BASEBALL | Page 5 FORMULA 1 | Page 7 Perez’s late Hamilton homer lift s still has Royals to win respect over Mariners for Vettel

Friday, July 7, 2017 FOOTBALL Shawaal 13, 1438 AH United agree fee GULF TIMES for Lukaku but Chelsea may bid SPORT Page 3 TENNIS Mattek-Sands injury takes focus from Djoko, Federer ‘She was in shock. Her knee was in a very weird position. I’ve never seen REQUEST anything like this except in the movies. And, yeah, I panicked a little bit, as well’ Sponsor Head drops AFP London Tomic aft er ‘bored’ olourful US star Bethanie Mattek-Sands suff ered an comments horrifi c knee injury at Wim- bledon yesterday which left Reuters herC screaming in pain, pleading for help London and offi cials accused of freezing in her desperate moment of need. The distressing drama on Court 17, ead, the tennis racket man- where the 32-year-old lay stricken for ufacturer, has dropped its at least 20 minutes, pushed the title sponsorship of Australian campaigns of Novak Djokovic and Rog- player Bernard Tomic af- er Federer onto the sidelines. terH his comments that he had been “Please help me! Please! Please!” “bored” during his fi rst-round exit screamed Mattek-Sands as she from Wimbledon. clutched her right knee after collaps- “We were extremely disappointed ing running to the net in the fi rst point with the statements made at Wim- Head sponsors a number of top of the deciding set of her second round bledon by one of our sponsored ath- players in both the men’s and wom- match against Romania’s Sorana Cir- letes, Bernard Tomic. His opinions in en’s game including Andy Murray, stea. no way refl ect our own attitude for Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapo- The women’s tour said Mattek- tennis, our passion, professionalism va. The company received criticism Sands had suff ered an “acute knee in- and respect for the game,” the com- for standing by Sharapova when she jury” and had been taken to hospital. pany said in a statement. was banned after testing positive for Cirstea questioned why it took so “Therefore, we have decided to use of the substance meldonium. long for the medical team to arrive at discontinue our collaboration with Tomic’s comments were criticised Court 17 which is right next door to the Bernard Tomic.” by many pundits who suggested he tournament’s famed Centre Court. Tomic spoke about his lack of mo- was cheating fans by his attitude. “She was in shock. Her knee was in tivation following his listless 6-3 Women’s nine-time Wimbledon a very weird position. I’ve never seen 6-4 6-3 defeat by Germany’s Mischa winner Martina Navratilova sug- anything like this except in the movies,” Zverev on Tuesday. gested that Tomic’s comments were said Cirstea. “It’s a roller-coaster and I just ungracious and suggested he “stay at “And, yeah, I panicked a little bit, as Switzerland’s Roger Federer serves against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic on the fourth day of the 2017 Wimbledon can’t seem to fi nd the commitment home”. well. I called for help, but no one was Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, yesterday. to work hard, to enjoy, and to lift tro- “It’s disrespectful to the sport and coming. phies,” he told reporters. “The last disrespectful to the history of the Meanwhile, Djokovic shrugged off long rallies,” said Djokovic. played some inspired stuff .” va who has yet to get beyond the second two years, nothing motivates. sport. If you can’t get motivated at sweltering 30-degree heat to breeze Gulbis, a former top 10 player, sprang The Swiss star next faces German round at the All England Club. “It was defi nitely a mental issue Wimbledon it’s time to fi nd another past outclassed Adam Pavlasek 6-2, a surprise as the world number 589 de- serve-and-volleyer Mischa Zverev. Top seed Angelique Kerber eased out there. Wasn’t mentally and phys- job,” Navratilova said. 6-2, 6-1 to reach the third round. feated former US Open champion Juan The women’s event was thrown wide into the third round with a 7-5, 7-5 win ically there to perform. I don’t know But former world number one The three-time champion brushed Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). open when third seed Karolina Pliskova over Kirsten Flipkens, a former semi- why, but, you know, I felt a little bit Mats Wilander defended Tomic, say- aside the 136rd-ranked Czech to make Third seed Federer continued his crashed to defeat against world number fi nalist. bored out there to be completely ing many other players silently had the last-32 for the ninth year in succes- campaign for a record eighth Wimble- 108 Magdalena Rybarikova. Kerber next faces Shelby Rogers who honest with you,” the 24-year-old the same problems. sion. don title by seeing off world number Rybarikova won 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 on beat Lucie Safarova 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-3 told reporters. “I guarantee you every single play- Djokovic, the second seed whose 79 Dusan Lajovic 7-6 (7/0), 6-3, 6-2 to Centre Court, earning the Slovakian with the Czech possibly still distracted The Australian also conceded that er here at Wimbledon feels or has shock third round loss to Sam Querrey reach the third round for the 15th time. a last 32 clash with Ukraine’s Lesia by the events involving close friend and he had called for medical assistance, felt like Tomic is saying he feels,” the at Wimbledon 12 months ago precipi- “I struggled at the start and couldn’t Tsurenko. doubles partner Mattek-Sands. not because of injury, but in order to Swede told Reuters. “I really appreci- tated a worrying decline in form, will fi nd my rhythm,” said Federer, who “For me, the tournament is over. So Canadian sixth seed Milos Raonic, disrupt the momentum of the game. ate that he was honest about it.” next face Ernests Gulbis. dropped his fi rst service game to trail whatever happens happens. I’m not go- the runner-up to Andy Murray in 2016, Tomic was subsequently fi ned Others have suggested Tomic’s “It was a very warm day, it wasn’t 2-0 to his 79th-ranked opponent. ing to pray for somebody losing or win- beat Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny 3-6, 7-6 11,600 pounds ($15,010.40) for “un- words may refl ect wider issues and easy to play point after point and some “But once I got rid of the nerves I ning. That’s not my thing,” said Plisko- (9/7), 6-4, 7-5. sportsmanlike conduct.” off ered support.

CRICKET Ton-up Root turns tide in England’s favour AFP New Zealand’s Kane Williamson — SCORECARD London all of whose Test averages as captain of their respective countries have far outstripped their equivalent fi gure in England 1st Innings 5-190 (Stokes) oe Root marked his fi rst innings ‘the ranks’. A. Cook c de Kock b Philander 3 Bowling: Morkel 16-1-64-1 (6nb); as England captain with a superb Earlier the 26-year-old Root opted K. Jennings lbw b Philander 8 Philander 16-2-46-3 (5nb); Rabada 23-4- 184 not out against South Africa to bat fi rst after the coin fell in his fa- G. Ballance lbw b Morkel 20 94-1 (1nb); Maharaj 22-1-107-0 (1nb); De at Lord’s yesterday. vour. J. Root not out 184 Bruyn 5-1-30-0; Bavuma 5-0-14-0; JEngland were 357 for fi ve at stumps, But a green-tinged pitch gave South South Africa: J. Bairstow lbw b Philander 10 Dean Elgar (capt), Heino having collapsed to 76 for four before Africa’s bowlers hope of early move- B. Stokes c de Kock b Rabada 56 Kuhn, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Temba lunch on the fi rst day of the opening ment.Cook had made just three when M. Ali not out 61 Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Test of a four-match series. he was caught behind fl at-footedly Extras (lb2, nb13) 15 Kock (wkt), Vernon Philander, Keshav But Root’s 12th hundred in 54 Tests chasing a Philander ball outside off Total (5 wkts, 87 overs, 392 mins) 357 Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and third at Lord’s justifi ed his deci- stump. To bat: L Dawson, S Broad, J Anderson, Toss: England sion to bat fi rst after winning the toss in Fellow opener Keaton Jennings, M Wood Umpires: Paul Reiff el (AUS), S Ravi what was England’s fi rst match at this born in South Africa, fell next for eight Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Cook), 2-17 (Jen- (IND) level since he was appointed following on his home debut when lbw to Phi- nings), 3-49 (Ballance), 4-76 (Bairstow), TV umpire: Simon Fry (AUS) Alastair Cook’s resignation as skipper lander, who bowled the Proteas to a in February. series-clinching victory at Lord’s fi ve right back on the rope at long leg. He was ‘bowled’ off a Morne Morkel New vice-captain Ben Stokes made years ago. He had another break when on 16 an no-ball on 44, the fast bowler having 56 and helped turn the tide in a fi fth- The 32-year-old Philander, fi t fol- edged drive off Rabada fl ew through JP only himself to blame for a consider- wicket stand of 114. lowing an ankle injury sustained while Duminy’s hands at gully. able over-step. Moeen Ali’s 61 not out cemented the playing for English county side Sussex, Meanwhile Root’s Yorkshire col- Stokes, however, fell soon afterwards recovery as he added an unbroken 167 had now taken two wickets for three leagues Gary Ballance (20) and Jonny when his top-edged hook off Rababa with Root. runs in eight balls to leave England 17 Bairstow (10) both fell cheaply. fl ew straight to wicket-keeper Quinton Concerns had been expressed that England’s Captain Joe Root celebrates after reaching a century not out during for two. But Stokes, who has known Root de Kock. captaincy would reduce Root’s eff ec- the first day of the first Test match between England and South Africa at Lord’s Root, meanwhile, was fortunate, since their days as schoolboy cricket Root, however, kept going and a tiveness as a batsman. Cricket Ground in central London yesterday. when on fi ve a top-edged hook off Ka- opponents, took the attack to the Pro- swept three off Maharaj saw him to a But, on this evidence, Root appears giso Rabada just cleared substitute teas by driving spinner Keshav Maharaj 150-ball hundred, including 15 fours, destined to follow the other members of world batting’s ‘big four’ — India’s Virat Kohli, Australia’s Steve Smith and fi elder Aiden Markram, who was not for six. after more than four hours at the crease. Gulf Times 2 Friday, July 7, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Al-Kuwari attends Asian athletics Paes has ‘sixth General Assembly

QNA in presence of the IAAF President Bhubaneswar Lord Sebastian Coe, and with the participation of 45 countries rep- resenting the Asian continent’s sense’, says new E the Secretary-Gen- federations. eral of Qatar Olympic The AAA General Assembly Committee (QOC) Dr saw a formal announcement of a HThani bin Abdulrah- change in its constitution for the man al-Kuwari, who also heads fi rst time since Qatar’s Dahlan al- the Qatar Athletics Federation, Hamad resumed its presidency participated in the General As- in June 2013, before being unani- sembly of the Asian Athletics As- mously named president for an- doubles partner sociation (AAA), which was held other term ending 2019. on the sidelines of the 22nd Asian The constitution change stipu- ‘I try not to get all hyped up with what he does, because he can definitely come Athletics Championship, current- lates for separating the posts of ly underway in the Indian state of the AAA Secretary-General and out with some magic. We talk a lot about strategy and positions. When the time Odisha. Treasurer at the 2019 session of At the end of the event tomor- the General Assembly which will gets tough, he’ll suddenly do something, and that’s from his experience’ row, Dr Thani al-Kuwari will re- be held in Doha. It also stipulates ceive the fl ag of the 23rd Asian increasing women’s representa- Championship which will be held tion AAA by having three female in Doha in 2019. members in the Board of Directors For his part, the AAA President, of the Association. Dahlan al-Hamad, who is also the The meeting also adopted a Vice President of the International new strategy for the development Association of Athletics Fed- of athletics beginning next year erations (IAAF), presided over the through to 2021 for further devel- AAA General Assembly’s meetings opment of Asian Athletics.

