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Monday, June 20, 2016 FOOTBALL Ramadan 15, 1437 AH Messi record as GULF TIMES Argentina defeat Venezuela 4-1 SPORT Page 4 ENGLAND VS SLOVAKIA, 10PM Hodgson mulls striker options against Slovakia Manager has an embarrassment of riches up front, but Harry Kane has struggled to make an impact in France
AFP Saint-Etienne
ngland take on Slovakia today in the key battle for fi rst place in Group B at Euro 2016 with ERoy Hodgson mulling over which of his strikers to deploy. Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge proved their form by coming off the bench to dig England out of trouble in their 2-1 win over Wales in Lens. England manager Hodgson has an embarrassment of riches up front, but Harry Kane, who started in the 1-1 draw against Russia and win over Wales, has struggled to make an impact in France. Vardy’s equaliser against Wales can- celled out Gareth Bale’s thunderbolt free-kick before Sturridge broke Welsh hearts with the late winner. Leicester City’s Vardy says he would be content with another cameo off the bench in Saint-Etienne having come on after the break against the Welsh. “I’d more than happy with that. We’ll have to wait till Monday what team the boss puts out and hopefully we can get the job done,” said Vardy. “I think it is tough for him, but competition for places is good for the squad itself. And with the options we have got available, we can use diff erent systems as well.” Kane’s lack of form in France has been attributed to his eff orts for Tot- tenham Hotspur in the Premier League title race. The Spurs man has played 5,092 minutes of football in the past year, compared with 3,707 for Vardy and 1,812 for Sturridge. Kane has scored two goals in his last seven for club and country, Sturridge has three in six and Vardy has four in fi ve. But Vardy is backing his rival to prove his form on the Euro 2016 stage. “He (Kane) doesn’t seem tired, I’m sure he’ll want to keep starting and hopefully get on that goal run,” said England forward Jamie Vardy (centre) attends a training session at the Bourgogne stadium in Chantilly, north of Paris, yesterday. (AFP) Vardy. “He’ll be putting the extra eff ort in training as well to hopefully stay in three points, nothing is decided going meetings, but Martin Skrtel’s Slovakia sik is the lynchpin in Slovakia’s attack. their 2-1 win over Russia. his side has their work cut out to get a the starting lineup and get cracking.” into the fi nal round of matches. are eyeing an upset. There is so much hype around Ham- He hopes for more of the same result against England. Victory over the Welsh on Thursday Wales take on Russia in Toulouse, but The Slovakia captain could well face sik back home that Slovakian newspa- against the Three Lions. “They are not favourites just for the left England top of Group with four England will want the three points to his Liverpool teammate Sturridge at per Novy Cas insists he is better than “It was a beautiful moment. I group, they are considered one of the points. make sure they progress as group win- Saint-Etienne’s Stade Geoff roy-Gui- Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. watched it about twenty times later. favourites to win the entire tourna- ners. chard. Hamsik proved how crucial he is It truly fi lled me with joy,” said the ment,” he said. BETTER THAN RONALDO History favours the Three Lions who One man does not make a team, but to his side’s chances of reaching the 28-year-old of his goal against Russia. “No matter how, I think we’ll stay in But with both Wales and Slovakia on have won all of their three previous Napoli attacking midfi elder Marek Ham- knock-out stages with a superb goal in Slovakia midfi elder Jan Gregus says the tournament.”
FOCUS We can beat anyone, even England: Weiss
fter becoming the fi rst player thing from the fi nal game to qualify.” I wasn’t happy after the fi rst game. She “I honestly don’t care who I play based outside of Europe to The skilful winger also sent a warn- said my time will come, and it did.” against. I respect every player that is score at a European Champi- ing to the England defence ahead of the The former Espanyol and Olympia- here the same. Whether it is Bale, Ron- Aonship, Vladimir Weiss has game: “There are no weaknesses at this cos midfi elder added that he felt like he aldo or anyone. I’m trying to be focused set his sights on writing further history level, but I am sure I will make life dif- was also representing Qatari football on myself and my team. England has a with Slovakia against England in the fi cult for the English defence. England in France, and praised the Arab world’s squad full of good players, a team that fi nal Group B match today. The former has a good young generation. But we football development ahead of the 2022 can go all the way. We have respect, but Manchester City midfi elder is one of have great players and are a great team. FIFA World Cup. we don’t fear them. Raheem Sterling three Qatar-based players representing We fi ght together and that is why we are “Of course it’s good for the Qatar is a great young talent, who can cause his country at Euro 2016 in France, and successful.” Stars League and Qatari football that a lot of damage to every team. I don’t scored his side’s opener in their crucial The 26-year-old revealed he has myself and two others players from the think he has found his best form yet at 2-1 win over Russia. Now he believes been inundated with messages of sup- league are here. I think Qatari football is Manchester City, but he has been great Slovakia have shown that they can beat port from Qatar after becoming the improving fast and this is a good sign of for England against Russia.” any side – even England. fi rst Qatar Stars League-based player it. My teammate Stoch has played in the With the fi nal round of fi rst round “We have beaten big teams before to score at a European Championship: UAE and he is a special player and a very matches beginning in France, Weiss and if we play at our best, we can beat “I found out about my record on so- good friend. We talk a lot about football concluded by saying he saw one player anyone, even England,” Weiss told cial media. It’s always nice to be fi rst in in Qatar, the UAE and the region and we and two teams which had been a level SC.qa in an interview from France. something, and I got a lot of responses think it is moving forward well.” above the others so far: “I think Ini- “The win against Russia gives us a lot of from Qatari fans on Twitter. The Al Gharafa winger is known for esta has been great for Spain, but it’s confi dence going into the last game. We “Once I turned inside the two defend- his attacking runs in the Qatar Stars too soon to say who will be the most needed a win and we’re very happy that ers, I knew I was going to score. I was League, and said that he enjoyed the important player of the tournament. we got it. I am sure England have seen already thinking where I would go to cel- challenge of playing against Europe’s Spain and Italy have impressed me so our game against Russia and they know ebrate the goal, and I went to my parents. top stars like Gareth Bale, Wayne Roon- far.” (SC.qa) we will give it everything to get some- I dedicated the goal to my mum, she knew ey or Harry Kane. Gulf Times 2 Monday, June 20, 2016 EURO 2016
RUSSIA VS WALES 10PM CONDITIONAL Hodgson future depends on Euro Wales ready to success, says Dyke
AFP Chantilly
oy Hodgson’s future as qualify for last 16, England manager de- pends on how well the team fare at Euro 2016, FootballR Association chairman Greg Dyke said in a BBC radio in- terview broadcast yesterday. Dyke, who steps down this month, said that Hodgson’s con- England manager Roy Hodgson. says striker Bale tract, which is due to expire at the end of the tournament, will role. He succeeded Fabio Capello be extended if the team “do well” as England manager in May 2012. ‘We have to forget about it (England loss). It’s over. Our fate is in our own hands, and if and “play well” in France. On the Russia World Cup, Dyke He also expressed confi dence said: “You can’t hold Russia to ac- you’d given us this at the start of the tournament we would have taken it’ that the 2018 World Cup will go count because a bunch of organ- ahead as planned in Russia de- ised thugs got together and caused AFP spite violent clashes between mayhem in a particular place.” Toulouse English and Russian fans in Mar- The Football Union of Rus- seille last weekend. sia was fi ned 150,000 euros Discussing Hodgson’s future, ($169,000) after violence marred areth Bale said Wales’ Euro 2016 Dyke told BBC Radio: “Clearly if their team’s 1-1 draw with Eng- fate is in their own hands as they you get to the semi-fi nals, that’s land in Marseille. look to qualify for the last 16 in success. If we’ve played well UEFA has formally warned a potentially high-risk match and unfortunately lost against a Russia it will be disqualifi ed from Gagainst Russia in Toulouse. good team or on penalties (in the the tournament if its supporters Real Madrid forward Bale has been in- quarter-fi nals) then that’s a dis- are involved in more violence, spirational in Wales’ European Champi- cussion that will go on.” while England has also been told onship debut, hitting the net in a 2-1 win England need a point in their its supporters must not be in- over Slovakia and again in the 2-1 defeat fi nal Group B game against Slo- volved in any further incidents. to England in Lens. vakia in Saint-Etienne today to Groups of Russian fans have Wales lie second in Group B, one point reach the last 16. been deported after French po- behind leaders England but fi rmly in con- Hodgson, 68, has indicated lice blamed Russian hooligans tention for a historic place in the last 16. that he would like to stay in his for instigating violence. A win in Toulouse, where security is set to be tight following shocking scenes of fan violence between England and HONESTY Russia supporters in Marseille last week, would see Wales guarantee direct qualifi - cation — although even defeat could see Wales go through as one of the four best It’s a dog’s life for third-placed group fi nishers. Bale, who scored trademark free kicks against Slovakia and England to sit Germany’s Goetze among the tournament’s top scorers after two games, admitted defeat to England through Daniel Sturridge’s injury-time AFP goal was hard to digest. Evian But the 26-year-old said Wales’ “close group” of players are in high spirits and ready to keep their dream alive. ermany’s World Cup “Obviously after the (England) game winner Mario Goetze we were very disappointed, especially to has brushed off criti- lose in that manner,” Bale said Saturday. cism of his form at “But we have to forget about it. It’s GEuro 2016 by insisting, “some- over. Our fate is in our own hands, and times you’re the dog, sometime’s if you’d given us this at the start of the you’re the tree”. tournament we would have taken it. The 24-year-old’s star has “We’re so excited for our last game. fallen since Goetze came off the Everything’s to play for, the nation’s be- bench and scored the winning hind us, as normal, and we will be looking File picture of Wales striker Gareth Bale celebrating after scoring a goal against England. Wales face Russia in a crucial tie today. goal in extra time for Germany in Germany’s Mario Goetze. forward to it. We’ll try to embrace the oc- the 2014 World Cup fi nal. casion and qualify.” even before they kicked a ball in anger, as fans in relation to the incidents. “Russia have experience. They’ll He has spent the last two years tomorrow’s fi nal Group C game Russian ultras attacked England fans in Yet, in comments at an economic fo- be hurting aft er the defeat against either injured or mainly on the against Northern Ireland. RUSSIAN WOES the port city hours before kick-off . rum in Saint Petersburg, Russia Presi- Slovakia, but it’s all on this last bench at Bayern Munich, where Germany need a point to With only one point to their name, follow- Further attacks on England fans in- dent Vladimir Putin appeared to poke game,” he said Pep Guardiola prefered Thiago progress to the last 16 having ing Vasili Berezutski’s last-gasp equaliser side the Stade Velodrome before the fi- fun at England when he said, to laughs Alcantara in the attacking mid- beaten Ukraine and been held to against England, Leonid Slutsky’s embat- nal whistle mean Russia are now walk- and applause: “I truly don’t understand “Russia have experience. They’ll be fi eld role. a goalless draw by Poland. tled Russia would be forgiven for wish- ing a tightrope. UEFA has warned that how 200 of our fans could beat up several hurting after the defeat against Slovakia, And despite starting both Germany’s team manager Ol- ing their tournament was over following a a repeat at Stadium de Toulouse could thousand English.” but it’s all on this last game,” he said. of Germany’s group games in iver Bierhoff has said the top crushing 2-1 defeat to Slovakia. lead to expulsion from Euro 2016 re- Wales will be hoping for an incident-free “It’s whichever team’s able to put the France, the false nine has failed sides at these European Cham- It has left them bottom of the table and gardless of the result. evening in La Ville Rose, so called because disappointment behind them from this to impress, which has seen him pionship fi nals are having trou- needing to beat Wales to have any chance Three days after three Russian sup- of the colour given to the city’s low-level middle round of fi xtures which will prevail. criticised by pundits back home. ble breaking down defences of of adding some optimism to their cam- porters were given jail sentences, French buildings when the sun goes down. “That’s tournament football. But In their opening 2-0 win over smaller nations. paign after what has been a controversial authorities deported Alexander Shpry- Coleman admits Russia’s players will it’s still down to us. We’re not asking Ukraine, Goezte did not touch the “Teams are having trouble week for the team and its supporters. gin, the outspoken far-right leader of a be desperate to make amends, but he said for any favours. We have to take care of ball for 18 minutes in the fi rst half. against the smaller nations when Yet their campaign was compounded football supporters group, and 19 other Wales will not be expecting any favours. business ourselves.” He had one clear shot on goal they don’t maintain their tempo in his 90 minutes on the pitch in games or play with sophistica- and against Poland, he managed tion,” said Bierhoff . FRUSTRATION just two shots in 66 minutes. “We’re not a team that uses “So that’s football. Sometimes a crowbar (to break defences you’re the dog, sometimes you’re down). We have to use our tech- the tree. That part of the busi- nical skills, attacking the box at ness,” Goetze said in answer to fast pace. the criticism. “If we’re talking about effi cien- Neither Goetze or Germany’s cy, we have to be happy that the Portugal agonises aft er ‘waste’ replacement striker Mario Gomez team controlled a game,” he added have hit the back of the net in in reference to last Thursday’s un- penalty from striker Ronaldo France as Germany prepare for impressive draw with Poland. PLEA
