Al Ahli’s new signing Mohamed Diame eyes QNB Stars League title PAGE 14

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019

Qatar drawn with Croatia and Spain in men’s FRENCH LIGUE 1 handball for World Beach Games PAGE 15 Nice vs Marseille 400m record holder Van Niekerk waits on for Doha 2019 Worlds

From (left) 400m World and Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk, coach Ans Botha and the South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa during a reception at the ambassador’s residence in Doha on Tuesday. Wayde van Niekerk during his rehabilitation at Aspetar, world’s leading orthapaedic and sports medicine hospital, in Doha. AYENI OLUSEGUN fended his 400 metres world ‘South Africans are all behind Semenya’ World Championships in Doha. lives in line again. lete is mentally tired. We take DOHA title, while also claiming a sil- At an event to host the “After Beijing, Rio and and it day-to-day, give the injury ver medal in the 200m. The South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Faizel Moosa has athlete by the South African the double in 2017, Wayde was proper time and be patient. If AFTER conquering the world With the world at his feet, reiterated his country’s support for Caster Semenya as the Ambassador to Qatar HE mentally drained. “In 2017 the body tells us to slow down in Beijing in 2015, a 24-year-old Wayde’s career hit a setback. athlete battles an International Association of Athletics Faizel Moosa, the coach Bo- in Italy where our base is, we we will do that but as time star announced himself to the The South African suffered a Federations (IAAF) ruling. tha who is fondly called Tan- both talked about skipping goes on, we will adjust to that.” Olympics in Rio when a fresh- freak anterior cruciate liga- At an event to host Olympic gold medalist Wayde van Niekerk, nie Ans by her athletes said, 2018 just for him to rest, but The former Namibian faced Wayde van Niekerk glided ment injury while playing a the envoy said, “As South Africans we feel very disappointed “At this stage, we are really we didn’t have to decide that athlete, who started coaching from a difficult lane eight -- celebrity rugby match. Wayde that she can’t participate. unsure. We are still waiting because (the injury) decided Wayde in 2012, and decided to obliterating Michael Johnson’s underwent surgery in the “You are born the way you are born. At the moment there’s a for the tests, but at the mo- for us. We see it (the injury) as take the sprinter off the short 17-year-old 400 metres record United States, followed by six legal process taking place but again, as South Africans we ment it is unsure, I can’t say,” an opportunity to get our lives distances added, “Off the track with a time of 43.03. He became months of rehabilitation in support her 100 percent.” Botha said of Wayde par- together again,” she added. I’m his mother and on the the first man to win the Olym- Doha at Aspetar. Semenya is challenging the the International Association of ticipation in the upcoming Botha, who was named In- track I’m his coach. With the pics or world 400 metres from The injury has threatened Athletics Federations’ new rules that she and other athletes World Championships. ternational Association of Ath- injury, his pain is your pain lane eight and also holds the the 27-year-old’s career and with differences of sexual development (DSD) must either take “Not only for me as a coach letics Federations (IAAF) coach as a coach and his disappoint- world-best time in 300 metres. doubts remain over whether testosterone-reducing medication in order to compete in track but for the athlete, it’s really of the year in 2017, said for now, ment is yours – but I have to Wayde, born in Cape he will be able to reach the events from 400m to the mile or change to another distance. heart breaking. But I believe Wayde’s recovery is day-to-day. be strong and positive and not Town, South Africa was just pace he had before the injury. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and triple world champion something like this doesn’t “As a coach, you have to allow my “disappointment” getting started and a year later But legendary coach Ans in the women’s 800 metres, has won 31 straight races since happen for nothing. Wayde know your athlete, and his and pain which I feel for him at the 2017 World Athletics Botha says Wayde is looking 2015 and has made it clear she’ll continue to fight for the and I see it as something which body tells you when to push to be carried out to him. I have Championships in London, forward to making his return right to race. (TNN) needed to happen to make us and when not to. Sometimes to be strong and be there for the sprinter successfully de- which could likely be at the 2019 mentally stronger and get our the body is okay but the ath- him and support him.” Nervous Osaka survives scare, Muguruza falls

DPA/AFP NEW YORK

WORLD number one Nao- mi Osaka survived a scare as she started her US Open title defence with a hard- fought 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 first-round victory over Anna Blinkova on Tuesday. Osaka, 21, fought from 3-0 down in the first set but wasted a match point at 6-5 I don’t think I’ve ever in the second, forcing her to been this nervous in go the full distance against the my life and she (Anna 84th-ranked Russian at Ar- Blinkova) played thur Ashe Stadium. really amazing. It was Osaka’s first match at the site since she became - the first Japanese national to win a title in a con- troversy-marred final against last year. She went on to lift the Aus- tralian Open trophy in Janu- ary but has not won a tourna- ment since. Osaka suffered a first-round exit last month at Wimbledon and the Japanese star found a spirited Blinkova hard to put away in Arthur Ashe Stadium before she advanced winning Alison Riske of the United States reacts after defeating two-time Defending champion Naoimi Osaka of Japan reacts during her first round match against Anna Blinkova of Russia at the 2019 US Open in in two hours and 28 minutes. Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the women’s New York on Tuesday. Osaka won 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2. (AFP) “I don’t think I’ve ever singles first round match on day two of the 2019 US Open at the been this nervous in my life USTA Billie Jean King National Center in New York on Tuesday. young and fast-rising play- can sensation Coco Gauff, Kvitova winning a Czech duel 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-3 by Kazakhstan’s and she played really amaz- ers in action on day two of Greece’s , Ca- against qualifier Denisa Aller- Mikhail Kukushkin in the first ing,” top seed Osaka said after ter you did well last year,” “It helps me a lot. I learn the New York major, after the nadians Denis Shapovalov and tova, 6-2, 6-4. round. Bautista Augut, who moving through to a second she added. “I definitely didn’t from the tough matches and it established forces of Venus Felix Auger-Aliassime (playing Two-time major winner reached the semi-finals at Wim- round meeting with Poland’s want to lose in the third set.” helps me be prepared and try and Serena Williams, Maria against each other), German Garbine Muguruza of Spain bledon last month, was broken . Osaka, who was beaten by and adjust my gameplan. Sharapova, Novak Djoko- Alexander Zverev and Austral- suffered her second straight seven times by Kukushkin. “I just came off really slow Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva “I didn’t smile that much vic and had ia’s were among first-round exit following Wim- Up next for the Kazakh will and never found my rhythm in her Wimbledon opener, playing this match but hope- grabbed the headlines on the the young players in action. bledon, losing 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 be Australian Alexei Popyrin, but I fought as hard as I could said the battling nature of her fully I’ll change that in the first day of play on Monday. But the old guard was against American Alison Riske. who beat Argentine Federico and I managed to win. win here would serve her well next match.” Canadian teenager Bianca also present, with two-time Spanish 10th seed Roberto Delbonis 6-1 7-5 7-6(5) earlier “You want to do well af- moving forward. Osaka led a group of Andreescu, 15-year-old Ameri- Wimbledon champion Petra Bautista Augut was upset 3-6 on Tuesday. Sports Wednesday, August 28, 2019 13

Impressive debut Serena routs Sharapova, ’s Nagal exits ‘rusty’ Federer gets going with head held high

AFP Karolina Pliskova struggled NEW YORK but advanced. Serbian star Djokovic, who SERENA Williams over- has won four of the past five whelmed Maria Sharapova Grand Slam singles titles, dis- 6-1, 6-1 on Monday to reach patched Spain’s 76th-ranked the second round of the US Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, Open in search of her 24th 6-1, 6-4. Grand Slam title while “rusty” “Getting out of the blocks, it Roger Federer rallied past In- takes time for you to feel com- dian qualifier Sumit Nagal. fortable on the court,” Djokovic Six-time US Open champi- said. “I’m quite pleased with on Williams crushed the five- my performance and looking time major winner from Rus- forward to the next one.” Even though it’s kind of sia in only 59 minutes, beating Djokovic, trying to become what you live for, you Sharapova for the 19th con- the first back-to-back US Open secutive time and improving winner since Federer won dream about, playing on to 20-2 in their all-time rivalry. from 2004-2008, will next the big stage. So I think “Whenever I play her I face Argentina’s 56th-ranked he did that very well. bring out some of my best ten- Juan Ignacio Londero. nis,” Williams said. “When Djokovic owns 16 Grand – Roger Federer you play her you have to be Slam titles, four off Federer’s on Sumit Nagal super focused.” record and two back of Spain’s Williams, who next plays Rafael Nadal. Together the Sumit Nagal of India hits a return to Roger Federer of Switzerland 121st-ranked US wildcard Caty “Big Three” have won the past during their match on first day of the US Open on Monday.(EPA-EFE) McNally, blasted five aces and 11 Slam titles and are again 16 winners while Sharapova heavy favorites. REUTERS 3-0 down in the final qualify- made 20 unforced errors. Australian second seed NEW YORK ing round at Flushing Mead- “She served really well. Barty overcame a horrible ows against Brazilian Joao Found her spots really well,” start to oust 80th-ranked MAKING a Grand Slam main Menezes to earn his maiden Sharapova said. “I think that’s of Kazakhstan draw debut against Roger appearance at the main draw where she hurt me a lot.” 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. Federer at a packed Arthur of a Grand Slam. Williams is hoping to Barty made 19 unforced er- Ashe Stadium would have Nagal said playing match the all-time record of rors to drop the first set in 28 been overwhelming for many against Federer was a unique 24 Slam singles titles won by minutes, but took nine of the players but unheralded Indi- experience. Margaret Court. last 11 games to book a date an Sumit Nagal handled the “He loves putting pres- Swiss third seed Federer, with American Lauren Davis. occasion like a seasoned vet- sure on the other guy,” he who has a men’s record 20 Pliskova, a 2016 US Open eran, earning a string of new said. “He’s always making Slam titles, dropped the open- runner-up, edged 138th-ranked admirers at the US Open. you think of what he’s going ing set in 36 minutes, then re- Czech compatriot Tereza Mar- The 22-year-old showed to do, and that’s how I felt. turned to form and defeated tincova 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) af- little sign of nerves in Mon- Players I have