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Saturday, June 11, 2016 EURO 2016 Ramadan 6, 1437 AH Day of history GULF TIMES arrives for Bale and Wales SPORT Page 2

ENGLAND VS RUSSIA 10PM Temptation of draw might stymie England and Russia With games against Wales and Slovakia to come, and the potential for three teams to qualify with two guaranteed, a point in today’s high-profile match might look a very useful result in a couple of weeks during the business end of the tournament

(L-R) File picture of Russia’s coach Leonid Slutsky. England’s coach Roy Hodgson pictured during a team training session. England’s Wayne Rooney takes part in a training session.

Reuters front of a 60,000 crowd that will be pre- in that regard as his, and England’s fans on the edge of their seats. England must play without fear, say Hodgson and Rooney Marseille dominantly behind them. more pressing concern is in central de- They are, however, a well-organised However, despite that great run of fence where any combination of Gary and technically adept squad and coach England take on Russia today having of successive England campaigns and form, England are anything but a settled Cahill, Chris Smalling and John Stones Leonid Slutsky has quickly developed not reached a global or European final he too was keen to stress the impor- ngland and Russia are the big side as Roy Hodgson struggles with the has looked vulnerable and remains a strong team spirit since taking over since their 1966 World Cup triumph tance of building confidence. beasts of Group B and, though question of how to shoe-horn his form England’s Achilles heel. from Fabio Capello last August. and it is 20 years since they even “You can play without fear, naturally, each would love a winning start players into an established system. England have not lost in 90 or 120 He has, however, been forced to made a semi-final in the 1996 Euros. younger lads do that. I did it when I when they meet today, the fear Strikers Jamie Vardy, fresh from minutes in 22 Euro matches in fi nals change his plans somewhat after injuries “You can’t wipe the slate clean. We’ll broke into the team in 2003 but it’s ofE losing could well become all-per- leading Leicester City to the most un- and qualifi ers, going back to a 3-2 de- ruled midfi elders Alan Dzagoev and, af- live with the fact it’s been 50 years more of a case of the manager, coach- vading and lead to a cagey encounter. likely Premier League title, and Harry feat by Croatia in November 2007. ter last week’s 1-1 draw with Serbia, Igor since we won a tournament but all we ing staff and me telling the players With games against Wales and Slova- Kane, the Premier League’s top scorer, The impressive statistics are skewed, Denisov out of the tournament. can do is hope the players approach how good they are,” he said. kia to come, and the potential for three seemingly demand selection. however, as they lost on penalties to It- With that to deal with and winnable this one with a relaxed attitude,” said “We have a really talented group teams to qualify with two guaranteed, a But Hodgson is adamant Wayne aly in the 2012 quarter-fi nals and failed games on the horizon, Russia are un- coach Roy Hodgson yesterday. of players and we need them to point at the Velodrome might look a very Rooney, the captain and most expe- to qualify in 2008. likely to take too many risks on Satur- “We try to encourage them to believe believe that themselves, that they’re useful result in a couple of weeks. rienced squad member, should get a Russia reached the semi-fi nals that day, leaving it up to England to decide in themselves, go out and play the good enough to go out there and England, on the back of winning all 10 starting berth, leaving the coach ex- year with a side full of passion and whether to open up in all-out pursuit football we’ve been trying to play, and do it. You can see the confidence qualifi ers, not to mention a rare victory perimenting with his attacking options pace but they were disappointing in of victory or indulge in 90 minutes of we’ll see what it brings.” and ambition and desire in the play- in Germany in a friendly, start favourites right up to the last minute. 2012 and in the 2014 World Cup and cautious chess. Rooney has seen the best and worst ers, and that’s great.” and will expect to make the running in At least he is picking from strength the current crop are not a group to have Now to see what happens.

SO IT BEGINS Fans fl ock to opening game as Euro kicks off AFP Paris

rance vowed ongoing strikes would not ruin Euro 2016, where football fans waded through layers of security to attendF yesterday’s opening game in a tournament fraught with terror fears. Thousands of fans gathered at the Stade de France, north of Paris, the site of three suicide bombings during last November’s attacks that have kept the the hosts and Romania. city on high alert. Seven months after the co-ordinated Holding beers or wearing brightly- attacks by the Islamic State group left watch the match, and would do so in coloured wigs, fans submitted to nu- 130 people dead around Paris, die-hard her Airbnb apartment. merous searches as months of gloom fans like Daniel Suciu from Romania re- “In Germany I would watch the and doom in France fi nally appeared to fused to be cowed by fear. matches in bars or at a public viewing, give way to football fun. “We live in a dangerous world. but in France... I am afraid of terrorism. The European championship comes I know it is dangerous but to support I would have a bad feeling if I were after months of woes in France, with Romania is just more important than going to the fan zone with so many peo- the country hit by terror attacks, fl oods, everything,” the 27-year-old told AFP ple,” she said. political turmoil and strikes. as he headed to a fan zone at the foot of She said she was surprised by the “The image that is being given is not the Eiff el Tower. palpable lack of party atmosphere in the one we wanted,” chief organiser However Julia Settgast, 28, a German France compared to Germany. “If it’s Jacques Lambert admitted before the student on a language course in Paris, because they are afraid of terrorism I tournament’s opening match between Dancers perform during the opening ceremony yesterday. The off icial mascot - Super Victor. said she was too jittery to go out and can understand, but it’s very sad.” Gulf Times 2 Saturday, June 11, 2016 EURO 2016

WALES VS SLOVAKIA 7PM BOUNCE BACK Giant Dzyuba keen Spotlight on Bale to grab Euro chance and Wales as day of history arrives File picture of Artem Dzyuba of Russia celebrating after scoring. AFP sive blows, and of course it re- Paris ally hurt,” he told Four Four Two ‘It has been a bit surreal being here... Whenever there was a major championship on I magazine, admitting it was tough to watch as Russia struggled in would be sat at home, watching on TV, so to be involved is amazing’ owering Russian striker Poland-Ukraine and at the 2014 Artem Dzyuba is hoping World Cup. to cut England down to “(But) maybe it was even a size when the two coun- good thing in a funny sort of way, Ttries start their European Cham- as it made me angry. It made me pionship fi nals campaign today. work on my game even more to Russia’s squad is ageing and show everyone, myself included, suff ering from injuries, but the that I belong at this level.” 1.96m (6ft 5in) Zenit St Peters- burg forward dominates the fi eld GIANT JOKER and his recent goalscoring for At 27, he is a late developer in a club and country underlines his Russian side certainly not lack- status as Russia’s primary threat. ing experience — the squad’s “I think it’s a good thing that average age of 28.57 is the third we’re playing against a strong oldest in the tournament along side. From the fi rst minutes we with Italy. will feel what it’s like to play in Dogged by suggestions of a dif- the European Championship, fi cult personality earlier in his ca- and what’s in front of us,” Dzy- reer, Dzyuba has been branded the uba said ahead of the Group B team’s joker by midfi elder Oleg game in Marseille. Ivanov and said the atmosphere in Exiled for the best part of three the Russia camp was “great”. years following his international His strike rate of nine goals debut in November 2011, Dzyuba in 18 international appearances missed out on Russia’s failed makes for impressive reading, campaigns at Euro 2012 and the and Dzyuba will have England World Cup in Brazil which both goalkeeper Joe Hart in his cross- ended after the group stage. hairs at the Stade Velodrome. However, a move to Zenit last “I really like Joe Hart, who is July — following a lengthy series probably my favourite goalkeep- of loan spells while at Spartak er at the moment. Moscow — thrust the 27-year- “He comes across as being old back into the spotlight. quite charismatic, as well as be- Wales’ forward Gareth Bale take Dzyuba struck 27 times in 42 ing a powerful presence on the part in a training session in Dinard, games for club and country last pitch. It would be a great hon- western France, yesterday season, spearheading Zenit’s run our for me if I manage to score to the last 16 of the Champions against him.” League and fi ring Russia to a Captain Roman Shirokov AFP onship on I would be sat at home, watch- holm, where he came on as a second- are looking to emulate their achievements fourth straight appearance at the spoke of a quarter-fi nal target for Bordeaux ing on TV, so to be involved is amazing. half substitute. at the 2010 World Cup, when they knocked European Championship. Russia in France, and a repeat of “I imagined qualifying. It was one of The Real Madrid forward’s return to out holders Italy before falling in the last 16. “Four years ago, before Euro their last meeting with England my dreams to do so, but to make dreams the starting XI, as a free electron oper- Like Wales, Slovakia are appearing at 2012, which I eventually did not — a 2-1 home victory in a Euro areth Bale and Wales will come true is not easy.” ating behind a lone striker in Coleman’s their fi rst European Championship and play in, I called myself a lion 2008 qualifi er — would set the play their inaugural European Welsh dreams were realised last Oc- 3-5-1-1 formation, will give his team- will also come up against Russia and cub, but now I am a lion,” said 2018 World Cup hosts up nicely Championship fi nals game to- tober when, despite a 2-0 defeat away to mates — and Wales’s fans — an incalcu- England in Group B. Dzyuba, who netted eight goals for a run into the knockout stages day mixing the joy of a special Bosnia-Herzegovina in their penultimate lable lift. Right-back Peter Pekarik says that his during qualifying. with games against Slovakia and Gday with nerves over whether they can qualifying match, Chris Coleman’s side teammates are in high spirits. “For me they were two mas- Wales to come. get back to winning ways. secured their place in France. SLIPPERY WINGERS “The atmosphere is great,” he said. The Group B game against Slovakia will Arsenal midfi elder Aaron Ramsey will “We have good experience and players be the fi rst time that a Wales team has ap- JOY AND UNCERTAINTY line up with him, but Joe Ledley is due from quality teams, so now it’s necessary FOCUS peared at a major tournament since June The fi nal game, a 2-0 home win over to start on the bench after Coleman said to transform our positive energy into our 19, 1958 in Gothenburg, Sweden, when a Andorra, became a 90-minute party, as it would be “reckless” to start him just a performance. We will do everything to 17-year-old Pele settled a World Cup quar- players, staff and fans united in celebra- month after he fractured a fi bula playing keep Bale out of the game.” ter-fi nal in Brazil’s favour and consigned tion of the team’s feat and in memory of for Crystal Palace. Bale will relish the thought of running at Russia win crucial the Welsh to the international wilderness. former manager Gary Speed, who com- Striker Hal Robson-Kanu, meanwhile, Slovakia’s old school centre-backs Martin The years in between have brought a mitted suicide in 2011 after sowing the has declared himself fi t to start despite Skrtel, the captain, and Jan Durica. succession of failed managerial regimes seeds of the side’s revival. sustaining an ankle injury in a pre-tour- But with slippery wingers like Vladimir for England: Hart and agonising near-misses, but come kick- Jubilation, however, has given way nament training camp. Weiss and Robert Mak in Kozak’s ar- off , the call of the country’s long-suff ering to uncertainty in the months that have While Wales go in search of lost mo- moury, Slovakia are well placed to exploit AFP Hodgson has assembled the football fans will fi nally be answered. followed. Wales have failed to win any of mentum, Slovakia enter the tournament the spaces left by Welsh wing-backs Marseille youngest England squad at a “It has been a bit surreal being here, es- their four subsequent friendlies, losing on the back of an eight-game unbeaten Chris Gunter and Neil Taylor. major tournament since the pecially with Wales having not been there to the Netherlands, Ukraine and Sweden run that includes a stunning recent 3-1 Slovakia’s only injury doubt concerns 1958 World Cup, putting faith in so long,” Bale told reporters at the team’s and drawing 1-1 with Northern Ireland. win away to world champions Germany. left-back Tomas Hubocan, who has nything less than a win youngsters such as striker Mar- Dinard base in Brittany on Thursday. Bale, though, had been absent until Jan Kozak’s side also beat defending missed their last three friendly games over Russia today could cus Rashford, 18, centre-back “Whenever there was a major champi- Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Sweden in Stock- Euro champions Spain in qualifying and with a toe problem. scupper England’s Euro Chris Smalling, 25, and 26-year- 2016 hopes, goalkeeper old right-back Kyle Walker. JoeA Hart has warned as Roy Hodg- Rashford, still stunned at his BATTLE son’s new-look Three Lions bid to recent call-up, scored only three end 50 years of heartache. minutes into his England debut England take on an injury-de- in a 2-1 win over Australia, while pleted Russia at Marseille’s Stade Smalling has been a rock at the Velodrome desperate to avoid back for Manchester United. a repeat of the 2014 World Cup After a Premier League sea- Bale, Hamsik draw swords for duel when an opening defeat to Italy England’s goalkeeper Joe Hart was followed by another, 2-1 re- during a press conference. AFP with Napoli three years later. verse to Uruguay. Russia are also Bordeaux He has helped the southern anxious to put a miserable World son dominated by champions Italian side to two Coppa Italia Cup behind them. Leicester City and title rivals triumphs and, unlike Bale, has In the year of the 50th anni- Tottenham, Jamie Vardy and istinctive haircut? already graced a major tour- versary of England’s 1966 World Harry Kane are set to shoulder Check. Multiple na- nament, starring as Slovakia Cup triumph, their sole victory England’s goals quest in a likely tional player of the reached the last 16 at the 2010 at a major fi nals, belief is grow- three-man attack alongside vet- year awards? Check. World Cup. ing that Hodgson’s young side eran Wayne Rooney. DFeared attacker with a vicious The Napoli captain, a snarling can shock bigger favourites like Tottenham striker Kane said shot and the freedom to roam all playmaker with a warrior spirit, Germany and Spain. he hopes to remedy the perennial over the pitch? does not possess Bale’s awesome But Hart, one of the England problem of the players failing to Check, check, check. physical attributes, but his eye campaigners stunned by the replicate their club form on the Gareth Bale and Marek Ham- for goal is every bit as keen and early return from Brazil, said international stage. sik would be able to refl ect upon with 18 goals, he is Slovakia’s winning their “most important “Of course it is always diffi cult the many things they have in third-highest all-time scorer. game” will be key if they are to when you come away with Eng- common were they not lining up A fi ve-time Slovakian Player face Group B rivals Slovakia and land,” Kane said after a 1-0 friend- against each other for Wales and of the Year — also a record — he Wales with confi dence. ly win over Portugal last week. Slovakia in today’s Euro 2016 top-scored for his country in “Saturday is our most impor- “You haven’t got a lot of time opener in Bordeaux. qualifying with fi ve goals and tant game and then we’re going to prepare like you do for your The two players — topknot- recently inspired Jan Kozak’s to look to set the group up,” Hart clubs. But we are England inter- sporting Bale, 26, and mohican- A combination of two file pictures shows Wales’ forward Gareth Bale (L) and Slovakia’s forward Marek side to a 3-1 win away to world said at England’s base in Chant- nationals. You have to be able to crested Hamsik, 28 — inspired Hamsik. Wales face Slovakia in their first Euro 2016 group B football match in Bordeaux today. champions Germany, sparking illy near Paris. cope with that.” their respective countries to their comeback with a sumptu- “And then we’re going to look Russia coach Leonid Slutsky, qualify for a European Cham- ing him a central role that briefl y spur, his move to Madrid turned scored seven and created two of ous 25-yard equaliser. to win every game that comes meanwhile, will have to do with- pionship fi nals for the fi rst time threatened to put even Cristiano him into a two-time Champions the 11 goals that Chris Coleman’s “First of all, he’s our team next and see where that takes us.” out injured central midfi eld pair and the outcome of the match Ronaldo in the shade. League winner and global star. Wales registered in their historic leader,” manager Kozak told Sky Alan Dzagoev and Igor Denisov as may boil down to which of the Saturday’s game brings Bale’s “To have a chance to play at qualifying campaign, netting Sports ahead of the tournament. WORLD CUP HEARTACHE they look to make amends for their two players comes out on top. international career full circle. such a young age was a little bit of vital winners against Andorra, “He’s an established foot- For the Manchester City ‘keeper, own early departure from Brazil. Rafael Benitez, the only man It was against Slovakia that he a surprise, I suppose, but some- Belgium and Cyprus. baller, playing for a big Italian being “ruthless at both ends of Smalling said Artem Dzyuba, to have coached both players, scored his fi rst Wales goal — an thing I really wanted to do,” Bale His entrance as a substitute club and a great person to have the pitch” will go a long way to the 1.96 metre tall Zenit St Peters- remarked during his time at Na- arcing free-kick in an otherwise told the UEFA website this week. could not prevent Wales from around the squad. making sure they do not return burg striker who has scored nine poli that if Bale was worth 100 bleak 5-1 mauling in Cardiff in “It was an unforgettable ex- losing 3-0 to Sweden in their “He loves to represent his home earlier than anticipated. goals in 18 international appear- million euros ($113.6 million) — October 2006 that made him, at perience. Now I’m trying to do fi nal warm-up game, but with country, which is obviously im- “It probably stood out the most ances, could be the biggest threat. the fee it cost Real Madrid to sign 17 years and 35 days, his coun- my best for Wales. Bale and his 19 international portant. Unquestionably, he’s a in the two games that we lost in the “Our two central defenders will him — Hamsik was “priceless”. try’s youngest goal-scorer. “I obviously understand that goals in the team, Welsh fans player of the highest quality.” World Cup. We could have walked have to be very physical and ag- Two years later he was the Back then he was a fl oppy- I am a role model for young believe that anything is possible. When referee Svein Oddvar off easily with two victories, but gressive against him. As defenders Madrid coach and had revised haired left-back learning his people, but I try to take it in my Similarly precocious, Hamsik Moen’s whistle sounds at Sta- we didn’t,” he added. in the Premier League we are used his evaluation of Bale suffi - trade with Southampton, but af- stride, act normally, as I am.” moved to Italy to join Brescia dium Bordeaux, there will be a On paper, England start as fa- to big guys and those challenges, ciently to put the Welshman at ter blossoming into a free-scor- Elected Welsh Player of the from Slovan Bratislava aged 17 world-class player on both sides vourites to make a winning start and it’s something we enjoy as the forefront of his plans, grant- ing attacker at Tottenham Hot- Year a record fi ve times, Bale in 2004 and began his love aff air of the halfway line. to the campaign. centre-backs,” he said. Gulf Times Saturday, June 11, 2016 3 EURO 2016

