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Thursday, June 7, 2018 FOOTBALL Ramadan 22, 1439 AH Dropping Man GULF TIMES City star Sane is a risk for Germany SPORT Page 2 ATHLETICS Barshim up for a ‘fi ght’ for supremacy in Oslo

By Sports Reporter pion Danil Lysenko with 2.32m. Lysenko has closest to Javier Sotomayor’s 25-year-old Doha indoor eff orts of 2.37m and 2.36m this year, record of 2.45m, goes high enough to prove and would have blown away the cobwebs in the Cuban right, who earlier this year said his outdoor debut in Eugene. “only Barshim could break my mark”. I would rather lose jumping 2.45m “I came here to fi ght,” Barshim said ahead Also in action today is Barshim’s com- than winning with 2.30m for exam- of today’s Bislett Games. “I am greedy, I patriot Abderrahman Samba, who has ple,” Mutaz Barshim had said ahead want everything. I always speak to my coach screamed out of the blocks so far this year of the Diamond League season-open- before a competition and say, ‘coach if you and has cracked 48 seconds on each of his er“ in Doha earlier this year. could give me one piece of advice what three outings in 400m hurdles. The most Like any champion the Qatari high jump would it be?’ but tomorrow he just said, ‘go recent of those came in Rome last week, star is hungry for quality competition that and jump, jump high,’ so hopefully I will do where Samba came from behind to win in an in turn also pushes him to do better. that.” Asian record of 47.48. And that’s exactly what Barshim, who With not many major championships Samba will be up against world cham- turns 27 later this month, is going to get lined up for this season Barshim said his pion Karsten Warholm, who has shown a when he lines up at the Oslo Diamond goals were very clear — records. particular liking for Bislett Stadium, having League event today. “I’m on the right approach to this and announced his arrival here last year when he The world champion and the 2017 Male hopefully it will go this year,” he said. “There set a national record of 48.25. World Athlete of the Year cleared 2.40m at aren’t too many championships to focus on In Rome, Warholm was quick in the fi rst home in May, becoming the only athlete to so my goal coming to every meet is records. 300 metres but conceded the lead to Sam- have hit the mark for six straight seasons, I want to go higher this year. I’m coming to ba. Yasmani Copello of Turkey and Kerron before winning in Eugene with 2.36m. do my best.” Clement, the reigning Olympic champion, Close on his heels was world indoor cham- For all you know, the man, who has come are also in the line-up.

TENNIS / FRENCH OPEN Rain cuts short Rafa fi ghtback, Muguruza crushes Sharapova Spanish third seed, who was the champion in Paris in 2016, swept aside the Russian 6-2, 6-1 in an hour and 10 minutes

AFP Paris

afael Nadal was locked in a French Open quarter-fi nal tussle with Argentinian Di- egoR Schwartzman when rain ended play yesterday, after Gar- bine Muguruza thrashed Maria Sharapova to reach a last-four showdown with top seed Simona Halep. World number one Nadal lost his fi rst set at Roland Garros in three years, and when bad weath- er fi rst interrupted the match the 10-time champion was in serious trouble with Schwartzman up a break in the second. The players briefl y returned to the court, giving the 32-year- old Spaniard enough time to reel off three straight games, but the rains came again for a second and fi nal time when he was serving for the set. The match will resume today with Schwartzman leading 6-4, 3-5 (15-30). The winner of the match will play either third seed Marin Cilic or Schwartzman’s compatriot Juan Martin del Potro. Their last-eight match was level at 6-6 (5/5) in a fi rst-set tie- break on Court Suzanne Lenglen after Del Potro had earlier missed Spain’s Garbine Muguruza returns the ball to Russia’s Maria Sharapova (right) during their women’s singles quarter-final match on day eleven of fi ve break points. the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris yesterday. (AFP) Nadal had won 37 consecutive sets at Roland Garros since his blew a 40-15 lead, capped by two Rome Masters fi nal last month, Current number one Halep errors, was broken six times and 2015 quarter-fi nal defeat by No- wild forehands. managed three in a row this time made the semi-fi nals for the served six double faults in only vak Djokovic, but dropped serve The Court Philippe Chatrier, before play was ended for the day. third time by battling past Ger- her fi fth loss from 25 Grand Slam three times to the enterpris- which was half-full during Mu- many’s Angelique Kerber 6-7 (2), quarter-fi nals. ing Schwartzman in an exciting guruza’s dismantling of Shara- MUGURUZA CRUSHES 6-3, 6-2. “To have had the victories that opener. pova earlier in the afternoon, was SHARAPOVA Sharapova, playing at Roland I have had, to have the results that The 25-year-old took his third packed with a crowd living every Muguruza condemned Shara- Garros for the fi rst time since I have, obviously moving a step set point with a rasping forehand point when rain started to fall. pova to her heaviest Grand Slam 2015, suff ered her most one-sid- in the right direction,” said the up the line, after being made to Play continued though, with defeat in more than six years and ed defeat at the Slams since a 6-3, fi ve-time Grand Slam champion wait when a spectator fell ill in the set following a similar pat- will face top seed Simona Halep 6-0 loss to Victoria Azarenka in who had made the last-eight in the stands. tern to the fi rst, as Nadal broke for a place in the fi nal against ei- the 2012 Australian Open fi nal. Madrid and semis in Rome in the Nadal made 14 unforced er- back before dropping his serve ther Sloane Stephens or Madison “I am very pleased to be in an- run-up to Paris. rors and struck just four winners to 15. Keys. other fi nal in Paris,” said Mugu- “But today was certainly not in a poor fi rst set, before having The players were forced off the The Spanish third seed, who ruza who has yet to drop a set in one of those steps.” both of his wrists strapped by the court for 40 minutes, but when was the champion in Paris in the tournament and claimed her Two-time runner-up Halep trainer. they returned Nadal levelled for 2016, swept aside the Russian fi rst win over Sharapova in four came back from a set down for Schwartzman, who had nev- 3-3 and let out a trademark roar 6-2, 6-1 in just an hour and 10 meetings. the second time in the tourna- er even reached a Grand Slam of ‘vamos’. minutes. “I was up against a great player ment to see off 12th seed Kerber, quarter-fi nal until last year’s US The Spaniard, who won fi ve Her semi-fi nal with Halep will so I had to make sure I brought who was bidding to become the Open, broke fi rst in the second straight games after a rain delay also decide the world number my best tennis.” fi rst German woman in the last- Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman became the first man to take a set off set as Nadal uncharacteristically to beat Alexander Zverev in the one spot next week. Sharapova made 27 unforced four since Steffi Graf in 1999. Spain’s Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in three years. (AFP) Gulf Times 2 Thursday, June 7, 2018 FOOTBALL

WORLD CUP Russia says ready to thwart WC Dropping City star Sane security threats Moscow: Russia said yester- day it was ready to thwart any threats to the World Cup, which kicks off in Moscow next week, as a massive is a risk for Germany security eff ort ramps up. The security “measures are really unprecedented... They are based on our experience with Forward has not repeated his league form for Germany and Brandt off ers more tactical flexibility such events and we have also studied international By Martin Laurence experience,” said Alexei The Guardian Lavrishchev, head of security operations in the FSB domes- tic security service. here have been a number of At least 600,000 interna- surprising omissions from tional visitors are expected to World Cup squads this summer travel to Russia for the World – Mauro Icardi, Radja Nainggo- Cup, which will see matches Tlan, Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere among played in 11 cities from June them – but Joachim Löw’s decision to 14 through July 15. Russia leave Leroy Sané at home has undoubt- hosted the 2014 Winter Olym- edly been the biggest. The PFA Young pics in Sochi, which went off Player of the Year and Premier League without a hitch. winner enjoyed a superb season for “Today, there are no Manchester City, with his absence from threats we have detected the Germany squad shining further against the participants and light on the remarkable talent at the visitors to the World Cup,” La- reigning champions’ disposal. vrishchev told a news confer- Faced with the choice of Sané and Ju- ence. “Nevertheless, after the lian Brandt for his fi nal spot out wide, long years of preparations we Löw went with the Bayer Leverkusen have created a clear security youngster. “That was a very close de- plan and we are ready to cision between him [Sané] and Julian avert and overcome any Brandt,” said the head coach. “Draxler, security threats...” he said. Reus and Müller are set. Leroy is a huge Security measures have talent. He will be back again from Sep- been stepped up in the cities tember. He had not arrived in interna- hosting matches, with some tional matches yet. It was a very close business activities limited decision. If it was a 100 metre race, it and the mayor of at least would have been a photo fi nish. There one city urging residents are certainly easier days in the life of a who don’t plan to attend the national team head coach than the day games to go to their country where I have to send players home. The Leroy Sane scored 10 goals homes. Anton Gusev, the disappointment was huge, as you would and set up 15 more in his 27 interior ministry’s point man expect. It’s as if you are stood at the appearances for Manchester for the World Cup, said all of check-in desk for your fl ight to Moscow, City this season but has not Russia’s various police and but are then prevented from boarding.” fired for Germany. (AFP) security forces have been None of the players picked instead mobilised to ensure safety. of Sané can match his statistics for the He declined to provide a season just fi nished. The City forward number of police and securi- scored 10 goals and set up 15, meaning ty forces staff that have been he had a direct hand in 25 goals – more assigned to the World Cup. than any player under 23 in Europe’s Russia has more to worry top fi ve leagues. In comparison, Brandt about than violence breaking scored a respectable nine goals in the out among football fans. Is- Bundesliga but registered just three as- lamic State and the Al Qaeda sists; Marco Reus scored seven goals in have made numerous threats 11 appearances for Borussia Dortmund against the country since but did not pick up a single assist; and also favoured as he has more experi- employed the same tactic over and over tional team, he is not the same threat. Mesut Özil if necessary. Moscow intervened in the Julian Draxler had a direct hand in just ence of playing from the right fl ank – again this season as they racked up 106 In general play he doesn’t have the same Germany should have little problem Syria conflict. FIFA, the world nine league goals at PSG where he was in where Müller is the only other option league goals. Kevin De Bruyne or David technical ability as those players chosen escaping a group containing Mexico, football governing body, has and out of the team. In addition, Sané’s in the squad. Both players are the same Silva would pick a pass between the op- ahead of him. Sweden and South Korea but vari- said it has full confidence average of 3.2 successful dribbles per 90 age, 22, but the Leverkusen winger has posing full-back and centre-back for Sané off ers something the squad ety will become more important in the in Russia’s ability to ensure minutes was substantially more than earned more international caps (15 to their wingers to collect, cut in and roll lacks: electric pace and unpredictable latter stages of the tournament, their security for the World Cup. Draxler (2.4), Brandt (1.7) and Reus (1.3) Sané’s 12) and, while Brandt has not the ball across the six-yard box for a movement, which would be a weapon natural habitat – they have reached the The host nation will achieved and his ability to get in behind exactly set the world alight at interna- tap-in. from the bench at the very least. How- semi-fi nals, at the very least, in their kick off the action against opposing defenders is something Ger- tional level, he has at least scored for his That tactic helped Sané post ex- ever, his performances on the interna- last six major tournaments. If the reign- Saudi Arabia on June 14 in many may may miss. country – unlike Sané. ceptional fi gures, with his assist tally tional scene haven’t stacked up to those ing champions fail to reach the last four, the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki That being said, Löw made the deci- Sané has impressed for City but he almost entirely dependent on that of Marco Reus – who has missed the last Löw should expect to fi eld plenty of stadium in Moscow, the his- sion with the philosophy of the national hasn’t come close to replicating his blueprint. Sané hugged the touchline two major tournaments through injury questions about whether it was a mis- toric crucible of Soviet and team in mind. Dribbling is not as im- league form for Germany, who do not before bursting behind his full-back, but is fi t again – and Julian Draxler, who take to overlook a player who has been Russian sport, which will also portant to Germany as picking a pass use the width of the pitch the way Pep but Germany do not play that way. With is something of a favourite of the coach in blistering form for his club, if not his host the final. through the opposition. Brandt was Guardiola’s team do. Manchester City Sané’s best traits underused by the na- given his ability to switch positions with country, over the last year.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Uzbekistan get behind top referee Controversy took toll on AFP Tashkent Germany star Gundogan

