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FOOTBALL / ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE De Bruyne back to drive Man City’s title defence Belgian star is confident his injury issues are behind him after proving to be one of the stand-out players during pre-season AFP London

evin De Bruyne can’t wait to play a key role in Manchester City’s bid for a third successive KPremier League title as the Bel- gian star fi nally returns to peak form and fi tness. Pep Guardiola’s side start their title defence at West Ham today with De Bruyne providing a reas- suring presence for the champi- ons. City have bolstered their treble-winning squad with the £62mn ($75mn) club record sign- ing of Atletico Madrid midfi elder Rodri, while also adding accom- plished Juventus full-back Joao Cancelo. But the prospect of De Bruyne driving City forward from mid- fi eld is a mouthwatering prospect for Guardiola. The 28-year-old was an in- fl uential fi gure in City’s 2017-18 Premier League title triumph, but he had only a bit-part role in last season’s domestic domi- nance due to knee and muscular injuries. De Bruyne made just 22 starts in all competitions before re- turning to prove he was still a force to be reckoned with by win- ning the man of the match award in City’s FA Cup fi nal thrashing of In this August 4, 2019, picture, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne runs with the ball during the English FA Community Shield match against Watford. Liverpool at Wembley Stadium in London. (Right) Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola. (AFP) He is confi dent those injury is- sues are behind him after proving line-up, City look more formida- behind Guardiola’s team last out of each other and you win it David Silva swarm forward. void left by the close-season de- honour he will make City a bet- to be one of the stand-out players ble than ever — quite a feat after term and then won the Champi- with 85, just because the compe- “I think he’s the perfect de- parture of club captain Vincent ter team simply by staying fi t this during City’s pre-season tour. they amassed 198 points over ons League. tition is that high. fensive midfi elder for the way we Kompany. season. “I’m fi ne. What happened last their last two Premier League And De Bruyne challenged “You need to be just one point want to play,” De Bruyne said of Kompany’s decision to join year happens to everybody. I have title-winning seasons. City to maintain the relentless ahead of the other ones and Rodri. Anderlecht as player-manager been a professional for 11 years If they can retain the crown, consistency that carried them to whatever you need to do, you Leroy Sane’s long-term ab- stripped City of their most expe- TODAY’S FIXTURES now and had one season where City will become only the fi fth last season’s title with 14 succes- need to do. sence with anterior cruciate rienced leader. I had some injuries,” De Bruyne team in the history of English sive league wins. “I think Liverpool will be up ligament damage suff ered in last David Silva started the Com- West Ham v Manchester City said. football to clinch three consecu- “You don’t need to be better, there, but they all will be there. weekend’s Community Shield munity Shield as captain before Bournemouth v Sheff ield Utd “I just get on with it. Now I feel tive top-fl ight titles, after Hud- you need to be consistent,” De We have to be consistent.” against Liverpool is a blow, but the vocal De Bruyne took over Burnley v Southampton good. I’m happy I could play a dersfi eld, Arsenal, Liverpool and Bruyne said. De Bruyne’s return gives Guar- City have more than enough when the Spaniard went off . Crystal Palace v Everton whole pre-season.” Manchester United (twice). “At the end of the year, with diola an embarrassment of riches depth to prosper without the Guardiola has said the players But Liverpool seem certain to all the competitions, maybe you in midfi eld, with Spain interna- Germany winger. will decide who wears the cap- Watford v Brighton & Hove FORMIDABLE push City all the way once again don’t need 95 or 100 points. tional Rodri likely to fi ll the hold- Another benefi t of De Bruyne’s tain’s armband, but regardless Tottenham v Aston Villa With De Bruyne back in their after they fi nished just one point “Maybe teams get more points ing role while the Belgian and return is his ability to fi ll the of whether De Bruyne gets that

COMMENT Big mistake to close English window early: Pochettino

Reuters hole in his squad that cannot be especially relevant for English signed from French club Lyon for London fi lled until January. clubs competing in the Champi- 55mn pounds ($66mn) in July. “I’m more than happy with my ons League and Europa League. Ryan Sessegnon joined on Thurs- squad after we close the window “The Premier League can- day from Fulham for 25mn and he Premier League has in England,” Pochettino, whose not give this advantage to the Giovani Lo Celso arrived on loan made a big mistake in sixth season in charge begins on European clubs,” the Argentine from Real Betis the same day. closing the transfer win- Saturday at home to Aston Villa, said. “It’s diff erent if you are not With Tottenham also start- dow before its European told reporters. competing with them in Europe. ing the campaign in their new Tcounterparts, Tottenham Hot- “But of course we are at a dis- But if you’re competing with the 62,000-seat stadium, there is spur manager Mauricio Po- advantage to the European clubs, European clubs I think they have optimism that the club, who fi n- chettino said yesterday. because they have 20 days more made a big mistake.” ished fourth last year and reached England’s top fl ight clubs can to operate and that’s a big mis- the Champions League fi nal, can no longer sign new players after take by the Premier League to al- NEW CONTRACT try to close the gap to Manchester the deadline expired on Thurs- low that. Transfer windows in Spain, Ger- City and Liverpool. day, but those in Italy, Spain, “At one time it was good be- many and France close on Sept 2, “In every single season our op- Germany and France can still cause you are going to start the with Italy closing theirs on Aug ponents were adding quality and strengthen their squads. season (knowing your squad), but 18. of course for us, in the last three Tottenham midfi elder Chris- we have opened the door to clubs One player who will not be seasons when we didn’t invest tian Eriksen and defender Toby in Europe to try to create confu- going anywhere is Brazilian Lu- too much, so to add new faces al- Alderweireld both have only a sion in your squad. cas Moura, who has signed a ways motivates and adds spark to year left on their contracts and “I think after two seasons op- new contract until 2024. Moura, our team,” Pochettino said. Eriksen in particular is on the ra- erating in this way I think the who joined in January 2018, was “It creates excitement in the dar of Real Madrid. Premier League should think if Tottenham’s most recent sign- club, in the fans. We will start Should a sizeable off er come Europe doesn’t change we must ing until this close season when the season in the new stadium so in before the La Liga window go back to operate in the same the club returned to the market there are a lot of positives. But we closes, the infl uential Dane could way that they operate.” ahead of the new campaign. have to be ready for another ex- depart, leaving Pochettino with a Pochettino said the matter is Midfi elder Tanguy Ndombele citing season.” Gulf Times 2 Saturday, August 10, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE Emery ponders Lampard quashes selling more Arsenal stars AFP could lose some players.” London Arsenal start their Premier talks of Luiz rift League campaign at Newcas- tle tomorrow, with the distinct anager Unai Em- possibility that none of their six Luiz joined Arsenal in an £8mn deal after reportedly falling out with Lampard ery says Arsenal can new players will be in the start- challenge for a top- ing line-up. Tierney is nursing AFP four place in the Pre- a groin problem and Real Ma- Mmier League despite admitting drid loanee Dani Ceballos took London more players could leave before a heavy challenge to his ankle the European transfer deadlines. in last week’s friendly defeat by helsea manager Frank Lampard Emery made six signings during Barcelona. insists there was no rift with the English transfer window, in- Luiz and club-record sign- David Luiz after claims the Brazil cluding Chelsea defender David ing Nicolas Pepe are both short defender went on strike before Luiz and Celtic full-back Kieran of full fi tness. “We are going to hisC shock move to Arsenal. Luiz joined Tierney. start Sunday with players who I Arsenal in an £8mn ($7.25mn) deal on But Alex Iwobi left for Everton, am very convinced can perform Thursday after reportedly falling out with Carl Jenkinson moved to Not- now at 100%,” Emery added. Lampard over what he perceived as a di- tingham Forest and former cap- “For some, that’s impossible for minished role in the team. tain Laurent Koscielny departed them to achieve that perform- The 32-year-old was said to have be- acrimoniously for Bordeaux in ance for us because they arrived come a disruptive infl uence at Chelsea’s recent days. Koscielny’s fellow later or started training with us Cobham base and did not train with the centre-back Shkodran Mustafi after injuries.” team on Wednesday before completing and midfi elder Mohamed Elneny Alexandre Lacazette could also his switch to London rivals Arsenal on have also been linked with moves miss out as he continues his re- deadline day. Lampard was adamant he away from the Emirates Stadium. covery from an ankle issue suf- took the decision for Luiz to miss train- And Gunners boss Emery fered in the Emirates Cup loss to ing and made it clear the pair had spoken hinted there could be more de- Lyon. Arsenal missed out on the amicably before agreeing the centre-back partures with Italian, German, top four by a single point and lost should leave. French and Spanish teams able the Europa League fi nal to Chel- “We had some conversations over the to add to their squads for sev- sea in Emery’s fi rst season. last week, honest conversations because eral weeks. “I am really delighted But following their busy trans- I know David well. And I think the con- with our work. The club did eve- fer window, former Paris Saint- clusion of that was that he moved on,” rything to get the best players to Germain boss Emery is now keen Lampard said yesterday. “There certainly help us and to make our squad to push on and secure a return wasn’t any strikes. And in terms of fall- stronger,” Emery told reporters to the Champions League. “The outs, no, there weren’t. There were hon- yesterday. Premier League is the best com- est conversations. The day that David “As you can understand, we petition in the world,” he said. didn’t train was a decision that I made are changing players at the last “We are going to work and be because we were in the middle of this moment and also with Laurent with a big challenge to compete where we were talking and it was quite Koscielny, he was the fi rst cap- in this competition to fi nd the clear which way it was going.” tain, and he left us fi ve days ago. top four. The Premier League is Luiz spent six-and-a-half seasons Also, we have had other players the most important competition with Chelsea across two spells, win- come in. Now we have the squad and we are going to start on Sun- ning the Premier League and Champions and we have fi nished the transfer day and it is going to give us the League while playing alongside Blues market, but it’s still open in other regularity and consistency in 38 legend Lampard. The former Derby boss countries. Unfortunately, we can matches. It’s the fi rst way for us was believed to have told Luiz — who was achieve the last moment fi nish- to achieve our targets and objec- a regular in their Europa League-winning ing yesterday with some players tives to be in the top four, but we side last term — he would have to fi ght for but now in the next 25 days we know it’s going to be diffi cult.” his place, with Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma having been picked for Chel- sea’s fi nal pre-season friendly. Lampard, who was unable to strength- en his squad during the transfer window Defender David Luiz poses with Arsenal jersey after joining the North London Club on Thursday. because of Chelsea’s transfer ban, accepts allowing players to join Premier League at what he wanted, that Arsenal was the United tomorrow. The 41-year-old, who and, while Lampard wants the 18-year- rivals like Arsenal is sometimes a neces- club. Of course he is a good player, he has will make a late call on N’Golo Kante’s old to stay in west London, he says there sary evil. “I don’t think you can always gone to a competitor, it’s happened be- knee problem, said Blues winger Callum has been no progress on a potential new dictate where a player goes, it depends on fore, it will happen again.” Hudson-Odoi is back in training follow- deal. “No, on Callum there’s not. The the situation. This happened close to the Lampard begins his Chelsea reign — ing last season’s Achilles tendon injury. clubs are talking. We hope Callum stays, deadline day,” Lampard said. in just his second year in management England winger Hudson-Odoi has en- simple as that,” Lampard said. “He’s “At that point, David was pretty clear — with an intriguing trip to Manchester tered the fi nal 12 months of his contract working hard on his fi tness.”

