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Tuesday, June 13, 2017 TENNIS Ramadan 18, 1438 AH Wimbledon will be GULF TIMES complicated, says clay king Nadal SPORT Page 3 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS Qatar face South Korea in must-win encounter today ‘Our chances are low, not impossible. Maybe after the game, we can speak more about the future. But now I want to focus on the game. The players want to give their best for the country, irrespective whether it will be our first or last game’

By Sports Reporter Doha

atar have had a lot of ‘now or never’ matches dur- ing their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. But today’sQ encounter against South Korea is eff ectively the last opportunity for them to get a win and keep alive their weak chance of qualifi cation. It’s still a mathematical chance and depends uncomfortably on the results of other teams but it’s all that Qatar has got. This is their eighth Group A match and they will have the advantage of playing at home. The match will be played at the Al Sadd stadium and the home team will be hoping that the pitch and the fans will help turn the result in their way. Qatar are currently at the bottom of the group with just four points from their seven matches so far. Iran, who already qualifi ed after they defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 yesterday, are table toppers with 20 points. In second place is South Korea who will be hoping to defeat Qatar today and move closer to qualifi cation. Qatar has three matches

Qatar national team players take part in a training session ahead of their third round Group A 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Korea. The match will take place at 10pm today. PICS: Fadi Al Assaad

left and that means that they can get a ask but not impossible. ing in good leagues in Europe. But I calls in this campaign. It started with but coach Fossati believed that he has maximum of 13 points. That will only “Our chances are low, not impossi- have confi dence in my players that they 2-0 loss to Iran where they had con- the bench strength to replace him. “I be good enough for third place, which ble. Maybe after the game, we can speak will do a good job. That is essential if we ceded goals in the 94th and 96th have big confi dence in the player who will give them the chance to advance more about the future. But now I want want to beat a high-level opponent like minute. Then the home loss to Uz- will take Sebastian’s place. He’s a very to the fourth round. The winner of this to focus on the game. The players want South Korea,” he added. bekistan where they fell behind in the important place for. But because I don’t fourth round will face the fourth placed to give their best for the country, irre- In the previous encounter between 86th minute and ended up losing. All have a Messi, Ronaldo or Suarez, I be- team in the CONCACAF standings for a spective whether it will be our fi rst or these two teams, Qatar was leading 2-1 of these near-misses have proved very lieve we cannot be dependent on one slot in the 2018 World Cup. last game,” said Qatar coach Jorge Fos- after the fi rst half. But two quick goals costly. Qatar will need to pull up their player,” said Fossati. This scenario means that Qa- sati during the pre-match press confer- within the fi rst 13 minutes of the second socks and produce a performance that Everybody in the team will have to tar has to win all their remaining ence yesterday. half by South Korea resulted in Qatar they can be proud of. step up and deliver if Qatar are to pull Qatar’s Hassan al-Haydous during matches and also hope that all other “We recognise the quality of our op- ending up on the losing side. The home team will be without the off a win today and keep alive their practice yesterday. teams above them stumble. A high ponents. They have many players play- Qatar have had many such close services of suspended Sebastian Soria hopes. It’s do-or-die like never before.

BOTTOMLINE South Korea match good platform to prepare for home World Cup in 2022: Qatar players By Sports Reporter sati’s side will fi ght hard to match op- ers who have been together from the plays slick, modern football.” Doha ponents whose starting line-up will under-19 level and have been achieving Ali added: “Son Heung-min is amaz- feature many players with big match signifi cant things. We will be joined by ing on the left, and they have a gifted experience in top European leagues. a group of gifted youngsters currently winger on the right as well. In the mid- wo Qatar internationals be- “The match against South Korea will be coming through the world-class infra- dle, they have fantastic players link- lieve that Qatar’s third round a good platform to prepare for the home structure and coaching system of As- ing up with Son, such as our own Nam Group A 2018 FIFA World World Cup in 2022,” said Hassan, who pire, so things look positive.” Tae-hee. I saw the away game in Suwon TCup qualifi er against South scored Qatar’s fi rst goal in the 2-2 draw in Hassan’s 20-year-old compatriot Ali last October and it was a tactical lesson, Korea today will prove valuable for the friendly against North Korea on 6 June. is seeking his fi rst competitive interna- watching from the sidelines how their the development of ‘Al Annabi’, as the “We will focus on getting the basics tional cap following his appearance as a midfi eld and the centre-forward linked national team looks towards the 2022 right against them. For instance, our substitute in the friendly against North up with Son.” FIFA World Cup at home. Abdelka- full-backs, including me, will have to be Korea. He said he will use the experi- His Lekhwiya teammate Nam, who rim Hassan and Almoez Ali, past and careful as they have very speedy wingers ence of playing against a top Asian side was voted QFA Player of the Year 2017, present holders of the Qatar Football who can take advantage of the space if we to continue his technical development has been a constant source of inspiration Association’s (QFA) Under-23 Player of make overlapping runs. The collective and fuel his dreams of being the main for Ali this season. “I have added many the Year award, view the game against experience of playing against such teams striker for the host nation of the 2022 facets to my game this year, learning the the Asian powerhouses as an opportu- will be signifi cant as the team prepares FIFA World Cup. fi ner nuances of shooting inside the box nity to gather further experience at the for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.” “We have all been together for quite from Youssef El Arabi, and intelligent highest level. Hassan emphasised that Qatar’s some time now at the age-group level,” movement and use of space from Nam. Al Sadd left-back Hassan, a 23-year- plans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup will said the Lekhwiya forward. “Playing He is a terrifi c player, and I am looking old with 60 international caps to his be focused on youth. “For the tourna- against South Korea is a good way to forward to playing against him and hope- name, told www.sc.qa that Jorge Fos- Qatar’s Abdelkarim Hassan (left) with national coach Jorge Fossati. ment, we will have a core group of play- measure ourselves against a team that fully beating his team.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, June 13, 2017 FOOTBALL

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS WATCH OUT Italy coach Ventura Wales draw as fi res Spain warning Spain, Italy stay

neck and neck Italy’s coach Gian Piero Ventura. (Reuters)

‘It was a great point... You expect a tough game here. Everything I asked of the AFP Milan three qualifi ers to play following players they did it. That’s the type of togetherness these boys have got’ their Madrid clash on Septem- ber 2, it is being billed as decisive taly coach Gian Piero Ventura for both as they look to secure has warned that failure to get it top spot and the sole automatic right against Spain in a crucial qualifying place. World Cup qualifi er next Sep- The runners-up up will be Itember could prove costly. forced to a qualifying play-off . Goals from Lorenzo Insigne, “Our fi rst half will serve as a Andrea Belotti, Eder, Federico lesson for our next game, in Ma- Bernardeschi and Manolo Gab- drid. If we head to Spain trying to biadini in a 5-0 rout of Liechten- do things too quickly, we’ll end stein sent unbeaten Italy to their up messing it up,” said Ventura. fi fth win in Group G in Udine on “In the second half we did Sunday. things as we should have, we But a lack of clinical fi nishing played with a lot more lucidity meant the Azzurri failed to pile and the chances came, and even- on even more goals that could tually so did the goals. have seen them leapfrog Spain to “In the second half alone take command of the group. we created seven or eight clear Spain remain top with a supe- chances. That’s what I mean rior diff erence of four goals. when I talk of patience: let’s try Although both teams will have to remember that in Madrid.”

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS Msakni stars as Tunisia defeat Egypt

AFP Johannesburg

unisia captain Youssef Msakni starred in a 1-0 victory over Egypt yes- terday that completed theT fi rst series of qualifi ers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Wales’ Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring their first goal against Serbia during their 2018 World Cup Qualifying European Zone, Group D match. (Reuters) Cameroon. The Qatar Stars League’s Le- AFP and puff ed a little bit but it wasn’t like European zone World Cup Ireland are next in action on Septem- khwiya midfi elder set up the only Paris they were peppering Wayne Hennessey,” qualifying results - collated ber 2, when they go to Georgia, who drew goal three minutes after half- Coleman told Sky Sports. 2-2 in Moldova. time at the national stadium in Tunisian forward Youssef Msakni “You expect a tough game here. Eve- Group D Those two sides are well adrift at the Rades on the outskirts of Tunis. in action yesterday. (AFP) aron Ramsey’s penalty helped rything I asked of the players they did Republic of Ireland 1 (Walters 85) bottom of the section. Msakni intercepted a headed Wales to a precious 1-1 draw in it. That’s the type of togetherness these Austria 1 (Hinteregger 31) clearance and delivered a sub- African football showcase. Serbia in World Cup qualifying boys have got.” COSTA WINS IT FOR SPAIN lime through ball for Taha Yass- New Spain-born Algeria coach on Sunday as they kept their Wales are still unbeaten in the group Serbia 1 (Mitrovic 73) Wales 1 (Ramsey Spain remain level on points with Italy at ine Khenissi to score from a tight Lucas Alcaraz saw Sofi ane Hanni hopesA of a place at the fi nals in Russia but this was a fi fth straight draw and they the top of Group G after grinding out a 2-1 angle. score midway through the open- 35-pen) alive. are third, four points behind both Serbia victory away to Macedonia, with Chel- The result confi rmed the re- ing half to bring a 1-0 Group D Chris Coleman’s side were missing star and the Republic of Ireland, and level on Group G sea’s Diego Costa scoring what proved to cent dominance of Tunisia over win over Togo in Blida. man Gareth Bale due to suspension in points with Austria in fourth. Macedonia 1 (Ristovski 66) Spain 2 be the winner. 2017 Cup of Nations runners-up The match-winner was the Belgrade but Arsenal midfi elder Ramsey Only the group winners qualify auto- (Silva 15, Costa 27) The visitors took a 15th-minute lead as Egypt having beaten them home highlight of a generally laboured inspired the visitors into a half-time lead matically for next year’s fi nals, with the David Silva netted after being brilliantly and away in 2015 qualifying. performance by the nation that when he fl oated in a 35th-minute penalty, eight best runners-up in the nine groups Italy 5 (Insigne 35, Belotti 52, Eder 75, set up by a combination of Andres Iniesta Tunisia top Group J with three reached the last 16 at the 2014 sending goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic going into play-off s for the last four Bernardeschi 83, Gabbiadini 90+1) and Jordi Alba. points and Niger and Swaziland World Cup in Brazil. the wrong way. spots. Liechtenstein 0 Costa then tapped in after good play have one each after a 0-0 draw in Route-one football presented Ramsey had helped win the penalty by Ireland came from behind to draw from Isco to make it 2-0 before the half- Niamey at the weekend. unmarked Hanni with a chance forcing Stojovic into a foul just outside 1-1 with Austria earlier with Stoke City hour mark, with Stefan Ristovski’s su- Group winners and the best just outside the box and his deli- the box as the goalkeeper tried to shep- striker Jon Walters volleying in the sliced a corner up into the air inside his perb strike pulling one back for the hosts. three runners-up from 12 mini- cate chip over the goalkeeper herd the ball behind for a goal-kick — equaliser with fi ve minutes left in Dublin. own six-yard box and Stefan Lainer Italy kept up with the 2010 World Cup leagues qualify for the biennial found the net. from Joe Ledley’s resulting delivery, Sam That goal cancelled out Martin helped the ball into his own net under winners as they cruised to a 5-0 win over Vokes was fouled as he tried to head the Hinteregger’s fi rst-half opener and al- pressure from Shane Duff y on the line. Liechtenstein in Udine. ball. lowed the Irish to maintain their unbeat- However, Spanish referee David Fern- Lorenzo Insigne, Andrea Belotti, Eder, DESIRE However, substitute Aleksandar Pri- en record in qualifying. andez Borbalan disallowed the eff ort, Federico Bernardeschi and Manolo Gab- jovic set up Aleksandar Mitrovic to fi re It could have been better for Martin apparently penalising Duff y for leading biadini were all on target for Italy, who go past Wayne Hennessey and equalise in O’Neill’s side, but there was controversy with his arm. to Spain next in September. the 73rd minute as Serbia stayed top of in the 87th minute as the hosts thought “There’s nothing wrong with it at all Those two should end up well clear of Xi to meet FIFA boss qualifying Group D. they had won it. — he’s called a foul on Shane Duff y and I the rest, especially after Israel lost 3-0 at “It was a great point. They huff ed Austrian substitute Florian Grillitsch can’t see it,” said O’Neill. home to Albania. as China harbours CONCACAF World Cup ambition

