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Tuesday, July 17, 2018 FOOTBALL Dhul-Qa’da 4, 1439 AH Ronaldo targets GULF TIMES Champions League glory at Juventus SPORT Page 4 LES BLEUS ARRIVE TO ECSTATIC RECEPTION

French team paraded down the Champs Elysees SPOTLIGHT avenue, President Macron hosts reception Mbappe’s exploits make me want to get back playing, says Pele

DPA Moscow

razilian football legend Pele is worried that his exploits in the game are going to be eclipsed Bby 19-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe — who scored as France’s defender Raphael Varane (C) holds the trophy as he celebrates with teammates on the roof of a bus while parading down the Champs-Elysee avenue in Paris yesterday. beat Croatia 4-2 to win their sec- ond in Moscow on Reuters Saturday. Paris Mahjoubi, the secretary of state for So worried, in fact, that he digital aff airs, whose parents emigrat- joked that he’s considering a re- ed from Morocco. turn to playing — at 77 years of undreds of thousands of ec- “We’re not still celebrating ‘Black- age. static French fans celebrated Blanc-Beur’, we’re celebrating broth- “If Kylian keeps equalling my the return of their World Cup erhood,” he said of the current team. records like this I may have to winning football team on yes- For Macron, who became president dust my boots off again,” Pele Hterday, jumping and chanting “We Are last year at the age of 39, leading his said, after Mbappe emulated his The Champions” as their bus paraded political movement to victory against previously unique feat of scoring down the Champs Elysees before a spe- the odds, the success is also likely to in the fi nal as a teenager. cial presidential reception. have positive repercussions after a At 19, Mbappe is older than “Les Bleus”, a dynamic, young team slump in the polls amid a host of eco- Pele was when he managed the that won an open, fast-paced fi nal 4-2 nomic reforms. feat. The Brazilian was just 17 with Croatia in Moscow, appeared at The Paris metro system got into the when he scored a brace against the Elysee palace, where they burst celebratory mood, announcing the Sweden in 1958 to help his coun- into a spontaneous rendition of the “La names of a number of stations were try to its fi rst World Cup. Marseillaise” national anthem with being briefl y changed to honour the The next teenager to score a President Emmanuel Macron and his players and coach, Didier Deschamps. double in a single World Cup wife. Notre-Dame des Champs sta- match? Mbappe, of course, in “Thank you for having made us tion was relabelled “Notre Didier France’s 4-3 win over proud,” Macron told the players in the Deschamps”, and Victor Hugo was in the round of 16. With Mbappe presidential palace’s gardens. “Never switched to “Victor ” after in their team, it’s no wonder the forget where you come from: all the the captain and goalkeeper. French are already anticipating a clubs across France that trained you.” Yesterday morning, the after-eff ects third World Cup success, allow- French media spent the day lauding French President Emmanuel Macron poses with France soccer team captain Hugo Lloris holding the trophy, coach Didier of Sunday night’s frenetic revelry were ing them to add a further star to the team’s accomplishments. Deschamps and players before a reception to honour at the Elysee Palace in Paris. still visible. A number of smashed their jersey. More than 300,000 people fi lled the windows, an overturned car and graf- “He’s capable of bringing Champs Elysees, the area around the ers.” Newspapers hailed a second World tors playing up the fact the squad, the as it remains wary of the threat. fi ti scrawled here and there, including home a third star in 2022, 2026 or Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Cup for France, after their fi rst victory second-youngest in the competition, When France won its fi rst World Cup the phrase “Liberte, Egalite, Mbappe”, 2030,” the newspaper Le Parisien Concorde on Sunday night, partying on home soil in 1998. includes many with central and north 20 years ago, with its a reference to the national motto “Lib- wrote on Monday, adding that into the early hours, singing the Mar- “History Made” declared sports African heritage, even if all but two talisman and playmaker, the team was erte, Egalite, Fraternite”. Mbappe had entered “the pan- seillaise, setting off fi recrackers and daily L’Equipe. Photos of superstars were born in France. referred to as “Black-Blanc-Beur” And it is not just the capital that has theon.” The young man from the blaring horns until the sun rose. Kylian Mbappe, France has suff ered years of tension (Black-White-Arab), a positive refer- been consumed by football fever. From Parisian banlieue of Bondy will “We had so much fun last night, the and , as well as shots of and self-examination since a series ence to its diverse ethnic make-up. Nice and Marseille in the south to Lille have to go some if he is to put Pele city was full of joy, so much celebra- the team holding aloft and kissing the of attacks by Islamist gunmen during But some were keen to put that in the north, Nantes in the west and in the shade, though. The Brazil- tion,” a woman dressed in red, white trophy in the pouring rain, dominated 2015 that left more than 140 dead, in- phrase to one side, seeing in it a sense scores of towns and cities in between, ian played at four World Cups, and blue who had made her way out to coverage. cluding 89 killed in the Bataclan thea- of separateness, even if it was meant TV stations were full of images of red, winning three — in 1958, 1962 Charles de Gaulle airport told BFM TV. The victory has helped foster a sense tre in Paris. In some small way, the positively. white and blue clad fans singing and and 1970 — and scored 77 goals “All we want is a wave from the play- of national unity, with commenta- World Cup has helped lift the nation “We’re not in 1998,” said Mounir dancing in France’s streets and squares. in 92 internationals. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, July 17, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Deschamps’ win a triumph for substance over style They are the first team to score four times in the final since Pele’s great Brazil side beat Italy 4-1 in Mexico in 1970, and the match was the highest-scoring World Cup final since England’s 4-2 victory against West Germany in 1966

AFP Moscow

idier Deschamps’ France side have not always won admirers for their way of playing at this World Cup, but that will not matterD to the hundreds of thousands celebrating on the streets back home after their fi nal victory over Croatia. France won 4-2 at the Luzhniki Sta- dium in Moscow on Sunday, with star men Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe all scoring as they lifted the trophy for the second time in their history. They are the fi rst team to score four times in the fi nal since Pele’s great Bra- zil side beat Italy 4-1 in Mexico in 1970, and the match was the highest-scoring World Cup fi nal since England’s 4-2 victory against West Germany back in 1966. It was achieved with a brilliantly talented set of players, embodied by 19-year-old Mbappe, not even born when France last won it in 1998 and now the youngest player to score in a World Cup fi nal since Pele in 1958. He had already lit up this tourna- ment with his electric performance against Argentina, scoring twice in his side’s 4-3 win in Kazan in the last 16. However, these two high-scoring encounters do not provide an accurate picture of the way Deschamps’ team have played in this competition.

Deschamps became France’s longest-serving coach dur- ing this tournament, and the progress has been constant since he took charge in 2012

In their fi ve other games they scored a total of six goals, including two Griezmann penalties and one own goal. They were also involved in the only goalless draw of the tournament, against Denmark in their last group outing. Against Croatia, Griezmann’s pen- The Patrouille de France jets perform as they trail smoke in the colours of the French national flag while flying over the Arch of Triumph (Arc de Triomphe) near the Champs Elysee avenue as supporters alty that gave them a 2-1 lead in the welcome players of the French national football team in Paris yesterday. At bottom French President Emmanuel Macron (R) with coach Didier Deschamps. 38th minute came from their fi rst shot on goal of the game, with their opener ny. This time, while the Germans went possession were practically all punished a Mario Mandzukic own goal. France out in the group stage, France went all by quick attacks. fi nished with just 39 % of the posses- the way. “In football if you know how to defend sion. Deschamps has always been a win- well, you can be sure that you will get at With a shrug, Deschamps asked af- ner, going back to his playing days when least two or three chances on the coun- ter the game: “Are France beautiful he captained France to glory at the 1998 ter-attack or from set-pieces.” champions? Well, we are world cham- World Cup and Euro 2000 and won the He added: “Against Denmark we were pions and will be on top of the world for Champions League with Marseille and not very nice to watch. That would not four years.” Juventus. have been enough had we kept playing Deschamps has regularly been criti- He is now only the third man in histo- like that, but we managed to keep raising cised throughout this competition, and ry to win the World Cup as both a player our game.” throughout his six-year reign in charge, and coach after Brazil’s Mario Zagallo Had France fallen short in Rus- for his style of football. Yet this win fol- and German . sia, there would have been a growing lows the near miss of Euro 2016, when as “I have never seen or experienced a clamour for the French Football Fed- hosts they lost in extra time to Portugal World Cup like this one. There was a eration to approach Zinedine Zidane, in Paris. levelling off towards the top, and the so- a free agent since leaving Real Madrid. Deschamps became France’s longest- called smaller teams came in so well pre- But now Deschamps will surely stay serving coach during this tournament, pared physically,” he said as he defended in the job as long as he wants it, with and the progress has been constant since his reactionary style. his contract running until 2020. he took charge in 2012 and took the team “They hurt the countries who I always “The plan is that I stay so I am go- to the quarter-fi nals at the 2014 World remember as being the strongest. The ing to stay,” he told French radio station Cup, losing to eventual winners Germa- teams who had most control in terms of RTL.

