SPORT Page 2 FORMULA 1 Verstappen Celebrates ‘Insane’ Victory in Austria ‘I Didn’T Expect It to Be Like This

FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 3 CCYCLINGYCLING | Page 4 Messi stars as Pogacar Argentina set retains lead up Colombia in Tour de Copa clash France

FOOTBALL Monday, July 5, 2021 Dhul-Qa’da 25, 1442 AH Shaw shows GULF TIMES Mourinho who’s boss in Rome as England roll on SPORT Page 2 FORMULA 1 Verstappen celebrates ‘insane’ victory in Austria ‘I didn’t expect it to be like this. Incredible job by everyone to deliver something like this’

AFP when his Alpine was nudged Spielberg, Austria by Antonio Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo. Racing got back under way on ax Verstappen reeled lap four with Verstappen gliding off his third win in clear with Norris fending off an a row from pole in attack on his second spot from the Austrian Grand Sergio Perez in the other Red MPrix yesterday to consolidate Bull. his world championship lead The Mexican, in his 200th over Lewis Hamilton who after Grand Prix, paid dearly for his fi nishing fourth said his toiling audacity, going off on to the Mercedes team were “miles away gravel to drop to 10th. from Red Bull”. On lap 20 Norris was dealt a Hamilton’s Mercedes team- double blow. mate Valtteri Bottas took second He was told race stewards had with McLaren’s Lando Norris a handed him a five second pen- fine third after picking up a five alty over the Perez incident, and second time penalty. was then overtaken by Hamilton Verstappen’s latest step to- despite valiantly trying to fend wards ending Hamilton’s hold off his compatriot. on the drivers’ title triggered “Such a great driver, Lando,” a carnival atmosphere in For- Hamilton told his pits. mula One’s first capacity crowd After all the leaders had pitted since the coronavirus pandemic for the fi rst time Verstappen was struck with most of the 100,000 over 15sec clear of the chasing in attendance decked out in his Hamilton, with Bottas now up to Dutch orange colours. third. “To see so much orange in the Down in midfi eld it was Perez’s stands is incredible, it’s an extra turn to pick up a fi ve second pen- motivation, thank you” he told alty for aggressively shutting out his cheering congregation at the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. the Red Bull-owned Spielberg Bottas was told by the pits not circuit. to overtake Hamilton whose car “The car was unreal,” added had picked up damage to his rear the 21-year-old threat to Ham- left tyre. ilton’s bid for an unprecedented But by lap 52 the Finn heard eighth world crown who was over the radio he was clear to race following up his win at the track his teammate and, fi ghting for his last week. job next season, duly nipped past “It’s insane – I’m a bit amazed him. myself how today went. I didn’t Norris meanwhile, having expect it to be like this. Incred- served his time penalty, had ible job by everyone to deliver Hamilton’s wounded Mercedes something like this.” in his cross hairs and he duly After his fifth win of the sea- swept past to cement his fourth son Verstappen moved on to 182 Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (also inset) gets out of his car after winning the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria. podium fi nish. points in the standings, 32 clear This latest win for Verstappen, of Hamilton ahead of the seven- since Barcelona in early May, superior pace, damage to Ham- deck. They have brought a lot of less Sunday afternoon drive in He was clean away at lights who also picked up the point for time world champion’s home had forecast after qualifying ilton’s car late on in the race upgrades over the last few races the Austrian mountains alive out from Norris but by turn the fastest lap, has Mercedes with British Grand Prix at Silverstone Saturday that beating Verstap- cost him a likely second place. – and we haven’t brought any,” with the sound of his support- three the safety car had to be their backs to the wall ahead of on July 18. pen looked unlikely. “We’re miles away from them he said. ers come to watch his latest step deployed after Esteban Ocon’s Hamilton’s home British Grand Hamilton, without a win Aside from his Red Bull rival’s Red Bull. We need all hands on Verstappen enjoyed a flaw- towards a possible world title. race came to a premature end Prix on July 18.

TENNIS Djokovic, Federer and teenage hopefuls top Wimbledon bill on ‘Manic Monday’ AFP Santiago is in the last 16 of a ma- staged a stunning comeback from seventh seed Matteo Berrettini Aryna Sabalenka faces 18th seed- London jor for the second consecutive two sets down for the fi rst time in faces Ilya Ivashka of Belarus, the ed Elena Rybakina. Grand Slam. his career to beat 2017 runner-up 27-year-old world number 79 Sabalenka, yet to make a quar- “It feels amazing. I didn’t Marin Cilic and make the fourth who had only previously won ter-fi nal of a Slam had 21 aces ovak Djokovic and play a grass tournament before round for the fi rst time. one match at a major before this over three rounds, one fewer than Roger Federer head- Wimbledon, so I was a bit out of Medvedev faces Polish 14th Wimbledon. Russian-born Rybakina. line ‘Manic Monday’ at rhythm and without any matches seed Hubert Hurkacz. Women’s world number one Former world number one Wimbledon with the on grass,” said Garin who lost his Sebastian Korda, whose father Ashleigh Barty, trying to win Karolina Pliskova, the eighth- twoN Grand Slam heavyweights only clash with Djokovic at the Petr made the quarter-fi nals in the title 50 years on from fellow seeded Czech has also fi red 22 looking to edge closer to a dream ATP Cup in 2002. 