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Tuesday, June 14, 2016 EURO 2016 Ramadan 9, 1437 AH Minnows Iceland GULF TIMES out to shock Ronaldo’s Portugal SPORT Page 2

FOCUS Pique’s header gives Spain win over resolute Czechs Czechs’ stubborn defence frustrates Spain before Barcelona defender breaks deadlock in 87th minute

AFP Toulouse

arcelona defender Gerard Pique headed a late winner as defending champi- ons Spain overcame a resolute and de- termined Czech Republic 1-0 in their BGroup D opener in Toulouse yesterday. Spain’s build-up to the tournament was rocked last week when reports claimed goal- keeper De Gea had been involved in a sex scan- dal. But coach Vicente del Bosque showed his faith in the Manchester United shot-stopper by handing him the gloves ahead of legendary Iker Casillas. Czech coach Pavel Vrba had suggested his men could produce a trick or two to counter the “genius” of Del Bosque’s side, who are desper- ate to make amends for their fi rst-round exit, as defending champions, at the 2014 World Cup. But after a nervous opening period on a rain- soaked pitch, Vrba’s men had Arsenal ’keeper Petr Cech to thank for saving them during a Spanish masterclass. Spain were frustrated throughout by the Czechs’ stubborn defensive game, which fi nally fell apart when Pique got his head to Iniesta’s cross towards the back post where he beat Cech in the 87th minute. “We struggled a bit during the fi rst half and we’d already had a lot of chances,” Pique told journalists. “In the second half, we were lucky to score,” he added, before paying tribute to his brilliant teammate with the observation: “Iniesta’s pass was incredible.” “We took the initiative throughout the match,” added Del Bosque. “We dominated.” It took Spain until the 16th minute to fash- ion their fi rst real chance, right-back Juanfran sending David Silva through on the right fl ank for the Manchester City man to fi re in a perfect delivery for Morata. Cech, however, was well positioned to block the Spain’s Gerard Pique (right) heads to score past Czech Juventus striker’s fi rst-timer from close range. Republic’s goalkeeper Petr Cech (left) during the Euro The Czechs were defending with plenty of 2016 Group D match in Toulouse yesterday. (AFP) heart and only a desperate sliding tackle from centre-back Tomas Sivok stopped Juanfran’s Cech was forced into action twice before the Cech came under more intense pressure in And after Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz Minutes later Silva was the welcome recipient short delivery reaching Morata as the Spaniards interval, the ’keeper diving to parry Jordi Alba’s another one-sided half after the restart, the came on to replace the misfi ring Morata, De Gea as Spain zipped the ball around the area but the edged closer. angled shot from the left side of the area then ’keeper desperately turning the defl ection from had Cesc Fabregas to thank when he produced a City forward sent his left-foot eff ort wide of the When Iniesta picked up a mis-hit clearance rushing out to block at the feet of Silva as he a Morata pass around the post before blocking spectacular overhead kick to keep Theodor Ge- target. just outside the area to set up Morata, the Ju- prepared to pull the trigger after being set up by Ramos’s eff ort from inside the area from the re- bre Selassi’s header out following a corner. Aduriz’s fi rst real touch came on 76 minutes ventus striker feinted before fl ashing a low drive Juanfran. sulting corner. Fabregas was replaced by Thiago Alcantara but his spectacular overhead kick was wide of wide of Cech’s far post on the half hour. A counter-attack involving Czech The Czechs were given a sniff when Roman soon after, and Spain’s pressure intensifi ed. the target. Spain fi nally made the breakthrough Iniesta recovered from a knock on the ankle Tomas Rosicky gave Tomas Necid the chance Hubnik got his to Ladislav Krejci’s free kick A delightful chip from Silva found Jordi Alba three minutes from the end, but at the death and, with Cech off his line, sent an audacious to test De Gea from the edge of the area but the from outside the area, but De Gea got down well unmarked but his mis-hit shot was bundled out they had De Gea to thank for keeping out a dan- chip from 35 yards metres wide of the post. ’keeper saved comfortably. to save. for a corner. gerous shot by Vladimir Darida.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY Sweden fi ghtback holds Ireland aft er Hoolahan beauty

AFP frustrated at leaving with only a point. for Ireland, crashed a rising right- The sea of Irish fans behind the Paris “It was a fantastic set up by Seamus foot shot inches over, and in the 32nd goal, bedecked in green, erupted, but Coleman, I caught it on the half volley minute Hendrick played a one-two having created almost nothing them- and was delighted,” Hoolahan told the with before curling an ef- selves, Sweden were nearly level barely es Hoolahan’s brilliant fi n- BBC. fort from 25 yards onto the bar. a minute later. ish was not enough to give “To get a goal for Ireland in the Euros Meanwhile, former Paris Saint-Ger- Clark turned a corner towards his the Republic of Ireland a is a great achievement. The boys were main star Ibrahimovic was unable to own goal but Randolph made a superb winning start to Euro 2016 unlucky but we’ll take the point. trouble Irish goalkeeper Darren Ran- save, diving low to his right to scoop the Was ’s own goal ensured a 1-1 “We created a lot of chances. In the dolph from a long-range free-kick. ball away. draw with Sweden yesterday. fi rst half we were excellent and at the Sweden were dealt a blow right on Ibrahimovic fi nally came to life on Hoolahan met Seamus Coleman’s start of the second half as well. The half-time when right-back Mikael the hour, fi ring just wide with his back fl ighted ball with a controlled fi rst- boys should be proud of themselves.” Lustig came off with what appeared to to goal following a Martin Olsson cen- time strike three minutes into the sec- Ibrahimovic was attempting to be- be a groin injury. tre. He had a new partner in attack by ond half at the Stade de France to give come the fi rst player to score in four Coach Erik Hamren was forced into that point, with John Guidetti having Ireland a lead they fully deserved. separate European Championships, but a defensive reshuffl e as substitute Erik replaced Marcus Berg in a switch which However, having been kept quiet for the Sweden captain was a peripheral Johansson came on in central defence proved pivotal as Sweden dug out the long spells by the Irish defence, Sweden fi gure in a fi rst period in which Ireland and Victor Lindeloef moved out to the equaliser. captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic created the were the better team. right. Guidetti’s fl ick released Ibrahimovic, equaliser in the 71st minute when his Martin O’Neill’s men played with That defence was fi nally breached and his ball from the left was headed past cutback was turned into his own net by far greater intensity and were fi rst to Ireland’s midfielder Wesley Hoolahan (centre) shoots to score a goal during the three minutes into the second period. Randolph by the unfortunate Clark. Aston Villa defender Clark. threaten from a shot nine Euro 2016 Group E match against Sweden in Saint-Denis, France, yesterday. (AFP) Coleman did superbly on the right Ibrahimovic then came within a It is a that keeps both sides minutes in that was well struck but and lifted the ball towards the far post whisker of converting a low driven in the running in Group E, which also was turned around the post by Andreas corner and veteran captain John goalkeeper beaten. where Hoolahan, all alone, smashed cross by Olsson, but a point was the contains Italy and much-fancied Bel- Isaksson. O’Shea, stretching at the far post, was , an attacking player at home a delightful fi rst-time shot be- very least Ireland deserved as the match gium, but the Irish will be especially Then Clark headed on a left-wing just unable to turn the ball in with the club level but deployed as a left-back yond Isaksson. ended all square. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, June 14, 2016 EURO 2016

PORTUGAL VS ICELAND 10PM AUSTRIA VS HUNGARY 7PM Austria look to Minnows Iceland lay down marker against old foe out to shock Hungary

AFP wearing tracksuit trousers on Bordeaux the pitch and set to become the oldest ever player at a European Ronaldo’s Portugal Championship if he starts at the een by many as danger- ripe old age of 40. ous dark horses at Euro “I’ve always told him that age ‘You can expect the best from him (Cristiano Ronaldo) — but not against us’ 2016, Austria have an isn’t important for me,” Hunga- early chance to under- ry’s German coach Bernd Storck lineS their credentials when they said of Kiraly. AFP Saint-Etienne, France begin their Group F campaign “I don’t care if a player is against old rivals Hungary today. young or old, he has to be good. The game in Bordeaux will be Gábor is good — he’s outstand- ristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal the 138th meeting of the two na- ing.” open their Euro 2016 campaign tions, but their fi rst encounter in It will also be a memorable today eager to avoid slipping- a decade and their fi rst competi- evening for the Austrian full- up against minnows Iceland and tively in more than 30 years. back Gyorgy Garics who, as his aimingC to emulate their run to the Eu- Their only previous clash at a name suggests, is Hungarian by ropean Championship semi-fi nals four major tournament came in the birth and only moved to Austria years ago. quarter-fi nals of the 1934 World as a 14-year-old. Portugal lost to eventual winners Spain Cup in Italy, when Austria won Garics, of Darmstadt in the on penalties in the semi-fi nals of Euro 2-1, and Marcel Koller’s men are German Bundesliga, could be 2012 and have arrived in France deter- the favourites to come out on top forgiven for momentarily for- mined to win Group F and book their again this time. getting which side he is on when place in the knock-out stages. Propelled by star man David the national anthems ring out in First they must negotiate their way Alaba, Austria were superb in Bordeaux. past surprise-package Iceland, who beat qualifying and the Bayern Mu- “I will certainly sing the Aus- the Netherlands home and away in quali- nich full-back, who is deployed trian anthem and probably the fying as the Dutch failed to reach Euro in midfi eld by his country, will be Hungarian as well and I think 2016. the man to watch out for against no-one can blame me for that,” The tiny North Atlantic island nation Hungary. Garics told media. of 330,000 people is making their debut “He plays an important role in “I hope we will get three points at a major tournament and is the smallest midfi eld, particularly because he against Hungary, but after that country by population ever to feature at a brings a lot of experience to the I’ll support them as well to ad- European Championship. table. We hope he continues to vance.” Former Chelsea and Barcelona for- perform as well for the national Garics has decided to stay at ward Eidur Gudjohnsen, 37, has come out team this summer as he has in Euro 2016 despite his father’s of retirement to be part of the Icelandic qualifi cation and throughout the death last week, saying his last squad. season as a whole,” teammate words were to carry on. Now plying his trade in Norway with Marko Arnautovic, of Stoke City, The 32-year old’s father, Gyo- Molde, the veteran said it will be a “dream told UEFA.com. ergy Garics Sr, died from cancer come true” when Iceland face Portugal, Arnautovic is one of several at his home in Hungary last Fri- who trounced Estonia 7-0 in a warm-up Austrians coming into the Euro- day. Garics said he would have game last Wednesday. pean Championship on the back wanted him to stay at the tourna- Ronaldo netted twice before coming of impressive seasons in Eng- ment as Austria prepare to take off at half-time and Iceland’s Swedish Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo and teammates take part in a training session at the Portugal’s base camp in Marcoussis, land, with Leicester City left- on his native Hungary in Group co-manager Lars Lagerback said his side outskirts of Paris, on Sunday. (AFP) back Christian Fuchs and Tot- F today. must ensure a quiet night for Real Ma- tenham Hotspur defender Kevin “I was able to telephone him,” drid’s superstar forward. Wimmer also set to feature. Garics told the Austrian website Meanwhile, Hungary, who Sportnet yesterday. “Now I am BACK FROM HOLIDAY beat Norway in a play-off to going to try to do my bit to help “I saw him play for 45 minutes against reach a major tournament for the the team. He would have wanted Estonia. I’m not sure he was really on fi rst time since the 1986 World it that way. holiday before but he recharged his bat- Cup, have no such star presence “I will try to get some strength teries, both physically and mentally,” said and are expected to struggle in a from this sad story. He would Lagerback. “You can expect the best from group also containing Portugal want that. As my father, he al- him — but not against us.” and Iceland. ways wanted the best for me and Portugal won their qualifying group by The game will nevertheless be my career. His last words to me bouncing back from a shock 1-0 defeat to a special occasion for goalkeeper were: ‘Please go and do what you Albania in their opening game to win all Gabor Kiraly, famous for always have to do’.” of their remaining matches and top their group. Now winger Vierinha says the star- studded Portugal squad need to again show what they can do on the European stage. “Everyone knows our objective is to win Euro 2016, but we have to go step by step,” said Wolfsburg’s Vierinha. “The players know what they have to do: beat Iceland, then Austria, then Hun- gary. We know our qualities and we have to show this on the pitch.” The 30-year-old says Portugal must justify their tag as group favourites. Iceland coach Lars Lagerback (centre) oversees his players “We played very well in the build-up during training on the eve of their Euro 2016 match against and we know that people consider us the Portugal in Saint-Etienne, France, yesterday. (Reuters) favourites in the group, but we have to show that we are better than the other teams,” he said. without interruption through the long we don’t give up. he scored seven goals in 14 German First up, Portugal needs to subdue a re- Icelandic winter and saw the junior side “Many of us have been together for ten league games. silient Iceland in Saint Etienne. dubbed the ‘indoor kids’ in qualifying for years, started together in the U-17s.” And Iceland’s captain and midfi eld The current team’s rise is the result of the 2011 European U-21 fi nals. Iceland warmed up for the Euro with a general, Cardiff City’s Aron Gunnars- an ambitious plan, which Iceland’s foot- The Icelandic team has a strong team 4-0 trouncing of minnows Lichtenstein son, is raring to go. “I’ve done some extra ball association (KSI) started 15 years ago, spirit. last Monday. work, which was something I was lacking to build over 150 small artifi cial indoor “The main key is the mentality of the Real Sociedad striker Alfred in our warm up games, but my form is in arenas on the island. Iceland players,” said FC Basel midfi elder Finnbogason is coming off the back of a a good place and I’m just looking forward Austria’s David Alaba is carried by goalkeeper Ramazan Oezcan It ensured football could be played Birkir Bjarnason. “We are hard working, successful loan spell at Augsburg where to the game,” said the 27-year-old. during a training session in Mallemort, France, on Saturday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE Hungary relish Euro feast aft er decades of famine

