FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 3 CCYCLINGYCLING | Page 7 Tuchel hungry Brilliant for more Bernal wins aft er guiding 2021 Giro Chelsea to win d’Italia

Monday, May 31, 2021 TENNIS Shawwal 19, 1442 AH Osaka fi ned aft er GULF TIMES win, warned of expulsion SPORT Page 2 TENNIS / FRENCH OPEN Andujar knocks Thiem out, Zverev survives scare ‘I believed in myself because I played well (vs Federer) two weeks ago. Usually being drawn against Thiem is a bad draw’

Reuters against Minnen in her three-set- Paris, France ter yesterday. Kvitova, who reached the semi-fi nals at Roland Garros in wo-time runner-up 2012 and last year, struggled with Dominic Thiem was her serve from the start and suf- knocked out in the fi rst fered service breaks in her fi rst round of the French two games. OpenT by Spanish journeyman The 11th seed fought back val- Pablo Andujar 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, iantly to take the opening set to a 6-4 in the fi rst major upset of the tie-breaker under slightly windy claycourt Grand Slam yesterday. conditions on the Suzanne Leng- Sixth seed Alexander Zverev len court only to lose it by serving rallied from two sets down to three double faults. beat qualifi er Oscar Otte 3-6, The Czech was down 30-40 at 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0, even as two- 6-5 in the second set and star- time Wimbledon champion Petra ing at a fi rst-round exit at Roland Kvitova saved a match point en Garros for the fi rst time since route to a 6-7 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-1 vic- 2010 but saved the matchpoint tory over Belgian qualifi er Greet with a crosscourt backhand win- Minnen. ner and then levelled things in It fi rst seemed that Andu- the tiebreaker. jar’s win against 20-time Grand Her confi dence soared in the Slam winner Roger Federer in decider and she jumped to a 5-0 Geneva earlier this month would lead in no time, losing just three count for nothing. But Austrian points on serve in the third set. Thiem’s game began to unravel Kvitova will next meet Russian after a dominant start on court Elena Vesnina, who strolled past Philippe Chatrier. Belarusian Olga Govortsova 6-1, Thiem, who reached the fi nal Spain’s Pablo Andujar celebrates after winning his French Open first round match against Austria’s Dominic 6-0. in Paris in 2018 and 2019, had Thiem (below) at Roland Garros in Paris, France, yesterday. (Reuters) never lost in the opening round SABALENKA ADVANCES at Roland Garros, but that pros- “Like all the shots are miss- Third seed Aryna Sabalenka pect grew as Andujar went for his ing power. They are not accurate moved into the second round of shots and unsettled his 27-year- enough. I’m moving not well the French Open with a 6-4, 6-3 old opponent. enough, so everything in my victory over Croatian qualifi er Thiem broke back after con- game there are some percents Ana Konjuh. ceding a break in the fi rst game of missing.” Sabalenka, who is seeking her the decider, but Andujar kept on Andujar, on the other hand, maiden Grand Slam title, sent piling up the pressure with deep was on a roll after beating Federer out a warning earlier this month strokes and broke again for 3-2. on the Geneva clay. when she won the Madrid Open The 35-year-old, ranked 68th “I believed in myself because I but she started on the back foot in the world, then held serve played well (against Federer) two when she was broken in the fi rst throughout to claim victory after weeks ago. Usually being drawn game and soon found herself 4-2 nearly four-and-a-half hours af- against Thiem is a bad draw,” the down in 20 minutes. ter Thiem made a total of 66 un- Spaniard said. However, Sabalenka doubled forced errors. “Winning today against a down and found her bearings be- Thiem, who took a break to ‘re- player like him is like a gift, even fore her aggression came to the set his game’ earlier this season if he has not been at his best re- fore as she created angles to open and also battled injuries, entered cently, because I’m 35 and I don’t up the court and capitalise with the tournament short of confi - know how long I’m going to be Germany’s Alexander Zverev returns the ball to compatriot Oscar Otte powerful winners to take a 5-4 dence and yesterday’s clash with playing for. (not pictured) during their French Open first round match at Roland lead. Andujar showed he had yet to re- “Beating Roger was an even Garros in Paris, France, yesterday. (AFP) Konjuh, a former junior world discover his touch even though bigger gift. I feel like Father fi rst two sets on the Suzanne the 152nd ranked Otte in the fi rst number one looking to mount a he had reached the semi-fi nals at Christmas came to my home.” Lenglen Court but the 24-year- meeting between the two Ger- and more sting in his serves. man Safi ullin or Carlos Taberner career comeback after a series of the Madrid Masters this month. Later, Zverev too seemed old German found a diff erent mans for the remainder of the Zverev has now won all seven of Spain. elbow surgeries, went on the de- “I was not struggling at all headed for an early exit like gear to completely turn the con- contest as Zverev’s movement of his fi ve-set contests at Roland fensive and handed the opening with my motivation but the game Thiem, who beat him at the 2020 test around. on the red clay improved and he Garros and will next meet anoth- KVITOVA SURVIVES MINNEN set to Sabalenka when she dou- was just not there today,” he said. US Open fi nal, when he lost the It was one way traffi c against found more power in his shots er qualifi er, either Russian Ro- Kvitova survived a big scare ble-faulted on set point.

FOOTBALL Qatar has great infrastructure, world-class facilities: India’s Fernandes

By Sports Reporter the second half and once we had Doha the momentum, we tried creat- ing opportunities. It was a great game for us and we defended re- idfi elder Bran- ally well,” Fernandes, who was don Fernandes has brought on as a substitute in the praised the infra- second half last time round, was structure and fa- quoted as saying by Goal.com. Mcilities in Qatar ahead of India’s With their star captain Sunil clash with the Asian champions Chhetri absent from that match in Doha on June 3. due to injury, the defence had put The last time the two teams on a spectacular show holding off met, Igor Stimac-coached India the likes of Almoez Ali and Has- had halted Qatar’s eight-match san al-Haydos. winning run in Asia with a goal- “The last time we were in Qa- less draw back in September tar the stadium was pretty cool. 2019. There was no humidity. It was Felix Sanchez’s men had scored pretty well-conditioned. Amaz- as many as 25 goals in those eight ing conditions to play football. In matches, but could not get one fact, Qatar have great infrastruc- past India’s goalkeeper Gurpreet ture and world-class facilities for Singh Sandhu. India’s Brandon Fernandes. (Twitter/IndianFootball) football. It will be a great feeling Al Sadd’s Jassim Bin Hamad to play at Al Saad’s home ground. Stadium will play host to the two joint qualifi cation fi xture. tar are a very good team and we (I’m) looking forward to a good teams yet again in their World “We went into the match with cannot aff ord to concede early. experience to play there,” Fern- Cup 2022 and Asian Cup 2023 a positive mindset. We knew Qa- We wanted to be in the game till andes said. India coach Igor Stimac speaks to his players during a training session in Doha. (Twitter/IndianFootball) Gulf Times 2 Monday, May 31, 2021 TENNIS

FRENCH OPEN FOCUS Diff erent year, same failure for Kerber at Osaka Roland Garros fi ned aft er win,

