FOOTBALL | Page 2 CYCLING | Page 6 Mbappe stars as Froome PSG win French undeterred by Champions injuries, eyes Trophy fi ft h Tour title

Sunday, August 4, 2019 FORMULA 1 Dhul-Hijja 3, 1440 AH Verstappen takes GULF TIMES his fi rst pole at Hungarian GP SPORT Page 7

CRICKET / 1ST ASHES TEST TWENTY20 INTERNATIONALS Saini claims Australia look to three wickets on debut as India Smith again as defeat Windies hosts take charge Visitors were 124-3 — a lead of just 34 runs — when bad light stopped play

Navdeep Saini of India celebrates taking the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer (foreground) of West Indies during the first T20 international at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, United States yesterday. (AFP)

AFP apart from Pollard in what was Lauderhill, United States a generally indisciplined eff ort from the West Indies. Kumar supported Saini’s eff ort ast bowler Navdeep with two wickets and indeed all Saini starred on his sen- India’s bowlers played key roles ior international debut in depriving the West Indies big- as India defeated the hitters of opportunities to clear WestF Indies by four wickets in the boundary ropes. a low-scoring opening fi xture Playing his fi rst match for In- Australia’s Steve Smith (centre) hits a four on third day of the first Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham, , yesterday. (Reuters) of a three-match T20 series at dia since leaving the World Cup the Central Broward Stadium in in England six weeks ago with a AFP like that you have to build Smith, on 41, was struck on Florida yesterday. fractured thumb, Shikhar Dha- Birmingham, United Kingdom pressure and hope they make a Scorecard the side of the head by a Stokes On a pitch where all batsmen wan fell cheaply to Sheldon Cot- mistake.” bouncer after missing an in- struggled to play their shots, the trell and when Sunil Narine re- Australia will want to bat long AUSTRALIA 1st innings 284 (Anderson) tended pull, but was passed fi t to West Indies were restricted to 95 moved topscorer Rohit Sharma enough to leave England with bat on by Australia’s team doc- for nine batting fi rst. (24) and Rishabh Pant with suc- ustralia were left hop- ENGLAND 1st innings (o/n 267-4) Bowling: Cummins 33-9-84-3; tor. cessive deliveries, the West In- ing for another major an awkward chase on a wearing Pattinson 27-3-82-2 (1w); Siddle India’s line-up found the con- R. Burns c Paine b Lyon 133 Soon afterwards, although the dies were very much in conten- innings from Steve pitch. 27-8-52-2; Lyon 43.5-8-112-3 ditions equally challenging but fl oodlights were on, the umpires tion to successfully defend their Smith as England took “Anything over 150 going into J. Roy c Smith b Pattinson 10 (1nb); Wade 1-0-7-0 (1w); Head the depth of their batting saw chargeA of the fi rst Ashes Test at last day on this wicket (will be decided it was too dark to con- them through to 98 for six with modest score. J. Root c and b Siddle 57 2-1-7-0; Smith 2-0-9-0 Edgbaston yesterday. tough to get),” said Australia fast tinue and halted play shortly be- 16 deliveries to spare. However captain Virat Kohli When bad light cut short the bowler James Pattinson. J. Denly lbw b Pattinson 18 fore heavy rain fell. Having already enjoyed suc- and Manish Pandey contributed third day’s play, Australia were Ashes-holders Australia, J. Buttler c Bancroft b Cummins 5 AUSTRALIA 2nd Innings Earlier, England opener Rory cess with the Indian ‘A’ team 19 runs each — signifi cant in 124-3 in their second innings — looking to win their fi rst series B. Stokes c Paine b Cummins 50 C. Bancroft c Buttler b Ali 7Burns batted for nearly eight currently on tour of the Carib- the context of the low-scoring a lead of just 34 runs. away to England in 18 years, hours for 133 — his maiden Test bean, Saini made an immediate match — and India rallied from Former captain Smith, who were in trouble at 27-2 af- J. Bairstow c Warner b Siddle 8D. Warner c Bairstow b Broad 8 hundred — in an innings of 374 impact wearing his country’s 32 for three to reach the target in had made a superb 144 in the ter openers David Warner and M. Ali b Lyon 0U. Khawaja c Bairstow b Stokes 40 featuring captain Joe Root’s 57 colours at the highest level in the 18th over, Washington Sun- fi rst innings of his fi rst Test Cameron Bancroft — also re- C. Woakes not out 37 S. Smith not out 46 and vice-captain Stokes’s 50. claiming three for 17 off his four dar hoisting Keemo Paul for six since completing a 12-month turning to Test duty after the England lost three wickets for overs, including top-scorer Ki- to seal the victory. S. Broad c Pattinson b Cummins 29 ban for his role in last year’s ball-tampering scandal — both T. Head not out 21 four runs to slump to 300-8 — a eron Pollard who fell in the fi nal Paul, Narine and Cottrell took ball-tampering scandal in South fell in single fi gures. J. Anderson c Cummins b Lyon 3 Extras (lb1, nb1) 2 lead of just 16. over of the innings for 49. two wickets each but their eff orts Africa, was 46 not out. In a match full of overturned Extras (b10, lb11, nb1, w2) 24 Total (3 wkts, 31 overs) 124 But a ninth-wicket partner- He achieved the rarity of a weren’t enough in the face of the Travis Head was 21 not out, decisions, England had to re- ship of 65 between Woakes and maiden in that fi nal over but it small total they were attempting Total (all out, 135.5 overs) 374 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Warner), with the pair’s stand worth 49 view umpire Joel Wilson’s origi- Broad (29) boosted their total. was his earlier double-strike to defend. 2-27 (Bancroft), 3-75 (Khawaja) runs. nal not out verdict when Warner Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Roy), 2-154 England resumed on 267- which gave the 26-year-old fast India will be seeking to clinch “We leaked a few too many feathered a catch behind to (Root), 3-189 (Denly), 4-194 Bowling: Broad 6-0-26-1; 4, with Burns 125 not out and bowler the sort of dream start the series with victory in the sec- (runs) tonight,” England’s Chris wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow to (Buttler), 5-282 (Stokes), 6-296 Woakes 6-1-20-0; Ali 9-0-47-1; Stokes 38 not out. he would have wished for after ond match at the same venue on Woakes told Sky Sports. give Stuart Broad his 450th Test (Burns), 7-300 (Ali), 8-300 Root 3-0-12-0; Stokes 7-2-18-1 Off-spinner Nathan Lyon captain Virat Kohli chose to bowl Sunday before the teams head “At the same time 34-3 is not a wicket. (Bairstow), 9-365 (Broad), 10-374 (1nb) finally ended left-hander fi rst on winning the toss. to Guyana for the fi nal match on bad spot,” added the all-round- It was an important blow for Burns’s marathon innings Opening bowlers Washington Tuesday. er, who earlier made a valuable Broad, who took 5-86 in Aus- Smith’s arrival at the crease in the slips, failed to hold a tough when a delivery that turned Sundar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar They will then shift formats 37 not out on his Warwickshire tralia’s fi rst innings of 284, as prompted a huge chorus of boos chance off Moeen. and bounced took the outside had already set the West Indies to three One-Day Internationals home ground. new-ball partner James Ander- from England fans who earlier Khawaja made an attrac- edge and was well caught by on the back foot by removing (one in Guyana and two in Trini- “If we come back in the morn- son was absent with a calf injury in the day had taunted him with tive 40 before the left-hander Australia captain and wicket- openers John Campbell and Evin dad) and round out the tour with ing and get two wickets then that meant England’s all-time chants of “Crying on the telly, was undone by all-rounder Ben keeper Tim Paine. Lewis, and Saini added to the Test matches in Antigua and Ja- 50-5 will be pretty good.” leading Test wicket-taker only we saw you crying on the telly” Stokes’s second ball, a superb Burns faced 312 balls, with 17 Caribbean side’s woes by dis- maica. Woakes, asked how Smith bowled four overs fi rst time in a reference to the star bats- delivery that cut back sharply to fours. missing attacking left-handers could be dismissed, replied: around. man’s emotional press confer- have him caught behind. By contrast, new batsman Nicholas Pooran and Shimron BRIEF SCORES: West Indies “Have you got any ideas? He Birmingham-born off -spin- ence in Sydney after he was sent Moeen lasted just fi ve balls be- Hetmyer off successive deliver- 95-9 (K. Pollard 49; N. Saini 3-17) is a world-class player and ner Moeen Ali then had Bancroft home from South Africa. STRUCK ON HEAD fore he inexplicably shouldered ies. lost to India 98-6 off 17.2 overs world-class players don’t make caught off bat and pad by Jos Usman Khawaja might have Australia were now 75-3, still 15 arms to Lyon (3-112) and was Pooran’s score of 20 was the (R. Sharma 24; S. Narine 2-14) by many mistakes. On a wicket Buttler at short leg. been out for 11 but Buttler, now runs behind. clean bowled for a duck. only other double-fi gure innings four wickets. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, August 4, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Mbappe magic as PSG claim Champions Trophy It was revenge, of sorts, for PSG after a loss on penalties to Rennes in the French Cup back in April