AFP But China, who languish at Beijing 82nd in FIFA’s world rankings just below Benin and the Faroe Islands, look certain to miss out Bradley strike rescues USA hina’s football-mad on qualifi cation for Russia 2018. AFP “Look, we were pretty honest ing a low shot past Brad Guzan’s President Xi Jinping will China have appeared in just Mexico City with ourselves and understood left-hand post. meet FIFA chief Gianni one World Cup, in 2002, where that we had let a lot of little Javier Hernandez then trig- Infantino in Beijing to- they lost all three group matches things drop,” Bradley said. gered alarm by springing the US morrowC as the world’s most pop- and failed to score a goal. ichael Bradley “Bruce came in and has done off side trap to go through on goal ulous nation harbours ambitions Qatar, who are part of the scored a spectacu- a really good job of little by little after 20 minutes. of hosting the World Cup. Asian Football Confederation, lar long-range goal making sure we get back to who Guzan was alert to the danger, Xi will greet the president of are due to host the 2022 World as the United States we are. Now we just have to keep however, and was swiftly off his football’s world governing body Cup, meaning China will not be Mbattled to a 1-1 draw with rivals going.” line to off -balance Hernandez, at the palatial Great Hall of the eligible to bid for the 2026 tour- Mexico in their 2018 World Cup whose looping eff ort was cleared People. nament because of FIFA’s policy qualifi er on Sunday. FRENETIC FIRST HALF to safety by Omar Gonzalez. “We hope we can strengthen of rotating between host conti- Mexico’s former Arsenal The tone for a frenetic fi rst half Both sides maintained the our co-operation on football nental governing bodies. striker Carlos Vela cancelled out at the Estadio Azteca was set furious pace in the second half, with international organisations, Chinese Football Associa- Bradley’s sixth-minute chip to in the opening minutes, when with Mexico pressing relent- including FIFA, and also with tion vice president Zhang Jian, give the hosts a point which saw Mexico defender Carlos Salcedo lessly in search of a goal. other countries,” foreign min- a member of the FIFA Council them extend their lead at the top was lucky not to see a red fl ag The US defence, with Stoke istry spokesman Lu Kang told a which devises its global strategy, of the CONCACAF standings to after thrusting an elbow into City centre-half Geoff Cam- regular press briefi ng. said last year he would back a six points. Bobby Wood’s face. eron outstanding, was able to “As to whether China will host Chinese World Cup in 2030. The USA, who made seven But soon Mexico were rocked withstand the Mexican pressure the World Cup, this is a dream Three major Chinese com- changes from the team which US player Michael Bradley reacts after the World Cup 2018 qualifier by a superb strike from Bradley to the frustration of the home shared by many Chinese. We also panies have signed sponsorship beat Trinidad & Tobago in Colo- match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico. (Reuters) which stunned the Azteca arena crowd. hope we can see that happen as deals with FIFA in the space of rado last Thursday, are level into silence. The best Mexico chance came soon as possible,” Lu said. a year, fuelling speculation that with second-place Costa Rica as they dug deep for a vital point. hopefully we can keep moving With the US pressing high up in the 71st minute, when Hector The meeting follows wide- China is preparing a World Cup on eight points but trail on goal “Obviously, they had a lot of this team forward.” the fi eld, Bradley pounced on a Herrera smashed a venomous spread speculation that China bid. diff erence. the ball but tactically the game Bradley also had words of loose pass near halfway. free-kick onto the bar. will bid to host the event either But the Asian giant already The top three teams in the six- went the way we expected and the praise for US coach Bruce Are- The US captain glanced up The US continued to look in 2030 or 2034. faces stiff competition from Eu- team round robin competition way we wanted,” Bradley said. na, who has helped steady the to spot Guillermo Ochoa off his lively on the counter-attack, and Xi wants his country to host rope’s football governing body qualify automatically for next “Anytime you can get a point US qualifying campaign since line and deftly chipped from 40 Bradley almost added another the global football extravaganza UEFA, which is eyeing the 2030 year’s fi nals in Russia. here, it’s great. The commitment returning to the helm after the yards out for a wonderful goal. wonder-goal to his account on and also hopes China’s national tournament. US skipper Bradley later and the mentality from every sacking of predecessor Jurgen Mexico responded swiftly, 74 minutes with a dipping volley team can one day win the sport’s This would leave 2034 as the praised the American resilience guy was really, really good and Klinsmann last year. with Jonathan Dos Santos fi r- from 30 yards that hit the post. most prestigious trophy. next hope for Beijing. Gulf Times Tuesday, June 13, 2017 3 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT WIMBLEDON Konta refuses to be burdened by Wimbledon will be expectations

Reuters “I can only ever do my best London so where my best on the day will take me, will take me. I try to approach every game the ritish number one Jo- same.” complicated, says hanna Konta is not The world number eight going to burden her- said Jelena Ostapenko’s French self with expectations Open win underlined the depth duringB the Wimbledon and of women’s tennis. would rather focus on giving The 20-year-old Latvian her best during next month’s fought back from a set and 3-0 grasscourt grand slam. down to blaze past the experi- Konta excelled in the fi rst enced Simona Halep 4-6 6-4 clay king Rafa few tournaments of the year, 6-3 and become her country’s winning the Sydney Interna- fi rst grand slam champion. tional and the Miami Open, “There is a lot of depth in ‘If I am healthy and I am able to have the right preparation I’ll have my chances’ but the 26-year-old failed to women’s tennis and she (Os- shine on clay and lost in the tapenko) is the perfect example fi rst round of the French Open of that,” Konta said. Reuters that curtailed his French Open. to Hsieh Su-Wei of Taiwan. “She is a very, very good Paris He also pulled out in 2009 when With the grasscourt sea- player and someone that has his creaking knee prevented him son beginning with the Ae- done well on the tour for a cou- from trying to defend his title. gon Open on June 14 followed ple of years. afa Nadal says winning “I could win the fi rst two by Wimbledon in July, Konta “She is not unknown to us a French Open-Wim- matches and then things could said she does not feel any ex- and she has always been a very bledon double for the change,” Nadal, whose fi rst tra pressure to add to her three dangerous player. Her winning third time in his ca- grand slam title for three years WTA titles. a slam is incredibly special for reerR will be “complicated” but took his total to 15, said. “The “I am not feeling any more her and I am sure she is enjoy- is highly motivated to have a go fact is that the two fi rst matches expectation than previous ing it. as he prepares for the grasscourt could be very dangerous. years. My own expectations “It shows the depth, it shows season. “I need to feel strong, low, and in terms of how I want to do how many good quality players The 31-year-old captured have powerful legs to play well in have stayed the same,” Konta we have. It is exciting to see so an unprecedented 10th Roland Wimbledon. If I have pain in the told reporters ahead of her fi rst much variety and it makes it an Garros title in sensational style knees then I know from experi- match at Nottingham. exciting time for the tour.” on Sunday, thrashing Switzer- ence that it’s almost impossible. land’s Stan Wawrinka in the fi - If I am healthy and I am able to nal after a faultless fortnight in have the right preparation I’ll Johanna Konta Paris. It maintained a return to have my chances. Nadal’s in- form and fi tness for the Spaniard credible form – he is 43-6 so far who also reached the Australian this season – means there is also Open fi nal at the start of the year the strong possibility of over- and who climbed to number two hauling Andy Murray and ending in the rankings on Monday – his the year as world number one for highest mark since 2014, since the fi rst time since 2013. when he has often been battling “Winning these kind of titles, injuries. then you have chances to be- Inevitably thoughts are al- come any number on the rank- ready turning to Wimbledon and ing. I don’t know. I am playing the prospect of Nadal repeating well. If I am able to keep playing his 2008 and 2010 victories – well, why not?” he said. both of which followed hot on “I am right now seeded No. 2. the heels of winning French ti- We will see what happens during tles without dropping a set as he the rest of the year. It really de- did this year. pends on me.” Nadal, never one to fuel the Toni Nadal described Ra- hype, warned against installing fael record 10th French Open as him as a favourite on the Wim- “brilliant” and insisted that he bledon lawns where he has also never doubted his nephew would lost three fi nals; especially as end his three-year Grand Slam his recent record there is dismal. drought. It was also his 15th ma- “Since I have had problems with jor, coming three years after his my knee, since 2012, playing on last, and will move to number grass has been very complicated two in the world next week. for me,” Nadal, who lost only 35 “Everything went brilliant – games at Roland Garros to be- the match was a lot quicker and Wawrinka adds Annacone to coaching come the fi rst player to win the easier than we were expecting,” team for grasscourt season same grand slam title 10 times in said 56-year-old Toni who has French Open runner-up that I have added Paul Anna- the professional era, said. coached his nephew since he was Stan Wawrinka has added cone to our existing coach- “We’ll see how my knee be- three years old but will step aside American Paul Annacone to ing staff to help during the haves. Playing on grass is very at the end of 2017. his coaching team for the grass-court season over the special. You need to play at a “Wawrinka had a really tough upcoming grasscourt season, next four weeks,” Wawrinka lower level. The body posture is semi (he needed fi ve sets to beat the world number three announced on Sunday. down. You have less stability. Andy Murray). I was always con- announced after his defeat “Paul’s experience speaks “But keep in mind I played fi ve fi dent that Rafa would win – he to Rafa Nadal in the Roland for itself having worked with fi nals in Wimbledon. I like play- was the favourite going into it, Garros final on Sunday. some of the greatest players ing on grass. On grass, anything the team knew it and so did Annacone coached former of all time. His knowledge can can happen. I’m motivated.” Rafa,” Toni told Eurosport. world number one Pete Sam- only better our understanding After steamrolling through “But you’re always expect- pras from 1995-2001 and for a of the grass. It’s a real privi- the European claycourt season, ing a nervous encounter as we short period in 2002. lege and honour to add such a compiling a win-loss record of saw at the start, both of them The 52-year-old, who will coach to our corner.” 24-1 with titles in Monte Carlo, were quite nervy but when Rafa work with Wawrinka’s regular Wawrinka will be in action at Barcelona and Madrid before re- Spain’s Rafael Nadal poses with the French Open trophy in Paris. (AFP) calmed down he was able to dis- coach Magnus Norman, also the Aegon Championships in gaining his French Open crown, mantle Wawrinka’s game and he coached 18-time grand slam Birmingham next week before Nadal will spend a few days re- After weeks spent on the fered early defeats at Wimble- 2011 fi nal to Novak Djokovic he had few chances. winner Roger Federer in 2010 the Wimbledon begins on July laxing at home in Mallorca be- bouncy red clay, it is a tough don to the likes of outsiders such has not gone beyond round four “Nowadays Rafa has a truly and 2011. “I would like to take 3. He is a two-time quarter- fore playing in the Wimbledon transition and Nadal is well as Steve Darcis, Lukas Rosol and while last year he could not play brilliant backhand, something this opportunity to announce finalist at the grand slam. warm-up at Queen’s Club. aware of the dangers having suf- Dustin Brown. Since losing in the because of the left wrist injury that before was diffi cult for us.”