Germany’s Angelique Kerber returns the ball to Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina (below) during their French Open first round match at Roland warned of Garros in Paris yesterday. (AFP) Reuters “She started well and had Paris, France nothing to lose, while it took me too long to get into the contest,” Kerber said afterwards. ormer world number In her last six tries she has one Angelique Kerber’s failed to make it past the opening expulsion poor record at the French round on fi ve occasions. Open got no help yes- Kerber is now eager to play on terdayF when the German was a surface on which she fares bet- knocked out in the fi rst round by ter. Ukrainian qualifi er Anhelina Ka- “I will try to learn from the linina. match now because I played good Japan’s Naomi Osaka serves the ball In an indication that the 26th the last few weeks and I had good to Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig (not seed, who has never made it past matches,” she said. pictured) during their French Open the quarter-fi nals here despite “I did the best preparation I first round match at Roland Garros in winning the other three Grand could do in the last few weeks on Paris, France, yesterday. (AFP) Slams once each, is not a top name clay, but yeah, it’s fi ne, and now on clay, Kerber was scheduled to I’m looking forward to Wimble- play on the outside court 14. don for the grass court season, She bowed out with a 6-2, 6-4 and it sounds much better for World No. 2 fined $15,000 for skipping news conference after victory over Tig defeat for her third fi rst-round me, so I’m happy that the next loss in a row on the Paris dirt. Grand Slam is on grass.” Reuters Slams said in a statement yes- son after early defeats in Madrid to ignore her media obligations ing her opening match on a sun- Paris, France terday that the French Open or- and Rome. during the tournament, she bathed Philippe Chatrier court, ganisers had asked Osaka to re- Osaka, who according to would be exposing herself to however. consider her position and tried sports business website Sporti- possible further Code of Con- Asked in her courtside inter- aomi Osaka was fi ned unsuccessfully to speak with her co earned $55.2 mn over the past duct infringement consequenc- view about how she adapts her $15,000 by Grand Slam to resolve the matter. 12 months, has previously used es,” the board of the four Grand game to the surface, Osaka said: organisers for skipping “The Australian Open, Ro- her platform and considerable Slams added. “It’s a work in progress. Hope- a news conference fol- land Garros, Wimbledon and media attention to highlight is- “As might be expected, repeat fully the more I play the better Nlowing her fi rst-round win at the US Open jointly wrote to her sues of police violence and racial violations attract tougher sanc- I play.” the French Open yesterday, and to check on her well-being and inequality. tions including default from the “I’m really glad that I won. was also warned of possible ex- off er support, underline their tournament... and the trigger It’s a beautiful court. I’ve only pulsion from Roland Garros and commitment to all athletes’ MEDIA DUTY of a major off ence investigation played two matches here (on future majors if she fails to meet well-being and suggest dia- While announcing her deci- that could lead to more substan- Philippe Chatrier), one before her media commitments. logue,” the statement read. sion on Twitter to boycott news tial fi nes and future Grand Slam the roof and one now, so hope- In the run up to the claycourt “She was also reminded of her conferences she said she hoped suspensions.” fully I’ll keep it going.” major, the world number two obligations, the consequences of the “considerable amount” The board said it would be Osaka, who missed last year’s announced she would boycott not meeting them and that rules that she expected to forfeit as unfair to other players if Osaka tournament due to a hamstring news conferences while in Paris should equally apply to all play- fi nes would go towards a mental refuses to face the press while problem, was not keen on en- to raise awareness of players’ ers. health charity. others honour their commit- gaging in long rallies and seemed mental well-being, saying the “Naomi Osaka today chose Rafael Nadal, a 20-times ments. too powerful against the 63rd- nature of questions from jour- not to honour her contractual Grand Slam winner, and wom- “We will see how everything ranked Tig. nalists is like “kicking a person media obligations. The Roland en’s world number one Ashleigh will end up,” two-time Wim- She stamped her authority on when they are down”. Garros referee has therefore is- Barty have said they believe bledon winner Petra Kvitova the match early with a 5-2 lead Osaka started her French sued her a $15,000 fi ne.” players have a duty to address said after her win in the opening but needed a second break of Open campaign with a 6-4, 7-6 Osaka’s management did not the media. round. serve after the Romanian staged SPOTLIGHT (4) win over Romanian Patri- immediately respond to a re- Seven-time Grand Slam sin- “But me personally, I was al- a late fi ghtback. cia Maria Tig and then snubbed quest for comment. gles champion Mats Wilander ways trying to follow the rules Tig saved a break point and the post-match news confer- The 23-year-old Japanese said yesterday that Osaka should and be fair not only on the court a match point to take the sec- ence, although the four-time player, who lives in Florida, has not play tournament tennis until but off the court as well. Now it’s ond set into a tiebreaker before Panama hats, Grand Slam champion did hold never made it past the third she is ready to take part in post- up to them to decide what’s go- Osaka sealed it with a backhand a court-side interview immedi- round at Roland Garros and ar- match news conferences. ing to be.” winner to set up a second round ately after the contest. rived in Paris having played only “We have advised Naomi Osaka showed no signs of be- meeting with another Romanian shades on as sunny The board of the four Grand three matches on clay this sea- Osaka that should she continue ing distracted by the issue dur- in Ana Bogdan. French Open begins FEAT Reuters year’s French Open welcomes up Paris, France to 5,388 spectators a day before opening its gates to 13,146 a day from June 9 as Covid-19 restric- ueues were back at Ro- tions ease up in France. land Garros as spec- Osaka, the second seed, Collins wins fi rst match back tators lined up in the opened proceedings on the main morning sun to attend Philippe Chatrier court, and will theQ fi rst day of the French open, be hoping to at least reach the which kicked off in western Paris fourth round for the fi rst time. yesterday. Italian Fabio Fognini was up aft er endometriosis surgery A 300-metre line formed out- against French wildcard Gregoire side the main entrance before Barrere on court Suzanne Lenglen. AFP Collins hopes that speaking Japan’s Naomi Osaka starts her With none of the ‘Big Three’ Paris, France about her experience will en- campaign against Romanian Pa- (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, courage other women to seek tricia Maria Tig, with Osaka’s Novak Djokovic) in action yes- help if in a similar situation. refusal to hold post-match news terday, the attention was on two- merican Danielle Col- “Sometimes there isn’t a light conferences still sparking con- time runner-up Dominic Thiem, lins said suff ering with at the end of the tunnel. versation. who played Spain’s Pablo Andu- endometriosis was “So if I can ever be a friend to With temperatures reach- jar, and Greek fi fth seed Stefanos “shocking” after win- somebody and share my expe- ing 20 degrees panama hats and Tsitsipas, who played last on ningA her fi rst match since March rience, hopefully that can off er shades were de rigueur – a con- Chatrier against France’s Jeremy at the French Open yesterday. them some knowledge or infor- trast with last year’s wind jackets Chardy. The 27-year-old needed sur- mation that maybe they didn’t and umbrellas when the clay- There will be night sessions for gery after being diagnosed with know before. court Grand Slam was played in the fi rst time at the French Open the condition in which tissue “I was lucky to have a friend September-October. this year, with the ‘match of the that usually covers the inside of in my life that had endometrio- While 1,000 fans were allowed day’ starting at 9pm local time the uterus grows outside of it. sis, and that helped me identify on the ground last year, this (1900GMT) from today onwards. Endometriosis is thought to what I was dealing with. I think possibly aff ect 10 percent or just being able to talk about it more of women and some of with other women is empower- its causes are unknown. It can ing.” cause pelvic pain and infertility, The world number 50, a among other symptoms. former Australian Open semi- Collins told The Telegraph in Danielle Collins of the US returns fi nalist, will face Anhelina Ka- an interview earlier this week the ball to China’s Wang Xiyu (not linina in the next round, after that doctors removed “a cyst pictured) during their French Open the Ukrainian’s 6-2, 6-4 win the size of a tennis ball from my first round match at Roland Garros in over three-time Grand Slam ovary”. Paris, France, yesterday. (AFP) champion Angelique Kerber. But she said the surgery had “I was very worried about been a success, after beating overdoing it or doing too much Chinese qualifi er Wang Xiyu to accept it,” said Collins, who “It certainly presented its “kind of had some misdiagnoses too soon,” Collins said. 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to reach the sec- made the French Open quarter- challenges, but it’s been really along the way”. “I think I defi nitely took my ond round at Roland Garros. fi nals last year. kind of shocking, like since sur- “(I) kind of thought that that time and was very cautious, and “As most women in the world “And for me things started to gery I’ve just felt so much bet- was (a) normal (thing) to be so I think in the long run, that who have our menstrual cycles, I become too abnormal and really ter.” dealing with,” she added. really benefi ted me because you think it’s something that some- unhealthy, and it was causing a A lot of possible cases of “I didn’t realise that I would defi nitely don’t want to hurt Spectators applaud Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics during his French times when we’re dealing with lot of havoc for me around that endometriosis are never di- feel this much better after sur- yourself after undergoing sur- Open first round match against France’s Gilles Simon (not pictured) these painful moments, we learn time... agnosed, and Collins said she gery, so I’m really relieved.” gery and all of that.” yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, May 31, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Kante keeps on winning with Tuchel hungry for another midfi eld masterclass

Reuters with BT Sport. Porto “I played (at Chelsea) with more aft er guiding (French international) Claude Makelele who I thought was the helsea’s French interna- best until I saw this kid. He’s got tional N’Golo Kante ce- Makelele plus extras,” he added. mented his place as the “In the same way a striker’s fi nest central midfi elder got that instinct in front of goal, Cin the modern game with a man- he’s got that in midfi eld. (City’s of-the-match display as he Ilkay) Gundogan, (Bernardo) Sil- Chelsea to victory guided his side to a 1-0 Champi- va and (Phil) Foden couldn’t read ons League triumph over Man- it, Kante was just on it.” ‘The level is set and once the celebrations are over and we’ve all digested chester City on Saturday. Often praised for his ball- The 30-year-old was playing winning skills, Kante’s passing this experience, it’s the moment to grow, to use it to become better’ in the French second division for and running with the ball allows Caen just six years ago but since Chelsea to quickly transition then he has been on a remarkable from defence to attack. streak of trophy collecting. Kante has also won numerous He won the Premier League individual awards but has yet to with Leicester City in 2016 and be in serious contention for the then again with Chelsea the fol- biggest ones, such as the Ballon lowing year. After winning the d’Or, but he surely must be in FA Cup with the London club he with a chance this year. was then a key component of the Ex-Chelsea midfi elder, Brazil- France team which claimed the ian Ramires, believes he should 2018 World Cup. be talked about for such honours A Europa League title came — even if Kante does not have a the following season before Sat- high profi le off the fi eld. urday’s Champions League vic- “He’s very calm, always quiet. tory in Portugal. His run could He’s an extraordinary player. continue with France among He’s in every corner of the fi eld. the favourites for the European In defence, in the middle, in at- Championship which starts next tack, on the sides. He’s among month. the best in the world. The way Against City, he showed all the he’s playing is impressive,” he reasons why he has been so es- told Mais Futebol. sential to those successes. “He may turn out to be one of “Kante’s staggering. I’m shat- the top three in the world. It’s tered just watching him,” said hard for a defensive midfi elder former Chelsea midfi elder Joe to come in and win a Ballon d’Or. Cole, now a television pundit But it would be deserved”.

In this file photo, owner and president of Soccer Operations David Beckham addresses the media on February 25, 2020 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Major League Soccer handed Beckham’s Inter Miami a league-record $2mn fine for violating roster and salary rules in its signing of French international Blaise Matuidi (below). AFP

Chelsea’s German coach Thomas Tuchel celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final football match at the Dragao stadium in Porto on Saturday.