AFP Shenzhen, China

ylian Mbappe provided the moments of magic as Paris Saint-Germain collected their fi rst silverware of the new sea- Kson with a 2-1 French Champions Tro- phy victory over Rennes in Shenzhen yesterday. PSG’s German boss Thomas Tuchel looked relieved more than de- lighted afterwards, given his side were behind at half-time. “There’s fatigue for everyone,” said Tuchel, pointing to the steamy condi- tions in the southern Chinese city and the fact the game came at the end of a long road trip. “We have had a lot of reorganisation with new players but we still played very well. The win is a good reward for us. We had about 10 shots that somehow didn’t go in. But we found gaps and we turned it into a good performance. It was a good opening for us for the new season.” It was revenge, of sorts, for PSG after a loss on penalties to the same club in the French Cup back in April. PSG went on to win the French title — their sixth in seven years — but the Qatar-owned side have made no secret that their eyes are the Champions League this season. That’s still a long a long way off but there were positive signs as the French season offi cially kicked off inside Shen- zhen Universiade Sports Centre Sta- dium. The 25,000-odd gathered on a steamy night had eyes — and hearts — only for Mbappe, screaming at the French World Cup-winner’s every move. The 20-year-old superstar duly rose to the fanfare in the second half as PSG came back from 1-0 at the break to seal the trophy. After threatening with some mazy runs throughout the fi rst half, Mbappe fi nally found himself front and centre as the ball caromed around the box on 57 minutes. It fi nally fell at his feet just a few yards out, and Mbappe made no mis- take. Emboldened, PSG started domi- nating play with Argentine forward Paris Saint-Germain’s players pose with the trophy as they celebrate winning the French Champions Trophy in Shenzhen, China, yesterday. (AFP) Angel Di Maria in particular giving the Rennes defence the run around. For his part Tuchel was at pains to came into the game when it was at a must be ominous signs for defences in real threat on goal. It seemed to spark underdogs some hope at the break. But His hard work paid off on 73 minutes share the glory, singling out also de- dangerous time for us and he delivered. — and beyond — as the young- Rennes into life and on 13 minutes then came Mbappe, and now PSG turn when he fi red in a free kick that caught fender Abdou Diallo, Di Maria and Marquinhos showed his quality and he ster said pre-match he wanted more striker Adrian Hunou ghosted past his their attention to their opening domes- Rennes keeper Tomas Koubek nap- skipper for the night Marquinhos for was perfect. He can control the whole than the 33 goals he scored last season. marker and into the box. tic encounter against Nimes on August . It was some eff ort but the night special mention. “Diallo just kept at- fi eld.” There were plenty of half-chances Replays showed he was a touch off - 12, and to a season that promises plenty. belonged to Mbappe — and the Chinese tacking,” said the German. “He’s a very With injured Brazilian star Neymar early on before PSG defender Thilo Ke- side, maybe, and with a deft fl ick of his “We are still working on creating our fans wouldn’t let anyone think other- important player for us and he brings serving a three-match ban, Mbappe hrer rattled the crossbar with a tower- left foot he guided the ball by the fl ap- own style but this has been a good step wise. other players into the game. Di Maria had the spotlight to himself in what ing header in what was the match’s fi rst ping Alphonse Areola. It had given the to take,” said Tuchel.

FOCUS Cardiff and Fulham beaten United tell Lukaku to delete controversial tweet

By Ben Fisher on Championship return The Guardian

AFP On Friday, Championship newcomers London Luton snatched a late equaliser to earn a anchester United have dramatic 3-3 draw against Middlesbrough told Romelu Lukaku as the new English season kicked off in to delete a controver- romotion favourites Cardiff and style. sial social media post Fulham began their Championship In the fi rst game of the 2019-20 campaign, Mrevealing confi dential details of a campaigns in the worst possibly way promoted Luton struck through James Col- training sprint session. The strik- yesterday after respective defeats to lins with fi ve minutes left to deny Jonathan er, thought to be on the verge of a PWigan and Barnsley. Josh Windass picked Woodgate a victory in his fi rst game as Mid- move to Serie A, took to Twitter on himself up from missing a penalty to master- dlesbrough manager. Friday to respond to criticisms that mind Wigan’s 3-2 victory over ’s It was a frustrating fi nale for former Eng- he lacks pace by posting statistics Cardiff whilst Fulham fell at Barnsley 1-0. land defender Woodgate, who has replaced from a running test on the Perth leg Cardiff got off to a great start in England’s Tony Pulis as boss of his hometown club af- of United’s July pre-season tour. second tier as Joe Ralls gave them the lead in ter a playing career including spells at Leeds, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was among the 20th minute. It looked as if Warnock would Newcastle, Real Madrid, Tottenham and Mid- the United hierarchy to take a dim come away with the three points when Wigan’s dlesbrough. view of Lukaku divulging such in- Windass missed a penalty early in the second- With the Premier League not due to start formation publicly. Lukaku, who half, but he recovered to set up Michael Jacobs until August 9, the Football League took cen- is keen on a move to Juventus or for the 59th-minute equaliser before scoring the tre stage for one week and the Championship’s Inter Milan, has since removed the second. Omar Bogle got Cardiff back on equal maiden match served up a thriller at Kenil- post, which revealed the terms against his former club with 20 minutes worth Road. Middlesbrough’s Ashley Fletcher forward was second to only Diogo remaining only for Wales-born Lee Evans to rifl e scored the fi rst goal of the Football League sea- Dalot in a session, which charted home a long range eff ort to restore Wigan’s lead son, heading in Marvin Johnson’s cross in the the speeds of 22 other fi rst-team fi ve minutes later. Fulham’s defensive problems seventh minute. players. The tweet was accompa- which cost them so dearly in the Premier League Luton’s hammered home a nied by the words “lack of pace” AC Milan’s Suso (left) vies for the ball with Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic during the 2019 International let them down early on against Barnsley, with superb long-range equaliser 10 minutes later alongside running emojis. Champions Cup friendly match in Cardiff yesterday. (AFP) Luke Thomas breezing past their defence to fi re and Martin Cranie headed the hosts in front Harry Maguire was undergo- the winner after just 13 minutes. from Andrew Shinnie’s 24th minute corner. ing a medical at United’s Car- bala and Mario Mandzukic have Paul Pogba, who admitted in June day’s fl ight from Manchester ow- Former England midfi elder Parker’s side Britt Assombalonga’s weak shot squirmed rington training ground on yes- both been linked with moves to that he wanted a new challenge, ing to his desire to force through could not force an equaliser despite having through the hands of Luton goalkeeper Simon terday morning before fi nalising Old Traff ord, though the former is has not travelled. United said the a move. “At the end of the session two eff orts cleared off the line against their Sluga at the near post to give Middlesbrough an £85mn move from Leicester understood to be sceptical about France midfi elder did not go to today, Paul got a back spasm, the newly-promoted opponents. Swansea began parity at half-time. City, while Solskjaer is keen to add any move. A 24-man United squad Wales because of a recurrence of a same issue he had last week, when their second successive season in the Champi- Lewis Wing put Woodgate’s side back in further to his squad before Thurs- are in Cardiff to play Milan in the back spasm, though some reports he missed the session in Norway,” onship with a fi ne 2-1 win over Hull City, Steve front with a curling 25-yard strike in the 68th day’s transfer deadline. Paulo Dy- International Champions Cup but have suggested Pogba skipped Fri- Solskjaer said. Cooper’s side showing great character to come minute. But Assombalonga blazed a penalty back from 1-0 down to take the three points over the bar after Cranie’s foul on Hayden with two goals scored in rapid succession at Coulson. It was a costly miss as Collins slot- the beginning of the second-half. ted in Luton’s equaliser after Dan Potts’ eff ort Borja Baston has been an underwhelm- was blocked. Brighton break transfer record to sign Webster ing performer since the club paid £15.5mn ($19mn) in 2016 and has spent time out on loan ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS London: Adam Webster became year contract with last season’s NEWCASTLE SIGN club on a six-year contract for a but he scored only his second goal for the club Barnsley 1 Fulham 0; Blackburn 1 Charlton 2; Premier League side Brighton’s FA Cup semi-finalists. Webster SAINT-MAXIMIN, WILLEMS fee reported to be £20mn. three minutes after the break before Mike van record signing yesterday when has made more than 200 senior Newcastle swooped for promis- The 22-year-old made his pro- Brentford 0 Birmingham 1; Millwall 1 Preston der Hoorn headed home the winner less than they agreed to pay a reported appearances, with around half at ing Nice forward Allan Saint-Max- fessional debut for Saint-Etienne 0; Reading 1 Sheff ield Wednesday 3; Stoke 1 two minutes later. £20mn to Championship outfit Championship level. He played 47 imin and also signed Eintracht at the age of 16 and has gone on Two of the other sides tipped to contest QPR 2; Swansea 2 Hull 1; Wigan 3 Cardiff 2 Bristol City for the central defend- times last season for City, scoring Frankfurt defender Jetro Willems to make over 100 Ligue 1 appear- automatic promotion to the Premier League, Played Friday: Luton 3 Middlesbrough 3 er. The 24-year-old — who only three goals. He has also repre- on loan on Friday. Saint-Maximin, ances. He has played for Monaco, Leeds United and Huddersfi eld Town, begin Playing today: Bristol City v Leeds joined Bristol City from Ipswich sented England at under-18 and a French Under-21 international, Bastia and Nice, while also going their campaigns on today and tomorrow re- Town last year — signed a four under-19 level. moved to the Premier League on loan to Hannover. spectively. Playing tomorrow: Huddersfield v Derby Gulf Times Sunday, August 4, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

COMMUNITY SHIELD FOCUS Christie hits hat-trick in Guardiola urges Man Celtic seven City to strike early goal romp blow against Liverpool Two clubs renew their growing rivalry in the annual curtain-raiser to the English top-flight season

