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Friday, August 21, 2020 TENNIS Muharram 2, 1442 AH Pursuit of Federer’s GULF TIMES record spurred Djoko to head to US Open SPORT Page 3 QNB STARS LEAGUE Big day for table-toppers ‘Our destiny is still in our hands and victory (over Al Ahli) will Duhail and Rayyan make us win the league’

By Sports Reporter mean the table toppers would be locked Doha at 49 points and a playoff will decide the league winner. “We are ready to face Al Wakrah l Duhail have their destiny and provide our best in order to win. in their own hands as a vic- The title is not in our hands. For me, tory over Al Ahli today at Al I do not prefer waiting for the result Janoub Stadium will win them of the other match. We have to focus Athe QNB Stars League title. on our game because it is difficult. Al Rayyan, a point behind Walid If we cannot win, we will not have a Regragui’s leaders, are also in action chance to win the title and we must against Al Wakrah at the same time do our job until the last moment,” with a 7:30pm kick-off at Jassim Bin Aguirre said. Hamad (Al Sadd) Stadium. “The preparations for Al Wakrah Al Duhail, who beat Al Khor 1-0 in game were very good. We do not have Week 21, have 15 victories, most by any any excuses, we have to continue win- team in the league this season, while ning and achieve victory in this game. their opponents, Al Ahli are eighth in We are required to focus, maybe some- the standings with 20 points. Duhail thing good will happen. We may or may had won the fi rst leg 3-0. not win the title.” With form and numbers on their Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez wants side, Regragui was confi dent going to close out the season on a high. into the title-decider in the pre-match “We prepared well for the Al Rayy- press conference. an match because we want to end the “We are ready to face Al Ahli, win the league championship in the best pos- match and fi nish the league. It is like a sible way, so that this would be the cup fi nal. A month ago, we knew that we Al Duhail coach Walid Regragui. Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre. perfect culmination of the great eff orts had fi ve decisive matches. We would have we put in during the season. If we fi nish liked to win the title early, but we were dence in ourselves and we have to win need them to prepare for the AFC Cham- matches of other teams. The competi- At the Al Sadd Stadium, Diego this season in fi fth or even sixth place, not successful. Now, we have a match to this match and clinch the title.” pions League and fortunately Al Duhail tion is now strong for the title and also Aguirre’s men will be looking to take all that would be a good result,” he said. win and we knew that Al Rayyan would Regragui said he intends to play the have many options,” said Regragui. to avoid relegation,” he said. three points when they go up against Al be chasing us, but we will win and cel- same squad that he had fi elded against Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jovovic under- “Al Duhail match will not be easy, the Wakrah, and hope that Al Duhail slips TODAY’S MATCHES ebrate the title,” Regragui said. Al Khor, with Yousef Msakni, Assim stands the gravity of the task at hand, opponents are strong and have many stan- up at Al Janoub. If the events of the 4pm: Al Arabi vs Qatar SC, Al Janoub “We did not feel pressure in previous Madibo and Bassam al-Rawi still not especially after the loss to Wakrah in dout players. They are known for their night do pan out such, Rayyan would Stadium matches, especially because our des- available. the last round. team work. But we are able to provide our have won the league title for the fi rst 7:30pm: Al Duhail vs Al Ahli, Al Janoub tiny is still in our hands and victory will “The season was long and diffi cult. “All matches in the last round of the best and register a victory regardless of the time since the 2015-16 season. Stadium make us win the league. If there is pres- Now, the important thing for me is the league are diffi cult, we will focus only diff erence between us and the opponents. I However, a Rayyan draw with Wak- 7:30pm: Al Wakrah vs Al Rayyan, Jas- sure, it will be positive. We have confi - recovery of injured players because we on our team without thinking about the trust my team and players.” rah and Duhail’s loss to Ahli would sim Bin Hamad (Al Sadd) Stadium

CRICKET Turkish blockbuster proves motivating force for Pakistan: captain Azhar

AFP London, United Kingdom No holding back, Root tells his players

Turkish TV blockbuster AFP However, Root says the players what he feared might happen at is being used as an un- London, United Kingdom should perform as if this is the the beginning of the season. likely motivator for the last Test till next summer and “We feel extremely lucky to have Pakistan team ahead of “leave no stone unturned”. got the opportunity to play right Atheir must-win third Test clash ngland captain Joe Root “My message to the guys today now,” said the 29-year-old. against England, captain Azhar said yesterday he wants was quite simple really,” he said “At the start of the summer, we Ali said yesterday. Ehis players to give it their at his eve of match press confer- were dreading the thought of The 35-year-old added they all in the third Test with Pakistan ence. not seeing any international were in a good state of mind de- which gets underway this week “We don’t know when the next cricket.” spite the crushing disappointment as it could be their last for a time is that we’ll play Test Root paid tribute to both the of losing the fi rst Test when they while. cricket. West Indies and Pakistan for were in a strong position to win it. England lead 1-0 and have to “Let’s make sure we leave no agreeing to tour and having to The second Test was a virtual avoid defeat at the Ageas Bowl stones unturned and we give live in a bubble to reduce the washout — at the same Ageas today to seal what would be everything to each other and the risk of them getting the virus. Bowl venue where the third Test their first series win over Paki- badge going into this last game. “Credit to both touring teams for gets underway today — due to stan in 10 years. “I fully expect everyone to give coming over and giving us that bad light and rain. It would make it a perfect sum- everything over the next five opportunity to play, and to both TV series Ertugrul, which has mer having beaten the West days and make sure we give boards,” said Root. run for fi ve seasons (2014-19) and Indies 2-1 earlier in the season. ourselves the best chance of “It’s been amazing to be a part is a big hit in Pakistan, has proved England ‘s next scheduled Test finishing the series 2-0.” of this experience. Hopefully we a winner for raising morale, said series is in India in the new year Root, who missed their only Test can have a great finish to it. Azhar. but the coronavirus pandemic defeat of the summer in the first “There’s been some really excit- The series, a mix of historical may make that impossible — clash with the West Indies due ing games and I think it’s made fi ction and adventure, is based playing it in the United Arab to becoming a father, said even for some entertaining viewing around the life of Ertugrul, the Emirates could be a possibility. playing without spectators beat at times.” father of Osman I, who was the founder of the Ottoman Empire. Available to stream in England, it’s been a crucial diversion for a squad confi ned to bio-secure Pakistan’s Azhar Ali (left) and teammate Shaheen Afridi take part in a training session on the eve of their sites for the duration of their stay. third Test against England at Ageas Bowl in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Reuters) “Yes I think there is no player who is not watching Ertugrul,” “I’m lucky to have such a nice about myself in the two hours or but you can’t buy experience Azhar said in his eve of match press bunch of guys who are putting so I spent at the crease in my pre- without playing. We have to back conference conducted in Urdu. everything in for Pakistan,” said vious innings (20) and my bal- them,” he said. “It’s tough to lift the side after Azhar. “They have gelled really ance was good as well,” he said. “We are lucky enough to have losing a winning match but we nicely, which makes the job very “It is my responsibility to make these exciting fast bowlers, al- have done well to lift ourselves easy for me, so I focus on all the sure that I score runs.” though they are young. Naseem and will do our best to level the strategies. Azhar also backed young pace is nearly 18 and Shaheen is just series by winning this Test.” “I’m enjoying it. Hopefully we bowling duo Naseem Shah and 20. Later in the English section of can win this Test and move for- Shaheen Afridi to be a more potent “They are bowling really well, the press conference, Azhar said ward from there.” attacking threat at the Ageas Bowl. putting the opposition under what made it easier to recover Azhar addressed his own lack Naseem has two wickets at pressure and we are backing from the fi rst Test disappoint- of form with the bat — he was out 49.50 with Shaheen’s three com- them because you can’t just sit ment was the harmony in the for a duck and 18 in the fi rst Test. ing at 45.66. outside and gain experience, you England’s Joe Root (left) and teammate Stuart Broad during nets yesterday. (Reuters) dressing room. “I was feeling really confi dent “They are exciting characters have to play.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, August 21, 2020 CRICKET

FOCUS UPDATE ECB confi rms revised Men in white: Aussie times for third Test Reuters and various stakeholders... the London, United Kingdom ECB and the ICC have agreed to revised start times ahead of the third test,” the ECB said in a he third Test between statement. England and Pakistan “The fl exible approach will that begins today at the enable the prospect of making up coach inspired by Ageas Bowl will feature time for inclement weather dur- Trevised playing timings to ac- ing the morning session of sub- commodate for poor weather sequent days rather than at the conditions, the England and end of the day.” Langer’s men will depart on Sunday Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said The ECB said that after the con- yesterday. clusion of play on the fi rst day, the for a limited-overs tour of England, Play can begin at 1030 local match referee, groundstaff and their first cricket since March time (0930 GMT), 30 minutes ECB Match Manager would dis- Will Smith earlier than the scheduled 1100 cuss the start times for the next start if time is lost due to bad day and if the forecast looked light or rain earlier in the test, the good, play could begin at 1030. ECB said in a statement. The morning session would The decision comes after just last two and a half hours if the 134.3 overs were possible across start times are adjusted, while a fi ve days of the second test at the total of 98 overs will be sched- Ageas Bowl due to rain and bad uled for the day. light. The ECB also said match of- “Following positive discus- fi cials would ensure that light is sions with the ECB, the Inter- monitored to maximise playing national Cricket Council (ICC) time.