Reuters Yet with the celebrations in full fl ow, to the Cup,” Tuchel said. drid’s Diego Simeone in the last-16 of the Porto Tuchel was already plotting more silver- “We knew we needed a top level per- Champions League. ware for a young team that has emerged formance and a strong bond to have a Tuchel has also harnessed the attack- as the most likely challengers to City’s chance to win the match and this is what ing potential of young talents such as helsea manager Thomas Tuchel domestic dominance. we did. Mason Mount and Havertz, made French said he was hungry for more af- “The level is set and once the celebra- “I’m almost speechless. Very happy to World Cup winner N’Golo Kante the ter delivering the Champions tions are over and we’ve all digested this share this with the guys. The eff ort was beating heart of the team and helped Ger- League just four months after experience, it’s the moment to grow, to huge to overcome some diffi cult moments man defender Antonio Rudiger rediscover takingC charge with a 1-0 victory over use it to become better,” Tuchel, who with a fantastic attitude,” he added. his best form. Manchester City on Saturday. fi nished on the losing side in last year’s When Tuchel took charge in January, With Mount superb against City, as The German got the better of City’s Pep Champions League fi nal when Paris St Chelsea’s season seemed in freefall. They were English full backs Reece James and Guardiola for the third time this season Germain were beaten by Bayern Munich were ninth in the Premier League and, Ben Chilwell, Tuchel’s impact at Chelsea with a masterful tactical game plan that in Lisbon, told reporters. despite a plethora of expensive talent, might also help England to glory at next his team executed to perfection. “It’s absolutely crucial that we do that. lacked identity and confi dence. month’s Euro 2020 fi nals. Kai Havertz’s fi rst-half goal secured It’s a big challenge to stay hungry and go The transformation has been incred- Delivering the Champions League, the win that vindicated Chelsea owner for the next one. ible. Chelsea’s second, so early was probably Chelsea’s French midfielder N’Golo Kante (C) lifts the Champions Roman Abramovich’s decision to sack “I feel hungry, part of a really ambitious First of all Tuchel instilled some organ- even beyond the expectations of the Lon- League Trophy on Saturday. club great Frank Lampard in January and club and a strong group that supports my isation and made Chelsea tough to beat, don’s club’s owner Roman Abramovich install Tuchel. beliefs in football perfectly.” with his side keeping 12 clean sheets in his whose ruthless sacking of Lampard an- While Tuchel’s other two victories over Chelsea outplayed City on Saturday fi rst 14 matches in charge in all competi- gered fans. But once again he has come up EUPHORIC City came in the FA Cup semi-fi nal and and could have won by a bigger margin tions. trumps. the Premier League, Saturday’s triumph than Havertz’s fi rst Champions League He proved more than a match for the “I spoke to the owner on the pitch, it in Porto was on an entirely diff erent level goal had they been a little more clinical. likes of Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp and was the best moment for our fi rst meet- against a team that was being trumpeted “It was a huge achievement to arrive in Tottenham Hotspur’s Jose Mourinho in ing – or maybe the worst because it can Kai’s the limit for as the best in club football. the fi nal and even bigger to fi ght our way league wins and outsmarted Atletico Ma- only get worse now,” joked Tuchel. Chelsea fans BOTTOMLINE AFP in the streets, showed a com- London plete disregard for the present social distancing advice in Eng- Guardiola’s ‘tinkering’ raises questions once again land that groups of no more helsea fans piled into than 30 can congregate. Reuters mal level of impact on the game. the streets surround- Some climbed up to balconies Porto Guardiola said his selections had been ing the Stamford of houses raising their arms in positive ones designed to win the game. Bridge ground of the triumph – several whipping off Manchester City’s Spanish “I did the best selection I could. Cnew kings of European football their shirts to celebrate half na- t was billed as the night when Pep coach Josep Guardiola reacts Against Lyon, like I did PSG (in the semi- following their 1-0 defeat of ked on a warm night. Guardiola would lead Manchester at the end of the UEFA fi nals) and like I did against Dortmund Manchester City in the Cham- Other Chelsea fans watch- City to their fi rst Champions League Champions League final (in the quarter-fi nals). I picked the best pions League fi nal on Saturday ing the game on giant screens title but it ended with questions against Chelsea at the Dragao selection to win the game and the players in Portugal. at the Boxpark entertainment Iagain being asked about the Spaniard’s stadium in Porto on Saturday. know it,” he said. Some lit fl ares as they sang complex in Croydon, south of decision-making in the biggest games in “I think Gundogan played good, but and cheered the club’s triumph London, erupted in cheers at Europe. we missed a little bit to break the lines in earned thanks to Kai Havertz’s the fi nal whistle. Guardiola has created a team which the fi rst half. The second half was much fi rst-half goal in Porto. “I’m ecstatic. It’s amazing, has become the dominant force in Eng- better. The goal from the club’s most this is something I’ve felt be- lish football, winning three of the last “Gundogan played many years in this expensive ever signing gave the fore, a long time ago, but to re- four Premier League titles with a won- (holding) position, to be fast on the ball, Russian-owned club their sec- live it is mad. I’m really happy, I derful style of play, but for the past two to fi nd the quality players with passes, ond European crown nine years can’t believe it,” said landscape seasons they have been favourites to win between the lines and this is why I made after the fi rst in 2012. gardener Aaron Cheneoy, 36. the Champions League and stumbled this decision,” he said. Coronavirus restrictions “Why do we think we’ve won when it mattered. But Guardiola, who won the Champi- meant far fewer Chelsea sup- it? Because we’re the best team Last season the Spaniard depart- ons League twice as manager of his fi rst porters were able to attend Sat- in Europe! I mean, look what’s ed from his settled approach for the club Barcelona, is likely to face criticism urday’s clash compared to the happened this season, this is the quarter-fi nal, single leg game in Lisbon Few if any observers expected that The other switch that raised eyebrows for making unnecessary changes in ap- night they beat Bayern Munich. third time we’ve beaten City,” against unfancied Olympique Lyonnais, both would start on the bench with Il- was the recalling of out of form winger proach and personnel. Many of those who could said Bradley Smith, a 25-year- switching to an unfamiliar three-man kay Gundogan asked to drop back into Raheem Sterling on the left, a move “I think that will levelled at him be- not be there congregated in old consultant. defence as City fell to a shock 3-1 defeat. a deeper role. It was a move that simply which meant that Phil Foden, who had cause he changed the way he had played the fashionable west London In northwest England, many On Saturday, Guardiola shuffl ed his did not work. Without the protection been in a rich run of form in that posi- all season. He has always had Rodri or neighbourhood, near the sta- Manchester City fans congre- cards in an attempt to foil the tactics they normally enjoy, City’s defence was tion, was moved into a central role. Fernandinho in there but he changed it,” dium where the same support- gated in the Townley Pub in the of Chelsea’s German manager Tho- exposed early and often by Chelsea and Sterling was not eff ective on the flank, said former England defender and tel- ers had gathered for an angry city and experienced a wave mas Tuchel but in doing so left his side if striker Timo Werner been sharper the looking unsurprisingly short of con- evision pundit Rio Ferdinand. protest against Chelsea’s short- of emotions as their team fell without the key elements that had taken point would have been made emphati- fi dence, while Foden’s impact was re- “We know tactically he tinkers, he lived membership of the Euro- short of becoming European them to their fi rst Champions League cally in the fi rst half hour. duced as he tried to fi nd a role behind the might have seen a weakness in there, but pean Super League in April. champions for the fi rst time. fi nal. As if to highlight the absence of ‘false nine’ – Kevin De Bruyne. Thomas Tuchel nullifi ed any threat. A light show in the club’s blue They drowned their sorrows Either Brazilian Fernandinho or Span- Fernandinho’s solidity, strength, ball- In fact De Bruyne, arguably the best “We saw Riyad Mahrez and Raheem spelled out “Champions for the but with the consolation that iard Rodri have occupied the holding winning and ability to lead a transition, central midfi elder in the world, played Sterling played really wide, they’ve not Fans” as fi reworks went off in Pep Guardiola’s team ended midfi eld role for the past two seasons Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, the French almost as an orthodox centre-forward really done that this season and maybe the distance. the season as runaway Premier and there was some debate over which World Cup winner, delivered an out- before he went off with a head injury on that is something City did wrong,” he The fans’ joyous celebrations, League champions and retained one would start in the fi nal. standing display of just those qualities. the hour, having had well below his nor- added. standing shoulder to shoulder the League Cup. Gulf Times 4 Monday, May 31, 2021 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT China hammer Guam in front of 30,000 fans AFP yol’s Wu opened the scoring with a 20th-minute double against Asian football’s smallest member Shanghai penalty in Suzhou after being chopped down in nation. the box. China have ambitions to host and even win Jin Jingdao scored the second six minutes be- a World Cup one day, but they are ranked 77th u Lei and Brazilian-born Alan Car- fore half-time, then 29-year-old Wu crashed in in the FIFA rankings and have begun naturalis- valho both scored twice as China de- the best goal of the night on 55 minutes. ing players in recent years to boost their 2022 molished Guam 7-0 in a World Cup Wu, who struggled for game time this season chances. All remaining Group A matches for all qualifi er in front of a sell-out home as Espanyol won promotion back to Spain’s top fi ve teams will take place in a secure “bubble” in Wcrowd of 30,000 yesterday. tier, was subbed off with just under 30 minutes Suzhou as part of measures to thwart the coro- The handsome victory over the US island ter- left. navirus. ritory saw China close the gap on group leaders Former Everton midfi elder Li fi elded three nat- China face the Maldives on Thursday, followed Syria to fi ve points with three games left, but only uralised players in Brazilian-born attacking duo by more diffi cult games against the Philippines the top team is guaranteed to reach the next stage Elkeson and Carvalho, as well as former England and Syria. of qualifying for Qatar 2022. youth defender Tyias Browning. China’s most likely route to the next stage of In Li Tie’s fi rst match since being permanently Elkeson scored the fi fth and Carvalho came on qualifying for Qatar is as one of the best second- named China coach in January last year, Espan- as a sub for his debut before scoring a quickfi re placed teams in the Asian groups.

WORLD CUP AND ASIAN CUP FOCUS Tuchel factor brings new life to QFA completes Premier League

