FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 2019 SPORT 17 I can honestly reflect and say I probably haven’t had fun FOOTBALL playing since Australia Japan’s says CRICKET and I’m finally coming to terms as she heads to defend Premier League: Aston Third Ashes Test, Day 2: with that while relearning that her US Open title. Villa vs Everton England vs Australia ACTION

fun feeling. TODAY’S

Conseslus Kipruto US Open: Djokovic favourite despite shock Cincinnati loss

REUTERS Djokovic was on a roll until semi-final defeat in Flushing Meadows every year WASHINGTON Cincinnati, having won three titles, including two since 2007. Grand Slams, on three different surfaces this year. If there is one possible dis- Novak Djokovic (pictured) was traction, it comes off the court. all set to cruise into the US Open He won the in January, took the ATP The 32-year-old faces oppo- as hot favourite but a semi-final Masters event in Madrid in May, before saving two sition from rivals for political defeat at the Cincinnati Masters match points to overcome old foe Roger Federer in dominancy of the ATP Players last week has at least given hope Council, the body set up to give to his challengers that the world the longest men’s singles final at Wimbledon in July. tour members a voice. Steeplechaser Kipruto’s number one is not invincible. Djokovic has led the Players Djokovic was on a roll until centre court. I’m going to fight Apart from 2017 when he Council since October last year Cincinnati, having won three for a title as everyoneveryone else does, missed the tournament througthroughh but his s two main a rivals va s Federer ede e return a relief for Kenya titles, including two Grand and I like my cchances.hances. I feel ggoodood injury,injury, the Serb has aandnd NaNadaldal returnereturnedd to tthehe bbodyody Slams, on three different sur- and I look foforwardrward to it.”it.” reached at eearlierarlier this month, a move thathatt ahead of Doha Worlds faces this year. Djokovic, whoo hhasas won ffourour out least the was seen byby many as a unitedunited He won the Australian Open of the last fiveve GrandGrand SlamsSlams -- semi-sem i- frontfront to counter DjoDjokovic’skovic’s AFP in January, took the ATP Masters with his only llossoss over tthehe past ffinalsina l s influence.influence. NAIROBI event in Madrid in May, before 13 months beingeing in tthehe semi-semi- iinn TheThe councicouncill wiwillll meemeett saving two match points to finals of this yyear’sear’s inin New York ahead of ththee World and Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Conseslus overcome old foe Roger Federer -- will still be one of the US OpenOpen and the subtextsubtext Kipruto is targeting a winning return in his first race in a year in the longest men’s singles final favourites to win his fourth US willwill add to an alreadalreadyy in the Paris Diamond League meeting tomorrow. at Wimbledon in July. Open title. fiercefierce rivalryrivalry among tthehe The return of the Kenyan 2018 Diamond League winner But last weekend’s defeat by A triumphph at FlushinFlushingg threethree menmen whowho havehave after suffering a leg stress fracture last year is a relief for Kenya Russian Daniil Medvedev did not Meadows wouldould alsoalso taketake him dominateddominated thethe men’smen’s ahead of the World Championships in Doha, where its stran- shake the confidence of a man to within onee ooff RRafaelafael NNadal’sadal’s ggameame forfor more thanthan a glehold on global steeplechase titles was under threat for the who has spent nine months as total of 18 Grandand SSlamlam ttitlesitles aandnd decade. first time since 1991. the game’s top ranked player. to within threehree of Federer’sFederer’s “I am proud to return to racing again after such a long time. “I see mostly positives really record 20. The most important thing is that I am fully healed, and my target in my game,” he said after Sat- Althoughh a men’s now is to take back my position at the top of the 3000m stee- urday’s loss, only his seventh in champion has not plechase,” Kipruto said before leaving for Paris. 45 matches this year. defended the UUSS OOpenpen Kenya has won every Olympic gold medal in the men’s stee- “I lost to a player that was crown sinceince plechase since 1968 and are undefeated at the world champi- playing amazing, so I’ll take that Federer in 2008,08, onships since 1991. and I’ll move forward to New Djokovic canan In Paris, Kipruto is expecting to renew his rivalry with York and have a good practice take encour-- Morocco’s Souffiane El Bakkali, who has taken full advantage week. agement fromm of the Kenyan’s absence to cement his place as the season’s “Then, of course, get myself a fine run off world number one, with two world-leading victories at the ready for the Open. I love playing form there inn Doha and Monaco Diamond League meetings. in those conditions there on recent years. The 23-year-old Moroccan, who won a silver medal behind Kipruto at the 2017 world championships in London also heads the list of seven qualifiers for the Diamond League finals in Zurich on August 29 and Brussels on September 6. Osaka heads to New York ITF postpones But victory for Kipruto in Paris will open the door for him to qualify for the two-legged final before heading back home India-Pakistan to prepare for the Kenya team’s world championships trials on September 12-13. striving for form, fitness Davis Cup tie

