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Thursday, August 2, 2018 Dhul-Qa’da 20, 1439 AH Root run out sparks GULF TIMES England collapse and Kohli send-off SPORT Page 3 QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL Qatar Racing’s Lightning Spear lands ‘I’m delighted with Lightning Spear. He looked good today, quickened well and travelled well -- he did everything properly’

By Our Correspondent won two G2 events, so he has always London had to run in G1s really.” Lightning Spear had fi nished third in the race last year, besides having fter 15 solid attempts at Group notched up two wins at Goodwood in 1 glory, Qatar Racing’s Light- G2 last two years. ning Spear powered to an im- David Redvers, racing and bloodstock pressive victory in the Qatar manager to Sheikh Fahad, said, “From ASussex Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood some time ago we felt this was his race, Festival yesterday. and the way he has been running this David Simcock’s ward had some no- year we knew he had a fi ne chance. The table eff orts, including a short-head way the race was run suited him. second to in the Al Shaqab Lockinge “There was a moment when I was Stakes (Gr1) at Newbury in May, com- worried, but he needs riding like that ing into yesterday’s miler. [covered up] because he has such a turn Under , the seven- of foot. He’s seen too much daylight on year-old son of travelled occasions in races, but fair dues to the smoothly in fourth in yesterday’s con- Simcocks [David and his wife Jenny, test and made good use of the room on who rides the horse each day] because the home straight, quickening up smart they have the key to him. They and the to score by a length and a half. boss were patient and it has paid off .” Michael Stoute-trained Redvers confi rmed that Lightning was second under James Doyle, while Spear would join the Qatar Bloodstock Daniel Tudhope rode David O’Meara- roster of stallions at his Tweenhills schooled to third. Stud in Gloucestershire, adding: “He’s The win was Simcock’s 28th at one of the best-looking horses in rac- Goodwood and naturally the Newmar- ing, he’s won a stallion-making race ket handler was eff usive in his praise for and he’s by Pivotal.” Lightning Spear. Jenny Simcock, fi ghting back tears of “I’m delighted with Lightning Spear. joy, said: “That means everything. I’m He looked good today, quickened well spoilt and ride him every day, and he’s a and travelled well - he did everything gentleman, a very expressive horse, and properly. Oisin has grown up with the he leads the string.” horse, he is a very confi dent jockey and Murphy said: “The pace was slow, he was very patient waiting for the gap but he relaxed, and I got a little bit of today. Sheikh Fahad loves this horse cover off James Doyle [on runner-up and he will be absolutely delighted. Un- Expert Eye]. fortunately, he can’t be here today, but “I never ever get nervous before G1s he’ll be made up,” said Simcock, who - before the Derby and that I like mak- has also enjoyed Classic success this ing fun of the other jockeys - but I was year with Teppal in the Poule d’Essai nervous today and down at the start des Pouliches at Longchamp. I was trying to hide it. I am over the “Lightning Spear has done very lit- moon - what a horse! And what a train- tle wrong apart from win a G1 up until ing performance. He deserves to win a now. He is a lovely horse to train and a Oisin Murphy rides Qatar Racing’s Lightning Spear to victory in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (Gr1) at Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim and Zuzanna major G1 and at seven years of age, it is lot of work goes into him. He has placed outstanding. in six G1s I think and has never really let horse and is very talented. To win a G1 ing something diff erent all the time, click, with that little bit of luck that we the Qatar Racing team, the yard, but for “I always refl ect on races and I pos- us down, though he was little bit incon- is extra special. He was going really well trying to change something. To see haven’t had at times. the horse to get his G1 like that is great. sibly left a G1 behind me this season on sistent last season. To win a G1 is not and I thought if he got a gap he would him fi ll up and quicken up like that was “I am just really pleased for the It’s nice to win a G1 at Goodwood and this lad. I am lucky I have a good boss in easy and you have to accept it. win. They didn’t go much of a pace, but great, and it is the horse we see at home horse. More pleased for the horse than any G1 victory is great. He has run just Sheikh Fahad and a supportive trainer “Lightning Spear is a wonderful that did not really matter. You are try- an awful lot. It is just getting it all to anybody. It is great for Sheikh Fahad, twice out of G1 company for me and in David Simcock.”

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Ambassador Medahim notches another al-Khater hails victory for Al Shaqab

By Our Correspondent well drawn here that always zler in the 2400m Move Over To Qatar-UK ties London helps.” Matchbook Handicap. Francois Rohaut-trained Mu- With Jimmy Quinn in the atar’s ambassador four years ago and has added raaqib won the Qatar Interna- saddle, the three-year-old re- to the United King- more momentum to the event or the second straight tional Stakes, the Group 1 feature sponded willingly to Quinn’s dom, Yousef bin Ali on all levels. Therefore, sig- day in the fi ve-day Qatar for Arabian horses by a length urgings to edge ahead close Q al-Khater, hailed nifi cant benefi ts are gained Goodwood Festival, Al and a half from His Highness home to score by a length from the strong relations between from the Festival every year, Shaqab Racing’s colours Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al- Hughie Morrison-trained Corgi, Qatar and the United King- especially as it enhances the Fwere in the winner’s enclosure Thani’s Ebraz. helmed by Jim Crowley, in sec- dom in various fi elds. presence of Qatar’s equestri- Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) chairman Issa al-Mohannadi with top-weight Medahim top- Ebraz, trained by Qatar-based ond. “A few days ago, His High- an sport in such world-class (second from left), Qatar’s ambassador to the UK Yousef bin Ali al-Khater ping the seven-furlong Good- Julian Smart, had fi nished run- In the fi rst race of the card, ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim gatherings. (second from right) and QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi wood Racehorse Owners Group ner-up in last year’s race too. Lil Rockerfeller, a top-class bin Hamad al-Thani paid “It also refl ects the atten- (right) at Qatar Goodwood Festival. Handicap. Richard Spencer’s young hurdler, picked up a victory in an offi cial visit to the Unit- tion and support received The owner-trainer-jockey training career took another big the Matchbook Betting Pod- ed Kingdom”, ambassador from the senior offi cials in trio of Al Shaqab, Richard Han- step forward today when Rum- cast Goodwood Handicap by 15 al-Khater said at the Qatar Qatar as demonstrated by the non and Ryan Moore had landed ble Inthejungle won the G3 Mar- lengths handing Neil King his Goodwood Festival. presence of His Excellency Tuesday’s Nginious! Swiss Gin kel Insurance Molecomb Stakes fi rst success at Goodwood. “The visit was very fruitful Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al- EBF Maiden with Watan. (Gr3) over fi ve furlongs. Under Silvestre De Sousa, and during which the depth Thani, President of Qatar Ol- Yesterday, Medahim, the Rumble Inthejungle is a son Lil Rockerfeller made the run- of the ties between the two ympic Committee, during the four-year-old son of Kodiac, of Bungleinthejungle, who won ning and ground his rivals into countries were stressed and a fi rst two days of the Festival,” came with a tremendous late run the Markel Insurance Mole- a long submission, scoring by 15 number of agreements signed added ambassador al-Khater. to collar Mark Johnston’s Vale Of comb Stakes in 2012. Ridden by lengths and half a length from for the interests of the two Speaking about the strong Kent, scoring by a neck. Tom Queally, the two-year-old Altaayil and Imphal. countries.” between Qatar “Medahim has been unlucky scored by two and a half lengths Under The Covers, trained He added: “Qatar Good- and the UK, the ambassa- in a few races, but he always tries and a neck from Life Of Riley and near Chepstow in Wales by Ron wood Festival has become a dor said: “No doubt there are very hard and it’s great that he Royal Ascot winner Soldier’s Harris, won the Chelsea Bar- hallmark in the United King- strong relations and strategic has come here today and won a Call. racks Handicap under PJ Mc- dom. I consider it the second cooperation, contributing to race,” Hannon said after the win. Local trainer William Knight Donald, beating El Astronaute event in horse racing here af- enhancing the collaboration “He deserved that as he has landed his fi rst winner of the by three lengths, with Boom The ter Royal Ascot. Qatar’s spon- between the two countries in Al Shaqab executive director Khalifa al-Attiyah (left) with the Duke of had a few hard misses. He was 2018 Qatar Goodwood Festival Groom (14/1) back in third of the sorship of the Festival started several areas.” Richmond on Day Two of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. well drawn today and if you are with the victory of Soto Siz- 13 runners. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, August 2, 2018 CRICKET

SECOND ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT Afghan star Rashid boosts Sussex’s T20 De Kock steers Blast title hopes

AFP the club straightaway if they London would like me to stay for the full 14 matches,” Khan said in a statement released by Sussex. fghanistan’s Rashid “Thankfully, they also South Africa to 2-0 Khan, the world’s wanted me to stay. I’m really top ranked Twen- enjoying my time at Sussex so ty20 bowler, has far and I’m looking forward to boostedA Sussex’s chances of the rest of the matches here. reaching the knockout stages Let’s hope we can win many of the English county T20 of them,” added Khan, who Blast competition by com- initially signed up for the fi rst mitting to them for all of their seven matches. lead over group games. Sussex head coach Jason The 19-year-old leg-spin- Gillespie greeted the news ‘Not sure what the secret to our success is. But yes, it’s spinning less’ ner - who in March reached with undiluted delight. the landmark of 100 one-day “I’m very big on continuity international quicker when it comes to tournaments than any other player - be- and, as a general rule, I prefer came available for the seven not to have players dropping remaining matches after in for a few games,” said the withdrawing from the Carib- 43-year-old former Austral- bean Premier League. ian pace great. Sussex are fourth in the “Having said that, Rashid is South Group ahead of their the number one T20 bowler in game in hand against lead- the world and so having him ers Gloucestershire later on in the team for any number of Wednesday. games would have added value “I had always wanted to - as we have already seen - but play more than the fi rst seven to now have him available for games so when I heard I was the whole of the group stage is now going to be free, I asked absolutely wonderful.”

