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Friday, August 10, 2018 FOOTBALL Dhul-Qa’da 28, 1439 AH Courtois says he GULF TIMES turned down bigger off ers to join Real SPORT Page 3 QNB STARS LEAGUE Qatar Sports Club keen to build on opening victory ‘Each match is diff erent and my strategy for each game is also diff erent. We have our strengths and weaknesses...’

By Sports Reporter diums was a new experience for the side. Doha “Playing the first few rounds in air-condi- tioned stadiums was a good idea. That made playing comfortable for the players. fter their sensational win over top- “We will miss Iranian professional player four side Al Gharafa in their opening Mohamed Reda due to his ankle injury,” added match, Qatar Sports Club will aim to Macala. keep the momentum going when they Meanwhile, Al Rayyan’s new coach Rodolfo takeA on Al Ahli in the second week of QNB Stars Arruabarrena was also keen to capitalise on League action today. his team’s winning start. For a team that have struggled to keep pace “We have tough opponents in Umm Salal. with the big guns over the past few years, They have what it takes to win and they know their 3-1 over Al Gharafa came as a welcome how to go about it. They will come hard at us confidence-boost, something they will seek especially since they lost the opening match to draw upon as they seek their second win on to Al Sailiya,” said the Argentinian. the trot. “From our side, we will do everything to win “The win has boosted the confidence of my this game. One match is not enough to assess players. All our staff are working hard so that Action from Qatar any team’s performance. However, from what we maintain the momentum,” Qatar Sports Sports Club’s match we have seen, the overall level is good. Most Club coach Abdulla Mubarak told reporters at against Al Gharafa teams are almost at the same level. his pre-match press conference. on the opening day “Some teams took advantage of their ri- “However, we must be wary of Al Ahli. They of the QNB Stars vals’ mistakes towards the end of their are coming off a defeat, so we are expecting a League on August 4. matches. We see that we are improving as a tough game.” side. We have no injury worries, except that Mubarak added that the opening win has of key striker Abderrazaq Hamdalah, but then made his task a lot easier. he was missing in action since the end of last “It was good to start off the league cam- season. paign with a victory. That has made things a Umm Salal coach Laurent Banide was un- bit easy for us, right from training, moulding der no illusion about the enormity of the task. strategy to implementing it on the field. “Each game is difficult and that is foot- “Each match is different and my strategy ball. We know the potential of Al Rayyan, so for each game is also different. We have our we have to do more for this game. They have strengths and weaknesses, but we must not depth in their squad, but we can win if we allow our rivals to take advantage of our weak play well as a team,” he said. points. “We are analysing our problems. The play- “I do not rely only on 11 players. We have a ers lost focus at times in the last match against good group and I count on all players. We are Al Sailiya which we lost narrowly through a assessing their qualities individually and our late goal. Past is past. We are learning from focus is to bring the best out of them. They Al Ahli coach Milan Macala, meanwhile, take any point from it. And we conceded two was after a long time that they played such our mistakes. We can improve day by day.” must be performing consistently in a league declared that his side are ready for the game, goals as well. But we are looking forward. a good game, against Al Gharafa in the first competition. We were overwhelmed by the keen to make amends for their 2-0 loss to Al We are ready for this game,” said the veteran round. They look a strong side. So we must be TODAY’S FIXTURES happiness of our fans after beating Al Ghara- Rayyan last week. coach extra careful against them.” Al Rayyan vs Umm Salal, 5.30pm fa.” said Mubarak. “The first round is over and we could not “Qatar SC are serious opponents for us. It Macala said playing in air-conditioned sta- Al Ahli vs Qatar Sports Club, 7.40pm

PREVIEW Manchester United aim to defy Mourinho’s doubts in EPL opener against Leicester City AFP quick turnaround between the World Cup and the Manchester start of the new season. Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof were all praised by Mourinho anchester United have to defy their for cutting short their holidays to return to training own manager Jose Mourinho’s fears for and be in the frame to play a part today. a season of doom and gloom when they Paul Pogba did not follow suit as the French kick off the Premier League campaign World Cup winner’s frosty relationship with Mour- Magainst Leicester City today. inho has sparked interest from Barcelona. Mourinho has repeatedly called for more back- But Mourinho must fi nally get the best from ing in the transfer market if United are to close the his star midfi elder and Alexis Sanchez to avoid his record 19-point gap they trailed Manchester City third season in charge turning sour as it did in his by last season despite fi nishing second in the table. second spell at Chelsea and Real Madrid. Instead, the Portuguese’s mood has been further Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December soured by seeing another fi erce rival Liverpool steal 2015 with the then-Premier League champions a march with a £170-million ($220mn) splurge on languishing in 16th, just one point above the rel- new signings. egation places. “If we don’t make our team better it will be a dif- Likewise in his fi nal campaign in the Span- fi cult season for us,” Mourinho warned earlier this ish capital in 2012/13, Mourinho clashed with a week, so far to no avail ahead of Thursday’s transfer number of senior players in a trophy-less season. deadline. The ingredients appear to be in place for an- After securing the signatures of Brazilian in- other Mourinho meltdown should United get off ternational midfi elder Fred and Portuguese teen- to a bad start and he believes even the scheduling age full-back Diogo Dalot early in the window, of his side’s opening fi xture has made his task even strengthening his centre-back options has been harder. Mourinho’s priority. “I want to say a nice word, we were unlucky to Yet, United could end up facing one of Mourin- get the Friday match as we could get the Sunday,” ho’s top targets in Harry Maguire at Old Traff ord, he bemoaned at opening the campaign. with Leicester reportedly holding out for a world- “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (to record fee for a defender to land one of England’s prepare) is not enough.” heroes from a run to the World Cup semi-fi nals. One of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants Ne- Maguire and Leicester’s main goal threat, Jamie manja Matic will miss the start of the season due to Vardy, may not start having just returned to pre- surgery on an abdominal injury, while Eric Bailly season training this week after their exertions in and Ander Herrera are also doubts after picking up Russia. knocks in United’s fi nal pre-season friendly defeat But United are even more shorthanded by the by Bayern Munich. Gulf Times 2 Friday, August 10, 2018 FOOTBALL

TRANSFERS Everton sign Mina as Man Utd miss out on deadline day AFP making just six appearances for Barca champions Manchester City after do- London after joining from Palmeiras in Janu- ing their business early in splashing ary and the Catalan giants were keen over £170mn on Brazilian goalkeeper to cash in on the 23-year-old, who cost Alisson Becker and midfi elders Fab- verton secured the services just 11.8mn euros seven months ago. inho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri. of Colombian World Cup star After Chelsea shattered the world Despite slashing a club record Yerry Mina from Barcelona on record fee for a goalkeeper with an £60mn on signing Riyad Mahrez, City an unusually quiet deadline day 80-million euro (£71.6mn, $92mn) have enjoyed a quiet window. Austral- inE the Premier League as Manchester swoop for Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Ar- ian teenager Daniel Arzani joined the United failed to satisfy manager Jose rizabalaga, there was little late move- English champions from sister club Mourinho’s desire to sign a centre- ment from the top six clubs with Mour- Melbourne City on Thursday will be back. For the fi rst time the Premier inho in particular frustrated at missing sent out on loan to Celtic. League deadline was moved forward out on a host of targets to bolster his Tottenham Hotspur became the fi rst to the day before the season kicks off defence. Premier League side since the summer when United host Leicester City today. Harry Maguire, who could face Unit- window was introduced in 2003 to not Unlike in England, the window for the ed for Leicester today, Bayern Munich’s make a single signing. But manager rest of Europe’s leading leagues doesn’t Jerome Boateng, Toby Alderweireld of Mauricio Pochettino insisted he is hap- close until later in August, meaning Tottenham and Mina were all linked py with his squad after tying down the Premier League clubs have faced even with United, while Atletico Madrid’s likes of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen more infl ated prices when buying from Diego Godin emerged as a late target and Son Heung-min to new contracts. the continent. yesterday. But Mourinho accepted early “We have a very good squad, with Yet, an expected deluge of deadline yesterday he was unlikely to get his very good players and it is very diffi cult day deals failed to materialise with wish and added he is focusing on the to add players to that,” he said. Everton the most active after also seal- players already at his disposal. “The in- Wolves’ impressive summer of deal- ing a season-long loan deal for mid- formation I have is no,” said Mourinho ing on their return to the top fl ight con- fi elder Andre Gomes from Barcelona when asked if he would be adding to his tinued by signing versatile Belgian in- and the capture of Brazilian winger squad. “I’m not confi dent, I’m not con- ternational Leander Dendoncker from Bernard on a free transfer. fi dent and the market closes today so it Anderlecht. Mina scored three times in three is time at least for me to stop thinking West Ham signed Spanish striker Lu- games in Russia, including against about the market because the market cas Perez from Arsenal and Colombian Everton’s England goalkeeper Jordan will be closed.” midfi elder Carlos Sanchez to complete Pickford with a dramatic stoppage time Liverpool look like the big winners a near £100mn summer spend. Fulham header to send their last 16 tie to ex- of the window as they have emerged as signed Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico tra-time. Yet Mina failed to impress in second favourites for the title behind on a season-long loan deal. Colombia defender Yerry Mina impressed at the World Cup, scored three times in three games. (Reuters)

