SUNDAY 19 MAY 2019 SPORT 05 It may heat up, but it won’t be any hotter than it was 12 CRICKET FOOTBALL months ago. I’ve never seen Langer says Smith and England vs Pakistan Scottish Premiership anything like it so the boys are Warner ready to ‘face 5th ODI at Leeds Celtic vs Heart of Midlothian

very well prepared. the fire’ in England. ACTION Ireland vs Afghanistan Hibernian vs Aberdeen TODAY’S

Aussie Ewan MotoGP: Marquez braves wet ends run of near-misses to win Giro eighth conditions to take pole in France stage sprint

AFP AFP LE MANS French MotoGP grid PESARO

World champion Marc Marquez Leading grid positions for Australia’s Caleb Ewan cele- drew level with Valentino Rossi’s today’s French MotoGP brated wildly after storming a record 55 MotoGP poles with the after qualifying at Le Mans bunch sprint to win stage eight quickest time in yesterday’s yesterday: of the Giro d’Italia yesterday qualifying for the French Grand 1st row after coming close to victory Prix at Le Mans. 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) three times already in the The session was staged in 1min 40:952sec, 2. Danilo opening week. changeable conditions which Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) at Chief contenders for overall made tyre choice a complex 0.360, 3. Jack Miller (AUS/ Giro victory, Britain’s Simon affair, as underlined by Marquez Ducati-Pramac) 0.414 Yates, form favourite Primoz posting the fastest lap only to 2nd row Roglic, Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali then fall off his Honda. 4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/ and Colombian climber Miguel The Spaniard quickly Ducati) 0.600, 5. Valentino Angel Lopez all finished in the climbed back on board to con- Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 0.703, bunch with the same time on tinue unscathed having posted Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez 6. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/ the run from Tortoreto Lido to his pole-securing time of 1min competes during the third MotoGP free practice Yamaha-SRT) 0.729 Pesaro. 40.952sec early in the session session, ahead of the French Motorcycle Grand 3rd row Italy’s Valerio Conti, of the when the circuit was still rela- Prix in Le Mans, northwestern France, yesterday. 7. Takaaki Nagakami (JPN/ UAE Emirate Team, who took tively dry. Honda-LCR) 1.107, 8. Jorge the pink jersey on stage six, He was joined on the front Lorenzo (ESP/Honda) 1.115, remains in the overall lead for row by Ducati duo Danilo “Today was one of those days “I’m happy with this pole Dovizioso (Ducati), Rossi 9. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/ a third day. Petrucci and Jack Miller for Sun- when it wasn’t funny to be a rider because it was a day where you (Yamaha) and Franco Morbidelli Aprilia) 1.498 The 24-year-old Ewan, of day’s fifth leg of the season. because in these conditions you could easily start from the back (Yamaha-SRT). 4th row the Lotto-Soudal team, pro- don’t know whether to stick on if you weren’t careful. Now we Riders will be keeping a 10. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/ duced an astonishing burst of wet or dry tyres,” said Marquez see what the weather does careful watch on the weather for Yamaha-SRT) 1.557, 11. power to relegate Italy’s Elia who holds a one- advantage tomorrow!” the race which is due off at 1200 Maverick Vinales (ESP/ Viviani to second and Bora- over Suzuki rival Alex Rins in the French fans eager to see GMT. Yamaha) 1.603, 12. Pol hansgrohe’s Pascal Ackermann, Today was one of overall standings. home hope Fabio Quartararo In Moto 2, Spain’s Jorge Espargaro (ESP/KTM) no who has two wins on this Giro, Rins trailed in only 19th replicate his fine performance Navarro of Speed Up grabbed time recorded to third. those days when it yesterday. in qualifying in Jerez a fortnight pole from Switzerland’s Thomas “I have a lot of pressure to wasn’t funny to be “With this light rain it’s really ago, when the 20-year-old Luthi on a Kalex with compatriot win races (since his move from a rider because in hard. In qualifying we knew we became the youngest rider to Alex Marquez, also on a Kalex, Michelton-Scott) and to win these conditions you had to push on the first lap when take pole in a MotoGP, were left taking third spot. Japan’s Ai Ogura in a Honda front here means the absolute world there was the least water on disappointed. World championship leader row lockout. to me,” said Ewan, who had fin- don’t know whether track. Then with more water on The Yamaha-SRT rookie will Lorenzo Baldassari of Italy starts McPhee became the first ished in the top five on three to stick on wet or dry track it got more difficult,” added set off from 10th on the grid. in seventh. Scotland’s John rider to progress from Q1 to then occasions in the first seven tyres: Marquez Marquez after his third pole in The second row of the grid McPhee claimed pole in Moto 3 go on to take pole position in the stages of this year’s Giro. five races this season. features Italian trio Andrea from Tony Arbolino of Italy and sport. The day was marked by two powerful rollers launching a sustained long-range break from the opening minutes with Blues strike back to level NHL play-off series Marco Frapporti and Damiano Cima spending 200km out in AFP in one post-season -- passing Brian front. Elliott (2016) and Roman Turek The diminutive Ewan’s new (2001). team had spent much of the day The St. Louis Blues, buoyed by 29 saves “That’s a great honor obviously,” keeping tabs on their long from goalie Jordan Binnington, held on Binnington said. “I’m having a lot of range escape however, sig- for a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks fun back here playing with this team. nalling their intent and the on Friday to level the NHL Western They’re doing a great job. Sammy Blais (9) of the St. Louis powerfully built Sydneysider Conference finals at two games apiece. “They limited their chances Blues reacts against the San Jose was overcome with emotion Ivan Barbashev and Tyler Bozak tonight. We played a complete game. Sharks during the third period after several near misses so far. scored first-period goals for St. Louis and I just tried to do my job.” Tomas Hertl in Game Four of the Western “We have been trying to the Blues withstood a second-period scored, and Martin Jones made 20 Conference Finals during the win every day, and I’m happy onslaught to bounce back from a disheart- saves for the Sharks. 