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock plays a shot as Sri Lanka’s -keeper Kusal Perera looks on during their ODI in Dambulla yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP back to Dananjaya to become the off -spin- Scorecard Dambulla ner’s third victim. South Africa lost du Plessis and David Mill- er in quick succession but once Dananjaya’s SRI LANKA 7-0-30-0 (w1), Shamsi 10-0-43-0. Mithali, Deepti, Veda named captains outh Africa opener Quinton de Kock’s quota of 10 overs ended, Sri Lanka’s attack U. Tharanga c de Kock b Ngidi ...... 9 of T20 Challenger Trophy teams attacking 87 set up a four-wicket win lacked the teeth to pull off an unlikely victory. N. Dickwella b Phehlukwayo ...... 69 SOUTH AFRICA over Sri Lanka in the second one-day Earlier, half-centuries from Angelo K. Mendis lbw b Ngidi ...... 0 Q. de Kock c Lakmal b Rajitha 87 The BCCI yesterday announced the teams for the women’s T20 international yesterday, handing the Mathews and opener Niroshan Dickwella took K. Perera c Ngidi b Phehlukwayo ...... 12 H. Amla c and b Dananjaya ...... 43 Challenger Trophy from August 14-21 at Alur. India skipper Mith- touristsS a 2-0 lead in the fi ve-match series. Sri Lanka to 244 for eight in their 50 overs af- A. Mathews ...... 79 A. Markram c K. Perera b Dananjaya ali Raj will lead the India Blue side that comprises national team Chasing 245 for victory, South Africa ter the hosts won the toss and chose to bat. players like wicketkeeper , , among S. Jayasuriya c de Kock b Mulder...... 18 ...... 3 reached their target with 43 balls to spare, Pace duo Andile Phehlukwayo and Lungi others. All-rounder had been named skipper of T. Perera c de Kock b Ngidi ...... 19 F. du Plessis c and b Dananjaya ...... 49 giving themselves the perfect opportunity to Ngidi picked up three wickets each as South the India Red side while star batswoman pick up a series win in the 50-over format af- Africa’s bowlers once again managed to pre- A. Dananjaya c Miller b Rabada ...... 9 JP Duminy c Mendis b T. Perera ...... 32 will lead the India Green team in the tournament. ter going down 2-0 in the Test matches. vent Sri Lanka from posting a commanding S. Lakmal b Phehlukwayo ...... 7 D. Miller c Mendis b Lakmal ...... 3 The teams are as follows: De Kock and Hashim Amla gave the touring total. Ngidi, who took 3-50, provided the early P. Jayasuriya not out ...... 10 W. Mulder not out ...... 19 India Blue: (C), Vanitha VR, D Hemalatha, Neha side the perfect platform in their run chase breakthroughs for the tourists by dismissing Extras ((lb3, w9) ...... 12 A. Phehlukwayo not out ...... 7 Tanwar, Anuja Patil, Saima Thakor, Taniya Bhatia (WK), Radha with an opening stand of 91 before spinner Upul Tharanga and Kusal Mendis off consec- Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) ...... 244 Extras (w3) ...... 3 Yadav, Preeti Bose, Poonam Yadav, Keerthy James, Mansi Joshi, Akila Dananjaya dismissed Amla for 43. utive deliveries in his opening over. Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Tharanga), Total (6 wickets, 42.5 overs) ..... 246 Suman Gulia. “Not sure what the secret to our success is. Dickwella and Mathews steadied the in- 2-13 (Mendis), 3-56 (K. Perera), 4-123 Fall of wickets: 1-91 (Amla), 2-109 India Red: Deepti Sharma (C), , Disha Kasat, Mona But yes, it’s spinning less,” Quinton de Kock nings with a 67-run stand for the fourth wick- (Dickwella), 5-165 (S. Jayasuriya), 6-197 (Markram), 3-162 (de Kock), 4-195 (du Meshram, Harlene Deol, Tanushree Sarkar, , Tanuja said. Dananjaya, who picked up 3-60, also et before the former was bowled by Phehluk- (T. Perera), 7-216 (Dananjaya), 8-227 Plessis), 5-198 (Miller), 6-231 (Duminy) Kanwer, , Shanti Kumari, ReemaLaxmi Ekka, sent back Aiden Markram soon after but de wayo, who picked up 3-45, for 69. (Lakmal) Bowlers: Lakmal 7-0-39-1, Rajitha Nuzhat Parveen (WK), Aditi Sharma. Kock and South Africa captain Faf du Plessis Sri Lanka failed to add much momentum to Bowlers: Rabada 9-1-48-1 (w4), Ngidi 5.5-0-44-1, Dananjaya 10-0-60-3 (w2), India Green: Veda Krishnamurthy (C), , pegged Sri Lanka back with a 53-run stand for their innings as none of their other batsmen 8-1-50-3 (w2), Mulder 7-0-26-1, Pheh- T. Perera 7-0-34-1 (w1), P. Jayasuriya Priya Punia, Devika Vaidya, Monikha Das, Arundathi Reddy, Su- the third wicket. De Kock hit 13 fours and a six managed to cross a score of 20. Mathews re- lukwayo 9-0-44-3 (w2), JP Duminy 10-0-53-0, S. Jayasuriya 3-0-16-0. shma Verma (WK), , Fatima Jaff er, Sush- in his 78-ball knock while du Plessis chipped mained unbeaten on 79 off 111 deliveries. The ree Dibyadarshini, Sukanya Parida, , Sajana S. in with a handy 49, before spooning a catch third ODI will be played at Kandy on Sunday.

TWENTY20 Williams, Russell power Windies over AFP They reached 93 for three off Curiously, it was the only over Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis 9.1 overs. bowled by the off -spinner in the Russell and Marlon Samuels innings. (25) put on 42 for the third wicket “I know I will get a lot of stick esrick Williams’ ca- after seamer Mustafi zur Rahman for that after the experiment of reer-best bowling fi g- despatched opening batsmen bowling Ashley fi rst paid off ,” ures and a hurricane Evin Lewis and said Brathwaite. “I just couldn’t cameo by An- without conceding a run in his fi nd a way to give him another Kdre Russell highlighted an ef- opening over to give the Bang- over because the other bowlers fi cient eff ort by the West Indies ladeshis hope of restraining the were doing such a good job.” in defeating Bangladesh by sev- home side. Despite the loss of those early en wickets in the rain-aff ected Rovman Powell then joined wickets, Bangladesh were pro- opener of the three-match T20 Russell after Samuels fell to Ru- gressing at almost ten runs per International series at Warner bel Hossain to ensure the Carib- over halfway through the in- Park in St Kitts on Tuesday. bean team romped to the target. nings. After off -spinner Ashley “Our intention is to win this But that scoring rate dropped Nurse rocked the visitors with series 3-0 after the disappoint- alarmingly as the wickets con- the wickets of both openers ment of the one-dayers,” said tinued to tumble. Mahmudullah without scoring in the fi rst over Russell, who was chosen as managed useful partnerships of the match, fast bowler Wil- “Man of the Match.” “We are with Liton Das and Mushfi qur liams claimed four for 28 to mindful of how good this Bang- Rahim, however Williams’ clever ensure there would be no sub- ladesh side is but we are feeling variations of pace strangled the stantial recovery for the tourists good about ourselves.” innings, his dismissal of Mah- despite a fi ghting topscore of 35 Put in to bat earlier by West In- mudullah eff ectively ending the from Mahmudullah as they fi n- dies captain Carlos Brathwaite, tourists’ hopes of a substantial ished at 143 for nine. Bangladesh got off to the worst score. “We lost too many wickets Set a revised target of 91 off possible start. at crucial times and that cost us,” 11 overs after rain delayed the Tamim Iqbal, who scored two said Bangladesh captain Shakib West Indies response by more centuries and a fi fty to be “Man Al Hasan. than 90 minutes, Russell blazed of the Series” in the one-dayers, an unbeaten 35 off 21 balls with was smartly by De- BRIEF SCORES three fours and three sixes to en- nesh Ramdin to the fi rst ball of West Indies 93 for 3 (Russell 35*, sure there were no alarms for the the match while opening part- Mustafizur 2-18) beat Bangla- home side in taking a 1-0 lead ner also failed desh 143 for 9 (Mahmudullah 35, ahead of the fi nal two matches in to score, being bowled by Nurse Williams 4-28) by seven wickets Shakib Al Hasan (left) of Bangladesh, (centre) and Rovman Powell (right) of West Indies smile at the end of their 1st T20I at Florida at the weekend. three balls later. (by DLS method) Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, August 2, 2018 3 CRICKET

FIRST TEST REPORT lose maiden ODI to Netherlands Root run out sparks lenge petered out. AFP Amstelveen, Netherlands Dipendra Singh Airee (33) was the only other Nepalese batsman to reach double fi gures. epal suff ered a dramat- For the Dutch, playing their ic collapse when they fi rst ODI in four years after los- lost nine wickets for ing their one-day status, seamer just 49 runs to go down Fred Klaassen took 3-30, leg- England collapse Nto a 55-run defeat to the Neth- spinner Rippon fi nished with erlands in their maiden one-day 3-23 while orthodox slow bowl- international yesterday. er and skipper Pieter Seelaar Chasing a modest 190 to win, claimed a miserly 3-16. Nepal, playing their fi rst 50-over Earlier, Rippon had top- game since securing ODI status scored for the Dutch with 51 earlier this year, were bowled while Khadka claimed the best out for 134 with more than eight bowling for Nepal, leading from and Kohli send-off overs to spare. the front with 4-26. Nepal had got off to a yingfl Sompal Kami took 3-34. Ashwin takes four wickets as England close on 285 for nine on Day 1 of their 1,000th Test start in their run chase. They The home side deserve credit looked comfortable at 85-1 be- for the nature of their comeback. fore they slipped quickly to 104- There was no superhero game- 6 and with most of their stroke stealing eff ort. makers back in the pavilion. Instead, a group of bowlers Opening batsman Gyanendra kept it tight and were backed Malla hit 51 off 61 balls with eight up in the fi eld, and soon enough fours and enjoyed a fi rst-wicket the rewards came. Rippon, Fred stand of 58 with teenage wicket- Klaassen, and Pieter Seelaar each keeper Anil Sah (21). took three wickets, and to single But once skipper any one out for praise would be became the second wicket to fall an injustice to the other two. and Malla was then dismissed by The second and fi nal match South African-born all-rounder of the series will be staged at the Michael Rippon, Nepal’s chal- same venue tomorrow.