AFP In 1986, Hungary arrived at the ball-mad Prime Minister Viktor Orban, games against Croatia and Ivory Coast Budapest World Cup in Mexico as the top-ranked including a nationwide stadium con- suggest Hungary will be no pushovers, side in Europe, but collapsed 6-0 to the struction programme, controversially but, unlike in 1986, expectations are Soviet Union in their opening game, funded mostly from state coff ers rather being kept in check. s Hungary counts down to its and crashed out in the fi rst round. than private funds. Up against Portugal, Austria and Ice- fi rst participation in a major “We collected the cards and stick- land in Group F, Storck acknowledges tournament for three dec- ers, and believed we might even win the MIRACLE Hungary are “outsiders”, but says that ades, long-forgotten football whole thing,” recalls Gyorgy Szollosi, Hungary’s German coach Bernd Storck, “everything is possible for third place” feverA is back. editor of the Hungarian version of foot- appointed last year to oversee youth de- — and four third-placed teams qualify The ‘Magical Magyars’ were the best ball magazine FourFourTwo, who was velopment and then handed the national for the last 16 this year. side in the world in the 1950s when Fer- nine years old in 1986. team job, has predicted it will take at least enc Puskas and his fabled teammates “After the 6-0, TV sets were thrown another 10 years to fi x the sport. ‘PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCE’ were in their prime, famously thrashing out of windows, it was devastating,” he Not one to mince words, the 53-year- How the team gets on in France may be England 7-1 in 1954. told AFP. old has criticised coaching standards less important than being there at all But when Hungary take on Austria in Incredibly, the next 14 qualifi cation and said Hungarians have an in-built however, said Jeno Sipos of the Hun- Bordeaux today, it will be the fi rst time campaigns for European Championships “negative” mentality. “It’s a miracle garian Football Federation. “Hopefully they have taken part in European or and World Cups all ended in failure. that we qualifi ed,” he told AFP. kids will be inspired to run about not World Cup fi nals since 1986. “As the years passed, we began wish- (From left) Hungary’s goalkeeper Denes Disbusz, forward Adam Szalai, coach Saddled with a squad containing no just in Ronaldo or Messi jerseys, but in At a metro station in downtown Bu- ing we could get beaten 6-0 in a tour- Bernd Storck, midfielder Balazs Dzsudzsak, midfielder Zoltan Gera and assistant regular fi rst-teamer in the top Euro- Hungarian ones too,” he told AFP. dapest traders selling football jerseys nament again, just to be involved at all,” coach Andreas Moller arrive for a training session in Bordeaux yesterday. (AFP) pean leagues, Storck has blended in Many of the fans at the Ivory Coast and tournament album stickers report Szollosi said. young talents like Adam Nagy and Las- warm-up on May 20 weren’t even born business is brisk. European country whose vital signs of of communism in 1989, factors including zlo Kleinheisler. Kleinheisler, a pugna- in 1986. A nearby sports travel agent that RACE TO THE BOTTOM football life — number of players, pitches, little investment or TV money, decrepit cious redhead, scored the winner on his “I’ve never experienced this before, it’s advertises package trips to the match Hungary’s race to the bottom from the clubs, and coaches — fell since 1954. infrastructure, corruption and hooligan- debut against Norway in the playoff s to phenomenal,” Gyozo Szabo, 27, said. “As venues in France — “only two seats heyday of the Magical Magyars is un- That year Puskas’s ‘Golden Team’ ism have contributed to the rot. earn the long-awaited ticket to France. long as there is no huge failure in France, left!” — says interest has been huge. paralleled in football. lost to West Germany in the World Cup “Football hasn’t been fashionable for “We played good football in the play- more kids will nag their parents to let “At least 10,000 fans will be in UEFA statistics produced for the or- fi nal, a shock defeat considered the be- a long time,” said Szollosi. off s, we deserve to be in France, we will them play football, and parents will let France,” the fi rm’s head Balazs Kamuti ganisation’s 50-year-anniversary in ginning of the long malaise. Attendance fi gures have dwindled to try our best there,” said Storck. them go, football can become cool again,” told AFP. 2004 showed Hungary was the only Since then, particularly since the end a trickle, despite reforms led by foot- Solid performances in warm-up Szollosi, of FourFourTwo, said. Gulf Times Tuesday, June 14, 2016 3 EURO 2016

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Bale comments Germany swoons ‘disrespectful’, says Hodgson

AFP for comeback king Chantilly, France

ngland manager Roy Hodgson has branded Gareth Bale “disrespect- ful” after the Wales star saidE his country showed more Schweinsteiger “passion and pride” than their neighbours and Euro 2016 rivals. England and Wales face off in 31-year-old’s first international goal in nearly five years seals 2-0 win over Ukraine Lens on Thursday, with Bale’s team in the driving seat in Group AFP B after they beat Slovakia 2-1 in Lyon their opening game and Hodg- son’s men could only draw 1-1 against Russia. know what we are. We don’t have oth the German press and Ger- Speaking before the Slovakia any doubts about ourselves in many’s Euro 2016 squad poured game, in which he netted a spec- that respect.” praise on ‘bloodied-fi ghter and tacular free-kick, Bale had said Defeat by Wales would leave come-back king’ Bastian Sch- of England: “I think we’ve got a England in a perilous position, weinsteigerB yesterday following his goal- lot more passion and pride about but Hodgson has backed his scoring heroics off the bench against us than them.” players to bounce back from the Ukraine. But in comments published by blow of conceding a stoppage- Despite having previous played just 245 British media yesterday, Hodg- time equaliser against Russia in minutes of football in 2016 due to a torn son retorted: “Receiving disre- Marseille. knee ligament in March, Germany’s cap- spectful comments is part and “It is a tight dressing room, a tain dismissed any doubts about his fi t- parcel of being a footballer and a passionate dressing room,” said ness with an electric goal. football coach. the England manager, whose side After Shkodran Mustafi ’s header gave “I don’t ever comment on oth- are based in Chantilly outside Germany an early lead, Schweinsteiger er people. I’ve been in the game Paris. scored his fi rst international goal for suffi ciently long to know every “I would recommend any- nearly fi ve years to seal a 2-0 win in their opponent has got an opinion. body who does have any doubts Group C opener on Sunday. “The other day it was (Russia about players in that respect to “This goal delights the whole of Ger- goalkeeper Igor) Akinfeev saying watch the game and come to me many!”, wrote German daily Bild as we were the worst seeded team afterwards and show me where Joachim ‘Jogi’ Loew’s world champions and now it’s Gareth Bale. they’ve seen that lack of passion got off to a winning start. “They can have those opin- and lack of patriotism because I “Everyone enjoys his success and is ions, but I don’t have any doubts certainly didn’t see it. pleased for him, especially Jogi’s boys!” personally about our patriotism “We’ll get over it, no ques- Schweinsteiger scored in the 92nd or desire and that’s the impor- tion of that. We’ll bounce back. minute with just his third touch of the tant thing. My hope is and my dream is that ball having been on the pitch for just two “If he believes that that’s the we’ll play as well in the next two minutes. case, he’s welcome to that opin- matches and go on to do well in The 31-year-old’s brief cameo made ion. But we know who we are, we the tournament.” German football history as his 14th ap- pearance at European championships fi nals overtook Philipp Lahm’s previous Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal against Ukraine in their Euro 2016 VERDICT record. Group C match in Lille on Sunday. (Reuters) The Manchester United star later ad- mitted he was out of breath from his long steiger was left bloodied by a battling dis- “I hope that he can play from the start draw with Ghana, after an ankle injury sprint towards the German bench to cel- play in the 2014 World Cup fi nal to help as soon as possible and show what a class hampered his World Cup preparations. ebrate the goal with his team mates. win the Brazil 2014 title. player he is,” said Germany’s stand-in It remains to be seen whether the Man- British fans get “It’s unbelievable, that something like “Bloodied fi ghter and comeback king! captain. “Everyone knows his qualities, chester United star will start Germany’s that happened, you can only dream about Why we’re all behind ‘Schweini’ now,” he brings order to our game.” next crunch game against neighbours Po- it,” he told reporters. screamed the Bild headline. Loew was also delighted for his cap- land at the Stade de France on Thursday. “I only had around 300 playing min- There was also plenty of praise from his tain: “I think the goal gives Bastian per- But Germany’s midfi eld general is back. prison for Euro utes under my belt this year, and then teammates. sonally, and all of us, a boost”. “Too old! Too heavy! Too slow! You’ve that happens... “It’s super. Crazy. What a story! I’m This is not the fi rst time Schwein- exceeded yourself!,” wrote his older “I still haven’t got the strength for 90 delighted for him,” said forward Thomas steiger has excelled in the comeback role brother Tobias Schweinsteiger, a former or 120 minutes. I’m okay for a half, but I Mueller. at a major tournament. pro footballer and now Under-17 coach at 2016 violence feel really good.” Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said he He only made his fi rst appearance four Bayern Munich, on Twitter. German fans are particularly delighted hopes Schweinsteiger can make a full re- years ago in Brazil off the bench late in “Never write B. Schweinsteiger off . to have their skipper back after Schwein- turn to the white shirt soon. Germany’s second group game, a 2-2 Congratulations, brother.”

UEFA opens case scored in the 41st minute of Sunday’s Croatia’s Srna fl ies time capped veteran and his family. game. He was led away by stewards. The 34-year-old defender learned about against Croatia over Modric said Sunday he didn’t notice home for father’s the death of his father after Croatia’s immediately that the fan had joined 1-0 win over Turkey in their Euro 2016 Euro pitch invader them, adding: “It could have been have funeral opener on Sunday, state-run HINA news been a Turkey supporter but thank god agency reported. UEFA said yesterday it has opened disci- it was one of our supporters. He was not Croatia captain Darijo Srna was to Srna, who plays for Ukraine’s Shakhtar plinary proceedings against the Croatian dangerous but with a positive attitude.” return home from the European Cham- Donetsk, has said the tournament will football federation after a fan ran on the Under UEFA regulations national pionship in France yesterday for the fu- be his farewell to international duty. pitch to celebrate a goal with players in federations are held accountable for the neral of his father, the Croatian football The HNS did not say when he was to the Euro 2016 match against Turkey. behaviour of their fans at games. UEFA federation (HNS) confirmed. return to France. The main, clad in a Croatia shirt, ran said the case will be decided on July 21, The federation said in a statement Croatia play the Czech Republic in their onto the field at the Parc des Princes to after the completion of the tournament. that Srna would return to Metkovic, in next game on Friday, when Turkey face French prosecutor of Marseille Brice Robin speaks during a news the players who were celebrating near UEFA also charged Croatia and Turkey southern Croatia, for the funeral and defending champions Spain in the other conference in Marseille yesterday. (Reuters) the corner flag after Luka Modric had over the lighting of fireworks by fans. expressed their condolences to the 130- game in Group D. AFP of Marseille on Saturday evening. Marseille Prosecutor Andre Ribes said police had reported that Booth BOTTOMLINE had thrown a glass bottle and French court yester- had aimed for their legs under day jailed two British their shields. men for their role in the Booth told the magistrate he Marseille fan battles was “hard-working” and insist- Moscow football offi cial to violent beforeA the England-Russia Euro ed: “This is not like me.” 2016 match. “I apologize to the people and Ian Hepworth, a 41-year-old the police of Marseille... I was psychiatric nurse was sentenced at the wrong place at the wrong fans: well done lads, keep it up! to three months in prison. Alex- time,” he told the court. ander Booth, a 20-year-old chef, Another eight supporters ar- received a two-month term. rested in the violence were to be By Shaun Walker Lebedev’s comments are likely to raise Both were banned from France tried yesterday — four more Brit- The Guardian huge concern, given that Russia is due to for two years. ons, an Austrian and three French. host the World Cup in two years. Their They were the fi rst of 10 men Marseille’s prosecutor said tone is in contrast to that of the sports to be tried for their part in the yesterday that 150 “extremely top football offi cial in Moscow minister, Vitaly Mutko, who criticised the mass fi ghting in the southern well-trained” Russian hooligans has praised the Russian fans fans involved in fi ghting. French city at the weekend, the had evaded arrest in the violence, involved in violence over the Mutko initially downplayed the clashes worst violence to hit a major the worst to hit a major foot- weekend in Marseille, saying saying media had exaggerated them, but football tournament since the ball tournament since the 1998 theyA had defended their country’s honour later admitted it was right for UEFA to 1998 World Cup which was also World Cup, also held in France. and should be forgiven. bring disciplinary proceedings against held in France. An English man in his fi fties, “I don’t see anything wrong with the Russia and condemned the clashes. “It’s Hepworth admitted throwing who was seriously injured in the fans fi ghting,” Igor Lebedev wrote on clear that some people didn’t come here a beer bottle at police at 1.00am violence, is in a critical but sta- Twitter. “Quite the opposite, well done to watch football. They’ve covered their on Sunday, following England’s ble condition in hospital, offi cials lads, keep it up!” faces and then brought shame on their match with Russia on Saturday. said. Lebedev, who sits on the executive country,” he said. “My job is helping people. I UEFA have warned Russia and committee of the Russian football un- Mutko was criticised for standing on did something stupid,” he said England they could be disquali- ion, is an MP from the nationalist Liberal the pitch after the fi nal whistle and ap- through a court translator. fi ed from the tournament if their Democratic party and the deputy chair- Policewomen oversee supporters at the Urban Supervisory Control Centre (CSU) of Nice, pearing to egg on Russian fans, just me- Hepworth, wearing a blue fans are involved in any further man of the Russian parliament. ahead of the Euro 2016 match between Poland and Northern Ireland, on Sunday. (AFP) tres from where clashes with England shirt and with a shaven head, violence. “I don’t understand those politicians fans were taking place. Lebedev suggest- said he had had no intention of England captain Wayne Roon- and offi cials who are criticising our fans. were echoed in comments given to the when it was England fans who had begun ed that if Mutko had been in the stands, hitting police with the bottle. ey and manager Roy Hodgson on We should defend them, and then we can news website life.ru. the violence, and also noted that there had he would have joined in the fi ghting. “I wanted to impress my new Monday pleaded with the coun- sort it out when they come home,” Leb- “In nine out of 10 cases, football fans go been violence involving other fans at the “We ought to thank him for not being French friends,” he told the court. try’s fans to behave. edev wrote in a series of tweets. to games to fi ght, and that’s normal. The tournament, including ahead of the match indiff erent to football, and for the fact that Before the incident, he had “I’m appealing to you to stay “What happened in Marseille and in lads defended the honour of their country between Poland and Northern Ireland. he doesn’t just get involved in the sporting attended the match at the Stade out of trouble,” Hodgson said in other French towns is not the fault of and did not let English fans desecrate our “Our fans are far from the worst; it’s un- side but also gives a lot of attention to work Velodrome alone. a video message. “We really des- fans, but about the inability of police to motherland. We should forgive and un- clear why a lot of media are trying to say our with the supporters... I personally think Booth, who was wearing an perately want to stay in the com- organise this kind of event properly.” derstand our fans,” Lebedev told the news fans’ actions were shameful. You should that if Mutko had been with the fans in the England team t-shirt, admitted petition.” Calls to his offi ce went unanswered agency. be objective. If there had been no provoca- stands and was not an offi cial, he would throwing a plastic beer cup and Rooney told fans: “Be safe, be yesterday, but the Twitter account is be- He added that it was unfair that Rus- tion from English fans, it’s unlikely our fans have also have got into the fi ght with the making an off ensive gesture at sensible and continue with your lieved to be genuine and the sentiments sian fans were being targeted for criticism would have got into fi ghts in the stands.” England fans, because they provoked it.” police in the Vieux-Port district great support for the players.” Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, June 14, 2016 FOOTBALL/ COPA AMERICA