Footballers against mixing of politics with sport Doha: A football match pitting shouldn’t be used as a way of Kyrgyzstan against Uzbekistan expressing national loyalties. as part of a triangular tourna- The scene at Aspire ground ment in Doha saw the two won’t be the last from athletes teams highlight the principle of who reject the mixing of politics separating politics from sport and sport as former Barce- through a banner the players lona and Spain midfielder Xavi raised before kick-off . Hernandez who currently plays The initiative sends a strong for Al Sadd called for exercis- message as the current Gulf ing the same principle. Former crisis was present in the back- Dutch twin footballers Frank ground during the tournament, de Boer and Ronald de Boer currently organised by Qatar as well as Former Real Madrid Football Association. keeper Iker Casillas also backed FIFA prohibits the dragging the principle. Barcelona’s of politics into football and Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique insists on football being a sport and Jordi Alba also expressed rather than a political tool and concern over the matter.

SPOTLIGHT Wimbledon serves up sushi as players switch from pasta

India’s Leander Paes (R) and his partner Canada’s Adil Shamasdin (L) confer between points against Austria’s Julian Knowle and Philipp Oswald during their men’s doubles first AFP very popular dish because of the round match at Wimbledon yesterday. London carbs — but sushi has grown in popularity. AFP They went on to claim the Wimble- ence. TV get hyped up watching Canadians,” “It’s doubled year on year London don warm-up Challenger title in Ilkley, “Seeing what he does in certain situ- the Davis Cup player said. he world’s top tennis over the last three years. It’s England. ations, I can use that in my game. He “It’s a great time for Canadian tennis players are ravenous for a very popular product. It’s a Their Wimbledon tilt ended in a has energy and an aura going for him. right now. There’s a lot of good juniors sushi, with Wimbledon good, solid dose of protein and ndia’s doubles master Leander Paes marathon four-hour 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 “Even outside the tennis court, he’s coming up and doing really well and catering chiefs having carbs all in one small bite-sized can still pull magic out of nowhere (7/2), 10-8 defeat to Austria’s Julian doing his thing. The guy’s a legend in that’s partially due to those two. Tto lay on twice as much of the piece so it probably works well.” and sees shots that other players Knowle and Philipp Oswald in the first the game. I try not to get in his way with “We have a lot of immigrants coming Japanese dish this year to meet He said the range of food of- just don’t see, said his new playing round on Thursday. all that stuff. But it’s working. We have and a lot of them enjoy tennis and will the growing hunger. fered to players changes with partnerI Adil Shamasdin. However, Shamasdin said they intend a good chemistry.” hopefully go and play in public parks,” Pasta was the traditional car- the latest updates in sports sci- Paes, 44, has won 18 Grand Slam to keep playing together, starting with Shamasdin is on a career high, hitting said Toronto-born Shamasdin, whose bohydrate-heavy dish of choice ence. doubles titles, but is still buzzing with the Newport post-Wimbledon grass- 41 in the doubles rankings, and accepts parents emigrated from Kenya. for tennis professionals but de- “We have long conversations schemes and ideas to win matches, said court tournament in the United States. he is a late bloomer at the age of 35. He is scheduled to play in the Wim- mand for sushi at Wimbledon with the ATP and WTA govern- Canada’s Shamasdin, nine years his es- “He has almost like a sixth sense “Everybody’s playing well into their bledon mixed doubles but a lingering has doubled year on year, said ing bodies about what’s new in teemed partner’s junior. where he can do different things. He 30s now,” he said, with the game still back spasm problem puts his appear- Anthony Davies, the All Eng- nutrition and what the players Paes got in touch with Shamasdin to tells me to do something and I’m say- dominated by Andy Murray, Novak ance with Maria Sanchez of the United land Club’s head of food and are looking for each year and we play the Challenger-level tournament ing, ‘Hey, man, I don’t see that! That’s Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael States in the hands of the doctors. beverage. introduce new products based at Leon in Mexico in March. just you!’” Shamasdin said of Paes. Nadal. “Wimbledon is one of those tourna- “Making sure they have what on their input,” he told report- “I thought cool, what a great oppor- “I try not to get all hyped up with Shamasdin said the rise of compa- ments and an experience that you don’t they need in order to be match ers. tunity,” Shamasdin told AFP. what he does, because he can definitely triots 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos have anywhere else,” said Shamasdin, fi t and deliver what they need to Wimbledon bills itself as “I gave it a shot, just to say I played come out with some magic. We talk a Raonic and 2014 runner-up Eugenie who reached the 2016 quarter-finals do on court is a big part of what Europe’s largest annual cater- with the guy. He’s done so much in the lot about strategy and positions. When Bouchard had been a huge boost for the with Britain’s Jonathan Marray. we do,” he told AFP. ing event and its English sum- game, so I felt like I could learn from the time gets tough, he’ll suddenly do sport in Canada. “You feel the energy, the atmosphere, “It’s all about variety. Players mer event image is inextrica- him. We ended up winning.” something, and that’s from his experi- “Kids and even adults watching on how much history has been made here.” make their own choices about bly linked to strawberries and what they eat. Pasta is a very, cream.

BOTTOMLINE WIMBLEDON

RESULTS Women (2nd rd) Sorana Cirstea (ROM) bt Men (2nd rd) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) Milos Raonic (CAN x6) bt Mikhail 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) — retired Konta can be world number Youzhny (RUS) 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP x14) 6-4, 7-5 Alexander Zverev (GER bt Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) x10) bt Francis Tiafoe (USA) 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 Agnieszka Radwan- 6-4, 6-3 ska (POL x9) bt Christina Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x13) bt McHale (USA) 5-7, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 one: former champ Davenport Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 6-3, 6-2, Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x19) Reuters “To see her on Wednesday brings, watch the intensity she 6-1 Dudi Sela (ISR) bt John Isner bt Kristína Kucová (SVK) 6-1, London just being a mental rock out brings,” she said. “It is hard to (USA x23) 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-0 Polona Hercog (SLO) bt there under some really diffi cult see success won’t come for her, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 6-7 circumstances was in a way in- it is impossible to know.” Mischa Zverev (GER x27) bt (2/7), 6-2, 6-2 Svetlana Kuznet- ormer Wimbledon spiring,” Davenport said, adding Davenport said it would be Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-1, 6-2, sova (RUS x7) bt Ekaterina champion Lindsay Dav- that in the past Konta had buck- interesting to see Konta at every 2-6, 3-6, 6-4 Roger Federer (SUI Makarova (RUS) 6-0, 7-5 enport believes Brit- led under pressure. level in all the majors to judge x3) bt Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 7-6 Magdaléna Rybáriková (SVK) ain’s Johanna Konta “We have seen other players whether she was able to main- (7/0), 6-3, 6-2 Dominic Thiem bt Karolína Plísková (CZE x3) canF go on to become the world’s just crumble under the pressure tain the aura of Wednesday “be- (AUT x8) bt Gilles Simon (FRA) 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 Lesya Tsurenko number one player, saying it was of their own country and she cause it was awfully impressive”. 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 David Ferrer (UKR) bt Viktorija Golubic “hard not to see success” for the stood up, she never panicked, The American said she sensed (ESP) bt Steve Darcis (BEL) 3-0 (SUI) 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 seventh-ranked player. she never blinked, she never in Konta the same level of dedi- — retired Petra Martic (CRO) bt Denisa Davenport, herself a former had that look I’ve seen before of cation that her compatriot and Tomas Berdych (CZE x11) bt Allertová (CZE) 6-1, 6-4 world number one, who won looking over with almost scared defending men’s champion Ryan Harrison (USA) 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 Zarina Diyas (KAZ) bt Arina three grand slam titles including eyes, that was gone. Andy Murray showed. (8/10), 6-3 Gael Monfils (FRA x15) Rodionova (AUS) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) Wimbledon in 1999, said Konta “You get a sense that is some- “I get the sense with her, like bt Kyle Edmund (GBR) 7-6 (7/1), Alison Riske (USA) bt Kristina proved in her three-set Centre thing she has worked incredibly you do with Andy Murray, that 6-4, 6-4 Mladenovic (FRA x12) 2-6, 6-4, Court victory on Wednesday hard on, the discipline to be fo- everything she can do to get bet- Adrian Mannarino (FRA) bt 6-4 against Donna Vekic that she cused on each point in the rou- ter, she is doing. That could be Yuichi Sugita (JPN) 6-1, 5-7, 4-6, Coco Vandeweghe (USA x24) had the steel needed to get to the tine she has talked about and it mentally, physically, recovery, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 Ernests Gulbis (LAT) bt Tatjana Malek (GER) 6-4, 6-2 top. proved itself in one of her big- on the court. bt Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt “I think yesterday’s match gest moments here,” she said. “It is hard not to see success x29) 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) Darya Kasatkina (RUS x29) was a great example of that. I al- Davenport said that she had for someone who is willing to Novak Djokovic (SRB x2) bt 6-3, 6-2 ways look at players and look at noticed Konta’s relentless focus put in that amount of eff ort and Adam Pavlásek (CZE) 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 their weaknesses and if those are when watching her practise. that much time and discipline to improved upon. “Watch the discipline she their career at that age.” Gulf Times Friday, July 7, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT AFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 Qatar in Group B along with Lebanon, United agree fee Jordan and Syria

QNA qualifi cation competition for the Kuala Lumpur ASEAN Zone with four slots up for grabs. In the West Zone, eight teams FC Futsal Champion- were drawn into two groups of for Lukaku but ship 2018 discovered four teams. their qualifying oppo- The Group Winners and Run- nents during the offi cial ners-up from each group will drawA at the AFC House in Kuala qualify for the 2018 AFC Futsal Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday. Championship on February 6 to The Qatari team came in the 18. Sixteen teams will compete in Group B West Zone, which also the 2018 AFC Futsal Champion- includes Lebanon, Jordan and ship. Chelsea may bid Syria. Teams competing in the quali- DRAW RESULT: Mourinho’s squad depart on Sunday for that five-game tour and hope to confirm the fi ers were divided into four zones East Zone – East, ASEAN, South & Cen- Group A: A1 Japan A2 Chinese striker as the second most expensive signing in their history, behind Paul Pogba tral and West where they were Taipei A3 Macau A4 Mongolia seeded within their zones based Group B: B1 China PR B2 Korea on the AFC Futsal Championship Republic B3 Hong Kong Uzbekistan 2016 ranking. In the East Zone and Central South & Central Zone & South Zone, seven teams from Group A: A1 Uzbekistan A2 Kyr- each zone were drawn into two gyz Republic A3 Turkmenistan groups of four and three teams A4 Nepal respectively. Group B: B1 Islamic Republic of The matches will be played Iran B2 Tajikistan B3 Afghanistan from November 1 to 11 for the East Zone and October 13 to 22 West Zone for the Central & South Zones. Group A: A1 Iraq A2 Saudi Arabia The ASEAN Football Federa- A3 United Arab Emirates A4 tion Futsal Championship Vi- Bahrain etnam 2017 on October 23 to Group B: B1 Qatar B2 Lebanon B3 November 3 will serve as the Jordan B4 Syria