AFP match to avoid going home. “With a bit more discipline and Paris Portugal sought the reasons control we can get something for their disappointing perform- against Italy. We dust ourselves Don’t kick us out of ances despite having such tal- down, see how everybody is and ristiano Ronaldo missed ented players. go for Italy in Lille.” a penalty and became A Bola editor Vitor Serpa said Euro 2016, Rakitic the target in his native “Cristiano seems to give in too Ronaldo selfi e Portugal as the country much to the pressure that the In Paris, Portugal coach Fern- nowC fears a Euro 2016 failure. international press puts on him, ando Santos refused to say how appeals to UEFA The superstar’s shot crashed sometimes out of spite for him”. Ronaldo was feeling after his against a post, holding the prolifi c He added that “They (the crit- second disappointing display in DPA Croatian Football Federation scorer up in his bid to become the ics) say he is vain and arrogant. the tournament. Deauville (HNS) after stadium distur- fi rst player to score at four Euro- They say he does not respect his “I prefer not to talk about this bances of its fans at Croatia’s pean Championship fi nals. opponent, nor the game. The subject,” Santos said. 2-2 draw versus Czech Repub- A second group draw means truth is that Cristiano seems too At the end of the match, Ron- roatia playmaker Ivan lic on Friday. Portugal could struggle to qual- anxious, and sometimes tired as aldo made a fan who ran onto the Rakitic yesterday ap- The match was interrupted ify for the last 16. well. He is human.” pitch happy by allowing him to pealed to Europe’s rul- after 87 minutes when fl ares “Missed” headlined Portu- While it was a frustrating night take a selfi e before the man was ing body UEFA to not were fi red onto the pitch and gal’s sports daily Record. “No for Ronaldo, Belgium fi nally bundled away by security guards. disqualifyC his team from Euro Croatian supporters started one misses as much as we do,” clicked after losing their opener to Nani had hit a post before 2016 after recent fan violence. fi ghting among themselves. said the rival A Bola. “Waste: Italy as they crushed the Republic three-time World Player of the “I hope that UEFA under- The HNS on Saturday issued Ronaldo can’t even score a pen- of Ireland 3-0 in Group E. Year Ronaldo was left shaking his stands one thing: We would an offi cial apology about the in- alty,” was the headline in the Everton striker Romelu Lu- head in disbelief as he smacked like to continue to live out our cident. “Croatian Football Fed- popular Correio da Manha. Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a penalty. kaku scored a classy opener and the ball against the base of the dream. And that is to play on eration would like to apologise to Ronaldo still set one new added a second in Bordeaux post after he had been fouled by Tuesday against Spain and after the spectators at Saint-Etienne, record, making his 128th ap- player, and also to be the na- and we did well, but we weren’t while Alex Witsel also netted Martin Hinteregger. that move into the next round,” to the television audience, and pearance for Portugal on Satur- tional team’s top scorer,” Ron- able to fi nish. as Belgium fi nally showed why Portugal need to beat Hun- the Barcelona star said. the Czech Republic national day to overtake Luis Figo. aldo said. “I also missed some chances - some observers have tipped gary to be sure of qualifying “We have total faith in UEFA football team,” HNS said in the But the Real Madrid superstar “But obviously I’m a bit sad, a penalty and some other chanc- them as outsiders for the title. from a group that they had and the police... statement. will have bitter memories of the because this wasn’t the way I es. But that’s part of football. We Despite being outclassed, Ire- been expected to dominate. “We hope that everything Croatia have four points from night after missing the 79th- wanted to break this record. need to continue to believe.” land and captain John O’Shea Hungary, needed an own goal that happened on Friday will two matches in Group D while minute spot kick. The most beautiful way would The 0-0 draw at the Parc des expressed confi dence they could from Iceland’s Birkir Savarsson be properly prosecuted and two-time reigning champions Austrian goalkeeper Robert have been...,” he added shaking Princes leaves Hungary, who still beat group winners Italy in in the dying seconds to rescue a mainly that something like that Spain have six. Almer went the wrong way, but his head. gained a point in a 1-1 draw with their fi nal group game on Thurs- 1-1 draw in Marseille. never happens again.” The Czech Republic have just Ronaldo’s shot came off the post. “Obviously it wasn’t some- Iceland, as the surprise Group F day to reach the last 16. The result keeps both teams’ UEFA’s disciplinary commit- one point and Turkey are bottom “Obviously it was a goal to be thing we wanted,” he said of the leaders with a game to play. “We have a big chance now hopes alive of a place in the tee is to meet today to discuss in the group with zero points. the most capped international result.”We had a lot of chances Austria must win their fi nal against Italy,” O’Shea said. knockout round. possible sanctions against the Now to see what happens. Gulf Times Monday, June 20, 2016 3 EURO 2016
SPOTLIGHT TASK MASTER Italy coach Conte still hammering Mueller stutters away at his players but could solve Germany woes Mueller is part of the German forward line which has not met expectations and is scoreless. However, the unique Bayern player could in fact help end this rut File picture of Italy’s coach Antonio Conte (L). Reuters Conte’s philosophy. “His motto is Montpellier that winning helps you to win and I am also convinced about that.” Italian midfi elder Andrea Pir- taly’s famously demand- lo, who played for three seasons ing coach Antonio Conte is under Conte at Juventus, said in not letting up at his players his autobiography that the coach even after they made sure of would come into the dressing Ia place in the round of 16, and top room at halftime and throw bot- spot in their group at Euro 2016, tles of fi zzy mineral water against with one match to spare. the walls in a fi t of rage. Midfi elder Marco Parolo told Pirlo, who is 37 and was not reporters yesterday that Conte, included in the squad for France, whose halftime tirades are part of said that Conte’s outbursts Italian football folklore, was still “crash through the doors of your hammering away at his squad and mind, often quite violently, and keeping them on their toes. settle deep within you.” Italy, who are considered dark Italy’s squad is considered to horses rather than one of the fa- be one of their weakest in years vourites to win the tournament, and Conte is trying to make up face Ireland in Group E in Lille on for what they lack in talent with Wednesday, having already beat- team spirit and tactical cunning. en Belgium and Sweden without “Winning teams are also made conceding a goal. up of players who, like me, make “Even on the day after the sacrifi ces without being no- game against Sweden, Conte has ticed,” said Parolo. continued to hammer everyone “We are a mix of various tal- and told us we also have to win ents. It’s an advantage for us that the game against Ireland,” Parolo we are not just associated with told reporters. one player. We want to continue “If you allow the tension to on our current path, in the shad- drop, then it can be diffi cult to ows, taking it one game at a time. rediscover the right level of con- Wherever we end up, it’ll be be- centration,” he added, explaining cause we gave everything we had.”
ANALYSIS
Germany’s midfielder Toni Kroos (L) and midfielder Thomas Mueller acknowledge the crowd following their 0-0 draw in the group C match against Poland. Expanded format
DPA that the once fl uid and fast-paced Ger- “lacked assertiveness”. Raumdeuter, and spread into it like a Paris man passing game up front is stuttering “Up front we didn’t create a lot of chanc- plume of smoke, or a form of insidious exposes Europe’s ahead of tomorrow’s crucial fi nal group es. We didn’t step up the pace but slowed footballing dry rot.” game in Paris against Northern Ireland. down in the fi nal third of the pitch,” Loew That space is what Mueller is not get- homas Mueller must be wonder- Coach Joachim Loew insists “we will lamented after the Poland game. ting in France because none of the team- fl abby middle ing what on earth is going on at the win; we will win the group,” but he must Midfi elder motor Toni Kroos said “we mates create the openings for him. Euros. The talismanic Germany be concerned that his front line is creat- are missing something up front” while “It is so obvious that Mueller is not part Reuters which has involved investment forward boasts 10 goals from two ing no chances. centre back Jerome Boateng fumed that of the problem but should rather be the Nice in coaches and building indoor WorldT Cups and is coming off a career-best Neither Julian Draxler on the left (in “we did not win a single one-on-one deciding factor for the solution,” Germany pitches to face the harsh winter. 20 goals and 11 assists in the past Bundes- place of injured Marco Reus and pre- moment up front.” paper Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) said Sat- UEFA’s problem is that when liga season for Bayern Munich. ferred over Andre Schuerrle and Lukas These moments are what Mueller needs, urday. “Rarely has it been so obvious that hen UEFA decided middle-ranking teams face top His tally at Euro 2016 in France after Podolski), Mario Goetze (preferred over and gets at Bayern from the likes of Arjen the German team depends on the goals of eight years ago to sides, they tend to pack their de- two games: zero - the same as it was at Mario Gomez), Mesut Oezil or Mueller Robben, Franck Ribery, Kingsley Coman this guy without ligaments and cartilage” expand the Euro- fence and use spoiling tactics. his debut at the continental tournament have lived up to the expectations. or Douglas Costa, to fulfi l his rather unique since the international retirement of Miro- pean Champion- “There are teams playing ul- in 2012. Germany won the 2014 World The goals against Ukraine came from role within that forward line. slav Klose, the SZ said. Wship from 16 to 24 teams, its then tra-defensively. But they do that Cup with the help of fi ve Mueller goals defender Shkodran Mustafi and mid- “Not quite a playmaker, some way short Mueller has not even come close to president Michel Platini prom- well. The smaller nations like and a good balance between defence, fi elder Bastian Schweinsteiger. of a striker, and blessed with no extreme such a moment in France but the Ger- ised the standard of the tourna- Albania or Wales are defensively midfi eld and attack. “It doesn’t really bother me that I qualities of power or technique, Muel- mans will need his quality if they want ment would not drop. very well schooled. They see In France, the defence has improved haven’t scored a goal at the Euros yet, but ler is instead the world’s fi rst Raumdeuter, to lift the trophy for the fi rst time since “I’m sure that it will not their chance in that,” said Ger- after some problems in the opener rather that I couldn’t create one really which is German for ‘space investigator’,” 1996 - the last time no German striker hit change the technical level,” the many coach Joachim Loew. against Ukraine, and kept a clean sheet in dangerous opportunity with the team. Britian’s Guardian described his role the net in the fi rst two games. Frenchman said.”In addition to that game (2-0) and against Poland. That’s diffi cult to get over,” Mueller said. three years ago. “His special power is to “I am curious whether I will get a scor- the 16 qualifi ers, there are eight UNSPORTSMANLIKE That goalless draw, however, exposed Coach Joachim Loew said Germany fi nd space, space invisible to the non- ing chance in this tournament.” other teams just as good.” Portugal manager Fernando Two-thirds of the way through Santos said Iceland’s players the group stage, European soc- spent the whole of their match BOTTOMLINE cer’s governing body may feel provoking Cristiano Ronaldo and they have grounds to claim that, Pepe, and that the team’s bench on the face of it, Platini was right. joined in. Iceland have held Portugal and “It was unsportsmanlike be- Hungary, Albania took France to haviour,” he said, adding that af- within minutes of a 0-0 draw, ter Iceland scored their goal they Northern Ireland beat Ukraine “put their 10 players in the last ‘Nice’ Iceland fans prefer hugs and nobody has made fools of third of the fi eld.” themselves. As the old cliche On the other hand, when AFP ferent last week,” he recalled. other side of the pitch,” said goes, there are no weak teams in middle-ranking teams face each Marseille Nearly a week ago England and Elisabet Thorisdottir. football anymore. other, the approach can resemble Russia fans conducted pitched “The Hungarians were a lit- But Platini’s argument some- a decent English Championship battles in the worst violence at tle bit aggressive, but very pas- what misses the point, and could match. A bigger tournament has week after England a football tournament since the sionate. We had no problem with be used to justify an even bigger meant increasing the number of and Russia support- 1998 World Cup, prompting po- them or anyone else.” tournament. UEFA has 55 mem- ordinary, undistinguished match- ers clashed and while lice to respond with tear gas and Around 10,000 Iceland fans bers with France, Spain and Ger- es to the point where they almost fl are-throwing and baton charges. were also in the Stade Velo- many widely regarded as a cut seem to merge into each other. fiA ghting have marred games For fans of the Nordic minnows drome and the two sets of fans above the rest, followed by three Sweden contrived to go elsewhere, fans of tiny Iceland the Euro 2016 violence has been produced a raucous atmosphere, or four others such as Italy, Eng- through their fi rst two matches say they prefer hugs to hooligan- an eye-opening experience. the Scandinavians holding their land and Belgium. without mustering a shot on tar- ism at Euro 2016. “We are a peaceful nation, we own with renditions of “Boom- Below them are about 30 teams get, their only score being pro- Having the time of their lives, have no army, no guns, we’re just Boom-Hoooo”. all of a fairly similar standard. vided by Ireland defender Ciaran Icelanders said in Marseille they not into fi ghting,” said Atli Gud- And leading 1-0 with two min- Teams such as Denmark, Clark’s own goal. have come to their fi rst ever Eu- mundsson. “At home families go utes to go Iceland were on the Netherlands and Greece — all Poland also failed to force Ger- ropean Championships to have to football, no-one dreams of brink of a fairytale win to follow former winners — Serbia, Slov- many goalkeeper Manuel Neuer fun and feel part of Europe. ever causing trouble.” the 1-1 draw against Cristiano enia, Bosnia, Israel, Cyprus, to make a save in their goal- “I’m not sure life can get any The 29-year-old attended the Ronaldo’s Portugal on their Euro- Belarus, Scotland, Finland, less draw, Hungary dominated better, it’s historic, great to be Croatia-Czech Republic tie in pean Championships debut. Montenegro and Norway failed possession against Iceland but here,” said Louise Ragnars- Saint Etienne on Friday where Then two minutes from the to make France but would also barely managed a shot and even dottir on the seafront of the Croatian fans fought among end an own goal by Birkir Savar- no doubt have been able to hold France had to wait until the 90th southern city. themselves and lit fl ares, forcing sson crushed their dreams. their own if they had qualifi ed. minute against Albania before “All my life I watched the a temporary stoppage in play. “The Portugal 1-1 draw was With so many teams of a similar mustering an on-target eff ort, tournaments on TV, now we are “Torches on the pitch, fi ght- like a win, but the Hungary 1-1 standard, the question is where to which happened to be a goal. part of Europe’s party!” said the Iceland’s supporters react as they watch the match between Iceland ing in the stands, that kind of felt like a defeat,” said Iceland draw the line and many critics still UEFA’s competitions director 28-year-old accountant from and Hungary in the Paris fan zone. thing is new to us, it was quite fan Bjarni Mak Johanntsson. feel 16 was the ideal place. Martin Kallen said his organisa- Reykjavik. shocking to see,” he said. But for a country that just four The development of the sport tion was happy with the early Some 27,000 Iceland fans ets of Iceland fans gathered marauders, actually very nice, years ago was ranked 131st in the and training methods means that matches, however. have travelled to France, almost in Marseille’s Vieux Port dis- we come in peace,” he said. ‘SHARE THE LOVE’ world their fans will enjoy the rest almost any country with a well- “There’s more excitement, 10 percent of the Nordic island’s trict to chant “Boom-Boom- “Iceland is N-Iceland!” cried “We just want to hug people, I of Euro 2016 no matter whatever structured federation can put on new access to fans for these 330,000-strong population. Hoooo!”, leaping in unison on another fan, Jonina Unnur Gun- mean come on, just share the happens in the fi nal group game a respectable showing at inter- countries so football gets more No smaller country has ever the “Hoooo!”. narsdottir. love,” said his friend Daniel against Austria in the Stade de national level. popular there, which is what we featured at a Euro fi nals. “It’s our Viking song, syn- Ma’sson. Hungary brought some France on Wednesday. Albania have made progress by were hoping for,” he said. “We live on a faraway island, chronised and terrifying,” ‘BEST FANS YET’ 20,000 fans to the game in Mar- “We’re the small guys, always scouting Europe for players with “It’s the pinnacle of football just to go abroad at all is an ex- laughed Arni Gardar, an IT con- “They are the best fans we have seille. Some scuffl ed with secu- overlooked,” said Hdortur Bjar- roots in the country and sign- every four years and if these sort perience,” said Ragnarsdottir. sultant from Reykjavik. seen yet,” said Karim, a cafe rity guards before the game and nason. “It’s just good to be no- ing them up while Iceland have of teams qualify as well, it will After the Group F tie with “But we don’t mean to be owner watching the revelry on threw fl ares on the pitch. ticed for once. Europe, we will be improved thanks to an ambi- have an infl uence on the children Hungary on Saturday pock- scary, we are good Vikings not the Quai des Belges.”It was dif- “All the tension was on the back!” he said, punching the air. tious development programme to play football.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, June 20, 2016 FOOTBALL
