FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 3 Goalkeeper Marsh shines Donnarumma as Australia joins French beat Windies champs PSG by four runs

Friday, July 16, 2021 OLYMPICS Dhul-Hijjah 6, 1442 AH star GULF TIMES Sindhu eyes rare gold for SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL athletics squad leaves for Tokyo Qatar confi dent aft er thrilling Gold Cup debut ‘We are the Asian champions, we come here with a lot of confidence’

Agencies Houston

sian champions Qatar are left with mixed emotions after a back-and- forth 3-3 draw with Panama in their fi rst ever match at the Con- Acacaf Gold Cup. The 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts opened Group D against Panama, a consistent participant in the tournament, and were in the lead on three diff erent oc- casions. The Central Americans, however, would not be denied. Qatar’s athletics contingent pose at the Hamad International Airport in yesterday, before their “The positive today is we scored three and departure to Tokyo to participate in the 32nd Olympic Games, which will be held from July 23 to the negative is when we conceded three. We August 8. Seven athletes – Mutaz Barshim, Abderrahman Samba, Abubaker Hayder, Abdirahman always come into the game not to concede, Saeed Hassan, Musab Adam, Femi Ogunode, Ashraf Amgad El-Seify – will represent Qatar in track and hopefully to win, but that’s football,” said field events in Tokyo. Tokyo 2020 will be Qatar’s 10th consecutive participation at the Olympics since forward Mohamed Muntari in an exclusive it first took part in the 1984 Los Angeles Games. interview with Concacaf.com. A fi rst half tussle ended in a goalless draw at halftime. Muntari mentioned the halft- ime adjustments made by Qatar coach Fe- SPOTLIGHT lix Sanchez were among the factors that led to their three goals. Despite splitting the points, the AFC Asian Cup champions felt their opening match was a good litmus test Almoez Ali becomes fi rst player for what to expect in the rest of the tourna- ment. Now, they are focused on building and gaining momentum. to score in three diff erent “Sometimes you win, some you lose, but we are fortunate to come up with the points, we go back to work on it and come back continental championships strong for the next game,” said Muntari. “We’re always confi dent. We are the Asian Agencies champions, so we come here with a lot of Houston confi dence and we are glad that we showed today and hopefully we can share more in the next games.” lmoez Ali, the star Muntari entered Tuesday’s match in the Qatar players celebrate after scoring a goal against Panama during the Concacaf Gold Cup striker of the Qatar na- 85th minute, subbed in for Almoez Ali. He is match in Houston on Tuesday. tional team and the top eager to join his fellow forwards among the scorer of the 2019 Asian goal scorers for his country after Almoez Ali, Sanchez said there is room for improvement. tournaments, were all on fi re for the 2019 ACup wrote his name in the annals Akram Afi f and Hassan al-Haydos all picked Despite their defensive frailties against their AFC Asian Cup champions with Sanchez of history in golden letters after up their fi rst Gold Cup goal against Panama. Panama, Spaniard Sanchez took home posi- adding that his players were always trying to scoring a goal against Panama on Off the fi eld, the Qatar national team is tives as Qatar continue their preparations fi nd ways to score against Panama. Tuesday. Qatar posted a 3-3 draw not only enjoying the experience of play- for the FIFA World Cup 2022 which they will “But in general I’m satisfi ed because the in their opening Concacaf Gold ing in the biennial tournament, but also the be hosting. players did their best in the match and the Cup clash as Almoez archived proximity it gives them to play in front of “First of all, the beginning of the tourna- draw is a good result to start a tournament. his name in football history. The their fans in the United States. ments is always diffi cult,” said Sanchez. “We Although the Panamanian team initially Al Duhail striker has become the “It means everything,” said Muntari went ahead three times but our opponent tried to close the spaces, we managed to cre- fi rst player in football history about the Qatari public in attendance for the managed to claw back into the game. We ate opportunities to score,” added the Span- to score goals in three diff erent match. “To have them here is really motivat- have to work to correct our mistakes.” iard. Qatar face another stern challenge to- continental championships after ing and we appreciate it and hopefully they Akram Afi f, Hassan al-Haydos and Al- morrow when they face Grenada, who were scoring against Panama in the can come to the next one also.” moez Ali, who became the fi rst player in his- defeated 4-0 by Honduras in their opener opening match of Group D of the Meanwhile, Qatar’s head coach Felix tory to score in three diff erent continental on Tuesday. Gold Cup. Almoez was the top scorer of the 2019 Asian Cup with FOCUS nine goals, a record in the Asian championship, surpassing , the Iranian legend and top scorer of the 1996 Asian Cup. QFA president Sheikh Hamad meets The second achievement of the Al Duhail striker, who has played 70 international matches and Panama and Concacaf counterparts scored 30 goals for Qatar team, is scoring during a Copa America team’s preparations for the FIFA world after featuring in the Copa atar Football Association (QFA) President HE match against Paraguay in 2019. World Cup Qatar 2022, where America in its previous edition, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani Qatar’s maiden participation the Asian champions continue to before appearing in the European on Tuesday met with presidents of Concacaf in Gold Cup is another step in the face competitors from all over the qualifi ers for the World Cup. and Panama Football Federation. QDuring talks with Manuel Arias, President of Panama Football Federation (PFF), and Victor Montagliani, Chief of Concacaf, QFA President discussed wide ranging top- QNB STARS LEAGUE CHAMPS AL SADD TO BEGIN ics related to football, 