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Monday, July 31, 2017 FOOTBALL Dhul-Qa’da 8, 1438 AH Alves on target GULF TIMES as PSG win Champions Trophy SPORT Page 3 FORMULA 1: HUNGARY Vettel wins while sporting Hamilton keeps his word Vettel won a tense Hungarian GP in a Ferrari one-two that stretched his lead to Sportsmanship makes us winners: Merc boss

14 points after rival Hamilton surrendered third place to his team-mate Bottas Mercedes recognised that an act of er era of dominance, were famed for sporting sacrifice in Hungary yesterday favouring the German at the expense Reuters could ultimately cost Lewis Hamilton a of his teammates, even when they Budapest fourth Formula One title but said it was were deservedly leading with no other a price they were prepared to pay. rivals to worry about. “It cost us three points and potentially They have continued with that ap- ebastian Vettel won a tense the championship and we are perfectly proach in recent years, with Kimi Raik- Hungarian Grand Prix yester- conscious about that,” team boss Toto konen clearly unhappy at being kept day in a Ferrari one-two that Wolff said after Hamilton slowed on the behind his slower teammate yesterday. stretched his championship final lap to let teammate Valtteri Bottas It is rare indeed for a star driver in a leadS to 14 points after Mercedes rival take third place as part of an earlier tight battle for the championship, and Lewis Hamilton sportingly surrendered agreement. whose teammate is behind in the third place to his teammate. “Nevertheless this is how the drivers and standings, to give up points that could The German, savouring his fourth team operate,” added the Austrian, whose make or break his chances without win of the season and 46th of his For- team have won the past three drivers’ and aff ecting the constructor’s tally. mula One career, took the chequered constructors’ championships. Wolff said he would be the first to fl ag 0.9 seconds ahead of teammate “We stick to what we say and if the “shoot myself in the knee” if the Kimi Raikkonen. consequences are as much as losing championship ultimately hinged on The Finn had looked faster than Vet- the championship, we take it. those three points but he added that tel for most of the afternoon. “But long term we will be winning Mercedes had a bigger picture in mind. “I’m over the moon, that was a really much more races and championships “We drive in circles because we hope diffi cult race,” said the winner, who had with that approach than doing it the that it promotes our brand and makes to wrestle with a skewed steering wheel other way around.” us sell cars and it’s a very long-term on a sweltering afternoon at the Hun- Bottas had agreed to let the faster project,” he said. garoring and had no room for error. Hamilton through to chase the leading “And we’ve seen the backlash of deci- Hamilton fi nished fourth after slow- Ferraris, on the understanding that the sions that were ruthless and cold-blood- ing down on the last lap and allowing positions would be reversed again if ed and the eff ect it had on the brand. Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas to go unsuccessful. Now you say ‘Screw it, it still won them past, despite the loss of vital points to The Briton duly kept his word, even if the championship. Who cares? They are the Briton’s championship challenge. others might not have done with so down in the history books’. Bottas had let Hamilton through on the much at stake, and fell 14 points behind “But I don’t think this is the right spin. 45th of the 70 laps, on the assurance that Ferrari’s championship leader and race If I come back to what I think the his teammate would hand back the place winner Sebastian Vettel. purpose of us being here is, it is doing if he could not overtake the Ferraris, and Formula One history has countless the right things and winning in the the triple champion duly kept his word. examples of teams forcing drivers to right way. And sometimes doing it the “Really thanks to Lewis for keeping obey orders but usually with one domi- right way and standing by your values the promise in the end and letting me nant player benefiting. is tough. It was today, believe me.” by,” said Bottas. Ferrari, during the Michael Schumach- “I don’t think every teammate would Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel celebrates on the podium after winning the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix. have swapped back.” Hamilton, whose radio was malfunc- The impact ended Ricciardo’s race, also setting the fastest lap of the race. tioning for some of the race and would with the car stranded on the track and Belgian teammate Stoff el Vandoorne Birthday boy Fernando Alonso takes ‘kamikaze’ route to season best have had more of a chance had he got fl uid leaking from the broken radiator, was 10th in a double points fi nish for the past Bottas earlier, said he had done and brought out the safety car. former champions, who moved off the Fernando Alonso admitted he needed We came into the pits together and we and we grabbed it,” said Alonso. what he had to do. “It’s not on. It was amateur to say the bottom of the table and ahead of Sauber. to put in some “kamikaze moves” as he exited together,” said Alonso. McLaren have struggled for three “It’s tough in the championship but least. It’s not like he was trying to pass Spaniard Carlos Sainz was seventh clocked the fastest lap for sixth place “I knew I had two laps when I could seasons to develop power and reliability I’m a man of my word,” he said. “I did — there was no room to pass,” said an for Toro Rosso with Mexican Sergio for McLaren in yesterday’s Hungarian really push -- and I did it with some from their Honda engines. say that if I can’t overtake them I would angry Ricciardo. Perez eighth and Force India teammate Grand Prix, his best result this season. kamikaze moves at times!” “We worked hard all weekend for that let him back through.” “I don’t think he likes it when a Esteban Ocon ninth. Britain’s Paul di The two-time world champion, who cel- Team-mate Stoff el Vandoorne also result — no mistakes, good practice On a circuit where overtaking is no- teammate gets in front. You’ve got the Resta, replacing unwell Brazilian Felipe ebrated his 36th birthday on Saturday. enjoyed his best finish of the season, sessions, strong qualifying and then a toriously hard, the top fi ve all fi nished whole race to try and repair the mistake Massa at Williams, retired. His drive included a dramatic passing coming home 10th to add a point as perfectly executed race,” added Alonso. in their starting order with Max Ver- but the pass was never on. It wasn’t The last Ferrari driver to win from move around the outside of compatriot the team bagged nine towards their “There are three or four weekends a stappen fi fth for Red Bull. even a pass, it was a very poor mistake.” pole position in Hungary was Vettel’s Carlos Sainz of Red Bull at Turn Two. championship haul. season where we can be competitive so The Dutch teenager was handed a 10 Fernando Alonso, who celebrated his compatriot Michael Schumacher, who “The battle with Carlos was a close-run “We were probably looking towards sev- we need to maximise those and capital- second stop and go penalty for colliding 36th birthday on Saturday, gave strug- was dominant in 2004 and went on to thing — we were together at the start enth or eighth, but with Daniel Ricciardo ize on our potential and that’s exactly with his Australian teammate Daniel gling McLaren their best fi nish of the win his seventh and last championship and at the re-start after the Safety car. out of the race, sixth became possible what we did.” Ricciardo on the opening lap. season so far by taking sixth place and that season.

CRICKET: SOUTH AFRICA VS ENGLAND, 3RD TEST Stokes’ burst leaves South Africa facing defeat Reuters removed opener Heino Kuhn for 11 and England v South Africa 3rd Test scoreboard London Toby Roland-Jones dismissed Hashim Amla for the second time in the match. England 1st Innings 353 (B Stokes 112, A Bowling: Morkel 19-6-44-1 (1w); Philan- England have a further 98 overs Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85) der 15-3-54-0 (2w); Rabada 18-4-56-1; ngland ripped apart South Af- available on Monday to complete the Morris 11-0-70-2; Maharaj 13.5-2-50-3; rica’s top order in yesterday’s victory and vindicate Root’s decision to South Africa 1st Innings 175 (T Bavuma Elgar 3-0-28-0 fi nal session at the Oval to bear delay his declaration. 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson down on a victory that would England’s new captain eventually 3-25) South Africa 2nd Innings (target 492) putE them 2-1 up with one to play in the called time when Jonny Bairstow was H. Kuhn b Broad 11 four-test series. dismissed before tea after a breezy 63 England 2nd Innings (overnight: 74-1) D. Elgar not out 72 Two wickets from successive balls in which lifted England to 313-8. A. Cook b Morkel 7 H. Amla c Root b Roland-Jones 5 Ben Stokes’ third over removed Quin- After Jennings departed early for a K. Jennings c Morris b Rabada 48 Q. de Kock b Stokes 5 ton de Kock (5) and Faf du Plessis (0) painstaking 48, debutant Tom Westley T. Westley st de Kock b Maharaj 59 F. du Plessis lbw b Stokes 0 and ended faint South Africa hopes of pushed on to a maiden half-century. D. Malan lbw b Morris 10 T. Bavuma not out 16 mounting a rearguard action in pursuit Westley went on to make 59 before he J. Root c Morkel b Maharaj 50 Extras (lb5, nb3) 8 of their nominal target of 492. was stumped misjudging a dash at Ke- B. Stokes b Morris 31 Total (4 wkts, 38 overs, 172 mins) 117 Although Stokes failed to record shav Maharaj. J. Bairstow c Rabada b Maharaj 63 To bat: C Morris, K Maharaj, K Rabada, what would have been the fi rst-ever Root (50) followed soon afterwards, M. Ali run out (Bavuma) 8 M Morkel, V Philander test hat-trick at the Oval, the damage top-edging the same bowler after re- T. Roland-Jones not out 23 Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Kuhn), 2-47 (Amla), was done. England’s Ben Stokes celebrates the wicket of South Africa’s Faf du Plessis. cording a half-century for the ninth Extras (lb11, w3) 14 3-52 (De Kock), 4-52 (Du Plessis) Du Plessis’ wicket, lbw without successive match. Total (8 wkts dec, 79.5 overs) 313 Bowling: Anderson 8-0-20-0; Broad playing a shot to a fi rst-ball inswinger, a day’s play remaining. The battling Elgar had been fortunate to survive England gradually accelerated with Did not bat: S Broad, J Anderson 10-3-27-1; Roland-Jones 7-1-20-1; Stokes was a particular blow, with South Af- Dean Elgar was unbeaten on 72 despite on nine, dropped by Keaton Jennings Stokes (31) and Roland-Jones (23 not Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Cook), 2-92 (Jen- 8-0-29-2 (3nb); Ali 5-2-16-0 rica needing their captain to survive at a painful blow to his fi nger, and Tem- at third slip off Jimmy Anderson, and out) joining Bairstow in some lusty nings), 3-170 (Westley), 4-180 (Root), Match position: South Africa need a least till today. ba Bavuma on 16, as England turned went on to strike seven fours in his 77- blows as England’s lead extended way 5-202 (Malan), 6-251 (Stokes), 7-265 (Ali), further 375 runs to win with six wickets The tourists limped to the close on to Moeen Ali to try to secure another ball half-century. beyond the test record for a successful 8-313 (Bairstow) standing. 117-4, still 375 short of their target with breakthrough. Before Stokes struck, Stuart Broad fi nal innings run chase of 418. Gulf Times 2 Monday, July 31, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT APOLOGY Verstappen sorry Selection woes for for ‘amateur’ crash India aft er massive

Red Bull’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (L) and Red Bull’s Dutch Sri Lanka win driver Max Verstappen (R) collide during the Hungarian GP.