England’s Joe Root attempts to slide back to his crease as he loses his wicket for 80 runs on the first day of the first Test against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham yesterday. (AFP)

AFP Scorecard was too close to him. Birmingham, United Kingdom Jos Buttler was then lbw for a second- ball duck to off -spinner Ravichandran ENGLAND 1st innings Ashwin, who took four wickets for 60 oe Root’s run out by opposing A. Cook b Ashwin 13 runs in 25 overs, as he played across the captain Virat Kohli sparked an K. Jennings b Shami 42 line. England collapse against India on And when Ben Stokes (21) chipped a J. Root run out 80 the opening day of the fi rst Test at gentle return catch to Ashwin, England The Netherlands players celebrate their ODI win over Nepal yesterday. (ICC) EdgbastonJ yesterday and may well have D. Malan lbw Shami 8were 243 for seven. set the tone for the series after the tour- J. Bairstow b Yadav 70 They would have been all out a ball ists’ skipper gave him a colourful and before the close if diving wicket-keeper B. Stokes c & b Ashwin 21 SPOTLIGHT controversial send-off . Dinesh Karthik had not dropped Sam At stumps, England were 285 for nine J. Buttler lbw Ashwin 0Curran (24 not out) off Mohammed Sha- in what is their 1,000th Test. However, S. Curran not out 24 mi when an edged chance was heading the action may yet be overshadowed by straight to Shikhar Dhawan at fi rst slip. A. Rashid lbw Sharma 13 Saha undergoes suggestions that Kohli swore at Root and Virat Kohli celebrates after running out Nevertheless, it was England who had mocked the home skipper’s ‘mic drop’ Joe Root yesterday. (Reuters) S. Broad lbw Ashwin 1the most regrets come the close after celebration in a one-day clash between J. Anderson not out 0 Root won the toss on a typically good shoulder surgery the two sides last month. wound by blowing kisses in the direc- Extras (b9, lb4) 13 Edgbaston pitch. England had been well-placed at 216 tion of Root and putting his fi nger to his Ashwin, brought on as soon as the sev- statement, the 33-year-old Saha Total (nine wickets; 88 overs) 285 IANS for three, with Root seemingly on course lips, as if to quieten crowd of more than enth over by Kohli, struck with his 11th Manchester sustained a posterosuperior la- to score a fi rst Test century since his 136 18,000. Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Cook), 2-98 when he bowled Alastair Cook bral tear that needed a surgery. against the West Indies during last year’s He also did the ‘mic drop’ gesture (Jennings), 3-112 (Malan), 4-216 (Root), (13), England’s all-time leading Test run- The Bengal keeper had re- day/night clash at Edgbaston. in imitation of Root’s celebration of 5-223 (Bairstow), 6-224 (Buttler), 7-243 scorer, with an excellent ball that pitched he BCCI wished Wrid- turned early from the South Af- But his 11th Test fi fty without a hun- his one-day series-clinching hundred (Stokes), 8-278 (Rashid), 9-283 (Broad) on middle and hit the top of off stump. dhiman Saha a speedy rica tour at the start of the year dred since that innings ended in frus- against India at the batsman’s Heading- Bowlers: Yadav 17-2-56-1; Sharma 17-1- Just prior to Cook’s dismissal, fellow recovery after the Test to nurse his hamstring. trating fashion after a run out involving ley home ground last month. 46-1; Ashwin 25-7-60-4; Shami 19-2-64-2; left-handed opener Keaton Jennings specialist stumper un- Saha then missed the one-off Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow. But it is the suggestion that Kohli may was dropped on nine off Ishant Sharma Tderwent a surgery in his shoulder Test against Afghanistan due to a Pandya 10-1-46-0. Wicket-keeper Bairstow played the have sworn at Root that could land him when Ajinkya Rahane, diving across from in Manchester yesterday. thumb injury he picked up while ball to midwicket for a single and then set in trouble with match referee Jeff Crowe, fourth slip, failed to hold a tough chance. The BCCI posted a photo on playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad off for what always looked a tight second, the former New Zealand captain. for his part in denying Root a 14th Test At lunch, England were 83 for one. social media saying: “Here’s in the Indian Premier League with Root comfortably run out by Kohli’s As has often been the case, a needless century was to have gone to three fi gures Shami was eventually rewarded for wishing @Wriddhipops a speedy (IPL) on May 25. agile direct hit on the turn to end a 156- dismissal was also the spark for a col- himself. his persistent accuracy when Jennings recovery. He underwent a laberal Saha has since been replaced ball innings including nine fours. lapse, with England losing three wickets But a brisk innings of 70 in 88 balls, played on for 42. Shami then had Dawid repair surgery in Manchester on by Dinesh Karthik in the ongo- It was also the fi nish of a fourth-wick- for eight runs in 25 balls as they squan- featuring nine fours, was terminated Malan lbw for eight and he arguably de- Wednesday under the supervi- ing England tour, where India are et stand worth 104. dered a promising position. when Bairstow played on to paceman served better fi gures than his return of sion of BCCI medical team.” currently playing the hosts in a However, Kohli rubbed salt into the One way Bairstow could have atoned Umesh Yadav as he tried to cut a ball that two for 64 in 19 overs. According to an earlier BCCI fi ve-Test rubber.

FOCUS India take early advantage in battle of fl awed selections By Ali Martin ference was that the questions Mohammad Shami for eight The Guardian have simply switched to when he during the afternoon session, will retire. having already survived a review According to Deepu Naray- by Kohli off Ashwin, it called t was a beautiful delivery anan, the stats wizard at into question this fi nal decision that sent Alastair Cook on Cricbuzz, this was the fi rst time by the England captain and head his way. Ravi Ashwin had since had Austral- coach for it is they, not Smith, been introduced by India for ia’s Phil Jaques stumped at the who whittle down the 13 by two Ithe seventh over of the Test and MCG in 2007 that India’s initial in this system. with his 11th ball he got one to wicket-taker in a series outside Up to this point during a drift in a touch, grip the surface of Asia has been a spinner, while year-long ride in the Test team, and shoot past his victim’s out- against England you have to go Malan has managed to avoid be- side edge as he lunged forward, back to 1986, when Tim Robin- ing the England batsman whose before rattling the Tipp-Ex- son was removed by Maninder worth is the subject of debate. white off stump. Singh at Lord’s. During the Ashes it was by some As the tourists celebrated, And so while Cook was dis- distance, of course, as their the commentators purred and secting his demise – the eighth leading run scorer, but elsewhere Virat Kohli enjoyed a Hannibal time Ashwin has knobbled him there has tended to be a more Smith-style grin at a plan com- in 12 encounters – those look- vulnerable teammate, be it the ing together. ing on were wondering whether quirky technique of Tom Westley Cook was sanguine. There was both teams had goofed by going last summer or Mark Stoneman no wide-eyed gasp – as Kohli into the match with one front- in New Zealand, before Pakistan had off ered when castled by line spinner apiece on a pitch at Lord’s brought the hook. Adil Rashid in the one-dayer at that, in the build-up, had been There is time for some of the Headingley – just a rueful clench gawped at like a magic eye poster conclusions above to be fl ipped, of the jaw and fl icker of the eye- by players and coaches. of course, not least by Malan, lids before trudging back to the For India the men left out were who gets another chance to show pavilion. Ravi Jadeja, the hipster-bearded his back-foot game, as some be- Cook is a pretty relaxed char- left-armer who sits third in the lieve, is not simply suited to fl at- acter these days. Before this Test, bowling rankings, and Kuldeep ter pitches in the southern hemi- when asked by an Indian jour- Yadav, whose left-arm wrist- England’s Alastair Cook is bowled out by India’s Ravichandran Ashwin on the first day of the first Test yesterday. (Reuters) sphere. nalist about his current “head- spin was slowly decoded dur- But Ashwin’s day one success space”, compared to the last ing the limited-overs series. bunted back a return catch on 21 Hardik Pandya, grew stronger. chuntered-about return to the much when stating he had been suggests that two slightly fl awed meeting between the two sides And as Ashwin set about un- and Stuart Broad was pinned in England, meanwhile, had sent side. Had they gone for two “retained in the squad” rather teams, as regards their selec- when he was constantly being picking three more Englishman front by a quicker one – the case Moeen Ali off to play Twen- spinners, Dawid Malan would than the XI per se. tions, will be slugging it out and questioned about his future as – Jos Buttler was out lbw for a for Jadeja in particular, rather ty20 for Worcestershire with have sat out, with Ed Smith, the When the Middlesex captain that in itself should make this captain, he joked the chief dif- second-ball duck, Ben Stokes than fast-medium all-rounder, Rashid fl ying solo on his much- national selector, admitting as was snared lbw by the bustling opening Test fascinating. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, August 2, 2018 SPORT

BADMINTON FOOTBALL Son released for full Asian Games Axelsen, Okuhara, under Spurs deal Srikanth advance to third round China great Lin Dan has it easy over India’s Sameer Verma

