THURSDAY 22 AUGUST 2019 SPORT 17 What we’re not going to do is get caught up in an emotional battle of CRICKET who’s going to bowl the quickest Australia coach Justin says ahead of bouncers. We’re here to win the Test Langer First Test, Day 1: Third Test, Day 1: third Ashes Test. match, not to see how many helmets West Indies vs England vs Australia at ACTION Emerald Headingley, Leeds we can hit. India in North Sound TODAY’S Lorenzo ready to return from injury at Silverstone

REUTERS team-mate to reigning world take some time to get back up to speed.” ruled out because he is still not 100 LONDON champion and current leader Marc Lorenzo, on pole at Silverstone last percent,” Suzuki said in a statement, Marquez, would be to get used to the year with Ducati, is 19th overall and referring to injuries he suffered and Repsol Honda rider Jorge Lorenzo bike again and assess his level of has scored only 19 points this season general weakness due to lack of (pictured) says he is ready to return at performance. compared to Marquez’s 230. training since the accident. this weekend’s British Grand Prix after “It is very good to be back with the Meanwhile, Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli, 37, has already raced missing the last four MotoGP races due Repsol Honda Team, it has been a long Guintoli will ride for Suzuki in place twice for Suzuki this season using “wild to injury. time since Assen,” said the rider. of injured Joan Mir at the British cards”, scoring three points with a 13th The Spaniard, a triple MotoGP “I would have liked to have been MotoGP on Sunday, the team has con- place at the Catalan MotoGP in June. champion, crashed during practice at back sooner, but the nature of the firmed. Mir, 21, injured in a test ride at For Honda, Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo, Assen in the Netherlands in June and injury meant I had to take my time. the beginning of the month, was unable the triple former world champion is suffered fractured vertebrae. “While away from the track, I have to ride but not replaced by the works back for the Silverstone race after Honda said in a statement on been working hard to be as ready as pos- team for the Austrian GP on August 11. missing the German, Czech and Aus- Tuesday that the main aim for Lorenzo, sible for Silverstone but I know it will “His presence in England has been trian races through injury. India expect ‘positive’ Paire and Shapovalov enter verdict on Davis Cup Winston-Salem third round tie against Pakistan AFP -- going up a service break REUTERS WASHINGTON before Shapavolov came through MUMBAI “The committee members with a break in the final game to are from different parts of the Top-seeded Benoit Paire reached seal the victory. The All India Tennis Associ- world so they will set up a the third round of the ATP “It was definitely a great ation (AITA) is hopeful its appropriate time today that Winston-Salem Open on win,” said Shapovalov, who security concerns for next suits everyone. Then they will Tuesday, beating Prajnesh hadn’t made it past the second month’s tie against hosts inform us of their decision,” Gunneswaran 6-3, 7-5. round of an ATP event since Pakistan will be addressed Chatterjee said yesterday. France’s Paire, ranked 30th Lyon in May and, like Paire, after the game’s global “It’s a positive, yes. If there in the world, avenged a loss to said he hoped a strong per- governing body referred the was no merit why will the India’s Gunneswaran at Indian formance in Winston-Salem matter to its Davis Cup committee discuss. We have Wells in March. would be a springboard into the committee. given them more than Paire broke Gunneswaran in US Open. The AITA said last week enough.” the penultimate game, then “I’ve been struggling a little they had written to Interna- The AITA has named a six- capped the contest with his 14th bit during the clay and grass tional Tennis Federation (ITF) member squad under ace on match point to book a court season and the hardcourt asking them to shift the tie to Mahesh Bhupathi for the Sept. round of 16 meeting with fellow swing,” he said. a neutral venue or to postpone 14-15 tie but India’s players Frenchman Ugo Humbert, who “I thought it would be it for a couple of months until sought safety guarantees from defeated American Bjorn Fra- perfect to come play Winston- tensions simmer down the ITF before travelling to tangelo 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Salem, get a couple more between the bitter Islamabad. After enjoying a first-round matches under my belt and get neighbours. The ITF shared security bye, Paire was glad to get to ready for the Open. The national body was arrangements for the Indian work in the heat and humidity “So far, so good,” said Shapo- scheduled to discuss its con- team in Islamabad with the of North Carolina as part of his valov, who next faces Serbian cerns on Monday with AITA and said they were sat- build-up to the US Open, which Miomir Kecmanovic, a 7-6 (7/5), security advisers from the ITF isfied with the safety plan. starts on Monday at Flushing 6-3 winner over Australian over the September 14-15 tie An Indian tennis team last Meadows in New York. Alexei Popyrin. scheduled in Islamabad went to Pakistan in 1964 for a “Honestly, I like to play South Korean Lee Duck- between arch-rivals India and Davis Cup tie while Pakistan before the Slam,” he said. hee’s ground-breaking tour- Pakistan. last visited India in 2006. “I did the same in Lyon the nament came to an end with a The call was, however, Pakistan