REUTERS TOKYO Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts during her to November first round match against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva at Wimbledon in this REUTERS MotoGP: Dovizioso It has been a roller-coaster 12 NEW DELHI months for Japan’s Naomi July 1, 2019 file photo. Osaka since her dramatic India’s Davis Cup tie against confident ahead of victory over Pakistan at Islamabad next in the US Open final last year. month has been postponed to After clinching her maiden November under “exceptional Silverstone challenge in a final that will circumstances” after a security always be remembered for review, the International Tennis AFP favourite, having finished Serena Williams’ extraordinary Federation (ITF) said yesterday. LONDON second or better in 10 of the 11 row with the umpire, Osaka The All India Tennis Associ- races so far, including six became the first Japanese to ation had last week written to After claiming victory in Austria, victories. claim the world number one the ITF asking them to shift the Andrea Dovizioso (pictured) The other big news for ranking when she captured her Sept. 14-15 tie to a neutral venue and Ducati will try to further Honda is the return of Marquez’s second slam in January at the or postpone it until political ten- close the gap on runaway cham- team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. Australian Open. sions simmer down between the pionship leader Marc Marquez The three-time MotoGP The rising star has gone on bitter neighbours. at the British MotoGP at Silver- world champion has been side- to become the second highest- “Following an in-depth stone on Sunday. lined since breaking his back at paid female athlete in the security review of the current Last year’s race was can- round eight in the world, behind Williams, off the situation in Pakistan by inde- celled due to standing water on Netherlands. back of a host of lucrative pendent expert security the track but the weekend “It’s very good to be back, it sponsorship deals. advisors, the Davis Cup Com- forecast looks to be fine for an has been a long time since Assen. But with the tennis world mittee has taken the decision to event that has been dominated I would have liked to have been at her feet, the 21-year-old postpone the Davis Cup Asia/ by Ducati and Yamaha in recent back sooner, but the nature of struggled to kick on. Oceania Group I tie,” ITF said in years. the injury meant I had to take A difficult few months saw a statement. Five-time world champion my time,” said Lorenzo who has her fail to win a tournament, “The committee concluded Marquez and Honda will be won at the circuit in 2010, 2012 lose her number one ranking that this is an exceptional cir- looking to exact revenge after and 2013, and was on pole and crash out of Wimbledon cumstance while the first pri- Dovizioso denied him a win in position last year before the race in the first round. ority of the ITF is the safety and the close-run Austrian Grand was cancelled. She opened up about her security of athletes, officials and Prix on August 11. Another man to watch is struggles on social media spectators. Dovizioso is now 58 points Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales, who earlier this month, calling the “The tie has been behind Marquez with eight races recorded the first victory of his last few months the “worst of rescheduled for November, with left. career at Silverstone in 2016. my life”. the exact dates to be confirmed Marquez won at Silverstone He is confident that the new “I can honestly reflect and by the Committee no later than inn 2014 andand Dovizioso tooktook tthehe SilverstoneSilverstone surface,surface, llaidaid this say I probably haven’t had fun forcing her to retire in the presentation ceremony. Much September 9.” chequeredhequered flagflag therethere in 2017. year, willwill benefitbenefit hishis team.t playing tennis since Australia quarter-finals of the Cincinnati of the criticism of Williams The ITF will continue to DoviziosoDovizioso said:said: “Even“Even “In“In Silverstone I got and I’m finally coming to terms Masters last week. centred on how her actions monitor the situation in Pakistan thoughhough thethe characteristicscharacteristics my firstfirst victoryvictor in with that while relearning that Osaka is adamant she will had spoiled a precious moment and the Davis Cup Committee off thethe BriBritishtish ttrackrack areare MMotoGP,otoGP, so I haveh fun feeling,” Osaka wrote. defend her title, saying she for Osaka, who was even will re-convene to re-examine notot as favourablefavourable to us as good memmemorieso Ahead of her US Open would most likely play in New moved to apologise for beating the security situation in advance Brnorno andand Spielberg,Spielberg, we thethere.re. I thinkthink it’s a defence, Osaka has also been York even against her doctor’s the home favourite. of the tie.” haveave alreadyalready shown that ttrackrack thatthat cacann be hit with injury, a knee problem wishes. Williams has since apolo- An Indian Tennis team last wewe can alsoalso be quickquick at very ffavourableavourab to Osaka, who changed coach gised to Osaka but that does played a Davis Cup tie in Pakistan Silverstone,ilverstone, like in 2017 our bikebike,, and wwee can Osaka, who changed in February, has reclaimed the not mean she will take it easy in 1964, when they beat the hosts whenwhen we won thethe race.”race.” bebe competitive also coach in February, has number one ranking and will on the Japanese if their paths 4-0. Pakistan lost 3-2 when they But Marquez’sMarquez’s becausebecause of thethe new reclaimed the number be a match for anyone at the cross in New York again. played in Mumbai in 2006. hotot form in asphalt,” ViVinalesn one ranking and will be US Open if in the right physical In their first meeting since Until recently, Pakistan has 20190 1 9 saidsaid onon the a match for anyone and mental shape. that infamous final, Williams been forced to host Davis Cup makes YaYamaham A key challenge for the had little trouble handing out ties at neutral venues as teams at the US Open if in himim website.web Japanese will be dealing with a straight-sets win over refused to travel to the South theh e the right physical and the inevitable questions Osaka at the Rodgers Cup Asian nation over security mental shape. about last year’s final, which semi-finals in Toronto earlier concerns. left Osaka in tears during the this month. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 2019

