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Sunday, July 26, 2020 CRICKET Dhul-Hijjah 5, 1441 AH Broad sparks West GULF TIMES Indies collapse in Test decider SPORT Page 2

QNB STARS LEAGUE Duhail’s title hopes take blow aft er draw with Umm Salal Duhail are now just two points ahead of their title rivals Al Rayyan with four games left to play

Al Sadd’s Akram Afif celebrates after scoring against Al Khor yesterday.

Sadd enjoyed 59 per cent possession brought in Hassan al-Haydos and Ab- Al Duhail’s Almoez Ali (right) and Umm Salal’s Ayyoub Azzi vie for the ball during the QNB Stars League match at the Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. after both halves. The Wolves surged delkarim Hassan as the match wore on. ahead as a result of the culmination Sadd had al-Dossari to thank for as By Sports Reporter lifeline in their bid to stay in the top ter Umm Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick AFIF SHINES IN AL SADD’S of a move that originated from Bagh- he saved a penalty kick taken by Tiago in Doha fl ight. They are in 10th spot with 15 failed to get his hand on to the swerving WIN OVER AL KHOR dad Bounedjah. Akram was then fed the dying moments of the game (90+3), points, two ahead of Al Khor. After a ball. Han then sent his shot over and Meanwhile, Al Sadd defeated Al Khor through a backheeled pass by Abdulaziz referee Hamad al-Subaie awarding it barren fi rst half, Al Duhail opened the Yousef Msakni had his shot defl ected 2-1 at home. Qatar international for- al-Ansari and the former made no mis- when al-Dossari brought down Tiago l Duhail’s title aspirations suf- scoring when Almoez Ali converted a wide by the rival defence. ward Akram Afi f scored both goals for take in beating Al Khor goalkeeper Baba in the area. fered a jolt as the leaders were penalty in the 49th minute, a lead that At the other end, Umm Salal’s Walid the reigning champions, who moved Djibril. Afi f brace helped him rise to the Bounedjah expressed his delight af- held to a 1-1 draw by Umm was neutralised by Umm Salal through Mesloub failed to fi nd the target with on to 35 points with their 11th victory. top of the scoring charts with 14 goals ter the win. The Algerian international Salal in the QNB Stars League Ayyoub Azzi in the 52nd minute. his free-kick from the left. Almoez took Yet, Al Sadd’s chances of retaining the for the season, with Bounedjah follow- said: “I’m happy with the win, which Aat the Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. Duhail had beaten Umm Salal 1-0 in Al Duhail ahead not long after the re- title are remote as they are eight points ing him in second place with 12. came with some diffi culty, especially as With Al Rayyan beating Qatar Sports the fi rst leg, so it was an improved per- sumption of play by converting a pen- adrift of leaders Al Duhail. Al Khor struck back in no time as many Al Sadd players are coming back Club on Friday, Duhail are now just two formance by the latter who have im- alty, which was awarded when Abdul- Meanwhile, Al Khor still stare at rel- Tiago capitalised on a momentary lapse from injuries in this recent period, in- points ahead of their rivals with four proved under Moroccan coach Aziz Ben rahman Mohamed’s shot was handled egation as only Al Shahania are behind by the Al Sadd defenders in judging the cluding myself, Pedro, Tarek Salman games left to play. Askar, himself their former defender. by Umm Salal’s Omar Yahya. them in the rankings. Al Khor, whose fl ight of an oncoming through pass and and Hassan al-Haydos. We thank God Duhail had started with a four-point Duhail, coached by Ben Askar’s Umm Salal soon drew parity as Ay- only goal was scored by Tiago Bezerra the Brazilian found the target past goal- for this win and the three points.” cushion when the league resumed after countryman Walid Regragui, domi- oub Azzi headed in Mesloub’s corner in the 27th minute, have 14 points fol- keeper Saad al-Dossari. Bounedjah added: “The biggest posi- a four-month long break due to Coro- nated with 60 per cent possession, but from the left, beating the challenge of lowing their 10th defeat. The match failed to produce any oth- tive of the break has been the return of navirus pandemic. With Duhail set to Umm Salal put up a spirited fi ght right Sultan al-Breik. Al Duhail’s Almoez Sadd had beaten Al Khor by an iden- er goal despite the eff orts by Al Sadd’s the injured players. We will now try face reigning champions Al Sadd in throughout. The closest Duhail came to headed over and Umm Salal’s Mah- tical margin in their fi rst-leg match, Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Nam to gradually return to the level we are the 20th round, yesterday’s draw could scoring in the fi rst half was in the 21st moud al-Mawas’ placing shot was which was deferred and was played on Tae-hee and Bounedjah, and Al Khor’s known for, as the break has aff ected the prove to be a costly aff air. minute when Han Kwang-Song’s ris- saved by goalkeeper Mohamed al-Bakri 21st January this year due to the latter’s Ahmed Hammoudan and Lucca Borges. players. We will work hard in the up- Umm Salal, meanwhile, earned a ing shot hit against the left upright af- as both sides settled for a draw. AFC Champions League commitment. Sadd, pushing to increase their margin, coming period to give our best.”

PREVIEW AL SADD COACH XAVI TESTS We must be mentally prepared: Sailiya’s Trabelsi POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 Doha: Al Sadd coach Xavi By Sports Reporter period. There is a great discipline in fol- men had bowed out of both Amir Cup and Hernandez has tested positive Doha lowing the instructions from the Minis- Ooredoo Cup in the quarter-fi nal stage, for coronavirus, his club said try of Public Health,” added. so they are all focused on earning a bet- yesterday. Former Barcelona Wakrah are just behind Sailiya in sev- ter position in the league, where they are and Spain midfielder Xavi, 40, l Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi enth, with a victory today can cut down featuring after a gap of two seasons. recently quashed rumours that believes mental strength will the gap to just one point. Wakrah had In another match today, Al Shahania he was preparing to move back be put to test when his side suff ered three successive defeats before face Al Ahli at the Al Sadd Stadium. Sha- to Barcelona and signed on for resumes its’ QNB Stars League the tournament was stopped. It is against hania, coached by Nabil Anwar who re- another season at the helm of Acampaign today against Al Wakrah. Qa- this backdrop that they take on Al Sailiya, cently replaced Spaniard Jose Murcia, are the Qatari top-flight side. tar’s top-fl ight had restarted yesterday who had beaten Wakrah 3-1 in the fi rst the basement side in the 12-team table “A few days ago, follow- after a long break forced by the coronavi- leg. with 10 points. They have only one vic- ing the Qatar Stars League rus (Covid-19) pandemic. Wakrah’s Spanish coach Marquez tory to their credit, while they lost nine protocol, I tested positive in the Sailiya are sixth in the table with 23 Lopez said the Sailiya game will be diffi - matches and drew seven. They also have last Covid-19 test,” Xavi said in detection, reducing the spread points. The Peregrines have had mixed cult one for his team and they must stay the worst goal diff erence of -20 (17 goals a post on Al Sadd’s twitter ac- of infection and that guarantees campaign so far, with seven wins, two focused. “There is no doubt that the re- for and 37 against). count. “Fortunately, I’m feeling the normal development of the draws and eight defeats. Trabelsi’s men turn is diffi cult for everyone, but we are Shahania need to pull up their socks ok, but I will be isolated until I competition. Take care and see still have chances of ending up in the top- going step by step. Al Sailiya game is diffi - sooner rather than later if they are to stay am given the all clear. When the you soon on the football pitch,!” four bracket and thereby playing in the cult for both teams. One good thing is the in the First Division, as nearest teams in health services allow it, I will be he wrote. Qatar Cup and AFC Champions League, improvement in our level,” said Marquez. the table, Al Khor and Umm Salal, both very eager to return to my daily It is Al Sadd’s first outing just like they did last season when they “Al Wakrah will resume the league well, have 14 points. routine and to work.” since the Qatari league was secured a third-place fi nish, their best- but it will not be easy. Of course, it is dif- Al Ahli, under Montenegrin coach “Today I won’t be able to join suspended in March to stem the ever performance in the league. fi cult for everyone and not just for us, be- Nebojsa Jovovic, are in eighth position my team on their comeback to spread of the virus. Xavi said “There is no doubt that we wish to get a Al Sailiya’s coach Sami Trabelsi. cause everyone returns after a long break with 19 points, the same as Al Wakrah but the off icial competition,” added Al Sadd Under-23 coach David positive result. Wakrah are a strong team and my priority is to focus on preparing behind on goal diff erence. Xavi referring to Al Sadd’s last Prats would be in charge of the with good quality and stability at the lev- “We returned after a diffi cult period the team well for the last fi ve confronta- The Brigadiers have registered fi ve night’s match against Al Khor. team in the QSL. Al Sadd con- els of professional and local players. Their for everyone because of coronavirus cri- tions to get good results. I hope it will go wins, four draws and eight defeats, and “I’d like to thank all the authori- firmed Xavi’s positive test came technical staff are excellent and it is a dif- sis. We made good preparations in the last on well, he added. their goal diff erence is -7 (22 goals for and ties, especially those working in a week ago and he will need fi cult match for both teams, so we must stage although they were diffi cult, espe- Al Wakrah’s ambitions are high and 29 against). Al Ahli and Al Shahania had @qsl, @qfa and @alsaddsc for one more week of isolation as be mentally prepared to win,” Trabelsi cially under the precautionary measures. they made their intentions clear right played out a 2-2 draw in the fi rst leg of supplying the means of early per the protocol. said. We were committed during the training from the start of this season. Marquez’s 2019-20 QNB Stars League. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, July 26, 2020 CRICKET

MATCH REPORT Broad sparks West Indies collapse in Test decider West Indies were 232 runs behind with four wickets remaining and needing 33 more to avoid the follow-on

