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Monday, June 7, 2021 FORMULA 1 Shawwal 26, 1442 AH Perez wins in Baku GULF TIMES as Verstappen, Hamilton KO’d SPORT Page 7 FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 AND AFC ASIAN CUP 2023 QUALIFIERS Qatar aim to seal top spot ‘There is pressure on both sides. It’s our responsibility with win over Oman to win points’

By Sports Reporter Doha

atar aim to seal top spot in Group E when they clash with Oman in the Asian Qualifi ers for the FIFAQ World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium today. Unbeaten Qatar have 19 points from seven matches and will just have to avoid defeat against Oman to emerge group winners and directly qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup in China. Oman are second in the group with 12 points from fi ve matches and will have to win all their three remaining group matches to dis- place Qatar from the top. Qatar lead Group E with 19 points from seven matches with second placed Oman seven adrift but with two games in hand – against Afghanistan and Bang- ladesh. Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez (right) addresses the media ahead of their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers match against Oman yesterday. (Right) Oman coach Branko Ivankovic Felix Sanchez’s side stretched (right) speaks at the press conference yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil their lead at the top of the stand- ings after defeating India 1-0 team’s inability to put away their cally strong. We need to be at “Every single detail can make should they fail to leapfrog Qa- will retain the same intensity of three points from six matches. on Thursday and a draw against chances against India on Thurs- our best to get a good result. a diff erence.” The Spaniard said tar after the completion of their which saw them rally back to India kept Qatar at bay in the Oman will seal top spot and con- day but will remind his players that Hopefully, we can get the points defender Pedro Miguel is still re- remaining matches against Af- hold Afghanistan last week when second half thanks to some solid fi rm their place in the AFC Asian they can’t aff ord to squander op- we need to qualify for the Asian covering from injury and there- ghanistan and Bangladesh. they clash with India today. defending and with Glen Mar- Cup China 2023 Finals. portunities against an Oman side Cup,” Sanchez said at his press fore is not part of the squad. Oman will head into the tie When the two teams met in tins coming off an impressive With their Matchday Two bidding to steal top spot from the conference yesterday. “Pedro is not on our list. Akram against Qatar having regis- 2019, Bangladesh were disap- debut in Indian colours alongside draw against India in September reigning AFC Asian Cup holders. He added that Qatar’s perform- Afi f was given the green light to tered wins over Thailand (1-0) pointed not to walk away with a rested Sunil Chhetri, Stimac 2019 the only blot in their near Sanchez said Qatar players are ance against Oman will make all play in the last match but didn’t and Indonesia (3-1) in friend- the three points as India scored will be optimistic of his team’s fl awless qualifying campaign, motivated to perform at the best the diff erence in the group. feel confi dent. So we decided not lies and Ivankovic has named a late in the game courtesy of Se- chances against Bangladesh. Qatar will go into the tie having level against Oman on Monday as “There is pressure but pressure to take a risk. Hopefully, we’ll see strong 29-member squad for this iminlen Doungel’s strike. already beaten Oman once in the they seek direct qualifi cation to is on both sides. It’s our respon- him soon,” he added. month’s triple-header, includ- India, who had to play with 10 TODAY’S SCHEDULE Asian Qualifi ers, a 2-1 win at the the Asian Cup. sibility to win points. This is the Meanwhile, Branko Ivankovic’s ing striker Munther al-Alawi and men against Qatar on Thursday, 5pm: Bangladesh v India Al Janoub Stadium in 2019. “They (Oman) are our main game that will make the diff er- Oman are in a strong position to 30-year old Ali al-Busaidi. will be targeting their fi rst win 8pm: Oman v Qatar Head coach Felix Sanchez rivals and it’s a key game. ence so we have to stay focused claim one of the qualifying spots Elsewhere, Bangladesh head of the campaign as Igor Stimac’s Venue: Jassim Bin Hamad wasn’t overly concerned with his They’ve quality and are physi- and avoid mistakes,” he said. for the best second-placed teams coach Jamie Day hopes his team side look to improve on their haul Stadium, Doha

HORSE RACING St Mark’s Basilica gives O’Brien his fi rst Qatar Prix du Jockey Club win

Agencies Chantilly, France

he Irish-trained favourite St Mark’s Basilica was the clear winner of this year’s Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, sponsored by theT Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) for the fi rst time this year, in Chantilly, France. Ioritz Mendizabal gave his mount a dream ride yet again, having also guid- ed the Aiden O’Brien ward to a win in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Group 1) at ParisLongchamp three weeks ago. The QREC-sponsored Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, reunites the best European three-year-old colts and is also known as a stallion-making race, with the likes of Lope de Vega, Shamardal, Dalakhani and Montjeu all former winners. Sheikh Ali bin Jas- sim al-Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, and France Galop President Edouard de Rotshchild presented the trophies to the winners. Ioritz Mendizabal rides St Mark’s Basilica to victory in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club By leading French stallion Siyouni, in Chantilly, France, yesterday. St Mark’s Basilica gave his rivals the slip 300m from the post. Sealiway, Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani (third from left), Ambassador of Qatar to France, and France Galop President Edouard de den, who trusted me with the ride on could! Millebosc picked up so strongly. representing the Haras de la Gousserie Rotshchild (second from left) presented the trophies to the winners of Qatar Prix du Jockey Club. PICTURES: Zuzanna Lupa Mishriff , and the excellent work by my I’ve always believed in him and he has and Guy Pariente, came in second for agent, Pierre-Alain Chereau. Without proved his class there. He is still very trainer Frederic Rossi. Millebosc, rid- “We always thought he would get ter suited by better ground. Will he get Alain Chereau, my agent, told me that them none of this would have been pos- unexposed and that was only his fourth den by Gregory Benoist in the colours of the 2,100m, even if he has got a lot of 2,400m? We can’t fully say until we I would win him a fi rst Jockey Club. I sible.” race. It’s great to have a good horse and Gérard Augustin-Normand for trainer speed. He had come on a lot since the have tried it. As regards the next step, was surprised at this because when you Rossi, the handler of second-placed we can maybe step him up in distance Stephanie Nigge, was a close third. Poule d’Essai des Poulains. You need to the Eclipse followed by the Champion look at his record we think that he has Sealiway, said, “I had the horse as well come the Autumn. Grégory Benoist O’Brien has won the Epsom Derby have a very good horse to win the Jockey Stakes could be on the agenda.” won everything already. It was the same as I could for today. It’s great to fi nish rode an excellent race. I want to thank eight times even as success in the Qatar Club. His ability to accelerate where it Mendizabal was over the moon with with John Gosden last year. I won him second in the Jockey Club with him.” all my team at home from the bottom of Prix du Jockey-Club had eluded him. counts and his temperament have made this Classic win for a second consecu- his fi rst Jockey Club too. Nigge, was running a colt for the my heart. We might see him out next at “Ioritz rode a very good race, just the diff erence. He is able to adapt to any tive year. “It’s incredible. It’s a huge “A year ago, I never thought I would fi rst time in her young training career, Deauville in August. But I think he will like he rode in the Poule d’Essai,” said type of ground, even if I think that, by privilege to be associated with a horse get back on horses capable of win- was ecstatic about third-placed Mil- be better off in the Autumn with softer O’Brien. looking at his action, he will be bet- trained by Aidan O’Brien. Pierre- ning Classics. It’s thanks to John Gos- lebosc. “I was shouting as loud as I ground.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, June 7, 2021 FOOTBALL

COMMENT Indian defender Khan recalls joy of 2019 in Kolkata

By Sports Reporter I was so motivated,” Khan wrote football fan and my inspiration. “Bangladesh were stubborn. It ner, I gestured to him. Both of Doha in a column for the AIFF website I felt helpless. As we approached was hard to break them. We tried us were roommates for that trip on the eve of the return match the stadium on the day, I could everything, but it didn’t pan out to Kolkata, and we used to talk a against Bangladesh. see the hordes of fans heading for the way we wanted it to go, and as lot about a goal that I had scored ndian defender Adil Khan His father was undergoing the cauldron,” he wrote. we headed into the half-time, we for Churchill Brothers from one hopes to make another heart surgery on the day when he “I will never forget the roar were a goal down. In the second of his corners, back in our days in noteworthy contribution to was playing that match. that greeted us when we walked half, we went all out. But the ball the Hero I-League.” his team’s cause when they “When I met my dad (after the in. It made me forget everything. just didn’t go in. There were miss- Khan said he told Chhetri that Itake on Bangladesh in a Group E surgery) I told him about my goal For a man, there are days when es, defl ections, goal-line saves, he would make that run to the qualifi er for the 2022 FIFA World for India. He had never missed you feel possessed, possessed and it made us start to wonder: ‘Is fi rst post. Cup and AFC Asian Cup 2023 at any match since my Academy with faith and belief that you are today one of those days?’” “Brandon, as usual, was spot the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium days wherein he used to travel invincible on that day. I wanted With a few minutes left in on. I somehow managed to leap today. long distances to watch me play. to dive deep into my National the match, India found a lifeline and connect with the ball prop- When the teams clashed earli- I felt proud of not letting him team colours — my desperation when they earned a corner. erly, and it generated the power er in October 2019, it was Khan’s down, and obviously, he was to fi nd solace — I wanted to be the “Until now, [Sunil] Chhetri and the angle required. I saw the header with two minutes remain- proud of his son making a mark son of the soil. bhai was making the runs to the net bulging and heard the roar ing in the match that helped India for the country. Life is made of “I looked at the packed stands. fi rst post, but he was under- — some 70,000 people were re- draw Bangladesh 1-1 and clinch a such moments.” They had come from distant cor- standably heavily marked. In lieved, cheering my goal, for my valuable point in Kolkata. Khan was travelling to the sta- ners to watch us, they sacrifi ced fact, just a few minutes earlier, country. Life is certainly made “The match will always be a dium when he got the news that other priorities to watch me. I he did manage to shake off his of such moments — I went blind, hallmark in my life. I had fought his father was to undergo a heart needed to pay them back,” he marker and glide a header off the I went deaf. That roar will stay my way back to the National team operation the same day. wrote. fi rst post, but it went wide. with me forever. after a spell of injuries that had “Honestly, I was a bit devastat- Bangladesh took the lead in the “As I watched Brandon [Fern- “Unfortunately, we didn’t have kept me out of football for long. ed. My dad has been the biggest 42nd minute through Saad Uddin. Indian defender Adil Khan. (AIFF) andes] walk up to take the cor- much time to score another.”

