16 SPORT FRIDAY 18 AUGUST 2017 Qatari players shine Qatar conclude UK camp with victory at Arab Table Tennis The Peninsula Championship atar beat Andorra 1-0 in their final friendly match at the St Muscat Q George’s Park National Football QNA Centre in Burton-upon-Trent, Staf- fordshire, United Kingdom on atar’s table tennis stars continued to shine Wednesday. in the second day of the 16th Arab Table It was Qatar’s third friendly on QTennis Championship, which is currently their two-week training camp in Eng- taking place in Muscat, Oman with the participa- land ahead of their two FIFA World tion of 14 Arab countries. Cup qualifying matches in the com- In the youth competition yesterday, Qatar’s ing days. Mohammed Abdul Wahab qualified to the semi- Wednesday’s match saw the finals after leading the first group and won his national team produce attacking foot- three preliminary stage matches. ball though the first half did not Nawaf Al Maliki qualified for the quarter-final produce no goals. of Group C after finishing second behind the In the second half, the national group’s leader, and after winning the last group team increased their effectiveness match against Oman player Saif Al Kharousi. against the opponent, especially after Qatari champion Mohammed Abdul Wahab the changes made by coach Felix was to play in the final of the youth singles com- Sanchez. petition yesterday. In the second half Ali Asad was On the other hand, Algeria’s Qara Ali Naeem able to put Al Annabi in the lead after qualified in the top of the group, while Omani a special attack led by Abdul Karim Haitham Hameed Al Mantheri finished second Ali, who passed it to Akram, who in and qualified for the quarter-finals, while Pales- turn presented it to Asad. tinian Tariq Jamal qualified for the quarter-finals Without wasting time, Asad found of the first group. Qatari players celebrate after scoring the match-winning the back of the net with a neat finish. Qatar squad will arrive in Doha goal against Andorra in their final friendly match played at today. A final friendly match will see the St George’s Park National Football Centre in Burton- Al Annabi take on Turkmenistan is upon-Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom on Wednesday. scheduled for August 23. RIGHT: Action during the friendly match on Wednesday. R eal complete Super Cup

England’s Joe Root celebrates after scoring a century against West Indies in their first Test rout of Barca sans Ronaldo in Birmingham yesterday.

Madrid was demonstrated in a dom- ourselves against the ropes,” AFP inant first 45 minutes. added Valverde. Ruthless Root “This team has hunger “Things have happened eal Madrid shrugged off and every time we play it in pre-season that have the absence of the sus- shows,” added Zidane. affected the balance of the and Cook put pended Cristiano “We have to try to con- team and our job is to refind Ronaldo to cruise past tinue like this. To start the that balance.” rivals Barcelona 2-0 in season like this is very good, Indeed, the scoreline England in control Rthe second leg of the Spanish Super but we know a long season could have been a lot more Cup to cap a 5-1 aggregate win. is just starting.” embarrassing for Barca as Birmingham SCOREBOARD Ronaldo was slapped with a In similar fashion to his Marcelo dragged wide Reuters five-game ban for pushing the ref- strike in the first leg, 21-year- before Lucas Vazquez hit the England (I innings): eree after he was sent off in the first old Asensio sent an post with a glorious chance. oe Root and A Cook (batting) ...... 85 leg, but his replacement Marco unstoppable left-footed shot The hosts finally doubled Alastair Cook M Stoneman b Roach ...... 8 Asensio enhanced his reputation past Marc-Andre ter Stegen their lead six minutes before Jplayed sublimely T Westley lbw Cummins...... 8 as one of world football’s rising into the top corner from out- the break when Benzema to lead England to a J Root (batting) ...... 103 stars as he smashed Madrid into the side the box. nipped in front of Umtiti and commanding 215 for Extras (LB-8, NB-1, W-2) ...... 11 lead after just four minutes. “I think we were superior slotted past Ter Stegen. two at tea on the Total (for 2 wkts at tea) .....215 then deserv- across the whole tie,” Asen- An 11:00 pm kick-off opening day of their Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-39. edly doubled Real’s lead before sio told Spanish TV station time meant half-time saw first day-night Test Bowling: Roach 14-4-49-1 (2w); half-time. Telecinco. Wednesday turn to Thurs- against the West Joseph 10-1-53-0; Cummins 14-3-40- Barca responded with a more However, he rejected day and Barca did at least Indies at Edgbaston 1 (1nb); Holder 11-2-43-0; Chase 6-0- spirited second-half showing and suggestions he is now ahead salvage some pride in the yesterday. 22-0. were unfortunate not to at least of Bale in Zidane’s pecking early morning with an Captain Root West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, Ki- pull a goal back as order. improved second-half moved on to 103 not eran Powell, Shai Hope, Kyle Hope, Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, and Luis Suarez hit the “I am working to have as display. out and Cook was

