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Saturday, August 15, 2020 CRICKET Dhul-Hijjah 25, 1441 AH Pakistan’s Rizwan GULF TIMES frustrates England with fi ne fi ft y SPORT Page 2 QNB STARS LEAGUE Duhail, Rayyan win to set up exciting fi nale in title race With just one round remaining, a victory for Duhail against Al Ahli next week will assure them the title

By Sports Reporter Doha

he title race for the QNB Stars League title has gone down to the wire as contenders Al Du- hail and Al Rayyan notched up crucialT wins yesterday. Leaders Duhail maintained a one-point cushion over Rayyan after Abdullah al-Ahrak’s early goal gave them a nervy win over Al Khor at the Al Sadd Stadium. With just one round remaining, a victory for Duhail against Al Ahli next week will assure them the title. Rayyan too faced some anxious mo- ments yesterday before converted a penalty in the 84th minute as they stayed in contention with a 1-0 win over Al Shahania at the Al Janoub Stadium. For Rayyan to win the title, they need to beat in their last match and also hope Duhail stumble against Al Ahli. Reigning champions Al Sadd (44 points) are out of contention for the title. At the Al Sadd Stadium, al-Ahrak opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute as The Red Knights held on for an important win, their 15th of the campaign, the most by any team. The defeat, Al Khor’s 11th, left them with 16 points in 11th place. The Knights next play Al Shahania (15 points), who are also facing relegation along with Umm Salal (17 points). Duhail, who had lost to Al Sadd in Week 20, dominated Al Khor right throughout the game. They attacked from the word go and went ahead when al-Ahrak volleyed in the ball from close on the turn after being set up by following a cross by Ismail Moham- ed from the right. Duhail could have doubled the lead after 15 minutes, but for Al Khor goal- keeper Baba Djibril blocking Paulo Ed- Yacine Brahimi (second left) converted a penalty in the 84th minute as Al Rayyan beat Al Shahania at the Al Janoub Stadium. milson’s eff ort with a full-length dive. Al Khor’s Tiago Bezerra came close the 66th minute with a long shot and under Aziz Ben Askar, who had not lost the fi rst half. Gharafa’s Sofi ane Hanni in the 19th minute with a header that Daryoush fi rst fumbled in collection a match since the QNB Stars League came off the bench in the 57th minute went narrowly wide of the target after Al Duhail’s Abdullah al-Ahrak (left) celebrates with Almoez Ali after scoring of the ball, but was successful before resumed following a long break forced replacing Othman al-Yahri. Lucca Borges curled in a free-kick. against Al Khor during the QNB Stars League match yesterday. Abdulrahman al-Harazi could connect by the coronavirus pandemic, suff ered The Algerian earned a penalty four The duo of Edmilson and Almoez the rebound. Four minutes after Rayy- their 10th defeat. minutes later when he was fouled by kept combining well and the latter fi elder, one of the leading scorers in the Shahania had played out a 2-2 draw in an took the lead, Rezaein’s angular shot The Orange Fortress had held leaders Ayyoub Azzi, but the resultant kick, failed to connect the former’s cross on league, had scored Al Rayyan’s all-im- the fi rst leg. was guided out by Rayyan goalkeeper Al Duhail, SC and Al Ahli, all to taken by Hanni himself, was blocked by the half-hour mark. At the other end, portant goal against Al Sailiya in Week This time too, Shahania held on, de- Fahd Younis. 1-1 draws, to earn three crucial points Umm Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick. Al Khor’s Helal Mohamed was thwarted 20 as well. spite Rayyan attacking more, till they going into the Al Gharafa game. Umm Salal’s fi rst worthwhile op- by Duhail goalkeeper Mohamed al- Meanwhile, Al Shahania’s woes conceded a penalty late into the game, ELAMIN NETS WINNER FOR That left Umm Salal with their fi n- portunity came in the 65th minute, Jabri. Almoez had two more chances compounded as they stayed bottom of awarded when Saleh al-Yahri ‘handled’ GHARAFA AGAINST UMM SALAL gers crossed ahead of their last-round but Raul Bezerra headed the ball over in the second half. He headed a free- the table with 15 points following their the ball as he and al-Rayyan defender In another match yesterday, Al Gharafa game against Al Sailiya, as the former the bar. Gharafa surged ahead when kick wide in the 71st minute and had 10th defeat. They had been doing well Gabriel Mercado chased a corner kick defeated Umm Salal 1-0 at the Al Janoub face relegation threat. Gharafa, coached Homam came up with a fi rst-time, his placing shot saved by Djibril in the ever since Nabil Anwar took charge of taken by Brahimi. Stadium. Homam Elamin scored the by Serb Slavisa Jokanovic, had taken an thunderous left-foot volley that beat 82nd minute. Al Khor’s Tiago and cap- them replacing Spaniard Jose Murcia The best chances of the fi rst half all-important goal in the 71st minute. unassailable lead for the fourth place, goalkeeper Malick after he received the tain Naif al-Buriki too had opportuni- during the break. were Mercado header off Abdulaziz Gharafa, who had already ensured which will guarantee them a place in ball from a faulty headed clearance by ties during the session. They beat Ahli 3-1 in Week 18, the Hatem’s free-kick being saved by goal- the fourth position despite being drawn the Qatar Cup and possible AFC Cham- Azzi off a cross from the right by Muad At the Al Janoub Stadium, Brahimi fi rst match they played under Nabil, keeper Ebrahim Daryoush and Shaha- by Al Khor in Week 20, moved on to 35 pions League play-off berth next year, Hassan. yet again came to Al Rayyan’s rescue and followed it up with a 2-2 draw with nia’s Ramin Rezaein failing to connect a points, while Umm Salal remained on 17 after the Week 20 results. Umm Salal had a chance to level the by scoring the winning goal against Al Sailiya in Week 19 and goalless draw Jameel Saleem cross from the right. points. It was The Cheetahs’ 10th vic- Gharafa’s , Jonath- score in the 83rd minute, but Fahd Kha- Shahania. The Algerian attacking mid- with Qatar SC in Week 20. Rayyan and was at it again in tory this season, whereas Umm Salal, an Kodjia and Homam had chances in lfan hit the side-netting.

SPOTLIGHT Qatar to open Copa America campaign against Peru next year By Sports Reporter Next year the tournament played in the last edition’s Copa Doha will be from June 11 to July 10, America in , where they 2021. For the fi rst time in the drew with Paraguay 2-2 and lost history of the Copa America, to Argentina (0-2) and Colom- sian champions Qatar two countries are hosting – bia (0-1). will take on Peru in Argentina and Colombia. The Qatar play Ecuador in their their opening match opening match will be in Ar- second match on June 17, fol- of the Copa America gentina. The fi nal will be in Co- lowed by matches against Brazil Aon June 13 next year. The tour- lombia. (June 21), Venezuela (June 24) nament, co-hosted by Argenti- Qatar are in Group B along and Colombia (June 28). na and Colombia, was originally with defending champions Group A includes Argentina, scheduled this year, but was Brazil, runners-up Peru, Co- Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bo- postponed after the outbreak lombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. livia and Australia, the other of the coronavirus pandemic. Qatar are one of the two spe- special invitee team. Group A A revised schedule was released cial invitees to the tournament teams play their games in Ar- on Thursday. along with Australia. Qatar had gentina. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, August 15, 2020 CRICKET

SECOND TEST SPOTLIGHT Khawaja, Head Pakistan’s Rizwan miss out as Australia confi rm frustrates England England tour AFP Sydney, Australia

