NNBABA | Page 3 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 7 Atkinson would Serie A title be ‘an awesome race starting coach’ for to resemble a Knicks: Allen relegation battle

Saturday, July 25, 2020 Dhul-Hijjah 4, 1441 AH Pope leads hosts GULF TIMES revival in West Indies decider SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL / QNB STARS LEAGUE Boli strikes winner as Al Rayyan stay in title hunt In the first game after the long break, Jonathan Kodjia struck the all-important goal as Al Gharafa defeated Al Arabi

By Sports Reporter having opened up a seven-point lead over Arabi. Much was at stake for both teams, with passionate fans as l Rayyan stayed in title well as rich tradition and reputa- contention after a 2-1 tion in football, although Acomeback win over Qa- matches are now played without tar SC as the QNB Stars fans as per the protocol and pre- League resumed yesterday after a cautionary measures. four-month break. The game was evenly fought, At the Jassim bin Hamad Sta- with Gharafa, coached by Serb dium, Qatar SC looked like they Slavisa Jokanovic, enjoying 52 would deny full three points to per cent possession after the fi rst Rayyan before Yohan Boli struck half and Arabi having exactly the the winner in the 84th minute. same percentage of the ball at the After yesterday’s win, Rayyan end. moved on to 41 points, just one Gharafa had an upper hand behind leaders Al , who early on and they reaped the re- take on Umm Salal today. Qatar wards halfway through the open- SC remained in ninth position ing session, with Abdulghani with 17 points. Muneer providing Kodjia with a Kayke Rodriguez had put Qa- defence-splitting pass and the tar SC ahead in the 10th minute, latter fi nding the target dodging but converted past a couple of Arabi players and a 40th-minute penalty as the beating goalkeeper Mahmoud teams went to half-time break Abunada. locked at 1-1. In the second half, Kodjia, the Gharafa spearhead, Qatar SC frustrated Rayyan for had a narrow miss in the 42nd large parts but Boli was able to minute as he hit wide of the left eke out a winner in a huge sigh of upright and then hit straight to relief for his team. the goalkeeper. Arabi’s attacks Qatar SC are not completely were feeble as Pierre-Michel safe from the relegation threat. Lasogga and Yousef Abdulrazaq However, they have put up bet- failed to breach the rival fort. ter displays ever since ex-Qatar The Dream Team, seeking a international midfi elder Wesam victory in their bid to break into Rizik took charge of the squad, the top four to give themselves a replacing Spanish coach Carlos chance to play in the Qatar Cup Alos Ferrer, under whom they and AFC Champions League, dropped many points. Al Gharafa’s Jonathan Kodjia (right) celebrates his goal against Al upped the ante in the second half. This time, it was a much- Arabi at Al Janoub Stadium yesterday. Lasogga headed wide soon improved performance by Qatar after the hour mark as the rivals SC, who had lost to Rayyan by grounder.Adding to Qatar SC’s the game, the opening fi xture of went slightly on the backfoot. a 0-5 margin in the fi rst leg. Al woes, Khaled Mahmoudi was the tournament which resumed The tall German forward again Rayyan dominated the exchanges Al Rayyan’s Yohan Boli celebrates after scoring the winner against Qatar SC during the QNB Stars League sent off in the 87th minute. after a long break forced by the sent his shot straight to Burhan with 68 per cent of the ball at the match at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. coronavirus pandemic. in the 77th minute. Icelander He- end. Brahimi, Boli & Co more KODJIA STARS IN GHARAFA’S Incidentally, the fi rst-leg imir Hallgrimsson’s men could than made up for the absence of from the right by Sardor Rash- when Hatem was chasing a pass parry a stunning long-ranger CRUCIAL WIN OVER ARABI match between the teams had not make any roads despite their The Lions’ infl uential midfi elder idov. And goalkeeper Fahd Younis given by Khaled Muftah on the from Abdulaziz Hatem. In the opening fi xture, Jonathan also ended in an identical result captain and Al Gharafa registered Rodrigo Tabata, whose contract could not do much either. Kayke left. Rayyan’s winner came off Boli, Kodjia struck the all-important in favour of Al Gharafa, who now a crucial victory. with the club ended. was soon at it, but this time, he Mercado compensated to- who volleyed home from close goal as Al Gharafa defeated Al have 31 points with their ninth Gharafa were without Algerian Kayke found the target as hit the side-netting. wards the end of fi rst half by ef- after Abdulaziz Hatem provided Arabi at the Al Janoub Stadium. victory. Arabi thus suff ered their midfi elders Adlene Guedioura he beat off the off side trap and Rayyan equalised as Brahimi fecting a goalline clearance off a him with a pass from the left. The Ivory Coast forward, who sixth defeat and stood on 24 through an injury and suspended challenge from Rayyan defender converted a penalty awarded af- chip shot by Rashidov. After the The ball had rebounded off the joined The Cheetahs in this year’s points. It was a crucial win for Sofi ane Hanni, while Arabi’s Tu- Gabriel Mercado after control- ter Abdulaziz Hatem was fouled second half started, Al Hail had left post and off the leg of Al Hail January transfer window, struck Gharafa, who have now strength- nisian forward Hamdi Harbaoui ling with his chest a long lob inside the box by Omar al-Emadi to produce an acrobatic save to after Brahimi fi rst unleashed a the winner in the 22nd minute of ened their grip on fourth place, sat out suspended.

HORSE RACING Al Shaqab’s Al Rufaa continues run of form with handicap win

Agencies Darain was the most expensive Arabian fi lly Alkedri opened her Newmarket, United Kingdom yearling bought in 2018. scorecard on third time of asking for Al Shaqab at Mont-de-Mar- SHE’S OUR QUEEN WINS IN san in France yesterday. resh off his win at Kemp- IRELAND Trained by Charles Gourdain, ton a fortnight ago, Al In the colours of her breeder the grey fi lly had fi nished third on FRufaa, who is trained Hassan al-Abdulmalik, She’s Our her debut in May and a runner- by John Gosden for Al Queen broke her maiden on third up at La Teste in late June. Shaqab Racing, continued his time of asking at Down Royal, Ridden by Jean-Bernard run of form when taking the Ireland, yesterday. Equeym, she sat in fourth posi- Newmarket Volunteer Handicap This three-year-old fi lly, who tion towards the outside. She was over seven furlongs yesterday. is by Al Shaqab sire Toronado, shuffl ed back into fi fth or sixth in The three-year-old colt was only started running in June this the back straight. taking on older horses for the year for trainer Johnny Murtagh. Coming into the middle of the fi rst time in his fi ve-career starts. Ridden by Ben Coen, who was track once in the home straight, In this race, which was reserved claiming 3 pounds, in this Irish she found plenty of running to for three-year-olds and older Stallion Farms EBF Median Auc- battle with His Highness Sheikh horses, he was partnered by his Robert Havlin (foreground) rides Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Rufaa to Oisin Murphy (left) rides Qatar Racing Limited’s Darain to Newmarket tion Fillies Maiden over 2,100m, Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s regular rider Robert Havlin. Newmarket Volunteer Handicap victory yesterday. (Racingfotos) Festival Charitable Novice Stakes win yesterday. (Racingfotos) she sat near the pace before tak- homebred Antar all the way to There was some contact be- ing the lead with 400m still left the line, winning by a nose. tween horses coming out of the furlong mark, Al Rufaa never QATAR RACING’S DARAIN IS race, the three-year-old colt Darain is beautifully bred by to run. Fictious Lady came to Antar was the runner-up under stalls and Al Rufaa took a keen looked back. He pulled away by UNBEATEN raced prominently throughout. world class sire Dubawi out of challenge her, briefl y taking the Alexandre Gavilan for trainer Di- hold from the off , as he had done an impressive three-length mar- Later in the day, Qatar Racing Coming to join the leader, Votto- the extraordinary mare Dar Re lead, but She’s Our Queen fought dier Guillemin. Teema was third on both his starts this year. gin from Swift Approval, who is Limited’s Darain followed up his ria Light, with 200m left to run, Mi. Qatar Racing own the colt in back eventually winning by half- under Ioritz Mendizabal for trainer Settled towards the rear by trained by Phil McEntee and was debut win in Newbury with a vic- Darain found plenty and shook partnership with his breeders, a-length. X. Thomas-Demeaulte. his jockey, the bay colt began ridden by Grace McEntee. Royal tory in the Newmarket Festival him off with disdain after 100m. Watership Down Stud. He was a Alkedri was bred by Al Shaqab making up ground in the fi nal Dynasty was further two and a Charitable Novice Stakes. He won by two lengths and a purchase by Qatar Racing man- ALKEDRI, A NEW ARABIAN Racing. She is a daughter of Bise two furlongs. Taking the lead quarter lengths behind in third Partnered once again by jock- quarter, with plenty in hand for ager David Redvers at Tattersalls WINNER FOR AL SHAQAB Al Maury and is the fi rst winner from Swift Approval at the last under Tom Marquand. ey Oisin Murphy in this 2000m trainer Gosden. October Yearling Sale – Book 1. The three-year-old Purebred for her sire Mister Ginoux. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, July 25, 2020 CRICKET

THIRD TEST SPOTLIGHT Indian Premier league to start on Pope leads hosts September 19, says chairman

AFP land’s Ben Stokes to Australians New Delhi, India Steve Smith and David Warner revival in West have been lined up by the eight IPL teams on lucrative contracts. he star-studded Indian Any quarantine period could Premier League cricket clash with domestic seasons. Twill start on September Patel said the Board of Control 19 in the United Arab for Cricket in India will prepare Emirates, its chairman told AFP operating procedures to combat yesterday, adding that players the virus threat during the tour- Indies decider may need to undergo quarantine. nament. Although India’s cricket au- “It is going to be a full-fl edged Pope in sight of his second Test ton and under-pressure Jos Buttler is 56 thorities are still awaiting gov- 51-day IPL. We are in touch with ernment approval, Brijesh Patel the ECB — Emirates Cricket said the world’s richest cricket Board. And we will get clearance tournament will be played for 51 from the Indian government days with the fi nal on November soon,” he said. 8. The 13th year of the IPL was Under current UAE corona- meant to have started in March virus rules, all travellers must but has been repeatedly post- self-isolate for two weeks after poned because of the pandem- arriving. “Whatever are the UAE ic. Dates were fi nally set after rules for tourists will be followed the T20 World Cup, which was by everyone,” Patel told AFP. scheduled to start in Australia “The IPL will take place be- in October, was postponed this tween September 19 to Novem- week. ber 8. This is confi rmed and the The IPL is the BCCI’s main rest we will decide in the (IPL) revenue earner. It has said it governing council meeting next would lose more than $500mn if week.” this year’s tournament had not Top stars ranging from Eng- gone ahead.