Ronaldo holds up the trophy as he celebrates Shane Dowrich (wkt), Jason Holder woodwork. many minutes as possible on Messi was desperately unbeaten on 85 as

their Spanish Super Cup victory after beating (capt), Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Victory continues Madrid’s run the field. unlucky not to net a conso- England recovered FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Miguel Cummins. of success under Zinedine Zidane “I am happy on both a lation goal as he hit the strongly from Stadium in Madrid, on Wednesday. with the European champions now collective and individual underside of the bar from a another poor start having lifted seven trophies in the level.” narrow angle. with the bat when they slumped to 39 for two after 20 months since the Frenchman Barcelona boss Ernesto Val- Valverde, ahead of Barca’s The visitors’ night was summed winning the toss. took charge. verde has suffered the worst opener against Real Betis on up when Suarez headed against the Root would have been hoping for a steady “We played a great match possible start to his reign with Sunday. post with the goal gaping after opening stand but Mark Stoneman, making his tonight,” said Zidane. “Especially back-to-back defeats against the Shorn of after his Navas had parried Messi’s driven debut as Cook’s latest partner, was bowled off- in the first half it was Catalans fiercest rivals and the world record breaking transfer to shot into his path. stump by a fine delivery from Kemar Roach. spectacular.” visitors never threatened to Paris Saint-Germain and injured And there could be even worse Miguel Cummins trapped Tom Westley lbw, Zidane even had the luxury of mount a comeback after captain Andres Iniesta, Barca’s star news to come for Barca as Suarez the West Indies successfully reviewing the leaving first-team regulars Gareth conceding. front two lacked the service needed ended the game visibly suffering umpire’s not out decision to leave England in trou- Bale, and Casemiro on the “We have to recover quickly, to make a meaningful impact. from a knee injury that Valverde ble at the start of the three-match series. bench as Real’s strength in depth the league is on the horizon,” said “In three days we find said will be assessed yesterday. Cook and Root dug in, however, taking advan- tage of good batting conditions and wayward bowling with a flurry of crisp boundaries to give their side a solid platform. Cook brought up his fifty shortly before lunch and Root soon followed him to the milestone, post- ing a half-century for the 11th Test in a row to equal the record in five-day cricket. The prolific right-hander continued to play immaculate strokes all round the ground and he reached his 13th Test hundred by sweeping off spinner Roston Chase for his 19th four. England, fresh from beating 3-1, are strong favourites to overcome a callow West Indies side without many of their leading players due to contractual disputes with their cricket board. The fifth ever day-night Test and first in Eng- land, played with an unfamiliar pink ball, was expected to offer the touring side their best chance Players and officials of Real Madrid pose for a photograph as they celebrate after winning the Spanish Super Cup in of an upset and they will be hoping the ball the return match against Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain on Wednesday. behaves more unpredictably when the floodlights are turned on in the final session. FRIDAY 18 AUGUST 2017 SPORT 17 Messi and Ronaldo lead FIFA shortlist

London FIFA’S SHORTLIST Zidane has enjoyed a Agencies glorious year in charge of The best men’s player Madrid as they successfully ristiano Ronaldo Pierre Aubameyang (Gabon, Borussia Dort- defended the European Cup mund), Leonardo Bonucci (Italy, AC Milan), and Lionel Messi -- the first team to do so in Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Daniel will again be the Champions League era. Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid), Paulo Dybala duelling for the Real also won La Liga, (Argentina, Juventus), Antoine Griezmann title of world’s the first time they had been (France, Atletico Madrid), Eden Hazard (Bel- Cbest footballer after their champions of Spain and gium, Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, names once again headed Manchester United), Andres Iniesta (Spain, Europe in the same year the shortlist yesterday for Barcelona), Harry Kane (England, Tottenham since 1958. The Best FIFA Men’s Player. Hotspur), N’Golo Kante (France, Chelsea), Toni He has won seven tro- The pair, who have Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid), Robert phies since succeeding dominated the global award Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern Munich), Rafael Benitez as coach of in its varied forms for a dec- Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid), Lionel Messi Madrid in January last year, ade, will be favourites to (Argentina, Barcelona), Luka Modric (Croatia, including the UEFA Super collect yet another accolade Real Madrid), Keylor Navas (Costa Rica, Real Cup and Spanish Super Cup amid the 24-strong list of Madrid), Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern this month. the world’s best. Munich), Neymar (Brazil, Paris St Germain), The prize -- one of a new Ronaldo enjoyed Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Cristiano set of awards organised by another remarkable season Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Alexis FIFA following their split in which he inspired Real Sanchez (Chile, Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay, with Ballon d’Or organisers

