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Friday, June 2, 2017 TENNIS Ramadan 7, 1438 AH Murray battles past GULF TIMES Klizan to set up Del Potro blockbuster SPORT Page 3 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REAL STRIKE FORCE FACES ULTIMATE TEST Madrid have pumped in 32 goals in 12 games in the competition, but face the unbeaten Italians for the coveted trophy

Reuters Cristiano Ronaldo, whose lust for goals side, Serie A title winners Juventus are pushes me on.” Cardiff has taken Los Blancos to within touch- LAST 10 CHAMPIONS MULTIPLE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE/ unbeaten in Europe this season and are While Buff on bleeds black and white ing distance of a 12th European title LEAGUE FINALS CUP WINNERS going to their second fi nal in three years stripes, teammates Sami Khedira and after they took their 11th a year ago by 2007 AC Milan 2 Liverpool 1 11 Real Madrid (1956, 57, 58, 59, 60, having conceded only three goals. Gonzalo Higuain once played for Real. eal Madrid’s irresistible attack beating Atletico Madrid. 2008 Manchester Utd 1 Chelsea 1 66, 98, 00, 02, 14, 16) Only Arsenal, in 2005-06, reached Khedira conquered Europe with Real in slams into Juventus’s seem- Arrigo Sacchi’s great Milan side were (Manchester win 6-5 on penalties) 7 AC Milan (1963, 69, 89, 90, 94, 03, 07) the fi nal in more miserly fashion, con- 2014 but never really cut it at the Berna- ingly immovable defence to- the last to be crowned European cham- 2009 Barcelona 2 Manchester Utd 0 5 Bayern Munich (1974, 75, 76, 01, 13) ceding two goals before falling at the beu, while Higuain, despite scoring more morrow when the free-scoring pions for a second year running in 1990, 2010 Inter Milan 2 Bayern Munich 0 5 Barcelona (92, 06, 09, 11, 15) fi nal hurdle against Barcelona. than 100 goals for the club, is still looking RSpanish aristocrats hope to become the but since the competition morphed No wonder Buff on, aged 39, looks for a Champions League medal. 2011 Barcelona 3 Manchester Utd 1 5 Liverpool (1977, 78, 81, 84, 05) fi rst club to win the Champions League into the Champions League that feat 2012 Chelsea 1 Bayern Munich 1 4 Ajax (1971, 72, 73, 95) like he could play forever, such is the They will be spurred on by facing in successive seasons. has proved beyond even the most ex- (Chelsea win 4-3 on penalties) 3 Inter Milan (1964, 65, 10) strength of the defence Juve manager their old club while former Barca full Cardiff ’s iconic Millennium Stadium pensively assembled teams. 2013 Bayern Munich 2 B Dortmund 1 3 Manchester United (1968, 99, 08) Massimiliano Allegri has erected and back Dani Alves, will not want for moti- provides a fi tting venue for a mouthwa- Real, crowned La Liga champions for 2014 Real Madrid 4 Atletico Madrid 1 2 Juventus (1985, 96) which Barcelona’s Gerard Pique de- vation as they seek to end Juve’s 21-year tering fi nal full of delicious sub-plots, the fi rst time since 2012 last week, are the 2015 Barcelona 3 Juventus 1 2 Benfica (1961, 62) scribed as a “mountain” after their wait for the title. one of which could see Welsh wizard favourites after banging in 32 goals in 12 2016 Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 1 2 Nottingham Forest (1979, 80) quarter-fi nal loss. Sadly for Bale, his role in this fairy- Gareth Bale make a triumphant return games in the competition this season. (Real win 5-3 on penalties) 2 Porto (1987, 04) A 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, tale fi nal looks like being of the cameo to the valleys of his birth. Ronaldo has scored 10 of them, and for whom he remains fi rst-choice keep- variety as he has yet to fully recover Others include Juve keeper Gianluigi two more in the fi nal would see him er, Juve’s grand old man Buff on craves a from the ankle ligament injury he in- Buff on potentially becoming the oldest move above Barcelona’s Lionel Messi have to prove our character and who a great game and we are going to win.” Champions League medal to add to his curred in November. player to lift the trophy or Real coach to top this season’s Champions League is the best,” Ronaldo said this week as He is not wrong about the goals: No glittering array of silverware after twice Livewire Isco is likely to get the nod Zinedine Zidane, twice a Champions scoring chart. The irrepressible Portu- he eyed a third Champions League tri- Champions League fi nal has ended suff ering heartache in the fi nal. in Zidane’s starting line-up, but if the League runner-up with Juve, contriv- guese is the only player to have scored umph with Real to add to the one he se- goalless since Milan beat Juve on pen- “If I’d already won the Champions scriptwriters get their way, the local ing to break the hearts of those who more than 100 goals in the competition. cured with Manchester United in 2008. alties in 2003. League I’d be drained,” he said in a re- boy will come off the bench to spark once idolised him. But he still appears to want more. “The fi nal is won by scoring goals. I Yet while Ronaldo’s infectious con- cent interview. a fi esta the likes of which Cardiff has Centre stage, as he so often is, will be “Too much humility isn’t good. We have the feeling that we are going to play fi dence will sweep through Zidane’s “The fact that I’m still to win it never seen before.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Buff on deserves CL title, says Xavi Ronaldo bears down on wo years ago, Xavi Hernandez was pressed by the passion for football in the Messi as Ballon d’Or in play the as his beloved Barcelona country and across the region. side lifted the Champions League “I was taken by surprise by how much pas- trophy in Berlin against Juventus. sion for football there is in the region. I knew AFP haven’t broken so many records by accident. AheadT of this year’s fi nal, and after lifting two that they love football, but I didn’t realise to That’s not an obsession for me, but I do like Madrid trophies with Al Sadd in Qatar this year, the what extent. I have been to Jordan for exam- breaking them.” Catalan has made it clear that he would like ple, with Generation Amazing, and they re- Ronaldo has already added his name to more to see the Italians emerging winners to crown ceived me like a national hero. What I experi- ristiano Ronaldo heads to tomorrow’s record books during this season’s Champions the remarkable career of goal-keeping legend enced there I have never seen in any country Champions League fi nal against Ju- League. His hat-trick against Bayern Munich Gianluigi Buff on in Cardiff . in Europe. The passion and the excitement ventus on the brink of realising a burn- in the quarter-fi nals made him the fi rst man to “Winning the Champions League would they have for football is incredible,” he said. ing ambition of matching Lionel Mes- score more than 100 Champions League goals. be a crowning moment in Buff on’s career,” The Catalan midfi elder concluded by Csi’s record of winning the Ballon d’Or fi ve times. And he duly added another hat-trick in the Xavi said. “I would like to see Buff on winning highlighting how much the 2022 FIFA World “I want to catch Messi,” Ronaldo confessed semi-fi nals against Atletico Madrid to carry the Champions League. As a Barcelona fan Cup Qatar means to the people of the region. when collecting his third World Player of the Real to the fi nal in Cardiff this weekend. it is logical and natural that I want Juventus “The people in Qatar and the region are Year crown back in 2015. “He has a good opportunity with the sea- to win. But also for Buff on, for Dani Alves, pions League for many years now. Real Madrid hugely excited about this World Cup, the Now the Portuguese has four to his name, but son that he has had, above all in the Champi- who deserves it, he is an impressive player is also very strong, they have signed good play- fi rst in the Arab world, and it means a lot to Messi still remains one step ahead with fi ve. ons League this year,” Predrag Mijatovic, who who has made a diff erence in the lead-up to ers, I think we’re going to see a great fi nal. the people here. I have been to Iran playing The two have dominated the award for the past scored the winning goal when Real last met Ju- the fi nal. I also have a very good relationship “Juventus has players like Dybala and Hi- the AFC Champions League, and it is incred- decade in the battle to not just be considered the ventus in the Champions League fi nal in 1998, with Dani, so for diff erent reasons I’d like to guain who can make a diff erence in attack, ible how they received us, and me personally. best of their generation, but among the best of all told AFP. see Juventus winning the trophy.” Dani Alves is also contributing a lot in attack I’ve seen a total passion for football, and the time. However, the Montenegrin believes Juventus After recently winning the Emir Cup at and making some great assists, he is impor- willingness to do things well, above all here Yet, whilst Juventus’s stubborn defence forced goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on could fi nally end Khalifa International Stadium, the fi rst ven- tant in defence and in attack. For Real Ma- in Qatar. I have to thank them for the oppor- Messi to fi re blanks in a 3-0 quarter-fi nal aggre- Messi and Ronaldo’s reign if he lifts the Cham- ue to be completed for the 2022 FIFA World drid, Benzema can be decisive, as can Isco, tunity to work on this project. What I want to gate win for the Italians over Barcelona, Ronaldo pions League for the fi rst time at 39 to complete Cup Qatar, the Al Sadd captain said he is Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, there are a lot of do is to help and through Generation Amaz- can complete another stellar season by ensuring the treble for the Italian giants. looking forward to a great content tomorrow. players who can make a diff erence. We will ing I have a fantastic way of giving back, to Madrid become the fi rst side to retain the Cham- “I think the next Ballon d’Or will come from “I see the fi nal at 50-50, a fi nal is always dif- see a fantastic fi nal.” the workers here in Qatar, but also to other pions League. the team that wins the Champions League,” fi cult to predict and there is no clear favourite. The World Cup-winning midfi elder re- Arab countries who need help. The project “I am aware of the fact that what I’ve done added Mijatovic. “Cristiano is there, as is Buf- Juventus have been doing things well for years, cently completed his second season in Qa- in general is incredible and I’m proud to be a in football has already left and will continue fon and other great players at Real Madrid like and it is a big club that has not won the Cham- tar in style, and added that he has been im- part of it.” (SC.qa) to leave a mark,” Ronaldo told UEFA.com. “I Sergio Ramos that could aspire to it.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, June 2, 2017 FOOTBALL

FOCUS Qatar national team preps for CAS upholds Atletico Madrid transfer ban 2018 World Cup qualifiers

AFP internationally for two complete and April, were reported to be hoping to with which we have won direct pas- Madrid consecutive transfer periods”, CAS said. sell striker Antoine Griezmann to sage to the Champions League for the Both Atletico and Real saw initial Manchester United and replace him fi fth year in a row and have reached the appeals rejected by FIFA last Septem- with another Frenchman, Lyon’s Al- semi-fi nals of the Champions League tletico Madrid will not be ber. But CAS reduced Real’s sanction exandre Lacazette. and the King’s Cup”. able to sign new players until in December, allowing the European The pair are currently in the France “The club has the commitment of January 2018 after the Court champions to recruit new players as of squad preparing for a key World Cup the players and coaching staff to con- of Arbitration for Sport this summer. qualifi er and their national coach said tinue competing at the same level next (CAS)A yesterday upheld their transfer Atletico responded immediately, say- none of his players would be involved season, despite this decision that is ban, a move the club said caused “ir- ing: “This ruling is unfair and causes an in any deals in the next two weeks. evidently detrimental to us. Together, reparable damage”. irreparable damage to our club. “I don’t know if this is a good or a team, club and supporters, we will Atletico and city rivals Real Ma- “We consider that the decision to bad thing for Antoine (Griezmann) but continue to fi ght for our goals.” drid were barred from registering new support the prohibition of register- no transfer dealings will be done con- Atletico added: “Our sports planning players for two transfer windows in ing players in a second period, cor- cerning anyone here before June 13,” for next season has contemplated at all January 2016 for irregularities in the responding to the summer of 2017, Deschamps said. times the two scenarios that could arise signing of foreign players under 18. supposes a comparative disadvantage The Spanish league president Javier once CAS announced their decision. CAS said its appeal panel had upheld and discriminatory treatment to our Tebas said he was shocked by the de- “From this moment on, the club will the Atletico ban, but reduced the fi ne entity, since recently and in a similar cision. “I fi nd the sanction unfair, it’s move forward in the negotiations nec- from 900,000 Swiss francs (827,000 case, the penalty was partially lifted, clearly too heavy,” he said. essary to formalise the operations to euros, $927,000) to 550,000 francs. allowing to register players starting on With no new players now coming in, register players from the 1st of Janu- Atletico “remains banned from reg- July 1st,” the club said. Atletico stressed, however, they had ary, when we will be authorised by istering players both nationally and Atletico, who appealed the ban in “full confi dence in our current squad, FIFA to register new licenses.”