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and matters of mutual interest. The meeting was also attended PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEW SEASON NEXT WEEK by Ali Daoud, Executive Director of the QFA President Of- Doha: QNB Stars League champions Al Sadd from Barcelona, from the August 1 to 14. During fi ce and Mushtaq al-Waili, Executive Director of the Stra- will begin their preparations for the new 2021-22 the camp, Al Sadd will play three friendly matches tegic and Institutional Planning Offi ce, QFA. season next Tuesday, July 20, at the club’s training in preparation for the new season. The offi cials agreed in principle to extend co-operation facility. This is the second time that the Wolves are in the fi eld of football in particular and sports in general. The team’s training in Doha will include physical organising the camp in Olot, after having earlier QFA President also apprised visiting offi cials of Qatar’s and technical tests for the players, in order to done the same ahead of the 2019-20 season. rise in Asian football during the break of Qatar’s match check their readiness before selecting the final The camp will start without the group of Qatari against Panama at the 2021 Gold Cup on Tuesday. After squad list for the overseas camp. internationals, who are currently participating the meeting, the offi cials exchanged mementos and posed The club management had earlier decided to with the national team in the Gold Cup in the QFA President HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani with for pictures. Asian champions Qatar are participating in hold the overseas preseason camp in Olot, 100km United States. Concacaf chief Victor Montagliani (right) in Houston. Gold Cup for the fi rst time. Gulf Times 2 Friday, July 16, 2021 SPORT

FOOTBALL Saka calls out social media giants for ‘not doing enough’ Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma joins PSG to stop racist messages AFP pean Cup. Costa Rican inter- winger Bukayo Saka told social media platforms Insta- Paris national Navas, 34, joined two gram, Twitter and Facebook they must do more to stamp out seasons ago from Real Madrid, racial abuse after being targeted in the wake of his Euro 2020 where he won three consecu- final penalty miss. After the 19-year-old’s spot-kick was saved aris Saint-Germain said tive Champions league titles but by Gianluigi Donnarumma to seal Italy’s triumph at Wembley on Wednesday that they Donnarumma is just 22 and fresh on Sunday, the Arsenal star was targeted by trolls online along had completed the sign- from starring at Euro 2020. with teammates Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who also ing of Italy’s Euro 2020 Rotating keepers is something missed penalties. “To the social media platforms Instagram, Pgoalkeeper Gianluigi Don- PSG have tried before but not en- Twitter and Facebook, I don’t want any child or adult to have to narumma on a fi ve-year deal. tirely successfully. Over recent receive the hateful and hurtful messages that me, Marcus and The 22-year-old, who saved seasons they have, at various Jadon have received this week,” Saka said in a post on Twitter two penalties in the Euro 2020 times, juggled Salvatore Sirigu, yesterday. “I knew instantly the kind of hate that I was about to fi nal and was named player of the Kevin Trapp, Alphonse Areola receive, and that is a sad reality that your powerful platforms tournament, heads to on a and Italian legend Gianluigi Buf- are not doing enough to stop these messages. free transfer from AC Milan. fon. French international Areola “There is no place for racism or hate of any kind in football or Donnarumma will be in com- is due to return this season from in any area of society and to the majority of people coming petition with the experienced a loan year at Fulham. together to call out the people sending these messages, by tak- Keylor Navas for the goalkeeper’s Navas shone in PSG’s run to ing action and reporting these comments to the police and by jersey. the Champions League fi nal driving out the hate by being kind to one another, we will win. “I am delighted to be part of two seasons ago and also as they “Love always wins.” this huge club,” said Donnarum- eliminated reigning champions Saka had been one of England’s breakout stars as the Three ma in a statement released by Bayern Munich, in last season’s Lions reached a first major tournament final for 55 years. PSG. quarters before a semi-fi nal exit Yet there was a sour end to his Euro experience. After Rashford “I feel ready to take on this new to Manchester City. hit the post, Donnarumma saved from Sancho and then Saka challenge and continue to grow While the Costa Rican is an ex- to crown Italy champions and condemn England to another here. cellent shot stopper he is less at heartbreaking loss on penalties. “There are no words to tell you “With Paris, I want to win as ease in playing out from the back how disappointed I was with the result and my penalty. I really much as possible and to bring joy and coming off his line. believed we would win this for you,” wrote Saka, who is likely to to the supporters.” League matches and 12 in the mer following Spanish defender PSG coach Mauricio Pochetti- He might have been pleased to be part of Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad for Qatar 2022. During his six seasons with Italian Cup (including the 2016 Sergio Ramos, who was out of no will have the luxury of choos- former Real colleague and defen- “I’m sorry that we couldn’t bring it home for you this year, but the Rossoneri, the Naples-born and 2018 fi nals). contract at Real Madrid, and ing between the two experienced sive mainstay Sergio Ramos ar- I promise you that we will give everything we’ve got to make goalkeeper made 215 appearances He is the third player to sign for Dutch midfi elder Georginio Wi- shot-stoppers as he looks to lead rive to play in front of him, but is sure this generation knows how it feels to win. in Serie A along with 16 in Europa PSG on a free transfer this sum- jnaldum from Liverpool. the club to a long elusive Euro- the man for the future.

