MOTOGP | Page 4 BASEBALL | Page 5 Cool-headed Dodgers beat Marquez at Mets to the double at continue Czech GP historic surge

Monday, August 7, 2017 CRICKET Dhul-Qa’da 15, 1438 AH Kohli hails GULF TIMES ‘precious’ Jadeja aft er series win SPORT Page 3 FOCUS ‘PSG will make Neymar best in world’ AFP that he’s come here,” added Pastore, “For me to return to No.27 isn’t a “He’s one of the best players in the Paris who has relinquished his No.10 shirt to problem, I really like that number. I’m world. He’s a decisive player, who the Brazilian star. happy to have worn the No.10 between scores goals. The whole team is “We’re waiting now for him to play ‘Ibra’ (Zlatan Ibrahimovic) and before going to help him become the aris Saint-Germain midfi elder to start to help us win everything this Neymar.” best in the world,” vowed Pastore Javier Pastore has pledged season.” Despite all the drama and intrigue Neymar that his new club will Red tape forced Neymar to skip his surrounding his departure from Bar- right decision, whether that’s staying help him become the best play- hoped for debut in Saturday’s 2-0 win celona Pastore described Neymar as at Barca or coming here’.” Per on the planet. as his international transfer certifi cate “laidback and reserved”. Alves, who played with Neymar at Neymar became the most expensive wasn’t lodged in time with the French One of his other new teammates Barcelona, said that rather than per- player in history when the Ligue 1 gi- league, meaning he had to watch Pas- Adrien Rabiot said Neymar was “a cool suading Neymar to move to PSG, it had ants snatched the 25-year-old Brazil- tore and his new team-mates from the guy, balanced, who has the right spirit, been Neymar who had advised him to ian from Barcelona after paying the 222 stands. joyful”. move to Paris from Juventus this sum- million euros ($264mn) release clause. The Argentinian suggested Neymar The French midfi elder disclosed: mer. Neymar was joyously welcomed at will feel at home at the Paris club. “On Friday we got him to sing. He was “Contrary to what people think, it Parc des Princes on Saturday night “Our style won’t change with him, up for it straight away. You can see he’s was he who advised me to sign for PSG,” at his offi cial unveiling before PSG’s we have a possession-based game like really happy to be here. said Alves after Saturday’s game. “It opening Ligue 1 win over Amiens. Barcelona, with lots of movement.” “That’s what he’s told us in any case, wasn’t me who was telling him to come “He’s one of the best players in the Pastore said it had been an easy deci- I reckon he means it.” here.” world. He’s a decisive player, who sion to give him his jersey. Neymar’s compatriot Dani Alves said He added: “We hadn’t arranged to scores goals. The whole team are going “I knew that he wanted to have the his role in Neymar’s arrival had been both come here. There was no plan, but to help him become the best player in No.10. I know that for the club it’s im- minimal. when he suggested I join PSG, it was the world,” vowed Pastore. File picture of Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar looking on during portant to have a No.10 like Neymar for “I didn’t interfere. The only thing I supposedly because he was going to “For us it’s fantastic, we’re thrilled his presentation to the fans at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. all that that represents. said to him was ‘Be happy and make the come too.”

COMMUNITY SHIELD Arsenal beat Chelsea on penalties to win fi rst trophy

‘Even when we were 1-0 down, we didn’t panic, kept control of our game and came HAPPY back. The performance is in continuity of what we did at the end of last season’

AFP Wenger impressed London by team’s new boys oalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and star signing Alvaro Morata were the Chelsea fall guys as Arsenal won the Community Shield 4-1 Gon penalties at Wembley yesterday. Goals from Chelsea’s Victor Moses and Arsenal new boy Sead Kolasinac sent the game to a shootout and with both Cour- tois and Morata limply squandering their spot-kicks, Arsenal won the trophy for the third time in four years. Courtois blazed his penalty over the bar before substitute Morata, a £58 mil- lion (£75.6 million; 64.2 million euros) capture from Real Madrid, shot wide, al- lowing Olivier Giroud to seal victory for Arsenal. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (R) and goalkeeper Petr Cech (L) “I’m very happy because we won a tro- hold up their Community Shield trophy yesterday. phy we wanted to win and because the quality of the game was very good,” said Reuters “His physicality will make Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger after the London it easier for him to adapt to the shootout, which followed the new ABBA Premier League. You have players format. who are pumped up in the gym “Even when we were 1-0 down, we rsenal’s new signings and players who are born strong didn’t panic, kept control of our game Alexandre Lacazette — he is the second. and came back. The performance is in and Sead Kolasinac “His power will play a part but continuity of what we did at the end of stood out with “strong” it’s not the only thing. We took last season.” Aand “outstanding” performanc- him because of his attitude. You Arsenal, embarking upon their fi rst es, manager Arsene Wenger said need a combination of talent and season without Champions League foot- after his side beat Chelsea to win attitude and he looks to me as if ball since 1997, have won on their last Arsenal players hold the Community Shield trophy as they celebrate victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium yesterday. the Community Shield at Wem- he has both. nine visits to Wembley, a run stretching bley yesterday. The Gunners were without a back to a win over Wigan Athletic in the the referee’s decision, but sometimes working Petr Cech before Willian was There were positive signs for host of players including Ozil, semi-fi nals of the FA Cup in 2014. these decisions make you a bit angry.” harshly booked for diving after his left Arsenal following their 4-1 pen- Sanchez and Ramsey — all of Wenger’s side open the Premier League foot was clipped by Hector Bellerin’s alty shootout victory against whom have niggles ahead of their season at home to 2016 champions Leices- MERTESACKER FORCED OFF knee inside the box. their London rivals. season opener against Leicester ter City on Friday, with Antonio Conte’s As in the cup fi nal, Arsenal made the more Neat footwork set Alex Iwobi up to curl “Lacazette is getting stronger City on Friday. Chelsea beginning their title defence at assured start and came within inches of a shot at Courtois late in the fi rst half, but every week and today is the fi rst With a fi rst-team squad of 33, home to Burnley the following day. opening the scoring when new signing Al- within a minute of kick-off in the second time you see that physically he is the Gunners are not short of op- Moses, sent off after receiving a second exandre Lacazette curled a shot against the period, Arsenal found themselves behind. ready,” a relaxed Wenger told re- tions, but Wenger said he will be yellow card for diving as Arsenal stunned post after a slick counter-attack. Granit Xhaka’s attempt to clear Wil- porters. looking to move some players on Chelsea 2-1 in May’s FA Cup fi nal, par- Per Mertesacker was one of the heroes lian’s corner sent the ball looping into the “He still needs to adapt to the before the season gets underway. tially atoned by putting the champions of Arsenal’s FA Cup win, expertly mar- air and when Cahill headed it back into intensity of the game but over- “We will let some players go ahead early in the second half. shalling a badly depleted defence, but the the danger area, Moses darted in behind all in the fi rst half he had some because too much competition But after Pedro had been shown a club captain was to last just 27 minutes of Rob Holding to apply an emphatic fi nish. very interesting moments and for places is too detrimental. Not straight red card for an ugly challenge on the teams’ reunion. Wenger threw on Giroud and Theo Wal- I believe, after what we saw to- enough competition for places is Mohamed Elneny, Kolasinac headed in an The giant German centre-back had to cott for Lacazette and Iwobi and saw Xhaka day, he will become stronger and detrimental also. 33 is too high,” 81st-minute equaliser to leave the game go off after a collision with Gary Cahill’s extend Courtois with a 30-yard eff ort. stronger. the Frenchman said. 1-1 at full-time. elbow left blood streaming down his face, Pedro’s dismissal for raking Elneny’s “(Kolasinac) came on very “Today was encouraging, but “For sure there is disappointment to giving strapping Bosnian defender Ko- left heel with his studs tipped the mo- well. He had a very interesting nothing more. We want to fi nd a fi nish for the second time with 10 men lasinac an opportunity to make his offi - mentum in Arsenal’s favour and they performance last week and I had good balance of the confi dence against Arsenal. Before the FA Cup, now cial debut. Chelsea’s Italian coach Antonio Conte (L) equalised when Xhaka’s cross from the a hesitation to play him from the we can get out of this game and the Community Shield,” said Conte. As Arsenal reorganised, Chelsea began looks on his team lost to Arsenal in the ensuing free-kick was headed in by Ko- start but when he came he was the urgency that every Premier “You know very well we have to respect to assert themselves, Moses and Pedro Community Shield yesterday. lasinac. outstanding. League game demands.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, August 7, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Ahmed al-Mannai named coach of Qatar futsal national team Qatar Futsal and Beach Ad- canceled from 31/7/2017. ministration has announced The management of Futsal the signing of Ahmed al- and Beach Federation will Mannai as coach of the first issue the circulars to register Qatari Futsal national team. players. Four-goal Dutch The executive off ice of the The executive off ice also Qatar Football Association decided to transfer all the has recently issued several positions of the coaches and decisions on the status of allocations to U-23 tourna- futsal players, it was decided ment and distribute them on to change the players from clubs, in addition to referring professional to amateur, and the budget allocated to U-23 win women’s Euro all current futsal contracts are clubs. (QNA)

LIGUE 1 for fi rst time Bielsa thumps Ranieri A brace from Vivianne Miedema led hosts Netherlands to a 4-2 win over Denmark on pair’s return