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs to repay the team,” said the ening overtime loss on Wednesday. “We had some good chances and at Enterprise Center in St Louis, visibly relieved Ewan, nick- The Sharks will try to regain the we can get a little better,” Missouri on Friday . named the Pocket Rocket. advantage in the best-of-seven series San Jose captain Joe Pavelski “I wasn’t feeling that good, when it shifts back to San Jose for game said. “If we can get him (Binnington) so I waited and had a good kick five on Sunday. moving a little bit, some of our and came round them The winner of the series will take on opportunities (might go in). (Akermann and Viviani).” - Stiff the Bruins in the Stanley Cup “But he played well, gave up one test Sunday - This was Ewan’s finals. The Bruins swept the Hurricanes goal and we gave up two. What are second stage win on the Giro, in four games in the Eastern Conference you going to do about it?” Barba- two years after his first and he finals. shev’s first playoff goal gave the Blues also has a Vuelta win on 2015 Binnington posted his 10th win in the a 1-0 lead just 35 seconds into the but has yet to clinch a win on playoffs to set a Blues record for most wins contest. the Tour de France. Bucks rout Raptors to take 2-0 NBA Harden and George Eastern Conference finals lead finalists for MVP award AFP The Thunder were elimi- AFP minute of the contest.“I know NEW YORK nated in the first round as LOS ANGELES every night when the game starts George struggled with a my teammates are looking at Bucks forward shoulder injury that eventually scored me,” Antetokounmpo said. Giannis Antetokounmpo, required surgery. 30 points and grabbed 17 “I think it definitely gave the Rockets star James The MVP winner will be rebounds to lead the Milwaukee team a lot of energy.” The Bucks Harden and ’s announced on June 24 in Los Bucks to a convincing 125-103 made sure the Raptors never got are the three Angeles. victory over the Raptors a sniff, roaring to an 18-point finalists for the NBA’s Most The league announced three on Friday for a 2-0 lead in the lead in the first quarter on the Valuable Player award. finalists for six individual NBA Eastern Conference finals. back of nine quick points from Harden is the reigning MVP, awards based on voting by a The top-seeded Bucks, who Nikola Mirotic and a 12-0 scoring but if he wins this year the honor panel of sports media. rallied to win game one of the run late in the period. will again come amid playoff Both Antetokounmpo and best-of-seven series, never Milwaukee led by 25 points, disappointment after the George are also in the running trailed and led by as many as 28 64-39, at halftime, with Ersan Rockets were eliminated from for Defensive Player of the Year points to double their lead in the forward (43) takes Ilyasova contributing 15 of his 17 the second round by the -- along with Utah’s Rudy series, which moves to Toronto before the break and Malcolm defending champion Golden Gobert, who won the award last a shot against center for games three and four on Brogdon 12 of his 14 off the State Warriors. year. (11) in the third quarter in game two of the Eastern Sunday and Tuesday. Bucks’ bench in the first half. Antetokounmpo led Mil- The finalists for Rookie of conference finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv “Mentally, we were ready for Overall the hosts’ reserves waukee to the best record in the the year are Deandre Ayton of Forum on Friday. this game,” Antetokounmpo said. out-scored Toronto’s 31-11 in the league and a berth in the Eastern the Phoenix Suns, Trae Young “Once the game started, we first half and 54-39 overall. Conference finals, where they of the Atlanta Hawks and Slov- did a great job setting the tone. try to get one at our place.” a dunk, an emphatic on Six Bucks players scored in are battling the Toronto Raptors enian Luka Doncic of the Dallas We knew Toronto was going to Antetokounmpo played a key Raptors center and double figures. for a place in the championship Mavericks. come and try to play hard and role in setting that tone -- with another dunk in the opening series. 06 SPORT SUNDAY 19 MAY 2019

England’s Jason Roy celebrates his century during the fourth One-Day International against Boxing body faces inquiry Pakistan at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain, on Friday. team before Tokyo ruling

AP GENEVA