CYCLING SPOTLIGHT Dutch great Robben retires from football Pogacar closes in AFP the 2000-01 season, Robben The Hague transferred to PSV in 2002-03. His fi rst overseas transfer ‘I felt good and I’m really happy came two years later when he utch football great went to Chelsea and played with the win. It’s a game for Arjen Robben an- an important role in help- nounced his retire- ing the west London club win me, I’m enjoying playing it’ ment from his youth the English Premier League in on Tour title clubD FC Groningen yesterday, 2005-06. Robben moved to ending an illustrious career Real Madrid in 2007 for a re- Reuters spanning two decades. ported fee of around 35 million Luz Ardiden, France Considered to be one of the euros, before joining Bayern in best wingers of his generation, 2009, where he played a major Robben rejoined FC Groningen role in the southern German adej Pogacar claimed an- last year after stints that saw club’s success. other landmark victory him win accolades at Chelsea, The bald Dutchman scored in the 18th stage to edge Real Madrid and Bayern Mu- his last league goal for Bay- closer to retaining his nich, in later years. “I’ve de- ern in May 2019, amassing 99 TTour de France title as a cloud of cided to stop with my active goals in 201 Bundesliga match- doping suspicions hung over the football career,” Robben said in es. Robben said a month later world’s greatest cycling race yes- a Tweet. he would retire, but he was terday. “It was a diffi cult choice,” lured back to play for FC Gro- Before the start of the stage, said the 37-year-old of his ningen last year. the French prosecutor’s offi ce decision, which was also con- Playing for the , said it had opened a prelimi- fi rmed by FC Groningen. Robben had a major part in nary investigation into the Bah- “Everybody around FC Gro- propelling the Dutch team to rain Victorious team after police ningen hoped and wished that a World Cup fi nal in South Af- searched the outfi t’s accommo- Robben would continue for rica in 2010 and a third place dation and bus on Wednesday. another season, he has decided fi nish in the 2014 World Cup in The prosecutor’s offi ce in Mar- to stop after much delibera- Brazil. But the winger had been seille said the investigation was tion,” the club said in a state- plagued throughout his career into “acquisition, transport, pos- ment. One of the fastest and by injury. “Looking back on the session, import of a prohibited most skilful dribblers in his past season, I have to come to substance or prohibited method prime, with a devastating left the honest conclusion that the for use by an athlete without foot, Robben scored more than number of match minutes was medical justifi cation.” 200 goals at club level and 37 disappointing,” Robben said Bahrain Victorious said they for the Netherlands, the last yesterday. “The football heart were complying with the inves- against in Amsterdam wants to continue..., but the tigation. in October 2017. After his de- decision to quit is fair and re- All Bahrain Victorious rid- but at FC Groningen during alistic,” Robben said. ers started the stage but none of them weighed on the race, hav- ing been kept up by the searches deep into the night, with Dutch- man Wout Poels falling behind Pogacar in the mountains clas- Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia wearing the yellow jersey celebrates after winning Stage 18 of the Tour de France yesterday. (Reuters) sifi cation. The Slovenian’s brutal accel- py with the win. It’s a game for penultimate ascent to the Col du in 2019, accelerated and was Pogacar attacked fi rst, 3.5km eration 500 metres from the line, me, I’m enjoying playing it,” said Tourmalet to drop out of the top followed by Alaphilippe, fellow from the top, with Vingegaard, at top of Luz Ardiden (13.3km Pogacar. 10. Australian Ben O’Connor of Frenchman Pierre Latour and Carapaz, ’ Enric Mas and at 7.4%), could not be matched “The ascent to Luz Ardiden AG2R-Citroen is now fourth, Portugal’s Ruben Guerreiro. American Sepp Kuss the only by his rivals as ’s Jonas was tough, too, but I found my 8:18 off the pace two days before A cooked Alaphilippe was ones to follow. Vingegaard and Ecuador’s Rich- rhythm and I had enough energy Saturday’s fi nal individual time dropped 3.5km from the top with Kuss fl agged before Mas start- ard Carapaz fi nished two seconds for the fi nal sprint.” trial. Guerreiro also being left be- ed his sprint 700 metres from behind in second and third, re- Overall, UAE Emirates rider Early attackers Matej Mohoric hind two kilometres further up the line, only for the 22-year-old spectively. Pogacar now has a massive ad- of Bahrain Victorious and world as French president Emmanuel Pogacar to speed past him with The result was a carbon copy vantage of fi ve minutes 45 sec- champion Julian Alaphilippe Macron watched from the Tour 500 metres, leaving Vingegaard of Wednesday’s summit fi nish at onds over Jumbo-Visma’s Vinge- were joined in the ascent of the director’s car. and Carapaz to fi ght it out for the Col du Portet, where Pogacar gaard with Carapaz of Ineos Tourmalet (17.1km at 7.3%) by Gaudu broke clear in the de- second after the 129.7km ride had already beaten Vingegaard Grenadiers in third place overall, a small group featuring French scent but he only had a 15-second from Pau. In addition to the yel- and Carapaz in the second of his a further six seconds behind. climber David Gaudu. advantage on an Ineos Grena- low, Pogacar now holds the white three stage wins in this year’s Colombian Rigoberto Uran Gaudu, whose monster work diers-led yellow jersey group at jersey for the best Under-25 rider Tour. (EF Education-Nippo), fourth had set up Thibaut Pinot for a the foot of the fi nal climb. He was and the polka-dot jersey for the “I felt good and I’m really hap- overall at the start, cracked in the landmark win at the Tourmalet caught 9.5km from the line. mountains classifi cation.