SPOTLIGHT No ‘Mankading’, Delhi coach Ponting warns Ashwin

Reuters “Obviously, he wasn’t in our New Delhi, India squad last year, he’s one of our players that we tried to aff ord to bring in this year. elhi Capitals head coach “As soon as it happened and will not he did that, I actually sat our allow “Mankading” by boys down and said ‘look, I know his players at this year’s he’s done it, there’ll be others IndianD (IPL) and around the tournament who’ll will discuss the issue with Ravi- think about doing this as well, chandran Ashwin who eff ected but that’s not going to be the the controversial dismissal in last way that we play our cricket, we year’s tournament. won’t be doing that’.” Skippering Kings XI Punjab While many point out that last year, Ashwin sparked a furore batsmen at non-striker’s end of- when he whipped the bails off at ten take unfair advantage by set- the non-striker’s end to run out ting off for a run early, Ponting Rajasthan Royals batsman Jos But- suggested other ways of penalis- tler who had left the crease early. ing them for such “cheating”. While legal, the dismissal, “If the bowler was to stop and named after India bowler Vinoo the batsman was a foot out of his Mankad who ran out Australia’s crease for instance, you just pe- Bill Brown in similar fashion in nalise him some runs or some- 1947, is considered against the thing. Do that and then they spirit of the game. won’t do it again,” Ponting said. “I’ll be having a chat with him With India struggling to con- In this September 10, 2019, picture, Australia coach (left) talks to during a nets session at the Oval in London. (Reuters) about it, that’s the fi rst thing I’ll trol the Covid-19 surge, this do,” former Australia captain year’s IPL will be played in the AFP movements and contacts strict- might have to miss some in- with large squads in isolation, Day Test there under threat. Ponting told United Arab Emirates from Sep- Sydney, Australia ly limited. ternational cricket, so they can meaning fewer players are avail- Reports have suggested Ad- podcast. tember 19. On their return to Australia, the spend some time seeing fami- able for domestic cricket like the elaide is the frontrunner to host team will go into a 14-day quaran- lies. Big Bash League and Sheffi eld the December 26-30 clash if ustralia coach Justin tine, with the prospect of further “It’s so complicated... we Shield. Melbourne cannot, although Langer looked to movie biosecurity bubbles a real possi- are going to need our depth,” “Within Australian cricket, Sydney has also said it is keen. star Will Smith for in- bility through the home summer he added, and cited a comment we have to work together on this Adelaide and Perth have been spiration yesterday as when they are due to host India from a Smith interview. and there will be bigger squads fl oated as possibilities for host- heA readied his team for a tough and Afghanistan. “The old Will Smith say- required for diff erent reasons,” ing multiple summer Tests, as six months of fi xtures, greatly With border closures and ing: ‘we’ve got to stay ready Langer said. both cities have largely escaped complicated by the coronavirus coronavirus-related restrictions so we don’t have to get ready’. “If we’ve got to have big- the pandemic and have hotels pandemic. in Australia, and coronavirus Wherever it comes up, we’ll be ger squads because we can’t adjacent to their grounds. The men’s team depart on still at large, Langer said chal- ready.” have guys come in and out like “What’s so crucial is that we Sunday for a limited-overs lenges were inevitable — and he Australia are taking a 21-man the 13th or 12th man who goes get the men’s internationals tour of England, their first told his team to follow the lead of squad to England, bigger than off and plays Shield cricket... up and running, we get the Big cricket since March, kicking Men In Black star Smith. usual, for added fl exibility as there’s a compromise.” Bash up and running, some of off what is likely to be a test- “We might not be able to see there is no chance of extra play- Venues for the summer Test the women’s internationals and ing period. our families because we need ers being called into the bubble series are yet to be locked in. women’s Big Bash up and run- With the coronavirus still to keep the show on the road,” if injuries strike. Melbourne is currently the ning,” said Langer. gripping England, they will play Langer said in a Zoom call. It could be similar during the worst-aff ected city in Australia “They are crucial for the in bio-secure hubs with their “Some of our best players blockbuster series against India by Covid-19, putting the Boxing health of our game.”

BOTTOMLINE Australia, England stars may avoid IPL Organisers hopeful of fan quarantine, says Bangalore chairman presence in IPL matches Reuters “We will then discuss with the AFP “What the SOPs say very New Delhi, India BCCI (Indian board) to assess New Delhi, India clearly (is) that they can partici- their spectator requirements. pate without quarantine, pro- “We want our Asian Diaspora, vided they satisfy certain very he Emirati organisers of as well as the other expat and ricketers from Australia stringent conditions. this year’s Indian Premier Emirati sports-loving fans to be and England might be “Very clearly after the players TLeague (IPL) are hopeful able to watch the action from able to feature from have played the (international) of at least some fan presence in the stands.” the start of the Indian series, they have to continue to the stands during the matches, The 53-day tournament will be PremierC League despite a series be in the biosecure bubble.” a top off icial told Reuters. played across three venues — between their countries ahead He added: “Right from the The Emirates Cricket Board Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi of the Twenty20 tournament, biosecure bubble, they have to (ECB) is finalising preparations — with the final scheduled on according to chairman of the go straight to the charter fl ight to host the world’s richest November 10. Bangalore franchise. without getting into the exten- Twenty20 league from Sep- It is not the first time that the Top stars including England’s sive migration procedures, and tember 19 after India’s struggle eight-team competition will be Ben Stokes and of without getting in touch with to contain the Covid-19 surge held outside India. Australia will be involved in the the general public.” prompted its relocation. The 2009 edition took place in limited-overs series that ends A total of 29 players from While it will be impossible to South Africa as it coincided with three days before the start of the England and Australia are part create the usual carnival-like India’s elections and the UAE IPL in the United Arab Emirates of the eight IPL squads. atmosphere in the stands, the hosted the early matches of on September 19. Earlier Chennai Super Kings ECB is hoping it would not be the eight-team tournament five The coronavirus pandemic has chief executive Kasi Viswa- a totally behind closed doors years later for the same reason. pushed IPL out of India and ac- nathan had told AFP a number aff air as is the norm during the “Having hosted the 2014 IPL cording to tournament protocols of English and Australian play- pandemic. our team is well aware of the the players will have to undergo a ers will “miss two or three “As hosts, Emirates Cricket requirements to deliver on a week’s isolation and testing be- games” due to quarantine Board will work closely with successful event,” Usmani said. fore they can join their teams. Australia’s , who also plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, is part of the squad rules. the authorities to seek ap- “We have a very capable team But Sanjeev Churiwala of the that will play a limited overs series in England. (Reuters) Many teams, including Ban- proval on what protocols need who has an exceptionally Royal Challengers Bangalore — galore and Chennai, will also to be followed, this includes strong cricket-administration led by India skipper Virat Kohli, will already be in a bio-bubble in series, on September 17, that detailed SOPs (Standard Operating travel with their own set of net fan attendance,” ECB general pedigree... We are very confi- and with Aaron Finch of Aus- England. is very close to our matches,” Procedures) and procedures to be bowlers to maintain a bio-se- secretary Mubashshir Usmani dent in delivering a successful tralia and England’s Moeen Ali “For the players landing af- Churiwala said. followed by these players in terms cure environment during the said by e-mail. tournament.” in the squad — feels the three ter the England and Australia “The BCCI have also issued very of their participation. eight-week tournament. Gulf Times Friday, August 21, 2020 3 SPORT