Three Covid cases as South Africa women prepare for England tour Reuters training camps over the next Cape Town, South Africa month in anticipation of getting government permis- sion to travel to England for a hree members of the series of limited-overs interna- TSouth African women’s tionals in September. cricket team tested South Africa’s strict Covid-19 positive for the Covid-19 virus lockdown has been loosened ahead of assembling for a to allow sports teams to begin training camp to prepare of a practising but there have been proposed tour of England. no matches apart from an Cricket South Africa yesterday exhibition game last weekend. said a total of 34 tests were Some 24 players were called conducted on the players and up for the camps, which is the support staff with the infected first time they have assem- trio, who were not named, be- bled since reaching the T20 ing removed from the prepara- Women’s World Cup semi- tions, which start in Pretoria finals in Australia in March. tomorrow. The proposed tour to England They will have to self-isolate is part of preparations for the England’s Ollie Pope in action on the first day of the third Test against West Indies at Old Traff ord in Manchester, United Kingdom, yesterday. (Reuters) for 10 days. Women’s World Cup in New South Africa plan two separate Zealand next year. AFP left-arm paceman Sam Cur- over his bowling fi tness. ly-edged cut off Chase. Manchester, United Kingdom ran following their 113-run But with Stokes’ innings of But the 22-year-old Pope Scorecard win in the second Test, also at 176 and 78 not out pivotal to continued to bat in a mature ENGLAND the Manchester ground, that England’s win in the second fashion, although he had a lucky 1st innings TRIBUTE llie Pope’s superb 91 squared this three-match series Test, it was no surprise to see break on 30 when a miscued R. Burns c Cornwall b Chase 57 not out helped Eng- at 1-1, with their places taken by him eff ectively deployed as a pull off Shannon Gabriel evaded D. Sibley lbw b Roach 0 land recover on the Jofra Archer and veteran spear- specialist batsman. a diving Chase, running back O J. Root run out (Chase) 17 fi rst day of the decid- head James Anderson. Stokes, now the world’s top- from mid-on. England hero Willis ing third Test against the West Root, promoted to number ranked Test all-rounder and Pope, however, showed plenty B. Stokes b Roach 20 three in Crawley’s absence, was behind only Australia’s Steve of class en route to a 77-ball fi fty. Indies at Old Traff ord yesterday. O. Pope not out 91 England were in trouble at in early after opener Sibley, who Smith and India captain Virat World Cup winning - would have been 122-4, with second Test centu- had frustrated the West Indies Kohli in the standings, keeper Buttler, whose Test future J. Buttler not out 56 ry-makers Dom Sibley and Ben with a near eight-hour hundred was, however, brilliantly set-up was under a cloud following a run Extras (b12, lb3, nb2) 17 Stokes, as well as captain Joe in the second Test, fell for a fi ve- by Roach. of 13 innings without a fi fty, upped Total (4 wkts, 85.4 overs) 258 ‘stunned’ by trophy, The paceman tested him out the tempo by hoisting Cornwall Root, all out cheaply. ball duck when plumb lbw to fast Fall of : But Pope, who ended the day bowler Kemar Roach. with a couple of short balls for two sixes in four balls. 1-1 (Sibley), in sight of his second hundred in and, having previously moved a Pope went into the 90s by el- 2-47 (Root), 3-92 (Stokes), says widow 10 career Tests, and the under- ROOT RUN OUT couple of deliveries away from egantly on-driving a Roach de- 4-122 (Burns) pressure Jos Buttler, 56 not out, Root then gifted his wicket the left-handed batsman, clean livery with the new ball for four Bowling: Roach 18.4-2-56-2; shared an unbroken stand of 136. when, after cut re- bowled Stokes with one that in the manner of former England Gabriel 18-4-47-0 (1nb); Holder England had moved on to 258- called off -spinner Rahkeem seamed back to leave England batsman . 20-5-45-0 (1nb); Cornwall 21-4- 4 when bad light forced an early Cornwall, the England captain 92-3. Archer had been left out of the 71-0; Chase 8-2-24-1 close after West Indies captain went for a tight single but was Burns made a composed fi fty second Test for breaching the Jason Holder had won the toss run out for 17 by Roston Chase’s before Cornwall, belying his 6ft regulations designed to prevent under grey skies. direct hit from backward point. 6in and some 22 stone frame, coronavirus infections after mak- spectators, marks international England dropped number That brought in Stokes, play- held an outstanding one-hand- ing an unauthorised trip home. cricket’s return from the Cov- three batsman Zak Crawley and ing after a quad injury cast doubt ed slip catch following a fi erce- This series, played without id-19 lockdown.

FOCUS ‘All lives matter’: brothers-in-arms Richards, Botham Daily Mail AFP told the in a joint in- London, United Kingdom terview. AFP “Only a couple of years ago he “He’s black and he’s proud London, United Kingdom spent ages working on spread- and magnifi cent and a great guy. sheets trying to work out how to lmost half a century “He doesn’t want to be an make the summer season work on from when cricket honorary white man any more he late Bob Willis had better. Alegends Ian Botham than I want to be an honorary been determined to “He was a real advocate for and Viv Richards made black man.” Tmake the English coun- change in the County Cham- their county debut for Somerset Richards agreed with Botham ty cricket season work pionship for so many years and their bond is as strong as ever, over his statement that all lives better and would have been now, in the fi rst year after his they explained in media inter- matter. “stunned and proud” to see clubs death, it has had to be changed views yesterday. The pair stressed that it was competing for a trophy bearing for such strange reasons.” England all-rounder Botham, not a rejection of the Black Lives his name, the England great’s Clark said she had painted the 64, earned the respect and eter- Matter movement which was widow has said. picture, of Willis bowling, as a re- nal friendship of 68-year-old born out of the death of un- All 18 fi rst-class counties will action to being in lockdown due West Indies batsman Richards armed African-American man compete for the Bob Willis Tro- to the coronavirus pandemic and for never turning his back on George Floyd in Minneapolis at phy this season in a shortened feeling her late husband’s absence. him even when the Englishman the hands of police offi cers in alternative to the County Cham- “I was stunned by the reac- received hate mail during the May. pionship after the coronavirus tion from people. It’s cubist but I halcyon days at the county. “I most certainly agree with outbreak made it impossible to wanted the hair, the ball and the Their bond has been recog- Ian when he says all lives mat- stage a full red-ball domestic stumps to be quite obvious.” nised with the announcement ter,” said Richards. “It’s been campaign. Reigning county champions that future Test series between highlighted now because of the Former fast bowler Willis, who Essex begin the south group at England and the West Indies will events we’ve seen played out in also captained England and later home to Kent on August 1, with be called the Richards-Botham America — this hate towards our became a respected television London rivals Middlesex and Trophy. colour. pundit, died aged 70 in Decem- meeting at the Kia Oval. Between them they made a West Indies’ legend Sir Viv Richards (left) and England’s legendary former all-rounder Ian Botham. (AFP) “If we have respect for one ber. Middlesex will play their home combined 223 Test appearanc- another, these things wouldn’t The winners of this year’s re- matches at Radlett and not at es, totalled 13,740 runs and 415 my corner,” Richards told Sky prime were targeted by South Gooch did go whilst the West come into the equation. gionalised red-ball competition Lord’s, their traditional base in wickets. Sports. Africa to persuade them to go on Indies also toured there. “Look at Covid. We are not will receive silverware based on a London. The third and fi nal Test of the “We just represented what I rebel tours during the time when “The thing that fi nally fi n- in control. This warfare is hit- cubist-inspired painting of Wil- That could mean there are no present series — which is tied think people should be repre- sporting links were cut due to ished me with all that was when ting everyone — not just black or lis by his widow, Lauren Clark. fi rst-class matches at the ‘home 1-1 — got underway yesterday at senting: that we’re all human the apartheid regime. they turned round to Viv and white, but every race and every “Bob would have been unbe- of cricket’ this season, unless the Old Traff ord. beings, and that’s the most im- Both declined but other Eng- said: ‘We’ll make you an honor- country on earth. We should all lievably stunned and proud of England and Wales Cricket Board “What I can say to Ian? I can portant thing.” land stars like Mike Gatting, ary white man.’ I said: ‘Hang on, just sit back and refl ect on where it, and by the reaction of people decide to stage the Willis Trophy thank him so much for being in Botham and Richards in their John Emburey and Graham where’s this going?’” Botham we’d like to be.” since his death,” said Clark. fi nal there. Gulf Times Saturday, July 25, 2020 3 SPORT

NBA NHL Jackets’ goalies concerned about lack Allen says Atkinson of time to get on track would be ‘an awesome coach’ for Knicks ‘KENNY’S ONE OF A KIND. ALL THE ACTIVE ENERGY, ALL THAT HE BROUGHT TO THE TEAM’

Joonas Korpisalo might be a little less enthusiastic at the moment. He took a lot of lumps in the Jackets’ past two scrimmages. (TNS)

By Brian Hedger things (like that), there’s a lot The Columbus Dispatch more happening when it’s a real game, so it’s a little bit diff er- ent.” Finding that timing is key rdinarily, it wouldn’t for Korpisalo, fellow Jackets be much of a con- goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and Ocern to see numer- other goalies in the upcoming ous pucks getting postseason. Merzlikins hasn’t past a goaltender during allowed nearly as many goals as scrimmages this early in a Korpisalo in four scrimmages, training camp. but also hasn’t faced as many But most training camps are prime scoring chances. held in September, before an Those hoping for an assess- NHL season, and last nearly a ment of the goalie competi- month. They also include fi ve tion from coach John Tortorella or six preseason games, and af- or goaltending coach Manny ter that goalies might still need Legace haven’t gotten one yet a couple of more weeks of play- — Tortorella declined to speak ing regularly to hone their tim- with reporters after a simulated ing and puck-tracking skills. game Tuesday — and there’s a In other words, there’s good chance it might not hap- plenty of time. And that’s what pen until a decision is made. is unique about the training The Blue Jackets begin the camps the Blue Jackets and postseason Aug 2 with Game 23 other NHL teams are now 1 of a fi ve-game series in the conducting. It’s only week 2 qualifying round against the of camps intended to prepare Toronto Maple Leafs on their teams for the league’s adopted home ice at Scotiabank Arena. format to fi nish the 2019-20 That’s in 11 days and there will season and time is already run- only be one preseason game, ning out for goalies. July 30 against Boston, for the “We practice a lot and it’s a Jackets to see both goalies in a little bit diff erent than games,” true game setting. said Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Neither has a shred of playoff Korpisalo, who had a tough experience in the NHL, either. start to this week by allowing Korpisalo might be a little 13 goals split between scrim- less enthusiastic at the mo- mages Monday and Tuesday at ment. He took a lot of lumps the OhioHealth Ice Haus. in the Jackets’ past two scrim- “Of course, the intensity is mages, allowing all six goals in really high (in practices), but a 6-0 loss Monday and then it’s a diff erent situation on the allowing four goals in the third ice when it’s game time,” Ko- period of a 7-3 defeat on Tues- Kenny Atkinson brings a strong history of player development, which is key for a Knicks roster that has zero combined All-Star appearances and only potential. (TNS) rpisalo said. “Timing-wise and day.