Sri Lanka to return to Archer’s six-wicket haul sparks Pakistan for 3 short-form Australia collapse on first day matches AFP SCOREBOARD LEEDS AFP Third Ashes Test Australia 1st Innings D. Warner c Bairstow b Archer ...... 61 COLOMBO England’s Jofra Archer Jofra Archer took six wickets as M. Harris c Bairstow b Archer ...... 8 celebrates after taking the England dismissed an Australia U. Khawaja c Bairstow b Broad ...... 8 Sri Lanka will return to side without star batsman Steve wicket of Australia’s Nathan M. Labuschagne lbw b Stokes ...... 74 Pakistan after a nearly Smith for just 179 on the first day Lyon in Leeds, yesterday. T. Head b Broad ...... 0 M. Wade b Archer ...... 0 two-year absence for three of the third Ashes Test at Head- T. Paine lbw b Woakes ...... 11 short-form cricket games ingley yesterday. J. Pattinson c Root b Archer ...... 2 later this year, the sports Fast bowler Archer, in only P. Cummins c Bairstow b Archer ...... 0 minister said yesterday. his second Test, took 6-45 in 17.1 N. Lyon lbw b Archer ...... 1 “We are not in a position overs -- the first time he had J. Hazlewood not out ...... 1 to send the team to Pakistan taken five or more wickets in an Extras (b4, lb2, nb2, w5) ...... 13 to play the two Tests, but we innings at this level. Total (all out, 52.1 overs, 257 mins) ..179 Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Harris), 2-25 (Khawaja), will be in Pakistan for about England, looking to level this 3-136 (Warner), 4-138 (Head), 5-139 (Wade), 6-162 eight days to play the ODIs series at 1-1, reduced Australia (Paine), 7-173 (Pattinson), 8-174 (Cummins), 9-177 or the T20 matches,” Harin to 25-2 after home captain Joe (Labuschagne), 10-179 (Lyon) Fernando told reporters in Root won the toss. Bowling: Broad 14-4-32-2; Archer 17.1-3-45-6 Colombo. No dates were But David Warner (61) and (2nb); Woakes 12-4-51-1 (1w); Stokes 9-0-45-1; announced, but the minister Marnus Labuschagne (74) frus- England: Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Root (capt), Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Jos But- said the games would be trated England in a third-wicket tler, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Jack scheduled for later this year. stand of 111. Leach Citing safety fears, Archer, however, turned the Fernando said two Tests tide by having Warner caught on -- halted play in the second could instead be played in behind off a 90 mph delivery. session. the United Arab Emirates It was the start of a collapse The resumption saw an (UAE), where Pakistan has that saw Australia lose three increasingly assured held many of its home series. wickets for three runs to be Labuschagne hit two well-struck International teams have 139-5. made 59 as a concussion sub- in 18 years. Warner had previ- around the wicket, squared fours off first-change Chris stayed away from Pakistan Travis Head was bowled for stitute for Smith in the drawn ously managed scores of just Harris up with an 87.3 mph ball Woakes. England carelessly gave over security concerns. a duck by Stuart Broad and second Test at Lord’s. two, eight, three and five this and had him caught behind by away several over-throw bound- In October 2017, Sri Matthew Wade, a century-maker Root was hoping to make the Ashes -- his first Test campaign wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. aries in desperate run-out Lanka played a T20 match in the first Test, also fell for most of overcast conditions at since both he and Smith com- Moments later, with Australia attempts and when Ben Stokes in Lahore for the first time nought when a rising Archer his Yorkshire home ground and pleted 12-month ball-tampering 12-1 off four overs, rain stopped dropped short, Warner cut him since a terror attack near the delivery deflected off the thigh capitalise on an Australia top bans. play. for four to go to 49. same venue in March 2009. pad via his glove and into the order missing Smith, ruled out Warner’s fellow top-order When play resumed, Kha- A mistimed four off Stokes base of the stump, dislodging a with a concussion suffered after left-handers Marcus Harris and waja’s glance off Broad was through point saw Warner com- bail. being hit by a 92 mph bouncer Usman Khawaja both fell for caught by Bairstow. plete a 79-ball fifty -- a landmark Warner’s innings was his first from Archer at Lord’s. eight. England, however, had to greeted with now familiar boos double figure score of a series Smith’s scores of 144, 142 and Harris had been drafted in to first review New Zealand umpire from some fans. But there were where he had previously 92 had been central to putting open alongside Warner after Chris Gaffaney’s original not out cheers too, with Warner’s wife We are not in a managed just 18 runs in total, Ashes-holders Australia ahead Cameron Bancroft was dropped decision. Candice among those at the position to send the while Labuschagne scored his as they look to win a Test series following 44 runs in four innings. More rain and bad light -- ground applauding her hus- team to Pakistan to second successive fifty after he away to England for the first time But Archer, bowling from even though the floodlights were band’s innings. play the two Tests, but we will be in Pakistan for about eight days to play Karunaratne stands tall on rain-hit first day the ODIs or the T20 matches: Harin Sri Lankan captain Dimuth AFP SCOREBOARD reached 32 with four fours and COLOMBO Fernando Karunaratne plays a shot Sri Lanka put on 50 runs with Karunaratne during the first day of D. Karunaratne not out ...... 