FOCUS Coach Dunga vows to fight on after Brazil’s Referee blunder sees early Copa exit Brazil crash out of Copa aft er Peru upset ‘I am sure the Brazilian fans saw the game and saw how Brazil was eliminated. There efiant Brazil manager Dunga is no way to anticipate imponderables. The team was not eliminated by anything to brushed off suggestions that Dearly elimination from the Copa America would cost him his job, telling do with football. I do not quite understand who or what the referee was consulting’ reporters that he feared “only death” and not unemployment. There was immediate speculation over Dunga’s future after Peru’s con- tentious 1-0 win eliminated Brazil in the group stage but the former World Cup- winning captain expects to be leading Brazil at their home Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August. “I am only afraid of death, I am not afraid of that,” he said when asked if he feared losing his job after Brazil’s early exit from the centenary Copa America being hosted by the United States. “The president knows what we are doing, how we are working, we know about the pressure, and we know that the job comes with criticism,” Dunga told reporters after Sunday's game in Boston. “When you work for the Brazil national team you have to know the criticism will mount when you don’t get results but internally we know what we are doing.” Dunga bemoaned the impatience of his critics at home and repeated his mantra that restructuring the game in Brazil would take time after a painful 2014 World Cup campaign. The former Internacional, Fiorentina and Stuttgart midfielder was given the task of reviving Brazilian soccer after their humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany in the semi-finals of the tournament they hosted two years ago. However, after a bright start to his second spell in charge, Brazil were knocked out of last year’s Copa America at the quarter-final stage and currently sit sixth in South America’s 10-team qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup. He has also failed to make many friends with his combative approach and the knives are being sharpened after the eight-times Copa America champions failed to make the second round for the first time in 29 years. Peru forward Raul Ruidiaz (11) scores the controversial goal past Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defender Daniel Alves (2) that eliminated the five-time world champions. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports) Dunga, though, blamed the defeat on the off icials who failed to see that Peru’s AFP with Raul Ruidiaz bundling in Andy Brazil goalkeeper Alisson. “I do not quite understand who defeat by Germany in the World Cup goal was punched into the net and ap- Foxborough, United States Polo’s cross from the byline, appear- Brazil pressed forward in the fi nal or what the referee was consult- semi-fi nals two years ago, never con- pealed for time to revamp the national ing to use his arm to score. closing minutes in an attempt to fi nd ing,” Dunga said, adding that he had vinced at any point of the group stage. side, which is widely held to be one of Ruidiaz wheeled away to celebrate an equaliser that would take them watched replays of the incident on A 0-0 opening draw with Ecuador— the weakest Brazil teams for decades. he Copa America Centenario and Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha through but it was to no avail. Elias screens in the Gillette Stadium. It was where a refereeing decision which “We lauded Germany for 14 years of erupted into controversy on signalled for the goal. Brazil’s players squandered a golden chance from such a clear handball, but we have no might have given Ecuador a victory work (in restructuring their football),” he Sunday after a refereeing protested furiously, swarming around close range in injury time and Brazil’s infl uence over the referee.” went in Brazil’s favour—was followed said. “And in Brazil we want everything blunder sent Brazil crashing Cunha in a bid to persuade the offi cial fate was sealed. Peru will now play Peru coach Ricardo Gareca, mean- by a 7-1 drubbing of Haiti, arguably to be changed easily in two minutes. In Tto a 1-0 defeat against Peru—and out to reverse his decision. Colombia in the quarter-fi nals after while, insisted his side had deserved the weakest team in the tournament. football, you have to have patience when of the tournament. The protests appeared to have fi nishing top of Group B. to win. “I thought we did enough to Another drab display against Peru you start your work and you have to The defeat left Brazil struggling to swayed Cunha, who looked to be fran- Brazil coach Dunga lambasted the deserve to win,” Gareca said, add- followed on Sunday, with Dunga’s persist and you have to have confidence digest their worst performance in the tically checking with the fourth of- decision to allow Peru’s goal. ing he had not had a clear view of the side barely getting a shot on goal in in what you’re doing. When you don’t get Copa America since 1987, the last oc- fi cial via his headpiece to determine “I am sure the Brazilian fans saw the handball incident. “I haven’t seen it the fi rst-half with the exception of results people are less tolerant. casion the fi ve-time world champions whether the goal should stand. game and saw how Brazil was elimi- yet. I’ve heard some comments. But I a shot by Gabriel in the 26th minute “For a long time Brazil won a lot until failed to make it past the group stage. Yet after a chaotic delay of around nated,” Brazil coach Dunga said. never think too much about mistakes that was tipped away by Peru goal- 1970. And then from 1994 until 2002 we Brazil, needing only a draw to qual- four minutes—with players from both “There is no way to anticipate im- by offi cials.” keeper . won a lot and so we Brazilians got used ify for the quarter-fi nals as winners of sides surrounding the referee—Cunha ponderables. The team was not elimi- Brazil’s early exit is certain to pile Dunga, meanwhile, emphasized to winning. Now we are in a period of Group B, looked to be on course for a ruled the goal should stand. Multiple nated by anything to do with football,” pressure on Dunga after what was a that Brazil’s long-term rebuilding job transition and we have to be patient. place in the last eight with 15 minutes replays from diff erent angles, howev- he added, criticizing the lengthy de- lacklustre tournament. The Brazil- would take time. Germany had that patience. Of course to go against Peru. But a rare foray into er, showed that Ruidiaz had used his liberations between the match offi - ians, desperate to begin the road to “There are no quick-fi xes,” he said. Brazilians don’t have that patience. We Brazilian territory from Peru ended arm to knock the ball into the net past cials which held up the game. recovery after their humiliating 7-1 “We will need to be patient.” want immediate solutions but immedi- ate solutions come with continuity.”

SPOTLIGHT Paraguay coach Diaz quits after Copa debacle araguay coach Ramon Diaz has Presigned after the team’s elimina- tion in the group phase of the Copa Ecuador set up US clash aft er Haiti rout America Centenario, Paraguayan FA (APF) sources said yesterday. AFP minute, Enner Valencia taking ad- A 1-0 defeat by the United States on East Rutherford, United States vantage of acres of space down the Ecuador Saturday ended Paraguay’s involve- left fl ank to get behind the Haiti de- midfielder ment in the centenary tournament fol- fense before calming tucking away lowing a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica and cuador set up a Copa Amer- a low fi nish beneath the advancing Cristian Noboa 2-1 defeat by Colombia in Group A. ica Centenario quarter-fi nal Johny Placide. (6) celebrates Argentine Diaz, appointed in De- showdown with the Unit- Enner Valencia then turned crea- with teammates cember 2014 and charged with getting ed States on Sunday after tor for the next goal. A superb dum- after scoring the Paraguay to the 2018 World Cup finals, rompingE to a comfortable 4-0 win my by Jaime Ayovi allowed the ball to third goal for handed in his “indeclinable” resigna- over Haiti. run through to the West Ham player tion to APF president Robert Harrison his team against Goals from Enner Valencia, Jaime who turned and went clear once in Philadelphia where the team played Ayovi, Christian Noboa and Antonio more. Ayovi had sprinted into space Haiti during against the US. Valencia completed a routine win after his dummy and Valencia un- their 2016 Copa Diaz, in his first national team job, for Ecuador who are now assured of selfi shly squared to the striker who America Cen- steered Paraguay to the semi-finals of fi nishing in second place in Group B. tapped into an empty net for 2-0. tenario group the Copa America in Chile last year but Ecuador—making their fi rst ap- Ecuador’s large contingent of fans stage clash at his record in charge is only three wins pearance in the Copa America quar- in a crowd of around 50,000 at the and nine draws in 20 matches. ter-fi nals since 1997—will now trav- MetLife Stadium in New Jersey were MetLife Stadium, He leaves Paraguay, who missed the el to Seattle to face the United States made to wait for their team’s third East Rutherford, 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil after at CenturyLink Field on Thursday goal. It arrived on 57 minutes, Rus- NJ, on Sunday. playing at the three previous tourna- for a place in the semi-fi nals. sia-based central midfi elder Chris- Ecuador won ments, in seventh place in the South Haiti, mauled 7-1 by Brazil in their tian Noboa hammering in a half vol- 4-0 and will American qualifying group for the 2018 previous game, were given a similar- ley just inside the area to make it 3-0. finals in Russia with nine points from six ly torrid time by a rampant Ecuador Manchester United’s Antonio meet the United matches, four points off the pace set by side who attacked at will during a Valencia was the next to get on the States in the Uruguay and Ecuador. Diaz, a former breathless opening period. Ecuador scoresheet after Haiti’s porous de- quarter-finals on River Plate, Inter Milan and Argentina defender Arturo Mina set the tone fense was again caught square. Once Thursday. (Adam striker who as a coach won a record six for a one-sided encounter, blazing again Enner Valencia went clean Hunger-USA league titles and the over the bar after only three minutes through on goal and calmly rolled a with River, would be holding a news con- with the Haiti goal at his mercy. pass into the path of his namesake TODAY Sports) ference during the week, the APF said. The opening goal came in the 11th who fi nished for 4-0. Gulf Times Tuesday, June 14, 2016 5 CRICKET

LORD’S TEST Rain has fi nal say as third Test ends in draw AFP record for the highest fourth-innings contributions to England’s fi rst in- Scoreboard London total to win a Test at Lord’s, sur- nings 416. Sri Lanka could only man- passing the West Indies’ 344 for one age 288 in reply, despite fi fties from England (1st innings) 416 (J Bairstow against England in 1984. Karunaratne and Silva. 167*, A Cook 85, C Woakes 66; R Her- ain ensured England and Sri The morning’s fi rst over saw Silva England’s second innings 233 for ath 4/81, S Lakmal 3/90) Lanka drew the third Test edge Broad just short of England cap- seven declared saw Alex Hales again Sri Lanka (1st innings) 288 (K Silva at Lord’s yesterday, a result tain Alastair Cook at fi rst slip. But fall short of a maiden Test century 79, D Karunaratne 50; C Woakes 3/31, Rthat saw England win the Anderson, England’s all-time lead- with 94—his third fi fty of a series S Finn 3/59) three-match series 2-0. ing Test- taker, struck when where the opener had twice been dis- England (2nd innings) 233-7 decl. Sri Lanka, set 362 to win, fi nished Silva, padding up after failing to pick missed in the 80s. (A Hales 94; N Pradeep 3/37, S Eranga on 78 for one after rain, which had an inswinger going against the Lord’s But there was controversy when 3/58) prevented any play before lunch on slipe, was lbw for 16. Hales, then on 58, was bowled by Nu- Sri Lanka (2nd innings, overnight the fi nal day, fi nally saw the um- Silva reviewed but to no avail, with wan Pradeep on Sunday only to be 32-0) pires abandon the match as a draw Sri Lanka 45 for one. spared by an incorrectly called front- D Karunaratne () 37 at 5:12pm local time (1612 GMT). Di- No sooner had Silva been dismissed foot no-ball from Australian umpire K Silva lbw Anderson 16 muth Karunaratne was 37 not out and than the umpires took the players off Rod Tucker. K Mendis (not out) 17 Kusal Mendis on 17. the fi eld after just 18 minutes’ play. The Sri Lanka fl ag was draped over Extras (b1, lb6, nb1) 8 The result left Sri Lanka still But the weather relented for play to the tourists’ dressing-room balcony Total (1 wicket, 24.2 overs) 78 searching for their fi rst Test win at resume after tea. for some 45 minutes in protest at Fall of wicket: 1-45 (Silva) Lord’s, having now drawn six and lost New batsman Mendis was fortu- Tucker’s decision which, under cur- Bowling: Broad 11-4-27-0 (1nb); two of their longest-format clashes at nate when, trying to evade a Broad rent regulations, could not be over- Anderson 9-2-27-1; Woakes 2-1-7-0; Ali the ‘home of cricket’. bouncer, a top edge sailed over wick- turned. 2-1-4-0; Root 0.2-0-6-0 Only 22 balls were possible be- et-keeper ’s head for Sri Lanka continue their tour with Result: Match drawn tween lunch and tea after rain washed four. Even though the fl oodlights two one-day internationals against Man-of-the-Match: Jonny Bairstow out yesterday’s fi rst session, but that were on, there was now a risk the Ireland in Dublin on Thursday and Sat- (ENG) was long enough for Sri Lanka to lose match might be halted for bad light. urday. They then face England in the Series: England win three-match opener Kaushal Silva. England captain Alastair Cook fi rst at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge in series 2-0 Sri Lanka resumed the day on 32 responded by deploying front-line the fi rst of fi ve one-dayers on June 21. England Man-of-the-Series: Jonny without loss. Karunaratne was 19 not spinner Moeen Ali and the occasional Yesterday’s draw meant Eng- Bairstow out and Silva unbeaten on 12. off -breaks of Joe Root. land lead the inaugural Super Series Sri Lanka Man-of-the-Series: In overcast conditions, staying at Mendis swept Root’s second ball against Sri Lanka by 10 points to two. Kaushal Silva the crease against the England new- for six but then the rain returned and But with two points on off er for a win Previous Results ball duo of Stuart Broad and James the umpires took the players off for in each of the six white-ball fi xtures— May 19-23: 1st Test, Headingley: Eng- Anderson was going to be a tough task the fi nal time. fi ve ODIs and a lone —Sri land won by innings and 88 runs for Sri Lanka’s opening pair, let alone Bairstow’s Test-best 167 not out Lanka can still win the multi-format May 27-31: 2nd Test, Riverside: Eng- Umpire Rod Tucker checks the light meter as England captain Alastair Cook (right) and reaching a target that would set a new and 85 from Cook were the major Super Series. land won by nine wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow look on shortly before play was called off in the third Test. (AFP)

SECOND ONE-DAYER FOCUS BCCI receives 57 applications for India beat Zimbabwe chief coach’s post AFP before India tour the West In- New Delhi dies in July. “After this initial scrutiny, the list of candidates who meet the criteria will be ndia’s cricket board has processed for further consid- by 8 wickets to go 2-0 received 57 applica- eration,” the BCCI said in a tions for the position of statement. head cricket coach, with Law, a former coach of Ispeculation rife about the Bangladesh, and Whatmore, possible candidates including who was sacked by Zimbabwe Australia’s Stuart Law and Dav this month, are among the Whatmore. foreigners suggested in Indian The board has kept the list media as possible contenders. up in 3-match series of applicants tightly under Limited-overs skipper wraps, but former team direc- Mahendra Singh Dhoni said tor Ravi Shastri, current chief last week that whoever wins ‘If there was a tomato tree outside I would have hanged myself in that tomato tree. selector Sandeep Patil and ex- the role needed to have an un- fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad derstanding of the country’s It’s no good. We have experienced players with us who can easily read the game’ are among those to have pub- “culture”. licly expressed interest. “More than Hindi, English, The Board of Control for one who understands our cul- Cricket in India (BCCI) posted ture and our upbringing, the the advert for the job earlier one who understands these this month after Shastri’s con- sorts of things, he will always tract ended after the World be better with us,” said Dhoni. Twenty20 in April. “In the past, too, these things The BCCI said on Sunday have been important, and the that the list of 57 will now be coaches who have understood scrutinised, with a fi nal de- us better, it has made a diff er- cision expected to be made ence at the ground level.”