Swiss top court rejects Platini’s complaint against FIFA penalties Switzerland’s top court yester- tried to fight the CAS decision day rejected a complaint by at Switzerland’s Federal Court former European football boss in Lausanne. Michel Platini against penal- The CAS ruling against ties imposed over a question- Platini’s acceptance of 2 mil- able payment from the world lion francs from former FIFA football body FIFA. boss Sepp Blatter “was not FIFA’s ethics body banned the arbitrary,” the Federal Court former head of the European said in a statement. football body UEFA from the The court also backed the sport in 2015 and handed CAS’ finding of a conflict of in- down a financial fine. terest, as well as the imposed The international Court of ban. Arbitration for Sport (CAS) “The duration of four years subsequently upheld FIFA’s does not appear to be mani- finding that Platini had violat- festly excessive,” the Federal ed ethics rules, while reducing Court said. the ban from six to four years, Platini received the mil- and the fine from 80,000 to lions from Blatter in 2011 for 60,000 Swiss francs (81,000 work he had done as a FIFA This file photo shows Everton’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku celebrating after scoring against West Ham United at Goodison Park in Liverpool. to 61,000 dollars). However, presidential adviser a decade the French football off icial earlier. The Guardian Yet sources at Everton, who retain an launch their own bid for the Spain forward, inform him he was no longer in his plans, London interest in United’s Wayne Rooney, have though it remains to be seen whether they has pinned much on Lukaku’s addition, stressed that there is some way to go before match Chelsea’s valuation. and the onus is now on the board to lodge any transfer could be considered complete, Losing out on Lukaku would represent their own bid with Everton. FRESH APPROACH anchester United are con- with the Merseyside club now expecting a signifi cant blow to the London club, and The alternative options for Chelsea vinced they are close to se- Chelsea to step up their own attempts to place further strain on Conte’s relationship would, ironically enough, be Álvaro Morata curing Romelu Lukaku for a sign the striker. Antonio Conte had identi- with the board. Reports in Belgium have – whom United had previously targeted fee of around £75mn despite fi ed Lukaku early on as his main attacking suggested the Italian has spoken to the only to drop their interest after the Spanish US, Mexico to try new Mindications from Everton that a deal has reinforcement, and replacement for the Everton forward over recent weeks, out- club refused to lower their asking price of yet to be agreed, and Chelsea’s private in- out-going Diego Costa, and the Premier lining where he sees him in his fi rst-team €90mn (£79mn) – or the Torino forward, sistence they remain in the chase for the League champions have not ruled them- plans and stressing his signifi cance to the Andrea Belotti, though both know they talent at Gold Cup Belgium forward. selves out of the pursuit despite confi r- side’s approach, and had envisaged the deal were always second-choice to Lukaku. The confi dence at Old Traff ord is such mation of United’s bid. Indeed, they have being completed before his own squad re- Should Lukaku complete a move to Old AFP Cup qualifi ers, so they needed a that sources have indicated the player, noted Everton’s denial that a deal has been turn for pre-season training next Monday. Traff ord then he would become United’s Los Angeles break and then they need to start who is currently on holiday in Los An- struck with interest. The manager has been frustrated to date second summer signing after the arrival their preseasons in July. That was geles, could be signed in time to join up Their own confi dence appears to be at his club’s inability to add to his options, of Benfi ca’s Swedish centre-back Victor the appropriate move.” with his new team-mates as they con- forged on a belief that Lukaku’s preference with only Willy Caballero, on a free trans- Lindelof for £31mn. The club’s manager, he United States and The Americans warmed up for tinue their pre-season in the United has always been to re-sign for the club he fer from Manchester City, confi rmed to José Mourinho, had also expressed some Mexico are hoping to their tournament — which will States. José Mourinho’s squad depart on left back in 2014 for £28mn. Yet they are date and the likes of Asmir Begovic, Nath- frustration with the lack of progress on unearth a new crop of kick off against Panama tomor- Sunday for that fi ve-game tour and hope now under pressure to counter United’s of- an Aké, Tammy Abraham and John Terry signings as he had said early on in the talent as they attempt to row — with a 2-1 friendly victory to confi rm the striker as the second most fer with one of their own, despite the fact having all departed either on permanent summer that he wanted as many new ar- extendT their reign of dominance over Ghana last weekend. expensive signing in their history, behind they have been unable, as yet, to off -load or long-term loan deals. Conte, who had rivals in place before they set off for their when the CONCACAF Gold Cup The experimental line-up fea- Paul Pogba. Costa. Atlético Madrid are expected to infuriated the hierarchy by texting Costa to pre-season tour. kicks off today. tured a crop of new faces, with the The biennial football cham- goals coming from MLS players pionship for North America, Dom Dwyer and Kellyn Acosta. BOTTOMLINE Central America and Caribbean gets under way at the Red Bull WORLD CUP CHANCE Arena in New Jersey with French England-born striker Dwyer, Guiana taking on Canada before who became a US citizen in Honduras face Costa Rica. March, caught the eye with a The 12-team tournament is be- lively display that included a de- ing staged at 14 venues across the but goal. Rooney back at Everton would United States, with the fi nal to be Arena has encouraged his held on July 26 at Santa Clara’s youthful squad members to view Levi’s Stadium, the home of the the Gold Cup as a chance to force San Francisco 49ers NFL team. their way into his thinking for The United States will be aiming crucial World Cup qualifi ers later be a fairytale or a teary tale to atone for the disappointment of this year. Thirteen years aft er seasons at United has been mut- for a signifi cantly diff erent line- their 2015 campaign, when they “There’s a great opportunity leaving Everton for Old ed, to put it as kindly as possible, up in cup competitions than the fl opped in the semi-fi nals of a for these guys to lock down ros- Traff ord, Rooney could be and for that reason it is tempting one they use for Premier League tournament won by Mexico. ter positions for our games in about to return – but does to wonder not only why Koeman games. There is no problem The tournament has been September and October as well,” Koeman really a need a wants him, when there will be about animosity from present dominated by Mexico and the Arena said. “The roster has a nice player who seems to have money in the kitty after Lukaku’s Everton supporters towards a United States ever since its in- blend of experience and talented his peak years behind him? departure, but also where he plans player who turned his back on ception in 1991. players with less experience. It on playing him. the club in search of fame, for- The North American rivals have makes for good competition.” By Paul Wilson, The Guardian As a No10 seems most likely, if tune and trophies. Everton fans won every edition of the champi- Speaking after a training ses- London only as the most eff ective way of know better than most how the onship between them except from sion on Tuesday, Arena said making it plain to Ross Barkley world works, and the famous Canada’s victory in 2000. while the value of a Gold Cup other options are available. (infamous?) “Once a blue always While history suggests an- victory was debatable, the US omelu Lukaku was al- It is highly debatable whether a blue” slogan is already be- other Mexico-US battle for the had only one thing on their mind ways going to leave a Rooney is a better bet as a crea- ing revisited approvingly rather title this time around, the play- — victory. big hole to fi ll at Ever- tive playmaker than Barkley, than sarcastically. ing fi eld may have been levelled “There’s no actual signifi cance ton but few would have even if there are problems with Rooney has already spent all by the fact that neither nation is for this championship,” Arena told predictedR a combination of, say, the younger player’s contract. his peak years at United, that is fi elding its strongest team. reporters. “But it’s important to Wayne Rooney and Olivier Gir- Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea is precisely the point. To the na- US coach Bruce Arena, whose win your confederation champi- oud, perhaps to take over in the another player Koeman admires ked eye he appears to have none priority remains the ongoing 2018 onship, and we’re certainly setting likely event of the Belgian strik- for the same position, and were left, but maybe Koeman knows World Cup qualifi cation cam- our sights on that.” er’s departure. Everton to be in a position to better. Let us all hope so, for a paign, has opted to rest several The US should qualify com- Reported overtures to Arse- land the Iceland international it homecoming hero is always a fi rst-choice players from duty. fortably from Group B, where nal’s Giroud make perfect sense; is hard to know what role Roon- tale worth telling and it will be Mexico coach Juan Carlos along with Panama their oppo- he is a reliable goalscorer, proven ey may be asked to fulfi l. good to see Rooney in blue again Osorio has adopted a similar ap- nents include minnows Marti- in the Premier League, at 30 he File picture of Manchester United’s English striker Wayne Rooney. On the other hand, Everton rather than in China. proach, with El Tri only recently nique and Nicaragua. will have a few good years left in stand to acquire a lot of leader- Only a killjoy or a spoilsport completing their campaign at Mexico should also have a him and he was no longer a regu- too much time in the shadows at Whether used as a striker or ship, experience and club tra- would add a word of warning the FIFA Confederations Cup in straightforward passage to the lar starter under Arsène Wenger. his present club and it is entirely a No10 in recent seasons, José dition on a free transfer, even to such a feelgood story, but it Russia. knockout rounds from Group C, Rooney is an entirely diff er- understandable he should wish to Mourinho and before him Louis if the wage bill is likely to make is only a year since Mourinho “We have a large number of which includes El Salvador, Cu- ent story. Once upon a time, as seek more game minutes with his van Gaal found it diffi cult to in- Bill Kenwright’s eyes water. had complete faith in Rooney’s domestic players because our racao and Jamaica. Everton remember only too well, boyhood team, though there is a corporate the club captain into a It should also be remembered undimmed ability and so did European-based players need Group A features Honduras, he brought a cutting edge like no reason why Rooney dropped off system that worked. Everton are in Europe this sea- Roy Hodgson. Neither found a a break,” Arena said. “They had Costa Rica, French Guiana and other. He has also been spending the radar at Manchester United. Rooney’s impact in his last few son, and are quite likely to opt happy ending. long seasons plus the June World Canada. Gulf Times 4 Friday, July 7, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Football icon Diego Maradona becomes honorary citizen of Naples Will Lacazette

propel Arsenal to Former soccer player Diego Armando Maradona reacts on stage after receiving honorary citizenship of the city in Naples.

