SPORT

Wednesday 5 July 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 I've lost all my Pakistan rewards Swansea's motivation, Sarfraz with Ki to miss says Tomic Test captaincy start of season Team Qatar set Motta extends deal as French for Asian Athletics giants PSG welcome Italian star Championships

The Peninsula "Without doubt Thiago is club in January 2012 as one The Peninsula one of those who have con- of the leaders of the Rouge talian international Thiago tributed much to the growth et Bleu. eam Qatar is all set to Motta yesterday con- of Paris Saint-Germain, in A member of the Ligue compete in the 22nd Ifirmed he was staying at France and on the interna- 1 standard team in 2014, TAsian Athletics Cham- French giants PSG. tional scene," Al Khelaifi the Italian international pionships which begins in According to details on said on the club's website. (30 selections) has contrib- Bhubaneswar, India the club website, Motta, 35, "We are very pleased to uted to the 15 titles won by tomorrow. has signed on for an extra have extended the Thiago Paris Saint-Germain since The Qatari contingent will season. contract. 2013. be among over 1000 athletes "It is a great pleasure to "He is an important At 35, Motta will con- from across 45 countries who extend my contract at Paris PSG President member of the squad and tinue his career as a Player will participate in the four- Saint-Germain," Motta said his leadership and knowl- for an additional season with day event which concludes on Nasser Al Khelaifi in a post on the club edge of the game are very the aim of boosting the club's July 9. website. the maximum to go as far as much appreciated by our record and transmitting his Qatar athletics team del- "I have a special history possible in all the competi- supporters. immense experience to the egation to the prestigious with the club, which has tions in which we will "After having already whole group. event is led by Mohammed given me a lot of confidence participate," Motta said. won many titles under our Since its first appearance Essa Al Fadalla, the Secretary over the last five years. The Brazilian-born Motta, colors, he will help us next under the Parisian colors on General of Qatar Athletics adventure continues and I am who has played for Barcelona season to carry out our February 4, 2012, in front of Federation (QAF), accompa- very happy," he added. and Atletico Madrid, was ambitions, " Al Khelaifi said. the Evian TG, the axial mid- nied by elite and prominent "We will continue to be important to PSG, club pres- Motta has asserted him- fielder has played 203 official athletes who will compete in competitive and we will give ident Nasser Al Khelaifi said. self since his arrival at the matches in the PSG jersey. the 100m, 200m, 800m, Thiago Motta 1500m, 3000m and 5000m. This is the third time the premier track and field event of the continent is being held in India after New Delhi (1989) and Pune (2013), and is a qualifying event for the IAAF World Athletics Cham- pionships to be held in Federer, Djokovic get free London later this year. Snooker: Qatar through to Asian passes at Wimbledon Championship quarter -finals London WIMBLEDON: YESTERDAY'S "He had issues walking on to Angelique Kerber of AFP HIGHLIGHTS court. I tried to focus on my game Germany in action The Peninsula plan, I was serving well and when against Irina Falconi oger Federer and MEN'S SINGLES it mattered I made a break," said of USA on day two of Novak Djokovic 'Jack Sock (US) beat Christian Garin Djokovic, who is aiming to win a the 2017 Wimbledon eam Qatar confidently barely had to break first Grand Slam title since last cruised to the quarterfi- (Chile) 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 Championships at the sweat to make win- ' year's French Open. nals of Asian Snooker Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat Martin All England Lawn and T ning starts at Klizan (Slovakia) 6-3, 2-0 (Klizan retired) With defending champion Championship being hosted Croquet Club in London, RWimbledon as their injury-hit 'Milos Raonic (Canada) beat Jan-Len- Serena Williams sidelined while by Kyrgyzstan on Monday. United Kingdom opponents retired hurt from their nard Struff (Germany) 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(4) she prepares to give birth to her Team Qatar consisting of first round matches yesterday. ' Gael Monfils (France) beat Daniel first child, the race to win the yesterday. The world Ahmed Saif, Mohsen Bokshai- Federer is chasing a record Brands (Germany) 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 women's title is the most wide number one, Kerber sha and Khamis Al Obaidely eighth Wimbledon title and he ' Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) open in a generation. beat Falconi 6-4, 6-4 made an impressive perform- was already well on top at the beat Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia) 6-3, World number one Angelique to advance to the ance, defeating Iranian start of his 19th All England Club 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 Kerber, the 2016 Australian and next round. counterparts 3-1 to reach the campaign when Alexandr Dolgo- ' David Ferrer (Spain) beat 22-Rich- US Open winner, is among the last eight stage. polov was forced to quit with an ard Gasquet (France) 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 favourites after reaching last A total of 38 players from ankle injury. 