AFP Manchester, United Kingdom England’s Stuart Broad celebrates SCORECARD after taking the wicket of West Indies’ Roston Chase during the ENGLAND I INNINGS Chase 11-3-36-2 tuart Broad sparked a top-or- second day of the third Test at Old (OVERNIGHT: 258-4) der collapse after starring with Traff ord in Manchester, northwest R. Burns c Cornwall b Chase 57 WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS the bat as England reduced the England, yesterday. (AFP) West Indies to 137-6 at stumps D. Sibley lbw b Roach 0 K. Brathwaite c Root b Broad 1 onS the second day of the decisive third J. Root run out (Chase) 17 J. Campbell c Burns b Archer 32 Test at Old Traff ord yesterday. England B. Stokes b Roach 20 had slumped to 280-8 after losing four S. Hope c Buttler b Anderson 17 wickets for 18 runs before No 10 Broad’s O. Pope b Gabriel 91 S. Brooks c Buttler b Anderson 4 swashbuckling 62 took them to a fi rst J. Buttler c Holder b Gabriel 67 R. Chase lbw b Broad 9 innings total of 369. C. Woakes b Roach 1 When bad light forced an early close, J. Blackwood b Woakes 26 the West Indies were 232 runs behind, D. Bess not out 18 J. Holder not out 24 needing 33 more to avoid the follow- J. Archer c Holder b Roach 3 S. Dowrich not out 10 on. West Indies captain Jason Holder S. Broad c Blackwood b Chase 62 was 24 not out and Shane Dowrich 10 Exras (b4, lb5, w5) 14 not out. Veteran new-ball duo Broad J. Anderson c Cornwall b Holder 11 Total (6 wkts, 47.1 overs) 137 and James Anderson, paired together Extras (b12, lb4, nb6) 22 To bat: R Cornwall, K Roach, S Gabriel for the fi rst time this series, both had Total (all out, 111.5 overs) 369 stumps fi gures of 2-17. Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Brathwaite), 2-44 Broad said: “I thought the West In- Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Sibley), 2-47 (Root), (Campbell), 3-58 (Hope), 4-59 (Brooks), dies bowled beautifully this morning 3-92 (Stokes), 4-122 (Burns), 5-262 5-73 (Chase), 6-110 (Blackwood) – they made us play with a straight bat (Pope), 6-267 (Woakes), 7-272 (Buttler), Bowling: Anderson 11-4-17-2; Broad 10- and made the new ball count. Batting 8-280 (Archer), 9-356 (Broad), 10-369 3-17-2; Archer 13.1-1-55-1 (5w); Woakes was good fun. My decision was to take (Anderson) 13-1-39-1; the bowlers off the top of off stump – I Bowling: Roach 25.4-4-72-4; Gabriel Match position: West Indies are 232 wanted to move the scoreboard for- 23.2-5-77-2 (5nb); Holder 24.5-5-83-1 runs behind with four first-innings ward. We’re pretty happy with our fi rst (1nb); Cornwall 27-5-85-0; wickets standing innings score, and the way the whole unit bowled this afternoon was bril- liant.” match-clinching 95 during West In- In sight of his second Test century, Broad struck with just his fourth ball dies’ four-wicket win in the fi rst Test, Pope had already been dropped by Rah- to have West Indies dangerman Kraigg looked good while making 26. But he keem Cornwall in the slips when Shan- Brathwaite caught at slip by England had his middle stump knocked out of non Gabriel clean bowled him to end a captain Joe Root for one. the ground when Chris Woakes nipped fi fth-wicket stand of 140. John Campbell, dropped on 10 when one off the seam. Dowrich, fresh from Woakes promptly played on to give normally reliable second slip Ben Stokes two ducks in the second Test, was lucky Roach, who fi nished with 4-72, his put down a routine chance, looked in- when he got in a tangle against an Archer 200th Test wicket. Buttler was well creasingly assured while making 32. bouncer only for the ball to just clear the caught low down for 67 by Holder at But fast bowler Jofra Archer, back after back-pedalling Rory Burns in the gully. second slip. But Broad, who has a high- being omitted from England’s 113-run England, with all-rounder Stokes unfi t est Test score of 169, counter-attacked win in the second Test for breaching to bowl following a quad injury, opted to with his fi rst fi fty at this level in just the bio-secure regulations governing play an extra seamer by dropping bats- over three years. On a ground where he this series, produced a rib-high deliv- man Zak Crawley as they looked to win was hit on the face by a bouncer from ery that left-hander Campbell could this three-match series 2-1. India’s Varun Aaron in 2014, left- only fend to gully. They had lost early wickets but re- handed batsman Broad pulled Roach Anderson, England’s all-time lead- ries, was squared up by an Anderson to come back the other way to Shamarh then produced a classic nip-backer to sumed on 258-4 after losing the toss. for six as the new ball started to soften. ing Test wicket-taker, then struck ei- delivery that moved away late — a des- Brooks, and this time the batsman in- have Roston Chase lbw for nine, the Ollie Pope was 91 not out and Buttler Broad pulled Holder for four to com- ther side of tea on his Lancashire home perately diffi cult ball to play — and was side edged to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. batsman not bothering with a review as unbeaten on 56 — his fi rst Test fi fty in plete a 33-ball fi fty before hitting a full- ground as the tourists slumped to 59-4. caught behind for 17. In a campaign that marks international West Indies collapsed to 73-5. 14 innings. Pope, however, failed to add toss from occasional off -spinner Chase Shai Hope, struggling for runs this se- After the interval Anderson got one cricket’s return from lockdown, Broad Jermaine Blackwood, who made a to his score. to deep midwicket.

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Windies mull Life in bubble ‘challenging and intense’ for England’s Pope hosting part AFP cricket ground, you can’t go out Manchester, United Kingdom for a coff ee, you can’t see your of SA series family... it isn’t easy. You can ac- tually think about your batting, before IPL ngland batsman Ollie your failures, a little more than Pope said life in a bio- normal so to get runs is a nice ricket West Indies secure bubble was “chal- feeling.” (CWI) wants to host lenging and intense” Pope added: “In the second in- at least part of their afterE making valuable runs dur- nings (of the fi rst Test) at South- proposed series against ing the third Test against the ampton I got out late in the day SouthC Africa in early September. West Indies. Pope’s unbeaten and 20 minutes after getting out The Windies’ players are ex- 91 guided England to 258-4 at I was back in my room. It ends pected to take part in the Indian stumps on Friday’s fi rst day at up playing in your mind over and Premier League which will be Old Traff ord. It was an important over again.” played around September 19 to innings, with England slipping to But Pope said his teammates November 8 window in the UAE. 92-3 after losing the toss in the had helped him to maintain his West Indies were originally fi nale of a three-match campaign morale. “The lads get around slated to host the Proteas for currently level at 1-1. you, and it is tight-knit, so if two Tests and fi ve T20Is in Pope’s four previous knocks someone is struggling a bit men- July-August before that tourna- this series had yielded a com- tally we have each other’s back.” ment was postponed due to the bined tally of just 43 runs. Pope, Pope received fi ne support coronavirus pandemic. “We however, could not add to his on Friday from Jos Buttler in an hope that South Africa will be score when he resumed batting fi fth-wicket stand of 140. “One able to come here in September yesterday. of the things we talk about is for either a T20-only tour or a In sight of his second Test if you get yourself in, cash in Test-only tour at the very least,” century, Pope had already been and make it as big as possible,” CWI Chief Executive Johny dropped by Rahkeem Cornwall in said Pope. Asked about an early Grave said. the slips when Shannon Gabriel wake-up from Kemar Roach, clean bowled him. who struck him on the head with DENLY TO JOIN ENGLAND’S The 22-year-old admitted he a bouncer, Pope added: “Some- TRAINING GROUP AHEAD had struggled with the protocols times things like that make you OF IRELAND ODIS put in place for a series marking switch on and today sums up England have released fi ve international cricket’s return batting pretty perfectly. I didn’t players, including Joe Denly, from the coronavirus lockdown, feel great for the fi rst 50 runs and from the bio-secure bubble at with both sides confi ned to on- got a bit of luck, edging one that the Old Traff ord in Manchester. site hotels at grounds for the du- dropped just short. Denly will be joining England’s ration of the campaign. “In [the fi rst Test] I didn’t limited-overs camp at the Ageas “To be honest, I’ve found it play and miss but then edged Bowl on Monday ahead of the challenging being in such an in- one, before chopping on in the Ireland ODI series. tense environment,” said Pope. second innings. Luck is involved Denly, Dan Lawrence, Craig “I’ve missed out in the fi rst two and you have to make the most Overton, Ollie Robinson and games and not been able to get of your chances when they come Olly Stone have left England’s away. The hotel overlooks the around.” Test squad after missing out on selection for the ongoing third and fi nal game against West FOCUS Indies, which started on Friday. Apart from Denly, the other four players will be available for their counties in the build-up to England’s Buttler admits feeling the pressure over Test place the start of the English domestic season, which starts with the Reuters a swashbuckling batsman in the limited Asked if he had been fretting about for your team. I was defi nitely feeling 16th Test half century but he has only Bob Willis Trophy on August 1. Manchester over games but had averaged only 18 his place, the 29-year-old Buttler said: pressure. I’ve played long enough now hit a single ton — against India at Trent England and Ireland are sched- runs in his last seven Tests since replac- “Yes, naturally but I think time in the to understand when you’re under pres- Bridge two years ago. He has realised uled to play three ODIs with all ing Jonny Bairstow as wicketkeeper in middle gives you confi dence and ob- sure and it’s on your shoulders and how the importance of a tempered approach the matches to be hosted at the ngland wicketkeeper Jos But- New Zealand last November. viously I hadn’t been doing that. But to deal with it.” in the red ball game. “The only time I’ve Ageas Bowl in Southampton on tler said yesterday he had been However, a half century on the open- I think it’s more about doing a job for Buttler looked like a man feeling the had success at Test level is when I’ve July 30, August 1 and August stressing about his lack of Test ing day of the third and fi nal Test against your team which I’m very aware of and burden as he played a circumspect in- trusted my defence. People expect me 4 respectively. England Lions runs and feeling the pressure of West Indies on Friday lifted some of the if you are not quite performing as well nings on Friday but it proved the perfect to play a certain way because of the way will take on Ireland in a practice mountingE speculation about his place stress, he said before resuming at the as you want, you realise you’re not do- foil to the more adventurous Ollie Pope, I play in one-day cricket but I’ve never game today but Denly will not in the team. Buttler has a reputation as crease. Buttler was out 67 yesterday. ing your job as well as you should be who made 91. Buttler’s innings was his seen test cricket in that way,” he said. be available for that game. Gulf Times Sunday, July 26, 2020 3 SPORT

BASEBALL SPOTLIGHT Deal nears for NFL season Cespedes, Olson with union execs backing AFP play havoc on spending plans New York sorted out years in advance by deliver fi reworks teams who could not have fi g- ured on reduced revenue from deal to fi nalise fi - a pandemic. nancial details for Teams are planning a full a coronavirus-hit 16-game schedule per club A2020 NFL season with fans able to attend games moved closer to approval in some cities as allowed by Friday when the players un- governments, stadiums us- on opening day ion’s leaders backed a meas- ing reduced capacities to keep ure hammered out with team fans socially distant with all Cespedes’ solo shot in the seventh inning off reliever Chris Martin owners. spectators required to wear With NFL training camps masks. was his first homer since his last game in the majors on July 20, 2018 set to open Tuesday for most NFL team owners raised clubs, the NFL Players Asso- the minimum 2021 cap level ciation executive committee and dropped a pitch for a sal- approved terms that would ary cap cut this year in the lat- keep this year’s salary cap lev- est deal, according to the NFL el and spread out the impact of Network. any revenue drops from COV- In exchange, owners might ID-19 over a four-year span. not have to pay out full guar- “The NFLPA executive anteed salaries if a mid-season committee voted unanimous- shutdown happens, paydays ly to recommend the proposed coming as games are played changes to the CBA,” the un- under the agreed model. ion said in a statement. The deal will be sent to the Under the latest proposal union board of 32 player rep- discussed by the league and resentatives, one per club, for the NFLPA, this year’s sal- a vote. If it passes, the fi nan- ary cap approved in March cial terms will be set for the would remain at $198.2mn as 2020 campaign and beyond. planned. Owners wanted a deal in Next year’s salary cap, ac- place before weekend work- cording to multiple reports on outs began at team training terms of the deal, would fall facilities. no lower than $175mn, a fl oor Kansas City and Houston that eases worries about sign- arrive early at camp because ing expensive deals for veteran they meet in the scheduled players if pandemic season September 10 season open- revenues are shattered with- er, three days ahead of most out fi lled stadiums and related league clubs. sales. While the hit would be The deal reportedly also spread from 2021-2024, there allows 20 days for players to is a chance the cap amount improve their fi tness before could rise signifi cantly should contact practices and a limit of new television contracts bring 14 padded practices per team higher revenues that the cur- with no pre-season games, all rent deals. in a bid for virus safety and to Trying to absorb all losses reduce the chance of injury for in a single season could pro- players whose preparations duce a payroll hit of $70mn a have been limited by corona- team for 2021, which would virus restrictions.

