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Thursday, July 7, 2016 FOOTBALL Shawwal 2, 1437 AH United players begin GULF TIMES life under Mourinho with much to prove SPORT Page 4

FOCUS

Taxing times for Messi Ten days after Argentine misses out on Copa title and quits internationals, Spanish court sentences Barca star to 21 months in jail for tax fraud; likely to avoid prison time

AFP earned from his image rights from and “knew nothing” about how his here, it’s fraud and that’s all there is to struggles to bring Spain’s public defi cit His verdict comes just six months after a Barcelona 2007-09. wealth was managed. it, because he didn’t want to pay his down. Spanish court handed Barcelona’s Argen- The income related to Messi’s im- Prosecutors had asked for Messi to taxes,” he said. tine midfi elder Javier Mascherano a one- age rights that was allegedly hid- be absolved, arguing there was no evi- “It’s like a crime boss. At the very top BARCA STANDS BY PLAYER year suspended sentence for tax fraud. court in Spain yesterday sen- den includes endorsement deals with dence that the player was aware of how is the bigwig who doesn’t want to know The player and his father made a volun- He was found guilty of avoiding pay- tenced Barcelona striker Li- Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter & his income was managed. about the details.” tary payment of 5.0mn euros — equal to ing taxes on 1.5mn euros of income re- onel Messi and his father to 21 Gamble and the Kuwait Food Company. The court agreed, arguing in its rul- the amount of the alleged unpaid taxes lated to his image rights. months in jail for tax fraud, in The court found Messi and his father, Barcelona court found Messi ing that Messi “had decided to remain plus interest — in August 2013 after be- Barcelona in June agreed to pay a Athe latest case of tax avoidance involv- who has managed his son’s aff airs since in ignorance”. ing formally investigated. 5.5-million-euro fi ne in a deal with and his father Jorge guilty of ing a top footballer in the country. he was a child, guilty tax fraud and using companies in Belize, “Despite all the opportunities avail- After the court delivered its verdict, prosecutors that sees the club avoid tri- But these prison sentences are likely ruled that for each of those three years Britain, Switzerland and able to the player to show interest in Barcelona issued a statement “giving all al on tax evasion charges over its sign- to be suspended as is common in Spain they should serve a sentence of seven Uruguay to avoid paying taxes how his rights were managed, he did its support to Leo Messi and his father”. ing of Brazilian striker Neymar from for fi rst off ences for non-violent crimes months. on 4.16mn euros of Messi’s not,” the court added. “The club, in agreement with the Santos in 2013. carrying a sentence of less than two Messi, 29, a fi ve-time world player of income earned from his image The court said if the player was not government prosecution service, con- Last week Spanish authorities dis- years. the year, was also fi ned 2.09mn euros rights from 2007-09 punished, “ordinary” citizens could siders that the player, who has correct- closed that Brazilian international de- The Barcelona court found the Ar- while his father was fi ned 1.6mn euros. conclude that it was better to “not ed his position with the Spanish tax of- fender Dani Alves owes 1.3mn euros in gentina international and his father They can appeal the decision to But the state attorney representing show interest” in their tax obligations. fi ce, is in no way criminally responsible overdue taxes and late payment fi nes. Jorge Horacio Messi guilty of using Spain’s Supreme Court. tax authorities in the trial, Mario Maza, Messi’s tax fraud trial has taken place with regards to the facts underlined in Alves left Barcelona in June after eight companies in Belize, Britain, Switzer- Messi told the court during the four- said he found it unlikely that Messi against a backdrop of simmering voter this case,” it added. seasons to join Italian side Juventus. land and Uruguay to avoid paying taxes day trial that wrapped up on June 4 that knew nothing about the situation. anger over steep cuts to health and Messi is Barcelona’s all-time leading on 4.16mn euros of Messi’s income he trusted his father with his fi nances “There is no deliberate ignorance social spending, as the government goalscorer. More stories on Page 5 > Gulf Times 2 Thursday, July 7, 2016 EURO 2016

GERMANY VS FRANCE 10PM France thirst for revenge against wounded Germany ‘We know that France are loaded with good individual players, but they are under pressure as hosts’

Match guide

Venue: Stade Velodrome, Marseille Euro 2016 capacity: 67,000

FORM GUIDE (LATEST FIRST) Germany: WWWDW France: WWDWW

HEAD-TO-HEAD Germany Draw France 9 6 12

SUSPENSIONS AND INJURIES GERMANY Suspended: Mats Hummels Injuries: Mario Gomez (hamstring), Sami Khedira (hamstring)

SUMMARY Fifth finals meeting for neighbours; France yet to win a significant encounter Bayern, Juventus, Arsenal and Manchester United club-mates on opposite sides France unbeaten in nine, Ger- many in six

COACHES SPEAK

Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger, who returned to training yesterday, speaks to teammate during a training session in Evian-les-Bains, France, yesterday. (AFP)

AFP quality players.” Marseille For France, defender Adil Rami and midfi elder N’Golo Kante are back in contention after missing the win over idier Deschamps’ talented Iceland through suspension. France block the path of The French camp is full of praise for Germany’s spluttering jug- the world champions, but the message gernaut in today’s Euro 2016 is clear. “I have maintained right from the semi-fiD nal and the world champions “We’d like to write another chapter beginning of the tournament that have mounting personnel problems. in French football history,” said Giroud they are one of the top favourites With an element of revenge in the while French sports daily L’Equipe ran for me. It’s not only their starting air, France can expect near-fanatical the front-page headline ‘Thirsty for XI, they have depth as well, with support from home fans in Marseille Revenge’ on Tuesday. players like [Kingsley] Coman and as they seek a place in Sunday’s Paris [Anthony] Martial on the bench.” fi nal. MEMORIES OF SEVILLE — Joachim Loew, Germany coach The hosts are buoyed by a 5-2 quar- Just as it was for the Germans against ter-fi nal thumping of plucky minnows Italy, the semi-fi nal is a fi xture steeped Iceland when Olivier Giroud, Antoine in history. Griezmann and Dimitri Payet all net- Les Bleus lost to Germany in the ted at the Stade de France. 2014 World Cup quarter-fi nals at Rio Germany are also confi dent mood, de Janeiro’s Maracana, thanks to Hum- despite missing key players with in- mels’ fi rst-half header. jury and suspension after their pen- And France has never fully forgiven alty shoot-out win over Italy in the last Germany for their penalty shoot-out eight. defeat in a bitterly contested World France are unbeaten in their last nine Cup semi-fi nal in Spain in 1982. games, while Germany have not lost in An epic 3-3 draw, with four goals their last six. scored in extra-time, came down to “For us, there is no fear. We know a penalty shoot-out which Germany that France are loaded with good indi- France’s players take part in a training session in Marseille yesterday. (AFP) won 5-4, but the match in Seville is re- vidual players, but they are under pres- membered for a brutal incident. sure as hosts,” said Germany forward up a yellow card which sees him sus- ner Mario Goetze is set to start up Liverpool’s Emre Can or Julian Weigl of France’s Patrick Battiston was “No-one can change history, but Thomas Mueller. pended in Marseille. front, but Loew said he may play his Borussia Dortmund set to partner Toni knocked unconscious, with two teeth there are new chapters to be writ- “Iceland didn’t look so happy with Striker Mario Gomez and midfi eld- Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Kroos in the defensive midfi eld. missing and three cracked ribs, after ten. This page is blank and it’s up the goals they conceded. er Sami Khedira picked up thigh and Mueller alongside him in attack. France striker Giroud has scored a collision with Germany goalkeeper to the players to fill it. What’s im- “They have our respect, but I am op- groin injuries respectively which rule Gomez’s thigh tear means he will also against Manuel Neuer in each of the last Harald Schumacher. portant is what happens tomorrow. timistic that we will fi nd solutions (to them out of the semi-fi nal. miss the fi nal, should Germany progress. three games for France and Arsenal, a However, the German camp has been The players must have belief in the injury problems). For us there is no Captain Bastian Schweinsteiger re- With Hummels suspended, Shko- threat the Germans must counter. eager to play down the historical signifi - themselves and we need the crowd loss of quality.” turned to training yesterday boosting his dran Mustafi or Benedikt Hoewedes “He is a very dangerous poacher in- cance to focus on the here and now. to get behind them too. We’re play- chances of getting a starting place today. will partner Jerome Boateng at centre- side the box,” said Neuer. “The chance to win two titles back- ing the best side in the world but GERMAN INJURIES Germany coach Joachim Loew is set back with Joshua Kimmich at right- “He is strong in the air, he is danger- to-back is not something you get eve- we’re going to give it all we have.” Germany’s tense penalty shoot-out to resort to a 4-2-3-1 formation having back and Jonas Hector on the left. ous for central defenders. ryday. We’re looking forward to it,” said — Didier Deschamps, France win in Bordeaux came at a high price. used a 3-5-2 against Italy. Loew has said he expects to intro- “But we know him and can prepare Mueller as Germany look to add the Eu- coach Centre-back Mats Hummels picked With Gomez out, World Cup-win- duce a new face into the midfi eld with for him and they have a lot of other ropean crown to their world title. Classic France-Germany clashes

July 4, 2014: World Cup quarter-final barely thawed. given the Germans a 17th minute lead. France 0 Germany 1 Any pre-match nerves were kicked The game went to extra-time, where Over 74,000 fans packed the Mara- into touch after just nine minutes France took a 3-1 lead thanks to Marius cana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro to when Andreas Brehme gave the Ger- Tresor and Alain Giresse, only for Karl- see France and Germany meet for mans an early lead in Guadalajara. Heinz Rummenigge and Klaus Fischer the fourth time at a World Cup and The combined talents of Michel Platini, to pull the match level 3-3. the Germans walked away victorious. Jean Tigana, Luiz Fernandez and Alain At the penalty shootout, Maxime Bos- After just 13 minutes, centre-back Mats Giresse failed to conjure a leveller and sis’s missed spot-kick handed a 5-4 win Hummels got ahead of his marker West Germany, with Harald Schumach- to West Germany, who went on to lose Raphael Varane to meet Toni Kroos’s er still in goal, were left rejoicing when the final to Argentina 3-2. free-kick and head past France goal- Rudi Voeller hit their second in the “It is a scar that will remain forever,” keeper Hugo Lloris. final minute of regulation time. said France’s midfield linchpin Giresse. France striker Karim Benzema Germany’s celebrations did not last as Post-competition, a French newspaper spurned a late chance to level and Italy won the Madrid final 3-1. poll asked which German was the least take the match into extra-time when popular in France: Schumacher beat he shot straight at Germany ‘keeper July 8, 1982: World Cup semi-final Adolf Hitler into second. Manuel Neuer. West Germany 3 France 3 (West France’s third consecutive World Cup Germany win 5-4 on penalties) June 28, 1958: World Cup 3rd place defeat to Germany left many of their Considered one of the all-time World France 6 West Germany 3 debutant players, including Antoine Cup classics, West Germany’s semi- A comprehensive 6-3 win over West Griezmann, in tears. final win over France in 1982 will Germany to claim a consolation third- Germany’s win laid the foundations forever be overshadowed by goal- place finish in the 1958 World Cup in for a triumphant campaign that saw keeper Harald Schumacher’s mid-air Sweden remains France’s only com- Joachim Loew’s men hammer Brazil charge on Patrick Battiston, leaving petitive victory over the Germans. 7-1 in the semis before beating Argen- the French defender with broken teeth With four goals in the nine-goal thriller, tina 1-0 in extra time in the final. and broken ribs. Just Fontaine emerged as a hero for Les He briefly slipped into a coma and Bleus after a performance that also saw June 25, 1986: World Cup semi-final teammate Michel Platini said he In this July 8, 1982, picture, French defender Patrick Battiston is evacuated on a stretcher eyed by French forward Michel Raymond Kopa hit a penalty and Yvon France 0 West Germany 2 feared Battiston had died on the pitch Platini after colliding with German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher during the World Cup semi-final. (AFP) Douis hit the net in the 50th minute. Four years after the infamous Schu- because he had no pulse. Fontaine’s 13 goals at the 1958 finals macher-Battiston incident, relations Schumacher, who has always said he because Dutch referee Charles Corver The violence eclipsed a classic match levelling from the penalty spot only remains a record for a single World between two European giants had was going for the ball, went unpunished stated he did not see the incident. between the European foes, Platini minutes after Pierre Littbarski had Cup tournament. Gulf Times Thursday, July 7, 2016 3 EURO 2016

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT High payoff for Griezmann and Pogba Wilmots a hurdle for Belgian FA, chief says

Reuters doubt after Belgium, second in step into massive boots Brussels FIFA’s world rankings, dropped out of Euro 2016 by losing 3-1 to Wales in the quarter-fi nals, with payoff of at least 1mn critics saying he had failed to euros ($1.11mn) for Bel- capitalise on a gifted generation gium soccer manager of players led by Chelsea’s Eden Marc Wilmots could Hazard and Manchester City’s of Platini and Zidane beA a problem and the national Kevin De Bruyne. federation does not have the Linard said no decision on means to hire a big name to re- the future of Wilmots would be After recovering from sluggish starts, the speedy striker and the gifted midfielder are place him, the federation’s head made until next week. said. He was quick to dampen sug- expected to be France’s trump cards when hosts take on world champions today “The indemnity for Marc gestions that Belgium would Wilmots is at least 1mn euros,” sign an internationally renowned Belgian football chief executive manager such as Dutchman Lou- Gerard Linard said in an inter- is van Gaal. view which appeared in several “I believe an internationally Belgian newspapers. “That’s a renowned name such as van Gaal problem for the federation as we is not aff ordable for the Belgian do not have the same budget as federation... unless the man- France, Spain or Germany.” ager in question makes some real Wilmots’s future was cast into concessions,” he said.

