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Saturday, July 28, 2018 CYCLING Dhul-Qa’da 15, 1439 AH Thomas tightens GULF TIMES grip on yellow, Roglic wins 19th stage SPORT Page 4 RALLYING Al-Attiyah caps challenging Silk Way with second place Despite technical troubles early on, Qatari driver and French navigator Baumel bounce back for encouraging finish

By A Correspondent ticular water crossing impossible. Race Moscow, Russia offi cials decided to start the last 191km section from PC1, after 112km. Andrey Rudskoy stopped with tech- atar’s Nasser Saleh al-Atti- nical issues after just fi ve kilometres yah claimed the third quick- and that put his hold on fi fth position in est time on the fi nal stage of jeopardy. Italy’s Marco Piana, who had the Silk Way Rally between towed Serradori for 180km on Thursday, LipetskQ and Moscow yesterday and stopped to assist the Russian on the 79km confi rmed second overall in the general fi nale but he lost over an hour in any case. classifi cation. Al-Attiyah led from Serradori and The Overdrive Racing driver and al-Rajhi after 37km, but al-Rajhi stayed French navigator Matthieu Baumel set clear of trouble to reach the fi nish and a time of 58min 02sec on the weather- confi rm outright victory with the stage shortened special and, in so doing, win falling to Hunt. headed for the fi nish in Red Square 1hr 08min 12sec behind race winner Yazeed al-Rajhi. SS7 RESULTS 1. Harry Hunt (GBR)/Sebastien It’s great to reach the fi nish Delaunay (FRA) Peugeot 3008 DKR aft er our week was beset with 49:54 several delays and little prob- 2. Joan Roma (ESP)/Alex Haro (ESP) ‘ lems. This was not the result MINI John Cooper Works Rally we wanted but we lost a lot of 52:18 time earlier in the race with the diff erential problem and 3. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/ the drive shaft , and we came Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota back strongly at the fi nish to Hilux Overdrive 58:02 take second place.’ 4. Matthieu Serradori (FRA)/Fabian — Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah Lurquin (BEL) MCM Original 1:00:32 5. Yazeed al-Rajhi (SAU)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) MINI John Frenchman Matthieu Serradori con- Cooper Works Rally 1:01:34 fi rmed third place and former rally leader Harry Hunt confi rmed the stage win from Spaniard Joan Roma. Russia’s OVERALL STANDINGS Sergei Kariakin fi nished fourth. 1. Yazeed al-Rajhi (SAU)/Timo “It’s great to reach the fi nish after our Gottschalk (DEU) MINI John week was beset with several delays and Cooper Works Rally 23:49:14 little problems,” said al-Attiyah. “This was not the result we wanted but we 2. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/ lost a lot of time earlier in the race with Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota the diff erential problem and the drive Hilux Overdrive 24:57:26 shaft, and we came back strongly at the 3. Matthieu Serradori (FRA)/Fa- fi nish to take second place.” bian Lurquin (BEL) MCM Original Al-Attiyah’s Silk Way Rally challenge 28:56:21 ran with support from Red Bull, the Qa- 4. Sergei Kariakin (RUS)/Anton tar Motor and Motorcycle Federation Vlasiuk (RUS) Can-Am Maverick X3 (QMMF), Ooredoo Qatar and Toyota 31:22:27 Gazoo Racing. Al-Attiyah followed al-Rajhi into the 5. Mariia Oparina (RUS)/Taisiia last of the special stages between Li- Shtaneva (RUS) Can-Am Maverick petsk and Moscow. But weather condi- X3 32:32:57 tions in recent days had made one par- Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (also inset) and French co-driver in action during the Silk Way Rally in Russia.

FOOTBALL ‘He’s a champ’: Tuchel says Neymar will bounce back

Agencies round playing on the beach, around the knows how to handle losses... he’s Singapore houses, on the streets,” he said. a champion and we will help him to “We want to fi nd this and bring this bounce back.” out so that they enjoy it. And also enjoy ew coach Thomas Tuchel the hard work, and that they are aware Wenger respect dismissed concerns about of the signs that they give to everybody Tuchel had been linked in the British dealing with Paris Saint- outside and inside the club. media with the Arsenal job but the Germain’s “big personali- “I am not here to teach them football German said it was never something Nties” yesterday, as he pledged to help and how to play, I am here to help them he had considered and he was fully Neymar bounce back after a diffi cult and organise a structure to show off committed to the project of leading World Cup. their talent and keep them on track and the French treble winners to further The 44-year-old German is taking hungry. I also need to show them the success. on a star-studded squad including value of their behaviour and how it fi ts “I made my decision to join Paris Neymar, the world’s most expensive in to the work of the whole group.” Saint-German before Arsene Wenger player, with a mandate from PSG’s Qa- Neymar is yet to return to PSG after made his decision to leave Arsenal,” he tari owners to land a coveted European PSG coach Thomas Tuchel. the World Cup, where Brazil were added of the Frenchman, who ended title. stunned by Belgium in the quarter-fi - his 22-year tenure in North London in Ex-coach Unai Emery reportedly ons Cup in Singapore, where PSG play nals. The forward was also lampooned May. tangled with Neymar, while French Emery’s Arsenal today. for his extravagant play-acting, which “He has my biggest respect as he World Cup-winner Kylian Mbappe is Tuchel, whose side also face Atletico sparked the viral #NeymarChallenge built a club famously known for its also rumoured to have a fractious rela- Madrid at the Singapore National on social media. style of football. He is an idol and role tionship with the Brazilian star. Stadium on Monday, highlighted that “Everybody in the club wants to help model for many coaches, especially for But Tuchel insisted: “In my experi- every player, no matter how famous, them to feel very well very soon so they me. I never got in touch with Arsenal, ence the biggest players are the easiest would have grown to love the sport can approach their next goals and not so I don’t know if I was ever meant to characters because they want to com- from a similar, humble background. worry too long about what happened be his successor... pete and they want to win.” “In the end I strictly believe that at the World Cup,” Tuchel said, when “He was more than just a coach, he “Of course we have very big person- all of these guys were somewhere, asked about Brazil’s defeat. was Arsenal. He’s a gentleman and one alities but I’m not worried about this,” sometime, some fi ve, six-year-old “He’s (Neymar) a big player, he of the biggest coaches in the world. I Paris Saint-Germain’s players warm up during an off icial training session for the he added at the International Champi- guy with the ball under his arm, going knows how to handle victories, he have the feeling he’s not fi nished yet.” International Champions Cup in Singapore yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 2 Saturday, July 28, 2018 FOOTBALL

PRE-SEASON TOUR Cherchesov gets two more years as Russia coach

Russian national team coach Stanislav Cher- chesov yesterday saw his contract extended by at least another two Arsenal’s Emery looks years after the side’s good show at the World Cup. The contract is for two years with the possibility of a fur- ther two-year extension, the federation said. Russia reached the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time in beyond PSG reunion its post-Soviet history despite being the lowest-ranked team. Today, President Vladimir Putin is set to host the team and its coaches for an ‘I remain grateful to PSG. I had a good experience there and it was wonderful for my career’ awards ceremony at the Kremlin.