The embattled amateur boxing federation faces an Olympic inquiry tomorrow fearing it could be punished for forcing out a longtime IOC member as its president. For the first time in a six- month probe, International Boxing Association (AIBA) offi- cials will sit down with the three- member investigation panel. \ It will wrap a six-month probe of AIBA’s reformed lead- ership, finances, judging and ref- ereeing of bouts, and report Wednesday to the IOC. The International Olympic Committee’s executive board is expected to take AIBA out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics boxing tournaments. People takes photographs of the Olympic Ring at the Japan Sport Olympic Square beside the under “We have got probably two constructing national stadium in Tokyo yesterday. hours to explain to a committee about thousands of documents,” The IOC increased scrutiny power broker Sheikh Ahmad Al Lausanne to consider an offer AIBA executive director Tom after Wu resigned in 2017 under Fahad Al Sabah and former from Russian member Umar Virgets said, questioning how pressure from AIBA member board member Patrick Hickey Kremlev to clear its $16m debts, Monday’s session could lead to federations. of Ireland - who were charged and weigh legal options. an “informed decision” by the It opened the inquiry within or arrested in criminal An IOC decision to exclude IOC board less than 48 hours weeks of interim president investigations. AIBA from Tokyo, and oversee later. Gafur Rakhimov of Uzbekistan “(Rakhimov) did the exact its own Olympic qualifiers and It is unclear if the inquiry being formally elected last same thing their people did,” medal tournaments, could be team - led by board member November, and barred AIBA Virgets said at AIBA head- challenged at the Court of Arbi- Nenad Lalovic, the Olympic officials from contacting Tokyo quarters in the Olympic home tration for Sport. wrestling body’s president - will organizers. city Lausanne, praising his “great Virgets, a former United recommend specific next steps. Rakhimov is on a US leadership” in correcting the States Naval Academy athletic “We have grave concerns Treasury Department sanctions troubled finances. official, said that is ideally “not about my partner (the IOC) list for suspected links to an “AIBA has been broken and the way I want to do business.” during this whole process,” organized crime group in former now we have fixed it,” the “Nobody wins,” he said, Virgets said, suggesting the IOC Soviet Union republics involved American official said, citing “when everyone airs their dirty is still unhappy at AIBA ousting in heroin trafficking. He denies turmoil under Wu ahead of the laundry,” though he believes “one of their own” as any wrongdoing. 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. AIBA’s legal arguments would be president. Rakhimov stepped aside “It was allowed to go on for strong. During the 11-year AIBA from AIBA in March to help per- many, many years without this “We want a level playing Star Roy reveals presidency of C K Wu, an IOC suade the IOC inquiry of boxing’s (type of) evaluation. We are 100 field. member since 1988, doubts were good faith. times better than we were in “If we are wrong, if we fail to expressed over financial man- This “self-suspension” 2015.” reach the standard, then shame baby drama agement and the integrity of matched the actions of two On Saturday, AIBA’s exec- on us. But what were the after hundred OIympic bout results. senior IOC members - Kuwaiti utive committee meets in metrics? What was the bar?” AFP NOTTINGHAM Redgrave ILO slams 2020 Games targets Jason Roy was at a loss to explain how he had scored a match- winning century against Pakistan following an overnight visit to Olympic gold hospital with his baby daughter. working conditions Roy’s superb 114 was the centrepiece of England’s chase as for China in they beat Pakistan at Trent Bridge on Friday to go 3-0 up with one to play in a one-day international series. REUTERS Tokyo, Paris Yet Roy’s eighth century at this level came in trying circum- TOKYO stances, with the Surrey opening batsman saying he’d been more REUTERS worried about daughter Everly than piling up the runs. Construction workers are living SOFIA “It was a very emotional hundred. I didn’t see it coming,” Roy in a ‘culture of fear’ and work for told BBC Radio’s Test Match Special. long hours in perilous conditions China has targeted one “I had a bit of a rough morning so this one is a special one for building Tokyo 2020 Olympic Olympic rowing gold at the me and my family,” added Roy, who returned to hospital after a venues, according to a report 2020 Games in Tokyo and two three-wicket win, although his daughter’s condition is not believed from a leading international titles in Paris in 2024, the to be serious. labour organisation. team’s first high performance “It was my little one. We had to take her to hospital at 1:30 in The Building and Wood director Steve Redgrave said. the morning. I stayed there until 8:30am, came back for a couple Workers’ International (BWI) Redgrave, who won five of hours sleep and got to the ground just before warm-up and report, which is based on the successive Olympic gold cracked on.” organisation’s interviews with medals between 1984 and England were cruising to a target of 341 while Roy was at the workers, says they are dealing 2000, was handed the role crease but, after comfortable wins at Southampton and Bristol, with dangerous conditions, long A general view of the construction site of the Athletes’ Village last year. his dismissal sparked a collapse that saw three wickets lost for working hours and an inade- for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in this Chinese officials said he seven runs in 10 balls. quate complaint system. September 27, 2018, file photo. would offer advice and try to And when Moeen Ali was out for a duck, England were 216 for BWI also noted two con- improve the structure and five. struction workers had died in the report said. The report was “commissioning party” for any methods at all levels of