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Saturday, August 8, 2020 FORMULA 1 Dhul-Hijjah 18, 1441 AH Hamilton back on top GULF TIMES in 70th Anniversary Grand Prix SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL / QATAR STARS LEAGUE Qatar Racing’s Politics gets off the mark at Sandown

Duhail admit pressure ahead of Sadd clash Agencies The son of Muhaarar, who Sandown, United Kingdom showed a blistering speed and By Sports Reporter sure,” said Regragui at his pre- Xavi is hoping his team would be won by a comfortable two and Doha match press conference keen to avoid another defeat. a quarter-length margin under “We improved our level af- “Al Duhail will defi nitely be wned by Qatar Racing Oisin Murphy, had been second ter playing a diffi cult match the most diffi cult in the league, Limited and trained by on his debut at Pontrefact. l Duhail coach Walid against Umm Salal which ended especially as we face the leaders OAndrew Balding, two- Politics was a purchase at the Regragui made no se- in a draw. We were back to win- in standings, but as usual we are year-old Politics led all the way Goff s Orby Sale. He is the sixth cret of the pressure his ning ways with victory over Al ready for the challenge and are to win the five-furlong British foal out of Wrong Answer, a team would be facing Gharafa. We know that we have going through a good period. Al Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes winner as a two-year-old. Awhen they clash with defending to be careful in the remaining Sadd are the only team that won Stakes at Sandown in the United No doubt, he is expected to be champions Al Sadd in the QNB matches because we are playing the two matches after the tour- Kingdom yesterday. It was his competitive at Group level next Stars League today. for the title and the current situ- nament resumed,” said Xavi. second time out. time out. Leading second-placed Al ation is not like the beginning The absence of Akram Afi f Rayyan by a mere point, Al Du- of the league. We must win this Al Duhail coach Walid Regragui and Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez. who will miss the rest of the hail cannot aff ord to slip up on game to keep our advantage,” tournament due to injury will the fi nal straight as the tourna- added the Moroccan. ways strong even if it is a friend- Wolves have 12 wins, two draws also aff ect Al Sadd’s chances. ment heads towards a thrilling Regragui seemed a bit con- ly match. We still have three and fi ve defeats with a goal dif- “The injury keeps Akram Afi f fi nish. cerned about the injury situa- matches and logically we are the ference is +20 (48 goals for and away from the team and we miss A defeat by Al Sadd would tion in his team. closest to the title. However, we 28 against). him a lot because he is a very mean Al Duhail will be stuck on “We hope we will have the have not won the title and we Al Sadd, under the tutelage of important player for us. But we 46 points, and with Al Rayyan services of all our players, like will work with all our strength Spanish great Xavi Hernandez, have hope and we will compete snapping at their heels on 45, Ahmed Yasser who was injured for victory against Al Sadd as have scored the most number of until the last moment and we the champions could well be in the Umm Salal match and it will bring us further closer to goals than any other team. How- still have the chances of com- decided in the fi nal week of the returned to training this week,” lifting the league shield. ever, Al Sadd are eight points peting for the title even if the event. said Regragui. “Victory is important and I adrift of Al Duhail, who moved task is diffi cult,” said Xavi “This is like a summit match Meanwhile, Al Duhail player believe my teammates are ready closer to the title by defeating “We, at Al Sadd, are always in Qatar football… And the two Yousef Msakni said a match for this match. God willing, we Al Gharafa 2-0 in the previous ready and have a winning men- teams have been putting up against Al Sadd cannot be taken will get a good result.” round. tality, we know that we are fac- beautiful performances. But lightly. Al Sadd, who beat Al Ahli Al Duhail had beaten Al Sadd ing the leaders and the game will Oisin Murphy rides Politics to victory in the British Stallion Studs while we are playing for the title, “The matches against Al Sadd 1-0 in Week 19, are third in the 4-1 in the fi rst leg of 2019-20 be diffi cult, but we will do our EBF Maiden Stakes yesterday. (Racingfotos) Al Sadd play without any pres- are of a special character and al- standings with 38 points. The QNB Stars League, and coach best to get the three points.”

CRICKET / 1ST TEST Stokes gives hosts hope aft er Yasir shines for Pakistan England all-rounder takes two for 11 in 20 balls as visitors end third day at 137 for 8 with a lead of 244 runs Scorecard

PAKISTAN 1st inn 326 PAKISTAN 2nd innings ENGLAND 1st inn (o/n 92-4) S Masood c Buttler b Broad 0 R Burns lbw b Afridi 4 Abid Ali c Woakes b Bess 20 D Sibley lbw b Abbas 8Azhar Ali lbw b Woakes 18 J Root c Rizwan b Y Shah 14 B Azam c Stokes b Woakes 5 B Stokes b Abbas 0 A Shafiq run out (Sibley) 29 O Pope c Khan b N Shah 62 M Rizwan lbw b Stokes 27 J Buttler b Y Shah 38 S Khan lbw b Broad 15 C Woakes b Y Shah 19 Y Shah not out 12 D Bess c Shafiq b Y Shah 1S Afridi c Burns b Stokes 2 J Archer c Rizwan b Khan 16 M Abbas not out 0 S Broad not out 29 Extras (b4, lb1, nb4) 9 J Anderson lbw b Khan 7 Total (8 wkts, 44 overs) 137 Extras (b8, lb4, nb8, w1) 21 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Masood), 2-33 Total (all out, 70.3 overs) 219 (Abid), 3-48 (Azam), 4-63 (Azhar), 5-101 (Shafiq), 6-120 (Rizwan), Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Burns), 7-122 (Khan), 8-137 (Afridi) 2-12 (Sibley), 3-12 (Stokes), 4-62 (Root), 5-127 (Pope), 6-159 : Anderson 9-2-34-0 (Buttler), 7-161 (Bess), 8-170 (1nb); Broad 9-3-23-2 (1nb); (Woakes), 9-197 (Archer), 10-219 Archer 5-0-13-0 (1nb); Bess 12- (Anderson) 2-40-1; Woakes 5-1-11-2; Stokes 4-1-11-2 (1nb) Bowling: Afridi 18-4-51-1 (4nb, 1w); Abbas 15-6-33-2 (3nb); N Match position: Pakistan lead Shah 16-4-44-1; Y Shah 18-2-66-4 by 244 runs with two second- (1nb); Khan 3.3-0-13-2 innings wickets standing

reduced Pakistan to 63-4, hav- ter costly mistakes behind the ing Babar Azam well caught in stumps. the slips by Stokes before Paki- He dropped Masood on 45 and stan Azhar Ali, out for then missed a chance to stump a duck in the first innings, was him on the same score — errors lbw for 18. that intensifi ed a debate about Wicketkeeper Rizwan, far whether the World Cup winner more impressive behind the should remain England’s red-ball England’s Ben Stokes (right) bowls on third day of the first Test against Pakistan at Old Traff ord in Manchester yesterday. (Reuters) stumps than England counter- gloveman. part Jos Buttler, batted well in Pope completed a composed AFP third day — a lead of 244 runs. tailender Shaheen Afridi caught against New Zealand in 2008 and four in 27 balls — as England were a partnership of 38 with Asad 81-ball fi fty. Manchester, United Kingdom Stokes, who didn’t bowl in the fending at a short ball. 231-3 against the West Indies at the dismissed for 219 in reply to Pa- Shafi q, until Shafi q was run out But there was little he could do third Test against the West Indies But leg-spinner Yasir Shah, Manchester ground in 2004. kistan’s fi rst-innings 326. by Dom Sibley’s direct hit. when, on 62, a Naseem Shah de- at Old Traff ord last month be- who had earlier taken four wick- England were also trying to But Pakistan’s Shan Masood, England resumed Friday on livery climbed off a good length en Stokes took two late cause of a quad injury, took 2-11 ets, was still there at stumps on 12 end a run of losing the fi rst Test who batted nearly eight hours 92-4, which represented an im- to take the shoulder of his bat and wickets to help drag in 20 balls. not out. in each of their last fi ve series, for a Test-best 156 in the fi rst in- provement on their dire position went to Shadab Khan at gully. England back into the He struck with just his eighth Pakistan were still relatively with eight of their past 10 open- nings, was out for a duck when of 12-3 on Thursday. England suff ered a fresh col- fi rst Test against Paki- of the match when he well-placed. ers ending in defeat. caught behind down the legside Ollie Pope was 46 not out and lapse after lunch, losing their last Bstan at Old Traff ord yesterday. had Mohamed Rizwan lbw for 27 Only twice have a team chased There were, however, still two off a poor Stuart Broad delivery. Buttler 15 not out. fi ve wickets for 60 runs in 18.3 Pakistan, on top for most of on umpire’s call. more than 200 to win in the fourth days left in the game, albeit on a Buttler, with just one hundred overs — a sequence that started this match, were 137-8 in their And the paceman struck again innings of a Test at Old Traf- wearing pitch where Yasir earlier BABAR, AZHAR FALL CHEAPLY from his previous 44 Tests, was when Yasir bowled Buttler be- second innings at stumps on the before stumps when he had ford, with England making 294-4 took 4-66 — including three for In-form paceman Chris Woakes under pressure to score runs af- tween bat and pad for 38. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, August 8, 2020 CRICKET