TENNIS MOTORSPORT Brawn defends F1’s Pursuit of Federer’s fastest driver list Reuters Jarno who I know very well said London, United Kingdom that if grands prix were fi ve laps long, he’d win every race because his speed was phenomenal over a ormula One managing very short period,” added Brawn. director Ross Brawn has Former Ferrari race engineer record spurred Djoko defended a controversial Rob Smedley, who worked with algorithm-based fastest Trulli at Jordan and helped AWS driverF ranking as a fascinating on the fastest driver project, exercise that stands up to scru- agreed. tiny, despite some social media “He was incredibly quick. But scorn. not great on a Sunday,” he said of The sport published a top 20 the Italian, whose only win was on Tuesday using machine learn- in Monaco — the slowest race on to head to US Open ing technology from Formula the calendar — from pole posi- One’s offi cial partner Amazon tion with Renault in 2004. Web Services (AWS) and analys- Smedley also revealed he had Federer and Nadal are among a number of top seeds who refused to travel ing 40 years’ worth of data. been contacted by about half the The late Brazilian great Ayrton current fi eld and a several ex- Reuters Senna was declared the fastest drivers. New York, United States based on single-lap performance “I’m popular in a few places when compared to teammates, but predominantly unpopular at with Michael Schumacher and the minute with most of the peo- ovak Djokovic decided Lewis Hamilton second and third. ple on the grid,” he added. to travel to New York The top 10 also included lesser Brawn said any ranking would for the US Open amid lights Heikki Kovalainen and Jar- always be controversial because the Covid-19 pandem- no Trulli. there was no defi nitive way to Nic because the 17-times Grand “What we set out to do here compare eras with diff erent cars Slam champion did not want was just to try and identify who and tracks. to pass up on the opportunity we thought was the fastest driver “We’ve extrapolated this and to close in on Roger Federer’s — a driver who has demonstrated we’re quite proud of it and I think record tally of 20. his speed over one lap and not it stands scrutiny and it’s contro- Federer will not be at Flush- necessarily his racing prowess or versial and we will get lots of de- ing Meadows this year after he his results,” Brawn told reporters bate around it and maybe we will took the year off to recover from on a video call on Wednesday. refi ne it,” he said. a knee surgery while defending “There’s been one or two sur- “I don’t think people are champion Rafael Nadal joined a prises but when you delve into it, laughing at it. I think it’s caused number of top seeds in refusing there’s a certain amount of sense,” plenty of debate. I think once you to travel to the US due to Cov- added Brawn, who never worked understand the methodology id-19 concerns. with Trulli and Kovalainen. then people will start to under- “I cannot say it’s the main “Someone who worked with stand.” reason why I’m here, but it’s one of the reasons,” Djokovic told The New York Times, adding that he came very close to skipping the tournament as well. “I have to think about myself and my health and my fi tness and whether my team is OK to be here. Once that was checked, then I, of course, also felt re- sponsible as a top player to be here, it’s important for our sport to keep going. “I want to play... That’s why In this June 12, 2020, picture, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts as he takes part in a charity tennis exhibition match in Belgrade. (AFP) I’m here. I’m personally not afraid of being in a risky, dan- ed whether they were fi nished gerous health situation for my- Two players in quarantine at US Open bubble aft er competing. self. If I felt that way, I most “We love this life. We had a likely would not be here.” contact tracing great run if this is over,” Bob Djokovic came under scrutiny Bryan said. in June when he hosted the ill- Reuters led environment that will host results for the Covid-19 test but “We’re gonna sit down and if fated Adria Tour in Serbia and New York, United States the Western & Southern Open are currently in quarantine. we decide to come back and play In this April 30, 2014, picture, a man walks past the pictures of Brazilian Croatia, which was scrapped and the US Open in New York. Due to the pandemic the West- in 2021, then you’ll probably see F1 driver Ayrton Senna during an exhibition at the Imola race track when many players and staff , in- Organisers of the Western & ern & Southern Open, typically us play the US Open just to keep in northern Italy. Senna was declared the fastest based on single-lap cluding himself, tested positive rgentina’s Guido Pella Southern Open on Wednesday held in Ohio, will be played at it going. If we decide to shut it performance in an algorithm-based ranking. (Reuters) for Covid-19. and Hugo Dellien of said two players, who were in the Billie Jean King National down in 2021, this might be it. The 33-year-old Serbian said ABolivia are in risk of close contact with the infected Tennis Center this year as a So who knows.” he felt the criticism had turned missing the US Open, which person, have been placed in lead-up event to the hardcourt Playing almost exclusively into a “witch hunt”. begins on August 31, after they quarantine and removed from Grand Slam. with each other throughout Torch relay schedule intact for next “I don’t think I’ve done any- were put in quarantine for 14 the tournament field. The play- One of tennis’ four Grand their 25-year careers, the Bry- thing bad to be honest,” Djoko- days due to their fitness trainer ers were not identified. Slams, the US Open usually at- ans captured a professional era year: Kyodo vic said. “I do feel sorry for peo- testing positive for Covid-19. However, men’s world number tracts the world’s greatest play- record 119 titles, including 16 ple that were infected. The United States Tennis As- 35 Pella and Dellien, who is ers to Flushing Meadows every Grand Slam wins, 39 ATP Mas- Tokyo Olympic organisers plan to follow roughly the same “Do I feel guilty for anybody sociation said on Tuesday that ranked 94, later posted separate year but several top athletes ters 1000s and the ATP Finals schedule, delayed by a year, for the nationwide torch relay that was infected from that a non-player has tested positive videos on Instagram to confirm have dropped out of the 2020 title four times. preceding the postponed summer Games, Kyodo News reported point onward in Serbia, Croatia for the virus within the control- that they have returned negative edition due to the pandemic. The Bryans also won Olympic yesterday. The relay is expected to start on March 25, 2021, in and the region? Of course not. gold at London 2012 and were Fukushima prefecture from the J-Village soccer training centre, a How can you blame one indi- part of the US Davis Cup-win- symbol of Japan’s reconstruction from the 2011 earthquake and vidual for everything?” BRYAN BROTHERS NOT ON the prospect that the 42-year- well after this year’s tournament ning team in 2007, the accom- tsunami, Kyodo said, citing unidentified off icials with knowledge Djokovic will fi rst play in the US OPEN ENTRY LIST old twins may have chosen to at Flushing Meadows, scene of plishments they have said they of the matter. Runners are to pass through all 47 of Japan’s Western & Southern Open, a Bob and Mike Bryan, the most end their professional careers. their Grand Slam debut in 1995. are the most proud of. prefectures in the relay lasting 121 days, as originally planned, warm-up tournament which successful doubles pair in the The Californian pair, famous In an interview last month af- Mike claimed two more Grand the news agency said. The relay had been scheduled to start began in New York yesterday, history of tennis, were not on for their trademark chest-bump ter a World Tennis Tour event at Slam titles with Jack Sock in in J-Village on March 26 this year, but just days before that, the before the US Open begins on the entry list for the US Open celebration, had previously an- the Greenbrier in West Virginia, 2018 after Bob was sidelined International Olympic Committee and Japanese government de- August 31. released on Wednesday, raising nounced they would bid fare- they said they had not yet decid- with a hip injury. cided to postpone the Games by a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Organisers aim to stick to the event as originally planned but could still make changes to contain the spread of CYCLING the coronavirus, Kyodo said. Japan’s fi rst Olympic badminton gold Miss becomes mister: Tour drops all-girl podium winner Takahashi retires Ayaka Takahashi, who won Japan’s first ever badminton Olympic AFP The problem is compounded gold with her doubles partner in Rio 2016, has retired conced- Nice, France out on the road and countryside. ing she no longer has the “inner fire” to compete. Takahashi and During the various cycling Misaki Matsutomo scored a spectacular come-from-behind win events of the summer, many at the 2016 Olympics, scoring five straight points when down ne of the Tour de riders regularly expressed their 19-16 in the final game to defeat Denmark’s Christinna Pedersen France’s most famous concerns on the subject. and Kamilla Rytter Juhl. But she has opted to skip the chance customs will end this “People do not realise that to defend her Olympic title on home soil, citing in part the deci- year when the post- when they come to shout at 40 sion to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Games by a year because of raceO podium ritual of the winner centimetres to encourage us, the coronavirus. “After winning the gold medal in Rio, I’d been being fl anked by two young, at- there is a risk,” said rider Julien struggling to maintain morale,” she confessed at an online press tractive women comes to an end. Bernard of the Trek team. conference this week. Despite training hard with Matsutomo, Instead, organisers said The worst scenario for the or- she said she had struggled with “records that were not satisfy- Wednesday that there will be ganisers would be that a case of ing enough in 2019, the suspension of tournaments, and the just one hostess on one side of Covid-19 spreads in the peloton. postponement of the Tokyo Olympics”. The Tokyo 2020 Games the celebrating cyclist with a On Wednesday, a battery are now scheduled to open on July 23, 2021, though there are male host on the other when the of health measures were an- questions about whether the global event can go ahead if the 2020 Tour starts in Nice on Au- nounced. pandemic has not receded by then. gust 29. The presentation of the “You used to see the champi- teams, on August 27 in Nice, will on surrounded by two hostesses, be in the presence of a maximum Muirfi eld to host AIG Women’s Open with fi ve elected offi cials on one of 1,750 people seated, a fi gure for fi rst time in 2022 side and fi ve representatives of that may be revised downwards the sponsors on the other,” said depending on the evolution of The R&A announced on Wednesday the venues for the next five race director, Christian Prud- In this July 26, 2019, picture, Colombia’s Egan Bernal (centre) is helped by hostesses to put on the yellow the health crisis. editions of the AIG Women’s Open, with Muirfield set to stage the homme. jersey on the podium of the 19th stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France in Tignes. (AFP) A Covid ‘cell’ of 15 people will major in 2022, five years after voting to admit women members. “Now, it will be diff erent with be on duty throughout the com- Muirfield is one of three courses set to host a women’s major only one elected offi cial and one ever-presents at the start of protocols required during the protective masks when they petition, in conjunction with the for the first time, along with Walton Heath in London and Royal representative of the sponsors of grands prix in the world cham- coronavirus pandemic will likely congregate at the road side or regional health agencies. Porthcawl in Wales which will stage the 2023 and 2025 editions, the yellow jersey, as well as a host- pionship. spell the end of such familiarity. high up in the mountain stages. A mobile screening labora- respectively. Carnoustie in Scotland will stage the major in 2021 ess and a host for the fi rst time.” Last year, a petition contain- The Tour de France was tory will be present throughout for the first time in a decade, while the iconic Old Course at St “Yes, it’s new but we have ing nearly 38,000 signatures pushed back to August/Septem- MASKS ‘COMMON SENSE’ the Tour, “with results known Andrews will host the championship in 2024. “With our partners already been doing it in other objected to the use of podium ber from its traditional July slot “For the spectators, on the road, within two hours maximum”. at AIG, we have a real ambition to grow and elevate the AIG races for 20 years like in Liege- girls on the Tour de France with due to the pandemic. there is no question. Common The cyclists will in particular Women’s Open for the benefit of the world’s leading golfers,” Bastogne-Liege.” activists protesting “women are Health concerns remain para- sense indicates that you have to be subjected to two tests before said Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of the R&A. Muirfield last The presence of attractive not objects nor rewards”. mount ahead of the Tour which wear a mask, even if the formal the start of the race as well as year invited women to join as members, two years after a vote young women on sports podi- Despite the change at the ends in Paris on September 20. obligation to do so depends on each rest day. to change the club’s all-male policy that had led to the historic ums has been a bone of conten- Tour, Prudhomme did not say Thousands of fans routinely the prefects of the 32 departments ‘Bubbles’, bio-secure units, Scottish links course being stripped of its eligibility to host the tion in recent years with many whether or not the tradition of line the route of three-week crossed,” said Prudhomme. will be put in place for teams and men’s Open Championship. The 2020 AIG Women’s Open will condemning it as sexist. each hostess giving the cyclists a showpiece. Wearing a mask in public is management, to avoid contact take place this week at Royal Troon, Scotland, without spectators In 2018, Formula One put an kiss would continue. On Wednesday, Prudhomme not compulsory throughout all with outsiders as much as pos- due to the Covid-19 pandemic. end to ‘grid girls’ who had been However, the current health appealed to spectators to wear areas of the country. sible. Gulf Times 4 Friday, August 21, 2020 SPORT

NBA NHL Lightning zap Blue Jackets in playoff s, Toronto Raptors Bruins oust ‘Canes

AFP of teammate Anthony Cirelli Montreal with 98 seconds remaining in the third period and Vasilev- skiy benched for an extra at- ampa Bay’s Brayden tacker. rally over Nets, Point scored 5:12 into overtime Wednesday PASTRNACK PROPELS to lift the Lightning BOSTON Tover the Columbus Blue Jack- Boston’s Jaroslav Halak made ets 5-4 and into the second 23 saves and David Pastrnak round of the National Hockey had two assists in his return as League playoff s. the Bruins defeated the Caroli- The Lightning won the na Hurricanes 2-1 to win their Jazz and Celtics win best-of-seven Eastern Con- best-of-seven series in fi ve ference series 4-1. Their sec- games. Czech forward Pas- ond-round foe in the isolation trnak missed the Bruins’ last ‘We’ve been here before. You’ve just got to stick with it, weather the storm’ bubble without fans in Toronto three games due to an undis- is still to be decided depending closed illness or injury. in other matchup re- sults. Second seed Tampa RESULTS Bay improved to 6-2 Tampa Bay 5-4 Columbus in bubble games this month that marked Boston 2-1 Carolina the NHL’s return from Colorado 7-1 Arizona a March 12 shutdown Montreal 5-3 Philadelphia due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 4-3 St. Louis The Lightning avenged a four-game sweep “I felt a bit better every loss to Columbus in last year’s shift,” Pastrnak said. “It was opening round. good to be back with the guys. “It’s funny how the hockey Obviously, anytime you’re gods work,” said Tampa coach watching the game from the Jon Cooper. stands, it’s tough. “To go through what we did “So really happy I was back last year and then to just get and an important win.” second-guessed on a lot of David Krejci and Patrice things we did and go through Bergeron each scored a goal and the season, and then have the an assist for Boston, who will pause and everything that’s learn their next opponent later. happened. Haydn Fleury scored a goal “To still end up playing the and Petr Mrazek stopped 25 same team, it’s easy to sit up shots for Carolina, who swept here and say you wanted them Boston in four straight in the now. But it was good to get them 2019 Eastern Conference fi nals. and good to get this result.” Also, Nick Suzuki scored the Point’s four goals in the se- winner as the Montreal Ca- ries also included the game nadiens staved off fi rst-round winner at 10:27 of the fi fth elimination with a 5-3 win overtime in game one, provid- over the top-seed Philadelphia ing a 3-2 triumph to conclude Flyers. Montreal’s game fi ve the fourth-longest game in victory cut the Flyers’ series playoff history. lead to 3-2. The number eight Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilev- seeded Canadiens will try to skiy made 37 saves, including level the series and force a 22 in the second period when game seven with a win on Fri- the Blue Jackets scored twice day in Toronto. and set a team record for shots In , Tyler Motte in a period of a playoff game. scored twice as the Vancouver The Blue Jackets fell behind Canucks rallied from a two- 2-0, roared ahead 4-2 and then goal defi cit to beat the St. Lou- were tied at 4-4 when Point’s is Blues 4-3 and take a 3-2 edge shot went in off the left skate in their series.