ustralia’s limited-overs tour of England will go ahead this month at with fi ne fi ft y bio-secure venues, of- fiA cials said Friday, after its play- ers were given government clear- Visitors were 223-9 when bad light led to an early close of the second day ance to travel. The confi rmation ensures Australians will pad up for their fi rst internationals in nearly six months, with Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Lyon and Marcus Stoinis recalled to the squad, while Us- man Khawaja and Travis Head missed out. Australia was originally scheduled to play three one-day and three Twenty20 matches against England in July, but the trip was postponed due to the Wales as we work through the coronavirus pandemic. challenges in front of us.” Detailed biosecurity plans Australia named a 21-man have now been agreed to ensure squad with Maxwell, Lyon and it can go ahead, including gov- Stoinis among notable inclu- ernment exemptions, which are sions, along with three debutants required for Australians to leave — Josh Philippe, Daniel Sams and the country. The team has also Riley Meredith. agreed to self-quarantine for 14 But there was no room for days on their return. Head, Khawaja, Michael Neser, They depart from Perth on Ben McDermott or D’Arcy Short, August 23 en route to Derby who were all named in a prelimi- ahead of four practice matches nary 26-man squad last month. — three T20s and a one-dayer — “I am delighted with how the before three T20s and three one- players have returned to their day internationals in Southamp- states from the break back in ton and Old Traff ord, which have March. The whole squad has come hotels on site. back fi tter and stronger, which is “We are very excited to be great testament to each of them,” heading to England and to get said coach Justin Langer. back into the international fray,” “We have a massive assign- said Cricket Australia’s interim ment ahead with World Cups, chief Nick Hockley. Test series against India and “We congratulate the England South Africa and the Ashes next Cricket Board on leading the re- year. We can’t wait to get back sumption of the game in a way into it again.” that places the health and safety of players and staff at its core.” AUSTRALIA’S T20 AND ODI His opposite number at the SQUAD: Aaron Finch (capt), Sean ECB Tom Harrison said Australia Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, was owed “a signifi cant debt of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, gratitude” for making sure the Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan tour went ahead. Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn “Their cooperation to ensure Maxwell, Riley Meredith, Josh Pakistan’s Mohamed Rizwan (right) plays a shot off the bowling of England’s Stuart Broad on second day of second Test in Southampton, , yesterday. () these matches are staged is cru- Philippe, Daniel Sams, Kane Ri- cial to cricket in this country,” chardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell AFP Stuart Broad. during Pakistan’s three-wicket cluding four boundaries. Scorecard he added. “It will also provide Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Southampton, United Kingdom Fortunately for the umpires, defeat in the fi rst Test at Old The in-form Broad’s haul of much-needed fi nancial aid at all Tye, Matthew Wade, David in a series being played behind Traff ord last week, was caught 3-56 in 25 overs saw him become levels of cricket in England and Warner, Adam Zampa PAKISTAN 1st inn (o/n 126-5) closed doors because of the coro- behind going for a booming the seventh England bowler to ohamed Rizwan navirus, there were no angry drive off James Anderson. take three wickets in seven con- S Masood lbw b Anderson 1 frustrated England spectators when they halted play His exit saw Anderson move secutive Test innings Abid Ali c Burns b Curran 60 as he marked Paki- for bad light 10 minutes after tea, to within seven wickets of be- Pakistan resumed in trouble Azhar Ali c Burns b Anderson 20 stan’s Independence with neither the batsmen nor the coming the fi rst paceman to take at 126-5, with Babar 25 not out Dhoni, other CSK players reach MDay with a fi ne unbeaten fi fty in fi elders appearing to be in any 600 Test wickets. and Rizwan unbeaten on four. B Azam c Buttler b Broad 47 Chennai for camp ahead of IPL the second Test at Southampton more danger of injury than they Pakistan captain Azhar Ali A Shafiq c Sibley b Broad 5 yesterday. had been moments earlier. RIZWAN COUNTERS had won the toss and batted on F Alam lbw b Woakes 0 IANS World Cup semi-final. Pakistan were 223-9 when In overcast conditions ide- And Pakistan were 176-8 when Thursday. Chennai, India Suresh Raina, Deepak Chahar, bad light — despite the Ageas ally suited to England’s four-man Shaheen Afridi was run out for But his side lost three wickets M Rizwan not out 60 Piyush Chawla and Kedar Bowl fl oodlights being on full pace attack, Pakistan creditably a duck with Dom Sibley, run- for 18 runs on a rain-shortened Y Shah c Buttler b Anderson 5 Jadhav are some other players beam — led to an early close of got through the hour’s play that ning round from the slip cordon, fi rst day where the humid at- S Afridi run out (Sibley) 0 ormer India skipper who have reached the city for the second day. took place in the morning after a throwing down the stumps at mosphere aided the bowlers. Mahendra Singh Dhoni the week-long camp beginning M Abbas lbw b Broad 2 Rizwan was 60 not out after rain delay without losing a wicket the bowler’s end. Pakistan’s plight would have Fand some of his Chennai today at the MA Chidambaram more than three hours at the as they reached lunch on 155-5. Rizwan, however, cleverly up- been worse had not opener Abid N Shah not out 1Super Kings (CSK) colleagues stadium. crease. But Babar Azam, in for nearly percut left-arm paceman Sam Ali been dropped twice in the Extras (b9, lb11, nb1, w1) 22 arrived in Chennai yesterday “Thala Dharisanam Reloaded!” It was the wicketkeeper’s sec- two-and-a-half hours, was Curran over the slips for four slips on the way to making 60. for a short training camp ahead CSK posted on their Twitter Total (9 wkts, 86 overs) 223 ond fi fty in eight career Tests eventually undone for 47 when before driving Chris Woakes Meanwhile left-handed bats- of the Indian handle with a Dhoni pic at the following his 95 against Austral- he edged an excellent full-length through extra-cover for another man Fawad Alam saw his near Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Masood), to be played in the UAE from airport, wearing a mask. ia in Brisbane in November. Broad delivery that moved away boundary. 11-year wait for a Test recall fi n- 2-78 (Azhar Ali), 3-102 (Abid September 19 to November 10. The three-time IPL champions Pakistan were in danger of be- late to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. England took the new ball but, ish with a four-ball duck when Ali), 4-117 (Shafiq), 5-120 (Alam), Dhoni will lead CSK in the 13th had organised a camp from ing dismissed for under 200 at But the England gloveman bizarrely, still kept six fi elders lbw on review to Woakes. 6-158 (Azam), 7-171 (Y Shah), edition of the IPL, making March 2 ahead of the originally 176-8. could not hold a diffi cult leg- back to Rizwan even when con- Victory in this match would 8-176 (Afridi), 9-215 (Abbas) an eagerly-awaited return to scheduled IPL from March 29 But Mohamed Abbas, who side chance when Rizwan, on 14, ditions were so clearly in their put England 2-0 up in a three- Bowling: Anderson 24-5-48-3 competitive cricket after a pro- before the event was post- made two off 20 balls, gave miscued a hook off Broad. favour. match campaign and see them (1nb); Broad 25-7-56-3; Curran longed sabbatical since India poned owing to the coronavi- Rizwan staunch support in a Yasir Shah, who had briefl y Rizwan’s two off Broad saw to their fi rst series win over Pa- 18-3-44-1; Woakes 19-3-55-1 (1w) lost to New Zealand in the 2019 rus pandemic. stand of 39 before he was lbw to frustrated England with the bat him to a fi fty off 104 balls in- kistan since 2010.

BOTTOMLINE Ex-South Africa skipper Smith hits back at race bias claims

AFP Former wicketkeeper Thami to make way in similar circum- He said the decision to pick De Johannesburg, South Africa Tsolekile was particularly critical stances because South Africa Villiers ahead of Tsolekile in 2012 of Smith during a radio interview were seeking more bowling fi re- was made by “a whole panel of on Tuesday, blaming Smith for power. selectors” and that then-coach ormer South Africa cap- keeping him out of the Test team Smith added that he person- Gary Kirsten had told Tsolekile tain Graeme Smith on after Boucher suff ered a career- ally was “gutted” when he was he was reserve to De Villiers fol- Thursday responded to ending injury on a 2012 tour of not selected for the 2003 World lowing Boucher’s injury. allegations of bias against England. Cup — he eventually came into In recent weeks, a group of blackF players by stating that he Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini the squad as an injury replace- former black players and coaches had “personal relationship chal- earlier said he felt “lonely” as ment — and again later in his ca- have criticised events in South lenges” with several other players a player despite playing in 101 reer when he was dropped from African cricket, including the ap- during his time in charge. Tests and he also felt he was un- the one-day side. pointment of Boucher as national Smith, currently Cricket South fairly dropped from the team to- “I felt I still had more to give coach ahead of black coaches Africa’s director of cricket, has wards the end of his career. in ODI cricket but (replacement) who have stronger formal coach- come under fi re in recent weeks Although Tsolekile, who has Quinton de Kock has shown that ing credentials. for appointing former Test wick- subsequently been banned for 12 it was his time,” he said. Boucher has only a level two etkeeper Mark Boucher as na- years for his role in a match-fi x- “And, over time, I have grown coaching certifi cate which is tional team coach. ing scandal in a domestic com- to understand that it was the given to former players without He has also been accused of petition, was in the squad as a right call for the team. And that having to attend courses. allowing black players to feel iso- reserve wicketkeeper, the gloves has always been the crux of the The group, describing them- lated during his time as captain. were handed to leading batsman decisions made in my time.” selves as “concerned former Smith, who captained South AB de Villiers. Smith sympathised with cricketers and coaches” had a Africa in a world record 108 Test “I look at many respected cap- Tsolekile because wicketkeep- virtual meeting with the board of matches from 2003 until 2014, tains around the world and there ing was a specialist role and Cricket South Africa last week- as well as 149 one-day interna- are plenty of players who felt they He said Australia’s Steve Smith cited Shaun Pollock and “There were very emotional it was a trend in international end. tionals, said he realised early in were not given a fair chance,” said Waugh was an example of a Lance Klusener as two leading discussions because they are cricket for wicketkeepers to Smith said allegations and in- his captaincy that it would not be Smith in a statement which he highly regarded captain who had players who were dropped from both legends of our cricket his- have long careers, keeping oth- sinuations against him were “ex- possible to please everyone in his said was issued in his personal his detractors from former team- the team before they were ready tory.” er capable glovemen out of the tremely hurtful and I deny them team. capacity. mates. to retire. He said Pollock and Ntini had team. in the strongest possible sense”. Gulf Times Saturday, August 15, 2020 3 SPORT

FORMULA 1 MOTORCYCLING Espargaro tops Hamilton fastest rain-hit Austrian on a sweltering MotoGP practice Spanish aft ernoon ‘... we looked very close to the Red Bull so I think it’s going to be a really close race’