ALBANIA VS SWITZERLAND 4PM IN SHORT

Zidane tips Belgium to impress France legend Zinedine Zidane brilliant team with lots of indi- on Friday tipped Belgium viduals. But on the day of the to impress at Euro 2016 but game we will see if they will dismissed any suggestion that deliver their best game,” the Oh brother! Xhakas his countrymen were under World Cup winner added. added pressure as hosts. The Belgians, whose best per- Belgium, ranked second in formance at the Euros came the FIFA world rankings, open in 1980 when they were losing their Group E campaign on finalists, boast a number of Monday against Italy in Lyon, top players from Chelsea duo before also facing Sweden and Thibaut Courtois and Eden the Republic of Ireland. Hazard to Manchester City’s set to clash today, Real Madrid manager Zidane, Kevin De Bruyne. who won Euro 2000 as a player, Zidane, who coached Real told reporters in India he could Madrid to their 11th European not pick a winner but fancied title last month, also said Belgium’s chances of clinching France would revel in their their first major trophy. role as hosts. “I’m not a magician. You never “Les Bleus” won both the know who will win a competi- European Championships and will make history tion like this,” he said on a World Cup on home soil, in visit to Mumbai, where he 1984 and 1998 respectively. is a brand ambassador for a “It’s a bonus to play in your ‘Anyone in a similar situation, who says it’s not a special game, is a liar. For 90 minutes, property development. own country. There’s no ad- “You have to wait until the ditional pressure playing at we’ll blend out the fact we’re brothers as professionals. May the best man win’ competition starts to see which home. With all the fans it will team is strong and has every- be like having a 12th player in AFP body ready to play for them. the team,” he said. Now to see Lens “Belgium for example are a what happens on the pitch.

uropean Championship his- Conte banking on Juve backline to tory is set to be made today when Granit Xhaka plays for Switzer- propel Italy in France land against his brother Taulant Italy can rely on the solid foun- “But as I said before, I like to XhakaE in Albania’s colours. dation provided by the Juven- adopt a proactive style of play The close siblings have been dreading tus defence at the European and for this, balance will be facing off since the draw for Euro 2016 Championship as manager important, both in attacking was made. Antonio Conte looks to free up and defending.” “It’s a crappy feeling. That was the last his more attacking players by Italy have been drawn with thing we wanted,” said new Arsenal star stifling the opposition. Belgium, Sweden and Ireland Granit, 23, who is 18 months younger Conte, who managed Juven- in Group E of the Euro 2016 than the brother he will have to face at tus prior to taking up the Italy tournament, and Bonucci Lens’ Stade Bollaert-Delelis in their job, has regularly started the believes the side will have opening Group A match. entire backline of the Serie no problem frustrating the Granit, who joins the Gunners for the A champions, with Andrea opposition by defending from new season, has even joked the brothers Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci the front as a team. have a pact to “leg it off the pitch after and Giorgio Chiellini forming “What’s certain is that the two minutes”. a three-man defence ahead of defensive operation includes Taulant, 25, has a reputation as a mid- Gianluigi Buff on. the forwards as well. Our work fi eld hardman and plies his trade with Italy remained unbeaten as is made easier by the fact FC Basel. But said he will not “put him they topped their qualifying our forwards, just as Conte through the mill” when asked about fac- group for the 24-team tourna- wants, are our first defenders,” ing his high-profi le brother. ment kicking off in France Bonucci said. “Envy has never been a question with on Friday, with the Azzurri “I don’t think a team necessar- us,” he added. conceding just seven goals in ily need to score that many It promises to be a tense occasion for 10 matches. goals; you only have to score the Xhaka family who will face a quan- “It’s definitely an advantage one more than your oppo- dary over who to support. to be able to rely on four play- nents and concede one less. Four sets of brothers will play at Euro ers from Juventus who have That is what really counts.” 2016 in Belgium’s Romelu and Jordan Lu- played together for a long Italy will begin their quest for kaku, Northern Ireland’s Corry and Jon- time in defence, and of course their first taste of continental ny Evans while Russia’s Vasili and Aleksei we are building something success since 1968 when they Berezutski are the only twins. solid on this basis,” Conte told face Belgium in Lyon But the Xhaka siblings are set to become the UEFA website. on Monday. the fi rst brothers to play against each other in a European Championship fi nals. “Anyone in a similar situation, who Ronaldo ‘best in the world’, says says it’s not a special game, is a liar,” said Granit. “For the 90 minutes, we’ll blend Portugal defender Cedric out the fact we’re brothers as profession- Switzerland’s midfielder Granit Xhaka practices during a training session at the team’s training ground in Montpellier. Portugal defender Cedric tally of nine European Cham- als. May the best man win.” Soares hailed team-mate pionship goals — all of which football when they played as boys for lo- But who will their parents support Cristiano Ronaldo as the came at the 1984 finals won FOOTBALL REFUGEES cal club FC Concordia in Basel. come kick-off on Sunday: Switzer- “best in the world” yesterday on home soil by France. Granit’s rise to the Premier League star- Their parents Ragip and Eli fl ed Ko- land or Albania? “That’s very easy: as the Real Madrid superstar “He feels really good and he’s dom has been fast: two years with Basel, sovo, in 1990 just before war ravished one hand claps for Switzerland, aims to become the leading very motivated. He’s an exam- then four at Borussia Moenchenglad- their homeland and they found a new the other for Albania,” said Granit, scorer in European Champi- ple for us every day, we have a bach before he signed for the Gunners home in the working-class neighbour of diplomatically onship history. chance to listen to his advice. in a deal reportedly worth 45 million Basel’s St Johann. “Cristiano is the best in the I try to always pay attention to euros ($50mn). Ragip found work as a gardner, Eli as a for being a loud-mouth off the pitch. world, he’s shown that many what he says.” In contrast, Taulant has spent his en- cleaner. Both their sons were soon chas- Taulant prefered to draw less attention times,” said Southampton Portugal were the last of the tire career at Basel, apart from a loan ing footballs on the local playing fi elds. to his work, but gets stuck into the mid- defender Cedric, with Portugal 24 teams to arrive in France, spell at Swiss league side Grasshopper. Although Taulant was the older, it fi eld dirty work. kicking off their Euro 2016 reaching their Marcoussis Granit made his debut for Switzerland was Granit who was given the house key “I’m not one to play to the gallery, not campaign against Group F base camp, to the south of as an 18-year-old at Wembley in a 2-2 to look after when they went off to play, one for the spectacular,” he said. rivals Iceland on Tuesday. Paris, on Thursday to a warm draw against England in 2011. because he was deemed more reliable by “I get the dirty work done.” “(Paul) Pogba and (Antoine) welcome from around 1,000 Taulant fi rst appeared for Albania two their mother. But who will their parents support Griezmann are fantastic supporters. years ago in a 1-0 win over Portugal, who The brothers soon developed diff ering come kick-off on Sunday: Switzerland players, but we can’t compare “It was a fantastic reception,” did not have star scorer Cristiano Ronaldo. playing styles. or Albania? “That’s very easy: one hand them with Cristiano,” said Ce- said Cedric.”We’re pleased to The brothers could only have dreamed Granit is a creator, using technique and claps for Switzerland, the other for Alba- dric, when asked about which be welcomed here as Portu- of facing each other in international File picture of Albania’s Taulant Xhaka. skill to unlock defences, but was known nia,” said Granit, diplomatically. players could star in France. gal. It’s a big tournament and “The two are good players, but we can’t wait for it to start.” Cristiano is on another level,” Portugal face Iceland in Saint- BOTTOMLINE he added. Etienne before taking on Aus- Cedric called Ronaldo “the tria at the Parc des Princes on leader of the team”, and the June 18, with their final group Real forward is three goals shy match four days later against of equalling Michel Platini’s Hungary in Lyon.

Irish star Laff erty fi t aft er scare Germany hoping Hummels could face Ukraine AFP like Bambi on ice the other day “Lewandowski scores a lot Saint-Georges-de-Reneins (in training), but he’s come of goals, but he’s not the only Germany are hoping centre- back and works here.” through it alright. Some say he threat,” said the 21-year-old. back Mats Hummels could be fit Hummels, 27, has won 46 caps even slept in the hotel’s chapel “They have (Rennes mid- to face Ukraine when the world for Germany and was a key orthern Ireland’s hot- overnight,” joked McAuley. fi elder Kamil) Grosicki and (Ajax champions open their Euro member of the side which won shot striker Kyle Laf- “It only looked worse on tel- striker Arkadiusz) Milik, so we’ll 2016 campaign tomorrow. the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. ferty is fi t to face Poland evision, because he was grimac- need to keep an eye on all three.” Hummels has been out since Germany captain Bastian Sch- tomorrow at Euro 2016 ing, but that was due to the cold McAuley says the Northern tearing his calf in the German weinsteiger is set to only start havingN come through an injury water they poured on his groin, Irish will embrace their status as Cup final on May 21, playing on the bench against Ukraine, scare in training — perhaps after not the injury,” McAuley added underdogs for the tournament. for former club Borussia Dort- having played just 23 minutes some divine intervention. with a grin. But they take confi dence from mund against new employ- of football since the end of The 28-year-old Norwich City their 12-match unbeaten run ers Bayern Munich, but his March after tearing a knee forward went down clutching his LETHAL LEWANDOWSKI coming into Euro 2016, the best of recovery at the Germans’ base ligament. groin in training on Tuesday, but Alongside his West Bromwich any team at the fi nals, which in- in Evian has gone well. The Manchester United star took part in training yesterday and Albion team-mate Jonny Evans, cludes a 3-0 win over Belarus and Germany’s assistant coach came off the bench at the end of has been given the green light to the 36-year-old centre-back goalless draw with Slovakia, who Thomas Schneider says a Germany’s warm-up friendly win face Poland in Nice. will need all his experience beat Germany, in recent weeks. decision on whether Hum- over Hungary last Saturday, but Having scored seven goals to against Poland’s striker Robert “We’re always going to be the mels is fit to fly to Lille with Schneider says their 31-year-old help Northern Ireland qualify for Lewandowski, the top-scorer in underdogs, that is part of what it ‘die Mannschaft’ for Sunday’s midfield general is fit. their fi rst European Champion- qualifying with 13 goals. is to play for Northern Ireland,” match has yet to be made. “In any case, Basti is fit,” said the ship fi nals, the Irish are relieved “I played against Poland in said McAuley. But Hummels’ inclusion, even Germany coach. their star forward can play in 2009, home and away, when Rob- “We have put pressure on off the bench, would ease Ger- “As a bloke, he is extremely their Group C opener. ert was only a young lad coming ourselves, we’re not just here to many’s woes in defence after important for us and is on a Northern Irish fans have been up, but his movement was already make up the numbers, so there is Antonio Ruediger was ruled very good path.” keeping their fi ngers crossed there,” said McAuley. a real hunger.” out of the European champi- Should Schweinsteiger miss that their star would be fi t with “He’s a top player and 42 goals McAuley said he will recycle onship finals on Tuesday with out, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer the hashtag ‘#PrayforKyle’ do- in the Bundesliga (for Bayern advice given to him by legendary a knee injury. and midfielder Sami Khedira ing the rounds on social media Munich), with 13 in qualifying Irish and Manchester United “Things look good for Mats, he are the main candidates to cap- site Twitter. (for Poland), proves that. goalkeeper Harry Gregg, who trained for an hour on his own tain the world champions. Defender Gareth McAuley “You have to do your home- survived the 1958 Munich air yesterday and he can take part Ruediger’s withdrawal means confi rmed the fi tness of Laff erty, work to play someone like that, crash, before kick-off in Nice. in full team training now,” said Loew has had to reshuff le his who tentatively tested the groin look at whether he takes one or “This is the biggest game Schneider in yesterday’s press defence. “We have made a in training on Thursday, then took two touches, but you can’t only in our careers, even for those conference. decision, but I won’t say which full part in yesterday’s session. focus on him.” who have played Champions “He will talk to (head coach) formation it will be and the McAuley joked how the strik- Manchester United defender League football, it’s a diff erent Joachim Loew and then a deci- starting team has already been er had sought divine interven- Paddy McNair agreed that Po- level of passion when you pull sion will be made whether he decided,” he added. Now to see tion to help his country’s cause. Northern Ireland’s forward Kyle Laff erty attends a training session at land’s attack is more than just on your shirt for your country,” comes to the game or he stays how the Germans cope with it. “He’s alright, I think he was the team’s training ground in Saint George de Reneins. Lewandowski. said McAuley. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, June 11, 2016 FOOTBALL

COPA AMERICA Uruguay crash out as Mexico, Venezuela reach quarters Uruguay, the record 15-time Copa America champions, were eliminated in the group phase for the first time since 1997 Furious Suarez leaves without playing at all