Norman Powell of the Toronto Raptors steals the ball from Garrett Temple of the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoff s at the Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA. (USA TODAY Sports)

AFP Powell extended the lead to eight points In Western Conference action, Do- Miami RESULTS with a driving dunk, and the Raptors novan Mitchell, scored 30 points and held on. “It’s just about focusing on what handed out eight assists for the Utah Jazz, Toronto 104-99 Brooklyn we’ve got to do, staying present, staying who cruised to a 124-105 victory over the oronto reserve Norman Powell Boston 128-101 Philadelphia within yourself, and staying confi dent in Denver Nuggets that knotted their series scored 12 of his 24 points in the Utah 124-105 Denver your abilities and taking what the game at one game apiece. It was a sweet reversal fourth quarter as the defending has given you,” Powell said. for Mitchell, who scored 57 points in a champion Raptors rallied to beat Dallas 127-114 Clippers Lowry fi nished with 21 points and nine game-one overtime loss to the Nuggets. TBrooklyn 104-99 Wednesday in their NBA rebounds and Pascal Siakam added 19 The Jazz seized control in the second playoff series. Toronto giveaways leading to six Nets points for the Raptors, who will try to take quarter, using a 2-9 scoring run to open a The Raptors took a commanding 2-0 points while 17 Brooklyn turnovers result- a 3-0 lead on Friday. 61-48 halftime lead. lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Confer- ed in 23 points for the Raptors. The Nets’ hopes of battling back could French center Rudy Gobert punctuated ence fi rst-round clash, being played in the Brooklyn, trailing by three with 15 sec- be hindered by the departure from Or- the half with a put-back dunk, and there league’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, onds remaining, had a chance to force lando of Joe Harris, who scored 14 points were fi ve minutes left to play in the fourth Florida. overtime but an ill-timed pass on their fi - with 15 rebounds before leaving the cam- when Denver coach Mike Malone started The Boston Celtics also seized a 2-0 nal possession led to a fi nal, decisive turn- pus for what the team called a “personal looking toward Friday’s game three, pull- lead in their Eastern Conference clash over – forced by Toronto’s Kyle Lowry – matter.” ing starters Nikola Jokic and Jamal Mur- with Philadelphia, shrugging off the ab- that sealed the win for the Raptors. Quarantine rules mean Harris will miss ray. Mitchell connected on 10 of 14 shots, sence of injured Gordon Hayward to “We’ve been here before,” said To- at least games three and four of the series. including six of seven from three-point thrash the 76ers 128-101. ronto’s Fred VanVleet, who delivered a Jayson Tatum was the star for Boston, range. The Raptors, who had converted 22 double-double of 24 points and 10 assists. scoring 33 points in a dominant victory. Jordan Clarkson added 26 points off the three-pointers in a game-one blowout of “You’ve just got to stick with it, weather Kemba Walker added 22 points and Jaylen bench as the Jazz withstood 28-point per- the Nets, connected on just 25.7 percent the storm.” Brown added 20 for a Celtics team that formances from Jokic and Michael Porter. of their three-point attempts – and 43.7 Trailing 80-74 through three quarters, announced after their game one win that After the bitter overtime defeat in game Brayden Point of the celebrates after percent of shots overall – under heavy de- the Raptors opened the fourth on a 17-5 Hayward would be sidelined for several one, Mitchell wasn’t getting ahead of scoring the game winning goal against the Columbus Blue fensive pressure from a Nets team eager to scoring run, taking their fi rst lead since weeks with a sprained ankle. himself. “At the end of the day, this is one Jackets during the first overtime period of the Game Five in even the series. the second period on OG Anunoby’s dunk Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 34 points game,” he said. “We did our job. We’ve got the Eastern Conference First Round Stanley Cup Playoff s at But turnovers proved crucial, with nine with nine minutes to play. and 10 rebounds. to get three more.” Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. (Getty Images/AFP)

LOSS Former NHL star Hawerchuk dies of cancer at 57 AFP| every level of hockey he played. “Dale Hawerchuk put Win- “So sad, what a incredible Los Angeles Hawerchuk’s father liked to say nipeg and the Jets on the map human being. I’m thankful that his son “was skating before he the day he arrived in our city in Ducky was my friend and I had could walk.” 1981, and his love for our com- a chance to talk with him yester- ale Hawerchuk, who At the famed Quebec Interna- munity and remarkable Hall of day and say goodbye. This world “was skating before he tional Pee Wee Hockey Tourna- Fame career will keep it there for is not same place without him.... could walk” and went ment in the mid-1970s, Hawer- many generations to come,” said RIP DALE,” Selanne wrote on so- on to play 16 seasons chuk scored all eight goals during a statement from the cial media. inD the an 8-1 victory in the fi nals, smash- Jets. Hawerchuk also won two in- before being inducted into the ing the long-standing record set “Dale had a relationship with ternational Canada Cup tourna- Hall of Fame, died Tuesday. He by the iconic Guy Lafl eur. our fans unlike any player in the ments representing Canada. It was 57. He was the No. 1 overall pick in history of our franchise. Wheth- was his defensive zone face-off Hawerchuk died after a battle the 1981 NHL entry draft by the er at home or on the world stage, win with under two minutes to with stomach cancer, which he . He won the NHL’s ‘Ducky’ was embraced by so play in the fi nal game of the 1987 was initially diagnosed with last 1982 Calder Trophy as the top many, so often because of his tournament that led to Mario year. “After an incredibly brave rookie, two years after winning humility and the grace by which Lemieux’s famous goal against and diffi cult battle with cancer, the rookie-of-the year trophy in he always carried himself.” the Soviet Union. our dad has passed away. My the Quebec Major Junior League Former Winnipeg Jet and “The National Hockey League family is so proud of him and the with the Cornwall Royals. Anaheim Duck superstar Teemu mourns the passing of Dale way he fought. #Hawerchuk- Hawerchuk played 1,188 Selanne said he spoke with Hawerchuk, an instant and en- Strong,” son Eric Hawerchuk games with the Jets, Buff alo Sa- Hawerchuk on Monday. during star who captured the wrote on social media. bres, St. Louis Blues and Phila- Selanne and the older Hawer- hearts of two hockey-loving cit- Hawerchuk underwent a gas- delphia Flyers, and recorded 518 chuk never played on the same ies, represented his country with trectomy in January to remove goals and 1,409 points. Jets team. Their careers fi rst class and distinction, and is one his stomach, as well as a tumour The fi ve-time all-star reached crossed paths when Selanne at- of the most decorated players in In this file photo taken on October 22, 2016, Dale Hawerchuk (left) of the Winnipeg Jets alumni chats and cancerous cells. He achieved 100 points six times and scored at tended a Jets training camp as a our game’s history,” said NHL with Kelly Buchberger of the alumni during the 2016 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic almost immediate success at least 40 goals in seven seasons. young draft pick. commissioner Gary Bettman. alumni hockey game at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, August 21, 2020 5 SPORT