But Ben Stokes’s unbeaten 71 eventually saw England win with connection with the Tokyo 2020 submitted to Tokyo 2020, which of the other projects. Chinese rowing as well as three balls to spare. Olympics. is organising the Games; the “The Tokyo Organising Com- teaching local coaches. “For Ben to soak up that pressure, come through it and be not “The Tokyo 2020 Summer Tokyo Metropolitan Gov- mittee... is now reviewing the “The Olympic Games in out at the end will give him lots of confidence. It was great to see Olympics was Japan’s oppor- ernment; and the Japan Sports contents of the report and will Tokyo are, of course, an him play in that fashion,” said England stand-in captain Jos Buttler. tunity to address some of the Council, which manages the cooperate with related stake- important step in our strategy Wicket-keeper Buttler, leading the side while regular captain long-running gaps within the National Stadium, on Tuesday. holders to look into the alleged and China wants to win a gold Eoin Morgan served a one-game ban for the team’s slow over- construction industry in Japan; “The JSC has been calling for issue,” Tokyo 2020 spokesman Olympic medal there,” Red- rate in Bristol, also praised Roy by saying: “It’s great to watch Jason however, these problems have efforts on the construction Masa Takaya said in an email. grave said in the Bulgarian go about his work too. He’s been in great form and he was des- just got worse,” BWI General company to ensure the safety Construction work on city of Plovdiv, which hosted perate to go on to his hundred.” Secretary Ambet Yuson said in and health of workers and Tokyo’s new National Stadium, the 2019 World Rowing Cup’s While Roy was named man-of-the-match, the award could the report. receiving reports regularly,” a the centrepiece of the 2020 opening event last weekend. have gone to his Surrey team-mate Tom Curran. In 2017, the parents of a JSC spokesman said via email on Summer Olympics, began in “So far the country has The paceman took four for 75 in Pakistan’s 340 for seven, 23-year-old builder at the Friday. December 2016 after a delay of only one Olympic title, won including the wicket of century-maker Babar Azam, and, batting National Stadium petitioned the The Tokyo Metropolitan nearly a year. The original design at home in 2008,” Redgrave, at No 8, made 31 in a key stand of 61 with Stokes. government to recognise his Government acknowledged on was rejected because of its high who retired after the Sydney It all strengthened Curran’s case for a place in tournament suicide as “karoshi” - or death Friday that it had received the cost, but it is set to be completed 2000 Olympics, said. hosts England’s final 15-man squad for the World Cup. with the by overwork, with media saying report, but did not immediately in November. China won the women’s showpiece event now just a matter of weeks away. he worked 200 hours of respond to requests for Organisers have presented quadruple sculls in Beijing and “With the bat, with the ball, I love his character. He just wants overtime a month before his comment. the 2020 Olympics as an oppor- took two bronze medals at the to be involved in the game, he had a fantastic day,” added Buttler. death. Eight new venues are being tunity to soften Japan’s work Games in Rio in 2016. Curran, however, might have been run out for six had either A labour standards office built for the Games alongside culture. The country has few “So, the first goal now is Pakistan or the umpires spotted that a second direct hit in the eventually recognised his death older renovated venues in limits on overtime and pay. to win gold at the Olympics same passage of play had dislodged the one remaining bail as he as work-related. Tokyo. The JSC manages the Employees at more than a fifth outside China but the main scrambled to complete a run. The BWI report, released to construction of the National of companies exceeded a gov- goal is two titles in Paris in Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who did not appeal for the the public on Wednesday, says Stadium, and the Tokyo Metro- ernment threshold of 80 hours 2024,” the 57-year-old Red- Curran run-out was left regretting that decision but the wicket- Japan’s acute labour shortage politan Government is respon- of monthly overtime, a white grave said. keeper was arguably more frustrated by his team’s succession of has put immense pressure on sible for the remaining new paper showed in 2016. China took a large team to costly fielding errors. construction workers. venues. Last year, the infrastructure Plovdiv and finished top of the “We had enough runs on the board and if we field well we win Builders at the Olympic and Tokyo 2020 organisers are ministry predicted the Japanese World Cup points table for the this game,” said Sarfraz. Paralympic athlete village responsible for the temporary construction industry would face first time. The World Rowing “The coach told me (about the run-out). I thought both bails reported working 28 days in a gymnastics venue, which is not a shortage of 470,000 to Cup series was launched in had come out, I hope that if the third umpire seen it on the tele- row; those working on the mentioned in the report. 930,000 workers by 2025. 1997 and consists of three vision he would tell the umpires as well.” National Stadium reported The organising committee The Summer Games begin regattas over the year. working 26 days consecutively, noted that it is not the on July 24, 2020. SUNDAY 19 MAY 2019 SPORT 07