Philadelphia: Uruguay’s star to reporters. “Luis Suarez had the striker Luis Suarez was furious as day off today. He is not fit to play. he witnessed from the bench the It is a medical issue,” Tabarez said defeat to Venezuela that would after the game. soon lead to Uruguay’s elimina- “I don’t care if he gets angry, al- tion from the Copa America though I am not sure he is. He did Centenario. not tell me anything. But he had Suarez missed last year’s Copa a major [muscle] tear 18 days ago America as he served a nine- and we want Suarez when he is match ban for biting an opponent fit, for the [World Cup] qualifiers,” during the 2014 World Cup, and Tabarez said. he was sidelined from Uruguay’s Suarez, who returned to the na- defeat against Mexico in their tional team after his ban in March, Group C opener due to injury. was injured during the King’s Cup On Thursday, he wanted to final that Barcelona won against play and made it clear that he Sevilla on May 22. Uruguay was disappointed and angry over decided to keep him in the squad the decision to keep him on the in the hope of being able to use bench. The Barcelona striker had their best player in the knock-out bandaged his ankles, put on his rounds, but that will now not be football boots and even warmed possible in any case, since they up with other substitutes. failed to qualify. He did a couple of sprints and Still clearly angry, Suarez looked at the Uruguay bench, but declined to answer questions on manager Oscar Tabarez opted whether he knew he was not reg- to use up his third substitution istered to play against Venezuela on Matias Corujo instead. Suarez at all. “He wanted to play, but he was steaming as he returned was not fit,” said Uruguay captain to the bench. He demanded Diego Godin.”The only thing in explanations from the staff , made his head was to play, to help the gestures, angrily took off his bib team, but there was a major risk, and hit the structure over the and at that point you need to substitutes’ bench. think about his health.” He clearly wanted to make “The qualifiers are very close, a contribution to Uruguay’s and the best thing for him and potential comeback in the last 10 for Uruguay was to be cautious minutes of play, but he had not about him, however much he even been registered to play at all wanted to help,” Godin said, and figured on Uruguay’s match agreeing with Tabarez. team list under the “I” column for Suarez, however, could not injured. think that far ahead. Instead, That was eff ectively the end of he was massively disappointed the story, but Suarez obviously about missing his second Copa disagreed with Tabarez’s decision America in the space of 12 and the manager had to explain it months. Venezuela players celebrate after their win over Uruguay in the Copa America Centenario in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thursday. (AFP)

AFP was going to be diffi cult but this should bar before Salomon Rondon bundled chester United and Real Madrid striker Philadelphia be a wake-up call before the World Cup in the rebound. Venezuela’s advance to Javier Hernandez nodded in his 45th in- qualifi ers,” Tabarez added. the last eight is the biggest shock of the ternational goal. Uruguay’s defeat also capped a miser- tournament so far. The Venezuelans are Jamaica were denied what looked like a ruguay were sent crashing out able tournament for Barcelona superstar currently bottom of South America’s 10- clear-cut penalty in the second half after of the Copa America Cente- Luis Suarez. Suarez, nursing a hamstring team round robin qualifying competition striker Clayton Donaldson appeared to nario on Thursday as Vene- injury when he joined up with the squad, for the 2018 World Cup; Uruguay are on have been fouled in the area. The drama Uzuela and Mexico marched into has so far not played a single minute. top of the standings. came in the 60th minute when Donald- the quarer-fi nals. Uruguay, the record Suarez appeared in the dugout and “To beat the ‘Maestro’ Tabarez is son rounded his marker before being cut 15-time Copa America champions, were looked visibly frustrated at his failure to a privilege,” Venezuela coach Rafael down by Yasser Corona. eliminated in the group phase for the fi rst get on the pitch, at one point appearing to Dudamel said.”For me it means a lot. Replays showed the defender didn’t time since 1997 after slumping to a shock punch the dugout wall. He’s one of the best coaches in the world, get a touch on the ball. Jamaica’s misery 1-0 loss to Venezuela in Philadelphia. Tabarez defended his decision not to in history. This win will motivate us to was sealed when Mexico’s Hirving Loz- That result combined with Mexico’s 2-0 name Suarez in the matchday squad. keep winning and growing as a team,” he ano picked out Hector Herrera in the area Group C win over Jamaica in Pasadena “The player is not fi t to play. It’s a mat- added. Venezuela will now face Mexico in and the midfi elder nudged the ball on for left the 2011 champions struggling to di- ter of numbers. I will not select a player their fi nal fi rst round game to determine substitute Oribe Peralta to stroke the ball gest a humiliating early exit. who is not 100 percent. Was he angry? I who fi nishes top of Group C. fi rst time inside the right hand upright on “We never found the game we want- am not aware. To me he told me nothing,” Mexico, who had beaten Uruguay 3-1 the 81st minute. ed and that cost us,” Uruguay’s revered Tabarez said. in their opening game, meanwhile proved “It’s a tough loss of a game I believe we coach Oscar Tabarez said, adding that Venezuela’s winner came on 36 min- too powerful for Caribbean minnows Ja- dominated at times but we failed to take the ill-fated campaign should serve as utes, when midfi elder Alejandro Guerra maica in front of an 83,263 crowd at the our chances,” Jamaica’s assistant coach a warning to his team as they now look cleverly spotted Uruguay goalkeeper Pasadena Rose Bowl. Miguel Coley said, refusing to be drawn ahead to the resumption of 2018 World Fernando Muslera off his line. Guerra With California’s large population of on whether he felt the overwhelming Luis Suarez bangs the transparent, acrylic bench shelter with his fist Cup qualifi ers. “It’s been a very diff erent unleashed a long-range eff ort from near Mexican-Americans making it a virtual Mexican support had infl uenced the pen- after realising he was not the man chosen to go on as Uruguay’s last Copa America. I’ve never experienced the halfway line which the back-pedal- home game for ‘El Tri’, Mexico took the alty decision. “I don’t want to go there – substitution against Venezuela. (AFP) something like this before. We knew it ling Muslera could only parry onto the lead on 18 minutes when former Man- the referee’s decision is fi nal.”

SPOTLIGHT Messi lacks character to be leader, says Maradona

Agencies 2008 Olympic gold medal as a sig- young and so the vote was skewed in Paris nifi cant international honour. He Maradona’s favour. missed Argentina’s opening game of It then organised a vote by read- the Copa America, a 2-1 win over title ers of the FIFA magazine and cast by rgentina legend Diego Ma- holders Chile, due to a back injury. an international jury. This time Pele radona said that present Maradona hailed his old rival Pele won by a landslide. FIFA decided to captain Lionel Messi does as an “icon” as the pair were reu- split the award and named Pele and not have the character to nited for a “match of friendship”. The Maradona as the two greatest players beA a leader. Maradona was caught 75-year-old Brazil great and 55-year- of all time. on microphone talking about the FC old Argentine legend even embraced “I had the vote of the people, Pele Barcelona icon with Brazil legend during the fi ve-a-side exhibition won by forfeit,” said Maradona, who Pele at an event in Paris on Thursday. game in a sign that they have drawn walked out of a Rome gala so he “He’s a really good person, but he a line under their long-running feud. did not see the Brazilian collect his has no personality,” Maradona was “I want to thank Pele, we know award. Maradona later accused Pele quoted as saying by goal.com. “He who he is and who he will always be. of letting his former Brazil team- lacks (the) character to be a leader.” We need icons like him,” said Ma- mate Garrincha “die in misery”. Pele Pele responded saying, “Ah, I get radona, who starred in Argentina’s responded that Maradona was “sick”. it, he’s not like we were back in the 1986 World Cup triumph. Maradona thrilled the crowd at the days. In the 70s we (Brazil) had really Pele, a three-time world cham- Palais Royal with a cameo appearance good players like Rivellino, Gerson, pion, also struck a conciliatory tone in the 30-minute fi ve-a-side con- Tostao. in response. “The most important is test. Pele, still recovering from a hip “Not like Argentina now, which the message of peace. Many thanks operation in January, remained in his depends only on Messi. He (Mara- to my friend Maradona for this op- coaching role on the touchline. dona) is saying that Messi is a good portunity and a big round of applause The event, organised by a Swiss player, there’s no doubt about it, but to the players who have been here to- watchmaker with UEFA, featured he has no personality.” day,” said Pele. “This is a moment of the likes of former France striker Messi’s commitment to the game peace.” David Trezeguet, Italy goalkeeper has been questioned time and again It was a far cry from the acrimony Angelo Peruzzi and Dutch mid- by Argentina fans as the talismanic between them when FIFA was try- fi elder Clarence Seedorf. Ex-Brazil forward has struggled to replicate his ing to decide the player of the 20th forward Bebeto, a 1994 World Cup club form in national colours. The Century in 2000. The world body winner, also took part alongside Rio 28-year-old has twice lost in the fi - organised an online vote which Ma- Ferdinand, Dida, Hernan Crespo and nal of the Copa America and once if radona easily won. But FIFA thought Fernando Hierro as the match fi n- the World Cup fi nal. He has only the the online users at the time were too ished in a diplomatic 8-8 draw. Football legends Pele (right) and Diego Maradona greet each other during an event in Paris. (Reuters) Gulf Times Saturday, June 11, 2016 5 GOLF

FOCUS Day, Spieth, McIlroy set for US Open showdown

AFP world number three Rory McIlroy said. “Time to get ready for Oakmont.” who laid it out in 1903. Los Angeles have struggled for at times this year, Once again the US Golf Association is “Just because of the rolling land, you although each has posted a morale- gearing up for a US Open that produces have a lot of blind shots,” Davis said. “I boosting victory in recent weeks. “the most complete test in golf”. think that element really makes a golf- orld number one Jason Day Day was impressive in winning the “The US Open is an examination of er from a strategic standpoint have to will lead golf’s young stars Players Championship in May, the shot making, it’s an examination of commit to a shot.” in seeking to join a who’s 28-year-old Aussie notching a second strategy and course management, it’s US Open contenders will again have who of champions pro- wire-to-wire victory of the season after an examination of nerves,” USGA ex- to contend with the mammoth par- Wduced by Oakmont when the rugged leading start to fi nish at Bay Hill. ecutive director Mike Davis says. three eighth, stretched to 288 yards course in Pittsburgh hosts the 2016 US Day’s impressive victory run over the And in the Oakmont course itself, the with a new back tee in 2007. At the Open next week. past 10 months includes his fi rst ma- USGA has the perfect partner: a 7,219- par-three sixth, the back portion of Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan jor title at the PGA Championship last yard, par-70 layout with fairways narrowed the green has been expanded to provide and Jack Nicklaus have all tasted major August, the Barclays and BMW Cham- by punitive bunkers—including the famed four more possible hole locations, while success at Oakmont. Johnny Miller de- pionship in last year’s US tour playoff s Church Pew bunker between the third and at the par-fi ve 12th the rough around livered a sublime 63 to win the 1973 US and the World Golf Championships fourth fairways—and sloping greens so fast the landing zone will be cut so that balls Open there, where South African Ernie MatchPlay. that the 1935 edition of the US Open in- will be allowed to roll into the bunker. Els captured the fi rst of his four major Spieth, who shot to number one in spired the invention of the Stimpmeter. “The US Open is going to be really titles in a US Open playoff in 1994. the world on the back of Masters and “If Oakmont has a signature, it has tough if we have fi rm conditions,” said Reigning US Open champion Jordan US Open triumphs last year, has strug- to be these lightning fast greens,” Davis Day, who is learning to stay on an even Spieth, recalling Argentinian Angel Ca- gled mightily at times in 2016—most said, noting the undulating putting sur- keel despite the added expectations his brera’s “ball-striking clinic” en route to notably with a fi nal-round meltdown at faces slope variously from right to left, top ranking brings, especially on the the title in 2007—the last time Oakmont Augusta National. back to front and front to back, some game’s biggest stages. hosted the championship—said the But the 22-year-old American kept featuring plateaus and others valleys. “Everyone is expecting you each course was not one to be trifl ed with. the pressure on Day with a US tour title Golfers will have a clear view of the week to compete and play well and “You will have no crazy circumstances at Colonial in May, then McIlroy ended entire intimidating array after Oak- win and sometimes that can be stress- or bounces or this or that,” Spieth said. a six-month victory drought with a tri- (From left) Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy would be the ones to look out mont’s campaign to remove thousands ful,” Day noted at the Memorial. “I’ve “The person who is in full control of umph in the Irish Open. for at next week’s US Open at Oakmont. Spieth is the defending US Open champion. more trees—continuing a trend the club just got to focus on getting the process their entire game will win this US Open.” McIlroy, who rallied from a shot down had begun even before the 2007 US right, and if I can do that then hopefully That pinpoint control is something with a brilliant fi nish at the K Club, also ment—the last US Open tune-up fea- “Off the tee I was really good, and I feel Open. Now the course is even closer to the US Open will time perfectly and I that Day, second-ranked Spieth and looked sharp at the Memorial Tourna- turing golf’s current top triumvirate. like my putting improved a lot,” McIlroy the original spare vision of HC Fownes, can peak there and play well there.”