FOCUS Baseball sets TV ratings records New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) follows through on a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on Friday. PICTURE: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Reuters AFP by a designated hitter in a National League African-American George Floyd in Min- Both came into play on Friday night. Los Angeles Los Angeles stadium. neapolis at the hands of police offi cers. MLB instituted the controversial extra- “I don’t care if he took a fi ve-year hia- And because of the pandemic raging inning runner rule for this season to keep tus, when he gets in the batter’s box, across American cities and towns at the games from dragging on amid a com- he opening night of Major League Baseball’s virus-short- couple of new rules fi gured you’re worried,” Braves manager Brian same time, Friday’s contests took place in pressed, 60-game schedule. ened 2020 season set TV viewership records for Walt prominently as the New York Snitker said. “He’s such a presence.” eerily empty ballparks. In Oakland, the A’s Marcus Semien be- Disney Co’s ESPN sports channel, the network said on Mets and the Oakland A’s both Friday’s Mets opener kicked off the fi rst Some of the players wore protective gan the bottom of the 10th on second base TFriday. won their season-opening full slate of games in the much-anticipat- masks on the fi eld and Seattle Mariners’ with the score tied 3-3. Four million people, on average, watched the New York Yankees gamesA after months of baseball uncer- ed return to baseball after the global pan- Mallex Smith even batted with his face Semien moved to third while Ramon beat defending champions the Washington Nationals on Thurs- tainty during the coronavirus shutdown. demic at times threatened to scuttle the mask on. Laureano, who was hit by a pitch, reached day in the fi rst game of a season delayed by four months due to the Yoenis Cespedes took advantage of a entire season. It is a striking contrast to the celebra- second, and Khris Davis, who had walked, coronavirus pandemic. new designated hitter rule to blast his fi rst The MLB season offi cially started tory atmosphere that normally accompa- was at fi rst when the Angeles brought in It was the biggest opening-night audience on record, at more home run in his long-awaited return and Thursday with the New York Yankees nies the opening day festivities of a sport left-handed pitcher Hoby Milner and he than triple the number of people who tuned in for the fi rst game of lift the Mets to a 1-0 opening day win over rain-shortened 4-1 win over the Wash- regarded as America’s pastime. delivered the game-ending pitch to Olson. the 2019 season, ESPN said in a statement. the Atlanta Braves. ington Nationals. In Chicago, hardcore fans milled around Olson connected for a walk-off grand Overall, it was the highest-rated Major League Baseball game Matt Olson smacked a walk-off grand After bitter wrangling between team Wrigley Field or paid a premium to watch slam and the A’s celebrated at home plate. on any network since 2011. slam homer in extra innings as Oakland owners and players, an abbreviated 60- from the rooftop balconies of the build- Also, Shane Bieber struck out 14 over The return of America’s national pastime marked a key moment became the fi rst team to win a game under game season was mandated by MLB com- ings across the street. six scoreless innings in a historic outing for sports-starved fans and for ESPN, which has had few major the new speed-up, extra-innings rules by missioner Rob Manfred. Fake crowd noise was piped in through- as the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas events to broadcast since mid-March. beating the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 in the Games are taking place without fans, out the stadium and several venues fi lled City Royals 2-0. The network scrambled to fi ll time with classic games and late game. while players are subject to a range of the empty seats with hundreds of card- The 25-year-old Bieber passed Bob Gib- fringe sports such as stone-skipping competitions, and its ratings Cespedes’ solo shot in the seventh in- strict health and safety protocols de- board cutouts with pictures of fans adding son and Lon Warneke for most strikeouts plummeted. ning off reliever Chris Martin was his first signed to prevent outbreaks of Covid-19. to the faux atmosphere. without allowing a run on Opening Day in In Washington on Thursday, an unusual scene unfolded as homer since his last game in the majors on In Chicago’s Wrigley Field, the players “Opening day usually is winter coats MLB history. players competed in a stadium devoid of fans, one of many pre- July 20, 2018. from the Cubs and the Milwaukee Brew- and throngs of people,” Cubs fan Kim Cleveland wore their road jerseys with cautions against Covid-19. Artifi cial crowd noise was piped over “Being able to hit a home run after be- ers took part in a pre-game ceremony, Horvas said. “This is weird.” ‘Cleveland’ printed on the front as op- loudspeakers. The Yankees won 4-1 in a game shortened by a ing out for two years, it proved to me that standing during the American anthem Among the changes to American base- posed to their home jersey with ‘Indians’ thunderstorm. I can still be the same player that I used to and holding up a black fabric in honour of ball this year is the addition of the des- on it. A second game featuring the San Francisco Giants battling the be,” he said. Black Lives Matter. ignated hitter to the National League for The Indians announced previously they Los Angeles Dodgers drew nearly 2.8mn viewers on average, a Cespedes, who was sidelined with a The United States has been wracked by the fi rst time, and a runner being placed are considering a name change which record for a regular-season late-night game, ESPN said. broken right ankle and two heel surgeries, nationwide protests against racism and on second base to begin the 10th inning of would mean dropping the name they have At Dodger Stadium, rows of seats were fi lled with cardboard smacked the fi rst-ever home run and RBI police brutality after the May 25 death of games that go into extra innings. used since 1915. cutouts of fans. The Dodgers prevailed 8-1.

BOTTOMLINE Few Cubs fans near the action AFP “Traditionally, I take my son out of The Cubs increased advertising around empty seats. Chicago school because opening day is usually the ballpark for television cameras to help Before the Cubs play, especially on during the school year,” the elder Garcia make up for revenue losses from the lack opening day, bars in Wrigleyville, as the said. The father and son drove from sub- of gate receipts, and also set up cardboard neighborhood near the ballpark is known, utside Major League Baseball’s urban Berwyn to soak in the atmosphere, signs in centerfi eld written by children in usually have lines of people waiting to en- second-oldest ballpark on a but were disappointed by what they support of the players. ter. On Friday, many had empty tables and most unique opening day, the found. Typically, teams are in the thick of But the team owners aren’t the only only a couple had lines. Omood was subdued. the pennant race by late July, but there is ones losing money because of the pan- “Usually you can’t even walk around While some fans were in the area, nothing typical about this year. demic. Ridvan Mustafa, co-owner of here. This is really slow,” said Tim Kraus, a most bars near iconic Wrigley Field were Because of the pandemic, the season, Clark Street Sports, which operates two doorman at Murphy’s Bleachers, a popu- sparsely populated and memorabilia ven- originally slated to start in April, did not stores and two large street stands selling lar bar located directly across the bleacher dors were planning to close early. begin until Thursday and teams will play merchandise near the ballpark, was set stands entrance of Wrigley Field. After all, the Chicago Cubs and Mil- 60 games instead of 162. to close minutes after the fi rst pitch was — Rooftop access — The rooftops across waukee Brewers were playing in the his- An expanded 16-team post-season thrown.Usually the stands stay open until from the park, with their own bleach- toric venue without spectators allowed to tournament will begin September 27 with an hour after the games end. ers, are the only place fans can watch the watch due to the Covid-19 pandemic. the World Series to start October 23. “It’s peanuts today,” Mustafa said.”We action live, but even those were sparsely Fans would normally fi ll the bars and Up until Friday, Cubs fans were not even gave it a shot, but there’s not many people populated. restaurants around the stadium before go- sure how they would watch the games on out here.” Street vendor Charles Lewis, Inside Wrigley Field, fake crowd noise ing to see the game. television, as the team moved games to a who sells pins adorned with player images was piped in to try and create a more Raymond Garcia and his 15-year-old new network owned by the club. for $2 each, said he only made 15 sales in normal environment for players and fans son Angelo were on the street outside the It was not until Friday that a deal was 90 minutes and was packing up his sup- watching on TV, but most fans around the Fans watch from Wrigley rooftops the game between the park and said it did not feel like opening announced to broadcast them on the Chi- plies for the evening as the players inside ballpark said it didn’t change the odd feel- Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. PICTURE: day. cago area’s largest cable television carrier. the ballpark were being introduced to ing. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 4 Sunday, July 26, 2020 SPORT

NBA Seth Curry’s career sample size has attained validity At age 29, Curry indeed has become, as coach Rick Carlisle keeps stressing, ‘a historically elite shooter in this league’