hen the World Cup kicks off in AFP my president”, which was imme- Russia next week, football lov- Berlin diately pounced upon by Germa- ers in Uzbekistan will be roar- ny’s political right. ing on a remarkable referee “Why does Gundogan play for Wrather than their national team. Ravshan fter being booed by the German national team, if he Irmatov, 40, is something of a contradic- Germany fans last precognises Erdogan as his pres- tion in international football and an unlikely weekend, Ilkay ident?” tweeted AfD politician hero in the central Asian state. Gundogan admits be- Beatrix von Storch. Going into the tournament in Russia ingA aff ected by the criticism he However, Gundogan says the where at least two million Uzbek migrants and Mesut Ozil received in the criticism was unfair to both him live, Irmatov has offi ciated more World Cup wake of their controversial meet- and Ozil, who has stopped com- matches than any other referee in history. ing with Turkey president Recep menting on the controversy. “In He is widely regarded as one of the top ref- Tayyip Erdogan. recent years, we have done a lot erees in the game. “Some of the reactions hit to promote integration in Ger- Yet the country he represents has never me, especially the personal in- many,” said Gundogan, also re- graced the sport’s most prestigious event. sults,” Manchester City star ferring to Ozil. “They are getting closer all the time. This Gundogan told reporters at Ger- “We don’t just have the Turk- time they just missed out,” the softly- many’s World Cup training camp ish side in us because of our par- spoken Irmatov said as he warmed up for a Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov has off iciated more World Cup matches than any other in northern Italy. “I understand fans, but when your own fans do ents and our families. We were clash between the Uzbek league’s third and referee in history. (AFP) that not everyone had to like it. it, that’s hard to live with — let’s born and raised in Gelsenkirch- fourth-placed sides. “Our people love foot- I’m always open to criticism, see how it is in Leverkusen,” said en. The city has a very high share ball and our new president has made devel- himself accepting requests to pose for pic- pleasure from refereeing.” everyone has their own opinion, Gundogan. of immigrants. It was therefore a oping football a priority. I am confi dent we tures and sign autographs. It is a celebrity Uzbek interest in the tournament in Rus- that’s why we have freedom of Last month, he and Arse- deep blow for me that it is pre- will see Uzbekistan at the World Cup soon, that seems ill-suited to a man who exudes sia will be especially keen given the huge expression. That’s what I stand nal midfi elder Ozil unwittingly sented in such a way that we are perhaps at Qatar in 2022.” hard work and humility. numbers of Uzbek citizens who live and for, and that’s exactly why I feel stirred up tensions between An- not integrated and would not live It would not be surprising if Irmatov, who At a recent match pitting FC Bunyod- work there and the relatively low cost of privileged to be born and raised kara and Berlin by posing for by German values. We were there was the youngest referee at his fi rst World kor against a team from the historic city of fl ights between the two countries. For Irma- in Germany, but I also don’t want pictures with Erdogan during his because Turkish-born football- Cup in South Africa in 2010, made it to that Bukhara, the announcement over the PA tov, the dream of making it to Russia with his to insulted.” three-day visit to Britain ahead of ers from the Premier League were tournament, too. Little-known in Europe system of his name was greeted by a volley of offi ciating team began the moment the Bra- Germany kick-off their World the Turkey elections on June 24. invited to a foundation event and prior to 2010, where he tied a record for enthusiastic applause. During the tourna- zil World Cup wrapped up. Cup campaign against Mexico German Football Associa- the photo was taken there.” the most matches refereed in a single tour- ment in Brazil in 2014, the hashtag #Irma- “We had to sacrifi ce a lot, work hard in in Moscow on June 17 having tion (DFB) president Reinhard Gundogan and Ozil even met nament (fi ve), Irmatov had already been tovBest trended on Twitter, as Uzbek users every training session with one goal: to get also drawn Sweden and South Grindel said the pair had allowed Germany’s president Frank- named Asia’s best referee two years running showered praise on their compatriot and to Russia,” said Irmatov. “Of course the fact Korea in Group F. However, ‘die themselves to be “manipulated” Walter Steinmeier in Berlin in by the Asian Football Confederation. lobbied — unsuccessfully as it turned out — that so many of our people will be there and Mannschaft’ is winless in their and there were even calls to drop the wake of the controversy be- He has now earned that honour a total for him to offi ciate the fi nal. will travel there means that it is a special op- last fi ve games after losing 2-1 at them from the World Cup squad. fore holding clear-the-air talks of fi ve times and has refereed the fi nal of But Irmatov’s arrival on the world referee- portunity to bring joy to our supporters.” Austria on Saturday, when Gun- Yildirim Demiroren, the boss of with Grindel and senior German the Club World Cup twice, but still looks ing circuit was only made possible thanks to But even if their focus will be fi rmly on dogan and Ozil were booed early the Turkish Football Federation FA (DFB) fi gures. “The experi- back on the opening match in South Africa, an injury that ended his playing career and a the man wearing black shorts, Irmatov will on by travelling German fans in (TFF) fi red back that Grindel’s ence (the fall-out) wasn’t easy, where he also refereed a semi-fi nal, with surprise induction into the world of offi ciat- be doing what he can to stay out of the lime- Klagenfurt. comments were “slanderous” as, because of our Turkish roots, special fondness. ing during a youth match in Tashkent. light. Gundogan hopes things im- and had heightened tensions we still have very strong connec- “To be the youngest referee in the tourna- “My father was in charge of a youth team “A referee should not be going out onto prove in Leverkusen on Friday with Turkey and Germany both tions to Turkey,” said Gundogan. ment and get selected to offi ciate a match and I was helping him. During one of their the pitch trying to be the man of the match,” when the world champions aim vying to host the Euro 2024 fi - “But that doesn’t mean that people have been waiting for for four years games, the designated referee did not arrive. he said. “First and foremost our job is to pre- for a moral-boosting win in a nals. we have ever said that Mr Stein- was unbelievable. I felt like I was walking in My father gave me a whistle and said ‘Do serve the image of football. As long as you friendly against Saudi Arabia, German politicians laid into meier is not our president or Mrs a dream. I had to pinch myself,” he said. as best as you can,’” he recalled. “I didn’t respect the spirit (of the sport) and protect who play Russia in the World Cup the footballers, especially after Merkel is not our Chancellor. It Wherever Irmatov goes in Tashkent, Uz- have any yellow or red cards but it some- footballers from injuries, they will respect opener on June 14. “You’re used Gundogan presented Erodgan was never about making a politi- bekistan’s capital of 2.5mn people, he fi nds how clicked for me. I found that I got a lot of you, too.” to being whistled by opposing with a Man City shirt, signed “to cal statement.” Gulf Times Thursday, June 7, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Russia throws England have racism off isolation as plan but walk-off it gears up for unlikely: Southgate the World Cup England defender Danny Rose has told his family not to attend the World Cup because he fears they may be racially abused in Russia