SPOTLIGHT Australia captain Smith says Warner will be fi t for Tests

Reuters fully at the top of the order on St Kitts some diffi cult batting wickets. They have been quite slow... so far throughout the series. ustralia open- It’s about adapting and getting ing batsman David yourself in. It might take a lit- Warner will miss the tle bit longer than normal but remainder of the tri- once you have got yourself in angularA one-day series in the you have to cash in because it’s West Indies due to a broken diffi cult for the new batsman.” fi nger but should be fi t for the fi rst Test against Sri Lanka at “I think he is out for the the end of July, captain Steve tri-series so the most Smith said yesterday. important thing from my Vice-captain Warner suff ered aspect is that he is right WELL PLAYED: Zimbabwe’s PJ Moor congratulates Ambati Rayudu (right) after India’s eight-wicket win in the second ODI series at the Harare Sports Club yesterday. (AFP) the injury while fi elding during for the Test series (in Sri Saturday’s victory over South Lanka). I think that’s about AFP of just 20 runs. the few supporters in the ground to stage G Cremer (not out) ...... 7 Africa in St Kitts. The series also six weeks away and the Harare “I almost hanged myself,” Zimbabwe in- something of a protest against their play- T Chatara b Kulkarni ...... 2 includes hosts West Indies. medical staff and Dave are terim coach Makhaya Ntini said. ers, as they held up banners and whistled T Muzarabani lbw Patel ...... 5 “I think he is out for the tri- confi dent he will be fi ne “If there was a tomato tree outside I during the early stages of India’s chase. S Williams (absent hurt) series so the most important for that fi rst Test match” second-string India side hum- would have hanged myself in that tomato One of the placards read: “We cannot sup- Extras (4lb, 5w, 1nb)...... 10 thing from my aspect is that he bled a full-strength Zimbabwe tree. It’s no good. We have experienced port disaster, calamity and quagmire of Total (all out, 34.3 overs) ...... 126 is right for the Test series (in Warner is looking at the pos- for the second time in three days players with us who can easily read the epic proportions.” Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Masakadza), 2-21 Sri Lanka),” Smith told Cricket itives of his enforced absence to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in game. We were in the perfect position.” “I heard some of the words that came (Moor), 3-39 (Chibhabha), 4-106 (Sikandar Australia’s website. “I think after a busy stretch of cricket, theA one-day international series at Harare Zimbabwe’s cause was not helped by the out and they’re obviously not nice. We’re that’s about six weeks away having led Sunrisers Hydera- Raza), 5-106 (Chigumbura), 6-107 (Siban- Sports Club yesterday. fact that Sean Williams, who was drafted representing our country and they’re as da), 7-112 (Mutumbami), 8-115 (Chatara), and the medical staff and Dave bad to the Indian Premier After losing the toss on an overcast in as a replacement for the injured Craig disappointed as we are,” Sibanda said af- 9-126 (Muzarabani) are confi dent he will be fi ne for League title two weeks ago. morning, Zimbabwe made a promising Ervine, took a blow to the fi nger during the terwards. “We want them to stand by us Bowling: Sran 6-1-17-2, Kulkarni 9-1-31-2, that fi rst Test match.” “It’s obviously disappointing start thanks to Vusi Sibanda’s half-century warm-ups and was unable to bat. when things aren’t going well so we can Bumrah 6-0-27-1, Patel 7.3-0-22-1, Chahal Warner was named man-of- to be sidelined given the form I’ve before collapsing to 126 all out in 34.3 overs. Chahal fi nished with fi gures of three pull in the same direction, because other- 6-2-25-3 the-match on Saturday after been in,” Warner said in a state- India made light work of that total on a wickets for 25 runs, while seamers Bar- wise we can’t achieve anything.” India completing his fi rst ODI century ment. “(But this) will give me the good pitch, with Karun Nair scoring 39 and inder Sran and Dhawal Kulkarni picked up KL Rahul b Chibhabha ...... 33 outside Australia, a knock of 109 chance to freshen up and spend Ambati Rayudu fi nishing unbeaten on 41 to a couple of wickets apiece. K Nair lbw Sikandar Raza ...... 39 off 120 balls at the appropriate- quality time with my family after take the tourists home inside 27 overs. India had no trouble knocking off such Scoreboard A Rayudu (not out) ...... 41 ly-named Warner Park. He has an intense period of action.” The hosts were on track to eclipse the a fl imsy target, with Nair putting on an Zimbabwe M Pandey (not out) ...... 4 also scored a half-century in his Australia next meet West 168 all out that they managed in a nine- opening stand of 58 with KL Rahul, who H Masakadza c Bumrah b Sran ...... 9 Extras (1lb, 9w, 2nb) ...... 12 three innings in the Caribbean Indies in St Kitts with the tri- wicket loss in Saturday’s series opener, as followed up the century he scored on Sat- C Chibhabha lbw Kulkarni ...... 21 Total (2 wickets, 26.5 overs) ...... 129 and is averaging 82.50. angular series fi nal scheduled Sibanda’s fl uid 53 carried them to 106 for urday with a breezy 33. Nair and Rayudu P Moor lbw Sran ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-58 (Rahul), 2-125 (Nair) “It’s tough missing guys like for June 26. Their three-Test three at the midway point of their innings. then added 67 runs for the second wicket V Sibanda c Jadhav b Chahal ...... 53 Bowling: Chatara 8-1-40-0, Muzarabani Dave. He’s in the form of his life series against Sri Lanka begins But leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal picked to take India to the brink of victory, before Sikandar Raza c Jadhav b Chahal ...... 16 3-1-13-0, Chibhabha 9-1-31-1, Cremer 3-0-17- and batting beautifully and he on July 26 and the tour includes up three wickets in nine deliveries and Manish Pandey sealed the deal. E Chigumbura lbw Chahal ...... 0 0, Chigumbura 2-0-20-0, Sikandar Raza will be a big loss for us,” Smith fi ve one-day internationals and Zimbabwe lost six wickets for the addition Zimbabwe’s feeble performance led R Mutumbami c Dhoni b Bumrah ...... 2 1.5-0-7-1 added. “He has played beauti- two Twenty20 clashes. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, June 14, 2016 GOLF

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Day consolidates world rankings lead Berger serves up AFP 2. Jordan Spieth (USA) 11.25 Paris 3. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 9.59 4. Bubba Watson (USA) 7.50 5. Rickie Fowler (USA) 7.27 ason Day remains top 6. Dustin Johnson (USA) 7.24 of the world golf rank- 7. Henrik Stenson (SWE) 6.98 ings released yester- 8. Adam Scott (AUS) 6.80 day as young American 9. Danny Willett (ENG) 6.53 DanielJ Berger got a lift from three-shot victory 10. Justin Rose (ENG) 5.78 capturing his fi rst USPGA Tour 11. Patrick Reed (USA) 5.11 victory in the St. Jude Classic. 12. Branden Grace (RSA) 5.04 The world’s Top 15 remains 13. Sergio Garcia (ESP) 4.93 unchanged while 23-year-old 14. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) Berger, the Rookie of the Year 4.73 in 2015, moves up 17 places 15. Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) to 29th. Australian Day stays 4.46 at St. Jude Classic ahead of Jordan Spieth and 16. Brooks Koepka (USA) 4.28 Rory McIlroy, with Phil Mick- (+1) elson up three spots to 17th. 17. Phil Mickelson (USA) 4.13 ‘It’s the greatest feeling. You work so hard to get here and to finally be able to put the trophy up...’ The world’s top players (+3) skipped last week’s tourna- 18. Matt Kuchar (USA) 4.01 (-2) ments ahead of the US Open 19. J.B. Holmes (USA) 3.93 Reuters Golf Championship from June 20. Brandt Snedeker (USA) Memphis Daniel Berger celebrates with the trophy 16-19 at Oakmont Country 3.86 (-2) aft er winning the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Club in Pennsylvania. Selected: Memphis, Tennessee. (Getty Images/AFP) World Golf Ranking top 20 29. Daniel Berger (USA) 3.10 aniel Berger overcame 1. Jason Day (AUS) 13.17 pts (+17) a slow start to the fi - nal round before pull- Ding away for a three- stroke victory at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis on Sunday. The 23-year-old, who is the son of former world top-10 tennis professional Jay Berger, served up a three-under-par 67 to clinch his fi rst PGA Tour vic- tory. He fi nished at 13-under 267 at TPC Southwind, with Phil Mickelson (67), Brooks Koepka (66) and Steve Stricker (67) equal second on 270. “It’s the greatest feeling,” Berger told Golf Channel. “You work so hard to get here and to fi nally be able to put the trophy up... I’m just thrilled right now.” Berger, who arrived at the Langer wins senior major for 3rd straight year event ranked 46th in the world, credited his sporting fam- Bernhard Langer sank a 12-foot par putt at the final hole to ily background with helping him record a one-stroke victory at the Senior Players Championship cope with the pressure of leading. in Philadelphia on Sunday. “I’m just a competitor. I got The German’s eff ort caught the right edge of the cup and almost off to a terrible start today (with lipped out before dropping for his third consecutive victory in a bogey at the fi rst hole) and I a tournament deemed a major on the 50-and-over Champions just grinded it out and was able Tour. Langer carded a closing 73 in strong winds to finish on one- to get some putts to fall.” over 281, with Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) and American Berger will head to Oakmont Joe Durant (68) equal second on 282. for the US Open that starts on “I never made a putt all day. Thursday brimming with confi - That’s the only putt I made,” the 58-year-old Langer told the Golf dence, as will Mickelson after his Channel after clinching his seventh senior major and his 28th joint runner-up fi nish. victory on the Champions Tour. Mickelson was not thrilled with his long game in the fi rst three rounds, but said he was sharper on Sunday. “I hit it a lot better today,” he said. “It was important for me to get in contention and feel the heat, and to just get my game feeling sharp heading into next week.” “It’s a course (Oakmont) that will severely punish poorly hit shots and reward well struck shots, so to have a little bit of confi dence heading into next week is a big thing.” Mickelson, winner of fi ve ma- jors, has fi nished runner-up six times at the US Open, the only major he has not won. He is Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and 270 - Brooks Koepka 70-65-69- 272 - Brian Gay 66-70-70-66 274 - Shawn Stefani 65-71- looking to become the sixth man Tiger Woods. 66, Steve Stricker 66-71-66-67, 273 - Russell Henley 68-68- 73-65, Ken Duke 70-66- to win all four modern majors Leading fourth-round scores Phil Mickelson 70-65-68-67 70-67, Noh Seung-Yul (KOR) 70-68, Brett Stegmaier after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, 267 - Daniel Berger 67-64-69-67 271 - Dustin Johnson 66-69-73-63 65-72-67-69 67-69-69-69

FOCUS Canada’s Henderson rallies to beat Ko in playoff

AFP Henderson’s victory capped a The leaderboard was domi- Los Angeles fantastic day for the young guns nated by South Koreans, who on the LPGA Tour as the three fi lled six of the top 11 spots. Ge- leaders down the stretch on the rina Piller was the best American rooke Henderson used a fi nal day were all 20 or younger. as she fi nished in a tie for 12th at brilliant putting game to Henderson closed with a six- two-over 286, eight strokes back become a fi rst-time ma- under 65 Sunday to fi nish in a tie of Henderson and Ko. Ko made Bjor champion Sunday, with a six-under 278 total. She the turn with a three-shot lead edging world No. 1 Lydia Ko in a had to come from behind to beat over a group of six players at two- playoff to capture the Women’s Ko as she forced the playoff by under, but the margin was quickly PGA Championship. draining a 50-foot putt on No. 17 trimmed to one when Henderson The 18-year-old Canadian and then made a 20 footer for a rolled in an eagle putt from off the claimed the title when she rolled dramatic par-save on 18. green on the par-fi ve 12th hole. in a short birdie putt on the fi rst New Zealand’s Ko, who was Henderson reeled off three playoff hole at the Sahalee Coun- seeking to win her third consecu- consecutive pars before her bird- try Club course near Seattle, tive major championship, fi red a ie on 17, while the 20-year-old Washington. Henderson said the four-under 67 on Sunday. Ko took Ariya reached fi ve-under with win feels like a dream. “I don’t a one shot lead into the fi nal round birdies on No.16 and 17. Ko fi n- know whether I thought it would and led for most of Sunday before ished regulation with seven con- come true,” she said. “I’m just Henderson made a late move. secutive pars. speechless. I don’t know what’s Leading scores going on in my head right now.” Calm under pressure 278 - Brooke M Henderson-x Henderson hit a superb ap- “I really didn’t feel a ton of (CAN) 67-73-73-65, Lydia Ko (NZL) proach on the No. 18 playoff hole pressure or a ton of nerves which 71-70-70-67 as her ball landed about 20 feet is the key to shooting six under in 279 - Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) inside of Ko’s ball and just three a fi nal round,” Henderson said. 70-75-68-66 feet from the cup. Ko, 19, settled Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, 282 - Park Hee-Young (KOR) for par on the playoff hole. who was attempting to tie Nan- 70-74-72-66, Ryu So-Yeon (KOR) “I thought I needed to do cy Lopez’s record with a fourth 72-70- 73-67, Lee Mi-Rim (KOR) something special here because I straight victory on the Tour, shot 71-69-73-69 didn’t want to go to extra (play- a fi ve-under 66 on Sunday to 283 - Amy Yang (KOR) 74-73-66- off ) holes, especially against her,” fi nish in solo third place at fi ve- 70 Henderson said of her second under for the tournament. 284 - Oh Su (AUS) 73-69-72-70, shot in the playoff . A trio of South Koreans tied for Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 73-71-69- “I hit a pretty solid seven iron fourth at two-under 282, com- 71, Chella Choi (KOR) 71-73-69-71 and it rolled out pretty nicely and prising Lee Mi-Rim (69), Ryu So- 285 - Kim Sei-Young (KOR) 75-72- Brooke Henderson of Canada poses for a selfie with the trophy after winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in a playoff against Lydia I was able to make the putt.” Yeon (67), Park Hee-Young (66). 69-69. Ko at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, June 14, 2016 7 TENNIS