played, I never Nagal 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. ter exchanging service breaks day’s first round match, com- had this feeling.” Monday “I played like my beard to- over the first six games. ing out swinging to win the was also the first time in more day. I was rusty,” Federer said. “Not my best perfor- opening set against the five- than two decades that India Sharapova, the 2006 US mance,” Pliskova said. “Not time champion before exiting had more than one player Open winner who defeated happy that I lost three breaks 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. in the main draw of a Grand Williams in the 2004 Wim- of serve in a row.” Federer, who has 20 Slam singles, with Prajnesh bledon final, upset Simona Russian fifth seed Daniil Grand Slam singles titles to Gunneswaran losing to world Halep in the first round two Medvedev, an ATP winner at his name, saw his serve bro- number five Daniil Medvedev years ago but could not revive Cincinnati, beat India’s Pra- ken three times by the world in an earlier match. that magic. jnesh Gunneswaran 6-4, 6-1, No. 190 and was impressed The last time the country The 37-year-old American 6-2 in 85 minutes. He faces by his composure. of 1.3 billion had two singles said that after learning she Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien next. “I guess maybe how he players in the main draw was would face Sharapova, “every “I can’t say I’m feeling handled the moment. Never Wimbledon 1998 when Lean- practice after that was super amazing about my game but easy to come out and play der Paes and Mahesh Bhu- focused and super intense.” to win by that score in the first your best,” Federer, 38, said pathi were competing. Eighth-seeded Williams VICTOR AND THE VANQUISHED: Serena Williams of the US serves to Maria Sharapova of Russia during their round is great,” Medvedev said. of his opponent, who has nev- Like most kids growing rolled through the first set in match on the first day of the US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA National Tennis Center in Japanese seventh seed er earned a tour-level victory up in India, Nagal wanted to 24 minutes then broke to open Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, on Monday. (EPA-EFE) Kei Nishikori, the 2014 US and only qualified for the US be a cricketer but it was his the second. She denied Shara- Open runner-up, won 6-1, Open last week. father who insisted he swap pova on two break points to “You can’t let her get any showing no sign of the back Djokovic cruises 4-1, when Argentine quali- “Even though it’s kind of bat and ball for a racket, set- hold in the fifth game, an im- momentum.” spasms that limited her pre- Top-ranked defending cham- fier Marco Trungelliti retired what you live for, you dream ting him on his tennis path. pressive backhand winner Williams broke again to Open play. pion Novak Djokovic cruised with a back injury. about, playing on the big In 2005 Nagal caught the ending the threat. 4-1, rescued three break points “The body is good,” she said. into the second round while “I’m happy with the way I stage. So I think he did that eye of Bhupathi, who won “That was definitely a big in the sixth game to hold serve “My back is a lot better. I’m ex- champion Ash- played,” said Nishikori, who gets very well. India its first Grand Slam ti- point for me,” Williams said. and broke again to advance, cited. This is going to be fun.” leigh Barty and third seed American next. “I think his game is based tle in 1997 when he won the on being really consistent, French Open mixed doubles, moving well, moving the ball at a trial for his academy and around well. Sort of very much got selected from the thou- a clay-courter. That’s also the sands of youngsters present. Tennis pioneer Gibson honoured, equality fight goes on surface he’s played basically Nagal was ranked 361 the entire year almost. at the start of the year after AFP can definitely learn a lot about fighting for it, we’ve gotten a the statue. It’s what I learned “I think he knows what he being sidelined by a shoul- NEW YORK the opportunities she helped lot closer to it. from her and what I enjoyed can bring. That’s why I think der problem but 2019 has bring to tennis.” “She went through it so with her.” he’s going to have a very solid already seen him make re- EVEN as a new US Open At a time when racism was I didn’t have to. What she career.” Even when Federer markable progress. statue paid tribute to the cour- widespread, Gibson also won achieved, that statue is the be- Gibson inspired King was on the brink of victory Na- “He showed incredible age and perseverence of black the 1957 and 1958 US Open and ginning of what we should be Gibson also helped inspire gal refused to roll over, earn- composure against the greatest tennis pioneer Althea Gibson, Wimbledon titles despite often doing for Althea.” King, a 12-time Grand Slam ing four of his 13 break point player in the world and held his Serena and being forced to sleep in cars and Serena noted the battle for singles champion who is now opportunities in the final game own,” Bhupathi told Reuters. warned on Monday that the barred from restaurants. equality as a woman and an 75, to become a historic cham- as the Swiss served for the “I think both he and his coach- social and racial battles she “What people have to un- African-American continues. pion for women’s rights. match in the fourth set. ing team should be very proud fought remain issues today. derstand is how she perse- “We’re going through a lot “She totally inspired me,” That same fighting spirit of the improvements they have Gibson, the first black vered and what she means not of that now in general,” she King said. “I knew if Althea saw him rally from a set and made this year.” Grand Slam tennis champion, just to our sport, to all society, said. “We need people to fight had gone through what she had died in 2003 at age 76 after to everyone,” US tennis legend for us, whether it is for equality, gone through and changed the winning five Grand Slam sin- Billie Jean King said. whether it is for racism... or else world, that I had a chance to gles titles, including a historic The tribute comes as inci- change necessarily won’t come follow in her footsteps and help breakthrough singles win at the dents involving white suprem- as fast as we would need it to.” change the next generations. 