FFORMULAORMULA 1 | Page 3 ATHLETICS | Page 6 Verstappen Diamond League hopes to take back with a momentum to bang in Monaco Spain tomorrow

Thursday, August 13, 2020 CRICKET Dhul-Hijjah 23, 1441 AH Doubt Anderson at GULF TIMES your peril, says Root ahead of 2nd Test SPORT Page 2 QNB STARS LEAGUE Game against Qatar SC will be diffi cult, Al Sadd’s Xavi Qatar SC had beaten the reigning champions in the first leg; Sailiya play Arabi and Ahli face Wakrah in other matches

Al Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez.

Qatar SC goalkeeping coach Wesner.

placed Al Arabi at 4pm. Both the time between the matches,” said teams lost out on the opportunity Trabelsi. to fi nish fourth in the league af- Later at Al Janoub Stadium, Al ter last round’s results — Sami Ahli face Al Wakrah at 7:30pm. Trabelsi-coached Sailiya losing Eighth-placed Al Ahli, to Rayyan 0-1 and Heimir Hall- coached by Nebojsa Jovovic, had grimsson-trained Arabi 1-2 to Al lost in Weeks 18 and 19 to Al Sha- Al Sadd’s Rodrigo Tabata (right) and Al Duhail’s Sultan al-Brake vie for the ball during their QNB Stars League match at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. Wakrah. hania and Al Sadd respectively “And about playing for the before pulling off a 1-1 draw By Sports Reporter 1-0 win over Duhail in Week 20, and our attack was very excellent will be in fi ghting mood. They are points from their draws recently fi fth place, I spoke to the play- against Umm Salal in the previ- Doha given that Qatar SC are not only from the start of the match till an organised team under Wesam against Umm Salal and Al Shaha- ers after our last game. I think we ous round. They will be keen to fi ghting relegation but also that the 60th or 70th minute. We may Rizik. nia, but need more to get out of have to keep playing well, regard- get back to winning ways. they had beaten Al Sadd 3-0 in face Al Duhail in the AFC Cham- “We are progressing for the the danger zone. less of what happens on the fi eld. Marquez Lopez-coached Al avi Hernandez’s Al Sadd the fi rst leg this season. pions League as well, so I’m very better and we are going through “In football, we should al- We must focus on things that we Wakrah are placed seventh with will be looking to earn “I am very happy with the vic- happy. a good period after winning the ways prepare at the best level to can control and not on things we 24 points. Al Wakrah, playing in all three points as they tory over Al Duhail and I think “The game against Qatar SC last three matches. It is very im- achieve the desired results, and cannot control. We must stop the top fl ight after a gap of two seek to keep the pres- that during the last six matches will be very diffi cult. As you portant for me to watch the team we must attach required impor- feeling sorry for ourselves and seasons, are coming off a 2-1 vic- Xsure on table-toppers Al Duhail against Al Duhail, we had four know, we had lost in the fi rst leg. play with a winning mentality. tance to the remaining points on keep working, trying to improve tory over Al Arabi. and second-placed Al Rayyan in wins, one draw and a loss, and The match is very important for The hat-trick of victories was off er even though we played dif- everything every day,” said Hall- their Week 21 tie against Qatar this means we have the ability to us because we seek to increase not easy and these results were fi cult matches recently. We must grimsson. TODAY’S FIXTURES SC today. beat all teams,” Xavi said during pressure on Al Duhail and Al a motivation for us and we have continue and play with a winning “Both teams are equal, and 4pm: Al Sailiya vs Al Arabi, Al The kick-off will be at 7:30pm the pre-match press conference. Rayyan. confi dence in our ability. We still mentality and do everything we did not deserve to be outside Janoub Stadium at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. “I am also very happy with the “We seek to gain three points, have a chance to win the league can to win,” Qatar SC goalkeep- the top-four bracket. Both were 7:30pm: Al Ahli vs Al Wakrah, Al But the Spanish legend reckons team’s performance and every- but it will be very diffi cult be- title even if it is remote,” added ing coach Wesner said. unlucky. We will play our usual Janoub Stadium it wouldn’t be as straightforward one made great eff orts. We played cause Qatar SC are still in the Xavi. At Al Janoub Stadium, sixth- game. We prepared for the game 7:30pm: Qatar SC vs Al Sadd, Jas- for his team, despite coming off a collectively with fi ghting spirit danger zone and therefore they Qatar SC have earned two placed Al Sailiya face fi fth- normally because there is less sim Bin Hamad Stadium

FOCUS FOOTBALL OCA announces Evaluation Asia’s World Cup qualifi ers Committee for 2030 Asiad bids postponed due to Covid-19 Agencies Committee for this very impor- bang, Indonesia in 2018, 11,300 2. Ryu Seung Min – Chair OCA Reuters November but they would not go “Further details on the new Kuwait City, Kuwait tant task. athletes from 45 National Olym- Entourage Committee Mumbai, India ahead due to the “Covid-19 situ- dates for the next round of quali- “We have many sports lead- pic Committees took part in 465 3. Mikaela Cojuangco – Member ation in many countries”. fying matches for the FIFA World ers throughout Asia with a lot events of 40 sports. Athletes Committee It’s the second time the quali- Cup 2022 and the AFC Asian he President of the Ol- of experience from the Asian The OCA has requested the 4. Jean Hammam – President NOC ualifying matches in fi ers, which also serve as the road Cup 2023 will be announced in ympic Council of Asia, Games and Olympic Games and two cities to submit their bid of Lebanon Asia for the 2022 Qa- to the 2023 Asian Cup in China, due course.” Sheikh Ahmad al-Fa- I am sure the members of this fi les by Sunday, October 4, 2020. 5. Prof. Mohamed Yunus tar World Cup have have been pushed back as matches The AFC also suspended its had al-Sabah, has an- OCA Evaluation Committee will The 19th Asian Games will be Popalzay – SG NOC of Afghani- been postponed until in March and June were also post- elite club competition, the Asian nouncedT the composition of cover every aspect of planning, held in Hangzhou, China, from stan Qnext year due to the coronavi- poned due to the pandemic. Champions League (ACL), in the OCA Evaluation Committee preparation, management and September 10-25, 2022, and 6. Azat Muradov – SG NOC of rus pandemic, world governing “With the aim of protecting early March because of the virus. to visit the two cities bidding operations of the Asian Games. the 20th Asian Games will take Turkmenistan body FIFA and the Asian Football the health and safety of all par- Qatar will be the regional hub to host the 2030 Asian Games: “The Asian Games has grown place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, 7. Battushig Batbold – First Vice Confederation said in a state- ticipants, FIFA and the AFC will for matches in West Asia when Doha, Qatar, and Riyadh, Saudi into the biggest multi-sport from September 19 to October President NOC Mongolia ment yesterday. continue to work together to the ACL resumes on Septem- Arabia. event in the world and we are 4, 2026. 8. Husain al-Musallam – Director The second round of Asian closely monitor the situation in ber 14. Malaysia was named the Sheikh Ahmad said: “I am ex- proud of this success.” General OCA qualifi ers were originally sched- the region and to identify new centralised hub in East Asia with tremely satisfi ed with the com- At the most recent Asian The Committee comprises: 9. Two representatives from the uled to take place during the inter- dates for the respective qualify- matches in the region due to re- position of the OCA Evaluation Games, in Jakarta and Palem- 1. Wei Jizhong – Chairman OCA Headquarters – Kuwait national windows in October and ing matches,” the statement said. start in October. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, August 13, 2020 CRICKET

FOCUS Doubt Anderson at your peril, says Root ahead of 2nd Test ‘Wouldn’t you give him the opportunity with nearly 600 wickets?’ Waqar hopes Pakistan can ‘cash in’ on Stokes’ absence

AFP land’s the last week, where he larly eye-catching and Waqar, Southampton, United Kingdom wasn’t fully fit to bowl because who also played international of a quad injury. cricket as a teenager, said there But fast-bowling great Waqar, was more to come. akistan assistant coach now coaching the current gen- “Naseem is very, very talented Waqar Younis said yester- eration of Pakistan quicks, was and he is still growing, his bones Pday he hopes the tourists in no doubt England would be are growing,” he explained. will be able to “cash in” on Eng- poorer for Stokes’ absence. “What a talent he is. land being without Ben Stokes “If he’s not around it’s unfortu- “I don’t think he really bowled during this week’s second Test. nate for cricket but there is no as well as we expected in the Star all-rounder Stokes is head- doubt he is a match-winner,” previous game, but he can ing to New Zealand, where his Waqar told a conference call. really bowl well and take the father is convalescing following “If he’s not around England opposition on at times. He is a serious illness and will miss will probably be a touch light young, he is inexperienced and both the second Test, which in their middle order, so we’re it gets tough at times. starts in Southampton on going to talk about that and try “All he needs to do is probably Thursday, as well as the series to cash in. get stronger and fitter. Pakistan finale, which also takes place “He’s the kind of batsman who over the years has produced at Hampshire’s headquarters takes the game away from you some real quality fast bowl- ground. — single-handedly at times. But ers. In the last two and a half... As well as being a good-enough the way we bowled at him in the three decades, I know. If he batsman to feature in the top or- previous game showed we had keeps himself fit and strong and der, paceman Stokes is capable of very clear plans and executed keeps bowling I’m sure he has match-changing spells with the really well.” the potential to become a very ball and is an inspirational figure Pakistan’s well-balanced pace good bowler.” within the England set-up. trio, comprising the accurate A scheduled of three back-to- He cemented the position last Mohamed Abbas, towering left- back Tests is particular gruelling year during England’s World armer Shaheen Afridi and teen- for fast bowlers but Waqar was Cup final triumph and in leading age speedster Naseem Shah, all confident fatigue has yet to aff ect the side to a stunning one-wick- impressed in Manchester. Pakistan’s quicks this series. et win in the third Test against “I’m sure these guys are still Australia at Headingley with an ‘TALENTED NASEEM’ capable and have plenty of gas unbeaten century. The performance of the 17-year- left in the tank to tackle this Test Stokes, however, had a modest old Naseem in hitting speeds of match and after that we’ll see match with the bat during Eng- some 90 mph has been particu- how it goes,” he said.