'Kyle Edmund (Britain) beat Alexan- year's final, which she lost to Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, The world number three der Ward (Britain) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 Serena. Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyr- raced into a 6-3, 3-0 in 43 min- 'Mischa Zverev (Germany) beat Ber- The German has failed to gyzstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, utes on Centre Court before the nard Tomic (Australia) 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 maintain that form this season Thailand and United Arab Ukrainian limped off. ' Roger Federer (Switzerland) beat and her poor run culminated in Emirates taking part in the Federer, who hit his 10,000th Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine) 6-3, 3-0 an embarrassing French Open tournament. career ace in the eighth game of (Dolgopolov retired) first round loss to Ekaterina the first set, will face either Dusan Makarova last month. Lajovic of Serbia or Greek qual- WOMEN'S SINGLES But the top seed showed Al Arabi storm ifier Stefanos Tsitsipas for a place ' Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) glimpses of her best form as she in the last 32. beat Evgeniya Rodina (Russia) 6-1, 6-4 saw off American qualifier Irina into semis "It feels great to be back on 'Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) beat Falconi 6-4, 6-4 in 87 minutes on Centre Court," said Federer, who Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 7-6(3), 6-0 Centre Court. recorded his 85th match win at 'Varvara Lepchenko (US) beat 28-Lau- "I'm happy to be back, but this The Peninsula Wimbledon, passing the mark he ren Davis (US) 6-4, 7-5 year is completely different for shared with Jimmy Connors. ' Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) me. I'm just happy I'm through n-form Al Arabi of Qatar Having unexpectedly won the beat Ekaterina Alexandrova (Russia) 6-2, the first round," Kerber said. saw off Taichung Com- Australian Open in January before 6-4 Milos Raonic advanced to the I mercial Bank from taking the clay-court season off ' Angelique Kerber (Germany) beat second round with a 7-6 (7/5), Chinese Taipei in straight sets to rest, Federer, making a record- Irina Falconi (US) 6-4, 6-4 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) win against Jan- 25-19, 25-22, 25-16 to equalling 70th Grand Slam 'Sorana Cirstea (Romania) beat Kiki Lennard Struff. tennis following his lacklustre 6-4, emerged as a potential star advance to the semi-finals of appearance, is the favourite to Bertens (Netherlands) 7-6(4), 7-5 Big-serving Raonic became 6-3, 6-4 loss to Mischa Zverev. when she reached the US Open the SMM 2017 Asian Men’s take the Wimbledon crown for the first Canadian man to make "I don't know why but I felt final last year and she has fol- Club Volleyball Champion- the first time since 2012. a Grand Slam final with his a little bit bored out there, to be lowed up on that breakthrough ship at the Ninh Binh Gym in "Everybody's got a chance to The 30-year-old Serb will impressive Wimbledon run 12 completely honest," Tomic said. by making the French Open Vietnam yesterday. win Wimbledon and for me it's face Adam Pavlasek of the Czech months ago before losing the title French 22nd seed Richard semi-finals last month. German Grozer Gyorgy no different. I already achieved Republic for a place in the last match to Andy Murray. Gasquet slumped to a 6-3, 6-4, Former French Open cham- proved again to be a great my dream to be back here 32. Argentina's Juan Martin Del 5-7, 6-2 loss against Spain's pion Garbine Muguruza, the 14th asset for Al Arabi after top- healthy. Now we'll see how far I It was the kind of trouble-free Potro, a semi-finalist in 2013, David Ferrer. seed, defeated Russia's Ekater- scoring for the winning can go," Federer said. first round Djokovic would have defeated Australian Thanasi Kok- In the women's draw, Karo- ina Alexandrova 6-2, 6-4. team with 23 points from 18 Djokovic, a three-time Wim- been hoping for after the most kinakis 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 as lina Pliskova underlined why Australian qualifier Arina devastating spikes and five bledon champion, was leading turbulent period of his career, the the 29th seed moved towards a she is the bookmakers' favour- Rodionova, ranked 166th, saved aces, while Mohammed 6-3, 2-0 when Slovakian world 12-time major winner losing in potential third round classic ite to win Wimbledon as the seven match points before Ibrahim added 13 points. Liu number 47 Martin Klizan retired the Australian Open second against Djokovic. world number three crushed defeating Russian 16th seed Houng Jie led Taichung after just 40 minutes on Centre round and the French Open Australia's Bernard Tomic said Evgeniya Rodina 6-1, 6-4. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 3-6, Commercial Bank with only Court due to a calf problem. quarter-finals. he had lost his "respect" for The 25-year-old Czech 7-6 (8/6), 9-7. eight points. SPORT 5 JULY 2017 WEDNESDAY 21