AFP London

ep Guardiola has urged Man- chester City to prepare for the AFP “incredible challenge” of bat- Glasgow tling Liverpool for the Premier PLeague title by landing an early blow against their rivals in today’s Com- yan Christie scored a munity Shield. Guardiola’s side pipped hat-trick as champi- Liverpool to the Premier League by one ons Celtic showed no point last season after a thrilling title mercy to a hapless St race went down to the last day. JohnstoneR thrashing them 7-0 The two clubs renew their growing in their opening Scottish rivalry when they meet at Wembley in Premiership match of the season the annual curtain-raiser to the English yesterday. top-fl ight season this weekend. While Christie’s treble — including City won an unprecedented English two excellent long range eff orts treble of Premier League, FA Cup and — and goals from Mikey John- League Cup last term, and are the book- ston, Olivier Ntcham, Odsonne makers’ favourites to win the title for a Edouard and Leigh Griffi ths was third successive year, Guardiola is well the perfect message to send to aware of the challenge likely to be posed their likely two main title rivals by Liverpool. Rangers and Aberdeen, who get Jurgen Klopp’s men lost only once in their campaigns underway today. the league last season — at City — and For St Johnstone it continued erased the frustration of failing to catch their tale of woe against Celtic. Guardiola’s team by beating Tottenham They have failed to score in their to win the club’s sixth European Cup in last eight meetings and last beat June. Despite a spat between the pair them in May 2016. The champi- this week when Guardiola hit back at ons took less than 10 minutes to Klopp’s jibe over City’s big spending on open their account, 20-year-old transfers in recent years, the Spaniard Johnston scoring with a beauti- remains a huge admirer of the Liverpool ful individual goal. boss and the team he has built at An- Christie then grabbed a quick- fi eld. “He inspires me in many things. fi re double — his fi rst a stunning He is a class manager, a top manager. long range eff ort but his sec- He’s so good and it is an incredible chal- ond on the half hour mark was lenge for me every time I face his teams,” down to a goalkeeping howler by Guardiola said. Zander Clarke. Christie sealed Guardiola’s irritation at Klopp’s sug- his hat-trick in the second-half, gestion that City are one of a handful this time rattling in another long of clubs who live in a transfer “fantasy range eff ort after being teed up land” lit the fuse on what promises to by Johnston. be a fascinating 10-month battle for Edouard was integral to the supremacy between City and Liverpool. next two goals, the French striker With City yet to win the Champi- setting up compatriot Ntcham, ons League and Liverpool without an who scored with his fi rst touch English title since 1990, it is possible of the ball to net the fi fth, and they would gladly settle for a trophy- then he got on the scoresheet 10 swap this season. But Guardiola knows minutes from time. Community Shield holders City could Griffi ths, who had created Ed- become the fi rst team to win three con- ouard’s goal, made it 7-0 four secutive Premier League titles since minutes from time to extend Manchester United between 2006 and Celtic’s seventh successive vic- 2009, so he won’t settle for only target- tory since they lost to bitter ri- ing European glory. vals Rangers in May. “We won almost every trophy; not all of them. It was quite remarkable,” he SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP said of last season. “We start from zero RESULTS now — we start again — but we are ready Manchester City’s David Silva (left) and Bernardo Silva train on the eve of the Community Shield match against Liverpool. (Manchester City) Celtic 7 (Johnston 9, Christie 26, to accept the challenge.” 30, 67, Ntcham 72, Edouard 80, Twelve months ago Guardiola warned did last season. There are no doubts,” keep improving.” Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker and club last won the Community Shield in Griff iths 86) St Johnstone 0; Hi- of a need to guard against complacency said Guardiola, who may leave Eder- For Liverpool, the glamour friendly Mohamed Salah back in the fold after 2006. bernian 1 (Allan 85) St Mirren 0; after City’s record 100-point haul in son, Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero and represents a chance to fi ne-tune their international commitments, Klopp ex- “Because the training was on such Livingston 0 Motherwell 0; Ross 2017-18. But this year he is taking a Gabriel Jesus on the bench after their preparations after an uneven pre-sea- pects a more cohesive display at Wem- a high intensity level in the games County 3 (Chalmers 30, Mckay softer approach after being impressed returns from international duty. son. Three defeats and some lethargic bley. “When you are tired, you are tired, sometimes we were really done. Un- 36, Stewart 57) Hamilton 0 with his players’ maturity under intense “At the end of last season I didn’t displays sparked fears that Liverpool and it’s quite diffi cult to then play your fortunately, we play in public so every- pressure from Liverpool. know how well we’d handle our success were suff ering a Champions League best football. Now it’s getting better. body could see that. But the Lyon game Playing today: Kilmarnock v “We will be nicer this season. These and I think it was incredible what they hangover. Sadio Mane is still resting af- The quality of the boys who came back, helped. We were not in doubt about that Rangers (1230GMT), Aberdeen v players convinced me with what they did last after 100 points. The target is to ter the Africa Cup of Nations, but with of course it helps,” said Klopp, whose but it’s nice to get the proof as well.” Hearts (1400GMT)

SPOTLIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE Klopp warns Liverpool to deal Maguire move to United would with Champions League scrutiny be incredible business: Rodgers Reuters between clubs and whether the AFP completely focused on a new were absent for international London player wants to stay or go.” Liverpool season. It’s very important and tournaments, Klopp is looking Last year Maguire, who helped we will learn it. But no one gives forward to working with his England reach the World Cup you a book ‘How To Deal With full squad before next Friday’s eicester City manager semi-fi nals, signed a contract urgen Klopp says Liv- a Champions League win’. You Premier League opener against Brendan Rodgers has extension at Leicester until 2023. erpool must learn to have to do it by yourself and we Norwich. described their Eng- He played 31 league games last deal with their standing will do that.” But while desire and expec- land centre back Harry term, scoring three goals. Rodg- as European champions Klopp added there was no tation are high at Anfi eld, Klopp LMaguire as a “special player” ers previously said the 2016 asJ they kick off their campaign extra pressure on them follow- insists City are clear favour- they do not want to lose but con- league champions had rejected against Premier League win- ing Liverpool’s sixth European ites to claim a third successive ceded they have no choice after two bids last month for Maguire ners Manchester City in today’s title and a subsequent absence league title. “Because they’ve Manchester United met the Mid- the world, surpassing the 75mn because they did not meet the Community Shield at Wem- of high-profi le signings in the won the league twice in a row... lands club’s valuation. pounds Liverpool paid South- club’s valuation but they would bley. Klopp admits his side have close-season. We have to prove again that we British media reported on Fri- ampton for Dutch international not stand in the defender’s way been under intense scrutiny With only Daniel Sturridge can be on that level — 97 points day that United had reached an Virgil van Dijk last year. “I think once a fee was agreed. since their Champions League and Alberto Moreno missing was not a coincidence,” he said. agreement with fellow Premier it’s an incredible piece of busi- “Football now, that’s how it fi nal success against Totten- from the squad that won the “But the champions didn’t League team Leicester to sign ness,” Rodgers added after works, individuals will have their ham in June, but the Reds boss Champions League and fi n- lose a player, apart from (Vin- the 26-year-old England inter- Leicester’s 2-1 win over Atalanta own goals and targets and what- is confi dent his stars will not ished runners-by just a point cent) Kompany. They are national, with a transfer fee of in a pre-season friendly at the ever it is they want to achieve and allow any distractions to stop up to City, Klopp is adamant pretty consistent, a good age 80mn pounds agreed. Maguire is King Power Stadium on Friday. that’s something that they will them from being focused on the extending contracts of key group, experienced, they are expected to agree personal terms “This is a guy (Maguire) that always have,” former Liverpool coming season. men Mohamed Salah, Sadio clear favourites. How could and complete a medical at the knows there has been interest manager Rodgers added. “We “If you win something, eve- Mane, Roberto Firmino, Trent we be favourites? If somebody Old Traff ord club over the week- all through the summer and he’s will see how it develops over the rybody feels the need to tell you Alexander-Arnold and Andrew said we were favourites for the end. “The clubs have agreed (a been super professional. He’s weekend and if Harry ends up — fi rst of all congratulations, Robertson was as vital as land- Champions League, I probably fee) and there’s still some work been with his team mates right going then we will have to look at then where they watched it, ing any new recruits. couldn’t deny it. We have been for it to go through. There’s still the way through and been a re- our options.” how they watched it, how they “These are the transfers we in the fi nal twice in a row and a bit to go in terms of Harry’s ally, really good guy. He’s a spe- The Premier League transfer felt, how their family felt, how did, keeping the boys together, obviously know the way to the medical and whatever personal cial player, he’s not a player that window shuts on Thursday and their friends felt, how the dog staying on our toes, staying fi nal. Does that mean we’ll be in things to sort out, but it is what it we would want to lose. But obvi- Leicester, who fi nished ninth felt,” Klopp said. aggressive, greedy,” he said. it again? Probably not... It’s not is,” Rodgers told Sky Sports. ously any player will have a valu- last season, begin the new cam- “It’s all nice, but it keeps you After a diffi cult pre-season PlayStation where you can go to The deal would make Maguire ation and if ever that is met then paign at home to Wolverhampton in that moment. I want to be where several of his players the next skill or whatever.” the most expensive defender in of course there’s a discussion Wanderers on Aug 11. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, August 4, 2019 SPORT