BOTTOMLINE World’s media predict era of dominance for France

DPA “Will, skill and a careful coach- gle, comparing the victory to France’s Berlin ing template have forged a side whose fi rst World Cup win 20 years ago, sheer youthfulness should frighten the which saw the country united in pride This picture taken from the terrace rest of the world,” British paper The at the ethnic diversity of its team. nly one of France’s goals- of the Publicis drugstore shows a Guardian wrote. “On a stormy, slightly “France should enjoy its moment of corers in their 4-2 win over portrait of French forward Kylian wild afternoon in Moscow France be- unity,” it wrote. Croatia that secured their Mbappe projected on Paris’ landmark came world champions for the sec- “This World Cup title certainly has second World Cup was over Arc de Triomphe as people gather to ond time, providing a bookend to one socially integrative power. Just like 30O — and that was Croatia’s Mario victorious era and off ering a seductive 1998. But today we know that that celebrate France’s victory over Croatia Mandzukic, whose own goal opened in the final of the World Cup. hint of another to come.” was just a moment in time... Football the scoring for Les Bleus. The others British tabloid The Sun agreed. “The can’t solve integration problems. Not were all 27 or under, with 19-year- danger is France will only get even bet- in France, not anywhere.” old Kylian Mbappe becoming only the ter and that they are already the team Elsewhere there was clearly some an- second teenager — after Brazil legend to beat at Euro 2020 and then [World noyance at the role played by offi cials in Pele in 1958 — to fi nd the net in a World Cup 2022 in] Qatar two years later,” it France’s win, with their fi rst two goals Cup fi nal. wrote. following questionable decisions by Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane (25) In Spain, sports paper Marca her- referee Nestor Pitana, one of them after was the veteran of a Spanish-fl avoured alded a new era: “La Belle Epoque,” it consulting the video assistant referee defence that included Barcelona’s wrote. “The fi nal was a summary of the (VAR). (24) and Atletico Ma- Gallic World Cup, a show of strength. In Spain, sports daily Mundo Depor- drid’s (22), with This is no France with just one emper- tivo wrote that “VAR was the protago- Stuttgart’s 22-year-old Benjamin Pa- or, it’s a team made of granite.” nist of a fi nal in which not much foot- vard — scorer of that memorable goal In Italy, the Corriere della Sera said: ball was played,” while El Pais called the against Argentina in the last 16 — the “Class and organisation: That’s how Croatian team “the best of the tourna- odd man out. On the bench sat Bar- Deschamps built the French world ment,” adding that they were “domi- celona’s Ousmane Dembele (21) and champions.” It then turned its atten- nant until two controversial refereeing Bayern Munich’s tion to the potential for the win to heal decisions.” (23), while his club team-mate Kings- France’s social problems. AS was more blunt: “France win the ley Coman (22) didn’t even make coach “There’s still a lot to do, and the VAR World Cup.” In Croatia itself, the Didier Deschamps’ squad. suburbs that exploded with joy on media were understandably more con- This youthfulness and strength in Sunday evening could once more ex- cerned with their own team’s eff orts. depth has the world’s media predict- plode in anger tomorrow,” it wrote. “For us, Croatia is number one in the ing an extended period of dominance. Swiss daily Blick took a similar an- world,” the Index portal wrote. Gulf Times Tuesday, July 17, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Croatia’s heroics must bring end to game’s neglect back home Pride at their final eff orts could lead to a new national stadium but lack of grassroots investment is a more pressing concern

By Aleksandar Holiga The Guardian

he defeat was hard to accept, as was missing a chance that is not likely to come again in the lifetime of these players or fans. TEveryone thought Croatia deserved more but the nation still celebrated, rather than mourned. Crowds that fl ooded the streets of Zagreb and other cities to watch the fi - nal – among them, many foreign tour- ists and football fans who came just to be a part of it – stayed long into the night. The party, of course, was muted but it was still a party, not a wake. “You made us proud,” Jutarnji list proclaimed on the front cover; “Thank you, heroes! You gave us everything,” said Sportske novosti. But it wasn’t just that – there was a genuine feeling of pride and gratitude among people. For days Croatia existed in a parallel dimension facilitated by football, one where history lost signifi cance because it was clearly being remade and eve- rything, for once, seemed possible; no one was ready to give up that feeling and wake up to reality with its many constraints and low horizons. If only for a while, football left most of Croatia happy and daydreaming, a feeling almost forgotten or never fully experienced by many. It did something that the nation’s political leaders have never managed to do and never will. What they will try is to seize the op- portunity to wrap themselves up in checkers and use the success for their populist agenda. A plan to build a grand national sta- dium has already been pulled out of someone’s bottom drawer and put on top of the pile of promises. Croatian politicians are good at making those and the people are forgetful when it comes to fulfi lling them. This time, though, they might well go ahead and do it – because they have to do something and building one struc- ture with taxpayers’ money is easy. It is much harder to rebuild burnt bridges in domestic football and restore the people’s faith in something that has Croatian players parade through the streets of Zagreb on an open-top bus after their return from Moscow yesterday. (AFP) for years been dominated by criminal elements with close ties to powerful ball played a signifi cant part of it. ants than in 1998, according to offi cial pool of talent. It needs to ensure that of agents and various other people try- made the World Cup fi nal solely on politicians. In retrospect, it is clear that the na- fi gures. At this rate, it could soon fi nd the Modrics and Lovrens of tomorrow ing to take advantage of them; some their own merits. They succeeded de- It is much harder to build order from tion failed to learn anything from that. itself at the bottom of that list. can come through without fi rst having had been intentionally marginalised spite, and not because of, everything chaos, a lesson they could try to learn It failed as a society, now sharply divid- But it failed in terms of football as to sell their soul to the likes of Zdravko by their clubs or forced to leave before that has been going on around them from the national team – but it’s the ed along many ideological lines. well. Much more than a fl ashy fi ve-star Mamic. they were ready in order to save their since the start of their careers. kind of lesson that gets you to a World It failed as an economy, ending up as stadium where its leaders, football and It needs to create an atmosphere in careers. On the global stage, where there are Cup fi nal, so not everyone is capable of the least developed member of the Eu- otherwise, will come to fl aunt their which players, coaches, journalists Some have been compromised no shortcuts, they taught Croatia the following that masterclass. ropean Union and with alarming emi- fandom and shake hands with their col- or anyone else won’t be afraid they’ll through their cooperation with villains value of hard work, dedication and to- When Croatia came third in the 1998 gration rates. Much has been said and leagues from other countries, it needs jeopardise their status – or more – if and crooks and will have to bear conse- getherness. By coming second in the World Cup, it was still a new nation written about the fact that Croatia is investment in infrastructure, educa- they speak up about all the things that quences for that despite their success; world, they gave themselves – and brimming with patriotic pride, forged the second-least populous country – tion and grassroots. are wrong in the domestic game. some have been judged for not step- Croatia – a second chance, not just in in the bloody war for independence. after Uruguay back in the day – to have It needs pitches and coaches across Every single player in this squad has ping up and breaking their silence, and football. They allowed the people to The general outlook was optimistic, reached a World Cup fi nal, but the fact the country and a plan on how to har- a diffi cult background story to tell. rightly so. shoot for the moon once again; for that, there was hope for the future and foot- is that it has 300,000 fewer inhabit- ness its evidently extraordinary deep They’ve been refugees of war, victims But still they came out on top and we should all be grateful.

FOCUS GRACEFUL Modric says Golden Ball Croatians give heroes’ welcome Soaked but smiling, Croatian ‘bittersweet’ to World Cup squad in Zagreb president wins admirers aft er defeat