‘It’s a massive headache but I guess a good one. Eventually guys understand that FP “It is never my intention to Budapest hit anyone, but especially only two can take the field and at most two or three openers make the squad’ not my teammate and es- pecially with the relation- AFP ax Verstappen ad- ship I have with Daniel – it’s Galle, Sri Lanka mitted he made a always really good and we mistake in colliding can always have a laugh” with Red Bull team- ndia’s thrashing of Sri Lanka in the Mmate Daniel Ricciardo on the sition in Turn Two so we braked fi rst Test has left captain Virat Kohli opening lap of yesterday’s Hun- quite deep into the corner. with a “massive” yet welcome head- garian Grand Prix and said he will “I tried to keep it to the in- ache as he ponders his team selection apologise to the Australian. side, but then I just got locking, Ifor the next match. The Dutch teenager crashed locking, and then unfortunately India dominated the fi rst Test from the into Ricciardo’s car at Turn Two touched Daniel on the weakest outset to win by 304 runs with a day to where the impact caused damage point of the car, in the side. spare in Galle. that ended his race. “Of course, I was trying to The tourist’s top order batsmen fared The angry Ricciardo said it was avoid Daniel, but unfortunately well, with Shikhar Dhawan making 190 the error of an “amateur, to say that was not possible.” in the fi rst innings and fellow opener Ab- the least”. Verstappen was given a hinav Mukund contributing a quickfi re Verstappen told reporters: “It 10-second penalty by the stew- 81 in the second. is never my intention to hit any- ards for causing the accident. Chatesh Pujara also blasted 153 batting one, but especially not my team- He continued the race and fi n- at three in the fi rst innings while Kohli mate and especially with the ished fi fth. chipped in with an unbeaten 103 batting relationship I have with Daniel – Team boss Christian Horner at four in the second. it’s always really good and we can said: “It was a very frustrating The success of the top four batsmen always have a laugh. race because we eff ectively lost however leaves Kohli and coach Ravi Shas- “This is not nice and I apolo- Daniel and Max got a penalty in tri with a dilemma ahead of the second gise to Daniel for that and also to the same move. Test, starting in Colombo on Thursday. the team because we could have “What you never want to see Regular opener Lokesh Rahul missed scored some good points here. is team-mates touching – Max is the match in Galle because he was suf- “I’ll speak with Daniel in pri- aggressive, he is on the limit. He fering from the fl u but is expected to be vate and we’ll sort it out.” made a mistake today and it was available for the next game, meaning Ricciardo had suggested im- costly for him, for Daniel and for someone has to miss out. mediately after the incident that the team. “Yes, it’s a very tricky situation,” Kohli Verstappen did not like to fi nd “In the pre-race meeting we admitted. “We’ve got all four openers fi r- himself behind his teammate and talked about the golden rule – ing now. insinuated that the collision was ‘give each other space on turn “Shikhar was supposed to go to Mel- avoidable. one and turn two. Has everybody bourne, now he’s got a 190 in Galle. So, But Verstappen said he could got that?’ anything can happen in life. not help it. “And they gave us the nod and “It’s a massive headache but I guess a “It was, of course, not what then that happened at turn two. good one. You know, eventually guys un- you want. Everything started in “Everybody makes mistakes. derstand that only two can take the fi eld Turn One. The start was actually The important thing is how you and at most two or three openers make quite good, but I got squeezed respond to them. He has apolo- the squad.” wide by Bottas and lost quite a gised and will go and see his lot of speed. team-mate to apologise to him BADLY, BADLY, BADLY “We were both fi ghting for po- too.” Kohli was careful not to pre-empt any picks and hoped whoever missed out would not be too disappointed. STAKING CLAIM: File picture of India’s Shikhar Dhawan reacting as he walks off the field after his dismissal, having scored 190. RALLY: FINLAND “We’ll have to eventually take a call on who plays in the next Test and I’m sure the SUPPORT third guy will understand whatever the call is taken by the team,” the skipper said. Neuville snatches Dhawan was a late inclusion for the se- ries opener, replacing the injured Murali Kohli backs all-rounder Pandya to become India’s Stokes Vijay, but made the most of his chance Reuters batsmen with short deliveries. overall lead as with his career-high 190. Galle “First innings, he didn’t get the op- “My plans were to go to Melbourne and portunity to bowl much but I think in the spend time with my family, do training and second innings, he bowled really nicely on rookie Lappi wins get fi t for the one-day series,” he said. ll-rounder Hardik Pandya a wicket that wasn’t off ering much and he “That was my plan and I think destiny (right) has the potential to be- kept it in the right areas,” Kohli said. had a diff erent plan for me.” come India’s Ben Stokes and “He used the bouncer well. He bowls Kohli was also happy with the bowlers’ improve the balance of the side, around 135 (kilometres per hour), when performance, particularly Ravichandran captainA Virat Kohli said after the 23-year- he bends his back he can go higher. So he Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. old’s encouraging test debut in the win is a great asset and I have mentioned this “We are able to capitalise in those sit- against Sri Lanka. before as well. uations and really put more pressure on England’s Stokes is widely regarded “And specially his batting... He got 50 the opposition,” Kohli said. the best fast-bowling all-rounder in the quickly and that saves you time as well. “I would say that we really exectuted world with his match-winning prowess That gives you another 15 overs to bowl our plans well to force the opposition to with both bat and ball. at the opposition. And his fi elding is also make mistakes regularly.” “When you play away from home, one tremendous.” Sri Lanka’s stand-in captain Rangana guy (all-rounder) gives you a lot of bal- Pandya is already a regular feature Herath insisted his team were better than ance, and I think Hardik can be that guy of India’s limited-overs side and Kohli the lopsided result indicated. going ahead, specially playing so much backed the all-rounder to shine in the Injured allrounder Asela Gunaratne cricket away from home,” Kohli told re- red-ball format and in all conditions. was unable to bat in either innings, while porters after India’s 304-run win on Sat- “I have a lot of faith in him as far as any Herath could not pad up in the second urday. format is concerned,” said the India skip- innings after he was injured. “If he grows in confi dence — you see per. “Test cricket, he has got the tech- Gunaratne has been ruled out of the someone like Ben Stokes, what he does nique. He is a really good batsman. Toyota’s Finnish driver Esapekka Lappi (C) and co-pilot Janne Ferm remaining two tests with a broken fi nger for England. Brings in great balance as an studded with fi ve fours and three sixes. “You might not look at it precisely but (2nd L) celebrate on podium after winning the Neste Rally Finland while Herath, who also injured a fi nger, all-rounder. I see no reason why Hardik The medium paceman took one wicket we understand how much he can bring to 2017 in Jyvaskyla, central Finland yesterday. expects to return. “We are a better team Pandya can’t become that for India.” in Sri Lanka’s fi rst innings but looked the table, and I surely have a lot of faith in than that. We need to fi nd out how we In his fi rst innings in tests, Pandya more dangerous during a hostile spell in him that he will be able to perform on any Reuters able to achieve that. We had a can do better than this moving forward.” scored 50 off 49 deliveries, his knock the second when he peppered the hosts’ surface on which he plays.” Jyväskylä, Finland very diffi cult weekend so to sal- vage some points is crucial,” said Neuville. BOTTOMLINE elgian Thierry Neuville “The Power Stage was a key took over the world moment... this levels the playing rally championship lead fi eld with four events left of the for Hyundai yesterday season, so it has been an impor- whileB Toyota’s Finnish rookie tant result.” Pay squabble ‘horrible’ for game, says Clarke Esapekka Lappi took his fi rst win AFP an industrial umpire to resolve the weekend, with the key issue on home soil. Results & Standings Sydney the impasse. a new revenue model. The 26-year-old Toyota driver Clarke feared things would The players were paid from beat Britain’s Elfyn Evans, in an Results (Top 5): not be the same between the gross revenue for the past two MSport Ford, by 36 seconds in 1. Esapekka Lappi-Janne Ferm ormer captain Michael governing body and the players decades, but CA now wants pay- only his fourth world champion- (FIN/Toyota Yaris) Clarke said yesterday a if and when the disagreement ments to come from a set pool, ship start and despite damaging 2. Elfyn Evans-Daniel Barritt bitter pay dispute be- was fi nally resolved. with players to share only in sur- his rear-left wheel in the penul- (GBR/Ford Fiesta) tween players and Crick- “I think it’s been horrible for plus revenue. timate stage. 3. Juho Hänninen-Kaj Lind- etF Australia was “horrible” for the game, to be honest,” Clarke Clarke said he could under- Finland’s Juho Hanninen was strom (FIN/Toyota Yaris) the game and their relationship said told commercial broadcast- stand the arguments of both third, a mere 0.3 behind, in an- 4. Teemu Suninen-Mikko was likely to be in tatters even er Channel Nine. parties but added: “Whatever other Toyota. Markkula (FIN/Ford Fiesta) after a resolution. “There is no doubt what has has been going on, it should have Neuville fi nished sixth but 5. Craig Breen-Scott Martin After months of negotiations, happened will aff ect the re- been done in private.” ousted previous leader Sebastien (IRL-GBR/Citroën C3) the players and CA have failed to lationship even more than it The Test squad is due to go Ogier, who crashed on Friday and reach agreement on a new pay already was aff ected between into camp on August 11 ahead of was unable to restart after co- Overall standings: deal, leaving 230 cricketers un- players and Cricket Australia. a Test tour of Bangladesh, which driver Julien Ingrassia suff ered Drivers: employed since the end of June “The problem we have got is in danger of being scrapped concussion and was signed off 1. T. Neuville (BEL) 160pts when their contracts expired. now is that it is not just the Aus- following the boycott of Aus- from competing for 15 days. 2. S. Ogier (FRA) 160 CA chief executive James tralian players that are aff ected”, tralia A’s tour to South Africa With three additional points 3. Ott Tänak (EST) 119 Sutherland said last week that he added, saying the fans and the earlier this month. from the power stage, the Bel- Constructers: unless intensive negotiations public were also involved in “the The long-running dispute gian is now level with four times 1. M-Sport (Ford) 285pts over a revenue-sharing deal number one story in Australian also threatens Australia’s one- champion Ogier on 160 points 2. Hyundai Motorsport 251 produced a compromise by ear- sport”. day tour to India in September but ahead 3-2 on race wins. 3. Toyota Gazoo Racing 193 ly this week, his organisation File picture of Australia’s Test captain Steven Smith (L) looking on as Negotiations between the two ahead of the showpiece Ashes “We set out to score more than 4. Citroën Racing 135 would seek the intervention of coach Darren Lehmann speaks during a press conference. warring parties continued over series, beginning in November. Ogier this weekend, and we were Gulf Times Monday, July 31, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT TRANSFER SAGA Spanish Liga to Alves on target as PSG fi le PSG complaint over Neymar AFP a three-year cycle. And that is beat Monaco to win despite a mega-money sponsor- Madrid ship deal with the Qatar tourism board. According to Tebas, “no- pain’s football league one believes” the commercial chief Javier Tebas said revenue fi gures presented by PSG he will fi le a complaint to justify their spending. “PSG with UEFA for fi nancial cannot have fi gures in which Champions Trophy fairS play breaches against Paris PSG’s commercial rights exceed Saint-Germain over their pursuit those of Real Madrid and Barce- of Brazilian superstar Neymar. lona,” said Tebas. Brazilian steals the show as he equalised with a free kick and set up a decisive pass PSG are rumoured to be weighing “No-one believes that. We’ve up a bid for the Barcelona for- carried out economic studies AFP ward at more than 200mn euros, and it’s impossible. It means that Tangiers, Morocco enough to trigger the 25-year- PSG violates UEFA’s fi nancial fair old’s transfer release clause. play rules and the European Un- “La Liga will fi le this com- ion’s norms of economic com- ew Brazilian recruit Dani plaint because it’s a problem for petition, and we’re going to fi le a Alves powered Paris Saint- La Liga’s competitiveness. Today complaint.” Germain to their fi rst title it’s happened to Barca, tomorrow In 2014, PSG were fi ned 60mn of the season beating Mo- it could happen to Real Madrid, euros and handed transfer Nnaco 2-1 in the Champions Trophy it’s happened to Atletico Ma- spending restrictions by UEFA fi nal on Saturday night. It was a fi fth drid,” Tebas, the La Liga chair- for breaching fi nancial fair play straight trophy for the Parisians in man, told Mundo Deportivo. rules. UEFA’s Club Financial the traditional curtain-raiser to the Should PSG bid, and then pay, Control Body (CFCB) has also French season to put them level with the 222mn euros needed to prise stated that PSG’s 200mn euros Lyon’s record of seven titles. Neymar from the Catalan capi- a year image rights contract with The match was touted as a revenge tal, they would struggle to meet the Qatari tourist board is in- mission for both sides with PSG UEFA’s fi nancial fair play condi- fl ated and double its “true value”. losing their Ligue 1 title to Monaco, tions that limit a team to losses PSG are owned by Oryx Qatar with the Principality side crushed of no more than 30mn euros over Sports Investments. 4-1 by the Parisians in the League Cup fi nal. Against a backdrop of intense transfer speculation linking Brazil- ian superstar Neymar from Barce- lona to PSG and Monaco’s French teen striker Kylian Mbappe to a world record move to Real Madrid, the match was played on front of a capacity 45,000 crowd in Tangiers. Every move of 18-year-old Mbappe drove the Monaco game for- ward to the excitement of the crowd with the loudspeaker even attribut- ing Djibril Sidibe’s 30 minute opener to the teenager. But it was Alves who stole the show as he equalised with a free kick after 51 minutes and then set up a decisive pass for Adrien Ra- biot’s 63rd-minute winner. Neymar has a 222mn Alves was unveiled as the club’s euro release clause. second signing of the close season (AFP) after joining PSG in a two-year deal on a free transfer following his exit from Juventus. Mbappe may still be a Monaco player but the departure of Paris Saint-Germain’s Dani Alves holds the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the French Trophy of Champions players such as Bernardo Silva, Tié- (Trophee des Champions), at the Grand Stade in Tangiers, Morocco on Saturday night. (AFP) moue Bakayoko, Benjamin Mendy and Valere Germain has weakened the side. “Theoretically we’re more fragile Alves urges ‘friend’ Neymar to show courage and leave Barca but I believe the youth that is com- ing into the club now will help us,” Tangiers, Morocco: Veteran Brazil international potential transfer to Paris the major saga of the off £89mn Manchester United forked out to bring AMID TRANSFER DRAMA NEYMAR said coach Leonardo Jardim. And full-back Dani Alves said he is hopeful superstar season. “I hope it will happen. I’ve got nothing to back France midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus. ‘DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO’: PIQUE it was Youri Tielemans, who joined Neymar will join him at Paris Saint Germain but do with his decision, it’s a very important decision Pogba was then instrumental in convincing his Meanwhile, Barca teammate Gerard Pique told from Anderlect in May, who set up insisted he isn’t using his personal friendship to for him,” said Alves, after scoring in PSG’s French friend Romelu Lukaku to join United from Everton ESPN FC that Neymar “doesn’t know what to do” Sidibé’s opener, and new left-wing sway the Barcelona forward’s decision. Super Cup victory over Monaco on Saturday. for £75mn earlier this month. But Alves says he as frenzy over his possible move continues to Terence Kongolo did good defensive The two were teammates at Barca from “Men have to make these kind of decisions. I won’t be trying to influence his compatriot. dominate headlines. work faced with the tandem of Tho- Neymar’s arrival in 2013 until Alves left to join hope he’ll join us, he’s one of my best friends and “I helped him once, I helped him come to Neymar has scored three goals in two friend- mas Meunier and Dani Alves, before Juventus a year ago. Having joined PSG, 34-year- I always want my friends to be close by. I can’t in- Barcelona. I didn’t make the decision for him, but lies for Barcelona this season, but has studiously being overpowered by the PSG pair. old Alves hopes Neymar will show courage and terfere in his decision. It’s his decision to make but I simply told him what there was at Barca, and he avoided speaking to the press. The sides will next meet in Ligue decide to swell the French capital club’s large we’ll welcome him with open arms if he comes.” decided to go there,” said Alves. “Decisions are “Neymar and I we are very close and I want 1 in Monaco’s Louis-II stadium on Brazilian contingent, that includes forward PSG are allegedly weighing up whether or not for the courageous. I’m the most courageous: I him to stay and I know the situation,” Pique said. November 26. The French season Lucas Moura, and centre-backs Thiago Silva and to trigger Neymar’s 222-million-euro ($261mn) decided to quit Barca, to quit Juve; I always make “Right now he doesn’t know what to do and we kicks off next weekend with Monaco Marquinhos. Neymar, 25, is involved in a tug of release clause, which would more than double my decisions. He has to decide for his maturity are trying to help him, the ones (on the team) that hosting Toulouse on Friday and PSG war between the two European giants with his the biggest transfer fee ever paid, currently the and his ideas about continuing to improve.” are more close to him to take the right decision.” at home against Amiens.

