TTENNISENNIS | Page 3 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 4 Serena suff ers Holders Chelsea, more setback Europe’s elite with US Open await CLeague withdrawal draw

Thursday, August 26, 2021 Muharram 18, 1443 AH England in GULF TIMES charge aft er India collapse on Day 1 SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL FOCUS Kane ends City speculation by PSG reject Real confi rming he will remain at Spurs

AFP off er for Mbappe London, England arry Kane ended spec- ‘If a player wants to leave, he will leave. The club is bigger than any one person’ ulation over a potential move to Manchester City by announcing yesterdayH he will remain at Tot- tenham this season. The 28-year-old is the second top goalscorer in Tottenham’s history with 221, but is yet to win a major trophy at club or inter- national level. Kane had made clear his desire to leave his boyhood club in the quest to end his wait for silver- ware. However, he still has three years left on a six-year deal signed in 2018, allowing Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to de- mand a fee well in excess of the £100mn ($137mn) English record City paid Aston Villa for earlier this month. Kane missed his side’s 1-0 vic- tino in November 2019 and re- In this May 19, 2021, picture, Paris tory over City on the opening place the Argentine with Jose Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe weekend of the Mourinho has backfi red on Levy celebrates at the end of the French campaign after returning late to as Spurs have fi nished sixth and Cup final against Monaco at the Stade pre-season training. seventh in the Premier League in de France, in Saint-Denis, on the However, he was warmly wel- the past two seasons. outskirts of Paris in France. (AFP) comed back by the Tottenham Mourinho was also unable to support as he made his fi rst ap- end Tottenham’s trophy drought pearance of the season as a sub- that stretches back to 2008. AFP beu and taken to meet Zinedine six days to go before the sum- anluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Barcelona, who could not keep stitute in a 1-0 win at Wolves last A prolonged search for Mour- Paris, France Zidane at their training ground. mer transfer window in Europe Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi Messi due to their debt prob- weekend. inho’s successor upped the pres- The off er has been knocked closes on August 31 and with all arriving before the sensa- lems, Madrid’s fi nancial situa- “It was incredible to see the sure on Levy not to lose Kane this back by PSG, who say it is “not PSG desperate to keep hold of a tional recruitment of Messi. tion is strong. reception from the Spurs fans on summer. aris Saint-Germain enough” for someone who ar- player they still consider their With Neymar and Messi yet According to their latest ac- Sunday and to read some of the Nearly three months after the have rejected a 160 mil- rived from Monaco in 2017 in a crown jewel despite the pres- to play this season, Mbappe has counts published in July, the messages of support I’ve had in former Chelsea manager was lion-euro ($188mn) of- 180 million-euro deal. ence of Neymar and, now, of Li- played a central role as PSG have 13-time European champions the last few weeks,” he posted on sacked, Nuno Espirito Santo was fer from Real Madrid for Real, though, are laying the onel Messi in the French capital. won their opening three Ligue 1 boast net assets of 534mn euros Twitter. appointed as coach on June 30. PKylian Mbappe but the French ground to bring in Mbappe now, The uncertainty over games. He netted his fi rst goal and had 122mn euros cash in the “I will be staying at Tottenham However, Spurs have made club’s sporting director Leon- even though he will be able to Mbappe’s future has gone on of the campaign last weekend bank. this summer and will be 100% light of a disruptive few months ardo yesterday admitted that sign as a free agent next summer for months, and at the end of against Brest. Their total wage bill for focused on helping the team by taking maximum points from they will not be able to keep the if he does not extend his con- last season the striker hinted he “We have done everything for last season was 448mn eu- achieve success.” their opening two league games. World Cup winner “if he wants tract in Paris. would only commit his future Kylian, even this transfer win- ros, slightly below the limit of According to reports, Totten- to leave”. “If a player wants to leave, he to his hometown team if they dow has been built around him,” 473.3mn euros set by . ham turned down a City bid of ‘AMAZING CLUB, GOOD TEAM’ “Our position has always been will leave. The club, the project showed suffi cient ambition in insisted Leonardo. Since then they have got Ra- £125mn for their star striker. “Great news. Fantastic news,” the same, to keep Kylian and ex- is bigger than any one person,” the transfer market. However, he admitted it mos’s enormous salary off the Levy will be hoping his gam- said Nuno, who hinted Kane tend his contract,” Leonardo said Leonardo, the Brazilian, as “seems clear” that Mbappe — wage bill and sold Raphael Var- ble in turning that fee down will could return to the starting line- told several media including he slammed the Spanish giants IMPROVED BID TO COME? who was born and brought up in ane, another high earner, to be rewarded by Kane fi ring Tot- up for today’s Europa Confer- AFP as he discussed the future for being “disrespectful” in their PSG fi nished second in Ligue 1 the Paris suburbs — wants to go Manchester United for a report- tenham back into the Champions ence League playoff against Pa- of Mbappe, whose current con- approach of the 22-year-old. last season to Lille and lost to and said the player had “always ed 40mn euros, while raising a League next season. cos de Ferreira. tract expires at the end of this “It is a strategy, to get a no Manchester City in the semi- promised that he would not go similar amount from the sale of Under former manager Mau- “I think since Harry joined us season. from us so they can say they fi nals of the Champions League, for free”. Martin Odegaard to Arsenal. ricio Pochettino, Spurs reached he has been working hard so this It emerged on Tuesday that tried everything. the trophy they covet more than Those comments suggest “Real Madrid could sign the Champions League in four is what we value. His attitude in Real had made a bid for Mbappe, “They have been behaving anything. Mbappe is therefore likely to Mbappe,” said La Liga president consecutive seasons between training has been excellent. a player they have courted ever like this for two years. It’s disre- They responded by going out leave this month, at least as long Javier Tebas in June, adding the 2016/17 and 2019/20, includ- “It’s fi nished, Harry is going since he was a young boy, was spectful, inappropriate, illegal, and signing some of the world’s as Real come back with an im- arrival of the Frenchman “would ing reaching the fi nal for the fi rst to be with us. He is an option for invited with his parents to take and for us it is unacceptable.” biggest and most exciting proved off er. be very good” for the Spanish time in the club’s history in 2018. tomorrow. It is great news for in a game at the Santiago Berna- The off er comes with just names, with , Gi- In contrast to their great rivals game. The decision to sack Pochet- everybody.”