AFP Paris

arcelo Bielsa infl icted a punishing blow on Claudio Ranieri in the battle of big- Mname coaches as Lille opened their Ligue 1 campaign with a 3-0 win over Nantes yesterday. Second half goals from Para- guayan Junior Alonso, Nicolas de Preville and Dutch-Moroccan Anwar El Ghazi earned Bielsa a winning return to France two years after walking out of Mar- seille following the opening game of the 2015/16 season. “We played with a lot of dyna- mism, our tempo was very, very high, we made very few mistakes were more motivated than us and and our goalkeeper was pivotal,” that’s no good. said Argentine Bielsa, 62. “I want my players to be more “We’ve been working together motivated. We can lose but we for two months and we were des- cannot lack motivation or ag- perate to play the fi rst offi cial gression.” match. Lille, champions of France in “It’s far too early to make 2011, dominated throughout but conclusions about our game, proved ineff ective in front of goal whether that’s the positives or during the fi rst period. the negatives.” But that all changed after the Ranieri was appointed Nantes break and from the moment coach in June, four months after Alonso opened the scoring three his sacking by Leicester City, the minutes into the second period club he guided to a fairytale Pre- with a crisp shot from outside mier League title in 2015/2016. the area, Lille never looked back. This was the Italian’s fi rst re- De Preville doubled the advan- turn to Ligue 1 since leaving Mo- tage midway through the half from naco despite leading them to a the penalty spot after Nicolas Pal- second placed fi nish behind Paris lois felled Kevin Malcuit in the box. Saint-Germain in 2014. El-Ghazi put the game to bed “I wasn’t surprised by Lille’s just three minutes later. performance, they’re a very good The victory moved Lille up team with some very good young to second behind Lyon, 4-0 players,” said the 65-year-old. winners over newly-promoted Netherlands’ team players celebrate after winning the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 football tournament final against Denmark at Fc Twente Stadium in Enschede yesterday. “I think they will have an im- Strasbourg on Saturday, in the portant say in the title race. They early table. AFP Miedema then fi red home a superb The Dutch are only the fourth team to ing her weak shot. Enschede, Netherlands cross from right winger Shanice van de lift the trophy after eight-time champions Nadim had two good chances to add Sanden who had outsprinted Cecilie Germany, two-time winners Norway and to her opener, but her one-on-one with HAPPY Sandvej on the wing. Sweden, who won the fi rst edition in 1984. Van Veenendaal ended in the hands of brace from Vivianne Miedema Martens turned with the ball just out- Denmark, like the Dutch playing in the Dutch keeper and then she missed a led hosts Netherlands to a 4-2 side the box in the 28th minute and her their fi rst fi nal, made two changes in their cross. win over Denmark and their low left-footer beat diving Danish keeper starting line-up as Sofi e Junge Pedersen In the second half, Van Es sent a long- Klopp delighted by fi rst women’s Euro title in En- Stina Petersen at her left post. replaced midfi elder Line Jensen, out with range shot wide, Petersen superbly schedeA yesterday. The valiant Danes equalised on 33 min- a torn knee ligament, while Sandvej came stopped Miedema’s blast from long range Miedema pulled the hosts level at 1-1 utes when skipper Pernille Harder picked in for left-back Line Roddik. and Jackie Groenen narrowly missed team’s cut-price stars on ten minutes and added her second up a long pass on the right wing, took it Propelled by a sold-out Twente sta- from long range. goal two minutes from the end to round inside the box and wrong-footed Dutch dium in Enschede, the Dutch dominated At the other end, Katrine Veje’s at- AFP off the scoring, with Lieke Martens and keeper Sari van Veenendaal, scoring with the early minutes of a very lively fi rst half, tempt from inside the box missed the Dublin skipper Sherida Spitse also scoring for a low left-foot shot to her left post. but Denmark’s fi rst goal levelled the situ- Dutch goal, just like a rebound from a the champions. Spitse then scored fi ve minutes after ation on the pitch. corner by substitute Frederikke Tho- Denmark took the lead as Nadia Nadim the break with a low shot from a free-kick Martens could have extended her scor- gersen. iverpool boss Jurgen scored from the penalty spot on six min- and Miedema made it 4-2 after fooling a ing record after 15 minutes, when van de Troelsgaard missed the top corner by Klopp will keep an open utes after Kika van Es had brought down defender inside the box and beating Pe- Sanden’s low cross found her inside the an inch fi ve minutes from the end as the mind on the Reds’ par- Sanne Troelsgaard in the box. tersen with a low shot in the 89th minute. box, but Petersen had little trouble clear- Danes pushed for an equaliser. ticipation in the transfer Lmarket, after signing off on an unbeaten pre-season with a 3-1 GERMAN SUPER CUP win over Athletic Bilbao. The Reds boss watched 19-year-old summer signing Do- minic Solanke score again, along with 17-year-old Ben Woodburn, while Alberto Moreno impressed at full back. File picture of Liverpool Barta miss hands Bayern trophy Klopp shelled out a club record manager Jurgen Klopp. AFP He tucked his shot past Sven £34 million to Roma for Mo- Dortmund Ulreich, Bayern’s stand-in goal- hamed Salah this summer, and fees we have additions in the keeper with Germany’s shot- £8 million for Scottish full back squad. That’s good.” stopper Manuel Neuer just back Andy Robertson from Hull but Roberto Firmino scored the ayern Munich lifted the in training after foot surgery, he’s been enthused by the im- other goal for Liverpool in Dub- German Super Cup on who later saved Bartra’s spot pressions made by those who lin, in front of over 50,000 Liv- Saturday with a 5-4 kick. cost little or nothing. erpool fans, but there was no win in a penalty shoot- Bayern drew level on 18 min- “We’ve always said that until sign of fellow Brazilian Philipe outB at Borussia Dortmund after utes when a super long pass from August 31 we’ll run through the Coutinho, who has been linked Marc Bartra had his crucial fi nal new-signing Sebastian Rudy world with open eyes, that’s clear, with a move to Barcelona. spot-kick saved. found Kimmich, whose cross but it’s not us alone who decides Daniel Sturridge and Adam The game fi nished 2-2 over was buried by Lewandowski at about these things. It’s all about Lallana were also missing 90 minutes as Christian Puli- close range. other clubs [too],” said Klopp. through injury, with the latter sic’s early goal for Dortmund Bayern could have doubled “I thought today and this pre- out for up to three months, but was cancelled out by Robert their lead on 31 minutes when season brought us new players, if Klopp says he must now focus Lewandowski. Thomas Mueller’s header forced you want. Alberto Moreno is 100 on next week’s Premier League Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Roman Burki into a point-blank per cent back, which is very nice opener against Watford. last season’s top-scorer in the save. after a really diffi cult year. “Everybody knows about the Bundesliga, restored Dort- Rudy’s long-range shot also “Andrew Robertson shows all injury to Adam Lallana, it’s a big mund’s lead with 19 minutes needed a great save from the the skills he has, of course he still blow, but this team deals with so left before Lukasz Piszczek’s late Dortmund shot-stopper. has to adapt to our way of play- many diffi cult situations and they own goal took the match straight Both sides had their chances ing but you can already see what will deal with this,” Klopp said. to penalties. after the break, but Dembele’s a threat he can be off ensively. “Phil (Coutinho) had back “We have’t had much time to pass picked out Aubameyang “That means James Milner problems yesterday and today so get ready, but now we had a lit- and the Gabon striker showed is free for midfi eld, so with- there was no reason for any risks, tle more time to train and I’m Bayern Munich players celebrate with the trophy after winning the DFL-Supercup. ice-cold fi nishing to put Dort- out being in the transfer market the same with (Jordan) Hender- very happy that we won the fi rst mund ahead on 71 minutes. we have a new midfi eld player, son. He was a little bit ill, so we title,” said Lewandowski, who and Ousmane Dembele, who Ulreich, who saved Bartra’s kick. ome Boateng, David Alaba and With time almost up, Rudy which is nice. said ‘OK, no risk today’.Daniel, of drilled home Bayern’s fi rst pen- Barcelona have reportedly tabled “Today we saw the real FC Arjen Robben, while new-sign- rattled the crossbar and Kim- “Dominic Solanke, I think he’s course, has a little muscle prob- alty in the shoot-out. a 70 million euros ($82.4m) off er Bayern again and we proved we ing James Rodriguez is out with mich stabbed the ball home at already shown that he’s ready for lem, but the squad is big and I Ex-Barcelona defender Bar- for as Neymar’s replacement, had the morale to come back.” a hamstring injury. the second attempt off Piszczek some adult football. Ryan Kent, thought I saw today that a few tra, the only player badly injured both impressed for Dortmund. World Cup-winner Mario Dortmund took the lead after to take the game straight to spot I’ve known him for one-and-a- boys really showed up. in April’s bomb attack on the The victory off ers head coach Goetze was missing for German just 12 minutes when Javi Mar- kicks. half years and last year he devel- “We will rotate, that’s clear, Dortmund team bus, saw the Carlo Ancelotti a welcome boost Cup winners Dortmund as the tinez lingered over the ball a Both Bayern’s Kimmich and oped unbelievably well and this that’s not my problem at the mo- 12th spot-kick saved to hand after his team lost fi ve of their six 25-year-old dropped out with fraction too long and was robbed Dortmund’s Sebastian Rode pre-season is completely diff er- ment, I’ll prepare for the Wat- Bayern the cup for the second previous warm-up games. a back injury after fi ve months by Pulisic. had their penalties saved in the ent to last pre-season, he’s com- ford game from tomorrow on and year running. “We know the pre-season missing with a metabolic disor- The 18-year-old US interna- shoot-out until Bartra’s shot pletely showed up now. then the next game, and then the Aubameyang, the subject of hasn’t gone the way it should,” der. tional sprinted away from the was blocked by Ulreich to send “So, without paying too much next game, and then I’ll think a big-money off er from China, said Bayern’s goalkeeper Sven Bayern were missing stars Jer- scrambling Munich defence. the trophy to Munich. money or the highest transfer about how we can do this.” Gulf Times Monday, August 7, 2017 3 CRICKET

