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Saturday, June 15, 2019 Shawwal 12, 1440 AH Akram calls for GULF TIMES calm, says India vs Pak clash ‘not war’ SPORT Page 3

FOOTBALL / COPA AMERICA FOCUS Boost for Qatar as Qatar to host World Beach al-Rawi passes Games in Defender al-Rawi played a key role in Qatar’s Asian Cup October fi tness test triumph earlier this year

By Sports Reporter called “Group of Death.” Doha Meanwhile, Japan plan on displaying their “strength” at the Copa America when the Blue n what will serve as a huge Samurai make their second ap- boost to Qatar, Bassam al- pearance as guests in a tough Rawi has recovered from an Group C alongside champions injury as coach Felix Sanchez Chile, coach Hajime Moriyasu Ichose not to tinker with his said. 23-member squad ahead of their “I’m really looking forward to Copa America opener against playing in the Copa America, it’s Paraguay at the Maracana stadi- one of the highest level tourna- um in Rio de Janeiro tomorrow. ments in the world,” the coach Young defender al-Rawi, who told reporters in Sao Paulo. has been battling a retrac- “How can we show our strength tor muscle injury for some and which way we play, that’s time now, missed Qatar’s in- what we want to fi nd out in this ternational friendly against tournament,” the coach of the Brazil on June 5. However, the Asian Cup runners-up added. atar has replaced San “Work has been continuing 21-year-old has returned to Japan may not be amongst the Diego as the hosts for to ensure our inaugural ANOC training, which has convinced favourites but Moriyasu insisted this year’s Association World Beach Games is a univer- Sanchez of al-Rawi’s fi tness. his players have arrived in Brazil of National Olym- sal, elite event, with more world- Al-Rawi played a key role in with a winning mindset. “We picQ Committees (ANOC) World class athletes from around the Qatar’s maiden Asian Cup title will play in order to win the ti- Beach Games, the website in- world qualifying every week,” win earlier this year and Sanchez tle, but fi rst and foremost for us sidethegames.biz reported yes- said Lindberg. would be hoping for a similar is to play game by game and do terday. In a statement, ANOC “The Games was conceived performance from the Al Du- our best in each, then think of confi rmed the sports programme with the needs of National Ol- hail starlet. Al-Rawi has shown the next one,” the 50-year-old would remain the same but the ympic Committees (NOCs) and maturity beyond his years in coach underlined. fi rst edition of the multi-sport athletes in mind, and ANOC is the heart of the Qatar defence. Previously, Moriyasu had an- event would be pushed back to in no doubt that the decision to At the Asian Cup, al-Rawi was nounced that the Copa America October 12 to 16. relocate the inaugural edition to a calming infl uence as centre- would serve as a warm-up for The Games had been due to be Qatar makes prudent fi nancial back. He also displayed a terrifi c the Olympic Games to be held held in San Diego from October and sporting sense. ability from dead-ball situation in Tokyo next year. The Japanese 10 to 15 but ANOC announced “We are delighted to have es- by scoring twice from freekicks, arrived in Brazil on Wednes- two weeks ago that it would relo- tablished a partnership with and will off er Qatar plenty going day and will play their opening cate the event from the American the highly-experienced team at forward as he does in defence. match against Chile in Sao Paulo city after Californian organisers the Qatar Olympic Committee, Meanwhile, Qatar squad on Monday. proved unable to raise the neces- backed up with the enthusiastic trained in Rio de Janeiro yester- They held their fi rst training sary money to fund it. support of the Qatar Govern- day. Sanchez’s men were based session on Thursday at Brazilian ANOC said it had received ment.” ANOC also confi rmed the in coastal town of Porta Belo giants Sao Paulo’s headquar- fi nancial guarantees from the General Assembly would be held for the last two weeks as they ters, where around 400 children Government in Qatar, which is in Qatar from October 17 to 18. prepared for the world’s oldest and adults of Japanese origin also hosting this year’s Interna- Doha hosted the annual gath- football tournament. Qatar will watched the hour-long practice. tional Association of Athletics ering of the world’s 206 NOCs in become the 19th team to take Their fi rst match will likely feel Federations World Champion- 2016. ANOC said it still expected part in Copa America, as they like a home game given the huge ships from September 28 to Oc- athletes from 90 NOCs to par- and Japan are guest teams in Japanese migrant community in tober 6 and is due to stage the ticipate at the Games. South American football show- the sprawling metropolis. There 2022 FIFA World Cup. San Diego had been awarded piece. After the Paraguay en- is an estimated 1.5mn people of ANOC secretary general Gun- the event by ANOC in 2015 and counter, Qatar will take on Co- Japanese descent in Brazil, many illa Lindberg has said hosting the they had been due to take place lombia on June 16 and Argentina of whom live in Sao Paulo. event in Qatar “makes prudent in 2017 before being pushed back on June 23 in Group D, which is fi nancial and sporting sense”. a further two years to 2019.

2019 ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP Root leads England to crushing win over WI Reuters we did today. It was a really good Southampton team eff ort and performance.” SCORECARD England made a fast start when dismissed WEST INDIES INNINGS Total: (all out, 44.4 overs) 212 Gabriel 45 oe Root’s classy unbeaten for two before Wood century led England to dropped destructive West Indies C. Gayle c Bairstow b Plunkett 36 Fall of : 1-4 (Lewis), J. Root 100 a comprehensive eight- opener . E. Lewis b Woakes 2 2-54 (Gayle), 3-55 (Hope), 4-144 C. Woakes c sub (Allen) b Gabriel 40 (Hetmyer), 5-156 (Holder), 6-188 victory over West The error did not prove too S. Hope lbw b Wood 11 B. Stokes not out 10 IndiesJ in a one-sided Cricket costly, however, as Gayle fell to (Russell), 7-202 (Pooran), 8-202 World Cup match in Southamp- Liam Plunkett for 36 and Shai N. Pooran c Buttler b Archer 63 (Cottrell), 9-211 (Brathwaite), 10- Extras: (lb2, nb1, w15) 18 ton yesterday. Hope was trapped lbw by Wood S. Hetmyer c and b Root 39 212 (Gabriel) Total: (two wickets, 33.1 overs) 213 Jofra Archer and Mark Wood for 11 to leave West Indies in J. Holder c and b Root 9 : Woakes 5-2-16-1 (1w), Fall of wickets: 1-95 (Bairstow), took three wickets apiece as Eng- trouble at 55-3. Archer 9-1-30-3 (1w), Plunkett A. Russell c Woakes b Wood 21 2-199 (Woakes) land bowled the Windies out for and Shimron Hetmyer shared a 5-0-30-1 (3w), Wood 6.4-0-18-3 Bowling: Cottrell 3-0-17-0 (1w), a modest 212 after winning the fl uent fourth-wicket partner- C. Brathwaite c Buttler b Archer 14 (1w), Stokes 4-0-25-0, Rashid 10- Thomas 6-0-43-0 (2w), Gabriel toss, and Root’s 100 not out took ship of 89, but Hetmyer was S. Cottrell lbw b Archer 0 0-61-0 (1w), Root 5-0-27-2 (1w) the hosts and tournament fa- caught and bowled by Root for 7-0-49-2 (7w), Russell 2-0-14- vourites to their target with more 39 and the part-time spinner O. Thomas not out 0 0 (1w), Holder 5.1-0-31-0 (1w), than 16 overs to spare. England’s soon dismissed Windies S. Gabriel b Wood 0 ENGLAND INNINGS Brathwaite 5-0-35-0 (1w), Gayle 5-0-22-0 (2w) third win in four matches lifted England’s Joe Root (right) and Ben Stokes celebrate after winning in identical fash- Extras: (lb5, w12) 17 J. Bairstow c Brathwaite b them to second in the 10-team the match against the West Indies yesterday. ion. Pooran was caught by wick- England won by 8 wickets standings while West Indies are etkeeper Jos Buttler off Archer sixth following their second loss. win and important we followed “You pride yourself on work- and the West Indies-born pace Gabriel to end the innings. The which forced them to leave the Jonny Bairstow and the pair “It’s obviously nice for this through on that,” said man-of- ing it out as a batsman, building bowler also sent back Carlos only downside for England were fi eld and forced changes in the shared a fl uent partnership of 95 hundred to mean something and the-match Root, who also took big partnerships either when set- Brathwaite and injuries to captain Eoin Morgan order. which ended when Bairstow, on for us to win. It was a great toss to two key wickets. ting or closing down a chase like before Wood bowled Shannon and opening batsman Jason Roy Root moved up to open with 45, sliced Gabriel to third man. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, June 15, 2019 CRICKET WORLD CUP

FOCUS Australia fret on team balance aft er Stoinis injury ‘You could (play five specialist bowlers), but it’s very rare for an Australian team to do it’