TOKYO PARALYMPICS Britain’s Storey shines, records tumble on fi rst day AFP Greco was in record-breaking alympic medals, will have sev- sible, but thanks to the eff orts of Tokyo, Japan form as she beat China’s Wang eral more chances to add to his many, the most transformative Xiaomei in the gold medal race in 14 golds starting Thursday in the sports event on Earth is about to C1-C3 class 3,000 metre individ- 100m freestyle. begin,” he said. ritish cyclist Sarah Sto- ual pursuit at the Izu Velodrome. Defending gold medallists Notably missing were Af- rey added to her glori- She smashed her own world Australia suff ered a setback in ghanistan’s team, who had been ous golden history as record by nearly eight seconds in their bid to become the fi rst team trapped in the country after the wheelchair rugby pow- the heats and lowered it by an- to top the wheelchair rugby podi- Taliban takeover. The IPC con- Berhouses Australia suff ered a other second and a half to 3min um at three consecutive Games, fi rmed yesterday that the team, shock defeat on day one of the 50.815sec in the fi nal. edged out 54-53 by Denmark. comprising two athletes, had left delayed Tokyo 2020 Paralympics “I still can’t believe it. I keep “I’m pretty devastated, to be Afghanistan, but declined to say yesterday. looking down and seeing (the honest — I had never lost a game where they had gone. Paige Greco, an Australian cy- gold medal). It’s not really sunk at the Paralympics ever,” said The opening ceremony took clist, had the honour of winning in yet,” said Greco. Australia’s Chris Bond. “I don’t place before a largely empty sta- the fi rst gold of the Games, 354 Storey moved a step closer know what to feel. All we can do dium with almost all spectators days later than originally envis- to becoming Britain’s greatest is turn around and win the next barred from venues because of aged because of the Covid-19 Paralympian, shattering her own Britain’s Sarah Storey celebrates two and make the semi-fi nal.” coronavirus rules. pandemic and a day after a high- world record in the heats before after winning gold in the C5 Organisers yesterday reported energy but poignant opening powering to victory in the C5 3,000m individual pursuit during Mark Ingemann Peters (left) and Sebastian Frederiksen (right) of ‘MANY DOUBTED’ 16 new Covid-19 cases linked to ceremony. 3,000 metres individual pursuit the Tokyo Paralympic Games at Denmark in action with Chris Bond of Australia during the Tokyo The Games had been declared the Paralympics, including two Despite a year-long postpone- fi nal for her 15th Paralympic gold. Izu Velodrome yesterday. (AFP) Paralympics wheelchair rugby group A match yesterday. (Reuters) open on Tuesday night by Japan’s athletes in the Paralympic Vil- ment, and with coronavirus fears The 43-year-old took the title Emperor Naruhito, with Inter- lage, whose identities have not hanging over the event, world for a fourth consecutive Games Kenny, who won 16 swimming competing at his last Paralym- But could only take bronze in national Paralympic Commit- been disclosed. and Paralympic records tumbled when she caught compatriot golds from 1976 to 1988. pics, has the chance to become his opening event, the S5 men’s tee chief Andrew Parsons paying The new cases bring the in the swimming pool and on the Crystal Lane-Wright inside eight “I never expected to go as the most decorated male Paral- 200m freestyle, which was won tribute to the grit of the athletes number of infections linked to cycling track on a pulsating fi rst laps of the 12. quickly this morning, but I’m so ympic swimmer of all time if he by Italy’s Francesco Bocciardo in who made it to Tokyo. the Paralympics to 176, most of day of competition that saw 24 Storey is just one medal behind glad I did,” said Storey. wins three more golds to eclipse a new Paralympic record time. “Many doubted this day would them Japan-based staff or con- gold medals awarded. the British record held by Mike Brazilian Daniel Dias, who is Kenny. Dias, who has now won 25 Par- happen, many thought it impos- tractors. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, August 26, 2021 SPORT

CRICKET Pakistan beat Windies by 109 runs to level series AFP Pakistan coach Misbah positive for Covid-19, isolates in Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq will depart for Pakistan,” said a He played 75 Tests and 162 ODIs, haheen Shah Afridi has tested positive for Covid-19 statement. The announcement scoring more than 5,000 runs in completed a ten- and will quarantine in Jamaica came less than 24 hours after each format. match haul to bowl Paki- for 10 days, his country’s cricket Pakistan had defeated the West “Misbah was the only Pakistan stan to a series-levelling board announced yesterday. Indies by 109 runs in Kingston squad member who failed 109-runS victory over the West “Misbah has tested positive to win the second Test and level two pre-departure PCR tests. Indies in the fi nal session of the and, as such, will not depart the two-match series at 1-1. All other members will leave second and fi nal Test at Sabina for Lahore with his side later Misbah, 47 took over as head Jamaica as per schedule later Park on Tuesday. today. Misbah, who is asympto- coach of the national team in today (Wednesday),” added the Frustrated by the loss of an matic, will now undergo a 10-day September 2019 having also Pakistan Cricket Board state- entire day’s play and another quarantine, following which he been captain in his playing days. ment. session to rain and a sodden out- fi eld over the weekend, Shaheen via an ambitious top-edged hook to build innings, to cope with Pakistan 2nd Innings 176-6 kept Pakistan’s hopes alive with which was held by wicketkeeper the fi rst 30 balls and get through declared a devastating fi rst innings ef- Mohamed Rizwan. He then re- those tough periods.” West Indies 2nd Innings fort of six for 51 on day four - his turned just as a shower was about Shaheen had set the tone at (target 329 - overnight 49-1) best Test innings performance - to sweep across the ground in the start of the day with the early K. Brathwaite c Alam b Ali ...... 39 and returned on the fi nal day to mid-afternoon to break a stub- wicket and his teammates fol- K. Powell run out ...... 23 strike critical blows. Then, when born seventh-wicket partnership lowed his lead. A. Joseph c Rizwan b Afridi...... 17 it seemed the weather would ruin between Kyle Mayers and Holder. Nkrumah Bonner was soon N. Bonner lbw Hasan ...... 2 their desperate push for victory, Mayers’ was a great trapped leg-before by Hasan Ali R. Chase c Butt b Hasan ...... 0 he came back for a fi nal spell relief to Pakistan as just a couple and following Abid’s inexplicable J. Blackwood c Rizwan b Ali...... 25 with the second new ball to take Shaheen Afridi (right) and Nauman Ali (second from right) of Pakistan celebrate winning the 2nd Test overs earlier he was dropped at miss, his opening partner Imran K. Mayers c Rizwan b Afridi ...... 32 the last two and give his against West Indies on the 5th and final day at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, on Tuesday. (AFP) short-leg by off Nau- Butt reinforced his reputation as J. Holder c Alam b Ali ...... 47 team a tremendous triumph with man. Abid was also badly at fault the safest pair of hands in the Pa- J. da Silva c Ashraf b Afridi ...... 15 one hour to spare. down, trapped Kemar Roach Babar, refl ecting on the heart- Man of the Match and Man of the when he missed Brathwaite at kistan team, holding on to Roston K. Roach lbw Afridi ...... 