REPORT FOCUS Frenchman Mahut beats Muller to claim In-form Thiem beats 3rd Ricoh Open title

AFP Rosmalen

icolas Mahut warmed up for Wimbledon by winning his Kohlschreiber to third Ricoh Open title after dominating a rain-delayed fi nal in Rosmalen yesterday. After taking the opening set 6-4 against Luxem- Nbourg’s Gilles Muller on the Dutch grass court on Sunday, Ma- hut wrapped up victory by claiming the second set by the same scoreline. It was his third title win in Rosmalen, the 34-year-old eighth-seeded wild card having previously won the Dutch event in 2013 and 2015. It was his fourth career title having also won on win Stuttgart fi nal grass in Newport in 2013. “It was very moving to win my fi rst title here in 2013. Last year, I wasn’t expecting to win. It’s almost too much to win it a third ‘This is by far my most special trophy. I couldn’t have expected this in my wildest dreams’ time,” said Mahut, who admitted that he had forgotten to sign up for the tournament. “I promise not to forget next year!” said the Frenchman who has now won 18 of 20 matches played in Rosmalen. Mahut, currently 61 in the world rankings, faces home favourite and world number two Andy Murray in Queen’s today.

Nicolas Mahut kiss the trophy after winning Ricoh Open yesterday. (AFP)

Djokovic tops unchanged ATP rankings Novak Djokovic of Serbia retained a comfortable lead atop the unchanged top 10 of the men’s tennis rankings. Djokovic remained on 16,950 points in the ATP rankings released yesterday while Andy Murray is second with 8,915 points. Swiss Roger Federer inched a bit closer to Murray with 6,745 Austria’s Dominic Thiem stands next to the winner’s points in third while Spaniard Rafael Nadal dropped 70 points to prize, a Mercedes-Benz SL 500, and holds the trophy 5,335 but remained fourth. during the victory ceremony of the ATP Mercedes Cup The rest of the top 10 was unchanged in order and points with tournament in Stuttgart, yesterday. (AFP) Switzerland’s Stansislav Wawrinka fifth with 5,035 points. ATP top 10 (previous ranking in parenthesis) 1. (1) Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 16,950 points 2. (2) Andy Murray, Britain, 8,915 3. (3) Roger Federer, Switzerland, 6,745 4.(4) Rafael Nadal, Spain, 5,335 5 (5) Stanislas Wawrinka, Switzerland, 5,035 6. (6) Kei Nishikori, Japan, 4,290 7. (7) Dominic Thiem, Austria, 3,105 AFP a 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-4 winner and now the title. this year. “It was a tough situation, be- 8. (8) Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic, 3,030 9. (9) Milos Raonic, Stuttgart with the contest played on a side “I couldn’t have expected this The 22-year-old’s victory, his cause of the rain, but overall it Canada, 2,965 10. (10 Richard Gasquet, France, 2,905. court in front of a small crowd of in my wildest dreams.” 45th of the year, also took him was a great fi nish for the tourna- 1,000 due to water damage on Thiem lost to Kohlschreiber in above Novak Djokovic to the top ment and for Dominic. Williams leads unchanged rankings ustrian Dominic Thiem the Centre Court grass. Kitzbuehel semi-fi nal last sum- of the match-wins list for 2016. “Everyone hates to wait, it’s won the ATP event in “I’ve never been so relieved,” mer on clay. The 22-year-old, who saved the worst thing that can hap- Serena Williams topped the unchanged women’s tennis rankings Stuttgart yesterday said Thiem after claiming his The Stuttgart tournament two match points as he knocked pen to you. But it didn’t seem to with a comfortable advantage over French Open winner Garbine after rain caused the fourth title of a breakthrough switched to grass last season un- out Roger Federer in the semi-fi - bother Dominic. Muguruza. grasscourtA fi nal against German season. der the supervision of All Eng- nals, was successful in his bid to “We had an intense mental Williams has 8,330 points and still leads Muguruza by more than Philipp Kohlschreiber to be held “This is by far my most special land Club groundsmen in order become the fi rst man this season battle; the diff erence was that 1,500 points as the Spaniard has 6,766 points in the WTA rank- over. trophy. Every title is wonder- to join the expanded three-week to claim trophies on three dif- he played better on the big ings released. Kohlschreiber had been lead- ful, the only thing comparable build-up to Wimbledon. ferent surfaces - clay, hardcourt points. Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska and Australian Open winner ing Thiem 3-2 in a fi rst-set tie- would be winning Kitzbuehel at Rafael Nadal won the inaugu- and now grass. “I’m happy with the perform- Angelique Kerber of Germany follow in third and fourth, respec- breaker on Sunday when play home,” said the seventh-ranked ral title. “It’s sad to lose the fi nal, but ance, the loss is a little bit an- tively with Romanian Simon Halep fifth. was halted for the day. Austrian. Thiem, the fastest-rising I think it was a very good fi nal,” noying, but I’m happy with the The only player in the top 10 with a change in points was Swiss But the Austrian world “I came here almost expecting player on the ATP Tour, won on said Kohlschreiber, winner of week. I’m now looking forward Belinda Bencic with 3,190 points - 70 fewer than last week in number seven upped his game to lose in the fi rst round. Then I clay in Buenos Aires and Nice, fi ve of his seven titles at German to playing another tournament eighth place. Monday, eventually running out reached the semi-fi nals, the fi nal and on hardcourts in Acapulco home events. in Germany (Halle).”

SPOTLIGHT Murray warms up for Queen’s with Beckham’s son

AFP any other youngster dreaming of a sporting London career. Britain’s Andy Murray plays a backhand during a “He (Romeo) retired at the old age of 13 practice session at the ATP tournament at Queen’s from football and now he’s happy hitting a tennis club in London yesterday. (AFP) ndy Murray warmed up for the start ball around on the tennis court, he plays four of his Queen’s Club title defence or fi ve times a week and he enjoys himself,” with an unlikely practice partner Beckham said. as he took to the court with David “When you look at role models, you want Beckham’sA son Romeo. them to be passionate about the sport, pas- Murray arrived at Queen’s Club in west sionate about what they do, to play hard all London over the weekend and the world the time, and Andy’s one of those players. number two found time to hit a few balls with “It’s great for any young kid to have great Beckham’s off spring before getting down to role models in sport and Andy’s defi nitely one the serious business of preparation for the of those for many kids around the world.” grass-court campaign. As well as helping feed his son’s tennis ad- Former Manchester United and England star diction, Beckham has kept an eye on Eng- Beckham is a friend of Murray’s and has watched land at Euro 2016 and he backed Roy Hodg- him play at Wimbledon on several occasions, son’s side to beat Wales in their second group so the Scot had no problem taking a break for a match on Thursday. friendly session with 13-year-old Romeo. “I watched it at home with the kids. I think “I knew Andy was down here because I the performance was great. Obviously the spoke to him earlier. But we were just coming goal at the end was unfortunate and if we’d down to see if there was any practice going on got another goal and been two up, then we’d before the tournament starts. It was some- have been raving about the performance,” thing that was a big plus for Romeo,” Beckham Beckham said. said on the Aegon Championships podcast. “They played with the passion that the fans “Romeo’s a member here now. So we came want to see and played with energy, going out down to see a few of the guys practising and there and not caring so much about being on a obviously it’s great for him. big stage. That was good to see. “He was playing against me this morning! “I think we’ll beat them (Wales) but I don’t So it’s tougher now against Andy!” think it’s going to be easy because Chris Cole- With Murray bidding for a record fi fth man has done such a great job. Queen’s Club crown this week ahead of the “They’ve got such a great, strong team start of Wimbledon, the two-time Grand spirit so it’s going to be a challenging game.” Slam winner, who has rehired Ivan Lendl as a Monday’s action at Queen’s Club was de- member of his coaching staff , will be firmly in layed due to rain just before French fourth the spotlight over the next month. seed Richard Gasquet could begin his fi rst round clash with Steve Johnson of the United Role model States. And Beckham believes there is no bet- Murray is scheduled to play his fi rst match ter role model for his tennis-mad son and against France’s Nicolas Mahut today. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, June 14, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT NHL Sharks’ goalie Jones Penguins claim was a star in defeat fourth Stanley Cup ‘That’s the type of team we are. No one cares about individual stats. We want to get the puck out (of the defensive zone) and do our job’

San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) makes a save.

