CRICKET | Page 3 FOOTBALL | Page 7 No decision yet Chelsea stunned on future aft er by J-League World Cup win, team Kawasaki says Morgan Frontale

Saturday, July 20, 2019 GOLF Dhul-Qa’da 17, 1440 AH Woods to take a GULF TIMES break aft er fl op at British Open SPORT Page 2 ATHLETICS Barshim, Samba in action in London tomorrow

Agencies training in April this and in a low- championships taking place the laika Mihambo go head-to-head London key comeback, he topped 2.27m following week, no Americans with four-time world champion in Sopot, Poland, last month. will take part in either the men’s Brittney Reese of the United Syria’s Majd Eddin Ghazal, or women’s 100m at the two- States and British heptathlete atar’s Mutaz Essa who took bronze at the IAAF day meeting, which is part of the Katarina Johnson-Thompson. Barshim will command World Championships Lon- Diamond League series. Kenya’s Olympic and world spotlight in London to- don 2017, a competition won by The men’s 100m pits former champion Faith Kipyegon leads morrow when the high Barshim, and picked up the gold Jamaican world champion Yohan a women’s 1,500m fi eld that also jumpQ world champion will make in the Asian championships in Blake against Canadian star Andre includes Britain’s Laura Muir, his fi rst Diamond League appear- April, is also on the slate. De Grasse, who has struggled with who has the third-fastest time of ance in 13 months with the IAAF Samba made a roaring return illness and injury since winning the year over the distance. World Championships all set to from injury earlier this month, three Olympic medals in 2016. Dutch long-distance runner Si- be hosted at Doha’s Khalifa In- fi nishing second in the men’s Britain’s Zharnel Hughes and fan Hassan heads up the 5,000m ternational Stadium in Septem- 400m in Monaco in 45 seconds. South African Akani Simbine, after she broke the women’s mile ber. His personal best is 44.60 sec- who have both gone under 10 record in Monaco last week. Also hoping to brush aside a onds which he ran in South Af- seconds this year, are also in the In the men’s 5,000m, Nor- brief injury-forced blip this sea- rica to kick-start his build-up to fi eld along with James Ellington, way’s double European cham- son will be Abderrahman Samba, the World Championships. racing for the fi rst time since Au- pion Jakob Ingebrigtsen will take the Asian 400m hurdles cham- Samba won the 400m fl at in gust 2016 following a motorbike on Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet, pion, who was unbeaten in the Pretoria, before unsurprisingly Abderrahman Samba (left) and Mutaz Essa Barshim will be participating in men’s 400m and high jump crash that left him with career- who is third quickest in the world Diamond League last season. running away with 400m hurdles events at London Diamond League event tomorrow respectively. threatening injuries. this year. Barshim, the 2017 World Ath- gold at the Asian Championships Greek Olympic pole vault Aged just 18, Ingebrigsten set lete of the Year, will go up against in April. Ann Fraser-Pryce will go head- ing to her best form after clock- second behind Fraser-Pryce at champion Katerina Stefanidi the world alight last year as he world leader Ilya Ivanyuk, who In ominous fashion, he opened to-head with British sprint star ing a joint world-leading time of the Lausanne Diamond League and double Olympic triple jump won double European gold over topped 2.33m ten days ago in his Diamond League season in Dina Asher-Smith. 10.73sec in Kingston in June, also meeting earlier this month. champion Christian Taylor of the 1500m and 5,000m. Szekesfehervar, Hungary, the Shanghai with a 47.27 second ef- Jamaica’s Fraser-Pryce, 32, faces world indoor champion In the women’s 200m, the star United States will all be compet- After London there are Dia- same venue where the Qatari tore fort to win the 400m hurdles gold is returning to a happy hunting Murielle Ahoure and world 200m attraction is Elaine Thompson of ing in London as they prepare to mond League events in Birming- the ligaments on his left ankle before injury forced a break. ground, having retained her Ol- champion Dafne Schippers. Jamaica, who won a 100m and defend their world titles in Doha ham, Paris, Zurich and Brus- during an attempt on a would-be Also at the Anniversary Games ympics 100m title in the London British record-holder Asher- 200m sprint double at the Rio later this year. sels in the lead-up to the world world record of 2.46m last year. in London Stadium, double Ol- stadium in 2012. Smith, 23, set a season’s best Olympics. The women’s long jump will championships in Doha, which The 28-year-old resumed ympic 100m champion Shelly- Fraser-Pryce, who is return- time of 10.91sec in fi nishing With the US trials for the world see Germany’s world leader Ma- start on September 27.

GOLF / THE OPEN Lowry surges into share of Open lead with Holmes ‘I’m disappointed with the bogey but I’m where I want to be and happy with my two days’ work’

Reuters four-leafed clover emblem, dis- Portrush, United Kingdom appeared after a monster putt on the 10th he held a two-shot lead but three-putted the 14th. A su- reland’s Shane Lowry proved per par-save at the 17th kept him master of the Dunluce links ahead but he paid for an aggres- for the second successive day sive chip on the last and missed a to move into a share of the 12-foot par putt. Ihalfway lead with American J B “I’m disappointed with the Holmes at the British Open yes- bogey but I’m where I want to terday. be and happy with my two days’ A fl urry of birdies early in a siz- work,” said Lowry, from County zling outward nine of 31 looked Off aly in Ireland. “I knew the rain like giving the 32-year-old from was coming so I wanted to get a across the border the outright fast start. I’m very, very excited lead but a bogey at the 18th left for tomorrow. him on eight under after succes- “Next week I’ll be in Memphis sive rounds of 67. and there will be 10 men and a Holmes, the overnight leader, dog following me. There will be had the better of the weather ear- thousands of Irish people roaring lier in the day and consolidated me on. Will be amazing.” his challenge with a 68. Fleetwood grew up playing They will play together in the links golf at Southport and de- last group today in what prom- lighted the crowd with a birdie on ises to be a battle of the beards. the 18th. Once again the par-71 layout Westwood, 46, has had to wait on the Antrim coast proved tough a lot longer for his fi rst major, terrain for the world’s best golf- having had 18 top-10 fi nishes but ers, although there were some never a victory. low numbers on a congested lea- But with his girlfriend on his derboard. bag, he rolled back the years with English duo Tommy Fleetwood a brilliant round, including a 65- and Lee Westwood, both looking foot birdie at the 16th. for their fi rst majors, made hay “There’s too much ground with rounds of 68 moving them to cover before Sunday night. to seven under while South Af- There’s a long way to go in this rican Justin Harding’s posted the tournament,” Westwood said. lowest round of the day, six bird- Koepka suff ered a cool day ies and an eagle helping him to with the putter but was happy a six-under 65 to move three off to be in the pack. “Right where the lead. I want to be and close enough to Alongside Harding are Aus- make a run this weekend,” the tralian Cameron Smith, who four-time major winner said. scored a 66, and England’s Justin Late in the day all eyes turned Rose after a 67. to local favourite Rory McIlroy South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli, who produced a thrilling coun- who only secured his place last Shane Lowry of Republic of Ireland in action on the 17th hole during the second round of The Open in Portrush, Northern Ireland, yesterday. (Reuters) ter-attack in a bid to make the week, was also on six under af- cut after his nightmare 79 on ter his charge was tempered by a the world number one, and 2017 after he missed the cut. Phil Mickelson was also cut, vived for the weekend. three successive birdies, made Thursday. double-bogey at the 17th. winner Jordan Spieth, are well- Woods looked more like a 15- meaning it is the fi rst time in another at the fi fth and another After 12 holes McIlroy was fi ve Holmes left several other big- placed to challenge on fi ve under. time major champion yesterday the 83 majors in which the two LOUD SUPPORT at the eighth to move into the under for his round and just two ger-name Americans in the shade There will be no trademark Tiger after his opening-round 78 but American heavyweights have Lowry, given loud support by the lead outright. shots of the one-over cut mark. again although Brooks Koepka, Woods charge today, however, his one-under 70 was in vain. both appeared that neither sur- packed galleries, opened with When his ball, sporting the Gulf Times 2 Saturday, July 20, 2019 GOLF

