THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 SPORTS Dane at vanguard of China’s World Cup quest

SHANGHAI: It is the World Cup final and attracted unprecedented interest from good foreign coaches who will lift the ment of 10,000 players aged five to 13 at tion, so many hours of repetition,” said China beat one of the traditional heavy- the CSL, but China’s national team current local players and then we are academies across China. Davidsen. “In China they accept a lot of weights showcasing a brand of fast, remain an embarrassment — 77th in rolling’. That’s what’s happened the last So why has China failed to develop training because they have a different attacking football that their opponents the FIFA rankings and with only one three years. even one world-class footballer? “It all mindset and tough mentality.” cannot live with. That, along with host- World Cup appearance in 2002, when “Everything in this plan is about comes down to the coaches and the Ages eight to 13 are “the crucial ing the World Cup, is the dream of they failed to get a point or even score. improving the national team. I work for environment around them,” said years, when it is an open window physi- Chinese President Xi Jinping — and a Davidsen, involved in top-level Shanghai SIPG, but where is SIPG in this Davidsen, who played in Denmark’s cally, technically and tactically”, he said, Dane at a leading Chinese club is doing Chinese football since 2013 when he project? Of course to promote our club third tier and by 29 was on the staff at adding that while the current crop of his part to try to make it happen. worked under former England manager and business, but also to help the presi- leading Danish club Brondby, before Chinese players have improved marked- Mads Davidsen does not necessarily Sven-Goran Eriksson at Guangzhou R&F, dent improve the national team.” moving to China in 2012. ly in recent years, it is just the beginning. think China will win the World Cup but pinpoints coaching as the crux of Contrary to the perceptions of some, “The main development area is that SIPG appreciate his is a long-term he has no doubt that the world’s most China’s problem. Davidsen said Chinese players have the coaches here are on too low a level. project, he said, but many clubs in China populous country can finally become a And Davidsen, who holds a UEFA Pro good basic technique — better even A key point: the Chinese coaches must are more focused on immediate success. competitive force and reach the World licence coaching badge and oversees than Europeans in some cases. travel more, see more of football round “You have to wait for a kid who is Cup knockout stages in about 15 years. football development at SIPG right They also have the right attitude and the world to understand the demands seven, it’s going to take 15 years,” The 34-year-old Davidsen is well- down to the club’s five-year-olds, told work-rate, he said, and respect for of the modern game.” Davidsen said. “I’m not saying we’re placed to judge: he is technical director AFP that focusing on famous imports authority in China means they adhere to going to have to wait 15 years — along at Shanghai SIPG and as part of his misses the overarching picture. instructions from coaches. PATIENCE NEEDED the way there will be decent progres- wide-ranging remit the Chinese Super And Chinese have another, innate Xi — whose government is throwing sion, which we have already seen — but League (CSL) club brought in the likes of THE BIG PLAN quality. “I’ve never had more fast players. money at football — and China’s suc- you have to wait 15 years until you see a Brazilian international Oscar for 60 mil- “It’s all part of the big plan. Chinese And where’s football going? It’s getting cess-starved fans will have to be patient. real effect from the programmes. lion euros from Chelsea, and lured football said, ‘How can we improve the faster so it’s crucial to have pace, it’s a “I have seen five or six-year-olds who “It’s still new for most Chinese clubs Andre Villas-Boas as coach. league fast? OK, get in good foreign huge advantage,” said Davidsen, whose can do things they cannot do in Europe to work strategically and build for long- Foreign players and coaches have players who can promote the league, role includes overseeing SIPG’s develop- because technically they train repeti- term success.” —AFP

SOCCER Jese loaned out by PSG, looks to relaunch career at Stoke

LONDON: Spanish forward Jese will attempt to relaunch his stuttering career in England after leaving Paris Saint-Germain to become the latest Champions League winner at Stoke today. The 24-year-old Jese joined Stoke on a season-long loan after failing to settle at PSG following his move from Real Madrid for a reported 25 million euros ($29 million) in August 2016. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Spanish team Las Palmas. Also, Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson is close to sealing a drawn-out transfer to Everton after completing a medical examination. Everton CHEMNITZ: In this Aug. 12, 2017 file photo Munich’s Franck Ribery and referee is reportedly paying 45 million pounds ($58 mil- Bibiana Steinhaus walk on the pitch during the German Soccer Cup first-round soc- lion) for the Iceland international, wo would be a cer match between Chemnitzer FC and FC Bayern Munich in Chemnitz, Germany. fourth attacking player to arrive at Goodison Carving her way in a man’s world, Bibiana Steinhaus is striking a blow for equality as Park this summer after Wayne Rooney, Sandro the ’s first female referee this season. — AP Ramirez and Davy Klaassen. Stoke, a team from central England that is a perennial mid-table finisher in the Premier German female ref ready League, has become a haven for former