By Stefan Bondy week and is still in the mix de- was replaced. Allen, 22, overa- a mutual decision. Owner Joe they’re just maybe toned down New York Daily News spite Tom Thibodeau’s long- chieved as the 22nd overall pick, Tsai, who gave Atkinson a con- outwardly.” standing position as the front- developing as a rim runner and tract extension at the end of last The Knicks have also in- Penguins captain Crosby returns to practice runner. Atkinson, 53, brings rim protector in his 2 1/2 sea- season, hasn’t addressed it at terviewed Mike Miller, Jason ittsburgh Penguins disclose player injury or illness he Knicks would be get- a strong history of player de- sons under Atkinson. all. Kidd and Mike Woodson for superstar captain information as part of the NHL ting a “a hell of a coach” velopment, which is key for “I came into the Nets and we The Nets, currently the sev- their open position, along with PSidney Crosby par- Return to Play Plan. Tin Kenny Atkinson. a Knicks roster that has zero weren’t making our mark in the enth seed in the East, have re- several other candidates with- ticipated in practice Crosby, 32, has recorded 47 That’s according to combined All-Star appearances NBA and you could see every sumed their season inside the out head coaching experience. yesterday at UPMC Lemieux points (16 goals, 31 assists) one of Atkinson’s former play- and only potential. year I was with him, and every Orlando bubble with Jacque Team president Leon Rose Sports Complex in Cranberry in 41 games this season for ers — Nets centre Jarrett Allen In Brooklyn, Atkinson took year he coached us we kept get- Vaughn as the interim coach. has stated he wants to hire the Township, Pa. the Penguins (40-23-6), who — who acknowledged it’d be castoff s and unprovens to the ting better and better,” Allen Allen said Atkinson and Vaughn coach by the end of July. Crosby’s participation in begin a best-of-five playoff strange to see a mentor resur- playoff s last year, but was fi red said. “And the players under are similar in their approach, Multiple candidates for as- practice marks the first time series against the Montreal face with a crosstown rival. in March after failing to connect him kept developing and de- although the former tends to be sistant coaches have also that he had done so in nearly Canadiens (31-31-9) on Aug. 1 “It’d be kind of weird play- with Kyrie Irving and Kevin veloping, and bringing us more more excited. emerged, including Woodson a week. The two-time Hart Tro- in Toronto. ing against him but it’d kind of Durant. confi dence. So whatever team “Kenny’s one of a kind. All and/or Miller if they don’t get phy recipient left Saturday’s Crosby has collected 1,263 make you play harder against Part of the issue was Atkin- he goes to, they’re going to get the active energy, all that he the head position. Kentucky intra-squad scrimmage during career points (462 goals, 801 your old coach to show him how son’s decision to start Allen a hell of a coach.” brought to the team, I don’t re- assistant Kenny Payne is also the second period and did not assists) in 984 career games much you improved,” Jarrett over DeAndre Jordan, who is The Nets have not off ered a ally need to say any more, we somebody to keep an eye on be- return. He did not participate since Pittsburgh selected him said on Thursday. buddies with Durant and Irv- clear explanation for dismiss- all know,” Allen said. “Jacque cause of his relationship with in Thursday’s scrimmage. with the top overall pick of the Atkinson interviewed with ing. Jordan became the start- ing Atkinson, although GM still has some of the same per- Knicks executive William Wes- The team is not permitted to 2005 NHL Draft. Reuters the Knicks a second time this ing center as soon as Atkinson Sean Marks has implied it was sonalities as the head coach, ley.

SPOTLIGHT LeBron continues to shed light on justice for Taylor DPA “We want the cops arrested that committed Washington that crime,” James said. “As one of the leaders of this league, I want her family to know and I want the state of Kentucky to know that we any NBA players have used their feel for her and we want justice. That’s what media sessions to call for jus- it’s all about.” tice for Breonna Taylor. Super- M PLAYING IT SAFE star LeBron James added his voice on Thursday. After the Los Angeles Lakers’ As the season gets closer to resuming, Kemba scrimmage against the Dallas Mavericks in Or- Walker is getting closer to playing. The All- lando, Florida, James began his media session Star guard of the Boston Celtics has been deal- by referencing Taylor, the Black woman shot ing with a left knee injury that forced him to eight times and killed in her own home by po- miss nine of the team’s last 16 games before the lice in Louisville, Kentucky serving a no-knock NBA suspended its season. It was still bother- warrant for someone else. ing him when the Celtics arrived in Orlando, Taylor was killed March 13, two days before Florida, and Walker has been held out of some the NBA suspended its season. One offi cer in- practices. volved has been fi red, but none have been ar- “It did get better over the break,” he said. “I rested, despite weeks of protests. “Black Lives was playing pickup and that’s when it started Matter isn’t a movement,” said James, sport- to kind of bother me. It kind of fl ared up on me ing some grey in his beard. “Being Black isn’t again. I thought they (trainers) made a great a movement. It’s a lifestyle.... This is a walk of choice in keeping me out of some of these life when you wake up and you’re Black.” practices until I was right again.” James referenced the choking death of Walker participated fully in Thursday’s George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May practice but will sit out Boston’s fi rst scrim- 25, which was recorded and triggered protests mage Friday vs Oklahoma City. He wants to be around the world. Those offi cers have been ready when the seeding games begin July 31 vs fi red and charged. “Is that what we need, a Milwaukee. video of Breonna being killed to see how bad “I felt really good, actually,” said Walker, this is?” James asked. who is not considering surgery. “It was really Denver’s Jerami Grant was fi rst to dedicate fun to get out there with my teammates. The his interview sessions to Taylor. Dozens have knee feels good. I’m in a good place right now.” followed, including Philadelphia’s Tobias Har- Walker spent eight seasons with Charlotte ris, who called on Kentucky Attorney Gen- and never has won a playoff series. He is aver- eral Daniel Cameron to “step up and do what’s aging 21.2 points and 4.9 assists for the Celtics right.” (43-21). LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. (TNS) Gulf Times 4 Saturday, July 25, 2020 SPORT

NFL Washington coach says team ‘not close’ to new name AFP learned is this is going to take cago Bears to a 1986 Super Bowl Washington steps. This can’t happen auto- triumph, spent the past nine matically. This is going to take a seasons as coach of the Caro- little bit more time than we had lina Panthers and was hired by on Rivera, preparing for anticipated originally.” Washington team owner Dan his fi rst season as coach The generic temporary name Snyder on January 1, 2020. Rof the NFL’s Washing- has drawn ridicule in some cor- Rivera defended players who ton Football Team, says ners, including NBA star LeBron decide to kneel during the US it will take 16 to 18 months be- James, who tweeted, “Just wak- national anthem as a way to fore the former Redskins select ing back up from my pregame recognise protest movements another nickname. nap to see about The Wash- against police brutality and ra- Rivera told CBS television ington Football team??? Is that cial injustice. yesterday that the club is “not real?? No way! Oh man they had “These guys, all they’re doing close” to a new permanent a thorough intense long board is exercising their fundamen- name after announcing Thurs- meeting about that one huh.” tal rights,” Rivera said. “And day a generic interim name for Rivera said the team’s deci- I’ll support them because, you the 2020 NFL season follow- sion to retain its burgundy and know, it’s what our military has ing the decision to drop the gold colours was to keep some fought for... for freedom.” Redskins name and logo amid a sense of connection to the club’s Rivera said he had no regrets growing US movement against on-fi eld history, which includes about joining the Washington racist symbols and monuments. three Super Bowl victories and team despite a recent Wash- “This is going to be about a fi ve NFL titles in all. ington Post report in which 15 16 to 18-month process to do “We’ve got to change the women employed by the team it the right way and really not culture as to who we are and accuse former members of the miss the opportunity to rebrand really kind of not just rebrand organisation of sexual harass- ourselves, hopefully for the next the name but rebrand the style ment and verbal abuse. 100 years,” Rivera said yester- of football we’re going to play, “When these things came to Ron Rivera was hired by day. rebrand the way we do things,” light, we really had to look at Washington team on The team “is not close to Rivera said. ourselves and dive into it,” Riv- January 1, 2020. (TNS) making a decision,” Rivera Rivera, a nine-year NFL line- era said. “Mr. Snyder has con- said. “The biggest thing we’ve backer, who helped the Chi- tinued to do that.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Falcons’ Gurley prepared to sit out if Pandemic-stricken conditions unsafe baseball return creates weirdest opening day ‘It’s certainly diff erent getting into the ballpark and not having to wait and sit through traff ic’ Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley. (TNS)

Reuters pretty last minute. We should Los Angeles have been able to have answers weeks ago, if not months ago.” So, what is Gurley’s mindset tlanta Falcons run- heading into the season? ning back Todd Gur- “You have to be prepared to Aley said he’s prepared not play or be prepared to have to sit out the upcom- a half a season,” Gurley said. ing season if the NFL and NFL “If they don’t do things right, Players Association fail to de- we won’t have a full season. vise what he feels is an ade- It’s just how things have been quate plan for playing football going so far this year. Hope- safely during the coronavirus fully everything goes well, but pandemic. I don’t see how. It just doesn’t Gurley said he’s not im- sit well right now.” pressed with what he’s heard Gurley agreed to a one- about how the league intends year, $5.5mn contract with the to prevent an outbreak among Falcons shortly after he was players. “It’s really not struc- released by the Los Angeles tured right,” Gurley said on Rams in March. The 25-year- CBS Sports Radio’s “Tiki and old was released by the Rams Tierney” on Thursday. after a steep drop-off in pro- “There’s not a proper plan duction in 2019 and questions in place that I’m comfortable about the health of his left with. I don’t have a wife. I don’t knee, in which he has an ar- have any kids. But you have to thritic condition. look at guys on the other side A former All-American at who have pregnant wives, kids Georgia, Gurley rushed for a and a wife that they go home career-low 857 yards last sea- to every single day. I just feel son. He ran for 5,404 yards and like in general we just need to 58 touchdowns while adding come up with something a lot 218 receptions for 2,090 yards better than what they’re giving and 12 scores in 73 regular- us. Everything they gave us is season games with the Rams.