By Brad Townsend second in NBA history among players who have The Dallas Morning News Dallas Mavericks guard made at least 250 treys. First on the career list is Seth Curry (30) drives Steve Kerr at 45.4%. for the basket around Clearly the Mavericks’ system suits Curry. In t was only a scrimmage, but Seth Curry’s Milwaukee Bucks guard two stints with the franchise he has averaged performance against the Lakers could not George Hill (3) during an 12.7 points in 129 games. In 122 combined games have been more perfect. NBA game last December. with Portland, Sacramento, Phoenix, Cleveland I Perfect in that he made all six of his PICTURE: Jeff Hanisch, and Memphis, he averaged 8.2 points. 3-point attempts. And both of his 2-point at- USA TODAY Sports “It’s a free-fl owing system,” Curry said. “I tempts. And his only free throw. All in 16 min- feel like I can adapt to a lot of systems, (but) I utes of court time on Thursday night. think Coach just puts me in a lot of positions to And though it was a mere glimpse as the use my shooting ability to spread the fl oor and Mavericks and 21 other teams here in the Dis- also give me the ability to make plays with the ney World bubble take increasingly pronounced ball in my hands.” steps toward next Thursday’s season restart, The only factor, though a signifi cant one, Curry impeccably reinforced a fact many of us that has impeded Curry’s time as a Maverick is may have forgotten during the NBA’s coronavi- injuries. He missed the 2017-18 season due to a rus hiatus. stress reaction in his left tibia. Curry’s career sample size, particularly his That summer he signed with Portland, for time as a Maverick, has reached validity territo- which he became a key rotational player for ry. At age 29, Curry indeed has become, as coach a Blazers team that advanced to last season’s Rick Carlisle keeps stressing, “a historically elite Western Conference fi nals. shooter in this league.” This season’s return to Dallas did not begin Given his production this season and his clear well. Curry started nine of the fi rst 13 games, but importance to the Mavericks’ chances of mak- he shot 41% in November and 43% in Decem- ing a substantial playoff run next month, it’s ber. He was replaced as a starter by Tim Harda- past time to declare as shrewd Dallas’ signing way Jr., which seemed to answer the question of of free-agent Curry to a four-year, $32 million which of the two would emerge as starter. contract last July. As it turned out, Dwight Powell’s Achilles Let’s not blame the pandemic for this delayed rupture, Porzingis’ move to center and Curry’s proclamation. The fault lies in the media focus hot run resulted in both he and Hardaway start- on Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis as the ing on many nights _ and again was the case in franchise’s centrepieces and the reality that no Thursday’s scrimmage against the Lakers, when matter what Seth does he’s considered the lesser Curry achieved a team-high 23 points on perfect Curry. shooting. Less than six-time All-Star, two-time MVP “Every shot,” Curry said with a shrug, “was and three-time NBA champion brother Steph, something I work on and something I feel I but actually a better 3-point marksman? To that should make.” the Mavericks say: “We’ll take it. Thank you Yes, it was just one scrimmage, and it remains very much.” Recall, though, that immediately prior to forced shelter-in-place for the couple and ly touched a basketball – “the longest (stretch) to be seen whether he can remain healthy, but “As the season came to the hiatus point he was those injuries Curry had posted consecutive 2-year-old daughter Carter. Carlisle said he of my life” – except for a handful of occasions something else about Thursday night bodes well just getting into his groove,” Carlisle said. “So it’s games of 37, 27, 21 and 15 points. The latter out- stayed in regular contact with Mavericks play- that he shot and dribbled on an outdoor court. for Curry’s potential to make a signifi cant im- not an accident that he’s shooting the ball as well ing, at home against Memphis, broke his string ers and was impressed by the work Curry was When the Mavericks began voluntary indi- pact in the weeks ahead in the bubble. as he is. He’s worked at it, but more importantly of 20-point games primarily because he suf- putting in, especially on the Peloton stationary vidual workouts in late May, Carlisle said, Curry The three small arenas in which scrimmages he’s worked at the base of his conditioning and fered the ankle injury and didn’t play in the sec- bike. was among the most “conscientious.” and games are being played here seem to be everything else leading up to this point.” ond half. “I set some good stuff up at my house to fo- “For me at this point in my career,” Curry shooters’ gyms, at least in Curry’s opinion. When the hiatus was declared on the night of In February and March, Curry shot 57.9% cus on my body,” Curry said. “I couldn’t really said, “it’s about trying to avoid injuries and “The background is a good sight line from March 11, Curry actually had missed four of Dal- from the fi eld, including 57.6% (49 of 85) from get too out of shape because it was going to be a stay as strong as possible throughout my en- pretty much every angle,” Curry said. “It’s not las’ last six games – and the last three, one with 3-point distance. lot harder to turn around and get back right for tire body.” too deep from a depth perception, so that felt lower back tightness and two with a left ankle Then the injuries happened. Then the pan- this season.” The excellence of his shooting stroke is indis- good. sprain. demic. Curry said his wife, Callie, strictly en- Curry said that for about two months he bare- putable. His career 3-point percentage of 44.3 is “Hopefully this continues.” Zion returns to NBA bubble, set to quarantine NFL ion Williamson returned to He is the reigning No.1 overall pick out Sabonis, who averaged 18.5 points and Duvernay-Tardif the NBA campus near Orlando of Duke. 12.4 rebounds in 62 starts this season, and will quarantine there before “My family and I appreciate the love and has been dealing with plantar fasciitis. Zjoining his teammates, the New respect that everyone showed us while Sabonis signed a four-year, $77mn exten- fi rst player to skip Orleans Pelicans announced on Friday. we dealt with a private family matter,” sion in October and made his first NBA The Pelicans’ star forward left the team Williamson said in a statement. “I’m All-Star Game in February. July 16 to deal with “an urgent family excited to rejoin my team in Orlando and The 11th overall pick in the 2016 NBA season over virus matter.” He was tested daily for the coro- look forward to getting back on the court Draft, Sabonis has averaged 12.1 points, navirus while he was away, the team said, with my teammates after quarantine.” 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 291 Reuters pandemic and the stress it puts and every test came back negative. At 28-36, New Orleans sits in 10th place in games with the Oklahoma City Thunder New York on individuals and our health- Now, Williamson must quarantine for at the Eastern Conference, 3 1/2 games be- (2016-17) and Pacers. care system,” added Duvernay- least four days as long as he continues to hind the eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies. Indiana could also be without two-time Tardif, who started 14 games for post negative test results. Meanwhile, Pacers All-Star centre All-Star Victor Oladipo when the team ansas City Chiefs of- the Super Bowl champions last There is a chance he could be back Domantas Sabonis is leaving the NBA restarts the season on Aug. fensive lineman Lau- season. in time for the Pelicans’ restart to the bubble in Florida for treatment on a “sig- 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the rent Duvernay-Tar- “I cannot allow myself to po- regular season next Thursday against the nificant” left foot injury, ESPN reported ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Kdif on Friday opted out tentially transmit the virus in Utah Jazz. on Friday. near Orlando. of the upcoming NFL season due our communities simply to play In 19 starts before the shutdown, Wil- The 24-year-old big man could miss Oladipo has been participating in prac- to risks associated with the Cov- the sport that I love. liamson averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 the rest of the season, according to the tices but has said he may opt-out when id-19 pandemic, becoming the If I am to take risks, I will do it rebounds. report. play resumes. fi rst player to announce his de- caring for patients.” cision to skip the new campaign. Duvernay-Tardif did not Duvernay-Tardif, the league’s specify whether he would con- only active player who is a medi- tinue working in the clinic dur- cal doctor, spent the summer ing the season. FOCUS working at a clinic in his native The NFL and its players’ union Canada. agreed on changes to the 2020 He said if he were going to collective bargaining agreement take any risks with his health, it on Friday, clearing the way for would be to continue to assist on training camp and the upcoming the frontline. season. ESPN said that as part “This is one of the most diffi - of the agreement, players con- Houston Dash take on Red Stars sidered at high risk of contract- cult decisions I have had to make Reuters the fi eld once the tournament is in my life but I must follow my ing Covid-19 can earn $350,000 Houston over “we will be doing so.” convictions and do what I be- if they choose to opt out of the That is not to say everyone lieve is right,” the 29-year-old season, while those that are not was intimidated. wrote on Twitter. at risk can earn $150,000 for he National Women’s Dash midfi elder Shea Groom, ”That is why I have decided to opting out. Soccer League (NWSL) who has scored two goals in take the opt-out option.” The NFL will reopen training Challenge Cup fi nal the tournament, told Reuters “Being at the frontline dur- camps for all players on July 28, Tkicks off today between she quickly hit her stride in the ing this off season has given me with the season opener slated for the upstart Houston Dash and “bubble” environment. a diff erent perspective on this Sept 10. Chicago Red Stars a month af- “For me this year — whether it ter the league returned from was going to be a regular league the Covid-19 hiatus, the fi rst in season or the Challenge Cup — North America to do so. (the key) was consistency,” said A year since the US national Groom. team won a fourth World Cup, “I’m not sure exactly what Commissioner Lisa Baird said changed — maybe it’s the en- the goal was simple — to build vironment and just being sur- on the momentum for the rounded by diff erent players women’s sport on a tight time- — but there’s defi nitely been line and show live sport can a freedom for me, feeling like happen in the novel coronavi- myself again.” After powering rus era. past the Portland Thorns in the “It was really hard to have semi-fi nals, the underdog Dash this tournament be short,” are ready to face the Red Stars, Baird told reporters. “Four who are out for redemption after weeks is not a lot of time to win a demoralising 4-0 thrashing in over not only avid soccer fans last year’s NWSL championship but casual fans. I think we ac- File photo of the Houston Dash in action. fi nal to North Carolina Courage. complished that. The Chicago team comes “We’re getting to that second Academy Award-winner Na- tournament during a pandem- Utah. equipped with top talent includ- level of casual fan — that’s what talie Portman, tennis champion ic, however, was anything but “No one had done this, going ing USnational team goal keeper we need to do to be successful.” Serena Williams and her hus- glamorous, with players living into this, not us, the NBA, the Alyssa Naeher, who has made 18 The announcement this week band, venture capitalist Alexis inside a quarantined bubble, NHL and the MLS,” said Baird, saves during the tournament, of a Los Angeles expansion Ohanian, added to the lustre. playing on a single-site without who added that if the league has and 2019 US Soccer female play- team with owners including Putting on a month-long fans in suburban Salt Lake City, the chance to get players back on er of the year Julie Ertz. Gulf Times Sunday, July 26, 2020 5 SPORT

GOLF RUGBY Dominant Brumbies keep clean sheet Italy’s Paratore wins against Force

