Zapata strikes as ‘reborn’ Atalanta lift virus-hit Bergamo page 12

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 Djokovic tested after Ronaldo scores as Juventus beat Bologna Adria Tour outbreak round even as the Three more get tennis world remains in lock- down. He immediately tested Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo shoots a penalty kick to infected after for the coronavirus, state open the scoring during the Italian Serie A match against Bologna at the Dimitrov broadcaster RTS reported, Renato-Dall’Ara Stadium in Bologna on Monday. Juventus won 2-0. (AFP) quoting the Serb’s PR team. DPA His family and the entire Belgrade entourage were with him and were also tested, the report Three more people involved said without providing other Man City overwhelm in ’s Adria details. Tour exhibition tennis series were infected by the coronavi- Boneheaded decision, Burnley 5-0 rus, Croatian officials said on says Kyrgios DPA Silva scored and Foden’s second Monday, a day after Bulgarian “Boneheaded decision London strike earned the Manchester said that he to go ahead with the ‘exhibi- side a comprehensive victory at had tested positive. tion’ speedy recovery fellas, Manchester City claimed a an empty Etihad Stadium. The head of the Zadar but that’s what happens when dominant 5-0 win over Burn- Liverpool are 20 points clear district crisis headquarters you disregard all protocols,” ley on Monday night to extend of second-placed City and need Sime Vickovic told state TV tweeted Australian player Liverpool’s wait for the Premier five more points to become Pre- HRT that three of the 19 peo- Nick Kyrgios. “This IS NOT League title. mier League champions. ple initially tested were posi- A JOKE.” Others, includ- Phil Foden and Riyad Mah- Juergen Klopp’s side will tive. He revealed no names, ing Croatia’s Marin Cilic and rez grabbed two goals each with need to win against Crystal Pal- but Croatian player Borna Germany’s , Mahrez finishing off a brilliant ace on Wednesday and hope Coric himself confirmed that showed up at the local clinic solo run on 43 minutes before City drop points against Chel- he was among them. This photograph taken on June 18, 2020, shows (L-R): Croatia’s Borna Coric, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, for testing, the daily 24Sata slotting in an injury time pen- sea on Thursday for their first “Hi everyone, I wanted Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Germany’s Alexander Zverev as they pose for a group photograph ahead of reported online. alty to complete a 3-0 first half. league title in 30 years to be to inform you that I tested an exhibition basketball match in Zadar. (AFP) Even Croatian Prime Min- City striker Sergio Aguero confirmed this week. positive for COVID-19,” ister Andrej Plenkovic went limped off injured after his Burnley meanwhile sit 11th Coric said on Instagram. “I in for testing, as he met with foot was caught by Ben Mee in the table with 39 points af- want to make sure anyone German women’s tennis chief Rittner slams Novak’s ‘disservice’ the players in Zadar. “On Sat- for the Video Assistant Referee ter their unbeaten run of seven who has been in contact with urday he talked to Djokovic, (VAR) to award the penalty. games before the coronavirus me during the last few days STUTTGART: The head of standard elsewhere, either posted a picture of several (former pro and Djokovic’s In the second half, David suspension came to an end. gets tested!” He said that women’s tennis in Ger- at the latest tournament in partying together afterwards. coach Croat Goran) Ivanise- he was displaying no symp- many, Barbara Rittner, has Croatia or the opener in Bel- “The whole world keeps vic and Cilic,” daily 24Sata toms and apologised “for any slammed men’s world num- grade a week previously. distance and wears masks. quoted a government spokes- harm” he may have caused. ber Novak Djokovic after two “This is an absolute And at the Adria they sat person as saying. Belgrade media reported players tested positive for catastrophe for the whole shoulder to shoulder without “The meeting lasted 2-3 AC Milan down Lecce to that Djokovic’s and Dimitrov’s the coronavirus during his tennis family,” Rittner told masks, partied and hugged,” minutes, without handshakes coaches, Italian Marko Paniki Adria Tour series. Cologne’s Stadt-Anzeiger said Rittner. and close contact.” keep European push on track and German Christian Groh Both Bulgaria’s Grigor paper on Monday, and ac- “I don’t understand what The newspaper also quoted were also infected. Dimitrov and Croatia’s cused the 33-year-old Serb world they’re living in - appar- an unnamed source from the AFP ish off with Ante Rebic racing German player Alexander Borna Coric, who Djokovic’s mini-tour for ently in their own bubble. For Zadar epidemic management Milan through the Lecce defence for Zverev said on social media faced off at the “disservice.” The matches some their success has gone headquarters as saying that a third -- and his seventh goal he and his team had tested weekend event in in Belgrade were played in to their head.” Rittner also the tournament was organized AC