EURO 2020 FOCUS Puskas Arena ‘Radio’ Mueller and hosts Hungary’s Euro 2020 Hummels turn up revival dreams

AFP Then after the country’s failed Budapest, Hungary 1956 revolution against Soviet rule its biggest stars including Puskas left the country. volume for Germany owering over eastern Bu- Hungary’s race to the bottom dapest, Euro 2020 venue from the heyday of the Magi- the Puskas Arena is both cal Magyars was unparalleled in ‘You notice that you can rely on these guys... that feeling is enormously important’ a monument to Prime football. TMinister Viktor Orban’s football UEFA statistics produced for AFP fanaticism and a budding revival the organisation’s 50-year-anni- Berlin, Germany in once powerful Hungary’s for- versary in 2004 showed Hungary tunes. was the only European country Named after Ferenc Puskas, whose vital signs of football life fter a two-year ex- the mercurial lynchpin of Hun- — number of players, pitches, ile from international gary’s fabled ‘Magical Mag- clubs, and coaches — had re- football, 2014 World yars’ team of the 1950s, the gressed since 1954. Cup winners Thomas 68,000-capacity stadium will Since then, particularly since MuellerA and Mats Hummels are host four games at the tourna- the end of communism in 1989, set to crank up the volume on the ment which begins June 11. factors including low levels of in- pitch for Germany’s bid to win Hungary’s group matches vestment or TV money, decrepit Euro 2020. against title holders Portugal grounds, and corruption con- Germany head into the Eu- (June 15), and world champions tributed to the rot. ropean Championship low on France (June 19) will be played Failure to produce world-class confi dence after a shock home there, as well as France’s clash players since Puskas, 1950s Bar- defeat to North Macedonia in with Portugal (June 23), and a celona legend Laszlo Kubala, and March in the wake of an historic last-16 tie (June 27). 1967 Ballon d’Or winner Florian 6-0 thrashing by Spain last No- The only Euro 2020 venue Albert has also kept Hungary vember, the Germans heaviest without a spectator limit, the trailing far behind neighbours defeat in more than 80 years. ground was opened in 2019 as part like Croatia who reached the On both occasions, shell- of a nationwide stadium-building 2018 World Cup fi nal. shocked faces in the stunned programme under Orban since he “I would like to see Hungary German ranks exposed a lack of came to power in 2010. reach the same heights in foot- leadership with captain Manuel “The rebuilding project of ball as before, that is the World Neuer helplessly watching the Hungarian football is a decade- Cup fi nal,” Orban, 58, a former crisis unfold from his goal. old story of actual physical re- amateur player and regular Germany’s under-fi re head construction begun by Orban,” match-goer, said last December. coach Joachim Loew, who will Gyorgy Szollosi, editor-in-chief step down later this summer, of the Nemzeti Sport newspaper, ‘CONCRETE RESULTS’ has reacted by reversing his 2019 told AFP. Orban’s critics complain that decision to axe Hummels and several of the new stadia are Mueller, recalling the experi- BUILDING BOOM oversized, often saw price over- enced pair to help lead on the Hungary’s football infrastruc- runs, and are typically expensive pitch at the Euro. ture development has been “un- long-term burdens for taxpayers. “It’s certainly true that Mats precedented in Europe” Sandor Most clubs in the top two Hummels or myself are play- Csanyi, head of the Hungar- Hungarian league divisions are ers who dare to speak up,” said ian Football Association (MLSZ), also owned by or linked to fi gures Mueller, who made his 101st said last month. close to or members of Orban’s international appearance on Every stadium in the country’s ruling party Fidesz, fuelling con- Wednesday after a two-year top two divisions has been re- cerns about cronyism. hiatus. built, with the Puskas Arena the But with the national team Loew is desperate to sign Germany’s Mats Hummels (left) and Thomas Mueller walk off the pitch for half-time during the friendly against Denmark in Innsbruck, Austria, jewel in the crown of the building steadily improving under Ital- off after 15 years in charge by on Wednesday. (AFP) boom. ian coach Marco Rossi, success- winning the Euro to mend his Mostly silent since it opened starved fans are focusing instead reputation, tarnished by the due to coronavirus fan restric- on Hungary’s second successive Germans’ 2018 World Cup de- Germany still need some work ahead of France opener: coach Loew tions, the impressive arena was qualifi cation for the European bacle, and needs Mueller, 31, and built on the same spot and partly Championships. Hummels, 32, to give his squad a Reuters The Germans also play Europe- rehearsal for France, with from the rubble of the commu- Euro 2016 in France was the boost. Seefeld, Austria an champions Portugal as well several players having had a nist-era “Nepstadion” (People’s Magyars’ fi rst participation at As Germany left-back Robin as Hungary in Group F and are shorter preparation time due Stadium). a major tournament since the Gosens admits “both have a spe- desperate to deliver a better to their participation in the That vast monolith was erect- World Cup in 1986. cial aura. You notice immediately ermany still need to performance than their 2018 Champions League final. ed in 1954 a year after Hungary, “One qualifi cation might have that you can rely on these guys. work on parts of their World Cup first-round exit and “I plan to make some substi- considered the best side in the been a one-off , but two-in- And that feeling is enormously Ggame before the start of their two disappointing Nations tutions because the players world at the time, famously a-row signals that the team is important for a football team”. the European Championship, League campaigns since then. from the English teams (from thrashed England 6-3 at Wem- also on the right track,” Gergely Equally, a poll of German fans coach Joachim Loew said yes- The Germans also suff ered a the Champions League final bley in the so-called “Match of Marosi, a football journalist, told by AFP subsidiary SID showed terday at the end of their nine- 6-0 loss to Spain in November, between Manchester City the Century”. AFP. more than 80 percent are pleased day training camp in Austria. their heaviest ever defeat in a and Chelsea) should not be The Nepstadion, intended as “By getting to Euro 2020 a to see Mueller and Hummels back The Germans, starting their competitive game. stretched too hard.” a monument to Hungarian glory, government that spends a lot on on Germany duty. tournament against world “We have certainly taken a Timo Werner, Kai Havretz, An- was never fully completed after sport and treats it as a priority ‘Radio Mueller’, as he is nick- champions France on June 15, to prepare for France,” Loew, step forward but we still have tonio Ruediger and Ilkay Gun- hot favourites Hungary lost the can show that there are concrete named, was the loudest German play their last warm-up match going into his final tournament to improve,” Loew said. “We dogan joined only days ago. 1954 World Cup fi nal to West results now on the pitch, not just voice on the pitch in Wednes- against Latvia today. The Euros as Germany coach, told a news have done the basic work but “We have to fine-tune things Germany. the new stadia,” he said. day’s 1-1 draw with Denmark open on Friday. conference. on some issues for the next but we don’t want to risk inju- while Hummels marshalled the “I cannot fully draw conclusions Loew has been in charge since week we will continue to work ries with these players. They German defence, but his last- from our camp just yet because 2006 and will be succeeded by to become more stable and had a few days of rest and a lot gasp tackle could not stop Yus- our preparation continues his former assistant and former stronger.” of matches under their belt this suf Poulsen’s equaliser. and after the game tomorrow Bayern Munich coach Hansi The coach said he would not season,” Loew said. “It’s not about roaring or vol- we have a week in Dusseldorf Flick after the tournament. use the Latvia game as a dress ume per se,” explained Mueller. “The point is to distribute in- formation so that every player have to be wide awake to survive leadership group and is wary of which won all of their last eight His eye for space in the pen- can react as quickly as possible to Group F. disturbing the fragile harmony games to qualify for the Cham- alty area helped create many game situations. I am what I am.” They start against world within the team. pions League and lift the Ger- a goal as Bayern swept up the “When I see the quality that champions France on June 15 in “Thomas and I bring addi- man Cup. 2019/20 treble of Champions is in the team, I want to wake up Munich, then face holders Por- tional support. We don’t want Mueller has not looked back League, Bundesliga and German German football,” he added. tugal four days later before host- to take a (leadership) role away since Hansi Flick recalled the at- Cup titles. There is no way of hitting the ing Hungary on June 23. from anyone. It’s not a problem, tacking midfi elder to the Bayern His form this season has also snooze button on Mueller, who “We will have moments of suf- because we all want to win.” Munich starting side in Novem- made a mockery of Loew’s deci- wants to fi re up Germany’s bid fering — the group won’t be a The veterans have earned ber 2019. sion to axe him and despite 926 to be crowned European cham- walk in the park,” Mueller admits. their recalls on merit. “Hansi gave me responsibility days in exile, Mueller and Hum- pions for the fourth time. Likewise, Hummels only Hummels was the defensive and you have to back that up with mels looked like they had never Puskas Arena of Budapest is the only Euro 2020 venue without a However, the Germans will wants to enhance Germany’s cornerstone of a Dortmund team performances,” said Mueller. been away against the Danes. spectator limit. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, June 7, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

FRIENDLIES FOCUS Qatar Airways Rashford penalty sponsors the launch of the sees England past offi cial Euro Victory for Southgate’s men is again overshadowed by booing from fans as 2020 podcast Romania the players take the knee before kick-off