Pakistan assistant coach Waqar Younis England’s James Anderson (second from right) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Babar Azam on the second day has high expectations of the opening Test at Old Traff ord in Manchester, United Kingdom, on August 6, 2020. (AFP) of fast bowler Naseem Shah. (AFP) AFP this season at an expensive aver- the peak of his powers and I’m art Broad has been in fi ne form Southampton, United Kingdom age of over 41 apiece. very much looking forward to this season with 22 wickets from But Anderson, speaking earlier him performing this week,” Root three Tests at a miserly average of this week, bristled at suggestions added. just over 12. ngland captain Joe Root he was contemplating retirement Anderson is just 10 away from Broad, however, found himself said it would be “silly” to and Root had no hesitation in becoming the fi rst paceman to in trouble when fi ned and handed write off James Anderson backing him, even if the skipper take 600 wickets in Tests and a demerit point for breaching the as he announced the vet- was coy about who else might Root said: “To question Jimmy’s ICC code of conduct when for his eranE seamer would “likely” play be in England’s team for the sec- ability and his record — do that at abusive send-off of Yasir Shah in this week’s second Test against ond Test in Southampton, which your own peril. after he dismissed the Pakistan Pakistan. starts today. “There’s a reason he’s got so tailender during the fi rst Test. By his own admission the “Jimmy is likely to play, yes,” many wickets over such a long The punishment was imposed by 38-year-old Anderson, England’s Root told reporters. period of time: it’s because he’s a his match referee father Chris. all-time leading wicket-taker, was “Wouldn’t you give him the consistent performer. “It was disappointing for that not at his best with a match haul of opportunity with nearly 600 “I don’t think it’ll be long until to happen,” said Root. 1-67 during the hosts’ win in the wickets? he’s back in the wickets big time. “I’m sure that was a frosty con- fi rst Test at his Old Traff ord home “To get that stuff off his chest versation with his Dad, at some ground last week. and talked about has defi nitely ‘FROSTY CONVERSATION’ point, last week, but you know Anderson has now taken just helped him. With Jimmy it won’t By contrast, Anderson’s long- he’ll look to move on. He knows six wickets in three Tests so far be long before he’s right back at standing new-ball partner Stu- that he’s got to set an example.”

Uncapped Robinson Pakistan’s Hafeez in isolation aft er golf course in England squad virus breach AFP the two-metre guideline for social distancing, Uncapped Sussex seamer Ollie Southampton, United Kingdom the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Robinson was included yesterday later yesterday the all-rounder would be in England’s 14-man squad for the isolated. second Test. akistan’s Mohamed Hafeez has been “This morning, Mohamed Hafeez went to a The 26-year-old trained with the forced to self-isolate after breaching golf course, which is adjacent to the team squad during the West Indies series Pcoronavirus protocols by meeting hotel and part of the bio-secure bubble,” said and took eight Hampshire wickets a member of the public while playing golf a PCB statement. during his subsequent appearance in ahead of the second Test against England, “During the golf round, he was photographed the Bob Willis Trophy — the first-class team management said yesterday. with a member of the public, which he subse- competition that is replacing the Hafeez tweeted a photograph of himself taken quently posted on his social media account. County Championship in a season cut with a woman on the golf course near Paki- “As it was evident from the photograph that short by the coronavirus. stan’s onsite hotel at the Ageas Bowl, where the Hafeez had breached the two-metre social But whether he makes a Test debut at second Test starts today. distancing protocol and following a consulta- Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl ground today “Met an inspirational young lady today tion process with the team doctor, the team could depend on how the England (Wednesday) morning at golf course. She is management has decided to isolate him until attack that played in a three-wicket 90+ & living her life healthy & happily. Good he returns a negative Covid-19 test. win in the first of a three-match series healthy routine,” he wrote. “Hafeez underwent the Covid-19 test late recovers from their exertions at Old But with the photograph clearly showing Ha- Wednesday afternoon and the result is ex- Traff ord last week. feez and the unnamed individual were within pected at some stage on Thursday.”

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Chennai Super Kings expects Dhoni to play until 2022 Broad says dad off

Reuters player, and he can play as has only fuelled speculation New Delhi, India long as he is fi t,” CSK chief about his India future. Christmas card executive Kasi Viswanathan His CSK team mate Shane told Reuters by telephone. Watson said Dhoni’s wicket- ahendra Singh “We expect him to play for keeping skills, combined his list aft er sanction Dhoni’s In- CSK until the 2022 edition, ability to work hard, could Reuters dian Premier that is our expectations. help prolong his career. Southampton, United Kingdom League (IPL) “As far as CSK is con- “MS still loves playing,” Mteam expects him to play cerned, he has been the most the former Australia all- until the 2022 edition of the crucial player for us, there’s rounder told Times of India ngland quick Stuart Broad says his father, match Twenty20 league even as no doubt about that. He newspaper earlier this week. referee Chris Broad, is off his Christmas card list speculation is rife about the has been our long-standing “He is an evergreen crick- after he fi ned him for giving Pakistan’s Yasir Shah enigmatic 39-year-old’s in- captain.” eter and it feels like he just a send-off in the fi rst Test. ternational future. Under Dhoni, who led doesn’t age. Look, with the EThe bowler was fi ned 15 percent of his match fee and Dhoni last played for In- them since the inaugural kind of skills he has and the given a demerit point for his behaviour on Saturday as dia in the semi-fi nals of last 2008 edition of the tourna- hard yards he puts in, MS England went on to clinch the series opener in Manches- year’s World Cup in Eng- ment, CSK won the IPL title can go on and play into his ter by three wickets. land and the Chennai Super in 2010, 2011 and 2018. 40s.” After England’s ‘Barmy Army’ supporters group Kings (CSK) captain will be Dhoni, who led India to “MS has been able to tweeted the news of his sanction on Tuesday, Broad said seen in action again at the World Cup titles in 2007 manage his body well... I am of his father: “He’s off the Christmas card & present list.” Indian Premier League (IPL) (T20) and 2011 (ODI), was a big fan of MS and would Chris Broad would not normally offi ciate in a match in the United Arab Emirates dropped from India’s list of want to see him continue involving his son but he is overseeing all six of England’s next month. centrally contracted players playing whether it’s for CSK home Tests this summer because of travel restrictions “He is a supremely fi t in January and his silence or internationally.” imposed to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Gulf Times Thursday, August 13, 2020 3 SPORT

FORMULA 1 GOLF Masters to be held Max hopes to take without patrons in 2020 due to virus