NHL free agents following NBA path in picking destinations

New York AP A pack of cyclists ride during the 207,5 km evin Shattenkirk fourth stage of the 104th edition of the Tour could've got more de France cycling race between Mondorf-les- Kmoney but took less to Bains and Vittel, yesterday. join the New York Rangers. Joe Thornton could've got a multiyear deal from some- one but wanted to stay with the San Jose Sharks. Brian Campbell and Demare wins third stage as Patrick Sharp could've got more money the past two summers but took the Chi- cago discount to return the Blackhawks. The NHL is becoming Thomas and Cavendish crash more like the NBA with top players forgoing longer, big- money contracts to pick their Vittel, France TOUR DE FRANCE RESULTS journalists. Sagan did go to the France's Arnaud Demare preferred destination, a trend AFP Dimension Data bus after the that has added a new wrin- Results from Tour de France (Mondorf-les-Bains - celebrates as he crosses the race to speak to Cavendish, who kle to free agency. Vittel, 207.5 km) on Tuesday finish line at the end of the ritish sprint great crashed out of the 2014 Tour in "It's their opportunity to 1. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 4:53:54" 207,5 km fourth stage of Tour Mark Cavendish was the first stage after breaking his go to where they want to go 2. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha) ST de France yesterday. taken to hospital by 3. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) collarbone in a sprint finish fall and sometimes you might ambulance after a 4. Nacer Bouhanni (France / Cofidis) he later admitted was his fault. have to take a little bit less spectacular crash in 5. Adrien Petit (France / Direct Energie) While Thomas was able to money to go there," Dallas Bthe sprint finish to the Tour de 6. Juergen Roelandts (Belgium / Lotto) get up and ride on to the finish, Stars general manager Jim France fourth stage won by 7. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) Cavendish had needed medical Nill said. "Do you want to go France's Arnaud Demare 8. Manuele Mori (Italy / UAE Team Emirates) assistance as he lay on the to a good team? Is it a city you

yesterday. 9. Tiesj Benoot (Belgium / Lotto) ground in obvious pain. want to go to? Is it where your

Race leader Geraint Thomas In all the furore of another family wants to be? ... It's 10. Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic / Quick-Step) was also taken down in a sepa- bunch pile-up, French cham- players finding the right fit for rate crash in the final kilometre pion Demare's achievement of where they want to be and of the 207.5km stage from Mon- against the metal barriers on the becoming the first Frenchman having the money that they dorf-les-Bains to Vittel. side of the road and crashed to win a Tour stage in a sprint can live with." Briton Thomas, who had hard, with two riders, including finish since 2006 was almost Shattenkirk is not exactly warned on Monday that he just German John Degenkolb, hitting lost. LeBron James, but the New wanted to stay clear of trouble, the stricken Briton as they som- His win allowed him to Rochelle, New York, native hit the deck for the second time ersaulted over the top of him. claim the sprinters' green jersey filled that role on Saturday in three stages. Cavendish did finish the from German Marcel Kittel, win- when he turned down offers "It's ok, both times I man- stage but later left his Dimen- ner of Sunday's second stage but of seven years and over $30 aged to take off quite a bit of sion Data team bus with his arm who was held up by the first million to sign with the Rang- speed (before crashing)," said in a sling as he was taken to hos- crash and unable to contest the ers for $26.6 million over just Thomas. pital by ambulance. sprint. Sagan took second place four years. The 28-year-old "I'm used to crashing, so it's "Mark Cavendish hurt his with Norway's Alexander Krist- defenseman felt like it may fine, I'm all ok." shoulder and hand. On his way off third on the stage. be his only opportunity to His crash came on a bend to the hospital for further exam- Sagan's time bonus on the "fulfill a lifelong dream" and just inside the final kilometre inations," said Dimension Data line helped him move up to sec- wants to help pull off what but Cavendish's fall looked more on Twitter. ond overall at seven seconds LeBron did in Cleveland. damaging, just inside the final "If I was Sagan, I'd apologise behind Thomas, with reigning "No matter where you go 100 metres. for that," Cavendish's sports champion Chris Froome, who you're trying to win your Cavendish was baulked by director at Dimension Data was held up by the first crash, team a Stanley Cup," Shatten- world champion Peter Sagan Roger Hammond told third at 12sec. kirk said.