Bayern Players debate punishment Munich win after Kyrgios’ latest outburst title for 7th successive AP ROME “I don’t think he Australia’s Nick Kyrgios returns the ball to Russia’s season should be suspended. Danill Medvedev during their ATP Masters match at the Foro Italico in Rome in this May 14, 2019, file photo. Nick Kyrgios’ latest outburst of He walked off the REUTERS unruly behaviour has other court. What did he MUNICH players split on whether the temperamental Australian do? He hurt a chair? Bayern Munich won a record- should be handed a long-term That’s not enough for extending seventh consec- ban. me. I don’t know if utive Bundesliga title Kyrgios walked off the court yesterday after crushing and threw a chair onto the red he’s on probation or Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 to clay during a fit of rage during not from his Shanghai finish two points ahead of his second-round match at the thing. If that’s the Borussia Dortmund. Italian Open on Thursday, case, then obviously The Bavarians, who will leading to him being defaulted secure a domestic double if and fined. you can maybe look they beat RB Leipzig in the His opponent, Norwegian into it. If that’s run German Cup final on May 25, qualifier Casper Ruud, said that its course, I don’t have now won the German wasn’t enough and called for league title a record 29 times. Kyrgios to be banned for six think he should be “It was no easy season by months or longer. suspended.” any means. What the team Roger Federer, though, Says Roger Federer managed to achieve after a lot thinks Kyrgios has already been of criticism is significant. That given an appropriate is why I would like to thank punishment. Italico, with Kyrgios losing 6-3, stuff is already tough enough,” better of me and I just wanted to deserved.” In 2015, Kyrgios them all,” Bayern coach Niko “I don’t think he should be 6-7 (5), 2-1 against Ruud. Federer added. “He knows it’s a say that the atmosphere was insulted Stan Wawrinka with Kovac said as his team topped suspended,” Federer said. “He First, Kyrgios slammed his mistake what happened.” crazy out there today, just super crude remarks during a match the standings with 78 points. walked off the court. What did racket to the clay and kicked a Ruud said many players unfortunate that it had to end in in Montreal. With veterans Franck he do? He hurt a chair? That’s water bottle. Then he picked up were debating how long Kyrgios a default. Sorry Roma, see you He was fined $12,500 and Ribery and not enough for me. I don’t know a white chair and flung it onto should be suspended for. again, maybe.” given a suspended 28-day ban. scoring in their last league if he’s on probation or not from the court with his right hand. “It doesn’t seem like any- Before he was defaulted, He also attracted criticism for game for the club and the his Shanghai thing. If that’s the The men’s tour said Kyrgios thing makes him change these Kyrgios received a warning for deciding not to play at the Frenchman becoming the first case, then obviously you can will lose his €33,635 ($37,500) days,” Ruud said. “The ATP ball abuse, then was docked a Olympics because of a spat with player to win nine Bundesliga maybe look into it. If that’s run in prize money from the tour- should do something.... I’m not point for unsportsmanlike an Australian team official, and titles, victory was also sweet its course, I don’t think he should nament and 45 ATP points. the only one who thinks he conduct and lost a game for more for firing back at retired players for Kovac. be suspended.” Kyrgios was also fined should be suspended for at least unsportsmanlike conduct. who have offered advice. He spent much of his first Kyrgios was already sus- €20,000 for the three unsports- half a year.” “He was getting angry that Top-ranked Novak Djokovic, season at Bayern under pended by the ATP Tour in 2016 manlike conduct penalties he Before leaving the court, some guy was walking in who is president of the ATP pressure while his future in for “tanking” a match and received during the match and Kyrgios shook hands with Ruud between his first and second player council, said he had “no Munich, despite a contract to insulting fans during a loss at the must cover the cost of his hospi- and the chair umpire. serve,” Ruud said. “Then he was opinion” on whether Kyrgios 2021, is still in doubt. Shanghai Masters. tality during the tournament, the “Very eventful day to say the getting more and more angry.... should be suspended. “I am convinced that it The latest incident occurred ATP said. least,” Kyrgios wrote on He does whatever he feels like “I’ll let others, officials, will continue (here),” Kovac on an outer court at the Foro “A zero pointer, fine, all this Instagram. “Emotions got the doing. I think he got what he decide that,” Djokovic said. said. “I have first-hand information. “We managed to do some- thing big. We were nine points behind in the autumn so con- Hope Solo: Moving on after both gratulations to my players. I am totally happy but also totally exhausted. Now I hope that we can also win the Cup and celebrate the double,” he success and controversy said. With two points sepa- AP In the intervening years, Solo rating Bayern and Dortmund CHICAGO Pictures of was among the candidates who going into the final matchday, Hope Solo ran for president of US Soccer the Bavarians were in no Hope Solo has moved on. posted on but lost to current President mood for any mishaps con- She was in goal four years her official Carlos Cordeiro. sidering they had squandered ago when the United States won Twitter handle She has worked with a youth a chance to wrap up the title the Women’s World Cup in @hopesolo. soccer club in Los Angeles, last week when they drew at Canada. She will be a spectator Solo, 37, Tudela FC, as well