GOLF WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN Japan’s Shibuno takes lead Reuters South Korea’s Milton Keynes, England apan’s Hinako Shibuno will take a two-shot lead heading into the fi nal round of the Women’s BritishJ Open in Milton Keynes after carding a fi ve-under 67 to move to 14 under yesterday. An holds onto The 20-year-old, competing in her fi rst-ever LPGA major, birdied seven holes to leapfrog overnight leader Ashleigh Buhai, who bogeyed three of the back- nine holes to fi nish the third round with a par score and drop to second place. South Korea’s halfway lead Park Sung-hyun is in third place, three strokes behind Shibuno, with compatriot and last week’s South Korean is one stroke in front of American Brice Garnett, Evian Championship major win- ner Ko Jin-young in a three-way who carded a six-under 64 for a second round total of 128 tie for fourth with Americans Morgan Pressel and . AFP Local favourite Charley Hull, Miami playing on her home course, and Bronte Law are tied for sev- enth with Spain’s Carlota Cig- outh Korea’s An Byeong-hun, chas- anda, fi ve shots behind. Shibuno, ing a fi rst US PGA Tour title, fi red a nicknamed ‘Smiling Cinderella’, Japan’s Hinako Shibuno plays a shot during the third round of the fi ve-under-par 65 on Friday to take is looking to become only the Women’s British Open in Milton Keynes, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) a one-shot lead into the weekend second Japanese golfer to win atS the Wyndham Championship. An, who a women’s major after Chako 71 66, Ko Jin-young (KOR) 68 70 68 70 72 shared the overnight lead with compatriot Higuchi won the KPMG Wom- 68, Lizette Salas (USA) 69 67 70 211 — Kristen Gillman (USA) 71 74 Im Sung-jae in the fi nal regular-season en’s PGA Championship in 1977. 207 — Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 69 66, Brittany Altomare (USA) 73 event prior to the US tour’s playoff s, had vefi 69 69, Charley Hull (GBR) 67 70 71 67, Kim Sei-young (KOR) 70 73 birdies without a bogey at Sedgefi eld Coun- LEADING THIRD 70, Bronte Law (GBR) 70 67 70 68, Atthaya Thitikul (THA x) 73 try Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, for ROUND SCORES 208 — Yan Jing (CHN) 71 70 67, 68 70, Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) a 13-under-par total of 127. (par 72, x denotes amateur) Lee Jeongeun (KOR) 68 71 69 67 74 70, Lee Jeongeun (KOR) He was one stroke in front of American 70 71 70, Minjee Lee (AUS) 71 68 202 — Hinako Shibonu (JPN) 66 Brice Garnett, who carded a six-under 64 209 — Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 71 72, Marina Alex (USA) 69 70 72, 69 67 for 128, with half a dozen players sharing 70 68, Caroline Masson (GER) Nelly Korda (USA) 70 69 72 third on 129. “I had to grind it out to make it 204 — Asheigh Buhai (RSA) 65 69 68 72, Celine Boutier (FRA) 212 — Hannah Green (AUS) 73 bogey-free today,” said An, who teed off on 67 72 71 66 72 10 and birdied 14 and 15. 71 68, (TAI) 73 70 69, 210 — Sakura Yakomine (JPN) 70 He launched a run of three straight bird- 205 — Park Sung-hyun (KOR) 67 Jenny Shin (KOR) 69 73 70, Kim 73 67, Pavarisa Yoktuan (THA) 73 ies with a near-ace at the par-three third, 70 68 Hyo-joo (KOR) 71 70 71, Georgia 67 70, (THA) where he stuck his tee shot a foot from the 206 — Morgan Pressel (USA) 69 Hall (GBR) 69 69 74 pin. He rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt at the fourth and two-putted for birdie from 32 feet at the fi fth to reach 13-under and sal- DEMISE vaged par from the right rough at the ninth Fury to fi ght to stay there. “It was slightly worse than yesterday,” Wallin in said the 27-year-old from Seoul, who has All Blacks legend twice lost in playoff s on the PGA Tour — at September the 2016 Zurich Classic and at Memorial last year. “I didn’t have as many birdie chances Lochore dies at 78 Los Angeles: Unbeaten Brit- as yesterday, but I made some long putts and ish heavyweight Tyson Fury made all the birdies at the par-fi ves, I think AFP has agreed to fight Sweden’s that was the key today.” Wellington Otto Wallin in Las Vegas on Garnett had six birdies without a bogey September 14, ESPN reported. to climb the leaderboard, draining a 36-foot ESPN is slated to stream the putt at the 18th — his ninth hole of the day. lacks great Brian Lo- fight, which will take place “The putter’s been working nice for about chore, who achieved at an MGM property still to the last eight weeks or so,” he said.”I don’t fame both as a player be named. Fury outclassed think the ball-striking’s been quite up to and coach, died yester- ’s Tom Schwarz in par, but sometimes if you wiggle the putts in dayB after a battle with cancer. a second-round technical it doesn’t really matter.” He was 78. Lochore, a lock or No knockout on June 15 to take Im followed up a fi rst-round 62 with a 67 8, was an iconic fi gure in New his record to 28-0 with one to join the group on 129. That also included Zealand , repre- draw and 20 knockouts. Canadian Adam Svensson, who had nine senting the All Blacks 68 times, over-stating the facts to say He’s on course for a rematch birdies in a nine-under-par 61. “It was pret- including 25 Tests, 18 of them as that Sir Brian Lochore was the with World Boxing Council ty exciting,” said Svensson, who had seven captain between 1963-71. saviour of heavyweight world champion birdies on the front nine and two coming His captaincy coincided on several occasions and many Deontay Wilder in 2020. in. “Coming down the stretch I was a little with a golden age for the All of us have lost a great mate.” Wilder, who owns a record nervous,” he admitted. “I was actually look- An Byeong-hun putts on the 18th green during the second round of the Wyndham Blacks when they didn’t lose a All Blacks head coach Steve of 41-0 with one draw and ing at the scorecard again, I was like, is this a Championship golf tournament in Miami. (USA TODAY Sports) Test match between the fourth Hansen added: “It’s with great 40 knockouts, emerged par-70? I have a chance to shoot 59 — it kind Test against South Africa in sadness that we have heard with a draw against Fury on of started to get in my head a little bit.” gressive trying to get out front,” he said of Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 63-66 1965 and the fi rst Test in South that one of New Zealand’s tall- December 1 in Los Angeles Even so, Svensson managed to avoid any following up his low round there.”Tomorrow 130 — Ryan Armour 64-66, Paul Casey Africa in 1970. est kauri (fi r tree) has fallen. Sir in a bout in which Fury was big mistakes to join Im, Patton Kizzire, Josh I’m just going to play my normal game.” (ENG) 65-65, J.T. Poston 65-65 Between 1985-87 Lochore Brian Lochore is one of of the leading on the scorecards be- Teater, Webb Simpson and fellow Canadian was the All Blacks coach, his most respected men in New fore being knocked down in 131 — Charles Howell 66-65, Jordan Spieth Mackenzie Hughes on 129. Svensson, 25, LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES crowning achievement win- Zealand, not only in rugby but the 12th round. Wilder is also likely needs at least a top-three fi nish if he’s 64-67, Bud Cauley 65-66, Kim Si-woo (KOR) ning the inaugural Rugby all facets of New Zealand life, (par 70; USA unless stated) scheduled to fight before the to break into the top 125 points and maintain 66-65, Rory Sabbatini (SVK) 63-68, Fabian World Cup in 1987. as well as being hugely re- end of this year, with plans his tour card. 127 — An Byeong-hun (KOR) 62-65 Gomez (ARG) 67-64, Sepp Straka 65-66 “We have lost a genuine leg- spected and held in high regard to take on Luis Ortiz before a Although he has struggled plenty in his 128 — Brice Garnett 64-64 132 — Shawn Stefani 66-66, Brian Stuard end of our country, an unwa- around the world.” rematch with Fury next year. rookie season, he’s hoping he can draw on vering fi gure on the fi eld, and Lochore is survived by his Wallin, 28, brings a record of 129 — Im Sung-jae (KOR) 62-67, Patton 66-66, Matthew Wolff 65-67, Johnson his experience at the Sony Open in January, Wagner 63-69, Brian Harman 67-65, Harold a highly respected fi gure off it,” wife Pam and three children, 20-0 with 12 knockouts to the when he opened with a 61 before fading to Kizzire 65-64, Adam Svensson (CAN) 68-61, said New Zealand rugby chief David, Joanne and Sandra, and fight with Fury. Josh Teater 64-65, Webb Simpson 64-65, Varner 66-66, Brandon Harkins 68-64, fi nish tied for 43rd. “I just played too ag- Viktor Hovland (NOR) 66-66 executive Steve Tew. “It is not their eight grandchildren.

RUGBY Japan rout Tonga 41-7 in confi dence boost before World Cup

AFP for the home side at Hanazono Rugby , and Nakarawa responded Tokyo Stadium. with tries for in the fi rst half before The win came despite head coach Canada scored against the run of play leaving the team to return when Kainoa Lloyd crossed the line apan thrashed Tonga yesterday to New Zealand earlier in the day af- from an intercept. In the opening min- 41-7 before a sold-out crowd, a ter the death of his mother. “The team utes of the second half prop Peni Ravai confi dence boosting second win have promised to play for him,” nation- and right wing barrelled in a row for the Brave Blossoms al team performance committee vice their way over the line to cement Fiji’s asJ they build up to the World Cup on chairman Yuichiro Fujii told reporters. lead, before Mesulame Dolokoto added home soil. The 11th-ranked Brave Blos- Earlier yesterday, Fiji scored a 38-13 a further try in the closing stages. soms bagged fi ve tries to 14th-ranked win over Canada in Suva in a morale- Meanwhile, a late penalty by AJ Tonga’s one in their second match of boosting performance for the defend- MacGinty kept the USA Eagles un- the Pacifi c Nations Cup, with less than ing champions after last week’s loss to beaten when they overcame Samoa 50 days before Japan hosts the fi rst Japan. It was a vastly diff erent Fiji side 13-10. But while the Eagles controlled World Cup to be held in Asia. that faced Canada, with only three for- much of the game they were rarely able Captain , back after wards retaining their places and Racing to convert their dominance into points injury, said the team would scrutinise 92 lock captain for the — leading coach Gary Gold to say they their performance but that they were fi rst time. While Canada enjoyed the have “a long way to go” before the on the right track after last week’s win best of possession and territory it was World Cup. Samoa coach Steve Jack- against Fiji. “There was so much pres- the solid Fijian pack that controlled the son was also disappointed, saying the sure from them, it shows our perform- breakdown, but coach John McKee said Pacifi c islanders “can’t aff ord to make ance is improving from last week,” he the line-up needed more work. “On that many mistakes in a game.” said. “We’re doing well on the way to the scoreboard, a good score-line, but MacGinty, one of the few survivors the World Cup.” we’re a little bit disappointed today that in a vastly rearranged USA side follow- Japan took an early lead with Amana- we couldn’t really build our continu- ing their 47-19 disposal of Canada, had ki Lelei Mafi diving over the line for ity to really put Canada under pressure, them on the board with a handy penalty their fi rst try, and both Asaeli Ai Valu we took our opportunities, but we also in the third minute. Samoa struck back and made their mark turned over quite a lot of ball,” he said. almost immediately when AJ Alatimu in the fi rst half. A penalty kick by Ton- Canada coach Kingsley Jones saw an set Alapati Leiua up for a simple try ga’s Sonatane Takulua missed the goal improvement in his side from their loss against a non-existent defence. in the fi nal minutes of the fi rst half, against USA, but added more work was The Americans responded with leaving the score a lopsided 21-0. needed. “We put Fiji under pressure, MacGinty’s try and there were no fur- The fi rst points for Tonga came in we got fi eld position, but unfortunately ther points for more than 50 minutes the second half, with a try by Leva Fif- we didn’t take advantage of our oppor- when a Henry Taefu penalty brought ita. But Japan’s and tunities.” After an early Shane O’Leary Samoa level at 10-10, only for MacGinty Ananaki Lelei Mafi of Japan (right) attempts to run past Tonga’s players during the Pacific Nations Cup match in cemented the victory penalty for Canada, , to strike back to claim the win. Higashiosaka, Osaka, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, August 4, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA I can still play, says free agent Anthony AFP “I felt like the game didn’t want me Citing league sources, the sports Los Angeles back at that point in time,” he added. network’s website reported the an- Anthony added that the news of his nual holiday slate with the battle of release by Rockets general manager Staples Center tenants the biggest armelo Anthony insisted Daryl Morey had also come as a sur- matchup. Friday he is determined to prise. “He came in and basically said, Four-time NBA Most Valuable resurrect his NBA career after ‘Look, your services are no longer Player James and new teammate the disappointment of being needed,’” Anthony said. Anthony Davis will lead the Lakers releasedC by the Houston Rockets. “I was like, ‘What? Hold up. What against reigning NBA Finals MVP In an interview with ES- the hell are you talking about?’... You Kawhi Leonard and Paul George of PN’s First Take show on Friday, telling me I can’t make a nine, ten- the Clippers as the NBA’s premier the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer man rotation on this team?’ That was pairs display their skills. said he hopes to land a place on a ros- an ego hit. That was a pride hit.” For James, it would be a 14th ter for the upcoming season after a Anthony joined the Rockets last Christmas appearance, two shy of period of “re-evaluating” his com- year after spending the 2017-2018 Kobe Bryant’s all-time record. James mitment to the sport. season with the Oklahoma City has scored 338 points on the holiday, “Silence is not my surrender,” An- Thunder. trailing only Bryant’s 395 and Oscar thony said, adamant that he can still Prior to that, he spent six years with Robertson’s 377. contribute at the highest level. “I the New York Knicks after playing for Other Christmas matchups, ac- know I can still play.” the Denver Nuggets from 2003-2011. cording to the report, fi nd the New Anthony, a 10-time All-Star, was Anthony, the all-time leading Orleans Pelicans at Denver, Boston let go by the Rockets in January in a scorer of the US national basketball at reigning NBA champion , trade to the Chicago Bulls. He was team and a member of three Olym- Houston at Golden State and Mil- then waived by the Bulls on Febru- pic gold medal-winning line-ups, waukee at Philadelphia. It would be ary 1. has averaged 24.0 points and 6.5 re- the fi rst Christmas appearance for Anthony said being let go by Hou- bounds over his career. Toronto since 2001. ston, where had been recruited to NBA scoring champion James provide support for James Harden NBA CHRISTMAS SLATE TO Harden and new teammate Russell and Chris Paul, had left him “emo- FEATURE LAKERS-CLIPPERS Westbrook would lead Houston into tionally vulnerable” and teetering A showdown between the Los Ange- a visit to the Stephen Curry-powered close to depression. les Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, Warriors in their new arena. “I honestly felt that I was fi red,” likely to feature LeBron James against Reigning NBA MVP Giannis An- Anthony said. “I felt like (what) other Kawhi Leonard, will be this year’s tetokounmpo would lead Milwaukee people go through on a day-to-day feature NBA Christmas game, ESPN against a Sixers’ squad led by Joel basis. People get fi red.” reported Friday. Embiid and Ben Simmons.