FOCUS Federer ready to make impression on Stuttgart grass

DPA years ago under the supervision way back,” said Federer who beat Stuttgart of Wimbledon-trained grounds- Nadal for the Australian Open men. Stuttgart was one of his title. last events in 2016 before taking Eight Germans will try to end oger Federer yesterday the rest of the season off to fully a 25-year title drought in Stutt- pronounced himself fi t heal a knee injury. gart since Michael Stich was and eager after a two- In the back of Federer’s mind the last homegrown champion month pause, with the is an eighth Wimbledon title, in 1991. Haas, the 1999 runner- SwissR keen to test his grass- with his current form making up, is joined by fellow wild card court game this week at the Mer- him a hot title favourite. Maximilian Marterer, No. 6 seed cedes Cup. “I don’t want to look too far Mischa Zverev, two-time fi nalist Federer, the top seed, is playing forward (in Stuttgart); if it’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, Florian in the fi nal year of a two-year con- enough to get into the semi-fi - Mayer, Jan-Lennard Struff , and tract with German organisers at nals or fi nals, ten that’s what it qualifi ers Peter Gojowczyk and the Weissenhof club. He reached will have to be,” he said, Yannick Hanfmann. the semi-fi nals in 2016, losing Federer got in a training ses- Kohlschreiber, who earned to Austrian Dominic Thiem, the sion on Sunday with old friend his 400th win at the BNP Pari- tournament champion. Tommy Haas as the 39-year- bas Open in Indian Wells on 11 “I have no problems with old prepares to end his career. March, continues to enjoy great the body,” said the 35-year-old The pair may meet in the second success on home soil. The 33 Swiss told German television. round if Haas advances in his year old has won fi ve of his seven “The only thing I miss is the opening match over Pierre Hu- career titles in Germany. matches – I don’t want to be a gues Herbert of France. On court as play got under- training world champion.” Scores of fans were on hand way, American fi fth seed Steve The 18-time grand slam win- for the public practise session, Johnson beat German Maximil- ner skipped the spring clay sea- with the players happily sign- ian Marterer 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4. son, preferring to let his body ing autographs. Federer also had Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany rest after winning three major kind words for the tenth French stopped Lukas Lacko 6-4, 7-6 titles already in 2017 – the Aus- Open title of rival Rafael Nadal, (7-3). tralian Open and the Masters which the Spaniard won at the Headlining doubles are 10- 1000 pair at Indian Wells and weekend in Paris. time World No. 1 duo Bob Bryan Miami. Federer, winner of 91 “It’s absolutely huge, the fact and Mike Bryan, who are looking ATP titles, opens with a bye at that he did it in the way he did for their fi rst title in 2017, and the hilltop club venue, whose was amazing, But Rafa showed last year’s No. 1 team Jamie Mur- grass courts were laid several in Australia that he was on the ray and Bruno Soares. Swiss star Roger Federer during a press conference in Stuttgart yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, June 13, 2017 SPORT

MOTORSPORT SPOTLIGHT McLaren’s dream turns into another nightmare Hamilton and Vettel AFP Montreal

or a moment, McLaren allowed themselves to dream at the Canadian Grand Prix before the all-too-familiar night- mare returned. Fernando Alonso, whose Indianapolis 500 hopes had been cruelly let down by a Honda engine failure locked in glorious lastF month, returned to the Formula One fold and was running in 10th place until, again, the Honda power unit packed up. The once great former champions, the second most successful team in the sport in terms of race wins, remain adrift at the bottom of the constructors’ standings without a point after seven races. “For the fi rst time this season, running in 10th place within spitting distance of the fl ag, we dared to hope,” said Racing Direc- tor Eric Boullier in the team’s post race press release. Formula 1 title duel “OK, what we were daring to hope for were hardly rich pickings: a solitary world championship point for Fernando, who had driven ‘This is the time to keep our feet on the ground, keep working hard and take it one race at a time’ superbly all afternoon, as he’s driven superbly every race-day af- ternoon for the past two-and-a-half years. “But, after so much AFP toil and heartache, even that single point would have felt like a Montreal victory. And then came yet another gut-wrenching failure. “It’s diffi cult to fi nd the right words to express our disappoint- ment, our frustration and, yes, our sadness. So I’ll say only this: it’s ewis Hamilton and Se- simply, and absolutely, not good enough,” concluded the French- bastian Vettel’s duel has man. McLaren executive director Zak Brown, who has ramped up turned this season’s title criticism of the team’s engine partner this week, reiterated that. race into one of the most “It should have been a point. It just let go without any warning,” Lkeenly-anticipated - and most he told Sky Sports television. “It feels like you could probably re- diffi cult to forecast - in decades. play this interview at a lot of races this year. Very frustrating. Not since the heyday of Ham- “This just kind of reinforces that we can’t just kind of sit around ilton’s childhood hero Ayrton and wait for things to come good. We need to be proactive in that.” Senna’s intense rivalry with his Honda’s F1 head Yusuke Hasegawa said the power unit had lost McLaren team-mate Alain Prost oil pressure due to a mechanical issue and would be taken back to nearly 30 years ago has a bat- Japan for further inspection. Alonso brought his car to a halt and tle for glory so comprehensively clambered into the nearby grandstands to join the fans. captured the imagination. “I thought to give the gloves to the grandstands but it was a lit- Hamilton and Vettel’s razor- tle bit too far so I thought I would go a little bit closer,” said the sharp competitiveness has lifted Spaniard. The double world champion’s season has been littered performance levels to such a with engine failures and grid penalties and he could see little sign high that veteran paddock ob- of that changing. “We will start last probably in Baku,” he said, re- servers were left stunned at the ferring to the next race in Azerbaijan. “It’s a tough time.” Canadian Grand Prix. London bookmakers have also refl ected the close nature of this phenomenal scrap and on Monday installed the pair as joint favour- ites to win the drivers’ champi- onship at 10/11, Hamilton’s odds having been cut from 6/4 thanks to his masterful triumph at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff admitted to feeling “great” McLaren Honda driver Fernando Alonso in action during the after seeing how Hamilton had Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. (Getty Images/AFP) inspired his team to claim a one- two triumph - their fi rst this year - that erased the linger- ing feelings from last month’s Boks lose Kriel for second test but dismal showing at the Monaco have ready-made replacement Grand Prix. South Africa centre Jesse Kriel has been ruled out of the second Valtteri Bottas followed Ham- test against France in Durban on Saturday but the Springboks ilton home ahead of Daniel Ric- have a ready-made replacement in Lionel Mapoe, who has ciardo, of Red Bull. returned from a hamstring strain. The Australian’s teammate After scoring his side’s opening try in the Boks’ 37-14 first-test Max Verstappen was forced to victory at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, Kriel left the field with retire due to electrical problems suspected concussion after 57 minutes and will not be risked in after snatching second with an the second game. aggressive start that saw him However the return to fitness of Mapoe after he missed the brush with the luckless Vettel, weekend win means he will likely slip straight into the number who was forced to make a belat- 13 jersey alongside Jan Serfontein in the midfield, according to ed early pit stop for a new front coach Allister Coetzee. wing. He came home fourth after “I am sorry to be losing Jesse this week as I thought he and Jan a surging drive. combined really well in the midfield,” Coetzee told reporters on Hamilton’s victory, built on Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Monday. “Jesse should be back for the third test and I would like an equally outstanding ‘Senna- Montreal. (Getty Images/AFP) to see the combination get another chance then.” esque’ lap for his 65th pole po- Coetzee hinted that he would resist the temptation to bring Frans sition on Saturday, lifted him to totally dominant race. simulator 24/7 for 10 days in a time,” added Wolff . “In these fi ve years [with Mer- Steyn off the bench and into the starting line-up in the number 12 within 12 points of Vettel in the “Valtteri struggled in qualify- row. Nobody took a weekend off “We saw some encouraging cedes], I’ve not seen the team jersey, which would mean moving Serfontein to outside centre. drivers’ championship while ing, but he got everything right in that group and there are no signs, but we need to work in just pull so well together and work “I thought that Jan played particularly well against France in Mercedes regained the lead in in the race to complete a perfect silver bullets in the sport. the same way to translate them towards the same cause, to un- Pretoria and I would prefer not to move him,” Coetzee said. the constructors’ contest, eight day.” Hamilton, too, was full of into more success in Baku.” derstand the car and come here “He is a specialist centre and I would prefer to select a specialist if points ahead of Ferrari. Wolff praised the entire Mer- gratitude for the team eff ort and His reference to the upcoming and deliver what we delivered - a I can. It is preferable to selecting someone from the bench as that cedes team both in Montreal and behaved, in Montreal, in a man- race in Aberzaijan, where Hamil- great blow to Ferrari.” would mean making a double change and that is not necessary Stellar back at their factory in Brackley, ner that endorsed the view that ton endured a nightmare weekend For Hamilton, individually, it at this point. “We have fi nally taken a 1-2 in England, where staff worked he has developed into a team- last year, should keep Mercedes’ was a weekend of monumental “So I will go with someone who is a specialist outside centre to fi nish and done so at a track that tirelessly in a 24/7 eff ort to solve orientated driver, rather than a men focused ahead of another achievements - his 65th pole play with Jan, which means Lionel or someone like that.” we expected would be diffi cult the problems that had enabled ‘lone wolf’, to more than fi ll the challenge where Vettel and Ferrari with a record lap, his sixth win Coetzee also revealed that centre Damian de Allende had been for us - and which certainly was Ferrari to outclass them and vacuum created by the retire- will hope to bounce back. in Canada and the 56th of his released back to his Stormers Super Rugby franchise as the thigh for us last year,” said Wolff . score a 1-2 in Monte Carlo where ment of 2016 champion German “To have come away from career - and also one that sig- injury that kept him out of the first test had failed to show signs “Lewis delivered a stellar per- Hamilton was seventh. Nico Rosberg. Monaco, really with every- nalled at a depth of raw talent of improvement. formance this weekend - a pole “Ever since Monaco, the guys “This is the time to keep our one scratching their heads and that puts him among a handful South African Rugby later confirmed his place in the squad had lap that was almost scary, when and girls in the factory have been feet on the ground, keep work- wanting to work and pull to- of the sport’s greatest drivers of been taken by Cheetahs centre Francois Venter. you watch the on-board, then a fl at out,” he said. “We ran the ing hard and take it one race at a gether, and we did.... all time.