as Street Leipzig. when the team seeks to defend made 202 Soccer USA, a national non- In a dominant first half its title starting June 7 in France. appearances profit that seeks to look at com- they went ahead through Solo was dismissed following for the US munity-level ways to address Kingsley Coman after four the 2016 Olympics in Brazil after national team poverty through soccer. The pro- minutes and missed a bagful calling the Swedish team and posted gramme has spread to 15 cities of chances to score again. “cowards” for taking a defensive 153 wins and has helped some 15,000 kids Frankfurt briefly levelled stance against the defending gold and had an and adults. when Sebastien Haller medallists - ending a laudable international- The national team has also stabbed in on the in playing career that was also record 102 moved on, and will take Alyssa the 50th but their hopes of a marred by controversy. shutouts. Naeher, as well as goalkeepers top-four finish lasted only Solo’s name will still be Ashlyn Harris and Adrianna minutes with David Alaba and bandied about this summer, Franch, to France. All three face Renato Sanches netting for the drawing both comparisons and Opportunity Commission that I do know that you have to fight days in early 2015 when she and inevitable comparisons to Solo, hosts in the 53rd and 58th. questions: Would the United alleged wage discrimination by to change the world.” husband Jerramy Stevens were fair or not. Ribery, who joined back States be a stronger contender if US Soccer. Solo made 202 appearances pulled over in a US Soccer- In an interview earlier this in 2007, and Robben, who it had the 37-year-old Solo, who Although she was no longer with the national team with 153 owned van, and Stevens was year, Naeher said she can’t get arrived two years later, came was arguably still at the top of with the team, she filed a lawsuit wins and an international-record charged with DUI. wrapped up in the debate. on as substitutes and scored her game when she had her against the federation last 102 shutouts. She was benched after pub- “At the end of the day, I can Bayern’s fourth and fifth goals nasty breakup with US Soccer? August, alleging discrimination During the 2015 World Cup licly questioning coach Greg only control me, control who I for a perfect farewell. And her story will again be told. under the Equal Pay Act and the championship run, she allowed Ryan’s decision to start Briana am, the type of player I am, the Ribery overtook Bayern Solo has no regrets, no Civil Rights Act. just three goals in seven games Scurry against Brazil during the way that I play and the way that greats , Bastian apologies. Players for the US women’s with five shutouts. 2007 World Cup, which many I carry myself,” Naeher said. Schweinsteiger, “I will tell you that I am really team filed a similar suit in March Her tenure with the national saw as a slight against Scurry. “That’s the great thing about and Mehmet Scholl, among happy where I am in life, that I that accuses US Soccer of “insti- team abruptly ended the next And there was an off-field this sport and the position spe- others, who have eight league fulfilled everything that I wanted tutionalised gender discrimi- year following the Brazil altercation with family members cifically, is that there is no black crowns to their names. to fulfil on the field. If I would nation” that includes unequal Olympics when the Americans in 2014 that resulted in Solo’s and white way to go about it. Bayern’s Robert Lewand- have retired without a World pay with their counterparts on were ousted by Sweden in the arrest, although charges in that We’re all different and we all owski was crowned the Cup trophy, I think I never would the men’s national case were eventually bring our own personality and league’s top scorer for the have been able to settle into my team. “You know I hope one day US Soccer dropped. uniqueness to the team and to fourth time with 22 goals. new lifestyle. But luckily we won The USSF maintains Solo maintains the position.” Dortmund finished on 76 that 2015 World Cup and I was the men’s and women’s will give me the respect that every the real reason for Solo has settled into a com- points after beating Borussia able to win a couple of Golden teams have different other player has received, which is a her dismissal is that fortable life with Stevens on 50 Moenchengladbach 2-0. RB Gloves, which was a personal collective bargaining retirement game. And hopefully one she speaks out. acres in North Carolina, where Leipzig, third, and fourth- goal of mine, and a couple of gold agreements, and, as a Had she been a she has a vegetable garden and placed Bayer will medals. I hold almost every goal- result, different pay day I’ll be able to actually, formally man, perhaps the there’s room for the couple’s join them in next season’s keeping record,” she said. structures. retire and say goodbye to all my punishment wouldn’t dogs - and chickens - to roam. Champions League. “I am not sure there is much A hearing to join the wonderful fans.” have been so harsh As for her future, there is one Gladbach, VfL Wolfsburg more that I could have done.” two lawsuits is set for and permanent, she thing Solo probably won’t ever and Frankfurt will compete in Solo has been trying to May 30. said. do again. the Europa League. reinvent herself, transitioning “I realise that it’s the hardest quarter-finals. Afterward, Solo “People say I’m outspoken “I think we all know the from athlete to activist. At the route to go is to fight, and con- called the team cowards. The and I guess I used to think it was answer to that question, I am not World Cup, she’ll