Microsoft , NBA team up to put virtual fans in basketball arenas Reuters coronavirus. The league plans Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts (right) slides back on a pickoff attempt by San Francisco Giants pitcher Drew Smyly in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday. (TNS) Los Angeles to restart the season in a so- called bubble at Walt Disney By Bill Plaschke middle of a ghost town. There was to throw one. The area around would say, diff erent,” Dodgers on the bench, but while playing in World Resort where players, Los Angeles Times no joyous noise. There was no pop- the dugouts, usually crowded and manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s the game. People are going to get hen the National staff and media will be tested corn smell. There was none of the rocking on opening day, contained certainly diff erent getting into the sick. The season might not survive. Basketball As- and quarantined in an eff ort to annual sweaty buzz of a crowded only a few wandering players in ballpark and not having to wait and The Dodgers might never even have Wsociation restarts keep everyone inside safe from ake me out to the … the concourse celebrating a spring masks. sit through traffi c.” a chance at ending their 32-year its coronavirus- contracting the virus. NBA weirdest ballgame ever. rebirth. This column was writ- On the game’s fi rst play, the Amid all the strangeness, how- championship drought. There are interrupted season on July off icials also said yesterday T There were no peanuts. ten from a barren party table on a Dodgers’ Corey Seager booted a ever, there was baseball, with the going to be more than two months 30 in its “bubble” in Orlando, they were revamping their ap- There was no Cracker vacant loge level in front of a shut- grounder from the Giants’ Mike Dodgers doing their annual base- of surreal nights just like Thursday. Florida, the stands could have proach to televising the games, Jack. There was nobody to root, tered beer stand. Organist Dieter Yastrzemski, yet there were no ball thing of adjusting to Clayton Turner told the story of a pregame more than 300 fans — none of with cameras positioned closer root, root for the home team. Ruehle furiously played “Welcome boos, no murmurs, and Seager put Kershaw’s back stiff ness. The left- hitters’ meeting that had lasted whom will actually be in the to the players to emulate the In a Chavez Ravine populated Back,” to an empty fi eld. his head down amid sullen silence. hander who has traditionally owned 15 minutes before it was suddenly arena. Microsoft Corp and the vantage point of fans sitting by cardboard fans and ringing Announcer Todd Leitz excitedly When rookie starter Dustin May this moment was supposed to make paused. But Turner felt that it was a NBA said yesterday they have in seats near the court. But with piped-in cheers, the Dodgers introduced each team’s roster to an worked out of a fi rst-inning jam, his ninth opening-day start, but he victory just being here. joined forces to put “virtual” for player-safety reasons, “the opened their 2020 season Thurs- empty stadium. the loudspeakers piped in cheers injured himself in a workout Tues- Also give baseball credit for using fans in the stands of each majority of our cameras near day night against the San Francisco For the pregame ceremonies, the of relief, but they sounded strange day and May was summoned as a opening day to advocate for social game using Microsoft’s Teams the court will be robotic for the Giants with one thing legitimately players jogged to the foul line and coming from seats that were either last-minute replacement, making justice. There may have been si- app and giant screens. first time,” Sara Zuckert, head in abundance. stood six feet apart and appeared empty, covered in tarps, or fi lled him the fi rst Dodgers rookie open- lence at Dodger Stadium on Thurs- The two will equip each game of next-generation telecasts at “There’s a lot of strange going extremely bewildered. When the with cardboard photos of fans. It ing-day starter since Fernando day, but the pregame tribute spoke court with 17-foot-tall (5.2 m) the NBA, told a news confer- on right now,” said Dodgers third Dodgers’ names were called, in- was like as if Chavez Ravine had Valenzuela replaced injured Jerry volumes. LED screens that wrap three ence yesterday. baseman Justin Turner, his red stead of waving to a crowd that been overrun with some invisible Reuss in 1981. The Dodgers won a There was a scoreboard video sides of the arena. The virtual NBA off icials said audio from beard cloaked in a blue mask. wasn’t there, they mostly looked force. World Series championship that featuring players advocating for stands will be filled with fans the virtual fans will be played After a four-month shutdown down at their hands. When the Giants left fi elder Alex season, so maybe it was an omen. social reform while repeating who use the Teams app to log in the arena and televised. because of the coronavirus, offi cial A wonderful national anthem Dickerson made a running catch Then again, maybe it just fi t into the “Black lives matter.” Then, as the in and sit alongside each other Virtual seats will be limited baseball returned to pandemic- was sung by Dodger Stadium fa- of Cody Bellinger’s fl y ball to end bizarre beginning of what will be a two teams lined up along the foul using a new feature of the app to 320 fans, a number based restricted Dodger Stadium, where vourite Keith Williams Jr., but in- the fi rst, there were fi nally real, bizarre 60-game schedule. lines, the players briefl y kneeled called “Together mode” meant on the size of the venue and the team’s 63rd Los Angeles open- stead of his giant presence appear- audible hoots. They were coming Baseball doesn’t own this sea- while holding a long black ribbon. to simulate a group of people screens. Fans will be selected ing day was certainly the most ing behind home plate, he was a from his teammates in the dugout. son. The virus does. There won’t In a perfect ending to the prologue, sitting in a room. The NBA by the home teams, and each bizarre. The coronavirus trans- mere speck somewhere beyond the You could hear every boyish sylla- be any fans anywhere. The players the scoreboard showed a video of suspended its season in March team is working to decide formed this traditionally festive center fi eld fence. ble. While witnessing the greatest are so socially distanced that each Rachel Robinson, widow of Jackie after a player for the Utah Jazz how to handle the selections, occasion into something that felt There was no ceremonial fi rst players in the world, one felt like a team has constructed extra dug- Robinson, saying, “It’s time for tested positive for the novel Zuckert said. like a sandlot game played in the pitch. There was nobody around parent watching Little Leaguers.“I outs. Some wear masks not only Dodger baseball.” Gulf Times Saturday, July 25, 2020 5 SPORT

FOCUS Zanardi returns to intensive care treatment

AFP cal conditions”. head injuries when he lost control of Rome “Faced with the instability of the his handbike during a road race in Tus- clinical conditions of the patient Alex cany and crashed into an oncoming Zanardi, it was decided to transfer him truck on June 19. ormer Formula One driver Alex to the intensive therapy department Zanardi raced for Jordan, Minardi Zanardi was readmitted to in- of the San Raff aele hospital in Milan,” and Lotus in F1 in the early 1990s be- Ftensive care at an Italian hospi- said a statement released by the hos- fore switching to the CART champion- tal yesterday, offi cials said, in a pital in Como where the rehab centre ship in the United States where he was setback for the Paralympian champion is based. series champion in 1997 and 1998. who was seriously hurt in a road acci- Offi cials said that no other informa- He returned to F1 with Williams in dent last month. tion would be given for the moment. 1999 before heading back to CART. Italian Zanardi had left a Siena hos- Zanardi had both his legs amputated Zanardi won two gold medals at the pital on Tuesday to continue his re- after a motor racing accident in 2001 at 2012 London Paralympic Games and covery at a rehabilitation centre after the Lausitzring track in Germany. four years later won two more in Rio de undergoing three surgeries. He has since become one of the Janeiro. However, the 53-year-old has now best-known fi gures in Paralympic He also won the Rome marathon in been transferred to an intensive care sports. 2010 and the New York race the fol- unit due to “the instability of his clini- The Italian star suff ered serious lowing year.

MOTORSPORT MOTORCYCLING Vinales and Rossi lead practice F1 scraps American runs for Yamaha