ROUND-UP ROUND-UP Man City beat Spurs in friendly United set to seal Matic swoop Manchester United are on the verge of signing AFP minute, and Diaz came off the bench to charging De Bruyne delivered a pinpoint Serbia midfi elder Nemanja Matic from Chelsea Washington complete the scoring in injury time. pass to him in front of the goal. in a £40mn ($55mn) deal, according to reports Tottenham had the fi rst real chance in the Sergio Aguero came on for Manches- yesterday. United manager Jose Mourinho has third minute, but Dele Alli’s attempt was ter City in the 60th and proved dangerous, been keen to take Matic from his former club for anchester City posted a con- smothered by goalkeeper Ederson. From forcing Tottenham keeper Michel Vorm into over a year and it appears the deal is fi nally set vincing 3-0 win over English there Manchester City inexorably took con- a save before twice hitting the woodwork. to go through. Having failed to land Tottenham Premiership rivals Tottenham trol. They were rewarded in the 10th, when Pep Guardiola’s men fi nally got their sec- midfi elder Eric Dier, Mourinho turned to Matic as on Saturday in an International Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick from the right ond goal when Samir Nasri split the fl agging the man to fi ll the holding role in United’s midfi eld MChampions Cup friendly in Nashville, Ten- found Stones, who stooped to head the ball Spurs defence and Sterling fi nished. and the 28-year-old is said to have undergone a nessee. John Stones, Raheem Sterling and past Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris. Spurs threatened late, but Christian Erik- medical yesterday. United have yet to offi cially Brahim Diaz scored for Manchester City, Spurs had a chance to equalize late in the sen was denied by substitute keeper Arigan- confi rm the signing, but reports that a deal was who were coming off a 4-1 win over Spain fi rst half when Harry Kane appeared to have et Muric and City had the last word in injury imminent came after a picture of Matic in the and European champions Real Madrid in the a clean look at goal against a hard-charg- time as Diaz fi nished from short range after club’s training kit was leaked on social media. exhibition tournament in North America. ing Ederson, but he fi red over the crossbar. a goalmouth scramble. Talks between United and Chelsea over a fee that all Italians are racist people and it is not like Jones opened the scoring at Nissan Sta- Meanwhile, Manchester City kept the pres- City play their last pre-season friend- have taken some time, with the clubs initially that. I just mean those specifi c people who do it. dium, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, sure on Lloris. ly against West Ham United in Reykjavik substantially apart over the price. Mourinho also Those people need to be banned from the stadium with a glancing header in the 10th minute. Gabriel Jesus missed a chance to double next week while Tottenham take on Italian signed Matic from Benfi ca when he was in charge or fi ned.” Ruediger, 24, joined Chelsea earlier this City had plenty of chances to increase their the score on the stroke of halftime, some- champions Juventus at Wembley Stadium at Chelsea in January 2014. month for 31 millions pounds after two seasons lead before Sterling made it 2-0 in the 72nd how fi ring wide from short range after a on August 5. Matic would be Mourinho’s third close-season at Roma. purchase after the £31mn capture of Benfi ca defender Victor Lindelof and the British record GALAXY CHIEF SAYS ‘DOORS OPEN £75mn signing of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku. ’ FOR IBRAHIMOVIC United are reported to be ready to recoup some of Los Angeles Galaxy president Chris Klein says the the Matic fee by selling Belgium midfi elder Mar- club’s “doors are open” for Zlatan Ibrahimovic ouane Fellaini to Turkish club Galatasaray. but the Swedish star wants to stay in Europe. “We have an incredible relationship with Zlatan CHELSEA’S RUEDIGER STILL SEEKING and his agent,” Klein said on Friday as the Major ‘JUSTICE’ FOR RACISM FACED IN ITALY League Soccer club introduced new signing New Chelsea defender Antonio Ruediger says he’s Jonathan Dos Santos. still seeking “justice” from football offi cials over “He loves our club, and he loves LA,” Klein racial abuse he suff ered last year while playing at said. “We have an interest in him. I think, for now, Roma. The Germany international faced racist he wants to stay in Europe. Our doors are open chants from Lazio fans during the Rome derby for a player like that. We have rights to him in our in March after being the target of disparaging league. We’ll see where that goes.” remarks from Lazio midfi elder Senad Lulic four Ibrahimovic was linked to a Galaxy move on months earlier. July 13, when the Los Angeles Times reported the Lulic was banned for one game and fi ned club could be nearing a deal that would make the 10,000 euros but Ruediger says the powers that player, currently a free agent coming back from be need to do more. “I just want justice,” British a serious knee injury, the highest-paid player in media quoted him as saying while on Chelsea’s MLS history. On July 14, Manchester United man- pre-season tour of Asia. “I want FIFA or the FA ager Jose Mourinho told reporters in Los Angeles in Italy just to suspend those people who do that. that Ibrahimovic would be given the chance to It is not all the people in Italy who are like that. If resurrect his United career after a double cruciate Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City fires a shot during International Champions Cup match against Tottenham on Saturday. (AFP) we always talk about racism in Italy, people think ligament injury cut short a successful fi rst season. Gulf Times 4 Monday, July 31, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT AFC FUTSAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Qatar’s Al Rayyan Pique lift s Barca as El beaten in third place play-off