1998, celebrates his 21st birthday indigenous Australian Evonne aces and she faces unseeded Rus- title showdown. “My last match on this surface today. Goolagong Cawley’s maiden sian Liudmila Samsonova. World number one Djokovic, was here at Wimbledon in 2019.” He can reach the quarter-fi - crown, tackles French Open win- Samsonova, ranked 65, has chasing a sixth Wimbledon title Federer, just fi ve weeks shy of nals of a Slam for the fi rst time by ner Barbora Krejcikova. made the most of her wild card and record-equalling 20th major, his 40th birthday, is in the Wim- beating Russian 25th seed Karen The only British player left in to register her best ever perform- is already halfway to becoming bledon last 16 for the 18th time. Khachanov. the singles draw is 18-year-old ance at a Slam. just the third man to complete a In all, it will be his 69th ap- Denis Shapovalov, the Cana- Emma Raducanu who has defi ed Having won the Berlin grass calendar Grand Slam. pearance in the fourth round of dian 10th seed who put out two- her ranking of 338 to make the court tournament as a qualifi er The Serb faces Cristian Garin a Slam but he was quick to salute time winner Andy Murray in the second week where she meets in the run-up to Wimbledon, the of Chile while eight-time cham- Djokovic’s achievements. last round, faces Spain’s Roberto Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic. 22-year-old is on a 10-match win pion Federer takes on Italy’s “It’s just very, very impressive Bautista Agut, a semi-fi nalist in Germany’s Angelique Kerber, streak. Lorenzo Sonego. to see what he’s doing this year,” 2019. the only former champion left Former French Open cham- Chilean 17th seed Cristian said Federer whose third round Meanwhile, Italy will have two in the women’s event, takes on pion Iga Swiatek, the seventh Garin had never previously won a win over Cameron Norrie gave men in the last 16 for just the Coco Gauff . seed who had won just one match main draw match at the tourna- him the 1,250th victory of his ca- third time and fi rst time since Big-hitting will be a feature in grass on the main tour before ment before this year. reer. British teen Emma Raducanu in action during a practice session at 1955. of the lower half of the women’s Wimbledon, takes on Tunisia’s However, the 25-year-old from Second seed Daniil Medvedev Wimbledon yesterday. While Sonego faces Federer, last 16 today. Belarus second seed Ons Jabeur, the 21st seed. Gulf Times 2 Monday, July 5, 2021 FOOTBALL

Roma boss Mourinho ALMOEZ LEADS QATAR TO WIN OVER EL SALVADOR IN FRIENDLY laments ‘terrible loss’ of Spinazzola New Roma coach Jose Mourinho yesterday lamented the “terrible loss” of Italy left-back Leonardo Spinazzola with a ruptured left Achilles tendon. The 28-year-old picked up the injury during Friday’s 2-1 Euro 2020 quarter- final win over Belgium in Munich, the day Mourinho arrived in Rome. “It’s a terrible loss for Italy, but imagine how terrible it is for me who won’t have him for about six months,” Mourinho said. “(Chelsea’s) Emerson Palmieri is a good player, with experience. But Spinazzola was playing in an incredible way.” Former Tottenham boss Mourinho returns to Italy 11 years after leading Inter Milan to the treble – Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia. Yesterday, the 58-year-old Portuguese posted a video on Instagram at the team’s Trigoria training centre, where he remains in quarantine. “Two more days to stay away from the players,” said the former Real Madrid, Manches- ter United and Porto coach. Almoez Ali’s strike in the 69th minute helped Qatar beat El Salvador 1-0 in a friendly match at the Aldo Dorsina stadium in Pula city, Croatia, yesterday. It was the final warm-up match for Qatar before the Asian Champions embark on their historic trip to the United States Roma’s Turkey winger for the Gold Cup. Earlier last week, Felix Sanchez’s men had defeated Croatia’s reserved side 3-1. Today, Qatar squad will leave for Hou- Under joins Marseille ston, Texas, where they play their three group stage Gold Cup matches. The tournament draw placed Qatar, participating as a guest team for the first time in the competition’s history, in Group D alongside Panama, Grenada and Honduras. Al Annabi will kick things off against Roma have loaned Turkey winger Cen- Panama on July 13 and then face Grenada on the 17th before concluding the group stage against Honduras on the 20th. giz Under to French club Marseille for a year with an option to buy, both clubs confirmed. “Under joins the Ligue 1 side on an initial temporary basis until 30 EURO 2020 PREMIER LEAGUE June 2022,” the Serie A club said, an- nouncing a loan fee of 500,000 euros ($593,000) maximum based on certain factors. A transfer fee of 8.4mn euros Crystal Palace ($9.9mn) has been set with the Italian club receiving 20 % of any subsequent moves the player makes. The 23-year- appoint Vieira old arrived in Italy from Istanbul Basak- Shaw shows sehir in 2017 and has scored 17 goals in 88 appearances. as new manager He spent the 2020-21 season on loan with Premier League side Leicester AFP City. For Turkey he has scored nine London goals in 32 games, playing in Euro 2020 as they lost all three of their Mourinho who’s group games, scoring just once just. rystal Palace announced former Arsenal Marseille have also signed young US captain Patrick Vieira as the club’s new winger Konrad de la Fuente and Brazil- manager yesterday, following a prolonged ian midfielder Gerson for next season. search for a successor to Roy Hodgson. Vieira,C who won three Premier League titles as a Czech captain Darida ends player with the Gunners, has had mixed results in international career boss in Rome charge of New York City and Nice in his two previous managerial jobs. Czech skipper Vladimir Darida has The Frenchman, who also won the World Cup and ended his international career after 'I don’t think any of you realise the two or three years I had with European Championship with his country, is highly the Czech Republic bowed out of Euro regarded in England for his stellar playing career 2020 at the hands of Denmark, the na- him and how bad it was then, what it was like then' under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. “Crystal Palace tional team said. The 30-year-old Her- Football Club are delighted to confi rm the appoint- tha Berlin midfielder, who has scored AFP ment of Patrick Vieira as its new manager for the eight goals in 76 international games, London next three seasons,” Palace said in a statement. led the Czechs in all three group stage The Eagles have been searching for a new boss games at the Euro. since Hodgson announced in May he would step He missed the last-16 game against the t Jose Mourinho’s new home, the down at the