HHORSEORSE RRACINGACING | Page 3 FOOTBALL | Page 6 Al Shaqab’s Barcelona seek Khataab Super Cup records his fi rst tonic to Neymar Group 1 win hangover

Sunday, August 13, 2017 TENNIS Dhul-Qa’da 21, 1438 AH Aggressive Federer GULF TIMES punches ticket to Montreal semis SPORT Page 4 FOCUS Qatar’s Barshim poised for giant leap in

Agencies big occasion at the London Stadium. and I had many negative thoughts. “The fi rst time I jumped for almost London Five years ago, Barshim overcame a I was lucky to surround myself with three months came in the qualifi cation painful stress fracture in his back win positive people; my coach, family and warm up. The jumps felt terrible, I had the bronze at the 2012 London Olym- friends. It was at this point I thought I no feeling in my arms and legs. I had no atar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim pics. Some medical experts were of the have two choices: I can either continue time to fi nd my old rhythm. Yet some- is poised for a giant leap to opinion that Barshim should pull out to complain about it or I can try to do how I made it through qualifi cation and global superstardom when of the event as it could cause further something about it.” that felt good. he competes for the high harm, but the Qatari nevertheless went Barshim, however, was adamant, “Leading into the fi nal, I knew I was jumpQ gold at the IAAF ahead to clinch the bronze in a thrilling saying he knew more about his body not in good shape but I had to banish any Championships in London today. competition. than the doctors. negative thoughts. I looked to my coach The wiry 26-year-old is already an It’s that never-say-die attitude more “I was really stubborn. I thought, ‘I and we both agreed that I had nothing to Arab and Asian sporting icon, having than the bronze that catapulted him to know my body best and even if I have lose. I just had to go out and enjoy myself, won a bronze and silver at the Olympics fame and remains the defi ning moment a 50 per cent chance of making the Ol- jump for my family and my country.” besides a world indoor gold in addition of his career so far. ympics, I should do everything possible It’s this commitment to Qatar that to several Asian honours. But it’s a gold “It was hard because every doctor I to compete in London,” he added. will drive him when he takes on a com- medal at the Olympics or the outdoor spoke to said my season was done and Despite not being able to lift weights petitive fi eld today. With a season’s World Championships that puts an that would be the end of my Olympic or train properly in the build-up to the best of 2.38m, the best among the fi nal- athlete in a totally diff erent league, and dream,” Barshim reminisced later. Olympics, Barshim went ahead and ists, today could be the day when global Barshim would be all keyed up for the “I was quite messed up in my head gave it his best shot. superstardom beckons for Barshim.

2017 IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS Injury hits Bolt’s swansong; Britain win 4x100m relay Farah denied final gold by Ethiopian Edris in 5,000m; Bowie anchors the United States in women’s 4x100m victory

Agencies London

sain Bolt’s fi nal appearance on the track ended in agony yes- terday as he pulled up injured running the fi nal leg of the UWorld Championships 4x100 metres relay as Britain beat the United States for a shock gold medal. Bolt, who had to settle for bronze in the individual 100 metres, had been hoping to sign off from the sport by leading Jamaica to a fi fth successive relay gold but they were already strug- gling in third when he collected the ba- ton. As he tried to gain ground, Bolt pulled up and fell to the fl oor with what looked like a hamstring injury. The United States, with individual gold and silver medallists Justin Gat- Muktar Edris (right) of Ethiopia celebrates winning the men’s 5,000m final ahead lin and Christian Coleman running of Mo Farah of Great Britain in London yesterday. (Reuters) the second and fourth legs, had been expected to push the Jamaicans all the way. Instead, a brilliantly executed race by Chijindu Ujah, Adam Gemili, Danny Talbot and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake gave Britain gold in 37.47 seconds, the best time in the world this year. The US took silver in 37.52 with Japan third in 38.04.

EDRIS EDGES OUT FARAH British athletics legend Mo Farah nar- rowly failed to complete a fi fth suc- cessive global double yesterday when he fi nished second behind Ethiopian Muktar Edris in a thrilling 5,000 metres Jamaica’s pulls up injured in the men’s 4x100m final as Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (left) races to victory for Great world fi nal. Britain at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London yesterday. (AFP) The 34-year-old, whose winning run in the 5,000m at Olympics and world possible.” down the fi nal straight by Briton Daryll into fourth with 88.26. fi nals stretched back to 2011, fought American Paul Chelimo added world Neita who led her team to silver ahead desperately to claw back the defi cit in bronze to his Olympic silver, timing of 2015 champions Jamaica. PEARSON ROARS BACK TO WIN the fi nishing straight but Edris held on 13.33.30. 100M HURDLES to win in 13min 32.79sec. GERMAN VETTER WINS JAVELIN, Australia’s Sally Pearson completed Tori Bowie (centre) of the US is congratulated by Asha Philip (left) of Great Britain Farah, a two-time double world US RECLAIM 4X100M WORLD ROHLER MISSES OUT one of the great sporting comebacks after the US victory in the women’s 4x100m final yesterday. (Reuters) champion and two time double Olym- TITLE, BRITAIN TAKE SILVER Germany’s Johannes Vetter won the when she overcame two years of injury pic champion, fi nished in 13:33.22. Individual champion Tori Bowie an- javelin event yesterday as his great rival agony to win the world 100 metres hur- Dawn Harper Nelson, who won gold streak to 25. Farah, who had won the 10,000m chored the United States to victory in and Olympic champion Thomas Rohler dles title at the age of 30. at the 2008 Olympics and was one of Ukraine’s Yulia Levchenko claimed last Friday to open the championships the women’s 4x100 metres relay. missed out on the podium. Pearson, world champion in 2011 four Americans in the fi nal, took silver silver with 2.01m, with ’s Kamila with a bang, said he couldn’t have given The Americans, Olympic gold med- Vetter’s opening throw of 89.89 me- and Olympic gold medallist in 2012, in 12.63 ahead of Germany’s Pamela Licwinko taking bronze (1.99). it more but added he had proved that it allists in Rio last year, were led off by tres was enough to win the gold and the missed the last two seasons through Dutkiewicz (12.72). was possible to break up the Ethiopian Aaliyah Brown who fl ew out of the 24-year-old was overcome with emo- hamstring and achilles injuries and a MAYER WINS and hegemony over the distance blocks to start the run that brought tion after clinching the title, mopping badly broken wrist but blasted back to LASITSKENE WINS France’s Olympic silver medallist Kevin races. them the world title they last won in his tears on a German fl ag. win in 12.59 seconds, screaming “oh Russian Maria Lasitskene, compet- Mayer won gold in the world decath- “I gave it my all, 110 %,” said Farah. “I 2011. pair Jakub Vadlejch my God” repeatedly after crossing the ing as a neutral, defended the women’s lon. Mayer amassed a total of 8,768 don’t think there was any more I could Allyson Felix ran the second leg be- and Petr Frydrych threw personal bests line. high jump title yesterday. points from the 10 disciplines in the have done. They (the Ethiopians) run as fore passing on to Morolake Akinosun of 89.73 and 88.32 respectively to take “I’ve worked so hard, I don’t know Lasitskene took her win record to gruelling two-day event. Germany’s a team. who handed the baton to Bowie, the silver and bronze. what has just happened out there. I’m 34 from her 36 most recent competi- Rico Freimuth took silver with 8,564 “Never feel like you can’t beat the 100m world champion. Rohler, who like Vetter has thrown so tired but I’m sure it will sink in soon,” tions indoors and outdoors, and her while teammate claimed Kenyans and Ethiopians — anything is The 26-year-old was shadowed over 90 metres this season, was beaten Pearson said. 2.03-metre best extended her winning bronze (8,488). Gulf Times 2 Sunday, August 13, 2017 ATHLETICS

2017 IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS SPOTLIGHT Coburn and Frerichs Schippers back on complete US one-two in steeplechase