Reuters London

ngland have a plan to deal with any cases of racism that emerge at the World Cup, manager Gareth Southgate said yesterday after fullbackE Danny Rose said he had told his family not to come to Russia for fear of racism. But he said it was unlikely to involve walking off the pitch. “The players, like everyone else, don’t really know what to expect,” he said. “We have had conver- sations explaining that. We are all hope- ful that it will go well, but we are having conversations in case (racism) happens. We have a plan in place. We have per- sonal support, team support and offi cial protocol in place,” Southgate told a news conference. Rose, who suff ered personal racial abuse when he played for England’s un- der-21s in Serbia in 2012, told the Evening Standard: “I’ve told my family I don’t Tourists pose for pictures with a statue of Zabivaka, the off icial want them going out there because of rac- mascot for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow yesterday. (AFP) ism and anything else that may happen.” Southgate said that the players and AFP winter’s Pyeongchang Games staff had discussed the issue but sug- Moscow completed a picture of relations gested that, if there were incidents, leav- in utter tatters. Yet Putin has ing the fi eld was not likely to be an option. emerged from all this looking as “In an idealistic world people would say ussia throws opens its strong as ever. to walk off the pitch but that means we doors for the World Cup The Kremlin also does little to would be thrown out of the tournament, in a week’s time, with hide its pleasure at seeing the ef- which... many people would agree with. superstars Cristiano fective failure of eff orts by some “I don’t think the players would want RonaldoR and Lionel Messi per- in England and eastern Europe to that because they have worked all their forming in a country sharply at organise a diplomatic boycott of lives to play at a World Cup. odds with some of the partici- Putin’s party. England will not be It’s important to get the balance right pating countries. sending diplomats or royalty to but it will be tough to please everybody. The month-long celebration the opening ceremony in protest I think everyone knows how tight-knit a of the world’s most popular sport over the Skripal case. group we are,” he added. has been haunted by fears over Sweden and Iceland along The England manager, who said his England manager Gareth Southgate (second right) and captain Harry Kane during a training session yesterday. (Reuters) racism and violence as well as with a few others may follow team were “the most diverse” to be sent diplomatic spats. But Vladimir suit by keeping their prime min- to a World Cup said he had sympathy for personal experience of that. I asked him ENGLAND TO ROTATE WORLD CUP “We will make a lot of changes and Putin has left no stone unturned isters and heads of state home. Rose over the issue. “I wasn’t aware of the in front of the group because it might be SQUAD AGAINST COSTA RICA Trent Alexander-Arnold will get a de- making sure the biggest event But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry conversation he had had with his family. helpful for the younger members of the England will ring the changes for today’s but. One of the keys of us getting through Russia has seen since Moscow’s Peskov said he expected to see Everything else he has said he talked to us group to hear that. He talked about the friendly against Costa Rica in Leeds with these two matches was to try and make 1980 Moscow Summer Olym- a “heavy traffi c of guests at the about because we had a meeting with the fi nes that seem to have not had any im- Southgate warning against complacency sure every member of our squad gets... pics seduces a sceptical world. highest level” coming to match- players a few nights ago. pact. We have this situation because of and keen to give his entire squad playing game time. You want to know who is in Twelve sparkling stadiums in es. Russia’s problems do not end “For the benefi t of the other players a lack of education, generally speaking. time before the World Cup. form and any time a player has 10 min- 11 cities spanning the European in the high-brow world of inter- I asked him to share his experiences in We are decades into having a multi-racial England beat Nigeria 2-1 at Wembley on utes or 90 minutes on the fi eld they have portion of the world’s largest national relations. The bloody Serbia. What was clear was that he felt society and we are far from perfect. And Saturday and will face a tricky test against an opportunity to make a statement in the country are ready after getting beating English fans got at the let down by the authorities, and that was other nations are sadly still not at the fellow-qualifi ers Costa Rica, who reached way they play,” he added. their last licks of paint. hands of nearly 200 Russian sad to hear. He is part of our team and part same stage that we are,” he added. the quarter-fi nals four years ago in Brazil. While England’s World Cup lineup has The host nation will kick off thugs at Euro 2016 in France has of our family for the next few months, so The England manager said he hoped One change to his side that Southgate begun to take shape in Southgate’s mind, the action against Saudi Arabia plagued preparations as much as we intend to protect our players. No one his team would serve as an example of confi rmed yesterday is that Stoke City he said there remained some openings on June 14 in the 80,000-capac- any dispute with the West. knows what is going to happen in Russia multiculturalism working. “The biggest goalkeeper Jack Butland will start ahead for players who can make an impression. ity Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Neo-Nazi hooligans who or- but he felt there could be something his impact we can have is as one of the most of Everton’s Jordan Pickford, who has “There are defi nitely places up for grabs the historic crucible of Soviet ganise mass fi ghts in forests and family experiences and he thought that diverse squads to have left England, and been handed the number one shirt. “For for the fi rst game of the tournament,” said and Russian sport, which will chant racist slurs at players have might distract from his football.” the way that they all get on, and hope- sure Jack Butland plays in goal,” South- Southgate, adding he had full confi dence also host the fi nal. Brazil’s Ney- lorded over Russian stadiums for “I sympathise 100%. He has had a fully, that message will come through.” gate said. on youngster Alexander-Arnold. mar has recovered from a long- years. The anti-discrimination term injury to join Argentina’s network Fare said Russia’s foot- Messi and Portugal’s Ronaldo to ball federation was making mat- BOTTOMLINE fi ght for the right to lift the tro- ters worse by punishing those phy on July 15. who reacted to racist abuse “while Almost every second person ignoring the perpetrators”. on Earth tuned into the last edi- Security services have either tion of the spectacular in Brazil locked up or checked in on hun- Russia laments winless streak days before WC in 2014. That tournament saw dreds of hoodlums to make sure AFP the hosts suff er a traumatic 7-1 they do nothing to tarnish Rus- Moscow beating by Germany in the semi- sia’s image in the coming weeks. fi nals that left a nation obsessed The scare tactics have worked. by football in shock. Some football gang members say he question confronting Russian Eventual champions Germany they will be skipping town once football fans ahead of the World and Brazil again top a list of fa- the games begin to avoid get- Cup is whether the host nation’s vourites that also includes Spain ting rounded up. “However, we team can actually get any worse. and past winners Argentina and do not have as much confi dence TOn Tuesday, Russia extended their win- France. Russia’s chances of doing in the prevention of non-violent less streak with a 1-1 home draw against something special are modest. racist incidents (at the World Turkey. It meant Stanislav Cherchesov’s The hosts are the second- Cup), despite the many well in- side have failed to chalk up a single victo- lowest ranked team of the 32 in tentioned reassurances,” Fare ry in eight months. Cherchesov, a former the fi nal and are riven by inter- said in a report issued last week. Russian international goalkeeper, has fi ve nal squabbles and injuries. Putin Yet the world’s focus in the fi - wins, six draws and nine defeats since counters that Russia will come nal week before kickoff will not be taking over in August 2016, but his recent out tops simply by pulling off the on politics or Russia’s underworld record is even less impressive. most expensive World Cup ever but things like Neymar’s right Tuesday’s draw meant he is Russia’s staged while struggling under foot. Brazil’s latest heir apparent fi rst manager ever to fail to win in seven the weight of international sanc- to Pele sparked national panic by consecutive games. Cherchesov insists tions. “The organisers,” said Pu- undergoing surgery on a broken that gaining experience ahead of the tin when asked to pick this year’s bone near his toe on March 3. World Cup, which Russia opens against likely winner. The 26-year-old’s return Saudi Arabia in Moscow on June 14, was Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov (right) is under pressure after a string of losses. (Reuters) The West’s penalties are a re- could not have been more trium- more important than the results. sponse to an ever more aggres- phant as he scored a fi ne goal in a “Russia will perform well,” he insisted grammes, was not disturbed by the re- former Manchester United star and Rus- tier, said afterwards. “The team showed sive foreign policy Putin has 2-0 defeat of Croatia on Sunday after the match with Turkey. “You will see sult. “It’s not a problem that the squad sian international Andrei Kanchelskis obvious lack of creative moves and sharp pushed in the eight years since that left even coach Tite stunned. the ‘ideal’ Russian team on June 14.” haven’t won a single match within a year,” told Sport Express. “For me his ideas are passing. There was no balance between securing the hosting rights over Argentina’s troubled prepara- Russian media and fans do not share Sport Express quoted Mutko as saying. ridiculous and unreal. I’m worried about the attack and defence.” England in a vote tainted by tions took another knock when his confi dence. “Everything’s bad,” de- “Don’t forget who the opponents have our footballers. I just cannot grieve for Since then, Russia’s team have shown bribery charges. Russia has an- their friendly in Israel due on clared the front page of Sport Express been — Argentina, Spain, Brazil, France. the ridiculous coaching team that de- little progress. They failed to make it out nexed Crimea from Ukraine and Saturday was cancelled, drawing daily, which said the national side’s play I believe our team is moving in the right stroys our football.” of the group stage as hosts of the eight- defi ed the West by unleashing a the fury of the Israeli organisers. had dampened the mood of fans in the direction,” he added. Cherchesov’s ability to coach Russia team Confederations Cup last summer, bombing campaign in support of And Russia will be watching country. “With such a performance from Meanwhile, Cherchesov, a brusque and to the 2018 World Cup was already put beating football minnows New Zealand Bashar al-Assad in Syria. with curiosity as Egypt’s emerg- our national team our chances look pretty stubborn man known as a tough discipli- in question in March last year after his 2-0 in the opening game and losing to The US intelligence commu- ing superstar Mohamed Salah re- low,” school teacher Daniil Pospelov, who narian, also managed to fi nd some posi- squad hit a new low with a 2-0 defeat to Portugal and Mexico. nity believes Moscow meddled covers from a left shoulder injury watched the Turkey match from a Mos- tives in his team’s performance compared Ivory Coast, who failed to qualify for the They did beat South Korea, helped by in America’s 2016 presidential The two nations will likely vie cow pub, said. “We need to learn how to to their previous friendly last week, a 1-0 tournament. Russia’s dispirited squad two own goals in Moscow in October, but election. Its British counterpart with Saudi Arabia for the second attack constructively to get a result re- defeat to Austria. “I think we’ve made a were whistled off the pitch by furious fans since then have lost to Argentina, Brazil, says Russia used a nerve agent knockout qualifi cation spot in gardless of whether the opponents’ team qualitative leap ahead by comparison to in the southern city of Krasnodar after France and Austria and drawn with Spain, in England to try and kill former a group that includes two-time make mistakes or not.” the match with Austria,” he said. the loss. “I’m bitterly disappointed,” Rus- Iran and now Turkey. After facing Saudi double agent Sergei Skripal. World Cup winners Uruguay. An However, Vitaly Mutko, who was once However, the attempts to put a brave sian coach Valery Nepomnyashchy, who Arabia in Group A at Luzhniki Stadium in A doping scandal that got Rus- early exit would spell disaster for the head of Russian Football Union but face on a sorry business angered many guided Cameroon into the 1990 World Moscow on June 14, Russia face Egypt in sia banned from the Olympics Russia — still waiting to make temporarily stepped down after he was former Russian internationals. “I don’t Cup last-eight round and now coaches St Petersburg on June 19 and Uruguay in and forced its athletes to com- their fi rst last 16 of a World Cup linked to state-sponsored doping pro- grieve for Cherchesov and his plans,” Baltika Kaliningrad in the Russian second Volgograd on June 25. pete under a neutral fl ag at last since Soviet times. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, June 7, 2018 SPORT

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS Palestinians hail Argentina and Uncertainty around Messi for calling off match in Jerusalem Reuters Ramallah