MLB NFL will consider playoff bubble for extra Covid-19 safety

NFL playoff teams could Machado’s 10th-inning compete for a championship next January in a playoff bubble to better protect players from Covid-19, NFL vice president of football op- erations Troy Vincent said on Wednesday. Vincent said on a conference call that New Orle- slam lift s Padres over ans Saints coach Sean Payton suggested a post-season bub- ble in the latest competition ‘The roles are kind of changing committee call, a move that would need backing from the with matchups and who’s up, who’s NFL Players Association also. “All things are on the table,” down, who needs a day off ’ said Vincent, who said the Texas Rangers NFL used the term “secure environment” rather than Reuters “bubble” much the way the Arlington, Texas NBA has adopted “campus” to describe its quarantine environment. The playoff anny Machado hit a walk-off grand bubble remains only an idea, slam on a full-count pitch with one out with the league planning to in the 10th inning Wednesday night, start the season September giving the host San Diego Padres a 6-3 10 with Houston at reigning Mwin over the Texas Rangers. Super Bowl champion Kansas With Jurickson Profar on second to start the in- City and a full 16 games per ning, representing the tying run, Texas reliever club to follow at team home Rafael Montero (0-1) walked Trent Grisham and stadiums. Fernando Tatis Jr. after pinch hitter Greg Garcia had Thus far, 13 NFL clubs said bunted Profar to third. they do not plan to allow Machado then drove his sixth career walk-off spectators and six others say homer into the second deck in left. It was also the they will have only a limited Padres’ third grand slam, and third win, in as many number of fans at games, days against the Rangers. trimming stadium capacity to “I think it’s a little day-to-day,” Padres manager allow social distancing. Jayce Tingler said of a bullpen that had the fourth- Teams will follow local govern- highest ERA (6.08) in the majors. ment regulations in their “The roles are kind of changing with matchups areas. and who’s up, who’s down, who needs a day off . I The NBA and National Hockey do think that something we’ll probably be doing League have had success going forward.” with bubble quarantine Tim Hill (1-0) got the victory despite entering atmospheres, avoiding the with runners on base in the top of the 10th and per- outbreaks that have hit Major mitting the go-ahead run to score. League Baseball, which has The Rangers took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 10th teams travelling and playing when Willie Calhoun drove home the tiebreaking in team ballparks rather than run with a two-out, bases-loaded, 45-foot single in a quarantine situation. in front of the plate. Texas had loaded the bases The NFL plans to use an with no ones when Padres reliever Cal Quantrill hit advisory committee to handle Derek Dietrich with a pitch and then bobbled Jose matters such as Covid-19 Trevino’s sacrifi ce bunt for an error. outbreaks and postpone- ments because of potential conflict of interest issues for RESULTS members of the competition Padres 6-3 Rangers committee. The league is working out how Astros 13-6 Rockies to handle possible seeding Rays 4-2 Yankees issues if teams do not play the Mariners 6-4 Dodgers same number of games due to cancellation of games. The Blue Jays 5-2 Orioles NFL has trimmed the number Red Sox 6-3 Phillies of people allowed on the Indians 6-1 Pirates field before games, barring cheerleaders, mascots, media Cardinals 9-3 Cubs and fans. Cubs 4-2 Cardinals There is no decision about Royals 4-0 Reds whether or not the NFL will continue daily Covid-19 test- Reds 5-0 Royals ing beyond September 5, the A’s 4-1 D’Backs Saturday before the season Brewers 9-3 Twins opens. Mets 5-3 Marlins Travelling NFL teams, barred from leaving their hotels or White Sox 5-3 Tigers eating in restaurants open to Giants 7-2 Angels the public, will not be allowed The San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado hits a game-winning grand slam in the 10th inning against the Texas Rangers at Petco Park in San Diego on August 19, to grab takeout food. Room Hill entered and struck out pinch hitter Rob Ref- 2020. The Padres won 6-3. (San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS) service and contactless deliv- snyder and Danny Santana before Calhoun topped ery will be permitted. the ball in front of the plate. Padres catcher Austin nenworth hit a bloop double off Lynn, ending a straight. Tucker had four RBIs, Correa drove in Altuve’s single and scored on Toro’s single. One out Hedges was unable to fi eld it as Nick Solak scored. streak of 33 at-bats against Lynn without allowing three runs, and Jones knocked in two. later, Yuli Gurriel doubled home two more. After Browns’ Johnson hospitalised Calhoun suff ered a leg injury on the play and left a hit over a run of 10 2/3 innings. Lynn gave up two Astros third baseman Alex Bregman left the Ashton Goudeau replaced Hoff man, Gurriel scored with lacerated liver the game. The Padres were leading 2-1 before Joey hits before retiring a hitter in his last start at Colo- game in the fourth inning after apparently injuring on Correa’s single. Cleveland Browns cornerback Gallo hit his seventh homer of the season while rado on Aug. 14, then fi nished with a two-hitter. his right leg on a double to right. Toro replaced him. Springer hit a solo homer in the eighth before Kevin Johnson was recovering leading off the ninth against Matt Strahm. Rougned Odor had given the Rangers the when Matt Kemp, Chris Owings and Raimel Tapia had Colorado got two in the bottom of the inning on in a local hospital on Thursday That removed dueling right-handers Chris he homered to right on a one-strike curve from two hits each for Colorado, which has lost eight of Drew Butera’s RBI double and Tony Wolters’ run- after suff ering a lacerated liver Paddack of San Diego and Lance Lynn of Texas as Paddack with one out in the second. Paddack al- its past 10. scoring single. That ended the night for Framber when a teammate landed on the pitchers of record. Lynn allowed two runs on lowed one run on four hits and two walks with fi ve Correa led off the fi fth inning with a home run, Valdez (2-2), who allowed three runs, one earned, him during a practice session. eight hits and no walks with six strikeouts over strikeouts in six innings. his third of the season, off Ryan Castellani (0-1) to on seven hits and a walk in 7 2/3 innings. He struck The 28-year-old defender eight innings. He threw 111 pitches, and the two snap a 1-1 tie. Tucker tripled to right and scored on out fi ve. was taken to the hospital on runs came on solo homers in the third by Profar and ASTROS SOCK FOUR HOMERS, ROUT ROCKIES Jones’ fi rst major league hit, a single. Tucker capped his night with a two-run homer in Wednesday with an abdomi- Tatis. Profar tied the game with his second homer Kyle Tucker tripled twice and homered among his Houston extended the lead in the sixth and the ninth, his third. The Rockies scored three in the nal injury and tests revealed in as many nights against his former teammates four hits, Martin Maldonado, Carlos Correa and chased Castellani. Tucker greeted reliever Jeff in the bottom of the ninth on Owings’ RBI single the rupture. “Kevin is resting while leading off the inning. Lynn retired the next George Springer also homered, and the Houston Hoff man with another triple to score two, and and Brendan Rodgers two-run single. comfortably and is expected two Padres before Tatis homered on a one-ball of- Astros beat the Colorado Rockies 13-6 on Wednes- Jones followed with a single to make it 6-1. Colorado went ahead 1-0 in the second when to remain in the hospital for fering, the drive to straightaway center covering day night in Denver. Castellani allowed fi ve runs on eight hits and a Kemp reached on a one-out single, moved to sec- at least another 24 hours for 419 feet and giving the 21-year-old shortstop his Correa had three hits and Springer, Maldonado, walk while striking out one in 5 2/3 innings. ond on Valdez’s throwing error and came home on observation,” the Browns said major-league-leading 12th homer in his 26th game. Jose Altuve, Abraham Toro and Taylor Jones had The Astros tacked on four more in the seventh Tapia’s single. Maldonado tied it with a solo home in a statement yesterday. With two outs in the second inning, Jake Cro- two hits each for Houston, which has won seven inning. Springer led off with a double, moved up on run in the third inning, his third of the season.

NFL Titans agree to deal with quarterback Siemian Reuters Siemian fi nished the 2017 season on sons with the Dallas Cowboys (2015- Court of Appeal. The court said that New York injured reserve due to a left shoulder 18) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2019). law enforcement didn’t have the right injury. to fi lm customers inside a business as Siemian was traded to the Minne- COURT RULES VIDEOS part of an investigation. uarterback Trevor Siemian sota Vikings following the season but INADMISSIBLE IN KRAFT CASE “The act of video surveillance itself and the Tennessee Titans didn’t see any playing time in 2018. He Video footage that purportedly shows is perhaps the most intrusive form of agreed to a one-year con- spent last season with the New York New England Patriots owner Rob- electronic law enforcement spying,” tract on Wednesday, accord- Jets and suff ered a season-ending left ert Kraft engaging in an illegal sex act the court said. ingQ to Mike McCartney, the player’s ankle injury in a mid-September start can’t be admitted as evidence against However, a judge had signed off on agent. in place of injured starter Sam Darnold. him, a Florida appeals court ruled on what’s known as a “sneak and peek” Siemian, who has made 25 career The 25-year-old Woodside has nev- Wednesday. warrant to allow cameras to be in- NFL starts, is expected to compete er played in an NFL game. The prosecution had challenged a stalled secretly at the Florida day spa, with Logan Woodside for the backup Woodside played college football at ruling by a lower court that the videos which was under investigation for al- job behind Ryan Tannehill. Tennessee Toledo and was a seventh-round pick taken at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in legedly serving as a cover for prostitu- also reportedly cut quarterback Cole in the 2018 draft by the Cincinnati Jupiter, Fla., were inadmissible. tion. McDonald on Wednesday. He was the Bengals. Kraft was one of 24 men charged The videos were the key pieces of team’s seventh-round pick in April out The Bengals waived him shortly be- with soliciting prostitution at the spa. evidence against Kraft, the 79-year- of Hawaii. Siemian, 28, was the Denver fore the start of the 2018 season and Kraft has pleaded not guilty to two old billionaire who also owns the New Broncos’ main starter for two seasons the Titans signed him to their practice counts of soliciting, which allegedly England Revolution of Major League and passed for 30 touchdowns and 24 squad. He was released by Tennessee side re-signed with the Titans. Wood- McDonald passed for 8,032 yards, occurred in January 2019. Soccer. interceptions during the tenure. three-plus weeks later. side established school career records 70 touchdowns and 24 interceptions at “We fi nd the trial courts properly Kraft’s trial was postponed indefi - He set career highs of 3,401 yards The following spring, Woodside of 10,514 yards and 93 touchdowns at Hawaii from 2016-19. He also rushed concluded that the criminal defend- nitely in May to allow for the appeal to and 18 touchdowns in 14 games in passed for 1,353 yards, seven touch- Toledo from 2013-17. He also threw 25 for 12 touchdowns. The Titans also re- ants had standing to challenge the be heard. 2016, but his production dropped in downs and seven interceptions for the interceptions. portedly agreed to terms with tight end video surveillance and that total sup- Should prosecutors eventually de- 2017 when he played in 11 games (10 San Antonio Commanders of the Al- Woodside also set Toledo’s single- Geoff Swaim. pression of the video recordings was cide to drop the charges, Kraft still starts) and tossed more interceptions liance of American Football. After the season touchdown passes mark with Swaim, 27, has 48 receptions for 401 constitutionally warranted,” read the could be subject to discipline from the (14 to 10) than the previous campaign. league suspended operations, Wood- 45 in 2016. yards and one touchdown in fi ve sea- ruling from Florida’s Fourth Circuit NFL. Gulf Times 6 Friday, August 21, 2020 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Virus threat casts shadow over return of The league’s five-year contract with Spain’s Mediapro gives the 20 clubs 1.153bn euros each season