Agencies It was Thai Son Nam’s turn to Clasico lives up to hype Ho Chi Minh City come close next, with Baptista lofting a sublime cross to fi nd Tayibbidgoli but the Iranian hai Son Nam clinched directed his left-footed eff ort Pique steers in a Neymar free-kick to seal a 3-2 win against Real Madrid third place in the AFC just wide. The home side came Futsal Club Champion- close again, Nguyen Manh Dung ship Vietnam 2017 af- teeing-off to release Nguyen Tter cruising to an emphatic 6-1 Minh Tri down the left, but the victory over Qatar’s Al Rayyan latter’s eff ort rolled across the yesterday. It may not have been goalmouth screaming for a vi- the fi nal, but the deafening at- tal touch. Three minutes before mosphere at the Phu Th Indoor the break, Al Rayyan came close Stadium scaled to new heights of again after Diego skipped past euphoria, fuelled by the fans ex- Baptista with only the keeper pectations for a fi tting swansong to beat, but Van Huy rediscov- from their team. ered the breathtaking form that The home side stormed out of helped his side’s successful pas- the blocks with Lukaian Baptista sage in the competition, with a and Pham Duc Hoa exemplify- brave save. ing coach Miguel Rodrigo’s em- Al Rayyan head coach Carlos phasis on a high-pressing game, Cesar Gago said: “I think you carving out early attempts but could see that our energy levels Ali Ibrahim was at his acrobatic just dropped today. This is what best - which had become syn- happens when you play the fi nal onymous with the Al Rayyan match of the competition with goalkeeper as the competition the smallest team here. Congrat- progressed. ulations to Thai Son Nam and to Despite dominating the early our players too, of course. Right proceedings, it was the away side now, yes, we are sad, but after who got in front when Moham- this result settles down, I think mad Taheri outwitted Nyugen we can refl ect on a very proud Van Huy with a looping header campaign. To fi nish fourth in all to fi nd a towering Hazem Samy, of Asia is a very good achieve- who was left with an easy tap-in. ment for this team.” Al Rayyan almost doubled their Meanwhile, a magical hat- lead in the 11th minute when trick by Suphawut Thueanklang Diego Costa showed his class to steered Bluewave Chonburi to Barcelona team pose with the trophy after beating Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. (AFP) turn past Hossein Tayibbidgoli the title after narrowly defeating before clipping his eff ort just Giti Pasand 3-2 in an enthralling AFP ning La Liga and the Champions League, For a moment it looked like his evening Alba missing the ball to rifl e past a hor- over a well beaten Van Huy. fi nal. Miami but actually arrived in Miami off the back would be over before it began, though he ribly exposed Cillessen. of two exhibition defeats — a penalty was back on the pitch in time to see Messi Although they came back from the shoot-out defeat to Manchester United open the scoring with just three minutes early goals, Zidane was downbeat about erard Pique delivered Barce- before Manchester City also did a number on the clock. The Argentine ace waltzed his team’s performance. But he said there lona’s match winner over Real on them in Los Angeles, running out 4-1 into the box and lifted a shot past Keylor was plenty of time to get things right be- Madrid on Saturday night as El winners. Navas via a defl ection off Raphael Varane. fore Madrid take on Manchester United Clasico Miami lived up to the Barca, meanwhile, had beaten United And it wasn’t long before Navas was in the UEFA Super Cup on August 8. “To- Ghype. The Spanish international steered and Juventus in International Champions picking the ball out of the back of the day was a game of two faces for us, one in a Neymar free-kick in the 50th minute Cup friendly competition, but the ongo- net once again. On six minutes, Neymar, bad, one better,” he said. “Ultimately we to seal a 3-2 win for the Catalan giants in ing uncertainty surrounding Neymar — gradually moving more freely, squared are preparing for the eighth — we will be front of 66,014 at the Hard Rock Stadium. and Paris Saint-Germain’s reported read- the ball and it found Rakitic, whose fi n- ready.” Lionel Messi, who put in a superb iness to make a 218 million-euro move for ish was clinically struck in the seventh Both teams retained their star men af- 64-minute performance, opened the him — has cast a serious cloud over their minute. Real had barely escaped their ter the restart and it was Neymar whose scoring after just three minutes and when two-week stay in North America. own half and were lucky not to fall fur- pinpoint free-kick was steered home by Ivan Rakitic doubled the lead soon after, The Brazilian started for Ernesto Val- ther behind on 13 minutes when Suarez Pique in the 50th. “We made a good start, the writing appeared to be on the wall for verde’s side and while the rest of his fi red over from close range. Yet with Ma- generated some good opportunities,” Val- a sluggish Real Madrid side. team-mates head home he will fl y to Chi- drid’s fi rst eff ort on goal, Zidane’s side verde said. “Overall, we did well trying Yet Zinedine Zidane’s side quickly na to perform commercial obligations on pulled one back. Croatian Kovacic evaded to dominate the match. I expect the best woke from their slumber and by the end behalf of the club. Valverde put off post- a challenge just outside the box before from Messi and all the players but he is of the fi rst half, goals from Mateo Kovacic match questions about Neymar. “I al- arrowing the ball past the outstretched extraordinary and we are aiming to win and Marco Asensio had pulled them level. ways try to talk about things that happen hand of Jasper Cillessen. all the titles this season.” What followed was entertaining, of- rather than things that might happen,” he Suddenly, the game was on. Benzema, While the clash of the Spanish rivals ten breathless friendly fare before Pique said. “We are going to wait. From my per- who’d barely had a sniff , dragged just was supposedly a friendly, Rakitic was struck that decisive goal. This was noth- spective, we have Neymar in our team, we wide on 19 minutes with Cillessen beat- lucky to escape a red card just after the ing more than a pre-season match and count on him and we have to see.” en. Navas remained the busier keeper, hour mark when he appeared to push ref- obviously wasn’t going to aff ect the over- On Saturday it was Neymar starting however, and was on hand to repel Messi eree Jair Marrufo. Neymar departed on 72 all record between these two old rivals, alongside Messi and Luis Suarez while once again on 31 minutes. minutes in what could have been his fi nal which stands at 93 wins for Real, 91 for Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Karim It was a key save because in the 36th performance in Barcelona colours. Barcelona — who had won their most re- Benzema were all unleashed by Madrid Asensio levelled for Madrid. Los Blancos “I don’t want to speculate about Ney- cent meeting with Messi’s last-gasp win- manager Zinedine Zidane. Neymar’s fi rst were counter-attacking dangerously and mar,” Valverde said. “I see him in the same ner — his 500th for the club. involvement was to fall to the ground and it was left to Modric who squared for the place I have seen him recently: on the Hazem Samy celebrates after giving Al Rayyan the lead in the AFC Madrid had the last laugh in May, win- clutch his ankle. Spaniard who took full advantage of Jordi pitch with us.” Futsal Club Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY FOCUS Lacazette gives Arsenal injury Denmark stun Germany scare aft er fi rst home goal in women’s Euro quarters

AFP AFP substitute Frederikke Thoegersen with seven min- London Tilburg, Netherlands utes left. “I’m so happy that we beat Germany. It’s amazing,” Nielsen beamed after the game. “Every- body dreams about scoring, but doing it is another lexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal econd-half headers by Nadia Nadim and thing. Why not today? It’s a good day.” an injury scare as the club’s record Theresa Nielsen stunned holders Germany Denmark coach Nils Nielsen said the win was signing limped off after scoring his who bowed out of the women’s Euro after a deserved as winger Katrine Veje hit the woodwork fi rst home goal in yesterday’s 2-1 2-1 quarter-fi nals loss to Denmark in Rot- after a Nadim pass fl icked on by Harder with half an EmiratesA Cup defeat against Sevilla. Laca- terdamS yesterday. hour to go, while Petersen regained self-confi dence zette is under pressure to make an imme- Germany, who have won the Euro six times in a with several brilliant saves. “It was fairly equal in diate impact after Arsene Wenger splashed row and eight times overall, dominated the event- term of the chances. Germany didn’t put on under out £52mn ($68mn, 58mn euros) to sign the ful game postponed from Saturday because of big pressure.” France striker from Lyon earlier this month. heavy rain, but Denmark’s counter-attacking was German coach Steffi Jones bemoaned a lack of The 26-year-old shrugged off an anony- eventually too much for them. Germany were out will to win on the German side. “There’s a lot of mous fi rst half to mark his maiden start at of the blocks fast with Isabel Kerschowski drawing disappointment. We weren’t aggressive enough,” the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal’s sec- fi rst blood on three minutes with massive help from she said. In the semi-fi nal on August 3, Denmark ond-half equaliser after Joaquin Correa had Danish keeper Stina Petersen who palmed her shot will take on either Austria or Spain, who were play- put the Spaniards ahead. But Lacazette’s from just outside the box into the goal. ing late last night. afternoon ended in pain when he was forced But Nadim put Denmark level three minutes after On the same day, the Netherlands, who beat off in the closing stages of the pre-season the break with a bullet header from a cross by Stine Sweden 2-0 on Saturday, will face either England or friendly. Larsen and Nielsen then headed home a cross from France, also playing in a late match last night. With Arsenal due to face Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 6 before opening their Premier League cam- paign against Leicester City fi ve days later, Wenger will be hoping Lacazette’s injury is nothing serious. Arsenal players celebrate after winning the Emirates Cup pre-season friendly tournament in Steven N’Zonzi scored Sevilla’s winner, London yesterday. (Reuters) but Arsenal fi nished top of the four-team group on goals scored to clinch the Emirates a pass beyond the Egyptian to put Wissam Oxlade-Chamberlain powered down the Cup for a fi fth time. Having thrashed Ben- Ben Yedder clear on the edge of the area. Ben right fl ank before crossing into the six-yard fi ca 5-2 on Saturday, Wenger was far more Yedder took a touch before drilling a shot box and, when Danny Welbeck mistimed his interested in his team delivering a positive across Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, only to shot, Lacazette was on hand to slot home performance than securing a meaningless see it hit a post and rebound to safety. from close range. It was Lacazette’s second pre-season prize. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future re- goal for Arsenal after he opened his account In the end, Lacazette’s injury and a sloppy mains unresolved, with Chelsea and Liv- in a pre-season friendly against Sydney FC defensive display meant it was a frustrating erpool said to be interested in the England in Australia. Former Stoke City midfi elder afternoon for the Arsenal manager. Egypt winger, and he was by far Arsenal’s most N’Zonzi restored Sevilla’s lead with a superb midfi elder Mohamed Elneny had been de- impressive performer, with 17-year-old Joe curling strike from the edge of the area seven ployed as one of Arsenal’s three centre- Willock starting alongside him in midfi eld. minutes later. backs with only limited success during the However, Correa put the Spanish side ahead In yesterday’s other Emirates Cup match, team’s tour of Australia and China. in the 49th minute with a cool fi nish after RB Leipzig won 2-0 against Portuguese Wenger again experimented with the sprinting onto Ben Yedder’s smart reverse champions Benfi ca. Marcel Halstenberg put positional switch and Sevilla almost took pass. Lacazette then shot tamely at David the Bundesliga side ahead in the 19th minute advantage of Elneny’s lack of experience Soria before making amends with the equal- and Marvin Compper added their second in in his new role when Ever Banega clipped iser in the 62nd minute. the 53rd minute. Denmark players are overjoyed after winning the Women’s Euro 2017 quarter-final against Germany. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, July 31, 2017 5 SPORT

BASEBALL FOCUS Mariners’ Haniger Bullpen helps takes fastball to face AFP ing staff before departing the eldfi un- Los Angeles der his own steam. “Obviously, any time that happens it’s pretty scary. It was a severe lac- eattle Mariners outfi elder eration of the upper lip,” said Mariners Mitch Haniger suff ered a seri- manager Scott Servais, whose team ous laceration to his mouth on went on to a 3-2 victory at Safeco Field Angels edge Blue Saturday when he took fastball in Seattle. “It could have been much fromS New York Mets pitcher Jaob de- worse,” Servais said. “He was never un- Grom to his face. conscious. When I went out there, he ‘They were aggressive, and I didn’t The 95mp/h (152.89km/h) second- was talking.” inning off ering from deGrom moved Haniger, a 26-year-old in his sec- really expect it. I thought they’d be up and in on Haninger, who couldn’t ond season in the major leagues, is turn away in time and crumpled to the batting.255 with seven home runs, 24 patient. But they were very aggressive’ ground when it hit. runs-batted-in, 26 walks and an on- Jays out He received attention from the train- base percentage of.355.

Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger reacts after being hit in the head by a pitch against the New York Mets on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports)

New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (right) hits a walk-off home-run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eleventh inning at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) National Football League roundup

By Pedro Moura er. They turned to a long reliever mak- parents, obtained last-minute pass- He traversed the seventh and eighth Don’t freak out, Luck tells fans as Donaldson, Bautista and the Blue Los Angeles Times (TNS) ing his fi rst start of the season and an ports to make it. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck repeatedly told fans to not “freak Jays’ other big bats pounced on early undrafted free agent making his major Because Petit kept his pitch count out” about his surgically repaired throwing shoulder. off erings, hit them hard, but repeat- league debut. low, he remained in for the fourth. Luck, 27, reported to training camp Saturday but opens on the active physi- edly fl ied and lined out. he relay throw from Kole Cal- Yusmeiro Petit and Troy Scribner He permitted hits to the fi rst two Blue cally unable to perform list and can’t participate in practice. houn travelled rapidly to An- surrendered three runs, two earned, Jays he faced, Donaldson and Justin “They were aggressive, and I didn’t drelton Simmons, and the An- in a combined seven innings, and the Smoak. And when Steve Pearce lined really expect it,” Scribner said. “I Titans agree deal with Davis gels shortstop decided before Angels (51-54) rose to fi ve games be- out to right for the inning’s second thought they’d be patient. I’m in the Treceipt that he’d keep the chain going hind an American League wild-card out, Simmons made his run-scoring big leagues. But they were very ag- The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with wide receiver Corey Davis, the No. and try to eke an out at third base. He qualifying spot. mistake. gressive.” 5 overall pick in this year’s draft, as the team kicked off training camp practice. transferred the baseball from his glove The Angels’ winning rally arose at For the fi fth, Angels manager Mike Scribner, 26, took home the win, The Titans have now reached contracts with all nine members of the 2017 to his hand and let go without choos- once, with one out in the ninth in- Scioscia chose rookie right-hander three game-used balls and two line- draft class. Davis was the last first-round pick to agree to terms. ing his target. It landed in the stands, ning against Blue Jays closer Roberto Keynan Middleton, who surrendered up cards. His first major league stint and Josh Donaldson, Toronto’s tag- Osuna. Calhoun smoked a single up two runs on a walk and two doubles. will be brief, but he dined with all of Jones denies hiring divers to retrieve earring ging-up runner, touched home for the the middle, Martin Maldonado took a The Angels mustered only one his assembled visitors Saturday to Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones denied he hired a dive team after game’s fi rst run. pitch off his armguard, and Ben Revere Mike Trout infield hit until the celebrate his win and Gail’s birth- losing a $100,000 earring while tumbling off a Jet Ski. Jones cleared up the “Live by the sword, die by it,” Sim- doubled down the right-fi eld line. sixth inning, when Shane Robinson day. story from an initial television report earlier this week. mons said. “I’ll stick to it.” That halved the Angels’ two-run defi - whacked a single on starter Francis- “Take your mom out to dinner,” re- That overthrow Saturday at Rog- cit, and they soon tied the score on a co Liriano’s first pitch of the frame. liever Brooks Pounders told him upon Flacco backs Kaepernick ers Centre marked the fi rst error by an wild pitch. With one out, Yunel Escobar and hearing that. “Thank her for making Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco supports the idea of Colin Kaeper- Angels position player in one month. Cliff Pennington then lifted a fl y Trout mashed back-to-back singles you.” nick joining the team as his backup this season. Flacco told reporters Friday The team’s 21-game error-less streak ball to shallow centre fi eld, and Revere to score Robinson. Up came Albert that he thinks Baltimore would be a “good spot” for Kaepernick. was the second-longest by any team in ran hard and slid headfi rst to beat the Pujols, who came to bat having failed RESULTS the last century, according to STATS throw home. to reach base in 23 consecutive plate Oakland 5 Minnesota 4 Raiders claim Atkinson on waivers LLC. The 2010 Giants, who won the Called upon for the bottom of the appearances, a career-high stretch. San Diego 4 Pittsburgh 2 The Oakland Raiders claimed running back George Atkinson III on waivers World Series, went 23 games. ninth, closer Bud Norris walked two He drew a five-pitch walk to load the Baltimore 4 Texas 0 from the Cleveland Browns, the team announced. Atkinson spent parts of “This team is capable of playing re- Blue Jays and threw away a pickoff at- bases. Arizona 7 St. Louis 1 three seasons with the Raiders after they signed him as an undrafted free ally, really good defense,” Simmons tempt, but still recorded his 16th save. After C.J. Cron struck out, Sim- Chicago Cubs 2 Milwaukee 1 (11 innings) agent in May 2014. He was waived and picked up by Cleveland in September said. “We’re going to make mistakes, He jammed Jose Bautista with a cutter mons ripped a 99-mph single into Miami 7 Cincinnati 3 2016. but we’re keeping it minimal, and and induced a double play. left that scored two to tie it. Toronto Cleveland 5 Chicago White Sox 4 that’s really good. We played good de- Petit handled the fi rst three innings then vaulted ahead in the sixth against Boston 9 Kansas City 8 (10 inns) Colts restore Hooker to active roster fense again, except for me.” without issue, just as was hoped. As he Scribner, as Miguel Montero launched Philadelphia 4 Atlanta 3 (11 innings) That defense again helped prop up began the bottom of the third, Scrib- a changeup 421 feet to centre for a Colorado 4 Washington 2 The Colts restored safety Malik Hooker to the active roster from the physi- the team’s unproven pitchers in a 6-5 ner began to stretch in the Angels’ two-run home run. Detroit 5 Houston 3 cally unable to perform list. Hooker, the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, comeback victory over Toronto. The bullpen, fi rst throwing a ball above the “I’ve given up a ton of home runs Seattle 3 NY Mets 2 tweaked a hamstring during a conditioning test Monday. The 21-year-old and Angels were forced into a so-called bullpen to one of the 13 family mem- in my life,” Scribner said, unfazed. “I LA Dodgers 2 San Francisco 1 former Ohio State standout had hip and sports hernia surgeries before the bullpen game because of another bers and friends who came to see him know exactly what it looks like, what LA Angels 6 Toronto 5 NFL Scouting Combine. Hooker missed the Colts’ off season programme. pitching injury, this time to Alex Mey- pitch. David and Gail Scribner, his it feels like.” NY Yankees 5 Tampa Bay 4

BOTTOMLINE What landing the 2018 NHL draft means for Dallas

By Mike Heika “It’s a huge event that will fi ll down- inspiring, but it’s a model that all NHL with the Dallas Stars, the NHL, Center hockey is coming in Dallas. The Dallas Morning News (TNS) town up for four days,” Stars CEO Jim clubs in non-traditional markets aspire Operating, Company, American Air- “We’ve both been asked about foot- Lites said. “It’s a huge deal, and it’s one to.” lines Center, City of Dallas and Visit ball, and it’s nice that we’re diff erent of my favourite events all year. We’re The area could see a fi nancial benefi t Dallas to bring this here for the local and play hockey,” he said. “This is great ark Janko has always com- going to have a great time.” of around $14 million. fans,” said Monica Paul, executive di- for the sport. It’s growing so much here, pared the NHL draft to a Lites said the process required hard “Let’s talk about the money,” Dal- rector of the Dallas Sports Commis- and this is a chance to show that.” traditional Thanksgiving work from everyone. Stars offi cials Brad las Mayor Mike Rawlings said Satur- sion. “And to bring this to the youth of Daly said he’s aware of the state’s so- dinner. Alberts and Jason Farris put in hard day with a laugh, speaking at a public Dallas, that’s a special thing, helping to called “bathroom bill,” which would MIt’s the one time of the year when the work, as did city offi cials and the Dallas gathering held by the Stars at Reunion continue to grow the game of hockey limit restroom use by transgender men, Stars assistant general manager will see Sports Commission. NHL deputy com- Lawn. “There will be more than 6,000 here. There is an international appeal women and children. The bill, which was every member of his hockey family. missioner Bill Daly said he has been im- hotel rooms that will start booking to- here, and I think that’s going to have a passed by the state Senate but is not yet The NHL draft is a unique experience pressed by Dallas’ growth as a hockey morrow.” great impact on Dallas.” under consideration in the House, could in which teams bring pretty much every market and expects a big week. In addition to sold-out hotel rooms The two days also could provide make the league reconsider about bring- important person except for their play- “It will be the fi rst time this city has and fi lled restaurants, the exposure for a circle-of-life sort of story. Ryan ing a showcase event to Texas. ers. In addition to league royalty, every hosted this signature event and we be- Dallas is signifi cant. The last time the O’Reilly and Jace Foskey of Southlake “It’s an important issue for the GM, every scout, most owners and most lieve it’s a fi tting way to help celebrate city hosted a big NHL event was in 2007 are two home-grown players who have league,” Daly said, “and we’re a very front-offi ce people will be on hand. So the 25th anniversary season of the Dal- Dallas Stars CEO Jim Lites. (Fort Worth when the All-Star Game took place at a chance to be drafted. inclusive league, and we’re proud we’re having it in Dallas is a very big deal. las Stars franchise,” Daly said. “The Star-Telegram/MCT) AAC. Getting the movers and shakers “It’s incredible,” O’Reilly said. “To an inclusive league. I think the legisla- The NHL and the Stars announced Stars organisation has led the way in back here allows the Stars and the city possibly be back here with your friends tion is important ... From what I under- Saturday that the 2018 NHL draft will turning a non-traditional hockey mar- youth hockey in the Greater Dallas area to show off a bit. and family and get drafted in your stand from the mayor is it’s not going be held June 22-23 at American Airlines ket into a hockey market. Your involve- comes from rink initiatives and spon- “We consider this a big win for us. hometown, that would be amazing.” to be a problem, so we don’t think it’s Center. ment in promoting and supporting soring youth hockey teams. It’s not only We couldn’t be more excited to partner Foskey added that it shows how far going to be a problem.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, July 31, 2017 SPORT