PREMIER LEAGUE Leicester bolster defence with Soyuncu, Benkovic deals Winners and losers from London: Leicester City strengthened their defence with the signings of Caglar Soyuncu and Filip Benkovic before the transfer window shut yesterday. Soyuncu, who has been capped 15 times by the transfer window Turkey, completed a move from Freiburg after signing a five-year deal. Liverpool weren’t just the biggest spenders, but got their business done early British media reported Leicester paid around 19mn AFP pounds ($24.4mn) for the London 22-year-old, who played 30 times for Freiburg last season as they finished 15th in the fter the transfer deadline Bundesliga. Young Croatian for Premier League clubs to Benkovic has moved from strengthen their squads for the Dinamo Zagreb on a five-year upcoming season passed yes- deal for a fee reported to be terday,A here is a look at who enjoyed the about 13 mn pounds. best and worst of the transfer window: The 21-year-old arrives at the King Power Stadium on WINNERS the back of an impressive Liverpool: In their quest to end a 29- 2017-18 campaign with Zagreb year wait to win the title, Liverpool in which he made 30 appear- weren’t just the biggest spenders, but ances in all competitions got their business done early and im- and helped them clinch the proved the key areas of Jurgen Klopp’s Croatian league title. squad that needed strengthening. “Filip is an exciting young Two calamitous errors from Loris player who has the potential Karius in losing the Champions League to develop even more at fi nal to Real Madrid in May made it Leicester,” Leicester boss clear an upgrade was needed in goal and Claude Puel told the club 72.5mn euros ($84mn, £65.2mn) were website. “He has made a splashed on Alisson Becker from Roma big contribution to Dinamo in a short-lived world-record fee for a Zagreb over the last three goalkeeper. years and has also benefited Fabinho and Naby Keita will add extra from experiencing European dynamism and depth to the midfi eld, football.” while Xherdan Shaqiri off ers better Soyuncu and Benkovic took back-up to the prolifi c front three of Leicester’s total of summer Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo- signings to seven along with hamed Salah. Jonny Evans, James Mad- Even more importantly, Salah and dison, Ricardo Pereira, Danny Firmino also signed extended contracts Ward and Rachid Ghezzal. The rather than being lured away as Luis defensive pair will link up with Suarez and Philippe Coutinho have their new teammates ahead been in recent seasons. of today’s league opener against Manchester United. Wolves: Wolves’ connections to Portu- In a further boost to Leices- guese super agent Jorge Mendes were a ter, England striker Jamie source of complaint for their competi- Vardy has signed a new four- tors as they romped to the Champion- year contract that will keep ship title last season. And the Midlands Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp splashed 65.2mn to sign Alisson Becker (right) from Roma, in a short-lived world-record fee for a goalkeeper. (Reuters) him at the club until 2022. The club appear to have higher ambitions 31-year-old joined the Foxes than merely staying up after signing an- Not only have Fulham seen off interest Newcastle was also made permanent left English clubs in a rush against time Benitez expressing his concern for the from Fleetwood Town in 2012 other two high-profi le Mendes clients from Spurs in England under-21 in- for a reported £27mn. to get deals done and facing infl ated Magpies’ prospects this season after a and has scored 88 goals for in Euro 2016 winners Rui Patricio and ternational Ryan Sessegnon, but have fees when buying from Europe’s other 4-0 friendly thrashing by Braga earlier the club in all competitions, Joao Moutinho. spent over £70mn on some stellar sign- LOSERS top leagues, where the window doesn’t this month. including 24 in their league A club-record fee of £20mn was also ings. The Premier League: The decision close till later this month. title triumph in 2015-16. splashed on powerful Spanish winger Jean Michael Seri was a transfer tar- to bring the transfer deadline forward Jose Mourinho: The Manchester Despite adding two centre- Adama Traore and versatile Belgian in- get for Barcelona just 12 months ago, to before the start of the season for the Newcastle: At a time of the season United manager consistently cried backs on deadline day for ternational Leander Dendoncker was but will now be lining up at Craven Cot- fi rst time in England was designed to when all football fans dare to dream, foul on the club’s pre-season tour of Premier League clubs, Leices- snapped up from Anderlecht. tage rather than the Camp Nou along alleviate disruption. Last season Alexis there has again been little to set pulses the United States about the state of his ter also resisted interest with former Nice team-mate Maxime Sanchez, Philippe Coutinho and Virgil racing in Newcastle as owner Mike Ash- squad to try and provoke a reaction from from Manchester United for Fulham: Another promoted side Ful- Le Marchand, German World Cup win- van Dijk were among those to miss the ley refuses to join in the Premier League the United hierarchy. Instead, Mourin- England international Harry ham have made a mockery of the sug- ner Andre Schurrle and Alfi e Mawson, start of the campaign due to transfer arms race, much to the chagrin of man- ho was left empty-handed from the fi - Maguire. The two sides meet gestion it is harder for teams going up who earned an England call-up earlier speculation. ager Rafael Benitez. nal days of the window despite warning today in the opening game of via the playoff s to get deals in place as in the year. Fulham’s promotion was in Yet, a shortened window allied to the Newcastle have again made a profi t that the Red Devils face a diffi cult sea- the Premier League season at the other 19 Premier League teams have large part thanks to Aleksandr Mitro- tight turnaround from the fi nal stages from player trading thanks to the sales son by not delivering his targets in the Old Traff ord. a two-week head start in the market. vic’s 12 goals and his loan move from of the World Cup just four weeks ago, of Mitrovic and Mikel Merino, with transfer market.

Atletico sign Kalinic Dalic to stay aft er taking Sanchez announces Salah, Ronaldo and Messi Former Fergie assistant West Ham’s Hernandez from AC Milan Croatia to World Cup fi nal Chilean fi lm about his life on CL awards shortlist to assist Socceroos boss dreaming of top six fi nish

Atletico Madrid have signed Croatia Zlatko Dalic, who led Croatia to the Manchester United star Alexis Sanchez Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah joined regu- One of Sir Alex Ferguson’s closest as- West Ham United have endured relega- striker Nikola Kalinic on a three-year World Cup final last month, signalled announced on his Instagram account lars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi sistants has been hired to help new Soc- tion battles in their last two Premier deal from AC Milan, the Europa League yesterday that he would stay on as that a film about his life is due out in on UEFA’s shortlist for the best forwards ceroos coach Graham Arnold defend League campaigns but striker Javier winners announced. The 30-year-old coach, smoothing away doubts that Chile next year. Sanchez is the biggest who played in Champions League last ’s title at January’s Asian Cup Hernandez says he is dreaming of a only joined Milan on a permanent con- emerged after his return from Russia. star of Chilean football and the epitome season. The best defender is sure to be and build towards the next World Cup. top six finish this season. The London tract in July after spending last season Dalic had complained that he lacked of a rags to riches success story. from Real with their trio of Marcelo, Ser- Dutchman Rene Meulensteen, the club have brought in Manuel Pellegrini on loan at the San Siro from Fiorentina. the full support of the Croatia’s Football The motion picture entitled Alexis, the gio Ramos and Raphael Varane the only former Fulham manager, will be based as manager and spent nearly 100mn Kalinic was sent home from the World Federation (HNS), saying he had to film, is “a story about a kid that did eve- names short-listed for the award. in Europe as assistant coach and take pounds to bolster the squad in the Cup reportedly for refusing to come “think carefully” about his future. But rything to achieve his dream,” accord- Real duo Toni Kroos and Luka Modric responsibility for players plying their transfer window. “Top six, top four is the on as a substitute in Croatia’s opening a meeting with HNS president Davor ing to the trailer. will compete with Manchester City’s trade there. Meulensteen was Fergu- aim, as high as we can. I’m a dreamer,” game against Nigeria, though coach Suker appeared to clear the air. A formal Production company Fabula, respon- Kevin De Bruyne for the midfielder son’s technical coach then assistant Hernandez said ahead of Sunday’s trip Zlatko Dalic said the player had a back signing of Dalic’s contract is expected sible for the Oscar-winning A Fantastic award. New Liverpool signing Alisson’s manager at Manchester United for to Liverpool. “I am always aiming as injury. Croatia went on to reach the at the next meeting of HNS executive Woman is behind the film. Fabula said performances for AS Roma earned him nearly 400 games, helping them secure high as I can and if we can put West final. The former Blackburn and Dnipro committee, the statement said. in a statement that children all over the a place on the goalkeeper shortlist, three Premier League titles and a Ham in the Champions League why forward scored six goals in 41 appear- Croatia’s captain Luka Modric had country would be invited to audition along with Real Madrid’s Costa Rica Champions League crown. He has also not?” The Mexico international scored ances for Milan last term and has netted earlier urged Dalic to stay on to lead the for the lead role. Sanchez, 29, will play international Keylor Navas and Italian managed teams in Qatar, Denmark, Rus- just eight goals in 28 league appear- 15 times in 42 international matches. team to Euro 2020. himself as an adult. Gianluigi Buff on. sia, Israel and India. ances last season. Gulf Times Friday, August 10, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE Kepa praises Courtois says he Chelsea for taking a bet on him By Jacob Steinberg he fear that allowing his con- turned down bigger The Guardian tract with Athletic to contain a £71.9mn release clause would price him out of the market this epa Arrizabalaga has summer. said he does not feel The reward for his patience any pressure after be- came when Chelsea decided to coming the world’s meet Athletic’s demands after off ers to join Real Kmost expensive goalkeeper and agreeing to let Courtois join Real. he believes Chelsea have made a Kepa, who has been capped once “great bet” after signing him for by Spain, revealed he fi rst became £71.6mn. The fee for Kepa sur- aware of interest from Stamford Goalkeeper signs a six-year contract after Madrid pay Chelsea 35mn euros passes the £66.9mn paid by Liv- Bridge last month and insisted he erpool to Roma for Alisson in July is not concerned about the physi- but the 23-year-old Spaniard is cality of English football. confi dent he will prove a suc- “Some players take more time Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut cessful replacement for Thibaut to adapt than others,” he said. “I Courtois during his unveiling Courtois after joining from Ath- just hope I can adjust and adapt by Real Madrid at the Santiago letic Bilbao. as soon as possible but we are Bernabeu stadium in Madrid “In terms of being the most all diff erent. I realise the game is yesterday. (AFP) expensive keeper in the world, diff erent in England but it is also it’s something I don’t think true that a lot of Spanish play- about,” Kepa said. “I’m just go- ers already play in the Premier ing to be myself and try to give League and they have given me my best to the club. “I don’t re- fantastic references about play- ally think about the price. It is ing here. not something I have in my mind. It helps that Kepa has been I just think Chelsea have made a with Cesar Azpilicueta and Al- great bet in taking me. I will do varo Morata on international everything I can to repay the duty. “I knew some of the players trust they have put in me. in the current team because I had “I don’t think there will be ad- played with them in the Spanish ditional pressure. The only pres- national team, even in the World sure I experience is the pressure I Cup,” he said. “They are all very put on myself. I am a player who comfortable at the club and they demands a lot from myself, so I have encouraged me to make the will just try to give everything I move and have an international can to the team.” experience.” Chelsea had to move quickly to As well as showing he is capa- fi nd a goalkeeper after it became ble of dominating his area and clear Courtois was determined making spectacular saves, play- to force through a £35mn move ing for Maurizio Sarri means to Real Madrid. Kepa signed a Kepa will have to show he is seven-year deal on Wednesday adept with the ball at his feet. and could make his debut in to- “I think I will be able to adapt,” morrow’s Premier League game he said. “I fi nd Sarri’s style and at Huddersfi eld. ideas very attractive. Kepa was close to joining Real “I have references about him for £17.9mn in January, only for from players like Pepe Reina, Zinedine Zidane to cancel the who knows him from Napoli. He deal because he felt that sign- was very happy with him. On the ing a goalkeeper during the sea- other hand, Maurizio’s style is son would be disruptive. Yet the not unlike the style used by the Spain international said he was Spanish national team, where not disappointed his move to the I have played for many years. I Bernabéu fell through; nor did don’t think it will be a problem.”