49 to steady the batting. the final Test against Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne L. Thirimanne c Williamson b Somerville ...... 2 De Grandhomme got Mendis New Zealand at P Sara helped Sri Lanka to 85 for two at K. Mendis c Watling b de Grandhomme ...... 32 caught behind on a seaming A. Mathews not out ...... 0 Oval Stadium in Colombo stumps on a rain-hit day one of delivery outside the off stump Rathour Extras (b1, lb1) ...... 2 the second Test against New and Watling gloved the catch. yesterday. Total (2 wickets, 36.3 overs) ...... 85 named India’s Zealand in Colombo yesterday. Did not bat: K. Perera, D. de Silva, N. Dickwella, D. “I was just trying to be Only 36.3 overs were pos- Perera, S. Lakmal, L. Embuldeniya, L. Kumara patient and stay for a longer sible after rain washed out the Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Thirimanne), 2-79 (Mendis) period operating in the same line batting coach first session and bad light ended Bowling: Boult 7-2-20-0, Southee 12-4-22-0, De until he made a mistake and he play for the day with Karu- Grandhomme 8.3-2-14-1, Somerville 6-3-20-1, Patel did that, and we were glad to REUTERS naratne unbeaten on 49. 3-1-7-0 claim that wicket just before MUMBAI Karunaratne, fresh from a New Zealand: K. Williamson (capt), J. Raval, T. close of play,” de Grandhomme Latham, R. Taylor, H. Nicholls, BJ Watling, C. de match-winning century in the Grandhomme, T. Southee, W. Somerville, A. Patel, T. said. Former opener Vikram Rathour first Test in Galle last week last Boult The hosts only need a draw is to replace Sanjay Bangar as week, hit six boundaries during to clinch the two-match series. India’s batting coach, the coun- his 100-ball stay in overcast that will be nice.” Both teams made one change try’s cricket board (BCCI) said conditions. Karunaratne batted with from the first match. yesterday. Former captain Angelo positive intent despite losing Sri Lanka included veteran The 50-year-old Rathour Mathews was giving Karu- opening partner Lahiru Thir- spinner Dilruwan Perera in place played six Tests and seven ODIs naratne company in the middle imanne and Kusal Mendis either of Akila Dananjaya, who was for India between 1996-97 and to remain unbeaten on nought side of tea. reported for a suspect bowling has previously held the senior after facing 14 deliveries. Thirimanne never looked action after the first Test. national selector’s role. New Zealand all-rounder comfortable and his 59-minute The entire opening session “Vikram Rathour has got Colin de Grandhomme, who stay at the wicket produced just and another hour was lost due enough experience and we are made the XI in place of Mitchell two runs. to persistent rain and the toss convinced with his skill sets (as Santner, said the match was His misery ended when he took place at 1:10 pm (0740 a coach),” BCCI CEO Rahul Johri “evenly poised”. pushed a William Somerville GMT). The afternoon session told reporters. “There’s a bit of more bounce delivery and was caught at extra went uninterrupted but play was “The team management on this track than what we cover by skipper Kane Wil- again delayed by 28 minutes had their own views but looking encountered in Galle and that’s liamson. He had been earlier after tea due to rain. ahead we felt there should be nice,” he said after play ended. dropped by wicketkeeper BJ After 7.3 overs in the evening some freshness in the support “If we can get a couple of Watling off Somerville. session, play was called off due staff.” early wickets tomorrow morning Mendis looked good as he to bad light. Play Sharma as Test opener, Ganguly tells India

REUTERS batsman. He was dropped fol- The two Tests in Caribbean, the opener’s slot while Rahane MUMBAI lowing a poor return in South which also marks the beginning continues his good work of Former captain Africa in early 2018 when he of the World Test Championship lending stability to the middle Sourav Ganguly India must get limited-overs scored 78 runs in four innings. for both sides, will present order.” wants India to opener Rohit Sharma to serve the He played two Tests in Australia another opportunity for Rohit to India will also have to choose let Rohit Sharma role in Test cricket too, former at the end of the year, missing try and cement his spot and between experienced wicket- carry on his captain Sourav Ganguly has said one with injury and the other due Ganguly believes it should be at keeper Wriddhiman Saha, who good form from as the team ponder on their to the birth of his child. the top of the order. was recalled after being out the World Cup combination for first Test against India are without regular “The major decision is injured for more than a year, and and settle in the West Indies in Antigua. opener Prithvi Shaw, currently whether they want to play Rohit the young Rishabh Pant for the opener’s slot in Rohit, 32, has cemented his serving a doping ban, while or Rahane,” Ganguly, who played wicketkeeper’s role. Tests. place at the top of the batting Mayank Agarwal, who has 113 Tests, wrote in a column pub- Saha’s replacement Pant has order in the Twenty20 and played just two Tests, is the lished in yesterday’s Times of used his chances well and hit a 50-over formats and finished regular opening batsman in the India newspaper. century in an Oval Test last year with most number of runs in the squad alongside KL Rahul. “Rohit was in blistering form while also smashing an unbeaten World Cup in England recently. Spin-bowling all-rounder in the World Cup, but in Tests in 159 against Australia in Sydney The only player in the world Hanuma Vihari opened in the South Africa and Australia, he in January. with three double hundreds in Melbourne Test against Australia was ‘on and off’. Rahane was not “After his impressive one-day internationals, Rohit last year while Test vice-captain his usual self in Australia. showing in Test cricket in Aus- bats in the middle order in the Ajinkya Rahane as seen as Rohit’s “My suggestion would be to tralia and England, Rishabh Pant longest format but has never competition for a middle order let Rohit carry on his good form should be starting ahead of really flourished as a Test berth. from the World Cup and settle in Wriddhiman,” added Ganguly. FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 2019 SPORT 19 Messi ‘made me a better player’: Ronaldolddo