FOCUS UPDATE Australia to host Heat, ‘pure’ cricket: T20 World Cup in 2022, women’s WC postponed stars owe debt to IPL’s Reuters In its board meeting last Dubai month, the ICC deferred the tournament in Australia keeping in mind the logistical challenges ustralia will host this involved in staging a 16-team year’s postponed tournament amid existing travel World Cup and other restrictions. no-frills forerunner in 2022 with India re- The Indian cricket board, ac- tainingA their tournament next cording to media reports, were year, the sport’s governing Inter- reluctant to sacrifi ce the 2021 Shut in 2010, Sheesh Mahal tournament in Lucknow, India, saw the likes of Dhoni, national Cricket Council (ICC) slot for Australia and host back- said yesterday. to-back World Cups in 2022 and Sehwag, Bedi and Pataudi hone their skills much before T20 lured the stars away The ICC also confi rmed the 2023. women’s 50-over World Cup All teams that qualifi ed for AFP spinner Bedi played for fi ve years that was scheduled to be held in this year’s tournament in Aus- New Delhi, India for a team from his home city of New Zealand in February-March tralia will compete in India next Amritsar. next year has been postponed to year, the ICC said, while a new 2022 following the impact of the qualifi cation process will be put ong before anyone had ‘ONE-MAN SHOW’ Covid-19 pandemic. in place for the 2022 tournament. dreamed of the IPL’s glitz “I was not an established crick- “We now have absolute clarity Moving the women’s World and glamour, a provin- eter at that time and the tour- on the future of ICC events, ena- Cup would allow teams to be suf- cial cricket tournament nament gave us very good ex- bling all of our members to focus fi ciently prepared in 2022, Sawh- Lplayed in India’s searing sum- posure. It was a good learning on the rescheduling of lost inter- ney said. mer heat brought some of the curve,” Bedi said. national and domestic cricket,” “There has been no women’s country’s greatest cricketers to “It was a beautiful atmos- ICC chief executive Manu Sawh- international cricket played national prominence. phere to play cricket. It was just ney said. “We will now proceed since the conclusion of the T20 The annual Sheesh Mahal pure cricket — the way it should as planned with the men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year and... tournament in Lucknow ended be.” World Cup 2021 in India and host that is likely to remain the situ- after 59 years in 2010, just as Bambi said that the Sheesh the 2022 edition in Australia.” ation for a number of the teams. the Indian Premier League be- Mahal saved the career of many Before the pandemic disrupted “Moving the event by 12 gan luring famous players from players. the game’s calendar, Australia months gives all competing around the world with cash and “A team came from Rajkot in were scheduled to host this year’s teams the chance to play a suf- top-class competition. 1969 which had Ashok Mankad tournament in October-Novem- fi cient level of cricket ahead of But some of those playing in and Eknath Solkar in it and they ber followed by the 2021 edition both the qualifi cation event and next month’s coronavirus-de- performed and soon got into the in India, who will also host the leading into a Cricket World layed IPL, such as former India Test side,” Bambi noted. 50-overs World Cup in 2023. Cup...” captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, He said Navjot Sidhu’s “sec- still owe a debt of gratitude to ond coming” in the national Sheesh Mahal. side could also be credited to the CHANGE The 39-year-old Dhoni has tournament. led his country to win World Playing for a team formed by Cups and is one of the country’s industrialist Subroto Roy, Sidhu most recognisable, and richest, scored two hundreds and got England’s white-ball sports stars. “back in national reckoning”. However, the wicketkeeper- Former India Virender batsman fi rst came to attention Sehwag played the tournament tour to India as an 18-year-old at Sheesh Ma- as a 17-year-old and later for a hal, scoring a stroke-fi lled half- team owned by Indian industri- century for Central Coalfi elds alist Subroto Roy. postponed over virus Limited. “There was little cricket in the summer then and wherever AFP highlight of the cricketing cal- THE HEAT IS ON you got a chance you played and Manchester, United Kingdom endar and we look forward to The tournament was played Sheesh Mahal was one such op- working with the BCCI (Board of each summer in the northern portunity,” Sehwag told AFP. Control for Cricket in India) to city of Lucknow, a time when The “big players” were an ngland’s upcoming fi rm up the schedules for these India’s millions of fervent do- added attraction, he added, white-ball tour to India eagerly anticipated tours as soon mestic cricket fans were usually highlighting Raman Lamba and has been postponed due as possible,” said ECB (England starved of their favourite sport. Manoj Prabhakar. to disruption caused by and Wales Cricket Board) chief Games started at 6am to es- Pataudi, M L Jaisimha, Farokh coronavirus,E cricket chiefs an- executive Tom Harrison. cape the worst of the heat in a Engineer and Salim Durrani nounced yesterday. BCCI secretary Jay Shah said: city where the summer mercury were others who played Sheesh A programme of three one- “I am pleased with the way BCCI tops 45C (113F). Mahal during their careers. day internationals and three and ECB have managed the situ- When Sheesh Mahal was at its Hasan kept the tournament Twenty20 games, originally due ation. The rescheduled tour is peak, corporate teams attracted going past the turn of the cen- to start in late September, would also being redesigned in a way top players including past In- tury, but began running into have been ideal preparation for to accommodate both red and dia captains Mansoor Ali Khan problems as Twenty20 cricket the T20 World Cup in Australia white-ball formats.” Pataudi, Kapil Dev and Bishan emerged as a money-spinner later in the year. If health conditions do not Singh Bedi. and demands grew on interna- But that tournament has now improve, the fi xtures could be The tournament started in tional players. been put on hold and India is staged in the United Arab Emir- 1951, the brainchild of M Askari Sheesh Mahal was not played struggling to contain the out- ates, which will stage the lucra- Hasan, a cricket affi cionado from 2002 to 2004 and Hasan’s break of Covid-19. tive Twenty20 Indian Premier from an elite family in Lucknow, death in 2007, coupled with Offi cials from England and In- League from September. the so-called “City of Nawabs sponsors unwilling to come dia are in talks over dates for an The only major international (kings)”. In this March 24, 2019, picture, Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Royal Challengers forward and the culture of club all-formats England tour to India cricket being staged anywhere A solid all-rounder in his Bangalore captain Virat Kohli (right) shake hands beside the IPL trophy in Chennai. Dhoni is among the cricket fading, led to its eventual from late January to late March in the world at present is in Eng- playing days, Hasan had held stars who credit Sheesh Mahal tournament in Lucknow for their success. (AFP) demise. and India’s Test tour to England land, who are hosting Pakistan in top posts in the Uttar Pradesh “It was a great show hosted by due later in 2021. a three-Test series. Cricket Association. By the time stumps were the end — there was little prize their star players’ travel and ho- Mr. Askari and was recognised England, who are the reigning It follows a Test series against He started the event with drawn for the last time 10 years money. tels,” Uttar Pradesh state crick- as one of the best tournaments world champions in the 50-over West Indies and a one-day series two-day and three-day matches ago it had become a 20-over But a good performance in eter Ashok Bambi, who played in in India,” said the Cricket Asso- format, are currently scheduled against Ireland. but it gradually switched to a event. the Sheesh Mahal could start a Sheesh Mahal for 28 years, told ciation of Lucknow vice-presi- to play fi ve Tests in India from All of the matches are taking 50-over format, taking his cue Teams came from as far afi eld young player on the path to na- AFP. dent Baqar Imam. January to March next year. place behind closed doors, with from the Kerry Packer-sparked as the United Arab Emirates, tional recognition. “It was all about playing “If you ask me it was a one- “International cricket be- strict anti-virus protocols in growth of the one-day game in playing only for the love of com- “Even the Test players were cricket. It was a diff erent era.” man show by Mr. Askari and after tween India and England is a place. the late 1970s. petitive cricket and a trophy at not paid. The clubs paid for One of India’s all-time greats, his death it could not carry on.”

SPOTLIGHT BOTTOMLINE Kaur rues WBBL clash, bullish about T20 Challenge ‘Wait is over’: Chahal Reuters ty20 World Cup in early March, excited ahead of IPL New Delhi, India where they lost to Australia. Their England tour cancelled IANS due to the pandemic, there were New Delhi, India ndia captain Harmanpreet concerns the shutdown would Kaur says the rearranged rob women’s cricket of its mo- Women’s T20 Challenge mentum in India. oyal Challengers Ban- will come as a much-need- “No, I am sure cricket fans galore (RCB) spinner Ied boost for the game after the defi nitely do remember our run Yuzvendra Chahal has Covid-19 shutdown, though the to the fi nal in the World Cup expressed his excite- scheduling clash with the Wom- earlier this year,” said the hard- mentR ahead of the 13th edition of en’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in hitting batter. the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australia is not ideal. “We are now facing some which is set to be played in the Staged on the sidelines of challenging times since and is UAE this year. the Indian Premier League, the important for us to get through The cash-rich league was ini- IPL title in the UAE by former three-team Challenge looked this.” tially set to be played from March Australia spinner Brad Hogg. uncertain this year after the IPL There could be more inter- till May but due to coronavirus “They (RCB) will have a big was postponed in March follow- national competition on the pandemic, the tournament had chance to take out an IPL. They ing the novel coronavirus out- horizon for Kaur with the board to be postponed by the Board have always had good stock on break. planning series against South of Control for Cricket in India paper but they have never been The Indian board’s decision to Africa and West Indies to help (BCCI). able to go out and get the job stage the IPL in the United Arab the 50-overs team prepare for The Indian cricket board re- done,” Hogg said in video up- Emirates from September 19 next year’s World Cup in New cently announced the dates for loaded on his YouTube channel. means Kaur will taste competi- Zealand. IPL 2020, which will be played “Now, with the inclusion of tive cricket again in November, Kaur played one of the most between September 17 to No- (Aaron) Finch at the top, he will though some players including memorable ODI knocks in wom- vember 10 and Chahal expressed be able to dominate the power- Australia’s Alyssa Healy have en’s cricket with an unbeaten his happiness regarding the play overs...get some quick runs criticised the scheduling. 171 off 115 deliveries in the 2017 same. and relieve the pressure off AB Kaur said the clash, which World Cup semi-fi nals against The leg-spinner yesterday de Villiers and Virat Kohli in the means players will have to Australia. shared a photo on his Twitter middle-order. choose one competition or “As a team and unit we have handle in which he is seen cel- “Also, their bowling attack the other, was a loss for both always grown and showed soli- ebrating with skipper Virat Kohli looks strong with Dale Steyn and leagues. darity,” she said of the team’s after taking a and his post Kane Richardson, and they have a “But we have been building prospects in New Zealand. read: “The wait is over. Let’s roar. better team balance as compared something special with wom- important for us to carry the named brand ambassador for It has been a frustrating time “If we perform together as a #IPL 2020.” to last couple of years. They will en’s cricket in recent years, the momentum going forward,” she fantasy sports gaming platform for Kaur and her team mates since team I am sure we can reach the Earlier, Kohli-led RCB side have a better strategy going into board has backed us, and it is told Reuters by email after being WTF Sports. their run to the fi nal of the Twen- summit.” was tipped to win their maiden the tournament,” he added. Gulf Times Saturday, August 8, 2020 3 SPORT

NBA MLB Braves walk off Bucks beat Miami over Jays on to clinch East top Markakis’ homer seed for playoff s Harden pours in 39 points to ignite the Rockets over the Lakers 113-97