Reuters League titles as well as the FA Cup and the London club for helping him grow as not aff ected his desire to remain at the Madrid League Cup in England. Before then, he a player but said he could not turn down triple European champions as he em- spent three seasons on loan at Atletico, the chance to play for Real. phatically ruled out leaving the club in lifting an unlikely La Liga title in 2014 as “I would like to thank Chelsea’s fans for order to be assured of fi rst team football. ew Real Madrid goalkeeper well as winning the King’s Cup by beating being there for me in the last few years, I “Tell everyone loud and clear, I have Thibaut Courtois said yester- Real in the fi nal at the Santiago Bernabeu. always wanted to win the Premier League as much enthusiasm for leaving Madrid day he had fulfi lled a childhood He also sustained a gut-wrenching and I did it twice, but now I have a new as I do for dying,” Navas told reporters dream in moving to the Span- defeat to Real in the 2014 Champions chance which I have to take. I also have after Real’s 2-1 victory over AS Roma in Nish giants from Chelsea despite spending League fi nal, when his new captain Ser- two children here and that infl uenced my a friendly at the Metlife Stadium in New three years on loan at rivals Atletico, and gio Ramos’s injury time header denied decision,” he added. “I grew a lot physi- Jersey on Wednesday. revealed he had turned down bigger off ers Atletico glory, leading to Real winning cally in England and now I’m more mature The Costa Rica international joined from other clubs. 4-1 in extra-time. and more experienced. I’ve improved a lot Real in 2014 and has helped them win a “Everyone who knows me knows how “I have the maximum respect for and I’ve come here to be the best I can.” remarkable three consecutive Champions hard I’ve worked to get here, and I’m Atletico, they took me on loan when I was Courtois was also is keen for his former League crowns between 2016 and 2018 as proud to be at the best club in the world. young and I won many things, but it was Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard to join well as lifting the La Liga title in 2017. The I’ve given my best throughout my career diff erent because I was on loan,” he said. him at the Bernabeu. The Belgian said keeper’s long term future has often been to get here, this was my childhood dream, “Now I’ve come to the club where I really he would love to be reunited with the in doubt, however. to step on to this pitch in Madrid’s col- wanted to be and I want to fi ght for many reported Madrid target Hazard – who is He was on the verge of joining Man- ours,” the Belgium international told a years to win trophies.” still at Chelsea. “He’s a wonderful player,” chester United in 2015 when Real’s pur- news conference yesterday. Courtois’s fi rst game for Real could be Courtois said. “I’d love to play alongside suit of David de Gea fell through on trans- “I received better paid off ers but I against Atletico in the UEFA Super Cup him again and we’ll have to see what hap- fer deadline day, while the club also failed wanted to be in the best club in the world on Aug 15 although the fact he has trained pens in the future. If he ends up here one to sign Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizaba- and be close to my children. Once Ma- little since reaching the semi-fi nals of the day that would be brilliant.” laga last January from Athletic Bilbao. drid’s interest was clear I had no doubts World Cup with Belgium means coach Navas’s status as Real’s number one is that I wanted to be here.” Julen Lopetegui may opt to play Keylor NAVAS STAYING PUT AT MADRID now seriously threatened by the arrival of Courtois, 26, signed for Madrid from Navas instead. Courtois missed train- DESPITE COURTOIS COMPETITION Courtois, who was awarded the Golden Chelsea on Wednesday for a reported ing with Chelsea in the days before his Meanwhile, Real Madrid goalkeeper Key- Glove for being the best goalkeeper at the Kepa Arrizabalaga became the most expensive goalkeeper in history 35mn euros after winning two Premier move to Real was sealed and he thanked lor Navas says the signing of Courtois has 2018 World Cup. after Chelsea paid £71.6mn to Athletic Bilbao for the Spaniard. (AFP)

FOCUS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIERS Qatar announce Asian Games squad Celtic held by AEK Athens AFP Glasgow

cottish champions Celtic failed to make the most of a man advantage as AEK Athens held out for a 1-1 drawS in Glasgow on Wednesday night to take the upper hand in their Champions League third qualifying round tie. The hosts got off to a yerfl when Callum McGregor re- warded a positive start from Brendan Rodgers’s men to open the scoring on 17 minutes. But Celtic failed to build on their lead and were punished for one moment of slack marking when Belgian Viktor Klonaridis fi red home a vital away goal just be- AEK Athens’ Viktor Klonaridis (right) celebrates after scoring even as oach Unai Melgosa has announced where the Games will be held from August to the round of 16. fore half-time. AEK, who ended Celtic’s Kristoff er Ajer looks dejected. (Reuters) Qatar’s 21-member squad for this 18-Sept 2. The football competition, how- SQUAD Olympiakos’ seven-year reign month’s Asian Games. Key play- ever, will start early. Ahmed Moin, Khaled Munir, Abdul Rahman as Greek champions last season, stoppage time shot that curled sides, PAOK came from 2-0 ers Almoez Ali, Akram Afi f, Basam Qatar have been placed in Group B of the Mohamed, Hazem Ahmed, Adel Bader, Mishal were made to defend deep in the inches over was as close as they down to take a 3-2 fi rst leg lead al-RawiC and Abdullah Abdulsalam have not 2018 Asian Games. Group B also includes second-half when Kostas Gala- came to a winner. The sides meet over Russian giants Spartak Ibrahim, Hatem Kamal, Tariq Salman, Tamim been included since the quartet will ap- Thailand, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh. Al al-Muhaize, Elias Ahmed, Ahmed al-Saadi, nopoulos picked up two quickfi re again next Tuesday (August 14) Moscow. Last season’s Europa pear for Al Duhail and Al Sadd in their AFC Anabi face Uzbekistan on August 14. Saud Farhan, Mashaal al-Shammari, Moham- yellow cards to leave the visitors with the winners progressing to League semi-fi nalists Red Bull Champions League quarter-fi nals slated for All countries participating at the Asian ed al-Bakri, Yazen Naim, Jassim Mohamed, a man down. face Swedish champions Malmo Salzburg also edged towards the later this month. Games will be represented by a U-23 squad, Marwan Sharif, Omar al-Emadi, Nasser al- But despite dominating pos- or Hungarians Vidi in the playoff group stages for the fi rst time The Qatar Football Association (QFA) said with three overaged players permitted. Nasr, Ahmed Fadel and Mohamed Saeed. session, Celtic struggled to cre- round to reach the group stages. with a 3-0 win over Macedonian the national squad left yesterday for Jakarta The top two from each group will advance Coach: Unai Melgosa ate chances and Olivier Ntcham’s On a good night for Greek champions Shkendija. Gulf Times 4 Friday, August 10, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS Stephens into Montreal quarter-fi nals Montreal: US Open champion Nadal cruises into third Sloane Stephens reached the Montreal quarter-finals yesterday with a rollercoaster 6-2, 7-5 win over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro. Third seed Stephens, building up to the start of the defence of her round at Toronto Masters maiden Grand Slam title in New York later this month, squandered three match The 32-year-old will bid for the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015 when he plays Wawrinka points at 5-1 in the second set. That setback allowed AFP Suarez Navarro to battle back Toronto, to 5-5 before the American steadied herself to claim a Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand third win in three meetings op seed Rafael Nadal blew past during his win over Benoit Paire of France against the Spaniard after 90 patchy Frenchman Benoit Paire at the Toronto Masters. (AFP) minutes on court. Stephens 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday to be- hit 34 winners to the quali- gin his quest for a fourth Ca- fier’s 13 and goes on to face Tnadian trophy at the Toronto Masters. either German 10th seed Julia The world number one Spaniard was Goerges or Anastasija Sevas- untouchable as he schooled Paire for tova of Latvia. the fourth time without a loss, taking 74 Australian 15th seed minutes as he broke six times. Ashleigh Barty also made Nadal won the event in 2005, 2008 the quarter-finals by seeing and 2013. “I was not at my 100 per cent off Alize Cornet of France 7-6 today,” Nadal said. “It’s true that I did (7/3), 6-4. Cornet had knocked good work here the last fi ve days, but at out Wimbledon champion An- the same time it’s true that I didn’t work gelique Kerber in the second very hard at home. So the fi rst match round on Wednesday. is an important victory for me, for my Barty next faces either confi dence. It’s important that I have Petra Kvitova, the Czech another match tomorrow too. So just eighth seed, or Kiki Bertens try to keep going. I played a solid match, of the Netherlands. Britain’s in the second set I had some troubles, Johanna Konta saw off two- but my return worked well. It was more time Grand Slam champion about the mistakes from the baseline.” and former world number one The 32-year-old will bid for the quar- Victoria Azarenka, 6-3, 6-1, to ter-fi nals here for the fi rst time since move into the third round in a 2015 when he plays Stan Wawrinka, tie held over from Wednesday who staged another fi ghtback in three due to rain. sets, beating Marton Fucsovics 1-6, 7-6 Konta will face fifth seed (7/2), 7-6 (12/10). Defending champion Elina Svitolina of Ukraine for a Alexander Zverev, seeded second and place in the last-eight. World winner at the weekend in Washington, number one and French Open also advanced easily beating Bradley champion Simona Halep was Klahn 6-4, 6-4. 3-4 down overnight to Anasta- Former top-ranked Novak Djokovic, sia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia a four-time champion, sent Canadian in her second-round tie. That Peter Polansky to a 6-3, 6-4 defeat. match was to be completed Two generations of local players split late last night. the diff erence with Milos Raonic, 27, Meanwhile, Maria Shara- heading out while teenaged gun Denis pova fired 25 winners past Shapovalov moved on. hapless Russian compatriot American Frances Tiafoe beat Raonic Daria Kasatkina in a 6-0, 6-2 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-1 in a match hit by a victory on Wednesday. weather interruption of more than two Sharapova needed just 66 and a half hours. Teenaged prodigy saw him go 6-6. Djokovic, the winner of match due to a left wrist injury. the year. The remaining countries are up. “I think that format needs to be minutes to see off 12th-seeded Shapovalov eliminated Italian 14th seed 30 career Masters titles, will next face then divided into three regional zones. changed. And I’m all in favour of that,” Kasatkina in an impressive Fabio Fognini winner last weekend in rising Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who DJOKOVIC BACKS The International Tennis Federation’s Djokovic said. “You play one year, and and timely display of big- Los Cabos, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic expressed beat seventh seed Dominic Thiem 6-3, DAVIS CUP REFORMS controversial revamp would see the then the next year you don’t play. It’s hitting, with the US Open get- support for the new 25-second shot 7-6 (8/6). It was the second straight Reigning Wimbledon champion No- Davis Cup morph into a World Cup of just the scheduling of this kind of for- ting underway in just under clock innovation designed to cut down opening defeat for the Austrian, who vak Djokovic says he is in favour of a Tennis fi nal featuring 18 countries — mat so far has been pretty bad.” three weeks’ time. Sharapova on time wasting between points. “I’m also last last week at home in Kitzbue- bid to turn the Davis Cup tournament and address complaints that the heavy The ITF has said the revamp would next faces French sixth seed pretty comfortable with it — it’s good hel; he reportedly arrived carrying a into a season-ending Grand Slam-level time commitment drives away the top bring benefi ts across the tennis world in Caroline Garcia for a place in to have shot clock in the tournaments virus. Wimbledon semi-fi nalist John showdown, as it would ease scheduling players. The proposal must win ap- the form in increased prize money and the quarter-finals. Five-time prior to the US Open.” Isner defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert woes for the players. proval at the federation’s annual general more top players taking part. It would major winner Sharapova leads The 13-time Grand Slam title winner of France 7-6 (7/3), 6-2. Currently, the Davis Cup is struc- meeting in Orlando, Florida later this also raise the hosting standards of the the head-to-head against has now won 21 of his last 24 matches Third seed Juan Martin del Potro was tured around a 16-nation World Group, month. Djokovic, a Davis Cup cham- Davis Cup to a Grand Slam level, ITF Garcia 4-1. after a rollercoaster start to 2018 which forced to withdraw prior to his opening contested over four weekends during pion for Serbia in 2010, gave his thumbs chief David Haggerty said.