FOCUS Solskjaer confi dent United can win over doubters Reuters Lukaku to Inter Milan and midfi elder An- the right players are available. It’s not Solskjaer expects Alexis Sanchez to fi ll Manchester der Herrera to Paris St Germain without about a quick fi x, it is about a longer re- the void after Lukaku’s exit after a torrid recruiting replacements but Solskjaer build. It’s not time to change that attitude season where the 30-year-old forward said the club would only sign players if when you haven’t got the correct answers scored only two goals in all competitions. anchester United can ease they improved the squad. from the players you wanted.” However, the Chilean may not feature supporters’ doubts after a “There are always going to be fans out Lukaku, who did not take part in against Chelsea after returning late fol- relatively quiet transfer win- there wanting to sign players. The way United’s pre-season matches due to in- lowing his participation in Copa America dow by producing the attrac- we can clear doubts is by playing football, jury, was sold to Inter for a reported fee of which ended last month. Mtive football that has delighted them in showing what the team want to be and 80mn euros on deadline day and Solsk- “Alexis has come in and trained well... the past, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the style of football we want to play,” Sol- jaer said the transfer was a win-win situ- he’s four or fi ve weeks behind the boys said yesterday. A pall of gloom hangs over skjaer told reporters ahead of tomorrow’s ation for all parties concerned. “It was and he has not played apart from the one Old Traff ord with many fans disillusioned League match at home to Chelsea. time for Lukaku to go. We got a good deal behind closed doors here, I think he’ll see with United’s transfer business in the “When our fans see that intention they and he is happy so both parties ended that this as an opportunity to make his mark,” close season even though the club signed have always been supporting the team. deal as it should be,” Solskjaer added. “He Solskjaer said. Defenders Eric Bailly and defenders Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan- Within the team and the club we are feel- was injured for a while in pre-season and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are unavailable due Bissaka and winger Daniel James. ing very confi dent and we don’t feel that he didn’t participate. I just hope that he to injuries, Solskjaer added, but Paul Pogba However, United lost striker Romelu negativity. There is money available when gets a good start at Inter Milan.” and new signing Maguire are fi t to start. Arsenal manager Unai Emery.

Ozil, Kolasinac to miss ROUND-UP Newcastle game because of ‘further security incidents’ Gundogan extends Man City contract by three years lkay Gundogan, Pep Guardiola’s all competitions last season and is now graphic mortuary footage, later circulat- London: Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil brandished weapons before fi rst signing as Manchester City a trusted member of coach Mauricio ed on social media, of the body of the late and Sead Kolasinac will miss Kolasinac forced them to back manager, has signed a three-year Pochettino’s squad following a slow start Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala, who their side’s Premier League off while locals near his home contract extension with the Premier in north London. Pochettino had to wait was killed in a plane crash in January. ILeague champions, the club announced. to see the best of Lucas as he took time Sala, 28, was fl ying from his previ- opener at Newcastle tomorrow in the Childs Hill area of the city after “further security inci- came to the pair’s aid. The 28-year-old German international to adjust following his £25mn ($30.2mn) ous club Nantes in western France to dents” involving the pair, the Ozil and Kolasinac had both midfi elder — who was entering the fi nal move from Paris Saint Germain in Janu- Wales to join Cardiff City when the Piper north London club announced. featured in Arsenal’s final year of his present contract and will now ary 2018. Malibu aircraft disappeared over the Ozil and Kolasinac were friendly at Barcelona and were be tied to the club to 2023 — played a English Channel. The wreckage was fi - caught in an attempted car- expected to be in contention to pivotal role in City landing a domestic SOUTHAMPTON SIGN AUSTRIAN nally located following a privately funded jacking in the English capital face Newcastle. The suggestion treble last term having also impressed in INTERNATIONAL DANSO search and his body was recovered three last month, with the defender of new incidents involving the their 2018 title winning campaign. Austrian international Kevin Danso has days later. leaping from the vehicle to con- players will be hugely concern- Gundogan, who cost City around signed for English Premier League side Police launched an investigation in front the knife-wielding raiders ing and the statement added: £20mn ($24mn) when they signed him Southampton on loan from Bundesliga February after offi cers became aware while the former Germany “The welfare of our players from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, said outfi t Augsburg. The 20-year-old central that a graphic image showing the post- international sped off to safety. and their families is always he was looking forward to more success defender — capped six times — has mortem of Sala was appearing on social A statement from Arsenal a top priority and we have with City. Guardiola said Gundogan’s received international clearance for the media. They raided the offi ces of the yesterday said: “Mesut Ozil and taken this decision following ability to play in several diff erent posi- move with Saints sealing the loan deal closed circuit TV fi rm which held the Sead Kolasinac will not be part discussion with the players and tions made him an important resource before Thursday’s transfer window shut. out-of-hours contract to monitor the of the squad for our open- their representatives. We are for his team. Danso — who will not play in their mortuary and discovered that the com- ing match against Newcastle liaising with the police and are opening match this weekend against pany’s director, Sherry Bray and another United following further secu- providing the players and their LUCAS SIGNS ONE-YEAR Burnley — knows England well after his member of staff Christopher Ashford, rity incidents which are being families with ongoing support. EXTENSION WITH SPURS Ghanaian parents moved there when he had illegally accessed the footage. investigated by the police.” We look forward to welcoming Tottenham Hotspur forward Lucas was six. He came through the MK Dons Bray had taken photographs of the Neither featured in the Emir- the players back to the squad Moura has signed a one-year contract Academy before moving to Augsburg in footage on her mobile phone and then ates Cup pre-season defeat as soon as possible. We will not extension that will keep him at the 2014 making his senior debut in 2017. sent the pictures to another person against Lyon just days after the be making any further com- Premier League club until 2024. The Hasenhüttl, who replaced Mark Hugh- on Facebook Messenger, police said. initial incident, with Arsenal ment on the matter.” Kolasinac 26-year-old’s new deal is a reward for es last December and saved Southamp- Evidence showed Bray had also taken manager Unai Emery admitting and German midfielder Ozil his superb end to last season, which iser at Barcelona that took them into the ton from relegation, said Danso fi tted the pictures of another body in the mortuary. they had not been in the right were not the first footballers included a hat-trick in Tottenham’s last 16 before his semi-fi nal heroics. That bill perfectly for the team he is building. Bray, 48, pleaded guilty at Swindon frame of mind after the terrify- to be targeted on London’s thrilling Champions League semi-fi nal treble in Amsterdam, which included a Crown Court to three counts of compu- ing confrontation. streets. In 2016, Andy Carrol win at Ajax. last-gasp winner, was his second hat- TWO GUILTY OF TAKING PHOTOS ter misuse and perverting the course of Ozil’s car was blocked by the was threatened at gunpoint on Lucas was a key player in Spurs’ run to trick for Tottenham after he also scored OF SALA’S DEAD BODY justice and Ashford, 62, admitted three moped-riding thugs, who then his way home from training. the fi nal in Madrid — lost to Liverpool — three against Huddersfi eld a month Two workers from a British CCTV fi rm counts of computer misuse. They are due also scoring the late group stage equal- earlier. He eventually scored 15 goals in pleaded guilty yesterday to accessing to be sentenced on Sept. 20. Gulf Times Saturday, August 10, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Barca to Bayern launch cup kick off La Liga next Friday

AFP defence amid scandals Madrid

arcelona’s opening match of their La Liga title defence at Athletic Bilbao will take place nextB Friday after a judge ruled in German football that matches could be played on that day but not on Mondays. The decision from a court in Ma- drid means matches scheduled Bundesliga champions Bayern have been less active than Dortmund in the transfer market for Fridays in the opening three rounds, which were announced at the start of July, can be played, while matches planned for Mon- days will have to be reorganised. But La Liga has announced it will appeal the ruling as it aims for both Friday and Mon- day matches to be allowed this season. “While the ruling has partially respected La Liga’s re- quests with regards to interim measures, this organisation... does not agree with the ruling and will proceed to exercise its right to appeal the decision,” La Liga said in a statement. Bilbao will host Barca at 9pm local time (1900 GMT) at San Mames stadium on August 16. Confi rmation of the date of the La Liga curtain-raiser comes just one week before the fi xture kicks off , leaving supporters little time to arrange tickets and transport. The decision also means ex- isting matches due to take place on Mondays, including Eibar’s trip to Mallorca and Real Betis’ clash with Real Valladolid on August 19, will have to be moved. The Spanish Football Federation Bayern Munich’s players warm up during a pre-season training camp in Rottach-Egern, southern Germany, yesterday. (AFP) (RFEF) claimed a victory over the country’s top division, who AFP ceedings with a visit to third-division Ahead of Bayern’s trip to fourth-tier nitzer sacked fi rst-team captain Daniel could register as a minor. backed the controversial Friday Berlin side KFC Uerdingen late last night. The side Energie Cottbus on Monday, the Frahn over his alleged association with and Monday matches and argued match reunites 2014 World Cup win- heat is already on perennially under-fi re far-right fan groups. Frahn’s dismissal SELECTED GERMAN CUP removing those slots would risk ner and former Dortmund fan favour- coach Kovac. Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig was the latest episode in a long-run- FIRST-ROUND FIXTURES losing lucrative television con- iko Kovac’s Bayern Munich ite Kevin Grosskreutz with his old club travel to Osnabrueck tomorrow after ning controversy over neo-Nazis in the (kick-off times 1330 GMT unless stated): tracts. launch their 2019/20 season while providing coach Lucien Favre Wagner’s Schalke visit Drochtersen/ Chemnitzer fanbase, and according to “We are very satisfi ed and as German Cup title holders with another opportunity to test new Assel today. Former Huddersfi eld Town Bild newspaper, police fear that far- Today: Kaiserslautern v Mainz, happy,” said RFEF president Luis in the fi rst round this week- signings Mats Hummels, Nico Schulz manager Wagner is hoping to breathe right fans may stage protests during Alemannia Aachen v Bayer Leverkusen, Rubiales. “It’s a historic day. The Nend, but the traditional season curtain- and Thorgan Hazard. new life into crisis-stricken Schalke, but Sunday’s cup clash with Hamburg. Magdeburg v Freiburg, Drochtersen/ RFEF’s position and my com- raiser will be overshadowed this year Favre’s spruced-up squad beat Bay- his preparations have been overshad- Second-division Hamburg are them- Assel v Schalke, Atlas Delmenhorst v mitment to Spanish football and by a string of scandals rocking football ern Munich 2-0 in the German Super- owed by a racism scandal involving club selves engulfed in a media scandal after Werder Bremen (1845) fans have been fulfi lled.” in Germany. While coaching prodigies cup last weekend to pile the pressure chairman Clemens Toennies. Toennies, doubts were raised over the identity of Tomorrow: Waldhof Mannheim v However the RFEF had want- Julian Nagelsmann and David Wagner on last season’s league and cup win- 63, stepped down for three months on their Gambian midfi elder Bakery Jatta. ed the removal of both Monday make their dugout debuts for RB Leip- ners. Bayern have been less active than Tuesday following widespread outrage Bild newspaper claimed Jatta, who re- Eintracht Frankfurt, VfL Osnabrueck v and Friday matches, which have zig and Schalke respectively, other clubs Dortmund in the transfer market, and over comments he made about Africa portedly came to Germany as a refugee RB Leipzig, Germania Halberstadt v Un- proven controversial in Spain, such as Chemnitzer and Hamburg are the lack of high-profi le new signings during a speech last week. Schalke are in 2015, entered the country under a ion Berlin, VfB Eichstatt v Hertha Berlin, where they have attracted disap- reeling from scandals involving neo- prompted criticism from star striker not the only German club to have been false identity, changing his name and Chemnitzer FC v Hamburg (1630) pointing attendances and been Nazis and alleged identity fraud. Robert Lewandowski as the club chases hit by a racism scandal recently. claiming to be two-and-a-half years On Monday: Energie Cottbus v Bayern reserved primarily for teams Borussia Dortmund kicked off pro- Manchester City winger Leroy Sane. On Monday, third-tier side Chem- younger than he really was so that he Munich (1845) lower down in the league table.