Russian players punished over champagne binge

Two Russian national team “Of course everyone has heard players have been punished about this excess, including by their clubs after video of the president,” spokesman them at a champagne-fuelled Dmitry Peskov told journalists. party in Monaco following the “We have to be very careful squad’s dismal exit from Euro and work out to start with 2016 sparked outrage. whether our footballers paid Russian media reported that for this beastliness or some- midfielder Pavel Mamayev and one else,” he said. forward Alexander Kokorin The owner of the Twiga night- allegedly splashed some club where the two players 250,000 euros on 500 bottles were seen partying denied of champagne for revellers at that they had ordered the a night club in Monaco. champagne and insisted the Shaky Internet footage of pair were out with their wives event that went viral showed and did not drink the alcohol. waiters carrying dozens of bot- “There was a private party France’s Paul Pogba (left) runs behind teammate Antoine Griezmann during a training session in Marseille yesterday. (AFP) tles of bubbly with sparklers in Twiga organised by some attached to them as the Rus- Russians,” club owner Flavio Reuters hand in hand with that of the host nation, of France goalkeeper and captain Hugo three players. sian national anthem blared Briatore wrote on Instagram. Paris both improving to silence their critics Lloris. “Great players often wait for im- Griezmann often walks around sipping out in the background. “They recognised Kokorin and reassure their fans. portant moments to show their class.” yerba mate — an infused drink popular Kokorin’s club Zenit said late and Mamayev and as a sign of They each scored in a comfortable 5-2 Pogba did just that against Iceland, us- in parts of South America — and always Tuesday that they had demot- respect, as they are fans, they sed to relying heavily on one key quarter-fi nal victory over Iceland in the ing his rare blend of athleticism and skills wears long sleeves, following the habit of ed him to the reserves while started sending them some player for their European glory quarter-fi nals and Griezmann now tops to the full and crowning a fi ne display his childhood hero David Beckham. Mamayev’s team FC Krasnodar bottles of champagne and in the past — Michel Platini and the scorers’ table with four goals. with a superb headed goal. He also knows how to beat Germany’s announced he would be train- they asked our DJ to play the Zinedine Zidane in the 1984 and The picture looked diff erent a few infl uential goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, hav- ing with the youth squad. Both Russian Anthem”. U2000 tournaments respectively — French weeks ago, when France coach Didier De- LONG SLEEVES ing done so in Atletico’s 2-1 victory over players were also fined. Russia was dumped out of fans have two talented players on whom schamps dropped both men to the bench Griezmann was already the fans’ favour- Bayern Munich in the Champions League “Unfortunately, Russian foot- Euro 2016 at the group stage to pin their hopes at Euro 2016. for his side’s second group game against ite. The image of midfi elder Dimitri Payet semi-fi nals, when he fi nished a great run ballers often get themselves after managing only one draw Some suggested one was exhausted Albania after they had failed to convince kneeling down to kiss his left boot after with a clever fi nish inside the box. into scandalous situations against England before losing after a gruelling season and the other in a laboured 2-1 win over Romania. his goals has been compared with the The Germany players will also have to because they lack a sense of to Slovakia and Wales. might be overrated but France’s Antoine They came on for the second half and head-kissing ritual between defender keep a close eye on Pogba. restraint and culture of how to The dismal performances Griezmann and Paul Pogba have started Griezmann scored the fi rst of France’s Laurent Blanc and keeper Fabien Barthez Highly successful at club level with Ju- behave in public places,” Zenit ignited fierce criticism of the to prove the critics wrong. two last-gasp goals in a 2-0 win. during France’s successful 1998 World ventus, having helped them to four Serie said in a statement. team and saw manager Leonid After recovering from sluggish starts, Pogba needed more time, however. Cup campaign. A titles, the 23-year-old has often frus- A Kremlin spokesman said yes- Slutsky step down. the speedy striker and the gifted mid- “Is Pogba the world’s most overrated The 25-year-old Griezmann reached trated fans with below-par performances terday that President Vladimir Russia is gearing up to host fi elder are expected to be France’s trump player?” former England striker-turned- new heights this season as his goalscor- on the international stage. Putin had heard of the incident the World Cup in 2018 but the cards when the hosts take on world broadcaster Gary Lineker tweeted after ing steered Atletico Madrid to the Cham- Some believe Pogba has shown only and that “God would be the next national manager faces champions Germany in their semi-fi nal the midfi elder looked ordinary in a 2-1 pions League fi nal. Atletico coach Diego glimpses of his obvious talent. French fans judge” of the players if they a tough task trying to turn today. win over Ireland in the second round. Simeone described the disciplined, hard- hope that now is the time for him to shake were responsible for the party. around an ageing squad. The form of the two players has gone “I’m not worried,” was the answer working striker as one of the world’s top off his tag as a gifted but erratic player.

BOTTOMLINE The night football became irrelevant to Germany and France

Reuters game continued and the players had to 20 minutes after the game before they Paris wait until after the fi nal whistle to fi nd were allowed to leave. out what had happened. Security offi cials took the decision to Waiting for the French team on the avoid any panic and also because they rance won 2-0 the last time way to the changing rooms were junior wanted to make sure none of the at- they played world champions Minister of Sport Thierry Braillard and tackers could get into the stadium. Germany on November 13, 2015 French Football Federation president The German players were then forced but few that night cared about Noel Le Graet. to spend the night in the bowels of the soccer.F The players were told that gunmen stadium before racing to the airport at The old rivals, meeting again today had launched several attacks across the dawn. for a place in the fi nal of Euro 2016, capital and that three suicide bombers After the attacks, security became a have fought many epic battles over the had blown themselves up outside the major issue for Euro 2016 where more years, including two intense World Cup stadium. than 90,000 police, soldiers and private semi-fi nals. France striker Antoine Griezmann security agents have been deployed. No But the friendly international at the had a horrible feeling when he heard major incident has been reported so far. Stade de France in Paris last November that shootings were taking place at a “We feel safe here at the moment and will not be remembered for the goals rock concert at the Bataclan Hall. He are not thinking about it,” said Ger- scored by Olivier Giroud and Andre- knew his sister Maud was at a concert many centre back Jerome Boateng, who Pierre Gignac. but he did not know which one, so he has not brought his family to Paris on As the French and German players made inquiries. security concerns. “We are only focus- contesting the game in Marseille today “Thank God, my sister was able to ing on the sporting angle. The rest is know very well, events off the pitch get out of the Bataclan,” he tweeted a bit not relevant.” dominated the night. later. “All my prayers go to the victims Giroud said he had spoken to Germa- Islamic State claimed responsibility and their families”. ny midfi elder Mesut Ozil, his teammate for co-ordinated attacks which killed at Arsenal, after the November 13 game. 130 people across Paris, including 90 at FANS BLOCKED INSIDE “We were all in a state of shock, the Bataclan concert hall. At the Stade de France, the fans, who French and German” he said. “Whether Two explosions were clearly heard had felt something was wrong when that has changed anything to our rela- in the fi rst half from inside the ground, they saw a helicopter fl y over at halft- tions with Germany, I don’t know. We located on the outskirts of Paris. The ime, were told to stay inside for about still want to push them aside”. In this November 13, 2015, picture, fans at the Stade de France gather on the pitch after the Paris attacks. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, July 7, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Mkhitaryan signs for United on four-year deal Manchester United have signed mid- fielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract, with the option of a further year, the Premier League club said yesterday. United players begin The 27-year-old scored 41 goals in 140 games in a three-year spell at Dortmund and was voted Bundesliga Players’ Player of the Sea- son after netting 11 goals last term. Mkhitaryan is new United manager Jose Mourinho’s third signing, after deals for Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly and ex-Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as the Portu- life under Mourinho guese rebuilds the FA Cup winners after a disappointing league campaign. “I am very proud to join Manchester United, this move is a dream come true for me. I am excited to play for a club with such an illustrious history and hope to be part of it for a long time,” Mkhitaryan told the club’s website (www.manutd.com). with much to prove Aremenia captain Mkhitaryan is his countyr’s record scorer with 19 goals in 59 matches since making his international debut in 2007. ‘When you are in trouble you need someone who can fill but basically I want specialists’ Although the 13-times Premier League winners, who missed out on a Champions League spot after finishing fifth last season, Reuters did not reveal any financial details, British London media estimated the transfer fee at 30 mil- lion pounds ($38.62 million). Calm and composed under pressure, s the black-tinted sports Mkhitaryan can break open the tightest cars carrying Manchester defence with his passing skills and reading United’s millionaire Foot- of the game and Mourinho felt the Armenian ballers rolled into the club’s would adapt seamlessly to the physicality of CarringtonA complex for the start of English Football. pre-season training yesterday, no “Henrikh is a very talented Footballer who one wound down any windows to has been in such prolific form for both his discuss the start of life under Jose club and his country,” Mourinho said. Mourinho. “He is a real team player with great skill, But there was surely only one topic vision and also has a good eye for goal. I am of conversation when the players be- delighted he has chosen to sign for United. I gan the hard task of proving to the believe he will make an impact on the team new manager on the pitch that they very quickly as his style of play is suited to can forge the sort of future he out- the Premier League.” lined so eloquently at his news con- Despite Dortmund’s reluctance to sell, chief ference the previous day. executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said last Mourinho made clear that only week that United’s off er was too tempting to winners are welcome, which means reject, especially with the player entering the that many of those who carried the final year of his contract. FA Cup round Wembley last have “Manchester made us an enormously reason to be seriously worried. Yes lucrative off er Had we rejected it the player they had secured a trophy, but not would have left in 2017 without a fee and we the sort that the Portuguese par- would have just delayed the issue for a year,” ticularly values. He deals in titles and Watzke said in a statement. Champion Leagues. The new manager’s desire for spe- cialists in each position represents a departure from his predecessor Louis van Gaal, who placed great faith in what Mourinho dismissively referred to as “multi-functional players”. “I am more a manager that likes specialists and not so much the mul- ti-functional players,” said Mour- inho. “When you are in trouble you need someone who can fi ll but basi- cally I want specialists.” That places major question marks against the likes of Daley Blind, a key player under Van Gaal, plus Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young. All have much to prove over the next six weeks before Manchester United play their open- ing league game at Bournemouth on Aug. 13. Before then, United play a friendly against Wigan Athletic, a three-game tour of China and a one-off match in Sweden against Galatasaray. Prepa- rations are rounded off with Wayne Rooney’s Old Traff ord testimonial against Everton and the FA Commu- nity Shield against Premier League Manchester United’s new Portuguese manager Jose champions Leicester City. Mourinho poses with a United shirt on the pitch during a photocall at Old Traff ord stadium in Manchester on REAL CONFIDENCE July 5, 2016. (AFP) Competition for places in those games will be particularly fi erce with perhaps only goalkeeper David de Gea, defender Chris Smalling and forward Anthony Martial approach- ing the new regime with real confi - to United from Chelsea because he the fourth, we are still working hard.” has promoted youth from academies expect Rashford to hit the ground dence. Change is gathering pace at was too slow, appears on his way out, Mourinho is a known admirer of “because of conviction and desire” running and, most importantly, the club once famed for its stability possibly to Everton. full back Luke Shaw, who needs to but few believe he would have given scoring. under Alex Ferguson. The signing of Whether Paul Pogba comes in proved he has retained his sharpness the 18-year-old Rashford the sort of Rooney, too, is back to being wily midfi elder Henrikh Mkhityaran from Juventus remains to be seen, after last season’s double leg break, chance that led to his phenomenal judged on his strike rate after Mour- yesterday - the third arrival follow- but Mourinho was clear he has one but up front Marcus Rashford and rise under Van Gaal last season. inho made clear he viewed him as ing defender Eric Bailly and striker more piece of business to do. Wayne Rooney know they face a fi ght Although history suggests Mour- a player providing the goal threat Zlatan Ibrahimovic - will probably “We decided four targets,” the to play alongside Ibrahimovic. inho will have to give youth more of a rather than the sort of midfi eld role consign Michael Carrick to the bench Portuguese said. “From that target On Tuesday United’s new man- chance at a club famed for the Busby he was recently asked to play for the while Juan Mata, who Mourinho sold we have three. Until we don’t have ager made great play of the way he Babes and Class of ‘92, he will still national team.

