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Sunday, August 21, 2016 Dhul-Qa’da 18, 1437 AH OLYMPICS China’s Chen leaves Malaysia’s Lee heartbroken again Page 4

SPOTLIGHT Unbeatable Bolt signs off with a great triple-triple ‘There you go, I am the greatest. I’ve worked hard every Bolt on Bolt “I hope I’ve set the bar high enough that Olympics to win three gold medals. It’s a relief but I’m also no one can do it again,” sad that I have to leave. This is my last one...’ “I knew it was going to be done and I’m defi nitely going to miss the crowd and the energy, and I’m going to miss the competition. “It’s just have mixed feelings now, but it’s been a great career. I’ll have to make a new bucket list now, I’ve achieved all I wanted to in track and fi eld.” “I’ve proven to the world I’m the Team Jamaica (LtoR) Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell, Nickel Ashmeade and Usain greatest so it’s mission accomplished, Bolt celebrate after winning the men’s 4x100m relay final. pretty much!” STAR OF THE DAY USAIN BOLT OF JAMAICA

The Star of the Day is Usain Bolt of Jamaica, who insisted it was “mission accomplished” after signing off with a ‘treble-treble’ in his final Olympic race, pre- dicting that his achievements may never be broken. “I hope I’ve set the bar high enough that no one can do it again,” said sprint king Bolt, a ninth Olympic gold medal safely in the bank. “It’s a great feeling — I’ve worked so hard every Olympics to win three gold medals and I’m just so happy I’ve accomplished so much,” he added. “I knew it was going to be done and I’m definitely going to miss the crowd and the energy, and I’m going to miss the competition. “It’s just have mixed feelings now, but it’s been a great career. I’ll have to make a new bucket list now, I’ve achieved all I wanted to in track and field.” Bolt added: “I’ve proven to the world I’m the greatest so it’s mission accomplished, pretty much!”

Usain Bolt from Jamaica celebrates winning the gold in the 4x100 metres relay.

Reuters There is no doubt that Bolt has relays at the Olympics or world cham- Rio de Janeiro transformed his sport, if only by al- pionships and calamity struck for a most single-handedly displacing the ninth time on Friday. United States as the superpower of The handover between lead-off sain Bolt drew down the cur- men’s sprinting. runner Mike Rodgers and Justin Gat- tain on his brilliant Olympic It was only almost single-handedly, lin was adjudged to have started before career by securing a sweep though, as his three Olympic relay ti- the exchange zone and the Americans of the sprint titles for a third tles, two in world record times, always were disqualifi ed as they were on their Usuccessive Games when Jamaica suc- required the input of his fellow Jamai- lap of honour. cessfully defended the 4x100 metres can speedsters. “It was the twilight zone,” said Gat- relay crown in Rio on Friday. Again on Friday, former world record lin. “It was a nightmare. You work so Two days shy of his 30th birthday, holder Asafa Powell, Bolt’s training hard with your team mates, guys you Bolt anchored his country to victory partner Yohan Blake and Nickel Ash- compete against almost all year long. in 37.27 seconds so adding the relay meade gave the double sprint world All that hard work just crumbles.” crown to the 100 and 200 metres titles record holder the lead at the fi nal ex- Canada were elevated to bronze af- he has owned since exploding onto the change, albeit an extremely slim one. ter their run of 37.64, a national record Olympic stage in Beijing in 2008. That was always going to be enough which gave Andre de Grasse his third He will depart that stage never hav- for Bolt in his fi nal Olympic race, how- medal of the Games after a bronze in ing tasted defeat in a fi nal, his nine ever, and he powered down the straight the 100m and silver in the 200m. gold medals a joint record in athletics to fi nish fi ve metres clear of Japan’s De Grasse is considered one of the with Finnish distance runner Paavo Aska Cambridge. men most likely to step into the huge Nurmi and American sprinter and long “I told the guys, ‘don’t give me too void left by Bolt when he retires after jumper Carl Lewis. much work to do, make it easy’,” Bolt next year’s world championships. In the eight years since Beijing, the said. “And they did exactly that, I had “I’m defi nitely going to miss the 11-times world champion has become no work to do, just to run to the line.” crowd and the energy and just the one of the best known sportsmen on competition,” Bolt said. “I love com- the planet and with the ‘triple-triple’ STUNNING SILVER peting. So I’m going to miss all of that. has a legitimate claim to the title of Ryoto Yamagata had run a blister- But it’s been a great career, I’ve done greatest Olympic track and fi eld ath- ing opening leg for Japan, who won a great, I’m just happy with myself.” lete ever. stunning silver for their fi rst Olympic American Tyson Gay was the last There has never been any doubt in medal in the sprint relay in 37.60, im- man to beat Bolt in a major champion- the Jamaican’s own mind. proving the Asian record they set in ship fi nal - in the 200 metres at the 2007 “There you go, I am the greatest. I’ve qualifying. worlds in Osaka - and, like many of the worked hard every Olympics to win Trayvon Bromell’s dip for the line other sprinters in the fi nal, he had noth- three gold medals... so I’m just happy was so aggressive that he tumbled over ing but praise for the Jamaican. that I’ve accomplished so much,” Bolt but the United States still thought they “He’s a great sprinter,” Gay said. told reporters. were settling for bronze in 37.62. “That’s just self-explanatory. Words “It’s a relief but I’m also sad that I have Since 1995, though, the Americans can’t describe that type of a guy and to leave. This is my last one... It’s just so had failed to get the baton around or what he’s done for the sport. Every- many special feelings I’m feeling.” been disqualifi ed eight times in sprint body just appreciates what he’s done.” Gulf Times 2 Sunday, August 21, 2016

SPOTLIGHT FUTURE HEROES Athletics now looking It’s over — Bolt at life aft er Bolt makes dreaded

Olympic farewell Bolt celebrates his 4x100m Relay victory. DPA Coe, admitted right after his Rio de Janeiro election last year. ‘A lot of people come out to see what I’m going to do. I enjoy giving them the joy I get “New stars don’t come on a conveyor belt.” out of doing this because they give me the energy to do it so I’m always hungry’ sain Bolt had barely Britain’s The Guardian on crossed the fi nish line Friday named Bolt “track and when the world started fi eld’s lone member of the out- to ponder the future of right sporting overclass, and a theU sprint in particular and ath- very obvious one-man life-raft letics in general without the Ja- in troubled times for this bruised maican icon. and bloated circus.” The “Usain Bolt” chants and Bolt himself knows his role as general hysteria in the for once it was greatness he was seeking well-fi lled Olympic Stadium in ever since he stormed into the Rio clearly underlined the status of pantheon of world sport with the greatest sprinter ever and how the fi rst treble 2008 in Beijing: much the sport depends on him. open shoes lace, open arms long Bolt had just won the 200-me- before the 100m win in world tre gold by a mile despite a modest record time, the chicken Mc- time by his standard, 19.78 sec- Nuggets diet tales et al. onds. His world record is 19.19. “I made the sport excit- It was his eighth Olympic gold ing, I made people want to see and the completion of a third this sport so I have just put this straight sprint double, and he sport on a diff erent level,” he said then got the desired triple triple Thursday. 24 hours later as part of the Ja- “I just proven to the world that maican 4x100m relay for a fi nal you can do it clean, with hard Olympic tally of nine golds. work and determination.” “It is a brilliant feeling. I told The Guardian said: “When he’s the guys if it didn’t happen to- gone there will be no replace- night I would beat them up. I am ment, just a competing roster of the greatest,” Bolt told the BBC normal scale humans beings. after the relay. The Bolt persona above all will Team-mate Yohan Blake said: be missed; commercial catnip, but “Usain need to be immortal and also an intriguing thing in itself.” he is immortal. I will encourage New faces are hard to fi nd. him to come back for 2020.” Former 200m and 400m great But, turning 30 on the day of Michael Johnson named the the closing ceremony today, Bolt new South African 400m world was competing in his last Olym- record holder Wayde van Niekerk Jamaica’s Usain Bolt poses after Team Jamaica won the Men’s 4x100m Relay Final at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. pics, and plans to end his career a possible new star. for good after next year’s world But it is hard to image that de- AFP world championships, was born to run. metres (6ft 5in) and at the world junior win he has defl ected attention away from championships in London where lirious fans will scream “Wayde I Rio de Janeiro Born in Trelawny parish near Montego championships in 2002 he won the 200m. bad news for track and fi eld. he aims to add to his 11 titles. love you” like they did with Bolt Bay — where a host of sprinters including He is one of just a handful of athletes In Beijing it was the doping contro- What he will do as a retired in a “Elvis-level squealing hyste- the shamed Ben Johnson also come from to have won world titles at junior, youth versy surrounding women’s sprint star athlete in his 30s, he was asked ria,” as The Guardian put it. he Olympics is going to miss the — Bolt was something special from the and senior levels.The after-eff ects of a leg Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery. from within a scrum of report- Looking at the sprints no one Lightning Bolt pose that has lit start, according to Jennifer Bolt. injury meant he did not get past the fi rst Gatlin was unable to defend his title as ers after Thursday’s heroics, and will expect anyone to match up the last three Games at a time “After three weeks he was pushing be- round in the 200m at the 2004 Athens Ol- he was serving an initial eight-year dop- Bolt for once was lost for words. Bolt’s achievements and times in when athletics desperately needs cause he was so strong,” the mother said. ympics, where his Rio rival Justin Gatlin ing ban, which was reduced to four. “What am I going to do? I have the near future once he has gone aT hero. When Usain Bolt crosses the fi nish “One day, I left him on the bed and won the 100m. Other rivals have also been tainted and no idea. You just stressed me out for good. line and starts pounding his chest, it reso- when I came back he was close to falling Bolt set his fi rst 100m world record fallen by the wayside. about that,” Bolt admitted. Bolt won everything but his nates with the public around the world. off , so from here I was saying, ‘What kind (9.72sec) in May 2008 in New York. Bolt has maintained his common touch His sport should be even more presence alone also forced oth- But after his 4x100m triumph in Rio of child he is?’” she recalled. The Jamaican then stormed the Beijing with the crowds through all this. stressed. Battered by a corrup- ers to raise their level, such as on Friday, the Rio crowd celebrated in the By the age of 12, Bolt was the fastest in his Olympics with his fi rst 100m, 200m, re- At the 2013 world championships in tion, doping and governance doping-ban tainted American knowledge that they were witnessing the school.“He was always on top,” she said. lay treble. The world was forced to take Moscow, with heavy rain falling, Bolt crisis, athletics is no longer the Justin Gatlin who came closest to departure of a legend. notice of his chest-beating. mimed putting up an umbrella and ap- dominant showcase sport it used beating Bolt last year at the Bei- From his fi rst 100m Olympic gold in SLOW STARTER His 9.58 record at the world champi- propriately lightning bolts lit up the sky to be, with dwindling interest jing worlds. Beijing, when the Jamaican astonished A school cricket coach urged him to try onships in Berlin in 2009 was an even around the stadium. highlighted in Rio where the sta- The debate was prominent in the world with his 9.69sec time, Usain St track and fi eld and his talent gradually bigger sensation. Bolt has made it clear why he feels dium was only fi lled for Bolt’s the bowels of the stadium in the Leo Bolt has been the real star. grew, though as in his races his progres- After completing the ‘triple triple’ of obliged to give something back to the 100m and 200m fi nals. early hours of Friday. On top of his record-equalling nine sion was not always fast out of the blocks. Olympic sprint titles in Rio on Friday, spectators. “A lot of people come out to “Our challenge is that the pub- Canada’s Andre de Grasse is athletics gold medals, Bolt, who will be At the world youth championships in Bolt summed it up by saying: “There you see what I’m going to do today, tomorrow lic knows there are other athletes named as the most likely heir as 30 on Sunday, is confi dent, relaxed and 2001, he was entered for the 200m but go. I’m the greatest.” and it’s fun for them,” he said. out there,” the new president of at age 21 he earned 200m silver supremely connected with the crowds he failed to make the fi nals. Athletics bosses must wish he could “I enjoy showing them and giving the ruling body IAAF, Sebastian and 100m bronze in Rio. attracts wherever he goes. His coaches were often frustrated at his stay longer. Bolt has said he will hang up them the joy I get out of doing this be- His mother seems to think that the reluctance to train and his practical jokes. his spikes after next year’s world cham- cause they give me the energy to do it so young Bolt, who will retire after next year’s But at the age of 15 he was already 1.96 pionships in London. With each major I’m always hungry.” ADMIRATION BOTTOMLINE Jamaican praised by rivals aft er fi nale

Reuters 100m and 4x100m. From politics to Puma, Usain Noting that early in Bolt’s ca- Rio de Janeiro reer experts dismissed the idea that a 1.96m (6’5”) tall athlete he runners who have lost could be an eff ective sprinter, to Usain Bolt for the past Bromell pointed out the irony considers his future options dozen years showered that people now suggest he and the Jamaican superstar Canada’s Andre de Grasse, 1.76m next year’s World Champion- profi le on the world stage. withT praise on Friday, after he (5’9”), are too short to succeed. Reuters Rio de Janeiro ships before bowing out from “It’s a small country with lim- completed his historic “triple- “He (Bolt) broke the barrier competition. ited resources. To be number one triple” in what he has said will be and showed people that anything “I don’t know what I am go- in something in special,” Free- his fi nal Olympics. is possible,” said Bromell, 1.73m s he blazed through the ing to do, you just stress me out,” man said. From the 2008 Beijing Games (5’8”). “So it gives me hope to Rio Games, winning an Bolt told reporters in the early “He has done a lot of good onwards, the 29-year-old has show the world that the impos- historic third batch of hours of Friday before leading things for Jamaica. Whatever dominated sprinting, winning sible is possible.” three sprint gold med- his team to victory in the 4 x he does, I hope he continues to every Olympic gold in the 100 De Grasse, also 21 and in his als,A Jamaica’s Usain Bolt was 100m relay, his third gold of the make a lot money and do a lot of metres, 200m and 4x100m to Olympic debut, came the closest clear this is his last time on the Rio Games. The only thing he good things for Jamaica.” make history as he eliminated to challenging Bolt in Rio, push- Olympic track, where he feels he would rule out was coaching. Bolt has already built the be- other nations’ chances of stand- ing the pace in the 200m semi- has nothing left to prove. “I want to stay in the sport, I ginnings of a business empire, ing atop the podium. fi nal and trying to challenge him Bolt, the most famous Jamaican want to stay around the sport,” he including sports bar Tracks & American Tyson Gay, who again in Thursday’s fi nal, where since Bob Marley, has repeatedly said. “We will see what happens. Records in the Jamaican capital. made his Olympic debut in 2008 he won silver. declined to say what he will do af- Defi nitely not as a coach though.” He has also toyed publicly, as Bolt began his astonishing “No one will be able to tell ter he hangs up his spikes. though not with much serious- medal sweep, described the Ja- him... that he’s not he greatest,” Unlike the reggae great, who ‘INSPIRATION’ ness, with continuing as an ath- maican’s greatness as “just self- de Grasse said. “He’s proven it died of cancer at 36, Bolt has Some among the thousands of lete in another sport, perhaps explanatory”. over and over, every time. He’s the option of planning his next fans who turned out on Friday cricket or soccer. Gay, 34, added: “Words can’t one of the best and I don’t know career move. With his 30th to see him race in the fi nal leg of German sportswear fi rm Puma, describe that type of a guy and what else he has to prove.” birthday on Sunday, Bolt should his “triple triple” said they did which has sponsored Bolt for half what he’s done for the sport. Indeed, that is the justifi cation have a long second career ahead not much care what he did next, his life, hopes to lure him into a Everybody just appreciates what Bolt uses for his decision to make of him and a lot of people, from so long as he continued to create job, Chief Executive Bjorn Gul- he’s done.” Rio his last Olympics, though he his sponsor Puma to Jamaican goodwill for the country. den told reporters just before the Bolt’s popularity was vividly has committed to running at next Prime Minister Andrew Hol- Jamaica’s Usain Bolt holds a Brazilian flag. “He’s been such an inspira- Games. “Usain is part of the Puma illustrated this week at Rio’s Ol- year’s world championships. ness, want a say in his plans. tion to Jamaican kids, showing family,” Gulden said. “If he de- ympic Stadium. Gay, part of the US 4x100 team “It’s important to use the the athlete would accept. U.S. Senate after retiring from them they can be so much more,” cides not to run, we will probably While the 60,000-seat facility that was disqualifi ed in Friday’s fame and the achievement of “Usain Bolt could be minister competition. said Charles Russell, a 32-year- work even closer with him.” was never full, the crowds were fi nal, held out hope that with Usain Bolt for the benefi t of Ja- of anything he wants,” he said. Fellow Rio competitor Wesley old from Kingston. “He should Regardless of what he does largest on nights when Bolt was Bolt’s pending retirement, he maica. It does open doors,” Hol- Bolt would be far from the Korir is on a break as a member do whatever it is he wants to do. next, the charismatic Jamaican racing, and notably empty when would have a chance at gold in ness told the BBC during a brief fi rst Olympian to make the jump of Kenya’s parliament to run He’s earned it.” has clearly been relishing his last he was absent. Tokyo in 2020. visit to Rio on Monday. into politics. Former New York Sunday’s Olympic marathon. George Freeman, 54, who was Olympic performance, smiling “Man’s a legend,” said Ameri- “I didn’t plan to keep running Holness said he would have Knicks player Bill Bradley, a Bolt has not said if he would born in Kingston and now lives broadly as he barrels toward the can Trayvon Bromell, a 21-year- until I was 38, but it seems that a seat in his cabinet ready for member of the 1964 U.S. Olym- consider the post, and in any in Miami, said that Bolt had fi nish line. old who faced Bolt twice during I’ve got to to get another medal,” Bolt’s 1.96 metre (6’5”) frame, if pic team, served 18 years in the case has committed to run at done much to improve Jamaica’s “I just wanted to say goodbye.” his Olympic debut in Rio, in the the American sprinter said. Gulf Times Sunday, August 21, 2016 3