Agencies Nanjing, China

iktor Axelsen and No- zomi Okuhara stormed Son Heung-min of South Korea. into the third round Vto stay on course for AFP There are precedents for back-to-back men’s and wom- Seoul footballers being granted ex- en’s titles at the Badminton emptions from South Korea’s World Championships yester- 21-month military service, as day. on Heung-min will miss happened in 2002, when the na- Denmark’s Axelsen, the top South Korea’s fi rst two tional team reached the World seed and men’s world number matches at the Asian Cup semi-fi nals, and in 2014, one, subdued a spirited fi rst- SCup in January under a when they won gold at the Asian game challenge from China’s compromise agreed with Tot- Games in Incheon. unseeded Huang Yuxiang. tenham Hotspur to release him However, Son missed South The fi rst game was tied at for this month’s Asian Games, Korea’s triumph in 2014 when his 16-16 when water drops on the the Korea Football Association former club, Bayer Leverkusen, court forced a lengthy delay and (KFA) said yesterday. refused to release him. eventually the relocation of the The South Korean striker will Son, who is on Spurs’ pre- match to another court. fl y to Indonesia for the Asian season tour of the United States, That’s when Axelsen caught Games — where a gold medal said he felt “sorry to be leaving fi re, closing out the fi rst game is likely to win him exemption my teammates” for the Asian and stepping on the gas in game from military service — after Games at the start of the Premier two to win the match 21-17, 21-8. Spurs’ Premier League season League season. “I was not prepared for the opener against Newcastle Unit- “I am playing for my country unexpected incident on the ed on August 11, a KFA spokes- and that’s also important, but court,” Huang said. man said. honestly I feel very sorry about “He (Axelsen) went into the Spurs had initially sought that,” he was quoted as saying by game much better after the to keep Son back until August the Daily Mail. break. I didn’t get used to the 18, when they have a Premier Asian Games gold and a mili- new court as quickly as he did.” League match against Fulham. tary service exemption would be Women’s eighth seed Oku- That would have eff ectively a consolation for Son, who broke hara of Japan made shorter work kept the 26-year-old out of the down in tears when South Korea of unseeded Rachel Honderich, group stage for Asia’s mini-Ol- were eliminated at the World sending the 22-year-old Cana- Viktor Axelsen of Denmark hits a shot against Huang Yuxiang of China during their second round match in the Badminton World ympics, where the football tour- Cup group stage despite stun- dian packing 21-11, 21-9 in just Championships in Nanjing yesterday. At bottom, India’s Kidambi Srikanth in action against Spain’s Pablo Abian. nament runs from August 14 to ning Germany 2-0 in their fi nal 28 minutes in Nanjing. September 2. game. Hosts China, led by the great dambi Srikanth and P.V. Sindhu But Spurs later relented, strik- Son, who last month signed a Lin Dan, are the sport’s super- registered contrasting wins to ing a deal that rules Son out of new deal keeping him at Spurs power, but they have seen their enter the third round. South Korea’s Asian Cup games until 2023, has emerged as one dominance slip of late and can Srikanth registered a hard on January 7 and 11 against the of the club’s key players, scoring expect a tough fi ght against the fought win over Pablo Abian of Philippines and Kyrgyzstan, as 47 goals in 140 appearances to rest of the world’s best in Nan- Spain while Sindhu had a much well as an international friendly become the top Asian scorer in jing. easier day in offi ce, easing to a in November. Premier League history. It was so far so good yesterday straight games victory over Fit- as Lin, the number nine seed, riani of Indonesia. got past Sameer Verma of India, The fi fth seeded Srikanth SPOTLIGHT 21-17, 21-14. needed more than an hour to Also for China, men’s number clinch a 21-15, 12-21, 21-14 victo- three seed Shi Yuqi defeated ry over his unseeded opponent. England’s Rajiv Ouseph 21-18, He will face another unseeded Iraq withdraw from 21-9 and Olympic champion opponent in American Daren Chen Long dispatched Khosit Liew in the next round. The Phetpradab of Thailand, 21-16, American defeated Misha Zil- football tournament 21-11. berman of Israel 21-16, 21-16 in Their compatriot, women’s the second round. fi fth seed Chen Yufei, had a Sindhu did not encounter too Reuters request from Reuters for com- rougher time against Gregoria many problems, registering a 21- Hong Kong ment. Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia. 14, 21-9 victory over Fitriani. A source at the Iraq Football After Chen won the fi rst The only period of the match Association had initially denied game 21-17, Tunjung jumped when Fitriani managed to match raq have withdrawn from reports the team would be re- out to a 17-10 lead in the second Sindhu was during the early the football tournament of moved from the competition and and looked ready to extend the stages of the opening game. But this month’s Asian Games that the squad’s preparations match to a third game. Sindhu took charge after the in Jakarta, potentially were being fi nalised following the But Chen, 20, stormed back to break, taking six consecutive throwingI the competition into completion of a training camp in take the game 22-20 and win the today, mentally and technically, hua news agency. Akane Yamaguchi, who got past points to build up a comfort- turmoil less than two weeks be- the northern city of Erbil. match. and this makes me more confi - Also moving ahead were Fabienne Deprez of Germany. able lead which she never relin- fore kickoff . Earlier this week, football of- “I think I’m better prepared dent,” Chen told state-run Xin- women’s singles second-seed Meanwhile, Indian stars Ki- quished. The Iraq Olympic Committee fi cials were reported to have been have pulled the team from the fi red over their involvement in event, according to a source in the selection of overage play- FOCUS Baghdad, and the decision will ers for the nation’s under-16 leave offi cials needing to address team after they were stopped at an imbalance in the opening passport control on their way to phase of the tournament. participate in a regional tourna- Lewandowski going nowhere, insists Bayern boss Last week the Asian Football ment. Confederation conducted a re- The withdrawal of Iraq’s foot- AFP edly on the verge of joining Paris draw of the competition’s group ballers follows a decision by the Berlin Saint-Germain, while Arturo stage to add Palestine and the Philippines not to send the na- Vidal has been linked to Inter United Arab Emirates after the tion’s basketball team to Jakarta Milan, Thiago Alcantara could pair had been left off the original in the aftermath of their on- ayern Munich chair- return to Barcelona and defender entry list. court brawl with Australia dur- man Karl-Heinz Rum- Juan Bernat is up for sale. That meant two of the six ing a recent World Cup qualifi er. menigge has said Robert At the other end of the fi nan- groups swelled from four teams The football tournament at the BLewandowski is not for cial scale, Bayern have signed to fi ve, but Iraq’s withdrawal now Asian Games begins on August sale — at any price — amid re- Robert Kovac as assistant coach means one group — containing 10 and features teams made up of ports Chelsea are the latest top for a nominal fee of just one euro. China, Timor Leste and Syria — players 23 years of age and under. club chasing the Poland striker. Robert, 44, the younger will feature just three countries. Coaches are permitted to select “Our door remains closed, the brother of Bayern’s new head The Olympic Council of Asia, three overage players. top quality we have at Bayern coach Niko, 46, has joined his the organisers of the Asian The fi nal will be played on Munich will stay here,” Rum- sibling in Munich. Games, have yet to respond to a Sept. 1. menigge told yesterday’s edition The brothers worked together of Munich-based newspaper TZ. at Eintracht Frankfurt last sea- The UK media has suggested son and Bayern paid a token Lewandowski, under contract at gesture to buy Robert out of his Pakistan averts hockey boycott Bayern until 2021, could move to Frankfurt contract. Chelsea and the Polish striker’s “Yes, it’s true,” Eintracht’s di- Karachi: Pakistan has averted Rizwan Senior said on Tuesday agent revealed in May that his rector of sport Fredi Bobic con- an Asian Games boycott by that Pakistan Hockey Federa- client wants to leave Munich af- fi rmed in German daily Bild. its hockey players after the tion President Khalid Sajjad ter four successful years. “It could have also been zero, country’s federation gave Khokar had assured him In the past, Lewandowski has so we agreed on a symbolic ges- assurances that overdue daily unpaid allowances would be frequently been linked to Span- ture of a euro, also for legal rea- allowances would be paid in cleared before the Aug. 18- ish giants Real Madrid. sons. It’s normal practice, even if full before the multi-sports Sept. 2 Games and therefore However Rummenigge says it sounds funny.” event begins in Indonesia later the players would end their Lewandowski, the Bundesliga’s Bayern start their week-long this month. protest. top-scorer last season with 29 pre-season training camp in the The Pakistan men’s team are “We will clear all dues before goals and who has a market value Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich idyllic Bavarian resort of Tegern- the most successful at the going to Asian Games,” of around 85mn euros ($99mn), see today. Asian Games with eight gold Khokar was quoted as saying is going nowhere — whatever the when certain sums are men- hand him over — no matter if Lewandowski and their inter- They will attempt to win a medals but players had threat- by local media. “Unfortunately, amount off ered. tioned,” added Rummenigge. someone puts 100 or 150mn (eu- national stars, who were rested seventh straight German league ened to skip the upcoming our grant was stopped due to “With Robert, we clearly want “We are completely satisfi ed ros) on the table.” after the World Cup. title with the new season to kick edition after not being paid certain unknown reason. to send a signal to people within with him, and in his position Bayern have just returned Several of their top players, off on August 24 when they host their allowances for the last six “If we don’t get the money I and outside the club: Bayern there are only a few players who from a two-match tour of the however, are the subject of ru- Hoff enheim. Bayern face Man- months. will pay the players through Munich are completely diff er- are comparable. USA, losing 2-0 to Juventus and moured high-profi le transfers. chester United in their fi nal pre- However, captain Mohamed my own means.” ent to other clubs who get weak “So it’s not in our interest to 3-2 to Manchester City without Jerome Boateng is report- season friendly on Sunday. Gulf Times Thursday, August 2, 2018 5 SPORT

MLB Nationals record 26 hits in 25-4 blowout of NY Mets Wade Miley tosses seven scoreless innings and Jeremy Jeff ress earned his fourth save as Milwaukee won at Dodgers