Conte, Abramovich alestinian football offi - cials praised Argentina and its star Lionel Messi yesterday for calling off aP friendly match against Israel that Israeli offi cials had planned to move to Jerusalem. Argen- tina’s fi nal World Cup warm-up clouds Chelsea future against Israel was originally slat- ed to be held in the Israeli coastal city of Haifa but was moved to Chelsea announced they had shelved plans for a new 60,000-seater redevelopment of Stamford Bridge Jerusalem at the urging of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s AFP government. London Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain announced on Tuesday it was cancelled. “The Israelis ith their Premier League ri- tried to use Messi and those stars vals already strengthening from Argentina, and I would like for next season, Chelsea to thank them and appreciate risk losing further ground their decision, which I think was Was uncertainty swirls over the future of on the right track,” Palestinian manager Antonio Conte and even owner Football Association President Roman Abramovich. A fi fth-placed fi n- Jibril Rajoub told a news confer- ish just a year after winning the league ence yesterday in the West Bank in Conte’s fi rst season in charge meant city of Ramallah. many expected the FA Cup fi nal to be At the entrance to the news the Italian’s last match in charge, de- conference was a placard say- spite beating Manchester United 1-0 to ing “From Palestine, thank you end the season on a high. Messi” with Argentinian and However, more than two weeks on, no Palestinian fl ags, under a big decision has been made on Conte’s fu- photo of Rajoub posing with the ture, with speculation that former Paris Barcelona ace. It was a change of Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc and tone from Rajoub, who on Sun- Maurizio Sarri, who was recently re- day had called for Palestinians placed by Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli, to burn replica Messi shirts and have been lined up as possible replace- photos if the Argentinian played ments. The apparent drift has been in Jerusalem. linked to a reported delay in the renewal Israel’s Football Associa- of a British visa for Russian billionaire tion accused the Palestinians of Abramovich, who has bankrolled Chel- crossing a “red line” by inciting sea’s success since taking over the club anger towards the Argentinian in 2003. players in order to scupper the It follows a diplomatic crisis between match. It said it would complain London and Moscow over the poison- to football world governing body ing of a former Russian double agent FIFA about Rajoub’s comments, and calls from some for sanctions that which it described as “physical would hurt super-rich Russians shelter- and brutal threats”. ing their wealth in London. Abramovich The Palestinians opposed the has been granted Israeli citizenship and decision to hold the match in Je- taken up residence there, according to rusalem, accusing Israel of seek- Israel’s ambassador to Russia. Chelsea ing to use the fi xture, and espe- announced last week they had shelved cially the presence of global star plans for a new 60,000-seater redevel- Messi, to underpin Israel’s claim opment of Stamford Bridge due to an to the Holy City. “unfavourable investment climate”. Israel considers all of Jerusa- Since Abramovich’s takeover, Chel- A lack of resources and control over what is spent on the Chelsea squad have been Antonio Conte’s consistent complaints with the club’s hierarchy. lem its capital, while Palestin- sea have been England’s most success- ians want the eastern part of the ful club, winning fi ve Premier League cutting is at the heart of the uncertainty as a leading candidate should Conte be it’s all just speculation, we don’t know chester United have already signed city as capital of their own state. titles, a fi rst-ever Champions League, engulfi ng Chelsea at the moment, with dismissed. The former French captain anything. We’ll see. He (Blanc) knows Brazilian international midfi elder Fred Most countries say Jerusa- the Europa League and fi ve FA Cups in the West Londoners reluctant to pay has been unemployed since leaving Par- me. But it was Antonio Conte who and Champions League fi nalists Liver- lem’s status must be left to be 15 years. However, where they could Conte a reported £9mn ($12mn, 10mn is Saint-Germain two years ago. French brought me to Chelsea. Antonio Conte pool have bolstered their midfi eld op- resolved in future peace talks, once outspend their competition, Chel- euros) in compensation for the fi nal year sports daily L’Equipe said yesterday is still under contract, so I wouldn’t al- tions for next season with Fabinho and although US President Donald sea have been gazumped by Manchester of his contract. The same goes for at- that Blanc was in prime position for the low myself to talk about a new coach.” Naby Keita. Tottenham will move into Trump reversed American policy City’s Abu-Dhabi backed wealth and tempts to lure Sarri to Stamford Bridge. Stamford Bridge job after meeting with However, whoever takes charge next a new 62,000-capacity new stadium last year to recognise the city Manchester United’s booming com- Despite Ancelotti’s appointment, Sarri Abramovich’s close aide and Chelsea season faces a huge task just to get Chel- next season having tied down Mauricio as capital of Israel. Palestinian mercial revenues. A lack of resources has not been released from his contract, director Marina Granovskaia. sea back into the Champions League, let Pochettino to a new fi ve-year contract, football offi cials say they would and control over what is spent on the which runs until 2020, meaning Chelsea France and Chelsea striker Olivier Gi- alone making the Blues champions of while even Arsenal have a headstart on have had no issue if the match squad have been Conte’s consistent would need to meet his eight-million- roud was aware of the speculation sur- England once again. Chelsea fi nished Chelsea for their season’s planning, were held as planned in Haifa, complaints in a season marked by clash- euro release clause unless a deal can be rounding former France coach Blanc, 30 points behind Manchester City last having hired Unai Emery as Arsene but it should not have been es with the club’s hierarchy. And cost- struck with Napoli. Blanc has emerged but said: “I hear what’s being said, but season. Among the chasing pack, Man- Wenger’s successor at the Emirates. moved to Jerusalem.

ROUND-UP SPOTLIGHT Arsenal close to signing on PSG’s Adli Croatian court convicts Mamic The Guardian London of corruption at Dinamo Zagreb

AFP rsenal are close to signing the Zagreb 17-year-old midfi eld prospect Ya- cine Adli from Paris Saint-Ger- main. They have off ered him an roatian football strong- initialA three-year contract, although it con- man and former Dinamo tains options, after he rejected professional Zagreb chief Zdravko terms at PSG – much to the French club’s Mamic was sentenced dismay yesterdayC to six-and-a-half years Unai Emery, the new Arsenal manager, is in prison over multi-million- helping to complete the deal. Emery left PSG euro abuse of power and graft. at the end of this past season and one of his Two international stars — Real fi nal acts was to give Adli his fi rst-team de- Madrid midfi elder Luka Modric but. He brought him on as an 83rd-minute and defender Dejan Lovren — substitute in the last game, against Caen. appeared as witnesses during the Emery – together with Arsenal’s head of re- trial in Osijek providing details of a “response.... unseen in this ter- Football Federation offi cial, and cruitment, Sven Mislintat – is trying to per- their transfers from Dinamo. The ritory”. Zoran Mamic were sentenced to suade Adli that his development will be best players’ evidence came under of- Mamic is considered the most three years and four years and 11 served at Arsenal. fi cial scrutiny. Croatia captain powerful fi gure in Croatian foot- months in jail respectively. The Adli is tall, technically gifted and for- Modric was charged in March for ball and his trial, that opened in tax inspector was jailed for four ward-thinking. Capped at under-16, un- alleged false testimony over the April 2017, was a further prob- years and two months. All four der-17 and under-18 level by France, he can Teenager Yacine Adli, who is close to joining Arsenal from Paris Saint-Germain, can play in details of his 2008 transfer from lem for a sport already struggling defendants pleaded not guilty. play in central midfi eld or on the fl ank. He central midfield or on the flank. (Reuters) Dinamo to Tottenham Hotspur. with hooliganism and poor in- The trial was held in Osijek be- is considered to be among the best young Lovren, questioned over his 2010 frastructure. He was tried along cause Mamic allegedly has close players in France. me. But the chance of coming to the biggest alerted a host of clubs in Europe and the Pre- transfer from Dinamo to French with three others — his brother ties with some judges in Zagreb. Arsenal announced the fi rst recruit of club in the world is something I just couldn’t mier League, with Tottenham Hotspur and side Lyon, was also investigated. and former Dinamo Zagreb coach Mamic’s connections extend into Emery’s tenure on Tuesday – the free-agent turn down. I’m excited about working with Southampton – the latter managed by Mark Mamic, 58, was not present at Zoran Mamic, former club direc- many spheres of Croatia’s pub- signing of the 34-year-old Switzerland José Mourinho and learning everything I can Hughes, who signed the winger for Stoke – the tribunal in the eastern town tor Damir Vrbanovic, and a tax lic life. Meanwhile, champions right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner from Ju- from such a successful coach. I am looking among those linked with the 26-year-old. of Osijek for sentencing. He inspector. Dinamo voiced “shock and out- ventus. The club are also in talks with forward to playing alongside the fantastic Liverpool also have an interest in the former travelled to neighbouring Bosnia According to the indictment, rage” over the verdict and voiced Borussia Dortmund over the 29-year-old players in the squad.” Bayern Munich player, with Jürgen Klopp on Tuesday claiming he was not the corruption cost Dinamo their fi rm belief in the defend- centre-half Sokratis Papastathopoulos. looking to strengthen in key areas, although on the run but wanted to avoid more than 15mn euros ($18mn) ants’ innocence. LIVERPOOL INTERESTED IN SHAQIRI that has not advanced to activating Shaqiri’s “frustration” at the court and and the state 1.5mn euros as cash Bosnia cannot extradite Mam- MAN UNITED SIGN PORTO DEFENDER AFTER STOKE’S RELEGATION release clause. “fi nd peace”. was embezzled through fi ctitious ic as he is its national. But, Bos- DALOT ON FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT Liverpool are among the Premier League Liverpool were close to signing Shaqiri But after the verdict was hand- deals related to player transfers. nian Security Minister Dragan Manchester United have announced the clubs interested in signing Xherdan Shaqiri from Bayern in the summer of 2014 and were ed down Mamic said he would Judge Darko Kruslin found all Mektic explained that if Zagreb signing of the defender Diogo Dalot from following Stoke City’s relegation. The Swit- the player’s preferred option at the time. not return to Croatia until it be- four defendants, none of whom demands Mamic could serve his Porto on a fi ve-year contract. The Portugal zerland international has a release clause in The winger, however, later claimed Bayern comes fi nal. “I will stay here... was present yesterday, guilty. term in the Balkan country. Under-21 international revealed he sim- his contract – understood to be set at about blocked his transfer to Anfi eld and, with his and fi ght from here. I don’t trust “Zdravko Mamic is sentenced In the past Mamic repeatedly ply could not turn down the chance to join £12mn-£13.5mn – that can be activated af- playing time at the Allianz Arena limited Croatian institutions,” he told a to a total prison sentence of six argued that the probes against United and work under compatriot José ter the club lost their Premier League status. under Pep Guardiola, he joined Internazi- press conference in Medjugorje, years and six months,” Kruslin him were politically motivated. Mourinho. Shaqiri, a £12mn arrival from Internazi- onale six months later. Klopp has added the a southern Bosnian town famed said. The verdict is not fi nal, but, Most Croatian football fans “Joining Manchester United is an unbe- onale in 2015, has made clear he has no in- Monaco midfi elder Fabinho to his squad this for alleged apparitions of the Vir- under Croatian law a person sen- see him as the real boss of the lievable opportunity for me,” Dalot said. “I terest in playing in the Championship but summer for £43.7mn and wants the highly gin Mary. “I wouldn’t like to be in tenced to more than fi ve years in football federation and believe have grown up in Porto’s Academy and I am would “love to stay in England”. rated Lyon captain, Nabil Fekir, ideally be- the skin of people who ‘packed jail must go to prison immediate- its formal chief Davor Suker is so thankful for everything they have done for Shaqiri’s availability and aff ordability has fore the World Cup. me’ all this,” he said, threatening ly. Vrbanovic, also a top Croatian merely Mamic’s puppet. Gulf Times Thursday, June 7, 2018 5 SPORT

