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Friday, August 18, 2017 ATHLETICS Dhul-Qa’da 26, 1438 AH Bolt reveals injury GULF TIMES details and rounds on doubters SPORT Page 6 FOOTBALL Ronaldo-less Real Ton-up Root shines bright complete Super Cup for England rout of Barcelona in Windies Ronaldo’s replacement Asensio and Benzema score in first half for 2-0 win day/nighter

England’s (right) raises his bat to the fans as he walks off for the tea break along with teammate during the first Test against West Indies in Birmingham yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP Roach through the covers before Birmingham, United Kingdom clipping him off his pads. It was an encouraging start by the Surrey batsman — Cook’s 12th Eng- oe Root led from the front land opening partner since Andrew with a century as England took Strauss retired fi ve years ago. charge against the West Indies But that was as good as it got for on the opening day of the in- Stoneman, brought in after England auguralJ day/night Test on English soil dropped following Real Madrid players celebrate winning the Super Cup after beating Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Wednesday. (AFP) at Edgbaston yesterday. a run of low scores during the pre- England were 215 for two at tea ceding 3-1 home Test series victory AFP a comeback after conceding. with Root, who won the toss, un- against South Africa. Madrid “We have to recover quickly, the beaten on 103. Roach produced a superbly sharp league is on the horizon,” said Valverde, Former captain Alastair Cook was that pitched on middle ahead of Barca’s opener against closing in on a century of his own at stump and clipped the top of off to eal Madrid shrugged off the Real Betis on Sunday. 85 . clean bowl Stoneman and leave Eng- absence of the suspended Shorn of after his world The skippers past and present had land 14 for one. to cruise record breaking transfer to Paris Saint- added an unbroken 176 for the third Westley, still to cement his place past rivals Barcelona 2-0 in Germain and injured captain Andres . at number three, was then lbw on Rthe second leg of the Spanish Super Iniesta, Barca’s star front two lacked They had joined forces with Eng- review after missing a drive off fi rst- Cup to cap a 5-1 aggregate win. the service needed to make a meaning- land faltering at 39 for two after Test change Miguel Cummins, with re- Ronaldo was slapped with a fi ve- ful impact. debutant Mark Stoneman and Tom plays showing the ball would have game ban for pushing the referee after “In three days we fi nd ourselves Westley were both dismissed for smashed into the middle and leg he was sent off in the fi rst leg, but his against the ropes,” added Valverde. eight. stumps. replacement enhanced “Things have happened in pre-season But from then on the West Indies But Cook, who had a lucky break his reputation as one of world football’s that have aff ected the balance of the team found life tough against two proven when he edged West Indies captain rising stars as he smashed Madrid into and our job is to refi nd that balance.” world-class batsmen. Jason Holder through a gap in the the lead after just four minutes. Indeed, the scoreline could have Root’s fi fty was his 11th in succes- slips, and Root repaired the damage then deservedly been a lot more embarrassing for Barca sive Tests — a new England record with a succession of boundaries. doubled Real’s lead before half-time. as Marcelo dragged wide before Lucas and just one shy of South Africa star Just before the lunch interval left- Barca responded with a more spirited Vazquez hit the post with a glorious AB de Villiers’s all-time leading mark hander Cook, England’s all-time second-half showing and were unfor- chance. of 12. leading Test run-scorer, completed a tunate not to at least pull a goal back The hosts fi nally doubled their lead But while his conversion rate of 74-ball fi fty including 10 fours. as and Luis Suarez hit the Barcelona’s Luis Suarez grimaces during the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup six minutes before the break when fi fties into hundreds has sometimes Root followed Cook to the land- woodwork. match against Real Madrid in Madrid on Wednesday. (AFP) Benzema nipped in front of Umtiti and been a source of frustration to Root, mark in 83 balls when a fl ashing cut Victory continues Madrid’s run of slotted past Ter Stegen. this time the Yorkshireman went on off opposing skipper Holder fl ew success under Zinedine Zidane with time we play it shows,” added Zidane. However, he rejected suggestions he An 11:00pm kick-off time meant to score his 13th century in 58 career through the slip cordon for four. the European champions now having “We have to try to continue like this. is now ahead of Bale in Zidane’s peck- half-time saw Wednesday turn to Tests. But there was no luck involved lifted seven trophies in the 20 months To start the season like this is very ing order. “I am working to have as Thursday and Barca did at least salvage The fi fth day/night Test worldwide when Root drove Holder straight since the Frenchman took charge. good, but we know a long season is just many minutes as possible on the fi eld. some pride in the early morning with an saw Root win the toss under blue down the ground. “We played a great match tonight,” starting.” “I am happy on both a collective and improved second-half display. skies and on a good pitch. Root, who marked his fi rst Test as said Zidane. “Especially in the fi rst half In similar fashion to his strike in individual level.” Messi was desperately unlucky not to He decided to bat fi rst, for all the captain with an innings of 190 against it was spectacular.” the fi rst leg, 21-year-old Asensio sent net a consolation goal as he hit the un- concerns about facing the pink ball South Africa at Lord’s last month, Zidane even had the luxury of leaving an unstoppable left-footed shot past BARCA ‘ON THE ROPES’ derside of the bar from a narrow angle. and the diffi culties of batting in twi- pulled off -spinner Roston Chase to fi rst-team regulars Gareth Bale, Marc-Andre ter Stegen into the top Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has The visitors’ night was summed up light later on. the fi ne leg rope for a that and Casemiro on the bench as Real’s corner from outside the box. suff ered the worst possible start to when Suarez headed against the post Left-hander Stoneman’s fi rst two saw him complete a 139-ball century. strength in depth was demonstrated in “I think we were superior across the his reign with back-to-back defeats with the goal gaping after Navas had scoring shots in were Cook then ended a dominant ses- a dominant fi rst 45 minutes. whole tie,” Asensio told Spanish TV against the Catalans fi ercest rivals and parried Messi’s driven shot into his both fours. sion for England by clipping Roach “This team has hunger and every station Telecinco. the visitors never threatened to mount path. The 30-year-old eased Kemar through midwicket for four. Gulf Times 2 Friday, August 18, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT TRANSFER NEWS Dortmund deny Dembele’s sale to Real’s confi dence Barcelona is ‘close’

