ Bahrain in a ranking to deter- champions are unbeaten in nine off as they did against Qatar. In- start. Neres scored a wonderful mine the 11 and 12 position. The Qatari games since reaching the World jury woes, however, continued to individual goal on 56 minutes is aiming for a win after losing all three Cup quarter-fi nals in Russia last frustrate when Arthur, the Bar- to open his own account for the of their group matches against Brazil, summer. celona midfi elder, was forced off national team before a cool fi nish France and Guatemala. The Qatari Ol- Honduras, meanwhile, head on 31 minutes following a poor, from substitute Roberto Firmino ympic team lost their fi rst match against for the Gold Cup reborn un- two footed challenge which saw made it six of the best for the France 2-0, and lost against Guatemala der new manager Fabian Coito Honduras midfi elder Quioto re- Samba stars. Richarlison scored 2-0, and then lost to Brazil 5-0. — since his arrival in February, ceive a straight red. the goal his performance de- The tournament is a great opportu- the Central American side have Arthur was replaced by Na- served with 20 minutes remain- nity to prepare Qatar Olympic team for managed draws against Ecua- poli’s Allan to win his fourth cap ing. Brazil’s Copa America cam- the upcoming AFC U-23 World Cup in dor and Paraguay. They fell be- but with the Hondurans down to paign starts on June 14 against Thailand, scheduled next January, and hind, however, on six minutes 10 men, the game was eff ectively Bolivia. qualifying for Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

WORLD CUP AND AFC ASIAN CUP QUALIFIERS Confi dent Pakistan take on Cambodia in Doha today AFC ers. They will be up for the challenge reason we’re 1-0 down. Hopefully we Doha as head coach Felix G. Dalmas set his will make use of our chances in Bang- sights on the return leg immediately ladesh’s home match.” after the fi rst leg ended. He promised Meanwhile, Timor-Leste head coach akistan have been hard at work that Cambodia will not be complacent Norio Tsukitate is hoping his charges since touching down in Doha despite their advantage and this sets will show a better performance against for the second leg of their FIFA the stage for an exciting match today. Malaysia in the second leg. A rampant World Cup Qatar 2022 and Meanwhile, Bangladesh are confi - Malaysia scored a 7-1 win to all but con- PAFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint dent of sealing their spot in the next fi rm their place in the next stage of the Qualifi cation tie. round when they host Laos in the sec- Asian Qualifi ers but Tsukitate is look- The South Asians will go into the re- ond leg of their FIFA World Cup Qatar ing at the bigger picture for his young turn leg at the neutral venue of Al Ahli 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Prelimi- Timor-Leste team. The Japanese coach Club chasing a 2-0 defi cit, after late nary Joint Qualifi cation tie in Dhaka to- opted for a young squad due to several goals by Sieng Chanthea and Kouch So- day. Forward Rabiul Hasan came off the factors and admitted that his players kumpheak gave Cambodia the advan- bench to score in last Thursday’s fi rst struggled to cope with the intensity of tage in last Thursday’s fi rst leg. Today’s leg to give Bangladesh a vital win and Malaysia’s game. match will begin at 7pm. with the return leg at the Bangabandhu “In the domestic league, they play Pakistan, however, are confi dent they National Stadium, the South Asians better — more high level, more pres- can overturn the defi cit, especially if are optimistic of their chances of their sure and more good passes. But against they can fi nish the chances they create. place in the second round of the Asian Malaysia, they cannot play that way. I Head coach Jose Antonio Nogueira la- Qualifi ers. hope they have learned something in mented the missed chances in the fi rst Right-back Bishwanath Gosh, how- the match and will show a better per- leg, especially as they came way before ever, said how the Bangladesh defence formance in the second match,” said Cambodia scored their two goals. performs will decide the outcome of the Tsukitate. The Brazilian would have undoubt- match. Head coach Jamie Day is likely Malaysia may have taken a hefty edly worked on his team’s fi nishing to play the same defenders who started lead in the fi rst leg but head coach Tan and Cambodia can expect a more po- the fi rst leg and Gosh said Bangladesh Pakistan’s coach Jose Antonio Nogueira (left) and midfielder Hassan Bashir address a press conference in Doha yesterday. Cheng Hoe expects the same determi- tent Pakistan today. The match will be must be resolute at the back. nation from his players today. streamed by mycujoo.tv. “We have to be more focused than then we have a good opportunity to were in high spirits during training it is possible to overturn the result. “We still have 90 minutes to play and The Southeast Asians, however, we were in Laos because the visiting progress,” said Gosh to local media. and the Singaporean said they are de- We are confi dent and will go all out to I expect the players to perform with the know if they prevent Pakistan from side will come all-out after losing their Laos, however, look equally confi - termined to overturn the defi cit and win the game,” Sundram said. “In the same intensity,” said Tan, who steered scoring, they will take their place in home match. If the defenders do re- dent despite trailing by a goal. Head advance. “The 90-minute match is fi rst match, we had a few chances but Malaysia to a runners-up fi nish in the the next round of the Asian Qualifi - ally well and don’t concede any goal, coach V Sundram Moorthy’s charges now important for us and we believe we could not capitalise and that’s the 2018 AFF Cup.