ROUND-UP Clarke, Thongchai pull out of US Open orthern Ireland’s Darren Clarke has Npulled out of next week’s US Open at Oakmont in Pennsylvania, citing poor form and his ongoing commitments as Europe’s Unheralded Hoge in Ryder Cup captain. The 47-year-old has missed the cut in six of his last seven tournament starts while his world ranking has plunged to 670th. “I’m currently dedicating all of my time to our preparations for the Ryder Cup, and unfortunately the US Open is not the place to be when your game isn’t 100 percent,” share of St. Jude lead Clarke, the 2011 British Open champion, said in a statement. “I’m very sorry to miss Oak- mont but I’m sure it will be a brilliant week. I’ll certainly be watching very closely.” Clarke has competed in 15 US Opens with a best finish of a tie for 10th in 1999, but has missed the cut in his last three appearances. Replacing Clarke in the field will be South aft er a bogey-free 65 African Thomas Aiken, first alternate from sectional qualifying in Memphis, Tennessee. Aiken, 32, shared 25th last year at Chambers ‘Feel like I have been playing really well all year. The game is good, it’s really good right now... Bay in his US Open debut. The US Open, the second of the year’s just got to give myself an opportunity to get it done on Sundays. The only thing that has four major championships, will be played at Oakmont Country Club from June 16-19. really held me back from winning a bunch of times this year is just making a few more putts’ The Ryder Cup will be held at Hazeltine National in Minnesota from Sept 30-Oct 2 when Clarke will lead holders Europe in their Agencies bid to win the trophy for a ninth time in 11 Los Angeles American golfer Tom editions against the United States. Hoge, appearing in his Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, with 18 45th career PGA Tour triumphs worldwide, too withdrew, citing om Hoge fi red a bogey-free, event, is still looking for personal reasons for his absence, and was fi ve-under-par 65 to share his first career win. replaced in the field by India’s Jeev Milkha the opening-round lead at Singh, the first alternate from sectional Tthe PGA Tour’s $6.2 million qualifying in England. Singh, 44, will make St. Jude Classic on Thursday. his fifth US Open start, with his best showing Shawn Stefani and South Korea’s Noh a share of 36th at Oakmont in 2007. Seung-Yul also carded 65s while Dus- tin Johnson, Brian Gay, Steve Stricker, Colt Knost, Argentina’s Miguel Angel LPGA Carballo and Wales’ Jamie Donaldson shared fourth place at 66. “The key to the round was hole nine. I had to lay up to 130 (yards). I Ace high for was able to get up and down and keep the momentum going,” the 27-year- old Hoge said. pace-setting Eight players, including Justin Leonard and South Africa’s Retief Goosen, are tied for 10th at 67 at the Henderson TPC Southwind course. Hoge made consecutive birdies on numbers four, Reuters fi ve and six, then added naother two Washington straight at No. 12 and 13. “I got off to a little bit of a slow start there,” said Hoge, who is ranked 237th anadian teenager Brooke Henderson in the world. “I was in good position recorded her fi rst ever ace on the LPGA the fi rst few holes and didn’t hit it CTour as she charged into a two-stroke close at all. Luckily, I pieced together lead with a four-under-par 67 in the opening a few good shots.” round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Champion- Hoge is appearing in his 45th career ship in Washington on Thursday. PGA Tour event, and is still looking The 18-year-old struck a seven-iron from for his fi rst career win. 152 yards at the par-three 13th, her fourth hole He posted his fi rst two top-10 fi n- of the day at Sahalee Country Club in Sam- ishes earlier this season, comprising a mamish, and then watched in delight as her pair of ties for ninth at the RSM Clas- ball disappeared into the cup. sic and the Valero Texas Open. He “I pulled my shot a little but it caught the left failed to make the cut in seven of 17 apron and funneled right in,” Henderson told re- tournaments this season. porters after ending the day two ahead of Amer- Noh, 25, is seeking his second win ican Christina Kim and South Korean Kim In- on the PGA Tour in his 132nd event. kyung in the second women’s major of the year. In 2014, he won the Zurich Classic of “The crowd went nuts, so it was pretty cool,” New Orleans. added world number four Henderson, who Johnson, meanwhile, has come won a 2016 Kia K900 car thanks to her ace. close to victory several times on the Henderson, who clinched her fi rst LPGA PGA Tour this season without win- Tour title last August in Portland on a similar ning and the long-hitting American Pacifi c Northwest course layout, relied on a is once again back in contention. A red-hot putter as she hit just 10 of 14 fairways nine-time winner on the US circuit, and 10 of 18 greens, totalling only 23 putts. Johnson fi red a four-under-par 66 to Six players opened with 70s, among them stand just one stroke off the lead. red-hot Thai Ariya Jutanugarn, who has won Fan favourite Phil Mickelson, a on her past three LPGA starts, Australian Min- fi ve-time major winner who next away a couple of shots.” Noh, who claimed his fi rst PGA Spanish rookie Otaegui shots behind, with France’s Gary jee Lee and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen. New week will head to Oakmont searching Johnson, whose most recent PGA Tour title at the 2014 Zurich Classic Stal and Zander Lombard of South Zealand’s world number one Lydia Ko, seek- for a fi rst US Open win after a record Tour victory came at last year’s of New Orleans, surged into a three- leads by two in Austria Africa a stroke further back on ing her third career major, was a further stroke six runner-up fi nishes, returned a 70. WGC-Cadillac Championship in way tie at the top after picking up two panish rookie Adrian Otaegui fi ve under. back after carding a 71. Johnson, who won here in 2012, Miami, has recorded seven top-10s shots in his last three holes. Scarved out a two-shot lead after “I’m hoping now I can play four Ko played in the morning alongside Ameri- was relatively happy with an opening this season in 12 starts, including two “Pretty solid today, and then just the fi rst round of the Austrian Open days in the same way so that’s the can standouts Lexi Thompson and Stacy Lewis round that included seven birdies, an third placings. one bogey,” he said after a round high- on Thursday thanks to an impres- main goal,” said Otaegui. but neither of them could keep pace. Lewis eagle at the par-fi ve 16th, three bogeys “Feel like I have been playing really lighted by six birdies, and a superb sive eight-under 64 at the Diamond “The course is pretty hard and it’s carded a 73 while Thompson struggled to a 75. and a double at the par-three 14th. well all year,” he added. “The game approach from 140 yards at the par- Country Club in Atzenbrugg. not easy to get the ball close to the pin South Korean world number two Park In- “I felt like I played a lot better than is good, it’s really good right now... four last that settled within a foot of The qualifying school graduate so I’m pretty pleased with it.” bee, the three-time defending champion at my score,” the 31-year-old said. “Just just got to give myself an opportunity the cup. “Hitting into the rough and enjoyed birdies at the third, seventh, Defending champion Chris Wood the event, capped a memorable day by quali- kind of gave away a few shots on the to get it done on Sundays. The only missing the fairway here, it’s really eighth and ninth holes followed by of England was three under after 13 fying for the LPGA Hall of Fame after shooting back side, which was my front nine, thing that has really held me back tough to play this course... but I make three successive gains from the 14th but dropped three shots either side a one-over 72. Park becomes the 24th member and then obviously fi nishing with from winning a bunch of times this a lot of birdies, a lot of pars, so a really and another on the 18th. of another birdie at seven for a one and youngest to qualify since compatriot Pak two (bogeys after the turn)... just gave year is just making a few more putts.” solid round today.” Sweden’s Bjorn Akesson was two under 71. Se-ri at age 27. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, June 11, 2016 SPORT OSLO DIAMOND LEAGUE IAAF Ethics Board suspends three top offi cials over Schippers shines, payoff allegations

Reuters Marseille, France

hree senior athletics off icials have been provisionally Kiprop high fi ves suspended by the IAAF’s Ethics Board pending an inves- Ttigation into their alleged involvement in a suspected cover-up of Russian doping cases, the sport’s governing body ‘To run under 22 seconds in these conditions is very special for me. I now need to rest and said yesterday. Nick Davies, who was chief-of-staff to Interna- tional Association of Athletics Federations President Seb Coe, train a little bit before the (July 6-10) European Championships. No more races until then’ was suspended along with his wife Jane Boulter-Davies and IAAF medical manager Pierre-Yves Garnier. Davies stood down from his role six months ago pending the investigation into a “potential breach of the IAAF’s code of eth- Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers ics”, and at the time denied any wrongdoing. won the 200m in 21.93 seconds Davies, his wife, an IAAF education off icial, and Garnier did not at the Diamond League meeting immediately respond to e-mail requests for comment. in Oslo on Thursday. (AFP) The IAAF said it had not received a response to the suspen- sions from any of the trio. The Ethics Board said the suspensions had been imposed to protect the integrity of the sport “but do not prejudice the outcome of the investigations”. It said the case related to an e-mail reportedly sent by former IAAF consultant Papa Massata Diack to his father and then-IAAF president Lamine Diack in July 2013. The e-mail, reported by the French daily Le Monde, allegedly showed that the three were in receipt of, or had knowledge of, a cash payment to withhold details of attempted cover-ups of Russian doping cases. Other e-mails leaked by Le Monde showed Davies had discussed with Papa Diack developing a media strategy to limit the news impact of a series of positive tests by Russian athletes ahead of the 2013 Moscow World Athletics Championships. Davies said that the mail was merely “brainstorming for a media strategy” and that he had done nothing wrong. Papa Diack has denied any involvement in bribery or corrup- tion and says his father Lamine is also innocent. French authori- ties are investigating the elder Diack, who Coe replaced as IAAF president in August, on charges of corruption and money laundering. IAAF Ethics Board chairman Michael Beloff said the suspensions were decided after the board determined that there was a prima facie case to answer that warranted investigation. The Ethics Board statement said Davies, a former IAAF general secretary and head of communications, received an undisclosed cash payment in 2013 from Papa Massata Diack, “the circumstances and concealment of which call into question whether the payment was intended to have and/or in fact pro- duced any manipulative eff ect”. Boulter-Davies allegedly received, or knew about, a payment to Davies. Garnier allegedly received an undisclosed cash pay- ment at the direction of Lamine Diack and “retained some part of the sum even when aware of its apparent impropriety”. The Ethics Board is also investigating whether Davies and Boulter-Davies misled the Board during its previous investigation into the matter. E-mails to all three IAAF staff ers seeking comment on the suspensions and the allegations contained in the Ethics Board statement did not immediately receive a response. In December, Davies stepped aside from his role with Coe in a move he said was aimed to demonstrate his willingness to have all allegations of unethical behaviour by him properly and fairly investigated. He said he had referred to the IAAF Ethics Board all of his 2013 e-mails to Papa Massata Diack, his statements and the circumstances of the e-mails. In a separate statement, the world athletics body said the suspended trio would enjoy “the presumption of innocence AFP before pulling up in agony with a left ham- then the Games.” victories: American Joe Kovacs in the until the outcome of the investigation and the determination of Oslo string injury. There was also a fourth meeting win for men’s shot put (22.01m) and Kenyan Hyvin disciplinary charges, if any, brought against them”. De Grasse, world bronze medallist last French pole-vaulter Renaud Lavillenie, Kiyeng in the women’s 300m steeplechase Russia is currently banned from all athletics following revela- year in Beijing, powered past the stranded whose 5.80m trumped the 5.73 eff ort of (9:09.57). tions of widespread state-sponsored doping and next Friday lying Dutchwoman Dafne Schip- St Kitts and Nevis veteran to win in 10.07 Canada’s world champion Shawn Barber. But Kiyeng’s teammate Nicholas Bett, the IAAF Council meets in Vienna to decide whether to lift that pers fi red a warning shot at poten- secs ahead of Americans Michael Rodgers “It was very tough in these conditions, but the shock world 400m hurdles champion ban and allow its track and field athletes to compete at the Rio tial Olympic rivals with a crushing (10.09) and Dentarius Locke (10.12). I’m pretty satisfi ed... it’s a win,” said the in Beijing last year, could only fi nish sixth Olympics in August. win in the 200m at the Diamond “I’m pretty happy with the race,” said Olympic champion. in a race won by Cuban-born Turk Yas- F German athletics chief asks IOC to ban Russian athletes League meeting in Oslo on Thursday. the Canadian, 21. “I ran my season best as American Briana Rollins, world cham- mani Copello from lane one in a season’s The world champion ran a fast bend and I wanted.” pion in 2013, won the women’s 100m best 48.79 secs. ermany’s athletics federation chief called on the International hit the back straight ahead of in-form Ja- Collins later tweeted: “Really sorry for hurdles in 12.56 secs ahead of compa- Almost simultaneously, another Copel- GOlympic Committee (IOC) to ban Russian track and field athletes maican Elaine Thompson, in her outside the disappointment. Terrible cramp in my triots Dawn Harper-Nelson and Jasmin lo, Alexis—unrelated and still competing from the Olympic Games in Brazil this year, according to an open let- lane, in chilly conditions at Bislett Stadi- left groin.#recovery thanks to all.” Stowers. Australia’s reigning Olympic for Cuba—claimed victory in the men’s ter published yesterday by the German magazine Der Spiegel. um. Schippers, the 2014 European double Asbel Kiprop, triple world champion, champion Sally Pearson struggled home in triple jump, his best of 16.91m just seeing Clemens Prokop wrote to IOC President Thomas Bach ahead of a sprint champion, clocked 21.93 seconds, 2008 Olympic champion and current last place (13.14). off France’s world indoor record holder June 17 meeting of the International Association of Athletics Federa- with world silver medallist Thompson world leader in the 1,500m, produced the Two-time world medallist Hagos Ge- Teddy Tamgho (16.80). tions (IAAF) which is set to decide the fate of the Russian athletes. second in 22.64 secs. goods to kick out on his own to win a fi fth brhiwet claimed the 5,000m in 13:07.70 in Der Spiegel said that in his letter Prokop said German athletes “To run under 22 seconds in these con- fabled Dream Mile title in 3:51.48. an Ethiopian podium sweep which could Dibaba pulls out of Stockholm were shocked by recent reports about state doping in Russia ditions is very special for me,” said the Kiprop, who was awarded the Olym- well send shivers down the spine of two- and urged him to take action. “The findings of the recent past Dutchwoman, who set the Beijing World pic gold for the 1,500m after the original time defending Olympic champion and Diamond League meeting have shown that equal opportunities obviously have not been Championships alight last year with vic- winner, Moroccan-born Bahraini Rashid three-time world champ Mo Farah. Ethiopia’s world 1,500m champion Gen- maintained,” the magazine quoted Prokop’s letter as saying. tory in a third-fastest time ever of 21.63 Ramzi, tested positive for doping, fi nished “I beat all other candidates for Olym- zebe Dibaba saw her pre-Rio Olympic “This means that not only were athletes cheated, but the secs. “The curve here is excellent, but I ahead of current world number two and pics in our team today but the time was not plans worsen with news she has also with- IOC and the Olympic ideal have been deceived,” Prokop wrote, must admit that the last 50 metres were world silver medallist, fellow countryman good,” said Gebrhiwet, who won world sil- drawn from the June 16 Diamond League asking the IOC to take action against Russian track and field very tough. After all the Diamond Leagues, Elijah Motonei Manangoi, while current ver in 2013 and bronze last year. “In Ethio- meeting in Stockholm. Dibaba, 25, had athletes. “The result can only be: The Russians must stay out.” I need to rest and train a little bit before Olympic 1500m champion Taoufi k Ma- pia we don’t have trials but go by times, been expected to try to break the world After being suspended by the International Association of the (July 6-10) European Championships khloufi of Algeria rounded out the podium. so I’ll go to Stockholm next week to try to record for the mile in Oslo on Thursday Athletics Federations (IAAF) last year, Russia is seeking to in my country. No more races until then.” “I wanted to run fast but the weather confi rm my Olympic selection.” and to also try to improve her own 1500m convince sports authorities it is serious about rooting out cheats Canada’s Andre De Grasse was almost changed. It became too chilly, but I tried Olympic champion Sandra Perkovic, world record of 3:50.07 in Sweden. But a in time for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August. The IAAF will handed a shock in the 100m by 40-year- my best!” said Kiprop. “I’m very satisfi ed with 67.10m, won the women’s discus, toe injury has put paid to those audacious decide whether Russia has done enough to have the ban over- old Kim Collins, who blasted out of the with the season so far and my plan contin- her third consecutive victory in Oslo. Two bids as well as her slated season opener turned at a meeting in Vienna on June 17. blocks and was leading through 60 metres ues... we now head to Olympic trials and reigning world champions also claimed over 5000m in Eugene on May 27.