RUGBY Revived Lions keen to take down Highlanders

Reuters starting 15 for Tuesday’s encounter Gatland’s men have three more Wellington as he works towards fi nalising his outings before the fi rst test and the strongest lineup for the bigger tests coach has urged the players to make to come. Tour captain Sam Warbur- his job of selecting a squad for that he British and Irish Lions ton has shaken off an ankle niggle encounter as diffi cult as possible. go into today’s tour match to make just his second appearance “The players for the Highlanders against the Otago High- in New Zealand and the Wales back game are well aware of the continu- landers keen to build on a rower is desperate to see the Lions ity and momentum that has been Tmorale-boosting victory over New build on the last result and keep created from the Crusaders win, and Zealand’s strongest Super Rugby progressing towards the tests. want to continue that,” he said. franchise but wary of yet another “If we hadn’t have won it would “And for them to go out and per- tricky obstacle in their journey to- not have been the end of the world, form collectively and individu- wards the tests. we are still building nicely, but it ally, the challenge is to put us under A slow start to the 10-match tour was really good that we did for mo- pressure as coaches for selection for left many observers fearing the Li- mentum,” the 28-year-old told re- Saturday and then ultimately for the ons would be swatted aside by the porters. fi rst test.” All Blacks when the fi rst of three “And now all the guys, down at the Looking at the opposition, the tests kicks off in Auckland on June ground, we can’t wait to cheer them Highlanders may only be ranked 24 but Saturday’s display has some- on, to clap them when they come back fourth of the fi ve New Zealand fran- what changed that perception. into the changing room and spend chises in this year’s Super Rugby The Lions were brutally effi cient time together, it does feel like an tournament but the 2015 champi- in their work to nullify an unbeaten achievement of the 41 (man squad). ons have won 10 of their 14 matches All Blacks-laden Canterbury Cru- “That is what special about Li- and are assured of at least a playoff saders side 12-3 in Christchurch ons tours, and I can see the guys berth. and coach Warren Gatland will be absolutely fi nish themselves to get They will also be bolstered by the looking for a similar performance that performance and we owe that inclusion of three All Blacks with against the Highlanders in Dunedin. back to them on Tuesday against the hooker Liam Coltman, fl yhalf Lima Gatland would have been im- Highlanders. Sopoaga and winger Waisake Naholo pressed by a majority of the play- “So I am expecting us to move on all included in coach Tony Brown’s ers who overcame the Crusaders again and just keep nudging on each side for the clash at the Otago Regional British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland gestures during the rugby union match against Auckland Blues at Eden Park in Auckland and has named a completely new game now.” Stadium. on June 7, 2017. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, June 13, 2017 5 SPORT

NHL Penguins down Predators to retain Stanley Cup Penguins become the first team to defend the Stanley Cup since the Detroit Red Wings achieved the feat in 1998

AFP Los Angeles

he Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Nashville Predators 2-0 on Sunday to clinch back-to-back Stanley Cup crowns in the fi rst suchT title defense in nearly 20 years. Patric Hornqvist fi red Pittsburgh into the lead with 1:35 left in the fi nal pe- riod to silence a raucous home crowd in Nashville who had roared on their team, who ultimately fell to a 4-2 loss in the series. Hornqvist’s killer blow — which de- fl ected off Pekka Rinne — left Nashville exposed as they chased the game for an equaliser. With the Predators goal empty, it was left to Carl Hagelin to score the coup de grace with a breaka- way, triggering wild celebrations on the Penguins bench. The Penguins became the fi rst team to defend the Stanley Cup since the Detroit Red Wings achieved the feat in 1998. Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby, who was named the MVP of the series, said the Penguins had set themselves a goal of emulating Detroit at the start of the season. “It’s pretty special, to be able to share this with this group of guys,” Crosby said. “A good chunk of the team were returning but for the new guys it’s pretty special. This was our goal at the beginning of the year — we knew that it hadn’t been done in a long time. So to be able to accomplish it is a great feeling.” Crosby said Pittsburgh had been bu- Pittsburgh Penguins players and off icials pose with the Stanley Cup trophy after they defeated Nashville Predators 2-0 in the Game Six of the NHL Stanley Cup Final in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday. (AFP) oyed by their emphatic performance in Game 5, when they romped to a 6-0 win in our dressing room,” Sullivan said. complish in his career to this point ter he collected the puck after Justin allowed in the second period. power-play time in the second period. to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven “This coaching staff is so appreciative would put him in the company of the Schultz’s wide shot. Towels and pompoms rained down Rinne had 27 saves on 28 shots, losing series. “I think all playoff s long we got of this group of players and what they all-time greats,” Sullivan said. Nashville made a desperate challenge onto the ice as Pittsburgh’s players for just the second time on home ice in better as the series went on and we tried go through. We push them hard to try to “He’s a guy that just knows how to to overturn the goal for goalie interfer- celebrated their win. Predators had al- the playoff s. Earlier, Nashville appeared to do that in this series,” Crosby said. get the best out of them, and these guys win. And so he’s done it in all diff er- ence, but the call stood after a review. ready hurled a number of catfi sh on the to score early in the second period when Penguins coach Mike Sullivan praised embrace every challenge we give them.” ent venues, whether it be the NHL and Hagelin then grabbed the second of ice throughout the game. Matt Murray Colton Sissons jabbed home from a re- the work ethic of his team. “You don’t But Sullivan reserved special praise Stanley Cups to the World Cup to the his playoff campaign to the dismay of stopped 27 shots for Pittsburgh, in- bound. The offi cials disallowed the goal win championships without character, for Penguins star and MVP Crosby. Olympics.” Hornqvist’s goal was his the Bridgestone Arena crowd, already cluding four crucial blocks when Nash- however, stating that the whistle had and I believe we have it in abundance “With what Sid has been able to ac- fi fth of the postseason and came af- seething after a Predators goal was dis- ville failed to make the most of 3:28 of blown before Sissons scored.

FOCUS MLB NBA legend Jordan’s Olympic Judge hits monster home run shoes sell for record $190,373