FOURTH TEST FOCUS Paris 2024 will get France moving, Ali puts England in says minister with an eye on cricket By Sean Ingle in London That was a reference to the fact The Guardian that Britain beat a French team to sight of series win win gold in 1900 – the last time that cricket appeared in the Ol- rance’s sport minster ympics – and is surely to encour- England were 224 for 8 in their second innings for a lead of 360 runs has said that Paris host- age the International Cricket ing the Olympics in 2024 Council, which has started lob- will dramatically trans- bying hard for the sport’s inclu- Fform the sporting ecosystem of sion in future Games. her country and has hinted that But Flessel’s strongest moti- cricket could rejoin the Games in vation in her new role, which she time to be part of the celebrations. began in May, is to ensure more Laura Flessel, who is also France’s people in France exercise – and most decorated female Olympian, says that she will be doing all she also wants to draw upon lessons can. “Thanks to the Games, there from London 2012 to ensure that will be a whole transformation of the government encourages three the ecosystem and sport is going million more people participat- to be integrated in society,” she ing in sport, creates a sustainable said. “But the legacy for us does legacy and boosts the burgeoning not begin after 2024 – it has al- sports economy. ready started. “The dream is almost coming “We want a France that moves. true,” said Flessel, who won fi ve An active France. Today, we have fencing medals before retiring 34 million people that practise after London 2012. “We still have sports, but we want three mil- to wait for ratifi cation on 13 Sep- lion more. I am going to create tember in Lima but Paris 2024 500 sport centres for health. For has almost reached the fi nish- people who are at a disadvantage, ing line. It is like a volcano bub- in deprived areas, who have nev- bling over. We want the prestige er done any sports or who think of France to be shining. We want they have no money to practise a very high level of performance, sport.” as London has done.” That is not the end of her She added: “I have partici- plans. “We are going to appeal to pated in fi ve Olympic Games and high-level sportspeople to give I fi nished my career at London them an encouragement to coach as a fl ag-bearer for France. And people and to think of changing today I am reaching for the fl ag when their career is over,” she again. Not only for our athletes said. “Another axis is ethics and but for millions of French people openness in sports. We want ex- and for billions of others around cellence but also responsibility the world who like sports. – we don’t want anyone incom- “We have been working from petent in the federations.” British experts to better under- Flessel welcomed Neymar’s stand how the functioning of controversial £200.6mn transfer the event is managed. We want from Barcelona to Paris Saint- England’s Moeen Ali plays a reverse sweep as South African wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock looks on during the fourth Test in Manchester, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) a very high level of performance, Germain and believes the Brazil- just as London achieved.” ian’s move can further revitalise AFP Bairstow to the delight of the crowd. series at home to the West Indies, which M. Morkel not out 20 She said that the possibility of French domestic football. Manchester, United Kingdom England were bidding for a fi rst home precedes an Ashes tour of Australia. D. Olivier c Bairstow b Broad 4 cricket being a part of the Games “It is an opportunity for Test series win over South Africa since Jennings — the 11th batsman chosen Extras (b3, nb1) 4 then is something that is on France. He is one of the best 1998, with Joe Root seeking a victory in as an England opening partner for Cook Total (all out, 72.1 overs, 303 mins) 226 French minds – especially given players in the world and he is go- oeen Ali’s dashing fi fty all but his fi rst Test series as England captain. since former captain Andrew Strauss re- Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Elgar), 2-47 (Amla), 3-84 its huge popularity in India and ing to bring new colours to Ligue put the fourth Test beyond South Africa resumed on 220 for nine tired in 2012 — moved nearer the axe after (Kuhn), 4-131 (Bavuma), 5-132 (Du Plessis), Pakistan. “There are new disci- 1. PSG must abide by the fi nan- South Africa’s reach as Eng- and were soon all out for 226 when Stuart totalling just 127 runs in four Tests this 6-146 (De Bruyn), 7-167 (Maharaj), 8-189 (De plines that are going to join the cial commitments but there is a land moved towards a series Broad dismissed last man Duanne Olivier. series at an average of 15.88. Kock), 9-220 (Rabada), 10-226 (Olivier) Olympic Games in 2024 and it buzz. “I was always a supporter Mwin at Old Traff ord yesterday. When rain That gave England a healthy fi rst- Finding batsmen good enough to ce- Bowling is also true that cricket is devel- of Paris Saint-Germain – now I : Anderson 17-5-38-4; Broad 16.1- ended the third’s play early, England were innings lead of 136. Olivier’s exit meant ment a place in the top order alongside 4-46-3; Roland-Jones 11-3-41-1; Ali 21-5-57-2; oping in France. We are going to support all the French teams so I 224 for eight in their second innings — a James Anderson, England’s all-time Cook and Root has long been a problem Stokes 6-0-34-0 (1nb); Malan 1-0-7-0 watch developments very close- must be neutral. But as minister lead of 360 runs — with Ali unbeaten on leading wicket-taker — was denied a for England’s selectors. ly. So why not? And if it works,” I am delighted and the fi nance 67. South Africa already needed to set maiden fi ve-wicket Test innings haul on Dawid Malan, out for scores of one and ENGLAND II INNINGS she said, smiling, “maybe there ministry say he will have to pay a new ground record if they were to end his Lancashire home ground. 10 on Test debut during England’s 239- A. Cook c de Bruyn b Morkel 10 will be fi nal between our two his taxes in France. But for France this four-match series all square at 2-2 as But fi gures of four for 38 in 17 overs gave run victory in the third Test at The Oval, K. Jennings c Amla b Rabada 18 countries?” it is a wonderful opportunity.” no side have made more in the fourth in- Anderson, who’d struck four times from was looking for a big score after falling for T. Westley c sub (Markram) b Morkel 9 nings of a Test at Old Traff ord to win than the newly-named James Anderson End 18 in the fi rst innings of this match. J. Root b Olivier 49 England’s 294 for four against New Zea- on Saturday, his best innings return in But the Middlesex left-hander, born in D. Malan c de Bruyn b Maharaj 6 land in 2008. seven Tests at Old Traff ord. South Africa London but brought up in South Africa, B. Stokes c du Plessis b Olivier 23 Ali made South Africa pay for Dean fast bowler Morne Morkel then removed exited for six — having been dropped on J. Bairstow c Rabada b Olivier 10 Elgar dropping him on 15 when a low slip both Alastair Cook (10) and Tom Westley fi ve — when Maharaj had him caught off M. Ali not out 67 chance off left-arm spinner Keshav Ma- (nine) with the aid of gully catches. bat and pad at short leg. Root (49) and T. Roland-Jones c Maharaj b Rabada 11 haraj did not stick. He may come in at No At lunch, England were 53 for two, with Ben Stokes (23), however, then shared a S. Broad not out 0 8 for England but off -spinner Ali — who Keaton Jennings — dropped in the slips on stand of 57. Extras (b9, lb9, w2, nb1) 21 earlier in this match took 20 wickets in a nought — 17 not out. They both fell to paceman Olivier, Total (8 wkts, 66.2 overs, 293 mins) 224 Test series for the fi rst time in his career But South Africa-born Jennings was only playing this match after back inju- To bat: J Anderson — made his name with Worcestershire as unable to cash in on his reprieve. The ries ruled out both Vernon Philander and Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Cook), 2-30 (Westley), a top-order batsman. Durham left-hander had added just one Chris Morris. Olivier, who also dismissed 3-55 (Jennings), 4-72 (Malan), 5-129 (Root), Ali, who bats left-handed, was espe- to his interval score when, he edged a cut Bairstow, ended the day with fi ne fi gures 6-134 (Stokes), 7-153 (Bairstow), 8-211 (Roland- cially severe on Maharaj, hitting him for off Kagiso Rabada to fi rst slip Hashim of three for 38 but that was scant conso- Jones) three resounding sixes. Amla. lation to his side. Bowling: Morkel 12-2-39-2 (1nb); Rabada The second of those, a straight drive Prior to yesterday’s innings, there had 15.2-4-37-2 (2w); Maharaj 27-5-92-1; Olivier that saw Ali complete a 49-ball fi fty — been widespread speculation that the SCOREBOARD 12-5-38-3 was ‘caught’ on the England dressing- 25-year-old would be dropped for the ENGLAND I INNINGS 362 Match position: England lead by 360 runs Laura Flessel is France’s most decorated female Olympian and was room balcony by wicket-keeper Jonny start of England’s upcoming three-Test SOUTH AFRICA I INNINGS (OVERNIGHT: 220-9) with two wickets standing appointed sport minister in May. (AFP)

SECOND TEST India captain Kohli hails Jadeja aft er series victory AFP had set up the victory, with Cheteshwar Pujara Colombo and Ajinkya Rahane hitting fi ne centuries. Pujara, who top-scored with 133, and Rahane, who made 132, put together a 217-run stand af- kipper Virat Kohli yesterday hailed ter the tourists elected to bat fi rst. Ravindra Jadeja for his all-round per- “Actually we were outplayed in the fi rst in- formance in the series-clinching victory nings with the bat and ball both. Credit goes to against Sri Lanka, saying the left-arm them: they batted brilliantly in the fi rst innings spinnerS gave the side a great balance. and put us under huge pressure,” said Chan- The celebrations were short-lived, however, dimal. “As a unit we fought back well and I am after cricket’s governing body suspended Jadeja really happy how the boys played in the second from the third and fi nal Test later this week for innings. We just want to take the positives out of dangerous play during his match-winning per- this game and are looking forward to next one,” formance in Colombo. he added. India crushed the home team by an innings and 53 runs on day four of the second Test in SCOREBOARD Colombo to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the INDIA I INNINGS 622-9 DEC three-match series. Jadeja, the world number SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS 183 one bowler in ICC Test rankings, claimed fi ve SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS (OVERNIGHT 209-2) second-innings wickets as India bowled out the D. Karunaratne c Rahane b Jadeja 141 hosts for 386. M. Pushpakumara b Ashwin 16 He also contributed an unbeaten 70 in India’s D. Chandimal c Rahane b Jadeja 2 crushing fi rst innings total of 622-9 declared. A. Mathews c Saha b Jadeja 36 “Guys who have both abilities are very rare India’s Ravindra Jadeja (centre) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne in Colombo yesterday. (Reuters) N. Dickwella c Rahane b Pandya 31 to fi nd. That’s where we think they’re very pre- D. Perera st Saha b Jadeja 4 cious, specially in the longer format because at batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, who had not the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground to keep the ing that of skipper Dinesh Chandimal for two. D. de Silva c Rahane b Jadeja 17 they provide you with great balance,” Kohli told left his crease. The ball narrowly missed him in a batsmen on their toes, and the strategy paid off . The batsman was caught at slip off Jadeja’s left- R. Herath not out 17 reporters. “He can give you a very quick 60-70 manner which the on-fi eld umpires determined “Today we said even if we don’t get wickets arm spin. Karunaratne kept up the fi ght during N. Pradeep c Dhawan b Ashwin 1 anywhere at any stage and it can really turn the as “dangerous”, the ICC said in a release. early on we are going to enjoy these tough times his 69-run fi fth-wicket stand with former cap- Extras (lb5, nb2, w2) 9 game he’s always in the game. I would say he’s a Sri Lanka had handed India the advantage af- as well, because they really improve you as a tain Angelo Mathews, who made a gritty 36 from Total (all out; 116.5 overs) 386 very valuable cricketer for us.” ter being dismissed for 183 in their fi rst innings side,” said Kohli, who became the only Indian 66 balls before being caught behind off Jadeja. Bowling: Yadav 13-2-39-1, Ashwin 37.5-7-132-2, Shami But India will have to make do without him and conceding a 439-run lead. captain to win two Test series in Sri Lanka. “He is a very special bowler. That is the rea- 12-3-27-0, Jadeja 39-5-152-5, Pandya 15-2-31-2 in the fi nal Test starting Saturday in Pallekele, But the hosts fought back during their follow- “Success will come your way but you need son why he is ranked number one in world rank- Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Tharanga), 2-198 (Mendis), 3-238 after the International Cricket Council slapped on with a defi ant 191-run second-wicket part- patience. Very happy that we went through the ing. Credit to him for sticking to his plans,” said (Pushpakumara), 4-241 (Chandimal), 5-310 (Karu- Jadeja with a one-match ban and a fi ne for dan- nership between the left-handed Karunaratne diffi cult phases as well and you never get com- Chandimal. naratne), 6-315 (Mathews), 7-321 (Perera), 8-343 (de gerous play. Jadeja fell foul of the umpires after and Kusal Mendis, who fell for 110 before stumps placent as a side then.” Ravichandran Ashwin, who took fi ve wickets Silva), 9-384 (Dickwella), 10-386 (Pradeep) the fi nal delivery of the 58th over when, fi eld- on day three. The hosts, who resumed the day on 209-2, in the fi rst innings, and pacemen Hardik Pandya Result: India won by an innings and 53 runs ing off his own bowling, he threw the ball back However Kohli kept rotating his bowlers at lost two wickets in the morning session, includ- shared two wickets each. The Indian batsmen Series: India lead the three-match series 2-0 Gulf Times 4 Monday, August 7, 2017 SPORT

MOTOGP Cool-headed Marquez cruises to Czech GP win, extends lead The result leaves the overall standings on a razor’s edge as Marquez leads with 154 points ahead of Vinales on 140