end of last season when his contract Netherlands with an injury and came Stadio Olimpico, Luke Shaw chose expired. Vieira has a busy few weeks ahead, with a on as a late substitute in Saturday’s the perfect setting for his latest ri- host of Palace players also out of contract and just 2-1 quarter-final loss to Denmark. “The poste to his former boss with two six weeks until the Premier League season starts national team bid farewell to the Euro. assistsA in England’s 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine with a trip to European champions Chelsea. I then bid farewell to my teammates,” to reach the Euro 2020 semi-fi nals. “I am really excited to have this opportunity to Darida said. Darida, who began his Shaw suff ered at the hands of Mourinho for return to the Premier League, and manage this great career at Viktoria Pilsen, and broke three seasons at Manchester United, a string football club, as we begin a new chapter together,” into the national team just before Euro of public criticism not a patch on what was said Vieira. “It is a project that is really appealing 2012, at which he was part of a squad said behind closed doors, the 25-year-old ad- to me, having spoken a lot with the chairman and that reached the quarter-finals. “In this mitted this week. Mourinho’s arrival at Old sporting director about their ambition and plans last Bundesliga and international sea- Traff ord came hot on the heels of a horrible for the whole club, including the academy. The club son, I have spent 140 days out of home double leg fracture Shaw suff ered in Septem- has fantastic foundations in place after many years because of games and training camps,” ber 2015. in the Premier League, and I hope we can make fur- Darida said. The former Southampton defender re- ther improvements and continue to drive the club vealed in 2018 there had even been fears his forward.” Bayern defender Lucas right leg would have to be amputated because In his four seasons in charge, former England Hernandez has knee op of blood clots that required emergency sur- boss Hodgson managed to keep Palace out of the gery. His career never got back on track dur- relegation battle. However, there was a desire at the Bayern Munich’s French international ing Mourinho’s tempestuous time at United, club to freshen up the ageing squad he had assem- fullback Lucas Hernandez has under- where he was far from the only player the bled with a younger manager. gone surgery on his left knee, injured Portuguese did not take kindly to. “I’m delighted and excited that Patrick has agreed during the Euros, the club said. At one point Mourinho even remarked he to join Crystal Palace as our manager following suc- Hernandez, who has won 28 caps, was the “brain” controlling Shaw’s body by England’s Luke Shaw (left) vies for the ball with Ukraine players during the Euro 2020 cessfully learning his trade at the City Group, and had to go off at half time during the having to coach him through games. “I don’t quarter-final match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, on Saturday. (Reuters) experiencing posi- final group stage match, a 2-2 draw think any of you realise the two or three years I tive managerial with Portugal, and was unable to take had with him and how bad it was then, what it opening goal, scored by Raheem Sterling, in Championship fi nal, it’s not so much pressure spells at New York his place for the second phase loss to was like then,” Shaw told reporters this week. a 2-0 win over Germany in the last 16 which but it’s another challenge for these players to City and then Nice, Switzerland on penalties. “What he says now is nothing compared to ended a 55-year wait for a knockout victory take on.” who he led to the how it used to be. I am being totally honest. I over the four-time world champions in a ma- Southgate’s calm and caring relationship Europa League,” D’Aversa appointed am so past it now. I have grown up a lot.” jor tournament. with his squad is in stark contrast to Mour- said Palace chair- Sampdoria coach Newly installed as Roma boss, but work- Another 55-year milestone is now Eng- inho’s old-fashioned method of encouraging man Steve Parish. ing as a pundit at the Euro, Mourinho’s latest land’s target as they return to Wembley with his players to prove him wrong. There is no “We have a lot Former Parma boss Roberto D’Aversa barb was to criticise Shaw’s set-piece deliv- 60,000 in attendance for a semi-fi nal against doubt which gets the best out of Shaw and to do to prepare in has been appointed coach of Sampdo- ery after England’s 0-0 draw with Scotland. Denmark on Wednesday. The Three Lions England are reaping the rewards. the coming weeks ria, where he briefly played 20 years “Clearly I am in his head a lot and he clearly have never even reached the fi nal of a major “Of course I could go through a lot of people and I look forward ago, the Serie A side announced. The thinks about me a lot,” added Shaw in a with- tournament since winning the 1966 World to thank but I think the most important one is to working closely 45-year-old Italian left Parma after ering critique of his former boss. Cup, but will scarcely get a better chance obviously Gareth for trusting me and putting with Patrick and they were relegated at the end of last There was no problem with Shaw’s delivery with momentum and home advantage on me in the squad and picking me and playing (sporting director) season and takes over from Claudio in Rome on Saturday as two pinpoint crosses their side. “We won’t win the game because me,” added Shaw. “A lot of people maybe will Dougie (Freedman) Ranieri at the Genoa club. picked out Harry Maguire and Harry Kane we’re at home. We’ve got to play well and have doubted me to be in the squad and to in bringing in some D’Aversa was reappointed Parma coach early in the second half as England romped to we’ve got a fabulous opportunity,” said Eng- play maybe. But I’ve kept my head down, kept new faces to help in January barely four months after be- their biggest ever win at a European Champi- land boss Gareth Southgate. “It’s a chance to working hard and hopefully I can keep this re- us all to a success- ing sacked, but could not stop the club onship.Shaw