FOCUS Refugee athletes see Rio as chance to call for peace

Reuters who will run in the 1,500m, said in an should not be looked down upon.” letes. “Our 800m runners, Pur Biel Ngong, Kenya interview. “If there was peace in our Her parents, two sisters and Yiech and James Nyak, will stand country, at least the youth could have brother are still in South Sudan and with (Olympic champion David) been able to develop their talent and do not know about her involvement Rudisha in the line so that they get ngeline Nadai Lohalith’s represent it in the Olympics just like in the Games as she has had no com- the feeling of what awaits them in wish is to see peace in South other people,” the 22-year-old added. munication with them. Rio,” Pkemoi said. Sudan so that she can rep- She was speaking at the Ani- “My dream is to train hard and, Most of them lost their relatives resent her war-torn country ta Children’s Home, a Catholic maybe, win a race. But I cannot in the war and came to Kenya when Aof birth at the Olympic Games. But Church-run institution 20km south compare myself to other champions they were young, he said. “You will Lohalith will be marching under the of Nairobi, which has been the ath- who have trained for many years,” know that these are people who suf- banner of the Refugee Olympic Team letes’ home since they relocated she said. “However, being named in fered and we thank God that they (ROT) when the 2016 Games start in from Kakuma. the team means a lot. It is amazing now have opportunity to go and Rio de Janeiro on August 5. The IOC gave Kenyan marathon because I didn’t expect to go that far. show the world what they are capa- The refugee team, set up by the legend Tegla Loroupe the task of Right now I am very happy because I ble of doing,” Pkemoi said. International Olympic Commit- identifying talented athletes and will represent the ORT.” Paulo Amoton Lokoro, who will tee, is the fi rst of its kind and it will training them for the Olympics. Manager Jackson Pkemoi could run the 1,500m, said people in Ka- march with the Olympic fl ag just Others who made the cut from the not hide his happiness that they were kuma were very proud of the team. before hosts Brazil at the opening Kenyan camps are Pur Biel Yiech heading to the world’s most prestig- James Nyak sent a message to war- ceremony. (800m), James Nyak (400m/800m), ious sports competition. “Five people ring factions. “Fighting is not the Five of its 10 members were drawn Rose Nathike (800m) and Paul Amo- who are not elite athletes and only right way for people to solve issues. from the Kakuma and Daadab refu- ton (1,500m)—all from South Sudan. trained for eight months... It is amaz- The more people fi ght, the more gee camps in northern Kenya. They Five more were selected from refugee ing and it’s an opportunity which we young people who have talent run will act as a symbol of hope and camps across Europe. are not taking for granted,” he said. away from home. So those coun- South Sudan refugee athletes (from left)—Paulo Amotun Lokoro (1,500m), Rose Nathike bring attention to the plight of refu- “There is no shame to be called a The team will go to the Kenya Ol- tries who have confl ict have to sit Lokonyen (800m), Yiech Pur Biel (800m), Anjelina Nada Lohalith (1,500m) and James Nyang gees worldwide, the IOC says. refugee,” Lohalith said. “I can pass a ympic trials which will be held from down and see where the problem is Chiengjiek (400m)—pose for a photograph after a training session at their camp in Ngong “Some years to come, I will like to message to the world that, refugees can June 30 to July 2, where they can because this aff ects so many coun- township near Kenya’s capital Nairobi. The athletes, and several others, will be competing in represent South Sudan,” Lohalith, also do what other people can do. They compete against top Kenyan ath- tries,” he said. the Rio Olympic Games under the banner of Refugee Olympic Team. (Reuters) Gulf Times Saturday, June 11, 2016 7 TENNIS

FOCUS Murray brothers lead Britain’s Olympic charge

AFP defi nitely helped inspire me. Winning revealed Andy Murray will stay in a London medals for your country is as good as it hotel outside the Olympic village with Jamie Murray, Johanna gets and I can’t wait to get to Rio to try the rest of his backroom team to repli- Konta and Heather Watson and win more medals.” cate his preparations for Grand Slams, strike a pose after being ndy and Jamie Murray will Having led Britain to a historic fi rst while the other British squad members named in Great Britain lead Great Britain’s bid for Davis Cup title since 1936 last year, will be in the village. team for the Olympics more Olympic tennis glory the Murray brothers will be among the Joining the Murrays in the Brit- yesterday. (Reuters) after the brothers were of- favourites for doubles gold in Brazil. ish squad for the women’s events are fiA cially named in the squad for the Rio That isn’t just down to the presence world number 18 Johanna Konta and Games yesterday. of two-time Grand Slam winner Andy Heather Watson. After memorably winning gold in the Murray, as Jamie Murray is one of the With doping high on the agenda men’s singles by thrashing Roger Fed- world’s top doubles players, having ahead of the Olympics, Watson was erer in the Olympic fi nal at Wimbledon won this year’s Australian Open crown asked about the two-year ban given to four years ago, world number two Andy after reaching the Wimbledon and US Maria Sharapova this week after the Murray will defend the title in August Open fi nals in 2015. Russian tested positive for the banned and also has hopes of a medal in the But the Scots will have to improve medication meldonium during Janu- men’s doubles with his brother. signifi cantly on their doubles eff orts ary’s Australian Open. The 29-year-old, who fi nished run- in London 2012, when they lost in the “You have to write down all the ner-up in the French Open last week- fi rst round, and the Beijing Games in medication you’re taking when you’re end, also earned a silver medal in the 2008, when they bowed out in the sec- tested and she didn’t so she has to pay 2012 Games after reaching the mixed- ond round. the price,” Watson said. “I’ve been fol- doubles fi nal with Laura Robson and “I didn’t quite do myself justice in lowing it. It’s like a soap opera.” could compete in that event again. previous Games, but I’m playing some Amid concerns about the Zika virus “Playing for Team GB during London of the best tennis of my career and that has prompted some competitors 2012 gave me some of the best memo- coming into my peak now,” Jamie Mur- to opt out of the Olympics in other ries I have in sport,” Andy Murray said. ray said. “London was a real anti-cli- sports, Konta insisted she was happy to “Being a home Olympic Games, it was max for me and I want to make amends. travel to Rio. such a special occasion and the atmos- It’s a unique event because if you stuff “The British Olympic Association phere at Wimbledon was like noth- it up you have to wait four years. The have updated us with the latest informa- ing I have ever experienced. I watched doubles will be extremely strong, but tion on that and while we will be taking it Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill win we have a chance to do well.” (the virus) seriously, we have full confi - gold the night before my fi nal and it Team GB tennis leader Iain Bates dence in that information,” she said.

SPOTLIGHT Wawrinka to work with Krajicek for Wimbledon orld number five add such a champion to my Stanislas Wawrinka corner,” Wawrinka added. Whas added former Krajicek will join Wawrinka’s Wimbledon champion Richard existing coach Magnus Nor- Federer overtakes Krajicek to his coaching team man and assistant Yannick for the grass-court season, the Fattebert. Swiss player said yesterday. Twice Grand Slam cham- Big-serving Dutchman pion Wawrinka has never Krajicek, Wimbledon winner really shone at Wimbledon, in 1996, will join Wawrinka at losing to Richard Gasquet in London’s Queen’s Club next the quarter-finals last year and week as the Swiss tunes up Roger Federer at the same Lendl en route to for this month’s grass-court stage in 2014. It is the only Grand Slam. Grand Slam in which he is yet “As I’m always looking to to reach the semi-finals. improve on court, I would like Wawrinka is the latest play- to take this opportunity to an- er to hire a former Grand Slam nounce as of immediately that champion as coach. Canadian I have added Richard Krajicek Milos Raonic, ranked nine, to my existing coaching staff recently announced he would Stuttgart last four to help during the grass-court work with triple Wimbledon season for the next four champion John McEnroe dur- weeks,” the 31-year-old said on ing the grass-court season. ‘The feeling was better, I felt I was playing up and down the court more, coming to the his Facebook page. Federer once worked with “Adding a former Wim- Swede Stefan Edberg while net and seeing things a bit better. My serve was more consistent and accurate and I bledon champion can only world number one Novak further my knowledge and Djokovic has Boris Becker, played two good tie-breakers. I’m very pleased, this was a step up from the last match’ understanding of the grass. It’s another former Wimbledon a real privilege and honour to great, in his camp.

AFP Stuttgart Roger Federer slips while going for a return NOTTINGHAM OPEN during his match against Florian Mayer at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart yesterday. (AFP) oger Federer beat Florian Mayer 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/1) yesterday to Zheng ousts home reach the Stuttgart grass-court semi-fi nals, claiming another recordR in the process. favourite Johanna The world number three moved ahead of Ivan Lendl to stand second in career match wins with his 1,072 victories putting him behind Jimmy Connors (1,256). Federer dispatched Germany’s Mayer for the seventh time without a loss as he advanced into a fi nal-four showdown with Austrian Dominic Thiem, who recovered to defeat Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. Federer is playing for the fi rst time in a month after suff ering with back pain which forced him to skip the French Open. “The feeling was better, I felt I was play- ing up and down the court more, coming to the net and seeing things a bit better,” Federer said. “My serve was more consist- ent and accurate and I played two good tie- AFP semi-fi nals earlier this year, breakers. I’m very pleased, this was a step Nottingham showed some terrifi c form as up from the last match.” she rebounded from going 2-0 Federer advanced with 15 aces in 80 down in the fi rst set to break minutes to stand 13-4 on the season, win- hina’s Zheng Saisai her opponent twice and take it ning 10 of the last 11 points to advance. put a dampener on in 45 minutes. World number 226 Mayer had three set British favourite Jo- Konta looked to be on course points in the second set when Federer hanna Konta’s joy at to level the match when she served at 5-6 but the Swiss 17-time Grand Cbreaking into the world’s top 20 went 4-2 up in the second set. Slam champion found another gear to fi n- by beating her 6-4, 7-5 in the However, once again Zheng, 22, ish the job in straight sets. second round of the WTA Not- found the reserves and the spirit “Two matches in a row, it’s beautiful tingham Open tournament. to fi ght back and kept her nerve right now,” Federer, who pulled out of the Konta, who this week be- to serve out for the match—sav- French Open with a back injury, said of his came the fi rst British woman ing three break-points to boot— grass-court buildup ahead of this month’s since Jo Durie in 1983 to be keeping alive her hopes of a fi rst Wimbledon. ranked in the top 20, under- singles title on the WTA Tour. Federer looked to be moving well on the went treatment during the Zheng will face another slick grass and his serve clicked through- match after she felt a niggle in Briton in the last eight after out apart from when he was broken by her lower back. Tara Moore caused an upset Mayer early in the second set. He battled “I picked up a little niggle of her own in beating eighth- back from 15-40 in the 12th game of the during that match, but I felt it seeded American Christina second set and then saved another set was something I could man- McHale 6-2, 6-2. point with an unreturnable serve. age,” said Konta, who had won Australian Ashleigh Barty Federer was immaculate in the tiebreak, both her previous encoun- joined Zheng in the last eight treating the crowd to some glorious win- ters with Zheng. “That’s why I with a hard fought 6-0, 4-6, ners as he strolled into a 6-0 lead. He thought I could fi nish, but I’ll 6-4 win over Andrea Hlavack- claimed victory with a clean winner on his just be looking to take care of it ova. For Barty—a doubles fi - second match point. and be ready for the next event. nalist in both Wimbledon and Federer’s last Stuttgart appearance was “I wasn’t distributing the US Open in 2013—it will a decade and a half ago when the event that is my surface and I feel very confi dent when the event was played on clay. He took victory with a concluding break weight as well as I used to; if be her fi rst WTA quarter-fi nal was an indoor Masters. He advanced with against almost all players,” he said. “But “I won a tight match against a very good of the Russian in the fi nal game of the you know me well, I usually since 2014 after she took time 15 aces in 80 minutes to stand 13-4 on the grass is diff erent for me. I’m unbelievably and very experienced grass player. There match with a forehand winner on second put more weight on my right out to play cricket. season. happy with this semi-fi nal, anything that were a lot of ups and downs, I was close to match point. side, and I wasn’t able to do “I really enjoyed my 18 World number seven Thiem said he has comes now is a big bonus.” losing in the second set with break points that today. Credit to her; she months at home and met some achieved more this week on grass than he Thiem, a French Open semi-fi nalist, and at 5-5 in the third. I’m happy with my played a lot of balls and got a really nice people through had imagined. “It’s not nice to play Roger now stands 4-6 in his career on grass as he fi ghting spirit and happy with this win,” Leading ATP match winners lot of balls back. I think there cricket,” said 20-year-old Barty, on any surface, and he is the best on grass. scored his fi rst back-to-back wins on the the Austrian added. Jimmy Connors ...... 1,256 wins were a lot of high-quality who won the Wimbledon girls Against him, I have no expectations.” lawns with 11 aces. “This was the biggest Thiem dropped the opening set as he Roger Federer ...... 1,072 wins points,” added the 25-year-old singles title in 2011. “I played a The 22-year-old said that beating an win of my career on grass,” Thiem said af- lost the eighth game. But the youngster re- Ivan Lendl ...... 1,071 wins Australia-born second seed. season, but nothing forced me injured Federer a month ago on clay in ter advancing in just under two hours over gained his poise quickly to win the second Guillermo Vilas ...... 929 wins Zheng, who Konta beat on back into tennis. I just felt like it Rome meant nothing. “I can win on clay, the 2002 winner at the Weissenhof Club with a break of Youzhny in the fi nal game. John McEnroe ...... 877 wins the way to the Australian Open was the right time.” Gulf Times 8 Saturday, June 11, 2016 SPORT

MLB Davis’ home run leads Orioles to comeback win over Jays Alvarez also homeres for Baltimore, which won its fifth in a row. Toronto lost for the third time in four games

Reuters METS 5, BREWERS 2 Toronto Curtis Granderson had two hits, including his fi fth leadoff home run of the season, and Bar- tolo Colon carried a shutout into the seventh hris Davis hit the game-tying home run inning to lead New York over Milwaukee. Colon in the seventh and had the go-ahead (5-3) didn’t walk a batter and allowed one run on sacrifi ce fl y in the ninth inning as the eight hits with a pair of strikeouts over his sev- Baltimore Orioles defeated the Toronto en-inning eff ort and took a victory for the fi rst BlueC Jays 6-5 on Thursday night at the Major time in his last three decisions. League Baseball. Pedro Alvarez also homered for Yoenis Cespedes and Asdrubal Cabrera also Baltimore, which won its fi fth in a row. Toronto fi nished with two hits for the Mets, who beat lost for the third time in four games. Dylan Bun- the Brewers for the fourth time in four tries this dy (2-1) allowed a hit, a walk and a hit batter in 2 season. Scooter Gennett tied a career-high with 1/3 innings to earn the win. four hits, including an RBI double in the eighth Left-hander Zach Britton pitched a perfect for Milwaukee. ninth to pick up his 19th save. The Blue Jays lost right fi elder Jose Bautista to tightness in the RANGERS 5, ASTROS 3 right thigh. He walked in the sixth inning and Martin Perez cruised, Prince Fielder homered was replaced by pinch runner Ezequiel Carrera, and Texas returned to its winning ways. The who also took over for him defensively. Bautista American West-leading Rangers took three of was listed as day-to-day. four games against their instate rivals and im- proved to 9-1 against Houston this season. YANKEES 6, ANGELS 3 The Astros had beaten Texas for the fi rst time Carlos Beltran highlighted a fi ve-run fi fth inning this year Wednesday but squandered a 2-0 lead with a tiebreaking two-run double as New York in the series fi nale. Perez (5-4) overcame a shaky completed a four-game sweep of Los Angeles. third inning to win his fourth in a row. He gave Beltran did not homer for the fourth straight up two runs – both in the third – in six innings game but the switch-hitting right fi elder helped in his 10th quality start of the season. the Yankees get their fi rst four-game sweep of the Angels since 1994 by driving in 10 runs dur- MARLINS 10, TWINS 3 ing the series. Miami sent a dozen men to the plate in a seven- New York won its fourth straight game while run seventh inning to break open a tie game and Los Angeles has lost nine straight in New York take the fi nale of its three-game series with and 15 of their last 18 visits to Yankee Stadium. Minnesota. With the game tied 2-2, the Mar- lins notched eight hits in the seventh off a trio CARDINALS 3, REDS 2 of Twins pitchers, snapping a two-game losing Yadier Molina’s single with the bases loaded streak. Tom Koehler (4-6) allowed four hits in drove home the go-ahead run in the eighth in- six innings to earn the victory. Ervin Santana ning and Adam Wainwright recorded his fi fth (1-6) pitched 6 1/3 innings and surrendered fi ve consecutive quality start to lift St. Louis past runs and nine hits for Minnesota, which has lost Cincinnati. The Cardinals have won 15 of the four of its last six, but had taken the fi rst two past 22 series against the Reds, including eight games of the series with Miami. of 11 at Great American Ball Park. Wainwright retired 14 straight before hitting ROCKIES 11, PIRATES 5 Joey Votto with two outs in the sixth. He wound Jorge De La Rosa took over for faltering starter Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hits a run up allowing two runs on two hits and a walk – all Chad Bettis and pitched four perfect innings as scoring fly out against Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth of which came in the fi rst inning – while striking Colorado defeated Pittsburgh. The Pirates had inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (USA TODAY Sports) out nine over six frames. won eight straight games at Coors Field. DJ LeMahieu had two hits, three RBIs and WHITE SOX 3, NATIONALS 1 scored three runs for Colorado. Nolan Arenado Melky Cabrera went 2-for-3 with two doubles, had three hits and two RBIs, and Charlie Black- two RBIs and a run scored, and Chicago snapped mon and Ryan Raburn each drove in two runs for a fi ve-game losing streak. Brett Lawrie added the Rockies. LeMahieu hit a two-run homer in a run-scoring double for the White Sox, who the fourth. scored all of their runs in the fi rst inning. Chicago won for only the seventh time in the INDIANS 5, MARINERS 3 past 27 games. Daniel Murphy went 1-for-4 Rookie Tyler Naquin’s fourth home run in his hit an 0-2 pitch from Mariners reliever Joaquin Jason Kipnis added an RBI single off Benoit to ninth to earn his 13th save of the season. with a home run to lead the Nationals. Washing- past six games broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth in- Benoit (1-1) just over the right fi eld fence for a open up a 5-2 lead. Seattle got one run back be- Allen struck out Cano to strand runners on ton managed one run on fi ve hits after breaking ning, and Cleveland overcame two home runs two-run shot that gave Cleveland a 4-2 lead in fore Cleveland closer Cody Allen came on with fi rst and third – the eighth and ninth Seattle out for 31 runs in its previous three games. from Robinson Cano to beat Seattle. Naquin the eighth inning. two outs in the eighth and got through a shaky runners left on base for the game – in the ninth.