MCT son experience when the Sharks’ San Jose run began in April – all of it as a reserve for the L.A. Kings two years ago. emember all the ques- At his worst over the course of tions about Sharks four rounds, Jones was solid. goalie Martin Jones At his best, he was brilliant. handling the pressure of And rarely did he allow the hisR fi rst Stanley Cup Final? kind of soft, momentum-killing, Two weeks later, we have an confi dence-defl ating goals that answer: Next question! have undermined the Sharks in “One of the all time best goal- playoff s past. tending performances in a Final, “I thought all playoff s, every- probably ever, or right up there body took a turn stepping up,” anyway,” coach Pete DeBoer said Jones said. “That’s what got us Sunday after Jones dazzled yet here is that everybody took turns again in a 3-1 loss that eliminated and played big for us when we the Sharks and gave Pittsburgh needed them.” the Cup. Sunday night, in a quiet Sharks Jones was off the charts last locker room, Jones was in no week in Game 5 in Pittsburgh, mood to discuss his own per- stopping 44 shots as the Sharks formance. “We’ll refl ect on it in dodged elimination and brought the next couple days,” he said. the series back to San Jose. For the vast majority of the se- He was just as good Sunday ries, Jones was under siege. The night at SAP Center, albeit with Penguins controlled the puck fewer chances to shine. in every zone and rarely let the The Penguins unloaded 27 Sharks fi nd a rhythm. shots and slipped just two past But Jones allowed just 14 goals Jones. (Their third goal was an (2.33 per game) to a team featur- empty-net situation.) ing Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Mal- “Unbelievable,” center Logan kin and the dangerous “HBK” Couture said. “He was special.” line of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino The same could be said of Cou- and Phil Kessel. ture, who scored or assisted on Even more impressive: Jones every Sharks goal in the fi nal two stopped 93 percent of Pitts- games of the series (except an burgh’s shots in the series, and empty netter in Game 5). He fi n- goodness, there were a lot of ished with 30 points in the posts- shots – more than 200 of them. eason, a franchise record and the Time and time again, he most in the playoff s since 2010. snuff ed out the Penguins’ chanc- Without Couture up top and es from point-blank range, often Jones in back, the Sharks would by scrambling from one side of have lost the series in fi ve games the net to the other and extend- Sidney Crosby #87 and the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate after their 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. — and possibly four. ing his leg pads just enough to But Couture has been one of block an apparent goal. MCT — was far from certain after 40 minutes. another goal would have allowed the the Sharks’ top players for sev- “I thought he was sensational San Jose The Penguins had a 2-1 lead on goals by Penguins to put the game out of reach. eral years and carried 56 play- every game we played,” DeBoer Brian Dumoulin (yes, that Brian Dumou- “You have to give Jones a lot of credit,” off games into this postseason. said. “Gave us a chance to com- lin) and Letang, but they knew the Sharks Penguins center Matt Cullen said. “He Jones had 58 minutes of postsea- pete and get it to six games.” ure, talent matters. More than were just one shot from tying the score. was outstanding again.” just about anything, probably. And San Jose got that shot. The one obvious fl aw in Jones’ game is So a team whose payroll is Singular. Unfortunately for the Sharks, that, like most goalies, he isn’t much of ADVICE studded with the likes of Sidney Penguins goalie Matt Murray stopped it. a goal-scorer, and the Sharks could have Crosby,S Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and They did not get another until the fi nal used a few more of those. Kris Letang, among others, almost has an minute of regulation, and only after Pat- As in the fi rst four games of the series, unfair advantage. ric Hornqvist had scored into an empty they never led in Game 6. Why Durant should But it takes commitment to forge a net at 18:58 to purge any lingering sus- Dumoulin put the Penguins up, 1-0, champion, as the Pittsburgh Penguins pense about the outcome. with a power-play goal at 8:16 of the proved again in the third period of their fi rst, when he took a cross-ice feed from sign with Magic 3-1 victory against San Jose in Game 6 TOTAL COMMITMENT Justin Schultz, faked a shot to get a clear of the Stanley Cup fi nal Sunday night at The commitment the Penguins made to lane to the net, then pounded the puck SAP Center. winning a championship couldn’t have past Jones. Mike Bianchi, MCT The victory secured the team’s fourth been more obvious during those first Logan Couture got San Jose even at Orlando championship and, in the process, etched 19 minutes of the third. They blocked 6:27 of the second, but just 79 seconds June 12, 2016, alongside the most cel- shots with every available body part, later Letang took a feed from Crosby and ebrated dates in franchise history. broke up potential scoring plays by any beat Jones from the bottom of the right his message is for you, Right next to May 25, 1991; June 1, means necessary. Penguins’ Sidney Crosby was declared circle for what would be the Cup-winner. Kevin Durant. 1992; and June 12, 2009, when they won “That’s the type of team we are,” left the MVP of the play-off s. Hornqvist’s empty-netter sealed the Before you make your their fi rst three Cups. winger Carl Hagelin said. “No one cares triumphant end to a season highlighted free agent decision, do Just as Crosby scrawled his name be- about individual stats. We want to get able SAP Center ice. “What an eff ort by a by a coaching change and a signifi cant meT a favour and just think about side that of Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992) the puck out (of the defensive zone) and great team,” Murray said. roster makeover. the Orlando Magic. and Malkin (2009) as the Penguins’ win- do our job.” Anything less might not have been “We went through an awful lot,” Cullen No, really. Just give me a ners of the Conn Smythe Trophy as play- Murray’s teammates all but completely enough, because Sharks goalie Martin said. “It was an up-and-down season.” minute and let me explain. off MVP. insulated him, eff ectively eliminating the Jones was sensational again, repeatedly But one in which the Penguins ended What you need is a new start But Crosby’s receipt of the Smythe — possibility of the Sharks pulling even by thwarting the likes of Crosby and Kessel up on top. in a fresh place where you can to say nothing of the outcome of Game 6 virtue of a bad bounce off the unpredict- on high-quality scoring chances when Because it was all about commitment. fl ourish without the intense File picture of Oklahoma City pressure you will face at other Thunder’s Kevin Durant. potential destinations – or if you BASEBALL stay in OKC. markets and win titles with the Let’s face it, Kev, it’s time to franchises that drafted them. leave Oklahoma City, and, be- But you know Golden State is a lieve me, that’s hard for some- in the making; the Spurs body from Orlando to say. You are retooling and will always be see, we’ve watched superstars contenders as long as Pop is run- bail out on our town and the bit- ning the show; and the Clippers Gritty Giants beat Dodgers 2-1 ter feelings still remain years – are still loaded with star power. even decades – later. But Shaq Kevin, you need move to the MCT the West overall. McCovey Cove. The blast was and Dwight left our team and our Eastern Conference where Le- San Francisco The Dodgers are 14-14 within measured at 403 feet. town for the wrong reasons – be- Bron is your only real obstacle – the division, a big step back from But the Giants bullpen – man- cause they thought they needed and he’s getting older and more their 46-30 record against the ager Bruce Bochy used six reliev- brighter lights and a bigger city. vulnerable every minute he plays f the Giants are going to end West last season. ers for the fi nal nine outs – held If you leave Oklahoma City, it on those well-worn tires of his. the Dodgers’ three-year run The Giants were three outs on as San Francisco prevented won’t be because of your ego; it You are four years younger than atop the National League from watching their lead over the Dodgers from winning their be will be because of your mojo LeBron, will immediately sup- West, their best route to get Los Angeles sliced to two games fi rst series at AT&T Park since and the fact that you’re losing it plant him as the Beast of the East Iit done seems obvious: Beat the Saturday. But Poster Posey’s September 2014. in Oklahoma. Hate to tell you this, and advance to the NBA Finals teams in the division. walk-off in the 10th inning ex- Defense kept the Giants from KD, but right now your national almost every season. The Giants played .500 against tended the lead to four games, falling behind early Sunday. perception is that of a super- But... You need to do it in a the NL West last season and fi n- and Peavy, Belt and Co. kept the After Chase Utley opened the star who can’t get his team over place where you are appreci- ished eight games behind their momentum going Sunday. game with a single to right, Jus- the hump. You’ve been in OKC ated and celebrated and can win archrivals from Los Angeles. Peavy, who entered the game tin Turner followed two batters eight years now and only been to without the insane expectations This season, the Giants have with a 6.41 ERA, scattered four later with a rocket to left. But the Finals once. The chances of you will encounter elsewhere. been better — much, much better. hits and a walk as he held an op- Mac Williamson charged hard to you winning a championship in Central Florida is the perfect They continued to high-step ponent scoreless for the second his right, soared through the air the West are not getting better; place for you, Kevin. First of all, through the West on Sunday night time in his past three starts. The like a superhero and made a div- they’re getting worse. your old Oklahoma City buddy with a 2-1 over the Dodgers at veteran pitched seven scoreless ing catch, robbing Turner of ex- To paraphrase those two Rob Hennigan is running the AT&T Park as Jake Peavy pitched innings against the Braves in At- tra bases and the Dodgers from former NBA analysts, Rodgers franchise. And if you sign here, six scoreless innings and Brandon lanta on May 31. grabbing a quick lead. and Hammerstein: “OOOOk- you immediately become the Belt slugged a two-run homer. Belt provided all the off ense Peavy, coming off a rough out- lahoma, where the wind comes greatest player in Magic history The Giants won two of three the Giants needed Sunday when ing in St. Louis, cruised through sweepin’ down the plain. and instantly become beloved from the Dodgers this weekend he smashed an 84-mph slider the next three innings before And the wavin’ wheat can sure and cherished for being a super- to extend their division lead to from Julio Urias – the Dodgers’ running into choppy terrain in smell sweet, but you’ll never taste star who chose to come to Or- fi ve games over Los Angeles. 19-year-old rookie – over the wall the fi fth. Pederson’s single to the championship champagne.” lando instead of choosing to bail The march to the top of the in right for a 2-0 lead in the sixth. center and Howie Kendrick’s Believe me, if I thought you on Orlando. West is all in the numbers. The Joc Pederson cut the Giants’ walk gave the Dodgers another could win a championship in And the beautiful thing about Giants have won 19 of their past lead in half in the seventh as the scoring opportunity. But Peavy OKC, I’d tell you to stay. There’s Orlando, Kevin, is that it is essen- 23 games against teams in the former Palo Alto High star sent got AJ Ellis to hit into a double nothing better than to see mega tially a blank canvas in which you division and are 24-13 against Jake Peavy of the San Francisco Giants. a Hunter Strickland pitch into play to squelch the threat. stars who stay in mid-major can paint the picture you desire. Gulf Times Tuesday, June 14, 2016 9 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS Russia faces Olympic ban, mired in doping Bolt prepared to scandal, football riots

DPA The Kremlin’s spokesman Moscow Dmitry Peskov fi ghts back by de- nouncing accusers in the doping scandal as slanders and traitors. nly two years after Rus- Mutko speaks about “regret- return Olympic sia’s victorious per- table, isolated cases” and warns formance at the Winter against putting the whole coun- Olympics it hosted in try under suspicion. Sochi,O the country’s proud sport- Moscow’s most eff ective ing tradition is jeopardised by al- weapon appears to be harsh criti- leged abuse of performance-en- cism against a sweeping ban. hancing drugs among some of the Clean athletes including pole country’s top athletes. vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva con- relay gold “The worst-case scenario is demn such a punishment. unfortunately conceivable,” ac- “For 20 years my doping tests knowledges Moscow’s powerful have been negative, and now be- ‘Things happen in life, so when it’s confirmed or whatever, if I need to give back my Sport Minister Vitaly Mutko. cause of the violations of others On Friday, the International must I be banned?” Isinbayeva gold medal I’d have to give it back, it’s not a problem for me’ Association of Athletics Federa- complains. Doping in Western tions (IAAF) will decide in a his- countries such as Germany and toric meeting in Vienna whether the United States must also be to exclude Russia’s track-and- considered, she insists. fi eld team from the Summer Ol- The scandal increasingly ap- ympics in Rio this August. pears as part of a confl ict be- It could be the fi rst ban of its tween East and West. kind in the modern Olympic Many Russian offi cials consid- Games’ 120-year history. Russia’s er the allegations as defamation. reputation is more than battered. For them it’s clear that the The doping cases, as well as culprits are in the West and link riots at the Euro 2016 football their campaign with the anti- championship in France, are Russia sanctions imposed over making international headlines - the Ukraine crisis. and two years before Russia is set Russian radio station Ekho to host the FIFA World Cup. Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) con- Minister Mutko is becoming siders this period to be the hard- unusually irritated. “What does est for international sports since the 2018 World Cup have to do the Olympic boycotts in Moscow with it?” he snaps at reporters af- in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984. ter the weekend riots in Marseille. In an open letter to Interna- For years, doping has been a tional Olympic Committee pres- taboo subject in Russia. ident Thomas Bach, the German But since the two-year ban Athletics Association recom- against tennis star Maria Shara- mends that all Russian athletes pova for using the performance- be banned, even if their doping enhancing drug Meldonium, for- tests are negative, because in bidden this year, a great fear has some countries – implying Rus- been spreading through the Rus- sia – there is not a trustworthy sian sports community. control system against doping. “Exclusion from the Olympics Russia has high hopes for Fri- would offi cially brand Russia as a day’s meeting in Vienna to allow cheater,” writes Russian sporting medal hopefuls such as Isinbaye- newspaper Sport-Express. va to compete at the Olympics. Russia’s brilliant victory at Great achievements at the Sochi in 2014, perhaps infl u- Games can distract from the enced by doping, has been long doping scandal, to the benefi t of forgotten. “A ban from Rio would the country’s leadership, with be a disaster,” announces Russian parliamentary elections to be sports channel Match TV. held the following month.

Pearson leaves European meet to train at home for Rio The file photo shows Usain Bolt (R) of Jamaica posing with his compatriot Nesta Carter after competing in the 100 metres during the IAAF World Athletics Championships. Reigning Olympic hurdles fidence or hurdling technique. Reuters turned an adverse analytical result, but it Code prohibited list since 2004 although “It’s heartbreaking (the positive champion Sally Pearson said “I’m not injured! I’m healthy Kingston has not named the athlete. it was reclassifi ed on the 2011 list as a test) because over the years you’ve yesterday she has pulled out and happy!” Pearson tweeted Neither Carter nor his agent have re- “specifi ed substance”. worked hard to accumulate gold of her last scheduled race in yesterday. “I came home to sponded to repeated requests for com- Historically, the sanction for the use of medals and work hard to be a Europe to return home and get another week of training sain Bolt has told Reuters he ment on the positive test. Methylhexanamine has been a suspen- champion... but it’s just one of those step up training for the Rio in for my preps for Rio! I hope would have no problem giving “It’s heartbreaking (the positive test) sion of six months to a year and the loss things,” said Bolt Olympics in August this clears things up!” back one of his six Olympic because over the years you’ve worked of results from the period concerned. Pearson, 29, who won 100 me- Reports said her fitness con- gold medals if a Jamaican relay hard to accumulate gold medals and The IOC’s programme of revisiting sam- cause as I said I’m not too pleased about tres hurdles gold at London cerns were not a consequence Uteam mate is confirmed to have failed a work hard to be a champion... but it’s ples is aimed at using developments in the situation,” said the 100m and 200m in 2012, was due to compete of the race fall that shattered drugs test. just one of those things,” Bolt told Reu- testing techniques to expose traces of drugs world record holder. at the Stockholm Diamond her wrist last June and ruled Nesta Carter, who helped the 4x100 ters late on Saturday. that were undetectable in 2008 or 2012. “I think it’s rough for track and fi eld, League meet on Thursday. her out of competition for team to Olympic and world champion- “Things happen in life, so when it’s Although Carter’s relay teammates are but it’s just one of those things that hap- But Pearson and her coach the rest of the year. But it was ship titles, returned a doping violation confi rmed or whatever, if I need to give not accused of doping, it is possible that pen and we just have to deal with it.” have decided she is better off more because of an Achilles for the banned stimulant methylhexan- back my gold medal I’d have to give it the IOC could strip them of their gold Asafa Powell, who anchored Jamaica’s going back into intensive fit- tendon problem she devel- amine in a re-test of 454 samples from back, it’s not a problem for me.” medals because of the positive test. team to gold at the Beijing Olympics and ness work for six weeks ahead oped earlier this year. the Beijing Games, sources familiar with First-leg specialist Carter has been Bolt, speaking after completing his has himself served a six-month dop- of the Rio Games in August. Pearson broke two bones and the case have told Reuters. a vital member of Jamaica’s dominant own doping control on Saturday after ing ban, said: “I’m just more concerned After three races in Europe dislocated her wrist in Rome. Carter’s “B” sample also came back squad, helping the Caribbean island clocking a season-best 9.88 seconds in about the athlete, you know hopefully he in which Pearson has trailed In April, after she was able to positive, they said. win gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 the 100 at the Racers Grand Prix in King- gets through it. in after the pacesetting recommence hurdling, Pear- Jamaica’s Olympic association has Olympics and the 2011, 2013 and 2015 ston, said they would just have to deal “I mean, it happens and there’s noth- Americans, they concluded son admitted the Achilles pain confi rmed it received notifi cation from world championships. with the situation. ing I can do, it’s just for them (Carter it was fitness that was letting “was actually a bigger issue the International Olympic Committee Methylhexanamine has been on the “I can’t tell what he’s going through, and his team) to make the right moves,” her down rather than her con- than the wrist”. (IOC) that one of its competitors had re- World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) but it must be hard and frustrating be- he said.

