FOOTBALL | Page 3 ATHLETICS | Page 6 Qatar to take Bolt, Van on India today Niekerk set in U-23 Asian to shine in qualifi er Monaco

Friday, July 21, 2017 CRICKET Shawwal 27, 1438 AH Westley set for GULF TIMES England debut in 3rd Test against SA SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT Spieth, Kuchar set pace as big guns fi re at British Open Winner of both the Masters and US Open in 2015, Spieth had failed to break GOLF par in his last five opening rounds at a major before coming to Royal Birkdale Els rolls back years AFP Southport, United Kingdom with strong start att Kuchar had a stunning shot at the last, but the South Afri- front-nine to thank as he can, now 47, is only three shots shy of shot a fi ve-under-par 65 the clubhouse lead. to claim a share of the lead That means he could have a say Min the fi rst round of the British Open at heading into the weekend, although Royal Birkdale yesterday. he is braced for a challenging day The giant 39-year-old American had weather-wise on Friday. fi ve birdies in his fi rst nine holes as he “You can’t take stock now. It’s so went out in just 29. far away. Today, if you shoot 70 or There were no more birdies on the better today, that was a good opening way back but he didn’t drop a shot all round because of the weather chang- day and that allowed him to join Jordan ing,” said Els. Spieth and US Open champion Brooks “Tomorrow (Friday), 74 might be Koepka in an all-American top of the great. So you’ve just got to look at leaderboard. Behind them, England’s where you are in the fi eld, but I feel Paul Casey — who came third in St An- that I’m competitive. drews in 2010 — had fi ve birdies and “This morning, I didn’t even want one bogey in a 66 to sit at four-under. to look out of the window. It sounded His fellow countrymen Ian Poulter horrifi c. If it’s like that tomorrow, and Richard Bland are three under par obviously it’s going to be tough.” along with Justin Thomas and the Ca- ‘The Big Easy’ is a two-time Open nadian Austin Connelly. champion, winning at Muirfi eld in Among those lurking at two-under 2002 and again at Royal Lytham, just are Japan’s world number two Hideki up the coast from Birkdale, in 2012. Matsuyama, Sweden’s Alex Noren, the Since then he has gone into de- world number nine, and twice former cline, not helped by injuries, but old- winner Ernie Els of South Africa. USA’s Jordan Spieth chips onto the 10th green during the first round of the British Open at Royal Birkdale yesterday. er players have often done very well Spieth, the world number three, in the Open of late — Henrik Stenson avoided the grim early-morning English coast this week. get inside 10 feet, that would be pretty to Padraig Harrington in 2008 in what was 40 when he won last year — so weather at Royal Birkdale yesterday as He is now hoping to have set himself good. And luckily enough it went in.” remains his best performance at a ma- there is hope for him yet. he went out with reigning champion up to survive what are expected to be A victory for either man this week jor. Justin Thomas, an emerging Amer- “The body this year was diffi cult, Henrik Stenson and promptly fi red a gruelling wet and windy conditions on would end the recent run of seven con- ican star and the current world number AFP you know, lower back and some is- fl awless round featuring fi ve birdies Friday, although plenty other leading secutive majors going to fi rst-time ma- 13, also shot 67, his round including Southport, United Kingdom sues, but when I feel healthy, I feel and not a single dropped shot. players will be thinking likewise. jor winners. But plenty potential new three birdies and an eagle at the 17th, that I can swing the club and come “I couldn’t have done much better Koepka, fresh from a month off after champions are putting pressure on the which is one of just two par-5s on the into links courses and feel like I can today,” admitted the Texan, even if he winning his fi rst major at the recent US leading duo. Birkdale set-up. rnie Els fi red a warning that compete. agonisingly failed to convert a putt for Open, was one-under at the turn before Royal Birkdale again brought the best Thomas looked the part in an outfi t he can still make his pres- “I haven’t played very well since birdie at 18. a rollercoaster ride on the way home. out in Ian Poulter as the Englishman featuring a shirt, tie and cardigan, and ence felt at a major as he shot Lytham. That’s just the bottom line. “Everything was strong. I thought That saw the 27-year-old birdie fi red a three-under-par 67. said: “Obviously I knew it was going a two-under-par 68 in the “I enjoy this course. It plays a little I’d give it a nine across the board for three holes in a row from the 11th, bo- It was a fi ne return to the big stage for to get a lot of publicity out there. But I openingE round of the British Open at bit like Lytham. There’s a lot of iron everything — tee balls, ball-striking, gey 16 and then eagle the par-fi ve 17th Poulter, who had not appeared at a ma- didn’t come here to dress well. I came Royal Birkdale yesterday. shots that you have to play. You have short game and putting. So things are in sensational fashion as he holed out jor since the Masters last year and had here to try to play some good golf. And I Els started his day with a birdie at to keep it between the bunkers, very in check. It’s just about keeping it con- from a bunker. “I played really solid. to settle for a role as a television com- guess that just happened.” the par-four 1st — where there have much like Lytham. sistent.” And unfortunately one bogey on 16, just mentator at the Open 12 months ago England’s Richard Bland — appear- been some ugly scores in the open- “And I feel you get fairer bounces Winner of both the Masters and US a bad putt,” Koepka said. while sidelined through injury. ing at his fi rst Open since Birkdale in ing round — and he built on that with around here. So you can be a little Open in 2015, Spieth had failed to break “But 17 was actually a terrible lie in He came through qualifying at his 1998 — also shot 67 after ending his three more over the afternoon. bit aggressive here and there. And par in his last fi ve opening rounds at a the bunker. It was in one of the those home course Woburn to make it to round in stunning fashion with three There were also two bogeys, in- it’s kind of soft, which Lytham was, major before coming to the north-west rake marks. And my caddie told me to Birkdale, where he fi nished runner-up consecutive birdies. cluding a disappointing dropped also.”

CRICKET Kaur’s stunning 171 puts India in W Cup fi nal AFP of-the match. In a match reduced to 42 SCORECARD Derby, United Kingdom overs after heavy rain delayed the start until 13:45pm (1245 GMT), India looked India A. Healy c Pandey b Goswami ...... 5 likely to score under 200 until Kaur cut S. Mandhana c Villani b Schutt ...... 6 A. Gardner c Raj b Yadav 1 ndia stunned defending champions loose. India, calling on their knowledge P. Raut c Mooney b Gardner ...... 14 J. Jonassen run out (Goswami) ...... 1 Australia by 36 runs to secure a spot of the pitch, having won all four group M. Raj b Beams ...... 36 M. Schutt c Goswami b Sharma ...... 2 in the Women’s World Cup fi nal after stage matches they contested at Derby, H. Kaur not out ...... 171 K. Beams not out ...... 11 an undefeated 171 by Harmanpreet decided to bat fi rst after winning the D. Sharma b Villani ...... 25 Extras (w6, lb1) ...... 7 IKaur provided the platform for victory toss. However they were left in a peril- V. Krishnamurthy not out ...... 16 Total (all out, 40.1 overs) 245 yesterday. ous position when opener Smrti Mand- Extras (w9, nb1, lb3) ...... 13 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Mooney) 2-9 (Lanning) With their fi rst win over six-time hana (six) departed in the fi rst over and Total (4 wickets, 42 overs) ...... 281 3-21 (Bolton) 4-126 (Villani) 5-140 (Perry) 6-148 champions Australia in World Cup Punam Raut (14) joined her in the pavil- Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Mandhana), 2-35 (Raut), (Healy) 7-152 (Gardner) 8-154 (Jonassen) 9-169 knockout cricket, India will now play ion not long after. 3-101 (Raj), 4-238 (Sharma) (Schutt) 10-245 (Blackwell) tournament hosts England in the sold- Kaur took on the role of aggressor as Bowling: Schutt 9-0-64-1 (3w); Perry 9-1-40-0 Bowling: Goswami 8-0-35-2; Pandey 6-1-17-2; out Lord’s fi nal on Sunday. she and Raj made steady progress, be- (2w); Jonassen 7-0-63-0 (1w); Gardner 8-0-43-1; Sharma 7.1-0-59-3 (5w); Gayakwad 9-0-62-1; Australia, set 282 to win and what fore leg-spinner Kristen Beams bowled Beams 8-0-49-1 (1nb); Villani 1-0-19-1 (3w) Yadav 9-0-60-1 (1w); Krishnamurthy 1-0-11-0 would have been a record World Cup Raj for 36 having been dropped the pre- Toss: India chase if successful, got off to a terrible vious delivery. Australia Result: India won by 36 runs start as they lost three wickets inside the Kaur continued to attack in a merci- B. Mooney b Pandey ...... 1 Final: England v India, Lord’s, Sunday opening eight overs. less display of hitting, requiring 26 balls N. Bolton c&b Sharma ...... 14 Umpires: Shaun George (RSA), Ahsan Raza Despite some impressive hitting from to move from her half-century to triple M. Lanning b Goswami ...... 0 (PAK) Elyse Villani, who recorded her best ODI fi gures, when she was almost run out E. Perry c Verma b Gayakwad ...... 38 TV umpire: Adrian Holdstock (RSA) score of 75, and a late blast of 90 by Alex scampering a two to reach the landmark. E. Villani c Mandhana b Gayakwad ...... 75 Match referee: David Jukes (ENG) Blackwell, they were never able to keep India’s Harmanpreet Kaur belts the Aussie bowling in Derby yesterday. That scare and the wicket of Sharma did A. Blackwell b Sharma ...... 90 up with the required run rate and were little to deter her, using only 18 balls to dismissed for 245 with 11 balls to spare. India, who reached their only previous However, Kaur, 28, revitalised the in- then bring up her 150, as India smashed ning’s stumps, for the Australian cap- Villani kept Australia within touching Earlier, Kaur’s unbeaten 171 — her fi nal in 2005, had experienced a disap- nings with a rapid fourth-wicket part- the fi nal six overs for 79 runs. India then tain’s fi rst duck since August 2014. distance of the chase with a command- third ODI century, which came off just pointing start of their own as they sunk nership of 137 with all-rounder Deepti had a dream start with the ball as Shikah When in-form Nicole Bolton was ing 75 off 58 balls but her departure, 115 balls and included 20 fours and seven to 101-3, including the dismissal of in- Sharma. Kaur, who scored her fi rst hun- Pandey bowled Beth Mooney (one) and caught and bowled for 14 by Sharma, dragging Rajeshwari Gayakwad to Man- sixes — underpinned India’s 281 for four. spirational captain Mithali Raj for 36. dred outside of India, was named player- Jhulan Goswami dislodged Meg Lan- Australia were left teetering on 21-3. hana, ended those hopes. Gulf Times 2 Friday, July 21, 2017 SPORT