was also the creator for the vital make history. We’ve never been to a European sponsibility up for the manager.” ful season.” finishing bottom of the league. He had led Parma from 2016 to 2020, taking over the team in Serie C, overseeing promotion to Serie B in 2017 and Serie A a year later. A former ERIKSEN-INSPIRED DENMARK LOOKING BEYOND ACHIEVED WEMBLEY TARGET midfielder, D’Aversa wore the Samp- doria jersey during the 2000-2001 Baku: Denmark may have achieved footsteps of the class of 92, while In- ambitious. Denmark serious challengers was When I came in, I settled the team season, scoring two goals in 17 Serie B one goal by reaching the semi-finals ter Milan midfielder Eriksen has been But Denmark’s success should done by former coach Ade Hareide, more like a club side than a national league appearances. Sampdoria win- of Euro 2020 at Wembley but, in- cheering them on from home. not come as a surprise. The team who was due to step down after Euro team side.” ners of Serie A once in 1991, finished spired by a “proud” Christian Eriksen, “Christian wrote about the squad have lost only three of 29 matches 2020. But when the tournament was The Danes are reaping the ninth last season under Ranieri who they have no intention of stopping that he’s proud of us,” said midfielder since a last-16 exit at the 2018 World delayed by a year due to Covid, he rewards of Hareide’s work, with announced his departure at the end of there. A 2-1 victory over the Czech Thomas Delaney, who scored the Cup, beaten on penalties by eventual passed the baton to Kasper Hjul- Hjulmand having added extra flair to the campaign. Republic on Saturday propelled the opening goal against the Czechs, of a runners-up Croatia, and sit 10th in the mand. an already strong side. Danes into the last four of a major message Eriksen sent to the team on FIFA world rankings. Denmark have become the neu- Youngster Mikkel Damsgaard, Barca loan Trincao to tournament for the first time since Saturday. On Wednesday in the semi-finals, trals’ favourites, partly because of the dubbed ‘Damsinho’ by the Danish Wolves for a year their shock triumph at Euro 1992. “He’s always been such an impor- they face England at Wembley where players’ reaction to Eriksen’s collapse, press, has filled in for Eriksen bril- It has been a remarkable eff ort, tant part of this team, and our best they beat Gareth Southgate’s men when they protected him from the liantly, while rampaging Atalanta Barcelona have sent young Portuguese under a coach who would not have player for years. We play with him in the Nations League last Novem- glare of the cameras and consoled wing-back Joakim Maehle has been a striker Trincao to English Premier been in charge if not for the Covid-19 on the chest, and he deserves to be ber, following a goalless draw in his distraught partner, and also be- revelation at the Euro. League team Wolves on a season loan pandemic, and after two opening there. We always struggle a little with Copenhagen. “We had a goal when cause of their exciting football. England, set to be roared on by with an option to buy, the Catalan club defeats, the first of which, to Finland, that, but making him proud makes we entered this competition: to go to “The strength of the squad is be- the majority of more than 60,000 said. Barca paid 31mn euros ($36.7mn) was overshadowed by the terrifying me, and the others, happy.” Wembley,” captain Simon Kjaer said. ing friends,” Hareide said. “There are fans, will be favourites to reach the to Braga a year ago but his campaign collapse of star player Eriksen after When goalkeeper Kasper Sch- “We are there. But I would be lying very, very tight connections between final on Wednesday, but Denmark are was marred by niggling injury and he he suff ered a cardiac arrest on the meichel said before the tournament to say that we are satisfied with it... the players. Denmark is a small ready to rise to the challenge. appeared only intermittently, starting pitch. that the team wanted to emulate the That Christian is well means that we country and most of these players “The battle must be fought in 10 matches and scoring three goals. But 10 goals in three successive title-winning side of 29 years ago, can continue to push. He knows that have been playing together from the England, we’ll fight the best we can,” He was a late substitute in both legs of wins have put the Scandinavians two which was inspired by his father we are playing for him.” Under-16s up to the national team Southampton centre-back Jannik the Champions League last 16 loss to matches away from following in the Peter, his comments seemed over- A lot of the work in making so they know each other really well. Vestergaard wrote on Instagram. Paris Saint Germain. Gulf Times Monday, July 5, 2021 3 SPORT

FOOTBALL Messi stars as Argentina set up Colombia semi at Copa Messi teed up goals for De Paul and Martinez before firing home a free-kick to cap a stunning individual performance

AFP the post, while Aston Villa goalkeeper Goiania, Brazil Martinez denied substitute Gonzalo Plata an equaliser with a near-post block. Inter Milan forward Martinez ionel Messi scored one goal and fi nally ended Ecuador’s resistance six created two others as Argentina minutes from time from Messi’s pass beat Ecuador 3-0 in Goiania after Hincapie was caught in posses- on Saturday to reach the Copa sion by Angel Di Maria. And Hincapie LAmerica semi-fi nals. In tomorrow’s completed a miserable few minutes last four match, the 14-time winners as he was dismissed in injury time af- will play Colombia, who beat Uruguay ter dragging back substitute Di Maria on penalties earlier in the day. when clean through, with Messi des- Messi teed up goals for Rodrigo De patching the free-kick. Paul and Lautaro Martinez before fi r- Goalkeeper David Ospina was the ing home an injury time free-kick to hero as Colombia beat Uruguay on cap a stunning individual performance. penalties in Brasilia. Ospina saved two The scoreline was harsh on Ecuador, spot-kicks in the shoot-out on the day who ended the game with 10 men after he earned his 112th Colombian cap, Pedro Hicapie’s dismissal but had been moving clear of the previous national competitive throughout. record