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Saturday, June 10, 2017 ATHLETICS Ramadan 15, 1438 AH Jamaican speedster GULF TIMES Bolt says retirement will just be a joy SPORT Page 4 TENNIS Stan the man between Rafa and La Decima in Paris ‘I have been playing a great event. But Stan is playing unbelievable. It will be a super hard final’

AFP Paris

ine-time champion Rafael Nadal marched into a record 10th French Open fi nal after outclassing Austrian sixth seedN Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 yesterday. The Spaniard will face 2015 Roland Garros champion Stan Wawrinka for the title after the 32-year-old Swiss de- feated Andy Murray in a fi ve-set epic to become the oldest fi nalist in Paris since 1973. Nadal, who won the last of his French Opens in 2014, is bidding to become the fi rst man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam. He leads the head-to-head with Wawrinka 15-3, but the Swiss stunned an injury-hit Nadal three years ago to claim the Australian Open crown. “I have been playing a great event. But Stan is playing unbelievable,” said Nadal. “It will be a super hard fi nal and I will need to play at my very best.” Thiem broke Nadal in the opening game, but the Spaniard swiftly coun- tered with four games to subdue the Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Austria’s Dominic Thiem during their French Open semi-final at Roland Garros in Paris yesterday. (Right) Stan Wawrinka celebrates his win over Andy Murray. (AFP/Reuters) Austrian pretender and run away with the fi rst set. to win a high-octane contest 6-7 (6), “There are two ways of seeing things three grand slam titles, made only one routine backhand into the net as Mur- Wawrinka earned him a 2-0 lead in the Nadal erased two more break points 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-1. and I chose to be positive, knowing that unforced error in the fi rst seven games. ray levelled for 6-6. third set as Murray’s frustration grew. early in the second set as Thiem again The Swiss 2015 champion hit a stag- I was dominating,” said Wawrinka, who He suff ered a bit of a meltdown in the On the following point, the Scot was He regained his composure to dictate threatened, but the sixth seed promptly gering 87 winners as he avenged last has won the three grand slam fi nals he eighth, though, and Wawrinka pounced forced to defend again and he turned the points and break back, but Wawrin- lost his own serve to hand his opponent year’s semi-fi nal defeat by the world has played. to steal his serve. the rally around with a jaw-dropping ka further increased the pressure to the initiative once more. number one. Murray, who arrived in Paris on the defensive lob before fi nishing the point break again for 4-2. With Nadal locked in, the Spaniard Murray absorbed everything back of a woeful claycourt season, said POINT OF THE TOURNAMENT with a forehand winner. Murray was back again thanks to calmly converted the fi rst of three set Wawrinka threw at him for most of the he could take a lot of positives from his On his second opportunity, the Swiss The Swiss netted a forehand return a whizzing backhand winner, and he points with a confi dent volley to leave four hour and 34 minute contest but af- run to the semis. punished Murray for his ill-timed rush as Murray bagged the opening set. pulled off a decisive break for 6-5, Thiem staring into the abyss. ter winning a tense fourth set, Wawrin- “I’m proud of the tournament I had. I to the net with a crosscourt forehand Wawrinka did not dwell on that set- holding to take the lead in the match The 14-time major champion was in ka steamed ahead in the decider as the did well considering. I was one tiebreak passing shot. back and earned three break points in when Wawrinka netted a backhand. total control after Thiem meekly sur- Briton’s armour was fi nally pierced. away from getting to the fi nal,” said Murray broke straight back to even- the seventh game of the second set, There were no break points in the rendered serve to start the third set, The third seed, at 32 the oldest man the Scot, who was runner-up to Novak tually force a tiebreak that featured a converting the fi rst with a trademark fourth set, but Wawrinka was simply Nadal responding with a routine hold to reach the Roland Garros fi nal since Djokovic last year. couple of blazing exchanges that would backhand winner down the line. too good in the tiebreak, taking it with a for a 2-0 cushion. Niki Pilic fi nished runner-up in 1973, “When I came here I was really be in the running for the ‘point of the Murray could not hold his following powerful forehand service return. Wawrinka subjected Murray to a bar- was long frustrated by Murray but nev- struggling. I turned my form around tournament’. service game either, and a perfectly-hit The decider fl ashed by in just half rage of body blows as he broke down the er lost faith despite seeing his opponent really well and ended up having a good After some fast-paced exchanges at inside-out forehand gave Wawrinka the an hour as Wawrinka levelled his grand Briton’s formidable defences to reach rally back from a break down in the fi rst tournament.” the net, Wawrinka moved to set point second set. slam win-loss record against Murray to the fi nal, twice coming from a set down and third sets. Murray, who like Wawrinka owns with a backhand volley but dinked a A third consecutive break for 3-3 with yet another backhand winner.

PREVIEW Ostapenko aiming to break through Halep wall

Reuters Ana Ivanovic in 2007 and the fi rst unseeded Paris Romania’s Simona Halep Final look Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko women’s fi nalist since Mima Jausovec lost to Chris Evert in 1983. HALEP OSTAPENKO She also has the chance to emulate the darling atvian daredevil Jelena Ostapenko start- Head-to-head 0 0 of Roland Garros, Gustavo Kuerten, by making ed tennis practising against a wall — she Ranking 4 47 the French Open her fi rst career title — the feat would be well advised to remember those Age 25 20 the Brazilian achieved in 1997 on the day Ostap- early experiences when she faces master Height 1.68m 1.77m enko was born. ofL defence Simona Halep in today’s French Open The stars seem aligned for the Latvian, whose 2017 Win-loss record 24-6 28-11 fi nal. 2017 Singles titles 1 0 style is reminiscent of that of Monica Seles. She The 20-year-old, looking to become the fi rst goes for the throat on every shot, always looking unseeded woman to lift the Suzanne Lenglen ROAD TO THE FINALS for the lines. Cup since 1933, blazed her way to the fi nal, hit- Ostapenko “She is young, almost careless,” said her ting winners and errors with reckless abandon. SF: beat Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-3 semi-fi nal opponent Bacsinszky. “She’s not Third seed Halep, instead, dug herself into her QF: beat Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 afraid of anything. She’s a big hitter. She’s a second French Open fi nal, showing the classical 4th Rd: beat Samantha Stosur (AUS) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 baby. The way she hits is fascinating.” claycourt skills that marked her out as many 3rd Rd: beat Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 6-1, 6-4 The average speed of Ostapenko’s forehand people’s pre-tournament favourite. 2nd Rd: beat Monica Puig (PUR) 6-3, 6-2 is indeed higher than men’s world number Nowhere was her tenacity and ability to soak 1st Rd: beat Louisa Chirico (USA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 one Andy Murray at this year’s tournament, a up punishment more apparent than in the quar- frightening prospect for most of her opponents. ter-fi nals when she trailed Elina Svitolina by a HALEP But Halep is the wall. set and 5-1 but somehow found a way to win. SF: beat Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 The Romanian has the nagging ability to force Should she win today she will be the fi rst player QF: beat Elina Svitolina (UKR) 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-0 her rivals to go for the extra shot, causing them since Justine Henin in 2005 to win a singles’ title at 4th Rd: beat Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 6-1, 6-1 to take even more risks. Roland Garros after saving a match point. 3rd Rd: beat Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 6-0, 7-5 “She puts every ball back,” her semi-fi nal op- With so many big names absent from the draw 2nd Rd: beat Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-4, 6-3 ponent, Karolina Pliskova, herself a big hitter, this could be Halep’s best chance to land a fi rst 1st Rd: beat Jana Cepelova (SVK) 6-2, 6-3 said. Grand Slam — but that is not all that is at stake. The Czech has little doubt on the issue of the The 2014 runner-up, bidding to become the contest. fi rst Romanian woman to win here since Vir- “I love the pressure,” the 25-year-old, who If anything the pressure is off Ostapenko. young woman from Riga who thrashed 50 win- “(Ostapenko) is a dangerous player for every- ginia Ruzici in 1978, would also move top of the began the tournament with doubts over her an- Former men’s champion Mats Wilander de- ners in the semi-fi nal against Timea Bacsinszky. body, I think, but I would bet everything I have WTA rankings with the title. kle, said. scribed the fi nal as a “bonus” match for the She is the youngest French Open fi nalist since on Simona,” she said. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, June 10, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS Pulisic double helps Messi’s Argentina USA grab vital win down Brazil in

‘Superclasico’ USA’s Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring. AFP Results Los Angeles ‘I think that some of our preparation wasn’t the best, but in the game the team played At Commerce City, Colorado United States 2 (Pulisic 52, 62) well and defended the Argentina shirt. It’s a very important win for us...’ orussia Dortmund star Trinidad & Tobago 0 Christian Pulisic scored twice as the United At San Jose States grabbed a vital Costa Rica 0 Panama 0 B2-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in their 2018 World Cup qualify- At Mexico City ing campaign on Thursday. Mexico 3 (Alanis 35, Lozano Bundesliga-based Pulisic slid 63, Jimenez 66) Honduras 0 home a close-range fi nish from DeAndre Yedlin’s low cross in the 52nd minute to give the Ameri- to Mexico’s 2-1 win over the USA cans the lead in their CON- in Columbus last November. CACAF zone qualifying battle. “We’re really confi dent going The teenage starlet then into that game and we’ll come bagged his seventh goal in only out with a win there too.” his 15th international appear- Pulisic’s double settled Amer- ance to make it 2-0 after 62 ican nerves after a jittery opening minutes, latching on to Jozy Alti- 45 minutes which saw the hosts dore’s perfect through ball before struggle to break down a disci- whipping a low fi nish in at the plined Trinidad & Tobago, who near post. remain bottom of the six-team Pulisic’s goals settled a tense standings after the defeat. duel in the thin air of Commerce US striker Clint Dempsey went City’s Dick’s Sporting Goods close with a curling shot which Park, just outside Denver, Colo- shaved the crossbar after 15 min- rado. utes while John Brooks saw a “It took us a little while to get long-range eff ort parried away going,” Pulisic said. “We had by Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper some chances in the fi rst half Jan Michael Williams 10 minutes and couldn’t put them away. But later. once we wore them down our Williams thwarted the Ameri- quality started to come out and cans once more soon afterwards, we showed them in the end. It parrying Altidore’s strike after was a good game.” Jorge Villafana’s cutback. The win lifted the USA into the The USA survived a scare in automatic qualifying positions the 33rd minute when Khaleem with seven points from fi ve games Hyland chipped into the pen- and gives Bruce Arena’s side a alty area to fi nd striker Kenwyne boost as they prepare for a daunt- Jones. ing away assignment against lead- US goalkeeper Tim Howard ers Mexico tomorrow. was caught out of position but Mexico stretched their lead at Jones could only direct his head- the top of the standings to fi ve er against the woodwork. points on Thursday with a com- Altidore saw another header fortable 3-0 win over Honduras saved but the two sides went in at Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi (L) celebrates with teammate Gabriel Mercado (C) for his first goal during their friendly against Brazil at the MCG in Melbourne yesterday. in Mexico City. half-time with the score locked at 0-0. AFP Argentina have a friendly in Singapore Mercado put Argentina ahead just on the 62nd minute. OUT FOR REVENGE Pulisic’s opening goal was Melbourne next week ahead of their crucial next half-time with a tap in after Nicolas Ota- “It’s easier to analyse a game when we “It’s going to be a tough one almost cancelled out by Trini- qualifi er against Uruguay in Montevideo mendi’s header came off the upright into win,” Brazilian manager Tite said. down there defi nitely but we re- dad immediately, but Nathan on August 31. his path. “The team played well, but we had ally want revenge on them for Lewis’s neat finish into the bot- rgentina gained a confi dence- In manager Jorge Sampaoli’s fi rst game The Argentines had more of the play some trouble marking their top players in when they got us earlier in the tom corner was judged frac- boosting 1-0 win over Brazil in charge Argentina weathered a second- with Paris Saint-Germain’s Angel Di the fi rst half, and they were playing faster campaign,” Pulisic said, referring tionally offside. in their Superclasico in Mel- half fi ghtback from Brazil with Gabriel Maria a constant threat on the left. than us. bourne yesterday ahead of their Jesus and Willian hitting either posts in Brazil’s best chance came midway “In the second half, we had more pos- make-or-breakA World Cup qualifi ers one fl urry on goal. through the opening half when Chelsea’s session and played better. PLAN later in the year. Argentina’s superstar and skipper Lionel Willian was set free and he found Liver- “We had the eff ort and the formation A goal from Sevilla defender Gabriel Messi was largely contained by the Brazil- pool’s lively Philippe Coutinho in Argen- we wanted but we need more of the play- Mercado right on half-time proved the ian defence, but thrilled the crowd with tina’s penalty area. ers performing at a higher level.” eventual winner as Argentina matched his touches, fl icks and darting runs in his Coutinho checked inside and lined up The fl ying Willian was a constant Conte had 3-4-3 in the world’s number one ranked Brazil- much-anticipated appearance in Australia. a shot but a diving tackle by Otamendi threat and one of his pinpoint crosses al- ians before 95,000 fans at the Melbourne “I really rate the performance of our smothered the scoring chance. most led to another goal chance for Jesus. Cricket Ground. players today, even when they were not in Juventus midfi elder Paulo Dybala Messi was sent tumbling by a robust mind from start, says The two-time world champions and the most comfortable situations,” Sam- linked up well with Messi behind striker Rafi nha challenge late in the game which second ranked team are struggling out- paoli told reporters. Gonzalo Higuain and fi red just wide mo- earned the Brazilian a yellow card. side the automatic qualifying positions “I think that some of our preparation ments before Mercado’s goal. Jesus failed to fi nish the match when he ex-Chelsea coach in fi fth spot in the South American group wasn’t the best, but in the game the team Brazil had several chances to score in was carried off and taken to hospital for with four games left while Brazil have al- played well and defended the Argentina the second half with Manchester City’s observation after collecting an elbow in ready qualifi ed for the World Cup fi nals shirt. It’s a very important win for us — it Jesus and Willian both hitting either post the face in an aerial challenge in the fi nal in Russia next year. wasn’t just another game.” in a fl urry in Argentina’s goal-mouth in minutes.