SPOTLIGHT OLD IS GOLD Five golden oldies Messi record as shining at Euro 2016 Argentina defeat
Venezuela 4-1 File picture of Hungary’s goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly. AFP Yet to concede in two games Paris as Italy emerged from Group E ‘People sometimes overlook that we got to two finals, and only focus on the fact that as winners with a game to spare, he showed no signs of old age as we lost. For us to be back in another semi-final like this one is a great achievement...’ or Euro 2016 giants he careered forward to celebrate Spain, Italy and Portu- the Azzurri’s surprise 2-0 win gal, experienced heads over Belgium by swinging on are proving their worth in the crossbar at the other end of Fthe tournament. the fi eld...before embarrassingly Here are fi ve golden oldies who falling into the back of the net. have shone in the fi rst 10 days of “At this age I’m even more competition. aware of what it means to take part in a Euros and to wear the Gabor Kiraly (Hungary) Italy shirt,” said Buff on, who is The oldest player ever to play in a aiming to be the fi rst ever player Euros, 40-year-old Kiraly is still to appear in six World Cups by cutting a dash with his unique extending his international ca- style of grey tracksuit trousers. reer to Russia 2018. Kiraly has also shone in a dream start for Hungary in their Andres Iniesta (Spain) fi rst major fi nals for 30 years. A youngster at 32, but a veteran Only Gylfi Sigurdsson’s pen- of Spain’s three consecutive ma- alty for Iceland in Saturday’s 1-1 jor tournament wins between draw has got past him as he shut 2008 and 2012, Barcelona’s mid- out highly-fancied Austria in a fi eld maestro Iniesta has been in opening 2-0 win. supreme form - winning man- “I never said I had old players, of-the-match in both the Euro- I have good players. I still think pean champions wins so far at he’s one of the best players in Euro 2016. Spanish sports daily the world,” said Hungary coach AS’s front cover read “global as- Bernd Storck on his stopper. tonishment!” on Wednesday at the homages being paid to Iniesta Gareth McAuley across the world. (Northern Ireland) “His ability to destabilise the Veteran West Brom defend- opposition is unbelievable. And er McAuley had thousands of as the years go by, he just gets Northern Ireland fans singing better,” said Barca and Spain in the unrelenting Lyon rain by teammate Sergio Busquets. heading home his country’s fi rst ever goal in a European Cham- Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal) pionship fi nals in an equally his- Whilst Kiraly and Buff on shine toric 2-0 win over Ukraine. between the sticks, at 38 defend- At 36 years and 194 days, he is er Carvalho is the oldest out- the second oldest goalscorer at a fi eld player at the Euros as part Euro fi nals, and the oldest from of a veteran crew of Portuguese open play after Ivica Vastic, who centre-backs, none of whom are was two years and 63 days older, under 30. when he converted a penalty for And after shutting out Aus- Austria at Euro 2008. tria in a 0-0 draw on Saturday, Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates his goal in the second half during the 2016 Copa America Centenario quarter-final match against Venezuela. the former Chelsea defender Gianluigi Buff on (Italy) refused to rule out prolonging AFP Messi is determined to lead Argentina to were jolted in the 27th minute when Nico- able claim for a penalty when Higuain He may be 38, have 159 caps and his international career: “I have Foxborough, United States their fi rst trophy in 23 years after a series of las Gaitan picked up a needless yellow card brought down Josef Martinez in the be playing a remarkable ninth had a great time representing agonising near-misses which include de- for a kick on Alexander Gonzalez that will box but Mexican referee Roberto major fi nals, but Italy and Juven- my country, but I don’t know feats in the fi nals of last year’s Copa Amer- see him suspended for the semi-fi nal. Garcia was unmoved. tus captain Buff on remains one (about retirement). I am 38, but ionel Messi scored a record- ica and the 2014 World Cup fi nal. Argentina’s dominance clearly had Seconds later though Garcia was point- of the best ‘keepers in the world. I feel great, I don’t feel tired.” equalling 54th international goal “I think people sometimes overlook Venezuela rattled, and the Vinotinto’s ing to the spot after Romero clumsily bun- as Argentina outclassed Venezue- that we got to two fi nals, and only focus defensive unease led to the next goal. dled over Martinez for a clear penalty. la 4-1 to book their place in the on the fact that we lost,” Messi said. A slack backpass from Arquimedes But Venezuela’s pressure went unre- FIGHT IS ON Lsemi-fi nals of the Copa America Cente- “For us to be back in another semi- Figuera went straight to Higuain in warded when Luis Manuel Seijas tried a nario here Saturday. fi nal of a big tournament like this one is a space, and the striker coolly rounded risky “Panenka” down the middle which The Barcelona superstar scored his great achievement for these players.” Hernandez to stroke home his second of Romero read and gathered with ease. fourth goal of the tournament in the 60th the night to make it 2-0 after 29 minutes. Venezuela were unable to renew their Terim on the edge minute at the Gillette Stadium to equal INSPIRATIONAL DISPLAY But just when it looked as if the fl ood- period of pressure in the second half, Gabriel Batistuta’s long-time Argentina Few would bet against Messi achieving gates would open, Venezuela rallied im- and Messi eff ectively put the contest to international goalscoring record. his goal after an inspirational display that pressively and had Argentina rocking bed with his record-equalling goal in the as Turkey seek late Messi also created a goal for Gonzalo left Venezuela chasing shadows in the with a series of chances. 60th minute, which came after Argentina Higuain, who scored twice, and second early part of Saturday’s quarter-fi nal. West Bromwich Albion striker Salo- pressed high to force a turnover. half substitute Erik Lamela as Argentina Messi’s genius created the opening mon Rondon forced a save from Sergio Gaitan won the tackle and passed to redemption set up a semi-fi nal against the United goal after eight minutes, with the play- Romero and hit the woodwork in quick Messi, who quickly played a one-two States in Houston tomorrow. maker lofting a sublime curling pass to succession. with the Benfi ca winger before poking his DPA Afterwards Messi played down his pick out Higuain’s run into the area. Romero was left scrambling to save fi nish between Hernandez’s legs. Lens, France goalscoring milestone. Napoli forward Higuain still had plen- once again just before half-time, when Rondon pulled a goal back with a “I’m happy for what it means and it’s ty to do but skilfully directed a fi rst time fullback Rolf Feltscher’s long-range shot header in the 70th minute, but Messi’s nice to be next to ‘Batigol’ (Batistuta), but strike past Venezuela goalkeeper Dani defl ected off Gabriel Mercado and looped response was instant, threading a pass to atih Terim is arguably for me tonight the most important thing Hernandez for a wonderful goal. up and over the Argentina keeper. Lamela whose shot crept in at Hernan- the most famous Turkish is the result,” Messi said. Argentina remained fi rmly in control but Venezuela looked to have a justifi- dez’s near post. football coach of all time. He is on his third stint Fas Turkey coach but unless his BOTTOMLINE players suddenly start perform- ing in front of goal in tomorrow’s fi nal Euro 2016 Group D game against the Czech Republic, his tenure could come to an igno- minious end. Turkey’s coach Fatih Terim. Turkey fi nished a glori- Vargas helps Chile thrash Mexico ous third at the 2008 European private from the well-known feisty Championship during his sec- character and the Czechs will expect AFP “What we saw today was a after Guillermo Ochoa could ond spell in charge and hopes fi red up opponents in Lens. Santa Clara disgrace, an accident of foot- only parry away. were high of at least getting out Turkey actually played some ball,” he added.”Obviously there Vargas grabbed a second a of the group this time given the nice football in the second half are more important things in the minute before half-time to stun talent at Terim’s disposal such against already qualifi ed Spain duardo Vargas scored world than football, but that was the crowd into silence as the as Bayer Leverkusen midfi elder in Nice but by then it was too late four goals as holders a very poor display. teams headed in for the break. Hakan Calhanoglu. and their fi nishing - especially Chile sent Mexico spin- “Chile had a great collective Chile then cut loose early in But despite decent link-up from striker Burak Yilmaz - left ning to a historic 7-0 performance and extraordinary the second half with slick inter- play in the 1-0 defeat to Croatia much to be desired. defeatE to reach the semi-fi nals performance from its stars,” play ripping apart a feeble Mexi- and the 3-0 reverse against Turkish fans are nothing if of the Copa America Centenario Osorio added.”But there is not can defense at will. champions Spain, they never re- not passionate and Terim said he here Saturday. seven goals diff erence between Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez ally came close to scoring. now needs them more than ever. Hoff enheim forward Vargas Chilean and Mexican football.” made it 3-0 in the 49th minute That must change tomorrow “Please keep up that support completed a hat-trick in 13 dev- Vargas grabbed his fourth goal before two more goals from Var- or Turkey are going out. for the match against the Czech astating minutes either side of in the 74th minute to give Chile gas in the 52nd and 57th minutes The 62-year-old does not want Republic. Please don’t think that half-time to send Chile into a a 6-0 lead. piled on the agony for Mexico. to possibly end his illustrious I will accept results like this or semi-fi nal against Colombia in But the punishment did not Several Mexican players vis- coaching career on such a downer any other day,” he said after the Chicago on Wednesday. fi nish there with Edson Puch add- ibly wilted in the face of the in France and gave his players a Spain defeat. Vargas later dedicated his per- ing a seventh in the 88th minute onslaught, and for periods the rocket after the Spain loss. Like Terim, Czech Repub- formance to his mother, who was for his second of the match. game resembled a training exer- “I saw a team that I don’t like, lic midfi elder Tomas Rosicky earlier this week diagnosed with Chile, winners of last year’s cise for Chile as they swept for- one that gives up and just ac- hopes the fans can make a dif- a heart problem in his homeland. Copa America on home soil, had ward relentlessly. cepts defeat. Those who know my ference after he was forced to gee “I’m very happy with the per- Chile’s Eduardo Vargas (R) celebrates after scoring against Mexico faced an intimidating atmosphere Vargas’s fourth made it 6-0 footballing and coaching career, them up before the late recovery formance, I dedicate it to my mum during the Copa America Centenario quarter-final match. in front of a crowd of 70,547 peo- on the night before Puch then my attitude and personality, will against Croatia. and my family,” Vargas said. ple at the Levi’s Stadium, home of toe-poked home to complete know that I have no business with “You’ll have noticed that I “We started this tournament Their previous biggest loss was by England in London in 1961. the San Francisco 49ers. the scoring. those who just give up,” he said. encouraged the fans during the badly but we’re getting stronger a 6-0 rout by West Germany at But despite the overwhelm- Brazilian referee Heber Lopes “I can’t come to terms with it match to show their commit- and stronger with every match,” the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. ‘A DISGRACE’ ingly pro-Mexico crowd, Chile spared Mexico the possibility of and I apologise on behalf of my- ment,” said the captain. he added. The rout was also only one “I off er my sincere apologies to were quicker to settle, with greater humiliation, whistling self and the team to everyone.” “They were great. The team The drubbing was Mexico’s goal away from equalling Mex- the Mexican fans, to all the Mex- Puch opening the scoring on 16 for full-time almost on the Turkey’s players will no doubt and my fellow players reacted worst ever defeat in the fi nals of ico’s heaviest ever defeat in any ican people,” Mexico coach Juan minutes when he steered in a re- stroke of 90 minutes, with no have been on the receiving end of well. Both the fans and ourselves a major tournament. international, an 8-0 thrashing Carlos Osorio said afterwards. bound from Marcelo Diaz’s shot time added on. much more colourful statements in had a good time.” Gulf Times Monday, June 20, 2016 5 CRICKET
ODI SERIES FOCUS Yasir takes We need to up our game Warne’s advice
IANS against England: Mathews Lahore akistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah yesterday ‘We still can improve a lot in all departments. We need to be at our best to beat England’ admitted he has been getting advice from Plegendary Australian tweaker Shane Warne ahead of the Pa- kistan cricket team’s tour of England. Warne enjoyed great success in English conditions Sri Lanka captain Angelo during his playing days and Yasir Mathews (right) with is looking to tap into a little bit of coach Graham Ford. his knowledge. “I have watched his (Warne’s) videos and also had a chat with him on telephone be- cause he has an excellent track record in English conditions,” Yasir was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “I am getting some tips from the legend and learned some key things such as how he used to slow down his pace in England among other variations.” In 2015, Warne had the chance of working with Yasir in Shar- jah and he had praised the spin- ner then. “He is probably the best leg-spinner in the world,” Warne, who has taken 708 wick- ets from 145 Tests, had said. “The way the ball comes out of his hand, it is just absolutely fan- tastic. It is as good a leg-break that you can possibly see.” Statistics also back up Warne’s claims, with Yasir currently av- eraging just 10.46 with the ball and ranked as the fourth best Test bowler in the world. How- ever, it might be tough for the 30-year-old to straightaway hit form as he coming off a three- month ban for failing a drug test. He too expects to face a tough challenge in England. “There would be no better place to make a successful comeback to Test cricket than England and I am looking forward to the fi rst Test at Lord’s,” he said. “I am looking forward to bowling to the English batsmen in their own backyard. It will be a big challenge but I love chal- lenges.” The fi rst Test between England and Pakistan will start AFP matically in 50-over cricket since the Sri Lankans The fi fth and sixth overs of the Ireland reply were score 135, his second ODI century, before he was on July 14. Malahide, Ireland thrashed them by nine wickets in Wellington dur- maidens and when captain William Porterfi eld was the second of three dismissals in the space of fi ve ing last year’s World Cup. out to the fi rst ball of the seventh over, Ireland, who balls. He faced 128 balls, with 16 fours and two six- Saturday’s win was set up by dynamic top-order have never beaten Sri Lanka in fi ve attempts, could es, and was happy to play second fi ddle to Prasan- ri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said his batting, and Mathews said: “Perera and Danuska not cope. na, who dominated an electrifying second-wicket side will have to be at their best to beat Gunathilaka had a brilliant opening partnership It needed a last wicket stand of 54 between An- stand of 161 in 89 balls. England in the fi