AFP Cheering fans, many waving fl ags Sanja Klajic said. Earlier noisy Moscow: Croatia captain Zagreb and wearing the famous red and fans awaited their side’s appear- Luka Modric said being white shirt of Croatia, held up ance by singing a popular song awarded the Golden Ball for banners celebrating the runners- “Play on my Croatia, when I see the World Cup’s best player ens of thousands of up after their gallant 4-2 defeat you my heart is on fi re!” while was “bittersweet” after losing Croatians gave a heroes’ by France. “This is how Croatia watching the plane carrying the the final 4-2 to France on Sun- welcome to their team is loved,” read one banner. An- team progress to the capital on a day. “Obviously I liked the rec- in Zagreb yesterday after other said: “We are few, but we giant TV screen. ognition and thanks to those Tthe squad returned from Rus- believed and that is enough”. When the plane, accompanied who chose me, but clearly I sia following their World Cup Many even skipped work to by military jets and emblazoned would have preferred to have fi nal defeat. A crowd estimated celebrate the team reaching with the logo “Bravo Vatreni” won the World Cup,” said the at more than 100,000 thronged their fi rst ever World Cup fi nal. fl ew overhead the crowd cheered Real Madrid . the capital’s main square to see “I closed my offi ce to welcome and chanted “Hands up, hands “It wasn’t to be and now we the players, led by captain and our heroes. I put a sign up read- up!”. After landing at the city’s will rest and in the coming World Cup Golden Ball winner ing ‘Today, July 16, 2018’, offi ce airport around 3:25pm (1325 days celebrate this because it Luka Modric, parade through closed due to our Vatreni (‘the GMT), the players emerged to is still a huge thing for Croatia, the streets on an open-top bus. Fiery Ones’ in Croatian),” doctor shrieks from fans at the terminal. but right now the feeling is bittersweet. We are proud of what we have done, but a bit Croatia's President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (right) greets captain Luka Modric. sad at losing the final.” “Although I think we de- Reuters brella and Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic hugs every served more, we can’t change Zagreb single player from Croatia and France, even if anything,” added Modric. “We Croatia has just lost. That’s pure emotional and can only be proud of what we so warmly. No politics, only sport! Congrats to did — we never gave up and roatian President Kolinda Grabar Ki- both teams!,” a comment on social media said. fought until the end.” tarovic has won many admirers for own Another one pointed out her graceful de- With the score at 1-1, France performance at the World Cup fi nal in meanour despite Croatia losing the fi nal. “A were awarded a penalty after Moscow, where she stood in driving heart broken Croatia President looks graceful in Argentine referee Nestor rainC at the closing ceremony, smiled and hugged defeat hugging every player!,” it said. Pitana reviewed video foot- every player from both teams. Croatia lost to “She made the fans more emotional,” anoth- age of an Ivan Perisic hand- France 4-2 in a thrilling fi nal on Sunday. er comment added. Grabar Kitarovic displayed ball. Croatia were doubly frus- Grabar Kitarovic, clad in a red-and white great passion throughout the tournament, fol- trated by Pitana’s decision as Croatia football shirt, stood on the podium with lowing the team in all the games after the group France’s opener also came Russian President Vladimir Putin and French stage but missing the semi-fi nal against Eng- from a dubious free-kick. President Emmanuel Macron when the medals land due to the Nato summit in Brussels. “The small details went in were given to the players. “The Croatian president is coming out of favour of France. It is a shame While Putin was handed an umbrella, she this as the winner. Football shirt, rain, crying, because I think we were very, stood soaked but smiling in the heavy rain, hair ruined, doesn’t give a damn,” was another very good and deserved to clearly delighted by Croatia’s brave showing. one among many comments. Some also saw a win,” said Croatian midfielder Aides eventually found her an umbrella. “Best display of a great sporting spirit as she hugged Ivan Rakitic. Croatia fans wait for the arrival of the football team at the main square in Zagreb. (Reuters) scene at the World Cup. Pouring Rain, no um- players from both teams. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, July 17, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Arsenal legend Ronaldo targets Henry quits TV to focus on coaching etired France and Arse- nal star Champions League said yesterday that he was quitting as a foot- ballR analyst with British broad- caster Sky Sports to focus on a coaching career. Henry, who had worked for Sky since 2015, has also been an assistant to Belgium manager Roberto Martinez since glory at Juventus 2016 and helped lead the team to third place at the World Cup. “Over the last four years I have had some extremely The Portuguese forward, at 33, says ready for fresh challenge in Italy rewarding coaching experiences in football,” Henry wrote on Reuters Instagram and Twitter. “These Turin, Italy experiences have only made me more determined to fulfi l my long-term ambition to become a uventus’s record signing Cristiano football manager. I have decided Alexander Golovin who shone in Ronaldo has said his move from that I must leave Sky Sports to the home side’s run to the World Real Madrid was a “well thought enable me to spend more time on Cup quarter-fi nals. out decision” as the Portugal for- the pitch and concentrate on my Specialist website Trans- wardJ aims to help his new club win their journey to achieving that goal.” fermarkt puts Golovin’s price fi rst Champions League title in more than Henry gained his coaching at 18mn euros, while Vasilyev, two decades. licence working with Arsenal’s who is from Russia, said the Ronaldo, who joined the Italian cham- youth team but opted in 2016 club were off ering a ve-yearfi pions last week on a four-year contract to focus on his work for Sky contract to the 22-year-old for 100mn euros ($117.07mn), added that rather than take a job at the who played in all fi ve of Russia’s he did not want to stay in his comfort club. France’s all-time leading World Cup Games, scoring once zone after winning three straight Euro- goalscorer, was a member of the and providing two assists. pean Cups with Real. squads that won the 1998 World sides Chelsea The 33-year-old left Los Blancos as Cup on home soil and Euro 2000 and Arsenal are also in the hunt their all-time top scorer with 451 goals in alongside Didier Deschamps, for the midfi elder as well as Ital- all competitions and won two ti- who on Sunday was crowned ian champions Juventus, accord- tles and four Champions League trophies world champion for a second ing to Russian reports. over nine years. “I’m a person who likes to time as manager of France. think about the present,” he told a news OZIL TO TRAVEL WITH conference yesterday. NIGERIA TO BRING BACK ARSENAL TO SINGAPORE “I’m still very young and I always liked STRANDED FOOTBALL FANS Mesut Ozil will travel with the challenges, from Sporting, to Man- FROM RUSSIA Arsenal for their pre-season chester (United), to Real (Madrid) and Nigeria’s government has tour of Singapore, the Gunners’ now Juventus. It was a well thought-out stepped in to repatriate scores of new head coach decision. It is the best club in Italy. It has its nationals who were tricked confi rmed yesterday. Following an outstanding manager (Massimiliano into buying football World Cup the shock early exit of Germany Allegri) and coaches so it was not a diffi - passes to travel to Russia, the from the World Cup, playmaker cult decision to take. I am very ambitious president’s spokesman said Ozil has been on holiday and and I like new challenges. I hope every- yesterday. Some of the visitors has yet to return to pre-season thing will go very well. Luck always helps spent days sleeping at Moscow’s training, with Emery instead but you have to look for it.” Vnukovo airport while others working with those Arsenal Ronaldo said he was grateful for the were forced to stay outside in players not involved in Russia opportunity to represent Juventus, ad- front of the country’s embassy in 2018. mitting players of his age usually settle the Russian capital. Emery, appointed after the for a move to less competitive leagues. They had bought Fan IDs, long-serving Arsene Wenger “Usually players think their careers are which served as visas for the stepped down at the end of over when they are 33. But I don’t feel that duration of the tournament, for last season, saw his fi rst game at all,” he said, adding that this showed he 250,000 naira ($700, 600 euros) in charge of the North London was “diff erent from the others”. in the hope of securing work giants end in a relaxed 8-0 win “(Juve) is a big club and usually play- or even professional football over non-league Boreham Wood ers of my age go to China, with all due contracts. Others said they came on Saturday, with new sign- respect, so coming to such an important to watch the tournament. ings Sokratis Papastathopoulos and great club at this stage in my career But they said the bogus travel and Matteo Guendouzi both makes me very happy.” agencies cancelled their return involved. Ronaldo said one of the factors in join- fl ights and pocketed the cash. The Gunners boss confi rmed ing Juve was the standing ovation given President Muhammadu Buhari’s that, in addition to Ozil, Egypt’s to him by the Turin club’s fans on his spokesman Garba Shehu said in Mohamed Elneny and Nigeria’s last visit, when he scored an astonishing a statement that the foreign and Alex Iwobi, who were also elimi- overhead kick for Real in the Champi- aviation ministries had “taken nated from the World Cup at the ons League quarter-fi nals. “It was a re- the necessary actions to bring group stage, would play a full ally stunning moment for me,” he added. the Nigerians back”. part in the Singapore tour, with “Being welcomed this way is so reward- The director-general of Arsenal travelling on July 22. ing. It increases your motivation to start a Nigeria’s National Agency for Arsenal will play Paris Saint- new adventure.” pose with his jersey at a press conference, where he was unveiled as a Juventus player, in Turin, Italy, yesterday. the Prohibition of Traffi cking in Germain, Emery’s former club, The signing of the fi ve-times world Persons, Julie Okah-Donli, said and Europa League holders player of the year and Champions League title,” said Ronaldo. “We know competi- see what happens.” the World Cup in Russia and netted four they were aware of the situation Atletico Madrid in Singapore as top scorer for the last six seasons is a ma- tion will be tough but we must stay con- Ronaldo scored twice when Real beat times, but failed to lead the European and were investigating. part of the International Cham- jor coup for Juve, who have lifted the Serie centrated. I hope I can help Juventus win Juventus 4-1 in the 2017 Champions champions beyond the last-16 stage. pions Cup. Ozil came under fi re A title for the last seven seasons but have it (the Champions League). They couldn’t League fi nal in between triumphs over Ronaldo said he would start training MONACO MAKES OFFER for his lacklustre displays at the not won Europe’s top prize since 1996. win (last year) because even when you get Atletico Madrid and Liverpool in Eu- with Juve on July 30 and hoped to feature FOR RUSSIA’S GOLOVIN World Cup, where 2014 champi- “We are going to fi ght not only for the to the fi nal nothing is written. I hope I can rope’s elite club competition. The Portu- in the opening match of their title de- French club Monaco have made ons Germany fi nished bottom of Champions League but for the be the lucky star of this club but we will gal captain took his goalscoring form to fence in August. an off er for SKAC Moscow’s their group.

BOTTOMLINE FOCUS Argentina part company with Maradona takes up new job in Belarus AFP Sampaoli aft er World Cup fl op Brest, Belarus

AFP otfoot from creating a stir at the World Cup ar- rived in Belarus yesterday to begin rgentina have parted company with the latest chapter in his colourful coach following their career.H Argentina’s 1986 World Cup winner poor World Cup campaign, the federa- insisted that his new role as president of fi rst tion announced on Sunday. “Today the division Dinamo Brest was “very serious” and ArgentineA football federation and Jorge Sampaoli said he hoped his presence would help the agreed by mutual consent to bring to an end his country’s sport “get better every day”. position as head of the national team,” the AFA The 57-year-old also expressed a wish said in a statement. to meet authoritarian Belarusian President The split comes just one year into Sampaoli’s Alexander Lukashenko. “I have very good fi ve-year contract. The 58-year-old’s days as memories of Fidel Castro, (Hugo) Chavez and coach were numbered after his -led (Moamer) Kadhafi and I also know Putin,” side failed to fi re in Russia, their campaign fraught the former Argentinian number 10 said at a with tension and dispute. news conference, listing late leaders of Cuba, Appointed in June 2017, his fi nal game in Venezuela and Libya and the current Russian charge was the last-16 defeat to France, who were president. crowned world champions on Sunday. Divorce “Now I want to do a photograph with Lu- proceedings were complicated by Sampaoli’s re- kashenko,” he said of the former collective luctance to resign and a costly contract clause farm boss who has ruled the ex-Soviet state were the AFA to sack him. with an iron grip since 1994. “I hope after that Reports suggest he walks away with a $2mn he will become our fan,” he added, speaking Diego Maradona, Argentina’s football legend and newly-appointed chairman of the board of pay-off . Sampaoli’s record makes grim reading Spanish in translated comments. Dynamo Brest football club, signs a ball after news conference in Brest, Belarus. (Reuters) given Argentina’s usually high standards: seven Lukashenko is better known as an avid ice wins, four draws and four defeats in 15 matches. hockey player. The Argentinian spoke of his May and was set to watch his fi rst match as subject of ridicule at the World Cup in Russia. He was hired with a big reputation after guiding The split comes just one year into Jorge desire to settle in Belarus, which is sand- the team’s president yesterday evening, at He made an obscene gesture from the VIP Chile to the 2015 Copa America title — beating Sampaoli’s five-year contract with Argentina. wiched between Russia and Ukraine and EU home against fourth-placed Shakhtyor. Di- box to celebrate Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 win Argentina on penalties in the fi nal. members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, say- namo Brest are sixth in the table just before over Nigeria which sent them into the last 16, He took over the Argentina reins with the two- nament itself as Messi missed a penalty in the ing he did not fear the cold. the halfway point in the Belarusian league drawing plenty of criticism. time world champions struggling to qualify for opening 1-1 draw with minnows Iceland, followed “When I was small, I had no shoes and I season. Even after his country’s exit at the hands the fi nals in Russia after an underwhelming World by a chastening 3-0 defeat to Sunday’s beaten fi - walked barefoot. So I’m not afraid of snow. “We’ll try to create a team that will bat- of France, he managed to keep himself in Cup qualifi cation campaign. Sampaoli’s team nalists Croatia. I can live in Belarus without any problems,” tle for the best places,” said the former Bal- the limelight claiming that he would turn drew the fi rst three qualifi ers under his watch but A 2-1 win over Nigeria saw them progress as said the Argentinian, who grew up in a shan- lon d’or winner whose infamous “Hand of the team’s fortunes around if named coach, Messi scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win at Ecuador to group runners-up to the knock-out stages where tytown. He also said he was planning to learn God” goal against England helped Argentina and then being rebuked by FIFA after ranting send Argentina to Russia. they fell 4-3 to France, a defeat that sealed Sam- Russian. win the 1986 World Cup. One of the greatest about the offi cials following Colombia’s loss But things quickly turned sour during the tour- paoli’s fate. Maradona signed a three-year contract in players of all-time, he became an increasing to England. Gulf Times Tuesday, July 17, 2018 5 SPORT