was forced to week before Roland Garros and 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 loss to third-seeded cancelled and instead the ITF host Davis Cup ties at neutral I won the tournament and after France’s Benoit Paire during his Wimbledon fourth round match Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. said the Davis Cup committee, venues for more than a I made the last 16 at Roland against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in this July 8, 2019 file photo. Lee had become the first deaf comprising eight members decade. Garros so it was good player to win an ATP match with and chaired by Egypt’s Ismal They played their first preparation. beating American Tennys second singles match since the his first-round win over Henri El Shafei, will deliberate on home tie after a gap of 12 “I’ll try to do the same -- I’ll Sandgren 6-2, 6-4. Australian Open as he bids to Laaksonen. the matter. years against Iran in 2017, try to win a lot of matches here. Sandgren, ranked 73rd in the return to peak form in the wake “I’m a little bit disappointed AITA General Secretary while Hong Kong was rele- I think it’s important for me to world, was coming off a first- of career-threatening hip right now,” Lee admitted. Hironmoy Chatterjee said a gated and fined by the ITF play before the US Open.” round victory over three-time surgery. “I had many chances that I “positive” decision was after they refused to travel to Second-seeded Canadian Denis Grand Slam champion Andy Sandgren battled back from didn’t utilise, but it was a great expected today. Pakistan the same year. Shapovalov also advanced, Murray, who was playing just his 0-3 down in the second set experience overall.” Last chance for NZ Cup hopeful Fifita REUTERS squad next Wednesday. “He’s got a to have settled on the trio as his pre- himself available. While Fifita, like WELLINGTON lot to play for,” Wellington coach Chris ferred starting combination heading Hemopo, could also cover lock in the Gibbes told reporters yesterday. into Japan. World Cup squad Gibbes said he had is well aware he has one “He’s coming back full of energy With Savea’s ability to play all not been given any instruction where last chance to convince All Blacks and excitement, he knows as well as three loose forward positions and to play him on Friday against coach Steve Hansen that he deserves the whole country that there’s a lot to openside flanker Matt Todd in con- Canterbury. one of the few remaining slots up for play for.” tention, Fifita is competing with Luke “The All Blacks have got plans in grabs in his Rugby World Cup squad, The 27-year-old Fifita, who Jacobson, Jackson Hemopo and place for him, our part of it is to give the coach of the loose forward’s pro- started against Argentina and came perhaps even for the fifth Vaea game time and get him ready to vincial side has said. off the bench against South Africa last spot in the squad. go,” Gibbes said. Fifita was one of nine players month, was not included in the Squire was the first-choice “Those players (All Blacks) will released to appear for their local sides matchday squad for the two Bledisloe blindside flanker for the last two years know that there’s a bigger plan in in New Zealand’s provincial champi- Cup matches against Australia. but, beset by injury, ruled himself out place for all of them, and again they’ll New Zealand’s Vaea Fifita attends the onship this weekend, with Hansen Hansen named as his of contention for the Rugby Champi- know what they need to work on. team’s training session in Auckland giving them the opportunity to blindside flanker with Sam Cane and onship, though Hansen has said he “I’m excited to see what he can on Friday. impress before naming his World Cup captain Kieran Read and he appears would be considered if he made do out there.” Vunipola eager for England return

REUTERS surgery that ruled him out for play rugby,” Vunipola told BBC injury ruling him out of the final LONDON the rest of the domestic Sport. three Six Nations matches season. “I’m excited if I do get the earlier this year, but not before England prop Mako Vunipola England coach Eddie Jones chance to be out there and a man-of-the-match per- (pictured) is yearning to make is yet to announce his squad for experience it all once again. formance in a 32-20 win over his long-awaited comeback in the match in London but the You take things for granted Ireland in Dublin where he Saturday’s World Cup warm-up experienced Vunipola, who has when you are a bit younger. made 27 tackles. match against Ireland after 53 international caps, is hoping “I remember before the last After Ireland’s visit, recovering form a hamstring to get some minutes under his Rugby World Cup thinking I England host Italy in their final injury that had sidelined him belt ahead of his second World would have loads more of warm-up game on September for three months. Cup. these. This (injury) has changed 6 before flying to Japan. Vunipola was injured in “I have been very excited my mindset, realising it could They begin their World Saracens’ Champions Cup final the last two weeks watching the all be taken away.” Cup campaign against Pool C win over Leinster in May and boys play and now I just want Vunipola has struggled with opponents Tonga on Sep- the 28-year-old required to get out there and help them injuries of late, with an ankle tember 22. 18 SPORT THURSDAY 22 AUGUST 2019