ACTION PLAN Valverde vows to ‘revisit’ tiki-taka New Barca coach has big shoes to fill, with Enrique having won 9 trophies

AFP “I have my idea about what can be Barcelona done, not better but in a diff erent way.” Qatar’s Hassan al-Haydos (left) takes part in a training session with teammates Turning to his motivation in joining in Doha yesterday. Coach Jorge Fossati’s men will play a friendly against Barca, Valverde said: “I said I wanted the UAE on June 6, before hosting South Korea in a 2018 FIFA World Cup ewly-installed Barcelona a tough challenge and it’s one the qualifying match on June 13. PICTURE: Fadi al-Assaad coach Ernesto Valverde toughest. vowed yesterday to “deep- “When a team like FC Barcelona en” and “revisit” the re- calls you, you don’t have to think Nnowned slick passing game of the about it too much.” Catalan giants in a bid to lead the club Valverde also dismissed any worries Jaber extends Umm Salal stay to success in all possible competitions about managing a squad packed with next season. some of the world’s best-paid and rec- “I know the style because I played ognised players. here” between 1998-2000, Valverde “I expect to fi nd a squad of young said at his fi rst press conference after players who want to win and will give being named successor to Luis En- the best of themselves,” he said. rique on a two-year contract with the “We idealise too much all this, mil- option of a further year. lionaire players and all that. I don’t “I must adapt myself, or rather rea- know many players who were born dapt, in a certain way. My goal is al- millionaires.” ways to deepen the style, to revisit it Working with Argentina’s Leo Messi once again.” would be a “unique experience”, the Valverde, 53, has some big shoes to based on midfi elders,” he said, adding “We’ll see over time,” he said. “In coach added. fi ll, Enrique having won nine of 13 pos- that he wanted to win “all competi- football, you always have to keep go- “He’s the best player I’ve ever seen sible trophies in his time at the helm. tions that we can” next season. ing forward. If you don’t, you go back- on a pitch. Sometimes you could say “I must absolutely adapt to the “What I’ve always liked is that Barca wards. But it’s a progressive issue and Leo Messi has reached the summit, style of the gameplan employed by the manages to achieve its ends through we’ll see little by little. To say what can but he surprises you even more the team, which has had so much success,” its gameplan, without speculating, by be improved is a dangerous thing and I following day. said the coach, who signed from Ath- going forward.” can only tip my hat to what my pred- “I hope to enjoy seeing him play and letic Bilbao. Valverde did not say what exactly he ecessor Luis Enrique, who is a great do everything possible to help him. And “To have a very collective gameplan, wanted to improve. coach, achieved here. I hope he’ll continue to surprise us.” Qatar Stars League (QSL) side Umm Salal has renewed their faith in head coach Mahmoud Jaber (left) announcing a one-year contract extension for the Egyptian tactician. The club confirmed the news during a Wednesday BOTTOMLINE SAFETY evening press conference in which Jaber signed the deal in the presence of Umm Salal off icials. Jaber has performed well since taking the reins of the Orange Fortress since Turkish coach Bülent Uygun left the club in December. The Egyptian coach improved the fortunes of the side, pushing them to a Cardiff on sixth place finish in the QSL standings. Jaber also picked up the QSL manager of the month award for February and March. “We have to work collectively Juve seek what Zidane and all eff orts have to be combined. What we achieved last season was be- alert aft er cause of co-operation between everyone – management, players and techni- Manchester cal staff – we are capable of achieving more in the new season,” Jaber said. failed to deliver for them Man City sign goalkeeper Ederson: Benfi ca horror Pep Guardiola’s summer recruitment drive continued apace yesterday as Reuters Manchester City signed the up-and-coming Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson Manchester AFP Moraes from Benfica, the Portuguese champions announced. The 40-million- London euro (£34.85mn, $44.87mn) deal makes the 23-year-old the most expensive goalkeeper since Juventus paid Parma 52mn euros for Gianluigi Buff on t is hard to view Real Madrid back in 2001. City had made it clear that goalkeeper Willy Caballero would coach Zinedine Zidane’s play- omorrow’s Champions be moved on this summer while Claudio Bravo suff ered a torrid first season ing career as anything other than League fi nal between Cris- which raised doubts over the wisdom of allowing Joe Hart to leave the club outstanding. Arguably the fi nest tiano Ronaldo’s Real Ma- on loan. Manchester City began their recruitment campaign to wrest the Imidfi elder of his generation, he would drid and Gianluigi Buff on’s Premier League title from Chelsea next season when they signed Portuguese feature in many all-time best elevens. JuventusT will take place amid taut playmaker Bernardo Silva from French champions Monaco in a deal reported But tomorrow’s Champions League security following last week’s fatal to be worth almost 50mn euros last Friday. Guardiola recently cleared out fi nal against his former club Juven- terror attack in Manchester. four senior players including winger Jesus Navas and defender Gael Clichy. tus is a reminder that the Frenchman The suicide attack at Manches- hasn’t quite had it all his own way. ter Arena, which left 22 dead and Germany boss warns of ‘dangerous game’ When Juve signed Zidane from 116 injured, means vigilance will French club Bordeaux in 1996 they be heightened, but unprecedented Joachim Loew, who has rested all of his Germany stars for this month’s had just been crowned champions of security measures were already in Confederations Cup, says football’s governing bodies are risking over- Europe. The midfi elder was the man place for the game. loading the sport’s top players with too many games. “It’s a dangerous game they hoped would help ensure more “The security operation for the — we mustn’t pull too hard on the rope,” Germany’s head coach warned in Champions League success. four-day period covering June 1-4 yesterday’s interview with SID, an AFP subsidiary. “One has the impression Italian rivals AC Milan had just won will be the biggest ever seen for a that the things are already bloated and the fixture list looks anything but Europe’s top trophy three times in Madrid. All careers leave you with Nedved achieved a rapport with sporting event in the UK,” says the happy.” Loew has left out stars like Thomas Mueller, Mats Hummels, Toni close succession and, in an era when both good and bad memories,” Zidane the Juve fans that Zidane never quite Football Association of Wales. Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Jerome Boateng, Manuel Neuer and Sami Khedira for the Serie A was Europe’s undisputed top said recently. managed to reach — although his Most noticeably, the retract- Confederations Cup, June 17-July 2, and included seven uncapped players. league, Juventus wanted, perhaps The pain was soon eased for Zidane, teammates from that era never fail able roof of the Principality Sta- To prepare for next year’s World Cup, Loew has said his main goal in Russia needed, to follow suit and dominate who that summer won the World Cup to speak with fondness of his time in dium will be closed, making it the is to blood his next generation of stars — and has said nothing about winning the continent. in his homeland with France, but his Turin. fi rst Champions League fi nal to be the eight-team tournament. Germany face Chile, Australia and Cameroon in But it never happened — Juve lost fi nal three years at Juve were a let- “He was always in sync with eve- played in indoor conditions. Group B with Portugal, hosts Russia, Mexico and New Zealand in Group A. two fi nals during the Zidane era, and down in terms of trophies. rybody because he wanted to help Fans will not be allowed to bring his solitary Champions League suc- Zidane had been part of two title- each one of his teammates despite his bags into the stadium, which will Zenit appoint Italian coach Mancini cess would come with Real in 2002. winning teams in his opening two stunning technique,” says former Juve have a reduced capacity of 66,000 In 1997, Juve lost 3-1 to Borus- years at the club, but his last three forward Alessandro Del Piero. for the match, and have been en- Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg yesterday appointed Ital- sia Dortmund in the fi nal, with the years brought only the obscure UEFA “I didn’t expect him to become a couraged to use left-luggage facili- ian Roberto Mancini as manager in their quest to claw their way back after Frenchman largely ineff ective, marked Intertoto Cup. manager but it could have been pre- ties in the city centre. They have a third place league finish. “Zenit football club welcomes Roberto Mancini out of the game by Scottish midfi elder When he made his then world dicted given that he was always able to been urged to arrive no later than to Saint Petersburg and wishes him success as manager of the white-and- Paul Lambert. record 75mn euro transfer to Real in read the game. That’s why he always two hours before kick-off to allow blues,” the club wrote on its website. Zenit have signed a three-year deal The following year Juve were back 2001, Juve fans were saddened but takes the best decisions as a manager time for security checks. with the 52-year-old coach, who won three consecutive Italian Serie A titles in the fi nal for the third season in a there was no outrage. and that’s why he has won everything The city of Cardiff has also with Inter Milan in 2006-08 and led Manchester City to the English Premier row, only to lose 1-0 to Real, Predrag Indeed, the transfer fee helped so far,” he said. launched a smartphone app, ‘EVAC League title in 2012. The club said the agreement includes the option of an Mijatovic’s goal providing the Spanish the club bring in three players who Zidane, who lived quietly in the Cardiff ’, which alerts people to major extension for two more years. No financial details of the deal were disclosed club’s fi rst European title in 32 years. would deliver a renewed period of countryside during his time in Italy, incidents such as acts of terrorism. but rumours have swirled in the Russian press that Mancini will pocket “Moments like that are tough and domestic dominance — goalkeeper remains liked and respected among Around 1,500 police offi cers are around five mn euros a year as Zenit manager. The Saint Petersburg outfit, sad, but they’re part and parcel of any Gianluigi Buff on, French defender the Juve faithful. But on Saturday they due to be on duty in the Welsh capi- backed by state-owned gas giant Gazprom, sacked Romanian coach Mircea footballer’s career and you’ve got to Lilian Thuram from Parma and, most will be hoping Massimo Allegri’s team tal over the weekend, with local units Lucescu last week after a disappointing third place league finish saw them accept them. I’m just happy I got to importantly, Czech midfi elder Pavel can deliver the very same trophy the supported by specialist offi cers from miss out on Champions League football next season. win the competition later with Real Nedved from Lazio. Frenchman failed to secure. other areas of the United Kingdom. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 3 TENNIS

FRENCH OPEN SPOTLIGHT No nostalgia at fi nal Roland Garros, Murray battles past says uncle Toni