MLB NFL Jones: Cowboys not rushing to sign Marte, Pirates snap holdout Elliott

Reuters FALCONS PREPARING BIG New York OFFER TO WR JONES The Atlanta Falcons are pre- pared to pull out the cheque- allas Cowboys owner book and make a big off er to Mets’ seven-game Jerry Jones doesn’t wide receiver Julio Jones. And appear to be in a rush while general manager Tho- to get holdout run- mas Dimitroff wouldn’t dis- Liriano relieved Williams in the seventh, ningD back Ezekiel Elliott into close the fi gure he has in mind, camp. he sounded confi dent the two making his 400th career appearance, and And while he has voiced a sides could make a deal. desire to keep his Pro Bowl trio “We know what Julio is in picked up his 1,800th career strikeout of quarterback Dak Prescott, this league,” Dimitroff told win streak receiver Amari Cooper and El- NFL Media on Thursday night Reuters liott intact, Jones doesn’t feel before the Hall of Fame Game. Pittsburgh as if he’s on a deadline to get “We have a very good idea of the running back signed. approximately where he’s go- Elliott is training on his own ing to be, which I won’t share tarling Marte hit a three-run in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, specifi cally. The good thing is homer, and Melky Cabrera had and Jones said he’s “not con- we’ve never been held by our a two-run double Friday as the cerned about him missing owner to be limiting some- host Pittsburgh Pirates slowed reps.” one and we’re very good with theS streaking New York Mets with an 8-4 And, he added, he’s not our football players here. We victory. worried that the Cowboys feel very proud of how we ap- Josh Bell, Jose Osuna and Elias Diaz won’t be able to complete a proach it. each added an RBI single for Pittsburgh, deal with Elliott, who is seek- “And again, where we ap- which rode a fi ve-run fourth. The Pirates ing a lucrative contract exten- proach it with Julio, we look had lost 10 of their previous 11. sion. “When have I ever not at everything, of course. We Pete Alonso and J.D. Davis each had an done one?,” Jones asked rhe- believe that he should be the... RBI double for New York, which had its torically, pointing to a history highest-paid receiver in the seven-game winning streak halted. of training camp deals. league. And I know he believes Pittsburgh starter Trevor Williams (4- And is there a certain point that. It’s just how we’re go- 4) went six innings, giving up three runs where Jones said the Cowboys ing to approach this and how and six hits, with two strikeouts and three must complete the deal? we’re going to get it done. I walks. “I don’t see a point. I don’t believe it’s right around the New York starter Steven Matz (6-7) see a point months into the corner, but I don’t want know lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing fi ve runs and season.” Elliott, who was the when it is.” six hits, with four strikeouts and one walk fourth overall selection by Jones, 30, is in training – vastly diff erent from Saturday, when he the Cowboys in the 2016 NFL camp, declining to hold out. threw his fi rst complete game, a shutout Draft, will make $3.85 million He is in the fourth year of a against the Pirates. in the upcoming season, with fi ve-year contract extension The Mets took a 2-0 lead in the fi rst. Jeff an option in 2020 for $9.10 signed in 2015 that pays him McNeil led off with a double, moved to million. an average of $14.25 million a second on Michael Conforto’s groundout The Ohio State product season. He can expect a sig- and scored on Alonso’s double. Alonso rushed for an NFL-leading nifi cant increase. New Orleans moved to third on Robinson Cano’s single 1,434 yards in 2018, and his wide receiver Michael Thomas and scored on Wilson Ramos’ groundout. 95.6 yards per game also led and the Saints agreed to a re- In the third, New York upped its lead to the league. He had six rushing ported fi ve-year, $100 million 3-0 on Davis’ RBI double. touchdowns and three receiv- contract earlier this week. Pittsburgh opened the fourth with ing. Elliott, 24, has started all “We want Julio here for the Bryan Reynolds’ walk. Marte singled him 40 games he has played in over rest of his career, whatever to second, and Bell drove him home with the past three seasons. He has that is,” Dimitroff said. a base hit to make it 3-1. Osuna also sin- rushed for 4,048 yards on 868 The Falcons drafted Jones, gled, making it 3-2, and Cabrera drove in carries with 28 touchdowns. an Alabama product, with the two with a double high off the wall in left- He also has 135 receptions for No. 6 overall pick of the 2011 center for a 4-3 lead. An out later, Diaz 1,199 yards and six more TDs. draft. He’s a two-time All-Pro drove in Cabrera with a single. He is expected to be seeking and has 698 catches for 10,731 Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano a deal similar to that given to yards and 51 touchdowns in relieved Williams in the seventh, making Todd Gurley of the Los Ange- his career. In 2018, he led the his 400th career appearance, and picked les Rams, who is under con- league with 1,677 receiving up his 1,800th career strikeout dur- Pittsburgh Pirates’ Starling Marte hits a three run home run against the New York Mets during the seventh inning of their MLB game tract for four years and $57.5 yards and an average of 104.8 ing his two-thirds of an inning. He was at PNC Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports million. yards per game. also charged with New York’s fourth run, which was unearned. homer in his 39th game. Later that frame, his seventh on the year. The ample run In that seventh, Conforto hit a two- Jake Marisnick clubbed the fi rst of the As- RESULTS support helped Astros left-hander Wade out single. Richard Rodriguez replaced tros’ three two-run homers, extending the Miley (10-4), who did not allow a hit until Liriano and gave up a single to Alonso. lead to 3-0. Houston homered twice more Astros 10-2 Mariners the fi fth inning yet issued a season-high Conforto scored on shortstop Kevin New- against Mariners rookie left-hander Yusei White Sox 4-3 Phillies fi ve walks. Miley surrendered just three man’s fi elding error on Cano’s soft popup Kikuchi (4-8), who is winless over his last Pirates 8-4 Mets hits, including a two-run homer to Seat- to make it 5-4. In the bottom of the sev- six starts. The Astros followed the same tle fi rst baseman Daniel Vogelbach in the enth, Marte lined his 19th homer to left, a pattern in the fourth inning, with recently Rangers 5-4 Tigers sixth, and improved to 4-0 in his last three-run shot following singles by New- acquired catcher Martin Maldonado slug- Yankees 4-2 Red Sox eight starts. man and Reynolds, for an 8-4 lead. ging a solo home run the opposite way to Twins 11-9 Royals The Mariners fell to 1-10 against Hou- Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle right three batters before Jose Altuve lined ston this season. The Astros have won 12 served the fi rst of a two-game suspen- a two-run shot to left. Padres 5-2 Dodgers of 15 games. sion for his involvement in a fi ght with the For Maldonado, it marked his seventh Blue Jays 5-2 Orioles Jose Abreu singled home Leury Garcia Cincinnati Reds earlier this week. homer on the season and fi rst with the Indians 7-3 Angels for the winning run in the top of the 15th Astros. Altuve added his 17th home run. inning to lift visiting Chicago past Phila- Cubs 6-2 Brewers ASTROS POWER PAST MARINERS George Springer tripled to right-center delphia. Abreu’s hit came against out- WITH SIX HOME RUNS fi eld with two outs prior to Altuve’s hom- Nationals 3-0 D’backs fi elder Roman Quinn, who entered the Rookie Yordan Alvarez slugged the fi rst er, the fi rst of his four hits on the night. Reds 5-2 Braves game to open the 14th. J.T. Realmuto’s of Houston’s season-high six home runs Kikuchi surrendered at least six earned Rockies 5-4 Giants attempted tag of Garcia at the plate was as the Astros bashed their way to a 10-2 runs for the fi fth time, and the four hom- reviewed, but the call of safe was upheld. victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners ers allowed were a season high. The Astros two hits and one walk in his major league Abreu also homered, while Eloy Jimen- on Friday. The Astros posted three runs in had nine hits and struck out once over debut. Houston reversed its earlier trend, ez, Tim Anderson and Garcia had two hits the second, fourth and fi fth innings, all via four innings against Kikuchi. with Diaz poking a solo homer to left im- apiece for the White Sox. Matt Skole, in the home run. Alvarez recorded a leadoff Houston continued its onslaught mediately after Carlos Correa drilled a his season debut and fi fth career game, blast to straightaway center fi eld in the against right-hander Reggie McClain in two-run shot to right. Correa bumped tied it with an RBI single against Jose Al- second to ignite the surge, posting his 13th the fi fth, tagging him for three runs on his homer total to 14 while Diaz notched varez with two outs in the ninth. Running back Ezekiel Elliott Gulf Times 6 Sunday, August 4, 2019 SPORT