AFP registered four new cases this week. Paris “The clubs are seriously worried,” one Ligue 1 director said. “We are worried about having not been able to take the igue 1 returns today with the car out of the garage for three months threat of the coronavirus loom- and when we do finally get back on ing large over the start of a the road having to stop every 100 kil- 2020-21 season that will get ometres.” Lunderway with a reduced line-up of A 57-page medical and health proto- matches. Three of the league’s big- col set up by the League is designed to gest clubs will not play on the opening limit stoppages and reduce contamina- weekend, with Paris Saint-Germain to tion as much as possible. Players will contest the Champions League fi nal in be tested two to three days before each Lisbon on Sunday. match and a game should be postponed Lyon are also resting having featured as soon as four cases are found at the in the fi nal stages of the Champions same club within an eight-day period. League and Marseille are dealing with a This is precisely what happened to rash of Covid-19 cases that led to their Marseille and could happen to Nimes. match with Saint-Etienne being post- “Even with the best will, the best poned. The match at the Stade Velo- medical system, the best controls, we drome was supposed to be today’s cur- have risks which do not depend on us tain raiser for a season being broadcast and which can cause us major harm”, under a new TV deal set to bring record warned one club president. revenues to clubs living on scraps for Notwithstanding fears over the vi- the past fi ve months. rus, some fans will be allowed to at- The league’s fi ve-year contract with tend matches, with a government- Spain’s Mediapro gives the 20 clubs mandated maximum of 5,000 people 1.153bn euros ($1.37bn) each season, a including the teams and coaching and welcome boost to the coff ers after last organisational staff permitted to enter season was suspended in March and stadiums. then curtailed while Europe’s other However fan groups at several clubs big leagues restarted and fi nished their said the rules mean they will not go to campaigns. However fans will instead matches. The virus worries have over- be greeted by Bordeaux hosting Nantes shadowed what has been billed as an today, a slightly less attractive prospect exciting new season following France’s than the Europa League fi nal taking exploits in the Champions League and a place later that evening and a French number of clubs, including Lyon, Mar- club potentially becoming champions Marseille’s match against Saint-Etienne has been postponed. The match at the Stade Velodrome was supposed to be today’s curtain raiser for a season being broadcast seille and Monaco looking to re-estab- of Europe for the fi rst time since 1993 under a new TV deal set to bring record revenues to clubs living on scraps for the past five months. (AFP) lish themselves as forces with which to over the weekend. be reckoned. The postponement of Marseille’s On Wednesday Toulouse became the certain areas from tomorrow, a measure ing the cancellation of many pre-season On Wednesday Montpellier an- However PSG will take some stop- clash with Saint-Etienne to September fi rst French city to declare face masks already in place in capital city Paris. friendlies. One of those players is Nantes nounced their seventh case of the ping after they cruised to a domestic 17 comes after four players among An- compulsory outdoors in a bid to halt the Meanwhile more than half of the top captain Abdoulaye Toure, whose side had pandemic, the club’s top scorer from treble last season and aim for a 10th dre Villas-Boas’s squad tested positive quickening spread of the virus. France’s division’s clubs have recorded cases of recorded seven virus cases since the end last season Andy Delort, while Nimes’ league title that would draw them level for Covid-19 as a second wave of the third-most populated city Lyon said the disease — totalling some 40 players — of last month but will currently play the opening match with Brest on Sunday with faded former powerhouse Saint- pandemic threatens France. masks would become compulsory in jeopardising their preparation and caus- season’s opening match. could also be postponed after they Etienne.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE Lyon return empty-handed with Cabin fever hits Chinese prospect of losing key players football’s coronavirus ‘bubble’ AFP Reuters Shanghai Lisbon trict coronavirus meas- ad ’ Memphis ures appear to be taking Depay and found their toll on Chinese Su- the back of the net in the opening per League footballers, 16 minutes against Bayern Munich withS one saying his head was onH Wednesday, the Champions League may “spinning” in the claustrophobic have had its fi rst ever all-French fi nal. “bubble” — and they still have Instead, Paris St Germain will now face six weeks to go. the German champions while Lyon return Chinese football introduced home empty-handed and without the op- harsh rules when it launched the portunity of righting those wrongs next sea- CSL season in two bio-secure son after they failed to qualify for Europe’s bubbles after a fi ve-month de- premier club competition. lay because of Covid-19, which Ligue 1 was the only top-fl ight league emerged in Wuhan last year. from the ‘Big Five’ to prematurely end its The 16 teams disappeared into season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leav- two sealed-off hotels, one in Su- ing Lyon in seventh place on a points-per- zhou and the other in Dalian, a game basis — thereby missing out on the month ago and will not leave un- Europa League as well. til the end of September. Apart The 3-0 scoreline fl atters Bayern as Lyon from their hotels, stars such as Chinese football introduced harsh rules when it launched the CSL had their chances but playing in only their Oscar, Marko Arnautovic and season in two bio-secure bubbles after a five-month delay. (AFP) second semi-fi nal on the big stage, their Marouane Fellaini see only sta- inexperience cost them dearly while their diums — where no fans are al- The suspended English Premier ing” despite being vastly out- German opponents were clinical thanks to lowed — and training pitches. League season was completed numbered by men. In Suzhou a Serge Gnabry masterclass. Lyon’s players Midfielder (left) was one of the standout performers for Lyon with French They cannot meet their families. in about fi ve weeks, while Aus- the eight teams have their own have learned a valuable lesson but whether media reporting Arsenal are interested in signing the talented 22-year-old. (AFP) Coaches, support staff , referees tralia’s National Rugby League building each in the Taimei Xi- they will be around next season to put those and even the hotel workers must and Aussie Rules also have more angguli Hotel. into practice for the French club remain futures. “There will be departures but I’m next week and the Frenchman is aware the also stay in the “Blue” zone, away relaxed bubbles that allow travel “We have open space to walk, doubtful with certain performances catch- not worried,” Juninho said. “When you have semi-fi nal exit may have taken a mental toll from the outside world. and have games in front of fans. a swimming pool, gym,” said the ing the eye of bigger European sides. players who play very well in a competition on the players. Everyone is tested for corona- Rafael Benitez, the former 40-year-old Spaniard. “Moreo- Midfi elder Houssem Aouar was one of the like this, like Moussa and Houssem... We “We have some psychological work to do virus once a week. The restrictive Real Madrid manager who is ver, there are great benefi ts of standout performers for Lyon in this cam- will have to show the same spirit to be back with the players to quickly refocus on the environment, coupled with the now at Dalian Pro, is trying to having all teams here, such as paign but he may have played his last game in the Champions League next season. The league because we can’t aff ord a bad start,” physical exertion of playing two make the best of being lumped meeting new people and new for the club with French media reporting aim now is to continue working immedi- Garcia said, adding that the futures of key matches a week in temperatures together with seven other teams professionals and having the Arsenal are interested in signing the talented ately with Ligue 1... We will have to work. If players was not in his hands but the club that have surpassed 35 degrees under one roof. The Spaniard chance to share time and experi- 22-year-old. we continue like this, we will be back in this president Jean-Michel Aulas. Celsius (95F), is proving diffi cult has praised China’s response to ences.” Lyon’s top scorer Moussa Dembele, who competition.” “We don’t know what’s going to happen... for some. “When I think about the pandemic, but wrote on his On the eve of the season, the scored 24 goals this season, may move on Lyon have no time to dwell on the loss But when we look at the team, I didn’t have being walled in for the next one- blog: “This kind of plan would Chinese Football Association too with Lyon sporting director Juninho not with Ligue 1 restarting its season this week- to make it to the Champions League semi- and-a-half months, my head is be impossible in Europe, eve- admitted it was concerned about mincing his words when talking about their end. Rudi Garcia’s side play their fi rst match fi nals to know how good my players are.” spinning, so I don’t dare think ryone stuck in a hotel — staff , the players’ mental well-being, too much,” one player told Soccer technical staff and players — for especially being away from their News, which warned last week two months, only being allowed families for so long. To while that players had reached “a psy- out to train and play matches. away the hours they can play Wigan set to escape further penalty as owner waives debts chologically critical period”. An It’d be unthinkable,” added the on games consoles and arcade unnamed boss of one club added: 60-year-old, whose Dalian side machines, and there is a library London: Embattled Wigan Kong businessman enquired sary to put this into eff ect and sible chance to agree a sale”. “I feel like the players can’t stand is yet to win in fi ve matches. and karaoke. Some are shopping should avoid a further points about putting the club into to use all monies for the benefit Begbies Traynor sounded a it anymore.” Benitez, a Champions League online, with all purchases thor- penalty next season after own- administration on the eve of of the club,” a statement from more optimistic note regarding Soccer News also quoted winner with Liverpool in 2005, oughly disinfected before play- er Au Yeung Wai Kay waived informing the English Football the administrators said. “By finding a purchaser for the club Shanghai SIPG’s Brazilian for- has spent some of his free time ers get their hands on them. But £36mn ($47.1mn) in debts League he had bought a major- waiving all his rights Mr Yeung than they did on Monday. ward Ricardo Lopes as saying: chatting with fellow coaches Fa- conscious that cabin fever could owed to him by the third-tier ity stake. has also made it much more They had warned unless “The only problem is that my bio Cannavaro and Giovanni van be setting in, offi cials in Suzhou club. Begbies Traynor, Wigan’s Wigan were placed in admin- possible to pay the necessary an agreement is reached by kids are all in Brazil and some- Bronckhorst, and also played a have arranged a “Billiard Mas- administrators, said they were istration on July 1 and penalised 25p dividend to the credi- August 31, they will have to con- times I miss them very, very bit of table tennis. ters” competition between rival also in talks with “serious bid- 12 points which ultimately sent tors and thus avoid a further sider whether the club can be much.” Other sports have created They are all in Dalian, where players, the Beijing Youth Daily ders” interested in buying the them down instead of third- 15-point penalty next season.” funded into the 2020-21 season. their own cocoons, but Chinese teams have two fl oors each of a said. There will also be an eS- 2013 FA Cup winners, who were from-bottom Barnsley. Yeung’s The statement said Yeung However, on Thursday they football’s is particularly de- hotel for what will be nearly two- ports tournament and reading relegated from the Champion- Next Leader Fund was owed had “cooperated fully for intimated productive talks were manding. and-a-half months by the time club. “Hard training, fi erce com- ship last season. separate debts of £25.3m and the benefit of the club” and taking place. “Talks are continu- The NBA basketball is playing they can fi nally leave. petition and long-term separa- Yeung wrote off the debts £10.7m by the club. acted “in order to ensure the ing with serious bidders with a out in a six-week bubble in Dis- Qingdao Huanghai’s Erica tion from relatives and friends days after it was revealed by an “(Yeung) has given the ad- survival of the club and to give view to bring a successful sale ney World, Florida, before the Hernandez, the only woman requires players to relieve their independent panel the Hong ministrators the powers neces- the administrators the best pos- to fruition,” the statement said. playoff s, while the CSL’s regular physiotherapist in the CSL, has mental fatigue in certain ways,” season will last about 10 weeks. found the experience “enrich- the state-run newspaper said. Gulf Times Friday, August 21, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