FOCUS ‘Bailly has the qualities to succeed at United’

AFP Villarreal back four that conceded only 35 goals Manchester, United Kingdom in 38 league matches during the 2015-16 cam- paign and Mourinho is certain he can easily fi t at right-back as well as central defence. anchester United’s versatile new “He comes from a Spanish culture where the centre back Eric Bailly has all the fi rst phases (of play) are important so techni- attributes needed to help bolster cally he’s very good,” the 53-year-old added. their defence next season and will “For some periods, he played right-back and, Mget all the help he needs to develop at the club, because playing in the right-back position de- manager Jose Mourinho has said. mands more from an attacking point of view, Bailly, who became the Portuguese coach’s it’s good for a centre-back to play some periods fi rst signing at the Old Traff ord club after join- as a right-back.” ing from Villarreal last month, made 47 ap- “My only question mark at the moment is pearances for the La Liga side last season as one I have to help him delete — the question they fi nished fourth and secured a Champions mark of someone who has never played at such League spot. “He is a player who we believe has a big club with so many responsibilities and so all the attributes. He is very strong physically many expectations. and very fast,” the former Chelsea manager, However, Mourinho said he was not sure if who replaced Dutchman Louis van Gaal in May, Bailly would be ready straight away to play at told the club’s website (www.manutd.com) the level required by United. yesterday. “So is Eric ready to come here and start per- “It’s not so easy to fi nd a fast player when you forming from day one? I don’t know. It is a have quite a big body; he’s a heavy guy, a tall boy question mark but my job is to delete that ques- who’s really fast,” said Mourinho, who was pre- tion mark as soon as possible and give him the sented at United on Tuesday. stature, brain and personality to play for Man- The 22-year-old Ivory Coast player was in a chester United,” he said. Gulf Times Thursday, July 7, 2016 5 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Late Grondona’s legacy bites hard in Argentina

“With my old man, this wouldn’t have happened,” Humberto Grondona said Mercurial Messi — from after Gerardo Martino quit as Argentina coach 10 days after captain Lionel Messi an- nounced his retirement from international football. The legacy of late Argentine Football Association (AFA) strongman Julio Grondona, trophies to tax rap who ran the governing body like a fiefdom, is a power vacuum, empty coff ers and Lionel Messi (L) and his father Jorge Horacio a lack of support for the Messi listen as they face judges in a tax fraud national teams. case on June 2, 2016 in Barcelona. Martino resigned on Tues- day, fed up with the AFA, whose clubs have denied the under-23 Olympic team their players, something former under-20s coach Humberto Grondona believes could not have hap- pened under his father, who died in 2014. Messi complained of a lack of AFA support in the United States last month, where Martino’s senior team lost a second successive Copa America final in 12 months to Chile on penalties. “Once again waiting in a plane to get to our destina- tion, what a disaster those at the AFA are, my God,” Messi said in the last post on his Instagram account of Argentina’s long flights crisscrossing the US during the tournament. “I would like the AFA to give the national team what it needs, it’s a world power,” he told reporters of direc- tors more interested in shopping malls than team arrangements. “We have to change, not just for us (sen- iors) but also those coming up behind,” he added, refer- ring to the junior teams, including the under-23 side due to play at the Rio Games in August.

TACTICAL ERRORS Martino quit after being un- able to start training on Mon- day with an Olympic squad of fewer than 10 players and was quoted as telling an AFA director he was leaving be- cause “I’ve lost my appetite, if I carried on I’d be harming the national team.” This stands in contrast to this year’s 30th anniversary of Ar- gentina’s second World Cup victory, with media celebrat- ing the team coached by Carlos Bilardo and captained by Diego Maradona. AFP him” as they digested his vow to quit The player insisted his father man- with Barca as well as four Spanish Cups world’s greatest ever player point The team arrived in Mexico Barcelona the national side after a missed penalty aged his fi nances and he “knew noth- and six Spanish Super Cups. largely to the absence of World Cup under a cloud after poor denied his countrymen Copa America ing” of how his wealth was managed. In 2012, although Barca were denied glory as the reason to rank him behind warm-up results and calls glory last month. But the state attorney representing Champions League glory after a semi- Pele and compatriot Maradona. from the government to sack ew players in the history of While fans of the ‘albiceleste’ were tax authorities in the trial, Mario Maza, fi nal loss to Chelsea, that season saw This season’s Copa fi nal loss also Bilardo but Julio Grondona football have amassed a trophy digesting the end of an era, Spanish said he found that claim unlikely. him set a welter of personal landmarks. hurt and precipitated his decision to stood his ground and backed haul to match the medal-laden authorities were honing in on Lionel The pair can appeal the convictions At just 24, he became Barcelona’s quit the national team. his chosen coach. exploits of mercurial Barcelona Andres Messi for an entirely diff erent on three counts of tax fraud to Spain’s all-time top goalscorer, breaking Cesar Messi, a married father-of-two, will Argentina last won a major andF Argentina star Lionel Messi — but reason — tax fraud. Supreme Court. Rodriguez’s 232 goal mark which had fi nd the means to pay his fi ne easily trophy at the Copa America yesterday’s conviction for tax fraud And they duly tackled their man as a The aff air puts a dent in the repu- stood for 57 years. enough. in 1993, apart from two tarnishes his aura. court sentenced the star and his father tation of Messi, whose dazzling skills He netted a Liga record 50 goals on He is the world’s highest paid foot- Olympic gold medals in 2004 Five Ballons d’Or, four Champions to 21 months in jail for tax fraud and have wowed fans worldwide since he the way to a European all-time record baller with an annual income of 74 mn and 2008. Martino, who League titles and three Club World slapped them with a fi ne of 3.7mn eu- made his Barca debut as a 17-year-old season tally of 73, breaking Gerd Muel- euros ($84.3mn, £59.3mn), according according to media reports Cups have prompted many in the game ros ($4.1mn). in October 2004. ler’s 67 goals scored in the 1972-73 Ger- to a report earlier this year in France has not been paid for more to see the 29-year-old megastar from Neither will serve time as Spanish He had joined the Catalan giants as a man season. Football magazine, keeping him ahead than six months, lost only Rosario as the best player ever — even fi rst and non-violent off ences bringing 13-year-old, relocating from his home- Last year he bagged his fourth of Cristiano Ronaldo (67.4m euros). three matches and won 19 of if at international level the cupboard is jail terms under two years see sentenc- land in central Argentina to undergo Champions League winner’s medal Messi team-mates Neymar and Javi- the 29 he presided over but bare save for a 2008 Olympic title. es suspended. treatment in Catalonia for a growth after a triumph over Juventus in Ber- er Mascherano have also been fi ned in got his tactics wrong in two Argentinian President Mauricio The term will instead be converted hormone defi ciency. lin, a consolation at club level after the recent months by Brazilian and Span- finals against Chile, both 0-0 Macri last week described the goal into a hefty fi ne of a joint 3.7mn euros Messi’s phenomenal goalscoring heartache of losing the 2014 World Cup ish courts for evading tax — not the draws that Argentina lost in machine as “God’s gift” to the country — 2.09mn euros for Messi and a further record and gravity-defying skills have fi nal to Germany. kind of treble Barca stars are used to shootouts. and urged shocked fans to “take care of 1.6mn for his father. helped secure eight La Liga crowns Those who do not make Messi the targeting at the Nou Camp.

FOCUS

MaradonaRALLYING angles for Argentina role in crisis

AFP The AFA late Tuesday named internal squabbles. ing team quit, Olarticoechea Buenos Aires women’s team coach Julio Olar- Major clubs in the AFA want to was the only Argentine national ticoechea to lead the men’s break away and form a “super- coach with a current contract. squad at the Olympics in Rio de league” to get bigger broadcast- Former Argentina coach rgentine Football was Janeiro from August 5 to 21. ing revenues. Marcelo Bielsa was named by in crisis yesterday af- The AFA’s acting head Luis Smaller clubs fear they will Italian side Lazio as their new ter the national coach Segura insisted there was cur- get squeezed out by their bigger coach on Wednesday. followed star striker rently “no candidate and Mara- competitors. Macri, a business- Meanwhile the Argentine LionelA Messi in quitting weeks dona is not there to be Olartic- man and formerly president of rated the best Footballer in the before the Olympics, with leg- oechea’s assistant.” top club Boca Juniors, favors the world, Messi of Barcelona, suf- end Diego Maradona eyeing a Announcing his resignation proposed European-style “su- fered a fresh blow on Wednesday return to a role with the squad. on Tuesday, Martino complained perleague” system. when a Spanish court handed The country’s President Mau- of power squabbles in the AFA He opposes Hugo Moyano, him a 21-month jail sentence for ricio Macri himself slammed the and of clubs not releasing play- leader of Argentina’s biggest tax fraud. way the sport was being run by ers for next month’s Olympics. trade union, who wants to bid Messi said he was quitting the the Argentine Football Associa- “It is also part of the bad treat- to become the next head of the national team following its de- tion (AFA), branding it corrupt ment received due to the poor AFA. Moyano is a political op- feat to Chile in the Copa America and badly managed. organization of Argentine Foot- ponent of Macri and has reser- Centenario on June 26. Legendary ex-player and ball,” Macri, himself a former vations about the super league That was Argentina’s third former national coach Maradona Football executive, told report- plan, although he supports it in consecutive loss in a major in- wrote on Facebook that he was ers during a visit to Germany on principle. ternational fi nal. heading for a meeting at the AFA Wednesday. Another candidate to lead the Fans begged Messi stay. on Wednesday with Primo Cor- “We cannot carry on with a AFA is television presenter and The Football-mad country varo, head of a team of FIFA in- system full of bad habits and San Lorenzo club vice-president and its demanding fans have spectors working to overhaul the corruption.” Marcelo Tinelli -- also an open gone 23 years without a major ti- association. The courts last month started critic of Macri. tle -- not counting Olympic gold “I have high hopes for this auditing the AFA’s accounts to To replace Martino, Argentine medals in 2004 and 2008. meeting,” Maradona wrote. determine how it used its state media have mentioned possible The Olympics run from Au- “I cannot believe our par- funding over recent years. A names including Diego Sime- gust 5 to 21 in Rio de Janeiro. ticipation in the Olympics is in commission from Football’s the disarray in the AFA. “I hope Macri said. But he has been forced to stay one of Atletico Madrid and Jose After that the country will doubt, because we are a Foot- international governing body that the reforms proposed by Segura ended his mandate last on as a caretaker administrator Sampaoli of Sevilla. look to the World Cup in Russia balling power.” FIFA is meanwhile investigating this commission will go ahead,” week and said he was quitting. until a successor is found amid After Martino’s whole coach- in 2018. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, July 7, 2016 SPORT

NBA ANALYSIS Durant’s move to Warriors brings Nowitzki reaches ‘Superteam’ talk two-year deal with Dallas Mavericks AFP ship, gives himself a solid op- San Francisco portunity to claim a crown ‘I’m excited to begin a new chapter in my NBA career in Dallas’ on a club that ousted Okla- homa City and off ers 3-point evin Durant’s an- sharpshooters Curry and Klay AFP nouncement that he Thompson, Green and An- New York will leave Oklahoma dre Iguodala with him on the City to join the Gold- frontline and Shaun Livingston Ken State Warriors, a block- off the bench. erman star forward buster move that could shape “If u can’t beat um join um,” Dirk Nowitzki has the NBA’s future, reverberated tweeted NBA veteran Paul agreed to terms on a around the league on Tuesday. Pierce. two-year deal to stay Durant averaged 28.2 points, The move makes Golden Gwith the Dallas Mavericks, while 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists a State a prohibitive favourite to Spanish star Pau Gasol will join game last season for the Thun- return to the fi nals with Cleve- the San Antonio Spurs in NBA der, who alongside star guard land seen as the most likely free agency deals. Russell Westbrook came with- contender in the East, setting Nowitzki has a two-year deal in a game of reaching the NBA up what could be an unprec- worth $40mn, The Dallas Morn- Finals before losing to Golden edented third consecutive ing News and ESPN said about State in the Western Confer- meeting of the same clubs in the plans unveiled Tuesday, ence fi nals. three consecutive NBA Finals. while Gasol has made a verbal Now Durant, the 2014 “Welcome to THE FAMILY agreement worth $30mn over NBA Most Valuable Player KDTrey5 let’s just do what we two years. and a four-time league scor- are setting out to do!!” Green “After many days of a lot of ing champion, will unite with tweeted. thinking, I’ve decided to join the Stephen Curry, the 2015 and spurs! Looking forward to this 2016 NBA MVP and this year’s Durant, Curry united for new chapter with the best aspi- top scorer with 30.1 points a USA in 2010 rations!” Gasol tweeted to con- game. Just as when LeBron James fi rm his deal. “I wouldn’t be surprised if jilted Cleveland in 2010, only Also Tuesday, San Antonio they score 200pts next year,” to return home after four sea- traded France’s Boris Diaw to tweeted Cameroon center Joel sons where he led Miami to Utah to clear up cap room to Embiid of Philadelphia of the four NBA Finals and two titles, sign Gasol. The Jazz will send Warriors’ single-game scoring Durant has spurned the team the rights to last year’s second- potential. where he played nine seasons round pick Olivier Hanlan to the As well as Curry and Durant in hopes of winning with a Spurs. comes the core of a team that “superteam” of talent. “Spurs’ fans, thanks for all won a record 73 regular-season James joined Dwyane Wade your messages. Great years here games last season and came and Chris Bosh, whom he and a ring! Leaving but San An- within a game of repeating as played alongside at the 2008 tonio will always be a special NBA champions before losing Olympics, in a “Big Three” and place to me,” Diaw tweeted. the fi nal to Cleveland. when he returned to Cleveland Nowitzki, 38, has spent his “This is defi nitely one of the in 2014 rebuilt the same pillars entire 18-year career with the biggest moves in NBA history,” with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Mavericks and ranks sixth on the Golden State forward Dray- Love, a 2012 Olympic team- NBA’s all-time scoring list with mond Green told Sports Illus- mate, joining him. 29,491 career points. trated. “(Kevin) is one of the In 2010, Durant became Under NBA free agency rules, best players in NBA history. friends with Curry and Iguo- no contracts between teams I’m excited and I’m excited for dala while they were team- and players can be signed until KD.” mates on the US world cham- Thursday. Players can however A hike in the salary cap was pionship squad. Durant was agree verbally to join clubs such enough for the Warriors to add the tournament MVP for the as Kevin Durant deciding to Durant without having to de- American title team with 22.8 leave Oklahoma City for Golden stroy the heart of their lineup. points a game. State but nothing is offi cial until They dropped free agents Har- “Relationships are impor- signing day. rison Barnes, Andrew Bogut tant people!” Wade tweeted. That blockbuster move has and Festus Ezeli to make room NBA rivals tweeted their re- helped Dallas stockpile talent for Durant, sacrifi cing depth actions, mainly disbelief, with because salary cap limits have for star power. Portland guard C.J. McCollun forced the Warriors to unload Durant met with the Thun- calling the move a “sick change contracts to come to terms with der, Warriors, San Antonio, of events.” Durant, a four-time NBA scoring Boston, Miami and the Los Detroit center Andre Drum- champion and former NBA Most Angeles Clippers before an- mond warned of potential woes, Valuable Player. las,” Barnes tweeted. for Sacramento. Wednesday, joins the Spurs after Bulls, who have also lost Derrick nouncing his decision Monday. noting: “Everyone is so hyped In addition to Nowitzki, the Bogut removed all references Dallas missed out on bids for spending the past two seasons Rose and Joakim Noah to New Durant agreed on a two-year up on the match up problems Mavericks have a four-year deal to the Warriors from his Twit- Memphis guard Mike Conley with the Chicago Bulls, averag- York. deal worth $53mn that has a on the off ensive end? They still worth $94mn with ex-Warrior ter account, his photo on the ac- and Miami centre Hassan Wh- ing 16.5 points and 11.0 rebounds Gasol played in Memphis until player option so he can opt out gotta come down the other end.. Harrison Barnes and an agree- count with him in an Australian iteside, who stayed with their a game in the 2015-16 campaign a 2008 trade to the Los Angeles next year and make even more Not a very big team.” ment for Golden State to trade national team jersey. current teams, but the new tal- and making the All-Star team Lakers, with whom he won NBA money when new NBA televi- And French center Rudy them Andrew Bogut, an Austral- The Mavericks also made a ent gives the Mavericks a chance both seasons. crowns in 2009 and 2010. He has sion contract revenue will send Gobert of the Utah Jazz point- ian big man who suff ered bone two-year deal worth $6mn for to reach the second round of the But the Spaniard declined an guided the Spanish squad to sil- the league salary cap skyrock- ed out what might be the War- bruises in the NBA Finals. Seth Curry, who averaged 6.8 playoff s for the fi rst time since off er to stay in Chicago and will ver medals at the 2008 and 2012 eting. riors’ biggest trouble of all: “I’m excited to begin a new points a game and shot 45.5% winning the 2011 NBA crown. make almost double what he Olympics and will play in next And Durant, who has yet to “Only problem there’s only 1 chapter in my NBA career in Dal from 3-point range last season Gasol, who turns 36 on would have in staying with the month’s Rio Games. capture an NBA champion- ball...”