AFP Paris

oni Nadal, the uncle Klizan to set up Del and long-time coach of record nine-time French Open cham- Tpion Rafael Nadal, says he spotlight and underlined his doesn’t feel a sense of nostalgia billing as the favourite for an- at his fi nal Roland Garros. other French Open crown. The 56-year-old is working But Toni put his own im- in tandem with former world pending departure into per- Potro blockbuster number one Carlos Moya as spective, insisting Rafael part of Nadal’s coaching team would have achieved his recent ‘It will be very tough. Juan Martin is playing a lot better than his ranking’ in Paris where the Spaniard success with or without his is hunting an incredible 10th uncle in his camp. title. But the elder Nadal will “Rafael would have done just AFP step down from his role at the as well this year had he told me Paris end of the season after more that we were fi nished,” said than 25 years of coaching his Toni. “Things are never defi ni- nephew. tive and nor do they change life orld number one “Zero, I do not feel anything completely.” Andy Murray set at all, I’ll feel it next year when Moya, who will take over as up a French Open I see the tournament from Nadal’s main coach for 2018 blockbuster against home, so maybe I’ll think ‘I having joined his team back in WJuan Martin del Potro yesterday, was in Paris last year,’” Toni December, spoke of his desire the latest chapter in what has told AFP yesterday. to keep expectations in Paris developed into an epic rivalry. “I’m not going to think about in check. And Toni echoed the Murray, the 2016 runner-up, it anymore. I was fortunate 1998 French Open winner’s reached the third round with a to live incredible experiences sentiments, stressing his goal bruising 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 here, but I’m not a person who was to simply leave Nadal with (7/3) win over Martin Klizan of dwells on things.” the best chance of success. Slovakia. Toni cited the demands of “Never once have I thought Del Potro, playing in Paris for travelling on tour as the reason here if we’re going to win the the fi rst time in fi ve years, went for the change and will oversee eighth title, the ninth or the through to the last 32 after Nico- coaching at Rafael’s tennis acad- tenth Roland Garros,” said las Almagro retired in tears with emy on his home island of Mal- Toni. a knee injury. lorca. The Nadals have enjoyed “I focus on the tournament The giant Argentine was im- one of the longest and most suc- and on hoping we can make mediately hailed for his sports- cessful coaching relationships in Nadal be able to win again.” manship when he embraced the the history of tennis. However Toni didn’t com- sobbing, stricken Spaniard. Nadal has won 14 Grand pletely rule out a return to Ro- Out on Suzanne Lenglen Slams under the tutelage of his land Garros one day with an- court, world number 50 Klizan uncle, tying Pete Sampras for other player. smashed 57 winners but 67 un- the second most in history be- “Hopefully I will be able to forced errors as his all-or-noth- hind Roger Federer’s 18. come back in the future with ing game proved in vain against His last major triumph came my son, but I don’t think it will top seed Murray. at Roland Garros in 2014, but happen, or with someone from “I expected a tough match. the fourth seed, who turns 31 the academy. Martin goes for his shots, he can on Saturday, is near his un- “I would like to help a player hit winners with that forehand beatable best on clay this sea- from there reach the top, but from anywhere on the court,” Britain’s Andy Murray celebrates after winning his match against Slovakia’s Martin Klizan at the Roland Garros in Paris yesterday. (AFP) son. Titles in Monte Carlo, I’m also excited about daily said Murray. Barcelona and Madrid cata- work and many other things in The Scot beat Del Potro in a the 2015 champion, reached the pulted Nadal back into the life.” marathon Olympic fi nal in 2016 last 32 for the 10th time with a before Del Potro, now 30 in the 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 win over Al- world, gained his revenge with exandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine. a come-from-behind win in fi ve Wawrinka will face Italy’s Serena still in the dark about sets in the Davis Cup semi-fi nal. Fabio Fognini for a place in the “It will be very tough. Juan fourth round. unborn baby’s sex Martin is playing a lot better Japanese eighth seed Kei Serena Williams has denied that she already knows the sex of than his ranking,” said Murray as Nishikori routed France’s Jeremy her unborn baby, a day after big sister Venus appeared to hint he looked ahead to tomorrow’s Chardy 6-3, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) and that the former world number one was expecting a girl. clash. set up a rare all-Asian clash with Serena, the winner of 23 grand slam singles titles, announced Del Potro, no stranger to inju- South Korean Hyeon Chung. her pregnancy in April and is on maternity leave for the rest ry after a career-long battle with Chung, the 21-year-old world of the year. The 35-year-old is engaged to Reddit co-founder wrist problems, made the third number 67, followed up his fi rst Alexis Ohanian. Venus referred to the baby as “she” and listed round after Spanish opponent round win over US 27th seed a series of girl names during an interview after her second- Almagro quit in tears during the Sam Querrey with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 round win over Japan’s Kurumi Nara at Roland Garros on third set with a left knee injury. victory against Denis Istomin of Wednesday. “She is going to call me favourite aunt,” she told In a moving conclusion on Uzbekistan. Eurosport, while joking that her other siblings — Lyndrea and Court Two, Del Potro sat next to Nick Kyrgios’s Australian Isha — were involved in a light-hearted rivalry with her, with a sobbing Almagro, off ering him Open ended in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, each sister trying to get Serena to name the baby after them. water while trying to to console 6-2 loss to big-serving Kevin “We’re all like, baby V, baby Isha, baby Lyn... We all want the heartbroken 31-year-old. Anderson of South Africa. the baby to be named after us,” she added. Serena, who is Del Potro had also gone to the Anderson, ranked at 56 in the expected to give birth this fall, tweeted yesterday that she was Spaniard’s aid when he had col- world, made the most of the using that rivalry to trick her siblings into doing favours for lapsed at the back of the court, 18th-seeded Australian’s 42 un- her, but added that she was waiting for the birth to discover if weeping, just moments earlier. forced errors to progress to the her child was a boy or a girl. “I think the surprise of knowing third round where he will face what you are going to have on that very special day you give ‘Heart first’ Spain’s Nicolas Almagro (left) is comforted by Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro as he has to give up due Britain’s Kyle Edmund. birth is probably the best surprise possible,” Serena tweeted. “I tried to fi nd good words to an injury during their match yesterday. (AFP) Unseeded 21-year-old Karen “To clarify what Venus said, I am always joking with my sisters for him at that moment. I say to Khachanov of Russia continued to see what favours I can get them do for me next. If I want him, try to be calm. Try to think more than the tennis match.” score. injury scare himself when he his impressive debut, beating something from one of my sisters, I say baby Venus, baby Lyn about his family, his baby,” said Del Potro, 28, had taken the They were locked at 1-1 in the pulled up, holding his left groin Czech 13th seed Tomas Berdych, or baby Isha needs it. I did not grow up with any brothers, only Del Potro. fi rst set 6-3 before Almagro third when Almagro quit. in the second set. a semi-fi nalist seven years ago, sisters and we all say “she” more than “he”. “Sometimes the heart is fi rst claimed the next by the same Del Potro also suff ered an Third seed Stan Wawrinka, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.

FOCUS Radwanska digs deep to oust qualifi er Van Uytvanck

Agencies gressive Belgian, ranked 103 when her opponent dumped a Paris spots below her, went 3-1 up and backhand into the net after two squandered four break points to hours and 23 minutes. “Clay is go 4-1 up. not my favourite surface. I am inth seed Agnieszka Despite fi ghting back, the Pole not expecting miracles here but I Radwanska lived up to could not handle her opponent’s will try my best,” she said. her nickname as the big kicking serve and stream of Crowd favourite Eugenie Bou- ‘Professor’ when she drop shots and Van Uytvanck chard’s struggles continued with Ndug deep into her toolbox of tac- bagged the tiebreak with a smash. a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Latvian 17th tics to repel tenacious qualifi er “She started very well and on seed Anastasija Sevastova. Alison Van Uytvanck 6-7(3) 6-2 clay she can do a lot of things,” Czech second seed Karolina 6-3 in the French Open second Radwanska said. “She was mix- Pliskova and third-seeded Si- round yesterday. ing up a lot of shots. She can hit mona Halep of Romania, both The world number 10, in her the ball really well. fi rm women’s title favourites fi rst tournament in fi ve weeks “In the second set I had to play after the fi rst round exit of world following a foot injury, will now my game and not wait for her number one Angelique Kerber, face local favourite Alize Cornet. mistakes.” look for places in the last 32. The Pole said she had a point Radwanska, whose best grand Pliskova has never got beyond to prove at Roland Garros after slam performance was reach- the second round in six previous her 2016 meltdown – when she ing the 2012 Wimbledon fi nal, attempts. squandered a 6-2 3-0 lead in decided to change tactics and The 25-year-old Czech faces soggy conditions – in a shock mixed it up as well, rushing to Russian world 86 Ekaterian Al- fourth defeat against Tsvetana the net more often and attack- exandrova who has never beaten Pironkova. ing the Belgian’s high-bouncing a top fi ve rival. “Unfi nished business, you serve early to race through the Halep, the 2014 runner-up, said it well,” Radwanska told second set 6-2. faces German world number 102 reporters when asked about The 23-year-old Van Uytvanck, Tatjana Maria who is bidding to her 2016 exit. “I am hoping the who underwent wrist surgery in make the third round for the fi rst weather stays like that this time. December and has made only one time. Fifth seed Elina Svitolina, I feel good in this heat.” WTA main draw appearance this a quarter-fi nalist in 2015 and Yesterday, Radwanska was year prior to Roland Garros, was recent Rome champion, made taken by surprise in the fi rst broken in the third game and the the third round by beating Bul- set on a sun-drenched Court Pole never looked back. garia’s Tsvetana Pironkova 3-6, Suzanne Lenglen when the ag- Radwanska won her match 6-3, 6-2. Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska in action during her second round match against Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Friday, June 2, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT LA say ‘focused’ on 2024 Games aft er Tiger’s image takes reported 2028 deal