STANLEY CUP Goff signs four-year contract Sharks keep series alive as Jones shines with the Rams

Reuters Los Angeles: No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff signed Pittsburgh a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, the team announced on its Twitter account. The quarterback’s deal is worth $27.9 he San Jose Sharks used a fi rst period million, including an $18.6 million signing bonus, scoring frenzy to claim a 4-2 win and according to the NFL Network. The contract keep the Pittsburgh Penguins from includes a fifth-year option. clinching the Stanley Cup on Thurs- Goff was selected by the Rams with anticipa- Tday to send the series back to the West Coast tion that he will earn the starting quarterback job for Game Six. and become the face of the franchise in its new Trailing 1-3 in the series and facing elimi- location. He played collegiately at Cal. The Rams nation, the Sharks got fi rst period goals 1:49 also announced the signing of the following draft apart from Brent Burns and Logan Couture choices: receivers Pharoh Cooper (fourth round) and another from Melker Karlsson, then and Mike Thomas (sixth); tight ends Tyler Higbee turned to goaltender Martin Jones and an air- (fourth) and Temarrick Hemingway (sixth); and tight defence to seal a ‘do-or-die’ victory. linebacker Josh Forrest (sixth). “We needed some big-game performances ------from guys. Jonesy was one of those guys in a Vonnie B’Vsean Miller is not putting his signature tough environment,” praised San Jose coach on the dotted line with the Denver Broncos, and Peter DeBoer. “We found a way to stay alive the two sides are nowhere near a contract agree- and bring it back to San Jose.” ment six weeks before the start of training camp. The best-of-seven series shifts back to San The Broncos did get a deal done with first- Jose for Game Six tomorrow with the Sharks round pick Paxton Lynch, who has attended still facing a daunting task. Since the Stanley workouts and is slotted as the No. 3 quarterback Cup fi nal went to the best-of-seven format in on the roster in minicamp. 1939, teams that have taken a 3-1 series lead The Super Bowl MVP outside linebacker better have gone on to capture the championship 31 known as Von Miller would be left to play the of 32 times. 2016 season under a $14.129 million franchise tag The Sharks had found themselves in 3-1 if a deal is not reached by July 15. As an exclusive hole in a large part because their top scorers rights free agent, he is not eligible to receive of- Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Burns and Cou- fers or negotiate with other teams. ture had not previously scored in the fi nals. Miller and the Broncos agreed on years and But the Sharks’ big guns came out fi ring in total value of a new contract -- six years for more Game Five, Burns and Couture tallying within than $114 million with $39.8 million guaranteed the fi rst three minutes to grab a 2-0 lead and the first two years -- but not on how the money is stun an arena record crowd of 18,860. paid out, according to multiple reports. For the fi rst time in the fi nals, the Sharks ------drew fi rst blood, Burns swinging out from be- Johnny Manziel is not done playing football. hind the Penguins net and picking shortside His attorney, Jim Darnell, said Manziel is focusing on rookie Matt Murray just 64 seconds after on working out to be ready for the 2016 season the opening faceoff . in the event the free agent gets interest from a The mugging seemed to jolt the Penguins San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (left) makes a save as Pittsburgh Penguins Carl Hagelin looks for the puck in game five of the 2016 Stanley team this summer. Manziel’s off season exploits who hit back in devastating style as Evgeni Cup final at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. (USA TODAY Sports) have been the focus of his career since winning Malkin and Carl Hagelin answered 22 seconds the Heisman Trophy at Texas. A first-round pick apart to put the Consol Energy Center back in The opening period of Game Five produced to come. We didn’t want the season to end ing camped out overnight to secure a prime in 2014, Manziel was released by the Cleveland full party mode. the most electrifying hockey of the fi nals with tonight. Obviously it’s tough. You get a two- spot, came ready to watch Lord Stanley’s fa- Browns in March. By now it was the Penguins in a frenzy and fi ve goals equalling the total of any of the pre- goal lead, it’s gone in a matter of a minute, mous mug hoisted on home ice for the fi rst ------not the Sharks as a relentless Pittsburgh at- vious games. Defences and netminders then minute and a half. But be calm, get back out time to go along with three Cups won on the Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron tack shifted into overdrive, hitting the post took over as Jones frustrated the Penguins at- there, get another good shift. We were able road (1991, 1992 and 2009). Hernandez hired a high-profile defense attorney twice. San Jose, however, would weather that tack with a string of spectacular saves before to score again. Melker gave us the lead again. The Sharks job was to play the role of for his upcoming murder trial. Hernandez as- storm and escape with a 3-2 fi rst period lead fi nishing the night by stopping 44 of 46 shots. Jonesy did the rest.” party poopers and played it perfection par- sembled a new legal team after being convicted when Karlsson converted a nifty tic-tac-toe “We know we haven’t scored many goals, A record crowd at Consol Energy Center ticularly in a spellbinding opening period that of killing Odin Lloyd in 2013 and is awaiting trial passing play, before Pavelski added an insur- or any, in this series,” said Couture.”It’s one of and thousands more gathered outside to produced the best 20 minutes of hockey of the for a double homicide. ance marker in the third. the reasons why we’re down 3-1. We wanted watch the game on a giant screen, some hav- fi nals. Gulf Times Saturday, June 11, 2016 9 RUGBY

SPOTLIGHT Jones urges England to grasp opportunity against Wallabies Jones, England’s first overseas coach, guided his new side to a first Grand Slam title in 13 years earlier this season

England’s players run onto the ground during a training session in Brisbane yesterday, ahead of the first rugby Test against Australia. (AFP)

AFP challenge to date. “We had some ideas on how up and say ‘Well maybe England are doing could be one or two that shrink. Every good Jones, who faces his former Randwick club Brisbane, Australia we’ll play Australia. We looked at various sorts something diff erent now’,” Jones said. English side I’ve seen whether it be cricket or in teammate and friend Cheika in a battle of wits of permutations and we’ve come up with a team “The game’s going to go to a diff erent level rugby have come out and wanted to smash peo- and tactics, added that it was vital to win the as the best way we think we can beat Australia,” on Saturday night. Australia is going to be ab- ple,” he said. “Saturday night’s a big test for us. opening match of a series and gain a psychologi- oach Eddie Jones says he wants Eng- he told reporters in Brisbane yesterday. solutely rampant. This is the fi rst Test they’ve Australia are by far the best team we will have cal edge. “My experience is that when you play land to break their mould and play a “The whole thing is we’ve got to do some- played with expectations on them and know- played and we’ll fi nd out where we’re at.” a side three times you have an evolution of the diff erent style of rugby to upset Aus- thing diff erent here. We can’t do what’s been ing Cheik (Wallabies coach Michael Cheika), Scrum coach Neal Hatley said while Australia game,” he said. “The games change, the teams Ctralia and make a statement in today’s done for previous English teams – we’ve got to we know what their team is going to come out had improved their previously-maligned scrum change. Test series opener in Brisbane. have a diff erent mindset. We’ve got to have a and do – we know they’re going to be absolutely markedly under former Argentine Mario Ledes- After the fi rst Test one side leads 1-0 and the England have a poor record in Australia, win- diff erent way of how we play the game against breathing fi re.” ma, he was confi dent England would assert their other team is trailing, so it’s a completely diff er- ning only three of their 17 internationals, and Australia. To change history, we’ve got that op- He reiterated that England would play a con- authority over the Wallabies pack. ent approach.” The Wallabies have never lost in Jones said to improve that they must change portunity on Saturday night.” frontational “Bodyline” brand of rugby in a bid “They’ve improved massively under Ledes- four encounters against England in Brisbane. their mindset and gameplan to get the impor- Jones, who coached Australia to the 2003 to upset Australia. England’s cricketers man- ma, he’s a quality coach and the Australian FIXTURES tant fi rst win in the three-Test series. World Cup fi nal where they lost to England, aged to beat a Don Bradman-inspired Australia scrum has come on in leaps and bounds, so it’s All times in GMT Jones, England’s fi rst overseas coach, guid- said beating the Wallabies in their own backyard in the famous 1932-33 “Bodyline” Ashes cricket going to be a tough contest,” Hatley told report- New Zealand vs Wales in Auckland (0735); ed his new side to a fi rst Grand Slam title in 13 would make the rugby world sit up and take no- series by using aggressive tactics, something ers. “But we’ve got people like Dan Cole who are Australia vs England (1000) in Brisbane years earlier this season, but the series against tice. “It would be really massive. Jones hopes to emulate. top quality scrummagers as well, so I expect it to South Africa vs Ireland (1500) in Cape Town the world’s second ranked side is his toughest “It would make everyone in the world stand “Some of our players will grow, but there be unbelievably attritional there.” Argentina v Italy (1845) in Buenos Aires.

FOCUS FRESH START Wales wary of All Blacks stamina New era dawns for Springboks as they tackle Ireland AFP Cape Town

new era dawns for the South African Springboks today when they tackle weak- ened Ireland in Cape Town in the fi rst of three Tests. The country that won the WorldA Cup twice will have a new coach, a new cap- tain, a new scrum-half, a new racial outlook and probably a new playing style. Allister Coetzee, the second black coach after Peter de Villiers to coach the green and gold, was chosen two months ago to succeed Heyneke Meyer. A disastrous fi nal season of his four-year con- tract sealed the fate of Meyer with fi ve losses in- cluding a sensational 2015 World Cup beating by minnows Japan. He stubbornly refused to accept racial transfor- mation either after decades of white-dominated teams, consistently starting with no more than three black players. Ninety percent of South Afri- cans are black and the government and the national rugby body agree that half the 2019 Springboks World Cup side must be black. New Zealand All Blacks captain Kieran Read talks to the media during a training session in Auckland yesterday. (AFP) The exit of Meyer leaves former Western Storm- Ireland have beaten the Springboks five times ers Super Rugby coach Coetzee with two major in 22 Tests since they first met in 1906, but lost AFP stantly show that, prove that, they go away not come off ,” Read said after the All Blacks’ tasks – restore a winning culture and give black all seven in South Africa. Auckland in the last 10-15 minutes.” fi nal training run yesterday. “We’ll be smart stars a chance. Wales, who last beat the All Blacks in 1953, but we don’t want to stifl e what we’ve got in He chose fi ve black starters, including veteran centre Jean de Villiers as skipper and has warned still have nightmares about a 2014 clash at this team as well.” loosehead prop Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira to face his team-mates not to underestimate injury-hit here was an air of trepidation in the Millennium Stadium when they were on the Wales assistant coach Jenkins singled out Johnny Sexton-less Ireland at Newlands stadium. Ireland. “Every player in world rugby who gets the Wales camp on the eve of today’s verge of an historic victory after leading 16- the counter-attacking skills of All Blacks Another four black players, among them un- opportunity to represent his country lifts his game. fi rst Test against New Zealand, as 15 with 10 minutes to go. full-back Ben Smith and wings Julian Savea capped hooker Bongi Mbonambi, are among the The Irish are a very proud nation and they will lift they rejected suggestions the world The All Blacks, though, mounted a late and Waisake Naholo, saying Biggar, and eight replacements. “We are starting afresh and I their game.” Tchampions could be rusty. It will be the All three-try blitz to record a 34-16 win. Anscombe who will start off the bench, will have rewarded Super Rugby form,” stressed Coetzee While Coetzee has understandably kept his game Blacks’ fi rst outing since they beat Australia “The game is never over and they keep have to be precise with their kicking game. after his fi rst team announcement. plan under wraps, it is likely to be more expansive 34-17 in the World Cup fi nal more than sev- coming and they can score tries quickly as “The back three that they’ve got will The composition was predictable with scrum- than the outdated, boring kick-and-chase style of en months ago. they showed against us two years ago back cause damage to most sides, so you’ve got to half Faf de Klerk rewarded for a string of outstand- Meyer. Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is plotting a road But Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins did in the autumn series,” added Jenkins. be accurate with your kicking, accurate with ing displays with the Golden Lions. to recovery after a 2015 World Cup quarter-fi nals not buy into the ‘rusty All Blacks’ theory, New captain Kieran Read did admit his your kick-chase and you’ve got to make “I do not want Faf to just be seen as a link, I want exit and only two wins in fi ve Six Nations games although he expected the fi rst 65 minutes side “feels a little bit diff erent” after talis- your tackles – it’s as simple as that,” he said. him to play his game and ask questions of the Irish this year. between his Six Nations runners up and the manic skipper Richie McCaw and several Jenkins, who was the world’s lead- defence,” said Coetzee. “When you look at a scrum- Although the absence of injured fl y-half Sexton is world champions would be close. other senior players retired from Test rugby ing points scorer when he retired in 2003, half, one of the key things is that he does the basics a massive blow, he has talked up replacement play- “The last few times we’ve played the All after the World Cup fi nal. Read believes the played the All Blacks twice in his legendary well. Faf has good kicking and passing games. But maker Paddy Jackson. “Johnny has been the con- Blacks we’ve been there or thereabouts with long lay-off and rebuilding combinations 87-Test career, with Wales losing on both you also look for other skills. The breakdown area ductor of the orchestra and we are confi dent that about 15 minutes to go,” Jenkins said as he means the game in Auckland will be “won occasions. could be a mess, and you need a scrum-half who Paddy can step up and do a similar job,” said the put kickers Dan Biggar and Gareth Ans- by inches.” Wales have never won at Eden Park, with can get the ball out quickly. Faf can do that.” New Zealand-born coach. combe through a familiarisation session at “Perhaps we won’t try too hard early. their two most recent matches during the Another Lion, centre Lionel Mapoe, partners “I think he has got big boots to fi ll, but I think his Eden Park. The nature of a Test match is it’s going to be 2011 World Cup when they were beaten 9-8 Damian de Allende at centre after his superb Super feet will slot in quite nicely.” Ireland have beaten the “But as they’ve shown, and that’s why abrasive and they’ll bring a lot of line speed, by France in the semi-fi nals and then lost Rugby form last season was mysteriously ignored Springboks fi ve times in 22 Tests since they fi rst met they’re the best side in the world, and con- so if we try to make things happen it might the third place play-off 21-18 to Australia. by Meyer. Hooker Adriaan Strauss succeeds retired in 1906, but lost all seven in South Africa. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, June 11, 2016 CRICKET