NHL NBA 76ers owners meet to ponder GM Vegas looking to Colangelo’s fate

Reuters iar with any of the other ac- New York counts that have been brought to my attention, nor do I know who is behind them or what ryan Colangelo’s fu- their motives may be in using welcome lady luck ture might be deter- them.” mined soon. One of the accounts re- According to an portedly passed along private BESPN report, the Philadel- medical information about phia 76ers ownership group, then-Sixers center Jahlil Oka- led by CEO Scott O’Neill, met for plus gossip about other Tuesday night to review fi nd- players, including star big man ings of an investigation into Joel Embiid. Embiid said he got back for game fi ve the actions of Colangelo, the a call from Colangelo, refuting team’s general manager, and the report. “Gotta believe him ‘We’re going to work hard and have some fun. We’ll see what happens’ Colangelo’s wife. until proven otherwise,” Em- League sources told ESPN’s biid told ESPN last week. “If Reuters Adrian Wojnarowski that the true, though, that would be Las Vegas matter might be resolved soon. really bad.” Colangelo’s troubles began last week when TheRinger.com Raptors reportedly ady luck is everything in reported the existence of fi ve interview Jasikevicius Las Vegas and the Golden Twitter anonymous accounts The Toronto Raptors have Knights will be hoping that had leaked information gone overseas in their coach- she is back riding with about the 76ers and taken ing search, reportedly inter- Lthem as they fl y home to face the shots at the team’s coach and viewing Sarunas Jasikevicius, Washington Capitals in a must some of the players. a former star guard in the win game fi ve of the Stanley Cup The accounts also tweeted EuroLeague and a celebrated Finals today. favourable opinions about coach there, in recent days. Following three straight de- Colangelo while denigrating According to a report from feats, including a 6-2 Game Four Philadelphia’s former GM, ESPN, Raptors president Ma- thrashing on Monday, the Gold- Sam Hinkie. The original ar- sai Ujiri, travelling to Italy for en Knights limp home trailing ticle produced circumstantial an NBA pre-draft camp, met the best-of-seven series 3-1 and evidence that Colangelo was with Jasikevicius in Europe. the clock about to strike mid- behind the burner accounts, Jasikevicius joins a short list of night on what has been a fairy- but subsequent media reports reported candidates to replace tale inaugural season. pointed the fi nger at his wife, Dwane Casey, fi red in Toronto Coming from a city that was Barbara Bottini. after seven seasons. The Rap- built on luck the Golden Knights According to ESPN, the tors won a franchise-record felt like they had none of it in a law fi rm retained by the 76ers 59 games in the regular season game four clash they dominated to investigate the matter in- but were swept by the Cleve- for long stretches, outshooting terviewed Colangelo and his land Cavaliers in the Eastern the Capitals 30-23. wife separately on Sunday and Conference semi-fi nals. Hit posts, missed wide open Monday. Colangelo, a two- The Raptors are still seri- nets and a goaltender with a hot time NBA Executive of the ously considering assistant hand all conspired to leave the Year, denied knowledge of four coach Nick Nurse and Spurs Golden Knights on the brink and of the fi ve Twitter accounts. assistants Ettore Messina the Capitals in position to hit the “Like many of my colleagues and Ime Udoka, according Stanley Cup jackpot with one in sports, I have used social to ESPN. Jasikevicius, who more victory. media as a means to keep up played a combined 138 games “I thought last night’s game with the news,” Colangelo said in four NBA seasons, three we played real hard, we played in a statement after the initial with Indiana and one with real well,” said Vegas coach Ger- report was published. Golden State, averaged 6.8 ard Gallant on Tuesday as his “While I have never posted points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.9 team prepared to return home. anything whatsoever on so- assists in 18.3 minutes. “Probably with a couple of cial media, I have used the He guided his Lithuanian breaks, we could have been up @Phila1234567 Twitter ac- team, Zalgiris, to the Eu- 2-0 early in that fi rst period. count referenced in this story roLeague Final Four this sea- “First 10 minutes, I thought to monitor our industry and son. Jasikevicius went to col- we played well. We hit two goal other current events. This sto- lege in Maryland and played posts. (Braden) Holtby made a ryline is disturbing to me on for Basketball Hall of Fame couple of good saves. We missed many levels, as I am not famil- coach Gary Williams. an open net. “That’s hockey. I don’t know what to tell you.” Colts DE McCain denies battery charges The odds say the Golden Knights are now a Stanley Cup Indianapolis Colts defensive end Chris McCain said Tuesday that longshot. Only once in 33 tries he has no knowledge whatsoever of misdemeanour battery has a team with a 3-1 series lead Vegas Golden Knights fans stare at the scoreboard showing the Golden Knights road game watch party for game four of the 2018 NHL Stanley charges filed against him in California this week. McCain, who failed to hoist the Cup and that Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images/AFP) signed a one-year deal with the Colts as an unrestricted free was in 1942 when the Detroit agent after the San Diego Chargers did not re-sign him, insists he Red Wings blew a 3-0 advantage ca’s major sport leagues to claim the Finals, Vegas lost only once our building. The pressure’s off going into the playoff s? Sure doesn’t know the accuser and has not been contacted by police. to the Toronto Maple Leafs. a championship in their fi rst at home - to the San Jose Sharks us,” said Gallant. “We’re going they did because we had a great “She is lying,” McCain told the Indy Star of accuser Arpi Davtyan. But the expansion Golden year of operation. Back on home in the second round. to work hard and have some fun. regular season and won the Pa- The paper reports that McCain is accused of spitting on Davtyan Knights are a team that have ice the Golden Knights will be Their only other loss was in We’ll see what happens. cifi c Division. and grabbing her neck, according to documents filed this week, defi ed the odds right from the a tough out for the Capitals Game Two of the Finals which “Let’s face it. We started the “Again, it was about coming to and that he’ll be arraigned on July 13 in Los Angeles. beginning, putting themselves who are also seeking their fi rst provided the starting point for season, and there was no expec- play and enjoying our time and The charges reportedly stem from an altercation on January 7, in position to become the fi rst Stanley Cup. Capitals three-match winning tation for our hockey club. working hard and giving our- but McCain says he was blindsided. franchise in one of North Ameri- In three series before reaching streak. “We’re going to play in “Did the expectations change selves a chance to win.”

MLB Dodgers hit three homers in shutout of Pirates Reuters at-bats against Musgrove; the multiple immaculate innings. Pittsburgh fi rst two came in the 2017 World Sandy Koufax accomplished the Series when Musgrove was with feat three times, and others to the Houston Astros. do it twice were Randy Johnson, oc Pederson, Yasiel Puig In the third, Kemp brought Nolan Ryan and Lefty Grove. and Cody Bellinger hit in another Los Angeles run. His Patrick Corbin spoiled the homers, and fi ve Dodg- sacrifi ce fl y made it 3-0 after comeback of Madison Bumgar- ers pitchers held the host Pittsburgh shortstop Sean Ro- ner with 6 1/3 strong innings, PittsburghJ Pirates to seven hits, driguez dropped the ball for an delivering Arizona a victory at all singles, in Los Angeles’ 5-0 error on what could have been a San Francisco. Making his fi rst win Tuesday. double-play ball. Puig led off the start of the season and hoping Dodgers starter Ross Stripling fourth with a homer to center, his to extend the Giants’ winning (4-1) gave up four hits, struck out seventh, for a 4-0 Dodgers lead. streak to six, Bumgarner (0-1) seven and walked none in fi ve Tyler Glasnow replaced Mus- limited the Diamondbacks to innings. Relievers Scott Alexan- grove for the start of the sixth two runs in six innings. He was der, Josh Fields, Pedro Baez and and gave up Bellinger’s two-out pitching in the majors for the Daniel Hudson each pitched an homer to center, making it 5-0. fi rst time since breaking a bone inning to complete the shutout. The blast was Bellinger’s ninth in his left hand when hit by a line Los Angeles (30-30) won its of the year. That gave Los An- drive in spring training. fourth in a row and reached.500 geles 12 homers in its past four Corbin (6-2) allowed just one by winning 14 of 18 games since games. The start of the game was run and four hits. He walked two May 17. The Pirates (30-30) delayed by rain almost an hour. and struck out seven, helping have lost three straight and fell Arizona win for the sixth time to.500 for the fi rst time this sea- Scherzer logs 2nd in eight games. Brad Boxberger son. They are 4-13 since they immaculate inning allowed a run in the ninth but were a season-best nine games Max Scherzer became the fi rst nailed down his 14th save. over.500 on May 17. It was the pitcher in the major leagues to second straight shutout loss for win 10 games as he struck out 13 RESULTS Pittsburgh, which fell 5-0 Sun- in eight innings, and Matt Adams Nationals 4 Tampa Bay 2 day at St. Louis. homered as the Washington Na- Angels 1 Royals 0 Pittsburgh starter Joe Mus- tionals defeated the visiting Tam- Diamondbacks 3 Giants 2 grove (2-1) gave up four runs, pa Bay Rays 4-2 Tuesday night. Dodgers 5 Pirates 0 three of them earned, and six Scherzer improved to 10-1 and Indians 3 Brewers 2 hits in fi ve innings. He struck out has won nine straight decisions. Red Sox 6 Tigers 0 fi ve and walked one. His only loss came on April 4 at Braves 14 Padres 1 Musgrove started off strong, Atlanta. Scherzer gave up two Orioles 2 Mets 1 striking out the side in the fi rst. runs on fi ve hits without a walk. Twins 4 White Sox 2 (Game 1) Matt Kemp led off the Dodg- The right-hander also entered White Sox 6 Twins 3 (Game 2) ers’ second with a single to left, the record books with the second Yankees 7 Blue Jays 2 and Pederson followed with his so-called immaculate inning of Rockies 9 Reds 6 fourth homer, to right, for a 2-0 his career – needing only nine Phillies 6 Cubs 1 lead. It was his third homer in pitches in an inning to strike out Rangers 7 A’s 4 three games. It was also his third all three batters faced. He be- Mariners 7 Astros 1 Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig hits a solo home against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. homer in his fi rst three career came the fi fth pitcher to register Marlins 7 Cardinals 4 PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Thursday, June 7, 2018 SPORT