AFP of,” said Jeremy Thrush, the Sydney Force skipper and a former All Blacks lock. “It shows your where the dominant ACT benchmark is with the Brum- British Masters title Brumbies powered to bies, and where we need to get the top of Super Rug- to. But I was still proud of the by AU yesterday with boys’ eff ort. We kept fighting.” aA 24-0 thrashing of Western Boosting an all-Wallabies Force, who remain winless on front row of Scott Sio, Folau their return to the top fl ight. Fainga’a, and Allan Alaalatoa, The Canberra-based team and a backline featuring pow- got off to an electric start on erhouse runners Simone, Te- by three strokes a wet night in Sydney, with vita Kuridrani, and Solomone breakout tries to Tom Wright Kata, the Brumbies immedi- and Irae Simone in the fi rst fi ve ately stamped their authority ‘THIS ONE FEELS AMAZING. I AM REALLY HAPPY. I DID NOT EXPECT TO COME BACK AND minutes. on the game. Will Miller and Connal In a red-hot start, Tom WIN SO SOON AFTER LOCKDOWN BUT I HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD THE LAST YEAR’ McInerney also crossed in the Wright raced over for a try af- second period, highlighting ter just 90 seconds in a fl ow- how much work the Perth side ing move from a scrum deep still have in front of them as within their own half. they adjust to Super Rugby af- And in another top-notch ter a three-year absence. counter-attack, they bagged “The best thing was how we a second minutes later, run- started both halves and then ning the ball 80 metres with it was backed up by good de- quality passing before Simone fence, so really proud of the dotted down and young pros- boys,” said Brumbies captain pect Bayley Kuenzie kicked the Allan Alaalatoa. conversion. “I think our big improve- The Force were ment was our defence, to keep shellshocked, but spearheaded (a clean sheet) you’ve got to by Thrush and the experienced be proud of the eff ort. That’s Jono Lance, slowly found their something we’ll continue to feet, tightening up their de- build on for next week.” fence only for handling errors The slick Brumbies have to let them down when they now won their last eight games created chances. against the Force stretching back To their credit, they pre- to 2013, reinforcing their cre- vented the Brumbies scor- dentials as favourites in the do- ing again in the fi rst half, but mestic Australian competition Alaalatoa’s team burst out of They top the fi ve-team lad- the blocks in the second half as der with 14 points from three they did in the fi rst. games, four ahead of the They notched another quick Queensland Reds, with the try after the impressive Wright Force anchored at the bottom. sucked in two defenders and “It was a physical game out offl oaded to Miller who scram- there and unfortunate start for bled over as rain poured down, us, I guess, with back-to-back with McInerney getting their tries... which put us in a bit of fourth from a driving maul to a hole that we tried to get out guarantee the win.

Hurricanes end Crusaders phenomenal streak A standout performance by Jordie Barrett penalty. Hur- Peter Umaga-Jensen sealed ricanes’ skipper T J Perenara an “awesome” 34-32 victory described it as “an awesome for the Wellington Hurricanes game” which kept his side’s as they ended the Canter- title hopes alive. bury Crusaders’ remarkable As part of their psychological four-year unbeaten home run preparation for the match, in Christchurch yesterday. Perenara said the Hurricanes Richie Mo’unga had a chance watched video of their stun- to send the game into ning 2016 win in Christch- overtime with a 78th minute urch. conversion for the Crusaders “For us to come down here but his sideline conversion and get the win is special,” just went wide. he said. It was the Crusaders’ first loss “It’s been a long time since Italy’s Renato Paratore poses with the trophy after winning the British Masters yesterday. (European Tour) at home in 37 games since anyone’s won down here. We they were also beaten by the spoke about it early in the AFP LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES his drive fi nd the green, but he Hurricanes in July 2016. week then we made the week London bounced back to hole from 20 It was also their first loss in about us.” (GBR/IRL unless stated, par 71) 271-Robert Rock 69, 66, 67, 69; Fahrbring (SWE) 68, 69, 68, 69; feet on the fourth and extend his New Zealand’s Super Rugby Before kick-off , Crusaders 266-Renato Paratore (ITA) 65, Andy Sullivan 68, 69, 67, 67; Dale Sam Horsfield 70, 70, 61, 73; lead to two shots. Paratore’s fi rst Aotearoa competition while coach Scott Robertson sin- enato Paratore won the 66, 66, 69 Whitnell 68, 64, 68, 71 Graeme Storm 71, 69, 67, 67 blemish came on the diffi cult the Hurricanes, who lost their gled out inside centre Ngani British Masters with a 269-Rasmus Hojgaard (DEN) 66, 272-Oliver Fisher 65, 69, 70, 68 275-Jeff Winther (DEN) 70, 67, ninth, where tournament host first two matches, are now on Laumape as the Hurricanes dominant display that 67, 66, 70 273-Ryan Fox (NZL) 67, 67, 71, 68; 72, 66; David Horsey 70, 69, Lee Westwood had earlier run up a four-match winning streak. dangerman but it was his saw the Italian fi nish 270-Justin Harding (RSA) 69, 63, Jonathan Caldwell 67, 69, 67, 70 68, 68; Ashley Chesters 67, 66, a quintuple-bogey eight, but he Umaga-Jensen, a nephew outside Umaga-Jensen who Rthree shots clear of Danish teen- produced the perfect response 66, 72 274-Ben Stow 67, 68, 68, 71; Jens 68, 74. of former All Blacks great caused the most problems ager Rasmus Hojgaard yesterday. to birdie the next to briefl y move Tana Umaga, set up two first as he repeatedly punched his Paratore had been on course three shots clear. half tries by Wes Goosen for way through the Crusaders. to become the fi rst player to win fi rst European Tour events after it was a really good situation. I night lead was wiped out by Another bogey on the 11th the Hurricanes to turn with “They exposed our D a European Tour event without nearly fi ve months of inactiv- loved it and also to see my mum playing partner Justin Hard- gave the chasing pack hope, but a 21-17 advantage and then (defence) a few times. They making a single bogey since Jes- ity due to the coronavirus, Para- was a lovely surprise.” ing’s birdie on the third, but the they were unable to apply any scored a crucial try himself in wanted it more,” Crusaders per Parnevik at the 1995 Scan- tore’s fellow players formed a Paratore, who won the Nordea South African then completely pressure and Paratore made cer- the 61st minute to push the captain Codie Taylor said. dinavian Masters. The 23-year- socially-distant guard of honour Masters in 2017, added: “This mishit his tee shot on the next tain of victory with a birdie on Hurricanes to a 31-20 lead. “They attacked really well, old’s brilliant run fi nally came behind the 18th green and he was one feels amazing. I am really and came up 30 yards short of the par-fi ve 17th. The Crusaders, renowned they went to the middle of to an end on his 63rd hole of surprised with a FaceTime call happy. I did not expect to come the green, from where he was Harding fi nished alone in third for dominating the closing the field and got some of our the week. But his closing round with his mother Cristina. back and win so soon after lock- unable to save par. after a closing 72, with the Eng- quarter, came back with bigger boys caught in the of 68 in testing conditions at “It was really amazing,” Para- down but I have worked really Paratore had three-putted the lish trio of Andy Sullivan, Robert tries to Quinten Strange and middle and attacked with Close House was enough to keep tore said. “I did not expect that hard the last year.” short third for par after a lucky Rock and Dale Whitnell sharing Sevu Reece either side of a their backs.” Hojgaard at bay. In one of the from my friends on the Tour and Paratore’s one-shot over- bounce from thick rough saw fourth place on 13 under.

FOCUS Werenski, Thompson tied for lead aft er 2nd round in Minnesota Reuters LEADING SCORES AFTER SECOND ROUND New York (par 71; USA unless stated) Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 68-67, Harris 130-Michael Thompson 64-66, Richy English 70-65 ichael Thompson caught Werenski 63-67 136-Tom Hoge 69-67, Adam Schenk up with Richy Werenski 131-Tony Finau 65-66, Talor Gooch 67-69, Bronson Burgoon 66-70, in the second round of the 66-65 Robby Shelton 68-68, Charles Howell 3M Open on Friday, with 132-Zhang Xinjun (CHN) 65-67 71-65, Kim si-woo (KOR) 71-65, Alex Mthe two Americans sharing the top of 133-Matthew Wolff 65-68, Cameron Noren (SWE) 67-69 the leaderboard heading into the third Davis (AUS) 67-66 137-Sepp Straka (AUT) 70-67, Austin round in Blaine, Minnesota. 134-Bo Van Pelt 66-68, Charl Cook 67-70, Max Homa 65-72, Brice The 28-year-old Werenski carded Schwartzel (RSA) 66-68, Patrick Garnett 70-67, Stewart Cink 69-68, a four-under-par 67, as he continued Rodgers 66-68, Nick Watney 65-69 Robert Garrigus 66-71, Chris Kirk to fi ght for his fi rst-ever PGA Tour 135-Danny Lee (NZL) 67-68, Ryan 66-71, Kramer Hickok 67-70, Matthias victory amid windy conditions at Moore 65-70, Scott Stallings 71-64, Schwab (AUT) 70-67 TPC Twin Cities. “Seems like there’s a lot of cross- winds out here, so you’ve got to kind eighth at the RBC Heritage, shot 197 holed out for an eagle on six, shooting of really do a good job of picking the yards to the green on 17 before sinking a fi ve-under-par 66 for the day, one shot you want to hit and I’ve done a a more-than 19-foot putt for birdie stroke back from the leaders. good job of that this week,” Werenski on the par 3. “When you shoot two rounds in the said. “The big thing is just try not to 60, it doesn’t matter how the condi- “A lot of trouble left with the wind overpower the golf course, stay with- tions are playing, you know you’re off the right. You’ve got to decide if in myself, make good, comfortable playing good golf,” said Finau. “And you’re going to hit a draw or kind of swings, aggressive swings to good it’s been two really clean rounds for hold it into the wind, so there’s a lot targets, be aggressive to pins when I me. You can always build off that.” Fi- of that going on.” can,” Thompson told reporters. nau heads into third round tied with Thompson, who came back from Tony Finau, who fi nished eighth at Talor Gooch, who put up a fl awless Richy Werenski of the United States plays a shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in the tour’s coronavirus hiatus to fi nish the Memorial Tournament last week, round with six birdies. Blaine, Minnesota. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Sunday, July 26, 2020 SPORT

FORMULA 1 ‘Vettel would be in foreign territory if moves to midfi eld’

DPA Point, which will be rebranded into a midfi eld team, it is foreign Report: F1 rules to be amended so championship uses two continents Berlin as Aston Martin next year with territory for him. It requires a bit backing from billionaire Law- more of an open mind, and some Formula One rules are to requires that races be held on - including new grands prix at rence Stroll. Racing Point have patience.” be tweaked so that a world three continents in order for the Germany’s Nuerburgring, Portu- ebastian Vettel would never won a grand prix and nei- Germany’s Vettel has also said champion can be crowned this series to be considered a world gal’s Portimao and Italy’s Imola. have to change his mind- ther did previous incarnation he will leave F1 if need be. season even though races are championship. But the FIA has Three Asian races are expected set signifi cantly if he Force India. “If he still has the will and drive set to take place in just two referenced “exceptional circum- to be added, with Bahrain and ends up moving to a “For Seb, in his situation he to compete at the top level, then I continents and not three as stances,” the report said. Abu Dhabi at the end of the smallerS team in formula One, has had pretty much his whole hundred per cent think he should specified, a media report said The F1 season only got going in year and possibly Vietnam or fellow driver Daniel Ricciardo career in the sport running at continue in the sport,” Ricciardo yesterday. German magazine early July in Austria after the Malaysia beforehand. But the said yesterday. the front,” Ricciardo, who left added. “But if it is in the midfi eld Auto Motor und Sport said the original first race in Australia in coronavirus situation in the Vettel, who won four world the glitz of Red Bull for Renault it is normally a longer play. You governing FIA wants to invoke March and those that followed Americas means planned races titles at Red Bull, is not having for 2019, was quoted as saying by have to show commitment not force majeure because of the were curtailed by the pandemic. in Canada, the United States, his contract at Ferrari renewed at the F1 website. just for another 12 months but coronavirus pandemic’s impact F1 has put together a new calen- Mexico and Brazil cannot go the end of the season after a dis- “I would say that probably two or three years.” on the F1 calendar. dar with 13 races, three of which ahead. African races or events appointing few years. every year he has contested in F1 Ricciardo is leaving Renault Article 2.4.3.b.ii of the FIA’s have already taken place and in Australasia are not a realistic His options seem limited but he has been on the podium, if not after two seasons for McLaren International Sporting Code all of which will be in Europe possibility this year. (DPA) he has held talks with Racing won. If it is the case that he goes next year.