SWIMMING FOCUS Mixed day for Ledecky at start Qatar Airways is the Offi cial of Pan Pacifi c championships Airline of Asian Games 2018 atar Airways an- “Qatar Airways is delighted to be Qatar and Indonesia as well as Reuters nounced yesterday the Prestige Partner and Offi cial extending Qatar’s warm hospi- that Offi cial Airline of Airline of the 18th Asian Games, tality and welcoming culture to the 18th Asian Games and to once more unite fans the people of Indonesia and fans toQ be held in Jakarta and Pale- from around the world through a from around the world. We look ive-time Olympic gold medallist mbang, Indonesia from August shared love of sport. This highly- forward to continuing to deepen beat one resurgent 18th to September 2nd. The anticipated event strengthens our relations between the Qatari and teenager but lost to another on a highly-anticipated sporting extensive global sporting portfo- Indonesian people and wish all dramatic fi rst day of the Pan Pacifi c event will bring athletes from 45 lio and asserts our continuous teams the best of luck.” FSwimming Championships yesterday. The participating nations to compete dedication to celebrating sports President of the Indonesian American comfortably held off Austral- for Asian glory. as a means of bringing people Asian Games 2018 Organising ia’s to set a championship To mark the occasion, a high- together. We are tremendously Committee (INASGOC) Erick record in the 800 metres freestyle and win level signing ceremony took proud to be fl ying the Qatar team Thohir said: “We greatly appre- the opening race before 18-year-old Cana- place in Jakarta, Indonesia yes- of more than 200 athletes to Ja- ciate Qatar Airways’ support of dian Taylor Ruck set a meet record to beat terday, in the presence of the karta for the event, and we look the Asian Games 2018 and look Ledecky who fi nished third in the 200. Vice President of Indonesia, Ju- forward to welcoming all fans to forward to the success of this All eyes were on Ledecky and she did not suf Kalla, Qatar’s ambassador to Jakarta and Palembang.” new and exciting partnership. disappoint in her fi rst race as she opened up Indonesia Ahmed bin Jassim al- Ambassador of Qatar to In- This event is an important oc- the championships with a scorching race in Hamar and the president of the donesia Ahmed bin Jassim al- casion that promotes both peace the women’s 800 freestyle to win in a time Indonesian Asian Games 2018 Hamar, said: “I am very proud and unity between countries in of 8:09:13. The 17-year-old Titmus came Organising Committee (INAS- that Qatar’s multiple award- Asia. We wish all participating into the fi nal as the most likely to challenge GOC) Erick Thohir. Following winning national fl ag carrier, nations the best of luck in this Ledecky following her three gold medals at the tremendous success of the Qatar Airways is the Prestige memorable world-class event.” the earlier this year. 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, of Partner and Offi cial Airline of the This is the second time that However, she could not stay with Ledecky Katie Ledecky of the US competes in the women’s 200m freestyle final at the Pan Pacific which Qatar Airways was the Of- Asian Games. This is a signifi - Qatar Airways has sponsored the and fi nished second almost eight seconds Swimming Championships in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) fi cial Partner and Offi cial Airline, cant and historic moment for the Asian Games. The national car- back, although she did set an Australian the national carrier Qatar has State of Qatar and the Republic rier was also the Offi cial Airline record of 18:17:07. American Leah Smith the women’s 100 metres breaststroke gold Japan’s men as Chase Kalisz of the United now shifted its focus from Russia of Indonesia and will further of the 15th Asian Games Doha with third. and maintain her dominance of the event. States beat Olympic champion Kosuke to Asia, to expand its global port- strengthen the already strong 2006, where it welcomed thou- Ledecky, who won fi ve golds at the 2014 The double Olympic champion is the world Hagino and Daiya Seto into second and folio and celebrate its strong ties bonds that exist between the two sands of fans from around the Pan Pacs aged just 17, was shocked in the record holder and has not lost a 100m event third respectively. Last year’s double world across the continent. nations. This important partner- world to watch the Games unfold 200m as Ruck outlasted the American since 2015. “It’s been a while (since I have champion continued that impressive form Qatar Airways Group Chief ship will further increase tour- in what was the biggest sporting to clinch the gold with a meet record of lost) and it has defi nitely been my baby,” said into this meet to win in 4:07:95 and become Executive, Akbar al-Baker, said: ism and business links between event in the history of Qatar. 1:54:44. The teenager, who won this event at King. “I don’t know how I would take losing the man for the hosts to beat leading into the the Commonwealth Games, said it had been so I am just going to keep winning.” Tokyo 2020 Olympics. daunting coming up against Ledecky in the Aoki Reona’s bronze was Japan’s fi rst The most exciting race of the meet was past. “She was kind of getting into my head medal of the meet and the passionate home the men’s 200 metres freestyle, which saw but then my coach saw that it was and so he crowd did not have to wait long for their American Townley Haas hold off compa- told me to focus on my lane and my race so fi rst gold as Yasuhiro Koseki stormed to triot Andrew Seliskar and home favourite that really helped me,” said Ruck. victory in the men’s event to retain his title Katsuhiro Matsumoto. Just 0.36 of a second Japan’s Rikako Ikee produced a national from four years ago. Koseki’s time of 59.08 split the top three but 21-year-old Townley, record 1:54:85 to claim the silver, almost was enough to edge out a fi eld that saw six who has become one of swimming’s rising taking the roof off the Tatsumi International swimmers go under a minute. stars, held on to add Pan Pac gold to three Swimming Centre and meaning Ledecky Jake Packard of Australia took silver and world and one Olympic titles. Compatriot had to settle for bronze, her fi rst medal of Joao Luiz Gomes was third to clinch Bra- Jordan Wilimovsky was a surprise winner in that colour at a major event. “I think there zil’s fi rst medal of the meet. There was more the men’s 1500 metres freestyle in 14:46:93, is an initial disappointment with the 200,” glory to come for the hosts as Yui Ohashi edging compatriot Zane Grothe (14:48:40) said Ledecky. “But I think when I look at the claimed gold in the women’s 400 metres in- and Australian Jack McLoughlin (14:55.92). grand scheme of things I was faster in both dividual medley. In the fi nal race yesterday, Australia, in- races than I was at this meet four years ago Ohashi led from the front and dominated spired by a last leg from Cate Campbell, and so that is a positive I can take from it. I the race to fi nish in 4:33:77 and beat Ameri- claimed gold in the 4x100 metres mixed have two more years to see what I can do.” can Melanie Margalis into second whilst medley relay in a time of 3:38:91. Japan set Indonesia’s Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Qatar’s ambassador to Indonesia Ahmed bin Jassim al-Hamar and Compatriot Lilly King held off a late fellow Japanese Sakiko Shimizu was third. a national record in winning silver while the the president of the Indonesian Asian Games 2018 Organising Committee Erick Thohir at Qatar Airways charge from Australian Jessica Hansen to win However, her feat could not be matched by United States fi nished third. sponsorship signing ceremony in Jakarta yesterday. Gulf Times Friday, August 10, 2018 5 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT NBA Qatar Airways is Offi cial Airline Partner of Lakers-Warriors to Dublin Horse Show for second straight year meet on Christmas Reuters game back in Cleveland with his By Sports Reporter last year, bringing additional New York new team will be on Nov. 21. Doha energy and presence, and we are sure that the second year of our KNICKS TO SEVER TIES WITH partnership will be just as re- eBron James and Stephen NOAH? atar Airways is warding.” Curry are the headlin- The New York Knicks are still pleased to sponsor the The Stena Line Dublin Horse ers for the NBA’s annual planning to sever ties with center Longines FEI Jump- Show is one of Ireland’s most Christmas Day marathon Joakim Noah ahead of training ing Nations Cup of anticipated events and a high- Lwith the Los Angeles Lakers vis- camp, according to a report from IrelandQ at the Stena Line Dublin light of the summer social cal- iting the Golden State Warriors ESPN. Horse Show as the Offi cial Air- endar. The show also hosts the as part of a fi ve-game slate. The report says the Knicks line Partner for the second con- Longines FEI Jumping Nations The NBA released its offi cial will use their waive-and-stretch secutive year. The event, taking Cup of Ireland taking place at schedule on Wednesday, con- provision to cut Noah some- place from August 8-12, will the iconic RDS venue. The event fi rming rumoured, if expected, time after Sept. 1, provided they welcome more than 100,000 also features the Dundrum Town primetime billing for the Warri- haven’t found a trade partner local and international visitors Centre Ladies’ Day, where Irish ors and Lakers. for the beleaguered 33-year-old to see the world’s fi nest horses elegance and style come togeth- Opening night on Oct. 16 — prior to then. and international show jumpers er in inspiring competitions at the earliest start to the NBA Noah eff ectively was exiled from around the world. the area’s premier shopping and regular season since 1980 — will from the Knicks in late January The Stena Line Dublin Horse leisure destination, the Dun- feature the Warriors’ ring pres- after he got into a verbal alterca- Show, one of Ireland’s most drum Town Centre. entation before a meeting with tion with then-head coach Jeff prestigious sporting events and In June, the award-winning Kevin Durant’s former team, Hornacek during a practice on a celebration embedded in the airline celebrated its one-year the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jan. 24 that required the two to Irish culture, also celebrates its anniversary of direct service to Preceding that game will be the be separated. That came a day af- 145th show this summer. Dublin. The award-winning air- Philadelphia 76ers facing the ter Noah yelled expletives at his “Qatar Airways is delighted line commenced its fi rst fl ight to Celtics in Boston. coach upon being removed from to partner once again with one Dublin 12 June 2017 strengthen- James’ fi rst regular-season a game against the Golden State of the most prestigious interna- anniversary of direct service be- more travellers to the Emerald event for the Irish sport horse ing its ties with the Irish market game with the Lakers, another Warriors. The sides announced tional equestrian events in the tween Doha and Dublin,” Qatar Isle.” community and is considered while connecting passengers national TV spot on Oct. 18, a “mutually” agreed upon in- world, the Dublin Horse Show. Airways group chief executive RDS chief executive offi cer by many to be one of the best from Ireland to more than 150 is at Portland. ESPN reported defi nite leave for Noah on Feb. 2, As the national carrier of the Akbar al-Baker said. Michael Duff y added: “The equestrian events in the world. destinations around the world. Wednesday that James’ fi rst which he never returned from. State of Qatar, we are especially “This partnership also dem- Longines FEI Jumping Nations This is made possible through Last week, Qatar Airways also pleased to celebrate the love of onstrates the strength of our Cup of Ireland at the Stena Line generous support from our celebrated one of the highlights horses that both Qatar and Ire- commitment to Ireland, a des- Dublin Horse Show has for gen- sponsors, and we are delighted of the fl at-racing season, the land share. Our sponsorship of tination always popular with erations been a key calendar to welcome back Qatar Airways Qatar Goodwood Festival in Kawhi goodbye: Leonard pens this event celebrates this com- Qatar Airways customers. We event in Irish sporting and social for a second year of partnership. partnership with Qatar Racing mon affi nity, as well as our fi rst look forward to bringing even circles. It serves as the pinnacle They added greatly to the show and Equestrian Club. farewell to San Antonio