SPOTLIGHT Sri Lanka ready to face short ball challenge against Aussies

Reuters London

ri Lanka are ready to face an onslaught of fi erce Australian pace bowling as they look to get their rain-marredS Cricket World Cup campaign back on track at The Oval today. So far four out of the 19 matches contested at the World Cup have been called off or abandoned in the rain-hit tour- nament and the Sri Lankans are the only team to have suff ered this misfortune twice. Their last two matches against Asian rivals Pakistan and Bangladesh were both Australia’s captain Aaron Finch (centre) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Pakistan’s Mohamed Hafeez (not pictured) during the complete washouts in Bristol, 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup match in Taunton, United Kingdom, on Wednesday. (AFP) meaning Sri Lanka have not faced any competitive action Agencies to settle down a bit more,” Finch their game.” sional cricket since March, while for 11 days — hardly ideal prep- London told reporters during training. With wicketkeeper his last 50-over appearance was aration before taking on holders Australia have a fi ve-day break and quick Nathan Coulter-Nile 18 months ago. Australia. before their next game against proving their skills with the bat, But if Cricket Australia does While they are aware that the ll-rounder Marcus Bangladesh. playing fi ve specialist bowlers is decide to trigger a formal request Australians will be out to take Stoinis’ injury has up- “We’ve talked a bit about it, one option for the holders. But to remove Stoinis then Finch advantage of the bouncy pitch Dimuth Karunaratne and his men have not faced competitive set the team balance, but we’ll just see how he pulls up Langer was not totally convinced. backs Marsh to be ready to face by fi ring down short deliveries, action for 11 days coming into the match against Australia. (AFP) Australia coach Justin over the next few days,” Langer “We’ll have to work it out, but Bangladesh next Thursday. captain Dimuth Karunaratne LangerA said ahead of his side’s said of Stoinis. “We know that it’s it certainly makes it more prob- “The short answer is yes. is confi dent his men can with- skittled for 136 runs in less than you can think you can go for it... World Cup group stage match important to have an all-rounder lematic not having an all-round- There is confi dence that Mitch stand the attack. 30 overs during a 10-wicket vic- I will say to the players, yeah, go against Sri Lanka at The Oval in the side if we can, and if we er in there,” Langer said. will come in and do well if se- “We know they are going to tory by New Zealand while the for it, because we need runs, as yesterday. can’t we’ve got to adapt.” “You could (play fi ve specialist lected, if Stoinis doesn’t recover go really hard against us but... expected fi reworks against out- well,” said Karunaratne. Stoinis missed Wednesday’s In the absence of Stoinis, who bowlers), but it’s very rare for an properly,” he said. the thing is, they can bowl only siders Afghanistan also failed to Fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep victory over Pakistan due to a is also an excellent outfi elder, Australian team to do it,” he said. Despite three wins from their two bouncers, so I think we have materialise. might return for the game, the side strain he suff ered against In- Finch and Maxwell combined as “We did it a few times last year opening four games, Finch ad- to be aware of those things,” he They were bowled out for 201 captain said. He suff ered a dis- dia three days earlier, prompting the team’s fi fth bowler against when we were in England. You mits Australia have yet to hit top said on the eve of the match. in the 37th over by a team who location and a cut on his bowl- the reigning champions to fl y in Pakistan, conceding 71 runs be- certainly can in T20 cricket. It’s form. India exposed the weakness- were expected to be the whip- ing-arm fi nger while training. Mitchell Marsh as cover. tween them from nine overs, with tougher in 50-over cricket, but “I don’t think we’ve gone any- es in the Australian team when ping boys in the tournament. With the 1996 champions in Stoinis did some batting Finch taking one wicket. you never say never. We’ll try and where near our best, which is they romped to a 36-run victory Although Sri Lanka did eke out a danger of being knocked out of in Taunton’s indoor nets on “We’ve got a very, very strong work out the best combination to still a good thing, that we’ve got at The Oval last weekend, hav- 34-run win in the rain-shortened the tournament, they almost Wednesday, but the seam bowl- batting side with the batting beat Sri Lanka.” six points on the board while not ing amassed 352 runs off their match, their inability to bat out certainly will need to win their ing all-rounder will miss a sec- line-up we had I thought,” Lang- playing anywhere near our best 50 overs. 50 overs in the tournament will remaining games against Aus- ond match, captain Aaron Finch er said. FINCH BACKS MARSH cricket,” he added. However, Sri Lanka have so be a cause for concern. tralia, England, India, West In- said yesterday. “It’s probably harder for Meanwhile, Finch has backed “But as long as we’re improv- far failed to get their batting fi r- “Some players, they can play dies and South Africa to keep “He hasn’t bowled yet in his Finchy than anyone else to have Marsh to shine if Stoinis is forced ing, and continue to go up and ing in the two matches they have really good for the short balls. alive their chances of clinching recovery over the last couple of less recognised bowlers I’ll say. to pull out of the tournament. not go backwards, I think that’s managed to complete. They were Some of them, they can’t. But if a semi-fi nal berth. days. Just waiting for the injury Everyone’s got to be on top of Marsh has played no profes- the key.”

LOOKING AHEAD RESOLVE Du Plessis urges Proteas to forget about the past Afghans won’t be

Agencies distracted by Cardiff , United Kingdom Shahzad row: Naib af du Plessis has urged South Africa to forget about their World Cup woes and focus on se- curingF their fi rst victory of the tournament against minnows Afghanistan. Du Plessis’ side face Afghani- stan in a must-win match in Cardiff today after a wretched start to the World Cup. Defeats against England, Bangladesh and India and a wash-out with the West Indies have left Proteas captain Du Plessis admitting South Africa AFP not selected for the 2015 World must win their fi ve remaining Cardiff , United Kingdom Cup due to a lack of fi tness. games to have any prospect of Asked about the row ahead of making the semi-fi nals. today’s clash with South Africa, And the batsman believes the fghanistan captain Naib made it clear he didn’t want only way for South Africa to Gulbadin Naib in- to dwell on the situation. achieve that unlikely target is to sists his side won’t let “We looked forward, so we put their struggles behind them the row over Mohamed didn’t go to the past. We had one and focus only on the present. Shahzad’sA controversial World week off . We got plenty of good “Week one was a bad start to Cup exit overshadow the rest of things in this last week,” Naib the tournament but that’s done the tournament. told reporters yesterday. now,” Du Plessis told reporters Shahzad played in Afghani- “Obviously we missed Shah- yesterday. stan’s fi rst two World Cup match- zad. We have good youngsters “We’ve got to put all our en- es, but the wicketkeeper-batsman on the team now on the side, so ergy and focus into the now and was removed from the squad after we’re excited for the next game.” what’s coming up next. suff ering a knee injury that the With Afghanistan still looking “I truly believe that if we car- country’s cricket board said would for their fi rst win in this year’s ry those ghosts of the last week not allow him to play any further World Cup, Naib said star leg with us it’s going to be tough to South Africa’s Faf Du Plessis (centre) and Aiden Markram (left) attend a training session in Cardiff , Wales, on Thursday. (AFP) part in the tournament. spinner Rashid Khan should be get out of the hole. The 31-year-old, who scored fi t to play against South Africa. “But the conversations in the Plessis said. to take a gamble on injured fast percent,” Du Plessis said. not ready, you just give him a lit- just seven runs in losses to Aus- Rashid suff ered a head injury last couple of days, especially “There was a bit of space for bowler Lungi Ngidi today. “It’s a tricky one, because tle bit more time to see if he can tralia and Sri Lanka, claimed and failed a concussion test, with all the rain around, has given us to make a mistake here or The 23-year-old Ngidi we’re in a position now where play the next four games, which medical advice he had received leaving him unable to bowl after me more time to make sure that there before, but now everyone limped off the field with a we need to win fi ve games out is going to be big.” said he would have been fi t to he was struck by a bouncer from the guys are on the right path.” has written the team off our hamstring injury as South Af- of fi ve. So you want to have your After Afghanistan, South play in a few days after having his New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson. South Africa have the perfect backs are against the wall. rica lost to Bangladesh on June best guys available for selec- Africa play New Zealand, Pa- knee drained. “He’s quite good now. He opportunity to kick-start their “Hopefully that allows the guys 2 and missed the subsequent tion.” kistan, Sri Lanka and Australia “If they don’t want me to play, joined yesterday’s practise ses- campaign as Afghanistan have to play the way that we can, and defeat to India and the rained- But Du Plessis said he and before the group stage ends on I will quit cricket,” an emotional sion as well. Now he’s feeling lost their fi rst three games and I truly believe that if we do that out clash with the West Indies coach Ottis Gibson had still to July 6. Shahzad was reported to have much better now,” Naib said. are the only side below them in we’ll be a very dangerous team.” as doctors ruled him out for 10 decide as South Africa sit with Ngidi’s injury came on top of told local media after returning “It’s not that serious. Obvi- the table. days. one point from the fi rst four the withdrawal from the tour- to Kabul. ously when you are hit hard on “We’ve got to win the fi ve PACEMAN NGIDI STILL A “He’s got to do some work games. nament of fellow speedster Dale Shahzad, Afghanistan’s high- the head you have something like games and that clarity is what DOUBT today and possibly tomorrow as “Probably the right call to Steyn, in two major blows to est run-scorer in one-day inter- a problem, like the head is sore. we’re trying to achieve,” Du South Africa are unsure whether well to make sure that he’s 100 make would be to say that if he’s South Africa’s hopes. nationals with 2,727 runs, was But now he’s feeling well.” Gulf Times Saturday, June 15, 2019 3 CRICKET

FOCUS APPEAL ‘It’s not a war’: Akram calls for calm Indian maestro in India-Pakistan Kohli is a model for World Cup clash Pakistan’s Babar ‘His (Kohli) winning ratio is higher (for India) so I am trying to achieve that as well’

AFP Manchester, United Kingdom

akistan’s rising star Ba- bar Azam has revealed AFP the best out of the players from he models himself on Manchester, United Kingdom both the sides.” India captain Virat Kohli Pakistan have never beaten Pjust days before the fi erce rivals India in six World Cup matches clash in an explosive World Cup akistan legend Wasim dating back to 1992, but Akram showdown. Akram has urged fans thinks that poor run could Babar holds the key for Pa- on both the sides of change tomorrow. kistan against old foes India in the border to stay calm “Pakistan can beat India Manchester tomorrow and the duringP his country’s potentially through controlled aggression,” batsman has been fi ne-tuning volatile World Cup clash against said Akram, who was part of the his game by watching videos of bitter rivals India in Manchester Pakistan team in the 1992, 1999, the supremely talented Kohli. tomorrow. 2003 World Cups when they lost Babar showed his class by Akram, who is in England for to India. scoring a brilliant 63 in Paki- the match as a commentator, He was sidelined through a stan’s 348-8 when they beat labelled the latest meeting be- shoulder injury when India beat pre-tournament favourites tween the old rivals as “the big- Pakistan in the 1996 quarter- England earlier in the World gest match of the World Cup”. fi nals. Cup. But with passions running “Yes, I don’t have fond memo- His heroics gave Pakistan high among both fanbases and ries of the World Cup matches their only win so far in the tour- political relations between against India but I have enjoyed nament, with defeats against the the countries extremely tense, all these matches over the year as West Indies and Australia, while Akram said the match should be fans are glued to television wher- their match against Sri Lanka enjoyed rather than used to in- ever they are. It will be like that was rained off . fl ame the situation. again on Sunday,” he said. While there is no love lost be- “This can’t be bigger,” Akram Akram admits India have a tween India and Pakistan on or told AFP yesterday. “India and stronger line-up, but he insists off the pitch, Babar is willing to Pakistan playing at the World Pakistan can still shock their ri- admit he watches Kohli’s batting Cup with over a billion audience vals in a one-off match, as they and tries to learn from him. is the biggest thing in cricket, so did in the 2017 Champions Tro- “I watch his batting and the my message to both sets of fans phy fi nal. way he bats in various con- to enjoy it and stay calm. “Yes, India have a strong bat- ditions and try to learn from “One team will win, one team ting and bowling line up but Pa- them,” Babar told reporters. will lose, so stay graceful and do kistan can match them. When it “I try to learn with experi- not take this as a war. Those who comes to India and Pakistan game ence. This is my process of Pakistan’s Babar Azam bats during an indoor net session at Old Traff ord Cricket Stadium in Manchester yesterday. (AFP) project this match as war are not the team that handles the pressure learning, so I try my hundred true cricket fans.” well wins the day,” he said. per cent. The India-Pakistan clash The Old Traff ord clash is a “I surely hop that rain stays “His (Kohli) winning ratio is will be watched by a vast global sell-out, with tickets now for off . Fans want to watch a full higher (for India) so I am trying audience and Babar insists the sale on the black market at re- matches, intense and lively so we to achieve that as well.” pressure will spur his unpredict- ported prices of around £2,500 all hope that rain stays away.” Babar, 24, says Pakistan’s able team to produce their best. ($3,150). India have fi ve points from Champions Trophy fi nal demo- “We are well prepared for this And former pace bowler three matches after beating lition of India two years ago has match because India and Paki- Akram admitted any India England and South Africa, while increased the team’s confi dence stan matches are exciting and against Pakistan match has pres- their match against New Zealand they can claim another surprise demanding and the whole world sure, let alone one in the World was washed out on Thursday. success against India this week- watches it,” Babar said. Cup. Pakistan have lost against the end. “The whole team is positive “Who can realise the pressure West Indies and Australia and “The Champions Trophy win so we are looking forward to the more than me?” said Akram. “I shocked hosts England, while gave us confi dence and will also match. Not only me but all the used to look forward to a match their match against Sri Lanka help here as well because the players want to fi nish on a high, against India because it brings was washed out. team is mostly the same and that whoever hits form wants to win win is always an inspiration,” it.” Babar said. And Babar is confi dent Pa- Pakistan, trounced by 124 kistan will handle India’s po- India’s Tendulkar sues runs in the opening match of the tent pace attack, led by world Champions Trophy by India, hit number one ODI bowler Jasprit Australian cricket bat maker back by crushing their bitter ri- Bumrah. over $2mn in royalties vals in the fi nal. “No doubt, India have a good Their 180-run win at the Oval bowling attack but we have is the biggest over India in all played well against England who ODIs. also have a very good pace attack “That win can never go off our so all of us are confi dent the In- India’s captain memories and it’s a big inspira- dian pace attack will be properly Virat Kohli. (AFP) tion,” he said. handled,” Babar said.