Reuters Russia midfi elder Golovin Singapore joins Monaco from CSKA

ew Arsenal coach Unai Em- Russian midfielder Aleksandr Golovin ery is looking forward to a has quit CSKA Moscow to join Monaco reunion with former club on a five-year contract worth 30mn Paris St Germain in a Singa- euros ($35mn) plus add-ons. Capped 23 Npore friendly today but the Spaniard is times by Russia, the 22-year-old Golovin focused more on intensifying pre-sea- was one of the host team’s stand-out son conditioning ahead of the Premier players as they reached the quarter-fi- League campaign. nals of the World Cup. Golovin becomes The 46-year-old opted to leave the the first Russian player to be signed French capital at the end of last season for Monaco, whose Russian billionaire after leading the Qatar-backed club to president, Dmitry Rybolovlev, took over a domestic treble and replaced Arsene the club when in the second division in Wenger at Arsenal after the French- December 2011. man ended his almost 22-year tenure In his three seasons with CSKA, Golovin in North London in May. played 113 matches. “I remain grateful to PSG. I had a good experience there and it was won- derful for my career and now I will Nigeria probes bribery play against them tomorrow, against allegation against coach a big club with great players,” Emery told reporters at the Singapore Na- The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) tional Stadium yesterday. “Not only is has launched an investigation into an it another step in our preparations for allegation of bribery against Super Ea- next season but also a chance for me gles coach Salisu Yusuf. The coach was to meet many friends I worked with captured in a video receiving cash from there.” journalists posing as football agents who Emery’s side opened the Interna- requested that two players be selected tional Champions Cup with a penalty for a major championship. shootout loss to Atletico Madrid on The names of the players were not Thursday following a 1-1 draw but the disclosed and Yusuf, 56, who was as- Spaniard remains delighted with the sistant to Gernot Rohr at the World Cup progress his squad are making ahead in Russia, has denied any wrongdoing. of the new season. He said the money was a gift and that “I put big demands on every player the players were selected on merit. The at the club and I trust them to be able country’s coaches association has said to live up to them,” he added. “At the it stood by the Yusuf, who led Nigeria to moment, I am very happy with the the final of African Nations in Morocco. work the players are putting in. We will soon be joined by those who were involved at the World Cup and as long Sport court rejects appeal as the transfer window remains open, by disgraced Valcke there’s still a chance we could add to the squad.” The Court of Arbitration for Sport Emery is also working on instilling dismissed an appeal by former FIFA sec- his style on an Arsenal squad that had retary general Jerome Valcke seeking to spent so long working under Wenger overturn his 10 year ban from football and will need to get used to a new ap- over corruption. Valcke, who served as proach. “I am now looking to work Arsenal’s manager Unai Emery (left) and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan attend a press conference ahead of their pre-season International Champions Cup match top deputy to disgraced ex-FIFA boss more on the tactical side of the game against Paris St-Germain in Singapore yesterday. (AFP) Sepp Blatter, was initially banned in with my squad,” Emery said. “To teach June 2016 and launched his appeal in them how I want them to play, where months to one year to really be able to was staying put for the post-Wenger nal. But he said he would maintain his and the new players at this moment February of last year. Valcke and Blatter they need to be positioned. Yester- compare them,” the Armenian said. “I era — on a reported fi ve-year deal. egalitarian approach at Arsenal, whose are doing very well,” Emery added. were key figures in the massive graft day, we carried out the plans we had didn’t really work that long with Ar- “My information is he’s going to teenagers Emile Smith Rowe and “Every player for me is the same. scandal that rocked FIFA in 2015 and worked on and I expect to do the same sene Wenger and Unai Emery has just sign to continue with us,” said Emery. Guendouzi stood out in Thursday’s That’s the only way I’m going to fi nd forced sweeping changes within world tomorrow.” arrived, but I can say one thing — it’s Emery also hopes Wales international penalties defeat to Atletico Madrid. the best performance, the best way football’s governing body. Attacking midfi elder Henrikh a pleasure to work with both of them.” Aaron Ramsey will sign a fresh deal “I have my way and there’s an op- to improve quickly but with common A French national, Valcke worked at FIFA Mkhitaryan, who joined Arsenal from while Uruguay midfi elder Lucas Tor- portunity here to work with the same sense — not looking at certain players, from 2003 to January 2016. Manchester United in January, said it IWOBI BOOST AS EMERY LOOKS reira, German goalkeeper Bernd Leno mentality I want in my career: to bring looking at every player.” was too early to compare Wenger and TO RELOAD GUNNERS and Frenchman Matteo Guendouzi are the team a new spirit and a good en- Emery has been tasked with return- Emery but was full of praise for both Emery yesterday said Nigeria’s Alex among the new arrivals. ergy with very good quality players ing Arsenal to trophy-winning ways Iraq confi dent of landing men. Iwobi was set to sign a new deal, in a The Spanish manager was report- and that’s my idea, my work,” he said and the Champions League, after they England’s Eriksson “It’s diffi cult to compare the two boost to his eff orts to fi re the Gunners ed to have tangled with Neymar, the in Singapore. fi nished sixth in the coaches. They are both great but I back to the big time. Emery has been world’s most expensive player, in the “Every player is important — young last season. Arsenal open the new sea- Iraqi football off icials are confident that have only just started working with busy in the transfer market in his fi rst French capital before quitting and be- players who have the opportunity to son with a home match against cham- former England manager Sven-Goran Unai Emery and will need at least six weeks in charge but he said Iwobi, 22, ing handed a rebuilding role at Arse- work with us and show their quality, pions Manchester City on Aug 12. Eriksson will sign up to lead the country at next year’s Asian Cup finals. Eriksson met with representatives of the Iraq FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Football Association in Istanbul this week and a federation source said the Swede had agreed to take charge of the team. Ronaldo gets nod for multi-million Coach Kovac relishes The source said the matter would be dis- cussed further by the federation tomor- row. Sources close to Eriksson, however, tax settlement in Spain said the 70-year-old had yet to make a working with Bayern decision on whether to accept the off er. AFP July near Madrid to answer four ing. His legal team had blamed Iraq are due to play in next year’s Asian Madrid counts of tax evasion. the aff air on a simple diff erent DPA Cup finals, 12 years after claiming their Prosecutors allege the fi ve- interpretation of which rev- Miami, Florida sole continental title. time Ballon d’Or winner hid in- enue he was obliged to declare in panish tax authorities come generated in Spain from his Spain. Had the case gone further, have given their ok for image rights from tax authori- without the player off ering a full iko Kovac loves his job. As a Ibrahimovic helps Galaxy football superstar Cris- ties. He is alleged to have used settlement, he could have faced former Bayern Munich player, fi ghtback in ‘El Trafi co’ tiano Ronaldo to pay companies in low-tax foreign a fi ne of a reported 28 millions coaching Germany’s biggest team closeS to 19mn euros ($22mn) to jurisdictions — notably the Brit- euros as well as a three-and-a- is a huge challenge and one to be Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped launch settle a tax fraud claim, prosecu- ish Virgin Islands and Ireland half-year jail term, according Nrelished. And the team’s pre-season tour of another dramatic fightback as Los tors said yesterday. Prosecutors — to avoid having to pay the tax to the Spanish tax offi ce union the United States fi ts his guiding principle: Angeles Galaxy overturned a 2-0 deficit in Madrid said the deal with tax otherwise due. In 2014, Span- Gestha. “I like to work.” to snatch a 2-2 draw with Los Angeles authorities and Ronaldo’s advis- ish authorities say he was late in Ronaldo’s big La Liga rival, In Miami ahead friendly match against Football Club in their “El Trafico” derby ers also includes a two-year jail declaring that year just 11.5 mil- Barcelona’s Argentinian star Li- Premier League champions Manchester on Thursday. sentence which he won’t serve. lions euros of revenue earned in onel Messi, paid a two-million- City — coached by former Bayern boss Pep In another pulsating edition of Major Sentences of up to two years Spain for the period 2011-2014 euro fi ne in 2016 in his own tax Guardiola — Kovac must balance market- League Soccer’s newest city rivalry, Gal- are generally not implemented when his earnings in his country wrangle and received a 21-month ing duties with preparing his players. But a time. His bosses are impressed. “That’s axy conjured two goals in the final eight in Spain for fi rst-time off end- of residence totalled 43mn euros. jail term. The prison sentence he does so without complaint. Indeed, Ko- good because we have a season ahead of us minutes to grab a share of the points at ers in non-violent crimes. The The Spanish taxman also was later reduced to a further vac is “very pleased with the trip” which is in which we want to do a lot well,” Bayern LAFC’s Banc of California Stadium. The 33-year-old former Real Ma- found he did not declare 28.4mn fi ne of 252,000 euros equivalent taking place without captain Manuel Neuer chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. draw leaves LAFC second in the Western drid striker, who has moved to euros in image rights agreed for to 400 euros per day of the origi- and other World Cup players, who resumed Veteran winger Arjen Robben was also hap- Conference, three points adrift of lead- Juventus, appeared in court last 2015-2020, leaving 14.7mn ow- nal term. training in Munich from Wednesday. This py. “The coach attaches a great value to us ers FC Dallas, who have played a game tour contains only two games and having being fi t,” the 34-year-old said. “And that’s fewer. Galaxy remain in fourth spot. lost the fi rst 2-0 to Juventus in Philadelphia important. Right now he’s doing very well. there is the hope to end on a high even if He works hard and brings in his touches.” friendly results are “secondary” for Kovac. In addition to fi tness, Kovac also wants to Burnley goalkeeper Pope Kovac considers much in football, as in make Bayern more tactically fl exible. This he suff ers shoulder injury life, to be a question of attitude. “Everything can only truly begin when the whole squad is decided in the head,” he said. “If you think is together again. With the returning World Burnley goalkeeper Nick negatively, you are negative. If you think Cup players, Bayern have planned a second Pope faces an anxious positively, everything is also positive. And I training trip to Tegernsee, August 2-9.”Then wait to learn how long think extraordinarily positive.” we will be able to do more,” said Kovac. he might be on the There is therefore little surprise with how He is imagining a Bayern side which can sidelines after suff ering he approaches the Bayern job, a signifi cant switch between using four defenders and what manager Sean Dy- step up from his previous role as Eintracht three and work in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 shape de- che fears is a “serious” Frankfurt coach. “I have my ideas. I have my pending on circumstance. “We will modify shoulder injury in the vision,” he said. Because he likes to work, one or the other system,” he said. “You no Europa League match with Aberdeen. when he is in charge there is a lot of inten- longer start with a system and end with it. The 26-year-old — part of England’s sive work done. “I live in a certain way and I We have to be able to react.” World Cup squad — had to go off after a expect others to live like that,” he said. In his last game with Eintracht, he lifted collision with Aberdeen striker Sam Cos- Despite travelling time, time changes, the German Cup having defeat Bayern in grove. Burnley — appearing in European diffi cult climatic conditions and advertis- the fi nal. A trophy in his coaching cupboard competition for the first time in over 50 ing appointments, training in America is eased the acceptance from a Bayern squad years — secured a 1-1 draw in the Europa usually twice a day, often for two hours at used to collecting winners’ medals. League qualifier first leg clash. Gulf Times Saturday, July 28, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Bremen snap up Everton misfi t Sombre Mourinho looks Klaassen Berlin: Werder Bremen have signed Everton misfit Davy Klaassen after paying a reported club record of 14mn euros ($16.3mn) for the Netherlands international, it a beaten man before was confirmed yesterday. The midfielder has quit Goodison Park having failed to make an impact in the 12 months since Everton paid Ajax £24.30mn (27.3mn euros) for him and Bremen the season even starts have reportedly given Klaas- sen a four-year deal. Having made just 16 appearances in Manchester United manager should be enjoying the California sun but his constant complaining, total, and only three Premier League starts for Everton last valid or not, does not augur well for his club’s or his own chances in the months ahead season, Klaassen now hopes to kick start his career in the By Jamie Jackson in California Bundesliga with Werder. The Guardian The Dutch international will replace Danish mid- fielder Thomas Delaney who n illustration of the pressure left Bremen for Borussia Jose Mourinho may be feel- Dortmund last month in a ing, and the sombre mood he deal reportedly worth 20mn has been in during Manchester euros. Klaaseen is expected United’sA tour of the United States, came to be a like-for-like replace- at their UCLA training base this week. ment at Bremen for Delaney, The manager was due to sit down who scored three goals in 32 with a TV reporter who had travelled to league games last season. Los Angeles for a pre-arranged inter- Having been told by new view on behalf of a prominent broad- Everton boss Marco Silva caster. Yet just before it was supposed there was no place for him in to happen, Mourinho pulled out. The his plans, Klaassen believes journalist wandered off , only to be told he has found a suitable home the Portuguese had changed his mind with the Bundesliga club. again, and the interview took place. “It was important to me to Mourinho deserves credit for hon- know exactly where the jour- ouring the appointment. Yet as he em- ney was going on the pitch barks upon a third season in charge at and the ambitions of the club United, he is still to turn the club into have convinced me,” he told serious challengers for the Premier the Werder website. League title, which they last won in “After my exchange with 2013 under Sir . This is (Bremen coach) Florian a pressing demand of his position that Kohfeldt I have a very good Mourinho surely carries with him. Fac- feeling that I can make an tored in too should be how a third term important contribution here has often proved a tipping point in his with my abilities. I want to career. During both of his Chelsea ten- prove that I can make a big ures (2004-07 and 2013-16) and at Real impact here. The head coach Madrid (2010-13), it was at this stage wants to play a very open and that the wheels clattered off , though he attacking style of football and did limp into the September of year four I am really excited about that.” of the fi rst Stamford Bridge stint. Bremen coach Kohfeldt The sparkle that made Mourinho the headed up a delegation of self-appointed Special One when he ar- Werder off icials who flew to rived in west London in 2004 has been England earlier this week to rarely sighted stateside, although dur- convince Klaassen to come to ing the opening media conference at north Germany. UCLA there was a fl ash when he spoke “We made our club goals of his daughter’s graduation. “I would very clear to him: what we like to share one moment of happiness. want to achieve, how we Very sad not to be [there] but really want to play and what a happy and proud,” said the 55-year-old. special club Werder is,” the “Our lives also have frustrations and Bremen boss said. one of them is not to be there but that’s Manager Jose Mourinho has been a Bremen, who finished 11th the job [of management].” dour-looking presence throughout in Germany’s top flight last It is Mourinho’s professional frustra- Manchester United’s tour of the season, start their 2018/19 tions that are feeding the low-key de- United States. (AFP) Bundesliga campaign at meanour. He feels Ed Woodward, Unit- home to Hanover 96 on ed’s executive vice-chairman, should August 25. give him more backing in the market take on Manchester City’s absentees be upgraded. Instead, he acquired the responsibility. He has not done what France during their triumphant World rather than instructing him to sell to during their own tour of the US. “I untested Dalot and was informed by Guardiola has, to off er one case, with Cup campaign, suggesting the manager buy. Then there is Mourinho’s ongo- learned when a little boy in Barcelona, Woodward that there will be no more Sterling; turning an erratic performer rather than the player is the problem at ing disaff ection at the high number of don’t fi nd excuses. We are happy to have additions in the position. and fi nisher into a 23-goal forward who Old Traff ord. And the former has hardly players not in the US, mainly because of 16 players out – the most [of any club], Since last summer Mourinho has also was key in City’s record championship done himself any favours here by apply- post-World Cup breaks. that’s a good sign for the club. We are wanted a wide forward, but just as a triumph. Under Mourinho the list of ing more stick than carrot when asked Regarding the latter, the Portuguese going to adapt, it’s a simple as that,” the deal for Internazionale’s Ivan Perisic fell those enhanced might start with Lin- about Pogba’s form in Russia. began the trip without 13 senior players: Catalan has said. down then, there appears scant appetite gard, Eric Bailly and Lukaku but it then Pogba needs to approach each match Alexis Sánchez, Paul Pogba, Romelu Lu- In fairness to Mourinho, he has a point from Woodward to prise him – or Chel- ends abruptly. Even Rashford, a bright as if it were a fi nal, was the essence of kaku, Marouane Fellaini, Marcus Rash- in regards to United’s transfer busi- sea’s Willian – away this year. Mourinho light before Mourinho’s arrival, has Mourinho’s analysis. This may be true ford, Jesse Lingard, Marcos Rojo, Victor ness. So far this summer Fred, a £55mn may yet add the centre-back he wants gone sideways. but where was the praise to balance this Lindelof, Ashley Young, David de Gea, Brazil-reserve midfi elder, and Diogo by acquiring Leicester City’s Harry The pattern is similar regarding re- and off er Pogba the sort of encourage- Nemanja Matic, Fred and Phil Jones. It Dalot, a £19mn Portuguese 19-year-old Maguire. But to close trading short of cruitment. Since taking over in 2016 ment that might see him perform better is a sizeable, notable group but many full-back, are his only major purchases, an A-list full-back and forward would Mourinho has signed Bailly, Henrikh for United? of United’s rivals have several frontline with goalkeeper Lee Grant having also surely make title aspirations distant. Mkhitaryan, Matic, Pobga, Lukaku, Whether the reasons are valid or not, personnel missing for the same reason. arrived from Stoke City for £1.5mn. Put simply, the squad requires more Sánchez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Vic- Mourinho’s mood has plunged south And instead of complaining, Mourinho That is underwhelming business with stardust. Mourinho has only three X- tor Lindelof, Fred, Dalot and Grant. early. In the depths of mid-winter fol- could have used the situation as a rally- less than two weeks of the window re- factor footballers: Pogba, Sánchez and Of those who have played, only Matic, lowing some poor results a fl atness ing cry to inspire those players who are maining. Mourinho began the summer Lukaku. Guardiola, on the other hand, Bailly and Lukaku can be deemed suc- would be understandable. But with the with him, while sending a message to targeting younger, more dynamic op- can call on nine: David Silva, Kevin De cesses. Pogba is most indicative of US sun blazing down and a new cam- competitors and supporters that he is tions at full-back. He believes that for Bruyne, Sergio Agüero, Gabriel Jesus, Mourinho’s lack of success in the trans- paign around the corner, this is hardly very much in control. Instead his man- United to surge forward, as City do via Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sané, Kyle Walker, fer market. Having struggled at United the time or place to be downbeat. All in tra has been to brand United’s pre-sea- Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy, An- Benjamin Mendy and Raheem Sterling. since returning to the club for a then all, it does not augur well for United’s son as “very bad”. tonio Valencia and Ashley Young – both Yet part of management is improving world-record £93.2mn fee in August hopes or Mourinho’s long-term job Compare this with Pep Guardiola’s 33 when the campaign starts – have to players and here Mourinho must accept 2016, the midfi elder was outstanding for prospects.