Reuters be part of,” she said. “I have memo- London ries from 2015 and 2016 where I went too early for the last push, so I just top aft er hard times had to keep trusting myself and be mma Coburn and Courtney patient, and it looks like it paid off . Frerichs stunned the World “I never expected to win in that Dutchwoman retains her 200m world title to join likes of Ottey and Felix Championships by winning time but I kept pressing. It is pret- gold and silver in a dramatic ty amazing to get a championship women’sE 3,000 metres steeplechase record. AFP London fi nal on Friday, the fi rst Americans to “I just expected the others to fi n- get medals in the event. ish quickly, so I just kept pushing to The duo were not counted among make sure I got that gold that I want- afne Schippers joined illus- the outright favourites heading to ed so much.” trious company when she re- London, although Coburn did win She is the fi rst American athlete tained her world 200 metres bronze at the Olympics last year. since Horace Ashenfelter, who won title and the frown of last year The woman who beat her to gold in gold at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, wasD replaced by the return of the broad Rio was world record holder Ruth Jebet to win a global title in the 3,000m grin of 2015. of Bahrain, who led at the 1000m and steeplechase. There may have been no Elaine 2000m splits. But going into the fi nal Frerichs fi nished in 9:03.77 to Thompson, her bete noire of last year lap, Jebet faded and was overtaken by complete a brilliant one-two for the who won both the Olympic 100m and the Americans and Kenyans Hyvin US and smash her own personal best 200m with Schippers taking silver in Jepkemoi and Beatrice Chepkoech. by 16 seconds. Both women’s times the latter, or America’s 100m world The leading pack was heavily con- were well under the American na- champion Tori Bowie but it mattered gested heading into the last 200 me- tional record, set by Coburn at the not a jot to the statuesque 25-year-old tres. Olympics last year. Dutchwoman. But Coburn launched herself over “I would never have believed this For Schippers’ thrilling victory over the fi nal water jump in a daring move could happen. Maybe fi fth or sixth, the diminutive Ivorian Marie-Josee that led to her surging down the fi nal but silver? Wow, I am shocked. This Ta Lou — taking silver as she did in straight to win in a Championship is an absolute dream,” Frerichs said. the 100m — placed her name among record time of 9 minutes 2.58 sec- “I felt like the crowd gave me a lot the goddesses of the event Jamaican onds. of energy and lifted me to my greatest Merlene Ottey and Allyson Felix of the “Oh my goodness, what a race to ever performance.” United States in winning the 200m world title more than once. For Schippers it was a case of show- Dafne Schippers (left) of the Netherlands crosses the finish line to win the women’s 200m final at the 2017 IAAF World ing she was not a fl ash in the pan and Championships in London on Thursday. (AFP) that her decision to change her coach — from her old heptathlon to a sprint Schippers may prefer the gladiato- can star Thompson she admits are ‘very “As a woman, it’s not so funny to suf- expert — had been justifi ed. rial combat of the sprints once they rise bad’, has also had to face questions as to fer from acne.” “It was very important to win. I from the blocks but despite her impos- whether she has been doping — severe For now, though, Schippers can bask worked so hard in the last years and last ing physique she does not enjoy the acne on her face and back prompting in the glory her golden girl image re- year was not the easiest for me,” said trash talk and intimidatory pre-race question marks. stored plus her marketability although Schippers, whose family were in the eyeing up of opponents. “I hate it,” she told the Daily Mail last it is hard to imagine what more her stadium watching. “People do do that,” she told The year. I hate it when people ask me those home town of Utrecht can do to honour “I changed everything and got a new Guardian. questions. their favourite daughter. coach, so I’m very happy. “But I chose not to do it myself. It’s “I work so hard as a really good ath- “After (in 2015), when I “I fought for that.” just not my style. I fi nd it amusing lete, do my diet, follow the sleep pat- walked on the streets, there were a lot That fi ghting spirit ethos which is when other sprinters do and I just smile terns and live my life for the sport. of people asking for autographs, pic- prevalent amongst the sprinters is one at them. “When someone asks you things like tures on the streets,” she said after Fri- of the factors that persuaded Schippers “The girls in the heptathlon are that, it’s really hard. What can you say? day’s victory. to ditch the heptathlon. defi nitely more easy-going and much “It’s hard with my skin. It’s me and “It was harder to deal with it but in “Yes, sprinters are more like gladia- friendlier,” said Schippers. who I am. Acne is something that runs fact it is cool because I did a great job. tors but I don’t really miss the heptath- in the family, even our mother had acne And to have a bridge, which is the most lon. I like to beat the tough girls,” she ‘IT’S HARD WITH MY SKIN’ until she was 30 or 40. Some people important bridge in our country — that told The Guardian last year. Schippers, whose relations with Jamai- say, ‘Oh that’s a typical sign of doping’. is special to have my name on that.”

FOCUS Reese wins fourth world title

Reuters passed away two weeks ago. Bartoletta began sluggishly and had London “I was doing this for him and I know dropped to sixth after four rounds but he would have been cheering for me,” saved her best for last with 6.97 metres she said. “I’m a stronger person than I — still well short of her personal best US athletes Emma Coburn (foreground, left) celebrates with compatriot merican Brittney Reese probably think I am. It has shown me of 7.17 which she achieved to win in Rio Courtney Frerichs (foreground, centre) after winning the women’s 3,000m fi- claimed her fourth world long mentally at my best. last year. nal in London on Thursday. (AFP) jump title on Friday after a “I’ll be continuing to Tokyo 2020. “I just didn’t get any rhythm,” said tense, tight contest in which I’m not done yet, I can assure you.” Bartoletta who also won Olympic sprint onlyA six centimetres separated the top Klishina jumped consistently well relay golds in London and Rio. four competitors. before producing her best eff ort in the “I was just too late on the board and I Kiprop earns crack at El Guerrouj’s four Darya Klishina, competing as a neu- fi fth round with exactly seven metres. couldn’t hit it right. I kept trying to stay tral athlete after the Russian federation She fi nished ninth at last year’s Ol- mentally strong throughout the com- 1,500m crowns was banned over state-sponsored dop- ympics after being cleared at the last petition and it got me a medal but I’m ing, took silver for her fi rst medal at a minute to be the only Russian track and disappointed that I couldn’t deliver my Reigning champion led a powerful trio of Kenyans into major fi nals after jumping seven metres fi eld athlete to compete in the Games. true form.” today’s 1,500 metres final at the World Athletics Championships, giving for the fi rst time in six years. “I was waiting many years (for seven Her last jump was one centimetre himself the chance of shooting for a fourth successive gold medal in the Titleholder and Olympic champion Reese won with a leap of 7.02 metres metres),” she said. “I wanted to show better than Spanovic’s best which the metric mile event. The 28-year-old Kiprop, seeking to equal the record Tianna Bartoletta won bronze, squeez- on her third attempt and had to endure this in an , but I Serb produced in the second round and of four successive titles set by Morocco’s world record holder Hicham El ing on to the podium with her last jump a nerve-wracking fi nale after receiving did not have a chance with the whole gave her the lead. Spanovic, bronze Guerrouj, kept out of trouble on the wide outside before sprinting home ahead of Serbia’s Ivana Spanovic who a red fl ag on her next three jumps. situation around me. Now it was the medallist at both the Olympics and the a comfortable second in a robust heat on Friday. He followed home his missed out on a medal at a global fi nals The 30-year-old said it was an emo- right time, at a world championships, last World Championships, also pro- compatriot Elijah Manangoi, the fastest man in the world this year, who for the fi rst time since 2013. tional moment after her grandfather to jump this.” duced 6.91 with her fi nal jump. ran a controlled race to win the opening semi-final in 3 minutes 40.10 seconds, four-hundredths of a second clear of the onrushing Kiprop. “I have a lot of experience from world championship races, I’ve been doing BOTTOMLINE this for many years and I’m ready for anything,” said Kiprop, after doing well to steer clear of the familiar rough-and-tumble of a competitive bat- tle following a slow first lap. “It was very tactical today but there was a lot of pushing, so I stayed at the back to stay out of trouble. I knew I had the Fajdek wins hat-trick of hammer golds for Poland speed in my legs over the last lap but I just waited for my moment to ease through and qualify.”

Reuters he said. Botswana miss out aft er baton drop, US London After producing the eight best throws of the year, he was not about to run year’s fastest time let yet another gold pass him by. awel Fajdek, the colourful After a no-throw and a disappoint- Botswana missed out on the men’s 4x400 metres relay final at the World hammer champion from Po- ing second eff ort, he unleashed suc- Athletics Championships yesterday after dropping the baton in their land, became the fi rst man to cessive eff orts of 79.73m, 79.81m and semi-final heat while the United States ran the year’s fastest time. Baha- win three successive world 79.40m that demolished the fi eld. mas, Olympic champions on the same track five years ago, also failed to Pchampionship titles with a dominant Nowicki looked set to make it a Polish qualify for the final as did Jamaica. Botswana, among the title favourites, triumph on Friday. one-two with his third-round eff ort of were fifth but quickly making up ground on the leaders at the end of the The bespectacled, tattooed 28-year- 78.03, before Pronkin surpassed that third leg of the second semi-final when Nijel Amos tried to hand the baton old, whose world championship tri- mark by 13 centimetres at the last time to Karabo Sibanda. Sibanda took the baton but it slipped out of his hand umphs have gone hand in hand with of asking. and, as he went to pick it up, he collided with Brazil’s Anderson Henriques Olympic calamities, completed a ham- For Fajdek, the victory reestablished who was left sprawled on the track and had to be helped away. Sibanda mer double for Poland after Anita Wlo- his dominance of the event under his went on to complete the race and Botswana still finished sixth, ahead of darczyk’s equally conclusive triumph in female coach Jolanta Kumor. Famously, Japan. The US, aiming for a seventh world title in a row, ignored the trou- the women’s event. one of his throws during a practice ses- ble behind them as they stormed away to win the heat in 2:59.23 ahead The silver went to Russian Valeriy sion once ended up hitting his previous of Trinidad and Tobago and Belgium. Belgium snatched third spot from Pronkin, competing under the neutral 80-year-old coach Czeslaw Cybulski Britain when Kevin Borlee pipped Martin Rooney on the final straight. fl ag after being given permission to and breaking his leg. take part by the IAAF only last month, This year, after 12 consecutive wins, Independent anti-doping lab for Russia as he produced a fi nal-round throw to he was beaten at the Polish champion- consign Fajdek’s Polish rival Wojciech ships by Nowicki but his compatriot In a key step to get Russian athletes back into international action Nowicki to the bronze. once again, just as in Beijing and Rio, has decreed a new, independent anti-doping lab, reports said It was a typically commanding vic- Pawel Fajdek of Poland celebrates after winning gold in the men’s hammer throw had to settle for the bronze. yesterday. Russia was accused in a damaging World Anti-Doping Agency tory for one of the biggest favourites of final in London on Thursday. (Reuters) The team of Russian authorised neu- report last year of widespread state-sponsored doping. Its athletics the entire championships as the beard- tral athletes had won just one medal at team was barred from last summer’s Rio Olympics and has also missed ed Fajdek produced easily the three fl ecting on how miserable he had been failed to qualify for the London Olym- the championships, a silver for the 110 the 2017 World Athletics Championships currently underway in London. biggest throws of the night, headed by in the 2012 Olympics when he failed to pic fi nal but also last year in Rio when metres hurdler Sergey Shubenkov, be- Some Russian athletes were granted permission by the IAAF to compete one of 79.81 metres. reach the fi nal. he was an even more dominant favour- fore Pronkin landed another silver. as neutrals in London. Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev signed On winning, the 120kg giant threw “So it was very important for me to ite. “Before my fi fth attempt I asked the decree August 10 and the move is aimed at legitimising local controls himself on to the hammer circle and lay get this revenge for the Olympics in “I was ready to throw the Polish God, my coach, my girlfriend and all as the previous anti-doping body RUSADA has been internationally sus- on his back, arms and legs outstretched here. Three-times world champion, I record in Rio but I do not know what the people who supported me to help pended since 2015. The new set up will, unlike RUSADA, be independent in delight. made history! What more could I ex- was going wrong. I have been still in me to get this medal,” said the 23-year- of the Ministry of Sports, and instead come under the power of the State “I’ve waited for this competition at pect?” shape, well prepared and I showed old Pronkin, who then proceeded to University of Moscow. this stadium for fi ve years,” he said, re- Inexplicably, Fajdek had not just what I should have shown even before,” launch his best two throws. Gulf Times Sunday, August 13, 2017 3 SPORT