AFP Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

amaha riders Maver- races due to virus, ick Vinales and Val- Yentino Rossi led the pack in yesterday’s two free practice sessions ahead of this weekend’s Anda- lucia MotoGP in Jerez. Vinales, who fi nished sec- ond in last weekend’s delayed adds European trio opening race of the season at the same circuit, posted a time of one minute, 37.063 seconds Imola, Nuerburgring and Portugal’s Portimao added QRevised calendar now to pip Italian teammate Rossi, who fi nished 0.142sec back in stands at 13 races QFormula One still hoping for 15-18 round season second. Championship leader Fabio Quartararo had a disappoint- ing day on his Yamaha-SRT, fi nishing 14th. “I feel comfortable with the bike. I think we made an improvement compared to last week,” said Vinales after shrugging off temperatures pushing 35 degrees. day at the same hospital in “I think this is a good test for Barcelona where Marquez was us, we never raced at the same treated. track twice in a row. The most Rossi, seven times a world important thing is to under- champion in the elite class, stand how we do better on race didn’t fi nish last weekend’s day.” Reigning world champi- race due to a technical issue. on Marc Marquez did not take Not surprisingly, he wasn’t part in yesterday’s sessions, getting too carried away by although he has been declared yesterday’s run. fi t to race despite a broken arm, “As always, Saturday morn- on which he had surgery on ing will be crucial. It will be Tuesday after crashing heavily very important to fi nd the in last Sunday’s Spanish Grand right spot to make the right lap Prix opener. time to stay in the top 10,” said He will attempt to set a the Italian veteran who is in his competitive time in today’s fi nal season as a Yamaha fac- practice. tory rider. Fellow Spaniard Alex Rins “We’ll have to try. I feel bet- (Suzuki) and Cal Crutchlow ter with the bike compared to In this July 7, 2013, picture, Red Bull Racing’s Australian driver Mark Webber and German driver Sebastian Vettel, and Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton take the first corner at (Honda-LCR) took part in last week. We have to work be- the Nurburgring race track in Nurburg, Germany. (AFP) practice despite also suff ering cause in some corners I’m not injuries in the opening race. fantastic. But anyway, it was a Reuters and our colleagues safe, it will talk of returning to Malaysia’s world for fatalities. prix at Long Beach, Detroit and Rins, who dislocated his positive day.” London not be possible to race in Brazil, Sepang. Formula One said the Nuer- Las Vegas. shoulder, was 21st fastest, just Two more free practice USA, Mexico and Canada this Formula One, whose commer- burgring would host the Eifel Imola previously hosted the behind Crutchlow who frac- sessions and qualifying are season,” it said. cial rights are held by US-based Grand Prix, named after the Italian Grand Prix in 1980 and tured his wrist. scheduled for today. The race ormula One scrapped The cancellations take the tal- Liberty Media, said it looked for- German region, on Oct 11 — giv- San Marino Grand Prix from Crutchlow had also required tomorrow will start at 1200 all four of this season’s ly of races axed from the original ward to returning to the Ameri- ing champions Mercedes a home 1981-2006. surgery, carried out on Tues- GMT. Fraces in the Americas 2020 calendar to 11. cas next season. The United race. The Portuguese Grand Prix Brazil’s triple world champion due to the Covid-19 pan- The other casualties of Covid States on Thursday passed a to- will be held on Oct 25 at the Al- Ayrton Senna died there in 1994 demic and added three European are Australia, France, Monaco, tal of more than 4mn coronavi- garve circuit, the country’s fi rst while driving for Williams. RUGBY rounds, including old favourites the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, rus infections since the fi rst US race since 1996, and Imola hosts The old Nuerburgring was Imola and the Nuerburgring, to Singapore and Japan. case was documented in January, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix a famous pre-World War Two the calendar. The revised schedule now has according to a Reuters tally. on Nov 1 — giving Italy three venue for grand prix racing and While previously scheduled 13 rounds, with Formula One Texas, which was due to host races for the fi rst time. the remodelled circuit last fea- Jones backs Marler grands prix in Canada, Texas, aiming for a reduced champion- the US Grand Prix at Austin’s The others are at Monza tured in the Formula One world Mexico and Brazil were can- ship of between 15 and 18 with Circuit of the Americas on Oct and Mugello, the latter owned championship in 2013. celled, Formula One said in a fi nal races in Bahrain and Abu 25, has been one of the states by Ferrari and due to host the The circuit sank into insol- aft er Woodward statement that Portugal’s Porti- Dhabi in mid-December. hardest hit by the resurgent Italian team’s 1,000th world vency in 2012 and then changed mao will host a race for the fi rst Fifteen grands prix is the min- coronavirus. championship grand prix in ownership in 2014. time. imum needed to fulfi l television Brazil, with total confi rmed September. In its long history, the rural criticism “Due to the fl uid nature of the contracts. China’s postponed cases of nearly 2.3mn, has the The only other occasion one circuit has hosted races vari- ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, lo- race in Shanghai is also expected world’s worst outbreak of Cov- country has hosted three races in ously designated as the Ger- Reuters consistently in all my time in cal restrictions and the impor- to be cancelled but Vietnam re- id-19 outside the United States the same season was 1982, when man, European and Luxembourg London rugby. And then he’s got cer- tance of keeping communities mains in play and there has been while Mexico ranks fourth in the the United States had grands Grands Prix. tain idiosyncrasies. He likes to play the fool... ngland head coach but he’s a very intelligent guy, BOXING Eddie Jones says that great family man, great for the Ewhile Joe Marler “likes younger guys.” to play the fool” he is Woodward, who coached an infl uential member of the England to World Cup glory Tyson to make boxing comeback at 54 against Roy squad, backing the prop after in 2003, had suggested that former national coach Clive Marler and Cole’s “embar- AFP speed — forward.” Man on the Planet” and going 37-0. Woodward described his be- rassing” behaviour were signs Los Angeles In a battle for the aged, Tyson said he But in February 1990 at Tokyo, Ty- haviour as “embarrassing” at that they had become com- wants to show older can still mean excit- son suff ered a 10th-round knockout at the World Cup. placent. ing in the sports realm. the hands of James “Buster” Douglas in a Woodward had compared However, Jones said com- ike Tyson, the former world “It’s because I can do it and I believe stunning upset. Marler and Dan Cole to com- placency was not to blame for heavyweight champion who other people believe they can do it,” Tyson He was arrested for rape in 1991 and edy duo Laurel and Hardy their defeat in the fi nal. Mretired in 2005, said Thursday said. “We aren’t washed up. convicted in 1992, serving three years in for their behaviour at a news “...You can draw any he will make a comeback at “Somebody says over-age is washed up prison before his 1995 release and return conference ahead of the fi nal number of stories out of it age 54, fi ghting Roy Jones Jr on September but they have a bigger fan base than the to the ring. against South Africa, which — you can look at the play- 12 in Los Angeles. “We’re both accomplished fi ghters,” guys who are training now.” Tyson regained the title but lost twice England lost 32-12. ers having an ice cream after On his Legends Only League website, Tyson said. “We know how to protect our- Tyson envisions elder statesmen events to Evander Holyfi eld, disqualifi ed the sec- However, Jones told Sky training, someone was laugh- Tyson announced the eight-round exhi- selves. We’ll be alright.” of mixed martial arts and NBA fame, men- ond time for biting his rival’s ear, earning Sports that Marler was simply ing after training, someone bition bout against Jones, a 51-year-old Tyson fi nished 50-6 with 44 knockouts tioning such former NBA stars as Dennis a suspension that kept him sidelined for someone who marched to the behaved like this at a certain fi ghter who briefl y held the heavyweight while Jones, who last fought in February Rodman and Allen Iverson. 18 months. beat of his own drum. press conference,” Jones add- title and has fought consistently into his 2018, is 66-9 with 47 knockouts. Tyson became the youngest heavy- He had one last chance at the heavy- “He’s such an infl uential ed. 50s. Tyson vowed it would be competitive weight champion in history at 20 years weight crown, losing to Britain’s Lennox player in our team. “You can draw all those “It’s just going to be amazing,” Tyson rather than for show — “we’re show- and four months when he stopped Trevor Lewis in 2002, and retired after six rounds Because he loves playing for things out but at the end of said on a video call on ESPN. ing our skills and fi ghting” — and said he Berbick in the second round in 1986 to win against Kevin McBride in 2005 in his fi nal England, he dedicates himself the day it’s pretty simple: they Tyson shrugged off any notion of dan- wants to recapture the fearsome form he the World Boxing Council crown. fi ght, days shy of his 39th birthday. to being the best prop he can (South Africa) were at their ger for serious injury for himself or Jones, once displayed. Within a year, Tyson was the undisput- “I’ve been through some experiences be,” he added. best, we weren’t. saying that California rules will require “It’s 100% of it looking to be Mike Ty- ed champion and dominated the division, and now I’m back here,” Tyson said. “I’ve “I’ve never seen a bloke “We weren’t good enough they both wear headgear for the fi ght. son in the ring,” Tyson said. “I’ve got one earning his nickname as “The Baddest taken care of my body.” strength train as hard as him to get back up the mountain.” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, July 25, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT GOLF Paratore takes one-shot lead Top tennis and into fi nal round

Reuters his European Tour career to win Northumberland 50,000 pounds ($63,920) for the tournament’s offi cial charity — Sir Graham Wylie Foundation. athletics events taly’s Renato Paratore ex- As part of European Tour’s tended his bogey-free run to #Golff orGood initiative, tourna- 56 holes to retain a one-shot ment sponsor Betfred will donate Iadvantage after the third the amount, which will be used round of the British Masters at to fund projects helping people Close House in Northumberland impacted by the pandemic. yesterday The ace at the par three 14th A closing birdie meant Para- hole helped the 32-year-old scrapped in China tore, who is seeking his fi rst win Senior surge up the leaderboard since his maiden triumph at the up to nine-under overall, seven 2017 Nordea Masters, carded an strokes off the lead. The cancellations come despite the return of domestic sports in China, with football’s impressive fi ve-under-par 66 to “My caddie and I talked about move up to 16-under overall. the wind, it came up a bit and Chinese Super League starting today and fans allowed to attend basketball matches “I played really solid these that made it a comfortable seven three days, especially the short iron for me,” said Senior. game which has helped me save Q Former reality television some shots when I needed them,” contestant Richy Werenski took the 23-year-old Paratore said. advantage of a depleted fi eld to “I am just really happy. storm into the lead at the PGA We practice to be in contention Tour’s 3M Open in Minnesota on so I can’t wait to get out there to- Thursday with an eight-under- morrow.” par 63. South African Justin Harding Werenski, who secured entry was the nearest challenger on to his fi rst PGA Tour event at the 15-under after also fi nishing the 2015 Barbasol Championship af- day with a 66, one clear of Dane ter winning a reality television Rasmus Hojgaard who matched program, reeled off nine birdies the top-two by completing the to lead by one at TPC Twin Cities round in fi ve-under. in Blaine, outside Minneapolis. England’s Sam Horsfi eld The 28-year-old, who has yet jumped 41 places on the lead- to win on the PGA Tour, seized erboard to grab a share of fi fth the lead on the fi nal hole of his place with the day’s best score of round, making a 16-foot birdie 61, which included three eagles. putt to go one clear of Michael The 1.25mn euros ($1.45mn) Thompson, who shot a seven- event is the fi rst of six tourna- under-par 64. ments to be staged in Britain Former reality television con- without spectators amid strict testant Richy Werenski took protocols to combat the threat of advantage of a depleted fi eld to This file photo taken Covid-19. storm into the lead at the PGA on September 28, On his way to a stunning round Tour’s 3M Open in Minnesota on 2019 shows Aryna of 63, England’s Jack Senior Thursday with an eight-under- Sabalenka of Belarus claimed the fi rst hole-in-one of par 63. posing with the trophy after her victory in the women’s singles final UPDATE match against Alison Riske of the US at the Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan. Tiger skips WGC to better prepare for