Madrid to a La Liga/Cham- Barcelona), Arturo Vidal (Chile, Bayern Mu- France Football magazine -- pions League double while nich) will be handed over in Messi topped him in the on October 23 Spanish goalscoring charts The awards are a for Barcelona while going Zidane heads the list of 12 revival of the old FIFA past a career landmark of nominees for the FIFA World Player of the Year, 500 goals for the club. men’s coach of the year which had been combined Carli Lloyd, the US award. with France Football mag- World Cup winner and two- Other candidates azine’s Ballon d’Or for six time Olympic champion, include Antonio Conte, who years before the collabora- was the inaugural winner led Chelsea to the English tion ended last year. and again makes the list of title, Manchester United’s Ronaldo won the inugural Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Barcelona’s Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts 10 in contention to be “Best Europa League-winning “best” trophy. They are celebrates after winning Super Cup second leg FIFA” woman player. coach Jose Mourinho and voted for by national after Super Cup second leg against Real Madrid against FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Meanwhile, Real Massimiliano Allegri of coaches and captains, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, on Stadium in Madrid, on Wednesday. Madrid coach Zinedine Juventus. selected media and fans. Wednesday. Barca new boy Paulinho upbeat despite fan scepticism

Barcelona Brazil side humiliated on home strengthen the squad following AFP soil in the 2014 World Cup and the loss of Neymar and the com- left for China two years ago after prehensive defeats in both legs razil midfielder Paulinho struggling in his last spell in of the Spanish Super Cup to bit- is confident he can make Europe with Tottenham ter rivals Real Madrid. Ban impression at his new Hotspur. “He is a player the club were club Barcelona amid scepticism All that explains why his interested in for a long time and from supporters of the Spanish arrival has not been warmly we must thank him for the effort giants about his signing. received by the Barca fanbase -- he made to come here,” said Bar- The 29-year-old was pre- over 80 percent of supporters tomeu of Paulinho, who has sented to media at the Camp Nou urged the club not to sign him signed a four-year deal with a yesterday following a 40m-euro for over 20 million euros in a 120m-euro buyout clause. ($47m) transfer from the Chinese survey conducted by Barcelona Paulinho, who will wear the club Guangzhou Evergrande. sports daily Mundo Deportivo. number No. 15 jersey, is the The robust Paulinho is the But after passing a medical club’s third summer signing club’s first signing since the sale on Thursday he said: “This is a after Gerard Deulofeu was German star of Neymar to Paris Saint-Ger- very special moment in my life, brought back to Barca from main for a world record 222m in my career. I thank all those for Barcelona’s new signing player Paulinho poses along with the Everton and Portuguese right- Goetze set euros. the effort they made to bring me club’s President Josep Maria Bartomeu during his presentation back Nelson Semedo arrived He is not a technical player here. ceremony at Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona, Spain yesterday. from Benfica. in the mould of club legends Xavi “I am going to try to make up Ernesto Valverde’s side begin to return to Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. for that by playing well on the dence and I will do a good job.” president Josep Maria Bartomeu, their La Liga campaign at home He was a key element of the field. I come here full of confi- Paulinho was joined by with the club under pressure to to Betis on Sunday evening. action