AFTERMATH SPOTLIGHT Poston off Woods to take a to hot start break aft er fl op at at Barbasol ‘Let’s be honest, I don’t Championship AFP many lengthy birdie putts I made have the flexibility I used Los Angeles until the last hole,” Poston said. “I kind of hit it like that the last to have, and never will’ month or so and had a couple of British Open merican JT Poston good rounds. equalled the course “Lot of rain last night, so (the AFP record with a 10-un- greens) are soft and they are real- Portrush, United Kingdom der-par 62 to grab a ly good greens and you can make slimA lead after the fi rst round of a lot of putts. They are rolling re- the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Cham- ally well.” iger Woods will take pionship. Taylor, of Winnipeg, said the time off to rest and re- The 26-year-old delivered 11 overnight rains helped him shape cuperate after a diffi cult birdies and one bogey at Keene his game. two days at the British Trace Golf Club’s Champion “I hit every green, I didn’t miss TOpen left him with little chance course. a fairway, so it was very solid tee of making the cut at Royal Por- Canada’s Nick Taylor is one to green and putts were going trush. shot back after fi ring 63 and Wes in,” Taylor said. “Everything was Despite shooting a one-under- Roach is alone in third with a 64. kind of clicking today. With the par round yesterday, the 15-time Kelly Kraft, Kramer Hickok, DJ soft conditions, it was diff erent major champion was made to paid Trahan, Roberto Castro, Jim Her- than the practice rounds. for a disastrous fi rst round of 78 to man, Bill Haas, Josh Teater and “I thought it would be a little fi nish on six over, still fi ve shots Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz are bit more diffi cult, and then that off the projected cut. tied for fourth at seven under. rain came in last night and defi - “I just want some time off just Poston made a half dozen nitely softened things up. “ to get away from it,” said Woods, birdies on his fi rst eight holes be- John Daly, who pulled out of who plans to return for the Fe- fore carding his lone bogey on the this week’s Open Championship dEx Cup playoff s next month. par-three ninth hole. a week ago after being denied the “I had a long trip to Thailand “It was one of those days, eve- use of a golf cart due to a medical (on holiday) and then trying rything clicked and I was hit- problem, shot a one-under 71 on to get ready for this event, to ting it so good, I didn’t have that Thursday. play this event, it’s been a lot of travel, a lot of time in the air, a lot of moving around and diff er- ent hotels and everything. I just want to go home.” Woods admitted to felling “sore” as his troublesome back stiff ened up in cold conditions on Thursday and changed his swing slightly to shoot a mark- edly improved score in his sec- ond round. “I just torqued my setup dif- ferently, just tried to make some minor changes swing-wise. Be- Tiger Woods of the US on the 18th hole during the second round of The Open in Portrush, Northern Ireland, yesterday. (Reuters) cause let’s be honest, I don’t have the fl exibility I used to have, and pionship and fi nished tied for 21st was able to do it. But the other one last dropped shot on the fi - going to have my hot weeks. I’m never will. So I’m going to have to at the US Open last month. three I didn’t do very well.” nal green. going to be there in contention make those adaptations.” “It’s more frustrating than A charge to make the weekend And the 43-year-old believes with a chance to win, and I will A three-time Open champi- anything else because this is a briefl y looked within the 43-year- the inconsistency he has suf- win tournaments. on, Woods is set to miss the cut major championship and I love old’s reach when he made two fered this year is just part of get- “But there are times when I’m for only the third time in his 21 playing in these events,” added straight birdies to reach four-over ting old. just not going to be there. And appearances. Woods. through 11 holes. “That’s one of the hardest that wasn’t the case 20-some- Following his stunning Mas- “I love the atmosphere. I love But a run of fi ve successive things to accept as an older ath- odd years ago. ters triumph in April to win his just the stress of playing in a ma- pars was followed by a bogey lete is that you’re not going to be “I had a diff erent body and I fi rst major in 11 years, Woods also jor. Unfortunately, I’ve only had on the 17th as heavy rain hit the as consistent as you were at 23. was able to be a little bit more missed the cut at the PGA Cham- a chance to win one of them and course, and he fi nished off with “Things are diff erent and I’m consistent.” JT Poston of the United States plays a shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the Barbasol Championship in Nicholasville, United States on Thursday. (AFP) Emotional Lehman bids farewell to British Open FOCUS Reuters ments to soak up the atmos- “It means a lot to me you’re Portrush, United Kingdom phere. here by my side. This may be “There was emotion for sure. my last one, but maybe the You don’t really know how next time I’ll be caddying for France’s Boutier and ore than two decades you’re going to react to the last you. Hopefully, that comes after lifting the Claret thing of something,” Lehman true.” MJug, former champion said. “And this one was very Now aged 60, Lehman’s exemp- Icher share lead at Tom Lehman fought back the sweet and joyful.” tion expires and if he wants tears as he walked down the Lehman won five PGA Tour titles to qualify for another Open, 18th fairway at Royal Portrush but it was his 1996 Open victory he will have to win the Senior LPGA team event yesterday for what is almost at Royal Lytham where he edged Open, which will be played at certain to be his last British out Ernie Els and Mark McCumb- Royal Lytham next week. AFP week’s Evian Championship in Open. er that was the champagne even more special was that he message for his son. “I could still win a Senior Open. Los Angeles France. American Lehman battled way moment of his career. got to share the walk with his “I just said to him how much I I told my wife if I could write The 71 two-woman teams will to a second-round five-over-par The former world number one son Thomas, who was caddying loved him. There was nobody in the perfect script and play one compete for a $2 million purse at 76 that left him at 12-over for was given a loud reception by for him this week. the world I’d rather be walking more, I’d win so I could play rance’s Celine Boutier Midland Country Club in Mid- the tournament, well outside the fans all around the course As they approached the final down the fairway with right St Andrews in two years,” he and Karine Icher shot a land, Michigan, with each day the cut, and he took few mo- but what made the moment green, Lehman had a heartfelt here than you,” Lehman said. added. best ball eight-under 62 alternating between an alter- for a share of the lead at nate-shot format and best-ball. theF halfway stage of the inaugu- The teams won’t go head-to- ral Dow Great Lakes Bay Invita- head in match-play style, instead BOTTOMLINE tional tournament on Thursday. they will play out each hole for a Boutier and Icher birdied four stroke-play score. of the fi rst fi ve holes and closed Some of the world’s top play- with three straight birdies to ers, including world number one fi nish at 10-under 130 through Park Sung-hyun, are skipping Relieved Sharma hopes to rediscover putting magic two rounds of the fi rst ever team the event as they prepare for the event in LPGA Tour history. Evian, which will be quickly fol- Agencies The Indian then made succes- “Our games complement each lowed by the Women’s British Portrush, Northern Ireland sive birdies on holes six and sev- other really well,” Boutier said. Open. en but they were off set by bogeys “When I was struggling a bit, Meadow had one of the best on 12 and 14 before he closed his she was there to save the team, rounds of the day by rolling in ndia’s Shubhankar Shar- round with four straight pars and the opposite, so it was pretty seven birdies and one bogey ma is hoping to fi nd his form starting from the 15th hole. good.” while Molinaro kept bogeys off in putting again as he heads “It was just bad. On the fi rst The French pair are level her card. into the weekend rounds af- hole, I just pulled it and on the with Italy’s Giulia Molinaro and “Steph at the beginning was Iter signing for a one-over-par 72 fourth, the wind just took it a Northern Ireland’s Stephanie putting extremely well and made in the second round of The 148th little bit and went in the bunker. Meadow, who fi red a nine under all the putts at the start,” Mo- Open yesterday. And on 12, I misjudged my shot 61 and American’s Paula Cream- linaro said. “When I missed one With his two-day total of and so I lost three shots there,” er and Morgan Pressel who post- on a par-three, she looked over even-par 142, the reigning Asian said Sharma. ed a 64. and was like, ‘Hey, we’re a team. Tour Order of Merit champion is The 22-year-old, who will The tournament got under When one person’s not playing likely to have secured his place be celebrating his birthday to- way a day earlier than traditional well, the other one is going to in the weekend rounds as the morrow, is looking forward to a LPGA Tour events in order to al- pick up the slack.’ Then I man- projected cut is set at one-over. restart where he can hopefully low players time to travel to next aged to roll two of them in. “I’ll need to do some putting haul himself back into the mix as I wasn’t really rolling it the again. way I was yesterday on the back- “I was a little bit disappointed nine. I was kind of tentative and but I guess I can still be proud of didn’t really have the right speed how I played the last 36 holes. on the greens. I’ve to work on I was very calm on the course that,” said Sharma. and I played decent golf. I hit a Sharma started his round in few shots which I didn’t want to tied-20th place after opening and dropped a few shots on the with a bogey-free 70. However, back-nine which is all part of he dropped his fi rst shot of the the game. week at the par-four fi rst hole. “I’m happy that I’ve secured He recovered quickly with a my place in the weekend. I feel birdie on the second hole but like I could have gone lower gave that shot back again with but there’s another 36 holes to Teammates Karine Icher (left) and Celine Boutier of France walk off another bogey on the fourth go and I start on a clean slate the 17th green during round two of the Great Lakes Bay Invitational in hole. again,” said Sharma. Midland, United States, on Thursday. (AFP) Gulf Times Saturday, July 20, 2019 3 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Concussion substitutes approved by ICC No decision yet on adopted the regulations for Reuters Dubai its four professional domestic competitions in 2018. Cricket Australia (CA) and en’s and women’s the Australian Cricketers’ As- teams across all sociation (ACA) welcomed the formats of inter- ICC’s move to expand the rule national and fi rst to cover international cricket. future aft er World Mclass cricket will be allowed “Creating an environment to replace concussed players where players feel comfortable during matches following a in dealing with concussion... two-year trial in the domes- and are able to be appropri- tic game, the International ately accessed, is vital for their Cricket Council (ICC) has long-term health and well- said. being,” ACA chief executive The rule has been included Alistair Nicholson said. Cup win: Morgan in the governing body’s play- Discussions on concussion ing conditions and will be ef- and player safety intensifi ed ‘I’ve not been able to get into a logical mindset and actually ask myself a couple of questions’ fective starting August 1 when after former Australia test the Ashes series between Eng- batsman Phillip Hughes died AFP land and Australia begins at in 2014, having been fatally hit London Edgbaston. on the head by a bouncer in a Decisions on concussion fi rst class match. will be made by the team’s Afghanistan’s Hashmatul- oin Morgan says he has medical representative while lah Shahidi ignored medical not yet decided whether the incoming player, who will advice and continued batting to remain as England’s be allowed to bat and bowl, after being hit on the head by a white-ball skipper fol- must be deemed a “like for bouncer in a World Cup clash lowingE their dramatic World Cup like” replacement approved by with England last month, win against New Zealand. the match referee. prompting demands that Morgan, 32, told BBC Sport it “Following a two-year players should not take those would be a “big commitment” trial... in domestic cricket, calls. to continue until the 2023 World the ICC approved concussion CA sports science manager Cup, with next year’s T20 World player replacements in all for- Alex Kountouris said the new Cup a “more realistic” target. mats of men’s and women’s rule would allow players to “I don’t think I’m in a good international cricket and for declare symptoms of concus- state to make a decision at the fi rst class cricket worldwide,” sion that could occur well af- moment, just simply that I the ICC said in a statement ter the incident, knowing their haven’t had a chance to get away following their annual confer- team would not be disadvan- from the madness and the craze ence in London. taged. of winning the World Cup,” said Concussion substitutes Concussion is a major con- Morgan. have been on trial in Austral- cern in other sports as well, “I’ve not been able to get into a ia’s domestic game since the with rugby’s world body con- logical mindset and actually ask 2016-17 season while the Eng- sidering rule changes to re- myself a couple of questions. land and Wales Cricket Board duce the risk of head injuries. “It’s taken a huge amount out of me, both mentally and physi- cally, so once everything calms down over the next couple of Sri Lanka to sack coaches over World months I’ll hopefully come to a Cup failure: offi cials decision that at the forefront of it will be my family and the team. Sri Lanka’s sports minister has coach Jon Lewis and fast England suff ered a humiliat- ordered the sacking of the bowling coach Rumesh ing group-stage exit at the 2015 national cricket coach after a Ratnayake will also not be World Cup in Australia and New lacklustre World Cup campaign renewed when they end, Zealand just weeks after Morgan that saw just three wins from according to Sri Lanka Cricket was appointed as the 50-over nine games, off icials said off icials. Sri Lanka cricket was captain. yesterday. Chandika Hathurus- in crisis when Hathurusingha But under his leadership they ingha and his assistants would was appointed in December climbed to the top of the in- be fired after Sri Lanka’s up- 2017, after a successful three- ternational rankings and also coming one-day series against year spell in charge of Bang- reached the fi nal of the World Bangladesh, a Sri Lanka Cricket ladesh. They had just been Twenty20 in 2016. Head coach source told AFP. hammered in Tests by India at Trevor Bayliss, another architect Sports minister Harin home and away, and played of England’s success, will leave England’s captain Eoin Morgan celebrates with the World Cup trophy at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on July 14, 2019. (AFP) Fernando has ordered the poorly in one-day internation- his position after the upcoming coaches “should go after the als. Under Hathurusingha, Sri Ashes campaign. England’s Stokes nominated for New Zealander of the Year award Bangladesh tournament,” Lanka notched up Test wins Asked if England’s World Cup the off icial said, adding that against England and Australia. triumph, and the remarkable cir- After ripping the heart out of as did New Zealand captain claim him.” Fernando had wanted to cumstances in which they won New Zealand’s bleary-eyed Kane Williamson, local media There was no immediate make the changes before the SQUAD FOR ODIS it, had sunk in yet, Morgan said: cricket fans on Sunday with a reported yesterday. response from the awards World Cup. Under-pressure Sri Lanka yesterday named a “No, I think it will take time. The man-of-the-match perform- “The way he (Williamson) organisers when contacted by Hathurusingha had insisted 22-member ODI squad led by madness has been taken to a new ance in the Cricket World Cup conducted himself, not only in Reuters. last week he would stay to Dimuth Karunarathna for the level everywhere I go.” final, England all-rounder Ben the face of such devastating Nominations for the award see out his contract. “I have upcoming Bangladesh tour Stokes has now been nomi- disappointment at Lord’s but only opened on July 1 and another 16 months,” he told of the island. The first of the STAR ATTRACTION nated for the New Zealander of throughout the tournament, close on September 15. A reporters after returning to three one-day internationals Ireland-born batsman Morgan the Year award. resonated powerfully with shortlist is confirmed in Colombo from the tourna- will be played on July 26, the will lead the Dublin franchise in The 28-year-old Stokes was Kiwis from all walks of life,” the December with the winner ment where Sri Lanka finished second two days later and the inaugural Euro T20 Slam, a born in New Zealand but grew award’s chief judge Cameron named next February. a disappointing sixth. “I hope the final match on July 31. All new 20-over league featuring up in England when his father Bennett told the New Zealand The award is typically given to remain until my contract three games will be played six teams in Ireland, the Nether- Gerard moved there to take a Herald yesterday. to prominent members of the runs out.” at the Premadasa Stadium in lands and Scotland. rugby league coaching job. “Interesting to see some char- community with comedian Hathurusingha also acknowl- Colombo. SQUAD: Dimuth The 32-year-old Dubliner was Stokes remained in England acter having a bob each way: Mike King, who has become edged that team manage- Karunarathna (captain), Kusal the star attraction at the tourna- when his parents returned we also received nominations a mental health and suicide ment had to “accept responsi- Perera, Avishka Fernando, ment’s fi rst draft in London on home and carved out a suc- for England’s... Ben Stokes. prevention advocate, the most bility for what happened.” Kusal Mendis, Angelo Math- Friday, when more than 100 in- cessful cricketing career, scor- “He might not have been recent to receive the award. Bangladesh arrive in Sri Lanka ews, Lahiru Thirimane, She- ternational and domestic players ing 84 not out in the final that playing for the Black Caps but, The last sportsman to win it on Saturday to become the han Jayasuriya, Dhananjaya were selected for the Amsterdam helped his side to their maiden having been born in Christch- was former All Blacks captain first foreign sports team to de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Knights, Belfast Titans, Dublin 50-over World Cup title at urch, where his parents now Richie McCaw in 2016 after he visit the island since the April Danushka Gunathileke, Dasun Chiefs, Edinburgh Rocks, Glas- Lord’s on Sunday. His exploits live, and with Maori ancestry, led the side to their second 21 suicide bombings that Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, gow Giants and Rotterdam Rhi- in the final earned some early there’s clearly a few Kiwis successive Rugby World Cup killed 258 people. The series Akila Dananjaya, Amila Apon- nos. nominations for the awards, about who think we can still title in late 2015. starts on July 26 and ends on so, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith “It’s important to lay a plat- August 1 at the Premadasa Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep, form to give people opportuni- Stadium in Colombo. Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, ties to play on a more consistent said at the player auction. International stars included Watson, South Africa’s JP Du- bankrolled by Indian money, be- The contracts of fielding Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, basis against some of the best “It’s brilliant and I think Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mo- miny and New Zealander Mar- gins on August 30 and runs until coach Steve Rixon, batting Lahiru Madusanka. players in the world,” Morgan there’s a market for it as well.” hammad Amir, Australia’s Shane tin Guptill. The Euro T20 Slam, September 22.

