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Friday, August 25, 2017 FOOTBALL Dhul-Hijja 3, 1438 AH Neymar and PSG GULF TIMES steeled for ‘first big test’ SPORT Page 2 ATHLETICS MOTORSPORT Qatar’s Barshim Al-Attiyah aspires to win reclaims Diamond Lebanon rally League trophy Barshim jumps 2.36m in Zurich; Farah wins his final track race

Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah leads the Middle East standings with 85 points.

QNA Al-Attiyah, who has already won Beirut the Middle East title 12 times, also won the last two rallies in Jordan and Cyprus in May and June respectively. he International Rally of He will aim to perform well in his Lebanon, the fourth round of Ford Fiesta. the Middle East Rally Cham- The participants include Kuwaiti pionship, will begin today in Mishari al-Theffi ri, Jordanian Assem theT mountainous town of Matn with Aref and a large group of Lebanese the participation of 32 cars. drivers including Abdo Feghali. The rally will continue un- Qatar’s talented Rashed al-Naimi til Sunday, with a total distance of started the Middle East Champion- 672.75km, includes 11 special stages ship by winning Qatar Rally in Febru- with a distance of 206.30km. ary, before his compatriot al-Attiyah Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah is won the next two rounds in Jordan seeking to win the title for the fi rst and Cyprus. time in his career in order to put an Al-Attiyah leads the overall rank- end to the dominance of Lebanese ing of drivers in the Middle East with drivers, especially Roger Feghali, who 85 points, 19 points behind Kuwaiti has won the title 12 times. driver al-Theffi ri.

Qatar Mutaz Essa Barshim (foreground), Britain’s Mo Farah (left) and Sam Kendricks of the US pose with their Diamond League Trophies in Zuirch yesterday. (Reuters) SPOTLIGHT Agencies 200m event. Zurich Miller-Uibo, who was only third in the event at the recent world cham- pionships in London, won in a time of Ronaldo named UEFA atar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim 21.88sec ahead of Thompson (22.00) made a clean sweep of men’s and Marie-Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory high jump events at Diamond Coast (22.09), the silver medallist in player for 2016-17 League meetings to win the London. overallQ trophy in Zurich yesterday. Schippers struggled home in fourth AFP The 26-year-old jumped 2.36m in place (22.36). Monaco the Swiss city yesterday to reclaim the It was the second shock failure of the Diamond League Trophy he lost to season for Thompson, the Jamaican American Erik Kynard last summer. sprinter who captured Olympic gold in ristiano Ronaldo was Barshim has had a blockbuster of a the 100m and 200m in Rio in 2016. named UEFA Player of the season winning all six Diamond League In the 100m at the world champion- Season for 2016-2017 yes- events he participated in, including ships, she fi nished in a lowly fi fth place. terday after a campaign the season opener back home in Doha, However, she will get a last chance Cwhich saw the Portuguese superstar with the world title victory at the Lon- to redeem herself at the concluding help Real Madrid to the La Liga and don World Championships earlier this Diamond League meet of the season in Champions League double. It was the month a highlight. Shaunae Miller-Uibo of Bahamas celebrates winning the gold medal in women’s Brussels on September 1 when she runs third time that Ronaldo had won the In Birmingham, he jumped the world 200m event yesterday. (Reuters) in the 100m. award which was presented on the leading mark of 2.40m. Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet ran the second sidelines of the Champions League Having jumped that landmark height probably my result.” Paul Chelimo, in turn tripping Ethio- fastest women’s 3,000m steeplechase group stage draw. each season since 2013, Barshim is the pian Yomif Kejelcha on the outside. winning in 8min 55.29sec. His great rival Lionel Messi has fi rst man in history to clear 2.40m or FARAH WINS FINAL TRACK RACE Chelimo stumbled over the line in The Kenyan-born Olympic cham- won the prize on two occasions and higher for fi ve consecutive years. His Mo Farah won the fi nal track race of his second and Edris’s momentum took pion, 20, was two and a half seconds off could pave the way for him to cap- winning jump was also the fi rst 2.40m career by the skin of his teeth yesterday, him over in third. her own world record of 8:52.78 set in ture a fi fth Ballon d’Or title. “There leap on British soil since 2000. clinching a dramatic 5,000 metres win Briton Farah, beaten by Edris in the Paris in August last year. are the same goals every year, to meet “I was thinking about going higher,” after three chasing rivals collided with World Championship 5,000 metres fi - Jebet had a disappointing world the same challenges, win everything Barshim said after his victory in Zurich each other as they approached the fi n- nal two weeks ago, will run marathons championships where she fi nished fi fth if possible, qualify for the World Cup yesterday. “But the weather was not ish line. from next year. but she bounced back on Thursday with my national team,” said Ronal- good. It was too cold, it had rained. The The quadruple Olympic champion beating Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech do. “This trophy will give me the mo- ground was wet. led down the fi nal straight but Ethiopi- MILLER-UIBO SHOCKS SCHIPPERS (8:59.84), the runner who famously tivation to keep working hard, never “But I think 2.36 is the second best an world champion Muktar Edris came AND THOMPSON IN 200M missed the water jump barrier in Lon- to give up. I am blessed and delighted where Real defeated Juventus 4-1 in eff ort in the world this year. On Sun- powering through and appeared set to Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo don and had to retrace her steps. to be with Real Madrid.” the fi nal, he fi nished as top scorer day I will do my last competition for sneak victory on the line. stunned world champion Dafne World champion Emma Coburn of Ronaldo won the UEFA award in with 12 goals. Juventus goalkeeper this season in Eberstadt in Germany. However Edris fell to the ground after Schippers and Olympic gold medallist the United States was fourth in 9min 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 and in and captain Gianluigi Buff on was Perhaps there the weather is better and being clipped from behind by American Elaine Thompson to win the women’s 14.81sec. the Champions League last season, second in the voting ahead of Messi. Gulf Times 2 Friday, August 25, 2017 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 Qatar beat Turkmenistan in friendly match

Doha: Qatar’s national football final group A match. team beat Turkmenistan 2-1 in Qatar trained at a prepara- Neymar, PSG steeled a friendly match at Thani bin tory camp in Birmingham last Jassim Stadium yesterday. week, where they played three The match was played as a friendly matches. They lost to preparation ahead of Qatar’s Leeds United and Nottingham next two 2018 World Cup quali- Forest before winning their fiers matches against Syria and match against Andorra. China. The Qatari team will Meanwhile, captain Ibrahim for ‘fi rst big test’ play against Syria on August 31 Majid will not play the Syria in Malaysia, and then will host match because of suspension China on September 5 at Khalifa and will return to the team for Neymar dazzled in his Parc des Princes debut last weekend, scoring twice International Stadium, in the the China fixture in Doha.