AFP Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

arcus Rashford’s penalty earned Eng- land an unconvinc- ing 1-0 win over MRomania in their fi nal warm-up friendly ahead of Euro 2020 in Middlesbrough yesterday. However, victory for Ga- reth Southgate’s men was again overshadowed by booing from supporters as the players took the knee before kick-off . Southgate’s selection will also be questioned as he named an experimental line-up with fi ve players who are not part of his fi nal squad making an appear- ance at some point in the game. There is still one place up for grabs in Southgate’s 26-man By Sports Reporter With the 16th edition of the squad, though, due to an injury Doha tournament kicking-off on 11 to Trent Alexander-Arnold. June, the iconic Henri Delaunay James Ward-Prowse, Ben Trophy visited all the host cities Godfrey and Ben White were all host of high-profi le and made a special trip to Doha given the chance to further their football players, pundits as part of the UEFA Euro 2020 case from the start, while Jesse and celebrities will take trophy tour. Lingard and Ollie Watkins came Apart in the ‘The Euro The 11 cities set to host the off the bench in the second-half. Show’, the Offi cial UEFA Euro matches are Amsterdam, Baku, An inexperienced side could 2020 podcast, presented in col- Bucharest, Budapest, Copenha- have done without the distrac- laboration with Qatar Airways, gen, Glasgow, London, Munich, tion of more boos from the the Offi cial Airline Sponsor of the Rome, St. Petersburg and Se- crowd at the Riverside as they fl agship summer tournament. ville. UEFA has worked with the took the knee before kick-off . England’s Marcus Rashford scores their first goal from the penalty spot during the friendly against Romania at Riverside Stadium in The podcast will be featured respective authorities to ensure After similar scenes ahead of Middlesbrough, England, yesterday. (Reuters) on all major web, mobile applica- a safe return of spectators to the Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Aus- tion and social media platforms, stadiums. The local organis- tria, Southgate insisted on Sat- rounding up expert match analy- ing committees in each host city urday that the Three Lions will Netherlands cruise past Georgia sis, behind-the-scenes inter- have confi rmed stadium occu- continue to make the gesture ahead of Euro return views, dedicated team updates, pancies from 22 per cent, with against racial injustice through- match previews and much more. the potential to raise their ca- out Euro 2020. AFP Loria made another mag- Football fans will receive the lat- pacities depending on the devel- Once the action did get un- Enschede, Netherlands nificent stop just before the est insights and will be able to opment of their mass Covid-19 derway, a second-string home break, tipping away Frenkie de share content on their own social testing programmes, and general side struggled without captain Jong’s long-range drive which media accounts, and talk to other health conditions. Harry Kane or any Chelsea and he Netherlands com- was arrowing into his top football fans. The Fan Zones in London and Manchester City players due to pleted their Euro 2020 right-hand corner. Qatar Airways is also launch- Rome will incorporate a virtual their participation in last week- Tpreparations yesterday Wout Weghorst did make ing on-ground activities at Fan reality stadium experience, pho- end’s Champions League fi nal. with a 3-0 over Georgia which it two 11 minutes after the Zones in London and Rome, as to opportunity, football freestyle Ward-Prowse did the most to showed why they are tipped restart when he collected part of its preparations for the performances and special givea- justify a place in the squad with to go deep in this summer’s impressive Depay’s well-time championship, which will be or- ways. an all-action display in midfi eld delayed tournament. through ball and lashed home ganised in conjunction with the The national airline of Qatar and the Southampton skipper’s Frank de Boer’s Dutch team from close range. matches across all the host cit- launched a global UEFA Euro delivery from set-pieces was will be aiming to make a Loria continued his superb ies. Fan Zones will be an essen- 2020 campaign to create aware- also on show. big impression at their first display between the sticks tial part of the European foot- ness for the biggest football Dominic Calvert-Lewin pow- major tournament since the with another great save from ball festival, bringing thousands event of the summer period and ered his in-swinging free-kick 2014 World Cup and play all Depay’s drilled eff ort from the of people together to watch the demonstrate the carrier’s mis- against the crossbar before their Group C matches with edge of the area, but couldn’t matches being held across Eu- sion of uniting fans of all ages Jadon Sancho also struck the Ukraine, Austria and North stop Ryan Gravenberch from rope and to experience other en- and backgrounds through the woodwork. Macedonia in Amsterdam. adding a third with 14 minutes tertainment. passion of football. At the other end Sam John- They took the lead in the 10th left. Qatar Airways Group Chief Qatar Airways has an extensive stone had an impressive England minute through a Memphis The 35-year-old had again Executive HE Akbar al-Baker global sports partnerships port- debut as he made a smart save Depay penalty and the Lyon for- denied Depay, this time from said: “With excitement building folio which includes the likes of from Nicole Stanciu to ensure ward was unlucky not to double close range, but Ajax teenager ahead of the championship, Qatar football governing bodies such as Southgate’s men did not trail at his tally six minutes later, with Gravenberch followed up to Airways has a strong partnership FIFA, UEFA and CONMEBOL. As the break. Giorgi Loria pulling off a marvel- nod home and complete the with UEFA for an unforgettable offi cial FIFA partner, Qatar Air- Liverpool captain Jordan England manager Gareth Southgate (left) and assistant coach Steve lous save to deny him. victory. tournament. ‘The Euro Show’ will ways has sponsored mega events Henderson made his return Holland kneel down ahead of the friendly against Romania. (AFP) be a must for fans to tune in for such the 2019 and 2020 editions from 106 days out injured at expert analysis, engage with each of FIFA Club World Cup and will half-time for a much-needed 45 However, that tactic cost spot to send Florin Nita the armband from Rashford and ball after he was chopped down other and receive latest updates sponsor the FIFA World Cup Qa- minutes for his match fi tness. them the only goal when Greal- wrong way. also took control of penalty tak- by Vlad Chiriches, but Hender- from the heart of the action. As tar 2022. The airline also spon- Jack Grealish was England’s ish was clipped by Tiberiu Ca- Johnstone then had to make a ing duties 12 minutes from time son pulled rank. the Offi cial Airline for the UEFA sors some of the world’s biggest one constant menace as the Ro- pusa as he broke into the box. stunning stop to earn his clean with the Manchester United However, he is still waiting Euro 2020, we are also proud to football clubs including Paris manians repeatedly resorted to Rashford, who became the sheet by turning Andrei Ivan’s forward having been replaced by to score his fi rst international see the trophy visit Doha and be Saint-Germain, Roma, Boca hauling down the Aston Villa 125th man to captain England, fi erce eff ort over. Lingard. goal after 59 caps as Nita made a taken to the most famous sites Juniors, Bayern Munich, KAS man. took responsibility from the Henderson took the captain’s Calvert-Lewin wanted the good save low to his right. around the country.” Eupen, and Al Sadd.

SPOTLIGHT Players should be freed from Copa America obligations: league body outh American play- squad would make a statement ers should be given the on Tuesday about whether or Portugal’s new wave of talent waiting Schance to opt out of not they wish to compete in the playing the Copa America this Copa America. month, the World Leagues Brazilian media reports said Forum (WLF) said in an open the players do not want to play in the wings behind Ronaldo letter to FIFA and the South in a hastily arranged tourna- American Football Confedera- ment that is due to kick off on AFP thinking presence as for his club coach Fernando Santos against naldo, Lionel Messi and Robert tion (CONMEBOL) on Saturday. June 13. More people have died Lisbon, Portugal Manchester City. Luxembourg following a dis- Lewandowski. The WLF, an organisation in Brazil from Covid-19 than Another of Portugal’s Premier tracted performance. “I believe that I’m having the that represents more than 40 any other country outside the League stars Diogo Jota has re- He also made little impact in best period of my career both professional leagues and their United States. ortugal begin the de- covered from injury just in time to the 0-0 draw with Spain, which mentally and physically. I come clubs, said the abrupt decision The Zurich-based WLF acknowl- fence of their Euro- take part in the Euro and played in was played at Atletico’s Wanda here motivated and confi dent to move the Copa America to edged the legal, organisational pean title at Euro 2020 Friday’s goalless draw with Spain. Metropolitano stadium. following the season I’ve just Brazil after Argentina pulled and financial pressures on CON- this month boasting a With six goals in 12 interna- “I don’t think I’ve lost my tal- had,” Andre Silva said after join- out due to a surge in Covid-19 MEBOL to hold a tournament Pwealth of young attacking talent tional appearances, the 24-year- ent. Talent tends to evolve and ing up with his national team. cases “directly aff ect(s) that brought in $118mn last time lining up behind veteran super- old Liverpool forward has shown as a team player I believe I’m However despite his record of leagues, their member clubs it was played in 2019. But it also star Cristiano Ronaldo. that he could replace Ronaldo continuing to evolve,” Felix said 16 goals in 38 Portugal matches, and their players”. said players’ opinions must be Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota, up front just as easily as he can during preparation for the Euro. he seems to be incompatible “As far as the WLF is concerned, taken into account. Joao Felix and Andre Silva are develop alongside the fi ve-time with Ronaldo, the pair proving given this sudden change of lo- “...from the leagues’ perspec- part of a new wave of attack- Ballon d’Or winner. ‘BEST PERIOD OF MY CAREER’ ineff ective against the modest cation and circumstances... we tive and for their member minded players who will be Despite his average height Portugal’s Diogo Jota. (AFP) Andre Silva meanwhile comes resistance of Azerbaijan during consider that players should be clubs, players have been pushing for the Portuguese to (5ft 10in or 1.78m), he also man- into the tournament off the back a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win. given the opportunity to with- released in the context of a become the second nation to aged to score three headed goals Atletico Madrid starting line- of his best ever season that put Portugal are not lacking in draw from the competition and competition held in Argentina, retain the European Champion- in 2022 World Cup qualifying up and at just 21 with the air of him in some exalted company in talent but it remains to be seen that clubs should be able to not in Brazil,” said the letter ship after neighbours Spain. matches against Serbia and Lux- a player lost. the goalscoring charts. if a highly talented supporting recall their players, specifically addressed to CONMEBOL’s After missing Euro 2016 embourg in March. Breaks away from the Spanish The 25-year-old scored 28 cast can link up with its lead- if there is a travel restriction or secretary general Jose Astigar- through injury, 26-year-old capital with the national team Bundesliga goals this term as ing light Ronaldo, who is just six a quarantine obligation on their raga and FIFA’s deputy general Bernardo Silva has become FELIX’S ‘TALENT EVOLVING’ have changed little, with Felix Eintracht Frankfurt missed out goals short of Iranian Ali Daei’s return,” said the letter seen by secretary Mattias Grafstrom. a fi xture in Portugal’s start- Touted as the successor to Ron- starting on the bench against on Champions League foot- all-time international record of Reuters. CONMEBOL did not immedi- ing XI, scoring seven goals in aldo, Joao Felix has so far failed Azerbaijan and Serbia in World ball by just a point, and he was 103 goals and level with Michel It comes the day after Brazil ately respond to a request for 54 appearances and providing to fulfi l his obvious potential, Cup qualifying before being fourth in the chase for the Eu- Platini’s record mark of nine Eu- captain Casemiro said the comment. (Reuters) the same dynamic, forward- ending this season out of the substituted before half-time by ropean Golden Shoe behind Ro- ropean Championship strikes. Gulf Times 4 Monday, June 7, 2021 GOLF

PGA MEMORIAL Leader Rahm withdraws due to positive Covid test ‘IT’S TERRIBLE THAT THAT HAPPENED. I THINK IT’S TERRIBLE THEY TOLD HIM IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS’