COMMENT Zimbabwe minister denies interference in cricket AFP pointed by the sports minister, ground. This incompetence was Cricketers’ Association (Fica), Harare “SRC is not government - they known by them for fi ve years. said in Cape Town that the plight are a public body.” Why didn’t the ICC take strong of Zimbabwe’s cricketers was She said in another tweet: action then? Curious.” a matter of concern for players imbabwe sports minister “There is need for good govern- around the world. Kirsty Coventry yes- ance at ZC for the international CORRUPT AND “Zimbabwe does not have a terday denied that the success we all want to see.” INCOMPETENT players’ association but we care government had been Coventry added that she Former sports minister David quite deeply about the players,” Zinterfering in the running of the would meet the country’s men’s Coltart said the ICC had ig- said Irish in a preliminary com- country’s cricket. and women’s captains on Friday. nored the wishes of Zimbabwean ment ahead of a statement which Coventry, a former Olympic The ICC suspension means that players. he said Fica would issue later on swimming champion, said in a Zimbabwean teams will be un- “Whilst I understand ICC’s Friday. tweet she was “devastated” by able to play scheduled interna- desire to keep political interfer- All-rounder Sikandar Raza, the eff ect on players of a deci- tional matches in ICC events. ence out of cricket the irony of who was on the recently con- sion by the International Cricket Former Zimbabwe player this decision is that they have re- cluded tour of Netherlands and Council (ICC) to suspend Zim- Henry Olonga, the fi rst black instated the politicians respon- Ireland in which Zimbabwe won babwe Cricket because of alleged cricketer to represent the coun- sible for destroying the game in just one out of 11 matches, ex- political interference. try in 1995, tweeted support for Zimbabwe,” he tweeted. pressed dismay at the UCC deci- Thursday’s ICC action fol- Coventry and the disbanding of “They should have ordered sion. lowed the suspension by Zim- the previous board. and organised fresh elections for “How one decision has made babwe’s Sports and Recreation “Sorry Kirsty but they ain’t a new board. so many people unemployed... Commission (SRC) of the Zim- listening. The rest of us see it “There will be no introspec- how one decision has ended so babwe Cricket board elected in for what it is,” tweeted Olonga, tion from the corrupt and in- many careers. Certainly not how June. The SRC appointed an in- who left the country after he and competent board that the ICC I wanted to say goodbye to inter- terim committee. former captain Andy Flower pro- wants reinstated. We need a national cricket.” The ICC demanded that the tested against former president fresh start with no political in- Zimbabwe were made full elected board be reinstated Robert Mugabe’s government terference. Let those who love members of the ICC and granted within three months during the 2003 World Cup. and know the game run it.” Test status in 1992. They failed Coventry said in her tweet “A bunch of incompetent peo- Tony Irish, chief executive of to qualify for the 2019 World that although the SRC was ap- ple were running a sport into the the Federation of International Cup. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, July 20, 2019 SPORT