England to Getting batting order right key start 2020 season with for England in Smith’s absence WI Test at the Oval REUTERS England have their own issues to address. score of the series is 30 so LEEDS Questions remain over their top order, with far. AFP , a specialist opening batsman in Captain Joe Root is LEEDS The absence through injury one-day cricket, continuing to struggle. another who has not reached of leading Australia batsman his usual high level, aver- England will make a break from Steve Smith gives England a aging less than 25. Moving tradition by staging the opening golden chance to level the only other Australian same 12-man squad for the him further down the order Test of their 2020 home season Ashes series in the third Test batsman with a century and third Test in West Yorkshire, to number four, his usual at the Oval. at Headingley, but the hosts only two others have passed but it does appear they are position, is also a The England and Wales must resolve their own 50. considering moving Roy possibility. Cricket Board released the batting problems first. However, England have down the order. “We are going to lose international fixtures for next Smith, who averages 126 their own issues to address. “We think we’ve got the arguably our best batter,” season yesterday, with a packed in the series which Australia Questions remain over their best seven batters available Australia coach Justin Langer programme featuring visits by lead 1-0, was struck by a top order, with Jason Roy, a to us,” England coach Trevor said. the West Indies, Australia, bouncer from fast bowler specialist opening batsman Bayliss said. “It is not unlike England Pakistan and Ireland. Jofra Archer in the first in one-day cricket, continuing “Whether we can change losing James Anderson, he’s The Oval, the south London innings of the second Test at to struggle. it round and make that arguably their best bowler. headquarters of Surrey, usually Lord’s and was replaced by “Opening the batting in a (order) any better, I’m not You take your best players hosts the last Test of an English “concussion sub” Marnus Test in England should be a sure, but we’ll certainly have out it always has an impact.” season but in 2020 it will Labuschagne for the second specialist position yet a discussion about it. With England able to launch the programme instead. innings. someone like Jason Roy will “Personally, I think he replace Anderson with the With the first Test starting Initially, Smith passed a probably only come off once (Roy) probably is suited to ferocious Archer in the last on June 4, it should mean Eng- concussion Test and was in about 20 innings playing the middle order.” Test, both teams remained land’s leading players are allowed to return to the field the way he does at the top Roy produced his most evenly matched, with available to take part in the bulk and complete his innings, but of the order,” former England convincing innings of his England almost able to sneak of next year’s Indian Premier his condition worsened and captain Nasser Hussain wrote fledgling international Test victory on the final day. League franchise Cricket Australia (CA) con- in the Daily Mail career when scoring 72 Taking Smith’s runs out competition. firmed he is not fit to play in newspaper. batting at number three of the equation should, in After the Oval, England will the third Test, which starts “He is obviously a special against Ireland, as opposed theory, give England the face the West Indies in Tests at today. talent in white-ball cricket to 45 runs from five innings edge, but there is hope for Edgbaston and Lord’s. The absence of a man but at this level against the when opening. Australia in Smith’s likely England will also play three who has proven almost moving ball I maintain Roy’s Moving Roy will likely see replacement Labuschagne, Tests against Pakistan, at Lord’s, England’s captain Joe Root comes out to immovable so far this series best position in Joe Denly open, with the who scored a gritty 59 as Old Trafford and Trent Bridge. bat in the nets during a practice session at will give England a boost, is in the middle order.” pressure mounting on the Australia saw out the draw Both the West Indies and Headingley Stadium in Leeds, yesterday. given is the England have named the 33-year-old given his highest at Lord’s. Pakistan series will count towards the World Test Cham- pionship table. In one-day cricket World Cup-winners England will face Australia and Ireland in three- India look to dominate match series, with the last game against the latter ending the England calendar at the Oval on September 15. West Indies in first Test Meanwhile, England’s prep- arations for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup will con- AFP TEAMS (PROBABLE) tinue with six home short-form NORTH SOUND, ANTIGUA AND matches split between Australia BARBUDA West Indies and Pakistan. (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Darren Bravo, Shai ECB chief executive Tom India look set to extend their Hope, , Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wicketkeeper), Keemo Harrison, announcing the decade-long dominance over Paul, , New Zealandnd captain Kane Williamson (right) and Ross schedule, said: “The ICC World West Indies when the first match India Taylor (left) sppeak with coach GGary Stead during a praactice Test Championship will add sig- of a two-Test series starts at the Virat Kohli (captain), K. L. Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya session at P. SSara Oval in Colomlombo,b yesterday. nificance and context to the