1956 French Championships. acists are growing in the US. England’s Angela Bux- “Althea is a very strong “It sends a great message to “Every generation has to ton, 85, was Gibson’s wom- reminder that it’s important me in particular, knowing what continue the process and the Sculptor Eric Goulder, poses with en’s doubles partner in 1956 to the living people right now she went through, being truly fight to keep freedom avail- the his work, during the unveiling French and Wimbledon title that we carry on her legacy and the first pioneer, an African- able, to get rid of sexism and ceremony of the Althea Gibson runs but gave a sobering as- the legacy of equality.” American in tennis, just to a racism,” King said. “Right now sculpture at the US Open in sessment of the artwork. King said women still have sport that wasn’t open to black I think we have a lot of racism.” New York on Monday. (AFP) “You want an honest opin- great strides to make in society people,” 23-time Slam singles Venus Williams, a seven- ion? Well, it doesn’t resemble to achieve equality with men. champion Serena Williams said. time Slam singles champi- like in those days,” she said. her at all,” Buxton said. “Sor- “Being a woman? We’re “It’s also really important on, said the equality Gibson “We came here for freedom ry to say that. I would have still second-class citizens, and to be thankful and to know fought for remains elusive. and it was unfortunate that passed her any day and not she’s African-American, so what she went through... No “I don’t think anyone re- many people were not given know who it was. just go down the totem pole Roger Federer shakes hands with Sumit Nagal after he beat the matter what color you are, you ally understands what it was that. Because of Althea, people “But the main thing is not some more,” King said. young player 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. (AFP) Rio flashback: Ono wins judo world crown in Olympic repeat

AFP with a performance that if any- ite’ and put that kind of stuff out Games – came to watch Ono. “I have to believe I can TOKYO thing was even more dominant of my mind. I just wanted to fo- The lightweight division’s keep improving,” insisted than Rio. “I came to win so I’m cus on what I love – judo, and on most fearsome judoka, Ono Ono, looking ahead to the JAPAN’S judo king Shohei Ono not surprised,” said Ono, who getting the job done.” underlined that aura of invin- 2020 Tokyo Olympics. smashed Azerbaijan’s Rustam won all six of his matches at Elsewhere, Japan-born cibility by brutalising Russian “Winning today will make Orujov to capture his third the Tokyo 2020 test event by Christa Deguchi secured Denis Iartcev in the semi-final. me even more determined to world title Tuesday in a carbon ippon – judo’s closest equiva- Canada’s first judo world ti- He stepped it up another get back to work in order to copy of their one-sided Olym- lent to a knockout. tle by stunning local favour- level in the final, unleashing a climb the highest peak once pic final in Rio three years ago. “How I won my fights ite and defending champion ferocious throw to beat Orujov more in one year’s time.” The 27-year-old, widely didn’t bother me at all,” added Tsukasa Yoshida in the wom- and boost his record against Ono’s gold preserved the regarded as the sport’s best the Olympic champion, un- en’s 57-kilo final. the Azerbaijani to five-for-five. host nation’s lead at the top of pound-for-pound fighter, dis- beaten in international com- But most of the crowd at As the packed crowd went the medals table after Joshi- played barely a flicker of emo- petition since 2015. “I managed Tokyo’s iconic Budokan – ven- wild, Ono bowed politely to ro Maruyama and Uta Abe Shohei Ono (in blue) of Japan in action against Rustam Orujov of Azerbai- tion after flattening Orujov in not to get seduced by everyone ue for next year’s Tokyo Olym- the loser before quietly raising bagged Japan’s first two titles jan during the men’s 73kg category final in Tokyo on Tuesday.(EPA-EFE) the men’s 73-kilogram class saying ‘Ono is the clear favour- pics and the 1964 Summer his fist in celebration. on Monday. 14 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Sports New signing Diame targets Stars League with Al Ahli

The midfielder also ac- The 32-year-old knowledged the impact of Span- played 10 seasons iard and current Belgium coach Roberto Martinez for helping for both the English him become a better football. “I owe a lot to present Premier League The experience I gathered by Belgium national team coach and EFL representing English teams Wigan Roberto Martinez as he gave Inter’s (right) scores against US Lecce during their Athletic, West Ham United, Hull me a break in England for the Italian match at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK City and Newcastle United is first time, with Wigan 10 years on Monday. (EPA-EFE) DOHA ago. That was a big turnaround invaluable and I believe I can in my career,” Diame said. FRENCH-BORN and former transfer that to the QNB Stars For his present club Senegal international Mo- League and help the young players though, an opening day loss to Lukaku scores on hamed Diame says it was the Al Arabi caused an upset for right moment for him to move in Al Ahli. As a player personally, coach Rubén de la Barrera’s to Qatar. my target is winning the league. side. debut as Conte’s In an