FOCUS ‘No sign’ Ronaldo wants to leave Juventus Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben celebrates with the trophy after AFP which Juventus lost their Serie A end of last season than win- winning the Bundesliga in Munich on May 18, 2019. (Reuters) Milan crown after nine years, exited the ning the ‘Scudetto’ in 2020 with Champions League in the last 16 Maurizio Sarri. and only sealed fourth place and “I think it’s true when Sarri ristiano Ronaldo has elite European football on the fi - says we didn’t celebrate that Hasek handed mission of leading given no indication he nal day. Scudetto very much, because wants to leave Juventus Juventus open next season perhaps it came naturally as we Lebanon to maiden World Cup and is expected back at Udinese with Massimilano had already won so much. Experienced Czech coach Ivan Hasek was yesterday handed the inC Turin later this month, club Allegri fi red up as he returns “We tried again with Andrea task of taking Lebanon to a first-ever World Cup in 2022. director Pavel Nedved said on as coach two years after being Pirlo (coach last season), but we “Ivan Hasek is the head coach of the Lebanese national team,” Wednesday. sacked despite winning fi ve con- ended in fourth. We celebrated the Lebanon FA announced on Instagram. “Cristiano is on holiday. We secutive league titles with the that achievement after a com- Hasek, 57, a former Czech international who won 56 caps be- have no signal from his en- Turin club. plicated season perhaps more for tween 1984-94, was president of the Czech Football Federation tourage that he wants to leave. “There was a certain routine the many suff erings.” and coach of the national team. We’re waiting for him and he with (Allegri) for fi ve years,” said Nedved confi rmed that the He has had stints in the Arab world with Al Wasl, Al Ahli, Al will return around July 25 as Nedved. “Then he went for two club were interested in Sassuolo Fujairah and Emirates club in the UAE, Saudi side Al Hilal and the scheduled,” Nedved said at the years to take a little holiday but midfi elder Manuel Locatelli af- Qatar national team. unveiling of the calendar for the now he’s back with great moti- ter his performance with Italy in Lebanon will face Iran, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, 2021-2022 season. The 36-year- vation.” winning Euro 2020. and Syria in Group A of the final round Asian qualifiers for the old Portuguese international has Former inter- “We left the boy quiet during 2022 World Cup to be staged in Qatar. one year left in his contract. national Nedved agreed that Ju- the European Championship. Hasek’s deal also includes taking charge of the team for the His future had been in doubt ventus had probably celebrated He is a Sassuolo player and there A fan is seen holding a Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo jersey in Turin 2023 Asian Cup. after a diffi cult campaign during more at fi nishing fourth at the will be time to address the issue.” yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Friday, July 16, 2021 3 SPORT

CRICKET SPOTLIGHT India’s Pant on ‘way to recovery’ aft er Marsh shines as positive Covid test in England

AFP been identifi ed as close contacts London of Garani, who was in the team Australia beat hotel when he tested positive. Those four will undergo a 10- ndia wicketkeeper-batsman day isolation period and remain Rishabh Pant is “on his way in their respective hotel rooms in to recovery” after testing London. positive for Covid-19 as the The BCCI said the entire India Isquad prepares for a Test series in squad and staff in England, as England, the Board of Control for well as travelling family mem- Windies by 4 runs Cricket in India said yesterday. bers, had received a second Cov- India’s players, led by captain id vaccine dose in London earlier Virat Kohli, are currently in Lon- this month. ‘It was disappointing to fall short in the end but it’s still all good for us going forward don but will enter a bio-secure The BCCI stressed the India bubble and leave for Durham contingent were all taking lat- because we continue to see good performances from key players’ later yesterday for a tour match eral fl ow tests on a daily basis to next week. “mitigate any further risks”. AFP The fi rst Test begins in Not- India players were given a 20- Gros-Islet, Saint Lucia tingham on August 4. day break before regrouping for India’s squad remained in a fi ve-match series against Eng- England after losing to New Zea- land which marks the start of the n outstanding all- land in the World Test Champi- second World Test Champion- round performance onship fi nal last month. ship. by Mitchell Marsh Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, Kohli was unhappy with In- earned Australia their recently warned players in Eng- dia’s lack of warm-up games be- fiA rst victory of the fi ve-match land to “avoid” crowded places fore the WTC fi nal against New T20 International series as the including the Wimbledon tennis Zealand and tour fi xtures before visitors hung on for a four-run and European football champi- the England series were initially victory over the West Indies in onships. removed from the schedule be- the fourth match at the Daren Pant, 23, posted pictures of cause of Covid concerns. Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on himself at a Euro 2020 match last India, however, will now play Wednesday. month on his social media ac- a County Select XI in a three- With half-centuries already counts. Yesterday’s BCCI state- day match at Durham starting on in the fi rst two matches of the ment added training assistant/ Tuesday. series, Marsh fl ayed the Carib- net bowler Dayanand Garani had England have also been hit by bean bowlers for 75 off 44 balls also tested positive. the virus and fi elded a second- with six sixes and four fours to “Wicketkeeper batsman string side, led by Ben Stokes, for pace his team to a challenging Rishabh Pant nears completion their 3-0 one-day international total of 189 for six after choos- of his self-quarantine period,” series win against Pakistan. ing to bat fi rst. He put on 114 for the statement said. Former England captain the second wicket with Aaron “Pant, who had not stayed in Michael Vaughan warned both Finch, the Australian captain the team hotel during the break English cricket’s new domestic contributing 53 as leg-spinner period, tested positive on July 8. Hundred competition and the Hayden Walsh once again led “He is asymptomatic and cur- India series were at risk if they the West Indies bowling eff ort rently undergoing self-isolation remained subject to the British with fi gures of three for 27. at the place where he reported government’s current quarantine Lendl Simmons led off the Australia’s Mitchell Marsh in action positive. He is being closely mon- and isolation regulations. West Indies chase with a bois- during the fourth T20 match against itored by the BCCI medical team “I fear for the 100 & the Indian terous innings of 72 at the top West Indies at the Daren Sammy and is on his way to recovery. Test series unless the isolation of the order but when he fell to Stadium in St Lucia. “He will be able to join the laws change,” Vaughan tweeted... Marsh, one of three wickets for squad in Durham after returning we are bound to have cases as is the experienced all-rounder, two negative RT-PCR tests.” the case with @RishabhPant17. the balance of the match began “Plus further down the line I to tilt in favour of an Australian FOUR IN ISOLATION fear the Ashes could be hugely side seeking to avoid an unprec- The BCCI also said bowling aff ected with players pulling out edented four consecutive de- coach B Arun, Wriddhiman Saha unless bubbles/quarantine rules feats in the same T20 series. and Abhimanyu Easwaran had change!” Spectacular hitting by Fabian butions of 75 and three for 24 lenge to contain the West Indies disappointing to fall short in the The fi nal match of the series Allen and Andre Russell gave the were both personal bests in T20 big-hitters, whatever total we end but it’s still all good for us will be played today, again at the West Indies hope going into the Internationals, the pitch con- got, and I’m just grateful to be going forward because we con- Daren Sammy Stadium, after fi nal over after they combined to ditions on a night when light able to make useful contribu- tinue to see good performances which the teams travel to Bar- take 25 runs off the penultimate showers twice interrupted his tions with bat and ball.” from key players,” said Pooran bados for a three-match One- over bowled by Riley Meredith. innings suited him perfectly. Simmons was Marsh’s third in putting a positive spin on his Day International series starting But needing 11 runs to win “I’m from WA (Western Aus- wicket as he had earlier account- team’s fi rst setback in this series. next Tuesday. in the last over with Russell on tralia), so a bit of pace off the ed for Chris Gayle, West Indies’ “There are a lot of guys here strike Mitchell Starc was right pitch suited me nicely and really match-winner in the third fi x- looking to make a statement BRIEF SCORES on target to earn the tourists a allowed me to get away,” he ex- ture two days earlier, and Ni- before the World T20 and Hay- Australia 189 for 6 (Marsh 75, measure of consolation after al- plained after receiving the Man cholas Pooran, who continues in den (Walsh) is one of those who Finch 53, Walsh Jr 3-27) beat ready surrendering the series. of the Match award. “We knew the role of captain in place of the keeps putting his hand up. He West Indies 185 for 6 (Simmons For Marsh, whose contri- it was always going to be a chal- injured Kieron Pollard. “It was was outstanding again.” 72, Marsh 3-24) by four runs

MOTORSPORT Formula One shakes up format to give fans an extra ‘Sprint’ AFP ably,” said Hamilton. “Hopefully Silverstone, United Kingdom there’ll be some overtaking, but it most likely won’t be too excit- ing.” s fans return to Silver- Todt said he was “not a big stone for the British fan” and does not want to call Grand Prix, Formula the Sprint a race. “I don’t think One will welcome Formula 1 needs it,” he said. “On India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant themA with a jazzed up format the other side, if people want to that adds ‘the Sprint’, eff ectively try something, it’s not going to an extra race, tomorrow. hurt the race on Sunday. With UK coronavirus re- “It costs nothing to try.” strictions relaxing, Silverstone The format is still an experi- Flower faces Sri Lanka inquiry can host a capacity crowd of ment, which F1 intends to re- 140,000 on all three days. peat at Monza in September over virus bubble breach The changes on the fi rst two and at one other race. Brazil Sri Lanka’s cricket board is planning disciplinary action against days are an eff ort to provide that has been ear-marked but F1 ac- batting coach Grant Flower following allegations that he crowd, and viewers, with more knowledges that the coronavi- breached a bio-secure bubble during an England tour, cricket action. They are an experiment rus pandemic could put paid to sources said yesterday. that will be repeated, at most, at that race. “If it doesn’t work, we Sri Lanka’s