Australian Durant said to men suffer I've lost all my motivation: Tomic sign two-year Wimbledon London out there. "I couldn't care less if sport. But I think I don't respect behind Nick Kyrgios -- another deal with AFP I make a fourth-round US Open it enough. troubled character. or I lose first round. To me, eve- "It's my choice. I know I have But his world ranking has wipeout ernard Tomic admitted rything is the same. I'm going to to work hard. For sure I don't do slumped from a career high of Warriors yesterday he had lost all play another 10 years, and I the right work." 17 last year down to 59. London Bmotivation for tennis and know after my career I won't Tomic reached the Wimble- "I just can't seem to find the Los Angeles Reuters couldn't care less if he won or have to work again. don quarter-finals in 2011 and commitment to work hard, to AFP lost as every single Australian "You have to respect the is the Australian number two enjoy, and to lift trophies," he ustralian tennis suffered crashed out of Wimbledon men's admitted. evin Durant and the a humiliating wipeout first round. Australia's Bernard Tomic "I'm just not super pleased, Golden State Warriors Ayesterday with all six of The talented Tomic was once reacts against Germany's not happy with myself. Khave agreed on a two- their men's singles hopefuls mooted as a rising star of the Mischa Zverev during their "I'm still 24, and it's tough to year contract worth about eliminated in the first round for sport but says he has hit a men- men's singles first round find motivation." $53m in a move that comes just the second time since tal block, facing another decade match at Wimbledon, Tomic accepted he could two days after they came to World War Two. drifting around the tour earning yesterday. shake up his support team in a terms with superstar Stephen Bernard Tomic's lacklus- money but with little chance of bid to get his career going again Curry. tre straight sets loss to Mischa breaking the big four's strangle- but said: "I don't think I really Durant, who is an unre- Zverev, was followed by a hold on the major prizes. want it". stricted free agent, will have stronger effort from Thanasi "Holding a trophy or doing Tomic's 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 defeat a player option on the second Kokkinakis who pushed Juan well, it doesn't satisfy me any- to 27th seed Zverev was all over year, American sports broad- Martin del Potro hard before more. It's not there," the in an hour and 24 minutes. caster ESPN reported losing in four sets. 24-year-old said after being "I don't know what was yesterday. But Jordan Thompson dumped out by Germany's Mis- wrong with him but I could def- The 28-year-old Durant was the final Australian to cha Zverev, as all seven initely tell he was not 100 is expected to have an annual lose in the first round to 25th Australian men flopped at the percent," said Zverev. salary of between $25m and seeded Spaniard Albert first hurdle. "Between points he was $26m Ramos-Vinolas. Nick Kyrgios, "I wasn't mentally and phys- walking slowly, and he definitely The Warriors came to Andrew Whittington and John ically there with my mental state acted like something was terms with point guard Curry Millman all lost on Monday. to perform. I felt a little bit bored wrong." on a five-year, $201m con- tract on Saturday. Durant left the Okla- homa City Thunder last summer to sign with the Warriors. Minella plays Wimbledon while 4.5 months pregnant He played a key role this season in leading Golden London Azarenka as a tennis mum. The world number 82 posted Defending champion Serena State to its second National AFP Minella lost 6-1, 6-1 to Ital- a picture on her Facebook Williams is expecting her first Basketball Association ian veteran Francesca Schiavone account yesterday showing hus- child in September and is sitting championship in three years uxembourg's Mandy but she caught the eye with her band and coach Tim Sommer out the tournament this year. over the Cleveland Minella (pictured) is play- loose-fitting dress covering a kneeling in front of her on a Fellow former world number Cavaliers. Ling at Wimbledon while small bump. Wimbledon court, kissing her one Azarenka only returned to In this year's NBA finals, four and a half months pregnant, "Wimbledon is my last tour- stomach. the tour in June after giving birth Durant averaged 35.2 points, it was reported yesterday, as the nament this season," Minella, Minella is also due to play to son Leo in December and 8.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists 31-year-old prepares to join Ser- whose baby is due at the of the women's doubles with Latvia's reached the second round of as the Warriors won the ena Williams and Victoria year, told reporters. Anastasija Sevastova. Wimbledon on Monday evening series in five games. 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 5 JULY 2017 Pakistan rewards Sarfraz with Test captaincy