MOTORCYCLING COMMENT ‘WTA can weather revenue hit but no Quartararo claims normalcy until 2022’

Reuters nancials and your revenues are Mumbai going to drop signifi cantly. “Do we have some big chal- lenges fi nancially? Absolutely. he WTA has a strat- But we do have a strategy, we pole, Marquez quits egy in place to cope do have a plan in place that’s with the fi nancial going to allow us to operate.” strain caused by the Simon, who took over as the TCovid-19 pandemic but chief CEO in 2015, said the plans executive Steve Simon thinks would evolve over the re- the elite women’s Tour will mainder of the year but it has not return to any semblance of ensured that the body would normality before 2022. survive the economic crisis. Andalucia MotoGP The WTA, which has lost “And from a good news a big chunk of tournaments standpoint, our tournaments ‘When he saw that he could not, we have all decided not to race tomorrow’ since the forced shutdown seem to be strong and stable as in early March, will fi nally well, and are weathering it,” he AFP resume after a fi ve-month said. “You never know where Jerez de la Frontera, Spain break with the Palermo Open you might lose one. But it ap- from August 3. pears that most of our calen- All of its tournaments in dar will stay intact if obviously orld champion Marc China this year were cancelled the conditions allow for sport- Marquez will not on Friday after the country’s ing events to be held going for- start the Andalucia Sports Ministry said it would ward.” MotoGP in Jerez af- not host any international China featured prominently Wter dropping out of qualifying on events this year apart from in the provisional calendar for Saturday four days after an op- 2022 Winter Olympic trials. the remainder of 2020 with eration on a broken arm. “The WTA is no diff erent seven tournaments, including “Marc has tried to listen to his than any other business in this the $14 million season-ending body, to see how he responded,” world and everybody’s been WTA Finals in Shenzhen. Honda boss Alberto Puig said. aff ected fi nancially by this,” With some 200,000 new “When he saw that he could Simon told Reuters from the Covid-19 cases being reported not, we have all decided not to United States. globally every day and inter- race tomorrow.” “And we’ve been hit hard, national travel restrictions The six-time Spanish MotoGP just as many other companies still in place, Simon said plans champion broke his right arm in have been as well. If we’re not were changing on an hourly a crash at the delayed season- operating and you’re losing basis and visibility for the rest opening Spanish Grand Prix on 50-60% of your year, your fi - of the year remained clouded. the same track last Sunday and underwent surgery on Tuesday. He was declared fi t to race on Thursday. IOC apologises over 1936 Berlin The Honda rider sat out prac- Olympics film tweet tice on Friday and struggled in Saturday’s third session before The International Olym- Leni Riefenstahl to serve as dropping out of opening quali- pic Committee on Friday Nazi propaganda. The 1936 fying without recording a time. deleted a tweet of film from Games were exploited by Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, Nazi Germany’s 1936 Berlin Adolf Hitler to promote Nazi who won his maiden MotoGP Games which carried the ideas of racial supremacy. race last week, grabbed pole with “stronger together” hashtag The volley of critical reac- a lap of 1min 37.007sec to edge and drew fierce criticism. tions included a tweet from Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales by Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Fabio Quartararo reacts during Andalucia Grand Prix qualifying round in Jerez on Saturday. (Reuters) In the last of a series of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Me- 0.095sec. tweets the IOC apologised to morial and Museum which It was the second consecu- Andalucia Grand Prix starting grids “those who feel off ended.” said the “Nazi dictatorship” tive pole position, and eighth in The original tweet on Thurs- used the Olympics to cam- his MotoGP career, for the young MotoGP 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 0.589 1min 41.728sec, 2. Sam Lowes day was part of a series of ouflage “its racist, milita- Frenchman who rides for the Front row 0.335, 5. Miguel Oliveira (POR/ 4th row (GBR/Kalex) 0.037sec, 3. Enea 30 films showing the flame ristic character” and “to Yamaha satellite team. 1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yama- KTM-Tech3) 0.337, 6. Franco Mor- 10. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 0.593, Bastianini (ITA/Kalex) 0.117 lighting at diff erent Games impress foreign spectators Francesco Bagnaia, an Italian ha-SRT): 1min 37.007sec, 2. Mav- bidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) 0.405 11. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) Moto3 and marking one year to the with an image of a peaceful, with Pramac Racing, was third erick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) at 3rd row 0.899, 12. Pol Espargaro (ESP/ 1. Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN/Honda) start of the postponed Tokyo tolerant Germany.” fastest, 0.169sec behind Quar- 0.095sec, 3. Francesco Bagnaia 7. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati- KTM) 3.270 1min 45.41sec, 2. Ai Ogura (JPN/ Olympics next July. On Friday afternoon, the tararo, to complete the front row (ITA/Ducati-Pramac) 0.169 Pramac) 0.416, 8. Takaaki Nak- Moto2 Honda) 0.285sec, 3. Gabriel “This is turning out to be IOC deleted the film and of the grid. 2nd row agami (JPN/Honda-LCR) 0.457, 9. 1. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Kalex) Rodrigo (ARG/Honda) 0.296 quite a ThrowbackThursday fired out a string of tweets Veteran Italian Valentino Rossi already! Berlin 1936 marked explaining what it had was fourth quickest for Yamaha. the 1st Olympic torch relay intended, highlighting the In the opening practice ses- quez began to struggle to hold rage. “There are many races ahead avoided any serious injuries. to bring the flame to the Owens photos and, in the sion of the morning, Spaniard the line on corners, frequently and the goal is to arrive in Brno Rider OK.” cauldron. We can’t wait for final one, apologising to Vinales had broken the track slowing and swinging wide. ‘A CHAMPION CANNOT in the best way.” Alex Marquez did record a the next one in Japan,” said “those who feel off ended.” record set by Quartararo the “This morning the objective STAY HOME’ If Quartararo wins on Sunday, time, but it was the slowest of the Berlin tweet, followed “The images selected for previous week with a time of was to make fi rst contact with “Either due to the heat or fatigue Marquez could start the Czech the qualifi ers and left him 21st by #StrongerTogether. all the films were chosen 1:36.584, but times slowed in the the bike and we saw that Marc from the morning, he experi- Grand Prix on August 9, 50 and last on the grid. The cheery tone contrasted to deliver the message of intense heat. could still be fast,” said Puig. enced more problems and found points behind. Two other riders nursing in- with the images which, unity and solidarity,” said Marquez meanwhile recorded Because he had failed to record it more diffi cult,” Puig said. A bad qualifying session for juries did make the starting grid, as well as photos of black one tweet. “Those for the only the 20th best time, 1.3sec one of the top 10 times, Marquez “He wanted to try, and we the Marquez family ended with with Briton Cal Crutchlow of the American sprinter and long Olympic Games Berlin 1936 behind Vinales. He was 16th did not have a bye for the fi rst wanted to give him the opportu- younger brother Alex heading Honda satellite team who has a jumper Jesse Owens, also were specifically chosen fastest in the second session, qualifying session. He started nity to do it,” he added. for a medical examination after damaged wrist qualifying 13th showed images of the light- for that purpose, NOT to 0.99sec behind Takaaki Nakaga- but returned to the pits without “A champion cannot stay at crashing his bike on turn fi ve. and Spaniard Alex Rins on a Su- ing of the cauldron, care- celebrate this edition of the mi, who set the fastest time, but posting a time, climbed off his home if he thinks he has the op- Honda quickly tweeted that zuki 20th despite his fractured fully staged by film-maker Games.” (AFP) as the session progressed, Mar- bike and walked out of the ga- tion or a slight chance.” “Alex is back in the box and has and dislocated right shoulder.