preparations for a home series against India were dis- two more races this season. put hands up and we will think rupted when Flower, 50, tested positive for Covid-19 on his return Ross Brawn, the F1 sporting again,” said Brawn. to the national team on July 6. director, told the F1 web site he Three Sri Lankan players, including vice-captain Kusal Mendis, hoped for a “much more com- MCLAREN CEO BROWN were sent home early after they left the team’s bio-secure hotel plete weekend with three days of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas during a promotional photoshoot for the unveiling of the ISOLATING AFTER POSITIVE for a night out in Durham ahead of the first one-day international. intense competition.” new 2022 F1 car at Silverstone, Britain. (Reuters) COVID-19 RESULT Off icial sources said Sri Lanka Cricket will investigate reports that Not everyone is convinced. McLaren Chief Executive Zak Flower also breached the Covid-19 restrictions. Seven-time champion Lewis switched from Saturday after- laps. That compares with 52 laps stressed it will not include a po- Brown is isolating after testing “An inquiry will be held after he (Flower) recovers fully,” a board Hamilton predicted the Sprint noon to early Friday evening to and just over 306km for the race dium or national anthems. “The positive for Covid-19 but the source told AFP. will be “a train”. give “the fi rst day of track action itself on Sunday. thing to remember about Sprint team’s preparations for their “There are allegations that he also breached the bio-secure bub- “The race remains on Sun- some gravitas and a crescendo F1 describes it as “a short and Qualifying is that its intention is home British Grand Prix at Sil- ble.” day”, said Jean Todt, the presi- event,” said the F1 web site. fast-paced racing spectacle – to expand the whole weekend,” verstone this weekend remain Media reports said the board was also unhappy with the per- dent of the FIA, the governing The later start is designed to similar to a Twenty20 cricket said Brawn. “It is not intended unaff ected, the team said yes- formance of Flower, a former Zimbabwe Test player who is under body of motorsports. make it easier for viewers who match – with drivers racing fl at- to impact the race event. The terday. McLaren said two other contract until the end of the year. The Saturday event, organ- work to watch. out from start to fi nish without Grand Prix is still the vital event team members had also tested Sri Lanka are eighth in the Test team rankings and ninth in one- isers are calling either ‘Sprint F1 is seeking “better media the need to pit.” of the weekend.” positive in unconnected cases. day formats and team morale is reportedly low. Qualifying’ or ‘F1 Sprint’ is the coverage with Fridays that will In addition to determining “Sunday’s Grand Prix is fan- It added that the drivers, The players have been at loggerheads with the board over new eye-catching innovation, but fi nally come to life,” Brawn said. Sunday’s grid positions, the tastic, and we don’t want to Australian Daniel Ricciardo and performance-linked contracts. its introduction has a knock-on Instead of deciding the grid sprint off ers a small number of cannibalise that, but we want to Britain’s Lando Norris, were The board has brought in local coach Dhammika Sudarshana as eff ect which will be noticeable for the main race, qualifying will championship points: three for lift up the engagement on a Fri- not in close contact with those a temporary replacement for Flower for three one-day games from the start of the weekend. sort out the starting order for a fi rst, two for second and one for day and a Saturday.” aff ected. The team are third in and three Twenty20 matches against India starting Sunday. Today will open as usual with a mini-race on Saturday after- third. ‘It’s going to be a train’. Not everyone is convinced the the Formula One championship, The India matches were delayed by five days to July 18 following practice, but it has been moved noon. The Sprint will last 25-30 While there will be “a spe- Sprint will provide “100 kilo- with principal Andreas Seidl positive tests by Flower and a team’s data analyst. to the afternoon. minutes and be run over 100km, cial post-Sprint presentation metres of action.” overseeing day to day operations (AFP) It is followed by “qualifying”, which at Silverstone means 17 for the top three”, Formula One “It’s going to be a train, prob- and reporting to Brown. Friday, July 16, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT OLYMPICS Badminton star Bach says virus rules Sindhu eyes rare gold for India AFP been training under South Ko- ‘working’ ahead of New Delhi rean Park Tae-sang since 2019. At the All England badminton championships in Birmingham ndia’s badminton super- — the last international compe- star PV Sindhu has her eye tition ahead of the Games, which on gold at the Olympics but open on July 23 — she lost in the warned the road to the fi nal semi-fi nal to Thailand’s Porn- Tokyo Olympics inI Tokyo will be tough in a wide- pawee Chochuwong. open women’s singles featuring She is now seventh in the most of the world’s top players. women’s rankings, which are led An athlete in tested positive for the virus along with five Olympic workers The 2016 Olympic silver medal- by Taiwan’s Tai. Many athletes’ list Sindhu, who turned 26 this preparations for the Games have AFP month, won one of only two In- been badly hit by the coronavi- Tokyo dian medals in Rio. rus pandemic, but Sindhu said She is determined to go one badminton players have been us- better fi ve years on and become ing the time to