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Mo- Test series against West Indies today. hammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma. and Pakistan. Having swept the T20 series “England’s ODI contests 3-0 and taken the ODI contest Deja vu for Kiwis as against Australia, and Ireland 2-0, Virat Kohli’s India are where he left off Down Under in seen the pitch in Antigua, and will see the world champions bursting with confidence going notching up three figures in the indeed all Test match venues in return to home soil with big into their first Test match since lone warm-up fixture against a the Caribbean, being more fast they face Sri Lanka crowds expected at all venues.” the historic series triumph in regional representative team last bowler-friendly since the start Australia at the start of the year. weekend. of last year. ENGLAND’S SCHEDULE In contrast, the West Indies It remains to be seen That could favour the visitors in second Test have gone off the boil since dom- whether selectors will include who have a trio in Jasprit vs West Indies inating England in the home Rohit Sharma -- a fixture at the Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and REUTERS doing their best to stop that.” Test series series in the Caribbean six top of the order in limited-over Ishant Sharma very capable of COLOMBO Taylor acknowledged that his 04-08 Jun: 1st Test, England v West Indies, months ago and then going toe- matches -- in the middle-order exploiting helpful conditions. side were “just weren’t good The Oval (1000 GMT start) to-toe with the same opponents and whether the exciting young Not that the West Indies will The second Test between Sri enough” in Galle where Sri 12-16 Jun: 2nd Test, England v West Indies, in the subsequent ODI series. talent of Rishabh Pant will keep be daunted by that prospect, for Lanka and New Zealand that Lanka captain Dimuth Karu- Edgbaston (1000 GMT start) A whitewash in the tour- experienced wicketkeeper- in Kemar Roach, Shannon starts at the P Sara Stadium in naratne (122) and Lahiru Thir- 25-29 Jun: 3rd Test, England v West Indies, ending T20 skirmish, followed batsman Wriddhiman Saha in Gabriel, Holder and all-rounder Colombo today has an eerily imanne (64) produced a century Lord’s (1000 GMT start) by the removal of controversial the dressing room. Keemo Paul, they have the fire- similar feel about it from their opening stand as they chased vs Australia head coach Richard Pybus and Spinner Ravi Ashwin, ‘Man power to challenge India’s last match between the two 268 for victory. IT20 series a disappointing World Cup cam- of the Series’ when India domi- vaunted batting line-up, as the sides there seven years ago. “Very disappointed to lose Jul 03: 1st IT20, England v Australia, Riverside paign has left Jason Holder’s men nated the home side in the Car- English found to their cost in In 2012, Sri Lanka ham- the game,” Taylor added. “We (1730 GMT start, floodlit) with much lost ground to ibbean three years ago, could February. mered New Zealand by 10 tried everything but just weren’t Jul 05: 2nd IT20, England v Australia, Old reclaim. find himself on the sidelines with However, the outcome of the in the first Test in Galle. good enough. And on the evidence of the Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep first Test could ultimately hinge Last Sunday, the hosts won the “We have been in this situ- Trafford (1600 GMT start, floodlit) limited-over leg of India’s visit, Yadav seen as the prime con- on batting, and whether the West first Test in the current series at ation many times before, been Jul 07: 3rd IT20, England v Australia, Headin- and especially Kohli’sKohli s irresistible tenders for the specialist spinspin- Indies can defy a determined, the same picturesque ground by 1-0 down and have come back gley (1730 GMT start, floodlit) formform withwith thethe bbat,at, it willwill bbee ner’ner’ss rorole.le. worworld-classld-class bowlingbowling attacattackk to six wickets to earn 60 points in strong. One-Day International Series askingasking a lot of the West Indies to A changechange ofof policypolicy postpost competitive totals. the new World Test “That’s all we can ask for, to Jul 11: 1st ODI, England v Australia, Lord’s get tthehe bbetteretter ooff tthehe tourists anandd iinn prepa-prepa- Championship. show the fighting spirit the team (1200 GMT start, day/night) claimclaim a firstfirst Test matchmatch victory ratiorationn Seven years ago, facing is renowned for and hopefully Jul 14: 2nd ODI, England v Australia, South- overover IndiaIndia forfor mmoreore thanthan 17 has Indian captain Virat Kohli defeat in the two-Test series, we can put this very good Sri ampton (1200 GMT start day/night) years. then New Zealand captain Ross Lanka side under some Jul 16: 3rd ODI, England v Australia, Bristol However,However, if the home team Taylor produced a belligerent pressure.” (1200 GMT start day/night) can recapture thethe HoHolder-lder- 142 and 74 in the second Test, at New Zealand coach Gary vs Pakistan inspiredinspired ddominanceominance ooff EnEnglandgland the P Sara Stadium, to level the Stead said the pitch would again Jul 30-Aug 03: 1st Test, England v Pakistan, achievedachieved earlier this yyear,ear, there series. be conducive to spin, which Lord’s (1000 GMT start) is hhopeope thatthat theythey willwill bbee aableble to The 35-year-old Taylor, who could signal a call-up for leg- Aug 07-11: 2nd Test, England v Pakistan, Old matchmatch up to an Indian team well scored 86 in New Zealand’s spinner Todd Astle, who made Trafford (1000 GMT start) preparedprepared