Reuters All but two singles in the inning came Washington against Angels starter Tyler Skaggs (8- 7), who was charged with 10 runs on eight hits and three walks in 3 1/3 in- aniel Murphy homered twice nings, by far his worst performance and drove in six runs, and of the season. In all, the Rays had 14 Tanner Roark knocked in hits, including three each from Mallex three and threw seven solid Smith and Matt Duff y, two from Carlos inningsD as the Washington Nationals Gomez, and a home run from Jake Bau- defeated the New York Mets 25-4 on ers. Everyone in Tampa Bay’s starting Tuesday night at Nationals Park. lineup had at least one hit by the end of The 25 runs were a franchise high the sixth inning. for Washington, which fi nished with 26 hits and fi ve homers. Roark lined a TIGERS 2, REDS 1 three-run double that was the key hit in Matthew Boyd outdueled Homer Bai- a seven-run fi rst inning. The Nationals ley, and Niko Goodrum hit a solo homer scored at least three runs in each of the to lead host Detroit past Cincinnati. fi rst fi ve innings, then added six runs in Boyd (6-9) held the Reds to four hits the eighth off Mets infi elder-turned- and a walk in eight scoreless innings pitcher Jose Reyes. while striking out seven. Murphy went 3-for-4. Anthony Shane Greene recorded his 22nd save Rendon fi nished 3-for-6 with four despite giving up a run in the ninth. RBIs. Roark was 2-for-5 while Ryan Goodrum broke a scoreless deadlock Zimmerman (2-for-5) homered and with a fourth-inning homer. drove in three. Trea Turner added four Detroit’s Mike Gerber, who was hits and three runs, and Juan Soto and called up from Triple-A Toledo earlier Michael A. Taylor had three hits apiece. in the day, supplied a run-scoring dou- ble in the eighth inning for his fi rst ma- BREWERS 1, DODGERS 0 jor league hit and RBI. Wade Miley tossed seven scoreless in- nings and Jeremy Jeff ress earned his ATHLETICS 6, BLUE JAYS 2 fourth save as Milwaukee won at Los Khris Davis smacked his 29th home run Angeles. Miley’s mastery of Dodger among three hits, powering Oakland Stadium continued as the left-hander past visiting Toronto. improved to 4-0 in seven career starts Trevor Cahill (3-2) limited the Blue at the venue and lowered his ERA to Jays to two runs over six innings, and 2.06 there. He gave up just two hits the Oakland bullpen cleaned up with with fi ve strikeouts and two walks. three innings of one-hit relief, helping The Brewers collected the only run in the A’s open an eight-game homestand the third inning. Christian Yelich beat with a second straight win. out an infi eld single with two outs, and The Blue Jays scored in the top of the Lorenzo Cain ripped an RBI double fi rst against Cahill on an RBI single by to right fi eld against Dodgers starter Kendrys Morales before Davis contrib- Walker Buehler (4-4). uted a single to a two-run bottom of the fi rst that gave the A’s the lead for good. YANKEES 6, ORIOLES 3 Masahiro Tanaka pitched six scoreless ASTROS 5, MARINERS 2 innings, and rookie Miguel Andujar hit Charlie Morton pitched six strong in- a three-run homer as host New York nings, and Evan Gattis hit a tiebreak- beat Baltimore. Tanaka (9-2) followed Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy hits a three run homer during the third inning against the New York Mets in Washington. (USA TODAY Sports) ing home run as Houston snapped a up his three-hitter at Tampa Bay last season-worst, fi ve-game losing streak week by allowing three hits. Edwin Encarnacion drove in three runs homered to back the strong pitching of Godley (12-6) gave up two hits in with a win at Seattle. Houston’s Josh He struck out eight, walked two and and Francisco Lindor had two hits and right-hander Jon Gray, helping Colora- seven innings, singles by Robinson ROYALS 4, WHITE SOX 2 Reddick, who went 3-for-5 with three threw 105 pitches, matching his pitch scored twice for Cleveland, which won do turn back host St. Louis. Gray (9-7) Chirinos in the second inning and Wil- Ryan O’Hearn made his major league RBIs, added a two-run homer in the top count from a week ago in his sixth ca- for just the fourth time in 11 meetings went 7 1/3 innings, allowing three runs lie Calhoun in the fi fth, walked one and debut a memorable one, when his fi rst of the ninth off left-hander Zach Duke, reer complete game. The right-hander with the Twins while improving to 31- (two earned) and four hits. hit a batter. Godley struck out the fi rst career hit, a two-run homer, snapped who was making his Mariners debut also ran his unbeaten streak to 13 games, 15 against American League Central op- He walked two and struck out fi ve. batter in each of his seven innings, the a scoreless tie and lifted visiting Kan- after being acquired in a trade with the and he is 7-0 since his last loss on April ponents. Trevor Bauer (10-6) allowed After Matt Carpenter hit Gray’s fourth fi rst in the majors to do that since 1974, sas City past Chicago. The Royals have Minnesota Twins. 17 against the Miami Marlins. two runs on four hits but also walked pitch of the fi rst inning for a leadoff according to STATS LLC. won six of their past 11. The White Sox Morton (12-2) allowed two runs on four and hit a batter in 6 1/3 innings. He home run, the Rockies did all the scor- have lost fi ve of six. O’Hearn, 25, was six hits. He walked one and struck out PIRATES 5, CUBS 4 struck out three, snapping a streak of 12 ing until the eighth, building a 6-1 lead BRAVES 11, MARLINS 6 recalled from Triple-A Omaha earlier in eight. Hector Rondon pitched a perfect Francisco Cervelli hit a two-run homer, consecutive starts with seven or more in the process. Blackmon’s homer, his Ronald Acuna Jr. homered for the sec- the day after playing 558 minor league ninth inning for his 10th save. and Gregory Polanco added a solo shot strikeouts. 21st of the season, came with two outs ond straight game, and left-hander games, and he is expected to see regular for the winning margin as Pittsburgh in the third inning and gave Colorado Kolby Allard won his major league de- playing time down the stretch for the GIANTS 3, PADRES 2 (10 INNINGS) downed visiting Chicago. David Freese PHILLIES 3, RED SOX 1 the lead for good. but as host Atlanta beat Miami. Acuna rebuilding Royals. Starting as the des- Brandon Crawford singled home Evan added two RBI doubles for the Pirates, Jake Arrieta pitched seven strong in- led off the game with a home run, his ignated hitter, he grounded out in his Longoria with two outs in the 10th in- who have won three of four games and nings, and Roman Quinn led the off ense DIAMONDBACKS 6, RANGERS 0 11th, to give Allard an early lead. fi rst at-bat in the third inning before ning to give visiting San Francisco a 14 of 17. Javy Baez belted a three-run with three hits as Philadelphia posted a AJ Pollock homered, Zack Godley The lefty wound up pitching fi ve in- homering to right in the fi fth to score second straight extra-innings victory homer and fi nished a triple shy of hit- victory at Boston. Maikel Franco had tied a career high with 10 strikeouts, nings for the win, the third straight Jorge Bonifacio, who had walked. over San Diego. San Francisco, which ting for the cycle for the Cubs, who two hits, walked twice and scored two and Arizona regained fi rst place in the for the Braves. Allard gave up fi ve runs arrived in San Diego having gone 3-6 have lost three of four. runs for the Phillies, who snapped a National League West with a win over (four earned). Acuna was 3-for-5 and RAYS 10, ANGELS 6 since the All-Star break, won its third four-game losing streak. Carlos San- visiting Texas. drove in two runs to pace Atlanta’s 19- Tampa Bay scored seven runs in the straight. INDIANS 6, TWINS 2 tana added a pair of hits. Arrieta (9-6) Jon Jay had two singles and an RBI, hit attack. Acuna is seventh player in fourth inning and coasted to a win over The loss was San Diego’s seventh Greg Allen had three hits and scored allowed six hits and one run. He struck and Nick Ahmed had a two-run double franchise history to hit double-digit Los Angeles in St. straight, and the Padres have dropped three runs, and Jose Ramirez had three out seven and threw 94 pitches. for the Diamondbacks, who have won home runs before turning 21. Five oth- Petersburg, Fla. The Rays got six hits, 14 of their past 16 games. They went hits and drove in two runs as Cleveland seven of 10 and moved one-half game er Braves had multi-hit games, with two walks and a hit batter in the deci- 5-20 in July, the second-worst month snapped a two-game losing streak with ROCKIES 6, CARDINALS 3 ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Ender Inciarte getting four and Freddie sive inning, Michael Perez’s double the in the franchise’s 50-year history by a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez the Colorado Rockies in the division. Freeman collecting three. only extra-base hit in the frame. winning percentage.

NFL In better mental and physical shape, Elliott is on a mission

By Clarence E Hill was on the line, his coming to eight games of the season before tive vice president of personnel Fort Worth Star-Telegram camp in less than the best shape he ended up serving his penance. Stephen Jones said. was understandable. After starting the season 5-3, “I think it was huge that he It was hard to concentrate the Cowboys were 3-3 in his ab- was able to really get his hands or all the unknowns sur- working out when your livelihood sence and never quite regained around what this is all about _ rounding the Dallas Cow- and reputation were in someone their footing when he returned the challenges that are out there. boys heading into 2018, else’s hands. The Cowboys went for the fi nal two games season. Hopefully, it’ll continue.” any hope of a possible with the company line last sea- He apologized to owner Jerry It certainly has continued so playoffF run is based on Ezekiel son that Elliott wasn’t bothered Jones and promised that he was far in training camp where El- Elliott becoming the most domi- by the distractions and that he going to be the back this team liott has not only looked quicker nating running back in the NFL was channeled and focused. needed going forward. Elliott and learner but has lived up to his again. He is the key to everything They are now acknowledging carried that focus into the off sea- promise of being a better leader they do and it goes without say- a diff erence in him and his ap- son, which was quiet, deliberate as well. He was strong in his de- ing that the biggest diff erence proach. “He has a clear focus and boring by his standards. It was fense of the team’s decision to between a 13-3 record in 2016 and clear vision on what he wants the opposite of salacious. There stand unifi ed for the national last year’s 9-7 campaign was Elli- to do and what he wants to be,” were no St. Patrick’s Day inci- anthem. He even asked Brown to ott’s decline in numbers from his Brown said. “When you look at dents or nightclub fi ghts to draw repeat a drill Saturday in prac- NFL-leading 1,631 yards rush- him physically and see where he the attention of TMZ cameras. tice. Owner Jerry Jones has cer- ing and 15 touchdowns as rookie has leaned up then you see the Elliott said he has learned from tainly taken notice. to gaining 983 and seven, while way he runs out here. You can his past experiences.”I am being “I just think he looks veteran- missing six games due to an NFL tell he is in a diff erent place right more cautious, more focused on ish,” Jones said Sunday. “I think suspension. now. “He is in much better shape my game,” said Elliott, in one of he looks confi dent. I think he’s It aff ected quarterback Dak mentally too. He doesn’t have all his few introspective moments. getting good hard work in. Fun- Prescott’s confi dence, effi ciency, that stuff on his mind. He has a “And focused on having a good damental work. He just looks and performance. It impacted clear vision on what he wants to year. I am just ready to go out sound to me. I’m glad to see him the defense, which found itself do and what he wants to be. He there and prove myself and be the get that solid work in.” on the fi eld more because the has a clear mind. He wants to running back I am for this team.” Jones believes a mentally free Cowboys were no longer domi- be the best. We are going to get His eff ort to tone things down and more physically fi t Elliott nating the ball and time of pos- in the process came from Elli- than he was a year ago. “You go completely diff erent Zeke than it a good Zeke this year. He is on a was not lost on the Cowboys who is the formula for what could session. The Cowboys did their ott himself, who no longer has at this time last year, he’s very was last year.” mission. You can see it already.” hoped, prayed and quietly begged be a record-breaking season for part to help by drafting of guard the weight of an NFL investiga- stressed out,” running backs Elliott is still listed at 6-foot, Elliott doesn’t elaborate much for a quiet, drama-free off sea- the running back. Eric Dicker- Connor Williams out of Texas in tion and subsequent suspension coach Gary Brown said. 228 pounds in the Cowboys me- on the details last season’s tra- son from Elliott. “It’s important son’s NFL single-season rushing second-round to address a hole hanging over his head. “Wasn’t himself. Looked big. dia guide. But everyone saw the vails, which included the investi- for him, it’s important for his record 2,106 yards is not out of up front, potentially make the of- It resulted in a quiet off season Now he looks happy and jubilant pudge on his waistline in train- gation, the offi cial suspension in teammates, it’s important for question for Elliott who will be fensive line the envy of the league and has him heading to camp and lean and just going out there ing camp last year. It just wasn’t training camp and then a battle our franchise and what people’s asked to carry an even bigger load again. But the biggest change lighter mentally and physically and having some fun. So it’s a talked about. Considering what in federal court through the fi rst thoughts are on him,” execu- in 2018 than he did as a rookie. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, August 2, 2018 SPORT