CRICKET Never easy which saw them win 2-1, set- playing Sri ting in motion a Test match Lanka in their winning spree that saw them clinch victories against New backyard, Zealand, England, Bangladesh says Kohli and Australia. Kohli said the Galle Test which Westley set for AFP, Colombo India lost by 63 runs proved to be the turning point in the op-ranked India will team’s fortunes. not take Sri Lanka “After losing that Test in Galle, lightly despite the it was quite a dent mentally,” Thome team’s recent Kohli told reporters. “But how indiff erent form as well as the team came together (after controversies over fitness and that) was iconic. England debut in ethics, captain Virat Kohli said “I still believe and everyone in yesterday. the team believes and knows Sri Lanka, languishing at that this (Sri Lanka) is where it the seventh position in Test all started for us.” rankings, survived a scare this Sri Lanka’s Upul Tharanga, who week to win a one-off Test is the skipper for the shorter against Zimbabwe but not versions of the game, said before going down to the min- he was hopeful the team will 3rd Test vs S Africa nows in the preceding one-day pull through despite recent series. setbacks. They have also been criticised Tharanga is also standing in for Gary Ballance, England’s number three in their crushing 346-run defeat in the in recent days by the country’s Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal sports minister for being over- who is down with an attack of second Test at Trent Bridge last week, has been ruled out with a broken finger weight and unfit. flu, off icials said. And on Wednesday, the team “We are training hard... this is found itself in a fresh contro- an opportunity for us to play versy after the minister said against the world’s number he supported an investigation one team and show where into the country’s controversial we stand in Test cricket,” Tha- 2011 World Cup loss against ranga said. India, amid fresh allegations of The first Test begins on match fixing. Wednesday at Galle. Kohli, the firebrand Indian skipper, nevertheless said he respected the opposition and would not take them for granted. “It is never easy playing Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka,” Kohli said after the team arrived in Colombo for their first full se- ries against their South Asian neighbour in eight years. The sides will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and one T20 in what is their first se- ries involving all three formats of the game since 2009. India have fond memories from their last visit in 2015

GOLF Poulter savours return to Birkdale

AFP for the fi rst two days, which was Southport, United Kingdom, diffi cult. I think that’s one of the most diffi cult things I’ve done,” he said. an Poulter already had fond “The other diffi cult thing I’ve memories of Royal Birkdale done is obviously not playing Ry- before he marked his return der Cup and being a vice-captain. Ito major championship golf The experience was amazing, but with a three-under-par 67 that it was very, very hard. put him in contention in the fi rst “As someone that’s played quite round of the British Open yester- a few majors, I chose not to watch day. a lot of the golf because it was too Poulter’s best performance at a disappointing to watch TV. major remains his second-place “I’ve defi nitely had some low fi nish behind Padraig Harrington spots in the last 18 months. And on the Southport links in 2008 and certainly 12 months, I was getting there was no doubt that helped very down. him as he took the early clubhouse “So I’m proud of the way I’ve lead before dropping back a little been able to refocus, get things as the day wore on. back on the straight and narrow, Set for debut: Tom Westley. “What was helpful was the clear away some of the noise in wind today was like it was on the background, and get back to Sunday last time it was played in really focusing hard on what I AFP he will bat at number three in the 100th Toby Roland-Jones, also uncapped, will Signifi cantly, he also made 106 not 2008,” said Poulter who had three need to do to get the level of golf London Test at the Oval,” said an ECB statement vie for a place among England’s pace at- out against a strong South Africa attack birdies and a bogey as he went out back that I think I can play,” added issued as the selectors took the unusual tack with Mark Wood. for the second-string England Lions at in 32 and then also birdied the long Poulter. setp of confi rming the newcomer’s place Durham quick Wood has struggled for Worcester last month. 17th. He has climbed back up to 78th ssex batsman Tom Westley is in in the side long in advance of the match. form this series but has been passed fi t Malan, who made a match-winning Poulter, now 41, had missed fi ve in the world rankings after a year line to make his England debut “Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan is following a heel problem. debut in England’s deciding Twenty20 consecutive majors before com- that has included a second-place at number three in next week’s also included in the squad for the fi rst Yorkshire left-hander Ballance would, victory against South Africa in Cardiff ing through qualifying at his home fi nish at the Players Champion- Ethird Test against South Af- time and could feature if England de- however, have been under pressure to last month, with 78 off 44 balls in Car- course Woburn to secure his place ship. rica at The Oval, the England and Wales cide on selecting an extra batsman when retain his position even if fully fi t. He diff , has been a consistent performer in this week. His recent improvement also Cricket Board announced yesterday. they confi rm their starting line-up next has averaged a meagre 21.25 in four in- red-ball cricket with Middlesex. Twelve months ago he was ab- saw him share the lead going He could be joined in the side by an- week. nings so far this series, with a top score He averages 42.50 in the County sent from the line-up at Troon into the fi nal round at last week’s other newcomer to Test cricket in Mid- “England will report to the Kia Oval of 34, in what is the Zimbabwe-born Championship so far this season, with a due to an injury that also denied Scottish Open before eventually dlesex batsman Dawid Malan, also in- on Tuesday, where they will train in the batsman’s third crack at Test cricket. top score of 115. him the opportunity to play in the fading to ninth. cluded in a 13-man squad for what will afternoon.” England were bowled out for just 133 Ryder Cup. “I was in position last week, be the 100th Test at The Oval, which England born but South Africa raised on the fourth day at Trent Bridge, with England squad He ended up working as a com- didn’t fi nish it off , and I’ve come starts on Thursday, July 27. Malan looks as if he will go head-to- Ballance dismissed for four. Alastair Cook (Essex), Keaton Jennings mentator for television at the out strong again this week. So Gary Ballance, England’s number head with spin-bowling all-rounder Their top-order batting has long been (Durham), Tom Westley (Essex), Joe Open and was a vice-captain hopefully we can continue that three in their crushing 346-run defeat Liam Dawson for a place in the side. a concern, hence the call-ups for both Root (capt), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, for Europe at Hazeltine. But he form over the next three days on in the second Test at Trent Bridge last But struggling opener Keaton Jen- Westley, 28, and Malan, 29. wkt) Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Ben admits those experiences were a golf course that’s a very good week that saw South Africa level the nings is set to retain his place along- Westley has been in good form for Stokes (Durham), Moeen Ali (Worcester- nothing compared to playing. and strong Open Championship four-match series at 1-1, was ruled out side Alastair Cook, with in-form Surrey County Championship leaders Essex so shire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), “Last year I was commentating venue.” on Tuesday with a broken fi nger. batsman Mark Stoneman missing out on far this season, scoring 478 First Divi- Mark Wood (Durham), James Anderson “Essex’s Tom Westley is set to earn a call-up on his home ground. sion runs, including two centuries, at an (Lancashire), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), his fi rst cap, with selectors confi rming Meanwhile Malan’s county colleague average of 53.11. Toby Roland-Jones (Middlesex)

BOTTOMLINE Pietersen slams England top order aft er SA rout

Reuters KP eyes international return – for South Africa London opener at Lord’s but new captain Cook as England’s Test captain, London: Kevin Pietersen said half-century to lead Surrey to a Joe Root was given a rude awak- scored a splendid 190 to set up he has not ruled out resurrect- 10-run win over Essex in front ening in the second test when England’s win. ormer captain Kevin Pie- ing his international career with of almost 24,000 fans at the South Africa won by a mas- While Cook has looked solid tersen has criticised Eng- his native South Africa even Oval in the Twenty20 Blast in sive 340 runs at Nottingham to during the series, the left-hand- land’s top-order batsmen though he’ll be pushing 40 an explosive return to English square the series. ed opening batsman has in the for being too passive and when he requalifies. cricket. “They picked a poor Test- past been criticised for his defen- hasF called for the inclusion of Ja- match team,” Pietersen told Sky sive approach. The 37-year-old batsman will “I’m going to be playing a lot of son Roy and Dawid Malan in next become eligible to play for cricket in South Africa over the Sports after scoring 52 off 35 balls “You cannot have a top three week’s third Test against South the Proteas in 2019 having not next two years, so we’ll see. in his return to domestic cricket that bat as the top three bat or Africa. been selected for England after “I love batting: I will bat for as for Surrey in the NatWest T20 has poor technique, you cannot Opener Keaton Jennings has being sacked in the aftermath long as I love the art of batting. Blast on Wednesday. “I know have that,” said the 37-year-old totalled 44 runs in his four in- of the 2013-14 Ashes defeat in I do at the moment, but I’m an they won at Lord’s but that was Pietersen, who played 104 tests nings in the fi rst two Tests of the Australia. old man now, I’ve just hurt my the brilliance of Joe Root. for England. four-match series, which is tied “You are talking about in two calf, I didn’t field. “There’s individuals that are “You’ve got to change that at 1-1, while number three Gary years’ time. Would I? Who “Who knows where I’ll be in two brilliant, but the collective don’t up, get them striking, get bowl- Ballance has failed to score a fi fty knows? We’ll have to wait and years’ time? If I enjoy batting, fi re as much as they should and ers thinking ‘Goodness, if I don’t in his last 11 innings. see where I am,” said Pietersen we’ll see where I get to. I’m in a there are some holes in that bat- bowl this ball in the right place, England’s Ian Poulter lines up putt on the 9th green during his open- England cruised to a compre- after smashing a thrilling very happy place.” ting order.” I’m going to get whacked’. Malan ing round on the first day of the Open Golf Championship at Royal hensive 211-run win in the series Root, who replaced Alastair and Roy are my choice.” Birkdale golf course near Southport in north west England yesterday. Gulf Times Friday, July 21, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

AFC U-23 CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS SPOTLIGHT Rodgers confi dent of Coach Sanchez asks Champions League improvement