BOTTOMLINE Relegated Hull name Slutsky

File picture of Chelsea manager Antonio Conte (R) celebrating after as coach, a fi rst for Russia the match with N’Golo Kante. AFP week, subject to international late Slutsky on his new post was AFP they’d played with three at the London clearance. the Russian Deputy Prime Min- Burton-on-Trent, United Kingdom back in my time. I said: ‘Never. Vice-chairman Ehab Allam ister Vitaly Mutko. Chelsea have never played three said: “I am delighted to welcome Mutko, who is also Russia’s at the back.’ elegated Hull appointed Leonid as our new head coach. football chief, said: “I would like he seeds of Chelsea’s “He said: ‘I think there is a Leonid Slutsky as their “After a thorough recruitment to wish him success to live up to Premier League title 3-4-3 there as well with the new coach yesterday, process, Leonid’s attention to the expectations pinned on him, triumph were sown at players we have, but because the ex-CSKA Moscow detail, thoughts on playing style to confi rm our manager school’s the end of their dismal they’ve never done it before, it’s bossR becoming the fi rst Russian and his ambition made him the reputation.” 2015-16T campaign, former as- not going to be the fi rst thing I to hold a managerial position in stand-out candidate. CSKA Moscow posted on their sistant coach Steve Holland has visit.’” English football. “The club has made plans for Twitter page: “We congratulate revealed. After starting the season well The 46-year-old, who also pre-season training and friend- Leonid with his appointment. Incoming manager Antonio in a 4-3-3 formation, Chelsea ran was in charge of Russia at Euro lies, with some exciting fi xtures Wish him to achieve a great suc- Conte’s mid-game switch to a aground, drawing 2-2 at Swansea 2016 whilst still at CSKA, re- to be announced next week, and cess in England.” 3-4-3 system during Chelsea’s City and losing 2-1 at home to places Marco Silva, who left af- squad planning with Leonid is Zoran Tosic, the CSKA and 3-0 loss at Arsenal last Septem- Liverpool, at which point Conte ter City were relegated from the already under way. former Manchester United mid- ber was widely identifi ed as the decided it was time to act. Premier League last season and “Leonid has enjoyed success fi elder, commented: “He wanted pivotal moment in their season. “We won the (fi rst) three has since joined Watford. at both club and international very much to work in England Holland says discussions games, though the perform- Slutsky, who has been in level and I am excited about his and he succeeded in it. about the tactic between himself ances weren’t always fantastic,” Britain for the last few months plans for guiding us back to- “He’s an ambitious coach and and Conte began shortly after Holland, now England assistant improving his English, guided wards the Premier League.” understands clearly the respon- Chelsea had slid to a disappoint- coach, told reporters at Eng- CSKA to three Russian Premier This file photo shows Russia’s then coach Leonid Slutsky attending a Among those Slutsky counts sibility that now rests with him. ing 10th-place fi nish the previ- land’s St George’s Park head- League titles before resigning friendly between Russia and Lithuania in Moscow. as one of his friends is his fellow I believe he’s ready for this work ous campaign. quarters in Burton-on-Trent. last December. Russian Roman Abramovich. and he will make everything “Antonio said to me at the end “Then we had the two games Slutsky told the club website: “I already know that this is an next week.” He told the BBC this week of right, he’s tough enough.” of last season: ‘I think the team you’re talking about. He de- “I am delighted to become the important club with a big and The Russian footballing pio- his close relationship with the Slutsky signed off his time with can play 4-3-3 with wingers cided more or less at half-time head coach of Hull City and I am loyal fanbase. I’ve had a good neer - no Russian has ever man- Chelsea owner, describing him CSKA last December in fi tting wide. I also think they can play of the Arsenal match that we’ve very much looking forward to feeling about it ever since meet- aged outside countries from the as “my friend...(whose) project style if he does take Hull back to 4-4-2 with wingers wide,’” Hol- done this, we’ve done that, it’s the challenge of guiding the club ing (owners) the Allam fam- former Soviet republics - is due in Russian football is me”. the topfl ight - with a 3-1 defeat of land said. time for this. The rest, as they back to the Premier League. ily and I can’t wait to get started to take up his new post next One of the fi rst to congratu- Tottenham at Wembley. “Then he asked me how often say, is history.” Gulf Times Saturday, June 10, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Moyes fi ned 30,000 scenes as melees broke out pounds for ‘slap’ around the pitch and Jeju comment to journalist players chased a rival from Urawa into the tunnel. Former Sunderland man- Japan’s Urawa had come from ager David Moyes was fined 2-0 down in the first leg to win 30,000 pounds ($38,307.00) the return fixture 3-0, scoring by the Football Association the crucial goal in extra time to Fires still burn for yesterday for telling a reporter edge out their Korean rivals. that she “might get a slap”. Jeju United were fined Moyes, who made the com- $40,000 and Urawa Red ments to the BBC’s Vicki Diamonds were slapped with a Sparks after Sunderland’s $20,000 as their off icials were goalless Premier League draw involved in the brawl. against Burnley in March, Meanwhile Johor Darul apologised for his remarks but Ta’zim’s Mohd Farizal Bin Mar- England against was still judged by the FA to lias was banned for 12 months have brought “the game into and fined $40,000 for pushing disrepute”. the referee, both assistant “You were just getting a wee referees and the fourth off icial bit naughty at the end there, as he was sent off in an AFC so just watch yourself. You Cup game. still might get a slap even AFC said it has a “zero toler- though you’re a woman,” the ance policy on abuse towards Scotland: Kane Scot was filmed telling Sparks match off icials”. over questions she asked in an ‘It’s like maybe playing for your club in derbies, it’s the same sort of feelings. We interview. Hoff enheim coach The exchange was captured Nagelsmann extends definitely know how much it means to everyone and it means a lot to us as well’ on a mobile phone camera and deal to 2021 published by the tabloid news- AFP paper Daily Star on its website. Julian Nagelsmann, the London Both parties appeared to be Bundesliga’s youngest ever laughing during the conversa- coach, extended his contract tion. with Hoff enheim to 2021 on arry Kane believes the years The BBC said at the time that Friday after leading them to a have done nothing to dull the Moyes and Sparks had spoken club-best fourth place in the rivalry between England and about the exchange and German top flight. Scotland ahead of today’s resolved the issue between The former junior coach, now HWorld Cup qualifi er between the old foes themselves. 29, took over Hoff enheim in Glasgow. Moyes made a public apology at the age of 28 in February Beginning with their fi rst encounter in soon after the footage was 2016 without a proper senior November 1872, the neighbours faced off published, saying he made licence but has since been almost every year until 1984, when the the remarks “in the heat of the linked several bigger clubs, British Home Championship was abol- moment” and that he “deeply including Bayern Munich. ished. regrets” them. Hoff enheim also extended Their meetings since have been scarce “David Moyes has been the deal with sports director and with Scotland having not qualifi ed fined £30,000 in relation to Alexander Rosen to 2020, for a major tournament since the 1998 comments he made,” the FA with the club set to play in the World Cup, a gulf has emerged between said in a statement. “It was Champions League qualifying the teams. alleged his remarks were rounds next season. But England striker Kane insists: “I improper and/or threatening “Together they succeeded ef- still think it means something. and/or brought the game into ficiently with limited resources “It’s like maybe playing for your club disrepute. to form a team that plays in derbies, it’s the same sort of feelings. “He denied the charge. fresh, attacking football that We defi nitely know how much it means to However, it was found proven excited not only domestically everyone and it means a lot to us as well. following an Independent Reg- but also opened the doors for “We were all England fans growing ulatory Commission hearing.” Europe for the first time,” said up and we all know what it meant. Just club CEO Peter Goerlich. because we play for the team, it doesn’t Jeju players suspended “This success has their hand- mean that’s changed. aft er violent scenes writing all over it.” “It’s important that we go out there with that mindset. We know it’s go- Three Jeju United players Fairytale promotion ing to be a very passionate game and we were suspended for up to for Benevento to hope we are going to send our fans home six months yesterday after Serie A happy.” an AFC Champions League Today’s clash at the historic Hampden knock-out game against A winning goal by Roma- Park arrives with the two teams in famil- Urawa Red Diamonds de- nian George Puscas sealed iar situations. scended into violence. a historic, fairytale Serie A England are four points clear atop Cho Yong-Hyung was banned promotion for Benevento on UEFA qualifying Group F and closing in for six months and fined Thursday after the Serie B side on a place in Russia, while Scotland, six $20,000 for pushing the dominated their play-off 1-0 points back in fourth place, face a scrap referee after he was sent off on aggregate over Carpi. just to secure a play-off berth. in the last-16 game on May 31, Puscas, on loan from Inter Mi- It is 18 years since the Scots last over- England’s Harry Kane during training ahead of his team’s match against Scotland today. which ended in a mass brawl. lan, scored just after the half- came the auld enemy, Don Hutchison’s Unused substitute Baek Dong- hour to secure a second leg goal securing a 1-0 win at Wembley, and one of their fi ve games to date and are the Fixtures conquering Scottish champions Celtic Gyu was banned for three win after the first leg ended in Charlie Mulgrew is desperate to bring last team in European qualifying still to in Scotland’s squad and Strachan hopes months after he leapt off the a goalless draw. that wait to an end. concede a goal. Today’s fixtures from the World Cup their presence has a positive impact. bench and elbowed Urawa Benevento -- promoted to “It would mean everything to me,” Scotland were comfortably beaten Qualifying European matches “It would be stupid of me not to use captain Yuki Abe in the face. Serie B for the first time last said the Scotland and Blackburn Rovers 3-0 when the teams met at Wembley in that enthusiasm and that run of games Kweon Han-Jin was also year — join SPAL and Verona centre-back. November, but Gordon Strachan’s men Group C they’re on and the pride they’ve got in suspended for two games in Italy’s top flight. “It’s something I grew up thinking pulled off a precious 1-0 win over third- Azerbaijan v Northern Ireland (1600) themselves,” said Strachan of Celtic’s and fined $1,000 for hitting It means Serie A will boast a about, playing these types of games, and place Slovenia on their last outing. Germany v San Marino (1845) triple trophy-winners. an opponent in the face, the ‘Campania Derby’ for the first I’m sure everyone in the squad has as Tottenham Hotspur hitman Kane is in Norway v Czech Republic (1845) Recent terror attacks in London and Asian Football Confederation’s time since the 1987-88 season well. line to make his fi rst England start under Manchester mean there will be enhanced disciplinary body announced. when Napoli faced local rivals “I remember Don Hutchison scored manager Gareth Southgate after missing Group E security measures in place, with armed The match finished with ugly Avellino. at Wembley. I remember Euro 96 as well six games due to injury. Kazakhstan v Denmark (1600) offi cers outside the stadium and bag when Gazza (Paul Gascoigne) scored that Fellow striker Jamie Vardy withdrew Montenegro v Armenia (1845) searches in operation. goal and did the celebration.” from the squad on Wednesday due to a Poland v Romania (1845) England’s supporters will be under “minor” injury, while one-time captain particular scrutiny after two fans re- PRAISE CELTIC CONTINGENT Wayne Rooney was again overlooked. Group F ceived lifetime bans for making Nazi He added: “They are a top side. Every Danny Rose’s ongoing absence due to Scotland v England (1600) gestures during March’s friendly defeat one of their players is world-class, so it’s a knee problem means Southampton’s Slovenia v Malta (1600) against Germany in Dortmund. going to be diffi cult for us, but we are up Ryan Bertrand is likely to keep his place Lithuania v Slovakia (1845) England’s last game in Scotland, a 3-1 Magic Rogic ‘owed for it and we will be ready for it when the at left-back. friendly win at Celtic Park in November game comes.” Scotland full-back Kiernan Tierney 2014, was marred by chants about Irish Four points above second-place Slo- will wear a gum shield after injuring his win over Aberdeen. paramilitary organisation the IRA being us one’, says Aussie vakia, England have won four and drawn mouth during Celtic’s Scottish Cup fi nal Tierney is one six players from all- aimed at Celtic’s pro-Irish fans. boss Postecoglou QATAR STARS LEAGUE AFP Adelaide