AFP Berlin

orussia Dortmund’s contrasts with CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke yesterday rub- bished claims by Bar- Bcelona’s general manager Pep Segura that the Spanish giants were ‘close’ to signing the Ger- man club’s want-away winger Ousmane Dembele. Barca’s concern “Barcelona have not managed to fulfi l their wish to complete ‘Winning these two trophies against two great teams is not easy at all but behind Dembele’s transfer — until now, they aren’t one millimetre clos- these wins there is a hunger to keep winning. It’s great to start like this...’ er,” Watzke told German maga- File picture of Dortmund zine Kicker. midfielder Ousmane Dembele. Reuters Watzke’s comments referred to Barcelona Segura’s claim on Wednesday that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Barcelona are “close” to complet- scored a hat-trick. ing a deal for Dembele as well as Dortmund’s tough-tackling eal Madrid have outclassed Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho. defender Sokratis Papastath- Manchester United and Barce- Dembele, 20, has a contract opoulos says Dembele should lona to collect two trophies be- until 2021 and was suspended in- follow the example of Aubam- fore the season has begun, and defi nitely by Dortmund last week eyang, who has been linked to a ZinedineR Zidane’s side show little sign of for skipping training in a person- big-money move to China but relenting as they begin their title defence al protest to pressure the German has been told that he is staying. at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday. club to sell him to Barcelona. “Ousmane is a good lad, but he Meanwhile, last year’s runners up The Frenchman is suspended has to recognise that no player is Barca have been further shaken ahead of for Dortmund’s opening Bun- bigger than the team,” Sokratis their opening game against Real Betis on desliga match against Wolfsburg told yesterday’s edition of maga- Sunday by a knee injury to Luis Suarez tomorrow, which is an unwel- zine Kicker. that has ruled the Uruguayan striker out come distraction for new Borus- “Everyone has to be clear that for four weeks. sia coach Peter Bosz. he must work for the team and This piles more misery on the Cata- “It is not possible to com- fall in line. This also applies to lans, who are still reeling from the depar- pletely blend it out, but I try to Ousmane — he can’t just do ture of Neymar. focus on the players who are whatever he wants.” The two biggest sides in Spain are in here, which he isn’t,” said Bosz “Ousmane has done no good contrasting frames of mind heading into when asked about Dembele. by going on strike. He should not the opening weekend, and not even Cris- “I don’t know what will hap- forget that he still has a long- tiano Ronaldo’s suspension from the fi rst pen, we have to be patient for a term contract at Dortmund,” he four Liga games for pushing a referee has few more days.” added. dampened Real’s supreme confi dence. Spanish giants Barcelona Sokratis says he hopes Dem- Instead, the Spanish and European want to sign both Dembele and bele will return to training soon. champions appear less reliant on their Coutinho as attacking reinforce- He remains suspended as Portuguese talisman heading into this ments after losing Neymar to Dortmund prepare for their season. Paris Saint-Germain. opening game of the new Bun- Ronaldo played only 24 of 180 minutes According to Spanish media, desliga season at Wolfsburg to- of Real’s resounding 5-1 aggregate win Barcelona are off ering 80 million morrow. over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. euros ($93.5 million, £72.7 mil- “At fi rst he has to get in touch He was a late substitute in the Euro- lion), plus a bonus of 40 million with us again and come to training. pean Super Cup triumph over United, yet euros, but Dortmund want 150 Then we will see,” said Sokratis. Real produced a complete display char- million euros for Dembele — 10 “Ousmane has given a lot for acterised by their sturdy control in mid- times what they paid Rennes in us. He is a player who makes the fi eld and dominance of possession. 2016. diff erence and we need players Their squad depth was underlined by Dembele’s decision to strike like that. the fact coach Zinedine Zidane was able has irked his teammates. “But we also need players who to also leave out Gareth Bale and Isco in He missed Saturday’s 4-0 win don’t shut themselves out and the second leg. at minnows Rielasingen-Arlen who want to be part of our fam- Meanwhile, he watched Marco Asensio in the fi rst round of the Ger- ily. Apparently Ousmane doesn’t and Lucas Vazquez lead a three-pronged Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane gestures during the second leg of the Spanish Supercup match against Barcelona. man Cup when Gabon hot-shot want that.” attack with Karim Benzema, with and Croatian duo Luka Modric and phies in little more than 18 months in winning,” Zidane said. parture of Neymar to Paris St Germain. Mateo Kovacic giving their shaken Barca charge of Real. “It’s great to start like this but now a Defender Gerard Pique is also a doubt Coutinho sale not close, insists Klopp counterparts a lesson in passing. Few in the team could be accused of very long season is about to start. It won’t for the game against Betis due to a thigh The team’s versatility means Madrid lacking ambition ahead of the new cam- be easy, but we’re prepared for the chal- strain. Liverpool manager Jurgen Nothing to say from our side,” are as comfortable in a 4-3-3 shape as paign, in which they are hoping to be- lenge.” Coach Ernesto Valverde said he is Klopp has rejected Barcelona’s Klopp told reporters yester- they are a 4-4-2, and in the charismatic come the fi rst Spanish team to complete Barcelona fi nished three points behind looking to lift the team’s mood as the claims that they are close to day. Zidane they have a coach the entire squad a sextuplet of gongs in a single campaign. Real last season but there is concern the league campaign starts. “We need to re- signing unsettled Brazil for- “I don’t know why other looks up to for his achievements with “Winning these two trophies against gap between Spain’s biggest two sides cover our morale but we are still a good ward Philippe Coutinho. people are saying what they Real as a player. two great teams is not easy at all but be- could be far larger this season as the Cat- side. But we need to adapt because things Klopp’s side have snubbed are saying; I don’t even know The Frenchman has won seven tro- hind these wins there is a hunger to keep alans look shaken to the bone by the de- have changed.” Barcelona’s £90 million ($115 them — especially this guy, I’ve million, 99 million euros) off er never even met him.” for Coutinho and last week Quizzed on whether there IN HINDSIGHT issued a defiant statement in- had been any recent talks at sisting no further off ers would all, Klopp added: “I am not be considered. sure I have to answer this only Coutinho, who is currently because we have said what we Asensio’s brilliance leaves Barca wondering what if... sidelined with a back injury, have to say, or the club said responded by handing in a what we have to say. Reuters to declare he felt inferior to Real petition debuts. transfer request that was “No news from me because Barcelona for the fi rst time in 10 years. Asensio has struck on his Liga, turned down by Liverpool’s no-one told me anything dif- Asensio’s contribution to Real’s King’s Cup, Champions League, American owners. ferent since we spoke last time dominance over the two legs was European Super Cup and Span- But after Wednesday’s Span- about this.” arcelona were given even more painful for Barca as ish Super Cup debuts for Real, ish Super Cup defeat to Real There have been suggestions a painful reminder of they had let the former Mallorca also netting against Bayern Mu- Madrid, Barcelona’s general Coutinho could agitate for what they missed out forward slip from their grasp three nich in the Champions League manager Pep Segura told a move by eff ectively going on by failing to sign years ago, according to the Span- quarter-fi nals and grabbing the Catalan television station TV3: on strike, but while he is still MarcoB Asensio after the Span- iard’s agent Horacio Gaggioli. fi nal goal in Real’s 4-1 win over “We are close to Coutinho injured that is impossible. ish youngster’s long range strike Gaggioli said in an interview Juventus in the fi nal. and (’s Klopp conceded it is a tricky set Real Madrid on their way to with website Bleacher Report that Asensio was limited to 11 Liga Ousmane) Dembele. situation for all parties, but a 2-0 win over the Catalans on in the summer of 2014 Barca re- starts last season but is set for a “We are discussing their was keen not to be seen criti- Wednesday to seal the Spanish fused to pay the 4.5 million euros far bigger role this year. deals but do not know when cising the Brazilian’s attitude. Super Cup. Mallorca were asking for Asensio “When I saw his goal my jaw it will be done.” Asked if he “To be honest I have nothing The Spain under-21 interna- up front, preferring to pay in two dropped,” said Madrid midfi eld- expected them to sign, he to say about his attitude be- tional had the Santiago Berna- instalments, leaving Madrid to er Dani Ceballos, a teammate of added: “Yes, we expect it.” cause since he has had a back beu crowd screaming with de- snap him up later in the year for a Asensio with Spain’s under-21 However, Klopp is adamant problem he has obviously not light after his stunning goal in reported 3.9 million euros. side. there have been no more de- been in training,” he said. the fourth minute, adding to his Asensio spent the fi rst year “What Marco keeps doing velopments and the two clubs “I asked the medical depart- 90th minute thunderbolt which after his transfer on loan at Es- does not surprise me, I have are not even in discussions. ment how he is doing and had sealed a 3-1 win for Madrid panyol. known him for three years. He “I saw the game (Real-Bar- there are no complaints so in the fi rst leg at the Nou Camp. But he has made the most of has the talent to keep doing celona) but I forgot to watch that is how it is. There is noth- Karim Benzema added a sec- the chances given since return- what he’s doing in big games and the interviews afterwards. ing bad to say about this.” ond shortly before half-time to ing to Real at the start of last against great teams.” give Real a 5-1 aggregate win, season and on Sunday became Coach Zinedine Zidane add- Messi and Ronaldo duel to be world’s best again which was richly deserved and Real Madrid’s midfielder Marco Asensio celebrates after scoring the the fi rst player in the club’s his- ed: “Asensio is going to cause a led Barca defender Gerard Pique opener during the second leg of the Spanish Supercup match. tory to score in fi ve of his com- real stir.” Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel champion, was the inaugural Messi will again be duelling winner and again makes the for the title of world’s best list of 10 in contention to be New blow for Barcelona as Suarez ruled out for a month Zidane leads nominees for FIFA coach prize footballer after their names “Best FIFA” woman player. once again headed the short- Zinedine Zidane, who guided Troubled Barcelona were dealt a new published on their website. Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane the UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super list yesterday for The Best Real Madrid’s landmark blow ahead of the start of the Spanish The news means Suarez will miss Bar- heads the list of 12 nominees for the Cup this month. FIFA Men’s Player. season, with seven of their league season when Luis Suarez was celona’s first three games of the season FIFA men’s coach of the year award an- The prize — one of a new set of awards The pair, who have dominated players in the men’s shortlist, ruled out for a month with a knee injury in La Liga, at home to Betis on Sunday, nounced yesterday. organised by FIFA following their split the global award in its varied is recognised in his nomina- yesterday. away to Alaves on August 26 and at Other candidates include Antonio with Ballon d’Or organisers France Foot- forms for a decade, will be fa- tion as best men’s coach. The Uruguayan striker suff ered the home to Espanyol on September 9. Conte, who led Chelsea to the Eng- ball magazine — will be handed over in vourites to collect yet another The awards are a revival of injury in the second half of Wednesday He will also miss Uruguay’s World Cup lish title, Manchester United’s Europa London on October 23. accolade amid the 24-strong the old FIFA World Player of night’s 2-0 defeat away to Real Madrid qualifying ties against Argentina on League-winning coach Jose Mourinho FIFA’s coach of the year shortlist: list of the world’s best. the Year, which had been com- in the second leg of the Spanish Super August 31 and Paraguay on September and Massimiliano Allegri of Juventus. Massimiliano Allegri (Juventus/ITA), Ronaldo enjoyed another bined with France Football Cup, although he played on to the end 5 and is likely to sit out his club’s first Zidane has enjoyed a glorious year in Carlo Ancelotti (Bayern Munich/GER), remarkable season in which magazine’s Ballon d’Or for six as Barcelona lost 5-1 on aggregate. Champions League group game on charge of Madrid as they successfully de- Antonio Conte (Chelsea/ENG), Luis he inspired Real Madrid to a years before the collaboration “Luis Suarez will be out of action for September 12 or 13. fended the European Cup — the first team Enrique (Barcelone/ESP), Pep Guar- La Liga/Champions League ended last year. Ronaldo won around four weeks. Tests carried out on Barcelona also revealed that defender to do so in the Champions League era. diola (Manchester City/ENG), Leonardo double while Messi topped the inugural “best” trophy. Thursday morning confirm that the Uru- Gerard Pique is a doubt for the meeting Real also won La Liga, the first time Jardim (Monaco/FRA), Joachim Loew him in the Spanish goalscor- They are voted for by national guayan has a distension in the posterior with Betis due to a groin strain, meaning they had been champions of Spain and (Germany), Jose Mourinho (Manchester ing charts for Barcelona while coaches and captains, se- articular capsule in his right knee picked further bad news for the Spanish giants Europe in the same year since 1958. United/ENG), Mauricio Pochettino (Tot- going past a career landmark lected media and fans, with up in the second half of the Clasico on whose summer has been overshadowed He has won seven trophies since suc- tenham Hotspur/ENG), Diego Simeone of 500 goals for the club. the winners to be announced Wednesday in the Santiago Bernabeu,” by the sale of Neymar to Paris Saint- ceeding Rafael Benitez as coach of (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Tite (Brazil), Carli Lloyd, the U.S. World Cup at a ceremony in London on said Barcelona in a statement in English Germain. Madrid in January last year, including Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid/ESP) winner and two-time Olympic October 23. Gulf Times Friday, August 18, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SERIE A Big-spending Milan throw down the Napoli win with gauntlet to Juventus disputed penalty, Celtic thump Astana In other matches, Celtic were helped by two own goals as they thumped Astana 5-0 at home and a late goal from Yedder gave Sevilla a 2-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir WATCH OUT BOYS! Juventus’ coach Massimiliano Allegri (L). Reuters year. Milan But there has been a dramatic change of direction since Berlus- coni agreed to sell the club to a fter years of midtable Chinese-led consortium in a 740 mediocrity, AC Milan million-euro deal in April and have thrown down the the new owners installed Marco gauntlet to Juventus by Fassone, an experienced busi- assemblingA a team which sup- ness executive, as general man- porters believe can end the Turin ager. side’s run of six successive Serie New signings have included A titles. striker Andre Silva (21) from Under new Chinese own- Porto who has scored eight goals ers, the seven-times European in 13 appearances for Portugal; champions have splurged 190 right back Andrea Conti (23), a million euros ($222.30 million) product of Atalanta’s impres- on transfers and, for a change, sive youth scheme; Ricardo Rod- the money has gone on players riguez (24), a Swiss international who appear to have their best regarded as one of Europe’s most years ahead of them. accomplished left backs; and Milan, the last team to win Turkish midfi elder and free-kick Serie A before Juve’s era of domi- specialist Hakan Calhanoglu nance began, have endured a de- (23). cline which coincided with Serie The latter two were signed A’s own fall from grace. from clubs VfL For most of former Italy Prime Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s three respectively. decades as club president, they The biggest coup was landing had enjoyed a golden era but his Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci last few years became a story of from Juventus, ending the Tu- unsuccessful transfers and mu- rin club’s so-called BBC defence sical chairs in the coach’s seat. that also featured Andrea Bar- As the world’s top players zagli and Giorgio Chiellini and eschewed Serie A, Berlusconi which had been together since promised that his club would 2010. concentrate on developing its “We have chosen players who own young talents instead – but are ready to go and can give a ended up signing players who great deal, who are top players were past their best. for our level and for Italian foot- The likes of Kaka, in his second ball,” said Montella. “The poten- spell, Fernando Torres, Michael tial is there and it is only a matter Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng, of time.” Alessio Cerci, Mario Balotelli and Milan were still hoping to add Mattia Destro all came and went a big-money striker to the squad Napoli’s Jorginho celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates during their Champions League Qualifying Play-Off First Leg match against Nice in Naples, Italy. without making an impact. before the end of the transfer Inevitably, the coach paid window. Reuters Dries Mertens put Napoli ahead in the Key Results game in charge when Ben Yedder fl icked the price with Clarence Seed- Juve were left to spend the Berne 13th minute when he raced onto Marek in Jesus Navas’s cross with six minutes to orf, Filippo Inzaghi, Sinisa Mi- summer contemplating their Hamsik’s chipped pass and thumped the UEFA Champions League play-off first- play. hajlovic and Cristian Brocchi 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the ball into the far corner. leg results on Wednesday: “Our opponents are a technical side. occupying the hot seat between Champions League fi nal and apoli scored from a disputed Jorginho converted a penalty in the If you give them the ball, they make life Massimiliano Allegri’s dismissal they started the season by losing penalty to beat Nice 2-0 in the 70th after Christophe Jallet tripped Napoli (ITA) 2 (Mertens 13, Jorginho hard for you. In the second leg we need in January 2014 and Vincenzo 3-2 to Lazio in the Italian Super- fi rst leg of their Champions Mertens, although replays suggested it 70-pen) Nice (FRA) 0 to dictate the play more,” said the Argen- Montella’s arrival in June last cup fi nal. League playoff on Wednesday happened just outside the penalty area. tine. Nas the French side had two players sent Nice were reduced to nine men in the Rijeka, who last season broke Dinamo Istanbul Basaksehir (TUR) 1 (Elia 64) off in quick succession late on. 79th minute when Vincent Koziello was Sevilla (ESP) 2 (Escudero 16, Ben Yed- Zagreb’s run of 11 successive Croatian ti- LA LIGA Former European champions Celtic given a straight red card for a studs-up der 84) tles, are still in with a fi ghting chance of were helped by two own goals as they challenge on Piotr Zielinski and Alassane making the group stage for the fi rst time thumped Astana 5-0 at home and a late Plea was given a yellow card for protest- Celtic (SCO) 5 (Postnikov 32-og, Sin- after losing 2-1 to Olympiakos. goal from Wissam Ben Yedder gave Se- ing — his second of the game. clair 42, 60, Forrest 79, Shitov 88-og) Brazilian striker Heber scored his fi rst New stadium, old villa a 2-1 win at Istanbul Basaksehir in Napoli played their usual fl owing foot- Astana (KAZ) 0 goal for Rijeka in the 42nd minute but torrential rain. ball and Arkadiusz Milik squandered a Vadis Odjidja levelled with a thumping Olympiakos came from behind to beat chance for a third when he let the ball go fi nish and, after Rijeka had left back Le- challenge for Rijeka 2-1 at home with a last-minute under his foot with the goal at his mercy. 2-0 halftime lead. onard Zuta sent off for a second booking, goal from Jacques Alaixys Romao in an- Sinclair struck again on the hour after Romao headed the winner. other of the ties. OWN GOALS the referee surprisingly waved play on The second leg will be played in Rije- hamstrung Atletico Italian sides have been beaten in the Celtic remarkably scored fi ve goals de- following a clash of heads near the half- ka’s tiny stadium which has a capacity of playoff ties for the last three seasons, but spite managing only three shots on tar- way line. less than 9,000. AFP portant eff ort to maintain the Napoli are well-placed to end that run get, according to UEFA statistics. James Forrest drilled home a fourth Nigerian Anthony Nwakaeme volleyed Madrid players that the best teams in the after their win against Nice, who have Yevgeni Postnikov turned Tom Rogic’s and Igor Shitov defl ected a fi fth into his a spectacular goal from outside the area world want,” said Simeone. never played in the group stage and were cross into his own goal just after the half own goal. as Israeli champions Hapoel Beer Sheva, Holding onto their best play- missing forward Mario Balotelli with a hour and Scott Sinclair steered the ball Sevilla gave new coach Eduardo Beriz- also looking for a fi rst group stage ap- or an off -season that be- ers was more important than hamstring injury. beyond Aleksandr Mokin to give Celtic a zo a valuable win in his fi rst competitive pearance, beat Maribor 2-1. gan by losing an appeal ever as Atletico can’t register against a one-year trans- new signings until January. fer ban, Atletico Madrid “Maintaining the group that haveF emerged impressively un- managed to have a fantastic sea- GERMAN LEAGUE: PREVIEW scathed as they welcome in a son is not a problem. I see it as a new era by moving to the newly success,” Atletico CEO Miguel built Wanda Metropolitano. Angel Gil told the club’s website. Injury worries for Bayern ahead of season opener The challenge for a club revo- “We should be proud to be able lutionised since Diego Simeone to continue counting on a group AFP tour of China and Singapore. Fixture (GMT) took charge nearly six years ago of players that have given us so Berlin Ancelotti is missing Germa- remains a daunting one. much in the past few years.” ny’s World Cup-winning cap- Bayern Munich vs Bayer Despite Atletico’s signifi cant Atletico’s ban also hasn’t pre- tain Philipp Lahm and midfi eld Leverkusen 6:30pm fi nancial growth off the field in vented them from strengthening ayern Munich coach general Xabi Alonso, who have recent years, their budget still for the upcoming season. Carlo Ancelotti has a both retired, while Brazil winger lags hundreds of millions of eu- Spanish international winger lengthy injury list to Douglas Costa has been sold to likely to be with Germany, while ros behind their competitors Vitolo will join in the new year contend with as his Juventus. record-signing Corentin Tolisso for domestic and Champions following six months on loan at star-studdedB champions kick Ancelotti is also without is set to be with France. League honours in Real Madrid Las Palmas after Atletico paid off the new Bundesliga season playmaker Thiago Alcantara and The 23-year-old Tolisso and Barcelona. his 37.5 million-euro ($43 mil- against Bayer Leverkusen today. new signing James Rodriguez, scored or set up 13 goals in 31 Since stunning Real and Barca lion) buyout clause to release him Under Ancelotti, Bayern who is on a two-year loan deal French league appearances last to win La Liga in 2013/14, Atleti- from Sevilla. dominated the German league from Real Madrid, after picking term for Lyon. co have fi nished third for the past And a return for the hero of at a canter last season as they up injuries in pre-season. He is expected to link up with three seasons, but were 15 points Atletico’s title-winning cam- went on to clinch a fi fth succes- Defenders Jerome Boateng Robert Lewandowski, who will back on champions Real last sea- paign three years ago, Diego sive title. and Javi Martinez are out with resume his battle with Dort- son. Costa, is expected to be complet- They were top of the table for leg knocks. “We’ll see which mund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubam- However, it is a sign of Atleti- ed with the Brazilian-born strik- all bar three weeks, when RB players will be available on Fri- eyang, last season’s top scorer in co’s progress that having to re- er refusing to train with Chelsea. Leipzig briefl y usurped them day,” said Ancelotti. Germany’s top fl ight. build every summer after cash- Those reinforcements should last November, before fi nishing New club captain Manuel Bayern face a new-look ing in on their best players is now make Simeone’s men serious up as winners with a 15-point Neuer is doubtful because the Leverkusen team with ex- a thing of the past. contenders to fi nally land the margin in May. goalkeeper has only recently re- Borussia Dortmund forward Antoine Griezmann, Atletico’s Champions League after being But 90 days since their last turned after foot surgery. Heiko Herrlich in charge. top scorer for the past three sea- eliminated in each of the past league match, Ancelotti has a “Since he is our captain, it Star striker Javier Hernandez sons, resisted the advances of four seasons by Real. diff erent squad, many of whom would be a bonus,” said chair- has left for West Ham, Turkish Manchester United to commit However, they may come too are struggling for fi tness as re- man Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. dead-ball expert Hakan Calha- his immediate future to the club late for Atletico to mount a real- cent results suggest. Luckily for Bayern, their away noglu has joined AC Milan while in June. istic title challenge, especially as They lost fi ve of their six pre- match at Werder Bremen the key defender Omer Toprak now And in a major coup in-de- they get used to their new sur- season matches before win- This file photo shows Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti (R) and following weekend comes just plays for Dortmund. mand midfi elder Saul Niguez roundings at the Wanda Metro- ning the German Super Cup at Bayern Munich’s midfielder Juan Bernat hobbling on crutches. before the international break. “The fi rst match is always also signed a nine-year contract politano. Dortmund a fortnight ago after a “We’ll be able to integrate all tough but I think we’re ready for extension after a starring role for Atletico will play their fi rst penalty shoot-out. plus a 3-0 reverse against Liver- Fatigue was a factor against our players then,” added Ance- the match, and I hope we’ll turn Spain in the Under-21 European three league games away from Results such as 2-0 defeats pool and a 4-0 drubbing by AC the Milan clubs as Bayern played lotti, but new signings Niklas in a good display,” added Ance- Championship. home to allow construction to be against Napoli and Inter Milan, Milan raised eyebrows in Munich. four games in 12 days on July’s Suele and Sebastian Rudy are lotti. “The club have made an im- completed. Gulf Times 4 Friday, August 18, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY CRICKET England beatable, insists West Indies Wallabies look to great Richards upset All Blacks The All Blacks have dominated the Wallabies — losing only three of their last 29 trans-Tasman encounters — and are expected to do it again