Islamabad Players get richer Twenty20s, winning seven and AFP losing just one. The Test captaincy has been akistan yesterday vacant since Misbah-ul-Haq rewarded Sarfraz Ahmed $100k retired after winning a three- Pwith the country's Test Every player of the match Test series 2-1 in the West captaincy, a fortnight after he Champions Trophy Indies in May this year. Open- led the national team to an elu- winning team gets a prize ing batsman Azhar Ali was the sive Champions Trophy title in of $100,000 other contender. England. Ahmed said leading Paki- Underdogs Pakistan announce Ahmed as our Test stan in all three formats is a trounced India by a record 180- in addition to one-day great honour. run margin in the final in and Twenty20 captain," Khan "I am honoured to be London on June 18 to lift the said. appointed Test captain," he said Champions Trophy, to the shock The 30-year-old will lead during the ceremony. "I will do and ecstasy of the -mad Pakistan in the three-match Test my best to lift the team in all country. series against Sri Lanka, likely three formats and will not rest Pakistan Cricket Board to be held on the neutral venue on Champions Trophy chairman Shaharyar Khan of the United Arab Emirates in laurels." named Sarfraz Test captain at a October. Sharif rewarded every ceremony honouring the win- Ahmed has already led member of the Trophy winning ning team hosted by Prime Pakistan in nine one-day inter- team with a prize of 10m rupees Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islam- nationals since last year, ($100,000) while members of Players and officials of Pakistan cricket team, which won the Champions Trophy last month, abad yesterday. winning seven and losing two. the team management received pose for a group photo following a ceremony, honouring the national team hosted by Prime "I take this opportunity to He has also led in eight 5m ($50,000). Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad, yesterday. England's Root set to make Pay row: Continue previous deal for 12 captaincy debut at Lord's months, says Clarke Sydney 4-match Test series England's Joe scored more than his 4,594 Test Reuters against South Africa Root during nets runs and only India captain Virat ahead of first Test Kohli betters him in all forms of ustralia's cricketers and Root was named as the international game. board should extend against South Test captain four "What will make Joe's life their previous agreement Africa at Lord's in A months ago to easiest of all is if he's doing well by 12 months while they London, yesterday. replace Alastair Cook himself," wrote former England attempt to find a solution to a captain Nasser Hussain in the bitter pay dispute, former cap- Daily Mail. tain Michael Clarke (pictured) South Africa will be "My first England coach said yesterday. without their captain Duncan Fletcher used to tell the The previous Memorandum Du Plessis in the press when I was struggling of Understanding (MoU) expired series-opening match that I was one of the team's all- at midnight on Friday with no rounders. I knew it was sign of a deal in place, leaving rubbish." around 230 leading cricketers players say it has underpinned London Root looks set to move him- without contracts and the fate the game's growth and prosper- Reuters self one place down the order to of future tours in limbo. ity over the past 20 years. four, with Ballance in at three. Once the deadline passed, "I don't want the Australian he waiting ends for Cook remains in the team as Australia's players threatened players to be unprepared England's new Test opener, while Middlesex seamer to boycott an "A" team tour of because they have been con- captain Toby Roland-Jones looks likely South Africa later this month centrating on something else; tomorrow when he to make his debut on his home unless a new agreement was give them 12 months and let leads his side out for ground in the absence of the struck with Cricket Australia them concentrate on the Tthe start of a four-match series injured Chris Woakes and Jake beforehand. cricket," Clarke said. against South Africa at Lord's, Ball. Spinner Liam Dawson is "What needs to happen is "I don't want to see any nearly four months after his another option in the 12. keep the current MoU for the cricket missed." appointment. Although South Africa are next 12 months and allow the The ACA has called on CA For all the positivity sur- ranked two places above Eng- players to get back to what they chief executive James Suther- rounding his coronation in team-mate , who successor to Alastair. He has land at two in the world, they do best," Clarke told reporters land to come to the negotiating February, when he was hailed has been twice discarded as sub- learnt his game at the top level have been depleted by the loss at Nine Network's marketing table but he has remained silent as the only credible candidate to standard, instead of Middlesex's and will thrive on the extra of captain Faf du Plessis, who launch for the Ashes. since emailing players in May, succeed Alastair Cook, Root's Dawid Malan or the promising responsibility." has stayed at home to be with "Cricket Australia, the ACA informing them they would be first squad has received a mixed Surrey opener Mark Root is less experienced than his wife after the birth of their (Australian Cricketers' Associ- unemployed if they failed to reception, with doubts over Stoneman. any of his 79 predecessors in the first child. Dean Elgar takes over ation), please go behind closed agree to a new MoU by the June whether it will deliver the "bold With England threatening to job, however, and tomorrow will as skipper. doors and sort this in private. 