FOCUS Burnley battle back on their return to European scene Reuters their last European game — in the Fairs ‘European Tour’ T-shirts were on Aberdeen, Scotland Cup in 1967 — it was the Scottish club show outside Pittodrie, a reminder of who could claim the greater pedigree. the celebratory chants at the end of last That rich history was recognised term, but for Dyche the extra competi- rit and organisation have before the game when the crowd paid tion is a test of his resources. Burnley taken Burnley back into Eu- tribute to Aberdeen’s former midfi elder have yet to sign anyone during this ropean football after 51 years Neale Cooper, who died in May at the close season and with several players and it was certainly those age of 54. Cooper was part of the team still recovering from last season’s inju- Gqualities that earned a 1-1 draw at Ab- that won the European Cup Winners’ ries, Dyche’s options were limited. erdeen in their Europa League second Cup in 1983 under the management of But while Burnley may consider qualifying round, fi rst-leg match on Alex Ferguson. themselves minnows in the Premier Thursday night. The scoreline, with While the port city celebrated the League, their current resources are well the potentially crucial away goal, gives triumph of a formidable team featuring beyond the reach of Aberdeen. As the Sean Dyche’s Premier League side the the likes of and Alex Scottish club’s manager Derek McInnes upper hand for next Thursday’s return McLeish, Burnley were dealing with pointed out — Burnley were lining up leg at Turf Moor, but for the travelling relegation to the third tier which was to with a 15mn pounds ($19.66mn) strik- supporters the game was about much be followed by the fourth division two er in Chris Wood, while Aberdeen’s more than the result. years later. front line was led by , Over 2,000 Burnley fans made the By 1987, Burnley need to win on the signed for 20,000 pounds from Carlisle 330-mile trip from Lancashire to the fi nal day of the season to avoid drop- United. It was Cosgrove who won the Burnley’s Sam Vokes scores against Aberdeen during the Europa League qualifying round first leg. (Reuters) East Coast of Scotland, packing the ping out of the professional ranks al- penalty that was converted in the 19th away section in the stadium, with a together and it was a slow and often minute by Gary Mackay-Steven after aerial strength, to equalise 10 minutes mood to refl ect on the historic moment match. We don’t think it’s a done deal. large number of supporters left with- painful process for the club to get back Burnley had suff ered a dreadful start, from the end. Vokes became the fi rst but was pleased that the game delivered We are not a team that takes anything out tickets in the bars in the centre of to the top fl ight in this decade. The losing England goalkeeper Burnley player to score in Europe since in terms of competition on the fi eld and for granted. We will have to work for the city. Games between Scottish and Clarets fi nished seventh in the Premier to injury. Brian Miller netted against Eintracht atmosphere in the stands. everything,” he said. If the Clarets can English teams are often billed as ‘Bat- League last season earning a return to But it was a Welshman who proved Frankfurt in 1967 and his goal makes “I won’t take anything away from get past Aberdeen they will face Turk- tle of Britain’ clashes with the Scots UEFA competition and the excitement the decisive fi gure in the Anglo-Scot- Dyche’s side favourites to progress into Aberdeen who made it a proper game, ish club Istanbul Basaksehir in the next looking for an upset. However, given has certainly been more evident among tish clash, substitute Sam Vokes show- the third qualifying round. both sets of fans were excellent, the at- round before a potential playoff to earn Burnley’s history in the decades since the supporters. ing skill and composure, as well as his The Burnely manager was not in a mosphere was great and it felt like a real a place in the group stage. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, July 28, 2018 SPORT

TOUR DE FRANCE Thomas tightens grip on yellow, Roglic wins 19th stage The Welshman increases his overall lead on Dumoulin to 2min 05secs ahead of the penultimate-stage time trial today