oach Ange Postecoglou says Tom Rogic owed Fine margins see Al Sadd just Australia some magic af- ter his spectacular win- nerC kept alive the Socceroos’ au- tomatic qualifying hopes for next year’s Russia World Cup fi nals. miss out on the QSL title The Celtic midfi elder hit a By Sports Reporter Rayyan and an 8-0 humbling of It’s been a fascinating battle thunderous strike to give the Doha Umm Salal. at the top of the QSL standings Australians a 3-2 win over Saudi Form was certainly on Al this term, and Al Sadd has cer- Arabia in Adelaide on Thursday Sadd’s side heading into their tainly showed the composure to join Japan and the Saudis at l Sadd enjoyed a fi ne crunch match with fellow un- and consistency of QSL cham- the top of Asia Group B. 2016/2017 Qatar Stars defeated side Lekhwiya at the pions. However at the highest Rogic launched a long-range Australia players celebrate with League campaign and start of January; however coach level the fi nest margins count left-foot volley that powered Tomas Rogic (L) after he scored are the next side under Ferriera was eager to play down and certainly draws against low- into the net in the 64th minute Australia’s third goal. theA spotlight as we look at the that that was a title deciding en- er opposition like Al Wakrah, Al to cap a brilliant month for the progress of the teams in the QSL counter. In a tight game Al Sadd Shahania and Umm Salal have gifted 24-year-old. Rogic has soaked up the adu- during season. suff ered their fi rst defeat of the proved to be the diff erence in The player is making a habit lation and refl ected on a mar- It was a near perfect cam- season, with Lekhwiya edging Al Sadd lifting their fourteenth of scoring eye-catching winners vellous chapter in his fl edgling paign for the Wolves this term, them out 2-1 thanks to a header league crown. and it was his stoppage time goal football career. only registering one defeat in from captain Mohammed Musa Sadd promptly forgot the dis- that delivered Celtic a 2-1 win “It’s been fantastic. Coming the league. In the summer Sadd in the 90th minute. appointment of missing out on over Aberdeen to lift the Scottish into camp is always a diff erent moved to sign Algerian winger The remaining seven games the league crown, by picking up Cup and seal a historic domestic set-up and it’s always a proud Jugurtha Hamroun and the Steaua have seen Sadd drop points on both the Qatar Cup & Emir Cup treble late last month. moment,” Rogic said. Bucure ti loanee made an impact just two occasions with bad titles. Summer signing Jugurtha Postecoglou said he was envi- “So coming in off the back of in the early half of the season reg- tempered draws with Al Sha- Hamroun was the star, grabbing ous while watching Rogic score obviously a good season and a istering a host of assists for his hania and Umm Salal. Despite late winners in narrow wins over match-winners for the Scottish successful one where you are in a new side. Meanwhile compatriot dropping points Sadd have had a El Jaish and Al Rayyan respec- giants, and admitted he often winning culture and you get used Bagdad Bounjah has enjoyed a fi ne number of key victories, includ- tively. With the season over, wondered when he was going to to winning trophies helped here. fi rst full season in the QSL, reg- ing a 7-0 hammering of local ri- Sadd moved quickly to tie down do it for his country. “So it’s good to come in and istering 13 goals from his fi rst 10 File picture of Al Sadd players during a QSL match. vals Al Arabi, a game which saw the long term futures of Ham- “We have said on the coach- we’ve got an important one games of the campaign. Bagdad Bounjah notching up roun and leading scorer Bounjah es’ bench a few times, it’s great ahead (Japan) and we now focus The fi rst half of the season come the end of the season. The side they battled back and regis- staggering fi ve goals for his side. which would have been of real watching him doing it for Celtic on the next game.” went well, with the Wolves com- only real blip came in late No- tered an impressive eight-game A 2-2 draw in the end of the sea- importance to the Sadd manage- — but he owed us one,” Postec- The Socceroos, who have fortably dispatching sides below vember with a frustrating 1-1 undefeated streak in the league son with Al Sailiya, conceded the ment. After a strong season, the oglou told reporters. qualifi ed for last three editions of them in the league, whilst reg- draw with a struggling Al Wak- heading into the New Year. This title to rivals Lekhwiya, as Jesu- stage seems set for Al Sadd to lift “He’s a hell of a player and the the World Cup, face a huge game istering away draws with sides rah side. included an impressive 5-0 aldo Ferreira’s side just missed the QSL falcon shield during the best is ahead of him, no doubt against Japan in Saitama on Au- looking to be in the title picture Credit to Jesualdo Ferreira’s win over current champions Al out on the QSL falcon shield. 2017/2018 campaign. about that.” gust 31. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, June 10, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS IOC recommends awarding 2024, 2028 Jamaican speedster Games simultaneously