Reuters he wore Converse in an offi cial in Yankees rout of Orioles Los Angeles game. Jordan scored 20 points in the 96-65 win over Spain on Reuters Aug. 10, 1984. He was drafted by New York pair of game-worn the Chicago Bulls three weeks Michael Jordan sneak- before he played his fi rst game ers sold at auction for for the United States in the 1984 aron Judge hit the longest homer $190,373 on Sunday, Games and signed his deal with in the major leagues this season settingA a record for game-used the Bulls in September, followed with one out in the bottom of the shoes. The Converse shoes were by a Nike deal in October 1984. sixth inning and homered again in said to be used by the NBA legend The previous record for a pair theA seventh as the New York Yankees rolled in the gold medal game against of game-used sneakers sold at to a 14-3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles in the Spain in the 1984 Olympics, ac- auction was for the ones Jordan Major League Baseball on Sunday. cording to ESPN. the 1984 Olympics – the game wore in Game Five of the 1997 Judge became the fi rst player to reach “The record-shattering price was played at The Forum in In- NBA Finals, also known as the 20 homers in the majors when he drove a proves that Michael Jordan has glewood, a suburb of Los Angeles “Flu Game.” Those sneakers sold 1-1 slider from Logan Verrett well over the no equal in the marketplace for – are autographed and include for $104,765 in 2013. That game left-center fi eld fence for a 496-foot blast. game-used basketball memora- his orthotic inserts. was played 20 years ago Sunday, An inning later, with the Yankees already bilia,” said Dan Imler, vice presi- They are considered the last with Jordan battling through fl u- leading 12-3, Judge lined a 2-2 fastball from dent of SCP Auctions, which sold pair Jordan wore in a game as an like symptoms to score 38 points Jimmy Yacobonis over the center fi eld wall. the shoes. Jordan’s shoes from amateur and also the last time in the Bulls’ win over the Jazz. The second homer went 401 feet. Gary Sanchez hit a 450-foot, three-run homer in New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge hits a home run during the sixth inning against a fi ve-run fi rst inning against Kevin Gaus- the Baltimore Orioles at the Yankee Stadium in New York on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) man (3-5) and became the sixth Yankee to reach double digits in homers. Starlin Castro slammed a 3-1 pitch into the seats in right ning that scored Yonder Alonso and Ryon Massiah wins QGL golf tournament also added a two-run homer in the sixth as fi eld for his ninth homer of the season. Healy. Vogt struck again in the top of the the Yankees won their fi fth straight. fourth with a double off Archer that scored CUBS 7, ROCKIES 5 Alonso and gave the Athletics a 3-0 lead be- Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber hit fore the Rays rallied in the fi fth. Smith had ANGELS 12, ASTROS 6 back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning an RBI double to score Daniel Robertson, Eric Young Jr. smacked a three-run homer to the lead Chicago Cubs to a 7-5 victory and Dickerson and Evan Longoria followed to cap a six-run outburst in the fi fth inning over the Colorado Rockies. Russell hit his with RBI hits to tie it 3-3. that lifted the Los Angeles Angels to a 12-6 fourth home run to give the Cubs the lead victory and a three-game series win over the and help them avoid a four-game sweep. METS 2, BRAVES 1 Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The Rockies saw their seven-game win- Seth Lugo allowed just one run in seven in- The Angels handed the Astros only their ning streak — their longest since 2013 — nings and the New York Mets defeated At- fourth series loss this season and fi rst by a snapped. Ben Zobrist and Miguel Montero lanta Braves 2-1 to take three of the four team outside the American League Cen- also homered for Chicago, which ended a games in the series. Pitching with a partially tral. They did so by mounting a stunning four-game losing streak to return to.500. torn elbow ligament, Lugo allowed six hits, response against two Houston pitchers im- Schwarber followed Russell’s home run walked two, hit a batter and struck out six in mediately after the Astros took a 6-4 lead with his fi rst career pinch-hit homer and his fi rst start of the season. Lugo (1-0) also with a two-out rally a half-inning earlier. 11th of the season. Jordan Lyles (0-2) gave contributed at the plate with a double in the Young delivered the biggest blow, snapping up both homers after Rockies starter Anto- third inning and scored on a two-out single a 6-6 tie by depositing a slider from Michael nio Senzatela fell short of becoming the fi rst by Juan Lagares to break an early tie. A suc- Feliz (2-1) into the right-fi eld seats. Young nine-game winner in the National League. cessful video review challenge kept the Mets fi nished 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Albert Pu- ahead in the fi fth, changing a run-scoring jols began the scoring with a homer with two RAYS 5, ATHLETICS 4 fi elder’s choice into an inning-ending dou- outs in the top of the fi rst inning. Mallex Smith went 3-for-3 and scored the ble play hit into by Matt Adams. go-ahead run on a sacrifi ce fl y by Corey CARDINALS 6, PHILLIES 5 Dickerson to lift the Tampa Bay Rays to a PIRATES 3, MARLINS 1 Dexter Fowler wiped out a 2-0 defi cit with 5-4 win over the Oakland Athletics. Smith, Ivan Nova pitched six scoreless innings and a three-run homer in the fi fth inning that called up from Triple-A Durham on Friday Elias Diaz drove in two runs as the Pittsburgh sent St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-5 win over to replace injured Kevin Kiermaier, reached Pirates beat Miami Marlins 3-1 at PNC Park. the Philadelphia Phillies. The victory com- fi rst on a bunt single, and Daniel Coulombe Nova (6-4) was perfect through three innings, Stephen Massiah (second right) playing his last tournament with QGL carded an impressive 5-under pleted a sweep of the three-game series for made a throwing error that allowed Smith to including striking out the side in the second. to emerge victorious in the golf tournament organised by the Qatar Golf Lovers at the Doha Golf Club the Cardinals and extended the Phillies’ los- wind up on third. He allowed one hit (a single), struck out four over the weekend. 40 golfers participated in the tournament, which was also season ending tourna- ing streak to fi ve games. The next batter, Dickerson, hit the fi rst and walked none. Felipe Rivero pitched 1 ment played on a Strokeplay format. Sandeep Nanda also scored 5 under but was declared runner-up Aaron Nola (3-4) allowed two hits through pitch from Coulombe into right fi eld and 1/3 innings for his second save. Pittsburgh on countback. Stephan Targett won the ‘longest drive’, Stephen Massiah won the ‘longest putt’ Simon the fi rst four innings before Kolten Wong led Smith tagged up and scored to give the Rays opened a 2-0 lead in the fi rst when Jose Osu- Rowlands won the ‘closest to rope’ and a Don MacIntyre won the ‘closest to pin’ awards. off the fi fth for the Cardinals with a dou- a 5-4 lead. Oakland’s Stephen Vogt had a na and David Freese hit back-to-back singles ble. Greg Garcia drew a walk before Fowler two-run single in the top of the second in- and Diaz drove them in with a double. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, June 13, 2017 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Brilliant Ariya on top of world with Berger retains title Manulife Classic win

AFP Toronto

hailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn drained a 25-foot birdie putt to aft er Mickelson triple win the Manulife LPGA Classic in a three-way playoff on Sunday, guaranteeing her ascent to the world number one ranking. ‘I can’t believe I won again. It’s been a battle. I’m extremely proud’ THer dramatic win at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, On- tario came after rival Lexi Thompson stumbled with four bogeys on the back nine which saw a four-shot lead evaporate. Reuters On the fi rst playoff hole, Thompson looked to have recovered Memphis, USA her composure when she crushed a long tee shot 50 yards further than Ariya and South Korea’s Chun In-Gee. Ariya, who had un- derhit her tee shot into the fairway rough, hit her second onto the aniel Berger expressed green. Both Chun and Thompson then missed long birdie putts surprise after becom- leaving Ariya with her shot at glory which she duly converted. ing the fourth player The result capped a rollercoaster week for the 21-year-old from to successfully defend Bangkok, who had wrongly been informed by the LPGA last week hisD title at the St. Jude Classic in that she had taken the world number one ranking. The LPGA later Memphis on Sunday. revealed she had not in fact taken the top spot from New Zealand’s He shot a bogey-free four- Lydia Ko because of a rankings miscalculation. Thompson mean- under-par 66 to emerge top of a while was left refl ecting on her third defeat in a playoff this season crowded leaderboard for a one- after she looked to be cruising to her second title of the year. shot victory over South African Thompson, 22, had opened up a four-shot lead by the 11th hole. Charl Schwartzel (66) and South But back-to-back bogeys on the 12th and 13th holes gave her Korean Kim Meen-whee (67). rivals hope before Thompson recovered with a birdie on the par- On a day when Phil Mickel- four 15th. However a three-putt on the par-three 17th set up a son was tied for the lead until a tense fi nale with Thompson one shot clear. triple-bogey at the 12th, Berger After making the green in regulation, the American was left fi nished at 10-under 270 at TPC with two putts to win. But her birdie putt rolled up short, leaving Southwind in Tennessee, joining her with a four-footer for victory which she then missed, setting Dave Hill, Lee Trevino and David up the playoff drama. Ariya had entered the playoff after a three- Toms as back-to-back winners under-par fi nal round 69 while Chun forced her way into conten- of an event that started in 1958. tion with a two-under-par 70. “I’m one-for-one defend- ing titles, so that’s a pretty good stat,” Berger joked after securing his second PGA Tour victory at the age of 24. “I can’t believe I won again. It’s been a battle. I’m extremely proud.” Berger revealed that he had cracked his driver pre-tourna- ment, but found a more than ad- equate replacement club. “I hit it phenomenally,” he said, adding that by spooky co- incidence his hotel room number had been the same as last week. He will head with renewed Daniel Berger celebrates with the trophy after winning the FedEx St. Jude Classic tournament in Memphis, USA. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports confi dence to the US Open start- ing at Erin Hills in Wisconsin on it’s not looking good,” he said re- Thursday, while Schwartzel will garding his chances of playing in Wood grabs last exemption into US Open also have a spring in his step af- the US Open. (Reporting by An- ter his near miss. drew Both in Cary, North Caro- Englishman Chris Wood earned the last full exemp- South Korea’s Kim, 25, qualified for his first US Open “I putted better today. I lina; Editing by Ken Ferris) tion into the 156-man field at the US Open starting as the first alternate from the Memphis sectional. stroked the ball well,” said on Thursday at Erin Hills by moving into the top 60 Kim has competed in 19 PGA Tour events this Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand with the trophy after winning the final Schwartzel, the 2011 US Masters Leading scores after the final in the world golf rankings, off icials said yesterday. season and tied for fifth at the Puerto Rico Open on Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Canada. (Getty Images/AFP) champion, whose putting does round Sunday in the PGA Tour Wood improved his ranking to 60th after a tie for March 26. Light, 26, was the first alternate from the not always match the quality of St. Jude Classic at TPC South- second this month at the Nordea Masters in Swe- Springfield, Ohio, sectional and is competing in his his long game. wind in Memphis, Tennessee den. The 29-year-old Wood, who finished tied for first US Open. Featherweight Franco in coma aft er knockout Mickelson, meanwhile, ad- (Par 70; USA unless noted): 23rd in his maiden US Open last year at Oakmont, mitted he had become unusu- 270 — Daniel Berger 70-68-66- has four top-25 finishes on the PGA European Tour Featherweight Daniel Franco remained in a coma in hospital on ally fl ustered after seeing a lea- 66 this season. Sunday, a day after being knocked out by Jose Haro in the main derboard on the 11th hole that 271 — Charl Schwartzel (RSA) Last year, he won the BMW Championship and event of a boxing card at the WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa. showed him tied for the lead. 65-66-74-66, Kim Whee (KOR) competed in his first Ryder Cup Match. Addition- Franco, 25, was knocked out in the eighth round with a hard right “It shook me to be honest,” 69-66-69-67 ally, five alternates from sectional qualifying were from Caro. He was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency said the fi ve-times major cham- 272 — Chez Reavie 66-65-72- added to complete the field for the year’s second surgery to stop two brain bleeds. He was placed in a medically pion. “I didn’t expect to be there. 69, Billy Horschel 72-66-70-64, major. The USGA held six spots in the field for play- induced coma. It was as if I’d never won before, Braden Thornberry-a 71-69-67- ers who could potentially qualify by moving into “At this point the doctors have told us the next 48 hours will be as if I was a rookie.” 65, Kevin Chappell 68-67-68- the top 60 of the rankings. critical in regards to him making a complete recovery,” manager He promptly dropped three 69, Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) Alternates joining the field are Gregory Bourdy, Ray Chaparro said in a statement. “We ask for prayers from the strokes at the par-four 12th and 70-66-65-71 Tyler Light, Davis Love IV, Kim Meen-whee and boxing community at this time.” shot 68, fi nishing three shots 273 — Phil Mickelson 69-67-69- Ryan Palmer. Chaparro said doctors had to open Franco’s skull in order to re- behind Berger. 68 Bourdy, 35, of France, is playing in his third US Open, lieve the pressure and repair two small veins that were bleeding. Mickelson, 46, still looks like 274 — Harris English 67-72-70-65, with his best finish a tie for 18th last year. A four- Franco (16-2-3, 11 knockouts) absorbed several hard shots from missing the US Open, the only Steve Wheatcroft 68-69-69-68, times winner on the PGA European Tour, he was the Haro (14-1-1, eight KOs) through the fight and staggered in the major he needs to complete the Adam Scott (AUS) 71-64-71-68, first alternate from the England sectional. sixth round. career grand slam of all four Dominic Bozzelli 69-67-69-69, Palmer, 40, is playing in his seventh US Open, with Before the fight ended, he was knocked down in the eighth but modern majors. David Hearn (CAN) 70-67-67-70, his best finish a tie for 21st in 2011 at Congressional beat the count. The next shot landed near Franco’s temple, and He thinks he needs a four- Chad Campbell 67-69-66-72, Country Club. The three-times winner on the he immediately fell to the canvas. hour weather delay in the fi rst Stewart Cink 64-68-69-73, Ben PGA Tour was the first alternate from the Dallas Moments later, Franco appeared alert while getting medical at- round on Thursday to make it for Crane 68-65-68-73 sectional. tention, but as the result of the fight was being announced, he lay his tee time after he attends his 275 — Grayson Murray 67-72-69- Love IV, 23, is competing in his first US Open after down on the mat and was removed from the ring on a stretcher. daughter’s high school gradua- 67, Trey Mullinax 68-66-72-69, having qualified through local and sectional play. Franco was handed his first career defeat in a third-round knock- tion ceremony in southern Cali- Joel Dahmen 70-66-69-70, Fa- Love, the son of twice former US Ryder Cup captain out by Christopher Martin on March 23. He rebounded with a fornia. bian Gomez (ARG) 69-69-67-70, Davis Love III, is playing in his first event as a profes- first-round knockout win over Francisco Agustin Suarez on May “I am going to keep my game Matt Jones (AUS) 65-69-69-72, sional. 12 before taking on Haro. sharp the next couple of days but Luke List 70-66-66-73