FOCUS Ibrahimovic rejoins United to settle unfi nished business

AFP himovic told ESPN FC. London Ibrahimovic, who was linked with a move to Los Angeles Gal- axy earlier in the close-season, latan Ibrahimovic has re- has been working with United’s joined Manchester Unit- medical staff at the club’s Car- ed on a one-year contract rington training base and his re- after the Swedish star’s gime has been so successful that Zspell with the Premier League reports suggest he could be back side was curtailed by a serious on the pitch by late October. knee injury last season. On Sunday, Ibrahimovic, who Ibrahimovic missed the fi - will wear the number 10 shirt for nal weeks of United’s campaign United, posted a video on Twit- after suff ering ligament dam- ter challenging his followers to age in a Europa League clash guess which knee he had dam- against Anderlecht in April. But aged as he showed off taekwondo United manager Jose Mourinho moves on a punch bag. remained in contact with the “In the beginning when it hap- 35-year-old while he underwent pened, it was something new for his rehabilitation and the former me because it was a big injury, Paris St Germain’s Neymar (centre) with teammates Thiago Silva (left) and Edinson Cavani during a training session in Paris yesterday. (Reuters) Barcelona and Paris Saint-Ger- this is the fi rst major injury of my main forward has now agreed to career,” Ibrahimovic said. AFP Emery.”They have already put in some the club’s hardcore supporters on Tues- to Claudio Ranieri’s Nantes tomorrow. return to Old Traff ord. “It will take longer than one Paris good performances and picked up nine day as speculation intensifi es over the Nice’s Champions League dreams went “I am back to fi nish what I month, it’s a new situation, a new points.” Saint-Etienne snatched a last- teen sensation’s future. The 18-year-old, up in smoke in midweek as Napoli strolled started. It was always mine and challenge I have to go through, gasp draw on their most recent trip to a reported target for PSG and Real Madrid, to a 4-0 aggregate win in their play-off the club’s intention for me to but mentally I am strong. I feel aris Saint-Germain and Brazil- Paris and captain Loic Perrin says they was left out of the squad for last Friday’s tie, after which Lucien Favre blasted the stay,” Ibrahimovic told United’s good. I work hard, I haven’t had ian superstar Neymar face their have nothing to fear this weekend. 1-0 win at Metz, a week after he stayed on performance of Mario Balotelli. website. “I cannot wait to get a day off since the injury. I don’t “fi rst big test” of the season to- “We’ve been lucky to start the season the bench as an unused susbtitute against “Mario wasn’t with it, you have to be back out on that Old Traff ord want to be something I wasn’t, I day at home to Saint-Etienne as well. We’re going to Paris with not much Dijon. The Ultras Monaco 1994 group honest. He didn’t give enough. I should pitch, but I also know that I have want to be the one I was and even Pboth sides hunt a fourth straight win. to lose. When you see their squad it’s an- said Mbappe had “proved nothing special have taken him off sooner,” said Favre. to take my time to make sure that better.” Neymar dazzled in his Parc des Princes other world,” said Perrin, adding there in his few dozen matches as a profession- “We played better when we replaced him I am ready. I have been working Despite Ibrahimovic’s encour- debut last weekend, scoring twice as he was no particular plan to subdue Neymar. al” before adding that “nothing or no one with a youngster nobody knows.” hard and will continue to do so to aging recovery, which included tormented Toulouse defenders through- “Neymar is an exceptional player who is bigger than AS Monaco”. The volatile Italian striker will hope make sure I am in the best pos- the Swede being pictured div- out a crushing 6-2 victory, but Saint- is one of the top three in the world and it’s Radamel Falcao has shone in Mbappe’s for the chance to redeem himself as Nice sible condition for my return to ing off the side of a luxury yacht Etienne are the only team yet to concede exciting to measure yourself against such absence, however, scoring fi ve times in embark on a trip to rock bottom Amiens, the pitch.” recently, the United boss won’t this season. a player. It’s becoming harder and harder three matches ahead of Sunday’s visit who are yet to record a goal or a point. Ibrahimovic scored 28 times in rush his return. “We are delighted Former Barcelona midfi elder Oscar Gar- when you play Paris and it’s the same for of Marseille. Rudi Garcia’s men dropped 46 appearances in his fi rst sea- Zlatan is on the road to recovery cia is enjoying an extended honeymoon everyone. You have to believe you can pull their fi rst points in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw FIXTURES (1800 GMT UNLESS STATED) son with United, with his eye for and we are equally delighted to period having replaced the long-serving off an upset and anything is possible in a at home to Angers and must overcome Today: Paris Saint-Germain v Saint-Etienne goal and leadership skills helping have his ambition and experience Christophe Galtier as Saint-Etienne match if lots of things go your way.” Domzale of Slovenia in the second leg of (1845); Tomorrow: Nantes v Lyon (1515), Ami- Mourinho’s men win the League back with us,” Mourinho said. coach in June, with his side collecting PSG are still without injured Brazilian their Europa League play-off . ens v Nice, Bordeaux v Troyes, Caen v Metz, Cup and march towards the Eu- “After his contribution last maximum points to sit level at the top winger Lucas while Marco Verratti is sus- Lyon, also two points off the leading Dijon v Montpellier, Toulouse v Rennes ropa League title. The Swede was season he deserves our trust and with PSG and champions Monaco. pended following his dismissal against trio, will look to atone for letting slip a On Sunday: Guingamp v Strasbourg (1300), injured by the time United beat we will be patient waiting for him “It’s a fi rst big test for us against Toulouse. Unsettled Monaco striker two-goal advantage in a thrilling 3-3 Angers v Lille (1500), Monaco v Marseille Ajax in the Europa League fi nal to return. I have no doubt that he Saint-Etienne,” said PSG coach Unai Kylian Mbappe drew the ire of a section of draw against Bordeaux when they travel (1900) in his native Stockholm and both will be important in the second the player and his club agreed to part of the season.” let his contract expire at the end Ibrahimovic has won a trophy SPOTLIGHT of the season. in every season since 2001, in- But Mourinho was impressed cluding 13 league titles. In Ibra- enough by Ibrahimovic’s fi rst himovic’s absence, United have nine months with United that he made a fl ying start to the Premier made it clear he was open to the League season. Mourinho spent Southgate salutes Rooney aft er retirement forward returning if his recovery a British record £75mn to sign went well. Everton striker Romelu Lukaku AFP “There were a couple of teams in the close-season and the Bel- London reaching out, wanting ‘Ibra- gian’s arrival has sparked United Maguire and kadabra’ in their team, but I had to win 4-0 against both West such a great year with United. Ham and Swansea in their fi rst ngland manager Gareth South- Chalobah called Fantastic guys, great club,” Ibra- two league games. gate has paid tribute to Wayne Rooney’s “fantastic career” after up for England the Everton forward retired from internationalE duty. Rooney announced on qualifi ers Wednesday that he was bringing down the curtain on his England era after scor- London: England manager Gareth ing 53 goals in 119 appearances. Southgate has handed first call-ups Southgate had called Rooney to of- to uncapped duo Harry Maguire and fer him a place in the England squad for Nathaniel Chalobah for next month’s the World Cup qualifi ers against Malta World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia in September. But instead and Slovakia. In the first England former Manchester United star Rooney squad since Wayne Rooney’s interna- told Southgate he wanted to concentrate tional retirement, Southgate named on club football following his close-sea- Leicester defender Maguire and son move back to Everton. “I know I speak Watford midfielder Chalobah in a 28- for everyone when I congratulate him on a man group to face Malta and Slovakia fantastic international career,” Southgate in World Cup qualifiers on September told reporters yesterday. 1 and 4 respectively. “He said he had been thinking long and Southgate had asked Rooney to hard about the decision and he had decid- join the squad, but the Everton striker, ed he was going to announce his interna- who is England’s all-time leading tional retirement. We then talked for an- scorer, on Wednesday announced other half an hour about why I was calling England interim manager Gareth Southgate (left) and Wayne Rooney. (Reuters) he has decided to call time on his and the possible role I saw him fulfi lling international career at the age of 31. because I think as a manager you always insisted the 31-year-old deserved to the future. “I said the door was always Southgate is relishing the chance want to prod to see ‘has he thought about be ranked alongside England icons like open and because of the way he has been to see more of Maguire as injury this decision?’. Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Gary playing at the beginning of the season he prevented him being called up for “He clearly had and I totally under- Lineker. “It would be a good moment to is in the right frame of mind, that’s why I England’s World Cup qualifying draw stood his reasoning, moving to Everton recognise what an outstanding player he made the call this time,” he said. “I don’t against Scotland and friendly defeat and the fresh opportunity he has got has been for England,” Southgate said. see why you ever shut the door on any- by France at the end of last season. there. I thought there was a role that he “I have seen some debate around ‘is he thing as players.” Maguire is in his first season with could play for the squad but by the same a legend or isn’t he?’. If you are the most Southgate also said he would be willing Leicester after leaving Hull. Chalobah token I fully understand his rationale.” capped outfi eld player and the record to bring Rooney into the England set-up was allowed to leave Chelsea in the Rooney is England’s all-time leading goalscorer I’m not sure what else you if he wants to go into coaching once he close-season after struggling to scorer and most capped outfi eld player, have to do to be called a legend. He has hangs up his boots for good. “He’s been break into Antonio Conte’s side, but yet some question whether he deserves represented his country with incred- a pleasure to work with and I am sure Southgate has been impressed by to be ranked among his country’s all-time ible pride and has kept coming back even at some point in the future there could his performances for Watford and greats because of his disappointing per- when there has been a lot of criticism to- be some involvement with England,” he England’s Under-21s. Arsenal forward formances at major tournaments. Eng- wards him, and his level of performance added. Danny Welbeck returns to the squad land never made it past the quarter-fi nals has been outstanding.” “I think generally we’re trying to en- having not appeared since a win over of the World Cup or European Champi- It is a measure of Southgate’s respect gage former England players more than Germany in March 2016, but Liverpool onships with Rooney in the side. for Rooney that he even left the door open we have done in the past. midfielder Adam Lallana misses out Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed the final weeks of Manchester United’s But Southgate, who had begun eas- for a possible return to the England squad Help them along their coaching path- due to injury. campaign after suff ering ligament damage in a Europa League clash ing Rooney out of the squad last season, if he changes his mind about retiring in way if that’s the way they want to go.” against Anderlecht in April. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Sanchez set to Real draw Dortmund, return for Tottenham in CL Liverpool clash AFP London Five-time winners Barcelona were drawn with last season’s runners-up Juventus rsene Wenger has re- AFP vealed unsettled Ar- Monaco senal star Alexis Sanchez could return toA action in this weekend’s Pre- olders Real Madrid will face mier League clash at Liverpool. Borussia Dortmund and Tot- Sanchez has just one year re- tenham Hotspur in the Cham- maining on his current Arsenal pions League group stage while contract and is keen to leave the Hfi ve-time winners Barcelona were drawn Emirates Stadium. with last season’s runners-up Juventus He could walk away for free at yesterday. the end of this season if no new Zinedine Zidane’s side are chasing deal is agreed but, amid interest a third successive European title and from Manchester City and Chel- fourth in fi ve seasons after demolishing sea, Gunners boss Wenger has Italian champions Juventus 4-1 in Car- insisted Sanchez will not be sold. diff in June. The record 12-time European Sanchez has missed Arsenal’s champions also take on APOEL of Cyprus opening three games of the new other title-winning stars. in a testing Group H that will see Gareth campaign with an abdominal “It’s dead because Monaco Bale face Spurs for the fi rst time since strain, but Wenger says the Chile have closed the door,” he said. leaving for Real in a then world record forward is now ready to feature at “They are still on cases like deal in 2013. Anfi eld on Sunday. (Kylian) Mbappe and Fabinho. “We are the holders so there is always “Alexis has worked very hard They’ve already lost Benjamin an extra motivation for the teams you to be back again and he is avail- Mendy, Bernardo Silva and Tie- face. It won’t be easy at all, we’ll need able,” Wenger said yesterday. moue Bakayoko, so Monaco are to play well and fi nd our best form,” said “He works very hard, is focused at a stage where they have closed Real spokesman and former striker Emilio and gives absolutely everything. the door.” Butragueno. “We’ve played a lot of times He loves to play so much that it Wenger, who signed his own against Borussia Dortmund recently and is sometimes diffi cult to stop him two-year renewal with Arsenal know how good they are. Tottenham have but he looks absolutely ready. He in May, has several players who, shown in the past years in the Premier has not played for a long time so I like Sanchez, have contracts League they are a very strong team.” will have to decide what I do with that expire in 2018. One of those Tottenham forward Harry Kane said he him but he looks ready to play.” is England midfi elder Alex Ox- was excited to line up against the defend- While other high-profi le Pre- lade-Chamberlain, also linked ing champions. “It’s a great draw. You mier League transfer targets have to Chelsea, but Wenger is ada- expect to play the best in Europe in the been left out of their respective mant the 24-year-old remains a Champions League and it’s exciting for sides at the start of the term, key member of his squad moving us. We look forward to these games. You Roma’s former player Francesco Totti is presented with UEFA President's award by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. (Reuters) ahead of the August 31 deadline, forward. “We all have our agen- want to test yourself against the best and Wenger is unconcerned about das that are quite busy but we do Real Madrid are the best at the moment,” weighs heavily. We’ll have to see how side. We will be the two favourites. After not to get them is of course more good Sanchez having his head turned not publish them. Some people said Kane. they intend to replace him. But Barcelona there are two teams who are going to want than bad,” said Klopp. French champions by a move. “He has always been look better informed than I am!” Barcelona beat Juventus 3-1 in the 2015 remain a top quality side with great indi- to create a surprise,” said Emery. Monaco, who reached last season’s semi- focused on his job, he loves to he said. “I want him to stay and fi nal but the Spanish club have endured a vidual players,” Marotta said. Chelsea, one of a record fi ve English fi nals, face Porto, Besiktas and debutants play football and I don’t think he be one of the big players of the diffi cult month with Neymar departing Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti teams to qualify for the group phase, will RB Leipzig in Group G. The opening is too disturbed by all the noises future of this club. He is one of for Paris Saint-Germain in a mammoth will be reacquainted with old faces in meet Atletico Madrid in Group C as well round of matches will be played Septem- that happen,” he said. “Players at the players this team has to be 222-million-euro ($261mn) deal. Paris in a Group B that also features Celt- as Roma and Qarabag, the fi rst side from ber 12-13. that level are used to it now, some built around in the future.” They will also come up against Greek ic and Anderlecht. “It’s an exciting group Azerbaijan to reach this stage of the com- deal better with it than others Wenger was much less stri- champions Olympiakos and Sporting with some great teams and Paris at the petition. GROUP STAGE DRAW but I don’t think he is too both- dent on whether Shkodran Mus- Lisbon in a competitive Group D. “It is a top,” said the Italian. Jose Mourinho will return to Portugal Group A: Benfica, Man Utd, Basel, CSKA ered by that.” tafi will leave, amid interest from high level group with four historic teams. “It’s a nice story for me to meet my with Manchester United after his team Moscow; Group B: Bayern Munich, PSG, Arsenal have been heavily Juventus and Inter Milan. “It’s We will be fi ghting against a well known former club again. As everybody knows, was placed in Group A with Benfi ca, Anderlecht, Celtic; Group C: Chelsea, linked with a move for Monaco’s diffi cult for me to speak about rival in Juventus and the games against Celtic get incredible support from their CSKA Moscow and Basel. Pep Guardiola’s Atletico Madrid, Roma, Qarabag; Group D: Thomas Lemar during the win- any individual cases because we them will condition our chances in the fans. And Anderlecht can not be under- Manchester City are in Group F alongside Juventus, Barcelona, Olympiakos, Sporting dow, potentially as a replacement are now in the fi nal seven days of group,” said Barca general manager Pep estimated as Belgian champions.” Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, Lisbon; Group E: Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, for Sanchez if he were to depart. the transfer market. It’s always Segura. PSG coach Unai Emery, looking to Napoli and Feyenoord while Liverpool Liverpool, Maribor; Group F: Shakhtar But Wenger conceded yesterday very diffi cult to predict what will Juventus director general Beppe mastermind a much deeper run after last will play Spartak Moscow, Sevilla and Donetsk, Manchester City, Napoli, that the France international will happen there. You have to make Marotta said Barca were a weaker side year’s spectacular collapse against Barca, Maribor in Group E. Feyenoord; Group G: Monaco, Porto, not be making the move across quick and sharp decisions, and following the record-breaking sale of expects his side to join Bayern in the last “There are groups with Barcelona, Besiktas, RB Leipzig; Group H: Real Madrid, the Channel as the Ligue 1 cham- you cannot plan that and come Neymar. “Missing a player like Neymar 16. “Bayern Munich are a very strong Bayern, Juventus and Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham, APOEL pions face losing some of their out in the press conference.”