SPOTLIGHT WOMEN’S 4 X 100 Felix gets record fi ft h Teamwork over gold as US win relay speed for Japan’s

Team USA (LtoR) English Gardner, Tianna Bartoletta, Tori Bowie and Allyson Felix celebrate after winning the Women’s 4x100m relay. silver medallists Reuters expense after being allowed to Rio de Janerio race by themselves in a solo heat in the evening. ‘Hats off to them. The baton changes are always good and that’s what always helps They sailed through in the fi nal day after a near-disas- despite the disadvantage of rac- them, and I think they executed it well today, so I’m not shocked’ ter with a dropped ba- ing in the tightest lane, number ton, defending cham- one, fuelled by determination pions the United States not to repeat Thursday’s mishap. madeA no mistake on Friday when “It really made us focus and they won the women’s Olympic buckle down on executing the 4x100 metres relay and Allyson race,” Bartoletta said. Felix became the fi rst woman to Jamaica’s Elaine Thomp- collect fi ve athletics gold medals. son, running the second leg af- The U.S. team of Tianna Barto- ter Christania Williams before letta, Felix, English Gardner and handing over to Veronica Camp- Tori Bowie clocked 41.01 seconds, bell-Brown and Shelly-Ann Fra- the second-fastest time ever after ser-Pryce, narrowly missed out the U.S. world record set in Lon- on matching compatriot Usain don four years ago, to beat Jamaica Bolt’s sprint treble after her vic- on 41.36 and Britain on 41.77. tories in the 100 and 200. “It’s very special. It was great “Wonderful experience. My to join these women tonight. It’s fi rst Olympics. Two golds, a sil- just a very unique experience,” ver, I can’t complain,” she said. Felix said of her milestone. The British team of Asha “The adversity yesterday made Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Ash- us even more determined. We er-Smith and Daryll Neita came just kept fi ghting the whole way third to take their country’s fi rst through,” she said, referring to medal in the event since 1984. the ‘crazy freak accident’ in the Felix had previously won golds Thursday morning heats when in the 200m and the 4x100 and the baton dropped to the ground 4x400 relays in 2012, and the as she handed over to Gardner. 4x400 in 2008, and was nar- The Americans appealed suc- rowly denied in the 400 earlier cessfully, arguing that Felix had this week when Shaunae Miller been impeded by a Brazilian run- of the Bahamas defeated her with ner, and went through at China’s a desperate dive for the line.

US men’s team suff er yet another sprint relay disqualification One might think that any son Gay’s positive dope test. American racing a men’s sprint Replays also showed a later US relay would take a moment infraction after the last switch before starting a lap of honour, from Tyson Gay to Trayvon such is the regularity of the Bromel, who appeared to step subsequent crash-to-earth out of his lane. disqualification – and that is “It was the twilight zone, it was exactly what happened again at a nightmare,” said Gatlin. “You Team Japan (LtoR) Ryota Yamagata, Shota Iizuka, Yoshihide Kiryu and Aska Cambridge celebrate after finishing second of the Men’s 4x100m Relay Final. the Rio Games on Friday. work so hard with your team The problem was a minor mates, guys you compete Reuters 100m in under 10 seconds, nor got a sniff way behind Bolt’s world record of 9.58 mitted they had relatively few training technical one at the first against almost all year long. All Rio de Janeiro of an individual Olympic fi nal. seconds, held his own as he brought the sessions for the relay this year and only changeover between Mike that hard work just crumbles.” But what they lack in raw speed, they Japanese team home. once with Bolt. Rogers and Justin Gatlin, as Bromel was a little more made up for in seamless baton changes “I’m really proud to have been part of a The Japanese team, by comparison, Gatlin touched the baton out phlegmatic. “Things happen. he dark horses from Japan may on Friday and gelled to break the Asian team in Japan,” said Cambridge, laughing had been working on perfecting their ba- of his zone but the result was Nothing in this world is per- have failed to spoil Usain Bolt’s record with a time of 37.60 seconds. off suggestions that due to his heritage he ton handovers since March. disqualification. fect,” he said. “You go through send-off party, but lightning It was not only the best Japan has done should be called ‘Japan’s Bolt’. “We’ve been practising all the time for Incredibly, it was the ninth bumps, ups and downs. That’s team work helped them pull in the event — they won bronze in Beijing Though few fans outside Japan will about six months,” said Iizuka, who ran time since 1995 it has hap- what life is consisting of.” Toff a massive shock by upstaging North in 2008 — they also did the unthinkable recognise the faces of the silver medal- the second leg. “That’s why we’ve done a pened to the U.S. in the America’s loss was Canada’s American sprinting giants to win Olym- and beat the US into bronze. lists, the outgoing Sprint King was not pretty good job.” Olympics and world champi- gain as they were promoted pic silver in the 4x100 metres relay on The Americans were then later dis- surprised to see Japanese runners hot on The sleek baton transfers by Japan are onships, and they were also to third. “I’m just happy that Friday. qualifi ed for stepping into Bolt’s lane and his heels. also in stark contrast to problems faced retrospectively disqualified we’re on the good side of this On their own, the Japanese sprinters Canada, led by De Grasse, were promoted “Hats off to them,” said Bolt, who won by the US, who have been disqualifi ed three years after winning in DQ,” said Canada’s second-leg did not stand a chance against the likes of into third place. his third 4x100m relay Olympic gold. or bungled handovers eight times in Ol- London 2012 because of Ty- runner Aaron Brown. Bolt, American Justin Gatlin or Canada’s “This is fantastic. This is really fan- “The baton changes are always good ympics and world championships since Andre De Grasse. tastic,” said Aska Cambridge, who has a and that’s what always helps them, and I 1995. None of the four Japanese men — Aska Jamaican father and a Japanese mother. think they executed it well today, so I’m They were also disqualifi ed twice more Cambridge, Yoshihide Kiryu, Ryota The Jamaican-born runner, whose not shocked.” after clinching medals before team mem- BOUNCE BACK Yamagata and Shota Iizuka — have run personal best of 10.10 seconds is some After winning gold, the Jamaicans ad- bers tested positive for drugs.

BASKETBALL Humbled Aussies hope for bronze

AFP US stars go for gold against Serbia Rio de Janeiro

AFP main goal since we got together “Serbia is talented. They are umiliated on the brink Rio de Janeiro is to win the gold. So we’re look- one of the top teams in the of the Olympic fi nal, ing forward to playing.” world,” Krzyzewski said. Australia’s Boom- Serbian bonds run deep as “They have played together ers will try to rebound ll that stands between well and clinching a fi rst-ever HSunday to beat Spain and cap- a long time” the NBA stars of de- medal for a nation that was part ture their nation’s fi rst men’s fending champion of the former Yugoslavia has Basketball World Cup fi nal to basketball medal even though United States and a united a team behind a dream of earn a berth in Rio. it’s bronze. sixthA Olympic gold medal in sev- gold. “Two years ago, we were not The Aussies lost 87-61 to Ser- en tries is a determined Serbian “We have big hearts. We play mentally ready. We were too bia in a Friday semi-fi nal, scor- team ready for the challenge. for each other. We’re going to happy to be in the fi nal,” Teo- ing only 14 fi rst-half points and Aussie Andrew Bogut reacts The Americans carry a 24- die for each other on the court,” dosic said. “We cannot allow never truly threatening. after his team’s loss to Serbia. game Olympic win streak and Serb forward Nikola Jokic said. ourselves to repeat one more fi - “They kicked our ass from an overall decade-long streak “Everybody has courage. Ac- nal like this.” start to fi nish,” Boomers center medal game,” Lemanis said. of 75 consecutive triumphs into tually, everybody wants to play US guard Paul George expects Andrew Bogut said. “We’re going “We will be anxious to get today’s Rio fi nal seeking a third them. They are the best. We’re another physical matchup just as to try and regroup. We realize the back out on the court and I guess gold medal in a row. going to have to beat the best.” their meeting last week became. tournament isn’t over for us. It’s put this right to some degree.” “When the stakes are the The Americans only beat Ser- “They are going to be ready for disappointing to have that kind “It’s still an opportunity to highest is when we all play the bia 94-91 last week, the narrow- us,” George said. “We just know of a game, but that’s tournament do something Australian men’s best and there won’t be any est margin of their US Olympic how physical (Serbia is) going to basketball.” basketball has never achieved. higher than on Sunday,” said US win streak. be — imposing and physical as Bogut, who was injured in the I’m confi dent that we’ll come guard Klay Thompson.“Expect a “We understand it won’t be well as talented group. NBA Finals but recovered just in out on Sunday and play the game great eff ort from all of us.” easy,” US guard Kyrie Irving said. We got to be able to match time to play in Rio, said the bronze the right way.” US coach Mike Krzyzewski “We’ll just be prepared when it their physicality, I think that’s will be little consolation even if it The Aussies have four play- guides the US team for the fi nal comes.” going to be important, and not marks a historic feat for Australia. ers who have won NBA crowns, time, set to be replaced by NBA And Serbia kept an Australian allow that to get us out of our “We can hopefully collect the including Bogut, guards Patty San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg USA’s guard Kevin Durant (left) and teammate Klay Thompson will team with four NBA champion game.” bronze medal, but we’re going to Mills and Matthew Dellavedova Popovich after the Games. be key figures when the NBA stars face Serbia for the gold medal. players to 14 points in the fi rst Serbia coach Sasha Djorde- be gutted and disappointed with and forward Aron Baynes. “Serbia is talented. They half of a semi-fi nal romp. vic, who lost to the USA’s second it,” Bogut said. “But that’s life.” “One of the greatest things are one of the top teams in the came together only a month ago. Kevin Durant, a former NBA “They are for sure the best NBA Olympic squad in the 1996 Australia coach Andrej Lema- about being Australian is that we world,” Krzyzewski said. “They “We got one more game to go Most Valuable Player, knows the team in the tournament. fi nal as a member of Yugoslavia, nis said that bouncing back will never give up,” said Aussie for- have played together a long and we have to lock in,” Anthony pressure of big games just as all A great team, with big names,” wants his team proud but not take the measure of the players in ward Joe Ingles, who dubbed the time.” said. his teammates do. Serbian captain Milos Teodosic satisfi ed. a diff erent way than final scores Serbia loss “pathetic.” “It’s going US forward Carmelo Anthony “That’s what we came here “It should be fun,” Durant said of the USA. “We are going to “Our confi dence is growing,” can calculate. “It’s a good test of to be a good test for us. Spain is a could be the fi rst man to win for and we don’t want to leave said. “It’s going to be electric in play our game and we will see if he said. “It’s time to rewrite the character for us to ensure that powerhouse,” said Aussie guard three Olympic basketball gold with anything less than the gold the building for the opportunity it’s enough for a win.” legacy of Serbia basketball... I we bounce back and come back Matthew Dellavedova. “We’ve still medals as part of a team with 10 medal. It would be a great thing to grab all the marbles. Every- A US collection of NBA talent have to not let them be satisfi ed and play the way we want and got an opportunity and we want to players seeking their fi rst who for us.” body here wants that. That’s our beat Serbia 129-92 in the 2014 right now.” represent ourselves in the bronze make the most of it.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, August 21, 2016

BADMINTON NOT YET ‘Drained’ Lin bats off China’s Chen wins retirement talk gold, leaves Lee heartbroken again China’s Lin Dan during the men’s singles bronze medal match. AFP loss to Axelsen was almost cer- Rio de Janeiro tainly the last time that Lin, who In a career dominated by near-misses, Malaysian Lee lost his third successive final turns 33 later this year, would grace the Olympic stage. after being beaten by Chinese great Lin for the gold in Beijing and London hinese superstar Lin Rio was the tattooed Lin’s Dan, regarded by some fourth Olympics and he is ex- as badminton’s great- pected to have retired by the time est-ever player, batted Tokyo 2020 comes around. Coff retirement talk after leaving He will be 36 when the next the Rio Games empty-handed Games start. yesterday with a bronze-med- But Lin, nicknamed “Super al-match defeat to Denmark’s Dan”, insisted he hadn’t been Viktor Axelsen. giving retirement much thought The double Olympic champion and said for now he just needed took the fi rst set 21-15 but tired to recover from Rio before mak- to lose the following two games ing any decisions. 21-10, 21-17 in a defeat that likely “I haven’t thought about it brought the curtain down on his that much,” he said, when asked hallowed Games career. if Rio would be his last Olympics. “I was pretty drained from “I just focused myself fully on yesterday’s match,” Lin told re- this Olympic Games. After this porters, referring to his semi- one I will rest for a while and fi nal defeat to arch-nemesis Lee then make a decision,” added Chong Wei of Malaysia on Friday. Lin, a fi ve-time world champion. “However in the third game Axelsen paid tribute to Lin, of today’s match I think my op- who he watched fi rst-hand in ponent got lucky because there China at the Olympics eight were several shots at the net that years ago while only a teenager. I didn’t perform very well,” he “No, I would have thought added. that maybe he would have re- Lin — a fi ve-time world cham- tired before I reached this level,” pion — won gold at Beijing 2008 the 22-year-old Dane said when and London 2012, beating Lee in asked if he could ever have imag- both fi nals but he was unable to ined beating his badminton hero repeat those heroics in Brazil. for a bronze medal. In the last-four match, Lin “But I’m really, really happy won the fi rst game 21-15 but that I managed to do this. I’ve lost the second 21-11 before his been watching Lin since I was a dreams of a third consecutive Ol- little kid.” ympic gold medal were shattered “This is so special for me and with a 22-20 defeat in the third. it’s really hard to describe in Saturday’s third-place match words how I feel,” Axelsen added.

ATHLETICS Vivian’s 16-year-wait Gold medallist China’s Chen Long (R) reacts as he stands alongside silver medallist Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei during the medal presentation ceremony.