refi ne their tech- lympics chief Thomas Bach just the second individual Ol- niques. said yesterday that Tokyo ympic gold medallist for India in “Every athlete would have Games anti-virus rules “are the history of the Games. Sind- learnt a new skill or new tech- working”, as the Japanese capi- hu said that apart from Spain’s nique and that is going to be real- talO recorded its highest number of new Carolina Marin, who beat Sindhu ly very tricky,” said Sindhu, who infections since January. to gold in 2016 but will not be has been training in the south- With just over a week until Tokyo 2020 able to defend her title because ern Indian city of Hyderabad. opens for events mostly behind closed of injury, any one of the world’s “Playing freshly after a couple of doors, organisers insist they can be held leading players could fi nish on months defi nitely is going to be safely as long as athletes, offi cials and the top step of the podium. diff erent. Everybody might come journalists adhere to strict anti-virus “It’s not going to be easy. There with new strategies.” regulations. are other good players, like Tai Sindhu said she had been But an athlete in Japan tested posi- Tzu(-ying), (Nozomi) Okuhara, working on her techniques and tive for the virus along with fi ve Olympic Ratchanok (Intanon), (Akane) skills with Park, adding that “we workers, mostly contractors, as Tokyo re- Yamaguchi, Chen Yu Fei,” Sind- have improved a bit”. “Defi nitely corded 1,308 new cases. The news came hu said. “You cannot expect easy I am 100% right now. For me as it emerged that eight staff at a Japanese wins or easy matches, because ranking does not matter because hotel hosting Brazil’s Olympic judo team it’s the Olympics and everybody if you play well and win — au- had tested positive, and a staff member is going to be prepared for it.” tomatically your ranking will go from ’s rugby sevens team was The 2019 world champion said up,” said Sindhu. hospitalised winning gold was on her mind She is not daunted by the after a positive “most of the time”. Snaring such stricter rules imposed by or- test. a top prize would be particularly ganisers on athletes from India Bach said special for India, with the vast and other countries badly hit by a trip to the nation only ever winning one in- coronavirus infections, calling Olympic Vil- dividual gold — shooter Abhinav it the “new normal”. “This time lage yesterday Bindra in the 10m air rifl e event there are a lot of protocols: We morning had at Beijing 2008. can’t go out; (must) stay in a bio- convinced him “I tell myself: ‘It’s OK, I have bubble; get tested every single that anti-virus to do well and not think about day. rules are “in what’s going to happen in the But it’s important to just fo- place, and they future and take one match at a cus on your game. “When you are working, Members of the US gymnastics team, including Simone Biles (right), talk with a Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games off icial as they wait to time’,” Sindhu said. are told about being tested every and they are take the coronavirus antigen test after arriving at Narita International Airport, east of Tokyo, yesterday. (Reuters) Sindhu, who fi rst caught the day, many might say: ‘What is enforced”. “We badminton world’s attention this? Why is it happening? Why could see and convince ourselves that all ing an athlete, several contractors and is zero”. The cluster among staff at the Japan said. when she broke into the top 20 only for us’. But it’s for the safety the delegations are following the rules a Games staff er had tested positive for hotel west of Tokyo where Brazil’s Olym- The team of 16 athletes and 10 staff aged 17 in September 2012, has of everybody.” and are supporting the rules, because the virus on July 13 and 14. They gave no pic judo team are staying was found dur- members landed at a Tokyo airport on they know it is in their own interest to further details on the identity of the six ing virus screenings carried out before July 10, and has had no close contact with be safe,” he said at a meeting with Tokyo people. around 30 members of their delegation local offi cials or residents since then, he governor Yuriko Koike. “It’s in their in- The cases underscore the challenges arrived on Saturday. said. The rest of the team is now quaran- terest and in solidarity with the people of ahead for organisers, although they note None of the infected staff came into tined in their accommodation, but if they Tokyo.” that only a handful of cases have been contact with the athletes, local health test negative on Thursday, they will be The capital is currently under a vi- detected so far among more than 8,000 and sports offi cials said. A family mem- able to resume training as early as today, rus state of emergency, less strict than a people who have entered Japan since July ber of one of the infected hotel workers the offi cial added. blanket lockdown, which limits alcohol 1. also tested positive, Hamamatsu offi cials Kyodo news agency reported yesterday sales and curbs restaurant opening hours. Bach said measures taken to deal with added. Separately, a staff member with that organisers are considering having The measures will continue throughout these positive cases mean “the risk for the Russian rugby sevens team was hos- fewer than 1,000 VIPs and dignitaries at the Olympics. the other residents of the Olympic Vil- pitalised after testing positive, an offi cial the opening ceremony in the 68,000- Tokyo 2020 said six people, includ- lage, and the risk for the Japanese people in their host town Munakata in western seat National Stadium.