AFP Sport said most international Chinese authorities) and are ea- The globe-trotting tennis ment earlier this month, all in- PGA Championship Shanghai events this year would be can- ger to return to China as soon as season has been at a standstill ternational sports events pen- celled to prevent a resurgence of possible next season.” since mid-March due to the vi- cilled in for the country are in COVID-19. Also among the cancelled rus outbreak worldwide, and it grave doubt. AFP Sam Snead by winning last Octo- ll top-level tennis and The cancellations come de- WTA tournaments is October’s is not fi nding it easy to resume. Juss Sports, a major Shang- Miami ber in Japan. the Diamond League spite the return of domestic Wuhan Open, which promised This week, organisers a can- hai promoter, said several more Since then, he has served as a athletics were wiped sports in China, with football’s to be hugely symbolic as the city celled an ATP tournament in competitions including the player and captain on the trium- Aoff China’s 2020 sport- Chinese Super League starting was at the centre of the corona- Washington, DC that would Diamond League and Masters eigning Masters cham- phant US team in last Decem- ing calendar yesterday, follow- today and fans allowed to attend virus outbreak when it emerged have marked the restart of the snooker have been cancelled. pion Tiger Woods will ber’s Presidents Cup in Australia ing a government edict aimed China Basketball Association late last year.The men’s Asso- men’s tennis season next month. State-owned Juss, which not play in next week’s and fi nished level ninth at Torrey at controlling the coronavirus games from this weekend. ciation of Tennis Profession- The Cincinnati Open and US is also responsible for staging RWGC event at Memphis Pines in January and 68th, last which could also spell doom for Women’s Tennis Association als said it too was cancelling its Open are still scheduled to take Formula One in the city, made so he can better prepare for the among those making the cut, at F1’s Chinese Grand Prix and the chief Steve Simon said he was 2020 China swing, including the place back-to-back in New York no mention of the grand prix — PGA Championship the follow- Riviera in February. country’s biggest golf tourna- “extremely disappointed” that prestigious Shanghai Masters from August 20, despite leading originally scheduled for April — ing week in San Francisco. He withdrew from events in ment. The WTA Finals in Shen- the women’s tennis tour, which and China Open — a men’s and fi gures in men’s tennis casting but that too now looks unlikely. Woods, a 15-time major win- March with back issues just be- zhen and the Shanghai Masters has bet heavily on the China women’s event — in Beijing. doubts over the hardcourt Grand The star-studded, $10.25mn ner, revealed his plans yesterday fore the Covid-19 pandemic shut were prime among the tennis market, has had to scrap sev- “We respect the Chinese gov- Slam. WGC-HSBC Champions golf, after sharing 40th last week at down the season from March tournaments to fall as the sport, en tournaments including the ernment’s decision to do what’s World number one Novak slated to start on October 31 in the Memorial in his fi rst US PGA until June, but looked healthy which is struggling to restart in showpiece WTA Finals. best for the country in response Djokovic earlier this month said Shanghai, is another interna- Tour start since February. in a made-for-TV May exhibi- the face of the pandemic, suf- “We are extremely disap- to the unprecedented global sit- he was undecided over whether tional event that looks in peril. “Disappointed to miss @ tion with Phil Mickelson and fered another major blow. pointed that our world-class uation,” said Andrea Gaudenzi, to travel to compete in the US China was hit hard by the WGCFedEx, but doing what I NFL stars Tom Brady and Peyton Shanghai’s Diamond League events in China will not take ATP chairman. Open. The women’s WTA tour is coronavirus when it emerged think is best to prepare me for Manning. athletics and Masters snooker place this year,” Simon said in a “It’s with a heavy heart that scheduled to restart on August 3 in Wuhan but mass lockdowns the @PGAChampionship and Playing at the WGC St. Jude have also gone, promoters said, statement. we announce ATP tournaments in Palermo, Italy, the fi rst event have been lifted and the offi cial upcoming FedExCup Playoff s,” Invitational next week in Mem- just over two weeks after Chi- “We do however respect the will not be played in China this on the revised 2020 calendar. number of cases has slowed to a Woods tweeted. phis and the PGA the following na’s General Administration of decision that has been made (by year.” Following China’s announce- trickle. The 44-year-old star has week at TPC Harding Park would been more careful about taxing have meant three starts in four his surgically repaired back and weeks for Woods. BOTTOMLINE knees in his latest comeback, At 42nd in the US PGA playoff s which saw him capture his fi rst season points rankings, Woods major title since 2008 last year at could potentially take two weeks Augusta National. off after the PGA before making Woods, ranked 14th, has cap- his fi rst playoff appearance in a tured 82 career US PGA titles, bid to reach the Tour Champion- With a year to go, support matching the career record set by ship in September in Atlanta.

Tokyo 2020 must be simple slides for Tokyo Olympics and safe, says IOC’s Coates Reuters during Tokyo’s successful cam- Though it has dodged the kind Sydney: Senior Olympic off icial tionally, is constantly chang- Tokyo paign to host the Olympics back of tolls seen elsewhere in the John Coates has reiterated that ing.” Coates wrote that putting in 2013. world, public support for the Tokyo must stage a simplified in place counter-measures At the time, support among government’s handling of the Summer Games next year with against Covid-19 would be no everal dozen protest- Tokyo residents for hosting the pandemic has plummeted. the health and safety of athletes easy task but welcomed the ers in masks gathered in Games was as high as 70%, a The Kyodo poll showed that the most important considera- top level commitment from Sfront of Japan’s National crucial component in Tokyo’s more than half of respondents tion in the planning. the Japanese government, Stadium on Friday, the pitch to the International Olym- were dissatisfi ed with the gov- Australian Coates heads up the Tokyo regional government and day the Olympic Games should pic Committee (IOC). ernment response. International Olympic Commit- Games organising committee have begun, to protest against Olympic organisers have said Organisers of yesterday’s pro- tee’s (IOC) Coordination Com- to get it done. holding them next year given the all possible eff orts will be made test questioned whether Japa- mission for the Tokyo 2020 “The IOC and our Japanese danger of the novel coronavirus. to ensure the 11,000 athletes ex- nese companies, which raised Games, which have been post- partners...are doing everything The Games were postponed in pected to take part will be able to a record $3.1bn in sponsorship poned until 2021 because of the in their power to ensure that March as the coronavirus swept travel safely to Tokyo and com- for the Games, should remain global Covid-19 pandemic. not only will the Games go the world and the government is pete in world class surround- involved when they are under “The good news is that all 42 ahead next year, but the ath- determined that they go ahead ings. increasing pressure from an Games’ venues...have been rese- letes remain first and foremost next year. But experts have said this will economic downturn caused by cured. The competition sched- in all our planning,” he added. But there’s growing oppo- be diffi cult without the devel- the virus. ule is the same,” the IOC Vice “Yes, we want the athletes of sition in Japan to holding the opment and global distribution “I don’t believe we should President wrote in Sydney’s the world to have their Olympic Games, even next year, over of an eff ective vaccine for the hold a mega event like this until Daily Telegraph yesterday. moment of competition, just as doubts that a big sporting event coronavirus. The shift in public we can see an end to this,” said “But we must reduce the cost they would have dreamt. can be held safely. opinion comes as the Japanese Toshio Miyazaki, 59, one of the impact of postponement as “But critically, they must “I believe it’s a massive mis- capital sees a new surge in coro- organisers, adding that the gov- well as simplify the Games to experience that moment in an take,” said Kai Toyama, 44, an A demonstrator wearing a face mask holds a sign to protest against navirus cases after the govern- ernment should help those af- ensure they can be organised environment where their health artist who travelled from the the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo yesterday. ment lifted a state of emergency. fected by the coronavirus rather eff iciently, safely and sustain- and safety...is assured.” suburbs of Tokyo to attend the Tokyo reported a record 366 than hold the Games. ably, in this new context. “With Coates is also President of the small rally. shouldn’t hold the Olympics A recent poll by Kyodo News new infections on Thursday and The IOC has estimated the one year to go, there is no Australian Olympic Committee It was irresponsible for Japan during the coronavirus,” said found that fewer than a quar- residents have been asked to re- postponement will cost the clear picture of what shape the and added that the reaction to go ahead with the Olympics, Toyama, who wore a long black ter of respondents were in fa- frain from unnecessary outings. committee $800mn. simplified Games will take. of his country’s athletes to he said. coat adorned with the Olympic vour of holding the Games as Since February, Japan has There has been no estimate “The situation with Covid-19, the postponement had been “I think more people should symbol and the words “declara- scheduled next year, a dramatic confi rmed 27,000 cases of the for how much the postpone- both domestically and interna- “inspirational”. be vocal about the fact that we tion of no Olympic Games”. turnaround from the excitement virus and 1,000 deaths. ment will cost Japan. Gulf Times Saturday, July 25, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE Henderson crowned football writers’ Serie A title race player of the year