Reuters Barcelona, Spain

ormula One leader Lewis Hamilton went fastest in a searingly hot second AFP onship returned to Spielberg in practice for the Spanish Spielberg, Austria 2016. GrandF Prix yesterday with Mer- Binder was down in 16th as cedes again dominant after los- he looks to double up after his ing out to Red Bull last weekend. ol Espargaro on a KTM maiden MotoGP success in only The six-times world champi- posted the quickest time his third race in his rookie sea- on, who is 30 points clear of Red in opening practice for son. Bull’s 70th Anniversary Grand this weekend’s Austrian Fabio Quartararo, who leads Prix winner Max Verstappen af- PMotoGP with yesterday’s second the world championship stand- ter fi ve races, lapped the Circuit session all but wiped out by rain. ings after winning the fi rst two de Catalunya outside Barcelona KTM are on a roll after Espar- races, came in 10th on his SRT with a best time of one minute garo’s South African teammate Yamaha satellite bike. 16.883 seconds on soft tyres. Brad Binder posted their break- Defending six-time champion Teammate Valtteri Bot- through win in the elite division Marc Marquez has yet to score a tas, who had been faster in the at the Czech MotoGP last Sun- point this season after crashing morning session with a lap of day. in the opening race at Jerez and 1:16.785 also on softs, was 0.287 And the Austrian outfi t are missing the next two races after off the Briton’s pace on an un- hoping to capitalise on home ad- surgery on a broken arm. eventful afternoon where track vantage for this fourth leg of the He will be absent again on Sun- temperatures exceeded 50 de- coronavirus-curtailed champi- day but hopes to return for the grees Celsius. onship. fi fth leg of the season back at the Verstappen was third in both In overcast but dry conditions same Spielberg circuit next week. sessions, 0.939 off the Finn’s Espargaro topped the morn- Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales, pace in the fi rst and then 0.821 ing time sheets ahead of last second in the championship, 17 slower in the second, with Re- year’s winner Andrea Dovizioso points behind Quartararo, ended nault’s Daniel Ricciardo fourth (Ducati) and Takaaki Nakagami the day in 11th spot. on the timesheets after lunch. (Honda-LCR). Teammate and seven-time Hamilton has won the last Ducati have won all four Aus- MotoGP world champion Valen- three Spanish Grands Prix and trian races since the champi- tino Rossi was 13th. is going for his fourth win in six races on Sunday in a race re- Pit crew members work on Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s car during the second practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit scheduled from May due to the de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona, Spain, yesterday. (AFP) SNOOKER Covid-19 pandemic. “It’s defi nitely quite tough out stone, when Verstappen won, also been positive, even if the weekend. eighth in session two. there, it’s the hottest that it’s but Hamilton said they were Red Bull was still behind Mer- Haas’ Romain Grosjean, Briton George Russell sat out been,” said Hamilton. “I don’t looking OK in that area — al- cedes on single lap pace. whose car also has a Ferrari en- the opening session, handing Tearful Wilson in think I’ve been to Spain when though they had not seen any Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was gine, was a surprise fi fth fast- his car to Israeli development it’s this hot. blistering last Friday either. fourth and sixth fastest respec- est in the afternoon and had the driver Roy Nissany who was the “It’s beautiful weather but it’s “It’s been a good day... on the tively in the sessions, with Ger- sixth best time in the opening slowest driver on track. Worlds fi nal aft er a killer in the car. And its obvi- long runs we looked very close man team mate Sebastian Vettel session. Nissany lapped 3.879 seconds ously very tough on tyres as to the Red Bull so I think it’s go- fi fth and 12th. Racing Point’s returning slower than Bottas but only 0.3 well.” ing to be a really close race,” said Vettel has a new chassis for Mexican Sergio Perez, who adrift of Williams’ Canadian last frame drama Mercedes struggled with tyre Hamilton. the race after Ferrari found a missed two races due to test- Nicholas Latifi . blistering last Sunday at Silver- Verstappen said his day had crack in the one he used last ing positive for Covid-19, was AFP interview. London Wilson, who beat defending champion Judd Trump in the FOCUS quarter-fi nals, will face Ronnie Mercedes make U-turn over F1 deal yren Wilson wept tears O’Sullivan or Mark Selby in the of joy as he reached his fi nal. Mercedes team chief the exact reason I have told you fi rst World Snooker Wilson had returned for their Renault want Racing said yesterday the champions had before — I don’t think the teams Championship fi nal concluding session with a 13-11 changed their mind and were now will ever be united. Everybody afterK surviving a dramatic last advantage and stretched his lead ready to sign ’s bind- tries to achieve some little deals frame to beat Anthony McGill to three frames with a nerveless Point to lose more points ing commercial agreement. Wolff ’s outside. There’s a blame culture 17-16 on Friday. break of 94. Reuters intervention comes a week after in the media so we’ve decided to A remarkable fi nish to the fi rst But McGill stormed back with London, United Kingdom the German constructor said they move forward with Liberty.” semi-fi nal saw McGill miss a consecutive breaks of 84, 87 and would not sign the draft Concorde Wolff made clear that he had snooker eight times in a row be- 122 to achieve parity at the mid- Agreement for 2021 and beyond. sought a form of collective fore Wilson fl uked a green to ef- session interval. enault want an appeal Speaking at a video news confer- bargaining that would ensure the fectively seal the victory at Shef- Wilson nudged back in front court to strip Formula ence at the Spanish Grand Prix, teams were united, but this had fi eld’s Crucible Theatre. with a break of 82 but McGill ap- One rivals Racing Point the Mercedes team chief suggested he failed. As a result, he had started to work on Scottish qualifi er McGill had peared unfazed and pulled back of most of their points had accepted that it was impossible for the arrangements designed to suit Mercedes been one frame from victory, but level before a nerveless 98 sent fromR this season, team principal teams to be united — and, for Mercedes, a alone. world number eight Wilson hit him one frame from victory. Cyril Abiteboul said yesterday. pragmatic and singular approach would be “I’ve had some very constructive discus- back to win the last two. Wilson forced the decider af- Stewards docked Racing Point 15 best. sions with Chase (Carey, F1 chief executive) England’s Wilson struggled ter a re-rack, but neither player points for a breach of the sporting have done nothing wrong and “I’ve been pretty vocal after the meetings over the last weekend and most of the to contain his emotions after his could possibly have envisaged regulations after Renault protested seeking to have the punishment that we had, within the team, to say ‘this is clarifications that we wanted to achieve decisive shot and broke down the drama that was soon to un- the Mercedes-powered team’s overturned. what we need and this is the clarifications have been discussed... during a post-match television fold. brake ducts at every race since the “We were expecting a consist- we need in order to move forward’. But I’ve “I feel we’re at a good point to sign the Con- Austrian season-opener. ent sanction with other sanctions changed my opinion from Silverstone for corde Agreement and move on.” The team, whose 2020 car is a that we’ve seen in the past,” Abit- close copy of last year’s Mercedes, eboul told a video news confer- Wolff considering future as job ‘takes its toll’ Most Australian athletes against were also fi ned 400,000 euros ence at the Spanish Grand Prix. ($473,360) but allowed to con- “The most recent one (was the Toto Wolff is considering his future as Mer- the team. protest in Olympic competition tinue competing without having one) we accepted last year after Su- cedes Formula One team chief beyond the “There is no better place than to be in a to redesign the off ending parts. zuka when we were found in breach end of this year when his contract expires. meeting room with the engineers, or to sit Most Australian athletes believe protests have no place in Olympic The points deduction applied of the sporting regulations, and not The Austrian, who has guided Mercedes in the garage and watch the great work that competition or on the podium, a survey conducted by the coun- only to the Styrian Grand Prix, the technical regulations, and ex- to unprecedented success since taking is happening around. try’s Olympic athletes’ commission said yesterday. More than 80 race two of the season, with sub- cluded from that event, therefore over as chief executive off icer in 2014, later “I enjoy the battles that we have off -track, I percent of 496 respondents said protesting on the field of play sequent protests drawing a repri- losing all our points. becoming team principal, admitted his role like to engage with our sponsors and part- would “detract from the performance or experience of athletes,” mand. “There was no discount for Re- takes a heavy toll and he was reflecting on ners and this is how I feel.” the survey by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Athletes’ Renault, Ferrari and Canadian- nault. So I don’t know why there his position. He added: “Many factors make me want to Commission said. Nearly 41% said the Olympics were “not a place owned Racing Point are all pro- should be a discount for Racing “I enjoy what I do,” he said. “I enjoy it mostly stay, but it takes its toll. There is no reason not for athletes to publicly express their views”. The survey was testing the stewards’ decision, Point. It should be all the points of because I love to work with the people in to continue. We will find out in which role.” prompted by an IOC Athletes’ Commission initiative to explore the the latter team arguing that they the events that we’ve protested.” diff erent ways athletes can express their support for the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter. Some athletes have called for changes to rules that restrict protest at the Olympics following BOXING George Floyd’s death in US police custody in May, which sparked global Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Benavidez defends super middleweight crown Athletics meetings to feature ‘pioneering’ artifi cial crowd noise AFP thony Dirrell in the ninth round. crown, then kept it by winning him and I will have my hand opposite. It has just given me a New York, United States “I’m very eager to get back in a unanimous decision over the raised on fi ght night.” lot more time to train.” Several Diamond League athletics meetings this season will use the ring and give the fans a great Romanian in a 2018 rematch. Angulo says he has been Benavidez is wary of his vet- a pioneering system that will faithfully reproduce crowd noise fi ght,” Benavidez said. “Training Angulo, who at 36 gives away helped by the Covid-19 shut- eran rival but still confi dent he to make up for the lack of spectators caused by Covid-19 safety ndefeated American camp has been amazing. 13 years to his opponent, is 26-1 down of boxing. can fi nd a way to knock him out. precautions, the sport’s governing body said yesterday. World David Benavidez de- “Fortunately, my dad opened with 22 knockouts. He has three “It has helped me tremendous- “I’m ready for whatever he Athletics said in a statement that the system “can create the fends his World Boxing his own gym just before the wins since suff ering his lone loss ly,” the South American said. “I’ve brings to the ring. I just have to typical crowd sounds heard at athletics meetings, at the right mo- Council super middle- pandemic, so we’ve had private in his only prior world title fi ght, been able to prepare better, and be patient,” Benavidez said. “I ment”. “Ghost events don’t have to be silent,” said World Athletics Uweight world title for the third training and been able to safely losing a unanimous decision not just physically, but also spir- can’t just try to knock him out event presentation manager Florian Webber. He said the system time today against Colombia’s bring in sparring partners to to unbeaten Mexican Gilberto itually and emotionally. I’m more and leave myself open. “will create an environment that athletes are used to, help them Alexis Angulo. help me work.” Ramirez in 2018 for the World prepared than I’ve ever been and “I’m facing a very tricky and to compete and perform better and at the same time enhance the Benavidez, 22-0 with 19 In 2017, Benavidez became Boxing Organization crown. this is really the best thing that rugged fi ghter, so I’m taking him viewer experience for the TV audience.” World Athletics said it knockouts, returns to action in the youngest champion in su- “I’m ready for anything that could have happened to me. very seriously. I feel like I can developed the system with Australian designers at aFX Global and the feature bout at Uncasville, per middleweight history at age happens,” Angulo said. “Benavi- “I know the coronavirus has take advantage of some openings that a sound operator would use it to generate “custom spectator Connecticut, some 11 months 20 by beating Ronald Gavril in dez is a strong champion, but aff ected many people negatively, in his defense and look for the sounds in real time”. after stopping countryman An- a split decision for the vacant my style will be too much for but for me it has been the total knockout like I do every fi ght.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, August 15, 2020 SPORT

NBA NHL Smith’s overtime goal lift s Knights Blazers edge Nets to over Blackhawks