ROUND-UP SERIE A Casillas included in Porto squad for new season Lukaku hails Conte orto goalkeeper Iker Casil- diffi cult spell in England, he struggled reporters. Traore should have less trouble las, who suff ered a heart attack to rediscover his best form and joined with that one, the return leg being at aft er Inter move in May, has been registered by Besiktas in January on a six-month loan Molineux on Aug 15. the club to play in this season’s deal. Kagawa will be presented next AFP PPortuguese league. The 38-year-old week at La Romareda and could make his BOURNEMOUTH’S HOWE URGES Rome former Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeper debut when Zaragoza begin their season PATIENCE WITH NEW SIGNINGS features in the Porto squad list which has at home to Tenerife on August 17. Five close season signings have left been published on the league’s offi cial A Zaragoza statement read: “Real Bournemouth fans brimming with opti- omelu Lukaku said website ahead of their opening game Zaragoza and Borussia Dortmund have mism ahead of the new Premier League yesterday that having away to Gil Vicente today. reached an agreement for the transfer season but the new recruits must not the chance to play for Casillas, who captained Spain to their of footballer Shinji Kagawa, who joins be judged until January, manager Eddie Antonio Conte drove only World Cup triumph in 2010 and the Zaragoza team with a contract for Howe said. himR to join Inter Milan, hailing played 725 games for Real Madrid before the next two seasons.” Dortmund wrote Bournemouth, who fi nished 14th last the Italian as the world’s best joining Porto in 2015, suff ered a heart on Twitter: “After 7 amazing seasons in season, signed defenders Lloyd Kelly and coach after arriving from Man- attack in a training session on May 1 and Dortmund, we say goodbye. Forever a Jack Stacey, midfi elder Philip Billing and chester United. Asked by club spent fi ve days in hospital. Black and Yellow legend.” winger Arnaut Danjuma on perma- media how the arrival of former Two weeks later, Portuguese sports nent deals while winger Harry Wilson Italy boss Conte at Inter this newspaper O Jogo suggested that Casillas NO PASSPORT, NO TRAVEL FOR was signed on a season-long loan from summer had infl uenced his de- would shortly announce his retirement. WOLVES FORWARD TRAORE Liverpool. cision to move to Serie A, he re- However, in July, Porto said that Casil- Wolverhampton Wanderers winger “Let’s wait and see, let’s reserve plied “a lot... he’s the best man- las had been given a role on the team’s yesterday. The 30-year-old has signed Adama Traore missed Thursday’s Europa judgement. I’m always a little bit worried ager in the world” technical staff “while he recovers from a two-year contract with Zaragoza who League qualifi er in Armenia because he when people say ‘what a great window’ “He’s somebody that can make his health problem.” fi nished 15th in the Segunda Division last left his passport at home, according to just after it’s closed,” Howe said of to- players better all the time. You Porto last month signed Argentine season and have not played in the top team manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The day’s opener at home against promoted can see his record,” said Lukaku. goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin from fl ight since 2013. Premier League side managed fi ne with- Sheffi eld United. Conte has been a long-time ad- wish I can help my teammates Mexico City club America and the Kagawa has won two Bundesliga titles, out the Spaniard, beating Pyunik 4-0 in “I’d prefer people to say the same in mirer of Lukaku and tried to with my hard work dedication to 31-year-old made his debut on Wednes- one Premier League title, two German their qualifying round third leg match in January, or next season. It doesn’t mean sign him for Chelsea before the the game.” day in the 1-0 win away to Krasnodar in a Cups and an Asian Cup with Japan, for the capital Yerevan. anything as we sit here now, it’s got to Belgian’s move from Everton to A report said that he will earn Champions League qualifying match. whom he has played at two World Cups The Wolverhampton Express and Star be proved in the games we have to come United in 2017. 8.5mn euros a season at Inter, and made 97 appearances. He joined reported that Traore, 23, had turned up throughout the season. The players that The 26-year-old completed and claims that Inter will pay KAGAWA MAKES SHOCK Dortmund nine years ago as a 20-year- at the airport with an identity card as his we’ve signed, we hope (they) do really his long-awaited move to Inter United an initial 65mn euros over SWITCH TO REAL ZARAGOZA old and his electric performances under only travel document. “He had a problem well for us. The players we let go, we wish on Thursday, joining a club with fi ve years with a further 10mn in Former Manchester United midfi elder coach Jurgen Klopp earned him a switch with his passport...he didn’t know. It’s them all the best in their future careers. ambitions of breaking fi erce rival potential add-ons, contrasting Shinji Kagawa completed a surprise to United and the Premier League in impossible to travel with an ID card so I’m certainly looking forward to working Juventus’ stranglehold on do- with reports in Britain that the move from Borussia Dortmund to 2012. The Japanese midfi elder returned he couldn’t travel with us. He’ll join us with the new players and really getting to mestic honours. Belgium’s all- Premier League club brought in Spanish second-tier side Real Zaragoza to Dortmund two years later but after a for the next game,” the manager told know them better.” time top scorer with 48 goals, 80mn euros. They have strength- he will be at the centre of Inter’s ened a squad that fi nished fourth attack, taking the number 9 shirt in Serie A last season by signing away from former club captain veteran Uruguayan international Mauro Icardi after the Argentina defender Diego Godin and prom- Police raid South Korean sports agency in Ronaldo row international was frozen out last ising midfi elder Nicolo Barella. season following a bitter and Inter are also reportedly close to Seoul: South Korean police raided a aware prior to the game that Ronaldo unjust”, one of his colleagues said. The of deception and misbehaviour, with public contract row. bringing in Edin Dzeko, with the sports agency as part of a fraud inquiry may not — or was not going to — play.” Portuguese striker stayed on the bench chairman Andrea Agnelli writing to the He hadn’t played a single Bosnian international pushing after Juventus superstar Cristiano Ron- A criminal complaint filed by a throughout last month’s friendly against K-League: “Ronaldo was... obliged, ac- minute in United’s pre-season for the move away from the Ital- aldo sat out a friendly in Seoul, enraging prosecutor-turned-lawyer accuses a K-League all-stars team, with Juventus cording to our medical staff ’s advice, to campaign after being sidelined ian capital and Roma trying to thousands of fans. Police said the raid, agency The Fasta of swindling some 6bn saying he was rested on medical advice rest due to a muscle fatigue. I definitely by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite retain him after failing to fi nd an which followed a criminal complaint, was won (US$4.9mn) worth of ticket sales by because of muscle fatigue. reject your accusation of irresponsible scoring 42 times in all competi- adequate replacement. intended to investigate whether whether saying the contract with the Italian club The sell-out 65,000 crowd made its behaviour, arrogance, of disregard tions while at Old Traff ord. “I Other targets reportedly in- the agency lied by claiming Ronaldo was obliged Ronaldo to play for at least 45 displeasure known during the game, for fans, which we always honour,” he think Inter is a club with a lot clude Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic guaranteed to play. minutes, and not warning buyers that he which was delayed for an hour after added. of upsides. I think for me it was and Lazio star Sergej Milink- “We raided the off ice on Thursday,” a might not appear. Juventus arrived late from the airport. The head of The Fasta, Robin Jang, has something I needed,” Lukaku ovic-Savic, although the club Seoul police off icer said. “We are looking The lawyer, Oh Seok-hyun, did not go The K-League has accused Juventus of been banned from leaving the country said. “I needed a challenge where also need to offl oad Icardi, who into whether the agency proceeded with to the match himself but filed the com- “deception” and demanded an apology. and will soon be questioned, police I could help a team build for the is reportedly only interested in a the match even though they were well plaint because he “thought it was very But the club has rejected accusations added. future. For me, everything is move to Juventus despite interest present here to help me and I from Napoli and Roma. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, August 10, 2019 SPORT

MOTORSPORT SPOTLIGHT Mexico staying on F1 calendar for McLaren to make three more years