he shared with the iconic Carlos “The truth is it was a very tough Valderrama. He dedicated the victory to match. We knew the diffi culty of play- his civil strife-torn country that would ing Ecuador, who work hard with play- have been one of the twin hosts along- ers who are fast, physically strong, side Argentina before South American young,” said Messi. “It was a battle un- football’s governing body CONMEBOL til we managed the (second) goal.” moved the tournament to Brazil over Argentina made a bright start and coronavirus pandemic concerns and Martinez almost opened the scor- social unrest in Colombia. ing with a moment of brilliance. He “We just want to give joy to our chipped the ball over goalkeeper Her- country, a country we want to be full of nan Galindez and then volleyed goal- peace, full of people sharing and enjoy- wards, only for Robert Arboldea to ing, because we have a beautiful coun- block the ball on the line. try,” said Ospina, 32. There was little to Moments later Martinez had a shot report in a drab 0-0 draw over the reg- defl ected wide and from the resulting ulation 90 minutes before the quarter- corner, German Pezzella volleyed into fi nal tie went straight to penalties. the side netting. Carlos Gruezo almost Ospina saved from Jose Gimenez and gifted Argentina a goal when his at- Matias Vina while Colombia scored all tempted back pass sent Messi clean four of their penalties. through with only Galindez to beat, but It was a huge disappointment for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner saw his Uruguay’s star forward pair Edinson shot cannon back off the post. Cavani and Luis Suarez, who both con- Up the other end, goalkeeper Emil- Argentina’s Lionel Messi (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Ecuador during the Copa America quarter-final match in Goiania, Brazil. (AFP) verted their spot-kicks but almost cer- iano Martinez had to be alert to parry tainly have played in their last Copa. a stunning 20-yard volley by Sebastian narrowly evaded the sliding Alan Fran- when he was tackled by Galindez, Messi Valencia somehow headed wide from leg before going behind. A wicked Es- On Friday, Brazil beat Chile 1-0 to Mendez. Argentina had their own let co at the back post. reacted quickest and teed up De Paul to six yards out. After the break, Valencia tupinan cross was then almost turned reach today’s semi-fi nal against Peru, off seven minutes from half-time when Two minutes later Argentina were in score. There was still time before the remained Ecuador’s most likely route into his own net by Gonzalez. who defeated Paraguay 4-3 on penal- Pervis Estupinan crossed from the left front, with Messi the architect. First he break for Galindez to make an incred- back into the match and the livewire Messi came close to killing off the ties after an eventful 3-3 draw that saw and Enner Valencia’s fl icked header played in Nicolas Gonzalez on goal but ible double save from Gonzalez, before forward’s near post shot hit Martinez’s tie but his curled eff ort sailed just past both sides fi nish with 10 men.

Tom Curran CRICKET FOCUS strikes before rain ends England’s bid South Africa take T20 series Education City Golf Club hosts for Lanka sweep AFP wrist-spinner improving on his previous record Bristol, United Kingdom: St George’s, Grenada economical fi gures in the last two matches by Commercial Bank Junior Pro-am Tom Curran followed in conceding just 11 runs through his four overs in brother Sam’s footsteps claiming the wicket of Chris Gayle. ducation City Golf Club against Sri Lanka only for outh Africa capitalised on the misfi r- West Indian hopes of coping with an increas- has been developing a rain to deny England a series ing power-hitters of the West Indies to ingly challenging run-rate eventually rested on robust golf development clean sweep in the third and claim a series-clinching 25-run victory the shoulders of their captain Kieron Pollard. programme over the past final one-day international at in the fi nal T20 International of their However he was hampered by a leg injury fewE years. The programme now Bristol yesterday. Sfi ve-match contest at the National Cricket Sta- sustained when scampering a quick single and sees more than 100 children ac- Having won the preced- dium in Grenada on Saturday. when Mulder removed Pollard and Andre Rus- tively playing and learning golf. ing T20 series 3-0, England Defending a total of 168 for four, thanks to sell off successive deliveries in the 15th over, the In 2020, the golf club intro- were on course to end the half-centuries from Aiden Markram and Quin- match tilted heavily in favour of the visitors. duced a junior programme called ODI campaign with a similar ton de Kock, all the Proteas’ main bowlers made For South Africa, it was a fi rst T20 Interna- the ‘Play to Par’ which was de- scoreline after dismissing Sri signifi cant strikes to limit the defending World tional series triumph for almost two years. signed to focus on providing Lanka for a meagre 166, with T20 champions to 143 for nine despite a typi- Brief scores: South Africa 168-4 (A. Markram children with a ‘playing’ mindset Curran taking 4-35 in his max- cally fl amboyant 52 from opening batsman Evin 70, Q. de Kock 60; F. Edwards 2-19, D. Bravo by setting targets and goals for imum 10 overs. That followed Lewis. 1-28) bt West Indies 143-9 (E. Lewis 52, S. Het- progression. Sam’s return of 5-48 during The outstanding bowling eff ort was again myer 33; L. Ngidi 3-, K. Rabada 2-24, W. Mulder As the child improves and de- an eight-wicket win at the produced by Tabraiz Shamsi, the left-arm 2-31, T. Shamsi 1-11) velops their golf skills, the tar- Oval – the brothers’ Surrey gets get stretched to progressive home ground – on Thursday attainable levels by introducing that put England 2-0 up. course playing skills. But a huge downpour after With the support of Commer- Winners of the Commercial Bank Junior Pro-am tournament pose Sri Lanka’s innings meant the cial Bank, the time has come for with the off icials at the Education City Golf Club. match was abandoned before children to take their game from England’s reply could start. the practice range to the golf Qatar and was played on June Daniil Sokolov, Elizabeth Dodds, Only Dasun Shanaka, with 48 course with the introduction of a 25th. Socially distanced golf Abigail Doods, Roland Guo / -15 not out, off ered significant tournament on the Par 3 Course. games with four participants in 2nd Place: Alex Day Pro, This Pro Am tournament is each group took part in a friendly resistance with the bat as Sri Cameron Clark, Gabriella Frank- Lanka suff ered another col- seen as a key component in de- competition at the Education lin, Jake Franklin, Zamaan Zubair lapse to 63-5 inside 15 overs. veloping and encouraging chil- City Golf Club to end the school / -14 Brief scores: Sri Lanka 166 dren to play golf on the course calendar year. (Shanaka 48*, T Curran 4-35) with local PGA Professionals. 