7 Starting the day at 49 for one leg-before. Afridi then induced breaking one-wicket defeat at Series. “It was a great eff ort, a slip off Faheem in the morning Chase’s edged drive off Hasan J. Seales ...... 0 and facing the unlikely target of a mistimed drive from Joshua da the same venue nine days earlier. team eff ort. This is what the team session. On 25 at the time, the diving to his right at second slip. Extras (b-4, lb-2, nb-5, w-1) ...... 12 329, the West Indies were again Silva for Faheem Ashraf to take “My partnership with Fawad needed and I am just happy that I West Indies captain carried on Jermaine Blackwood looked Total (83.2 overs, all out) ...... 219 let down by their top-order bat- the catch at mid-on and dismiss Alam and his brilliant century was able to deliver,” said the left- to 39 but fell shortly after lunch capable of reaching the lunch in- Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Powell), ting, sliding to 113 for six in mid- the West Indies for 219 and seal was of course valuable, but I arm pacer. when a top-edged cut off Nau- terval with Brathwaite but Nau- 2-65 (Joseph), 3-69 (Bonner), afternoon despite a battling 39 yet another come-from-behind have to give massive credit to the “It was really tough out there, man found a grateful Fawad Alam man accounted for him for 25 via 4-73 (Chase), 5-101 (Blackwood), from captain Kraigg Brathwaite. eff ort for Pakistan in the Carib- bowling of Shaheen because he extremely hot and even though at backward-point. another wicketkeeper’s catch, 6-113 (Brathwaite), 7-159 (Mayers), Former skipper Jason Holder bean. As in 2005 and 2011, Pa- make things a lot easier for us.” we were picking up wickets along “Consistency is what we need. the fourth wicket of the morning 8-199 (Holder), 9-212 (Roach), eventually topscored with 47 kistan, this time led by Babar Shaheen’s second-innings the way we really had to work I just think it is a mindset because after the West Indies resumed at 10-219 (da Silva) but it was his demise to Nau- Azam, lost the fi rst Test but re- fi gures of four for 43 gave him a very hard and credit must go to is never wasy and all 49 for one. Bowling: Mohamed Abbas man Ali, the left-arm spinner’s bounded to take the second and match haul of ten for 94 and with the entire bowling unit.” the guys technically can bat,” said 14-3-42-0, Shaheen Shah Afridi third wicket, which eased a ris- share the honours with the hosts. a series-leading tally of 18 wick- Shaheen started the ball rolling Brathwaite when it was all over in SCOREBOARD 17.2-5-43-4 (1w), Hasan Ali 14-6- ing sense of panic in the Paki- “This was a very important ets in the two matches at an aver- for Pakistan within the fi rst half- attempting to pinpoint the cause Pakistan 1st Innings 302-9 37-2 (1nb), Faheem Ashraf 13-5- stan camp. Then Afridi, new ball win for us, especially given the age of 11.28, it was inevitable that hour of the day when he removed of his team’s repeated declared 36-0, Nauman Ali 22-7-52-3 (2nb), in hand and with eight wickets way we lost that fi rst Test,” said the 21-year-old would be both nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph failures. “We have to fi nd ways West Indies 1st Innings 150 Fawad Alam 3-1-3-0.

FOCUS CYCLING Defending champ Roglic powers to England in charge Vuelta stage win

AFP Valdepeñas de Jaén, Spain

efending Vuelta cham- aft er India collapse pion Primoz Roglic made a statement of intent yesterday when ENGLAND UNBEATEN ON 120 AFTER BOWLING INDIA OUT FOR 78 ON DAY ONE heD hunted down Magnus Cort Nielsen’s desperate long range AFP escape for a Stage 11 win that , United Kingdom went down to the wire. Having fallen on Tuesday, Team Jumbo’s Slovenian rider Jumbo-Visma’s Roglic, instead Primoz Roglic stops his stop- ngland great James An- of struggling, gained a few sec- watch as he wins the 11th stage derson ripped through onds on key rivals, Movistar pair of La Vuelta in Valdepenas de the top order as India Enric Mas and Miguel Angel Jaen, Spain, yesterday. (AFP) collapsed to 78 all out Lopez. They made up the po- inE the third Test at Headingley dium while Odd Christian Eiking “It was close again wasn’t yesterday before openers Rory held on to the overall lead, just it? And it was a hard stage,” the Burns and Haseeb Hameed clinging on over the last climb. winner said of the 133km stage capped a near-perfect fi rst day “It feels like you can imag- run over relentlessly rolling ter- for Joe Root’s men with an un- ine, it feels really, really nice,” rain. “It was a nice fi nish with a broken stand of 120. said Eiking, who is 58sec ahead steep uphill where I can normally Anderson took 3-6 in eight of Guillaume Martin and 1min do well. It’s always nice to win, overs, including the prize wicket 56sec ahead of Roglic in the you never know when it’ll be of India captain Virat Kohli, who overall rankings. your last one,” he said. won the toss. Both Sam Cur- “It’s unbelievable to be leader Cort Nielsen had already won ran and Craig Overton took two of such a big race as La Vuelta. stage six and looked set for a vic- wickets in two balls after lunch, For sure it’s one of the greatest tory here too after crossing the with Overton fi nishing with moments of my career. It’s a re- highest peak of the day 45sec 3-14 in 10.4 overs after being sponsibility, but it’s actually also ahead, but the EF Nippo man recalled in place of injured fast just a bonus for us in the team,” was caught an agonising 200m bowler Mark Wood. said the Intermarche-Wanty- from the packed village centre Even so there was still the Gobert man. This was the Slov- fi nish line. Thanks to an earlier worry for England, beset by top- enian Roglic’s second stage win mountain stage win, Damiano order problems during a run of on the 2021 Vuelta after the Ol- Caruso of Bahrain Victorious is seven Tests without a win, might England’s James Anderson (centre) and the rest of the England players leave the field at the end of India’s first innings on the first day of the ympic champion took the open- in the leading climber’s polka collapse in similar fashion. But third Test at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, northern England, yesterday. (AFP) ing day time-trial by storm. dot jersey after crossing the only Burns and Hameed - England’s Considered the most physi- summit in second. 22nd Test-opening partnership a superb 151-run win at Lord’s Jasprit Bumrah. But there was Hameed had managed just R. Jadeja lbw b Curran ...... 4 cally powerful rider in the pelo- Thursday’s run from Jaen to since Andrew Strauss retired nine last week. England, by contrast, little time for any more ‘sledg- nine runs in total at Lord’s - his M. Shami c Burns b Overton ...... 0 ton, Roglic leads a war of attri- Cordoba is a fl at stage for the years ago - posted only England’s recalled Overton after Wood ing’ as Kohli, without a Test fi rst Test in fi ve years following I. Sharma not out ...... 8 tion, picking off 20 sends here sprinters with Fabio Jakobsen second century fi rst-wicket stand joined fellow quicks Broad, Jofra hundred in two years and aver- injuries and a career-threatening J. Bumrah lbw b Curran ...... 0 and there, and Wednesday he in the green jersey. His closest in fi ve years at this level. Archer and Olly Stone on the aging just 23 since January 2020, loss of form that saw him move M. Siraj c Root b Overton ...... 3 once again produced his trade- rival, Alpecin’s Jasper Philipsen At stumps, Burns was 52 not sidelines. Kohli won the toss and fell for seven when he tried to from his native Lancashire to Extras (lb11, nb5) ...... 