Milan shrugged off the ab- this season. negative. “I deeply apologise Zardar, have now front of fans without masks dismissed the notion Djoko- with “catastrophic” violations sence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Rafael Leao got his head to to anyone I have potentially tested positive. There or observing social dis- vic could defend himself by of health protocols. sweep past Lecce 4-1 and keep an Andrea Conti cross with Cal- put at risk by playing this was virtual tancing. Not only did saying he followed local rules The Serbian world number their bid for European football hanoglu again involved in the tour,” he added. no hygienic players hug on court, as they were in place. one player had also frequently next season alive on Monday as build-up after 72 minutes. Djokovic came under fire precau- Djokovic even “Then obviously there been criticised over publicis- 10-man Fiorentina were held Milan move up to seventh for organizing the tournament tions, now were no proper regulations,” ing his position against vac- 1-1 by basement club Brescia. equal on points with Napoli, with few health precautions seen as Barbara Rittner. she said. cination and his promotion of Swedish star Ibrahimovic who occupy the finalE uropa and publicly partying after the pseudo-medicine. has yet to return from a calf in- League berth before they play jury but Milan put their exit in this week. the Italian Cup semi-final be- In Florence, Franck Rib- hind them at relegation-threat- ery returned after nearly seven ened Lecce. months out following an ankle Andy Murray plans to play both US and French Open In Lecce, Samuel Castillejo injury but his side settled for opened the scoring after 26 a third consecutive stalemate AFP minutes for the visitors, con- against Brescia. London hosted by his brother Jamie tour before two Grand Slams the Atlantic to play at Flushing Scot. “The schedule is tricky necting with a Hakan Calhano- Alfredo Donnarumma put Murray this week. come in quick succession. Meadows. and I understand the reason glu cross from the right to slot Brescia ahead after 17 min- Andy Murray is hoping of Murray will face Liam The US Open is set to take However, Murray is happy why it is like that. in his first goal this season. utes from the penalty spot but making a return to Grand Broady at the National Ten- place behind closed doors to return to New York for his “I don’t mind what the sit- Marco Mancosu pulled Fiorentina captain German Slam tennis at both the US and nis Centre in Roehampton on from 31 August, with the first Grand Slam since the uation is, providing it is safe. Lecce level from the penalty Pezzella responded with a div- French Open later this year. Tuesday. French Open starting on 27 2019 Australian Open, even “If I was told I could take spot after 54 minutes, sparking ing header after half an hour. The three-time Grand The Battle of the Brits gives September. if it means limiting the num- one person with me, for exam- an immediate Milan fightback Fiorentina had two goals Slam champion has been out Murray the chance to get some Some leading players, in- ber of his team who can travel ple, you can make that work. with two goals in three minutes. disallowed and played the final of action since November with competitive action under his cluding Novak Djokovic and with him. I’d probably go with a physio Lecce keeper Gabriel de- 20 minutes a man down when a pelvic injury, but will return belt ahead of the planned Au- Rafael Nadal, have questioned “Playing the Grand Slams and some coaching could be nied Calhanoglu with Giacomo Martin Caceres was sent off for in an all-British tournament gust resumption of the ATP whether they will head across would be my priority,” said the done remotely.” Bonaventura on hand to fin- a second yellow card. PSG re-emerge with eyes fixed on Champions League prize

AFP Spain, Germany and Italy are Dortmund, will not stick the French Cup final against Paris back playing again. In contrast, around. Highly talented Saint-Etienne and League Cup Neymar returned to France last 18-year-old defender Tanguy final against Lyon both set to go Paris Saint-Germain are still weekend after three months Kouassi is expected to sign for ahead in late July. optimistic they can win the in Brazil and headed straight Bayern Munich. “We have felt good ever Champions League for the first to join teammates Marco Ver- However, the prospects of since the season began. Unfor- time when the tournament is ratti, Angel Di Maria, Leandro either Mbappe or Neymar leav- tunately, we know what hap- played out in Lisbon in August. Paredes and Marquinhos in the ing appear less than slim, given pened with the coronavirus and The decision to bring an glitzy Mediterranean resort of the financial challenges faced by everything had to stop,” Di Ma- early end to the French season Saint-Tropez. PSG’s European rivals. ria told sports daily L’Equipe. in late April, with more than a Meanwhile, Kylian Mbap- “He is the future of PSG. “The other major leagues quarter of matches unplayed, pe posted photos of himself That is what everyone wants. are restarting. That must not did not prevent PSG from