Dembele on verge of 150mn Barca deal: Reports Madrid: Ousmane Dembele could soon business in public, we can only say that presenting Dembele at the Camp Nou on piling pressure onto already beleaguered become the second most expensive there is no fixed agreement.” Sunday or Monday. The saga also cost president Josep Maria Bartomeu. player in history as reports claim Barce- Dembele, who cost Dortmund just 15mn Dembele his place in the France squad for Following Barca’s 5-1 aggregate thrash- lona have finally agreed a deal that could euros from Rennes last year, has been sus- upcoming World Cup qualifiers against ing by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super rise to 150mn euros ($177mn) for the want pended by Dortmund since he boycotted the Netherlands and Luxembourg on Cup, the hashtag “bartomeudimiteya” away 20-year-old. training on August 10 in protest after the Thursday. (Bartomeu resign now) was a trending According to media outlets in Spain, German club rejected Barca’s first bid. “Ousmane hasn’t trained for a fortnight topic worldwide on Twitter. A growing France and Germany, Barca are prepared “The club is working on the incorporation and he’s waiting to see if the transfer will split between Barca’s top players and to break their own transfer record with an of players and when there is a definitive go ahead or won’t go ahead,” said France board was also evidenced this week as initial off er of 120mn euros supplemented decision we will make an off icial an- coach Didier Deschamps. Barca are in the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez by 30mn extra in add-ons. “We’re getting nouncement that explains the situation,” desperate need for reinforcements since posted photos on social media of them nearer to a decision, but one hasn’t been Barca’s general manager Pep Segura told being caught cold by Neymar’s decision partying with Neymar just hours after the reached yet,” Dortmund’s managing BeIN Sports Spain. to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world club announced they are suing the Brazil- director Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sky, German newspaper Bild reported record 222mn euros earlier this month. ian for breach of contract. denying claims a deal had been finalised Dortmund could make an off icial an- With just a week to go before the trans- Barcelona were powerless to stop between the clubs’ directors at yester- nouncement at midday (1000GMT) today. fer window closes, the Catalan giants have Neymar’s move to PSG earlier this month day’s Champions League draw in Monaco. Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo had several attempts to land Dembele and as the French side met the buyout clause “We are not the sort of club who does our Deportivo claimed Barca are hopeful of Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho rebuff ed, in his contract.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Klopp hopes Euro progress yields transfer lift for Liverpool AFP contract with a player in the squad. erpool’s fourth against his former club. Liverpool They say, ‘Yeah, I want to play Cham- “Roberto Firmino!” Klopp exclaimed in pions League.’ “I always think, ‘WTH? his post-match press conference.”What It’s your job to do it with us together! a game he had today.” iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp Don’t ask for us to do the job so you can Klopp said he had “nothing to say” voiced hope that guiding his play Champions League. Do it with us about Philippe Coutinho, who con- team back into the Champi- together.’ And that’s what this team did. tinues to be courted by Barcelona and ons League will strengthen That’s why I’m so happy about it. Four- was absent against Hoff enheim due to Lhis hand in transfer talks over the last teen months’ hard work. And we did it. illness and a back problem. Liverpool week of the trading window. Liverpool Nice.” insist he will not be sold. secured a place in the group stage for Appointed in October 2015, Klopp Hoff enheim coach Julian Nagels- only the second time since 2010 after was unable to steer Liverpool into the mann, who is only 30, delivered a criti- a 4-2 home win over Hoff enheim on Champions League in his fi rst season cal assessment of his team’s display, Wednesday night completed a 6-3 ag- as they fi nished eighth in the Premier saying they had played like “headless gregate victory in the play-off round. League, but a fourth-place fi nish last chickens”. Klopp has only managed to bring term opened the door to a return. Hoff enheim are playing in Europe for in Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson They will discover their group- the fi rst time in their history and will and Dominic Solanke in the transfer stage opponents in Thursday’s draw in now drop into the Europa League. window so far and he suggested that Monaco and Klopp could not contain “This is a disappointment that will number might increase now Liverpool his excitement at the thought of the last for a bit, of course,” said Nagels- are back among the elite. “It’s a big Champions League music booming out mann, whose side scored through sub- infl uence on the transfer market, es- over Anfi eld again. “It’s so exciting to stitute Mark Uth and Sandro Wagner. pecially if you do it more often,” Klopp be part of it,” said the German, who led “We need to develop and be better than told reporters at Anfi eld. former club Borussia Dortmund to the we played today. It doesn’t help think- “If you talk to a player, especially the competition fi nal in 2013. ing about a past game. You can’t change players we talk to — because we don’t “For me personally, it’s two or three anything now. talk to players that are not better than years ago (since his last involvement). I “We should use the Europa League our players — they say, ‘If you played loved it always. I still love it, the play- Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (right) celebrates with captain Jordan Henderson after their Champions League as an opportunity to become more in the Champions League, it would be ers love it, the crowd loves it. We will play-off win over Hoff enheim at Anfield stadium in Liverpool on Wednesday night. (AFP) mature, to develop and hopefully we’ll really interesting because the club is have a few fantastic European nights at meet teams that will help us to do that. great, the manager’s not too bad’ — all Anfi eld. So all good in the moment and erpool fl ew out of the blocks, scoring eff ort. “The start of the game was like of illness to play and reserved special We’re going to tackle the Europa League this stuff . nothing to moan about.” three times in the opening 21 minutes a thunderstorm,” Klopp said. Klopp praise for Roberto Firmino, who cre- and we look forward to competing on “Or even when you try to extend a Leading 2-1 from the fi rst leg, Liv- through an Emre Can brace and a Salah hailed Can for overcoming the eff ects ated Can’s second goal and scored Liv- an international level.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, August 25, 2017 SPORT

MILESTONE NBA Harrison homer Irving worth ‘heavy price’ spells heartbreak — Ainge for Dodgers’ Hill He is the first player in history to end a no-hit bid with a walk-off home run in extra innings