MLB TRAGIC Former NHL champion Twins’ Dozier delivers goalie Emery dead at 35

AFP Montreal walk-off slam to top Rays ay Emery, who helped the Chicago Black- hawks win the 2013 It was the 16th homer of the season and fourth career for Dozier Stanley Cup during anR 11-season National Hockey Reuters League career, died on Sunday Minneapolis, USA in his hometown of Hamilton, Canada. He was 35. Police said Emery was reported missing rian Dozier hit a walk-off grand slam with while with friends one out in the bottom of the 10th inning to at Hamilton Harbour. His body give the Minnesota Twins a wild 11-7 vic- was found on Sunday afternoon tory over the on Sunday near the spot where he was last afternoonB at Target Field in Minneapolis. seen, the victim of an apparent It was the 16th homer of the season and fourth drowning, although an offi cial career grand slam for Dozier who drove a 1-1 cause of death is pending. changeup from Matt Andriese into the left fi eld Emery, a fourth round pick by stands to give the Twins their ninth victory in 11 Ottawa in the 2001 NHL Draft, games. Dozier fi nished with two hits, fi ve RBIs and played for Ottawa, the Phila- two runs scored. delphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks Eddie Rosario had three hits, two RBIs and and Blackhawks before retiring scored twice, Robbie Grossman had two hits and in 2016 with a career record of Jorge Polanco also scored two runs for Minnesota, 145-86-28 with a 2.70 goals- which bounced back from a 19-6 thrashing by the against average,.906 save per- Rays on Saturday afternoon. Jake Cave opened the centage and 16 shutouts in 287 10th inning with a leadoff double off Andriese (2- NHL games. 4), the ninth pitcher used by the Rays. He went 21-17 with a 2.64 GAA After Mitch Garver sacrifi ced Cave to third, Joe and three shutouts in 39 Stanley Mauer and Rosario were both intentionally walked Cup playoff games, including setting the stage for Dozier’s heroics. 13-7 with Ottawa in a run to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, where PIRATES 7, BREWERS 6 (10 INNINGS) the Senators lost to Anaheim. Josh Bell hit a walk-off two-run double in the 10th “On behalf of the Ottawa Sen- inning as Pittsburgh won its sixth straight game, ators, I wish to express my sin- 7-6 over visiting Milwaukee, to sweep a fi ve-game cere condolences on the passing series. Facing Brewers reliever Dan Jennings (3-3), of Ray Emery,” Senators owner Bell drove the ball to the wall in center as rain began Eugene Melnyk said in a state- to pour, bringing home Gregory Polanco and Colin ment. “Ray was instrumental in Moran, who had each singled. our run to the 2007 Stanley Cup The Brewers, who have lost six in a row and eight Final, and at his best he brought of 10, had taken a 6-5 lead in the top of the 10th a competitive edge and combat- against Tanner Anderson (1-0) on an RBI single by ive mentality to the game.” Brett Phillips, who hit a tiebreaking three-run tri- Emery made his NHL debut ple in the eighth inning. with the Senators in 2002-03 and won his fi rst nine games CARDINALS 6, REDS 4 Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier hits a walk off grand slam in the tenth inning against Tampa Bay Rays. (USA TODAY Sports) to break Bob Froese’s record of Matt Carpenter and Dexter Fowler homered, and eight straight victories to start Tommy Pham had two hits and two RBIs as St. games over the New York Yankees. returning from two strained hamstrings. All-Star break in Oakland. an NHL career set in 1982-83. Louis beat visiting Cincinnati in interim manager In 2005-06, Emery’s 12 wins in Mike Shildt’s debut. Right-hander John Gant (3-3) ROCKIES 4, MARINERS 3 CUBS 7, PADRES 4 TIGERS 6, ASTROS 3 March tied Bernie Parent’s 1974 pitched four innings of hit-less relief as the Cardi- Trevor Story led off the bottom of the ninth with The Cubs jumped to a 5-0 lead after two innings John Hicks slugged a two-run homer to ignite a record for most in one month. nals broke a three-game losing streak in their fi rst a game-winning homer, lifting surging Colorado and Jon Lester picked up his 12th win of the sea- surprising power surge and Detroit averted a se- “’All the statistics in the world game under Shildt, who was promoted from bench over visiting Seattle. Story capped a rainy after- son as Chicago completed a three-game sweep of ries sweep with a win at Houston. Hicks’ 400-foot can’t measure the warmth of coach when Mike Matheny was fi red after 6 1/2 noon when he drove a 2-2 cutter from Nick Vin- San Diego. Lester (12-2) allowed three runs on six blast off Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (9- a smile...’ Rest In Peace my seasons following Saturday’s loss to the Reds. cent (3-2) 434 feet into the right-center fi eld seats, hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 5) keyed a three-run second inning and set the tone friend,” Parent tweeted. Flyers Shildt joined the major league staff in 2016 after touching off the celebratory reworks.fi innings. With the win, the Cubs head into the All- for Detroit, which ended a seven-game losing skid. captain Claude Giroux tweeted, winning three minor league titles in eight seasons It was the 20th homer of the season for the All- Star break with a 2 ½-game lead in the National The Tigers slugged four home runs, all against “Ray was a great teammate and in the Cardinals’ minor league system. Yadier Mo- Star shortstop and his fi rst career game-ending League Central. Verlander, after entering the game last in the ma- an even better friend. Rest in lina also had an RBI single for the Cardinals (48- homer. Story’s homer helped the Rockies head into All fi ve of the Cubs’ runs in the fi rst two innings jors in dingers with 76. Facing his former team for peace Razor. I’ll miss you man.” 46), who had lost six straight home games and the break with a fl ourish, lifting Colorado to its were scored against Padres rookie left-hander Eric the fi rst time since a waiver deadline trade shipped In 2012-13, Emery went 17-1 were in danger of falling to.500 for the fi rst time 10th win in 12 games and 13th win in 16 games. The Lauer, who fell to 5-6. He allowed fi ve runs on fi ve him to Houston last August, Verlander became with a 1.94 GAA and with Black- since April 13, when they were 7-7. Mariners lost for the eighth time in 11 games. hits and one walk and departed after the second. just the fi fth pitcher in history to allow at least hawks teammate Corey Craw- four home runs in a start where he posted 12-plus ford won the Jennings Trophy RED SOX 5, BLUE JAYS 2 INDIANS 5, YANKEES 2 ATHLETICS 6, GIANTS 2 strikeouts. He allowed a season-high six runs (fi ve for the team allowing the fewest Xander Bogaerts provided an encore to Saturday’s Michael Brantley led off the bottom of the eighth Visiting Oakland strung together four consecu- earned) on six hits without walking a batter. goals in a season. walk-off grand slam with a solo and two inning with a tiebreaking home run as Cleveland tive singles in a four-run fourth inning to hand RBIs to help Boston beat visiting Toronto in the fi - beat visiting New York. Brantley helped the Indi- San Francisco its fi rst home series loss since April DODGERS 5, ANGELS 3 nale of a four-game series. Bogaerts’ 10th-inning ans get a split of the four-game series with his 12th in the battle of interleague rivals. Sean Manaea (9- Kiké Hernandez’s seventh-inning home run slam gave the Red Sox a 6-2 win Saturday and se- homer of the season. 6) outdueled Andrew Suarez (3-6) in a matchup of snapped a 3-3 tie and helped lead the hosts over the cured at least a series split. Boston won Thursday’s He gave Cleveland its fi rst lead of the game by left-handers, helping the A’s complete a 4-3, 6-2 Angels at . Andrew Toles’ two-out opener 6-4, but lost to Toronto 13-7 on Friday to lifting a 94.5mph fastball from Chad Green (5-2) weekend sweep after the Giants had prevailed 7-1 RBI single in the eighth inning provided an insur- snap its major league-best 10-game win streak. high enough to clear the right-center fi eld fence. Friday night in the series opener. ance run, helping the Dodgers take two of three in Brock Holt drove in two runs and Jackie Bradley Jr. The ball travelled an estimated 387 feet and Brant- Piscotty had two hits, scored twice and drove the series and win their fourth of fi ve games head- added an RBI for the Red Sox, who enter the All- ley needed every inch as right fi elder Giancarlo in two runs for the A’s. The Giants had won (10) or ing into the All-Star break. Star break with an MLB-best 68-30 record. Bos- Stanton scaled the fence in an ill-fated attempt to tied (two) their last 12 home series dating back to Dodgers starter gave up a ton won 12 of its last 13 and 19 of 23 games before make the catch. Masahiro Tanaka gave up two runs April 11 against Arizona. The teams will meet in a three-run home run to Jefry Marte, but otherwise the break. The Red Sox lead the AL East by 4 1/2 on six hits in 6 1/3 innings in his second start since three-game rematch immediately following the held the Angels scoreless in 6 2/3 innings.