AFP London starting to resemble iverpool captain Jordan Henderson was named Lthe Football Writers’ As- sociation player of the year yesterday for his role in lead- ing the Reds to their fi rst league title in 30 years. The 30-year-old a relegation battle beat Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Only side to have looked like worthy title contenders have been Atalanta, who have teammates Virgil Van Dijk and Sadio Mane to the prize. taken 23 points since Serie A resumed in June following the coronavirus stoppage As well as making his pres- ence felt in 30 Premier League Reuters games this season as Liverpool Rome have surged to the title with an 18-point lead at the top of the table, Henderson led by exam- uventus, Lazio and Inter Milan ple off the pitch during foot- may be have been playing for the ball’s three-month coronavirus JSerie A title over the last fi ve weeks shutdown. He spearheaded the Liverpool’s English midfielder but their recent form has been PlayersTogether initiative during Jordan Henderson. (AFP) more like teams battling relegation. the lockdown which saw players One of the oddest title races in recent team up to raise money for Brit- you are, what a great character memory took another twist on Thursday ain’s National Health Service. you are. I know the human being when Juventus, needing to win at lowly “I accept it on behalf of this behind the player — you would Udinese to clinch a ninth successive title whole squad, because without deserve an award for that as well. with three matches to spare, threw away them I’m not in a position to be What a year you had, what a ca- a halftime lead and lost 2-1. receiving this honour. These lads reer so far you had and the best Having wasted their fi rst “match have made me a better player, a news: there’s still a lot to come,” point”, Juve must wait until at least to- better leader and a better per- Klopp added. morrow, when they host a revived Samp- son,” said Henderson. “If any- City boss Pep Guardiola said doria, before they can give coach Mau- thing I hope those who voted for De Bruyne’s outstanding season rizio Sarri his fi rst major Italian title. If me did so partly to recognise the spoke for itself with the Belgian that happens, it will be as much thanks entire team’s contribution.” just one short of Thierry Henry’s to the failings of their rivals as their own Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp record of 20 assists in a Premier merits. When Serie A resumed in June paid tribute to his skipper, who League season. following the coronavirus stoppage, the he described as the perfect blend “I think he speaks for himself scene appeared set for a dramatic fi nale. between having talent and a great with what he gives us to our team Juventus led with 63 points followed by attitude. “One of the big ques- and the Premier League. It is not Lazio — unbeaten in 21 matches — on 62, tions in football is, ‘What makes necessary to say what a fantastic Inter Milan 57 and Atalanta 51. a proper player?’ or, ‘What is player he is,” said Guardiola. “At In nine matches since, Juventus have more important: is it talent or is the same time congratulations to taken 17 points, Inter 16, Lazio 10. The it attitude?’. I think the easy an- the captain of Liverpool for the only side to have looked like worthy title swer is that without talent you award. He is a really good player.” contenders have been Atalanta who have are nothing, without attitude As well as the top fi ve, 10 other taken 23 points. Juve’s have twice squan- Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) looks dejected after the loss to Udinese in the Serie A on Thursday night. (Reuters) you will stay a talent forever,” players received votes from FWA dered two-goal leads in their last fi ve Klopp said in a video message to members. Trent Alexander- games which have produced one win, two of matches crammed in six weeks in high positions. “We’ve had 12 penalties given day following fi ve games without a win. Henderson. Arnold, Alisson Becker, Raheem draws and two defeats. Inter have won summer. “This season is diffi cult, all the against us which is unusual for the big Serie A leading scorer Ciro Immobile “So you are the perfect exam- Sterling, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, two of their last six games and Lazio had teams are playing in conditions diff er- teams,” said Sarri. “But there have been netted the winner with his 31st goal of the ple that the mix makes the dif- Sergio Aguero, Adama Traore, taken one point from a possible 15 before ent to the usual ones and everyone is more penalties generally, we’re at an all- season as Lazio, fourth with 72 points, ference. Everybody saw what a Danny Ings, Jack Grealish, James Thursday’s 2-1 win over Cagliari. tired,” said Sarri. “It’s complicated to stay time record.” clinched the fi nal Italian place in Eu- great player you are, everybody Maddison and Jonny Evans were Like Juventus, Inter have made a habit mentally and physically on the ball for Inter coach Antonio Conte has blamed rope’s elite club competition next season. saw what a great personality all nominated. of letting matches slip from their grasp. 90 minutes. The games are strange and a lack of killer instinct by his team and “I’m happy, it’s right to celebrate reach- They missed an open goal when they the momentum changes very easily. The Lazio’s Simone Inzaghi says an injury ing an important target for us which we were leading 2-1 at home to Sassuolo mental fatigue is more than the physical crisis has scuppered their hopes. Lazio achieved three matches in advance,” said and drew 3-3, then missed and a penalty fatigue.” thought have claimed a Champions Immobile. “We are proud despite the dif- Man United under more when they were leading Bologna ten-man Juve have already conceded 38 goals, League place, ending a 13-year absence fi culties we have faced after lockdown. 1-0 and lost 2-1. Sarri said everyone had their highest total for 10 seasons, and from the competition, when they came This is something that Lazio haven’t pressure to qualify for been aff ected by having to play 12 rounds have dropped 18 points from winning from behind to beat Cagliari 2-1 on Thurs- achieved for years.” Champions League: Rodgers FOCUS London: Manchester United be in it, but if we fall short, it’s will be under more pressure still been a really good season.” than Leicester City to secure Leicester were a constant in a Champions League berth the top four since September Swiss legal chief quits amid FIFA controversy as they rely on the financial but a poor run of form since rewards that come with playing the restart last month has led AFP Swiss prosecutors opened a probe, The disciplinary committee had or- in Europe’s elite competition, to Rodgers’ side dropping to Geneva fi nding that those two 2016 contacts, dered him to be docked 8% of his salary. Leicester boss Brendan Rodg- fifth following a 3-0 defeat by held shortly after Infantino took charge of Responding to Lauber’s appeal, the Fed- ers said yesterday. Tottenham Hotspur in their FIFA from Blatter, were “not problemat- eral Administrative Court acknowledged Fifth-placed Leicester are penultimate game. witzerland’s top prosecutor re- ic”. But during the inquiry into those two that the initial ruling had been harsh, one point behind United and a Injuries to key players such signed yesterday following a meetings, Lauber told the oversight body and reduced his penalty to a 5% pay cut. win at the King Power Stadium as defender Ben Chilwell and Sdrawn-out controversy over his he had had no other informal contacts However, it upheld a majority of the ac- tomorrow in the final Premier midfielder James Maddison handling of a corruption investi- with Infantino — something that turned cusations against him, fi nding that the League game of the season have made their top-four chase gation targeting FIFA, but continued to out not to be the case. “confi rmed breaches of offi cial duty and will guarantee a top-four spot. tougher. Rodgers said that de- deny accusations he lied. Attorney Gen- FIFA has never denied the informal their seriousness still justify the deci- United’s fate would be decided spite their troubles, the players eral Michael Lauber, suspected of collu- meetings between the two men, explain- sion... to opt for the most severe type of by Chelsea’s result against Wol- have performed well to take the sion with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino fol- ing that they were meant to show the disciplinary sanction possible”. verhampton Wanderers. fight to the final day. lowing a series of secret meetings in 2016 organisation’s willingness to collaborate “I respect the decision of the Federal If Chelsea lose, a draw would “We’ve been really unfortu- and 2017, said in a statement he was re- with the Swiss judiciary. As for Lauber, a Administrative Court,” Lauber said in a be enough for United to qualify nate that at this crucial time signing “in the interest of the institution”. Swiss parliamentary commission decided statement. He stressed though that “I while Leicester will finish fourth we’ve lost some of the best The 54-year-old prosecutor was in in May to open proceedings over “well- continue nonetheless to fi rmly reject the on goal diff erence and return to players in the league,” he charge of Switzerland’s probe into the the investigation in June 2019, following founded suspicion of serious violation of accusation of lying”. the Champions League for the added. “But there are not many towering corruption scandal that explod- media revelations he had held several un- the duties of offi ce either intentionally or The court meanwhile appeared to be of first time in three years. teams who could carry those ed at the heart of world football’s gov- declared meetings with Infantino during by gross negligence”, which risked seeing a diff erent opinion. It pointed to a meet- “There is a diff erence where players. And it shows how erning body in 2015. The scandal erupt- the course of the probe. him sacked. ing on June 16, 2017 shown to have been we want to be in the Champions good the players have been ed when Swiss police in May that year Despite the criticism, Lauber was re- And earlier this month, an extraordi- attended by Lauber, Infantino, and two League, but when you’re a club that we’re still fighting for the swarmed the plush Baur au Lac hotel in elected to a fresh term last September, but nary prosecutor was appointed to exam- or three other people — all of whom had like Manchester United, there’s ultimate prize.” Zurich before dawn, arresting a number his actions have faced mounting scrutiny, ine criminal complaints made against insisted they did not recall the encounter. a need to be in the Champions Having gone unbeaten in of top football offi cials. with multiple investigations into his han- Lauber over the Infantino meetings. And “This fact alone and various other cir- League,” Rodgers said. “When their last 13 league games, The Swiss judiciary under Lauber dling of the case. Two Lauber-Infantino on Friday, a court published its appeals cumstances lead to the conclusion that you are at that level of spend- United can secure their highest quickly opened criminal proceedings meetings were initially exposed in 2018 decision after a disciplinary probe in Lauber’s statements are implausible,” the ing... there is a need to be in finish since the 2017-18 season against then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter by “Football Leaks”, a cross-border in- March found that Lauber had repeatedly court said. “Such a gap in memory among there and that brings a diff erent when Jose Mourinho guided and other top offi cials. But the top pros- vestigation by several European news or- lied when questions were raised about the several participants is to be regarded as level of expectation. We want to them to second place. ecutor was forced to recuse himself from ganisations. FIFA investigation. absurd.”

ROUND-UP Fabinho’s house burgled during Liverpool’s title celebrations: Reports he home of Liverpool’s playing in a Champions League side 1-0 after February’s fi rst leg (21mn euros) for the player. The the 16-team league is divided Brazilian midfi elder match against Bayern Munich in in France. Costa is an important 25-year-old has scored three into three parts. Slavia Prague TFabinho was burgled February last year. member of Sarri’s squad despite times since England’s top fl ight had already clinched the title and as the player celebrated inconsistent displays and fi tness returned from the coronavirus Plzen, Sparta Prague, Jablonec the Premier League club’s fi rst COSTA SET TO MISS issues, the 29-year-old often lockdown, helping West Ham to and Liberec locked up European English league crown in 30 years, JUVE’S CHAMPION LEAGUE being brought on as an impact secure Premier League survival. “ places, but in the six-team rele- British media reported. SHOWDOWN WITH LYON substitute in the second half of The Czech Player of the Year gation group three teams, Opava, The BBC reported that thieves Douglas Costa is set to miss matches. has capped 25 times since making Karvina and Pribram, were still broke into the 26-year-old’s Juventus’ Champions League last his international debut in 2016. battling to avoid the drop. empty house in Formby between 16 decider with Lyon after the SOUCEK EARNS A statement from the Czech Wednesday afternoon and Thurs- Serie A leaders announced that PERMANENT WEST PLAYER’S POSITIVE TEST Football League said that it day morning and stole items of the Brazil forward had picked up HAM MOVE ENDS CZECH SEASON decided to end the season after jewellery and a car. A spokesman a thigh injury. In a statement, West Ham have signed Czech AND SAVES HIS CLUB an Opava player tested positive for Merseyside Police said in a Juve said that Costa’s injury in Republic international Tomas The resumed Czech football and scrap relegation. “After the statement to British media that the “long adductor muscle of his Soucek from Slavia Prague on league season was offi cially aban- quarantine of the Opava club, it the car had since been recovered right thigh”, sustained during a permanent basis, the Pre- doned yesterday after a positive is no longer possible to fi nish the in Wigan. Liverpool lifted the Thursday’s 2-1 defeat at Udi- mier League club announced. coronavirus case forced quaran- current season within the time league trophy on Wednesday fol- nese which put their league title Midfi elder Soucek has impressed tine at a club battling relegation. limit,” said the chairman of the lowing a 5-3 victory over Chelsea celebrations on ice, would be for the Hammers since he joined The Czech League had resumed league committee, Dusan Svobo- in their fi nal home game of the reassessed in 15 days. on loan in January and has been on May 23 after being shut down da. Without relegation and with season at Anfi eld. Liverpool’s Maurizio Sarri’s side are sched- rewarded with a four-year deal for the fi rst time in March. Pardubice and Brno promoted, Senegal striker Sadio Mane had uled to take on Lyon in Turin on at the London outfi t, who will It had nearly completed the the league will be expanded to 18 his house burgled while he was August 7. They trail Rudi Garcia’s reportedly pay Slavia £19.1mn fi nal stage of the season when clubs next season.