CYCLING Toomua eligible for World Cup with Rugby Australia deal Sydney: Matt Toomua has Team Sky best place for put his hand up for next year’s World Cup after inking a deal with Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels that will see the veteran return to next season. The Wallabies an- nounced the two-and-a-half Thomas, says Brailsford year contract yesterday and it means the 28-year-old util- ity back is immediately avail- able for Australia’s Bledisloe Thomas has been with Team Sky since its inception in 2010, mainly living in the shadows of first Bradley Cup campaign, which kicks of on August 18 in Sydney Wiggins and then Chris Froome before his breakout victory this year when the Wallabies host New Zealand. Reuters “As well as a chance to rep- London resent my country at a World Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas won the Cup again, the return home Tour de France on Sunday. (Reuters) also allows me to be closer to eam Sky boss Dave Brailsford both my wife and family after said he intended to negotiate nearly three years on the a new deal for Tour de France opposite side of the world,” champion Geraint Thomas af- said Toomua, who is married Tter the Welshman said he was ‘open to to Australia women’s cricket hearing other options’. star Ellyse Perry. Thomas has been with Team Sky “The Rebels are a Club since its inception in 2010, mainly living on the rise and I was really in the shadows of fi rst Bradley Wiggins impressed after having a few and then Chris Froome before his brea- conversations with (coach) kout victory this year. Dave (Wessels) about his His new-found status as Grand Tour plans for the future,” he said. winner would make him an obvious Toomua is signed up to target for rival teams, but Brailsford English club Leicester until believes the 32-year-old Welshman is 2020 but is contractually best-served by staying at Sky. “I am allowed to leave early if the pretty positive this is the best team for opportunity to play for the Geraint,” fellow Welshman Brailsford Wallabies arises, he said. He said yesterday. will play the upcoming sea- “It’s not unusual that these guys win son with the Leicester Tigers something big and it puts them in a dif- before joining the Rebels in ferent place to when they started out. his hometown of Melbourne With the contract negotiations we will midway through the 2019 sit down and thrash it all out. We’re a Super Rugby campaign. team that wants him, a team where he “I am still very much a has been very successful, one where he Tigers player and, if anything, knows the staff . Like anyone he is enti- being able to have this all tled to listen to other options but I’d like sorted is more positive than to think we will get it all sorted out.” to have a decision hanging Thomas rode a superb race to eclipse over my head,” Toomua teammate Froome who had been fa- added. Wallabies coach vourite to win a fourth consecutive Tour Michael Cheika said the de France. However, with Froome and 33-Test playmaker would highly-rated Colombian Egan Bernal provide a “massive boost” to competing with Thomas to be Sky’s top the Australian squad. dog on the road, he is not assured of be- “I’m really excited that ing team leader at future Tours. Matt has decided to return “For sure, you want to listen to what home,” he said. “He wanted people have to say because there are a to come back to play rugby lot of other strong teams around, it’s in Australia again and also to not just like Sky is up here and everyone represent Australia again.” is down there,” Thomas was quoted as saying this week. EASTMOND REUNITED “You just need to sit down prop- WITH FORD AT TIGERS erly, look at the positives and negatives Kyle Eastmond, who has and go from there. It’s quite fortunate I represented England in both didn’t sign (a new deal) before the Tour! rugby league and rugby But the way the team is run works re- union, signed for Leicester ally well for me. But I’m open to hearing our sport it has a structure where you’re duo of Bale and Warburton — admitted who received a call from former Gunners him and his wife Sara eating Welsh cakes yesterday, after a two-year other options.” on a team with someone but to win you he had watched the video endlessly in a manager Frenchman Arsene Wenger in their hotel room in the early hours of spell at Wasps. The 29-year- A move to another outfi t would allow have to be better than them, whether taxi on the way back to his hotel follow- following his win. Monday. old centre — who has won Thomas the sole ‘team leader’ status he you’re in another team or in that team.” ing celebrating his epic win on Sunday “Maybe when I get home tomorrow, “That was crazy because I put that on four caps in rugby league has never enjoyed but Brailsford says it in Paris. Thomas, who according to the shut the front door and sit on the sofa, it my Instagram and then next day it’s on and six in union — will hope would not boost his chances of winning THOMAS OVERWHELMED AS papers has pencilled in a return to Car- will start to sink in. I don’t know. I guess the front of a newspaper,” he said. “It’s to recreate the eff ective part- another Grand Tour. “It’s always been TOUR VICTORY SERENADED BY diff for a parade today from his home in I’ll have to experience it to know what probably a sign of things to come.” nership with Tigers fly-half the case at Team Sky that we have indi- ELTON JOHN, HENRY AND BALE Monaco, said the impact of his achieve- it’s really going to be like. But I don’t He admitted he deliberately dropped George Ford at Leicester the viduals who can perform at the highest Meanwhile, Thomas has been over- ment has yet to sink in. He told the pa- mind. I’m generally a pretty relaxed guy. the microphone on the winners podium pair enjoyed at Bath. level,” he said. whelmed by the reaction to his Tour per his life has been “turned upside We’ll see how it goes. Hopefully I can after being encouraged to do so by Sara “It’s great to join a mas- “In our sport you don’t sit down and de France victory with one particular down” although he had yet to give much just go with the fl ow.” and the team’s director of business op- sive club like Leicester with write a name on a piece a paper and say favourite a video featuring the likes of thought to the remark by 2012 Tour de Thomas, who set to sign a new con- erations Fran Millar, who were standing a strong tradition. I’m very he will be the team leader next year. Take Elton John, Thierry Henry, Gareth Bale France champion Wiggins that his life tract with Team Sky worth £3,500,000 behind the podium. “At the very end I happy to be a Tiger,” East- Geraint for example, in order to win the and Sam Warburton. would change irrevocably. ($4.6mn, 3.9mn euros), said an early in- thought ‘Sod it! I’ll do it’... and then it mond told the club website Tour de France (again) he would have to The 32-year-old Welshman — who “It’s just been one thing after the dication of how much had changed came went viral,” said Thomas. “It was a bit yesterday. beat Chris Froome and Egan Bernal. In went to the same school as the younger next,” said Thomas, an avid Arsenal fan with a photo he posted on Instagram of diff erent anyway.”