AFP to be decided at the IOC’s Lima Los Angeles meeting in September. A Sum- mer Olympics in Paris in 2024 would come on the 100th anni- os Angeles Olympic versary of the 1924 Paris Games. hit but sponsors bid offi cials insisted on Los Angeles last hosted the Wednesday they re- sporting extravaganza in 1984. main focused on 2024, According to the Wall Street Ldespite a Wall Street Journal Journal, IOC president Thomas report of a deal that would see Bach backs the idea of selecting them host the 2028 Games both hosts simultaneously. with Paris given 2024. “According to the people in- “While the IOC is review- volved, the tide toward a 24/28 staying put: experts ing its bid process, we remain deal — as it has become known focused on the 2024 Games,” to Olympic insiders — gained LA 2024 said in a statement. momentum in recent months ‘They have to be very measured in terms of their response to their relation with him’ “We’re honoured that Los after Mr. Bach held separate Angeles is a 2024 Candidate private conversations with Los City at this important time for Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Reuters the Olympic and Paralympic USOC chairman Larry Probst, Miami Police video shows unsteady, slurring Woods Movements, and we look for- who has become an infl uential ward to collaborating with the IOC member over the past four IOC in the months ahead.” years,” the newspaper said. he marketability of Ti- The Wall Street Journal re- A deal giving Paris the 2024 ger Woods will suff er ported that the International Ol- Games and Los Angeles the following his arrest for ympic Committee “is progress- 2028 event would be contin- driving under the in- ing toward an agreement that gent on “Los Angeles and the Tfl uence, but the former world would give Paris the Summer US Olympic Committee se- number one golfer’s current Olympics in 2024 and Los Ange- curing enough incentives that sponsors will likely stay by his les the event four years later”. waiting an additional four side, according to experts. The newspaper, citing “peo- years for the Games remains fi - Woods, who had surgery ple familiar with the mat- nancially viable and benefi cial in April to relieve back pain, ter”, said details still had to be to the city,” sources told the blamed the incident on pre- worked out but wrote that top newspaper. scription drugs, but that was not offi cials with each bid “are During an IOC Evaluation enough to keep his droopy-eyed conceptually lining up behind Commission tour of Los Ange- mug shot from being etched in the plan”. les last month, mayor Garcetti the minds of many who were The IOC executive board is played down any suggestion once captivated by his domi- scheduled to meet in Lausanne, that the city would be willing nance on the course. Switzerland, in June to discuss to step aside in 2024. Still, despite his struggles on whether it would be feasible to “We believe LA off ers the and off the course, Woods is the award both the 2024 and 2028 greatest benefi t to the Olympic greatest golfer of his generation Summer Olympics when it movement in 2024 — why wait and sponsors like Nike, Bridge- meets in Lima in September. until 2028 to experience that?” stone Golf, Monster Energy and Paris and Los Angeles have Garcetti told reporters. TaylorMade are not likely to rush emerged as the fi nalists in the “I’d love to go to Paris in and cut ties with him, marketing race to host the 2024 Games, 2028 to see my friends there — experts told Reuters. with the venue long scheduled it will be a great Olympics.” “They have to be very meas- ured in terms of their response to their relation with him,” said GOLF David Carter, professor of sports business at the University of Tiger Woods is seen handcuff ed and arrested by police off icers in this still image from police dashcam video in Jupiter, Florida on Monday. (Reuters) Southern California’s Marshal School of Business. Golf superstar Tiger Woods and “confused” when found by asleep in his car in the right lane medications had aff ected me so Matsuyama hopes “He may not be delivering looks disoriented and unsteady police, with “extremely slow and of a road, his right turn indicator strongly.” Woods’s arraignment value but you could also be doing in police video of his Monday ar- slurred speech.” blinking and the motor running. in Palm Beach County court is harm to your own brand if you rest on a charge of driving under The video seen Wednesday Both tires on the driver’s side of scheduled for July 5. Memorial magic puts cut and run on a guy with such the influence, according to foot- backs up that report. Woods Woods’s Mercedes were flat at Woods announced last week he global notoriety.” age obtained and broadcast by is unable to follow a light with the time of his arrest, and there had undergone a fourth back Woods is second on the all- US media on Wednesday. his eyes when asked to do so. was damage to the front and surgery in April that will keep him back on track time list with 14 major titles but The video, from a dashboard When off icers ask if he under- rear bumpers. Woods told police him off the course for the rest a player whose famous fi st pump camera in the vehicle of Jupiter, stands instructions to recite the he was taking several prescrip- of the 2017 season, and he is Reuters the last couple of months.” and beaming smile were once a Florida, police off icers, shows alphabet, he says he was asked tions, including two painkillers. unlikely to engage in strenuous New York Matsuyama won the WGC- regular site on the PGA Tour has Woods unable to tie his shoe “not to sing the national anthem His breathalyser test showed no physical activity for months. HSBC in Shanghai at the start lost his form and barely played in and wobbling as he tries to walk backwards.” sign of alcohol. “I understand He attempted a comeback after of the wrap-around PGA Tour recent years. along a straight line in a field At one point in the sobriety the severity of what I did, and more than a year away from the orld number four season, captured the Hero Most of his sponsors, when sobriety test. tests Woods asks, “What are we I take full responsibility for my game late in 2016 but played in Hideki Mat- Challenge, Tiger Woods’ unof- asked by Reuters if they would re- Woods has blamed the DUI doing?” actions,” Woods said in his state- just three tournaments. After suyama lost his fi cial charity event in the Ba- view their agreements with Woods arrest near his home on an The 14-time major cham- ment on the incident. coming back at an unoff icial red-hot form from hamas, and claimed his fourth in light of Monday’s DUI arrest, Wearly this season but hopes a career Tour win at February’s adverse reaction to prescription pion was taken into custody at “I want the public to know that event in December, he missed either did not respond to requests medication. 2:49am Monday, booked into jail alcohol was not involved. What the cut in January at the Farmers return to Muirfi eld Village will Phoenix Open. for comment or said it was inap- The police report on the inci- at 7:18am and released on his happened was an unexpected Insurance Open and withdrew revitalise him at the Memorial Since then, his best result propriate to do so at this time. dent, made public on Tuesday, own recognizance at 10:50am. reaction to prescribed medica- after one round of a tournament Tournament. was a tie for 11th at the US Bridgestone Golf, however, said Woods was “cooperative” He was discovered by police tions. I didn’t realise the mix of in Dubai in February. Japan’s Matsuyama, who Masters and his general play said they “will continue to moni- won his fi rst PGA Tour event at slumped as the talented Japa- tor this situation and gather in- the 2014 event hosted by Jack nese broke 70 in just eight of 22 formation from the appropriate are a big enough star and you keep unblemished life and career up- University. “But you are still Woods should the results show Nicklaus at the challenging rounds since his Phoenix win. sources investigating the matter.” winning,” said Bob Dorfman, cre- side down. It also cost Woods a talking about an extremely high he was lying. “The main issue is course he designed, has strug- This invitational, contested But details of the arrest re- ative director of Baker Street Ad- number of endorsement deals, profi le athlete here who tran- whether Tiger’s story is accu- gled recently after a superb by an elite fi eld of 120, is a key port which stated, among other vertising in San Francisco. while other sponsors shifted scended sports in many ways rate. If indeed he is taking multi- start to the season. “It has been test with the US Open looming things, that Woods was asleep “But you can’t overcome not away from using him in market- even if his baggage has clearly ple medicines and they interact- an up-and-down year,” Mat- two weeks later at Erin Hills in at the wheel of a parked car with being on the course for months, ing but did not end their con- gotten bigger through the years.” ed with each other and knocked suyama, 25, told reporters on a Wisconsin. Frustrated by un- the engine running and was not winning championships and tracts with him. While the arrest report him out and he didn’t anticipate practice day at the Ohio layout. reliable putting, Matsuyama disoriented when woken up by being pretty much a non en- Woods could see a similar re- showed Woods had no alcohol it then I think he fully recovers,” “Hopefully I’m on the upswing, tried a switch to a center shaft a police offi cer, cannot be sitting tity in the golf world. And that’s action this time around. in his system, results of a urine said Zimbalist. but to be honest, my swing isn’t putter but has gone back to well with sponsors. what Tiger has become and the “He’s not playing, he’s not test that have not been released “Another part of his ability to where I’d like it to be and I’m his old fl at stick. “I’ve been And with Woods expected to prospects don’t look very prom- winning and so he has less chips will go a long way in determining rebound and what happens to his not putting very well. practising a lot with the center miss the rest of the 2016-17 PGA ising for him.” to play with, if you will, in the Woods’ marketability. legacy is going to be determined “Coming back to Muirfi eld shaft putter, hoping to fi nd Tour season after back surgery, This is not the fi rst time endorsement game so that clear- Andrew Zimbalist, an eco- by how he comes back as a golfer Village, there are some special something, to fi nd a good feel- his level of appeal to companies Woods has made headlines away ly makes it even more diffi cult for nomics professor at Smith Col- and nobody knows the answer vibes here and hopefully that ing, to fi nd something that may be at an all-time low. from the course. In 2009, a sex him,” said George Belch, market- lege in Massachusetts, said to that, probably not even Tiger will encourage my game to play suits me. But unfortunately I “You can overcome a DUI if you scandal turned his previously ing professor at San Diego State sponsors will likely cut ties with himself.” much better than I have been haven’t,” he said.

ATHLETICS Robles rediscovers mojo, targets London worlds

AFP time striving to avoid his “main er wanted to quit, unlike Portu- in place for four years. In the Havana enemy”, injury. gal-based triple jumper Pedro same year, he raced to Olympic Now 30, Robles missed the Rio Pichardo and Olympic hurdles gold in Beijing. Olympics injured, and famously silver medallist Orlando Ortega, The seasons since then have ayron Robles insists pulled up with a thigh injury in who competes for Spain. been more chaotic, the hurdler he has refound his the fi nal of the London Games in Robles said “these changes having picked up a string of in- mojo after two injury- 2012, which he describes as the should not exist (but) everyone juries and experienced the harsh hit seasons, the 2008 “worst memory” of his career. makes their own choices”. side of his federation. OlympicD high hurdles gold med- Working alongside a younger The Cuban state pays Robles There was also the memorable allist now aiming to bag a trip to generation of hurdlers, Yordan a stipend but the hurdler has Daegu world championships in August’s world championships O’Farrill and Roger Valentin invested in the hotel business 2011, when he crossed the line in London. Iribarne, Robles maintains he on the back of the opening up of fi rst but was then disqualifi ed for Robles was back in action has refound his mojo. the country, launching with his having made contact with the in Havana last week, clocking “I’m motivated. The new gen- family lodgings where tourists hand of Chinese rival Liu Xiang. 13.66sec over the 110m hurdles, eration are pushing me to work, stay with a Cuban family. “Lots of people still talk to me some way off the 13.48sec mini- in the gym, on the grass, on the “We aim to make people feel about that,” he said. mum required for selection for track,” he said. like Cubans, live like Cubans,” “But I joke about it, it’s his- the Cuban team that will travel Robles was suspended be- he said. tory.” to the British capital in the sum- tween 2013-15 by the Cuban World junior silver medal- Robles now aims to emu- mer. federation after confl ict started list at the age of 18 in 2004, the late American Allen Johnson, “I’m savouring each step, each over what he says was his side- Guantanamo native came to the “giant” alongside whom movement, each training session lining by offi cials, leading him further prominence two years he started his career and who and this pleasure can help me get into a short-lived retirement and later when he equalled the na- maintained his world-class form into good shape and realise many a refused request to run again for tional record of 13sec dead set by through until the age of 37. things,” said Robles, with a June Monaco athletics club. Anier Garcia, the 2004 Olympic The Cuban said he would be 3 outing in Marseille next in his champion in Sydney. “only” 33 when the 2020 Tokyo crosshairs. Faithful to Cuba Then in 2008, Robles clocked Olympic come around. But fi rst But the bespectacled athlete But he remains faithful to his a world record of 12.87sec in Os- the qualifying time for the Lon- said he remains realistic, all the native island, a place he has nev- trava, a mark that would remain don worlds. Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB Springer hits two home runs as Astros thrash Twins 17-6 The Astros scored a franchise-record 40 runs in the three-game series to make it a complete sweep

Reuters lasted long. Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy Minneapolis (0-5) was removed after three innings and 74 pitches. Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd was yanked with two outs in the fourth after 63 eorge Springer hit two homers among pitches. four hits and the Houston Astros ham- mered a season-high six home runs to ANGELS 2, BRAVES 1 complete a series sweep against the Eric Young Jr homered in the eighth inning to GMinnesota Twins with a 17-6 victory in the Ma- lift Los Angeles past Atlanta. Young, playing in jor League Baseball on Wednesday. only his third major league game this season, Evan Gattis had four hits, including a solo hit his fi rst home run since 2014 while with the homer, and three RBIs. Carlos Correa had three New York Mets. He was called up Monday from hits, including a two-run homer in the fi rst in- Triple-A Salt Lake to replace the injured Mike ning, and drove in three runs. Alex Bregman Trout. homered for the third straight day and Marwin Gonzalez also homered as Houston won its sev- DIAMONDBACKS 6, PIRATES 5 enth straight game. (14 INNINGS) The Astros scored a franchise-record 40 runs Chris Owings’ single in the 14th inning drove in in the three-game series. Minnesota relievers the winning run for Arizona in a game that was allowed 28 runs (27 earned) in nine innings in interrupted for one hour and 33 minutes by rain. the three games. The Twins got a solo homer by With two on in the 14th, Owings singled off Pi- Eddie Rosario and a two-run shot by former As- rates right-hander Jhan Marinez (0-1) to score tro Jason Castro. David Peralta.