AFP Miami, United States RESULTS signed Waguespack to their alter- Sacramento 140-125 N Orleans Reuters New York, United States nate training site when the rosters iannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee 130-116 Miami were reduced earlier in the day, says the biggest chal- Phoenix 114-99 Indiana forcing them to bring in Rafael Do- lenge in the champi- ick Markakis deliv- lis, who had not been warming up. onship quest for the LA Clippers 126-111 Dallas ered a walk-off homer The Braves jumped out to a GMilwaukee Bucks, who clinched Portland 125-115 Denver with one out in the 2-0 lead in the fi rst inning on a a top seed in the NBA playoff s on Houston 113-97 LA Lakers ninth inning to give the two-run homer by Freddie Free- Thursday, isn’t a rival, but the NAtlanta Braves a 4-3 win over the man to right center, his second. Bucks themselves. on Thursday. It marked the fi rst career runs al- The 25-year-old Greek for- tively. Markakis reached low to con- lowed by Pearson. ward scored 33 points and NBA scoring leader James nect with a breaking ball from The Blue Jays got one run back grabbed 12 rebounds for Mil- Harden poured in 39 points and Wilmer Font (0-1) and smoked in the fourth when Bo Bichette waukee as the Bucks rallied from passed around 12 assists while it deep into the right fi eld seats. lined his fi rst homer of the sea- a 23-point defi cit to defeat Mi- grabbing eight rebounds to ig- It was the fi rst start of the sea- son, a solo shot off Toussaint to ami 130-116 and clinch the top nite the Rockets over the Lakers son for the veteran right fi elder, left center. seed in the Eastern Conference 113-97. Anthony Davis had 17 who was activated on Wednes- Atlanta answered with a run at an NBA-best 55-14. points and 12 rebounds for the day after recanting his original in the bottom of the fourth when “It was a good challenge for Lakers, who were 2-of-19 from decision to opt out because of Marcell Ozuna scored on Adam us,” said Antetokounmpo. “It’s 3-point range while Houston Covid-19 concerns. Duvall’s sacrifi ce fl y. good to face adversity. It’s good went 21-57 from beyond the arc. The victory gave the Braves a Toronto tied the game 3-3 to be uncomfortable. It’s good to “Great eff ort,” Harden said. 2-1 series win over Toronto and in the seventh inning. Lourdes be down. “Trying to ramp it up and get completed a 7-2 homestand for Gurriel Jr. singled, and Rowdy “It’s good to chase because ready for the playoff s.” Atlanta. Tellez doubled to open the in- that’s when you get better. You The winning was Mark ning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. need challenges so you can im- SUNS 4-0 IN BUBBLE Melancon (1-0), who worked a pushed home the fi rst run with a prove as a team.” Bahamian big man Deandre Ay- perfect ninth inning. fi elder’s choice, and pinch hitter The Bucks, who won their ton scored 23 points and grabbed Neither starter fi gured in the Teoscar Hernandez drove in the only NBA title in 1971, could face 10 rebounds while Devin Booker decision, although both pitched other with a sharp single to cent- Miami in the second round of added 20 points and 10 assists as well. er fi eld off reliever Tyler Matzek. the playoff s with Toronto, Bos- the Phoenix Suns improved to Atlanta starter Touki Tous- ton, Indiana and Philadelphia 4-0 in the bubble by defeating saint was lifted after 6 2/3 in- RESULTS threats as well. But Milwaukee’s Indiana 114-99. nings. He allowed three runs on star forward sees the Bucks’ The Suns improved to 30-39, four hits with a career-high nine Pirates 6-5 Twins main worry as playing to their 1.5 games behind ninth-place . Toussaint threw a Rockies 6-4 Giants potential. Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (left) dunks to score a basket against Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo Portland in the Western Confer- season-high 83 pitches and kept “Probably the biggest chal- (centre) during the game at The Arena in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States. (USA TODAY Sports) ence chase for a playoff spot. the Toronto batters at bay with Athletics 6-4 Rangers lenge for us is ourselves,” An- Teams fi nishing eighth and an eff ective breaking ball. Angels 6-1 Mariners tetokounmpo said. It was the feature of the played better,” Antetokounmpo to lead the Los Angeles Clip- ninth in the West will meet in a Toronto starter Nate Pearson Phillies 5-4 Yankees “It’s ‘How are we going to eighth day of NBA games in a said. “We’re not going to let pers over Dallas 126-111, pulling play-in series Aug. 15-16 to ob- worked fi ve innings in his second play? How hard are we going to quarantine bubble at Walt Dis- them think we’re soft. This is them a game ahead of Denver for tain a fi rst-round date with the career start and allowed three Indians 13-0 Reds play? Are we going to play for ney World in Orlando, Florida, who we are.” second in the Western Confer- top-seeded Lakers. runs on two hits and three walks D’backs 5-4 Astros one another? Are we going to to fi nish a regular season shut The Bucks opened the sec- ence. Damian Lillard scored 45 while striking out fi ve. Royals 13-2 Cubs defend hard? Are we going to down on March 11 by the Cov- ond half with a 26-8 run to pull “It’s about executing, making points and passed out 12 assists In an unusual turn of events, make that extra eff ort?’ id-19 pandemic. ahead 82-81 and later had a 10-0 sure we’re putting in the eff ort to power Portland over Denver Toronto manager Charlie Mon- Braves 4-3 Blue Jays “It’s all about us.” The Heat played without run for a 104-103 lead with 7:55 out there,” Leonard said. “Just 125-115. toya tried to insert reliever Jacob Marlins 8-7 Orioles Khris Middleton had 33 points Jimmy Butler because of a foot remaining, the start of a 31-8 getting in game shape, getting The Trail Blazers, 32-38, Waguespack into the game to start Brewers 8-3 White Sox and eight assists and combined injury and Goran Dragic due to spurt that sealed Miami’s fate. our legs ready and our minds.” moved within a half-game of the sixth. But the Blue Jays had as- with Antetokounmpo to shoot an ankle injury, but Miami sank “From defense, our off ense What was expected to be a Memphis for eighth in the West. 22-of-31 from the fl oor. 13 3-pointers in the fi rst half, starts,” Antetokounmpo said. showdown matchup between The Nuggets, third in the West, Duncan Robinson scored 21 the last by Bam Adebayo at the “That’s who we are as a team. the West top seed Los Angeles slid to 45-24. NHL points to lead the Heat, who are buzzer to give the Heat a 73-56 We play our best when we de- Lakers and Houston Rockets lost Serbian guard Bogdan fourth in the East at 43-26. If lead over the NBA’s top-rated fend.” some lustre when LeBron James Bogdanovic scored a career- the standings stay as they are, defensive squad. Kawhi Leonard, who led the of LA and Houston’s Russell high 35 points, 19 in the fi rst the Bucks and Heat could meet “We talked to one another and Toronto Raptors to an NBA Westbrook sat out with groin quarter, to lead Sacramento over Knights and Flyers in round two of the playoff s. came out in the second half and crown last year, scored 29 points and right quad injuries respec- New Orleans 140-125. advance to showdowns NFL for top seeds

AFP Montreal, Canada RESULTS Bucs’ Brady: ‘clock is ticking on all of us’ Vancouver 3-0 Minnesota Reuters have to work as hard as we can is the biggest source of concern. he Vegas Golden Knights Philadelphia 3-1 Washington New York, United States and not waste any minutes of “You’re going back a very long and Philadelphia Fly- Las Vegas 6-4 St. Louis any day trying to get used to one time in my career to really have ers continued their un- another.” to put the mental energy in like beaten National Hockey Columbus 4-3 Toronto or a player who spares Brady admitted he is “anx- I did,” Brady said of this off sea- TLeague post-season runs Thurs- Calgary 4-0 Winnipeg no eff ort in preparing ious” to begin full-speed work- son. “I have to work at it pretty day, each booking a Saturday his mind and body for outs. hard physically still. I put a lot showdown for a Stanley Cup for the Flyers, who outlasted the each NFL season, the He has a cupboard full of of time and energy into making playoff top seeding. 2018 champion Capitals to sus- 2020F off season has presented a playmakers on off ense, from sure I’m feeling good in order to Three unanswered third- tain their bid for the top seed. unique string of challenges for wide receivers Mike Evans and perform at my best, but men- period goals rallied Vegas over Washington will play Boston, Tom Brady. Chris Godwin to tight ends Rob tally I think that’s been the thing defending champion St. Louis which had the most wins and After signing with the Tampa Gronkowski and OJ Howard. that’s obviously had its chal- 6-4 while Philadelphia’s Scott points in the NHL when the hia- Bay Buccaneers in March, Brady Veteran running back LeSean lenges. Laughton scored twice in the tus hit, on Sunday for an East went about learning a new play- McCoy was recently added to a “I think you couple that with Flyers’ 3-1 victory over Wash- third seed. book for the fi rst time in two backfi eld that will feature Ron- the coronavirus situation and ington. Pierre-Luc Dubois completed decades. ald Jones II. it became even more diffi cult. “The guys are confi dent in a hat trick with a game-winning That came just as the corona- Brady went against an NFL now dealing with the prospect Brady is confi dent he can I think conversations we prob- each other and we have a lot breakaway goal 18:24 into over- virus pandemic hit the United Players Association advisory by of even less fi eld time to get used tackle the mental aspect of pre- ably would’ve had in April, we’re of guys that work really hard,” time to lift the Columbus Blue States. That led the NFL to shut organising informal workouts to working with his new team- paring for a season minus an off - having now. I think that part has Laughton said. “It’s easy to try Jackets over Toronto 4-3 for a down facilities across the league with teammates in the Tampa mates. season program and preseason been challenging too, but the and execute when you have guys 2-1 lead in their East qualifying and cancel the typical off season area, which has been one of the “I think the reality is, the games. It’s getting in sync with only thing you can do is adjust to moving their feet, staying over series. programs that are particularly Covid-19 hot spots over the past clock is ticking on everybody,” those playmakers and build- the situation, adapt the best way top of teams and making it hard The Maple Leafs took a 3-0 valuable for new coaches and few months. And with the pre- Brady said Thursday, three days ing on-fi eld chemistry in such you can put as much time and on them.” lead on their home ice, only players who have changed teams. season also wiped out, Brady is after turning 43. “We’re going to a truncated period of time that energy now as we can into it.” The Golden Knights and Colo- to surrender four unanswered rado, both 2-0 in seeding games goals, the last only 96 seconds in the Western Conference bub- before the end of the fi rst over- ble at Edmonton, will decide the time period. MLB schedule overhaul MLB moves reduce rosters No fans for opening home NFL opt outs: At least 65 West top seed Saturday while the Dubois put Columbus on the includes 14 DHs from 30 to 28 games of NFL: Packers players choose not to play Flyers face Tampa Bay in a meet- board 11:39 into the second pe- ing of Eastern Conference un- riod and after a Seth Jones goal announced a All MLB teams reduced their rosters by The Green Bay Packers said no fans will Jacksonville cornerback Rashaan beatens in the bubble at Toronto. pulled the Blue Jackets level with schedule overhaul, creating a total of 14 two players on Thursday per return-to- be allowed at their first two home games Melvin became the third member of The NHL resumed play Satur- 9:11 to play in the third, setting doubleheaders involving 10 teams over play stipulations after the season was of the upcoming NFL season as the team the Jaguars to opt out of the 2020 day after shutting down March 12 the stage for his dramatic fi n- the next two months. The alterations were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. manages the impact of the pandemic. season. Melvin joined the Jaguars on a due to the Covid-19 pandemic. isher. needed after a series of postponements Teams started with 30 players on each The team’s Lambeau Field stadium one-year, $1.75mn deal in March. Melvin In the return, the four top teams Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom over the first two weeks of the season, active roster, four more than typical in a would not host fans for games against joins defensive tackle Al Woods and from the interrupted season play made 27 saves and the Canucks due to outbreaks of Covid-19 within the season, as a way to handle a nearly four- the Detroit Lions on September 20 and special-teams member Lerentee McCray for seeding spots while clubs blanked Minnesota 3-0 to seize a Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals’ or- month hiatus that began during spring Atlanta Falcons on October 5. The Pack- as Jaguars’ opt-outs. In all, 65 players ranked fi fth to 12th play in best- 2-1 lead in their West qualifying ganisations and a cautious approach with training. Per rule, those rosters were to ers said whether fans would be allowed were known to accept the NFL’s option of-fi ve matchups with winners series. the Philadelphia Phillies after they were be cut to 28 players on the 15th day of the at the third home game of the season — a not to play amid the pandemic, with the to face seeds in the fi rst round of Brock Boeser, Antoine Roussel exposed to the Marlins in the season- season. Rosters were previously expected divisional clash against the Minnesota Vi- majority being off ensive and defensive the Stanley Cup playoff s starting and Elias Pettersson scored for opening series. All three teams will be to be cut to 26 players later this month, kings on November 1 — would depend on linemen. Eight members of the New Tuesday. the Canucks. involved in five doubleheaders, while the but an agreement between MLB and the the progress of the disease. “Conducting England Patriots opted out. Players con- Shea Theodore and Alex Tuch In the late game in Edmonton Cardinals and Detroit Tigers will play two MLB Players’ Association will keep rosters the first two regular-season games with sidered high risk for Covid-19 will receive each scored two goals for Ve- on Thursday, the Calgary Flames doubleheaders together. Under rules for at 28 players through the end of the 2020 only the essential participants will allow a $350,000 stipend and an accrued NFL gas, which sent the Blues into a sealed their place in the Stanley the shortened season, all doubleheaders playoff s. Rosters can be increased to 29 the organisation to place its full focus on season if they decide to opt out. Players matchup Sunday against Dallas Cup playoff s with a 4-0 rout of consist of two seven-inning games. players for doubleheaders. the game itself,” the statement said. without risk can receive $150,000. for the West third seed. the Winnipeg Jets, completing a Brian Elliott made 16 saves 3-1 series victory. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, August 8, 2020 SPORT

FORMULA 1 MOTORCYCLING France’s Quartararo makes late charge Hamilton shades for fastest Czech MotoGP time

AFP Italian Francesco Bagnaia is rivals in practice out of the race and will need sur- Brno, gery on a broken tibia after fall- The six-times world champion is chasing a fourth win in a row ing off his Ducati-Pramac in the hampionship leader Fa- morning. bio Quartararo control- He will miss the race in Austria led his rising frustration next weekend. on Friday to record the Spaniard Maverick Vinales, fastestC time on the fi rst day of who is second in the standings, practice for the Czech MotoGP. also suff ered a minor crash early The Frenchman, winner of in the fi rst session on his Yama- both races so far this season for ha. the Yamaha satellite team SRT, He ended up fi fth fastest in the set his best time in the fi nal sec- second session. onds of the day’s second session. “This morning I made a mis- Before that he had struggled take, because I went a little bit on a track with little grip and wide and I hit the bumps, so I made no secret of his irritation. crashed,” said Vinales. His best time was 0.007 sec- “I hit my right shoulder, but it onds faster than his Italian team- seems like everything is okay, so mate Franco Morbidelli. I’m quite happy about that.” “The positive thing is that we Seven-time world champion are very fast on one lap. But we in the elite class Valentino Rossi have to work on the race pace,” was down in 12th on his Yamaha Quartararo said after a ses- while Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso sion raced in track temperatures was 15th. pushing 40 degrees. Rossi is chasing his 200th “I know where the problem is, podium place this weekend in so we can get to work.” MotoGP. Japanese rider Takaaki Two riders who had surpris- Nakagami was fastest in the ingly good days, Miguel Oliveira, morning session. a Portuguese rider at KTM- World champion Marc Mar- Tech3, and Frenchman Johann quez is again missing after need- Zarco of Ducati-Avintia, were ing a second surgery on his bro- third and fourth. ken right arm.