AFP Washington DeChambeau says PGA Tour efending champion Jon Rahm was forced to may need to withdraw from the US handle his feud PGA Memorial tourna- mentD following a positive Cov- with Koepka id-19 test on Saturday after hav- ing seized a six-stroke lead with a US Open champion Bryson stunning third round at Muirfi eld Jon Rahm reacts as he walks off the 18th DeChambeau said his ongo- Village. green aft er completing his third round of ing feud with Brooks Koepka Rahm had tested negative for The Memorial Tournament at Muirfi eld might be something for four consecutive days only to re- Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. the PGA Tour to handle if it turn a positive test from a sam- (Getty Images/AFP) escalates further, adding his ple collected Saturday morning, representative has already after he made an ace at the par-3 spoken to off icials. The bad 16th in concluding his darkness- blood between the pair has halted second round with a two- largely played out online but shot lead. intensified at the Memorial World number three Rahm Tournament on Friday when fi red an impressive eight-under fans were removed from Dub- par 64 in Saturday’s third round, lin, Ohio’s Muirfield Village for matching all-time records with heckling DeChambeau with an 18-under 198 score for 54 his rival’s nickname “Brooksy.” holes and a six-stroke lead at the Koepka, who is not competing famed Dublin, Ohio, layout. this week, said in a video on Instead, Rahm was withdrawn Twitter that he would off er 50 and left Americans Patrick Can- cases of free beer to any fan tlay, the 2019 Memorial winner, whose time was “cut short” and Collin Morikawa, the 2020 at the tournament. Asked PGA Championship winner, if he was surprised at how sharing the lead on 204. the matter had escalated, Rahm, ranked second in the DeChambeau told reporters: world, was given the news by “Yeah, I think that’s something PGA Tour medical personnel the Tour needs to handle, it’s as he walked off the 18th green something I can’t control. at Muirfi eld Village Golf Club, “I tried to take the high road where he is the defending cham- numerous times and I think, pion. from my perspective, I’ll “I’m very disappointed in hav- continue to keep doing so and ing to withdraw from the Memo- people are going to do what rial Tournament,” Rahm said in a they want to do. So it is what statement posted on Twitter. it is.” “This is one of those things DeChambeau said his agent that happens in life, one of those Jon Rahm reacts as he walks off the 18th green after completing his third round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP) had spoken to PGA Tour moments where how we respond off icials without disclos- to a setback defi nes us as people. turned as positive while Rahm winners. His 198 matched Scott got to imagine I have antibodies, He two-putted from 12 feet to 211-Patrick Reed 71-71-69, Kim ing too many details about “I’m very thankful that my was on the course in his third Hoch’s 54-hole tournament so I don’t feel too concerned,” birdie the par-5 11th, angled in a Si-woo (KOR) 73-70-68, Lucas the conversation. He added family and I are all OK. I will take round, the tour said, and a sec- record from 1987. Cantlay said. 13-foot birdie putt at the par-3 Herbert (AUS) 71-69-71, Carlos he was not aff ected by the all of the necessary precautions ond test requested by a PGA American Scottie Scheffl er, Until the shock test result, 12th and curled in a 15-foot putt Ortiz (MEX) 71-68-72 behaviour of fans. “First off ... to be safe and healthy, and I look medical advisor also came back who played alongside Rahm and the story of the day was Rahm’s at the par-4 13th. 212-Aaron Wise 72-70-70, Shane the fans were awesome today. forward to returning to the golf positive just before Rahm fi n- Cantlay in the third round, and impressive shotmaking, start- He tapped in for birdie at the Lowry (IRL) 69-71-72, Vaughn They came out, supported course as soon as possible.” ished the third round. South African Brenden Grace ing with his 183-yard ace with par-5 15th after missing a 10-foot Taylor 69-72-71, Jim Herman me. Obviously you’re going to Unexpected co-leader Cantlay When told of the result just off shared third on 207. “My heart, it an 8-iron at the par-3 16th hole eagle putt, then sank a 36-foot 72-68-72, Xander Schauff ele have people saying things, but called it “the worst situation.” the 18th green, Rahm bent for- just sinks for him,” Scheffl er said. in the morning fi nish of round birdie putt at the 16th and holed 68-70-74 again it doesn’t rile me up,” “He played awesome today ward, his head in his hands and “I just feel awful.” two, the third hole-in-one of his an 11-foot birdie putt at the par- 213-Adam Scott (AUS) 74-68-71, DeChambeau said. and it’s just really a shame,” Can- at his knees, then rose and yelled, Scheffl er was confused by PGA career. Rahm holed a birdie 4 17th to reach 18-under before Antoine Rozner (FRA) 72-72-69, “... I love what’s been going on. tlay said. The US PGA Tour said “Not again.” Rahm’s frustrated expression as putt from just inside 17 feet at the getting the devastating news af- Bo Hoag 68-73-72 I’ve had no issue with it what- in a statement it had informed Rahm had dazzled on the back they signed their cards, saying par-4 second and blasted out of a ter a closing par. 214-Jordan Spieth 76-67-71, Lucas soever... I’d say tennis and golf Rahm on Monday he had been nine with a stretch of six bird- that when Rahm explained why bunker to 13 feet before holing a Glover 72-70-72, Joel Dahmen are the only two sports where in close contact with someone ies in seven holes to stand on “my heart just sank. birdie putt at the par-5 fi fth. LEADING SCORES AFTER THE 68-73-73, Rickie Fowler 69-70-75 when you’re hitting a shot confi rmed with Covid-19 and the 18-under 198 after 54 holes and “It’s terrible that that hap- Rahm’s tee shot at the par-3 THIRD ROUND 215-Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 72-71- everybody’s usually quiet. 26-year-old Spaniard, who was six strokes ahead in Dublin, Ohio. pened,” Scheffl er said. “I think eighth landed just outside fi ve (USA unless noted) 72, Robby Shelton 71-71-73, Rory “If it comes out to a point asymptomatic, chose to compete Rahm had matched Tiger Woods it’s terrible they told him in front feet and he rolled in the putt be- 204-Collin Morikawa 66-72-66, McIlroy (NIR) 72-72-71, Adam where they’re aff ecting your under tighter virus safety proto- from 2000 for the largest 54- of the cameras.” fore a bogey at the ninth left him Patrick Cantlay 69-67-68 Long 67-77-71, Chris Kirk 67-74-74, swing... that’s a little over the cols, including daily testing and hole lead in Memorial history. Cantlay said he has not been one ahead of Cantlay at the turn. 207-Branden Grace (RSA) 68-72- Troy Merritt 74-70-71, Danny Wil- line, but everything else, I restricted access to facilities. He was hoping to match Woods vaccinated for Covid-19. Rahm had two runs of three 67, Scottie Scheff ler 67-71-69 lett (ENG) 75-71-69 don’t care.” (Reuters) Rahm’s Saturday test was re- as the event’s only back-to-back “I’ve already had Covid, so I birdies in a row on the back nine. 210-Max Homa 69-69-72 WD - Jon Rahm (ESP) 69-65-64

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Thompson uses fl awless round to seize 1-shot lead Amateur Ganne AFP but I think it’s a great day.” San Francisco Ganne, who held the outright lead soaking up adulation after the fi rst round and hasn’t folded, kept herself in the hunt with a crisp short exi Thompson fi red fi ve birdies game that made up for other troubles. “I at US Women’s Open without a bogey in a sparkling just hit no greens, like, ever on the back round on the Olympic Club Lake nine,” said Ganne, who hit only seven Reuters Course Saturday to grab a one- greens in regulation all day and fi ve of 14 San Francisco Lshot lead in the US Women’s Open. fairways. “It was really mentally a grind The American’s fi ve-under par 66 on out there and I’ve never had to just per- the imposing layout gave her a 54-hole form from such bad lies and situations ew Jersey high school total of seven-under par 64 and a one- hole after hole and still believe that I was student Megha Ganne stroke edge over second-round leader going to do it again on the next hole,” she said she is relishing the Yuka Saso of the Philippines. said. “So it was a lot, but I’m confi dent in experience of being a Saso, a 19-year-old whose pro resume how I’m playing.” Nfan favourite at the US Wom- features two wins on the Japan LPGA en’s Open in San Francisco and tour, scrambled to an even par 71 for 207 LEADING THIRD-ROUND SCORES vowed to do everything possible – leading by as many as two but dropping (USA unless noted, a-denotes amateur, to return next year. The 17-year- out of a share of the lead with her fourth par-71) old amateur heads into Sunday’s bogey of the day at 18. 206-Lexi Thompson 69-71-66 fi nal day tied third alongside Megha Ganne waves to the gallery US amateur Megha Ganne, a 17-year- 207-Yuka Saso (PHI) 69-67-71 South Korea’s Lee6 Jeong-eun after putting out on the 14th green old New Jersey high school student, kept 210-a-Megha Ganne 67-71-72, Lee6 after carding a 72 in the third during the US Women’s Open. herself in contention with a one-over par Jeong-eun (KOR) 70-67-73 round to go three-under for the (USA TODAY Sports) 72 that left her sharing third on 210 with 211-Feng Shanshan (CHN) 69-70-72 tournament and four shots be- South Korean Lee6 Jeong-eun, who bat- 212-Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 72-69-71, Megan hind leader Lexi Thompson. smile or do anything like that. tled her way to a two-over 73. Lexi Thompson putts on the Khang 68-70-74 Ganne, who became the talk “So I really wanted to embody China’s Feng Shanshan was alone in 14th green during the third 213-Park In-bee (KOR) 71-69-73 of the tournament after taking a that today and I got a chance to fi fth after a 72 for 211. round of the US Women’s 214-Angel Yin 68-79-67, Kim Hyo-joo share of the lead on the opening on a few holes, which was nice.” Thompson was the fi rst player to post Open golf tournament at (KOR) 72-70-72, a-Maja Stark (SWE) 71- day and receiving encourage- Ganne, who played in the a bogey-free round this week at Olym- The Olympic Club. 70-73 ment from New Jersey governor tournament two years ago as a pic Club, which has hosted fi ve men’s (USA TODAY Sports) 215-Brooke Henderson (CAN) 68-78-69, Phil Murphy on Twitter, said en- 15-year-old, said having people US Opens but had never before hosted a Amy Olson 73-72-70, Lucy Li 73-71-71, gaging with fans was one of the chant her last name felt great. women’s major. up-and-down or just getting it as far as But she was unable to do the same at Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) 71-70-74 highlights of her tournament. “I’ve never felt it before, but I The 2014 ANA Inspiration winner I could out of that rough. “It’s all about the last. Saso had made a bright start 216-Celine Herbin (FRA) 73-74-69, Celine “I wish it wasn’t over so know I want to experience that is seeking a fi rst US Open title in her patience out on this golf course.” with a birdie at the fi rst, but gave that Boutier (FRA) 72-74-70, Ko Jin-young quickly. It’s been so much fun. again, so I’m going to do eve- 15th attempt. She fi rst competed in the Thompson climbed the leaderboard shot back at the fourth. Birdies at the (KOR) 70-74-72, Marina Alex 70-72-74 I can’t wait to go back out there rything in my power to be back championship as a 12-year-old amateur with three birdies on the front nine. She seventh and 10th gave her a two-shot 217-Ryu So-yeon (KOR) 74-72-71, Kim tomorrow... I’m already count- next year,” Ganne said, adding in 2007. “Honestly, I just thought my curled in a long birdie putt at the 14th and lead at eight-under, but she couldn’t Sei-young (KOR) 74-70-73, Alison Lee ing down the hours until I tee off that she was delighted to inspire patience of being out there,” Thompson had the solo lead at seven-under after a maintain momentum coming in. 74-70-73 again,” Ganne told reporters. youngsters. “It’s my favourite said of the key to her lowest career round birdie at 17 – where she tapped in after 218-Maria Parra (ESP) 72-74-72, Lin Xiyu “I’ve always imagined myself part of the week... Every small in a US Open. narrowly missing her eagle attempt. MENTAL GRIND (CHN) 72-74-72, Emily Kristine Pedersen engaging with the fans like that girl I saw out there I waved to “I struck it well all day, made a few Saso, who had opened the door to “I started good, started with a birdie fol- (DEN) 71-74-73, Matilda Castren (FIN) because when I was younger and and I couldn’t help but smile. good putts out there. And I guess prob- Thompson with bogeys at the 13th and lowed with a bogey,” Saso said. “But I 74-71-73, Kim In-kyung (KOR) 74-70-74, watching events, I knew I would They’re just so adorable and it’s ably just picking up the missed fairways 14th, regained a share of the lead when think I holed some good putts, just a little Jennifer Kupcho 70-73-75, Mel Reid love it when I would see the pros crazy to think they’re here for me or missed greens when I did, getting she got up and down for birdie at the 17th. disappointing that I misread two putts, (ENG) 67-73-78 just even look at the crowd or and want to watch me play.” Gulf Times Monday, June 7, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Islanders knock off Boston Bruins, tie Durant scores 29 as playoff series at 2-2