Reuters being beaten by Chinese great Lin for the fans, before doing the same with his shirt. He held a 13-9 lead in the fi rst set and ends and she takes Rio de Janeiro gold in Beijing and London. Viktor Axelsen celebrated Denmark’s was 8-5 in the second but was power- Lee battled to the fi nish, saving two second medal of the tournament by edg- less to maintain the intensity against an match-points but surrendered on the ing twice champion Lin 15-21 21-10 21- opponent virtually impenetrable in de- to the marathon hina’s Chen Long stepped out of third with a desperate smash that just 17 in the playoff for bronze, denying the fence. compatriot Lin Dan’s shadow to sailed wide, triggering wild celebra- Chinese great a medal in his fi nal Games. With Chen’s fans bellowing “China spoil Lee Chong Wei’s hopes of tions from red-clad Chinese fans in fl ag- With Lee having beaten his nemesis must win!”, the Chinese grabbed four a golden Olympic swansong and draped terraces. Lin in the semi-fi nals, the championship match points when Lee fl icked an at- winC the men’s badminton title yesterday. An overwhelmed Chen, the bronze match was meant to have been the four- tempted drop-shot into the net. The Malaysian’s conqueror at succes- medallist at London, slumped to his times Olympian’s crowning moment, Lee mounted a daring raid on the net to sive world championship fi nals in 2014- knees then lay belly-down on the court when he fi nally grabbed the elusive ma- save one and clawed back to 20-18 when 15, the rangy Chinese was majestic in where he grabbed China’s second title of jor title missing in his career resume and Chen smashed wide after a furious rally. the 21-18 21-18 title-decider, soaking up a mostly disappointing tournament for ended his nation’s 52-year wait for an Ol- But he fi nally succumbed with the fi erce pressure and smashing through the Asian badminton superpower. ympic gold. desperate overhead, leaving travelling Lee’s defences at a heaving Riocentro. Rising to his feet he grabbed his rack- He had come within two points of win- Malaysian fans groaning and a nation In a career dominated by near-misses, ets from his bag, walked around the arena ning the gold in London and at the Rio- frustrated that their wait for an Olympic Lee lost his third successive fi nal after and tossed them into roaring pockets of centro, he also had his chances. champion goes on.

BOTTOMLINE

Kenya’s Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot celebrates after she won the Stefanidi wins pole vault; Women’s 5000m Final at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Reuters home with 10,000m silver and Rio de Janeiro 5,000m bronze. “Now that I have achieved my dismisses Isinbayeva remarks dream, this will be my last track fter a 16-year-year event,” she said, though she DPA clinch gold, while New Zealand the 2012 champion Jenn Suhr wait, Kenya’s multiple added she intended to defend her Rio de Janeiro teenager Eliza McCartney came had to settle for seventh having world champion, Viv- world title in London next year. third on 4.80m. been handicapped by a virus. ian Cheruiyot fi nally “I am moving to marathon and Isinbayeva had also suggested Stefanidi’s husband came Alived her dream on Friday to win I will be running in the Newcas- he story around Ekater- she could have won the fi nal running onto the fi eld when Olympic gold, then announced tle Half-Marathon next month ini Stefanidi would have after a recent jump of 4.90 in Morris very narrowly missed her she would switch to road racing. to prepare for the London mara- normally been that she Russia and that she had set her last attempt, and the two em- Cheruiyot, holder of four thon next year,” said Cheruiyot. had to overcome a fear sights on a world record 5.10m braced for ages as victory slowly world titles in 5,000m and “I did not believe that I could Tof heights to win Olympic pole despite not being in action for sunk in for the 26-year-old who 10,000m, and who returned beat Ayana. Before the race, I vault gold – but then came Yele- three years as she became a became European champion in from maternity leave last year knew she was going to win, but na Isinbayeva. mother ahead of the doping-re- Amsterdam last month. to clinch the world double in Helen Obiri told me she is not Just hours before the fi nal the lated ban on Russia by the ruling “The European title gave me Beijing, beat Ethiopian Almaz unbeatable.” Russian pole vault queen Isin- body IAAF. the confi dence. The whole sea- Ayana to a surprise 5,000m Ol- “We saw her during the bayeva staged a news conference German ninth-place fi nisher son has been really good but I ympic gold medal in the Olympic 10,000m and something was not in which she announced her re- Martina Strutz named Isinbaye- had a little injury,” she said. “I Stadium. right with her today. She was not tirement, reiterated her anger va’s comments “superfl uous” was on antibiotics for a couple She led a Kenyan one-two for running smoothly. We said if she about the Olympic ban on the and added that “Yelena didn’t of days, so things weren’t going a country’s fi rst Olympic vic- does 66 seconds per lap, we would Russian athletics team, and in- even win gold four years ago.” great but they turned out OK.” tory over the distance in 14:26.17, do 68 and remain behind her.” sisted that Friday’s competition Isinbayeva’s last Olympics And with Morris just 24 and breaking the Games record. “When we confi rmed she was was devalued without her. ended with a bronze medal but McCartney only 19, Stefanidi Former world indoor 3,000m struggling, I told Helen to attack, “Do you think it’s honest she does have golds from 2004 said that “defi nitely” a new gen- champion, Helen Onsando and I would follow. I saw the gap when they jump without me to- and 2008. eration was coming up in which Obiri, took silver, with Ayana, closing, then I said if I close this day? I don’t blame them but if She has three world titles prevailing was “going to be who tried to set a fast pace as she gap I would not let go,” Cherui- you compete without Isinbayeva and bettered the world record harder year after year.” did with the 10,000m last Satur- yot said. it won’t be a fully fl edged gold 30 times indoors and outdoors, The fi nal word on Isinbayeva’s day, having to settle for bronze. “At the bell, I asked myself medal,” she said. breaking the coveted 5-metre remarks meanwhile went to the “I have been waiting for this am I dreaming or it is real? With “The girl who wins will be the Ekaterini Stefanidi (GRE) of Greece celebrates during the final of the barrier 11 years ago and holding second German in the fi eld, Lisa moment for so long, from 2000, 100m left, I believed it and was Olympic champion but whether women’s Pole Vault at the Olympic Stadium. the record at 5.06m from 2009. Ryzih, who compared Isinbayeva 2008 and 2012. Finally I have won elated that I was winning the ul- she will be totally satisfi ed we Isinbayeva said she would unfavourably to Usain Bolt, who the Olympic gold. I now believe timate medal.” will see.” all of us because we had nothing is not our fault,” said Stefanidi, not attend the fi nal because she cemented his status as a sport- that one should never lose hope,” The athlete said stopping to But European champion Ste- to do with this decision.” who has a degree in psychology would be watching other Rus- ing great by clinching his ninth Cheruiyot, 32, told Reuters. have a baby helped her. fanidi would have none of it. “Everyone wanted to have from Stanford University. sian athletes at the Rio Games. Olympic gold on Friday night. She went to the London Ol- “I would like to urge athletes not “I don’t feel like it is an in- her here but things are how they She beat American season- She missed a great compe- “I cannot imagine that Usain ympics four years ago as a hot to fear maternity. Helen also went complete gold,” the Greek in- are... I do feel bad for her and leader Sandi Morris on count- tition in which four jumpers Bolt would say something like favourite for a double gold, on maternity leave and returned to sisted. “It is a little upsetting to the other Russian athletes but it back after both cleared 4.85m to soared 4.80m and higher while that about his rivals,” Ryzih said. but was disappointed to return win this silver,” she said. Gulf Times Sunday, August 21, 2016 5 OLYMPICS

LOOKING AHEAD Medals tally

Country G S B T 1. United States 39 36 33 108 2. Great Britain 26 22 15 63 3. China 23 18 26 67 Team Qatar ends 4. Germany 16 9 14 39 5. Russia 13 16 19 48 6. Japan 12 8 21 41 7. France 9 16 14 39 8. South Korea 9 3 8 20 9. Australia 8 11 10 29 Olympic campaign 10. Italy 8 11 7 26 11. Netherlands 8 6 4 18 12. Hungary 8 3 4 15 13. Spain 6 2 4 12 14. Jamaica 6 1 2 9 15. Brazil 5 6 5 16 on promising note 16. Kenya 5 5 0 10 17. Cuba 5 2 4 11 18. Croatia 5 2 1 8 Show-jumper Sheikh Ali and hammer-thrower Elseify finish creditable sixth in 19. New Zealand 4 9 4 17 their respectable disciplines as Qatar sign off with a first-ever Olympic silver medal 20. Canada 4 3 15 22 21. Kazakhstan 3 5 9 17 22. Colombia 3 2 3 8 67. Qatar 0 1 0 1

Germany win four-man kayak gold Germany’s Max Rendschmidt, The German duo roared past Tom Liebscher, Max Hoff and Brazilians Isaquias Queiroz Marcus Gross won the four- dos Santos and Erlon de man kayak 1,000m Olympic Souza Silva, who set the pace gold medal yesterday as sprint for three quarters of the race canoe/kayak racing concluded but settled for silver ahead of at Rio’s Lagoa Stadium. The Ukraine’s Dmytro Ianchuk and quartet crossed the line 2.901 Taras Mischchuk. It marked seconds in front of silver med- Brendel’s second victory over allists Slovakia, with the Czech Queiroz in Rio, after his victory Republic earning bronze. It in the single canoe 1,000m on was Germany’s second gold of Tuesday. But Queiroz, with his the day on the sprint course, silver and a single canoe 200m after Sebastian Brendel and bronze became the first Brazil- Jan Vandrey’s victory in the ian in any sport to win three double canoe 1,000m final. medals in one Games. Heath clinches 25th gold for Britain Liam Heath brought home Britain’s 25th gold medal yes- terday, winning the men’s K-1 200-metre sprint in a neck- and-neck battle with France’s Maxime Beaumont. Heath, 32, claimed victory in 35.197 seconds, just 0.165 seconds faster than silver medallist Beaumont. Spain’s Saul Craviotto and Germany’s Ronald Rauhe tied for bronze, with identical finish- ing times down to the thousandth of a second. The British paddler won silver in the men’s K-2 200m race on Thursday. In the 2012 Games, he took bronze in the same event. Nicola Adams retains fl yweight title The first woman to win an 1920 Antwerp and 1924 Paris Olympic boxing gold medal Games. Ourahmoune’s silver became the first to repeat the was France’s fifth medal of the feat yesterday when Britain’s tournament. Ren Cancan of Nicola Adams retained her fly- China, the 2012 silver medal- weight title by beating France’s list, and Colombia’s Ingrit Va- Sarah Ourahmoune. Adams, lencia Victoria took bronze as 33, became the first British losing semi-finalists. Women’s Sheikh Ali al-Thani of Qatar, riding First Devision, competes in the Individual boxer to win two successive boxing was introduced to the final round of the equestrian jumping competition on Friday. (Reuters) golds since London police- Olympics at the 2012 London man Harry Mallin won the Games, with Adams the first of By A Reporter had six today so the horses and the riders middleweight division at the three champions. Rio de Janeiro Qatar hammer in Rio 2016 were exceptional. I am proud thrower Ashraf to have represented Qatar to the best of my Rissveds wins cross-country gold Elseify. (Reuters) abilities and although we only just fi nished eam Qatar ended its Olympic jour- competing we already have our sights set Sweden’s Jenny Rissveds raced away to gold in the Olympic ney on a high note on Friday which on Tokyo 2020.” women’s cross-country cycling event yesterday. Rissveds was saw Sheikh Ali al-Thani and Ashraf Following the success of the equestrian in a two-way battle with Maja Wloszczowska as the bell rang Elseify both claim sixth place in in- team, Dr Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, for the final circuit of the rolling 4.8-km course but broke the Tcredibly strong fi elds. Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Pole’s resistance with a powerful attack. The 22-year-old former Team Qatar’s show-jumpers Sheikh Ali Committee (QOC), hosted the whole team European champion pulled away quickly, safely tackling the al-Thani and Ali al-Rumaihi went head to for a dinner at Bayt Qatar. The QOC’s hos- hazardous Rio Rocks and Flip Flop sections of the layout before head against some of the best riders in the pitality house for the Rio 2016 Olympics sprinting to the finish line. Wloszczowska hung on for the silver world in the fi nal two rounds of competi- aims to provide a home away from home with Canada’s Catharine Pendrel in the bronze-medal position. tion. After a great eff ort, al-Rumaihi ranked for the Qatari athletes in Rio and give them Rissveds’s victory was the second gold for Sweden in Rio, follow- 16th at the end of the two rounds. Sheikh a piece of Qatar whilst they compete in the ing swimmer Sarah Sjostrom’s win in the 100m butterfly. Ali, meanwhile, aced the two rounds with- most important competition of their lives. out a single penalty and, having tied with Also on Friday, hammer-thrower Ashraf Norway take women’s handball bronze fi ve other riders, headed to the jump-off to Elseify, 21, exerted great eff ort in the determine the winners. fi nal against experienced older athletes Defending champions Norway for the Olympics. “It’s good During the jump-off , riders have to go Dilshod Nazarov who took gold with a found some solace for not to have a victory in the last through a shortened course with a stricter 78.68m throw, Ivan Tiskhan who won sil- making it to the final by match,” said Norway’s Marit time limit. Sheikh Ali faced extremely ex- ver with 77.79m and Wojciech Nowicki, overpowering orange-shirted Frafjord after the game. “We perienced riders and placed sixth after an who placed third. Netherlands 36-26 to take were really disappointed after excellent eff ort in an incredibly close final. achievement in itself. The team made his- for the Rio 2016 Games. Elseify placed sixth with an impressive bronze in women’s handball. the semi-finals so we talked Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Nick Skelton tory by qualifying for the Rio Olympics Speaking after his amazing perform- 75.46m best attempt—an outstanding ef- While there was no third about putting it behind us to won gold, Sweden’s Peder Fredricson won during the Furusiyya 2015 FEI Nations Cup ance Sheikh Ali said: “No one expected us fort at such a young age. Elseify, who holds successive gold for Norway, show each other and Norway the silver and Canadian Eric Lamaze took Jumping series in Abu Dhabi. to reach the fi nals in our very fi rst Olympic the junior hammer throw world record and the team’s fierce attack and and our coaches that we are the bronze. Facing experienced teams from Egypt, competition but I knew we were capable of is one of four Aspire Academy Alumni in solid defence soundly beat better than we showed in the Rio 2016 marks the fi rst time Qatar has Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab it. The level of competition today was un- Team Qatar, improved his distance with the Netherlands, a team which semi-finals.” France and Russia competed in show-jumping in the Olym- Emirates, Qatar’s equestrians stunned the precedented. The most number of athletes almost every throw, demonstrating great had never before qualified will square off in the final. pics and Sheikh Ali’s top-10 fi nish is an crowds by grabbing the sole qualifying spot in an Olympic jump-off has been three, we potential for the future. No deadline for Russia’s return, says Coe AFP “I don’t know what the timeframe a “cataclysmic failure” over doping that Taskforce to remain in place and we Rio de Janeiro is,” Coe said when asked about how let down their athletes, Coe insisted need to do that.” the tainted track and field team would that IAAF criteria had to be met before The IAAF has left a bitter taste for return. “But I didn’t come into athlet- the traditional powerhouse of track some Russian athletes who insist they ith a world championship ics wanting to stop athletes compet- and field could be considered for are clean. Two-time Olympic pole looming in 2017, athletic’s ing. I’m not an isolationist by nature. reintegration. vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva Wchief Sebastian Coe is not I know this has to be resolved. This “Their athletes must come from safe announced her retirement on Friday setting a deadline for Russia’s return to isn’t the case of saying the federation’s and secure systems,” said the Briton with a bitter broadside at Coe over the international competition. suspended, close the book. That’s not a who won Olympic 1500m gold medals Olympic ban imposed on her and her Coe, head of the International good position for anybody to be in.” at the 1980 and 1984 Games. teammates. Association of Athletics Federations Despite Coe and the IAAF’s hardline “There is a very clear criteria and “Why am I here and not preparing for (IAAF), enforced a ban on Russia last stance on Russian athletes, the Interna- we need those things met. One of the the final? Because the IAAF set criteria November after an independent World tional Olympic Committee decided to things within that is a cultural shift and that were impossible to meet,” said Anti-Doping Agency report unveiled allow other Russians to compete at Rio that we need to see.” Isinbayeva after being elected onto the systematic state-sponsored doping in despite calls for an outright ban. Coe created an IAAF Taskforce to IOC’s athletes commission. the country. But Coe reiterated that he felt the measure how Russia is meeting up to “How can one person ban someone Only one Russian athlete, long IAAF had made “a judgement we felt those criteria. from training and living in their own jumper Darya Klishina, was cleared to was very clearly in the best interests of “I’ve asked the Taskforce to be country? These are impossible odds; compete at the Rio Games, and that our sport”. with us in Rio,” Coe said. “I met with we could not fulfil these criteria.” because she was based in the United “But we also have a responsibility to (Taskforce chief) Rune Andersen and Coe simply said he looked forward to States and subject to approved interna- make sure that we don’t lose mo- the Taskforce on Thursday. I’ve said it working with Isinbayeva and the two tional anti-doping testing. mentum in that dialogue, and yes, we has to be one of our highest priorities other athletes on the IOC Commission. Many athletes are wondering want the reinstatement of the Russian to maintain that dialogue to get the “She’s been a phenomenal athlete that whether Russia will be at the world federation,” he added. journey back under way again, to have has been one of the stars of our sport,” championships in London next year. Having this month accused Russia of the criteria in place. I’ve asked the Coe said. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, August 21, 2016 OLYMPICS