EUROPA LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Discarded by Spain and Real Madrid, Only winners are Lopetegui fi nds salvation at Sevilla AFP ing staff as 17 new players arrived remembered, and 28 departed over the course Cologne, Germany of the season. Among those to leave were top scorers Wissam wo years on from the Ben Yedder and Pablo Sarabia embarrassment of be- and replacing them has proved ing sacked as coach of problematic with Lucas Ocam- his country on the eve pos and the Conte warns Inter Tof a World Cup, only players to reach double fi g- has rebuilt his reputation to take ures for goals this season. Sevilla back to a sixth Europa But Lopetegui has constructed ‘History is written by the conquerors, the winners. That is added motivation for us’ League fi nal in 14 years. a hard team to beat as is evi- The Spaniards’ success in Eu- denced by a club record run of 20 rope’s second-tier competition games without defeat either side is no longer a surprise despite of a three-month shutdown due the continued churn of players to coronavirus. Only Real Madrid and coaches without the wealth and Atletico Madrid had a better of the continent’s superclubs. defensive record in this However, a return to the Europa season and Bruno Fernandes’s League fi nal for the fi rst time penalty in the semi-fi nal is the since 2016 on top of a fi rst top- only goal Sevilla have conceded four fi nish in La Liga for three in three knockout games since seasons, is sweet vindication for arriving in Germany against Lopetegui after a nightmare few Roma, Wolves and Manchester months in 2018 threatened to United. derail his coaching career. “There are always doubts un- Hopes were high that the til you really know the coach,” former Real Madrid and Barcelo- Monchi said. “Julen has pleas- na goalkeeper could produce one antly surprised me. Everyone last hurrah from Spain’s golden told me that he was very pro- generation that had won three fessional and he’s won me over. major tournaments from 2008 to When I see someone like him I 2012 ahead of the World Cup in fall in love, so I’m very happy to Russia. Spain were unbeaten in work with him.” Lopetegui’s 20 games in charge The team-spirit Lopetegui of the national team, including has fostered was clearly on show impressive wins over Argen- during the semi-fi nal as Sevilla tina, Italy, Belgium and eventual rode their luck, but showed no world champions France. little heart to beat United 2-1 But he paid a heavy price for with a fraction of the budget of his own misjudgement and the the English giants. Despite the politics of Spanish football as he empty stands in Cologne, Sevilla accepted the role as Zinedine Zi- were roared on by an enthusi- dane’s successor at Real Madrid astic crowd of substitutes, team days before the tournament got directors and staff compared to underway. Furious Spanish fed- the largely silent and bemused eration president Luis Rubiales United contingent. fi red him two days before Spain’s “We know we have created our opening match against Portugal own strong and loud support,” in a move that did neither side said Lopetegui of the encourage- much good. Lopetegui returned ment from the sidelines. home a haunted fi gure as he was “It was been a diffi cult but also presented at the Santiago Berna- a beautiful year,” he added on a beu just a day later and Spain fi rst season in Seville that is now limped out on penalties to Russia into its 13th month. The team in the last 16 after winning just has had the possibility to grow, Inter Milan’s head coach Antonio Conte (centre) takes part in a training session on the eve of the UEFA Europa League final against Sevilla in Cologne, western Germany. (AFP) one match in four. overcoming obstacles, because The decision to take the Ma- of their hard work, solidarity and AFP experience on the losing end in major fi - sea, but believes his fi rst year in Milan has goals. Lukaku was Conte’s top priority in drid job was even more mis- team spirit.” Sevilla will need to Cologne, Germany nals, losing two more Champions League seen a more gradual improvement. “My the transfer market last summer and fi - guided as Lopetegui lasted just be the better unit again in today’s fi nals and at the 1994 World Cup and perception working with these players nally convinced the club to splash out a 14 games and was sacked again fi nal against another European Euro 2000 with Italy. “What I’ve realised day in, day out, all of the players bought club record 75mn euros ($89mn) to sign by late October. Sevilla off ered giant with better individuals in nter Milan’s progress to a fi rst Eu- is that people only remember when you into the work and have become braver as the Belgian. a shot at redemption, but also Inter Milan. But after fi ve wins ropean fi nal in a decade will not be win fi nals,” the former Juventus, Chelsea the season wore on. The braver we be- “I knew Lukaku very well because came with a risk. Monchi’s re- in fi ve previous fi nals, Sevilla can cherished unless they beat Sevilla to and Italy boss said at his pre-match press came, the greater chances we had to bring he’s a player I’d followed for some time,” turn as sporting director kicked never be underestimated in the win the Europa League today, coach conference yesterday. home a big trophy like the Europa League. Conte added. “I tried many times to sign off a huge turnover of the play- Europa League. IAntonio Conte has warned his players. “I won the Champions League, but I We’re here now and we need to make the him at my former clubs. I knew the char- The Italian giants have not won any sil- lost a further four fi nals and the people most of the opportunity,” Conte said. acteristics he had. As for Lautaro, he was verware for nine years, but have made big that leave their mark on history are those Sevilla are the most successful side in a player I had admired on television, even strides in Conte’s fi rst season in charge that win matches and trophies. We should Europa League history with fi ve wins in though he hadn’t played much last year. I to close to within one point of peren- be proud we have reached a fi rst fi nal for the competition over the past 14 years. saw his capability and his quality. It was nial champions Juventus at the top of 10 years, especially at a prestigious club But it is Inter who are favourites in Co- inevitable that, working together, and Serie A and sweep aside Getafe, Bayer like Inter. But history is written by the logne thanks to a potent striker partner- working a lot, the understanding between Leverkusen and Shakhtar Donetsk since conquerors, the winners. That is added ship of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Mar- the two would develop. the Europa League’s return earlier this motivation for us to go out and win.” tinez. “They’re players who have the typi- month in northern Germany. Conte has made a habit of having an Both scored twice in a 5-0 thrashing of cal selfi shness of a forward, but also the Conte won the Champions League instant impact. He won league titles in his Shakhtar in Monday’s semi-fi nal to take selfl essness to play for the team and help with Juventus as a player, but had more fi rst season at Siena, Juventus and Chel- their combined tally for the season to 54 others score.”

Liverpool to begin Premier League title defence against Leeds

London: Liverpool will begin defending against Aston Villa and United against Hotspur host Everton. Elsewhere on the The first showdown between title their Premier League title on Sept. 12 Burnley but those games have been opening weekend, Crystal Palace host rivals Liverpool and Manchester City will at Anfield, according to a fixture list for moved. United will now kick off the sea- Southampton, while West Ham United take place on Nov. 7 at the Etihad Sta- the new season, when they play newly son at home to Crystal Palace on Sept. 19, face Newcastle United at the London dium with the other game scheduled for promoted Leeds United, who return to according to the fixture list released by Stadium. Chelsea and Wolverhampton Feb. 6.The first major derby of the season England’s top-flight for the first time in 16 the league yesterday, and City will travel Wanderers’ opening matches are both is set for Oct. 17 when Everton host Liver- years. Manchester City and Manchester to Wolverhampton Wanderers for their scheduled for Sept. 14, with the Blues pool, while the two Manchester derbies United will not participate on the open- opener on the same day. travelling to Brighton & Hove Albion and are scheduled for the weekends of Dec. ing weekend after they were guaranteed Mikel Arteta will begin his first full Wolves visiting Sheff ield United. Juergen 12 and March 6. The season, which will 30 days of rest following the end of their season in charge of Arsenal with a trip Klopp’s Liverpool then travel to Chelsea not have a winter break, will conclude on European seasons. to newly promoted Fulham on Sept. 12, for their second game of the season be- May 23, less than three weeks before the City were due to open their season while north London rivals Tottenham fore hosting FA Cup champions Arsenal. start of European Championships. Sevilla’s Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui arrives for a training session on the eve of the UEFA Europa League final against Inter Milan. (AFP)

FOCUS Africa’s star Oshoala gives Barcelona tenacious spark, wins over parents AFP She was voted Africa’s best woman go on to be my top striker as we had a “It was a magical moment,” said Bilbao, Spain player in 2019. The fourth time she has very good midfi eld to pass the ball to Oshoala who displays her appetite for won the award. Yet her family wanted her to race to goal,” club founder Em- change with her hair. Oshoala to give up before she had re- manuel Osahon, who spotted her at a “If I see a colour I like, I dye my hair,” arcelona striker Asisat Oshoala ally started in Ikorodu, a poor and tournament in Lagos, said. “I am not she told the Barcelona website. has become one of African overpopulated neighbourhood on the surprised by how far she has since gone “It’s orange at the moment, but next football’s biggest women stars outskirts of Lagos. “My parents were in her career because she’s very disci- week it could be red, pink or yellow. Not even though her family tried to against Asisat pursuing a career in a plined, focused and ambitious.” for any special reason, simply because I preventB her playing. man’s sport particularly because she’s a She started as a defensive midfi elder like a change.” Today, the 25-year-old Nigerian will girl and we are devout Muslims, but she and was nicknamed ‘Seedorf’ after She has set up the Asisat Oshoala attempt to propel Barcelona toward a refused to give up her dream,” her older the former Dutch midfi elder, Clarence Foundation in Lagos which works on second straight Champions League fi - brother Abdulbasic said, praising her Seedorf. She played for Rivers Angels, a wide range of sporting, educational, nal when they take on Atletico Madrid “tenacity”. Nigeria’s leading women’s football club social and medical initiatives for young in a one-off quarter-fi nal behind closed Oshoala told the club website about but began to attract attention in Europe women footballers, with fi nancial sup- doors in Bilbao. the opposition. “I must admit it caused when she played as a striker at the 2014 port from her sponsor Nike. Last May, she came off the bench in a lot of arguments with my mother, but women’s Under-20 World Cup and fi n- “We only work with girls because Budapest with Barcelona already four I got my way,” she said. Her parents ished as top scorer. boys have enough opportunities any- down to Lyon and hit a last-minute were shopkeepers. She was one of sev- Oshoala joined Liverpool in 2015. way,” she said. consolation goal to become the fi rst en children from her father’s two wives. “I had other off ers, but as I only speak “It is hard for girls in Africa to play African woman to score in a European “It’s normal in my country,” she said. English, I chose this option,” she said. football and other sports.” Cup fi nal. “I am proud to have scored “Superzee”, as she is known to team- After one injury-hit season on Mersey- She has also helped her family, buy- Barca’s fi rst ever goal in a European fi - mates, started playing at school and in side, she moved to Arsenal and in 2017 ing her mother a house in the old part nal but was also sad about the result,” the street before joining her fi rst club, accepted an off er from Dalian in China, of Lagos. Perhaps the arguments of the she told the Barcelona website in an in- FC Robo Queens. “What caught my eye before joining Barcelona at the start of past have been forgotten. terview published on August 16. was how fi t and athletic she is. She will Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala was voted Africa’s best woman player in 2019. 2019.