AFP the second to give Vegas a 3-2 Los Angeles lead. But Strome answered with a shot at the left post after a pass eilly Smith scored from Kane with 14 seconds left keep playoff bid alive 7:13 into overtime to in the second. give the Vegas Golden Vegas will look to take a Knights a 4-3 win stranglehold on the series in LAKERS FALL TO SACRAMENTO KINGS IN LAST TUNEUP FOR PLAYOFFS overR the Chicago Blackhawks game three on Saturday, but and a 2-0 lead in their NHL Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton Western Conference playoff said he thought the Black- AFP series on Thursday. hawks could rally. Miami The top-seeded Knights “We’re not out of it,” Col- needed Smith’s fi rst career liton said. “We’re going to re- overtime goal in the Stanley group and come back raring to amian Lillard scored 42 points Cup playoff s to extend their go for game three.” and came up with a key late steal lead over eighth-seeded Chi- Elsewhere in the West, as the Portland Trail Blazers cago in the best-of-seven Jamie Oleksiak’s goal in the fi - edged the Brooklyn Nets 134- Western Conference series be- nal minute of the third period 133D on Thursday to keep their NBA playoff ing played in the NHL’s quar- lifted the Dallas Stars to a 5-4 hopes alive. antine hub in Edmonton. victory over Calgary Flames The scrappy, scintillating win put the “(Nick) Cousins did a great that leveled their series at one Blazers into a weekend play-in series with job of creating time,” the Memphis Grizzlies for the fi nal West- said Smith, who cred- RESULTS ern Conference playoff berth. ited linemate Paul Caris LeVert, who led the playoff - Stastny with a “great” Columbus 3-1 Tampa Bay bound Nets with 37 points, had a chance pass. Las Vegas 4-3 Chicago to deny them but missed a potential “I was fortunate Carolina 3-2 Boston game-winning jump shot as time expired. enough it took a great “So we came out here and earned an- bounce off my stick,” Dallas 5-4 Calgary other win,” said Lillard, who had scored he added. a combined 112 points in the Blazers’ pre- Stastny, Tomas vious two games in the NBA’s season re- Nosek and Mark Stone also game apiece. start in a quarantine bubble in Orlando, scored, Jonathan Marches- Two Eastern Conference se- Florida. sault had two assists, and ries were knotted at 1-1 after “It feels better going into the play- goaltender Robin Lehner made the Columbus Blue Jackets and in game knowing that our eight games 22 saves for Vegas. Carolina Hurricanes posted we had to work for – so we deserve to be Kirby Dach, Dominik Kuba- wins in Toronto. where we’re going.” lik and Dylan Strome scored, Alexander Wennberg scored Portland led by two with 1:12 remain- and Patrick Kane had three as- a spectacular goal at 11:27 of ing when Lillard ran down LeVert for a sists for Chicago. Blackhawks the third period to cap the Blue steal. CJ McCollum, who scored 25 points goalie Corey Crawford made Jackets’ scoring in a 3-1 win for the Blazers, followed with a jump shot 35 saves – including 16 in the over the Tampa Bay Lightning. that stretched Portland’s lead to 134-130 third period to help force over- Wennberg carried the puck with less than a minute to play. time. down the right side and played Stastny gave Vegas a 1-0 it between his legs as he moved RESULTS lead at 10:44 of the fi rst pe- outside before slicing towards riod. the net to shoot. Washington 96-90 Boston Nosek made it 2-0 at 15:35. “It felt like a good time to Sacramento 136-122 Lakers Dach scored on a backhand pull that off , so it worked out,” at the right post at 3:17 of Wennberg said. Memphis 119-106 Milwaukee the second period to pull the The Hurricanes beat the Phoenix 128-102 Dallas Blackhawks within 2-1 and Boston Bruins 3-2 on Dougie Utah 118-112 San Antonio Kubalik made it 2-2 with a Hamilton’s game-winning Portland 134-133 Brooklyn power-play goal at 12:07 of the goal at 8:30 of the third period. second period. James Reimer made 33 Orlando 133-127 New Orleans Stone shot a loose puck into saves, and Andrei Svechnikov LeVert responded with a three-point the net that defl ected off his had a goal and an assist for the play, but couldn’t put it away at the end. chest at the left post at 17:20 of Hurricanes. Despite his recent off ensive exploits, Lillard said he expected a tough game from the Nets, who will face the reign- ing champion Toronto Raptors in the fi rst round of the playoff s. “I knew what we were coming into to- night,” he said. “We weren’t going to come in and just get them out of there. They play with a lot of eff ort, they play together and they believe.” As the eighth seed, the Blazers must beat the No. 9 Grizzlies just once to book a fi rst-round series against the West-lead- ing Los Angeles Lakers. The Grizzlies need two wins, and can send the play-in series to a second game with a victory on Satur- day. The Grizzlies clinched their play-in series spot with a 119-106 victory over a depleted Milwaukee Bucks, taking full advantage of the absence of suspended Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard (left) goes up with the ball against Brooklyn Nets’ Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot during the first half Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. of their NBA game at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (USA TODAY Sports) Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas and Rookie of the Year candidate Ja Morant and had Kristaps Porzingis sidelined with Antonio shortly before the Spurs took the Kings. Buddy Hield scored 28 points and both posted triple doubles, Valanciunas a foot injury. Booker has been a revela- court against the Utah Jazz. The last time Bogdan Bogdanovic added 27 as the Kings scoring 26 points with 19 rebounds and 12 tion in the restart, averaging 30.5 points the Spurs failed to make the playoff s was notched just their third victory in the re- assists and Morant putting up 12 points, 13 over eight games. As the Suns waited for 1997, and coach Gregg Popovich then pre- start. Lakers superstar LeBron James, who rebounds and 10 assists. the outcome of the Blazers game to learn sided over a 22-season run of post-season was listed as “questionable” for the game Dillon Brooks added 31 points for the their fate, he said the Suns had accom- appearances that yielded fi ve champion- with a sore right groin, scored 17 points in Grizzlies. It was a heartbreaking night plished plenty even if they were done for ships and a 170-114 playoff record. less than 15 minutes of action – all in the for the Phoenix Suns, who completed the the season. After Utah’s 118-112 victory over the fi rst half. Dion Waiters led the Lakers with only perfect 8-0 run in the restart with a “We had one objective, to get better, Spurs, Popovich praised his young team 19 points and Markieff Morris added 14. 128-102 victory over Dallas but still failed and we did that,” Booker said. “I think we and made light of the end of the streak. “I think our guys are ready to get into to make the play-in series. Devin Booker approached this with the right mindset “I don’t dwell on the past,” Popovich that playoff environment,” Lakers coach scored 23 of his 27 points in the fi rst half, from the beginning, from practices, from said. “What’s important is the moment ... Frank Vogel said. when Phoenix connected on 65.9% of their training camp in Phoenix, from the fi rst I’m thrilled at the way they played.” “LeBron was able to get in, get a lit- shots on the way to a 76-57 halftime lead. two weeks we got down here, everybody As the West’s four remaining playoff tle bit of rhythm so he doesn’t have such The Suns led by as many as 28 points was locked in on all cylinders.” contenders battled it out for the two play- a long layoff between games ... So there against a playoff -bound Mavs team that The wins for Phoenix and Memphis in berths, the Lakers coasted into the play- were plenty of positives, but we certainly gave star Luka Doncic limited minutes combined to extinguish the hopes of San off s with a 136-122 loss to the Sacramento need to play better than today.”

NFL Vegas Golden Knights Reilly Smith (right) celebrates his game- winning goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Snyder under pressure from minority owners Cup Playoff s at Rogers Place in Edmonton. (Getty Images/AFP) Reuters the report, over Snyder’s reluctance to Michael Jordan’s sneakers sell Washington part with his stake in the franchise. The Washington Football Team has for $615,000, new record been in turmoil off the fi eld. Not only ontroversy continues to en- did the franchise remove its contro- A pair of Michael Jordan’s game-worn sneakers sold for $615,000, velop the Washington Football versial nickname following sponsor Christie’s auction house said Thursday, shattering a record set just Team, with a Wall Street Jour- threats, the organisation is also con- months ago by the sale of another pair of the Basketball legend’s nal report indicating yesterday ducting an internal investigation into shoes. The sneakers were a pair of Air Jordan 1 Highs that the NBA thatC minority ownership partners are sexual harassment and verbal abuse megastar wore during a 1985 exhibition match in when he trying to pressure majority owner Dan- claims by female employees. dunked the ball so hard it shattered the glass backboard. iel Snyder to sell his stake in the club. Now comes word of a lawsuit fi led “This is the original shoe with an actual piece of the backboard, a There have been no indications that by Snyder this week claiming “a de- piece of glass, in the sole of the shoe,” said Caitlin Donovan, head Snyder is even remotely interested in famatory and false story” was revealed of handbag and sneaker sales at Christie’s - which organised the ending his 21-year tenure as the foot- about him by a current team investor, auction with Stadium Goods. Jordan racked up 30 points while ball team’s owner. according to an NBC Sports report. wearing the size 13.5 shoes, which are in the red and black colours A total of 40 percent of the team Snyder purchased the team for a of his Chicago Bulls team. Though the sale broke the record set is owned by minority partners Fred reported $800 million from the estate in May when a pair of Air Jordan 1’s sold for $560,000, the new Smith, Robert Rothman and Dwight of former owner Jack Kent Cooke in auction landed below the estimated range of $650,000 and Schar. The WSJ report indicated that 1999. Last year, Forbes estimated the $850,000. The record setting sales highlight the soaring market the three owners have hired an invest- value of the team at $3.4 billion, sev- value of objects identified with the retired Basketball superstar ment fi rm to sell their portions of the enth highest in the NFL. since the release of The Last Dance, an ESPN/Netflix documentary longtime NFL franchise. Meanwhile New England Patri- that chronicles the saga of Jordan and his Chicago Bulls. The team, and the minority shares, ots rookie off ensive lineman Dustin It also confirms that the lowly sneaker now has a place of pride though, would be worth much more Woodard has retired before ever play- in the world of wealthy collectors alongside more traditional col- if they were sold together. Potential ing a game, according to multiple re- lectibles. (AFP) buyers have walked away, according to ports. Washington Football Team majority owner Daniel Snyder Gulf Times Saturday, August 15, 2020 5 SPORT