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT World Rugby dismisses World All Blacks to use Cup appeals by Romania, Spain

AFP Interestingly, World Rugby Paris said it would also “explore the triple Barrett play viability of a universal eligi- bility database of players who orld Rugby yester- have been ‘captured’ by an day dismissed ap- international team, supple- peals by Romania menting signifi cant support and Spain against already given to unions by Wtheir disqualifi cation from the World Rugby in assisting with 2019 Rugby World Cup. eligibility enquiries”. against France Russia were awarded a place In addition, the body said at the 2019 World Cup in Ja- it would now oversee the ap- ‘Statistics show that they’re the best defensive team in world rugby at the moment, pan after World Rugby sen- pointments of match offi cial sationally disqualifi ed Spain, at all stages of future Rugby and history has shown us what can happen when they flick the switch on attack’ Romania and Belgium on May World Cup qualifi ers. The 15. controversy kicked off when Russia had fi nished third in Spain’s rugby federation (FER) European qualifying for the demanded a rematch of their World Cup, but head to the loss to Belgium, which ulti- tournament after Romania, mately allowed Romania to who originally won the sec- qualify at their expense for tion, second-placed Spain and next year’s showpiece in Japan. fourth-placed Belgium were The FER pointed to several all docked points for fi elding errors by the referee, Roma- ineligible players. nian Vlad Iordachescu, dur- World Rugby set up an in- ing an 18-10 defeat in Brussels dependent disputes commit- in which the offi cial had to be tee to hear the two appeals by protected from irate Spanish Romania and Spain, the con- players as he left the fi eld. clusion of which was released World Rugby set up a dis- yesterday. putes committee to examine “World Rugby welcomes the Spain’s complaints. conclusion of the independent But in a surprise outcome disciplinary process relating the committee found that to the European qualifi cation Spain, Belgium and Romania process for Rugby World Cup had all fi elded ineligible play- 2019 and is determined to ers during qualifying matches avoid a repeat of these unfor- for the World Cup. tunate circumstances in the Subsequently, Spain were future,” the sport’s governing docked 40 points with Ro- body said in a statement. mania and Belgium penalised World Rugby chairman 30 each – fi ve points for every Bill Beaumont stressed it was match in which an ineligible “important that the game player appeared. learns from what were an un- It meant that Russia won fortunate set of circumstances the group despite winning to prevent this from happen- only half of their eight quali- ing again”. fi cation matches, while Ger- There would now be “a full many who lost six of theirs, review of eligibility processes were second and head into the operational within the game play-off s. with the objective of ensuring All three sanctioned teams universal best-practice and were fi ned from £50,000 to compliance”. £125,000. Jordie Barrett has been named in Steve Hansen’s All Blacks squad with his two brothers.

AFP squad of the year with coach his back at the end of last year. “His selection is well deserved hard on getting clarity of role ‘Shields brings something extra to England’ Auckland Steve Hansen, already wrestling and we look forward to watch- and are up for the challenge that with a raft of injuries, taking no ‘Spectacular rise’ ing him play his part on Satur- this French side brings.” Controversial England selection Brad Shields has added an extra risks against the French. Tu’inukuafe only made his day night. He and his family can The All Blacks and France have element to the squad on their tour of South Africa, new team ordie Barrett will start at “Statistics show that they’re Super Rugby debut two months be very proud about what he is played 58 times, with the All mate Chris Robshaw said. New Zealand-born Shields has opted fullback for New Zealand the best defensive team in world ago. about to achieve.” Blacks winning 45 Tests and the to pursue an international career with England, for whom he in the fi rst Test against rugby at the moment, and his- He missed selection when the The All Blacks have a seasoned French 12. The French are the last qualifies through his parents, in a move that has drawn consid- France in Auckland on tory has shown us what can hap- All Blacks squad was initially front row of Owen Franks, Joe team to beat the All Blacks at Eden erable criticism, even from World Rugby vice-chairman Agustin SaturdayJ while a slimmed-down pen when they fl ick the switch named but was called up when Moody and Codie Taylor while Park with a 23-20 win in 1994. In Pichot. Karl Tu’inukuafe will cement on attack,” Hansen said. Tim Perry was injured during Liam Squire rounds out the for- 40 Tests since then at the Auck- The Wellington Hurricanes flanker was granted a special release a rapid rise with a debut off the Scott Barrett replaces the their fi rst training camp. wards at blindside fl anker. land stadium, the All Blacks have by New Zealand Rugby to join England’s squad for the three-test bench. injured Brodie Retallick as the A few years ago, Tu’inukuafe The regular pairing of Aaron won 38 and drawn two. tour before he moves to Wasps later this year. The inclusion of the 21-year- locking partner for new captain weighed 170kg (375lb) and was Smith and Beauden Barrett start “We’ve only got to know him over the last day or so but he is old Barrett in the team named Sam Whitelock. given an ultimatum by his doctor in the halves with Anton Lien- New Zealand (15-1): Jordie Bar- hungry to learn,” Robshaw said of Shields at a news conference yesterday will see long-serving Along with Retallick, Son- to either exercise or get used to a ert-Brown joining Crotty in the rett, Ben Smith, Anton Lienert- ahead of Saturday’s first test in Johannesburg. Shields, 27, ar- fullback Ben Smith move to the ny Bill Williams has also been life of health problems. centres while Rieko Ioane com- Brown, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane, rived in South Africa directly from New Zealand, a day after the right wing leaving no room for ruled out of the series while Sam He took to rugby, slimmed pletes the back three with Ben Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, rest of the touring party came in from London. Waisake Naholo. Whitelock, Ryan Crotty and Sam down to 135kg and played a sea- Smith and Jordie Barrett. Luke Whitelock, Sam Cane, Liam “He has brought something new and is trying to soak it all in, Barrett’s selection, along with Cane have been named to start son of club rugby in France be- “Whilst rugby is a complicat- Squire, Scott Barrett, Sam White- whether it’s line-outs, scrum play or whatever it be, so he is his brothers Beauden and Scott, after being sidelined by injury in fore returning to New Zealand ed game, we’ve worked hard at lock, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, ready,” Robshaw added. will be the fi rst time three broth- recent weeks of Super Rugby. where he was given a start by simplifying those complexities Joe Moody “That’s what you want from players, that hunger and excitement ers will have started in the same Whitelock’s brother Luke will the Chiefs when their front row this week so that we can go out Replacements: Nathan Harris, to be involved.” Robshaw was captain of the England squad that All Blacks team. pack down at the back of the stocks were decimated by inju- and play with real confi dence, Karl Tu’inukuake, Ofa Tuunga- last toured South Africa in 2012 where they lost the series with Waikato Chiefs prop scrum with Kieran Read not ex- ries. high energy and genuine intent fasi, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, TJ two test defeats and a draw. The second test at Ellis Park was a Tu’inukuafe, 25, is the sole new pected to return to rugby until “It has been a spectacular rise on the weekend,” Hansen said. Perenara, Damian McKenzie, 36-27 win for the Springboks. face in the fi rst All Blacks match next month following surgery on for Karl,” Hansen said. “The players have worked Ngani Laumape.

CYCLING FOCUS Hill to captain Wales Kwiatkowski back in yellow as in fi rst Argentina Test

Reuters the second row with Scarlets’ Cardiff Wyn Jones coming in at loose- head prop and James Davies Sky dominate Dauphine TTT in at openside fl anker. Jones’ AFP jersey. We’ve got several cards to ock Cory Hill will cap- Scarlets team mates Gareth Louhans, France play but it’ll still be diffi cult to tain Wales in Satur- Davies and Rhys Patchell are win, that’s for sure.” day’s fi rst Test against in at scrumhalf and fl yhalf, Today’s 181km fourth stage Argentina, with head respectively, with Hadleigh ky dominated the team runs from Chazey-sur-Ain to Lcoach Warren Gatland making Parkes at inside centre. George time trial on the third Lans-en-Vercors and features eight changes to the side that North, who played at centre in stage of the Dauphine a gruelling climb of the Col du beat South Africa last week- Wales’ 22-20 win over South du Criterium yesterday, Mont Noir and steep ascent into end. Hill, one of the two co- Africa, is on the wing, along- rollingS at a record average of Vercors. captains on the tour, will lead side Josh Adams and Hallam 57kmh (35mph) with a tailwind the national team for the fi rst Amos in the back three. over the fl at 35km course. RESULTS time against the Pumas. Wales Wales team: 15. Hallam Amos Sky’s Polish rider Michal 1. Sky 36min 33sec play their second test against (16 Caps) 14. Josh Adams (2 Kwiatkowski, victim of a crash 2. BMC at 37sec Argentina on June 16. Caps) 13. Scott Williams (55 on Tuesday, regained the race 3. Lotto 52 Caps) 12. Hadleigh Parkes (7 leader’s yellow jersey and now 4. Mithcelton 56 Beard will join Hill in the Caps) 11. George North (74 leads three teammates in the 5. Quick-Step 1:01 second row with Scarlets’ Caps) 10. Rhys Patchell (8 overall standings: Italian Gi- 6. Trek 1:26 Wyn Jones coming in at Caps) 9. Gareth Davies (32 anni Moscon (at 3sec), Spaniard 7. AG2R La Mondiale 1:29 loosehead prop and Davies Caps) 1. Wyn Jones (9 Caps) Jonathan Castroviejo (9) and 8. Movistar 1:31 in at openside fl anker 2. Elliot Dee (8 Caps) 3. Dillon Welshman Geraint Thomas (21). 9. Lotto NL 1:32 Lewis (3 Caps) 4. Adam Beard Celebrations Wednesday were 10. Groupama-FDJ 1:33 “We have made a number (2 Caps) 5. Cory Hill (16 Caps) a far cry from the end of the pre- 11. Dimension Data 1:41 of changes for Saturday as we (captain) 6. Seb Davies (5 vious day which saw Kwiatkowski Poland’s Michal Kwiatkowski, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium after 12. EF Drapac 1:44 want to give as much oppor- Caps) 7. James Davies (1 Cap) crash in the closing kilometres Great Britain’s Sky cycling team won the third stage of the 70th edition of the Criterium du Dauphine 13. Bora 1:45 tunity to the squad as possible 8. Ross Moriarty (21 Caps) and the race leader was pleased cycling race, a 35-kilometre team time trial between Pont-de-Vaux and Louhans, central eastern France, 14. Astana 1:48 during this campaign,” Gat- Replacements: 16. Ryan he suff ered no ill eff ects. “It’s a yesterday. (AFP) 15. Katusha 1:49 land said in a statement. Elias (3 Caps) 17. Rob Evans wonderful feeling to win as a 16. Bahrein 2:04 “There is a lot of exciting (25 Caps) 18. Tomas Francis team. We rode a perfect stage, one stage win in the Dauphine, The Sky outfi t fi nished a fort “fl uid and fast”. 17. Vital Concept 2:20 youth in this squad and Sat- (31 Caps) 19. Josh Turnbull (8 technically and tactically, on the I’d like it to be the TTT. whopping 37sec ahead of sec- “It’s probably one of Team 18. Fortuneo-Samsic 2:25 urday is a chance for them to Caps) 20. Aaron Wainwright entire course,” the Pole said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to ond-placed BMC, with Lotto in Sky’s best time trials ever,” he 19. Cofidis 2:28 continue building their expe- (*Uncapped) 21. Aled Davies “I’m so happy that I got no win as a team. We rode a perfect third, at 52sec, and Australian said. “Now we have four hard 20. Emirats 2:28 rience on the test scene and to (9 Caps) 22. Gareth Anscombe major issues after the crash yes- stage, technically and tactically, team Mitchelton in fourth (56). stages ahead of us and we’ll see 21. Wanty 3:10 put a marker down.” (16 Caps) 23. Owen Watkin (5 terday. If I could have picked up on the entire course.” Thomas called Team Sky’s ef- how it goes. But we’ll defend the 22. Sunweb 3:19 Adam Beard will join Hill in Caps). Gulf Times Thursday, June 7, 2018 7 CRICKET