HORSE RACING Spinners put India on backfoot aft er Shaqab’s Khataab Dhawan century records his fi rst Group 1 victory ‘He is a very good horse, but his career has been dogged by health issues’

AFP in the second Test in Colombo, Pallekele, removed the openers to bring the hosts back into the contest. Rahul, who scored his seventh hikhar Dhawan consecutive Test fi fty, mistimed smashed a scintillating a drive to mid-on and Dhawan century for India, but Sri soon followed his partner to the Lanka’s spinners struck pavilion. fiS ve times to leave the tourists Rahul joined Everton Weekes, on edge after the fi rst day of the Andy Flower, Shivnarine Chan- third Test yesterday. derpaul, Kumar Sangakkara and Malinda Pushpakumara took Chris Rogers on the list of bats- three and Lakshan men who have made seven con- Sandakan two, leaving India on secutive 50-plus scores in Tests. 329-6 at the close, with Wrid- Kohli tried to stem the rot dhiman Saha on 13 and Hardik during a 84-ball innings, ended Pandya on one. when he edged a Sandakan deliv- Pushpakamara rattled the ery to slip. Indian top-order with his left- Kohli and India toiled in the arm spin after a 188-run open- last session. The innings run- ing stand between Dhawan, who rate plummeted from around fi ve hit 119 in 123 balls, and Lokesh in the morning session to 2.76 Rahul. Left-arm wrist spinner after tea. Sandakan’s wickets included the “It’s not easy to score runs out prized scalp of Indian skipper there and even outfi eld is not Virat Kohli for 42. that quick. When Sri Lanka come “The Sri Lankan bowlers out to bat, we are going to make bowled well and pulled the match sure that we squeeze them hard,” a little bit on their side,” Dhawan, said Dhawan. who celebrated his sixth Test Pace spearhead Vishwa Fern- century, told reporters. ando chipped in with the “We got a good start and still of Ravichandran Ashwin, who feel at the end of the day, 329 is a was caught behind after a hard- good score. Those (who) are bat- working 31. ting now are capable of scoring “The bowlers came and big runs,” said Dhawan, adding bowled pretty well. Especially India are looking to get 400 and the spinners. We let them to 320 Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (left) presents the trophy to Al Shaqab Racing’s executive director Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah more. (329) for the fi rst day. I’m really, after Khataab won the Cup (Gr1 PA) at Deauville, France, yesterday. PICTURE: Zuzanna L’upa The left-right opening batting really happy with the spinners,” team of Dhawan and Rahul, who Sri Lanka’s fast bowling consult- Agencies made 85, took India through the ant Chaminda Vaas said. Deauville, France Jockey Jerome Cabre (right) rides Al fi rst session against a hapless Sri “At the end, the way Vishwa Shaqab Racing’s Khataab to victory Lankan bowling attack. bowled in the last two spells was in the Doha Cup (Gr1 PA) at Deauville, Sri Lanka Dinesh also good.I think the way he’s t was in the very fi nal strides in the France, yesterday. Chandimal then rotated his going he has a future and poten- Doha Cup (Gr1), at Deauville yester- spinners in the second session tial,” added the former paceman. day, that Al Shaqab Racing’s Khataab and India lost three top batsmen India elected to bat fi rst as snatched victory from Lightning in just 11 overs. they eye a series sweep after tak- IBolt. The 30-year-old Pushpaku- ing an unassailable 2-0 lead in The fi ve-year-old, bred by Haras du mara, who made his Test debut Colombo. Grand Courgeon, was held up in last po- sition during the race, before coming up with a run wide on the outside, looking SCORECARD for fresh ground. The title holder, Sylvine Al Maury, who was also held up, came to India 1st Innings (Dhawan), 3-229 (Pujara), 4-264 (Ra- take a close third place at the end. S. Dhawan c Chandimal b Pushpa- hane), 5-296 (Kohli), 6-322 (Ashwin) The win was Khataab’s fi rst in a Group kumara 119 Bowling: Fernando 19-2-68-1, Ku- 1, having fi nished fourth at this level last L. Rahul c Karunaratne b Pushpa- mara 15-1-67-0, Karunaratne 5-0-23-0, time out. kumara 85 Perera 8-1-36-0, Sandakan 25-2-84-2, “He is a very good horse, but his ca- C. Pujara c Mathews b Sandakan 8 Pushpakumara 18-2-40-3 reer has been dogged by health issues,” V. Kohli c Karunaratne b Sandakan Sri Lanka: D. Chandimal, U. 42 Tharanga, D. Karunaratne, K. Mendis, Khataab trainer Thomas Fourcy said af- A. Rahane b Pushpakumara 17 A. Mathews, N. Dickwella, Di. Perera, ter the win. “For the moment, we have R. Ashwin c Dickwella b Fernando 31 M. Pushpakumara, L. Sandakan, V. found a way to manage him. He needs W. Saha 13 Fernando, L. Kumara to run fresh, and it helps him to have H. Pandya not out 1 Toss: India regular care. It has paid off today. He Extras (b6, lb5, nb2) 13 Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG), has beaten two very classy horses. How- Total (6 wickets, 90 overs) 329 (AUS) ever, these two had run only 13 days ago, To bat: K. Yadav, M. Shami, U. Yadav TV : (AUS) at Group 1 PA level. After having tough Fall of wickets: 1-188 (Rahul), 2-219 Match referee: races in England, and the rain helped him. For now, Khataab will be aimed to- wards the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triom- phe weekend. In October, even on good Rayyan Cup (Gr1 PA) yesterday. ter her win in June in the Qatar Coupe de “For three-year-old purebred Arabians, VOLLEYBALL ground, he should run well as he has The fi lly, running over 2,000m for the France des Chevaux Arabes. 2,000m in soft ground is a big challenge. class.” fi rst time, was held up last during the “The conditions today were very dif- That is the reason that they slowed down race. Her jockey Mickaël Barzalona fol- ferent to those at Chantilly. She has in the fi nal turn. She will go to the race JOUDH REMAINS UNBEATEN lowed Al Shaqab Racing’s Rijm when she come on well since that win, as she at Saint-Cloud, the Qatar Arabian Tro- Qatar beat Joudh, who carries the colours of Yas made her move, and took the lead in the showed here. In this ground, you don’t phy des Pouliches and then ultimately to Horse Racing Management, remained fi nal 100m. Dynamites took third place. want to make any eff ort more than nec- the French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge unbeaten in four runs, winning the Al This was Joudh’s second Group 1, af- essary,” trainer Didier Guillemin said. Pouliches-Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan.” Kazakhstan to

BOTTOMLINE stay in contention

FIVB only undefeated side in the tour- Swepson realistic over chances, Agar to bat higher Ardabil, Iran nament after they beat China 3-0 (25-21, 29-27, 25-20). M Ebadipour scored 14 points while Reuters him in the selectors’ minds. was not included until the tour cording to captain Steve Smith. atar shut out Kaza- F Ghaemi added 11. Sydney “I was added late, so you’d of India earlier this year, where Agar still holds the record khstan 3-0 (25-21, Play continues today with probably think that the other he said he had picked up a great for the highest Test score as a 25-17, 25-18) to stay in South Korea meeting China and two blokes are ahead of me at the deal of knowledge. number 11 when he struck an Qcontention for a spot Iran hosting Kazakhstan. ncapped Australia moment,” Swepson told report- “I picked up a few things impressive 98 on debut against in the 2018 World Champion- Last month Japan and Austral- leg-spinner Mitchell ers at the team’s training camp in in India just being around the England as a teenager in 2013. ships to be hosted jointly by Italy ia claimed the other two berths Swepson recognises Darwin yesterday. squad, and being able to be at The 23-year-old has scored two and Bulgaria next year. available to Asian teams, through Uhe is heading to Bang- “But anything can happen. Test matches and watch how the fi rst class centuries and eight half It was Qatar’s second win a qualifi cation tournament held ladesh as the third-choice slow I’ve just got to prepare to play blokes go about it,” he said. centuries and Smith said he felt in three matches in the Asian in Canberra. bowler but is hoping his ability and if it doesn’t happen, then so “Coming back this pre-sea- Agar could potentially transform qualifi ers being played at the Hosts Italy and Bulgaria, de- to get prodigious turn will earn be it. I’ll just take the experience son, I was really happy with into a batsman who bowls rather 6,000-capacity Rezazadeh Sta- fending champions Poland have him a Test call-up. as it comes and I’m looking for- where my bowling was at and I than a bowler who can bat. dium in the city of Ardabil, Iran. direct tickets to the FIVB’s fl ag- Swepson, who toured India ward to it.” think that was on the back of be- “I think he’s got that ability,” Only the top two teams in the ship tournament. France, The earlier this year but did not play, Swepson’s ability to get turn ing on that Indian tour.” Smith told Cricket Australia’s fi ve-round single round-robin Netherlands, Slovenia, Russia, was added last week to Austral- was highly respected by leg- While Agar’s ability to tie up website (www.cricket.com.au). tournament will qualify for the Serbia, Finland, and Belgium ia’s squad for their two-Test se- spinning great Shane Warne, one end with a superior econ- “Right now... he’s probably 2018 World Championship. from plus Japan and Aus- ries in Bangladesh, which starts who urged selectors to bring omy rate to Swepson is likely to playing mainly as a spinner who Qatar had beaten South Korea tralia from Asia, and Brazil from on Aug. 27. Nathan Lyon and left-arm him into the side for their pro- earn him the nod, it is actually can bat a bit. But I think he’s cer- in their opening match before South America have already se- The 23-year-old, however, orthodox spinner Ashton gramme at home last summer. his batting that could give him tainly got the capability to bat in going down to China on Friday. cured their berths through con- understands that offspinner Agar are likely to be ahead of The Queenslander, however, a leg up in future selections, ac- the top six at some point.” Meanwhile, Iran remain the tinental qualifi ers. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, August 13, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS GOLF Kisner takes PGA lead as Matsuyama Aggressive Federer opens with bogey punches ticket to Montreal semis ‘It pays off playing aggressively here in Montreal, plus I feel comfortable at net, so why not spend some time there instead of slugging it out from the baseline’ Kevin Kisner of the United States.