high- profile players or one-time prodigies whose to whistle in Bundesliga careers have stalled. PARIS: In this Aug.21, 2016 file photo, PSG’s Jese Rodriguez reacts before the French League Since 2014, forwards Bojan Krkic and Ibrahim One soccer match between PSG and Metz at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. Paris Saint- Afellay have joined from Barcelona while ex- Germain said yesterday it is loaning Spanish forward Jese Rodriguez to Stoke City for this sea- Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri has BERLIN: Germany’s Bibiana Steinhaus final. She has already acted as the fourth son, without the option to buy him. — AP arrived from . They all have insists she is no feminist trailblazer as she official in Germany’s top tier and shrugged Champions League winners’ medals, as does ex- big impression in the .” debut under coach Jose Mourinho in 2012. He prepares to become the first female ref in off ’s attempt to put his arm Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, Jese will play out wide and is viewed as a mostly played for Real’s reserve team and sus- Europe’s top leagues having already tamed around her shoulders when the then- who was an offseason signing from West replacement for Marko Arnautovic, who left tained a serious knee injury in March 2014, rul- Bayern Munich’s stars. Bayern coach remonstrated with her on the Bromwich Albion. Stoke this offseason to join West Ham. Stoke also ing him out for nine months. The 38-year-old is on the official list of touchlines in 2014. Most were back-ups for their clubs in their sold Spanish striker Joselu to Newcastle for an He signed a five-year deal with PSG last sum- Bundesliga referees for the 2017/18 season, Unfortunately, the 1.81m Steinhaus has Champions League-winning campaigns, with undisclosed fee yesterday. Stoke announced the mer but started only one league game, with which starts tomorrow, meaning she will already experienced direct sexism on the Jese an unused substitute for Real in its victory arrival of Jese in a tweet that included audio another eight appearances as substitute. become the first female ref in the top flight pitch. During a second division match in over Atletico Madrid in the 2016 final. “Jese was a clips from pundits in the British media saying the Although technically skilled, Jese has not of Germany, England, Spain, France or . 2015, she sent off Hoffenheim’s Germany man in demand when PSG made it clear they club lacked ambition and would struggle in the played so far this season and does not figure in Steinhaus’ first Bundesliga match has yet international , then play- would allow him to leave on loan and we’re Premier League this season. coach ’s plans - although the deal to be announced, but she oversaw Bayern ing for Fortuna Duesseldorf, who told her delighted he has chosen to join us,” Stoke chief The team managed by Mark Hughes lost 1-0 with Stoke does not include an option to buy Munich’s 5-0 win at minnows Chemnitz last women had no place in football. executive Tony Scholes said. “He hasn’t had the at Everton in its opening league game of the him. At Las Palmas, Jese scored three goals in 13 Saturday in the first-round of the German The remark led to him receiving a five- happiest of periods in his career in Paris, but he’s season on Saturday. Jese was a highly rated games. Jese is Stoke’s sixth signing of the sum- Cup and proved she can handle star play- match ban by the German FA. Steinhaus, still only a young man and is hungry to make a youngster at Real Madrid and made his La Liga mer transfer window.— AP ers. She gave Bayern’s Franck Ribery a play- who works with a fitness coach, acknowl- ful punch on the arm after the French edges that refereeing in the Bundesliga will winger cheekily untied her boot laces challenge her both on and off the pitch. “I before a free-kick. “She’s strong, she has a like to say that the Bundesliga is another lot of power,” said Ribery. “It was funny, she step up, I have worked intensively and the played along and was in good spirits. speed is different,” said Steinhaus. “You can have fun with referees, but it’s “Certainly, as a female referee, I will be also important that there’s mutual respect.” under special scrutiny from the start of the Steinhaus says her promotion to the season, especially from the media. “I don’t Bundesliga is a “great incentive” and reward seek public attention and my colleagues for her hard work, but shuns her role as a know me well enough to know that.” trailblazer. “I never planned, and still don’t Steinhaus is a policewoman and in a relation- today, to break new grounds of emancipa- ship with English former top ref Howard tion,” she said at a referee’s training camp in Webb. She can expect to have her decisions July. “I am only doing what I love.” scrutinised by fans in football-mad Germany. Steinhaus has taken charge of around Claudia Neumann, Germany’s first female 80 German second division matches since commentator, experienced a sexist backlash 2011, refereeing the women’s final at the on social media when she took the micro- London Olympic Games tournament and phone for state broadcaster ZDF during last this year’s women’s Champions League year’s European championships.—AFP Bonucci in line for Milan debut in Europa League