interview with on the Over the summer, Al Ahli QSL website, the Midfielder — Mohamed Diame have brought in experienced who signed in the summer players to help their push to- reign for Al Ahli added that his aim wards the top four with the with the Brigadiers is to win signing of former Liverpool the league title man Nabil El Zhar. “After playing in England Commenting on the loss, starts in style for 10 seasons, mostly playing Diame said, “After the first in the Premier League, I felt it game in the QNB Stars League AFP tations of a first Serie A title was the right moment for me which we lost to Al Arabi, MILAN since 2010. to come to Qatar. we’ve realised that we need to The former Juventus and “The experience that I be more competitive. In foot- BELGIAN forward Romelu Chelsea boss took over from gathered by representing Mohamed Diame in action during training after completing his move to QNB Stars Legaue side Al Ahli. ball, if you don’t give your 100 Lukaku scored on his Inter Luciano Spalletti who secured English teams Wigan Ath- per cent, you can’t achieve an- Milan debut as new coach Champions League football letic, West Ham United, Hull target is winning the league. ares after coming up the ranks “Yannick Sagbo who plays ything. We couldn’t show our Antonio Conte’s reign got off with a fourth-place finish last City and Newcastle United is But collectively as a team, we at French Club RC Lens. He for Umm Salal and Mehdi quality on the pitch. We want to a perfect start with a 4-0 season. invaluable and I believe I can want to do better than last joins the pletora of stars in Benatia of Al Duhail are my to get our campaign back on win over promoted Lecce on The 50-year-old’s coach- transfer that to the QNB Stars season,” the 32-year-old said. Qatar, adding that moving the friends for a long time. They track sooner,” said Diame. Monday. ing credentials include three League and help the young The former Newcastle Doha was partly influenced gave me good feedback of Al Ahli will take on Sami Lukaku – a 65 million Serie A titles with Juventus players in Al Ahli. man started his professional by some of his friends who al- Qatar football, so I made the Trabelsi’s Al Sailiya next euros summer signing from from 2012 to 2014, and the “As a player personally, my career with Spanish side Lin- ready play here. move.” on Saturday. Manchester United -- scored Premier League with Chelsea the third goal on the hour in 2017. mark at the San Siro. And former Italy boss A blunder by Lecce goal- Conte’s first game was against keeper Gabriel parried the his hometown club Lecce, the Seven people charged over ball into the path of Lautaro team where he started his Tiger Woods undergoes knee Martinez allowing Lukaku to playing career, and who are finish off. back in Serie A after seven spate of PSG burglaries The 26-year-old turned years. surgery, targets October return and took a bow in front The sideshow surround- AFP criminal acts”. of Inter fans among the ing former Inter captain PARIS They are suspected of REUTERS been one of them although it 65,000 crowd. Mauro Icardi continued with committing a total of five MIAMI has been an issue throughout Croatian Marcelo Brozovic the Argentine not named on SEVEN people suspected of burglaries in upmarket his career. had opened the scoring after the bench. organising and taking part neighbourhoods of Paris. TIGER Woods had a knee op- He first had surgery on the 21 minutes with a powerful Inter director Giuseppe in burglaries at the homes Last December, PSG’s eration last week but is expect- knee in 1994 to remove scar strike for his 15th goal in his Marotta insisted there was no of Paris Saint-Germain foot- Brazilian defender Silva had ed to make a full recovery and tissue and again in 2002 to re- sixth season with Inter. room in the club for the for- ballers Eric Maxim Choupo- up to 600,000 euros worth hopes to be back competing in move a cyst. But another new sign- ward. Moting and Thiago Silva of items robbed from his October. There was more surgery in ing Stefano Sensi, a sum- Icardi has rejected moves were charged in the French home in the plush 16th ar- The former world number 2008 to repair a ruptured ACL mer loan from Sassuolo, also away from the San Siro de- capital on Tuesday, accord- rondissement while he was one said he had an arthroscopic after he famously won the U.S. found a way through three spite being frozen out of the ing to judicial sources. playing a Ligue 1 match procedure to “repair minor car- Open that year in a playoff over minutes later. team and stripped of the cap- Six men and one wom- against Nantes. tilage damage”. Rocco Mediate as he hobbled Lecce played the last quar- tain’s armband last season an, aged between 25 and Two days later, Choupo- “I’m walking now and hope around Torrey Pines. ter of an hour a man down af- amid a protracted contract 29, were detained in Paris Moting’s home in the city to resume practice in the next That was Woods’ last major ter Brazilian Diego Farias saw dispute. and the surrounding area was burgled for the second few weeks,” Woods said after Tiger Woods putts on the third win until this year when he tri- red in his first game for a studs Icardi’s wife Wanda Nara, last Thursday. time in a month – he had the procedure on his left knee. hole during the final round of the umphed at the Masters. on tackle on his former Cagli- who is also his agent, said he Six of those subsequently previously been burgled “I look forward to travelling BMW Championship, recently. Woods said he expected to ari teammate Nicolo Barella. wants to remain at Inter and charged were remanded in while PSG were playing a and playing in Japan in Octo- (USA TODAY SPORTS) be fit to play in the Zozo Cham- Antonio Candreva blasted had been told to stay by senior custody pending their trial, Champions League game ber.” pionship in Japan on Oct. 24- in the fourth goal on 84 min- club bosses. while the seventh person was against Liverpool. Apart from winning the needed and also examined the 27 followed by the Hero World utes, allowing Inter to keep “We greeted Wanda released under judicial su- Items with an estimated Masters, his 15th major title, the entire knee. There were no ad- Challenge he hosts from Dec. pace with eight-time reigning Nara’s comments with a bit of pervision. total value of one million eu- 43-year-old has had a relatively ditional problems.” 