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton in action during the first practice session of the F1 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone yesterday.

Reuters Hamilton won last Sunday’s British going to be strong this weekend,” said German stand-in Nico Hulkenberg sixth. Silverstone Grand Prix at the same circuit from pole Hamilton. “You saw it in the last week Hulkenberg, replacing Sergio Perez af- position and despite a last lap puncture. that anything can happen, particularly in ter the Mexican contracted Covid-19 and “I think it’s been generally a good day. the last lap. then tested positive for a second time, ewis Hamilton led teammate We had understanding, good fi ndings “But of course that would be an incred- was fourth in the opening session. Valtteri Bottas in a Mercedes one- from last week and I think made some ible accomplishment for us as a team.” Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fi fth and two in practice for Formula One’s small adjustments which have cut off a Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was best seventh fastest respectively but team 70th Anniversary Grand Prix yes- millisecond here and there,” said Hamil- of the rest in the morning, 0.727 off the mate Sebastian Vettel suff ered an engine terdayL as he set his sights on a second ton. pace, and Renault’s Australian Daniel failure in the afternoon and ended up home win over successive weekends. “So it’s been positive in general. The Ricciardo fi lled that slot in the afternoon 14th. The six-times world champion, chas- tyres have been very soft but they’re fi ne.” with the Dutch youngster fourth. The title of tomorrow’s race com- ing a fourth win in a row to stretch his With 87 career wins, the Briton is clos- “The gap to Mercedes last weekend memorates the fi rst world championship 30-point lead over the Finn, lapped with ing in fast on Ferrari great Michael Schu- was big, so of course I think it’s quite nor- grand prix which was hosted by Silver- a fastest time of one minute 25.606 sec- macher’s all-time record of 91 set be- mal that we can’t magically change things stone in May, 1950. onds using medium tyres on a hot but tween 1992 and 2006. within a few days, but we are doing what Mercedes have a horseshoe symbol on cloudy afternoon. He could also become the fi rst driver to we can,” said Verstappen. their cars in honour of the late Stirling Bottas, who had been fastest in the take back-to-back wins at his home race, Racing Point, fi ned and with 15 points Moss, who raced with the emblem in the day’s fi rst session at Silverstone as drivers with Silverstone hosting two in a single deducted after stewards upheld a Renault early years of his career. got to grips with Pirelli’s softer tyres, was season for the fi rst time. protest, looked quick with Lance Stroll Moss competed at Silverstone in 1950 0.176 slower. “I see it as an opportunity but Valtteri’s ending the day fi fth and experienced in a Formula Three race.

FOCUS Petronas Yamaha SRT’s French rider Fabio Quartararo speaks to his mechanics during the second training session ahead of the Moto GP Vettel does not feel pressure around his F1 future Czech Grand Prix at Masaryk’s circuit in Brno yesterday.

DPA RTL ahead of tomorrows’s 70th Vettel has been intensively London Anniversary Grand Prix in Silver- linked with Racing Point, who DEVELOPMENT stone. will rebrand as the Aston Martin The 33-year-old said he “at the works team from 2021. our-time Formula One minute” couldn’t answer whether Italian media report Vet- world champion Sebas- he will continue in F1 after leav- tel could agree a long-term deal NZ researchers hail tian Vettel does not feel ing the Scuderia at the end of the which would also include a role as under pressure and be- year. brand ambassador. lievesF a decision is in sight over “I don’t see why I have to let “If the right packet comes ‘breakthrough’ with his future in the elite motorsport. myself be put under pressure,” around the corner, I am of the “It will still go a couple of he said. “In a certain way I have opinion that I still have a lot to weeks, from today to tomorrow made my decision, now we will give,” said Vettel. “If that is not non-targeted test nothing will change,” the Ferrari see if something sensible comes the case then I have no interest at driver told German broadcaster of it or not.” all in continuing just to be there.” Reuters said. Wellington “If nobody knows about it, there’s no fi ngerprint for mass BOTTOMLINE spectrometry so it goes unde- esearchers at New tected. Since then I was think- Zealand’s Otago Uni- ing that we need a non-targeted versity are hailing a test.” The new test did not search “breakthrough” in the for specifi c markers but focussed fiR ght against drug cheats with a on detecting changes at the cel- non-targeted test for designer lular level. Racing Point points deduction steroids which they hope can “All anabolic steroids...acti- be deployed in time for the 2022 vate a common pathway inside Winter Olympics. the cell so I have exploited that Professor Alison Heather, who pathway to build the test,” she led the development of the test, said. ‘bewildering’, says team boss said it would detect designer “If they want to have an ana- AFP ever we now have to decide whether our warned that the protests and the issue of anabolic steroids before anti- bolic eff ect in their body they Silverstone punishment is one that we should appeal.” the Racing Point cars’ legality would not doping authorities were aware have to activate the cellular Following multiple Renault protests at go away. they even existed. pathway and our test will pick the originality and legality of the car, the “This isn’t about brake ducts,” he said. “It’s a breakthrough in that it’s up any drug that activates that acing Point team boss Otmar stewards announced that Racing Point “It’s about a much bigger picture.” a non-targeted test, so we don’t anabolic pathway. Szafnauer said yesterday the had breached the sporting regulations in He said it would need teams of lawyers need to know the structure for “So for once we’re on a level decision to deduct his team 15 the design of the brake ducts for its RP20 to digest the implications and agreed that what we’re fi shing for in order to footing. points for using a car part de- car, ruling Mercedes had been the princi- the case could be about the ‘dna’ of the be able to detect a designer ana- We don’t need to wait for Rsigned by Mercedes was “bewildering” pal designer of the part. sport. bolic steroid,” Heather told Reu- somebody to have some anom- while other teams said the ruling had far- The outcome resulted in Renault mov- He suggested it might lead to clearer ters by telephone from Dunedin. aly in their blood work saying, reaching implications. ing up to fi fth place in the teams’ standing defi nitions of constructor teams and cus- Heather said she fi rst consid- ‘hey they’re taking something Szafnauer said the outcome had left on 32 points and Racing Point dropping to tomer teams. ered developing the test in 2004 but we don’t know what it is’ to Racing Point pondering their right to ap- sixth on 27 ahead of Sunday’s race. “It is a fundamental question for F1,” when she started researching fi nd it. peal. The team was also fi ned 400,000 euros he said, suggesting also that Renault may the use of tetrohydogestrinone We can see that there is some- “The good news from the judgement ($472,000). The International Motoring protest again because the sanctions were (THG), the drug developed by thing there.” was that the car is completely legal from a Federation (FIA) did not accept Racing “not draconian enough”. the BALCO laboratory in San Heather said designer steroids technical perspective so we can continue Point’s argument that they had designed No penalties were imposed on the Francisco nicknamed “The were still being developed and to run the brake ducts,” Szafnauer told the brake ducts for the RP20 car. team’s regular drivers, the Mexican Ser- Clear”. American sprinter Mari- sold over the Internet, despite Sky Sports during practice for the 70th Rival team chiefs said the “pink Mer- gio Perez and Lance Stroll, the son of the on Jones was one of many high- the widespread implementation Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone. cedes” case — a reference to the Racing team’s Canadian billionaire owner Law- profi le athletes who ultimately of biological passports in elite “It’s just a matter of process, which is Point colours — is critical to ruling on rence. admitted to using it. sport. in the sporting regulations. We read the future design and evaluating the level of Perez is out of action tomorrow after Heather said that drug had The test would show any sporting regulations. There is nothing sharing resources that should be allowed testing positive again for coronavirus, been used by athletes for some anomalies in that passport, specifi c in there, which says we couldn’t between teams. meaning he misses a second consecutive seven years before testers were which is a profi le of biologi- do what we did. But Szafnauer said this was an issue for race. even aware it existed. cal markers that detect changes “Other teams have done exactly the the future that would be dealt with by the He will replaced by German driver Nico “We called it a designer ster- over time as athletes undergo same, probably even more than what we introduction of new rules in 2022. Hulkenberg, as he was for last week’s oid because it had a structure regular in- and out-of-compe- did in a way. It’s a bit bewildering, how- Red Bull team boss Christian Horner British Grand Prix. that nobody knew about,” she tition testing. Gulf Times Saturday, August 8, 2020 5 SPORT

TENNIS DEVELOPMENT Svitolina and Bertens to skip WTT ready to US Open over virus concerns

AFP Paris “I understand and respect all share recipe for the eff orts they are putting to make it happen in a safe environ- lina Svitolina and Kiki ment, but I still don’t feel com- Bertens, both ranked fortable to travel to the US with- in the women’s top 10, out putting my team and myself withdrew yesterday from at risk,” wrote Svitolina, a semi- theE US Open, joining other sen- fi nalist at the US Open last year. ior players in pulling out because Bertens announced her deci- functional ‘bubble’ of concerns about coronavirus. sion after the Dutch government “Considering all aspects, I tightened health measures on have decided not to play the US Thursday. “Our prime minister New York is set to host the US Open and the Western & Southern Open Open,” Svitolina, a Ukrainian also indicated yesterday that we ranked number fi ve, wrote on so- should be quarantined for two later this month under similar protocols, although without spectators cial media. weeks after coming back from Bertens, a Dutchwoman the States,” she said. ranked seventh, said on Insta- “This would hinder the prepa- gram that she made her decision ration for my beloved clay court after a “long consideration.” tournaments in Rome and Paris,” “The situation around Cov- Bertens said, indicating that she id-19 is still so worrying that the could play at the French Open, health of everyone comes fi rst which is due to start in Paris on and control of this virus is obvi- September 27. ously a priority,” Bertens said. Svitolina and Bertens follow Bertens said she was heed- other top players who have an- ing Dutch government warnings nounced their withdrawal from while Svitolina said she did not New York including Rafael Nadal want to risk travelling. and women’s world number one Svitolina thanked the US Ten- Ashleigh Barty. nis Association and WTA “for Serena Williams, Novak Djok- giving the players a chance to ovic and Andy Murray are all still play.” due to play.