16 mark late kick to take bonus sec- pulled out Wednesday com- out and Hameed, promoted despite the overcast conditions drive an Anderson ball he might Nottinghamshire. But, cutting Total (all out, 40.4 overs, 194 onds at the fi nish. plaining of a fever. to open after Dom Sibley was that promised to aid Anderson, have defended to give Buttler strongly, he completed a 110- mins) ...... 78 dropped, 60 not out. This was decided to bat. another catch. Anderson, al- ball fi fty - his third in Tests, with Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Rahul), 2-4 England’s best fi rst day in a But India, having seen Rahul ready the most successful fast a 10th four although the edge off (Pujara), 3-21 (Kohli), 4-56 (Ra- Test since the 2015 Ashes clash and Rohit share a century open- bowler in Test history, now has Bumrah was dropped by a diving hane), 5-58 (Pant), 6-67 (Rohit), More pressure on Boucher as assistant at Trent Bridge where they dis- ing stand at Lord’s, were 1-1 off 629 wickets at this level. Rohit at second slip. Burns, who 7-67 (Shami), 8-67 (Jadeja), 9-67 coach Nkwe resigns before Sri Lanka tour missed Australia for just 60, the fi fth ball of the day. Rohit who made a fi ne 83 at had pulled Mohamed Siraj for (Bumrah), 10-78 (Siraj) with taking 8-15, Rahul, fresh from his 129 at Lord’s, fell when he mishooked six, followed up with a 123-ball Bowling: Anderson 8-5-6-3; South Africa left for Sri Lanka yesterday without assistant coach before reaching stumps on 274- the ‘home of cricket’, fell for a a looping bouncer from Over- fi fty to the delight of a raucous Robinson 10-3-16-2 (2nb); Curran Enoch Nkwe, who resigned after apparent disagreements with 4 - with Root unbeaten on 124. duck when he edged a booming ton to Ollie Robinson at mid-on and sun-drenched crowd. 10-2-27-2 (3nb); Moeen 2-0-4-0; under-pressure head coach Mark Boucher. Cricket South Africa India, 56-4 at lunch on drive to give wicketkeeper Jos Next ball India were 67-7 when Overton 10.4-5-14-3 (CSA) announced Nkwe’s resignation late on Tuesday despite, it Wednesday, lost their last six Buttler the fi rst of fi ve catches Mohammed Shami, who made SCOREBOARD England 1st Innings claimed, having made “every eff ort to retain his services.” wickets for 22 runs in an innings in the innings. The often gritty a Test-best 56 at Lord’s, was India 1st Innings R. Burns not out ...... 52 According to the statement, Nkwe “raised concerns about the func- that was fi nished inside 41 overs. Pujara lasted just nine balls for out for a duck when he edged R. Sharma c Robinson b Over- H. Hameed not out ...... 60 tioning and culture of the team environment.” Rohit Sharma (19) and Ajinkya one, undone by a superb An- to Burns in the slips. Left-arm ton ...... 19 Extras (b4, nb3, w1) ...... 8 Nkwe’s resignation came against a backdrop of widespread criticism Rahane (18) were the only India derson that both swung swing bowler Curran then had K. Rahul c Buttler b Anderson ..0 Total (0 wkts, 42 overs, 185 of Boucher following revelations made at ongoing hearings into batsmen to make it into double away and seamed. Anderson Ravindra Jadeja and Bumrah C. Pujara c Buttler b Anderson ..1 mins) ...... 120 racism in South African cricket. Local media reported the rift with fi gures, with extras providing and Kohli had exchanged angry lbw with successive deliveries. V. Kohli c Buttler b Anderson ....7 Bowling: Ishant 7-0-26-0 (1w, Boucher was an issue of personality rather than race, with Nkwe 16 runs. An unchanged India words at Lord’s after the Eng- Ishant Sharma conceded nine A. Rahane c Buttler b Robinson 2nb); Bumrah 12-5-19-0; Shami believing he had been sidelined in his role as an assistant. Nkwe, a came into this match 1-0 up in land tailender had been sub- runs in his fi rst over, more than ...... 18 11-2-39-0; Siraj 7-1-26-0 (1nb); former provincial player, briefly served as South Africa team director the fi ve-Test series following jected to a bouncer barrage from Anderson gave up in his spell. R. Pant c Buttler b Robinson...... 2 Jadeja 5-3-6-0. - eff ectively head coach - after being appointed by the subsequently- fired CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe in 2019. Nkwe’s position was abolished after former captain Graeme Smith was appointed England’s Archer aiming for Test return against West Indies director of cricket later that year. Boucher and Nkwe were made England fast bowler Jofra Arch- World Cup that falls between Cook fearing Archer may lose because I had suff ered another that Test cricket is the most im- coach and assistant coach respectively, with contracts through to er still believes he has a Test those campaigns - after suf- pace as elbow problems are a stress fracture in my elbow, portant format to me and noth- the end of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Although Boucher played future as he targeted a return to fering a stress fracture in his “game changer”. it was pretty tough to take,” ing has changed in that respect. in 147 Test matches, his appointment was criticised because of his the five-day format during next right elbow. Given the injury But the Sussex quick in, a Archer recalled. “But I’ve always It’s frustrating to be sitting out lack of formal coaching qualifications. The criticism intensified when year’s tour of the West Indies. to his bowling arm, some have column for Britain’s Daily Mail been of the view that everything an important series against black former players alleged they were not made to feel welcome in The 26-year-old a was ruled questioned whether Archer will newspaper, said his “best years happens for a reason, and the India, as well as not being able the national team environment during the period in which Boucher out of the current Test series be fit enough to play in cricket’s as a Test cricketer are ahead of injury doesn’t change the way I to make the trip to Australia was a prominent member of the team.Boucher on Monday made against India and the Ashes tour longest format again, with me”. “When I got the news that look at my career. this winter - not to mention the public an aff idavit he submitted to the Social Justice and Nation Build- of Australia, as well as the T20 former England captain Alastair I’d be out for the rest of 2021 “I’ve said many times before World Cup in the UAE. ing hearings in which he apologised for any off ensive behaviour. Gulf Times Thursday, August 26, 2021 3 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Djoko gets second bite at history in Serena suff ers more the Big Apple