AFP “I’m excited about the way Bautista Agut struggled on his serve as Charlotte I’m playing. I’m excited about he was broken three times and won just being in the last group,” Kisner 65 % of his fi rst serve points. said before hs round. “If I hit the “Today, I felt that I didn’t get into the merican Kevin Kisner fairways I can make a lot of bird- rhythm of the match and I didn’t feel the seized the early lead in ies.” ball well,” he said. “Roger plays very fast yesterday’s third round Seventh-ranked Day, the and he didn’t want to rally with me, so he of the PGA Champion- 2015 PGA winner and last year’s went for his shots.” shipA after Japan’s Hideki Mat- runner-up, has endured a season Federer posted his seventh consecutive suyama opened with a bogey at of struggles but could turn his win over the Spaniard and improved his Quail Hollow. campaign in a single weekend season record to 34-2. He has a ATP Tour Kisner stood on eight-under by winning another Wanamaker high fi ve titles in 2017. par after an opening par with Trophy. He will face Dutchman Haas in just the Matsuyama falling one stroke He was in the fi nal group second career meeting between the two. back after missing a fi ve-foot with Matsuyama and Kisner, The pair met in a Davis Cup World par putt at the formidable fi rst, who shared the 36-hole lead on Group play-off in 2012 with Federer win- which saw 30 bogeys and three eight-under 134. ning 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. double bogeys yesterday without American Chris Stroud, a US Federer’s chances of winning another surrendering a birdie. PGA Tour winner last week to title this season were given a boost when Australia’s Jason Day and take the last spot in the PGA top seed Rafael Nadal was upset by world American Chris Stroud shared fi eld, fi nished off the last fi ve No. 143 Denis Shapovalov of Canada on third on six-under with South holes of a second-round 68 yes- Thursday night. Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, the terday morning after a thunder- Shapovalov, who needed a wild card to 2010 British Open winner and a storm delay Friday. gain entry into the tournament, contin- three-time major runner-up, in Stroud, 35, is ranked 203rd ued his cinderella run Friday by rallying fi fth on fi ve-under and no one and playing his fi rst major since to beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino else less than six shots off the the 2014 PGA. It’s just the ninth 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. pace. major of his career and only the Mannarino became the fourth estab- World number three Mat- third where he made the cut. lished ATP player this week to fall at the suyama, coming off a World Only 16 players broke par in hands of the 18-year-old lefthanded Ca- Golf Championships victory last the fi rst 36 holes at Quail Hol- nadian. week at Akron, could become the low and the 7,600-yard layout Shapovalov’s win over Mannarino fi rst Japanese man to win a major appeared equally formidable in came just 24 hours after he defeated 10- title. early third-round scoring. time French Open champion Nadal to get Since 1947, the only players to Francesco Molinari, whose into the quarters. Shapovalov also upset win the week before the PGA and second-round 64 was the best former US Open winner Juan Martin Del take the major title as well were round ever for an Italian in a ma- Potro in the second round. Tiger Woods in 2007 and Rory jor, fell to two-under after open- Shapovalov started slowly by dropping McIlroy in 2014. ing with a double bogey and then the fi rst set before settling into the match Matsuyama, whose six top-10 a bogey. in the second. After a rain delay, Shapo- fi nishes in 20 prior major starts Fourth-ranked McIlroy, try- valov broke Mannarino to take a 4-2 lead include a runner-up eff ort in ing to snap a three-year drought in the second set. Her served out the set June’s US Open, would be only since his most recent major win in the ninth game. the second Asian man to win a at the 2014 PGA, opened with “It’s tough to come out and serve after major after South Korea’s Yang back-to-back 72s, but would a 12-minute rain delay. I knew that was a Yong-Eun at the 2009 PGA. need the best comeback in PGA very big turning point,” Shapovalov said. Matsuyama matched the best history to take the top prize of “When I broke him, I got that little bit of showing by a Japanese male golf- $1.89mn (1.59mn euros). confi dence, and I started believing in my er in a major, the 1980 US Open World number two Jordan shots again.” runner-up fi nish by Isao Aoki. Spieth, who captured his third Haase rallied after losing the opening World number 25 Kisner, a US career major at last month’s set to improve to 5-0 all-time against PGA Tour winner three months British Open, was trying to be- Schwartzman. ago at Colonial, needed 109 tries come the youngest to complete a Haase has had to overcome several in- to claim his fi rst tour victory in career Grand Slam this week. But juries in his career but says he is fi nally in 2015 at Sea Island. The 33-year- a third day of struggles left him a good place. old lives only a two-hour drive too far back for a realistic hope of “I wasn’t the player I was before my south of the course. catching the leaders. injury,” Haase said. “I was not as fast. I was insecure. I had a lot of problems with other injuries after. AMBITION Then this kind of eats you up inside men- tally. It drains you because you know you can do better. Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his victory over Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain during day eight of the Rogers Cup “I’ve been working on it a lot in the Wu, 13, wins presented by National Bank at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal on Friday. past few years. I started to believe more and more again. My game is better.” AFP the Montreal Masters on Friday. of slugging it out from the baseline,” Fe- Fourth seeded Alexander Zverev de- longest match in Montreal Federer hammered fi ve aces, made just derer said. “I think I did a good job again, feated South Africa’s Kevin Anderson in two double faults and won 81 % of his even though it was tough to control the straight sets 7-5, 6-4 to set up a clash of fi rst serve points in the 68-minute cen- ball. I got some decent rhythm going.” rising stars with Shapovalov. USGA history wiss star Roger Federer out- tre court match. He dominated at the net, Federer advances to the semi-fi - Zverev, 20, is the youngest player classed Roberto Bautista Agut winning 21 of 25 points. nals where he will face Robin Haase of ranked in the top 20 in the world and as he inched closer to his “It pays off playing aggressively here in the Netherlands, who defeated Diego Shapovalov became the youngest since Reuters hole, Wu drained a 75-foot bird- sixth title of the season with a Montreal, plus I feel comfortable at net, Schwartzman 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 earlier in the 1990 when he reached the quarter-fi nals San Diego ie putt to match Stephenson’s S6-4, 6-4 win in the quarter-finals of so why not spend some time there instead day. of the Masters 1000 event. birdie and extend the marathon match. hia Yen Wu of Taiwan “My caddie just told me, ‘I BOTTOMLINE set two records on her want to go eat dinner,’” said a way to the semi-fi nals at smiling Wu, referring to club the US Women’s Ama- champion Scotty Patel, who put teurC Championship in southern his local knowledge to good use. Halep, Svitolina claim last two Toronto semi-fi nal berths California. “He reads the lines pretty well, At 13, Wu became the youngest and he tells me, ‘You can make AFP here today and I got ready be- semi-fi nalist, while her quarter- it,’ and gives me confi dence,” Wu Toronto fore this match and I’m really fi nal match on Friday stretched said. proud that I could play so well. for 12 extra holes, the longest in Patel said he tried to keep Wu “Caroline is not an easy op- US Golf Association champion- loose throughout the playoff . imona Halep contin- ponent, so I tried everything ship history. “She says she has 14 boy- ued her quest to defend I could to win today because Wu, the 63rd seed, sank a friends in her bag. Every single her title at the WTA I really wanted to play semi- 20-foot putt to fi nally end her club in her bag is her boyfriend,” S Toronto tournament finals again today here in Can- match against American Lauren he joked. with a straight sets win, while ada.” Stephenson as the sun was slip- Wu also dodged a bullet in Elina Svitolina needed three Halep needed 70 minutes to ping below the horizon at San qualifying, emerging from an sets to book the last semi-final advance as she didn’t drop a Diego Country Club. 11-woman playoff for eight spots spot yesterday. serve and broke Garcia three Earlier, at the eighth extra in the championship proper. Halep defeated French- times. woman Caroline Garcia 6-4, Halep said she is confident 6-2 while fifth seeded Svitoli- her legs will hold up when she Qatari Women’s Sports Committee organises na rallied from a first set loss faces Svitolina later in the day second 3x3 basketball competition to beat reigning Wimbledon for a spot in the final. champion Garbine Muguruza “It’s not going to be easy, at Doha: A 3x3 basketball tourna- Qatar Academy prevailed over 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. this level, to play two matches ment was launched by Qatar’s Al Wakrah 3-2 in yesterday’s The pair took to the court in the same day. But I think Women’s Sports Committee matches. early yesterday morning after I’m ready, I feel strong enough began yesterday at the Doha Qatar Basketball Federation Friday’s rain delays forced the in my legs. It’s not going to be Exhibition and Convention off icial Salha al-Nuaimi said that quarter-finals to stretch into easy; I’ll be playing against Center. The competition is part the competition was the best a second day. They now face a very good opponent. I just of the preparations of the 3x3 preparation possible for the the daunting task of having to Simona Halep of Romania plays a shot against want to give my best, enjoy the basketball ladies team for the team ahead of participating in play their semi-final later in Caroline Garcia of France (not pictured) during the match, and try to fight,” Halep Asian championships in China the upcoming Asian champion- the day. Rogers Cup tennis tournament at Aviva Centre. said. that will take place in Novem- ships. She said this is is the “Yesterday was really tough, Picture: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports The other semi-final sees ber. second time the tournament waiting like six or seven hours Danish sixth seed Caroline Al Rayyan beat Al Waab 16-9, Al is being organised and wished here on site so I was a little bit Wozniacki take on Sloane Samal defeated Lusail 21-5 and them well. tired,” Halep said. “But I came Stephens of the United States. Gulf Times Sunday, August 13, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB MOTOGP Phillies lose as Marquez romps to pole season wanes into in Austria AFP Dovizioso. Spielberg bei Knittelfeld, Austria “I’m feeling much better than last year at this circuit, so this is the most important thing,” said Marquez. orld champion Marc Mar- “Last year we were struggling to be tryout for rotation quez on a Honda stormed in the top fi ve but this year it looks like to pole position for today’s we have a good rhythm; we tried many Austrian Grand Prix ahead things and it looks like we have a good Loss to Mets not good audition for Pivetta, who allowed five earned runs Wof Ducati pair Andrea Dovizioso and base. Jorge Lorenzo. “I have some doubts about the rear By Matt Breen Having won the last two GPs, three- tyre because today I tried the medium Philly.com (TNS) time world champion Marquez has a and it seems like it has good potential 14-point lead in the standings over — but with used tyres I feel good, I was Maverick Vinales, who was fourth on riding well and that’s the most impor- he Phillies will play 49 more Saturday with his Yamaha teammate tant. And to be on pole, after the race games this season before they Valentino Rossi seventh. in Brno, gives me a good feeling and a empty their locker stalls in- It is a third straight pole for Marquez good mentality. But I know tomorrow side the home clubhouse at who posted a time of 1min 23.235sec we need to fi nish our job this weekend.” TCitizens Bank Park and depart for the to beat Dovizioso by 0.144sec for the winter. Consider each of those games 42nd pole of his 70-race career. MotoGP qualifying results (top 10) as auditions for the fi ve roles in next Marquez, 24, has taken control of the 1. Marc Marquez (Honda) 1:23.235 season’s starting rotation. Moto GP season after struggles earlier 2. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) +0.144 Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff have in the season had left him fourth fol- 3. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) +0.386 claimed their places, leaving a hand- lowing June’s Dutch GP, behind Vinal- 4. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) +0.519 ful of candidates to compete for the es, Dovizioso and Rossi. 5. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Pramac) +0.545 three remaining jobs and convince Despite claiming back-to-back wins 6. Johann Zarco (Yamaha Tech3) +0.644 the front offi ce that outside help is not in Germany and the Czech Republic, 7. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +0.747 warranted. Friday night’s 7-6 loss to the Spaniard was only fi fth in Austria 8. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) +0.750 the Mets was not a good audition for 12 months ago in a race where Ducati 9. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) +0.789 Nick Pivetta. The right-hander lacked went 1-2 thanks to Andrea Iannone and 10. Andrea Iannone (Suzuki) +0.950 command of his fastball and allowed fi ve earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Pivetta has shown fl ashes since ar- riving from triple A, but has yet to provide consistency. He has allowed 11 earned runs over 7 1/3 innings in his last two starts and has a 7.58 ERA over his last nine starts. “There’s a lot of season left to go and it’s moving in the right direction,” Pivetta said. “Keep working hard. Keep your head up. Keep believing in yourself because I know the team be- lieves in me. And just going with the punches. You get knocked down, get back up. Just keep moving forward. I have confi dence in myself that I’ll get through this.” The Phillies spotted Pivetta a three- run fi rst-inning, but he spoiled the lead. They then rallied to tie the game before he dug them into a two-run New York Mets shortstops Amed Rosario (left) and Jose Reyes celebrate their victory against the Philadelphia Phillies at hole. Cesar Hernandez took him off the Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) hook with a tying homer in the eighth but Hector Neris allowed a homer to command and control.” over the last seven weeks, but he has to break on his hands. the fi rst batter he faced in the ninth. Righthander Vince Velasquez, an- been more than solid. He entered the The rally was short-lived. Hoskins It was rookie Ahmed Rosario’s fi rst other rotation candidate, was placed ninth inning with a 1.66 ERA in his last struck out after swinging late on a career homer. And it sealed another on the disabled list with a bruised 21 games. But none of that mattered as Hector Robles’ fastball. Nick Williams Phillies’ loss as they have dropped all fi nger on his pitching hand. His re- he watched Rosario circle the bases. ended the inning with a fl y out and the fi ve home games to the Mets this sea- turn is unclear. Zach Efl in pitched well Rhys Hoskins went 0 for 4 with a Phillies handed the game - and the son and have been outhomered, 17-4. this week against Atlanta, but will get walk as he still looks for his fi rst ma- loss - to Neris. Two of those 17 homers came a better test on Sunday against the jor-league hit. Tommy Joseph, per- Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez celebrates after racing to pole in the qualifying against Pivetta. Yoenis Cespedes and Mets. Mark Leiter has strung together haps motivated by Hoskins’ arrival, RESULTS session for Austrian MotoGP at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, yesterday. (AFP) Michael Conforto both hammered two dominant relief appearances and had a pair of run-scoring hits. Odubel LA Angels 6 Seattle 5 his fastball for home runs. Pivetta at- will likely fi ll in for Velasquez, giv- Herrera went 2 for 4 and stretched San Diego 4 LA Dodgers 3 tacked with his fastball, throwing it as ing Leiter the chance to audition. Jake his hitting streak to a career-high 14 Oakland 5 Baltimore 4 NFL ROUND-UP a fi rst pitch to 16 of the 22 batters he Thompson and Ben Lively are at triple games. His fi rst-inning double was his Chicago Cubs 8 Arizona 3 faced. But the pitch was hit hard. The A after mixed results in the majors. 50th extra-base hit of the season. St. Louis 8 Atlanta 5 right-hander relies heavily on his fast- “This is all part of the learning Hernandez’ eighth-inning home Cincinnati 11 Milwaukee 10 ball command and ran into trouble on curve,” Pivetta said. “There’s a lot I run - a “surpise,” manager Pete Mack- Chicago White Sox 6 Kansas City 3 Friday without it. have left to learn. I have a lot of time. anin said - was his seventh of the Texas 6 Houston 4 Cowboys Elliott “It’s always command,” manager There’s a lot of season left and we have season. One more and he’ll equal his Cleveland 5 Tampa Bay 0 Pete Mackanin said. “He didn’t com- a good team here. There’s a lot of guys career total before this year. Freddy Miami 6 Colorado 3 mand his fastball. He didn’t have I can learn from.” Galvis followed with a single, as did Minnesota 9 Detroit 4 command of his breaking stuff . It’s The home run to Rosario was the Herrera, who somehow managed to Pittsburgh 4 Toronto 2 banned six games always mistakes out over the plate. He fi rst Neris has allowed since June 23. drive a hit to shallow center after be- NY Yankees 5 Boston 4 was behind a lot. The answer is always The righthander has not been perfect ing jammed by a curveball that seemed NY Mets 7 Philadelphia 6 AFP Dallas SPOTLIGHT he National Football League has slapped Dallas Cowboys player Ezekiel Elliott with a six-game ban for violating the Jeter part of group approved to Tleague’s personal conduct policy. The 22-year-old Elliott was sus- pended after a number of alleged do- mestic violence incidents involving his former girlfriend. buy Marlins for $1.2bn: report He is accused by her of fi ve domestic assault incidents in July 2016 in Co- lumbus, Ohio. He has been under NFL By David Lennon The Yankees were unavailable to investigation, although the city attor- Newsday (TNS) comment before Friday night’s series ney’s offi ce has said he would not face opener against the Red Sox. Their re- criminal charges. action isn’t likely to be much diff erent His suspension is expected to begin fter a Cooperstown-worthy from what it was in April, when many on September 2 and he will be eligible playing career in the Bronx, it were asked about the possibility of to return to the Cowboys on October appears that Derek Jeter will Jeter being part owner of the Marlins. 23 after the team’s week seven-game pursue a sixth World Series “He’s a guy, no matter what he’s in- against San Francisco. ringA as the next chief executive offi cer volved in, he’s going to be successful,” “After reviewing the record, and of the Marlins. Brett Gardner, a teammate of Jeter’s having considered the views of the in- Team owner Jeff rey Loria report- from 2008-14, said at the time. “I’m dependent advisors, the (NFL) com- edly has accepted the $1.2-billion bid excited for him.” missioner (Roger Goodell) determined MIAMI’S MCMILLAN TO MISS of the group headlined by the former Jeter reportedly is one of approxi- that the credible evidence established SEASON Yankees captain. Jeter spent the past mately 16 investors, a collection that that Elliott engaged in conduct that Miami Dolphins rookie middle line- few months rounding up investors to also includes former NBA great Michael violated NFL policy,” the league said in backer Raekwon McMillan will miss meet Loria’s asking price, and that fi - Jordan, who recently came on board a statement. the entire 2017 season after suff ering nally came together Friday with New when Jeter was in the recruiting process. The NFL Players’ Association also a torn ACL in his right knee during the York venture capitalist Bruce Sherman The Miami Herald reported that Sher- issued a statement saying it is review- team’s preseason opener on Thursday. putting up the majority stake, accord- man will have control of the Marlins and ing the league’s decision and has been The Dolphins announced the news ing to multiple reports. that Jeter — who is investing roughly $25 “in touch with Ezekiel and his repre- after Friday’s MRI exam displayed the The Miami Herald was fi rst with million himself — will handle the base- sentatives to consider all options.” tear. the details of the agreement, which ball and business operations. will have to be voted on by the other It’s a mammoth undertaking for a WATKINS HEADS FROM BILLS KNEE INJURY TAKES OUT 29 owners. The deal needs 75 percent rookie CEO, and history has shown TO RAMS REDSKINS’ MURPHY FOR SEASON approval, but with the commissioner’s that success is not necessarily guaran- Wide receiver Sammy Watkins was Washington Redskins linebacker Trent offi ce seemingly in Jeter’s corner all teed in these transitions. traded by the Buff alo Bills to the Los Murphy will miss the entire 2017 sea- along, that shouldn’t be an issue. “Great players don’t always trans- Angeles Rams along with a Bills’ 2018 son after tearing the ACL and MCL in Jeter’s pursuit of the Marlins has late to great executives, as we’ve seen,” sixth-round draft pick for cornerback his left knee in Thursday’s preseason been ongoing since the season began. CC Sabathia said in April, “so we’ll EJ Gaines and a 2018 second-round game. There were indications that he had have to wait and see what happens for pick. Murphy was previously slated to the inside track as early as May be- him. Like I said, he’s wanted to do this, In this May 14, 2017, picture, former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter Buff alo also traded cornerback Ron- miss the fi rst four games of the season fore former Florida Governor Jeb Bush he’s very capable of doing this. We’ll laughs during a pre-game ceremony to retire his jersey number and unveil his ald Darby to the Philadelphia Eagles for after being suspended for violating the dropped out of his ownership group have to see how it plays out... but I monument park plaque before the game against the Houston Astros at Yankee wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a NFL policy on performance-enhancing and later joined another. think Jete has a lot to off er.” Stadium in Bronx, New York. (USA TODAY Sports) 2018 third-round pick. substances. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, August 13, 2017 FOOTBALL