SPOTLIGHT RONALDO STILL HUNGRY FOR MORE GLORY WITH

Porto, Portugal: Cristiano things like Euro 2016 and now Ronaldo insisted he has no the Nations League. It may immediate plans to retire from seem like an easy job but it’s Portugal’s Nations international football after help- hard, it takes a lot of dedication ing Portugal lift the inaugural and willingness,” Ronaldo said. Nations League on Sunday. “As long as I have the Ronaldo, 34, was a peripheral strength and motivation, I figure as Goncalo Guedes’s will continue to represent the goal won an underwhelming colours of Portugal. When I am final against the Netherlands with the national team I feel like 1-0 in Porto. But after sitting at home.” League win is a out the group stage of the Na- Victory was especially sweet tions League on a hiatus from for Ronaldo as the only surviv- international football, Ronaldo ing member of the Portuguese played a huge part in getting side beaten on home soil by his country to the final by scor- Greece in the final of Euro ing a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 2004. “I have been with the semi-final against Switzerland. national team for 16 years and And with a host of exciting I still feel the same enthusiasm statement of intent young talent, led by Manches- as when I was 18 years old,” he ter City’s Bernardo Silva, who added. picked up player of the tourna- “I will always give my best ment, Ronaldo is keen to hang and the Portuguese are always Bernardo Silva, unsurprisingly, was behind much of the positive play from Portugal around for the chance at more on my side so I thank them for international glory as Portugal their enthusiasm for me. I try to look to defend their European match that with good perform- Championship title next year. ances, goals, and help Portugal “Portugal has won important win trophies.”

FOCUS Netherlands’ De Ligt laughs off Ronaldo’s Juventus ‘off er’

Reuters the fi ve-times Ballon d’Or win- Porto, Portugal ner. “I didn’t understand him at fi rst. I was a little shocked, so I laughed. But I didn’t say any- etherlands defender thing,” De Ligt said. “So soon Matthijs de Ligt, who after the game you are not at all is widely expected to concerned with it. You are dis- leave Ajax Amsterdam appointed that you have lost Nin the coming weeks, said he was and that is the only thing you are asked about a move to Italian thinking about,” he added. champions Juventus by Cristiano De Ligt’s impressive perform- Ronaldo at the end of Sunday’s ances for Ajax in their run to the Nations League fi nal. Champions League semi-fi nals Ronaldo’s Portugal triumphed have made him one of the most 1-0 in the showpiece match leav- wanted signatures in the transfer ing the 19-year-old defender De window. But the defender said he Ligt, linked with several top Eu- had yet to make up his mind over ropean clubs, disappointed. But his future and was in no hurry to television images showed Juve do so. forward Ronaldo having a chat “I don’t mind that. The trans- with the centre-half at the end fer period starts in a while, so I of the game and the Dutchman will fi rst go on a nice vacation confi rmed a possible move to the and rest. I will let it happen and Italian side had been raised by then I will see,” he said.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates after winning the UEFA Nations League at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal, on Sunday. (Reuters)