Argentinian football icon council for doing this, but I have Diego Maradona was feted been a citizen ever since the Wednesday in Naples and first day I wore the number 10 awarded an honorary citizen- shirt for Napoli,” Maradona said ship from the city whose in a press conference on the the next level? home team he led to victory in eve of the ceremony. the 1980s and 1990s. Maradona, 56, played with Lacazette arrives from Lyon with an impressive scoring record and can pretty “I’m Neapolitan!,” Maradona Napoli from 1984 to 1991, wrote on Facebook. helping them win the 1987 and much do it all. Can Giroud’s deputy for France provide a title-winning upgrade? Mayor Luigi de Magistris, 1990 national titles, the Italian former team members and Cup in 1987 and the UEFA Cup other local stars celebrated in 1989. Maradona in the central He left Italy in 1991 amid charg- Piazza del Plebiscito in front of es of drug use and has been approximately 10,000 fans. involved in a long controversy The celebration then spilled over alleged tax evasion. out into the streets and Mara- Nevertheless, he has always dona, who was in high spirits, enjoyed cult following in climbed onto a van outside his Naples. hotel and led the crowd in a When Italy played Argentina team chant. in Naples in the 1990 World “Whoever’s not cheering is a Cup semi-final, most of the Juventus fan,” he said. local spectators rooted for “Tomorrow I will become a the guest team just because citizen of Naples and I thank the Maradona played for them.

Torres extends Atletico deal for an extra year Striker Fernando Torres will Torres said on the club’s stay at Atletico Madrid until website. the end of next season after Torres joined Atletico’s signing a contract extension, academy at the age of 11, and the La Liga club announced went on to score 91 goals in on Wednesday. 244 games for the senior team The former Spain interna- from 2001-2007. tional’s contract had run out, He rejoined his boyhood club but he will now stay at Atletico from Chelsea, where he won until June 30, 2018. the 2012 Champions League The capital-city side are under title, in 2015 on loan, before a transfer ban, but it has been signing a permanent contract a successful close-season so last summer. far for coach Diego Simeone, The 33-year-old netted a brace having also seen key forward in Atletico’s final match at Antoine Griezmann pen a new the Vicente Calderon against deal to keep him at the club Athletic Bilbao in May, ahead until 2022. of their move to the new Esta- This file photo shows Lyon’s French forward Alexandre Lacazette celebrating after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match against SC Bastia (SCB). “I am really happy to continue dio La Peineta for the coming one more year together,” season. By David Hytner, The Guardian forward for some time or, at least, since starting France team whereas Giroud has while Deschamps is in charge. London Robin van Persie left for Manchester come to be the manager’s preferred foil for It has, nevertheless, been possible to feel Coach Klopp upbeat over improved Liverpool’s United in 2012 and Olivier Giroud came in Antoine Griezmann. When Deschamps in- Deschamps has not fully trusted Lacazette; busy start to campaign from Montpellier. Yes, Alexis Sánchez is troduced Lacazette as a 73rd-minute sub- that he has been sceptical about whether lexandre Lacazette has the a world-class player and he played as the stitute against Paraguay on 2 June, it was the player possesses the requisite class. Liverpool can handle the pres- believes that they can make a numbers to press his case. No9 for plenty of last season. But, by the his fi rst international involvement since There has also been the view that Lacazette sure of opening their Premier good start and seal a return to Across eight seasons at Lyon end, Wenger had returned him to his roam- October 2015. He came on for Giroud, who may be more eff ective as an impact sub- League campaign and taking the Champions League after the striker scored 100 goals in ing brief off the fl ank and the manager said had scored a hat-trick. stitute for France, which can impact nega- part in a Champions League two seasons. 203A Ligue 1 appearances and there were that he preferred him there. It was Giroud Deschamps gave Lacazette the fi rst of tively on a player’s psyche. playoff within the same week “We all know in a few weeks a further 29 in the cups and Europe. The who fi nished at the tip of the formation. his 11 caps against Uruguay in June 2013 Lacazette has been at the top of the game as they have a stronger squad we have these qualifiers and supporters of his boyhood club will re- Giroud has been a lightning rod for the but has started him in only three games in Ligue 1 for the past three years and there than last season, manager there will be pressure on the member the spectacular ones, and there fans’ frustrations and the consensus on and did not name him in his squad for the are those in Lyon who think that the 2014- Juergen Klopp has said. game,” Klopp told the club’s were a number of those, but each was him is he is a very good centre-forward, World Cup in 2014 or Euro 2016 – when 15 season was his best one, when he formed Liverpool’s fourth-placed website. “But now we have the marked by a particular brand of precision who is capable of fl ashes of inspiration. Giroud was a key player. an irrepressible partnership with Nabil league finish sealed a spot time to prepare for this and and ruthlessness. His scorpion kick against Crystal Palace Deschamps would say his prefer- Fekir, a touch player, who shares certain in the playoff round for next we have to use the basis we They have led Lacazette to an extreme- on New Year’s Day was one of the best ence for Giroud ought not to be taken as qualities with Mesut Özil. Lacazette scored season’s Champions League, created last year... ly big number because never before have goals of last season and there have been a slight to Lacazette. They are diff erent 27 league goals that season and 31 overall the first leg of which will be “We are now one of the top Arsenal paid so much for a player. The other crackers, including the sumptuous types of No9 – Giroud the old-fashioned but most believe it was last season when held on Aug. 15-16, with the four teams in England, so now 26-year-old’s transfer fee could rise as touch and fi nish against West Ham Unit- hold-up man; Lacazette the more mobile he took his football to the next level and second leg to be played the we want to keep this situation high as €60m (£52.7m) if all of the add- ed in April 2014. predator. For the balance of the team and changed people’s perceptions. following week. and work with it and improve. ons are met. But Giroud is not world class and he the way Deschamps wants to play, he has The numbers were startling: 28 league The Merseyside club start “The squad will be stronger Yet, as Lacazette prepares to step into has been damned by the perception he is considered Giroud to be the solution. goals in 30 appearances and 37 in 45 their league campaign on this year than last year. That’s the Emirates madhouse, it distills into not quite good enough; that he is not the It might also be pointed out that Des- matches in all competitions. Previously, Aug. 12 at Watford and Klopp a reason for real optimism.” a single issue for him. Can he make the player to help Arsenal become the best in champs has an excess of riches up front, he had been criticised for going miss- diff erence for Arsenal in their quest for a England. with his other choices including Kylian ing in the biggest games; now, he rose fi rst Premier League title since 2004? Or, Can Lacazette be that man? Is he the Mbappé, Kévin Gameiro, Kingsley to them. Wenger was convinced and the to put it another way, does he have the upgrade on Giroud that even Wenger – Coman, Anthony Martial and Ousmane call-up from Deschamps for the end-of- BLAME GAME world-class quality to do so? through deeds rather than words – has Dembélé. And that is before Karim Ben- season fi xtures against Paraguay, Swe- It might seem like a black-and-white indicated he has needed? Wenger tried and zema is factored in. Benzema is techni- den and England was interpreted as a way of considering the principal aspect failed to sign Luis Suárez from Liverpool cally available for selection having been sign he had been won over. On the other of his challenge but, then again, it has in 2013, following Giroud’s fi rst season dropped for Euro 2016 after he was ques- hand, Deschamps had named a bigger New S. Korea coach long been the championship or bust for in north London and then there was the tioned by police in connection to an al- squad than usual because of the number Arsène Wenger in terms of vindicating Sánchez experiment up front last season. leged blackmail attempt against his then of matches and he did not use Lacazette the second part of his long tenure. The curious thing is that Lacazette has France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena. It against Sweden or England, when he slams Stielike’s lack Arsenal have craved a top centre- been nowhere near Didier Deschamps’ seems unlikely that Benzema will return once again started with Giroud. of strategy BOTTOMLINE AFP Seoul