PADRES 2, CUBS 1 BLUE JAYS 5, REDS 4 Rookie Franchy Cordero tripled with one out Devon Travis hit a two-run, go-ahead homer in the eighth and scored on a fi elder’s choice to in the seventh inning to help Toronto complete break a 1-1 tie and help San Diego sweep Chicago a three-game sweep of Cincinnati. Luke Maile for its fourth straight victory. The loss capped an also hit a two-run homer for the Blue Jays, who 0-6 West Coast road trip for the Cubs. The Pa- have won fi ve of the fi rst six games of a 10-game dres won a fourth straight game for the fi rst time homestand. since August 2015. MARLINS 10, PHILLIES 2 ORIOLES 10, YANKEES 4 Justin Bour homered twice and Marcell Ozuna Adam Jones, back after missing four games, hit a went deep once to power Miami past Philadel- three-run homer and fi nished with fi ve RBIs as phia. Dan Straily (4-3) struck out 10 while al- Baltimore defeated New York. The Orioles won lowing two runs (one earned) in 6 2/3 innings as two of three against the fi rst-place Yankees af- the Marlins extended their win streak to a sea- ter losing 12-of-15 coming into the series. Jones, son-high four games, earning their fi rst sweep who had been sidelined due to ankle issues, had of the year. an RBI double in the third inning before homer- ing in the fourth. ATHLETICS 3, INDIANS 1 Chad Pinder had three hits, including two home NATIONALS 3, GIANTS 1 runs, and Sean Manaea combined with two re- Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run homer in the lievers on a three-hitter as Oakland halted its fi rst inning and Max Scherzer made it stand four-game slide and Cleveland’s three-game up with his seventh career complete game as Houston Astros George Springer (right) celebrates with his teammate after scoring a home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at winning streak. Pinder hit a solo home run in the Washington swept San Francisco. The Nationals the Target Field in Minneapolis on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) third inning and a two-run homer in the fi fth to played without Bryce Harper, who earlier in the account for all of the Athletics’ runs. day accepted his suspension after it was lowered White Sox to one run and seven hits in seven in- MARINERS 5, ROCKIES 0 ter Carlos Martinez checked Los Angeles on from four games to three on appeal. Harper was nings while striking out eight. James Paxton, making his fi rst appearance since four hits in eight innings. Martinez (4-4) walked RAYS 7, RANGERS 5 (10 INNINGS) penalized for charging the mound on Monday May 2, pitched 5 1/3 innings as Seattle won its three and struck out nine as he ended the Dodg- Logan Morrison and Derek Norris each hit 10th- against the Giants. BREWERS 7, METS 1 fourth straight. Paxton (4-0), who has allowed ers’ six-game winning streak and lifted the inning homers as Tampa Bay, which was one out Eric Thames continued snapping out of one earned run or none in six of his seven starts Cardinals to only their fourth win in 14 games. from defeat, rallied to victory. RED SOX 4, WHITE SOX 1 his slump when he reached base four times in this season, lowered his ERA to 1.26. He gave up Fowler pounded a 2-1 slider from reliever Ross The Rays, who hit four homers, forced extra Drew Pomeranz pitched seven quality innings fi ve plate appearances and hit a two-run homer three hits and struck out six without issuing a Stripling 429 feet for his seventh homer of the innings when Kevin Kiermaier homered off Tex- and Pablo Sandoval went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the fi rst inning that launched Milwaukee to walk. Paxton had been sidelined because of a left year. as closer Matt Bush with two outs in the ninth in his fi rst start since April 23 as Boston pulled victory. forearm strain. inning to tie the game at 4-4. away from Chicago. Christian Vazquez added Thames, who broke an 0-for-19 skid on TIGERS 6, ROYALS 5 Morrison led off the 10th with a homer off a double and two RBIs as the Red Sox took the Tuesday, fi nished 2-for-3 with two walks and CARDINALS 2, DODGERS 1 Victor Martinez and Alex Avila homered as Sam Dyson (1-6) and then Norris added a two- rubber match of the series. Pomeranz (5-3) two runs. He has reached base eight times in 11 Dexter Fowler broke a tie in the eighth inning Detroit rallied from an early three-run defi cit run blast to left with two outs to push the lead picked up his second win in a row, limiting the plate appearances in the past two games. with a two-out solo homer to lead St Louis af- to defeat Kansas City. Neither starting pitcher to 7-4.

NHL SPOTLIGHT Penguins take 2-0 lead aft er Racism ‘part of America,’ James says aft er vandalism Guentzel shines again AFP open at his funeral so the brutality of his death Los Angeles could be seen. James said he hoped Wednesday’s Reuters incident “can keep the conversation going and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania can shed light on us trying to fi gure out a way to BA superstar LeBron James took aim at keep progressing and not regressing.” racism in America on Wednesday after The 32-year-old James has spoken out before ed-hot rookie Jake Guentzel scored police said a racial slur was painted on a on social and political issues. He denounced fatal twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins gate of the home he owns in Los Angeles. police shootings of unarmed black men and en- erupted for three goals early in the NThe incident came on the eve of Game One of the dorsed Hillary Clinton for president. But he said it third period to ease to a 4-1 win over NBA Finals, which pits James’s reigning cham- was “killing me inside” that he would not be able theR Nashville Predators in Game Two of the pion Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State to discuss the vandalism with his two young sons, Stanley Cup Finals at PPG Paints Arena on Warriors. “No matter how much money you have, who were with the rest of the family at their Ohio Wednesday. no matter how famous you are, no matter how home. The defending NHL champion Penguins many people admire you, being black in America “My little girl’s too young to actually under- moved into a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven — it’s tough,” James told reporters in Oakland, stand it right now,” he said. “But I can’t sit in front series, which now shifts to Nashville for California, where Game One will took place last of my boys right now and I won’t be home until Game Three tomorrow. The game was tied night. “It just goes to show that racism will always next week, so this is kind of killing me inside right at 1-1 through two tight periods on goals by be a part of the world, a part of America.” now. But my wife is unbelievable... she said eve- Pontus Aberg and Guentzel, but it took just Los Angeles Police Department spokesman rything’s fi ne, so that helps me out a lot.” 10 seconds of the third for Guentzel — who Aareon Jeff erson said the off ensive graffi ti was James admitted the incident had left him feeling scored the winner in Game One — to get his painted on an outer gate of the $20mn home less than his “normal energetic self.” He vowed he second of the night and 12th of the playoff s. James purchased in 2015 in the city’s upscale wouldn’t let it throw him off as the Cavaliers try He got a long rebound of a shot by Bryan Brentwood neighbourhood. Police were notifi ed to defend their crown in the best-of-seven fi nal Rust and took advantage of an open quarter around 6:45am, and the graffi ti was quickly cov- — but it was a reminder of where basketball fi ts in of the net to make it 2-1 and establish a Pitts- ered by property management staff , Aareon said. the broader scheme of life. burgh record for their fastest playoff goal at Hours later, an emotional James addressed the “I’ll be focused tomorrow on our game plan and the start of a period. “We talked a lot about matter. “Hate in America, especially for African- focused on these games,” James vowed. “I will be elevating our play,” center Matt Cullen said of Americans, is living every day,” added James, as focused as I can be on the job at hand tomor- Pittsburgh’s second intermission team talk. who said that when he was told of the incident, row, but this is a situation where it just puts me “We didn’t think we had reached our best he thought of the mother of Emmett Till, a black back in place of what’s actually more important play yet and we were in a good spot at 1-1, and American who was lynched in 1995 at the age of — and basketball’s not the most important thing it’s an opportunity to go out and throw up 14. Till’s mother insisted her son’s casket be left in my life.” your best period and put yourself in a good spot, and I thought we had a really good pe- riod.” That was not the end of the Penguins’ LeBron James of the quick start in the period, however. Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jake Guentzel (top right) scores past Nashville Predators’ Pekka Rinne Cleveland Cavaliers. (AFP) Phil Kessel sent a shot towards the net from during the Game Two of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (AFP) the right wing, and it glanced off team mate Scott Wilson, then hit Nashville’s Vern Fid- Matt Murray stopped 37-of-38 Nashville at a rebound of a Conor Sheary shot. He lifted dler’s skate and went under goaltender Pekka shots and Chris Kunitz had two assists for the the second one, and it found a tiny sliver of Rinne’s pads at 3:13 to make it 3-1. Penguins for a second game in a row. space between Rinne’s left arm and his side. Just 15 seconds later, Evgeni Malkin scored The game started well for the visitors when “It’s crazy,” Guentzel said of his two big off of a two-on-one, fi ring a perfect shot over a strong individual eff ort by Aberg gave Nash- games this series after an eight-game goal Rinne’s glove for a 4-1 lead. That gave Pitts- ville a 1-0 lead at 12:57 of the fi rst. drought. “You can’t even put into words what burgh three goals in the fi rst 3:28 of the third. Aberg, cutting in from the left wall, got it feels like. But we know the ultimate goal is It was enough for Nashville coach Peter La- past Pittsburgh defenseman Olli Maatta, two more wins, and they’re going to be tough violette to send in backup goalie Juuse Saros who fumbled the puck, and swept across just to get.” Nashville, a fi rst-time participant in to replace Rinne, who had stopped 21-of-25 above the crease, patiently holding the puck the Stanley Cup Finals, heads home with a shots. Rinne allowed four goals on 11 shots in and roofi ng it past Murray. sizeable task. Game One and has allowed 20 goals over his Guentzel tied it 1-1 at 16:36 of the fi rst, four “We’re concerned about where the series is past six games after conceding just 16 over his seconds after a Penguins power-play expired. at,” Predators captain Mike Fisher said.”We’re fi rst 11 playoff games. Pittsburgh goaltender Guentzel, at the right post, took two whacks not where we want to be.” Gulf Times 6 Friday, June 2, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY FIT ROSSI NEEDS ‘CRUCIAL’ MUGELLO RESULT Luco di Mugello, Italy: Home (six left, nine right), and a long- favourite Valentino Rossi has est straight measuring 1.14km. won his fitness race to compete “With the championship be- Warburton keen at Mugello where his younger ing as competitive as it is, the teammate Maverick Vinales next rounds will be all-decisive believes the Yamaha season and it will be crucial to take could hinge on Sunday’s action. the victory in Mugello,” said Seven-time world MotoGP a determined Vinales who champion Rossi is struggling will target a third pole of the with chest pains after a moto- season Saturday. for action as Lions cross training accident that saw Movistar-Yamaha team him hospitalised last week. director Massimo Meregalli But the MotoGP Medical said fans at what is their home Director, Dr Angel Charte, on GP would provide the impulse Thursday found Rossi to be in a but chose his words carefully suitable condition to take part when talking about his charges. on home tarmac. “My condi- “It is an important weekend for begin tough quest tion is improving day by day Valentino,” he said ominously and this allows me to think a while insisting that “Vinales is bit more positively about Mug- on a high”. ello,” said the 38-year-old, who Second-placed Dani Pedrosa 'I will need a good few games before I start hitting my straps' is third in the championship won the Spainsh GP and was standings, 23 points behind third at Le Mans and the Span- pace setter Vinales. iard is on a surprise run two Rossi made an uncharacter- places ahead of his teammate istic error to allow Vinales to and world champion Marc snatch a stunning victory after Marquez, who many feel will a breathless battle at Le Mans want to make a statement this two weeks ago as the younger weekend. Both riders voted in man clinched his third GP win favour of bringing in the harder from five so far this season. The front tyre this weekend to bet- 22-year-old feels the two up- ter perform on the fast track. coming back-to-back MotoGPs “I think the front compound in Italy and Catalunya suit his we will use from Italy will allow bike and his style and may me to find more where the allow him to take control of the limit is and regain confidence campaign. with the front,” said the world “We have a really good bike champion. for a circuit like Mugello, with a “My riding style has always really good grip, and we have been focused on taking advan- to make the most of that,” said tage of braking,” said Marquez, Vinales in regard to the flowing known for spectacular risk Tuscany track with a mixture taking that the kind of crowd of uphill and downhill sections, expected at Mugello Sunday a variety of fast and slow turns would welcome.