AFP Qatar to step up Glasgow rendan Rodgers says Celtic are in a much 'We didn’t play well against better place to make an impression in the Turkmenistan. The boys BChampions League than last year after watching his side ease past against India need to settle down a bit' Linfi eld into the third qualifying round of the competition. By Sports Reporter The Hoops cruised to a 4-0 Doha victory over the Northern Ire- land champions at Celtic Park thanks to goals from Australian atar showed glimpses of their international Tom Rogic, Stuart talent in their win against Armstrong and a double from Turkmenistan on Wednesday, Scott Sinclair to seal a 6-0 ag- but it was disappointing that gregate win. theQ margin of victory was just 2-0. The Scottish champions will Surely the under-23 team is capable of face a stern test against Rosen- much more than they did against Turk- borg next Wednesday in the fi rst menistan in their Group C opening match leg of their third round tie. But of the AFC U-23 Championship qualifi - Rodgers, who led his side to a tre- ers. Felix Sanchez’s men were impressive ble in an undefeated fi rst season in parts and dominated their opponents in charge, is confi dent his side throughout the match, but lacked the can overcome the Norwegians as ruthlessness in fi nishing. they attempt to emulate last sea- Sanchez was honest in his assessment son’s achievement of qualifying post-match and called for a better per- for the lucrative group stages of formance against India today. “We didn’t the competition. play well against Turkmenistan. The boys “We have watched some of need to settle down a bit. We need to their games already,” the Celtic work better,” said Sanchez. But the Span- manager said of Rosenborg, who ish coach also asked his boys to take one needed extra-time to see off Irish game at a time, rather than think about side Dundalk. “They’re obvious- their last match against Syria, which ly midway through their season could potentially be a battle for the top so they will be at a good level in spot in the table. terms of their fi tness. Norwegian Only group winners will automati- teams are very disciplined and and not want to concede many cally qualify for next year’s main event in very organised but we will look and take the game into the sec- Chian. The fi ve best runners-up across forward to it. We know whoever ond leg and ensure they still have all groups will also qualify for the fi nals. we have to face over the course a chance. For us we play how we However, if hosts China win their group of this qualifi cation campaign is play. We will go and attack the or are among the best fi ve runners-up, not going to be easy. game and see if we can build a the sixth best runner-up will also qualify. “If we want to get to where we lead for the second leg.” But Qatar and Sanchez are aiming to want to get to then we have to go Celtic could fi nd themselves win all their matches rather than leave it into these games and work hard. in trouble with UEFA after sup- to various equations and permutations. I look at tonight and look at the porters group the Green Brigade “We’ll take one game at a time. India are other game and I sit with a dif- unveiled controversial para- a disciplined side and let us put our mind ferent confi dence in the team. military style banners during the on our next game. We don’t want to think I am pretty happy going into game that seemed to reference about Syria now,” Sanchez said. The spotlight once again these games. Tactically we are the troubles in Northern Ireland. “This was our fi rst match and fi rst will be on Akram Afif (right), very good. Physically we are still The fi rst leg in Belfast was matches are usually very diffi cult, but after the star forward scored building up, but if you look at the marred by unpleasant scenes we played very well. I think we created Qatar’s both goals against whole shape of the team and how with the Linfi eld fans, who are chances and we were very eff ective. I Turkmenistan. they are working, how they are drawn from Northern Ireland’s think our players tried hard and made playing and how they are run- Protestant community, giving a plenty of opportunities. Hopefully, we ning then we are 100 per cent in a hostile reception to Celtic, who can do better in the next matches and diff erent place from this time last are historically seen as a Catho- score more goals,” he added. season.” lic side and the banners seemed The spotlight once again will be on inspiration from the praise bestowed on great future ahead,’’ he had certifi ed. lack of experience cost them the match. Rodgers says his side will look to antagonise the 1500 travelling Akram Afi f, after the star forward scored them by Syrian coach Hussain Afash. India’s coach Stephen Constantine “Some of the boys might have had a good to take the initiative in the fi rst support. Qatar’s both goals against Turkmenistan. Afash lavished huge praise on the said the Qatar team is ‘very quick’ and game but I believe this is a team game leg at Celtic Park as they aim to The incident was missed by India, meanwhile, put in a resolute boys in Blue after his team’s victory on his team will have to produce their best where everyone needs to perform and take a lead to Norway. “A lot of Rodgers, who grew up in North- fi rst-half performance against Syria be- Wednesday. “In actual facts, Indians football to beat the hosts. “They look they’ve had a great team eff ort. We’ll take teams come here and sit behind ern Ireland during the height of fore giving it away in the second half to pressed us very hard in the fi rst half and very quick at times. They have an utmost it forward to the next game,’’ he said. the ball,” the Northern Irishman the Troubles. lose the match 0-2. they were playing better football. In the quality I must say. It’ll be a big challenge Before the Qatar-India encounter, said. “I didn’t see that,” Rodgers India’s U-23 boys, most of whom second half, they conceded two goals but for us against them,’’ he stated. which is scheduled for 8pm, Syria will “About 95 per cent of the last said. “Fortunately I am one of would be playing their fourth interna- I must say, they got under our skin and Constantine said his boys played their take on Turkmenistan at 5pm at the Al two games was played in the fi - those guys who just concentrates tional match at this level today, can draw these boys are defi nitely going to have a heart out against Syria but eventually, the Sadd stadium. nal third. Rosenborg will come on the football and on the game.”

FOCUS ROUND-UP Bonucci’s Milan Hernandez agrees to join West Ham move marks end of West Ham United confi rmed yesterday tano after quitting their creaking and that they’ve reached an agreement with much smaller home since 1966, the Vice- Bayer Leverkusen to sign former nte Calderon. Villarreal are fi nishing off Juve’s famed ‘BBC’ Manchester United striker Javier the refurbishment of their main stand. Hernandez. The Premier League side Reuters have been chasing the 29-year-old REAL’S DANILO SET Milan throughout the summer, and they’ve now FOR MAN CITY MOVE agreed a fee of around £16mn ($20.8mn, Manchester City are close to signing Real 17.9mn euros) with the Bundesliga club Madrid full-back Danilo, according to ne of European foot- to bring Mexico’s record goalscorer to widespread media reports. Pep Guardiola ball’s most formida- London Stadium. The former Manches- made full-backs his top transfer priority ble and long-standing ter United frontman — widely known in the close season having released Pablo defences was offi - by the nickname Chicharito — will fl y to Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, ciallyO broken up yesterday when London in the coming days for a medical and Brazilian international Danilo is on AC Milan confi rmed that they and to discuss personal terms ahead of the verge of joining Kyle Walker as City’s had completed the signing of his anticipated return to English football. latest recruit in that position. Leonardo Bonucci from Juven- Hernandez spent four seasons with The deal for the 26-year-old is ex- tus. Bonucci had formed part of United, where he scored 59 goals in 156 pected to cost the Premier League side the so-called BBC defence at Ju- appearances, before going on loan to around £26mn, and with Walker signed ventus along with Andrea Barza- Real Madrid in the 2014/15 campaign. in a transfer which could rise to £54mn, glio and Giorgio Chiellini. The two-time Premier League win- that would take City’s spending on full- They had been together since ner left Old Traff ord in August 2015 for backs alone past the £80mn mark. 2010 and helped their club win Germany, where he’s been even more Danilo, who joined European cham- the last six Serie A titles. Juven- prolifi c, netting 39 times in 76 matches pions Real in 2015 from Porto, started tus had also reached two Cham- for Leverkusen. The Hammers look set just 17 Spanish league games last season pions League fi nals in the last to make it three major signings in a week with Dani Carvajal often preferred in the three seasons, losing both to Bar- after bringing in goalkeeper Joe Hart on right-back role. Chelsea are also believed celona and Real Madrid respec- loan, while forward Marko Arnautovic leg at Celtic Park on Wednesday. Celtic herme was granted Russian citizenship to be keen on securing the Brazilian’s sig- tively. Italy international Bonuc- following their sale in April to a is due to complete his move from Stoke supporters unfurled an alleged “illicit in 2015 and was named in the country’s nature, but City — who are also chasing ci, capped 70 times, made 319 Chinese-led consortium in a 740 City once he passes a medical. banner” while the Glasgow club are also squad for last month’s Confederations Monaco full-back Benjamin Mendy — appearances for the Turin club. million-euro deal. being charged for “kit infringement” and Cup. Russia received praise from world remain favourites to complete a deal. He joined Milan last week for a They have also signed Portu- CELTIC’S GRIFFITHS BANNED “blocked stairways”. football governing body FIFA over its fee of 42mn euros — the high- guese striker Andre Silva, Turk- FOR FAN PROVOCATION trouble-free hosting last month of the BRIGHTON MAKE NORMANN est so far in this Serie A transfer ish midfi elder and free-kick spe- Celtic striker Leigh Griffi ths has been SPARTAK MOSCOW, DYNAMO eight-nation Confederations Cup, a two- FOURTH SUMMER SIGNING window — subject to a medical. cialist Hakan Calhanoglu, Swiss banned by UEFA for his side’s Champi- MOSCOW FINED FOR FAN RACISM week tournament. Brighton & Hove Albion have brought in As the club fi nalised the move leftback Ricardo Rodriguez and ons League third round fi rst-leg quali- Russian Premier League champions However, the country still faces a Norwegian midfi elder Mathias Nor- yesterday, Milan coach Vincenzo Argentine midfi elder Lucas fi er against Rosenborg next week. The Spartak Moscow and rivals Dynamo challenge in convincing the football mann for an undisclosed fee, the Premier Montella described Bonucci as Biglia. Their total spending is al- Scotland international was issued with Moscow have each been fi ned 250,000 community that it has eradicated racism League club confi rmed. the best central defender in the ready at 189.5mn euros according a one-match European ban yesterday roubles ($4,250) over fans’ racist behav- and violence fully from the stands, as The 21-year-old has signed a three- world alongside Spain’s Sergio to the specialist website Trans- for “provoking spectators” at the end of iour, the Russian Football Union (RFU) incidents have continued at club level. year deal at the south coast club and Ramos. “For me, it’s a dream to fermarkt, compared to 22mn eu- Celtic’s 2-0 second round fi rst-leg win said. In a statement, the RFU said both leaves Norwegian second division side be able to coach him,” he said on ros in sales. over Linfi eld last Friday. clubs could face harsher sanctions in the STADIUMS LATE FOR FK Bodo/Glimt after four years. Milan’s website. They have also signed The 26-year-old tied a Celtic scarf to a event of further incidents. Russia has ATLETICO AND VILLARREAL Predominantly a central midfi elder, Bonucci’s decision to leave 20-year-old Ivorian midfi elder post at Belfast’s Windsor Park and UEFA pledged to crack down on racism and fan Atletico Madrid and Villarreal will play Normann has represented his coun- dominant Juventus for a club Franck Kessie, one of Africa’s have upheld their decision to punish the violence as the country faces increased their fi rst two Spanish Liga games away try at various youth levels and is part which has spent the last few sea- most promising players, on loan striker. The 1967 European Cup winners scrutiny before it hosts the World Cup from home to give them more time to of Norway’s current under-21 set-up. sons slumped in midtable medi- from fellow Serie A side Atalan- have been fi ned 4,500 euros ($5,235) for fi nals next summer. fi nish building work on their stadiums, Normann, who made 42 appearances and ocrity surprised many observers, ta. Milan fi nished sixth in Serie Griffi ths’ actions and also for picking up Russian media said Spartak fans had the Spanish league said. La Liga offi cials struck three goals for FK Bodo/Glimt, is who believed that he could have A last season, just high enough fi ve bookings in the match. directed a racist chant at Lokomotiv said that minor stadium delivery glitches Brighton’s fourth summer signing, fol- chosen a top English or Span- to qualify for the Europa League The Scottish champions also face three Moscow’s Brazilian-born goalkeeper were the cause. lowing the arrivals of goalkeeper Mathew ish side instead. Milan, however, and end a three-season absence separate charges by UEFA after beating Guilherme during their club’s 2-1 win in Atletico are moving into their brand Ryan, left-back Markus Suttner and have gone on a spending spree from European football. the Northern Irish side 4-0 in the return the Russian Super Cup last week. Guil- new 70,000 capacity Wanda Metropoli- midfi elder Pascal Gross. Gulf Times 4 Friday, July 21, 2017 FOOTBALL

AMBITION PSG need a Neymar to become a top European power: Emery 'If we want to rival Bayern, Barcelona and Real and win the Champions League we need to buy one of the top five players'