RUGBY FOCUS Coles likely to make a comeback Slipper ‘embarrassed’ about drugs ban ahead of return at end of season for All Blacks Super Rugby selection on Tuesday for their clash Reuters Reuters Sydney with the Wallabies at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney Wellington in a match the national team are using to prepare for the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Champion- esting positive for cocaine twice and be- ship that starts on Aug. 18 against the All Blacks. ooker Dane Coles is likely to return ing banned from rugby for two months “I’m just so lucky to be back here and given an to the fi eld with his province Wel- had been embarrassing but it also al- opportunity to play against the Australian team, lington before turning out for the Tlowed James Slipper to address his men- whether I play many minutes or not,” Slipper said. All Blacks’ fi nal two rugby Champi- tal health issues, the Wallabies prop said yester- “But it’ll be interesting. I feel like it’s important Honship clashes away to Argentina and South day as he prepares for a return to the fi eld. just having that purpose and having a bit of drive Africa, coach Steve Hansen said yesterday The 29-year-old tested positive for the drug on in your life.” Inside centre Sonny Bill Williams, who two separate occasions earlier this year. He was joined Coles in the All Blacks training camp given the minimum mandatory two-month ban in Christchurch this week, is also still on the in May and fi ned A$27,500. “I let a lot of people comeback trail after a shoulder injury and down and I couldn’t be more sorry for that and likely to miss the fi rst two tests against Aus- more embarrassed for what I’ve done,” a con- tralia. Coles has not played at all this year trite Slipper told reporters ahead of his return to since rupturing knee ligaments in a test match the fi eld tomorrow for a Super Rugby selection against France last November. He needed two against the Wallabies. operations to repair the injury. “I’ve obviously gone through a bit of a rough The 31-year-old has been blighted by inju- patch and made some poor decisions and prob- ry over the last two seasons, missing much of ably wasn’t coping with certain aspects of my life 2017 due to lingering concussion symptoms. that I was going through at the time. “At the end of “More than likely we will name him (Coles) so the day it brought it to a head and I’ve addressed we can have access to him as the season goes Lock Jackson Hemopo and prop Karl on Aug. 4, were included for the camp. The quite a few things and it’s probably something on,” Hansen told reporters in Christchurch. Tu’inukuafe, who were late injury replace- Rugby Championship squad will be named that’s going to have to stay with me for a while.” “But he will come back through the (pro- ments for the test series against France in next Monday before they assemble on Aug. The loosehead prop, who has won 86 caps for vincial championship) and play various June, were included in the squad but Waikato 9 in Christchurch to prepare for their open- Australia, said in May that he had been battling amounts of minutes there. Once he’s had Chiefs prop Nepo Laulala missed out. Laulala ing clash against the Wallabies in Sydney on depression, but his enforced break had allowed enough rugby, he’ll come to us. We just need had established himself in the All Blacks set- Aug. 18. him to confront his mental health issues. “It to get him fi t, he needs to get a bit more inten- up last year after Charlie Faumuina moved TRAINING CAMP SQUAD forced me to actually have a real good look at my- sity into his training and that’s going to take a to France, and while the 27-year-old broke Forwards — Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Nathan self and seek professional help,” he added. wee while. We’ve just got to get him running his arm in March he had been expected to be Harris, Jeff ery Toomaga-Allen, Karl Tu’inukuafe, “I was one of those blokes who didn’t want to fi t so we can get the old Colesy back.” out for only three months. “Unfortunately, Ofa Tuungafasi, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuip- talk, simple as that. I clearly was struggling a bit Williams suff ered the shoulder injury dur- Neps has just had a re-operation on his arm,” ulotu, Sam Cane, , , there but as soon as I opened up to my mum and ing the third test against France in June after Hansen said. “It didn’t heal properly so he’s Jackson Hemopo, Akira Ioane, , Liam my dad and told them I was struggling it kind of he missed the fi rst two matches following had to get a bone graft on that and he won’t Squire, Luke Whitelock. lifted a weight off the shoulders and I could really knee surgery. “He (Williams) looks fi t, he be available now, possibly, everything going Backs — TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Ta- address the issues.” trained well this morning without doing any well, until the end-of-year tour.” huriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Slipper’s ban ended on July 15 and he was named of the contact stuff ,” Hansen said. “The in- None of the players in the Canterbury Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny in the Queensland Country team for Australia’s James Slipper tested positive for the drug on two jury he’s got inhibits him from doing physical Crusaders, who are preparing for the Su- Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Nehe third tier National Rugby Championship that separate occasions earlier this year. He was given stuff .” per Rugby fi nal against South Africa’s Lions Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith. starts on Sept 1. He was called into John Manenti’s the minimum mandatory two-month ban in May. Gulf Times Thursday, August 2, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS Wawrinka ousted by qualifi er in Washington AFP On the women’s side, reign- get back where I want to be. It’s a wait for my opportunities.” Washington ing US Open champion Sloane long process and you have to ac- Stephens became the top- Stephens opened by beating fel- cept that. I know I’ll get back. I rated player in the draw when low American Bethanie Mattek- just don’t know how long it will world number two Caroline hree-time Grand Slam Sands 7-5, 6-4. Third-ranked take.” Wozniacki, the reigning Austral- champion Stan Wawrin- Stephens, who captured her fi rst It doesn’t help that Roger Fe- ian Open champion, withdrew ka, struggling in his Grand Slam title last year in New derer and Rafael Nadal returned due to a right leg injury. “It’s just comeback from left knee York, rallied from 5-2 down in from injuries and quickly found something that has been nag- Tsurgery, was ousted by US quali- the fi rst set to book a second- top form. After several knee in- ging for a little while,” Wozniacki fi er Donald Young at the ATP round match against Germany’s juries, Nadal has won three of said. “Hopefully it will be fi ne.” and WTA Washington Open on Andrea Petkovic. the past six Grand Slam titles. Stephens’ top-rated remaining Tuesday. “I’m super excited about Federer has taken three of the rival is Japan’s 17th-ranked Naomi Young, ranked 234th, out- the hardcourt season again,” past seven Slam titles after 2016 Osaka, the reigning Indian Wells lasted the 33-year-old Swiss Stephens said. “It was good I was knee surgery. champion who won her Wash- 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3) and ad- able to fi ght back and win.” “You can’t compare an injury,” ington debut 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) over vanced to a second-round match Wawrinka, who began his ca- Wawrinka said. “Some come American Bernarda Pera. “Confi - with Japanese seventh seed Kei reer in 2002, won his fi rst Grand back quickly. Some it takes more dence-wise, winning Indian Wells Nishikori. Slam title at the 2014 Australian time. “You need to accept it’s was good for me,” Osaka said. “It “It was a tough fi ght, a lot of Open and added the 2015 French going to be painful. It took a lot has helped me a lot.” nerves because he can hit any Open and 2016 US Open titles. of years to win Grand Slams and Top-seeded defending cham- shot,” Young said. “Stan at the He reached the Wimbledon if it takes me a few months to get pion Alexander Zverev of Ger- top is totally diff erent than when quarter-fi nals in 2014 and 2015 my game back in top shape then many led Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri he’s working his way back. I’m but hasn’t gotten past the sec- that’s all right.” 6-2 when 1am rain halted their sure he’ll be back. I won’t want ond round since. Hard-learned second-round matchup until to play him when he’s back.” patience over 12 years before his NO. 2 WOZNIACKI Wednesday. One other men’s Wawrinka, ranked 198th, fell Slam breakthrough is paying WITHDRAWS match and four women’s match- to 6-11 this year after missing dividends as Wawrinka tries to Stephens, who won her fi rst es were postponed as well. most of nine months before re- recapture top form. WTA title at Washington in 2015, “There’s rain in the forecast turning in May. “There are diff erent steps. fi red her sixth ace on her fi rst the next four days. Everyone “It’s painful to lose in the fi rst Right now is to get back a little match-point chance to advance has played late matches here,” round here, especially 7-6 in the confi dence and get rid of all the after one hour and 53 minutes. said US second seed John In- third,” Wawrinka said. “I was doubt you have in your game,” “I knew I was in for a real ner. “Whoever deals with that missing a lot for sure. It’s tough Wawrinka said. test from the very beginning,” the best, whoever doesn’t mind when you haven’t played a lot of “I feel like I’m really close, but Stephens said. “I knew I had to playing at two in the morning, is Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in action against US qualifier Donald Young at the Washington Open in matches. Tough loss for sure.” sometimes really far. I’m sure I’ll be patient, play my game and liable to win the event.” Washington DC. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Tributes fl ow as golfer Lyle halts Serena suff ers worst cancer treatment AFP the Australian Masters in No- Sydney vember 2013. But his health deteriorated again in recent months, with ustralian golfer Jarrod the latest diagnosis seeing defeat of her career Lyle has moved into emotional tributes from fellow palliative care and is players. bracing for the worst “We all love Jarrod. He’s such afterA ceasing treatment for can- a good bloke. It’s not fair he’s cer, sparking an outpouring of going through this,” said former sadness yesterday from fellow world number one and fellow players. Australian Jason Day. The 36-year-old former US Another Australian, Adam at hands of Konta PGA Tour stalwart said his body Scott, told reporters ahead of could take no more after a the World Golf Championships- ‘I don’t know. I have so many things on my mind that I don’t have time third battle with acute my- Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio eloid leukaemia, which returned that Lyle had been a personal in- last year. spiration. to be shocked about a loss where I clearly wasn’t at my best’ “My heart breaks as I type this “He is one of the best blokes message,’ his wife Briony said there is. Given all the diffi culties in updating Lyle’s social media he’s had since his late teens, he pages on Tuesday evening. has lived the best life he could “Earlier today Jarrod made the with the tough cards he has decision to stop active treatment been dealt,” he said. and begin palliative care. “His positivity and general “He has given everything that demeanour has been so good he’s got to give, and his poor and so infectious on others. It’s body cannot take anymore. a good way to think of how I We’ll be taking him closer to should live my life.” home in the next couple of days Major winner Ernie Els added so he can fi nally leave the hos- in a tweet that “we are thinking pital.” and praying for you and your Lyle, who has two young chil- family now more than ever”, dren, overcame acute myeloid while British star Tommy Fleet- leukaemia as a 17-year-old be- wood said: “Thank you for be- fore suff ering a recurrence in ing an inspiration.” 2012. Movie superstar Dwayne That diagnosis was delivered Johnson was also touched by when he sought treatment Lyle’s fate, tweeting: “Man this from his local doctor for an is a tough one. Sending so much infection from an insect bite he love, light and strength to Jarrod sustained in Mexico after a tour- and the Lyle family.” nament. Lyle joined the PGA Tour in He won that battle and made 2007 and managed a handful of his return to professional golf at top 10 fi nishes.