FOCUS NSW off ers to host Australian Open as Melbourne battles Covid-19 spike ReutersFORMULA 1 The Australian Open, which Melbourne has been held in Melbourne since 1972, is due to start in January and Tennis ew South Wales deputy Australia (TA) said premier John Barilaro organisers had not drawn says his state would up contingency plans be willing to act as a for the tournament to be Ntemporary host for major sports moved out of Victoria events such as the Australian Billie Jean King (third from right) with New York Empire’s Jack Sock, Neal Skupski, Nicole Melichar, Kim Clijsters and Colleen Vandeweghe celebrate with the trophy after Open tennis Grand Slam if they focus is to get through the next winning the World TeamTennis tournament. cannot be held in neighbouring few weeks and our team is in full Victoria due to Covid-19. planning mode to deliver a great Reuters Multiple Grand Slam champi- sports organisations to try and United States. cial-distancing were mandatory Barilaro told Australian ra- Australian Open in Melbourne,” Mumbai ons Venus Williams and Kim Cl- help we’d love to do that because “Every day when you started with sanctions for breaching dio yesterday he had written to TA Chief Executive Craig Tiley ijsters took part and it all ended we obviously want tennis and to feel optimistic there were protocols severe — as American sports bodies and offi cials in said in a statement emailed to with a thrilling fi nal on Sunday the US Open to happen. plenty of reasons to get down Danielle Collins found out when Victoria off ering help to stage the Reuters yesterday. orld TeamTennis when the New York Empire beat “If there’s something we can because things were opening, she was thrown out of the event events, which he said held na- “We obviously have great fa- organisers are keen the Chicago Smash on a winner- do between now and then to get things were closing, things were after leaving the resort to go tional signifi cance. cilities in Melbourne and the AO to share with other takes-all last point. on a phone, get on Zoom, go cancelled. Not just tennis but shopping. Silva said the coop- “Some of these events down is contracted and committed to sports their expe- New York is set to host the US there, we will open arms to try every sport. eration from players was vital for in Victoria are national events Melbourne Park.” Wrience of hosting a three-week Open and the Western & South- and help.” “I told my team it would prob- the ‘bubble’ to work. hosted in Victoria,” Barilaro told Melbourne is also home to the tournament inside a bio-secure ern Open later this month un- World TeamTennis had about ably take about a minute to can- “One little crack in the sub- 2GB radio. Australian Football League’s ti- ‘bubble’ amid the Covid-19 der similar protocols, although 150 people on site during the cel the season, I mean literally marine and the water comes in,” “It’s important for the econo- tle-deciding Grand Final, sched- pandemic, chief executive Car- without spectators. tournament and conducted it’s one e-mail. he said. “It’s not that complicat- my, important for the Australian uled for October. los Silva told Reuters. “I don’t know if we got a lit- more than 800 Covid-19 tests I send it... I say ‘thank you’. ed and everybody wanted to suc- psyche when it comes to sport. AFL Chief Executive Gillon The nine-team competition, tle lucky, I don’t know if we had without a single positive result. And it’s over.” ceed. We did have to make some “Absolutely we should be able McLachlan told reporters the co-founded by tennis great Bil- perfect protocols, it was prob- The fi nal attracted the biggest The WTT’s protocols required diffi cult decisions. That was the to work with Victorians to fi nd Grand Final, which draws a ca- lie Jean King in the 1970s, was ably a combination of all of those TV audience in the league’s 45- players to submit a negative test only way to do it. ways to make sure these all hap- pacity crowd to the 100,000- one of the fi rst live sports events things,” Silva, who took over as year history but Silva said it had for the virus before leaving their “Everybody, as much as they pen, these events are far too im- seat Melbourne Cricket Ground, in the United States to welcome WTT CEO last year, said in an been by no means an easy ride to base, a second test on arrival at might get grumpy for a moment, portant in this crisis to not have.” was contracted to the stadium fans since the outbreak when it interview with Reuters. get there. the resort and a third midway understood that the alternative Victoria is undergoing a sec- and it was “not appropriate” to ran at West Virginia’s Greenbrier “And if there’s anything we “It was a roller-coaster,” he through the event. is that a tournament gets can- ond lockdown and has nearly look at alternative venues. Resort. can share with them or other said on a video call from the The wearing of masks and so- celled.” 8,000 active COVID-19 cases, The state capital also hosts while NSW has about 800. the Spring Racing Carnival, the The Australian Open, which country’s biggest horse racing RUGBY has been held in Melbourne since program, from October-Novem- 1972, is due to start in January and ber. Tennis Australia (TA) said organ- Racing Victoria said in a state- isers had not drawn up contin- ment it had no intention of relo- gency plans for the tournament cating marquee races such as the Hodge bags brace as Rebels to be moved out of Victoria. “Our Nov 3 Melbourne Cup. Martic, Kontaveit dig deep upset high-fl ying Brumbies to advance to Palermo QFs AFP “I thought tonight the con- Rebels showed all the early en- semblance of control they were for us.” The loss to the Welling- Sydney ditions really helped us in the ergy, capitalising from a Tom shut out in a messy second-half. ton Hurricanes a fortnight ago Palermo: Top seed Petra Mar- tricky with bad bounces. sense that we didn’t overthink Banks fumble to win a lineout A last minute try to the Brum- ended a four-year unbeaten run tic was forced to recover from a “Overall I really didn’t really it,” said Rebels captain Matt after two minutes with Hodge bies’ Will Miller gave the score- in Super rugby at Christchurch set down to beat Russian quali- enjoy myself. I was just going to he Melbourne Rebels Toomua, who kicked 10 points. darting over for the opening try board some respectability, but it Stadium but the Crusaders will fier Liudmila Samsonova 5-7 have to fight.” mastered wet and “We thought about territory, from the resulting maul. too little too late. still be strong favourites to win 6-4 6-2 to book her spot in the Earlier, fourth seed Anett greasy conditions to we thought about physicality...I Conditions were slippery Meanwhile, the Canterbury the title with one round to spare quarter-finals of the Palermo Kontaveit also had to mount batter the table-top- was really happy, it was a clinical but the Rebels adjusted well, Crusaders have welcomed back on Sunday. Ladies Open on Thursday. a comeback after losing the pingT ACT Brumbies 30-12 yes- performance.” stretching their lead to 12-0 All Blacks Joe Moody and Bray- Whetukamokamo Douglas Samsonova, ranked more opening set to Germany’s Laura terday, snapping the Canberra The Brumbies came into when a Brumbies grubber kick don Ennor for tomorrow’s Super also returns at the back of the than 100 places below Martic, Siegemund before prevailing team’s unbeaten streak in Super the game on the back of seven was intercepted and booted rugby Aotearoa clash with the scrum with Quinten Strange impressed in the opening set 3-6 6-2 6-2. Rugby AU to throw the competi- straight wins in Super Rugby, downfi eld by Marika Koroibete Otago Highlanders in Christch- coming into the second row to break the Croatian and take The 24-year-old from Estonia tion wide open. four of them in the Australian who raced after it and offl oaded urch, where victory will secure in place of Luke Romano. In a the lead in the match but the took time to adapt as Siege- Dave Wessels’ fi red-up side competition, which has replaced to Brad Wilkin. them the inaugural title. backline change, Bryn Hall has 21-year-old soon discovered mund dictated the tempo of the scored four tries in a dominant the fi ve-nation southern hemi- The Brumbies hit back Loosehead prop Moody earned the start at scrumhalf that beating a top 20 player match in the early stages but fi rst-half, two from Wallaby sphere tournament this year. through Joe Powell from a maul, missed a match because of a with Mitch Drummond backing was no easy task as Martic broke the German twice in the back Reece Hodge, rampaging But on a wet and cold night before Hodge bagged his second family bereavement and Ennor up from the bench. dug in. second set to take a 3-0 lead to the turn 27-7 ahead and were in Sydney, the Rebels’ base after of the night, beating Banks to is back at outside centre hav- The Highlanders have named As the sun set in Sicily, Martic before closing out the set. never threatened in the second being forced out of Melbourne the ball after Toomua stabbed it ing recovered from a foot injury a far more settled side as they seemed rejuvenated when Kontaveit wrested control in stanza. The upset avenged their by coronavirus, they failed to along the ground. for a contest that coach Scott seek a fi rst win in Christchurch the lights came on, breezing the third set, breaking Siege- opening-day loss to the Brum- click into gear. The Rebels were on fi re and Robertson has likened to a fi nal since April 2015 to send the title through the final set in 35 mund twice again for the win bies as they build momentum “It was a tough game, I think a Toomua penalty kick was fol- for the 10-times Super rugby race to a fi nal-round showdown minutes without conceding a but not before she saved four with three wins and a draw, we needed to kick better. They lowed by big hooker Jordan champions. “We’ve played a lot between the Crusaders and single break point and wrapped match points in the final game. moving within four points of the stayed on top of us well, they Uelese capping a dominant of fi nals,” Robertson told local Auckland Blues next weekend. up the 2-1/2 hour contest with “Laura is a really tough op- Canberra side, who remain top kept putting balls in the corner fi rst-half with their fourth try, media yesterday. Jona Nareki comes in on the an ace to advance. ponent and I really felt like I had of the ladder. and keeping us in our end,” said collecting the ball after a charge “We understand what’s re- left wing for Scott Gregory as “The struggle was real out to lift my game in the second The Queensland Reds can Brumbies skipper Allan Alaala- by fellow forward Isi Naisarani. quired, the intensity that’s the 2015 Super rugby champions there today,” Martic said. “She’s set and play more aggressive,” narrow the gap on the Brumbies toa. Another Toomua penalty after needed. After getting beaten at look to bounce back from a 32- not the type of player I like to Kontaveit said. “I think that’s further if they beat the NSW “We need to really have a look the restart put them 23 points in home a couple of weeks ago, it’s 21 loss to the Blues last time out play. She plays really fast, flat, what made the diff erence after Waratahs on Saturday in round at ourselves.” front and despite the Brumbies fresh in our mind and we clearly and secure south island bragging low, on this court it can be the first set.” six of the competition’s 10. With rain pouring down, the working hard to regain some understand that this is a fi nal rights. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, August 8, 2020 SPORT

GOLF Day and Todd share lead at PGA Championship The joint leaders are just in front of a group of nine players that includes four former major champions