AFP 36th minute, but Roma responded with a strong New York second-half performance that saw Sadiq Umar nab the equalizer in the 60th minute. Under the rules of the International Cham- aris Saint Germain need to sign a play- pions Cup friendly tournament the match was er of the calibre of Neymar or Kylian then settled by a shootout. Only Roma’s Gerson Mbappe in their quest to win the Cham- failed to convert, and Marquinhos capped his pions League, according to their coach night with the decisive penalty. PUnai Emery. In an interview published in French Alvez made his debut for PSG, starting at right sports daily L’Equipe yesterday Emery named back a week after he signed with the French club Neymar as a world top-fi ve player, just the class in a deal worth a reported 14mn euros ($16mn). PSG needed to become a top European power. Alves played 69 minutes and was perhaps lucky He was speaking amid reports in Brazil and not to concede a penalty in the 57th, when his Spain that PSG were on the way to clinching a slide tackle caught Diego Perotti in the area. sensational deal to prise Neymar away from Emery was satisfi ed with what he saw from Barcelona. “If we want to rival Bayern Munich, Alves, who won three Champions Leagues and Barcelona and Real Madrid and win the Cham- six La Liga titles at Barcelona and who many had pions League we need to buy one of the top fi ve expected to end up with former manager Pep players in the world today,” Emery said after Guardiola at Manchester City. “He played with watching his side edge Roma on penalties in a his experience,” Emery said. “He talks a lot on friendly in the United States. the pitch, he also brings a lot in attack.” “Neymar has advanced his game massively The match drew more than 36,000 to Com- and today he is one of the fi ve best in the world,” erica Park, home of Major League Baseball’s De- he said of the 25-year-old Brazilian who has a troit Tigers. buy out clause at Barcelona of over 200mn eu- Paris had seized the lead nine minutes before ros. “Our president is working hard to attract halftime. A neat combination between Thiago top players and our fans would be content to Motta and Jese saw the ball fall to Marquinhos, count on a new top player to go along with the who fi red home a right-footed shot from the talent we already have,” said the Spaniard. center of the area. Earlier this week Neymar attempted to quell The French club continued to push, with Lu- the rising speculation about his future by tell- cas Moura fi ring straight at Roma keeper Alis- ing Goal.com that he was happy at Barcelona son, but the lead remained at 1-0 at halftime. and was looking forward to a new season. But With six changes for Roma and two for PSG, PSG’s quest for top players goes beyond the Bra- both clubs struggled to fi nd a rhythm to open zilian striker and includes the likes of Monaco the second half. teenager Mbappe and Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal’s But Roma gradually increased the pressure Chilean striker. and were rewarded on the hour mark a pass from “(Alexis) Sanchez and Mbappe are huge play- Gerson saw the speedy Sadiq put in behind and ers and what’s more Mbappe is French — I want the 20-year-old Nigerian put the ball through Frenchmen in this French club,” he said. The Alphonse Areola’s legs. Blaise Matuidi had three Parisian club are keen to strengthen their squad late chances for PSG, including blazing over after the club failed to live up to expectations from close range in the 85th minute and an in- last season. jury-time eff ort. In the Champions League round of 16 they AS Roma's Maxime Gonalons (left) is brought down by Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Motta during a friendly match at Comerica Park in In the shoot-out, the fi rst fi ve penalties were suff ered a humiliating 6-1 defeat at Barcelona, Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday. PSG edged Roma 5-3 on penalties after they played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time. (AFP) converted before Gerson, the third penalty- blowing a 4-0 fi rst-leg advantage that left the taker for Roma, missed. “The team did a good club stunned. They also gave up the French Henrique. free agent deal with no transfer fee. Emery said On Wednesday, PSG edged Roma 5-3 on pen- job,” Emery said. “The result was not the most league title to rivals Monaco forcing the club The new director produced an early coup Henrique’s task was to bring in a major attack- alties after they played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly important thing. Of course, we wanted to win, president Nasser al-Khelaifi to sack the sports by signing Brazilian defender Dani Alves, who ing player and keep unsettled stars Marquinhos, in Detroit, Michigan. Brazilian defender Mar- but what is important is to give playing time to director Patrick Kluivert and bring in Antero had been tipped to join Manchester City, on a and Marco Verratti. quinhos gave the Ligue 1 giants the lead in the many players.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Man City among clubs US battle into Gold Cup semi-fi nals

AFP accused by Monaco of Philadelphia he United States overcame a battling display from El Salvador to advance tapping up Mbappe to a CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-fi nal showdown with Costa Rica here on four clubs are accused by Monaco and that TWednesday. First-half goals from defenders By Jamie Jackson The Guardian City, PSG and Madrid are among those. City Omar Gonzalez and Eric Lichaj secured a hard- were contacted for comment. FIFA confi rmed fought quarter-fi nal win for the hosts, who are it had not received a complaint. Monaco have chasing their fi rst Gold Cup title since 2013. anchester City are one of four sold Bernardo Silva to Manchester City and However Bruce Arena’s side were made to clubs, with Paris Saint-Germain Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea this summer. work all the way by El Salvador, and only some and Real Madrid two others, Mo- Chelsea are not one of the four clubs accused superb saves from Tim Howard kept the Cen- naco are threatening to report to by Monaco. tral American side at bay at Philadelphia’s Lin- MFIFA for allegedly making an unauthorised coln Financial Field. An unconvincing start saw approach to Kylian Mbappe. CITY’S £44.5MN BID FOR the hosts given a let-off early on when Lichaj The move reveals that City are target- MENDY REJECTED BY MONACO under-hit a back pass to Howard. Rodolfo Ze- ing the 18-year-old forward, considered one Meanwhile, City have had a €50mn (£44.5mn) laya latched onto the loose ball and darted clear of Europe’s fi nest young players. Yesterday, bid for the left-back Benjamin Mendy reject- only to be denied by a desperate late block from Monaco issued a statement which said: “AS ed, with Monaco demanding a fee closer to the Howard, who had spotted the danger and ad- Monaco regretfully notice that ‘important’ £50mn plus add-ons paid to Tottenham Hot- vanced swiftly to snuff out the chance. European football clubs made contacts with spur by City for the right-back Kyle Walker. The remainder of the fi rst half was dominated Kylian Mbappé (and his entourage) without It is understood City will return with a by a series of niggly fouls as El Salvador frus- its authorisation. AS Monaco want to remind higher off er. The 23-year-old was due to have trated American eff orts to impose themselves on these clubs that such actions are contrary to a medical on Tuesday but haggling over the the contest. The Americans were unlucky to be United State’s Eric Lichaj (left) and El Salvador’s Denis Pineda vie for the ball during the CONCACAF the article 211 of the administrative regulation fee could not be resolved in time. Mendy is a denied an opening goal midway through the half Gold Cup quarter-final match in Philadelphia on Wednesday. (AFP) of the French Football League (Ligue de Foot- France international and Monaco believe he when Clint Dempsey released Gyasi Zardes who ball Professionnel) and to the article 18.3 of is worth at least as much as the 27-year-old lifted his fi nish above Derby Carrillo, only to be to the guile of Bradley. The veteran striker left Los Ticos advanced to the last four after Pan- the Regulation of the Status and the Transfer Walker, given an infl ated transfer market. fl agged for off side. Replays later showed the Los Henry Romero for dead with a brilliant turn ama defender Anibal Godoy headed agonizingly of the Players of FIFA. If Mendy signs and he is joined by Real Angeles Galaxy forward was onside. and then slipped a pass into the feet of Lichaj, into his own net to give Costa Rica a 1-0 victory “To put an end to this unacceptable situa- Madrid’s Danilo, then Pep Guardiola would As tempers fl ared Lichaj was lucky to escape who controlled to shoot beneath Carrillo for his in Wednesday’s earlier quarter-fi nal. tion, AS Monaco are considering asking the stop targeting full-backs this summer. Danilo a caution when he fl attened Dennis Pineda near maiden international goal. The Central American rivals were deadlocked French Football League and FIFA to bring could also be deployed as a holding midfi elder, the halfway line. Four minutes before halft- The Americans now face 2014 World Cup in the second half when Costa Rica’s David Guz- disciplinary proceedings against the off end- meaning Guardiola would not have to buy an- ime however, the US broke the deadlock when quarter-fi nalists Costa Rica in tomorrow’s man swung a long free kick toward the Panama- ing clubs.” The Guardian has established that other player in that position. Gonzalez leaped to glance in Michael Bradley’s semi-fi nals. The match represents an opportu- nian goal. teasing free-kick to make it 1-0. nity for the US to avenge their humiliating 4-0 Panama’s Godoy leapt to try to head the ball Deep into fi rst half stoppage time, Lichaj loss to Costa Rica during 2018 World Cup quali- away but instead it spun back into the Panama- made it 2-0 with a goal that owed everything fi ers last year. nian net in the 77th minute.

CORRUPTION Court orders Villar held in custody

AFP profi ts from international friendly games and Madrid channelling the funds to Gorka Villar. Investigators were also probing whether na- tional federation funds had been used to bribe Madrid court yesterday ordered Span- regional offi cials to vote for Villar at federation ish football federation president Angel elections for president, according to Spanish Maria Villar and his son Gorka to be media reports. Villar, 67, a UEFA vice president, held in custody without bail follow- has headed the Spanish federation since 1988. ingA his arrest on corruption charges. High Court Under his watch Spain became one of the judge Santiago Pedraz ordered the two men de- Hernandez Baussou, general secretary of the dominant forces in world football, winning two tained because he said there was a signifi cant Tenerife federation. European championships and the 2010 World fl ight risk given their “huge fi nancial means” Police arrested the four men yesterday fol- Cup. But his critics say his period in charge was and they could destroy evidence. lowing raids on federation headquarters and marked by ethical issues and an autocratic man- Pedraz questioned Villar, a senior president of other sites as part of a fraud probe launched last agement style. Following his re-election in May, world football governing body FIFA, and his son year. They face charges including falsifying doc- newspapers denounced his “despotic” manage- Monaco’s teen sensation Kylian Mbappe controls the ball during a friendly match against throughout the day. Also examined were fed- uments, misappropriation of funds, collusion ment and bemoaned his close ties to FIFA and Stoke City FC in Martigny, Switzerland, last week. (AFP) eration vice-president Juan Padron and Ramon and administrative breaches linked to skimming UEFA leaders embroiled in corruption probes. Gulf Times Friday, July 21, 2017 5 SPORT

BASEBALL SPOTLIGHT Warriors’ Durant heads to India to grow Meyer, Angels throw interest in league