CYCLING SPOTLIGHT Evenepoel powers to San Sebastian Froome undeterred Classic victory

AFP Alaphilippe, who held the San Sebastian, Spain yellow jersey at the Tour de France for 14 stages before being overhauled by even- emco Evenepoel won tual winner Egan Bernal, was by injuries, eyes the San Sebastian forced to abandon the Basque Classic yesterday Country race 90 kilometres in a thrilling race that into his ride. alsoR saw Julian Alaphilippe The 27-year-old French- compound his Tour de France man reportedly pulled up with disappointment by dropping muscle fatigue built up since out less than halfway through. the end of the Tour, which fi n- The fresh-faced Belgian be- ished last weekend. fi ft h Tour crown comes the youngest ever win- Alaphilippe was hotly ner of a World Tour race at 19 tipped to retain his title in San ‘It’s safe to say I’m ahead of all the predictions made initially of how long it would take’ years and 190 days of age, and Sebastian, and the race also added to his Tour of Belgium looked set to feature a renewed AFP win in June and last week’s battle between him and Ineos’ London victory in Aalst after stretch- Tour champion Bernal. ing away from the peloton However, with the pair no- with 20 kilometres to go and where in the race, it was Toms ritish cycling great Chris never looking back. Skujins and Evenepoel who Froome is determined Deceuninck-Quick Step made the burst away from the to bid for a record- rider Evenepoel is in his fi rst peloton as the race edged to- equalling fi fth Tour de year as a professional rider wards its climax, with Skujins FranceB crown next year after the but has already been com- darting forwards with 20 km horrifi c injuries he suff ered in a pared to countryman and left before being chased down crash ruled him out of this year’s Cycling legend , by Evenepoel. edition. and he looked in prime form Evenepoel then broke away The 34-year-old Kenya-born as he crossed the line 38 sec- from Skujins as the fi nal climb rider – whose Ineos teammate onds ahead of the chasing reached its summit, and he Egon Bernal won the world’s pack. then held off the rest as he greatest cycling race last month Evenepoel’s teammate powered to a historic win. – says he is ahead of schedule in recovering from the accident in France on June 12 in which he FOCUS broke his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs. Froome, who is undergoing three to four hours of physio and two hours of ex- Canada poised to ercises a day, told Team Ineos in his fi rst interview since the acci- dent – which occurred when he turn Pan Am gold took one hand off the handlebars to blow his nose – strange as it sounded his injuries could have into Olympic tickets been far worse. “It’s safe to say I’m ahead of all Reuters team mate the predictions made initially of Lima 21-11 21-19. how long it would take,” he said. Honderich, however, would “The news from the surgeon still have her golden moment when he said I could make a full anada enjoyed the when she teamed up with recovery and there’s nothing kind of gold medal to win the wom- stopping me – that’s all I wanted afternoon at the Pan en’s doubles. There was also to hear at that point. Am Games on Friday gold for Jason Ho-Shue and “From then, everything was so Cthat the nation might normal- in men’s doubles positive. I was incredibly lucky ly expect to see from athletes and the mixed doubles pair- not to be more seriously injured.” wielding hockey sticks and ing of Joshua Hurlburt-Yu and Froome, who has seven Grand slapping pucks, not rackets . Tour victories to his name (two and shuttlecocks. It was the kind of haul that Vuelta and one Giro being the With four golds lifted Canada from middle re- others), said all he was target- and three silvers won, the Ca- gions of the medal table all ting was being alongside his nadian national anthem was the way up into second place teammates at next year’s Tour de played so frequently over a behind runaway leaders the France. “For me the underlying stretch of a couple of hours at United States. goal is to get to the start line in the Polideportivo 3 arena that “We’re excited about what’s 2020 and be at a similar or bet- even the Peruvians were hum- happening here and we have ter position than I was this year,” ming along by the end. bigger goals as well with the he said. Canada knew it was going Olympics and getting athletes “That’s what is driving me at to be a good day on the bad- qualifi ed for that and see how the moment.” minton courts even before well we can do there next year,” Froome, who will have strong play began with seven athletes Canada head coach Mike But- competition from within the contesting fi ve fi nals, includ- ler told Reuters. team as to who is team leader ing all-Canadian matchups “We’ve made some re- next year with both Bernal and Chris Froome attends the launching of Team Ineos with the team’s general manager Dave Brailsford in Linton, Britain, on May 1, 2019. (Reuters) in the women’s singles and ally good inroads, we have had 2018 winner Geraint Thomas mixed doubles fi nals. some really good team results likely to be lining up, said his ini- “I can remember speaking to du Dauphine a key prep race for eration and felt how hopeless I credible the number of messages Only 18-year-old Brian which shows the depth of our tial thought after coming off his them and my fi rst question was the Tour).” was lying in that bed,” he said. I’ve received in hospital, at home Yang failed to grab gold, fall- programme. It shows we are bike was would he be fi t for this ‘can I get back on my bike’ and “Just 24 hours previously I had and throughout the Tour de ing 21-19 21-10 to Brazil’s Ygor headed in the right direction.” year’s Tour de France. ‘am I going to be alright for the ‘REALLY HEARTWARMING’ hoped to win the Dauphine and it France,” he said. Coelho in the men’s singles, While a day like Friday pro- “I can remember lying on the Tour de France?’. Froome, who admitted he could was polar opposites. It was quite “It’s been amazing and just but every other fi nal ended duced a lot of big smiles, high ground and the fi rst responders “They very quickly put that “barely breathe after undergoing hard coming to terms with that.” really heartwarming and moti- with a Canadian winner. fi ves and momentum, it is a coming over to me,” said Froome. out of my mind. They made it surgery”, said he found it tough Froome says the wave of sym- vational for me to see how much , the top ranked scene highly unlikely be repeat- “My coach Tim Kerrison, very clear that I wasn’t moving to come to terms with his emo- pathy for him has also been a I’ve been missed in the race this Canadian in any event at ed next year at the Olympics, Garry Blem, my mechanic, and anywhere and I should lie still tions the day after the accident. factor in his desire to return to year. “It’s motivation for me to number 12, took the women’s where Asian shuttlers domi- , my director, and that I wouldn’t be carrying “It was scary when I came the fray and bid for the yellow want to get back there in the fu- singles crown for the third nate. Canada is the big fi sh in a were all in the car behind me. on the rest of the race (Criterium round the morning after the op- jersey once more. “It’s been in- ture.” straight Games by stopping small Pan American pond.

BOTTOMLINE Ahead by a century, US storms to 100 Pan Am medals Reuters men’s single fi nal. It was an his- the shooting range and Lucas Lima toric fi rst for the 22-year-old kid Kozeniesky added to the US haul from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro with a victory in the men’s 10 as Coelho became the fi rst Bra- metre air rifl e. he United States needed zilian to win gold in the men’s With one day remaining in the only one week to hit the singles competition. shooting events, the US has won medal century mark at Canada’s Michelle Li took 17 medals including eight golds. the Pan Am Games on the women’s singles crown for The only other country to reach TFriday while Canada shot up the third straight Games, while the top of the podium has been the table into second place after Rachel Honderich and Kristen Cuba. sweeping all the titles but one on Tsai teamed up to win the wom- The US began another gold off er in badminton. en’s doubles. medal run early in the day with It was also another big evening As dominant as Canada was Connor Baxter winning the in the boxing ring for Cuba, who on the badminton court, Cuba men’s stand-up paddle, one of picked up four more golds after matched that and more in the newest events on the Pan Am winning four from fi ve fi nals on boxing ring. Games roster, while the women’s Thursday. Of the 14 gold medals Cuba event went to Brazil’s Lena Gui- Despite those big days, no na- has accumulated, more than half maraes. tion was able to keep pace with of them have come from their While surfi ng will make its Ol- the United States, who smashed boxers. ympic debut next year at the To- through the century mark and Olympic heavyweight bronze kyo Summer Games, stand-up reached 101 total medals. medallist Erislandy Savon, paddle (SUP) is yet to get on the Not yet halfway through the reigning Olympic middleweight programme. Games schedule, the US have champion Arlen Lopez and light Baxter believes the evidence fl exed their muscles to snatch welterweight Andy Cruz all suc- was there on Friday that it 41 golds and leave the rest of the cessfully defended their crowns should one day be in the biggest pack in their dust with Canada a from four years ago at the To- sports event of them all. distant second on 16 golds and ronto Pan Am Games. “The dream is now to see SUP 63 total medals. Bantamweight Osvel Cabal- as an Olympic event,” said Bax- Canada enjoyed their biggest lero Garcia also took top spot on ter. “We have showcased the single gold medal haul of the the podium. sport here so well. Games so far with their badmin- Kim Rhode, a three-time Ol- “We’ve proved that we can ton team claiming four golds and ympic champion, claimed gold go out in any kind of conditions three silvers from fi ve fi nals. for the fi fth time from six Pan and catch the waves just like the Brazil’s Ygor Coelho prevented Am Games in the women’s skeet surfers. To see us in the Olym- the sweep by beating 18-year- shooting. pics in 2024 in Paris, if it was Mexico’s Edson Ramirez (left), US Lucas Kozeniesky (centre) and Argentina’s Marcelo Gutierrez pose on the podium with their silver, gold and old Canadian Brian Yang in the The US has dominated on possible would be fantastic.” bronze medals respectively after competing in the men’s 10m Air Rifle Final shooting competition at the Lima 2019 Pan-Am Games. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, August 4, 2019 7 SPORT