AFP Barcelona before he left for because it was a rivalry that he Senna and Alain Prost in LISBON Juventus, admitted that the pair appreciated,” Ronaldo told TVI Formula 1. The thing they all have never socialised together. in Portugal. had in common is that they Cristiano Ronaldo admitted on “I reallyy admire the career “It’s a gygood rivalry but were healthy rivalries.” WednesdayWednesday hhisis long-timelong-time hehe hhasas hhadad anandd ffromrom hhisis siside,de, it’sit’s not uniuniqueque -- Ronaldo and Messi have rivalryivalry with Lionel Messi hehe has already Michael Jordan wonwo the coveted Ballon d’Or I really hasas made him “a better talked of the had rivalries fivefive times each, a factor that admire the player”layer” and that he enjoysenjoys disap-disap - iinn basbas-- helpshelp each player flourish. career he a “healthy”“healthy” rivalryrivalry pointmentpointment ketball, “I have no doubt that Messi withwith thethe ArgentineArgentine when I left ththereere was hashas made me a better player has had great.reat. Spain AyAyrtonrton anandd vice-versa. When I am and from However,However, Portu-Portu- winningwin trophies it must sting his side, hee gueseuese star Ronaldo, himhim and it’s the same for me has alreadyy whose influenceinfluence whenwh he wins,” he said. att RRealeal MMadridadrid “I have an excellent profes- talked of thehe mirroredm irro r ed sionalsion relationship because we disappointmentment thathat of havehav been sharing the same when I leftS pSpainain MessiMessi at momentsmo for 15 years. because it wwasas He added: “We’ve never hadh dinner together but I a rivalry thathat don’t see why we can’t in he appreciated:ated: Barcelona’s the future. I don’t see a Ronaldo Lionel Messi problem with that.”

IFAB tells Brazil-born Premier GriezmannGriezmann couldcould be the history-maker League to ggetet vows to take in line on keykey for ininjury-hitjury-hi Barca China to WC AFP VAR usagee REUTERSREUTEREUTREUREEUTEUTEERRSS turningttuturnniiningg thetht Catalans down last year to SHANGHAI BARCELONABABARCEBARCEARCECELLONONONAA staysst atat AtleticoA and he will need to REUTERS improveimpri proveove on his drab debut display to Brazilian-born striker Elkeson MANCHESTER BarcelonaBarcBBarar eelllononona forwardfoorrwwwaararddA AAnAntoinetoinoine GrGGriezmanniezmieezme annnn win overoveover supporters who felt let down said he wants to fire China to the isis u undernndddeerr prppressurereresssssususuru e too deliverdeliver ini hishis byyt thatthahat snsnub. World Cup after he became the Football’s lawmaking bodydy homehomomome bowbow againstaagggaaiininstnstst RealReaReal BeBetistis oonn TheThhee FranceF forward was largely first footballer without Chinese has urged the Premierer SundaySdSundSunundndndaayy wwithiitthh thtthehee LLaa LLigaiigaa chachampionshamammpions ineffectiveinefinneffecti against Athletic as he ancestry to be named in the League and other compe-e- facingfaciffaciinngg aann iininjurynjujuryjuuryryy crcricrisissisisi inn aattackttacta k as thetheyey struggledstruruggled to influence play from wide national squad. titions to all follow thee looklool too respondrreresesppoond to llastastt weekweeweek’sk’s positionspositionti s and then saw even less of The recently naturalised same rules on thee surprisesurpsu riseri e defeatdedeeffeaeatat ata AAthleticthlethhletictic BilbBBilbao.baao. thehe ball aas he moved into the centre 30-year-old will make more involvement of videoo TheThThhee 1-01 0 lossoss waswawasa Barca’sBarca’s forward’sfforwrward’ role after Suarez had been history when - as widely review (VAR) technology.. firstfifirsirsrst opopening-dayenenining-dagdad y deddefeatfeatt in forcedforcorced oofff injured. expected - he lines up for Mar- The move comess 111 yearsyeaearearsars andd theththeireirr eearly-arlyarla - GriezmannGriez tends to perform best cello Lippi’s side in a 2022 World after concern that thee seasonseasse on jjittersitteitteers wwereererere furfurtherurturthher whenwhe plaplaying off a centre forward such Cup qualifier away at the Mal- Premier League and Bun-- compoundedcompcoc mpoundoundeed wwhenhheen as OOlivierliviliv er Giroud with France or Diego dives on September 10. desliga in particular werere strikerssttrikerke LuisLuL is SuarezSSuauarezre andannd CostaCostCosta at Atletico, but he will be Lippi has long complained applying different interpre-re- electriceelelececc trictricc winwiwingeri gerg err expectedexpecteded to lead the attack against about a dearth of attackers and tations over the use of VARAR thanthan OusmaneOuOusOususmsmsmaneannee DembeleDemmbbele Betis,BetiB is, withwiti Rafinha and Sergi Roberto on Wednesday moved to plug the the ones handed out byy IFAB, wewwereerree ruledrululeedd outoutu fforor aatt likelylikkeelyl ttoo be the wide forwards and gap with Elkeson, who will use FIFA’s rule-making body.y. leastleaseasasstat a mommonthoonnntthhwhwi withwwiitthhm musclemuuscussclscle prproblems.oblel ms.s MessiMeMMesMessiipo potentiallypo playing a role as a the Chinese name Ai Kesen and On Wednesday, IFAB issueissuedd LionelLionLioio eell MessiMesessiesssi