WI VS SL, DAY 1, 1ST TEST SPOTLIGHT Langer ‘surprised’ if SA crisis prompted cricket Sri Lanka limit chief to stand down

AFP ing over the last 18 or 19 years. I always London remember (former Australia coach) John Buchanan saying you judge a champion by their longevity and he’s had a long ustralia coach Justin Langer time in the job,” said Langer, speaking hosts West Indies paid tribute to the “out- at Lord’s, where Australia were training standing” James Sutherland ahead of an ODI series in England. yesterday, saying he would “He (Sutherland) has done a brilliant beA “surprised” if the ball-tampering job for Australian cricket,” the former scandal in South Africa had played any Australia opening batsman added. part in the Cricket Australia chief ex- “He’ll be missed, he’s an outstanding ecutive’s decision to leave his post. person and he’ll be really missed at the Sutherland, who has been chief ex- top of Australian cricket.” to 153-5 at tea ecutive for 17 of his nearly 20 years Pressed on whether the ball-tam- with CA, announced earlier yesterday pering incident had played part in Fast-medium bowler Lahiru Kamara claims two wickets on the first day he would be standing down. Sutherland’s decision, Langer replied: He added he had given 12 months’ “I don’t think so.” AFP notice but would continue in his role “He’s been in the job a long time. Port of Spain until a suitable replacement is found. “If you go through the corporate Sutherland came under pressure to world, there’s very few CEOs (chief ex- quit in March when former captain ecutive offi cers) who have been there as hai Hope failed to take full Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner long as he has. In a sense he’s been an advantage of two moments and batsman Cameron Bancroft at- outlier to be there for so long. of good fortune as Sri Lanka tempted to alter the ball in the third “He’s done a brilliant job, the recent limited the West Indies to 153 Test in South Africa. TV rights deal, he’s set a great foun- forS fi ve at tea on the opening day of They were all sent home in disgrace dation and I’d be surprised if that (the the fi rst Test of a three-match series and banned from state and interna- South Africa crisis prompting Suther- at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad tional cricket over one of the biggest land’s decision) was the case.” yesterday. scandals to engulf the sport, while Australia, the 50-over world cham- Fast-medium bowler Lahiru Ka- then-coach Darren Lehmann resigned pions, will be taking on an England side mara accounted for the elegant right- and was replaced by Langer. who are currently top of the one-day hander for 44 to claim his second Sutherland resisted a clamour for his international rankings. They face Sussex wicket for the day but it was namesake resignation and he insisted yesterday at Hove today before another warm-up seamer Lahiru Gamage who was left the scandal had “no bearing” on his de- match against Middlesex at Lord’s on ruing opportunities lost. cision, a view endorsed by Langer. Saturday. The fi rst ODI against England Without adding to his score of 29 “His leadership has been outstand- will be at The Oval on June 13. at the interval, Hope chased a wide delivery and edged a catch to wicket- keeper Niroshan Dickwella only to be FOCUS reprieved by a no-ball call. Within minutes Gamage had an- other wicket celebration cut short as he earned an LBW verdict against but Bangladesh stun India the batsman’s request for a television replay review of the decision revealed a thin inside-edge and the dismissal in women’s Asia Cup was reversed. Hope and Roston Chase extended IANS Deepti Sharma then contributed with their fourth-wicket partnership to Kuala Lumpur 42 and 32 runs respectively while Mona 54 when Kamara’s persistence with a Meshram remained unbeaten on 14 to short-pitched line of attack brought help India reach 141 for 7. about Hope’s demise via a gloved leg- ndia suff ered their fi rst ever defeat Bangladesh’s leggie Rumana Ahmed side catch to Dickwella. at the hands of Bangladesh in any bagged three wickets conceding 21 As expected, Rangana Herath played format as the six-time champions runs. a bigger role at the bowling crease in were hammered by seven wickets In reply, Bangladesh also lost couple the day’s second session and the most Iin the Women’s Asia Cup cricket tour- of wickets for 45 runs. successful left-arm spinner in Test nament at the Kinrara Academy Oval But Fargana and Rumana denied history responded with the wicket of here yesterday. India any further inroads, forging a Chase for 38 via a sharp catch by An- This was also the fi rst loss of the match-wining 93-run third-wicket gelo Mathews at slip when the bats- women-in-blue in the tournament partnership to help their side register man edged an attempted cut. since 2012. their second win in the tournament. Wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Lahiru Kumara (centre) of Sri Lanka celebrates the dismissal of Shai Hope (not pictured) of West Indies with his teammates Fargana Hoque and Rumana Ahmed’s Bangladesh had earlier beaten Paki- Dowrich and captain Jason Holder on Day One of the first Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, yesterday. (AFP) unbeaten 52 and 42-run knocks helped stan in the tourney. then batted with extreme caution to Bangladesh chase a below par target of For India, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, the interval, resulting in just 54 runs in just the third over of the match, the opener just short of his ground af- vulnerability to short-pitched bowl- 142 with seven balls to spare. Poonam Yadav and Vastrakar bagged being added over the two hours. They caught behind off experienced seamer ter he was called through for a single ing on the line of the body, which was Opting to bat after winning the toss, one wicket each. face a challenging task in the fi nal ses- Suranga Lakmal. by new batsman Kieran Powell. quite noticeable in their last series in India started the proceedings on a Despite the loss, India were atop the sion to justify Holder’s decision to bat Smith, who last represented the re- Powell sought to impose himself on New Zealand six months earlier, Ku- poor note, losing openers Mithali Raj points table with two wins from three fi rst at the start of the day. gional side against England in his na- a Sri Lankan attack comprising three mara unsettled both batsmen with his (15) and Smriti Mandhana (2) with the games while Bangladesh is placed Earlier, Devon Smith’s return to tive Grenada in 2015, would have been seamers and two spinners. He and hostility on a placid pitch. scorecard reading 26. fourth. international cricket after more than especially keen to make an impact. Hope put on 40 for the third wicket Yet it was a full-pitched delivery After their departure, Pooja Vas- The Harmanpreet-led side will next three years ended in disappointment. But his ambitions were undone by and looked to be getting on top of the which accounted for Powell, the up- trakar chipped in with 20 runs before face Sri Lanka today. Opening the batting with Kraigg sharp work from Dinesh Chandimal as tourists’ bowlers when Kumara struck right left-hander being bowled off departing off a run-out in the ninth In other league matches, Pakistan de- Brathwaite, the 36-year-old left- the Sri Lankan captain’s throw to the his fi rst blow. the inside-edge for 38 by a ball which over. feated Sri Lanka by 23 runs while Thai- hander watched his partner depart wicketkeeper from midwicket found Keen to expose the West Indians’ swung sharply back into the batsman. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and land beat Malaysia by nine wickets.

SPOTLIGHT Hanan lift Gulf Incon-Metabo Ramadan Cricket Trophy

By Sports Reporter Doha

anan XII emerged Division I champions for the second straight year in the 24th Gulf Incon-Metabo Ramadan HCricket Tournament 2018 defeating CCRC team by 58 runs at old Ideal In- dian School Floodlit Cricket Grounds. CCRC put Hanan in to bat fi rst and it initially seemed like a good decision when the latter lost one of their openers in the fi rst over itself. However, Aswar, the other opener, blazed away to stabilise Hanan and scored 25 runs in his allotted 12 balls with three sixes and one four. Hanan had lost Hameed and Saddam too by end of the sixth over with the score at 69 for three. Rauf and Imran accelerated from the seventh over on- ward, adding 41 runs in the next three overs. Rauf scored 41 runs off 16 balls with four sixes and one four, and Imran scored 34 runs in 11 balls with four sixes and a boundary. Hanan scored 94 runs in the last 6 overs to post 163 for the loss of 7 wick- ets in their allotted 12 overs. For CCRC, Hassan Sardar took two wickets giving away 29 runs in his al- lotted 2 overs. Abbas and Nixon took a wicket each. In reply, CCRC had a shaky start, losing three wickets at the end of two overs with the score at 16. CCRC kept losing wickets at regular intervals, be- fore their innings was halted at 105 in their allotted 12 overs losing 10 wickets. Hasan Sardar with 28 and Nixon with 20 were the only batsmen who off ered Captains of winners Hanan XII and runners-up CCRC pose with their respective trophies, Gulf Incon’s Senior Sales and Marketing Manager Sajjad Ahmed Khan, Qatar Veterans Cricket off icials and other dignitaries resistance to Hanan bowling. during the prize distribution ceremony for Division I of 24th Gulf Incon-Metabo Ramadan Cricket Tournament 2018 at old Ideal Indian School Floodlit Cricket Grounds. Suraj of Hanan bowled brilliantly, taking four wickets for only 17 runs in Hanan XII’s Rauf was adjudged ment, Best Bowler of the Tournament the Tournament award. Selvarajan, Product Manager (Tools cials were present during the prize dis- the allotted 2 overs. Husni and Faslan Man of the Finals. Rauf’s teammates and Best All-rounder of the Tournament Gulf Incon’s Senior Sales and Mar- and Equipment) Vincent Wimaldas, tribution ceremony. Complimentary took 2 wickets each, while Adil and As- Hameed, Husni and Aswar were pre- awards respectively. Sherif of CCRC was keting Manager Sajjad Ahmed Khan, Metabo Field Specialist Tuan Afaham lucky draw and refreshments were ar- war took a wicket each. sented the Best Batsman of the Tourna- presented with the Best Wicketkeeper of Credit/Inventory Controller Rajkumar Burah and Qatar Veterans Cricket offi - ranged for all spectators.