BOXING SPOTLIGHT Pacquiao eyes ‘two or three Joshua to defend heavyweight fi ghts’ more aft er Matthysse win titles against Povetkin AFP London AFP General Santos, Philippines ritain’s Anthony Joshua will defend his anny Pacquiao said yesterday World Associa- he was good for “two or three” tion, World Boxing Or- more fi ghts, naming Terence ganisationB and International Crawford, Vasyl Lomachenko or Boxing Federation heavyweight MFloyd Mayweather as possible opponents a titles against Russia’s Alexander day after winning a new world title. Povetkin at London’s Wembley The 39-year-old Filipino shrugged off re- Stadium on September 22, pro- newed calls by friends including President moter Eddie Hearn announced. Rodrigo Duterte to hang up his gloves after Povetkin is the mandatory stopping welter- challenger for Joshua’s WBA title weight champion Lucas Matthysse, saying and a successful bout against the he would be “lonely” outside the ring. Russian would give the London make sure I am in peak condition opportunity. Anthony Joshua Pacquiao fl ew back from Kuala Lumpur 2012 Olympic champion greater for another huge night for British has four belts (including the to his southern Philippine home town yes- freedom to choose his next op- boxing at Wembley Stadium on lightly-regarded International terday, where a crowd of at least a thousand ponent. Joshua had been hoping September 22nd.” Boxing Organization title) and I supporters waited for more than four hours to fi ght fellow unbeaten heavy- Joshua, 28, won his fi rst world want them all. I’m glad that our to wave at or shake hands with him. “I feel weight champion Deontay Wild- title in 2016 and has made fi ve fi ght will fi nally take place. The good for now. Boxing is my passion and I er, who holds the World Boxing defences, taking his record to meeting of two Olympic (super- would be lonely if I quit boxing,” he told re- Council belt, but he could yet 21-0 with 20 knockouts. Wilder, heavyweight) champions (Povet- porters. “I believe I still have two or three face the American in April 2019. 32, improved to 40-0 with 39 kin won in 2004, Joshua in 2012) fi ghts left in me.” “I can’t wait to get back in the knockouts when he knocked in the ring is destined to be a Pacquiao, already one of the greatest box- Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao (centre) is greeted by fans after arriving from ring. The end of March feels a out previously unbeaten Cuban breathtaking event.” ers in history with unprecedented world ti- Malaysia, at a mall in General Santos City, in southern island of Mindanao. (AFP) long time ago now,” said Joshua, Luis Ortiz in the tenth round in Joshua’s promoter Eddie tles in eight weight classes, silenced some who beat Joseph Parker of New Brooklyn, New York, on March 3. Hearn added: “Last time (Joshua) of his critics last weekend by pummelling for his next bout. However he said he would super world lightweight title. Pacquiao Zealand by unanimous points Meanwhile Povetkin, 38, was there (at Wembley against the dangerous Argentine into submission by relish another bout with Mayweather, who soaked up the adulation Monday as a brass decision in Cardiff on March 31. knocked out on the Klitschko, in April 2017) he pro- technical knockout in the seventh round. beat Pacquiao on points in 2015 and later re- band played and a police and military hon- “Povetkin is a serious chal- undercard of Joshua’s victory duced one of the most dramatic It was the fi rst knockout win in nine years tired undefeated. our guard staged a welcome at the airport lenge that I will prepare me- over Parker. He previously fought fi ghts and endings in the his- for the rags-to-riches southpaw, who is now “If Mayweather comes back to boxing in the city of General Santos on Mindanao ticulously for. He has serious for the titles Joshua now holds tory of the sport, and I expect an elected Philippine senator but who lost there is a possibility of a rematch,” he said. island. pedigree and only a fool would in a 2013 defeat by Wladimir Kl- this fi ght to be full of energy and his World Boxing Organization welterweight “But there are many other challenges, like “I’m a diehard fan of the senator. As you underestimate what he brings itschko. “The battle for the world drama. Povetkin is a top-three title to unfancied Australian Jeff Horn in Crawford, Lomachenko, Amir Khan and can see, I brought my baby along because I to the table. Training hasn’t title has always been my goal,” heavyweight and extremely dan- Brisbane last year. many others,” he added. wanted to see a man who had made the Phil- stopped for me, but the next 10 Povetkin said. gerous but in AJ I see the best Pacquiao, now with a win-loss-draw The undefeated American Crawford beat ippines proud,” resident Bayra Malagat said weeks ahead will be intense both “I fought for the moment to heavyweight in the world and I record of 60-7-2, said he was enjoying his Horn for the WBO welterweight title last as she joined the welcoming crowds while mentally and physically. I will face the strongest in the world think we will see a major state- win and was not in negotiations at this time month, while Lomachenko holds the WBA cradling her two-year-old boy. push myself to breaking point to and on September 22nd I get my ment.” Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, July 17, 2018 SPORT

GOLF/ JOHN DEERE CLASSIC SPOTLIGHT USA win inaugural Athletics World Cup Kim wins PGA title in AFP back to the same old thing’. London “There is a lot of work be- ing done on the calendar and the Diamond Leagues. But he United States of while we’re working that out, America recorded a I didn’t want the sport just to comprehensive vic- stop doing creative things. tory in the inaugural “We will fi gure things out. record-setting style Tedition of the Athletics World They’ve already had interest Cup after dominating the sec- in this from other cities. But ‘I’m just really thankful and proud.I feel like I’ve been running on fumes the entire ond day of the event in London I’m really pleased UK Athletics on Sunday. have taken up the challenge.” back nine. I’m just super-thankful, thankful to my parents, my team, my coaches...’ It might have lacked the The USA were virtually un- prestige and visibility of foot- opposed in landing the plati- ball’s World Cup fi nal earlier num winners trophy on a fi - PGA golfer Michael Kim kisses the trophy aft er in Moscow, hindered by the nal tally of 219 points. They winning the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. absence of many of track and were well clear of Poland in PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports fi eld’s most recognisable names second on 162 with the hosts and an unfortunate clash of consigned to third place when dates with the fi nal of the great- their men’s 4x400 relay team est sporting show on the planet. were disqualifi ed prior to the Yet reasonable crowds, com- concluding event when fi rst pared to much of the Diamond leg runner Cameron Chalm- League circuit, and a rapid for- ers pulled a hamstring in the mat with audience appeal, is warm-up. worth extending, according to Holding a 24-point advan- IAAF president Sebastian Coe, tage overnight, the Americans with three nations understood kept extending their margin to have expressed interest in with Paul Dedewo running a staging the next scheduled personal best of 44.48 seconds edition in 2020. to win the men’s 400m. “I’ve been very clear that I want new things to be tried,” Final standings he said. “They are not always 1. USA, 219 points, 2. Poland going to work out from the 162, 3. Great Britain and North- word go but that can’t inhibit ern Ireland 155, 4. Jamaica 153, us from going ‘we tried, it 5. France 146, 6. Germany 137, didn’t do everything so we go 7. South Africa 135, 8. China 81.

US team celebrate after winning the Athletics World Cup in London on Sunday. (Reuters)