Understated superstar Kawhi I’ll always be grateful for my MLB Leonard penned a farewell growth under your guidance. letter to San Antonio, thanking THANK YOU to the fans! Spurs fans for their support as “There is not a more passion- he starts anew as a member of ate or dedicated fan base than the Toronto Raptors. what I’ve witnessed in San An- Leonard broke his months- tonio. Through all the ups and long silence in a letter penned downs — I’m glad there were for the San Antonio Express- many more ups! — I’ll never News and thanked coach forget what we have shared Stanton crushes Gregg Popovich, the Spurs’ and accomplished together. organization and the city’s “While I’m looking forward fans. to the next chapter in my Leonard wrote, “San Antonio, career, I’ll always remember I have been going back and the city and the people of San forth the last few weeks trying Antonio! THANK YOU! — Kawhi to figure out the right things to Leonard.” rare slam as Yanks say, and it comes down to two Leonard last played for the simple words: THANK YOU! Spurs on January 13. He was “My family and I want to say medically cleared but uncom- THANK YOU to the entire fortable on the court. Spurs organization and the Leonard has not made a people and fans of San Anto- long-term commitment to the nio. THANK YOU to every one Raptors and is expected to be of my teammates I’ve played a target of the Los Angeles fi nish sweep with over my seven years in Lakers in free agency next the NBA. THANK YOU Pop summer. It was his sixth career grand slam and first since a walk-off grand slam in April 2014 Agencies NFL New York

iancarlo Stanton hit his Broncos’ Thomas fi rst Grand Slam in over four years, Luis Severi- no settled down after a Gshaky start to become the fi rst refreshed aft er once 15-game winner in the Ameri- can League, and the New York Yankees beat the host Chicago mulling retirement White Sox 7-3 Wednesday night to fi nish a three-game sweep. Reuters Stanton gave the Yankees a New York 6-2 lead when he hooked a full- count fastball by Lucas Giolito (7-9) just inside the foul pole enver Broncos wide and into the right fi eld seats with receiver Demaryius one out in the second inning. It Thomas revealed he was his sixth career grand slam recently expected to re- and fi rst since a walk-off grand tireD after the 2018 or 2019 season slam against Seattle’s Yoervis as a result of a chronic hip issue, Medina on April 18, 2014. according to an NFL.com feature Winless in his previous four published Wednesday. starts since July 7 at Toronto, A ninth-year veteran and four- Severino (15-5) allowed two of time Pro Bowler, Thomas told his three runs in the fi rst inning NFL.com’s James Palmer that as and seven hits in seven innings. recently as the end of last season, The right-hander struck out he planned to retire after nine or eight without a walk. 10 NFL campaigns because of a Jose Abreu, who drove in all partially torn labrum in his hip said, ‘You’re not yourself.’ three Chicago runs Tuesday, had that continued to worsen in 2016 “...Like, for real, with all the an RBI double, but the White and 2017. problems with my hip, especially Sox were swept at home by the However, the 30-year-old has with my hip, it was like, some- Yankees for the fi rst time since since made radical changes in his times I couldn’t even stop [to May 2002. diet after having his blood tested, complete a route].” and he now says he feels like he Thomas told reporters last RED SOX 10, BLUE JAYS 5 can have a 15- or 16-year career. off season that his hips were Rafael Devers hit a two-run “Like, for real, I’m going to be improved, but he now says the homer in his return from the like Larry Fitzgerald,” Thomas progress is much more pro- disabled list, Xander Bogaerts told Palmer, alluding to the 15th- nounced. He dropped from 228 had three RBIs, and Brian John- year veteran and 11-time Pro pounds to 212 this summer while son pitched seven innings as New York Yankees left fielder Giancarlo Stanton hits a grand slam home run against the Chicago White Sox during the game at Guaranteed Bowler. “Maybe even more. It changing his diet, and has since Boston won at Toronto. Rate Field in Chicago on Wednesday. (USA TODAY Sports) just depends, you know? I mean,, build his weight back up. Johnson (3-3) allowed fi ve tomorrow I could fi nish my ca- Thomas’ numbers in 2017 (83 runs, six hits and two walks tying home run to Miguel Sano while striking out three. man Quinn was the only runner reer off of one crazy injury. But catches, 949 yards, fi ve touch- while striking out six in winning OTHER RESULTS in the ninth, his third blown save to get as far as second base when yeah, my mindset has changed.” downs) marked his lowest since his second straight start. Boston in 24 chances. DIAMONDBACKS 6, he doubled as a pinch hitter in Thomas has started every pos- 2011, and the Broncos drafted a has won the fi rst two games of Braves 8-3 Nationals PHILLIES 0 the sixth inning. sible game over the last six sea- pair of wide receivers in April’s the three-game series, six in a Rangers 11-7 Mariners BREWERS 8, PADRES 4 David Peralta continued his tor- sons, but nagging injuries have draft. Courtland Sutton (sec- row overall and 10 of its last 11. Angels 6-0 Tigers Jesus Aguilar, Travis Shaw rid streak with four hits, includ- ROYALS 9, CUBS 0 kept him from playing more than ond round) and DaeSean Ham- Randal Grichuk hit a three- and Eric Thames hit back-to- ing a two-run triple, and Patrick Heath Fillmyer tossed seven 90 percent of the off ensive snaps ilton (fourth round) have both run homer for the Blue Jays, Pirates 4-3 Rockies back-to-back homers in a fi ve- Corbin threw 7 1/3 scoreless shutout innings for his fi rst in four of those years, including impressed in camp, with Sut- and Teoscar Hernandez added a Cardinals 7-1 Marlins run fi rst inning as Milwaukee innings as Arizona bested visit- career victory, and Adalberto the last three. After playing 90.5 ton drawing rave reviews as the two-run shot. Orioles 5-4 Rays pounded visiting San Diego. ing Philadelphia in the rubber Mondesi slugged a three-run percent of snaps in 2014, Thomas team’s third wideout. The Brewers tied a franchise match of a three-game series. homer as host Kansas City rout- dipped to 84.5 percent in ’15, 82.3 Thomas, who turns 31 on INDIANS 5, TWINS 2 Mets 8-0 Reds record with home runs by fi ve Peralta had 10 hits in the three ed Chicago. percent in ’16 and 78.9 percent Christmas Day, will make $8.5mn Francisco Lindor hit a three- Athletics 3-2 Dodgers diff erent players in a game. games against the Phillies, ty- Fillmyer allowed three hits last season. this season and is on the books run, walk-off home run with Orlando Arcia connected in ing a franchise record set by Luis while helping the Royals halt a “For, like, the past two years, for $14mn in 2019, the fi nal year two outs in the bottom of the the fi fth inning, and Christian Gonzalez against Montreal in six-game slide. He struck out for real, it’s been my neck and of a fi ve-year, $70mn pact signed ninth to give Cleveland the vic- season, driving in Jason Kipnis Yelich went deep in the sixth. 1999. Corbin (9-4) gave up four three and walked two in a solid my hip,” Thomas said. “It was in July of 2015. tory over visiting Minnesota. and Brandon Guyer, who had Milwaukee’s early surge ru- hits and faced only two batters 98-pitch eff ort. just times I couldn’t compete my A fi rst-round pick in 2010, Lindor lined the fi rst pitch both singled earlier in the in- ined the major league debut of over the minimum, benefi ting Cubs starter Jose Quintana best. And you know, sometimes Thomas is the Broncos’ longest from reliever Trevor Hilden- ning. San Diego’s Brett Kennedy, who from two double plays. (10-8) gave up fi ve runs and six — I remember one game we were tenured player, one year ahead of berger (2-3) down the right fi eld Cody Allen (4-4) picked up allowed six runs on 11 hits in four Cesar Hernandez had two of hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking playing the Patriots, and the cor- linebacker Von Miller and cor- line for his 29th homer of the the win after giving up a game- innings. He didn’t issue a walk the Phillies’ four hits, and Ro- out four and walking two. ner (Logan Ryan) called it out. He nerback Chris Harris Jr. Gulf Times 6 Friday, August 10, 2018 SPORT

FOCUS CYCLING Cavendish Sjoestroem, Peaty, pulls out of Efi mova end Euros Euro road race with four golds Olympic champion Van Rouwendaal wins open water 10km title for second gold