SPOTLIGHT ICC reject Sri Lanka World Cup complaints Reuters Yet Spartan continued to do Sydney so, according to the docu- ments. of ‘cramped bus, poor pitches, no pool’ Spartan, whose legal repre- ndian cricket great Sachin sentative was not listed on the AFP He added that the World is the philosophy that all ten Tendulkar has filed a civil Federal Court website, did not London Cup’s timing, it runs from May teams are treated equally to en- lawsuit against an Austral- respond to an email request 30 to July 14, suggested the ICC able them to have the best pos- ian bat manufacturer, accusing from Reuters for comment. valued the Ashes Test series sible preparation for the event.” itI of using his name and image Les Galbraith, listed by the orld Cup organisers between England and Australia Sri Lanka lost to New Zea- to promote products and then court documents as its chief have been forced to — which is scheduled to follow land in their fi rst World Cup failing to pay him $2mn in operating off icer, did not defend the quality the World Cup — more than the match, then beat Afghanistan royalties. respond to a private message of the tournament’s fl agship one-day competition. before successive games against In Federal Court papers filed sent to his LinkedIn page. Wpitches and facilities after re- But the ICC refuted de Mel’s Bangladesh and Pakistan were this month and reviewed The law firm listed as repre- ports of an offi cial complaint claims about the pitches and washed out. by Reuters, Tendulkar said senting Tendulkar, Gilbert + from Sri Lanka. said they worked with all teams Asked to elaborate on De Mel’s Sydney-based Spartan Sports Tobin, declined comment. Sri Lanka team manager equally in a bid to ensure fair criticisms, Sri Lanka Dimuth International agreed in 2016 Tendulkar’s civil claim accused Ashantha de Mel claimed the treatment. Karunaratne deferred to his to pay him at least $1mn a year the Australian company of mis- International Cricket Council manager when he faced the me- to use his image, logo and leading or deceptive conduct, have given certain World Cup FAIR WICKET PLEA dia at a pre-match press confer- promotional services to sell “passing off ”, or suggesting an teams preferential treatment at “We employ an independent ence at The Oval yesterday. “Sachin by Spartan” sporting off icial endorsement when none the expense of his side. pitch advisor to work with the “I have no idea what Ashantha goods and clothing. existed, and breach of contract. Launching an angry attack host curators at all ICC events said. You should ask from him. I The retired star batsman soon It did not say what damages on the ICC ahead of Sri Lanka’s and the ICC Men’s Cricket don’t know anything about it,” went to work promoting the were sought. match against holders Australia World Cup 2019 is no diff erent,” he said. products, and appeared at a Tendulkar became the world’s today, De Mel blasted the qual- an ICC statement read. But Karunaratne did suggest range of promotional events in leading run-scorer in tests and ity of pitches, practice facilities, In this June 10, 2019, picture, Sri Lanka’s Milinda Siriwardana attends “We are happy with the wick- that Sri Lanka felt frustrated places such as London and the one-day internationals, with transport and accommodation a training session in Bristol. Sri Lanka team manager Ashantha de ets that have been produced they had been given several Indian financial hub of Mum- more than 34,000 runs and at the World Cup in England and Mel has complained of preferential treatment for “certain teams” across the event so far in English pitches that favoured bowlers bai, the documents showed. 100 centuries, in a 24-year Wales. when it comes to pitches at the ongoing World Cup. (AFP) conditions. rather than batsmen due to extra However, by September career that ended in 2013. “This is a World Cup where “As part of the four year plan- grass left on the strip. 2018, Spartan had failed to In 2012, he was made an hon- the top ten countries are tak- on Saturday here at the Oval is team bus, saying it was more ning process to deliver this “If you take this Oval wicket, make a single payment owed, orary member of the Order of ing part and I feel that all the green. It is not sour grapes that cramped than the double-deck- event, we have liaised with all there’s also a bit of green. I think Tendulkar said, and he made Australia, one of the country’s participants should be treated we are complaining but it is very er vehicles provided to other teams to ensure they are happy those are the things,” he said. a formal request for payment. highest civil awards. equally,” De Mel was quoted as unfair on the part of the ICC that teams. with their set up and are avail- “We were not expecting every When none came, he ended The court website showed saying by Sri Lankan newspaper they prepare one type of wicket He also slammed the net facili- able to work with them should wicket should be a white top. the agreement, asking the the lawsuit was filed on June Daily News yesterday. for certain teams and another ties at Cardiff as “unsatisfactory” any issues arise that have not We are asking for a fair wicket. company to stop using his 5, with the first court date in “The pitch being prepared type for others.” and the squad’s hotel in Bristol, been previously anticipated. That’s what we all want and name and likeness. Sydney on June 26. for our match against Australia De Mel criticised Sri Lanka’s which lacks a swimming pool. “At the heart of our planning what all the spectators want.” Gulf Times 4 Saturday, June 15, 2019 SPORT