Reuters “I don’t want to get ahead New York of myself yet,” said Zverev fol- lowing his Cincinnati win. “Let’s see how it goes... I still fter an Olympic have a lot of work ahead of me.” setback with US stumble Novak Djok- As the US Open approaches ovic will get a second there is a growing sense that bite at history in the Flushing Meadows will deliver BigA Apple with a calendar year a breakthrough moment. Grand Slam there for the taking Now regular winners on at the US Open. the ATP Tour and Grand Slam Having seen his bid for a battle-tested, the demands Golden Slam – Olympic gold and expectations of competing Open withdrawal and four slams in the same year in the big events are no longer – wilt in the Tokyo heat, Djoko- part of the learning curve for vic arrives in New York posi- Zverev, Medvedev and Tsitsi- ‘We took medical advice and the medical advice was clear – if you play, you take a big risk’ tioned to become the fi rst man pas. since Rod Laver in 1969 to win This year Medvedev con- AFP – and falling short every time. the Australian and French Open tested the fi nal of the Austral- Paris Last year, albeit one in which titles plus Wimbledon and the ian Open and Tsitsipas the Wimbledon did not take place US Open in the same year. French, both losing to Djoko- due to the coronavirus pandemic, A US Open triumph would vic. In 2019 Medvedev lost erena Williams hopes of her fortunes dipped even lower as also give the Serb a record- the fi nal at Flushing Meadows a record-equalling 24th for the fi rst time since 2006 she setting 21st career Grand Slam in an epic fi ve-set tussle with Grand Slam title took an- failed to reach a Grand Slam fi - title – one more than his great Nadal. other hit yesterday when nal, something she will repeat in rivals Roger Federer and Rafa Last year Zverev was denied sheS announced on her Instagram 2021. Nadal, who will both be absent. a maiden major at the US Open, page that she was pulling out of Mouratoglou insisted it was For almost two decades the falling to Dominic Thiem who next week’s US Open because of just a question of time before Flushing Meadows hard courts will not be back to defend his a hamstring injury. Williams, who has slipped to 22 have been ruled over by the Big title due to a wrist injury. “After careful consideration in the rankings,returns to the Three of Federer, Nadal and After each of his Grand Slam and following the advice of my courts. Djokovic. wins Djokovic has applauded doctors and medical team, I have “If the US Open happened in Between them the trio have his opponent, encouraging decided to withdraw from the US three weeks instead of next week, claimed 12 of the last 17 US them that their day will come. Open to allow my body to heal it would have been possible,” he Opens. Only twice over that That day could be Sept. 12, completely from a torn ham- said. period has a fi nal not featured the afternoon of the men’s fi nal string,” wrote the 39-year-old “You have a new deal in ten- at least one of them. at Flushing Meadows. American. nis, it’s that champions can play But with Federer and Nadal But even with complaints “New York is one of the most longer, over 35, thanks to their sidelined by injuries the old of fatigue, a sore shoulder and exciting cities in the world and unprecedented professional- guard has been reduced to one. an ill-tempered racket-tossing one of my favourite places to play ism. Nevertheless, it’s still a race While Djokovic has idled meltdown in Tokyo, few will – I’ll miss seeing the fans but will against the clock.” since the Tokyo Olympics, be betting against Djokovic in be cheering everyone on from The same could be said for his biggest threats Alexander New York. afar. Thank you for your contin- three other former US Open Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and It may not be his favourite ued support and love. I’ll see you champions who have pulled out Daniil Medvedev have been venue – particularly after last soon.” of the men’s draw. building up a head of steam go- year when the Serb was dis- Williams, who has not played Four-time winner Rafael Nad- ing into the year’s fi nal Grand qualifi ed for swatting a ball in since a tearful fi rst round exit at al, 35, withdrew because of an in- Slam. frustration that struck a female Wimbledon when she hobbled jury to his left foot that has trou- No player has been in bet- line judge – but he is almost off court during the first bled him since his defeat in the ter form than the 24-year old always in contention, having set against Aliaksandra Sas- coach Patrick Mouratoglou told collecting her fi rst major at the within one of the controversial semi-fi nals at the French Open Zverev, who followed up his reached the fi nal on eight oc- novich, is a six-time winner in the website Tennis Majors. US Open in 1999 as a teenager Court’s tally, she looked odds-on in June. gold medal at the Tokyo Games casions and winning three. New York. “Then we had to discuss a lit- and is viewed by many as to achieve that and more. Meanwhile Roger Federer, with an imperious march to the But while Djokovic has She missed last week’s event tle as a team. Serena always feels the greatest female player of all Even after taking time out that 40, who won the last of his fi ve ATP Masters 1000 event title in won eight of the last 12 Grand in Cincinnati in a bid to get fi t for like she’s giving up if she doesn’t time. year to have her baby daughter US Open titles in 2008, said he Cincinnati last Sunday. Slams he has entered, that list Flushing Meadows and said she play. It’s inside her. The problem for Williams, Olympia, she was expected to re- needed further knee surgery and Medvedev has also been of titles does not include a US hoped “to be back on the court “We had to reason her a little, who turns 40 in September, is turn as dominant as before with admitted he “will be out for many quick to fi nd his footing on the Open. very soon” but her hamstring ul- but anyway, the medical advice that the target of equalling Mar- few likely rivals on the horizon. months”. North American hard courts by “To me it is him against the timately failed to recover in time, had a big part. In that sense it was garet Court’s all-time record of However, since then it has been The 2020 men’s champion winning the ATP Masters 1000 fi eld and I pick him right now,” much to her disappointment. a team decision.” 24 Grand Slam singles titles looks a tale of regression by degrees Dominic Thiem, who is still only event in Toronto. said John McEnroe, a seven- “We took medical advice and The withdrawal marks the lat- more remote than ever. from reaching four fi nals – two a sprightly 27, will also be miss- Tsitsipas has been in the time Grand Slam winner and the medical advice was clear – if est setback for a player who has Back in 2017, when she won at Wimbledon (2018, 2019) and ing after failing to recover from a spotlight over his resistance commentator for ESPN. you play, you take a big risk,” her dominated women’s tennis since the Australian Open to move to two at the US Open (2018, 2019) wrist injury. to taking a Covid-19 vaccine “I still think he is going to do but the Greek has not let con- it but it’s easier said than done troversy distract him from (to win a calendar Grand Slam). SPOTLIGHT advancing to the semi-fi nals There’s a reason it hasn’t been in the Toronto and Cincinnati done in 50-some years. It’s stops. tough, it’s really tough.” Osaka’s uneven play casts shadow over US Open bid