Thursday, June 7, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS FIFA selects Aspetar’s Dr Geertsema for 2018 WC Al Sadd renew By Sports Reporter fi rst female FIFA venue medical offi cer at Commenting on her appointment, Dr country readies itself to host the Inter- Doha a FIFA World Cup tournament. Previous- Geertsema said, “This appointment rep- national Association of Athletics Fed- ly, Dr Geertsema became the fi rst-ever resents further proof, if any was needed, erations (IAAF) World Championships Ferreira’s contract female team physician at the 2010 FIFA that Aspetar employs some of the best Doha 2019 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup IFA has selected Dr Celeste Geert- World Cup South Africa, when she went specialised sports medicine practitioners Qatar. sema, Sports Medicine Physician there as part of the New Zealand national and researchers in the world. Providing Similarly, representing Aspetar’s busi- at Aspetar, Qatar’s orthopaedic team delegation. She was also selected as such a broad and distinguished roster of ness and its expertise at major interna- and sports medicine hospital, to the FIFA venue medical offi cer at the 2011 talent under one roof is unique and makes tional sports events helps to expand the beF a FIFA venue medical offi cer for the and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cups and Aspetar one of the leading sports medi- hospital’s network and cement its repu- 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. From June FIFA General Medical Offi cer for the Un- cine institutions in the Middle East, if not tation as a FIFA and International Ol- 8 – July 8, Dr Geertsema will provide der-17 Women’s World Cups in 2012, 2014 the world.” ympic Committee (IOC)-accredited Re- medical care for the FIFA delegation and and 2016. More recently, she was a Games Exposing Aspetar staff to such events search Centre of Excellence. This falls in oversee the medical facilities and doping Group member at the Pyeongchang 2018 equips them with unparalleled experi- line with the hospital’s vision of becom- control processes. Olympic Winter Games, responsible for ence in servicing major events, which is ing a global leader in sports medicine and This selection makes Dr Geertsema the protecting the athletes’ health. particularly important for Qatar as the exercise science by 2020.

PROGRESS Construction on

By Sports Reporter At the domestic level, Al Sadd Doha fi nished as runners-up in the QNB Stars League as well as Qatar Cup, and lost in the semi-fi nal of Emir’s op QNB Stars League Cup. The Wolves had to be content Lusail Stadium in club Al Sadd renewed the with the season-opening Sheikh contract with veteran Jassim Cup victory. Portuguese coach Jesu- Ferreira, who took over Al Sadd ‘Every day the site is changing, which Taldo Ferreira for yet another in December 2015, has guided season. them to triumphs in the Qatar is building excitement within the The contract renewal of the Cup, Emir’s Cup and Sheikh Jas- coach is sure to lend more stabil- sim Cup. team on-site and among the visitors’ ity to the side that has qualifi ed Al Sadd had recently renewed full swing for the AFC Champions League the contract with Spanish mid- quarter-fi nals, where they are fi eld star Xavi Hernandez for two onstruction at Lusail Stadium, drawn against Iran’s Esteghlal. more seasons. the proposed host venue for both the opening match and fi nal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, HANDBALL isC progressing rapidly, according to the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Leg- acy (SC), the organisation responsible for delivering the infrastructure required to Qatar team gears up host the tournament. Work on the substructure of the 80,000-seat stadium has surpassed 75 for Asian Games percent and the west stand, which con- tains the VVIP, VIP and media tribunes, By Sports Reporter years back by defeating South among other elements, is visibly rising up Doha Korea in the fi nal, will be looking from the ground to reach an imposing el- to carry forward the same form evation of more than 70 metres. which helped them clinch the The installation of the west stand’s efending champions Asian Handball Championship precast elements, which will support the in handball, Qatar, will at the start of this year. bleachers on which fans will sit, has also hold a training camp in In January, Qatar clinched now commenced. Spain from June 19 to their Asian handball title for Tamim El Abed, the SC’s Lusail Stadi- JulyD 1, in preparation for this year’s a third consecutive year when um Project Manager, explained the ongo- Asian Games. The multi-sport they fought back to overcome ing works. event will be held in Indonesia rivals Bahrain 33-31 in a keenly- “We began work on-site at the end of from August 18 to September 2. contested fi nal in Suwon, South 2016 and you can see the progress we have Qatar, who won the title four Korea. made in that short space of time,” said El Abed. “Now that work on the substruc- ture is nearing completion, you will really CRICKET start to see the superstructure rise up from the ground. Every day the site is changing, which is building excitement both within the team on-site and among the many visi- Ponting to join tors we welcome each month.” Away from the main stadium location but still within the Lusail Stadium pre- Australia coaching cinct, the SC has now completed work on accommodation for 3,500 workers, replete with a supermarket, barbers, vol- staff in England leyball and basketball courts, and an In- sail City is expected to house more than is run by Qatar Rail, is nearly complete, sail Metro Station a short distance away, ternet café. 200,000 residents and welcome 170,000 with a track that runs directly through which will one day bring thousands of Work on Lusail City, which surrounds people for work once completed. Resi- the Lusail Stadium precinct. fans to the area on matchday. It’s an ex- Lusail Stadium, is also progressing rap- dents have even begun to move into some El Abed concluded: “The whole at- citing time to be a part of this project and idly. Encompassing residential, com- of the apartments along the Lusail Ex- mosphere around the stadium is one of I hope the people of Qatar are looking for- mercial, hospitality and retail space, Lu- pressway. The Lusail Light Tram, which a city coming to life. You can see the Lu- ward to what’s in store.” (SC)

MOTOGP Lorenzo switching to Honda to replace Pedrosa

AFP Paris AFP a 2003 World Cup fi nal win over London India in Johannesburg. onda unleashed a thunderbolt Ponting had fi rst won the in the MotoGP paddock yester- World Cup in 1999 before enjoy- day when they announced that ustralia great Ricky ing back-to-back triumphs as triple world champion Jorge Ponting will join the captain in 2003 and 2007. HLorenzo would be joining them in place of backroom staff of head More recently, the 43-year- another Spanish star Dani Pedrosa. coach Justin Langer old Tasmanian has coached the “Honda Racing Corp is pleased to an- duringA the team’s tour tour of Delhi Daredevils in this year’s nounce the signing of three-times Mo- England. edition of the Indian Premier toGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo,” Former Australia captain League Twenty20 tournament. the team said in a press release. “The Ponting, one of the outstanding Langer was delighted to be able Spanish rider will join the Repsol Honda batsmen of his generation, was to tap into Ponting’s expertise, Team for the next two years.” already due to be in Britain to saying: “Ricky is one of the greats Lorenzo will form an impressive due commentate on the fi ve-match of the game, and since he was with a third Spaniard, Marc Marquez. one-day international series already in England doing some Pedrosa revealed on Tuesday that he was against 2019 World Cup hosts commentary we saw it as a great leaving Honda. England that starts on June 13 opportunity to have him join our “From 2019, Lorenzo will become and a subsequent Twenty20 in- team for this important series. teammate to four times MotoGP World ternational. “We have played a lot of cricket Champion Marc Marquez: two great But Wednesday’s announce- together and coached alongside champions with great talent and high ment by Cricket Australia will each other previously, and he will hopes that will make a stronger team and see Ponting joining forces with also know many of the players al- contribute to the development of HRC,” Langer, an old teammate, again ready through his work with the the team said. after the pair coached Australia’s team over the past two summers Media reports say Lorenzo’s Honda Twenty20 team against Sri Lan- and his BBL (Big Bash League) contract is worth 4.0 mn euros ($4.7 mn) ka on home soil in 2017. commitments,” he added. a season. Ponting also assisted former “Ricky’s knowledge of the Lorenzo enjoyed great success in a dec- Australia head coach Darren Le- game is second-to-none, and we ade with another Japanese team, Yamaha, Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo (centre) celebrates winning the Italian MotoGp race on the podium alongside teammate and second-placed hmann, who quit following the know that his experiences, tacti- winning 44 races and was world cham- Andrea Dovizioso (left) and third-placed Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi on Sunday. (Reuters) ball-tampering scandal in South cal expertise and leadership will pion in 2010, 2012 and 2015. Africa in March, for the Twen- be invaluable for this group, as The 31-year-old has been less trium- the leader, Marquez. Pedrosa is 12th, 12 Pramac Racing team since the 2015 sea- cial rider for the Ducati Team, especially ty20 tri-series against England we start to build a team capable phant since moving to Ducati at the start points further back. son and will partner fellow Italian Andrea for someone like me who started in Duca- and New Zealand earlier this of winning a World Cup in these of last season. His victory at Mugello on Pedrosa, who is 32, has won 31 Grands Dovizioso at Ducati for 2019 on what is ti as a production motorcycle test rider.” year. conditions in a year’s time.” Sunday was his fi rst for the Italian team Prix and fi nished championship runner- currently a one-year agreement. Meanwhile, the Tech 3 team an- As a batsman Ponting aver- Ponting will join up with the in 24 races and came amid rumours that up three times. “It goes without saying that for me, nounced that it was extending the con- aged over 42 in 375 ODIs, with an squad on June 10 and fi t in his Ducati were thinking of discarding him. Ducati immediately announced that being part of the factory team is a dream tract of 24-year-old Malaysian rider excellent strike rate above 80. work with World Cup-holders Lorenzo is only 10th in the MotoGP Danilo Petrucci would replace Lorenzo. come true,” said Petrucci. Hafi zh Syahrin, who is 16th in the stand- His 41 hundreds in the format Australia around his broadcast- standings after six races, 54 points behind Petrucci, 27, has raced for the satellite “It’s a great honour to become an offi - ings, for a season. included a brilliant 140 not out in ing duties.