AFP another 165-yard approach to just three the club after it was determined that it San Francisco feet on the next hole. came off accidentally. He drained a nine-foot putt on 16 “It was surprising. I just went over for another birdie. “I put the ball in to pick up my tee, and leaned on it a lit- ustralia’s Jason Day shot a bo- the fairway, hit some greens and made tle, and the thing just, see ya later,” De- gey-free fi ve-under-par 65 to putts. You just try to break it down. It Chambeau said. take a share of the lead Thurs- is pretty simple and I did a good job of day in the opening round of that today,” he said. LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES theA PGA Championship, the fi rst major Two-time major winner Kaymer, 65 — Jason Day (AUS), Brendon Todd who started on No 10, got hot on his of the pandemic-interrupted season. (USA) The 2015 PGA champion Day rolled back nine, making two birdies on No. 1 in fi ve birdies for a one-shot cushion and No. 3 and delivering an eagle on the 66 — Zach Johnson (USA), Bud Cauley with co-leader Brendon Todd atop a par-fi ve No 4.Kaymer, who won this (USA), Brendan Steele (USA), Brooks star-studded crowded leaderboard at event in 2010, hasn’t been playing golf Koepka (USA), Scottie Scheff ler (USA), the TPC Harding Park course in San during the pandemic so he re-watched Michaël Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Martin Francisco. his 2014 US Open victory for inspira- Kaymer (GER), Xander Schauff ele Day and Todd are just in front of a tion. (USA), Justin Rose (ENG) group of nine players that includes “That helped me to believe that my 67 — Tom Lewis (ENG), Tony Finau four former major champions, includ- putting was good enough and that my (USA), Gary Woodland (USA), Kevin ing two-time defending PGA champ ball-striking was good enough,” he Kisner (USA), Daniel Berger (USA), JT Brooks Koepka and Germany’s Martin said. “Even though it’s a few years back, Poston (USA), Li Haotong (CHN), Alex- it’s always nice to remember those mo- Kaymer. The other two former major ander Norén (SWE) winners are Zach Johnson and Eng- ments.” land’s Justin Rose. Reigning Masters champ Tiger 68 — Viktor Hovland (NOR), Shane Xander Schauff ele, Bud Cauley, Woods showed why it is never wise Lowry (IRL), Adam Scott (AUS), Adam Scottie Scheffl er, France’s Mike Loren- to count him out of a major, shooting Hadwin (CAN), Bernd Wiesberger zo-Vera, and Brendan Steele are also at a solid 68 to join another large group (AUT), Tiger Woods (USA), Brian Har- four-under 66. The fi rst PGA Champi- at two under, three shots back of the man (USA), Patrick Reed (USA), Lanto onship on the US west coast since 1988 leaders. Woods teed off in the morn- Griff in (USA), Bryson DeChambeau is being contested without spectators ing wave with Rory McIlroy and Justin (USA), Kurt Kitayama (USA), Keith after the season was shutdown for three Thomas as the marquee trio all began Mitchell (USA), Paul Casey (ENG) months due to the Covid-19 outbreak. their round with birdies on No 10. 69 — Kevin Streelman (USA), Nate But the relatively muted atmosphere Thomas is competing as the No 1 Lashley (USA), Billy Horschel (USA), proved no hindrance to Day, who is player in the world and former number Jason Kokrak (USA), Dustin Johnson one McIlroy is trying to win a major for coming off a string of top ten nishes.fi (USA), Harris English (USA), Joel Dah- “I feel like the momentum that I’ve had the fi rst time since 2014, while Woods men (USA), Collin Morikawa (USA), over the last three starts has kind of is looking for his fi fth PGA Champi- Matthew Wolff (USA), Matthias Schwab seeped into this week,” said Day. onship title. Woods went to two under (AUT), Corey Conners (CAN), Abraham “The funny thing is that every day through four holes on No 13 by drain- I’m excited to go back to the golf course ing a monster 32-foot birdie putt. “I Ancer (MEX) Danny Lee (NZL), Shaun and play, whereas before I was strug- felt like it was a very solid round,” said Norris (RSA) gling to get up and going. The game is Woods. “I made a few adjustments and 70 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Dylan slowly coming around, the confi dence Jason Day tees off on the 9th hole during the first round of the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San that is what you have to do.” Frittelli (RSA), Henrik Stenson (SWE), is coming around because I’m starting Francisco, California, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) Bryson DeChambeau also shot a Kang Sung-Hoon (KOR), Kim Joo-hy- to see the results.” 68 but he had to overcome an equip- ung (KOR), Victor Perez (FRA), Hideki Todd, who already has two PGA Tour Todd said of his fi ve under 65. The American got on a roll at last to be on.” ment malfunction in the middle of his Matsuyama (JPN), Marc Leishman wins this season, had eight birdies as he Meanwhile Koepka, who is chasing week’s WGC-FedEx St. Jude event in Koepka sank four birdies in the fi nal round when he snapped the head off (AUS), Matt Jones (AUS), Emiliano Grillo was part of the afternoon wave which history by trying to become the fi rst Memphis and carried it over to this six holes of his front nine after start- his driver while leaning on it to pick up (ARG), Jon Rahm (ESP), Kevin Na (USA), had to battle more diffi cult weath- three-peat PGA major winner in almost tournament. “To do it here, it would ing his round from the 10th tee where his tee. DeChambeau, who is averaging Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Rory McIlroy er conditions. “I did a great job just a century, once again demonstrated his be special,” he said of the three-peat.”I he made bogey. On his fourth hole of nearly 325 yards a drive after gaining (NIR), Bubba Watson (USA), Jason Duf- scraping it around and giving myself a ability to raise his game on the biggest think there’s, what, six guys that have the day at No. 13, Koepka hit a 175-yard 50 pounds of muscle over the past 10 ner (USA), Scott Piercy (USA), Denny chance to shoot a good nine coming in,” stages. ever won three in a row. Not a bad list approach shot to six feet and then hit months, was allowed by offi cials to fi x McCarthy (USA)

Ko, Kang share LPGA Marathon Classic fi rst-round lead CYCLING Washington: World number to competition after the LPGA ied the par-3 second and par-4 two Danielle Kang and New 2020 campaign was shut down fifth before sandwiching birdies Jakobsen out of coma aft er crash Zealand’s Lydia Ko each fired by Covid-19 in mid-February at seven and nine around her a seven-under-par 64 on following only four events. “Six lone bogey. AFP Thursday to share the lead after or seven months off , definitely “I tried to just play my own Warsaw the opening round of the LPGA miss the competition,” she said. game and give myself good Marathon Classic. “Being able to come back and looks for birdies,” Ko said. “I ac- Kang, coming off a victory in compete again is what I was tually got pretty lucky in some utch cyclist Fabio Ja- last week’s Drive On Champion- most excited about.” cases, so I think it was one of kobsen has awoken ship that ended a layoff since Former world number one those days where it’s kind of from a medically-in- mid-February, kept her momen- Ko won the Marathon Classic clicking. I feel very relieved with duced coma following tum going with seven birdies in in 2014 and 2016 but Thursday the way it went. It’s always nice aD horrifi c crash in the Tour of a bogey-free round at Highland was her best round at the event to come back here. Any event Poland and will be able to return Meadows, in Sylvania, Ohio. as she chases her first LPGA vic- when you know you’ve played home soon, race organisers and “If you’re playing well, you tory since April of 2018. “Nice to well at that course before, gives doctors said yesterday. “We have just got to trust your game and start this week on a high note,” you confidence and you draw good news from the hospital in keep playing your game, so Ko said.”I had like four or five back a lot of the good memo- Sosnowiec! @FabioJakobsen is that has been my plan,” Kang really tap-in putts where they’re ries.” awake now from the coma. Con- said. “I’m striking it really well. out of it, then today my putting stress-free and not even read- American Megan Khang was dition is ‘good’,” the Tour of Po- Putting speed is there. Just got worked really well. There are ing putt. You just walk up there one stroke off the pace after an land said on Twitter. to keep trusting it. I worked a days when the ball goes where and hole it.” opening 65 while South Korean Doctors at the hospital in lot on my putting for the last you see, and that’s what hap- Ko began on the 10th hole Jenny Shin, Germany’s Sophia southern Poland that is treating couple days. Didn’t really like pened.” and opened and closed the Popov and Americans Angel the 23-year-old rising star said how the ball was coming off The 27-year-old American back side with birdies among Yin and Ally McDonald were they estimated he could leave the my putter. But I got a good feel was excited to finally return four before the turn. She bird- another stroke adrift. hospital in around two weeks’ time. “The patient is conscious. He is responding to commands and is breathing unaided. The Fabio Jakobsen was thrown into and over a barrier at 80km an hour SPOTLIGHT blood pressure is normal. We are as he raced elbow-to-elbow with fellow Dutchman Dylan very happy today,” Pawel Gruen- Groenewegen at the Tour of Poland in Katowice. (AFP) peter, deputy director of the hos- pital, told reporters. security wall. Jakobsen somer- from Groenewegen”. Governing India’s elite badminton players return “If he managed to survive such saulted over the barriers before body UCI also said it “strongly a big fall, he will surely return to colliding with a race offi cial. condemns the dangerous behav- the sport,” he said, in comments Groenewegen went on to win iour of Dylan Groenewegen” and to training aft er four months shown on Polish television. the stage but was later disquali- has referred the incident to a dis- Gruenpeter said Jakobsen’s fi ed with Jakobsen declared the ciplinary panel. Reuters brain function was “all in order” winner. Jakobsen was left fi ght- The drama came at the end of New Delhi and he would now undergo a pe- ing for his life and underwent a the fi rst stage, raced over 198km riod of rehabilitation before his fi ve-hour operation immediately from Chorzow to Katowice in release. Several other cyclists and after the accident after sustain- southern Poland. Jakobsen is a ndia’s elite badminton players, includ- a race offi cial were also hurt in ing severe injuries to the face. rising star of the sprint in the ing women’s world champion Pusarla the crash but their injuries were Groenewegen on Thursday peloton who made his name in Sindhu, returned to training yester- less serious. apologised saying: “I can’t fi nd 2019 with two stage wins on day after a four month hiatus due to In another incident yesterday, the words to describe how sorry the Vuelta a Espana, one of the Ithe Covid-19 crisis. The Rio Olympic silver French cyclist Mickael Delage I am for Fabio and the others who sport’s three Grand Tours. medallist is among eight Tokyo Olympic suff ered a heavy fall and was fell or were aff ected. “I am think- Having turned professional in hopefuls, along with 2012 London bronze taken to hospital by helicopter, ing about him all the time,” he 2018 with Quick-Step, Jakobsen medallist Saina Nehwal, at the national his team said. “Mickael Delage wrote. donned the Dutch champion’s camp in the southern city of Hyderabad. sustained a heavy fall on the Tour Katowice prosecutors have jersey in June last year. In last “I am very happy to have our elite shut- of Poland and has been taken opened an investigation into the year’s Tour of Poland he was third tlers back for on-fi eld training after this long to hospital. He is conscious,” accident and have already inter- on the opening stage. Groenewe- break,” national coach Pullela Gopichand Groupama-FDJ said on Twitter. viewed three witnesses. Police gen, 27, is a four-time stage win- said. “We are fully equipped to resume In Wednesday’s crash, Ja- have also gathered records of the ner on the Tour de France, in- training in a safe environment.” kobsen was thrown into and crash, along with the bikes of the cluding the fi nal stage in 2017 on Strict safety protocols were being fol- over a barrier at 80 kilometres injured riders. the Champs Elysees in Paris. lowed in the camp, the Sports Authority of (50 miles) an hour on Wednes- The incident came a year to the On Thursday, world champion India said. Sindhu, who went down to Span- rivals,” said Sindhu, who lost in the quarter- “Essentially, since I have been working a day as he raced elbow-to-elbow day after the death of 22-year- Mads Pedersen won the second iard Carolina Marin in the fi nal in Rio, has fi nal of the All-England Open in March, her lot on physical fi tness during the lockdown, with fellow Dutchman Dylan old Belgian sprinter Bjorg Lam- stage over 151.1km from Opole said she used the shutdown to develop new last tournament before the disruption. it was comparatively easy for me to get the Groenewegen in the opening brecht, who died after falling and and Zabrze. The 24-year-old shots. “...there is always the intense desire “I felt pretty comfortable. Didn’t feel any feel of such a long session in badminton with stage of the Tour of Poland in hitting a concrete structure on Trek-Segafredo rider dedicated to keep improving with each passing day,” great diff erence in playing here after such a a lot of ease,” she added. Katowice. the 2019 Tour of Poland. Patrick his victory to the stricken Jakob- the 25-year-old told Sportstar magazine. long gap. As I said, I should be okay in just Coronavirus cases have topped 2mn in Groenewegen, from the Jum- Lefevere, general manager of the sen. “I am super happy to be able “I am trying out some new strokes which two weeks. It is all about getting the rhythm India. The country’s shooting federation has bo-Visma team, veered suddenly Deceuninck-Quick Step team, to dedicate it to him, and to his you will be seeing soon. You have to be a dif- and I am confi dent of getting it back at the called off a camp for its elite shooters that to the right, squeezing his rival of has called the incident a “crimi- quick recovery, to his return to ferent player consistently to outsmart the earliest,” Sindhu told Sportstar. was to begin this week of Delhi. Deceuninck-Quick Step into the nal act” and “a very dirty move life, to cycling,” the Dane said. Gulf Times Saturday, August 8, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

EUROPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Bayern boss Flick Wolves into quarters, mulls starting Coutinho or Perisic against Chelsea Sevilla, Basel and give the decisive pass. I like the AFP Berlin way he interprets football.” The hosts are overwhelming favourites to reach the quarter- ither Ivan Perisic or fi nals, where they would face Philippe Coutinho is set Barcelona or Napoli in Lisbon to start for Bayern Mu- next Friday, but Flick is demand- Leverkusen cruise nich in today’s Champi- ing his side give their all against onsE League clash against injury- Chelsea. “It’s about having re- hit Chelsea with the Germans’ spect, we have seen how Chel- Wolves survive a series of scares to edge Olympiakos 1-0 for a 2-1 aggregate win head coach Hansi Flick demand- sea performed after the restart,” ing full focus despite a comfort- Flick added with the Blues hav- AFP able cushion. ing won nine of their 12 games. Paris Bayern host Frank Lampard’s “We also need to focus on our Chelsea at the Allianz Arena in own strengths,” he added. Bay- the last 16, return leg holding a ern are on a 12-match winning olves battled into the 3-0 advantage after routing the streak, including last Friday’s 1-0 quarter-fi nals of the Eu- Blues at Stamford Bridge last friendly win over Marseille. ropa League on Thursday February before the competition night while Sevilla, Bayer was halted due to the coronavi- NEUER WANTS BAYERN WLeverkusen and Basel enjoyed far more rus pandemic. MUNICH TO KEEP LIVERPOOL comfortable victories in the matches that Bayern face a depleted Chel- TARGET ALCANTARA brought the Europa League round of 16 to sea side missing captain Cesar Bayern Munich captain Manuel a belated close. Azpilicueta, midfi elder Willian Neuer says he hopes the Bavar- Raul Jimenez scored the only goal from plus wingers Christian Pulisic ians giants can convince Liver- the penalty spot in the ninth minute and and Pedro, who were injured in pool target Thiago Alcantara to Wolves survived a series of scares to edge Saturday’s FA Cup fi nal defeat to stay beyond the end of this sea- Olympiakos 1-0 at Molineux for a 2-1 ag- Arsenal. With Kingsley Coman son’s Champions League title. gregate win in a tie that began in Athens out injured, Flick is mulling Having won the Bundesliga title on March 13. starting Brazilian Coutinho, on in each of his seven seasons at Leverkusen beat visiting Rangers 1-0 to loan from Barcelona, or Croatia Bayern since joining from Bar- win 4-1 on aggregate while Basel beat Ein- winger Perisic, loaned by Inter celona in 2013, Alcantara, 29, is tracht Frankfurt 1-0 for a 4-0 aggregate Milan, on the wing. stalling over extension talks with victory. Sevilla cruised past Roma 2-0 in “Perisic is a little more dy- a year left on his contract. a one-off Europa League game played at namic in attack, but Coutinho is The midfi eld playmaker has neutral Duisburg, which will one of the better on the ball and can play in been linked to English Premier host grounds when the Rhineland region more positions, such as a number League champions Liverpool. of Germany hosts the last three rounds of 10 off (Robert) Lewandowski,” Alcantara is back in the Bayern the competition from August 10-21. said Flick, saying he has yet to team after groin surgery in June At Molineux, Bobby Allain, the visi- decide. and Neuer “hopes” the Champi- tors’ Franco-Scottish goalkeeper, failed to Bayern striker Lewandowski, ons League campaign is not the control a back pass in the seventh minute. who scored in the fi rst leg in Lon- Spanish international’s swan- Daniel Podence, who scored for Olym- don, has 51 goals this season and song for the German giants. piakos at Tottenham in September but is the Champions League’s top “Thiago had an operation, moved to Wolves in January, darted in and Wolverhampton’ Willy Boly (left) and Olympiacos’ scorer with 11 goals in six games. but is now fully back. He makes stole the ball. goalkeeper Bobby Allain vie for the ball during the Former Liverpool star Coutin- a good impression and he can be Allain clumsily bundled his former Europa League last 16 match at Molineux Stadium ho is set to return to Barcelona the engine in our midfi eld sys- clubmate over and Jimenez converted the in Wolverhampton, Britain. (Reuters) once his one-year loan deal ex- tem,” said Neuer, Bayern’s goal- penalty. The Greek champions, who had pires when Bayern’s Champions keeper and captain, in Munich. drawn at Tottenham in the Champions League campaign ends, but is in Team-mate Thomas Mueller League and won at Arsenal in the Europa form after recovering from an has already said it would be “bit- League this season, responded by domi- ankle injury. ter” should Alcantara leave Bay- nating possession. They created a string “Philippe is currently in very ern after their European cam- of chances but were thwarted by good good shape. I like him very much paign. With right-back Benjamin saves by Rui Patricio, a tight off side deci- as a footballer and a person, so I Pavard injured, Germany inter- sion and their own inaccurate fi nishing. am happy that he is now fi t and national Joshua Kimmich will Wolves, who began their Europa League physically at a high level,” said drop into defence with Thiago campaign on July 25 last year against Cru- furt. In Leverkusen, Moussa Diaby scored rolling, avoiding injuries and re-estab- ues in Germany (all games 1900 GMT): Flick. “He always scores and can taking his central midfi eld place. saders in the second qualifying round, the only goal after 51 minutes to complete lishing rhythm.” Monday, August 10: At Dusseldorf: will next face Sevilla at Duisburg on Au- a comfortable victory for Bayer, who won In the quarter-fi nals, Bayer will make Inter Milan (ITA) v Bayer Leverkusen gust 11. “A long, long season,” Jimenez 3-1 in Glasgow in March. the short trip to Dusseldorf to face Inter (GER); At Cologne: Manchester United said. “Now we are in the quarter-fi nals “We had the chances to score one or Milan on August 10, Basel will play Sha- (ENG) v Copenhagen (DEN) and we want to keep going.” two more times tonight and in the rounds khtar Donetsk in Gelsenkirchen the next In Basel, defender Fabien Frei scored to come we have to make sure that we’re night. Tuesday, August 11: At Duisburg: the only goal in the 88th minute as the more clinical,” said Leverkusen captain Wolverhampton Wanderers (ENG) v home team won 1-0 to complete an ag- Lars Bender. “But the most important QUARTER-FINALS LINE-UP Sevilla (ESP); At Gelsenkirchen: Shakhtar thing about tonight was getting the ball Donetsk (UKR) v Basel (SUI) gregate 4-0 victory over Eintracht Frank- Ties are single matches at neutral ven-

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Aberdeen match postponed aft er positive virus tests AFP agreed on Thursday that the game should and well-being of everybody is of para- in Aberdeen on Saturday night,” she said.” London go ahead as planned but that decision has mount importance in this situation.” Aberdeen hosted Rangers last weekend been reversed. Two Aberdeen players A statement from the Scottish football in the fi rst competitive Scottish foot- tested positive for Covid-19 and a fur- authorities’ joint response group said the ball match since mid-March, losing 1-0. berdeen’s Scottish Premiership ther six were instructed to self-isolate for Scottish government had asked for the A stricter lockdown was reimposed in game at St Johnstone has been 14 days after coming into close contact. game, scheduled for Saturday, to be post- the city this week following an outbreak postponed after two players “This weekend’s Scottish Premiership poned following a meeting. linked to pubs and bars — dozens of cases tested positive for coronavirus, fi xture against Aberdeen at McDiarmid First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she have been identifi ed. Aberdeen chairman sparkingA a furious reaction from First Park has been postponed,” St Johnstone was “pretty furious” about the behaviour Dave Cormack, speaking before the post- Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The Scottish said. “The club is disappointed at the of some Aberdeen players. “It is now clear ponement, described the situation as “a Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick (right) talks to forward government and football authorities had news of this postponement but the health that all eight of these players visited a bar bitter blow”. Robert Lewandowski during training in Munich. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Infantino claims he has ‘nothing Italian Giampaolo appointed Torino coach ormer AC Milan coach next season, which must still be previous three-year period. to hide’ from prosecutors Marco Giampaolo approved by politicians. Wolves could qualify for next has signed a two-year A small number of fans would season’s Champions League by AFP contract with Torino, be allowed to sit, tickets would winning the Europa League but theF Italian top-fl ight club an- be personalised so specta- would be restricted to a 23-man Lausanne nounced yesterday. Giampaolo, tors could be traced, alcohol at squad instead of the standard 53, was sacked after just seven matches would be banned until 25 for European competitions. ianni Infantino has insisted that he had games at AC Milan last season. October and there will be no The limit will also apply for “nothing to hide” in a letter to member He takes over from Moreno away fans before the end of the the 2021/22 campaign un- federations of football’s global govern- Longo at the Turin side who year. less the club fulfi ls all fi nancial ing body FIFA despite Swiss prosecutors fi nished last season in 16th measures. French side Lille and Glaunching a criminal probe against him. position. A former midfi elder, WOLVES AGREE UEFA Turkish champions Istanbul In the letter, sent on Thursday and seen by AFP, Giampaolo has over the past two SETTLEMENT DEAL AFTER Basaksehir struck similar deals FIFA chief Infantino tells the body’s 211 members decades coached clubs includ- BREACHING FFP RULES after falling foul of UEFA’s Club that there were no “factual grounds for the open- ing Cagliari, Brescia, Empoli and Europa League quarter-fi nalists Financial Control Body. Por- ing of a criminal investigation” which was an- Sampdoria and most recently Wolves have reached a settle- tuguese champions Porto will nounced last week. AC Milan. He lost his job at AC Arena on Friday September 18. ment agreement with UEFA after again be subjected to a reduced The special prosecutor has been investigating Milan last October after a run of However, the match could be the club failed to comply with squad size and restricted transfer suspected collusion between Infantino and Swiss four defeats in seven games left moved to Monday September 21 fi nancial break-even require- activity after only partially Attorney General Michael Lauber, who resigned the club three points above the if Bayern reach the Champions ments, European football’s meeting targets for the 2019/20 last month over his handling of a corruption in- relegation zone. Former Italian League fi nal in Lisbon on August governing body announced. campaign. vestigation targeting FIFA. footballing giants Torino won 23, to allow Hansi Flick’s star- Wolves were one of three clubs Infantino and Lauber are said to have held a se- the last of their seven league studded squad a month between sanctioned by UEFA for breach- UNION BERLIN SIGN ries of secret meetings in 2016 and 2017, but the titles in 1976. matches. Due to the coronavi- ing fi nancial fair play regulations STRIKER MAX KRUSE FIFA head said the meetings was about restoring rus pandemic, the start of the and were fi ned up to 600,000 Bundesliga side Union Berlin “public trust in our institution” after a series of BAYERN TO START 2020/21 2020/21 season in Germany euros (706,000) — two-thirds pulled off a transfer coup by scandals. He claims that those meetings “were in SEASON AGAINST SCHALKE has been pushed back from the of which is conditional on their recruiting former Germany no way secret and most certainly not illegal”. the prosecutor and “has not been summoned” Defending champions Bayern original date of August 21. compliance with the break-even striker Max Kruse, an accom- “I went to these meetings with the most sen- to any hearings. A former prosecutor himself, Munich will start the 2020/21 The German Super Cup, target in the settlement. plished poker player and singer, ior law offi cer in the country in order to off er our Zollinger was a member of the supervisory au- Bundesliga season at home to traditionally the season’s The Premier League side, who on a free transfer. Having quit full support and assistance in connection with thority of the Swiss public prosecutor’s offi ce — Schalke in mid-September, curtain-raiser, has been moved are through to a fi rst European Turkish side Fenerbahce in June, the ongoing investigations, because FIFA has an which oversaw Lauber — between 2011 and 2016. but the exact date depends on to September 30 when Bayern quarter-fi nal since 1972, must Kruse, who has scored 74 goals interest and is a damaged party in these investi- Zollinger denies any confl ict of interest, saying whether the Bavarians reach the will play Borussia Dortmund. report a break-even defi cit of in 250 Bundesliga appearances, gations,” Infantino wrote. that his last meetings at the supervisory author- Champions League fi nal, the This week, the clubs in Ger- 30mn euros for this fi nancial has returned to Germany, where Infantino’s lawyer David Zollinger said that ity “took place in June and July of 2016 and at that German league said. many’s top two divisions agreed year before reaching an aggre- he had spells at Werder Bremen, since the announcement of the investigation his time no one was aware of the meetings between Bayern are pencilled to host to the league’s four-point plan gate break-even result in 2021/22 Freiburg, Borussia Moencheng- client has not received “any information” from Lauber and Infantino”. Schalke at Munich’s Allianz to allow the partial return of fans within accepted limits for the ladbach, Wolfsburg and St Pauli. Saturday, August 8, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