Reuters jor championship of the Cov- Toronto, Canada id-19 era, played without fans at last week’s PGA Championship momentum to Spain in San Francisco. he Masters, which brings The September 17-20 US Open together the world’s in Mamaroneck, New York, will Dutchman became F1’s youngest ever winner at Circuit de Catalunya in 2016 best golfers in one of the also have no fans on site while sport’s four majors, will this year’s British Open, sched- lenge,” he said last Sunday when Tbe held without patrons in No- uled to be held in July at Royal St Reuters London, United Kingdom asked about expectations. vember because of the Covid-19 George’s in Kent, was cancelled. Bottas started on pole in outbreak, Augusta National Golf The PGA Tour has yet to allow Spain last year and needs to pull Club said yesterday. fans attend any tournament since ax Verstappen re- something out of the bag to rein Organisers had been examin- it returned to action in June from turns to the scene in a team mate who is driving as ing how best to host the global a three-month Covid-19 hiatus, of his fi rst Formula well as ever. sporting event ever since the a move that will carry though the One triumph on Losing out at Silverstone, af- pandemic forced the postpone- circuit’s 2019-20 season fi nale at MSunday, hoping to pile more ter also starting on pole but hav- ment of the tournament, tradi- the September 4-7 Tour Cham- pressure on championship ing the strategy go against him, tionally held during the fi rst full pionship. leader Lewis Hamilton in Spain was a serious blow. week of April at Augusta Na- The Masters, known for the after winning at Silverstone last The top three will be taking tional. beauty of its layout and deaf- Sunday. every precaution against the “Throughout this process, we ening roars that echo through The 22-year-old Red Bull new coronavirus, with a rising have consulted with health of- towering pines lining a pristine driver has stood on the podium number of new infections being fi cials and a variety of subject course, attracts spectators from at the last four races and is now seen in Spain and particularly matter experts,” Augusta Na- all over the world. the closest challenger to Mer- around Barcelona. tional Chairman Fred Ridley said As the only permanent home cedes’ six-times world cham- “I stay at the track always, so in a statement. for one of golf’s four majors, the pion, with 30 points separating nothing changes for me,” said “Ultimately, we determined allure of the Augusta National them. Hamilton. “I stay in my bubble, that the potential risks of wel- has made tickets to the Masters It would be a lot less if Ver- I’m only around a couple of peo- coming patrons and guests to among the most coveted in all of stappen, who has beaten Hamil- ple and so I will get to the airport our grounds in November are sports. ton’s Finnish team mate Valtteri and then go straight to my mo- simply too significant to over- “Even in the current circum- Bottas in the last three races, torhome and stay at the track for come.” stances, staging the Masters had not suff ered the fi rst retire- the three/four days.” Ridley said Augusta National, without patrons is deeply dis- ment of the season in Austria Verstappen and Bottas said it which will host the Masters from appointing,” said Ridley. “The last month. was the same for them. November 12-15, will “hopeful- guests who come to Augusta each “It’s a diff erent track so let’s Red Bull driver Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix “You minimise contact, you ly” be able to welcome patrons spring from around the world are see how competitive we are at Silverstone on Sunday. (AFP) stay in your bubble. I don’t ex- back in April 2021. a key component to making the against Mercedes and how the pect any trouble. It’s not only Golf is coming off its fi rst ma- tournament so special. temperatures have an impact on This year’s race, postponed also quite hard on the tyres so there will be a return to harder in Barcelona or in Spain there everyone,” the Dutchman said of due to the Covid-19 pandemic I’m not sure how they will hold rubber in Spain. is corona, you know, so you the Circuit de Catalunya. that has also led to it going be- out in the heat,” said Verstap- That could help Hamilton, just have to be careful,” said the Verstappen will always have a hind closed doors, is normally pen. who had won three races in a Dutchman. McGill makes fast start to World soft spot for the Barcelona track held in the cooler month of May The tyres were decisive last row before Verstappen’s success Racing Point’s Mexican Ser- after becoming Formula One’s rather than August where track Sunday, with the Red Bull man- and has also won the last three gio Perez, who missed the two Snooker semi-fi nal youngest ever winner there on temperatures are likely to be aging the softer compounds outings in Spain. rounds at Silverstone after test- his Red Bull debut in 2016 at the above 40 degrees Celsius. better than the Mercedes which “Maybe it won’t be as bad as ing positive for Covid-19, could Anthony McGill made a fast start to his World Snooker Champion- age of 18. “The track at Barcelona is suff ered severe blistering, but today but still going to be a chal- return for Sunday’s race. ship semi-final against Kyren Wilson as the Scot raced into a 6-2 lead yesterday. The 29-year-old is playing in his first World Champi- onship semi-final, but he showed no signs of nerves as he won the CYCLING first three frames at Sheff ield’s Crucible Theatre. McGill rounded Serena sets up Venus clash on return off a superb performance with a break of 92 to secure a four-frame advantage against eighth seeded Wilson. McGill showed no ill aft er Covid-19 hiatus eff ects from his late night quarter-final finish against Kurt Maflin as Bernal wants ‘important’ he stormed into a 2-0 lead with breaks of 83 and 78 respectively. Reuters Wilson ran out of position on the green when on a break of 55 in Lexington, United States the third frame and a poor safety allowed McGill to extend his lead. Froome for Tour de France In the seventh, McGill missed a simple blue to the middle when on the cusp of going 6-1 in front. Wilson stepped in to clear the erena Williams made a win- AFP biggest goal,” Bernal added. colours and reduce the deficit. But McGill recovered to wrap up a ning return to competitive Paris, France Jumbo-Visma’s Wout Van Aert fol- highly satisfactory first session with one of his biggest breaks of Stennis on Tuesday as she rallied lowed up his Milan-Sanremo victory the tournament to re-establish his four-frame lead. from a set down to beat Bernarda on Sunday by pipping the third-placed Pera 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 at the Top Seed our de France champion Egan Colombian in a sprint fi nish near Saint- Open in Lexington, Kentucky, on Bernal said yesterday he wants Etienne with South African Daryl Impey World cycling championships in Tuesday in her first match of the Ineos teammate and four-time in second. Switzerland cancelled Covid-19 era. winner Chris Froome alongside This season’s Dauphine has been Williams was five points from falling Thim at this year’s race, as the Colombian shortened and moved due to the coro- The world cycling championships, due to take place from Septem- to the American left-hander in the fi nished third and the British rider a lowly navirus pandemic with Froome, who ber 20-27 in Aigle-Martigny in Switzerland, have been cancelled second set but suddenly showcased 86th at yesterday’s opening stage of the fi nished 5min 23sec behind Van Aert, re- because of restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Swiss her fighting spirit and pulled away Criterium du Dauphine. turning to a race which almost fi nished federal authorities yesterday banned gatherings of more than one to set up a second-round showdown Reports in the French and Italian me- his career last year when he had a serious thousand people until September 30. “Because of this, it is impossi- with older sister Venus, a 6-3, 6-2 dia over the weekend claimed Froome accident. ble to organise the world championships,” the organisers said. “We winner over Victoria Azarenka. is a doubt to make Ineos’ squad for the “Apparently I have good legs. I came are, of course, disappointed,” UCI President David Lappartient said. “It’s good just in general because I in my career so this was totally dif- Grand Boucle which begins on August to the hotel really tired yesterday and the “This naturally leads the UCI to think about an alternative solution. haven’t played. A lot of players have ferent,” said Serena. “Being in New 29. team still did a perfect job for me today,” From today, I will therefore work to guarantee the staging of the been playing — little things and little York will be a little diff erent because Froome, 35, who won the last of his Van Aert told France Televisions. world championships in their entirety or in part, if possible on a matches and playing against other there’s this massive stadium.” Tour titles in 2017 and will join Israel Today’s 135-kilometre second stage circuit just as steep.” He said that a final decision on holding the players — but I’ve only been training Venus, who fell in the first round at Start-Up Nation at the end of the sea- heads from the town of Vienne up to the championships in 2020 would be taken no later than September 1. so this was really good for me,” said the Australian Open, Acapulco, and son, slowed down with less than four Col de Porte and includes three steep Serena, who is gearing up for the Monterrey earlier this year, cruised kilometres to go in eastern France and climbs. August 31-September 13 US Open. through her clash of former world failed to keep up the pace with the pelo- Jakobsen to return to Netherlands The Top Seed Open, the first WTA number ones as she turned aside the ton. STAGE RESULT (TOP 10) aft er Tour of Poland crash Tour tournament in the US since one break point she faced during an “He’s a rider who has a lot of expe- 1. Wout Van Aert (JUM) 5:27:42 the Covid-19 outbreak halted play, 80-minute win over Azarenka. rience. For sure, to have a seven-time 2. Daryl Impey (MIT) same time Dutch cyclist Fabio Jakobsen’s condition is “evolving favourably” provided a taste of what is to come In other action, former US Open Grand Tour winner in the team is some- 3. Egan Bernal (INE) after his crash at the Tour of Poland and he will be moved back to for the 38-year-old American as champion Sloane Stephens was up- thing important. So yes, for sure I would 4. Alejandro Valverde (MOV) the Netherlands for further treatment, his team Deceuninck-Quick she bids for a record-equalling 24th set by Canadian Leylah Fernandez, like to have him in the team,” Bernal told 5. Tadej Pogacar (UAE) Step have said. The 23-year-old was put in a medically-induced Grand Slam title in New York, with Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putinseva beat British broadcaster ITV. 6. Alexey Lutsenko (ASY) coma and underwent facial surgery after crashing at the finish empty, silent stands taking the place Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic and Coco “I’m feeling good but we’ll see tomor- 7. Sergio Higuita (EF1) line in the first stage of the race. “Jakobsen’s condition is evolving of roaring crowds. Gauff beat fellow American Caroline row and during the week. But as we al- 8. Benoit Cosnefroy (ALM) favourably, to the extent that he will be transferred Wednesday “I’ve been through so many things Dolehide. ways say the most important thing is to 9. Primoz Roglic (JUM) to the hospital in Leiden, the Netherlands, where further follow- arrive well at ‘le Tour’ that will be our 10. Guillaume Martin (COF) up treatment will take place,” Deceuninck-Quick Step said in a statement on Tuesday. Jakobsen had been jostling into position with competitor Dylan Groenewegen when the pair collided and BOTTOMLINE Jakobsen crashed into the barriers, hitting a race off icial. Ferrari change Vettel’s chassis for Bubbles, fans, full prize money at Australian Open Spanish GP