FOCUS UPDATE Semenya received Rabat invitation ‘too late’: agent Froome ‘progressing Reuters sociation of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Johannesburg regulations to limit naturally-occurring positively’ aft er testosterone in female athletes with dif- ferences in sexual development (DSDs), aster Semenya was invited yes- such as Semenya, were needed to en- crash, says doctor terday to run in an 800m race in sure fair competition between runners in Morocco tomorrow — after pre- events ranging from 400 metres to a mile. high-speed accidents we will viously saying she had been de- The Swiss Federal Tribunal later or- verify that no further damage niedC the right to participate in the event dered the IAAF to immediately suspend appears,” the surgeon, who oper- — but the invitation came too late for her implementation of the regulations on Se- ated on the compound fracture to to get there, her agent said. menya, allowing her to compete without the upper leg, said. Double Olympic champion Semenya restriction, while she appealed against He had said on Thursday the said on Thursday she had been denied entry the decision. Briton would remain in intensive into the event in Rabat in apparent violation On Thursday, Semenya said the tribu- care for 48 hours before being of a ruling from Switzerland’s high court nal had rejected an IAAF request to reim- authorised to move to a unit spe- which has temporarily lifted regulations pose the rules but she had nevertheless cialising in rehabilitation. that would require her to take medication had a request to race in the Rabat event Philippot remained cautious to lower her testosterone levels in order to denied by the Royal Moroccan Athletics about Froome’s release date from be allowed to race certain distances. Federation, with no reasons being given. the Saint-Etienne hospital. Speaking to Reuters by phone yester- The IAAF said it had no say in who The crash at 54km/h was day, her agent Jukka Harkonen said the South Africa’s Caster Semenya competes in the women’s 2000m race at the LNA Pro competed in Diamond League events caused as he took his hands off lateness of the invitation made it impos- Athle Tour meeting in Montreuil, France, on Tuesday. (AFP) such as the one in Rabat, to which ath- the handlebars in order to blow sible for Semenya to travel to Rabat in letes were invited by the organisers. The his nose. time for the race, because it was a jour- “She’s not running,” he said. “She was debate after a controversial ruling by the BBC reported yesterday that the organ- “When doctors and consult- ney of more than 20 hours from her home invited today but that was too late.” Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). iser of the Rabat meeting, Alain Blondel, AFP ants decide, he will be trans- country South Africa. Semenya became the centre of heated The CAS ruled that International As- said Semenya had been invited. Saint-Étienne, France ferred safely from the hospital to a rehabilitation centre which treats elite level athletes,” he TENNIS hris Froome is “pro- said. gressing positively” “Chris Froome is in high spir- after the high-speed its and seems to be perfectly well crash earlier in the week surrounded by his family and Cwhich ruled him out of the Tour Team Ineos staff .” de France, one of the doctors who Froome also received positive treated him said yesterday. news on Thursday as he stands Froome, 34, will miss out on to be handed the 2011 Vuelta a Berrettini cruises a chance to win a fi fth Tour ti- Espana title after original win- tle after being ruled out for six ner Juan Cobo was found guilty months due to the incident dur- of an anti-doping rule violation ing the Criterium du Dauphine and could be stripped of victory, which fractured his pelvis, thigh, the International Cycling Union and left him with broken ribs and (UCI) said. a broken elbow. The Kenyan-born Froome fi rst “Chris Froome will remain in won the Tour in 2013 with Team into Stuttgart semis intensive care under close super- Sky. vision for a little longer. His gen- He went on to win the Tour de eral state has stabilised and he’s France again in 2015, 2016 and In-form Italian will face Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in the last-four tie progressing positively,” Dr Remi 2017. He also won the 2017 Vuelta Agencies next week’s grass-court tourna- The third edition of the match Philippot told AFP. and the 2018 Giro d’Italia, mak- Berlin ment in Halle due to fatigue, or- against Team World will be held “As with all patients with ing him the greatest Grand Tour ganisers announced yesterday. in Geneva in September. Team multiple traumatic injuries from rider of his generation. The 25-year-old Austrian was Europe won the fi rst two edi- talian Matteo Berrettini due to play in the Wimbledon tions in Prague in 2017 and Chi- cruised into the Stuttgart warm-up event, but said he had cago last year. CYCLING / CRITERIUM DU DAUPHINE Open last four yesterday to withdraw due to a “state of “I’m very excited to be play- after making light work of exhaustion”. ing the Laver Cup in Septem- IAmerican Denis Kudla with a “I would have liked to play in ber,” Fognini said in a statement. 6-3, 6-3 win in just over an hour. Halle because it’s always a won- “Playing as part of a team is spe- France’s Alaphilippe The 23-year-old world derful tournament,” said Thiem. cial in tennis, where we are more number 30, who beat second The world number four was used to having a one-on-one seed Karen Khachanov in the beaten by Rafael Nadal in the battle every match. wins stage as Yates previous round, looked at ease Roland Garros fi nal last Sunday “I’m looking forward to com- on the grass court of the Wim- for the second straight year. peting alongside all the great bledon warm-up event, despite The loss of Thiem is a further players on Team Europe.” keeps overall lead having won his two tour titles to blow to the Halle organisers af- Federer, one of the instigators date on clay. ter Japanese star Kei Nishikori of the team event that will have AFP He grabbed his only break also decided to skip the tourna- the full backing of the ATP Tour Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, France chance to win the fi rst set and ment. this year for the fi rst time, and his big serve never allowed his The seventh-ranked Nishiko- Zverev have been ever-presents American any chance to break ri said he was still suff ering from while Spaniard Nadal missed renchman Julian Alap- back. the arm injury he sustained in last year because of injury. hilippe powered to vic- He comfortably held serve his French Open quarter-fi nal Thiem, runner-up to Nadal tory in the sixth stage of throughout, fi ring 10 aces in loss to Nadal, during which he at the French Open on Sunday the Criterium du Dau- total, and broke the American was treated three times on court. for the second year in a row, phineF yesterday, edging out Gre- again at 2-2 to cruise to victory The withdrawals make Roger missed out last year but Swed- gor Muehlberger in a photo fi nish a little later with a superb fore- Federer an even stronger fa- ish great Borg is happy to have after a long breakaway. hand down the line on match vourite to win his 10th Halle ti- him back. The 27-year-old claimed his point. tle, having lost in the 2018 fi nal “I’m delighted to have Dom 10th victory of the season, hav- In his fourth semi-fi nal this to Croatian Borna Coric. (Thiem) back in the team. He ing also won the one-day Milan- year, Berrettini will now face was a great player for us in San Remo, Fleche Wallonne and Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff , FOGNINI TO MAKE DEBUT AT Prague and his form is outstand- Strade Bianche. who beat Frenchman Lucas LAVER CUP ing, as we saw recently at Roland He also claimed two stage Pouille in the other quarter-fi nal Italian Fabio Fognini will make Garros,” Borg said. victories and the best climber’s 6-4, 6-4 yesterday. his debut in the Laver Cup this Borg still has one spot to fi ll polka dot jersey on the 2018 Tour year after being named in cap- for the three-day match. de France. FRENCH OPEN RUNNER-UP tain Bjorn Borg’s Team Europe Team World Captain John “I don’t know yet if I’ll start “It was a soft sprint after such THIEM PULLS OUT OF HALLE lineup alongside Rafael Nadal, McEnroe will announce his fi rst the Tour in top condition or race a long and diffi cult race,” added French Open losing fi nalist Do- Italy’s Matteo Berrettini serves to Denis Kudla (not pictured) of the Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem team members in the coming for the polka dot jersey. We’ll see Alaphilippe. minic Thiem has pulled out of US during their Mercedes Cup match in Stuttgart yesterday. (AFP) and Alexander Zverev yesterday. weeks. after the Dauphine,” said Alap- “On the last climb, I tried two hilippe. or three times to accelerate but I Britain’s Adam Yates retained couldn’t tell the diff erence.” SPOTLIGHT ATHLETICS the overall leader’s yellow jersey The main group of overall con- ahead of today’s ‘queen’ stage tenders, including Yates, crossed of a race which has been over- the line six minutes and 10 sec- shadowed by four-time Tour de onds adrift. Russian runner Local boy Warholm brings Oslo to its France champion Chris Froome’s Mitchelton-Scott rider Yates horrifi c crash on Wednesday. remains four seconds clear of suspended for Alaphilippe and Austrian Belgian Dylan Teuns in the over- feet with record performance Muehlberger escaped from the all standings, with American peloton only 12 kilometres into Tejay Van Garderen just two sec- working with AFP the 228km ride from Saint-Vul- onds further behind. Oslo bas to Saint-Michel-de-Mau- Today’s seventh and penulti- rienne, alongside Alessandro de mate stage ends with the punish- banned coach Marchi. ing climb at Pipay, which lasts for Agencies orway’s Karsten Italian De Marchi was dropped 19km with an average gradient of Moscow Warholm brought on the eighth and fi nal climb of 6.9 percent. his home Oslo the day, about 10km from the The majority of riders are us- crowd to their feet fi nish, leaving Alaphilippe and ing the eight-day race as their ussian runner Artyom Den- Non Thursday when he broke Muehlberger to fi ght it out for fi nal warm-up for the Tour de mukhametov has been provision- the 24-year-old European the win, with the home favourite France which starts on July 6 in ally suspended for working with 400m hurdles record. taking the spoils. Brussels. banned coach Vladimir Kazarin, Warholm clocked theR Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said yes- 47.33sec, beating the old terday. mark of 47.37sec set by Athletes are not allowed to receive train- France’s Stephane Diagana Coleman timed 9.85sec from the country’s state- World championship sil- ing, strategy, nutritional or medical advice at Lausanne in 1995. with Xie Zhenye of China in sponsored doping scandal. ver medallist Shamier Lit- Quartararo dominates practice from coaches or medical staff serving dop- Warholm, 23, fi nished second spot in 10.01sec and The 24-year-old’s win tle, also of the United States, ahead of Catalan MotoGP ing bans, according to World Anti-Doping a long way ahead of Ire- fellow American Michael came just three days after was third in 54.92. Agency (WADA) rules — and can face sanc- land’s Thomas Barr (49.11) Rodgers in third with a time she called on offi cials im- In the men’s pole vault, AFP leads the world champion- tions if they do. and Kyron McMaster of of 10.04. plicated in the ongoing con- Sam Kendricks of the Unit- Madrid ship heading into his home Kazarin was banned for life after a 2015 the British Virgin Islands Until Thursday, Coleman troversy at home to reform ed States triumphed with race on Sunday, provisionally report commissioned by WADA found that (49.12). had shared a season best of or quit. 5.91m ahead of Sweden’s finished ninth, 0.613sec behind he had given athletes banned performance- “It’s been a long time,” 9.86sec with compatriot “All of these people think Armand Duplantis and Po- rance’s Fabio Quartararo Quartararo. enhancing drugs. 1997 world champion Dia- Noah Lyles and Divine Odu- that athletes don’t see or land’s Piotr Lisek, two of his eased concerns about In Moto2, Switzerland’s Tom The AIU, which oversees integrity issues gana told AFP by telephone duru of Nigeria. understand anything, and main rivals for world cham- Fhis fitness ahead of the Luthi registered the fastest in international athletics, including dop- of the Norwegian who has Russia’s Mariya Lasit- their business is only to pionship gold in Qatar later Catalan Grand Prix by posting time, ahead of Spanish pair ing, wrote on Twitter that the charge against run under 48 seconds fi ve skene, a two-time Olympic jump and keep quiet,” Lasit- this year. the best time from the opening Alex Marquez and Jorge Denmukhametov came as a result of an in- times in the last year. champion, dominated the skene wrote in an unusually The reigning world two rounds of free practice Navarro, while the leader of vestigation carried out with the Russian an- “I knew he would beat my women’s high jump with exasperated Instagram post. champion posted his win- yesterday. the riders’ classification, Italy’s ti-doping agency RUSADA. record. I like his way of at- 2.01m, a best for the season “I hope that people im- ning height on his third Yamaha SRT rider Quartararo, Lorenzo Baldassarri, came in Later yesterday, RUSADA said in a state- tacking running. Being just and her fi rst height over 2m plicated in this never-end- attempt before failing at who was feeling discomfort ninth. ment it had found that an athletics coach 23, he can dream of better in 2019. ing shame spectacle fi nd the 6.01m. in his right forearm earlier In Moto3, the best time banned for life had “directly participated” in things.” It was her 34th career win courage to quit.” World record holder Re- this month, finished in 1min belonged to Spain’s Alonso training sessions with seven athletes in Kyr- American sprinter Chris- against just one loss since American 19-year-old naud Lavillenie did not take 40.790sec, 0.281sec faster Lopez. He pipped compatriot gyzstan between November 2018 and April tian Coleman, meanwhile, the Rio Olympics of 2016, teenager Sydney McLaugh- part opting to return from a than Italian Andrea Dovizioso and overall leader Aron Canet, 2019. stormed to the best 100m a tournament from which lin won the women’s 400m long-standing injury yes- and 0.302sec in front of Ja- who missed out on the top Margarita Pakhnotskaya, deputy head of time of the year at the Dia- she was barred along with hurdles in 54.16 with Olym- terday at a low-key event on pan’s Takaaki Nakagami. 14, as well as second-placed RUSADA, later told Reuters that the coach in mond League meeting in the the entire Russian track and pic champion Dalilah Mo- home soil at Pierre-Bénite Spain’s Marc Marquez, who Lorenzo Dalla Porta of Italy. question was Kazarin. Norwegian capital. fi eld team in the fall-out hamed in second in 54.35. in France. Gulf Times Saturday, June 15, 2019 5 SPORT