ENG VS SL, 3RD TEST, DAY 2 FOCUS Coach Arthur High and low for vows to help Amir fl ourish on Bairstow as Sri return to England Reuters steady support from the Pakistan Lahore Cricket Board (PCB). “People can say what they like, it’s got nothing to do with me,” ew Pakistan coach Arthur said. Mickey Arthur has “If Mohamed Amir is picked in promised to do eve- the Pakistan cricket team, which Lanka fi ght back rything in his power he has been for the England tour, Nto help disgraced paceman Mo- it’s my role as head coach to make hamed Amir realise his full po- him the best possible player that Bairstow, the batsman, excels while Bairstow, the wicketkeeper drops a routine catch tential after the bowler was he can possibly be.” granted a visa for the team’s up- Pakistan will play four Tests, coming tour of England. fi ve one-dayers and a Twenty20 Amir will return to England six International in England be- years after a spot-fi xing scandal tween July 14 and Sept. 7. in a Lord’s Test resulted in bans Arthur had a largely success- and jail sentences for the then ful fi ve-year stint as South Africa teenage bowler and his former coach that ended in 2010 but en- team mates Salman Butt and dured an eventful two years with Mohamed Asif. the Australian team until his “He served his time, he’s done sacking in 2013. it,” Arthur, who coached Amir at His new role puts him in charge Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super of an often fractious group of League (PSL), said in his fi rst skilled individuals but Arthur is news conference since succeed- ready for the challenge. ing Waqar Younis in the post. “For me, I wanted to coach in “I had Amir in the PSL, he was the subcontinent at some stage a fantastic professional. in my coaching career because “Other stuff is not relevant to if you haven’t coached in the me. The stuff that’s relevant to me subcontinent, you haven’t really is making Mohamed Amir the best coached,” the 48-year-old said. he can possibly be as a cricketer.” Arthur said Pakistan, cur- Amir’s return after serv- rently third in the Test rankings, ing a fi ve-year ban was initially need to do better in limited overs resented by some of his team- cricket and stressed the need to mates but the 24-year-old invest in players with long-term left-arm paceman has enjoyed prospects.

England’s Jonny Bairstow acknowledges the crowd after finishing his unbeaten 167-run England wicketkeeper Bairstow (left) reacts to dropping a catch from Sri Lanka’s innings on Day Two of the third Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s yesterday. (AFP) Dimuth Karunaratne yesterday. (AFP)

AFP off Stuart Broad. It wasn’t until January London Scoreboard that the 26-year-old Bairstow — himself dropped on 11 when Shaminda Eranga England 1st Innings (overnight: 279-6) (Ali), 7-371 (Woakes), 8-396 (Broad), 9-411 fl oored a routine catch at mid-wicket — onny Bairstow continued a bril- A. Cook lbw b Pradeep 85 (Finn), 10-416 (Anderson) scored his fi rst hundred in Test cricket. liant year of run-scoring with a A. Hales c Mathews b Herath 18 Bowling: Eranga 25.4-2-94-1; Lakmal But since January 1 he has been in pro- Test-best 167 not out against Sri N. Compton c Chandimal b Lakmal 1 27-2-90-3; Pradeep 27-4-104-2; Mathews lifi c form with the bat for both county Lanka at Lord’s yesterday. J. Root lbw b Lakmal 3 13-5-31-0; Herath 36-8-81-4; champions Yorkshire and England, scor- JBut the debate about whether Bairstow ing 594 runs at an average of 118.8 in Tests J. Vince b Pradeep 10 should continue to keep wicket for Eng- J. Bairstow not out 167 Sri Lanka 1st Innings and 1,127 runs in fi rst-class cricket at land intensifi ed when he dropped a M. Ali c Mathews b Herath 25 D. Karunaratne c Bairstow b Finn 50 102.4. routine catch to reprieve Dimuth Karu- C. Woakes c and b Herath 66 K. Silva not out 79 Friday saw Bairstow receive good sup- naratne on the second day of the third S. Broad c Mendis b Lakmal 14 K. Mendis not out 25 port from Woakes (66) in a seventh- Test. S. Finn c Lakmal b Herath 7 Extras (lb8) 8 wicket partnership of 144. At stumps, Sri Lanka were 162 for one J. Anderson c Chandimal b Eranga 4 Total (1 wkt, 49 overs) 162 Meanwhile Sri Lanka left-arm spinner New Zealand pick Indian-born in reply to England’s fi rst innings 416, a Extras (lb16) 16 FoW: 1-108 (Karunaratne) Rangana Herath took an economical four defi cit of 254 runs. Total (all out, 128.4 overs) 416 Bowling: Anderson 11-2-35-0; Broad 10- for 81 in 36 overs. opener for Africa tour Kaushal Silva was 79 not out and Kusal FoW: 1-56 (Hales), 2-67 (Compton), 3-71 1-45-0; Finn 10-1-31-1; Woakes 10-2-20-0; England resumed on 279 for six with Mendis unbeaten on 25 after left-handed (Root), 4-84 (Vince), 5-164 (Cook), 6-227 Ali 8-1-23-0 Bairstow 107 not out and Woakes unbeat- New Zealand yesterday named Indian-born opening batsman Jeet opener Karunaratne made exactly 50. en on 23. Raval in the squad for the upcoming four-Test tour of Zimbabwe Considering the start of this series saw Bairstow’s second century of the and South Africa. Sri Lanka become the fi rst side since 1958 the two-handed waist-high chance. Yet having completed a 95-ball fi f- series, following his 140 on his Head- Raval was the only uncapped player named in the 16-man Black to be dismissed for under 120 in three Even allowing for the possibility that ty, Karunaratne was dismissed when ingley home ground in the first Test, Caps’ squad, which also features the recall of Indian-born spinner successive Test innings, this was a fi ne Bairstow was mentally and physically a leg glance was well caught by a div- helped rescue England from the depths Ish Sodhi after a two-year absence. eff ort, albeit a placid pitch and lack of tired after his more than six-hour in- ing Bairstow to give under-pressure fast of 84 for four. The 27-year-old Raval was a junior player in India before moving swing meant conditions at the ‘home of nings, and that the ball “wobbled” a bowler Steven Finn a wicket on his Mid- Woakes was the initial aggressor on to New Zealand with his family in 2004. cricket’ favoured batsmen yesterday. touch before reaching him, it was still an dlesex home ground. Friday and a boundary off Eranga saw him He averages 43.85 in first-class cricket and hit a rich vein of form There had been signs of recovery in extraordinary miss by a Test keeper. to a maiden Test fi fty in 102 balls. for the Auckland Aces in this year’s domestic competition, includ- their last innings, where Sri Lanka made It is not the fi rst time this series that ‘NATURE OF CRICKET’ But Woakes fell when caught and ing an unbeaten 202 against Otago. 475 in a nine-wicket defeat in the second Bairstow has grassed a chance — although Karunaratne’s exit ended an opening bowled by Herath off a chipped drive. “In the past 12 months we’ve seen his maturity and decision-mak- Test, giving England an unassailable 2-0 yesterday’s miss was the most glaring. stand of 108 with Silva — easily Sri Lan- Bairstow batted on and his leg-glanced ing continue to improve,” Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said. lead in this three-match series. Karunaratne cashed in and after tea ka’s best top-order partnership of the four off Sri Lanka captain Angelo Math- “He’s learnt to adapt to conditions and has performed well for Karunaratne should have been out for struck James Anderson, the world’s number series. ews saw him surpass his previous Test- New Zealand A, so we believe he’s more than ready to make the 28 yesterday when he nicked all-rounder one ranked Test bowler, for three fours in as Silva took Sri Lanka to 150 with a sub- best 150 not out against South Africa at step up to the international arena.” Chris Woakes, only for Bairstow to drop many balls, including a well-hit drive. lime drive through extra-cover for four Cape Town in January. Raval will be competing for an opening spot with Martin Guptill and Tom Latham, neither of whom have looked convincing against the new ball in the Test arena. INDIA’S TOUR OF ZIMBABWE New Zealand will play two Tests against Zimbabwe in Harare, starting on July 29 and August 6 respectively. They then go to South Africa for Tests in Durban and Centurion, starting on August 19 and August 27. New Zealand squad: Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Zimbabwe target India in search of respect Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson (capt). AFP ty20 internationals, off ers a serious op- Harare portunity. “It’s a great platform for the younger Australian leg-spinner Zampa guys,” he said. imbabwe will set out to gain “It has provided a launch pad for a ready to grab Test opportunity greater respect from the inter- number of cricketers — Virat came here national cricket world when they and led India for the fi rst time (in 2013), Australian leg-spinner Adam host India for a three-match se- Suresh came in and then Ajinkya (Ra- Zampa says he is ready to grab Zries of one-day internationals at Harare hane). the opportunity in Test cricket Sports Club, starting today. “We believe it’s a very, very important when call comes. Although Mahendra Singh Dhoni will tour for the younger lot. It provides us an The 24-year-old has looked quite captain India, the remainder of the tour- opportunity to look at the future stars comfortable in the short inter- ing squad is vastly inexperienced — fi ve emerging from the Indian scene for years national career so far, and has players are yet to represent India and the to come.” featured in One-Day Internation- other 10 boast a combined total of 83 The whistle-stop tour includes ODIs als and Twenty20s. ODI caps. today, Monday and Wednesday, ahead of He has got 12 international scalps Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ro- Twenty20 matches on June 18, 20 and 22. from 10 games and was Austral- hit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin and All games will be played at Harare ia’s main bowling weapon in the Suresh Raina are just some of the 17 MS Dhoni will lead an inexperienced side, in which five players are yet to represent Sports Club. World T20. players that were part of India’s previous India and the other 10 boast a combined total of 83 ODI caps, to Zimbabwe. (AFP) “If I keep improving the way I limited overs assignments but who have SQUADS think I’ve been improving, it’s been rested against Zimbabwe. try gets to play more games, and if you Nevertheless, coach Sanjay Ban- Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (capt), definitely something that I think is on the cards (Test matches),” Former South Africa fast bowler Ma- send us a team that is not your strongest gar would not be drawn on Ntini’s com- Richmond Mutumbami (wkt), Taurai Zampa was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au yesterday. khaya Ntini, who was appointed Zim- team, we’re going to put them under the ments. Muzarabani, Chamu Chibhabha, Peter “Nathan (Lyon) is doing a great job at the moment and I’m very babwe’s interim coach at the start of the carpet so that they go home and tell peo- “We believe in letting our perform- Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Vusi Sibanda, happy where I am playing Twenty20 cricket and one-day cricket. month after Dav Whatmore was sacked, ple that they need to send their strongest ance speak,” Bangar said. “We have a tal- Tawanda Mupariwa, Sean Williams, I just want to keep improving and hopefully if that opportunity believes that his side must now send team.” ented bunch of young players who have Sikandar Raza, Neville Madziva, Donald does arrive, I’ll definitely be ready for it.” a message that they should be playing Looking at the players that India have done really well in the domestic champi- Tiripano, Timycen Maruma, Wellington Zamap also believes the lack of Sheff ield Shield games is reducing against fi rst-choice international teams. sent on the tour, Ntini added: “We’ve onships and India A circuit. Masakadza, Tendai Chisoro, Hamilton his chances to get into the Test scene. “We’re sick and tired of waiting been watching the guys. We’ve seen “So our focus is inwards. We do not Masakadza, Tendai Chatara, Craig Ervine. “I think I’ve only played about five Shield games in the past 12 around for South Africa to send their them playing in the Indian Premier want to give too much attention to what India: MS Dhoni (capt & wkt), KL Rahul, months or so. So it is frustrating only because I really enjoy that A team,” he said yesterday, referring to League and we are comfortable that we the opposition is saying.” Faiz Fazal, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, format. I love playing for South Australia and Adelaide Oval is a South Africa A tour due to take place can compete with them.” Although many players in India’s Ambati Rayudu, Rishi Dhawan, Axar a great place to play, so all those things added up means it is next month. India sent a second-string squad squad would appear to be some distance Patel, Jayant Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, frustrating,” he said. “We want to compete with the big when they toured Zimbabwe last July, from cracking the fi rst-choice team, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Mandeep “But in terms of making it to the next level in that format, I want to boys. We’re creating a new venture here. but have selected an even more inexpe- Bangar believes that the tour of Zimba- Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Jaydev Unadkat, keep improving my bowling.” “We want to make sure that this coun- rienced unit this time around. bwe, which also includes three Twen- Yuzvendra Chahal. Gulf Times Saturday, June 11, 2016 11 SPORT

FORMULA 1 CYCLING Attacking Hamilton fastest, Froome snatches Dauphine lead Massa crashes in from Contador Reuters cide the race with several tough Vaujany, France climbs sandwiched into the 141km ride from La Rochette to the ski resort of Meribel. hris Froome took over as leader of the Crite- STAGE 5 RESULTS (top 10) rium du Dauphine after 1. Chris Froome (SKY) 3:32:20 Canada practice beating former Sky team 2. Richie Porte (BMC) +1sec mateC and now rival Richie Porte 3. Adam Yates (ORI) +19 in a thrilling fi nish to stage fi ve 4. Dan Martin (ETI) +19 New turbocharger for Ferrari as it attempts to close the gap on Mercedes yesterday. 5. Alberto Contador (TIN) +21 Tour de France champion 6. Romain Bardet (ALM) +25 Froome accelerated away 2.5 kil- 7. Pierre Rolland (CAN) +27 ometres from the uphill fi nish in 8. Bauke Mollema (TRE) +27 Vaujany and held off Porte (BMC) 9. Louis Meintjes (LAM) +27 to claim the overall lead from Al- 10. Julian Alaphilippe (ETI) +27 berto Contador. Froome and Porte were 19 sec- OVERALL STANDINGS (top 10) onds clear of Adam Yates (Ori- 1. Chris Froome (SKY) 21:24:59 ca-GreenEdge) and Dan Martin 2. Richie Porte (BMC) +7sec (Etixx-QuickStep) with Conta- 3. Alberto Contador (TIN) +27 dor (Tinkoff ) a further two sec- 4. Daniel Martin (ETI) +37 onds back. 5. Julian Alaphilippe (ETI) +42 With two stages left of the tra- 6. Adam Yates (ORI) +52 ditional Tour de France tune-up 7. Diego Rosa (AST) +1:08 race Froome holds a seven-sec- 8. Daniel Navarro (COF) +1:16 ond lead over Porte. 9. Bauke Mollema (TRE) +1:21 Today’s stage is likely to de- 10. Louis Meintjes (LAM) +1:27

Team Sky rider Christopher Froome (foreground) beats BMC rider Richie Porte at the finish line for victory on stage five, between La Ravoire and Vaujany, of the Criterium de Dauphine in Vaujany, France, yesterday. (AFP)