3rd Place: Nico James-Visser vs England - Match aban- The Commercial Bank Par 3 TOURNAMENT WINNERS Pro, Douglas Thomson, Ewan doned Pro AM was created to support 1st Place: Anthony Caira Pro, McLoughney, Joshua McLelland, South Africa’s players pose with the trophy after winning the T20 series against West Indies. (AFP) the development of children in Zayaar Zubair / - 12

SPOTLIGHT Koora Time concludes season nine with a virtual award ceremony his year marks another year of tar Football Association and those who Since its launch in 2012, Koora Time achievements for the award- have worked tirelessly on the success has transformed the ﬁ tness and nutri- winning Koora Time pro- of Koora Time and its eff ort to carry tion habits of an entire generation of gramme – a joint initiative on the participation of a large percent- children, with 95 percent of partici- Tlaunched by Qatar Shell and Qatar age of government schools. An initia- pants seeing a reduction in their Body Football Association (QFA) to engage tive that aims to preserve the health of Mass Index (BMI) in recent years. children and promote a healthy life- our students by providing additional Alanoud Al Mesnad, Director of style among youth through football. hours of physical activity in line with Marketing and Communication in As- The programme celebrated the success the objectives of our physical educa- pire Academy adds: “We are proud to of its 9th season with a virtual Award tion curriculum. We look forward to the be part of this initiative that comple- Ceremony. success of this collaborative initiative ments the mission of the academy in The season 9 of Koora Time at- and to maintain this great partnership encouraging young generation to adopt tracted over 1500 Students, with 53 between all parties involved. a healthy life style and its methodology percent majority of female participants Moreover, the online platform in- in making sports and education an ef- in this year innovative virtual version troduced innovative practices to train fective tool in society development. We of the programme. Participants from local teachers. The new methodology thank Shell Qatar for choosing Aspire 21 schools across the country had free The season 9 of Koora Time attracted follows a gradual progressive system Academy as a partner in delivering this access to the virtual platform launched Participants from 21 schools had free access to the virtual platform. over 1500 students. which continues to adapt new elements successful community initiative” during the pandemic outbreak. The of football training as children acquire In testament to its success in recent programme celebrated the success of to engage and grow the number of par- partners, QFA and Aspire Academy” supervision specialist at the Ministry new skills. The additional component years, Koora Time has earned interna- its 9th season with a virtual Award Cer- ticipants across Qatar. The success of said Rashid al-Sulaiti, Deputy General of Education and Higher Education alongside the existing ‘Healthy Living tionally acclaimed awards, bringing the emony on the 27th of June 2021. the programme is due to the commit- Manager Qatar Shell GTL. Qatar, affi rms “We appreciate the col- Methodology’ has further developed total number of accolades won locally “Koora Time programme continues ment of Qatar Shell and its long-time Moza al-Harami, Physical education laboration between Qatar Shell the Qa- the sustainable Koora Time initiative. and internationally to 13. Monday, July 5, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

CYCLING/TOUR DE FRANCE Wimbledon to have maximum capacity crowds from quarter-fi nals onwards Wimbledon will have capac- Pogacar retains lead as ity crowds from the singles quarter-finals onwards as Covid-19 restrictions on attendances are relaxed, the All England Club announced yesterday. Attendances have been capped at 50% since the start of the tournament last Monday O’Connor wins stage 9 although next weekend’s finals were to rise to 100% on the 15,000-capacity Centre Court. ‘I MADE A LITTLE ATTACK IN THE END TO KEEP THINGS UNDER CONTROL’ After a successful opening week, the Championships have now been given permission to Reuters RESULTS AND STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 9 operate at full capacity from Tignes, France Tuesday’s women’s quarter- Stage Overall finals onwards on Centre Court 1. Ben O’Connor (AUS/AG2) 4hr 1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO/UAE) 34hr and No 1 Court. efending champion 26min 43sec, 2. Mattia Cattaneo 11min 10sec, 2. Ben O’Connor Tadej Pogacar kept a (ITA/DEC) at 5:07, 3. Sonny (AUS/AG2) at 2:01, 3. Rigoberto Making US Open will close eye on his chal- Colbrelli (ITA/BAH) 5:34, 4. Guil- Uran (COL/EF1) 5:18, 4. Jonas be ‘very, very tight’ lengers as he retained laume Martin (FRA/COF) 5:36,5. Vingegaard (DEN/JUM) 5:32, 5. for injured Thiem theD overall leader’s yellow jersey Franck Bonnamour (FRA/BBH) Richard Carapaz (ECU/INE) 5:33, in the Tour de France after the 6:02, 6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO/ 6. Enric Mas (ESP/MOV) 5:47,7. World number five Dominic ninth stage, a 144.9km mountain UAE) 6:02, 7. Richard Carapaz Wilco Kelderman (NED/BOR) Thiem said yesterday making trek from Cluses in the northern (ECU/INE) 6:34, 8. Jonas Vinge- 5:58, 8. Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ/ next month’s US Open will Alps yesterday. gaard (DEN/JUM) 6:34, 9. Enric AST) 6:12, 9. Guillaume Martin be “very, very tight” after he Australian Ben O’Connor of Mas (ESP/MOV) 6:34, 10. Rig- (FRA/COF) 7:02,10. David Gaudu pulled out of Wimbledon with the AG2R-Citroen team won the oberto Uran (COL/EF1) 6:34, 11. (FRA/GFJ) 7:22, 11. Pello Bilbao a wrist injury. The New York stage from the breakaway, ahead Nairo Quintana (COL/ARK) 6:38, (ESP/BAH) 8:38, 12. Mattia tournament, where Austrian of Italians Matteo Cataneo and 12. Ruben Guerreiro (POR/EF1) Cattaneo (ITA/DEC) 11:38, 13. Au- Thiem won his only Grand Sonny Colbrelli. 6:47, 13. Wilco Kelderman (NED/ relien Paret-Peintre (FRA/AG2) Slam in 2020, starts on August Slovenian Pogacar, who BOR) 6:47, 14. David Gaudu 11:54, 14. Dylan Teuns (BEL/BAH) 30. “Up until the US Open it claimed the yellow jersey on (FRA/GFJ) 7:32, 15. Alexey 20:54, 15. Esteban Chaves (COL/ will be very, very tight,” he Saturday, was in control all day Lutsenko (KAZ/AST) 7:36, 16. BIK) 22:22, 16. Nairo Quintana told Sky Sports Austria. “I can’t and responded to a late attack by Patrick Konrad (AUT/BOR) 7:36, (COL/ARK) 24:25, 17. Franck guarantee or promise myself Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz, his 17. Pello Bilbao (ESP/BAH) 7:59, Bonnamour (FRA/BBH) 25:07, anything.” main rival for the general classi- 18. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/ 18. Wout Poels (NED/BAH) 25:59, In the interview Thiem gave fi cation, in the fi nal climb to the MOV) 7:59, 19. Geraint Thomas 19. Louis Meintjes (RSA/INT) more details of the injury in Alpine resort of Tignes (21km at (GBR/INE) 9:41, 20. Benoit Cos- 26:40, 20. Wout van Aert (BEL/ his right wrist that he suff ered 5.6%) to stay top of the rankings. nefroy (FRA/AG2) 10:23. JUM) 27:23. last week. “I have a small tear With his maiden Tour stage in the tendon sheath and in the win, O’Connor climbed up to capsule around it,” he said. second in the overall standings, two minutes and one second off Serbia athlete tests the pace, with Colombian Rig- positive for virus at oberto Uran in third, 5:18 behind Tokyo airport Pogacar. After a crash-strewn start to An athlete with the Serbian Ol- the Tour, last year’s runner-up ympic team has tested positive Primoz Roglic abandoned the for coronavirus after arriving race, failing to recover from in- in Japan, less than three weeks juries sustained in a third-stage before the Games, a host city tumble. An exhausted Mathieu off icial said yesterday. The van der Poel, who wore the yel- member of the five-strong low jersey during the week, also rowing team was found to quit ahead of his bid to win Ol- have contracted the virus ympic gold in the mountain bik- after a test at Tokyo’s Haneda ing event. airport upon arrival Saturday, Belgian Wout van Aert, who according to an off icial of started the day in second place Team UAE Emirates’ Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia celebrates his overall leader yellow jersey on the podium Nanto, a central Japanese city, overall, cracked on the Col du at the end of the 9th stage of the 108th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 144.9km between where the team planned to Pre, halfway through the stage, Cluses and Tignes, yesterday. (AFP) train ahead of the Olympics. and fi nished more than half an The athlete has been isolated, hour behind O’Connor as he one second ahead of Carapaz. d’Italia champion was countered made it a little bit harder but I while the remaining four have dropped out of contention. His The 25-year-old O’Connor went by Pogacar, who eventually fi n- had good legs to counter attack. been transferred to a separate Jumbo-Visma team, who had solo with 17.5km to go and in ished 32 seconds ahead of the “Yesterday was one of the facility near the airport, the of- been lined up to help two-time the last 10km, Ineos Grenadiers Ecuadorian. “I made a little at- best days of my career and I was ficial said. “The members were Vuelta champion Roglic win the upped the pace in the group of tack in the end to keep things more in a survival mode today, scheduled to arrive in our city title, will now ride for Norway’s favourites to set up Carapaz’s at- under control,” Pogacar told a although I was in a good shape.” AG2R Citroen Team rider Ben O’Connor of Australia in action today and start training, but Jonas Vingegaard, who is fourth tack. Carapaz took off with four news conference. “They (Ca- Today is the race’s fi rst rest during Stage 9 of the Tour de France yesterday. (Reuters) the entire programme is likely overall and 5:32 behind Pogacar, kilometres left, but the 2019 Giro paraz’s Ineos Grenadier’s team) day. to be cancelled,” the off icial told AFP. Merritt aces to share RUGBY ATHLETICS/DIAMOND LEAGUE PGA lead with Niemann in Detroit Seven-try England beat US 43-29 Duplantis again over 6m Troy Merritt aced the par-3 11th hole on his way to seizing a Reuters each for Sam Underhill and Ollie Law- “As a team there are things we share of the lead with Chile’s Twickenham, United Kingdom rence. Debutant trio Jamie Blamire, can improve but for so many players as Bol, Dos Santos shine Joaquin Niemann after yester- Marcus Smith and man of the match making their debut we have got to be day’s third round of the Rocket scrumhalf Harry Randall all scored af- pleased with how they went.” AFP Mortgage Classic. The 35-year- ngland scored seven tries - but ter the break but the U.S., playing their Luke Carty gave the visitors an early Stockholm old American one-hopped a conceded a worrying four - as fi rst game since the 2019 World Cup, lead with a 50-metre penalty but Max 5-iron shot into the cup from a virtual reserve team beat a crossed the line four times through Malins rose high to catch the restart 219 yards for his first hole-in- spirited United States 43-29 in Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, Cam Do- and fed Underhill for a simple opening rmand Duplantis failed in his one at a US PGA Tour event, anE entertaining though somewhat rag- lan, Hanco Germishuys and Christian try Lawrence, who barely got a touch bid to improve his own world highlighting a five-under par ged Twickenham clash yesterday. Dyer. of the ball in his six previous appear- record, but the Swedish pole 67 that put him