AFP Burgoon into the fi nal round LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES Thidapa beats Lincicome in South Africa’s Stone claims Scottish Open Los Angeles and wasted no time in stretch- playoff to win first LPGA title ing his lead. He opened with Leading final-round scores Thailand’s Thidapa Suwan- South Africa’s Brandon Stone came desperately close to the three straight birdies at the Sil- 257 - Michael Kim 63-64-64-66 napura edged two-time major first 59 in European Tour history as he won the Scottish Open ichael Kim made vis, Illinois, layout, rolling in a 265 - Francesco Molinari (ITA) 65-66-70-64, Joel Dahmen 64-71-65- champion Brittany Lincicome at the Gullane course near Edinburgh on Sunday. his long-awaited 24-footer at the third. 65, Sam Ryder 66-66-67-66, Bronson Burgoon 68-62-66-69 in a playoff on Sunday to win her Given he had been a 1,000/1 outsider ahead of the tourna- fi rst US PGA Tour Kim stuck his second shot 266 - Harold Varner 67-65-66-68 fi rst LPGA title at the Marathon ment and that this win saw him qualify for next week’s British triumph a record- two feet from the pin for a bird- 268 - Kevin Streelman 66-71-66-65, John Huh 70-63-69-66, Chad Classic in Ohio. Open at Carnoustie, there was little reason for Stone to feel Mbreaker on Sunday, winning ie at the eighth, and drained a Thidapa thrust herself into Campbell 66-70-66-66, Keith Mitchell 67-68-66-67, Andres Romero disappointed. And yet, after a superb run of eight birdies and the John Deere Classic by eight 21-footer for birdie at 16 to reach (ARG) 64-71-64-69 title contention with an ea- an eagle in his first 16 holes on Sunday, Stone needed to play strokes with a fi nal-round 66. 27-under. 269 - Scott Brown 65-72-65-67, Steve Wheatcroft 62-68-71-68, Tyler gle-birdie fi nish at Highland the last two in one under par to break the famed mark of 60. The South Korean-born Amer- He two-putted for par from Duncan 66-72-63-68, Matt Jones (AUS) 68-63-66-72 Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, He made par on the 17th but then missed a birdie putt from ican fi nished with a 27-under about 80 feet at the last, hol- 270 - Zach Johnson 69-70-67-64, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 72-65- carding a fi nal-round 65 for a eight feet on the last. total of 257 0 – one stroke better ing a fi ve-footer to complete a 68-65, Kim Whee (KOR) 65-68-70-67, Parker McLachlin 66-66-70-68, 14-under par total of 270. Nevertheless, Stone’s outstanding round of 60 left him on 20 than the previous tournament bogey-free fi nal round and get- Seamus Power (IRL) 68-68-65-69, David Hearn (CAN) 66-64-70-70, She could only wait and watch under par and set a clubhouse lead that never looked like be- record set by Steve Stricker in ting an emotional hug from his Johnson Wagner 64-66-70-70 for more than an hour as Lin- ing bettered. England’s Eddie Pepperell was four shots adrift 2010. Kim also posted the tourna- parents, who to his surprise had 271 - Dominic Bozzelli 70-65-71-65, Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 69-69- cicome and overnight leader after a 64 which also saw him qualify for the British Open ment’s largest margin of victory – just fl own in on Sunday. 68-65, John Merrick 66-70-70-65, Chris Kirk 66-72-66-67, Richy Brooke Henderson of Canada and meant he would not be needed for commentary work at by four strokes – since it moved to Kim, a contemporary of young Werenski 68-69-67-67, Derek Fathauer 68-67-68-68, Fabian Gomez tussled for the lead, Lincicome Carnoustie with BBC Radio. TPC Deere Run in 2000. tour standouts Jordan Spieth (ARG) 66-70-67-68. closing with a four-under par 67 Luke List of the United States, already exempt for The Open, “I’m just really thankful and and Justin Thomas, enjoyed an for 270 as Henderson settled for former US Masters champion Trevor Immelman and over- proud,” said Kim. “I feel like I’ve outstanding amateur career. a 69 that left her in third place night leader Jens Dantorp shared third place on 15 under. been running on fumes the en- But he didn’t get his fi rst PGA just felt like I needed a couple of the Quicken Loans National two on 271. But unlike compatriot Stone, Immelman missed out on a place tire back nine. I’m just super- victory until his 84th start – a good starts of the rounds, couple weeks ago, fi red a fi nal-round “Pretty much I just chilled in The Open, with Sweden’s Dantorp taking the final qualifying thankful, thankful to my par- win that certainly wasn’t look- of good swings. I just got off to a 64 to seize his share of second. out,” Thidapa said of the wait, spot thanks to a superior world ranking. Stone, who was 69th ents, my team, my coaches...” ing likely when he missed the cut great start on Thursday and kept Dahmen posted a 65 and Ryder after which she just told herself, in the world after finishing tied for fourth at the 2017 Joburg A day after celebrating his 25th in fi ve of six prior starts. it going on Sunday.” a 66. “I just had to do it and make the Open, began this week 371st in the global standings. birthday, Kim punched his ticket “It’s been a tough fi rst half of Kim, one shot off the lead af- Burgoon, playing in the last win.” “It’s incredible,” said the 25-year-old after his third European to next week’s Open Champion- the year, but to be able to fi nish ter his fi rst-round 63 on Thurs- group with Kim, was unable to The 25-year-old, who chipped Tour victory. “If I’m going to be brutally honest, I had no idea ship at Carnoustie. out in style like this means a lot,” day, moved atop the leaderboard mount a charge, fi nishing with in for eagle at the par-fi ve 17th what my score was until I walked on to the 18th tee. Italy’s Francesco Molinari and said Kim, who added he had felt during the weather-disrupted three birdies and a bogey in his then birdied the par-fi ve 18th in “It was just one of those days where everything went well, hit Americans Joel Dahmen, Sam his game coming around. second round and extended his two-under 69 but making a regulation, put her tee shot at it great, holed some beautiful putts, and obviously to walk Ryder and Bronson Burgoon “Even in the last couple of lead in a third round plagued by solid up-and-down for par from the fi rst playoff hole – the 18th away with 60 having missed an eight-footer was a slight shared second on 265. weeks I felt like my game was two more weather delays. a greenside bunker at the last to – in the fairway as Lincicome disappointment, but I won’t really complain. Kim took a fi ve-shot lead over getting there, getting there. I Molinari, a runaway winner at maintain his share of second. found a fairway bunker.

FOCUS Spieth hopes Open isn’t ruined by weather AFP 2007 but said he had been told the memories of his course- fairway bunkers on,” said the Carnoustie, United Kingdom days of sun could be a real benefi t record will count for little at this world number 10. “The 260 (yard for long hitters. “I haven’t played week’s British Open. mark) is a completely irrelevant one hole yet,” Spieth said. Conditions could not be more number because any amount of ordan Spieth hopes his bid “I talked to a couple of my contrasting nine months on and clubs can go that far just with it to become the fi rst Golfer friends and they said it’s ex- a summer of permanent sunshine playing that fi rm. to retain The Open title in tremely baked out. Michael has left the straw-coloured fair- “There are certain holes where a decade will not be de- (Greller, his caddy) said you ways rock hard, making it tough your game plan might be to hit terminedJ by Carnoustie’s fi ckle might wear out your four or for the players to control the ball driver off the tee simply because weather that can crush hopes in fi ve irons off the tee, a couple of on the undulating links layout on you’re not going to be able to hit a single afternoon. longer hitters might take driver the east coast of Scotland. a club that is going to take trou- The 24-year-old American – more because I don’t think the “It is a completely diff er- ble out of play.” who if successful would emulate rough is that bad.” ent course,” Fleetwood told re- Fleetwood is one of the fa- Irishman Padraig Harrington’s Spieth, who came from way porters on Monday. “I’ve never vourites to win the coveted back to back wins in 2007/08 off the pace to take third at The played it this fi rm or fast, shots Claret Jug after going close to – told a press conference that Masters this year, said the chal- that you’ve hit (before) have lit- snatching his fi rst major victory whilst he loved links Golf the lenge of links Golf attracted him. erally no relevance for a lot of it. at last month’s US Open. downside was the weather could “Absolutely. I love links Golf, “It doesn’t do any harm to The 27-year-old Englishman adversely aff ect one half of the I very much enjoy coming over have a course record but it’s a produced a swashbuckling 62 fi eld. “Hopefully we get a pretty here,” said Spieth. completely diff erent challenge to in the fi nal round at Shinnecock even draw (with the weather),” “The fi rmest might have been what we normally face.” Hills that left him one stroke said Spieth. the Open at Muirfi eld [in 2013], Howling winds and driving behind the winner, American “That’s the one thing the the weather was perfect that rain turned Carnoustie into ‘Car Brooks Koepka. “Straight after Open can bring, you can elimi- week and it baked out but there Nasty’ at the 1999 British Open, the US Open, literally, you want nate half the fi eld with one af- wasn’t much wind,” added the leaving Tiger Woods to describe the British Open to be straight ternoon of bad weather which is three-time major winner, who is the venue as the hardest he had away because you’re on such a disappointing if you are on the only missing the PGA Champi- ever played. Fleetwood, though, high,” said Fleetwood. wrong side.” onship to complete his collection. believes the layout is running so “The good thing about hav- Spieth, who has not won a Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood fast this time round that it al- ing results like the US Open is tournament since lifting the brought Carnoustie to its knees most does not matter what club that it is proof to yourself... that Claret Jug last year, admitted he with a nine-under 63 at the a player chooses to use. you have the game to compete had yet to get out on the course Dunhill Links Championship in “There are so many holes and hopefully win majors. That’s Jordan Spieth plays from a green-side bunker on the 1st hole during a practice session at The 147th Open which last hosted The Open in autumnal October but he said where you’re going to be taking what it’s all about.” golf Championship at Carnoustie, Scotland, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, July 17, 2018 7 SPORT

CYCLING/TOUR DE FRANCE FOCUS Anderson takes another giant stride Team Sky worried for on major stage