AFP 19TH STAGE RESULTS Laruns 1. Primoz Roglic (SLO/LNL) 5:28.17sec 2. Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) ritain’s Geraint Thomas 3. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) stretched his Tour de France yellow jersey lead yesterday as 4. Dan Martin (IRL/EAU) Slovenian Primoz Roglic won 5. Rafal Majka (POL/BOR) theB 19th stage in controversial fash- 6. Tom Dumoulin (NED/SUN) ion to push defending champion Chris Froome off the virtual podium. 7. Mikel Landa (ESP/MOV) Thomas, who has held the race lead 8. Chris Froome (GBR/SKY) since stage 11 having won back-to-back 9. Steven Kruijswijk (NED/LNL) stages in the Alps, fi nished second on the fi nal stage in the high mountains at 10. Ilnur Zakarin (RUS/KAT) 19secs behind Roglic after the Lotto- Jumbo rider had launched a series of OVERALL STANDINGS small attacks before the summit of the 1. Geraint Thomas (GBR/Sky) 79:49.31. Aubisque. 2. Tom Dumoulin (NED/SUN) +2:05. The Welshman’s fi nal sprint to clinch 3. Primoz Roglic (SLO/LNL) +2:24. second place earned him six bonus sec- onds, which increased his overall lead 4. Chris Froome (GBR/SKY) +2:37. on Dutch rival Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) 5. Steven Kruijswijk (NED/LNL) +4:37. to 2min 05secs ahead of the penulti- 6. Mikel Landa (ESP/MOV) +4:40. mate-stage time trial today. Roglic moved up to third overall at 7. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) +5:15. 2:24 behind Thomas, with Froome now 8. Dan Martin (IRL/EAU) +6:39. fourth at 2:37. 9. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) +10:26. But while the 28-year-old Slovenian celebrated, Dumoulin was furious at 10. Ilnur Zakarin (RUS/KAT) +11:49. the fi nish, claiming Roglic “used the slipstream of the motorbike” that had gap. “The way he did get the gap was a moved in front of him shortly after the little surprising... but I didn’t actually summit to build an advantage which, in see it myself. I was concentrating on the the end, proved decisive. corners, following Tom’s wheel. There Asked to confi rm the allegation, has been an issue with motorbikes get- Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic celebrates after Roglic said: “What can I say? I can’t ting too close, but I didn’t see it.” winning the 19th stage of the Tour de France comment on things on which I don’t Although Thomas’s yellow jersey bid cycling race between Lourdes and Laruns in have infl uence over. I don’t see where was not at stake, except in the event southwestern France yesterday. (AFP) the problem is.” of catastrophe, Sky are desperate to Roglic, a former ski jumper, was a see Froome fi nish among the podium constant thorn in the side of Team Sky places in Paris tomorrow and were in on the fi nal climb, where his accelera- no mood to give Roglic a free run to the tions left four-time champion Froome fi nish. struggling to hold the wheel on several Froome managed to limit the damage occasions. The Slovenian redoubled his by following wheels most of the way eff orts shortly after cresting the sum- down before fi nishing eighth and last mit, defying the shrouds of mist to ac- from the seven-man group of favour- celerate away from Thomas, Froome, ites who crossed the line 19secs behind Dumoulin, Spaniard Mikel Landa and Roglic. Fans will be expecting Froome, Frenchman Romain Bardet to leave a six-time Grand Tour champion, to them in a desperate chase on the 20km overcome his 13-sec defi cit to Roglic sional wins are from time trials, includ- meanwhile, did enough over the fi rst ishing 36th at 18:38 behind Roglic. Slovakian Peter Sagan also bat- descent to the fi nish. and secure a place in the top three. ing one from the Giro d’Italia in 2016. two big climbs, the Col d’Aspin and the “It was my dream to win a stage, now tled through a fi nal, gruelling day in Later, as the accusations poured in, But Roglic, who only took up cycling “The only thing I can focus on in the Col du Tourmalet, to secure the ‘King I’ve won two and I’ve got the polka dot the mountains, fi nishing 38:23 behind Thomas voiced his suspicions, saying: six years ago, is no slouch in the race time trial is myself,” added Roglic. of the Mountains’ polka dot jersey. “It’s jersey on my shoulders. It’s an incred- Roglic to secure his sixth green jersey “All of a sudden it seemed Roglic got a against the clock. Six of his 22 profes- Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe, exceptional,” said Alaphilippe after fi n- ible feeling.” for the points competition.

DOPING IAAF maintains Russia’s athletics ban Rivals sense big chance

AFP Buenos Aires as China’s powers wane

he governing body of AFP world athletics yester- Shanghai day maintained Russia’s ban from track and fi eld Tover mass doping, just 10 days hina are the most suc- before the start of the European cessful country in recent Championships in Berlin. “The badminton history but, IAAF Council unanimously spearheaded by ageing adopted the resolution that legendC Lin Dan, they host the RUSAF (the Russian athletics World Championships next week federation) not be reinstated at at one of their lowest ebbs. Lin is this time,” said Rune Andersen, in the twilight of his brilliant ca- head of the IAAF’s Russian task- reer at 34, while a sense of crisis force team. engulfs China’s women’s team Andersen, however, said there following their disappointing had been “a lot of meaning- showing at the in May. ful engagement from RUSAF”, It was not long ago that China which has made “signifi cant dominated badminton. At the improvement” in meeting re- London 2012 Olympics, they won instatement requirements. all fi ve gold medals. But at Rio “In some cases they have gone 2016, that tally was two, and this above and beyond what is re- year at the Uber Cup — the most quired,” the Norwegian said prestigious team tournament — before adding that the conclu- President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, Sebastian Coe (left), speaks next China’s women were dumped out sion remained that RUSAF not to the head of the IAAF’s Russian taskforce team, Rune Andersen, during a press conference on the in the semi-fi nals by hosts Thai- be reinstated at this time with sidelines of the IAAF Council’s Meeting in Buenos Aires yesterday. (AFP) land. It was the fi rst time since In the women’s draw Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying is the clear favourite. further progress still to be made. joining the competition in 1984 The 24-year-old has lost just once this year and marched off with an Andersen said that for Rus- We have brought about change don a year later. KENYA TO HOST 2020 that China had failed to reach the astonishing five titles. sia to be reinstated, ideally at and it’s change that is very vi- A number of Russian athletes, IAAF WORLDS U-20 fi nal, prompting a public back- the IAAF Council’s next meet- able. But we weren’t yet at that however, have been granted The International Association lash and the reported dismissal of Japan’s in-form Kento Momota and learn from the losses.” ing in Monaco in December af- point where every element of permission by the International of Athletics Federations (IAAF) the women’s coach Zhang Ning. and Kidambi Srikanth of India Shi Yuqi is the highest-ranked ter a WADA meet in September, that (reinstatement) criteria had Association of Athletics Fed- has chosen Kenya to host the Superstar Lin helped save face all fancied to go far. Indonesian Chinese men’s player, at three in three demands must be met. been met.” erations (IAAF) to compete as 2020 World Under 20 cham- — China’s men won the Thomas duo Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and the world, while in the women’s Firstly, RUSAF must pay for the Russian athletics federation neutrals after meeting the ex- pionships, offi cials said. The Cup — but the World Champion- Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo are fi rm draw Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying is costs incurred by the IAAF in presdient Dmitry Shlyakhtin ceptional eligibility criteria, event will come three years after ships begin in Nanjing tomorrow favourites in the men’s doubles, the clear favourite. The 24-year- the wake of the doping scandal, said he had been hoping for bet- essentially demonstrating that Nairobi staged the U-18 world with the tournament wide open. underlining how China’s domi- old Tai has lost just once this year notably the establishment of the ter news. “We are disappointed they’ve come through transpar- championships, an event which Lin will be the home-crowd nance has waned. and marched off with an aston- taskforce. The Russian Anti- by the decision taken today by ent anti-doping testing. went off smoothly despite lead- favourite, but the man often China in 2017 replaced Li ishing fi ve titles. One of those Doping Agency RUSADA must the IAAF Council,” Shlyakhtin Russia had also been banned ing nations such as the United regarded as the best player of Yongbo, the bullish and no- who could spring an upset in also be reinstated by the World said. “I cannot hide that we from the Olympic movement States, Britain, Canada and all time is past his prime. The nonsense coach who oversaw the women’s competition is PV Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), were counting on a positive de- over the doping scandal cul- pulling out citing in- former world number one is now more than two decades of suc- Sindhu, the Indian world number with a key requirement being cision, on a partial restoration of minating at the 2014 Russian- security in the country. ninth in the rankings, although cess, in an eff ort to breathe new three who lost to Japan’s Nozomi the acknowledgement by Mos- the Russian athletics federation. hosted Sochi Winter Games. A The 2020 event will be held he can still turn it on when he re- life into Chinese badminton, Okuhara in last year’s fi nal. Chi- cow that ministry of sport offi - Sadly, this hasn’t happened. We team of 168 Russians competed from July 7-12. Kenyan Sports ally wants to. which benefi ts from substantial na will still be a force in Nanjing, cials orchestrated the doping of will continue, however, to work in this year’s Pyeongchang Minister Rashid Echessa told In a blow to the Nanjing show- government support. Zhang Jun, but Sindhu agrees that they are Russian athletes. towards the restoration of the Winter Games under the neutral journalists there would be tight piece, Lin’s long-time rival Lee a former Olympian brought in not the all-conquering team that And fi nally, Russian authori- federation.” banner of “Olympic Athletes security in place for the cham- Chong Wei of Malaysia will be to coach China’s doubles teams, they once were. ties must give access to doping Russia was accused in a from Russia”, although a Russian pionship. missing because of a respira- hopes that tasting disappoint- “Japan’s Minatsu Mitani and tests carried out at RUSADA’s WADA report in 2016 of wide- curling medallist tested positive “We will make sure every- tory illness, it was announced ment can spur them on. “Actu- are doing really Moscow laboratory between spread state-sponsored doping. for a banned substance. The In- body will be welcomed and safe, this week. China’s reigning Ol- ally, losing could be a good thing, well, then there is (South) Korea’s 2011-15. IAAF president Sebas- Its athletics team was barred ternational Olympic Commit- and that the event runs smooth- ympic champion Chen Long is especially for the upcoming Sung Ji-hyun and Tai Tzu-ying... tian Coe added: “Progress has from that summer’s Rio Olym- tee then lifted its ban on Russia ly and successfully just like the meanwhile struggling for con- World Championships and Asian who always is a major threat,” been made in key areas. There pics and also missed the IAAF at the end of the Pyeongchang U-18 World championships,” sistency, leaving holder and top Games (in August),” he said this Sindu, 23, said. “It is a good sign are still some gaps to be fi lled. World Championships in Lon- Olympics. Echesa said. seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, week. “We can fi nd the problems for world badminton.” Gulf Times Saturday, July 28, 2018 5 SPORT

BASEBALL SWIMMING Ledecky holds of Schmitt to win Yankees rout 200m free at US Championships