be- on Instagram along the coast Ideally we would extend his be an excuse but it does make ing crowned Ligue 1 champions in Monaco. contract,” Leonardo said of things more difficult for us,” for the third year running, but They return this week to Mbappe. he added. it was hardly how they wanted a club having to deal with the What Mbappe and PSG Like Lyon, PSG are there- things to end. financial consequences of the want now is the Champions fore completely out of step with Without having had the pandemic and the early end to League, and after years of un- their Champions League rivals, chance to celebrate, the Paris- the season. derachievement in Europe they although that could still work to ians returned to training on Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe (left) and Brazilian forward Neymar arrive at the team’s are targeting glory when the their advantage. Monday, over three months Old heads move on “Camp des Loges” training grounds in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris, on Monday. (AFP) competition is played out in a For example, Spanish and after their last game, the 2-0 That will probably ensure “final eight” straight knockout English clubs will have com- defeat of Borussia Dortmund there are no headline-grabbing also helped make up the mind mistake, I don’t know, there latter stages, but club record format in Lisbon. pleted an exhausting dash to in their Champions League last transfers coming soon, al- of sporting director Leonardo is never a perfect moment,” goal-scorer Cavani has report- get their seasons finished in 16, second leg. though they recently made Ar- over the futures of Thiago Silva Leonardo told Le Journal du edly opted to walk away at the ‘More difficult’ late July. Their players have since gentine striker Mauro Icardi’s and Edinson Cavani, two of Dimanche. end of June. However, between now and Perhaps Mbappe, Neymar spent months confined at loan move from Inter Milan the biggest figures of the Qatar It is hoped Brazilian de- The exodus will not stop a quarter-final somewhere be- and their teammates will be home before having some time permanent for a reported fee of era whose contracts expire this fender Silva, the club captain, there. tween August 12 and 15, Thom- fresher than ever and therefore to take a holiday. up to €58 million. month and will not be retained. can be persuaded to stay to fea- Right-back Thomas Meu- as Tuchel’s team will only have primed to go on and win the fi- PSG’s rivals in England, The financial situation has “Maybe we are making a ture in the Champions League nier, reportedly bound for two competitive games, with nal in Lisbon on August 23. 12 Tuesday, June 23, 2020 Sports Mourinho insists Kane will thrive on his watch

AFP Mourinho’s tactics were reeled off a list of statistics de- when is fresh, when he has Lucas Moura injured. London again in the spotlight as Spurs tailing the scoring rates of Did- routines of playing that’s my Alli and Lucas will be avail- tried to hold onto a 1-0 lead for ier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, message to somebody.” able for selection against West Jose Mourinho strongly de- most of the second half before Karim Benzema, Diego Milito Mourinho was also criti- Ham and Mourinho is looking fended his record of getting Bruno Fernandes’s penalty se- and Zlatan Ibrahimovic during cised for leaving a visibly tiring forward to having six attacking the best from top strikers on cured a point for United. his time in charge of Chelsea, Kane on the field for the full 90 players to choose from for the Monday after criticism the Former Arsenal midfield- Real Madrid and Inter Milan. minutes last week. first time as Tottenham boss. Portuguese manager’s style er Paul Merson said he “wor- Kane scored seven goals Spurs wilted in the final “(Steven) Bergwijn and could see Harry Kane look for ried” for Kane under Mour- in 10 games following Mour- quarter as Mourinho made (Erik) Lamela, Lucas and pastures new. inho and a lack of trophies inho’s appointment before just two of five allotted substi- Son (Heung-min), Dele and Kane played his first game could also force the England tearing his hamstring on New tution compared with United’s Harry, six attacking players, for six months in Tottenham’s captain to move on. Year’s Day. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who all different, all very good Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane (centre) controls 1-1 draw against Manchester Mourinho addressed Mer- “Harry Kane has no prob- used his full complement. and it is the first time I have the ball during the English Premier League football match between United on Friday, but failed to son personally during a video- lems at all to score goals in my Mourinho bemoaned his all of them available, which is Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur get a single touch in the oppo- conference ahead of Tuesday’s team,” said Mourinho. lack of options from the bench, the kind of problem which we Stadium in London last Friday. (AFP) sition box. clash with West Ham and “Especially when he is fit, with Dele Alli suspended and coaches love.”