Valentino Rossi.

The British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland oversees a training session at the QBE Stadium in Auckland yesterday.

Reuters He did not appear until the third game land said he had chosen his side last week law; 8-Taulupe Faletau, 7-Sam Warburton Auckland against the Queensland Reds and by that and they had spent much of it training (captain), 6-Ross Moriarty, 5-Iain Henderson, stage was itching to get his hands on his together. “It’s a great opportunity for the 4-Alun Wyn Jones, 3-Kyle Sinckler, 2-Rory fi rst Lions jersey. “It really felt I was chas- players selected for the fi rst match is to Best, 1-Joe Marler he British and Irish Lions open- ing it four years ago. I was the last guy on go out and lay down a marker,” New Zea- Replacements: 16-Jamie George, 17-Mako ROUND-UP ing match of their tour of New the tour to play a fi xture so it’s nice to get lander Gatland said. Vunipola, 18-Tadhg Furlong, 19-George Kruis, Zealand against the Provincial a jersey in the kit bag,” he said. “Last time “I think everyone wants to be involved 20-Justin Tipuric, 21-Rhys Webb, 22-Owen Barbarians tomorrow will be I was constantly panicking about when I in the test matches so it’s a chance for this Farrell, 23-Jared Payne Tkeenly watched for many reasons, but for was going to get a game and whether I was 23 to go out there and do that and get the Coach : Warren Gatland captain Sam Warburton it will be more going to pull through. You are always a bit tour off to a good start.” Gatland, how- Barbarians: 15-Luteru Laulala, 14-Sam Vaka, Sato soaking about shaking out the cobwebs. nervous of that... so I’m really pleased to ever, was reminded how serious the tour 13-Inga Finau, 12-Dwayne Sweeney, 11-Sevu The 28-year-old Welshman came into be involved in the fi rst one.” was being taken with the selection of the Reece, 10-, 9-Jack Stratton, the tour under a cloud, having sustained a Warburton’s side have arrived in New team to face the Barbarians already de- 8-Mitchell Dunshea, 7-Lachlan Boshier, knee injury while playing for Cardiff a lit- Zealand with huge expectations but only scribed as “a shambles”. 6-James Tucker, 5-Keepa Mewett, 4-Josh up post-Indy tle less than two months ago and given a one other Lions team, Carwyn James’s “The opening selections of the tour is a Goodhue, 3-Oliver Jager, 2-Sam Anderson- six-week recovery time. Warburton beat 1971 side, have clinched a series against shambles,” British rugby columnist Mark Heather (captain), 1-. the clock and was able to train with the the All Blacks. Consequently the open- Reason, who now lives in New Zealand, Replacements: 16-Andrew Makalio, 17-Tolu squad in their pre-tour camps before the ing match against players from New Zea- wrote for Fairfax Media.”It is paramount Fahamokoia, 18-Marcel Renata, 19-Matt win accolades side left for New Zealand but he still felt land’s semi-professional provincial com- that he fi nds his combinations as quickly Matich, 20-Peter Rowe, 21-Richard Judd, that he would need to run himself back petition will be eagerly watched as a sign as possible. “Gatland only has two more 22-, 23-Junior Ngaluafe. AFP just exciting and incomparable,” into match fi tness over the next couple of of what to expect from the touring party. Saturdays after this one before the fi rst Coach: Clayton McMillan Los Angeles he said. “Anyone here is a super- weeks. “It’s really nice to get the ball roll- Can they send a message to the rugby- test. He needs to start fi nding his combi- star, so I’m very, very thrilled and ing,” Warburton told reporters in Auck- mad New Zealand public with a perform- nations or the All Blacks will take his team LIONS’ REMAINING FIXTURES very excited.” land on Thursday. “I will need a good few ance that shows they mean business? apart.” June 7 v Auckland Blues, Auckland akuma Sato says a lit- Sato reiterated his respect for games before I start hitting my straps but Do they have the depth required to get June 10 v Canterbury , Christch- tle sleep deprivation is Brazil’s Castroneves. “Having a we all know that every game is a massive through an arduous tour that includes FACTBOX urch a small price to pay for battle back and forth with him audition for the test matches.” matches against all fi ve When: June 3, 7:35 p.m. local (0735 GMT) June 13 v Otago Highlanders, Dunedin the thrill of becoming the last six laps was a great mo- Coincidentally, his knee injury could teams? Will they have enough time to Where TJapan’s fi rst winner of the Indi- ment,” he said.”I hope we put a : Okara Park, Whangarei (Capacity June 17 v Maori All Blacks, Rotorua have prompted a sense of deja vu for the gel combinations before the fi rst test in 30,000) June 20 v Waikato , Hamilton anapolis 500. The one-time For- great show on for the fans.” loose forward. Named to lead the Lions Auckland on June 24? Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia) June 24 v All Blacks, Auckland mula One misfi t etched his name on their previous tour to Australia in 2013, Despite the limited buildup as play- Lions: 15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Anthony Watson, June 27 v Wellington Hurricanes, Wellington in history on Sunday, when he WEHRLEIN CLEARED FOR the then 24-year-old had to sit out the ers fi ltered into the training camps due to 13-Jonathan Joseph, 12-Ben Te’o, 11-Tommy July 1 v All Blacks, Wellington passed Helio Castroneves with CANADA GRAND PRIX opening two fi xtures due to a knee injury. club commitments, coach Warren Gat- Seymour, 10-Johnny Sexton, 9-Greig Laid- July 8 v All Blacks, Auckland fi ve laps to go the held off the Sauber Formula One driver Pas- three-time winner to capture cal Wehrlein has been cleared America’s fabled race. for next week’s Canadian Grand TABLE TENNIS “It’s been crazy,” he said of Prix after medical tests follow- his life since then as he vis- ing a crash in Monaco on Sun- ited the Dallas Cowboys at the day. “Checks all done, see you in NFL team’s practice facility on Montreal,” the 22-year-old Ger- Wednesday. His appearance in man said on Twitter yesterday. Al-Mohannadi re-elected as ITTF vice president Texas followed a whirlwind trip Wehrlein’s car was pitched to New York, where he took in into the fence and tyre wall at By Sports Reporter the Empire State Building, Wall the entrance to the tunnel in Doha Street and Times Square. Monaco after McLaren’s Jenson “My life has changed the last Button made a highly optimis- 72 hours,” Sato said. “I’ve gotten tic attempt to pass on the inside atar Table Tennis Association President only three hours of sleep every of the corner. The Sauber ended Khaleel al-Mohannadi has retained his post single night. It’s been an absolute up on its side with Wehrlein, who as vice president of the International Table privilege to go through all the missed the fi rst two races of the Tennis Federation (ITTF) until 2021 after media tour and meet people. It’s season due to fractured thoracic theQ ITTF board elections held in Dusseldorf city of just a great experience.” vertebrae, trapped inside. The Germany recently. Sato met with Cowboys play- incident raised concern that he Thomas Weikert was elected as the president of the ers and coaches on Wednesday, could have hurt his back again. ITTF at its Annual General Meeting by 118 votes to 90 as well as chatting with report- Wehrlein has scored Sauber’s after campaigning on a Manifesto focused on deliver- ers. “This is my fi rst time to visit only points of the season so far, ing value and growth for the whole sport in every part Qatar Table Tennis an NFL team in practice, so it’s fi nishing eighth in Spain. of the world. Belgium’s Jean-Michel Saive polled 90 Association President votes. The term of offi ce is for a period of four years. Khaleel al-Mohannadi (left) Weikert is the incumbent ITTF president and he in- with ITTF President herited the position in 2014. This presidential elec- Thomas Weikert. tion is the fi rst he contested against a challenger. Speaking after the result was announced, ITTF President Weikert, said: “It is a huge honour to have been elected President of ITTF by our global family of Table Tennis National Federations. They are my peers and I would like to thank them for the trust they have placed in me today. It has been an intense campaign but I will invest all my energy to grow our sport and make it even more successful.” ITTF Executive Committee consists of: Shi Zhi- hao (China), Petra Sörling (Sweden), Masahiro Mae- hara (Japan), Nestor Tenca (Argentina), Bruce Burton (Canada), James Morris (New Zealand), Alaa Meshref Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato of Japan poses as he visits (Egypt) and Khalil al-Mohannadi (Qatar). the Empire State Building in New York on Wednesday. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, June 2, 2017 7 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT REACTION Afghanistan cancels Pakistan games Kohli, Kumble ‘rift ’ aft er Kabul attack