AFP pression to become an outspo- Irvine, United States ken advocate for mental health Royals but lose care, was buoyed by some sup- portive pre-race texts from her atie Ledecky clocked old teammate Michael Phelps. the second-fastest time “I got paragraphs from in the world this year to Michael,” said Schmitt, who win the 200m freestyle added she was “ecstatic” to fi nd Kat the US Swimming Champion- herself headed to Pan Pacs after ships on Thursday, holding off arriving in Irvine unsure just Judge to injury the challenge of 2012 Olympic what to expect from herself. champion Allison Schmitt. Josh Prenot, a Rio silver med- Ledecky touched in 1:54.60 — allist who failed to qualify for Judge’s injury spoiled a day when the Yankees got J.A. Happ from the Blue Jays second only to her own 1:54.56 in last year’s world championships, June this year — to add the 200m made a statement in the 200m title to the 800m free crown she breaststroke, winning with the claimed on Wednesday. fastest time in the world this Ledecky led from start to fi n- year of 2:07.28. ish, but the 28-year-old Schmitt, “It feels good to be swimming who returned to competition in breaststroke that way again,” April for the fi rst time since the said Prenot, who notched his Rio Olympics, clung to her hip fastest time since 2016. “I defi - all the way to fi nish second in nitely lost the fl ow for a while 1:55.82 and Ledecky looked as there. It’s been a process to fi nd pleased with Schmitt’s fi nish as it over these last few months. I her own. had a shoulder injury that kept She was already looking for- me to just a kickboard for a ward to teaming with Schmitt in the 4x200m freestyle relay at She’s just the most like- the Pan Pacifi c Championships able person and such a in Tokyo in August. great friend and such “I knew she was having a great an asset to Team USA. — swim the whole race, just having Katie‘ Ledecky her right there the whole time on beating 2012 Olympic right next to me,” Ledecky said champion Allison Schmitt in of Schmitt, a three-time Olym- the 200m freestyle. pian who stepped away from the sport after the Rio Olympics and only resumed training last Sep- tember. month. I think it was really good “She’s just the most likeable just to have that hard reset and person and such a great friend relearn how to swim the stroke.” and such an asset to Team USA. Andrew Wilson was second It’s going to be great to have her in 2:08.71, edging Will Licon by in Tokyo.” one one-hundredth of a second. Gabby Deloof was third in Andrew Seliskar turned it on 1:56.55 and Leah Smith fourth in the second half to win the in 1:56.93, all securing berths men’s 200m freestyle in 1:45.70 for the Pan Pacs, which with — improving on the personal this week’s meet will serve as best of 1:45.77 he posted in the the qualifi er for the 2019 world heats to install himself as third- championships in South Korea fastest in the world this year. — curtain raiser to the 2020 Ol- Blake Pieroni, winner of the ympics in Tokyo. 100m free on Wednesday, was Schmitt, who has used her second in 1:45.93 with Connor experience struggling with de- Dwyer third in 1:46.08.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jakob Junis (65) reacts as New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (18) rounds the bases after hitting a 3-run home run during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. PICTURE: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Agencies in the ninth inning against Ari- run with his new team in the left in the fourth and hit a tie- Alex Cobb (2-14) started for New York zona closer Brad Boxberger, and win. breaking, two-run triple to right the Orioles, and his problems Anthony Rizzo followed with a Hill (4-4) allowed only three in the seventh, leading Wash- continued. Cobb gave up four walk-off blast as host Chicago hits and one walk while striking ington past host Miami. runs (three earned) on eight hits idi Gregorius hit a rallied for three runs to record a out eight in winning his sec- Turner fi nished 3-for-6 with in six-plus innings and dropped three-run homer in dramatic win. ond straight decision. The left- three RBIs, falling a double short his seventh straight decision the fourth inning, but Nick Ahmed belted his fi rst hander improved to 5-0 with a of the cycle. and his fi fth consecutive start. the New York Yankees career grand slam in the fi fth in- 1.73 ERA in nine career games, Nationals starter Tommy Mi- He is 0-3 this season versus his lostD Aaron Judge to a wrist injury ning to give the Diamondbacks seven starts, against the Braves. lone, replacing Stephen Stras- former team. in a 7-2 victory over the Kansas a 6-1 lead, but the Cubs did the burg, who was placed on the The Rays went with the pitch- City Royals on Thursday at Yan- rest of the scoring to earn a split PHILLIES 9, REDS 4 disabled list before the game ing-by-committee approach kee Stadium. in the four-game series. Rhys Hoskins, Maikel Franco with a pinched nerve in his neck, once again. Hunter Wood began Gregorius helped the Yan- Ben Zobrist opened the last of and Nick Williams each homer- earned a no-decision, allowing the game with 1 2/3 scoreless kees win on a night when they the ninth with a walk. Boxberger ed twice, leading Philadelphia to eight hits, no walks and three innings. Ryan Yarbrough (9-5) lost Judge in the fourth inning (1-4) then got Javier Baez to line a rout at Cincinnati. runs in fi ve innings while strik- went the next 4 1/3 frames and after he was hit by a pitch in the out before Bote hit an 0-2 pitch Carlos Santana also homered ing out six. earned the win in a long-relief fi rst inning. Judge is expected to over the fence in center fi eld to for the Phillies, who hit a sea- role. miss at least three weeks, as the tie the game. Bote was recalled son-high seven long balls in the METS 12, PIRATES 6 team announced he sustained a from Triple-A Iowa before the game, tying a franchise record Asdrubal Cabrera went 3-for- ANGELS 12, WHITE SOX 8 Katie Ledecky (right) celebrates with Allison Schmitt after winning the chip fracture of his ulnar styloid game when the Cubs placed set against the New York Mets 5 with a home run and drove in Catcher Francisco Arcia, Women’s 200 LC Meter Freestyle final on Thursday. PICTURE: Kelvin bone. No surgery was recom- third baseman Kris Bryant on on Sept. 8, 1998. four runs as visiting New York making his major league debut Kuo-USA TODAY Sports mended. the disabled list due to left Phillies left-hander Ranger walloped Pittsburgh. after 12 seasons in the minors, Judge’s injury spoiled a day shoulder infl ammation. Suarez (1-0) won his major Wilmer Flores also homered, hit a home run and drove in four when the Yankees acquired J.A. league debut, tossing fi ve in- had three RBIs and scored twice runs as Los Angeles defeated BASKETBALL Happ from the Toronto Blue DODGERS 8, BRAVES 2 nings and giving up four runs on for the Mets, who won their visiting Chicago. Jays for Brandon Drury and Billy Rich Hill threw seven shutout six hits. The 22-year-old Ven- third straight. Arcia, 28, was recalled ear- McKinney and activated Zach innings and continued his mas- ezuelan walked one and struck David Freese and Josh Har- lier in the day from Triple-A Britton after acquiring him from tery against Atlanta, pitching out three. rison homered for the Pirates, Salt Lake after the Angels traded Odom announces the Baltimore Orioles on Tues- visiting Los Angeles to victory. who lost for the second day in a catcher Martin Maldonado to day. Dodgers shortstop Manny NATIONALS 10, MARLINS 3 row following an 11-game win- Houston. His three-run homer Britton made his debut for the Machado, acquired from the Trea Turner, who was ning streak. in the seventh inning gave Los plan to play in China Yankees and threw 10 pitches in Baltimore Orioles during the benched earlier this week for not Angeles a 9-5 lead after the a perfect eighth inning. All-Star break, hit his fi rst home running out a bunt, homered to ATHLETICS 7, RANGERS 6 White Sox had pulled within a Agencies Matt Chapman had a home run. Los Angeles TWINS 2, RED SOX 1 run and two triples, and the Arcia added a run-scoring Kyle Gibson pitched eight Oakland bullpen allowed just single in a three-run eighth after strong innings, leading Min- one run over four innings to doubles by Mike Trout, Justin amar Odom, who last nesota past host Boston in the fi nish off a four-game sweep at Upton and Ian Kinsler. Upton played pro basketball fi ve opener of a four-game series. Texas. went 4-for-5 with two RBIs. years ago, announced Twins closer Fernando Rod- The red-hot A’s tied a sea- Thursday on Instagram ney pitched the ninth for his son high with their sixth con- BREWERS 7, GIANTS 5 Lthat he will make a comeback 22nd save of the season, though secutive victory. Oakland is 27-7 Pinch hitter Ryan Braun de- with an unnamed team in China. not without some drama. dating back to June 16, the best livered a go-ahead single in the Writing from Rotterdam, Boston’s Xander Bogaerts led record in the major leagues over eighth inning, and Travis Shaw Netherlands, the former Los An- spiration. Marbury enjoyed an off the bottom of the ninth with that span. added a two-run home run in geles Lakers forward posted, “I eight-year stint in the Chinese a line-drive single to center and The A’s had four triples in a the ninth, helping Milwaukee will be playing in China! God is Basketball Association after advanced to second on Steve game for the fi rst time in fran- win at San Francisco. good! Thanks lord for giving me playing 13 years in the NBA. Pearce’s groundout. Rodney got chise history. Dustin Fowler and Christian Yelich had three another chance in life and thank Since he last appeared in the Rafael Devers to foul out before Nick Martini delivered back-to- hits, scored three times and you fans for your... love and sup- NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers Blake Swihart and Brock Holt back RBI triples in a three-run drove in a pair of runs for the port during all those hard years. in 2012-13, Odom battled drug walked to load the bases. Rod- fourth inning that gave Oakland Brewers, who were opening an Never give up on yourself and addiction. He was back in the ney fell behind in the count 3-0 the lead for good. eight-game trip. keep believing that only god can headlines in 2015 when he spent to Jackie Bradley Jr. before strik- Josh Hader (3-0) pitched 1 create the miracles you’re hoping several days in a coma after being ing him out to end it. RAYS 4, ORIOLES 3 1/3 innings of scoreless ball for for. Basketball and my children found unresponsive at a Nevada New York Mets left fielder Michael Conforto (30) and manager Adeiny Hechavarria lined a the win. Despite allowing two have always been the light in my brothel. CUBS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 6 Mickey Callaway (36) high-five after defeating the Pittsburgh tiebreaking single in a two-run runs in the ninth inning, Corey life and this is where my focus is At the time, he was estranged David Bote tied the game with Pirates at PNC Park on Thursday. New York won 12-6. seventh inning as Tampa Bay Knebel was credited with his right now.” from his wife, Khloe Kardashian, a one-out, two-run home run PICTURE: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports won at Baltimore. 13th save. Odom, 38, then thanked Ste- though the two briefl y were reu- phon Marbury for being his in- nited before divorcing in 2016. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, July 28, 2018 SPORT