AFP Richards, nicknamed ‘The Birmingham Master Blaster’, had some of his best days as a cricketer in Eng- land, including scoring two ivian Richards has double hundreds in a 1976 Test insisted England are series where he made 829 runs in “beatable” as he urged total, as well as hitting a match- the West Indies to re- winning century against England storeV a sense of pride during their in the 1979 World Cup fi nal at Test series against Joe Root’s Lord’s. men. Known for his intimidating The fi rst of a three-match presence at the crease, Richards contest started at Birmingham’s urged Jason Holder’s side not to Edgbaston ground yesterday be overawed by England. with the inaugural day/night Test “I hope the West Indies team in England. can see that England are beata- West Indies have not won a ble,” said Richards, who also en- Test in England since 2000, just joyed success in English county part of a miserable overall away cricket with both Somerset and record during the last 20 years. Glamorgan. They have also arrived without Richards, who scored 8,540 New Zealand All Blacks’ catches the ball during a training session in yesterday, ahead of the first Rugby Championship and Bledisoe Cup Test match against several star players, the legacy of runs including 24 hundreds at Australia on Saturday. a bitter dispute with administra- an average of more than 50 in tors and a clash with the lucra- 121 Tests, was a key member of a AFP expected to do it again as Australian rug- land hands since 2003 and over the past There is also mounting pressure on tive West Indies side that dominated Sydney by looks to emerge from a woeful season. 14 years the All Blacks and Wallabies have Cheika, who like most recent Australia tournament. the world game in the 1970s and returns for the played each other 42 times with New coaches, has a losing record against the England come into the series 1980s. New Zealanders after serving his four- Zealand winning 33, drawing two and All Blacks — just one win from six — fresh from a 3-1 home Test suc- As such, watching their de- he All Blacks will be out to re- match suspension, while losing seven. among an overall 56 % success rate. cess against South Africa. cline has been particularly pain- assert their dominance as the has been dropped for the Olympic stadi- “This Test will give us a great opportu- But former West Indies cap- ful for the 65-year-old Antiguan. wounded Wallabies look to the um Test. In a revamped line-up with six nity to gauge where we are at when comes Teams (15-1) tain Richards, one of the best “It does hurt that the glory return of to trigger changes from the last Test side against to things we have been working on since Australia: ; , batsmen cricket has known, said days have been lost,” he said. Tan upset in tomorrow’s Rugby Champi- the Lions, only halves the Lions tour,” coach said. , Kurtley Beale, Curtis Rona; England had frequently under- “I was doing some television onship opener in Sydney. and Aaron Smith remain from the start- The pressure is on coach Michael , ; Sean McMa- performed, citing the hosts’ de- work during the Champions Tro- The world champions have been re- ing backline, while Damian McKenzie Cheika and his Wallabies after their hon, Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hani- feat by eventual champions Pa- phy and there was no West Indies viewing what went wrong in their un- gets his chance at fullback. shock home loss to Scotland in June and gan; , ; Allan kistan in the semi-fi nals of this there. No West Indies. That’s like expected series draw with the British Double World Cup winner Williams coming off a dreadful sea- Alaalatoa, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio. year’s Champions Trophy one- saying there would be no Chelsea and Irish Lions at home last month and has not played for seven weeks since be- son where Australian sides were 0-26 Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom day tournament as an example. or Arsenal in the Premier League. are hell-bent on rebounding against the ing suspended for a dangerous shoulder against Kiwi opposition. Robertson, , Rob Sim- “Over the years, it’s always That’s how it felt.” Australians in Sydney. charge and a straight red card in the sec- The return of inside-back Beale for his mons, Lopeti Timani, Nick Phipps, Reece amazed me with England,” Rich- Richards added: “I don’t be- The Lions defi ed the odds to down the ond Test against the Lions. fi rst Test since the World Cup fi nal with Hodge, . ards told The Times. lieve that many of the players All Blacks 24-21 in to take “We reviewed that (Lions) series com- New Zealand at Twickenham on October New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Ben “They never win as much as of the modern day really under- their series to a decider only for the fi nal prehensively, and the management have 30, 2015, is seen as a boost for the ailing Smith, , Sonny Bill Williams, they should,” he added at an stand the legacy of West Indies match to end in a 15-15 stale- done a lot on it as well,” All Blacks skip- Aussies. ; Beauden Barrett, Aaron event staged by the Lord’s Tav- cricket and why they are playing mate. per Kieran Read said. Beale, who now plays for London Smith; Kieran Read (capt), , erners cricket charity. for West Indies and why it mat- That inability to put away the Lions “Hopefully, it will show in this cham- Wasps, has an extraordinary record ; , Brodie “I look at the Champions Tro- ters so much. raised doubts whether the All Blacks’ era pionship what we’ve learned.” against the All Blacks in Australia with Retallick; , , Joe phy — there was no better team “Yes, we had our diff erences of dominance was on the wane after they At stake against the Wallabies are not two wins, two draws and a single defeat Moody. for that format but they still fell (when I was playing) but what were shocked by Ireland 40-29 in Chi- only points in the Rugby Championship, in fi ve Tests since 2011. Replacements: Nathan Harris, Wyatt short. stood us out was when we put on cago last November. which also includes South Africa and Playmaker Beale will be starting with Crockett, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, , “England have the right stuff that maroon cap there was a real The All Blacks have dominated the Argentina, but also the Bledisloe Cup, other Wallaby king-pins Israel Folau and , TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, in their teams but then they fall sense of pride. I want to see that Wallabies — losing only three of their last the symbol of trans-Tasman rugby su- Bernard Foley for the fi rst time, despite be- Anton Lienert-Brown. down at some hurdle or just return, I want to see that in this 29 trans-Tasman encounters — and are premacy. It has been fi rmly in New Zea- ing Test mainstays for most of their careers. Referee: Wayne Barnes (ENG) don’t jump high enough.” group.”