WOMEN’S HOCKEY Cisse sinks Mohamed for Ivory Coast’s maiden gold Cheikh Sallah Cisse of Ivory Coast competes against Lutalo Mohamed Historic gold for GB of Britain. (Reuters) aft er shootout win

over the Netherlands heick Sallah Cisse was proud to be here, a second-time the toast of the Ivory Olympian, second-time Olympic Britain women’s feat since Sean Kerly’s men’s famous victory in 1988 is a phenomenal CCoast on Friday as he medallist—a bronze, then silver, won their first-ever Olympic so we know what’s next eh? achievement over the Dutch who have been rulers of world hockey for over a decade gold medal with a killer kick “I came within inches of in the last second of the men’s achieving what has been a life under-80kg taekwondo final. goal for me. Of course emotions Cisse created history for the are raw. I was very sad about it. West African country when he The sun will rise tomorrow. I’ll stunned third seed Lutalo Mo- get over it.” hamed of Britain with a four-point He paid tribute to Cisse, score right at the death to win 8-6. saying: “He’s a very game cham- Tunisia’s Oussama Oueslati pion, I wish him all the best, and and Milad Beigi Harchgani of I’ll get him next time.” Turkey won the bronze medals. Before he left the arena he Ivory Coast’s only previous was asked if he would have Olympic medal was the silver done anything diff erently in the won by Gabriel Tiacoh in the final, he thought for a second men’s 400m at the 1984 Los then replied simply: “Yeah... I’d Angeles Games. have won.” Ivory Coast then got a second In the women’s under-67kg medal on the night when Ruth final, South Korea’s Oh Hy-Eri Gbagbi claimed bronze in the upset France’s top seed Haby women’s under-67kg class. Niare 13-12. Gbagbi and Nur “I was able to realise this Tatar of Turkey won bronze. dream with courage and with A mammoth 40-match 13 passion. I don’t have a lot of hour day’s action had begun in dreams, but this was one of high drama with a shock defeat them,” he said afterwards. for second seed Aaron Cook. British number one Mohamed The British-born player was was forlorn at coming so close fighting in the Olympics for the to the title after taking bronze in first time since Beijing 2008 London four years ago. after being controversially “I was a second away from my overlooked by British selectors dream of being Olympic cham- for London 2012. pion. I’m so sorry I don’t want to After a costly appeal—funded cry on TV but I was so close,” he in part by his parents—failed to told BBC straight after the fight. get him reinstated in the team He later revisited the moment Cook took dramatic action, when his gold dream was cru- switching nationalities to fight elly taken from him. “It was the under the Moldovan flag. last kick, my check skimmed off The move was funded by and his reverse kick hit. Moldovan billionaire taekwondo “It was a horrible moment federation president Igor Iuze- when at the last second his fovici. But his long circuitous points have gone on the board route back to the Olympics and the times run out and came to nothing, his ambitions there’s nothing you can do for gold left in tatters on the By Emma John in Rio de Janeiro hit the post and been kicked away by the GB years ago, Brazil represents the culmina- sent the shot high and straight at Hinch’s about it — but hey, that’s sport.” mat at Rio’s Carioca Arena by The Guardian keeper Maddie Hinch—Hollie Webb, at 25 tion of a career that has made her the most- head. She gloved it away as if she was swat- Mohamed had steamrollered Taiwan’s Liu Wei-Ting. one of the youngest members of the team, capped British woman hockey player. ting a fl y. into the final, ending American The 25-year-old from stepped up to the 23-yard line to take Brit- When the teams emerged, the main For much of the match the Netherlands veteran Steven Lopez’s dream Dorchester said: “I’m absolutely ate and Helen Richardson-Walsh ain’s fi rst potshot at gold. The ball clanged grandstand was a wall of orange. There set up camp in Britain’s half so comfortably of becoming the oldest ever devastated — all that hard work may want to reconsider their fu- into the back of the goal like Calamity Jane were fans wearing infl atable crowns and a they might have considered lighting fi res and taekwondo Olympic champion and sacrifice by myself and my ture. The couple are supposed shooting a tin can off the head of a drunk. man with a giant slice of Edam on his head. sending a few players off for provisions. Even in the quarter-finals. parents, I just feel I’ve let every- to be moving to the Netherlands The Great Britain team had left nothing A tiny pocket of Great Britain supporters Hinch could not absorb all that pressure. Reflecting om his perform- one down,” he shrugged, star- Kshortly. Having broken Dutch hearts, to chance for this tournament—a replica sat right in the centre of them and made Paumen’s perfectly placed penalty cor- ance, the fifth seed from ing blankly into the distance. “It while securing Great Britain’s fi rst wom- of the Rio pitch was built at their Bisham considerably more noise. ner shot 10 minutes into the second quar- London borough of Waltham- didn’t go right on the biggest en’s hockey gold medal with a devastating Abbey training ground—and they said re- Britain scored nine minutes into the ter had skimmed past her outstretched leg. stow said: “I’m very happy and stage and it’s heartbreaking.” shootout win, they might fi nd the recep- peatedly in Rio they had come for gold and game, after Bray took on three Dutch play- Soon after half-time, three penalty corners tion a bit frosty. nothing else would do. ers at the edge of the D and, while Sombroek in as many minutes resulted in the third GB’s fi rst hockey Olympic title since Sean Half of the players had won bronze at saved her shot, the rebound was tucked goal scored by Van Male. Kerly’s men’s famous victory in 1988 was a London 2012 and were keen to erase mem- away by White. Netherlands equalised im- A lucky break allowed Britain to equalise phenomenal achievement over the Dutch ories of a heartbreaking semi-fi nal defeat mediately on resuming in the second quar- when a long ball defl ected past a hapless team who have been the rulers of world to Argentina. They included Helen and ter, when Lidewij Welten stole the ball in Caia van Maasakker and landed in a prime hockey for over a decade—and against the Kate Richardson-Walsh, who are the fi rst midfi eld. She and Kitty van Male stepped scoring position for Crista Cullen. run of play. A goal from Nicola White in the married couple to win gold for Britain since on the accelerator, catching Britain on the When they came out for the fi nal quarter, fi nal 10 minutes had levelled the score at 3-3, Cyril and Dorothy Wright, who took the 7m break and allowing Van Male to run around the Dutch had 10 penalty corners and GB despite the defending Olympic champions sailing class in Antwerp in 1920. Hinch entirely unhindered. She fi nished had none. They fi nally won their fi rst with having dominated both territory and posses- To be fair there were so few yachts com- with a fl ick into the top right corner. nine minutes of the game to run, a scramble sion, and took the game to penalty shuffl es. peting in that Games only one team went There were tanks parked forbiddingly at the goal mouth ending with the ball safe- Four shots had gone begging before home without a medal. The Richardson- on the road leading to the arena. Hinch ly ensconced in the crook of Sombroek’s Helen Richardson-Walsh scored from a Walshes and the rest of the team leave Rio did much the same job in protecting Brit- arm as she lay on the ground. A second, a penalty stroke, the goalkeeper Joyce Som- having defeated all eight sides they faced. ain’s goal. When Sam Quek fouled Laurien minute later, was just as messy, but Som- broek ruled to have deliberately fouled So- These were the couple’s fourth Olympics Laurink and conceded a penalty stroke, broek had been drawn a foot further out of phie Bray during her attempt. Two shuffl es and also almost certainly their last. For Maartje Paumen, the Dutch captain look- her ground, leaving a gap for White to slot later—after Margot van Geff en’s shot had Kate, who made her international debut 17 ing for her third consecutive Olympic title, home Alex Danson’s rebounded shot.

BOTTOMLINE No Phelps, or Gatlin, or Harrison, but USA still have a wealth of young talent for Tokyo 2020 The pipeline looks solid in the pool, gymnastics is strong as ever, and soccer and basketball will be fine. Expect USA to prosper in four years’ time, writes Beau Dure

ichael Phelps is retiring, record in the 100, has a couple more 1,500-meter fi nal. But she has strug- champion at age 16, placed third in all- campuses should continue to produce nant talent pool is beach volleyball. and this time, he says he years of swimming with Ledecky at gled since then and fi nished 11th at the around qualifying in Rio but couldn’t strong US teams, particularly where The youngest US Olympian this year means it. Stanford. Ryan Murphy, who swept the Olympic trials, nowhere near her per- defend her title because countries are women have more opportunities in the was 30-year-old Brooke Sweat; the M Justin Gatlin has had a backstrokes and kicked off the medley sonal best. She’s still just 21 in an event limited to two individuals per event. USA than they do globally. other seven players are 34 or older. remarkable resurgence in his 30s, but relay with a world record, is barely 21. that favours older runners. Simone Biles is just 19, but should The women’s basketball team will Young women, such as the promising he would be 38 by the time the next Then there’s the curious question Several collegians, along with high she choose to go for more medals in likely have a few openings with Tamika pair of Lane Carico and Summer Ross, Summer Olympics start in Tokyo. of Missy Franklin, who took four gold school hurdler Sydney McLaughlin, Tokyo, she’ll have to fend off 16-year- Catchings, Sue Bird, Lindsay Whalen are starting to take advantage of new Kayla Harrison is walking off the medals at age 17 in London and fol- are poised to improve on their fi rst old teammate Laurie Hernandez and and Diana Taurasi passing into their opportunities to play on sand in college judo mat with her second gold medal. lowed up with six gold medals in the Olympics. Hurdler Devon Allen, hep- 16-year-old Olympic alternate Ragan late 30s, but Elena Delle Donne and before moving into the pro game. And we’ll have to see if 2016 was the 2013 World Championships. tathlete Kendell Williams and sprinter Smith, along with any number of teens Brittney Griner will continue the pro- Yet some younger athletes may pur- last Olympic experience for medalists She suff ered a back injury, lost form Trayvon Bromell have shown potential and tweens ready to emerge as Hern- gression as younger players come in. sue a diff erent path. Kanak Jha, the lit- Ashton Eaton, Venus Williams, Kerron and confi dence, and didn’t advance and can now draw on experience from andez did this year. In rowing, the US women’s eight con- eral embodiment of a millennial (born Clement, Tianna Bartoletta and any of to the fi nal in either of her individual the Games. The women’s soccer team, on the tinues to reload and win. The breakout June 2000), moved to Sweden to hone the ‘Final Five’ in gymnastics, where events in Rio. She did pick up a relay Triple jumper Keturah Orji set an other hand, has gone through a rare stars in women’s water polo include his table tennis game. He did not ad- Aly Raisman is considered ‘old’ at 22. gold, and she’s still just 21, certainly American record and just missed the transitional period with a few retire- Princeton goalkeeper Ashleigh John- vance at the Olympics but showed Who is coming up to replace them? young enough to rebound. podium. Clay Murphy, less heralded ments and pregnancies. Whether the son and attacker Maddie Musselman, glimpses of potential. The talent pipeline looks solid in On the track, the USA is watching than 800m teammate Boris Berian turnover continues depends in part who starts at UCLA after the Olympics. Perhaps Jha will be the surprise of the pool. Phelps notwithstanding, this another phenom of the past four years, and barely fast enough to get through on the ongoing labour negotiations, Even shooting benefi ts from a college Tokyo, as Murphy and Thrasher were was a young swim team, with a lot of Mary Cain, who burst onto the scene the fi rst round in Rio, took a surprise which will determine whether a small presence. Ginny Thrasher, the fi rst gold in Rio. Or maybe it will be a 12-year- veteran medalists (Natalie Coughlin, as a 16-year-old with a wide smile in bronze medal. core of players continues to earn steady medallist of the Games, is already back old gymnast whose potential is just Tyler Clary) not making it through 2012, not making the Olympics that Women’s gymnastics is typically a salaries. Crystal Dunn and Mallory on campus taking physics and electrical starting to catch the eye of insiders. trials. Katie Ledecky and breaststroke year but smashing an assortment of sport that doesn’t reward repeat US Pugh look set to be infl uential attack- engineering at West Virginia, where a Topping the 100-medal mark is nev- champion Lilly King are just 19. Si- middle-distance junior records. She Olympians, in part because the com- ers for years to come, but older players fraternity has off ered up free drinks. er guaranteed. But the USA will have mone Manuel, who surprised with a made the US team for the 2013 world petition with the USA is so fi erce. such as Carli Lloyd won’t go quietly. One sport in which a new college no shortage of fresh young faces to trot silver in the 50m free and an Olympic championships and advanced to the Gabby Douglas, the 2012 all-around Other sports that thrive on college presence might help rejuvenate a stag- out in Tokyo. (theguardian.com) Gulf Times Sunday, August 21, 2016 7 OLYMPICS

LOCHTEGATE Lesser-known swimmers may miss their pay day

Reuters They swim at US college level, which dorsement income on a year-round gas station incident, Jimmy Feigen, Rio de Janeiro means they cannot earn money. They basis, says Peter Land, who works with has a deal with swimsuit maker TYR stood next to Michael Phelps on the po- Olympic and Paralympic sponsors for Sport, signed after the 26-year-old dium after winning gold in the 4x200m communications fi rm Finsbury. won a silver medal at the London 2012 eteran swimmer Ryan Lo- relay, so it was possible they would have “While these athletes are the best Games. TYR Sport could not be reached chte’s brush with Rio police been able to go pro after Rio. in the world at their craft, the massive for comment. Feigen paid 35,000 reais has already hurt his appeal to But, after earning more notoriety global spotlight shines on them for a ($11,000) to a Brazilian sporting charity sponsors—but for two lesser- for allegedly lying to Brazilian police few weeks every four years,” said Land. on Friday, a condition of reclaiming his Vknown teammates, it means they may than their performance in the pool, That means the stakes are even high- passport from Brazilian police and be- never get a chance to sign their fi rst sponsors are now unlikely to put their er when swimmers have their time to ing able to return home. major deal. dollars behind them, said Matt Delzell shine in the Olympic sun, which is why Medal bonuses could be in jeop- Lochte has several major sponsors, in- at The Marketing Arm, an Omnicom some have found the scandal surround- ardy for all four swimmers. The United cluding fashion house Ralph Lauren Corp, Group Inc agency that advises brands ing the US swimmers so unfortunate. States Olympic Committee (USOC) pays which took down any reference to the gold on sports endorsements. “This situation has adversely im- $25,000 for gold medal winners, $15,000 medalist on its website yesterday, and “It’s relatively hard for any swimmer pacted all areas of the Games, since it for silver medals and $10,000 for bronze. swimwear company Speedo which has to break out and to attract sponsors, but has distracted attention from other ath- When asked whether the swimmers’ said it is following the situation. if you couple it with how they all cor- letes, sports and stories,” said Phelps’ bonuses were at risk, a USOC spokes- But for teammates Gunnar Bentz, roborated a fabricated story, it’s a black agent, Peter Carlisle at talent agency man responded by pointing to a para- 20, and Jack Conger, 21, who are also eye,” Delzell said. Octagon. “The cumulative quality and graph from an USOC statement that embroiled in what social media has Before they walked into the gas sta- nature of the exposure related to swim- said the swimmers’ behavior was un- termed #LochteGate, going profes- tion with Lochte in the early hours of ming certainly infl uences the level of acceptable and any “potential conse- sional and scoring future business op- Sunday morning, the road for Bentz and interest among brands.” quences” for them would be reviewed. portunities are now next to impossible, Conger to attract big sponsorship deals Front pages of American newspapers New York Post and the New York Daily News It may have been possible for Con- Whatever the consequences for the marketers say. was already paved with obstacles. carried the controversy of US swimmer Ryan Lochte on their front page. (Reuters) ger and Bentz to land smaller marketing four swimmers, Phelps’ agent hopes Unlike Lochte, who won the fi rst of Millionaire Michael Phelps is an ex- deals in their home towns after a medal the story will start to recede from the his six career gold medals in Athens in ception rather than the rule in Olympics many Olympic swimmers get by with stream audience that can be easily win, making money from local appear- news agenda. “At this point, it seems as 2004, the pair were competing in their swimming. While the most decorated few sponsorship deals in their career. commercialized. ances or radio ads, said Delzell. Now, though the story is limited to the indi- maiden Olympics and were yet to reap Olympian in history commands large en- Swimming is one of the most The vast majority of Olympians even those opportunities have likely vidual athletes involved, and hopefully it the commercial benefi ts of standing dorsements with companies such as Un- watched sports in the Olympics, but it make a fraction of what top athletes dried up, he said. will soon give way to other, more positive atop a Games podium. der Armour Inc and watchmaker Omega, is not followed year round by a main- in professional sports generate in en- A fourth swimmer involved in the stories coming out of Rio,” Carlisle said.