4-7. champions Juventus and run- irritation, both for the timing The gang stands accused ros were stolen from the Cam- subdued season with injuries Woods withdrew from the U.S. captain for the Presi- ners-up Napoli who both won and the method,” Marotta told of stealing items worth eroon striker’s apartment. hampering his preparation and Northern Trust Open earlier dent’s Cup, Woods could also their opening league matches sports broadcaster DAZN be- hundreds of thousands of Following Thursday’s ar- performances. this month due to pain and stiff- select himself to play in the bi- at the weekend. fore Monday’s game. euros from the PSG stars. rests, the police raided the Vern Cooley, the doctor who ness in his surgically repaired ennial event set for Dec. 9-15 at Juventus beat Parma 1-0, “I absolutely deny that any The charges include “theft homes of the suspects and performed the knee surgery, back. Royal Melbourne in Australia. with Napoli edging a seven- of the club management, and committed by an organised claimed to have discovered said in a statement. While Woods has dealt with He is currently one shy of goal thriller at Fiorentina 4-3. in particular (president) Ste- gang” and “participating in jewels, money, luxury fash- “I expect Tiger to make a a string of ailments this season Sam Snead’s record of 82 PGA Conte’s arrival at Chinese- ven Zhang, have invited Icardi a group preparing to commit ion items and weapons. full recovery. We did what was his left knee until now had not Tour victories. owned Inter has raised expec- to stay.” Al Sadd weren’t good enough, Jakobsen denies Bennett second stage win in a row at Vuelta says after Al Nassr loss REUTERS EL PUIG, SPAIN

AFC ball in the required manner. DUTCH rider Fabio Jakobsen RIYADH We did not have possession sprinted to victory to win stage and I’m not happy at all with four of the Vuelta a Espana AL Sadd SC head coach Xavi the performance. on Tuesday and deny Irish- Hernandez remains hope- “In the second half, the two man Sam Bennett a second ful of continuing their 2019 teams matched each other. successive stage victory by the AFC Champions League cam- We managed to impose our- finest of margins, while Nico- paign, despite a 2-1 defeat to selves on the game but when las Roche retained the overall Al Nassr in the first leg of the we did that, we conceded the leader’s red jersey. quarter-final. second goal and this affected The Deceuninck-Quick- Ali Asad had given the us a lot.” Step rider edged out Bennett Wolves a 21st minute lead Al Sadd will now host the by a matter of millimetres in but it was countered by Ab- second leg at the Jassim Bin the flat finale to the 175 km dulrahman al Dossari’s close Hamad Stadium on Septem- ride along Spain’s east coast range strike a minute from the ber 16, and Xavi was firm that from Cullera to El Puig to earn break, before Giuliano sealed his charges will need to head his first ever victory at a Grand the win for Al Nassr with a fine into the tie with a never-say- Tour. Dutch cyclist Fabio Jakobsen (centre) of Quick Step team wins the header in the 72nd minute on die attitude and elevate their The stage, which contained fourth stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race from Cullera to El Tuesday. performance. only one classified climb and Puig, Eastern Spain on Tuesday. (EPA-EFE) The Spain and Barcelona “The second leg in Doha had a 20km flat finish, was one legend admitted that he was will be a lot different. We must of the more straightforward The Irishman recovered high-profile name earlier in unsatisfied with his side’s prepare for it well to maintain routes of this year’s Vuelta and superbly in the last stretch of the day when Dutchman Ste- showing in the first half, our chances of progressing to was always going to favour the the stage but narrowly failed ven Kruijswijk of Jumbo-Vis- but even after making some the semi-finals.” sprinters. to unseat Jakobsen. ma withdrew from the race changes going into the sec- “We lost (this game) but Bennett, who picked up a Bennett’s compatriot with a sore knee which had ond half, Giuliano’s goal over- we haven’t lost out on pro- fourth Grand Tour stage win Roche holds a two-second become aggravated since be- whelmed Al Sadd. gression or on the title. the previous day -- his first at lead in the general classifica- ing involved in a crash in the “The reason (for the de- “I spoke with the play- the Vuelta -- looked to be on tion over second-placed Nairo opening team time trial. feat) was that Al Nassr are a ers about that in the dressing course for a stunning repeat Quintana while Rigoberto Wednesday’s stage five is a strong team, and we were not room that there is another victory but his decision to take Uran is third, still eight sec- 170km hilly ride from L’Eliana up to the task. We did not play match to play in Doha and we a right turn rather than left at onds behind Roche despite be- to Alto de Javalembre contain- Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez reacts during the AFC Champions good football, like we did re- have a chance to qualify, and a roundabout as the final kilo- ing involved in a minor crash ing three classified climbs and League quarter-finals match against Al Nassr at the King Fahd Inter- cently,” said Xavi. that we must fight until the metre approached saw him on Tuesday. is the first of eight summit fin- national Stadium in Riyadh on Monday. (AFP) “We did not control the last moment.” lose valuable time. The Vuelta lost another ishes at this year’s race. Sports Wednesday, August 28, 2019 15