TENNIS Halep’s Palermo appearance in doubt aft er Italy’s quarantine order Reuters days will be quarantined upon like (Romanian) Simona Halep, rival and every four days sub- London arrival in Italy, a move aimed at world’s number two and Wim- sequently. preventing the importation of bledon’s reigning champion, “We’re convinced that the Covid-19 cases. who wouldn’t take part in Pal- health protocols adopted by the he upcoming Palermo Palermo will mark the fi rst ermo’s tournament anymore,” WTA are so strict to guarantee Ladies Open could professional tennis event Palma said in a statement. the safety and health not only lose its biggest draw across the WTA and men’s ATP Italy was the fi rst Euro- of athletes, yet also of all the in world number two Tours since early March with pean country to be hit hard by various workers involved in the TSimona Halep after Italy de- action scheduled to get under- the novel coronavirus but the event,” said Palma. cided to impose a mandatory way on the clay courts of the number of daily new infections “I’m convinced that there quarantine of 14 days for peo- Sicilian capital from August 3. being reported is a fraction of are all the necessary condi- ple coming from Romania and Tournament director Ol- those seen in late March. The tions and guarantees to give a Bulgaria amid the coronavirus iviero Palma said organisers country has recorded over derogation for all tennis play- pandemic. have written an urgent letter 35,000 deaths from the virus. ers coming from Romania or Italian Health Minister Rob- to Speranza, asking for exemp- Palermo will have strict Bulgaria, in order to avoid their erto Speranza said on Friday tion for tennis players taking health precautions and all quarantine and, hence, their people who have been in Roma- part in the event. “The provi- players will undergo Covid-19 retirement from the tourna- nia and Bulgaria in the past 14 sion would penalise a player tests before they come, on ar- ment.” Gulf Times Sunday, July 26, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Ibrahimovic too European football big a force for Sweden: Ekdal DPA you have a player of that calibre,” Stockholm, Sweden Ekdal said. “But relying on a single player and survival up for and thus subconsciously slipping ormer Sweden footballer away from one’s own responsibil- Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s ity doesn’t work in football or any intense will to win was other team sport. Nobody reached not always benefi cial for their level or maximum capacity. Fother players on the national “Afterwards I have thought: side, midfi elder Albin Ekdal said Maybe it was the case that grabs in EPL fi nale yesterday. many in the national team were “His gesturing and sharp not able to handle Zlatan’s de- comments lowered some play- mands,” he added. United will be at Leicester in shootout for top-four finish, Chelsea too in running ers’ self-confi dence,” Ekdal said Ekdal, 30, who plays for Serie when refl ecting on the disap- A club Sampdoria, was speak- AFP pointing Euro 2016 tournament, ing on Summer, a popular annual London, United Kingdom when Sweden went out in the radio programme, where people group stage. in the news are invited to fi ll the Euro 2016 was the last time airwaves with their own contri- he Premier League will Ibrahimovic played for Sweden butions and music. fi nally reach the end of before international retirement, Sweden — currently managed its longest season today and Ekdal’s fi rst tournament by Janne Andersson — are now a with plenty still on the with the national side. diff erent side after Ibrahimovic’s Tline at both ends of the table. “Our team consisted of a world departure, Ekdal said. He noted Manchester United and star and 10 decent players who that at the 2018 World Cup fi nals Leicester face each other in were to help him dominate. That in Russia, Sweden were “a tightly a shootout for a place in the tactic did not work,” Ekdal said knit gang, full of harmony and Champions League next season of the gameplan that then coach self-confi dence” as they reached with Chelsea also hoping to se- Erik Hamren devised. the last eight. cure their place in the top four. “Everyone agreed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 38, scored 62 Wolves and Tottenham are should have the ball as much as goals in 116 caps. He currently vying for one place in the Europa possible, that’s reasonable when plays for AC Milan. League. And at the bottom it could not be closer with one goal separat- ing Aston Villa just outside the relegation zone from Watford in the bottom three, while Bourne- mouth also have a chance of beating the drop. Champions League dreams Leicester fell out of the top four for the fi rst time since Septem- ber in midweek after a run of three wins in 13 games either side of the coronavirus shut- down. However, United’s and Chel- sea’s failures to win on Wednes- day means the door is still open for Brendan Rodgers’ men to salvage all the good work they did early in the season with vic- tory on home soil today. AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts during the Serie A match against Leicester are hampered by in- Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (left) is shown a yellow card by referee during the 1-1 draw against West Ham at Old Traff ord in Atalanta at San Siro in Milan, Italy, on Friday. (Reuters) juries to James Maddison, Ben Manchester, United Kingdom, on Wednesday. Failure of United and Chelsea to win on Wednesday means the door is still open for Brendan Chilwell and Ricardo Pereira, Rodgers’ Leicester, who are fifth in the standings. (Reuters) but have had a full week to pre- pare in stark contrast to United’s ons League football next season, Spurs the chance to move into Dean Smith’s men also have better Villa’s result. Arsenal defender Mustafi ruled out of packed schedule. but should Frank Lampard’s men sixth. momentum after a 1-0 win over Should both lose then FA Cup fi nal against Chelsea Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men lose, then a draw between Leices- Jose Mourinho’s side have Arsenal on Tuesday and travel Bournemouth could extend have looked jaded in the past week ter and United would see the latter won their last three and will to a West Ham side now sure their fi ve-season stay in the Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi will miss the FA Cup final in losing 3-1 to Chelsea in the FA two fi nish in the top four. be confi dent ahead of a trip to of their place in the Premier top-fl ight by beating Everton at against Chelsea on Aug. 1 because of a hamstring injury, the Cup semi-fi nals and being held Spurs surge toward Europa Crystal Palace, who have lost League next season. Goodison Park. Premier League club said. Mustafi, 28, sustained the injury during 1-1 at home by West Ham. League Whoever misses out on their last seven games. “Results went our way in the “The next game is the biggest the closing stages of Arsenal’s 2-0 semi-final victory against Man- United have overturned an the Champions League between Seventh could still be good week and we’re above the dot- game of all our careers,” said chester City at Wembley last week. “Will miss remaining matches eight-point defi cit to Leicester United, Chelsea and Leicester enough for European football ted line at the moment,” said Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe. of this season. Further details on recovery programme will be con- since the restart, but Rodgers is will be guaranteed fi fth and a next season, but that depends Smith. firmed in the coming days,” Arsenal said. The German defender hoping it is the Red Devils who place in the Europa League next on Chelsea beating Arsenal in “The most important thing is TODAY’S FIXTURES has received plenty of criticism for his inconsistent displays for fold under the pressure. season. the FA Cup fi nal on August 1. to be above that dotted line on Arsenal v Watford the north London club since his arrival from Valencia in 2016 but “We would love to be able to Wolves are looking to go one Relegation dogfi ght At the Sunday and we know we have to Burnley v Brighton has enjoyed a renaissance under Mikel Arteta, starting 12 of their do that but when you are a club better than their fi ne fi rst cam- bottom, two of Bournemouth, win to guarantee that.” Chelsea v Wolves last 15 Premier League games. Mustafi missed Arsenal’s 2-1 win like Manchester United, or one paign back in the top-fl ight last Watford and Villa will join al- Watford’s sacking of Nigel Crystal Palace v Tottenham against Chelsea in the 2017 FA Cup final because of illness. of those super clubs, there is a season by fi nishing in the top six ready relegated Norwich in the Pearson with just two games of Everton v Bournemouth need to be in the Champions and have the potential to upset Championship next season. the season remaining did the Leicester v Man Utd Man City’s Silva says career beyond League for many reasons,” said Chelsea’s push for the Champi- Villa have the upper hand with Hornets little good in a 4-0 Man City v Norwich Rodgers. ons League at Stamford Bridge. a three-point lead on Bourne- thrashing at the hands of Man- Newcastle v Liverpool wildest dreams Chelsea just need a point at However, any slip from Nuno mouth and a marginally better chester City on Wednesday and Southampton v Sheff Utd home to Wolves to seal Champi- Espirito Santo’s men would give goal diff erence than Watford. they travel to Arsenal needing to West Ham v Aston Villa Manchester City’s David Silva says his trophy-laden career with the Premier League club has exceeded his wildest dreams as he prepares for his final league game against Norwich City today. Silva COMMENT has won 11 trophies in 10 seasons with Manchester City, including four Premier League titles, since arriving from Valencia in 2010. The 34-year-old Spaniard, who has scored 60 goals in 308 league appearances, will depart the Etihad Stadium when his contract Ole counting on United’s past to inspire future glory expires at the end of the season. “When I look back at everything, I could never in my wildest dreams have imagined what I would Reuters achieve,” Silva said. “When you are young, you don’t dream about London, United Kingdom Top four failure won’t be a letdown all of this. You dream about becoming a footballer, a professional footballer, you dream of playing in the top flight — but you never for Leicester: Rodgers think about all the things that you could possibly achieve.” anchester United’s AFP current crop of play- London, United Kingdom ers should look at Football without fans? I’d rather not the club’s tradition play, says Bologna’s Mihajlovic Mand rich history to inspire them rendan Rodgers insists on their own journey to success, Leicester’s season will Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic would rather Serie A was not manager Ole Gunnar Solsk- Bnot be a failure if they played next season if it meant more matches without fans, he said jaer has said. miss out on a place in the yesterday. Mihajlovic, who has continued coaching this season de- United have won a record 20 Champions League yesterday. spite being treated for leukaemia, complained of “frigid football” top-fl ight titles but have failed Rodgers’ side host Manches- and said that matches had been worse than training sessions. “It’s to get their hands on the Premier ter United on the last day of not a question of motivation but playing without an audience is a League trophy since the depar- the Premier League season pain,” he told reporters. “Playing without fans for a long time is tir- ture of manager Alex Ferguson knowing a victory would of reaching European football ing. I know it was the only way to finish the season, but I hope the in 2013. clinch qualification for next and improving our goalscor- stadiums will be open from September. If I had to choose between Solskjaer’s third-placed side, season’s Champions League. ing,” he said. not playing next season or playing behind closed doors, I’d rather whose starting XI this season Leicester are fifth, a point be- “Now we’ve a chance to...this is not play.” Fans have been banned from stadiums because of the have the lowest average age in hind United and Chelsea, after virtually like a barrier-breaking Covid-19 pandemic although sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora the Premier League, travel to an impressive campaign. goal, a goal that will get us into said on Friday that they could be allowed back in September Leicester City today for a game But they have won just two of the Champions League. depending on the public health situation. that could determine whether their eight league games since “It wasn’t really something we they qualify for next season’s the coronavirus hiatus, while spoke about at the begin- Spanish club Fuenlabrada confi rm 12 Champions League. United are unbeaten in their ning of the season because “We want them (the United last 13 Premier League outings. naturally, where the club had new cases of Covid-19 players) to learn about the tradi- United only need a draw to been these last few seasons, tions and history of the club and finish in the top four and a we wanted to try step-by-step Spanish second division team Fuenlabrada confirmed 12 more what the players before them Chelsea draw or win against to arrive there.” positive tests for Covid-19 yesterday, bringing the total number of have done,” Norwegian Solsk- Wolves would end Leicester’s Although Leicester have lost cases at the club to 28. Fuenlabrada’s final Spanish second division jaer told Sky Sports. Champions League bid. the 14-point lead they held match against Deportivo La Coruna was postponed on Monday af- “The club’s former players have Regardless of the result yes- over United in January, Rodg- ter several players tested positive. Of the latest 12, eight were from played so many vital games at the fore them, so it’s great learning.” left United still chasing a top- terday, Rodgers is adamant ers has no regrets. the first team squad and coaching staff that is currently isolated in end of the season — a cup fi nal, a United are third on 63 points, four spot, Solskjaer believes his Leicester are heading into the “The league is over 38 games A Coruna while four were new cases discovered in Madrid where game to win the league, a game to above Chelsea courtesy of a side are well placed to secure a right direction. and people were having us in the club is based. “Fuenlabrada want to express our profound pain get into the Champions League. much better goal diff erence. Champions League berth. “The six targets we had — the Champions League after and concern after the latest round of PCR tests showed a total of “The players now are learning They are also one point ahead of “We hoped to arrive at the last two of those was to get to 20 games. You have to go right 28 positive cases,” the club said in a statement. “There is a total what the other players through fi fth-placed Leicester heading game of the season needing to domestic finals, one was the way to the end,” he said. of 12 new cases. Four of the new cases are in Madrid and they history have been through. Mar- into the fi nal game of the season beat Leicester to go past them semi-final, one was quarter- “There’ll be disappointment haven’t had any contact since the match against Elche on July 17. cus Rashford or Mason Green- knowing a draw will guarantee — I think I said that quite early, final, so we just fell short in if we don’t make it but that The other eight new cases have been giving negative results since wood, they’ve been in the acad- Champions League football. maybe in January,” the United those but met all of the other would whet the appetite for Saturday the 18th and, despite being isolated in their rooms for emy for so many years and seen Although two draws in their boss said. “That was the aim and performance goals, in terms next season.” the last six days, they have tested positive today.” so many players doing this be- last three league games have we’re here now.”