AFP Brno, Czech Republic

onda’s Marc Marquez led a Spanish podium sweep at the Czech GP yes- terday to extend his MotoGP world championship lead with a second straightH win. Dani Pedrosa was second almost 13 seconds back ahead of Maverick Vinales in third and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi in fourth after a race. “I could have gone faster but there was no need to do so, I had it won and I’m not taking those risks anymore,” said the three time world champion who however celebrated by standing on his bike as he rode past the main stand to an ovation. “These kind of races (mixed weather) can be very challenging and you have to remain focussed,” Marquez said after negotiating his tyre change early in a race where wet conditions quickly turned to dry. The result leaves the overall standings on a razor’s edge as Marquez leads with 154 points ahead of Vinales on 140, Andrea Dovizioso is third on 133, Rossi fourth on 132 and Pedrosa has 123 in fi fth. In his third win of the season, defending world champion Marquez was in truly imperious form, starting from pole and dominating, holding his nerve during an early change from wet tyres as Honda's Spanish rider Marc Marquez celebrates he temporarily dropped down the fi eld before on the podium after winning the MotoGP of the gradually lap after lap extending his lead. Czech Republic in Brno yesterday. (AFP) After also winning in a similar fashion at the German GP last time out Marquez has galva- nised the defence of his title that was in danger of being a landslide for the Yamaha tyro Vinales who took a big early lead but who is now second after ten of 18 races. “This weekend was very tough, then luckily on the grid the sun started to come out,” said Vinales. “On the rain tyre I was feeling good, but I was already thinking after two laps maybe I should and who was killed aged 70 in a quad bike acci- go in but there were too many people, so maybe I dent last week. Ahead of the day’s proceedings COLLATED CZECH MOTOGP GRAND PRIX RESULTS AND STANDINGS went in a lap too late. Warming up the slicks was riders and teams from all categories gathered diffi cult but then the bike felt good again. I was behind a banner saying Gracias Maestro (Thanks MotoGP: 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/ 5. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 123, 6. 10. Joe Roberts (USA/Kalex) 20.168 Juanfran Guevara (ESP/KTM) 4.882, feeling great in the last laps and I’m happy to Master) and respected a minute’s silence. Honda) 44min 15.974sec, 2. Dani Johann Zarco (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) Moto 2 standings (after 10 of 18) 6. John McPhee (GBR/Honda) 8.343, have that back. It’s important to be back on the Nieto was on a quad bike on Wednesday last Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) at 12.438sec, 88, 7. Jonas Folger (GER/ Yahama 1. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) 182, 7. Marcos Ramirez (ESP/KTM) 9.597, podium for confi dence and motivation.” week when he “had an accident with a tourism 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) Tech3) 77, 8. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/ 2. Thomas Lüthi (SUI/Kalex) 165, 3. 8. Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN/Honda) Rossi was able to poke fun at himself, his team vehicle”, police said at the time. 18.135, 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA/ Ducati Pramac) 75, 9. Cal Crutchlow Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 133, 4. 10.234, 9. Adam Norrodin (MAL/Hon- and his inability swap bikes at the correct time He was rushed to hospital in a serious state Yamaha) 20.466, 5. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/LCR Honda) 75, 10. Jorge Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM) 133, 5. da) 10.395, 10. Nakarin Atiratphuva- in a fl ag-to-fl ag scenario. “To understand the where he remained in intensive care, but his (GBR/LCR Honda) 20.982, 6. Andrea Lorenzo (ESP/Ducati) 66 Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Kalex) 87, pat (THA/Honda) 10.913 moment is not my strong point,” he conceded. condition deteriorated before passing away. Ni- Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 23.259, 7. 6. Mattia Pasini (ITA/Kalex) 73, 7. Moto3 standings (after 10 GP) The Italian salvaged a fi ne fourth place on the eto sits second in the all-time list of most mo- Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 24.079, Moto2: 1. Thomas Lüthi (SUI/Kalex) Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) 69, 8. 1. Joan Mir (ESP/Honda) 190, 2. fi nal lap after an error in judgement cost him the torcycling world championship titles, two be- 8. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 13mins 39.036sec, 2. Alex Marquez Simone Corsi (ITA/Speed Up) 63, 9. Romano Fenati (ITA/Honda) 148, 3. shot at a podium at the very least, leading him to hind Italian great Giacomo Agostini. 30.559, 9. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) (ESP/Kalex) 4.991, 3. Miguel Oliveira Luca Marini (ITA/Kalex) 54, 10. Xavi Aron Canet (ESP/Honda) 126, 4. later joke that he and fi ve members of his team Only Agostini and current Italy great Valen- 30.754, 10. Jonas Folger (GER/Yama- (POR/KTM) 6.983, 4. Luca Marini Vierge (ESP/Tech 3) 51 John McPhee (GBR/Honda) 93, 5. were ‘donkeys’, as his Movistar crew had not sig- tino Rossi have bettered his tally of 90 Grand ha Tech3) 33.236 (ITA/Kalex) 9.190, 5. Xavi Vierge Jorge Martin (ESP/Honda) 89, 6. nalled for him to pit as early as was needed. Prix victories. Standings (after race ten of 18): (ESP/Tech 3) 11.064, 6. Simone Corsi Moto3: 1. Joan Mir (ESP/Honda) Marcos Ramirez (ESP/KTM) 88, 7. “I’m very happy this time because normally Nieto competed in his fi rst Grand Prix at just 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 154, 2. (ITA/Speed Up) 15.779, 7. Francesco 44min 41.314sec, 2. Renato Fenati Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/Honda) I’m the only stupid,” he quipped. 17 in 1964 before going on to win six world titles Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 140, Bagnaia (ITA/Kalex) 18.431, 8. Franco (ITA/Honda) at 0.350sec, 3.Aron 85, 8. Andrea Migno (ITA/KTM) 83, 9. Having three Spaniards on the podium was a in the 50cc category and seven in the 125 divi- 3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 133, Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) 19.743, 9. Canet (ESP/Honda) 3.078, 4. Bo Juanfran Guevara (ESP/KTM) 69, 10. fi ne tribute to 13 time world champion Angel Ni- sion. He retired aged 39 two years after his fi nal 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 132, Remy Gardner (AUS/Tech 3) 19.843, Bendsneyder (NED/KTM) 4.598, 5. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) 59 eto, who popularised motorbike racing in Spain world championship in 1986.

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Pieters, Johnson share WGC Bridgestone lead Kim buries demons

AFP occasionally they’re going to fall.” to clinch Women’s Los Angeles McIlroy, impressive off the tee, said he felt he could have “got a lot more” out of his round. “Three behind going into to- British Open elgium’s Thomas Pieters rolled morrow, which still with how I’m playing in a 32-foot birdie putt at the fi - I feel I can make that ground up pretty AFP nal hole on Saturday to share the easily,” he said. “I just need to see a couple St Andrews third-round lead at the WGC of putts drop.” BridgestoneB Invitational with two-time Walker, who will be defending his ti- major winner Zach Johnson. tle at the PGA Championship at Quail outh Korea’s Kim In- Johnson also birdied the last hole at Hollow next week, was in trouble early Kyung held her nerve Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, with two double-bogeys and two bogeys and fi nally claimed her briefl y taking sole possession of the lead on the front nine. He was six adrift, in a fi rst major title with a before Pieters, who led by as many as group that also included Australian Ja- fiS nal round 71 at the Women’s three strokes, joined him. son Day — who had turned things around British Open at Kingsbarns yes- Johnson fi nished with eight birdies after an early double-bogey only to close terday. Six ahead at the start of and three bogeys in his fi ve-under par 65 with back-to-back bogeys in a 70. the day, the 29-year-old looked while Pieters had eight birdies and four The group on 207 also included US to be in easy street when she bogeys in his four-under 66. Open champion Brooks Koepka, while moved seven in front after a tap- At nine-under 201 they were one British Open winner Jordan Spieth was a in birdie at the par three opening stroke in front of Australian veteran Scott further stroke back in a group on 208. hole. But she then had to fend off Hend, who carded a sensational 63 for the chasing pack. 202. Hend is playing in the Bridgestone LEADING SCORES AFTER THIRD ROUND Michelle Wie was the fi rst to for the fi rst time, gaining entry to the fi eld (USA unless noted): attack with four birdies in a row thanks to topping the Asian Tour Order 201 — Zach Johnson 69-67-65, Thomas from the fourth and then Jodi of Merit last season. He had four birdies Pieters (BEL) 65-70-66 Ewart Shadoff — with a course “The weather was tough and not on each side with one bogey, capping his 202 — Scott Hend (AUS) 70-69-63 record-equalling 64 — did her to drop a shot was pretty special. round with a 15-foot birdie putt at 18. 203 — Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 69-67-67 best to knock Kim off her stride. I had a lot of confi dence in my Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama was alone 204 — Adam Hadwin (CAN) 68-69-67, Char- Just two ahead with four holes to putting. I’ve never really played in fourth after a 67 for 203. Northern Ire- ley Hoff man 68-69-67, Rory McIlroy (NIR) play, the slightly-built Korean, well at links courses, but I played land’s Rory McIlroy carded a 68 to head a 67-69-68 reeled off the par fi gures to se- in the Scottish Open last week group on 204 that also included Canadi- 205 — Russell Knox (SCO) 66-71-68 cure the trophy by two shots on at Dundonald and that really an Adam Hadwin and American Charley 206 — Paul Casey (ENG) 70-69-67 18 under par 270. helped. Now I’m excited about Hoff man, who both shot 67. 207 — Bubba Watson 67-74-66, Brooks At the 2012 ANA Inspiration, the Solheim Cup.” Pieters started the day two shots be- Koepka 71-69-67, Daniel Berger 71-68-68, Kim had a one foot putt at the Wie closed with a 66 and a 13 hind overnight leader Jimmy Walker and Kevin Chappell 72-67-68, Jason Day (AUS) fi nal hole to win her fi rst major. under par total. She shared third surged quickly to the top with four birdies 71-66-70, Jimmy Walker 68-65-74 But she missed, and went on to place with Germany’s Carolina in his fi rst fi ve holes. Another birdie at the 208 — Rickie Fowler 70-71-67, Jhonattan lose in a play-off to fellow South Masson (67) and England’s Geor- eighth was followed by his fi rst bogey of Vegas (VEN) 69-71-68, Xander Schauff ele 70- Korean Yoo Sun-Young. She also gia Hall (70). the day at the ninth. He rebounded with 69-69, Adam Scott (AUS) 68-71-69, Tommy fi nished runner-up in the 2012 But the day belonged to Kim. a birdie at 10, but errant tee shots led to Fleetwood (ENG) 70-68-70, Jordan Spieth US Women’s Open, so the fi rst Her solid fi nal round contained bogeys at 13 and 14 and a birdie at 16 was 67-70-71 major victory was long overdue. two birdies — the fi rst and eight followed by another bogey at 17. 209 — Matt Kuchar 71-72-66, Hudson Ewart Shadoff had a birdie at — and the solitary bogey at the “My ball striking was good, driver Swaff ord 70-69-70, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) the second, fi ve in a row from the ninth ended a remarkable run of was not good and I managed to score re- Zach Johnson plays a shot on the 18th hole during the third round of the World Golf 70-69-70 sixth and then more at the 13th 43 holes without a dropped shot. ally well, so pretty happy,” said Pieters, a Championships — Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, on Saturday. (AFP) 210 — ThorbjOrn Olesen (DEN) 73-70-67, and horrendously tough 17th, Sophie Lamb, a 19-year-old three-time winner on the European tour. Ryan Moore 73-69-68, Henrik Stenson (DEN) and then it was a case of wait and English player, won the Smyth “I have to fi nd more fairways tomor- Johnson had managed to get his nose second career major at the British Open 72-70-68, Brendan Steele 73-68-69, Ross see. In the end, she had to settle Salver for the best amateur. She row if I want to win,” he added. “Maybe in front, rolling in a 10-footer at the last, at St. Andrews in 2015. “Clearly the putts Fisher (ENG) 67-72-71 for second place on 16 under par. shot a 69 for six under par — just a bit more 3-woods or an iron off the when Pieters drained his long putt at the today were very good,” Johnson said. “I 211 — Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-77-67, Dustin John- “In these conditions I couldn’t the confi dence boost she wanted tee. Hopefully we can straighten out the last for a share of the lead. Johnson will be hit a lot of greens. I hit a lot of fairways. son 68-75-68, Branden Grace (RSA) 71-69-71, have asked for anything bet- as she looks forward to turning driver.” seeking his fi rst title since he captured his You give yourself ample opportunities, Alex Noren (SWE) 69-68-74 ter,” said the 29-year-old Briton. professional at the end of 2018. Gulf Times Monday, August 7, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB Dodgers overcome NY Mets to continue historic surge Dodgers are the first team to win at least 43 contests during a 50-game stretch since the New York Giants in 1912