AZARENKA, KERBER JOIN LIST OF FOCUS OLYMPICS GAMES TENNIS EXITS Paris: The 2012 Olympic gold don. World number one and Hundreds of equestrian horses fl y into Tokyo medallist Victoria Azarenka Wimbledon champion Novak and Rio games silver medallist Djokovic last weekend put his Reuters stones of the fi nal countdown to the To- Angelique Kerber yesterday chances of playing in Tokyo at Tokyo kyo 2020 Olympic Games.” became the latest Grand Slam “50/50”. This year’s fi rst Olympics fl ight from winners to withdraw from the Europe carried 36 horses from Belgium Tokyo Games. JAMIE MURRAY TO PARTNER t is not only thousands of athletes via Dubai to Tokyo on an 18 hour journey Azarenka, who won mixed dou- SKUPSKI FOR TEAM GB who are fl ying to Tokyo for the Ol- — thankfully horses sleep standing up — bles gold alongside Max Mirnyi Britain’s Jamie Murray will join ympic Games but also hundreds of also transporting 12,000kg of feed and in 2012, as well as a bronze in forces with Neal Skupski in the horses. They will compete with their 13,500kg of horse equipment. singles, and Kerber join Roger men’s doubles competition Iriders in the three equestrian disciplines The fl ight included some of the sport’s Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena for the Tokyo Olympics after dressage, jumping and eventing — the stars, such as mare Bella Rose, the horse Williams and Dominic Thiem in the country’s number one Dan only Olympic sports where men and on which ’s Isabell Werth, the pulling out. Evans had to withdraw follow- women compete individually on equal most decorated Olympic equestrian ath- Azarenka citied “challenges ing a positive Covid-19 test, terms. The horses, each weighing from lete of all time, will compete. All horses from the pandemic.” for her Team GB said. Murray, 35, will 510-630kg, travel in pairs in special fl y- underwent a 60-day health surveillance withdrawal, while Kerber, said represent Britain for the fourth ing stables at a fairly chilly 16 degrees A dressage horse arrives at Haneda Airport in Tokyo yesterday. (Reuters) period and a seven-day quarantine before “my body needs rest”. time at the Olympics and joins Celsius and are accompanied by grooms the fl ight. That was especially important Kerber, 33, lost to Monica Puig his younger brother and twice and veterinarians. Such an airlift requires transport since 1960. But it is the fi rst Olympic horses”, said Takahashi Koji, this year after the world of equestrian in three sets in the final in 2016 Olympic champion Andy Mur- specialists. time Tokyo’s Haneda airport has handled administrator of Tokyo International sports had to battle two diseases in recent Olympics. She reached the ray, 34, who is set to feature in The transport agents in charge of the a full cargo of horses, each worth a for- Airport. “It’s a really big night for the air- months — the novel coronavirus aff ecting quarter-finals in 2012 in Lon- the singles. animals, Peden Bloodstock, have or- tune. port, and particularly for the cargo team, the riders and the equine herpes virus at- ganised Olympic and Paralympic horse “These are not simply horses, they are and we see it as one of the major mile- tacking the horses.

GOLF Oosthuizen makes early running as British Open returns

AFP years pre-Covid,” said Spieth, aiming to That was the fi rst time I’ve had to really Brooks Koepka admitted he is no fan of Sandwich, United Kingdom emulate his success at Royal Birkdale in try and build confi dence back up, and it the Royal St. George’s course, but the se- 2017. takes time.” rial contender for major championships Oosthuizen has been frustrated so Spieth shot up the leaderboard thanks kept himself in the hunt with a round of he long-awaited return of the far this year in his attempt to add to his to four consecutive birdies between the 69 despite bogeying the 18th. British Open got under way only major triumph, a dominant victory fi fth and the eighth holes and fi nished Bryson DeChambeau accepted be- under blue skies at Royal St. in the 2010 British Open at St Andrews. strongly by picking up two more shots at fore the tournament his booming drives George’s yesterday as former The South African fi nished second in 15 and 16. Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes, off the tee may have to be tempered this Tchampion Louis Oosthuizen shot to the this year’s two most recent majors, the on his British Open debut, South Afri- week, with staying out of the lush rough top of the leaderboard with a six under US PGA Championship and US Open, can Dylan Frittelli and American veteran the key to remaining in contention for par round of 64. and is now in contention again. Stewart Cink are two off the lead after the weekend. Another previous Open winner Jordan After starting with seven straight pars, rounds of 66. However, DeChambeau consistently Spieth is just one shot back, alongside Oosthuizen accelerated around the turn World number fi ve Xander Schauf- found himself hacking out of what he de- fellow American Brian Harman. Eng- with seven birdies in 10 holes. “Prob- fele, Olympic champion Justin Rose and scribed as “diabolical” hay in an up and land’s Richard Bland fi red the fi rst shot ably in my mind, the perfect round I former Masters winner Danny Willett down round that contained four bird- of the 149th Open Championship, which could have played,” said Oosthuizen. “I are among those on three under. ies and fi ve bogeys for a 71. “If I can hit was delayed a year by the cancellation of didn’t make many mistakes. When I had Pre-tournament favourite Jon Rahm, it down the middle of the fairway, that’s the 2020 edition due to the coronavirus good opportunities for birdie, I made the the recently crowned US Open cham- great, but with the driver right now, the pandemic. putts. So just a very good solid round.” pion, was stung by a double bogey at the driver sucks,” said DeChambeau. Up to 32,000 fans will take to the Spieth has refound his form of late par four ninth, but fi nished with a birdie Rory McIlroy’s quest to end a seven- course in Sandwich, Kent, each day as with a victory at the Texas Open in April for a one over round of 71. year major drought got off to a much Covid-19 restrictions ease in England his fi rst in nearly four years. “Golf is a Shane Lowry, the reigning British better start than at the Northern Irish- despite a spike in positive cases. “It feels game played between the ears,” added Open champion, made a nightmare start man’s last British Open appearance. He the most normal of any tournament I the three-time major champion. to his title defence with bogeys on the birdied the fi rst yesterday after a quad- South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen in action during the first round of the British think that we’ve played thus far relative “When it’s not going great, you can opening two holes before the Irishman ruple bogey on home soil at the opening Open in Sandwich, Britain. (Reuters) to that same tournament in previous certainly lose quite a bit of confi dence. pulled a shot back to fi nish on one over. hole in Portrush two years ago.