Sunday, July 26, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Sheikh Mohamed’s Aspetar lands Group victory Agencies York, United Kingdom Ali al-Attiyah’s My Belle Du Soleil opens account at La Teste

Agencies Fourcy, My Belle Du Soleil sat in Jerome Cabre, she secured a is Highness Sheikh La Teste-de-Buch, France the middle of the field. Vincent one-two for her trainer Thomas Mohamed bin Khalifa Cheminaud chose to progress Fourcy. Haya Du Prelat was a al-Thani’s homebred in the open stretch and My Belle further length behind in third Aspetar was an impres- he three-year-old filly My Du Soleil answered very profes- under Guillaume Trolley De Hsive winner of the Group 2 Sky Belle Du Soleil, a General sionally. Prevaux. She is trained by T. De Bet York Stakes yesterday. Thalf-sister to the cham- She took the lead at the 300m Lauriere. Second to Magny Cours on his pion Amyr Du Soleil, made a mark and was never really in Fourcy said My Belle Du Soleil reappearance, the fi ve-year-old perfect debut winning the Prix danger, despite the good eff ort could be aimed for the Breeders’ gelding was never in danger this Mangalie d’Albret (Maiden) at La of Alawjs, and won by one and a Cup in September and then the time. He won the 2,100m race for Teste yesterday. half lengths. Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouli- three-year-olds and older horses It was the first time out for the Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred ches (Group 1 PA) in October by one-and-a-half lengths un- filly owned by Ali bin Hamad Alawsj, on her debut as well, during the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de der Jason Watson for trainer Rog- al-Attiyah. Trained by Thomas was the runner-up. Ridden by Triomphe weekend. er Charlton. Fox Chairman was the run- ner up under Silvestre De Sousa. He is trained by Andrew Bald- ing. Lord Glitters was a further half length behind in third. He is trained by David O’Meara and was ridden by Daniel Tudhope. “He’s been very progressive. We’ve always liked him, and this year he’s been a lot more relaxed at home. We’ve taken our time with Jason Watson (left) rides Aspetar to Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2) victory at York in the United Kingdom him,” Watson said. “He ran a nice yesterday. (Racingfotos) race back at Sandown a couple of weeks ago and we’ve come here “He’s quite versatile with trip. stayers lack, which plays into our I didn’t think we’d win like we quite confi dent. Although he’s not A mile, a mile and a quarter, a mile hands. I didn’t have to do a lot did. He’s improved massively and always the most straightforward, and a half! He’s a small horse, but today - nice and smooth through keeps on improving, so we’ll just he’s matured plenty and he put the well-built with a good turn of the gears and he’s done it well. It see how he comes out of this, but Vincent Cheminaud (left) rides My Belle Du Soleil to her maiden victory yesterday. (Robert Polin) race to bed very well today. foot. That’s what some of these was a competitive race today and he was impressive today.”

FOOTBALL / FRENCH CUP COMMENT Current season is most diffi cult in Neymar fi res PSG Serie A history: Juventus’ Sarri late fi nishes and empty stadi- to title but Mbappe ums. “What mark would I give Ju- ventus so far? A good one be- cause this is the most diffi cult championship in the history of Italian football,” Sarri told re- porters ahead of today’s match at home to Sampdoria. suff ers ankle injury “In the light of the obvious diffi culties, I think the team has performed well.... This is an ‘Everyone is worried. Everyone who saw the foul is worried. Of course I’m worried’ atypical phase. It’s never hap- pened before that we’ve played AFP the championship in July.” Paris, France Juventus will clinch the title if they win on Sunday, having missed a fi rst chance to wrap it eymar scored the up on Thursday when they lost winning goal as Paris 2-1 to a stoppage-time goal at Saint-Germain de- Reuters Udinese. feated 10-man Saint- Rome, Italy However, Sarri was pleased NEtienne 1-0 in the French Cup with the team’s attitude. fi nal on Friday, the fi rst compet- “We lost our shape and organ- itive fi xture in the country since he current season has isation in Udine but the positive March 11 following the corona- been the most diffi cult in thing is that it happened because virus pandemic. Italian football history, we were trying so hard to win,” he However, coach Tho- Juventus coach Mau- said. “I prefer to lose because of mas Tuchel faces an anxious Trizio Sarri said yesterday as he that than for being too passive, wait over the fi tness of Kylian tried to explain the Serie A lead- which has also happened a few Mbappe ahead of next month’s ers’ inconsistent form over the times.” Champions League quarter- last month. Sarri said there was little time fi nal against Atalanta after the Although they have a fi ve- to prepare for games. France star limped off in tears point advantage with three “We are not doing any kind during the fi rst half with an an- games to play, Juve have only won of preparation because, playing kle injury. once in their last fi ve matches every 72 hours, it’s not possible. The World Cup winner was and have kept their lead because We’ll prepare for tomorrow’s later seen emerging from the rivals Inter Milan and Lazio have game in 30 or 40 minutes tomor- tunnel on crutches following also slumped. row morning,” he added. a dreadful challenge that re- Serie A is being completed in “Clearing you head after a sulted in the dismissal of Saint- a hectic six weeks after a three- game and then recharging for Etienne captain Loic Perrin. month novel coronavirus stop- the next one in a few days is not “Everyone is worried. Eve- page and teams are having to simple and does not always come ryone who saw the foul is wor- cope with high temperatures, automatically.” ried. Of course I’m worried,” said Tuchel. “I’m very happy because we won but we have to stay patient because we don’t Inter overcome Genoa to put have any news. I think he will Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the French Cup final against Saint-Etienne at Stade de France in undergo tests tonight.” Saint-Denis, outside Paris on Friday. (AFP) pressure on Juventus Yesterday, the club said of Reuters have a game in hand away to Mbappe’s injury in a statement: lowing a VAR review. Genoa, Italy Bologna today. “Serious right ankle sprain to Emotions boiled over with fi ve the external lateral compart- players booked in the aftermath KULUSEVSKI CURLS IN LATE ment. To be re-evaluated in 72 following an ugly melee, but the nter Milan put more pres- WINNER FOR PARMA hours with clinical and ankle greater concern for PSG will be sure on stuttering Serie A Parma midfielder Dejan Kulu- imaging analysis.” the severity of Mbappe’s injury. Ileaders Juventus when two sevski gave another glimpse PSG secured the fi rst of a po- The France star reappeared goals by Romelu Lukaku and of his potential by curling in a tential three trophies this sum- from the tunnel on crutches one from Alexis Sanchez gave stunning winner as they beat mer, claiming a record-extend- in the second half, with less them a 3-0 win at relegation- relegated Brescia 2-1 away. ing 13th French Cup with the than three weeks before PSG’s threatened Genoa yesterday. The 20-year-old set up Parma’s League Cup fi nal against Lyon Champions League tie against Inter, who have two games left, opening goal when he latched to come next Friday before the Atalanta on August 12. moved above Atalanta into onto Gervinho’s pass and resumption of their European Moulin kept Saint-Etienne second place with 76 points, pulled the ball back for Matteo campaign in Portugal. in with a remote shot of ending four behind Juventus who Darmian to score in the 59th “It was very diffi cult, which is their 43-year wait for a seventh host Sampdoria today. Juve, minute although Daniele Des- perhaps the best thing,” added PSG’s Kylian Mbappe grimaces in pain after sustaining an injury during the French Cup final against French Cup title, repelling Mau- who have three games to play, sena pounced on a mix-up in Tuchel, whose side added to Saint-Etienne at Stade de France on Friday. (Reuters) ro Icardi and Di Maria before will wrap up the title if they the Parma defence to equalise their Ligue 1 title awarded in spreading himself superbly to beat Sampdoria but they have three minutes later. April after the season was ended the lives of over 30,000 peo- fi ring Saint-Etienne ahead when stop to tip over from Di Maria, deny Pablo Sarabia. looked shaky recently with one In the 81st minute, with a prematurely. ple in France, and in support of his strike rebounded back off earning plaudits from the Ar- The goalkeeper even raced win in five games. throw-in into the Brescia area, The fi nal at the Stade de frontline workers. Keylor Navas’s left-hand post. gentine himself. forward for a late corner but PSG Lukaku headed Inter in front in the ball was laid off to Kulu- France was the fi rst offi cial PSG had racked up 20 goals Saint-Etienne’s hopes of held fi rm to atone for last year’s the 34th minute and, although sevski and he met it first time match in one of Europe’s top without reply in three friend- NEYMAR SLAMS HOME fi ghting back were hampered defeat in the fi nal by Rennes on Inter were far from impres- and curled his shot into the far football nations to allow fans lies building up to the fi nal, but Unfazed by that scare, PSG led midway through the fi rst half penalties, clinching the trophy sive, Sanchez made the game corner from an unlikely angle. to attend since March, albeit Yvann Macon’s crunching tackle on 14 minutes as Mbappe burst though when the veteran Perrin, for the fi fth time in the past six safe with seven minutes left. Kulusevski was loaned to in severely restricted numbers on Neymar in the fi rst minute into the area after an exchange on likely his fi nal appearance seasons. Lukaku added the third, his Parma by Atalanta before the with just 2,805 spectators — in- suggested no such goodwill with Angel Di Maria and Neymar for the club, was sent off for a “It’s really tough to take, 23rd league goal of the season, start of the season. Atalanta cluding French President Em- would be aff orded by Saint- crashed home the rebound via the dreadful challenge on Mbappe. especially like that. We had in stoppage time. sold him to Juventus in a manuel Macron — inside the Etienne in their fi rst French Cup underside of the crossbar after a He required lengthy treat- chances and we pushed them,” Genoa stayed 17th with 36 35mn euro ($40.79mn) deal in 80,000-seater venue. fi nal appearance since 1982. fi ne save from Jessy Moulin. ment but was forced off after his said Moulin. points, four clear of the relega- January although he remained A minute’s applause was held The challenge set the tone for Bouanga twice forced Navas right ankle was trapped between “There are things to be tion zone although Lecce, who at Parma for the rest of the ahead of kick-off for the victims a fractious opening period and to turn away while Moulin pro- the legs of Perrin, whose yellow pleased about but losing a fi nal are immediately below them, season. of Covid-19, which has claimed Denis Bouanga was inches from duced a sensational one-handed card was upgraded to red fol- is always hard to digest.”