be part of the tinue to fight and to continue to blowback was immediate. a word used to put me down,” going to play again. I have not Franck Ribery BBC’s broadcast plans, an initi- lose out, honestly,” she said. Although Solo maintains she she said. retired because, well, I got fired,” With nine titles under his belt, ative called Change The Game “I’ve lost out on endorse- apologised to Sweden, then- “But now I look at it as a term she said. that focuses on women’s sports. ments because I’m an adversary coach Pia Sundhage and even of endearment, because being “You know I hope one day Franck Ribery has A focus of her post-playing to US soccer. I’ve lost out on her own team-mates, US Soccer outspoken is hard. And being US Soccer will give me the overtaken Bayern greats career has been equal rights and broadcasting opportunities suspended Solo and terminated able to speak about what you see respect that every other player Philipp Lahm, Bastian pay. because I’m an adversary to US her contract. as the truth, I think it’s very dif- has received, which is a Schweinsteiger, Oliver Kahn Solo was among five star soccer. So these things are real. The federation maintained ficult, because we as athletes are retirement game. And hopefully and Mehmet Scholl, among national team players who filed And I feel the financial burden, the decision was based on a cul- oftentimes taught to deal with one day I’ll be able to actually, others, who have eight league a complaint in 2016 with the I feel the personal burden, I feel mination of events. the media in a way that is very formally retire and say goodbye crowns to their names. federal Equal Employment the burden within the media. But Solo was suspended for 30 just kind of predictable.” to all my wonderful fans.” SPORT Sunday 19 May 2019 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 06 Marquez braves Star Roy reveals wet conditions to baby drama after take pole in France hundred

Djokovic and Qatar’s Samba seals Tokyo 2020 Nadal to clash in Rome final

Games berth with Shanghai win AFP ROME QNA/ THE PENINSULA the phantom-like 47-second SHANGHAI barrier, an achievement beyond Top seed Novak Djokovic set even the event’s most heralded up a final showdown with Qatar’s rising star Abdulrahman legend, Ed Moses. So when second-ranked Rafael Nadal Samba opened his 2019 Diamond Samba stopped the clock at at the Italian Open yesterday League season in style with a 46.98 at the Paris Diamond after battling past Argentina’s world leading time of 47.27 League meeting last June, it was Diego Schwartzman in the seconds to set the men’s no surprise that the world semi-final. 400-meter hurdles meet record record question started to World number one in Shanghai yesterday. become one of those ‘when’, not Djokovic -- winner at the The 23-year-old, who won ‘if’ kind of queries. Madrid Open last weekend Diamond Prize with a unbeaten But Samba wasn’t the only -- came through 6-3, 6-7 record last year, clocked 47.27s athlete entering Young territory (2/7), 6-3 in 2hr 31min to to smash the meet record of last year for Benjamin, then a meet defending champion 48.63s set by Bershawn Jackson 20-year-old college runner from Nadal. of the United States in 2017. UCLA (the University of Cali- Nadal swept past Rai Benjamin of United fornia, Los Angeles), had already Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas States finished second in 47.80s, matched Moses’ US record of 6-3, 6-4 to advance to his followed by Irishman Thomas 47.02 when winning the national 50th Masters final and first Barr in 49.41. collegiate title on his home track on clay this season. “It is a great feeling for the at the start of June. The eight-time Rome first Diamond League race of the While the former Antiguan winner had been stunned by season. It was a great race as Rai – with a famous cricketing Tsitsipas, seeded eighth, in and I pushed each other to the Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba celebrates father – made that his last race the semi-finals at the Madrid winning the Men’s 400m Hurdles at the of the year, Samba went on to Open last weekend. Diamond League meet at Shanghai complete an unbeaten season, But the 32-year-old Stadium in Shanghai, China, yesterday. gathering Asian Games and Con- Spaniard was clinical on the tinental Cup titles as he lowered red clay of the Foro Italico, the Qatari record on five occa- winning through in 1hr 42min It is a great feeling line,” said Samba, who sizzled the world record could be under H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al sions and the Asian mark three to reach the final for the 11th for the first Diamond 47.51 to win the gold medal at threat in the clash with Thani, Chairman of the Qatar times. time. League race of the the Asian Championships last Benjamin. Olympic Committee and to the “It’s an important victory month. With this result, Samba Qatari people,” he said. for me,” said Nadal. season. It was a great “The main goal of the season became the second member of The Qatari dipped the almost “I played a solid match race as Rai and I for me is the World Champion- Qatar’s Athletics Team to qualify unbreachable 47-second barrier against a good player who is pushed each other ships in Doha. This year is a big for the Olympic Games in Tokyo last June and the one-lap hur- We dedicate this winning a lot of matches on to the line. The main year and I feel better this year,” 2020, after his teammate Abu dling star is pushing to touch this surface. Last week I he added. Bakr Haydar, who finished Kevin Young’s mythical mark of victory win to H E didn’t play very well in goal of the season Samba’s winning mark in fourth in the 800m race held in 46.78 seconds. Sheikh Joaan bin Madrid. Today I did better.” for me is the World Shanghai is nearly half a second Doha last week. Young ran his extraordinary Hamad Al Thani, Nadal, seeded second, Championships in shy of his continental record of Secretary-General of the time to bag gold at the Barcelona Chairman of the Qatar was playing his fourth Doha. This year is a big 46.98s set last year in Paris, Qatar Athletics Federation Olympic Games way back in straight semi-final, but had which also stands as the Mohammed Issa Al Fadalah 1992. Olympic Committee not managed to go further on year and I feel better Diamond League record. expressed his happiness with the Few have come close in the and to the Qatari clay this season,but he has this year: Samba Samba had sounded a thinly achievement made by Samba. 