SWIMMING BADMINTON Sindhu enters Indonesia Open Swim bad boy Sun semi-fi nals

Agencies Jakarta

.V. Sindhu beat world no. 2 Nozomi Oku- under fi re, US stars hara 21-14, 21-7 to storm into the semi- fi nal of the Indonesia Open yesterday. The match lasted just 41 minutes, mak- Ping it the fastest victory for the no.5 ranked Indian over her Japanese rival. This was the 15th time Sindhu and Okuhara had faced each other and the former now holds an 8-7 head to head lead. Their previous match was at the set to shine at worlds semi-fi nal of the Singapore Open where Okuhara had recorded a 21-7, 21-11 victory. ‘It’s all about racing now, about staying positive and really just rolling with it’ The match started on a close note and it was af- ter 5-5 that Sindhu pulled away. She held an 11-8 AFP lead in the fi rst game after which Okuhara started Gwangju, South Korea committing a number of unforced errors which led to her losing the game 13-21. Sindhu maintained her momentum and raced to s the cream of world swim- an 11-6 lead in the second game. Okuhara would ming limbers up for the only manage to get one more point as she crashed world championships, ex- to a 7-21 loss. plosive doping allegations Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen beat Indonesian Jo- againstA Chinese giant Sun Yang that natan Christie to secure a place in the men’s semi- refuse to go away could overshadow fi nals. The clash was a repeat of the Asian Games events in the pool. men’s singles fi nal last year, which Christie won, Boasting unparalleled strength but this time Chou was too strong for his rival. in depth, Americans are expected Chou lost the fi rst game 16-21, but rallied to win to dominate the medals once again the remaining two 21-18 and 21-14 on day four of with swimming glitterati Caeleb the tournament at Jakarta’s Istora Senayan Sta- Dressel and Katie Ledecky leading dium. their charge for gold in South Korea. “Jojo is a good player – he doesn’t want to give “It’s all about racing now, about up but this time I could handle him,” Chou said af- staying positive and really just roll- ter the match, using Christie’s nickname. ing with it,” Dressel told AFP. The Taiwanese player, who is ranked world “I’ve never been very public about number three, will face young Thai shuttler Kan- goals but the point of this meet is taphon Wangcharoen, who beat China’s Huang Yu really just getting your hand on the Xiang to book a place in his fi rst major tournament wall fi rst.” semifi nal. However, the spectre of another Wangcharoen, who is ranked 18th in the world, damaging doping scandal looms af- said he was “really happy” with his performance ter a leaked FINA doping panel re- and ready for the task ahead. port appeared to confi rm rumours In men’s doubles, Indonesian duo Mohamed that the sport’s pantomime villain Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan beat Japan’s Hiroyuki smashed blood samples with a ham- Endo and Yuta Watanabe 21-15, 9-21, 22-20. mer after testers visited him last They will now face Li Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen September. of China. Sun, a nine-time world champion and the only swimmer to win Olym- pic gold over 200m, 400m and 1,500 metres freestyle, clashed with rival Mack Horton at Rio in 2016 – when the Australian labelled him a “drug cheat” over a prior three-month suspension for using a banned stim- ulant. The bombshell revelations in the FINA report have stirred a hornet’s nest likely to trigger more salty reac- tion from athletes when they bump into Sun over the next week. “Hopefully there will be no prob- lems,” said FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu. “It’s diffi cult to say but I don’t think it’s going to have an infl uence on the swimmers.” After World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of China’s Sun Yang attends a training session during the 2019 World Championships at Nambu International Aquatics Centre in Gwangju yesterday. (AFP) Arbitration for Sport, Sun faces a possible lifetime ban if found guilty enveloping swimming’s enfant ter- second and Russia (3-3-4) third. riband event and some sizzling per- reigning world and Olympic cham- at a hearing set to convene in Sep- rible will be looking to build confi - Dressel ruled the pool in Buda- formances in the run-in that sug- pion in the 100m butterfl y and world tember. dence at these world championships pest, becoming only the second gest he could even threaten Brazil- record holder over one and two laps Any public row in Korea would in a dress rehearsal for the 2020 To- swimmer to capture seven gold ian Cesar Cielo’s 10-year-old world of free, will have a say in the shake- further embarrass FINA at a world kyo Olympics. medals at a single world champion- record of 46.91sec. down for medals. championships whose slogan “Dive “I feel really good about my prep- ships after Michael Phelps achieved Australia fl opped at the 2017 Elsewhere, Britain’s Adam Peaty into Peace” runs alongside posters aration,” Ledecky told AFP. “Let’s the feat in 2007. world championships, fi nishing takes aim at his own world record in of disgraced South Korean swimmer see where we are against the best in The 100 metres butterfl y title ap- eighth in the medal table but have the 100m breaststroke as he tries to Park Tae-hwan – who himself has the world so we can make adjust- pears Dressel’s to lose but the tat- brought a leaner, meaner team to extend a fi ve-year unbeaten run over served a lengthy doping ban. ments going into 2020.” tooed pin-up will fi nd his 100m Korea led by Chalmers and Cate two laps in major competitions. American swimmers plundered 18 freestyle crown harder to cling to. Campbell, who is chasing a freestyle “The world record is my main Pusarla Sindhu of India celebrates after defeating PEATY RECORD BID gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze medals Olympic champion Kyle Chalm- sprint double. motivation now,” he said. “How to Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in their quarter-final at Those not caught up in the storm in 2017 with Britain (4-1-2) a distant ers looks a good bet in the men’s blue Swedish star Sarah Sjostrom, get below that magic 57 seconds.” the Indonesia Open in Jakarta yesterday. (AFP)

RUGBY Eyes on Laumape with audition for World Cup spot Reuters the rested Goodhue for the July Wellington 27 clash against the Springboks Etzebeth backs changed Boks to rise to in Wellington. the occasion against Australia Laumape made his debut for lingering hamstring in- the All Blacks against the British South Africa captain Eben weeks have come together.” jury to Sonny Bill Wil- and Irish Lions in 2017 but was Etzebeth says the team selected Etzebeth also backed loose- liams has given Ngani on the fringes last year and was for their Rugby Championship forward Rynhardt Elstadt and Laumape what could only brought in to cover for an opener against Australia at Ellis rookie scrumhalf Herschel beA his only chance to show All injury-prone Williams. Park today is not second-string Jantjies to impress on their Blacks coach Steve Hansen he While he is a prolifi c try- in comparison to the one sent debuts, having played with both should be in the Rugby World scorer, topping Super Rugby in to New Zealand. for the Stormers in Super Rug- Cup squad in Japan. 2017 with 15 and fi nishing sec- Coach Rassie Erasmus has sent by. “Rynhardt is tough. There The 26-year-old will start the ond this year with 13, Hansen almost an entire second team is not much more I can say. He three-times World Cup winners’ and his assistant Ian Foster have to Wellington this week ahead went away to France without Rugby Championship opener asked Laumape to work on his of their July 27 clash against the Bok experience and worked his today against the Pumas in Bue- communication and develop his All Blacks, containing mostly way into the squad. He is just a nos Aires alongside Anton Lien- passing and kicking. players who would normally tough character, I have never ert-Brown. It was something the bullock- be considered first-choice played against him, but people Laumape and the versatile ing former rugby league player selections. Yet Etzebeth, who who have tell me that.” Lienert-Brown are two of fi ve took on board and worked on his leads the team in the absence Jantjies’ rise from obscurity to players battling for what is game harder than ever during of injured regular skipper Siya being in World Cup contention expected to be just four mid- the Super Rugby season, accord- Kolisi, says the perception that in a matter of months has been fi eld spots in Hansen’s squad for ing to fl yhalf Beauden Barrett. the players selected to face Aus- one of stories of the 2019 sea- the global showpiece with “He’s sat down with Jason tralia make up a watered-down son. “I spoke to him a few weeks Williams, Ryan Crotty and Jack Holland at the Hurricanes and Bok side is wrong. back and asked him where he Goodhue also expected to be in worked really hard on his attack- “There is not much diff erence was this time last year. He told the mix. ing game and no doubt Fozzie between the guys here and me he was just about in the (do- The All Blacks have just fi ve (Foster) has helped him with those on their way to New Zea- mestic) Currie Cup mix, starting tests – three in the abridged the structures at the All Blacks,” land,” Etzebeth told reporters on the bench (for Western Rugby Championship – before Barrett told reporters in Buenos yesterday. “This is a strong team Province),” Etzebeth said. the World Cup and Hansen said Aires this week. we have picked and I have lots “To now be in contention for a earlier this week that some play- “He understands his role, of confidence in them to get a World Cup place is amazing. Be- ers might only get one opportu- which is his job in the team, but really hard on that.” “We asked him to go away and game and got a nice wee kicking win. This is a World Cup year ing there with the Stormers this nity to press their credentials for also he understands how impor- His work this year has also im- be more dominant with his voice, game going at the moment. and it is about getting the right year and watching him grow Japan. tant our relationship is in getting pressed Hansen, who has to de- particularly in aiding the No 10 “He is completely driven – combinations, looking at who is (in Super Rugby), having not A lot would be riding today’s aligned so that we almost think cide whether he should pick the in his decision making,” Hansen you’ve got to give Ngani a 10 out in form and not. We want to win known who he was at the start match for the specialist inside the same thing. He knows what I powerhouse Laumape or gam- said in comments published by of 10 for how hard he is trying. the test match and see how the of the season … he is a great centre in the absence of Wil- expect of him, and I know what bles with Williams in the mid- the New Zealand Herald. “People like that will eventually plans of the last three or four scrumhalf.” liams and the expected return of he expects of me and he’s worked fi eld for Japan. “He’s been adding skills to his get rewarded.” Gulf Times Saturday, July 20, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB SPOTLIGHT Rockets’ Harden buys share in Houston Strasburg homers, soccer teams