INTERVIEW Satoransky relishes prospect of Wizards spell

Reuters Averaging 9 points and 4.3 one can only benefi t from being Belgrade assists per game last season, he on the same roster with such helped the Catalan giants reach great players.” the Euroleague playoff s after Should the Czechs qualify for omas Satoransky re- winning the 2015 Spanish Su- the August 5-21 Olympic Games gards his expected move percup with them. in Rio de Janeiro, Satoransky from Barcelona to the “It was my path to play for one will have yet another opportu- NBA’s Washington Wiz- of the biggest clubs in Europe,” nity to impress the watchful NBA Tards to provide him with the he said. “It’s very challenging to scouts. However, judging by the greatest challenge of his career, play in a high-pressure environ- Czech Republic’s poor start in the Czech guard told Reuters. ment, but it gave me a lot.” the qualifying tournament, it The versatile 24-year-old, could be a tall order for Satoran- who can perform either as a Aft er fi ve years at Sevilla, sky and his team mates. playmaker or a point guard, con- Satoransky joined Barce- “First we have to beat Japan fi rmed he was on the verge of lona in 2014 and quickly (later on Wednesday) to stay in moving across the Atlantic after drew attention with impres- contention and that won’t be a seven-year spell in Spain. sive performances in the easy,” he said. “We have a verbal agreement, Euroleague, the continent’s “If we do, we are looking at it’s not offi cial yet,” Satornasky premier club competition. a probable semi-fi nal against said after the Czechs suff ered a tournament hosts and favourites shock 71-59 reverse to Latvia at Satoransky acknowledged it Serbia, but if we want to get to an Olympic qualifying tourna- was only going to get tougher in Rio, we now have to beat every- ment in the Serbian capital on the NBA, where many European one standing in our way.” Tuesday. players have struggled to adapt The last three Olympic bas- “We will see when this tour- to the exertions of the world’s ketball berths are being con- nament is over but it’s a chal- premier basketball league. tested by 18 teams at three quali- lenge I have always looked “It’s never easy for a European fying tournaments in Belgrade, forward to.” going to the NBA, especially for Turin and Manila. After fi ve years at Sevilla, playmakers and point guards, The winners of each tourna- Satoransky joined Barcelona in but that’s the position I wanted ment will qualify for the Games, 2014 and quickly drew attention to be in,” he said. joining hosts Brazil, United with impressive performances in “It would mean so much to States, Spain, Lithuania, Argen- the Euroleague, the continent’s play alongside the likes of (Wiz- tina, Nigeria, Venezuela, China Latvia’s Janis Strelnieks (R) vies with Czech Republic’s Tomas Satoransky (L) during the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying basketball match premier club competition. ards point guard) John Wall, as and Australia. between Latvia and Czech Republic at the Kombank Arena in Belgrade. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, July 7, 2016 7 SPORT

MLB ATHLETICS Slow and injured — Stepanova’s Tanaka shuts down comeback falls fl at

Reuters She came through the half- Amsterdam way point around two seconds down before pulling up mid- way through the second lap and ulia Stepanova’s reaching for her right foot. White Sox as Yanks much-heralded re- She then walked the remain- turn to action turned ing distance, limping heavily, Yinto a damp squib on to an eerie, almost silent at- Wednesday when the Russian mosphere. whistleblower, running as an Stepanova served a two-year independent athlete, dropped doping ban from 2013 but then, out of her 800 metres heat along with her husband Vitaly, with a foot injury having been played a major role in exposing win in 9-0 rout off the pace throughout. the extent of the state-spon- Stepanova has not raced sored doping that led to Russia since September due to the ban being banned from the sport ‘I felt like I was able to carry my load today. I felt all my breaking pitches were good’ on Russian athletes but raced last November. under the European Athletics She currently lives in the Association (EAA) fl ag at the United States, saying she fears European championships after for her safety after receiving the sport’s governing body had threats. requested she be given special “She never stopped train- dispensation to compete as an ing but she had not done the independent. necessary training to run two Stepanova, who turned 30 minutes because she did not on Sunday, is hoping the Inter- know she would be allowed to national Olympic Committee compete,” he husband Vitaly will allow her to run in the Rio told Reuters on Tuesday. Games under a neutral fl ag and “She also has had some mi- has the qualifying standard, nor injuries lately so she is not but she looked desperately off in great shape yet. the pace from the gun yester- “I don’t know what she will day. do but it is not about winning Wearing black and white now, it’s just about trying to striped kit with an EAA badge, compete, respecting the com- she received a ripple of polite petition and not putting the applause when introduced to result ahead of the rules.” the sparse crowd but was adrift “She is just happy to be able of the pack within the fi rst 100 to compete again and whatever metres. she can run, she will run.”

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

By Erik Boland good. That’s how I could get so Beltran, who had hits in his wouldn’t relinquish. Refsnyder, outs in the fi fth, his third of the Newsday many easy outs and swings and fi rst three at-bats, singled on the starting at second, led off with season, made it 6-0. RBI doubles misses.” fi rst pitch he saw from Rodon, a single. After fl y outs by Aaron by Refsnyder and Hicks in the Brett Gardner, in a 3-for-18 and Alex Rodriguez, back in at Hicks and Romine, Gardner eighth made it 8-0. t was a combination seldom slide coming in, led the way with DH as Beltran played right fi eld, singled. Beltran followed with Lefty Chasen Shreve, brought seen in what to this point four hits. Carlos Beltran, named doubled on the second pitch of his second hit of the day, which up from Triple-A Scranton/ has been a lost Yankees sea- just before the contest to his his at-bat, putting runners at brought in Refsnyder to make it Wilkes-Barre earlier in the day, Ison. ninth All-Star team, had three second and third. 1-0. A-Rod grounded sharply to replaced Tanaka with one on and Standout starting pitching hits, as did Chase Headley, who The double was the 547th of short where Tim Anderson failed two outs in the eighth and struck and production throughout a homered. his career, tying him with Manny to handle the ball cleanly, the er- out Jose Abreu on four pitches. lineup the Yankees thought be- Mark Teixeira, Starlin Cas- Ramirez for 29th all time. ror bringing in Gardner to make it RESULTS fore the year would be far more tro, Rob Refsnyder and Austin Teixeira, who became just the 2-0. Tanaka got out of a second- Cincinnati 9 Chicago Cubs 5 balanced than in 2015 but hadn’t Romine had two hits, with one fi fth switch-hitter to reach the and-third-one-out jam in the Philadelphia 5 Atlanta 1 been. of the latter’s hits a home run. 400-home run plateau Sunday, bottom of the second – striking Milwaukee 5 Washington 2 It came together on this night Tanaka allowed six hits and one came next and sent a liner to out Avisail Garcia and getting JB Toronto 8 Kansas City 3 at least, contributing to a 9-0 walk in improving to 6-2 with a second. Brett Lawrie dived to his Shuck to fl y out – and watched Cleveland 12 Detroit 1 victory over the White Sox in 3.12 ERA. He struck out six. right and had the ball bounce off his off ense tack on in the third. LA Angels 13 Tampa Bay 5 front of 20,773 at US Cellular Overmatched White Sox his glove. Beltran hesitated, then Castro started the inning with Miami 5 NY Mets 2 Field. The Yankees (41-42), now lefthander Carlos Rodon allowed took off for home and Lawrie’s a single and Headley came next, Texas 7 Boston 2 2-3 on this three-city, 10-game six runs (fi ve earned) and 12 hits throw beat him for the second crushing a 1-and-0 pitch to left- Pittsburgh 5 St. Louis 2 trip, had a season-high 20 hits over fi ve innings as he fell to 2-7 out. Castro worked a walk to load center for his seventh homer of NY Yankees 9 White Sox 0 and received 72/3 shutout in- with a 4.50 ERA. The Yankees, the bases and Headley struck out the season to make it 4-0. Minnesota 11 Oakland 4 nings from Masahiro Tanaka. who scored at least one run in to end the inning. Beltran doubled to lead off the Houston 5 Seattle 2 “I felt like I was able to carry four straight innings (2-5), near- After a 14-pitch bottom half of fourth and scored on Teixeira’s Arizona 7 San Diego 5 Yuliya Stepanova grimaces as she is injured while competing in the my load today,” Tanaka said. “I ly made it fi ve straight, stranding the fi rst by Tanaka, the Yankees one-out double for a 5-0 lead. Baltimore 4 LA Dodgers 1 women’s 800m race during the European Athletics Championships felt all my breaking pitches were two in the fi rst. gave the right-hander a lead he Romine’s solo homer with two Colorado 7 San Francisco 3 at the Olympic stadium in Amsterdam. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT Chicago Cubs dominate MLB all-star team

AFP making the Cubs the fi rst team of that, the hard work. Obviously Los Angeles since the Cincinnati Reds in 1976 the team performing at a high ANTHONY RIZZO to have fi ve starters in the lineup. level has helped me get to this Also on the National League point.” he Chicago Cubs will roster will be Cubs pitchers Jake In the American League, the have all four of their Arrieta and Jon Lester. Arrieta Boston Red Sox landed four players making up the will be making his fi rst appear- starters on the team. Shortstop starting infi eld for next ance and Lester his fourth. Xander Bogaerts and outfi elders Tweek’s annual all-star game, Jackie Bradley and Mookie Betts Major League Baseball an- It is only the second time in and designated hitter David Or- nounced on Tuesday. MLB history it has tiz. Bogaerts, Bradley and Betts For the fi rst time in 53 years, happened. The 1963 St. will be fi rst-time starters while players from the same team will Louis Cardinals previously Ortiz will be making his 10th ap- fi ll out the infi eld at the mid- had all four infi elders in the pearance in his fi nal season of summer classic, comprising fi rst starting lineup. North American baseball. baseman Anthony Rizzo, second Two Kansas City Royals play- baseman Ben Zobrist, shortstop The non-Cubs starters for ers — catcher Salvador Perez Addison Russell and third base- the NL will be San Francisco Gi- and fi rst baseman Eric Hosmer man Kris Bryant. ants catcher Buster Posey and — were named to the AL start- It is only the second time in outfi elders Bryce Harper of ing lineup along with Houston MLB history it has happened. the Washington Nationals and Astros second baseman Jose The 1963 St. Louis Cardinals Yoenis Cespedes of the New York Altuve, Baltimore Orioles third previously had all four infi elders Mets. baseman Manny Machado and in the starting lineup. “It’s a good feeling,” Arrieta Los Angeles Angels outfi elder “That’s awesome,” Bryant said. Mike Trout, who will make his said. “I think it says a lot about “I’ve been through a lot a lot fi fth appearance. the team. Everybody in the in- of hard work. It started to pay Perez topped all vote-getters fi eld’s having a great year so far.” off and my career has moved in a with 4.97mn votes while Rizzo Centre fi elder Dexter Fowler positive direction the last couple was the NL leader with 3.24mn will join his Chicago teammates, of years. It’s kind of a by-product votes. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, July 7, 2016 SPORT