Reuters with the basketball-playing New York youth of India will serve as great inspiration to the next generation of players here,” he NBA is extending a said NBA India managing di- 1-hitter against Nats push into India with a rector Yannick Colaco in a visit by Kevin Durant statement yesterday. ‘If you want to stay up here, you need to do a little better. That’s what I took out of it’ of the Golden State Durant won his fi rst NBA TWarriors to support the growth championship with the War- By Pedro Moura of basketball in the country. riors in June, averaging 35.2 Los Angeles Times Durant, named Most Valu- points a game to help his side to able Player in this year’s NBA a 4-1 series win over the Cleve- Finals, will be in New Delhi land Cavaliers and cement his ust when you think the next Thursday to open two new status as one of the league’s Los Angeles Angels are basketball courts, funded by his leading players. out of the American charity foundation, and coach The NBA has established a League wild-card race, the country’s top prospects at major international presence theyJ pull you back in. the NBA Academy India. with games and programming One night after Washington After decades of growing the in 215 countries and territories, tripled their hit total, the Angels sport in China, the NBA’s sec- in 49 languages. Merchandise limited the Nationals to a single ond biggest market after the for the league is sold on six hit in a 7-0 thrashing at Angel United States, the league has continents. Stadium. Starter Alex Meyer turned its attention to India in NBA rosters at the start of carried a perfect game into the the expanding search for talent the 2016-17 season featured a fi fth and a no-hitter into the and fans. record 113 international play- sixth, and two Angels relievers “Having one of the very best ers from 41 countries and ter- completed his eff ort. The club players in our league interact ritories. had not logged a one-hitter in more than two years. The Angels (47-50) are three games out of playoff position. Sixty-fi ve games remain on their schedule, but only nine until the July 31 nonwaiver trade dead- line, complicating the decision- making process awaiting general manager Billy Eppler. If the team streaked in one direction or the other, action would be more obvious. But week after week, they remain in the vicinity of .500. On Wednesday, the fi rst three Nationals to bat stroked line drives. All were caught, in- cluding Daniel Murphy’s shot to right, corralled in midair by newly promoted Shane Robin- son. According to MLB’s propri- etary Statcast information trove, similarly struck balls are hits 93 percent of the time. The Angels promoted Meyer from triple A for the game, but in his dozen previous major league starts this season, he has strug- Los Angeles Angels pitcher Alex Meyer delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during their MLB game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. gled in the fi rst inning. He had PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports walked 11 and allowed eight runs in the 12 games. Predictably, in Oddly enough, the Nation- with a perfect inning apiece. ton. The 2013 free-agent dis- bin on the disabled list with a Wednesday’s second inning, he als selected Rendon, Meyer and Nationals left-hander Gio aster had experienced a career right knee sprain suff ered Tues- Chalmers back with Grizzlies started to induce soft contact. Goodwin in the fi rst round of Gonzalez was wild to begin the renaissance, but he is struggling day. To make room for Meyer, aft er season on sidelines The next fi ve Nationals failed the 2011 draft and introduced game. Yunel Escobar and Albert in his fi rst season as a National. they optioned reliever Eduardo to hit the ball out of the infi eld. all three together in a Nationals Pujols singled around a Mike On Wednesday, Ben Revere sin- Paredes to Salt Lake. ... Right- The Memphis Grizzlies inked Mario Chalmers to a contract on No Washington representatives Park news conference. All three Trout walk, which netted one gled against him, stole second, hander Garrett Richards has Wednesday, a day after the guard indicated he was headed back reached base until there were remain friends; Rendon just slept run. C.J. Cron swung at a slider and took third because of Matt stretched his throwing out to to his old NBA team. two outs in the fi fth, when Meyer through breakfast, Meyer said. in the dirt to provide Gonzalez Wieters’ errant throw. Escobar 90 feet. He remains hopeful of The Grizzlies did not reveal terms of the deal, but multiple media issued a four-pitch walk to An- After two trades, Meyer is here. his fi rst out of the inning, 20 soon singled Revere in. pitching this season. reports said Chalmers agreed to a one-year contract. thony Rendon. He put together the best start of pitches in. Up next, Trout took the count Chalmers used Instagram on Tuesday to post a picture of himself It was the fi rst time in 15 his career Wednesday night. The After an Andrelton Simmons to 2-2. He then received a plum RESULTS in a Grizzlies uniform with a caption that read “GNG... enough plate appearances that Meyer seven innings he completed were sacrifi ce fl y scored a second run, pitch, a 91-mph fastball over the Rockies 18 Padres 4 said.” stretched the count to three a career high, and he required Gonzalez settled. After a single exact center of the strike zone. Dodgers 9 White Sox 1 “Grit and grind” is the Grizzlies’ motto. balls. He did not do it again un- only 88 pitches to traverse them. in the second and a single in the He kicked his leg and calmly (8 innings) Chalmers, 31, has battled back from a torn right Achilles tendon til the penultimate batter he While walking just one, Meyer third, he set down the Angels in whipped his bat to meet the ball, Angels 7 Nationals 0 he sustained in March 2016 while playing for the Grizzlies. faced, Ryan Zimmerman, in the struck out seven Nationals, order over the next two innings. which soared 132 feet into the air Cubs 8 Braves 2 The Grizzlies released Chalmers after he was injured, and he seventh. In between, with two pumping his two-seam fastball Come the sixth, his control and 407 feet from home plate for Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 1 missed all of the 2016-17 NBA season. outs in the sixth, Brian Good- past unsuspecting hitters. faltered. Pujols walked and Cron a two-run homer. Mets 7 Cardinals 3 Chalmers developed a relationship with Grizzlies coach David win slapped a double down the He has typically relied on clubbed a home run some 461 That capped the club’s scor- Pirates 3 Brewers 2 Fizdale when Chalmers played for the Miami Heat and Fizdale right-fi eld line to spoil Meyer’s his four-seamer this season, feet. He came inches from land- ing. The Angels had not mus- (10 innings) was a Heat assistant. no-hit bid. but planned to utilize the two- ing the baseball inside a massive, tered more than fi ve runs in a Royals 4 Tigers 3 Chalmers won NBA titles with the LeBron James-led Heat in 2012 Longtime friends, Meyer and seamer Wednesday. sponsored paint can. game since June 24. They had not Twins 6 Yankees 1 and 2013. Goodwin met for breakfast ear- “If you want to stay up here, In four seasons, no one has won a game by a margin as sub- Reds 4 Diamondbacks 3 Chalmers averaged 10.8 points, 3.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 (11 innings) lier on Wednesday at the Fill- you need to do a little better,” completed the feat, which would stantive as Wednesday’s since steals in 55 games with the Grizzlies in 2015-16. Mariners 4 Astros 1 ing Station, a local favourite in Meyer said. “That’s what I took earn the Angels’ foundation a $1 June 17. As expected, the Angels Athletics 7 Rays 2 Last season the Grizzlies finished in seventh place in the Western Orange. Meyer said he paid for out of it,” Meyer said. million donation. recalled Robinson from triple-A Giants 5 Indians 4 Conference and were eliminated in the first round of the playoff s the meal. “I’ll have to talk to him David Hernandez and Jose Al- The Angels added more in the Salt Lake before Wednesday’s Orioles 10 Rangers 2 by the San Antonio Spurs. about that,” he joked. varez completed the one-hitter seventh when facing Joe Blan- game and placed Cameron May- Phillies 10 Marlins 3

NBA LeBron loses ‘best teammate’ Jones to Suns

AFP Cavaliers in the greatest comeback in Marbury opts for fi nal season Los Angeles NBA Finals history from 3-1 down to with Beijing Fly Dragons win the best-of-seven series in 2016. The Warriors won a rematch in fi ve Former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury said ormer Cleveland Cavaliers games last month. Wednesday he is headed back to Beijing for reserve James Jones, who James has reportedly been un- one final pro season, but will not be playing alongside LeBron James has satisfi ed with the moves made by for the same Chinese Basketball Association reached the past seven NBA Cleveland to obtain off -season tal- squad. Finals,F was named vice president of ent to better compete with the Kevin Marbury announced in an Instagram posting basketball operations for the Phoenix Durant-powered Warriors, notably that he will play next season for the Beijing Suns on Wednesday. missing out on deals for Jimmy But- Fly Dragons after playing from 2011 through The move was announced by Suns ler and Chris Paul after general man- earlier this year with the Beijing Ducks. owner Robert Sarver, who also re- ager David Griffi n parted ways with “I’m staying in Beijing for my last and final vealed a contract extension, report- the Cavs. season. The other Beijing team,” Marbury edly through the 2019-20 season, for Jones, a former secretary-treasur- wrote on Instagram beside a photo of himself 36-year-old general manager Ryan er for the NBA players union, played and the Fly Dragons logo. McDonough. alongside James for four seasons in “I have to put on for the city no matter the Jones, also 36, was a forward for Miami, resulting in two titles and team. It’s a diff erent mission and vision over the Suns from 2005-2007, helping four fi nals appearances, and the past here in the JING. The fans said stay so I’m the team to the 2006 Western Con- three seasons in Cleveland. He also staying. They said, ‘we will love you no matter ference fi nals. He will report to Mc- played as a backup forward for Indi- where you go’ It’s hard to leave that type of Donough and with him oversee all ana, Portland and Phoenix in his 14 love.” The 40-year-old point guard began his basketball-related matters, includ- NBA campaigns. NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves ing trades, free agent deals and the “We are thrilled to add James in 1996, taken fourth overall by Milwaukee but NBA Draft. Jones to our staff ,” said McDonough. swapped to the T-Wolves for the rights to the His departure removes another “James has a wealth of experiences player taken after him, Ray Allen. familiar face around James on the that will greatly benefi t our organisa- LeBron James (L) with James Jones “Starbury” was an NBA All-Star for the New Cavaliers roster as James ponders tion. He is a three-time NBA cham- Jersey Nets in 2001 and Phoenix Suns in 2003 the coming season and what his team pion and has been one of the top ex- the Cavaliers last season and has ca- the 2008 NBA title. 1993. before joining his hometown New York Knicks can do to overcome the Golden State ecutives with the National Basketball reer averages of 5.2 points and 1.8 re- The Suns went 24-58 last season, “We have laid the foundation for from 2004-2009. In 2010, Marbury jumped to Warriors, who beat Cleveland in the Players Association over the past few bounds. the NBA’s second-worst record and what we hope will become the next the Chinese Basketball Association, playing NBA Finals for the second time in years.” McDonough came to Phoenix after worst in the Western Conference. championship caliber Suns team,” for Shanxi and Foshan before settling in with three consecutive meetings for the Jones averaged 7.8 points and 10 seasons in basketball operations Phoenix has not been to the NBA McDonough said. “There is still a lot the Ducks and sparking them to CBA crowns title. 2.8 rebounds in 151 games with the with the Boston Celtics, serving as Playoff s since reaching the West- of work to be done to reach our ulti- in 2012, 2014 and 2015 before parting ways James, who has called Jones “the Suns. He played in 48 regular-season assistant general manager for the fi - ern Conference fi nals in 2010. They mate goal of bringing a champion- with the club last April. best teammate I’ve ever had,” led the games and eight playoff contests for nal three and helping the team take haven’t reached the NBA Finals since ship to Phoenix.” Gulf Times 6 Friday, July 21, 2017 SPORT