Reuters Porto

f Manchester City thought arrangements for next season’s Premier League was going to be a repeat of the last two campaigns, fend- ingI off Liverpool and Manches- ter United again, then Saturday’s Champions League fi nal defeat to Chelsea will surely have made them think again. qualifying games Liverpool should indeed be a bigger threat with a fully fi t squad including Virgil van Dijk and All the remaining seven matches in Group E will be played at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium some new additions, and United are expected to invest heavily on Mason Mount, American winger By Sports Reporter key upgrades. Christian Pulisic and wing-back Doha But the Thomas Tuchel fac- Reece James, are only going to get tor makes Chelsea a genuine better while the hugely infl uential contender. In just four months, 30-year-old French midfi elder he Qatar Football As- the German manager has trans- N’Golo Kante doesn’t show any sociation (QFA) has formed Chelsea from a team signs of slowing down. completed all the nec- struggling to qualify for next sea- Tuchel will likely look to essary arrangements to son’s Champions League into the strengthen his defensive options Thost the Group E matches in the new European champions. with Brazilian Thiago Silva near- joint Asian qualifi ers for the 2023 City manager Pep Guardiola ing the end of his career and space AFC Asian Cup in China, and the will relish the challenge and be- in his squad for a younger, quality 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. lieve that his own recruitment central defender. All of the remaining games in moves this off -season will give But at a time when Tottenham the group will be played in Doha him everything he needs to push Hotspur and Arsenal are strug- from 3-15 June 2021 at the Jas- for a fourth Premier League title gling, the Premier League as a sim bin Hamad Stadium, with in fi ve seasons. competition needed Chelsea to the participation of fi ve teams: But he will also need no re- provide a contender from the Qatar, Oman, India, Bangladesh, minding that Tuchel has rapidly capital to take on the trio of teams and Afghanistan. become a specialist in beating his from the North West. The internal committees and team. The Tuchel transformation departments under the umbrella Saturday’s fi nal was the third of the West London club creates of the Local Organising Commit- time that the former Dortmund more fi xtures that will generate tee (LOC) and the Asian Football and PSG coach has masterminded global interest, just as the Pre- Confederation (AFC) continue to victories over Guardiola’s team mier League heads into a round hold meetings to prepare for the — following wins in the FA Cup of international television rights start of the matches, discussing semi-fi nal and at the Etihad Sta- deals. all organisational and logistical dium in the league. The new rivalry between matters. And even amidst the celebra- Tuchel and Guardiola, based not Despite the exceptional cir- tions at the Estadio do Dragao, on rhetoric or cheap ‘mind games’ cumstances caused by the coro- Tuchel was beginning to focus on but deep respect and tactical navirus pandemic, the QFA has the challenge ahead next season. challenges, creates a fascinating been able to generate a great “Now is the time to celebrate additional element. footballing atmosphere through for some days, to enjoy, to let Another German, Liverpool its hosting of many events, the Qatar are the reigning Asian Cup champions, having won the tournament in the UAE in 2019. it sink in. Of course, this is the boss Juergen Klopp, will have last of which was the Total CAF time to refl ect on it for one or two watched Saturday’s fi nal with his Super Cup 2020, which was protocol in previous events such medical isolation system known ship, the Italian Super Cup, the Friday, June 11, which will wit- weeks but then surprisingly, it competitive spirit already kicking played on Friday. as the AFC Champions League, as the “bio-bubble”, in which the 2020 AFC Champions League, ness only one match. All games does not (do) a lot to you,” he said. in and United boss Ole Gunnar Likewise, amidst similar pre- the Amir Cup and the FIFA Club movement of all participants, qualifying matches of our na- will be held at Jassim bin Hamad “I think that is good because Solksjaer will have been hoping cautionary measures, Qatar World Cup, which attracted including players, offi cials and tional team and other important Stadium at Al Sadd Sports Club, nobody wants to rest, I don’t his hierarchy understood from hosted the last edition of the FIFA praise from everyone involved. organisers, is restricted to places offi cial and international friendly and the matches will kick off at want to rest. I want the next proc- that encounter why he is asking Club World Cup and also the The LOC will provide medical of residence, training grounds, matches. one of two fi xed timings, 5 PM or ess, the same level of quality and for reinforcements. AFC Champions League games services 24 hours a day, with an and the venue that will host the Arrangements for preparing 8 PM. consistency and I demand to be a But Tuchel will also have a for the West and East regions, all exclusive and round-the-clock qualifi ers, the Jassim bin Hamad the stadium for the joint Asian part of it. strong hand when he sits down the way to its title decider, in ad- clinic and ambulance services Stadium in Al Sadd Sports Club. qualifi ers have been completed, Match schedule “The level is now set from with Chelsea’s Russian owner dition to the 48th Amir Cup fi nal. in all the team hotels, while the All the remaining seven and the venue will be subject to Thursday, June 3 when the celebrations are over Roman Abramovich to discuss As for the precautionary and stadiums too will have complete matches in Group E will be supervision by the LOC and the Afghanistan x Bangladesh 17:00 and when we have digested this plans. preventive measures, the health medical coverage. There will also played at Jassim bin Hamad Sta- AFC. The stadium has a capac- Qatar x India 20:00 experience, it is the moment to “I am looking forward to this. protocol prepared by the Min- be mobile teams to serve other dium in Al Sadd Sports Club, ity of 13,000 spectators, and it is Monday, 7 June evolve and to use it, become bet- I can assure him that I will stay istry of Public Health will be people on the pitch, including which recently hosted the Total one of the fi rst to use the cooling India x Bangladesh 17:00 ter to learn. It is absolutely cru- hungry. That I want the next title. implemented with the aim of referees and technical staff , in CAF Super Cup 2020. It is one technology system that was later Qatar x Oman 20:00 cial. We have young players, now That I feel absolutely happy as a preserving the health and safety addition to the provision of dop- of the most famous stadiums in applied in all stadiums hosting Friday, June 11 it is a big challenge to stay hungry part of a really ambitious club, a of all participants in the quali- ing lab services. Asia, having successfully played the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qa- Oman x Afghanistan 20:00 and go for the next one,” he added. strong group that suits my beliefs, fi ers, including teams, organis- The preventive health meas- host to many tournaments and tar. The qualifi ers will resume on Tuesday, 15 June The youthful talent in the my passion about football in the ers and media alike. This follows ures approved by the LOC in- fi nals, such as the 2011 AFC Asian June 3 with two matches on every Afghanistan x India 17:00 Chelsea side, Saturday’s goal- moment perfectly, so my desire is the successful application of the clude the application of the Cup, 2016 AFC U-23 Champion- day of the schedule except on Oman x Bangladesh 20:00 scorer Kai Havertz, midfi elder to go for more victories”.

BOTTOMLINE Trippier sees common thread in Simeone and Southgate style

AFP sional 33-man squad, which will be Trippier says it is not just motivat- “I think it’s benefi ted me in my London cut to 26 players for the Euros tomor- ing the players that the two managers playing career. I feel like I’ve become row. share similarities although former a better player, a stronger player, at- Both were stalwarts of the surprise Argentinian midfi elder Simeone is a tacking and defensively.” ieran Trippier approach- run to the 2018 World Cup semi- bit more expressive than Southgate. Trippier says his improvement es the European cham- fi nals where Trippier acquired the “The style of play, tactically Ga- is down to Simeone and his coach- pionships in a far better monniker ‘the Bury Beckham’. reth’s brilliant so is Simeone,” said ing style and the loyalty the coach frame of mind having won Unlike the Tottenham Hotspur Trippier. showed after he had served his ban. KLa Liga with Atletico Madrid than team-mates he left behind when he “They’ve got similarities, the way He missed 10 games between De- earlier in the season as he served a moved to Spain in 2019 he joins up they set the teams up and the way cember and March due to the English 10-week ban for betting breaches. with the England squad with a win- they are as characters. Football Association ban for breaking The 30-year-old right-back says ners medal to his credit. “A little bit diff erent character- betting rules. his renaissance is down to his club “With Gareth and Simeone, the wise because Simeone is just abso- However, Simeone showed his manager Diego Simeone who he be- players that don’t play he’s always lutely crazy, as you can see on the faith by putting Trippier straight lieves bears similarities to England out with them the next day or he’s touchline, sprinting down the tunnel back in the Atletico team for a crunch handler Gareth Southgate. always trying to keeping a smile on when we won the other day, but both game against Real Madrid. Trippier faces tough competition their face so they’re always feeling fantastic managers.” “I feel a lot more experienced, es- for right-back duties with Manches- part of the group,” he told the Press Trippier may be targeted by Pre- pecially playing for Simeone because ter City’s title winner Kyle Walker, Association news agency. mier League clubs in the close season he’s crazy with me,” he said. Chelsea’s Champions League win- “Gareth’s brilliant at that. but he says his move to Spain has paid “One-to-ones in training and ning youngster Reece James and Liv- “When I was in the World Cup, off in terms of developing as a player. stuff . “He’s just drilled so much in- erpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in some players didn’t really get any “I thought it was a great opportu- formation into me in the two years the mix. minutes and they’re still training nity for me to experience something that I’ve been there and I feel like I’ve Trippier and Walker, 31, are two hard, they still run around happy and diff erent and to win a LaLiga in the taken it on board and especially this of only three players in their thirties that comes from the managers and fi rst two years is just an incredible season I feel I’ve had a really good named by Southgate in the provi- their staff .” feeling,” said Trippier. season personally.” Gulf Times Monday, May 31, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA LOSS Former Utah Jazz star Eaton dead at 64 Giannis delivers talked him into enrolling at Cy- AFP San Diego press College. Eaton later trans- ferred to the University of Cali- fornia at Los Angeles (UCLA) ark Eaton, a two- and learned the game under leg- time NBA Defensive endary coach John Wooden. Player of the Year After joining the Jazz, Eaton with the Utah Jazz, blocked 3,064 shots – the fourth triple double as Mhas died at age 64, the club an- most by any player in NBA his- nounced Saturday. tory – and led the league in Eaton had been riding his bi- blocked shots in the 1984, 1985, cycle in Summit County, Utah, 1987 and 1988 seasons, setting on Friday night before passersby an NBA record with 456 blocks saw the 7-foot-4 (2.24m) former in the 1984-85 campaign. center lying in the road after ap- Eaton was named the NBA parently crashing, according to Defensive Player of the Year in Bucks sweep Heat the Summit County Sheriff ’s 1985 and 1989, earning NBA All- Offi ce. Star honors in 1989 as well. His Eaton was taken to a hospital number 53 jersey was retired by ‘WE’VE GOT TO FOCUS ON OURSELVES, TRY TO GET BETTER’ where he later died. the Jazz during the 1995-96 Authorities said there was no season. AFP reason to believe a motor vehicle Eaton, according to a report Washington was involved in the incident. on the Jazz website, said he was Eaton was drafted by the Jazz most proud of producing 10 in the fourth round of the 1982 winning records in his 11 sea- iannis Antetokounmpo man- NBA Draft. He played 11 league sons, saying, “We created a cul- aged his fi rst NBA playoff triple seasons, all with the Jazz, and ture that is still part of the team’s double Saturday and the Mil- was known as one of the game’s identity today.” waukee Bucks defeated Miami top defensive big men. After Eaton retired in 1993, he G120-103 to sweep the Heat out of the But his path to the NBA was an opened restaurants in the Salt post-season in the opening round. unlikely one. Lake City area and later became Greek star Antetokounmpo had 20 Eaton had been working as an an author and motivational points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists to spark auto mechanic in Arizona in 1977 speaker. Eaton was also a men- the Bucks, who were led by 25 points from when a community college bas- tor to the Jazz’s current All-Star center Brook Lopez and 22 more off the ketball coach noticed him and center, Frenchman Rudy Gobert. bench from Bryn Forbes. Khris Middleton added 20 as the Bucks rallied from a 12-point fi rst-half defi cit to win the best-of-seven Eastern Confer- ence series 4-0. They await the Brook- lyn-Boston series winner in the second round. “We’ve got to focus on ourselves, try to get better,” Antetokounmpo said. “We want to get better defensively and who- ever we get in the next round, we’re going to be ready.” Antetokounmpo became only the third Bucks player with a playoff triple double after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970, when he was known as Lew Alcindor, and Paul Pressey in 1986. The Heat, who lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in last year’s NBA Finals, ousted Milwaukee in fi ve games in the second round of last season’s playoff s. “We just tried to focus a game at a time,” Antetokounmpo said. “We didn’t want to play with our food.” Miami had not been swept in a playoff series since falling to Chicago in the fi rst round in 2007. The Heat dominated early, with An- In this file photo taken on February 16, 2013, Jeremy Evans of the tetokounmpo missing his fi rst six shots Utah Jazz dunks the ball over former Jazz player Mark Eaton in the and Miami grabbing its biggest lead of the first round during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest part of 2013 NBA series at 58-46. All-Star Weekend at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. (AFP) But Milwaukee opened the third quar- ter on a 24-6 run and the Heat could nev- er match them after that. Jacobs eyes comeback as defensive end “They played us really tough,” said An- tetokounmpo. “We kept our composure, Former New York Giants run- “Well, since Tebow came back we kept moving the ball, we kept defend- ning back Brandon Jacobs says after being off a good bit, I am ing and we were able to get a win.” he’s ready to return to the NFL announcing today that I, too, Bam Adebayo led Miami with 20 points ... as a defensive end. will come back. I will play de- and 14 rebounds while Jimmy Butler had Jacobs, who will turn 39 in July, fensive end for whatever team a triple double in a losing cause with 12 tagged the Giants while an- gives me a chance,” Jacobs points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks against the Miami Heat during the third quarter of game four in the first nouncing his intentions during tweeted. It was the fi rst game for the Bucks round of the 2021 NBA Playoff s at American Airlines Arena in Miami. (USA TODAY Sports) his Twitter post on Thursday. “I am really serious about com- without guard Donte DiVincenzo, who “@Giants I am ready. I am ready ing back as a defensive end. I was knocked out for the remainder of the at two wins each. J McCollum scored 21 Elsewhere, Joel Embiid scored a playoff went on a 14-2 surge late in the game to to hit sack any QB out there,” can still run, I am strong and playoff s by a torn left ankle ligament suf- points and Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic career high 36 points as the Philadelphia take a two-game-to-one series lead. Jacobs wrote. there’s no way Tim Tebow is a fered in Milwaukee’s game-three victory added 17 for Portland while Serbian cent- 76ers breezed to a 132-103 victory over Jacobs doubled down on his better athlete than I am. I just at Miami on Thursday. er Nikola Jokic led Denver with 16 points. the Washington Wizards to seize a 3-0 PLAYOFFS RESULTS intentions by referencing the need a shot, that’s it! If I can’t “He’s a big part of our game,” said An- “The plan was to put a complete lead in their Eastern Conference series. (all series best-of-seven) comeback attempt of Tim cut it I’ll take it like a man. Just tetokounmpo. “It’s going to be tough not 48-minute eff ort out there,” Powell said. The 76ers shot 58.6 percent from the Eastern Conference Tebow, who is returning to give me one chance that’s all!” having him going forward but a lot of guys “The focus was continue to compete fl oor and 51.5 percent from three-point Milwaukee 120 Miami 103 the NFL with the Jacksonville Jacobs rushed for 5,094 yards are going to step up for us.” hard.” range and can close out the eighth-seed- (Milwaukee wins series 4-0) Jaguars after spending four and 60 touchdowns in 109 ca- The Trail Blazers led 57-47 at half-time ed Wizards on Monday. Philadelphia 132 Washington 103 seasons in the New York Mets reer games with the New York NUGGETS ‘PLAYED SOFT’ and dominated the third quarter to pull In the late game, Donovan Mitch- (Philadelphia leads series 3-0) system. Giants (2005-11, 2013) and San Portland’s Norman Powell matched a away for good. “Our starters were aw- ell scored a game-high 29 points as the Western Conference The 33-year-old Tebow is a Francisco 49ers (2012). He also career playoff high with 29 points, hit- ful,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone. top-seeded Utah Jazz held on to beat the Portland 115 Denver 95 former quarterback, but is had 82 receptions for 743 yards ting 11-of-13 from the fl oor to power the “I thought we had some guys that were Memphis Grizzlies 121-111 in game three (Series level 2-2) trying to land a spot on the and four scores. Trail Blazers over visiting Denver 115-95 tentative, that looked a little scared, who of their West series. Mitchell scored 10 of Utah 121 Memphis 111 Jaguars roster at tight end. (Reuters) to level their Western Conference series played soft.” his 29 in the fi nal four minutes as the Jazz (Utah leads series 2-1)