AFP agency has blamed the Taliban- Kabul allied Haqqani Network for the attack, which has been linked to Pakistan’s military in the past. fghanistan has can- The Pakistan Cricket Board shakes up India celled proposed home later issued its own statement re- and away cricket fi x- jecting what it termed “baseless tures with Pakistan af- allegations” about Islamabad ‘These are merely speculations. I see no smoke which you seem to see. The cricket terA a deadly bomb attack blamed backing terrorism and claiming by the country’s intelligence Pakistan had cancelled the series advisory committee is seized with the matter and will deal with it’ agency on militants allegedly on the basis of ongoing insecu- backed by Islamabad. rity in Afghanistan. AFP “This is a process which is Pakistan were set to play their The development leaves Paki- New Delhi well defi ned. The cricket ad- fi rst Twenty20 match in Kabul stan’s cricketers even more iso- visory committee (compris- later this year in what was seen lated in the region. ing Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav as an opportunity for the neigh- India has refused to play a full igns of a rift between Ganguly and VVS Laxman) bours to ease tensions over bor- series since the 2008 Mumbai India’s skipper Vi- is seized with the matter and der skirmishes and alleged proxy attacks, while ties with fellow rat Kohli and coach will deal with it,” Choudhary warfare. Test team Bangladesh have also Anil Kumble have added. The Kabul match, set for July soured after Pakistan pulled out shakenS the country ahead of or August, would have been fol- of a planned series in July. the team’s campaign to win a KUMBLE HAS DONE lowed by a fi xture in Pakistan Only minnows Zimbabwe have second straight Champions NOTHING WRONG and a full series at an unspecifi ed been willing to tour the insecuri- Trophy. Indian newspapers have date. ty-wracked country since a 2009 As India prepare to launch speculated that cracks in the But the Afghanistan Cricket militant attack on the visiting Sri their tournament against Kohli-Kumble relationship Board issued a strongly worded Lanka team. Pakistan in Birmingham on prompted the BCCI to hunt for statement late on Wednesday, Cricketing relations between Sunday, Indian media is abuzz a new coach. cancelling the matches in light Afghanistan and Pakistan were with reports of diff erences be- The Times of India reported of a truck bombing in the city’s not always so frosty. tween Kohli and Kumble over that players were not happy diplomatic quarter that killed at Afghans learned to play crick- tactics and training. with Kumble’s hard task- least 90 people. et in refugee camps in Pakistan With Kumble’s one-year master approach, and that the No group has claimed respon- after they were forced to leave contract ending this month, captain and coach had sev- sibility for Wednesday’s attack, their homes in the wake of the the Indian board’s move to eral run-ins during this year’s although the Taliban has denied Soviet invasion in 1979. advertise the job ahead of home series against Australia. involvement. While Pakistan has supported the 50-over showpiece event “The ACB hereby cancel all the Afghan team by supplying raised eyebrows. “You will never have kinds of cricket matches and ini- equipment and arranging fi x- The deadline for applica- a situation when the tial mutual relationship agree- tures with the fl edgling side, tions ended on Wednesday. captain and coach of any ment with the Pakistan Cricket rival India has also been keen to However, batting legend country is on the same Board,” the Afghan board said on lend its support. Sunil Gavaskar believes the page,” Gavaskar said its Facebook page. Last year, Afghanistan’s na- Board of Control for Cricket in “No agreement of friendly tional team shifted its base from India (BCCI) was just “follow- A headline in The Hindu matches and mutual relation- Sharjah in the United Arab Emir- ing procedure”. read “Kohli, Kumble at log- ship agreement is possible with ates to Noida, Delhi, while In- Gavaskar, attempting to re- gerheads?” with the report a country where terrorists are dia’s former batsman Lalchand assure fans, said an invitation adding that Kumble’s proposal housed and provided safe ha- Rajput replaced Pakistan’s In- for applications did not refl ect to fi eld left-arm wrist spinner vens.” zamam-ul-Haq as their national tensions in the Kohli-Kumble Kuldeep Yadav in the third Afghanistan’s intelligence team coach. relationship. Australia Test in Ranchi set off “You will never have a situ- trouble between the two. ation when the captain and Yadav was fi nally included FELICITATION coach of any country is on in the playing XI in the fourth the same page,” Gavaskar said and fi nal Test, with Ajinkya at the Aaj Tak Salaam cricket Rahane leading the side in convention in London on place of an injured Kohli. Gala prize distribution Wednesday. Despite the apparent ten- “It is impossible for that to sions, Kumble has had a bril- happen because the coach had liant run as coach, helping the for Qatar Airways played in the earlier generation Kohli-led side win all fi ve Test and that’s why the approach series since his appointment may be slightly diff erent from in June last year. cricket tournament the current generation.” “Kumble has done a very “It might not be something good job as coach. I am sim- actually happening on the ply going by the results and fi eld — it could be something when you go by the results of to do with practice sessions last year, you can say he has or team combinations,” the done nothing wrong,” said former captain added. Gavaskar, the fi rst batsman to “I don’t think that should breach the 10,000-run mark be taken too seriously because in Tests. these discussions are healthy It was also reported that for the team.” the advertisement of the India Acting BCCI secretary Am- coaching job has met with a itabh Choudhary said he was lukewarm response, with few unaware of any tensions and big names coming forward. the board was merely follow- While Kumble is an au- By Sports Reporter extremely happy that we’re per- ing procedure. tomatic candidate for a new Doha forming our social duties with “These are merely specula- contract, the Times of India good results,” added Farabi. tions. I see no smoke which said Australia’s Tom Moody QCA president al-Kuwari, you seem to see,” Choudhary and New Zealand’s Daniel grand ceremony also commented after the cer- told reporters in Birmingham Vettori were also being dis- This file photo shows India’s cricket coach Anil Kumble (R) talking with captain Virat Kohli during a training marked the prize dis- emony: “The Qatar Cricket As- yesterday. cussed. session on the eve of a Test match between India and Australia in Dharamsala. tribution of the popular sociation is always striving hard Qatar Airways Cricket to take sport to new levels. We’re TournamentA 2017 at the Doha certainly moving rapidly and re- BOTTOMLINE Marriott Hotel. cording appreciable progress. Qatar Airways, a long-time “The healthy competition is partner of the Qatar Cricket As- must for strong development of sociation in developing the sport sport anywhere. We want to thank in Qatar, were again the sponsors Qatar Airways for supporting us of this year’s edition. to off er competitive opportuni- Ali Akbar Farabi, Manager of ties and exposure to our players Pakistan batsman Azhar says Qatar Airways Ticketing Opera- at various levels. We also feel that tions (Qatar) was the chief guest at we still need to go a long way and the ceremony. Also present on the we can’t go alone. We’ll be looking occasion were QCA Board Mem- forward to strong supporters like bers: Yousuf Jeham A al-Kuwari Qatar Airways next year again,” al- India clash ‘just another game’ (President), Abdulla Aman al- Kuwari added. AFP Pakistan, who upset the odds “I think when the game Khater (Secretary General), Eisa “I also wish to thank the QCA Birmingham to draw a Test series in England starts it looks quite normal. Ali A Ghanem (Assistant Secre- offi cials who work hard round the last year, have already been in The players play as per tary-General) and Mohammad year and push players to bring lau- Birmingham for two weeks in the situation and profes- Ahmed Othman (Board Member) rels for the country. I think they akistan batsman Azhar preparation for their bid to win sional players are like that Among the QCA offi cials, Man- also deserve a big applause for Ali has insisted his side the Champions Trophy, a tour- without worrying about zoor Ahmad (operations man- their effi cient role,” he said. will treat their Cham- nament featuring the world’s anything else,” he added ager), Gul Khan Jadoon (head of QCA operations manager pions Trophy opener top eight one-day international domestic cricket), Syed Hassan Ahmad also thanked Qatar Air- Pagainst title-holders India in teams. gone quite a long way and we Raza (head of technical commit- ways and QCA Board Members Birmingham on Sunday as “just Birmingham boasts one of have had some good results in tee), Amjad Baig (U19 national for their eff orts and involve- another game”. the largest Asian populations in the recent past, so we will do our coach), Amin Ul Islam (member of ment. “We’re extremely grateful Politics in both countries Britain and a vibrant, sell-out best to match that. Obviously we school boys cricket), Mohammad to Qatar Airways for helping us means the Asian giants, argu- crowd is expected on Sunday. have to go a long way. We would Asif (accountant) and Jamshaid to put up a good show this sea- ably cricket’s fi ercest rivals, now “A game between Pakistan love to play at the same pace.” Ahmad (offi ce administrator) at- son. Without the backing of the rarely meet outside of Interna- and India is always good and Bir- Swing could play a tended the ceremony. sponsors, it’d be virtually impos- tional Cricket Council events. mingham has always had a very key role in deciding the destiny Farabi congratulated the win- sible for us to get the results we Such is the global and com- good atmosphere,” said Azhar. of the Champions Trophy, par- ners and fi nalists of all the four managed to secure. mercial appeal of the fi xture, A former captain of the Pa- ticularly if conditions are over- divisions. He also expressed “This season was very signifi - the ICC has eff ectively admit- kistan ODI side, Azhar’s tally of cast. proud at long-standing associa- cant for us in terms of interna- ted to ‘doctoring’ the draw to 1,605 runs in 45 matches at an One concern for Pakistan is tion between Qatar Airways and tional achievements. It is a matter make sure the teams are paired average of over 38 would once that Wahab Riaz, one of their the Qatar Cricket Association of great pride for us that we won together in the group phase of have been respectable enough. most experienced pacemen, has through the sport. the ICC World Cricket League major tournaments rather than been struggling with a left knee “On behalf of Qatar Airways, we Qualifi er – Asia for the fi rst time run the risk of them not meeting STEPPING UP injury. congratulate all the winners and and advanced to the ICC World later on. But in age of ever more aggres- The left-arm quick did bowl fi nalists for their outstanding per- Cricket League Division Five. For all the anticipation sur- sive batting and ever higher during training on Wednesday, formances in the season. There is “In Chiang Mai, Thailand ear- rounding their latest clash, strike rates, his fi gures look old- but not at full tilt. always a second time and we hope lier this year, we came up with Azhar told reporters at Edgbas- fashioned — a criticism that has Nevertheless, Azhar said: that the fi nalists and other teams thrilling performances and ful- ton on Wednesday: “It’s just an- been made of Pakistan’s overall “Wahab has recovered well so we would prepare hard and try to ex- fi lled the dream of winning the other game. approach to white-ball cricket have no doubt that he will be fi t cel in the new season.” event. In the last and crucial “I think when the game starts as it’s now played. to play. It’s international cricket “It gives us a proud feeling match, we beat favourites Saudi it looks quite normal. The play- “We have worked on that,” and you have to be 100 percent when we look at our long part- Arabia by fi ve . Then we ers play as per the situation and said the 32-year-old Azhar, re- fi t. He has practised today so we nership with the QCA in shaping beat Saudi Arabia on net run rate professional players are like that called for the Champions Tro- are hoping that by the time the the sport in the country. We have as well to clinch the lone quali- without worrying about any- Pakistan’s coach Mickey Arthur (R) talks with Pakistan’s Sarfraz phy. fi rst match comes he will be able certain responsibilities towards fying spot, which was really a thing else,” he added. Ahmed during a practice session at Edgbaston cricket ground. “We know that the game has to play.” the communities here and we’re thrilling experience for all of us.” Friday, June 2, 2017 GULF TIMES CRICKET