ATHLETICS/DIAMOND LEAGUE TENNIS Isner and Karlovic advance, Mannarino Bolt, Van Niekerk set out at Newport

AFP Ebden, who defeated sixth- Washington seeded Slovakian Lukas Lacko 6-1, 7-6 (7/2). Also advancing was S top seed John Isner fourth-seeded Frenchman to shine in Monaco and second-seeded Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who defending cham- outlasted Spain’s Adrian ‘This race is mostly about execution and working on my flaws. I try not to worry pion Ivo Karlovic ad- Menendez-Maceiras 7-5, 2-6, Uvanced to the quarter-fi nals of 6-3. His next opponent Amer- too much about time but it’d be good to be under 10 seconds’ the ATP Hall of Fame Cham- ican Bjorn Fratangelo, who pionships with straight-set ousted Australian Akira San- triumphs Wednesday at New- tillan 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-1. port, Rhode Island. South Africa’s Wayde Van Niekerk chatting with Usain Bolt of Jamaica (right) Isner, the 2011 and 2012 win- Konta vs Halep set BBC during a press conference in Kingston on June 8, 2017. Usain Bolt and Wayde ner at the grass-court event, record for women’s van Niekerk, the man tipped to take over from the retiring Jamaican as track fi red 13 aces in defeating Aus- Wimbledon match and fi eld’s next superstar, headline a glittering cast Diamond League meeting tralian qualifi er Sam Groth 6-2, The epic quarter-fi nal be- in Monaco. (AFP) 6-4. The hard-serving Ameri- tween Britain’s Johanna Konta can improved to 3-0 all-time and Romanian Simona Halep against Groth, who dropped drew a record peak audience for prior meetings in Davis Cup a Wimbledon women’s match ties this year and last year, with on BBC television, fi gures re- the 61-minute triumph. leased yesterday showed. Croatia’s Karlovic, 38, de- Some 7.4 million, a million feated American Denis Kudla more than the peak audience 6-4, 6-4 to reach the fi nal for the men’s fi nal, watched eight. Karlovic, seeking his Konta beat the second seed ninth career ATP crown, lost 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 6-4 and be- the 2014 and 2015 Newport come the fi rst British woman fi nals before downing Gilles to reach the last four in nearly Muller 14-12 in a third-set 40 years. Konta, who lost her tie-breaker to win last year’s semi-fi nal to Venus Williams, championship match. also hit the most aces among Isner advanced to a quarter- the women, 35 in total, com- fi nal matchup against fellow pared to American Sam Quer- American Dennis Novikov, a rey’s 139 in the men’s draw. 6-3, 6-2 winner over Cana- The All England Lawn ten- dian Frank Dancevic. Karlovic nis and Croquet Club (AELTC) booked a quarter-fi nal meet- said 166,055 portions of ing with Germany’s Peter strawberries were sold during Gojowczyk, who eliminated the championships, along with Russia’s Konstantin Kravchuk 110,225 traditional English 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. Germany’s To- scones and 2,198 afternoon bias Kamke pulled the biggest tea hampers. The Wimble- upset so far, ousting French don shop sold 46,408 base- third seed Adrian Mannarino ball caps, 30,386 towels, 8,882 7-6 (7/5), 7-5. He will next face umbrellas and 1,334 Panama Australian qualifi er Matthew hats during the two weeks.

FOCUS Russian octet cleared to compete as neutrals

Reuters applications this year and re- Zurich jected 109, including those an- nounced yesterday. It did not name the athletes whose ap- he world athletics plications were declined. body has approved “From the beginning, we eight Russians to com- have declared this process was pete as neutrals but about supporting the hopes It is just the second time the leading 9.82 in Oregon last 200m in London, Van Niekerk after two injury-plagued years. Tdeclined the applications of a and aspirations of all clean AFP Monaco 11-time world champion is run- month. will never get the chance to test Reigning women’s high jump further 53 competitors hoping athletes, including Russian ning in Monaco, after 2011, with “The weather is great here so himself against the Jamaican world champion Maria Lasit- to be awarded a similar status, athletes who have been failed the 100m scheduled for 1935 hopefully on Friday, it will be the sprint king. skene has been head and shoul- the IAAF said yesterday. by their national system,” sain Bolt and Wayde GMT as Bolt looks to dip under same and I can perform at my “He’s been a massive inspira- ders above her rivals this year, Russia’s national athletics IAAF president Sebastian Coe van Niekerk, the man the 10-second barrier for the best,” added Bolt, who will line tion,” admitted the 25-year-old clearing a personal best 2.06m federation (RUSAF) remains said. tipped to take over fi rst time this year. up against South Africa’s Akani Van Niekerk. in Lausanne to signal her in- suspended as a result of wide- The eight athletes accepted from the retiring Ja- “This race is mostly about Simbine and American Christo- “I’ve still got quite a long way tent ahead of her title defence in spread and systematic dop- yesterday included 31-year- Umaican as track and fi eld’s next execution and working on my pher Belcher. to go before I even get close to the London. ing, meaning that the major- old hammer thrower Sergei superstar, headline a glittering fl aws,” Bolt said. “I try not to Van Niekerk, the men’s 400m heights that Usain has reached. She is chasing Bulgarian Ste- ity of the country’s athletes Litvinov, a bronze medallist cast at today’s Diamond League worry too much about time but world record-holder, stormed to “It’s really just for me to keep fka Kostadinova’s long-standing will miss next month’s world at the 2014 European cham- meeting in Monaco. it’d be good to be under 10 sec- victory in Lausanne a fortnight on doing what I’m doing and mark of 2.09m, a world record championships in London. pionships who previously The event off ers one fi nal onds.” ago with the third fastest time hopefully I can reach the heights set at the 1987 world champion- Russian athletes can, how- competed for both Belarus and tune-up ahead of next month’s The Jamaican, who turns 31 of his career, following on from that he has and maybe even try ships in Rome. ever, apply to compete as neu- Germany. world championships in Lon- next month, has been a regular personal bests in the 100m and and come close to the times that Olympic javelin champion trals provided they meet strin- They also included men’s don, from August 4-13, where visitor to the principality off the 200m in June. he’s run.” Thomas Roehler of Germany gent criteria. 2013 European under-23 high eight-time Olympic gold medal- track, having received the IAAF World record-holder Ken- will battle compatriot Johannes IAAF guidelines say that jump champion Ilya Ivaniuk list Bolt will bring down the cur- Athlete of the Year award six ‘Massive inspiration’ dra Harrison and 2012 Olympic Vetter, whose stunning throw of this includes showing they and Alayna Lutkovskaya, the tain on his incredible career. times. The South African’s mark champion Sally Pearson will face 94.44m on July 11 in Luzern was are not directly implicated “in 2014 junior women’s pole The Stade Louis II, the home Bolt has struggled to pro- of 43.62 in Switzerland trailed off in the women’s 100m hur- the second longest in history. any way by their national fed- vault world champion. of French football champions duce his best form this season, only his performance at the 2015 dles. Harrison failed to qualify Triple 1500m world champion eration’s failure to put in place The participation of all ath- Monaco, provides an idyllic running 10.03 in Kingston and world championships and his for last year’s Olympics after a Asbel Kiprop and Rio 3000m adequate systems to protect letes was still subject to for- backdrop on the Mediterranean 10.06 in Ostrava in his only two record-breaking run that earned shock sixth-place fi nish at the steeplechase gold medallist and promote clean athletes”. malities and acceptance by coast for Bolt’s second-to-last outings, well behind rising US Olympic gold in Rio last year. US trials, while Australian Pear- Conseslus Kipruto are also com- The IAAF said in a state- individual meeting organisers, appearance. star Christian Coleman’s world- But with Bolt not running the son is back near the peak of her peting in Monaco. ment that it had approved 47 the IAAF said.

SPOTLIGHT Sonny Bill available for championship opener

AFP ties Manukau and two of their “We just want them to ref the rare cases when they have a Wellington pre-season matches will also what’s in the rule book and if the New Zealand Rugby agreement. count as part of the suspension. rule book’s too complicated we “The big thing is you don’t Hansen said it meant the two- need to fi x that.” want them going if they feel onny Bill Williams will time World Cup winning centre Fekitoa played 10 Tests last they’ve got time and things have served his red-card would be available when New season as Hansen started re- they want to do in that black ban by next month and be Zealand face Australia in Sydney building his midfi eld in the wake jersey, because they’ll have re- eligible for New Zealand’s on August 19. “Yep, he’ll be con- of the international retirements grets when they fi nish playing,” RugbyS Championship opener sidered,” the coach told Radio of stalwarts Ma’a Nonu and Hansen added. against Australia, All Blacks coach Sport. Hansen refused to con- Conrad Smith at the end of the “If their minds are made up, Steve Hansen said yesterday. fi rm reports out of France that 2015 World Cup. you’ve got to support them. If Williams was handed a four- another centre, Malakai Fekitoa, He was left out of the squad they’re in two minds, you try match ban after becoming the has signed with Top 14 side Tou- for the British and Irish Lions se- and steer them to making a deci- fi rst All Black in 50 years to be lon. ries, however, but was called up sion that’s right for what they’re sent off during New Zealand’s “He’s making a decision based as injury cover and given some thinking versus the money. second Test loss to the Brit- on what’s right for him,” he said. playing time off the bench in the Sometimes it’s a hard battle.” ish and Irish Lions earlier this “Like all of the guys that go drawn third test. Hansen said his back-to-back month. overseas, we don’t want him to “He’s always in our mind, he’s world champions did not see the The former league star was go but if he goes we’ll support been a very good player,” Hansen drawn series as a success, con- shown a straight red for a shoul- him.” added. “We just thought there trasting their attitude with the der charge into the head of Lions Discussing the Lions series, was an area of the game that we praise lavished on the Lions over wing Anthony Watson. Hansen reiterated his call for wanted to see improve and didn’t the result. He missed the drawn third Li- rugby’s laws to be simplifi ed, select him. But he got his oppor- “I guess that’s the diff erence ons Test, which resulted in the saying referees “had way too tunity again in the series and between the two mindsets isn’t series ending tied at 1-1, and the much infl uence on the outcome”. played well.” it, and long may it last because I Auckland Blues’ shock Super “The thing that disappointed Hansen said he always tried to think that gives us an advantage Rugby loss to Japan’s Sunwolves me is that they weren’t consist- talk to players when they were going forward,” he said. last weekend. ent,” he said. “That comes down considering leaving for clubs “We’ll look at ourselves very Williams is also registered to the rule book, (there’s) too abroad, a move that curtails their hard and honestly and we’ll grow with provincial side Coun- many interpretations. international career except in from it.” Sonny Bill Williams (left) with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, July 21, 2017 7 SPORT

SWIMMING TENNIS Undefeated Lebanon halts Qatar’s winning Horton, Sun clash run in Davis Cup