NHL Canadiens score OT win over Leafs, tie series 3-3 Reuters taking a pass in front of Price, KINGS SIGN TKACHYOV Montreal spinning and scoring his third The Los Angeles Kings have goal of the series. Brodie then reached a one-year, $832,500 scored on a wrist shot from the deal with KHL forward Vladimir esperi Kotkaniemi scored right circle following a turnover Tkachyov. with 4:45 left in overtime to tie it 2-2 with 3:11 left. Tkachyov, 25, scored a team- to lift the Montreal Cana- Both goals defl ected off Mon- high 38 points (11 goals, 27 as- diens to a 3-2 win against treal defenseman Jeff Petry. sists) in 45 games for SKA St theJ Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Montreal entered the night Petersburg this season, adding a 6 of their North Division fi rst- having not scored on its past 24 goal and seven assists in 11 play- round Stanley Cup playoff series power plays dating to the regular off contests. on Saturday. season when Perry scored with The Kings missed the playoff s It was the Canadiens’ second the man-advantage at 5:26 of the for the third straight season af- straight overtime win to stave off third period for a 1-0 lead. ter fi nishing the 2020-21 regular elimination. Game 7 is today in Campbell came out of the season with a 21-28-7 record. Toronto. Tyler Toff oli had a goal crease to make a save, but he Tkachyov (named Vladimir and an assist, Corey Perry scored stayed down on his knees as both Tkachev at the time) had previ- a third-period power-play goal, teams battled for the puck until ously signed with the Edmonton and Carey Price made 41 saves it slid into the crease, and Perry Oilers in 2014, but the contract for Montreal, which played in swiped it into the net. was disqualifi ed by the NHL as front of approximately 2,500 Toronto challenged for goalie he had not yet spent a full season spectators, the fi rst time fans interference, but the goal stood playing in North America. were allowed to attend an NHL and the Canadiens went back on Tkachyov spent seven seasons game in Canada in more than 14 the power play. in the KHL, racking up 62 goals months. The Maple Leafs then sent the and 123 assists over 254. Jason Spezza and TJ Brodie puck over the glass for another scored, and Jack Campbell made delay of game penalty, giving 28 saves for Toronto, which is Montreal a lengthy 5 on 3, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the trying to advance to the second Toff oli scored at 6:43 for a 2-0 Montreal Canadiens celebrates round for the fi rst time since lead. his goal against the Toronto 2004. Montreal led 2-0 midway It was the fi rst goal of the se- Maple Leafs in Game Six of the through the third period, but ries for Toff oli after scoring 28 First Round of the 2021 Stanley Spezza cut it to 2-1 at 11:35 after during the regular season. Cup Playoff s in Montreal. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Monday, May 31, 2021 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Feng outlasts Ji in 19 holes to reach LPGA Spieth clings to Match-Play semis