Reuters ing to another time of the year,” October could be looked at, he Sebastian Vettel will have a new chassis for Sunday’s Spanish Mumbai, India he added. added. Grand Prix after Ferrari said yesterday they had found damage “And scenario fi ve is no event Tiley said organisers had em- to the one he used at Silverstone last weekend. The four-times at all.” ployed a “global expert” to help Formula One world champion, who is leaving Ferrari at the end of he 2021 Australian Open set up the bio-security bubbles the year, is having a tough season and is languishing 13th overall could be moved to later ‘THE WAY WE WERE’ and testing facilities in Perth, with just 10 points from five races so far. To put that into perspec- in the year due to Cov- Tiley was confi dent of being Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and tive, Monegasque teammate Charles Leclerc has scored 45 while id-19 but tournament able to welcome some 400,000 Melbourne, which will allow Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg — a stand-in for Mexican Sergio Perez Tdirector Craig Tiley told Reuters fans to Melbourne Park in 2021, players to acclimatise and train at Racing Point — has six from one race. “Sebastian will have a new that organisers are confi dent of about half the number that at- for the Grand Slam. chassis because after the Silverstone post-race analysis we spotted hosting the Grand Slam in its tended this year’s tournament. The Australian Open, which a small fault caused by a heavy impact over a kerb,” said head of usual January slot with full prize The vast site, which covers has been held in Melbourne chassis engineering Simone Resta. “It would not have had much of money and fans in the stands. an area of about 2.5 kilometres, since 1972, is the primary source an eff ect on performance, but it was the logical decision to take.” Melbourne is in the midst allows organisers to enforce of revenue for TA and the last of a full lockdown after a sec- physical distancing eff ectively, edition had a direct economic ond spike in Covid-19 cases but while the wearing of masks will impact of A$387mn ($277mn) Williams follow McLaren in dropping Tiley and his team have been be mandatory. on Melbourne, Tiley said. Racing Point appeal working since shortly after the In this February 3, 2020, picture, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic kisses the “We’ve established a strategy TA expects turnover and 2020 edition fi nished to draw up Australian Open men’s singles winner’s trophy in Melbourne. (Reuters) and an operational plan for all revenue from the next edition Former champions Williams joined McLaren yesterday in dropping strategies to ensure next year’s our fans and how they will be to decrease by a double-digit plans to appeal a stewards decision against Formula One rivals Rac- tournament goes ahead. ecutive added in a video call. fi re smoke that threatened this positioned around the site,” he percentage but they would not ing Point. The matter will still go to the governing FIA’s International Ticket sales will start in Oc- “When the players arrive, our year’s tournament, has put a said. be reducing the A$71mn prize Court of Appeal after Ferrari and Renault confirmed their intention tober and fi ve “bio-secure bub- expectation is they’re not going business and operational plan Tiley said they would consult purse. to take the matter forward. The FIA confirmed Racing Point, who bles” will be opened across the to be in a hotel for 14 days like in place for each of the scenarios with the main tours if they were “I’m optimistic and positive argue they have done nothing wrong, were also appealing. McLaren, country six weeks before the the current requirements are. they came up with. forced to reschedule, not act that we’ll have an event and it’ll who will switch from Renault to Mercedes engines next season, said tournament begins to allow We’ll have an exemption within The fi rst scenario was the unilaterally as the organisers of be in Melbourne,” said Tiley, on Tuesday they had dropped plans to appeal. Racing Point’s car is players arriving in Australia to this bio-secure bubble. event being held in much the the French Open did when they adding that TA had cash re- a visual copy of last year’s Mercedes, who provide their engines and avoid the most restrictive quar- “We’ve said every year that same way as 2020, while the moved their event from May to serves of A$80mn to lean on in gearbox, and the argument is about what it means to be a construc- antine measures, Tiley said. we’re the ‘happy slam’. But now second was a tournament with the end of September. the event the tournament had to tor and how much of the car has to be designed in-house. They were “We’re going to open our bio we’re saying we’re the ‘very safe limited crowds, said Tiley. The Australian winter would be cancelled. fined 400,000 euros and docked 15 constructors’ championship bubble from the fi rst of December and happy slam.’” “Scenario three was behind rule out the months of May to “It will have some crowds and points after Renault protested the brake ducts on the car. The team and players can come at any time,” TA’s crisis management team, closed doors, a broadcast-only July as prospective windows it’ll be the beginning of kind of are allowed to continue racing with it, however. Tennis Australia’s (TA) chief ex- set up because of the bush- event. Scenario four was mov- but March-April or September- getting back to the way we were.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, August 13, 2020 SPORT

NBA NHL Point’s Lightning strike sinks Columbus Lillard scores 61 as in marathon duel

AFP Bjorkstrand made it 2-1 to Co- Montreal lumbus in the second period. Yanni Gourde then bagged his fi rst goal of the playoff s rayden Point scored in the third period to level for Blazers stride the winner in quin- Tampa Bay, jabbing the puck tuple overtime as the under Korpisalo who inadvert- Tampa Bay Light- ently knocked it over the line ningB defeated the Columbus with his pad. Blue Jackets 3-2 on Tuesday For long periods of over- in the fourth-longest game in time, there was little to choose Stanley Cup playoff history. between the two sides, until A nail-biting opening duel Point fi nally scored the winner towards playoff s at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena that sent the Lightning bench lasted an incredible six hours into wild celebrations. and 13 minutes after multiple “They’re still a bunch of ‘It’s an honour to be in company with Wilt. Hopefully it can continue’ periods of overtime failed to kids,” Lightning coach Jon separate the two teams until Cooper said. “They compete Point’s winner. their asses off and they get AFP “I don’t know how Orlando many guys have been RESULTS in a game that long, but that was some- Tampa Bay 3-2 Columbus amian Lillard exploded for 61 thing for sure,” Point Calgary 3-2 Dallas points on Tuesday as the Port- said afterwards. Las Vegas 4-1 Chicago land Trail Blazers roared towards “It’s tiring for sure, a place in the NBA playoff s with but then it gets fun at aD thrilling 134-131 win over the Dallas some point. It was an exciting damn excited when they score, Mavericks. one for sure. I thought both especially when they score in Lillard - who had scored 51 points in a teams had good chances.” the fi fth overtime.” victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on The marathon battle was so Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Sunday - once again led from the front for long it forced the postpone- Calgary Flames took a 1-0 lead Portland, who are now within touching ment of the Boston Bruins and in their Western Conference distance of a postseason berth. Carolina Hurricanes’ opening opening round series with the The Blazers talisman nailed a clutch fi rst round game, which was Dallas Stars after a 3-2 win in three-pointer in the closing stages to level due to take place at the arena Game 1. the score at 130-130 and then provided after the Lightning-Blue Jack- Dillon Dube scored twice the assist that saw Portland take a 132-130 ets game. It was the longest for Calgary in the fi rst period lead with just under a minute remaining. game seen in the playoff s since to put the Flames into a com- The win vaulted Portland above the 2000, when the Philadelphia manding 2-0 lead. Memphis Grizzlies into the eighth and Flyers and Pittsburgh Pen- But goals from the Stars’ fi nal playoff spot in the Western Con- guins also went to fi ve periods Denis Gurianov and Jamie ference standings with 34 wins and 39 of overtime. Benn made it 2-2 in the second defeats. The eighth- and ninth-placed Blue Jackets goaltender Joo- period before Rasmus Anders- teams in the West will advance to an elim- nas Korpisalo made 85 saves son restored Calgary’s lead at ination game this weekend to determine - itself a record for a National 3-2. Hockey League game. Light- “You can’t lose a series in RESULTS ning counterpart Andrei Vasi- the fi rst game, so we tried to levskiy made 61 saves. come out and get momentum Brooklyn 108-96 Orlando Pierre-Luc Dubois had fi red our way and build off of it,” San Antonio 123-105 Houston Columbus into the lead after Dube said. two minutes 39 seconds of the “I think it was a good battle Phoenix 130-117 Philadelphia fi rst period on a power play. for us, a good test to be able to Boston 122-107 Memphis Point then levelled after shut it down. I think we just Portland 134-131 Dallas 6:26 of the fi rst before Oliver need to keep rolling with it.” Sacramento 112-106 New Orleans Milwaukee 126-113 Washington who claims the fi nal postseason berth from the conference. Tuesday’s combination of results else- where left everything to play for heading into the fi nal round of seeding games on Thursday, with Portland, Memphis, the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs still mathematically in with a chance of claim- ing eighth or ninth place. Portland, however, remain in the driv- ing seat. A win on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets will assure them of a place in the play-in game. Lillard’s 61-point eff ort made him only the second player in NBA history to score 60 points or more in three games during a single season, putting him alongside Wilt Chamberlain. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard shoots a three point basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of their NBA “I’m happy to be in that kind of compa- game at The Field House in Florida. (USA TODAY Sports) ny, and I’m happy that two of those three (60-point games) came in a winning ef- Elsewhere Tuesday, Phoenix’s unbeat- face the Eastern Conference top seeds Phoenix Suns would be in this position fort,” Lillard said. en streak inside the Orlando “bubble” Milwaukee in their fi nal game on Thurs- before this started. “Tonight couldn’t have been better stretched to seven games after yet another day. “Our guys have just battled, and ex- timing for that type of game. It’s an hon- high-scoring display from Devin Booker Phoenix, who have won all seven of ecuted, and made the plays necessary to our to be in company with Wilt. Hopefully in a victory over Philadelphia. their games since the restart, take on the give us a chance.” it can continue.” Booker scored 35 points in a 130-117 win Dallas Mavericks. An eighth win against Booker, meanwhile, insists Phoenix will over a severely depleted Sixers side miss- Dallas, and a Grizzlies loss against the be satisfi ed even if they don’t reach the RISING SUNS ing Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Bucks, would put the Suns into the play- playoff s. Lillard’s latest masterclass was comple- It was Booker’s fi fth 30-point scoring in round. “That’s life, man,” Booker said. mented with 26 points from veteran Car- display in seven games since the NBA re- Even if Phoenix win on Thursday to “We’re controlling what we can control melo Anthony, while Zach Collins and started its season in Orlando. make it eight wins out of eight, they could and that’s the eight games we play in. Gary Trent Jr had 11 points each. The Suns’ win, combined with San An- still be eliminated depending on results “I’m proud of my guys regardless. For the Mavericks, Kristaps Porzingis tonio’s 123-105 victory over Houston and elsewhere. We came in with the right mindset. We led the scoring with 36 points, while Luka Memphis’s 122-107 defeat to the Boston “We know we’re not totally in control of locked in and made the sacrifi ces we had Doncic added 25 with 10 assists and eight Celtics, leaves the race for the eighth and our fate but we’ve put ourselves in a good to make. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point celebrates scoring rebounds. ninth places on a knife edge. position,” Phoenix coach Monty Williams “I don’t think there’s going to be any the winning goal in the fifth period of overtime for a 3-2 win over Tim Hardaway Jr scored 24 points with The Grizzlies, who have lost six of their said after Tuesday’s win. sad faces around here, whether we make Columbus in game one of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup four rebounds. seven games since the league restarted, “Nobody would have guessed that the the playoff s or not.” Playoff s at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. (USA TODAY Sports)