BASKETBALL/ OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS Canada make semis, France off to perfect start AFP The Africans could only manage a Colo’s 27 points and six rebounds as Manila Clevin Finley Hannah lay-up as an an- the French backcourt led a fi ghtback swer as the game clock ran out. from an early 10-point defi cit to the Joseph’s 13 points led a balanced Ca- host nation. ory Joseph sank three of four nadian attack, with Milwaukee Bucks “Tony Parker was a handful with the pressure-laden free-throws in guard Ennis Tyler adding 12. Melvin ball screen off ence... The real strength the dying seconds yesterday as Ejim pitched in with 11, along with a of the French was in their guards,” the Canada beat Senegal 58-55 to game-high eight rebounds. Philippines’ American coach Tab Bald- stormC into the semi-fi nals of an Olym- France, the Manila tournament’s win told reporters. pic basketball qualifying tournament highest-ranked team, beat hosts Phil- Parker’s National Basketball As- in Manila. ippines on Tuesday and will aim to sociation teammate Boris Diaw was The exploits of Joseph, a reserve top their group when they play New the fulcrum of the team’s off ence, and National Basketball Association point Zealand today. A win would put the contributed nine points, nine rebounds guard for the Toronto Raptors, killed French, ranked fi fth in the world, in and six assists to the tally. “Boris is a off a Senegalese rally that saw the Afri- a potential semi-fi nal against either key piece of our team. He plays like a cans get to within a basket, 55-53, with Turkey or Senegal. point guard,” Parker said. less than 16 seconds left. Canada, who subdued Turkey on The Philippines ended the fi rst With their second win in two Tuesday, are likely to face in the other quarter 30-22 ahead thanks to Andray matches, the Canadians are likely to semi-fi nal the winner of the match be- Blatche’s 14 points, but the naturalised avoid France in the semi-fi nals on Sat- tween New Zealand and the Philippines. Filipino, who once played for the NBA’s urday as they seek to capture the lone Australia, Argentina, Brazil, China, New Jersey Nets, went cold in the sec- Rio Games slot on off er in Manila. Lithuania, Nigeria, Spain, the United ond quarter. “It was a great game if you love States and Venezuela have already The big-bodied centre still led the defence... They switched a lot on us qualifi ed for the Rio Olympics men’s hosts’ losing eff ort with 21 points, eight which made it very diffi cult,” Canadian basketball tournament in August. rebounds, three steals and a block. coach Jay Triano told reporters. Two other teams will be added from In the other opening-day game, To- Real Madrid forward Maurice the winners of the other qualifying ronto Raptors point guard Cory Joseph Ndour, who led all scorers with 16 tournaments now being held in Italy poured in 21 points and added three re- points, converted his fourth three- and Serbia. bounds and fi ve assists as Canada beat point shot of the game as the shot clock France, led by NBA star Tony Parker, Turkey 77-69. The Canadians, also expired to bring Senegal to within two got off to a perfect start as the world’s featuring centre Tristan Thompson of and set up the dramatic fi nish. fi fth-ranked basketball team threw off the reigning NBA champions Cleve- But Joseph’s nerveless free-throw the Philippines 93-84. The veteran land Cavaliers, will gun for a semi- shooting nullifi ed Senegal’s desperate San Antonio Spurs point guard added fi nals spot when they go against min- fouling, aimed at stopping the clock. 21 points and six assists to Nando De nows Senegal. Tony Parker of France goes for the basket against hosts Philippines in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Manila. (Reuters)

FORMULA ONE Allow Hamilton & Rosberg to race, say F1 stalwarts

DPA Hamilton ready to Silverstone, England ormula One surpremo Bernie Ecclestone believes feuding FMercedes teammates Lewis Hamil- ton and Nico Rosberg should be allowed to race each other without team orders. Mercedes non-executive chairman swap jeers for cheers Niki Lauda also wants them to be free to race — within reason. The pair collided on the final lap of ‘My fans feel what I’m feeling and it’s why I have such a connection with them. Team orders is not last Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix with British world champion Hamilton going something that should deprive them. Even if it’s the other way around and I am racing and the through to win and previous race leader Rosberg dropping back to fourth. Most other guy’s coming for me, that’s racing and why you turn up and you sit in the mud in camper pundits blamed the championship-leading German for the crash and Mercedes team van in Silverstone and why you buy that cap because you’re with that passion and that fire’ boss Toto Wolff was furious. Ecclestone though always prefers a spectacle and urged the drivers to be allowed to race each other. “I think we should let them drive,” Ecclestone told Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper. “If they do something stupid, we have race stewards there to sort things out. People don’t want the team to interfere.” Lauda is still a racer at heart but also has responsibilities to Mercedes. “We want to leave the two free to race but only to the point where they don’t crash into each other,” Lauda told magazine Auto, Motor und Sport. “If it doesn’t work and something else happens after two and a half incidents in Barcelona, Montreal and Spielberg, we reserve the right to take all the necessary steps.” Pirelli blame debris for Vettel tyre explosion

Sebastian Vettel’s dramatic tyre blow-out in Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix was likely caused by debris on the track, supplier Pirelli said yesterday. Pirelli said analysis of the few remaining parts of the Ferrari’s right rear tyre, along with comparison to other tyres used in the Formula One race, had thrown up no sign of fatigue or structural failure. “Conse- quently, the issue appears to be caused by an item of debris, which led to the breakage of the tyre,” it said in a statement. Ferrari driver Vettel had been leading the race when the tyre exploded on the pit straight on the 27th of the 71 laps. “I didn’t feel anything, or rather, I felt it when it was too late and it exploded out of the blue. There were no signs before that, everything was normal,” said the four-time champion at the time. “I spoke with the people on the pit wall and everything looked the same, the pace was the same as the lap before, the tyres felt fine, the lap times were fine. It’s completely a ques- Reuters Mercedes bosses meeting to discuss is to give Rosberg as little chance as Lauda ‘sets record straight’ “Lewis Hamilton did not lie about tion mark on why the tyre had the failure.” London what to do after two costly collisions possible and he will aim to do that on on Hamilton comments his relationship with teammate Nico in fi ve races. Sunday at a circuit where last year the Rosberg. Niki regrets any misunder- Even if they decide on nothing more Briton won from pole position and set Mercedes denied yesterday that For- standing caused by comments that Sauber to miss ewis Hamilton need fear no than another warning, the drivers can the fastest lap. mula One world champion Lewis have been blown wildly out of propor- Silverstone F1 test boos or whistles at Silverstone expect their every move on the track — “As a competitor I’ve got to get on Hamilton trashed his room in a fi t of tion compared with the casual context this weekend but the Formula and body language off it — to be closely pole and lead the whole way,” he said. anger after a qualifying crash and lied in which they were made.” Struggling Sauber will miss next week’s One world champion cannot es- monitored and analysed. “That’s what I have to do for the fans, about the state of his relationship with Hamilton fi nished fourth in Baku, post-British Grand Prix Formula One test to capeL the fallout from Austria as he chas- With the season approaching the that’s my solution. It’s a lot of pressure German teammate Nico Rosberg. the inaugural race in Azerbaijan, while save money, the Swiss team said yester- es a fourth British Grand Prix victory. halfway point, and a rush of three rac- but that’s my goal.” The team was responding to com- Rosberg won. day. Sauber said on Twitter that since an The Mercedes driver was jeered es before the summer break, passions “I’m massively driven,” added ments made by non-executive chair- The Briton had started 10th after aerodynamic update was planned for a after he won in Spielberg last Sun- are rising and the battle intensifying. If Hamilton. “I want it as much if not man and shareholder Niki Lauda, a hitting the barriers in qualifying and later stage, they had decided to cancel their day following a last-lap collision with the drivers are ordered to hold station more than I’ve wanted my other world retired triple world champion, during smashing his car’s suspension. involvement in the test “considering cost teammate Nico Rosberg, who limped at a certain point, then the crowd may championships, and I actually love a discussion show on Austria’s Servus Lauda told Servus that Hamilton’s eff ectiveness”. A two-day test starting on home fourth with his overall lead cut feel robbed. that it’s even harder to get because that television last week. response had been to shut himself in his Tuesday is scheduled for the Silverstone to 11 points. As Hamilton said after Spielberg: makes you appreciate it more.” The channel is owned by Red Bull, room: “He said I can’t go in because he’s circuit after this Sunday’s race. Sauber, the The abuse could be explained by the “My fans feel what I’m feeling and Rosberg will see it equally as a whose billionaire boss Dietrich Mate- smashing everything up, so I opened up only team yet to score a point this season, German presence in the crowd, with it’s why I have such a connection with chance to turn the tables. Denied a schitz and his motorsport consultant the door,” added the Austrian. have suff ered financial diff iculties and stewards punishing Rosberg for caus- them. Team orders is not something hat-trick of Austrian wins, he can end Helmut Marko are close to fellow- Ahead of last weekend’s Austrian also skipped the previous in-season test ing the collision as Hamilton attempt- that should deprive them. Hamilton’s bid for three in a row at Austrian Lauda despite their Formula Grand Prix at Spielberg, Hamilton told in Barcelona in May because of a lack of ed to seize the lead. “Even if it’s the other way around home. Both will have to watch out for One rivalry. Britain’s Mail on Sunday that his rela- updates and a suitable test driver. They Silverstone is sure to be diff er- and I’m racing and the other guy’s Red Bull and Ferrari. Mercedes said Lauda now wanted tionship with Rosberg was “surpris- have not made any significant upgrades ent, with many of the 140,000 at the coming for me, that’s racing and why “The way the car has been working to “set the record straight” in a state- ingly good” despite a collision in Spain to their car since the start of the season old airfi eld being there to cheer on the you turn up and you sit in the mud in this year we should be pretty com- ment issued on his behalf. “Lewis that put both out of the race. in March but sounded more optimistic in home hero who has won for the past the camper van in Silverstone and why petitive at Silverstone,” said Red Bull’s Hamilton did not in any way damage “He lied. It’s quite simple,” Lauda Austria last weekend, when team manager two years. you buy that cap because you’re with Australian Daniel Ricciardo. a hotel room or his private driver room told Servus. “But when they drive off Beat Zehnder said June salaries had at least The threat of ‘team orders’ hangs that passion and that fi re.” “I think it will be really close with at the circuit during the race weekend he does whatever he can and it will get been paid on time. over proceedings, however, with The solution, Hamilton suggested, Ferrari so I’m excited.” in Baku,” it said. worse the more Rosberg gets ahead...” Gulf Times Thursday, July 7, 2016 9 CRICKET