SPOTLIGHT French birthday Tragic Venezuela girl makes history boxer says medal

AFP Rio de Janeiro

stelle Mossely celebrated her 24th birth- day in style by punching her way into will change his life Ethe history books as she became the first Frenchwoman to win Olympic boxing gold. Mossely also saw her fiance Tony Yoka ‘Those are things that can happen in life. It was really sad because I lost my sister but battle into the men’s super-heavyweight final less than an hour earlier and the pair it’s been six years and those are things that you overcome. I’ve forgiven him and I’m OK plan to soon marry—making it a particularly special 2016 for France’s latest heroine. now. Life changes when you win a medal, not only as a human being but as a sportsman’ France is enjoying its best Olympics in boxing with the possibility of two more gold to come at the weekend for Yoka and Sarah Ourahmoune. Yoka was watching from the stands, still in the red vest he had fought in and with a white towel around his neck. He wiped away tears as Mossely edged a nervy split-points decision 2-1 over China’s Yin Junhua in their lightweight clash. He then joined in as a small but vocal con- tingent of French staff and fans serenaded Mossely with “happy birthday”. She said that gold made her feel “com- plete”. “It’s a lovely birthday present. It is a beautiful birthday present and it is fitting after all of these years of training and study- ing,” she said. “I am very, very honoured to have won this gold medal and to be the first woman to win for France.” Mossely is now desperate to see Yoka complete a perfect Games for the lovebirds. “We have two parts of a contract and he has the second part in his hands. What can I say? It’s just good for us.” Mossely grabbed the initiative from the first bell but was down on the judges’ score- cards and in danger of seeing her birthday ruined. “I spoke to my coach and he said, ‘You’ve trained hard for this, you’re setting a good pace, you have good cardio,’ and he urged me on,” she said. “So from there it was just all instinct, trying to give more and more and more. And it worked.” Mossely was the deserved winner having been the aggressor in the opening exchang- es and to the very end of the bout against Yin, who was in fits of tears later when she collected her silver medal. The French boxer began to turn the tide of the fight when she rattled Yin at the end of the second with a fierce right that catapulted the Chinese back towards her own corner. AFP “Those are things that can happen Mossely was again on the attack at the Rio de Janeiro in life,” Finol said of losing his sister end of the third, one left-right-left combina- Boxer who followed heart into Rio fi nal in such brutal fashion. “It was really tion stunning the Chinese. sad because I lost my sister but it’s And the Frenchwoman came out all guns n Olympic fl yweight whose orenzo Sotomayor was born fighting for diff erent colours.” her there. The dramatic lifestyle been six years and those are things blazing at the start of the fourth and final former trainer killed his in a rough neighbourhood of His off icial Olympic biography says change triggered an upturn in that you overcome. I’ve forgiven him round—as Yoka bellowed his support and sister and then himself cel- LHavana, learnt how to box on he moved from Cuba to Azerbaijan in Sotomayor’s fortunes. and I’m OK now. Life changes when jumped up and down. ebrated winning Venezuela’s the streets of the capital and is a rela- 2013 to give himself a better chance of Since switching nationalities, he you win a medal, not only as a human Mossely had eased into the final without fiA rst boxing medal in 32 years on Fri- being but as a sportsman. I still need tive of Cuban high-jump hero Javier qualifying for Rio — less competition has enjoyed the finest results of his breaking sweat after Russia’s Anastasiia Be- day and said he expected it to herald a Sotomayor. for Olympic places — joining decorat- career, winning gold at the European to get back to my country and see how liakova dislocated her left elbow in the first new start in his traumatic life. On Friday, the gangly 31-year-old ed Cuban coach Peter Roque Otano in Games last year and becoming a fans’ things are gonna be but I know my life round of their semi-final on Wednesday. All-action Yoel Finol, 19, has al- surged into the Rio Olympic light- Baku. But that is only part of the story. favourite in his adopted homeland. He is gonna change.” The Russian was rushed out of the arena ways dreamed of gold but was still welterweight final for Azerbaijan after Sotomayor was a promising boxer is now guaranteed at least silver for And Finol is positive of even better in tears and in a wheelchair, but returned to delighted to make do with Rio Games winning his semi-final on unanimous back in his homeland but gave up the Azerbaijan. days to come in the ring too, with the pick up her bronze on the podium, her arm bronze after heartbreaking defeat in points. Sotomayor will face Uz- fight game to take care of his young The boxer said that Javier Sotomay- 2020 Tokyo Olympics already on his in a sling and getting a huge ovation. his semi-fi nal when he lost on unani- bekistan’s Fazliddin Gaibnazarov in family who were struggling in Cuba’s or, who won high-jump gold at Barce- radar. “I still have a long career ahead “It’s always very pleasant to have an Olym- mous points to Uzbekistan’s Shakho- today’s gold-medal clash. moribund economy and he ended lona 1992, was a cousin of his father’s of me and I believe that every day we pic medal around your neck but of course I bidin Zoirov. But he has not forgotten his roots, up selling whatever he could on the and also an inspiration. get better at handling ourselves in the was coming here for a medal of a diff erent Finol’s medal caps an extraordi- saying: “My life has changed 100%, streets. “He doesn’t know much about box- ring,” he said. “We learn new things colour. Unfortunately what happened has nary journey after he was lured into but I owe everything I am to Cuba. And then his life turned upside ing, he’s a jumper. He’s just told me every day and Tokyo is still four years happened but I’m very happy to have an boxing by an uncle and then trained That’s where I learned everything, down when he met and fell in love to keep focused to fight my style of away and little by little, I’m going to Olympic medal,” said Beliakova. by his brother-in-law Edwin Valero, a it’s my home country. Due to the cir- with a Russian girl visiting Cuba, who boxing and to always look forward,” learn a lot before that happens.” Women’s boxing—there are three weight two-weight world champion who was cumstances, I am in another country, lived in Azerbaijan, and he followed said Sotomayor. Zoirov—whom Finol gamely kissed categories—made its debut at the London to later end his career unbeaten with on the top of the head and applauded 2012 Games but the lightweight champion 27 wins, all by knock-out. when the decision came through— there, Ireland’s Katie Taylor, made an early exit Despite being an unbeaten cham- 2010 he stabbed to death his wife committed suicide. had to earn money the only way he will go up against Misha Aloian in from Rio. Mira Potkonen of Finland, who beat pion, Valero’s life began to unravel in Carolina—Finol’s sister. Two days In the aftermath of the tragedy, knew how—fi ghting on the streets to today’s fi nal after the Russian out- Taylor, took home the other bronze medal. a blur of drink and drugs and in April later, while in police custody, Valero Finol vowed to win Olympic gold but earn cash to fund his ambitions. pointed China’s Hu Jianguan. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, August 21, 2016 OLYMPICS

FOCUS Park wins fi rst women’s golf gold in 116 years AFP sure back in Seoul to bring home gold. ment at the Paris Games. Rio de Janeiro Park took the tournament lead from “I feel extremely honoured and the second round and held on despite proud that I get to win a gold medal a charge by Ko, the world number one, in the Olympic Games. It feels truly outh Korea’s Park In-Bee won who leapt back into contention in the unreal,” said Park, whose major wins the fi rst women’s Olympic golf third round on Friday. include three women’s PGA Champi- title in 116 years yesterday, us- Park, ranked number fi ve in the onship titles. “I have won many tour- ing her eff ortless swing to take world, started yesterday two strokes naments but I have never felt like this aS fi ve-stroke victory over New Zea- ahead of Ko. But she soon stretched before,” she added. land’s Lydia Ko. that advantage with four birdies on a Ko was happy with her silver after Park shot a fi ve-under-par 66 to fl awless front nine. a modest fi rst two days and added her fi nish the tournament at 16-under. She hit her tee shot into the water en belief that the Olympic tournament Ko, the world number one, ended at route to a bogey on the par-fi ve tenth will boost the sport. 11 under par to take silver while Chi- hole, but the typically unfl appable “Before coming here we had some na’s Feng Shanshan fi nished a further Park shrugged it off to card three bird- negative press, but I think we have all stroke back for bronze. ies down the stretch against one fur- proved what an amazing week it was for The normally impassive Park, a ther bogey. golf, for the woman’s game,” she said. former world number one, rolled in a Ko, who shot a two-under 69 for Russian golfer Maria Verchenova fi nal par putt on the 18th hole and ap- the day, couldn’t catch Park, but she shot a course record nine-under-par 62 peared to choke up for a moment as she birdied the fi nal hole to snatch away in yesterday’s fi nal round, after landing raised her arms in victory. silver from Feng, who was already in a hole-in-one in the par-three fourth. The win adds to an impressive col- the clubhouse. “It’s amazing because the last one was lection of achievements for Park, in- Golf returned to the Games last when I was 21,” the now 30-year-old cluding seven major championships, week with a men’s event that conclud- told reporters. “I didn’t see it go in... and will serve to punctuate the domi- ed Sunday with Britain’s Justin Rose People started clapping and I was like nance of South Korean women golfers. winning the fi rst Olympic gold medal ‘Oh my god, I got a hole-in-one.’” South Korea had more Olympic since 1904. But weaker performances in the qualifi ers than any other country, with The last time a women’s event was previous rounds left Verchenova four, and Park had said earlier in the staged was 1900, when the USA’s Mar- far away from the medal podium at (From Left) Women’s golf silver medal winner New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, South Korea’s Park In-Bee (gold) and China’s Feng Shan- week that they faced considerable pres- garet Abbott won a nine-hole tourna- four-under. shan (bronze) pose on the podium after the end of the Olympic Games women’s golf competition yesterday. (AFP)

TRIATHLON HANDBALL Denmark beat Poland to set up France fi nal Jorgensen surges land’s Michal Daszek put their Reuters Rio de Janeiro celebration on hold as he scored just before the fi nal whistle. France, who will look to repeat enmark advanced to their 33-30 group stage victory the men’s Olympic over Denmark in today’s fi nal, handball fi nal against became the fi rst team to reach reigning champions the Rio fi nal when they ousted past reigning champ FranceD after a thrilling 29-28 Germany, the world’s top-ranked overtime victory over world team, in a hard-fought 29-28 win number eight Poland on Friday. earlier on Friday. Denmark, ranked sixth, were Seeking a third successive forced to work a little extra to gold medal, the French made a clinch the semi-fi nal victory as fast start with a mix of intelli- Poland recovered from a slow gent ball movement and clini- start to the game and scored cal fi nishing as they opened up Spirig-Hug for gold with two seconds left in regula- a three-goal lead in the fi rst 10 tion to force overtime. minutes. In the extra period Mikkel France paid close attention ‘I knew if I kept doing what I’ve been doing, hopefully it would work out. I never think Hansen, who fi nished with a to pivot Patrick Wiencek, who game-high 10 goals, and Morten failed to register a single shot you have a perfect race, it was a fun race for sure. I knew they were going to try to Olsen took advantage of Po- during the semi-fi nal, but they land’s lapse in concentration to gave Uwe Gensheimer too much break away from me. I didn’t want to be in that situation where I had to claw back time’ give Denmark a three-goal lead space as the German scored sev- and set them on their way. en goals in the fi rst half to help Karol Bielecki scored in the his team stay in touch. dying seconds of overtime to cut France showed exactly why the lead to one but Poland left it they are the twice defending too late as Denmark secured the Olympic champions as they win and their fi rst appearance in opened up a seven-goal lead just an Olympic handball fi nal. 10 minutes into the second half Poland made a sluggish start through a combination of bril- to the game as they handed Den- liant attack and solid defence. mark a three-goal lead within However, a determined Ger- the fi rst four minutes but de- man side, inspired by Genshe- spite not fi nding their rhythm imer, who fi nished with a game- during a fi rst half in which they high 11 goals, refused to go down committed six turnovers, only easily as they clawed their way trailed by one at halftime. back before tying the score at The second half was fi nely 28-28 with just a minute re- poised as the lead changed sev- maining. eral times, with both teams fo- The match seemed destined cusing on defence. Poland goal- to head into overtime but France keeper Piotr Wyszomirski was in struck in the dying seconds with sensational form, saving 48 % of Daniel Narcisse’s seventh goal the shots he faced. of the match to book their place With Denmark closing in on in the fi nal and spark wild on- a victory in regulation time, Po- court celebrations.