AFP what, you’ve tried your best al- Los Angeles ready. You don’t have to give it your 100%,” Feng said of her mindset as fatigue crept in. hina’s Feng Shanshan “But at the same time I said to one-shot lead over drained a birdie bomb myself, if you win today you just at the 19th hole to edge need to beat two more people to South Korean Ji Eun- win the tournament. So my last Chee and reach the semi-fi nals of time to have a chance to win a the LPGA Match-Play at Shad- tournament was 2019, I mean my ow Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada, last victory. So I thought about on Saturday. this and I was like, I’m getting Feng fi nished a marathon day close and just don’t give up and Kokrak at Colonial with a fl ourish to lead a trio of fi ght until the end. major champions into the semis. “I was very happy that the The winner of the 2012 Wom- putt fi nally fell in the hole there.” ‘It’s hard, if you get a little off out here, you get pretty exposed because you have to be so precise’ en’s PGA Championship will Ewing also claimed a dramatic take on 2020 Women’s British quarter-fi nal victory, draining a AFP Open winner Sophia Popov, who fi ve-foot birdie putt on the par- Los Angeles beat Thailand’s ANA Inspiration fi ve 18th to beat Las Vegas local champion Patty Tavatanakit 3 & Kang 1-up. “It was a grind,” Ew- 2. Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, ing said after a long day that in- ordan Spieth rolled in an a former US and British Open cluded her 19-hole victory over eight-foot birdie putt at champion, also advanced, de- Jenny Coleman in the round of the 18th on Saturday to feating Australian Minjee Lee 5 & 16. “Danielle is a competitor and maintain his one-shot 4 to set up a meeting with Amer- I knew it was going to be a match leadJ over Jason Kokrak heading ican Ally Ewing, who handed from the start.” into the fi nal round of the US compatriot Danielle Kang her Kang, the only player to PGA Tour Charles Schwab Chal- fi rst defeat of the week, 1-up. emerge from round robin play lenge. The semi-fi nals and champi- with three victories, had beat- Spieth hit just fi ve of 15 fair- onship match are set for Sunday. en England’s Bronte Law 2-up ways in regulation at Colonial It was a long day for Feng, who in the round of 16. She hadn’t Country Club in Fort Worth, needed 22 holes to beat Ameri- trailed all week until Ewing won Texas, but his putter helped him can Brittany Altomare in the the 14th hole with a birdie, part stay in front with a four-under round of 16 on Saturday morn- of her run of birdies at all of the par 66 for a 15-under total of ing. Ji had defeated fellow South even-numbered holes on the 195. Kokrak, who had pulled lev- Korean Jenny Shin at the 19th back nine. Ewing was 1-up after el with a 14-foot birdie putt at hole in the round of 16. her birdie at the 16th, but Kang 17, also signed for a 66 to remain “I never played 41 holes in my answered with a long birdie at one-back on 196. life,” Feng said. “Never. I think the par-three 17th to square the “I think it was just kind of 36 was the most, like for US match. At 18, Ewing chipped one of those days where I made Open qualifi er.” from the greenside rough to fi ve kind of one not-so-good swing Feng had won the opening feet for a winning birdie. and then I was just protecting hole against Ji with a par, and “I rely a lot on my ball-strik- against some stuff ,” Spieth said after surrendering the lead was ing, but you’ve got to be able to of his troubles off the tee. 1-up again at the turn after win- putt in match play,” Ewing said. “It’s hard, if you get a little off ning the ninth with a par. She “Danielle is a great putter. She’s out here, you get pretty exposed was 2-up through 11, but Ji won a clutch putter. We saw that sev- because you have to be so pre- the 12th and 15th to square the eral times today. Thank good- cise.” match, and it stayed that way ness I was able to match her sev- Spieth said that accepting through 18. At the 19th - Shadow eral times and close it out.” the fact that he was “off ” on the Creek’s par-four 10th - Ji was in Popov called her victory over back nine helped him manage to a greenside bunker and Feng on Patty “stress free,” and after the pick up some strokes anyway, as the green but facing a long putt long, hot day she was relieved to he made sure to miss in the right for birdie. Feng hit fi rst and rat- fi nish it off early after a 20-hole spot to give himself a chance to tled in the putt, Ji’s shot from the victory over world number two recover. bunker then coming up short. Park In-bee in the round of 16. “(I) was able to make a few “To be honest, there were “I can’t wait to put my feet up birdies on the back nine with Jordan Spieth putts on the 16th hole during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) quite a few times when I was on and do it all again tomorrow,” what felt like very little when I the course I was like, ‘You know Popov said. was over the ball,” Spieth said. he put some pressure on Spieth we’ll be in the mix with Jordan “It’s crazy to think we were here 64, Sebastian Munoz (COL) “I think that was just a position with birdies at 12, 14 and 15 be- tomorrow,” added Kokrak, who one year ago with not a person 67-65-70 play and a lot of patience.” fore gaining a share of the lead at claimed the fi rst US PGA Tour following.” 203-Brendon Todd 72-64-67, An up-and-down for par at the 17th. title of his career at the CJ Cup Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who Erik Compton 65-68-70, Patton the ninth, where he had to punch Kokrak was in the fairway at at Shadow Creek this season. won his fi rst US tour title at Kizzire 67-65-71 out of the right rough, was a mo- the 18th, but his approach left Spieth, a three-time major Colonial in 2001, was alone in 204-Kyle Stanley 69-67-68, Tony mentum booster, Spieth said. him 54 feet while Spieth’s shot winner who snapped a four-year third - four shots behind Kokrak Finau 69-67-68, Talor Gooch He’d made three birdies and out of the right rough gave him PGA Tour title drought in April, after a 68 for 200. England’s Ian 67-69-68, Kevin Streelman 69- two bogeys on the front nine, an eight-foot birdie chance that is chasing a 13th PGA Tour ti- Poulter had the round of the day, 66-69, Brian Harman 69-66-69, but was bogey free coming in he converted. tle on a course where he won in a six-under 64 to share fourth Kramer Hickok 66-68-70, Adam with a nine-foot birdie at the “(I) played solid golf on the 2016. with Colombian Sebastian Mu- Hadwin (CAN) 66-67-71, Maver- 13th and an 11-footer at 15 before back nine,” Kokrak said. “A lit- The native of nearby Dallas noz (70) on eight-under 202. ick McNealy 70-63-71 his birdie at the last. tle uncomfortable on the green was buoyed by the support of 205-Pat Perez 70-70-65, Kang Kokrak, who started the day speed, was a little off - missed a hometown fans, a big change LEADING SCORES AFTER Sung (KOR) 74-65-66, Doug one off Spieth’s lead, got go- couple of putts in the middle of from the silence at Colonial THIRD ROUND Ghim 68-71-66, Harold Varner ing quickly with a birdie from the round just with speed and last season when it was the fi rst (USA unless noted, par-70) 74-64-67, Corey Conners (CAN) a greenside bunker at the fi rst diff erent things like that. tournament after the tour’s 195-Jordan Spieth 63-66-66 70-67-68, Justin Rose (ENG) 68- and a four-foot birdie at the “I think if I can put the ball in coronavirus hiatus and was 196-Jason Kokrak 65-65-66 68-69, Charley Hoff man 71-62-72 second. the fairway more often, give my- played without spectators. 200-Sergio Garcia (ESP) 63- 206-Lucas Glover 74-67-65, Shanshan Feng of China tees off on the 4th hole during round four of Back to back bogeys at fi ve self some short irons into these “It was a really good atmos- 69-68 Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 70-68-68, the Bank of Hope Match-Play at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada. and six slowed his challenge, but holes, attack some of these pins, phere out here,” Spieth said. 202-Ian Poulter (ENG) 68-70- John Augenstein 69-68-69 (Getty Images/AFP)

MLB Giants stay hot on road, defeat Dodgers 11-6

Reuters Francisco when he took a perfect 1.60 in fi ve career starts over 33 Los Angeles game into the sixth inning. 2/3 innings in Oakland. Shohei Flores, out since May 18 with a Ohtani had two hits and drove strained right hamstring, scored in two runs, and Anthony Ren- ilmer Flores had on Mauricio Dubon’s two-run don had two hits and an RBI for three hits in his re- single in the second inning that the Angels, who took advantage turn from the in- gave the Giants a lead they would of a misplay on a squeeze bunt to jured list while Do- not relinquish. Mike Yastrzemski score four unearned runs in the Wnovan Solano and Evan Longoria added a bases-loaded walk in the fi fth inning. hit home runs, as the San Fran- second to give the Giants a 3-1 Oakland right-hander Frankie cisco Giants rolled to an 11-6 vic- advantage. Montas (5-5) did not allow an tory on Saturday over the host Solano hit a two-run home earned run in 5 2/3 innings. He Los Angeles Dodgers. run to centre fi eld in the third, allowed six hits, struck out seven The Giants had 16 hits in their his second, for a 5-2 advantage. and walked one. The Angels will highest scoring game at Dodger Longoria and Flores had RBI sin- try for a split of the four-game Stadium since they scored 19 on gles in the fourth to make it 7-2. series on Sunday. The Angels had Sept 14, 2013. The victory also Muncy’s home run came in the runners on fi rst and third with was their ninth on the road in sixth inning off Scott Kazmir, his one out in the fi fth when David their last 10 tries. 12th. It gave him nine home runs Fletcher laid down a bunt to fi rst Giants right-hander Logan in the month of May alone. baseman Matt Olson. Webb (4-3) also returned from Steven Duggar had a two- Olson fl ipped the ball home the IL, giving up two runs (one run double for the Giants in the in time to get Jose Rojas, who earned) on just one hit over fi ve seventh, while Longoria hit his stopped a few steps from home innings after recovering from a eighth homer of the season in the plate before turning to run back right shoulder strain. eighth and Dubon added his third up the third base line. A’s catcher Max Muncy and Albert Pujols RBI of the game on a sacrifi ce fl y. Aramis Garcia mishandled the hit home runs for the Dodgers. Pujols’ home run in the eighth throw, however, and Rojas turned Muncy’s homer was his fourth in inning was the 669th of his ca- around and scored for a 1-0 lead. fi ve games against San Francisco, reer. A wild pitch put runners on while Pujols hit his second with second and third, and Ohtani his new club. ANGELS’ ALEX COBB came through with a two-run Los Angeles outfi elder Cody SILENCES A’S single for a 3-0 lead. Ohtani came Bellinger walked, scored a run Alex Cobb threw seven score- in 5-for-10 with two home runs and struck out twice in his return less innings and the visiting Los and fi ve RBIs against Montas. from the IL after recovering from Angeles Angels posted their fi rst Following a stolen base, Ohtani a hairline fracture in his left leg. shutout of the season in a 4-0 scored on a single from Rendon Dodgers left-hander Julio win against the Oakland Athlet- to make it 4-0. Urias (7-2) gave up seven runs ics on Saturday afternoon. The A’s put their leadoff batter (six earned) on 11 hits over fi ve Cobb (3-2) allowed three hits, on base in the third, fourth and innings with two walks and fi ve struck out eight and walked two fi fth innings, but Cobb was aided strikeouts. It was a far cry from in his longest outing of the sea- by double plays in each of those San Francisco Giants first baseman Wilmer Flores slides into home to score on a single by San Francisco Giants shortstop Mauricio Dubon (not his outing last Sunday at San son. Cobb lowered his ERA to innings to keep them scoreless. pictured) in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times Monday, May 31, 2021 7 SPORT