ENGLAND vs SRI LANKA SL wants damages from WADA for doping blunder AFP dous mental stress” after the Colombo positive result but insisted he always knew he would be eventually cleared. As a result Buttler, Morgan on ri Lanka’s cricket board of the suspension, Perera was said yesterday it will ruled out of Sri Lanka’s World Sseek compensation from Twenty20 title defence earlier the world anti-doping agency this year. After he was cleared, (WADA) over the wrongful he joined the national team that suspension of wicket-keeper was touring England and played Kusal Perera. in the third Test, scoring 42. He Perera was suspended dur- also played in the ODI series as the rampage as Eng ing Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zea- well as one T20 match. land last December after WADA The ICC in May described said he had tested positive for a the test as “an atypical finding” banned substance, a finding the that could not be construed as laboratory later revised. evidence of doping. “We regret The International Cricket what Mr Perera has had to Council lifted the ban on endure, and would like to com- Perera in May after Sri Lanka mend him for the manner in win lone T20 game intervened to prove the tests which he has conducted himself were wrong, but the country’s throughout this period,” ICC cricket board has said it spent chief executive David Richard- ‘It’s great to play such an aggressive brand of cricket and our white-ball form in this $100,000 as legal and techni- son said in a statement at the cal costs in defending Perera. time. “We wish to make it clear series has been excellent. The attitude of all the players has been magnificent this “The ICC and Sri Lanka that there is no evidence that Mr Cricket are together in this Perera has ever used perform- summer so far, and this was the perfect way to finish off the campaign with Sri Lanka’ right now to claim money from ance-enhancing substances and WADA,” said Sri Lanka Cricket we wish him well in his future President Thilanga Sumath- cricketing endeavours.” AFP ipala. He did not say how much The ICC had sought an ex- Southampton, United Kingdom Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler compensation the board would planation from WADA and the celebrate after guiding England claim, but he said it would be laboratory that tested Perera’s to eight-wicket win over Sri an amount “never ever granted sample. However, the Doping os Buttler boosted his hopes of a Test Lanka in the Twenty20 match to anyone in the history of Analysis Laboratory said there recall for the Pakistan series as his at Southampton. (Reuters) world cricket”. was nothing wrong with their stunning unbeaten 73 helped England Perera told reporters in May results and blamed a problem win the T20 international against Sri that he had suff ered “tremen- with “interpretation”. JLanka in Southampton on Tuesday. Buttler gave the tourists’ attack the run- around with four sixes and three fours in a SPOTLIGHT 49-ball innings which was his highest ever T20 score, and saw England cruise home by eight wickets with 15 balls to spare. Eoin Morgan also played a leading role Australia board with an unbeaten 47, the England captain shrugging off an earlier dislocated fi nger after Sri Lanka had been dismissed for 140 slaps bans on three off their 20 overs. The defeat completed a miserable tour for Sri Lanka who failed to beat England in any of the nine interna- players for betting tional matches with the home side win- ning the Super Series 20-4. Reuters another 18 months suspended, Jason Roy went for a third-ball duck, Melbourne for placing six bets totalling bowled around his legs by Angelo Matthews, A$15.50 ($11.50) on a men’s Test and James Vince went for 16. But then it be- match between Australia and came the Buttler and Morgan show. ustralia’s cricket board New Zealand in November. Buttler, moved up to open the batting has banned two play- That followed a two-year order having been told by coach Trevor ers for betting on suspended sentence given to Bayliss he was in with a shout for a possible matches and given a Sydney-based women’s crick- Test place, survived an early scare when he Asuspended ban to a third as part eter Angela Reakes in Decem- appeared to nick a delivery in Mathews’ of its “zero tolerance” approach ber for placing fi ve bets worth next over to wicket-keeper Dinesh Chan- to gambling-related corruption. a total of A$9 on the man-of- dimal. Replays suggested he did hit the ball Hayley Jensen and Corinne the-match for last year’s crick- but the appeal was turned down and the Hall, who play in the national et World Cup fi nal. England man made the most of his luck. women’s league and women’s He smashed Mathews over mid-on domestic Twenty20 tourna- ECB disciplines Bopara, for a huge six, the fi rst of the innings and ment, were both given two- Best for code breaches he punched Farveez Maharoof down the year bans with 18 months sus- ssex all-rounder Ravi ground for six and did the same to Danuska pended, Cricket Australia said EBopara and Hampshire Gunathilaka’s spin. in a media release yesterday. bowler Tino Best were each Morgan was dropped by Mathews when Jensen had admitted placing slapped with three penalty on just eight but then struck spinner one bet on the result of the men’s points yesterday for breaching Seekkuge Prasanna for a straight six. Test match between Australia the England and Wales Cricket England moved up the gears with But- and New Zealand in Brisbane Board’s discipline code. tler reaching his half-century with a last November. Hall had made Both players were reported boundary off Chaminda Bandara, and he two bets relating to two matches after incidents in June 24’s T20 and Morgan saw their side home with con- in the men’s domestic one-day Blast match between their two siderable ease. Morgan smashing the win- competition in 2015-16. teams, which Essex won by fi ve ning runs with a six. “Jensen and Hall are prohib- wickets. Former England inter- Sri Lanka’s total never looked enough ited from participating in any national Bopara was dismissed on a fi ne batting wicket. Liam Dawson form of cricket or cricket-related lbw for a duck in Essex’s success- produced a sparkling debut performance event for a period of six months ful chase of 136 and angrily indi- as the Hampshire spinner took centre- until 21 October 2016,” CA said. cated to umpire Neil Bainton that stage on his home Ageas Bowl ground to Joel Logan, who plays for he had got his bat on the ball. take 3-27 from four accurate overs while out by James Vince’s direct throw. with bat and ball. innings, he said: “I knew it was dislocated South Australia in the men’s West Indian paceman Best Chris Jordan grabbed 3-29 and paceman Chandimal made 23 before being “It’s great to play such an aggressive straight away but had it put back in place domestic competition, was then became frustrated dur- Liam Plunkett took 2-27. snapped up by Morgan who then rushed brand of cricket and our white-ball form in and had an injection. I was able to bat ok sanctioned for placing two bets ing Ashar Zaidi’s match-win- Another debut bowler, left-arm fast off the fi eld with a dislocated fi nger hav- this series has been excellent. Dawson and with no problem.” on the winner of the World ning innings of 52 and, having bowler Tymal Mills, failed to take a wicket ing taken the catch awkwardly, but he was Mills were outstanding on their debuts. The defeat completed a miserable tour T20 tournament. Logan was bowled a wide, threw the ball but went for only 22 runs off his four overs, okay to bat. Jordan ensured Sri Lanka were The attitude of all the players has been for Sri Lanka and Matthews admitted: “We also given a two-year ban but at Zaidi, giving away four over- bowling quickly and hitting 92mph plus. kept to just 140, taking two wickets in magnifi cent this summer so far, and this have a short rest now to recharge our bat- it was wholly suspended due to throws as well as earning him- Kusal Perera went cheaply but Kusal the fi nal over to dismiss the tourists. And was the perfect way to fi nish off the cam- teries, and then that series will be just as “circumstances relating to his self a sanction. Mendis clubbed a Jordan full toss just wide though England began with a stutter in paign with Sri Lanka. hard as this one. We have to be prepared match contracts and the spe- An ECB statement read: of Jonny Bairstow. The England bowler their run chase, once Buttler applied the “Jos showed what a world class per- very well mentally and physically for that cifi c timing” of his bets. “Best was reported by umpires was hammered for 20 runs in one over. accelerator the result was never in doubt. former he is. He was keen to open and battle ahead. All three players were required Martin Saggers and Neil Bainton Gunathilaka made 26 before holing out to England captain Morgan was happy show what he can do. Well, it was enjoy- “Of course it’s been very disappointing to participate in anti-corruption during Hampshire’s NatWest Jordan running in from the long off bound- with his side’s “aggressive brand of crick- able watching from the other end. but we still have some positives to take from education programmes, the T20 Blast match against Essex ary as Hampshire slow left-armer Dawson et”. The captain defi ed a dislocated fi nger “Liam showed no nerves at all and was the tour. (Dinesh) Chandimal has been out- board said. “We take a proac- on 24th June 2016, for a Level 2 thrilled his home fans with a wicket. himself to hit an important unbeaten 47 fantastic. His fi gures proved just how well standing with bat and behind the stumps tive, zero-tolerance approach to breach of the code (throwing the Mathews swept straight into aggressive as England added a T20 victory over the he bowled on his debut and on his home while Mendis also did well scoring runs. We maintaining the integrity of our ball at or near a player, umpire or mode with a fi ne sweep to the boundary off tourists to their summer Test and ODI se- ground. Tymal gave us something extra played well in patches but we just did not sport and this includes any form offi cial in an inappropriate and Dawson but the spinner then caught and ries’ triumphs. with his pace at the start of an innings, and have the bowling to back up the batsmen of betting on cricket globally,” dangerous manner). bowled to remove Mendis for 21. As his Sri Lankan counterpart Mathews he bowled very well. and compete as well as we wanted.” CA’s integrity boss Iain Roy said. “Bopara was reported by Sri Lanka were 79-3 after ten overs but began to look forward to a similar cricket- “It’s a great achievement for him to “These players have accepted the umpires during the same crumbled as they lost Mathews bowled ing battle against Australia next up, Irish- bowl four overs like that especially with Brief scores the seriousness of their errors match for a Level 2 breach by Dawson for 11 and Dasun Shanaka ran man Morgan insisted: “When I stood for the back problem he has which has to be Sri Lanka: 140 in 20 overs (D Gunathilaka and have voluntarily accepted (showing serious dissent at an out next ball going for a second run by the toss and realised Jos was opening the managed all the time. Whether he can play 26, K Mendis 21, D Chandimal 23; Jordan their sanctions.” umpire’s decision by word or Jason Roy’s fi ne throw. Ramith Rambuk- batting and we had Tymal opening the in the 50-over game we shall have to see.” 3/29, Plunkett 2/27, Dawson 3/27) lost to CA in February banned action). The penalty for each of wella smashed a six and then a four to spoil bowling I couldn’t stop smiling because On the damaged fi nger which he injured England 144-2 in 17.3 overs (J Buttler 73*, 19-year-old women’s cricketer these breaches is three penalty Rashid’s fi gures a little before being run it’s great to have guys like that to attack taking a catch at the end of the Sri Lanka E Morgan 47*; Mathews 2/27) by 8 wickets Piepa Cleary for six months, with points.” Ponting urges limits on bat size AFP Club (MCC) World Cricket Committee meet- size, but it’s 3-1/2 pounds. He’s big enough Sydney ing. The MCC has overall global responsibility and strong enough to use it. I only get wor- for cricket’s laws or rules. ried when they are really big and really light.” “The short forms of the game survive on Ponting’s view was supported by Austral- ormer Australian captain Ricky boundaries — fours and sixes — whereas the ian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who said he Ponting has backed a call for size limits Test game is being dominated too much was “all for it” when asked about restrictions Fon bats ahead of an upcoming meeting now by batters because the game is a bit on the super-sized bats for Test matches. of world cricket figures, as concerns about a easier for them than it was,” Ponting, who is a “Some of those cricket bats going round glut in run-scoring grows. member of the MCC World Cricket Commit- the dressing sheds at the moment are un- Manufacturers have been producing tee, added. believably big,” he told reporters in Sydney thicker bats with larger “sweet spots” that do While there are limitations on bat length ahead of his departure for a tour of Sri Lanka, not feel as heavy as those wielded by power- — when the lower portion of the handle is noting teammates David Warner and Usman hitters from past decades, but there are fears inserted it shall not be more than 38in/96.5cm Khawaja had both used large bats. they give batsmen an advantage. — and width — 4.25in/10.8cm at its widest part “One-day cricket is a little bit diff erent. I “I don’t mind it (big bats) for the shorter — none currently exist on depth and weight. think the crowds come to see the fours and versions of the game,” Ponting told the Ponting said he did not blame players sixes and the big hits.” Australian Cricket Society’s annual dinner, for using the bigger bats. “If you are strong The Australians’ comments echo those cricket.com.au reported. “I would actually say enough to use them that’s fine, but you expressed by several former Test players on you’ve got a bat you can use in Test cricket should not get a bat that’s bigger in size than an International Cricket Council committee and a certain type of bat you can use in one- (India captain Mahendra Singh) Dhoni’s but a last month, including India’s head coach day cricket and T20 cricket.” whole lot lighter,” he said. Anil Kumble, who said the sport’s lawmakers Ponting said the issue would be on the “(West Indies batsman) Chris Gayle’s the should bring in new restrictions on the size agenda at an upcoming Marylebone Cricket same. Everyone talks about Chris Gayle’s bat of bats. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, July 7, 2016 SPORT

FOCUS Cyclist Meares to carry Australian fl ag in Rio Reuters She will lead a strong Australian were for London.” ing his hearing but hoped the condition Melbourne team into the Rio velodrome, where Meares won a bronze in the team would not aff ect his jumping. she will also compete in the keirin and sprint with Kaarle McCulloch at Lon- “I knew I shouldn’t have jumped in the team sprint. don but in Rio will work with Stephanie Birmingham because I felt really stiff ,” ouble Olympic cycling cham- Australia have a proud history in Ol- Morton, who grabbed a time-trial gold Rutherford told British media. “If the pion Anna Meares will carry ympic track cycling but came away from at the 2012 Paralympics as the able- room falls silent for a moment all I hear Australia’s fl ag at the opening London with only Meares’ title as hosts bodied pilot for winner Felicity Johnson. is loud white noise, so it’s been a strug- ceremony of the Rio de Janei- Britain bagged seven of the 10 golds. Meares said 25-year-old Morton gle to sleep. I’ve gone from hearing in roD Games next month. While British cycling has been would also be a threat to her individual stereo to mono. The 32-year-old, who will defend her in crisis this year with the resigna- sprint title defence along with German “Hopefully it (normal hearing) will track sprint title at her fourth Games, tion of Australian technical director Kristina Vogel and the top Chinese come back but there’s a one in four edged out other candidates including Shane Sutton in April over allegations sprinters, who include world cham- chance it never will fully recover, Olympic race walking champion Jared of bullying, sexism and discrimina- pion Zhong Tianshi. according to the doctor.” Tallent and 37-year-old hockey stal- tion, their star-laden team could not “She’s a phenomenal person, great Rutherford will defend his Euro- wart Jamie Dwyer for the honour. be discounted, Meares said. “You can’t energy,” she said of Morton. “I really pean title at Amsterdam this week and Breaking from a tradition of nam- underestimate Team Great Britain and feel like with the big diesel engine that the Milton Keynes-born athlete added ing the fl agbearer in the days before the they’ve shown that at both Beijing and she is, my job is just to get her up to that he would have considered taking opening ceremony, Australian chef de London,” she said. speed and going.” time off to recover in any other year. mission Kitty Chiller presented Meares Australia boast a number of Olym- “I hope it won’t aff ect my jumping with the fl ag at a ceremony at Mel- pic medallists and former world cham- but it’s certainly not fun,” he added. bourne’s Federation Square yesterday. pions, and Meares held high hopes the Rutherford risks hearing loss “It does bring you down. If it wasn’t “To be announced here in Australia, team would emerge from Rio with a Olympic long jump champion Greg Olympic year I would quite possibly be it gives me time... to come back to a bigger haul than London. Rutherford is risking permanent hear- taking some time out to get it sorted, stable position rather than a blubber- “There are a lot of familiar faces from ing damage to his left ear by continu- but I like winning medals. I’ll just have ing mess... which is lovely,” the 11-time London and a big contingent of fi rst- ing to compete, the British athlete has to take that risk.” world champion told reporters. “Don’t timers, so we’ve got a good combination said, adding that the threat will not de- Rutherford also revealed that he drop the fl ag! That is defi nitely goal of experience and energy,” she added. ter him from defending his title in Rio. suff ered from appendicitis earlier this number one.” “I’m really excited about the potential The 29-year-old pulled out of last year. “I woke up with chronic pain in Meares, one of Australia’s greatest of this team right across the board. month’s British Championships after my stomach and that then progressed. Olympic cyclists, won a time trial gold “It’s not going to be an easy task at suff ering whiplash at the Birming- I just had antibiotics and luckily it went in her Games debut in Athens in 2004 all but I’ve seen the work, dedication ham Diamond League meeting, which away and there’s nothing to suggest it and took a courageous silver in the in- and excitement in the improvement has since caused a severe ear disorder will be a recurring problem. It was two dividual sprint in Beijing seven months that everyone has made. That doesn’t called cochlear hydrops. weeks before I jumped 8.30 metres in after suff ering a broken neck in a crash give any guarantees but I think we are The world champion said that he Long Beach, so it doesn’t seem to have during competition. better placed for Rio than what we had a 25 % chance of not fully recover- aff ected me too much,” he said.