GOLF PROTEST Garrigus kicks off Philippines pulls out Canadian Open of Asian Games with error-free 63 basketball As good as Garrigus’s round was, the 40-year-old American said it could have AFP tant aspects of the decision,” he Manila added. been better, believing that with a bit more luck he could have flirted with a 59 He did not elaborate on the planned appeal. he Philippines national Panlilio’s remarks came af- basketball team said yes- ter the SBP said late Thursday it terday they have pulled was withdrawing from the Asian out of the Asian Games Games in order to “regroup”. Tto appeal sanctions handed down The SBP’s decision to miss the over a nasty on-court brawl with Asian Games is a shocking one in Australia at a World Cup quali- a country where basketball is the fi er. most popular sport. Basketball’s governing body Indonesia will host athletes FIBA suspended 10 players and from 45 Asian countries from two coaches from the Philippines August 18 to September 2 in national squad over the melee, the world’s biggest multi-sport which saw players and fans ex- event behind the Olympics. changing wild punches and fl y- The SBP is still reeling from ing kicks at the July 2 match in the July 2 incident which also left Manila. the Australian team fearing for “We just don’t have the time their safety and prompted them and chance to send an optimal to seek embassy help to fast- team for the Asian Games. We track their departure from the will focus to build up on the next Philippines. round of the world qualifying,”, Switzerland-based FIBA hit the president of the Philippine the SBP with a fi ne of 250,000 basketball federation (SBP) Al Swiss Francs ($250,000) and im- Panlilio said Friday in a state- posed another 10,000 Francs fi ne ment to AFP. on head coach Vincent Reyes, “We will fi le an appeal on the who was accused of urging his “I cannot believe it. FIBA decision and clarify impor- players to fi ght. I’m shaking right now, maybe from the cold or EUROPEAN OPEN the excitement, I don’t know. But I’m ecstatic. DeChambeau I can’t believe it' maintains lead as Reed charges

AFP Hamburg Robert Garrigus reacts after sinking his putt on the eighteenth hole during the final round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. PICTURE: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo ryson DeChambeau remained a shot clear Reuters As good as Garrigus’s round was, the into the middle of the water and hit a rock Adam Hadwin and twice US Masters at the halfway stage of Oakville 40-year-old American said it could have and bounced over the thing and I made a champion Bubba Watson, recorded 70s. the European Open in been better, even historic, believing that birdie.” World number one Dustin John- One-over through 12, Watson turned BHamburg yesterday, while his with a bit more luck he could have fl irted son, looking to bounce back after his fi rst things around with three birdies over the fellow American Patrick Reed merican Robert Garrigus got the with a 59. missed cut this year at the British Open, next four holes to avoid a disastrous start. stormed into contention with a Canadian Open off to a blazing Instead Garrigus’s brilliant round shot a rollercoaster 68 that included an Englishman Tommy Fleetwood was second-round 66. start, carding fi ve straight bird- added up to no more than a one-shot eagle, six birdies and four bogeys to leave also plodding along at one-over through World number 23 DeCham- last month. Austrian Matthias ies from the second hole on the clubhouse lead over Adam Schenk, who the big-hitter fi ve off the early pace. 12 holes but then caught fi re after the beau looked in danger of slipping Schwab fi red a 67 to sit just one wayA to an error-free nine-under 63 to sit birdied his closing three holes, while fel- “There was some really good stuff and fi rst two-hour delay, sandwiching a pair off the top of the leaderboard af- stroke adrift, alongside Eng- top of the leaderboard of the weather- low American Chris Stroud lurked one some not so good stuff ,” said the Ameri- of birdies between eagles at the par fi ve ter a slow start, but a run of four land’s Richard McEvoy, who hit fi rst round of the Canadian Open on shot further back by fi nishing with four can, who has already picked up two wins 13 and 16 to rocket up the leaderboard to birdies in his fi nal seven holes eagled the 18th hole to reach Thursday. straight birdies. this season. “Missed a couple of short fi ve-under before play was halted with saw him sign for a four-under- nine-under. Among the fi rst to tee off , Garrigus took “Could have been 59-watch there if a putts early in the round, had a couple of two holes to play. par 68 and a 10-under total. Masters champion Reed was full advantage of ideal scoring conditions couple of putts didn’t lip out,” said Gar- three putts on the back nine. Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas, bidding The 24-year-old, who is one one of the earlier starters and to attack a defenceless Glen Abbey and set rigus, who has just one top-10 result “All-in-all it was a pretty good day just to become the fi rst to win three consecu- spot off the automatic qualifi ca- went into the day off the back the target no-one could better on a wild this season and missed the cut in 11 of 24 a few loose shots. Every time I was out tive Canadian Opens, got the defence of tion places for the US Ryder Cup of consecutive birdies to fi nish day interrupted twice by thunderstorms, starts. of position I made a bogey but I made a his title off to a pedestrian start. He was team, is looking for his second his fi rst round, and he rolled in the second halting play with 55 golfers still “Lipped out on 10, I had a lip out on 17. bunch of birdies and an eagle.” on two-under when the horn sounded title of the season after win- seven birdies on Friday to get to out on the course. Got lucky on the par fi ve 13th, hit right Johnson’s playing partners, Canadian with two holes remaining. ning the Memorial Tournament eight-under for the tournament.

FEATURE Mikey Garcia and his brother are a winning team

By Lance Pugmire Corrales and retired in 2001. cos Maidana and Abner Mares. Los Angeles Times The admiring kid brother was en- “Robert doesn’t want his boxers to amored by nearly everything his older hate the sport. My dad was so strict brother did, from winning fi ghts at the and Robert would get mad and say he ikey Garcia knows how sib- Forum and scoring knockouts at the old didn’t want to box anymore,” Jackie said. lings typically behave. Olympic Auditorium to La Quebradita “That’s why Robert has his own way of “My kids are four years dancing in the 1990s with girls at strip training. And it’s been successful.” apart. They’re constantly malls to playing Mike Tyson’s Knockout His prized student became Mikey, who fiM ghting, hitting each other, grabbing the on the Nintendo system inside their mo- ascended to winning a world title fi ve toy away from the other,” Garcia, 30, said. bile home. years ago with Robert in charge of the But in Garcia’s successful union with As their father complemented his corner. his brother and trainer, Robert, that ten- strawberry-picking job with box- “When my dad started feeling the age, sion is absent from a sibling bond sepa- ing training, gloves were ever-present getting tired with the laborious work, my rated by 13 years. around the home. brother stepped in for the world-title “There was no arguing because of “When Mikey was real little, he’d fi ghts and with his experience as a cham- the years of diff erence ... we didn’t baby wear these big gloves and I’d get on my pion fi ghter while relying on my dad’s Mikey, but we knew his age and never knees to see if he could hit me ... when training principles, we make a better wanted to make him feel bad,” sister he couldn’t, he’d get so mad,” Jackie team,” Mikey said. They know me better Jackie Garcia, 41, said. Garcia said. “Sometimes Mikey would than anyone else. They raised me. They Oxnard-raised and Riverside-trained, put on my brother’s boots and he could understand what I’m capable of doing Mikey Garcia (38-0, 30 knockouts) has barely walk on them, but he’d still try ... and I know everything they instruct me grown to become a four-division world he wanted to be like him ... and he’d box a to do is for my own good, so I pay at- champion. He will defend his World Box- lot.” Boxing was not a joyous undertaking tention. The mutual respect that exists ing Council lightweight belt tonight at for Robert. remained true even as Mikey became Staples Center in a Showtime-televised “My dad’s old school,” Robert said. locked in a contract dispute with his bout against International Boxing Fed- “I’ve told Mikey about the experiences, then-promoter Bob Arum that resulted eration lightweight champion Robert where making weight was not drink- in the signifi cant fi nancial loss of leaving Easter Jr. (21-0, 13 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio. ing water two to three weeks before the the sport for more than two years. Mikey Garcia was originally cornered fi ght. Nobody can perform like that, so I Robert Garcia said during the hiatus by his keen-eyed father, Eduardo, whose wouldn’t do well in sparring and my dad that he nudged his younger brother to best-known fi ghters were his son and would get mad at me, thinking I wasn’t in settle, and Mikey countered that he was former world champion Fernando Var- shape.” It infl uenced Robert in retirement determined to see a headline reading gas. as he transitioned fi rst to assist his father “Garcia beats Arum.” Robert Garcia captured the IBF super- in the amateur training of Mikey and ul- “Mikey always wanted stuff his way or featherweight belt in 1998, but lost it the timately fully handled world champions he’d make a tantrum,” Jackie said of their next year in a technical knockout to Diego BROTHERS-IN-ARMS: Mikey Garcia and Robert Garcia Brandon Rios, Antonio Margarito, Mar- childhood. “It had to be his way.” Gulf Times Saturday, July 28, 2018 7 CRICKET

India-Essex practice game ends India win U19 Test by innings Six-match ban for Sri Lanka No jacket required as MCC feels Langer to head selectors for in a draw and 147 runs opener Gunathilaka the heat Australia’s T20 side