Saturday, July 25, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

RAS ABU ABOUD STADIUM TAKES SHAPE

A view of the under construction Stadium, one of the eight venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Constructed using shipping containers, the 40,000-seat venue will be completely dismantled after the tournament, with its parts, used to create sporting facilities across Qatar and overseas. It will be the first fully demountable stadium in the FIFA World Cup history.

PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL Premier League Bournemouth staring 2020-21 season to kick off on Sept. 12

Reuters sons next May with the post- London poned 2020 Euros set to begin on down the barrel in June 11, 2021. The Premier League also added he 2020-21 English Pre- that they would continue to con- mier League season will sult with the Football Associa- Tbegin on Sept. 12 and the tion (FA) and the English Football fi nal round of matches League (EFL) regarding the relegation tussle will be held on May 23, the league scheduling of domestic competi- announced yesterday. The new tions. The EFL announced later season, originally scheduled to on Friday that the second-tier Howe’s side have to beat Everton and hope their goal diff erence is better if both begin on Aug. 8, has been de- Championship, third-tier League layed this year after the Premier One and fourth-tier League Two third-from-bottom Watford and Aston Villa lose their matches League suspended the 2019-20 seasons would also kick off on the season for three months due to weekend of Sept. 12 and conclude AFP the Covid-19 pandemic. on May 8-9, 2021. London The current season will end The playoff fi nals next season with a fi nal round of fi xtures to- will be held in the fi nal weekend morrow, giving teams about sev- of May. The Championship’s he Bournemouth players and en weeks to prepare for the next regular season concluded on coaching staff face “the biggest campaign. Wednesday with the playoff fi nal Tgame” of their careers tomor- However, teams still compet- to be played on Aug. 4. row as they battle to extend their ing in the Champions League League One clubs voted to end surprising fi ve-year stay in the Premier and Europa League will have less this season early with the fi nal League, manager Eddie Howe says. time to prepare should they ad- table calculated on a points-per- Bournemouth were widely tipped to vance deeper into the knockout game basis but held the playoff s make an immediate return to the second- stages, with the fi nals of the two behind closed doors. Champions tier Championship in their maiden sea- competitions to be held on Aug. Coventry City and Rotherham son amongst the elite in the 2015/16 cam- 23 and Aug. 21 respectively. United were automatically pro- paign, but Howe and the Cherries have The new season kicks off after moted along with playoff s win- defi ed expectations. the international break with Eu- ner Wycombe Wanderers. There However, the mathematics looks espe- ropean football’s governing body was a similar outcome in League cially tough for them to extricate them- UEFA announcing last month Two with Northampton Town selves this time round. They are second that Nations League matches winning the playoff s to go up from bottom, three points adrift of safety would be played between Sept. along with champions Swindon and end their season with a challenging 3-8. Leagues across Europe will Town, as well as Crewe Alexan- away trip to Everton tomorrow. be looking to wrap up their sea- dra and Plymouth Argyle. To preserve their status, Howe’s side have to beat Everton and hope their goal diff erence is better if both third-from- FOCUS bottom Watford and Aston Villa lose their matches. Watford and Villa have a three- point advantage over Bournemouth. Villa — who head Watford on goal dif- ‘We are not arrogant’ ference — travel to West Ham on the back of an impressive 1-0 win over Arsenal in midweek. Watford will hope for a similar Klopp tells Lampard result when they travel to Arsenal. Howe, who has guided Bournemouth to 16th, ninth, 12th and 14th in their previous Pre- Bournemouth are second from bottom, three points adrift of safety and end their season with a trip to Everton tomorrow. (AFP) to move on mier League campaigns, made no bones about the importance of tomorrow’s lief that we can win our game and that’s tom three) at the moment. The most im- lowing the surprise sacking of manager AFP game at his pre-match press conference. all we can control. We’ve got to win a portant thing is to be above that dotted Nigel Pearson last Sunday. London “The next game is the biggest game of game of football and then we’re hoping line on Sunday and we know we have to Goalkeeper Ben Foster said confi dence all our careers and we’re going to do our for the bit of luck that we need.” win to guarantee that. We’ll be going all- was “so, so crazy low” following the 4-0 best to win it,” Howe said yesterday. His Villa counterpart Dean Smith can out to win.” home hammering by Manchester City iverpool manager Jur- “Controlling our emotions is going count it being a good season on their re- Smith said the crammed match sched- earlier this week. gen Klopp has hit back at to be key. You have to be in the moment turn to the Premier League if they stay up, ule since the resumption after the coro- However, Hayden Mullins, who is care- Lhis Chelsea counterpart and we need the players to play the game having also taken them to the League Cup navirus lockdown had impacted on eve- taker manager for the second time this Frank Lampard by sug- they’ve always done and do so to a very fi nal. Smith believes his side are in the ryone but he drew on some advice from season, denies this is the case. gesting the Blues boss still has high standard.” position he would have wished for going home to illustrate how his side had stood “The game was a tough one to take be- a lot to learn after branding the Howe says his players are not lacking into the fi nal round of games. up to it. “My wife has always told me that cause we got beat and secondly because new English champions “arro- self-belief but accept they do not control “We control our own destiny and that’s you cope with whatever is thrown at you Villa picked up points,” he added. “That gant.” During Liverpool’s 5-3 win their destiny even if they win. “We know what we wanted to have going into the and you deal with it,” he said. “These lads is how Ben felt at the time, I wouldn’t say between the sides on Wednes- we have to do our bit, but we’re going to last game,” he said at his press confer- have managed to deal with it so far.” there is a blanket kind of feeling for eve- day, Lampard became embroiled have to be good mentally and focus on the ence. “Results went our way in the week Morale appears to be in short supply at ryone in the squad, it was probably just in a row with Klopp’s assistant match,” said Howe. “I think there’s a be- and we’re above the dotted line (the bot- last season’s FA Cup fi nalists Watford fol- how he was feeling.” Pepijn Lijnders over a foul that led to the free-kick from which Trent Alexander-Arnold scored SPOTLIGHT to make it 2-0. “Fair play to Liverpool Football Club, they’ve won the league, but also don’t get too arrogant Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp QCA celebrates International Chess Day with it,” Lampard said in a post- (right) with his Chelsea match interview. Klopp rejected counterpart Frank Lampard. atar Chess Association (QCA) (VNM) $250 that suggestion and said Lamp- (Reuters) celebrated the International Best Boy U20: GM Shevchenko, Kirill ard should learn to let any con- QChess Day with 2,000 chess (UKR) $100 frontations during the 90 min- replayed a lot on social media,” players from all over the world utes go at full time. said Lampard. “I’ve got two Best Girl U20: WIM Fisabilillah, Ummi by organising an international online “You cannot hit me and my young daughters who are on so- (IDN) $100 tournament held on lichess.org platform. bench with something like that cial media, so I do regret that.” It garnered 2,000 participants con- TOP RESIDENTS’ PLAYERS because we are not arrogant,” On the fi eld, Lampard has to sisting of 60 Grandmasters, 180 Titled 1. Manaloto Laurel (PHI) $150; 2. IM said Klopp. “Frank was obviously concentrate on getting at least players and renowned chess players from Hameed Al Kadhi (YEM) $100; 3. Loyola in a really competitive mood a point from tomorrow’s visit of all over the world. The tournament was Rolenson (PHI) $50 and I respect that a lot. From my Wolves to Stamford Bridge to en- played in 18 rounds of Blitz chess accord- Best Resident U20 point of view in this sort of situ- sure Chelsea secure a place in the ing to the Swiss System. : Gowtham ation you can say pretty much Champions League next season. With the aim of increasing the chess Ramamoorthy (IND) $75 what you want. For me, after the The visitors need a victory to community’s awareness on the impor- Best Resident U16: Arnav Srivastava game it is completely over. I said guarantee a place in the Europa tance of social distancing measures while (IND) $50 a lot in the past because it is pure League next season. Chelsea will at the same time connecting chess players Qatari chess players took part in the international online tournament, organised by emotion, he came here to win also be sure of a top-four fi n- around the world, the online tournament the Qatar Chess Association. the game or get a point, to make ish if Manchester United win at was organised. Meanwhile, aside from the TOP QATARI PLAYERS Champions League qualifi cation, Leicester. overall winners, top residents’ players of where and played by all, across the bar- against coronavirus. Best Qatari Male: 1. Mansour al-Qassabi and I respect that a lot. But what “What is absolutely important Qatar were also recognised. riers of language, age, gender, physical he has to learn is to fi nish it with is the players focus on them- $200; 2. Khalid al-Khulaifi $100; 3. Ahmed This is part of QCA commitment to ability, or social status. Chess is one of the WINNERS LIST the fi nal whistle and he didn’t do selves because it is in our own al-Khanji $50 hands, and that is the job I’ll do spread the game and promote strate- games that transcend borders and comply 1. GM Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (AZE) that.” gic thinking in the community as well as with Social Distancing measures during Best Qatari Female: 1. GM Zhu Chen A clip of the foul-mouthed because we can’t aff ect what Prize money $500; 2. GM Abdusattorov, develop the community through sports. these challenging times while bringing all $200; 2. WCM Kholoud al-Khulaifi $100; argument between the benches is going on elsewhere,” added Nodirbek (UZB) $250; 3. GM Vladislav, Chess is one of the most ancient, intel- Chess enthusiasts together. This is one of 3. WCM Aisha al-Khulaifi $50 went viral with Lampard’s words Lampard. “We have to try to get Artemiev (RUS) $150; 4. GM Fedoseev, lectual, and cultural games, with a com- the worthwhile activities that people can Best Qatari U20 clearly audible in an empty sta- over the line. We have character Vladimir (RUS) $100; 5. GM Aleksandrov, : Rayyan Mohamed $100 bination of sport, scientifi c thinking, engage with each other and at the same Best Qatari U14 dium. “I think in terms of the in the group, we have quality and and elements of art. As an aff ordable and time contribute to the government’s ef- Aleksei (BLR) $50 : Layan al-Qassabi $75 language I used, I do regret that, we have a good opponent coming inclusive activity, it can be exercised any- fort of fl attening the curve during its fi ght Best Female: WGM Hoang, Thi Bao Tram Best Qatari U12: Rawda al-Qassabi $50 because I think these things get and it is on us now.”