FOCUS Payne is Thibodeau’s fi rst hire for coaching staff

Reuters Payne has a long relationship of sportswriters and broadcast- Thunder’s Schroder returns to NBA bubble New York with Knicks president Leon Rose ers who have covered the season and senior vice president Wil- restart at the ESPN Wide World Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder returned to the liam Wesley. of Sports Complex near Orlando. NBA bubble near Orlando after he and his wife welcomed their ew York Knicks new Payne averaged 3.5 points per The winners will be an- second child, according to a report published in The Oklahoman on head coach Tom Thi- game after a four-year career in nounced on Saturday before Tuesday afternoon. bodeau pried Kenny the NBA with the Philadelphia Game 1 of the Western Confer- Schroder, 26, must quarantine for at least four days before he is able Payne away from Ken- 76ers. He played in 144 games (13 ence play-in game, scheduled to return to the court. Ntucky for the fi rst addition to starts) after winning a national for 2:30pm. ET. He is expected to miss Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat, his coaching staff , the team an- championship at the University The NBA previously an- but it is possible that he could return for Friday’s game against the nounced. Payne, 53, spent the of Louisville. Payne was taken in nounced the 2019-20 fi nalists Los Angeles Clippers. past decade with Kentucky head the fi rst round of the 1989 NBA for Most Valuable Player, Rookie In 64 games (one start) this season, Schroder is averaging 18.9 coach John Calipari. draft by the Sixers. of the Year, Defensive Player of points and 4.0 assists. “I’m thrilled that Kenny has the Year, Most Improved Player, He is shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from joined my staff as an assist- NBA TO HONOR TOP PLAYERS Sixth Man of the Year and Coach beyond the arc, both career highs. ant coach. He has an outstand- FROM SEEDING GAMES of the Year. Schroder recently was named as a finalist for the NBA’s Sixth Man of ing ability to forge relationships Players who performed the best Voting by a media panel for the Year award. with players and improve their under unique conditions in the those awards, in addition to the The other two players up for the honour are Lou Williams and Mont- skills,” Thibodeau said in a state- NBA bubble will receive a unique All-NBA Team, NBA All-Rookie rezl Harrell, both of whom play for the Clippers. ment. “He knows what it takes honor, the league announced Team and NBA All-Defensive The native of Germany spent five seasons with the Atlanta Hawks to win and has learned from one Tuesday. Team, was based on games before joining the Thunder last season. of the best coaches there is in The NBA Player of the Seed- played from the start of the He provides the Thunder with capable depth in the backcourt John Calipari. Kenny will be a ing Games and an All-Seeding regular season through March behind starting guards Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. tremendous addition to our or- Games First Team and Second 11 and did not include seeding (Reuters) ganization.” Team will be selected by a panel games. Kenny Payne Gulf Times Thursday, August 13, 2020 5 SPORT

MLB SPOTLIGHT Laureano, Cintron banned over Rendon’s homer Astros-Athletics brawl

AFP made by Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles vice president of operations Chris Young. Laureano said on Monday he akland Athletics out- had reacted after Cintron refer- sparks Angels to fi elder Ramon Laure- enced his mother in an abusive ano and Houston As- tirade from the dugout. tros hitting coach Alex “For him to say that to me CintronO were slapped with sus- about my mom, it doesn’t sit pensions on Tuesday for their well,” Laureano told ESPN. roles in a bench-clearing inci- “I’ve got a fi re inside me right dent involving the two teams, away in that second.” Major League Baseball said. In a statement on Tuesday, win over Athletics Cintron has been hit with a Cintron apologised for his be- hefty 20-game ban and an un- haviour - but denied insulting disclosed fi ne for “inciting and Laureano’s mother. ‘It tells me one thing, that for the most part, he’s not expanding the strike zone’ escalating” a fl ashpoint involv- “I accept MLB’s suspension ing Laureano during the Athlet- and will learn from this,” Cin- ics’ victory in Oakland on Sun- tron said. “Although I never day. referenced Ramon’s mother, my Laureano, who was banned for actions were inappropriate. six games, lost his cool after be- “I apologize for my part in ing struck by a pitch for the third Sunday’s unfortunate incident. time in the series. As coaches, we are held to a When Cintron appeared to higher standard and should be goad him, Laureano charged to- an example to the players. wards the dugout, triggering a “Hopefully, other coaches will mass altercation involving play- learn from my mistake so that ers from both sides. this never happens again in the Tuesday’s punishments were future.”

Oakland Athletics right fielder Ramon Laureano charges towards the Houston Astros dugout during the seventh inning of their MLB game at the Oakland Coliseum. (USA TODAY Sports)

Chargers’ Lynn reveals earlier Covid-19 diagnosis

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn team that handles this thing the revealed on “Hard Knocks: best is going to have the best Los Angeles” that he tested chance of winning that trophy.” Los Angeles Angels infielder Anthony Rendon hits a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, USA. (USA TODAY Sports) positive for Covid-19 during Lynn, 51, is the third NFL head the off season. The news came coach to acknowledge that winning streak. 107 pitches in a complete-game, one- By Mike DiGiovanna RESULTS in the opening scene of the he had tested positive for the Los Angeles Times Rendon also hit a two-run homer, run, four-hit, 10-strikeout win over HBO mainstay, which this year virus, joining Sean Payton of the Orioles 10-9 Phillies walked twice, singled and scored three Seattle on Thursday, wasn’t quite as effi - features the Chargers and the New Orleans Saints and Doug Rockies 8-7 D’backs runs in Monday night’s win. He singled cient against the A’s, needing 103 pitches, Rams. “I can’t promise you Pederson of the Philadelphia or all of Anthony Rendon’s strug- in the fi rst inning on Tuesday and walked 68 of them strikes, to complete seven in- you’re not gonna get infected. I Eagles. In a scene later in the gles to make consistent contact Angels 6-0 A’s in the eighth, raising his batting average nings. But he dominated the A’s with a got infected,” he told his players show, Lynn talked with Dr. Herb in his fi rst 12 games, Los Angeles Padres 6-2 Dodgers from .103 to .174 in two games. He has a four-pitch mix that featured an 81-mph via a Zoom meeting. He used his Martin, the team psychologist, Angels manager Joe Maddon saw Rays 8-2 Red Sox .415 on-base percentage and 17 walks on slider, an 83-mph changeup, a 91-mph case as both an inspiration and and told him of the diagnosis. oneF reason for encouragement that his the season. fastball and a 74-mph curve, with six a warning to his team. “I didn’t know you had the virus,” new third baseman was on the verge of Cubs 7-1 Indians “If you look at the defi nition of toasty, of his strikeouts coming on sliders and “Fellas, this year is not like any Martin said. “Yeah, I didn’t tell breaking out of an early season funk. Blue Jays 5-4 Marlins it’s at least three well-struck baseballs on three on changeups. year we’ve had in the National nobody,” Lynn said. Lynn has While Rendon’s average fell to a dismal Yankees 9-6 Braves a nightly basis, even if they’re not hits,” Bundy has 35 strikeouts and three Football League,” Lynn said. a 26-22 record in the regular .103 after Sunday’s loss at Texas, his on- Maddon said. “What you’re seeing with walks in 28 2/3 innings this season. “There’s going to be chaos. season over his first three years Rangers 4-2 Mariners base percentage stood at .364 thanks to Anthony is when he gets his pitch, it’s “Even from the side at fi eld level, it’s It’s going to be change and it’s with the Chargers, who are the 14 walks - tied for the second most in Brewers 6-4 Twins not being taken and it’s not being fouled the real deal. His pitches are that sharp,” going to come every single looking to rebound from a disap- the major leagues - he had drawn. Nationals 2-1 Mets off . When it comes into his area, it’s go- Maddon said of Bundy. “The swings are day. The goals, the objectives, pointing 5-11 season in 2019. The “It tells me one thing, that for the most ing fair and hard, and that’s all you can not good. The takes are bad. When you White Sox 8-4 Tigers will not change. “I’ve talked to Chargers are scheduled to open part, he’s not expanding the strike zone,” ask for. So, I think he’s on the cusp of be- see that kind of performance, with his some people who said they’re the season September 13 against Maddon said. “But the bad part is that Reds 6-5 Royals ing toasty.” competitive nature, everything he’s do- sick of this virus. What the hell the Bengals in Cincinnati. he’s been missing his pitch. There’s been Giants 7-6 Astros David Fletcher’s 355-foot solo shot to ing right now, it’s just really interesting is that supposed to mean? Let Meanwhile Philadelphia Eagles a lot of foul balls straight back. left in the seventh gave the Angels at least to watch. He has set the bar very high.” me tell you something, you head coach Doug Pederson is “For me, it’s just a matter of time with off homer to left fi eld Tuesday night, four home runs in consecutive games for Bundy threw much harder in his aren’t promised next year. You back with the team after a 10- this guy. It will be a rhythm thing or a feel snapping a scoreless tie with his second the fi fth time in franchise history and the younger days with Baltimore, but he has aren’t promised tomorrow. day absence due to a positive thing, and once he gets ignited, once he homer in as many games to jump-start a fi rst time at home. That was more than reinvented himself in recent years, re- What I want to do is I want to test for Coviod-19. The team gets toasty, man ... it’s not going to go 6-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics at enough off ence to back the superb pitch- lying more on his slider, changeup and limit your exposures. “But when announced August 2 that Peder- away.” Angel Stadium. ing of Dylan Bundy, who has emerged as curve than his fastball. that whistle blows, let’s go kick son had tested positive, though Rendon, a former Washington Nation- Jason Castro followed singles by Sho- the staff ace after December’s trade from “Over the years, my velocity kept somebody’s ass and play some the coach was initially asympto- als star who signed a seven-year, $245 hei Ohtani and Albert Pujols with a Baltimore. Bundy threw seven scoreless creeping down, and I started throwing football. One team will do this matic. NFL rules require people million deal with the Angels in Decem- three-run homer to center, and Brian innings, allowing four hits, striking out more off -speed pitches and learning how better than the other 31. Trust who test positive and are ber, might not fi t Maddon’s defi nition Goodwin hit a solo shot to right in the 10 and walking one to improve to 3-1 with to locate them or bury them off the plate me. It might as well be us. So, be asymptomatic to quarantine for of “toasty” just yet, but he’s defi nitely fourth to propel the Angels toward their a 1.57 earned-run average in his fi rst four for strikeouts or weaker contact,” Bundy ready for chaos. Embrace it. Be- 10 days or to test negative twice getting warmed up. Rendon sparked a second consecutive win over a team that starts. said. “It just kind of happened over four cause if we’re going to play, the in a five-day span. fi ve-run, fourth-inning rally with a lead- arrived in Anaheim with a nine-game The burly right-hander, who threw or fi ve years.”