Reuters prices will remain unchanged. Mexico City Confi rmation of Mexico means the 2020 calendar is set to expand from 21 races, with exico will stay on new ones in Vietnam and the full-time IndyCar the Formula One Netherlands while only Ger- calendar for three many is set to drop off . more years after Teams agreed to the exten- Ma new contract was signed on sion at last weekend’s Hun- Thursday, with the sport set garian Grand Prix. to expand to a record 22 races Mexico’s future had looked next season. Formula One said uncertain earlier in the year, the race would change its name with President Andres Manuel return in 2020 to the Mexico City Grand Prix Lopez Obrador saying in Feb- from 2020 to emphasise the ruary that state funds would ‘It’s definitely a very integrated partnership, technically, managerially and commercially’ support of the city authorities. in future go towards a tourist “It’s an honour to announce train project being planned in Reuters that we will carry out this the south of the country. London event in Mexico City until Mexico returned to the 2022,” Formula One chairman grand prix calendar in 2015 af- and CEO Chase Carey told a ter a 23-year absence. cLaren will return news conference. Mexico City The race, scheduled for Oct. to full-time Indy- mayor Claudia Sheinbaum 27 this year at the Hermanos Car racing in 2020 said in a statement that the Rodriguez circuit and paired in partnership with agreement was based on a new with the US Grand Prix in Aus- MArrow Schmidt Peterson Motor- fi nancing model without the tin, is organised by CIE and has sports and Chevrolet, the British use of public resources. won the governing FIA’s award company announced yesterday. “The Mexico City govern- for best event for the past four The move could give Spaniard ment will be an intermediary, seasons. It was also the race Fernando Alonso, the double creating a trust that will raise where Mercedes driver Lewis Formula One world champion the private investment re- Hamilton, now a fi ve-times who remains under contract to quired to deliver this interna- world champion, clinched the McLaren, another chance to win tional event,” she said. Ticket title in 2017 and 2018. the Indianapolis 500 even if the Spaniard is not interested in a full season. Boston Marathon cheat Ruiz dies aged 66 The existing team will be renamed Arrow McLaren Rac- Rosie Ruiz, the woman who to find Ruiz in any photo- ing SP, competing with two famously crossed the line first graphs taken along the race Chevrolet-powered cars and at the 1980 Boston Marathon route and in post-race inter- a possible third entry for before being disqualified for views she had appeared unfa- Indianapolis. cheating, has died of cancer miliar with some of the basic Former Indy 500 winner Gil at the age of 66. terminology of running. The de Ferran, the sporting director Cuban-born Ruiz never admit- incident happened before the of McLaren Racing, will lead a ted that she had not com- era of automatic timing chips dedicated group independent of pleted the entire marathon that record times of competi- the Formula One team. course but was disqualified tors at regular intervals. Ruiz McLaren last competed full- eight days after the race after had been fighting cancer for time in the IndyCar champion- witnesses said they had seen over a decade, said the obitu- ship in 1979. her step out of the crowd near ary on a Florida funeral home “We come to IndyCar in full the finish. website that announced her respect of the sport, our com- Organisers were also unable death. petitors, the fans and the task ahead,” said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. “It’s defi nitely a very inte- FOCUS grated partnership, technically, managerially and commercially,” he told a conference call. He said McLaren, who face a US Olympian charged likely record 22 race season in McLaren’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso posing by the MCL33 Formula One racing car for the 2018 season. Formula One in 2020 and are also contemplating a world en- polis and McLaren wanted to do Alonso wants to become only perienced team. to go about it diff erently, which with attempted murder durance involvement from 2021 so with him. “He has not shown the second driver after the late McLaren made a catalogue was either be fully committed or when the rules change to hyper- to date interest in competing in a Briton Graham Hill to win the of errors at Indianapolis this don’t do it. AFP identifi ed. According to his cars, were not biting off more full season,” he added. “Triple Crown of Motorsport” year, from having to scrounge a “The reasons why we want to New York website, Barisone’s students than they could chew. “(For) Fernando, or someone and has already won the Mo- steering wheel at short notice to be in IndyCar have always re- have included Allison Brock, McLaren have been mulling a else potentially, we would con- naco Grand Prix and Le Mans 24 missing vital track time because mained.” who won a bronze medal in the full IndyCar campaign for some sider a third car entry at Indy Hours. Indianapolis is the only the spare car was the wrong McLaren sold more sport- US Olympian has team dressage at the 2016 Ol- time, their decision infl uenced only.” remaining race to win. shade of orange and was else- scars in the United States than been charged with ympics in Rio. by failure to qualify Alonso for Canadian James Hinchcliff e is This year’s Indy 500 winner where being resprayed. anywhere else last year, with the two counts of at- this year’s Indianapolis 500 as a committed through 2020 with Simon Pagenaud told Reuters “We came away from that ex- country also a major market for tempted murder af- SKATING CHAMP BANNED one-off entry. Schmidt Peterson while Swedish last weekend that Alonso’s best perience stronger than ever in their sponsors. terA a woman was shot at his OVER TROUSER-PULLING Brown said Alonso, who left former F1 driver Marcus Erics- chances of success at The Brick- our desire to compete in Indy- Formula One is also looking to equestrian training facility in South Korean Olympic short Formula One at the end of last son will be out of contract at the yard would be either by doing a Car,” said Brown. expand its audience signifi cantly New Jersey, police have said. track speed skating cham- year, still wanted to win Indiana- end of the year. full season or racing with an ex- “But we knew we would have in the Americas. Michael Barisone, 54, com- pion Lim Hyo-jun has been peted in the team dressage at banned from competition for the 2008 Games in Beijing. a year for sexually harassing MARQUEZ EDGES VINALES, DOVIZIOSO IN AUSTRIA PRACTICE Police were called to his a fellow male athlete, offi cials farm, where he trains aspiring said yesterday. Lim, 23, won Championship leader Marc Dovizioso set his best time in the Marquez in the title race, the automatic Q2 places later in the Honda) 0.155 riders, on Wednesday after re- the gold in the 1500m on home Marquez set the quickest time early session at the Red Bull Ring Spaniard having won six out of day. The final practice session 5. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/ ceiving an emergency call say- ice at last year’s Winter Games on his Honda during yesterday’s with the other two bettering 10 races so far this season, in- takes place today morning with Yamaha) 0.237 ing there had been a shooting. in Pyeongchang and also took two practice sessions for this their results in the afternoon, cluding the last two in Germany qualifying in the afternoon. 6. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) They found a woman with bronze in the 500m. weekend’s Austrian MotoGP, Marquez using a soft rear tyre to and the Czech Republic. 0.392 “multiple gunshot wounds” and But in June he forcibly narrowly edging the Yamaha of help push the pace. Another Honda rider, Takaaki FREE PRACTICE TIMES: 7. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM) a man who had also sustained pulled down the victim’s trou- Maverick Vinales. Dovizioso was on course for a Nagakami, set the fourth best 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda): 0.410 injuries, local prosecutors said sers in front of other team- The five-time world champion really quick time, setting a red time with French rookie Fabio 1:23.916 8. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) in a statement Thursday. mates at the national training was 0.066 seconds faster than first sector, before sliding out of Quartararo fifth on his Yamaha 2. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yama- 0.414 Barisone was also charged centre, a Korea Skating Union his fellow Spaniard with Ducati’s contention on turn three. ahead of Sunday’s race. ha) at 0.066 9. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda) with two counts of possess- offi cial said. Andrea Dovizioso, winner of this The 33-year-old Italian, who is After solid early sessions, Val- 3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/ 0.420 ing a weapon for an unlawful “Lim will be banned from race in 2017, third quickest 0.117 still looking for his first cham- entino Rossi and Alex Rins both Ducati) 0.117 10. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) purpose, the Morris County competing in any sport- secs slower than Marquez. pionship, is 63 points behind slipped outside the provisional 4. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/ 0.502 prosecutors added. ing event until August 7 next The victims have not been year,” the offi cial told AFP.

PAN AM GAMES Cuban Silva claims third straight pole vault title Reuters Canada’s Sage Watson winning Ecuador’s Alex Quinonez in The United States will need Lima in 55.16 seconds. She was tem- 20.41, well off his South Ameri- a big fi nish if they are to better porarily disqualifi ed for a lane can record of 19.87 he posted in the 103 gold and 265 medals won violation before being reinstated fi nishing second to Noah Lyles’ four years ago in Toronto but uba’s Yarisley Silva won after a review. yearly leading 19.50 in July. with three days of competition her third consecutive American Anna Cockrell took Cuba’s Reynier Mena (20.56) remaining, including two more Pan Am Games pole the silver. The men’s race went and Panama’s Alonso Edward in the pool, they will have their vault title with a gutsy to Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, (20.65) won the other semi-fi - chance. last-ditchC attempt on Thursday. who stormed to victory in 48.45 nals. St. Lucia’s Levern Spencer With 82 gold and 206 total The 2015 world champion had after leader Juander Santos of retained her women’s high jump medals, the United States are fallen behind American Katie the Dominican Republic hit the title with fewer misses at 1.87m the clear leaders in the table with Nageotte after a second miss at fi nal hurdle. In the 400m, Ja- while Chile celebrated gold and Brazil surging into second on 36 4.70 metres but after having the maican Olympic bronze medal- silver in the hammer throw golds ahead of Mexico with 27 bar raised to 4.75 she cleared the list Shericka Jackson claimed the with South American champion and Canada with 26. height to claim victory. A miss women’s title in 50.73 with Co- Gabriel Kehr (74.98m) defeating “We’re just getting warmed and Silva would have lost to Na- lombian record holder Anthony teammate Humberto Mansilla up,” said Margo Geer after win- geotte, who wound up with the Zambrano winning the men’s (74.38m). Mexico’s Jose Villar- ning the women’s 100 metres silver at 4.70 after missing twice race in 44.83 ahead of Jamaica’s real won the men’s 1,500m in freestyle for her fi rst individual at 4.75 and once at 4.80. Demish Gaye (44.94). 3:39.93 and Carolina Vargas of gold to go along with a pair in the Silva had almost gone out of Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser- Costa Rica dominated the wom- relays. “I love being part of the the competition with two fail- Pryce was upstaged in the wom- en’s 100m hurdles fi nd in 12.82. relays but individually it’s super ures at 4.35 before staying alive en’s 200m semi-fi nals by Brazil’s special to me. with a third-attempt clearance. Vitoria Cristina Rosa. US MAKES SPLASH IN POOL “The goal here is to win as Cuba also won gold in the South American champion TO GET PAST 200 MEDALS many medals as possible for our heptathlon with Adriana Ro- Rosa, running in the third semi- Led by another productive day in country so, so far so good.” driguez scoring 6,113 points to fi nal, clocked a personal best the pool, the United States sailed For the second consecutive defeat American Annie Kunz 22.72 to top two-time Olympic through the 200 total medal bar- night the United States domi- (5,990). 100m gold medallist Fraser- rier at the Pan Am Games on nated at the Centro Acuatico, There was controversy in the Pryce’s 22.90 from the fi rst race. Thursday and warned there was sweeping gold in seven of nine Cuba’s Yarisley Silva celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women’s pole vault during the 2019 women’s 400m hurdles with The men’s top time went to more to come. fi nals. Pan-American Games in Lima on Thursday. (AFP) Gulf Times Saturday, August 10, 2019 5 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Yankees to face White Sox in 2020 at Field of Dreams AFP “It’s a distinct honour for us to Field of Dreams,” MLB commission- concluding a three-game series New York showcase our great game in such er Rob Manfred said. with weekend contests in Chicago. an iconic and intimate setting while “We look forward to celebrating promoting the movie’s legacy,” said the movie’s enduring message of STROLL THROUGH THE CORN aseball’s “Field of Dreams” Yankees managing general partner how baseball brings people together Construction of the small ballpark next to an Iowa cornfi eld Hal Steinbrenner said. at this special cornfi eld in Iowa.” where the game will be staged be- will host a 2020 Major “I fully expect this experience The 30-year-old fi lm featured gins Tuesday, one year out from the League Baseball game be- will exemplify why baseball remains Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, contest. The right-fi eld wall will tweenB the New York Yankees and a cherished American pastime.” Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster. include windows, as in the 20th Chicago White Sox, league offi cials The move follows MLB’s recent At the centre of the story is the Century original Comiskey Park in announced Thursday. idea of bringing the game to iconic baseball fi eld Costner’s farmer Chicago, that allows the cornfi elds The ballpark made famous in the places such as the Yankees’ games character builds out of a cornfi eld, beyond the barrier to be seen. 1989 movie Field of Dreams will against Boston in London this year, and the ghostly baseball legends Fans attending the game will walk serve as the unique backdrop for an annual game at the home of who come there to play. along a pathway through the corn- major league teams at what has be- baseball’s Little League World Se- “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, among fi eld where the movie’s players en- come a cultural touchstone for the ries in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, those implicated in the 1919 “Black tered and exited before reaching the American pastime. and this year’s game at the College Sox” game-fi xing scandal, was diamond. “Field of Dreams captures The game will be played on Au- World Series site in Omaha, Ne- among those who played on the the uniqueness of Iowans’ can-do gust 13, 2020, with temporary seat- braska. Field of Dreams and his former club, attitude, and there’s no better place ing for 8,000 people installed at the “As a sport that is proud of its the White Sox, will be the home to host our state’s very fi rst Major farm site in rural eastern Iowa, the history linking generations, Major team in the 2020 contest. League game than this legendary New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (second left) celebrates their win with third baseman fi rst major league game ever in the League Baseball is excited to bring The Yankees and White Sox will baseball fi eld,” Iowa governor Kim Gio Urshela (left) at the end of the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. state. a regular season game to the site of have the following day off before Reynolds said. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

MLB BASKETBALL Lowry, Smart will miss USA scrimmage Angels are no match with injuries