Reuters minute majors apiece. Several New York other minor fracases broke out the rest of the period. Both teams squandered op- athew Barzal scored portunities in the waning min- Nets roll over Bucks the tie-breaking utes. The Islanders’ Anthony goal with 6:57 left Beauvillier shuffl ed the puck a in the third period beat too long and had his back- MSaturday night for the New York hander at the door smothered by Islanders, who beat the Boston Rask with 5:04 left. Bruins 4-1 in Game 4 of an East A little more than two minutes Division second-round series in later, Varlamov was almost com- Uniondale, NY. pletely out of the crease as the in series opener The Islanders evened the best- puck bounced to David Pastrnak of-seven series at two games to the left of the net, but Pas- apiece, with Game 5 scheduled trnak’s shot rang off the far post. ‘IT HAS HAPPENED TO US ALL YEAR THAT SOMEONE GOES DOWN’ for tonight in Boston. The teams then swapped goals A shot by Scott Mayfi eld in a span of under three minutes bounced near the crease and to early in the second. Barzal, who batted the puck out The Bruins, on a power play of the air and past Tuukka Rask. generated when Martin was Casey Cizikas added an emp- whistled for holding, took the ty-netter with 1:03 left, about 10 lead following a frantic sequence seconds after Rask bolted off the in the crease. ice. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored Pastrnak’s shot was defl ected another empty-netter with 2.4 by Varlamov, and Brad March- seconds remaining. Kyle Palm- and took at least two whacks at ieri scored in the second period putting back the rebound before for the Islanders. Goalie Semyon the puck skittered to Krejci, who Varlamov made 28 saves. tucked a shot behind Islanders David Krejci scored in the sec- defenseman Andy Greene and ond for the Bruins. Rask record- into the far corner of the net at ed 30 saves. the 3:57 mark. The teams traded punches The Islanders tied the score and misfi res on prime scoring just 2:41 later. chances during a scoreless fi rst. Barzal, pestered along the Mayfi eld and the Bruins’ right side of the Bruins zone Taylor Hall brawled at the 7:28 by Lazar, fi nally broke free and mark. Just under two minutes headed behind the net, where later, Barzal was whistled for he sent a pass beyond the out- a high stick on Curtis Lazar, stretched stick of Matt Grzelcyk which yielded a scrum that fea- and to Palmieri. The Long Is- tured most of the players on the land native, positioned between ice until Matt Martin and Jarred Lazar and Charlie Coyle, fi red a Tinordi fought and earned fi ve- shot under Rask’s stick.

Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Durant (right) controls the ball against Milwaukee Bucks power forward PJ Tucker during the second quarter of game one in the Eastern Conference semi-finals of the 2021 NBA Playoff s at Barclays Center. (USA TODAY Sports)

AFP Journeyman Mike James came off the Both clubs came into the second round to see guys who hadn’t been in the rota- Los Angeles bench to score 12 points in the win. of the postseason after cruising through tion step up. “You never want to lose a guy like their opening series. Milwaukee com- The 31-year-old Harden has had ham- James but we have been in this situation pleted a four-game sweep of Miami last string problems before, missing 21 games evin Durant had 29 points and before,” said Griffi n. “I trust these guys. Saturday to reach the second round for in April and May. The Nets are 20-17 10 rebounds as the Brooklyn “Everyone had to step up. We played the third straight season. without Harden and 29-7 with him in the Nets withstood Giannis An- like that most of the season. We got guys Brooklyn, who averaged 118.6 points lineup. Harden averaged 27.8 points and tetokounmpo’s 34-point per- that step up and Kevin and Kyrie do what during the regular season, needed fi ve 10.6 assists in the fi rst round against the formanceK to beat the Milwaukee Bucks they do.” games to get past the Boston Celtics Celtics. Antetokounmpo scored 10 points 115-107 in the opening game of their sec- Game two is today in Brooklyn. thanks in large part to the trio of Durant, in the fi rst quarter as the Bucks led 32-30 ond round series. “Our defence was good, we didn’t Irving and Harden. Due to injuries and at the end of 12 minutes. Antetokounmpo The Nets won the battle between two give them too many wide open looks. We rest, the trio had played just eight games said it didn’t change things when Harden of the NBA’s most potent off ences on Sat- cleaned up some things as the game went together during the regular season. got hurt. urday night despite losing James Harden on,” said head coach Steve Nash. Brooklyn had hoped to have the big “We still had our game plan. We still to a nagging hamstring injury in the fi rst Antetokounmpo, the two time reign- three healthy for the playoff s but have had a game plan for Kyrie and KD and Joe minute of the game. ing NBA Most Valuable Player, played 35 hit another injury snag with Harden go- (Harris),” he said. In the second quarter Harden was forced out just 43 seconds minutes, shooting 16 of 24 from the fl oor ing down in front of a crowd of 15,700 at the teams exchanged runs as Brooklyn in, pulling up and grabbing the back of his and grabbing 11 rebounds for the under- Barclays Center arena. went on a 20-8 blitz to take a 59-48 lead leg after a drive. He did not return. dog Bucks, who led the league by averag- The Nets announced later in the fi rst but the Bucks clawed their way back with Kyrie Irving had 25 points and eight as- ing 120.1 points per game in the regular half that Harden would undergo an MRI a 13-4 run of their own to get within two, sists, Blake Griffi n tallied 18 points and a season. “It was a little bit of everything. to determine the extent of the injury. 63-61, at the half. Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders celebrates after scoring team-high 14 rebounds for the Nets, who Shots didn’t go in. We did not compete “It has happened to us all year that The Nets went on another 12-4 run to against the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Second Round of the beat the Bucks in six games in 2003, the as hard as we wanted to defensively,” said someone goes down,” said Nash. “We end the third to take a commanding 98- 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff s at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, last time they met in the playoff s. Antetokounmpo. made a few plays. We hustled. It was great 84 lead into the fourth quarter. New York. (Getty Images/AFP)

MLB Mets shut down Padres off Lucas Giolito and the Detroit Tigers de- Reuters RESULTS Anaheim feated the host Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Mets 4-0 Padres Saturday afternoon. Skubal (3-7) allowed one run four hits and acob deGrom added seven more score- Tigers 4-3 White Sox won his second straight start six days after less innings to his resume and Jose Red Sox 7-3 Yankees pitching six scoreless innings against the New Peraza and Francisco Lindor hit solo Reds 5-2 Cardinals York Yankees. It was the fi rst career double- homers in the fi fth inning as the New digit strikeout game for Skubal, who picked YorkJ Mets scored a 4-0 victory in San Diego Angels 12-5 Mariners up his fourth career victory. Saturday night to end the Padres’ 12-game Blue Jays 6-2 Astros Skubal pitched at least fi ve innings for the home winning streak, a franchise record. Indians 10-4 Orioles sixth straight start since May 7. He has 50 Peraza and Lindor connected off Padres strikeouts with 12 walks in that span. His 11 starter Joe Musgrove (4-5) an inning after Phillies 5-2 Nationals strikeouts are tied for the most in a game by a deGrom struck out Wil Myers and rookie Tu- Rays 3-0 Rangers Tigers rookie since 1974. cupita Marcano to pitch out of a bases-load- Giants 4-3 Cubs Haase hit a two-run homer in the second ed, one-out jam. inning to give Detroit a 2-1 lead. He connected Pirates 8-7 Marlins DeGrom (5-2) gave up three hits and a on a solo shot in the fourth to make it 4-1. walk with 11 strikeouts to earn the win. He Brewers 7-5 D’Backs It was Haase’s third career multi-homer threw 85 pitches with 60 strikes. He threw Twins 5-4 Royals game and each has occurred since being 33 pitches over 100 mph, most in the pitch- Braves 6-4 Dodgers called up from Triple-A Toledo on May 12. tracking era. And his earned run average fell Miguel Cabrera also homered for Detroit, from 0.71 to 0.62. The right-hander worked A’s 6-3 Rockie connecting on a solo shot against Giolito (5-5) out of two jams. Fernando Tatis Jr opened the slider into the right fi eld seats. Musgrove de- in the sixth. second with a sharp ground-ball double in- parted after giving up back-to-back singles It was Cabrera’s 492nd career homer, side the fi rst base bag. But deGrom retired the to Kevin Pillar and Tomas Nido to open the putting him one shy of Fred McGriff and Lou next three hitters on a soft fl y to left and two sixth. Pinch-hitter Jonathan Villar greeted Gehrig for 28th on the all-time list. grounders to strand Tatis at third. Tim Hill with a single to make it 3-0. Cabrera’s fi fth homer of the season also The Padres loaded the bases in the bot- The Mets added a fourth run in the top proved to be the game-winning run as Derek tom of the fourth on a one-out single by Jake of the ninth against Nabil Crismatt. Lindor Holland faltered in the sixth by allowing Jake Cronenworth, a fi elding error by Lindor and opened the inning with a double and scored Lamb’s two-run double. an Eric Hosmer single to left. But deGrom got on a single by Pillar. deGrom, Seth Lugo and Kyle Funkhouser entered with runners at Myers swinging on a wicked slider and had Edwin Diaz combined on a fi ve-hit shutout fi rst and second and ended the sixth by get- Marcano take a full-count slider for strike with 15 strikeouts. ting Tim Anderson on a double play and Nick three. Madrigal on a groundout. Musgrove had just struck out deGrom to TIGERS GO DEEP TO EARN 4-3 VICTORY Gregory Soto pitched a hitless eighth for open the fi fth and was ahead of Peraza 1-and- OVER WHITE SOX the Tigers and Jose Cisnero tossed a perfect 2 when the infi elder hit a hanging slider into Rookie left-hander Tarik Skubal struck out ninth for his fi rst career save less than 24 the left fi eld seats to end the scoreless tie. a career-high 11 batters in fi ve innings, Eric hours after allowing a game-ending hit to Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against San Diego Lindor then hit his fi fth homer, pulling a Haase hit a home run in consecutive at-bats Yermin Mercedes. Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Monday, June 7, 2021 SPORT

CRICKET CYCLING ‘Over the moon’ Porte wins Criterium England labour to du Dauphine