By Sports Reporter single to left fi eld, scoring Rob Refsnyder with Los Angeles the go-ahead run in the 10th inning of To- ronto’s victory over Houston. Goins delivered his game-winning hit off the Astros’ Francisco asiel Puig hit a tiebreaking home run Liriano (6-7), who lost for the second time in as leading off the seventh inning on Sat- many appearances since joining Houston at the urday for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who non-waiver trade deadline. continued their historic two-month Ryan Tepera (6-1) earned the win with two runY by coming back to defeat the New York Mets scoreless innings of relief for the Blue Jays, 7-4 at Citi Field during the Major League Base- who received seven strong innings from starter ball. The Dodgers (78-32) won for the 23rd time Marco Estrada. Josh Reddick and Tyler White in their last 26 games — losing only to Atlanta homered for the Astros. during that stretch — and are 43-7 in their last 50. They are the fi rst team to win at least 43 con- RANGERS 4, TWINS 1 tests during a 50-game stretch since the New Cole Hamels allowed four hits in his fi rst com- York Giants in 1912. plete game since Oct. 4, 2015, and Nomar Ma- It appeared as if Los Angeles might be headed zara homered in Texas’ victory over Minnesota. toward a historic loss when a trio of Mets — Hamels (6-1) fi nished off his 16th career com- Michael Conforto, Wilmer Flores and Curtis plete game by retiring 13 of the last 14 batters he Granderson — hit solo home runs in the fi rst faced and tallying 96 pitches. inning against Rich Hill. New York’s Seth Lugo He yielded one unearned run, struck fi ve and carried a no-hitter into the fi fth. Hill and four allowed one walk. Kyle Gibson (6-9) gave up relievers limited the Mets to three hits the rest three runs on seven hits and two walks in his 5 of the way. Puig’s homer off Paul Sewald (0-4) 1/3 innings. The right-hander was making his made a winner out of Brandon Morrow (4-0), return to the Twins’ rotation after Minnesota who allowed one walk in one inning. traded Jamie Garcia to the New York Yankees before last Monday’s trade deadline. CUBS 7, NATIONALS 4 Alex Avila and Willson Contreras each homered CARDINALS 4, REDS 1 and combined to drive in fi ve runs as Chicago Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer and Lance snapped a three-game losing streak. John Lack- Lynn allowed one run on three hits through six ey (9-9) allowed three runs (two earned) in fi ve innings to lift St. Louis over Cincinnati. Lynn innings after going 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA in July. (10-6) made his fi rst start since the July non- Wade Davis earned his 23rd save despite walk- waiver trade deadline when he was rumoured to ing two in the ninth, striking out Bryce Harper possibly be leaving the Cardinals. to end the game. Harper hit his 28th home run He was in control throughout, retiring 10 of of the season — off the right fi eld videoboard in the fi nal 11 batters he faced. St. Louis managed the fi rst inning, but could not prevent Washing- only four hits, but made the most of them to ton from losing for the third time in four games. snap a two-game losing streak. Joey Votto hit a Edwin Jackson (2-2) allowed four runs, fi ve hits solo homer for the Reds, who are 8-4 against the and struck out eight. Cardinals this season.

RED SOX 4, WHITE SOX 1 ATHLETICS 5, ANGELS 0 Drew Pomeranz pitched another strong game Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (left) and third baseman Justin Turner (centre) celebrate with right fielder Yasiel Puig after their Rookie Paul Blackburn pitched 6 2/3 shutout and Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. 7-4 victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) innings, Rajai Davis had two hits and stole three hit two-run homers to power Boston to its fi fth bases and new catcher Dustin Garneau drove straight victory. Pomeranz (11-4) won his fi fth YANKEES 2, INDIANS 1 Rockies batted around in the fi rst against Nick 2-0 pitch from Tigers reliever Joe Jimenez over in two runs as Oakland defeated Los Angeles. straight decision spanning 10 starts with 6 1/3 Chase Headley’s solo home run in the eighth Pivetta (4-7) and drove him from the game after the right-fi eld wall to break a 2-2 tie in the sev- Blackburn (3-1), a 23-year-old the Athletics innings of seven-hit ball. inning broke a tie as New York snapped a four- a career low-tying 2 2/3 innings. The fi nal bat- enth. Beckham launched the 10,000th home picked up inexpensively from Seattle in the off - He gave up a homer to Tim Anderson on his game losing streak. With one out in the eighth, ter he faced was Pat Valaika, who hit a two-run run in Orioles’ history — the fourth franchise season, posted his fi fth quality outing in his sev- second pitch and settled in and allowed only Headley hit an 0-1 pitch from reliever Zach homer and fi nished with three RBIs. to do so — deep into the left-fi eld stands in the enth major league start. singles through the rest of his outing. He hasn’t McAllister (1-1) over the wall in right fi eld for his eighth. Adam Jones also homered for Baltimore. He allowed fi ve hits, didn’t walk a batter and lost since June 11 and the 11 wins match the ca- sixth home run. GIANTS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 4 Jonathan Schoop added an RBI double for the retired 12 of the last 14 hitters he faced. The reer high he set last season. Benintendi and Bra- David Robertson (5-2) pitched two scoreless Jarrett Parker hit a walk-off single with two outs Orioles, who snapped the Tigers’ four-game Angels had their four-game winning streak dley connected off James Shields (2-4) in the innings and Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift San Fran- winning streak. snapped and fell 2 1/2 games behind Kansas City fi rst and second innings, respectively. to pick up his 14th save. Carlos Santana homer- cisco to a come-from-behind victory over Ari- in the race for the second AL wild-card playoff ed for Cleveland. The Indians’ Danny Salazar zona. Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer while BRAVES 7, MARLINS 2 spot. BREWERS 3, RAYS 0 pitched seven innings, allowing one run on Nick Hundley went 3-for-4 with a double for Mike Foltynewicz struck out a career-high 11 Zach Davies allowed one hit in seven innings and four hits with three walks and a career-high 12 the Giants. batters and Freddie Freeman drove in four runs PADRES 5, PIRATES 2 Milwaukee shut out Tampa Bay for the second strikeouts. Salazar and three relievers combined Pablo Sandoval, playing his fi rst game with as Atlanta defeated Miami. Foltynewicz (10-6) Wil Myers drove in three runs with a double and straight night. Hernan Perez hit a solo home run for 15 strikeouts. San Francisco since 2014, went 1-for-3 with pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed one run on home run as San Diego defeated Pittsburgh. in the ninth for separation in a 1-0 game. a double and run scored. David Peralta went four hits. He has won eight of his last nine deci- Dinelson Lamet (6-4) gave up one hit in 5 2/3 The Rays, held scoreless in their last 20 in- ROCKIES 8, PHILLIES 5 3-for-6 with a double, an RBI and a run for the sions and has not lost a start at home since May shutout innings to defeat the Pirates for the sec- nings, were shut out in back-to-back games Jon Gray remained unbeaten at Coors Field with Diamondbacks. JD Martinez went 3-for-4 with 5. The Braves scored twice in the sixth inning ond time in a week. for the fi rst time since April 2016, against the seven strong innings as Colorado cruised to vic- an RBI double, a triple and a walk. and fi ve times in the seventh. Atlanta has scored Lamet held Pittsburgh hitless until Josh Bell Indians and White Sox. Davies (13-5) took a no- tory over Philadelphia. Gray (4-2) allowed one 192 runs in the seventh inning or later, the third- singled in the fourth inning. Dusty Coleman hit hitter into the sixth inning, when Lucas Duda run on six hits in seven innings. In four home ORIOLES 5, TIGERS 2 most in the major leagues. a two-run homer in the eighth inning for the Pa- fi nally broke through with a single. Davies im- starts, Gray is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA. Welington Castillo and Tim Beckham each dres. Gerrrit Cole (9-8) gave up three runs and mediately followed by getting Evan Longoria to He has surrendered four walks in 25 innings homered as part of a late rally that fueled Balti- BLUE JAYS 4, ASTROS 3 (10 INNINGS) eight hits in six innings, walking two and strik- ground into a double play. in his past four starts with 25 strikeouts. The more’s victory over Detroit. Castillo launched a Ryan Goins slapped a two-out, two-strike RBI ing out fi ve.