Berlin New Bayern Suarez ruled out for AFP

skipper Neuer ermany’s World Cup- a month with injury winner Mario Goetze to miss season G(pictured above) is poised to play for the first Barcelona a distension in the posterior time in seven months for opener AFP articular capsule in his right Borussia Dortmund at Wolfs- knee picked up in the second burg tomorrow to end his roubled Barcelona were half of the Clasico on Wednes- illness misery. Berlin dealt a new blow ahead day in the Santiago Bernabeu,” “Mario has taken full part AFP Tof the start of the Spanish said Barcelona in a statement (in training) and it looks League season when Luis Sua- in English published on their good,” confirmed Dortmund’s ayern Munich will play rez was ruled out for a month website. new coach Peter Bosz their first game of the with a knee injury yesterday. The news means Suarez yesterday. B2017/18 Bundesliga season The Uruguayan striker suf- will miss Barcelona’s first three Goetze last played on Jan- today without new captain fered the injury in the second games of the season in La Liga, uary 29 before being sidelined Manuel Neuer, coach Carlo half of Wednesday night’s 2-0 at home to Betis on Sunday, by a metabolic disorder, Ancelotti has confirmed. defeat away to Real Madrid in away to Alaves on August 26 which was discovered after a “He will not play tomorrow. the second leg of the Spanish and at home to Espanyol on series of below-par We won’t take any risks,” said Super Cup, although he played September 9. performances. Ancelotti yesterday, ahead of the on to the end as Barcelona lost He will also miss Uruguay’s The 25-year-old, whose Manuel Neuer to miss game against Bayer Leverkusen today. clash against Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 on aggregate. World Cup qualifying ties chest and volley sealed Ger- at Munich’s Allianz Arena. “Luis Suarez will be out of against Argentina on August 31 many’s victory in the 2014 Neuer, who is also Germa- have both left-back David Alaba Star striker Javier Hernandez action for around four weeks. and Paraguay on September 5 World Cup final, played in ny’s captain, fractured his foot and winger Arjen Robben fit has left for West Ham, Turkish Tests carried out on Thursday and is likely to sit out his club’s Dortmund’s pre-season in April and although the goal- after recovering from knocks. dead-ball expert Hakan Calha- (yesterday) morning confirm first Champions League group games, but missed the Ger- keeper has returned to training, Ancelotti refused to be drawn noglu has joined AC Milan while that the Uruguayan has game on September 12 or 13. man Super Cup defeat to the league opener comes too on whether new arrivals Ger- key defender Omer Toprak is Bayern Munich a fortnight soon. many international Sebastian now at Dortmund. ago with a back injury. Bayern are looking to extend Rudy, who came from Hoffen- It will come down to Karim At Wolfsburg, Dortmund their own record with a sixth heim for free, or the club’s Bellarabi and Kevin Volland, will be without Barcelona- straight German league title, but record-signing Corentin Tolisso, who are both on the fringes of target Ousmane Dembele, will be missing a host of stars who cost 41.5m euros ($48.6m) the Germany team, to lead their Barcelona’s who is suspended after skip- against Leverkusen. from Lyon, will start. attack. Luis Suarez ping training in a crude bid to Playmaker Thiago Alcantara “They could both play or “We’re in a position to be reacts after a force Borussia to sell him. and new-signing James Rod- they could both start on the brave out there and we want to knee injury on Germany winger Andre riguez are both sidelined with bench. I don’t look at the price make Bayern think ‘crap, we’re Schuerrle is out for the next Wednesday. injury, as are centre-backs Jer- tag when I decide the line-ups,” playing against Bayer’,” said the four weeks with a thigh tear, ome Boateng and Javi quipped Ancelotti. 45-year-old Herrlich. while Marco Reus (knee), Martinez. Leverkusen have little to The Bayer boss hopes all of Raphael Guerreiro (recover- “We have injured players, lose and arrive in Munich as an his squad will be fit, but teenage ing from operation) and Julian but that is not a big problem,” unknown quantity under new midfielder Kai Havertz has a Weigl (recovering from a bro- said Ancelotti. coach Heiko Herrlich, the ex- knee problem and Kevin Kampl ken ankle) are also The Italian coach hopes to Borussia Dortmund forward. has a thigh strain. sidelined. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 18 AUGUST 2017 Cycling: Sanchez fails dope test