FOCUS ACCOLADE Raptors dethrone Kawhi claims Warriors to capture second MVP award AFP Leonard out for most of last sea- Oakland, United States son in San Antonio, some reports fi rst NBA crown saying Leonard no longer wanted to play for the Spurs and used ‘It means a lot for our city and the country and for these players’ awhi Leonard trusted the injury as a means to that end. himself when people That, Leonard said, insulted him AFP doubted he was injured in a way that helped motivate Oakland last year, fi nding an in- him when he healed and returned Kner calm that one year later has with the Raptors. returned him to the level of NBA “Last year, a lot of people were n upstart Toronto Rap- champion. doubting me. They thought I was tors squad dethroned Leonard won his second ca- either faking an injury or didn’t defending champions reer NBA Finals Most Valuable want to play for a team,” Leonard AGolden State on Thurs- Player award on Thursday, help- said. day, defeating the Warriors 114- ing spark the Toronto Raptors to “I don’t care about what the 110 to win the NBA Finals and a 114-110 victory over the Golden media has to say about me or capture the fi rst crown by a club State Warriors and a 4-2 triumph if they want me to score or 30 from outside the United States. in the best-of-seven series. points because I did the game Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam The 27-year-old forward from before, I’m going to come out and each scored 26 points while Los Angeles, who fi rst won the play the right way.” Kawhi Leonard and reserve Fred award in 2014 when he led San That meant waiting until he VanVleet both had 22 as Toronto Antonio to the crown, joined was ready and making the most won the best-of-seven series Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeB- of his return. four games to two. ron James as the only players to “Last summer was tough. Leonard was named the NBA win the award with two diff erent I was still rehabbing and just Finals Most Valuable Player for clubs, the Spurs having traded trusted the process. I told myself the second time in his career Leonard to Toronto last July. I would be back,” Leonard said. after the fi rst in 2014 with San “I didn’t come out in this “I wasn’t going to come back Antonio, which traded him to series trying to win (the MVP until I could be the player I am Toronto last July. award),” Leonard said. today. I wanted to come back in “Last summer I was going “It was a whole group col- the same shape and form without through a lot. I just kept working lectively. I just kept striving and coming out playing fi ve games hard and had my mind set on this pushing and I ended up with the and then re-injuring something.” goal right here,” Leonard said. trophy but everybody deserves That adversity made lifting “This is why I play basketball. it.” the championship trophy even This is what I work hard for. I’m It’s hard to deny Leonard’s he- sweeter. “Being able to win this glad to see it all pay off .” roics, notably his four-bounce championship this year is just The Raptors became the fi rst buzzer beater in game seven to something special for me be- Canadian club to win a ma- defeat Philadelphia in the second cause you know how the last year jor North American sports title round. everybody was looking at me, since the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays His 732 points in this year’s and I stayed true to myself,” Le- captured Major League Base- playoff s are the third-most in onard said. ball’s World Series. any playoff run, 16 fewer than “Once I got here to Toronto “It means a lot for our city and LeBron James last year and 27 off they understood everything and the country and for these play- The Toronto Raptors celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Golden State Warriors to win Game Six of Michael Jordan’s 1992 record. kept moving from there. ers,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. “I’m not trying to make head- “I wanted to make history said, who didn’t mind not win- lines,” Leonard said. “That’s how here and that’s what I did. I’m ning it at home. “You get the win shoulders. time NBA Finals Most Valuable bet against us being back on this Green called a timeout when the I just keep growing up as a man. I still playing basketball no matter and you’re just happy you got it “It’s a dream to have achieved Player Kevin Durant, who re- stage next year and going for- team had none, setting up three just think about my past life and what jersey I have on. I knew they and celebrate that fact.” this,” Spanish center Marc Gasol turned in game fi ve Monday af- ward.” Andre Iguodala added 22 fi nal free throws by Leonard to try to learn from situations and were a talented team. And I just The Raptors spoiled the War- said. “I’ve never worked so ter being sidelined for a month points for the Warriors, Stephen seal the victory. be wise and learn from others.” came in with the right mindset — riors’ farewell appearance at Or- hard.” Klay Thompson scored only to suff er a ruptured right Curry had 21 and Draymond The Warriors failed in their A right quadriceps injury kept let’s go out and win ball games.” acle Arena. Golden State’s home 30 points to lead the Warriors Achilles tendon. Green contributed 11 points, 18 bid for a third consecutive title since 1971 will be replaced by a but left the game with a torn left “Tough, tough way to go out,” rebounds and 13 assists. and to become the fi rst team in new $1bn venue in San Francisco knee ligament late in the third Curry said. “I think a lot has “Everybody on this team 50 years to win four titles in fi ve next season. quarter after landing awkwardly been proven about who we are played with a lot of heart,” Green seasons. “To be able to celebrate with on his left leg. as a team and the adversity we said. “We just came up a little Toronto’s triumph made this these guys is awesome,” Siakam It was the latest setback for faced throughout the playoff short.” Golden State had a fi nal the fi rst NBA Finals where road said, the fl ag of his homeland an injury-hit Golden State team run. “The DNA and character shot to win trailing 111-110 but teams won fi ve consecutive Cameroon draped around his that was already without two- we have on this team, I wouldn’t Curry missed a 3-pointer and games. Golden State Warriors at crossroads aft er defeat

Reuters Angeles Clippers are among those ex- Oakland pected to vie with the Warriors to land the seven-foot sniper. The team on Thursday also closed he Golden State Warriors, a the curtain on Oracle Arena in Oak- basketball dynasty that rede- land, which has been their home for fined the sport with their long 47 seasons. range shooting and small ball The team will move to San Francis- lineups,T face an offseason of uncer- co’s new Chase Center next season, a tainty after falling short in their bid to decision that has left a bitter taste in win a third consecutive NBA title on the mouths of some of their most die- Thursday. hard fans, who prefer rugged Oakland Looming free agency for key play- to ritzy San Francisco. ers, a move to San Francisco next The talent gap could also be closing. season and a rising tide of teams that The Warriors dominated the league are catching up to their brand of posi- by playing a style of basketball that tionless basketball all raise questions emphasized small, speedy lineups full about the future of the franchise. of shooters that forced defenses to The biggest question surrounds the spread out, opening passing lanes and fate of forward Kevin Durant, who leading to an array of dazzling offen- helped lead the team to two champi- Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors walks off the court after his team’s loss sive sequences. onships. Durant ruptured his Achil- to the Toronto Raptors. But the Warriors were pushed to les in his return to the lineup in Game six games by the scrappy Los Angeles Five on Monday and coach Steve Kerr But given that he is arguably the thusiasm of teams lining up to sign Clippers in the first round of the play- on Thursday said he will miss all of most dominant player in the league, him to a long-term contract. offs as they mirrored their unselfish next season as he recovers. that setback may not dampen the en- The New York Knicks and the Los offensive style and stingy defense. Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors’ Quinn Cook (4) and Andre Iguodala (9) in game six of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. BOTTOMLINE PICTURE: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Raptors win represents shift in Canada’s identity Warriors’ Klay Thompson has ACL tear Oakland: Warriors guard Klay He had to be helped off but Reuters years before going on a six-sea- base in Toronto, which is one of Thompson suff ered a torn returned moments later to loud Toronto son run of contention that cul- the most culturally diverse cities anterior cruciate ligament applause to shoot two free minated in a 4-2 NBA Finals vic- in the world, refl ects Canada’s (ACL) during Golden State’s throws. Thompson then exited tory over the two-time defending multi-cultural spirit greater than series-ending Finals loss to the the game for good and was he Toronto Raptors com- champion Golden State Warriors. any other professional team in Toronto Raptors on Thursday, later seen on crutches. pleted a remarkable evo- “And that’s how we do it in the the country. the team said. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said lution from a laughing- North,” Canadian Prime Minister “We’ve been growing and try- Thompson was attempting Thompson had told him he stock to NBA champions Justin Trudeau tweeted after the ing to prove to the world that to score a fast-break layup only needed two minutes to Ton Thursday with a victory that Raptors’ triumph. there is a meaning to having an in the third quarter of Game rest and could then continue. could very well shift the identity Ice hockey has long been seen NBA team, one NBA team, out- Six when he was fouled from “The next thing I heard was he of a country long associated with by people from both inside and side the US,” said Raptors Presi- behind. The 29-year-old landed was done for the night from ice hockey. When they broke into outside Canada as the sport that dent of Basketball Operations awkwardly and fell to the court Drew Yoder, our trainer,” Kerr the league in 1995, the Raptors most defi nes the country, and Masai Ujiri. grabbing his left knee. told reporters after the 114-100 were known more for the gim- when the national team com- “All of these guys, these players An MRI later confirmed the ex- loss. micky basketball-playing car- petes in their red and white jer- have been unbelievable. To our tent of the injury, the Warriors It is unclear how severe toon dinosaur on their jerseys seys the nation comes to a near coaches, to our ownership and said. Thompson, a key part of the tear is but it could keep than for anything they did on the standstill. But given the chang- Fans celebrate in the streets of Toronto, Canada after the Toronto much respect to the Golden State the team’s championships in Thompson, who is expected court, which in the early years ing demographics of a popula- Raptors won the NBA Championship. Warriors... we love you as NBA 2015, 2017 and 2018, was the to become a free agent this was plenty of losing. tion that grows more diverse players but we wanted to win in hottest player on the court on summer, off the court for all of The team had only made the with each day, many are seeking ketball, which is more of a global more familiar to many new Ca- Toronto and we have won in To- Thursday before his injury. next season. playoff s fi ve times in their fi rst 18 a national identity through bas- game than hockey, and therefore nadians. Even the Raptors’ fan ronto. Yeah!” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, June 15, 2019 SPORT

MLB Ohtani’s historic cycle powers Angels past Rays ‘I wasn’t necessarily trying to hit a single. I was trying to get on base, whether it was a base on balls or any other way’