AFP Les Gets, France

ustralian Richie Porte New Zealand draw won the Criterium du Dauphine yesterday. Mark Padun of Bahrain NZ make enterprising declaration but Root’s side not enticed into final day run chase VictoriousA picked up his second stage win. Recent Ineos recruit Porte, third in last year’s Tour de France, went into the eighth and fi nal stage in the overall lead and kept the advantage in the French Alps. Porte eventually fi nished 17 sec- onds ahead of Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko in the overall standings. For the 36-year-old Porte it was a sweet victory. He saw a potential victory in the Dauphine slip away on the fi nal day back in 2017. “This race, having been sec- ond here twice and once year los- ing second in the last kilometre, to fi nally win it I’m just over the moon,” said Porte after the stage. Team Ineos’ Richie Porte wearing “All the sacrifi ces, time away the overall leader’s yellow jersey from my wife and two kids, is celebrates on the podium after worth it.” the eighth stage of the Criterium The Australian’s Welsh team- du Dauphine yesterday. (AFP) mate Geraint Thomas, winner of the 2018 Tour, rounded out the classifi cation, continued his podium, 29sec off the pace. team’s good run following a im- Thomas fell in the descent pressive Giro d’Italia in which from Joux-Plane, less than 10km Damiano Caruso fi nished second from the fi nish line in the ski re- behind Egan Bernal. sort of Les Gets, but managed to reel himself back into the group RESULTS containing the race favourites. Stage Porte becomes just the second 1. Mark Padun (UKR/BAH) 4hr Australian winner of the Crite- 06min 49sec, 2. Jonas Vinge- rium, the traditional warm-up gaard (DEN/JUM) at 1:36, 3. event to the Tour which gets Patrick Konrad (AUT/BOR) 1:36, underway on June 26, after Phil 4. Ben O’Connor (AUS/AG2) 1:57, Anderson in 1985. He said he is 5. David Gaudu (FRA/FDJ) 2:10, “under no illusions” about his 6. Geraint Thomas (GBR/INE) role for his star-studded team at 2:10, 7. Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ/ the Tour. “To win this race just AST) 2:10, 8. Richie Porte (AUS/ means so so much to me. It’s a INE) 2:10, 9. Jack Haig (AUS/BAH) England’s Dom Sibley (centre) walks off the pitch at the end of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London yesterday. (Reuters) race I’ve always enjoyed, and to 2:10, 10. Guillaume Martin (FRA/ fi nally win it at 36 years old is a COF) 2:10 AFP Scorecard land in the 2019 World Cup fi - sweet moment,” he said. Overall standings Athens nal, were missing left-arm quick Padun won his second stage of 1. Richie Porte (AUS/Ineos) 29hr Trent Boult, who only arrived in the race the day after his victo- 37min 05sec, 2. Alexey Lut- ngland had little to do NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 378 Robinson 14-5-26-3 (1nb); Wood 7-0-31-1; Root the UK on Friday after a period rious climb from La Plagne, the senko (KAZ/AST) at 17, 3. Geraint with the challenge of- ENGLAND 1st innings 275 4-0-16-1. of family leave. Ukrainian racing ahead on the Thomas (GBR/INE) 29, 4. Wilco fered by New Zealand NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings ENGLAND 2nd innings (target: 273) England, however, were with- fi rst slopes of the Joux-Plane, Kelderman (NED/BOR) 33, 5. Jack captain Kane William- (overnight: 62-2) R. Burns c Southee b Wagner 25 out four batsmen well-suited an 11.6km pass with an average Haig (AUS/BAH) 34, 6. Miguel son’sE enterprising last-day dec- to a run chase in injured all- incline of 8.5 percent, and never Angel Lopez (COL/MOV) 38, 7. laration as the fi rst Test at Lord’s T. Latham lbw b Broad 36 D. Sibley not out 60 rounder Ben Stokes, with Jos looking like being caught from Ion Izagirre (ESP/AST) 38, 8. Ben ended in a draw yesterday. D. Conway b Robinson 23 Z. Crawley c Nicholls b Southee 2 Buttler, Jonny Bairstow and then on. O’Connor (AUS/AG2) 47, 9. David Williamson set the hosts a K. Williamson lbw b Robinson 1 J. Root lbw b Wagner 40 Chris Woakes all rested follow- The 24-year-old, who won Gaudu (FRA/FDJ) 1:12, 10. Tao target of 273 in 75 overs when ing quarantine after their stints the race’s king of the mountains Geoghegan Hart (GBR/INE) 1:57 he boldly closed his side’s sec- N. Wagner c Bracey b Robinson 10 O. Pope not out 20 in the Indian Premier League. ond innings on 169-6 after rain R. Taylor c Bracey b Wood 33 Extras (b8, lb10, nb5) 23 New Zealand, who face In- forced an early lunch yesterday. H. Nicholls c Burns b Root 23 Total (3 wkts, 70 overs, 312 mins) 170 dia in the inaugural World Test But the home side, in the face Championship fi nal at South- Olympics-bound Indian wrestler of some disciplined bowling and BJ Watling not out 15 Fall of wickets: 1-49 (Burns), 2-56 (Crawley), ampton later this month, re- suspended aft er dope test: reports with an inexperienced middle- C. de Granhomme not out 9 3-136 (Root) sumed on Sunday on 62-2 before order, made a cautious start Extras (b6, l2, nb1) 19 Bowling: Southee 17-1-37-1; Jamieson 15-6-28-0 Ross Taylor made a brisk 33 fea- Indian wrestler Sumit Malik has reported. to their chase on a tricky pitch (2nb); De Grandhomme 7-3-12-0; Santner 13-3-38- turing two sixes. been provisionally suspended The Wrestling Federation of Total (6 wkts dec, 52.3 overs,) 169 in a match where the whole of 0; Wagner 16-7-27-2 (3nb); Williamson 2-0-10-0; England debutant paceman after failing a dope test, mean- India confirmed Malik’s suspen- Friday’s third day was washed Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Conway), 2-57 (Williamson), Result: Match drawn Ollie Robinson took 3-26. That ing he is likely to miss the sion, the Hindustan Times out. 3-74 (Wagner), 4-105 (Latham), 5-133 (Taylor), 6-159 followed his 4-75 in the fi rst Man-of-the-match: Devon Conway (NZL) upcoming Tokyo Olympics, quoted assistant-secretary England, who have not lost (Nicholls) innings and the 42 he made local media reported. Vinod Tomar as saying. a home Test series since 2014, Bowlers: Anderson 15.3-3-44-0 Broad 12-1-34-1; Series: Two-match series level at 0-0 when England batted fi rst time Banned substance methyl- Malik has to give a B sample on were 170-3 in 70 overs when a around. hexaneamine was found in the June 10 and if this also returns draw was agreed. That left this the tourists’ fi rst innings 378. tators to international cricket 25 when he edged Wagner low to But Robinson’s Test bow has Commonwealth Games gold positive, he could face a ban. two-match series all square England opener Dom Sibley, in England following last year’s second slip. been overshadowed by the re- medallist’s urine sample at a “I believe that he must have heading into next week’s second out for a duck in the fi rst in- Covid-19 restrictions. And England’s 49-1 soon be- publication of racist tweets he qualifier event in May in Sofia, taken something unknow- Test at Edgbaston. nings, ground his way to 60 not England captain Root, having came 56-2. Tim Southee, who posted as a teenager, with the the reports said Saturday. ingly. Maybe he was taking It also meant England ended a out off 207 balls yesterday with hit fi ve fours, the was lbw for 40 took 6-43 in England’s fi rst in- Sussex quick set to face discipli- The 125kg freestyler’s sample some medicine to treat his run of three straight defeats fol- just three fours. to left-arm paceman Neil Wag- nings, had Zak Crawley out for nary action. was collected by United World injured knee and that might lowing a 3-1 series loss in India Joe Root, in at 56-2 in the 31st ner, who fi nished with 2-27 in 16 a second two of the match via a Taylor’s breezy innings ended Wrestling which subsequently have contained some banned this year. This match was most over, tried to up the tempo but overs. sliced drive to gully. when an edged drive off fast provisionally suspended Malik substances,” Tomar told the notable for New Zealand opener by that stage a draw was look- Earlier, opener Rory Burns, New Zealand, in their fi rst bowler Mark Wood was well for six months until Decem- Hindustan Times. Devon Conway marking his Test ing the likeliest result in a match who made 132 in England’s match at Lord’s since an agonis- caught by diving debutant wick- ber 2021, the Times of India (Reuters) debut with a remarkable 200 in that marked the return of spec- modest fi rst-innings 275, fell for ing Super Over defeat by Eng- et-keeper James Bracey.

HORSE RACING Essential Quality wins 153rd Belmont Stakes AFP Baff ert was banned by the New Stakes win. While Hot Rod Char- New York York Racing Association from all lie broke away early with Rock racing at three tracks in the state, Your World, Essential Quality including Belmont Park. and the rest of the trailing group ssential Quality lived up Baff ert, who has guided two had closed the gap as they headed to his favourite’s status horses to the Kentucky Derby into the far turn. Saturday, powering past treble, has also been banned from frontrunner Hot Rod Churchill Downs for two years, CLEAN BREAK WAS KEY CharlieE and hanging on through although it remains to be seen Essential Quality made his move the stretch to win the 153rd Bel- if Medina Spirit’s Derby victory at the top of the stretch, edging mont Stakes. will be invalidated. ahead of the battling Hot Rod The victory for the Godolphin- The aff air has cast yet another Charlie – trained by Doug O’Neill owned colt, trained by Brad Cox pall over US racing, but the Triple and ridden by French jockey Fla- and ridden by Luis Saez, was a Crown ended with a celebratory vien Prat – and hanging on to hit vindication after a disappointing air as 11,000 fans were allowed the wire fi rst. Kentucky Derby in May - when at Belmont, which returned af- “In the Kentucky Derby we Essential Quality also went off ter last year’s pandemic-shuffl ed were so confi dent,” Saez said. “I as favourite but endured a rocky series to it’s traditional spot as thought we were going to win that start and wide trip on the way to the third race in the series. race. He was ready for the day, but a game fourth-placed fi nish. “That was a long way around,” we had a little unlucky start, we Hot Rod Charlie, who set a Cox said of the 1 1/2 mile race got bumped breaking from there. blistering pace out of the gate on the sweeping track known as “So today, the main thing was try in the 1 1/2 mile race at Belmont “Big Sandy.” to break clean and the rest I know Park in Elmont, New York, fi n- “But it was exciting,” added he’s going to do it.” ished second, 1 1/4 lengths back. Cox, who claimed a fi rst Triple Cox off ered thanks to Essential Preakness Stakes winner Crown race win. “Obviously Hot Quality owner Sheikh Mohamed Rombauer was third. Rod Charlie ran a tremendous bin Rashid al-Maktoum. Kentucky Derby winner Me- race and I thought the hot pace – The United Arab Emirates dina Spirit was a notable absen- we were in a good spot where the ruler had faced calls to be banned tee from the third jewel in US fl at would come back. from the Kentucky Derby fol- racing’s Triple Crown. “Luis did a fantastic job of get- lowing concern over the wherea- The horse, trained by Bob Baf- ting him in position turning for bouts of his daughter, but Cox fert, tested positive for betam- home. He was able to really show had only praise for an owner who ethasone – banned on race days his stamina late.” had been “so important to us the Essential Quality ridden by Luis Saez edges Hot Rod Charlie ridden by Flavien Prat to win the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont – after the Kentucky Derby and For Saez, it was a fi rst Belmont last two years.” Park. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times Monday, June 7, 2021 7 SPORT

FORMULA 1 MOTOGP KTM’s Oliveira powers to victory in Perez wins in Baku Barcelona thriller as Verstappen and Hamilton KO’d ‘Normally Baku is pretty crazy but I have to say sorry to Max’