BOTTOMLINE SERIAL OFFENDER Pakistan’s Akmal Cassiem one of three changes in trouble over in SA squad for Argentina clash Arthur outburst Reuters et instead,” he said, claiming Reuters The Springboks made a 3-0 ments bench by experienced Lahore Arthur’s language as “demean- Port Elizabeth clean-sweep of their home prop Trevor Nyakane, as well ing and insulting”. series with France in June as 20-year-old fl yhalf Curwin The PCB said a ‘show-cause’ and coach Allister Coetzee Bosch, who will make his Bok mar Akmal faces sanc- notice has been issued to Akmal ersatile loose-forward has largely stuck with the debut should he play tomorrow. tion from the Pakistan following the outburst. Uzair Cassiem has been combinations that served “Coenie has played consist- Cricket Board (PCB) “The middle-order batsman drafted into the number him well then ently well this season for the following the out-of- has seven days to fi le a reply,” the eight position by South and he performed well favourU batsman’s public out- board said on its Twitter feed. VAfrica as one of three changes to tight-head prop Coenie Oost- for us whenever he came off the burst against head coach Mickey Arthur, who had sent Ak- their starting side for the Rugby huizen replace Ruan Dreyer bench in the French series, while Arthur. mal back from the Champions Championship clash with Ar- while fi rst-choice scrumhalf Trevor has worked extremely Akmal addressed a news con- Trophy squad in England for gentina at the Nelson Mandela Ross Cronje is restored in the hard and deserves his opportu- ference on Wednesday in which failing fi tness tests, confi rmed Bay Stadium tomorrow. place of Francois Hougaard, after nity. he lashed out at Arthur, accus- an exchange of words with the The Springboks made a 3-0 he overcame shoulder and chest “Curwin is a young player ing the South African of insult- 27-year-old. clean-sweep of their home series injuries sustained during the with huge potential and a bright ing him and refusing him ac- “I did tell him a few home with France in June and coach Lions’ defeat to New Zealand’s future ahead of him. He showed cess to the coaching facilities at truths and said he was always Allister Coetzee has largely stuck in the Super Rugby fi - in the very tough Super Rugby the National Cricket Academy looking for excuses instead of with the combinations that nal on Aug. 5. competition that he is a skilful (NCA). looking at himself,” the former served him well then. “Uzair is a very versatile loose player and a prolifi c goal-kicker “I accept my fi tness isn’t up South Africa and Australia Cassiem, who will feature in forward and the added advantage and he covers both fullback and to the mark, and I am trying to coach told ESPNcricinfo. his second Test after making his is that he is also an excellent op- fl yhalf.” Experienced Bok prop work on it, and I asked to be al- “I also told him that he had to debut against Wales in Novem- tion in the lineout,” Coetzee said Tendai Mtawarira is set to play lowed a trainer to help me,” Ak- earn the right to use our support ber last year, comes in for the in a media release from South in a 30th consecutive Rugby mal said. staff because he is not a con- more powerful but less mobile Africa Rugby yesterday. Championship match, sur- “But Mickey said I shouldn’t tracted cricketer. He can’t just Jean-Luc du Preez at the back Hougaard and du Preez passing the Boks record held by even have come to the NCA and walk in here and demand what of the scrum. Other changes see File photo of South Africa’s Uzair Cassiem in action. are joined on the replace- former wing Bryan Habana. should be playing club crick- he wants.” Gulf Times Friday, August 18, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB Puig’s walk-off double lift s Dodgers over White Sox Betts rips a two-run double to cap a three-run, ninth-inning rally that gave Boston a victory over St. Louis

Reuters Los Angeles

he Los Angeles Dodgers did it again. Down by two runs in the bottom of the ninth, they got to the Chicago White Sox bullpen. Facing Jake Petricka with one Tout, Yasiel Puig hit a two-run, walk-off double as the Dodgers scored a 5-4 comeback win dur- ing the Major League Baseball on Wednesday. Chicago led 4-2 entering the ninth. Reliever Gregory Infante recorded the fi rst out, then was replaced by Aaron Bummer. Pinch hitter Cody Bellinger singled, and the White Sox changed pitchers again, bringing in Petricka (1-1). Logan Forsythe’s double to left scored Bellinger, cut- ting the defi cit to 4-3. Austin Barnes’ single put runners at the corners for Puig, who hit a 3-2 pitch to centre fi eld, ending the game.

RED SOX 5, CARDINALS 4 Mookie Betts ripped a two-run double off the Green Monster to cap a three-run, ninth-inning rally that gave Boston a victory over St. Louis. Betts, who drove in a run earlier in the game, hit a 3-2 pitch from John Brebbia off the left field wall, knocking in Chris Young and Jackie Bra- dley Jr. The win, which completed a four-game Red Sox sweep of the Cardinals this season, kept them 4 1/2 games ahead of the New York Yan- kees in the American League East. Boston has won 12 of their past 14 games.