ve-match one-day inter- (147) and after that solid foundation it was a tac- drew McBrine and former England international The late fl urry of wickets allowed Ireland to national series which starts from tomor- tical decision to bring in the pinch-hitter and take Boyd Rankin to get the Ireland total over 200. restrict Sri Lanka to 67 from the last eight overs, row.S Mathews was speaking after overseeing a 2-0 the game forward.” The man of the series was Sri Lanka’s Dasun when a total of 400 had looked likely. ODI series victory over Ireland in Malahide after Seekkugge Prasanna came in a three to pinch-hit Shanaka, who scored 42 off 19 balls and took vefi Suranga Lakmal was Sri Lanka’s most the second match was won by an emphatic 136-run in explosive style, bludgeoning nine sixes and fi ve wickets on his debut in the tourists’ 76-run win in successful bowler. Sharing the new ball with margin on Saturday. Opening batsman Kusal Per- fours to leave his previous best ODI score of 42 far the fi rst match on Thursday and Mathews has high Mathews, he dismissed both Ireland openers in era, who would have missed the tour had a drugs behind with 95 from just 46 balls. “It was a very hopes for the 24-year-old. the space of 10 balls, broke the stubborn seventh ban not been rescinded following a faulty doping good wicket and a tough ask for the bowlers but we “Shanaka is becoming a very good all-rounder wicket stand between Stuart Poynter (36) and Mc- analysis, made a century to build the platform for stuck to our task,” explained Mathews. for us and hopefully he will continue in the Eng- Brine (79 off 64 balls) and added a fourth wicket at his side’s huge total of 377 for 8. “They had to bowl good lines and lengths. Hav- land ODIs and for the next few years,” the captain a personal cost of just 38 runs. “We still can improve a lot in all departments. ing said that, after scoring 377 it was a tough ask said. “We were short of seam-bowling all-round- Prasanna completed a fi ne all-round game with It was a pretty convincing victory today, but we for the Irish because they had to go at it from ball ers, but now with Farveez Maharoof, Shanaka and two for 32 from eight overs, and although Shanaka need to be at our best to beat England,” said Math- one, so we had to bowl dot balls and create pres- myself, we have plenty of options.” took only one wicket in his second game, it was the ews. Eoin Morgan’s England have improved dra- sure,” the all-rounder added. Perera took advantage of the very good pitch to big one of the dangerous Kevin O’Brien. Yasir Shah
SPOTLIGHT Sri Lanka’s stricken Eranga banned for illegal action India could ring in changes to keep London: Hospitalised Sri Lanka paceman SHAMINDA ERANGA has been banned from bowling in international cricket with immediate ef- series alive against Zimbabwe fect because of an illegal action, the International Cricket Council announced yesterday. IANS The ICC’s statement came just hours after Eran- Harare ga had been taken to a Dublin hospital to undergo tests on an elevated heartbeat after he fell ill during Sri Lanka’s win over Ireland in the second ith Zimbabwe pulling off a one-day international at Malahide on Saturday. huge upset in the opener, India “The International Cricket Council today will look to bounce back and (Sunday) announced that an independent assess- draw level in the three-match WTwenty20 International (T20I) series when ment has found the bowling action of Sri Lanka’s Shaminda Eranga to be illegal and, as such, the they lock horns again today. After clinch- fast bowler has been suspended from bowling in ing the One-Day International series 3-0, international cricket with immediate eff ect,” said a known and he featured in the drawn third Test at it was expected to be a cakewalk for the statement issued by the global governing body. Lord’s, a result that saw England to an overall 2-0 Indians in the T20Is as well. But the hosts “The assessment revealed that all deliver- series win, where he took one for 94 and three did well with both the bat and ball and the ies exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance for 58. young Indian side was tested for the fi rst permitted under the regulations,” the statement Saturday saw Eranga, who has now appeared time on the tour on Saturday. added of a test carried out at the National Cricket in 19 Tests and the same number of ODIs, come Batting fi rst, Zimbabwe posted a chal- Performance Centre in Loughborough, central out to face the final ball of Sri Lanka’s innings at lenging 170/6 in their 20 overs. India kept England, an ICC accredited testing centre. Malahide but he did not bowl and instead went to on losing wickets at key moments, but “Eranga’s international suspension will also be hospital. “Eranga had an elevated heartbeat prior somehow were able to cope with the re- recognised and enforced by all National Cricket to the innings commencing and was taken to hos- quired run-rate. However, with the Indi- Federations for domestic cricket events played in pital for tests,” Sri Lanka team manager Charith ans needing seven runs in the fi nal over, their own jurisdiction, save that, with the consent Senanayake said. ”He’s doing good but in hospital skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni failed to of Sri Lanka Cricket, Eranga may be able to play in till Monday to complete all tests.” get his team over the line. Manish Pandey domestic cricket events played in Sri Lanka under The ICC’s ban means Eranga will take no part in top scored with a 35-ball 48 but ideally he the auspices of Sri Lanka Cricket.” the upcoming five-match one-day international should have carried on. Another turning Eranga, who turns 30 on Thursday, will be able series against England. Eranga is the latest Sri point for India was Axar Patel getting out to to return to international cricket if he passes a Lanka pace bowler to be ruled out of the tour of a loose shot in the last over. The bowlers too fresh test after modifying his bowling action. He Britain and Ireland. failed to put up a good show. had his action reported after the second Test Dhammika Prasad was sidelined with a shoul- Only Jasprit Bumrah could shine with After suff ering a 3-0 rout in the ODI leg, hosts Zimbabwe bounced back in style in a against England at Chester-le-Street last month. der injury before the Test series against England the white leather, picking up fi gures of 2/24 thrilling two-run victory in the first T20I on Saturday. (AFP) Eranga opened Sri Lanka’s bowling in the first and Dushmantha Chameera then had to return from his four overs. innings of that match, taking none for 100 in 27 home with a stress fracture of the back. The other frontline seamers, Jaydev Un- dra Chahal, who lacked his usual menace, would want his bowlers – the likes of Nev- overs during England’s 498 for nine declared. Bowlers are meant to keep their arms as adkat and Rishi Dhawan, were both clob- also needs to pull his socks up and deliver a ille Madziva and Donald Tiripano - to come The right-armer then bowled just one over in straight as possible in delivery so that the ball is bered for over 10 runs an over. It remains to better performance. good again. England’s second innings as they chased down a ‘bowled’ rather than thrown towards the batsman. be seen if Dhawan and Unadkat get another For Zimbabwe, Elton Chigumbura stole The win in the fi rst T20I in Harare has target of 79 for victory. The ICC define an illegal bowling action as one game during this series. Dhoni might just the show with the bat with a 26-ball 54. given Zimbabwe something to cling onto. Under ICC regulations, Eranga was allowed to where the bowler’s “elbow extension” exceeds 15 fall back upon the more reliable duo of Bar- There were contributions from the top But then again it is a wounded Indian side continue playing until the results of his test were degrees while he is in his delivery stride. inder Sran and Dhawal Kulkarni who were order too. They are likely to go in with an which has its pride at stake and revenge will brilliant in the ODIs. Leg-spinner Yuzven- unchanged side. Captain Graeme Cremer be the fi rst thing on their mind. Gulf Times 6 Monday, June 20, 2016 SPORT
MLB SPOTLIGHT Hield really wants to be a Laker Myers sparks 6-run By Broderick Turner ers is expecting to win. So I’m Los Angeles Times a player that comes expecting to win right away.” Most mock drafts have n Buddy Hield’s eyes, the Hield, listed at 6 feet 3} inches, Los Angeles Lakers need a being selected anywhere from shooting guard to replace third to seventh. the retired Kobe Bry- He played four years for rally to give Padres Iant and the former Oklahoma the Sooners, earning the 2016 Sooner feels he can fi ll the Wooden Award, given to the void. top player in college basket- Hield has twice tried to ball, after averaging 25 points make his case for the Lakers to and shooting 45.7 percent from use their No. 2 pick in Thurs- three-point range last season. day’s NBA draft on him, the “Everybody has their opin- fi nal time coming Saturday ion on where they think you’re win over Nationals during a workout at the team’s going to go,” Hield said. “But practice facility. most of those guys never really He knows the consensus touched a basketball. The GMs ‘We haven’t had many hits like the one Solarte had, that drops in. That gives you a surge’ from around the league is that know what they are looking for the Lakers probably will take and which players suit their Duke forward Brandon Ingram. franchise the best. So it’s all in But that hasn’t stopped the GMs’ hands and the fran- Hield and his representatives chise hands.” from making a push to have Hield and Bryant share the him put on a Lakers uniform. same agent, Rob Pelinka, and He fi rst worked out in front of because of that, they were able the Lakers over Memorial Day to work out together recently. weekend in Newport Beach, Hield said the session with hoping to show them what a his idol lasted about two hours. great shooter he is and that “I learned a lot of footwork he’s a high-character person. stuff ,” Hield said. “It was a During his second workout, blessing. Not many kids can Hield didn’t get much lift on say they learned something his shot, but he made most of from Kobe Bryant.” them, impressing the Lakers Hield has talked to former with how he pushed himself Lakers Mychal Thompson and in every drill and how he com- Rick Fox; they, like him, are peted. from the Bahamas. “The Lakers are losing Kobe. For as long as he can re- They need a scorer. So why member, Hield said, he and his not?” Hield said. “Why not friends back home have been come in and fi ll in his spot? I’m Lakers fans. “Even if the Lakers a confi dent player. I’ve been don’t draft me or not,” Hield under pressure my whole life, said, “I’ll just say I was able to just overcoming obstacles. work out for them and it was a I know this is a (big) market good experience that I’ll never and everybody with the Lak- forget.”
BUDDY HIELD
San Diego Padres first baseman Wil Myers (R) celebrates the 7-3 win over the Washington Nationals with teammates at Petco Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports
By Jeff Sanders inning to allow the Nationals to this month, the most by a Padre up when Stephen Drew singled batters, settling into the sort of The San Diego Union-Tribune take a 2-1 lead. in a month since Chase Headley to open the fi fth. groove you might expect from Washington added an insur- hit nine in September of 2012 The 25-year-old right-hander one of the game’s best pitchers ance run in the eighth only to see and more than anyone else in the retired seven in a row to get to exerting his will on a team div- ax Scherzer is one of its relief corps utterly implode. majors in a three-week stretch that point, got Danny Espinosa ing further and further toward six pitchers to throw Alexei Ramirez and Alexi Am- that has seen the 25-year-old to line into a double play to wipe irrelevance. Consider this: The two no-hitters in the arista singled, Jon Jay walked Myers both overtake Matt Kemp Drew off the bases and stranded Padres entered Saturday’s game same season. He’s and Myers doubled in two runs for the team lead in homers and Revere’s leadoff single off Rea’s with the third-worst record in Mone of four to ever strike out 20 to get the Padres rolling on six- move within three of the major glove hand in the sixth inning. baseball, were a season-high batters in a nine-inning game. run, eighth-inning rally. league lead. Rea was lifted the next inning 15-games under .500 for the fi rst He’d fl irted with a perfect game Myers’ fi rst-inning homer That’s not all. after allowing a walk and a sin- time since September of 2013 and in his last start against the World followed Jon Jay’s nine-pitch at- His 17 extra-base hits, 1.228 gle with one out and was charged had a .391 winning percentage. Series-or-bust Cubs. bat to open the game, the last a on-base-plus slugging, 22 RBIs with one more earned run when Color Wil Myers unimpressed. 95 mph fastball that the Padres’ and 17 runs all rank top-three Myers and Maurer couldn’t RESULTS The San Diego Padres’ All- center fi elder muscled out to the in the majors since the calendar quite connect on the fl ip on Ren- NY Yankees 7 Minnesota 6 Star hopeful strengthened his warning track in left. fl ipped to June. Coming off the don’s pinch-hit single in the Arizona 4 Philadelphia 1 resume with a fi rst-inning hom- Two pitches later, Scherzer’s worst start of his career (2 2/3 IP, seventh. He allowed two runs LA Angels 7 Oakland 1 er, a double and a stolen base off 94 mph off er caught too much of 8 R), Colin Rea was eager to fl ip on four hits and two walks and Boston 6 Seattle 2 the Nationals’ $210 million hurl- the plate and then caught a ride the script Saturday night. struck out six over 6 1/3 innings Baltimore 4 Toronto 2 er and swatted the game-tying out over the wall in right fi eld for The eff ort started with a in his strongest start since fl irting Houston 5 Cincinnati 4 (11 innings) double off Washington’s bullpen Myers’ 16th homer of the season. strikeout of Ben Revere to open with his own no-hitter in early Miami 9 Colorado 6 in the Padres’ 7-3 comeback win “The eighth inning was fun,” the game, stalled when Michael May. San Francisco 6 Tampa Bay 4 in front of 34,113 at Petco Park. manager Andy Green said. “We Taylor walked, stole second and Scherzer, too, settled in after Texas 4 St. Louis 3 Really, the only thing My- haven’t had many hits like the scored on Daniel Murphy’s run- Myers’ fi rst-inning homer. Cleveland 13 White Sox 2 ers didn’t do was connect with one Solarte had, that drops in. scoring single and picked up He allowed a two-out single Atlanta 4 NY Mets 3 Brandon Maurer on a no-look That really gives you a surge.” steam again when Myers’ fi rst- to Brett Wallace before retiring Kansas City 16 Detroit 5 fl ip on a bounding ball that Six of those homers have left inning homer reset the game. six in a row before Myers’ third- Chicago Cubs 4 Pittsburgh 3 glanced off his glove and then off the yard to the right of center In fact, Murphy’s single was inning double. Then Scherzer LA Dodgers 10 Milwaukee 6 Brandon Maurer’s in the seventh fi eld. Nine of them have come the only hit that Rea had given struck out six of the next seven San Diego 7 Washington 3
OPINION Aussie Simmons has ‘all tools’ for success: LeBron
AFP game of basketball and life in gen- not a GM (general manager). I don’t Oakland, United States eral.” get paid by the Sixers, so I’m not go- BEN SIMMONS James has the same agent, Rich ing to answer that.” Paul, as Simmons and has spent Simmons met with the 76ers, in- ustralia’s Ben Simmons, a the past couple of years helping the cluding coach Brett Brown and gen- possible number one pick Down Under talent prepare for the eral manager Bryan Colangelo, last in Thursday’s NBA Draft, challenge of life in the NBA. Thursday in Cleveland, where the has “all the tools” for suc- “I had an opportunity to spend a Aussie has been training. Acess according to LeBron James, lot of time over the last couple years If Philadelphia does make anoth- who said he has mentored the teen with him and his family. They’re er selection, the next choices in the prodigy. just so very appreciative of the op- draft go to the Los Angeles Lakers, The 19-year-old, 2.08m forward portunity that they’ve been given,” Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and from Melbourne could go to the James said. Minnesota Timberwolves. Philadelphia 76ers with the top pick “And as a mentor to him and big Simmons has said he will not play in the annual allocation of new tal- brother to him, I also give him a lot for Australia’s “Boomers” at the Rio ent after a season at Louisiana State of advice on what to expect when he de Janeiro Olympics in August so University, where he averaged 19.2 makes his jump next week, how to he can better prepare for his NBA points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 as- handle it. But he also has to fi gure it rookie season. sists. out on his own as well because eve- Simmons’ American father, Dave “I think he’s a great young tal- rybody’s path is diff erent. Simmons, was a standout forward for ent,” James said. “I think the way he “I think he has all the tools, so it’s the Melbourne Tigers and alongside displays on the basketball court, we up to him.” Aussie legend Andrew Gaze helped all notice. I think we all don’t know Asked if the 76ers would be mak- Melbourne win the Australian league just yet how great of a kid he is and ing a mistake to pass on Simmons, crown in 1993. Simmons’ jersey how down to earth he is with the James hedged his bets, saying, “I’m number, 25, was retired by the Tigers. Gulf Times Monday, June 20, 2016 7 SPORT