HOPING AGAINST HOPE SPOTLIGHT Whistleblower Yulia Stepanova awaits Russia names team Olympic clearance for Rio, hopes for IAAF ban to be lift ed ‘We are ready to work with you to build a transparent structure which makes it Reuters IAAF ban and the court has said Eugene, Oregon it will rule on July 21. impossible to violate even in theory the international standards of WADA by the “Everyone in Russia is say- ing it makes no sense that staff of (Russian anti-doping agency) RUSADA and the (Russian) Laboratory’ ussian whistle-blow- Yulia is eligible to compete,” er Yulia Stepanova Stepanov said. “But we never returned to action at accused athletes, it was sys- yesterday’s European tem we accused.” He and his AthleticsR Championships but wife now live in an undisclosed Twice Olympic pole-vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva is still waiting to hear from the location in the United States, (2004 and 2008) is among IOC whether she can partici- fearful for their lives. the 68 athletes in the Russian pate in the Rio Olympics, her His wife, who celebrated track and field team list for Rio husband said yesterday. her 30th birthday on Sunday, The 800 metres runner, has not competed since Sep- along with husband Vitaly, tember 2015 because of the helped expose massive doping Russia ban. She achieved the problems in Russia that led to Olympic standard by running the country’s athletics team 2:01.31 last June and has been being banned from interna- regularly drug-tested. tional competition. “She never stopped train- The International Associa- ing,” her husband said. “But tion of Athletics Federations she had not done the necessary (IAAF) last month cleared the training to run two minutes former convicted drug cheat’s because she did not know she return to competition as a would be allowed to compete. neutral athlete and she will run She also has had some minor the 800m Amsterdam. injuries lately so she is not in But athletics’ governing great shape yet. body said individual competi- “I don’t know what she will tions must invite her, leaving it do but it is not about winning up to the International Olym- now, it’s just about trying to pic Committee (IOC) to deter- compete, respecting the com- mine whether the former elite petition and not putting the runner can participate in the result ahead of the rules. She August 5-21 Rio Games. is just happy to be able to com- “Our next step will be to pete again and whatever she contact the IOC to see if they can run, she will run.” will accept Yulia’s participa- Stepanova accepted an in- tion in the Rio Olympics,” Vi- vitation by European Athletics taly Stepanov added. to compete in their continen- Stepanov said IOC presi- tal championships after being dent Thomas Bach had re- cleared by the IAAF. “Usually sponded to a letter he and his a major championships would Reuters letes are currently suspended by “Also, as has already been right to make the decision and wrote to WADA President Sir wife had sent to the IOC, IAAF not be your fi rst competition Moscow the International Association of published, the Russian Olympic would not overrule it. But many Craig Reedie. and the World Anti-Doping in a year, but she is very happy Athletics Federations (IAAF) from Committee has agreed its posi- Russia-based athletes are furi- Mutko sent the letter ahead of Agency (WADA) asking that to be able to compete again,” competing in international com- tion with ARAF and are appealing ous they are being punished for a July 15 deadline for WADA to Yulia be allowed to compete as said her husband. ussia has named a track petition. to CAS in Lausanne concerning what they consider to be the sins deliver a fi nal report on its inves- a neutral athlete. Whether she is cleared by and fi eld team for the However, they have opposed the overall legality of adding ex- of others. tigation into alleged widespread According to her husband, the IOC for Rio will determine Rio Olympics which in- the ban, which was imposed af- tra criteria for the participation of If CAS rules in favour of the doping in Russian athletics. Bach’s letter said “there is a if and where she races again, cludes gold medallists ter a World Anti-Doping Agency sportsmen competing at the Ol- athletes there will be another is- On June 17, WADA endorsed procedure to follow with regard Vitaly Stepanov said. YelenaR Isinbayeva and Ivan Ukhov report showed widespread, state- ympics. This claim was supported sue to resolve as the IOC’s dead- the International Association to participation in the Olympic Yulia is quietly waiting in among 68 athletes who are hop- sponsored doping, and taken by all 68 athletes,” it said. line for them to achieve the quali- of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Games. This procedure, in the her hotel room in Amsterdam ing an IAAF ban on them compet- their case to sport’s highest court. Russian athletes say they are fying criteria for the Games, July Council’s decision to maintain interest of protecting the clean for her fi rst race, her husband ing will be lifted by sport’s highest On July 2, the Russian Olym- being punished despite not failing 11, would have passed. a suspension of the All-Russian athletes, is underway and has said. She had been due to hold court later this month. pic Committee (ROC) and the 68 drugs tests and that they should Meanwhile, Russian sports Athletics Federation (ARAF). to be respected by all parties in- a news conference on Monday The All-Russian Athletics Fed- athletes fi led appeals to the Court be eligible to compete at the Rio minister told the World Anti- WADA cited suffi cient evi- volved. Please rest assured that but it was cancelled. eration (ARAF) published a list of of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Olympics. Doping Agency chief yesterday dence of “a mandatory state-di- your arguments will be taken “She’s not looking for pub- athletes it said had met its crite- against the IAAF ban and asked The Games start on August 5 that Moscow was fully commit- rected manipulation of laboratory into due consideration.” licity,” he said. “For four years ria for taking part in the Olym- to be allowed to take part in inter- with the IAAF having said only a ted to eradicating doping after the analytical results operating with- The IOC previously has said I was writing to WADA (about pics. It said the preliminary team national competition in time for handful of Russian athletes, who country's athletes were barred in the Moscow-accredited labo- it was studying the case. Both doping in Russia) and I could was verifi ed by the head coaches the Olympics. The three parties meet a number of criteria includ- from the Rio Olympics, and he ratory from at least 2011 forward the IAAF and WADA support not imagine this would be- council and its general committee. agreed an expedited procedure, ing being repeatedly tested out- pledged full cooperation with including the period of the IAAF her return because of the ex- come public with what we As well as twice Olympic pole- with a fi nal decision due by July side Russia, would be allowed to WADA for fair sport. World Championships in 2013”. ceptional information she and know. But I guess if this is the vault champion Isinbayeva (2004 21, CAS has said. compete there. “We are ready to work with On July 2, the Russian Olympic her husband have provided. only way to get this whole and 2008) and high jump gold “Each sportsman has sent an The ban was fi rst put in place you to build a transparent struc- Committee (ROC) and 68 athletes But the decision has upset thing clean in Russian sport by medallist Ukhov (2012), it in- individual request to compete in last November and confi rmed last ture which makes it impossible to fi led appeals to the Swiss-based Russian offi cials, especially putting public pressure we will cludes world 110 metres hurdles the Olympic Games which will be month, when the IAAF said there violate even in theory the inter- Court of Arbitration for Sport since their athletes are banned. help as much as we can. But champion Sergei Shubenkov and checked by the IAAF, as ARAF is were still considerable problems national standards of WADA by (CAS) against the IAAF ban and Sixty-eight Russian athletes that was never our intention former European long jump title- now not a member of the IAAF,” with anti-doping in Russia. the staff of (Russian anti-doping asked to be allowed to take part in have fi led a joint action with the (to go public). The intention holder Darya Klishina. said a statement on ARAF’s offi cial The International Olympic agency) RUSADA and the (Rus- international competition in time Court of Arbitration for Sport was to try to make sport fairer Russian track and fi eld ath- website (www.rusathletics.com). Committee said it was the IAAF’s sian) Laboratory,” Vitaly Mutko for the Olympics. (CAS) seeking to overturn the and cleaner.” Gulf Times Thursday, July 7, 2016 11 SPORT

CYCLING/ THE TOUR DE FRANCE TENNIS Kerber and Vesnina out to halt march of Van Avermaet Williams sisters takes ‘best jersey in world’ at Tour Van Avermaet attacked fellow Belgian Thomas De Gendt 17.4km from the end of the 216km stage to also rip the yellow jersey from Slovak Peter Sagan. Uphill battle for Angelique Kerber (L) and Elena Vesnina

Reuters point and just use your chances London because it is really diffi cult to break her, especially here on grass.” t would be hard to bet Like everlasting opponents on against the Williams sisters the other side of the net, Vesnina meeting in their fi rst Wim- will also be taking on the Ameri- Ibledon fi nal since 2009, can sisters in the doubles quar- but Angelique Kerber and Elena ter-fi nals with her partner Eka- Vesnina won’t just be making terina Makarova. up the numbers in the last four Venus, 36, has reached her today. ninth Wimbledon semi-fi nal and While unseeded Vesnina has owns seven slam titles overall — described her semi-fi nal against the last coming on the grass in world number one Serena Wil- 2008, inevitably against her sis- liams as a dream, she is play- ter, before the result was reversed ing inspired tennis, bringing the the following year. guile from two doubles slams to It is nonetheless the fi rst deliver baseline power and a deft semi-fi nal since the 2010 US touch at the net. Open for the oldest woman in the Fourth seed Kerber, mean- 2016 Wimbledon fi eld. while, has a 3-2 head-to-head “Semi-fi nals feels good. But lead over fi ve-time champion it doesn’t feel foreign at all, let’s Venus Williams and stunned put it that way,” she told report- younger sister Serena, who has ers after brushing past Kaza- won Wimbledon six times, at the khstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova in Australian Open in January to straight sets. win her fi rst major fi nal. “All those other semi-fi nals All four will bring a wealth of helped me to have the experience experience to Centre Court — to be in this semi-fi nal.” their average age is 31 years and Her perfect last-four record nine months, the oldest for the at Wimbledon could come under last four in an open era women’s pressure though from Kerber, 28, major. who is trying to replicate the fo- “The experienced players cus and relaxation that brought are ready to keep winning. They her the title in Melbourne. want to keep being great,” Ser- The last player to win both the ena, 34, told reporters after she Australian and Wimbledon in the ground down 21st seed Anastasia same year was Serena Williams Pavlyuchenkova in the quarter- in 2015 — the last German was fi nals. Graf in 1989. She is aiming to equal Steffi First up though is Venus. Graf’s open era record of 22 ma- “She’s always dangerous on grass, Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet celebrates as he crosses the finish line at the end of the 216km fifth stage of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France between Limoges and Le jors by lifting the trophy on Sat- especially here in Wimbledon. Lioran yesterday. urday, having been stuck on 21 She has a lot of confi dence right since last year’s Wimbledon. Of now. She played great matches,” AFP beamed Van Avermaet. Valverde of Spain two seconds further leader’s yellow jersey as he was shelled the challenge from her 29-year- Kerber said after beating Roma- Le Lioran, France “It’s special for me, it’s my fi rst time back. out the back of the peloton — although he old Russian opponent, she said: nian fi fth seed Simona Halep. and maybe my last! Nine riders broke away 20km into the keeps the green points jersey. “I’ll be ready for it.” And it is Kerber who may have “I’ll enjoy the moment and that’s im- stage but eventually three of those went Vincenzo Nibali, the 2014 winner and Vesnina said of Serena after the last laugh: “I’m playing really reg Van Avermaet rode into the portant. It’s the best moment in my ca- clear with the other six forming a chase Giro d’Italia champion, also found him- reaching her fi rst major semi- good tennis right now. Yeah, I “best jersey in the world”, the reer. group. self in diffi culty and fi nished more than fi nal: “You have to give all your think I’m playing like in Austral- coveted race leader’s yellow “Winning a stage is something but now De Gendt, Van Avermaet and Andriy 13min down. heart and fi ght for every single ia, like really high-class tennis.” Gjersey as he won yesterday’s taking the yellow jersey and spending all Grivko of Ukraine built up a lead of more By the top of that climb, with still fi fth stage of the Tour de France. day in yellow tomorrow — it’s great!” 30km to ride, the peloton — now less than It was a second stage win for the cob- He fi nished 2min 34sec ahead of fel- The overall favourites rolled in 30-strong — had closed to under 7min bled classics specialist who also won low breakaway companion De Gendt with just three seconds behind Majka behind the lead duo. Waif-like Bartoli pulled from stage 13 last year. Polish Tinkoff rider Rafal Majka in third, aft er an attack from the peloton by When Van Avermaet attacked, he left Wimbledon over health fears — report And it continued a great year for Van 5:04 back. Frenchman Romain Bardet 3km De Gendt for dead, going after stage glory Avermaet, who won Tirreno-Adriatico The overall favourites rolled in just from home sparked some action and the yellow jersey as well, although his AFP: London: Former Wimble- “furious” with the decision. and Het Nieuwsblad before breaking his three seconds behind Majka after an at- compatriot had already done enough to don champion Marion Bartoli Bartoli had been due to play collarbone at the Tour of Flanders in April tack from the peloton by Frenchman than 2min 30sec to the six pursuers and take the king of the mountains jersey. was pulled from an exhibition alongside Britain’s Anne Keoth- and missing the rest of the cobbled clas- Romain Bardet 3km from home sparked over 15 minutes to the unrushed peloton. Having worked hard on the fi rst second tournament at the All England avong, but she was replaced by sics season. some action. Finally, in the last 50km, Froome’s category climb, Movistar stopped push- Club because of fears over her Melanie South. “It’s been a good season for me already, Two time former winner Alberto Con- Team Sky and Quintana’s Movistar took ing at the front of the peloton and Sky set health, it was reported yester- Last month, the former world I’ve won some nice races,” said Van Aver- tador lost more time, 33 seconds to other up the peloton pace-setting “to respect a more relaxed tempo on the 4.4km, 7.9% day. The 2013 singles champion number seven told the Times maet. favourites, as he continues to recover the race” Movistar sports director Jose average Col du Perthus. from France has shocked fans in that she had lost 20 kilos as a “I crashed at Flanders, which wasn’t from injuries sustained in crashes on the Luis Arrieta told France Television. But by now, Van Avermaet’s victory recent months with her dramatic result of “exercises, yoga, pilates good, but I’m here in good shape and a fi rst two days. On the ascent up the fi rst category two was assured as the peloton’s gap hovered weight loss. and dance”. Tour stage win: it’s perfect!” He’s now 1:21 behind reigning cham- climb, the 5.4km long, 8.1% average gra- around the 6min mark without showing Both the Times and Daily Mail “I don’t eat gluten, sugar, salt Van Avermaet, 31, attacked fellow Bel- pion Chris Froome and chief rival Nairo dient Pas de Peyrol, Grivko was dropped much desire to chase down the Belgian. said the 31-year-old claimed she and I no longer consume dairy gian Thomas De Gendt 17.4km from the Quintana, who came over the line safely by the two Belgians while two of the six Bardet did create some late excitement was dropped from the women’s products,” she explained. end of the 216km stage from Limoges together and sit fi fth and seventh overall chasers also cracked. but the fi nal ramp up to the fi nish was invitational doubles due to “I eat bio produce, raw and to Le Lioran to also rip the yellow jersey respectively at 5:17. That was also where Sagan, who would neither steep, nor long enough to create “medical reasons”. steam vegetables, salads, from Slovak Peter Sagan. Van Avermaet now leads Frenchman fi nish more than 23 minutes after Van gaps amongst the favourites, except for Other media reported she was cucumbers.” “It’s the best jersey in the world,” Julian Alaphilippe by 5:11 with Alejandro Avermaet, gave up his grip on the race Contador.