Reuters Diego has lost fi ve in a row. Miami BRAVES 6, PIRATES 5 Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies hohei Ohtani went 4-for-4 and continued his torrid stretch with two became the fi rst Japanese-born hits and two RBIs in beating visiting player in the majors to hit for Pittsburgh, giving the Braves a four- the cycle as the Los Angeles An- game series sweep and extending their gelsS defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 winning streak to seven. on Friday night in St. Petersburg, Flor- Albies doubled among his two hits ida. Ohtani launched his eighth home and was 7-for-16 with three homers in run in a three-run fi rst inning, doubled the four-game series with Pittsburgh. in the third, tripled in the fi fth and sin- Freddie Freeman added two hits and gled in the seventh to author the eighth two RBIs to bolster the 10-hit attack cycle in club history. and help the Braves to their fi rst four- Ohtani became the seventh Angel game sweep of the Pirates since 1991. to hit for the cycle, joining Jim Fre- Pittsburgh starter Joe Musgrove (4- gosi (twice), Dan Ford, Dave Winfi eld, 7) lasted only four innings and allowed Jeff DaVanon, Chone Figgins and Mike six runs on nine hits and two walks. Trout. Albert Pujols drilled his 12th Musgrove started the fi rst game of the homer, a two-run shot, for the Angels, series but was ejected in the fi rst inning who have won three straight and four of following an incident when Josh Don- their past fi ve. aldson was hit by a pitch. “I wasn’t necessarily trying to hit a single,” he said through a translator. “I ROYALS 7, TIGERS 3 was just trying to get on base, whether Two Royals with Omaha connections it was a base on balls or any other way helped a guy without one, as host Kan- because it was still a close game.” sas City defeated Detroit in the fi rst Angels starter Tyler Skaggs (5-6) al- major league game ever played in the lowed three runs in fi ve innings, and state of Nebraska in a game played in Cam Bedrosian recorded his fi rst save front of 25,454 fans at Omaha’s TD by working a scoreless ninth. Tommy Ameritrade Park, preluding the 2019 Pham notched two hits, two RBIs and a College World Series. run, and Brandon Lowe added a pair of Whit Merrifi eld, who had the CWS- singles for the Rays, who have lost three winning hit in 2010 for South Carolina, consecutive games on their seven- had two doubles, two RBIs and two runs game homestand. Ryan Yarbrough (5-3) scored for the Royals. Nicky Lopez, who yielded fi ve runs in six innings. played at TD Ameritrade with Creight- on, hit his fi rst career MLB home run. DIAMONDBACKS 5, NATIONALS 0 Matthew Boyd (5-5), who pitched in Zack Greinke took a no-hitter into the the College World Series in 2013 with seventh, his teammates hit two hom- Oregon State, took the loss for Detroit, ers and Arizona won at Washington. allowing fi ve runs (four earned) in four Greinke (8-2) had faced the minimum innings. The Royals won the three- 18 hitters until leadoff man Trea Turner Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (right) is congratulated by third base coach Mike Gallego on his three-run home run during the first inning against game series, their fi rst series win since hit a hard grounder to fi rst baseman the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Friday night. (USA TODAY Sports) a three-game sweep over the Cleveland Christian Walker to begin the bottom Indians from April 12-14. of the seventh. ond blast and David Freese had his own tying three-run homer in the fi fth off drus led the Rangers’ off ense with three a walk and an RBI, Kyle Seager went Walker dove to his right to make the two-run homer as the Dodgers ended a Yankees starter JA Happ. The Yankees hits and three RBIs, and Shin-Soo Choo 2-for-5 with a double and RBI, and Dy- BLUE JAYS 12, ORIOLES 3 stop but fumbled the ball on the ex- brief two-game skid. lost for the seventh time in 10 games reached base fi ve times on three walks lan Moore had a two-run double for the Cavan Biggio homered twice and Lour- change and couldn’t make a throw as Los Angeles had lost four of its pre- after winning 32 of their previous 42 and two hit by pitches. Texas failed to Mariners, who lost for the 11th time in des Gurriel Jr. added a home run and the offi cial scorer ruled it a hit. Greinke vious six games. Kyle Schwarber hit a games. Clint Frazier had three hits and score after the second, leaving 14 men its last 12 games following a win. three RBIs as visiting Toronto routed allowed those two hits, struck out home run on the fi rst pitch of the game an RBI while Didi Gregorius and Gley- on base, including the tying run at third Baltimore. Freddy Galvis, Danny Jansen three and walked none in 7 1/3 innings, and Kris Bryant added his own solo ber Torres had two hits apiece. in the eighth and at second in the ninth. ROCKIES 9, PADRES 6 and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. each drove in throwing 75 pitches. shot as the Cubs lost for the sixth time Charlie Blackmon homered twice and two runs as the Jays banged out 17 hits, He did not return after a rain delay of in their last seven road games. RED SOX 7, RANGERS 6 TWINS 10, MARINERS 5 drove in four runs, Trevor Story also scored seven runs in one inning and 63 minutes. The loss came in the fi rst of Xander Bogaerts hit a tiebreaking solo Nelson Cruz homered and drove in went deep, and Colorado beat San Di- won their second straight after drop- a four-game series and 11-game home- WHITE SOX 5, YANKEES 4 home run in the seventh inning as Bos- three runs and CJ Cron added a two- ego in Denver. Rockies starter Jon Gray ping fi ve in a row. stand for the Nationals, who had won 12 Leury Garcia hit a tiebreaking homer to ton came back from an early fi ve-run run blast to lead Minnesota over Seattle (6-5) struck out 10 and didn’t walk a Starter Marcus Stroman (4-8) al- of their previous 17 outings. lead off the seventh inning and Chicago defi cit to beat visiting Texas. Bogaerts’ in Minneapolis. Cruz fi nished 3-for-4 batter over six innings. lowed two runs (one earned) on seven rallied after trailing 4-0 to beat visit- homer, off Peter Fairbanks (0-1) with with a walk and scored two runs, and It was the second time this season hits in six innings. DODGERS 7, CUBS 3 ing New York in the opener of a four- two outs, was the fi fth of the day for the Ehire Adrianza went 3-for-5 and scored and 14th time in his career Gray has Gabriel Ynoa (0-3) was eff ective in Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy each game series. The White Sox won for the Red Sox, who rallied from 6-1 down in a run as Minnesota improved to 18-4 fanned 10 or more batters. his start for Baltimore, allowing three hit two-run home runs in a decisive eighth time in their last 10 home games the second inning to salvage a split of following a loss this season. Jorge Po- He gave up four runs on nine hits. runs in fi ve innings plus one batter, but fourth inning as Los Angeles rallied and for the 10th time in their last 15 the four-game series. lanco went 2-for-6 with an RBI and two Manny Machado hit two homers, Wil that last hitter was Gurriel, who broke past visiting Chicago. Clayton Kershaw games overall by overcoming the four- Brandon Workman (4-1) got the win runs scored to extend his hitting streak Myers had three hits and three RBIs, a 2-2 tie with a homer. The Baltimore rebounded from a slow start to pitch run defi cit. Garcia also hit an RBI dou- in relief, and Josh A Smith pitched the to 14 games. and Fernando Tatis Jr. tripled, doubled bullpen then fell apart, giving up nine six solid innings, Bellinger added a sec- ble and Tim Anderson added a game- ninth for his fi rst career save. Elvis An- Daniel Vogelbach went 2-for-4 with and scored twice for the Padres. San runs over the fi nal four innings.

SPOTLIGHT RUGBY Makelele leaves as coach of Folau sacking ‘unfortunate’ but Aspire-owned club Eupen team is king: Australia coach Cheika

Reuters rugged loose forward in the great All Blacks Sydney teams of the 1960s, was diagnosed earlier this week, Tew said. Lochore, who as a child had the ambition of ustralia coach Michael Cheika has becoming a jockey, was also a top-level tennis described the sacking of fullback Is- player. He made his debut for the All Blacks in rael Folau as “unfortunate” but in- 1963 on the tour of Britain and Ireland before evitable given the distraction he was he went on to play 68 games, 25 of which were causingA to the team. Cheika was instrumental tests, for the side. He was appointed captain in bringing the former rugby league inter- of the team in 1966 by coach Fred Allen ahead national to union as coach of the New South of more experienced players like Colin Meads Wales Waratahs and gave Folau the majority and Kel Tremain, before he retired in 1970 of his 73 test caps. following the tour of South Africa. Lochore, Cheika said in April that he would not be however, was called back into the injury-rav- able to select Folau after the fundamental- aged side for the test series against the British ist Christian posted on social media that hell and Irish Lions in 1971, leaving a note for his awaited “homosexuals” and other groups. Michael Cheika (left) listens to Israel Folau wife ‘gone to Wellington, playing the test to- Folau, who scored 37 tries for the Wallabies speak during a press conference in Sydney morrow’ on their refrigerator. Meads wrote in and was one of the team’s few world class in the August 4, 2015 file photo. (Reuters) his biography that Lochore was ‘everything I players, has since had his contract terminated would want in a number eight’. after a code of conduct hearing last month cised Folau for allowing the situation to inter- After retiring from playing, Lochore moved and is fi ghting the decision in court. fere with the team’s focus. “It’s just about the into coaching with his home team Wairarapa Cheika said at a luncheon at his former club team is the most important thing and any- Bush and took them into the top-level of New laude Makelele has left as manager of KAS Eupen Director, Dr. Andreas Bleicher Randwick yesterday that he had a “good rela- thing that can distract a team from achieving Zealand’s provincial competition within two Aspire-owned Belgian club KAS Eupen. said: “On behalf of our club I would like to thank tionship” with Folau but the collective had to its goals, you have to deal with one way or an- seasons. He was appointed an All Blacks se- Makelele leaves after two seasons though Claude very much for all his co-operation, dedi- be bigger than the individual. “One thing I’ve other,” said Cheika. “Not always this way... it lector in 1983 and was the coach from 1985- he will have “a new role as ambassador cation, professionalism and success during his learnt here is the team is king,” said Cheika. is unfortunate how it ended up but something 87, dealing with the fallout of a rebel tour of forC social projects until the 2022 World Cup.” spell at the sportive helm of our club. Claude “The only thing for me is the team has to had to give in that situation.” South Africa in 1986 and reintegrating the The Frenchman moved to the Pro League club played an integral part of our team saving the concentrate on the game. Focus has to be on Australia’s employment watchdog, the Fair players back into the national side. in 2017, having previously been an assistant at league in the last two seasons. Now we opt for an winning the next game, or the World Cup or Work Commission, told Rugby Australia to Under Lochore and assistant coaches Alex Swansea City. approach of focussing even more on the develop- the Bledisloe Cup or the things that our fans hold talks with the deeply religious 30-year- Wyllie and John Hart, the side went on to “I am obviously sad to leave Eupen, but I be- ment of a young, talented squad and at the same want, the things that we want. And once that old. The Wallabies fullback last week said he win the inaugural Rugby World Cup in New lieve it is the right decision for both parties to time to create excitement on the pitch. focus is not there completely, you have to had no confi dence in Rugby Australia’s inter- Zealand and Australia in 1987. Lochore stood enable the club to take a new approach and di- “Showcasing our excellent relationship with make the sacrifi ces to make that the number nal dispute settlement process and was seek- down from the role after the tournament. rection,” Makelele said. “I would like to thank the and appreciation for Claude, he will act as our one focus.” ing “substantial remedies” via the tribunal. He was then instrumental with former club and it’s director Andreas Bleicher for the op- CSR Ambassador for social projects we will put in Folau’s four-year contract was worth a re- national captain Jock Hobbs in helping lock portunity they gave me to join the club one and a place from now until the World Cup end of 2022 ported A$5mn ($3.45mn) and the 30-year-old ALL BLACKS GREAT LOCHORE up All Blacks players when rugby went pro- half years ago, and I wish all the best of luck to my in Qatar. has launched legal proceedings against Rugby DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER fessional in 1995 and there was a threat of a successor. I now certainly look forward to making “We will announce details about these CSR Australia at a local industrial relations tribu- Former All Blacks captain and coach Brian breakaway competition. He returned to the a contribution to bettering the lives of others as projects in due course. Soon we will also present nal. The saga was also a distraction for the Lochore has been diagnosed with bowel All Blacks selection panel in 2004 after being CSR Ambassador, and to my next sporting chal- our new head coach, with whom we try to enthuse Waratahs during the Super Rugby season and cancer, New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive asked by coach Graham Henry to step back lenge.” he added. our fans further.” a number of the side’s senior players criti- Steve Tew said. The 78-year-old Lochore, a into the national setup. Gulf Times Saturday, June 15, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT Suarez ‘wanted to Girelli inspires Italy disappear from the world’ aft er Liverpool defeat to knockouts aft er Reuters also surrendered a three-goal ad- Belo Horizonte, Brazil vantage in a Champions League quarter-fi nal tie by losing 3-0 to AS Roma and were knocked out arcelona striker Luis on away goals. Suarez said losing 4-0 to Suarez, however, said he could Liverpool in the Cham- not have imagined history re- thumping Jamaica Bpions League semi- peating itself when his side fi nals was as painful as when he turned up at Anfi eld last month was sent home from the 2014 knowing that if they scored once World Cup for biting Italy’s Gior- Liverpool would have to score Iwabuchi sets Japan on their way to a 2-1 victory over Scotland in Rennes gio Chiellini and banned from fi ve. “I didn’t see it because we football for four months. are Barcelona and we thought Barca had looked certain to we’d have two or three chances to reach the fi nal of Europe’s top score; we said this but we became competition for the fi rst time nervous, we gave stupid passes since 2015 after winning the fi rst away, we didn’t show the right leg 3-0 but were blown away at attitude,” Suarez added. Anfi eld by Suarez’s former side, “When the fi rst goal came we who went on to win 2-0 in the didn’t know how to react, we fi nal against Tottenham Hotspur. knew we had really messed up. “The days after, back in Bar- After the game in the dressing celona, were the worst moments room no-one could say anything; of my life and career along with there was sadness, bitterness the 2014 World Cup; I wanted to and disappointment because we disappear from the world,” Uru- knew we’d given an awful image.” guay striker Suarez said in an in- Days after the defeat to Liv- terview with Fox Sports ahead of erpool, Suarez opted to undergo the Copa America. “I didn’t want surgery to treat a long-term knee to take my children to school, problem in order to be fi t for the everyone could see I was in a very Copa America, which began late bad way. I had days I didn’t want last night with hosts Brazil taking to do anything, they were very on Bolivia. Uruguay, who have diffi cult moments.” won the tournament a record The 4-3 aggregate defeat to 15 times, play their fi rst game Liverpool came a year after Barca against Ecuador tomorrow.