forfor thethe longerlonger version first innings in Galle last week, his Test debut in the match at P ofof thethe game. said while the venue for the Sara in 2012. Aug 20-24: 3rd Test, England v Pakistan, ForFor IndiaIndia ChesteshwarChesteshwar second Test had proved fruitful The 32-year-old had played Trent Bridge (1000 GMT start) Pujara, whowho reeledreeled offoff threethree cen-cen- in the past it would likely have just three other Tests since, but IT20 Series turiesturies in tthehe fourfour TestsTests little influence on the current with left arm spinner Mitchell Aug 29: 1st IT20, England v Pakistan, Headin- inin AustraAustralia,lia, match. Santner not extracting much gley (1600 GMT start floodlit) hashas alreadyalready “P Sara is a ground that turn in Galle, Stead has sug- Aug 31: 2nd IT20, England v Pakistan, Cardiff pickedpicked up we’ve had some success in the gested Astle could join Ajaz Patel (1330 GMT start) fromf rom past and hopefully we can rep- and Will Somerville in the spin Sep 02: 3rd IT20, England v Pakistan, South- licate that,” Taylor said. attack. ampton (1730 GMT start, floodlit) “It’s always nice to come “I don’t imagine there’s vs Ireland back to a ground where you going to be too many changes Sep 10: 1st ODI, England v Ireland, Trent have had some success. from what we saw at Galle, we Bridge (1130 GMT start, day/night) “But at the same time it’s a expect a pitch that will turn and Sep 12: 2nd ODI, England v Ireland, Edgbas- different game and different cir- offer more to the spinners than ton (1130 GMT start day/night) cumstances. Being 1-0 down in the seamers,” Stead said. Sep 15: 3rd ODI, England v Ireland, The Oval

the series we need to get our first “We’ve got other spin

(1130 GMT start day/night) win in the Test championship. options with Todd Astle so we’ll “I’m sure Sri Lanka will be consider all options.” THURSDAY 22 AUGUST 2019 SPORT 19 ‘Kaiser Franck’ Ribery joins Fiorentina

AFP social media yesterday morning Stadium so that everyone can MILAN on board a private jet. greet him, and we expect a full Ribery was greeted at the stadium, as the champion French winger Franck Ribery airport by Giancarlo Antognoni, I’m happy, I’m here deserves,” said Joe Barone, Com- said he was relishing one last a 1982 World Cup winner and misso’s representative in Italy. challenge as the former Bayern Fiorentina legend, who is part of with my family. I Ribery’s experience should Munich legend rubber-stamped club management. talked for a week be an asset to the youthful and a two-year deal yesterday to play Addressing hundreds of fans, with Fiorentina. I ambitious team with emerging for Serie A club Fiorentina. the French player said that talent including Federico Chiesa, The former French interna- former Bayern teammate Luca also spoke with Luca Dusan Vlahovic and Nikola tional left Bayern Munich as a Toni, who also played for Toni. He told me that Milenkovic. free agent last May after 12 Fiorentina, had convinced him Fiorentina is a great “Franck is a leader,” Toni told seasons during which he earned to move to Italy. club and the city is Gazzetta dello Sport. the nickname ‘Kaiser Franck’ as “I’m happy, I’m here with my “Those who do not know him the most titled Bundesliga player family,” said Ribery. beautiful: Ribery may associate him with certain ever with nine titles among his “I talked for a week with sign a contract for two years,” behaviour. 23 club trophies. Fiorentina. I also spoke with Ribery told Sky Sports in “But in the locker room, he At the twilight of his career, Luca Toni. He told me that Germany. is friendly and he will help young the 36-year-old wants to con- Fiorentina is a great club and the “Another important factor is people. tinue playing elite football and city is beautiful. to be able to have my family with “Chiesa, for example, who is agreed a two-year deal worth “And I also like Italian and I me. I am very happy to be able undoubtedly potentially the $4.4m a year plus bonuses with speak it a bit even though I have to play high level football for strongest Italian and who will the Tuscan club. to improve.” another two years.” learn with Franck the impor- “Franck Ribery is ours! Ribery previously played for Despite finishing 16th in Serie tance of sacrifices. Welcome legend!” the US-owned Turkish club Galatasary and A last season Fiorentina, remain “In training, Ribery guides club confirmed with photos of French clubs Marseille, Brest and an historic and ambitious club. everyone. And on the pitch, he Ribery wearing their purple Metz. The veteran could have Ribery’s signing is the first goes to war,” added the former colours and holding a Fiorentina opted to end his career with big big name for new club owner, Italy striker. scarf. money deals in China or the Italian-American media magnate Ribery could play his first After saying that he was Middle East and reportedly Rocco Commisso. game for Fiorentina, whose only Bayern Munich’s French midfielder Franck Ribery leaves the field after “ready for a new challenge” on turned down an offer from Los “Tomorrow we will present Serie A titles were back in 1956 a farewell ceremony prior to the German first division Bundesliga Instagram, both Ribery and his Angeles Galaxy. him to the whole city, we will and 1969, on Saturday against football match against Eintracht Frankfurt in the stadium in Munich, wife Wahiba posted photos on “For me it was crucial that I open the Artemio Franchi last year’s runners-up Napoli. southern Germany, In this file photo of May 18, 2019.