Agencies out innings, tying a career high with 10 Washington strikeouts, as St Louis subdued San Di- ego. Making only his third start of the year, osh Harrison ended Rich Hill’s no- Weaver (2-1) permitted three hits and one hit bid in agonising fashion Wednes- walk, throwing 69 of his 99 pitches for day, belting a walk-off home run in strikes. His outing allowed the Cardinals Jthe 10th inning to lift the Pirates to a to snap a 12-game streak of allowing op- 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in ponents to score at least fi ve runs. Pittsburgh. Harrison lofted a 2-1 pitch over the left METS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 2 fi eld wall for the game-winner. Chris Flexen tossed a career-high AFP den death of his sister in a road He became the fi rst player in history to six innings, and fellow rookies Brandon Los Angeles accident. end a no-hit bid with a walk-off home run Nimmo and Dominic Smith combined to “Trading both guys was in extra innings. score all four runs in New York’s victory tough,” Ainge said on Wednes- “I got a pitch, and I didn’t miss it,” Har- over Arizona. oston Celtics executive day. “Isaiah had just an amazing rison said. Flexen (3-2), making his sixth career Danny Ainge said Kyrie season this year, entertained the Dodgers hurler Hill was perfect start, allowed two runs, six hits and four Irving’s blend of youth, whole city of Boston and every- through eight innings, retiring every bat- walks while striking out fi ve. Bchampionship experi- body fell in love with him. ter he faced. Nimmo, who has played every day ence and sheer skill made him “He’s such an underdog be- With no outs in the ninth, Dodgers since Curtis Granderson was traded Fri- worth the “heavy price” of trad- cause of his size and his heart and third baseman Logan Forsythe’s error al- day, reached base in all four plate appear- ing away Isaiah Thomas and Jae the spirit with which he plays. It lowed Pittsburgh’s Jordy Mercer to reach ances via three walks and a double. Crowder. was very challenging to make fi rst — breaking up the perfect game. Irving, who reached the NBA this decision.” Hill had been seeking the second per- ORIOLES 8, ATHLETICS 7 Finals with the Cleveland Cava- The Celtics also surrendered fect game in Dodgers history. The other Zach Britton’s American League record liers each of the past three sea- center Ante Zizic and the rights was thrown by Sandy Koufax on Septem- streak of consecutive saves ended at 60 sons — winning the title along- to the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 fi rst- ber 9, 1965. Josh Bell nearly broke up the but Baltimore still emerged with a victory side superstar LeBron James in round draft pick. no-hit attempt twice before. over Oakland on a game-winning homer 2016 — had let the Cavs know “It’s extremely rare to be able In the second inning, he led off by by Manny Machado in the 12th inning. he wanted a change and they to trade for a 25-year-old player bouncing a ball down the line to Dodg- The Athletics’ Marcus Semien went obliged on Tuesday with a block- that’s done what he’s done in his ers fi rst baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Bell 3-for-5 with an RBI double in the sixth buster deal that sent the 25-year- career and the off ensive weapon was called safe when he appeared to beat and a single in the ninth that cut the Ori- old to the Celtics. that he is,” Ainge said. Gonzalez’s throw to Hill for a single. oles’ lead to 7-6 off Britton. In exchange the Cavaliers re- “We know we’re paying a After a challenge, however, the call was One batter later, Matt Joyce tied the ceived Crowder and Thomas — heavy price and love the guys reversed. In the eighth inning, Bell struck game on a sacrifi ce fl y. Britton had not the two-time All-Star who won that were here and we really a sharp ball toward center fi eld but Dodg- blown a save since Sept. 20, 2015. hearts in Boston with a big game didn’t want to give up any of ers second baseman Chase Utley robbed that belied his small stature and those pieces to make this deal him of a hit with a diving catch. MARINERS 9, BRAVES 6 his determination to pursue his work — but we’re excited to have Hill, 37, struck out 10 and threw just Kyle Seager had three hits, including a playoff dream even after the sud- Kyrie.” 99 pitches while facing 29 batters in the Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison (5) celebrates with teammates after three-run homer that highlighted a fi ve- defeat. hitting a walk-off home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the tenth inning run eighth-inning rally, to propel Seattle The Dodgers off ense collected eight at PNC Park. Harrison’s home run was the first Pirate hit of the game off Los Angeles past Atlanta. HORSE RACING hits but no runs, fi nishing 0-for-9 with Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill. PICTURE: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports The Mariners entered the eighth trail- runners in scoring position and stranding ing 6-5 and rallied against Jim Johnson, 11 base runners. RED SOX 6, INDIANS 1 reached base four times. who allowed each of the four batters he Pirates starter Trevor Williams allowed Mitch Moreland and Eduardo Nun- faced to reach base. Enable completes seven hits and four walks in seven score- ez homered, and four Boston pitchers RANGERS 7, ANGELS 5 Seager then greeted rookie reliever Dan less innings. Relief pitchers Felipe Rivero combined for a three-hitter in defeating Adrian Beltre homered in his fi rst two Winkler with an opposite-fi eld homer and Juan Nicasio completed the Pirates’ Cleveland. at-bats and contributed to a two-run up- that bounced off the top of the wall. Oaks quartet shutout. Moreland hit a solo home run off Co- rising in the 10th inning with a ground- It wasn’t Hill’s fi rst brush with perfec- rey Kluber in the fi fth inning, and Nunez out as Texas defeated Los Angeles. White Sox 4, Twins 3 AFP “But she has a favourite’s tion. belted a two-run shot off Bryan Shaw Robinson Chirinos also homered and Tim Anderson lined a single to left to London chance for the Arc. Last September, he was pulled from in Boston’s four-run ninth. The Indi- fi nished with three hits. score Avisail Garcia with the winning run “She is a remarkable fi lly hav- a perfect game bid by Dodgers manager ans’ Edwin Encarnacion homered in the as Chicago claimed a walk-off victory ing won four successive Group Dave Roberts after seven innings against eighth off reliever Addison Reed. YANKEES 10, TIGERS 2 over Minnesota. rankie Dettori guided the Ones by fi ve lengths or more.” the Marlins. Roberts said he was “sick to Gary Sanchez continued his power The White Sox shortstop sent a 1-0 extraordinary fi lly Enable Dettori, who teamed up with my stomach” at having to make the move, ASTROS 6, NATIONALS 1 surge with his third homer in two games pitch from Trevor Hildenberger (2-2) to her fourth Group One Gosden to win the Arc two years but feared a blister was re-forming on Mike Fiers produced his best start in as New York rolled past Detroit. with one out in the ninth inning for his success of the season, the ago with Golden Horn, admitted Hill’s throwing hand. more than a month, and Jake Marisnick, Sanchez hit a solo homer in the fi rst fi rst career game-ending hit. Danny Far- FYorkshire Oaks, in dominant style yesterday’s race had not been a Hill’s latest stellar, if ultimately futile, Max Stassi and Alex Bregman hit home inning and added a two-run single in the quhar (3-2) worked a scoreless inning for yesterday at York. contest. “She got a bit bored in performance came 12 days after he was hit runs as Houston topped Washington. third. He has homered in six of the past the victory. The John Gosden-trained the end,” said the 46-year-old in the throat by a pitch in a game against After allowing at least three runs and nine games, and he has nine long balls three-year-old also collected her Italian. “She likes to have a fi ght the San Diego Padres. two homers in each of his previous four over the past 14 contests, giving him 26 GIANTS 4, BREWERS 2 fourth Oaks of the campaign, on her hands but unfortunately starts, Fiers (8-8) surrendered one run, for the season. Jarrett Parker’s check-swing, two-run having won the Cheshire, English today there wasn’t one. ROYALS 6, ROCKIES 4 four hits and one walk in seven innings. double broke a seventh-inning tie and and Irish versions, and now has a “Having said that to keep up Eric Hosmer’s three-run, walk-off It marked his longest outing since he BLUE JAYS 7, RAYS 6 sent San Francisco past Milwaukee. tilt at Europe’s most prestigious with her the others would burst homer with two outs in the ninth inning worked seven innings in consecutive Toronto hit six home runs, fi ve of them Matt Moore pitched six strong innings race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triom- their lungs.” lifted Kansas City over Colorado. starts in mid-July. solo, and Kevin Pillar’s shot in the eighth before handing off the ball to the bullpen, phe, in October as her target. Gosden, winning his third Hosmer’s blast with Alex Gordon and inning gave Toronto the victory over helping the Giants win for a second time The bookies were as impressed Yorkshire Oaks, admitted it was Melky Cabrera aboard came off former CUBS 9, REDS 3 Tampa Bay. in the three-game series against the play- as the spectators, who gave her a the fi rst time his stable star had Royals closer Greg Holland (2-5). The fi rst Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run homer The teams combined for nine home off -contending Brewers. standing ovation as she led from led from the front. baseman ripped a 1-1 off ering out to right and Tommy La Stella added a two-run runs, matching the most in a Rays game. pillar to post and stormed clear to “She is a gorgeous fi lly but got for his fi rst career walk-off home run. shot as Chicago won its fi fth straight. Tampa Bay came back from a 5-0 defi - PHILLIES 8, MARLINS 0 win ahead of stablemate Coronet, a bit lonely out there,” said the Brandon Maurer (3-5) worked a score- Mike Montgomery (4-6) allowed four cit to tie the game in the seventh, only to A three-run homer by rookie slug- quoting her as even money fa- 66-year-old Englishman, who less ninth to pick up the victory. Kan- hits in six shutout innings. The Cubs leave the bases loaded and see the Blue ger Rhys Hoskins punctuated a fi ve-run vourite for the Arc. last time out saw his fi lly beat sas City’s Whit Merrifi eld went 4-for-5, played without third baseman Kris Bry- Jays snap a four-game losing streak. third inning as Philadelphia backed a ter- “I won’t tempt fate until we the colts, including Wednesday’s matching his career-high in hits. Hosmer ant, who was hit on the hand by a pitch rifi c outing by Mark Leiter Jr with a well- have run in the Arc as to whether Group One winner Ulysses, in the added three hits. during the ninth inning on Tuesday night. CARDINALS 6, PADRES 2 rounded off ensive performance en route she is the greatest fi lly I have rid- King George VI and Queen Eliza- He was replaced by La Stella, who Luke Weaver pitched seven shut- to victory over Miami. den,” said Dettori. beth Stakes.

BOTTOMLINE Kaepernick’s backers rally in his support AFP not to stand for the national anthem work in their communities. New York before games to protest police brutality In the meantime, sideline anthem and racism. Kaepernick said he wanted protests have continued in the NFL pre- to spark conversation and debate, but season. On Monday, a dozen Cleveland aseball legend Hank Aaron said critics accused him of disrespecting the Browns players knelt during the anthem Colin Kaepernick is “getting a fl ag and the US military. before an exhibition game against the raw deal” as supporters rallied Now a free agent, Kaepernick has not New York Giants. in front of NFL headquarters been signed by any NFL team. “There’s a lot of racial and social in- Bin New York on Wednesday on behalf of In a sport where competent quarter- justices in the world that are going on the controversial quarterback. backs are prized more than any other right now,” rookie safety Jabrill Peppers Aaron told BlackAmericaWeb.com in players, Kaepernick’s unemployment is said. “We just decided to take a knee an online video published Wednesday strikingly anomalous — and civil rights and pray for the people who have been that Kaepernick is being blackballed by activists have taken note. aff ected and just pray for the world in NFL owners who disagree with his poli- The NAACP has requested a meeting general.” tics. with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell The recent protests have seen more “I think he’s getting a raw deal,” Aaron to discuss Kaepernick. white players off ering support — by said. “If you look at all the quarterbacks Derrick Johnson, the NAACP’s inter- placing their hands on the shoulders of in the league right now, I think you have im president and CEO, said “no player black teammates who were protesting to say he is one, two, three, four. I don’t should be victimized and discriminated during the anthem. think anybody can do the things he could Activists rally in support of NFL against because of his exercise of free In front of NFL headquarters in Man- do. I wish somebody would open up and quarterback Colin Kaepernick speech.” On Twitter, #BlackoutNFL hattan on Wednesday groups including give him a chance to do his thing.” outside the off ices of the fi nds black men from an array of pro- Justice League NYC and Color of Change Kaepernick, 29, became a lightning National Football League on fessions vowing to stop watching or rallied, with several hundred showing up rod for controversy with the San Fran- Park Avenue in New York City. attending games of the hugely popular in support of Kaepernick — wielding cisco 49ers last season when he opted league, devoting the hours instead to signs and chanting “I’m with Kap.” Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 5 SPORT

SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES FOCUS Boxer wins bout in 21 seconds because he Schooling lashes didn’t trust judges

AFP who lost in an unfair manner,” he add- Kuala Lumpur ed. “I did not want the fi ght to be de- cided by the umpires. We train to get in there and destroy.” out at critics aft er ilipino-British boxer John Marvin, who comes from Britain’s Marvin took just 21 seconds Isle of Wight and whose mother is to clinch the Southeast Asian Filipino, said he felt “sad” that rising FGames light heavyweight title star Paalam, 19, was eliminated in the yesterday, and then said he wanted a quarter-fi nals by Fuad. quick win as he didn’t trust the judges. “He is my teammate. It is sad to see The 24-year-old, a lance corporal him lose,” he said. in the British Army, unleashed a bar- Fuad, meanwhile, who beat Thani golden double rage of punches from the bell to stop Narinram of Thailand in the light fl y- Malaysia’s Adli Hafi dz Mohamed weight fi nal, insisted his victory over Pauzi — who later claimed he wasn’t Paalam was legitimate. ‘My goal is to come here and help the team as best as I can, win gold medals’ ready. “I waited for eight years to win gold Marvin said he didn’t want the fi nal in the SEA Games. When I fought the to be left in the hands of the judges, Filipino, it was 50-50,” he said. after his teammate Carlo Paalam lost “Some say I won, others say he won a questionable decision against home but for me I got the most number of favourite Mohamed Fuad Redzuan on points and the fi ght was dominated by Monday. myself and not him (Paalam),” he said. Fuad went on to win the light fl y- The Philippines claimed a second weight class, clinching Malaysia’s gold medal through middleweight Eu- fi rst SEA Games title in the division. mir Felix Marcial, who braved injured “My mission was to get in there and knuckles to beat Thailand’s Pathomsak win. That is my plan. I hit (my oppo- Kuttiya on points. nent) a four-punch combination in But Mario Fernandez, who was eye- the face,” Marvin said, dedicating the ing a record third straight gold in the win to Paalam and the Philippines. bantamweight class, lost unexpectedly “It is a revenge for my colleague to Thailand’s Chatchai Butdee.