Italy’s forward (left) scores past Jamaica’s goalkeeper Sydney Schneider during the Women’s World Cup Group C match in Reims, eastern France. (AFP) Uruguay’s Luis Suarez speaks during a press conference in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, yesterday, ahead of the Copa America match AFP another VAR check that Jamaica goal- fying for the last 16, just four days after a of the area, over goalkeeper Lee Alexander against Ecuador tomorrow. (AFP) Reims, France keeper Sydney Schneider had encroached. disappointing display in a goalless draw but underneath the crossbar. The 29-year-old made no mistake the sec- against outsiders Argentina. It took a goal-line clearance ond time round — two minutes after the Asako Takakura’s team, ranked sev- to prevent Japan skipper ristiana Girelli fi red Italy into the original penalty was given — before dou- enth in the world, will now go into their from making it 2-0, but Japan were handed Real Madrid confi rm signing last 16 of the Women’s World bling Italy’s lead 13 minutes later when she fi nal Group D game against England next the chance to increase their lead in the 37th Cup yesterday with a controver- bundled home Bonansea’s fl ick-on from a week with a chance of topping the section, minute when Sugasawa felt a slight pull sial VAR-assisted hat-trick that corner. which would ensure a far more favourable from Corsie in the box and went down. of ‘Japanese Messi’ Kubo helpedC see off hapless Jamaica 5-0 and Girelli became just the second Italian draw in the last 16. Sugasawa duly dispatched the penalty, Madrid: Real Madrid confirmed returned to Japan in 2015 as a put them top of Group C. woman to score a World Cup hat-trick Scotland got a goal back late on through and Hina Sugita then hit the bar from close the signing of Japanese teen- result of FIFA sanctions handed Italy join France and Germany in the just after the break when she beat Sch- substitute Lana Clelland, but the result range. Scotland did better in the second ager Takefusa Kubo yesterday. to the club for breaching rules knockout stages following the Juventus neider to a looping cross. Substitute Galli will be less disappointing than the nature half, helped by the introduction of Claire The 18-year-old joins from FC on signing under-age players. striker’s treble and a late brace from Au- then completed the rout, fi rst fi ring home a of their performance, as they off ered noth- Emslie, who had scored their goal against Tokyo and will play for Madrid’s Barcelona have kept tabs on rora Galli, which gives Milena Bertolini’s long-range eff ort in the 71st minute before ing going forward until it was too late, just England, and some good saves from Al- B team, Castilla, next season. Kubo ever since but Madrid side a perfect six points — three more than neatly taking ’s through like in their opening defeat at the hands of exander. However, hit the Kubo, who has been dubbed stole a march on their La Liga both Australia and Brazil — and puts them ball and rounding Schneider to slot home England. As they had done in that match, frame of the goal from close in and their the “Japanese Messi”, made rivals with an off er of 2mn euros through with a game to spare. the fi fth 10 minutes later. Later last night, they found themselves 2-0 down at the in- appeals for a penalty for a handball in the his full international debut ($2.25mn) a year, according to However the penalty with which Girelli England were looking to join the Italians in terval before a crowd of more than 13,000 box by Risa Shimizu were waved away by against El Salvador earlier this Japanese media. opened her tournament account caused the last 16 with a win over Argentina. at Roazhon Park, including a large contin- the Ethiopian referee. Clelland, of Fioren- month and was also linked with Kubo came on as a second- controversy, with referee Anna-Marie Earlier, set Japan on gent from Scotland and FIFA president Gi- tina, did fi nd the net from 25 yards with two Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain half substitute in Japan’s 2-0 Keighley pointing to the spot after a VAR their way to a 2-1 victory over Scotland anni Infantino. minutes to go, but it proved to be a mere and Premier League champions win over El Salvador last week- check in the 10th minute for a what looked in Rennes as the 2011 winners gave their A poor headed clearance by captain consolation, and their hopes of qualifying Manchester City. Kubo earned end and has been included in like a soft foul on Barabara Bonansea. women’s World Cup campaign a shot in led to Japan taking the lead for the last 16 at their debut World Cup are his nickname after joining Bar- the Blue Samurai squad for the Girelli then missed the spot-kick, but the arm. Yuika Sugasawa also converted a midway through the fi rst half as Iwabuchi slim before a fi nal group game against Ar- ca’s youth academy aged 10 but Copa America. Keighley allowed her to retake following penalty as the Nadeshiko closed on quali- sent a shot high into the net from the edge gentina in Paris.

LIGUE 1 FOCUS Leonardo back at PSG replacing Maradona leaves Mexican club AFP Henrique as sporting director Mexico City iego Maradona has AFP PSG TO KICK OFF LIGUE 1 resigned as coach of Paris TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST NIMES Mexican second-divi- Paris Saint-Germain will start their bid for sion club Dorados for a third successive Ligue 1 title with a home healthD reasons, his lawyer said on ormer Paris Saint-Germain sporting match against Nimes, after next season’s Thursday, after nine tumultuous director Leonardo returned to the fi xtures were announced yesterday. Thomas months in the job for the Argen- club in the same position replacing Tuchel’s side will begin their league cam- tine football legend. Antero Henrique, the French cham- paign at the Parc des Princes on the weekend Maradona, 58, “has decided pionsF announced yesterday. The former PSG of August 10-11, with Monaco facing Lyon in not to continue in his position as and AC Milan midfi elder left the Parisian the pick of the opening round of matches. manager of Dorados. Under his outfi t in 2013 after resigning amid a scan- PSG, who will be hoping to fi nally reach a doctors’ advice, he will be de- dal in which he pushed a referee in a Ligue maiden Champions League fi nal next term, voting time to his health and will 1 match. host bitter rivals Marseille on the weekend of undergo two operations: for his He worked for Milan in the same capacity October 26-27. shoulder and his knee,” lawyer last season but stepped down due to a disa- Matias Morla wrote on Twitter. the fi rst division. “Thank you for radona from attacking jeering greement with the side’s board. “This club FRENCH TEENAGER DIABY JOINS “We thank the entire Dora- everything, Diego!” tweeted the fans of opposing team Atletico has been so important to me in my football BAYER LEVERKUSEN FROM PSG dos family and will continue the club. “A Dorado forever.” San Luis in December after Do- career and in my life. I had really emotional Teenage winger Moussa Diaby has joined dream together in the future,” Maradona had said in April rados lost the fall season fi nals moments here both as a player in the late 90s German outfi t Bayer Leverkusen from PSG, he added. Maradona took the that he planned to leave the club to them in extra time. Maradona and more recently as sporting director,” the the two clubs announced. The 19-year-old coaching job at Dorados, who at the end of the spring season, had to watch that match from the 1994 World Cup winner said in a statement. has signed a fi ve-year contract with the Bun- are based in the western state alleging the league’s referees stands, after being sent off near “I come back to Paris full of energy to rejoin desliga side, who fi nished fourth last season of Sinaloa, in September 2018 were biased against him. The the end of Dorados’s 1-0 fi rst-leg this club that I deeply respect,” he added. to qualify for the Champions League. — amusing skeptics who ques- controversies that have marked victory for launching an insult- The Brazilian is back at a club which won PSG, trying to balance the books to avoid tioned why the 1986 World Cup his career were not lacking from laced tirade at offi cials when he the French title last year but failed to reach Financial Fair-Play sanctions from UEFA, champion, who has publicly bat- his time at the club. thought his team should have further than the last 16 of the Champions were paid a reported fee of 15mn euros tled various addictions, would The Mexican Football Fed- been awarded a penalty. League and saw the world’s most expensive Nasser al-Khelaifi said. ($16.82mn) for the French youth interna- move to a place better known for eration fi ned him an unspecifi ed Maradona’s managerial career Neymar suspended for hitting a fan after de- Henrique, 51, left his role by mutual con- tional. “I’m very curious about Germany, the drug cartels than football. amount for violating its apoliti- has failed to match the lustre feat in the French Cup fi nal. sent earlier in the day having seen his rela- special kind of football there, the great stadi- But he answered his critics by cal ethics code by praising Ven- of his playing days. The dream “His return, with his enthusiasm and tal- tionship with head coach Thomas Tuchel ums, and of course it’s also great to be playing coaching the struggling club to ezuela’s leftist President Nicolas of winning a title as coach still ent, will bring the club into a new ambitious become strained. He joined PSG in 2017 and with Bayer04 in the Champions League,” said back-to-back fi nals appearances Maduro in a post-match press eludes him, after stints manag- cycle and I am sure that this reunion will bring oversaw the signings of forwards Neymar and Diaby. The Frenchman made 34 appearances that brought them tantalizingly conference in March. ing the Argentine national team happiness to the Parc des Princes, which has Kylian Mbappe but had been left disappoint- in all competitions for PSG last season, scor- close — but not quite — to their And security guards had to and various clubs in Argentina, always kept ‘Leo’ in its heart,” PSG president ed by recent transfer windows. ing four goals. dream of winning promotion to restrain a violent, swearing Ma- the Middle East and now Mexico.