VOLLEYBALL Italian men oust US

Reuters The Americans streaked Rio de Janeiro ahead with a 15-point run in the third with their top scor- ers, outside hitter Matt Ander- taly men’s volleyball team son and main server and setter put an end to a US win- Micah Christenson, having a ning streak and ousted the fi eld day. But Italy came back to Americans from the Rio secure victory with aces by Za- IGames in a fi ve-set battle on ytsev and Juantorena in both the Friday to go through to the fi nal fourth set and tie-breaker. where they will seek their fi rst US coach John Speraw, who Olympic gold medal. brought a young team to Rio Italy overcame the United with eight players who had nev- Reuters land, who live and train together in Leeds However, despite occasional digs by her fi nish but this time she was on her own States 30-28, 26-28, 9-25, 25- er competed in the Olympics, Rio de Janeiro and are great friends, battled it out for chief rivals on the main climb on the eight- after a performance all the more impres- 22, 15-9 and will face twice Ol- said Italy had played the best bronze, with Holland just taking it. lap 40km course, the American looked sive because she recovered from a broken ympic champions and three- volleyball at the Games, and he Jorgensen’s win, following Briton comfortable and, with nobody prepared to hand in March that required three plates time silver medallists Brazil in praised his players for respond- ot favourite Gwen Jorgensen pro- Alistair Brownlee’s successful defence of push the pace, they all duly rolled into the and 23 screws. today’s title showdown. ing to the challenges well. duced the perfect race to win the the men’s title, means the sport’s repu- second transition together. Spirig-Hug revealed what was said as The Brazilians avenged the “It just wasn’t enough in the Olympic women’s triathlon gold tation for upset Olympic champions has The defending champion, who has the two leaders jostled on the third lap. loss of their 2012 London Games end,” he said of a team that came yesterday, the American unusu- been fi rmly put to bed. competed sparingly since 2012 and has “There was a bit of mind games, nobody fi nal to Russia in the second to Rio as favourites after win- Hally staying with her rivals on the bike be- It was also a long overdue gold for the taken time off to have a baby, was not wanted to lead, so I said, ‘Come on, Gwen, semi-fi nal, overpowering the ning the World Cup last year. fore surging clear of defending champion country that invented the sport after the about to sit back and hand over her title, I’ve already got a medal so you have to do defending champions 3-0. Italian captain Emanuele Bir- Nicola Spirig-Hug on the run. United States had previously managed however, and went clear with Jorgensen some work’. The Americans did not have arelli felt that the fourth set aces Jorgensen has dominated the sport over only Susan Williams’ bronze in 2004 since from the start. “In the end she was stronger and faster the same luck in reverting a pool delivered by Zaytsev, an Italian- the last two years but usually wins her it joined the Olympic party in 2000. It was an unfamiliar sight in a major tri- and deserves gold.” round loss to Italy, who ended born standout of Russian de- races by chasing down the stronger bikers “I knew if I kept doing what I’ve been athlon as Jorgensen is invariably cruising It will be an interesting return home for a run of four straight victories scent, were decisive. “Ivan had during the 10km run. doing, hopefully it would work out,” Jor- through the fi eld in the early stages of the the Britons after their battle for bronze — by the United States as well as an incredible streak of serves Yesterday, however, she swam strongly, gensen said. run and the vastly-experienced Spirig- the country’s third triathlon medal of the their bid for a fourth Olympic that were the key to winning the gave as good as she got on the hilly 40km “I never think you have a perfect race, Hug seemed to be getting under the Amer- Games after the Brownlee brothers’ 1-2 in gold in the sport. With unstop- match at the crucial moment,” bike course and broke the challenge of it was a fun race for sure. I knew they were ican’s skin as they exchanged words and the men’s race. pable spikes and ace serves by he said. At the 2012 London 34-year-old Spirig-Hug on the run to win going to try to break away from me. I didn’t clashed arms heading into the fi nal lap. “The fi rst thing I said to her was ‘I’m so their top scorer Ivan Zaytsev, Games, Brazil had led Russia America’s fi rst gold in the sport since it want to be in that situation where I had to Jorgensen did not seem to be enjoying sorry’,” Holland said of her rival.” the Italians took a hard-fought by two sets before dropping the was introduced to the Games in 2000. claw back time.” the head-to-head but removed herself Stanford was philosophical in defeat. opening set. next three to lose out on their Switzerland’s Spirig-Hug, who has had After a choppy sea swim off Copacaba- from it with an injection of pace at the 8km “To come so close and be out-sprinted is The US took the second and bid for a second Olympic gold. a baby since her photo-fi nish victory in na Beach a group of 18 quickly formed on mark that immediately took her clear and bittersweet but when it’s your best friend third sets despite a barrage of In Rio, they held fi rm London, held on to take silver and become the bike leg and everyone in the fi eld knew allowed her to enjoy her run up the fi nish- and your housemate I guess that’s a victory killer spikes by Osmany Juan- throughout, thanks to a suc- the fi rst woman to win two Olympic med- that if Jorgensen remained in that pack go- ing chute with a beaming smile. in itself,” she said. “I’m absolutely delight- torena, a former Cuba national cession of unreturnable 110 km als in the sport. ing into the run it would be next to impos- Four years ago, Spirig-Hug dipped in ed for Vicky, but obviously fourth isn’t the team wing spiker now playing serves by Lipe, as they won 25- Britons Non Stanford and Vicky Hol- sible to beat her. front of Sweden’s Lisa Norden in a photo- best place to be in the Olympic Games.” for Italy. 21, 25-20, 25-17. Gulf Times Sunday, August 21, 2016 9 SPORT

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT Late Whiteley try All Blacks crush gives S Africa win woeful Wallabies in RC opener The dynamic All Blacks embarrassed the Wallabies six tries to one and have now lost only once to the Australians in their last 14 encounters

South Africa’s Faf de Klerk in action against Argentina at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit yesterday.

Reuters It was the home side who Nelspruit, South Africa started brightest with a seventh- minute try as a break by fl yhalf Elton Jantjies set up winger Ruan try two minutes Combrinck in the right corner. from time by Warren After trading penalties, South Whiteley earned South Africa had a chance to extend Africa an unconvincing their seven-point lead when 30-23A victory over Argentina in Manuel Montero was yellow- an error-strewn Rugby Champi- carded for lifting an opponent onship match yesterday. in the tackle and Argentina went The touchdown capped a late down to 14 men. fi ghtback by the Springboks who However, Nicolas Sanchez trailed by 10 points with 10 min- kicked a penalty for the Pumas utes left. before centre Matias Orlando Number eight Whiteley went dived over at the end of a sweep- over to spare their blushes but ing move. there will be a slew of questions South Africa should have about the chances of the South scored a second try when centre Africans in the annual southern Lionel Mapoe crossed the line on hemisphere championship after the stroke of halftime but he let World Cup winners New Zealand the ball slip from his grasp. crushed Australia earlier on Sat- Jantjies’ penalty 15 minutes urday. into the second half levelled mat- The Boks scored three tries to ters at 13-13 but Sanchez, passing two for Argentina, who will con- 400 test points in the process, sider themselves desperately un- restored Argentina’s lead with a lucky not to win in South Africa quarter of an hour to play with a for a second successive year. penalty of his own.

All Blacks call in police after listening device found Sydney: Australian police are significant eff ort had been made Australia’s Scott Fardy fails to tackle New Zealand’s Julian Savea during the second half of their Rugby Championship game in Sydney yesterday. investigating a possible case of to conceal it within the chair’s sporting espionage after the All cushion. AFP The Kiwis appear no closer to the second term. front with back-to-back penalties as the Blacks discovered a listening NZR Chief Executive Steve Tew Sydney giving up the Bledisloe Cup they “I thought we defended very poorly,” Wallabies struggled to get into the game device inside the hotel room told the newspaper it was likely have held since 2003 with the two Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said. against the fl uent Kiwis. they used for team meetings that if the device was working remaining trans-Tasman Tests “Defence is attitude, so there’s no The hapless Wallabies called on a sec- ahead of the Rugby Champion- properly, it would have picked orld champions New Zea- against the Wallabies at home in rustiness. Let’s get that one out of the ond replacement when Toomua collided ship opener against Australia up what was discussed in meet- land claimed their biggest Wellington and Auckland way straight away. When players run with Barrett and made way for Horne. yesterday. ings. win over the Wallabies in you’ve got to tackle.” More disaster befell the Wallabies New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said He later told reporters that NZR Australia with a thumping Exacerbating the Wallabies plight was when Foley’s clearing kick was charged earlier yesterday the team had had also informed the Australian W42-8 win over the defending champions arrived for the kick-off and mentally we a spate of injuries to their inside backs, down by fl anker Jerome Kaino who scored discovered the device inside a Rugby Union (ARU) about the to kick off their Rugby Championship were right on the button,” New Zealand Matt Giteau, Matt Toomua and Rob for a 25-3 lead.Nothing was going right cushion of a chair that was in discovery and they were just as campaign in Sydney yesterday. coach Steve Hansen said. Horne, who all came off during the rstfi for the Wallabies with a third back forced the room used by them to hold shocked as their trans-Tasman The dynamic All Blacks embarrassed “And when you’re like that and you’ve half. off with injury with Horne succumbing to meetings to discuss tactics. counterparts. the Wallabies six tries to one and have got a bit of talent you can do things.” “They don’t look too good, put it that a left arm injury. “At this point in time our forensic “I’ve just informed (ARU boss) now lost only once to the Australians in If Australia thought the chance of fi - way. But I haven’t any details yet,” Cheika The relentless All Blacks showed no people are looking at that Bill (Pulver) and he’s obviously their last 14 encounters. nally mastering the Kiwi powerhouse said. mercy and scored their fourth try through device,” New South Wales Police very shocked, as I was, to find It was New Zealand’s biggest winning had arrived following the retirement of “It’s not ideal (to lose three inside cen- left-winger Waisake Naholo after a scy- Superintendent Brad Hodder out that this could be happening margin over the Wallabies in Australia legends Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter tres to injury) obviously. But you can al- thing run by Barrett. told reporters.“All I can say is it’s in our environment,” Tew told since beating the home side 50-21 in they were sadly mistaken. ways save yourself somehow.” The game looked well beyond the Wal- an electronic device.” reporters in Sydney. Sydney in 2003. It was Australia’s fi fth The Wallabies’ hopes were shred- Bernard Foley kicked an early pen- labies’ reach at halftime after an explosive NZR had asked the police to “We haven’t made any accusa- straight Test defeat after losing to the All ded by a devastating opening half by the alty goal for the Wallabies but that was opening half by the world champions. conduct investigation after a tions of anybody so there’s no Blacks 34-17 in last October’s World Cup All Blacks, who smashed through po- the only time the home side led and the Coach Cheika made a fl urry of replace- sweep by the team’s security room for denials. We’d like now fi nal along with three defeats at home to rous defence for four tries to lead 32-3 All Blacks hit back quickly in the sixth ments early in the second half in a bid to team on Monday found the to focus on the game.” Six Nations champions England in June. at halftime.It was a dynamic fi rst half by minute. Ryan Crotty broke through the spark his team as the All Blacks continued device. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, The Kiwis appear no closer to giving the world champions, dominating terri- tackles of Dane Haylett-Petty and Giteau their points rampage. NSW police said they were only a former police off icer, has said up the Bledisloe Cup they have held since tory and possession with the Australians to storm over for a converted try. Dane Coles scored after Tevita Kurid- told of the device yesterday. in the past he thought the team 2003 with the two remaining trans-Tas- seemingly incapable of mounting a re- Giteau was forced from the fi eld hob- rani dropped a pass and then minutes The New Zealand Herald news- were subject to attempts by op- man Tests against the Wallabies at home sistance to the incessant waves of attack. bling from an injured left ankle shortly later another replacement Julian Savea paper said the device had been ponents to discover their game in Wellington and Auckland. It got no better for the Wallabies with afterwards to be replaced by Toomua. scored in the opposite corner for a 42-3 described as “sophisticated” and plans ahead of tests. “I am very proud with the way the boys the Kiwis scoring a further 10 points in Barrett kicked the All Blacks further in lead.

MOTORCYCLING Marquez storms to pole at Czech MotoGP

AFP “I didn’t expect to be in the pole po- “I pushed maybe to much, I braked cause of Tom Luthi’s heavy crash, his Brno, Czech Republic sition because Lorenzo was very fast too late, so I didn’t have enough corner second of the day. this morning, he did also an incredible speed to be faster,” said the 29-year-old The Swiss Kalex rider was declared lap, but I was pushing my 100 %,” said Lorenzo, who will move to Ducati after OK by race direction but taken to a hampionship leader Marc Marquez, the 2013 and 2014 MotoGP the season. Brno hospital “by helicopter in order to Marquez grabbed the pole po- champion. “But we are happy with the second check his back with a CT scan,” MotoGP sition for today’s Czech Re- For the record lap, he used his rival place, especially because we have a tweeted. public MotoGP at Brno after Valentino Rossi, the 37-year-old nine- good pace, good setup to keep a con- takingC yesterday’s qualifying session by time world champion who has won fi ve stant pace during the race.” The grid storm. top-class races at Brno, the last one in The second row comprises Spaniards First row: 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Hon- The 23-year-old Spanish Honda rid- 2009. Aleix Espargaro on a Suzuki and Hector da) 1min 54.596sec; 2. Jorge Lorenzo er set a new record on the Brno circuit “I was lucky honestly, because Val- Barbera on a Ducati alongside Italian (ESP/Yamaha) at 0.253sec; 3. Andrea with 1min 54.596sec to take his fi fth entino was in front and with his slip- legend Rossi on a Yamaha. Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 0.631 pole position of the season. stream I was able to be a little bit faster,” At Brno, Rossi won his fi rst-ever Second row: 4. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/ Reigning world champion Jorge said Marquez. grand prix exactly twenty years ago, Suzuki) 0.728; 5. Hector Barbera (ESP/ Lorenzo on a Yamaha, last year’s win- “On the last corner... I saw that Val- taking the 125cc honours. Ducati) 0.841; 6. Valentino Rossi (ITA/ ner at Brno, was the fi rst to break the entino was preparing the last lap and After 10 of 18 grand prix this season, Yamaha) 0.913 circuit record on Saturday, only to come then I said OK I need to go for him be- Marquez leads the overall standings on Third row: 7. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/ second in the end, trailing his compa- cause if not I will lose too much time.” 181 points, ahead of Lorenzo with 138 Ducati) 1.152; 8. Maverick Vinales (ESP/ triot Marquez by 0.253sec. “In the end this movement was the and Rossi with 124. Suzuki) 1.191; 9. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/ Italian Ducati rider Andrea Iannone, pole position,” said Marquez, whose Championship leaders will also start Honda) 1.245 who won the last MotoGP in Austria only top-class win at Brno dates back to from pole in the other two categories, Fourth row: 10. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/ last weekend, will complete the front Spanish rider Marc Marquez (L) of Repsol Honda Team and Italian rider Andrea his rookie MotoGP season in 2013. with Brad Binder topping Moto3 quali- Honda) 1.334; 11. Bradley Smith (GBR/ row, fi nishing 0.631sec behind Mar- Dovizioso of Ducati team compete during the qualification of the MotoGP Grand Lorenzo said Marquez’s record lap fying and Johann Zarco dominating the Yamaha) 1.519; 12. Pol Espargaro (ESP/ quez. Prix in Brno, Czech Republic, yesterday. was “impressive”. Moto2 session that was red-fl agged be- Yamaha) 1.926 Gulf Times 10 Sunday, August 21, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Steyn strikes twice on Test return before rain ends play On a greenish pitch under a heavily overcast sky, it was though a rewind button had been switched as Steyn bowled with immaculate control, backed up by Vernon Philander, also coming back from injury

AFP SCORECARD Durban South Africa’s Dale Steyn South Africa: first innings (overnight vuma), 8-228 (Philander), 9-236 (Steyn) celebrates the wicket of New 236-8) Bowling: Southee 23-3-80-1, Boult fter eight months of frus- Zealand’s Tom Latham during the S. Cook c Watling b Boult 20 21.4-5-52-3, Bracewell 16-6-53-1, Wagner tration, South African fast second day of the first cricket Test D. Elgar c Guptill b Bracewell 19 15-4-47-3, Santner 11-2-22-2, Guptill 1-0-5-0 bowler Dale Steyn left the in Durban yesterday. H. Amla c Watling b Boult 53 New Zealand first innings fi eld at Kingsmead yesterday J. Duminy c Boult b Wagner 14 M. Guptill lbw b Steyn 7 withA “a smile on his face”, according to F. du Plessis c Williamson b Wagner 23 T. Latham c Amla b Steyn 4 bowling coach Charl Langeveldt. T. Bavuma lbw b Santner 46 K. Williamson not out 2 Unfortunately for Steyn and his fel- Q. de Kock c Bracewell b Santner 33 R. Taylor not out 2 low bowlers, they walked off at lunch- V. Philander c Southee b Wagner 8 Extras 0 time and didn’t return after reducing K. Rabada not out 32 Total (2 wkts, 12 overs) 15 New Zealand to 15 for two on the sec- D. Steyn b Southee 2 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Latham), 2-12 ond day of the fi rst Test. D. Piedt c Watling b Boult 9 (Guptill) Rain prevented any more play and Extras: (lb4) 4 Bowling: Steyn 6-4-3-2, Philander meant South Africa could not take fur- Total: (87.4 overs) 263 6-1-12-0 ther advantage of favourable bowling Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Cook), 2-41 (Elgar), To bat: H. Nicholls, B. Watling, M. Sant- conditions as they sought to defend a 3-102 (Duminy), 4-106 (Amla), 5-160 (Du ner, D. Bracewell, T. Southee, N. Wagner, fi rst innings total of 263. Plessis), 6-208 (De Kock), 7-208 (Ba- T. Boult Steyn, playing in his fi rst Test match since December, bowled a mesmeris- ing spell of two for three in six overs, “He prefers to have control up front. decided not to seek a review. Replays dismissing both New Zealand opening You will see that he bowls faster in his showed the ball was clipping leg stump batsmen. second and third spells.” in the ‘umpire’s call’ area so a review At 33, questions had been asked Steyn had Tom Latham caught at would have failed. Steyn’s ability to come back with any- fi rst slip by Hashim Amla for four off Three overs later Latham edged Phi- thing like the impact that made him the second ball of his fourth over. lander low to second slip where Dean the long-time number one-ranked He followed up in his next over with Elgar spilled a relatively straightfor- Test bowler. a full in-swinger which trapped Martin ward chance. He has dropped to number three Guptill leg before wicket for seven. Although Steyn had the better fi g- after playing in only two out of South Latham added only one run after be- ures, Philander also looked close to his Africa’s previous eight Tests, failing to ing dropped off Philander. best form after missing South Africa’s complete either because of groin and Steyn bowled with immaculate con- and experience to a South African team whether he could still bowl at speeds Guptill survived an appeal for leg most recent seven Test matches be- shoulder injuries. trol, backed up by Vernon Philander, that has slumped from number one to well in excess of 140kmh, but Lan- before wicket off Steyn’s fourth ball of cause of an ankle injury. In the last over But on a greenish pitch under a also coming back from injury. number seven in the Test team rank- geveldt shrugged that off . the innings when he was on two. before lunch he twice beat Ross Taylor heavily overcast sky, it was though a Langeveldt said he was delighted to ings.If there was a question that Steyn “Dale likes to bowl within himself Umpire Richard Illingworth turned with balls that swung sharply away rewind button had been switched as have the pair back, bringing their skill left unanswered in his brief spell, it was with the new ball,” said Langeveldt. down the appeal and South Africa from the bat.