outh Korea’s new foot- ball coach criticised his Podolski arrives with promise predecessor Uli Stielike yesterday, accusing the veteranS German of lacking strat- egies and blaming communica- tion diffi culties with the players to boost the game in Japan for poor results. AFP annual $5.3 million. “Today is a memorable Stielike, 62, won the European South Korea’s new football Tokyo Podolski’s decision to opt day of departure for the Championship and was a World coach Shin Tae-Yong. for Japan came as a surprise J-League, I hope, with the Cup runner-up with Germany with many big-name football- transfer of Podolski, more as a player, and went on to man- also a point of distraction, he said. erman World Cup win- ers making megabucks moves and more world super stars age Switzerland and Ivory Coast, Shin, 46, is a former midfi elder ner Lukas Podolski to China in the twilight of their will come to the J-League” along with a series of clubs, be- for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and yesterday vowed to careers and he had initially been fore taking the reins in Seoul. Brisbane Roar, where he had a bolster enthusiasm for linked with Beijing Guoan. super stars will come to the J- But he was fi red last month brief stint as assistant coach be- GJapanese football after arriving It also represents something League.” following a run of poor results fore returning to his Korean club to join Vissel Kobe, bucking a of a coup for the J-League, which The Poland-born left-footer including qualifying defeats to as manager in 2010 and winning trend of big-name players mov- used to attract luminaries such was named 2006 World Cup China, Iran and Qatar that have the AFC Champions League. ing to cash-rich China. as Brazil’s Zico and England’s young player of the tournament left South Korea in danger of “I am diff erent from Stielike in “I know the J-League is the Gary Lineker when it began in ahead of Lionel Messi and Cris- missing direct qualifi cation to style,” he said. “I will pick whoever strongest in Asia and I am de- 1993 but has struggled to attract tiano Ronaldo. the 2018 World Cup in Russia. is showing good performances.” termined to enliven (the league) marquee players in recent years. Podolski, who has been trou- “It’s a bit awkward to talk Shin has a reputation as a with my team,” Podolski told a Hiroshi Mikitani, the online bled by niggling injuries, an- about the former coach, but I troubleshooter and took the na- news conference shortly after he shopping magnate who owns nounced his international re- think the problem was the short- tional U23s to the quarter-fi nals arrived in Kobe, near Osaka, to Vissel, said he hopes Podol- tirement last year after scoring age in strategies,” said Shin Tae- at the 2016 Rio Olympics. join the city’s J-League club. ski’s transfer to the team would 49 goals in 130 appearances for Yong in his fi rst appearance in The Taeguk Warriors are cur- The 32-year-old forward, prompt more world-class play- the world champions. front of the media since being rently clinging to the last direct who had played for Turkey’s ers to come to Japan. Podolski said he was also look- appointed earlier this week. qualifying spot in Group A with Galatasaray since 2015, said it is German football player Lukas Podolski waves to his fans yesterday. “Today is a new, memora- ing forward to savouring immedi- “Stielike was a foreigner and two games to go. “a big change” for him to play in ble day of departure for the J- ately the prized local delicacy. Koreans tend to shy away from “Korean football is in crisis Asia for the fi rst time. any pressure. “We have to go hard, Kobe did not give details of League,” Mikitani told the news “Kobe beef is famous and so foreigners and this was a prob- but I also see a silver lining on the But the veteran of three World train hard and fi ght on the pitch the deal, although Podolski is conference. I really want to eat it after the lem,” he added. horizon,” Shin said. “We have to Cups and the scorer of 49 goals 90 minutes and try to get three understood to have signed a “I hope, with the transfer of news conference,” he said with Communication diffi culties win the matches against Iran and for Germany said he did not feel points every game,” he said. multi-year contract worth an Podolski, more and more world a smile. including language barriers were Uzbekistan at any cost.” Gulf Times Friday, July 7, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB NBA Bulls sign fi rst-round pick Markkanen Perez’s late homer AFP who’s going to be in the gym Chicago and I’m going to work on (de- fense). I know I’m going to get better. I’m pretty confi dent he Chicago Bulls said that it’s going to happen.” they have signed Finn- Free agent Dion Waiters is ish forward Lauri staying in Miami, agreeing to Markkanen, the sev- a four-year deal with the Heat. lift s Royals to 9-6 Tenth overall selection in last Terms of the contract were not month’s NBA draft. immediately available. The Markkanen was drafted by Heat this week created $25 the Minnesota Timberwolves, million in salary cap space by but the rights to sign him were waiving forward Chris Bosh. acquired by the Bulls in the Waiters averaged 15.8 points trade that brought Kris Dunn and 4.3 assists and shot 39.5 and Zach LaVine to Chicago in percent from 3-point range win over Mariners exchange for Jimmy Butler. with the Heat, while playing The Bulls did not disclose for $2.9 million last season. ‘I got up looking for something up and over the plate, and he threw me a pitch and I didn’t miss it’ the terms of the contract. Free agent guard Nick Young Markkanen played one season agreed to a one-year, $5.2 mil- By Rustin Dodd at the University of Arizona. lion contract with the Golden The Kansas City Star He averaged 15.2 points and State Warriors, his agent, Mark 7.2 rebounds while shooting Bartelstein, told ESPN. Young 49.2 % from the fi eld and 42.3 is expected to provide depth or a baseball team from % from 3-point range. The for the talent-rich Warriors, the heartland, the West Bulls will be able to get a bet- who have won two of the last Coast is supposed to ter look at him when they open three NBA titles. The 32-year- mean long fl ights and the defense of their Summer old Young averaged 13.2 points, Flate nights, the body tested in a League title in Las Vegas. connected on 40.4 percent faraway time zone. For the Kan- “I know there’s work to do, of his 3-point attempts and sas City Royals in 2017, this coast like always,” Markkanen said at started all 60 games in which has transformed a season. an introductory press confer- he played last season with the On a Wednesday night at ence. “I’m the type of person Los Angeles Lakers. Safeco Field, Salvador Perez clubbed a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning, the deci- sive blow in a 9-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners. The Royals completed a three-game sweep and moved to 10-2 across two West Coast road trips. “I got up looking for some- thing up and over the plate, and he threw me a pitch and I didn’t miss it,” said Perez. The fi rst trip, which com- menced in early June, sparked a torrid run up the American League standings. The latest has solidifi ed their place in the posts- eason chase. With three games re- maining before the All-Star break, the Royals (44-40) moved to a season-high four games over .500 and took control of the second Wild Card spot in the American League. They sit just a half game behind the fi rst-place Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. Third baseman Mike Moustakas homered for a third straight game, recording his 25th blast of the year. Lorenzo Cain added a game-tying two-run shot in the fi fth. The Roy- als overcame an uncharacteristi- cally mediocre performance from starter Jason Vargas. The game was decided in the Kansas City Royals Salvador Perez celebrates as he jogs around the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during 10th when the off ense nicked the tenth inning at Safeco Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Mariners reliever James Pazos for three runs. Seattle second the bat of Cain. Ahead in the pitcher was poised to make his runs in the fi rst three frames, MLB, NBA champion Gene Conley dies at 86 baseman Robinson Cano booted count 1-2, Ariel Miranda missed fi nal start of the fi rst half. Var- matching the most allowed by RESULTS a routine grounder with nobody with a slider and a fastball before gas entered the night leading the Vargas all season. Jean Segura Gene Conley, the only man who had put basketball on out. Two batters later, Perez laying a 93 mph fastball over the American League in wins (12) added another two-run homer Dodgers 1 Diamondbacks 0 to win both a baseball World hold for much of the mid- drove a sinker into the seats in middle of the plate. The baseball and ERA (2.22). The Mariners on a fastball in the second as Astros 10 Braves 4 Series and an NBA champion- 1950s while he concentrated right fi eld. Alex Gordon tacked left Cain’s bat at 107 mph as he did something that few teams Vargas surrendered three hom- Brewers 4 Orioles 0 ship in basketball, died on on baseball, returned to on another run with a single to leaned back into his trademark have done all season: solve Var- ers in one start for the fi rst time Padres 6 Indians 2 Tuesday at the age of 86, hoops during the 1958-59 right fi eld. pose. The Royals ambushed Mi- gas’ change-up, one of the best since June 27, 2014. The Royals Rangers 8 Red Sox 2 the Boston Red Sox said in a season and won the first of Closer Kelvin Herrera closed randa for four runs in the fi rst on pitches in baseball in 2017. had built a 4-0 lead in the fi rst Marlins 9 Cardinals 6 statement. The right-handed three consecutive NBA cham- out the game in the bottom of two hits, a walk and a two-run Seattle left fi elder Ben Gamel inning against Miranda, who Rockies 5 Reds 3 pitcher played for the Red Sox pionships with the Boston the 10th. The bullpen will re- homer by Moustakas, who went ripped a 1-1 change-up into right- entered the game with a 3.82 Royals 9 Mariners 6 as well as the Boston/Milwau- Celtics. After his retirement ceive a brief reprieve as the club deep for the sixth time in eight center for an RBI single in the fi rst. ERA in 17 starts. Vargas did not (10 innings) kee Braves and Philadelphia from sport, Conley and his enjoys its fi nal day off of the rstfi games. They went quietly in the Catcher Mike Zunino clubbed a possess his sharpest stuff . His Angels 2 Twins 1 Phillies during his 11 seasons wife, Katie, lived in Foxboro, half before opening a three- next three innings before Cain’s fi rst-pitch change-up to left in off -speed stuff danced up in the Blue Jays 7 Yankees 6 from 1952 to 1963. It was with Massachusetts, where they game series against the Dodgers blast in the fi fth. the second. And designated hit- strike zone. The Mariners were Cubs 7 Rays 3 the Braves that the three-time established the Foxboro on Friday night in Los Angeles. The Royals entered the day ter Nelson Cruz barrelled a 1-1 not fooled. He concluded his fi - Pirates 5 Phillies 2 All Star won the World Series Paper Company. They had The Royals had knotted the in position for their fi rst three- change-up out of the ballpark nal start before the break by al- Giants 5 Tigers 4 in 1957. three children and seven game at 6-6 in the fi fth inning on game sweep at Safeco Field since with nobody on in the third. lowing six runs and eight hits in Athletics 7 White Sox 4 The 6ft 8in (2.03m) Conley, grandchildren. a cracking, 427-foot homer from 2010. Their All-Star starting The Mariners struck for six fi ve innings.

BOXING ATHLETICS Horn brushes off Pacquiao call to review loss Russian federation AFP Brisbane urges dopers to

ewly-crowned world return Oly medals welterweight champi- on Jeff Horn yesterday Reuters publicly called on athletes to re- brushed aside boxing Moscow turn their medals at least twice Nlegend Manny Pacquiao’s call in the past, said their failure to for a review of his controver- do so could compromise its ef- sial defeat and threw down the ussia’s athletics fed- forts to regain membership in gauntlet for a rematch. eration yesterday urged the International Association of Thousands joined a tick- athletes who were dis- Athletics Federations (IAAF). er-tape parade in Brisbane in qualifi ed from the Bei- The federation added that honour of the former school jingR and London Olympics for four athletes had returned their teacher, who said he doubted if doping to return their medals to awards so far. One of them is Pacquiao had personally backed the International Olympic Com- sprinter Anton Kokorin, who a call to review the outcome of mittee (IOC). won bronze as part of the Russian last Sunday’s title bout. “The adherence to internation- men’s 4x400 metre relay team at “I don’t actually believe that al rules of fair play and the return the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The would be Pacquiao actually of Olympic emblems is one of the whole relay team was disquali- even saying that himself,” the conditions for the rehabilitation fi ed after the retesting of samples Australian told Channel Nine. of Russian athletics on the in- from one of its members, Denis “Maybe it is his team around ternational stage,” the federation Alekseyev, showed traces of the him. But Pacquiao seemed very New World Boxing Organisation welterweight title holder Jeff Horn participates in a victory parade in Brisbane. (AFP said in a statement on its website. banned steroid turinabol. humble in the way that he lost Russia’s athletics federation was The federation had said in and thought the decision was questioned, with many believ- sued by his offi ce. “I had already also “think hard” about retir- round nine, pushed hard suspended in 2015 after a bomb- February that 23 medals, includ- correct. ing Pacquiao should have won. accepted the decision but as a ing. through and we got there” he shell report by the World Anti- ing 11 earned in relay events, had “I am ready for a rematch. If The 38-year-old Filipino leader and, at the same time, In Brisbane, with chants of told the crowd. “We got that Doping Agency (WADA) revealed to be returned after the retest- he wants to come back and do it champion Wednesday backed fi ghter I have the moral obliga- “Hornet! Hornet!” ringing out, World Championship.” evidence of state-sponsored dop- ing of samples from Beijing and again, we will do it. That’s up to a formal request by the Philip- tion to uphold sportsmanship, the Australian boxer was hand- There was no doubting the ing in the sport. London. In recent months the him, he’s got the option,” Horn pines’ Games and Amusement truth and fairness in the eyes of ed the keys to the city and told fi ght’s outcome among fans Russia’s track and fi eld stars, IAAF has cleared a total of 24 said. Board for the World Boxing Or- the public.” thousands of supporters he was who came out to greet their with the exception of one athlete Russian athletes, including 2015 Written off by most observ- ganisation to review the deci- In the twilight of a 22-year ready for the next challenge. hometown hero. based in the United States, missed world champion hurdler Sergey ers, the 29-year-old stunned sion. pro career in which he won “Thank you all for turning “(It was) an absolutely amaz- out on last summer’s Rio Olym- Shubenkov, to compete as neu- the Filipino legend with his “I love boxing and I don’t world titles in an unprecedent- up and supporting me and my ing performance. He (Horn) pics and the majority of them are trals after they demonstrated ultra-aggressiveness to earn a wanna see it dying because of ed eight weight divisions, Pac- dreams and, as you can see, you defi nitely, defi nitely, defi nitely set to miss the World Champion- they are training in an environ- unanimous 12-round decision. unfair decision and offi ciat- quiao had initially called for a never give up. won,” one supporter told Sky ships in London next month. ment that meets its anti-doping The result has been widely ing,” he said in a statement is- rematch, but later said he would “I went through a tough News. The federation, which has requirements. Gulf Times 6 Friday, July 7, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Police career puts rugby in perspective: Hansen