AFP never been only about LA or Lausanne 2024”. Wasserman said Wednesday then when the idea of double OC top brass recommend- vote emerged, LA shied away Bolt says retirement ed yesterday hosting rights from giving the IOC a “now or for the 2024 and 2028 never” ultimatum. Olympics be awarded to- Paris has held a tougher line. Igether, virtually assuring that “We want to get the Games rival bidders Paris and Los An- for 2024. That’s my mandate”, geles will both host the Games. said the co-chief of the Paris The move will not be fi nal bid, Tony Estanguet. until a vote of the International “We can’t really consider will just be a joy Olympic Committee’s roughly 2028 at the moment,” added 100 members next month, but the former Olympic champion that body is seen as unlikely canoeist. ‘I enjoy playing with the crowd and the high energy. That is what I will miss about track and field’ to defy yesterday’s executive Assuming the dual award committee recommendation. recommendation is approved AFP “The IOC Executive Board by IOC voters at the July 11 Kingston, Jamaica has today unanimously ap- meeting in Lausanne, the proved the recommendation... body’s main meeting in Lima to award the Olympic Games in September will then choose sain Bolt has no regrets for 2024 and 2028 at the same the host city for 2024 and 2028. as he prepares to hang time,” IOC chief Thomas Bach Bach had been a strong pro- up his spikes in August told reporters. ponent of the so-called double and says he is looking Bach said that the aggressive vote. He has complained that Uforward to watching the 2020 push by two world class cit- there are “too many losers” in Tokyo Olympics as a spectator. ies like Paris and LA for 2024 Olympic bidding, with cities “For me it will just be a joy,” amounted to a “golden op- often spending tens of mil- the world’s fastest man told portunity” for the IOC, which lions of dollars only to come up AFP on Thursday. “It will be a has seen in interest in hosting empty handed. joy to sit back and watch it and the vastly expensive Summer The IOC has also prioritised remember, and get that feeling Games dwindling. making the Olympics less ex- about all those athletes compet- The IOC had “two such great pensive, while avoiding the ing at the Olympics. cities” vying to host and did legacy of crumbling stadiums “I look forward to just being not want to let either get away, that fall into disrepair after the an outsider and helping anyway he said. Both Paris and LA have fl ame goes out. I possibly can.” said they are fi ghting to host in Bach stressed that both The reigning Olympic and 2024. Paris and LA had plans in place World champion in the 100m But the French capital ap- to “use a record number of and 200m will run his last race pears to have claimed a lead in existing or temporary facili- on Jamaican soil at the second the race, especially after LA bid ties”, which would lead to “sig- annual Racers Grand Prix to- chief Casey Wasserman said nifi cant cost reductions” in day at the National Stadium in this week that “LA 2024 has hosting. Kingston. Bolt has four events left be- fore retirement — this weekend’s IOC approves mixed athletics, Kingston meet, Ostrava on June 28, Monaco on July 21 and the three-a-side basketball for Tokyo Games August 4-13 World Champion- Mixed relays in athletics and swimming and three-a-side ships in London. basketball were among new events approved yesterday by the Bolt, 30, drew the curtain International Olympic Committee (IOC) for inclusion in the 2020 down on his Olympic career in Tokyo Games. August by sweeping the 100m The IOC’s executive board also agreed to add mixed doubles in and 200m sprint titles for a third table tennis, mixed team events in judo, shooting and archery successive Summer Games. and a mixed team triathlon. IOC president Thomas Bach said the He has a reputation as a free new disciplines would make the games “more youthful, more spirit and as a prankster and that urban and will include more women”. joy of life — which comes out in An IOC statement said Tokyo would include a 4 x 400 mixed his victory celebrations — will be relay in athletics and a 4 x 100 medley mixed relay in swimming. on display today for what he in- Swimming would also include two further new events - a men’s tends to be a party. 800 metres and women’s 1500 metres freestyle race. “For me I am going to miss the The IOC said the numbers of athletes in some sports would be crowd,” says Bolt, who is known cut with athletics (105 fewer athletes), weightlifting (64) and for his signature lightning pose wrestling (56) the main casualties. On the other hand, basketball in Olympic stadiums after win- would have 64 extra participants. ning gold. “I enjoy playing with The world athletics body (IAAF) said it was delighted at the the crowd and the high energy. inclusion of mixed relays but disappointed in the reduction in its That is what I will miss about athletes quota. It said mixed relays had been “hugely successful track and fi eld.” Usain Bolt of Jamaica trains at the University of West Indies in Kingston. (AFP) and appealing for athletes and spectators alike”. A who’s who of track and “Pitching teams of two men and two women together with the fi eld stars will pay tribute at the appears to be safe with today’s athlete that runs fast will tell you hind Bolt at the Rio Games, is a Serious side added dimension of team tactics, make this a vibrant, youthful Racers in an emotional Jamai- scheduled 100 metres as he will that.” rising star who hopes to one day But there is also a serious side and exciting competition.” can farewell for Bolt, who many race against mainly Jamaican Bolt did not train for a few break Bolt’s records. to Bolt which American Olym- But it added: “Whilst we understand the need to be firm on deem to be the greatest sprinter teammates. weeks following the death on “Over years I have tried to be pic gold medallist Allyson Felix numbers and applaud the IOC’s stance on gender equality in all of all time. Jamaica is considered Asafa Powell withdrew this April 20 of his close friend and diplomatic,” Bolt said. found out on Thursday. sports, reducing the quota will inevitably have an impact on our the sprint capital of the world week with an injury leaving Olympian Germaine Mason, “What bothers me most is “We were chatting (about joint goals of universality.” over successive Olympics and Bolt with Nesta Carter, Michael who died in a motor bike acci- athletes coming up through the retirement) as we were sitting Three-a-side basketball, an urban sport where the teams aim for World Championships and the Frater and Nickel Ashmeade in dent. Bolt was one of the pall- ranks and when they get to cer- up there. Talking about just the the same hoop, was introduced at the Youth Olympic Games in National Stadium is the venue his heat. bearers at the funeral. tain level they always want to amount of work that goes into Singapore 2010 and Nanjing in 2014. where Bolt launched his inter- It will be the fi rst time he has “It (training) is going OK now. beat me. this. It is a lot,” Felix said. The IOC said that men’s and women’s madison would be added to national career, competing and run with Carter since Jamaica’s I kind of stopped training for “I tell young racers to take “He has already done so much track cycling and Freestyle Park to BMX cycling. Boxing, canoeing winning as a 15-year old at the 2008 Beijing Olympics relay awhile after my friend died,” Bolt steps. So I say to De Grasse ‘take and he deserves to be able to and rowing had agreed to reduce the number of men’s events in World Junior Games in 2002. team had to return their gold said. your time.’” enjoy himself and not have to exchange for more women’s events. “The last time in front of my medals because of a retest of “I am getting in shape and Bolt’s coach Glen Mills said go through the gruelling It said there would be a net increase of 15 events, an overall re- home crowd. I know it will be Carter’s doping sample which feeling good for my fi rst race.” Thursday he doesn’t want to training. duction of 285 athletes compared to Rio in 2016 and “the highest loud,” he said. came out positive. Bolt knows that every young see him go and has asked Bolt to “I am happy for him. That he representation of female athletes in Olympic history”. “I defi nitely won’t miss the sprinter’s dream is to knock off help out with some of the can go out on top because not The decision is a significant step towards having equal numbers Easy draw training,” said Bolt, the triple the Jamaican speedster. coaching. “For me there is some everyone can go out on their own of male and female athletes and events at the Games, the IOC Bolt hasn’t lost an individual world record holder in 100m, Canada’s Andre De Grasse, sadness unless he changes his terms,” said Felix, a six-time Ol- said. race since 2013 and his streak 200m, 4x100m relay. “Every who won silver in the 200m be- mind,” Mills said. ympic gold medal winner.

ATHLETICS/ ROME DIAMOND LEAGUE Roehler keeps Zelezny in sights, Obiri upsets Dibaba

AFP were good, but I had to wait for was second in a personal best of third in 13.21. medals, like in Rio, defi nitely.” Rome my sixth attempt,” said Roehler. 14:33.09, with Letesenbet Gidey “It was a bit sloppy,” said Mer- In the women’s 100m, 200m “Johannes pushed me really saving Ethiopia’s podium blush- ritt, who suggested that with- world champion Schippers fell hard, to throw further. In the es to fi nish third in 14:33.32. out “jetlag” he could have gone short of her season’s best of lympic champion end, I threw over 90m again and Dibaba was sixth in 14:41.55 faster. 10.95 but dominated Ivorian Thomas Roehler kept I’m really, really happy.” and Obiri added: “I was looking “I wanted to run much faster Marie-Josee Ta Lou, second in the javelin world Ideal conditions graced the to 14:18, and I think I can even but in the end I’m happy with 11.03, and Trinidad and Tobago’s record in his crosshairs 37th edition of the Golden Gala improve it at the next competi- my season’s best. I mad many Michelle-Lee Ahye (11.07). atO the Rome Diamond League on Pietro Mennea, but Dibaba’s tion. mistakes, hit a lot of hurdles, but “The result is okay for me. To Thursday, where Kenya’s Hellen hopes of adding the outdoor “I thought Genzebe would my speed is getting better.” get faster, I just need more races. Obiri upset the 5,000m world world record — held by her sister push it forward to go faster but Canada’s Andre De Grasse is The more starts I have, the faster record plans of Ethiopian rival Tirunesh in 14:11.15 — to her own when she didnt’, I tried to push the Olympic silver medallist in I get,” said Schippers. Genzebe Dibaba. 5000m world indoor record were myself.” the men’s 200m and, despite “That is the key now on the In Doha last month, Roeh- picked apart. In the absence of Jamaican sharing a personal best of 19.80 way to London. I am preparing ler’s 93.90 metre eff ort was well Obiri had clocked a world- 110m hurdles star Omar McLeod, with Christophe Lemaitre, myself for both distances, 100 short of retired Czech legend Jan leading 14:22.47 for the distance the USA’s world record-holder dominated the Frenchman to and 200 metres, so we’ll see how Zelezny’s 1996 world mark of in Shanghai to go three seconds Aries Merritt also capitalised on claim victory in 20.01, a season’s it goes.” 98.48, but was still the best the faster than Dibaba did in Eugene the perfect race conditions to best. Colombia’s Caterine Ibar- sport had seen in 20 years. a fortnight later, and upset her match his earlier season’s best in Lemaitre was second in 20.29, guen, the 2016 Olympic cham- Although still short on Thurs- rivals plans in sensational style. a winning time of 13.13. with American Ameer Webb pion, wowed the crowd but fi n- day, the 25-year-old German “When I came to this race, I Along with a decisive dip at third in 20.33. ished second best to Venezuela’s overcame some early wobbles, told myself that nobody can beat the line, it secured victory to “This was a great race for world indoor champion Yulimar and determined compatriot Jo- me,” said Obiri. leave Spain’s Cuban-born Ol- me today,” said De Grasse, who Rojas as the women’s triple jump hannes Vetter, to triumph with Before the 10-minute mark ympic silver medallist Orlando could emulate Dutchwoman made its Diamond League debut. his sixth attempt, of 90.6m. she soloed away from Dibaba to Ortega, who had run 13.15 this Dafne Schippers and target both The world leader by more than Vetter was second in 88.15 and go it alone for the fi nal laps and year, second in 13.17. the 100m and 200m events in half a metre, Rojas had leapt Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn fi nish amid a standing ovation to London. 14.96m this year and kept to the Walcott third with a season best set a new world leading time of ‘Bit sloppy’ “For the London world cham- formbook with a leap of 14.84 throw of 86.61. 14:18.37, which is a new national Russia’s world champion pionships I’m thinking about that left Ibarguen in second “I was really motivated to record. Sergey Shubenkov — competing both events, the 100m and place, albeit with a season’s best Thomas Rohler of Germany in action during Rome Diamond League throw it far and the conditions Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Tirop under a neutral banner — was 200m. My aim is to get three of 14.73. in Rome. (Reuters) Gulf Times Saturday, June 10, 2017 5 SPORT

NHL MLB Diamondbacks beat Padres 15-3 Penguins thrash Agencies lost fi ve in a row after a fi ve- Los Angeles game winning streak. Meanwhile Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer as Houston hris Iannetta homer- sent 10 men to the plate in a ed, doubled twice and fi ve-run ninth inning to beat drove in a career-high Kansas City. seven runs as the Ari- Lance McCullers’ no-hit bid Predators in Game zonaC Diamondbacks completed ended with one out in the sev- a three-game sweep with a 15-3 enth when he gave up a triple victory over the San Diego Pa- to Kansas City’s Lorenzo Cain. dres on Thursday at Chase Field. Daniel Descalso had two hits, RESULTS including a homer, and drove in Diamondbacks 15 Padres 3 two runs as Arizona improved Astros 6 Royals 1 to a major league-best 24-8 Yankees 9 Red Sox 1 Five of Stanley Cup at Chase Field, the best home Rockies 4 Cubs 1 start in franchise history. Nationals 6 Orioles 1 Paul Goldschmidt, Chris Twins 2 Mariners 1 ‘He is doing everything within his power to try to help us be successful’ Owings and Nick Ahmed had Giants 9 Brewers 5 two hits apiece for the D- (10 innings) backs, who outscored the Pa- Reds 5 Cardinals 2 dres 32-9 in the series. Rays 7 White Sox 5 Wil Myers, Hunter Renfroe Angels 11 Tigers 4 and Jose Pirela had two hits Marlins 7 Pirates 1 apiece for San Diego, which has Braves 3 Phillies 1