on 14-under England were without 13 players on “I am really pleased, 12 new caps, it ances, got the second, despite the close vaulter still delighted home 202 for 54 holes. Lions duty and several others being was a great day for rugby spectators at attentions of Mika Kruse Mikey Te’o, fansA with yet another 6m-plus victory at rested, and starting with eight debu- the ground,” said England head coach who ripped the centre’s shorts open to the Diamond League meet in Stockholm Alonso feels for tants, they led 26-3 at halftime after Eddie Jones, who threw on four more give the delighted crowd a full view of yesterday. Duplantis cleared 6.02 metres Russell aft er snatching two tries for Joe Cokanasiga and one new boys from the bench. his exposed posterior. before having three eff orts at 6.19m, fail- a point in Austria ing all three times in his bid to better the 6.18m mark he made last year. Two-time Twice Formula One world HORSE RACING world champion Sam Kendricks of the champion Fernando Alonso United States took second with 5.92m commiserated with George on countback from 2012 Olympic gold Sweden’s Armand Duplantis reacts Russell yesterday after medallist Renaud Lavillenie of France. during the men’s pole vault event at the denying the Williams driver Al Mamoura Partnership’s Hadman “I feel good about today, being here with Stockholm Diamond League yesterday. a point that would have been my family and friends, and everybody (Reuters) his team’s first in two years. watching,” said Duplantis, known by his Alonso passed the Briton three bags second win with Naas success nickname “Mondo”. American Dalilah Muhammad broke it. laps from the finish of the “It was really important for me to just That time was bettered by compatriot Austrian Grand Prix to secure arrying the colours of the Al kind of go out here and try to get over six Sydney McLaughlin, who ran 51.90 in 10th place and the final point Mamoura Partnership, the metres, and then maybe take a few bet- Eugene, Oregon, on June 27. for Renault-owned Alpine. two-year-old colt Hadman ter shots at the world record, but overall McLaughlin’s record run was mir- (IRE) (Starspangledbannerx- 6.02 was a nice jump so I can’t complain rored in the men’s hurdles by Norwegian Australian Herbert Anneli)C notched up a second career so much.” Karsten Warholm, who set a new men’s secures Irish Open win in just four starts, completing Just 24 other vaulters in history have world best of 46.70sec in Oslo. title in style a double when taking the Irish EBF managed to clear six metres, and Du- Alison dos Santos, like Bol also 21, fi n- Median Sires Series Race at Naas plantis’ unerring consistency over that ished second to Warholm on Thursday, Australia’s Lucas Herbert com- Racecourse, Ireland on Saturday. height marks him as a clear favourite for but the Brazilian took advantage of the pleted a wire-to-wire victory at Hadman is trained by Joseph gold come the July 23-August 8 Tokyo Norwegian’s absence to claim an impres- the Irish Open yesterday to win Patrick O’Brien and was ridden by Olympics. The meet was well set up by sive victory in the Swedish capital. Dos his second European Tour title, claiming jockey Dylan Brown Mc- Dutch Athletics prodigy Femke Bol, who Santos clocked a personal best and South as he carded a four-under-par Monagle, who was also on-board for ran the fourth fastest women’s 400m American record of 47.34sec, going 14th 68 in the final round to finish the colt’s fi rst victory at Gowran Park. hurdles of all time as she won in 52.37 in the all-time list, while Cuban-born three strokes ahead of Swede Just like his win at Gowran Park, seconds. Bol, 21, was pushed all the way Turk Yasmani Copello took second in Rikard Karlberg. Herbert Hadman broke quickly from the stalls by American Shamier Little, who fi n- 48.19. “I feel so happy about my running, came into the final round at and was immediately placed in front ished second in 52.39sec, the fi fth best of I trained hard for this, I trained hard for the Mount Juliet Estate in of his eight rivals. all time. The Dutch runner beat the per- the Olympic Games,” said Dos Santos. Thomastown holding a one- Although he set a strong pace in sonal best of 53.33sec she set at Thurs- “I’m looking forward to the Olympics, shot advantage over American front, Hadman was a shade keen day’s Diamond League meet in Oslo by and yes, I think I can get a medal.” Johannes Veerman and the throughout and had most of the fi eld almost a second. There was also a victory in the wom- 25-year-old started strongly, in trouble two furlongs from home “I’m amazed, I’m so happy!” said Bol. en’s shot put for New Zealand veteran firing birdies at the second and as he stretched his advantage to two RACING POST “I think running personal bests is going Valerie Adams, whose 19.26m sealed the third holes. He shook off the lengths. Geocentric (IRE) (Kodi- to stop for now, but I hope to keep on get- win in her fi rst meet on the elite track disappointment of a bogey acxRajmahal) challenged in the clos- Keane. The AP O’Brien-trained and Bred by Meribelle Irish Farms Lim- ting close to this time. I can’t believe it!” and fi eld circuit in three years. “This was on the fifth before making an- ing stages, but Hadman proved tough Wayne Lordan-ridden Head To Head ited, Hadman is a son of Coolmore The European indoor champion in the my fi rst Diamond League since 2018, and other birdie immediately after and went on to win by just under a (GB) (Zoff anyxEntreat) made up late stallion Starspangledbanner, a sire on fl at 400m this winter narrowly failed to since 2018 I’ve had two kids so I’m very the turn and two more at the length at the line. ground and fi nished strongly down fi re this year. He is out of the Galileo break Yuliya Pechonkina’s 2003 Euro- happy,” said Adams, the four-time world 15th and 17th holes completed Geocentric fi nished runner-up for the outside further 1½ lengths be- mare Anneli, a daughter of two-time pean record of 52.34. The Russian’s time champion who won Olympic golds in Be- the job. trainer GM Lyons and jockey Colin hind to take the third place. listed winner Anne Of Kiev. was the world record until 2019 when ijing and London as well as a silver in Rio.