La Liga title race Momentum back with Madrid as Barcelona become chasers AFP next weekend for a match that Madrid Tuesday’s Fixtures looked simpler before Celta The FIFA executive committee will choose on Thursday between a Levante v Atletico Madrid; Real Valladolid v Getafe (both trounced Alaves 6-0 on Sunday. combined Australia/New Zealand bid, widely seen as favourite, and Real Madrid and Barcelona Then Barca have Atletico Colombia for the newly expanded 32-nation event. may be neck-and-neck on 8.30pm Doha Time), Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao (11pm). Madrid at home and Villar- points at the top of La Liga but real away, two resurgent teams, the pendulum has swung back both in the hunt for the top four, in Madrid’s favour. before a kinder finish kicks in. Japan pulls out Kind fixtures allowed Yet they cannot afford to Spain’s top two to ease into the give Real Madrid a lead to cling resumption of Europe’s closest onto, meaning Setien needs to of running to host title race but a testing few days find solutions despite the lack of has delivered a more accurate time for training. gauge of form and fitness. Antoine Griezmann has Women’s World Barca stumbled at Sevilla looked lost, the Frenchman giv- on Friday night, a goalless draw ing way to Martin Braithwaite at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan against Sevilla, in what ap- Cup in 2023 coming between impressive peared to be Setien’s favoured Madrid victories, 3-0 at home line-up. to Valencia and then 2-1 away at Frenkie de Jong is expected AFC president backs Australia/NZ bid Real Sociedad on Sunday. to miss most of the upcoming A despondent Gerard Pique difficult period with a calf in- DPA support and investment from said Madrid might even prove jury. Berlin local stakeholders would be uncatchable, an assessment But Madrid have problems forthcoming. many believed to have been too after Sergio Ramos went off Japan has withdrawn its bid Asian football confed- more of a jibe at referees than a with an injured left knee against to host the 2023 Women’s eration (AFC) president compliment to his rivals. Real Sociedad while Casemiro World Cup just three days be- Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim “It’s just frustration,” said will be suspended against Mal- fore world football governing Al Khalifa announced his re- Barcelona coach Quique Setien. lorca on Wednesday. body FIFA is due to make a gion’s backing for Australia/ “I am still optimistic.” Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring during Madrid should survive decision on the venue. New Zealand after Japan’s Madrid had certainly ben- the Spanish League match against Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena-Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian against Mallorca but any ex- FIFA confirmed Monday withdrawal. efited from Rodrigo Moreno’s on Sunday. (AFP) tended absence for Ramos that the Japanese football “On behalf of the AFC - goal for Valencia being ruled will destabilise a defence that federation had pulled out of and the Asian football fam- out the night before and would Sevilla & Villarreal share points, remain on course for Europe has been the foundation of the the running due to the Tokyo ily - I will be supporting the see three tight decisions go their team’s success. 2020 Games being delayed a Australia/New Zealand bid to way against Real Sociedad too. BARCELONA: Villarreal and Sevilla consolidated changes at the break, and one of those to come “He’s the best defender in year to 2021 and the impact of host the FIFA Women’s World But they were able to use a their European places with a 2-2 draw in La Liga on, Munir El Hadaddi got the equaliser on 63 the world,” said Zinedine Zi- the coronavirus crisis. Cup in 2023 - and am sure superior head-to-head record to on Monday night. minutes finishing brilliantly from Jesus Navas’ dane on Sunday. The FIFA executive com- that I will be supported by all return to the top of La Liga be- The home side took the lead on 18 minutes cross. Eden Hazard sat out Sun- mittee will therefore choose the AFC’s FIFA council mem- cause Barcelona handed them through Paco Alcacer. Their fine run of form Both sides ended up happy. Sevilla move day’s match, perhaps rested on Thursday between a com- bers,” he said. an opportunity, which they since the restart has catapulted them up the up to third, one small step closer to Champions or perhaps recovering from a bined Australia/New Zealand “Not only is this a historic took. table and they looked on course for another League qualification. knock he took to his trouble- bid, widely seen as favourite, (first) cross-Confederation Setien’s side became la- victory. Villarreal were outsiders for the European some ankle against Valencia. and Colombia for the newly bid, with our close friends and boured against Sevilla and, in Sevilla responded with Sergio Escudero spots at the restart but are now comfortably in This is also not the first expanded 32-nation event. neighbours from Oceania, but truth, never really made them scoring from Fernando’s assist on 39 minutes sixth place. time Madrid have appeared to Australia/New Zealand of- most importantly, this is the feel uncomfortable. Neither but Villarreal were back in front when Pau Torres Happiest of all was Villarreal midfielder snatch the momentum from fers good options in sporting most technically impressive team created enough to deserve scored just before half time from Santi Cazorla’s Bruno Soriano who came on in the second half Barcelona. and general infrastructure, of the bids that the Council to win the game and with Lionel cross. after 1,128 days out injured for his first appear- Standings (Top 8) said FIFA in previously eval- must choose from on June 25 Messi quiet in his third 90 min- Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui made three ance since May 2017. Club P W D l GF GA GD Pts uating the bids, and “would and we must be guided by the 1. Real Madrid 30 19 8 3 57 21 36 65 utes in nine days, Barca lacked 2. Barcelona 30 20 5 5 69 31 38 65 also appear to present the experts.” Brazil also withdrew ideas and inspiration. 