AFP ter a high-speed smash on the Baku straight when his left rear tyre shredded. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Get me ed Bull’s Sergio Perez out of this place on the track. KTM Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira celebrates on the podium after won a chaotic Azerbai- Puncture, I think,” he said, the winning the MotoGP race of the Moto Grand Prix de Catalunya at the jan Grand Prix yesterday crash forcing a long safety car Circuit de Catalunya yesterday. as both Max Verstappen interval. andR Lewis Hamilton failed to fi n- He escaped unhurt. trimmed to 17 points by Zarco, Reuters ish. Racing resumed four laps later Barcelona with Miller taking third place Sebastian Vettel for Aston with Verstappen and Perez lead- ahead of Ducati team mate Franc- Martin and Pierre Gasly for Al- ing. esco Bagnaia. pha Tauri completed the unex- Vettel, enjoying his best race TM rider Miguel Olivei- pected podium after the streets for new team Aston Martin, ra fended off Yamaha’s RESULTS of Baku lived up to their reputa- jumped Leclerc and then picked Fabio Quartararo in an MotoGP tion for delivering an afternoon off Gasly to leave Hamilton in his intense battle to claim 1. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM) of drama and tension. cross-hairs. Khis fi rst win of the season at the 40min 21.749sec, 2. Johann Zarco Verstappen crashed with fi ve With fi ve laps to go Verstap- Catalunya Grand Prix in Barce- (FRA/Ducati-Pramac) at 0.175, 3. laps to go and the sixth race of pen’s race was cruelly over, but lona yesterday. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) 1.990, 4. the season at his mercy. Hamil- Perez managed to save the day Pramac Ducati’s Johann Zarco Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) ton then locked up at the restart for Red Bull. made a late charge to fi nish second 4.815 (penalised 3 seconds for when on target for second. as championship leader Quar- cutting a corner), 5. Joan Mir As the dust began to settle on Results (TOP 10) tararo dropped down to fourth (ESP/Suzuki) 5.325, 6. Maverick the banks of the Caspian Sea, 1. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull- after being given a three-second Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 6.281, 7. Verstappen retained his slen- Honda) 2hr 13min 36.410sec, penalty for exceeding track limits. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) der four point lead in the drivers 2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Aston Oliveira came under increasing 8.175, 8. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) standings. Martin-Mercedes) at 1.385sec, pressure from Zarco on the fi nal 8.378,9. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/ His teammate Perez gained his Red Bull’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez celebrates on the podium after winning the Formula One 3. Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri- stretch but held off the French- Yamaha-SRT) 15.652, 10. Enea Bas- fi rst win since joining Red Bull Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit in Baku yesterday. Honda) 2.762, 4. Charles Leclerc man by 0.175 seconds, while Jack tianini (ITA/Ducati-Avintia) 19.297 and the second of his career. (MON/Ferrari) 3.828, 5. Lando Miller rounded out the podium on Selected retirements: Marc “I’m so happy for today. Nor- Hamilton looked to have the “I clipped a switch that plac- tical manoeuvre to move past Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) his factory Ducati. Marquez (ESP/Honda), Valentino mally Baku is pretty crazy but I measure of Perez but the Mer- es the brakes off so I just went Leclerc and into second on lap 4.754, 6. Fernando Alonso (ESP/ “It was probably the best race of Rossi (ITA/Yamaha-SRT), Aleix have to say sorry to Max. cedes seven-time world cham- straight on at turn one on the seven. Alpine-Renault) 6.382, 7. Yuki my career so far,” Oliveira said in a Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia), Danilo “He deserved the win today pion spun off at turn one, leav- restart. Hamilton came in for a pit Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Hon- post-race interview. “Everything Petrucci (ITA/KTM-Tech3), Pol and it would have been good for ing the band to play the Mexican “I’m very sorry to the guys and stop on lap 12, rejoining having da) 6.624, 8. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/ was so hard – the tyre manage- Espargaro (ESP/Honda) the team to get a 1-2, but the win rather than British national an- girls in the team. I had no idea swopped soft tyres for hard in Ferrari) 7.709, 9. Daniel Ricciardo ment and Fabio was just putting is a fantastic result.” them. that I’ve even touched the ‘mag- fourth – another car costing him (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 8.874, pressure on me for so many laps. MotoGP standings (after seven Perez inherited the lead when Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc ic’ switch.” vital seconds on his exit from the 10. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Alfa “But I kept it really cool and it races) Verstappen’s left rear tyre shred- came in fi fth ahead of Fernando There was a sombre start to pits. Romeo-Ferrari) 9.576 was a perfect race. I can’t thank 1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) ded triggering a high-speed Alonso for Alpine and Japanese proceedings with a minute’s si- Verstappen and Perez followed KTM enough for giving me an 118 pts, 2. Johann Zarco (FRA/ crash in the straight as he was set rookie Yuki Tsunoda celebrating lence for Max Mosley, the former suit, leaving Vettel in charge. Drivers standings (TOP 10) amazing machine today.” Ducati-Pramac) 101, 3. Jack Miller to collect his second consecutive his highest fi nish for Alpha Tauri FIA boss who died last month, The German four-time former 1. Max Verstappen (NED) 105 Miller used Ducati’s supreme (AUS/Ducati) 90, 4. Francesco win and third of the season. in seventh. Hamilton was 15th and Mansour Ojjeh, McLaren’s champion came in eventually pts, 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) launch system to take the lead on Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 88, 5. Joan “Tyre!” shouted a distraught and out of the points for the fi rst infl uential majority stakeholder, to leave the two Red Bulls being 101, 3. Sergio Perez (MEX) 69, 4. the opening lap ahead of Oliveira Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 76, 6. Maver- Verstappen on the team radio. time since Austria in 2018. who died earlier Sunday. hunted down by Hamilton ap- Lando Norris (GBR) 66, 5. Charles and Quartararo, who started on ick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 74, 7. After a red-fl ag stoppage last- “Naturally it’s quite a hum- Leclerc made a slick start, but proaching the midway point of Leclerc (MON) 52, 6. Valtteri pole position for a fi fth straight Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM) 54, 8. ing more than half an hour to bling experience,” said Hamilton. Hamilton was lurking and the the 51-lap contest. Bottas (FIN) 47, 7. Carlos Sainz Jr time. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 44, clear debris from Verstappen’s “We’ve worked so hard to world champion surged past the The only driver not to have (ESP) 42, 8. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 31, The Australian, however, made 9. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 43, 10. stricken car, the grand prix re- come back into the top 10 and pole-sitting Ferrari going into pitted was Lance Stroll, but the 9. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 28, 10. a mistake at the Turn 4 right- Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha- sumed from the grid with a two I put everything on the line but turn one at the start of lap three. Canadian was back in the pits Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 26 hander on the third lap to let SRT) 40 lap sprint to the chequered fl ag. just lost out in the end. Verstappen executed an iden- in the medical car on lap 31 af- Oliveira slip into the lead, while Quartararo dropped to fi fth fol- Moto2 lowing an unsuccessful overtak- 1. Remy Gardner (AUS/Kalex) TENNIS ing attempt on Miller. 38:22.284, 2. Raul Fernandez Quartararo steadily improved (ESP/Kalex) at 1.872sec, 3. Xavi Vi- his lap timings to pass Oliveira at erge (ESP/Kalex) 2.866, 4. Marco the halfway stage but the Portu- Bezzecchi (ITA/Kalex) 3.207, 5. guese roared back to reclaim the Augusto Fernandez (ESP/Kalex) lead two laps later. 3.899 Oliveira preserved his tyres to The artist and the machine: extend his advantage at the top Moto2 standings before Quartararo ran off the track 1. Remy Gardner (AUS/Kalex) 139 with three laps remaining. pts, 2. Raul Fernandez (ESP/Kalex) In a bizarre fi nale, Quartararo’s 128, 3. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ka- leathers burst open and he lost his lex) 101, 4. Sam Lowes (GBR/Ka- Musetti, Sinner ‘future of tennis’ chest protector but he continued lex) 75, 5. Fabio di Giannantonio to battle for the fi nal podium spot (ITA/Kalex) 60 with Miller. Oliveira was fl awless in the fi - Moto3 nal stages to take his third vic- 1. Sergio Garcia (ESP/GasGas) tory in the premier class and move 1:48.852, 2. Jeremy Alcoba (ESP/ up to seventh in the champion- Honda) at 0.015sec, 3. Deniz Oncu ship standings. Defending world (TUR/KTM) 0.118, 4. Jaume Masia champion Joan Mir fi nished fi fth (ESP/KTM) 0.218, 5. Darryn Binder on his Suzuki, ahead of Yamaha’s (RSA/Honda) 0.343 Maverick Vinales. Six-times MotoGP champion Moto3 standings Marc Marquez crashed out for 1. Pedro Acosta (ESP/KTM) 120 a third consecutive race, while pts, 2. Sergio Garcia (ESP/GasGas) Honda team mate Pol Espargaro 81, 3. Jaume Masia (ESP/KTM) joined him on the sidelines. 72, 4. Romano Fenati (ITA/Husq- The late drama ensured Quar- varna) 61, 5. Darryn Binder (RSA/ tararo’s championship lead was Honda) 58