BOTTOMLINE Martinez, from baseball to Olympic sprinter

By Agencies letics and I told him that we could work son, he equalled the 22-year-old na- like Usain Bolt, you always dream of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic together,” recalled Perez of their fi rst tional record of 10.16. Later that day, running against one of them one day,” encounter early in 2014. “He was jump- he also broke the national 200m record said Martinez, who went on to fi nish ing over some hurdles in just the second with 20.37. fourth in the semifi nals of the 200m, ancarlos Martinez may still be week of training. I was impressed by his He went on to set four more national narrowly missing a spot in the fi nal. a newcomer to the sport, but natural power. I have rarely seen some- records at the Pan-American Games “It really made me happy and I had a the former baseball player will thing like that, so I knew I had an un- in Toronto two months later, clocking chance to shake hands with him.” head to the Rio 2016 Olympic polished diamond in front of me.” 10.14 in the 100m, 20.30 and 20.22 in GamesY with his name already in the In his fi rst offi cial race at a lo- the 200m and 38.67 in the 4x100m. RETURNING TO RIO record books. cal meeting in June of 2014, Martinez “It was a great experience being on Martinez is happy with his accom- The 23-year-old won the 200m at clocked 10.68 into a -2.0m/s headwind. the same team as Felix Sanchez and plishments, but he remains grounded. the recent Ibero-American Champion- Later that day he improved to 10.60, Luguelin Santos,” said Martinez, who “When I train, I focus on executing ships, which doubled as the offi cial test also into a headwind, to fi nish second fi nished seventh in the 200m in To- each part of the race,” he said. “I am not event for this year’s Olympics, and his in the fi nal. ronto. “We took some photos together worried about the time. If you do things winning time of 20.19 established a re- A steady progress paved the way for and I realised I could one day become a right, a good time will come up. I fi nish spectable stadium record for the rest of his fi rst international experience at the world-class athlete like them. Running my races strong, but still need to work the world’s top sprinters to aim at when 2014 Central American and Caribbean with some of the world’s best athletes on my start.” the half-lap event gets underway at the Games in Mexico in November. He set convinced me that I could run as fast, His coach believes Martinez has the Games on 16 August. personal bests of 10.35 and 10.29 to fi n- or faster, one day.” potential to be among the world’s best. The stadium record may not last be- ish fourth in the 100m, just missing the Two weeks later, Martinez claimed “He is yet to develop all his capacity,” yond the fi rst round, but Martinez him- File picture of Yancarlos Martinez (R). bronze medal by one hundredth of a his fi rst international medal when he said Perez. “He is coming from base- self hopes to go all the way to the fi nal. second. Three days later, he anchored fi nished second in the 200m at the ball, so the volume is not as intense. We Like most boys growing up in the tion, but one day he was hit in his right cause he did not want me to change the 4x100m team to a national record NACAC Senior Championships in San are taking it one step at a time to keep Dominican Republic, Martinez – the wrist during a game and it aff ected his sports. That’s why I did both during a of 39.01 for silver. Jose, Costa Rica. “That medal moti- him healthy and to keep him around in third youngest son of four siblings – batting ability. period of time and kept working hard to “I didn’t know much about athletics, vated me a lot to keep working hard,” he the sport for many years.” fi rst took up baseball, the country’s “At 21 years of age, I felt depressed help my family fi nancially.” I didn’t even know how to lean forward said. But an even bigger experience was And he found more support from most popular sport, in his hometown of knowing that my future as a base- At just 1.67m (5ft 6in) tall, his build did at the fi nish line,” said Martinez. “I really yet to come. his mom when it came to switching to San Cristobal, 25km west of the capital ball player was over,” said Martinez. “I not impress local coaches and nobody enjoyed the Games, running the relay and On his global championships de- athletics from baseball. “My mom has Santo Domingo. moved to Santo Domingo for athlet- wanted to commit to training him. He winning silver with a national record.” but at the IAAF World Championships supported me in all decisions I have He carved his talent, hoping like ics. I trained there during the week and then ran into Cuban coach Yaseen Perez, Beijing 2015, Martinez was drawn in the made. My father wanted me to stick to many teenagers to make it to the Major played baseball at home in San Cristo- a former sprinter and a guide runner who RACING BOLT same fi rst-round heats as Usain Bolt in baseball, but he is happy now. He told League Baseball in the USA. He excelled bal on the weekends. guided Adrian Iznaga to world and Paral- With a full year of training behind him, both the 100m and 200m. me, ‘You are a fi ghter and have made with his speed as an outfi elder and “My father wanted me to be a base- ympic medals in the 2000s. Martinez’s progress continued early in “When I started to learn about the the diff erence in the family; keep fi ght- came close to joining an MLB organisa- ball player and he was initially sad be- “He was motivated to practice ath- 2015. In his fi rst 100m race of the sea- sport and got to know the big names ing for your dreams’. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, June 14, 2016 RUGBY

SPOTLIGHT Jones slams Aussie pundits’ ‘disrespectful’ treatment England coach takes exception to post-match questions posed by former international Hoiles, who works on a rugby show Wallabies need to work on discipline, says Fardy Melbourne: Australia will spend they failed to adjust to Poite’s the week working to improve decisions, and the scrum, where their discipline and decision England re-established their making ahead of the second test dominance. “We need to make against England in Melbourne on sure with their 50:50s, if they’re Saturday, said blindside flanker not on we’re pulling out and not Scott Fardy. The Wallabies found making bad decisions,” Fardy themselves on the wrong end of added. “I was guilty of a few of a 15-8 penalty count, and referee those when I thought I was doing Romain Poite sinbinned Scott Sio the right thing but it turns out I for collapsing a scrum in the sec- wasn’t.” ond half of their 39-28 first test The Wallabies may also defeat in Brisbane on Saturday. look at making some tactical Australia, World Cup final- player changes for the clash in ists last year, had looked set to Melbourne after coach Michael extend their unbeaten four- Cheika gambled on a massive match record against England in centre pairing of Samu Kerevi Brisbane when they took an early and Tevita Kuridrani for the clash 10-0 lead from two tries. at Lang Park. England flyhalf Owen Farrell, Both struggled against a fast however, kept the scoreboard defensive line and scrumhalf ticking over with a succession of Nick Phipps said the key to turn- penalties and ended the game ing the English around may be with six in total, claiming 24 to kick more. That could prompt points from the boot. the introduction of a playmaking “Discipline is a big part,” Fardy inside centre to relieve the pres- told Australian Associated Press sure on flyhalf Bernard Foley. in Melbourne.”That’s what got “We’ve definitely identified England the game; six penalties that we know that we’ve got they kicked - when you score to be a bit better at relieving four tries to two before the 79th pressure,” Phipps said. “There minute and you’re still behind, it’s were probably opportunities in England coach Eddie Jones (centre) has become increasingly agitated by the treatment received by his team in Australia. (AFP) a disappointing thing.” the game where we backed our- Fardy said the biggest issues selves to use our feet a bit more By Robert Kitson in Brisbane I’m not worried about myself. I can handle myself, don’t dred, no one ever takes that away from you. We have were at the breakdown, where than the ball in the air.” The Guardian worry about that. All I am saying is there’s been a disre- done that but next week is even more important. Aus- spectful way in which the team has been treated in the tralian teams prefer to be underdogs, so they are going to media here.” be happy. They hate losing here. We need to make sure ddie Jones has accused several leading Austral- The head coach also suspects there may be more we have good focus. The Australians will come at us left, ian rugby pundits of disrespecting his squad and to come. “I am sure they are all going to be lining up,” right and centre.” England’s head coach is predicting more dirty Jones said. “There has been a row of ex-Wallaby play- The Wallabies will be without their world-class back- tricks in the lead-up to the second Test against ers – you’ve had Hoiles, you’ve had Simon Poidevin and rower David Pocock, who will be sidelined for six weeks theE Wallabies, 1-0 down in the best-of-three series, in you’ve had Phil Kearns. David Campese has got to be with a fractured eye socket, for the rest of the series but Melbourne on Saturday. somewhere. He is coming for sure. I can see next week Jones says England have no pressing selection issues. Jones reacted angrily to what he called a “disgusting” something is going to happen.” “We want to improve the side every week, that’s all we’re promotional video aired by Fox Sports before the fi rst Jones is no stranger to media spats in his native coun- trying to do. I don’t see that as selection issues.” Test in Brisbane and took exception to post-match ques- try but the notion of an Australian coaching England to George Ford, an infl uential replacement on Saturday, tions posed by the former international Stephen Hoiles, a series victory over the Wallabies is clearly a source of will be among those pushing hard for a starting place. who is employed on a rugby show on the same network. potential local friction.Hoiles’s crass line of question- “It is a big week ahead,” the fl y-half said. “We have all Hoiles attempted to make fun of Jones’s reaction to ing – “You’ve been in the press more than Donald Trump played a game and we can look at video of each other. It England’s gripping 39-28 victory, after which the head this week … you and Glen looked lubed up, how did you will be interesting what the teams now do next week in coach celebrated the outcome with a second former Wal- enjoy that moment up in the box?” – also seemed not to terms of tactics.” laby Glen Ella, who is working with England as a coach- impress his compatriot Ella, who subsequently tweeted: England have never won a three-Test series in the ing consultant. Jones was not amused and believes the “Swing Low Sweet Chariots.” southern hemisphere but have tasted success in Mel- touring team are worthy of more respect. “You’ve seen England, though, remain wary of their hosts, with bourne. They beat the Wallabies 25-14 in June 2003 England’s Owen Farrell (left) tackles Australia’s Scott Fardy during the the Fox promos, they are disgusting,” he said. Jones insisting his players will have to perform better before defeating the same opponents, then coached by first Test in Brisbane last week. (AFP) “It is quite demeaning and disrespectful to the team. than they did in Brisbane. “It is like scoring a Test hun- Jones, in that November’s World Cup fi nal in Sydney.

ROUND-UP FOCUS South Africa hand Steyn surprise Wales wing revival of international career North out of All Blacks and played for Highlanders, Crusad- All Blacks series Reuters Cape Town ers and Blues in Super Rugby. Beattie, 30, has played 38 times for Scotland AFP time for the players on tour,” he and began his career with Glasgow. Bayonne, Wellington said. “This match gives the play- eteran fl y half Morne Steyn has been who secured promotion back up to the Top 14 ers a chance to stake their claim called up as cover for the South Afri- this season at the fi rst time of asking, have al- for the fi nal two Tests against the can squad ahead of the next two tests ready signed a raft of players for next season in ales star wing All Blacks.” against Ireland after injury to fi rst- a bid to strengthen their squad in a bid to main- George North was The Chiefs have been one of Vchoice Pat Lambie, the South Africa Rugby tain their top fl ight status. ruled out of the the form Super Rugby teams this Union said yesterday. WAll Blacks series year but are without eight play- The 31-year-old was recalled from holidays SHARKS WIN 10 STRAIGHT TO JOIN yesterday, adding to a mounting ers on All Blacks duty, including after having already completed his season in STORM AT TOP OF NRL injury toll that leaves the tour- Aaron Cruden and Sam Cane. France with Stade Francais in an unexpected The Cronulla Sharks won their tenth straight ists looking for fringe players to For the Welsh, Ospreys wing Eli revival of his international career. Steyn was National Rugby League game with a 13-10 step up. North was a standout in Walker will be eyeing North’s presumed to have played his last match for the victory over champions North Queensland in Wales’ 39-21 fi rst Test loss but Test spot but needs a strong per- Springboks after a making a solitary appear- Sydney yesterday. The Sharks raised hopes of a pulled up lame late in the match, formance against the Chiefs to ance at last year’s World Cup in England. long-awaited premiership title after grand fi nal with subsequent examinations hold off the challenge from teen But a long-term injury to Handre Pollard and near-misses in 1973 and 1978. confi rming his tour was over. sensation Keelan Giles. Lambie being ruled out of the second test in They are second in the competition stand- “North suff ered a hamstring in- Giles is fl ying to New Zea- Johannesburg on Saturday, means a route back ings on points diff erential behind Melbourne jury in the fi rst Test in Auckland, land after impressing at the for Steyn, who has scored 694 points in his 60 Storm. Second-rower Wade Graham played his ruling him out of Wales’ remain- World Rugby U20 Champion- test appearances. way into the New South Wales team for next ing games,” the team said in a ship, where he scored two tries Lambie suff ered concussion after being week’s second State of Origin game against statement. in a one-point loss to Ireland. pole-axed by a late tackle in Saturday’s 26-20 Queensland with a strong performance for the His absence means coach He also bagged three tries dur- defeat in the fi rst test at Newlands. Sharks. Warren Gatland is without some ing this year’s U20 Six Nations, Steyn steps in as cover for Elton Jantjies, who Graham was instrumental in harassing the fi rst-choice players for the re- showing pace, decision-making will be the Boks’ pivot at Ellis Park. The third Cowboys Test playmaker Johnathan Thurston maining two Tests, stretching and power in contact. test between South Africa and Ireland will be and also came up with a try-saving tackle on his squad’s depth. The sick list He joins a steady stream of played in Port Elizabeth on June 25. Queensland Origin prop Matt Scott. The Storm gives fringe players the chance to new players arriving in New Zea- had hammered Sydney Roosters 46-0 on Sat- push for Test selection in a tour land over the past week as Welsh ALL BLACK DONNELLY AND SCOT urday to move to the top of the standings. match against Super Rugby team injuries mount. Scrum-half BEATTIE JOIN BAYONNE Test scrum-half Cooper Cronk scored two the Waikato Chiefs today. Aled Davies touched down a few New Zealand international lock Tom Donnelly second-half tries after Melbourne led 18-0 at Only two players from the hours ahead of the fi rst Test to will join Bayonne from Montpellier for next halftime. Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu scored starting XV that lost 39-21 to replace Lloyd Williams who suf- season, the Basques said yesterday. Bayonne a hat-trick of tries. It was the Roosters’ biggest New Zealand in the fi rst Test in fered an ankle injury in training. will also sign Scottish fl anker Johnnie Beattie loss at home and Melbourne’s biggest win over Auckland have been named in Prop Aaron Jarvis also had to from Castres. Donnelly, who has signed a one- the Tricolours, who now need to win at least the 23-man match-day squad to rush over after Paul James was year contract, had spent the last two years with nine of their last 11 games to make the end-of- face the Chiefs. Gatland – a Kiwi sidelined by a calf injury, and Montpellier but was not part of the matchday season playoff s. who grew up in Hamilton – said Rhys Patchell arrived Monday as 23 for Sunday’s Top 14 play-off victory over Queensland fullback Darius Boyd claimed it was a “huge opportunity” for potential cover for Gareth Ans- Castres. a hat-trick of tries as the Brisbane Broncos players to prove themselves. combe and Liam Williams. Likewise, Beattie, who spent two years with downed the Canberra Raiders 26-18 at Sun- “Coming all the way to New Wales have not defeated the Montpellier before the last two with Castres, corp Stadium on Thursday. Canterbury Bull- Zealand, it was important we had All Blacks since 1953 and have was not involved. He has signed a three-year dogs defeated St George Illawarra 34-16 in the South African fly-half Morne Steyn replaced injured Patrick Lambie for the a big enough squad for the three never beaten them in New deal. Donnelly, 34, was capped 15 times by the other game. second Test against Ireland. (AFP) Tests but also to provide game Zealand. Gulf Times Tuesday, June 14, 2016 11 SPORTSPORT