SPOTLIGHT McIlroy to take a three-month break, skip European Tour fi nale

Reuters New York

ory McIlroy will have three months off at the end of the year in an eff ort to get fully healthy and fi ne-tune his gameR for 2018, the Northern Irishman said yesterday. Speaking on the eve of the Northern Singapore’s Joseph Schooling reacts after winning the men’s swimming 100m freestyle final event at Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Trust, the fi rst FedExCup playoff event on New York’s Long Island, McIlroy AFP “My goal is to come here and help the didn’t beat the tournament record they the light fl yweight division. described it as a rare chance to take an Kuala Lumpur team as best as I can, win gold medals. set in their home pool in 2015. Fuad, who beat Thani Narinram of extended break. That’s all I care about at this meet. You Malaysia, who lost Daniel Bego from Thailand for the gold, denied sugges- The news will disappoint to the Eu- can’t always set best times, it’s fi ne. their relay team because of a food poi- tions he benefi ted from an unfair de- ropean Tour, which will stage its end- lympic butterfl y champion “It’s all about me trying to help the soning outbreak which hit 16 Malay- cision in his quarter-fi nal against Fili- of-season Race to Dubai in November Joseph Schooling round- team as best as I can and me trying to sian athletes, fi nished third in the event pino teenager Carlo Paalam. without the tour’s biggest drawcard. ed on critics who say he’s win as many individual events as I can.” behind Vietnam. “Some say I won, others say he won But McIlroy, winless in 2017, is eyeing swimming too slowly after Schooling, who won 100m butterfl y “We do feel sorry for him and we’re but for me I got the most number of the big picture. Ohe grabbed his fourth and fi fth gold bronze at last month’s world cham- pretty sure he’s disappointed too. But points and the fi ght was dominated by “To have three months I can focus on back injury, said the problem had been medals of the Southeast Asian Games pionships, just a year after stunning we can’t help it because it’s sickness, myself and not him,” he said. myself, my health, my game, and just more of a hindrance than the 2015 rup- yesterday. Michael Phelps to claim the Olympic it happens to everyone,” said Malay- Quzandria Ambak won dressage improvement, I don’t think I’m ever go- tured left ankle ligament than prevent- Schooling said detractors could say title, hasn’t tested his personal bests sia’s Welson Sim. With fi ve full days of gold — ahead of her elder brother Qa- ing to get a chance like this in my career ed him from defending his British Open what they liked as he won the 100m this week. competition to go, Malaysia appeared bil, who took silver — and Malaysia also again, where I get this opportunity to crown. freestyle and anchored Singapore’s In the 100m freestyle, he was pushed to be headed for victory on the overall won titles in squash, karate, shooting re-evaluate things, work on some stuff After this month’s PGA Champion- 4x200m freestyle relay victory to near all the way by Vietnam’s Hoang Quy medals table as they soared to 63 golds and pencak silat, a martial art. and just try and improve and get better,” ship, he said he was thinking of skip- his target of six gold medals in Kuala Phuoc before winning in 48.93, outside late on Thursday, 30 ahead of second- Thailand swept the men’s and he told reporters at the Glen Oaks Club ping the entire PGA Tour four-event Lumpur. the SEA Games record he set two years placed Vietnam. women’s individual golf titles, as Thai- in Old Westbury. playoff series, but subsequently de- “They can say whatever they want,” ago in Singapore. Grace Wong set a new Games record Japanese Kosuke Hamamoto carded “I feel it’s a tremendous opportu- cided to defend his title, before ending Schooling shot back, when asked about In the relay, he pulled away in the of 59.24m in the women’s hammer, and 10-under-par 203 over three rounds to nity to improve as a golfer and with my his year at the European Tour’s Dunhill the criticism of his performances last leg to help Singapore to win by boxer Muhamad Fuad Redzuan won win by a stroke from Singapore’s Marc health and everything. I’m excited to Links Championship at St. Andrews. which has been circulating online. more than six seconds, but their time Malaysia’s fi rst ever SEA Games title in Ong. play these next few weeks but I’ve al- “(I will) start to hit balls the end of ready sat down with my team and we November and then work on some have a three-month plan going forward. technical stuff and when we get to Jan- GOLF “I’m getting a lot of testing and as- uary hit the ground running and hope- sessments done 19th and 20th October fully have an injury free, stress free, and then... we’ll be focusing on getting very successful year.” me in (the) best possible shape with my Four-times major champion McIl- Stars eye big fi nish in FedEx Cup playoff s body and game going into 2018.” roy has not won any of the four biggest McIlroy, hampered this year with a tournaments since 2014.

AFP In addition to the British Open, New York Spieth won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am Hideki Matsuyamaof Japan is and the Travelers Championship this focused on winning the FedEx season. Marczynski wins stage six as edEx Cup points leader Hideki Cup, and the $10mn bonus that “The playoff s are very important, Matsuyama is anything but comes with it. this year,” Spieth said of the weight the Froome holds on to Vuelta lead complacent heading into the post-season could carry in the Player FUS PGA Tour playoff s with of the Year chase. Barcelona: Polish rider Tomasz major winners Justin Thomas and Jor- “It’s a close race right now. I think Marczynski earned his first stage dan Spieth on his heels. it’s between four guys, in my opinion. win at a grand tour by outsprinting “It has been a really good season, So it’s a fi ght and it’s something that is two rivals at the finish to take an great season for me,” said Matsuyama, keeping me going out and grinding at enthralling stage six of the Vuelta a whose three tour wins this season in- the end of a really good season.” Espana, as Chris Froome increased clude two World Golf Championships Johnson, whose early-season surge his lead in the general classification titles. saw him win the Genesis Open in Los by one second. He was again unable to break Angeles and two World Golf Champi- Froome leads Esteban Chaves by 11 through for a fi rst major title. Win- onships titles before injury forced him seconds in his bid to become the first ning the FedEx Cup — and the $10mn out of the Masters in April, is seeking rider in 39 years to do a double of bonus that comes with it — would be a big fi nish to a season that started out the Tour de France and the Vuelta, as some consolation for that major dis- so well. Tejay van Garderen endured a night- appointment, but Matsuyama said “I’m looking for a really good fi nish mare stage after a promising start. he’s going into the Northern Trust at to the year,” Johnson said. “Obviously The American rider was in the same finished alongside Froome in the Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury, New at the end, I’d like to be the FedExCup group as Froome and a resurgent third group, 26 seconds back from York, focused on his game — not the champion.” Alberto Contador when he crashed Marczynski. standings. While the playoff s off er some a into the road with little more than Marczynski, 33, has been Polish “It really just begins now, because chance to cap successful seasons, for 30km to go in the 204.4km hilly stage champion twice as well as winning unless I play well in the next four Rory McIlroy they’re an opportunity from Vila-real to Sagunt in Valencia the 2015 Tour du Maroc and added events, I’m not going to be the FedEx to salvage a disappointing one. province. a grand tour stage win to those Cup Champion,” Matsuyama said. The defending FedEx Cup cham- Van Garderen’s day was made even achievements by edging compatriot The series will culminate with the pion almost opted out as he continued worse when he got a punctured tire Pawel Poljanski and Spaniard Enric Tour Championship in September, to struggle with the eff ects of an early in the final three kilometres and then Mas to the finish line in a three-man with the top fi ve in the standings able season rib injury. fell off his bike again shortly after. He sprint. to claim the bonus with a win in the But he decided he could manage the lost a further 20 seconds on Froome “I came here really wanting to win a season fi nale. jor title at the PGA Championship two In addition to his major break- pain through four more tournaments and is down to fourth from second in stage and to do it so soon is amaz- “Of course I want to be in the top weeks ago, is also looking ahead rather through, Thomas had wins at the in hopes of a fi rst win of 2017. the general classification, 30 seconds ing,” Marczynski told reporters. fi ve going into the Tour Champion- than back. CIMB Classic, the Tournament of “I haven’t not won a tournament behind the Briton, with Nicolas Roche “The last ascent, we climbed really ship, that’s my goal,” Matsuyama said. “I tried to forget about it as quick Champions and the Sony Open. Play- since the 2008 season, which was my 17 seconds ahead of him in third. fast. We got to the final with two and “The best way to do that is just to play as possible,” the 24-year-old Ameri- off success would no doubt cement his real rookie season on the European Contador produced another strong then a few others came into town. well.” can said. “It was like, look, it’s awe- status as Player of the Year. Tour. display after roaring back to life in Then we were all looking at each Matsuyama, Thomas and Spieth are some. I’m extremely happy I did it. I’m “I’d much rather hear you say that “Even in 2013 when I struggled, I Wednesday’s stage, following a blunt other, but I said, ‘I’m not going to let separated by just 198 points atop the proud of myself and proud of me and four events later than probably now,” went down to Australia at the end of performance in the first mountain any attack go without me. If I don’t playoff points standings, with world my team. said Thomas, who knows his good the year and I won — and it made the stage on Monday in Andorra due to have enough strength in the final, so number one Dustin Johnson in fourth. “It’s over with, and you know, I’ll buddy Spieth also has a good chance end of the year feel pretty good. I’d like suff ering from a stomach virus. He be it, but I’m going to give it my all’. Thomas, who captured his fi rst ma- enjoy it in the off season.” at the prestigious award. to have that feeling again.” Gulf Times 6 Friday, August 25, 2017 SPORT

FORMULA ONE RUGBY All Blacks primed for predictable Vettel aims to Wallabies build his lead at Belgian classic Four-time champion Vettel entered the four-week break with victory in the last Hungarian Grand Prix to hold a lead of 202 points to 188 over pursuer Hamilton