PREVIEW Ireland vs Pak 2nd ODI rained off Struggling Australians look for ODI redemption in Lanka

AFP Test series, particularly against vet- Colombo eran spinner Rangana Herath who has Australian cricketer retired from ODIs. Adam Zampa prepares Australia’s spinners failed to carry ustralia will look to restore to bowl during a practice the same threat in the Test series, with some battered pride when session at the R. Premadasa pace bowler Mitchell Starc taking the they begin their one-day se- Cricket Stadium in Colombo lion’s share of the wickets. ries against Sri Lanka today, yesterday. Left-arm spinner Jon Holland has hopingA that some fresh blood can help now returned home but his partner reverse a string of defeats on a miser- Nathan Lyon is staying on and could able tour. well be joined in the starting XI on Pakistan supporters leave as wind and rain prevents any play in the second Days after losing their title as the Sunday by the young leg-spinner one day international (ODI) cricket match between Ireland and Pakistan at world’s top Test team, the reigning Zampa. the Malahide stadium in Dublin yesterday. champions in 50-over cricket will be Sri Lanka will meanwhile be looking determined to stop the rot when they to take their new-found confi dence Malahide, Ireland: Rain saw the Thursday — their biggest victory in take to the fi eld in the fi rst of fi ve ODIs into the limited-overs series, with second one-day international terms of runs in the format. against an upbeat Sri Lanka. Mathews insisting that there would between Ireland and Pakistan at Sharjeel Khan made a blistering 152, Angelo Mathews’ side completed a be no room for complacency after the Malahide yesterday abandoned his maiden century at this level. 3-0 series whitewash over the tour- Test triumph. without a ball bowled. Ireland, chasing 338 to win, were ists on Wednesday when they won “We have the ODI series left and we Prospects for play were grim once skittled out for 82, with spinner Imad the fi nal Test in Colombo by 163 runs, will try and concentrate on that,” said bad weather delayed the scheduled Wasim taking an ODI best five for 14. a result which led to Australia be- named in the ODI squad, was released edged the need to produce some im- Mathews. Sri Lanka, who saw four of 10:45am local (0945 GMT start) Pakistan, who ended a four-match ing toppled by India at the top of the after the Test series and his place in mediate results to lift morale. their top fast bowlers suff er injuries and never looked like improving Test series against England all rankings. the starting line-up is expected to be “You’re always looking ahead. We on a recent tour of England, now have as heavy rain continued to lash the square at 2-2 following a 10-wicket Australian captain Steve Smith taken by another allrounder Moises have got a pretty solid one-day side Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal, ground. win at The Oval last week, will now admitted they had been totally out- Henriques. who have performed well over a long who played the fi nal Test in Colombo, Pakistan won the two-match series return to play England in a five- classed after failing to come to terms Coach Darren Lehmann said Aus- period of time. The Champions Tro- back in contention. 1-0 after thrashing Ireland by 255 match ODI series starting at South- with the turning Sri Lankan wickets, tralia had “obviously got some qual- phy is the carrot,” he said ahead of the “When you play ODIs you need to runs in the first ODI at Malahide on ampton on Wednesday. both with bat and ball. ity allrounders in our one-day squad” opener at Colombo’s Premadasa Sta- have at least two fast bowlers,” said While Smith remains at the helm of and the decision to release Marsh dium. Mathews, who played a single fast TV umpire to call no-balls in England-Pakistan ODIs the ODI side, the squad will be bol- meant he could recharge his batter- “But at the end of the day we want bowler in the three Tests. stered by one-day specialists such as ies before next month’s tour to South to win a game in Sri Lanka for a start, Today’s match is the fi rst of two London: A system where the third the third umpire’s advice, unless the allrounders Aaron Finch and James Africa. so that’s probably prime importance games in Colombo before the con- umpire is responsible for the calling side-on cameras are unavailable. Faulkner, along with young spinner While Lehmann said his side were for us, and to play well.” test continues with two matches in of front-foot no-balls will be trialled The ICC also said the third umpire Adam Zampa. building towards next year’s Champi- Faulkner is expected to bolster the Dambulla and wraps up in Pallekele on during the upcoming England-Pa- will be able to judge a no-ball “within Mitchell Marsh, who was earlier ons Trophy in England, he acknowl- batting line-up which struggled in the September 4. kistan one-day series, the Interna- seconds” of delivery and will com- tional Cricket Council announced municate a decision to their on-field yesterday. colleagues by means of a vibrating COUNTY SCENE The standing umpire at the bowler’s pager. end is currently responsible for both If the pager system breaks down, checking for front-foot no-balls and the third umpire will relay his deci- then adjudicating on whether a bats- sion to the men in the middle by Hales fails as Northants win T20 semi-fi nal man is out at the other end, all in a their standard radio communication matter of seconds. system. This already diff icult task has “This trial is being carried out to AFP whose one-day international career by Pakistan at The Oval last week. Northamptonshire captain, shared a become more complicated in an era ascertain if there is a way in which Birmingham strike-rate of 130.81 is the highest of The 27-year-old now has a modest key fourth-wicket stand of 132 in 82 where bowlers’ end umpires, in fear front-foot no-balls can be called all time, was out to a superb catch by Test average of under 28 and is sweat- balls.Left-hander Duckett has been in of being hit by a hard-hit shot, stand more accurately and consistently, a diving Rob Keogh on the mid-wicket ing on a place in England’s squad for superb form this season, with his un- further back from the crease than while also assessing the TV umpire’s ngland opener Alex Hales’s boundary following a fi erce pull off their tours of Bangladesh and India beaten 220 from just 131 balls for Eng- ever before. workload and identifying the impact miserable week got worse South Africa’s Rory Kleinveldt. later this year. But he was looking for- land’s second-string Lions against Sri The issue became a talking point it will have on the flow of the game,” when he was out for a duck Russell’s departure left Notting- ward to his trip to Edgbaston. Lanka A a highlight. once again in February when Aus- said ICC umpires and referees man- during county side Notting- hamshire 90 for fi ve. “Finals Day is a pretty special occa- Despite his heavy run-scoring, the tralia’s Adam Voges, then on seven, ager Adrian Griff ith. hamshire’sE eight-run Twenty20 Blast They got their target down to 15 runs sion at one of my favourite grounds in uncapped Duckett, 21, was not includ- was given not out during a Test He added: “To ensure that the match semi-fi nal defeat by Northampton- off the last over with one wicket left the world,” Hales told the Guardian on ed for England’s upcoming fi ve-match against New Zealand in Wellington off icials are thoroughly briefed and shire at Edgbaston yesterday. but it proved beyond tailenders Jake Tuesday. one-day international series against after what replays showed was an trained for this trial, the ICC will Nottinghamshire, chasing 162 to Ball and Harry Gurney. “It will be great not to have to leave Pakistan. incorrectly called no-ball by English conduct training sessions with the win, were held to 153 for nine. Earlier, Ben Duckett’s quickfi re 84 the ball too — I’m looking forward to But he did his chances of an inter- umpire Richard Illingworth. umpires and match referee in South- Andre Russell, bidding to win two propelled Northamptonshire from 15 playing at those wide ones.” national call-up no harm with a dash- Voges went on to score 239 in a ampton (the venue for Wednesday’s domestic Twenty20 titles in a matter for three to 161 for eight. Unfortunately for Hales, he was ing 47-ball knock, including 12 fours match-defining innings. series opener) on Monday and of weeks after helping the Jamaica Tal- Hales was fined 15 % of his match bowled for a second-ball duck, trying and two sixes, against Nottingham- In the trial system to be adopted for Tuesday. lawahs to Caribbean Premier League fee, approximately £1,500 ($1,960), to drive, on Saturday after Kleinveldt shire. the five England-Pakistan ODIs, from “The results of this technology trial glory, made a rapid 39 off 18 balls, with for showing dissent towards third uprooted his off stump with a delivery Duckett was especially severe on August 24 to September 4, the ICC will be shared with the ICC cricket three sixes and four fours, for Notting- umpire Joel Wilson following his that went through a large gap between England left-arm spinner Samit Patel, said the standing umpire will not committee, which will advise the ICC hamshire. first-innings dismissal in Eng- bat and pad. reverse-sweeping and driving him for call any front-foot no balls without on future action.” But the West Indies all-rounder, land’s 10-wicket fourth Test defeat Duckett and Alex Wakely (53), the two huge sixes. Gulf Times Sunday, August 21, 2016 11 SPORT

TENNIS FOOTBALL Palace pay club record fee Murray continues for Benteke

AFP he was of his board sanctioning London such a huge fee. Benteke’s fee is over double the previous record fee paid by run, to face Raonic elgian international Palace, England international striker Christian Ben- winger Andros Townsend mov- teke became Crystal ing from Newcastle in July for ‘It’s pretty quick and there are not a lot of long rallies. That helped me tonight. I played the BPalace’s record signing £13m. as the Premier League club paid “It’s important when you lose big points well and that was the diff erence. That comes from winning big matches...’ £27million (31mn euros, $35mn) iconic players to try and replace with add ons to end his unhappy them with iconic players,” said spell at rivals Liverpool. Pardew. The 25-year-old — who cost “We’ve lost two this week, Liverpool £32.5mn when he Mile Jedinak (left for Champion- joined from Aston Villa last year ship side Aston Villa) and Yala but fell out of favour with Liver- Bolasie (signed by rivals Ever- pool manager Jurgen Klopp when ton). he replaced Brendan Rodgers — “Both were massive fi gures at said he was looking forward to this club and we will need to re- moving on. place them with big fi gures,” he “I’m very happy to commit added. my future to Crystal Palace and “That’s something that didn’t I’m looking forward to meeting always happen at (former club) the manager, the players and the Newcastle, unfortunately, so staff ,” Benteke told Palace’s offi - I’m pleased the board have been cial website. brave with this move.” “I feel really happy that the Pardew, who will be relieved to deal has been done and now I can have fnally got his man as he had look forward,” added Benteke, been left with just one fi t striker who has accrued 51 goals in four in Conor Wickham, said he had Premier League campaigns. tried to lure Benteke to Newcas- Benteke appeared to have fi red tle from his fi rst English club As- a parting shot at Klopp as his ton Villa. bio on his Twitter account read: “He’s someone I know very, “”Burnleyl FC and Belgium na- very well because I wanted to tional team” referring to the club take him to Newcastle,” said that Liverpool played later yes- Pardew. terday. However, it was removed “I thought he’d be a fantastic after some of his over 300,000 fi t for that club. He got the move twitter adherents made fun of it to Liverpool and it hasn’t quite with Benteke apologising for the worked out. ‘little mistake’. “For us, we need to get him Palace manager Alan Pardew, back to doing what he does best. who had had an earlier bid for the His style of play, the way he feeds Democratic Republic of Congo off crosses... born striker turned down, had “He’ll enjoy that with the wide said on Friday how appreciative players we have.”

Andy Murray of Great Britain hits a return to Bernard Tomic of Australia during their quarter-final match at the Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio.

Reuters “There were certain moments when Cincinnati I was in the (Wimbledon fi nal) and I thought I was really putting out all the intensity mentally. He (McEnroe) told me ndy Murray continued his gold- he felt I missed a few important moments en run with a 6-4 6-4 victory where I could have showed some intensi- over Australia’s Bernard Tomic ty. I re-watched the match and saw seven to move into the semi-fi nals of key moments. Athe Western & Southern Open in Cincin- “If I want to make the steps forward nati. in the big tournaments, that’s going to The world number two pushed through make the biggest diff erence.” the fatigue of an arduous schedule and In other quarter-fi nal action, Croatian overcame a 4-3 defi cit in the second set Angelique Kerber 12th seed Marin Cilic advanced when This file photo taken on December 26, 2015 shows Zaire-born Belgian where he won the fi nal three games to of Germany is set compatriot Borna Coric retired with a striker Christian Benteke (C), who will move to Crystal Palace from continue his spectacular run, that has to become world knee injury after dropping the fi rst set Liverpool. included his second Wimbledon crown number one. 6-2 while unseeded Bulgarian Grigor and defence of his Olympics singles title. Dimitrov beat American Steve Johnson “I think the conditions here help a lit- 7-6(8) 6-2. Rain-hit West Indies vs India Test heading for draw tle,” Murray said. Among women, Angelique Kerber “It’s pretty quick and there are not a moved within two victories of the world Port of Spain: Rain and a Former West Indies captain lot of long rallies. That helped me to- number one ranking when she beat soggy outfield continued to Viv Richards is among those night. I played the big points well and Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in their ruin the fourth Test between critical of the apparent lack of that was the diff erence. That comes from quarter-fi nal encounter. West Indies and India in Trini- modern equipment on hand winning big matches and making better need to (return) well if I want to win.” so I did a little bit of studying. I feel like I The German second seed overcame a dad yesterday. to speed up the process of decisions.” Raonic unleashed 17 aces and did not took that all in and adapted well.” slow start before fi nding some form and After a total of 22 overs were drying the outfield. Murray was last defeated by Novak face a break point during the 68-minute Raonic skipped the Olympics and in- outlasting ninth seed Navarro 4-6 6-3 bowled on the first two days, “Folks here have some ques- Djokovic in the French Open fi nal in June match that put him within two wins of stead spent time with coach John McEn- 6-0 in a match that never reached any there was no morning play on tions to answer,” he said on and will now meet Milos Raonic in the his fi rst ATP World Tour Masters 1000 roe and the two discussed the disap- great heights in front of a small crowd in the scheduled third day at the television commentary. “Not semi-fi nals after the big-serving Cana- title. pointment of losing to Murray in his fi rst steamy afternoon heat. Queen’s Park Oval in Port of having a super sopper is dian beat Austrian eighth seed Dominic “I’ve practiced with him many times, career grand slam fi nal appearance. Kerber’s task was perhaps made eas- Spain.The final match of the unacceptable.” West Indies Thiem.Raonic lost to Murray in the so to some extent I have an understand- “There were some very prolonged dis- ier by an apparently injured Navarro, series now seems destined were 62 for two in their first Wimbledon fi nal. ing of his game, like he has of mine,” cussions about how I can make a diff er- who moments after losing withdrew for a draw, with India already innings when play was halted “He’s got one of the biggest serves Raonic told the ATP Tour website. ence on that (mental) part,” Raonic told from her doubles match, citing a thigh 2-0 up in the contest. on Thursday. in the game,” Murray said. “I’ll “But it’s diff erent come match time, ESPN. complaint.