(Left) A picture of the ANOC World Beach Games men’s beach handball draw that was held at the QOC Headquarters in Doha on Tuesday. (Right) The draw for ANOC World Beach Games handball and football disciplines in progress. Qatar feature in Group B of men’s beach handball ANOC S-G Lindberg, QOC S-G Buenain attend ANOC World Beach Games football & handball draw ceremony TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK October 12 to 16. THE DRAWS DOHA “It is a pleasure to welcome you all to Doha, the capital of HANDBALL WITH only 46 days left before our sports loving nation of Men (12 teams): the opening ceremony of the Qatar. On behalf of His Excel- Group A: Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, Oman, the inaugural ANOC World Beach lency and the QOC President USA and Australia Games in Doha, the draws for (Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Group B: Croatia, Hungary, Spain, hosts Qatar, Uruguay and Tunisia handball and football were Thani), as well as the Organ- conducted at the QOC Head- ising Committee, I would like Women (12 teams): quarters on Tuesday. to express our gratitude to the Group A: Brazil, Denmark, Hungary, Argentina, ANOC Secretary-General ANOC for their trust in select- the USA and Tunisia Gunilla Lindberg and QOC ing us to host the inaugural Group B: Greece, Spain, Poland, China, Secretary-General Jassim edition of their elite games. Australia and Vietnam Rashid al Buenain, also the “This team sports draw Vice-President and Director represents another major FOOTBALL Men (16 teams): General of the Local Organis- milestone in the lead up to the Group A: Brazil, Switzerland, the UAE and ing Committee, were present games. This is adding to the ex- Morocco on the occasion. citement that has grown since ANOC Secretary-General Gunilla Lindberg (left) and QOC Secretary-General Jassim Rashid al Buenain during the draw ceremony on Tuesday. Group B: Italy, Spain, Mexico and Solomon Hosts Qatar figured only last June when we signed the Islands in the men’s handball draw. host city contract. We wish the ing international federations with a total of 12 male and 12 the semi-finals,” Cusco said. and Hungary were the bronze Group C: Iran, Paraguay, Senegal and Ukraine The twice world beach hand- participating teams the best for their excellent cooperation female teams drawn into two Josep Ponset, Beach Soc- medallists but they are in this Group D: Russia, Japan, Uruguay and El ball bronze medallists and five of luck and we look forward and partnership. groups. The 24 teams qualified cer Technical Delegate, con- pool along with Croatia, Spain, Salvador times Asia winners have been to welcoming you and all the “Now only 46 days are left for the Games based on results ducted the draw. A total of 16 Uruguay, Tunisia and us. Women (8 teams) placed in Pool B alongside world’s athletes in October,” before the first ANOC World from the last Beach Handball men’s teams were split into “Pool A has five-time Group A: Spain, Brazil, Cape Verde and Mexico double world champions Cro- Buenain said. Beach Games begin here. With World Championships and four pots through seeding and world champions Brazil and Group B: The Great Britain, Russia, the USA atia, Hungary, Spain, Uruguay ANOC Secretary-General their support and the support Continental Championships. the drawing of lots and were Denmark. We felt the Pool B and Paraguay and Tunisia. Pool A consists Lindberg commented: “To- of the NOCs and all stakehold- President of Beach Soccer drawn into four groups, while is slightly better for us so we of five-time world champions day, we will find out which of ers in Qatar, we have no doubt Worldwide Juan Cusco began eight women’s teams were thought to join it,” he added. Brazil, Sweden, Oman, Den- the world’s best beach soc- that the first ever ANOC World the draw for beach soccer by split into two pots and drawn Hassan also said the hosts We’ve got good replacements mark, the USA and Australia. cer teams and beach handball Beach Games will be a great thanking ANOC for showcas- into two groups. are a bit handicapped as four and will try to put up a strong QOC S-G Buenain, while teams will face each other success,” she added. ing beach, water and action After the draw, Qatar players have joined the Qatar show through them,” he said. welcoming the guests and rep- at the ANOC World Beach Sasa Kuburovic, member sports through the ANOC handball team coach Khalid main team for the 2020 To- “We are already train- resentatives of the participat- Games. We are delighted to be of the International Hand- World Beach Games and the Hassan gave the reason why he kyo Olympic Games qualifi- ing hard for the ANOC World ing teams, expressed delight joined by representatives from ball Federation (IHF) Beach QOC for their excellent prepa- chose the Pool B for his team. ers, which are also scheduled Beach Games and soon, we’ll at taking the first major step Beach Soccer Worldwide and Handball Working Group, led rations for the Games. “Based on the 2019 European in Doha in October. “We have have a camp in Europe. We in form of the draws towards the International Handball the draw for beach handball. “We expect exciting match- Beach Handball Champion- four of our top players in the aim to use this time to gel well the games, which will be held Federation for this draw. We Separate draws for the male es in football as only top team ship, Denmark were the cham- national team, which will play and get as tough as possible,” at three venues in Qatar from thank them and all participat- and female category were held from each pool will advance to pions after beating Norway the Olympic Games qualifiers. the Qatar coach added.