30 deadline. and brave" brand of cricket field a five-man pace attack for only be the fifth time he has cap- Theunis de Bruyn, who "The players want to play... "It does seem very strange. demanded by the England and the first time since 1993, the tained a first-class side. played his only Test in New Zea- let's allow them to play while You've got to wonder what the Wales Cricket Board (ECB). team lacks the fizz normally He takes over a team humil- land in March, is likely to replace this stuff gets sorted out in the hell is going on," former Aus- Although the sport is on a associated with a new era. iated 4-0 last winter by India Du Plessis in an inexperienced background." tralia captain Ian Chappell said. high after the recent announce- The captain can at least rely and looking to use a seven-Test line up which also features At the heart of the acrimo- "They've done a few strange ment of a 1.1bn pounds ($1.4 bn), on the complete support of his summer -- a three-match series Heino Kuhn on debut at the top nious dispute is Cricket things and Sutherland not being five-year TV deal, the five-day new team. Senior players were against West Indies follows of the order. Australia's (CA) insistence that involved is one of them. game faces a fight to retain the counseled on who should suc- South Africa -- to build towards With a long-term the two-decade-old model, "I don't see a really good interest of an increasingly ceed Cook and were unanimous an Ashes winter. Besides win- absentee with a shoulder injury, under which players get a fixed reason for him not to be." diverted public and would rel- in suggesting Root. ning both this summer's series, the tourists will hope that Ver- percentage of revenue, should Further tournaments, ish a champagne summer. "Yes (England coach) Trevor Root will be desperate to ensure non Philander has fully be jettisoned. including a two-test tour of Instead, Root risks uncork- Bayliss spoke to me and others," that he continues to score the runs recovered from the ankle injury CA believes the revenue- Bangladesh and a one-day ing what some predict may be a said seamer Stuart Broad on that have been his hallmark since that caused him to sit out the share model is unfit for modern international series in India also rather a dull vintage by insisting Skysports yesterday. bursting into the team in 2012. warm-up fixture against Eng- times and is starving grass- remain in doubt if the dispute on the recall of his Yorkshire "Joe was the natural In five years, no batsman has land Lions with an ankle injury. roots cricket of funding, while continues to linger on. Woods makes rehab progress

Los Angeles going forward with my doctors, in the Bahamas but has played I recently AFP family and friends. I am so very only twice this year, missing the thankful for all of the support I've cut at Torrey Pines and with- completed an out ormer world number one received." drawing from the European of state private Tiger Woods says he has Woods did not provide any Tour's Dubai Desert Classic in intensive program. Ffinished a programme to details of the treatment or type February. help him manage his medica- of program and did not say when In April, Woods announced he I will continue to tions, following his arrest in May he expected to return to golf. had undergone his fourth back tackle this going for impaired driving. Woods was arrested May 29 operation since 2014 to ease back Woods said he would move near his Florida home for and leg pain and would miss the forward with my forward with his next round of impaired driving. A breathalyzer remainder of the season. Former world number doctors, family and treatment to ease back pain and test showed no sign of alcohol Woods, whose 79 career PGA one Tiger Woods sleep issues with the help of his but a police video showed Woods Tour wins are three shy of Sam friends, says says he has finished physician and relatives. struggling to answer questions Snead's all-time record, has not former World No.1 a programme to "I recently completed an out and he said later he did not real- won a major title since the 2008 help him manage his of state private intensive pro- ize how prescription drugs he US Open and has not won any medications. gram," the golfing icon wrote was taking might interact. event since the 2013 World Golf Monday on his Twitter account. Woods made a comeback Championships Bridgestone "I will continue to tackle this from back surgery in December Invitational. WEDNESDAY 5 JULY 2017 SPORT 23

All Blacks Competitiveness sets Premier feel the pressure