PARIS: AC Milan’s headline signing in a against a side from an Albanian-majority summer spending spree, Italy defender region of Macedonia. is in line to make his “They have played more competitive EDGBASTON: West Indies cricket players perform drills during the nets session at Edgbaston cricket ground in, Birmingham, England, yester- debut for the club in the Europa League games than us. They made it through three day. The West Indies will play the England in the first day-night cricket Test match to be held in England at Edgbaston today.— AP today. A little over two months after play- qualifying rounds and they have beaten ing for Juventus against Real Madrid in the the reigning champions in their domestic Champions League final, Bonucci looks league,” warned Montella. ready to feature for his new club against Everton are the one Premier League side Law urges Windies to ‘rewrite modest Macedonians Shkendija in their in action in the play-offs and they host play-off first leg. Croatians Hajduk Split at Goodison Park in The 30-year-old has been made captain the first leg. The Toffees come into the history’ against England by coach Vincenzo Montella after his shock game boosted by the news that Iceland 40 million-euro ($46 million) transfer to the star Gylfi Sigurdsson has passed a medical Chinese-owned club. ahead of a £45 million ($58m, 49.4m euros) BIRMINGHAM: West Indies coach Stuart Law bitter dispute between players and officials, the and Lancashire. England may have over- “I chose Bonucci because he is very move from Swansea City. hopes his side can “rewrite history” during a Test West Indies have still arrived in England without whelmed South Africa but doubts about their charismatic and has international experi- He will not make his debut yet, while series in England. The first of a three-match cam- several star names for a series that is, to the dis- top-order batting remain. ence. He embodies the role of captain per- coach Ronald Koeman has admitted paign gets underway at Edgbaston today with may of traditionalists, taking place at the same The Edgbaston Test will see Mark Stoneman fectly,” said Montella ahead of the game. Everton do not have a huge amount of the inaugural day/night Test ever staged in time as the lucrative Caribbean Premier League become Alastair Cook’s 12th England opening “Leo said he wants to win the options for the game with Spanish striker England. Much of the pre-match build-up has Twenty20 competition. partner in the five years since Andrew Strauss Champions League in four years? If he does Sandro Ramirez a doubt. focused on how Joe Root’s men will cope with Yet the West Indies did draw their last Test retired. Meanwhile Tom Westley and Dawid well we can make it happen even sooner.” They also have a trip to Manchester City their first tasted of pink ball international cricket. series against England in the Caribbean two Malan have yet to nail down their places at num- A spending spree that has seen the likes to come on Monday but Koeman said: Also, given this is England’s last Test series years ago — despite being labelled a “mediocre” bers three and five respectively. West Indies’ of Portugal striker Andre Silva, Switzerland “Playing in different competitions isn’t a before they tour Australia, there has been much side by England and Wales Cricket Board chair- pace attack, which includes Shannon Gabriel full-back Ricardo Rodriguez and Turkey problem at this stage of the season. Of speculation as to what the composition of this man Colin Graves. Jason Holder, the captain for and 20-year-old Alzarri Joseph, could pose prob- midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu arrive at the course, we have a difficult 10 days coming side could mean in terms of their Ashes defence that series, is still the West Indies skipper and lems for an England top order often overly- San Siro has raised optimism among sup- up and it’s tough but we will go game by ‘Down Under’. That England, fresh from a 3-1 Law is confident the all-rounder remains the reliant on Cook and Root. porters ahead of the start of the new Serie game. “We won’t reserve people for home success against South Africa, will win their right man for the job. “He takes it with a pinch of “You always look at any little crack you can find,” A season. Seven-time European champions Monday — Europe is important to us and series against the West Indies is almost taken as salt, the things said about him and this team and said Law. “With a couple of new guys to the fore in Milan are appearing in continental compe- we want to be in the competition.” read, something unthinkable when the men uses it to drive him and them forward,” Law told Test cricket, that’s an opportunity for our bowlers,” tition for the first time since 2013/14 and Other stand-out ties in the play-off round from the Caribbean were dominating Test cricket reporters at Edgbaston on Tuesday. he added. “There’s been a lot said about this (West almost 66,000 fans attended the home leg include Athletic Bilbao going to Athens to take in the 1970s and 1980s. “It is a lot of responsibility, and he does it with Indies) cricket team, and that is motivation for of their third qualifying round win over on Panathinaikos, Marseille facing Domzale in Yet a sign of how far the West Indies have fantastic integrity,” added former batsman Law, them,” Law explained. “We’re looking forward — Universitatea Craiova of Romania. Slovenia and last season’s runners-up Ajax slipped from those heights is that they have who made just one Test appearance for Australia let’s rewrite that history.” But the West Indies, for all Today’s game comes just three days hosting Rosenborg in a clash between two gone 17 matches without a Test win in England, such was their top-order strength in the 1990s. that Shai Hope and Roston Chase scored centuries before Milan go to Crotone for their teams who lost in the Champions League third losing 14 and drawing the other three. Law knows English cricket well from his suc- in a warm-up match against Derbyshire last week, opener but Montella wants no slip-ups qualifying round. —AFP Although an end now appears in sight to a cessful playing stints with county sides Essex have their own top-order concerns.—AFP