FORMULA 1 TRAINING QCA to start camp for women cricketers Verstappen takes place at the Asian Town Cricket By Sports Reporter Doha Stadium in Industrial Area un- der the fl oodlight due to heat and humidity during the day. he Qatar Cricket Asso- The coaching will be imparted ciation (QCA) will soon in two groups – below 14 years hold a training camp to and above 14 years. Interested prepare women cricket- players or their parents may send his fi rst pole in Ters for future competitions. the consent to join the sport Under the presidency of development programme at e- Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari, the mail address: manzoorahmad2@ Bottas, 41 points behind teammate QCA has been showing keenness gmail.com and e-mail: smishra@ for some time to improve the olympic.qa Hamilton after 11 of 21 races, qualified level of women cricket players in This is a great opportunity for the country. players who have played cricket alongside the Dutchman on the front row After the Eid al-Adha in the sec- in their respective countries for Hungary ond week of August, the QCA will any club, district or state teams, launch the training programme and will be given priority in the Reuters under coaches of the association, senior training group, Ahmad Budapest, Hungary according to QCA Operations said. He added that even those manager Manzoor Ahmad. with passion for cricket and work The training sessions will take hard on the fi eld are welcome. ed Bull’s Max Verstap- pen celebrated a long- overdue fi rst Formula MOTOGP One pole position at the HungarianR Grand Prix yesterday, with championship leader Lewis Hamilton qualifying third for Mercedes. Marquez takes Instead of Hamilton taking a record-equalling seventh pole in Hungary, and 88th of his career, the Dutch 21-year-old wrote his risks to secure name in the record books as the sport’s 100th driver to secure a pole. “This feels good, this feels re- ally good,” he shouted over the pole in Brno team radio after a roar had gone up from his massed supporters. Finland’s Valtteri Bottas, 41 points behind Hamilton after 11 of 21 races, qualifi ed alongside Verstappen on the front row of the grid. After stepping out of the car, Verstappen said: “It’s incredible. This one was still missing. The car felt good all weekend and you know it’s always going to be hard in qualifying but we managed to do it. For me, today was an im- portant one, a very nice one and a great one for the team.” The youngster has already savoured seven career victories, including two in the last three races, and the pole came at his Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after getting pole position during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix yesterday at Hungaroring 93rd attempt. near Budapest, Hungary, yesterday. (Reuters) Already the only Dutch driver ever to win a championship grand a long way down to Turn One again and I have to thank the Pierre Gasly sixth and McLaren’s 1:15.043 prix, he became the fi rst to take a so it should be interesting. It’s team for what they did,” said the Lando Norris the best of the rest 5. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) pole — which was also a fi rst for not the easiest place to overtake 21-year-old Monegasque, who in seventh. 1:15.071 a Honda-powered car since Aus- here but I hope we can give them crashed out of last weekend’s 6. Pierre Gasly (Red Bull) 1:15.450 tralia 2006 with Britain’s now- a run for their money.” German Grand Prix while chal- QUALIFYING RESULTS (top 10) 7. Lando Norris (McLaren) retired Jenson Button. Charles Leclerc was the quicker lenging for the lead. 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:15.800 “It’s an incredible feeling to of the two Ferrari drivers in fourth “It was a completely unnec- 1:14.572 8. Carlos Sainz Jr (McLaren) get your fi rst pole so I’m really place, despite smashing back- essary mistake at that moment 2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 1:15.852 happy for him,” said Hamilton, wards into the tyre wall during the in quali, and that’s two mistakes 1:14.590 9. Romain Grosjean (Haas) who won in Hungary last year fi rst phase and damaging his car’s in two Grand Prix races.” 3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:16.013 from pole. rear wing, forcing a quick change. Teammate Sebastian Vettel 1:14.769 10. Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) “I’m always up for a fi ght. It’s “I’ve been very lucky to go will line up fi fth, with Red Bull’s 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:16.041

TENNIS

Murray moves nearer return while Repsol Honda’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates his pole position for the Czech MotoGP in Brno yesterday. (AFP)

AFP fi rst top 10 start of the season. Brno, Czech Republic “It’s an ultra diffi cult period Tsitsipas moves into top fi ve and this type of result lifts my spirits,” he said. AFP pain’s Honda rider Marc “I don’t know if it means if I Washington, United States Sakkari reaches Marquez, fi ve-time world can win but it shows I can feel I semis in San Jose champion and current still have the ability to do so,” he championship leader, added. hree-time Grand Slam willS start the Czech Moto Grand Marquez has notched up fi ve Maria Sakkari came from champion Andy Murray behind to defeat top-seeded Prix in Brno on pole after heading victories from the nine races of moved closer to a singles Elina Svitolina 1-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3 yesterday’s qualifying. this 19-race season and sits 58 return six months after in a thrilling quarter-final at It was a sixth pole of the sea- points clear of Italian Andrea Tright hip surgery while Greece’s son for Marquez, who fi nished Dovizioso, who won in Brno last the Silicon Valley Classic in Stefanos Tsitsipas rolled into San Jose on Friday. 2.524sec ahead of Australian Jack season. the world’s top fi ve Friday at the Sakkari saved four match Miller (Ducati), with KTM rider The 26-year-old has chalked ATP Washington Open. points and trailed 5-2 in the Johann Zarco in third for today’s up two wins at the Czech circuit, Britain’s Murray and his second set but found her race. in 2013 and 2017, and last year brother Jamie, in their fi rst dou- form in time to extend her In diffi cult weather conditions fi nished third behind the Duca- bles event since the 2016 Rio run at the tournament, where at the end of the second session ti’s Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo, Olympics, lost to New Zealand’s she lost the final last year. Marquez was the fi rst to dare to who has since become his team- Michael Venus and South Afri- In another compelling change tyres to deal with the rain. mate at Honda. can Raven Klaasen 6-7 (3), 7-6 quarter-final, second-seeded “I took all the risks, even if my The grand prix is due to start at (6), 10-7 in a quarter-fi nal at the Aryna Sabalenka defeated team wasn’t happy about it,” he 1400 local time (1200 GMT) with US Open tuneup event. Carla Suarez Navarro in a told French broadcaster Canal+. the weather forecasters warning Murray has practised singles marathon 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 match Frenchman Zarco, 17th in the further rain and storms during this week to improve his condi- earlier in the day. Next up for overall standings, claimed his the race. tioning after the long layoff . Sabalenka is a semi-final with “I feel fi ne,” Murray said. Donna Vekic, who put on a “Practice has been fi ne. No issues serving clinic to dispatch physically. So progressing well. Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece hits a backhand against Benoit Paire (not pictured) of France during their Citi American Kristie Ahn 7-5 6-0. Russian offi cial suspended for failing Just keep practising the next 10 Open quarter-final in Washington, DC, United States, on Friday. (USA TODAY Sports) days or so and see what happens.” to report corrupt approach Top seed Tsitsipas beat French against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, the best-of-fi ve-set variety of- by his third straight game with a Next up for Medvedev will 10th seed Benoit Paire 7-5, 6-0 to who ousted Slovakian lucky los- fered in Grand Slams. delay to change left shoes, having be 122nd-ranked German lucky reach the semi-fi nals and ensure er Norbert Gombos 6-3, 6-3. He ruled out playing in Win- said he damages the laces when he loser Peter Gojowczyk, who Russian tennis off icial Svetlana Teryaeva was handed a six-month he will overtake Germany’s Alex- “I’m excited to play him,” ston-Salem the week before slides incorrectly. outlasted British 13th seed Kyle suspension and a $1,000 fine for “failing to report a corrupt ap- ander Zverev to crack the world Kyrgios said of Tsitsipas. “He’s New York, fi guring he would be “There’s nothing I can do Edmund 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. proach”, the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) said on Friday. The off ences rankings top fi ve tomorrow. one of the best players in the better off practising for a post- about it,” he said. “The only Gojowczyk, who only made were committed when she was approached in July 2017 and “Once you’re in a certain po- world right now.” US Open return. thing is probably change my the event after Australian Ber- off ered payment to manipulate scores on her personal digital as- sition for a long time, you really Murray, who feared his career “I’ve never competed the week footwork, stop doing that.” nard Tomic dropped out with a sistant (PDA), which would have helped gamblers profit by making crave for more,” Tsitsipas said. might be over after the January before a Slam,” Murray said. “If Russian third seed Daniil fi nger injury, won his only title certain bets. Although she refused, she was pulled up because “This one position diff erence operation, hasn’t played singles I’m not ready fi ve or six days be- Medvedev advanced to the semi- in 2017 at Metz. she had not disclosed the approach to the TIU as required by the might not feel a lot for some since the Australian Open but says forehand, I’m assuming that I’ll fi nals by defeating Croatian sixth In the accompanying WTA Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). However, the TIU said people but for me it really means he might return at the Cincinnati probably just give it a miss.” seed and 2014 US Open champion event, Taiwan’s 31st-ranked that four months of the ban and the fine were suspended on the a lot because there has been a lot Masters starting August 12. The 32-year-old Scotsman, a Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-6 (7). Hsieh Su-Wei lost to Catherine condition that she commit no more off ences. “The sanction was of hard work behind it, just a lot “If I feel like I’m ready, I’ll give former world number one now Medvedev, chasing his fi fth McNally 6-4, 6-3. The Ameri- imposed by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Off icer Jayne of suff ering in general. it a go. If not, I’ll wait probably ranked 222nd, captured Grand career ATP title, took the only can faces ’s Camila Giorgi in Mulcahy QC, following a decision reached on May 24 this year “I feel I deserve this position. until after New York. But so far it Slam singles crowns at the 2012 break at the start and never the semi-fi nals. which found that Ms Teryaeva had committed two non-reporting It means a lot for sure.” has been fi ne.” US Open and at Wimbledon in faced a break point. Russian qualifi er Anna Ka- off ences,” the TIU said in a statement. “As a result of the suspen- The 20-year-old Australian Murray, set to play doubles next 2013 and 2016. “I managed to do what I had to linskaya ousted France’s Kris- sion Ms Teryaeva cannot off iciate in or attend any tennis event Open semi-fi nalist, who lost to week at Montreal alongside Span- do, hold my serve and win the tie- tina Mladenovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 authorised or sanctioned by the governing bodies of the sport Zverev in last year’s Washing- iard Feliciano Lopez, doesn’t want TSITSIPAS’ SHOE ISSUES breaker,” Medvedev said. “I’m re- to book a semi-fi nal date with until Oct 1, 2019.” No further details were disclosed. ton semis, booked a semi-fi nal his fi rst singles matches back to be The Tsitsipas victory was marked ally happy with my level of play.” American Jessica Pegula. Sunday, August 4, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Fantastic fi nale for 2019 Qatar Goodwood Festival King’s Advice was the sixth winner for trainer Mark Johnston at this edition, while Enbihaar was John Gosden’s fourth