DPA Spa-Francorchamps

elgium Formula One returns from the mid-season break this weekend and championship Bleader Sebastian Vettel is hope- ful of increasing his standings advantage This photo taken on August 19, 2017 shows All Blacks centre Sonny over Lewis Hamilton at the classic Belgian Bill Williams (C) performing the haka with teammates Sam Cane (L) Grand Prix. and Ben Smith (R) before their Rugby Championship Test match “We have the best car,” Ferrari driver against the Australian Wallabies in Sydney. Williams will start in Vettel said going into the race at Spa- Dunedin tomorrow after showing no after eff ects from the head Francorchamps. “Our car was always good knock he took early the opening match against Australia, won by the there.” All Blacks 54-34 in Sydney last weekend. Four-time champion Vettel entered the four-week break with victory in the last AFP allowed Australia to come back Hungarian Grand Prix to hold a lead of Dunedin with four tries of their own. 202 points to 188 over pursuer Hamilton “You’ve got to keep working, in Mercedes. But Hamilton, and teammate you’ve got to keep your attention Bottas who is third on 169 points, will eye uch is the All Blacks’ on what you want to do rather the return double-header in Belgium and confi dence going into than taking a big sigh and a then Italy, seven days later, as a superb Saturday’s Rugby breath,” Hansen said on the need chance to make up ground. SChampionship rematch to play hard for 80 minutes. Spa is the longest track on the calender against Australia that they have “The opposition are going at just over 7 kilometres and Mercedes shrugged off the loss of veteran to keep working so you have to are also expected to have an edge at Fer- prop Owen Franks by calmly too. Our attention went to the rari’s home grand prix in Monza. “On pa- slotting in a raw replacement, scoreboard ... as a result of that per, people will assume that Spa should Nepo Laulala. Against a back- we threw poor passes, our skill suit our car because it is a circuit where drop of honouring Colin Meads, execution was poor, our defence aerodynamic effi ciency is extremely im- the New Zealand great who was poor. There wasn’t too much portant,” Mercedes motorsport chief Toto passed away last Sunday, the All that was good, really.” Wolff said. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and team members ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. Blacks are threatening to be even New Zealand attack coach Ian “But assumptions are dangerous — we more dominant than they were Foster believes part of the All have seen too many times already this sea- successful active driver at the circuit with umph three years ago, in which Mercedes as Blanchimont and the iconic Eau Rouge during last week’s 54-34 drub- Blacks success stems from the son that the form book can be rewritten two wins for Ferrari and two for McLaren. pair Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crashed uphiller, which is now taken fl at out in bing of the Wallabies in Sydney. Wallabies being too predictable from one weekend to the next. The veteran Finn renewed his Ferrari con- into each other. “When I think of Spa I modern cars. New Zealand coach Steve with their game plans. “So we will be making no assumptions; tract for 2018 this week and though only always think of my win there in 2014,” he “It’s got a legendary reputation and it’s Hansen has tried hard to talk “They have been consistent we have to tick off the items on our work fi fth in the drivers’ standings, has proved a said. “Of course it’s more enjoyable when totally deserved,” McLaren driver Fern- up Australia as a “very danger- with that for a couple of years, to list and make sure we do the best job to good partner for Vettel so far this term. you win in dramatic fashion but at the ando Alonso said. “The feeling when you ous beast” going into the sec- be fair,” he said. maximise our potential points score.” Raikkonen is sandwiched between the same time winning is winning and even drive Eau Rouge is completely diff erent to ond round Rugby Championship “We kind of expected to see The last fi ve races in Belgium have been Red Bull pair of Ricciardo and Max Ver- though I had a comfortable lead that year I any other corner on the calendar.” match in Dunedin. what we saw in the midfi eld Will won by fi ve diff erent drivers with Hamil- stappen. Both Red Bull drivers are relish- could still feel the pressure.” And Williams’ Felipe Massa added: “Spa But even after replacing the they change it? I am not sure.” ton, Vettel and Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo ing the race with Verstappen calling it his The track in the Ardnnes provides not is one of the best tracks in Formula One. 95-Test veteran Franks – who Hansen has largely kept faith all tasting victory. However, it is Kimi Raik- “favourite track of the year,” and Ricciardo only a scenic setting but often unpredict- I think it will be incredible to drive there pulled out Thursday because of a in the same starting line-up konen in the other Ferrari who is the most returning to the scene of a remarkable tri- able weather and renowned corners such with this new car, with more downforce.” troublesome Achilles – with the apart from the late injury to four-Test Laulala, the All Blacks Franks and the return of hook- should again be far too strong. er Dane Coles, who has been HANDBALL For while Hansen has talked cleared of the concussion symp- Pakistan qualify up the wounded Wallabies, his toms which sidelined him for for hockey real focus has been on demand- most of the year. World Cup ing the world champion All The Wallabies, plagued by at- Super Globe tournament begins today Blacks atone for their sub-par tack inaccuracies and a porous Lahore, IANS: Former hockey end to the fi rst Test. defence last week, have made powerhouse Pakistan qualified QNA side RK Vardar play Iran’s Naft and Gaz, be also played at Duhail Sports Hall from After scoring eight tries in three changes, including the for a major tournament after a Doha and Fuchse Berlin meet EC Pinheiros. today in which Qatar, Oman and Iran will the fi rst 55 minutes, a sloppi- gamble of replacing lock Rory gap of eight years when they The semi-fi nals are scheduled for Aug. be taking part. Oman and Iran will contest ness crept into their game that Arnold with Rob Simmons. made the cut for the men’s 26 before the fi nal match two days later. the opening match at 10am before Qatar World Cup 2018, the Interna- he IHF Super Globe will be- Al Sadd are aiming to replicate their take on Oman at 4pm. tional Hockey Federation (FIH) gin today at Duhail Sports Hall past form in the tournament, which they The tournament continues tomorrow BADMINTON announced yesterday. featuring champion clubs from won in 2002 and came second twice in when Qatar face Oman at 10am and Iran Pakistan, the record World Cup Tcontinental handball confedera- 2010 and 2014, and third in 2012. The at 4pm. The three teams will take Sunday winners, had missed out on the tions. club’s Algerian head coach Chouaib Kafi off before resuming matches on Monday 2014 World Cup in The Hague, Taking part in the tournament, which named a 16-man squad for the tourna- with a match between Oman and Iran at the Netherlands, and their dark lasts until Monday, are defending cham- ment. 10am and then Qatar playing Iran at 4pm. period extended even to non- pions Fuchse Berlin of Germany, Afri- The line-up of teams has completed The tournament is part of Qatar’s qualification for the 2016 Rio can runner-ups Esperance Sportive de with the arrival of Fuchse Berlin, Barce- preparations for the eighth Asian cham- Srikanth, Olympics. Tunis, Asian runner-ups Naft and Gaz lona, Naft and Gaz and Sydney Univer- pionship next summer, which qualifi es for The Green Shirts, currently Gachsaran, Oceania champions Sydney sity today, while RK Vardar and Esperance the world championship in 2019. Qatar ranked 14th in the FIH Hero University, Pan American Club Cham- Sportive arrived yesterday. EC Pinheiros Handball Association aims to prepare the world rankings, finished in pionship winners EC Pinheiros of Brazil, were the fi rst to arrive in Doha on Tuesday. national team in order to compete for the seventh position in the Hockey European champions RK Vardar, Barce- A prize of $400,000 await the tourna- three world championship berths. Qatar Sindhu in World League (HWL) Semi-Final lona who participate thanks to a wildcard, ment winners, while the runners-up and missed the last edition in Georgia after in London, meaning they faced and hosts Al Sadd. third-placed team take home $250,000 taking part in the fi rst six tournaments in an anxious wait to see if that Al Sadd face Sydney University on the and $150,000, respectively. Doha 2005, Bahrain 2007, Tunisia 2009, was good enough to earn them opening day, which also sees Esperance Concurrently, the friendly Qatar Inter- Argentina 2011, Hungary 2013 and Russia qualification to the World Cup to Sportive take on Barcelona, Macedonian national Youth Handball Tournament will 2015. quarters be hosted in the east Indian city of Bhubaneswar from Novem- ber 28 to December 16. IANS The results at the Rabobank Eu- MOTORCYCLING Glasgow roHockey Championship, which are currently taking place in Am- ndia’s P.V. Sindhu joined sterdam, have gone very much in Kidambi Srikanth in reach- favour of Pakistan, with all four of Marquez hungry for Silverstone revenge ing the quarter-fi nals, the semi-finalists having already world championship challenge following a while the mixed doubles qualified for the World Cup via AFP I the Hockey World League route, Silverstone, United Kingdom bright start to the season that saw him win pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra according to a FIH release. three of the fi rst fi ve grands prix. and N. Sikki Reddy lost in the “Under FIH regulations, the Meanwhile, Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi, pre-quarter-fi nals of the World team that wins its continental orld championship leader who claimed his debut 500cc win at the Badminton Championships here qualifier automatically qualifies Marc Marquez is out for British Grand Prix at Donington in 2000, yesterday. for the World Cup. However, revenge at the British motor- is aiming to set another landmark when he Sindhu, a double World Saensomboonsuk 21-18, 21-13. the semi-finals of the Euro- cycling Grand Prix on Sunday becomes the fi rst rider to make 300 pre- Championships bronze medal- Chinese fi fth seed and de- Wafter losing out on the last bend to Andrea mier class starts on Sunday. list, earned a hard-fought win fending champions Chen Long pean continental qualifier will be contested by Germany, England, Dovizioso two weeks ago in Austria. “This track is very long and there are so over Hong Kong 13th seed Che- crushed Indian 13th seed Ajay Netherlands and Belgium, teams Marquez came second to Ducati’s there at the front and be very consistent at many changes of direction at high speed,” ung Ngan Yi 19-21, 23-21, 21-17 Jayaram 21-11, 21-10 to book his that have already achieved Dovizioso at the Spielberg track with his all tracks and in all conditions”. said the Italian seven-times world cham- in an hour and 27 minutes. place in the quarter-fi nals. World Cup qualification thanks Honda team-mate and fellow Spaniard “Of course we’ll try for the same at Sil- pion who fi nished third here last year. In the next round, Sindhu will Five-time world champion to top five finishes in the Hockey Dani Pedrosa third. verstone, a circuit that I like, though we “It’s a really nice track for me and for my face Chinese fi fth seed Sun Yu, and Chinese seventh seed Lin World League Semi-Finals,” a FIH But the three-times world champion is know it will be a challenging round as our riding style. I want to do a good weekend who got past Spanish 15th seed Dan fought back from one game release said. not expecting things to go all his own way opponents are usually very strong there.” and fi ght for the podium.” Beatriz Corrales 21-16, 21-19. down to defeat England’s Rajiv “This means that the World Cup at Silverstone. He admits he faces a “chal- Dovizioso, second behind Marquez in Pedrosa had a tough time at Silverstone Meanwhile, Chinese teenager Ouseph 14-21, 21-17, 21-16. ticket goes to the highest placed lenging” weekend on a tough track that the world championship standings, fi n- last year and said the team will be prepar- Chen Yufei stunned Japanese Pranaav and Sikki, the 15th finisher from the HWL Semi-Finals demands skill and caution but rewards raw ished third in 2015 and second in 2011 at ing hard on the track in an eff ort to do bet- top seed Akane Yamaguchi 21- seeds, battled hard as they came that has not already achieved speed. Silverstone, both results achieved in rainy ter this time round. 18, 21-19. close to upsetting the Indone- World Cup qualification. Pakistan Marquez has won twice before at Sil- conditions. “Now we go to a diffi cult track which is In the men’s singles, eighth sian seventh seeds Praveen Jor- are the higher ranked of the two verstone, the last time in 2014. He has The leading contenders will not be rul- bumpy and where the weather is always seed Srikanth registered a 21-14, dan and Debby Susanto but the seventh place finishers from the also claimed three pole positions, prov- ing out a challenge from Yamaha’s Maver- unstable,” he said. 21-18 win over Danish 14th seed latter prevailed 20-22, 21-18, HWL Semi-Final events that took ing along the way that he can master all ick Vinales, who claimed his fi rst ever Mo- “We’ll be aiming to improve and be fo- Anders Antonsen. 21-18. place in London and Johannes- conditions including wet weather that has toGP win here last year and stands third in cused because last year was diffi cult, so we The next opponent for Sri- With the loss of Pranaav and burg, with 16th ranked France dogged the British world championship the rankings. must be out lapping and learning about the kanth will be South Korean top Sikki, India’s doubles campaign next in line for that all-important round in the past. He is looking to reverse a decline in form tyres and the setup to be prepared for Sun- seed Son Wan Ho, who edged in the tournament came to an World Cup ticket. He said that his goal is “always to be over the past few weeks that has dented his day’s race.” past Thai 11th seed Tanongsak end. Gulf Times Friday, August 25, 2017 7 BOXING