AFP USA DENIES ANTHONY’S Los Angeles REQUEST TO PLAY Carmelo Anthony wanted to play for Team USA in the up- oronto Raptors guard coming FIBA World Cup but against Chris Sale Kyle Lowry and Bos- was denied, SI.com reported. ton Celtics guard Mar- Jerry Colangelo, the manag- cus Smart will miss ing director of USA Basket- Tthe United States’ national ball, told the outlet that he team’s intersquad scrimmage informed Anthony’s camp the Friday with injuries, USA Bas- team didn’t have a place for ketball said Thursday. him, despite his long record The squad of NBA players with the program and the in loss to Red Sox is training ahead of its bid to number of departures of NBA bring the USA a third consec- players from the team. ‘I knew I had a chance to make a play and gave it a shot. Probably one of my better ones’ utive Basketball World Cup ti- Anthony has played on tle starting August 31 in China. a record four US Olympic By Maria Torres Lowry, who underwent a teams, winning three gold Los Angeles Times procedure on his left thumb medals (2008, 2012 and 2016) last month after helping the and a bronze (2004). He is the Toronto Raptors capture the all-time leading scorer in US ngels outfi elder Kole Calhoun NBA crown in June is expected men’s Olympic history. raced to his left, eyes trained to return for training Tuesday Colangelo said Anthony on a baseball slicing toward the through Thursday in Los made his request through a right-fi eld foul line at Fenway Angeles. representative. Anthony, 35, Park.A If he didn’t get to it, the ball would Smart is out indefi nitely be- has been out of the NBA since skitter into no-man’s land. cause of calf tightness but will he was waived on February A Boston Red Sox batter would easily be re-evaluated next week in 1. He played 10 games early have an extra-base hit, maybe an inside- Los Angeles ahead of an exhi- in the 2018-19 season for the the-park homer, to lead off the fourth in- bition game against Spain on Houston Rockets. ning. Not an ideal situation for an Angels August 16 at Anaheim. “I love Carmelo,” Colangelo team that on Thursday struggled to pick Without Lowry and Smart, said. up its starting pitcher. there will be only 13 US na- “He made a great contri- Calhoun did not allow those circum- tional team players to play on bution. He was a very good stances to arise. He dived, fully extended his the USA Blue squad in Friday’s international player. But for body and stuck out his right arm. The ball exhibition at Las Vegas against where we are and what we’re nestled into Calhoun’s glove, a few inches 11-man USA White – mostly doing, that conceivably could away from a fence that Calhoun might have the select team of other NBA have been a distraction. I un- crashed into if he were taller than 5 feet 10. talent used as training rivals derstand why the request was “I knew I had a chance to make a play and for the national team. made. gave it a shot,” Calhoun said later. “Prob- That’s only one more than He’s trying to re-establish ably one of my better ones.” the 12-man World Cup roster himself. I think that has to be The catch was so impressive, Boston the Americans plan to an- done in the (NBA).” fans cheered Calhoun when the replay nounce on August 17. A 10-time All-Star, Antho- streamed across the videoboard. Joining the USA Blue lineup ny has averaged 24.0 points, It was the Angels’ only highlight on a from the select squad they have 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists night they dropped their seventh straight practised against this week over 16 NBA seasons. game, falling 3-0 to a sputtering Red Sox are Sacramento point guard squad that had lost nine of 11. Boston’s De’Aaron Fox and Brooklyn NBA SUSPENDS BEASLEY Chris Sale commanded all the attention, swingman Joe Harris. FOR FIVE GAMES returning to vintage form with eight mas- The remaining national Michael Beasley, an unsigned terful innings. team players include Miami’s free agent and former sec- Angels starter Dillon Peters tried to Bam Adebayo, Sacramento’s ond overall pick in the NBA keep the Angels in the game. He mostly Harrison Barnes, Kyle Kuzma Draft, has been suspended used his low-90s fastball to his advan- of the Los Angeles Lakers, fi ve games by the league for a tage, striking out Rafael Devers twice and Boston’s Jaylen Brown, Jay- violation of its drug policy, ac- Sandy Leon once on high heaters. His cur- son Tatum and Kemba Walk- cording to Shams Charania of veball and changeup drew three swings- er; Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez The Athletic. and-misses each. and Khris Middleton, Utah’s His suspension would start He allowed only fi ve hits and struck out Donovan Mitchell, Denver’s whenever he signs a new con- eight in six innings before relinquishing Mason Plumlee, Houston’s tract. the mound to relievers Taylor Cole and JC P.J. Tucker, Indiana’s Myles Beasley, 30, played 26 Ramirez, who threw one scoreless inning Turner and Chicago’s Thad- games (two starts) for the Los apiece. deus Young. Angeles Lakers last season, But the Red Sox twice did damage. Sam Barnes and Lowry were averaging 7.0 points and 2.3 Travis jumped on a fi rst-pitch, 93-mph members of the 2016 US gold rebounds, before being traded heater down the middle and crushed it medal team at the Rio Ol- with Ivica Zubac to the Los 443 feet to straightaway center fi eld for a ympics. Several top players Angeles Clippers for Mike 2-0 Boston lead in the second. Sandy Leon – including James Harden, Muscala on Feb. 7. led off the fi fth inning with a solo shot Anthony Davis and Kawhi The Clippers waived him that sailed over the Green Monster. Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale delivers a pitch during the eighth inning of their MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels at Leonard – have backed out of two days later, and Beasley The Angels never recovered, hand- Fenway Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports playing for the US World Cup fi nished the season playing in cuff ed by an especially eff ective Sale. squad, with personal matters, China. Before Mike Trout led off the seventh On Thursday, he was the Sale of old. Lauer allowed 10 hits before leaving with pitch of the fi fth tied it 3-3, and Lauer was adjustment times needed for Beasley has played for seven inning with a single, Sale had retired 16 in He only needed 97 pitches to get through no outs in the fi fth inning. Fernando Tatis done when Trevor Story followed with a new teams or lost rest time as NBA teams in 11 seasons since a row. Shohei Ohtani, who reached sec- eight innings. He fooled hitters with the Jr. homered on the second pitch he saw. single. The only other time in 44 career reasons. the Miami Heat drafted the ond base on a dribbler that third baseman 10-mph range of his fastball and his funky The Padres scored three times in the fi rst starts that Lauer allowed 10 hits was June San Antonio Spurs coach forward No. 2 overall in 2008 Rafael Devers let by him in the fi rst, had delivery. two innings and added fi ve unearned runs 15 at Coors Field. Between Francisco Me- Gregg Popovich guides the US out of Kansas State. He has owned the Angels’ only hit. No one else Sale tricked Justin Upton with sliders, in the third. With a handful of exceptional jia’s one-out single and Wil Myers’ two-run national team, which will con- averaged 12.4 points and 4.7 got to Boston’s lanky left-hander. striking him out three times. He threw defensive plays helping along the way, the double with two outs, the Padres scored duct pre-World Cup training rebounds in 609 career games “I know this hasn’t been a vintage Chris the breaking ball to Trout for a strike on Padres beat the Rockies 9-3 in the fi rst of two runs on throwing errors and another on August 19-28 in Australia. (238 starts). Sale year, but when I’ve watched him on the outer edge of the plate, then came four games they’ll play here against the Gray’s wild pitch in the sixth inning. TV he hasn’t looked that diff erent,” An- back inside with a 96-mph heater. Trout club keeping them out of the National The Rockies, conversely, had to feel gels manager Brad Ausmus said. swung over it and went back to the dug- League West cellar. robbed by the defense the seemed primed “He can still reach back for the velocity out, striking out for the second at-bat in If this game were played a mile high, the to add on with three successive singles to when he needs it. His last couple years in a row. teams very well might have scored on pace start the fourth inning. Chicago he was doing similar. He’d coast Albert Pujols struck out twice, too, in- with the major league-record 92 runs they But on the third of those, Rockies third at 91-93 and when he wanted to elevate cluding on a 98.4-mph fastball in the sev- totaled in a four-game series at Coors base coach Stu Cole inexplicably sent the velocity, go to 96, especially with two enth inning. It was Sale’s hardest-thrown Field in mid-June. After Tatis’ homer and Ryan McMahon home from second base strikes. That’s what he did tonight.” pitch of the season – and he still threw a an RBI single by Eric Hosmer in the fi rst despite the fact right fi elder Hunter Ren- Sale had been bled dry by the New York 97-mph fastball to close the eighth in- and Luis Urias’ lead-off double and Tatis’ froe had fi elded the ball and was about to Yankees in two consecutive starts. Their ning. “He looked the same to me,” Trout RBI single in the second, Rockies starter throw home as McMahon was rounding high-octane off ense scored a combined said. “Pretty nasty.” Jon Gray did not allow another hit until third. 14 runs over nine innings. Sale didn’t even the sixth inning. Renfroe’s throw beat McMahon by so make it out of the fourth inning when he PADRES PILE ON ROCKIES Lauer, who allowed 13 runs in 5 2/3 in- much that he didn’t slide. Gray followed left his last game. His performances in AFTER CRUCIAL ERROR nings in two starts in Denver this season, with a grounder to second that Urias those games were a microcosm of Sale’s It was not entirely Coors Field-esque, but surrendered a run on two singles around a backhanded and fl ipped the ball from his overall struggles. The ace has struggled it was as if a little bit of the mile high mad- wild pitch in the fi rst inning. The Rockies glove to Tatis, who threw to fi rst to end the with his velocity all season. His ERA was ness made it down to sea level in the Colo- added a run in the third on back-to-back inning. under 3.00 in 2017 and 2018; this year, it rado Rockies’ luggage. doubles. Renfroe had ended the second inning Toronto Raptors guard Boston Celtics guard shot up to 4.41. San Diego Padres starting pitcher Eric Charlie Blackmon’s homer on the fi rst with a diving catch of a sinking line drive. Kyle Lowry Marcus Smart Gulf Times 6 Saturday, August 10, 2019 RUGBY

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Boks coach Erasmus not taking struggling Wallabies face Pumas lightly

AFP came very close to being awarded Salta, Argentina a penalty during the fi nal maul of the match.