SPOTLIGHT NFL Suggs has ‘real chance to be ready to Can’t blame Red go’ for Ravens camp
By Don Markus now, rehabbing and condi- The Baltimore Sun tioning and all those things. To my eye, he’s doing a really good job.” avens linebacker Harbaugh said that given Wings’ Datsyuk for Terrell Suggs has the timing of the injury, and kept a very low pro- subsequent surgery, Suggs has fi le since suff ering a a “real chance to be ready to tornR Achilles heel in the team’s go” for training camp begin- season-opening loss in Denver ning in late July after sustain- last September. ing his second torn Achilles in Except for his arrest on a four-year span. “When we charges of driving without a decide to practice him or how following his heart license and leaving the scene much and all those things, I of an accident after he crashed think will depend on what’s his car near his home in Ari- really in his and our best in- ‘I go with my mind and go with another three years. But it got harder and harder’ zona in March – and a short terest, as far as him staying at response on Twitter by the his best when we start playing former All-Pro to confi rm games,” Harbaugh said. “We By Drew Sharp and apologise for the incident just have to play that out when Detroit Free Press – Suggs has barely been seen training camp begins.” publicly or heard from. In a statement released by Suggs continued that the team, the 33-year-old o surprises. No change trend at the team’s three-day Suggs, a six-time Pro Bowl of heart. minicamp, which concluded player, said, “I know there are If anything, Pavel Thursday. Suggs was the only many questions about where I Datsyuk followed his one of the team’s injured stars am with my injury. While I re- Nheart. who didn’t talk with the media spect the media’s right to ask, I He’s Russian. He was ready to or come out of the Under Ar- hope everyone can respect that return home. For 14 often mag- mour Performance Center to I am 100 percent focused on nifi cent seasons, Datsyuk’s na- watch practice. rehabbing and preparing to be tionality was that of a Red Wing According to Ravens coach the best player I can be at the – hockey’s version of the United John Harbaugh, Suggs “looks start our season. I will address Nations. They brought together good. He is working hard. He’s all of those questions during the fi nest talent from two con- been here for quite a few weeks training camp.” tinents and several more coun- tries. The normally reserved, soft-spoken Datsyuk eventually grew comfortable in this cosmo- politan environment. But it was fi nally time. As he admitted Saturday, as much as he loved his Detroit ex- perience, this was his “second home.” Datsyuk formally announced his retirement from the NHL on Saturday. He’ll play in the KHL – the Russian elite league – next season. During his press confer- ence, he thanked the Ilitch fami- ly, the Wings, his teammates and the passionate Detroit hockey fans for “a great experience.” But, in the end, Datsyuk wasn’t a hockey player. He was a dad. It’s fi tting this announce- ment came on the eve of Father’s Day. Datsyuk has a teenaged daughter, Elizabeth, who was born in Detroit but now lives in Russia with her mother. He wants to be with her more while he can. How many fathers out there say to themselves: “Where PAVEL DATSYUK did the time go?” Their kids were newborns and then with a snap of a fi nger they’re older and tran- sitioning into the next chapter of their emotional development. gent upon him playing the fi nal understandably bolted from the didn’t matter. He always desired Datsyuk’s departure leaves “When I come back from the year of the three-year contract Detroit Lions in March. Datsyuk writing the fi nal chapters of his the Wings in salary cap hell. Un- (2012 owners’ lockout),” Datsyuk he signed in 2014. had one year left – worth $7.5 professional hockey career be- less Wings general manager Ken said, “My mind is thinking that I “Everyone knew that this was million, including the $2 million fore his native Russian fans. And Holland fi nds a team that’s un- want to go home. But I also want a possibility,” Millstein said Sat- dollar bonus. Why couldn’t he while Millstein wouldn’t admit der the salary cap fl oor willing to to keep playing here. I go with urday. “It was a diffi cult deci- have stayed for one more year to it, there were certainly concerns take the fi nal $7.5 million of Dat- my mind and go with another sion for Pavel because there’s no spare the Wings a stay in salary Datsyuk’s off season ankle sur- syuk’s contract off the Wings’ three years. But it got harder and doubt how much he loved be- cap hell? gery last summer crystallised ledger, they’ll be severely handi- harder.” ing a Detroit Red Wing. But he But remember how often eve- the reality that his skill level had capped in making the moves The trail of bread crumbs was thought he had a stronger com- ryone complains about star ath- diminished. necessary to move the Wings there back in February, accord- mitment to his family.” letes that are negligent fathers in And perhaps that accelerated forward this season. ing to Datsyuk’s agent Dan Mill- There might be some hurt their private lives? the idea he should return to Rus- There are some dark times stein, that Datsyuk was strongly feelings among those left be- Datsyuk deserves credit for sian hockey to give his native fans ahead for the Wings. But that’s leaning toward leaving the hind. Datsyuk isn’t Calvin John- putting his family fi rst. He could a glimpse of the majesty he dis- not what this day was all about. Wings. He refused the $2 million son, who had multiple years re- make far more money in the played as a Red Wing, earning him Give thanks to the Magic Man. signing bonus that was contin- maining on his contract when he NHL than the KHL, but that the moniker of The Magic Man. And now let him disappear.
RAMADAN SPORTS FESTIVAL Munshat Abdullatif claim Ramadan football title
By Sports Reporter Doha
uring the closing stages of competitions in As- pire Zone Foundation’s Ramadan Sports Fes- tival,D team Munshat Abdullatif wins the football title following a closely fought 2-1 win against team Argentina on Saturday. In the evening’s other main sports event – the fi nal of the beach soccer tournament – team Barcelona succumbed to team Katara, who ran out convincing 4-1 winners. The fi nal match in the foot- ball tournament was charac- Munshat Abdullatif players celebrate after winning the Aspire Zone Foundation Ramadan Sports Festival’s football title. terised by impressive perform- ances from both teams, with however, meaning team Mun- each other and I think that made unique and special tourna- each playing well in defence and shat Abdullatif were crowned a big diff erence. In fact, I’d say Team Katara win beach ments organised by Aspire Zone demonstrating strong attack- overall winners of the fi fth foot- that teamwork was the secret to soccer tournament Foundation during its Ramadan ing football. The battle for the ball tournament to have featured our success – we were very much In the fi nals of the beach soc- Sports Festival. Team Katara players celebrate after winning beach soccer title. title continued right through to in the Aspire Ramadan Sports playing in harmony with one an- cer tournament, team Katara Commenting on his team’s the closing stages of the game, Festival. other. The competition was defi - surpassed team Barcelona 4-1 to win, Mohammad Masafi , cap- ers for the great tournament.” on June 24. The fi rst edition of and in the fi nal moments of the Separately, in another com- nitely tough, but we rose to the win the tournament title. Team tain of team Katara said: “This is At the end of each tourna- the cricket tournament takes match team Munshat Abdullatif petitive and intense game for the occasion and took our chances. Katara’s quality and strength the third time we’ve participated ment, Abdullah Aman al-Khat- place on Tuesday and Wednes- managed to take advantage of a third and fourth place play-off , The level of organisation and was evident from the opening in the tournament. In previous er, chairman of the Ramadan day involving six teams. gap in team Argentina’s defence Elite FC defeated Soul Riders 2-1. quality of facilities were excellent moments of the game and their years we’ve managed to reach Organising Committee at As- Separately, the fi nal rounds of to score the winning goal. Commenting on his team’s and we’re enormously grateful to accuracy in front of goal ensured the fi nal stages, but today we pire Zone Foundation, handed the men’s volleyball tournament The players from team Ar- win, Ayman al-Tawab, captain Aspire Zone Foundation for eve- a solid victory. were able to take home the title. over medals and trophies to the will take place tomorrow in As- gentina gave their all and looked of team Munshat Abdullatif said: rything they have done to ensure Team Morocco took home Our approach was to focus on winning teams. The Junior Fut- pire Dome starting from 9:30pm for every opportunity to equal- “Luck was on our side during the success of the competition. third place following their match one game at a time, to give our all sal tournament will launch to- with strong competition ex- ise right until the fi nal whistle. our matches. But we focused on We and our fellow competitors against team Carthage, mark- and work closely as a team. We day featuring 12 teams with fi ve pected between the participat- They were unable to get one back working as a team, supporting really enjoyed the experience.” ing the end of one of the more would like to thank the organis- players per team, and conclude ing teams. Gulf Times 8 Monday, June 20, 2016 TENNIS
SPOTLIGHT Struggling Radwanska seeks Murray makes history seaside tonic Eastbourne, United King- dom: Struggling top seed Agnieszka Radwanska will be searching for her first victory of the pre-Wimbledon grass with fi ft h Queen’s crown court season when the East- bourne International begins today. The world number three ‘This tournament has loads of history and to win here for a fifth time means a lot for me’ has played only one match so far this season on the lawns, going out in Birmingham to CoCo Vandeweghe. “The first match is always tricky pretty much without practice on grass,” Radwanska said. “I need a couple of more days to adjust. Hopefully East- bourne will be better.” Radwanska has a decent pedigree on grass, winning Great Britain’s Andy Murray surpassed a group of eight junior Wimbledon in 2006, four-time Queen’s champions including John McEnroe, taking Eastbourne honours Boris Becker, Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt. (Reuters) two years later and also play- ing the 2012 Wimbledon final as well as making two semi- finals at the All England Club. But so far in 2016 results have been modest for the Pole, who lost in the Austral- ian Open semi-finals and went out in the Roland Garros fourth round. Her only title in 2016 came in Shenzhen just after Australia. The field at Devonshire Park features seven former tournament champions – Swiss Belinda Bencic (2015), Madison Keys (2014), Elena Vesnina (2013), Ekaterina Makarova (2010), Caroline Wozniacki (2009), Radwan- ska (2008) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (2004). The top of the draw is pop- ulated by five of the world’s top 10 – Radwanska, US Open finalist Roberta Vinci, Bencic, fellow Swiss Timea Bacsin- szky and double Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova who, like Radwanska, is also scratching for form. All 16 seeds have byes into AFP and now has a remarkable 30-5 match record on Wimbledon, which gets under way on June 27. into a 3-0 lead in the second set. But, despite the the second round for the London the grass at Queen’s, a venue that has remained Murray’s success maintained his 100 percent bleak situation, Murray recovered his composure final tune-up week prior to close to the Scot’s heart since he secured the fi rst record in Queen’s fi nals in the week he reunited and willed his way back into the match with a quite the start of Wimbledon on ATP Tour match win of his career against Santiago with coach Ivan Lendl, who will have relished get- brilliant return to break in the fi fth game. Convert- June 27. Italian Vinci takes ndy Murray made history at Queen’s Club Ventura in 2005. ting the better of old rival McEnroe in his new role ing his fi rst break point of the match in such clini- the second seeding while as the defending champion fought back “This tournament has loads of history with un- as Raonic’s coach. “I’ve made good progress every cal fashion re-energised Murray and he won fi ve of number three Bencic will to win the Wimbledon warm-up event believable crowds and a strong fi eld. To win here day here and hopefully we can have a rematch in a the next six games to take the set, levelling a match be testing her fitness after for a record fi fth time with a 6-7 (5/7), for a fi fth time means a lot for me,” Murray said. couple of weeks’ time at Wimbledon,” Raonic add- that had been slipping away minutes earlier. making a return this month 6-4,A 6-3 victory over Milos Raonic yesterday. “Milos has a huge serve and sometimes it’s just too ed. Raonic had won all 47 of his service games en With the tide turning in Murray’s favour, both after missing more than two Murray was on the ropes for a set and a half in good. I was guessing a bit but I got more of a feel for route to yesterday’s showpiece and it was no sur- players must have recalled the Scot’s dramatic months with back pain. After west London, but the world number two staged a the speed of it as the match went on.” prise to see both players use their delivery to maxi- fi ghtback from two sets to one down to beat Raonic playing a semi-final in ‘s- gritty revival to surpass a group of eight four-time It was Murray’s 37th career ATP title and his mum eff ect in a tight fi rst set. Yet, after all the big in the Australian Open semi-fi nals in January. Hertogenbosch, the 19-year- Queen’s champions including John McEnroe, Boris second of 2016 as the former Wimbledon cham- serving, Raonic seized the tie-break not with his Murray set about ensuring he would emulate old was unable to complete Becker, Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt. pion erased the bitter taste of French Open fi nal primary weapon but with a well executed smash that come-from-behind victory with a sublime her first-round match in Bir- The 29-year-old survived a barrage of 14 aces defeat against Novak Djokovic two weeks ago. that brought up set point and a powerful passing drop shot to win a 24-shot rally and earn the cru- mingham against Irina Begu. from Raonic to fi nally subdue the Canadian third Despite picking up the oversized trophy, a shot that punished an ill-advised Murray approach cial break in the fi rst game of the fi nal set. Cel- Bacsinszky is seeded fourth, seed in two hours and 13 minutes, in the process cheque for £322,126 ($460,000, 410,000 euros) to the net. ebrating with a clenched fi st and a roar of “let’s ahead of Kvitova and Russia’s becoming the fi rst player to successfully defend and 500 ranking points, the most signifi cant prize Unfurling a fi erce forehand winner that left Mur- go”, Murray kept the pressure on and clinched his two-time Grand Slam winner the title since Roddick in 2005. of the week for Murray is the knowledge he is in ray down on one knee and shaking his head in frus- historic triumph when one last searing return was Kuznetsova (sixth). He recovered from 3-0 down in the second set peak form ahead of his bid to dethrone Djokovic at tration, Raonic had all the momentum as he surged dumped into the net by Raonic.