Barcelona Analytical Finding (AAF) of Racing immediately announced Reuters GHRP-2*” from an out-of-com- his suspension and said he petition test on August 9. would be replaced by Loic Vlie- pain’s former Olympic “The rider has the right to gen in the Vuelta. champion Samuel Sanchez request and attend the analy- “In accordance with BMC S(pictured right) has been sis of the B sample. In Racing Team’s zero tolerance suspended with immediate accordance with UCI Anti-Dop- policy and UCI regulation, effect after testing positive for ing Rules, the rider has been Sanchez has been provision- banned growth hormones, provisionally suspended until ally suspended with immediate cycling’s governing body said the adjudication of the affair,” effect,” BMC said in a yesterday. the UCI said. statement. Sanchez, 39, won the 2008 GHRP-2 refers to GH- “Until the results of the B Boston Red Sox’s right fielder Mookie Betts (50) celebrates Olympic road race in Beijing Releasing Peptides (GHRPs), sample are provided, no fur- and five individual stages in the which are classified as “Pep- ther action will be taken. All his game winning hit with team-mates against the St Louis Vuelta a Espana between 2005 tide Hormones, Growth riders and staff are held to the Cardinals in the ninth inning at Fenway Park in Boston on and 2007 as well as an individ- in Nimes, France. The Union Factors, Related Substances highest ethical standard and Wednesday. ual stage on the 2011 Tour de Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Mimetics” on the World BMC Racing Team is extremely France. said in a statement on its web- Anti-Doping Agency’s 2017 disappointed to share this news He will now miss this year’s site that Sanchez had been Prohibited List. on the eve of the Vuelta a MLB: Red Sox rally to Vuelta, which begins tomorrow notified of an “Adverse Sanchez’s team BMC Espana.” beat Cardinals 5-4; McGregor vows fast finish Marlins thrash Giants Boston with a homer for Detroit, then AP after taking his position at sec- ond base in the bottom of the ookie Betts lined a two- first received an on-field hand- against rival Mayweather run double off the shake from the longtime umpire Mleft-field wall with two who he said should get another outs in the ninth inning, cap- job. Los Angeles second round,” said McGregor, ping a three-run rally that lifted A day after Kinsler’s harsh AFP nevertheless expressing the hope the Boston Red Sox over the St. and extended criticism of Angel that the fight would last longer. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Hernandez, the umpire was onor McGregor “I don’t want people saying Wednesday. working second base for the believes he will knock ‘Oh, it was a lucky punch’ and Xander Bogaerts hit a solo series finale. Kinsler was out Floyd May- all that. Part of me is hoping homer for the AL East-leading ejected from the opener Mon- weather inside two maybe he can last so I can show Red Sox, who won for the 12th day when questioning balls and rounds but is ready some skill and dismantle him time in 14 games and main- strikes during the middle of an Cfor all scenarios when the two that way. tained their 4 1/2-game lead at-bat while Hernandez worked fighters clash in their eagerly “But I do not see him absorb- over the second-place New behind the plate, and the sec- anticipated superfight next ing the blows in the first few York Yankees. ond baseman lashed out the week. rounds.” Kolten Wong had three hits, following day. Irish mixed martial arts star The charismatic 29-year-old including an RBI single in St. Joey Gallo homered for the McGregor told reporters on a said a grueling training camp has Louis’ four-run second inning. third straight game and AL-high conference call on Wednesday taken him to “hell and back” and It was just the third loss in 11 10th time in 14 games this that a controversial switch to left him ready to face any kind games for the Cardinals, who month. He has 35 homers this lighter gloves could lead to an of scenario inside the ring at the were swept in the two-game year. Adrian Beltre and Nomar explosive outcome in the August T-Mobile Arena. series, their first visit to Fenway Mazara also homered for Texas. 26 showdown in Las Vegas. “There is no way in hell that Park since losing the 2013 Cubs 7, Reds 6 McGregor, who is widely I’m not ready to fight in the World Series. Anthony Rizzo hit a grand seen as a massive underdog deepest of trenches in this con- Trevor Rosenthal gave up slam in the first inning and against undefeated former wel- test,” McGregor said. “We are Bogaerts’ homer into the Green Javier Baez scored on a wild terweight king Mayweather, ready for both scenarios. I’m Monster seats in the ninth. Zach pitch in the ninth as Chicago predicted an early finish to the ready to go to war for 12 rounds Duke (0-1) struck out a batter beat Cincinnati. fight. and I’m ready to put him away and walked one before John Baez opened the bottom of “Particularly with the eight- early on.” Brebbia gave up Betts’ hit. the ninth with a double off ounce gloves, I don’t believe Ulimtate Fighting Champi- Craig Kimbrel (5-0) pitched Wandy Peralta (3-3) and pinch- Mayweather makes it out of the onship President Dana White one hitless inning for the win. hitter Jon Jay walked. Then, Ben also believes the gloves switch Marlins 8, Giants 1 Zobrist moved the runners with could shape the outcome of the Giancarlo Stanton’s homer a groundout. fight. streak ended, but he got two The move is widely seen as hits and helped Miami beat San BASEBALL RESULTS benefiting both fighters -- May- Francisco. Particularly with Floyd Mayweather Jr (left) and Conor McGregor stand face LA Dodgers 5 Chicago White Sox 4 weather’s fast hands could be Stanton had homered in a Colorado 17 Atlanta 2 quicker with lighter gloves, to face during the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Conor McGregor team-record six consecutive the eight-ounce Houston 9 Arizona 5 while McGregor will be able to World Press Tour at Staples Center in Los Angeles, in this July games and leads the majors Chicago Cubs 7 Cincinnati 6 gloves, I don’t make his punching power more 12, 2017 file photo. with 44. The major league believe keenly felt, provided he can land record for the longest home run Texas 12 Detroit 6 a blow on his American trash-talking. do is stay focused on my craft streak is eight games. NY Yankees 5 NY Mets 3 Mayweather opponent. McGregor, who was criti- and go out and put a perform- Matt Cain (3-10) fell to 0-9 Boston 5 St. Louis 4 makes it out of the “I think it affects the contest cized for addressing Mayweather ance for my fans.” in his past 13 starts. Toronto 3 Tampa Bay 2 a lot,” White said when asked if as “boy” during one event, dis- McGregor, meanwhile, said Rangers 12, Tigers 6 Seattle 7 Baltimore 6 second round: McGregor would be helped by missed suggestions that there he has used disparagement by Elvis Andrus had the go- San Diego 3 Philadelphia 0 McGregor the change. was a racially tinged dimension the boxing community as ahead home run among his four Kansas City 7 Oakland 6 McGregor and Mayweather to the duel. motivation. RBIs, Cole Hamels won again Milwaukee 7 Pittsburgh 6 will climb into the ring follow- “For me, it’s athlete versus “It has certainly been moti- despite a shaky outing and Miami 8 San Francisco 1