3. Sevilla 31 14 11 6 44 32 12 53 most favourable commercial a bid just before the deadline “We will keep going and will on Monday. them too. They can’t make any On Tuesday, Barcelona 4. Atletico 30 13 13 4 38 22 16 52 proposition.” Colombia’s bid for final submissions. try to maintain that hope be- Of the tight battle with Ma- mistakes either. We have seen host Athletic Bilbao, who are 5. Getafe 30 13 9 8 39 28 11 48 met minimum requirements The United States won 6. Villareal 31 14 5 11 47 38 9 47 cause we are convinced we can drid, he added: “Everything that many leagues decided on the undefeated since the restart, 7. Real Sociedad 30 14 5 11 47 38 9 47 but FIFA expressed doubt the 2019 edition, of 24 teams, still win the league,” said Setien can be said about us applies to last day before.” before travelling to Celta Vigo 8. Valencia 30 12 10 8 41 43 -2 46 as to whether the necessary held in France. ‘Best experience of my life’: ‘Reborn’ Atalanta lift devastated Danish fans hail crowd return Bergamo, Inter stay on Euro trail AFP Brondby (Denmark) AFP “Rinascero, Rinascerai.” Milan Before the match, a few For 41-year-old Chris, it was supporters gathered around “the best experience of my life”. Atalanta, inspired by the the stadium to welcome the Marriage, fatherhood, high- message “I will be reborn, players as they arrived in the ly-paid new job? you will be reborn”, brought team coach. No. He was referring to the Serie A football back to Ber- “We came to support the opportunity to finally attend a gamo in style on Sunday team, even if we know we can’t Danish league football game following the coronavirus get in,” fan Giorgio Arboldi, along with 3,000 others for the lockdown with a 4-1 victory 50, told AFP TV. “The passion Brondby v Copenhagen clash over Sassuolo as Inter Milan is so strong.” on Sunday. enjoyed a 2-1 victory against Some fans remained op- “After three months with- Sampdoria. posed to the restart, hold- out a stadium, this return Bergamo was badly hit by ing up a banner which read: is the best experience of my the virus, with the city, situat- “Football without tifosi (fans) life,” Chris told AFP after the ed in the northern Lombardy is not football.” 1-1 draw. Brondby fans observing celebrate their team region of which Milan is the Atalanta’s Colombian forward Duvan Zapata celebrates after scor- On the pitch, Atalanta In Denmark, crowds have scoring against FC Copenhagen at Brondby Stadium in Denmark capital, at the epicentre of It- ing his team’s 4th goal against Sassuolo at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia consolidated their hold on been limited to 500 since on Sunday. (AFP) aly’s COVID-19 crisis. Stadium on Sunday. (AFP) the fourth and final Champi- the lockdown but Sunday’s Gian Piero Gasperini’s ons League spot, moving six game was allowed special asked to stay two metres apart The Danish league had side hosted rivals Sassuolo The province of Bergamo Rinascerai” (I will be reborn, points ahead of fifth-placed dispensation to host 3,000 in a stadium usually full to its resumed on May 28 behind behind closed doors in their suffered 6,000 more deaths you will be reborn), a song Roma. under strict coronavirus 28,000 capacity. closed doors. Gewiss Stadium in a match than usual during the COV- composed during lockdown “It’s a very important vic- health protocols. Despite that, fans were Football in Europe is very played in memory of the city’s ID-19 outbreak, including by Roby Facchinetti, an Ital- tory, when you resume after a Now the authorities will looking on the bright side. slowly returning to normal even thousands of virus victims. 670 in Bergamo city which ian musician from Bergamo. long time it is inevitable there assess the advisability of in- “It felt like there were if the major leagues of England, Duvan Zapata scored a has a population of around The club also broadcast will be doubts but we put creasing the number of peo- 30,000 here today,” said Spain, Italy and Germany have brace with Berat Djimsiti also 122,000. on social media a video ac- them to one side by playing ple present in the stands on a Emil, 22. also resumed without fans. on target as Sassuolo’s Mehdi During a minute’s silence companying the song, in an excellent match that led to more regular basis. “I missed the stadium so However, earlier this month, Bourabia turned into his own before the game, players which Atalanta players, Gas- a great success which was also Inside the stadium on much, and so did everyone. It’s 16,000 spectators watched a net, before pulling a goal back formed a circle, with the back- perini and doctors and nurs- important for our position in Sunday, supporters were really great to be back.” Serbian Cup semi-final. deep into injury time. drop of the music “Rinascero, es held up the same message: the table,” said Gasperini. Sports Tuesday, June 23, 2020 13 El Khouly edges Al Balushi for WRC 8 crown The QORC Auto champion wins Rally Finland by less than a second’s difference; Al Thefiri of Kuwait bounces back to finish third