By Sports Reporter Before yesterday’s loss, Qatar had Doha posted two straight victories with the second one coming against Turkmeni- gets world champs stan on Wednesday. atar’s faced their fi rst defeat Mubarak Shanan defeated Isa Mam- in the Davis Cup Group III metgulyyev of Turkmenistan 6-3, 6-7, Horton ended Sun’s 400m Asia/Oceania competition, 6-4 before Mousa Shanan won the sec- with Lebanon triumphing ond singles match after the withdrawal freestyle reign in Rio after 3-0Q to stay undefeated in Colombo. by Yuriy Rogusskiy. Pool B leaders Lebanon opened the tie Earlier, the Qatari team had opened off to a bang branding Sun a ‘drug cheat’ with Hady Habib continuing his scintil- their campaign in the event with a 2-1 lating form, winning his 10th straight victory over the UAE. AFP Davis Cup singles rubber with a 6-1, Pool B, which features Qatar, Leba- Budapest 6-1 win over Jabor al-Mutawa. Giovani non, the UAE, Malaysia and Turk- Samaha then battled from one set down menistan, now has Qatar and Malaysia to triumph 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 over Mubarak locked in at second spot after both the ustralia’s Mack Horton Shannan Zayid and seal the tie. teams notched two wins in the compe- and China’s Sun Yang will Hosts Sri Lanka (Pool A) and Leba- tition so far. Winner of Qatar vs Ma- resume their bad-tempered non have stayed undefeated in the pool laysia tie will move to the next round rivalry in the pool when the stages to move within touching dis- and will face hosts Sri Lanka, who have swimmingA section of the world aquat- tance of promotion to Group II. topped Pool A. ic championships starts on Sunday. Horton ended Sun’s four-year dom- ination of the 400m freestyle event in spectacular style at last year’s Rio De Qatar off to Indonesia for Asian Volleyball Janeiro Olympics after branding Sun a ‘drug cheat’ in the build-up. Championship Sparks are expected to further fl y Qatar delegation left Doha yesterday for Indonesia in order to participate in with both also registered to swim over the prestigious Asian Volleyball Championship, which will run from July 24 to 200m, 800 and 1500m freestyle in Bu- August 1. Qatar is pooled in group A alongside hosts Indonesia, Saudi Arabia dapest. and Kazakhstan, while group B includes Iran, Pakistan, Iraq and Taiwan. “Mack is looking forward to it,” Group C includes Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, while Group D Swimming Australia chief executive will see Australia, China, Thailand and Hong Kong. Mark Anderson said ahead of Sunday’s opening 400m showdown. “He’s in good form. Not only in the Qatar lose to Slovenia junior handball 400m but the 1500m. There will be Worlds great entertainment in both of those races and the swimming world will be Qatari handball team suff ered a 23-31 defeat against their Slovenian counter- watching with interest,” added Ander- parts in their second match in the 2017 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship son with a large dose of understate- on Wednesday. Qatar began their campaign in the event with a narrow 21-22 ment. In this August 6, 2016, picture, gold medallist Mack Horton (right) shakes hands with silver medallist Sun Yang on the defeat at the hands of Sweden. After their two opening matches, Qatar will The 800m freestyle will be an es- podium for men’s 400m freestyle at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Reuters) take on Denmark today. The championship is being held in Algeria from July pecially intriguing battle with Italy’s 18 to 30, 2017. long-distance expert Gregorio Pal- chine, will be the star attraction in trinieri also in the mix. QSA delegation briefed on Hungary’s World Sunday’s 400m freestyle women’s Horton and Sun will be battling to heats and fi nals. Qatar beach handball team to participate in be the fastest from Sunday morning’s Championship organisation Such is Ledecky’s form that she World Games 400m heats into the evening’s fi nal raced her male counterparts — includ- and their grudge ‘War in the Water’ Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) events such as the 12th FINA World ing 2012 Olympic champion Nathan rematch will take star billing at Buda- delegation, currently in Budapest Swimming Championships (25m) Adrian — during the American pre- pest’s Duna Arena. for FINA World Championship 2017, 2014 and the annual FINA/airweave Budapest camp. met off icials from the International Swimming World Cup. “She was racing the guys in train- HOSSZU’S IRON GRIP Swimming Federation (FINA), and The delegation also held a co-ordina- ing camp, and they were doing all they Hungary’s ‘Iron Lady’ Katinka Hosszu continental and non-governmental tion meeting with Asian Swimming could not to lose. It was nuts,” team- will be out to maintain her grip on the associations, besides touring Federation secretary general Taha mate Lilly King revealed. “They were 200m and 400m individual medley the championship facilities and al-Kishri where they discussed topics the Olympic freestylers. It was crazy.” events she has dominated in recent acquainting themselves with the on the upcoming Asian tourna- Expect Ledecky to challenge her years. organisational aspects of the cham- ments. own 400m, 800 and 1500m freestyle Hosszu has entered six individual pionship to get additional expertise They held another meeting with world records in Budapest. events, including the 100m back- in preparation for Doha Champion- Hungarian Swimming Association Britain’s Adam Peaty looks to be a stroke — one of three events in which ship 2023. president Bienerth Gusztav to ex- shoo-in for the 50m and 100m breast- she won Olympic gold last year — in a The delegation, led by QSA president change expertise on organising the stroke titles — and also wants to lower punishing schedule, but her priority Khaleel al-Jabir, met with FINA presi- world championship. his own world records in both events. will be defending her 200m and 400m dent Julio Maglione, FINA executive The delegation toured the cham- “I’m half a second quicker if not medley crowns. director Cornel Marculescu and pionship’s venues including Duna more than Rio. I want to go and get my Expect fi reworks over the longer other members of the federation. Arena, which is the main venue of titles again, push down on the world distance after Hosszu took two sec- In the meeting they discussed ways the 2017 FINA World Championships records. It’s all achievable,” Peaty told onds off the world record over 400m to strengthen the co-operation in Hungary. The delegation also news.oc.uk. when she struck Olympic gold in Rio between both sides, especially since visited the synchronised swimming Peaty is threatening to be the fi rst last year. QSA is considered an important arena, attended water polo games, under the 57 seconds barrier over “By (the time of the world cham- partner to the FINA, having organ- visited its venues, before finally visit- 100m with South Africa’s Cameron pionships) I will know each and every ised a number of tournaments and ing the open water swimming venue. van der Burgh pushing him hard. little stone of the Duna Arena,” said There promises to be a battle royal Hosszu. in the women’s 100m freestyle with “This pool is so beautiful, that it joint bronze over 100m at the Rio Ol- last year. Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom having nar- The Qatari beach handball team will participate in the 2017 World Games, also puts a little pressure on us Hun- ympics and the 21-year-old will be Teenagers Regan Smith, 15, and rowly missed Cate Campbell’s world which are set to begin in Wroclaw, Poland, on Tuesday. The Qatari squad garians though. It’s up to us, now we hoping for more goofy smiles in Bu- 17-year-olds Robert Finke and Dakota record of 52.06secs. includes Muhsen al-Yafai, Muhab Ali Mahfouz, Muatasem Abdulwaheb, Amer all have to swim fast.” dapest. Luther will race in the backstroke, Australia’s Campbell is sitting out Dengern, Sayed Ali Kenawi, Ahmad Rajab Murjan, Anis Abdulraziq al-Zawawi, China, third in the medals table in The USA, a powerhouse in the freestyle and butterfl y respectively. Budapest, but her sister Bronte is the Mohamed Ahmad Zaki, Hani Marawan and Hadi Hazem Hamdoun. The Qatari swimming events in 2015 in Kazan, pool, will bring a young team — with reigning world champion. team qualified for the 2017 World Games after finishing third in the 2016 will also look to backstroker Fu Yuan- an average age of 22 — shorn of stars LEDECKY, PEATY EYE MORE However, the names to beat are Si- World Championships held in Hungary. Qatar will play in Group B alongside hui to defend her 50m title. Michael Phelps, who has retired again, RECORDS mone Manuel of the USA and Cana- Brazil, Uruguay, and Australia, while Group A includes Croatia, Hungary, Egypt A hilarious video went viral of Fu’s and Missy Franklin, who sits out Bu- Katie Ledecky, the Stars and Stripes’ da’s Penny Oleksiak, who tied for gold and hosts Poland. reaction after discovering she had won dapest after surgery on both shoulders gold-medal and record-breaking ma- in Rio last year.

BOTTOMLINE China boxing star Zou primed for biggest battle yet

AFP that Chinese people have a Zou Shim- Games four years later, before success- Shanghai ing who brought back the belt from Las fully defending his title at the London Vegas and kept it here, so that everyone games in 2012 to put boxing back on the will say, ‘If Zou Shiming can, so can map in China. e is a two-time Olympic gold other Chinese’.” Add three amateur world titles and medallist and reigning world it’s easy to see why, if anyone can make champion, but Chinese box- WEIGHT OF HISTORY boxing big in China, Zou can. ing star Zou Shiming is eye- With the end of his boxing career in He may train boxers after he retires. Hing an even greater prize: making the sight — he declined to say when he “I know this business back to front: sport big in his homeland. would retire — the aff able Zou is turn- not just the training, but also their The 36-year-old defends his World ing his hand to promotion and mentor- minds, their injuries, their illness and Boxing Organization (WBO) fl yweight ing the next generation. their promotion,” he said. title for the fi rst time next week when He turned professional with US pro- “I know how to deal with pressure.” he faces Japan’s Sho Kimura in Shang- moters Top Rank, whose founder and hai, and is targeting a fourth-round chief executive Bob Arum had his eye HARD GOODBYE knockout. on the lucrative China market, and was So why are there no other Chinese box- After a brilliant amateur career Zou under the tutelage of respected Ameri- ers even close to matching Zou? turned professional in 2013 — at the can trainer Freddie Roach. Unlike other countries, where boxers relatively late age of 31 — and last No- But Zou is promoting himself for usually turn professional after a good vember won the world title in Las Vegas the July 28 fi ght, while insisting he will Olympics, China’s Soviet-style sports to improve to a pro record of 9-1 with work with Top Rank again. authorities are reluctant to relinquish two KOs. He chose China for his fi rst title de- control of their amateurs. Now he wants to harness his fame to fence in order to promote the sport in And a good amateur does not neces- put boxing on a par at home with more the country, partnering with Chinese sarily become a successful professional popular sports. companies such as Alisports which is because the styles are so diff erent, ac- “In the West they already have a part of e-commerce giant Alibaba. cording to Zou. long history of boxing and everyone of “It was signifi cant that I won the Zou knows he does not have many all ages watch, but in China this is still belt in Las Vegas, the boxing temple. I fi ghts left. something we have to work hard on,” he want to bring this glory and passion, as “I don’t want to say goodbye. But the told AFP in an interview at his swelter- well as the boxing culture, to China,” he hardest part for an athlete to face is in- ing gym in Shanghai. said. juries and age,” he said. “The attention it gets here is not like “It would be signifi cant to defend “Maybe tomorrow I will say I can’t some of our more conventional sports it in China. I don’t just want to bring fi ght anymore. such as badminton and table tennis that the belt from the highest temple, I also The weight of history is against Zou. and it only returned to the public con- then-leader Deng Xiaoping. “But as long as I can, I will not say lots of kids practise and play. want to guard it in China and keep it in Communist China’s founder Mao sciousness in 1979 when Muhammad Zou won bronze at the Athens Olym- goodbye to boxing because I’d hate to “We want to tell everyone in China China.” Zedong banned the sport as too violent, Ali visited China at the invitation of pics in 2004, then gold at the Beijing part with it.”