mismmissediisssesedeed thethe tritript ipp to substitute.suubstitut take up a Chinese passport. a circular on the recent changeshanges BilbaoBilbBilblbbao wwithiitithh a cacalfalfffi iinjurynjurnjjury aanandnd aalalthoughltthothhouughg BarcaBarcB rcr coach Ernesto Valverde The move, which could start in laws, including the issuessue ofof Barca’sBaBaarcrcca’saa’ass allalaall-timell-lll timimmme toptoopp sscoscorerrerre hash challengedchalchahllelengg Griezmann to be more a trend of Brazilians playing for the use of VAR in the takingking of returnedretureetutuurnedrnernrnednenedd toto training,trat aiinningnini g, hehe is unlikelyunlunliunlikekelyely to involvedinvonvoollved in his next outing. China, has divided fans in the penalty kicks. bebe hhandedanandandendeddeed a sststastartingtartitiningg berbbeberthth ggivenivenn heh “HeHeH hash to be more involved in the world’s most populous country. The Premier Leagueue and missedmmissmisssseedddm m mostosto ooff p pre-season.rere-sr seeasoeaeassoon.n playpplllalayay andd always be looking to get But the Guangzhou Ever- Bundesliga have opted too leave WithWWitiththh thetht CatalansCaCattalalanalalanla sshs shshornhorno offt tthreehhrehree involved,”innnvnvoolvedlv he said. grande striker vowed to win over the decision over whetherther a of theirtheireir topt forwards,forwwawards, allalll eyeseyes willwilill be “It is good to have him near the the doubters, saying in an open goalkeeper had moved off tthehe on GriezmannGriezri mann in hish firsfirstt appearanceappearearanance areaa becausebbeca of his movement but that letter: “Having Chinese nation- line to onfield officialss wiwithth at tthehhe CCampamamp Nouou sincesincnce hishhis willwill onlyonlnly work if we completely dom- ality allows me to contribute to VAR only intervening iff therethere 120-million-euro12120-20-mimillm ion--eeuroeu ($1($13333 mmillion)illil onon)) movem inateinate gagames.”m the national team once again is a clear mistake byby ththee fromffrom AtlAAtAtleticoetico Madrid,MMadridrid, andand nonotot leleastast RealReal Madrid also play their first playing in the World Cup. officials. becausebebecaecaususeu BarcBarcaarcrca nneneeded a winn to kkickkick-- homehome gamegam of the season on Saturday, “I want to tell the world: I But IFAB have insisteded tthathat startstarstart theirtheir season.seasasson.on hostinghosting RealR Valladolid after a confi- have officially begun a new VAR “must check forr any GriezmannGriGrieG iezmanzm n receivedreceivved a hoshostilestiltile dence-boostingdence-bob 3-1 win at Celta Vigo, journey, I am Chinese, I want to offence by the goalkeeperr ((and/and/ recreceptionececeptiopti n in hisis lasllastt althoughalthoughgh they will be without Luka return all the love and care you or the kicker) and the VARR must outingououtingg aatt Barca’sBarca’r s ModricModric ddue to suspension. have given me over the years.” inform the referee if therehere is stadiumstada iiuium AtleticoAtle Madrid meanwhile make Elkeson, who has scored clear replay evidence.” aftafteaftertet r thethe shortshosh trip to neighbours Leganes more than 100 goals in about 150 Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann in action Neither the Premier LeagueLeague on SundaySun looking to build on their games in the Chinese Super during the La Liga match against Athletic nor the Bundesliga immediatelydiately narrownarro 1-0 win over Getafe. League, qualifies for China responded for requestest to Bilbao in Bilbao, Spain on August 16. because he has played in the comment. country since 2013. Bayern hope Coutinho’s Arsenal’s optimism faces arrival will spark season REUTERS forward Ivan Perisic and Barce- first major test at Liverpool BERLIN lona’s Coutinho, and signed France youth international REUTERS Arsenal’s Madrid, has made the biggest Adrian will continue to deputise. German champions Bayern Mickael Cuisance. MANCHESTER coach Unai impression, but Brazilian Champions Manchester City, Munich are hoping their fans’ The transfer window in Emery defender David Luiz has also held at home to Tottenham enthusiasm with the arrival of Germany shuts next week. The two remaining teams with made a solid start. Hotspur last week, face a tricky Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who joined Bar- 100 percent Premier League A real buzz though surrounds trip to the Vitality Stadium to play Coutinho this week will spill celona from Liverpool in records this season go head-to- winger Nicolas Pepe, who could Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth on over onto the pitch when they January last year for about head tomorrow when Liverpool help provide ammunition for the Sunday. travel to Schalke 04 tomorrow.row. $170$170m,m, wwasas the third most host a new-look Arsenal at impressively prolific strike Also on Sunday, Spurs take Defeat in the German Superuper eexpensivexpensive Anfield in an encounter that will pairing of Alexandre Lacazette on struggling Newcastle who Cup to Borussia Dortmund anandd ttransferransfer in act as a barometer to measure the and Pierre-Emerick have lost their opening two a 2-2 home draw with Herthatha historyhistory but has London club’s progress. Aubameyang. games under new manager Steve Berlin in their Bundesligaiga failedfailed to hhitit Unai Emery’s Gunners have Pepe, signed from Lille, for a Bruce. opener last week made foror a the sasameme made a strong start to the cam- club-record £72m ($87m), has yet The weekend kicks off with disappointing start to the seasonason hheightseights at the paign with wins at Newcastle to start but showed flashes of his promoted Aston Villa, yet to earn for the Bavarians. Camp Nou as United and at home to Burnley talent during a substitute a point on their return to the top Another slip-up at Schalkehalke he ddidid at