PUTTING IN THE HARD YARDS

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez Boas

Qatar national team players during a training session. The Maroons are currently attending a camp in London in preparation for their upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Syria (August 31) and China (September 5).

PREVIEW beIN partners with Ooredoo to bring 2017 football season to Ooredoo tv Ooredoo has announced that The beIN Full Package in- its Ooredoo tv service is set cludes 58 channels and covers to provide full coverage of the live and exclusive sports chan- 2017 football season through nels as well as premium and the beIN Full Package, delight- exclusive content including Barcelona seek ing sports fans across Qatar. programmes for kids, lifestyle, Football fanatics can watch factual, the latest movies, all the action on beIN from music and more. the UEFA Champions League, Some of the exclusive chan- Spanish La Liga, English nels available in the beIN Full Premier League, German Package include; Four beIN Bundesliga and much more, movie channels, kids’ chan- for only QR 110 per month nels such as Baraem, Jeem, Super Cup tonic to with the beIN Full Package on be Junior, Cbeebies, Dream- Ooredoo tv. works and others. Ooredoo To celebrate the beginning of tv is the best next-generation another exciting season, Oore- television service for Qatar doo tv has announced all cus- and off ers features such as 4K tomers who subscribe to the resolution, time shift, Android beIN Full Package on Ooredoo apps, parental control, thou- tv for one year will enjoy the sands of hours of on-demand Neymar hangover first two months free. content and much more. ‘We’ve had a good pre-season and we are coming into the game in good condition. But on Sunday the real thing starts, with a competitive game and a title at stake...’ STAYING ON Zidane to extend Real contract

Real Madrid’s French coach Zinedine Zidane.

AFP “I enjoy every day here. I’m Madrid lucky enough to have this extraordinary squad and I am very happy with it” eal Madrid coach Zin- edine Zidane confi rmed “You could sign a contract for yesterday he will sign 10 or 20 years, but I know where a contract extension I am and what I have to do,” he inR the near future with the club continued. he has guided to back-to-back “Within a year you could be Champions League titles. gone.” “I’m happy because it’s a sign Zidane also warned the Euro- of confi dence, that we have done pean champions against a Barce- good work,” Zidane told a pre- lona backlash at the Camp Nou match press conference ahead today. of Real’s Spanish Super Cup Barca are still reeling from the showdown with Barcelona when loss of Neymar to Paris Saint- quizzed on reports over his future. Germain for a world record 222 WE’RE READY FOR BARCA: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) takes part in a training session at Real Madrid sport city in Madrid yesterday. Madrid sports daily AS re- million euros ($262 million) with ported the Frenchman will be their attempts to land a replace- AFP Madrid without the then suspended front against Chapecoense on his return Casemiro and Isco were on target as rewarded with a three-year deal ment in Liverpool’s Philippe Barcelona Neymar the last time the sides met in to the club after spells at Everton and AC Madrid’s midfi eld dazzled in Skopje, for his feats in not only deliver- Coutinho and Ousmane Dem- competitive action back in April as Li- Milan. Macedonia, but Zidane will be forced ing two Champions Leagues in bele of Borussia Dortmund so far onel Messi won an incredible encounter And the Spanish international took his into at least one change from the side just 20 months in charge, but falling short. arcelona host rivals Real Madrid 3-2 with the last kick of the game. chance with a goal and two assists in just that started in midweek as Luka Modric also Real’s fi rst La Liga title for Zidane admitted “there aren’t in the fi rst leg of the Spanish The Catalans also edged last month’s 45 minutes on the fi eld. is suspended. fi ve years. many players” with Neymar’s Super Cup today (2000GMT) Miami friendly between the two in Ney- “It is always a pleasure to play here and Should Zidane wish to maintain the “I enjoy every day here,” added individual qualities, but claimed badly in need of a morale-boost- mar’s last game for Barca 3-2. even more so with these players,” said 4-4-2 system he has utilised to huge suc- Zidane, who also ended his illus- his absence wouldn’t give Ma- ingB win following the world record sale of Valverde’s men completed a per- Deulofeu. cess in 2017, Mateo Kovacic is the favour- trious playing career at the San- drid the upper hand over two Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain. fect pre-season on the fi eld with a Valverde is likely to stick with Deulofeu, ite to replace his Croatian teammate in tiago Bernabeu. El Clasico clashes in four days Despite banking 222 million euros fourth straight win by sweeping aside but the former Athletic Bilbao coach could midfi eld. “I’m lucky enough to have this with the second leg of the Super ($261 million) for the Brazilian, Barca’s Chapecoense 5-0 on Monday in a match also strengthen Barca’s midfi eld by sacri- However, Modric’s absence increases extraordinary squad and I am cup to come at the Bernabeu on scattergun approach to fi nding a replace- to raise funds for the stricken Brazilian fi cing a forward to add Sergi Roberto to the Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of returning very happy with it.” Wednesday. ment has so far been unsuccessful with club who lost 19 players and 24 club of- normal midfi eld three of Sergio Busquets, to the Madrid starting XI after making just Zidane added a sixth trophy “They have had changes but bids for Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho fi cials in a plane crash last year. Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta. a brief cameo appearance as a substitute to his burgeoning collection as Barcelona are Barcelona. We and Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dort- “We’ve had a good pre-season and we against his former club in Macedonia. a coach when Madrid saw off know how they play and their mund so far rebuff ed. are coming into the game in good condi- RONALDO RETURN AN OPTION Ronaldo only returned to training with Manchester United 2-1 to retain idea of how to play isn’t going to New Barca coach Ernesto Valverde tion,” said Valverde. Despite failing to win any of their pre- his teammates last weekend on their re- the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday. change,” said Zidane. must therefore try to down the European “But on Sunday the real thing starts, season games, Madrid started the new turn from a tour of the USA having been However, he acknowledged “Neymar isn’t replaceable but and Spanish champions with a weaker with a competitive game and a title at campaign as they ended last season with given an extended break following Portu- that even his future will depend there will be others that will do squad than the one which missed out to stake against our biggest rivals.” another trophy as Zinedine Zidane’s men gal’s participation in the Confederations on maintaining his winning very well. If we think it is going Real for the La Liga title last season. Gerard Deulofeu was handed Neymar’s proved too strong for Manchester United Cup and a court appearance in Madrid streak given the high demands to be easier tomorrow we will be However, Barca did manage to beat role alongside Messi and Luis Suarez up to win the UEFA Super Cup 2-1 on Tuesday. over allegations of tax evasion. placed on coaches at Madrid. mistaken.” Gulf Times Sunday, August 13, 2017 7 FOOTBALL

PREVIEW DELIGHT Rooney grabs winner Lukaku sizes up on Everton return favoured prey

West Ham Everton’s Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring yesterday. Reuters able on the ball. That is why we Liverpool signed Wayne, expecting to show ‘It’s truly incredible to see his strength, power and the intelligence he possesses. We his team-mates all that experi- ence, and it was really the case hope it is a good year for him and the team’ ayne Rooney today,” said Everton manager marked his Premier Ronald Koeman. League return in But while Everton dominated Everton colours in large parts of the game, they Wperfect fashion with the winning needed new goalkeeper, Jordan goal in a 1-0 victory over Stoke Pickford, to pull off a superb save City at Goodison Park yesterday. in injury time to deny Xherdan Rooney, who was full of inven- Shaqiri an equaliser from a long- tion and energy throughout, rose range drive. well to meet a fi ne Dominic Cal- Earlier Calvert-Lewin, the vert-Lewin cross with a looping England Under-20 international, header into the far corner on the who again showed his great po- stroke of half-time. tential, could have made sure of The former England captain the win in the 69th minute when rejoined his boyhood club last he robbed Kurt Zouma on the month after 13 years with Man- edge of the area. chester United and he instantly But his fi erce blast was kept looked at home. out by Stoke keeper Jack Butland. “To play for this football club Stoke battled hard and were again is a huge deal for me and to as well-organised and dogged score at Goodison in my fi rst game as ever but lacked the creative back, it doesn’t get much better. A touch in the fi nal third. great moment,” said Rooney. “Overall I thought we did OK... “It was a tough game and we I didn’t think there was too much were a bit fortunate to go in 1-0 between the two sides,” said up at halftime. I thought we were Stoke manager Mark Hughes. the better team in the second half “Their keeper made a great and deserved to win,” he added. save at the end to save the result The 31-year-old, playing just for them.” behind debutant Spanish striker But Hughes said there was Sandro Ramirez, delivered some something inevitable about clever passes and fed the lively Rooney’s role in the win. Calvert-Lewin with some per- “He was always going to be fectly weighted through balls. part of the story... that is what “He was clever, comfort- we feared,” he said.