SPOTLIGHT NFL NBA glitz on show in South Africa Warner and Tomlinson head AFP 2017 Hall of Fame class Johannesburg AFP Washington he TicketPro Dome arena in an up- scale Johannesburg suburb became a mini Madison Square Garden uarterback Kurt Warn- on Saturday as American basket- er’s rags to riches story Tball staged an exhibition match to “sell” was honoured by in- the sport. Basketball ranks among many duction into the Pro low-profi le sports in South Africa, where FootballQ Hall of Fame on Satur- football, rugby and cricket dominate the day, as running back LaDainian airwaves and sports pages, and take a huge Tomlinson gained entry in his chunk of sponsorship cash. fi rst year of eligibility. It was the second exhibition game involv- The two joined fi ve others, in- ing National Basketball Association (NBA) cluding Dallas Cowboys owner stars in Johannesburg within three years and Jerry Jones, in being inducted Team World overcame Team Africa 108-97 as the class of 2017 on Saturday before a 10,000 crowd. Team World defeat- night in Canton, Ohio. ed Team Africa 101-97 at another, smaller The group of players com- Johannesburg venue two years ago. prised a quarterback, two run- The good-natured spectators did lack ning backs, a pass rusher, a Arizona Cardinals former quarterback Kurt Warner poses with his bust. some of the intensity associated with reg- hard-hitting safety and a kicker. ular-season matches in the United States, Besides Warner and Tomlin- play good football,” head coach named the league’s Most Valu- and the same could be said of the match. But son, safety Kenny Easley, kicker Dick Vermeil insisted at the time. able player with 2,323 combined it was not about the result or who scored the Morten Andersen, running back Warner passed for 4,353 yards yards. Taylor also made it in his most points. This was all about giving Africa NBA team Atlantic Hawks’ Dennis Shroder slam dunks during the NBA Africa Game 2017 Terrell Davis, defensive end Jason and 41 touchdowns in a season fi rst attempt. He had 139 career a sample of NBA glitz and glamour. And a basketball match between Team Africa and Team World in Johannesburg. (AFP) Taylor and Jones were enshrined. that culminated with a Super sacks, more than any other play- gravity-defying dunk from Jaylen Brown of “Could be the start of a pretty Bowl victory over the Tennes- er from 2000 to 2011. the Boston Celtics for Team World will sure- and talent are growing and it is good to be the fi rst NBA tour to the country, the giants good team, wouldn’t you say, see Titans when he passed for a Denmark’s Andersen became ly have won a few converts. A day before the able to help the development of basketball teach some movements to the eager young- Jerry?” joked Easley. Perhaps record 414 yards and was named just the second pure place-kicker match, the training at the same venue had in Africa,” he said. Among the activities of sters. Children are raised in the air to make the most unlikely path of any Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. to be inducted. He played 25 pro the appearance of a holiday camp. the visiting teams ahead of the match were dunks. Others sneak between the legs of a player that ended in the Hall of He led the Rams to another seasons, a league record. Most of Between two dunks and a couple of at- coaching sessions, meeting fans and assist- Cameroonian with the 76ers, Joel Embiid. “I Fame belonged to Warner. Cut by Super Bowl two seasons later and that was with the Saints, but he tempts at three points, Dallas Mavericks ing in the building of houses in poor neigh- am happy, I learn new techniques with these the Green Bay Packers in 1994, went to the Super Bowl with the also played for the Falcons, Gi- back and Team World captain Dirk Nowit- bourhoods. players, it’s cool. They want us to succeed in Warner starred in the Arena Arizona Cardinals in the 2008 ants, Chiefs and Vikings, scoring zki was having fun with compatriot Dennis A dozen players went to a disadvantaged basketball,” enthuses 13-year-old Thabo. Football League and didn’t get season Tomlinson was one of 2544 points on 565 fi eld goals and Schroeder of the Hawks, who lined up with children’s centre in Ennerdale, a predomi- “It is always special for me to come to Af- another NFL opportunity until two players inducted Saturday in 849 extra points. Jones, presi- Team Africa thanks to his Gambian origins. nantly mixed-race township south of Jo- rica, the welcome is extraordinary and one 1998 with the St. Louis Rams. their fi rst year of eligibility. dent and general manager of the “It’s incredible that basketball is growing hannesburg, and spent nearly two hours feels at home,” says Clint Capela, the Swit- Nearly cut that training camp, A tremendous runner and re- Cowboys, bought the team in in Africa. There are more and more African with them. “What did you eat to be that zerland-born pivot of the Rockets, who is of Warner made the team and the ceiver, Tomlinson totalled 13,684 1989 for $140mn. It is now worth players in the NBA, but also in the universi- big?,” said a stunned child as he looked up at Congolese origin. following year took over after yards and 145 touchdowns rush- an estimated $4bn. ties,” says Nowitzki, who travelled to Johan- the 2.13-metre frame of Nowitzki. Former Arsenal and France football Trent Green tore a knee ligament ing while adding 624 receptions The Cowboys won three Super nesburg with his wife and three children. In the middle of decrepit buildings, on a superstar Thierry Henry, an NBA fan, was in a pre-season game. “We will for 4,772 yards and another 17 Bowls in his fi rst seven years of “The continent is huge, opportunities blue and red court built two years ago during the VIP guest on the tour. rally around Kurt Warner and touchdowns. In 2006, he was ownership. Gulf Times 6 Monday, August 7, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS LAST DITCH EFFORT World fencing silver Rebels transfer ownership, medallist Besbes complicates ARU’s cull praises Aspetar Reuters An ARU statement on Saturday Melbourne made it clear that the governing body had not been informed of the trans- ‘I wish I could return to celebrate this happy moment with them all’ fer of ownership and indicated they he licence to run the Mel- would need to approve it. By Sports Reporter bourne Rebels Super Rugby A statement from the VRU yester- Doha team has been transferred day, however, said they had held an to the Victoria Rugby Union ARU-approved “put option” — an Tfrom private ownership in a move agreement which allows but does not unisian sabre fencer Azza Bes- aimed at making it more diffi cult for oblige a party to purchase shares for a bes has sent a public message the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) to fi xed price by a future date — in place of thanks to the staff at the shut the franchise down. since June 2015. world renowned orthopaedic The ARU has committed to cull “Today’s announcement sets in Tand sports medicine hospital, Aspetar, either the Rebels or the Perth-based place the foundations for a secure after she clinched the silver medal at Western Force as part of a revamp of and positive future for the Melbourne the 2017 FIE World Fencing Champi- the competition for next season. Rebels and Victorian Rugby,” the onship in Leipzig, Germany, following The Force entered into arbitration statement concluded. a hard-fought fi nal against Ukraine’s with the governing body last week Local media reported over the Olga Kharlan. and if the mediation comes out in fa- weekend that ISM, who took con- In her message of thanks, the Tuni- vour of the Western Australian side, trol of the team in 2015, had sold the sian champion, who competed at this the ARU’s options will be limited. shares for A$1. year’s tournament with over 950 other One option would have been to buy Southern hemisphere rugby’s gov- fencers from 76 diff erent countries, out Rebels owner Imperium Sports erning body SANZAAR agreed ear- expressed her gratitude at the support Management (ISM) and close down lier this year to reduce Super Rugby she received from the hospital’s staff the team, but the transfer of owner- to 15 teams from next season against during her preparations for the World ship to the VRU would appear to have a backdrop of falling revenues and Championship. stymied that potential move. fan interest after the expansion to 18 “I am absolutely thrilled with this Certainly, ISM managing direc- sides last year. achievement and still can’t quite be- tor Andrew Cox believed the transfer Two South African sides, the lieve it’s true, it’s surreal to see the had removed the axe hanging over Cheetahs and Southern Kings, have medal hanging around my neck,” she the head of the franchise. already departed and will join Eu- said. “It has been an extremely tough “Its exciting for the Melbourne rope’s Pro-12 league, expanding that season though and I had to work so Rebels and local rugby that, with the competition involving clubs from hard so I am pleased to have ended it on VRU, we’ve been able to secure the fu- Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy to such a happy note. I would like to thank ture of the Super Rugby club,” he said. 14 teams. everyone at Aspetar and say how out- standing the hospital’s staff really is. “Those who worked with me during SPOTLIGHT my rehabilitation programme helped me so much and I can’t speak highly enough about their professionalism and dedication. I wish I could return Video review makes to celebrate this happy moment with them all as they all played their part in Tunisian sabre fencer Azza Besbes (right) beat Italy’s Irene Vecchi in the semi-final for a spot in the decider at the 2017 FIE helping me become a world silver med- World Fencing Championship in Leipzig, Germany. impact in MLS debut allist.” From October to November 2016, World Championship. I dedicate this AFP disallowed. the world fencing silver medallist, ten- medal to my late mother, may her soul Washington MLS announced in July that it time African champion and the only rest in peace, and everyone who sup- would implement the video assistant Tunisian, Arab and African fencer to ported and encouraged me and believed referee (VAR) system league-wide win a world medal in three age cat- in my abilities,” she said. he debut of video review after the All-Star break, making it egories, took part in the 2008, 2012 and Aspetar provides comprehensive in Major League Soccer on among the fi rst domestic leagues to 2016 Summer Olympics. and world-class medical care to elite Saturday saw FC Dallas be- use the system hailed by FIFA presi- She undertook an extensive reha- athletes to help them achieve their full come the league’s first club dent Gianni Infantino at the Confed- bilitation and treatment programme potential and operate at maximum toT have a goal ruled out by the sys- erations Cup in June. with Aspetar’s world leading sports performance. The hospital has a long tem in their 3-1 loss to the Philadel- Australia’s A-League announced consultants and physiotherapists as and proud history of providing medi- phia Union. in April that it would become the fi rst she looked to prepare for the 2017 FIE cal support to several Arab and Tuni- Dallas, trailing 3-0 in Philadel- top-level domestic league to imple- World Championship and bag a medal. sian athletes including the swimming phia, thought they had pulled a ment the system, while Germany Besbes’ passage to the fi nal was star and three-time Olympic medal- goal back in the 80th minute when and Portugal are slated to test it this tough after the Tunisian won a closely list, Oussama Mellouli; 3,000 metres Argentine Max Urruti followed up season. fought semi-fi nal encounter against steeplechase runner and Olympic gold on a Christian Colman effort that In addition to featuring the MLS’s the renowned Italian, Irene Vecchi, medallist, Habiba Ghribi; Olympic had been parried by Union keeper fi rst review, the match also marked eventually beating her by 15-14. Besbes’ bronze medallist and two-time Olym- John McCarthy, knocking in the re- the fi rst time the Union have beaten performance has since been praised pian fencer, Ines Boubakri; and the ris- bound. Dallas in their eight-year history by fencing experts and commentators ing Tunisian tennis star, Ons Jabeur. But Colman’s eff ort included a kick — after fi ve prior defeats and four around the world with many saying it at McCarthy, and referee Ricardo draws. demonstrated her current level of ath- Salazar was alerted to the possibility CJ Sapong scored twice — his 11th letic conditioning. Besbes went down against Ukraine’s of a foul. and 12th goals of the season and Il- “This is a historic moment for myself Olga Kharlan in the final for her silver After a 15-second review, Sala- sinho added a goal for the Union. and my country as it represents Tuni- medal at the 2017 FIE World Fencing zar ruled that there was indeed a Michael Barrios scored in injury sia’s fi rst ever silver medal at a fencing Championship in Leipzig, Germany. kick on McCarthy, and the goal was time for FC Dallas.