GOLF/US OPEN Last three champs grouped together at Erin Hills

AFP school graduation in Califor- New York nia. Mickelson, a six-time run- ner-up in the US Open, told efending US Open the New York Times he couldn’t champion Dustin envision being able to make Johnson was grouped a tee time in Wisconsin, but with rival Jordan added he wouldn’t offi cially SpiethD and Germany’s Martin withdraw until a couple of days Kaymer in pairings announced before the tournament in case for this year’s tournament by some window opened. the United States Golf Asso- Mickelson’s tee time of ciation on Thursday. 2:20pm (1920 GMT) wouldn’t World number one Johnson give him time to get from Cali- will be chasing back-to-back fornia to Erin Hills from the titles when the 117th edition graduation ceremony sched- of the tournament tees off next uled to start at 1700 GMT, so week at Erin Hills Golf Course a weather delay to the tourna- near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ment might just make his ap- His group with 2015 cham- pearance possible. pion Spieth and 2014 winner “If there was any kind of de- Pittsburgh Penguins players celebrate their team’s 6-0 win over the Nashville Predators in Game Five of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena in Pittsburgh, Kaymer was one of the most lay, I’ll have everything ready Pennsylvania. (Getty Images/AFP) intriguing announced by the to go and we’ll hopefully be USGA. able to make it,” Mickelson said AFP scored for the Penguins. Matt “So I think that’s an indica- going to judge what’s over the left in the fi rst. Star power will be on show Thursday at the PGA Tour’s St. New York Murray made 24 saves while tion of his leadership and his line and what’s not,” Subban “It wasn’t good,” Laviolette in another marquee group Jude Classic in Memphis. “But Predators goalie Pekka Rinne will to win. I think Sid really un- said. said of the Predators’ start. which comprises three major it doesn’t look too good for was pulled after allowing three derstands the opportunity that “It’s not the fi rst period that winners led by former US Open that. The weather looks to be he Pittsburgh Pen- goals on nine shots in the fi rst this team has, and he’s not tak- ‘UFC move’ we’re looking for, and it re- champions Rory McIlroy and pretty nice next week.” guins made a state- period. ing anything for granted,” added Crosby said he was trying to ally didn’t get much better after Justin Rose. Another group sure to at- ment Thursday, moving Backup Juuse Saros wasn’t Sullivan, whose Penguins could free himself from Subban. that.” McIlroy, who declared him- tract a following includes a trio within one win of a sec- much of an improvement, giving become the fi rst repeat Stanley “He lost his stick, and he was Saros replaced Rinne to start self fi t for Erin Hills after re- of Masters champions, led by Tond straight NHL Stanley Cup up three goals in the second. Cup winners since the Detroit doing some UFC move on my the second and quickly sur- covering from a rib and back Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who is title with a 6-0 drubbing of the Crosby made his presence felt Red Wings in 1997-98. foot,” Crosby said. “I don’t know rendered a goal. Crosby set up problem, won the US Open paired with Australia’s Adam Nashville Predators. early, weaving down the slot on “He sees the opportunity in what he was trying to do. I was Sheary in the low slot for a 4-0 in 2011. Olympic champion Scott and two-time Augusta Back home in Pittsburgh af- the game’s fi rst shift, fi ring a front of us, and he’s doing eve- trying to get out of there. He had Penguins lead at 1:19. Rose won the 2013 edition of champion Bubba Watson. ter two defeats in Nashville, the shot off the left post and drawing rything within his power to try lost his stick. He was trying to Kessel broke a six-game goal the tournament billed as the The next generation of golf Penguins poured it on to take a a penalty on Predators defense- to help us be successful,” Sulli- hold me down.” drought when he made it 5-0 toughest test in golf. Round- stars is refl ected in the group 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven man Ryan Ellis. On the ensuing van said. Pittsburgh kept up the Predators coach Peter Lavio- and Hainsey made it 6-0 off a ing out the group is Australia’s spearheaded by big-hitting championship series. power play Crosby set up Shultz pressure and Chris Kunitz set up lette thought a stronger penalty feed from Malkin at 16:40 of the former world number one Jas- Spanish star Jon Rahm, who Six diff erent players scored for a slap shot for a 1-0 Penguins Rust for a backhander that sailed should have been called on Cros- second. The Predators have two on Day, winner of the 2015 PGA is joined by American Rickie and superstar Sidney Crosby had lead 1:31 into the fi rst. past Rinne’s glove to make it 2-0 by. days to regroup and try to stop Championship. Fowler and Japan’s Hideki three assists. The Penguins will “You can see his drive and his at 6:43. Late in the fi rst, Crosby “I saw my guy get his head the Penguins claiming the club’s Phil Mickelson, who could Matsuyama. try to close it out in game six on appetite to win,” Penguins coach and Nashville’s P.K. Subban tan- cross-checked in the ice 10 fi fth Stanley Cup title in Nash- complete a career grand slam Erin Hills is staging the US Sunday in Nashville. The home Mike Sullivan said of Crosby. gled behind the Penguins’ net, times,” Laviolette said. “I disa- ville. with a long-sought US Open Open for the fi rst time. USGA team has won every game in the “He sets the tone right off the with Crosby banging Subban’s gree with the call.” “I don’t know if anybody victory, was given a tee time offi cials have confi rmed the series so far. bat. We get a power play, we helmeted head off the ice as Sub- On the ensuing four-on-four shakes off a game like that that by the USGA, despite say- yardage for the course will be Justin Schultz, Bryan Rust, score on the power play. I think ban clutched Crosby’s leg. Both play, Malkin took a feed from quickly,” Laviolette said. “No- ing last week that he would set at 7,741 yards, potentially Evgeni Malkin, Conor Sheary, when you can start a game that received holding penalties. Kessel and fi red a shot past Rinne body feels good leaving the skip the tournament to attend making it the longest major Phil Kessel and Ron Hainsey way, it puts a team on their heels. “I’m not an offi cial so I’m not to make it 3-0 with 10.2 seconds building playing the way we did.” his daughter Amanda’s high championship in history.

SPOTLIGHT Cink among four sharing PGA St. Jude lead

AFP ahead. Lee, Pettersen share LPGA lead in Canada Los Angeles “I haven’t played real well in a couple years, and I’ve been Former winner Suzann Pet- the best way to set up a golf out here for like seven or eight, tersen and last year’s runner- course and get low scores. I’m ormer British Open so I kind of know the drill,” said up Lee Mi-Hyang shared the very happy with the opening champion Stewart Cink, Every, who has made just two first-round lead on Thursday in round I played.” Matt Every, Scott Brown cuts this year. “Like one round the ManuLife LPGA Classic in Lee’s round was highlighted by and Sebastian Munoz is not that big a deal. It is nice to Cambridge, Canada. an eagle at the par-five third cardedF six-under 64s on Thurs- play well, but yeah, they don’t Norway’s Pettersen, who hasn’t hole. The South Korean, who day to lead a low-scoring fi rst hand out trophies after the fi rst won since lifting the trophy lost by one stroke to Germany’s round at the US PGA Tour St. round.” here in 2015, had nine birdies Caroline Masson last year after Jude Classic. Every set the early target and in her eight-under par 64 while a final round that included a Cink, who hasn’t won since was joined by Cink and Brown South Korea’s Lee had six bird- double bogey at the 10th, safely lifting the 2009 Open Champi- before Colombia’s Munoz, ies and an eagle to seize her parred that one on Thursday as onship, birdied his fi nal hole of among the last players on the share of the lead. They were part of her bogey-free eff ort. the day, the ninth at TPC South- course, grabbed his spot in the one stroke in front of China’s “I think it’s a good match to my wind, to grab his share of the lead. leading group. Feng Shanshan, Belgian Laura golf,” she said of the course. “The key to my round today Munoz had three birdies on Gonzalez Escallon and South “I think (it’s) just a great golf was the key to anyone’s round each side, including back-to- Korean Kim Hyo-Joo, with course and great condition. A who plays well here and that is back birdies at 15 and 16 in a bo- Denmark’s Emily Pedersen, Ca- little softer than last year so get- you’ve got to keep the ball in gey-free eff ort. nadian Alena Sharp and Britain’s ting a longer distance. Greens front of you,” said the 44-year- The leading quartet had a one- Jodi Ewart Shadoff a further are good and everything else old. shot lead over South African stroke back on 66. Pettersen’s is good.” Feng is back in action “Meaning, you don’t have to Charl Schwartzel of South Africa familiarity with the Whistle Bear after becoming the tour’s 13th hit every fairway, but you can’t and Australian Matt Jones. layout paid dividends. She lost diff erent winner this season in really be off too much.” It was a further stroke back to her yardage book on her way to her last start — the Volvik Cham- Every, who won the most re- two-time US Open champion Cambridge and she and her new pionship in Michigan two weeks cent of his two PGA Tour titles Retief Goosen of South Africa caddy had to start from scratch. ago. “I think after I captured the in 2014, is hoping to turn around and Chez Reavie. But she said she hit perfect victory at the Volvik Champi- a disappointing season in the fi - Defending champion Daniel numbers — and benefited from onship I think my condition is nal tune-up for next week’s US Berger opened with an even-par perfect scoring conditions in the pretty good,” said Feng, who Open at Erin Hills. 70. morning. “You can fire at pins also eagled the third and had He had four birdies and an ea- In his professional debut, and get to par fives, which is six birdies with one bogey in gle without a bogey, but sounded England’s Sam Horsfi eld posted Stewart Cink plays his shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC fun,” Pettersen said. “I think it’s her seven-under round. a cautious note when looking a 3-over 73. Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Saturday, June 10, 2017 SPORT

MOTOGP SPOTLIGHT Biaggi suff ers chest Rossi rues lack injuries in ‘serious’ accident: report