ROCKIES 17, BRAVES 2 Trevor Story hit two home runs and had a ca- reer-high six RBIs while going 3-for-4 as Colo- rado scored 14 runs in the fi rst fi ve innings en route to crushing Atlanta. Mark Reynolds belted his 25th home run and had three hits and four RBIs. Gerardo Parra added three hits and four RBIs for the Rockies. DJ LeMahieu had his fi fth four-hit game of the season and the ninth of his career while scoring four runs. Nolan Arenado drove in a pair, giving him a major-league-most 103 RBIs. Jon Gray (5-2) al- lowed fi ve hits and two runs in six innings with Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Logan Forsythe (centre) reaches home to score a run ahead of Chicago White Sox catcher Kevan Smith as right fielder Yasiel Puig (right) reacts in the eighth two walks and six strikeouts, improving to 4-0 inning during the Major League Baseball game at the Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. (USA TODAY Sports) with a 3.00 ERA in fi ve starts at Coors Field this season. ASTROS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 5 BREWERS 7, PIRATES 6 striking out two. Stanton, who leads the majors MARINERS 7, ORIOLES 6 Josh Reddick lined a two-run homer as Houston Manny Pina wiped out a late-inning defi cit with with 44 homers, went 2-for-4 with two singles, Yonder Alonso went 3-for-4 with a home run CUBS 7, REDS 6 answered Arizona’s three-run eighth with four a two-run homer as Milwaukee won its fourth and he also was hit in the back by a Matt Cain and three RBIs as Seattle defeated Baltimore Javier Baez scored the winning run on a two-out runs in the bottom half of the inning to pre- consecutive game. All of the Brewers’ off ense pitch that registered 91 mph. in the fi nale of a three-game series. Alonso, an wild pitch by Blake Wood as Chicago claimed a vail. Reddick clubbed his 12th home run of the came by way of the home run with Keon Broxton All-Star acquired Aug. 6 from Oakland, hit a walk-off victory. The Cubs’ Wade Davis (3-1) season, off Andrew Chafi n, for his rstfi homer hitting two of the fi ve. RANGERS 12, TIGERS 6 two-run homer. He snapped a 1-1 tie with his worked one scoreless inning for the victory. An- against a left-hander to drive home George Neil Walker and Travis Shaw also went deep Elvis Andrus had a home run and four RBIs, and fourth-inning homer, which was his 23rd of the thony Rizzo went 2-for-4 with his third career Springer. The Astros scored two runs earlier in for Milwaukee. Pirates starter Gerrit Cole had Nomar Mazara added a homer and three RBIs as season and his fi rst with the Mariners. Alonso’s grand slam for Chicago. the inning via a wild pitch and Jose Altuve’s sac- only allowed three runs in three starts against Texas completed a three-game sweep. Andrus run-scoring single in the next inning gave Seat- Rizzo’s team-leading 28th home run of the rifi ce fl y that plated Derek Fisher. Milwaukee this season, but he was charged with was 3-for-5 with a walk, a stolen base and three tle a 5-4 lead. Leonys Martin also homered for season gave the Cubs a 4-1 fi rst-inning lead. The Diamondbacks shaved a four-run defi - four Wednesday on fi ve hits and two walks while runs. Mazara, who has 20 RBIs in his past 18 the Mariners, who won the last two games of the The Reds’ Joey Votto saw his bid to match a cit to 5-4 with two home runs in the top of striking out nine in six innings. games, was 3-for-5. series to get back to the.500 mark at 61-61. record held by Ted Williams fall short as he went the eighth. Houston native Paul Goldschmidt He hit a two-run homer off the Tigers’ Anibal 1-for-4. Votto had reached base at least twice in socked a two-run blast, his 29th, off Luke ANGELS 3, NATIONALS 2 Sanchez in the second and an RBI single in the ROYALS 7, ATHLETICS 6 a game in 20 consecutive games until Wednes- Gregerson before former Astro JD Martinez fol- Kole Calhoun belted a two-run homer and Ricky sixth for the Rangers, who have won six of seven. Lorenzo Cain launched a two-run homer in the day. Williams’ record of 21 was set in 1948. lowed with his 24th home run of the year. Nolasco picked up a rare road win as Los Angeles Texas’ Cole Hamels (8-1) improved to 6-0 this fourth inning, and Alex Gordon hit a tiebreak- earned a split of a two-game series with Wash- season at home, giving up four runs, eight hits ing single in the ninth to lift Kansas City. Alcides YANKEES 5, METS 3 PADRES 3, PHILLIES 0 ington. It was the 14th homer of the year for and fi ve walks in six innings. He improved 16-2 Escobar hit a leadoff double off Blake Treinen in Didi Gregorius laced a tiebreaking, two-run Clayton Richard threw his fi rst complete-game Calhoun, who went deep against starter Tanner in his career at Globe Life Park. the ninth, and Gordon lined a single to right for double in the seventh inning as the Yankees shutout in fi ve seasons, and Wil Myers became Roark to make it 3-2. his second hit of the day. made it three straight over the Mets in the Sub- the fi rst player in team history to steal three Nolasco (6-12) picked up his fi rst win on the BLUE JAYS 3, RAYS 2 Escobar went 3-for-4 and scored two runs. way Series. Aaron Judge went an eventful 2-for- bases in an inning as San Diego fi nished a three- road since June 26 at Dodger Stadium. Nolasco Steve Pearce homered, and Marcus Stroman Cain went 2-for-3 with his 13th blast of the year. 5 for the Yankees. The rookie blasted his Ameri- game sweep of Philadelphia. Richard (6-12) al- left the game with cramps in his calves and de- pitched into the seventh inning as Toronto de- He also walked and was hit by a pitch. Eric can League-leading 37th homer, a mammoth lowed three hits and a walk with six strikeouts to hydration. He allowed two runs on fi ve hits with feated Tampa Bay. Stroman (11-6) allowed six Hosmer and Mike Moustakas each went 2-for-4 shot into the upper deck in left fi eld. end a personal fi ve-game losing streak. three walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. hits, three walks and two runs in 6 1/3 innings. with an RBI and a run. He also struck out for the 33rd straight game, He entered the game tied for the most losses in He struck out seven. setting a season record for position players. the National League and led the league with 188 MARLINS 8, GIANTS 1 The Blue Jays lost shortstop Ryan Goins to in- INDIANS-TWINS GAME POSTPONED Chase Headley was 2-for-4 with a sacrifi ce fl y hits allowed. With Austin Hedges at-bat in the Giancarlo Stanton’s streak of home runs in six jury in the sixth inning. Roberto Osuna pitched The game between Cleveland Indians and Min- and Garrett Cooper had a run-scoring ground- fourth inning, Myers stole second and third as consecutive games was snapped, but Miami still around a leadoff single in the ninth for his 31st nesota Twins was postponed because of rain out. Rene Rivera hit a homer for the Mets, and Hedges walked. Hedges broke from fi rst and got had enough to defeat San Francisco. Jose Urena save of the season. Rays starter Jake Faria (5-4) and will be made up as part of a day-night dou- Yoenis Cespedes and Travis d’Arnaud each loft- in a rundown as Myers stole home on the front (11-5) allowed an unearned run in fi ve innings. allowed six hits, two walks and three runs in 5 bleheader. The Indians won the series opener ed sacrifi ce fl ies. end of what became a double steal to make it 2-0. He worked around seven hits and a walk while 1/3 innings. He hit a batter and struck out three. 8-1 on Tuesday.

NHL Islanders’ Tavares not in a rush to get extension done

By Arthur Staple Cup and wanting to do that with the Islanders.” in that deal, and traded Travis Hamonic to the Newsday Tavares said he knows the questions will keep Flames for draft picks. coming the longer a contract stays unsigned, but “It’s a lot of mixed feelings,” Tavares said of the doesn’t see it as a distraction. trades. “I think everyone knows my relationship ohn Tavares is not worried about his “It’s only a distraction if you let it become a with Ryan, from when we drafted him, know- contract situation. Even as training camp distraction,” he said. “It’s not something that ing him even before then, living together for two looms in less than a month, the Islanders every single day I stress and worry about. I’m years, training together quite a bit in the off sea- captain and star player said the fact that trying to just be myself, prepare for the season son _ he’s like a little brother. He was great for me he’sJ prepared to enter this season, the last un- like any other season. Try to be the best captain too, he’s a fun person to be around, always kept der his current deal, without an extension is not I can be, the best player I can be for the Islanders things loose, which was always good for me. I causing him to lose any sleep. and be the best teammate I can be. I think eve- know there’s been some ups and downs, but he’s “For me, there’s really no rush,” Tavares said rybody knows me pretty well, how I approach still young and still growing with his game. With in a phone interview on Wednesday morning. things. I think some of that comes from the me- Ryan’s potential we were able to acquire someone “I’m trying to determine things, let the process dia standpoint and I understand why the ques- as accomplished as Jordan, who’s put up great run its course, keep the lines of communication tions get asked. But at the same time all I can numbers in this league, had a lot of success in- open, keep it all internal and it’s been good so far control, and all we can control as a team, is how ternationally. Having a guy like him, especially a ... In terms of signing a new contract, there’s a lot we approach every day and how we can get better right-hand shot, he can be really eff ective for us, that goes into it. To really dive into all the details, and achieve our ultimate goal. especially on the power play. He’s going to be a get into all the conversations I’ve had with Garth “Everyone’s circumstances are diff erent, eve- great asset for our team. (Snow), the team and Doug (Weight), I don’t ryone’s situation is diff erent. I think the year “Travis is a tremendous person fi rst and fore- think it’s productive to the situation and the ne- (Steven) Stamkos re-signed, (Tampa) was a game most. He’s got tremendous values, deep connec- gotiating. I prefer to keep it all internal, that’s the away from the Finals. So that was a team that tions to his roots that mean a lot to him and what best way to keep it all open, honest and healthy.” expected to pitch building an arena on the 43- “The possibility with Belmont and that RFP didn’t let that situation aff ect them, nor do I he’s been through in his life. Tavares was eligible to sign a new deal on July acre lot. It’s not clear whether the state will select coming out, there’s great potential there,” think it should. For me, it’s just focusing on be- "First and foremost, I’ve got a lot of respect for 1, but it was clear before then that he was going to a winner before Tavares would hit unrestricted Tavares said. “We’ll see where it goes. A lot of ing a hockey player and the way I’ve approached him there just as a human being. And he’s a very wait and see how any number of unclear situa- free agency next July. those things are out of my hands. Some things I every season.” good player, had some great seasons with us and tions played out with the team. All bids are due by Sept. 28 and Empire State don’t try to worry about them too, too much. I’m Stamkos fl irted with several other teams be- guys like that are hard to fi nd. To play those all- Tavares said he is waiting to see what comes of Development, the state’s primary business de- just a hockey player. I try to be as best prepared as fore re-signing with the Lightning the day before around minutes and the way he played, you don’t the Request For Proposals issued July 30 by New velopment agency which is handling the RFP, has I can be. It’s a big decision obviously because it’s he hit free agency last summer. fi nd guys like that too often.” York state regarding the Belmont Park develop- declined to set a timeline after that. eight years of my career, really entering into my The Islanders missed the playoff s last sea- While Tavares waits to see what happens on ment. The Islanders, along with the owners of Of course for Tavares, with an eight-year deal prime years and a great opportunity for myself to son, the sixth time in Tavares’ nine years with many fronts with the Islanders, he didn’t hesitate the Mets and a Madison Square Garden-backed in the offi ng, he would love to know where he’ll achieve what I set out to achieve when I was a kid, the team. Snow traded for Jordan Eberle, an old when asked if he feels the Islanders are legitimate sports arena consortium Oak View Group, are be playing. making it to the NHL, wanting to win a Stanley friend of Tavares’, and dealt away Ryan Strome Cup contenders now. “Yeah, absolutely,” he said. Gulf Times 6 Friday, August 18, 2017 SPORT

ATHLETICS Bolt reveals injury details and rounds on doubters The Jamaican sprint great said the left hamstring injury would need three months of rehabilitation