ing an international publicity athlete,” McGregor said. vating, the disrespect and the Texas swept a three-game LA Angels 3 Washington 2 tour last month marked by “I’m disappointed to hear the disregard for my skill set,” series from Detroit. expletive-laden tirades and way it’s being portrayed. All I can McGregor said. Ian Kinsler led off the game South Africa change three for Argentina Test

Johannesburg SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD even be included among the AFP replacements. ; , , , ; Elton The bench shows five outh Africa have dropped Jantjies, Ross Cronje; , , ; , Eben Etze- changes from the third French three of the starters who beth (capt); , , Test with a first call-up for Scompleted a June series Replacements: , , , Pieter-Steph du Toit, utility back Curwin Bosch sure to whitewash over France for a 2017 be welcomed by the public and

Rugby Championship opener Jean-Luc du Preez, , Curwin Bosch, media. against Argentina in Port Eliza- Coach: Allister Coetzee (RSA) Ace goal-kicker Bosch, 20, is beth tomorrow. equally efficient at full-back and In come scrum-half Ross fly-half, had an outstanding first Cronje, tighthead prop Coenie they suffered a calendar-year Rugby runners-up full campaign, but Oosthuizen and number eight record eight defeats. conceded several scrum penal- missed the France series as it Uzair Cassiem for the Test at Nel- Choosing Central Cheetah ties against the French, which clashed with the World U-20 son Mandela Bay Stadium in Cassiem for a second cap ahead could explain him being replaced Cup. eastern coastal city Port of uncapped Coastal Shark Dan- by Oosthuizen. Although the Springboks hold Elizabeth. iel du Preez was a slight “Coenie has played consist- a 6-2 win advantage over the They replace Francis Hou- surprise. ently well this season for the in the Rugby Champion- gaard, and Jean-Luc “Uzair is a very versatile loose Sharks and performed well for ship, the South Americans have du Preez, who were in the start- forward and the added advan- us whenever he came off the triumphed in two of the last three ing XV that defeated France 35-12 tage is that he is also an excellent bench in the French series,” meetings. in to complete a option in the lineout,” coach added Coetzee. World champions New Zea- This file photo taken on June 16, 2017 shows South Africa’s 3-0 series triumph. Allister Coetzee told reporters at Hougaard from English Pre- land and Australia, who meet Uzair Cassiem passing the ball during the Test The hat-trick over the French a press conference in Port miership club Worcester earlier tomorrow in Sydney, match between French Barbarians and South Africa in followed a disastrous 2016 sea- Elizabeth. Warriors performed poorly complete the line-up for the six- . son for the Springboks, in which Tighthead Dreyer from Super against France and is lucky to round Rugby Championship. FRIDAY 18 AUGUST 2017 SPORT 19 Philippines makes Qatari swimmers ready for U-turn, will host SEA Games in 2019