CRICKET ‘Equalling Cook record will be mind-blowing’ AFP the Australia duo of Ricky Ponting and venue for his Test debut, against Zimba- “I get a lot of pleasure out of it. Bowl- London Steve Waugh (both 168) - in the all-time bwe, 18 years ago. ing 10 overs on a green seamer doesn’t list. “Turning up to Lord’s, since I fi rst did really do it for me. I want to put a shift “It does make me feel proud,” Ander- it in 2003...the atmosphere around that in for the team when it’s tough.” ames Anderson has said the pros- son told reporters. ground is something you don’t experi- Anderson, however, is looking for- pect of equalling the England “I never imagined in a million years ence anywhere else in the world,” he ward to having spectators present when record for Test appearances held by I’d get to this point. Certainly for a said. he next rewrites cricket’s record books. Alastair Cook is “mind-blowing”. bowler to play this amount of games is... Anderson is also just eight shy of tak- Covid-19 restrictions meant he took JIf Anderson is selected for next week’s I don’t know what the word is... but it’s a ing 1,000 fi rst-class wickets, with An- his 600th Test wicket behind closed series opener against New Zealand at bit mind-blowing to me because I don’t drew Caddick the last England quick to doors at Southampton last year. Lord’s, he will draw level with retired feel like I’ve played that many games.” achieve the feat in 2005. But some 7,000 fans are expected at former captain Cook’s mark of 161 Tests. Anderson, who appeared with his “In this day and age I don’t know if Lord’s next week, with up to 18,000 al- But while his close friend Cook spent England teammates in the LV= Insur- it’s possible to get that many fi rst-class lowed in for the second Test against New his international career as an opening ance launch video “In With Heart” cel- wickets anymore, the amount of cricket Zealand at Edgbaston after that match batsman, the 38-year-old Anderson, ebrating England’s cricket community, that’s played, there doesn’t seem to be was nominated as a pilot event by the already England’s most successful Test added: “My body doesn’t feel old or that longevity in bowlers anymore, and British government. bowler with 614 wickets - the most by tired. there’s loads of T20 cricket and what- “It’s going to be pretty special having any paceman in the format -has had the “I absolutely love Test cricket, I’ve got ever else is going on around the world,” people there. I’m not sure if soulless is far more physically demanding task of a huge passion for it. Growing up, that’s Anderson said. the right word, but it’s just not interna- leading the attack. all I wanted to do is play Test cricket for But the Lancashire swing bowler said tional cricket without fans there,” An- And should Anderson achieve his aim England and I’m honoured I’ve been there was more behind his ongoing ca- derson said. of playing in all seven Tests against New able to do it for this long.” reer than statistical landmarks. “As players we get the impression In this file picture taken on August 25, 2020, England’s James Anderson cel- Zealand and India this season, he will Equalling Cook’s match tally at Lord’s “Putting the hard yards in, that’s everyone has missed it a fair amount. ebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Azhar Ali, his 600th Test match be behind just a trio of batsmen - In- would be particularly signifi cant for An- when it means the most, putting a shift We’ve missed having fans there and wicket, on the fifth day of the third Test against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in dia’s Sachin Tendulkar (200 Tests) and derson as the ‘home of cricket’ was the in for the team,” he said. they’ve missed watching us live.” Southampton. (AFP)

CYCLING FOCUS Robinson hopes to give England the edge Brilliant Bernal wins if handed Test debut

AFP and Olly Stone but he believes he London has other facets to his game. “I’ve just got to back my skill and back my ability,” he said. llie Robinson said “There’s people that have 2021 Giro d’Italia yesterday he will bring averaged 21 in Test cricket who an “extra edge” to the bowl slower than I do. England pace attack if “I’ll use all my attributes - my ‘I’ll never forget this Giro, and the way I won it, with attacks and sprinting on the flat heO is handed his Test debut in the height, my skill - and hopefully fi rst Test against New Zealand. it’ll stand me in good stead.” for bonus seconds against Remco Evenpoel. That is who I am and the cycling I like’ Sussex bowler Robinson is one One quality Robinson is re- of county cricket’s most pro- nowned for is the homework he lifi c performers, with 279 fi rst- does on opposing batting line- class wickets at an average of ups. 21.04, and the 27-year-old is no He has shown the same appli- stranger to the international set- cation to that as he has in turn- up having spent long stretches ing round his career after being working with the Test squad over sacked by Yorkshire aged 20 in the past year. 2014 due to off -pitch issues. However, he is closer than Indeed Jason Gillespie who ever to a Test debut on Wednes- was in charge of Yorkshire at the day due to injury ruling out his time was then reunited with him county team-mate Jofra Archer, at Sussex and the former Aus- while others have been rested. tralian paceman has been sing- “As soon as I cross the white ing his praises at how he has pro- line, there’s a diff erent edge to gressed. Robinson, though, only me which people might not have has his eyes on the New Zealand seen from county cricket,” said top order especially captain Robinson. Kane Williamson. “I will be getting in New Zea- “I won’t reveal too much yet land’s faces and trying to gee the but I have done quite a lot of boys up a bit. research on their top four espe- “Just bringing that little extra cially,” he added. edge hopefully next week and I’ll “Williamson is obviously the be going fairly hard. main one. “I call it ‘white line fever’ “It looks like swinging it away where I’m a changed character from him, setting him up, pull- when I go on the fi eld.” ing him across the crease and Robinson may lack the pace of then using the crease with the rivals for the bowling spots on nip backer to get him looks like a Wednesday such as Mark Wood solid option.”

Warner goes fourth in all-time decathlon list in Gotzis Canada’s Damian Warner fired out an Olympic warning shot yester- day as he went fourth in the all-time decathlon list with 8,995 points at the Gotzis meeting in Austria. Warner fell just short of the mythical 9,000-point barrier, and now stands behind Czech Roman Sebrle (9,026 in 2001), American Ashton Eaton (9,045 in 2012 and 2015) and France’s Kevin Mayer (9,126 in 2018) in leading decathlon scores. The 31-year-old Canadian was set on his way to his impressive total after setting world decathlon bests in the 100m (10.14 seconds), the long jump (8.28 metres - also a Canadian national record) and 110m hurdles (13.36sec). His previous personal overall best was 8,795pts. Warner, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics behind Eaton and Mayer, missed out on joining the elite club over 9,000 points by just Team Ineos rider Colombia’s Egan Bernal celebrates with the race’s Trofeo Senza Fine (Endless Trophy) on the podium after winning the Giro d’Italia 2021 cycling race following sixth-tenths of a second in the last of the 10 events, the strength- the 21st and last stage in Milan yesterday. (AFP) sapping 1,500m. (AFP)

AFP torious’ Caruso, had never won a grand Milan tour stage victory before but was thrust into the limelight when team leader Mikel Landa pulled out injured. olombia’s Egan Bernal won the The 30-year-old Sicilian was given a 2021 Giro d’Italia yesterday, the rapturous reception in front of the Du- Ineos Grenadiers leader given a omo and will be remembered as a jour- hero’s welcome in front of Mi- neyman who played his cards right when lan’sC Duomo cathedral at the end of the presented with an opportunity. 21st stage time-trial. Yates said he was happy to be on the The 24-year-old Colombian won two podium, but may regret not riding more individual stages and completed the aggressively in the fi rst two weeks as his 3,479km course 89 seconds ahead of Ita- tactic of keeping his powder dry for the ly’s Damiano Caruso while Briton Simon fi nale backfi red due to Ineos’s strength in Yates was third. depth and ability to protect Bernal on his The last day 30.3km individual time- weak days. trial was won by Bernal’s teammate, Ineos Grenadiers rider Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (centre) of Colombia poses on the the time-trial world champion Filippo podium as he celebrates wearing the maglia rosa and winning the Giro d’Italia with FINAL STANDINGS Ganna, who also won the opening day second placed Bahrain Victorious rider Damiano Caruso (left) of Italy and third-placed Stage time-trial. The Giro win marks a return Team BikeExchange rider Simon Yates of Britain. (Reuters) 1. Filippo Ganna (ITA/INE) 33mins 48sec, to form for Bernal who fl opped when the 2. Remi Cavagna (FRA/DEC) at 12sec, 3. cards were stacked against him at the er clothing on a cold, rain sodden moun- a Bernal comeback given that the rider Edoardo Aff ini (ITA/JUM) 13, 4. Matteo So- 2020 Tour de France. “The Maglia Rosa tain to cross the fi nish line fi rst in the pink had made Italy his second home after fi rst brero (ITA/AST) 14, 5. Joao Almeida (POR/ (leader’s jersey) is special. It’s the most jersey with his arms wide in acclamation. arriving in Europe from Colombia. DEC) 27, 6. Max Walscheid (GER/QHU) 33, beautiful race in the world’s most beauti- It was a similar scene in Milan yester- Ineos leader Dave Brailsford said last 7. Alberto Bettiol (IYA/EF1) 34, 8. Jan Trat- ful place,” Bernal said. day as a broad smile swept away his ston- season he needed to cut Bernal some slack nik (SLO/BAH) 42, 9. Gianni Moscon (ITA/ “I’ll never forget this Giro, and the way ey-faced racing look as he raised his arms after the strain of his failed Tour defence INE) 44, 10. Iljo Keisse (BEL/DEC) 47 I won it, with attacks and sprinting on at the end of three hard weeks where he so that he could ‘get the smile back on his Overall the fl at for bonus seconds against Remco proved last year’s failure was a blip. face’. As the Colombian national anthem 1. Egan Bernal (COL/INE) 86hrs 17mins Evenpoel. That is who I am and the cy- Bernal was forced on to the back foot blasted out across the Piazza Duomo, 28sec, 2. Damiano Caruso (ITA/BAH) at cling I like,” said the champion. for a few days by a resurgent Yates, but Bernal was grinning broadly. 1min 29sec, 3. Simon Yates (GBR/BIK) Canada’s Damian Warner The climb specialist who grew up in was able to nurse a comfortable lead over Over the whole three weeks Bernal and 4:15, 4. Aleksandr Vlasov (RUS/AST) 6:40, crosses the finish line of the Andes took the overall lead on stage the tense last few stages. Ineos found plenty of fans along the route 5. Daniel Martinez (COL/INE) 7:24, 6. the 1600m competition of nine on a dirt track fi nish that would have For Ineos (formerly Team Sky) it was as Ganna, known to Italian fans as ‘Top Joao Almeida (POR/DEC) 7:24, 7. Romain the 46th Hypo Athletics suited this former mountain biker. a third Giro victory after Tao Geoghegan Ganna’, was cheered on by roadside fans, Bardet (FRA/DSM) 8:05, 8. Hugh Carthy Meeting, in Gotzis, Austria, He then staged an iconic fi nish-line Hart won it in 2020 and Chris Froome in as was the tough road captain Gianni (GBR/EF1) 8:56, 9. Tobias Foss (NOR/JUM) yesterday. (AFP) triumph on stage 16, stripping off his out- 2018. The Giro was the perfect setting for Moscon. Another Italian, Bahrain-Vic- 11:44, 10. Dan Martin (IRL/ISR) 18:35