League apart: Former executive Auckland Reuters Mumbai from 2011, said in an interview. Barcelona and Real Madrid "I know La Liga's aspiration Reuters "I am sure the Premier have won all but one league title would be to be as competitive he All Blacks are League will continue to do what between them in the last 15 sea- throughout the entire league as chomping at the bit he sheer competitive- it can to make sure its content is sons, with Atletico Madrid the Premier League. That's got to Tto get back out on ness of the Premier as compelling, competitive and emerging winners in the 2013-14 be its ambition." the pitch and avenge only League makes it (essential) as it ever has been. season, which most critics blame La Liga has also had to deal their fifth loss in more extremely attractive for "The way in which the com- on a wide gulf in resources. with negative headlines sur- than six years against the broadcasters and gives mercial world then responds to Under the previous model, rounding fraud cases for its British and Irish Lions on Tits clubs the financial might to that is by the rights fees they will every La Liga club had to nego- leading players in Spain. Saturday. lure top talent from around the pay." tiate individual TV deals, which Ronaldo, Portugal's all-time Scrumhalf Aaron world, a former league executive Leicester, who were 5,000-1 created a very unequal share of leading scorer, was the latest in Smith and lock Brodie has said. outsiders at the start of the 2015- revenue. But a bill was passed in a long line of global stars -- Retallick both said they The English Premier League 16 season, showcased the intense 2015 to ensure a collective sale of among them Barcelona's Messi would have been happy signed a jaw-dropping £5.136bn competition in the English top TV rights both domestically and and Neymar -- to be caught up to put on their boots on ($6.66bn) domestic TV rights deal flight with their success, by prov- Nic overseas. in cases concerning tax or trans- Monday so desperate in 2015 for three seasons starting ing that any side was capable of Coward "Great credit to the leadership fers. It was, however, difficult to were they to put wrong 2016-17, significantly increasing beating another on any given day. of La Liga, who over the last say what impact the cases would the rights of the 24-21 its financial dominance over rival Coward, who works as a con- the Premier League who are in maybe three-four years have have on the La Liga, said Cow- defeat last weekend. leagues. sultant for India's Pro Kabaddi the top levels of buying power of gone through the process with the ard, adding that the Premier They will, of course, English champions Chelsea League, believes the fair distri- talent around the world. That has clubs of moving from individual League was absolutely commit- have to wait until Satur- earned £150.8m from the Premier bution of broadcast revenues got to be a very good thing for the selling of broadcasting rights, ted and made a concerted effort day at Eden Park to get League, while bottom side Sun- allows all 20 clubs in the league league. which created a very skewed or that these issues do not happen. stuck into the tourists derland were paid more than to attract top talent. "Competitive balance, that's unequal revenue share of the "The test of time will be what again in a winner-takes- Leicester City received as the The strength of the league what the Premier League deliv- total broadcast revenue pie," the attending fans' and the view- all deciding third test at 2016 title winners thanks to the was further underlined by attend- ers and that's the Premier Coward said. ing fans' reaction to that is," their Auckland fortress. new contract. ances at stadiums, Coward said. League's strength." "So La Liga's distribution dif- Coward said. "Right now there's "Broadcasters are rational, "Great players in a seriously While Spanish clubs have ference (between the top and "The clubs and La Liga will be more pressure within the commercial organisations and atmospheric stadium and putting many of the world's leading play- bottom club)... is down to the working incredibly hard to make group. It's do or die, now pay what they feel is right," Nic on a great show; that's the Pre- ers, including Lionel Messi and smallest it has ever been. I think sure that everything they can or never I suppose," Coward, who worked as the Pre- mier League's business model," Cristiano Ronaldo, La Liga has it's down to just below 4:1. I influence, which is ultimately the Retallick told a news mier League's general secretary he said. often been criticised for a lack of remember talking about it being product, what happens on the conference. for more than four years "You then have 20 clubs in competition. 10:1 and 12:1. field of play, is the best it can be." "It would be good just to go to Saturday right now and not have to bother about the rest of the week. But we'll build B asking German federation well, and there are a few India wants to hold things we didn't get right on attack that we'll get under-20 World Cup sorted. There's a lot rid- registers seven million players ing on it." Retallick, whose New Delhi League, now expanded monumental effort in the AFP to 10 teams, has Berlin All Blacks' engine room increased the popular- AFP helped New Zealand to a ndia put itself for- ity of football, especially 30-15 victory in the first ward yesterday to among the Indian youth. asking in international glory, the test at Eden Park, said the Ihost the Under-20 "With India hosting German football federation said Lions had raised the World Cup in 2019, as the FIFA U-17 World Byesterday that the number of physicality