Reuters am fi t, I am quick, I can control the ball London and I understand all of the play. So, I think if I do a trial then they would say, ‘You know what, here is a contract for sain Bolt delivered a re- fi ve years!’. You are 30 years old, here’s a buke those who questioned fi ve-year contract. Let’s just do it!” whether he really suff ered an injury in his farewell race at FREDERICKS’ TEMPORARY BAN Uthe World Athletics Championships UPHELD BY IAAF TRIBUNAL by revealing details of his hamstring An athletics disciplinary tribunal up- tear yesterday. The Jamaican, stung by held yesterday a ban on former Na- speculation that he had pulled up in the mibian sprinter and IAAF Council anchor leg of the 4x100 metres relay fi - member Frankie Fredericks pending an nal in London on Saturday because he investigation into potential ethics vio- was too far behind to win the race, said lations. Fredericks, a multiple Olympic the injury would need three months of sprint silver medallist and a rising star rehabilitation. among international sports adminis- Accompanied by an X-ray of the in- trators until this year, was temporarily jury to his left hamstring, the eight- banned in July. times Olympics gold medallist was also He is being investigated by the Ath- adamant in social media posts that he letics Integrity Unit (AIU) over pay- never cheated his fans. The 30-year- ments he received from Papa Massata old explained on Twitter: “Sadly I have Diack, the son of former IAAF presi- tear of the proximal myotendineous dent Lamine Diack, on the day Rio de junction of biceps femoris in my left Janeiro won the vote to host the 2016 hamstring with partial retraction. 3 Olympics. months rehab. Fredericks has repeatedly denied any “I don’t usually release my medical wrongdoing. He admitted having re- report to the public but sadly I have sat ceived money from Massata Diack, but and listened to people questioning if said it was payment for legitimate work I was really injured. I have never been he had done. one to cheat my fans in any way and my “Mr Fredericks appealed against the entire desire at the championship was order for provisional suspension and run one last time for my fans. Thanks his appeal was heard by an enlarged for the continued support my fans and I panel of the Disciplinary Tribunal,” the rest, heal and move onto the next chap- AIU said in a statement. ter of my life #Love&LoveAlone.” “Having heard from both parties, the The posts on Twitter were removed A combination of pictures shows Jamaica’s Usain Bolt pulling up injured during the 4x100m relay at the IAAF World Championships in London on Saturday. (AFP) enlarged panel agreed with the AIU’s shortly after they had been posted. submissions and it declined to lift the Bolt had been three metres down on end, might have been caused by having the Manchester United Foundation and Championships in his fi nal race. into MUTV’s phone-in show to praise order for provisional suspension.” the two leaders as he took on the last leg a long wait before the race. Bolt, who its work in the local community. Competitions have previously got in Jose Mourinho’s men. Bolt has been Earlier this year Fredericks, an Inter- of the relay, which was won by Britain, won 19 global championship golds, is Ruud van Nistelrooy, Denis Irwin and the way of Bolt making an appearance “mind bent on playing for Manchester national Olympic Committee member, only to pull up sharply and fall to the widely considered the fi nest sprinter in Dwight Yorke are among those signed for United teams in such exhibition United” since his fi rst visit in 2009 and stepped down as head of the team eval- ground, coming to a halt after a forward athletics annals. up for the Bryan Robson-managed side, matches, but there is scope for the Ja- has spoken with no little self-belief of uating bids to host the 2024 Olympics. roll on the track. The injury will also prevent Bolt from who had hoped to be able to call upon maican to be involved at another point. his ability as a footballer. He also removed himself from the IAAF He speculated on Sunday that the achieving his lifelong dream of play- the fastest man in history. Bolt has long Bolt’s love of football is well known, as “In my mind, I think I should do a (International Association of Athletics injury, which ended a wretched fi nal ing for Manchester United. The United dreamed of playing at Old Traff ord and is his fondness for United. trial and see if they would say, ‘All right, Federations) task force investigating championships for him after he only Legends take on their Barcelona coun- was fi nally set to get that chance if he The Jamaican sprint great has been come on’ or if they would say, ‘No, you doping allegations in Russia, after the managed to win bronze in the indi- terparts at Old Traff ord on September was able to overcome the hamstring to Old Traff ord on several occasions are not any good’,” he told MUTV. “I corruption allegations involving him- vidual 100 metres the previous week- 2 in a charity match, raising money for injury sustained at the World Athletics and last December went as far as to call think I would be pretty good because I self surfaced.

BOXING NFL McGregor vows fast fi nish What does Kuechly see in Panthers’ defence? against Mayweather By Jourdan Rodrigue nication and recognition of the manner in which The Charlotte Observer the linemen are playing them, in preparation for either a run or pass play. “We have to be on the same page, and we communicated and it came arolina Panthers safety Mike Adams is as out good,” said Short after practice. “Man, you wily a veteran as they come. So when Ad- talking 100-plus sacks with Julius Peppers and ams shaded a Tennessee Titans receiver Charles Johnson alone. Those guys set the foun- to the inside of the fi eld on an outside dation over here. We do everything they ask us to route,C the receiver hardly knew what was happen- do, as far as what they expect. ... The whole time, ing before the ball, thrown by quarterback Marcus we do expect to communicate.” Mariota, fl ew to the sideline where that receiver The secondary is also starting to click into its was supposed to be, and dribbled incomplete. rotation behind corners James Bradberry and “Yeah, Mike!” screeched linebacker Luke Daryl Worley. Kuechly, running across the fi eld to fi st-bump While veteran corner Captain Munnerlyn starts Adams. “Yeah Mike!” in the nickel, he also plays outside corner behind It was a testament to what Carolina’s core de- Worley. Rookie undrafted free agent Cole Luke fensive player notices as he fl ies around the fi eld has rotated in often on the outside, as well as at at middle linebacker. Adams’ movement to shade nickel and had a nice pass breakup on Tuesday in the receiver was subtle, but Kuechly saw it and during team drills against Tennessee. As Munner- wanted the safety to know he recognised what he lyn got a break near the end of the day, Luke saw a had done. “Well, Mike’s been in the league for 15 couple snaps at the nickel. years,” Kuechly said, laughing, after practice. “He Kuechly has noticed Luke, too. “He’s a good knows football. Just the little things. It’s fun when player,” Kuechly said. “He understands football, you get things right. ... We’re all getting on the understands what he needs to do. When you play same page, which is good.” with him, it doesn’t feel like he’s a rookie. (At one This defense, which has been chomping at the point) he was out there with me, and we had a lit- bit to put a set of pads on someone not wearing tle eye contact and he knew what was going on, Carolina blue, is starting to smooth out those lit- and that’s good to see a young guy come in and tle details that Kuechly loves to notice, starting understand what’s going on and get in there right up front. Defensive tackle Kawann Short worked away and make something happen.” on the inside against Tennessee’s fi rst-team line Carolina does still have enormous question defensive end Julius Peppers took the edge dur- marks at safety. After Dean Marlowe was waived Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor will be allowed to wear lighter gloves when they clash in their Las Vegas superfight this month. (AFP) ing pass-rush drills. Some of the drills were spe- with an injury settlement this week (he tore his cifi cally designed to force a double team with a hamstring in camp), special teams ace Collin AFP The charismatic 29-year-old said a gruel- tirades and trash-talking. McGregor, who three-man off ensive line against a two-man de- Jones has seen more time as a depth piece. Vet- Los Angeles ling training camp has taken him to “hell and was criticised for addressing Mayweather as fensive set, and Short picked his up with ease as eran starter Kurt Coleman is in Charlotte dealing back” and left him ready to face any kind of “boy” during one event, dismissed sugges- Peppers shook the off ensive tackle for what would with a personal issue, so Jones ran with the ones scenario inside the ring at the T-Mobile Are- tions that there was a racially tinged dimen- equate to a sack in live action. on defense on Tuesday. onor McGregor believes he will knock na. “There is no way in hell that I’m not ready sion to the duel. When the two worked in tandem against a Behind him, there are high expectations on out Floyd Mayweather inside two to fi ght in the deepest of trenches in this con- “For me, it’s athlete versus athlete,” Mc- guard and starting Titans tackle Jack Conklin in Damian Parms and Dezmen Southward, who rounds but is ready for all scenarios test,” McGregor said. Gregor said. “I’m disappointed to hear the another set of drills, it appeared even easier. seem to have the current edge over local product when the two fi ghters clash in their “We are ready for both scenarios. I’m ready way it’s being portrayed. Tennessee’s linemen are formidable, and sure, LJ McCray. Even if one of those players steps up eagerlyC anticipated superfi ght next week. to go to war for 12 rounds and I’m ready to put All I can do is stay focused on my craft and it was one set of drills. But Short and Peppers as a core backup at safety, Carolina will likely sign Irish mixed martial arts star McGregor told him away early on.” Ulimtate Fighting Cham- go out and put a performance for my fans.” appeared to really be in sync, both on commu- one either before or after preseason cuts. reporters on a conference call on Wednesday pionship President Dana White also believes McGregor, meanwhile, said he has used that a controversial switch to lighter gloves the gloves switch could shape the outcome of disparagement by the boxing community as could lead to an explosive outcome in the Au- the fi ght. The move is widely seen as benefi t- motivation. “It has certainly been motivat- Luke Kuechly. gust 26 showdown in Las Vegas. ing both fi ghters — Mayweather’s fast hands ing, the disrespect and the disregard for my McGregor, who is widely seen as a mas- could be quicker with lighter gloves, while skill set,” McGregor said. sive underdog against undefeated former McGregor will be able to make his punching “I look at people so many times and their welterweight king Mayweather, predicted an power more keenly felt, provided he can land mind is closed to how things can be done. early fi nish to the fi ght. “Particularly with the a blow on his American opponent. It’s a set way and there is no other way. Well, eight-ounce gloves, I don’t believe he makes “I think it aff ects the contest a lot,” White if that was the case we would have never it out of the second round,” said McGregor, said when asked if McGregor would be helped reached across the oceans in search of other nevertheless expressing the hope that the by the change. “Yes, Floyd will be faster with lands. We would never have gone into space. fi ght would last longer. eight-ounce gloves but he’s more defensive. “You have to have an open mind and you “I don’t want people saying ‘Oh, it was a Conor hits like a truck, so smaller gloves helps got to realise that there are other ways. Fight- lucky punch’ and all that. Part of me is hoping him big time. I think it absolutely does.” ing is a complex game. But I’m just looking maybe he can last so I can show some skill and McGregor and Mayweather will climb into forward to August 26 and proving what I’m dismantle him that way. But I do not see him the ring following an international publicity saying and educating the world of what mar- absorbing the blows in the fi rst few rounds.” tour last month marked by expletive-laden tial arts is.” Gulf Times Friday, August 18, 2017 7 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Putin grants Russian citizenship to Australia US favourites to cyclist Perkins