HONESTY Celtic can’t always

File picture of Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku celebrating after scoring a goal during the International Champions Cup match against Manchester City. be perfect: Rodgers AFP “It’s truly incredible to see his Fixtures (GMT) ‘Chicharito’ (Little Pea), was a crowd AFP showed - but it shows the resil- London strength, power and the intelligence he favourite during his fi ve years at United, Glasgow ience in the team to get the result possesses. We hope it is a good year for Newcastle United v Tottenham Hot- scoring 59 goals for the club and playing tonight. him and the team.” spur (1230) a part in two league title successes. “We will hope to perform omelu Lukaku’s remarkable Lukaku, a £75 million ($97.3 million, Manchester United v West Ham He admits it will be a strange experience rendan Rodgers admitted much better than that and it’s scoring record against West 82.4 million euros) capture from Ever- United (1500) to line up at his old stomping ground in the Celtic can’t always play certainly what I’ll demand in re- Ham United means he will ex- ton, could be one of three players mak- colours of a diff erent team, but says he will perfect football after the lation to our performance level. pect to hit the ground running ing league debuts for United today along not allow sentiment to cloud his focus. champions ground out a “But, of course, you can’t al- whenR he makes his Premier League debut with Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic. know,” Mourinho said on Friday. “It’s my old club with my old fans and 1-0B win at Partick Thistle. ways play perfect football. You’re for Manchester United today. “I’d say seven teams to fi ght for the ti- my old stadium, so probably I cannot cel- French midfi elder Olivier Nt- not going to play 38 games in the The Belgium international, 24, scored CONSERVATIVE OR BOLD? tle and 20 teams to fi ght for the victory ebrate,” he said. cham’s fi rst goal for Celtic mid- league and be absolutely brilliant nine goals in his fi rst nine appearances United manager Jose Mourinho used a every weekend, every match. “But as well it would be my fi rst goal way through the fi rst half settled a in them. against West Ham for former team Ever- conservative 5-3-1-1 system against Real “The club are also what you know. We with my comeback with a club that has a hard-fought encounter on Friday. “That was maybe a game we ton before the east London club fi nally Madrid, but is likely to be bolder against are involved in four competitions and lot of confi dence in me.” It extended Celtic’s unbeaten might have drawn last year hav- kept him at bay in a 0-0 draw last April. West Ham, who have not won at Old step by step, match after match, we are West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has domestic run to 51 games as they ing not played great. Lukaku scored a consolation goal as Traff ord in 10 years. going to fi ght.” reshaped his squad extensively since last made it two wins out of two at “Thankfully it was three United lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in the Mourinho has no new injury concerns, United trailed home in sixth place season’s 11th-place fi nish. the start of their defence of the points and it’s a huge credit to UEFA Super Cup in the Macedonian with Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Ashley last season, 24 points below champions Former Manchester City pair Joe Hart Scottish Premiership. the players that if they’re not capital Skopje on Tuesday and his team- Young his only long-term absentees. Chelsea, and have fi nished in the top four and Pablo Zabaleta and star signing While Rodgers admits his side right on their game they have mates have been impressed by what they Defenders Eric Bailly and Phil Jones just once since Alex Ferguson retired as Marko Arnautovic, a £20 million recruit slipped below his high standards the ability to see these games out have seen in pre-season. return to contention after sitting out the manager in 2013. from Stoke City, could all make their at Firhill, the Celtic manager now.” “Lukaku has done a great job with the Super Cup through suspension. Javier Hernandez was there as the rot competitive debuts on Sunday. praised their resilience in grind- The win was perfect prepara- clubs that he has been at,” said United Having led United to League Cup and set in under David Moyes and he will Left-back Aaron Cresswell and cap- ing out the win. tion for Celtic as they prepare for right-back Antonio Valencia. Europa League glory last season, Mour- make his Old Traff ord return on Sun- tain Mark Noble are expected to shake off “I’m happy with the three their Champions League play- “I am a kid next to Romelu. He truly is inho’s challenge for the new campaign is day after joining West Ham from Bayer injuries, but Cheikhou Kouyate, Manuel points but I’m always happier off fi rst leg against Astana at strong. I have seen him work on the fi eld to turn them into title contenders. Leverkusen in a £16 million deal. Lanzini, Michail Antonio, Andy Carroll when we play better,” he said. Parkhead next Wednesday. and in the gym. “The Premier League is what you all The 29-year-old Mexican, known as and Diafra Sakho are all sidelined. “We didn’t quite perform as “I think we’ve got a better idea well as I would want - our stand- of what we’re doing. That’s al- ards are much higher than we ways important,” he said. BOTTOMLINE ANGRY Wenger happy to have Giroud Watford’s late leveller

AFP home debut by heading Arsenal can get that out of the system.” leaves Klopp fuming London in front with just 85 seconds on Leicester manager Craig the clock. Shakespeare said he was “dis- AFP Klopp said. “Lacazette is simple — in appointed” that referee Mike Watford “I cannot change it. We would rsenal manager Arsene every game he’s stronger since Dean did not spot what he de- have had defensive areas we need Wenger expressed “re- he joined us,” said Wenger, who scribed as a “defi nite handball” to work on even if we’d won 3-2, lief” over Olivier Gir- had seen his side lose at home by Mesut Ozil in the build-up to urgen Klopp claimed Liv- but we were the better team. We oud’s decision to stay in three of their previous four Ramsey’s equaliser. erpool were wrongly de- should have won.” afterA the France striker earned opening league fi xtures. But he drew encouragement nied a winning start to the As well as complaining about his side a breathless 4-3 win “Even when he played on the from his side’s display. “You Premier League season as the offi ciating, Klopp was also against Leicester City. left, he did very well. He adapts have to take some positives,” WatfordJ snatched a controversial frustrated by Liverpool’s failure Giroud came off the bench slowly to the way we want to he said. “At the moment, sitting last-gasp equaliser in a dramatic to fi nish off Watford. with Arsenal trailing 3-2 in Fri- play. He’s a collective player and here, I’ve got a dejected dress- 3-3 draw yesterday. Sadio Mane’s 29th-minute day’s Premier League curtain- an intelligent player.” ing room. To come here and score Reds boss Klopp was furious eff ort had cancelled out Stefano raiser at the Emirates Stadium Amid the joy — and relief — of three has to be pleasing in some that Miguel Britos wasn’t ruled Okaka’s eighth-minute header, and after fellow substitute Aar- victory, there was nonetheless respect, but it doesn’t feel like it.” off side when the Watford de- only for Abdoulaye Doucoure to on Ramsey equalised, he headed plenty to concern Wenger, not Like many of Leicester’s fender poked home from on the immediately restore the home in an 85th-minute winner. least the manner in which his players, Vardy endured a post- goal-line after Richarlison’s shot side’s lead. Alexandre Lacazette’s arrival side conceded all three goals. title slump last season, scoring was pushed onto the crossbar Liverpool were back level in has bumped Giroud even further “If you were a manager, you’re only 13 times in the league, and by Liverpool goalkeeper Simon the 55th minute through Roberto down the Arsenal pecking order, File picture of Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud celebrating yesterday. on the bench when you’re 3-2 Shakespeare was delighted to Mignolet. Firmino’s penalty and new sign- but having given the 30-year- down with 20 minutes to go, and see him back among the goals. Britos’s stoppage-time strike ing Mohamed Salah put them old the chance to leave, Wenger weeks for me. He’s a fantastic keeper Kasper Schmeichel could you win 4-3, you’re more happy “All pre-season he’s looked capped a rollercoaster encounter ahead in the 57th minute. was thrilled he decided to stay. player, but as well he has a big club it away. than concerned,” Wenger said. sharp and fi t,” said Shakespeare, at Vicarage Road, which saw Liv- “The fi rst half I wasn’t too “It’s fantastic. I opened the weight in this squad. It was a re- An admiring Wenger said Gi- “The goals we conceded, we who gave Nigerian striker Kel- erpool forced to settle for a point happy with. We passed but door for him at some stage be- lief for me he decided to stay.” roud was “in his prime” and “at can work to get rid of that. One echi Iheanacho his competitive despite twice come from behind couldn’t see what we actually cause I know it’s important for Giroud outmuscled Harry the top of his game”. was a corner, one was a ball we debut as a late substitute. to take a 3-2 lead. wanted. The second half was a him to play, but I don’t want to Maguire to meet Granit Xhaka’s Lacazette, a club-record lost in the build-up and the third “We all know Jamie Vardy’s “We were unlucky in the end. lot better,” Klopp said. him to go,” Wenger told reporters. corner with a strong header that £46.5 million ($60.3 million, goal was a corner again. attributes. He can be a nuisance The equaliser was off side. It’s “We forgot to close the game. “He decided to stay and it was hit the bar and bounced behind 51.1 million euros) signing from “We were quite good last year for defenders. We encourage him obvious because the linesman is We defended a little deep. We one of the great days of recent the line before Leicester goal- Lyon, made a dream start to his on corners. With a bit of work we to do that. on the line. He needs to see it,” have to push up.” Sunday, August 13, 2017 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Neymar PSG debut lift s France to fever pitch AFP movic left last season, only to hand it to kicking a ball yet. about Neymar,” he claimed. “The peo- Paris the Brazilian this season. “A trio of Neymar, Pastore and di ple here support their team.” “Neymar will start on the left at the Maria will support Cavani,” they pre- In the tiny Brittany town of Guin- cost of Pastore,” the article claimed. dicted, but were unsure where the extra gamp, with a population of around s the hysteria mounts ahead “So it’ll be Neymar, (Edinson) Cavani man would be cut. 7,000, tickets for the match have been of Neymar’s Paris Saint- and without doubt (Angel) di Maria in a The only sure thing is that Neymar changing hands for a king’s ransom as Germain debut today focus three pronged attack,” said Le Parisien, will start. the Stade du Rouduorou has a capacity switched from his record which then gave a long list of top signings “He’s physically ready to play the of just over 17,000. transferA fee to the question of which who will be warming the PSG bench. whole ninety minutes,” PSG coach Unai “We could have fi lled a stadium of star would make way for the Brazilian. Alongside Pastore will be the Brazil- Emery told AFP. 40,000 seats with no problem at all,” Le Parisien daily newspaper suggest- ian Lucas Moura, who is rumoured to “He’s been working well and we Guingamp president Bertrand Desplat ed it would be Javier Pastore, the silky be staying as he has been friends with looked hard at tactics and free-kicks,” told local newspaper Le Telegramme. but fragile Argentine who was the fi rst Neymar since the age of nine, and Ger- said the Spaniard. “Remember the star of the show is major signing after PSG were bought many captain at the Confederations “We all want him in the starting elev- going to be Neymar and for us we want by their ambitious Qatari owners, who Cup Julian Draxler, who arrived just last en, he’s a player we need in the group.” to welcome this very special player and splashed out a world record 222 mil- year in a big money transfer of his own. Guingamp coach Antoine Komb- his team in the best conditions possi- lion-euro ($261 million) for Neymar. Sports daily L’Equipe saw things dif- ouaré, himself a former PSG manager, ble,” he said. “After fi rst giving up his No.10 shirt, ferently, though. “Neymar - the foot- also wants Neymar to play. Journalists however may fi nd them- will he (Pastore) now give him (Neymar) ball version,” ran their headline in a joke “I want the fans to come Sunday to selves a bit squeezed for space as the his place in the team?” one Le Parisien about how the most expensive transfer see Guingamp win... preferably against rustic press tribune allowing for 80 headline asked of the player who took in football history has dominated news a side with Neymar in it. press seats has been extended to a up the No.10 shirt after Zlatan Ibrahi- PSG’s Brazilian forward Neymar (C) with teammates during a training session. without the 25-year-old forward even “But the people here are not talking blockbuster 350.