Tribune News Network and as the latter fell out of the DOHA contention after early stages due to crashes, El Khouly Ahmed El Khouly displayed found himself deep into a grim the drive and acceleration of battle for the title against ex- his life and clinched the WRC tremely quick Al Balushi. 8 crown by a proverbial cat’s Though Al Balushi won Oman’s Ammar Al Balushi: Not The WRC 8 trophies and medals on display. whisker in the Rally Finland three out of the first four stages, lucky day in the Rally Finland. on Monday. El Khouly bounced back in the Rally Finland results The QORC Auto cham- third stage - the Ouninpohja # Driver Country Differnece Time pion edged Oman’s Ammar Al Reverse over 10.3 kms. He shot 1 3 Ahmed El Khouly (Qatar) — (33:17.944) Balushi, who has been setting into the overall six-second lead 2 4 Ammar Al Balushi (Oman) +0.830 (33:18.774) world record pace according after beating Al Balushi by 10 3 18 Mishari Al Thefiri (Kuwait) +41.604 (33:59.548) to online racing rankings, seconds. From this point on- 4 16 Mansour Dbeissy (Qatar) +41.609 (33:59.553) by 0.830 of a second to win wards, Al Balushi began even 5 13 Khalid Al Maraghi (Qatar) +59.677 (34:17.621 the prestigious digital con- more putting heat and pressure 6 1 Adel Abdulla (Qatar) +1:28.914 (34:46.858) test, which involved many on El Khouly, who responded 7 27 Zakariya Al Aufi (Oman) +2:02.853 (35:20.797) real-world rally stars from the with equal precision and poise. GCC region. El Khouly increased his Meshari Al Thefiri, the advantage by winning the fifth I’m very happy. The level was Dbeissy said he was glad MERC 2 regional champion stage ahead of Al Thefiri while amazing with all the finalists despite finishing fourth. “To- along with Qatari co-driver Al Balushi crashed but man- Meshari Al Thefiri: Superb being very fast. I did not push day was the end of two weeks Nasser Saadoun Al Kuwari, got aged to recover to secure the Champion Ahmed El Khouly: Stayed cool despite pressure. comeback. and just focused on clean driv- of challenging and tiring ral- the better of Mansour Dbeissy, fourth spot over four seconds ing. I knew that if I make a mis- ly racing. I managed to finish denying him the third spot by behind the Qatari leader. The took his car past the finish line the rally driving. A lots of super fast today but unfortunately take, it can prove very costly fourth place, 0.005 second just five thousandths of a sec- Omani gained back nearly sev- in the first spot and more im- fast drivers were in the final ral- made very small mistakes in and undo all the hard work. So from the third position. This ond. Khalid Al Maraghi was en or eight seconds in the pe- portantly by 1.6 seconds advan- ly, especially from Oman. Also the last stage despite breaking in the end, I’m delighted to get came after several accidents fifth, while 2016 FIA World nultimate stage and entered the tage, which sealed his victory. there are star drivers from the the world record by nearly five the third place. in the last stage. Everybody Cup for Cross-Country Rally T2 final timed section in the Pai- A delighted El Khouly com- real world as well. seconds. My errors cost me the “I want to extend my con- in this competition deserved winner Adel Hussein Abdulla jala Reverse (17.47 kms) with mented after winning the title, “But thank God, I was able title. Zakariya wasn’t lucky as gratulations to the QMMF to be champion. It was so claimed the sixth spot ahead of seven tenths of a second lead. “It was the cleanest drive by me to pull it off and I want to thank well. I want to thank my Team for the superb championship. close. Finally, I thank the Omani rally champion Zakariya Al Balushi uncorked a burst in the whole championship and the QMMF and the finalists for 968 for all the support and I’m I wish that they have more QMMF and its staff for their Al Aufi, the real pace-settter of of speed but lost the control it came at the right time. I really such an exciting SIM champi- happy for my performance championships in the future great efforts in organising the competition. twice. And though the Omani can’t say how I did it. It is an onship,” he added. which made me the fastest as the region has many strong this event in a very profes- The Qatari winner had bounced back with a world incredible performance really. Al Balushi said, “It was driver today.” drivers and they will make the sional way and introducing identified Al Balushi and Al record speed in this stage, El I’m proud of my achievement an epic final and a great show Al Thefiri said, “I didn’t event quite thrilling,” the Ku- me to the best drivers in the Aufi as his main opponents Khouly exploited his errors and as I prefer the circuit racing to by all the drivers. I was super expect to get the third place. waiti added. Gulf region.” QMMF Team to clash with star-studded Leopard Racing Three Pakistan cricketers test positive for COVID-19 champion, former World have Marcos Ramirez, Xavi A new virtual