AFP Moscow

win Solheim Cup resident Vladimir Putin yes- terday gave former cycling world champion Shane Per- Pkins of Australia Russian cit- izenship, paving the way for the rider to represent the country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Perkins, 30, announced he was against Europe switching allegiance to Russia earlier this year after failing to get on Aus- tralia’s track cycling team for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The US, captained by Juli Inkster, have named an experienced team which A decree published by the Kremlin said Putin had signed off on grant- includes six players who have played in the event at least four times ing the rider — who is currently in Saint Petersburg for Russia’s national championships — citizenship. comeback from the Americans in Ger- The rare defection by an Australian many two years ago, recovering from athlete raised eyebrows since Mel- 10-6 down heading into the singles, to bourne-born Perkins has no family clinch a 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 victory. ties to Russia. Inkster is bracing for another nip- The cyclist was reportedly con- and-tuck battle over the fi rst two days vinced to join the Russian team by of foursomes and four-balls, where she his training partner in Japan Denis believes Europe may hold an edge. Dmitriev, who told him that it would of GHRP-2*” from an out-of-compe- “I was looking at our foursomes and give him a good chance of competing tition test on Aug. 9. our four-ball, what one do we do bet- in Tokyo. “The rider has the right to request ter — and we equally suck at both of Perkins won bronze in the indi- and attend the analysis of the B sam- them,” Inkster said. “If we could be vidual sprint at the London Olympics ple. In accordance with UCI Anti- tied going into Sunday I’d be ecstatic, in 2012 after claiming first place at Doping Rules, the rider has been but it never seems to be that way. We the 2011 World Championships in the provisionally suspended until the ad- know we usually have to come from keirin event. judication of the affair,” the UCI said. behind. But it would be nice not to have His switch to Russia comes at a GHRP-2 refers to GH-Releasing to do that.” time when the country is in the spot- Peptides (GHRPs), which are classi- The 2015 tournament was domi- light after an alleged state-sponsored fied as “Peptide Hormones, Growth nated by controversy when Europe doping system was uncovered. Factors, Related Substances and Mi- stalwart Pettersen refused to concede Meanwhile, Spain’s former Olym- metics” on the World Anti-Doping Alison Lee a short putt during a key pic champion Samuel Sanchez has Agency’s 2017 Prohibited List. foursome game. Pettersen’s reception been suspended with immediate ef- Sanchez’s team BMC Racing im- by the large home crowds expected in fect after testing positive for banned mediately announced his suspension Iowa had been a key point of interest growth hormones, cycling’s govern- and said he would be replaced by Loic until the Norwegian withdrew from ing body said yesterday. Vliegen in the Vuelta. the event on Wednesday citing a back Sanchez, 39, won the 2008 Olympic “In accordance with BMC Racing injury. road race in Beijing and five individual Team’s zero tolerance policy and UCI The absence of the world number 23 stages in the Vuelta a Espana between regulation, Sanchez has been provi- deprives Europe captain Sorenstam of 2005 and 2007 as well as an individual sionally suspended with immediate one of her most reliable performers. stage on the 2011 Tour de France. effect,” BMC said in a statement. Pettersen, who would have been play- He will now miss this year’s Vuelta, “Until the results of the B sample ing in her ninth Solheim Cup, has been which begins tomorrow in Nimes, are provided, no further action will be Angel Yin of Team USA signs autographs during practice for the Solheim Cup at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club replaced by British alternate Catriona France. taken. All riders and staff are held to in West Des Moines, Iowa. Matthew. The Union Cycliste Internationale the highest ethical standard and BMC “It’s been a lot of juggling, to put (UCI) said in a statement on its web- Racing Team is extremely disappoint- AFP gained the crown with a thrilling fi nal more,” Inkster told reporters. it mildly,” Sorenstam said. “But, you site that Sanchez had been notified of ed to share this news on the eve of the Chicago day charge in the 2015 event. “I try not to get too much in their know, Catriona has obviously played an “Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) Vuelta a Espana.” The US, captained once again by Juli mind because when it comes to it, it’s many times and she knows many of Inkster, have named a team bristling just hitting, hitting shots and playing. the players. he United States will start as with experience which includes six “You’ve got to let them fi gure it out “And she’s very easy to pair with. So Retirement a piece of cake for former world champ James favourites to retain their Sol- players who have played in the event at themselves. So I kind of really stay it’s not going to be any more diffi cult.” heim Cup crown as Europe least four times. Inkster, who played in out of it. If they have questions I’ll be Pettersen meanwhile will serve as London: Becky James, a former world Having grown tired of her endless captain Annika Sorenstam at- nine Solheim Cups, said she will look more than happy to answer them. But one of Sorenstam’s vice-captains. champion and Olympic silver medallist, fitness issues and the intense focus temptsT to reshuffl e her troops after the to her veteran team members to pro- I leave that to the veteran leadership “I think that’s one of the reasons we announced her retirement from cycling required to compete at the highest late withdrawal of Suzann Pettersen. vide guidance for the trio of US rookies on my team.” Despite the core of US wanted Suzann to be part of the team,” yesterday and plans to pursue her am- level, James has swapped life on a bike The three-day Ryder Cup-style which includes Danielle Kang, Austin experience however, history has seen Sorenstam said. “I think she earned bition of making cakes for a living. for a baker’s apron. “Over the past year, I tournament tees off at the Des Moines Ernst and Angel Yin. “I basically let Europe’s players punch consistently the right to be here. To have her part James won the World sprint and keirin have had time to think about my future Golf and Country Club in Iowa, two the veterans in the group talk to them. above their weight in the Solheim Cup. of the team, being in the locker room, titles at the 2013 Track Cycling World and have decided to retire from interna- years after the American women re- I think coming from them it means It needed a miraculous fi nal day will help.” Championships in Belarus and took tional track sprint racing,” James said. silver at the same events at the 2016 “After 13 years of racing my track bike, it Rio Olympics. But the 25-year-old is time to start an exciting new chapter PREVIEW preparations for last year’s Olympics in my life.” were disrupted by a chronic knee injury “For a long time I’ve had a passion for and a cervical cancer scare, prompting baking and have loved making special her to take an extended break to decide wedding and birthday cakes for friends Kisner regroups for Wyndham Championship her future. and family. I’ve had great feedback from James had also suff ered glandular those who’ve enjoyed my cakes and it’s fever, an appendectomy and shoulder my intention to now pursue this passion Reuters led by eight-time winner ‘Slammin’ surgery among a litany of frustrating as a business, along with some exciting Greensboro, North Carolina Sammy Snead. ailments throughout her career. other projects going forward.” There will be no defending cham- pion for the second year running, fol- evin Kisner has had lit- lowing Kim Si-woo’s withdrawal with tle time to wallow in disap- a back problem, 12 months after 2015 pointment after last week’s winner Davis Love was also ruled out SWITCH PGA Championship and through injury. willK return to action at the Wyndham World number nine Henrik Stenson Championship this week. heads the fi eld, with the Swede need- Kisner, who started the fi nal round ing to reach his 15-tournament PGA Germany’s Kittel swaps at Quail Hollow leading before fi nish- Tour minimum, having spent most of ing equal seventh, went home to South the summer playing in Europe. Carolina for three nights before arriv- Stenson has compiled some solid Belgium’s Quick-Step ing at Sedgefi eld Country Club late on results lately, fi nishing equal 11th at Wednesday afternoon. the British Open and equal 13th at the He will not even have time for a PGA Championship. for Katusha Alpecin practice round, before teeing off for “It hasn’t been great but hasn’t been the fi rst round. With a heavily-preg- poor,” he said of his form. “Lingering Reuters nant wife and a three-year-old daugh- some where in-between, not hitting Brussels ter, Kisner, 33, said he has had little full form but still good enough to pro- time to mope. duce some decent scores.” “The best part about having a family Stenson, 41, is already eyeing next erman sprinter Marcel Kittel is they don’t really care,” he said. year’s majors and is looking to add to has left Belgium’s Quick-Step “We’ve been hustling and bustling the British Open he won in 2016. Floors and signed a two-year Monday and Tuesday at home to get “There’s another three majors out deal with Swiss cycling team everything done to get back up here.” chance.” That was no easy task on a “It’s always great to be in the hunt,” there and I’d love to win another one,” GKatusha Alpecin. Kisner was the last man standing 500-yard par-four, but Kisner went he said. “You get to re-evaluate things he said. “That’s my mind(set) for the The 29-year-old, who joins world with a chance to catch winner Justin for it, despite having mud on his ball you can do better next time you’re back nine of my career.” time-trial champion Tony Martin at Thomas at the PGA. and knowing the odds of holing out there.” Kisner is now focused on this The Wyndham is a last chance sa- Katusha, said he was looking forward “When we walked off the tee at 18 were astronomical. week’s event, formerly known as the loon for many players, with only the to the new challenge. we asked the walking offi cial what His fi ve-iron, however, found the Greater Greensboro Open, which dates top 125 on the FedExCup points list “For me, this moment is exciting,” (Thomas) made on 18. We knew (then) creek left of the green, leading to a back to 1938 and whose list of cham- advancing to the playoff s that start Kittel said on the team’s website (team- we had to make (eagle) two to have a double-bogey. pions reads like a who’s who of golf, next week. katushaalpecin.com). “With this step, I also hope to get new inspiration. I fi nd all the requirements in the team that I need to be strong in the sprint fi nals.” Movistar and compatriot David de la Kittel, who won fi ve stages at the Cruz from Quick-Step Floors. The duo New Zealand’s Pearce takes one-shot lead in Fiji Tour de France this year and wore the will join the team from 2018. points leader’s green jersey for 12 days “I have been part of Grand Tour win- Reuters, Suva: New Zealand’s Daniel Pearce with Malaysia’s Gavin Green a shot further supposed to be pretty breezy,” Singh told before a crash forced him to abandon ning teams in the past and I want to do roared up the leaderboard with a scintillat- adrift with a clutch of Australians at the Eu- reporters. the race, will be replaced by Team Sky’s that again in the future,” the 30-year- ing start on his back nine to card a six-under ropean Tour event, which is co-sanctioned “I was suspect to play. It’s really bugging Elia Viviani at Quick-Step Floors. old Castroviejo told Team Sky’s website 66 for a one-shot lead after the first round by the PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian me (when) I get to the top of my back-swing, The Italian will join his new team in (www.teamsky.com). of the Fiji International yesterday. Tour. so I had to shorten my back-swing to play,” January and will be hoping his depar- De la Cruz, who fi nished seventh at Pearce, who started his round at the 10th Local favourite Vijay Singh was five back he said of the elbow problem. ture from Sky, who are more focused the Vuelta a Espana last year, believes hole, eagled the par-five first before mak- on one-under, the former world number “But considering I was hurting that bad, I on Grand Tours and one-day races, can the British team is the best place to ing three birdies in succession at the sea- one and triple major champion carrying an played OK.” lead to more success at a sprint-orient- progress in his career. side Natadola Bay Golf Course. elbow injury through a typically windy day Twice major champion Angel Cabrera fal- ed outfi t. “The team understand my skills and New Zealander Ben Campbell and Aus- at Sigatoka. tered with three bogeys in his last five holes Team Sky have replaced Viviani with what I can off er... I am looking forward tralia’s Daniel Valente both mounted late “Before the round started if you told me to finish with an even-par 72, along with three-time Spanish national time-trial to this new challenge,” the 28-year-old charges to finish one behind in joint second, I’d take one-under, I would because it was fellow US Masters winner Mike Weir. champion Jonathan Castroviejo from said.