CYCLING GOLF Woods commits to FedExCup Towering solo win playoff opener

Reuters make it to the fi nal, it would be New York the fi rst time he will have played three consecutive weeks on the PGA Tour since the 2018 playoff s. iger Woods will begin his In his last start, Woods posted a for Formolo as Roglic quest for a record third fi nal round three-under-par 67 FedExCup champion- to fi nish tied for 37th at the PGA ship next week as the Championship where his surgi- formerT world number one yes- cally-repaired back was not an terday committed to the playoff s issue despite the chilly weather opener at TPC Boston in Norton, at San Francisco’s Harding Park. Massachusetts. After the round, which was his When Woods tees it up at The lowest of the week, Woods said shines at Criterium Northern Trust in only his fi fth he was gearing up for a heavy tournament of 2020, he will also workload in case he has the op- be seeking an 83rd PGA Tour portunity to compete in three ‘WE’VE GOT TIME, WE DON’T NEED TO STRESS OR WORRY’ victory that would eclipse Sam consecutive weeks. Snead on the all-time list. “Well, that’s potentially what AFP “Excited to head to Boston for could happen, and we’ve been Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France @TheNTGolf and start the #Fe- training for that,” said Woods. dExCup Playoff s,” Woods, who “Trying to get my strength and won the FedExCup in 2007 and endurance up to that ability to taly’s Davide Formolo com- 2009, announced on Twitter. making sure that I can handle pleted a courageous solo The top 125 players in the Fe- that type of workload.” break over two Alpine sum- dExCup rankings qualify for The Woods shot an opening- mits to win stage three of Northern Trust and only the top round 75 at last year’s Northern Ithe Criterium du Dauphine yes- 70 after that event qualify for the Trust but withdrew before the terday. following week’s BMW Champi- second round with a mild ob- Overnight leader Primoz onship where the top 30 players lique strain. He competed the Roglic of Jumbo-Visma was go on to the Tour Championship following week and in October second, extending his overall at East Lake in Atlanta. picked up his 82nd PGA Tour advantage over French climber Should Woods, who is cur- win with his triumph at the Zozo Thibaut Pinot and Ineos general rently 47th in the standings, Championship in Japan. Egan Bernal with a brief burst at the end of the 157km run be- tween Corenc and Saint-Mar- tin-de-Belleville. Former ski jumper Roglic once again underlined his bur- geoning status as favourite to win the upcoming Tour de France while Bernal’s team- mates Chris Froome and Ge- raint Thomas have been unable as yet to deliver the kind of sup- port Roglic enjoyed on the steep climbs. Bernal was nine seconds adrift of Roglic in 14th on the day while four-time Tour de France champion Froome eased up at the foot of the fi nal slope, fi nishing 15 minutes off the pace. Ineos’ Russian climber Pavel Sivakov said after the race Tiger Woods on the 18th hole during the second round of The 148th he felt Bernal had been huge. Open Championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, North- “Egan told me that he was not ern Ireland, on July 19, 2019. feeling super today,” said the Russian champion who stayed with Bernal once Thomas dropped off . “It’s still a long way LPGA cancels Taiwan tournament to the Tour, especially to the amid virus restrictions third week. We’ve got time, we don’t need to stress or worry.” The LPGA Tour cancelled the second straight Taiwan title Not feeling super, the ex- Taiwan Swinging Skirts tourna- last year, clinching the win in posed Bernal fi nished just a few ment because of ongoing a three-way playoff . She had seconds adrift of the leading coronavirus concerns and travel claimed her maiden LPGA vic- clutch of contenders. Italy’s Davide Formolo celebrates as he crosses the finish line at the end of the third stage of the 72nd edition of the Criterium du Dauphine restrictions. The event had tory in the same event in 2018. Roglic leads Pinot by just yesterday. (AFP) been scheduled for October Men’s and women’s profes- 14sec in the overall standings 29-November 1 at Miramar Golf sional golf has made a tentative with Bernal now seventh at ing Tour de France. Speeding Country Club, but the LPGA return in the United States and 31sec in a top 10 littered with STANDINGS AFTER THREE OF FIVE STAGES through fl ower-laden Alpine said the decision to cancel was Europe, but with no spectators potential winners. villages with their wooden ski based on the latest advice from and strict virus-prevention “It was a nice day,” smiled the 1. Primoz Roglic (SLO/JUM) Quintana (COL/ARK) 35, 10. JUM) 2:38. chalets, Formolo stooped low in the Taiwanese government. protocols. Slovenian after slipping on the 13hrs 14mins 35sec, 2. Thibaut Richie Porte (AUS/TRE) 35, a daredevil descent before tack- “While we are disappointed The LPGA 2020 season was leader’s yellow jersey again. Pinot (FRA/FDJ) at 14sec, 3. 11. Tadej Pogacar (SLO/UAE) SELECTED ling the 14.8km fi nal ascent at 6 we cannot play this year, both shut down by the pandemic “The two toughest days still Emanuel Buchmann (GER/BOR) 1:17, 12. Romain Bardet (FRA/ 18. Pavel Sivakov (RUS/INE) 3:15, percent, with the peloton clos- Swinging Skirts and the LPGA in February after just four remain, and we need to stay 20, 4. Guillaume Martin (FRA/ ALM) 1:24, 13. Tom Dumoulin 22. Davide Formolo (ITA/UAE) ing in fast he was at one point are fully committed to returning events, two in Florida and two focussed, I have some tough COF) 24, 5. Mikel Landa (ESP/ (NED/JUM) 2:03, 14. Sébastien 4:36, 23. Adam Yates (GBR/MIT) gasping and talking to himself. in 2021 for the Taiwan Swinging in Australia. It restarted just two guys round me,” he said. French BAH) 26, 6. Daniel Martinez Reichenbach (SUI/FDJ) 2:09, 15. 4:46, 28. Geraint Thomas (GBR/ “On the last climb I didn’t Skirts LPGA.” weeks ago with back-to-back climber Pinot will be a Tour (COL/EF1) 26, 7. Egan Bernal Pierre Rolland (FRA/BBH) 2:09, INE) 7:36, 44. Julian Alaphilippe know and I prayed that I would The announcement comes two events in Ohio, both won by challenger and promised this (COL/INE) 31, 8. Miguel Angel 16. Warren Barguil (FRA/ARK) (FRA/DEC) 22:26, 60. Chris be fi rst,” Formolo admitted af- days after the LPGA cancelled Danielle Kang. week “we’ll be competitive”. Lopez (COL/AST) 32, 9. Nairo 2:30, 17. Steven Kruijswijk (NED/ Froome (GBR/INE) 29:30. ter he crossed the line in 4hr its Shanghai tournament after This week the tour crossed the “I suff ered in the heat today, 6min 56sec.There are two fur- China said it would not hold Atlantic for the Scottish Open in but there are two more remain- 12 of the 2019 Tour de France is internal battle with himself to day’s winner who went solo on ther climbing days with Sun- most international sports North Berwick, to be followed ing and those who fancy their on the roster here fi ght through the pain barrier. the epic ascent of the Col de day’s fi nale at Megeve featuring events this year because of by the first major of the season, chances will make it very inter- The 27-year-old Formolo of “My morale dropped but I La Madeleine, 17.3km at over a spectacular panorama at the coronavirus. the British Women’s Open at esting riding,” Pinot said. the UAE Emirates Team said continued to work hard and the eight percent incline and one of fi nish line with Mont Blanc in American Nelly Korda won her Troon. Every rider who made the top afterwards he had also won an victory fi nally came,” said the the attractions of the up-com- the background.

MLB FOCUS Betts makes history, blasts three Varner, Hoge and Sloan share homers as Dodgers rout Padres PGA Wyndham lead with 62s Reuters three strikeouts. Los Angeles It was his longest outing in AFP under after rolling in a 14-foot four starts this season. Washington eagle putt at the 15th and chip- The Padres got fi rst-inning ping in for his seventh birdie ookie Betts led an home runs from Tommy Pham of the day at 16. But he closed electric power dis- and Eric Hosmer. Paddack (2-2) arold Varner fi red with a bogey to settle for a play Thursday, hit- gave up six runs on six hits over eight birdies in shoot- share of the lead. Sloan, mean- ting three home three innings with one walk and ing an eight-under while, birdied six of his fi rst Mruns, while fi nding his way into one strikeout. It was Paddack’s par 62 that put him eight holes before a bogey at the record book, as the Los An- shortest start of the season and inH a three-way tie for the fi rst- the ninth, then picked up three geles Dodgers rolled to an 11-2 the second shortest of his two- round lead Thursday at the more birdies coming in. victory at home over the San Di- year major league career. Wyndham Championship in English had seven birdies ego Padres. Seager, who homered in his Greensboro, North Carolina. and a bogey in his six-under 64 Betts matched Johnny Mize fi rst at-bat of the game, was Varner matched his career- and was one stroke in front of and Sammy Sosa as the only playing for the fi rst time since low round on the US PGA Tour Wesley Bryan, Brian Harman, players in major league history Los Angeles Dodgers right Friday, after he departed that and shared the lead with fellow Kim Si-woo, Patrick Reed and to hit three home runs in a game fielder Mookie Betts hits a solo game with a lower back strain. American Tom Hoge and Cana- Harold Varner of the United States lines up a putt on the 14th green Chesson Hadley. six times. According to STATS, home run during the fourth Seager and Pollock both hit dian Roger Sloan. during the first round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Betts is also the fi rst player in inning against the San Diego home runs in the fi rst inning. All three were in the club- Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP) LEADING ROUND 1 SCORES major league history to hit three Padres at Dodger Stadium. Pollock’s fi fth of the season gave house and two strokes clear (Round halted by thunder- home runs in the fi rst fi ve in- (USA TODAY Sports) Los Angeles the lead for good at of their nearest rival – Harris the fi nish would give him a 59, to put him atop the leader- storms, USA unless noted, nings of a game three times. 3-2. English – when thunderstorms although Varner said thoughts board on a course just a couple par-70) In just his 19th game with his recent scuffl es that saw them After Betts hit his fi rst homer halted play for the day. The fi rst of golf’s magic number never hours’ drive from his home- 62-Harold Varner, Tom Hoge, new club, Betts hit home runs score just three total runs in of the night in the second inning, round was set to resume Friday entered his head. town of Gastonia, North Caro- Roger Sloan in the second, fourth and fi fth the fi rst two games of the series a two-run shot, Pollock had an morning, with round two still “I didn’t think about it at lina. He doesn’t have the ben- 64-Harris English innings. One came off Padres against the Padres, both defeats. RBI double in the third for a 6-2 slated to start on schedule. all,” Varner said. “Just trying to efi t of hometown fans this week 65-Wesley Bryan, Brian Har- starter Chris Paddack while the The victory earned the Dodg- lead. Varner, chasing his fi rst tour birdie every hole. You can go get with the PGA Tour still playing man, Kim Si-woo (KOR), Patrick other two were off Luis Perdo- ers a 2-2 series split. Barnes and Betts both homer- title, was fi rst in the clubhouse it out here, obviously, with the without spectators amid the Reed, Chesson Hadley mo. Betts has seven home runs They have not lost a series in ed in the fourth, with Betts with a 62 that was fueled by scores, so I just knew that, you coronavirus pandemic. So a 66-Webb Simpson, Billy on the season. six tries so far this season. Dodg- crushing another one an inning four straight birdies from the know, the gas pedal is on the fl irt with a 59 would have added Horschel, Patton Kizzire, An- Corey Seager, AJ Pollock and ers starter Julio Urias (2-0) gave later, again with a runner aboard, eighth through the 11th. right.” some excitement on the largely drew Landry, Nate Lashley, Bud Austin Barnes also went deep as up two runs on fi ve hits over 6 to give the Dodgers an 11-2 ad- Birdies at the 13th and 15th In fact, Varner parred his way quiet course. Cauley, Chris Kirk, Kang Sung the Dodgers emerged from some 1/3 innings with no walks and vantage. meant a run of three birdies to in from the 15th, good enough Hoge moved as low as nine- (KOR), Jim Herman Gulf Times 6 Saturday, August 15, 2020 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Halep cruises into Serena beats Venus, Prague Open semis AFP Prague