Friday, August 21, 2020 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

QNB STARS LEAGUE MATCH REPORT Sadd fi ght back to Umm Salal survive draw with Gharafa By Sports Reporter zak and Akram each were twice Doha thwarted by Gharafa goalkeeper Salah Zakaria. At the other end, Sofi ane Hanni was the livewire kram Afi f salvaged a for Gharafa as he combined well drop aft er Shahania point for Al Sadd with with , whose a stoppage time goal long shot was blocked by Sadd against Al Gharafa in a goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham. 1-1A draw in the QNB Stars League Gharafa surged ahead after the at the Al Janoub Stadium yes- hour mark when Alaaeldin found terday. Ahmed Alaaeldin had the target, with Sofi ane doing the opened the scoring for Al Ghara- spadework and Saeed Eisa as- draw against Al Khor fa in the 65th minute, but they sisting for the goal. could not hold on to a victory. Gharafa had to play with 10 Afi f, who was returning after men after Almahdi Ali was given Shahania relegated, Al Khor to take on second division runners-up in a play-off match an injury layoff , levelled in the his marching orders in the 78th fi rst minute of extra time as the minute. Three minutes later, By Sports Reporter midfi elder converted a penalty. Sadd appealed for a penalty Doha The match was not of much con- when Othman al-Yahri seemed sequence as Sadd and Al Gharafa to have fouled Akram inside the had ensured third and fourth box, but it was ruled out. mm Salal survived a scare as place respectively. Salah Zakaria, who had a their goalless draw against Al Reigning champions Al Sadd good outing, thwarted Baghdad Sailiya ensured their survival in had beaten Al Gharafa by a 5-1 Bounedjah and Hassan al-Hay- the QNB Stars League for next margin in their fi rst-leg match, dos in the 84th minute. Soon, Al Useason. Umm Salal were also helped by so it was a vastly-improved per- Sadd earned a penalty, with the relegation rivals Al Khor and Al Shahania formance by The Cheetahs. Sadd script getting repeated. The of- playing out a 2-2 draw. went out of reckoning for the ti- fender was Othman and defend- Umm Salal fi nished 10th with 18 point tle after Week 21, as strong con- er Akram, but the latter sent his ahead of Al Khor and Al Shahania. Sha- tenders Al Duhail and Al Rayyan shot against the left upright. hania fi nished bottom of the 12-team both did not drop points. Al Sadd were not to be denied competition with just 16 points and are The Wolves could not catch as they were rewarded with an- relegated, while 11th-placed Al Khor (17 up with the top two and had to other penalty, this time Sofi - points) will now go into a play-off against be content with the third posi- ane ‘handling’ a Jung chip shot. the second division runners-up, with the tion this season. In a barren fi rst Akram converted from the spot winner of that game earning a place in the half, Sadd’s Yousef Abdulra- to help his team draw level. QNB Stars League next season. Umm Salal recorded three wins, nine draws and 10 defeats this season. The Orange Fortress once even occupied the bottom position, but showed remarkable improvement ever since Moroccan Aziz Ben Askar, himself their former defender, took charge of the side, replacing Span- iard Raul Caneda. At the Al Sadd Stadium, chances were more or less equal for both teams even though Al Sailiya had more of the ball. In the fi rst half, Sailiya’s Mohamed Mu- dather’s rising shot hit goalkeeper Baba Malick’s hand and crossbar before sail- ing over, while Umm Salal’s Ismail Mo- hamed’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Amine Lecomte. Ismail Mohamed was unlucky in the second half as well, his header going over the bar. For Sailiya, substitute Mashaal al-Shammari’s header off a corner kick crashed against the crossbar. Al Sadd’s Akram Afif (left) celebrates with teammates Hassan Sailiya, coached by Tunisian Sami al-Haydos (centre) and Baghdad Bounedjah after scoring against Trabelsi for long, ended up with eight Al Gharafa yesterday. wins, fi ve draws and nine defeats are fi fth. They can drop down a place if Al Wakrah beat Al Rayyan today. The Peregrines, who achieved their best-ever fi nish in the OOREDOO CUP SEMI-FINALS league when they came third last season, could not fi nish among the top four this SLATED FOR AUGUST 29 time around. Umm Salal coach Aziz Ben Askar is tossed up in the air by his players as they celebrate staying up in the QNB Stars League. At the Al Janoub Stadium, Shahania Doha: The Ooredoo Cup semi- with Al Rayyan taking on Al Ara- put on a valiant fi ght against Al Khor but Lucca Britto doubled Al Khor’s lead hania most as they find themselves in next year’s QNB Stars League. final matches will be played bi in the first semi-final at 4pm, could not avoid relegation. Shahania took in the 53rd minute but Shahania were the second division next year. Meanwhile, Qatar Sports Club also on August 29, the Qatar Stars followed by Al Sadd and Al Ahli the lead through Ramin Rezaeian in the not the one to give up easily though as For Al Khor though, they have a heaved a sigh of relief after yesterday’s League said yesterday. Both in the second semi-final at 7pm. fourth minute but Al Khor were level af- Rezaeian struck in the 74th minute. chance to save their season when they results as they stay up in the top division matches will be played at the QSL said the date for the final ter Tiago Bezerra scored off a header just However, both the teams failed to find lock horns with second-placed team in after confi rming ninth position. They are Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, will be announced later. before interval. a winner, with the draw hurting Sha- the Second Division for a place in the up against Al Arabi today.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Gnabry eyes title aft er stirring display Bayern set up super-club AFP Lisbon showdown with PSG erge Gnabry celebrated with his AFP NBA-inspired ‘stir the pot’ gesture Lisbon after scoring two goals in Wednesday night’s Champions League semi- fiS nal against Lyon to keep Bayern Munich ayern Munich’s aston- on course to repeat their 2013 treble after a ishing form under Hansi 3-0 victory. “We really want to win the fi nal. Flick has taken them to That will be the deciding factor, we will give the brink of a treble af- our all to win the treble,” Gnabry said with terB they dispatched Lyon 3-0 in an eye on Sunday’s fi nal in Lisbon against Wednesday’s Champions League Paris Saint-Germain. semi-fi nal, and the stage is now Robert Lewandowski added the third goal set for a fascinating fi nal battle for his 55th of the season to keep Bayern on between the German giants and course to add a sixth Champions League Paris Saint-Germain. title to their Bundesliga and German Cup “This is what you dream of as triumphs. Seconds after a shot by Lyon for- a footballer — playing against the ward Karl Ekambi hit Bayern’s post, Gnabry best in Europe. And we’re able opened the scoring with a stunning piece of to do that, I’m excited,” Bayern’s skill in the 18th minute. Canadian full-back Alphonso Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller (left) and Robert Lewandowski After trapping Joshua Kimmich’s long- Davies said. Flick’s team once (centre) and Serge Gnabry celebrate after Bayern Munich’s win over range pass, he cut in from the right wing, again confi rmed what an unstop- Lyon in the Champions League semi-final in Lisbon. (AFP) beat two defenders and powered his shot out pable attacking force they can be of reach of Lyon goalkeeper . at the Estadio Jose Alvalade as Gnabry opened the scoring. Bayern’s turnover last season Gnarby, 25, then doubled Bayern’s lead Serge Gnabry’s fi rst-half brace Kylian Mbappe, or was 660.1mn euros ($781.9mn). on 33 minutes by tapping home after Lopes Bayern Munich’s German midfielder Serge Gnabry celebrates after scoring against Lyon took the Germany winger to nine Angel Di Maria may not be so PSG, propelled to the forefront of parried a Lewandowksi shot. “Lyon put a lot during the UEFA Champions League semi-final in Lisbon on Wednesday. (AFP) in nine Champions League ap- profl igate come Sunday. “We the European game under Qatar’s of pressure on us,” admitted Gnabry. “They pearances this season and Robert know that there is an element of ownership, were just behind with were very aggressive, they didn’t give us teenager Erling Braut Haaland (10). After only a handful off appearances for Lewandowski’s late goal left him risk in the way we play. We play a 635.9mn euros. Only Barcelona, many chances early on and we had a bit of He celebrated his stunning opener on Arsenal, Gnabry spent 2015/16 on loan at on 55 altogether for the campaign. very high line and it’s not easy to Real Madrid and Manchester luck in the beginning before fi nding our feet. Wednesday by making the gesture of stir- West Bromwich Albion before being se- The Bavarians are the fi rst defend, but we will analyse it and United stood above them. The You can’t defend against everything, but all ring a spoon in a pot. Earlier this season, he lected for Germany’s Olympic team. He won team to win their fi rst 10 matches try to do better against Paris,” stage is set, then, for a super- in all we were very strong.” revealed, “I’m a big fan of the NBA, espe- a silver medal, aged 21, and fi nished joint of a Champions League cam- admitted David Alaba. club showdown between two His brace leaves Gnabry on nine Champi- cially James Harden”. The Houston Rockets top-scorer with six goals at the 2016 Rio de paign and now hope to make it It promises to be a fascinating teams not used to failure. ons League goals this season, including four playmaker celebrates with the same pot- Janeiro games as Germany lost to the Ney- 11 out of 11 when they face PSG. fi nal, between two super-clubs Bayern have won the trophy in Bayern’s stunning 7-2 demolition of Tot- stirring gesture when he lands a big shot. mar-led Brazil in the fi nal. They exude confi dence, as you who gorge on winning everything fi ve times before although they tenham in the group stages. Born in Stuttgart, Gnabry joined the Bun- His senior debut followed in November would expect for a side on a run domestically to the extent that have also been losing fi nalists on After Bayern’s goal romp at Tottenham desliga club when he was 12. 2016 with a hat-trick at minnows San Ma- of 20 straight victories overall. one defeat in Europe can become fi ve occasions, including twice in last October, Gnabry, a former Arsenal From Stuttgart’s academy, where he rino in Germany’s 8-0 away romp in a World “Nobody scares us, we are Bay- an all-consuming drama. PSG the last 10 years. They know how winger could not resist tweeting “North played alongside future Germany team- Cup qualifi er. He returned to Germany for ern Munich. We have had a great have won seven of the last eight painful defeat in a Champions London is RED!!!”. He netted two more mates Timo Werner and Joshua Kimmich, 2016/17 with Werder Bremen where he season and now we need to fi nish French titles and have just com- League fi nal is. PSG, on the other goals in London last February in a 3-0 win at Gnabry’s performances attracted Arsenal. scored 11 goals in 27 appearances for the it off by winning the Champions pleted a fourth domestic treble hand, are preparing for their fi rst Chelsea in the last 16, fi rst leg tie. He joined the Gunners after his 16th Bundesliga strugglers. League,” said defender Benjamin in six seasons. Bayern are fresh ever fi nal in the competition. But Gnabry also scored Bayern’s third in birthday in 2011 and was promoted to Arse- Bayern bought him in 2017, but imme- Pavard. But Bayern are clearly from winning the German league they will not be there just to enjoy Friday’s jaw-dropping 8-2 rout of Bar- nal’s reserves after less than a season with diately loaned him to Hoff enheim, before vulnerable. They play with a and cup double. They have won the occasion. Even super-clubs celona in the quarter-finals and has now the Under-18 squad. Gnabry joined the German giants perma- such high line that there is always the Bundesliga in the last eight cannot take getting to a Cham- scored 23 goals in 45 games in all com- “I went to England because everyone told nently for 2018/19. He has replaced Arjen a risk they will be caught out. seasons. These are the fourth and pions League fi nal for granted. petitions. Gnabry is this season’s third- me not to go, that I couldn’t make it. I want- Robben, whose winning goal in the Lon- and Karl Toko- fi fth-richest clubs in the world, But both are powerful enough to highest scorer in the Champions League ed that challenge,” Gnabry says of his time in don fi nal gave Bayern their last Champions Ekambi both missed glorious according to the most recent know they will probably get the behind Lewandowski (15) and Dortmund north London. League title in 2013. chances to put Lyon ahead before Deloitte Football Money League. chance again in future.