Superbike and Moto2 rid- Artigas and Dennis Foggia. AFP After that period, they er. He recently claimed the Lorenzo Dalla Porta and An- Karachi will only be allowed to rejoin racing contest QORC Moto crown as well drea Locatelli will share the teammates in England follow- with a rampaging display. fourth spot during the event. The Pakistan Cricket Board ing two successive negative from today Sheikh Soud Al Thani, who Porta won the Moto3 (PCB) announced on Monday tests. was runner-up in the QORC class title last year, while that three players have tested Pakistan players will also Tribune News Network Moto and fourth in the 2019- Ramirez was overall third. positive for coronavirus ahead be subject to mandatory quar- DOHA 2020 QSTK600 season, is Artigas has been the 2018 of the team’s tour of England antine upon arrival in Eng- also in the team. Besides, he Europe Talent Cup cham- next month. land, as per current British Luxembourg’s star-stud- grabbed the fourth prize in pion. Foggia finished in the The PCB said leg-spinner government regulations. ded Leopard Racing Team the QORC Auto as well. 12th spot in the Moto3 in the Shadab Khan, fast bowler The team will eventually will take on Qatar Motor and Other two riders are 2019 world championship Haris Rauf and teenage bats- practice in what officials are Motorcycle Federation rivals Saeed Al Sulaiti Sheikh Soud Al Thani Sheikh Jassim Al Thani, the and was ninth in Qatar ear- man Haider Ali had tested describing as a “bio-secure” in an online six-race chal- 2018-19 QSTK Trophy cham- lier this year. Locatelli has positive for COVID-19 despite environment. lenge, which is starting in pion, and Hamad Al Sahouti, raced in both the Moto2 and showing no symptoms and Following the August 5 Barcelona, Spain on Tuesday. Teams the current QSTK 300 Su- Moto3 classes and he moved would now go into self-isola- Test in Manchester, Pakistan QMMF Executive Direc- QMMF Team: Saeed Al Sulaiti, persport champion. to the Supersport World tion. will play the remaining two tor Amro Al Hamad, while Sheikh Soud Al Thani, Sheikh Al Sulaiti said: “No doubt Championship this year The first Test againstE ng- games in Southampton, start- outlining the details of the Jassim Al Thani and Hamad Al that the Leopard Racing is and clinched the victory for land at Old Trafford is due to ing on August 13 and 21 re- event, informed that the Sahouti. a big team in the motorcy- Yamaha in the one and only start on August 5. spectively. fourth version of the Qatar cle racing world. They are race so far - in Phillip Island The PCB is testing its play- Pakistan will also play Online Racing Champion- Leopard Racing Team: champion riders but they are (Australia). ers and officials ahead of the three Twenty20 internation- ship parades the QMMF Marcos Ramirez, Xavi Artigas, June 25 a bit unknown in the virtual Talking about the idea of much-anticipated tour, which als in Southampton on August Team against Leopard Rac- Dennis Foggia. Lorenzo Dalla Race 3 in Mugello (Italy) racing. So we’re going to race the event, Al Hamad said, “I will also see games played in 29, 31 and September 2. ing Team, which have been Porta and Andrea Locatelli against the unknowns. We’ve met Leopard Racing officials Southampton. Fortunately for the team, three times Moto3 world will share the fourth spot dur- Friday: Break a good team and this time, during the FIM meetings in Pakistan is experiencing the three players who tested champions (2015, 2017 and ing the event. I’ve to race with them, not Monaco and was exploring a surge in coronavirus cases, positive were not expected to 2019). There are six races June 27 against them. It’s going to be opportunities of collabora- with more than 180,000 so play in the Test matches, only scheduled with the Losail Schedule Race 4 in Jerez (Spain) very exciting time. tions with them as they are far including 3,590 deaths in the Twenty20 games. International Circuit hosting June 23 “We’ll get to know the one of the leading teams -- though real numbers are Team physio Cliffe Dea- the Grand Final on June 29.” Race 1 in Barcelona (Spain) June 28 level of the rival team only in bike racing. They got to thought to be much higher. con and bowling coach Waqar “Each day, all eight rid- Race 5 in Phillip Island (Australia) after the first race on Tues- know about the second edi- The PCB also tested 23 Younis will fly directly toE ng- ers will compete and collect June 24 day. So it’s hard to say any- tion of the QORC and got players and 12 team officials land from South Africa and points according to their fin- Race 2 in Red Bull Ring June 29 (Grand Final) thing about them. I do how- in touch with us, leading to Monday, with results due on Australia before taking their ish. There will be qualifying (Austria) Race 6 in Losail (Qatar) ever know that all the riders the idea of putting our riders Tuesday. coronavirus tests. race for the grid positions are into the SIM racing after against theirs. Additional tests are Senior batsman Shoaib and it will be followed by the their real-world practice and “For a couple of weeks, planned for later in the week Malik, who will only play in racing of about half an hour. This is the fourth event and real-world racing com- competitions. I’m confident we’d been planning this in Lahore, with only players the Twenty20 internationals, After three races, the action hosted by the