Monday, May 31, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

BEACH VOLLEYBALL Qatar’s Younousse-Tijan win silver from fourth straight fi nal atar’s Cherif You- siak’s 23-21 winner. nousse and Ahmed The high stakes of the tie- Tijan, seeded fourth, breaker took their toll in terms of featured in their fourth way too many unforced errors on back-to-backQ fi nal when they both sides, but the suspense was played Piotr Kantor and Bartosz there through most of the set. Losiak in the fi nal of the Sochi When it counted the most, Kan- 4-star tournament on the 2021 tor practically owned the net and, FIVB Beach Volleyball World with a couple of monster blocks, Tour yesterday, but stopped short handed his team the victory at of claiming a second consecutive 15-10. gold and had to settle for silver. Varenhorst and Van de Velde The 18th-seeded team won the beat Italy’s Adrian Carambula and fi nal 2-1 (17-21, 23-21, 15-10). Enrico Rossi 2-1 (21-16, 26-28, 15- The Polish duo has now col- 9) in the bronze medal match. lected a total of three gold, six Two hard-fought semifi nals silver and fi ve bronze medals on produced the fi nalists yesterday the Tour, but the last time they morning. In the fi rst one, You- were on top of the podium was nousse and Tijan fought their almost three years ago, at home way back from a devastating fi rst in Warsaw. set, to make it to their fourth Younousse and Tijan as a team consecutive fi nal after a 2-1 (12- now have two gold, three silver 21, 21-18, 15-13) victory over and three bronze medals. Varenhorst and Van de Velde. In The bronze went to 14th-seed- The finalists on the podium for the 2021 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Sochi 4-star tournament yesterday. Qatar’s Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse. the second, Kantor and Losiak ed Christiaan Varenhorst and achieved their comeback before Steven van de Velde of the Neth- back in May 2019 at the Itapema a dive early into the gold medal vantage they had at 13-10. You- It was time for the Poles to fight of aces along the way wiped out the end of a very tight fi rst set erlands. It was the second World 4-star. match. Initially, Kantor and Lo- nousse and Tijan took control back from a solid deficit in set an 18-14 Qatari lead and denied and rode the momentum on to a Tour podium for the Dutch pair, Tijan shrugged off some kind siak opened a lead, but failed to through the rest of the set and two. They kept their cool in the two Qatari match points before 2-0 (25-23, 21-16) win over Cara- after another bronze they won of an injury he sustained upon hold on to the three-point ad- won it by a comfortable 21-17. money time and with a couple levelling the match after Lo- mbula and Rossi. (FIVB)

MOTORCYCLING Quartararo claims Italian MotoGP at sombre Mugello ‘This one’s for Jason... It was a strange day... It’s not a great feeling, you achieve a win but we lose one of our friends’ Swiss Moto3 crash victim Jason Dupasquier dies aged 19

AFP damage”, a hospital spokesman at the hospital, his team SAG Mugello, Italy told AFP earlier yesterday. Racing announced. Motorcycling’s governing Japan’s Ayumu Sasaki and Span- body the FIM, the team’s IRTA iard Jeremy Alcoba were the wiss Moto3 rider Jason umbrella association, and the others involved in the horrific Dupasquier has died aged sport’s commercial rights holder accident. Organisers reported S19 from injuries sustained DORNA issued a joint statement that both were “fine”. in a crash in qualifying at the on the tragic news. MotoGP championship leader Italian Grand Prix, organisers “Following a serious incident in Fabio Quartararo had dedicated MotoGP announced yesterday. the Moto3 Qualifying 2 session his pole-clinching qualifying lap “We’re deeply saddened to re- at the Gran Premio d’Italia, it is to Dupasquier on Saturday. port the loss of Jason Dupasqui- with great sadness that we re- Dupasquier, whose father er,” MotoGP said on Twitter. port the passing of Moto3 rider Philippe was a former moto- “On behalf of the entire MotoGP Jason Dupasquier,” it read. cross rider, was in his second family, we send our love to his It said after Dupasquier’s crash season in Moto3. team, his family and loved ones. medical off icers “arrived at the Racing for his German team he You will be sorely missed, Jason. site immediately and the Swiss finished his rookie Moto3 cam- Ride in peace,” the statement rider was attended to on track” paign last year pointless in 28th added. before his transfer to hospital. in the overall standings. The Careggi hospital in Florence “Despite the best eff orts of After five races in 2021 he was treating Dupasquier confirmed circuit medical staff and all placed 10th with 27 points. to AFP that the teenager had those subsequently attending The FIM joint statement noted: suff ered brain injuries “in- to the Swiss rider, the hospital “Dupasquier had made an compatible with life” in the has announced that Dupasquier impressive start to his second multi-bike accident at Mugello has sadly succumbed to his inju- season in the lightweight class on Saturday. ries,” the statement continued. of Grand Prix racing, consist- Dupasquier, in his second sea- His team, Pruestel GP, had ently scoring points and within son in Moto3, fell and was struck already pulled out of yester- the top ten in the standings. by at least one bike, before day’s race, posting on Facebook: “The FIM, IRTA, MSMA and sliding along the track, during “PruestalGP decided not to race Dorna Sports pass on our deep- qualifying. today in the #italianGP. The situ- est condolences to Dupasquier’s Doctors rushed to the scene ation of @jasondupasquier50 is family, friends, team and loved and after attending to him for still critical and all our thoughts ones.” Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo holds a Switzerland flag in tribute to Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier, who died away from injuries 40 minutes on the circuit had are with him.” The last fatality in the motorcy- yesterday, after the win in the Italian MotoGP in Mugello. (Reuters) him airlifted to hospital. Tom Luthi, a Swiss rider who cling world championship was He underwent chest surgery races in Moto2, also withdrew Spain’s Luis Salom, who died in Agencies cumstances, it was Quartararo, garo of Aprilia lurking. 5. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) +4.903 overnight “for a vascular lesion” from yesterday’s grand prix to practice at the Catalonia Moto2 Mugello, Italy who had set a new lap record With fi ve to go, Rins then 6. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) +6.233 and had suff ered “severe brain be close to Dupasquier’s family Grand Prix in Barcelona in 2016. when securing pole on Saturday, crashed out at the fi nal corner 7. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) who emerged with his third win from fourth place – the fourth +8.030 abio Quartararo domi- of the season to tighten his grip DNF in a row for the Spaniard. 8. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) nated yesterday’s Ital- on the riders’ standings. Oliveira was able to fend off Mir, +17.239 ian MotoGP at a sombre He now has a 24-point cushion but after exceeding track limits 9. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/KTM- Mugello circuit shaken by over Zarco with Francesco Bag- by millimetres on the fi nal lap at Tech3) +23.296 theF death of Swiss 19-year-old naia, an early faller Sunday, a fur- Turn 5, the Portuguese rider was 10. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha- Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier ther two points back in third and demoted one position. Mir was SRT) +25.146 who succumbed to injuries sus- Australian Jack Miller, winner of initially promoted to P2 before Standings (top 3) tained in a multi-bike qualifying the two races before Mugello, in it was deemed he too exceeded 1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) crash. fourth. track limits, which saw the re- 105 pts Yamaha’s French world cham- After battling with Quartararo sults stay as they were: Oliveira 2. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati- pionship leader held up a Swiss in the early laps, Zarco was forced P2, Mir P3. Zarco missed out by Pramac) 81 fl ag on the podium in honour of a to watch his countryman ride just under a second in fourth. 3. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) “friend” whose promising young away into the distance and focus Binder handed KTM a dou- 79 career was cut short in brutal on keeping Oliveira behind him. ble top fi ve at the Italian GP and fashion. The two Team Suzuki Ecstar rid- claims his equal best fi nish of the Moto2 results (top 3) “This one’s for Jason,” said ers – Mir and Alex Rins – had season, Miller comes home P6 1. Remy Gardner (AUS/Kalex) Quartararo. troubles making passes stick on in a quiet outing. Aleix Espar- 39:17.667 “It was a strange day, a lot of Miller , that Ducati power ena- garo impressed again to pick up 2. Raul Fernandez (ESP/Kalex) emotion, every time I passed turn bling the Australian to overtake a P7, with Maverick Vinales tak- +0.014 nine I was thinking about Jason. Mir and Rins on the straight. ing the chequered fl ag in eight on 3. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Kalex) “It’s not a great feeling, you Eventually though, Rins and Mir his Yamaha. The 2019 Mugello +8.021 achieve a win but we lose one of got through and the latter was winner Danilo Petrucci of Tech3 Standings (top 3) our friends.” able to drag himself and Rins up KTM was ninth, while Valentino 1. Remy Gardner (AUS/Kalex) 114 Quartararo crossed the line to the Zarco and Oliveira podium Rossi of Yamaha SRT completed pts with over two and a half seconds fi ght. the top 10 on home soil. 2. Raul Fernandez (ESP/Kalex) 108 of daylight back to Portugal’s With eight laps remaining, Marc Marquez crashed his 3. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Kalex) 88 Miguel Oliveira in second, with Oliveira skipped past Zarco Honda at Turn 3 on Lap 2 unhurt. reigning world champion Joan for the first time at Turn 11 to Moto3 results (top 3) Mir completing the podium. take P2. Exactly the same ma- RESULTS 1. Dennis Foggia (ITA/Honda) The sixth leg of the season was noeuvre was produced by Mir MotoGP results (top 10) 39:37.497 preceded by a minute’s silence a lap later as the reigning world 1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yama- 2. Jaume Masia (ESP/KTM) +0.036 for the sport’s fi rst fatality since champion picked up P3, and he ha) 41:16.344 3. Gabriel Rodrigo (ARG/Honda) Luis Salom died in practice at the crucially held Zarco at bay into 2. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM) +0.145 Catalonia Moto2 Grand Prix in Turn 1. Rins then pounced with +2.592 Standings (top 3) Barcelona in 2016. six laps to go as Zarco now sat 3. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) +3.000 1. Pedro Acosta (ESP/KTM) 111 pts Riders, team members and off icials observe a minute of silence in tribute to Swiss Moto3 rider Jason As the MotoGP roadshow per- P5, with Brad Binder of Red Bull 4. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati- 2. Jaume Masia (ESP/KTM) 59 Dupasquier before the start of Italian Grand Prix MotoGP race in Mugello yesterday. (AFP) severed despite the tragic cir- KTM, Miller and Aleix Espar- Pramac) +3.535 3. Ayumu Sasaki (JPN/KTM) 57