Reuters get walloped. When Federer London won the fi rst set 6-2, there was nothing remarkable about what was going on. t was a case of “Kevin Yet after more than four Froome as notorious who?” 10 months ago hours of heart-pounding when South African drama, Anderson had aston- beanpole Kevin Anderson ishingly come from two-sets Imade it all the way into his fi rst down and survived a match major fi nal at the U.S. Open point before edging the Swiss last year. 13-11 in the fi fth set. On Sunday, he was no longer It took him another six Mr Anonymous as he had to hours and 36 minutes to sub- Alpe d’Huez looms interrupt his pre-match rou- due American skyscraper John tine to take a call from South Isner in the semi-fi nals and ‘If people want to come out and boo, then that’s fine. But just don’t aff ect the race. African President Cyril Ram- although he simply had noth- aphosa before his Wimbledon ing left in his “jelly-like” legs Don’t touch the riders or throw anything at the riders. That’s the main thing’ fi nal against . on Sunday, the fi ve set points Although the president’s he earned on Djokovic’s serve AFP good luck wishes were not in the third set gave him heart. Annecy, France enough to carry a fatigued An- “I thought I had quite a few derson to victory on Centre opportunities to win that third Court, his three-set defeat by set,” said Anderson. our de France organis- Novak Djokovic at least shows “I would have loved to have ers are preparing for a the giant strides the 6-foot-8 pushed it to another set, but it potential Alpe d’Huez Anderson has made over the obviously wasn’t meant to be.” backlash against de- past year. Djokovic admitted Ander- Tfending champion Chris Froome When Anderson made his son “was the better player in as his bid for a record-equalling Grand Slam breakthrough at the third set, without a doubt” fi fth yellow jersey moves up a Flushing Meadows last Sep- and had the South African won notch in the French Alps. tember at 31 years old and that set, it could have set him Four-time champion Froome ranked 32nd, pundits were free to swing his racket like he survived two crashes in an ready to write him off as an did against Federer. eventful opening week to stay in ageing one-time nearly man. “Potentially had I won that contention for overall victory at After all he had made it third set, I was going to be in 1min 43sec behind Belgian lead- through to the title show- for a shot,” he added. “I was er, Greg Van Avermaet of BMC. down without facing anyone able to pick it up a lot in the But the Team Sky leader has in the top 15. With no Novak third set. I felt I played re- yet to convince some fans of his Djokovic or in ally good . I defi nitely innocence following a contro- the draw, Anderson lucked out had more opportunities than versy-marred build-up to the when he fell into the half of he did. I didn’t face any break Tour. He was only cleared to the draw that did not feature points. I had fi ve set points. start at the 11th hour following either or Rafael “The biggest takeaway for months of suspicion caused by Nadal. me is sort of the belief, hope- an “adverse analytical fi nding” When he did come up fully next time right from the for the asthma drug salbutamol against one of them, Nadal in beginning I’ll be able to play at last year’s Tour of Spain. the fi nal, he was whipped in better tennis.” Teammate Geraint Thomas straight sets. Many thought It is those memories that admits Sky have spoken with that was it, 15 minutes of fame Anderson will take home with organisers ASO about the poten- over. For late-bloomer Ander- him. tial threat of overzealous fans on son, however, that was only “I defi nitely believe I have stage 12 from Bourg d’Oisans to the start. the game to win these tourna- Alpe d’Huez. If the U.S. Open run was a ments,” said Anderson, who Thomas said Team Sky princi- fl uke, his journey to the Wim- will break into the top fi ve for pal Dave Brailsford “has spoken bledon fi nal was a demonstra- the fi rst time when the new to ASO and they’re doing every- tion of all the hours and hours rankings are released on Mon- thing they can to make it safe for of hard graft he had put in over day. the riders. the ensuing 10 months. “If you asked me this time a “If people want to come out A 3-1/2 hour win over Gael year ago, I don’t think I could and boo, then that’s fi ne. But Monfi ls was followed by the sit here and say I really believe just don’t aff ect the race. Don’t ultimate test in grasscourt that I can win a Grand Slam touch the riders or throw any- tennis - a quarter-fi nal clash and say it with the same self- thing at the riders. That’s the Great Britain’s Christopher Froome addresses the media outside his team’s hotel in Chambery yesterday. (AFP) with eight-times champion belief and confi dence that I main thing.” Roger Federer. can now. Famous in Cycling folklore for tralian rival Richie Porte also have two or three options within Wiggins fears Froome and Thomas’s “Just seeing my new career- its 21 legendary hairpin bends, crashed out with a shoulder in- their teams,” said Froome. ambitions could be problem for Sky NOTHING REMARKABLE high ranking is going to mean the Alpe d’Huez also has a sin- jury. “A team like Movistar, for ex- It was a match he was not a lot to me. I feel like I’m on a ister side. As well as an average Indeed, ahead of three days of ample, has two or three leaders. Bradley Wiggins has warned Team Sky will have a “real problem” only expected to lose but also great path.” gradient of 8.1 % over 13.8 pun- climbing, Froome’s biggest rival Hopefully that means we will if Geraint Thomas takes the leader’s yellow jersey in the Tour de ishing kilometres, the peloton could be Thomas, who is second be able to cover any threats that France ahead of defending champion Chris Froome. has to negotiate thousands of overall at only 43secs behind Van we’re under. Thomas is second in the general classification, 43 seconds behind excitable fans - not all of whom Avermaet. “Obviously Geraint’s in the leader Greg Van Avermaet, and 59 seconds in front of Sky team- are well-meaning. The Welshman can realisti- perfect place now, we should see mate Froome as cycling’s premier road race heads towards the Alps. Froome was sprayed with cally target the yellow jersey in him going into yellow over the Sky have insisted Froome remains their team leader but also say urine in 2015 by one man who Tuesday’s 10th stage from An- next couple of days. But I’m still that Thomas is allowed to race for himself in the early stages of the shouted “doper” at the Kenyan- necy to Le Grand Bornand. very much in the game.” Tour. And British cycling great Wiggins, who won the 2012 Tour with born Briton and was booed and It will lead to the inevita- Having started the race under Sky, foresaw trouble ahead. jeered during the early stages of ble discussion about whether a cloud, former fi ve-time winner “This is where it gets diff icult, as we hit the first mountain stage,” this race. Froome or Thomas is Team Sky’s Bernard Hinault calling for the he said on ’s The Bradley Wiggins Show. “If Geraint stays But when it comes to targeting true team leader. peloton to strike if controversy- where he is and takes the yellow jersey they’ve got a real problem a fi fth yellow jersey -- and what Thomas said: “There will be tinged Froome turned a pedal in on their hands.” would be his fourth Grand Tour a natural selection anyway, that anger, the defending champion Wiggins suggested Sky boss Dave Brailsford could be “divisive” as win on the trot after winning will sort it out.” said he has weathered the pre- he bids to keep his riders motivated. “Does Dave B come in and do the Tour of Spain and the Giro Yet a philosophical Froome is race storm. his usual and be quite divisive?” Wiggins asked. d’Italia in the wake of his 2017 nowhere near throwing in the “Obviously it’s a huge relief “Dave will certainly be in both of their ears and be telling them they yellow jersey triumph - Froome towel. to be in the position where I am can both win it, as a way of motivating them, as a way of playing is on easy street. “I think it’s fantastic for us to now,” added Froome. these cards deep in to the race and let the natural selections come in Despite his defi cit to Van have those options, to be able to “But I’ve demonstrated my to play. He is quite self-serving. For him, it’s about the team winning, South Africa’s Kevin Anderson holds his runner up dish after Avermaet, the Belgian is not a play when it comes down to it, innocence so I can get on with it’s not about the individuals.” losing to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in their men’s singles final of yellow jersey contender. Aus- especially looking at rivals who bike racing now.” the 2018 Wimbledon Championships. (AFP)

TENNIS Djokovic targets US happy hunting ground His desire to repeat that feat the career Grand Slam. AFP Halep stays on top as Kerber London burns even deeper after he missed He arrived at Wimbledon in a last year’s New York showpiece prolonged slump after undergoing and Serena move up with the elbow injury which elbow surgery and with his ranking ith his Grand Slam threatened to torpedo his career at 21, his lowest for 12 years. Simona Halep retained the number one spot in the latest reputation and place after his 2017 Wimbledon bid end- But with two-time champion women’s rankings despite losing in the third round at back in the world top ed prematurely at the quarter-fi nal Andy Murray missing, eight-time Wimbledon, but below her the upsets at the grass-court 10 restored, Novak stage. winner Federer defeated by Ander- major caused turmoil. Winner Angelique Kerber jumped WDjokovic will now target a third “Well, I understand that people son in the quarter-fi nals and Djok- six places to fourth, while the two women who contested career Wimbledon/US Open dou- are questioning whether I can con- ovic beating world number one the 2017 final both fell sharply after failing to match that ble after clinching his fourth title sistently play at this level. Trust Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 cham- performance. Venus Williams, the beaten finalist last at the All England Club. me, I am, too,” said Djokovic. pion in a 5-hour 15-minute semi- time, lost in the third round and dropped five places to 14. Djokovic defi ed the odds and “If you asked me a month and a fi nal, the stage was set for the Serb. Reigning champion Garbine Muguruza fell in the second even stunned himself by cruising half ago whether I think I can win He will head to the United States round and lost four places to number seven. The biggest to a 13th major title on Sunday to Wimbledon, part of me yes, I hope, boosted by his rejuvenation and gainer was Serena Williams who reached the final in just go fourth on the all-time list of but maybe I wasn’t that sure at knowing that he has a winning the fourth tournament of her comeback following daugh- Slam winners. that time of my level of tennis. record against all his leading rivals. ter Olympia’s birth in September and leapt 153 places to 28. Only Pete Sampras (14), Rafael “But this is going to be a huge He is 27-25 against Nadal, 23-22 Novak Djokovic’s fourth Wimbledon win propelled him Nadal (17) and Roger Federer (20) confi dence boost and springboard when up against Federer and 25- back into the top 10 of the latest ATP rankings released are ahead of him following his 6-2, for whatever is coming up. I like to 11 in his head-to-head series with yesterday. Djokovic beat Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Kevin play on hard courts. Murray. to claim his fourth Wimbledon men’s singles crown on Anderson. “The US Open was always a suc- Despite his joy at winning his Sunday, launching him 11 places to 10th in the rankings, Now the 31-year-old heads for cessful tournament for me. I didn’t fi rst Slam for two years, Djokovic ending an eight months top 10 exile. South African sur- the North America hard court played it last year. I’m looking for- admitted that there were times prise finalist Anderson, 32, moved up three places to fifth season where he has traditionally ward to go out there and play my when he thought he would never in the rankings. Serb Djokovic, whose last stay in the top thrived.Of his 69 career titles, 51 best.” return to the top. 10 dates back to October 2017, is hoping his 13th grand have been on hard courts with 17 of Djokovic’s title triumph on “Yeah, yeah, absolutely. There slam title will mark a turning point after a diff icult two those in the United States. Sunday, against a weary Anderson were several moments where I was years marked by loss of motivation, personal issues and When he won his fi rst Wim- who had spent 21 hours on court frustrated and questioning wheth- niggling injuries. Spain’s Rafael Nadal remains top of the bledon in 2011, he was to add his becoming the fi rst South African er I can get back on the desired table and has widened the gap over number two Roger maiden US Open, repeating the man in the fi nal in 97 years, was level or not. Federer, who was eliminated by Anderson in a marathon grass court/hard court double four his fi rst at the majors since Roland “But that makes this whole Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Germany’s Angelique Kerber dance on stage at quarter final. years later. Garros in 2016 when he completed journey even more special for me.” the Wimbledon Championships Dinner at The Guildhall, London. (Reuters)