AFP Los Angeles

uperstar James Hard- knocks in fi ve as en has made an invest- ment in his NBA city, buying a minority stake inS the group that runs the Hou- ston Dynamo of Major League Soccer, the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soc- cer League and BBVA Stadium, stake in the properties, which Nats rout Braves where the soccer teams play. the outlet said is valued at “at “I’m very excited about the least $475 million.” ‘Stephen wasn’t as sharp as he could be, but man, he swung the bat really well’ opportunity to join the own- ership group of the Houston LOWRY UNDERGOES Reuters Dynamo and Houston Dash THUMB PROCEDURE Washington and proud to be a part of a club Toronto Raptors guard Kyle with tremendous history and a Lowry underwent a procedure great future,” the Rockets’ All- to repair a tendon in his left tephen Strasburg did it all for the NBA guard said in a statement thumb, but he still plans on visiting Washington Nationals on posted to the Dynamo website. being available for the upcom- Thursday, earning his National “Houston is my home now, ing FIBA World Cup, ESPN re- League-leading 12th win, hitting a and I saw this as a way to in- ported. Lowry is not expected three-runS homer and driving in fi ve runs vest in my city and expand my to miss USA Basketball’s mini- in a 13-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves. business interests at the same camp to be held Aug. 5-9 at Strasburg (12-4) pitched 5 1/3 innings time. Soccer in general, and Las Vegas. and allowed three runs on eight hits, two especially MLS, have exploded He last played for Team USA at walks and seven strikeouts. in this country throughout my the 2016 Olympics and is one of The right-hander’s 420-foot homer, lifetime. I’ve been a fan of the 20 players invited to the mini- his fi rst of the season and the fourth of game for several years, and I camp for the current team. his career, put the fi nishing touch on know that Houston has a mas- Lowry, 33, scored 14.2 points Washington’s eight-run, third-inning sive soccer faNBAse, so it was with 8.7 assists for the Raptors outburst. The blast was instrumental in an easy decision for me when in the 2018-19 season and scored helping the Nationals take the opener of this opportunity arose.” 15.0 points with 6.6 assists in 24 a four-game series while extending At- Front Offi ce Sports said games during the postseason on lanta’s losing streak to three games. Harden bought a 5 percent the way to an NBA title. Strasburg went 3-for-3, matching his career high for hits. He entered the game with only three hits in 41 at-bats (.073) NHL with one RBI on the season. Washington amassed 16 hits, three of them by Antony Rendon, who improved to (.458) 11-for-24 on the current road trip. Seattle names The Nationals have won 14 of their past 18 games. The losing pitcher was Kyle Wright Francis as fi rst GM (0-3), who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett earlier Thursday to give sched- AFP experience to Seattle as we uled starter Julio Teheran an extra day off . Los Angeles build something truly special Wright pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed and historic.” seven runs on seven hits with three walks Francis, who fi nished with and three strikeouts in his fourth major eattle’s NHL fran- 549 NHL goals as a player, league start, all this season. chise announced on spent four seasons as general Wright left the game with two runners Wednesday it has hired manager of the Carolina Hur- on base in the third and was replaced by Ron Francis to be their ricanes from 2014-18. The Hall Touki Toussaint. The reliever gave up the inauguralS GM and one of his of Fame player also sits fi fth three-run shot to Strasburg on his second fi rst orders of business is to overall in career points with pitch, and surrendered a two-run single help pick a name for the ex- 1,798 in 23 seasons. Francis to Strasburg in the fi fth. Toussaint gave up pansion team. said he is in no rush to hire a three runs in 2 1/3 innings. Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg hits a two run home run against the Atlanta Braves during their MLB game NHL Seattle chief executive head coach just yet. “Stephen wasn’t as sharp as he could at SunTrust Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Tod Leiweke said the 56-year- be, but man, he swung the bat really well,” old Francis signed a multi-year RANGERS, DI GIUSEPPE Nationals manager Davey Martinez said. took three of four in their fi nal home series with his fi rst homer since June 14. contract. “Announcing Ron AGREE TO CONTRACT Atlanta scored fi rst when Freddie Free- RESULTS with Tampa Bay to extend their lead in the Nate Lowe had an RBI double in the Francis as our team’s fi rst gen- The New York Rangers and man drove in a run with a single in the American League East to eight games over third for the Rays, who were 0-for-9 with eral manager is a dream come free agent forward Phillip Di opening inning. Nationals 13-4 Braves the second-place Rays. runners in scoring position and stranded true,” Leiweke said. “He is truly Giuseppe agreed to contract The Nationals rallied for eight runs in Yankees 6-2 Rays The Yankees broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth 10. Lowe had three hits and reached base hockey royalty and is the perfect terms, the team offi cially an- the third. Adam Eaton tripled home the Yankees 5-1 Rays inning before Gregorius saw a pitch from four times. fi t for the team we are building. nounced on Thursday. The team tying tally, knocking inStrasburg, who had Charlie Morton (11-3). The Yankees used Chad Green as an “He has a proven track did not give specifi cs but theS- hit a leadoff single. Rendon followed with Indians 6-3 Tigers Gregorius came up with the bases load- opener, and he threw 31 pitches in the record in hockey management, core reported it is a one-year, an RBI double, and four batters later, Brian Twins 6-3 A’s ed and one out, and Morton balked in the fi rst inning. Green worked out of a bases- a dedication to the community $700,000 deal. Di Giuseppe, Dozier drew a bases-loaded walk. Astros 6-2 Angels tiebreaking run when his front leg moved loaded, nobody out jam by retiring Yandy and an eagerness to innovate 25, appeared in 24 NHL games Victor Robles got two runs home with as it appeared catcher Mike Zunino was Diaz, Kevin Kiermaier and Adames. which fi ts our vision.” in the 2018-19 season: 21 with Royals 6-5 White Sox a ground-rule double to make it 5-1, and trying to call time. New York’s Nestor Cortes Jr allowed Seattle is set to begin play the Carolina Hurricanes and Strasburg homered to left to complete the Phillies 7-6 Dodgers Two pitches later, Gregorius slapped a one run in 3 1/3 innings, and Luis Cessa (1- with the 2021-22 season and three with the Nashville Preda- rally. Atlanta got a solo homer from Nick Cardinals 7-4 Reds single through the drawn-in infi eld past 1) followed with a 3 1/3 scoreless innings Francis said he is looking for- tors. He posted four points (one Markakis in the eighth. the diving attempt of shortstop Willy Ad- to earn his fi rst win since July 9, 2018. ward to preparations leading goal, three assists) on the season. Brewers 5-1 D’backs ames and into centre fi eld, scoring Aaron Adam Ottavino fi nished up by getting the up to the club’s debut which He also played in 26 American GREGORIUS HELPS YANKS Red Sox 5-0 Blue Jays Judge and Edwin Encarnacion. fi nal four outs. includes building a state of the Hockey League games, scoring COMPLETE DH SWEEP OF RAYS Marlins 4-3 Padres It was the second big hit of the series Morton was unable to join Yankees art practice facility and de- fi ve goals with seven assists be- Didi Gregorius highlighted a four-run for Gregorius, who hit a grand slam to right-hander Domingo German, Wash- signing a logo. tween the Charlotte Checkers sixth inning with a two-run single, and rain. Gio Urshela drove in three runs, and cap New York’s six-run eighth inning on ington right-hander Stephen Strasburg “Twelve seasons working in and Milwaukee Admirals. The the New York Yankees beat the Tampa manager Aaron Boone was tossed for a Tuesday. The Yankees took a 5-1 lead later and Texas right-hander Lance Lynn as the player development, coach- Hurricanes selected Di Giuseppe Bay Rays 5-1 to complete a doubleheader profane rant on rookie plate umpire Bren- in the sixth on a bases-loaded walk by majors’ fourth 12-game winner. ing, scouting and management in the second round of the 2012 sweep Thursday night at Yankee Stadium. nan Miller in the second inning. Mike Tauchman off Andrew Kittredge. He allowed fi ve runs on fi ve hits in 5 2/3 have led me to this moment NHL Draft. In 150 NHL career The Yankees won opener 6-2 following New York improved to 12-5 in the sea- Before the four-run inning, New York’s innings. Morton fanned four and walked and this role,” Francis said. games, he has registered 14 goals an 86-minute delay due to the threat of son series against the Rays. The Yankees Luke Voit tied the game 1-1 in the fi fth four. “I’m excited to bring that and 27 assists.

FOCUS NFL declines to punish Chiefs wide receiver Hill Reuters for the start of training camp next week. tion for allegedly punching and choking New York “We have been informed of the de- Espinal, who was pregnant at the time. cision by the National Football League While entering his plea, Hill told a that, based on the available evidence, judge that he “did something I shouldn’t ansas City Chiefs wide receiver the league has not found that Tyreek have done” and that “I let my feelings Tyreek Hill will not be pun- Hill violated the NFL’s Personal Con- take control of me,” according to ESPN’s ished under the personal con- duct Policy. Based on the information reporting. duct policy as the NFL closed provided to us by the league, we have Kansas City television station KCTV Kits formal investigation into multiple al- decided it is appropriate for Tyreek to aired another audio recording, believed leged physical altercations. Hill pleaded return to the team at the start of train- to have been made as Hill and Espinal guilty to an assault and battery charge ing camp. were in Dubai’s international airport, in 2015 but a full version of an audio re- “The club fully supports the condi- that spurred the Johnson County Dis- cording aired recently revealed Hill de- tions for return laid out by the league trict Attorney’s Offi ce to take a second nying assaulting his fi ancée. and will continue to monitor any new look at a possible criminal case involving “Based on the evidence presently developments in the case. We are glad injuries to the couple’s 3-year-old son. available, the NFL cannot conclude that to welcome Tyreek back to the team The television station said it received Mr. Hill violated the Personal Conduct and look forward to the start of training the audio from “someone who is con- Policy,” the statement reads. camp next week.” cerned about the welfare of the couple’s “Accordingly, he may attend Kansas In the recently released recording, child. “When police responded to their City’s training camp and participate in played by 610 KCSP radio, Hill is heard home previously, there were signs that all club activities. He has been and will telling Crystal Espinal that he “didn’t a crime had been committed against the continue to be subject to conditions set touch you in 2014.” child, but the District Attorney’s Offi ce forth by the District Court, Commis- “You f***ing ruined my life and you said it would not have been able to prove sioner Goodell, and the Chiefs, which lied on me in 2014,” Hill told Espinal. who did it. include clinical evaluation and thera- “I’m still not over that. I didn’t touch In the 11-minute audio fi le released in peutic intervention.” you in 2014. April, Espinal is heard telling Hill that The Chiefs announced in late April “You lied on me in 2014. If you want the boy said “Daddy did it,’’ referring to that Hill has been barred from team ac- to rewind that night, we can rewind that an injury to the child’s arm. tivities. In three seasons with the Chiefs night, too. You was in my house. And did The league left the door open for po- after he was a fi fth-round draft choice I pick you up and slam you? Hell no. I tential discipline down the line, saying out of West Alabama in 2016, Hill has picked you up and put you out my door “If further information becomes availa- 223 catches for 3,255 yards and 25 touch- and after that you left.” ble through law enforcement, the pend- downs. In August 2015, eight months after his ing court proceeding, or other sources, The Chiefs released a statement on arrest, Hill entered a guilty plea to do- we will promptly consider it and take all Friday welcoming Hill back to the team mestic assault and battery by strangula- appropriate steps at that time.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, July 20, 2019 FOOTBALL