AFP “Policing became one of those perspective. Don’t get too carried London things, no greater than the others. away with yourself,” added Hansen, “But it did expose me to a couple who knows from bitter experience of people who were very infl uential having twice been on tour when his teve Hansen may be one on me and it exposed me to experi- parents died. defeat away from becoming ences that give you a sense of reality Hansen, who took over the All only the second New Zea- that rugby’s just a game.” Blacks when Graham Henry stepped land rugby coach to lose a Hansen, who during a torrid time down after winning the 2011 World TestS series to the British and Irish as Wales head coach lost all fi ve Six Cup, says that being brought up on Lions, but he is keen to put that into Nations games in the 2003 cam- the family farm where his father Des perspective. paign and in a newspaper poll was trained racehorses also prepared Whilst rugby is like a religion to listed as the second most hated man him well for dealing with rugby the Kiwis, Hansen told a group of in Wales behind Osama bin Laden thoroughbreds. British rugby journalists his previ- and just ahead of Saddam Hus- “With our horses, they’ve got ous experience as a policeman has sein, sought to relativise Saturday’s their own problems, their own fears prepared him well should the Lions match. and insecurities, just like people,” beat them in Auckland on Saturday. “At the end of the day, it’s an im- said Hansen. The two sides go into the game portant game, but it’s just a game, “Some horses you can push locked at 1-1 and with the Lions, and don’t lose sight of that because around and get what you want just under Hansen’s compatriot Warren there are some real things happen- by sheer force, but some horses Gatland, sensing they can emulate ing that are a hell of a lot more im- won’t like that and react in a bad Carwyn James’s 1971 tourists in se- portant,” said Hansen. way — you don’t want your horse curing the series. “Life teaches us that all the time. rearing up. “By then I had a lot of experience “It hurts to lose a game of footie, “So how am I going to deal with in diff erent things that had shaped but it hurts a lot more to lose some- that horse? I’m going to have to deal me as the person I am today,” said one you love or to deal with people with it in a diff erent way, I’m going the 58-year-old who joined the po- who’ve lost someone they love. to have to look for the cues. People New Zealand All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen (centre), assistant head coach Ian Forster (left) and selector Grant Fox watch their lice when he was 30. “It teaches you to keep it all in are the same.” players take part in a training session in Auckland yesterday. (AFP)

PREVIEW ASIAN VOLLEYBALL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Qatar’s Al Arabi clinch third spot Lions, All Blacks Agencies lead and stretched it to 22-11. Ninh Binh, Vietnam Grozer was simply unstoppa- ble with his feisty attacks and serves and helped the team atar’s Al Arabi took the set 25-13. Sports Club fi nished Al Arabi’s coach changed third at the SMM some tactics by replacing 2017 Asian Men’s Oliva Salvador Hidalgo with braced for decider VolleyballQ Club Championship Angel Miguel and things went after beating Kazakh side Al- well for the Qatar’s side as they ‘All the guys are really excited about it and getting prepared for the big game’ tay VC 22-25, 25-13, 25-20, 25- stormed to win the next two 19 in the play-off at the Ninh sets 25-20, 25-19. Reuters Binh Gymnasium yesterday. German Gyorgy scored a Auckland The fi rst set turned out to match-high 29 points for Ara- be a close battle as the teams bi, while Mohamed Ibrahim played with the same inten- added 12 points. Vasyl Tupchii ll of the frozen toes, sity until the score was tied led Altay VC with 16 points mud in the eyes and at 16-16. Ukrainian Alexan- and Vitaliy Vorivodin contrib- skinned knees suff ered dre Stolnikov produced some uted 11 points. as a child that devel- well-placed serves to bring “We had a very tough match opedA into thousands of collisions the Kazakhs back to lead 21-19 against Iran in the semi-fi nals and months of rehabilitation and 24-22. Another Ukrain- yesterday, so today we don’t from career-threatening inju- ian, wing spiker Vasyl Tupchii, have any choice. We tried to do ries comes down to one game for helped Altay close the set 25- our best as we wanted to join British and Irish Lions captain 22 with his powerful attack. the podium. Sam Warburton. A series-decid- Conceding one set, Al Arabi “That is why we were mo- ing test match between the Lions started the second set with ag- tivated today. We played well and the All Blacks at Eden Park gression from the service line. after the fi rst set loss. I sent tomorrow that kicks off at 7:35 Terrifi c jump serves from Gyo- Miguel into the court and he p.m. (0735 GMT). ry Grozer caused a big threat to did a good job. I am very happy “We do appreciate it is the the Kazakh defence. with win,” Arabi’s head coach biggest game we have played They took an initial 15-7 Lajnef Maaouia said. in,” Warburton said yesterday. “But that’s what every sacrifi ce you have made since you were GOLF/IRISH OPEN a young kid and decided to be a rugby player is all about, mo- ments like this. “All the guys are really excited Im and Hebert lead about it and getting prepared for the big game.” The magnitude of the ‘big the way aft er game’ has not been lost on the visitors’ unchanged side, who were involved in what coach low-scoring day Warren Gatland described as a “tetchy” training session yes- Agencies on the last. terday with “words exchanged” Portstewart, United Kingdom “I think it was a bit of luck,” between players. he said. “I think the big man The All Blacks, after all, have was defi nitely watching out for lost just one series — in 1971 — to aniel Im and Benjamin me today. And then I striped the British combined team since Hebert took advan- the ball quite well at the end.” they fi rst started touring New tage of good scoring Frenchman Hebert turned Zealand in 1888. conditions to share a in 32 with four birdies and They last lost successive tests one-shotD lead after day one of added four more in succession against anyone at home in 1998 the Irish Open yesterday. from the 13th to take the lead and have not been beaten at Eden All Blacks player Akira Ioane (right) takes part in a training session in Auckland yesterday. (AFP) The Rolex Series teed off its from the fi nal group of the day. Park in 23 years. Coupled with third event at Portstewart Golf Defending champion and that, the All Blacks get angry af- beat up the Lions in the collision world champions with coach While the changes were out of of Barrett and Laumape. Club and a pair of opening 64s tournament host Rory McIlroy ter a defeat. Very angry. areas to win the fi rst game 30-15 Steve Hansen naming Ngani necessity and something Brit- “It’s the same as every week, moved Im and Hebert to eight posted a disappointing level “I am defi nitely expecting a at Eden Park two weeks ago. Laumape to start his fi rst test af- ish media have said could be a go out there and trust your in- under and put them in a good par 72 while Joost Luiten re- reaction, similar to the one we Warburton’s side levelled the ter he came off the bench for his weakness for the Lions to ex- stincts and play. position to take home a consid- corded the 21st hole-in-one of had in the second test after the series with a 24-21 win last week debut last week. ploit, Hansen has not been afraid “If you do that... then you erable chunk of the seven million the season at the sixth. fi rst test defeat,” Warburton after they wore down the All His Wellington Hurricanes in the past of trusting his gut walk down the tunnel with a lot dollar prize fund come Sunday. said. “We have got all week to try Blacks, who had been reduced to team mate Jordie Barrett has also and giving youngsters the mes- of confi dence in yourself and They already had some se- Leading first-round scores and get ready for that. “I think 14 men in the 25th minute when been given a fi rst test start after sage they should simply impose trust in your team mates... and rious competition forming 64 - Daniel Im (USA), Benjamin it will be a real proper, epic test Sonny Bill Williams was sent off he made his debut against Samoa themselves on the game on Sat- that’s what sport is about. behind them, however, with Herbert (FRA) match.” for a dangerous shoulder charge. last month off the bench, while urday. “It’s about trusting your own World Number 11 Jon Rahm 65 - Matthew Southgate, Ol- The four-week suspension Julian Savea has returned on the “Both of them have pulled the abilities under pressure and joining English duo Oliver iver Fisher, Jon Rahm (ESP) SHAKEN NOT STIRRED Williams received created a ma- left wing, replacing the ill Rieko jersey on before so they know we’ve been pretty good at that Fisher and Matthew Southgate 66 - David Drydsale, Jamie The All Blacks convincingly jor backline shake-up for the Ioane. what is happening,” Hansen said over the years.” at seven under. Former cham- Donaldson, Matthew Fitz- pion Jamie Donaldson, David patrick Drysdale and Matthew Fitz- 67 - David Horsey, Justin Rose, patrick were then at six under, Duncan Stewart, Stephen Gatland leaves it to fate as Lions prepare for ‘career game’ with 39 players within four Gallacher, Anthony Wall, Felipe shots of the leaders. Aguilar (CHI), Graeme McDow- British and Irish Lions coach his contract ends in 2020, the wrought about it quite yet. American Im narrowly held ell, Paul Peterson (USA), Paul Warren Gatland was not keen former hooker has been men- “They have an opportunity on to his card last season and Dunne, Hideki Matsuyama to undermine the magnitude tioned as a possible successor to leave a bit of a legacy. This has a best fi nish of tied for 14th (JPN), Gavan Moynihan, Ryan of what his side can achieve with his Wales contract expiring hasn’t been done since 1971,” so far this term but was in stun- Fox (NZL), Fabrizio Zanotti in the series-deciding third in 2019. “I’m a great believer in Gatland said. ning form yesterday as he led on (PAR), Wade Ormsby (AUS) test against the All Blacks on what will be will be,” Gatland “I have no doubt... the players the European Tour for just the 68 - Padraig Harrington, Ian Saturday, but as far as he was told reporters on Thursday will start thinking about it later second time in his career. Poulter, Shane Lowry, Michael concerned, it had no eff ect on when asked if a Lions series vic- on but there’s no point in get- The 32 year old made four Hoey, Richard Bland, Lee Soo- his future. The Lions levelled tory against the All Blacks would ting emotionally too involved. birdies in a row from the sec- min (KOR), Bradley Dredge, the three-match series at 1-1 last be career defining. “That’s the It’s too far away. ond and when he added fur- Callum Shinkwin, Soren week with a 24-21 victory at the way I’ve always been. I don’t come your way. That’s the way I that he was just as likely to go “That will build over the next ther gains on the seventh and Kjeldsen (DEN), Simon Dyson, Wellington Regional Stadium think about the future. I don’t look at the way things over the sit on the beach after the World 48 hours as they get closer to eighth in favourable condi- Li Haotong (CHN), Rikard and have a chance to clinch only sit here and plan what I’m going next couple of years. Cup in Japan and happily retire. the match then the players will tions, something special Karlberg (SWE), Gary Stal their second series victory in to do in 2019 or next year,” he “Saturday will be great to win He turns 56 just before the 2019 start to think... that they have a looked on the cards. (FRA), Adrian Otaegui (ESP), New Zealand at Eden Park. added. “Things happen and I’ve but then the preparation and tournament begins. The former chance to do something special. He took advantage of the Pablo Larrazabal (ESP), Andres A series victory would be a been lucky enough to be in the the focus goes on the autumn, Wasps and Ireland coach, how- “You get those moments in the back-to-back par fi ve 13th Romero (ARG), Richie Ramsay, massive feather in the cap for right place at the right time. For the Six Nations and prepar- ever, did acknowledge his play- life and you don’t want to let and 14th but needed a couple Padraig Harrington, Paul War- New Zealander Gatland and with me the future will take care of ing Wales for the World Cup in ers were aware of the impor- them pass you by. of smart par saves to keep his ing, Peter Hanson (SWE) All Blacks coach Steve Hansen itself. “If you’re successful in the 2019.” Gatland, perhaps with tance of the Eden Park match “That’s what the big sporting nose in front, getting up and Selected expected to call it quits when environment then opportunities tongue in cheek, also suggested if they were not getting overly occasions are about.” down from the back of the 17th 70 - Tommy Fleetwood and holing a clutch 18-footer 72 - Rory McIlroy Gulf Times Friday, July 7, 2017 7 SPORT