NFL SPOTLIGHTFOCUS Novel researchers receive Aspetar Manning and excellence award Marshall look to at ECSS Congress build chemistry ‘To be really good in the league you can’t make the same mistakes twice. You’ve got to be able to coach and be coached up on the fly’

spetar – the ortho- sented to Dr Javier Fernandez, paedic sports medi- a Doctor at the FC Barcelona cine hospital in Qatar Sports Science and Medical A– has paid tribute to Department, for his novel re- the pioneering research eff orts search “Better match physical of three international research- performance achieved in pro- ers with the Aspetar Excellence fessional football with higher Award at the 22nd annual Eu- variability during training: a ropean College of Sport Science machine-learning approach.” (ECSS) Congress, which took The data compiled from FC place from earlier this month in Barcelona’s players was used for MetropolisRuhr, Germany. some very sophisticated analy- The fi rst of these three awards sis. The fi ndings suggested a – the Excellence in Football Re- positive correlation between search Award – aims to attract training variability and a play- and support novel research er’s physical performance dur- projects of direct relevance to ing a match, could be used to the game. The award aims to shape training strategies in the stimulate research on applied future. science with potential applica- Aspetar’s involvement in the tions on the football pitch. As Congress builds on its three- such, researchers from a range year partnership with the ECSS of diff erent sport science disci- that aims to enrich the sports plines (physiology, psychology, science and medicine industries nutrition, performance analy- by providing a platform for re- sis, biomechanics) were invited searchers from around the globe to apply. to exchange knowledge, insights Applicant numbers for the and expertise around a variety Aspetar Excellence Awards have of important and relevant top- continued to rise since Asp- ics related to sports science and etar launched it two years ago, sports medicine. increasing from 74 applicants The four-day ECSS Metropo- Brandon Marshall, now with the New York Giants. from 29 countries in 2015, to 82 lisRuhr 2017 Congress, held un- from 26 countries in 2016 and der the theme ‘Sport Science in By Tom Rock one that did not result in videos going vi- new to him but has been used by Man- Odell Beckham Jr. who made a few grabs 129 from 32 countries in 2017. a Metropolitan Area’, consisted Newsday ral or cheers from the fans in the stands. ning and others in the system for years. that brought the fans to their feet ... and The fi rst award was presented of a variety of workshops, dis- It was one that fell as an incompletion It’s all part of Marshall getting to know made Marshall grin. to Australian researcher Dr Ric cussion panels and lectures, as Marshall came across the middle and Manning as much as getting to know the “That’s why I came here, because of Lovell from Western Sydney that explored areas of collabora- t didn’t take long for Brandon Mar- couldn’t quite reach the football thrown playbook. him,” Marshall said. “I’m tired of get- University in recognition of his tion in future research projects shall to make his fi rst offi cial play as out in front of him by Manning. That’s why the two spent a good deal ting double coverage and viced in the research “Scheduling of Injury and gave early stage researchers a Giant. The catch was the day’s validation. of time this off season on FaceTime going red zone. I’ll let him freakin’ carry all the Prevention Exercises during the an opportunity to network with On the fi rst competitive snap of The miss was the day’s lesson. over routes and decisions. But there is weight.” Soccer Micro-Cycle: Insights more established counterparts. Ipractice in a seven-on-seven drill on “You know, that’s where Eli was sup- only so much that can be accomplished Well, not all of the weight. Marshall from Muscle Damage, Soreness Shaima al-Khaldi is the As- Saturday, Marshall ran a route against posed to go with the ball and as a receiver, in that way. Some wrinkles need to be said he wants to contribute a lot, too. and Performance Recovery Pro- sistant Director of Exercise and Janoris Jenkins down the left side then you’ve got to build that chemistry with ironed out in person. Like the one on And he expects to. fi les.” Sports Science Department, came back to make an acrobatic grab on your quarterback,” Marshall said. “What Saturday. “As a receiver, that’s what makes us In his research, Lovell pre- and Dr George Nassis, Lead a pass from Eli Manning. I did wasn’t wrong if it was a diff er- “It takes plays like that, right?” Mar- great, but that’s also what holds us back,” sented novel data on the in- Physiologist, National Sports “It felt good,” Marshall said. “Being ent off ense. I throttled in the zone and shall said. “To be really good in the Marshall said of having an ego in regards tegration of injury prevention Medicine Programme at Asp- the new guy, you want to prove yourself. Eli wants you to run through it. So, it league you can’t make the same mistakes to catches and targets. “It’s defi nitely training in the busy schedules of etar led Aspetar’s delegation Secondly, I want to prove to myself that I wasn’t like I slowed down but if I burst twice. You’ve got to be able to coach and about winning, but at the same time, a top fl ight football team. This that included sports medicine can still do it ... I was like, OK, I can still through that fi rst hole I would’ve caught be coached up on the fl y. I was able to see guys want to perform as well. I’ve been demonstrated how injury pre- experts. do this.” the ball. Literally, I was like a foot away it and feel it, and I went to the side and there, done that. I’ve had 100 catches vention can be incorporated ef- In her opening remarks, al- It was one of the highlights of the third from making a big play for the team, but talked to Eli about it a little bit, and now I several times, done some amazing things, fectively into a four-day train- Khaldi said: “It was our pleas- day of training camp, the fi rst day in I missed it because of that timing. know when I have that route, I’ll hit it in went to some Pro Bowls. The only thing ing schedule in the lead up to ure to once again participate in which the off ense faced a live defense. “Now I got it,” he said, “and I won’t there a little faster.” that I haven’t checked off is being able to games. this major conference, now in But weeks from now, months from make that mistake again.” Marshall did make that fi rst catch, earn one of those Lombardi trophies.” The second award was pre- its 22nd year. The theme of this now, there will likely be another play by It’s all part of the process of integrat- but he was far from the standout re- Mistake by corrected mistake is the sented to Dr Marcus Champ, year’s Congress touched on a Marshall that becomes more signifi cant _ ing Marshall into a Giants off ense that is ceiver in practice. That title went to only way to do that. from the University of Western range of important issues for us Australia for his research “Mul- to address as a collective. Re- tivariate Modelling of Non- cent world history has shown CYCLING Contact Injury Risk in Elite us that economic development Australian Footballers.” goes hand-in-hand with urban- Dr Champ developed a model isation, creating a range of new used to predict injuries which is health issues for populations especially useful for a range of around the world. For example, experts working with football in Qatar as elsewhere, the rate teams. The algorithm developed of obesity has reached endemic Kwiatkowski wins fi ve-way by Dr Champ tracked variables levels in recent years. Though including training load as well demonstrable progress is being as subjective feelings of well- made, it is our collective re- ness and fatigue, and was able sponsibility to identify the most to successfully predict a number eff ective solutions and dissemi- battle in San Sebastian Classic of non-contact injuries. nate such insights around the AFP showed great power to bridge The third award was pre- world.” San Sebastian, Spain the gap and force a fan friendly fi ve-rider fi nale. Kwiatkowski was the fi rst RUGBY oland’s Michal ever Pole to win at San Sebas- Kwiatkowski won a tian, in its 37th edition, after fi ve-way battle for the a slog of fi ve hours, 52 minutes line as the 232-kilome- and 53 seconds. It was also the Smith celebrates Ptre San Sebastian one-day Clas- 27-year-old’s third classic win sic culminated with a thrilling of the season after Milan-San- fi nale on Saturday. Remo and Strade Bianche. 350th game with It was a third classic win this The race was run over rolling, season for Kwiatkowski, who hilly terrain through Basque helped Sky teammate Chris Country with several diffi cult star role in big win Froome maintain his grip on climbs including the category- the yellow jersey in the Tour de one Jaizkibel mountain and also France that ended last Sunday. three treacherous descents. AFP top of the standings. In a ferocious struggle to the A breakaway included local Sydney The skilful hooker became line between mainly climb and talent but 39-year-old veteran only the third NRL player and hilly terrain specialists the 2013 racer Haimar Zubeldia was fi rst forward to join the 350- winner Tony Gallopin of France reeled in 55km from home after est skipper Cameron game club, along with Darren was second and last year’s vic- taking a lead of over fi ve min- Smith celebrated his Lockyer (355) and Terry Lamb tor Bauke Mollema of the Neth- utes with the Sky team putting 350th National Rugby (350), and is now within sight erlands was third. down a harsh rhythm. TLeague game with of breaking the league record by The 2014 world road race on the Tour de France, was fi fth da playing his crucial role in Olympic champion Greg Sky’s Gianni Moscon then led a starring role in Melbourne the end of this season. champion punched the air af- 2sec adrift. the end, and I could go for the van Avermaet was many peo- a 15-man break on the category Storm’s crushing 40-6 win over Yet again Smith and Test ter winning by less than a bike “Such amazing Basque Span- sprint easily. I’m very thankful ple’s favourite but he ran out of 2 climb at the Puerto de Arkale the Manly Sea Eagles yesterday. scrum-half Cooper Cronk or- length, while Giro d’Italia win- ish guys in the team today,” to Mikel that he waited in the steam chasing the lead trio to climb with 20km to go. Smith was involved in four try chestrated Storm’s dismantling ner Tom Dumoulin looked for- Kwiatkowski said after the race group in the front. Today was fi nish eighth. But again the attack was neu- assists, topped the tackle count of the Sea Eagles, running away lorn fi nishing in the same time in reference to Landa and Mikel just amazing, the team spirit, Landa had led Mollema and tralised with 10km to go and and kicked six goals as the Storm with the contest in the second in fourth place. Nieve. we believed that we could win Gallopin over the last hill but their maximum lead never got preserved their two-point lead half after leading 12-6 at half- Sky’s Mikel Landa, fourth “You could see Mikel Lan- the race.” Kwiatkowski and Dumoulin past 30 seconds. over the Sydney Roosters at the time. Gulf Times Monday, July 31, 2017 7 SPORT