BOTTOMLINE Crusaders reign supreme but Super Rugby future still cloudy

Reuters competitions is a major concern for the likes of Wellington New Zealand, where there is as much regard for the benefi ts of regular exposure to South African teams as there is for the cash that fl ows from the here is nothing more traditional than republic. the Canterbury Crusaders as Super Australia’s players’ union has suggested a rea- Rugby champions but a record eighth lignment of the competition with Australia and title for the New Zealand powerhouse New Zealand going it alone along with Japan and Twill do nothing to remove the question marks a team from the Pacifi c islands. over the future of the competition. That would take Australasian rugby back to The 25-17 victory over South Africa’s the Li- amateur days of 1992 when a forerunner of Su- ons in Johannesburg that secured the Crusaders per Rugby, the Super Six, involved the Fiji team, a fi rst title since 2008 on Saturday also brought three New Zealand provincial sides and two an end to the failed experiment of an 18-team Australian state teams. competition after just two seasons. Although the Pacifi c island nations have Gone is the confi dence of 18 months ago when rugby talent aplenty, the infrastructure, rev- rugby administrators were praising the idea of enue opportunities and player pathways bear no bringing in teams from Argentina and Japan and comparison to South Africa. talking about further ‘inevitable’ expansion into The viability of Super Rugby on the islands untapped markets in Asia and North America. has been tested over the last two seasons, how- Instead, against a backdrop of falling rev- ever, with the Crusaders and Waikato Chiefs enues and fan interest, southern hemisphere blazing the trail in Suva in 2016 and repeating rugby’s governing body SANZAAR went back to the exercise this year. the future by cutting three teams from the com- The Auckland Blues also took a game to Apia petition for next season. in June but, while both Suva games were well While South Africa has already dropped two, attended, that clash with the Queensland Reds the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is still locked was played in front of a half-empty stadium in the messy process of choosing to cull either the with the blame being put on high ticket prices. Melbourne Rebels or Perth-based Western Force. Australia would have the most to gain from The Force, who rallied signifi cant fan support such a realignment with the sport having expe- in Perth and then received the backing of mining rienced a major downturn even in its traditional magnate Andrew Forrest, began arbitration with strongholds. the ARU last week. With their player pool spread thinly, none of The ownership of the Rebels, however, be- Crusaders players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Super XV rugby final against Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday. (AFP) their fi ve teams managed a single victory over a came clouded late on Friday when the ARU New Zealand side this year in 26 attempts. asked the franchise to clarify their status after Bloemfontein’s Cheetahs at the end of the regu- land, Wales and Italy to 14 teams. The South Africans have long considered that To rub salt into the ARU’s wounds, the Force becoming aware their licence had been trans- lar season. It is that decision which could have the great- their future ultimately lies in Europe, where the won six games this season, as many as the Austral- ferred to the Victorian Rugby Union. Both sides, however, said last week they had est ramifi cations for the future of Super Rugby time zones fi t more naturally and broadcast rev- ian conference champion ACT Brumbies, and they South African Rugby had no such issues and joined Europe’s Pro-12 league, expanding that after the current broadcast agreement expires in enue is more lucrative. signed off , possibly for good, with a 40-11 thrash- cut adrift the Port Elizabeth-based Kings and competition involving clubs from Ireland, Scot- 2020. Any possible move away from SANZAAR ing of the New South Wales Waratahs. Gulf Times Monday, August 7, 2017 7 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Zverev takes down Indian boxer off ers to trade Nishikori, faces title for peace Anderson for title with China ‘Getting the hardcourt season started with a win would be great’ Agencies a month as India and China refuse to Mumbai back down in the distant but key ter- ritory. AFP Mistrust between the giant neigh- Washington ndian boxer Vijender Singh has of- bours goes back centuries with the fered to return the championship pair having fought a brief war in 1962 belt he won in this weekend’s ti- in India’s border state of Arunachal ermany’s Alexander Zver- tle fi ght over his Chinese rival in a Pradesh. ev dominated Japan’s Kei Inod to diplomacy amid a tense border On Saturday, Singh extended his Nishikori 6-3, 6-4 Satur- standoff between New Delhi and Bei- winning streak in the professional are- day in a showdown of top- jing. na to nine bouts, while it was the fi rst G10 rivals to reach the ATP and WTA The Olympic-bronze medallist ex- defeat of Maimaitiali’s professional Citi Open fi nal against South Africa’s tended the olive branch to Zulpikar career. Kevin Anderson. Maimaitiali after defeating the Chi- Known for his ability to knockout Zverev, ranked a career-best eighth nese champ in the much-anticipated opponents, the Uighur boxer from Chi- this week, dropped only seven points double-title pro bout in Mumbai on na was undefeated in his previous nine on his serve and never faced a break Saturday. professional bouts. He had won eight of point in the 63-minute aff air, extend- The win saw the 31-year-old Indian those – several of them by knockouts – ing ninth-ranked Nishikori’s ATP title pugilist retain not just his WBO Asia while one bout was undecided. drought to 30 events over 18 months. Pacifi c super middleweight title but Both boxers were slightly tentative The 20-year-old from Hamburg snatch the super middleweight belt in an evenly matched opening round. will try for his fi fth career title and from his Chinese opponent. Maimaitiali tried to go on the off en- fourth of the year against 45th-ranked But the newly-crowned champ bur- sive at the start of the second round Anderson, who ousted 19th-ranked ied the hatchet after the fi ght, dedi- but Singh did well to negate his attacks. American Jack Sock 6-3, 6-4 on the cating his victory to the “India-China The Indian used his superior height to Washington hardcourts. friendship” and calling for an end to land several punches over the course of “Getting the hardcourt season the distrust that has fl ared up over a the round. started with a win would be great,” border disagreement. The next couple of rounds were Zverev said. “I want to give back this belt to evenly matched as well although the Zverev dominated from the start, Zulpikar. I hope for peace in the border Chinese boxer found it hard to counter winning the fi rst 10 points and 12 of and the message is about peace. That is Singh’s height advantage. the fi rst 13, Nishikori netting a back- most important,” Singh was quoted as Maimaitiali tried very hard, but hand to surrender a decisive break at saying by the Press Trust of India. found it tough to deal with Singh’s de- love in the second game. Both men Indian and Chinese troops have been fence and counter-punches. held from there, Zverev taking the fi rst locked in a standoff at a remote but In his attempt to force the advantage, set in 28 minutes. strategically important Himalayan pla- Maimaitiali hit Singh below the belt on Zverev hit a forehand winner to teau near where Tibet, India and Bhu- a few occasions, one of which saw the break for a 2-1 lead in the second set tan meet. contest being stopped for several sec- and held to the fi nish, claiming victory Alexander Zverev serves during the semi-final against Kei Nishikori in Washington, DC, on Saturday. (AFP) The plateau gives China access to the onds in the ninth round. when Nishikori netted a forehand. so-called “chicken neck” — a thin strip Maimaitiali tried to force the pace in “I played a great match,” Zverev title since 2014 at Pattaya City and of land connecting India’s northeast- the fi nal round in an attempt to regain said. “I started 3-0. That helped the third overall. ern states with the rest of the country. lost ground, but Singh managed to evade confi dence. I played really well.” She won her only meeting with The row has festered for more than his attacks and hold on for the win. Zverev, whose fourth-round Wim- Goerges, who took the most recent of bledon run was his Grand Slam best, her two titles in 2011 at Stuttgart, in won 31-of-33 fi rst-serve points, all 13 the fourth round of the 2015 Austral- in the fi rst set, and 9-of-14 on his sec- ian Open. ond serve. Sock, this year’s Auckland and Del- Zverev is 2-0 against Anderson, ray Beach champion, had not dropped winning a 2015 Washington second- a set all week and had been broken only round match and a fi rst-round meet- once, but Anderson broke him early in ing in May on his way to the Rome each set and denied three break points title, his third crown of 2017 after with aces and another with a service Montpellier and Munich. winner. “It’s going to be a tough match. Alex “Some of my best serves were has had a great year,” Anderson said. on break points,” Anderson said. “I “For me it’s really focusing on things I play my best tennis when my back is can do and playing the best I can.” against the wall.” Anderson reached his fi rst fi nal since winning his third career ATP SOCK RIPS ‘WORST COURT’ title in 2015 at Winston-Salem. The Sock ripped the stadium court he lanky 31-year-old from Johannesburg played upon all week, saying, “Prob- also won at Delray Beach in 2012 and ably the worst court of the year. Speed, his hometown in 2011. Ekaterina Makarova celebrates her win over Oceane Dodin in their semi-final in bounces, everything. Pretty shocking. Nishikori, the 2015 Washington Washington, DC, on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) Probably the worst court on the tour.” champion, last raised a trophy at Nishikori was no fan either, saying: Memphis in February 2016, a run that “Just a bit tough this week,” Nishikori Makarova outlasted French fi fth seed “The court wasn’t my favourite... the includes six fi nals losses. said. “I had two matches fi nish at 2 a.m. Oceane Dodin 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to book court was much faster than the last “I don’t feel like last year yet, but I It wasn’t easy to go to sleep. It’s not the a berth in Sunday’s women’s fi nal couple days.” feel like if I keep playing my best ten- same when you go to sleep at 4 a.m. It against German fourth seed Julia The fi nalists both liked it, Zverev nis it will come back,” Nishikori said. has been a little bit crazy.” Goerges, who dispatched compatriot saying, “Center court I think is a great Nishikori was also tired after two Andrea Petkovic 5-7, 6-4, 7-5. court. It’s not as fast as everybody Indian boxer and WBO Asia-Pacific Super Middleweight champion Vijender Singh long matches that fi nished after mid- MAKAROVA INTO WTA FINAL Makarova, being coached by Brit- thinks,” while Anderson noted, “The (centre) celebrates after winning the double title bout against China’s Zulpikar night because of rain. Russian seventh seed Ekaterina ain’s Nigel Sears, seeks her fi rst WTA bounces seemed pretty true.” Maimaitiali in Mumbai on Saturday. (AFP)

ELSEWHERE TABLE TENNIS Qatar’s Li Ping to Keys shocks Muguruza to set participate in up all-American Stanford fi nal competition in Nigeria QNA AFP lined at the start of the year by a wrist Lagos Los Angeles injury and has struggled to fi nd con- sistency. “This whole tournament for me has atar player Li Ping will par- adison Keys roared past made me feel so great. This whole year ticipate in an international top-seeded Wimbledon has been kind of rough.” table tennis competition champion Garbine Mugu- Vandeweghe, seeded sixth, hasn’t that will take place in Nigeria ruza 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday dropped a set en route to the fi nal. fromQ August 9-13, with a host of the Mto book an all-American WTA Stan- It was the initial career meeting be- sport’s best talents participating in the ford fi nal against CoCo Vandeweghe. tween the two young Americans and event. Keys, the third seed, needed just 57 Vandeweghe used her experience to It is the fi rst time for Li Ping to take minutes to subdue Muguruza, who dominate the 65-minute contest. part in a competition in Africa. He re- claimed the second Grand Slam title of Vandeweghe, 25, reached the Stan- ceived an invitation from Nigerian of- her career when she beat Venus Wil- ford fi nal in 2012, when she fell to Ser- fi cials, given his status as one of the liams in the fi nal at Wimbledon. ena Williams. sport’s best players in the world. The Keys ended Muguruza’s nine-match “I’m fi ve years older, and hopefully total prize money for the competition winning streak, and reached her fi rst I’m more mature,” Vandeweghe said. is $46,000. fi nal of 2017. “I think (I’m) a little bit of a diff erent The Qatari table tennis association is She’ll face fellow American CoCo tennis player. You grow and evolve as a looking to prepare their player for the Vandeweghe, who reached the fi nal tennis player and as a person, and I think upcoming international tournaments with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over CiCi Bel- especially in the last two years, it’s been by participating in events such as the lis. kind of clicking in that regard.” ones in Nigeria. This will help him to Although she was broken early in Madison Keys returns a shot to Garbine Muguruza during their Bank of the West Vandeweghe won eight of the fi rst gain match sharpness, as well as points to visit Nigeria and Africa for the fi rst each set, Keys showed plenty of re- Classic semi-final in Stanford, California, on Saturday. (AFP) nine points to set the tone in the open- that can improve his position in the in- time of his life. He said that Nigeria solve in breaking back both times. She ing set. She lost her serve once in the ternational standings. have many table tennis stars and tal- gained the decisive break in the open- then held she had a 3-1 lead. break point, and fi nished off the match fi rst set, the fi rst time she had been The player expressed his happiness ents, in addition to the great table ten- ing set for a 5-3 lead and served out the She broke Muguruza one more time with a service winner. broken all week. to take part in the tournament, espe- nis history it enjoys. He expected that set. to make it 4-1 when the Spaniard “I was really happy with how even She was the aggressor, hammering cially that Nigerian offi cials showed the competition to win the tournament She then broke Muguruza as they knocked a forehand into the net. though I got broken right off the bat in seven aces, winning 80 percent of her interest in it by raising the prize money will be intense, and that supporters will opened the second set with three Firing on all cylinders on her own both sets I held it together and stayed fi rst serve points and breaking Bellis’s and inviting some of the best talents to add an incentive to players to give their straight service breaks, and when Keys serve, Keys wouldn’t face another composed,” said Keys, who was side- serve a total of fi ve times. take part. He also expressed his delight best.