FORMULA ONE Vettel vexed by ‘suicidal’ Hamilton takes long seagulls Montreal: SEBASTIAN VETTEL off ered one of Formula One’s more exotic excuses on Sunday by saying he had lost time in the Cana- dian Grand Prix by saving two view on his title fi ght seagulls from being flattened by his Ferrari. “I think it was a couple that From being 43 points behind Rosberg two races ago, Hamilton heads to Baku trailing by nine wanted to commit suicide,” the German said with a smile after finishing second to Mer- cedes’ world champion Lewis Hamilton at a chilly Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. “They were at the apex of turn one. Lewis obviously didn’t care so he made up quite a bit of time, about half a second, but I didn’t do that couple that favour to say goodbye for good,” the four times Formula One world champion told reporters. “By the time Lewis came around, they just flew off . Wasn’t fair. I brake for animals, Lewis doesn’t...” The German, who had led the race until his first pitstop, continued the theme after- wards with some relish hijack- ing Hamilton’s interview with Britain’s Sky Sports television for some more good-natured banter about birds. “I feel that you’re using the seagulls. I feel that they were innocent,” said an amused Hamilton.“I saw you lock up and then the seagulls did move.” Getting more into the spirit, he added: “Hey man, it was planned. Mercedes GP driver Lewis Hamilton You know I’m good with celebrates after winning the Canadian animals, right? Like Doctor Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Dolittle, I told them to be Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. (AFP) there and they were there.” Vettel insisted he had a case, even if he then under- mined it by stating: “I’m a racing driver, so I have to find some sort of excuse for why the hell you beat me today. I went into turn one and I saw this stupid couple of seagulls standing there, all relaxed,” continued the German. “My car’s red. It’s easy to see, it doesn’t blend in like yours. That’s what really annoyed me. There’s a red car coming and they stayed there.” The last word went AFP “Honestly,” he said. “I am oblivious to a lot of and mechanical failings. Vettel, relishing the im- Monaco might have been a one off . A fl uke kind of to Hamilton, who celebrated Montreal things, but the thing I am conscious of is that there proved power of his Ferrari’s upgraded engine, fi n- thing, but the race was not a fl uke. It was a great the 45th win of his career is a long way to go. There has never been a doubt ished second after the Italian team made a mistake strong race and then today, the way it unfolded. and fifth in Canada. “I think this year in terms of my speed, or what I can do in by switching him to a two-stop strategy. “We started 1-2 and fi nished 1-5 and I know how I might have to buy you a ewis Hamilton was counting no chickens, the car. Not at all. But, of course, you never know He also blamed two seagulls on the circuit for hard the guys in the factory work for a 1-2 so it couple of seagulls,” he said.“I or seagulls, as he refl ected on the dramatic what can happen next. There was one problem af- distracting him as he swerved to avoid them. “That doesn’t feel great about that, considering we have think you need a couple.” revival of his title defence in the wake of ter another.” was my worst moment,” said the four-time cham- had a lot of those 1-2 fi nishes and we both celebrate Lhis triumphant display in the spectacular Hamilton’s resurgence with successive victo- pion German, whose full-blooded display proved in front of the garages. Canadian Grand Prix. ries in Monaco and Montreal has coincided with Ferrari are almost back on terms with Mercedes. “But, on the fl ip-side, it is a positive in terms of The defending three-time world champion, a Rosberg slump. After four season-opening wins Hamilton revelled in his high-speed duel with points, but Nico is going to continue to push. I am who languished 43 points behind championship- scored him a perfect 100 points, the German has Vettel and after careful management of his tyres going to continue to push the car for as long as it leading Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg three claimed just 16 in the last three outings. and fuel, he pulled clear to win in the closing laps. stays together. The way it is going, I don’t see that weeks ago, cut that margin to just nine points with On Sunday, he clashed with Hamilton at Turn “I was just fl oating out there, the car was really strength diminishing. his 45th career win and his fi fth at the Circuit Gilles One, as the Mercedes pair were left behind by the fl oating,” he said. “The last 15 laps, all I could do "I think we are still going to go from strength to Villeneuve on Sunday. But, after dedicating his tri- red streak of Sebastian Vettel’s rampant Ferrari, was think of him (Ali). The Rumble in the Jungle... strength. There are still things to pick up on, such umph and the manner in which he achieved it to picked up a slow puncture, suff ered fuel problems Maybe he was watching the race, but RIP. This was as the starts. Once we get those, hopefully we will the late Muhammad Ali, he played down talk of and then spun off and recovered after an errant for him...” get back to where we want to be. Today (Sunday), regaining the momentum ahead of this week’s in- passing move on the last lap. He fi nished fi fth. He admitted he was surprised at how swiftly the it felt phenomenal in the car - very, very quick. I augural trip to Azerbaijan for the European Grand It was a taste of the experiences that Hamilton season has turned around for him. “Absolutely,” he had the speed whenever I needed it, which is such Prix on Baku’s new and fast street circuit. endured during his ill-fated early run of accidents said. “I could never have predicted that. I thought a great feeling to have.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Aspetar conducts physiotherapy course Red Bull hail ‘mature’ Verstappen in dig at Wolff

Reuters Montreal

ed Bull principal Christian Horner en- joyed a dig at Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff after 18-year-old Dutch driver MAX VERSTAPPEN successfully held offR championship leader Nico Rosberg in Sun- day’s Canadian Grand Prix. The teenager, who was only eight years old when Rosberg made his Formula One debut in 2006, fi nished fourth at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with the vastly more ex- perienced Mercedes driver fi fth. Rosberg tried repeatedly to pass in the closing laps but Verstappen, who last month became For- mula One’s youngest winner with victory on his team debut in Spain, showed plenty of racecraft and determination to keep the German at bay. When the Mercedes driver did get past, he spun and lost the place again. “He’s shown great men- By Sports Reporter gathered for what will be the fi rst ever AFC ics, swimming, table tennis, and archery, tal strength,” said Horner of a youngster who fol- Doha physiotherapy course. who will form the next generation of Qatar’s lowed up his Barcelona win by crashing in Monaco sports teams and clubs. during qualifying and the race. ASPIRE ACADEMY TO CELEBRATE The commencement ceremony demon- “Monaco was a tough race for him but the way n partnership with the Asian Football STUDENT-ATHLETES’ GRADUATION strates Aspire Academy’s mission to be rec- he has bounced back here, that confi dence that Confederation (AFC) Medical Committee, Aspire Academy will celebrate the com- ognized as one of the world’s leading sports he’s had, throwing the car around, it hasn’t af- IAspetar has organised a three-day Physi- mencement of the ninth generation of its academies in the development of young fected him at all. It was a pretty mature drive for otherapy Course, which began yesterday. student-athletes for the 2015-2016 academic athletes, which it achieves through a com- somebody that Mr Wolff said was not quite as ing to a 35-year-old,” he said. “His maturity and During the opening ceremony Gurcharan year at a function tonight at 10pm. The cer- prehensive curriculum focused on both aca- mature as he thought. He looked pretty mature to his intelligence are going to take him far. I’m sure Singh, Chairman of the AFC Medical Com- emony will take place in the Aspire Dome in demic and athletic achievement. me when he was fending off his very experienced this kid will be the next Canadian (driver) in For- mittee & FIFA Medical Committee member, the presence of dignitaries, members of the The ceremony marks the culmination of mature driver,” said Horner. mula One.” honoured Dr. Mohammed Ghaith al-Kuwari, Academy’s senior management and the par- six years’ worth of hard work, eff ort and com- Wolff had told Canadian reporters earlier in the Comparing Stroll to Verstappen, the Austrian Aspetar Acting Director General, for Aspe- ents of the student-athletes. mitment from the student-athletes during week that he felt 17-year-old Canadian Formula said the Dutchman acted more like a teenager. “In tar’s contribution to enhancing sports medi- The Academy this year is celebrating the their time at Aspire Academy and highlights Three driver Lance Stroll was more mature than the car he’s extremely good but when you interact cine in Asia. On the opening day, more than graduation of 36 student-athletes in several Aspire Academy’s continued eff orts to help Verstappen. “When you speak to the boy who’s with him, he’s a kid. But with Lance, his maturity 45 physiotherapists from across Asia have sports, including football, squash, athlet- launch their sporting careers. only 17 years old, you tend to believe you’re talk- is very surprising,” he said. Tuesday, June 14, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

HANDBALL Qatar aim to continue World Championship success in Rio Qatar will send its biggest delegation to the Olympic Games since its debut in Los Angeles 1984

By Correspondent Doha

ith just over 50 days to go for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Qatar’s 2015 Men’s Handball World Cham- pionship runners-up team will Wmake history as they head to the Olympics for the fi rst time ever. The Rio Olympics will mark the fi rst time the Olympics are held in South America and will see over 10,000 athletes from 206 nations compete in Rio de Janeiro. The best athletes from around the globe will challenge themselves to the abso- lute limit of their ability before a global TV audi- ence of 4.8 billion people. Qatar will send its biggest delegation to the Olympic Games since its debut in Los Angeles 1984. Thirty six athletes will compete in seven sports – athletics, swimming, shooting, hand- ball, equestrian, table tennis and judo. To support its athletes on their journey in Rio, QOC has launched the #YallaQatar campaign across its social media channels with the aim of showcasing Qatar’s athletes and their incred- ible feats. The Olympic Dreams fi lm series will profi le each team and athlete, and explore the highs, lows, motivations and dreams of Qatar’s Olympians. “At the start of the World Champi- Qatar's handball team onships no one was really expecting us to even trains at the Duhail get to the second round,” said team playmaker Training Hall. Kamal Mallash, 24. “So it was an honor to reach the fi nal of the Men’s Handball World Championship and make history as the fi rst Arab team to get to that level.” Led by experienced coach Valero Lopez, and helmed by Captain Abdulrazzaq Murad, the Qa- tari handball team went from being the under- dog at the 2015 Men’s Handball World Cham- pionship to unlikely silver medallists. They lost narrowly to World and Olympic Champions France in the fi nal. The secret to the team’s success stems from a Spartan approach to training, discipline and hard work. “The coach needs everything to be perfect and that is defi nitely one of the main reasons for our success. We strive to excel and never leave anything to chance,” said Yousef Bin Ali, 28, who plays as centre forward in the team. Right-back Zarko Markovic adds: “I think it’s more about work than about talent. You must work very hard to try every day to be profes- sional and never give up.” Their daily training regime often includes two training sessions and consists of gym work, running, and practising tactics in an attempt to prepare athletes holistically. “Realistically there isn’t anything diffi cult about training,” says Murad, adding, “It all depends on your focus.” For most of the team, handball is something they grew up with. “I started handball when I was 7 years old. It’s a family heritage for me, my father was a handball player so I followed in his Qatar handball team captain Abdulrazzaq Murad. footsteps.” said Mallash. Captain Murad adds: “Handball is my life. I important thing is the team,” said Valero. getting a silver or gold medal but preserving the love the speed of the game. The art that is in- Mahmoud Zaky, 29 added: “We went for the reputation we made for ourselves,” he added. volved and the amazing moves in the game.” silver medal by holding each other, supporting Now with Rio 2016 right around the corner, The team’s training, coupled with their tal- each other, being there for anyone who needs us. the Qatari handball team know what they are up ent has paid off , and they claimed the Asian This is the right way to do it.” against. “In Rio there are only 12 teams, so they Championship title in 2014 and 2016, as well as As the fi rst Qatari handball team to ever com- are the best of the best,” said Mahmoud Zaky. stormed their way to Rio 2016 Olympic qualifi - pete in the Olympic Games, they hope to achieve “Almost all the teams will be very good rivals cation in the Asian qualifi ers last December. something beyond securing a spot on the po- for us. There will be a lot of surprises like what Another key reason for their success is how dium. “Before the World Championships not we saw happen in the World Championships,” well they work together as a team and this is an many people here really knew about handball. he added. The handball team’s fi rst match in Rio important part of Coach Valero’s strategy. But now more people are interested in it and 2016 will be on the 7th August against Croatia. “Sometimes we play very good, sometimes every time we succeed we gain new fans,” Ab- One can follow their Olympic Dreams on the we play good, and sometimes we play bad or dullah al-Kirbi, 25, said. Qatar Olympic Twitter, Facebook, Instagram very bad – but like a team. Always we show that “We made a name for ourselves after the and YouTube channels under the hashtag #Yal- we are a team. For me this is the most important World Championships around the world which laQatar. The Rio 2016 Olympic Games take place thing. All the players must think that the most is something we need to preserve. It’s not about from 5th August to 21st August.

FOCUS Qatar archer Red Bull Kart Fight to be held in Qatar Ibraheem to compete in By Sports Reporter Doha World Cup Antalya, Turkey: Qatar’s ed Bull Kart Fight, the fi rst ever Ibraheem al-Mohannadi has karting competition will be held in qualified for stage 3 of the Qatar. The karting challenge will un- Archery World Cup 2016, the Rveil the fastest amateur kart racer in qualifying round for the Rio the country. The qualifi ers and fi nal will take Olympics. place between 23 June to 1 July at the Doha The competition started Exhibition and Convention Center from The winner will be awarded on Sunday and will be held till 9:30pm to 11:30pm. an all-expense-paid trip to June 19, with the participation The winner will be awarded an all-ex- attend the regional final of of 220 athletes. pense-paid trip to attend the regional fi nal the Red Bull Car Park Drift Al-Mohannadi concluded of the Red Bull Car Park Drift 2016, to be held 2016, to be held in Oman in his final training session at in Oman in December 2016. Each qualifying December 2016. the Lusail Shooting Complex. day will see two winners, who will progress to Al-Mohannadi underwent an the national fi nal, in addition to the best four intensive training camp in lap times from all qualifi ers. Eight qualifying Korea last month, where he rounds will be held between 23 to 30 June, to took part in friendly competi- determine the top 20 racers. The winners will tions which had a big role in then race side-by-side during the national fi - improving his performance. nal, scheduled for 1 July. Al-Mohannadi said that All interested kart racers should be 15 years tournament in Turkey will be old and above and need to register at www. a challenging one and that all redbull.com/kartfi ghtqatar . the participants will be seek- This event is a great opportunity for talent- ing to secure a spot for Rio ed racers in the country, to nurture and dis- Olympics, which will be held play their racing skills in a safe and confi ned in August. He added that it is environment. Red Bull Kart Fight is organ- a great opportunity for him ised in partnership with Amazing Produc- to compete against the world tions, the community support of Qatar Living finest archers. and the I Love Qatar.