Reuters when she withdrew from the World number two Osaka was again, even though it worked Paris French Open and admitted she praised for keeping her compo- out,” Osaka told reporters. had struggled in the past with sure throughout the incident. She said the key was to stay depression. “I expect her to play well,” grounded in the moment. uestions abound as She skipped Wimbledon but, Shriver said. “I’m going into the tourna- Naomi Osaka prepares since returning, has failed to get “But I do have more ques- ment and taking it one match at to mount a title de- past the third round of the Tokyo tions going into this US Open a time, that’s how I play really fence at the US Open Olympics or last week’s Western than I would have had the last well,” she said. followingQ a series of lacklustre & Southern Open in Cincinnati. few months been smoother for ESPN analyst and former performances since she returned “Osaka obviously has been Naomi.” world number one John McEn- to the game after stepping away having some struggles that she’s Osaka herself struck an upbeat roe said of Osaka: “She needs to to focus on her mental health. come forward with. It’s a little tone after falling to Jil Teich- win a close one. She was double Osaka shot to global fame on unpredictable,” ESPN analyst mann in Cincinnati last week, match point down against (Gar- the back of her four Grand Slam and Hall of Famer Pam Shriver Japan’s Naomi Osaka celebrates saying the fl ip side of not having bine) Muguruza at the (fourth titles and support of racial jus- told reporters on a call. with the Australian Open trophy as many matches under her belt round of the) Australian Open tice causes, with many seeing “But she’s going back to a in Melbourne on February 20, was that she was healthy. Osaka and pulled that out. Then she got the hard-hitting 23-year-old as place where she’s won it twice. 2021. (Reuters) was hampered at last year’s US on a roll. the heir apparent to Serena Wil- Usually when you have those Open by a left hamstring injury. “I think if she’s going to do liams. The Japanese player won kind of special memories, you Flushing Meadows in 2018 for “Last year, I played a lot of well, it’s going to have to be one the Australian Open earlier this can play some pretty good ten- the fi rst of her two US Open ti- matches before the Open, and of those situations,” he added. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the Wimbledon trophy after year before opening up a con- nis,” she said. tles in a fi nal where the American then I injured myself. So I don’t The US Open runs from Mon- beating Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the final at the All England Lawn versation about mental health Osaka defeated Williams at clashed with the chair umpire. really want to go through that day until September 12. Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain, July 11, 2021. (Reuters)

GOLF Murray eliminated in second round at Winston-Salem Open Rahm defends title on new course as eventful year rolls on Former world number one myself. But when I’m winning Andy Murray was ousted from a low percentage of second- AFP Kelley giving birth to son Kepa keep those going on.” the ATP Winston-Salem Open serve points, that’s got noth- Washington just before the Masters in April. The top 70 players in season on Tuesday, falling to Ameri- ing to do with the physical But in June, Rahm had a six- points advanced to the BMW can Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7/4), side of things.” stroke lead after the third round with only the top 30 after Sun- 6-3 in a second round match Murray cruised through his orld number one as defending champion at the day’s fi nal round qualifying for at Wake Forest University. opening round match winning Jon Rahm’s roller Memorial tournament when he next week’s Tour Championship The 34-year-old Murray has in straight sets against lucky coaster year takes was forced to withdraw after at East Lake in Atlanta. been battling injuries of late, loser Noah Rubin, who was another wild turn testing positive for Covid-19. Rahm is safely in second place including a groin problem that a last minute replacement Won Thursday when he defends In July, Rahm was forced to on points but would like to be in has limited his time on the for Nick Kyrgios. The Aussie the US PGA’s BMW Champion- miss the Tokyo Olympics af- top position for next week’s title court this season and resulted pulled out with an injury mo- ship title on a course he hadn’t ter again testing positive for fi ght. in him needing one of the four ments before the scheduled seen before Tuesday. Covid-19. “It’s the week before East wild card spots to get into the showdown, forcing organisers The 26-year-old Spaniard And last week, Rahm led much Lake, so I think we’re all trying Winston-Salem draw. Tiafoe to scramble to get an op- won last year’s FedEx Cup play- of the way at the Northern Trust to get into form right before our advances to the third round ponent for Murray on Sunday off event at Olympia Fields near only for a hurricane to postpone very last big event,” Rahm said. of the hardcourt tournament night. Rubin ran out of gas Chicago, sinking a 66-foot putt the fi nal round to Monday, when Jon Rahm of Spain plays a shot from a greenside bunker on the 17th “It’s defi nitely something I where he will face either against Murray after having on the fi rst extra hole to defeat he settled for third. hole during the final round of The Northern Trust, the first event of have in mind, and I can’t help to Thiago Monteiro or Eduardo just an hour rest between his Dustin Johnson in a playoff . “I’m looking for just a normal the FedExCup Playoff s, at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City on think that I hope I make this my Nava. “The positive thing is two-hour qualifying final and This week, he tries for a re- tournament week at this point, August 23, 2021. (Getty Images/AFP) fi rst defense on the PGA Tour.” that I moved well and served his main draw match. Murray peat on a course new to the tour, just one week where it’s just This week, that means being well but my level is up and had no such luck against Tiafoe, Caves Valley in suburban Balti- uneventful, we don’t have hur- body in my direct family has had practice rounds at Caves Valley, a quick learner. “It’s going to be down with no real consist- who dismantled the Scot with a more, Maryland. ricanes, Covid or anything like any problems and that hasn’t giving little thought to miss- get the lines off the tees and the ency,” Murray said. “There are strong all around service game. “I know nothing about it. that,” Rahm said. been a stress, when I know a lot ing out on a win in the fi rst PGA touch around the greens. That’s moments in matches where Tiafoe blasted three aces, won Absolute zero,” Rahm said on “Luckily I can say there have of people have been suff ering. It playoff event. going to be the most important I play well and then I make 76 percent of his first serve Tuesday. “I really know nothing. been a lot more positives than could have been a lot worse. “It “Simply because we had to thing,” Rahm said. mistakes or miss returns. I points and 65 percent of his For everybody I’ve asked that negatives. There were some mo- has been a great year. Still not get back, pack, sleep, travel, I “I don’t want to take on too wish I wasn’t doing that. My second serve points in a one has played here, it’s a great golf ments that could have taken me over. A lot more things to play haven’t really had time to think much at once because I’m not level is around 50 or 60 in the hour, 49 minute contest. course.” down that, if anything, lifted for, and hopefully I can keep about it,” Rahm said. going to be able to get every sin- world. It’s frustrating because The pair had met just once Rahm’s season has included me up and pushed me towards making it better.” “There are a lot more positives gle detail. I feel like just generally if I wasn’t moving great and before with Murray winning his fi rst major victory at the US greater things. “The overall con- Only a three-hour drive from to take out of it than negatives. getting a vibe for the place is the not feeling good physically a three set thriller last year in Open in June at Torrey Pines and dition that the world is in with Liberty National, Rahm made There are a lot of good things I most important thing, at least in then I would be a bit easier on Cincinnati. the arrival of his fi rst child, wife Covid, I can be very glad that no- a quick exit to try and get two did last week and hopefully I can my case.”