NFL Haskins aims to command off ence like Brady, Brees ters into the last couple games of the he gets back to full 100 percent New York season last year, I’ve been just health. Whoever’s in the quar- trying to master that same edge terback room I have to compete that a (Tampa Bay quarterback) with,” Haskins said. ashington Football Tom Brady or (New Orleans) “Even though he’s not really Team quarterback Drew Brees has when he steps practising with the off ence, Dwayne Haskins into a building you know he’s he’s still working hard. Even said on Tuesday there. if we get to run together against Wthat he has entered training “Not necessarily having been each other in competition and camp workouts with the mental- named (a starter) right now, but drills, I’m trying to make sure ity that he’s the club’s starter. our off ence needs a guy who’s he gets me better and I get him The second-year quarter- going to take ownership and lead better. back’s comments come one day and, why not be me? So, that’s “I look at Alex as someone after Washington coach Ron what I’ve been doing.” who is a mentor in the room Rivera said that Alex Smith will Haskins, 23, also said he wel- who can get me better every be part of the competition if he’s comed the competition from single day as far as who we’re healthy. Smith, who nearly lost his right getting ready for this week and “I think mostly it’s just a men- leg following a gruesome injury who we’re getting ready for next tality going in every day to han- in 2018 that required 17 surger- week.” dle your business both on and off ies. Haskins, who was the 15th the fi eld,” Haskins said. The 36-year-old Smith is at- overall pick of the 2019 NFL “Just having a certain pres- tempting to resume his football Draft, completed 119 of 203 ence and confi dence when com- career and could put a signifi - passes for 1,365 yards with seven manding an off ense and when cant wrinkle in the quarterback touchdowns and seven intercep- commanding a huddle. battle. tions in nine games (seven starts) “Having learned that going “I’m excited for Alex. I hope last season. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, August 13, 2020 SPORT

ATHLETICS Russia says it has paid multi-million-dollar doping fi ne

Moscow: Russia’s suspended sitskene, who has been among athletics federation said yester- its most vocal critics. day it had paid a multi-million- Diamond League dollar fine to World Athletics in PARIS MARATHON a move that could help it avoid CANCELLED AS COVID-19 expulsion by the sport’s global CASES PICK UP IN FRANCE governing body. This year’s Paris marathon has Last month World Athlet- been cancelled, organisers said ics said the federation would yesterday, as France battles be expelled if it failed to pay against a resurgence of the back with a bang in $6.31mn, a sum that includes a Covid-19 virus. The marathon fine for breaching anti-doping was originally due to take place rules, before Aug. 15. The expul- on April 5 but had been post- sion, which would have to be poned to Nov. 15 because of the approved by the World Athlet- pandemic. ics Congress, would lead to Rus- “After having tried every- sian athletes being sidelined thing to maintain the event, Monaco tomorrow from international competi- we, alongside the City of Paris, tions, including those who had feel obliged to cancel the 2020 previously been authorised to edition of the Schneider Electric World record holder Duplantis faces competition from world champion Kendricks compete as neutrals. Marathon de Paris and the Paris World Athletics also said Breakfast Run,” organisers said at the time that no Russian in a statement. athletes could be cleared to “Faced with the diff iculty that compete internationally until many runners, especially those the payment was made. The coming from abroad, had in federation had missed the making themselves available... initial payment deadline of July it was decided that it would be 1, saying it did not have enough better... for those concerned funds to cover the fine and if we organised the Schneider other fees and that it was still Electric Marathon de Paris seeking external funding. in 2021. We will be working It said yesterday that a sub- side-by-side with the City of sidy from the Sports Ministry Paris to put on a 2021 edition had allowed it to pay the fine that brings together the most before the new deadline. Sports passionate runners on the most Minister Oleg Matytsin had beautiful streets in the world.” previously guaranteed World The Paris marathon, one of Athletics that the fine would be the most popular events on the paid by mid-August. global running calendar which In order to avoid expulsion, routinely attracts over 40,000 the federation still needs to participants, is the latest to be submit a new reform plan by disrupted by the worldwide the end of the month and show novel coronavirus outbreak. progress in achieving its objec- In June, the New York City tives in overhauling its culture Marathon was cancelled while and anti-doping practices. the Boston Marathon was also Russia’s athletics federation scrapped for the first time in its was suspended in 2015 after a 124-year history. report commissioned by the Marathon majors in Berlin World Anti-Doping Agency and Chicago were also (WADA) found evidence of cancelled while the London mass doping among track and Marathon, originally set for field athletes. April, was postponed to Oct. 4 The federation’s handling of and will be run as an elite-only the crisis has angered some event. France has reported of the country’s top athletes, over 236,000 infections and including three-times world more than 30,000 deaths from Noah Lyles (centre) faces some quality competition in 200 metres in the shape of Ramil Guliyev (second left) and Christophe Lemaitre. high jump champion Maria La- Covid-19.

Reuters yev and Christophe Lemaitre, while one champion Halimah Nakaayi is up against as Nike’s Alphafl y were giving athletes London rival might not be so well known to the Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and an unfair technical advantage. Shoes, of wider athletics public but is extremely Briton Laura Muir. course, will not be the only things under- COMMONWEALTH GAMES familiar to Lyles — his younger brother In the men’s race, world champion going tests, as all athletes will be Covid-19 fter a frustrating summer of Josephus. Josephus is primarily a 400m Timothy Cheruiyot gets reacquainted tested as part of the strict guidelines that cancellations, exhibitions and man and has not raced his big brother in with Norway’s Ingebrigtsen brothers. have allowed the event to be held with virtual competitions, athletics an offi cial race for more than three years. World champion Karsten Warholm is on competitors travelling in from around Birmingham 2022 is fi nally able to reveal its shop Beatrice Chepkoech, who broke the duty in the men’s 400m hurdles, while the world. “We have changed everything, Awindow as the Diamond League swings women’s 3,000m steeplechase world Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou will start fa- from the athletes’ travel and accommo- into belated action with a star-studded record at Monaco in 2018, and Sifan Has- vourite in the women’s 100m. dation logistics to the way the competi- scraps athletes’ fi eld in Monaco tomorrow. san, who did the same over a mile last Ahead of the event, the sport’s govern- tion will be staged and conducted,” said The sport should have been taking cen- year, face off over 5,000m in a race also ing body World Athletics, has issued a meeting director Jean-Pierre Schoebel. tre stage in the glow of the Tokyo Olym- featuring world champion Hellen Obiri. reminder about the recently-introduced “We studied everything to ensure we’d village plan due to pics this week but that highlight has long Pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis is an- “Rule 5”, which puts a sole height limit of provide the maximum security to every- been wiped from the 2020 calendar, along other world record holder on duty and, 25mm on all shoes worn in track events of one involved in the meeting. We’ve never with a host of Diamond League events. after enjoying a successful summer of 800m and above in distance. worked as hard as this year. I can’t tell you So it is no exaggeration to describe somewhat leftfi eld exhibitions, faces The rule does not prevent a road run- how diffi cult the situation has been.” Covid-19 impact today’s Meeting Herculis as “eagerly more traditional competition from reign- ning shoe from being worn on the track Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto, the Ol- Reuters awaited” and topping a high-class bill in ing world and Diamond League champion but a 30mm or 40mm road running shoe ympic and world 3,000m steeplechase London the Principality is Noah Lyles in the 200 Sam Kendricks. There are two high-qual- cannot be worn for track events because champion, had been due to run in Monaco metres. The American faces some quality ity 1,500m races on the programme. In of the 25mm limit. The rule was intro- until he tested positive for the coronavi- competition in the shape of Ramil Guli- the women’s event Uganda’s 800m world duced after concerns that shoes such rus without symptoms earlier this week. rganisers of the 2022 Birmingham Com- monwealth Games RUGBY have scrapped plans forO a single athletes’ village due to the impact of the global pan- demic and will use three ‘cam- Reinach eyes partnership with Pollard at Montpellier pus’ sites instead. They said in a statement on AFP and then if they want to pick me I can ter witnessing the 2009 tour as a member Wednesday that more than Paris show them I can perform at that level,” of the Sharks academy and missing al- 6,000 athletes and offi cials will he added. The Top 14 side have appointed most four years of Test rugby due to inju- be housed at the universities of chief executive Ian Reid. ex-France international and head coach ry and leaving South Africa for England. Warwick and Birmingham and “We recognise that this new outh Africa’s Rugby World Cup- Philippe Saint-Andre as director of rugby “That is a huge target, but the bigger in hotel rooms at the National model is a move away from the winning scrum-half Cobus with the aim of losing their reputation target is the next international game. I Exhibition Centre (NEC). “With historic norm and we are grate- Reinach hopes playing alongside as a foreigner-fi lled squad established want to keep my form and rugby at the a shorter than normal timeframe ful for the support shown by our Test fl y-half Handre Pollard at under previous directors Jake White and best I can. If they want that and need that for delivery of the Birmingham partners across the Common- MontpellierS will help him claim a starting Vern Cotter. I’m available,” he said. “It was unbeliev- 2022 Games, the new build ac- wealth Games Associations.” Springboks place. Reinach, 30, who has Reinach praised Saint-Andre as the able. It’s 12 years later but you do want to commodation site... had very lit- The 2022 Games were origi- joined the French club on a three-year former Sharks boss has aided him in play and be a part of such a special envi- tle scope to withstand the impact nally handed to Durban in South deal, was behind Faf de Klerk in the peck- settling in due to the language barrier. ronment and competition with that,” he COVID-19 has had on construc- Africa in 2015 but the city was ing order as the Boks lifted the Webb Ellis “It has defi nitely been a help. There are added after week-long training camp in tion,” the statement said. stripped of hosting rights by the trophy last November. sometimes when the coaches talk and I the Pyrenees. The original project, part of Commonwealth Games Federa- The ex-Northampton Saints number fi nd it hard to understand so he comes in On Monday, Stade Francais announced the regeneration of the Perry tion after the plan hit fi nancial nine said he aims to catch the attention of and helps a lot,” he said. they had stopped training and put their Barr area of the city, will still be problems. Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber “We have a very good environment at squad and coaching staff into isolation fi nished to a revised deadline to Birmingham, the sole bidder, and director of rugby Rassie Erasmus by the moment, everybody wants to help until August 17 after they reported posi- provide local housing. “These was named as the replacement playing alongside Pollard. “I don’t know each other and go forward. tive coronavirus cases last Thursday. On are challenging times for all of host city in December 2017. The what their plans are but I’m planning to It’s been really top notch and I love Tuesday Montpellier also stopped train- us and delivering a major multi Games will be the most expen- bring my best. If they want that they can working with them,” he added. ing after a partner of one of the team’s sports event during this period sive sports event staged in Britain certainly have that. The partnership with The Top 14 season is set to start on Sep- players tested positive for the virus. has meant we have needed to since the London 2012 Olympics. ‘Polly’ would go a long way in that,” Re- tember 4 with Reinach’s new side hosting “As players we don’t know what’s hap- collaborate eff ectively, be prag- Organisers said the campus inach said. Pau a day later. However the Grey College pening or what’s going on. We just have to matic to change, and remain model will be delivered within “The only thing I can do is put my best graduate is eyeing facing the British and keep ourselves healthy and hopefully we realistic about the challenges the overall Games budget of food forward and keep chasing growth Irish Lions at the end of the campaign af- can train hard,” he said. we face,” said Birmingham 2022 778mn pounds.