27 years since, and no one else people: Al Fadalah not dropped a set so far this veiled warning on Friday that “We dedicate this victory win to before Samba had dipped below week. Nadal’s run to the Rome final comes just a week before he starts his assault on Qatari referee a 12th French Open title at Roland Garros. to officiate at “The feeling is that I am Man City win FA Cup to playing better every week, every day. That’s important CONCACAF for me,” he said. “It’s not a drama to lose Gold Cup in semi-finals. The main complete domestic treble thing is recover my level. AP “I say in Madrid I was MIAMI AFP playing better, then I played LONDON a bad match in the semi- One of the 16 referees for this finals, true. year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup will Manchester City completed the “But my feeling, espe- be from Qatar, host of the 2022 first ever domestic treble in cially after my loss against World Cup. English football in emphatic (Dominic) Thiem in the semi- The Confederation of North fashion by dispatching Watford finals of Barcelona, I think and Central American and Car- 6-0 at Wembley to claim the FA my personal feeling ibbean said Cup yesterday. improved and my energy on Friday this is part of an Raheem Sterling scored a came back a little bit.” Tsit- agreement in which CONCACAF hat-trick, while David Silva, sipas, meanwhile, who lost officials worked at this year’s and Gabriel the Madrid final to Djokovic, Asian Cup in the United Arab Jesus also netted to cap a glorious was at a loss to explain his Emirates. campaign with the biggest performance as he fell to his César Ramos of Mexico, the margin of victory in a FA Cup fourth defeat in five matches only CONCACAF referee at the final since 1903. against Nadal. Asian Cup, officiated four Watford’s wait to win their Fellow Greek Maria matches, including Qatar’s 4-0 first ever major piece of sil- Sakkari’s run was also halted win over the UAE in the semi- verware goes on, but after going in the women’s tournament finals.The Qatari referee at the behind they had little answer to as she fell 6-4, 6-4 to Czech Gold Cup will be Abdulrahman Pep Guardiola’s relentless cham- fourth seed Karolina Pliskova Al Jassim, who worked four pions as the Catalan picked up in 88 minutes.Sakkari, a Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (second left) lifts the winner’s trophy as the players celebrate Asian Cup matches, including the 27h trophy of his coaching 39th-ranked Rome qualifier, victory after the English FA Cup final match against Watford at Wembley Stadium in London, yesterday. Iran’s 3-0 quarterfinal victory career. had won her first WTA title over China. Three American It could have been very dif- on clay at the Moroccan Open referees will be at the Gold Cup: ferent for the Hornets had a penalty against Vincent won headers against taller season by smashing the ball over when she beat Britain’s Ismail Elfath, Jair Marrufo and Roberto Pereyra not missed the Kompany was not looked upon defenders before the ball broke the line. Johanna Konta. Armando Villarreal. This will be first big chance of the game after favourably by referee Kevin for the Spaniard to fire across Veteran goalkeeper Gomes “I think I ran out of gas,” the fifth Gold Cup for Marrufo, Watford pounced on one slack Friend or the Video Assistant Heurelho Gomes. was making what is expected said the 23-year-old. who worked the Belgium- pass by Oleksandr Zinchenko to Referee. City control then turned into to be his final game before he Konta, ranked 42, fought Tunisia group stage match at spring a counter-attack. And Javi Gracia’s men also total dominance as a gloriously plans to become a pastor in back from a set down to seal last year’s World Cup and Real Gerard Deulofeu fed the played a big part in their own crafted second gave Watford a retirement. victory on her fourth match Madrid’s victory over Al Ain in Argentine, but City goalkeeper downfall for City’s first goal mountain to climb. Watford were left praying for point against Madrid Open the Club World Cup final. Ederson raced from his goal to on 26 minutes from which Bernardo Silva’s curling cross a miracle that never came, but winner Kiki Bertens 5-7, 7-5, The Gold Cup is June 15 to make a fine save with his trailing Guardiola’s men never looked picked out Jesus at the back post the 38-year-old briefly kept his 6-2 after almost three hours July 7 and will be held mostly leg. back. and the Brazilian’s effort was side in the game either side of to set-up a final clash with in the US, with games also in Watford were also left The diminutive figures of heading in before Sterling half-time with saves from Riyad Pliskova. Jamaica and Costa Rica. angered as a handball shout for David Silva and Sterling both snatched his 24th goal of the Mahrez and Jesus.