By Our Correspondent Goodwood, United Kingdom QREC is committed to Arabian racing, says al-Kaabi As the curtain fell on the fifth Embassy of Qatar in the UK, to urtains fell on the 2019 renewal of the Qatar Goodwood come out with numerous posi- edition of the Qatar Rac- Festival, the Qatar Racing and tives as it has demonstrated the ing and Equestrian Club Equestrian Club (QREC) man- remarkable impact of Qatar’s (QREC)-sponsored Qa- agement endeavoured to make sponsorship of the Festival tarC Goodwood Festival yesterday the most of the Festival every on horseracing in the UK, at the world’s most beautiful year, especially as the QREC’s especially given the prestigious racecourse, which has been home sponsorship of the event races, which has been run at for racing for over 200 years. has been extended to 2024. Goodwood for over 200 years. The fi nale of the fi ve-day Fes- Preparations for the next year’s I would like also to touch upon tival had a seven-race card, in- edition have already started one thing, which is related cluding six races sponsored by as part of the existing co- to the presence of the Qatari Qatar, with dozens of thousands operation between Goodwood horse owners and trainers in of spectators at Goodwood. Racecourse and QREC. the Festival. I do confirm that QREC offi cials were present QREC chief executive off icer all are welcome to be present and crowned the winners of the Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi Ebraz in the Group 1 Qatar and run their horses. This year, races. Hamad bin Abdulrahman said, “This year’s edition has International Stakes for pure QREC did invite everyone who al-Attiyah President of the Qatar been successful in terms Arabians is remarkable this year has horses capable to contest and the Asian equestrian federa- of organisation, racegoer and it confirms the successes of in Goodwood. However, the tions and QREC vice-chairman, turnout and media coverage. Qatar in Arabian racing, which decision is eventually up to the QREC chief executive offi cer Hamad bin Abdurahman al-Attiyah (second from left), president of Qatar and Asian equestrian federations We wished for better results QREC is committed to both lo- owners and trainers themselves Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi, and QREC vice-chairman, presented the trophies for Qatar Lilie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) after Enbihaar by Qatari-owned horses of cally and internationally. and if there is any participa- QREC Board member Abdulla won the race at the Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim & Zuzanna Lupa course. However, everyone, “QREC is keen to make the tion, QREC will not hesitate to bin Mohamed al-Kuwari and eventually, spares no eff ort and Festival a success in each and provide the needed support as QREC Racing manager Abdulla success comes to winners. The every aspect. We assess each part of the QREC’s applicable bin Rashid al-Kubaisi presented victory of His Highness Sheikh edition and that helped the procedures,” the QREC CEO the trophies to the winners of the Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s study, conducted through the concluded. QREC-sponsored races. Committed to optimum investment in the event: QREC Board member al-Abdulmalik Qatar Racing and Equestrian The response and co-operation Club (QREC) Board member was so remarkable from Good- Ahmad bin Mohamed al-Abdul- wood Racecourse manage- malik stressed the success of ment that all the details were the Qatar Goodwood Festival in finalised in a short time and it promoting Qatar, its eques- was agreed to extend QREC’s trian sport and demonstrating sponsorship of the Festival to QREC’s eff iciency at such pres- 2024. tigious global gatherings. “We are committed to opti- “As a lawyer, I have been mum investment in this event, involved mainly in the legal especially with the associated aspect of the sponsorship large-scale participation and agreement between QREC and media coverage, which create Enbihaar excelled with a QREC CEO Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (second from left) with jockey James Doyle (second from right) during Goodwood Racecourse,” he a remarkable opportunity for runaway fi ve-length win in the the trophy distribution for the Qatar EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes, which was won by Persuasion, at the said. more progress in the Festival, £312,000 Qatar Lilie Langtry Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday. “We, at QREC, have ensured the the rights of QREC and are in which is highly coveted both in Stakes (Group 2), handing trainer extended sponsorship is in line favour of QREC from the QREC the UK and overseas,” al-Abdul- John Gosden his fourth winner ret-trained You’re Hired by one with the terms, which protect management’s point of view. malik said. of the Qatar Goodwood Festival and three quarters of a length. from only eight runners. She was PFI Cole-trained Rotherwick ridden to victory by Jim Crowley was third. QREC Racing manager in the 2800m race. Ralph Beck- al-Kubaisi crowned the winners ett-trained Manuela De Vega of the race. was second and Aidan O’Brien- Khaadem raced to an easy trained South Sea Pearl was third. victory in the £250,000 Unibet QREC vice-chairman al-Attiyah Stewards’ Cup for trainer Hills crowned the winners. and jockey Crowley. Khaadem Trainer Ruth Carr and jockey carried 9st 6lb to his two and James Sullivan both enjoyed three-quarter lengths triumph their fi rst ever Goodwood win- over Amanda Perrett-trained ner when Poyle Vinnie won the Open Wide — the highest weight £75,000 Qatar Stewards’ Sprint ever carried to victory in the Handicap. The nine-year-old Joe Fanning rides King’s Advice to Qatar Summer Handicap victory. race by a three-year-old. David beat David Barron-trained Ven- O’Meara-trained Summerghand turous by a neck, with last year’s sive debut for trainer Charlie and three-quarters. Johnston- was third in the six-furlong race. winner Tommy G, trained by Jim Hills, winning the £30,000 Qatar trained Warning Fire was third. Goldie, third in the six-furlong EBF Stallion Maiden Stakes. Rid- QREC Board member al-Kuwari race. QREC Racing manager al- den by James Doyle, he overcame crowned the winners of the race. Kubaisi crowned the winners of a slow start to win by half a length Gift Of Gold, with Cieren Fal- the Class 2 race. from Paul Cole-trained Celtic lon in the saddle, won the mile The very admirable King’s Ad- Art and complete a double for the and a furlong Qatar Apprentice vice put up a brave performance stable, which has now had four Handicap Stakes, beating AJ Per- to win the mile and six-furlong winners at the meeting. Beckett- Qatar Summer Handicap. Rid- trained Great Ambassador was den by Joe Fanning, the son of third in the seven-furlong run. Frankel saw off Simon Crisford- QREC CEO al-Kaabi crowned the trained Outbox by a neck, giving winners of this Class 2 race. his trainer Mark Johnston a sixth Land Of Legends’ win in the winner of the 2019 Qatar Good- seven-furlong £30,000 Qa- wood Festival. Andrew Balding- tar Handicap was a fi rst at the trained Shailene was third. QREC Qatar Goodwood Festival for Board Member Abdulla bin Mo- jockey Callum Shepherd, who hamed al-Kuwari crowned the was brought up locally. Land Of winners of this Class 2 £100,000 Legends, a three-year-old son race. on Iff raaj beat William Muir- Persuasion made an impres- trained Jack’s Point by a length

FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT Messi banned for three months aft er ‘corruption’ outburst Qatar lose to AFP penalty claims in their 2-0 “off ensive, insulting behaviour Pakistan in Asuncion, Paraguay semi-fi nal defeat to the hosts, or making defamatory protests after which Messi claimed of any kind.” Brazil were “managing a lot in Another clause mentions Asian U23 rgentina star Lionel CONMEBOL these days.” “breaching the decisions, di- Messi was banned And when he was harshly rectives or orders of the judicial from playing for dismissed in the next game, bodies.” volleyball his national team which Argentina went on to The ban means only that QNA forA three months and fi ned win 2-1, he couldn’t contain his Messi will miss a handful of Naypyitaw $50,000 on Friday by CONME- anger. friendly matches as Argentina’s BOL after he heavily criticised “Corruption and the referees next competitive fi xture is not the South American football are preventing people from en- until the South American qual- atar lost to Pakistan 0-3 in governing body during the joying the football and they’re ifi ers for the 2022 World Cup in their Group C opening round Copa America. ruining it a bit,” Messi said. Qatar begin in March. match in the third edition of The 32-year-old Barcelona He was given his marching However, he has already re- the Asian Under-23 Volley- forward had accused CON- orders after a fi rst-half scuf- ceived a one-game ban from ballQ Championship in Naypyitaw, My- MEBOL of “corruption” after fl e with Chile captain Gary CONMEBOL for his red card anmar. The tournament has participa- he was sent off against Chile Medel in which television pic- against Chile meaning he’ll tion of 16 teams. during the third-place play- tures suggested he’d done little miss the fi rst of those. The three games of the match ended off during the tournament wrong. Argentina have two friendlies 25-22, 25-11, 25-21 for Pakistan. in Brazil, which ended last The CONMEBOL statement lined up in the United States in In the same group, Bahrain lost to month. on its website didn’t specify September against Chile and China Taipei 0-3 (20-25, 19-25, 23-25). Messi was angered by two why Messi was being punished Mexico and another in October Qatar need to win a second round incidents during the June-July but said it was related to arti- away to Germany. match against China Taipei today to Copa hosted by bitter rivals cles 7.1 and 7.2 of its discipli- Messi would miss all three of keep their chances of qualifying for the Brazil. nary regulations. those but be free to play for his quarter-fi nals from Group C alive. Pa- Argentina were denied two One such clause refers to country again in November. kistan play Bahrain in the next match.