AFP of rest as Vinales Milan

talian motorcycling star Max Bi- aggi is out of danger but will be sidelined for a month after suff er- ing broken ribs in a training acci- eyes new victory Ident that prompted his evacuation by helicopter to a hospital in Rome. “The motorcyclist has serious chest ‘I would have liked to have had a one-week stop after the Mugello race’ injuries, with several broken ribs,” said doctor Emanuele Guglielmelli, the AFP head of emergency services at the San Madrid Resurgent Marquez fastest on new Catalan track Camillo di Roma hospital in the Italian capital. Defending world champion Marc “He will remain here at least one averick Vinales is hoping Marquez of Honda hit overdrive night for observation because this kind to extend his champion- yesterday, dominating free practice of chest injury remains a risk and will up racing. ship lead at the Catalan at the redesigned Montmelo track at need supervision.” “Max is doing fi ne, we spoke and he Grand Prix this weekend, the Catalunya MotoGP as a raft of his Biaggi had been training at the Sagit- told me ‘we messed it up’,” said Biaggi Mbut Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi tario race circuit, where he often trains Sr, who admitted he has often feared rivals struggled. admits the quick turnaround from the The Spaniard has won just one of six emerging riders from his own team, for his son’s safety. Italian Grand Prix could hamper his MotoGPs so far this season but set ahead of this weekend’s Supermoto “I’ve been afraid for the past 25 chances. his fans a pacey marker following his Onroad event. years! Now would be a good time to Rossi fi nished fourth at Mugello last safely played sixth place finish at the He has been advised to rest for at give up racing.” weekend just days after being hospi- Italian GP last weekend. least 30 days, added Guglielmelli: “The Biaggi is a two-time world champion talised by chest and stomach injuries The Montmelo track has been rede- prognosis at this point is for a 30-day in Superbike and a former four-time by a motocross training accident. signed after the death last year here recovery period.” world champion in the 250cc class. “I would have liked to have had a of Luis Salom in the Moto2, and the Biaggi’s father, however, said it’s The incident comes less than a fort- one-week stop after the Mugello race riders also had to deal with rain in time the 45-year-old veteran — nick- night after the death of American Su- to recover in the best way,” said Rossi, the morning session. named ‘Mad Max’ for his notoriously perbike star Nicky Hayden from inju- who trails Vinales by 30 points in the Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo was second rea Dovizioso of Ducati was fourth teammate and championship leader diffi cult relationship with the media, ries suff ered while training on a road championship standings in his quest fastest at 0.405sec with German fastest at 0.588. Maverick Vinales was way off the team personnel and rival riders — gave racing bike in Italy. to land a long-awaited 10th world title rookie Jonas Folger of Yamaha third Still feeling the pain from a motor- pace, 1.5sec down in 16th. at all levels. 0.544sec. cross crash two weeks ago, Italian Today there is a third practice “I’m happy with the race I did, the Winner at Mugello last Sunday and superstar Valentino Rossi was way session ahead of qualifying in the FORMULA 1 bike rode well and in Barcelona I hope second in the world standings And- down in 10th at 0.823 as his Yamaha afternoon. I can be better, I would like to go on the podium.” Vinales has won three of the six rac- Dovizioso’s win in Mugello already Hamilton, ready for es so far this season in his debut year made him the fourth diff erent race with Yamaha, but second place in Italy winner of an unpredictable season. was enough to extend his champion- “This year every weekend seems ship lead to 26 points from Andrea to be a diff erent story,” said the Ital- fi ght, tops rstfi practice Dovizioso. ian, who has surprisingly outshone “We are in a good fl ow, having new teammate and three-time world Reuters with Hamilton having triumphed fi ve gained good momentum,” said Vinal- champion Jorge Lorenzo so far this Montreal times on the island circuit and Bottas es. “We are strong and confi dent and year. reaching the podium the last two years we have many set-ups in case one Lorenzo is down in seventh in the driving for Williams. won’t work and for that reason I arrive championship standings having just ewis Hamilton signalled that Vettel and teammate Kimi Raikko- to Montmelo really motivated. made the podium once so far since Mercedes is prepared to take the nen, who clocked the fourth best ef- “We will try to obtain as many taking the leap to join Ducati. fi ght to arch-rivals Ferrari at the fort, both had early problems coming to points as we can and we will try to But he is backing his previous stellar Canadian Grand Prix with the grips with the circuit, spinning out but stand on the podium at the end of it.” record in Montmelo and results from Ltriple world champion back on top of without causing any damage. Yamaha have an excellent record at testing at the track near Barcelona to the timing charts following fi rst prac- The two Ferrari drivers weren’t the the Montmelo circuit having won in ensure he at least gets the better of tice yesterday. only ones to have diffi culty on a blus- three of the past four years. Dovizioso this weekend. Putting a poor eff ort at the Monaco tery overcast morning as Renault’s However, permanent changes have “We will have to understand how Grand Prix behind him, Hamilton, who Nico Hulkenberg and Force India’s Es- been made to the circuit since Luis the diff erent bikes adapt to the track can equal the 65 career pole positions teban Ocon also took spins. Salom was killed whilst racing in the modifi cations, but the reference that of boyhood idol Ayrton Senna in Sat- It was another bitterly frustrating day Moto2 Catalan Grand Prix last year. Yamaha riders Maverick Vinales (left) and Valentino Rossi talk during a press we have from the test here a couple of urday’s qualifying, blazed around the for Fernando Alonso as the double world Marc Marquez was the last non- conference at the racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona, on Thursday. (AFP) weeks ago is good,” said Lorenzo. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a best lap champion was once again forced to the Yamaha rider to win in Catalonia back “I was the fastest Ducati rider and of one minute 13.809 seconds. sidelines with mechanical problems. in 2014, but the defending champion champion is hoping for a return to “In Italy we managed the situation this gives me the confi dence to tackle Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, a four- Alonso, who skipped the Monaco has so far had a disappointing year as form in his home region. as well as possible, but we must do this important race in front of my fans. times world champion with Red Bull Grand Prix to race in the Indiana- he is 37 points back on Vinales down in “Racing at home in front of all your better. “Anything can happen on this cir- who leads Hamilton by 25 points after polis 500, has quickly discovered little fourth overall. fans always gives you an extra boost,” “We have to be able to remain more cuit and I’m sure that I will be more six races, was second quickest with progress has been made at McLaren However, the three-time world said the Spaniard. consistently at a good level.” competitive here than in Italy.” 1:14.007, just in front of Valtteri Bottas in his absence, leaving little hope the in the other Mercedes. team will be able to score their fi rst While Mercedes have claimed the la- points of the season. CYCLING / CRITERIUM DU DAUPHINE bel of underdogs, they displayed plen- Teenager Lance Stroll, the fi rst Ca- ty of bite on the Montreal track with nadian racing in the Canadian Grand Hamilton and Bottas swapping spots Prix since Jacques Villeneuve in 2006, at the top of the timing charts through got his fi rst taste of the circuit with the much of the session. Williams rookie recording the 13th best Porte in yellow as Fuglsang wins sixth stage The Canada Grand Prix would look eff ort, though that was more than two an ideal place for a Mercedes pushback, seconds back of the pace setter. AFP But the Sky rider was less than sat- La Motte-Servolex, France isfi ed with his position after yester- day’s stage. RUGBY “I’d be lying if I said I was satis- ustralian Richie Porte of fi ed with my place,” said the Briton. the BMC team took the Cri- “I wanted to win the stage but I made terium du Dauphine yellow mistakes. I did a little too much work Proud Dad Whiteley jersey after yesterday’s sixth to catch Fuglsang and I launched the stageA won by Astana’s Danish rider Ja- sprint too far out. kob Fuglsang. “But altogether I’m happy with the hopes for rebirth of Boks Fuglsang, Porte and overall favour- way things went. It could have been ite Chris Froome, came through the worse. My legs are good and I’m happy line in a photo-fi nish after the de- to have been with Richie (Porte) who is Agencies scent of the beyond category moun- in great form. Pretoria tain Mont du Chat at the end of the Contador was happy with the attack. 147.5km stage. “I’m not on form yet so the more they “This is my fi rst WorldTour win and attack me the better,” said the Spaniard. ew South Africa captain War- I thought I’d come second,” admitted “I couldn’t make the necessary explo- ren Whiteley hopes to cap the winner after the race. “Thankfully sive change of pace to keep up on the a week in which he became there was wind right at the end and climb. I almost fell on the way down too a father for the second time that stopped Porte getting ahead.” so I also lost Valverde’s wheel.” Nwith the rebirth of a feared Springboks Former teammates Porte and Fuglsang, a silver medallist in the side and a Test victory over France at Froome built up a healthy lead on their road race event at last year’s Rio Ol- Loftus Versfeld today. rivals — Alberto Contador, Alejandro Contador and Valverde had been feature on the Tour de France. ympics, stayed with the high-profi le The Boks are coming off their worst Valverde and Romain Bardet — on the dropped I picked up the tempo,” said “I still have work to do but things duo for the technical descent and was season in 2016, when they lost eight of mountain’s punishing climb of 8.7km the Australian. are going in the right direction. The adjudged victor at La Motte-Servolex. their 12 Tests and suff ered a fi rst home at more than 10 % gradient. Defending champion Froome was climb today showed I’m on the right Porte now enjoys a 39-second lead loss to Ireland, as well as a maiden de- “The objective here is to win the happy to test his legs on the gruelling track for July,” said the three-time over Froome in the general standings, feat to Italy. race,” said Porte. “So when I heard Mont du Chat climb which will also Tour de France winner. with Fuglsang at 1min 15sec. But Whiteley, whose wife Felic- ity gave birth to their second child, and fi rst son Samuel, on Monday, has praised the improved build-up this fi ve debutants in the match-day 23 and Standing up to Crusaders pack vital ahead of Tests: Lions’ Rowntree season and said there would be little just four in the starting line-up who room for excuses for defeat to what is appeared in the 27-13 loss to Wales last Reuters has done the visitors no favours by Back and Lawrence Dallaglio, in the great, it’ll be great for us, proper an under-strength French outfi t. November. Wellington naming six All Blacks in his pack, with sin bin. intensity. “I could not have scripted this past “It’s about becoming a family, about the front row of props Joe Moody Rowntree and his five other forwards “These are the games that we want week any better,” Whiteley told report- embracing each other as individuals, and Owen Franks and hooker Codie repelled one attacking scrum after going into a Test series, playing ers yesterday. “It’s been so exciting, and about embracing our diversity, be- acing the Canterbury Crusaders Taylor likely to start the first Test on the other to keep the All Blacks out against a top Super team full of All and I’m just so grateful. I’ve probably cause we are a diverse nation and a di- pack should be a great oppor- June 24. and secured a 15-13 victory that then Blacks. said that a thousand times already. verse team. Ftunity for the British and Irish “They are a very competitive outfit, coach Clive Woodward said con- “In my area of the game it’s a massive “Everything has been going so well at “It’s been a great build-up for me, Lions to test their mettle ahead of very aggressive on opposition ball,” vinced him his side would win the challenge. training. It’s been so easy for me these for rugby and personal reasons, and I the Test series against the All Blacks, said Rowntree. World Cup later that year. “We talk about the set-pieces as past few weeks. I’ve had a lot of sup- suppose the game at Loftus will be the according to assistant coach Graham “They’re top of the stats in terms of The 46-year-old, who surprisingly physical statements as forwards port, both on and off the fi eld, and I cherry on the cake. We need to go out Rowntree. pressurising opposition ball, very did not make Woodward’s World Cup coaches, winning those little battles suppose that’s the key. there and put all we’ve done in training The Lions face the seven-times Super clean on their own ball, as well. It’s a squad, said the clash with the Crusad- in the war of a game. “We have a massive opportunity to into practice. Rugby champions in Christchurch real challenge for us.” ers is one he would have relished “It could be a scrum or a maul or, on build something special in this team. “We as players are determined to put today needing to step up their inten- It is a long way from 2003 when himself. the flip side, defending those. They’re We’ve had suffi cient time to prepare some pride back into the jersey. We’ve sity after a mediocre start to their Rowntree the player stood up against “This is a game that if I was a player, big battle areas in a game and we’ve going into this season. We’ve had some worked extremely hard over the past few 10-match tour of New Zealand. a full-strength All Blacks scrum with I’d think I’ll see how good I am and got to match them and better them at great training camps.” months. There has been a great energy Crusaders coach Scott Robertson two of his England team mates, Neil test myself,” Rowntree added. “It’s the weekend.” Whiteley has praised the culture this past week and I’m sure the public within the new-look Bok side that has will be screaming for us on Saturday.” Gulf Times Saturday, June 10, 2017 7 CRICKET