AnfiAnfield.eld. but they do not need to look too appearance in the 2-1 win over flight, at home to an Everton team would set the alarm bells ringingnging far into their history to realise this Burnley. who may fancy their chances of at Bayern, who have won thee llastast will be a very different European champions Liv- breaking into the top six this seven league titles. challenge. contenders and was the latest in erpool, however, have won a season. With title rivals Dortmundmund In December, amid talk of series of crushing losses at club-record equalling 11 straight Manchester United, who were wrapping up most of ttheirheir progress in Emery’s first season, Liverpool. Premier League games and are held at Wolverhampton Wan- signings by May, Bayern fans Arsenal were crushed 5-1 at The two previous meetings unbeaten at home for the past derers on Monday, look to return were less than impressweded Anfield with Brazilian Roberto at Anfield ended in 4-0 and 3-1 two seasons -- their last league to winning ways when Crystal with the club’s lack of activityity Firmino helping himself to a defeats for Arsene Wenger’s defeat at Anfield was in April, Palace travel to Old Trafford in the transfer market but thathat hat-trick. Arsenal teams, but there is a fresh 2017 against Crystal Palace. tomorrow. changed last week. It was a display which optimism around the club after a Manager Juergen Klopp That match will pit new After missing out oonn emphasised just how far the successful transfer window. will still be without his first United defender Aaron Wan several over the last couplele North London club had fallen Spanish midfielder Dani choice goalkeeper, Brazilian Bissaka against the club he left in of months, Bayern completeded Philippe Coutinho behind the genuine title Ceballos, on loan from Real Alisson Becker, so Spaniard the close-season. loan deals for Inter Milanan FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 2019 20

PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 Osaka heads Messi ‘made to New York me a better striving for player’, form, fitness says Ronaldo Alaaeldin at the double, Hani shines US sprint star Coleman risks as Al Gharafa beat Al Shahania 3-0 ban ahead of THE PENINSULA Al Gharafa’s Ahmed Doha Worlds DOHA Alaaeldin (left) in action against Al Shahania captain ROUND 1 Qatari forward Ahmed Alaaeldin Mostafa Jalal Jafri during Yesterday’s results AFP scored twice and newly recruited their opening match of the Al Gharafa 3-0 Al Shahania LOS ANGELES Algerian star Sofiane Hani added one QNB Stars League at Al Al Sailiya 1-1 Al Khor more as Al Gharafa beat Al Shahania Janoub Stadium yesterday. United States sprint star Christian Coleman 3-0 winners in their opening QNB PICTURE: TWITTER/ Today’s fixtures could face suspension after failing to make Al Arabi vs Al Ahli Stars League match yesterday. @ALKASSCHANNEL Al Janoub Stadium (17:20) himself available for three drugs tests, multiple At the Al Janoub Stadium, Al Rayyan vs Umm Salal reports said yesterday. Alaaeldin scored in the 64th minute Al Sadd Stadium (19:30) Coleman, 23, the fastest man in the world before the lead was doubled by his over 100 meters this year and the favourite for new 28-year-old team-mate in the next month’s World Championships in Qatar, 72nd minute. has missed three separate tests in the past 12 Alaaeldin scored his second goal months. in the seconds before the final whistle Britain’s Daily Mail and The Times news- (90+4) to give his team a memorable paper reported that Coleman, a late withdrawal start to the new season. from last Sunday’s Diamond League meeting From start to finish, it was a very in Birmingham, is challenging one of the dominant performance from Slavisa alleged “whereabouts” failures. Jokanovic’s men as they put down Under internationally recognised anti- an early marker for the season. doping rules, athletes are required to make The opening half saw a collection their exact whereabouts known to drug-testers of chances created by The Cheetahs up to 90 days in advance in order to facilitate as they kept pushing for that opening out-of-competition testing. goal, most notably through Sofiane Athletes who fail to make themselves and Alaaeldin, with the latter’s back- available for three drug tests are treated the heeled shot drifting marginally wide same as athletes who fail a drug test and face of the post. an automatic suspension. The two teams could have been Any suspension of Coleman would rep- easily separated at the break had it resent another bodyblow against athletics just not been for the goalkeeping as the sport attempts to move on from the expertise of Khalifa Al Dossari in goal Russian doping scandal. for Al Shahania. Coleman, the world record holder over The second half commenced in Injury forces Al Sadd’s 60m and world indoor 60m champion, has similar attacking fashion, with Al emerged as the most likely successor to Usain Gharafa hitting three well-struck Tae-Hee out for 3 weeks Bolt following the Jamaican sprint king’s volleys within a five-minute period. retirement in 2017. Coleman was a silver med- The resistance was finally broken THE PENINSULA clinch the title at the Al allist at the 2017 World Championships in when Alaaeldin latched on to Sofi- DOHA Janoub Stadium with a London behind mentor Justin Gatlin, and has ane’s pass to drill the ball home. 1-0 win. a personal best of 9.79sec. He has the quickest Fewer than 10 minutes later, they Al Sadd’s South Korean The 2017 QNB Stars 100m time of 2019 with a world leading 9.81sec doubled their lead spectacularly star Nam Tae-Hee has League player of the year, set in Stanford, California in June. when Sofiane beat the onrushing been ruled out for three Tae -Hee will undergo The circumstances of Coleman’s alleged goalkeeper with a superb