Davies wants better funding for European women’s golf

British veteran Laura Davies corporate Europe really to see has called for more financial the value in us, because I think backing for European women’s we’re well worth it,” she said. golf, saying players are short “What the magic formula is, I Serena Williams of the United States reacts during her Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic match against Johanna Konta (right) of Great Britain at Spartan Tennis Complex in San of tournaments to hone their don’t know. I’m a golfer. I don’t Jose, California. (Getty Images/AFP) skills. get involved in that side of it, Davies, 54, is teeing off at the and I just wish them the best AFP loss of her hall of fame career. nalist Dominika Cibulkova. tle at this event in 2016 when it is the chance to play another Women’s British Open at Royal because we deserve a good Los Angeles “I don’t know. I have so many The loss to Konta comes just was held in Stanford University, one. I’m grateful for that op- Lytham and St Annes today strong European Tour.” things on my mind that I don’t over a month after Williams defeating Williams’ older sister portunity and will work hard for after cruising to victory at the Over the next four days Davies have time to be shocked about a complained that she is being Venus in the fi nal. another one.” recent inaugural US Senior is hoping to provide a boost for erena Williams suff ered loss where I clearly wasn’t at my discriminated against by the Konta next faces Sofi a Kenin, Women’s Open. European golf. the most lopsided loss best,” she said. sport’s drug testing program be- who earned an impressive win Marriage and tennis provide Davies has always played a “I’m playing well and know I can of her career at the WTA Williams, who was seeded cause of the number of samples over qualifi er Veronica Cepede mixed day for Kohlschreiber mix of US LPGA and Ladies still contend,” she said. San Jose event on Tues- sixth, managed just nine win- she is being asked to provide. Royg on Monday. German Tennis player Philipp European Tour events but she is “I’m looking forward to it.” day,S losing the fi nal 12 games in ners against 25 unforced er- “Out of all the players it’s Konta played a superb match Kohlschreiber will hope his ATP not impressed with the current “My first ‘British’ was back in a shocking fi rst-round upset to rors and had her serve broken been proven I’m the one getting with 17 winners, nine unforced loss to Denis Istomin yester- state of the LET. 1980 at Wentworth,” she said. unseeded Johanna Konta. six times. She looked nothing tested the most. Discrimina- errors and won 83 percent of her day is not an omen of things to “It’s not good, is it?” she said. “It was on the East course at The 23-time Grand Slam like the player that dominated tion? I think so,” Williams wrote fi rst-serve points. come – having tasted defeat just “I mean we’ve not got enough Wentworth. I can’t remember winner struggled might- the Tour for years, winning 72 in a tweet. Williams had won This was one of the biggest hours after his own wedding. tournaments and I feel sorry for who I played with but I remem- ily against the British No. 1 singles titles and earning more this tournament the last three wins of her career but Konta Kohlschreiber, 34, married all the young girls that are great ber the atmosphere. and former winner Konta, who than $86 million in prize money. times she played it in 2011, 2012 said she won’t be celebrating his long-term partner Lena players. They need to play in “It was very low-key. I won it crushed Williams 6-1, 6-0 in “She obviously wasn’t play- and 2014 and won her only pre- too long because there is more in Kitzbuehel, Austria, before tournaments. in 1986 at (Royal) Birkdale and just 51 minutes on the main Sta- ing her best level – nowhere vious meeting with Konta 6-2 work to do. taking to the court at the event “It’s not easy to get to America, then we went to Woburn. All of dium. near – so I tried to play the 6-3 in the 2017 Australian Open “I don’t believe in big bang in his current hometown, his play in the Symetra (tour), try a sudden we started playing Williams, who was playing match on my terms and just do quarter-fi nals. moments, or magic moments management confi rmed to dpa. and get on the LPGA tour. So the links rotation, which I think her fi rst match since dropping what I can out here,” Konta said. “I think she played better where the fi ngers click and it all Uzbekistan’s Istomin won the I know everyone behind the made the golf tournament what the Wimbledon fi nal, is try- Both women were playing in this match than she did 18 comes together,” she said. second round clash 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 scenes is working incredibly it is today. ing to regain her top form after their fi rst match since Wimble- months ago, so that’s a good “I believe in continuous hard on the Kitzbuehel clay against hard trying to get things going.” “So the more times we play on missing most of the 2017 season don, where Williams fi nished thing for her,” said Williams. work and every day persever- defending champion Kohls- She said women’s golf needs the great links courses, the bet- due to a pregnancy. runner-up to Angelique Kerber ance, putting in the work and chreiber, who is nonetheless more support. ter it is because that’s what the The 36-year-old Williams and Konta lost in the second BEAT BOTH SISTERS trusting the process. likely to remember the day with “We just need the backing of British Open is all about.” tried to shrug off the worst round to eventual quarter-fi - Konta won her maiden WTA ti- “All this match has given me fondness.

Thursday, August 2, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOOTBALL Al Rayyan stun Al Duhail to lift Sheikh Jassim Cup ‘It feels great to start the season with a win like this. I hope all of the players can give such committed performances in the coming weeks also’

Al Rayyan players and off icials celebrate with the Sheikh Jassim Cup after their win over Al Duhail yesterday. At right, Mohamed Muntari of Al Duhail reacts after missing a crucial penalty that helped Rayyan win. PICTURES: Othman Khalid

By Sports Reporter who began his tenure with a victory. For Doha Nabil Maaloul, who coached Tunisia at the recent World Cup and then replaced the highly-successful Djamel Belmadi at l Rayyan won their fi rst Cup Duhail, he had more than one reason to tournament in fi ve years as worry after last night’s match, they held their nerve to beat Al Maaloul is already without his coun- ADuhail on penalties (5-3) and tryman and key striker Youssef Msakni, clinch the Sheikh Jassim Cup yesterday. who is recovering from a knee ligament After an end-to-end encounter was injury and is expected back only in De- deadlocked 1-1 at full time, Qatar foot- cember or January. Last night, Maaloul ball season’s traditional curtain-raiser was dealt another blow when captain went to penalties. And it was Rayyan Karim Boudiaf limped off the eldfi just goalkeeper Oumar Barry who emerged as after four minutes with a suspected knee the hero after he blocked Duhail striker injury. Boudiaf’s absence seemed to make Mohamed Muntari’s weak shot. Then an impact as Duhail started off slowly and Ahmed Mohamed Ali converted Rayyan’s committed too many fouls. last penalty to send his teammates and One such foul from defender Assim supporters into jubilation at the Al Sadd Omer Madebo almost cost them. stadium. Madebo brought down Mowafak Awad QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad al-Thani hands over the Rayyan captain Rodrigo Tabata paid Qidoom in the edge of the box. In the trophy to Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo Tabata. credit to the 15-day pre-season train- resulting free-kick Duhail goalkeeper ing camp they had in Europe, where the Lecoumet Amin saved his team with a way. Duhail’s new signing Edmilson ran past couple of Duhail defenders to the team focused on the tactical and fi tness brilliant block off a curling right-footer made an impressive debut as he went left fl ank and released the ball to Abdul- aspects. from Tabata. Duhail regrouped thereaf- close a couple of times and was also un- rahman Mohamed al-Harazi, who was “It was a team eff ort. It feels great ter as their midfi eld maestro Nam Tae- lucky not to get a penalty. able to slot it calmly past a helpless Amin. to start the season with a win like this. hee dictated the play. The South Korean At half-time Duhail were fi rmly in Duhail, caught unawares by Rayyan I hope all of the players can give such exploited the spaces as he repeatedly cut control of the game as the QNB Stars goal, went for the kill. They thought they committed performances in the com- through the Rayyan’s defence, providing League title holders looked set for anoth- had the winner in the bag when Almoez ing weeks also. I have to give credit to my his teammates with vital passes as Duhail er title. But Rayyan were not ready to go Ali found the net in the 82nd minute from teammates and the way the new coach went ahead in the 23rd minute. down that easily as they upped the ante. a corner. But the substitute forward was worked so hard with us. We won because Tae-hee sent Paulo Edmilson free The renewed energy provided them quite clearly off -side as Rayyan players of the hard work we put in the off -sea- on the left and the Belgian’s cross was the equaliser in the 64th minute. It was a heaved a sigh of relief. son,” Tabata said. steered in expertly by Ismail Mohamed, superb move from Rayyan captain Tabata Rayyan also had a chance in the dying Both the teams had a new coach, and Al Rayyan’s new coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena earned the rare distinction of who hoodwinked the Rayyan defence which set up the goal. Tabata lifted the moments but Sebastian Soria could not it was Rayyan’s Rodolfo Arruabarrena, winning his first trophy in Qatar in his debut tournament. with a sharp turn to send Barry the wrong ball to Mohammed Juma al-Alawi, who capitalise on a loose ball and shot wide.

SPOTLIGHT WORLD CUP England Qatar Airways offi cial airline sponsor consider of 2018 Qatar Goodwood Festival 2030 bid AFP London atar Airways has an- come all to ‘Glorious Goodwood’ the UK, including six daily de- nounced that it is the for this exciting event.” partures from London Heath- offi cial airline spon- According to al-Kaabi, the row, 16 weekly from London he Football Association sor of the 2018 Qatar Qatar Goodwood Festival is one Gatwick and Manchester, as well is considering putting GoodwoodQ Festival, in partner- of the highlights of their global as daily fl ights from Cardiff , Bir- England forward as a po- ship with the Qatar Racing and sponsorship portfolio. “Once mingham and Edinburgh. tential host for the 2030 Equestrian Club (QREC). again, we are delighted to wel- Passengers travelling to Lon- TWorld Cup, confi rming yester- The event, which is being held come Qatar Airways as a partner don with Qatar Airways can also day it has approved a feasibil- in West Sussex, England, from for the second year in a row. We experience the airline’s patented, ity study into becoming Europe’s July 31 until August 4, is known are proud of this renewed part- award-winning Business Class only bid. for its elaborate dress code and nership and thank the airline for seat, Qsuite. Unveiled last year, England, the home of the glo- fancy hats combined with some their support of this event,” he Qsuite features the fi rst-ever bally dominant Premier League, of the world’s greatest fl at-races, noted. double bed in Business Class, as won the only World Cup the na- resulting in a thrilling week of “Qatar Airways’ presence well as sliding panels that trans- tion has ever hosted in 1966 but racing like no other. helped make last year’s high- form the space into a shared area lost out in the race to host the The fi rst day of the prestigious profi le event even more success- customisable for groups of two, 2006 and 2018 tournaments. event was attended by several ful, and we are confi dent their three, or four, enabling passen- “Last month the English FA VIPs, including Qatar Olympic presence will be benefi cial this gers to work, dine or socialise at board agreed to conduct fea- Committee President HE Sheikh year as well,” al-Kaabi added. 40,000 feet. sibility work into the possibil- Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Brit- “We look forward to a very ex- Earlier this year, Qatar Air- ity of putting itself forward to ish ambassador to Qatar Ajay citing edition and an extended ways revealed a host of upcom- be UEFA’s potential candidate to Sharma, Al Shaqab executive Dignitaries attending the 2018 Qatar Goodwood Festival. partnership with Qatar Airways.” ing new global destinations, in- host the 2030 FIFA World Cup,” director Khalifa bin Mohamed In May this year, Qatar Air- cluding the announcement that FA chairman Greg Clarke said in al-Attiyah, Qatar Equestrian owners and trainers from around a key event on the UK’s eques- “This sponsorship also dem- ways launched direct services it will be the fi rst Gulf carrier to a statement. Federation president Hamad bin the world. trian calendar. Our sponsorship onstrates the importance of the to London Gatwick and Cardiff , begin direct service to Luxem- “This work will take place Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, QREC Qatar Airways Group chief of this event, in partnership with UK as a destination, as seen most strengthening its presence in the bourg. Other new destinations during the new season and no general manager Nasser bin executive Akbar al-Baker said, the Qatar Racing and Equestrian recently with the addition of two UK with two additional gateways to be launched by the airline in- decision will be made until 2019.” Sherida al-Kaabi and QREC rac- “We are thrilled to once again be Club, highlights the affi nity for additional gateways into the into the country. clude Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta, England went out in the fi rst ing manager Abdulla Rashid al- the offi cial airline sponsor of the horses we in Qatar share with country, London Gatwick and Passengers can now choose Malta; Langkawi, Malaysia and round of voting for the 2018 Kubaisi, along with many horse 2018 Qatar Goodwood Festival, the UK. Cardiff . We are delighted to wel- from up to 95 fl ights a week to Da Nang, Vietnam. World Cup.