McLaren ‘devastated’ by death Lorenzo Musetti (L) and Jannik Sinner... rising stars of stakeholder Mansour Ojjeh AFP The task in the next round awaiting While Sinner’s approach has been He started this season in Challenger Paris Musetti, some six months younger than likened to that of a machine, drawing tournaments, but his fi rst-round upset Baku: Saudi billionaire dolences.” Sinner, is no less daunting, with world comparisons with Djokovic, Musetti is of 13th seed David Goffi n – his sixth win Mansour Ojjeh, a major force McLaren chief executive Zak number one Novak Djokovic standing in viewed as more of an artist, and more from just nine matches against top-20 behind the McLaren team’s Brown said his death “had heir styles and personalities his way. temperamental – more prone to bursts of players – was the latest indicator of a success in Formula One, has devastated everyone” at the may vary considerably, but Ital- “Me and Jannik, I think we are the emotion on court. player rapidly ascending. died aged 68, the British team team. ian teenagers Jannik Sinner and future of Italian tennis, and of tennis in “We are made diff erent. We come “Lorenzo, I think he’s an incredible announced yesterday. “Mansour has been etched Lorenzo Musetti are treading general,” Musetti said following his fi ve- from, fi rst of all, other parts of Italy,” said player. He can do whatever he wants with Born in Paris, Ojjeh bought into the heart and soul of this similarT routes towards the top of men’s set win over compatriot Marco Cecchi- Sinner. “When I have people around me the ball. He has so many options. He’s into McLaren in 1984 and with team for nearly 40 years and tennis after both advanced Saturday to nato. who are doing one thing, he has peo- showing that he can play very, very good former partner Ron Dennis was intrinsic to its success,” the French Open last 16. “He’s a bit (more advanced) than me. ple around him who maybe think other tennis,” said Sinner. established it as one of the Brown added. Former Next Gen champion Sinner I’m just living what he was living like last things. “Many people are (asking) who is bet- major forces in F1. “He was a true racer in every enjoyed a breakout Grand Slam perform- year.” Sinner’s maturity is noteworthy “I think the important thing is that ter, me or Lorenzo? I think it’s great to “It is with deep sadness that sense. Ultra-competitive, ance with a run to last year’s quarter- for a player of his age, and his powers of everyone is diff erent. He is diff erent than see, especially for Italian fans. McLaren Racing announces determined, passionate and, fi nals. Eight months later, he is back in resilience were on full display as he saved me, I would say. But obviously in a very “We have two different styles of the death of Mansour Ojjeh, above all, perhaps his defining the second week at Roland Garros – this a match point in his opening-round vic- positive way. players, two different personalities on shareholder of McLaren since characteristic: sporting. time joined by fellow 19-year-old Mu- tory against France’s Pierre-Hugues “What he’s showing on court, there’s court and off court. I think he’s tal- 1984,” McLaren announced “No matter the intensity of the setti, making his main draw debut at a Herbert. nothing wrong with that. I mean, the op- ented, very, very talented, and maybe ahead of Sunday’s Azerbaijan battle, Mansour always put major. “When you are one point (from los- posite, he’s doing the right things at the more than me.” Grand Prix. sport first.” Sinner, seeded 18th, faces a repeat ing), if I had lost that point I would be right moments.” Musetti became only the sixth man “Mr Ojjeh passed away peace- With Mansour on board showdown with Rafael Nadal, having held already at home,” said Sinner. “It makes Musetti, ranked a career high of 76 fol- since 2000 to make the last 16 at his fully this morning in Geneva, McLaren won seven of their his own against the 13-time champion in a things a little bit diff erent in way. (But) I lowing semi-fi nal runs at both Acapulco debut Grand Slam, marking the first aged 68, surrounded by his eight constructors world titles match that fi nished at 1.30am last October am still here.” and Lyon this year, announced himself late time in 15 years two teenagers have family, to whom the team since 1984 and 10 of their 12 in the autumn chill of a French Open de- “’Mental boost’, it’s a big word, but it in 2020 by beating Kei Nishikori and Stan reached this stage of the men’s tourna- sends its most heartfelt con- drivers’ crowns. layed by the Covid-19 pandemic. can give you (that), for sure,” he added. Wawrinka at the Italian Open as a qualifi er. ment.

Monday, June 7, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS MOTOGP Mixed skeet gold for Qatar Federer quits French Open with eye on Wimbledon After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it’s important that I listen Qatar’s Reem al-Sharshani and Rashid Saleh al-Athba display their medals after winning skeet to my body and make sure I don’t push myself too quickly on my road to recovery mixed team gold at the Arab Shooting Championships in Cairo.

ATHLETICS Sifan Hassan sets new women’s 10,000m world record

AFP Hassan was aided by technol- just 10 female runners who have Hengelo, Netherlands ogy that lit up the track on world dipped below the mythical 30min record pace as she ran. mark. This was also the fourth “Wow! To run this world record career world record for Hassan, ifan Hassan of the Neth- here today in Hengelo is some- who was coached by the now- erlands fi red a warning thing I could only dream of,” said banned Alberto Salazar. shot ahead of the Tokyo Hassan, who was born in Ethio- The reigning world champion Olympics by setting a pia, arrived in the Netherlands in over 1,500m and 10,000m has newS world record in the women’s 2008 at the age of 15 and received also posted world records over 10,000m yesterday. Dutch citizenship in 2013. one mile, one-hour and 5km on Hassan, 28, clocked 29min “It’s the perfect confi rmation the road. 06.82sec at the Hengelo meet, of the hard work we’ve put in Last October, she smashed smashing the previous best set by getting ready for Tokyo. I am so Paula Radcliff e’s long-standing Ethiopian Almaz Ayana (29:17.45) happy to share this record in front European record for the women’s in winning gold at the 2016 Rio of my Dutch fans. I am so happy!” 10,000m, at the same Hengelo Games. She now tops an elite band of stadium.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer leaves the court after winning against Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in Paris on Saturday.

AFP Slam title winner, who will be nament in Halle beginning the rest of the season.” Paris 40 in two months’ time, bat- on June 14, the day after the After winning his match, Fe- tled over three and a half hours French Open ends. derer said that he was pacing until 12:45 Sunday morning Federer, who made his Ro- himself in his recovery. Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan celebrates after setting a world record in the women’s 10,000m during the FBK oger Federer said yes- to reach the last 16 with a 7-6 land Garros debut in 1999 and “All the matches I’ve played Games in Hengelo, Netherlands, yesterday. terday he was with- (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 was champion in 2009, was since the injury are informa- drawing from the win over 59th-ranked Dominik playing a night session for the tion for the rest of the season,” French Open despite Koepfer. first time in his third round tie. he added. havingR reached the fourth He was due back on court However, the almost emp- “It gives me great pleasure Bromell clocks world-leading 9.77sec in 100m in Florida round, opting to focus on his today to tackle Matteo Berret- ty 15,000-capacity Court to be able to play 3hr 30min at primary objective of winning a tini for a place in the quarter- Philippe Chatrier was eerily si- a high level against a very good Miami: US sprinter Trayvon getting off to a strong start and absent because of a doping ninth Wimbledon title. finals. lent due to a Covid-19 curfew. player. It shows that I’m on the Bromell threw down an Olympic powering away to become the ban. Bromell exploded onto the “After discussions with my However, having undergone It is likely that this was Fe- right track.” challenge Saturday, clocking a ninth man to break 9.80sec athletics scene in 2015, when team, I’ve decided I will need two knee surgeries in 2020, the derer’s final appearance at the His performance won rave world-leading 9.77sec to win the over 100m. It continues an he ran a personal best time of to pull out of Roland Garros Swiss star had admitted there tournament. His return this reviews from rivals following 100m at a meeting in Florida and impressive build up toward the 9.84sec for the 100m before his today,” the 39-year-old said. were doubts over whether he’d year was only his second par- the match on television. become the seventh-fastest all Tokyo Olympics for Bromell, 20th birthday — the fastest time “After two knee surgeries make it. ticipation since 2015. “I’m not bothered by the time. the 25-year-old who has battled ever run by a teenager over the and over a year of rehabilita- Federer is playing only his “The Roland Garros tourna- outcome of this match at all,” In a wind of 1.5m/sec, Bromell injuries the past few seasons. In distance — before later claiming tion it’s important that I lis- third tournament since last ment is sorry about the with- tweeted Britain’s Andy Mur- stormed to victory at the April he clocked a then world- a bronze at that year’s World ten to my body and make sure year’s Australian Open and has drawal of Roger Federer, who ray, a former world number one NACAC New Life Invitational, leading 9.88sec at a meet in Championships in Beijing. I don’t push myself too quickly always said Wimbledon is his put up an incredible fight last and three-time major winner. a World Athletics Continental Jacksonville, Florida. After winning 60m indoor on my road to recovery. main goal. night,” said Guy Forget, the “Just seeing Federer at 39 Tour Silver meeting in Miramar, Bromell’s form suggests he world gold in 2016 he suffered “I am thrilled to have gotten He is chasing a ninth title tournament director. off the back of 2 knee surgeries Florida. is firmly in the frame as a disappointment at the Rio three matches under my belt. at Wimbledon which starts on “We were all delighted to see playing to an empty stadium at The world indoor 60m cham- potential 100m gold medallist Olympics, finishing in eighth There is no greater feeling than June 28. Roger back in Paris, where he 12.30am getting fired up is in- pion in 2016, Bromell faced just in Tokyo, where world cham- place in the final won by Usain being back on court.” He is also scheduled to play played three high-level match- spirational to me. Do what you three competitors in his heat, pion Christian Coleman will be Bolt. Federer, a 20-time Grand the warm-up grass court tour- es. We wish him all the best for love.”

BOTTOMLINE History-chasing Serena beaten by Kazakh star AFP The American won erally trying to win a match, be- A semi-fi nalist at the past two Paris the last of her three Roland cause it had been a really diffi cult majors, Tsitsipas was beaten in a Garros titles in 2015, and has season for me on the clay.” thrilling fi ve-setter by Djokovic not gone beyond the Williams, who debuted at Ro- in Paris eight months ago. erena Williams’ latest fourth round in Paris land Garros in 1998, refused to be He will next face twice Grand quest for a record-equal- since losing the 2016 fi nal drawn on whether this was her Slam fi nalist and second seed ling 24th Grand Slam title last French Open. Daniil Medvedev. The Russian, ended in the French Open match,” said Williams. “I’m defi nitely not think- who hadn’t won a French Open lastS 16 on yesterday, hours after “I’m not winning those points. ing about it at all. I’m defi nitely match before this week, eased Roger Federer pulled out of what That like literally could just thinking just about other things past Chile’s Cristian Garin 6-2, was possibly his last appearance change everything.” but not about that,” she said. 6-1, 7-5. at Roland Garros. Her exit leaves just two of the Russian-born Rybakina, 21, Tamara Zidansek became the The 39-year-old Williams, still women’s top 10 seeds in the com- extended her best run at a ma- fi rst Slovenian woman to reach a one short of Margaret Court’s petition, reigning champion Iga jor as she advanced to her fi rst Grand Slam quarter-fi nal when all-time record for most Grand Swiatek and last year’s runner- quarter-fi nal, where she will face she defeated Romania’s Sorana Slam singles titles, lost 6-3, 7-5 up Sofi a Kenin. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a Cirstea 7-6 (7/4), 6-1. to Kazakh 21st seed Elena Ry- Williams, who despite arriv- spot in the last four. The world number 85, con- bakina, while Federer withdrew ing here with just one win on clay “I am so happy with my match, queror of former US Open cham- as a precaution to protect his this season, had seen her title it was amazing,” said Rybakina, pion Bianca Andreescu in round body for Wimbledon. hopes of boosted by the absence who at 22 is the highest-ranked one, will meet Paula Badosa after The American won the last of of Simona Halep, and early exits player left in her half of the draw. the Spaniard beat 2019 Roland her three Roland Garros titles in of Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Os- Greek fi fth seed Stefanos Tsit- Garros runner-up Marketa Von- 2015, and has not gone beyond aka. Instead, she remains with- sipas, fancied to reach his fi rst drousova 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. the fourth round in Paris since out a Grand Slam title since win- Serena Williams of the US (R) Grand Slam fi nal, with Rafael Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova losing the 2016 fi nal. ning the 2017 Australian Open in congratulates Kazakhstan’s Nadal and Novak Djokovic in returned to the Roland Garros “It was defi nitely close. I’m so the early stages of her pregnancy. Elena Rybakina at the end of the other half of the draw, sealed quarter-fi nals for the fi rst time close. There is literally a point “I’m in a much better place their fourth round match at the his return to the quarter-fi nals since 2011, defeating former here, a point there, that could than when I got here,” Williams French Open yesterday. with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 victory over world number one Victoria Aza- change the whole course of the said. “You know, (I was) just lit- Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta. renka 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.