stakes in the country prepares to Cup India 2017... we feel players registered in the country had game two. stage its first interna- hosting the U-20 World broken through the seven-million "The physicality and tional football Cup would be the best mark. intensity of the first two tournament later this way to sustain the foot- The federation said 7,043,964 men matches have been year. balling momentum in and women were registered members, huge," he added. Praful Patel, the All India," Patel said in a an increase of 74,500 from the same "Especially on their India Football Federa- statement. time last year. behalf, I thought they tion president, said the The Under-20 The growth, in a country of almost were a lot more physical competition in two years World Cup was held this 83 million people, is largely attributed and confrontational than would be the next "log- year in South Korea, so to the success of Germany's interna- in week one. ical step for the FIFA may be reluctant to tional teams. "We need to sort that development of football see it go to Asia a second The men's team are reigning out and make sure we're in India". straight time. World Cup champions and have just going back at it this Sat- India is to host the The Under-17 World won the Confederations Cup in Rus- urday because we can't Under-17 World Cup in Cup will be held in six sia, while the under-21 side were let it happen again." October. Indian cities from Octo- crowned European champions on Fri- "I could play today, The Indian Super ber 6-28. day. The German women's team are that's how ready I am. Olympic and European champions. German players celebrate the 2017 Confederations Cup victory. These are the ones you remember and it's going to be a long week in prep but it'll all be worth it if Lejeune Chinese ref we get the processes right Swansea's to go out and play our brand of footy," Halfback signs for 'beaten' Smith said. Ki to miss Smith praised the Shanghai effort of his pack after Newcastle AFP they were forced to face start of season up to the Lions with a London he Chinese FA launched man fewer for 55 minutes AFP London an investigation into a on Saturday after the per- Reuters Tmatch where a fourth sonnel reshuffle in the rench defender Florian official was reportedly wake of the dismissal of Lejeune has signed a wansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng attacked following a contro- Sonny Bill Williams. Ffive-year deal to join (pictured) will miss the start of the Pre- versial draw that triggered He said the All Blacks, Newcastle United, the Pre- Smier League campaign due to a knee claims of match-fixing. held try-less in a test for mier League club said injury, the Welsh club have confirmed. Baoding Rongda were the first time since 2014, yesterday. The South Korea captain sustained the leading 2-1 when the referee had been "disappointed" The 26-year-old central injury during last month's 3-2 win at Qatar awarded visitors Wuhan Zall with failing to do better defender from La Liga club in their 2018 World Cup qualifier and under- a penalty during seven min- in unleashing their attack. Eibar is Magpies manager went a minor operation after returning to utes of stoppage time at the "They really fronted Rafael Benitez's second sum- his country. end of Saturday's fixture in up on defence and closed mer signing, for a reported £ There is no set timeline for the 28-year- China's second division. The up that tight space," he 8.7m (€9.9m). old's recovery. spot-kick was converted and added. Earlier in the summer "He will remain in South Korea to con- the match ended 2-2. "We didn't react well Benitez signed Chelsea tinue his rehabilitation, before returning to Angry fans pelted the to that. There was actu- winger Christian Atsu, who Swansea after Paul Clement's squad return match officials with debris as ally a lot more space than helped Newcastle win pro- from their pre-season tour to America," they were escorted by secu- we thought and we motion back to the Premier Swansea said on their website (www.swan- rity personnel from the pitch maybe didn't adapt as League during a loan spell last seacity.com). at the end, reported state-run well as hoped. season. "The club's medical team have been out newspaper the Beijing News. "We usually find a Lejeune moves to New- to South Korea to assess him following the Baoding chairman Meng way and our bench castle after a long a spell in operation." Yongli burst into tears at a comes on and finishes Spain that started with Villar- The former Celtic mid- chaotic post-match press con- really strong but that's all real in 2011. He was signed by fielder made 23 league ference, alleging his side had about learning. There are Manchester City during the appearances last season as been cheated out of the win. opportunities there and summer of 2015 but was Swansea escaped relegation The fourth official Yang they'll be there Saturday immediately loaned out to in the closing stages of the Kaizi has been beaten up in his so we've got to be good Girona, before making a per- campaign. dressing room, but the news- enough to see them and manent switch to Eibar 12 paper did not say who was take them." months later. responsible for the attack.