CHAMPIONS TROPHY Australia hope weather plays ball in England showdown With two points from their two matches, Australia now have to beat England to be certain of a place in the semi-finals WARNER CREDITS ROOT DUST-UP FOR ‘LIFE BALANCE’ Birmingham, United Kingdom: Australia vice-captain David Warner believes he’s a better man for the incident that saw him punch England’s Joe Root in a Birmingham bar four years ago. Warner was suspended and fined after the incident during the 2013 Champions Trophy following England’s victory over Australia at Edgbaston. Now almost four years to the day, Australia are back at Edgbaston for what is set to be a must-win Champions Trophy group fixture against arch-rivals England today, with Warner and Root key batsmen for their respective teams. “It was a learning curve for myself,” Warner told reporters at Edgbaston on Thursday. “I was young and now I’m old,” the 30-year-old left-hander added. “I’ve two kids and I’m married. There’s a lot of settling down Australian captain Steve Smith (centre) with his teammates at a training session at Edgbaston yesterday. (Reuters) there. It definitely was (key) to me becoming the person I am Australia’s David Warner goes through a fielding drill. (Reuters) AFP the Oval especially tough to take Smith’s powerful top order and New Zealand in convincing today, not just the cricketer. Birmingham, United Kingdom was that Australia had reached have spent precious little time fashion to book their semi-fi nal “We all go through periods South Africa’s Muslim batsman now fondly refer to him as ‘Rev’, 83 for one in pursuit of 183 to in the middle this tournament spot regardless of Saturday’s when we’re young and naive. Hashim Amla. a sign of how his life has changed win and required only four more but the skipper said: “You know, outcome. It’s not about stuff ing up and Root and his England team- although the ‘Bull’ has not disap- ustralia remain confi - overs to be bowled to ensure they most of the guys have been play- But captain Eoin Morgan moving on, it’s about learning mates have always denied any peared from the scene com- dent of beating England would take maximum points via ing a lot of cricket, anyway, hav- wants no let-up against World the ropes of being away on tour such inference, insisting the pletely. “It just depends what day in their make-or-break the Duckworth-Lewis rule used ing been at the IPL (Indian Pre- Cup champions Australia as for such a long period of time. Yorkshireman was making fun of you get me,” explained Warner. Champions Trophy in rain-aff ected matches. mier League) and things like that. England go in search of their There are things you have to his youthful appearance and dif- “Most of the time, I’m probably clashA at Edgbaston today, even With two points from their I think once they get out in the fi rst major International Cricket think about as a youngster: what ficulty in growing facial hair. One the Reverend — as they say — but if defeating the English weather two matches, Australia now have middle, things will just click into Council 50-over title. “I think you can or can’t I do.” reason why this point did not it’s about winning games for Aus- has so far proved beyond them. to beat England to be certain of a place, and yeah, hopefully we can if we’re truly going to be con- Warner, reflecting on the gain much traction at the time tralia and being the best person I Steven Smith’s side endured the place in the semi-fi nals of a tour- play well in Birmingham,” added tenders for this tournament, we changes in his life, said: “I prob- was because it was at odds with can around the team and around frustration of having Monday’s nament featuring the world’s top Smith of a line-up where the big- need to beat the best teams — ably didn’t work that out at Warner’s, the image of a hard- people outside cricket.” clash with Bangladesh aban- eight one-day intentional teams. hitting Chris Lynn, fresh from his and Australia are one of the best that stage. But now I have and drinking Australian. “People Meanwhile Warner said he doned due to rain, just days after “I think it makes the equation IPL exploits, could be recalled. teams,” he said. I have a great balance on and didn’t look too far or deep into would return to Birmingham’s their opening Group A fi xture pretty simple for us,” said Smith, Australia’s pacemen, led by “They always are going into off the field.” As for meeting up it to see who was in the right or Walkabout bar, the scene of the against New Zealand was also whose side suff ered an Edgbaston Mitchell Starc, have started to a white-ball tournament. They with Root this weekend, Warner wrong,” Warner said. “But that’s altercation with Root, so long as washed out. defeat by England during the last fi nd their form and they would seem to produce limited-overs added: “If I see him I’ll give him all gone, it’s in the past and we soft drinks were on the house. On both occasions, it has been Champions Trophy four years love nothing more than a go at the cricketers at will,” added the ex- a handshake.” It was suggested can tell a happily ever after story “If they give me a couple of free Australia who were batting in the ago. “We have to beat England old enemy this weekend. Eng- Ireland batsman. “So to go into a at the time that Warner felt Root, at the end of my career.” drinks, some diet cokes, and the early stages of their innings when and then I think we’re through. I land, by contrast, have managed game like that with no other atti- who was messing about with Known back then by the nick- rest of the boys, they can shout bad weather ended play. What haven’t really read into anything to dodge the bad weather suffi - tude than winning is very impor- a wig, was somehow mocking name ‘Bull’, Warner’s team-mates them a table,” he said. made the Bangladesh washout at else that’s happened.” ciently to beat both Bangladesh tant to us.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT England back opener Roy Sangakkara inspired Sri Lanka to come out of lean patch stunner, says Mathews AFP over game since their woeful fi rst-round exit at the Birmingham, United Kingdom 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. It AFP was at Edgbaston nearly two years ago where Eng- London land showed they were determined to learn from ason Roy received fresh re-assurance about that fl op with a new approach to ODI cricket. his place in England’s team at the Champions They posted a then national record 408 for nine ngelo Mathews says an inspira- Trophy, with the Surrey opener urged to stay against New Zealand — one of several totals of more tional session in the nets with true to his attacking game by assistant coach than 300 in half of their last 46 ODIs. Roy, however, Kumar Sangakkara laid the foun- PaulJ Farbrace despite a recent run of low scores. made a golden duck in his fi rst ODI innings before dations for Sri Lanka’s stunning Before the one-day international tournament got Joe Root and Jos Buttler struck centuries. ChampionsA Trophy victory against India. underway, England captain Eoin Morgan said there But England believe the the benefi ts of Roy’s dy- Sangakkara is retired from international was no question of Roy being dropped. This season, namic approach, as exemplifi ed by a three-fi gure duty, but the legendary Sri Lanka batsman however, has seen the 26-year-old Roy manage just strike-rate, are worth the risks of some low scores is currently playing for Surrey and he took 47 runs in seven one-day international innings, his along the way. “The selfl essness Jason Roy pito- the opportunity to spend some time with lean spell continuing into the start of hosts Eng- mised it in that fi rst series here against New Zea- his country’s emerging youngsters before land’s Champions Trophy campaign. land, he played in the way we want people to play,” Thursday’s crucial clash with India. It’s not as if England lack alternatives with the said Farbrace. “That’s continued,” added Farbrace Still in fi ne form with Surrey, Sangakkara in-form Jonny Bairstow having demonstrated his the deputy to Australian head coach Trevor Bayliss. opted against coming out of retirement for ability to open in white-ball cricket courtesy of a “One of the things we’ve been very consistent the Champions Trophy, but the 39-year-old career-best 174 at the top of the order for Yorkshire on is selection. “We’ve stuck by people when they clearly still has an infl uence off the fi eld. Sri last month. But with England already through to haven’t been taking wickets or scoring runs, and Lanka were thrashed by South Africa in their the semi-fi nals of an event featuring the world’s top it’s always paid dividends. He’s not getting out to opening match last week but bounced back eight ODI sides ahead of their fi nal Group A match shots he hasn’t played (before), but when you’re on Sangakkara’s temporary home ground, against arch-rivals Australia at Edgbaston today, not playing well they do look like tough dismissals. chasing down India’s total of 321 to win by Farbrace said now was not the time for a change of You just have to keep backing them. I don’t see any seven wickets at The Oval. batsman. point in making changes before the semi-fi nal next It was Sri Lanka’s joint highest ODI run England have been a transformed side in the 50- Wednesday.” chase and kept alive their hopes of reach- ing the semi-fi nals. Danushka Gunathi- laka, standing in for the injured Chamara Kapugedera, hit 76 off 72 balls while Kusal Mendis made 89 as the pair set in motion an BCCI’s Advisory Committee buys unlikely victory. And Sri Lanka captain Mathews revealed Sri Lanka’s captain Angelo Mathews (left) and Asela Gunaratne celebrate after their win more time to decide on India coach some tips from Sangakkara this week helped over India in the ICC Champions Trophy at The Oval in London on Thursday. (AFP) turn the tide. “Kusal met Sanga to get some London: The Cricket Advisory coach of the Indian team and it board had invited applications batting tips because he is the king,” Math- Chamara got injured is impressive,” Math- was a very important game for us,” he said. Committee (CAC) of the Board of was decided by the CAC to revert for the post of the head coach as ews said. “We all look up to him and take ews said. “You know, no one really expected us to win. Control for Cricket in India, com- to the BCCI, at an appropriate Kumble’s one-year tenure comes advice from him, all the batters. He taught “He had to step in against a very strong That took a lot of pressure off ourselves, and prising Sourav Ganguly, Sachin time,” the statement read. to an end with the ongoing eight- us good things about how to play on these opposition and I was very impressed with we just went out there, expressed ourselves Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, met According to media reports, nation tournament in England tracks. The guys met him, took a lot of ad- how he batted. He and Kusal played with a and you can see what we can do when we in London and discussed the the CAC has decided to retain and Wales. The process of invit- vice and went out there and did it today.” lot of freedom and that set us a platform and play with a lot of freedom.” selection of the head coach for incumbent Anil Kumble for the ing applications for a new face at Gunathilaka’s ODI career-best innings made it so much easier for myself and the He dedicated the performance to Sri the Indian team. post but the decision will now be the helm of Indian cricket came was especially impressive as he would have middle order batters. Asela’s little cameo as Lanka’s supporters, who made their pres- According to a BCCI state- ratified in a June 26 Special Gen- after reports of a rift between been watching in the stands if Kapugedera well really won us the game at the end so it ence increasingly felt as the game went on, ment, the trio had a nearly two- eral Meeting (SGM) in Mumbai. skipper Virat Kohli and Kumble. hadn’t been ruled out with a knee injury was a fantastic batting eff ort.” as well as the victims of last week’s fl ood- hour discussion on Thursday Acting BCCI President C.K. Khan- But Kohli had denied any such suff ered in practice on Wednesday. Gunath- India seemed to be in control after Shikhar ing in the country. “That’s our trademark, night on the issue of new coach’s na, after consultation with senior tiff , saying: “There are diff erences ilaka and Mendis put together a 159-run Dhawan scored 125, while Rohit Sharma and papare,” Mathews said of the band playing appointment but then informed members like Rajeev Shukla, of opinion in every walk of life”. partnership before Mathews (52) and Asela MS Dhoni made 78 and 63 respectively. But enthusiastically in the stands for much of BCCI CEO Rahul Johri that they wrote a letter to Secretary Am- Hormer India opener Virender Gunaratne (34) fi nished the job with eight the holders paid the price for not pushing the game. “They come wherever we play. would need more time. “The itabh Chaudhary requesting him Sehwag, ex-pacer Dodda Ganesh, balls to spare. closer to 350 and now fi nd themselves in a The Sri Lankan people like to have fun. It Cricket Advisory Committee to defer the coach recruitment Afghanistan coach Lalchand In the midst of a major rebuilding project, scrap to progress from Group B, where all was very pleasing for us to give them a win (CAC) of the BCCI met today and process till the SGM. Rajput, Richard Pybus and Tom Sri Lanka will clinch an unexpected place in four teams have two points with one match because we had some terrible times in the discussed the process with re- Ahead of the ICC Champions Moody have also throw their the last four if they beat Pakistan on Mon- left to play. Mathews hailed his players for recent past, especially with losing a lot of gard to the selection of the head Trophy, the national cricket hats into the ring. day. “For Danushka to walk into a game defying expectations, with title-holders lives for fl oods, and we are very grateful that knowing he wasn’t even in the 15 until after Indian expected to win the game easily. “It we could give them a smile.”