QMMF since munity busy during the lock- that my team will put up a event and trying to give it testing negative allowed to fly was allowed to join the team will discontinue on Friday the COVID-19 outbreak halt- down period. great show and let us see finishing touches. Now final- to England. in late July to let him spend and then three more races ed the entire world. Earlier, The QMMF team is field- what happens over six days ly, the wait is over and we’re The PCB said anyone test- time with his Indian tennis will be conducted in a row,” the QORC Auto, QORC Moto ing Saeed Al Sulaiti, who has of racing,” Al Sulaiti added. going to get started on Tues- ing positive must remain in star wife Sania Mirza and he added. and WRC 8 kept the digital been a three-time QSTK600 Leopard Racing Team day,” he added. quarantine for two weeks. their son in Dubai. Closing birdie binge earns Simpson PGA Heritage title

AFP then it got going and I felt confident. It was played without spectators, except for at 16, then sank an 18-footer at 17 for his fifth 17-under before the 54-hole leaders teed off. Washington “I’m amazed I’m standing here right now.” those in course-adjacent backyards. birdie in six holes to reach 22-under. “I was just trying to stay out there and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, seeking his Simpson sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the He closed with a par at 18, leaving only keep playing and get all the good golf out of Webb Simpson, the 2012 US Open cham- first US PGA crown, was second on 263 after par-4 12th and a 22-footer for birdie at 13 to Ancer as the final threat in the twilight drama. me, squeeze it out,” said Frittelli. “That was pion, birdied five of the last seven holes in a a 65, coming up short on a 37-foot grab a share of the lead just a nice, consistent round.” Sunday shootout to capture the RBC Heritage birdie putt at 18 to force a playoff. at 19-under with Hatton Best for Koepka for his seventh career US PGA crown. and Ancer. It was a season-best finish for Koepka, Leading scores The 34-year-old American fired a bo- Awesome ball-striking After tap-ins to who seeks a third consecutive PGA Champi- Leading scores after Sunday’s final round of the US PGA Tour RBC gey-free seven-under par 64 to finish 72 “I probably had my best par 14 and birdie 15, onship victory in August. Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South holes on a tournament record 22-under 262 ball-striking week of my career,” Simpson shared the lead “I’ve been putting in good work and start- Carolina (USA unless noted, par-71): 262 - Webb Simpson 65-65-68-64 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Ancer said. “It was awesome.” with Ancer and ing to see the results,” Koepka said. “I feel very 263 - Abraham Ancer (MEX) 69-64-65-65 Island, South Carolina. American Daniel Berger, who Berger, who close. I just felt good to be back in contention 264 - Daniel Berger 67-69-63-65, Tyrrell Hatton 71-64-63-66 It was the second triumph of the year for won last week at Colonial, shared chipped in again.” 265 - Sergio Garcia (ESP) 70-65-65-65, Joaquin Niemann (CHI) Simpson, who won at Phoenix in February, third with Britain’s Tyrrell from 38 feet to Hatton, Ancer, Simpson and Ryan 69-68-63-65 and it came after a storm delay of two hours Hatton on 264, with Spain’s birdie the par- Palmer shared the overnight lead at 15-un- 266 - Brooks Koepka 67-66-68-65 and 47 minutes left players racing to finish be- Sergio Garcia and Chile’s 3 17th. der, with 23 rivals within four strokes. 267 - Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 65-69-71-62, Justin Thomas 72-66-66-63, JT fore darkness. Joaquin Niemann fifth on Simpson South African Dylan Frittelli, ranked Poston 67-69-66-65, Bryson DeChambeau 67-64-70-66, Michael “It was a crazy day,” Simpson said. “I’m 265 and US four-time major reclaimed the 116th, sent a signal low scores were available Thompson 65-69-66-67, Ryan Palmer 65-67-66-69 268 - Justin Rose (ENG) 70-67-66-65, Ian Poulter (ENG) 64-69-67- speechless right now.” winner Brooks Koepka seventh on lead alone with a with a career-low, 62, making birdies on six of 68, Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 66-66-68-68 Simpson, set to jump from ninth to fifth 266. 14-foot birdie putt the last eight holes for the clubhouse edge at 269 - Harris English 67-70-68-64, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 70-63-69- in the world rankings, made four birdie putts The Heritage, whose prior 72-hole 67, Dustin Johnson 68-66-67-68, Brice Garnett 65-71-65-68 from beyond 10 feet and two-putted from 41 record was 264 by Brian Gay in 2009, was Webb Simpson of the United States celebrates with the trophy and 270 - Rory Sabbatini (SVK) 70-67-68-65, Viktor Hovland (NOR) feet at the par-5 15th in an epic closing run. rescheduled from a typical April slot as the the plaid jacket after winning during the final round of the RBC 65-71-68-66, Lucas Glover 69-68-66-67, Doc Redman 72-66-65- “It was a long day on the golf course,” tour’s second comeback event from a three- Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South 67, Alex Noren (SWE) 69-66-66-69, Corey Conners (CAN) 68-63-69- Simpson said. “I didn’t get it going until 12 and month coronavirus pandemic shutdown. Carolina on Sunday. (AFP) 70, Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 66-68-66-70