AMBITION SPOTLIGHT De Ligt aiming for US trip with Bayern a big Champions League adventure for Fiete Arp DPA in the early stages and did also aft er joining Juve Los Angeles not want to be compared with Ribery, saying: “Franck Ribery’s footsteps are too big. The 19-year-old is one of the most coveted young players in world football everly Hills, Holly- I will rather be Fiete Arp.” wood and a debut match Arp played with a lot of cour- AFP against Arsenal — Bay- age and Kovac said he believes Turin ern Munich’s trip to the the youngster will give Bayern “a UnitedB States is one big adven- lot of joy” in the future. ture for newly signed teenager Captain Manuel Neuer also atthijs de Ligt is tar- Fiete Arp. praised Arp, naming him “very geting the Cham- The 19-year-old forward came bright” and “inquisitive.” The pions League with from second-division SV Ham- goalkeeper said Arp “wants to Juventus after the burg to Germany’s glamour club show what he is capable of” but MSerie A side pried him from Ajax and must now fi nd his footing also warned that he faces a long thanks to the largest fee ever amid a collective of stars and in- and rocky road. “Of course we paid for a defender. ternationals. have a diff erent pace in training. The 19-year-old, one of the most coveted young players in world football, was unveiled in Turin yesterday after mov- ing to the Italian champions for a combined fee of 75mn euros ($84.2mn) plus 10.5mn euros of add-ons. The previous highest paid for a defender was the 84.5mn eu- ros that Liverpool paid South- ampton a year ago for another Dutchman Virgil van Dijk. Juve haven’t won the tourna- ment since beating Ajax in Rome in 1996 and De Ligt is hoping to end that drought of European glory after missing out him- self thanks to a gut-wrenching semi-fi nal defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last season. “There are three competitions we can play for, maybe four with the Supercup — championship, Arp got his debut earlier in the And don’t think you can compare Coppa Italia and Champions week in Los Angeles against the our training regime with that in League. We want to win every- File photo of Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt in Ajax’s colours. Gunners, fi elded for 45 minutes Hamburg,” Neuer said. thing,” said De Ligt, who turns by coach Niko Kovac on the left But Arp has said from the out- 20 next month. wing where Franck Ribery used set that he is there to learn, with “I think this is the most im- to play until the end of the past every minute of training and in a portant thing... I think a club United’s Lukaku still not fi t to face suitors Inter Milan season. Arp was a centre forward match helping him. like Juventus wants to win so it when he made his breakthrough “From the training ground to won’t be diff erent this year.” Reuters ($110.83mn) and has been linked with in Hamburg in the spring of 2018 the interest, everything here is a De Ligt, who has signed a fi ve- Singapore a move away from the club. to attract Bayern’s attention but step up. The ambitions are also year deal with Maurizio Sarri’s “I’m looking to get all the players was certainly not complaining diff erent.” Arp said at his presen- side worth a reported 12mn eu- back to the form that we were on about the new role — given that tation. “I haven’t been here long ros a season, said that Cristiano anchester United’s when I first came in. It’s not about he will have to be happy with but it’s staggering how huge the Ronaldo’s appeal for him to join Romelu Lukaku is not just Paul Pogba getting back to that every minute of playing time he club really is. There’s no compa- Juventus made no diff erence to fit enough to face In- form. It’s every one of us,” Solskjaer will get. rable club in Germany. his decision, as he had already Mter Milan in Singapore said. “It didn’t feel bad. I am not re- “My future is here at the club. made up his mind to join the today, manager Ole Gunnar Solsk- “Everyone has been spot on pre- ally a tall centre forward. It suits No club has better conditions fi ve-time Ballon d’Or winner at jaer said, with rumours swirling the season and the games they’ve me quite well to play from the and I completely want to benefi t the Allianz Stadium. striker may soon join the Italian side. played. When they are out on the wing,” he said. from that and develop. De Ligt had also been linked Speaking to media yesterday ahead pitch, I can’t fault anyone. When we Looking at the overall expe- I’m convinced I’ll feel good with Manchester United, Bar- of the match at Singapore’s National have got meetings, they are more rience, he said: “It was a lot of here for a long time.” celona and Paris Saint-Germain Stadium in the International Champi- proactive...I’ve been very encour- fun. For the fi rst time with the But fi rst of all the pre-season after his impressive perform- ons Cup, Solskjaer said: “He is not fit, aged.” United have pledged to invest players from our team on the US trip continues, and Arp can ances for a young Ajax side that so he won’t be able to play.” in their squad in the close-season fol- pitch against such an opponent be looking forward to another won the domestic double but Asked if Lukaku would still be a lowing a disappointing sixth-placed — that’s all quite big.” highlight on Sunday against Real missed out on the Champi- United player at the start of the finish in the Premier League, 32 Arp admitted to some nerves Madrid in Houston. ons League fi nal on away goals season, he added: “I don’t have any points behind champions Manches- thanks to Lucas Moura’s 96th- updates.” ter City. minute winner for Spurs in Am- Lukaku is yet to feature on the pre- They have so far signed defender FOCUS sterdam. season trip to Australia, Singapore Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Pal- “When the season was over I and China after taking a knock in ace and Wales winger Daniel James was going to see if I can enjoy a training earlier this week. from Championship side Swansea vacation and get some rest and The Belgium international, who City. Solskjaer said the club is work- New Derby then after join a new club,” he joined United two years ago, has ing on “one or two” more targets told reporters. been targeted by Inter Milan, but before the transfer window closes. “At that moment, I was pretty talks between the two clubs have Solskjaer has already said the team boss Cocu happy sure it was Juventus, but ob- stalled recently, according to British would need a “miraculous season” viously it was really nice that media reports. to mount a challenge in the next someone big like Cristiano Ron- Solskjaer was also pressed on the campaign because of how much to work outside aldo asked me if I wanted to join focus and form of midfielder Paul their rivals have improved. Juventus. Pogba, who joined United from United kick off their new league sea- “It was a big compliment but Juventus in 2016 for a then-world son against Chelsea at Old Traff ord Premier League it was not a diff erence between record fee of 89.3mn pounds on Aug 11. joining Juventus or not.” AFP De Ligt’s arrival adds young London blood to an ageing defence that features 34-year-old Giorgio ventus in the Champions League erpool’s Van Dijk. De Ligt is and the 126mn euros that Atleti- while La Liga rivals Real Madrid Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, quarter-fi nals. this summer’s latest big-money co splashed out on 19-year-old bagged Belgian playmaker Eden ew Derby boss Phil- 32. He played 117 times for Ajax De Ligt has also played 17 transfer following the 120-mil- forward Joao Felix from Benfi ca. Hazard from Chelsea for an ini- lip Cocu says he has in all competitions and scored times for the Netherlands, lion-euro deal that took France Barca also shelled out 75mn tial 100mn euros, with another no reservations about 13 goals, including the winner forming a formidable central striker Antoine Griezmann from euros for De Ligt’s former Ajax 34mn euros in potential add- taking a job outside of in Turin as Ajax eliminated Ju- defensive partnership with Liv- Atletico Madrid to Barcelona teammate Frenkie de Jong, ons. Nthe Premier League as he seeks to build on the work done by the departed Frank Lampard. BOTTOMLINE The 48-year-old played at the highest level with Barcelona and the Netherlands, winning more than 100 caps, and won the Ere- need to be competitive.” Eriksen trains alone on Spurs’ pre-season tour divisie title with PSV Eindhoven Derby challenged for promo- three times as a manager. tion last season, falling at the Reuters in June. of the club and maybe to leave the club,” Cocu said last season’s Cham- fi nal hurdle in the play-off fi nal Singpore “It’s diffi cult for me to comment for he said. pionship play-off fi nalists Derby at Wembley and Cocu said the the player,” Pochettino said when asked “After the fi nal, this was not great to were the “right fi t” for him. club were also aiming high this about Eriksen’s desire to leave the club. fi nish like this. I’m not a person not to face “I realise and know in the season. ottenham Hotspur midfi elder “Because he got a small, little minor sur- the problems, to face diffi cult situation. world of football that you have to “We will try to get in the top Christian Eriksen trained on gery after the fi nal... that is why today “I love a big challenge and diffi cult bring a level of performance — it six in the league but the most his own yesterday ahead of a pre- rather to train alone. challenge and of course to rebuild. When I doesn’t matter if it’s the Premier important thing is the football season match against Juventus in “We give the option to stay in London say rebuild, I mean rebuild that mentality League or Eredivisie (Dutch top we play and the development of TSingapore, adding to speculation the Real but the medical staff they decide that he that next season we can repeat a similar division),” he said. individual players,” he said. Madrid and Barcelona target could leave can be available to play, maybe, and that season. I think that motivates me a lot.” “Over the last few years the Derby received a big compen- the London club. is why he’s here.” Tottenham face Italian champions Ju- club has tried to build something sation fee for Lampard when his Eriksen is entering the fi nal year of his There was speculation last season that ventus in the International Champions and I want to continue this proc- former club Chelsea appointed contract at Tottenham and could leave for Pochettino himself could leave Totten- Cup at the National Stadium in Singapore ess, this philosophy. I have the him as their manager earlier this free next summer. ham with the 47-year old manager ad- on Sunday before taking on Manchester feeling it’s a good fi t and a good month, reportedly around £4mn Last month, the Denmark international mitting that it would be a ‘dream’ to one United in Shanghai on July 25. moment to step in.” ($5mn). said he was ready to take on a new chal- day coach Real Madrid. The International Champions Cup fea- The former Fenerbahce boss But owner Mel Morris said lenge. The Argentine hinted that he might tures 12 teams playing friendly matches said: “To develop players is very the club would not abandon its Argentine manager Mauricio Pochet- have left had the North London club won in venues in North America, Europe and important to bring the philoso- principles of trying to produce tino told reporters Eriksen trained alone the Champions League. Asia. phy we have — to try to make a its own fi rst-team players and a due to a “minor surgery” the playmaker “Leaving would be diff erent (if there Tottenham begin the new league sea- plan for each individual player to “big spend” was not anticipat- underwent after Tottenham lost 2-0 in was a) diff erent result after the nal,fi son at home to promoted Aston Villa on make it possible to make it to the ed before the transfer window the Champions League fi nal to Liverpool maybe. Really it’s a moment to step out Aug 10. fi rst team. The fi rst team as well closes. Gulf Times Saturday, July 20, 2019 7 SPORT

FRIENDLY SPOTLIGHT Lampard hoping to rely on youngsters Chelsea stunned Zouma and Mount

Reuters ty last season. Yokohoma He signed a fi ve-year contract earlier this month and Lampard is happy to throw the Chelsea rank Lampard knows he academy product into the fi rst by J-League team will have to rely on youth team immediately. during his fi rst season “It is time for him,” said Lam- Fas Chelsea manager, but pard. the former midfi elder is excited “His qualities will improve, about working with two of his even more with the qual- young charges in particular — ity around him and everybody Kurt Zouma and Mason Mount. knows the hopes I have for Ma- Following Chelsea’s 1-0 pre- son. Kawasaki Frontale season friendly loss to Japanese “He showed today just a start, champions Kawasaki Frontale in a little glimmer in early pre- Chelsea pressured the hosts throughout but were unable to translate that into goals Yokohama yesterday, Lampard season of what we might see this praised Zouma, 24, and Mount, year and going forward.” 20. French defender Zouma Chelsea have enjoyed success spent last season on loan at Ever- at academy level, winning seven ton, where he impressed so much FA Youth Cups between 2009- that the Merseyside club’s man- 2018, but few of those players ager Marco Silva wants him back. have gone on to play regularly for Lampard, however, wants to keep their fi rst team. his man at Stamford Bridge. Yet with the club under a FIFA “He is a very good defender for transfer ban for the next two us. A very good person, profes- windows, Lampard may have to sional and I want him here. Sim- rely more heavily on youth. ple as that,” said Lampard. Captain Cesar Azpilicueta be- “We are competitive with the lieves Lampard is the best man to centre backs we have in the team bring through young talent. and he had a very good season at “We are very lucky; we have Everton — I understand why they the best academy in England,” want him — but he is a Chelsea said the defender. player. I want him and I want him “We know we have the manag- to be happy.” er and his staff that have worked Zouma played alongside David with a lot of young players dur- Luiz at centre back during the ing the last seasons and in a very fi rst half against Kawasaki and successful way.” the Brazilian wants to make that Chelsea were second best a permanent partnership this against Kawasaki and the rau- season. cous home crowd got what they “He is a great player and a great wanted when Brazilian striker friend of mine so it was amazing Leandro Damiao took advantage to be with him again,” said Luiz. of some sloppy Chelsea defend- “I hope he can stay because he ing to head the winner four min- will help us a lot.” utes from fulltime. Another player to return to Chelsea are in action again on Chelsea this campaign is mid- Tuesday, when they play Bar- fi elder Mount, who played under celona in Saitama, just north of Lampard on loan at Derby Coun- Tokyo.