TENNIS Never bet against Bolt, says Bailey

Siniakova beats Wozniacki, Kingston: Former 100 metres world record holder Donovan Bailey has backed Usain Bolt to bow out in tri- umph at the world champion- ships next month despite his seals second title in Bastad slow buildup to the athletics showpiece. Bolt logged his season best of 9.95 seconds Siniakova and Wozniacki endured a tough battle before the Czech youngster earned the win just over a week ago in Mo- naco, a time beaten by a raft Agencies of sprinters this year. Bastad, Sweden But the 30-year-old Jamai- can is still raging favourite to win his fourth 100m world aterina Siniakova clinched her second title, and with good reason, career WTA title at the Ericsson Open according to former world in Bastad, shocking top seed and former and Olympic champion Bai- World No.1. Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-4 ley. “Anyone that bets against Kin the fi nal yesterday. Bolt at a major championship Delayed by heavy rain after the conclusion of the isn’t smart,” the Jamaica- doubles fi nal, Siniakova and Wozniacki endured a born Canadian said on tough battle on the heavy red clay before the Czech Saturday. youngster earned the win after nearly two hours on “Those athletes have to court a year after reaching her maiden WTA fi nal have a mistake-free race in Bastad. to make (the 100m final) “It’s really amazing for me,” Siniakova said. interesting,” he said of Bolt’s “Last year was really good, and so I’m so happy rivals. Bolt is currently ranked that I came back because I couldn’t imagine a bet- joint seventh with arch rival ter week. Caroline has had such a great season and Justin Gatlin on the year’s it’s so much pressure to play against you. I’m sorry top timesheet which is I won!” she added as the crowd laughed. “I was just headed by world leader and enjoying the game even in the tough conditions.” American NCAA champion Wozniacki has been in the midst of a career ren- Christian Coleman. aissance in 2017, reaching four fi nals before Wim- Coleman ran 9.82 seconds bledon and becoming the fi rst woman to win 40 in Eugene, Oregon last matches this season. Playing in her fi fth fi nal, the month. Bolt’s Jamaican train- Dane was aiming to take home her fi rst title after ing partner Yohan Blake is runner-up fi nishes in Doha, Dubai, Miami, and second on the list with 9.90, Eastbourne, but was undone by right elbow injury ahead of South African Akani for which she took a medical timeout after the fi rst Simbine (9.92) and Ameri- set, striking an uncharacteristic 39 unforced errors cans Cameron Burrell and to just 19 winners. Christopher Belcher. “It was a tough match,” Wozniacki said. “I’m Former Trinidad and looking forward to the US Open Series and the US Tobago sprinter Ato Boldon, Open. It’s one of the tournaments where I’ve done who won the 200m world my best, and it’s one of my favorite tournaments championship in 1997, thinks of the year. I’m excited to go back, see how I can only Blake has a chance to do on the hardcourts and hopefully fi nish the year spoil world record holder strongly.” Bolt’s party in London. “If Siniakova also dealt with a right arm injury, but Blake is healthy, he can be remained calm under pressure and kept her stats a real threat to Bolt. I don’t relatively clean with 20 winners to 28 unforced er- know that anyone else this rors, and broke serve fi ve times to secure an emo- year has shown me that they tional victory. “This just means so much to me,” can be better than Bolt in the the 21-year-old said through tears. Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova returns a shot during her win over Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the final of the Swedish Open in Bastad. (AFP) last 50m,” Boldon said. Starting the season with her maiden title at the Bolt, who has won eight Shenzhen Open, Siniakova has become a threat ing from Martin Klizan’s withdrawal due to injury Gombos).But each day I felt better and better.” games dating back to his title run last week in Olympic and 11 world in both singles and doubles, partnering country- after losing in the fi nal round of qualifying. Despite losing, 25-year-old Hanfmann, the Newport. Harrison beat fi fth-seeded Briton Kyle championship gold medals, woman Lucie Hradecka to reach four fi nals - in- After a week in which he notably ousted the top world number 170 who has had a hearing impair- Edmund 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4 to advance. is planning to quit the track cluding the BNP Paribas Open back in March. seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Leonardo Mayer will ment since birth, enjoyed the best result of his after competing in the 100m While Wozniacki is set to remain No.6 on the rocket into the top 50 when the latest rankings career this week in reaching the fi nal, having also CHINA’S PENG ROMPS TO HOME TITLE and 4x100m relay in London. WTA rankings, she moves up one spot on the Por- come out on Monday. Florian Mayer, 33 years old knocked out third seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain in China’s Peng Shuai claimed the Jiangxi Open title Boldon, a four-times Olympic sche Race to Singapore, leapfrogging Roland Gar- and 101 in the rankings, had been looking for the the second round. when she overpowered unseeded Nao Hibino 6-3, medallist, said there could be ros champion Jelena Ostapenko to take the No.7 fi rst title of his career. 6-2 in a one-sided fi nal. The 31-year-old Peng no debate about the world’s position. Siniakova will move up nearly 20 spots on ISNER STREAKS INTO ATLANTA FINAL made light work of the Japanese in just under 90 greatest ever sprinter. both WTA and The Race rankings at No.39, three FOGNINI WINS FIFTH ATP TITLE IN GSTAAD Second-seeded John Isner powered past Wimble- minutes to add to the maiden WTA singles crown “There isn’t anyone who spots away from her career-high of No.36. Fabio Fognini beat Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 7-5 in don quarter-fi nalist Gilles Muller 6-4, 6-2 on Sat- she won last year, also on home soil, in Tianjin. can say that he (Bolt) has not the Gstaad ATP tournament fi nal to win his fi fth urday to reach the fi nal of the ATP’s BB&T Open in Peng, with a world ranking of 32 and the tourna- been the best ever,” he said. MAYER BEATS MAYER IN HAMBURG FINAL tour title. The 31-year-old Italian, ranked 31 in the Atlanta, Georgia. Isner needed just 75 minutes to ment’s second seed, was never really in trouble on “Jesse Owens was the most Leonardo Mayer secured his second career title as world, was playing in his 13th ATP fi nal. All fi ve of reach his seventh Atlanta fi nal in eight years, where the outdoor hard courts at Nanchang in southeast important, Carl Lewis made he defeated Germany’s Florian Mayer 6-4, 4-6, his victories have come on clay. he’ll be gunning for a fourth Atlanta crown. China. Fellow Chinese and top seed Zhang Shuai sprinting profitable, but Bolt 6-3 in the Hamburg clay-court fi nal. Argentina’s “It’s always a nice feeling when you win. This The big-serving American saved all four break and European stars Jelena Jankovic and Kristyna is the GOAT (greatest of all Mayer, ranked 138 in the world, had already won week was really tough for me,” said Fognini. “I lost points he faced, and has now won seven straight Pliskova all tumbled out early to leave Peng as the time).” here in 2014 but was a lucky loser this time, profi t- my fi rst set 6-1 in 20 minutes (to Slovakian Norbert ATP matches and held for 69 straight service sole remaining seed in the semi-fi nals.

SPOTLIGHT GOLF Smith edges Levy in play-off to Hoff man grabs one-shot clinch European Open title lead at Canadian Open

AFP AFP Hamburg Montreal

ngland’s Jordan Smith claimed the harley Hoff man birdied fi rst title of his fl edgling European the last on Saturday to Tour career yesterday, beating de- cap a seven-under par fending champion Alexander Levy 65 and take a one-stroke ofE France in a play-off at the European Open leadC over Kevin Chappell after in Hamburg. Smith had been two shots three rounds of the US PGA Tour ahead overnight but he needed a birdie at Canadian Open. Hoff man had the last on Sunday to force a play-off with eight birdies overall on the Glen both players tied at 13 under par. Abbey course in Oakville, On- He then survived on the fi rst trip back tario, building a 54-hole total of down the 18th when Levy missed a close- 17-under par 199. range birdie putt to win. Back down the 517- Six of Hoff man’s birdies came yard par-fi ve last hole they came and this in a seven-hole stretch from time Smith, 24, birdied to take the title and nine through 15. He rebounded get his hands on the giant trophy as well as from his lone bogey at 17 with the winner’s cheque in the two million-euro his two-putt birdie at the last. ($2.4mn, £1.8mn) event. “The putter’s been rolling good Smith, a former Walker Cup player who the second half of the season,” turned professional in 2014 and was top said Hoff man, who captured ranked on the Challenge Tour last year, shot his fourth career PGA Tour ti- a one-under-par 71 featuring four birdies tle at the Texas Open in April of and three bogeys. Levy had a second succes- last year. “When putts go in it’s sive 69 on Sunday after play was suspended always easier to shoot a lower due to the threat of lightning in the morning score.” on the Green Eagle course. Chappell had nine birdies and He led by a single shot as he stood at the three bogeys in his six-under 66 18th tee, but when Smith holed a 10-foot for 200. He bogeyed the par-fi ve birdie putt to join the Frenchman at the 18th, where he was in a fairway summit, he was forced to tap in a tricky bunker, the rough and the wa- par putt just to force the play-off . Siddikur ter. American Robert Garrigus Charley Hoff man hits a shot on the sixteenth hole during the third Rahman of Bangladesh and Johan Edfors of matched the course record with round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament at Glen Abbey Golf Sweden, two players ranked outside the top England’s Jordan Smith poses with the trophy after winning the European Open. a 10-under par 62 for a share of Club in Oakville, Ontario. (USA TODAY Sports) 350 in the world, fi nished tied for third place third place on 201 alongside Gary on 11-under. Wales yesterday to become the most suc- After holding at least a share of the lead Woodland, who carded a 68. when it comes to that but that’s pro Ryan Ruff els, who signed for South Africa’s former Masters champion cessful player in senior major-champion- at the end of each day, Langer is the third Garrigus’s three chip-ins in- fi ne. I’m almost so dumb I can a 68, and defending champion Charl Schwartzel, the highest-ranked player ship history. The German, who won two three-time winner of the senior Claret Jug, cluded an eagle at the second play good golf. That’s a good Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela in the fi eld at world number 21, shot a fi nal Masters titles on the main tour, held off after all-time legends Tom Watson and Gary — one of two eagles to go with quality to have out here, be- who carded a 67. round of 69 to fi nish in a tie for 12th at eight- American Corey Pavin to claim a record 10th Player, despite having to battle a bout of lar- six birdies. The 39-year-old be- cause you’re not thinking about American Martin Flores, who under. Further back, US Ryder Cup player senior major title by three shots on four un- yngitis at the start of the week. came the fi fth player to post a anything,” he added. “You’re not took a one-shot lead into the Patrick Reed ended on six under par. der par for the tournament. Langer’s win also gives him a place in next 62 at Glen Abbey, where Leon- thinking about missing a shot or third round, carded an even par- Langer, 59, carded a one-over fi nal round year’s British Open at Carnoustie, by when ard Thompson fi rst set the mark hitting it close or whatever.” 72 for a total of 204 that left him LANGER SEALS RECORD of 72, as 2010 US Ryder Cup captain Pavin he will have turned 60. Australian Peter in 1981. He said the key to his Garrigus and Woodland were fi ve off the lead in a group that 10TH SENIOR MAJOR TITLE settled for a 71. It was a third major victory Lonard shared third place with Billy An- success was not over-thinking one stroke in front of a half- also included world number one Bernhard Langer claimed his third sen- of the season for Langer, who also won the drade and former world number one Fred things. “My mind shuts off ,” he dozen players on 202. The group Dustin Johnson and England’s ior British Open title at Royal Porthcawl in senior Open at Porthcawl three years ago. Couples on level par for the championship. said. “I might be kind of an idiot included 19-year-old Australian Ian Poulter, who both shot 68.