Thursday, August 26, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOOTBALL UPDATE International Holders Chelsea, call-ups for Sadd trio Europe’s elite await

CLeague draw Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah and Rodrigo Tabata. By Sports Reporter tional team, ahead of their games Doha against Iraq and Lebanon. ‘My dream is to win another Champions League and I think I’m in the ideal place’ Meanwhile, the Al Sadd play- ers continued their daily training AFP he Al Sadd trio of Bagh- as part of the preparations for the Paris, France dad Bounedjah, Jung start of the 2021-22 QNB Stars Woo-young, and Andre League season, as the coach- Ayew have received in- ing staff look to ensure they are olders Chelsea and Tternational call-ups ahead of the fully ready before the start of the their rivals among upcoming FIFA matchdays in league championship. Europe’s elite will dis- September, which including two During yesterday’s train- cover their opponents matches in the qualifi ers for the ing session, the available play- Hin this season’s UEFA Champi- FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. ers went through technical skill ons League when the draw for Bounedjah is scheduled to drills, under the supervision of the group stage is made in Istan- play for Algeria against Djibouti, the coaching staff . bul today from 1600 GMT (7pm on September 2 in Group A, and Meanwhile, a friendly match Qatar time). then against Burkina Faso on has been scheduled for the Al The Turkish metropolis has September 7. Sadd fi rst team against Lusail. missed out on hosting the fi nal Andre Ayew’s Ghana will face The match will kick off at 7pm of the competition in each of the South Africa and Ethiopia in the today at the Al Sadd training fa- last two seasons, with restric- same round of the African quali- cility, and will be closed to fans tions relating to the pandemic fi ers, while Jung Woo-young due to Covid-19 precautionary seeing the game moved at the will join the South Korean na- measures. last minute to Portugal in suc- cessive years. Chelsea therefore beat Man- chester City in Porto in May and Wales manager Page slams ‘crazy’ those two powerhouses of Eng- Belarus move lish football — who have fl exed their fi nancial muscle in the Wales manager Robert Page said on Tuesday the decision to make market over the summer — will his side play their World Cup qualifier against Belarus in Russia next be among the favourites to go all month was “crazy”. UEFA had to move the qualifier on September the way this season. 5 to a neutral venue as teams from the UK and the European Union “Nobody wants to rest. I want are unable to enter Belarus by air due to sanctions against the the next one, the next title,” Minsk government. Football of Association of Wales (FAW) off icials Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel were furious when the game was switched to Kazan, 700km east of said after winning the trophy. Moscow, because of the logistical problems it created. Chelsea and Pep Guardiola’s City are both in the fi rst pot of Real Madrid’s Valverde signs contract seeds for the draw, in a ceremony which will also see UEFA award extension to 2027 the prize for the best player of Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Lionel Messi attend a training session at the club’s training ground in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, last season from a three-man France, last week. PSG are best placed to challenge Chelsea or City for the Champions League honours this season. (AFP) Real Madrid’s Uruguay Federico Valverde has signed a shortlist of Jorginho, N’Golo contract extension to 2027, the Spanish club said on Tuesday. No Kante and Kevin De Bruyne, who ing in Europe’s elite club com- less lucrative, but while Euro- effi cient, up to a maximum of this year, although don’t ex- financial details were given in Real’s statement but media reports all appeared in May’s fi nal. petition for the fi rst time since pean football in general has been 36mn euros in the case of top- pect Zenit Saint Petersburg to said the 23-year-old’s new contract contained a 1bn euro ($1.18bn) Also in the fi rst pot of seeds 2013/14 after coming second in badly hit by the economic im- ranked Bayern Munich. be crowned champions in their release clause. Valverde, who was already tied to the club until are Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Serie A last season. pact of Covid-19, whoever goes In addition to that, another own stadium next May. 2025, joined Real from Penarol in 2016. He is the latest in a line of Bayern Munich, Sporting Lis- The Champions League group on to lift the Champions League 300mn euros is distributed Instead PSG are surely the key Real players to agree extended contracts, with France forward bon, Lille and last season’s Eu- stage will kick off on Septem- will pocket a huge sum in prize based on the weight of each best placed to challenge Chelsea last week signing a new deal to 2023. ropa League winners, Villarreal. ber 14 and 15, with the fi nal be- money. country’s television market. or City, with the Qatar-owned As ever there are plenty of big ing held — all going to plan — in UEFA, which registered a loss It is a system which rewards club — beaten fi nalists in 2020 — Scotland coach Clarke extends stay names in the second pot, in- Saint Petersburg on May 28 next of some 531mn euros ($623.4mn) the already rich and powerful having added Messi with the ex- cluding Real Madrid, Barcelona, year. in the 2019/20 campaign from and which has helped make it press aim of getting their hands until Euro 2024 Juventus, Manchester United The draw for the group stage the pandemic, has put together practically impossible for clubs on the Champions League for and Paris Saint-Germain, who of the Europa League and the a total pot of just over 2bn euros outside the biggest nations to the fi rst time. Scotland coach Steve Clarke has agreed a contract extension to will attract even more atten- new third-tier Europa Confer- for this season. win the trophy. “I have said many times my lead the team through to the European Championship in 2024, the tion after adding Lionel Messi to ence League will take place on The winners will pocket prize The last team to lift the Eu- dream is to win another Champi- country’s soccer governing body said. Clarke guided Scotland to Euro their star-studded squad. Friday, also in Istanbul. money of up to 85mn euros, and ropean Cup that did not play ons League and I think I’m in the 2020, the country’s first appearance at the tournament since 1996. Other famous names featur- that is before the extras are tak- in England, Germany, Spain or ideal place to have that chance Under him, Scotland drew one match and lost two as they failed to ing in the draw are Ajax, Benfi ca PRIZE MONEY en into account: clubs get more Italy was Porto in 2004. and to do it,” Messi said after ar- advance from the group stage. Scotland are aiming to qualify for and AC Milan, who are appear- Those two competitions are far money based on their UEFA co- Perhaps that will change riving in the French capital. the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They are due to face Denmark away in the first of their three qualifiers on Sept 1, followed by a home game against Moldova three days later and a trip to Austria on Sept. 7. SPOTLIGHT LEAGUE CUP Atletico sign Brazilian striker Cunha Atletico Madrid have signed Matheus Cunha from Hertha Berlin, FIFA calls for Vieira’s wait for fi rst win goes the LaLiga champions said yesterday, with the Brazilian forward signing a