Kawasaki Frontale’s Leandro Damiao (R) scores against Chelsea in Yokohama yesterday.

AFP son caused “difficulties for us physical- unable to translate that into goals. Chelsea are on a pre-season tour of Yokohama, Japan ly”, said Chelsea coach Frank Lampard. In the 30th minute, Chelsea forward Japan, and will play a friendly against “The quality of our players on the ball Pedro showed off his skill by zigzag- FC Barcelona on Tuesday in Saitama, was not quite where we want. It’s very, ging past a group of Kawasaki defend- north of Tokyo. -League Champions Kawasaki very normal in pre-season. We will get ers before unleashing a long-range shot, For Kawasaki, the hard-won vic- Frontale pulled off a stunning 1-0 there.” which flew just over the bar. tory also showed the quality of Chelsea victory against Chelsea in friend- “I got no fears. I was happy with (a) Four minutes later, a similar attempt squad. ly at Yokohama yesterday. big part of the performance,” he added. by his teammate Kenedy also went wide. “Honestly, the game showed us that JKawasaki striker Leandro Damiao The Chelsea boss was tight lipped Kawasaki midfielder Akihiro Ienaga, they (Chelsea) are very strong,” Ka- headed in a Kengo Nakamura cross from about squad selection for the upcoming J-League MVP in 2018, threatened the wasaki coach Toru Oniki said after the a close range in the 87th minute to clinch season, only saying he has a “competi- Chelsea goal in a 45th-minute counter- match. the upset in front of 61,012 spectators. tive” organisation. attack, ending the move with a sizzling “We were not allowed play our own Chelsea struggled to find the net de- “Nobody is in or out of the squad,” shot which forced a superb one-armed football. We felt a lot of pressure. It’s spite waves of attacks, with Kawasaki Lampard said. save by goalkeeper Willy Caballero. great that we won after having strug- players cautious in defence, particularly “Everybody is competing and the After the break, Kawasaki’s Leandro gled so much,” he said. before the break. squad will be picked in due time.” Damiao dashed to meet a Kei Chinen “But we went into the match to win, A long journey and high humidity in Chelsea maintained pressure on the cross, but his diving header inside the and we won. This was big.” Japan during the early days of pre-sea- hosts throughout the match but were box went wide.

BOTTOMLINE Chelsea’s head coach Frank Lampard gestures during his team’s friendly against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in Yokohama yesterday.

Klopp committed to Liverpool as US tour kicks off European defeat fi res up Tottenham’s AFP Copa America campaign with Brazil, while Pochettino for next season Chicago striker Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are also absent due to African Cup of Na- Singapore: Tottenham Hot- fight for big things. tions commitments with Egypt and Sen- spur manager Mauricio Pochet- “We cannot forget we came iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp egal. tino said yesterday that last from that period of building our said yesterday he expects to remain “It’s a slightly diff erent situation to last month’s Champions League stadium, lodge and the training at Anfi eld for at least three more year; players coming back late, we had final defeat has made him more ground. years as the Premier League giants a shorter holiday than pretty much all determined to succeed at the “The holiday was so tough for prepareL to kick off their pre-season tour to the other teams because the Champions club, after the conclusion of myself, diff icult to move on North America. League fi nal was three weeks after the sea- another solid campaign. from the final. We shared three Klopp, who successfully guided Liver- son ended,” he said. Pochettino said he was keen fantastic weeks and it was the pool to a sixth Champions League crown “So that’s the situation but we knew to continue with the five-year best atmosphere in five years last month, was taken aback when asked that, we planned that. It still makes it a bit “project” that has seen Tot- and it was a shame to end the to comment on reports suggesting he may more diffi cult than in other pre-seasons tenham establish themselves way it did. leave the club when his current contract maybe, but that’s all. in the Premier League top four “We deserved to win, to be expires in 2022. Klopp meanwhile said Liverpool were and finally move into their better than a great team like “Wow! I don’t think a lot of people get girding themselves for another daunt- new stadium after a series Liverpool.” asked that question three years before the ing title chase with Manchester City, who of delays.”After the final the Pochettino had been linked to contract is expiring,” Klopp said. pipped them to the Premier League crown feeling wasn’t great, to finish some of Europe’s leading clubs “We will see. Why should we think on the fi nal day of the season. like this. I am not a person who last season, but a move now about this? At least three years — that’s the However Klopp said he expected other wants to avoid the problem. seems to be off the table. answer. At least three years.” teams to improve. I love a big challenge,” the Sitting next to Pochettino, ESPN reported last month that Klopp “It would be great if we could be around 47-year-old Argentine told England striker Harry Kane was pondering a sabbatical when his Liv- Man City again because that’s the only reporters as he looked back at echoed his manager’s senti- erpool contract ends. Agent Mark Kosicke possibility to have to pass them because the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in ments about being brave as the meanwhile has hinted that Klopp may be it is already clear they are the big favourite Madrid. club hope to improve on their interested in taking over as coach of the again,” Klopp said. “In the last week, we started fourth-place finish after briefly German national team. “All the teams will start again: there is to train and look forward to flirting with a title challenge to Klopp however was solely focused on no duel with City and Liverpool and all the another season. We are still far champions Manchester City preparations for the coming season as rest are watching us. That’s not how the away from where we expect to and runners-up Liverpool. the Reds begin a three-game US tour that Premier League is, all of these games are so be, so it’s not just my challenge, “We know it was there for the starts today against Borussia Dortmund in diffi cult to play. but everyone’s challenge,” he taking and it’s something we South Bend, Indiana. Liverpool F.C. manager Jurgen Klopp kicks the ball during a practice session at Notre “What we did last year, we were really said in Singapore ahead of have to deal with over the sum- “I’m excited about having the fi rst Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. rock solid in all; we were diffi cult to play, Sunday’s pre-season friendly mer,” Kane said of the Champi- proper test,” said Klopp, who added that diffi cult to outplay, in general we always against Italian giants Juventus. ons League final defeat. he is not overly concerned by results dur- basis for what we expect from ourselves Liverpool’s preparations have been dis- created chances, we were strong in a lot “You need to be a man and try “With everything last season ing the tour. for next season. It’s not about results, it’s rupted by the international football cal- of departments, didn’t get nervous in dif- to move on from the Champi- I think we did extremely well. “So far, so good but there is a lot of work about performance and there is still space endar. Goalkeeper Alisson and forward fi cult situations in a game, could increase ons League final, create some I haven’t watched the game to do,” said Klopp. “We played at a spe- for improvement and that’s what we are Roberto Firmino will only join the squad pressure in diff erent situations on the oth- atmosphere and excitement to again.” cifi c level last year which should be the working on. We know that.” later in the pre-season following their er teams.”

Saturday, July 20, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

BOXING Pacquiao battling age, hungry Thurman in title showdown

AFP Thurman, who at 30 years old after Friday’s weigh-in, is brac- Roach is nervous that a verbal Las Vegas is a full decade younger than Pac- ing for an early onslaught. agreement brokered with Pac- quiao, sees today as an attempt to “I feel he’s going to try and quiao several years ago — namely build his legacy, and has bluntly come for Manny and try to prove that when the veteran cornerman wenty-four years after vowed to send the Filipino into that he’s the bigger, stronger believes it is time to retire, he will fi rst climbing into a pro- retirement. man,” Roach told AFP. “He will heed the advice and hang up his fessional boxing ring, “This is a once in a lifetime op- come forward. He’s a pretty good gloves — may no longer be valid. Manny Pacquiao will at- portunity to destroy a legend,” puncher but Manny’s footwork “There’s too many people Ttempt to defy the march of time Thurman declared, placing Pac- should keep him out of trouble. around him who will tell him I’m here today when he battles unde- quiao in the boxing pantheon “I would love a collision because full of shit, and he may listen to feated American Keith Thurman alongside some of the sport’s Manny will beat him to the punch them,” Roach told AFP. “At one for the WBA welterweight crown. greatest practitioners. every time. One guy is fast, one guy time I’d have said our agreement The 40-year-old Filipino icon “It’s as if I’m fi ghting Sugar is slow. Thurman hits hard but he was pretty solid and he’d listen to clashes with Thurman at the Ray Robinson or Roberto Duran,” has no speed at all. I don’t see him me. But today I’m not so sure.” MGM Grand in Las Vegas in what Thurman said. “This is Manny being able to get close to Manny The fi nancial incentives may is arguably his most challenging Pacquiao. It’s a tremendous feel- because of his speed.” tempt Pacquiao to keep plugging assignment since losing to Floyd ing, and it’s going to feel even away regardless of the outcome Mayweather in 2015’s money- greater when my hand is raised at TIME TO QUIT? of today’s contest. spinning ‘Fight of the Century’. the end of the night.” Yet Roach acknowledges that for This weekend’s fi ght will re- Pacquiao, who has managed all Pacquiao’s impressive form in portedly add another $20mn to successfully juggle a political ‘NOTHING PERSONAL’ training, the acid test will come to career earnings estimated at career in the Philippines while Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 knockouts) under the bright lights of the MGM $200mn. A lucrative off er to fight continuing to box at a high level, has shrugged off Thurman’s Grand’s Garden Arena today. Box- Britain’s Amir Khan in Saudi looked sharp in his last outing in blood-curdling pledges of de- ing history is littered with veterans Arabia in November is on the January, a unanimous decision struction, insisting he harbours Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao (left) speaks during a press conference as his opponent in today’s bout, who needed one fi ght too many to table, though Pacquiao’s camp against Adrien Broner. no animosity towards the brash US boxer Keith Thurman, looks on in Las Vegas on Wednesday. (AFP) realise they are shot. deny a contract had been signed. But the eight-division world American. “This is true,” Roach said. Pacquiao, who retired in 2016 champion is facing an altogether “For me nothing is personal,” Pacquiao’s preparations for les to work under the guidance of confi dent that his speed and mo- “Usually it doesn’t show up in only to return seven months later, higher-calibre opponent in the Pacquiao said. “Our job is to the fi ght have followed a familiar long-time trainer Freddie Roach at bility will cause problems for the the gym. It only shows up in the says he will continue fi ghting as shape of Thurman, renowned as fi ght. He has to prove something, routine. his Wild Card gym in Hollywood. naturally bigger Thurman. fi ght. And I’m very aware of that. long as his body allows. “Boxing is one of the hardest punchers in and I have to prove something. After spending the fi rst part of Roach maintains that Pacqui- Roach, who expects Thurman And if it does show in the fi ght I’ll my passion. It’s really hard to stop the welterweight division with 22 It’s easy to say things. But it’s not his training camp in the Philip- ao has shown no sign of decline to enter the ring at around 160 be the fi rst one to stop the fi ght if and hang up the gloves when you knockouts in 30 fi ghts. so easy to do it in the ring.” pines, he relocated to Los Ange- during gruelling sparring, and is pounds once he has rehydrated need be.” know that you can still fi ght.”