India played out a draw against Essex in the A brilliant all-round show helped India Under-19 Sri Lanka’s cricket board yesterday slapped a Sweltering British temperatures forced even Australia coach Justin Langer will lead the three-day warm-up game at the County ground beat Sri Lanka Under-19 by an innings and 147 six-match ban on batsman Danushka Gunathila- the famously conservative Marylebone Cricket selection panel for the Twenty20 team, Cricket here yesterday. India batsmen gained good runs in the second and final Youth Test to seal ka for breaching player rules as police investi- Club into a rare concession — allowing members Australia said yesterday, with Trevor Hohns and practice in the middle ahead of the high-octane the series 2-0 here on Thursday. In this Test, gated the alleged rape of a Norwegian woman to attend a match without a jacket. The MCC — assisting following the resigna- five-match Test rubber against hosts England, first the Indian batters put up a clinical show in his hotel room. Gunathilaka, 27, was ques- owner of Lord’s cricket ground in London and tion of in May. Hohns remains the starting August 1 in Birmingham. In reply to to post a mammoth score of 613 for 8 and then tioned by police on Tuesday after his associate the guardian of the laws of the game — normally chairman of selectors for the Test and one-day India’s first inning score of 395, Essex rode on the bowlers did a fantastic job to bundle out Sandeep Jude Selliah, 26, was accused of raping insists on a strict dress code. “Gentlemen shall international teams. Former international bats- Paul Walter’s 75 and Michael-Kyle Pepper’s 68 to the hosts twice in the four-day match. For India, one of two Norwegian women with them in a wear lounge suits or tailored jacket and trousers, man Waugh had previously been assisted by pile 359 for 8. For India, Umesh Yadav returned Siddharth was the most successful among the room at the team hotel. Police said Gunathilaka shirt, tie or cravat and shoes with socks,” reads former head coach Darren Lehmann in select- with figures of 4 for 35 while Ishant Sharma bowlers, scalping four in the second was not an accused. SLC rules stipulate that their protocol. “Women must wear: dresses; or ing the Twenty20 team. “We believe the chang- scalped three wickets conceding 59 runs. Alter- innings. Yatin Mangwani and Ayush Badoni took during matches players must be in their hotel skirts or trousers (which may be cropped below es to the structure of the selection process will ing their batting order in the second innings, two wickets each. Earlier, in the first innings, Sri rooms by midnight and cannot have guests. The the knee) or culottes, with blouses or smart tops, deliver the best possible result for the Austral- India promoted KL Rahul to open the innings Lanka were dismissed for 316. Pasindu Sooriya- incident is said to have happened in the early and formal shoes, boots or sandals.” However, ian men’s cricket team across all formats,” CA along with Shikhar Dhawan, who got a golden bandara (115) played handsomely and he was hours of Sunday just before Sri Lanka com- not even the august body could resist bending high performance manager Pat Howard said. pair. Rahul (36 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (19 also supported by Sonal Dinusha (51) but lack pleted a Test win over South Africa. Gunathilaka the rules in the face of temperatures in London “Having a selector focus on the T20 format was not out) helped India reach 89 for 2 when the of support from other players cost them. Mohit will now miss five ODIs starting Sunday against on Thursday that rocketed to an estimated 34 viewed as a success, particularly as we now sit captains decided to call off the encounter. Jangra took four wickets in the first innings. South Africa and a one-off T20 match. degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit). third in ICC rankings in this format.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Cricket teammates, Rashid’s recall to rivals congratulate Pakistan’s Khan on election victory Test squad leaves triumphant World Cup squad AFP Karachi Ramiz Raja also lavished praise on Khan, considered one of Paki- stan’s best ever all-rounders. mran Khan’s former team- “Who could be a bigger and mates and rivals have con- better example of a leader than gratulated the World Cup Imran Khan, who as a super star winner after his party won had the world at his feet and yet England in a spin Ithe most seats in Pakistan’s elec- elbow greased for 22 years to tion. work for his objective and vi- The Election Commission said sion..he’s special and we are In February, the spinner had said he’d not play in four-day County Championship yesterday that Khan’s Pakistan proud to have him as our Prime Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party en- Minister,” Raja posted on Twit- AFP joyed a strong lead over the out- ter. London going Pakistan Muslim League- Khan, who vowed to improve Nawaz (PML-N) but short of an relations with arch-rival India overall majority. in his fi rst comments following dil Rashid is English and the se- Khan will likely need to enter Wednesday’s polls, also received lectors believe he is one of the into a coalition to form a govern- praise from across the border. best bowlers in the country. ment. “Imran is the epitome of set- So why has the Yorkshire leg- “Congratulating the new ting the bar high and reaching Aspinner’s recall for next week’s fi rst Test Prime Minister of our coun- it. Congratulations & good luck against India at Edgbaston provoked such try,” tweeted ex-bowler Wasim to my cricketing hero, Imran a furious response, with former England Akram, who was part of Paki- Khan!” tweeted former Indian captain Michael Vaughan calling the stan’s 1992 World Cup winning batsman Sanjay Manjrekar, who decision “a stab in the back for county side captained by Khan. scored a double hundred against cricket”? Wasim had thrown his support a Khan-led Pakistan in 1989. In February, the 30-year-old Rashid behind Khan, 65, in the run-up to Ex-Indian all-rounder Kapil said he would not be playing in the four- the election. Dev, who was a contemporary of day County Championship, which uses a “It was in your leadership skip Khan, tipped the former right- standard red cricket ball. @ImrankhanPTI that we became arm fast bowler to “deliver” as Instead he would concentrate on limit- world champions in 1992. It is Pakistani leader in a TV inter- ed-overs cricket, which features a white in your leadership that we can view. ball as red does not show up against the again become a great democratic “It looks nice that a cricketer coloured clothing players wear in one- country,” he wrote on Twitter. and one who we know is going to day games rather than the traditional Wasim’s new ball partner be the PM,” said Dev. ‘whites’, ahead of next year’s one-day Waqar Younis — who also fl our- Current Pakistan players Mo- World Cup in England. ished under Khan’s tutelage hamed Amir and Mohamed Ha- Performances in the County Champi- — praised the leader-elect’s feez also posted messages on onship have long been regarded as the ba- live broadcast to the nation on Twitter. sis for being selected by England for Tests Thursday in which he claimed “Congrats to @ImranKhanPTI as it is the domestic format that most victory in the election. i hope u guys will do the best for closely resembles one where matches can “A special speech from a Great Pakistan,” tweeted Amir. last fi ve days. Leader..Very simple, honest and “Ma Shaa Allah (God has Of course, players with established practical..Feeling so proud to willed) @ImranKhanPTI U done Test records may not have to prove them- be a student of such a Mentor.. it once again. Long marathon selves domestically but Rashid played the Congratulations Skipper,” he struggle against corruption. A last of his 10 Tests, all of which have been tweeted. man of strong belief,” wrote Ha- abroad, in December 2016, with 38 wick- Another member of Pakistan’s feez. ets at 42.78 a modest return. He has though taken 490 wickets in 166 fi rst-class fi xtures. Ed Smith, England’s new national se- lector, broke with established practice by England’s Adil Rashid bowls during the second One Day International (ODI) cricket match against India at Lord’s Cricket Ground in recalling batsman Jos Buttler to Test duty London earlier this month. (AFP) against Pakistan on the basis of the Lan- cashire batsman’s form in the 20-overs- on the grounds the Yorkshireman was in “talking nonsense”. “I think he has matured a lot,” he add- per-side Indian Premier League tourna- form and there were few other available While batsmen will look to be aggres- ed. “You can see that in the way that he ment. bowlers who naturally spin the ball away sive against Rashid in a Test match, they is starting, the way he is bowling in the Buttler, however, had not ruled him- from right-handed batsmen. will not be under as much pressure to at- powerplays in one-day cricket. self out of playing County Championship Yorkshire, however, were annoyed that tack him immediately. “And I don’t think (the fact) he hasn’t cricket for Lancashire this season Rashid, who had missed their Champion- played red-ball cricket (this season) is too Last month saw Rashid take 12 wickets ship match against Lancashire because of ‘Matured a lot’ big a thing. as England whitewashed Australia 5-0 in his new contract, would now be unavail- In a one-day international, bowlers are “If he is landing his leg-spinner, he just a one-day international series. able for upcoming limited-overs matches restricted to a maximum of 10 overs, but has to do it a few more times other than And he was named man-of-the-match because of his Test recall. Rashid could fi nd himself having to bowl the 10 overs he has been bowling. in the decisive third ODI against India on Vaughan, a former Yorkshire teammate three times as many in a Test innings. “At the same time people will not nec- July 17, a match played on his Headingley of Rashid’s, described his selection as England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow essarily come at him as hard in red-ball home ground, where he clean-bowled In- “ridiculous”. has had a close-up view of Rashid’s cricket as they will in white so the shape dia captain and star batsman Virat Kohli “It basically says our county game, the bowling since they were teenagers rising he gets on the ball, the line he might bowl, with a classic leg-break as England sealed fi nishing school for our cricketers, does through the Yorkshire ranks. the length he might bowl might diff er as a 2-1 series win. not matter any more and that it is irrel- “He obviously bowled really nicely in well. Smith, well aware of the furore that evant,” he said in a column for the Daily the one-dayers,” Bairstow told reporters “It is an exciting challenge for him, as would be provoked by Rashid’s selec- Telegraph newspaper. at an event staged by Test series sponsors for us all, going from white-ball cricket to Waqar Younis (left) and Wasim Akram (centre) both flourished as fast tion, justifi ed Thursday’s announcement Rashid, however, said Vaughan was Specsavers at The Oval. red-ball cricket.” bowlers under the captaincy of Imran Khan (right).