Provisional ban Misbah front-runner Botham all praise for Stokes, says he on World 800m for Pak coach job is ‘Special One’ for England cricket champion AFP Arzamasova KARACHI AFP “Clare has been brilliant and LONDON so supportive throughout the AFP FORMER captain Misbah- years,” said the 28-year-old all- PARIS ul-Haq on Tuesday emerged THE accolades keep coming rounder, who was born in New as the favourite to take over for Ben Stokes after his aston- Zealand but moved to England THE 2015 women’s 800m as Pakistan’s cricket coach ishing match-winning innings aged 12. world champion Maryna Ar- after Mickey Arthur was axed in the third Ashes Test against “Getting home with Clare zamasova was on Tuesday following a disappointing Ex-Pakistan captain Misbah-Ul-Haq Australia with icon Ian Both- and the family whenever I can provisionally suspended after World Cup. am anointing him English is so important to me and now failing a drugs test, the Athlet- Misbah, Pakistan’s most and ex-West Indies paceman cricket’s ‘Special One’. this game is done I just cannot ics Integrity Unit announced. successful Test captain, has Courtney Walsh were among Until Stokes lit up Head- England’s former legendary wait to be back home for five Arzamasova, 31, tested stepped down from the Paki- the applicants. ingley on Sunday with his all-rounder Ian Botham. days and cut the grass. positive for LGD-4033 - an stan Cricket Board’s executive Misbah said competition series-saving 135, Botham’s “I love playing cricket, but anabolic steroid-style sub- committee to clear the way for for the job would be tough. titanic 149 not out in the sec- “I think Ben’s life will be the you need to be able to get away stance banned by the World his application. “It is interesting to see my ond innings of the 1981 Test same. He will have no private from the game and that is where Anti-Doping Agency. “I have resigned from the name emerging in the media against the Australians had Ben Stokes after leading England life. He has to get used to that your home and your family keep The Belarus athlete’s sus- cricket committee and have ap- even before I had applied... been the benchmark. to an exciting one-wicket win. and so do the family. you grounded.” pension comes a month before plied for the post of Pakistan’s I envisage there will be a few A full 28 years later, Stokes’ “He is public property but Botham -- who also contrib- the 2019 world champion- head coach,” said the former more very competent and unbeaten knock secured Eng- rest of his career,” said Botham, it is a great place to be in for uted six wickets in the Australi- ships start in Doha. batsman, describing the posi- highly qualified people apply- land an unlikely one-wicket 63. “He wants to be the best. He the long term. It will set him ans first innings in the 1981 Test She arrived in Beijing tion as a “dream”. ing for one of the most chal- win in the third Test and in the wants to be in the oven. up for life. He will reap the and a half-century in England’s four years ago as European The four-member execu- lenging jobs in the game,” he process kept the Ashes alive by “He wants to be in the hot- rewards which he richly de- terrible first innings -- would 800m titleholder, adding the tive committee declined to added. levelling the series at 1-1. test place in the kitchen and he serves and he is now a world, not compare his and Stokes’s world title with a time of 1min renew Arthur’s contract after Misbah totalled 26 wins Botham, who is chair- wants to take them all on. That box-office attraction.” performances. 58.03sec. Pakistan failed to reach the in 56 Tests as captain, with 19 man of Durham where Stokes is his character.” Stokes, writing in the “I don’t compare the two in- Her ban was announced by semi-final of the World Cup in losses and 11 draws. He retired plays his county cricket, told Botham’s innings in 1981 Daily Mirror, said he does not nings,” said Botham. the AIU on Twitter. England and Wales. in 2017. the Daily Telegraph Stokes’s after England had to follow expect life outside the sport to “There were different cir- “The AIU confirms a pro- The PCB did not reveal Pakistan are likely to an- bold performance against the on transformed the outcome change too much, saying his cumstances, different condi- visional suspension against whether anyone else had ap- nounce their new head coach odds had earned him the spe- of the match and transformed wife Clare, a school teacher, tions and a different pitch. Belarusian middle-distance plied for the post. However, Pa- ahead of the limited-overs se- cial sobriquet. the rest of the legendary all- and two children, six-year- “I was just delighted to have runner Marina Arzamasova kistani media said former Aus- ries against Sri Lanka starting “He is the ‘Special One’ and rounder’s life. “It changed my old son Layton and daughter witnessed one of the greatest for a violation of the IAAF tralian batsman Dean Jones in Karachi from September 27. I intend to call him that for the life overnight,” said Botham. Libby, four, are his rock. events in cricketing history.” Anti-Doping Rules,” it said.