FORMULA 1 ASIAN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS Manpreet, Laxmanan win gold at Asian meet Hamilton still IANS Bhubaneswar

anpreet Kaur and Govindan Laxmanan won gold in their respective events as India registered an impres- has ‘utmost Msive start to their campaign at the Asian Athletics Championships at the Kalin- ga Stadium here yesterday. Manpreet won gold in the women’s shotput while Laxmanan emerged tri- umphant in the men’s 5,000 metres. Manpreet dominated her event with a best throw of 18.28 metres to register respect’ for Vettel the fi rst gold for India in the event. Guan Quayin China took silver with 17.91. ‘I was upset and over-reacted. I am not proud of the moment’ Laxmanan on the other hand, had to struggle hard for his gold medal. He was trailing the leading four run- ners towards the end of the second last lap but he produced a stunning sprint fi nish over the fi nal 300 metres to win by a handsome margin. The experienced Vikas Gowda took bronze in the men’s discus to boost the Indian tally. Mohamed Samimi of Iran took the India’s Vikas Gowda competes in the gold in the men’s discuss while Ma- men’s discus throw event during the laysian Mohamed Irfan Shamsuddin Asian Athletics Championships in ended up with the bronze. Bhubaneswar, India, yesterday. (AFP)

ACHIEVEMENT Afghanistan set for ‘huge honour’ of Lord’s debut AFP Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (left) and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel attend a press conference ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix yesterday. (AFP) Kabul

Reuters himself” by driving into him in Baku. fourth. He was then summoned to a pions had made much of their mutual Spielberg, Austria He said Vettel called him on the hearing in Paris last Monday where respect and the budding “bromance” fghanistan is ready for the Monday after the race and then texted the governing body declared the mat- seemed to be back on. “huge honour” of making an apology, which he accepted. ter closed. “It’s nice to hear that we are able to their landmark Lord’s debut, riple world champion Lewis The championship leader had driv- Initially reluctant to dwell on the move forward,” Vettel said. “I think offi cials said ahead of next Hamilton said he still had “the en into the back of Hamilton’s Mer- matter, saying he did not want to the respect we have for each other on Aweek’s match, after a fairytale rise cat- utmost respect” for Formula cedes while both were following the “pump this up more than it is already”, and off track helps us in this regard.” apulted them into the elite club of Test One title rival Sebastian Vettel safety car in fi rst and second places, the Ferrari driver yesterday repeated nations last month. Tafter accepting a public apology from waiting for it to return to the pits. the written apology. ‘TODT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE’ The young side will be taking on the the Ferrari driver yesterday. Vettel then pulled alongside, gestic- “It was the wrong move to drive FIA president Jean Todt should have Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), led Speaking to reporters at a crowded ulating angrily, before banging wheels. alongside him and hit his tyres,” he been in Austria to answer questions by former New Zealand skipper Bren- Austrian Grand Prix news conference, The German, a four times world said.“I don’t think there was any bad about the ruling body’s decision not to don McCullum, in what offi cials hope the two men addressed a “road rage” champion, later accused Hamilton of intention (by Hamilton). I don’t think punish Vettel further. will be an “historic” 50-overs match controversy that has dominated the “brake-testing” him by slowing sud- he actually brake-tested me. I was up- Hamilton said: “I don’t think any- at the so-called “home of cricket” on headlines since the June 25 race in Az- denly. set and over-reacted. I am not proud thing changes, so my opinion stays July 11. erbaijan. The car’s telemetry subsequently of the moment.” the same. With all due respect, Jean “Our national team will be playing IPL’s star bowler Rashid Khan is in the “I still have the utmost respect for showed that was not the case and Hamilton, 14 points behind Vettel should be sitting next to us to answer with the MCC team, full of world crick- Afghanistan side. him as a driver and will continue to Hamilton said the accusation was one after eight races, missed out on victory some questions perhaps, because I et greats, and it will be a huge honour race him hard through the rest of the he particularly wanted correcting. in Baku after a headrest worked loose think they didn’t change anything on and experience for the team, as we will fi ve-day Test cricket, widely regarded season,” declared Hamilton, who said Vettel was handed a 10-second and he had to pit. He fi nished fi fth. the Monday. So the message that was be playing for the fi rst time there,” Far- as the sport’s supreme format. at the time that Vettel had “disgraced stop-and-go penalty, and fi nished Before Baku, the two world cham- sent still remains the same.” id Hotak, senior media relations offi cer Walking onto the pitch at Lord’s will at the Afghanistan Cricket Board, told cap a dizzying rise for cricket-mad Af- AFP yesterday. ghanistan. Many Afghans’ fi rst contact The Afghan side includes Indian with the game only took place during Kubica to test again with Renault Premier League (IPL) stars Mohamed the 1980s and 1990s, in Pakistani refu- Nabi and teenage leg-spinner Rashid gee camps sheltering millions who fl ed Reuters Castellet circuit that will host next came before the start of the 2011 statement at the Austrian Grand Prix Khan, who took 17 wickets in his debut the Soviet invasion. Spielberg, Austria year’s French Grand Prix, would be season. that the first test had been merely “to this year. Nabi was previously on the The game struggled in the late 1990s designed to “extensively evaluate his Kubica told Britain’s Auto Express let Robert get reacquainted with the MCC Young Cricketers scheme. under the regime of the hardline Is- driving capabilities”. at the recent Goodwood Festival of feel of driving again. Other players include captain Asghar lamist Taliban, who viewed sports as a olish driver Robert Kubica, There is increasing speculation that Speed event that his chances of a For- “This second test will be to assess his Stanikzai, Noor Ali Zadran, Javed Ah- distraction from religious duties — and whose Formula One career the 32-year-old race winner could mula One comeback had risen to “80 capabilities to return to the highest madi, Nasir Jamal, Samiullah Shenwari, famously shaved the heads of a visiting Plooked over when he partially be in the frame to replace Britain’s or 90 percent” after he completed 115 level of competition,” he said. Afsar Zazai, Shafi qullah Shafaq, Rahmat Pakistani football team as punishment severed his forearm in a 2011 rally Jolyon Palmer, who is yet to score a laps of the Valencia circuit. “There are still many hurdles for him Shah, Gulbadin Naib, Dawlat Zadran, for wearing shorts. accident, will have a second test with point in eight races this season. That had been his first outing in a to overcome, and he knows better Shapoor Zadran and Farid Malik. But it has become hugely popular in Renault after an impressive return to Kubica won the 2008 Canadian Formula One car since pre-season than anyone else that only his per- Both Afghanistan and Ireland were the country since the Taliban were top- the cockpit in June. Grand Prix with BMW-Sauber and testing in 2011. formance will determine if he can one confi rmed as full members at an Inter- pled in a US-led invasion in 2001. The French manufacturer said joined Renault in 2010. His arm injury, Renault Sport Racing managing day return to being a professional national Cricket Council (ICC) meeting Recent successes, particularly in last yesterday that the test, at the Le in a rally he entered for fun in Italy, director Cyril Abiteboul said in a driver.” during its annual conference in London year’s ICC World Twenty20, have fur- late June and will be eligible to play ther raised the country’s profi le.

CRICKET / SL VS ZIM, 3RD ODI Dickwella, Gunathilaka give Sri Lanka big win

AFP “The way Dickwella and Gunathilaka wicket with Tarisai Musakanda (48) be- C. Ervine lbw b Hasaranga 16 Hambantota, Sri Lanka batted, we could have chased 350 on that fore Sri Lankan bowlers struck back to S. Williams b Gunaratne 43 wicket,” he said of his team that hunted check Zimbabwe’s surge. M. Waller lbw b Malinga 17 down a 300-plus run target for the fi rst Masakadza’s 98-ball knock, laced S. Raza not out 25 peners Niroshan Dickwella time on home soil. with 15 fours and a six, had Zimbabwe P. Moor c Mendis b Sandakan 24 and Danushka Gunathilaka hit Off -spinner Malcolm Waller got eyeing 350-plus at one point before a G. Cremer run out (Sandakan) 0 sublime centuries to help Sri Dickwella trudging back to the pavilion middle-order collapse pulled them back. C. Mumba not out 2 Lanka humble Zimbabwe by and left-arm orthodox Sean Williams Teenage leg-spinner Wanindu Extras (lb2, w8, nb1) 11 eightO wickets in the third one-day inter- cleaned up Gunathilaka, who received Hasaranga, who took a hat-trick on his Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) 310 national in Hambantota yesterday. the man of the match award, in an oth- ODI debut in the second match in Galle, Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Mire), 2-166 Chasing 311 for victory, the hosts rode erwise disappointing show by the Zim- and paceman Asela Gunaratne grabbed (Musakanda), 3-191 (Masakadza), 4-206 on a 229-run opening stand between babwe bowlers. two wickets each. (Ervine), 5-256 (Williams), 6-263 (Waller), Dickwella (102) and Gunathilaka (116) to Upul Tharanga (44) and Kusal Mendis Sean Williams contributed with a 7-293 (Moor), 8-293 (Cremer) canter home in 47.2 overs and earn a 2-1 (28) then steered the team home with an gutsy 43 while cameos from wicket- Bowling: Malinga 9-0-71-1, Pradeep, lead in the fi ve-match series. unbeaten 75-run stand as the batting keeper-batsman Peter Moor (24) and 6-1-28-1, Chameera 7-0-34-0, Sandakan The left-handed batting duo got their duo survived a dropped catch each as Sikandar Raza (25 not out) helped Zim- 10-0-73-1, Hasaranga 7-0-44-2, Gunaratne maiden ODI hundreds to overshadow fi elding lapses also hurt the visitors. babwe cross the 300-run mark. 10-1-53-2, Gunathilaka 1-0-5-0 Zimbabwe opener Hamilton Masakad- “The bowlers came back pretty well “We need to get runs on the board za’s sparkling 111 in the visitors’ 310-8 after the start that they (Zimbabwe) batting fi rst, but 310 was enough, we SRI LANKA after being put into bat fi rst. got. Hamilton played brilliantly, credit just need to get better with the fi eld... N. Dickwella c Williams b Waller 102 While wicketkeeper-batsman Dick- should go to him as well but the bowlers Our bowling was probably under par (as D. Gunathilaka b Williams 116 wella hit 14 boundaries during his stay, did well to keep them to 310,” said Math- well),” Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cre- K. Mendis not out 28 Gunathilaka smashed 15 fours and a six ews. mer said. U. Tharanga not out 44 to fl ay the Zimbabwe attack at the Ma- Mathews also praised Tharanga, who The action now shifts to the fourth Extras (b4, lb2, w16) 22 hinda Rajapaksa International Cricket is unbeaten in the series so far, for being ODI tomorrow at the same venue. Total (2 wickets, 47.2 overs) 312 Stadium. “an absolute team man” after he once Fall of wickets: 1-229 (Dickwella), 2-237 “It was a fantastic eff ort by the boys. again dropped down the order to allow SCORECARD (Gunathilaka) After losing the fi rst game, we had our Dickwella and Gunathilaka open the in- ZIMBABWE Bowling: Mumba 6.2-0-36-0, Chatara backs against the wall and we came back nings. H. Masakadza c Pradeep b Hasaranga 111 6-0-47-0, Raza 10-0-55-0, Cremer 7-0-54- well,” Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews Earlier Masakadza put on a crucial S. Mire lbw b Pradeep 13 0, Williams 8-0-63-1, Waller 8-0-32-1, Mire Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella celebrates after scoring a century against said. 127-run partnership for the second T. Musakanda c Tharanga b Gunaratne 48 2-0-19-0 Zimbabwe during their third ODI in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, yesterday. (AFP)