outh Africa coach Rassie FAMED SCRUMMAGERS pre-World Cup test Erasmus believes Argen- “Away to Australia, they were tina are stronger than without (star) hooker Agustin results suggest ahead of Creevy yet came close to scoring theirS Rugby Championship fi nal several times. round clash in Salta today. “This is not the Argentina of While the Springboks top the a few years ago,” Erasmus said table after beating Australia and of a national once famed for its holding New Zealand, the Pumas scrummaging, but lacking back- against All Blacks are last following losses to the All line creativity. Blacks and the Wallabies. “The scrum may not be as A bonus-point win in north- powerful, but they are a very This year’s Bledisloe battle is cut to two Tests from three due to the World Cup western Argentina will ensure creative side and (coach) Mario South Africa fi nish fi rst, but Ledesma is building tremendous AFP Australia or New Zealand can depth.” Perth, Australia overtake them, at least tempo- South Africa have changed the rarily, by winning in Perth 10 front row that started in New hours earlier. Zealand with Steven Kitshoff , he Wallabies are seeking The Springboks have lost two Malcolm Marx and Frans Mal- confi rmation of progress of their last three Rugby Cham- herbe dropping to the bench. ahead of the World Cup pionship matches away to Ar- They are replaced by Tendai as they attempt to loosen gentina, who are trying to snap a ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira, Bongi Tthe power-packed All Blacks’ seven-Test losing streak. Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane, vice-like grip on the Bledisloe “We have great respect for who all made a big impact when Cup today. Argentina because after bearing they came on during the second Such is the rivalry between the them in Durban last year we came half in Wellington. trans-Tasman neighbours that here and they gave us a good hid- There are no other alterations New Zealand coach Steve Hansen ing,” said Erasmus, referring to a to a side that number eight Du- sees retaining the trophy as sec- 13-point defeat in Mendoza. ane Vermeulen will lead as skip- ond only to defending their world “The match in Salta is going per Siya Kolisi is recovering from title in his priorities for 2019. to be very diffi cult, but we must a knee injury sustained in Super With a partisan sell-out beat Argentina to win the Rugby Rugby three months ago. crowd expected at Perth Stadi- Championship for the fi rst time. Argentina have changed fi ve of um, he has named a strong side “I have never been to Salta the Brisbane side, with Creevy, widely seen as close to what is so the coaches and players who locks Matias Alemanno and Mar- expected to line-up in their fi rst went there in previous seasons cos Kremer, fl anker Javier Ortega game of the World Cup in Japan have briefed me. It seems to be Desio and full-back Emiliano next month. a tough place to leave with a vic- Boff elli promoted. “I’ve always thought they’re tory.” Julian Montoya, Guido Petti, (Australia) a very good rugby South Africa have had mixed Tomas Lezana and Joaquin Tuc- side. They’ve got a lot of talent,” fortunes at the 20,000-capacity ulet drop to the bench and Tomas said Hansen, who is not under- Estadio Pablo Ernesto Marteare- Lavanini has been left out of the estimating an old enemy they na, losing by two points in 2016 matchday 23. beat in the fi nal of the last World and winning by 18 the following Argentina battled against Cup in 2015. season. Australia at scrum time and “They play us a lot and if you Erasmus says Argentina, a mix many consider loosehead prop look at the last 10 years they’ve of stars from Super Rugby out- Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro lucky to been the one team that have fi t the Jaguares and French Top retain his place. been able to beat us or draw New Zealand’s players attend a training session in Perth yesterday. (AFP) 14 clubs, were unlucky in both “My main concern after that with us, sometimes we’ve beat- Rugby Championship defeats match was the set-pieces,” ad- en them by quite a margin but Kerevi, and Marika Koroibete, last month. mitted former Pumas hooker they’re always tough games.” with Kurtley Beale at fullback. “There is more to the Pumas Ledesma. “Without quality This year’s annual Bledisloe Nic White replaces veteran than just the scorelines. If you scrum and lineout possession, it battle is cut to two Tests from its Will Genia at scrum-half, part- look only at the results, there is a is really diffi cult to win Tests. usual three due to the World Cup, nering Christian Lealiifano in the danger of being sidetracked. “It was weird because we did meaning Australia must win both halves, while tighthead prop Allan “Take the home game against well in those areas against New in Perth and Auckland a week lat- Alaalatoa returns to the Test arena New Zealand, Argentina were Zealand the previous weekend. er to get their hands on the silver- for the fi rst time this year. pressing hard at the end and Perhaps tiredness played a part.” ware for the fi rst time since 2002. But it is a massive task. The SQUADS two sides will be playing their Australia (15-1): Kurtley Beale; ACHIEVEMENT 165th Test against each other. Reece Hodge, James O’Connor, Of those, New Zealand have won Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; 114 and Australia just 43, with Christian Lealiifano, Nic White; seven draws. Last year the All Isi Naisarani, Michael Hooper Alun Wyn Jones Blacks won all three trans-Tas- (capt), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; man clashes — comfortably. Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda; Allan Hansen has stuck with the Alaalatoa, Tolu Latu, Scott Sio. to set appearance experimental playmaking pair of Australia’s head coach Michael Cheika (second from right) and his team train in Perth yesterday. (AFP) Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Beauden Barrett at fullback and James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Richie Mo’unga at fl y-half, with ing the fi rst Test between the can break their Bledisloe jinx can work well against these guys Adam Coleman, Luke Jones, Will record for Wales Aaron Smith directing opera- two countries in Perth, their fi - against a New Zealand team that and we’re going to put it out Genia, Matt Toomua, Tom Banks. tions at scrum-half. nal game of a shortened Rugby only narrowly beat Argentina there to test it,” he added. Blockbusting loose forward Championship, will wipe pain- 20-16 before a 16-16 draw with Coach Michael Cheika has New Zealand (15-1): Beauden Ardie Savea returns while Dane ful memories of losses to the South Africa. rolled the dice by naming one- Barrett; Ben Smith, Jack Good- Coles starts as hooker, with All Blacks in Sydney over recent “It would be confi rmation of time bad boy James O’Connor to hue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Scott Barrett taking over from years. going in the right direction and begin the match, completing his Ioane; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron the injured Brodie Retallick in They head into the match on gaining momentum,” he said yes- return from exile in a bid to help Smith; Kieran Read (capt), Sam the middle row. Sam Cane is the back of a confi dence-boosting terday. “We’re very much about the team better convert domi- Cane, Ardie Savea; Sam White- back at openside fl anker while 16-10 win against Argentina in that at the moment, building as nant possession and opportuni- lock, Scott Barrett; Owen Franks, captain Keiran Read starts at No Brisbane, following a disappoint- the year goes on. This is a very ties into points. Dane Coles, Joe Moody. 8 in his 120th Test. ing 35-17 loss to South Africa. important game for us. We love The versatile back hasn’t Replacements: Codie Taylor, Atu With victory over the Pumas playing these guys and testing started since 2013 after a series Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tui- RIGHT DIRECTION fresh in their memory, skipper ourselves against New Zealand. of off -fi eld issues. He will line- pulotu, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Australian rugby chiefs are hop- Michael Hooper is hopeful they “We believe that our system up alongside Reece Hodge, Samu Ngani Laumape, George Bridge.

BOTTOMLINE Japan meet US in Pacifi c Nations Cup decider

Reuters starts on the wing in place of Tokyo Japan 2019 hopes for record numbers at fanzones Lomano Lemeki. The United States head into Reuters cities, including an 8,000-ca- out the tournament,” said today’s clash looking for their ith the Rugby World Tokyo pacity venue in Yokohama, the Japan 2019 CEO Akira Shimazu fi rst Pacifi c Nations Cup title, Cup just six weeks city hosting the semi-finals and in a press release. having rejoined the competi- Reuters campaigns. away hosts Japan final. “Not only as a meeting place tion this year after a three-year London “These matches are really im- will look to put the rganisers of next Over 400,000 foreign fans are where Japanese and interna- absence. portant leading into the Rugby Wfi nishing touches to their prepa- The Eagles thrashed Canada World Cup, to ensure that both month’s Rugby World expected in Japan for the six- tional rugby fans will gather rations for the global showpiece OCup in Japan are hop- week tournament with many before and after matches, but in Colorado in their opening lun Wyn Jones will the players are ready for the tour- when they face the United States ing to set a record for fanzone staying for a number of weeks also where hundreds of thou- game before edging Samoa 13-10 become his country’s nament but also to give players in the Pacifi c Nations Cup in attendance, with over 1mn fans as they soak up the World Cup sands of non-ticketed fans will with a last-minute AJ MacGinty most capped rugby opportunity to put their hands Suva today. expected to use the venues atmosphere. get to experience the magic of penalty last weekend. player of all time to- up for selection. With both sides winning their Coach Gary Gold has made morrowA when he captains Wales “There is a balance with selec- to watch matches during the Japan does not have a culture Rugby World Cup.” fi rst two games, today’s clash tournament. of watching sporting events Despite their optimism, not all eight changes from that game, against England at Twickenham tion, a needed to mix continuity will determine the winner of the Approximately 1mn fans used communally, either in large games are sold out 42 days including the selection of an all in his 135th test match. from what we have achieved and competition, which Japan won such fanzones four years ago in spaces or in pubs, but World before the tournament opener new back row. The 33-year-old lock will lead opportunity and we will look to outright in 2011 and shared the England but Japan 2019 organis- Cup organisers are hopeful the between Japan and Russia in Jamason Fa’anana Schultz a strong selection as Wales coach do that over the next couple of trophy with Samoa in 2014. ers are confident of surpassing fanzones can fill this void for Tokyo. makes his debut at number Warren Gatland named an un- weeks.” Jamie Joseph’s side scored a that number during the Sept thirsty rugby fans who don’t Organisers say 85 percent of eight, alongside Malon al-Ji- changed backline from the side combined 10 tries and 75 points in 20-Nov 2 tournament. have match tickets. tickets have been sold with the boori and Hanco Germishuy. that clinched the Grand Slam SQUAD: 15-Liam Williams, wins over Fiji and Tonga, putting There will be 16 fanzones “Our fanzones are going to final big batch going on sale MacGinty, who scored all of the against Ireland in March for the 14-George North, 13-Jonathan their Pacifi c Island opponents to spread out across the 12 host play an important role through- today. United States 19 points against fi rst of back-to-back World Cup Davies, 12-Hadleigh Parkes, the sword with the kind of attack- Samoa, continues at 10 and is warm-up games. 11-Josh Adams, 10-Gareth ing rugby they hope to reproduce partnered by the experienced The second is in Cardiff next Anscombe, 9-Gareth Davies, at the September 20 to November 2011 and if we win this game it the win over Tonga due to the Wimpie van der Welt in the locks. Shaun Davies, who comes in for Saturday. 8-Ross Moriarty, 7-Justin Tipuric, 2 World Cup. will be after eight years. death of his mother, has rung the Fumiaki Tanaka returns at Ruben de Haas at scrumhalf. “The squad are looking for- 6-Aaron Wainwright, 5-Alun Wyn “We are doing very well with “But the bigger picture is to changes for today’s match. scrumhalf after missing the Japan beat the United States ward to this weekend and getting Jones (captain), 4-Adam Beard, our preparations for the World win in the World Cup so this The front row remains in- opening two games with injury 28-18 during their last meeting a game under their belt after a re- 3-Tomas Francis, 2-Ken Owen, Cup,” captain Michael Leitch is part of the process,” added tact but Leitch is the only other while Yu Tamura continues at at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in ally intense preparation period,” 1-Nicky Smith. said after arriving in the Fijian Leitch, who returned to the forward to keep his place, with fl yhalf, meaning he is the only England. Gatland said yesterday. Replacements: 16-Elliot Dee, capital earlier this week. starting line-up against Tonga Pieter Labuschagne and Henrik No 10 to get game time during The match kicks-off at 0445 “We have picked a strong 17-Wyn Jones, 18-Dillon Lewis, “We have been together (in last weekend after shaking off a Tui joining him in the back row. the tournament. GMT as part of a double-header looking team and we are looking 19-Jake Ball, 20-Aaron Shingler, camp) since February... we last groin injury. Uwe Helu and James Moore Kenki Fukuoka, who scored with hosts Fiji facing Samoa af- forward to seeing how they kick 21-Tomos Williams, 22-Dan Biggar, won the Pacifi c Nations Cup in Coach Joseph, who missed replace Luke Thompson and against both Fiji and Tonga, terwards. on after a successful couple of 23-Owen Watkin. Gulf Times Saturday, August 10, 2019 7 CRICKET

ASHES FOCUS Inexperienced Warne backs pacer Nkwe handed South Africa coaching role