Juventus look Brazilian to expand in Elkeson earns Asia with new landmark Hong Kong China call-up branch AFP SHANGHAI AFP MILAN China named Elkeson in their squad yesterday for their Italian champions Juventus opening World Cup qualifier announced yesterday that they with the Brazilian poised to have opened a new branch in become the first without Hong Kong as the Serie A giants Chinese ancestry to play for the look to expand into the Asia- country. Pacific region. The move has divided Juventus see the region as Chinese football fans and a major area of potential experts, however, as coach growth and are keen on Marcello Lippi attempts to “strengthening one’s presence” guide the nation to only their in Asia as they trail behind the second World Cup. The Chairman of the German Football League Executive Board, DFL, Christian Seifert, Chairman of SC Freiburg and President-elect of top Premier League clubs in Lippi has long complained the German Football Association, DFB, Fritz Keller, Member of UEFA’s Appeals Body Rainer Koch and outgoing President of the German revenue. The purchase of five- about a dearth of attacking time Ballon d’Or winner Cris- Football Association, DFL, Dr. Reinhard Rauball pose during a news conference at the General Assembly of DFL in Berlin, Germany, options and has moved to plug tiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid yesterday. the gap with the 30-year-old last year for $110m was part of striker, who will use the a strategy to boost the Turin Chinese name Aikesen. team’s profile in Asia. The move to naturalise the “By establishing its own I won’t be a one-man show, says Brazilian comes after China base of operations in Hong similarly gave a passport to Kong, the company is London-born midfielder Nico expressing its strong desire to designated DFB chief Keller Yennaris. move closer to 171 million The Beijing Guoan player potential fans, and to lay the has taken the Chinese name Li fundamentals for long-term BERLIN He will still need to be association UEFA and global my family business. But football Ke and made his debut for planning with structured foun- REUTERS elected on September 27. soccer body FIFA, was the third is worth it. Lippi’s side in June this year. dations,” Juventus said in a “In the future it will not be a consecutive DFB president to be “I see my work on a national The former Arsenal man, statement. The designated President of the one-man show. There will be embroiled in a scandal. level. I do not want to be in however, is half-Chinese, Juventus toured Asia this German Football Association tasks on different shoulders who His predecessors Wolfgang bodies such as FIFA and UEFA. whereas Guangzhou Ever- summer playing games in Sin- (DFB), Fritz Keller, said yesterday will each be responsible. There Niersbach and Theo Zwan- This is a 24-7 job, a full-time grande striker Elkeson qualifies gapore, China and South Korea. he will not take over interna- is no other way,” he told a news ziger were indicted in Swit- job.” Keller said DFB Vice Pres- for China having played in the However, Ronaldo’s decision tional positions or run the DFB conference. zerland earlier this month ident Rainer Koch would take country since 2013. to sit out the game in Seoul as a one-man show, after getting “We have to work together.” over a payment related to the over the international roles. Elkeson has scored more caused uproar with fans threat- the backing of professional and His predecessor Reinhard hosting of the 2006 World “I do not want to miss being than 100 goals in about 150 ening to sue. Juventus also has amateur associations. Grindel stepped down in April Cup. able to go to watch a local game games in the Chinese Super 10 football academies in the Keller, who has been after coming under pressure The DFB is now hoping or go eat a sausage or go watch League. region -- six in China, one each chairman of Bundesliga side over income he received from a Keller, who became a Freiburg a top match,” he added. Along with Espanyol in Japan, Vietnam, Australia and Freiburg since 2010, was the DFB subsidiary and a watch he vice president back in 1991, can Keller got the unanimous forward Wu Lei and Yennaris, New Zealand. only name put forward by a DFB had been given by Ukrainian again steady the ship. backing from all first and second Elkeson is part of a 35-man “The Hong Kong branch commission in charge of finding businessman and soccer admin- “This task was not part of my division clubs. He also got 37 of squad named by Italian World becomes a point of reference a new head of the seven million- istrator Grigory Surkis. lifeplan,” Keller said. “I am and 38 votes from local and regional Cup winner Lippi for China’s to understand more clearly the member association earlier this Grindel, who sat on the exec- was happy with what I did in associations, with one associ- game in the Maldives on Sep- needs, passions and aspirations month. utive boards of the European Freiburg with my colleagues and ation chief absent. tember 10. of the Juventus fans in Asia- Pacific,” the statement added. Juventus have also been pushing for Serie A to schedule more early kick-offs to help the Ajax held at APOEL; away win for Bruges club grow in Asia. “We have to find the right REUTERS who started the second leg of their Souza again. balance between domestic and ZURICH dramatic semi-final against Tot- Mazraoui was given a second global audiences,” Juventus tenham Hotspur in May. yellow card for a reckless sliding chief revenue officer Giorgio Last year’s semi-finalists Ajax Despite a bright start, they tackle but Ajax survived with their Ricci told BBC Sport. Amsterdam clung on for a tense were indebted to goalkeeper goal intact. “It is not just about the 0-0 draw in searing heat away to Andre Onana and played the last Slavia broke the deadlock in broadcasting times, it is also APOEL Nicosia in the first leg of 10 minutes with 10 men after Romania with a remarkable goal about the rights distribution and their Champions League playoff Noussair Mazraoui was sent off. when Nicolae Stanciu floated a who is