Reuters Glasgow

arah Sjoestroem rounded off another landmark week at the European Championships by win- ningS her fourth individual gold medal in the 50 metres butterfl y yesterday. Dominant breaststrokers Adam Peaty and Yuliya Efi mova also ended up with four titles apiece as the programme con- cluded at the Tollcross Interna- Reuters medical team. tional Centre with Efi mova and Glasgow “It’s incredibly disappoint- her Russian team mates heading ing to have to withdraw from the the swimming medal table with Great Britain cycling team com- 26, including 10 golds. ritain’s former world peting in Glasgow,” Cavendish Sweden’s Olympic champion champion Mark Cav- said. “Being selected to compete Sjoestroem sped to victory in endish has pulled out of for my country is a huge honour 25.16 seconds to annex the 14th the European Champi- and I had been looking forward to European gold of her prodigious Bonships road race on medical ad- racing with the team. career. vice, British Cycling announced “However, given what’s been a The 24-year-old perfection- yesterday. challenging few months in terms ist was still not entirely satis- Sunday’s projected clash be- of aiming to suffi ciently recover fi ed, though. “It was good over- tween 2011 world champion from some unfortunate injuries all with all the gold medals but Cavendish and Slovakia’s cur- in time to compete, I’ve been ad- I was hoping for some faster rent world champion Peter Sagan vised at this stage the best thing times,” shrugged the multi- around the streets of Glasgow is for me to withdraw from Sun- world record holder. had been billed as a fi nal day day’s race.” “I wanted to be a little bit highlight of the inaugural multi- Sagan, who had another tri- faster, but hopefully I’ll come sports championship. umphant Tour de France by win- back to the same level I did at the But the 33-year-old Cav- ning the points classifi cation 2017 world championships.” endish, an all-time great road for the sixth time, will still have Efi mova won the 50m breast- sprinter who has struggled with plenty of high-quality opposi- stroke in 29.81 to add to her injury and illness following sev- tion in Sunday’s race headed by 100m and 200m crowns and eral crashes this season, has Norway’s defending champion became the fi rst woman since withdrawn after advice from his Alexander Kristoff . Hungary’s Agnes Kovacs in 1999 to achieve that treble. Netherlands’ celebrates her win in the women’s 10km open water swimming at Loch Lomond, northwest of Glasgow, Not content with that, she during the 2018 European Championships yesterday. (AFP) Polish team aim for Tour champion Thomas then swam a blistering and de- cisive breaststroke leg of the With his silver medal in the pace for all but the fi rst km of the A new Polish cycling team is targeting Tour de France champion 4x100m medley relay to ensure a medley relay, Russian Kliment race. Geraint Thomas, off ering him a contract as he is yet to sign a new one fourth gold alongside Anastasiia Kolesnikov fi nished the Cham- Entering the last of the four with Team Sky. The 32-year-old Welshman — who dethroned teammate Fesikova, Svetlana Chimrova pionships with six medals three 2.5km laps, only Italy’s Giulia Chris Froome as Tour champion last month after years of loyally work- and Mariia Kameneva. golds, two silver and a bronze — Gabrielleschi could still hang ing for Froome to win the race — received the off er from the Poland- Britain’s Peaty, already a tri- more than any athlete at the en- on to Van Rouwendaal’s pace as based CCC WorldTour — which is due to compete in 2019 under that ple champion and a world record tire multi-sport Championships it turned into a two-swimmer name when CCC Sprandi Polkowice and BMC Racing merge. Thomas breaker in the 100m breast- — not to mention a world record duel but even the dogged Italian has said he feels Team Sky and their chief Dave Brailsford are like stroke, took his fourth gold as in the 50m . He is still was eventually broken over the family having been with some of them since he was 17 but with his part of the victorious British only 18. fi nal km. contract up at the end of the year he won’t accept any old off er from men’s 4x100m medley quartet Van Rouwendaal, the Olym- them out of sentiment. The Daily Telegraph had suggested that Team alongside Nick Pyle, James Guy VAN ROUWENDAAL’S pic champion at the distance, Sky were prepared to off er £3,500,000 ($4.5million, 3.9million euros). and Duncan Scott. GOLDEN DOUBLE forged away to eventually win by World champion Ben Proud Dutch Olympic champion Sha- 7.3 seconds in one hour 54 min- Aft er Tour crash, Gilbert is back on his bike confi rmed himself as Europe’s ron van Rouwendaal completed utes 45.7 seconds. fastest man as he became the an open water swimming double Behind Gabrielleschi Belgian Philippe Gilbert, who broke a kneecap in a spectacular crash fi rst British man to race away at the European Championships (1:54:53.0) came Van Rou- on the Tour de France, posted on social media yesterday that he has with the 50m freestyle crown in yesterday when she added the wendaal’s Dutch team mate, climbed back in the saddle. “First time on the bike after my crash,” 21.34sec, a huge one-tenth of a Britain’s Adam Peaty competes in the men’s 50m breaststroke final blue riband 10km title to the 5km who took the he wrote on Twitter and Instagram. “Hope to be back in action this second clear of Greek Kristian at the European Championships in Glasgow. (AFP) gold she won 24 hours earlier. bronze in 1:55:27.4. year.” Gilbert accompanied the post with a video that included him Gkolomeev. In the chilly waters of Loch Van Rouwendaal now has her flying over a wall during a high-speed descent, giving a brief interview, Italy enjoyed a stellar fi nal day made a dramatic breakthrough in 50.64sec that surprised even Lomond with the rain coming sights set on winning four golds showing off the scars on his left knee and riding a stationary bike. The with three gold medals, headed by taking the 800m and 1,500m himself while Margherita Panzi- down at the end, the 24-year- at the championships as she also 36-year-old former road-race world champion crashed on the descent by a third triumph in the 400m titles. era won the 200m backstroke in old proved as relentless over the targets tomorrow’s 5km mixed of Porte d’Aspet in the Pyrenees on July 24 and fell into a ravine. He freestyle for Simona Quadarella, Piero Codia earned a 100m 2min 06.18sec. Both times were near-two hour slog as she had team relay and Sunday’s indi- was hospitalised in Belgium anticipating a long convalescence. Quick- the 19-year-old who had already butterfl y triumph from lane eight championship records. done on Wednesday, setting the vidual 25km event. Step manager Patrick Lefevere told the Belga news agency that Gilbert hoped to ride in the Tour of Turkey (October 9-14) and the Tour of Guangxi (October 16-21). SPOTLIGHT TRIATHLON All Blacks to remember pain of defeat Spirig adds to laurels for Rugby Championship opener with sixth Euro title Reuters on Learmonth when she emerged Glasgow from the swim but with a mag- Reuters paint his back-to-back World Cup win- nifi cent, solitary ride managed to Wellington ning side as underdogs for the game on pull back the lead on the Briton August 18 in Sydney. icola Spirig, one of the and France’s Cassandre Beau- “We lost to Australia the last time we great triathlon expo- grand. ll Blacks assistant coach Ian played them, so no doubt they’ll have a nents the sport has After Beaugrand was dropped Foster says he is still smarting lot of self-confi dence and are worthy of seen, added yet an- in the cycle section, it came down from last October’s defeat to starting as favourites,” Hansen said when Nother title to her golden collec- to a road-running duel with Australia and hopes his play- announcing his squad on Monday. tion when she swam, cycled and Spirig making a much swifter ersA will carry memories of that rare loss His comments, however, were laughed ran to the most emphatic victory transition than the Briton, im- into their Rugby Championship opener at by pundits and former players on both in the European Championships mediately picking up a few sec- against the Wallabies next week. sides of the Tasman Sea, not just because yesterday. onds at the start of the run before After retaining the Bledisloe Cup, the of the All Blacks’ dominance but because The Swiss lawyer and mother- then powering away. symbol of trans-Tasman superiority, by the Australians have also struggled in Su- of-two, the oldest woman in the Learmonth, who made an ad- beating Australia in the fi rst two games per Rugby. race at 36, was still in a diff erent mirable defence of the title she of the Rugby Championship last season, New Zealand teams were unbeaten for class to her opponents as she won in Kitzbuhel last year, even- the All Blacks were then stunned 23-18 by two years against Australian sides, a run sped away with her sixth Euro- tually fi nished in 1:59:46, 33 sec- Michael Cheika’s side in the dead rubber of 40 games, until the New South Wales pean triathlon title by more than onds behind, while Beaugrand match. Waratahs beat a 14-man Otago High- half-a-minute to dethrone Brit- took the bronze in 2:00:57. “I try to move on, but it is still there,” landers team 41-12 in May. ain’s Jess Learmonth. Yet the pursuers could not get Foster told reporters of the loss at Lang “There’s been a lot of pleasing signs for On a demandingly hot after- near Spirig, a serial winner since Park, where the Wallabies ended a seven- Australia this year so I’m not going to just noon at Strathclyde Country she won her fi rst European junior game losing streak to New Zealand. “We write us off ,” former Wallabies captain Park near Glasgow, she covered crown 19 years ago. saw that after the game, how much it Stirling Mortlock told Australian Associ- the 1,500 metres swim, 40km It was another remarkable meant to them. It still hurts.” New Zealand’s head coach Steve Hansen. ated Press this week. cycle ride and 10km run in one success story for Spirig, who The loss, while painful, was just a blip “But I think it’s pretty laughable that hour 59 minutes 13 seconds, hav- juggles her training with being in the All Blacks’ domination of the Wal- The Wallabies, who last retained the which also includes southern hemisphere Steve could put it out there and claim that ing broken Learmonth on the fi - a mother to two small children, labies in recent years. Since beating Aus- Bledisloe Cup in 2002 and have not won sides South Africa and Argentina. Aus- they’re underdogs. nal leg. running a foundation to help tralia 20-6 in the 2011 Rugby World Cup it since, have two wins and two draws. tralia last won it in 2015. “New Zealand’s dominance has been Spirig, the 2012 Olympic young sportspeople and leading semi-fi nal they have won 15 of their 19 New Zealand are looking to secure Despite their dominant record, All outstanding. Not just against Australia champion and 2016 silver med- a series of mini-triathlon races games against them. a third straight Rugby Championship, Blacks coach Steve Hansen has tried to but on a global stage.” allist, had been 51 seconds down for children across Switzerland. Gulf Times Friday, August 10, 2018 7 GOLF

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LOSS ‘My time was short’ — Australian golfer Lyle Fowler seizes early passes away at 36 lead; Tiger, McIlroy Poulter joins Cook and Perez in the locker grind around room on three-under