Friday, July 7, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Qatar advancing towards ‘greatest ever’ World Cup: Busquets

hen Sergio Busquets will for sure be a great World Cup.” to qualify because we have a diffi cult walked out onto the in- The midfi elder – widely regarded as group and are fi ghting with Italy to door football pitch at As- one of the fi nest products of FC Bar- make it. Hopefully we can go through pire Academy this week, celona’s famed La Masia youth acad- in fi rst place, and once we are qualifi ed, Wthe 2010 FIFA World Cup-winning emy – also had some words of advice we will analyse everything. midfi elder was returning to Qatar four for youngsters, from Barcelona to Doha “In terms of players, teams, we will years after his fi rst visit, when Spain and beyond, attempting to make the be one of the favourites despite not took on Uruguay in 2013. Since that 3-1 breakthrough into fi rst team action. playing well in the last two tourna- victory, the Barcelona midfi elder says “It is diffi cult to be in the rst fi team, ments. In the end it will be the teams he has seen tremendous development the demands are incredibly high at eve- of almost always, Germany, Argentina, towards the fi rst FIFA World Cup in the ry level, it depends on a lot of factors, who can be in the fi ght for the title in Middle East. not only whether players are coming Russia.” “We have very good impressions of through from the academy. It depends With FIFA World Cup holders Ger- Qatar, they are developing sports a lot, if they are given opportunities, that many having taken the title at the re- in particular football, and that is very they work well, that the players have cently-concluded Confederations Cup, positive,” Busquets said. the level required, all of this has to come Busquets said the strength in depth of “I have great feedback from a former together, so I hope more players from Joachim Loew’s side was clear to see. teammate and great friend in Xavi. I had La Masia can make the breakthrough.” “The Confederations Cup is a diff er- the opportunity to come here to play Since graduating from the youth ent tournament from the World Cup, against Uruguay a few years ago. Now academy and coming into the fi rst team and Germany played with a team which they have advanced even more, they are under Pep Guardiola, the 28-year-old could be diff erent in the World Cup, but doing it with a lot of passion, preparing from Sabadell in Barcelona has made it shows that they have very good play- well, so I think it will be a great event.” his name as one of the game’s fi nest de- ers, a good depth in their squad, and big With Xavi playing for Al Sadd Club fensive midfi elders. potential.” in Doha, Busquets said he agreed with When asked about his fi ve favourite Before signing off , the player who his old captain’s assessment that Qa- players in the same position, Busquets was a key member in bringing Spain tar could host the ‘greatest ever’ World also selected one from his club’s eter- Barcelona players Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets visited Aspire Academy on Wednesday. their fi rst ever FIFA World Cup said he Cup. nal rivals: “There are great midfi elders would not rule out playing in the tour- “If someone understands football in world football, and each one with rera at Manchester United as well, but great excitement at the prospect of an- up, and we hope that the outcome will nament in Qatar in 2022. and mega events, it is Xavi. And if he their own style. No two players are the it would be diffi cult to choose only fi ve other new era for Spain. be positive. When you have a World “There are still fi ve years left,” he says that it will be the greatest World same. In my position I would mention because every player is diff erent.” “The change of coach for now is Cup or European Championships com- said. “I don’t know how I will be physi- Cup, it is for a reason,” he said. “There Casemiro, who is doing very well, Bru- With another major international working very well for us,” he said. ing up, you’re always waiting for that cally at that time, but it would defi nite- are still some years remaining, but they no plays very well in Villarreal, Chelsea tournament less than a year away, Bus- “They are similar ideas, but at the same and trying to qualify, and the beautiful ly be something that I’d love to do. are doing projects and planning in a have played a great season with Kante quets also looked ahead to the upcom- time with his touch and a diff erent vi- thing is the tournament at the end.” “To play here in Qatar one day, like very good way, always improving and it and Matic. A lot of players, Ander Her- ing 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with sion. We have the World Cup coming He continued: “First of all we have Xavi, is another option.” (SC.qa)

CYCLING / TOUR DE FRANCE Tearful Kittel bursts through in sprint to win sixth stage Arnaud Demare and Andre Greipel complete top three even as Chris Froome retains yellow jersey Results and standings AFP Troyes, France STAGE 6 RESULTS 1. Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step) 5:05:34” 2. Arnaud Demare (FDJ) ST arcel Kittel won his second 3. Andre Greipel (Lotto) stage of this year’s Tour de 4. Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) France yesterday, sprinting 5. Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) to victory in the sixth stage 6. Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL) Mbefore again breaking down in tears. 7. Michael Matthews (Sunweb) The burly German, who now has 11 8. Daniel McLay (Fortuneo) Tour stage wins in total, had also won 9. Ruediger Selig (BORA) the second stage on Sunday, before the 10. John Degenkolb (Trek) tears started to fl ow that time as well. Frenchman Arnaud Demare was sec- OVERALL STANDINGS ond with Andre Greipel of Germany 1. Chris Froome (Sky) 23:44:33” third on the 216km sixth stage as reign- 2. Geraint Thomas (Sky) +12” ing champion Chris Froome retained 3. Fabio Aru (Astana) +14” his race lead. 4. Daniel Martin (Quick-Step) +25” But unlike the previous two stages 5. Richie Porte (BMC Racing) +39” that ended in bunch sprints, this time 6. Simon Yates (Orica) +43” there was no crash. 7. Romain Bardet (AG2R) +47” As the Court of Arbitration for 8. Alberto Contador (Trek) +52” Sport rejected an appeal by world 9. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) +54” champion Peter Sagan against his dis- 10. Rafal Majka (BORA) +1:01” qualification for elbowing Mark Cav- endish into the metal safety railings, A day on the Tour and out of the Tour, on Tuesday, this dash to the line thankfully passed off STATISTIC OF THE DAY: 75.04 without incident. In kph, the maximum speed of And Kittel, as he had done on Sunday, French champion Arnaud Demare proved too strong for his rivals, reaching a 400m from the finish line. It was maximum speed of 71.17kph at one stage, not enough for the FDJ rider, who according to offi cial Tour data, as he ended up second behind German surged from well down the fi eld to breeze Marcel Kittel, who hit 71.17 kph 90m past all challengers and win. from the line. “I took the right wheel and then attacked with 250 metres to go,” ex- QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It was one plained Kittel. “I knew in fi nale if I had of my most relaxed days on the good legs, in the fi nal kilometre I would Tour de France” — race leader be able to fi nd a gap, and I found it with Chris Froome after 216 km in the 250 metres left.” saddle in temperatures reaching That show of force suggested Kittel, 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees 29, is back to form he showed in 2013 Fahrenheit). and 2014 when he won four Tour stages in each year. FACT OF THE DAY: With 11 Tour de His victory took him level on stage Germany’s Marcel Kittel (second from right) celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the sixth stage of the Tour de France in Troyes, France, yesterday. (AFP) France stage wins to his name, Kit- wins with compatriot Greipel and only tel joined Andre Greipel in second one behind the German record of 12 climb to La Planche des Belles Filles, Froome, with stage fi ve winner Fabio the peloton, causing several riders to stage, may have been beaten into sec- position in the German rankings taken by Erik Zabel, who won six con- the overall race favourites had a quiet Aru third at 14sec. take evasive action, although fortu- ond but he had the consolation of tak- of riders with the most Tour stage secutive green jerseys from 1996-2001 day in the saddle, with Geraint Tho- In fact the biggest drama they had nately they were not going full throttle ing enough points to hold onto the victories, one shy of Erik Zabel’s — itself a record. mas remaining second at 12sec from his was earlier in the day when a parasol at that point. sprinters’ green points jersey, although record. After Wednesday’s fi reworks on the British compatriot and Sky team leader blew across the road right in front of Demare, winner of Tuesday’s fourth Kittel closed his lead to 27 points.

Sagan team’s appeal rejected by CAS Cavendish calls for ‘vile’ social

The Court of Arbitration for Sport incident. The Bora-Hansgrohe team media abuse to stop (CAS) yesterday rejected Peter and licence holder Denk insisted Sagan’s team’s appeal against the Sagan had done nothing wrong, Mark Cavendish has pleaded said. “Everyone is entitled to exclusion of the world champion adding that the rider was denied a with social media users to stop their opinions. But vile and from the Tour de France after he hearing. “The team and Peter Sagan abusing him over the disquali- threatening comments on sent Mark Cavendish crashing in a would like to reiterate their position fication of Peter Sagan from social media to myself and sprint. “The Court of Arbitration of that Peter Sagan did not cause, let the Tour de France. Sagan was my family aren’t deserved.” Sport (CAS) issued a decision reject- alone deliberately, the fall of Mark kicked out after his elbow sent Cavendish said he was paying ing an urgent request for provisional Cavendish on the last 200m of the Cavendish crashing into metal now for the “petulant” attitude measures filed by the Slovak cyclist fourth stage on July 4, 2017,” the safety barriers and down to he had as a younger rider. Peter Sagan and the Denk Pro statement read. “Peter Sagan stayed the tarmac in Tuesday’s sprint “Unfortunately this will never Cycling team in the afternoon of 5 on his line and could not see Mark finish to the Tour’s fourth leave me,” he added. “But I’d July 2017,” CAS said in a statement. Cavendish on the right side.” The stage. Cavendish, 32, suff ered ask you all to respect that and “Accordingly, Peter Sagan remains International Cycling Union (UCI) a broken shoulder blade in the please not send threatening disqualified from the 2017 Tour de regulations state that “the Commis- incident and had to pull out of or abusive language to myself France.” Sagan was kicked out of saires Panel may judge the matter the Tour, but he revealed in a and my family.” He also praised the Tour on Tuesday after elbowing only if the off ending party has had a video posted on Twitter that Sagan for both coming to Briton Cavendish off balance at the chance to defend his point of view”, he has since been subjected see him after the incident on end of the fourth stage. Cavendish and Bora-Hansgrohe claim Sagan to the ire of some social media Tuesday and calling him later pulled out of the race after suff ering was not heard. The UCI were not im- users. “Please know that it’s that evening, insisting that the a fractured shoulder blade in the mediately reachable for comment. sport and I have a family,” he two remain friends.