Monday, August 7, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

COMMENT Gatlin win ‘not the perfect script’, says IAAF prez Coe

Reuters a child for Attention Defi cit Disorder. This sus- London pension was later reduced to one year on appeal. The sprinter then tested positive for testo- sterone in 2006 and was suspended for eight ustin Gatlin’s win in the 100 metres at the years, avoiding a lifetime ban in exchange for his World Athletics Championships was “not co-operation with the doping authorities. the perfect script”, IAAF president Sebas- This ban, however, was also halved by an arbi- tian Coe said yesterday. tration panel in 2007. JAmerican Gatlin, who has served two suspen- “There have been two bans in the past,” Coe sions for doping off ences, ruined Usain Bolt’s fair- said. ytale farewell on Saturday by beating the Jamaican “One got watered down, which made it very sprint great in his fi nal ever individual race. diffi cult for the second ban. The second ban, we Bolt came third, behind 21-year-old Ameri- went for an eight-year ban, which would have, can Christian Coleman, whose compatriot Gat- in essence, been a life ban. We lost that.” lin was booed by the crowd for his win inside the Efforts to impose lengthy suspensions on London Stadium. doping offenders have often been overturned “I’m not eulogistic that someone who has in courts or by arbitration panels, with ap- served two bans has walked off with one of our peals sometimes citing inconsistencies with glittering prizes. But he is eligible to be here,” Coe, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. the head of the sport’s governing body, told the WADA only updated its code from January BBC. 2015 to allow a four-year ban for fi rst-time of- “It’s not the perfect script. I thought Usain fenders, up from two years. was very generous with the observations he Following Gatlin’s victory, Jamaica’s prime made. That must have been a bitter event for IAAF president Sebastian Coe. (Reuters) minister Andrew Holness said he wanted life- him to swallow. He was bigger than the moment time bans introduced to fully eradicate doping. and it typifi es his career.” trated eff orts to impose more severe punishments. “So would I (like to see lifetime bans) and so Coe reiterated his support for life bans for con- Gatlin received a two-year ban in 2001 after would the majority of our sport,” Coe said. “I’m (From left) Silver medallist Christian Coleman, gold medallist Justin Gatlin (centre) and bronze victed drug cheats, but used Gatlin’s example to failing a dope test for amphetamines found in not going to close the door on lifetime bans but medallist Usain Bolt laugh on the podium for the men’s 100m event at the 2017 IAAF World illustrate how legal systems worldwide have frus- prescribed medication he had been taking since we’ve constantly tried it and lost it.” Championships in London yesterday. (AFP)

IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS Kirui, Chelimo win marathon Kirui is Kenya’s fifth men’s marathon world titles on day three champion; Chelimo edges out Kiplagat

Reuters London Qatar’s Haroun makes it

enya’s Geoff rey Kipkorir Kirui to 400m fi nal; Samba in prevailed in a compelling east Af- rican duel with Ethiopian Tami- 400m hurdles semis rat Tola on the streets of London Kto win the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships yesterday. Later in the day, Kenyan-born Bahraini Rose Chelimo won the women’s marathon after the more experienced Edna Kiplagat cracked over the closing stages to hand her the title in two hours 27 minutes 11 sec- onds. Kirui, victor at the Boston Marathon in April, broke Tola, the fastest man in the fi eld, with fi ve miles (8.05km) of the 26.2- mile course left after they had gone head- to-head over the second half of the race. At the 19-mile mark, Tola, the fastest man in the fi eld, had made his decisive ef- fort and sped away from the 24-year-old Kenyan but within two miles Kirui had hauled back the lead before surging away immediately and emphatically. Kirui forged on so powerfully that by the end of the race as he came towards the line Qatar’s Abderrahaman Samba (left) and Turkey’s Yasmani at Tower Bridge, he even had time to tap Copello congratulate each other on finishing the men’s 400m the hands of some of the hundreds of fans hurdles heat London yesterday. (Reuters) lining the fi nish. “This is the best moment of my career, Agencies na’s Baboloki Thebe. easily. I am so happy to win the world title London Thebe’s older teammate because it is my fi rst time at these champi- Isaac Makwala, like Van onships,” Kirui said afterwards. Niekerk going for a 200/400m “This was the best course and the best atar’s Abdalelah double, won his semi-fi nal crowd I have seen at a marathon.” Haroun made it to easily in 44.30sec. Kenya’s fi fth men’s world champion at the men’s 400m fi - The fastest time was a blis- the distance eventually clocked 2 hours 8 nal with a season’s tering 43.89sec by Steven minutes 27 seconds, fi nishing one minute bestQ time of 44.64 seconds Gardiner, a national record for and 22 seconds ahead of Tola (2:09:49). in the semi-fi nal heats at the Bahamas. The Ethiopian, who had tired rapidly 2017 IAAF World Champion- Nathon Allen was sucked after Kirui’s second wind, just held on for ships in London yesterday. along on his coattails in 44.19, silver by two seconds from the fast-fi nish- Finishing third in the sec- with another Jamaican, De- ing Alphonce Simbu, who won Tanzania’s ond heat, which was topped mish Gaye, also qualifying for second medal ever at a World Champion- by South Africa’s Wayde van tomorrow’s fi nal with a per- ships. Niekerk with a time of 44.22 sonal best of 44.55. Britain’s Callum Hawkins then earned Kenya’s Geoff rey Kipkorir Kirui wins the men’s marathon event at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London yesterday. (AFP) seconds, 20-year-old Haroun Also making it to the fi nal is the biggest cheers from the big crowds did enough to round up the American college runner Fred lining the streets when he came home in a a very strong and experienced athlete. But eight-man fi nal showdown, Kerley. remarkable fourth place in a lifetime best when I saw her overtaking me, I was happy that is scheduled for tomorrow. Much is expected of Van 2:10:17 amid familiar African domination. to fi nish second,” she said. Haroun’s compatriot, Ab- Niekerk, the world and Olym- In the women’s race, Chelimo led after The 37-year-old Kiplagat, who has won derrahaman Samba ran the pic champion who smashed 35km but defending champion Kiplagat two world titles and two London Mara- fi fth fastest time in the men’s American Michael Johnson’s overtook her before she regained her com- thons and beat Chelimo to claim victory 400m hurdles to make it to the world 400m record when posure to win in two hours 27 minutes 11 in Boston this year, was clear favourite but semi-fi nals. winning in Rio last summer in seconds. played down what is becoming a major ri- Samba ran 49.39 seconds 43.03sec. American Amy Cragg made a tremen- valry. yesterday, with Turkey’s Yas- Even Usain Bolt has pegged dous fi nal burst to overhaul another Ken- “I trained well, but Rose was much mani Copello the fastest with the 25-year-old South African yan Flomena Daniel, who had looked set stronger today. That is normal in running, a time of 49.13 seconds. as his most likely successor as for the bronze medal. you win today and lose tomorrow. It was In one of the closest events, the athlete capable of domi- Cragg also closed in swiftly on the tiring Rose’s day today. I thought I trained well, all the runners, who quali- nating the track after the Ja- 37-year-old Kiplagat but had to settle for but she was prepared better,” Kiplagat fi ed for today’s semi-fi nals maican sprint star’s exit from third place in the same time of 2:27:18. said. fi nished with in a second of athletics after these world “I had resigned and was happy with “I know people put their bet on me, but Copello’s time. champs. second position, but it was my day, my at championships such things are normal,” Later in the evening, Van Should Van Niekerk, or luck which handed me the title. It is not she said. Niekerk, who also set the Makwala, bag the double, it revenge even after she beat me in Boston. “It was all fi ne until the 40km mark world record when winning would be the fi rst since John- It was just my day. That is how running when my body gave in, I could no longer Olympic gold in Rio last year, son achieved the feat at the goes,” Chelimo told reporters. push. I am happy with this position, I switched off with 10 metres to 1995 worlds in Gothenburg “I wasn’t expecting to win the race al- spoke to my family who could not come (From left) Silver medallist Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat, gold medallist Rose Chelimo and run to clock 44.22 seconds to and a year later at the Atlanta though I enjoyed the race very much. After and watch me due to delayed visa,” she bronze medallist Amy Cragg celebrate on the podium for the women’s marathon event win his heat ahead of Botswa- Olympics. 35km, I pushed the pace, knowing Edna is said. at the IAAF World Championships in London yesterday. (AFP)

Thompson leads relaxed as she timed 10.84 seconds beating home Ivory Coast’s double from 2015 looked in superb order as her 13 World Championship medals total as she will also race in two relays. with the surprise of the race being sprint medallist from the 2013 world she eased past her rivals with only Ta with an easy win in her opening 400 Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who favourites into Brazilian Rosangela Santos who championships Murielle Ahoure. Marie Lou in front of her at the finish. metres heat yesterday. The 31-year-old beat Felix to the Olympic gold last 100m fi nal produced a stunning performance to Jose Ta Lou ran her fastest time of the American, running on the inside lane, year, won her heat easily in 50.97. set a South American record of 10.91 year 10.87 seconds to win her semi- burst out of the blocks and led all the Shericka Jackson, bronze medallist Jamaica’s double Olympic sprint seconds. Ariana Washington of the final ahead of Dafne Schippers. The Felix makes light way to canter home in 52.44 seconds both in Rio last year and at the World champion Elaine Thompson remained United States found her first major statuesque Dutchwoman has been work of opening and progress to the semi-finals. Felix is Championships in Beijing, finished on course for the world 100m title championships too much and failed working on her start but it didn’t show one medal away from Merlene Ottey’s second in her heat behind Zambia’s as she eased home in her semi-final to qualify, finishing seventh. However, as she made a terrible rise from the 400 metres heat record tally of 14 World Championship Kabange Mupopo as she also went to book her spot in the final later her more battle-hardened compatriot blocks. However once into her stride medals and will have three attempts through. Nineteen-year-old Salwa Eid yesterday. Thompson looked super Tori Bowie impressed in her semi-final the 25-year-old 200m world champion Alysson Felix began her bid to add to in London to overhaul the Jamaican’s Naser won the fourth heat in 50.57.