CHAMPIONS TROPHY CHARGED UP Afghanistan up for Hobbling Root fi res Windies battle England to easy win over Bangladesh File picture of Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan. AFP luxuries this time around and Saint Kitts captain Carlos Brathwaite, the Root’s unbeaten 133 along with Hales’ 95 and captain Morgan’s unbeaten 75 helped hero on that memorable night in Kolkata, needs to recapture his hosts England overhaul their target of 306 with 16 balls to spare est Indies and Af- most devastating batting form ghanistan get a while expecting his senior play- three-match T20 ers to also step up to the chal- International se- lenge and show that the surprise Wries underway at Warner Park in loss to the Afghans a year earlier St Kitts today with the visitors was just a one-off setback. desperate to make an impression A strong squad including such against the reigning kings of the celebrated names as Kieron Pol- game’s most abbreviated format. lard, Lendl Simmons, Marlon Yet despite their status as World Samuels, and Sam- T20 title-holders, the fact that the uel Badree should have too much hosts are available at all to take on experience and expertise for their the fast-improving Afghans in the opponents, although Afghani- T20 matches in St Kitts followed stan underscored the strength by three One-Day Internationals of their bowling resources with in St Lucia is an embarrassing re- a 12-run win in a low-scoring fl ection of their continuing decline warm-up match against a West in the 50-over version of the inter- Indies Cricket Board President’s national game. XI at Warner Park on Wednesday. This two-week campaign in Defending a total of 115 for the Caribbean is overshadowed nine, the tourists’ eff ective com- by the Champions Trophy in bination of pace and spin kept England, featuring the top eight the home side in a stranglehold nations in ODI’s. to the extent that they were lim- Afghanistan’s historic fi rst se- ited to 103 for nine in reply. ries against the West Indies is only Leg-spinner Rashid Khan, possible because the 2004 Cham- who with Mohammad Nabi pions Trophy winners and twice- made history this year as the fi rst beaten fi nalists failed for the fi rst Afghan players to appear in the Scoreboard time to qualify for a global Inter- , was the national Cricket Council event star of the bowling. BANGLADESH and are also in danger of having Following on the impact he Tamim Iqbal c Buttler b Plunkett 128 to go through a qualifying tourna- made as a member of the Sun- S Sarkar c sub (Bairstow) b Stokes 28 ment next year in Bangladesh to risers of Hyderabad in the IPL Imrul Kayes c Wood b Plunkett 19 get to the 2019 World Cup, also to just a couple weeks earlier, Khan M. Rahim c Hales b Plunkett 79 be played in England. produced the outstanding fi g- Shakib Al Hasan c Stokes b Ball 10 Since the dramatic victory ures of three for 11 off four overs Sabbir Rahman c Roy b Plunkett 24 over England in the World T20 to deservedly earn the man of the Mahmuduallah 6 fi nal 14 months ago in Kolkata, match award. Mosaddek Hossain not out 2 West Indies have won just two of But the reliability of their bat- Extras (b1, lb1, w7) 9 nine T20 Internationals. ting is a genuine concern, espe- Total (6 wkts, 50 overs) 305 In sharp contrast, Afghani- cially in the absence of attacking Did not bat: Mashrafe Mortaza, Rubel stan are on an 11-match winning wicketkeeper-batsman Moham- Hossain, streak although the signifi cance mad Shahzad, who is serving a Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Sarkar), 2-95 of that achievement is temper- suspension following a positive (Kayes), 3-261 (Tamim), 4-261 (Mush- ed by the fact that 10 of those test for a banned substance ear- fiqur), 5-277 (Shakib), 6-300 (Sabbir) wins were also against Associate lier this year. Bowling: Woakes 2-1-4-0; Wood Member nations, the lower rank Whatever their chances England’s Joe Root celebrates after hitting the winning runs in the ICC Champions trophy match between England and Bangladesh. 10-1-58-0 (1w); Ball 10-1-82-1; Stokes of competing countries under though, it is the Afghans who 7-0-42-1 (1w); Plunkett 10-0-59-4 (2w); the banner of the ICC. have nothing to lose coming Reuters a competitive total of 305 for six. the latter was caught on the cover point Ali 8-1-40-0 (1w); Root 3-0-18-0 (2w) Ironically, the run of success into this series while the Carib- London Jason Roy’s wretched run contin- boundary for 28. was started against the West bean audience, although not to- ued when he was brilliantly caught at Imrul Kayes, on 19, was brilliantly ENGLAND Indies at the World T20 in India tally enthused by the upcoming short fi ne leg for one but Root and Hales caught by a diving Mark Wood at mid J. Roy c Mustafizur Rahman b where Afghanistan, in their fi rst matches, will have more than oe Root shrugged off an ankle in- calmed England’s nerves with a second- on but Mushfi qur and Tamim gradually Mashrafe Mortaza 1 and so far only meeting at sen- a passing eye on the unfolding jury to hit a superb unbeaten 133 partnership of 159. accelerated the scoring rate with crisp A. Hales c sub (Sunzamul Islam) b ior international level with the events in St Kitts and the fol- and lead England to a comfortable Hales was the chief aggressor but strokes around the ground to wild cheers Sabbir Rehman 95 Caribbean team, sneaked a six- lowing week in St Lucia as they eight-wicket victory over Bangla- straight after hitting a four and a six off from the pockets of fl ag-waving Bangla- J. Root not out 133 run run win against a sloppy and search for signs of signifi cant deshJ in the opening Champions Trophy consecutive balls from Sabbir Rahman he desh fans in a lively crowd. clearly complacent foe who had improvement in an assignment E. Morgan not out 75 game at The Oval yesterday. fell fi ve runs short of his century, caught Ben Stokes and Tamim were involved Extras (lb2, w2) 4 already qualifi ed for the knock- that has all the potential to be Alex Hales made 95 and captain Eoin at deep mid-wicket. in a verbal altercation as tempers frayed Total (2 wkts, 47.2 overs) 308 out stage of the competition. trickier than the hosts might Morgan 75 not out as hosts England over- Root, hobbling between the wickets, but the left-hander reached his century Did not bat: B Stokes, J Buttler, M Ali, West Indies can aff ord no such otherwise expect. hauled their target of 306 with 16 balls to manoeuvred the ball around calmly and he off 124 balls, including two sixes and 11 C Woakes, L Plunkett, M Wood, J Ball spare, the highest successful run-chase and Morgan were always in control of the fours. Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Roy), 2-165 (Hales) in the tournament’s history. chase in an unbroken partnership of 143. Tamim skied Liam Plunkett to wick- Bowling: Mortaza 10-0-56-1; Hasan OPINION The day had started badly for England, Root posted his 10th one-day interna- etkeeper Jos Buttler and Mushfi qur was 8-0-62-0 (1w); M Rahman 9-0-51-0; bidding to win their fi rst global 50-over tional century, off 115 deliveries, and hit caught in the deep for 79 off the next ball, Sarkar 2-0-13-0; M Hossain 7.2-0-47-0 trophy, when all-rounder Chris Woakes one six and 11 fours in his highest score in allowing England to restrict the bound- (1w); R Hossain 10-0-64-0; S Rahman limped off due to a side strain after bowl- this format of the game. ary fl ow in the closing overs and keep the 1-0-13-1 Smith criticises CA ing two overs. Morgan had won the toss in sunny Bangladesh total down. Tamim Iqbal struck a fl uent 128 and conditions and asked Bangladesh to bat, Australia and New Zealand are the Result: England won by eight wickets shared a 166-run partnership with but Tamim and Soumya Sarkar care- other teams in Group A with the top two Man-of-the-match: Joe Root (ENG) over pay dispute Mushfi qur Rahim to push Bangladesh to fully added 56 for the fi rst wicket before advancing to the semi-fi nals. IANS Birmingham PREVIEW ustralia captain has criticised ’s (CA) arguments in the on- No fearsome foursome for Aussies goingA pay dispute between the players and the board on the eve AFP The 24-year-old made his in- “I don’t think we’ll end up of their fi rst match in the Cham- London ternational debut in 2011, yet the going with the four big pions Trophy. fact he’s played just three Tests quicks. We’ve got a couple The CA has argued that it can- and 28 one-day internationals of options there as not increase the players’ current teve Smith said Aus- since then is testament to how all-rounders,” said Smith salaries as more money is needed tralia were unlikely to much time Cummins has spent to fund the game at the grassroots. Australia captain Steve Smith. fi eld all their ‘fearsome on the treatment table. earlier this year with a sensa- Smith, however, challenged foursome’ of fast bowl- But he now believes his body tional Indian Premier League the CA’s statement, asserting importance of focusing on the job ersS against New Zealand in their can withstand the rigours of in- campaign, averaging nearly 50 that the players have chipped in at hand and not giving too much Champions Trophy opener ternational cricket. for the Kolkata Knight Riders. with signifi cant contributions to thought to the off -fi eld issues. against New Zealand today. “I now feel that because I’m New Zealand beat Australia in the grassroots programmes. “We are focusing on this tour- Injuries have meant the quar- a couple of years older, and be- a thrilling pool match in Auck- “I’m not sure I completely nament. These are the big tour- tet of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cum- cause I had a full off -season at land at the 2015 World Cup only agree with that. If we look back naments and the ones you really mins, and James pretty low intensity, my body to lose to their trans-Tasman ri- at the last MoU, I think players want to win,” he said. Pattinson have rarely all been fi t was a bit more hardened than vals in the fi nal in Melbourne. gave back $10 million to grass- “So my focus is on that and I’ll at the same time. it used to be when I did come Friday’s encounter at Bir- roots cricket, which is quite sig- let the CA handle everything else. It appears Australia have de- back,” Cummins explained. mingham’s Edgbaston ground is nifi cant,” Smith told the media “Every game is crucial and we cided it’s too much of a risk Left-arm fast bowler Starc, set to feature several survivors, here yesterday. have got to be at our best from fi elding all four in the same arguably the world’s leading with New Zealand captain Kane “We’re right behind (the CA) ball one,” he added. team, with John Hastings — who ‘yorker’ bowler, has recovered Williamson the star turn in atop and what they are trying to do for The Australian players will be has plenty of English county ex- from a foot injury that cut short order that also includes Martin the players and as partners of the playing ODIs after a signifi cant perience — also in the squad. his tour of India, while Pattinson Guptill. game as well. We fully support gap, having played four Test “I don’t think we’ll end up has returned from shin and back Blackcaps pacemen Tim them in everything they are do- matches in India before tak- going with the four big quicks,” problems. Southee and are ing,” he added. ing part in the Indian Premier Australia captain Smith told re- Australia boast one of the proven performers in England, Australia had a poor start to League (IPL). porters at Edgbaston yesterday. Australia head coach during nets. most powerful top orders in ODI but Southee said: “We know the their campaign in the last edition Smith asserted that his team- “We’ve got a couple of options cricket, with captain Smith and conditions, but you can’t rely on of the Champions Trophy in 2013 mates will have to adjust fast. “It there as all-rounders. conditions. For Cummins, whose career opener outstand- that. when they had lost to England in takes a little bit of time. You just “(Marcus) Stoinis did very “He’s a little bit slower than has been blighted by several ing batsmen in all formats. “The wickets over here are their fi rst match before crashing have to realise 50 overs are a lot well in New Zealand in the last the others and hits the seam and back stress fractures, just being They could add extra fi repow- pretty good, and the bowlers are out in the group stages. more than 20 and you can reign series, and Hastings has done has some good skills throughout in contention again is something er by including Chris Lynn, who going to have to be at the very Smith is keen to avoid a repeat things back,” he said of the ad- very well for us over in these the middle as well.” of a relief. shot to worldwide prominence top of their game as a result.” this time round and reiterated the justment to ODI cricket.