Asian Age Group challenge Manila AFP

The Peninsula he Philippines announced yesterday it would host the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, he Qatari swimming team Tjust a month after pulling out citing the esca- will participate in the 9th lating cost of war with Islamist militants. Asian Age Group Swim- Manila last month said it would not host the ming Championship which 2019 SEA Games to focus on rebuilding Marawi, a will be held in Tashkent, southern city which has been ravaged by deadly TUzbekistan in September from Sep- battles between security forces and Islamist mili- tember 6 to 12. tants for almost three months. The Qatari team consists of However, sports officials said yesterday that Abdulaziz Hassan Al Obaidly, Abdel- the Philippines would formally notify the SEA rahman Hesham Mohammed, Games Federation today of its commitment to host Abdulali Hussein and Firas Al saidi. the 2019 edition after securing backing from Pres- Among the four of them, Al ident Rodrigo Duterte. Obaidly and Hesham Mohamed are “That’s absolutely true. I’m 200 percent sure in good form ahead of the Age Group we are hosting the Games,” Cynthia Carrion, a board Championships, having participated member of the Philippine Olympic Committee in the third series of the FINA/Air- Members of the Qatari swimming team who will participate in the 9th Asian Age Group Swimming (POC), said. Carrion, also the chef de mission of the weave Swimming World Cup 2017 Championship pose for a photograph. The Championship will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from Philippines delegation at the 2017 SEA Games, short-course (25 meter) in the Dutch September 6 to 12. which begin in Malaysia at the weekend, said the city of Eindhoven on August 11 and government’s initial decision “had nothing to do 12. with Marawi” but refused to elaborate. The duo also participated in the for the men’s 200m backstroke with Later, the Qatari swimmers will Obaidly, Abdelrahman Hesham Carrion said POC officials met with foreign sec- second series of the World Cup a time of 2:13.77. also participate in the Fifth Asian Mohammed, Abdulrahim Abdulali, retary Alan Peter Cayetano and other Duterte short-course (25 meter) in Berlin, Hesham Mohammed also Indoor Games in Ashgabat, Turk- Feras Murad Al Saadi, Mohammad advisers on Wednesday to discuss funding and other Germany, where they established renewed his own record for the menistan, from September 17 to 27. Fahad Hussain, Mohammad Mahmoud matters for the 2019 SEA Games. new Qatari national records. men’s 100m breaststroke with the In Turkmenistan, Qatar will be rep- Mohammad, Abdullah Mahmoud Abu The Philippines last hosted the biennial games Al Obaidly broke his own record new mark of 1:09.84. resented by bdulaziz Hassan Al Ghazallah and Nasser Yasser Hassan. in 2005. Nadal pushes perfect streak to P liskova on track to 15 against Gasquet in Cincinnati defend Cincinnati Cincinnati title, Venus out AFP Cincinnati Kerber in the Cincinnati final, afael Nadal cruised to Reuters stopping the German from victory in his first match ascending to number one with since clinching a return arolina Pliskova cele- the biggest victory of her career to world number one brated her return to the up to then. while Alexander Zver- Ktournament that helped Pliskova went on to have a Rev’s 10-match win streak was halted launch her rise to world brilliant Flushing Meadows run, on Wednesday at the WTA and ATP number one with a 6-2, 6-3 win beating both Venus and Serena Cincinnati Masters. over Russian Natalia Vikhlyant- Williams on the way to the final, Nadal, a 15-time Grand Slam seva in the second round of the sparking a consistent stretch champion who captured his 10th Cincinnati Open on that helped her succeed Kerber French Open crown in June, Wednesday. atop the rankings after defeated Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-4, Two celebrated seeds fell, Wimbledon. improving to 15-0 in ATP matches Spain’s Rafael with number three Angelique Next up for the 25-year-old against the Frenchman. Nadal returns a Kerber and ninth-seeded Venus Czech is a third-round match The 31-year-old Spaniard, who shot against Williams upset in three-setters, against Italian Camila Giorgi, hasn’t lost a set to Gasquet in 10 Richard Gasquet disrupting their US Open who beat Australian Daria consecutive meetings since Toronto preparations. Gavrilova 7-6(1), 5-7, 6-3. of France during in 2008, said the victory was cru- Kerber lost 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(11) American 16th seed Madi- the Western and cial after last week’s second-round to Russian Ekaterina Makarova, son Keys beat Russian Daria Montreal exit. Southern Open while Williams was upset 6-3, Kasatkina 6-2, 6-1 to reach the “It was important to win the first Cincinnati Open at 2-6, 6-2 by Australian qualifier last 16, where she will face match after what happened last the Lindner Family Ashleigh Barty in second-round Wimbledon champion Garbine week in Montreal,” Nadal said. “I’m Tennis Center on matches. Muguruza of Spain. happy with the way I played.” Wednesday. Nadal beat Barty will face former For the second week in a Nadal was assured overtaking Richard Gasquet 6-3, world number one Caroline row, American Sloane Stephens Britain’s injured Andy Murray atop 6-4, improving to 15-0 in Wozniacki, a 6-2, 6-4 winner defeated 14th