AFP that of a head coach. Johannesburg The team director will report to a director of cricket. It is hoped that permanent Archer to be Smith’s appointments in both positions noch Nkwe, a coach with a single season’s expe- will be made before England tour rience at South Afri- South Africa at the end of the can franchise level, was year. Acting director of cricket namedE yesterday as the Proteas’ Corrie van Zyl said Nkwe’s ap- interim team director for a tour pointment was “a result of his of India next month. merits and balanced approach”. ‘biggest challenge’ “He is someone who comple- “It is a tremendous honour and privilege to lead the Proteas ments the direction that will as the interim team director,” the be taken by the team going for- 36-year-old former all-rounder ward,” said Van Zyl. Nkwe had 'I think he could make the diff erence. No one likes to face tall 90mph bowlers' told the Cricket South Africa a moderate fi rst-class playing (CSA) website. “It is a special record, scoring three centuries AFP moment for me and my family and averaging 28.06 with the bat London and I will do my best to make a in 42 matches. diff erence in this interim period.” He also took 29 wickets before Nkwe collected two trophies a wrist injury ended his playing ustralia great Shane Warne be- in his fi rst season in charge of the career. He has coached the Gau- lieves Jofra Archer could be the Gauteng Lions franchise, as well teng provincial team and been man to stop Steve Smith’s Ashes as coaching the Jozi Stars T20 assistant coach to the Dutch na- run-spree as “no one likes to team which won the inaugural tional team and the South Afri- faceA tall 90mph (145kph) bowlers”. World Mzansi Super League. He was can women’s team. Cup-winner Archer is set to make his named coach of the year at last The tour includes South Af- Test debut at Lord’s next week after being weekend’s annual awards func- rica’s fi rst three Test matches in included in England’s squad for the sec- tion. He takes over from Ottis the newly-created Test cham- ond match of the Ashes series. Gibson, whose contract as head pionship when the team will be Australia batting star Smith made 144 coach was not renewed after captained by Faf du Plessis who and 142 in a 251-run win for the visitors South Africa’s poor World Cup was named SA Cricketer of the in the opener at Edgbaston during a su- campaign earlier this year. CSA Year last weekend. perb return to Test cricket following a announced last Sunday that the The Tests will be preceded by 12-month ban for his role in a ball-tam- position of team director, with three Twenty20 internationals pering scandal in South Africa — an inci- responsibilities for all aspects of for which no captain has yet been dent that also cost him the captaincy. the national team, would replace named. Archer missed the fi rst game with a side injury but the 24-year-old quick is in line to replace the injured James Ander- son, England’s all-time leading wicket- taker, at Lord’s after proving his fi tness in a 2nd XI match for county side Sussex. Warne believes Archer’s extra pace, as well as the knowledge gained from play- ing alongside Smith for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, will stand him in good stead if he is selected. “Steve (Smith) has been the star of the show so far but now we have Jofra joining his Royals (and England) team-mates Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler,” Warne, a former Rajasthan player turned brand ambas- sador for the Twenty20 franchise team, said yesterday after Archer was named in Enoch Nkwe was until recently head coach of Highveld Lions and England’s 12-man squad for Lord’s. Jozi Stars. (Cricket South Africa) Former leg-spinner Warne, the sec- ond-most successful bowler in Test his- tory with 708 wickets, added: “Obviously THE HUNDRED I would love to see Steve go on and score a hundred in every single innings for the rest of the Ashes but with Jofra coming in I think he’ll be set to face his biggest chal- England fast bowler Jofra Archer has played with Australia’s Steven Smith for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. Warne hired to lenge yet and this could make the diff er- ence in the upcoming Tests. No one likes to face tall 90mph bowlers.” ARCHER IN LINE FOR TEST DEBUT AS ENGLAND DROP MOEEN coach Lord’s-based Anderson only managed four overs before breaking down at Edgbaston and London: World Cup-winner Jofra Archer has been dropped, with left-armer Jack Denly, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow Warne, 49, said: “The loss of Anderson is in line to make his eagerly-awaited Leach recalled into the squad ahead of all had poor returns with the bat at Edg- London team was such a blow for England and they will Test debut after being included in Wednesday’s start at Lord’s. baston, with wicketkeeper Bairstow also really need Jofra to step up but I think he England’s 12-man squad for next week’s Moeen was omitted after a miserable untidy behind the stumps. AFP the head coach of The Hundred has all the attributes to do just that. They second Ashes Test against Australia at match at Edgbaston. The 32-year-old But all three have retained their places London team based at Lord’s,” Warne (Archer and Smith) will have faced each Lord’s, while Moeen Ali was left out yes- all-rounder only managed returns of 1-42 in the squad, although Denly’s position said. “The opportunity to coach other a lot in the nets so if anyone will terday. Fast bowler Archer could replace and 2-130 with the ball, while scoring just at number four had been called into in a brand-new tournament and have a plan, it will be Jofra.” James Anderson after England’s all-time four runs in the match — including a first- question following scores of 18 and 11 in ustralia legend Shane work with modern-day players is But Archer, speaking during the World leading wicket-taker was ruled out with a innings duck. His second-innings bowl- Birmingham. Australia are bidding to win Warne was named yes- something that I will really enjoy Cup, said of his time with Smith at Rajas- calf injury that restricted him to sending ing display was particularly concerning, their first away Ashes series in 18 years. terday as the coach of and I am looking forward to the than: “To be honest, I didn’t bowl at him down just four overs in a 251-run first- with Moeen off ering neither control or England have only twice come from 1-0 the Lord’s-based Lon- challenge.” much. A lot of the guys probably don’t donA team in next year’s inaugu- The Hundred is a new tourna- Test defeat by Ashes holders Australia at persistent wicket-taking on a wearing down to win an Ashes — in 1981 when in- want to face me or (West Indies quick) Edgbaston. pitch favouring spinners and even bowl- spired by Ian Botham and in 2005, when ral The Hundred tournament. ment consisting of eight city- Oshane Thomas in the nets. But when Archer missed that match because ing a couple of head-high beamers. they eventually won 2-1 in what is widely Warne, who took 708 Test wick- based franchise teams, breaking you play with them you pick up on things of a side problem but has since proved And both times he batted he was dis- regarded as one of the most exciting ets, has previous coaching expe- away from England’s traditional you won’t normally notice when you’re his fitness in a second-team fixture for missed by Australia off -spinner Nathan series in Test history. rience with Rajasthan Royals in county system. Teams will bat just playing against them.” county side Sussex against Gloucester- Lyon, who has now claimed Moeen’s England squad: Rory Burns (Surrey), the Indian Premier League. for 100 balls each with overs, Archer only made his international shire, taking 6-27 and hitting a quick-fire wicket nine times in 11 innings. Jason Roy (Surrey), Joe Root The 49-year-old former leg normally consisting of six de- debut in May but he was still England’s century. England also have another Somerset’s Leach played his last Test (Yorkshire, capt), Joe Denly (Kent), Jos spinner becomes the third Aus- liveries, lasting for 10 balls with leading bowler during the World Cup seam-bowling option in Surrey left-arm- against Ireland at Lord’s a fortnight Buttler (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow tralian to be announced by the bowlers either bowling fi ve or 10 with 20 wickets at 23.05. But his haul er Sam Curran. ago when the nightwatchman made a (Yorkshire, wkt), Ben Stokes (Durham), England and Wales Cricket Board balls consecutively. Another of didn’t include the wicket of Smith even Fast bowler Olly Stone, who was in career-best 92 — an innings that helped Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Jofra as a coach for The Hundred, fol- the eight franchises will be based though England played Australia twice, the squad for the first Test but did not set up an England victory and won him Archer (Sussex), Stuart Broad (Notting- lowing the appointments of at the Oval in south London with with their pool loss to the then reigning play, has been ruled out with a back the man-of-the-match award. hamshire), Jack Leach (Somerset), Sam Andrew McDonald and Simon the others in Manchester, Leeds, champions followed by a semi-fi nal win injury. Meanwhile, off -spinner Moeen England’s middle-order trio of Joe Curran (Surrey) Katich. “I’m very proud and Birmingham, Nottingham, Car- over their arch-rivals. very honoured to be asked to be diff and Southampton.

BOTTOMLINE ROUND-UP Indian cricket board to comply Sri Lanka recall Chandimal, Mathews ri Lanka recalled former further cricket this season due with national anti-doping agency captains Dinesh Chandi- to a shoulder injury, he revealed. mal and Angelo Math- The 31-year-old said he was AFP board will “follow the law of the land”. “We have ews yesterday for the hoping to be fi t for the winter raised quite a few issues which the sports sec- fiS rst test against New Zealand tours of New Zealand and South New Delhi retary said will be addressed by them. We have which starts in Galle on Aug. 14. Africa. “The aim was to come agreed to bear the diff erential cost of high quality Chandimal was dropped from back after the World Cup and ndia’s cricket board has agreed to have their testing,” Johri told reporters. the team for their tour of South play for Yorkshire,” he told York- players tested by the country’s anti-doping The move brings BCCI directly under the World Africa earlier this year due to shireccc.com. “I enjoy playing agency, an top government offi cial said yes- Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which could help poor form and did not make the for Yorkshire, but it just wasn’t terday, ending years of defi ance. The Board International Cricket Council push the inclusion squad for the World Cup either. meant to be.” Iof Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had long of cricket in the Olympics. Indian cricket stars Mathews, who missed the Rashid, who quit red-ball voiced concerns about the quality of testing by had resisted falling under NADA’s purview due South Africa tour due to a cricket last year before being the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and to a contentious ‘whereabouts clause’ regarding hamstring injury but played in recalled to the England Test relied on an independent service provider for out-of-competition testing. the World Cup, returns to the team against India, insisted he sample collection. The clause requires every athlete to be available test side after an impressive per- was unable to play for his county But the recent back-dated suspension of teen- for testing on three specifi c dates in a year when formance in Sri Lanka’s recent side. “When I can play, I’ll play,” age batsman Prithvi Shaw for a doping violation they are not competing, inviting sanctions from 3-0 one-day international series he said, having struggled with further pressure on the BCCI to come under NA- WADA if they fail to comply. “NADA will carry win over Bangladesh. Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews (right) and Dinesh Chandimal. (Reuters) the shoulder issue throughout DA’s ambit. Sports secretary Radheshyam Jhu- out the tests whenever and wherever they want,” Wicketkeeper-batsman Niro- England’s successful World Cup laniya said BCCI offi cials had told the government said Jhulaniya. shan Dickwella, who also missed Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal campaign. that they would abide by the rules which apply to “World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) clause the World Cup, is another by former fast bowler Rumesh Janith Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, “I just wasn’t anywhere near all other sporting disciplines. 5.2 gives the authority to the national anti-doping notable addition to the 15-man Ratnayake during the series, Dhananjaya De Silva, Akila Danan- fi t enough to play. People may “We also said if (testing) kit (of NADA) is a agency to carry all testing in its territory irrespec- squad, which includes spinners after his appointment on an jaya, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga have other views, but I just can’t concern, anything which is accredited by WADA tive of the athletes’ country.” Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshan interim basis on Wednesday. Sri Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Oshada play. Any other talk is non- (World Anti-Doping Agency) we have no issue,” West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell was Sandakan and Akila Dananjaya. Lanka Cricket has so far refused Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, sense. My main aim is to get my Jhulaniya said. “The second issue they raised was banned for one year by the Jamaican Anti-Dop- Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara to clarify whether head coach Vishwa Fernando. shoulder fi t, strong and powerful regarding the quality of dope testing — dope con- ing Agency for a whereabouts clause violation in and Vishwa Fernando are the Chandika Hathurusingha has ahead of the winter. I’ll be in the trol offi cers who collect samples. We told them January 2017. Drug abuse in cricket was brought three quicks in the line-up, with been sacked. RASHID RULED OUT FOR gym, keeping fi t and rehabbing that our dope control offi cers are well trained.” to the fore when Australian spin legend Shane all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth REST OF SEASON my shoulder. Hopefully, once I BCCI chief executive Rahul Johri, who met Jhu- Warne was banned for a year after testing positive off ering another spin option. Karunaratne (C), Angelo Math- England’s World Cup-winning get through that period I can just laniya to discuss the issue in New Delhi, said the for diuretics on the eve of the 2003 World Cup. Sri Lanka will be coached ews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru spinner Adil Rashid will play no continue playing cricket.”