Monday, July 31, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING FOCUS Shaqab’s Lwsail dazzles at Newbury Qatar duo Julio Agencies and Tijan runner Newbury, England

l Shaqab Racing’s Lwsail won the Jebel Ali Racecourse up in Espinho Za’abeel International Stakes (Gr1 PA) very easily yesterday. HeA won from pillar to post, passing the beach volleyball post, ahead of Barnamaj and Macallan. “It was the race I had aimed for him this year. He had won on his debuts at Bor- deaux, over 1,400m. But afterwards, on longer distances, he had a tendency to tire himself because he is a very keen horse. He stayed on a good second place at Dax be- hind the very good mare Mabrooka. We will try and fi nd him other races on this kind of distance, but he can hold the mile,” Lwsail’s trainer Thomas Fourcy said. Julien Auge (left) rides Lwsail to victory in the Za’abeel International Stakes in Newbury yesterday. (Racingfotos)

SWIMMING Dressel matches Phelps’ record gold

haul at Worlds Qatar’s Julio Cesar Do Nascimento Jr and Ahmed Tijan (left) celebrate on the podium after finishing second behind George Wanderley and Vitor Felipe of Brazil in the Espinho 2-Star event final on Praia da Baia Hosszu finishes on a high with 400m medley win; King sets world record beach in Portugal yesterday. (Twitter/QatarVolleyball)

DPA Agencies Earlier in the day, Julio and Ti- Budapest Espinho, Portugal jan blanked Sorum and Solhaug 2-0 (21-18, 23-21) in their semi- fi nal match for a place in the de- aeleb Dressel matched the great eorge Wanderley and cider. Michael Phelps’ record of seven Vitor Felipe beat Qatar’s gold medals at a single world Julio Cesar Do Nasci- JEFFERSON-CHERIF IN swimming championships after mento Jr and Ahmed VIENNA SECOND ROUND theC United States won the closing 4x100- GTijan yesterday to win gold at the Meanwhile, in Vienna, Qatar’s metre medley relay in Budapest yester- Espinho 2-Star event on Praia da Jeff erson Santos Perreira and day. Baia beach in Portugal. Cherif Younousse won the sec- Dressel had already taken gold in the The Brazilian pair defeated the ond round of FIVB Beach Vol- 50m and 100m freestyles, the 100m but- Qatari duo 2-0 (21-12, 21-13) to leyball World Championships in terfl y, the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, win their fi rst FIVB Beach Vol- Vienna, Austria, with a 2-1 (21- the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay and the leyball World Tour medal since 18, 22-24, and 15-10) victory over mixed 4x100m medley relay. they teamed up at the start of the their Venezuelan counterparts. He swam the butterfl y third leg and year. Qatar had beaten Germany along with Matt Grevers, Kevin Cordes “It’s very good, it’s the fi rst 2-0 in the fi rst round. and Nathan Adrian triumphed in 3 min- time we won a senior interna- They are in Group B alongside utes 27.91 seconds. tional event,” Wanderley said. “I Latvia, in addition to Germany Britain took silver in 3:28.95 minutes won the U19 World Champion- and Venezuela. It is the sec- with bronze going to Russia. ships in Portugal and now we’ve ond time in history that Qatar Local star Katinka Hosszu was the won the Espinho Open. “We felt qualifi ed for the Beach Volleyball strong favourite in the women’s individ- at home and celebrated as if we World Championship. ual medley having already won the 200m were in Brazil, due to the support The sport is gaining momen- version of the discipline. She did not we felt throughout the tourna- tum in the country as they were disappoint a roaring crowd in the Danu ment and today in the fi nals.” also crowned champions of Asia, Arena. Norway’s Anders Berntsen in the competition that took The Hungarian had established clear Mol and Mathias Bertsen also place in Doha last May. They de- water before the halfway point of the won their fi rst World Tour med- feated Australia in the fi nal 2-1, backstroke second leg and powered clear als as a pair when they claimed in the match held in Aspire Zone. to win in a championship record 4:29.33 US swimmers Matt Grevers, Kevin Cordes, Caeleb Dressel and Nathan Adrian celebrate on the podium after winning the men’s bronze with a 2-0 (22-20, 21-15) The latter hosted all the matches minutes. 4x100m medley relay at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest yesterday. (AFP) victory over compatriots Chris- for the 24 teams that participated Swede Sarah Sjostrom fi nally took a tian Sorum and Svein Solhaug. from 13 countries. long-awaited major freestyle title over “I expected that swimming in front of a onds with Romanchuk clocking 14:37.14 50m and American Lilly King set a world home crowd would be wonderful, but not minutes for silver. Bronze went to Aus- record in winning the women’s 50m that much! I tried to benefi t from this all tralian Mack Horton. breaststroke. week long.” Chase Kalisz of the US won the men’s Butterfl y specialist Sjostrom had gone RESULTS 400m individual medley, French veteran close on a number of occasions in the MEN Camille Lacourt retired as a champion freestyle before fi nally taking gold over 1500m freestyle in the men’s 50m backstroke and Italy’s 50m in 23.69 seconds, just two-hun- 1. Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) 14:35.85 Gregorio Paltrinieri retained the men’s dredths off the world record she set in the 2. Mykhailo Romanchuk (UKR) 14:37.14 1,500m free. semi-fi nals. 3. Mack Horton (AUS) 14:47.70 The United States also set a new world After a surprise defeat in the 100m on 50m backstroke record in winning the women’s 4x100- Friday, she had six minor medals from Ol- 1. Camille Lacourt (FRA) 24.35 metres medley relay. ympics and worlds in freestyle but made 2. Junya Koga (JPN) 24.51 That set up the men’s equivalent with no mistake with this chance. 3. Matt Grevers (USA) 24.56 the team knowing victory would put Sjostrom leaves Budapest with three 400m medley Dressel on the same mark as Phelps from golds after winning both fl y sprints along 1. Chase Kalisz (USA) 4:05.90 Melbourne in 2007. with a silver from the 100m free and was 2. Daniel Verraszto (HUN) 4:08.38 He was later named male swimmer of named female swimmer of the champi- 3. Daiya Seto (JPN) 4:09.14 the competition after being the fi rst to onships. 4x100m medley relay win three golds in the same session on Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Neth- 1. United States 3:27.91 Saturday. erlands took silver 0.16 seconds be- (Matt Grevers, Kevin Cordes, Caeleb Dres- “I don’t want to be compared with hind, while bronze went to the US 100m sel, Nathan Adrian) Michael,” Dressel had said that day, add- world and Olympic champion Simone 2. Great Britain 3:28.95 ing Phelps had already texted congratula- Manuel. (Chris Walker-Hebborn, Adam Peaty, tions. Later, Manuel powered the US home James Guy, Duncan Scott) “It’s crazy. But the mixed relays have in a comfortable 3 minutes 51.55 sec- 3. Russia 3:29.76 helped me with it, therefore it’s a some- onds in the women’s 4x100m medley, US swimmer Lilly King celebrates after (Evgeny Rylov, Kiril Prigoda, Aleksandr what diff erent situation.” lowering the record time they set in winning the women’s 50m breaststroke Popkov, Vladimir Morozov) But however it’s done, claiming seven winning 2012 Olympic gold by five- event in world record time of 29.40secs medals cannot help but bring compari- tenths of a second. at the FINA World Championships in WOMEN sons to the likes of Phelps and Mark Spitz. Kathleen Baker, King and Kelsi Wor- Budapest yesterday. (AFP) 50m freestyle “I wouldn’t count myself among that rell had set her up with a lead she never 1. Sarah Sjöström (SWE) 23.69 Qatar’s Jeff erson Santos Perreira and Cherif Younousse in action group yet,” Dressel said. “I am only just looked like losing in the anchor leg. Rus- Japan’s Junya Koga took silver in 24.51 2. Ramoni Kromowidjojo (NED) 23.85 against Venezuela at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships fi nding my feet in international swim- sia took silver in 3:53.38 minutes, while seconds with Grevers claiming bronze 3. Simone Manuel (USA) 23.97 in Vienna, Austria. ming. I’m just having fun. I’m not count- Australia grabbed bronze. a further fi ve-hundredths of a second 50m breaststroke ing medals yet.” King raced her second world record adrift. 1. Lilly King (USA) 29.40 -- WR Grevers led after the opening back- of the meet to claim the women’s 50m Kalisz secured a dominant win in 2. Yuliya Efimova (RUS) 29.57 stroke but Cordes was thrashed by Brit breaststroke ahead of Russian rival Yuliya the men’s 400m individual medley in a 3. Katie Meili (USA) 29.99 Adam Peaty in the breaststroke. Dressel, Efi mova. championship record 4:05.90 minutes to 400m medley Qatar defeat Pakistan in Asian however, raced like he was possessed to She triumphed in 29.40 seconds to complete the discipline double 1. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 4:29.33 Volleyball Championship regain the advantage from James Guy and lower Ruta Meilutyte’s 2013 mark by after winning the 200m earlier in the 2. Mireia Belmonte (ESP) 4:32.17 from then the result was not in doubt. eight-hundredths of a second. week. 3. Sydney Pickrem (CAN) 4:32.88 QNA Qatar won the match 3-2. The Anything less than a win for Hosszu Efi mova took silver in 29.57 seconds Hungary’s David Verraszto delighted 4x100m medley relay Surabaya 2017 edition of the tourna- would have been a major upset and she with another American, Katie Meili, tak- the home crowd with silver in 4:08.38 1. United States 3:51.55 -- WR ment will conclude tomorrow. rarely looked troubled in her signature ing bronze. minutes while Japan’s Daiya Seto took (Kathleen Baker, Lilly King, Kelsi Worrell, Qatar will meet either Thailand event. Earlier in the meet Olympic champion bronze. Simone Manuel) atar’s volleyball team or Vietnam today to determine Spain’s Mireia Belmonte took a distant King had won the 100m breaststroke Olympic champion Paltrinieri and 2. Russia 3:53.38 managed to overcome who finishes ninth. If Vietnam silver in 4:32.17 minutes while Canada’s while Efi mova claimed the 200m title. 20-year-old Ukrainian Mykhailo Ro- (Anastasiia Fesikova, Yuliya Efimova, Svet- Qtheir Pakistani coun- wins however, Qatar would Sydney Pickrem earned bronze a further The 32-year-old Lacourt will hang up manchuk, seeking his fi rst major medal, lana Chimrova, Veronika Popova) terparts in a close encounter automatically seal ninth place 0.71 seconds adrift. the trunks after the meet but won his last pulled away from the fi eld early before 3. Australia 3:54.29 in the Asian Men’s Volleyball given the sides already met “This world championships couldn’t race in 24.35 seconds to retain the title the Italian made a decisive break late on. (Emily Seebohm, Taylor McKeown, Emma Championship yesterday. earlier in the competition. have been better for me,” Hosszu said. from 2013 and 2015. Paltrinieri won in 14 minutes 35.85 sec- McKeon, Bronte Campbell)