FOCUS Offi cials confi dent of smooth rulings process at US Open

Reuters Davis after the 2016 champion- he said. “One of the tenets of moved,” said Bodenhamer. “Un- New York ship, where offi cials made a mess rules modernisation is relying on der the naked eye standard, that of dealing with a questionable player integrity even more than would no longer be a breach. fi nal-round rules infraction by we have in the past, and we relied “If it has been found that the dministrative “bogeys” Dustin Johnson. “Mike Davis on it heavily in the past.” player accidentally caused the at last year’s US Open said we made a bogey. I’d say we ball to move in marking it (on have led offi cials to made a couple of bogeys at Oak- CLOSE LOOK the green) or grounding his club better balance mod- mont last year,” Bodenhamer, the Three weeks after the Open, close to the ball like Dustin did, ernA technology with golf’s time USGA senior managing director another thorny rules matter then that would be accidental honoured values at this year’s of championships & governance, reared up at the US Women’s and you just put it back and no event starting on Thursday at told Reuters. Open in California. penalty.” Erin Hills in Wisconsin. “It took too long to make a rul- A high-defi nition TV close- In this age of high defi nition Greater access to sophisti- ing, to come to our own decision, up of a fairway bunker shot by close ups, home viewers have cated video replay at a central and we took too long to make the Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist dur- been alerting organisers of po- location for rules offi cials, and decision with Dustin.” ing a playoff against Brittany tential infractions. on-course video review stations Lang revealed that, unwittingly, Bodenhamer said the USGA will help expedite decisions, said DECISION REVERSED her club disturbed some grains and R&A are looking at reaching US golf Association rules maes- Johnson was fi rst cleared by an of sand at address in the hazard, a policy around video reviews. tro John Bodenhamer. on-course offi cial over a slight where grounding the club is not “In the meantime we will do And employing local rules as movement of his ball before ad- allowed. The decision to uphold what we’ve done in collecting all a common-sense approach to dress on the fi fth green. Six holes the letter of the law resulted in a information, whether it’s from a accidental ball movement on later he was told he might be Spectators make their way onto the course for the opening practice round of the US Open golf tournament two-shot penalty for Nordqvist, gallery member, another player, greens and unintentional infrac- subject to a one-shot penalty, at Erin Hills. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports who lost the playoff . a caddie, or anybody that calls tions in bunkers will cut down leaving the status of the leader- Under the reasonable judg- in,” he said. the need of video review and un- board in doubt. Despite being handed the one- simply replace his ball and play Bodenhamer said. “Let’s not get ment provision in the rules to “Can you imagine if something derscore one of golf’s cherished The USGA was ravaged on so- shot penalty after he walked off on, as has been proposed in rules caught up in drawing fi ne lines be used at Erin Hills, Nordqvist comes out that could taint the traditions – the players’ honour cial media by players and fans the 18th green, Johnson won by changes by the USGA and Royal and being so precise we lose would not have been penalised. winner, taint the competition and system. alike, not necessarily for eventu- three strokes. & Ancient for adoption in 2019. sight of common sense.” “It was only through very high compromise the integrity of that The fresh approaches sprung ally imposing a one-shot penal- Under rules in play at Erin “The spirit of rules moderni- Bodenhamer said the rules fi t def extreme close up, extreme champion and the competition? from a review led by USGA ex- ty, but more so for dithering over Hills, there would have been no sation is just common sense, no a basic tenet of the game. slow motion that a couple grains That’s why we do it ... And the ecutive director and CEO Mike the matter. penalty for Johnson, who would harm, no foul. Just put it back,” “Players police themselves,” of sand could be noticed to have players want to get it right.” Gulf Times Tuesday, June 13, 2017 7 CRICKET

CHAMPIONS TROPHY SPOTLIGHT De Villiers defi ant Skipper Kohli’s brutal as South Africa honesty brings team choke again Reuters three batsmen were run out and London they were dismissed for 191 in the 45th over. De Villiers, the world’s top- outh Africa captain AB ranked one-day batsman who India the success de Villiers was in defi ant scored only 20 runs in three in- mood after his team suf- nings in the tournament, is fo- fered a humiliating eight- cused on the 2019 World Cup. 'You have to be honest. You have to sometimes say things that hurt' wicketS loss to India on Sunday “Not a lot of people believe that which ended their Champions but I think that (winning a tour- AFP Trophy campaign and enhanced nament) is not that far away,” the London their long-held reputation as 33-year-old said. “It is very diffi - “chokers” in big matches. cult to sell it on this kind of per- The Proteas have won only one formance but that is what I be- irat Kohli says India’s Champi- global one-day title, the inaugu- lieve in. We are very close as a unit ons Trophy demolition of South ral Champions Trophy in 1998, and we have just got to make it Africa was fuelled by his refusal and the world’s top-ranked team work when in matters the most.” to spare his players from criti- crumbled under pressure at The South Africa coach Russell Vcism. Kohli’s side crushed South Africa Oval in a straight shootout for a Domingo admitted the pres- by eight wickets at The Oval in their fi - semi-fi nal place. “I can take us sure on the side would continue nal Group B fi xture to set up a semi-fi nal to win a World Cup, I believe,” De to grow. “There’s always going showdown with Bangladesh on Thursday. Villiers told a news conference. be questions until we do get it India had to win to avoid elimination “I’m a good captain and I can right,” he said. “The longer it after slumping to a shock loss against take this team forward. There’s takes to get over that the harder Sri Lanka, a spluttering performance more than enough talent and it will be.” that prompted Kohli to let his team know we’ve just got to get it right when India, who cruised to their tar- where they were going wrong. Rather it matters most.” get with 12 overs to spare, joined than sugar-coat his comments to save his South Africa lost a 1999 World England, Pakistan and Bangla- players’ pride, the India captain made it Cup semi-fi nal against Australia desh in the last four . Their cap- clear they had to improve and he was de- when they needed one run to win tain Virat Kohli played down the lighted with how they responded in the from the last four balls and were signifi cance of South Africa’s make or break clash on Sunday. eliminated in the group stage reputation for under-performing “You have to be honest. You have to on home soil in 2003 after mis- in big games. “To me, their bats- sometimes say things that hurt. That’s understanding the Duckworth- men looked pretty confi dent,” he what I believe in,” he said. “You have Lewis scoring system. said. “If you get two run-outs to lay it out in front of them that this is The loss to India was another quickly, then the mindset totally what we did wrong, including me, and we major disappointment because changes. Getting their big hitters need to take it on the chin and accept it South Africa started well and early was a bonus. We asked our and prove it. “That’s why we are chosen moved smoothly to 116 for one bowlers to make them play dif- among millions of people to play at this after being put in to bat before fi cult shots.” level. You have to be good enough to do that for the country and you have to be good enough to bounce back, as well. You can’t do the same mistakes over and over again. That sort of mindset is really help- ing all of us to come together as a unit and make things happen. Indian skipper Virat Kohli (left) gives instructions to fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah during the ICC Champions Trophy Group B match “It’s not about asking two, three play- against South Africa at The Oval in London on Sunday. (Reuters) ers to do it. We are asking everyone to do it and everyone is responding really well. situations,” he said. “Maybe some of the for us,” Bumrah said. “I was happy to bowl With ability to bowl yorkers at will Until you have a team eff ort, you cannot teams have really surprised the opposi- with the new ball. We contained well at during slog overs, Bumrah is Kohli’s ‘go win games, especially in conditions that tion with the way they have batted and the start. The ball wasn’t swinging, so we to man’ at the death. A tournament econ- you are not familiar with. Today was a bowled in certain situations.” wanted to stick to a tight line. That was omy rate of 4.77 for someone who bowls team performance.” Meanwhile, Indian fast bowler Jasprit the basic plan for us. It was a good toss bulk of his overs in back 10 is commend- With India, Pakistan and Bangladesh Bumrah said the South Africa match was to win and bowl fi rst because the wickets able. But Bumrah is against being labelled joining hosts England in the last four, it’s crucial so the team wanted to be calm haven’t be helping the fast bowlers,” he as slog overs specialist. been a strong tournament for the teams and execute their plans in order to seal added. “You know, we don’t focus on these from the sub continent. Kohli acknowl- the semi-fi nal spot. Man-of-the-Match Bumrah has done enough to gain con- things. You can’t just be labelled as ‘death edged the amount of one-day cricket Bumrah, who scalped two wickets for fi dence of his skipper Kohli, who in turn bowler’ or a swing bowler (in case of played in the region was a factor, but he 28 runs in eight overs, also revealed the has given him freedom to express him- Bhuvneshwar Kumar), whenever you are has also been impressed with the way strategy and said the ball was not swing- self. “It feels good that the captain has so given the ball, you have to contribute. You India have adapted to the English condi- ing so they wanted to bowl a tight line. much of confi dence in you that he gives bowl according to situations - whether at tions. “It was an important game for us. We you freedom to do whatever you want. the death or at the beginning. The aim is “Maybe because of how much limited- were looking forward to the game. We When this happens, a youngster like me to stick to a plan and execute it,” Bumrah overs cricket we play, I think the players wanted to be calm and wanted to execute can express himself and show what he is expressed his reservations being deemed AB De Villiers insists he is the right man to lead South Africa at the are getting more experienced in diffi cult our plans in this game, so it worked out capable of,” Bumrah said. as a ‘one trick pony’. 2019 World Cup to be held in England. (Reuters)