Reuters naldo and Europe’s top defender Virgil compared by Netherlands coach Ronald At centre-back Ruben Dias, the Porto, Portugal van Dijk, it was other players who made Koeman to a Super Cup at club level but, 22-year-old Benfi ca defender, was calm the diff erence for the home side. Bernar- whatever the value of the new competi- and authoritative, looking comfortable do Silva, unsurprisingly, was behind so tion, Portugal in their two wins here and bringing the ball out of defence. The sol- uropean champions Portugal won much of the positive play from Portugal. performances in qualifying showed they id, physical, holding midfi eld pair of Wil- the inaugural Nations League Buzzing around the right fl ank, the are arguably a better side than the team liam Carvalho and Danilo show Santos with a 1-0 win over the Nether- Manchester City midfi elder was alert, which triumphed at Euro 2016. is not getting carried away by the talent lands on Sunday night and on this inventive and threatening. Bruno Fern- Three years ago in France, Portugal available to him and their simple but ef- evidenceE must surely be early candidates andes provided much of the same from only progressed from the group stage in fective work gives the team crucial equi- to challenge with France for next year’s midfi eld, his clever touches, intelligent third place, behind Iceland and Hungary, librium. Euro 2020 title. use of the ball and movement into space having drawn all their games. They rarely World champions France must be fa- The narrow margin of the win did not showing why he is the latest Portuguese shone in the knockout stage, winning the vourites to win the pan-European tour- express the gap in quality between the player to be linked with a move to one competition with just one solitary victory nament next year while England, despite sides at the Dragao Stadium — the weak- of Europe’s big clubs. The decisive goal inside 90 minutes, but showing resilience their disappointment in defeat by the ness of this Dutch team has always been came on the hour from Goncalo Guedes, and discipline in their 1-0 triumph over Dutch in the semi-fi nal, will fancy their their lack of real fi repower and they paid the 22-year-old Valencia forward who France after extra time in the fi nal. chances. The Netherlands, if they can heavily for that. But while the Nether- amply justifi ed his inclusion ahead of Those qualities remain important to fi nd more fi repower in attack, could be lands were never out of the game, Portu- Joao Felix, with his link-up play and abil- Fernando Santos’s side but this is a much in contention and only a fool dismisses gal were superior in all departments. ity to stretch a Dutch defence already more expressive and creative team, with heavyweights Germany, Spain and Italy. The Dutch fi nished above France and pre-occupied with Ronaldo. the younger faces he has introduced But there is a level of close understand- Germany to reach the fi nal four and then Indeed, Ronaldo was relatively quiet — turning Portugal into a formidable force. ing and teamwork about Santos’s outfi t beat England in the semi-fi nals, but while another indication that this Portugal side Put simply, there was no Bernardo Silva, that gives them more the appearance of there is no doubt that Ronald Koeman’s is continuing to improve, looking much Bruno Fernandes or Guedes at Euro 2016 a club side than a national team and that side are on an upward trajectory, their less reliant on the 34-year-old who can and, with the 19-year-old Felix emerg- can be crucial. Unlike the side who were limitations were exposed by Portugal. now play as a pure striker given Bernardo ing as another attacking option, Santos crowned European champions three Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (left) battles for the ball with For all the hype around the imagined Silva’s ability to lead the counter-attacks. will defend the title with a broad range of years ago, this Portugal are a true pleas- Netherlands’ Matthijs de Ligt during the UEFA Nations League confrontation between Cristiano Ro- The status of the Nations League was quality choices. ure to watch. final in Porto, Portugal on Sunday night. (Reuters)