COMMENT It’s a huge kick in the teeth for county cricket

By Nasser Hussain team to win. massive kick in the teeth for any spin- There is another issue in terms of The list over the past couple of it’s the same with his batting. He’s Daily Mail So I understand why England have ner who has been trying his nuts off mindset. We are entering a schedule years has gone from Rashid and either majestic or rash. selected Rashid. It just doesn’t sit to get into the England side or, in the of fi ve Tests in six weeks and it is go- Moeen to Gareth Batty, Zafar Ansari, In contrast, uncapped Essex comfortably with me. case of Jack Leach and Dominic Bess, ing to be a test of mental toughness. Liam Dawson, Mason Crane, Leach seamer Jamie Porter (below) has t’s the job of Don’t label me a fuddy-duddy. As to stay in it. I feel for those two guys. There will be a period when Rashid and Bess, now back to Rashid. Why is been picked for his consistency. He England’s selec- the selection of Jos Buttler showed, It’s also a dangerous precedent will question himself as a cricketer. it that batsmen get several games to deserves his chance. He has been tak- tors to pick the you can get into the Test side with because it says you don’t have to play What worries me slightly is that bed in while spinners get one or two ing Division One wickets for fun and best 11 cricketers your white-ball form. I have no prob- for your county to play for England. someone who has given up on red- and are then jettisoned? gets good players out as an accurate, Iavailable for the Test lem with that at all. What happens in a few games’ ball cricket will be asking himself: ‘Do I would have picked Leach as he English-type bowler. and there is a good argument that the Neither do I like to pigeon-hole time when there is a week off and the I need these pressures, these strains, played the last game in New Zealand He pitches it up, swings it away and way Adil Rashid is bowling — albeit in people as white-ball cricketers or Test England selectors want a couple of these stresses?’ before he got injured. can also drag his length back and hit white-ball cricket — makes him one cricketers. But the diff erence between the batsmen who are out of nick to Of course, it might be that he takes Moeen is a frustrating cricketer. the deck. He’s not rapid, and that does of the best two spinners. Buttler and Rashid is that Buttler go and play county cricket? They’re fi ve wickets and never looks back, but Look at him over the past 18 months leave England a bit one-paced. But I England fans turning up at Edg- never made himself unavailable for exhausted and part of them will be I worry — when it comes to those dif- and it has been complete highs and guess with James Anderson not being baston next week wanting to see their red-ball cricket. Rashid did — and asking, ‘Can’t I have a few days off to fi cult situations — whether Adil will be lows. The highs of last summer when 100 per cent, and Stuart Broad and Ben side beat India are not going to be that for me is the crux of the matter. prepare for the next Test?’ Mean- able to dig deep and deliver the goods. he was arguably England’s best crick- Stokes coming back from injuries, they worried about the bigger picture or His selection is a massive kick in while, it’s fi ne for Rashid to go and sit England also seem to be going round eter to the lows of the Ashes. wanted a safer bet as opposed to a tear- county politics. They just want their the teeth for county cricket, and a at home for a week. in circles when it comes to spinners. There is not much in between and away like Jamie Overton.

Saturday, July 28, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOOTBALL FORMULA 1 Champions League Vettel puts mourning is a target, says Al Ferrari ahead of Red Bull

Reuters Mercedes have been able to Sadd’s Ferreira count on more power in qualify- Budapest ing, however.

Portuguese tactician expects Rayyan and Gharafa to fight for league besides Duhail errari’s Sebastian Vettel Some improvements kept Red Bull off the top Ricciardo won from pole in Mo- By Sports Reporter of the Hungarian Grand naco this year and the Australian Doha Prix practice timesheets took grid penalties in Germany yesterdayF with Formula One last weekend to give himself the leader Lewis Hamilton only fi fth best shot at a circuit sometimes l Sadd head coach Jesualdo Fer- fastest for Mercedes. referred to as ‘Monaco without reira is satisfi ed with the team’s Vettel, his team mourning the walls’. preseason camp in Austria and death of former chairman Sergio “I think we have a good the Portuguese tactician has set Marchionne, ended the day with enough car to be on the front row. sightsA on the AFC Champions League as a the quickest lap of one minute Over one lap I think we could still crucial goal for the Wolves in the upcom- 16.834 seconds after Red Bull’s make some improvements, but ing season. Australian Daniel Ricciardo led the long run pace looks good and “We can say that up to this point, eve- the way in the morning with a we’re all very close,” said Ric- rything is going well. The most important best of 1:17.613. ciardo. thing for me is that there haven’t been Ricciardo was third in a blaz- Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was any injuries to worry me or derail my ing hot afternoon session, be- fourth in both sessions and com- plans. All the players are training seri- hind 20-year-old Dutch team patriot Valtteri Bottas, Hamil- ously and giving their best. The friendly mate Max Verstappen, who was ton’s team mate, was sixth before games that we have played have seen the 0.074 slower than Vettel. and after lunch. players display a satisfactory level,” Fer- “I was pretty happy in the Hamilton is 17 points clear of reira was quoted as saying on Al Sadd’s afternoon,” said Vettel on his Vettel in the standings after 11 website. team website. “More than in the races, with Sunday’s round the He added: “I can say with surety that morning session, as I think the last before the August break. the players are giving their best in train- car is performing well also over The Briton, who has won fi ve ing and in the games. I hope the camp one lap. times in Hungary but never in a continues like this on the two remain- “We can still improve, but this championship year, suff ered a ing days, in the same manner and with- has been one of the best Fridays big slide into the chicane on the out any injuries, before we reach Doha so far, technically speaking,” dusty asphalt in the morning. to continue our preparation for the fi rst added the German, whose media “As we expected, the Ferra- match in the league.” activities were cancelled in light ris and the Red Bulls were quite Ferreira had all of his players come off of the circumstances. quick and had a little bit more the bench in the friendly games during “Having a great amount of pace than us, so we’ve got some the camp and feels that it was very im- work ahead of us is probably the work to do tonight,” said Hamil- portant to do so. best thing for keeping our minds ton. “The training was intense and ex- busy and getting through the “This is a tricky circuit and the hausting, and it was diffi cult for a player weekend.” tyres are overheating; looking to play the whole game in the current sit- Ferrari fl ags fl ew at half-mast after the rear tyres is the biggest uation. My objective was to avoid fatigue Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah (centre) celebrates with his teammates during their third and final friendly against NK Krka during over the team hospitality. issue.” and also give the players a chance to show their pre-season camp in Austria yesterday. Al Sadd registered a convincing 8-1 win. Red Bull are expected to be Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg their capabilities and play more. We want among the favourites at a com- stopped on track with an engine to line up for the fi rst game of the season, half years to go. The World Cup is a huge paratively slow track that suits problem and missed the last half without leaving anything out in terms of investment for Qatar and is a big honour the aerodynamic qualities of hour of that early session. preparation.” to be able to host it. This is not just at the their car much more than Mer- Italian reserve Antonio Gio- As for the competition from rival sides sporting level, but at the political level as cedes, whose drivers seemed to vinazzi replaced race regular in the new season, Ferreira said: “I don’t well,” he said. lack grip, and is less engine de- Charles Leclerc at Sauber for fi rst think that the competition will be lim- “The tournament will be played in pendent. practice. ited to just Al Sadd and Al Duhail but December and this will mean a complete Al Rayyan will also be present as a third change in schedules for the European and side. I think Al Gharafa will also be there world leagues. (But) this will help fans to compete, and not like last season when from all over the world to come to Qatar they came up in the end but right from and enjoy this beautiful country during a the start of the season. As for us, we be- time with great weather conditions. Qa- lieve we have the capability to win and we tar still has time before the World Cup must achieve that.” kicks off and we are all watching how the The coach also remarked: “The teams infrastructure is being built. Based on in Qatar will face diffi culties with the my time in Qatar, I can say that the 2022 league beginning in August. By that I World Cup will be organised in an excel- mean the training will be more diffi cult lent fashion.” than the matches, because matches will Before signing off , Ferreira also refl ected be played in air-conditioned stadiums.” Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira. on the recently concluded 2018 World Cup However, Ferreira also pointed out that in Russia. “I didn’t watch all the games at beginning the league early would be in the perature will be less warmer and we will match without any injuries, our chances the World Cup but I think it wasn’t a great favour of both Al Sadd and Al Duhail, who be playing at a tough ground with a huge of reaching the semifi nal will be high.” tournament; the football wasn’t great. have AFC Champions League quarter- attendance, and against a diffi cult oppo- Away from the team’s preparations, Some of the teams like Portugal, Spain, fi nal fi xtures to play at the end of August. nent. We will also have little time to pre- Ferreira also shared his thoughts on Qa- Germany and Brazil really disappointed. It “The AFC Champions League is an pare. (So) I think the match will be a tough tar’s preparations to host the next edi- was not normal to see the knockout stage important target for us, the players, the one. Our objective is to go into the match tion of the FIFA World Cup in 2022. “I’m without the big teams. Croatia was a sur- coaching staff , the management and having prepared fully for it, so that we can witnessing excellent work going on in prising fi nalist but France, who were run- the fans,” added Ferreira. “These will be return to Doha with relief after getting a constructing great facilities and infra- ners-up at the Euros two years ago, were Administration a possibility for crucial moments for us. In Iran, the tem- positive result. If we are able to play the structure, even as there are four and a deserving champions.” Force India: COO

Reuters Lance, is willing to invest in Budapest Force India as part of a move for his son from Williams. 2018 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship Stroll has not commented on ijay Mallya’s Force India the reports. Formula One team may Szafnauer said he did not Vhave to go into some know what the outcome form of administration before would be but acknowledged emerging on a sounder finan- administration could be one cial footing, chief operating of two potential ways out and off icer Otmar Szafnauer said “whichever route it is, I think yesterday. the team will be fine. More A Companies Court winding- than fine, actually”. up list, published on the Force India’s Mexican driver justice.gov.uk website, had Sergio Perez had described scheduled a hearing for the the situation as ‘critical’ on Force India Formula One Team Thursday, recognising also Ltd at the London High Court that his own future remained last Wednesday, July 25. uncertain. Asked about the risk of Asked whether Perez was administration, Szafnauer told speaking in sporting terms reporters at the Hungarian or financial, Szafnauer said Grand Prix that another hear- there was “a high correlation” ing was being held yesterday. between the two. “Within a week or at the most “The more money you have in two, our financial future will this game, usually the better become more clear and I you do. But hopefully that will believe much more secure,” be solved soon and we’ll get he said. back to operating in the nor- He gave no details on the mal manner that we are used hearings and the team would to,” he added. not comment. “We are just in this critical pe- The motorsportweek.com riod, which might last a week website suggested a ‘pre-pack’ or two. We have to keep our agreement was likely, with heads down, do the best we a sale of the business and can here, go enjoy our break, assets negotiated before the after the test, and then come appointment of administrators back fighting thereafter.” and the change of ownership Force India’s problems are well- following shortly after. documented, with co-owner and There has been speculation team principal Mallya fighting within Formula One that an attempt by India to extradite Action from the Main Round Group 2 match between Qatar (in white) and Sweden (blue and yellow) at the 2018 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship in Kazan, Lawrence Stroll, the billionaire him from Britain to face charges Russia, yesterday. Qatar won the game 2-0 (26-12, 18-16) but did not advance to the quarter-finals. PICTURE: Thajudheen father of Canadian driver of fraud, which he denies.