Cycling world’s ‘king of doping’ Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton gestures towards the crowd during the first practice for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, Canada, yesterday. (Reuters) arrested in Colombia Reuters chicane to avoid hitting the McLaren Ferrari, yet to win a race this season, est with Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg Montreal of Fernando Alonso after the Spaniard have brought a new turbocharger to the seventh and Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz The sports doctor known as ‘the king of doping’ has been ar- slowed right down in front of him. seventh round as the sport’s oldest and eighth. rested in Colombia at the request of Spanish authorities, police “A bit dangerous from Fernando there,” most successful team attempts to close Alonso was 10th fastest, behind Force said Thursday. ewis Hamilton lapped fastest in he said of his former teammate. the gap to champions Mercedes. India’s Sergio Perez. McLaren’s Jenson Alberto Beltran, who has both Spanish and Colombian nationali- opening Canadian Grand Prix Massa brought out the fi rst red fl ag of Sebastian Vettel fi nished third fastest, Button was 12th fastest but was forced ties, was wanted in Spain for narcotics traff icking. practice yesterday while Felipe the weekend at the Circuit Gilles Ville- just under 0.5 seconds off the pace set back into the garage with an engine prob- According to Colombia’s national police, he was the head of a Massa gave Formula One’s newest neuve after losing control at turn one, de- by Hamilton, with teammate Kimi Raik- lem soon after going out for his fi nal run. distribution network supplying high performance athletes — es- Lsponsors plenty of exposure by crashing stroying the rear wing as the car rammed konen fi fth. The Ferrari duo were split by pecially cyclists — with doping products. his Williams into a Heineken hoarding. backwards into the hoarding that fronted Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. CANADIAN GP FP1 TIMES (top 10) Spain had issued an alert on Interpol to Colombian authorities, Triple world champion Hamilton, a a tyre wall. The Dutch teenager is looking to re- 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:14.755 requesting Beltran’s detention. four times winner in Montreal who ar- Heineken announced a multi-year deal cover after crashing out in Monaco two 2. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1:15.086 Beltran, a specialist in sports medicine at the Salpetriere and rived fresh from victory in Monaco, led a on Thursday, with the Montreal signage weeks after he became the sport’s young- 3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 1:15.243 Cochin hospitals in Paris, was previously arrested in 2001 in Italy Mercedes one-two with championship- a welcome ‘gift’ from commercial rights est race winner in Spain at 18 years old. 4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:15.553 and 2012 in Spain for possession of doping substances. leading teammate Nico Rosberg. holder Bernie Ecclestone. Australian Team-mate Daniel Ric- 5. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1:15.618 He is currently being held at a prison in Bogota, and will be The Briton clocked a best time of one “I think I had a problem,” said Massa ciardo, who started on pole in Monaco 6. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) 1:16.301 handed over to Spanish authorities. minute 14.755 seconds, 0.331 quicker than over the team radio as his practice session and would probably have won that race 7. Nico Hülkenberg (Force India) 1:16.464 Several cycling teams that have worked with him, including the the German. was curtailed after just seven laps. “I can- but for a pit-stop error by the team, was 8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso) 1:16.543 now-defunct Spanish clubs Liberty Seguros and Xacobeo, have The only issue Hamilton faced was celled the DRS (drag reduction system) back in 11th spot. 9. Sergio Perez (Force India) 1:16.577 members who have tested positive for doping. when he was forced to miss the fi nal and lost the rear completely.” Finland’s Valtteri Bottas was sixth fast- 10. Fernando Alonso (McLaren) 1:16.663

HORSE RACING Exaggerator ready for ‘huge’ Belmont run, says trainer

Reuters Missing from the fi eld is Nyquist, who New York came out of his third-place fi nish in the Preakness with a fever and elevated white blood cell count that led to a deci- xaggerator ended any Triple sion to skip the Belmont. Crown suspense at this year’s Desormeaux was unconcerned about Belmont Stakes by handing Ken- starting so far outside in the one-lap race tucky Derby winner Nyquist his despite the short run to the fi rst turn. fiE rst career loss at the Preakness, but the The starting gate is positioned at the dark bay colt has more to prove in today’s fi nish line for the Belmont just three- $1.5 million race. sixteenths of a mile from the clubhouse Exaggerator, the 9-5 early favourite for turn. the 148th Belmont, is primed to under- Only Brody’s Cause (20-1) and Arkan- line his prowess in the fi nale of the clas- sas Derby winner Creator (10-1) start sic series for three-year-old thorough- outside of Exaggerator, a strong fi nisher. breds. “Just because it’s a little shorter run “You couldn’t get him any better than into the fi rst turn here, it seems it would he is now. He’s very sound, he’s very be a disadvantage to be on the outside,” fresh. He seems very confi dent,” trainer Desormeaux acknowledged. Keith Desormeaux told reporters after “If I had a speed horse, I’d be worried. Exaggerator’s walk on a sunny but blus- But Exaggerator breaks, drops the bit and tery cool Thursday at Belmont Park. relaxes so he should have plenty of oppor- “I talk about his antics and his energy tunity to drop in closer to the rail going into all the time but it’s controlled energy. It’s that fi rst turn.” not nervous. He’s very confi dent and he Desormeaux’s optimism is further should be sitting on a huge race.” fueled by confi dence in his jockey, Hall The son of two-time Horse of the Year of Famer Kent Desormeaux, the trainer’s Curlin will start from post 11 in a 13-horse younger brother who won the 2009 Bel- fi eld for the 1-1/2 mile race, with second mont aboard Summer Bird among seven choice Stradivari (5-1) starting from the Triple Crown race victories. fi fth gate and third pick Destin (6-1) “The more experienced, the more tac- starting from post two. tical hands you can have has got to be for Stradivari and Destin are both trained the better, and I think I’ve got a pretty by Todd Pletcher. good jockey,” Keith Desormeaux said. In this June 6, 2016, picture, jockey Kent Desormeaux takes Exaggerator onto the track before a training session at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. (AFP)

Saturday, June 11, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS ‘The Greatest’ cheered in Louisville as world bids adieu ‘My hero was locked in his body. Now he can float like a butterfly’ Sobers leads AFP Lord’s tribute Louisville to Ali

housands of people yesterday AFP cheered and threw roses in the London streets of Muhammad Ali’s hometown Louisville as they Tbade farewell to the boxing legend and arfield Sobers, argu- civil rights hero known as ‘The Great- ably cricket’s greatest est’. Gall-rounder, led a special A mass funeral procession, a private tribute to Muhammad Ali at burial and public memorial service Lord’s yesterday that coincided will wrap up two days of tributes to the with the boxing legend’s funeral. three-time heavyweight world cham- The two sporting icons met at pion, who died last week at 74 after a Lord’s back in 1966 when Sobers long battle with Parkinson’s disease. was a member of the West Indies For more than two hours, the funeral side playing England in a Test procession moved slowly through the match at “the home of cricket” city of 600,000 in the southern US and heavyweight star Ali was in state of Kentucky where Ali was born at London for his second fight with a time of racial segregation. Britain’s Henry Cooper. The cortege passed by sites that were During the lunch interval of important to ‘The Champ’: his child- yesterday’s second day play in hood home, the Ali Center, the Center the third Test between England for African American Heritage — which and Sri Lanka, black and white focuses on the lives of blacks in Ken- photographs of Ali meeting So- tucky — and along Muhammad Ali bers in the Lord’s dressing room Boulevard before arriving at the Cave were displayed on the ground’s Hill Cemetery for a hero’s burial. giant screens. Fans were in a festive mood — taking Sobers, 79, then rang a bell in photos, cheering, applauding and chant- the Lord’s pavilion five minutes ing Ali’s name in the bright sunshine as before the start of the second they lined a route through the streets of session of play as a tribute. Louisville, Kentucky’s biggest city, that Ali, who died aged 74 last week stretched about 18 miles (30km). after decades suff ering with Spectators threw red roses and other Parkinson’s disease, and Sobers fl owers onto the hearse carrying Ali’s re- enjoyed success in London in mains, blocking much of its windshield 1966. by the end of the procession. About 20 Ali stopped a bloodied Cooper limousines transporting Ali’s family and in the sixth round to retain his close friends followed in the cortege. world heavyweight title. Police offi cers jogged alongside the A well-wisher holding a banner touches the hearse carrying the remains of Muhammad Ali during the funeral procession in Louisville, Kentucky, yesterday. (Reuters) Sobers (163 not out) and his hearse as it passed Ali’s boyhood home, cousin David Holford (105) to keep the large crowd out of the street. shared a second-innings stand “The kids love him, he’s always stood of 274 that helped save the West for hope in this neighbourhood,” Toya Indies from defeat as they drew Johnson, who wore an Ali T-shirt, told the second Test against England AFP. “For the youth here, he is an ex- at Lord’s. ample.” If three-times world champion Born Cassius Clay in 1942, the boxer Ali — the self-styled “Greatest” won Olympic gold and went on to a glo- — is viewed as boxing’s best rious professional career, with his epic heavyweight of all time, Sobers fi ghts — like the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ is widely regarded as cricket’s with George Foreman and the ‘Thrilla in greatest all-rounder. Manila’ with Joe Frazier — now the stuff A left-handed batsman who of sports legend. could bowl in the vastly diff erent He shocked America by refusing to styles of fast-medium, orthodox serve in Vietnam, a decision that cost spin and wrist spin, as well as a him his title and his career for years. He brilliant fielder, Barbados-born earned scorn for his incendiary com- Sobers represented the West ments about his opponents, once call- Indies in 93 Tests from 1954 to ing Frazier a “gorilla”. 1974. But Ali later earned global respect as a civil rights activist who preached reli- gious tolerance, and for his public bat- tle with a disease that ravaged his once powerful body. A man watches a slide show of Muhammad Ali photos on a screen outside the KFC TYSON JOINS PALLBEARERS Yum! Center where mourners were to attend a memorial service for the boxing Laila Ali (centre), daughter of Muhammad Ali, attends the Jenazah prayer service Actor Will Smith — who earned an legend in Louisville, Kentucky, yesterday. (AFP) at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (AFP) Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Ali on the silver screen — and former An interfaith memorial service, But the US president published a showed me was one of the great bless- gether for the Muslim service in re- heavyweight champions Mike Tyson which was scheduled for yesterday af- video message Thursday in which he ings of my life.” membrance of the champion, who con- and Lennox Lewis will be among the ternoon at a large sports arena, was to displayed two mementos given to him verted to Islam in 1964, changing his pallbearers at the burial, which is closed bring together VIPs and fans alike, with by ‘The Champ’ — a book of photo- ‘FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY’ name to Muhammad Ali. to the public. former US president Bill Clinton and graphs and a set of gloves — which he Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- Muslim men and women prayed in Tyson’s participation was only con- comedian Billy Crystal to give eulogies. has kept near to him through his time in dogan had been scheduled to attend separate rows, most of the latter with fi rmed early yesterday. Some 15,500 people were expected to the White House. yesterday’s memorial service but cut their heads veiled. “The grief that he showed was im- attend — with free tickets snapped up “This week we lost an icon,” Obama short his trip to the United States after The brief ceremony brought together West Indian cricket legend Sir mense, he did not know at the time in a half-hour and a black market for said in the message. “A person who for a disagreement with funeral organisers, dignitaries and ordinary fans, honour- Garfield Sobers waves as he if he could do that emotionally... but the coveted tickets sprouting online. African Americans, I think, liberated Turkish media reported. ing a man known for both his tenacity in rings the five-minute bell before apparently yesterday he decided he their minds in recognising that they Erdogan’s bodyguards and US Secret the ring and his social activism outside the start of the second session had to be here,” family spokesman Bob ‘LOST AN ICON’ could be proud of who they were.” Service agents had also clashed briefl y of it. in memory of Muhammad Ali Gunnell said. Barack Obama will not be present at the “I grew up watching him. I grew up at Thursday’s Islamic prayer service as “My hero was locked in his body,” on Day Two of the third Test be- An anonymous donor has pledged to funeral of the man he calls a “personal having my identity shaped by what he they jointly guarded the Turkish presi- said Louisville taxi driver Fred Dillon, tween England and Sri Lanka at cover the fi nal path to the grave with red hero” since it coincides with his daughter accomplished,” he said. “The incred- dent, the newspaper said. referring to Ali’s fi ght with Parkinson’s. Lord’s in London yesterday. (AFP) rose petals. Malia’s graduation from high school. ible gestures of love and support that he On Thursday, thousands came to- “Now he can fl oat like a butterfl y.”

BOTTOMLINE SC delegation head to Euro to gather experience for 2022 WC

ith many of the world’s top al running of the major tournament. quired deliverables on their return to Paris, where I will be based during the stars gearing up to claim “We are delighted to have a strong Qatar. SC executive director pf Tourna- observation, is my city. I will be at a team top honours at the UEFA presence at Euro 2016, both for our SC ment Operations & Planning Dr Sakis camp, at offi cial fan zones and at two of Euro 2016, which kicked off staff , who will be gaining vital operational Batsilas added: “The opportunity to the Euro 2016 matches. I am looking to Wyesterday, the Supreme Committee for insights and experience of running one of participate in an offi cial UEFA observa- learn from the experience and bring it Delivery & Legacy (SC) are preparing to the biggest tournaments in the world, as tion programme is a major achievement back to the SC and help Qatar stage a suc- send a 38-member delegation to gather well as for our stakeholders from across in itself. cessful World Cup in 2022.” experience to bring back to Qatar. Qatar to benefi t in their preparations,” “With the schedule covering key Meanwhile, Khalid al-Naama will Also in attendance in the pro- said al-Khater from Paris. tournament areas, such as stadiums, be representing the SC in Marseille: “I grammes designed by UEFA coincid- “Our key focus is to learn as much training sites, fan zones and the inter- am proud that Qatar is hosting the fi rst ing with the elite European competi- from this very detailed programme and national broadcasting centre, in ad- ever World Cup in the Middle East and tion will be a number of external Qatari transfer the knowledge back to Qatar dition to security command facilities, the second in Asia. stakeholders, taking the total number once it has been completed. transport hubs and logistics centres, I “I will use my trip to Euro 2016 to learn of observers from Qatar to 64. “We also take this opportunity to am convinced that all participants will from the organisation of a major football SC delegates will be part of four of- wish our counterparts in France the greatly benefi t from attending this key tournament and bring back the skills fi cial UEFA programmes — observation best of luck for the month ahead, which tournament. to help and serve my nation in the years of Euro 2016 functionaries, second- I am sure will be successful and show- “The pre-departure briefi ng allowed leading to 2022. The trip will give me the ment of offi ce-bearers, shadowing of case both optimal organisation and ex- us to introduce the observation pro- experience and the skills to help organise employees and executive shadowing. citing football for the fans.” gramme to all participants and high- Qatar’s historic event with effi ciency.” SC assistant secretary general, Tour- The SC delegation — which will be light the importance and necessity of Upon their return, members of the nament Aff airs, Nasser al-Khater is primarily based in Paris and Lyon — bringing the knowledge acquired back delegation are required to transmit already in France, having begun his will be joined in France by representa- and Environment, Ministry of Interior, during the month-long competition. to Qatar.” programme outcomes to their respec- executive shadowing on the eve of the tives from a range of 2022 FIFA World Qatar Football Association, Qatar Ol- A pre-departure meeting was held The SC’s Francisco Diaz, who is a tive departments and organisations, as tournament. He is following UEFA Cup Qatar stakeholders. ympic Committee, Qatar Rail, Qatar last week to introduce participants to French national, will be headed to Paris Qatar continues to advance in prepara- Events SA CEO Martin Kallen and gath- Ashghal, Aspire, Josoor Institute, Stars League and Qatar Tourism Au- the schedules and objectives of the next week: “I am excited to be part of the tions for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. ering daily experience on the operation- Kahramaa, Ministry of Municipality thority will all have delegates in France UEFA programmes, including the re- SC delegation. France is my country and (SC.qa)