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

RALLY Qatar’s Adel renews contract with Nissan Qatar By Sports Reporter able to continue for the remain- Nissan Qatar, for his support. Teruel, Spain der of the T2 campaign. This is a big national company. Adel said: “I am delighted to I also thank the Qatar Motor and announce that I have renewed Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) atar’s Adel Abdulla has my contract with Nissan for a and Ooredoo Qatar for their renewed his contract third year as a sporting ambas- ongoing support.” with Nissan Qatar and sador and as the offi cial driver The competitive action gets will drive a Nissan Pa- for Nissan Qatar. I will continue underway with a timed 13.46km trolQ Y62 at this weekend’s Baja the rest of the season, the re- super special stage on Friday Aragón Teruel, round seven of maining fi ve rounds, with my evening. the FIA World Cup for Cross- Nissan Patrol Y62. The bulk of the 521.42km of Country Rallies, and on the sub- “I am also running with a new action takes place on revised sequent four rounds of the pres- team from Spain. I hope that we stages on Saturday (July 21) and tigious series. can do a good job as a team and Sunday (July 22). The Doha-based driver cur- we can be successful for the rest There are two selective sec- rently holds second position of the year. tions of 227.51km and 154.85km in the T2 category for se- “Last year, I won the FIA on Saturday and one of 125.60km ries production cross-country Trophy here in the T2 and the on Sunday before the podium vehicles and closed the gap year before I won the T2 cate- ceremony in Teruel later in the on rival Ahmed al-Shegawi to gory. This race is very important afternoon. 23 points at the recent Italian for me. It is one of the famous Baja. races in Europe. It is long and FIA World Cup for The QX Rally Team driver has tough. Cross-Country Rallies – T2 also confi rmed that personal “This year I had many me- standings after round 6 commitments mean that Nasser chanical problems with the cars 1. Ahmed al-Shegawi (SAU) al-Kuwari will not feature as I drove. I lost valuable points as 140pts his navigator for the rest of the a result. We are 23 points behind 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT) 117pts season and Adel is hopeful that the leader and it will not be dif- 3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova French navigator Jean-Michel fi cult to take these points. (RUS) 42pts Polato, who partnered him in “I would like to thank Hisham 4. Marat Abykayev (KAZ) 36pts Italy and here in Spain, will be Saleh al-Mana, the owner of 5. Alexey Titov (RUS) 25pts Adel Abdulla (also inset) in action with a Nissan Patrol earlier in the season in Qatar.

CRICKET THIRD ODI England’s Vince and Billings on standby Zaman slams ton in aft er Roy injury

AFP scoring more than 500 runs dur- London ing Hampshire’s victorious One- Day Cup campaign. Now Durham quick Mark ngland opener Jason Wood hopes England, who will Pakistan’s victory Roy will have a fi tness aim to win a maiden World Cup test before play today to title when they stage the 2019 see if he can take part in edition, will respond well to theE third and deciding one-day the pressure if today’s winner- international against India at takes-all contest and lay down a Headingley. marker head of next year. If Roy misses out, Hampshire “I think this has an impact for captain James Vince could be in the World Cup,” Wood told re- against Zimbabwe line for his fi rst ODI appearance porters at Headingley on Mon- in nearly two years, although yes- day. “We can use it as a game ‘I’ve been trying for many games to get another hundred... I was trying, and today I was lucky’ terday saw England call up Kent’s where it might be (like) a semi- Sam Billings as additional batting fi nal or a knockout game. AFP cover for the series fi nale in Leeds. “It’s a series decider here, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Roy sustained a laceration to the which will be like a World Cup little fi nger of his right hand while match - it’s a must-win,” the fi elding during England’s 86-run England paceman added. n elated Fakhar Zaman victory over India at Lord’s on Sat- “Luckily, over the past year cracked a career-best urday and a team spokesman said we’ve managed these situations 117 as Pakistan domi- yesterday: “He remains a doubt for really well. Hopefully we can nated with both bat tomorrow (Tuesday) and will have carry on that trend.” andA ball to win the second of fi ve a fi tness test in the morning at the India, second to England in one-day internationals against ground to ascertain whether he’ll the ODI standings, won the se- Zimbabwe by nine wickets be fi t to play.” ries opener by a decisive eight yesterday. Vince last played a one-day wickets at Trent Bridge only to Zaman’s hundred was his match for England during the be equally well-beaten at Lord’s. second in ODI’s after his barn- tour of Bangladesh in October “It’s two very good sides storming 114 in last year’s 2016. Opener Alex Hales has -when they’re on top, they really Champions Trophy fi nal against missed the whole of the series are on top, you keep your foot on India. with India with a side strain the throat and don’t let opposi- The win was also set up by while Dawid Malan, his replace- tion up,” said Wood. “Everyone Pakistan’s seam attack, who ment, has already been released in the England team will hold bowled Zimbabwe out for 194. to take part in the second-string their hands up and say in the fi rst Usman Khan took four wick- England Lions’ four-day match game we were absolutely drilled, ets and Hasan Ali chipped in with India A. we were beaten into the dirt. We with three for 32 to bowl the Vince lost his Test place at knew we had to improve for the hosts out, Pakistan’s top order the start of the season in one second game. I don’t know why batsmen then capping a com- of the fi rst major decisions by the margins are so big, maybe it’s manding performance. new England selection chief Ed just two really good teams and Zaman said: “I think I am in Smith. But he has been in bril- when they are on top the quality the best form of my life.” liant domestic white-ball form, really comes through,” he added. “I’ve been trying for many games to get another hundred and my coaches were telling me there have been too many games since you last scored a hundred. So I was trying, and today I was lucky.” Zimbabwe opted to bat fi rst on another cold morning and were put under immediate pres- sure by the new ball, and in par- ticular Khan. He had both openers caught behind in his fi rst spell, but Zimbabwe briefl y rallied during a 62-run partnership between England’s Mark Wood during a press conference yesterday. (Reuters) Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza and Tarisai Mu- sakanda. That was Zimbabwe’s best Sri Lanka captain Chandimal and coach stand of the innings, however, banned for two Tests, four ODIs and when Khan took two wick- Fakhar Zaman says he’s in the form of his life. ets with consecutive deliveries Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurus- in the 44th over the hosts were SCOREBOARD ace with the ball and openers inghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha have been banned for four 166 for 7 and sinking fast. Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq took one-dayers and two Tests for acting against the spirit of the game, Moor cobbled together stands Zimbabwe 6-166 (Tiripano), 7-166 (Roche), 8-190 (Masakadza), 54 from the Powerplay without the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday. with the lower order to keep his B. Chari c Ahmed b U Khan ...... 1 9-192 (Moor), 10-194 (Chatara) ever giving more than a half The trio admitted breaching the ICC’s code of conduct, which side ticking along, and brought C. Chibhabha c Ahmed b U Khan ...... 7 Bowling: Amir 9-0-33-0 (1w); U Khan 10-1-36-4 (2w); chance to the fi elders. relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”, after up a third ODI fi fty in the 48th H. Masakadza c A Ali b Malik ...... 59 Ashraf 6-1-15-0; Ali 8.2-1-32-3 (1w); S Khan 10-0-47-0; They took their opening their team refused to take the field on the third day of the second over. But when he fell attempt- T. Musakanda lbw b H Ali ...... 24 Zaman 3-0-11-0; Malik 3-0-14-1 stand to 119 before Ul-Haq was test against West Indies at St Lucia last month. ing to up the run rate soon after, P. Moor c Malik b H Ali ...... 50 Pakistan run out, against the run of play, Match off icials had accused the team of altering the condition of the Pakistan made short work of R. Murray b H Ali ...... 16 I. ul Haq run out (Muzarabani) ...... 44 for 44. ball. The visitors eventually resumed play under protest. Zimbabwe’s tail to bowl them D. Tiripano b U Khan ...... 13 F. Zaman c Ali b Plunkett ...... 117 Zaman raced past a run- The ban means the trio will miss the ongoing home two-test series out four balls short of a com- L. Roche lbw b U Khan...... 0 B. Azam ll b Jordan ...... 29 a-ball fi fty untroubled by the against South Africa and the first four ODIs of the five-match series pleted fi fty overs. W. Masakadza run out (H Ali) ...... 12 Extras (b1, w5) ...... 5 Zimbabwean attack and reached starting on July 29. They were already suspended from the opening “Only playing six batters T. Chatara run out (Zaman) ...... 1 Total (1 wkt, 36 overs) ...... 195 three fi gures in the 32nd over. test against South Africa which Sri Lanka won by 278 runs inside makes it a bit tough, especially B. Muzarabani not out ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-119 (ul Haq) With Babar Azam for company, three days. “During the hearing, however, it was mutually agreed if you lose early wickets because Extras (b4, lb2, w4) ...... 10 Bowling: Chatara 6-0-34-0 (1w); Muzarabani 7-0- he quickly knocked off the re- that, since the minimum sanction for a Level 3 off ence was suspen- then the guys who come in have Total (10 wkts, 49.2 overs ...... ) 194 28-0; Tiripano 7-0-33-0 (3w); Roche 6-0-38-0; W maining runs required for vic- sion from two Tests, the three will not participate in the Galle Test to consolidate for a bit,” Moor Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Chari), 2-18 (Chibhabha), 3-80 Masakadza 10-0-61-0 tory, sending Pakistan 2-0 up in and Colombo Test,” the ICC said in a statement. said. “It was nice to get a few (Musakanda), 4-105 (Masakadza), 5-140 (Murray), Result: Pakistan won by 9 wickets. the series in the process. Six demerit points have been added to the records of all three men, runs personally, but I feel like I The in-from Zaman was bringing Chandimal’s tally to 10, having received four over the left a lot of runs out there that I named Player of the Series af- original ball-tampering off ence. If Chandimal collects two further could have got. too many batters coming in after Cricket,” Moor said of Pakistan’s hard at you whether you’re two ter the T20 tri-series in Harare, demerit points within a 24-month period, he will be suspended for “I didn’t play my natural me, so I had to rein it in a little bowlers. down or eight down.” and he has now scored a hun- a further three tests or six ODIs. Sri Lanka face South Africa in the game, but that boils down to the bit. This is one of the best at- “They’re always looking to get Zimbabwe could not match dred to go with four fi fties on second test in Colombo starting on Friday. fact that I knew there weren’t tacks I’ve faced in international a wicket, and they keep coming Pakistan’s precision and men- this tour.