Friday, July 21, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

ATHLETICS MOTORSPORT Qatar’s Abdulla Qatar’s ‘Iron Arm’ hoping for second straight T2 win in Bader aims for Baja Aragon medal in London Javelin thrower is scheduled to participate in Monaco Diamond League today

By Sports Reporter Doha

atar’s javelin thrower Ahmed Bader has wasted no time since his fi rst ever senior participa- tion – the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.Q The 21-year-old, who became the fi rst Qatari ever to take part in the Olympic javelin competition, has hit the ground running, qualifying for the 2017 World Championships in London after topping the competition in the 16th GCC Athletics Championship in April. Bader, who was the youngest competi- Agencies tant for race for us and I hope I tor in his discipline in Rio 2016, has kept Teruel, Spain can give the gift of the win back himself equally busy this year. Pushing to my country and our Emir, His himself in a two-month long training Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- camp in Finland, competing in Arab and efending FIA World mad al-Thani. Asian championships, and taking part in Cup T2 champion Adel “I have my old co-driver, the Diamond League series for the fi rst Abdulla resumes his Nasser al-Kuwari, back with time ever in his home town Doha in May. challenge for honours me so we are an all-Qatari team Bader is scheduled to participate in inD this year’s FIA World Cup for for this race. We did the Qatar Monaco Diamond League event today. Cross-Country Rallies at this Cross-Country Rally together in The javelin thrower’s latest competi- weekend’s Baja Aragón in the 2016 and we worked well togeth- tion saw him snag the silver medal in the baking heat and choking dust of er. I would also like to thank my 16th Asian Athletics Championships in central Spain. sponsors, the Qatar Motor and India held earlier this month. The Nissan Patrol driver will Motorcycle Federation, Nissan Commenting on the Asian Champion- not be able to retain his overall T2 Qatar’s Saleh Al-Hamad Al-Ma- ships, Bader said, “It was a really good ex- title this season after missing the na Co, Ooredoo and the Govern- perience. Competing in one of the strong- last round in Italy and suff ering ment of Qatar for their support.” est Asian Championships ever and leaving misfortune at earlier rounds of This year’s Spanish round of with a silver medal, it really gave me a lot the series. the FIA World Cup features re- more confi dence in my performance.” But the Qatari is confi dent that vised special stages in the remote He added, “That was the fi rst time I he can benefi t from support giv- rural areas around the town of had ever competed in the Asian Athlet- en by Saleh Al-Hamad Al-Mana Teruel. ics Championships, so although I wanted Co (Nissan Qatar), Ooredoo and Teams will tackle a super gold I’m still very happy with my per- the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle special stage of 9.6km today formance.” cation with your coach is the most im- two years, but fi ve or more. Javelin needs have many talented javelin throwers.” Federation (QMMF), for his QX evening and then two longer se- Bader is a graduate of Qatar’s Aspire portant thing. I speak about everything speed, strength and fl exibility so in a Despite his young age, Bader has high Rally Team Nissan to achieve a lective sections of 216.80km and Academy, the world-class sport and with him. Coach Esa is incredible. He has sense it’s a mixture of many disciplines.” hopes for the World Championships in second successive win in Eu- 139.20km tomorrow. The com- educational establishment based whose a personal best of over 90 metres,” the Bader’s gruelling training and compe- Athletics. rope’s most popular Baja. Adel petitive action draws to a close alumni include two-time Olympic med- young Olympian said. tition schedule, which he juggles along- “My goal for London is to reach the fi nished over 24 minutes ahead of with a single stage of 178.70km allist high jumper Mutaz Barshim, as well “Every day we try something new to side his education at Qatar University, is fi nal. Once I get there, anything is pos- Spaniard Josep Sole and 47 min- on Sunday. as two-time Junior World Champion and help me develop as an athlete; progress in to prepare him for the London 2017 World sible.” utes in front of César Sequiera Olympian Ashraf Elseify. javelin takes time and patience.” Championships in Athletics. The World Championships in Athlet- last year on his way to the pres- T2 CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY His stand-out performance, Bader ex- Never one to rest on his laurels, Bader’s “A big part of my preparation for the ics will take place in London from August tigious FIA T2 title. WORLD CUP STANDINGS plained, is the culmination of his expe- regimen includes training twice a day for World Championships in Athletics in 4-13, 2017, and will see more than 1,900 “We are back in the race again, 1. Yasir Saeidan (SAU) 215pts rience in Aspire Academy, his intensive a total of fi ve hours, alternating cycles London was to compete as many times as athletes from over 200 countries around here in Aragón in Spain,” said 2. Mansoor al-Helai (ARE) 91pts training, and his coach, Esa Utriainen, between weight training, throwing, and possible before it, while still giving myself the world take part. Team Qatar will be Adel Abdulla. “Everybody knows 3. Adel Abdulla (QAT) 86pts who was a former champion javelin speed training. time to rest to avoid any possibility of in- represented by Ahmed Bader, two-time this is the most important race of 4. Ahmed al-Shegawi (SAU) 46pts thrower for Finland. “One of the hardest things about the jury,” he said. Olympic medallist high jumper Mu- its kind in Europe. I really hope 5. Mohamed al-Harqan (QAT) 30pts Speaking ahead of his competition in javelin throw is improving yourself. One “My biggest competition in London taz Barshim, hammer throw champion that we can win the event (T2) as 6. Ahmed al-Malki (SAU) 27pts London 2017, Bader said, “Communi- metre can take you years – not just one or will defi nitely be the German team – they Ashraf Elseify, among other athletes. we did last year. It is an impor- 7. Marat Abykayev (KAZ) 26pts

CYCLING / TOUR DE FRANCE Froome eyes main rival Uran, Barguil wins on Izoard

AFP Col d’Izoard, France

hris Froome picked Rigoberto Uran as the biggest threat to his bid to win a fourth Tour de France after conserving his leadC as Warren Barguil won yesterday’s 18th stage. Froome fi nished fourth, giving up four bonus seconds to Romain Bardet but putting two more into Uran. Bardet moved up to second at 23sec with Uran dropping to third at 29sec in what has now become a three-way bat- tle for the Tour title. But with tomorrow’s 22.5m time-tri- al in Marseille the likely last chance to take time, Froome is feeling confi dent. “Defi nitely Rigo is still probably at this moment my biggest threat for the Great Britain’s Chris Froome (foreground) rides ahead of Colombia’s Rigoberto time-trial in Marseille from the GC Uran (third from left) during the 18th stage of the Tour de France yesterday. (AFP) group,” said Froome. “He’s the next strongest in the time- “After a lot of bad luck I’ve shown mental,” said an exhausted Bardet. trial. He’s only 29 seconds behind me fi nally my real potential to everybody.” “I gave absolutely everything.” so I imagine he’ll be the guy to look out Barguil, who had already sewn up the for.” king of the mountains polkadot jersey STAGE 18 RESULTS earlier in the day, leapt above two-time 1. Warren Barguil (SUN) 4:40:33 ‘ALPS THE TOUGHEST’ former winner Alberto Contador into 2. Darwin Atapuma (EAU) +0:20 In his previous Tour victories, Froome ninth overall. 3. Romain Bardet (ALM) +0:20 had always struggled on at least one Al- “I’m still in the clouds, I’ve left the 4. Chris Froome (SKY) +0:20 pine stage as rivals fought back against earth,” said Barguil. 5. Rigoberto Uran (CAN) +0:22 him. Team Sunweb rider Warren Barguil of France celebrates as he crosses the finish line to the win the 18th stage of the Tour de “It’s an exceptional day, I never have 6. Mikel Landa (SKY) +0:32 Those years, though, he had a much France in Izoard, France, yesterday. (Reuters) imagined I could win on the Izoard.” 7. Louis Meintjes (EAU) +0:37 greater advantage. This time, he Behind Barguil, Bardet launched an 8. Dan Martin (QST) +0:39 couldn’t aff ord to give up anything. with Bardet winning the sprint for third Sky teammate Mikel Landa jumped a two huge climbs of the day. attack 3km from the fi nish but Froome 9. Simon Yates (ORI) +0:59 “I’m happy to have passed the Alps against Froome and Uran, thus taking place to fourth at 1:36. He reeled in Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko and Colombian Uran stuck to him like 10. Alberto Contador (TRE) +1:09 without problems this year,” said the last four bonus seconds on off er. “Physical problems are part of sport halfway up the Izoard climb while the glue. Froome, 32. He and Uran at least kept their overall and you have to accept it,” said Aru. peloton led by Bardet’s AG2R team, at Briton Froome attacked next but Overall classification “The Alps are always the toughest hopes alive, which was more than could “And fi fth place isn’t something to be one point eight minutes back, started couldn’t stay clear and once they hit the 1. Chris Froome (Sky) 78:08:19 for me. Now I’m looking forward to the said of Fabio Aru. scoff ed at.” to close in. fi nal kilometre it was a battle of wills to 2. Romain Bardet (ALM) +0:23 time-trial in Marseille.” The Italian held the yellow jersey for Barguil made his move with 6km to the line at a vertiginous 2,360-metres 3. Rigoberto Uran (CAN) +0:29 Frenchman Barguil won his second two days last week, having also won ‘LIVING IN MY DREAM’ go but still had two minutes to make up above sea level. 4. Mikel Landa (SKY) +1:36 stage of the Tour on the imposing Col stage nine, the fi rst summit fi nish of the It was a thrilling battle on the fi nal on Atapuma, catching him with 1.4km Uran may have given up a few sec- 5. Fabio Aru (AST) +1:55 d’Izoard, having also tasted success on Tour. hors category climb at the end of the left and dropping him inside the fi nal onds, but is widely regarded a better 6. Dan Martin (QST) +2:56 Bastille Day, the French national holi- But he said he was handicapped by 179.5km Alpine 18th stage from Brian- kilometre to win the fi rst ever stage fi n- time-trialist than Bardet, who is only 7. Simon Yates (ORI) +4:46 day, on stage 13. bronchitis as he cracked and lost more con to the Col d’Izoard. ish on the Izoard. six seconds ahead. 8. Louis Meintjes (EAU) +6:52 Colombian Darwin Atapuma fi n- than a minute, dropping from fourth to Atapuma was part of an original 54- “I’m just living in my dream at the “I thought I was going to suff ocate 9. Warren Barguil (SUN) +8:22 ished second, 20sec behind Barguil, fi fth overall at 1min 55sec, as Froome’s man breakaway that splintered over the moment, it’s just crazy,” said Barguil. when I crossed the line, it was hugely 10. Alberto Contador (TRE) +8:34