op seed cruised to the WTA Prague Open semi- builds confi dence fi nals after seeing off Poland’sT qualifi er Magdalena Frech in two sets on another scorching day yesterday. The reigning Wimbledon champion needed only 59 minutes to beat the 22-year-old Pole 6-2, 6-0 for the US Open in what was her fi rst convincing win at tournament following two tight three-setters. are playing, training or eating. ‘I honestly didn’t come here to win a title for the first time in my career’ “It was a good one and I take it,” the 28-year-old world STOCKHOLM OPEN AFP number two said. “I hit the ball CANCELLED OVER COVID-19 Washington stronger and I opened the court The ATP tournament in better than in the previous two Stockholm, scheduled for Octo- matches,” Halep added. ber, has been cancelled due to the erena Williams rallied to defeat The tournament in Prague is impact of the novel coronavirus, sister Venus Williams 3-6, 6-3, Halep’s fi rst trip abroad since organisers said. The Stockholm 6-4 on Thursday in a second- February as she spent the lock- Open was scheduled to run from round matchup of Grand Slam down in her native Romania and October 19 to 25. championsS at the WTA Top Seed Open. then pulled out of the fi rst post- This is the fi rst time the Swed- Top-seeded Serena, a 23-time Grand lockdown WTA tournament in ish tournament has been can- Slam winner, said the victory will boost Palermo last week. She is yet to celled since its inception in 1969. her confi dence heading into the US Open decide whether she will play at While Sweden never imposed a as she improved to 19-12 in the 22-year- the US Open, but she has said she full lockdown, it has put a ban old rivalry with Venus. found the journey “tough”. on public gatherings with more “I wanted to win this for my game Amid the coronavirus epidem- than 50 people in place, a meas- and my confi dence,” said Serena, whose ic, the Prague tournament organ- ure which remains in force. only title as a mother came in January at isers have moved all players and The CEO of Stockholm Open, Auckland. “I honestly didn’t come here to staff to a single eight-storey hotel Jamie Perry, explained that play- win (a title) for the fi rst time in my career. reserved for the occasion. Regular ing the tournament without an I just came here to get some matches. I temperature checks are a must, audience was off the table since haven’t had this much time off since I had just like face masks which the the “larger part of revenues are the baby.” players have to wear unless they from the audience and sponsors.” Ninth-ranked Serena is one shy of matching Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles and she is preparing to chase a seventh career US Open singles crown at Flushing Mead- ATP Tour Finals to be played ows. Serena smacked a cross-court fore- hand winner to break Venus for a 2-1 lead behind closed doors in the third set, then dropped the next London: The season-ending be played at a renovated four games, only to break again in the ATP Tour Finals in November Rothenbaum Tennis Stadium, seventh on another forehand cross-court will be held behind closed which has a capacity of 10,000 winner, then hold to 4-4. doors in London due to the seats. However, the number of Serena zipped a backhand cross-court coronavirus pandemic, organis- spectators permitted will be winner past Venus to break for a 5-4 ers announced after publishing reduced due to social distanc- lead and served out the match, aided by an updated calendar yesterday. ing measures in Germany. an umpire over-rule ace to reach 30-30. The tournament features the The provisional revised Serena followed the call with her 14th ace top eight singles players and calendar also includes tourna- and won after two hours and 19 minutes Serena Williams plays a backhand eight best doubles pairings, ments in Saint Petersburg, when Venus sent a forehand beyond the during her match against Venus and will take place at the O2 Moscow, Antwerp, Vienna and baseline. “The last couple games I just Williams at the WTA Top Seed Open Arena from November 15-22. Sofia, while the Masters wanted to win because I’ve been losing a in Lexington, Kentucky. (AFP) The ATP said the decision will run from November 2-8. lot of those tight sets,” Serena said. “I just was taken in line with current However, the Asian swing tried to focus on those last two games.” British government guidance, has been cancelled following Serena improved to 100-110 after los- although it still hopes some a five-month virus suspension, ing the fi rst set, the best of any active fans may be able to attend. along with the Next Gen ATP WTA players. In the Williams sisters ri- The seven-time Grand Slam champion down the season for fi ve months until Serena has won 10 of their past 12 This year’s edition will be the Finals in Milan. valry, the fi rst-set winner has taken 26 ousted in the fi rst last week and forced the Lexington, Ken- meetings dating to Miami 2009. It was last to be staged in London be- The ATP season is set to of 31 meetings. “This was right up there,” round. “She played unbelievable,” Ser- tucky, event to be played without public the fi rst match between the superstar fore the event moves to Turin in resume on August 22 with the Serena said. “I’d say it was one of the all- ena said of Venus. “She’s doing so good. spectators. siblings since the third round of the 2018 2021. The Italian Open in Rome Western & Southern Open, time top fi ve super-competitive matches I honestly don’t know how I was able to Serena advanced to a quarter-fi nal US Open, when Serena, in her comeback has been brought forward by which has been moved from between the two of us.” pull it off at the end. She played so well.” against fellow American Shelby Rogers, season from maternity leave, won 6-1, a week to September 14, with Cincinnati to New York, before Serena had six double faults and hit Venus, 40, and Serena, 38, had a com- who ousted Canadian teen Leylah Fern- 6-2. Also into the last eight was Jil Teich- the Hamburg Open — originally the US Open, which will be held 67% of her fi rst serves while winning bined age of 79 years and 19 days, the andez 6-2, 7-5. Thursday’s match marked mann, who eliminated Kazak fi fth seed scheduled for mid-July — rear- August 31-September 13. 46% of second-serve points and tak- third-oldest combined age of any WTA the earliest Serena and Venus have met in Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-2. ranged for September 19-27, the The women’s WTA tour ing 5-of-15 break points in her fi rst event Tour match. The sisters concluded mat- a draw since their fi rst tour-level meeting The Swiss next plays Catherine Bellis, week before Roland Garros. restarted in Palermo, Italy, on since February’s Fed Cup. Venus, ranked ters with a racquet tap at the net, a nod in the second round of the 1998 Austral- who beat US compatriot Jessica Pegula The Hamburg event will August 3. 67th, had six aces with 11 double faults. to the Covid-19 pandemic that had shut ian Open. 6-3, 6-2.

PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL Willian outlines coach Arteta’s Premier League chief Masters opens up infl uence aft er joining Arsenal on failed Newcastle United takeover

By Nick Ames AFP directors’ test, Amanda Staveley’s consor- nation that one entity would fall within the London tium, under which Saudi Arabia’s Public criteria requiring the provision of this in- Investment Fund is seeking to buy an 80 formation. The Premier League recognised percent stake in the club, declined an off er this dispute, and off ered the consortium the rsenal yesterday con- remier League chief executive Rich- of independent arbitration. ability to have the matter determined by an fi rmed the signing of ard Masters has responded to a plea “In June, the Premier League board made independent arbitral tribunal if it wished to Willian on a three-year for clarity over the failed takeover a clear determination as to which entities it challenge the conclusion of the board. contract, the Brazilian of Newcastle United. PCP Capital believed would have control over the club “The consortium chose not to take up completingA his long-anticipated Partners’P largely Saudi-funded £340mn bid following the proposed acquisition, in ac- that off er, but nor did it procure the provi- move within fi ve days of ending to buy the Premier League club collapsed cordance with the Premier League rules,” sion of the additional information. Later, it his spell at Chelsea. recently. Newcastle fans are unhappy with Masters wrote in a letter published. “Subse- (or PIF specifi cally) voluntarily withdrew Willian’s arrival at the Emir- the failure to seal the deal, especially as the quently, the Premier League then asked each from the process.” ates had been an open secret and, club’s current owner Mike Ashley is widely such person or entity to provide the Premier Masters’ comments came after the con- after Arsenal defeated his previ- disliked on Tyneside. Newcastle Central MP League with additional information, which sortium withdrew its bid for the club having ous employers in the FA Cup fi nal Chi Onwurah asked Masters to discuss the would then have been used to consider the waited in vain for the green light, although on 1 August, the only question collapsed takeover. assessment of any possible disqualifying Ashley has insisted he remains committed was how long it would take to Masters confi rmed that after an impasse events. “In this matter, the consortium dis- to the deal 17 weeks after the matter went to complete the deal. The 32-year- was reached in the league’s owners’ and agreed with the Premier League’s determi- the Premier League. old adds experience across Mikel Arteta’s attacking midfi eld posi- rope so I’m very happy because is that Willian, a hugely popular tions and may well spend much of that,” he said. fi gure at Stamford Bridge, will FOCUS of his time in a central role. Willian’s deal is expected to have the same impact on the “I believe he’s a player that secure him comfortably more club’s youngsters that David Luiz can really make a diff erence for than the £120,000 a week he has exerted since making a simi- us,” Arteta said. “We have been earned at Chelsea when bonuses lar move last year. Wiegmann to replace Neville as England coach monitoring him for the past few and other incentives are includ- Chelsea had hoped to keep AFP a high next year. “The ride with the Oranje months, we had a clear intention ed. Such fi gures may stick in the Willian but were not prepared London Lionesses has been amazing so far, but we to strengthen in the attacking throat given Arsenal announced to off er a contract of similar du- haven’t reached our fi nal destination yet,” midfi elder and the winger posi- 55 redundancies in non-playing ration and he turned down their she said. “There are two more goals: quali- tions. He is a player that gives us areas of the club last week. most recent proposal. He also arina Wiegman is to replace Phil fying for the Euros in 2022 and challenging a lot of versatility, he can play in The footballing case, though, received interest from abroad but Neville as head coach of the England at the Olympics next summer.” three or four diff erent positions. is that the Brazil international was keen to remain in London, women’s football team next year, the Neville coached England’s women to “He has the experience of eve- – who won two Premier League with Tottenham also linked ear- Football Association (FA) announced fourth place at the 2019 Women’s World rything in the football world, but titles during a successful sev- lier in the summer.” yesterday.S The 50-year-old Dutch woman Cup but the former Manchester United’s to still have the ambition to come en years at Chelsea – will off er Arsenal expect to confi rm an- will take charge of the Netherlands in next star waned as their form slumped follow- here and contribute to bring the polish and incision to a team that other big-money contract soon, year’s Olympics before assuming control of ing that. He announced in April he would be club where it belongs. I have been struggled for creativity through- with the captain Pierre-Emerick England. stepping down when his contract expires in really impressed with all the talks out last season. Aubameyang likely to sign a new The former Dutch international defender July next year. I have had with him and how The length of the deal of- deal in time for next season. will be in charge when England hosts the There is a possibility he could be the Team much he wanted to come.” fered to Willian, whose agent They will also be active in what 2022 Euros, the 2023 World Cup in Australia GB coach at the Olympics in Tokyo next July Willian outlined Arteta’s in- Kia Joorabchian also represents promises to be a frantic transfer and New Zealand and the following Euros — postponed from this year due to the coro- fl uence in attracting him to Ar- David Luiz and Cedric Soares, market until the window closes in 2025. Wiegman was the FA’s preferred navirus pandemic — but the FA are not tak- senal. “[I like] the way they play, may also raise eyebrows. It will in October. A defender, a central choice ahead of reportedly two-time World been at the forefront of developing women’s ing any chances as he has indicated he would everything is amazing – the expire when he is almost 35 but midfi elder and another forward Cup winning former USA coach Jill Ellis. football in recent times. Under Wiegman, like to coach a club. stadium, and I think that with Arteta also believes he can help are all in Arteta’s sights and, with Ellis’s second World Cup triumph came Holland won the 2017 European Champion- The Games run from July 23 to August 8. Arteta, Arsenal have a great op- improve players like Bukayo Saka a bulging wage bill, departures of at the expense of Wiegman’s Dutch side ship as hosts. Wiegman — who in 2001 be- The FA said it will talk to the other home na- portunity to fi ght again for titles and Reiss Nelson, who both op- several peripheral players are in- last year. Wiegman said she was delighted came the fi rst Dutch footballer to be capped tions over the post for the Olympics and a in the Premier League and in Eu- erate largely out wide. The hope evitable to fund help such moves. to be taking over a side whose country had 100 times — says she wants to bow out on decision will be announced in “due course”. Gulf Times Saturday, August 15, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND-UP Barcelona’s Umtiti tests ‘Proud’ Leipzig boss positive for Nagelsmann relishing Covid-19 facing ex-mentor Tuchel Leipzig reach the Champions League semis for the first time with a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid

AFP Lisbon arcelona said France B Leipzig boss Julian Nagels- defender Samuel Um- mann says he is relishing fac- titi has tested positive ing former mentor and Paris for Covid-19, although Saint Germain coach Thomas theB result will not aff ect their TuchelR in the Champions League semi- Champions League quarter- fi nals following his side’s stunning win fi nal with Bayern Munich yes- over Atletico Madrid. terday as he is injured and not Leipzig, who were only founded in with the squad. 2009, booked a semi-fi nal berth at their Umtiti is the second Barca fi rst attempt in the knock-out stages player to give a positive test for when US midfi elder Tyler Adams hit an Covid-19 in the last week after 88th-minute winner. It sealed the Ger- his fellow French defender Jean- mans’ win after a Joao Felix penalty for Clair Todibo was diagnosed with Atletico had cancelled out Dani Olmo’s the virus on Wednesday when header for Leipzig early in the second reporting back for pre-season half. training. Barca said in a state- Leipzig now face PSG next Tuesday, ment that World Cup winner also in Lisbon, for a place in the August Umtiti was asymptomatic, in 23 fi nal. good health and was currently It was PSG’s German coach Tuchel, isolating in his home, adding 46, who gave Nagelsmann his fi rst break that people who had recently at Augsburg 12 years ago as a scout been in close contact with him which saw him then become a coach. would also receive a test. “They are a top team with a top train- er,” said the 33-year-old Nagelsmann, BENFICA SIGN whose playing career was ended in 2008 DEFENDER VERTONGHEN by a knee injury. Benfi ca announced the sign- “I have often played (as a coach) ing of Belgium defender Jan against him (Tuchel) but rarely won. Vertonghen on a three-year That should change now. I would also deal following his departure be satisfi ed with a bad game if we win,” from Tottenham last month. Nagelsmann added. Leipzig’s US Tyler Adams (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Atletico Madird during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final match at Vertonghen, 33, left Spurs in July When coach of his former club Hof- the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on Thursday night. (AFP) after eight years at the Premier fenheim, Nagelsmann lost twice and League club. drew against Tuchel, who was then in di Maria is coming back, Mbappe will be didn’t have to do that,” added Nagels- beaten Tottenham in the last 16, they have to enjoy it, then have a better game Benfi ca have also recruited charge of Borussia Dortmund in the fi t enough to play from the beginning. mann. want to make more are history. in the semi-fi nals in fi ve days.” Germany forward Luca Wald- between 2016 and 2017. It’s clear that we need another top per- “I couldn’t believe we scored that Their captain Yussuf Poulsen, 26, Poulsen said Nagelsmann’s meticu- schmidt from Freiburg and Bra- Nagelsmann was full of praise for PSG, formance to get into the fi nal.” beautiful goal. We had trained for the who joined in 2013-14 when Leip- lous preparations had been a key. “We zil winger Everton Soares from who came back against Atalanta on Nagelsmann’s Leipzig held their situation when we went 1-0 up, but zig were in Germany’s third division, were just well prepared, everyone knew Gremio for a combined 35mn Wednesday to win after scoring two late nerve after Felix equalised before Ad- things didn’t work out exactly. The boys acknowledged the magnitude of the what to do,” he said. “But we also had euros ($41.4mn). Both players goals. ams came off the bench to seal the win- sorted things out for themselves and achievement for the eastern Germany some players on the pitch who were not have signed a contract until 2025 “They are a team full of stars,” ner after superb work in the build-up showed how mentally strong they are, club backed by energy drinks fi rm Red playing Champions League for the fi rst with the Portuguese club. Nagelsmann added, referring to Ney- by left-back Angelino and midfi elder so I am really proud of them.” Bull. time,” he added after Leipzig bowed out They represent the fi rst major mar and fellow PSG forward Kylian Marcel Sabitzer. “I was getting ready This is the fi rst time Leipzig have “This is a story that you couldn’t have in the group stages in 2017-18. “If we’d arrivals since the return of Jorge Mbappe. “You could see yesterday at for extra-time and thinking about who made the knock-out stages of the written better,” said the Denmark strik- played a game like that two years ago, it Jesus as coach last month. The the end what quality they have. Angel I would bring on, so I am happy that I Champions League and having already er. “It is a great day, a great moment, we might have turned out diff erently.” 66-year-old is back for a second spell in charge, having won three league titles in six years from SPOTLIGHT FOCUS 2009 to 2015. Benfi ca fi nished runners-up to Porto last season after a poor run of form once the league restarted in June fol- Xavi’s assist against Persepolis Guardiola warns City of Lyon lowing a coronavirus-induced suspension. named among fi ve of the best shock in Champions League ABERDEEN DONATE PLAYER FINES FOR COV- ormer Al Sadd midfi elder AFP ID-19 BREACH TO HEALTH and current head coach Lisbon SERVICE Xavi Hernandez’s as- Aberdeen have fi ned eight sist against Persepolis in players who broke coronavirus 2018’sF AFC Champions League ep Guardiola warned Manchester protocols leading to three Scot- is among the top fi ve, according City that the straight knockout format tish Premiership matches being to the-AFC.com. The Continen- of the Champions League fi nal stages in postponed, with the money to tal competition has been graced Lisbon means being favourites counts be donated to the local health by numerous creative maestros Pfor little ahead of their quarter-fi nal clash with service. and none more than arguably one Lyon today. Two players tested positive of the greatest midfi elders of all City can reach the last four for just the sec- and another six were forced to time Xavi, who had an illustri- ond time in the club’s history and the fi rst since self-isolate for 14 days after ous career with Barcelona before Guardiola arrived in Manchester four years ago attending a restaurant and a bar joining Qatari giants Sadd. with victory over the French side, who fi nished together following a 1-0 home Xavi made his AFC Champions seventh in the curtailed 2019/20 season defeat to Rangers on August 1. League debut in 2018, lighting up due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bruce Anderson, Craig games with his vision, creativity But Lyon knocked out Juventus on away goals Bryson, Sam Cosgrove, Michael and even the odd goal to boot. to make the last eight and after suff ering plenty ready to handle the pressures of the Champions Devlin, Jonny Hayes, Matthew The Spaniard’s supreme of Champions League heartbreak with Barcelo- League later stages. Kennedy, Dylan McGeouch and awareness was key to Baghdad na, Bayern Munich and City since he last lifted “Of course it was so important to beat the Scott McKenna had previously Bounedjah goal, a glance over his the trophy as Barca boss in 2011, Guardiola is kings of the competition (Madrid), but when issued an unreserved apology shoulder coming just before he wary of his side’s tag as competition favourites. you play this competition in just one game any- for their actions in a joint state- swivels and dumbfounds the two “There is no second chance, it is back in thing can happen,” added Guardiola. “These ment. Scotland’s First Minister Persepolis centrebacks with the Manchester or stay here four more days. The games the mentality, the spirit, the head leads Nicola Sturgeon warned the smartest of balls to enable the approach is completely diff erent,” said Guar- all the other things and I feel the players are Scottish game’s return was on Algerian to double Al Sadd’s ad- diola at facing a one match shootout rather than ready to do it.” a yellow card this week after vantage at the Jassim Bin Hamad the normal two-legged tie at this stage of the Guardiola confi rmed that Sergio Aguero re- Celtic’s Belgian defender Boli Stadium. Sadd went on to win competition. mains in Barcelona recovering from a knee op- Bolingoli also broke government the match 3-1. Al Sadd’s Xavier Hernandez in action during the AFC Champions City beat 13-time winners Real Madrid home eration so will not feature today and is highly rules by failing to quarantine Also on the-AFC.com’s list are: League match against Persepolis at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in and away in the last 16 to record their fi rst doubtful to return even if City make it all the after returning from a trip to Al Ittihad’s Mohamed Noor’s as- Doha on February 20, 2018. (AFP) ever knockout win over a former winner in the way to the fi nal on August 23. Aguero is still in Spain. Aberdeen’s clashes with sist against Al Hilal on May 24, Champions League. Another will await in one Barcelona undergoing recuperation from June’s St Johnstone, Hamilton and 2011; Guangzhou Evergrande’s Ain’s star forward Omar Ab- Seoul’s Dejan Damjanovic assist of Guardiola’s former clubs, Barca or Bayern, operation and although he has been named Celtic, as well as Celtic’s trip to Gao Lin assist vs Central Coast dulrahman’s pass against Al Ain Shandong Luneng on August 24, in the semi-fi nals should City progress, but in the squad for the tournament, he is not yet St Mirren have all been post- Mariners on May 22, 2013; Al vs Nasaf on May 3, 2016 and FC 2016. the Catalan believes his side are now mentally ready even to take a place on the bench. poned over the past week.

BOTTOMLINE Lyon, France’s faded force, can still roar in Champions League AFP in Lisbon is a bonus for Rudi Garcia’s They followed that by drawing 2-2 na and, after a brief experiment with to PSG in the League Cup fi nal in July, Only once before have Lyon made it be- Lisbon team. They produced one of their fa- back in France. Nevertheless, that was former Brazil defender Sylvinho, Gar- meaning an eight-year trophy drought yond this stage: in 2009/10 they beat mous European results by eliminating close to two years ago now, and Lyon’s cia is at the helm. Yet his past con- goes on and that Lyon have to win the Liverpool at Anfi eld in the group stage, Italian champions Juventus in the last team in the latter encounter included nection with Marseille meant he was Champions League if they are to be stunned Real Madrid in the last 16 and yon’s days as France’s dominant round on away goals, setting up the free three key players who have since de- never a popular appointment and poor back in Europe again next season. then defeated Bordeaux before losing to team have become a distant hit of a one-off tie against Pep Guar- parted. Captain Nabil Fekir, part of performances in the league have done A fi rst campaign without European Bayern in the semis. memory with Paris Saint-Ger- diola’s side. France’s World Cup-winning squad in nothing to endear him to supporters. football in 24 years therefore looks like- Before that, in the middle of their run main’s emergence, but their Eu- City know from recent experience 2018, was sold to Betis, while midfi eld- Lyon, France’s second-richest club, ly, with Bayern Munich or Barcelona in of seven successive domestic league Lropean pedigree shows they should not that Lyon are not to be taken lightly. er Tanguy Ndombele left for Tottenham were seventh when the Ligue 1 season their way in the semi-fi nal should they titles, Lyon lost in the quarter-fi nals be underestimated in today’s Champi- The sides clashed in the group stage Hotspur and left-back Ferland Mendy ended early in late April, with 10 rounds see off City. “We wanted to get to the three years running between 2004 and ons League quarter-fi nal against Man- last season, with Lyon infl icting a rare is now at Real Madrid. of matches unplayed, because of the ‘Final Eight’ in Lisbon and here we are,” 2006. Beating City would fall into that chester City. home defeat on Guardiola’s team when They also have a diff erent coach. coronavirus pandemic. They returned said Garcia, after ousting Juventus. “We category, and they have done that be- Really, just being at the ‘Final Eight’ they won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. Bruno Genesio is now working in Chi- to action with a defeat on penalties are the outsiders now but that suits us.” fore.