five-year contract. Spanish media reported that Atletico had agreed to pay around 30mn euros ($35.23mn) for the 22-year- ‘solidarity’ in player on as Palace suff er exit old, who scored seven Bundesliga goals in 25 starts last season. Cunha was part of the Brazil team that won the gold medal at the AFP Tokyo Olympics. The forward is the second major transfer Atletico release Covid spat London, England have made this summer after signing midfielder Rodrigo de Paul from Udinese for a reported 35mn euros. AFP tions during Euro 2020 in June Paris, France and July. atrick Vieira’s win- Brazil to permit 12,000 fans to watch “I have written to Prime Min- less start as Crys- ister Boris Johnson and appealed tal Palace manager qualifi er against Argentina IFA president Gianni In- for the necessary support, in extended to three fantino said yesterday particular, so players are not Pgames as the Eagles suff ered Brazil will allow 12,000 fans to attend next month’s World Cup quali- he wanted the Premier deprived of the opportunity of a 1-0 defeat at Watford in the fier between Brazil and Argentina, the first step towards what it hopes League and La Liga as representing their countries in League Cup second round on will be a return to full stadiums, the Brazilian Football Confederation wellF as national federations to qualifying matches for the FIFA Tuesday. (CBF) said. “The game will be the first and important test for the “show solidarity” in light of the World Cup,” he said. Vieira replaced the popular presence of fans at big sporting events in Sao Paulo state,” the CBF player release dispute for the up- “I have suggested that an ap- Roy Hodgson as Palace boss said. The game is scheduled to take place at Corinthians Neo Quimica coming World Cup qualifi ers. proach similar to that adopted in the close-season, but the Arena on Sept 5. The ground has a capacity of 48,234. The Brazil- On Tuesday, the English top- by the UK government for the former Arsenal and France Argentina qualifier for Qatar 2022 is one of three that each South fl ight said it would stop individ- fi nal stages of the Euro 2020 be star has endured a miserable American team will play between Sept 2 and Sept 9. uals from featuring for countries implemented for the upcoming beginning with the south Lon- Ham on Saturday before fac- war El Ghazi netting twice and on the UK government’s red list, international matches. don club. ing Tottenham and Liverpool Frederic Guilbert also scoring Rangers boss Gerrard self-isolating meaning a quarantine on return, “Now, I am urging everyone Palace were beaten 3-0 at in their fi rst two games after for Villa. for September’s matches. to ensure the release of interna- Chelsea in their Premier League the international break. Brentford, who reached the aft er Covid outbreak in squad: report Liverpool’s Egypt forward tional players for the upcoming opener before being held to a Elsewhere in Tuesday’s semi-fi nals last year, survived Mohamed Salah and Manchester FIFA World Cup qualifi ers.” dour 0-0 draw by promoted League Cup action, Andros a scare as they beat fourth tier Rangers manager is self-isolating following a City’s Brazil forward Gabriel Je- Also on Tuesday, the English Brentford on Saturday. Townsend fi red Everton into the Forest Green 3-1. Covid-19 outbreak at the club and will miss his side’s Europa sus are likely to miss out. Football League, who control Hoping for the fi rst win and third round as they overcame Jack Aitchison gave For- League play-off tie against Alashkert today, Sky Sports reported. Spain’s La Liga said it would the second to the fourth tier of fi rst goal of his reign, Vieira the red card shown to Moise est Green a shock lead, but Gerrard’s assistant, Gary McAllister, is expected to fill in for the back its clubs in stopping players the sport, also said it would stop selected a strong team for Kean to beat Huddersfi eld 2-1 at second-half goals from Yoane former England captain. Skipper , , Scott from leaving during the windows players from representing their their trip to Vicarage Road in the John Smith’s Stadium. Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Wright, Calvin Bassey and goalkeepers Allan McGregor and Jon in September and October. countries. the League Cup. Alex Iwobi’s goal for Ever- Marcus Forss put Brentford in McLaughlin are the others who have not travelled to Armenia for “I am calling on a show of soli- “Discussions had taken place But despite the presence of ton was cancelled out by Tom the third round. the second leg. Rangers won the first leg 1-0. Rangers have six darity from every member asso- between the Government, FA Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Lees before Kean was giving Norwich, beaten in their points from their three games so far. ciation, every league, and every and FIFA in an eff ort to find a Zaha, Palace once again drew his marching orders. fi rst two Premier League club, to do what is both right and solution, but due to ongoing a blank as an 86th minute goal Kean was dismissed af- games, hammered Champion- Racially-abused Furuhashi ‘good to fair for the global game,” he said public health concerns relating from Ashley Fletcher con- ter an off -the-ball incident ship side Bournemouth 6-0 at in a statement. to incoming travellers from red- demned Vieira to his second with Sorba Thomas, but Carrow Road. go’ for Celtic in Europa League clash “Many of the best players in list countries, no exemption has defeat. Townsend’s fi rst Everton goal Brighton boss Graham Pot- the world compete in leagues in been granted,” the EFL said. With a penalty shoot-out made sure there was no upset ter made 11 changes but his Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou does not know if Japanese England and Spain, and we be- “Given there would be a re- just four minutes away, Cu- by the Championship side. team still advanced with a 2-0 international Kyogo Furuhashi has been aff ected by the racist abuse lieve these countries also share quirement to quarantine for 10 cho Hernandez’s cross reached Cameron Archer scored a win at second tier Cardiff . he received but he is “good to go” for today’s Europa League play-off the responsibility to preserve and clear days upon return from a Fletcher to tap in at the far post. hat-trick on his fi rst start for Jakub Moder and Andi Ze- second leg meeting with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. Furuhashi was tar- protect the sporting integrity of red-list country, the potential It won’t get any easier for Aston Villa as Dean Smith’s qiri both scored their fi rst geted in a song by fans from Celtic’s bitter rivals Rangers which came competitions around the world,” impact on players are numerous Vieira, who was sacked by much-changed side thrashed goals for the Seagulls. to light last Sunday. “Has he been aff ected? Unless you walk a mile in he added. with considerations relating to French club Nice in 2020, in Barrow 6-0. Jack Harrison fi red a late another person’s shoes, how do you really know?” said Postecoglou. Infantino said he had contact- health and well-being along with his search for his fi rst victory Archer, a 19-year-old youth double and Kalvin Phillips was “But he’s a positive character. He’s really enjoying his time here, not ed British authorities after Eng- unknown risks relating to Cov- with Palace. academy graduate, was one of also on target as Leeds beat just the football but living in a new country and the experience.” land loosened Covid-19 regula- id-19 transmission,” it added. Vieira’s team travel to West 10 changes by Smith, with An- Crewe 3-0 at .