showing the games. tie on Tuesday. Musa Suleiman caused Ajax all corner to the edge of the penalty “In that sense, the dif- Slavia Prague won 1-0 at sorts of problems and went ago- area for Masopust to volley effort- ference between the Premier Romania’s Cluj thanks to a spec- nisingly close to giving Cypriot side lessly into the net. League and Serie A is huge.” tacular Lukas Masopust goal in APOEL a first-half lead after he cut An early penalty from Hans The eight-time reigning Serie another of the ties which will earn in from the right, played a one-two Vanaken gave Bruges their win A champions open their title the winners a lucrative place in the and spun into the box but sent his away to Austrian outsiders LASK defence against Parma on Sat- Champions League group stage shot wide of the far post. Linz who are bidding to qualify for urday at 1700GMT with while Club Bruges also won by a Shortly afterwards, Nicholas the group stage for the first time. runners-up Napoli playing single goal at Austria’s LASK Linz. Ioannou saw an effort deflected Lois Openda went down under Fiorentina at 1945. Ajax have managed to keep the for a corner. a challenge from Linz captain Federico Palomba, man- bulk of last season’s team together, Jordanian Suleiman volleyed Gernot Trauner and the referee aging director of the Hong Kong with Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie into the side-netting from close pointed to the spot, finally con- Ajax’s forward David Neres (centre) is marked by APOEL’s branch, said the region had de Jong the only major departures, range and Onana then made a bril- firming his decision two minutes midfilder Uros Matic (left) during the UEFA Champions League “huge scope for growth”. and fielded seven of the players liant one-handed save to deny later after a lengthy VAR review. play-off match at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Tuesday. THURSDAY 22 AUGUST 2019 20

PAGE | 17 PAGE | 18 Lorenzo ready India look to to return dominate West from injury at Indies in first Silverstone Test Al Sadd start campaign with big win THE PENINSULA resistance was beaten for a Al Sadd coach Xavi DOHA second time when Al Ansari Hernandez reacts Al Duhail rally to combined with Al Haydous to Reigning champions Al Sadd create chaos in the box and during their QNB fought their way to a battling 4-1 Abdelkarim was on hand to fire Stars League match overcome Qatar SC opening-day victory over home. against Al Wakrah at promoted side Al Wakrah in The scores widened late on the Al Sadd Stadium Week 1 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars as Sayyar contributed two more yesterday. Pictures: THE PENINSULA adding another goal. Instead, Al League at the Al Sadd Stadium goals to make it 4-1 for The Syed Hussain DOHA Duhail came roaring back to yesterday. Wolves. make them pay at the very end Al Sadd’s goals were scored The result marks a perfect Al Duhail rallied from a goal and finishing losing the game at by Abdulaziz Al Ansari (ninth start to the campaign for Al Sadd, down to overcome a spirited the death. minute), Abdelkarim Hassan but Al Wakrah will have taken a challenge of Qatar Sports Club Meanwhile, Al Ahli coach (74th) and Ahmed Sayyar (84th lot of positives from this match. 2-1 in the Round 1 match of the Ruben de la Barrera said they are and 90th minutes). For coach Xavi Hernandez QNB Stars League at Al Janoub satisfied with their preparations Al Wakrah’s goal came from this is the fourth wein of the Stadium. ahead of their Round One match Mohamed Benyettou in the 26th season. Coach Rui Faria’s side trailed against Al Arabi minute. Al Sadd started the local by a goal till the 88th minute, but “We’re satisfied with our As favourites coming into the season by winning the season made enough ground to score preparations for the new season. match, it was no surprise when opening Sheikh Jassim Cup by two goals within a span of six At the same time, our first match Al Sadd took an early lead. Only defeating Al Duhail 1-0. minutes to collect full points against Al Arabi in the QNB Stars nine minutes in, Al Ansari chased Earlier, Al Sadd defeated Al from the match. League will be difficult. We’ve down a through ball before Duhail in two back-to-back First, second-half substitute made changes at the level of fighting off the exertions of matches of the AFC Champions Youssef Msakni scored with two players to change the way we Ahmed Al Hamawende and League pre-quarter-final minutes to go for the final play,” Barrera said slotting home from the edge of matches to make it to the whistle and the killer blow came “For us, it’s about our possi- the area with a shot that wrong- quarter-finals of the continental four minutes later with Almoez bilities and we mustn’t lose to Al footed opposition goalkeeper Al championship. Ali delivering a clinical finish to Sadd, Al Duhail and Al Rayyan. Khater. Xavi, who replaced Portu- suck the life out of Qatar SC in We realise that these teams have Al Wakrah’s task got harder guese Jesualdo Ferreira after stoppage time. strong players and we don’t want following Ali Karami’s sending- ending his playing career at the Kabananga gave Qatar SC the difference between us and off. At that point, the writing end of last season has now won the lead in the 60th minute after them to be big. seemed to be on the wall. four matches so far as coach, good work from Abdenasser El “I still see that the two teams However, they got back into the three against Al Duhail, two in Khayati on the left. At this point, qualified to win the title are Al game with a goal when Priesto’s the AFC Champions League Al Duhail had seemed below Duhail and Al Sadd, and other cross found Benyettou inside the pre-quarter-finals and one in their best and lacking the fire- teams like Al Ahli, Al Arabi, Al penalty area. the Sheikh Jassim Cup besides power needed to break down a Rayyan and Al Gharafa, can With the clock ticking, Al yesterday win against Al spirited Qatar SC side. cause difficulties for Al Sadd and Wakrah’s brave, 10-man Wakrah. Qatar SC never got close to Al Duhail,” he added.