Saturday, June 10, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

CHAMPIONS TROPHY Shakib, Mahmudullah star as Bangladesh stun New Zealand Shakib (114) and Mahmudullah (102) add 224 — Bangladesh’s highest one-day international partnership for any wicket

AFP the pitch, stumped by Mushfi qur Ra- Cardiff , United Kingdom him. SCOREBOARD New Zealand innings hakib Al Hasan and Mahmudul- M. Guptill lbw b Hossain 33 lah both made superb centu- L. Ronchi c Rahman b Ahmed 16 ries as Bangladesh completed a K. Williamson run out (Mosaddek) 57 stunning fi ve-wicket win over R. Taylor c Rahman b Ahmed 63 NewS Zealand that kept alive their hopes N. Broom c Iqbal b Hossain 36 of reaching the Champions Trophy J. Neesham st Rahim b Mosaddek 23 semi-fi nals yesterday. C. Anderson lbw b Mosaddek 0 Bangladesh collapsed to 33 for four M. Santner not out 14 chasing a modest 265 for victory af- A. Milne b Mustafizur Rahman 7 ter Tim Southee removed all their top T. Southee not out 10 three batsmen. But left-hander Shakib Extras (w6) 6 (114) and Mahmudullah (102) turned Total (8 wkts, 50 overs) 265 the tide with a stand of 224 — Bangla- Did not bat: T Boult desh’s highest one-day international Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Ronchi), 2-69 partnership for any wicket, with this (Guptill), 3-152 (Williamson), 4-201 (Taylor), result ending New Zealand’s bid to 5-228 (Broom), 6-229 (Anderson), 7-240 reach the last four. Now Bangladesh (Neesham), 8-252 (Milne) must hope that tournament hosts Eng- Bowling: Mortaza 10-1-45-0 (1w); Mustafi- land beat Australia in the fi nal Group A zur 9-0-52-1 (3w); Taskin 8-0-43-2; Rubel match at Edgbaston today if they are to 10-0-60-1 (1w); Shakib 10-0-52-0 (1w); go through to the semi-fi nals. A win for Mosaddek 3-0-13-3 Australia would see them join already- qualifi ed England in the last four and BANGLADESH INNINGS knock out Bangladesh. Tamim Iqbal lbw b Southee 0 But if today’s match, as has happened Soumya Sarkar lbw b Southee 3 twice to Australia already this tourna- Sabbir Rahman c Ronchi b Southee 8 ment, ends in a no result washout it will Mushfiqur Rahim b Milne 14 be Bangladesh who go into the semi- Shakib Al Hasan b Boult 114 fi nals. Earlier, Ross Taylor (63) and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan plays a shot en route to his hundred. RIGHT: Mohamed Mahmudullah celebrates after Bangladesh’s win over New Zealand in the ICC Mahmudullah not out 102 New Zealand captain Kane Williamson Champions Trophy Group A match at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff . (AFP / Reuters) Mosaddek Hossain not out 7 added 83 for the third wicket before the Extras (lb2, w18) 20 Blackcaps suff ered a middle-order col- who had been 152 for three off 30 overs, instead of batsman Imrul Kayes, ap- Williamson went on to complete a but Taskin, spotting the batsman was Total (5 wkts, 47.2 overs) 268 lapse. As happened in their no-result only managed 113 more runs in the last peared to surprise Luke Ronchi (16), a 58-ball fi fty, but he ran himself out as trying to ramp him, adjusted his length Did not bat: M Mortaza, T Ahmed, R washout with Australia and defeat by 20 overs. New Zealand opener Mar- mistimed pull lobbing gently to Mus- Bangladesh were rewarded for building and an 82-ball innings ended with a Hossain, M Rahman England, the Blackcaps’ innings col- tin Guptill was in excellent touch af- tafi zur Rahman at mid-on. Guptill’s 33 pressure. Taylor turned Shakib straight simple catch to short fi ne leg. Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Tamim), 2-10 (Sabbir), lapsed once the experienced batsmen ter the match started an hour late due then came to an end when he was lbw to to Mossadek at short fi ne leg and non- Mossadek then removed New Zea- 3-12 (Soumya), 4-33 (Mushfiqur), 5-257 were out in quick succession. to rain and drove Bangladesh captain Rubel Hossain. Williamson, fresh from striker Williamson set off for a single land’s next three batsmen, striking (Shakib) Off -spinner Mosaddek Hossain jus- Mashrafe Mortaza for six. But Bangla- scores of 100 and 87 against England that was never on. With Taylor not twice in the 44th over when Neil Broom Bowling: Southee 9-1-45-3 (4w); Boult tifi ed his recall with three for 13 in three desh’s change bowlers removed both and Australia, showed his class with moving, Williamson turned but was (36) sliced to backward point and Corey 10-0-48-1 (4w); Milne 9.2-0-58-1 (3w); overs while placeman Taskin Ahmed, Luke Ronchi and fellow opener Guptill several elegant fours. Taylor too drove run out as Shakib tidied up a wayward Anderson was plumb lbw for a duck. Neesham 4-0-30-0 (1w); Santner 10-0-47- also brought back for this match, took to leave New Zealand 69 for two. Taskin down the ground before sweep- throw from Mossadek. New Zealand The spinner completed his haul by hav- 0 (2w); Anderson 3-0-19-0; Williamson two for 43 in eight overs. New Zealand, The extra pace of Taskin, recalled ing spinner Shakib for four. needed Taylor to ‘go on’ to a big score ing Jimmy Neesham (23), yards down 2-0-19-0

SPOTLIGHT INDIA ARE NOT INVINCIBLE: KOHLI London: India captain Virat Kohli said his team before captain Angelo Mathews steered his team were not invincible after the defending champions home with a composed unbeaten 52. Qatar rider Bassem clinches third allowed Sri Lanka to chase down a target of 322 “We all felt we had enough on the board at the to win a pulsating Champions Trophy match at halfway mark,” Kohli said. “We trusted our bowl- The Oval on Thursday. India, inspired by Shikhar ers, but they (Sri Lanka) were pretty good on the Dhawan’s superb 125, racked up a healthy total of day. Kept their momentum going and executed place at Global Champions Tour 321 for six but Sri Lanka knocked off the runs with their shots really well. Our bowlers bowled de- eight balls left to leave Group B wide open. All four cently, but they batted really well.” teams in the section have two points going into Kohli blamed poor execution as India’s bowlers the last round of games in which India play top- took only one wicket, the other two Sri Lankan ranked South Africa tomorrow and Sri Lanka meet wickets coming from run-outs as they achieved Pakistan on Monday. the highest successful run chase in the tourna- “I think Sri Lanka played really well,” Kohli ment’s history. “There is always hindsight when said following his team’s seven-wicket loss. “The you don’t win games. As I said we bowled decently other teams are also champions and that needs well, but the execution wasn’t quite there,” added to be kept in mind. We are not invincible.” India Kohli, who was out for a duck to complete a bad had beaten Sri Lanka in 14 of their last 17 one-day day for one of the world’s leading batsmen. internationals, including the last five. India’s bowl- “Obviously, there is food for thought but you ers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen., have got to give credit to other teams as well. You however, as Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal don’t take any team lightly. It’s going to be like this Mendis shared a second-wicket partnership of 159 throughout the tournament.”

FOCUS Oval, Lord’s set for expansion AFP The other, less ambitious scheme, known as the London Masterplan, would see work worth £89mn carried out using the club’s own funds. Offi cials insisted Lord’s could continue to stage matches while any ondon’s two major cricket grounds an- building work was ongoing. nounced expansion schemes yesterday, with MCC members have been invited to give their the Oval set to overtake Lord’s as the venue views before a vote at a special general meeting in with the largest capacity in the English September. Lord’s is also home to Middlesex, the Lgame. The Oval, the south London headquarters of reigning English county champions. Even with the Surrey, plans to increase its capacity from 25,500 planned increases, the capacity of both Lord’s and to 40,000 in time for the 2023 Ashes Test series the Oval would still be behind that of other major against Australia. That would take it well above international cricket venues such as the Melbourne Lord’s, the self-styled ‘home of cricket’. Cricket Ground (100,000) and Kolkata’s Eden Gar- Qatar’s Bassem Hassan Mohamed in action with Tamira IV at the Global Champions Tour in Cannes, France. Yesterday also saw Marylebone Cricket Club dens (66,000). (MCC), which owns Lord’s, announce a more mod- The Oval is set to stage the fi nal of the ongoing By Sports Reporter With the fi rst class of the weekend the per- riders or horses, as they make their calcula- est plan to increase the northwest London ground’s Champions Trophy one-day international tourna- Cannes, France fect taster of the action to come, many riders tions from the scoring of Thursday’s results. capacity from 30,000 to 32,000. ment. The fi rst Test match played in England took chose to fl ex their horses’ muscles It was a battle for the French Riviera as a The MCC is considering two proposals. One place against Australia at the Oval in 1880, three night of high drama saw a shock exit from would involve building two 10-storey blocks of fl ats years after the teams had fi rst met in Melbourne. atar rider Bassem Hassan Mo- DOHA FURSAN QATAR IN SECOND home team Cannes Stars while St Tropez adjacent to the Nursery Ground that would fund Although it is more than 40 years since MCC ceased hamed clinched the third place in PLACE AFTER ROUND ONE Pirates stole pole position in emphatic style. provide some £100mn ($127mn, 114mn euros) to- to run English cricket, it retains worldwide respon- the fi ve-star class of the sixth leg In the team event, Global Champions Talking about their powerful performance wards ground development. sibility for the sport’s ‘Laws’ or rules. of the Global Champions Tour in League, Doha Fursan Qatar’s strategy of in Cannes, Pirates rider Jerome Guery said Cannes,Q France on Thursday night. Bassem consistency once again paid off , with Sheikh “I knew I’d have to ride clear for us to stay put in a stunning round with Tamira IV to Ali Bin Khalid al-Thani and Bassem Hassan in the competition as I had a little pressure fi nish third overall. Great Britain’s Robert Mohamed collecting four faults apiece to on me, but I’m really happy with my horse.” Smith and Cimano E stole the show, with put them on a team total of eight. Teammate Simon Delestre agreed the the pair storming to the win with a time of In second position heading into the fi nal, team had propelled themselves into the best 31.58s and taking the top spot. Sheikh Ali and Bassem will be hoping for possible position. “It’s good to be in the lead, Young German star Philip Houston of another podium result, with the overall GCL and we knew we had to jump clear to be in Germany has already been turning heads on ranking battle tighter than ever. Sheikh Ali with a chance. We have a very good team the show jumping scene, with the 19-year- and Bassem had combined well for their fi rst spirit want to fi ght for each other,” he said. old riding his grey gelding Loewenherz to ever podium fi nish in Hamburg last month. Uliano Vezzani’s course was a tough test perfection around the tricky course and Doha Fursan Qatar are ninth with 71 for the world’s best, with multiple fences stopping the clock at 32.12s to fi nish second. points after the third place fi nish in Ham- causing headaches for the team athletes at The fi nal fence caused the most prob- burg and will be hoping to climb the ladder the Global Champions League of Cannes. lems – a big BMW oxer positioned just past in Cannes tonight. Making full use of the space, Uliano’s wind- the in-gate – with many riders agonisingly The tough test tonight will see teams now ing circuit featured signature gappy oxers rolling the pole. Others fell short of the time planning their strategy for round two show- and a colourful treble across the diagonal allowed, with Scott Brash (Great Britain) down, deciding which horse and rider com- line. The biggest challenge however was the and Hello Forever, Christian Ahlmann (Ger- binations to fi eld to gain maximum advan- penultimate fence; an imposing full height many) and Caribis Z, and LGCT Ranking tage in the compact sand arena and under stack of planks, featuring a colourful im- leader Lorenzo de Luca (Italy) with Halifax fl oodlights on the Côte d’Azur. Fans will be age of a super yacht which caught the eye of van het Kluizebos all picking up a time fault. waiting to see which teams tactically change many horses. An artist’s impression of the proposed redevelopment at The Oval cricket stadium in London. (Surrey CCC)