FOCUS GERRY WEBER OPEN Keys captures second career title Mayer wins fi rst
AFP Birmingham, United Kingdom title in fi ve years
DPA merican Madison Keys cel- Halle, Germany ebrated moving into the world’s top 10 for the fi rst time by win- ning the grass title in Birming- lorian Mayer defi ed his hamA in emphatic style yesterday. ranking of 192 to win his The seventh seed eased to a 6-3, 6-4 fi rst title in fi ve years win over the unseeded Czech veteran with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 de- Barbora Strycova, setting her up per- Ffeat of fellow German Alexander fectly for a tilt at the Wimbledon crown Zverev at the Gerry Weber Open in a week’s time. Keys, for whom this was yesterday. a second WTA title, is the fi rst US woman Mayer, ranked outside the top to debut in the top 10 since Serena Wil- 200 for almost a year and a half liams in 1999. due to an adductor injury, used a The 21-year-old produced some fe- protected ranking of 34th to en- rocious hitting, but although she made ter the grass event in Halle. The fewer errors compared with earlier in the 32-year-old struck a blow for the week, there remained inconsistencies older tennis generation with his which allowed Strycova chances to get a win over one of the rising hopes grip on the second set. With Wimbledon of the ATP, adding teenager just eight days away, Chris Evert, three Zverev to a victim’s list this week times a Wimbledon champion, tweeted which also included seventh- her expectations of her compatriot. USA’s Madison Keys became ranked Austrian Dominic Thiem, “She’s no fl ash in the pan. She’s had to the first US woman to debut who won in Stuttgart. do it in her time - but now she’s ready,” in the top 10 since Serena Mayer also received a walko- Evert wrote. Keys’ performance in the fi - Williams in 1999. (Reuters) ver when Kei Nishikori retired Florian Mayer of Germany nal was her best of the week, with more injured before their second celebrates after winning the variations of pace and a much greater va- round match. Mayer claimed the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, riety of direction - but it was almost the only other trophy of his career in western Germany. (AFP) fi rst time in a week that has seen some of 2011 in Bucharest on clay. the worst weather in the tournament’s In Halle, he put away Zver- er, who stormed back in the third 35-year history that the conditions were eva after two hours on his fi fth to earn the welcome victory. half-decent. match point. “I’ve not been able Mayer’s win was his seventh As a result she often looked like the to play all-out for two years due of the season after missing a fi ve top 10 player she will become next week, to various injuries,” Mayer said. combined months of ATP play and even fi nished the fi rst set like a future “I was never sure if I could ever from the US Open through to world number one, something which sometimes varying the pace, and coun- ing up on the pace and still controlling bledon. “I am just going to focus on this come back. But now I’m stand- his return last April in Munich. Serena Williams recently claimed Keys ter-attacking when there was a half- the placement of her utterly fearsome - I am really happy,” she said. “I will focus ing here and I cannot believe it. Mayer joins Tommy Haas (2009, can become. chance to do so. Those tactics earned forehand drive. on Wimbledon tomorrow.” I was so nervous in the last game 2012), Philipp Kohlschreiber Keys made more errors in the second her three break points early in the second She duly fi nished with a fl ourish, serv- An hour later though she was already that I could barely hold the rac- (2011), David Prinosil (2000), set, and Strycova, playing her second set and a fourth break point in the eighth ing out for the match to love, admitting looking forward to the third Grand Slam quet.” Nicolas Kiefer (1999) and Birmingham fi nal in three years, had the game. that she felt the pressure that Strycova tournament of the season. Zverev, still searching for his Michael Stich (1994) as German tenacity and stamina - despite playing Had the Czech sneaked that she would had created, and announcing that she “Getting all these matches in a row is fi rst title, saved a pair of match champions on the Halle grass. her 18th set of the week - to get close to have been serving to level the match, would drink the champagne she had a huge opportunity which will defi nitely points in the tenth game of the Zverev has now gone down in turning the match around. after which anything might have hap- won along with $146,000. Keys was also help me at Wimbledon,” she acknowl- second set and broke Mayer for two fi nals over the past month. She did that by taking longer pauses, pened. But when Keys was really required handed the Maud Watson trophy, named edged. “I love this surface, so the longer 6-5 before levelling at a set each. The youngster had knocked out sometimes slowing the rallies down, to avoid errors she did, only slightly eas- after the fi rst women’s winner at Wim- I am on it, the happier I am.” But experience paid off for May- Roger Federer in the semi-fi nals. Gulf Times Monday, June 20, 2016 9 SPORT
US OPEN GOLF FOCUS Hend Lowry birdies two of last clinches Queen’s four holes; Landry and Cup AFP Bangkok
ustralian big hitter Scott Hend overcame Johnson tied for second a two-shot defi cit to snatch victory in the Queen’sA Cup on Thailand’s Koh Samui island yesterday as over- England’s Westwood and American Summerhays were tied fourth at two-under night leader Prom Meesawat stumbled. Reuters The 42-year-old fi nished the Oakmont, Pennsylvania day with a four-under-par 67, one shot ahead of runner-up and local talent Gunn Charoenkul in rishman Shane Lowry tightened his grip on the the $300,000 competition at the US Open by seizing a four-shot lead when the Santiburi Samui Country Club. weather-delayed third round was fi nally com- It was Hend’s second title of pleted on a sun-splashed yesterday morning the season and his ninth career Iat Oakmont Country Club. victory on the Asian Tour. Hend, Two ahead overnight in the second major the most successful internation- championship of the year, Lowry birdied two of al player on the tour, said he was his last four holes to get to seven-under 203 with pleased to make up for some re- a fi rst Grand Slam title looming in his sights. The cent near-wins in Mauritius and burly 29-year-old from Clara in County Off aly China. did well to salvage a par at the last, coolly sinking “I lost the tournament in a 10-footer to card a fi ve-under 65 on one of the Wentworth, lost the tournament toughest golf courses in the world before pumping in Mauritius and had chances his fi st in delight. in China. That’s four times this “It was a really good morning’s work for me and year and I didn’t win,” Hend I am really looking forward to getting out there said after his second title in the in the afternoon and seeing what I can do,” said year. “Whether this was my golf Lowry, who won the biggest title of his career at course or not, I’ve been playing the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. “It’s one very good golf and trying to not of the best rounds of my career, a 65 on this course. get down on myself. It’s nice to I just need to stay in the moment, stay patient. It’s win again.” going to be tough. I mean, let’s be honest, I’ve al- Yesterday’s win might push ready visualized myself winning. Even out walking Hend closer to qualifi cation for around the course this morning you do think about the Olympics in Rio, where golf that,” said world number 41 Lowry, a three-times will return for the fi rst time af- winner on the European Tour who tied for ninth in ter 1904. “There are three more last year’s US Open at Chambers Bay. weeks for the Olympic qualify- Dustin Johnson, the tournament leader after 36 ing,” said Hend, currently ranked holes, carded a 71 to share second place with fellow 87th in the world. American and PGA Tour rookie Andrew Landry, “I’m 43 this year, who knows the surprise fi rst-round pacesetter who drained a Shane Lowry of Ireland plays a shot how much longer (I can play) al- 45-foot birdie putt at the last for an even 70. on the 17th hole during the US Open though I’m getting better with “I’ve got a lot of confi dence in my game right at Oakmont Country Club in age. It’ll be nice to go the Olym- now,” said Johnson, a nine-times champion on the Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (AFP) pics and be one of the fi rst Aus- PGA Tour who missed a three-foot putt at the fi nal tralians to play in it since golf’s hole to hand last year’s US Open to Jordan Spieth. re-inclusion. It’s all these dif- “I feel like I’m swinging really well. Just got to go ferent things that you chalk up out and play a good, solid round of golf and see in your career and when you’re what happens.” fi nished, you just sit back and England’s former world number one Lee West- say this is what I did.” wood (69), who like every other player in the top Two late bogeys saw Thai- eight at Oakmont after 54 holes is seeking a fi rst land’s Prom go from starting the major title, and American Daniel Summerhays day out in front to ending with a (69) were a further stroke back at two-under. disappointing 72. The only other player under par after the third He fi nished in joint third round holes was South African Branden Grace, alongside American Paul Peter- who had surged into contention with a six-birdie son, Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun 66 on Saturday to set the clubhouse lead overnight and Thailand’s Pavit Tang- at one-under 209. Two strokes behind Grace in a kamolprasert. tie for ninth was Australian world number one Jas- on Day, who completed a matching 66 on Saturday that included an eagle at the par-fi ve fourth. Lowry made an ideal start on a sunny morning at Oakmont, hitting his approach at the par-four 15th to 10 feet and sinking the birdie putt to extend his lead to four shots at six under. That advantage was soon cut to three when the long-hitting Johnson, playing one group behind, PGA Tour rookie Landry living his US Open dream followed suit by rolling in a 30-footer at the 15th to get to three under. Lowry pocketed his second Oakmont, Pennsylvania: Little- qualifier in Memphis, had five holes birdie of the day at the driveable par-four 17th, his known American ANDREW LAN- to play when he returned to the tee shot settling just above a bunker 50 yards short DRY has been living a US Open course yesterday and he began fal- of the hole from where he played a delicate chip to dream at Oakmont Country Club teringly with bogeys on 13 and 14. seven feet and sank the putt. and he was still pinching himself “Obviously that kind of put me a LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES after he earned a spot in the lead little bit behind the eight-ball, and 203 - Shane Lowry (IRL) 68-70-65 pairing for final round, which I said, ‘Just keep it under par and 207 - Dustin Johnson (USA) 67-69-71, Andrew Landry was scheduled for yesterday late still have some birdie opportuni- (USA) 66-71-70 afternoon. ties’,” said Landry. 208 - Daniel Summerhays (USA) 74-65-69, Lee West- The 28-year-old PGA Tour rookie He certainly delivered, coming wood (Eng) 67-72-69 birdied his last two holes, sinking a close to an eagle at the driveable 209 - Branden Grace (RSA) 73-70-66 45-foot putt at the par-four last, to par-four 17th where he comfortably 210 - Sergio Garcia (ESP) 68-70-72, Scott Piercy (USA) card a level-par 70 and finish the two-putted from 35 feet for birdie 68-70-72 weather-delayed third round in a before he unexpectedly drained 211 - Jason Day (AUS) 76-69-66, Zach Johnson (USA) tie for second, four strokes behind his monster putt at the last. Landry, 71-69-71, Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 71-70-70 pacesetting Irishman Shane Lowry. whose best PGA Tour finish was 212 - Adam Scott (AUS) 71-69-72, Jason Dufner (USA) “Who can’t be excited about a tie for 41st at last week’s FedEx 73-71-68, Kang Sung-Hoon (KOR) 70-72-70, Kevin that?” Landry said of his final- St. Jude Classic, had lofty hopes Streelman (USA) 69-74-69, Kevin Na (USA) 75-68-69, round pairing after posting a three- of finishing in the top 10 when he Daniel Berger (USA) 70-72-70, Brendan Steele (USA) under total of 207. That’s what you first arrived at Oakmont, and that 71-71-70, Derek Fathauer (USA) 73-69-70, Billy Horschel always hope for and dream for. remains his goal. (USA) 72-74-66 Just got to continue to stick to my “No change, I’m still here,” said 213 - Jim Furyk (USA) 71-68-74, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) game plan. Who knows what can the world number 624. “Just same 76-68-69, Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 71-67-75, Patrick happen?” Landry, who earned his exact person. Same exact beliefs, Australia’s Scott Hend poses Rodgers (USA) 73-72-68, Yusaku Miyazato (JPN) 73-69- spot at Oakmont for his first ever and I’m just sticking to my game with the trophy after winning 71, Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) 74-70-69, Harris English major appearance via a sectional plan. That’s all I can say.” the Queen’s Cup in Koh Samui, 70-71-72 Thailand yesterday. (AFP)
RUGBY Jones urges 3-0 series sweep aft er Wallabies ‘rope a dope’
AFP rugby following their eighth straight win. “We want to be the best team in the knocking him out in their 1974 heavyweight he’s done, game after game, eight games in a Melbourne The feisty Australian declared England world and we want to win the series championship classic. “You have to be tactical- row since he lost the captaincy. “It was diffi cult had played ‘rope-a-dope’ against the Walla- 3-0. If the All Blacks were in this ly fl exible in Test rugby and that’s why I am so when he lost the captaincy, it’s not a pleasant bies with a stonewall defensive eff ort to deny situation now, what would they be pleased for the team. We got an opportunity to experience, but he’s bounced back really well oach Eddie Jones says he is not satisfi ed Michael Cheika’s team the chance to level the thinking? They’d be thinking 3-0. If score a try (near the end) and we took it. That’s and we’re all delighted for him tonight.” with England leapfrogging Australia to three-Test series. There would be no let-up in we want to be the best team in the world, the sign of a good side. Other sides will have 60 Robshaw, who celebrated his 50th interna- the world’s second ranking and wants intensity from England, Jones warned the Wal- we’ll be thinking 3-0” percent of the possession and we have to score tional cap in Saturday’s win, praised his team- his team to go for the kill and sweep the labies. “We want to be the best team in the world points with that possession and then we’ll be a mates resolve to restrict the Wallabies to just seriesC 3-0. For the second straight Test the Six and we want to win the series 3-0,” Jones told England, making 215 tackles as the Wallabies really good team.” one try after they scored four in Brisbane the Nations champions mastered the reporters after Saturday’s triumph. “If the All monopolised possession and territory and Jones paid tribute to man-of-the-match previous week. “They had a huge amount of Wallabies, this time 23-7 in Melbourne on Blacks were in this situation now, what would launched wave after wave of attacks as Eng- fl anker Chris Robshaw, who lost the England possession but you look at the character of the Saturday after winning 39-28 in Brisbane a they be thinking? They’d be thinking 3-0. If land clung onto a slender 13-7 lead for much of captaincy to Dylan Hartley when the Australian guys, getting up making double tackles and get- week earlier, to clinch their fi rst-ever series we want to be the best team in the world, we’ll the second half. “We had to play ‘rope-a-dope’ took charge last year. “He’s a really good solid ting back into line,” Robshaw told reporters. victory in Australia. be thinking 3-0. We know Australia will come tonight that was the sort of game we had to Test six (blindside fl anker),” he said. Robshaw picked out the passage of play in Jones, the former Wallabies coach, urged his back, they’re a well-coached, driven team. So play,” Jones said. ‘Rope-a-dope’ was the phrase “I saw someone describe him like a Richard fi rst-half injury time when England held out team to be ruthless and complete a 3-0 wipe- we’re anticipating quite a feisty encounter in used by the late great boxer Muhammad Ali to Hill, that’s what he’s like, he does all the unseen Australia on their try-line for 21 phases. out of the Australians in Sydney next Saturday Sydney.” describe how he absorbed a barrage of blows stuff in the game, makes the good tackles, keeps “That passage pretty much summed up the in their quest to become the top team in world It was a heroic defensive performance by from fearsome puncher George Foreman before driving forwards, cleans out and that’s what game,” he said. Gulf Times 10 Monday, June 20, 2016 SPORT
FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Olympic discus champ Harting Total Olympic ban qualifi es for Rio, worried about Zika for Russia ‘not DPA remains in your body. That is the Kassel, Germany problem. You carry it with you, you travel back to Europe. It is a very diffi cult situation.” erman Robert Harting The three-time discus world will get a chance to de- champion threw 68.04m at the fend his Olympic discus German championships in Kas- impossible’: Pound gold medal as he se- sel, fi nishing ahead of his younger Gcured qualifi cation for Rio 2016 brother Christoph Harting, who by winning his ninth national registered a throw of 66.41m. ‘...investigation has come about because of allegations by former head of Moscow title yesterday. The 31-year-old Robert Hart- Harting, however, will head to ing did say he will compete at his anti-doping laboratory, and he was high enough to know what was going on’ Brazil with mixed feelings, ad- third Olympics. mitting after qualifying that he is The World Health Organiza- AFP concerned about the Zika virus. tion (WHO) on Tuesday decided London “We have already asked our- at a committee meeting in Ge- Russian sports minister says IAAF should be selves a lot of questions,” Harting neva that there was no reason to said. “You cannot forget that it move or postpone the Olympics. complete ban for the entire Rus- sia team from August’s Olympic disbanded: report Games in Rio is “not impossi- ble”, the founding president of theA World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Dick Pound told Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper. Friday saw the International Asso- ciation of Athletics Federations (IAAF) uphold an international ban on Russia’s track and fi eld competitors fi rst imposed in November after a WADA team led by veteran Canadian sports administrator Pound revealed state-sponsored doping and mass corruption in Russian athletics. The Russia team is now ruled out of all events in athletics in Rio, although Rus- sian athletes training outside the country can apply to compete as neutrals at the August 5-21 event in Brazil. The IAAF’s decision was endorsed by the Interna- Germany’s Robert Harting competes in the discus event at the tional Olympic Committee on Saturday. German Athletics Championship in Kassel, Germany, yesterday. (AFP) But there are concerns that the scale of Russia’s breaking of doping rules extend beyond just track and fi eld. CYCLING In May, WADA set up a new investiga- tion under Professor Richard McLaren, a Canadian law professor and longstand- ing member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), into allegations of state- Colombia’s Lopez backed doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia. Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head wins Tour of of the Russian lab now living in Los An- Reuters systematic doping, ending any slim court in Lausanne tomorrow. geles, also gave an interview to the New Moscow hopes that Russian athletes might have The president of the IAAF Sebastian York Times last month in which he said he had of competing at the Rio Games in Coe has said that Russia has made some Switzerland switched tainted urine samples for clean August. progress in tackling the use of prohib- ones at the doping lab used for the Sochi ussian Sports Minister Vitaly The decision is being contested by the ited substances by athletes, but it was AFP Pantano was part of a three- Games, with help from people he believed Mutko said yesterday the world Russian athletes: race-walkers Denis “not enough” to lift the ban. Lausanne man attack on the climb before to be offi cers of the Russian security serv- athletics governing body, the Nizhegorodov and Svetlana Vasilyeva “In essence, by shifting the responsi- Lopez, who fi nished seventh in ices. IAAF, has unfairly shifted launched an appeal to the Court of Ar- bility to the All-Russia Athletics Feder- this race as a neo-pro a year ago, McLaren, who is due to deliver his full re- blameR for the doping scandal onto Rus- bitration for Sport over the decision to ation, they have exonerated themselves olombian Miguel Angel gave a display of his authority by port by July 15, has also looked into doping sia’s athletics federation and should be uphold the doping ban, which would bar from responsibility. The IAAF should be Lopez wrapped up the bridging up to the leaders. allegations surrounding the 2013 athletics disbanded, R-Sport news agency re- them from competing in Rio, All Sport disbanded,” Mutko was quoted as say- Tour of Switzerland title He then pushed on with only World Championships in Moscow. ported. news agency reported. ing yesterday. yesterday, as his com- Pantano and Tejay Van Garderen In a statement issued Friday, McLaren The International Olympic Commit- The agency quoted Andrey Mitkov, a The IAAF suspended Russia last year Cpatriot Jarlinson Pantano won a able to follow before a third ac- said he had the evidence that Russia’s tee (IOC) on Saturday backed the IAAF’s sports agent, as saying that the “class over concerns its athletes were guilty of shortened ninth and fi nal stage celeration allowed him to crest Ministry of Sport was involved in in- decision to extend its ban on Russia for action” appeal will be delivered to the systematic doping. in Davos. the summit alone with a 30sec structing a Moscow laboratory to “not Astana rider Lopez, 22, moved lead. report positive sample results over the into the overall lead after fi nish- Four chasers caught Lopez period before, during and after” the 2013 lished Friday alleged that two men at the “Kicking the Russia team out of the of allegations made by Grigory Rod- ing second in Saturday’s time with 8.5km still to ride while two World Championships. centre of Russian doping revelations in Rio Games would be the nuclear option,” chenkov, the former head of the Moscow trial, and held on to the yel- more joined just before the sprint Meanwhile a joint newspaper report athletics were said to have off ered to ex- Pound told the Sunday Times. anti-doping laboratory, and he was high low jersey by fi nishing safely in fi nish. investigation by Britain’s The Times and empt the country’s swimmers from drug- “But it’s not impossible. This investi- enough up in the Russian system to know fourth place on the last day. The big loser was American Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine pub- testing in return for an annual fee. gation into Sochi has come about because what was going on,” he added. Lopez edged out Jon Izaguirre Andrew Talansky, who started by 12 seconds, with Frenchman the day second overall at just Warren Barguil just six seconds 8sec. further adrift. He was dropped on the climb Quintana seals second Route du Sud title Yesterday’s route was cut and eventually fi nished 56sec to just 57km because of poor back, falling to fi fth overall. weather, and Pantano took ad- Pantano climbed above Talan- our de France contender Nairo Stephane Poulhies following eight laps race after the Colombian opted to skip vistar team-mate Marc Soler, who won vantage by outsprinting Russian sky, meaning two Colombians Quintana won the Route du Sud of a circuit around the Clermont-Pouy- the traditional week-long stage races of Saturday’s fourth stage, with Frenchman Sergei Chernetckii and Spain’s fi nished in the top four. Tyesterday for the second time fol- guilles commune. the Criterium du Dauphine and Tour of Nicolas Edet third at 1min 6sec. Izaguirre to take the stage. Last year’s winner Simon Spi- lowing the 155km fifth and final stage. Movistar’s Quintana, 26, had already Switzerland. Briton Hugh Carthy had started the day It meant a fast pace before the lak of Slovenia ended up ninth French sprinter Arnaud Demare won won this race in 2012 and was second to Quintana took control of the race by in third place overall but crashed close crucial diffi culty of the day, the overall while Briton Geraint Tho- a sprint finish to claim stage honours Spain’s Alberto Contador last year. winning the hilly time-trial on Friday. to the end of the final stage and fell 13km climb up the Fluela Pass mas, one of the pre-race favour- ahead of compatriots Yohann Gene and It is his only Tour de France build-up He won by 36 seconds to Spanish Mo- down to 22nd overall. before the fi nal 17km descent to ites, struggled on the fi nal climb the fi nish. and dropped out of the top 10.
BOTTOMLINE Formula One? For amateur boxers, Baku is all about Rio
Reuters weight, light-welterweight, wel- then on to Rio,” he told Reuters. Baku terweight, middleweight and light- He has funded the trip himself, al- heavyweight categories in Baku will though his City employers have given be sure of going to Brazil. him time off from the finance depart- ormula One has taken over Light fl yweight fi nalists and the ment. the city streets but for Cu- heavyweight and super-heavy cham- “I’ve got three more fi ghts to win to ban Olympic boxing cham- pions also qualify in the event that qualify,” said Sadiq. pion Robeisy Ramirez, being in runs to June 25 with 39 places up for “I guess it adds to the prestige of BakuF is all about the road to Rio. grabs. being in an Olympics because not only Azerbaijan’s fi rst Grand Prix may Umar Sadiq, a Nigerian-born grad- have you got to make your national have got all the attention but, away uate accountant from Ilford in north- team but also make the best of the from the fenced-off track and the tel- east London, was one of those hopeful world. I’m alright with it. I like travel- evision cameras, hundreds of amateur of fi nally securing his ticket for Brazil. ling anyway.” boxers from around the world are also The light-heavyweight’s journey US light-heavyweight Jonathan Es- in town and fi ghting to qualify for the has so far taken him to Lagos, where he quivel agreed. Olympics. won fi ve fi ghts to earn the right to rep- “It’s only going to make me better Ramirez, fl yweight gold medallist resent Nigeria, and on to Yaounde in along the way,” he said of a qualify- at London 2012, is among 469 boxers Cameroon for the African qualifi ers. ing system that has brought him from from 105 nations hoping that the tour- He failed to get beyond the quarter- Anaheim in California to the edge of nament will open the door to Brazil. fi nals there so Baku’s Sarhadchi Ol- Europe. For most, it is the last chance. ympic sports centre, out to the east “This is my second qualifi er. I “It’s a strong tournament. I’ve past car repair workshops and high- placed third in the American qualifi ers got to do what I’ve always done,” the rise apartment blocks, became his but it was top two (who go to Rio), not 22-year-old, now fi ghting at bantam- next destination. top three so I came to this.” weight, told Reuters as he wiped away In front of a small audience mainly There is one fi nal qualifying event the sweat after beating Finnish teen- consisting of other boxers and offi - for those who have fought profes- ager Arslan Khataev 3-0 in his open- cials, he beat Kenya’s Elly Ochola in a sionally, or in AIBA’s semi-pro series, ing bout. preliminary bout. in Venezuela in July which Esquivel “It’s the way it is and I have to suc- “It was Lagos, Yaounde, back to would also be eligible for. He is not ceed.” London and back to the drawing planning to go, however. Those placed in the top fi ve in the board. And now I’m in Baku. I’m hop- “We’re going to make this one the fl yweight, bantamweight, light- ing to go back to Nigeria again and last one,” he said. Robeisy Ramirez (right) of Cuba in action against Arslan Khataev of Finland during the Olympic qualifier event in Baku. (Reuters) Gulf Times Monday, June 20, 2016 11 SPORT
HORSE RACING FOCUS Japan table Alsaker wins in Chantilly; tennis star, 12, Rouget’s La Cressoniere looks to 2020 Tokyo Olympics takes Prix de Diane Harimoto dominated the game AFP Tokyo from the outset and let out a whoop of triumph while bending Royal Cavalry of Oman-owned horse finishes ahead of Tayf and Khataab his body backward after securing omokazu Harimoto has the win. Agencies become the youngest “I was so nervous yesterday Chantilly, France winner of an ITTF World when I heard that I would be the Tour under 21 event at youngest winner,” Harimoto said T12 years of age, moving one step after the fi nal. lsaker, owned by the Royal closer to his dream of winning “But when the game began, I Cavalry of Oman, imposed gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. was able to play as I usually do,” himself in the Qatar Derby des Hashimoto easily beat Kohei he added. Pur-Sang Arabes de 4ans (Gr 1 Sambe, a 18-year-old college “I think I have made progress PA)A yesterday in Chantilly, France. student, 11-1, 11-6, 13-11 to tri- as I beat a lot of higher-ranking After travelling at the back of the umph at the 2016 International players,” he also said. “I’m happy fi eld, the colt was asked by his jockey Ju- Table Tennis Federation World to win under pressure.” lien Augé to accelerate in the fi nal phase. Tour Laox Japan Open on Friday The 12-year-old, though de- Coming up on the outside of the lot, in in Tokyo. lighted with the crown, was al- the middle of track, he showed a real The young Japanese star broke ready looking ahead to a tougher turn of foot to impose himself at the very the previous age record of 15, set by goal in four years when the coun- end in front of Tayf and Khataab. compatriot Koki Niwa in 2010, by try hosts the Summer Games. Tayf, owned by HH Sheikh Abdullah claiming gold in the under 21 event “I want to win a gold medal in bin Khalifa al-Thani, was placed just be- as he was 12 years and 355 days old. the Tokyo Olympics,” he said. hind the leader on the outside and eas- ily managed to take the second place in front of Al Shaqab Racing’s Khataab. The latter travelled at the very end of the lot. He showed he could probably win the race, but was defeated narrowly at the fi nish line. In fourth place was another Al Shaqab horse, Aba’ath, a few lengths behind. He was ridden by Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim. Alsaker trainer Elizabeth Bernard said, “It is the fi rst time I won this race. My husband had won it with Sir Bani Yas. Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (centre) with the winners of the Qatar Derby des Each time we won, it was only by a nose! It Pur-Sang Arabes de 4ans (Gr 1 PA) in Chantilly, France, yesterday. PICTURES: Scoopdyga is with great pleasure that we train Alsaker because he has a lot of quality.” Earlier, it was a legendary perform- ance by La Cressoniere that won her the Prix de Diane Longines (Group 1). The second stage of the EpiqE Series rewards the best three-year-old fi llies from all over Europe. The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained fi lly had won the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Group 1) held over a mile in Deauville, and is now unbeaten in six runs. Rouget has had an amazing week, hav- ing won with Al Shaqab Racing’s Qemah in Ascot, besides a Prix du Jockey Club victory two weeks ago with Almanzor. Tomokazu Hashimoto easily beat Kohei Sambe, a 18-year-old college La Cressoniere carries the same col- student, 11-1, 11-6, 13-11 to triumph at the 2016 World Tour Laox Japan ours as Almanzor, being owned by An- Open on Friday in Tokyo. (Facebook/ITTF) tonio Caro and Gerard Augustin-Nor- mand. The last owner to have won the Prix FIELD HOCKEY du Jockey-Club and the Prix de Diane in the same year was Marcel Boussac, and it was in 1956! La Cressonniere was rid- den by Cristian Demuro, who won his British manager second Group 1, a month after the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. La Cressonniere managed to impose misses Games due herself after a diffi cult race, always on the outside, which actually helped her to avoid all the traffi c on the inside rail. In to De Menezes role the fi nal straight, she showed an incred- ible turn of foot in order to win by half a length ahead of Left Hand. Volta, who was supplemented to par- ticipate in this race, took an excellent Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget leads in La third place, after being pushed in the Cressonniere, jockey Cristian Demuro fi nal straight. Azaelia, not very happy astride, after the victory in the Prix de when they all started to accelerate, was Diane Longines (Group 1) in Chantilly, Jockey Julien Auge rides Al Saker (foreground) to victory ahead of Tayf (background) fourth ahead of Coolmore. France, yesterday. and Khataab in the Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4ans (Gr 1 PA) yesterday.