EPL CONFESSION Neymar stays tweet Nine-man Chelsea a bluff , admits Pique AFP Barcelona

erard Pique (right) knew Neymar had de- cided to leave Barcelona long before the Brazil- stunned by Burnley Gian completed his world record 222 million euro ($261 million) move to Paris Saint-Germain, ‘Our fight in the second half was good but our first half, we kept losing our heads. After the Barcelona defender admitted yesterday. that we lost our heads, conceded two goals. Then it’s very diff icult to change the result’ Pique has been mocked for posting “he stays” with a picture of him and Neymar together on Barca’s pre-season tour to the United States on July 23. ros a season after tax, but Pique However, Pique claimed he called on Barca fans not to hold a was using social media as a last grudge against a player who won throw of the dice to keep Neymar two La Liga titles, a Champions with the Catalan giants as the League and scored 105 goals in Brazilian had intimated his deci- four years at the club. sion to leave to his former team- “He has his reasons, I don’t mates as early as Lionel Messi’s know if they are economic or to be wedding on June 30. the best in the world at a diff erent “There was a group of play- team, but in the end I don’t think ers that tried to convince him to we should judge him,” said Pique. stay and the day I wrote the tweet “He has made the decision, it ‘he stays’ I knew he was going,” is a brave decision, he was here Pique said on the eve of Barca’s four years and gave us extraordi- Spanish Super Cup fi rst leg clash nary performances.” against arch rivals Real Madrid. Losing Neymar just before “I knew it was the last shot I new Barca coach Ernesto Val- had, to use social media and pub- verde’s fi rst season is about to lic opinion to try and convince commence has been compound- him to stay.” ed by the club’s inability to sign a And the Spanish international replacement in a market charac- insisted he didn’t regret it de- terised by hyperinfl ation. spite Neymar’s short-lived anger Bids for Liverpool’s Philippe at the post. Coutinho and Ousmane Dem- “It was to try and help this bele of Borussia Dortmund have club, to try and retain a play- been rebuff ed and Pique believes er that for me is unique, with it is impossible to directly replace unique talent,” added Pique. Neymar. “I knew it would be very dif- “Liverpool and Dortmund are fi cult because it was a decision making the most of the situation. he had taken a while ago and it They are playing their cards and wasn’t possible, but at least I it is a diffi cult moment for Barca tried.” to be able to sign without doubt,” he added. NO GRUDGE “To replace Neymar who is a Neymar’s decision to take what unique player with very special many perceive as a step down talent and a one-on-one ability from the fi erce competition be- that no one else has in this sport tween Barca and Madrid at the will be diffi cult. top of La Liga to France’s Ligue 1 “What we have to do is make has divided opinion. ourselves stronger and not look The Brazil captain is report- for a replacement because there edly set to earn 30 million eu- isn’t one on the market.”

GERMAN CUP Burnley’s Sam Vokes celebrates scoring against defending champions Chelsea during their English Premier League encounter yesterday at Stamford Bridge.

AFP since 1971, further blackened the mood Results Aubameyang treble London around Stamford Bridge after a close season during which Conte has grown Brighton 0 Manchester City 2 (Aguero frustrated by his club’s lack of transfer 70, Dunk 75-og) helps Dortmund win am Vokes scored twice as Burnley activity. torpedoed defending champions Conte was without the injured Eden Chelsea 2 (Morata 69, Luiz 88) AFP before the fi nal whistle. Chelsea 3-2 at Stamford Bridge Hazard and out-of-favour striker Diego Burnley 3 (Vokes 24, 43, Ward 39) “The most important thing yesterday in one of the most sen- Costa, while £58 million ($75.5 million, today was reaching the second sationalS opening-weekend results in 63.8 million euros) signing Morata start- round,” Lewandowski told Sky Crystal Palace 0 Huddersfield 3 (Ward English top-fl ight history. ed on the bench. 24-og, Mounie 26, 78) hat-trick for Pierre- Sport. “It’s always important Chelsea had captain Gary Cahill and Youth-team graduate Jeremie Boga Emerick Aubameyang to score the fi rst goal, and it’s Cesc Fabregas sent off and Burnley took made his debut, but was hauled off in Everton 1 (Rooney 45+1) Stoke 0 and a brace for Rob- not always easy. We didn’t have full advantage through Vokes’s brace and the reshuffl e that followed Cahill’s 14th- Southampton 0 Swansea 0 ert Lewandowski saw much space today, Chemnitz a superb Stephen Ward eff ort, with goals minute dismissal for a reckless, studs-up BorussiaA Dortmund and Bayern played defensively.” from Alvaro Morata and David Luiz com- foul on Steven Defour. Watford 3 (Okaka 8, Doucoure 32, Munich reach the second round Dortmund were dominant ing in vain. Vokes put Burnley ahead in the 24th Britos 90+3) Liverpool 3 (Mane 29, of the German Cup yesterday. from the off set, as defender Marc Leicester City lost 2-1 at Hull City on minute, volleying in from Matthew Low- Firmino 55-pen, Salah 57) Defending champions Dort- Bartra gave Peter Bosz’s team the fi rst day last season, but given the ton’s cross. mund eased to a 4-0 victory over the lead in the 12th minute, and unexpected nature of their title win, this Ward doubled the visitors’ advantage West Brom 1 (Hegazi 31) sixth-tier minnows Riesalingen- Aubameyang made it 2-0 from was the biggest opening-day shock since in the 39th minute with a blistering left- Bournemouth 0 Arlen, while Bayern secured a 5-0 the penalty spot just before half- Manchester United’s 3-1 loss at Aston foot strike from Jack Cork’s lofted pass win over third division Chemnitz. time. Villa in 1995. and Vokes added a third before half-time, A defl ected free-kick saw Aubameyang netted his sec- “We tried until the end to reach a good heading in Defour’s cross. Frank de Boer made a losing start as Lewandowski open the scoring for ond with a chip over goalkeeper result against Burnley. It was a pity be- Half-time substitute Morata and Luiz Palace manager after a Joel Ward own Bayern after just 20 minutes with Dennis Klose on 55 minutes, and cause our fi ght in the second half was reduced the arrears in the second half, goal and a Steve Mounie double earned the Bundesliga champions strik- completed his hat-trick ten min- very good,” said Chelsea manager Anto- either side of Fabregas’s 81st-minute Huddersfi eld a 3-0 win on their return to ing again on the counter-attack utes from time. nio Conte. dismissal for a second yellow card, but the top fl ight after an absence of 45 years. shortly after half-time, Kingsley “I’m really happy with the “But our fi rst half, we kept losing our Burnley hung on for a famous victory. Mounie’s goals were the fi rst repay- Coman doubling the lead. win,” said Aubameyang. heads. After the red card we lost our “Did we expect this situation? No, ments on his club-record £11.4 million Record signing Corentin “We did exactly what we set heads, conceded two goals and then it’s if we’re honest,” said Burnley manager Man City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates transfer from Montpellier and sent the Tolisso set up Bayern’s third out to do. It wasn’t a top per- very diffi cult to change the nal fi result.” Sean Dyche. scoring against Brighton yesterday. Yorkshire club to the top of the fl edgling goal, sending in a low cross for formance from us, but overall, Big-spending Manchester City won “It was a fantastic three points and the standings. Lewandowski to tap in his sec- we can be happy with how we 2-0 at promoted Brighton and Hove Al- referee, I just want to say, was fantastic minute to take the lead. Debutant Ahmed Hegazi’s fi rst-half ond of the afternoon. did today.” bion, while Huddersfi eld Town marked today.” David Silva fed Sergio Aguero to run header earned West Bromwich Albion a With victory assured, Franck Elsewhere, Europa League their top-fl ight return with a 3-0 win at Manchester City manager Pep Guar- through and beat goalkeeper Mathew 1-0 win over Bournemouth, while Mau- Ribery whipped a direct free- qualifi ers FC Cologne scored Crystal Palace that sent them top of the diola had some £150 million of new re- Ryan and fi ve minutes later Lewis Dunk ricio Pellegrino’s tenure as Southampton kick into the bottom corner in fi ve against fi fth tier Lehe, while table. cruits on display at Brighton, but it took headed Fernandinho’s cross into his own manager began with a 0-0 draw at home the 79th minute, and Mats Hum- Freiburg and Mainz also secured Burnley’s win, their fi rst at Chelsea the pre-season favourites until the 70th net. to Swansea City. mels headed in Bayern’s fi fth just their places in the second round.