flick. weeks following an treatments and will be missed tests were not revealed. At that point, it was game over injury which he suffered subjected to rehabilitation Coleman’s agent, Emanuel Hudson, did not and Alaaeldin ended the match by during last week’s Sheikh for three weeks before immediately respond to a request for comment. beating the offside trap to grab his Jassim Cup final against returning to action. The United States Anti-Doping Agency, second of the night. Al Khor’s Tiago Al Duhail. Al Sadd are preparing meanwhile, would not confirm a case involving Later, at the Al Sadd Stadium, Al Queiroz Bezerra Tae-Hee, who to take on Saudi Arabia’s Coleman. Sailiya and Al Khor settled in for a (left) vies for the switched from Al Duhail Al Nassr in the first leg of Depending on the dates of Coleman’s one-all draw in their season opener. ball possession to Al Sadd before the the AFC Champions missed tests, if confirmed, he could miss the Both goals were scored through with an Al Sailiya season began, took the League quarter-final on world championships and the 2020 Tokyo penalty kicks. Karim Ansari scored player during field on the hour mark in Monday in Riyadh and Olympics. the first goal of the match in the 19th yesterday’s match. place of Hashim Ali the absence of Tae-Hee Other athletes who have been suspended minute before scores were levelled PICTURE: HUSSAIN before he got injured as could be a big blow to following three missed drugs tests include 2016 by Brazilian Tiago Queiroz Bezerra SAYED the Wolves went on to Xavi Hernandez’ side. Olympics 100m hurdles champion Brianna in the 38th minute. Rollins-McNeal. US Open: Djokovic, Nadal on semi-final collision course

AFP Wimbledon, the fifth time he has NEW YORK managed the feat at a Grand Slam but one he has not achieved at Serena set to meet Top-ranked defending champion Flushing Meadows after wins in Novak Djokovic could face Roger 2011, 2015 and last year. Sharapova in opener Federer in the semi-finals and Medvedev, who opens against REUTERS Rafael Nadal in the final under the 89th-ranked Prajnesh Gun- NEW YORK Williams has won the US US Open draw unveiled yesterday neswaran of India, is coming off Open six times, while Shara- at Flushing Meadows. an ATP Cincinnati Masters crown pova’s lone title was in 2006. Djokovic, who defeated after also reaching US Open Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova beat Williams Federer last month in an epic tuneup hardcourt finals at Mon- Sharapova will have their twice in 2004, but has not Wimbledon final for his 16th treal and Washington. first ever clash at the US prevailed since, not counting Grand Slam crown, had the Federer will open against a Open next week after being a walkover in the 2018 20-time Grand Slam champion qualifier as will Japan’s seventh- drawn against each other in French Open, where the and third seed dropped into his seeded Kei Nishikori, also in his the first round. American pulled out with an half of the draw. quarter of the draw. It will be the 22nd career injury. “The finals against Roger in Second seed Nadal, who won match-up between the two If Williams, the eighth Wimbledon was probably top-two his 18th Grand Slam title at this long-time rivals, who seed, beats Sharapova and in the most exciting matches I’ve year’s French Open, has Austrian somehow have avoided each subsequent opponents, she ever been a part of,” Djokovic fourth seed Dominic Thiem on his other at the US Open could meet top seed Osaka Novak Djokovic (left) and Roger Federer pose for photographs said. “It took me some time... to side of the bracket. throughout their long again in the final, as the pair after the Wimbledon Championship men’s final at the All England get back on track.” Nadal’s first US Open match careers. are on opposite sides of the Lawn and Croquet Club in this July 14, 2019 file photo. The duo The other match cited by the will be against Australia’s 61st- A year after losing the draw. could meet in the US Open semi-finals, according to the draw 32-year-old Serbian star was his ranked John Millman, who final to Naomi Osaka, Wil- Williams has not played revealed yesterday. five-set victory over Nadal in the shocked Federer at the tour- liams will have to hit the since retiring with a back final. nament in 2018, while fourth- ground running in her quest injury in the final of the Djokovic is 26-22 all-time Open final, will play his first- “Most of the players study seeded Thiem’s opener will be for a 24th Grand Slam title. Rogers Cup in Toronto on against Federer and 28-26 for his round match against Spain’s 76th- the draw to be honest,” against Italy’s Thomas But the 37-year-old Aug. 11. career against Nadal in matches ranked Roberto Carballes Baena. Djokovic said. “You look at your Fabbiano. American will take confi- Sharapova, ranked 87th among the Big Three. He could be tested by South section to see who is in there. “This is where we’re going to dence from her dominant in the world, has also battled Federer and Nadal, who have African Kevin Anderson or Swiss Most of the players look further reach some kind of a climax in 19-2 head-to-head record injuries this year and was never played at the US Open, Stan Wawrinka in the fourth than the first round but the terms of the quality of tennis and against five-times Grand beaten by Ash Barty in the could only meet in the final. round and face in-form Russian focus of your attention is on the the interest of fans around the Slam winner Sharapova, second round of the Djokovic, who beat Juan fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in a first round.” world,” Djokovic said. “It’s going who is unseeded. Cincinnati Masters last week. Martin del Potro in last year’s US quarter-final. Djokovic defended his title at to be a great tournament.”