CRICKET Stallions launch exchange programme AFP appointed not to be going to the By Sports Reporter London Olympic Games, I have known Doha of this decision since last No- vember and respect the process reat Britain men’s that has been followed and the tallions Cricket Academy have hockey team manager decision itself,” Halliday said in a launched a Youth International will not travel to next statement. Player Exchange programme in month’s Rio Olympics “The performance interests of Qatar. This service will be off ered Gbecause of his “peripheral role” the team continue to be of para- Sto all youth who are part of the Stallions when police shot dead a Brazilian mount importance and I am fo- Sports Academy. national in London, offi cials an- cused purely on helping the team The programme was launched on nounced yesterday. prepare for Rio 2016.” June 15 with 17-year-old Dylan Alexan- Andy Halliday was formerly Sally Munday, Great Britain der, who lives in Qatar, being selected a specialist fi rearms offi cer in Hockey chief operating offi cer, for this wonderful opportunity. Alex- London’s Metropolitan Police added: “I would like to place on ander will be playing for the Wetherby and in that capacity had what, record our thanks to Andy for CC, Yorkshire, in their U18, U21 and a joint statement issued by the the dignity and professionalism Senior Second eleven teams from June British Olympic Association and which he has shown throughout 15 to August 7, 2016. Great Britain Hockey, said was a this process. “We are delighted to announce this pro- “peripheral role” when offi cers “Andy is a highly valued mem- gramme which would provide a great op- shot dead Brazilian Jean Charles ber of our team, although he portunity for the talented young players to de Menezes in a London Under- won’t be travelling to the Olym- play on foreign soil and develop their skills, ground station in July 2005 in the pics with the team, he will con- stay with a family and learn new cultures mistaken belief he was a suicide tinue to play a very valuable role and its values, learn to become independ- bomber. in their preparations.” ent, continue further academic studies, The incident took place amid De Menezes was shot multi- ultimately gaining valuable experience that heightened security concerns ple times by police at Stockwell would help them become individuals with following deadly terror attacks station in south London on July well-rounded personalities,” said Stallions on public transport in London 22, 2005 after being mistakenly Group head coach Sidath Tennakoon, who earlier that month. identifi ed as one of the suspects initiated this programme. De Menezes’s death remains from a series of failed suicide The benefactors in UK for this pro- a sensitive issue and it has now bombing attempts the previous gramme are Paul and Lynne Marshall been decided that Halliday, who day, three on Underground trains from Yorkshire. They will be providing Leisure Travel Ltd UK, headed by Mat- Yorkshire, to facilitate this programme and play in Qatar and Sri Lanka whilst has been Britain’s team manager and one on a double-decker bus. all the facilities and looking after Alex- thew Rogers. on long-term basis and plan to send six Stallions players of its other branches in since 2010 after he retired from Those attempted attacks came ander during his stay in UK. The Player Stallions have entered into a strategic to ten players to UK in its next chapter Singapore, Dubai and Sri Lanka will also the force, should not travel to after 52 people were killed and Exchange Programme is co-ordinated by relationship with Sports Leisure Travel in 2017. The Wetherby CC, UK players have the similar opportunities under the Brazil. more than 700 injured in a simi- Stallions with its partners in UK, Sports Ltd in UK and Wetherby Cricket Club, will get the similar opportunity to stay programme. “Whilst I am obviously dis- lar series of attacks on July 7.
Monday, June 20, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT
FORMULA ONE Rosberg cruises to victory in Azerbaijan, Hamilton 5th ‘I think people lost a lot of money because they were betting on a safety car. I was expecting a couple too’
Reuters Baku Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg (C) of Germany cel- ebrates winning the race next to second placed Ferrari Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel (L) of Germany, third placed Force India ico Rosberg won the Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico. (Reuters) fi rst Formula One race held in Azerbaijan yesterday to turn the Nchampionship tide and stretch his lead over Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton to 24 points. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel fi n- ished as runner-up, 16.6 sec- onds behind, with Force India’s Mexican Sergio Perez back on the podium for the second time this season after overtaking Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari on the last lap. Rosberg started on pole posi- tion, led all the way and also set the fastest lap on his way to a fi fth win in eight races this season. With 13 races remaining, he has 141 points and Hamilton 117. While the German’s cruise in the late afternoon sunshine turned out to be something of a snooze for the global television audience, triple world champion Hamilton provided more enter- tainment. The Briton, who had been chasing his third win in a row but fi nished fi fth, sounded increas- ingly frustrated over the radio as he wrestled with his car’s set- tings without the team being able to help. He fi xed the problem but fi n- ished fi fth in a race billed as the European Grand Prix. “This is ridiculous guys, I don’t know. I’m looking at my dash every fi ve seconds trying to fi nd a switch in the wrong posi- Nobody crashed, the tight Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) tion,” Hamilton said over the turns around the ancient city 1:25.375, 11. Jenson Button (GBR/ team radio. walls were safely negotiated by McLaren) 1:44.817, 12. Felipe Nasr Hamilton says radio ban adds to the danger “I might not fi nish this race all and the 350km blast down the (BRA/Sauber) 1 lap, 13. Romain Formula One’s clampdown on radio commu- as I’m going to try and change long main straight produced no Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1 lap, 14. nications between engineers and drivers has everything,” he continued. “We drama. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Renault) made the sport more dangerous, triple world don’t advise that Lewis,” came “I think people lost a lot of 1 lap, 15. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/ champion Lewis Hamilton said yesterday. the reply from the pitwall, with money because they were betting Renault) 1 lap, 16. Esteban Gutier- The Mercedes driver, who finished fifth in teams now limited on what in- on a safety car. I was expecting a rez (MEX/Haas) 1 lap, 17. Marcus Azerbaijan’s first grand prix, said he had spent formation they can give drivers couple too,” said Vettel. Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 1 lap, 18. much of the race distracted and wrestling during the race. Finland’s Valtteri Bottas fi n- Rio Haryanto (INA/Manor) 2 laps with his car’s engine settings while engineers “Can I make suggestions and ished sixth for Williams, with were powerless to help. The Briton summed you say if it’s OK or not?,” re- Australian Daniel Ricciardo sev- Standings (after eight rounds) up the situation in one word - “dangerous” plied Hamilton. “No, that’s not enth for Red Bull after starting on Drivers - and suggested the rules needed to be allowed. Let’s just get our heads the front row. 1. Nico Rosberg (GER) 141 pts, reconsidered. down and focus on the job,” he Dutch team mate Max Ver- 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 117, “I am just looking at my steering wheel for a was told. stappen was eighth, Germany’s 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 96, large portion of the lap - all the way down the The Mercedes team’s non-ex- Nico Hulkenberg secured a dou- 4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 81, 5. straight just looking at my wheel,” he said. ecutive chairman Niki Lauda told ble points fi nish for Force India in Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 78, 6. Max “All they can tell me is there is a switch error, reporters afterwards that it was a ninth and Brazilian Felipe Massa Verstappen (NED) 54, 7. Valtteri so I am looking at every single switch thinking question of engine modes. was 10th for Williams. Bottas (FIN) 52, 8. Sergio Pérez am I being an idiot here? Have I done some- “It was a problem they both (MEX) 39, 9. Felipe Massa (BRA) thing wrong? I hadn’t. had and Nico could fi x it quicker THE RESULTS 38, 10. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) 22, “I looked time and again at the diff erent than Lewis. The (radio) ban is 1. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mer- 11. Romain Grosjean (FRA) 22, switch positions and there was nothing that there, so we all have to adapt,” he cedes) 1hr 32min 52.366sec, 2. 12. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 20, looked irregular.” told Sky Sports. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 13. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 18, Baku has the longest straight in Formula issue but unlike Hamilton the German had skills. “The radio ban, as far as I am aware was Raikkonen, who had done as at 16.696sec, 3. Sergio Perez 14. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 18, 15. One, with cars hitting speeds in excess of made a change that caused it. “The engine supposed to stop driver aids but it wasn’t he was told and allowed Vettel to (MEX/Force India) 25.241, 4. Kimi Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 6, 16. 370kph. The track also winds through streets switch has 16 positions, and in (each of) those a driver aid, it was a technical issue,” said pass him, expressed similar exas- Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 33.102, 5. Jenson Button (GBR) 5, 17. Stoff el and around the ancient city walls, with scant positions there are like (another) 20 positions Hamilton of a problem that led to animated peration over the radio to Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) Vandoorne (BEL) 1 runoff . That means settings are changed on so I had no idea what the problem was,” he exchanges with his pit crew. The outbursts were highlights 56.335, 6. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/ Constructors the straight, with drivers taking their eyes off said.“I tried a few diff erent things but it didn’t “Today would have added to the spectacle if on a day with none of the may- Williams) 1:00.886, 7. Daniel Ric- 1. Mercedes-AMG 258 pts, 2. the road at the fastest moment. resolve it so I put them back to where they I had full power because I would have been hem predicted after a series of ciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1:09.229, Ferrari 177, 3. Red Bull 140, 4. Mercedes said both Hamilton and team mate were.” The rules were tightened this year more in the race fighting with the guys up accidents in the GP2 support 8. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Williams 90, 5. Force India 59, 6. Nico Rosberg, the championship leader who to try to make races more exciting and less ahead...maybe the rule needs to be looked at series, in F1 practice and qualify- Bull) 1:10.696, 9. Nico Hülkenberg Toro Rosso 32, 7. McLaren-Honda won from pole position, experienced a similar predictable by putting the emphasis on driver again because it is a technical issue.” ing. (GER/Force India) 1:17.708, 10. 24, 8. Haas 22, 9. Renault 6
FOCUS Porsche win dramatic Le Mans, Toyota heartache
AFP possible time. The Toyota garage Among the stunned crowd was 2015 Le Mans, France looked on aghast as Nakajima’s Brad Pitt, part of the usual colour- Nico Hülkenberg-Earl Bamber- car suddenly began slowing with ful cast of professional drivers and Nick Tandy (GER-NZL-GBR/Por- only fi ve minutes of the 24 hours Hollywood royalty who turned sche 919 Hybrid) orsche snatched victory to go. out to see one of motor racing’s A- 2014 in one of the most dra- He had been as much as 90 sec- list events. Benoît Tréluyer-Marcel Fässler- matic fi nishes in Le Mans onds ahead at one point, but sud- Pitt fl agged the race off 24 hours André Lotterer (FRA-SUI-GER/ 24 Hour Race history after denly it all went wrong and he be- earlier, when heavy downpours Audi R18) PToyota suff ered an agonising pow- gan to rapidly lose pace, allowing ensured a soaking start to the oc- 2013 er failure with just minutes left on Jani to close fast. casion and saw the fi rst seven laps Tom Kristensen-Allan McNish-Loïc Sunday. With just over three minutes take place behind the safety car as Duval (DEN-GBR-FRA/Audi R18) Neel Jani powered the Porsche to go Nakajima came to a stop on torrential rain lashed the track and 2012 919 Hybrid over the line, to elation the straight as Jani sped past to the 60 cars on the grid. Benoît Tréluyer-Marcel Fässler- and tears of joy in their garage, victory. The Toyota was ranked as The drenched crowd were kept André Lotterer (FRA-SUI-GER/ after Kazuki Nakajima’s TS050 declassifi ed, a humiliating culmi- on their toes by over 30 changes of Audi R18) 2011 stuttered to a halt when looking nation to a day-night of racing. lead during the night and several Benoît Tréluyer-Marcel Fässler- nailed-on to win the endurance “I’m ready to cry,” Nakajima safety car appearances. André Lotterer (FRA-SUI-GER/ race for the Japanese team for the said over the radio as he laboured By the closing stages it became Audi R18 TDI) 2010 fi rst time in three decades of try- home. “Heartbroken,” was the a straight fi ght between Porsche Romain Dumas-Timo Bernhard- ing. simple tweet from the devastated and Toyota, with the two playing Mike Rockenfeller (FRA-GER-GER/ Jani, Romain Dumas and Marc Toyota team. cat and mouse for the lead. Audi R15 TDI) 2009 Lieb, drivers of the Porsche Toyota’s number six car with By the time the cars crossed the Alexander Wurz-Marc Gené-David number two car, celebrated wildly Stephane Sarrazin at the wheel line - under altogether more for- Brabham (AUT-ESP-AUS/Peugeot in front of a crowd that swelled to crossed the line in second with giving weather - they had covered 908 HDi-FAP) 2008 263,500 for the 84th edition of the an Audi third. “What a Le Mans a similar distance to a round trip Tom Kristensen-Rinaldo Capello- gruelling showpiece, which began race!” Audi tweeted, calling Toy- from Le Mans to Moscow. Allan McNish (DEN-ITA-GBR/Audi on Saturday under driving rain ota “winner of hearts.” The last ten winners R10 TDI) 2007 and behind a safety car. “We know that Le Mans can be Romain Dumas-Neel Jani-Marc Frank Biela-Emanuele Pirro-Marco (L to R) Drivers of the Porsche 919 Hybrid N°2 Germany’s Marc Lieb, France’s Romain Dumas and In contrast, Toyota saw their cruel. But what happened to Toy- Lieb (FRA-SUI-GER/Porsche 919 Werner (GER-ITA-GER/Audi R10 Switzerland’s Neel Jani celebrate on the podium after winning the 84th Le Mans 24-hours endurance Le Mans jinx strike at the worst ota was incredible!” Hybrid) TDI) race, on Saturday in Le Mans, western France. (AFP)