seed Petra Kvi- the rankings next week when Roger ATP matches against the against Russia’s Elena Vesnina, tova, who was bothered by pain Federer withdrew on Monday from Frenchman. in the last 16. in her right thigh, to reach the Cincinnati with a back injury. He Top seed Pliskova rose to third round with a 6-2, 6-3 win. has not topped the rankings since the occasion on the key points. Stephens, sidelined almost July 2014. Nadal on top ATP AND WTA CINCINNATI RESULTS She saved all five break a year due to a foot injury “It was an important goal of points she faced, while losing before returning at Wimbledon, mine to come back to that number just three points behind her first beat Kvitova last week in three Spain’s Rafael Nadal MEN'S SINGLES - SECOND ROUND with all the things that have hap- will overtake Britain’s serve against the Russian, who sets in Toronto on her way to pened to me since then,” Nadal Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x7) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 reached her first WTA final at the semi-finals. said. injured Andy Murray Yuichi Sugita (JPN) bt Joao Sousa (POR) 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 Den Bosch in June. Up next for Stephens will be “It’s something very important atop the rankings next David Ferrer (ESP) bt Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 Last year Pliskova beat the on-form Makarova. and very difficult. I worked very week when Roger Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) bt Mitchell Krueger (USA) 6-4, 6-4 hard for it. For sure that’s going to Federer withdrew Karen Khachanov (RUS) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 6-2, 6-2 be an emotional moment for me.” Monday from Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP x11) bt Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) Next for Nadal, who had a first- Cincinnati with a back Nick Kyrgios (AUS) bt Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) round bye, is a third-round matchup Frances Tiafoe (USA) bt Alexander Zverev (GER x4) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 with 24th-ranked countryman injury. He has not Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Nadal has topped the rankings Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Christian Harrison (USA) 6-3, 6-3 won their three prior meetings, since July 2014. Jared Donaldson (USA) bt Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 most recently in April’s Monte Carlo Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) bt Gilles Muller (LUX x16) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 final. Adrian Mannarino (FRA) bt Sam Querrey (USA x15) 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) Zverev, coming off titles in “I’m happy it finally happened,” Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-3, 6-4 Montreal and Washington and seek- Tiafoe said. “We’re going to be play- ing his sixth of the year, admitted ing a lot over the next 10 or 15 years. WOMEN'S SINGLES - SECOND ROUND exhaustion was a factor in his 4-6, I didn’t want to start out 0-3 against Madison Keys (USA x16) bt Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 6-2, 6-1 6-3, 6-4 loss to US teen wildcard him.” Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x8) bt Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 6-3, 6-4 Frances Tiafoe, saying the toll of his Tiafoe, who next faces US 14th extraordinary run caught up with seed John Isner, broke three times Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x15) bt Roberta Vinci (ITA) 6-2, 7-5 him. to win the second set. Camila Giorgi (ITA) bt Daria Gavrilova (AUS) 7-6 (7/1), 5-7, 6-3 “I’m completely dead right “In the middle of the second set, Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) bt Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) 6-2, 6-2 now,” Zverev said. “I’ve been dead I was about 10 percent,” Zverev Ashleigh Barty (AUS) bt Venus Williams (USA x9) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 for the past two days. I finished the said. Julia Goerges (GER) bt Francoise Abanda (CAN) 6-4, 6-4 match. I could have easily pulled Tiafoe forced two break and Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x11) bt Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-1, 6-4 the plug in the second set.” match points in the last game. When Carolina Wozniacki (DEN x6) bt Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-2, 6-4 For 19-year-old Tiafoe, a sec- Zverev sent a forehand long, Tia- Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) bt Angelique Kerber (GER x3) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (13/11) ond-round loser to the 20-year-old foe screamed with delight. Sloane Stephens (USA) bt Petra Kvitova (CZE x14) 6-2, 6-3 Czech Karolína Pliskova returns a shot against Natalia German this year at Wimbledon and “I couldn’t believe it. I was so Vikhlyantseva of Russia during the Western and the Australian Open, it was his happy,” Tiafoe said. “I played a Karolina Pliskova (CZE x1) bt Nadia Vikhlyantseva (RUS) 6-2, 6-3 Southern Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis greatest triumph, his first over a pretty good match. These are ones Elina Svitolina (UKR x5) bt Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 6-1, 6-4 Center yesterday. Pliskova won 6-2, 6-3. top-10 opponent. that change a career.”