SCOTTISH SCENE Sinclair scores again as Celtic edge Saints

following a rampaging run in the 44th man, was disappointed in conceding AFP Results Glasgow minute as Celtic appeared to be cruis- sloppy goals. ing to victory. Scottish Premiership results “Celtic were much better than us but Danny Swanson reduced the ar- yesterday from our point of view the three fi rst- cott Sinclair scored his third rears from the penalty spot in the 83rd half goals were disappointing,” Wright goal since joining Celtic a minute and Steven MacLean made it St Johnstone 2 (Swanson 83-pen, said. “I thought we were much better fortnight ago as they went 3-2 in the 89th minute when Celtic MacLean 89) Celtic 4 (Griff iths 28, in the second half and that showed the Stop of the Scottish Premier- were temporarily down to 10 men as Sinclair 40, Forrest 44, Christie 90+2) character of the team.” ship with a 4-2 win over St Johnstone Liam Henderson received treatment. Aberdeen 2 (McGinn 28, Storey 58) Celtic got the goal their play and yesterday. However, substitute Ryan Chris- Partick 1 (Erskine 90+1) pressure deserved through Griffi ths in Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tie made it more comfortable for the Hearts 5 (Cowie (7, 47, Sammon 18, the 28th minute. named a strong side which contained Hoops with a stoppage-time strike. Nicholson 78, 79) Inverness CT 1 Kieran Tierney worked his way into just two changes from the midweek The victory sets Celtic up nicely for (Draper 87) the box and his cut-back from the by- Champions League win over Hapoel their trip to Israel for the second leg of Rangers 2 (Forrester 64, Miller 90+1) line was headed out to Griffi ths, who took Beer-Sheva of Israel and they domi- their crucial Champions League play- Motherwell 1 (McDonald 19) a touch before smashing a shot in off the nated the first half at McDiarmid off match on Tuesday, into which they Ross County 2 (Boyce 29, 74) Kilmar- underside of the bar via a slight defl ec- Park. take a 5-2 lead from the fi rst leg. nock 0 tion. MacLean diverted Swanson’s cross Leigh Griffi ths marked his 26th “Right through to the last 10 min- Played Friday past Gordon to set up a nervous fi nish birthday with a fi ne fi nish in the 28th utes of that game we were fi ne and had Dundee 1 (O’Hara 17) Hamilton 1 but Christie did well to drill a low shot minute to open the scoring before Sin- a brilliant team performance,” Celtic (Lyon 13) into the St Johnstone net two minutes Scott Sinclair of Celtic clair made it three goals in three do- manager Rodgers said. into stoppage time to seal the win. Rang- mestic games since joining from Aston “We should see the game out but ers top the table by a point, albeit having Donald had Motherwell in front in the Ross County are level on points with Villa earlier this month when he fi red we gave away a soft penalty and then ers was very good to get a fourth goal.” played a game more than their Old Firm fi rst half but Harry Forrester’s strike lev- Celtic after beating Kilmarnock 2-0 home in the 40th minute. conceded a goal when we were down St Johnstone manager Tommy rivals, as they came from behind to de- elled matters before Kenny Miller struck and Aberdeen moved up to fourth with James Forrest then added a third to 10 men but the reaction of the play- Wright, like Rodgers a Northern Irish- feat Motherwell 2-1 at Ibrox. Scott Mc- the winner in stoppage time. a 2-1 win over Partick Thistle.

Sunday, August 21, 2016 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

EPL LA LIGA Suarez hits hat-trick as Liverpool rocked Barca thump Betis by Burnley, City stroll past Stoke Liverpool were condemned to a first league loss at Turf Moor since 1973 when Gray ran onto Steven Defour’s pass and punished slack marking to fire home in the 37th minute Barcelona’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring against Real Betis Balompie at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona yesterday.

AFP into the area, fi nding the maraud- Barcelona ing Jordi Alba, who cut it back for Turan to prod home. Along with his two strikes ionel Messi and hat-trick against Sevilla that sealed Bar- hero Luis Suarez were in celona’s Spanish Super Cup win sensational form as they last week, the goal meant he has helped Barcelona start already scored more this season theirL title defence with a crush- than he did in his disappointing ing 6-2 win over Real Betis at the debut campaign with Barcelona. Camp Nou yesterday. While Turan is starting to come Messi scored twice and set to life in a Barca shirt, goalkeeper up another goal, dominating Claudio Bravo is set to end his proceedings, while Suarez add- time at the Camp Nou, with a ed three of his own after Arda move to Manchester City report- Turan’s opener.Ruben Castro ed to be close. struck a brace for Betis but at no Barcelona fans chanted for him stage of the game did it seem like to stay as he prepared to defend the visitors had enough to prevent Ruben Castro’s free-kick, but the Luis Enrique’s team from running Chilean goalkeeper got nowhere amok on the opening day of the near it as the ball fl ew into the new Spanish season. New sign- top-right corner. ings Samuel Umtiti and Denis The hosts reacted instantly. Suarez started for Barcelona, Turan had a half-chance to restore standing in for Javier Mascherano Barcelona’s lead but couldn’t di- and Andres Iniesta respectively, rect Sergi Roberto’s raking low as Barcelona battled with a long cross on target, before Denis Sua- list of absences. rez had a strike defl ected over and Regardless, it took just fi ve Messi cracked a strike against the minutes for the hosts to open the crossbar. scoring, with Turan putting the Eventually Messi put them fi nishing touch on a fi ne move. back ahead with a thunderbolt Messi scooped the ball diagonally from outside the box. Stoke City’s Dutch defender Erik Pieters (centre right) vies with Manchester City’s Argentinian defender Nicolas Otamendi during their English Premier League match in Stoke-on-Trent, central England. Boschilia gives Monaco win at

Ominously for City’s title rivals, Guar- Nantes AFP Stalemate keeps Leicester and Arsenal grounded London diola believes his stars still have room for improvement and, asked what pleased AFP, Paris: Gabriel Boschilia’s “We have quality players and I Leicester: Premier League champions ter United, Chelsea and Hull. him about the display, the former Bayern strike gave Monaco a 1-0 win decided to play a young team,” iverpool crashed to an embar- Leicester City and last season’s runners- Ranieri had given starts to Demarai Gray Munich and Barcelona coach said: “Eve- at Nantes yesterday, despite said Jardim. rassing 2-0 defeat at Burnley yes- up Arsenal remain without a win this and new signings Luis Hernandez and rything. I’m really impressed with the coach Leonardo Jardim mak- “Our players gave a good terday, while Manchester City season after a slow-burning 0-0 draw at Ahmed Musa at Hull, but he reverted players as human beings and with their ing wholesale changes ahead performance, even one who crushed Stoke City 4-1 to extend the King Power Stadium yesterday. to last season’s formula for the visit of performance. of their Champions League was playing for the first time LPep Guardiola’s perfect start in the Pre- “We have only had one month together. Beaten 2-1 at promoted Hull City Arsenal, three months on from his side’s play-off , second leg against (Kevin N’Doram), but it is what mier League. last weekend, Leicester avoided the title coronation. There is time to get better.” Villarreal on Tuesday. the team needs to play in four Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool enjoyed the ignominy of becoming the first English Robert Huth returned from suspen- City’s stroll in the Potteries took them Brazilian winger Boschilia competitions, because we will most eye-catching result of the Premier champions to lose their first two games sion in place of Hernandez, along with above arch rivals Manchester United on grabbed the only goal of need many options. League’s opening weekend when they won since Aston Villa in 1981. Marc Albrighton and Shinji Okazaki, goals scored. the game with a first-half “It was important to win to get 4-3 at Arsenal. But Claudio Ranieri’s side were frus- and Mendy stepped into the midfield Jose Mourinho’s United had maintained free-kick, and a toothless to four points, not because our But the Reds suff ered a nightmare in trated by two unsuccessful penalty hole created by N’Golo Kante’s move to their 100 percent start with a 2-0 win over Nantes outfit never seriously next opponent (in the league) their second match as Welsh forward Sam shouts — one in each half — and also lost Chelsea. Southampton on Friday. threatened a much-changed is PSG.” Vokes scored his fi rst top-fl ight goal in the full debutant Nampalys Mendy to an With Arsenal dominating possession Diego Costa fi red Chelsea to another Monaco team. Monaco surprisingly fell two second minute after Andre Gray pounced apparent ankle injury. on a blustery East Midlands afternoon, late victory as the Spain striker secured a Jardim’s principality side goals behind to Guingamp last on a woeful pass by Reds right-back Nath- Arsenal looked far more robust than it also allowed Leicester to adopt the 2-1 win at Watford just days after his last- claimed a 2-1 away win in Spain week before rescuing a point, aniel Clyne. Liverpool were condemned to the team beaten 4-3 by Liverpool a counter-attacking formula that saw gasp heroics saw off West Ham United. on Wednesday to close in but they started brightly at a fi rst league loss at Turf Moor since 1973 week ago and were able to welcome them storm the table in the first half of Watford boss Walter Mazzarri and on a place in the Champions the Stade de la Beaujoire on back Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil and last season. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte fell out League group stage. Saturday and forged ahead in Results Olivier Giroud from their post-Euro 2016 Arsenal were reduced to potshots, Alex during their time coaching Napoli and Bernardo Silva scored the win- the 25th minute. breaks. Oxlade-Chamberlain, in for the injured Juventus respectively and it was the Blues ner at El Madrigal in midweek, Debutant Corentin Jean, But with the season only two games Alex Iwobi, curling wide and Santi chief who had the last laugh in their fi rst after also coming off the bench signed from relegated Troyes, Stoke 1 (Bojan 49-pen) Manchester City old, both Arsene Wenger’s men and Cazorla, who replaced the hamstrung meeting in England. to grab his team a 2-2 draw at was brought down in a danger- 4 (Aguero 27-pen, 36, Nolito 86, 90+5) Leicester are already five points off the Aaron Ramsey, shooting straight at Etienne Capoue broke the deadlock in home to Guingamp last week- ous area by Diego Carlos. Burnley 2 (Vokes 2, Gray 37) Liverpool 0 pace set by Manchester City, Manches- Kasper Schmeichel. the 55th minute when Watford’s French end in their Ligue 1 opener. Boschilia, making his first Swansea 0 Hull 2 (Maloney 79, Hernan- midfi elder lashed his shot into the top cor- Portuguese coach Jardim appearance since returning dez 90+3) ner from Adlene Guedioura’s cross. made eight alterations to the from a loan spell at Belgian Tottenham 1 (Wanyama 83) Crystal But Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi starting XI that beat Villarreal, club Standard Liege, curled Palace 0 when Gray ran onto Steven Defour’s pass a 27th-minute penalty, awarded for a Ryan came off the bench to equalise in the 80th including resting Fabinho and an excellent left-footed free- Watford 1 (Capoue 55) Chelsea 2 (Batsh- and punished slack marking to fi re home Shawcross tug on Nicolas Otamendi, and minute after Heurelho Gomes weakly par- Silva, who had scored four kick past Nantes goalkeeper uayi 80, Costa 87) in the 37th minute. bagged his second in the 36th minute with ried Eden Hazard’s shot. goals in the last week between Remy Riou and into the top West Brom 1 (McAuley 9) Everton 2 “How can I be happy with this? After we a header from Kevin De Bruyne’s free- Batshuayi’s fi rst goal since his pre-sea- them. corner. (Mirallas 45+2, Barry 67) gave away the fi rst goal Burnley defended kick.Stoke got one back in the 49th minute son move from Marseille sparked Chelsea Leicester 0 Arsenal 0 for their lives,” Klopp said. when Raheem Sterling was penalised for a into life and Costa, fortunate to still be on Played Friday: Manchester United 2 Earlier, City striker Sergio Aguero net- slight push on Shawcross and Bojan Krkic the pitch after controversially avoiding a (Ibrahimovic 36, 52-pen) Southampton ted twice in the fi rst half at the Bet365 stepped up to convert the spot-kick. second booking for diving, rifl ed in from SPOTLIGHT 0 Stadium to take his goal tally to six in three But the visitors held fi rm and Spain for- a Cesc Fabregas assist in the 87th minute. Playing Today: Sunderland v Mid- games and send Guardiola’s side to the top ward Nolito scored with a pair of close- Kenya midfi elder Victor Wanyama dlesbrough (1230 GMT), West Ham v of the table with their second successive range eff orts in the 86th and 90th minutes scored his fi rst goal for Tottenham Hot- Bournemouth (1500 GMT) win. to give City manager Guardiola a third spur to clinch a 1-0 win over Crystal Pal- Lukaku will stay The Argentine opened the scoring with consecutive victory in all competitions. ace at White Hart Lane. with Everton, BOTTOMLINE says Koeman I’ll give Pogba Man Utd freedom, vows Mourinho West Bromwich: Everton in 2014. But Everton refused to manager Ronald Koeman says accept his transfer request and AFP Despite playing in a midfi eld more tactical organisation, but “For 10 days’ work, fi rst match at the Premier League summit. Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku Koeman, who was appointed as Manchester holding role, Pogba got forward this is the kind of guy that has of the season, not even 10 min- “A player that was feeling he has decided to stay at Goodison Roberto Martinez’s successor in well, making a total of four at- to play free.” Pogba’s second de- utes of a friendly, I think he was not loved. A player that when Park despite strong interest from June, revealed after Saturday’s 2-1 tempts at goal, and Mourinho but, four years on from his last played phenomenal.” the market opened, everybody Chelsea. win over West Bromwich Albion anchester United said that he was determined to United appearance, got off to an Mourinho also reserved words was saying he was leaving and Lukaku had been high on Chel- that Lukaku came to see him on manager Jose Mour- give the 23-year-old the freedom embarrassing start when he pro- of praise for Pogba’s midfi eld was not a player for me. sea’s wanted list since Antonio Friday to tell him he plans to stay. inho pledged to shape to play his natural game. duced an air-kick in midfi eld, but partner Marouane Fellaini. “Maybe a simple phone call the Conte took over as manager in the “It is true. He spoke to me his team around Paul Asked what instructions he Mourinho was delighted by the Fellaini became a fi gure of de- day after my presentation as Man close-season and the west Lon- yesterday morning to say that he PogbaM after the France midfi elder had given Pogba, Mourinho re- way he regained his composure. rision under Mourinho’s pred- United manager changed a lot doners were considering whether made the decision by himself to made a successful Old Traff ord plied simply: “Play.” “I think he was fantastic. His ecessors David Moyes and Louis because I told him: ‘Forget eve- to make a bid close to Everton’s stay at least one more season at return in a 2-0 win over South- He added: “I don’t know which fi rst action was bad. He loses an van Gaal, but the United manager rything you read. With me, you reported £75 million asking price. Everton and that is great news ampton. position he played. For a player to easy ball and gives a counter- said that he had worked hard to don’t leave, for sure.’ The 23-year-old, frustrated by for everybody,” Koeman said af- Pogba played the whole game play with the freedom he has, we attack and a fi rst free-kick to the build up the Belgium interna- “Then I think the more organ- Everton’s 11th-place fi nish in the ter Lukaku came off the bench to as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s brace have to build a certain organisa- opponent,” Mourinho said. tional’s confi dence. ised the team play, the easier for Premier League last season, was help inspire victory at the Haw- sank Southampton on Friday, a tion around him. He has to play “(But) you can see even more “Maybe a simple phone call the players to feel confi dent. He’s said to be interested in returning thorns. week after returning to United with freedom. the ego, the personality. He’s so can make a diff erence,” said the playing well, with (Michael) Car- to Chelsea, where he played for Asked if Lukaku might sign a from Juventus in a world-record “The last 10 minutes, 2-0, comfortable in the skin of a star, Portuguese, whose side provi- rick, with (Ander) Herrera, with three years before joining the Tof- new contract, Koeman added: 89mn pound transfer. now (you need) more discipline, so confi dent, the way he plays. sionally went three points clear Paul.” fees after a successful loan spell “Yes that is possible.”