FOCUS ODI SERIES Uncapped quintet called up West Indies fi ght back to level series AFP experience and we are looking forward to a com- London petitive series against strong opposition. AFP Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Tom Cur- Gros-Islet, Saint Lucia Shai Hope (right) of the West ran and Craig Overton have impressed for the Indies plays a shot during the ngland called up uncapped quintet Liam England Lions over the past 12 months and have second ODI against Afghanistan Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Tom Curran, transferred their skills across all formats, in par- est Indies overcame in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. (WICB) Mason Crane and Craig Overton yester- ticular with their respective counties. a mini collapse on day for their three-match Twenty20 se- “Young leg-spinner Mason Crane is another their way to a se- riesE against South Africa. player with great promise and he has made great ries-levelling four- The fi ve, who have no international appear- strides with Hampshire this season and has added Wwicket victory in a low-scoring ances between them in any format, are given their to his experience with stints in the North-South second one-day international chance as several key players including Test cap- Series earlier in the season, where he took crucial against Afghanistan in St Lucia tain Joe Root and star all-rounder Ben Stokes have wickets and even earned selection for New South on Sunday. Afghanistan strug- been rested. All-rounder Moeen Ali, leg-spinner Wales in Australia’s premier domestic competi- gled against the extra pace and Adil Rashid and fast bowler Jake Ball have also tion the Sheffi eld Shield.” bounce of the home seam attack, been released to their counties, while seamer Ty- The squad — captained by Eoin Morgan — will making just 135 off 37.3 overs, the mal Mills is missing through injury. Those two, get together on June 20 with their fi rst match in lowest ODI total at the Darren alongside several other established players, will Southampton on June 21 followed by clashes in Sammy Stadium. instead take part in day/night county champion- Taunton two days later and the fi nal match in Shai Hope then scored a pa- ship matches ahead of the fi rst Test against West Cardiff on June 25. tient unbeaten 48 to stave off Indies at Edgbaston, which will be played under the threat of Afghan leg-spinner similar conditions — a fi rst in England. England T20 squad Rashid Khan and take the home “The series against South Africa presents us Eoin Morgan (capt), Jonny Bairstow (first two match- side across the fi nish line with with an opportunity to incorporate several play- es of series), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Mason Crane, more than 10 overs but just four ers who have come through the talent pathway Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, wickets to spare after falling at into the senior group,” said England chairman of Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton (last one stage to 98 for fi ve. selectors James Whitaker. two matches of series), Liam Plunkett, Jason Roy, Choosing to bat again on the “The squad has an exciting blend of youth and David Willey, Mark Wood (first match of series) same pitch used for the fi rst match two days earlier, the tour- ists found the West Indies bowl- ers to be an entirely diff erent proposition as they adopted a and we are confi dent that we’ve SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES INNINGS Major South Africa stadia upgrade consistent line of short-pitched seen enough of Khan to be more AFGHANISTAN INNINGS E. Lewis lbw Khan 33 bowling on the body which ex- eff ective against him.” Noor Ali Zadran c and b Holder 8 K. Powell c Nabi b Khan 12 for T20 league posed the technical inadequacies After his match-winning haul J. Ahmadi run out 9 S. Hope not out 48 of most of the Afghan batsmen. of 7 for 18 in the 63-run win for R. Shah c Mohammed b Gabriel 1 J. Carter c wkpr Zazai b Naib 2 Cape Town: Cricket South Africa (CSA) yester- Franchises will be sold and the owners will Only Gulbadin Naib, who was Afghanistan in the fi rst match on S. Shenwari lbw Gabriel 2 J. Mohammed c Shenwari b Naib 2 day announced multimillion-dollar plans to re- be announced in London on June 19, said CSA. last out for a top score of 51, of- Friday — the fourth best ODI fi g- A. Stanikzai c Hope b Joseph 11 R. Chase stpd wkpr Zazai b Khan 9 vamp and upgrade several stadia in preparation Eight “marquee” overseas players and eight fered any meaningful resistance. ures by a bowler in history — the M. Nabi c Chase b Joseph 13 R. Powell c Shah b Nabi 17 for its planned high-profile Twenty20 league. top South African players have already been His enterprising innings off 73 leg-spinner Khan was again the A. Zazai c Holder b Chase 9 J. Holder not out 11 More than 350mn rand ($27mn) has been set announced and will be allocated to each of the balls included two sixes and two most potent threat with 3 for 26 G. Naib c Joseph b Nurse 51 Extras (lb-2, w-2) 4 aside for the improvements, which will include teams. fours, saving his side from com- from his 10 overs. R. Khan c wkpr Hope b Holder 7 Total (6 wkts, 39.2 overs) 138 state-of-the-art artificial lighting systems, sports The eight overseas players already named plete humiliation after they were Naib also chipped in with two D. Zadran c Lewis b Nurse 9 Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Kieran Pow- field technology and LED scoreboards. “We are West Indians Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle and 51 for six when he came to the wickets from his medium-pacers A. Hamza not out 0 ell), 2-55 (Lewis), 3-62 (Carter), 4-72 want our cricket stadiums to be world class,” Kieron Pollard, Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga, New crease. Shannon Gabriel, captain and at 72 for 4 when Jason Mo- Extras (lb-1, w-13, nb-1) 15 (Mohammed), 5-98 (Chase), 6-123 said CSA chief Haroon Lorgat in a statement. Zealander Brendon McCullum, English pair Eoin Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph hammed fell, after having been Total (all out, 37.3 overs) 135 (Rovman Powell) Earlier this year, South Africa announced the Morgan and Jason Roy and South Africa-born exploited the helpful surface 55 for 1, it looked as if another Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Noor Ali Did not bat: A. Nurse, A. Joseph, S. launch of its own version of the Indian Premier former England star Kevin Pietersen. with two wickets each while off - embarrassing capitulation might Zadran), 2-24 (Ahmadi), 3-25 (Shah), Gabriel League and the Australian Big Bash League, The South African “marquee” players are spinner Ashley Nurse wrapped follow. But Roston Chase and 4-34 (Shenwari), 5-48 (Stanikzai), Bowling: D. Zadran 7.2-1-47-0, M. with eight city-based franchises. It hopes to Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, up the innings with two wickets, Rovman Powell, in the side for 6-51 (Nabi), 7-81 (Zazai), 8-96 (Khan), Nabi 10-0-33-1 (1w), R. Khan 10-1- attract major international investment and JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Kagiso including Naib to a catch at long- the injured Miguel Cummins, 9-127 (Dawlat Zadran), 10-135 (Naib) 26-3, G. Naib 5-1-15-2 (1w), A. Hamza big-name players to the league, which begins Rabada and Imran Tahir. “Our aim is for the T20 off as he miscued another big hit. hung around long enough with Bowling: S. Gabriel 7.4-0-25-2 (3w, 6-0-12-0 in November and ends on December 16 with all Global League to rank among the world’s best “It was a defi nite change of man-of-the-match Hope to see 1nb), J. Holder 9-1-38-2 (6w), R. Result: West Indies won by 4 South Africa’s leading players and many world T20 leagues, and enhancing the in-stadium tactics and it paid off ,” said Hold- the West Indies to the target, Powell 2.2-0-8-0, A. Joseph 6-0-15-2 wickets stars likely to be available. experience of fans is essential,” said Lorgat. er. “Now it gets us back on track even though it was left to Holder (4w), A. Nurse 9.3-0-33-2, R. Chase Toss: Afghanistan for the decider on Wednesday to hit the winning runs. 3-1-15-1 Man of the match: S Hope (WI)

Tuesday, June 13, 2017 GULF TIMES CRICKET

CHAMPIONS TROPHY Sarfraz the hero as Pakistan squeeze into semi-fi nals Skipper Sarfraz’s 61 and Amir’s 28 take Pakistan home after they share an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership of 75

AFP Kusal Mendis held an awkward catch at SCOREBOARD Cardiff , United Kingdom a wide slip position. Shoaib Malik (11) SRI LANKA INNINGS then feathered a catch behind following N. Dickwella c Sarfraz b Amir 73 an attempted pull off Malinga. Fahim D. Gunathilaka c Malik b Junaid 13 arfraz Ahmed produced a Ashraf thrillingly hooked Malinga over K. Mendis b Hasan Ali 27 superb captain’s innings fol- long leg for six but the ODI debutant D. Chandimal b Fahim Ashraf 0 lowing a top-order collapse was run out for a run-a-ball 15. A. Mathews b Mohammad Amir 39 to see Pakistan into the semi- Sarfraz was now the key man but Sri D. de Silva c Sarfraz b Junaid 1 fiS nals of the Champions Trophy with Lanka dropped him on 38, when with A. Gunaratne c Fakhar b Hasan Ali 27 a thrilling three-wicket win over Sri Pakistan 194 for seven, Thisara Per- T. Perera c Babar Azam b Junaid Khan 1 Lanka at Cardiff yesterday. Pakistan, era at mid-on fl oored the simplest of S. Lakmal b Hasan Ali 26 chasing a seemingly modest 237 to win, catches. And he was missed again, on L. Malinga not out 9 slumped to 162 for seven. 40, when substitute Seekkuge Prasan- N. Pradeep c and b Fahim Ashraf 1 But Sarfraz’s 61 not out and Moham- na dropped a far more diffi cult chance Extras (b1, lb5, w12, nb1) 19 ed Amir’s 28 not out saw Pakistan home running in from deep square leg. Total (all out, 49.2 overs) 236 with 31 balls to spare after they shared In the end, Sri Lanka were made to Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Gunathilaka), 2-82 an unbroken eighth-wicket partner- pay for a poor batting display. (Mendis), 3-83 (Chandimal), 4-161 (Math- ship of 75. Man-of-the-match Sarfraz, Sent in by Sarfraz, they were making ews), 5-162 (De Silva), 6-162 (Dickwella), crucially dropped twice, ended the steady progress at 161 for three while 7-167 (Perera), 8-213 (Lakmal), 9-232 contest when he uppercut Lasith Mal- top-scorers Dickwella (73) and captain (Gunaratne), 10-236 (Pradeep) inga for four. It was his fi fth boundary Angelo Mathews (39) were together Bowling: Amir 10-0-53-2 (2w); Junaid 10-3- in 79 balls and led the joyous wicket- at the crease. But the loss of Mathews 40-3 (2w); Imad 8-1-33-0; Ashraf 6.2-0-37-2 keeper to run a semi-circle round the sparked a middle-order collapse that (1nb, 2w); Hasan 10-0-43-3 (1w); Hafeez ground. Pakistan will return to Sophia saw four wickets lost for just six runs as 5-0-24-0 (1w); Gardens for a last-four clash with Sri Lanka slumped to 167 for seven. tournament hosts England in Cardiff Only same late tail-order hitting, PAKISTAN INNINGS tomorrow. Earlier, Pakistan induced including Suranga Lakmal’s ODI best Azhar Ali c Mendis b Lakmal 34 a middle-order collapse as Sri Lanka 26, got Sri Lanka past 200 in an innings Fakhar Zaman c Gunaratne b Pradeep 50 slumped to 236 all out. “I said to Amir where Pakistan pacemen Junaid Khan Babar Azam c de Silva b Pradeep 10 to play your game, to not worry. If he (three for 40) and Hasan Ali (three for Mohammad Hafeez c Pradeep b Perera 1 scored 20 runs, which he did, we would 43) did the bulk of the damage. Shoaib Malik c Dickwella b Malinga 11 win,” said Sarfraz. All-rounder Mathews, fresh from an Sarfraz Ahmed not out 61 “,” said Sri Lanka captain Angelo unbeaten fi fty in Sri Lanka’s shock sev- Imad Wasim c Dickwella b Pradeep 4 Mathews. “They deserve it. “Our bowl- en-wicket victory over India, drove off - Fahim Ashraf run out (Perera) 15 ers were brilliant. Unfortunately we spinner Mohamed Hafeez for six, while Mohammad Amir not out 28 dropped catches and that cost us the Dickwella ended a sequence of 54 balls Extras (b4, lb6, w13) 23 game,” the all-rounder added without a boundary by cover-driving Total (7 wkts, 44.5 overs) 237 Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka had to left-arm spinner Imad Wasim for four. Did not bat: Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan win yesterday to join already qualifi ed Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed celebrates after scoring the winning runs against Sri Lanka in the ICC Champions Trophy Mathews, however, fell when an inside Fall of wickets: 1-74 (Fakhar), 2-92 (Babar), title-holders India from Group B in Group B match in Cardiff yesterday. (Reuters) edge off Mohamed Amir gave the elated 3-95 (Hafeez), 4-110 (Azhar), 5-131 (Shoaib), the knockout stages of a tournament left-arm paceman his fi rst wicket of the 6-137 (Imad), 7-162 (Ashraf) featuring the world’s top eight one- were dismissed for 236. And it seemed in as many balls off the Malinga. In just at fi ne leg. Pakistan, then 92 for one, tournament. In what turned out to be a Bowling: Malinga 9.5-2-52-1 (4w); Lakmal day international sides. India will play like it wasn’t going to be their day when his second match at this level, the left- saw three wickets go down in a hurry. brilliant all-round match for wicket- 10-0-48-1 (2w); Pradeep 10-0-60-3 (3w); Bangladesh in Thursday’s second semi- Pakistan opener Azhar Ali was dropped handed Fakhar completed a 34-ball Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez keeper Sarfraz, he held a superb low Perera 8-0-43-1 (4w); Gunaratne 5-0-19-0; fi nal at Edgbaston, with the fi nal at the on nought by Asela Gunaratne at point. fi fty. But, two balls later, he fell for ex- both fell to tame legside catches before one-handed catch to dismiss Dickwella Gunathilaka 1-0-2-0; De Silva 1-0-3-0 Oval on Sunday. In what was a ‘must- But fellow opener Fakhar Zaman was actly 50 when a top-edged hook off Nu- Azhar’s painstaking 34 ended when he after the batsman got an inside edge to win match’ for both sides, Sri Lanka far more dynamic, hitting three fours wan Pradeep was caught by Gunaratne fended at paceman Suranga Lakmal and Amir.