BOTTOMLINE Legend Poulidor as popular as ever on Tour

AFP Having competed at 14 editions of into the fi fth stage of this year’s race, al- of the Puy de Dome in the Massif Cen- Angers, France the Grand Boucle and then been a media though a short while before the peloton tral region following a titanic battle consultant for many more years, Pou- passed through. with Anquetil. lidor’s role is now as that of sponsors’ “Cycling, the Tour de France, gave But he didn’t manage to gain enough e may never have won the darling. His name evokes so much love me everything. It enriched me intellec- time on his great rival to snatch the greatest bicycle race in the and aff ection in France that it is worth tually in an incredible way. yellow jersey and Anquetil went on to world but every day is a cele- its weight in gold to any sponsor lucky “I had the opportunity to rub shoul- claim his record fi fth Tour victory in bration of Raymond Poulidor enough to welcome him to their hospi- ders with the biggest personalities in Paris. Hat the Tour de France. tality tent. high society and also the road sweeper, Refl ecting nostalgically on his career, France’s favourite cycling son was the He’s now wracked up 54 Tour ap- they’re all fans in the same way.” Poulidor said many things had changed eternal bridesmaid during his career, pearances in all his various roles, this He may be retired now, but Poulidor since, but not necessarily for the worse. fi nishing second three times and third year seen wondering around the Tour still manages to rake in the silver mak- “It’s not the same as what we knew, fi ve times at the Tour — but crucially, village at the start and fi nish of stages in ing appearances at book fairs to sign but every year you see more and more not only never winning it, but never a yellow polo shirt, courtesy of French autographs in his four books. fans,” he said, noting that there were even wearing the coveted race leader’s bank LCL. “My popularity is still intact, it’s more in his day. yellow jersey for a single day. “Whenever I’m at the Tour I get even huge, inexplicable!” he added. “What’s amazing is the atmosphere. Now 80, Poulidor is still an ever- younger,” said Poulidor. “At Avranches, I sold 140 books in The Tour is open to everyone.” present fi gure on the Tour from start to “I’m surrounded by 20-year-old four hours. They’d never seen that be- The Tour’s doors will always be open fi nish, and he’s not planning on spend- youngsters. I become a diapason, I be- fore!” to Poulidor as long as he lives, and as ing his summer in any other way, any come their age.” Yesterday, there was Yesterday’s celebration of Poulidor’s long as he can still climb on his bike — time soon. the opportunity for Tour organisers to birthday was also a chance to remember although he doesn’t do that much any “It’s my life,” he said of the Tour. celebrate Poulidor’s 80th birthday with one of his classic battles with chief rival more. “The day I stop doing this will be the a cake and candles in his home town of Jacques Anquetil — the unloved one — He hasn’t cycled properly for 10 day I die. I won’t be coming to the Tour Tinkoff rider Peter Sagan of Slovakia (R) with former French cyclist Raymond Saint Leonard de Noblat — although in the Limousine region in 1964. years, except for “500 metres a day to with a walking stick.” Poulidor. he was actually born in April — 16.5km Poulidor won the stage up to the top go and buy the newspaper.”

Thursday, July 7, 2016 GULF TIMES TENNIS Federer plots great escape last four at Wimbledon two years ago, but Raonic tri- AFP London umphed in their last encounter in Brisbane earlier this year. It was Federer’s latest Wimbledon theatrics that had the All England Club abuzz as he came from two sets down to win oger Federer staged a sensational Wimbledon escape for the 10th time in his glittering career. act yesterday as the seven-time champion saved three Federer, who saved the three match points in the fourth match points and came from two sets down to clinch a set, fired 27 aces and 67 winners to avenge his semi-final Rsemi-final clash with Milos Raonic. loss to ninth seed Cilic in the semi-finals of the 2014 US Federer fought back from the brink in a Centre Court thriller Open. as the world number three defeated Croatian ninth seed In the process he became the oldest Wimbledon semi- Marin Cilic 6-7 (4/7), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (11/9), 6-3 to reach a record- finalist since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1974. equalling 11th semi-final at the All England Club. The 34-year-old also claimed a new record for Grand Slam match wins of 307 as he made a 40th semi-final at the majors. Federer’s dramatic triumph was his 84th win at Wimbledon — taking him level with Jimmy Connors — and gave him a semi-final against Canadian sixth seed Raonic as he con- tinues his pursuit of an 18th Grand Slam title and a record eighth All England Club crown. “Marin is such a wonderful player and I knew I was in so much trouble in the third set and in the fourth,” said Fed- erer. “I just tried to stay in the match and hoped for his level to drop and get a bit lucky. That happened and obviously the breaker was crazy. “My legs and back were there and serving was key, plus mentally this will give me a hell of a boost.” Raonic enjoyed far more serene progress to his second Wimbledon semi-final as he ended Sam Querrey’s surprise run to the last eight with a 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 victory on Court One. The 25-year-old will hope it is third time lucky after losing his previous two Grand Slam semi-finals. Now coached by former Wimbledon champion John McEn- roe, Raonic blitzed American 28th seed Querrey, who had stunned defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round. He hit 58 winners and served 13 aces and finally looks capa- ble of fulfilling the potential that saw his ear-marked as a future star several years ago. “There were some momentum shifts there. I’m glad I was able to get back on the right path after he won the third,” Raonic said. “I was able to get things back on my terms. It’s a well de- served chance to be in the semi-finals. Federer exults after bouncing back from two sets down to beat Marin Cilic at “It’s exciting, but also humbling because you have to get Canada’s Milos Raonic celebrates beating US player Sam Wimbledon yesterday. the win. I hope to do better than last time.” Querrey in their quarter-final match at Wimbledon yesterday. Raonic will take on Federer in the semis. Federer has won nine of their 11 meetings, including in the

SPOTLIGHT PREVIEW Serena, Venus braced for Murray survives Tsonga family fortunes at Wimbledon

AFP prizes with her sister at this advanced stage of London their careers. comeback to reach semis “I’m surprised of the longevity of it. That kind of defi nitely took me by surprise,” Serena said. erena Williams admits she is shocked to “When you’re younger and you have a dream Quarter-final results be on the verge of meeting sister Venus and you say it and you believe it, that’s one thing. in the Wimbledon fi nal seven years after But for it to really happen and to come true, it’s 2-Andy Murray (Britain) beat 12-Jo- they last slugged it out for a Grand Slam just a completely diff erent emotion. title.S “It means Venus has a lot of perseverance. Wilfried Tsonga (France) 7-6(10) 6-1 3-6 4-6 6-1 For the fi rst time since 2009, both Serena and She’s a real fi ghter. Like I always say, it’s super 10-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat Venus have made it to the Wimbledon semi-fi - inspiring for me. It’s really great. 32-Lucas Pouille (France) 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2 nals and the All England Club is abuzz with nos- “With everything she’s been through, I think 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland) beat talgic chatter about the potential for a surprise it’s built a ton of character in her, and in me just 9-Marin Cilic (Croatia) 6-7(4) 4-6 6-3 showdown between the American stars in Satur- by being around her.” 7-6(9) 6-3 day’s fi nal. World number one Serena, bidding for a 6-Milos Raonic (Canada) beat 28-Sam To make the dream match-up become a real- record-equalling 22nd major title and seventh Querrey (U.S.) 6-4 7-5 5-7 6-4 ity, defending champion Serena must beat Rus- Wimbledon crown, appears to have the easier sian world number 50 Elena Vesnina today, while draw against fi rst-time Grand Slam semi-fi nalist world number eight Venus plays Australian Open Vesnina, having won all four of their previous He then had to save a break point at the champion Angelique Kerber. encounters. But fi ve-time champion Venus, who start of the decider, rediscovering his earlier Between 2000 and 2010, Serena and Venus last won a major at Wimbledon in 2008, has a Great Britain’s Andy form and racing away to a victory cheered by a won a combined nine Wimbledon titles and much tougher task against Kerber. Murray celebrates a packed arena, sealing it with an ace. made a total of 14 appearances in the fi nal, with Kerber defeated Serena to win her maiden point during his match The 29-year-old now sets his sights on four of those being all-Williams aff airs in 2002, Grand Slam crown in Melbourne in January and against France’s Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych in Friday’s 2003, 2008 and 2009. holds a 3-2 edge in her meetings with Venus. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. semi-fi nal. Earlier, Czech 10th seed Tomas But, just when it seemed the Williams’ du- Venus, the oldest women’s Wimbledon semi- Berdych cruised into his second Wimbledon opoly in south-west London would never end, fi nalist since Martina Navratilova in 1994, ex- Agencies equally improbable as dusk settled at the All semi-fi nal, grinding into gear after a slow start in 2011 Venus was struck down by Sjogren’s syn- pects an equally inspired display as the German London England Club. to end Frenchman’s Lucas Pouille’s unex- drome, an illness that causes fatigue and joint fourth seed targets a fi rst Wimbledon fi nal. Tsonga looked down and out after letting pected love-aff air with the All England turf in pain, and Serena’s win over her sister at Wimble- “Well, clearly it was one of her best days on the an epic 22-point tiebreak slip away despite straight sets. Carrying more court time than don in 2009 remains their last title clash. court,” Venus said of Kerber’s win over Serena. econd seed Andy Murray survived a having three set points, then capitulating in a any other quarter-fi nalist, Berdych started Venus refused to contemplate retirement “I imagine that she will try to recreate that. ferocious Jo-Wilfried Tsonga come- one-sided second set. slowly against the 22-year-old Pouille, the and gradually learned how to manage her illness Who wouldn’t?” back to reach the Wimbledon semi- But he roared back with some audacious 32nd and lowest seed in the draw and a man alongside reviving her stalled career. Kerber, 28, lost her only previous Wimbledon Sfi nals for the seventh yesterday, attacking tennis and Britain’s 2013 champion who had never won a match on grass before his Now, at an age when most of her contempo- semi-fi nal in 2012, but she enjoyed a victory over winning the day’s second Centre Court block- Murray, for the fi rst time in a tournament that eye-opening streak of the past 10 days. raries had long since called it quits, the 36-year- Venus at the same venue in the Olympics just buster 7-6(10), 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-1. had been stress-free before, seemed close to “Lucas had a great run. I was trying to fi nd old has willed herself back into contention for an weeks later. After Roger Federer’s miraculous earlier es- buckling. Second seed Murray, hot favourite my rhythm in the fi rst set,” said Berdych, 30, eighth Grand Slam crown. “I played against her a lot of tough matches. cape act against Marin Cilic, when he recov- after champion Novak Djokovic’s third-round whose best grand slam showing was at Wim- It is a renaissance that makes Serena proud, She’s always dangerous on grass, especially here ered to win from two sets down, 12th seeded demise, was outplayed in sets three and four bledon in 2010 when he lost to Rafael Nadal in but even the 34-year-old didn’t expect to still be in Wimbledon. She has a lot of confi dence right Frenchman Tsonga threatened something as winners fl owed from Tsonga’s racket. the fi nal. in which a chance of contesting the sport’s top now,” Kerber said.