AFP St. Louis, US

ickie Fowler, a top-fi ve AFP late last week, he said he felt like fi nisher twice in every Sydney “the luckiest golfer going around major without a win to because so many people took an show for it, fi red a fi ve- interest in me and took an inter- underR par 65 yesterday to grab ributes fl owed for est in, I guess, my fi ght”. an early two-stroke clubhouse Australian golfer Jarrod He thanked his many “friends lead at the 100th PGA Champi- Lyle yesterday after around the world, whether onship. he lost his battle with they’re spectators, whether Ninth-ranked Fowler, who Tcancer, dying aged 36 after halt- they’re golfers, whether they’re began on the back nine at Bel- ing treatment for leukaemia last marshals”. lerive Country Club, drained a week. “It’s going to be hard to leave 31-foot birdie putt at the par-4 “It breaks my heart to tell that behind, but they know that seventh hole and at the par-5 everyone that Jarrod is no longer I love them,” he said, breathing eighth reached a greenside bun- with us,” his wife Briony said in a heavily. “They know that all the ker in two then blasted to eight statement. fi ghting that I did do was to get feet and made the birdie putt to The former US PGA Tour back out and play golf again.” reach fi ve-under. player, who had children aged The European Tour was England’s Ian Poulter birdied six and two, passed away on among many to pay tribute three of his fi rst six holes and Wednesday evening at his home yesterday. shared second, joining Ameri- outside Melbourne surrounded “Full of joy and determina- cans Austin Cook and Pat Perez by family and friends. tion, on and off the course. This in the locker room on 67. “Lusi, Jemma and I are is how we’ll remember Jarrod,” “I got off to a fl ying start,” fi lled with grief and now must it said. Poulter said. “You defi nitely confront our lives without the World number three Justin Rose want to post a number on the greatest husband and father added: “Such a sad day, we will all fresh greens. They kept them a we could ever have wished for,” miss you so much Jarrod. Think- little slower than they wanted. It added his wife. ing of his family at this time.” was a good day.” Lyle moved into palliative Fellow Australian and former In the feature early pair- care on August 1 to see out his world number one Jason Day ing, defending champion Justin fi nal days, saying his body could said Lyle would “forever be an Thomas was on two-under with not “take anymore” after acute inspiration”. Rory McIlroy at level par and Ti- myeloid leukaemia returned for “Rest easy mate. We will miss ger Woods at one-over through a third time. you,” he added, while British 16 holes. His plight touched people Open champion Francesco Moli- Considered a solid contender around the world and his wife nari said it was “tough times for to win a major in his 20s when said the messages of support everyone on tour losing someone he turned pro at age 20 in 2009, comforted him as his life drew to so special”. Fowler has one fi nal chance to a close. Four-time major winner Rory lift a major trophy before turn- “Jarrod was able to take in McIlroy tweeted: “The courage ing 30 in December. many of the unbelievably kind shown through his battle is an Fowler, who matched his best and generous acts and words inspiration to all of us. He made major showing with a runner- in his fi nal few days and was the world a better place. RIP up eff ort at this year’s Masters, overwhelmed by the emotional mate.” had four top-fi ve major fi nishes outpouring,” she said. South African star Ernie Els without a win in 2014, shar- Rickie Fowler of the United States plays his shot from the 16th tee during the first round of the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country “He asked that I provide a said “the world has lost a good ing second at the US and Brit- Club in St Louis, Missouri, yesterday. (AFP) simple message: ‘Thanks for man” and Australian golfer Greg ish Opens. He became the fi rst your support, it meant the Chalmers was devastated. player to top-5 in all four majors master shotmakers. in back-to-back weeks and join feet and birdied the 12th. He was bunker at 10 and made bogey, world. My time was short, but if “It is through a river of tears I without a win. Instead, Woods endured an Woods as the only men since undone again at the par-3 16th, then sank birdie putts from eight I’ve helped people think and act say goodbye to my friend Jarrod Fowler, who found 11 of 14 early horror show, McIlroy was 1937 to win consecutive PGAs. needing two chips to escape the feet at 11 and 12 feet at the par- on behalf of those families who Lyle. A wonderful father, friend fairways and 16 of 18 greens grinding and only Thomas was rough and tapping in for bogey. 3 13th only to close his fi rst nine suff er through cancer, hopefully and golfer. Quick with a joke, in regulation, sank a fi ve-foot showing major champion form. TIGER, MCILROY GRIND Woods battled back, however, with a bogey to stand on level it wasn’t wasted’.” didn’t mind a beer, and just a birdie putt at 14 but at the par- Second-ranked Thomas, Woods, a 14-time major cham- sinking consecutive birdie putts par, then opened his second nine Lyle, who joined the PGA Tour pure joy to be around every day. 3 16th found a bunker and made coming off a WGC victory Sun- pion in a comeback season after from four feet at 18 and nine feet with seven pars. in 2007 and managed a handful Miss you mate. RIP,” he said. bogey. He bounced back with a day, sank birdie putts from fi ve spinal fusion surgery, struggled at the fi rst. British Open champion of top 10 fi nishes, overcame leu- Many of Lyle’s friends and 12-foot birdie putt at the par-5 feet at 11 and seven feet at 12, from the start, fi nding right Woods briefl y led in the fi nal Francesco Molinari was set kaemia as a 17-year-old before competitors are playing the 17th, a 14-footer at the fi rst and rescued par from a bunker at the rough off the 10th tee and mak- round of last month’s British for an afternoon start over suff ering a recurrence in 2012. year’s fi nal major tournament, six-footer to birdie the third. par-3 13th and added another ing a nervy fi ve-foot bogey putt. Open, but he hasn’t won a major the 7,316-yard, par-70 layout He won that battle and made the PGA Championship, which The superstar trio with birdie at 15 before a bogey at the The 42-year-old former since the 2008 US Open or any alongside this year’s other two his return to professional golf began yesterday at Bellerive Golf Woods began off the 10th tee fourth dropped him back. world number one found wa- title since 2013. major winners — Americans at the Australian Masters in Course in Missouri. with thousands of spectators Thomas, 25, could become the ter with his second shot on the Four-time major champion Patrick Reed from the Masters November 2013. But his health The winner of the traditional lining the fairway, standing 10 fi rst player since McIlroy in 2014 way to a double-bogey six at 11 McIlroy, whose last major tri- and Brooks Koepka from the US deteriorated again in recent pre-tournament long drive com- deep in spots just to glimpse the to make the PGA his second win but dropped his approach to two umph came in 2014, found a Open. months. petition, American golfer Bryson de Chambeau, pledged to donate PURE JOY his $25,000 charity winnings to In an emotional audio message Lyle’s family. Hackers hit PGA computer servers, demand ransom: report

Computer hackers have struck PGA of to meet extortion demands, unnamed Paris. also include development work on logos America servers at this week’s 100th sources told the magazine, and the Tournament staff discovered Tuesday and signs for future PGA Champion- Wrong Fleetwood gets $154K from PGA Championship, demanding a Bit- organisation has retained outside their files had been compromised when ships, much of it not easily replaced. coin ransom to unlock files without risk- information technology experts to a message told them their network Future PGA Championships, to be Englishman’s Open eff orts ing data not easily replaced, Golfweek’s ensure the year’s final major tourna- had been hacked and information files staged in May starting next year, website reported. ment remains unaffected, according to encrypted, with any attempt to unlock include 2019 at Bethpage Black, 2020 The files, Golfweek said, contained the report. the files risking their permanent loss, at San Francisco’s Harding Park, 2021 at digital promotional banners and logos The PGA had no comment on the mat- according to Golfweek. Kiawah Island, 2022 at Trump National used on signs around Bellerive as well ter. A Bitcoin wallet number was provided, in New Jersey, 2023 at Oak Hill, 2024 at as materials for next month’s Ryder Cup PGA play began yesterday at Bellerive but no specific ransom amount was Valhalla, 2027 at Aronimink, 2028 at San in France. Country Club. The Ryder Cup is set for requested. Francisco’s Olympic Club and 2029 at The PGA of America does not intend September 28-30 at Le Golf National in The stolen files, according to the report, Baltusrol.

BOTTOMLINE ‘Battle of giants’ expected as France hosts Ryder Cup

AFP both teams are going to relish a golf tournament,” said Furyk. the rosters in September. St. Louis, US the chance of having a go at each “You want guys who have that “I loved having the rookies on Tommy Fleetwood (right) of England signs autographs during a other,” European captain Thomas fi re and that passion and you the team, seeing the fi re in their practice round prior to the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Bjorn of Denmark said. “Both believe will thrive in that type of eyes, seeing the spark they pro- Country Club in St Louis, Missouri, on Wednesday. (AFP) ost of the world’s teams are going to be great.” atmosphere. vided,” Furyk said. greatest golfers will World number one Dustin “We’re looking at 51,000 fans Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood In an e-mail to Golf Digest, visit France next Johnson, second-ranked Jus- coming to these events each ‘THINKER’S GOLF COURSE’ earned $154,000 for shar- Englishman Fleetwood’s wife month for the 42nd tin Thomas, Masters champion day. You’re not going to com- Both captains praise Le Golf Na- ing 12th place at the British Clare confirmed the situation MRyder Cup, with US and Europe Patrick Reed and two-time US bat 48,000 Europeans excited tional as a stunning stage for the Open, but reports Wednesday was true and that Fleetwood’s captains predicting a “battle of Open champion Brooks Koepka about their team. That European drama golf’s greatest will provide. showed the money was paid to managers are in the process of giants” in the heated rivalry. have sealed berths on the Amer- crowd is incredible and they’re “It really is a thinker’s golf American Tommy Fleetwood, getting their man his money. The biennial showdown com- ican side. going to make a lot of noise.” course,” Bjorn said. “It’s a ball- club pro at a Florida resort. According to the report, she ing September 28-30 at Le Golf “The American team is going The Americans lead the all- striker’s golf course as well. It The bizarre situation came to described the direct deposit National near Paris will match ally strong team, possibly the to be one of the strongest ever time rivalry 26-13 with two just asks questions of everything light on the eve of the 100th blunder as a “huge clerical holders United States, who strongest team Europe has ever and it won’t be easy at all for drawn but Europe owns an edge in your game.” PGA Championship, where error by the European Tour haven’t won on European soil fi elded. We have our hands full.” us in Paris,” Molinari said. “We of 10-8 with one drawn since its “I love the golf course,” Furyk 11th-ranked Fleetwood will try accounts department.” since 1993, against a Europe Four-time major winner Rory need to get prepared and raring team expanded from Britain and said. “I understand why Europe- to win his first major title at But as any good golfer would, squad that won six of seven be- McIlroy, third-ranked Justin to go and make life hard for them Ireland in 1979. The last US win ans like it so much, why they’ve Bellerive Country Club. the American Fleetwood fore falling in 2016. Rose and British Open champi- on the course in Paris.” in Europe was at England’s Bel- been so fond of the course and A tweet from @GregThorner- reported the rules violation, “I think you’ve got a battle of on Francesco Molinari are likely Singing and chanting fans will fry a quarter-century ago. talk so highly about it. Golf showed the payout from calling the bank’s attention to two giants,” US captain Jim Fu- to be European stalwarts once bring a unique and boisterous “It has been 25 years. They’ve “It’s a tight course. It’s not his friend’s account, which the error. ryk said. “You look at the world the side is fi nalized in early Sep- atmosphere to the typical calm had a lot of success and we’ll be overly long. What strikes me is showed a transfer for the “I told him he should keep it,” rankings right now, the top 20 tember. and quiet of a golf event. looking to try to break that,” Furyk it’s a really good second-shot funds from Barclays Bank last Thorner told USA TODAY. “He players, they’re dominated by “These guys know each other “What goes on at a Ryder said, noting he won’t shy away golf course. Good iron players Friday into the account of the said, ‘No, no no.’ He called the Europeans and Americans. so well, they play together pret- Cup, it’s like basically a football from rookies when he and Bjorn and good putters will be very Floridian Fleetwood. bank.” “They’re going to have a re- ty much every week now, and game breaks out in the middle of make captain’s picks to complete successful.”