Saturday, June 15, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

GOLF Sabbatini aces 12th at Pebble Beach Pebble Beach, United States: Rose equals Tiger record South African-born Slovakian Rory Sabbatini grabbed the 45th hole-in-one in US Open history on Thursday, acing the par-three 12th at Pebble Beach. Sabbatini said he hit “as high a five-iron as I could, up in the air with a high cut” to seize US Open lead at the 202-yard hole, where his bright yellow ball took a bounce and landed in the cup. Sabbatini had to hear the Woods produces an outstanding performance on the greens as he scrambled to a 1-under par 70 description from others. “I’m not that tall, so I can’t really AFP see over the bunker that well,” Pebble Beach, United States he said. “I just hit it absolutely perfect, and we hit it close at the previous hole. I told my ustin Rose roared home with caddie, we’ve been having three straight birdies to match a lot of close calls, and one Tiger Woods’ record for the low- is going to go in sooner or est US Open round ever shot at later — but (I) wasn’t expect- PebbleJ Beach, a six-under par 65 that ing that.” gave him a one-shot lead after the fi rst The ace moved Sabbatini round on Thursday. to one-under for the day and England’s Rose, who won the 2013 US he finished on one-over 72. Open at Merion, vaulted over a quartet “For the most of the round I of players sharing second on fi ve-un- felt like I played decently,” he der-par 66 as Pebble Beach showed a said. “Unfortunately I made welcoming face in cool, overcast condi- too many mental mistakes out tions with little wind. there. And so I’m a little ticked Americans Rickie Fowler and Xander off at myself. But all in all, I Schauff ele and South Africans Louis didn’t shoot myself in the foot Oosthuizen and Aaron Wise were in the too badly.” clubhouse on 66 when Rose stormed Sabbatini, who represented home. “It was amazing,” said Rose, who South Africa in golf’s World rolled in a 10-footer for birdie at the 16th Cup five times and played for and drained a 26-footer for birdie at the the International team in the par-three 17th. Presidents Cup in 2007, took He took sole possession of the lead at Slovakian citizenship in De- the last, blasting out of a greenside bun- cember in a move that could ker and draining an 11-foot birdie putt. allow him to represent that Knowing he had equalled the 65 shot by country in the 2020 Tokyo Woods in the fi rst round on the way to Olympics. his crushing 15-shot US Open triumph Sabbatini’s wife Martina at Pebble Beach in 2000, Rose gave a Stofanikova is from Slovakia. restrained fi st pump. “I was think- A six-time winner on the US ing, ‘This would be kind of cool doing PGA Tour, Sabbatini’s best it front of the great man himself,’” said finish in 11 previous US Open Rose, who played alongside Woods and appearances was a tie for Jordan Spieth. 30th in 2011. He has missed Woods produced an outstanding per- the cut seven times. formance on the greens as he scrambled to a one-under par 70. I’M STILL IN IT, SAYS Two-time defending champion MICKELSON, DESPITE Brooks Koepka headed a group on two- BOTCHED PUTT under 69. Scott Piercy teed off before With a record six runner-up 7am and quickly showed that Pebble finishes at the US Open Phil Beach was there for the taking, moving Mickelson has had his share of as low as fi ve-under before fi nishing on major nightmares but added four-under 67. another one to the list when He was joined there in a tie for sixth by Justin Rose (left) and Tiger Woods walk on the course during the first round of the US Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California. (AFP) he botched a 12-inch par putt fellow American Nate Lashley. Reigning during opening round play on British Open champion Francesco Mo- under par, and 17 eagles were the most in foot birdie putt. “I would have liked to LEADING FIRST-ROUND Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG), Graeme Thursday. linari and four-time major winner Rory a US Open in 50 years. have shot a couple more (under par),” SCORES (PAR-71) McDowell (NIR) Needing a US Open to McIlroy were among a group of eight Along with Rose, currently ranked Koepka said. “But considering how I hit complete a career grand slam 65 - Justin rose (ENG) 70 - Jason Day (AUS), Adam Scott (AUS), players on three-under 68. fourth in the world, four other major- it coming in, I’m pretty pleased. Two- Rafael Cabrera (ESP), An Byeong-Hun Mickelson is getting perhaps That group also included Sweden’s winners featured in the top 15: Oost- under, I didn’t shoot myself out of it. I’m 66 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Rickie (KOR), Carlos Ortiz (MEX), Jovan Rebula his last best chance to get Henrik Stenson, who birdied four huizen, Stenson, McIlroy and Molinari. right there.” Fowler (USA), Xander Schauff ele (USA), (RSA), Jason Dufner (USA), Zach Johnson the job done, playing on the straight coming in, Argentina’s Emil- Koepka — who has won four majors in Woods, who captured his 15th major Aaron Wise (USA) (USA), Tiger Woods (USA), Tyrrell Hatton same Pebble Beach layout he iano Grillo, and Americans Sepp Straka, less than two years and can become just title at the Masters in April to cement 67 - Scott Piercy (USA), Nate Lashley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Paul Casey collected his 44th career PGA Gary Woodland, Chez Reavie and Ches- the second player to win three straight his return in the wake of spinal fusion (USA) (ENG) Tour title on in February. son Hadley. After the US Golf Associa- US Opens and the fi rst in more than a surgery, followed his fi rst birdie at the The five-time major winner tion was stung by criticism over course century — was among a dozen players fourth with a double-bogey at the par- 68 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Sepp Straka 71 - Cameron Smith (AUS), Bernd Wies- was unable to take advantage conditions at last year’s US Open at on 69. three fi fth, where his tee shot bounced (AUT), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Henrik berger (AUT), Li Haotong (CHN), Luis of near perfect scoring condi- wind-dried Shinnecock Hills, Peb- He applied pressure on the leaders off a cart path into deep rough. Stenson (SWE), Gary Woodland (USA), Gagne (CRC), Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN), tions as he plodded his way ble Beach’s small, slanting greens were as he raced to four-under through six He rebounded with back-to-back Chez Reavie (USA), Chesson Hadley Erik Van Rooyen (RSA), Tom Hoge (USA), to a one-over 72, sit six back moist and receptive. holes. He followed a bogey at eight with birdies, then parred his last 11 holes. (USA), Rory McIlroy (NIR) Kyle Stanley (USA), Dustin Johnson of the early leaders. On a day “The putting surfaces are as good as a birdie at 12, but was three-under after He drained a 30-footer to save par at 69 - Marc Leishman (AUS), Adrià Arnaus (USA), Brandon Wu (USA), Patrick Reed of missed opportunities, the (USA), Harris English (USA), Brian Stuard I’ve seen them,” said Koepka, although a bogey at 13 and dropped a shot from a the 14th after his second shot landed in (ESP), Jon Rahm (ESP), Sergio Garcia biggest came on the par four (USA), Collin Morikawa (USA), Chip he and the rest of the fi eld fully expect greenside bunker at the par-three 17th. dense rough. He needed just 25 putts on (ESP), Martin Kaymer (GER), Hideki third hole when he missed a McDaniel (USA), Michael Thorbjornsen them to fi rm up as the week goes on as His tee shot at 18 found an asphalt cart the round. Matsuyama (JPN), Viktor Hovland (NOR), tap-in putt to the astonish- (USA), Danny Willett (ENG), Tommy the USGA gets stingier with the water. path, but he hit his second shot off the “I was just trying to hang in there,” Bryson DeChambeau (USA), Brooks ment of the gallery. On Thursday, however, 39 players were deck on the way to a par, missing a four- Woods said. Fleetwood (ENG) Koepka (USA), Matt Kuchar (USA),

FOOTBALL BEACH VOLLEYBALL Lampard Chelsea’s No. 1 target to replace Sarri Second straight

By Dominic Fifield play regulations. However, the hope is The Guardian that his arrival would galvanise a young win for Qatar’s squad and be restorative in terms of a sup- port horribly divided and disillusioned at helsea are set to make a formal times over Sarri’s brief tenure. approach to Derby County after Just as signifi cant has been the real- Ahmed and Sherif earmarking Frank Lampard as ity that alternative options appear to be their preferred candidate to suc- dwindling. , whom atar’s Ahmed Tijan and opened their campaign with a ceedC the Juventus-bound Maurizio Sarri. Sarri is to replace at Juve, has indicated Sherif Younis scored 24-22, 21-18 win over Slovenia’s The Championship club would be due he will take a sabbatical “to recharge the their second succes- Jan Pokersnik and Nejc Zemljak. around £4mn in compensation for their batteries and take my personal life back in sive victory at the Today, the Qatar pair will take on manager, who is one season into a three- hand”. Erik ten Hag is apparently commit- four-starQ FIVB Beach Volleyball Russia’s Viacheslav Krasilnikov year contract, and are understood to be ted to Ajax, and Nuno Espírito Santo and World Tour in Warsaw, Poland, and Oleg Stoyanovskiy planning for life without Lampard. The Javi Gracia, who have been mentioned in yesterday. Ahmed and Sherif The Warsaw round is a major former England midfi elder enjoyed a glit- dispatches, would cost considerably more registered a comfortable win stop in the qualifi ers for the up- tering 13-year stint as a player at Chelsea, in terms of compensation to extract from over USA’s Trevor Crabb and Tri coming Olympic Games in Tokyo establishing himself as the club’s record Wolves and Watford respectively. Bourne 21-16, 21-17 in a Group G next year. Qatar is ranked third in goalscorer, and although he accepts his Laurent Blanc is available but may be clash. On Thursday, they had the standings with 2,520 points. coaching career is in its infancy, the op- considered an uninspiring choice, not portunity to take over in south-west Lon- least for fans who made their frustration don would surely be hard to resist. with Sarri all too obvious. The Italian, The Europa League winners will be secured from Napoli last summer, was keen to secure a replacement for Sarri close to being sacked this year after re- – for whom compensation potentially sults deteriorated dramatically following worth more than £5mm has been agreed a promising start. Chelsea were surprised with Juve – well before pre-season train- and dismayed at the breakdown in the ing starts in the fi rst week of July. relationship with a vocal section of the Even if there had been understand- club’s support disenchanted with the lack able reservations over Lampard’s lack of of drive and urgency in much of the team’s managerial experience – he guided Derby football. to the Championship play-off s in his rstfi An upturn in results – which culmi- season as a coach – there has always been Frank Lampard, who spent 13 years playing for Chelsea, guided Derby to the nated with a third-place fi nish and the support from key members of the hierar- Championship play-off final in his first season as a manager. Europa League success – left Chelsea chy to restore him to a club which, as it reluctant to dismiss Sarri, only for him operates under a FIFA-imposed transfer former Chelsea midfi elder and under-18s’ 2013. Lampard has been preparing Der- to make clear his desire to return to Italy, ban, could be more reliant on younger coach Jody Morris, is seen as a fi gure who by’s pre-season, and discussions have citing family reasons. Agreement was personnel for the foreseeable future. could coax the best from the academy taken place over contract extensions and reached with Juve late on Thursday over Players such as Tammy Abraham, Reece graduates and returning loanees of whom transfer plans. compensation for a head coach who had James, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and two, Mount and Tomori, excelled under The board at Stamford Bridge are aware 12 months to run on his £5mn-a-year Callum Hudson-Odoi are expected to play his management at Derby. Lampard’s appointment would constitute contract. Chelsea had resisted the Se- signifi cant roles in the senior set-up next Chelsea enjoy a fi ne relationship with a risk given the basic demand of every rie A champions’ attempts to secure the season, when the team will return to the the Championship club whose chief ex- Chelsea head coach – Champions League 60-year-old for nothing and could end up Champions League after a year’s absence. ecutive, Stephen Pearce, left his role as qualifi cation – cannot be relaxed with the banking more than that amount, depend- Qatar’s Ahmed Tijan and Sherif Younis in action during the four-star Lampard, who has been assisted by the a fi nance director at Stamford Bridge in need to comply with Uefa’s fi nancial fair ent on what Sarri achieves in Turin. FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour in Warsaw, Poland, yesterday.