FOCUS Killing with kindness In their final press conference before their big payday bout, Mayweather and McGregor only sang praises of each other

Reuters ‘Conor McGregor had a ‘There’s been a lot of Las Vegas, Nevada hell of a career, he’s still crazy press conferences, got a hell of a career. He’s this is a lot more sub- a hell of a fi ghter, he’s dued, a lot more busi- onor McGregor and Floyd May- a stand up guy, a tough ness like the way I like weather Jr. declared a truce on competitor’ it... sometimes’ Wednesday after weeks of vi- — Floyd Mayweather Jr — Conor McGregor cious verbal attacks, off ering Cpraise instead of profanities at the fi nal press conference ahead of their much an- ticipated fi ght. Since the fi ght between undefeated boxer Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion McGregor was announced in June, the two men took part in a profan- ity laced world tour to hype a bout that has been met with both skepticism and excitement. The fi nal press conference ahead of tomorrow’s fi ght, however, was closer to a love-in than a battle fi eld with May- weather, in particular, complimenting the Floyd Mayweather man who has questioned everything from Jr. (left) and Conor his manhood to his fashion sense. McGregor pose “Conor McGregor had a hell of a career, during a media press he’s still got a hell of a career,” said May- conference at the weather. “He’s a hell of a fi ghter, he’s a MGM Grand in Las stand up guy, a tough competitor. Vegas, Nevada, on “It’s not going to be an easy fi ght. There Wednesday. (AFP) will be blood sweat and tears Saturday.” McGregor was far less eff usive in his compliments but after months of merci- lessly attacking Mayweather said he wel- comed the pause in hostilities. “There’s been a lot of crazy press con- ferences, this is a lot more subdued, a lot more business like the way I like it... sometimes,” said McGregor. After the two had turned the air blue with profanity during the earlier me- dia tour, Mayweather went the entire press conference on Wednesday without swearing. McGregor could not hold his tongue but saved his venom for a member of Mayweather’s “Money Team” who taunt- ed him from the audience, telling him he was going to be knocked out. “Not by you, whoever you are,” coun- tered McGregor. “Tell that b**** to shut up,” the Irishman growled while looking at Mayweather, who later chastised the member of his team. The restrained tone of Wednesday’s media conference underscored the high stakes of what is expected to be the rich- est fi ght in boxing with McGregor in line for $100mn payday and Mayweather as much as $200mn. While boxing purists and pundits have denounced the fi ght as nothing more than a laughable cash grab it has nonetheless captured the fascination of fans. Showtime executive Stephen Espinoza said the fi ght, which will be distributed in more than 200 countries, is on pace to smash pay per view records. While the fi ery rhetoric was toned down, both remain confi dent of the out- come. “I will go forward, I will put the pres- sure on him and break this old man,” said McGregor, who said he expected to end the 12-round bout inside two rounds. “Trust me on that. “I am going to out box this man at his own game.” The only message Mayweather had for McGregor was his record reminding him that he was trying to do something that no one has ever been able to do; beat him. “I know one thing I can do I can fi ght,” said Mayweather. “I can give it and I can take it. “But for me to be 49-0 it is obvious I have been giving it and not receiving it. “Anything and everything in boxing that can be done, I’ve done it. I was born a fi ghter, I will die a fi ghter.”

SPOTLIGHT Federer excited to team with Nadal at inaugural Laver Cup

DPA thing, his fi ghting spirit,” the Swiss cause I have played extremely well and I particular event named after myself,” New York player said as he took a break from US have not overplayed,” Federer said. Laver said. “I thank a lot of people, but Open preparation. “I just want to make sure I’m 100 I thank Team8 and Roger Federer. Roger “I know Rafa so well, and he’s been per cent ready when the matches come felt, that (early professional tennis) this oger Federer fronted up with a wonderful champion for our sport,” around here in New York,” he said. “I’m was something that was important.” fellow tennis legends Rod Federer said. “So for us to spend sort feeling really excited to be here. I’m “I’m the throw-back to the past Laver, Bjorn Borg and John of a week together on the same team back on the practise courts. I’m feeling champions,” he said. “It’s a huge hon- McEnroe as fi nal team selec- and exchanging ideas of how we could much, much better than a week ago.” our to be able to have this event as part tionsR were announced for next month’s win the Laver Cup, I think it’s going to Borg and McEnroe rounded out their of today’s world.” inaugural edition of the Laver Cup. be really highly entertaining for both of team selections, with the Swede add- McEnroe paid tribute to Laver, the The Ryder Cup-style competition us.” ing seventh-ranked German young gun only man to win two calendar-year will put Borg’s six-man European side Nadal leads the series with Federer Alexander Zverev to his line-up after grand slams, the last in 1969. against the Rest of the World team 23-14, with the pair fi rst meeting on the 20-year-old won a second Masters “This man right here, was my idol coached by McEnroe, Borg’s bitter rival court in 2004 in the Miami third round. 1000 title this season in Montreal. growing up,” McEnroe said. “We are in the 1970s and ’80s. Next month’s tournament is named He joins Federer, Nadal, former US looking to do something big here along While Federer’s management com- in honour of Australian tennis great Open winner Marin Cilic, Austrian Do- the lines of the Ryder Cup in golf, and I pany, Team8, is lead organiser of the Rod Laver, the only man to win two minic Thiem and Czech Tomas Berdych think this is a magnifi cent way to try to new competition, to be played in calendar-year grand slams. on the side. get this going.” Prague September 22-24, the 19-time World number three Federer said Mac named Argentine Juan Martin “I’m excited and very happy that I grand slam champion is most excited the back pain that forced him to miss del Potro and Canadian teenager Denis was asked to captain this team for the about teaming with long-time rival Ra- the Cincinnati event last week is now Shapovalov to his team. The pair join next three years, the fi rst one being in fael Nadal for Europe. under control and he is practising well Canadian Milos Raonic and the Ameri- Prague and then hopefully in New York “Finally, after all these years, I get prior to Monday’s Open start. can trio of John Isner, Jack Sock and next year, perhaps, but we’ll see,” he a chance to actually support his fore- “Other than the back issue, I’m com- Sam Querrey. said. “It’s going to be awesome. I think Roger Federer (left) and Rafael Nadal. hand, his aggressive play, his every- ing in as good as I can possibly feel, be- “I’m totally honoured to have this this event is going to grow and grow.”

Friday, August 25, 2017 GULF TIMES CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Faf du Plessis to lead World XI to Pakistan

AFP 2010 winning captain Paul Colling- Perera (Sri Lanka), Imran Tahir (South “(P)laying Pakistan in front of its Lahore, Pakistan wood, West Indies’ Darren Sammy, Africa). passionate supporters will be a unique South African Hashim Amla, Bang- Former Zimbabwe captain and ex- occasion, which I can’t wait to experi- ladesh’s Tamim Iqbal and Australia’s England coach Andy Flower will coach ence,” he said. outh African skipper Faf du George Bailey will also be part of the the side, which is set to arrive in Lahore Amla, who visited Pakistan with a Plessis will lead a World XI team World XI. on September 11 after attending a two- Graeme Smith-led side in 2007, said he to play three Twenty20 matches The matches are aimed at ending day camp in Dubai, said the PCB. looked forward to returning, and was in Pakistan, authorities an- Pakistan’s international isolation, trig- Du Plessis, who recently led South “confi dent” of having recovered from a nouncedS yesterday, a huge coup for a gered after militants attacked the visit- Africa on the tour of England, said he shoulder injury. cricket-mad country eager to revive the ing Sri Lankan team’s bus in Lahore in was “honoured” to tour Pakistan. If the World XI tour goes off without international game. 2009. “All the members of the squad have problems, Pakistan hope Sri Lanka will Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chair- Pakistan has hosted all its interna- complete faith and trust in the assess- also play a Twenty20 in Lahore in Oc- man Najam Sethi announced the Pro- tional matches in the neutral venue of ment and judgement of the security tober – a match which will be hugely teas captain’s participation along with the United Arab Emirates since. experts, who have assured us that there symbolic for the return of international a list of illustrious names from seven But security has improved dramati- will be no comprise on the safety and cricket – followed by a three-match Test playing countries. cally in recent years, giving fans hope security of all those involved in the se- Twenty20 series against West Indies in “The World XI will play three Twen- that international cricket could fi nally ries,” he said, according to a PCB state- November. ty20 Internationals for the Independ- return, a massive boost in a country Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi speaks during a press conference in ment. Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed was ence Cup against Pakistan in Lahore where the game is far and away its most Lahore yesterday. (AFP) Du Plessis said he had played “very optimistic: “I am confi dent that fol- on 12, 13 and 15 September,” Sethi told a popular sport. exciting” matches against Pakistan lowing the success of these matches, press conference in Lahore. Other players for the World XI in- Grant Elliott (New Zealand), Samuel (Australia), Morne Morkel (South Af- in the past, but this would be his fi rst Pakistan will host regular international England’s ICC World Twenty20 clude David Miller (South Africa), Badree (West Indies), Ben Cutting rica), Tim Paine (Australia), Thisara match before a home crowd. series which we badly need.”