CYCLING / TOUR DE FRANCE Italian community mourns shooting champion Scalzone’s passing

he Italian community Pasquale Salzano. in Doha is mourning “He was a great friend to both Tthe passing of Roberto Italian and Qatari communi- Alaphilippe stuns Scalzone, Italian world cham- ties. Thanks to his profes- pion in skeet shooting and the sionalism and talent, many coach of the Qatari national young Qataris have become team. passionate about this disci- “We are very saddened by pline. I would like to convey the death of Roberto, a great my heartfelt condolences to sportsman who dedicated his his family and to all his many life to skeet shooting at the friends in Italy and Qatar in Thomas in time trial international level,” said the this time of sorrow,” added Belgian Van Aert fell in the home straight after getting caught up in the barriers ambassador of Italy in Qatar ambassador Salzano. AFP Dennis says Pau, France quitting Tour was SPOTLIGHT

ulian Alapahilippe ex- ‘right decision’ tended his overall lead at ustralian Rohan Den- the Tour de France yester- nis said his abrupt Tour de France day winning the 27.2km Awithdrawal from the individualJ time trial at Pau on Tour de France was the ‘right stage 13 to keep the yellow jersey decision’ ahead of yesterday’s organisers looking and send his home fans wild. time-trial, the discipline at Defending champion Geraint which he is world champion. Thomas was second while his The Bahrain Merida rider to launch major Ineos co-captain Egan Bernal threw in the towel at the start dropped down the overall stand- of the Peyresourde, the first ings and lost his best young rid- of two climbs on Thursday’s er’s white jersey fi nishing way 12th stage, after he had been women’s race off the pace. busy trying to make the early Thomas dropped 14 seconds on breakaway. Dennis released the French overall leader to slip to a statement overnight Thurs- 1min 26sec adrift in the general day in which he did not ad- classifi cation after the baking hot dress the reasons for his with- race-against-the-clock around drawal during the 12th stage the Pyrenean town. on Thursday but suggested “If he carries on like this he’ll they were not physical. win the Tour,” the 33-year-old “I am very disappointed to Thomas said at the fi nish line. leave the race at this point,” The Welshman then told Brit- said Dennis. “The individual ish broadcaster ITV that Alap- France’s Julian Alaphilippe rides during the thirteenth stage of the Tour de France, an individual time trial time-trial tomorrow (Friday) hilippe’s barnstorming ride had in Pau, France, yesterday. (AFP) had been a big goal for me and taken him by surprise. the team, but given my current “He’s going incredibly well side Pau with the sun making Bernal fi nished 1min 26sec off Wout van Aert fell in the home feeling it was the right decision and is certainly the favourite a strobe like fl ash eff ect as it the pace to drop down the rank- straight after getting caught up to withdraw earlier today. or the one to watch at the mo- fl ickered through the trees onto ings and lose his white jersey to in the barriers and twisted his “I wish my teammates the ment,” he added. the blacktop, the packed holi- Alaphilippe’s teammate Enric leg before being taken away in very best for the remainder of “But there is a long way to go day weekend crowds went wild Mas. an ambulance. the race.” and a lot of hard stages to come.” as they realised Alaphilippe was France’s Thibaut Pinot was Today’s stage 14 is a short “I just wanted to keep the jer- keeping pace on the narrow hill just behind these riders at 49sec, 117km run over two Category 1 sey, but to win the stage, on this roads outside the town. looking happy and relaxed. mountains with a summit fi nish Marc Madiot have vowed to gain form, is just totally amazing,” As Alaphilippe made the 18 It was also a good day for top at the fearsome classic Tour de revenge there for getting left be- said Alaphilippe, the 27-year- percent slope ahead of the home fi ve pretenders Richie Porte, France destination the Tourmalet, hind in the crosswind at Albi. old former soldier who is send- straight the noise was deefan- Steven Kruijswijk and Rigoberto which some translate as ‘bad trip’ “There’s a rage in him, and ing France wild with belief they ing as the victory over time-trial Uran. and which is the highest moun- when the rage is on him he’s Marianne Vos of The Netherlands celebrates as she crosses the finish can win a fi rst Tour since 1985. specialist Thomas unexpectedly There were gasps and cries tain pass in the Pyrenees. good, Saturday we roll,” Madiot line to win the La Course, held as part of the Tour de France cycling After the 80kph descent out- materialised. of horror when Belgian rookie Pinot and his FDJ manager told AFP this week. race, in Pau, France, yesterday. (AFP)

Reuters Dutchwoman Marianne Vos, TENNIS Pau, France the most decorated female rider, won the 2019 edition yesterday in Pau, with a devastating attack our de France organis- on the fi nal uphill drag at the end ers are looking to launch of a 121-kilometre ride. US Open to be richest Slam in history: USTA a major women’s race The three-times road racing which “would be to world champion won four stages increased by 47 percent, while Twomen’s cycling what the Tour in the Giro Rosa, the biggest race AFP New York players eliminated in the sec- ‘Discrimination’ my tennis career. Excited to be weeks after her shock early exit de France is to men’s cycling”, in women’s cycling. ond round of the 2019 US Open victim Tatishvili back in competition!” Tatishvili at Wimbledon, the three-time they said yesterday. Although it has been often will receive $100,000. wins Roland Garros returned to competition at the Grand Slam champion an- A senior Amaury Sport Organ- dubbed as the female version of his year’s US Open will “The US Open prides itself French Open last month follow- nounced yesterday. “Moving for- isation (ASO) offi cial told Reuters the Giro d’Italia, the Giro Rosa be the richest Grand on off ering the best tennis play- prize money appeal ing a 31-month absence caused ward, it’s never easy to change that ASO was setting up a group is not organised by the same or- Slam tennis tourna- ers in the world the richest to- by a serious ankle injury and mul- — especially when you work dedicated to developing women’s ganisation, Epinike Associazione ment in history after tal prize money in our sport,” Anna Tatishvili, who was stripped tiple surgeries. Appearing in Paris with great people like Rainer. But cycling. Sportiva Dilettantistica not be- Torganisers on Thursday an- USTA Chairman Patrick Gal- The race would not be at the ing linked to RCS — the owners of her entire 46,000-euro prize with a protected ranking, she lost for now, we’ve decided that it’s nounced prize money for the braith said in a statement. money at Roland Garros for her first-round match to Greece’s the right time for a fresh start,” same time as the men’s Tour de of the men’s race. event had been increased to The US Open is also to make a “not playing at a professional 33rd-ranked Maria Sakkari, 6-0, Kerber said on Twitter. “He has France, traditionally held in July, “We are setting up a cell to $57mn. $1mn contribution, split evenly standard”, has had her punish- 6-1 in just 55 minutes. Off icials become a friend and I’m thankful because logistics would not al- develop women’s cycling within The US Tennis Association between the ATP Tour and WTA ment overturned, the player then stripped her of her prize for his hard work and dedica- low it. ASO,” the ASO offi cial, who de- said the winners of the men’s Tour to help fund transition announced on Twitter yesterday. money, claiming she failed to tion in the last months.” Kerber’s “Some 29,000 police offi cers clined to be named, told Reuters. and women’s singles titles at programs for players leaving the “The Grand Slam Board has play at a “professional standard”. defence of her crown at the All are deployed for the men’s race “We cannot have a women’s the tournament will receive a sport. reversed the sanction imposed Tatishvili appealed pointing out England Club came to end in already, it would be too compli- Tour de France at the same mo- record payday of $3.85mn while “We strive to be innovative, on me at the 2019 French Open, that a male player who competed the second round at the hands cated,” the offi cial said. ment as the men’s Tour because the men’s and women’s dou- and feel that our new contribu- acknowledging I played ‘profes- in qualifying at the French Open, of Lauren Davis, who had been In addition to the Liege-Bas- it would be logistically impossi- bles champions would receive tion of $500,000 to both the sionally from the first to the very also under a protected ranking, ranked outside the top 250 ear- togne-Liege and Fleche Wall- ble. The Tour has grown so much $740,000. ATP’s pension plan and the WTA last point’ and returning to me all lost in 43 minutes but was not lier this year. The former world onne classics, ASO also organises and is so big that having two rac- The purse is an eight percent Tour’s transition programs for of the prize money that I earned,” sanctioned. number one, who also won the La Course by Le Tour, a race held es at the same time would not be increase over 2018 prize money, players will go a long way toward tweeted 29-year-old Georgia-born US and Australians Opens in the same day as a Tour de France feasible.” and enables the US Open of- the long-term fi nancial well-be- Tatishvili. “I’m grateful to all who Kerber drops coach 2016, has dropped to 13th in the stage, every year since 2014. There was a women’s Tour de fer the highest payouts for each ing of all of our sport’s athletes,” stood with me, including my legal aft er Wimbledon loss WTA rankings. In addition to her After organising the event over France at the same time as the round of any of the four tennis Galbraith added. team at @Kirkland_Ellis. So happy Wimbledon disappointment, she two days — a mountain stage fol- men’s race from 1984-89 but majors. This year’s US Open takes the question of my performance Angelique Kerber has split with was was knocked out in the first lowed by a time trial — in 2017, lack of media interest and lo- Over the past four years, pay- place at Flushing Meadows in is settled and I can move on with her coach Rainer Schuttler two round at Roland Garros. ASO has since back-tracked to a gistical issues prompted ASO to outs for fi rst round losers have New York from August 23. single-day race. stop organising it.