The players of Al Sadd and Al Wakrah vie for QNB Stars League ball possession during their QNB Stars League Yesterday’s Results match at the Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. Al Sadd 4 Al Wakrah 1 Al Duhail 2 Qatar SC 1 Today’s Fixtures 17:20: Al Gharafa vs Al Shahania at Al Janoub Stadium 19:30: Al Sailiya vs Al Khor at Al Sadd Stadium Tomorrow’s Matches 17:20: Al Arabi vs Al Ahli at Al Janoub Stadium 19:30:Al Rayyan vs Umm Salal at Al Sadd Stadium

The players of Qatar Sports Club celebrate We’ve prepared the after scoring team well for QNB a goal against Stars League. We Al Duhail in the QNB Stars had worked to make League match the team fully ready at Al Janoub before the kick-off Stadium and produce good yesterday. results: Al Gharafa coach Jokanovic Confident Al Gharafa eye strong start against Al Shahania

FAWAD HUSSAIN “We’ve prepared the team as a fighting group and that’s one preparatory period,” said Trabelsi THE PENINSULA well for QNB Stars League. We of our strengths,” said Murcia, hoping the new recruits will bring had worked to make the team whose team earned 7th position significant improvement. Eyeing improved results this fully ready before the kick-off We enter the new last season. “We’ve signed many players, I thank all the players season, Al Gharafa are targeting and produce good results,” “Al Gharafa are a big team and foreign and local, and the team maximum points as they take on Jokanovic said ahead of his season with greater have made several changes. They’re is developing and improving day for their efforts in Al Shahania in their first match team’s first game, expecting full ambitions. The start is also keen to better their results this by day as a collective unit. We training, both in Doha of 2019-20 QNB Stars League at points from his players. certainly not going to season and we respect them. They’ve want to display the same identity and in the Dutch Al Janoub Stadium today. “I wish we win our first game a good coach, but that doesn’t we showed last season with camp. Everyone is Al Gharafa finished in 8th against Al Shahania. I had seen be easy as all teams prevent us from playing to win better levels,” he said. position in the previous season, the last match between Al Sha- are back from the against them,” he added. On the other hand, Al Khor doing his best to a disappointing end to their cam- hania and Al Gharafa,” he added. preparatory period: Al The match will kick off at coach Omar Najhi praised the achieve our ambition paign by their standards. “As for the competition, I’ve Sailiya coach Trabelsi 5:20pm while today’s second team’s overseas training camp in the new QNB Stars However, the seven-time cham- played football in many leagues. match between Al Sailiya and Al atmosphere in the Netherlands pions are hoping for a reverse in It’s the ambition of every coach Khor will be played at Al Sadd and vowed a strong show from League season. We fortunes under former Fulham to win and make a good team coach Jose Murcia termed Al Stadium from 7:30pm. his side. seek to be in the top manager Slavisa Jokanovic, who with a special identity.” Gharafa tough opponents but said Al Sailiya coach Sami “I thank all the players for positions despite took over as Al Gharafa head He reposed confidence in his his team is confident of a positive Trabelsi, who guided his team to their efforts in training, both in the expected strong coach in June following a two- players, saying his team is ready start in the challenging league. third place finish, said his players Doha and in the Dutch camp. I year deal . to earn victories in the new “We want to build on last sea- are entering the 12-team compe- also thank them for their mental competition: Al Khor Jokanovic said he is not season. son’s good results. We’ve worked tition with ‘greater ambitions’. presence, discipline and clear coach Najhi worried about last season’s per- “I won’t compare Al Gharafa’s well in preparation for the season “We enter the new season commitment,” said Najhi. formance and is looking forward performance last season and this and the first game. Our goal this with greater ambitions. The start “Everyone is doing his best to seek to be in the top positions to guiding his side to better season.” he added. season is a strong finish, like the is certainly not going to be easy achieve our ambition in the new despite the expected strong com- results. Meanwhile, Al Shahania one we had last season. We play as all teams are back from the QNB Stars League season. We petition,” he added.