FOCUS AUSTRALIA’S TOUR OF BANGLADESH Shakib seeks Dhoni, Kumar trump clean Test sweep against Australia

AFP Dananjaya brilliance Dhaka

Indian duo anchor India’s 231-run chase after being reduced to 131 at 7 by spinner ll-rounder Shakib Al Hasan said yesterday AFP Earlier the left-handed Siriwardana, he wants no less than a Pallekele, Sri Lanka coming in to bat at number six, hit a gritty clean sweep for Bangla- 58 to lift Sri Lanka to 236-8 in 50 overs af- deshA when the Test minnows face ter being put into bat. a strong Australian side in their ahendra Singh Dhoni and Siriwardana put on a crucial 91-run fi rst series in more than a decade. Bhuvneshwar Kumar an- sixth-wicket stand with Chamara Ka- The Test starting Sunday in chored India’s chase after a pugedara, who made 40, after the hosts Dhaka is the fi rst between Aus- stunning batting collapse as were in trouble at 121-5 against a disci- tralia and Bangladesh since Mthe visitors edged past Sri Lanka by three plined Indian attack. Fast bowler Jasprit Ricky Ponting’s side toured the wickets in the second one-day interna- Bumrah took four wickets while leg- country in 2006 and claimed the tional yesterday. spinner Yuzvendra Chahal got two. series 2-0. Leg-spinner Akila Dananjaya returned Bangladesh — which only at- career-best fi gures of 6-54 to make India SCORECARD tained Test status in 2000 — have stutter at 131-7 while chasing a Duck- SRI LANKA moved on from that defeat, and worth-Lewis revised target of 231 in 47 N. Dickwella c Dhawan b Bumrah 31 hope to build on recent stronger overs in Pallekele. D. Gunathilaka st Dhoni b Chahal 19 form to impress fans with a se- Dhoni, who scored 45, then put on an K. Mendis lbw b Chahal 19 ries win on home soil against unbeaten 100-run stand with Kumar, U. Tharanga c Kohli b Pandya 9 Australia. who made 53, to steer the team home in A. Mathews lbw b Patel 20 “I don’t see why it can’t be 44.2 overs and take a 2-0 lead in the fi ve- M. Siriwardana c Sharma b Bumrah 58 possible. Our expectation: win- match series. C. Kapugedara b Bumrah 40 ning both Tests,” Shakib told re- “Quite an exciting game of cricket... A. Dananjaya c Patel b Bumrah 9 porters in Dhaka. Something that gave us a tough test but D. Chameera not out 6 “We need to do well in all as- good to come through eventually,” India V. Fernando not out 3 pects if we want to win the Tests. skipper Virat Kohli said at the presentation. Extras (b1, lb10, w11) 22 Whatever the strengths they have, “Quite magnifi cent to see two 100- Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) 236 Australia are always tough opposi- run partnerships in a chase of 230 (231) Fall of wickets: 1-41 (Dickwella), 2-70 (Gu- tion. They can adapt to any con- Shakib — the world’s top all- and a collapse in between — seven wick- nathilaka), 3-81 (Tharanga), 4-99 (Mendis), ditions very quickly. None can do rounder in all three cricket for- ets down. you don’t quite see that in this 5-121 (Mathews), 6-212 (Siriwardana), 7-221 this better than the Aussies.” mats — said Bangladesh’s spin game too often,” he added. (Kapugedara), 8-230 (Dananjaya) The visitors trained in Darwin, attack would put pressure on the India lost seven wickets for 22 runs Bowling: Kumar 10-0-53-0, Bumrah 10-2- a tropical city in northern Aus- Steve Smith-led side. after a 109-run opening partnership be- 43-4, Chahal 10-1-43-2, Pandya 5.2-0-24-1, tralia, ahead of the Bangladesh The hosts are hoping Shakib, tween Rohit Sharma and in-form Shikhar Patel 10-0-30-1, Jadhav 4.4-0-32-0 tour to adjust to the hot and hu- off -spinner Mehedi Hasan and Dhawan. mid conditions expected for the left-arm spinner Taijul Islam can Man of the match Dananjaya, who was India’s batsman MS Dhoni (right) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar run between the wickets INDIA (D/L target 231 in 47 overs) two-Test series. undo Australia’s formidable bat- one of the three changes in the team’s during the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele yesterday. (AFP) R. Sharma lbw b Dananjaya 54 But even once touching down ting lineup. starting lineup, drew fi rst blood after S. Dhawan c Mathews b Siriwardana 49 there were hiccups, with bats- “I think our spin attack is bet- trapping Sharma lbw for 54. some steam out of the Indian chase. and Axar Patel. L. Rahul b Dananjaya 4 man Glenn Maxwell suff er- ter than them. I won’t say in all Dhawan, who hit a match-winning 132 “What we knew of him was more of an But ice cool Dhoni kept the chase on K. Jadhav b Dananjaya 1 ing heatstroke during an early conditions, but in our condition in the opening ODI in Dambulla, soon off -spinner bowling the odd leg-break, track with the gutsy Kumar, who had V. Kohli b Dananjaya 4 training session and a warm-up we are better than them,” said joined his partner in the pavilion after but he picks up four wickets on googlys. gone wicketless during his spell as the M.S. Dhoni not out 45 match cancelled due to fl ooding. Shakib. falling to left-arm spinner Milinda Siri- It’s diffi cult when you haven’t seen the team’s pace spearhead. H. Pandya st Dickwella b Dananjaya 0 Shakib said Bangladesh would “Taijul and Miraj (Mehedi) are wardana for 49. guy at all,” said Kohli While Dhoni kept picking the singles A. Patel lbw b Dananjaya 6 be hoping to capitalise on Aus- bowling well for a long period. I The left-handed batsman was done in “Now we are more wary...but credit to and twos, Kumar was happy playing sec- B. Kumar not out 53 tralia’s poor run in recent South hope they will do well in this se- by a superb catch by former captain An- him he capitalised on the bit of hesitation ond fi ddle before unleashing his power Extras (lb1, w14) 15 Asia clashes. ries as well.” gelo Mathews at short-fi ne leg. we had out there in the middle,” Kohli, and register his maiden ODI fi fty. Total (7 wickets, 44.2 overs) 231 The world number-two Test Shakib, Mehedi and Taijul took who was out after hitting a boundary off “Disappointed, we came really close Fall of wickets: 1-109 (Sharma), 2-113 side lost 3-0 to Sri Lanka in a se- all 20 wickets when Bangladesh HOT DANANJAYA, COOL DHONI Dananjaya, added. and we couldn’t fi nish it,” Sri Lanka skip- (Dhawan), 3-114 (Jadhav), 4-118 (Kohli), ries in 2016, before succumbing recorded their fi rst-ever Test win The 23-year-old Dananjaya then turned Dananjaya, who made his ODI debut per Upul Tharanga said after the loss. 5-119 (Rahul), 6-121 (Pandya), 7-131 (Patel) 2-1 against India earlier this year. over England by 108 runs in Oc- on the heat against the number-three against New Zealand at Hambantota in “Once they needed 100 runs, we tried Bowling: Malinga 8-0-49-0, Fernando 6.2- Bangladesh meanwhile have tober. ODI side with his googly. 2012, was on song as he kept making in- everything. Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar bat- 0-32-0, Mathews 3-0-11-0, Chameera 7-0- won two of their last three Tests, The second Test of the series He got Kedar Jadhav, Kohli and Lokesh roads with the wickets of Hardik Pandya, ted sensibly. Unlucky we didn’t get that 45-0, Dananjaya 10-0-54-6, Siriwardana one against Sri Lanka and a his- will be held in Chittagong from Rahul bowled in his fourth over to take who injured his hamstring while bowling, wicket,” he added. 10-0-39-1 toric win over England. September 4-8.

ENG VS WI, 2ND TEST Coach Law tells West Indies to ignore ‘pathetic’ talk

AFP there. We are not performing as well as Law indicated he would give the XI England seek a fourth consecutive Test Leeds United Kingdom we want. that played at Edgbaston a chance to match win after a 3-1 success against “What can we do? We have to get our redeem themselves, even though fast South Africa. noses down, our backsides up and play bowler Shannon Gabriel is now fi t for tuart Law has urged the West better. I believe in these young men. selection. ‘GET A RESULT’ Indies to ignore their critics and They have got high skills. England, however, have made one “We’ll go about it in the same way that follow diminutive batsman Jer- “It is just the experience of learning change with captain Joe Root confi rm- we’ve gone about the South Africa se- maine Blackwood’s example as how to play in a very tough environ- ing Thursday that Chris Woakes had ries and the fi rst Test,” said Bairstow, theyS look to bounce back in the second ment.” replaced Toby Roland-Jones. who like Root will be playing on his Test against England at Headingley. Middlesex paceman Roland-Jones Yorkshire home ground. Today’s match comes less than a ‘INFECTIOUS ATTITUDE’ made his Test debut earlier this season “It’s not about putting on a show, it’s week since West Indies coach Law saw West Indies arrived in England without against South Africa after Woakes was about getting a result.” his side suff er a crushing innings and several senior players, the consequence ruled out with a side strain suff ered Bairstow, who made 140 against Sri 209-run defeat in the series opener at of a bitter dispute with their own board during England’s Champions Trophy Lanka in last year’s Test at Headingley, Edgbaston as the inaugural day/night and a clash with the lucrative Carib- opener against Bangladesh at The Oval said conditions in Leeds would help Test in England ended inside three bean Premier League Twenty20 tour- in June. ensure England did not get ahead of days. nament, although relations are im- Woakes, who on form is a better themselves. That led West Indies fast-bowling proving to the extent that Chris Gayle batsman than Roland-Jones, is set to “If you get through those diffi cult great Curtly Ambrose to label the cur- and Marlon Samuels have been selected act as a ‘support seamer’ behind James periods — if it’s a bit cloudy and it’s rent side “pathetic”. for the subsequent one-day series in Anderson and Stuart Broad. nipping or swinging — then it’s a fan- Law was saddened that Ambrose, England. His recall was the only change to the tastic place to bat. until recently the West Indies’ bowl- Meanwhile, Law was encouraged England team that played at Edgbaston “But if you don’t respect the con- ing coach, had vented his criticism in a by the fi ghting performance of Black- West Indies’ Jermaine Blackwood bats during a practice session at Headingley where Alastair Cook’s double century ditions, then it can be diffi cult,” the British newspaper rather than directly wood, whose 79 not out in the fi rst cricket ground in Leeds, England, yesterday. (AFP) and a hundred from England captain Joe 27-year-old added. to the players. innings at Edgbaston was a rare West Root established a commanding position Bairstow also forecast a much-im- “Curtly not long ago was the coach Indies highlight of a closing Saturday much more,” Law said. my heart,” the former Australia bats- cemented by Anderson and Broad. proved showing from Law’s men. of this team so it is disappointing that where they lost 19 wickets in total. “He is only 5ft 2in but he walks man added. But Jonny Bairstow, the wicket- “We’re expecting the West Indies to criticism comes,” said Law. “He showed a beautiful solid defence around like he is 10 foot tall and that is “Hopefully it is infectious in the keeper/batsman, insisted there was no come back at us pretty hard after Edg- “We have to understand why it is and hit the bad ball away, we can’t ask the sort of attitude that really warms group.” danger of complacency setting in as baston,” he said.