SPOTLIGHT Kumble to remain India coach till Wood relishes being go to man West Indies tour: CoA chief Mumbai: The Indian cricket AFP board’s Committee of Ad- Birmingham, United Kingdom ministrators (CoA) Chairman, Vinod Rai said yesterday that Indian cricket team coach Anil ark Wood is revelling in the role Kumble’s (right) tenure will be of being the man England cap- extended till the end of the up- tain Eoin Morgan turns to when coming tour to the West Indies. the hosts need a wicket at the “Coach selection has been MChampions Trophy. Wood’s one-day inter- entrusted to the CAC (Cricket national best four for 33 in England’s con- Advisory Committee), which se- cluding group win over Australia, which saw lected Anil Kumble last year for a them knock out their arch rivals, included one-year contract. Now the proc- the prize scalps of Aussie skipper Steven ess has to be followed. But since Smith, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell at the process has been delayed, Edgbaston on Saturday. Kumble, subject to his accept- This tournament also saw him remove ing, will be there for the West New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, one of the Indies tour,” Rai told reporters. world’s best batsmen, with a brilliant de- “The CAC is meeting in London livery in unbeaten England’s win over the to decide upon the road ahead,” off icials. dian cricket,” Rai said. “The CAC Black Caps in Cardiff . “It’s a nice feeling he added. Rai, however, insisted that will have meeting in London and to have the confi dence of the captain,” said Kumble’s current one-year reports of a rift between Kohli deliberate on future course.” Wood ahead of England’s semi-fi nal against contract with the Board of Con- and Kumble have been blown Former CoA member Ram- Pakistan in Cardiff tomorrow. “I don’t know trol for Cricket in India (BCCI) out of proportion. “The fact is chandra Guha had mentioned if it makes me try a little bit harder, but at will expire on June 18, when the that it was a one-year contract, several instances of alleged the moment I seem to be getting some of the final of the ongoing Champions so a process was followed. I conflict of interest in the work- best players out. It’s a nice knack to have.” Trophy is to be held. India’s tour don’t know why the contro- ing of the BCCI, including Rahul The 27-year-old Durham quick, fi t fol- of the West Indies, which will in- versy. I have spoken to both of Dravid’s role as India A and India lowing persistent ankle trouble, said Mor- clude five One-Day Internation- them and neither of them has U-19 coach as well as mentor of gan’s backing had been a huge confi dence als (ODI) and a single Twenty20 confirmed what has come out,” the Delhi Daredevils team in the boost. “You feel like the captain really needs International is scheduled to run Rai said. “How can the situation Indian Premier League (IPL). you and you want to be the man who chang- from June 23 to July 9. be handled better? The fact that “All issues regarding conflict es the game — and that’s what I’ve tried to Mark Wood took his one-day international best of four for 33 in England’s group win over Doubts have been raised on the contract is for one year was of interest will be referred to the do. You lift up, push your shoulders back, Australia, which saw them knock out their arch rivals. (AFP) Kumble’s chances of bagging known, so why the controversy?” ethics off icer appointed by the puff your chest out a little bit.” a renewed contract as coach he added. BCCI. He will be appointed soon. England have won 11 of their last 12 one- the previous game.” real leaders in the team — Morgs is obviously of the national team following CAC members Sachin Ten- A lot of complaints regarding day internationals, with Wood’s Durham Stokes received superb support from our captain, but Stokesey is a real leader in reports of a rift with a few senior dulkar, VVS. Laxman and Sourav conflict of interest have been team-mate Ben Stokes hitting a thrilling 102 Morgan (87) in a match-changing stand and the way he carries himself and drags every- members in the India squad, Ganguly are in London and are received,” Rai said. “Guha’s not out against Australia after the home side Wood added: “When we went back out af- one else along with him.” including captain Virat Kohli. scheduled to meet both Kumble letter will be discussed in the had slumped to 35 for three. “It’s fantastic — ter the rain delay and Morgs hit the fi rst ball Meanwhile Wood was delighted that he Kumble’s demand of a steep hike and Kohli before coming out SC (Supreme Court) as we are a we’ve got one hell of a team, and I absolutely for four, everyone just thought, ‘Here we and Stokes were fl ying the fl ag for northeast in his own salary as well that of with a decision. “We have left court appointed agency and we love being part of it,” said Wood. “When we go, let’s fi ght fi re with fi re’ — I don’t know if county Durham. “It’s great the north-east the players has also reportedly it to the CAC, they are legends, owe our explanation only to the were three wickets down, I thought I would Australia were expecting that. lads are the ones carrying the team at the drawn the ire of several BCCI they know what is best for In- court,” he added. have to get the pads on again like I’d done in “It was a fantastic partnership from two minute,” he said with a broad grin.

OPINION It hurt to see such an unrecognisable South Africa performance By Graeme Smith but for me it’s a relatively simple equation. and if you’re going to play that way, you can’t par in this tournament so far. that are always levelled at South Africa sides. The positivity to our play and the energy that aff ord the calamities that unfolded in terms of Mindset, and your approach to the game, are Faf du Plessis is one of the key elements in this left the ground Sunday feeling as many we’ve come to expect from this group of players the two mid-innings run outs. They will kill any those one percent factors that make the diff er- side. I know him very well, and the 10 overs that South African fans will be feeling. Disap- just hasn’t been there. Sunday’s display is the momentum you have, and suck the energy from ence at this level. When those factors are not saw him involved with the run-outs before get- pointment that the team haven’t man- perfect example of that. With the bat, there was a dressing room. there, you pay the price and it’s the team’s ap- ting out himself will not sit well with him. India aged to recreate the form and the brand of a real chance to make an impression on the game On Sunday, those key moments in the game proach that has been the missing ingredient. was full of confi dence in comparison, and credit Icricket that have seen them be so successful in early, by looking to, at least, try and put the In- where you look for someone to take the initiative If you’re ever so slightly off the boil that will has to be given to Virat Kohli and the team in white ball cricket over the past 12-18 months. I dia seamers under pressure. That didn’t happen, just seemed to pass South Africa by. India played translate to the performances on the fi eld and terms of how they’ve gone about their cricket so still care deeply about the environment that I and this cautious style of play that seems to lack the game with more intensity, it took more risks often it just doesn’t look right. Since the team far at the ICC Champions Trophy. spent so much time building as a player, and it the intent that we’ve seen from the same players and stuck to its method and game formula far have started against England in May, it hasn’t India’s seam bowling has come on hugely hurt to see such an unrecognisable South Africa previously, is what puzzles me the most. better than the South Africa team. Whereas I’ve looked right to me as an observer. since my playing days, and that shone through performance. The side have been missing that What I would have liked to have seen from the grown so used to the free fl owing, often power- I still believe this to be a wonderful short form on Sunday. In this day and age, with the Power- spark, or that intensity to their play that charac- guys at the top of the order is, at least, an at- ful starts to our batting, today was slightly timid side, with very few – if any – weaknesses. It just plays and all the other factors that work against terises South Africa cricket. tempt to put Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar and that led to a position where you could al- hasn’t happened on the fi eld, especially with the bowlers, to go at under 3.5 runs per over is a sen- It’s easy at times, such as these, to point to a Kumar under pressure. Anything to put them most see a panic creep in to our play. Panic re- bat, and I know that those players will be hurting sational return for both Bumrah and Kumar. variety of reasons as to why the performances off their game and bring their plans in to ques- lated to getting ‘a score’, and panic about how we tonight as they prepare to leave the tournament Graeme Smith is former South Africa captain haven’t come at yet another major tournament, tion. Our approach was far more conservative, were going to get to 300 plus which seems to be having yet again failed to dispel the questions (www.icc-cricket.com)