Friday, August 10, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

LEARNING ON THE JOB VOLLEYBALL Qatar top pool with win over Thailand Root growing into in set 3 and tried to get back into By Sports Reporter Taipei, Chinese Taipei the game. However, Qatar led 8-4 at the beginning of the 3rd set and maintained their advantage to the atar continued their end, although Mohamed Ibrahim winning streak with a received a red card for arguing convincing 3-0 (25-23, with the referee. Q25-23, 25-16) victory “Because team Qatar’s height role as captain over Thailand on the second day gives them an advantage in block- of 6th AVC Cup for Men at the ing and serving, it was a tough University of Taipei (Tianmu) game for us. Also, some of my ‘It does take a little bit of time to get used to things’ Gymnasium. players are still suff ering from With their second consecu- injuries. We want to integrate our AFP tive straight sets win, Qatar are team and have our young play- London assured of topping pool C while ers gain more experiences in in- Thailand and Vietnam will com- ternational games,” commented pete against each other today af- Thailand head coach Monchai oe Root believes he is adjusting to ternoon for the second place. Supajirakul. the demands of being England’s Yesterday, Thailand were able “We are getting better day by captain in Test cricket after more to keep up with Qatar in the fi rst day. We are happy that we won than a year and 17 matches in two sets but faded out towards the this game. In the third set, it charge.J end. Qatar were more seasoned seems like that the Thais gave Root will look to back-up last week’s in grabbing the key points at the up this match,” said Qatar coach 31-run win at Edgbaston by leading Eng- very end of the sets as they cap- Soto Camilo. Hard-hitting Renan land to another victory in the Lord’s Test, tured the fi rst two sets with the Ribeiro and Mubarak Hammad the fi rst day of which was washed out same margin, 25-23 25-23. contributed 18 points apiece for yesterday. Down 0-2, Thailand head Qatar, while Kantapat Koonmee Going 2-0 up would represent a wel- coach fi elded more players from led Thailand with 12 points in- come change for Root, all of whose three the bench with diff erent tactics cluding 11 kills and one ace. previous home series as England skipper have been level at 1-1 after two Tests. In May, a nine-wicket defeat by Paki- SETBACK stan at Lord’s meant England had gone eight Tests without a win following series losses in Australia and New Zealand. But they squared a two-match cam- Cummins and paign with Pakistan courtesy of an in- nings and 55-run victory at Yorkshire batsman Root’s home ground of Head- Hazlewood out of ingley before winning a thrilling opener against India. “It does take a little bit of time to get Pakistan Test series used to things... there has been a lot of learning throughout the year-and-a- Reuters ing, so unfortunately they will half,” Root told a news conference at Melbourne not be at the level required for Lord’s. England’s Joe Root smiles on the players’ balcony at Lord’s yesterday. Test match intensity come Octo- “(But) I think from the start of this ber,” team physiotherapist David summer I had a real clear idea about how ing stages of the fi rst Test, including the last week is that we weren’t at our best... Root, who made a valuable fi rst-in- ast bowlers Pat Cummins Beakley said in a statement. we want to go about things,” added Root, prize scalp of India captain Virat Kohli, but we found a way to win under pres- nings 80 at Edgbaston, played down his and Josh Hazlewood have “Barring any setbacks, we are whose England commitments meant he because of his ongoing trial in Bristol on sure, and wrestle momentum back,” he tactical contribution to England’s win. been ruled out of Aus- hopeful that Pat and Josh will re- had limited captaincy experience be- a charge of aff ray. explained. “Ultimately, regardless of what you do tralia’s Test series against turn via the back-end of the (do- fore being appointed as the successor to Nevertheless, Root reckoned there “That’s a sign of some strong charac- as captain, your players have to perform PakistanF in the United Arab Emir- mestic) JLT One-Day Cup, with Alastair Cook. were lessons from Edgbaston, where the ters in our dressing room — and having — and I thought they were exceptional,” ates after failing to recover from the aim of them being available This Test season did not start well for 20-year-old Sam Curran starred with had some indiff erent results in the recent he said. injuries, further depleting an al- for the ODI Series against South England but few things boost collective both bat and ball, for the team as a whole past, to pull off a win like that is a really “It’s not for me to take the credit for ready inexperienced side. Africa in November as they build morale like a hard-fought win such as that could yet prove useful at Lord’s, even good sign. their hard work. Australia head to the UAE for towards the Indian test series.” the one England enjoyed at Birmingham’s in the absence of all-rounder Stokes. “But it’s about backing it up now, “Under pressure we stayed calm... a Test series slated for October Australia play South Africa in Edgbaston ground. “It fi lls you with masses of confi - looking for consistency in back-to-back it would have been easy for us to chase without two of their most experi- the fi rst one-dayer of the three- At Lord’s, England will be without Ben dence... to win a close game,” said Root. games, and this is an opportunity to do the game on that last morning, but we enced campaigners, with former match series in Perth on Nov. 4 Stokes, who took key wickets in the clos- “One of the most exciting things about that.” didn’t.” captain Steve Smith and his before hosting India for three deputy David Warner suspended Twenty20, four Tests and three after a ball-tampering scandal in one-day internationals. SPOILSPORT Cape Town in March. Australia’s pace spearhead With Cummins and Hazle- Mitchell Starc, however, remains wood still recovering from their on track to be fi t for the USE tour, lumbar bone stress injuries, much Beakley said. Rain washes out fi rst day in England-India 2nd Test sting has been taken out of the at- “On a positive note Mitch- tack of the Tim Paine-led squad. ell Starc is back to unrestricted “Pat and Josh are progress- training and remains on track for AFP ing well from their lumbar bone the Test Series against Pakistan,” London stress injuries but are not bowl- Beakley said.

ain meant there was no play on SPOTLIGHT the first day of the second Test between England and India at Lord’s yesterday. REarly morning overcast skies in Chandimal returns north London eventually gave way to gentle but persistent rain which was sufficient to ensure the pitch and to Sri Lanka T20 square remained fully covered. The match had been due to start at 11:00am (1000 GMT) but with rain still squad aft er ban falling and the skies above Lord’s in- creasingly dark, the umpires called it a day at 4:50pm (1550 GMT). It was the first time a whole day’s Test play in England had been lost to bad weather since August 24, 2013 when the fourth day of the fifth Ashes clash at The Oval was abandoned with- out a ball bowled. The last time a day’s Test play was washed out completely at Lord’s came 17 years ago when the scheduled open- ing day of the first Test against Paki- Spectators run onto the pitch and slide on the covers as rail fell at Lord’s yesterday. stan was abandoned on May 17 2001. Officials later confirmed they would first Test at Edgbaston last week. under 21 to represent England in Test tain Virat Kohli. look to conduct the toss at 10:30am They will, however, make at least cricket this year, following Mason England have yet to decide whether today, with a view to an 11:00am start two changes to their side. Crane, Dominic Bess and Sam Curran. Chris Woakes, a fellow pace-bowling and that 98 overs, rather than the England captain Joe Root con- England will be without Ben Stokes all-rounder, or off-spinner Moeen Ali standard 90, would be scheduled for firmed on Wednesday that Ollie Pope, at Lord’s because of the all-rounder’s will replace Stokes. the second day in a bid to make-up lost a 20-year-old Surrey batsman, would ongoing trial for affray in Bristol. Neither England nor India, who playing time. make his Test debut in place of the Stokes took three wickets on Sun- might also make changes, are obliged England lead the current five-match dropped Dawid Malan. day’s fourth and last day at Edgbaston, to confirm their teams until the toss series 1-0 after a 31-run victory in the Pope will become the fourth player including the prize scalp of India cap- takes place.

BOTTOMLINE AFP the International Cricket Coun- Colombo cil along with coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha for refusing Bangladesh’s Shakib may skip Asia Cup for surgery ri Lanka skipper Dinesh to take to the fi eld for two hours Chandimal returned to during the second Test against their Twenty20 squad the West Indies in June. It was AFP team for the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka yesterday after serving an shortly after Chandimal was ac- in March after receiving treatment from internationalS ban for breaching cused of tampering with the ball. Dhaka Australia, where doctors had advised him the spirit of the game. The Sri Lanka captain was to have surgery. Chandimal was included in a subsequently banned from the angladesh all-rounder Shakib His pain returned during the recent 15-member squad for the one- third Test against the West In- Al Hasan yesterday hinted Twenty20 international series against off T20 that will round off South dies and given a fi ne equal to his he might skip the Asia Cup in the West Indies, which Bangladesh won Africa’s tour of the island nation match fees. He was later banned the United Arab Emirates next by 2-1 in the Caribbean and the United Tuesday in Colombo, Sri Lanka for another two Tests and four monthB to undergo surgery on his fi nger. States. With a busy schedule coming for Cricket said in a statement. ODIs after pleading guilty to vio- “We all know that I have to have a sur- Bangladesh leading up to the World Cup The 28-year-old missed the lating the spirit of the game. gery,” Shakib told reporters at Dhaka air- 2019, Shakib felt he should not delay his two-Test series, which Sri Lanka Sri Lanka T20 squad: Angelo port after Bangladesh team’s return from surgery. won, and was out of the fi rst four Mathews (captain), Dasun Shana- the West Indies. “I don’t want to play without being one-day internationals. The fi fth ka, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya “But I feel the earlier it is done, the fully fi t. If I think that way, it should be and fi nal ODI is on Sunday, but de Silva, Upul Tharanga, Kusal better, most probably before the Asia done before Asia Cup and that is normal,” Chandimal was not included in Mendis, Thisara Perera, Shehan Cup,” he said. Shakib hurt his little fi n- he said. the squad for that match. Jayasuriya, Shehan Madushanka, ger on his left hand during the one-day Bangladesh are drawn in Pool B with But he was included in the T20 Lahiru Kumara, Dinesh Chan- international series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in the Asia squad and will play in the day- dimal, Akila Dananjaya, Jeff rey January and missed the subsequent Test Cup, scheduled to be held from Septem- night game on Tuesday. Vandersay, Lakshan Sandakan, and Twenty20 series. He returned to the ber 15 to 28. Chandimal was banned by and Binura Fernando.