Saturday, August 10, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS WTA TOUR Serena, Osaka Nadal tames wind advance in Toronto to set and Pella to cruise to up rematch Reuters points before grabbing the open- Toronto, Canada er against Swiatek. The Japanese made a quick start to the second set and Rogers Cup quarters erena Williams and Nao- seemed in control until Swiatek mi Osaka advanced to made a comeback, the 18-year- the Rogers Cup quarter- old winning over the crowd with fi nals on Thursday to set her versatile play as the match ‘For me, tomorrow is an opportunity to go on court against one of the best players’ upS their fi rst meeting since the wore on. American’s infamous row with Osaka, 21, said she was ex- Reuters an umpire overshadowed last cited about the chance to play Montreal, Canada year’s US Open fi nal. Williams, someone she grew up Osaka won her fi rst career watching and has beaten in their Grand Slam at Flushing Mead- two previous meetings. efending champion ows but the title match will be “Whenever I get the oppor- Rafael Nadal main- remembered for Williams’ feud tunity to play her it’s something tained his momentum with Carlos Ramos, who warned that I feel is a once-in-a-lifetime in Canada and cruised her for a coaching violation be- opportunity.” said Osaka. toD a 6-3, 6-4 win over Argen- fore deducting a point and then a “It feels more like I am show- tinean Guido Pella to advance game for her behaviour. casing my skills to her like ‘look to the Rogers Cup quarter-fi nals Williams, a three-times Rog- what I can do.’ So I will go into the on Thursday. ers Cup champion, overcame a match with that mentality.” Nadal, who won this event for sluggish start on Thursday to Defending champion Simona the fourth time last year, bat- earn a 7-5, 6-4 win over Russian Halep, in her fi rst event since tled through the wind and broke qualifi er Ekaterina Alexandrova. winning last month’s Wimble- Pella’s service four times in the Japanese second seed Osaka don, needed 67 minutes to secure triumph. then closed out the day’s ac- a 6-2, 6-1 win over Russian wild- Playing in his fi rst action since tion with a 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over card Svetlana Kuznetsova. losing to Roger Federer at Wim- Polish qualifi er Iga Swiatek. Halep took a medical timeout bledon last month, the 33-year- “I’ve been actually look- in her previous match to have her old Spaniard enjoyed an easier ing forward to playing her for a left Achilles tended to and she outing than his opening match while,” Williams said of the Os- said she still felt pain in the area against England’s Daniel Evans aka matchup. against Kuznetsova but that it on Wednesday when he rallied Williams, who is eager to get was feeling much better. from a tiebreak defi cit. more hard-court matches under “The fact that I’m back in the Nadal will now face seventh her belt before seeking a record- quarter-fi nals here means a lot to seed Fabio Fognini after the Ital- tying 24th career Grand Slam at me,” said Halep. “It feels like I’m ian beat France’s Adrian Manna- the US Open, came back from an getting back the rhythm which I rino 6-2, 7-5. early double-break down, helped had in Wimbledon.” “He’s playing great,” Nadal in part by eight double-faults by Up next for Halep will be said of Fognini after pulling Alexandrova in the fi rst set. in-form Czech qualifi er Marie ahead of Federer with his 379th The American eighth seed, Bouzkova, who breezed by ATP Masters 1000 win. in her fi rst career meeting with former French Open champion “I saw him a little bit yester- Alexandrova, went down a break Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-2 and day. He played a great match. again and trailed 3-1 in the sec- has yet to drop a set. He’s having a great season, one ond but her serve suddenly start- Earlier on Thursday, Czech of the best of his career, if not ed to click as she stormed back to third seed Karolina Pliskova beat the best. 3-3 and from there raced home. Estonian Anett Kontaveit 6-3, “We are in quarter-fi nals of “She played really well. She 7-5 to set up a last eight meet- a Masters 1000. All opponents didn’t really give me any rhythm,” ing with Canadian Bianca An- are tough. For me, tomorrow is Williams said. “I wasn’t sure dreescu, who upset Dutch fi fth an opportunity to go on court what would come, if it was going seed Kiki Bertens 6-1, 6-7 (7), against one of the best players, to be hard or soft or a winner or 6-4. try to play a good match. So let’s what so it was defi nitely a chal- Also securing passage to the see if I am able to.” lenge for me.” last eight were American Sofi a In earlier action, Austrian Osaka also had her hands full Kenin and 2017 champion Elina second seed Dominic Thiem and needed to save a pair of set Svitolina of Ukraine. beat Croatian Marin Cilic 7-6 (7), 6-4 to reach the Rogers Cup quarter-fi nals. Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a shot against Guido Pella (not pictured) of Greece during the Rogers Cup on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) Thiem, who before this week had never won a match in fi ve at- Up next for Thiem will be tempts in Canada, had his hands Russian eighth seed Daniil Federer and Nadal return to ATP Player Council full against 14th-seeded Cilic Medvedev, a 6-3, 6-3 winner but did well to save all nine break over Chile’s Cristian Garin. Reuters out a range of issues including but resigned in May after com- points he faced while relying on In other action, sixth-seeded London a replacement for former player ing under pressure to do so a steady stream of groundstroke Russian Karen Khachanov ral- representative Justin Gimelstob. after pleading no contest to an winners. lied to beat 19-year-old Cana- The coaching representative assault charge. The American The Austrian, who arrived in dian birthday boy Felix Auger- he political rumblings slot vacated by Daniel Val- former Tour player has contin- Montreal fresh off a claycourt Aliassime 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-3 to in men’s tennis took an- lverdu in July remains unfilled. ued to try to clear his name. title in Kitzbuhel where he was reach the quarter-fi nals. Tother twist on Thursday Friction has dogged the ATP Swiss Federer, 20-times Grand the top seed, said his triumph on Third seed Alexander Zverev when Roger Federer and Rafael Player Council, whose president Slam champion, is a former home soil helped ease the tran- of Germany will face Khach- Nadal were elected on to the is world number one Novak president of the Player Council sition to hardcourt tennis. anov in the quarters after a 7-5, ATP Player Council along with Djokovic, this year since ATP while Spaniard Nadal, who has “The last three, four years I 5-7, 7-6 (5) win over Georgia’s Austrian Juergen Melzer. president Chris Kermode failed won 18 majors, quit his vice- didn’t play worse than this year, Nikoloz Basilashvili. The news followed the resigna- to gain support for another term. president role in 2012. but I just came with low confi - Spain’s Roberto Bautista ad- tions of Robin Haase, Jamie Other issues include the distri- South African Kevin Anderson dence and I came little bit sad vanced past Frenchman Richard Murray and Sergiy Stakhovsky bution of prize money. is vice president and Americans to Canada because I didn’t play Gasquet 7-5, 7-5 while France’s before Wimbledon following a Gimelstob was one of those John Isner and Sam Querrey Naomi Osaka of Japan hits a shot against Iga Swiatek (not pictured) good in my own home tourna- Gael Monfi ls defeated Hubert seven-hour meeting to thrash who sided against Kermode are also on the Council. of Poland during a third round match on Day 6 of the Rogers Cup in ment,” said Thiem. Hurkacz 6-4, 6-0. Toronto, Canada, on Thursday. (AFP)

GOLF Merritt equals course record for PGA lead

AFP New York Woods pulls out of opening play-off event with injury

AFP round on Thursday which left players in order to finish in roy Merritt matched the Jersey City, United States him tied-116th out of 120 starters the season’s top 30 and earn a Liberty National course in the opening FedEx Cup play- chance of defending his Tour record with a nine-under off tournament in New Jersey. Championship title in the cam- par 62 Thursday to grab a iger Woods withdrew “Due to a mild oblique strain paign finale at East Lake. Tone-stroke lead after the opening from the Northern Trust that led to pain and stiff ness, “I’d like to thank the New Jersey round of the US PGA Northern Tahead of his second round I have to withdraw from the and New York fans for their sup- Trust tournament. with a “mild oblique strain” after Northern Trust,” said world port and remain hopeful that I On a day when Masters cham- struggling to an opening 75 the number five Woods in a state- can compete next week at the pion Tiger Woods struggled to previous day. ment. BMW Championship,” he added. a 75 and shared 116th among The 43-year-old has failed to “I went for treatment early Fri- Woods sat 13 shots adrift of 120 starters, it was 33-year-old find his best form since ending day morning, but unfortunately overnight leader Troy Merritt American Merritt who stole the an 11-year major championship I’m still unable to compete.” when he pulled out of the event, show with a bogey-free day. drought with a stunning victory The Northern Trust was his first after his fellow American fired “That putter was hot today at the Masters in April after appearance since missing the cut a course record-equalling 62 in and the greens were rolling beau- recovering from spinal fusion at the British Open last month. the first round. tifully and (I) just took advantage surgery. Woods will need to play next He needs just one more PGA of it,” Merritt said. The 15-time major champion week’s BMW Championship Tour title to equal Sam Snead’s World number two Dus- stuttered to a four-over first at Medinah and overtake rival all-time record of 82 wins. tin Johnson was one stroke back with Kevin Kisner and Spain’s Jon Rahm sharing third on 64. ferent with just trying to get into Merritt also birdied 17 and Championship. He settled for Third-ranked Rory McIlroy, Troy Merritt of the United States hits off the seventh tee during the first round of The Northern Trust at next week,” Merritt said. “Now sank a 12-footer for birdie at second two weeks ago at the Bar- world number four Justin Rose, Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, United States, on Thursday. (AFP) we can shift our focus from win- the fi rst to keep his momentum, racuda Championship. Webb Simpson and Tony Finau ning the golf tournament.” then ran off three birdies in a It was a year ago that Merritt were on 65. He also boosted his chances of only the top 30 in season points fi eld to move on, but as the only Merritt began on the back row starting with a 13-footer at had a blood clot removed from Merritt equalled the record moving on in the US PGA play- will qualify for the season-end- player outside the top 30 among nine, sinking birdie putts from 22 the par-3 fourth and with an ap- his left arm and it was in January at the Jersey City, New Jersey, off s, with only the top 70 in sea- ing Tour Championship in At- the eight leaders, he will leap to feet at the par-3 11th and 19 feet proach inches from the cup at 14. that he had a rib removed to pre- layout set by compatriot Kevin son points advancing from this lanta in two weeks. fourth in points if he can win the at the par-4 12th, then two more A title would be the third of vent thoracic outlet syndrome, Chappell in the third round of the playoff opener to next week’s Merritt entered this week title. from inside 10 feet for a run of Merritt’s career after the 2015 a compression of blood vessels 2013 Northern Trust. second event at Medinah, where 72nd in points, two outside the “This week it’s a little bit dif- four consecutive birdies. National and last year’s Barbasol that led to the clot.