QNB STARS LEAGUE Kodjia brace helps Gharafa to draw against Al Khor By Sports Reporter penalty but could not hold on to a vic- Shahania thus extended their unbeaten Doha tory as Kodjia struck at the very end run to three matches, having beaten Al Gharafa had beaten Al Khor 3-1 in Ahli and held Al Sailiya in their previ- the fi rst leg but the latter produced a ous matches, after the resumption of onathan Kodjia’s brace, includ- much-improved performance in the matches following a long break. ing one in the 90th minute, return leg. Kodjia’s brilliance though, Shahania are still the basement side helped Al Gharafa to a 2-2 draw with two opportunistic goals, made with 14 points, while Qatar SC, who against Al Khor in the QNB Stars much of a diff erence for Gharafa. were locked in a 1-1 draw with Umm LeagueJ at the Al Janoub Stadium yes- Kodjia’s fi rst goal came after he Salal last week, collected yet another terday. The draw ensured Gharafa will latched on to a pass by Muad Hassan. crucial point. Qatar SC created more fi nish in fourth position in the stand- Gharafa’s Hector Moreno and Kodjia chances, but Al Shahania held fort. ings with 32 points, as closest chal- came close, while Al Khor’s Hammou- Sardor Rashidov led the charge for Qa- lengers Al Arabi and Al Sailiya are on dan and Tiago Bezerra made attempts tar SC, whereas Kesse Amanguoa shone 25 points each after they both lost their at the rival goal in the fi rst half. among the Al Shahania ranks. games, against Al Wakrah (1-2) and Al Soon after restart, Hammoudan lev- Rashidov had a long-range shot Rayyan (0-1) respectively on Thursday. elled the score after making the most blocked by goalkeeper Ebrahim Dary- Both Al Arabi and Al Sailiya are out of a through pass. Not long after that, oush in the 21st minute and his team- of contention for a top-four fi nish with Borges converted a penalty awarded mate Kayke Rodriguez had a goal ruled only two rounds of action remaining for Al Gharafa’s Yousef Muftah’s foul off side in the 36th minute. Al Shaha- and six points points on off er. on Tiago. Following eff orts by Ham- nia’s most serious attempt at the goal The result, their second successive moudan and Muad, Kodjia was at it for in the fi rst half came in the form of a draw after holding Al Wakrah 1-1 in a second time as he superbly volleyed in Ramin Rezaein shot, which was saved Week 19, benefi ted Al Khor too as they substitute Tamir Jamal’s cross from the by goalkeeper Motasem Majed. are battling for survival alongside Umm left in the last minute. Kodjia soon sent A series of attacks by Qatar SC past Salal and Al Shahania. The Knights now a feeble shot wide of the target as the the hour mark saw Rashidov send his have 16 points and are in 10th place. teams shared the spoils. shot inches wide and Elmehdi Barrah- Kodjia had struck in the 36th minute ma being thwarted by Daryoush. Rash- to give Al Gharafa the lead before SHAHANIA, QATAR SC PLAYED idov continued to be unlucky as his Ahmed Hammoudan equalised in the OUT A GOALLESS DRAW rising shot in the penultimate minute 48th minute. Al Khor went ahead when At the Al Sadd Stadium, Al Shahania landed on the roof of the net. That was Al Gharafa’s Jonathan Kodjia celebrates after scoring against Al Khor in the QNB Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium. Lucca Borges converted a 52nd-minute and Qatar SC played out a goalless draw. after Amanguoa raided the rival citadel.

EQUESTRIAN SPOTLIGHT I want to help Al Sadd win Al-Emadi shines everything, says Cazorla anti Cazorla wants to help honour to be here and to be part a coach.” Al Sadd SC “win every- of this club,” said Cazorla. Asian fans will get to see Ca- thing”, as the mercurial Capped 81 times by Spain, Ca- zorla in the 2020 AFC Champi- Spanish midfi elder was zorla said his target is to win eve- ons League, with Al Sadd set to as Hathab returns offiS cially unveiled by the defend- rything with Al Sadd. “We have resume their Group D campaign ing Qatar Stars League champi- to try to win everything, all the against UAE’s Al Ain on Septem- ons on Thursday. titles. I will try my best every day ber 15. In Small Tour al-Khaldi and al-Qadi were declared joint winners Cazorla, who has signed a to help the team,” the 35-year- Al Sadd had registered a win two-year contract, described Al old said. and a draw before the competi- after both the riders clocked an identical time of 27.96 seconds Sadd as the biggest club in Qatar Cazorla said he was excited to tion was suspended in March due and was excited with the chal- be teaming up with head coach to the Covid-19 pandemic. By Sports Reporter lenge that awaits. Cazorla joined Xavi, admitting that the Span- Cazorla will get a chance to Doha Al Sadd from Villarreal, having ish legend played a key role in see his new teammates in ac- played for the La Liga side the him signing for Al Sadd. “Xavi tion when Al Sadd take on QSL last two seasons after six years was very important in my deci- leaders Al Duhail today, with the he Longines Hathab – Qatar Eques- with English Premier League sion to come to Qatar. He was my defending champions needing trian Tour restarted after a four- club Arsenal. “Al Sadd is the big- reference when he was a player, a win to keep their hopes of de- month hiatus as Salman Mohamed gest club in Qatar and it’s a great and I’m sure he’ll be the same as fending the league title alive. al-Emadi clinched the Medium TTour title during the 10th leg of the champi- onship yesterday. At the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s In- door Arena, Al-Emadi astride riding Zorro Z were in prime form despite a long break without competition as they cruised to a comfortable victory. The duo fi nished their round in 52.06 second, more than a sec- ond faster than second-placed Mohammed Saeed Haidan and his ride Miss Chili (53.34). Alqaqa Adel Nassar on riding Dubaii fi n- ished third in 55.77 seconds. Salman Mohammed al-Emadi astride Zorro Z won the Medium Tour title during the 10th leg There was plenty of drama and excite- of the Longines Hathab – Qatar Equestrian Tour at the Qatar Equestrian Federation. ment in the Small Tour as Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi and Mohammed Nasser al-Qadi were declared joint winners after both the riders clocked an identical time of 27.96sec. Al-Khaldi was astride Dusty, while al-Qadi combined with Vlacido to put in spectacular round. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi fi nished third with Hugo Z in 28.45 seconds. The third season of the equestrian se- Santi Cazorla (centre) poses with Al Sadd’s head coach Xavi Hernandez (second from right) and other club ries was halted after nine rounds in March off icials after signing a two-year contract. due to the spread of coronavirus pandemic. Now with relaxations in place, the organis- ers – the Qatar Equestrian Federation and Al CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Shaqab – have decided to conduct the re- maining three rounds. Omar al-Mannai, Vice Chairman of the Longines Hathab event, was delighted with Barca coach Setien unperturbed restart of the competition and said it shows the commitment of the organisers to fi nish the third season. “The resumption of Hathab Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi in action with Vlacido. by future ahead of Napoli game confi rms the commitment of the organising Mohamed al-Emadi; Horse: Zorro Z. Time: committee towards sponsors and competi- We are committed to apply the highest Reuters 52.06 secs; 2. Mohamed Saeed Haidan; tors. We are conducting the championship standards to ensure the safety of all par- Barcelona by adhering to the precautionary measures ticipants in the championship,” al-Mannai Miss Chili; 53.34 secs; 3. Alqaqa Adel Nassar; adopted by the authorities in the country to added. He confi rmed the fourth season of Dubaii; 55.77 secs; limit the spread of Covid-19,” he said. the Hathab series will begin in October, one Medium Tour Team: 1. Lusail, Time: 111.85 arcelona coach Quique “Completing this season was vital for us, month later than scheduled. secs; 2. Al Kass, 123.29 sec; 3. ExxonMobil Setien says he is not as it will have a positive impact on riders and Today, Open Class (115-125cm) and Big 132.88 sec worried that today’s the sport in general. Before the start of the Tour (130-145cm) competitions will take Champions League last- tournament, the participants were subject- place at 4pm and 6.45pm respectively. Small Tour: 1. Khalifa Abdullah al-Khaldi, 16B second leg at home to Napoli ed to coronavirus test in coordination with Horse: Dusty, Time 27.96 secs; 1. Mohamed could be his last game in charge Nasser al-Qadi, Vlacido, 27.96 secs; 3. Ha- the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Min- RESULTS of the team. Setien, 61, saw his istry of Public Health to ensure their safety. mad Nasser al-Qadi, Hugo Z, 28.45 sec side surrender the Spanish title Medium Tour individual: 1. Salman to Real Madrid last month, while the tie with Napoli is on a knife FOCUS edge after the 1-1 draw in Italy back in February. Barcelona captain Lionel Messi trains ahead of the Champions Barca have not been eliminated League match against Napoli. at the last 16 stage since 2007 and Qatar football team’s director al-Kaabi their desperation to win a fi rst duo Sergio Busquets and Arturo towards a potential Champions European crown since 2015 led Vidal but recover Antoine Griez- League triumph against Barce- to them sacking Ernesto Valverde mann and Frenkie de Jong, plus lona. “We certainly want to write meets Croatian ambassador in January. But the coach said he defenders Clement Lenglet and an important page in our his- did not think his future hinged Ronald Araujo. Ousmane Dem- tory,” said Gattuso of a feat which alal al-Kaabi, Director The training camp will also on the game. “At no point has the bele, however, is still out despite not even Argentine legend Diego of national teams at the include friendly matches in- thought that tomorrow could be returning to training after six Maradona managed to achieve Qatar Football Asso- volving the Qatar national my last game passed through my months away, while Juventus- with the club. But Lionel Messi’s ciation (QFA), met with squads that will be preparing head, we have prepared this game bound Arthur Melo has been Spaniards have not been beat- TDrago Lovric, ambassador of for the AFC Asian Cup finals thinking that me and my coach- left out after failing to report for en at home in the Champions Croatia to Qatar, at the embassy (U-17 and U-19) scheduled ing staff are going to continue,” training. Lionel Messi and de- League in seven years as they tar- premises. The two offi cials held to be held in Uzbekistan and Setien said. fender Nelson Semedo, mean- get a 13th consecutive quarter- discussions covering the time- Bahrain in the months of Oc- “The sensations from the while, will be conditioned by fi nal berth. Gattuso admitted his tested relationships between tober and November. Qatar has last game we played (a 5-0 win the knowledge that a yellow card “head was already on Barcelona” Qatar and Croatia. based their teams in Zagreb at Alaves) were positive and we would see them suspended from as his side wrapped up their The offi cials also covered previously, helping the junior needed a rest because playing their quarter-fi nal match if the league season with a 3-1 win over wide-ranging topics in football and senior team prepare for so many games in a short period team progresses to the last eight Lazio last weekend. “We will play and ways to enhance the coor- key tournaments. tired us out, but we have had tournament in Lisbon, which on a high level stage and we want dination between the two coun- At the end of the meeting, enough time to prepare for the starts next week. to be worthy of it,” he said. “We tries. commemorative shields were ex- game and clear our heads. We’ve Meanwhile, Gennaro Gat- know that if we want to compete Al-Kaabi also discussed the changed between the two sides. returned with renewed energy tuso’s reign as Napoli coach may against Barcelona we will have to forthcoming training camp in- Al-Kaabi presented the offi cial which has allowed us to have very have started amid turmoil but take risks.” The big question will volving the Qatari youth squads jersey of the national team to the Talal al-Kaabi (right), Director of national teams at the QFA with good training sessions.” the former Italy international has be how to stop six-time Ballon in Zagreb from Sept 2-29. Croatian ambassador. Drago Lovric, ambassador of Croatia to Qatar. Barca will be without midfi eld put the Serie A club on the path d’Or winner Messi.