Saturday, August 15, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Artemis is new Group winner for Sheikh Mohamed Agencies A top-class fi eld of 10 lined up in the join Lady Princess and, with an excep- La Teste-de-Buch, France 1,900m race for four-year-old fi llies and tional turn of foot, fl ew home to win by Artemis, trained by Elisabeth Bernard, one and a half lengths. Lady Princess, settled towards the rear of the racing in the colours of Sheail bin Khalifa al- n the blue and white stars of His High- pack under Olivier Peslier. Kuwari came in second, with Al Shaqab ness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al- In the wide straight, the runners Racing’s Meethag in third. Thani, the four-year-old Purebred spread across the track with Min’ha, Artemis is out of Al Nasr mare Ocyr- Arabian fi lly Artemis won her fi rst also in the colours of Sheikh Mohamed, rhoe, a top-class race mare who won the GroupI race in the Prix Nevadour (Group 3 prominent. Favourite Lady Princess sat Group 1 PA Qatar French Arabian Breed- PA) at La Teste in France yesterday. ready to pounce, travelling strongly. Ar- ers’ Challenge (four-year-old fi llies) in A winner at the age of three, she has temis did not have a clear passage and 2009 and was also trained by Bernard. already been placed three times at Group had to change her line several times in level, fi nishing second last time out in the long straight. Olivier Peslier rides Artemis to victory the Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabe des Eventually fi nding an opening with in the Prix Nevadour (Group 3 PA) at La 4 Ans (Group 1 PA). just 200m left to run, Artemis came to Teste in France yesterday. (Robert Polin)

HORSE RACING SPOTLIGHT Iron Heart Hadi De Carrere wins hammers home for Qatar QREC-sponsored Group 1 Racing Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari’s colt wins the Al Rayyan Cup in Deauville under Julien Auge

Agencies have the race won 400m out, and Deauville, France though Alsaher came to trouble him, he never looked in danger. The latter, in the colours of His orrential rain struck an Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin hour prior the second Khalifa al-Thani, was second by Group 1 Purebred Ara- a neck. Sir Monlau fi nished third Oisin Murphy rides Iron Heart bian race sponsored by for His Highness Sheikh Abdul- to victory in the Kevin Hall & Pat Tthe Qatar Racing an Equestrian lah bin Khalifa al-Thani. Both the Boakes Memorial in Salisbury, Club at Deauville on Thursday winner and the third are trained United Kingdom, on Thursday. evening, the Al Rayyan Cup for by Thomas Fourcy while Alsaher (Denis Murphy) three-year-olds over 2,000m. is in the care of Francois Rohaut. Visibility was very poor and the Fourcy commented after Agencies ground which had been declared the race, “The conditions were Salisbury, United Kingdom as soft at the start of the meeting somewhat diffi cult. We did not became waterlogged by the time hesitate to run as we were al- of the race. The race itself was ready here. Most of these three- acing on the highly se- brought forward by 10 minutes year-olds now head to the Gr1 in lective track of Salis- to try to make the most of the October. Hadi De Carrere won bury Racecourse in the failing light. well. We’ll see how he recovers. United Kingdom, Qatar The Al Rayyan Cup (Group 1 Our plans are not necessarily set RacingR Limited’s Iron Heart was PA) crowns the leading three- in stone for him. He may have the winner of a two-horse race in year-old Purebred Arabian mid- a race in September before the the Kevin Hall & Pat Boakes Me- season. Despite the incredibly Group 1. He is a colt with a lot of Julien Auge (left) rides Hadi De Carrere to victory in the Al Rayyan Cup (Group 1 PA) in Deauville, France, on Thursday. (Scoopdyga) morial on Thursday. Three hors- testing conditions, a new leader strength, but immature. One day, es were declared non-runners of the three-year-old Purebred this type of terrain will suit him, due to unsuitable ground, which Arabian generation was an- but only when he has matured. was declared as fi rm. nounced in the shape of Sheail He’s a good colt, but he could get Hayyan wins QREC-sponsored Doha Cup Trained by Andrew Bald- bin Khalifa al-Kuwari’s Hadi De caught out in a sprint fi nish. But Agencies the back straight, with the ing and ridden by Qatar Racing Carrere. A four-and-a-half- he is able to run on. He is one of Deauville, France field strung out in single file Limited’s retained rider Oisin length winner of the Group 3 PA the good horses in the stable, like behind her. They began to Murphy, Iron Heart was in the Prix Tidjani last time out, this Abbes who will be seen again in come together in the final lead throughout the 2,400m three-year-old colt is now a fi rm September. I have a couple more he race meeting at Deau- turn, with Fazza Al Khalediah race. Gentleman At Arms made favourite for the season fi nale, that are also nice horses. October ville on Thursday evening taking up the lead. In the home a show to take the lead in the the Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian is still a long way off .” Ttook place under stormy straight, the latter held on well, early stages, but then settled and Trophy des Poulains in October Bred by Catherine Dell’ova, clouds on soft ground (3.6 on but faded in the final stages tracked Iron Heart. Four hun- at Saint-Cloud. Hadi De Carrère is by young sire the ground stick measure- as Hayyan came with a strong dred metres from the line, Iron Sir Monlau led the proceed- Nieshan who stands at the Car- ments). But when the Doha Cup sprint alongside the weather- Heart came under pressure from ings under jockey Olivier Pes- rère stud Farm. Viki De Carrère, for four-year-olds and older appropriate named Lightning his jockey and showed an ‘iron’ lier, with the eventual winner in the dam, did not run and Hadi horses got underway, eight Bolt. Hayyan out-ran them all to will to hold his lead through the behind alongside Alhafar in the De Carrère is her fi rst winner. runners lined up for the Qatar take the victory. Lightning Bolt ascent to the line. He won by Al Shaqab Racing silks. Hadi De The second dam, Raha De Ma- Racing and Equestrian Club- Ioritz Mendizabal rides Hayyan to victory in the Doha Cup (Group came in second with Al Shaqab three quarters of a length. Carrere came progressively to lartic, is also the dam of Runner, sponsored Group 1 PA. 1 PA) in Deauville, France, on Thursday. (Scoopdyga) Racing’s Khataab in third by Iron Heart had come into the join the leader coming out of the Nadir Du Bac, third in a Gr1 PA, Hayyan, trained by Frederic by a length and a quarter under Flying High took the lead at just a neck having finished race off a second place at New- fi nal turn, travelling very easily and Oualid Du Bac, second in a Sanchez, won the 2000m race jockey Ioritz Mendizabal. a reasonably steady pace in strong. market in July. This was his sec- under Julien Auge. He looked to Group 2 PA. ond win of the year.

LONGINES HATHAB EQUESTRIAN TOUR ATHLETICS Al-Qadi leads Gibria-B to Medium Tour victory Cheptegei sets 5000m

By Sports Reporter world record, Warholm Doha wins in Monaco amad Nasser al-Qadi AFP continued his win- Monaco ning run with nine- year-old mare Gi- Hbria-B as the pair stormed to ganda’s Joshua Chep- Medium Tour victory during tegei set a new 5000m the 11th and penultimate round world record at the sea- of the Longines Hathab Qatar son-opening Monaco Equestrian Tour. DiamondU League meet yesterday. At the Qatar Equestrian Fed- The world 10,000m champion eration’s Indoor Arena, al-Qadi clocked 12min 35.36sec at the and Gibria-B emerged the fast- Stade Louis II to shatter Ethio- est combination with a sizzling pian Kenenisa Bekele’s previous round. The pair, which had best of 12:37.35, set in 2004. last week won the Open Class, Hamad Nasser al-Qadi and nine-year-old mare Gibria-B clear a Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi took the Small Tour overall lead after he Earlier in the evening, Karsten clocked 30.66 seconds in the hurdle en route to their win in the Medium Tour during the 11th and led his veteran mare Dusty to a comfortable victory at the Qatar Warholm showed no sign of jump-off as al-Qadi pocketed penultimate round of the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour. Equestrian Federation’s Indoor Arena yesterday. coronavirus-induced rustiness QR5,000 in prize money. as he swept to a dominant victory Mohamed Saeed Haidan came Khaldi took the Small Tour overall wead al-Ajami is holding a narrow Abdulla Juma/Davidoff Du Bois, 1. Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi in the men’s 400m hurdles. second with Miss Chili in 30.74 lead after he led his veteran mare two-point advantage over Salman Mohamed Saeed Haidan/Miss (Dusty), Time: 50.77 secs, Prize In his fi rst race over the event secs, while Mohamed Saeed Dusty to a comfortable victory Mohammed al-Emadi. Chili) Total Time: 133.55, Price money: QR2,500 since he won his second world Vaillant on his inside and up on Haidan jumped into the overall yesterday. The duo completed RESULTS Money: QR20,000 2: Mohamed al-Ghazali (Dino BB title in Doha last October, the German Constatin Preis in the title lead after fi nishing third the round in 50.77 secs ahead. Medium Tour: 120/130cm 2. Al Kass (Nasser Al Ghazali/ Z), 53.94 secs, QR2,000 Norwegian led from gun to tape outside lane. with 13-year-old mare Verona in Mohamed al-Ghazali was second 1. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (Gibria- What A Pleasure, Mohamed 3: Hussain Saeed Haidan (Be- to clock 47.10 seconds. The 24-year-old Norwegian 31.34 secs. astride Dino BB Z, while Hussain B), Time: 30.66 seconds, Prize Khalifa Albaker/Verona), 138.68, lucci Van ‘T Vleminkhof), 56.89, The world’s fastest time of the maintained the pressure for a Al-Qadi and Haidan’s top- Saeed Haidan came third with money: QR5,000 QR12,000 QR1,500 year was also a meeting record, clear win, with just fi ve athletes two fi nish along with Moham- Belucci Van ‘T Vleminkhof. 2: Mohamed Saeed Haidan (Miss 3. ExxonMobil (Jaber Rashid TODAY’S SCHEDULE but well off his best of 46.92sec, racing. ed Abdulla Juma (Davidoff Du Today, the competitions will Chili), 30.74 secs, QR4,000 al-Amri/Canavaro De Muze (E.T.), 4pm: Open Class; Table A, a time bettered only by American Cuban-born Turk Yasmani Bois), also ensured Lusail took be held for Open Class (115- 3: Mohamed Khalifa Albaker Khalid Mohamed al-Emadi/ One round against the clock Kevin Young’s 1992 world record Copello, the Olympic bronze home the team title. Team Al 125cm) and Big Tour (130-145cm) (Verona), 31.34 secs, QR3,000 Eglantine Du Castelet, Saeed (115/125cm) FEI Art. 238.2.1 of 46.78sec. medallist in Rio who went on Kass fi nished second, while at 4pm and 6.45pm respectively. Medium Tour Teams Nasser al-Qadi, Andreas SPB Z) 6.45pm: Big Tour; Competition Running in his preferred lane to win world silver a year later Team ExxonMobil was third. It’s all to play for in the premier 1. Team Lusail (Hamad Nasser 129.54, QR8,000 with winning round (130/145cm) seven, Warholm was quickly in London, claimed second in Meanwhile, Khalifa Abdulla al- class – Big Tour, where Faleh Su- al-Qadi/ Gibria-B, Mohamed Small Tour: 100/115cm FEI Art. 276.2.1 away from Frenchman Ludvy 49.04sec.