Friday, August 18, 2017 GULF TIMES TENNIS

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Pliskova on Nadal’s advice for track to defend Cincinnati title, injured stars — Venus out Reuters Cincinnati

arolina Pliskova cele- brated her return to the accept, keep going tournament that helped launch her rise to world Knumber one with a 6-2, 6-3 win ‘I have been in that position more than all these players that are out now’ over Russian Natalia Vikhlyant- seva in the second round of the AFP Cincinnati Open on Wednesday. Cincinnati Two celebrated seeds fell, with number three Angelique Kerber and ninth-seeded Venus Williams nce and future world number upset in three-setters, disrupting one Rafael Nadal has some ad- their US Open preparations. vice for men’s tennis stars in Kerber lost 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (11) danger of missing the US Open to Russian Ekaterina Makarova, dueO to injury — accept it and keep going. while Williams was upset 6-3, The 31-year-old Spaniard defeated 2-6, 6-2 by Australian qualifi er France’s Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-4 on Ashleigh Barty in second-round Wednesday to reach the third round at matches. Venus Williams reacts after the ATP Cincinnati Masters, the last ma- Barty will face former world losing a point to Ashleigh Barty jor US Open tuneup with the year’s last number one Caroline Wozniacki, (not pictured) at Western & major starting August 28 in New York. a 6-2, 6-4 winner against Rus- Southern Open in Mason, Ohio, Nadal, a 15-time Grand Slam winner sia’s Elena Vesnina, in the last 16. on Wednesday. (AFP) nagged by knee injuries for years, will Top seed Pliskova rose to the overtake Andy Murray atop the rankings occasion on the key points. who beat Australian Daria Ga- on Monday, the British star being side- She saved all fi ve break points vrilova 7-6 (1), 5-7, 6-3. lined by a hip injury. she faced, while losing just three American 16th seed Madison Nadal was assured the top spot for the points behind her fi rst serve Keys beat Russian Daria Kasat- fi rst time since July 2014 when 19-time against the Russian, who reached kina 6-2, 6-1 to reach the last 16, Grand Slam winner Roger Federer with- her fi rst WTA fi nal at Den Bosch where she will face Wimbledon drew from Cincinnati with a back injury. in June. champion Garbine Muguruza of “I worked a lot to give me another Last year Pliskova beat Kerber Spain. chance and here I am,” Nadal said. “Just in the Cincinnati fi nal, stopping For the second week in a row, to be back to that position makes me hap- the German from ascending to American Sloane Stephens de- py and of course is going to be an emo- number one with the biggest vic- feated 14th seed Petra Kvitova, tional moment for me.” tory of her career up to then. who was bothered by pain in her Serbian 12-time Grand Slam champion Pliskova went on to have a right thigh, to reach the third Novak Djokovic will miss the remainder brilliant Flushing Meadows run, round with a 6-2, 6-3 win. of the year with an elbow injury while beating both Venus and Serena Stephens, sidelined almost a and Swiss 2016 US Open champion Stan Williams on the way to the fi nal, year due to a foot injury before Wawrinka is out with a knee injury and sparking a consistent stretch that returning at Wimbledon, beat Kei Nishikori will miss the rest of 2017 Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Richard Gasquet (not pictured) of France during the Western and Southern Open at the helped her succeed Kerber atop Kvitova last week in three sets in with a torn right wrist tendon. Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) the rankings after Wimbledon. Toronto on her way to the semi- Add Marin Cilic out with an adduc- Next up for the 25-year-old fi nals. tor injury and Milos Raonic withdrawing “I’m the only one of these top players something that can happen.” the trophy once again on Paris clay in Czech is a third-round match Up next for Stephens will be with a left wrist injury and seven of the that missed a lot of important tourna- Nadal says it has been special having June. And Federer, 36, went more than against Italian Camila Giorgi, the on-form Makarova. world’s top 10 are absent this week. ments in my career. More than nobody Federer turning back the clock, winning four years from Wimbledon 2012 to Mel- Nadal knows all too well how that feels. else, I know how tough it is. the Australian Open and Wimbledon, at bourne this year without a Slam title. He has missed six Grand Slam events in “But the only thing that you can do the same time he is doing the same, win- “I do my way and Roger did his way,” UPDATE the 13 years since he began winning such when these kind of things happen is ac- ning the French Open and proving doubt- Nadal said. “Everybody is diff erent. I al- titles. cept and keep going.” ers wrong. ways say the same. I am going to keep “I have been in that position more than “It’s something that probably is special playing while what I’m doing makes me all these players that are out now,” Nadal ‘WE’RE NOT 20 ANYMORE’ because a lot of people thought that we happy. I’m a very lucky man that I can Nastase appeals said. “I know how tough it is. I’m very Nadal dismisses the notion that the sea- will not be able to be back to where we are choose when I want to stop. sorry for all of them and I wish all of them son has become too long and grueling. now,” Nadal said. “If I’m happy and especially if I’m a fast and good recovery. “The season didn’t change for the last “But we’ve been in that position for a healthy, I keep going because I love this against ITF ban “But at the same time I tell you Roger 20 years, so we cannot think about that lot of years. Is special, yes, but is nothing sport. I love the competition. I still (am) didn’t have a lot of these things during his now,” Nadal said. Is something that hap- new.” feeling the passion for what I’m doing. AFP the ITF following the tie in April career. Novak the same. Andy the same. pens because we’re not 20 years old any- Nadal had not won a major crown since When I arrive at the days I lose one of London before an adjudication panel Stan, I don’t think he had a lot of issues. more. We’re over 30, most of us, so it’s 2014 at Roland Garros until he hoisted these things, I’m going to do nothing.” handed down specifi c punish- ments last month. lie Nastase has appealed Nastase’s ban does not prevent against his suspension over him from attending Grand Slam his behaviour during a Fed events or ATP or WTA tourna- American teen Tiafoe upsets Zverev in Cincinnati Cup match between Roma- ments, as the ITF does not have Inia and Great Britain in April, the direct jurisdiction over them. Unseeded American teenager Frances there and that’s what I did.” Krueger, winning each set on a late International Tennis Federation Prior to the Fed Cup tie in Con- Tiafoe upset red-hot Alexander Zverev Tiafoe, who notched his first top 50 win break. announced yesterday. stanta, Nastase was overheard 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round of in Wimbledon, will meet big-serving Del Potro, who on Tuesday ousted 10th- The 71-year-old Romania cap- discussing Williams’s unborn the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday. American John Isner next up. seeded Czech Tomas Berdych, saved tain was accused of racism by Ser- child during a press conference, World number seven Zverev, who “I just got to weather the storm,” Tiafoe five break points at 3-3 in the second ena Williams after joking about saying: “Let’s see what colour it stunned Roger Federer in the Montreal said. “He’s going to drop some big-boy set and clinched victory on his fourth the skin colour of her unborn baby has. Chocolate with milk?” final last week after claiming the title heat on me and I’m going to have to be match point. and was ejected from the tie over a He twice asked British captain in Washington DC, was on a 10-match ready for it.” Dimitrov has not beaten Del Potro in five foul-mouthed outburst. Anne Keothavong for her room winning streak but faded in the final set Earlier, Bulgarian seventh seed Grigor career meetings, with the most recent He was banned from taking on number and angrily confronted against the energetic baseliner. Dimitrov beat Feliciano Lopez 7-6(5) 6-4 defeat coming at Rome in May. an offi cial role at ITF events until British journalist Eleanor Crooks It was 19-year-old Tiafoe’s first win over to set up a last-16 clash with Juan Martin Australian Nick Kyrgios beat Ukraine’s 2021 and fi ned $10,000 ($85,190 on two occasions. a top-10 player and he bounded around Del Potro. Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3 7-6(6) to reach euros). He was also prevented During a match between Brit- the court in joy, thumping his chest to a Dimitrov nearly broke the unseeded the third round, where he will face from attending ITF events until ish number one Johanna Konta standing ovation after Zverev floated a Spaniard three times prior to making a unseeded Croatian Ivo Karlovic. the end of 2018. and Sorana Cirstea, Nastase backhand long on match point with his strong start in the tiebreak and went on Also advancing to the round of 16 were Confi rming Nastase’s appeal, a swore at Konta, Keothavong and third unforced error of the last game. to register 27 winners in the match. Spaniards David Ferrer and Pablo Car- spokesman said: “No further in- referee Andreas Egli, which saw “I saw he was a bit tired, but he was still The 28-year-old Del Potro, playing reno Busta, and Russian Karen Khach- formation will be issued until the him ejected from the court. competing. It was tough. I was happy to at Cincinnati for the first time in four anov. tribunal has reached its decision The French Open and Wim- get through it,” 87th-ranked Tiafoe told years after reaching the semi-finals in Top-seeded Spaniard Rafa Nadal will as the process is confi dential.” bledon subsequently revoked Tennis Channel. “My game plan was to 2012 and 2013, advanced with a 6-4 6-4 cap off the night session when he meets Nastase, the former French their invitations to Nastase to keep the rallies long and keep him out win over American qualifier Mitchell Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Open and US Open champion, attend their respective tourna- was provisionally suspended by ments.

COMMENT Not without my baby — Azarenka looks to skip US Open

AFP Meadows fortnight, saying in her mes- before the August 28 start of the US Azarenka called Leo’s being born in Cincinnati sage: “My incredible fans and friends, Open, Azarenka said she was hopeful. December “by far the happiest day of who have supported me throughout my “I remain optimistic that in the my life. I now have a brand new ap- career deserve to know why I may not coming days Leo’s father and I can preciation for how new mothers — and ictoria Azarenka detailed be able to compete at the US Open this put aside any differences and take fathers — juggle the many diff erent re- her custody fi ght over eight- year.” steps in the right direction to more sponsibilities for their families. month-old son Leo in a The 28-year-old from Belarus, effectively work as a team and agree “However, like most working moth- Twitter-linked note Thurs- ranked 204 after a layoff while preg- on an arrangement for all three of us ers, despite my unconditional love for Vday, saying she will skip the upcoming nant and after her son’s birth, played to travel and for me to compete but, my son, I am faced with a diffi cult situ- US Open because of it unless things last month at Wimbledon, reaching the more importantly, to ensure that Leo ation which may not allow me to return change. round of 16 before losing to second- has a consistent presence from both to work right away.” The move came six days after a TMZ ranked Simona Halep. of his parents,” she wrote. Azarenka said she began working on Sports website report that Azarenka “Shortly after Wimbledon, Leo’s fa- her comeback in Belarus in March and would skip the year’s fi nal Grand Slam ther and I separated and as we work to READY FOR THE CHALLENGE returned earlier than expected to play a event at New York following a split last resolve some of the legal processes, the Azarenka would arrange for child care tuneup event before Wimbledon. month with the boy’s father, Billy McK- way things stand now is that the only while she is competing, having the baby She withdrew last week from the last eague. way I can play in the US Open this year with her in New York rather than leav- major WTA tuneup for the US Open in The report said a judge in Los An- is if I leave Leo behind in California, ing him behind in California. Cincinnati, citing personal reasons. geles, where McKeague fi led custody which I’m not willing to do,” Azarenka “Balancing child care and a career is “I am incredibly grateful for all of the papers, will not allow the boy to leave wrote. not easy for any parent, but it is a chal- support I have received from women California until the matter is settled, “I look forward to hopefully having lenge I am willing to face and embrace,” and men around the world who rec- not expected until October. positive developments soon so that this Azarenka said. “I want to support men ognise the importance of supporting Azarenka left open a possibility she diffi cult situation can be resolved and I “No parent should have to decide be- While not outlining exactly what and women everywhere who know it is working moms and our right to be with might be able to play in the Flushing can get back to competing. tween their child or their career.” changes she expected might happen OK to be a working mother — or father.” our children,” she said.