SPOTLIGHT English Premiership restart to usher in packed programme Reuters and fi nal on Oct 24 — less than a month programme, but those running it insist prop Kyle Sinckler, the latest additions playoff s looks wide open, with pre- London before the next season kicks off at the they will be constantly measuring a to a Bristol side sitting third with seri- lockdown form unlikely to continue. end of November. spread of metrics to ensure players get ous title ambitions. They host Saracens The top eight of the 12-team league In between, there are the knock- adequate rest and recovery. on Saturday, with the holders doomed also qualify for Europe next year so fter fi ve months of inactiv- out rounds of the European Cup to be Many coaches have spoken of how to relegation due to their points reduc- any thoughts of teams throwing off the ity the English Premiership played, the rescheduled games of the great it is to have a full squad of fi t and tion for breaking salary cap rules and shackles now that the fear of relega- cranks back into action this Six Nations, and a whole new mini- rejuvenated players, in contrast to the trying to juggle their squad ahead of tion has disappeared appear misplaced. weekend, sparking an almost international tournament in November usual battered bodies they have to re- a year in the Championship but with “I think Exeter will be hard to beat but unbrokenA year of domestic and inter- to replace the traditional games against pair on a weekly basis. What will also be European Cup aspirations very much I do think there are a number of teams national rugby across Europe that will the southern hemisphere teams. diff erent upon the restart is that many alive. who can force their way into the top fully test the sport’s commitment to The 2020-21 season will fi nish on teams will have players, and in some Second-placed Sale have signed four, Chris Boyd, Director of Rugby player welfare. June 26, fi ve days before the British & cases coaches, who were plying their Manu Tuilagi from a Leicester side who at fourth-placed Northampton said. Starting with Harlequins v Sale to- Irish Lions are due to play their fi rst trade elsewhere when the season was are now coached by ex-England cap- “It’s hugely competitive, there’s a cat’s morrow, the remaining nine rounds of tour game in South Africa. For what is postponed. tain Steve Borthwick as they prepare to whisker between success and failure, Premiership matches will be crammed probably the most physically demand- Most prominent are the brilliant Fi- visit league leaders Exeter on Saturday. and how you get out of the blocks really into six weeks followed by the playoff s ing of all sports, it appears a very busy jian centre Semi Radradra and England The battle to make the top four and the counts.” Gulf Times Thursday, August 13, 2020 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Sevilla and Shakhtar reach Europa League semi-fi nals Sevilla face Manchester United on Sunday, while Shakhtar take on Inter Milan on Monday

AFP manding win over Basel that will give Paris Inter Milan something to think about ahead of their semi-fi nal clash on Mon- day. “I’m feeling amazing because we evilla qualifi ed for the semi- have worked hard and we trust we can fi nals of the Europa League reach the fi nal,” said goalscorer Junior on Tuesday night after Lucas Moraes. “If you want to test yourself, Ocampos’ late header broke you have to play against teams at this WolverhamptonS Wanderers’ hearts, high level.” while Shakhtar Donetsk thumped Basel The Ukrainian side got off to a fl yer 4-1 to join the Spaniards in the last four. thanks to Brazil-born Moraes, who Five-time competition winners Se- headed home Marlos’ corner with less villa face Manchester United in Co- than two minutes on the clock, and logne on Sunday thanks to a brilliant they never looked back from that point header from Argentine Ocampos with on. Taison put Shakhtar two ahead 20 less than two minutes left on the clock minutes later when his defl ected shot which gave them a deserved 1-0 win, fl ashed past Basel’s bamboozled goal- while Shakhtar take on Inter Milan on keeper Dorde Nikolic. Monday in another intriguing tie. Alan Patrick put the result beyond Sevilla dominated their English op- doubt from the penalty spot with 14 ponents over the course of the match, minutes left after Taison’s burst into as a tired-looking Wolves’ dreams of the box was ended by a clumsy chal- European glory ended with a whim- lenge from Basel defender Yannick per. “I am very proud of my players. We Marchand. needed to have lots of patience against Shakhtar rounded off a fi ne display in a very good team,” said Sevilla coach the 88th minute when right-back Dodo Julen Lopetegui, whose team are now combined with Tete before smashing unbeaten in 19 matches in all competi- home a superb fi nish. Ricky van Wolf- tions, said. “We have ambition we work swinkel’s close range strike for Basel very hard... but we are going to play a minute into stoppage time made no against Manchester United... the big- diff erence to a thumping defeat for the gest team in world football.” Swiss. Premier League outfi t Wolves thought they were set to make the per- UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS fect start in the 11th minute when Adam Quarter-finals: At Gelsenkirchen, Traore set off on a sensational surge to- wards goal from his own half and was Germany: Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 4 chopped down in the area by Diego (Moraes 2, Taison 22, Alan Patrick 75- Carlos. pen, Dodo 88) Basel (SUI) 1 (Van Wolf- However Raul Jimenez, who had swinkel 90+2); At Duisburg, Germany: scored all of his previous eight penal- Wolverhampton Wanderers (ENG) 0 ties for Wolves, sent a weak spot-kick Sevilla (ESP) 1 (Ocampos 88) towards Yassine Bounou, who could Played Monday: At Dusseldorf, hardly believe his luck as he batted the Germany: Inter Milan (ITA) 2 (Barella Mexican’s tame shot aside. 15, Lukaku 21) Bayer Leverkusen (GER) There were claims that Bounou had left his line while Sevilla players seemed 1 (Havertz 25); At Cologne, Germany: to enter the area before the penalty was Manchester United (ENG) 1 (Fernandes taken, but in any case that was to be Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Europa League quarter-final at the 95-pen) FC Copenhagen (DEN) 0 — Wolves’ last shot on target of the match MSV Arena in Duisburg, Germany, on Tuesday night. (Reuters) after extra time as chances became hard to come by. Semi-finals Sunday, August 16: At Sevilla though began to take a strangle- Wolves’ defence managing to snuff out ed cross in the 66th minute, but the free-kick as Wolves began to rock, but Lucas Ocampos did brilliantly to guide Cologne Sevilla v Man Utd; Monday, hold on the play and force Wolves back their opponents when they did man- Frenchman had to stretch for the ball the goalkeeper could do nothing to stop into the bottom corner and send his August 17: At Duesseldorf: Inter v into their own half. age to break free. The fi rst good chance and sent it looping over the bar. Sevilla’s winner with two minutes left. team into the semis. Shakhtar — However they struggled to carve out of the second half came when Jules Eleven minutes later Rui Patrico did Banega was again at the heart of the ac- In Gelsenkirchen Shakhtar booked many clear-cut opportunities, with Kounde met Suso’s beautifully fl ight- well to tip over Ever Banega’s dipping tion, whipping in a fi zzing cross that their spot in the last four with a com- Final on August 21 in Cologne

EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND-UP Nuno proud of Sanchez injury worry ahead of Inter’s Europa semi nter Milan forward Alexis Sanchez matic and fortunately I’m doing well. I 5,000 people at public gatherings such as Wolves in defeat, could miss Monday’s Europa League have to remain isolated now at home to sports events would be maintained until semi-fi nal against Shakhtar Donetsk beat the virus,” Williams posted on Twit- October 30. Yet the number of Covid-19 as he struggles with a hamstring ter. “I can’t wait for the moment to arrive cases is rising in France and authori- excuses Jimenez Iinjury. The 31-year-old Chile attacker so I can join the team for pre-season.” ties have sounded the alarm about the pulled up injured during his side’s 2-1 Williams’ fellow squad members Oihan prospect of mass gatherings. The new quarter-fi nal win over Bayer Leverkusen Sancet, Unai Lopez and Gaizka Larrazabal season begins on August 21 with Marseille for penalty miss in Germany. also said they were among those to have hosting Saint-Etienne. “Sanchez underwent medical tests contracted Covid-19. Earlier in the day Reuters this morning in Duisburg,” Inter said in a Bilbao said group training would stop and TURKEY IN SUSPENSE OVER Duisburg, Germany statement. “The tests confi rmed that he individuals who tested negative will be BALOTELLI TO BESIKTAS RUMOURS has suff ered a strain in his right ham- examined on Friday. Well-travelled Italy striker Mario Balotelli string. “His condition will continue to be On Tuesday, fellow La Liga clubs Valen- is listening to off ers from Beskitas after olverhampton reassessed over the next few days.” cia and Real Betis as well as second-tier being released from hometown club Wanderers man- Inter are targeting their fi rst title in Espanyol and Real Mallorca revealed they Brescia, Turkish newspapers reported. ager Nuno Espirito the second-tier European tournament had squad members test positive. The temperamental 30-year-old striker Santo was proud since 1998. The second semi-fi nal pits had a diffi cult return to the Serie A outfi t Wof his players despite their 1-0 Sanchez’s former club Manchester United WILLIAMS AMONG SIX VIRUS NICE TO PLAY LIGUE 1 SEASON last term and is surveying his options Europa League quarter-fi nal de- against Sevilla, with the fi nal on August 21 CASES AT ATHLETIC BILBAO OPENER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS abroad. feat by Sevilla on Tuesday and in Cologne. Athletic Bilbao Forward Inaki Williams The match between Nice and Lens on the Brescia were relegated from Serie A refused to blame striker Raul Sanchez has had an injury-plagued admitted that he was one of six positive fi rst weekend of the French Ligue 1 season after the former Liverpool and Inter star Jimenez for a costly fi rst-half fi rst season at Inter since moving fi rst coronavirus cases recorded at the La Liga will be played behind closed doors despite scored just fi ve goals and was the victim penalty miss. on loan from United. But he came back club. Williams, 26, had returned to pre- earlier hopes a crowd would be allowed of racist abuse during games on several Up against a Sevilla team who strong after the coronavirus lockdown season training with the Basque side this into the Allianz Rivieria, the southern occasions. Local sports papers claim won three Europa League titles in June, helping lift Antonio Conte’s side week ahead of the new La Liga campaign club’s president said. Besiktas, the 15-time Turkish champions, from 2014-2016, Wolves gave to a runners-up fi nish behind Juventus, which begins in mid-September. The promoted outfi t are set to travel to think Balotelli remains a big enough draw a good account of themselves, and made his transfer from the Premier “Today it was confi rmed that I tested Nice on August 23. The French govern- with the fans to warrant a guaranteed an- even though they were playing League club permanent last week. positive after a PCR test. I’m asympto- ment announced this week that the cap of nual salary of 1.5mn euros ($1.8mn). in their 59th match of the sea- son. However, Lucas Ocampos’ late header ensured the Midlands FOCUS club’s season ended 383 days af- ter it had begun. “Like I’ve said many times it’s a long journey,” Nuno said. “We Valencia sold duo due to fi nancial strain: president wanted to go as far as we could. We came really close today. Eve- Reuters ble management during the crisis.” ryone is disappointed but we Valencia Coquelin joined Valencia in 2018 for should not ignore the eff ort of 14mn euros after a 10-year stay at Arsenal, the players. It’s 14 months of hard fi nals of the UEFA Cup/Europa while Parejo ends a nine-year spell with work — in the Europa League and League for the seventh time — alencia were forced to sell mid- Valencia in which he captained the team to the Premier League — and we’ve only Inter Milan have reached fi elders Francis Coquelin and the 2019 Copa del Rey, the club’s fi rst piece achieved good things. The dis- the same stage on more occa- Dani Parejo to La Liga rivals Vil- of silverware in 11 years. appointment cannot take away sions — and will face Manches- larreal due to increased fi nancial A tearful Parejo said farewell via a Zoom from all the good things we’ve ter United next in their last-four Vstrain caused by the coronavirus pandem- news conference from his house yesterday. been doing.” clash in Cologne on Sunday. ic, president Anil Murthy said yesterday. He said the club told him they wanted him Wolves, who came seventh in “I think we deserved the win,” The sale of the two key players for a to leave with more than a week left in the the Premier League and missed a Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui reported total of 11mn euros ($13mn) has season. Valencia, who had secured Cham- Europa league spot for next sea- said. “The key was to chip, chip, led to renewed criticism against Murthy pions League football for the previous two son, had a golden chance to open chip away, have patience and and billionaire owner Peter Lim, with fans campaigns, eventually fi nished ninth in the scoring at the MSV Arena but wait until the right moment. We organising a protest outside the Mestalla the league. “They told me they didn’t want Mexican Jimenez, normally so are going to play against Man- stadium later yesterday. me to stay, it wasn’t the right time or the reliable from the spot, saw his chester United in the next match. But Murthy defended the move in an Former Arsenal midfielder right way to tell me that,” Parejo said. “I penalty saved by Bono. They’re the biggest team in the interview with Singapore newspaper The Francis Coquelin has joined looked for a way to stay but it wasn’t to be. “Raul is an amazing player, all world but we’re going to be pre- Straits Times, saying the club had little Villarreal from Valencia on a I’m now joining a stable club, which eve- the things he does for the team,” pared for them.” choice but to cut costs due to the revenue four-year deal. (Reuters) ryone has told me great things about.” Nuno added. “The work, the Inter face Shakhtar Donetsk, losses suff ered because of the pandemic. Villarreal fi nished fi fth in La Liga last goals, the talent he has is amaz- who thrashed FC Basel 4-1 on “We are going to have a complicated sea- season to qualify for the Europa League ing — Raul is a fantastic player.” Tuesday, in the second semi- son because of Covid-19, so we must be re- use is a bankrupt club?” said Murthy. aspect due to Covid-19, all clubs will be in and last month named former Arsenal and Sevilla have made the semi- fi nal next Monday. sponsible and control costs tightly. What “If things go very wrong in the fi nancial trouble. We have to lead through responsi- Valencia manager Unai Emery as coach. Thursday, August 13, 2020 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Stars aligning for Atletico with CL glory not so far away Atletico Madrid face Leipzig in Lisbon today as one of the form teams still standing in the tournament

AFP resumption, to dispel concerns the bench, left at home. Madrid they could miss out on La Liga’s A required second round of four. They won seven match- tests on Sunday meant prepara- es and drew four, one of them tions had to be tweaked, includ- tletico Madrid’s tri- against Barcelona at Camp Nou, ing delaying the squad’s fl ight to umph over Liverpool in which helped Real Madrid clinch Lisbon from Monday until Tues- March was a throwback the title. They scored 20 goals day afternoon. But it is hard to to a more celebrated and conceded six. If the season shake the sense that as a team, pastA under Diego Simeone but had started when the league re- Atletico are very well-placed, fi ve months on and the Champi- started, Atletico would have fi n- even if the club have always ap- ons League off ers them a very real ished second. “We did well and peared more comfortable as opportunity in the present. we know we’re on a really good under-dogs under Simeone than Knocking out the holders at streak but the Champions League burdened by expectation. Anfi eld may prove to be the fi rst is a diff erent competition,” said Even the new format could suit glimpse of a new era under Sime- Diego Costa last week. them, in single matches where one, where the likes of Joao Felix, Atletico face Leipzig in Lisbon game management is likely to be Marcos Llorente, Jose Gimenez today as one of the form teams key and technical superiority has and Jan Oblak push Atletico to still standing, in a tournament less time to win out than over the challenge for major honours that has gifted them the signifi - traditional 180 minutes. A riled again. cantly kinder half of the draw. If Jurgen Klopp said after Liver- Or it could be a last hurrah for they beat Leipzig, who laboured pool’s 1-0 defeat at the Wanda the Simeone project, which some to a third-place fi nish in the Bun- Metropolitano in February that believe will never again scale the desliga, they will face either Ata- Atletico’s backs-to-the-wall ap- heights of their incredible La Liga lanta, the tournament’s minnows proach would not be as eff ective title win in 2014 or their runs to or Paris Saint-Germain, who without their own fans. the Champions League fi nals in have played two games in almost Yet they were able to frustrate 2014 and 2016. half a year. Liverpool at Anfi eld too, before Either way, few believed Meanwhile, in the other half, winning 3-2 in the second leg. Llorente’s two goals in extra- only one of Bayern Munich, Bar- “It’s important to accept the new time would be the start of some- celona, Manchester City and format because once you accept thing even more surprising, Lyon can reach the fi nal. Without it, you can adapt,” said Atleti’s namely Simeone lifting the cup doubt, Atletico’s opponents and Saul Niguez. in May. Certainly nobody an- potential semi-fi nal opponents Leipzig, meanwhile, were still ticipated football shutting down will be just as eager to capital- in the title race in March and completely the following week, ise, especially PSG, whose long- considered a threat even in the as nervousness turned to indig- ing for success in the Champions Champions League, on the back nation about Atletico fans trav- League has come to defi ne them. of destroying Jose Mourinho’s elling to Anfi eld, before matches And it is unknown how Sime- Tottenham in the last 16. But they behind closed doors became one’s squad will be aff ected by have been less eff ective since the matches postponed indefi nitely. the club’s announcement on restart and will be less potent And yet when football re- Sunday that Angel Correa and without Timo Werner, whose turned in June, Atletico were Sime Vrsaljko tested positive for move to Chelsea cruelly prevents transformed. They went un- coronavirus, with both players, him from fi nishing what he start- beaten in the 11 games after the who would likely have been on ed in the Champions League.

FOCUS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND-UP Barca defender Tobido contracts New format negates Atletico’s Matuidi leaves Juventus rance’s World Cup-winning midfi elder virus, had no experience, says Nagelsmann Blaise Matuidi is leaving Juventus by mutual consent after three years, the contact with squad Italian champions announced yester- day.F Matuidi, 33, joined the Turin giants from AFP Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 and had one year Madrid left on his contract. It is reported he is set to move to the United States to join David Beck- ham’s Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. arcelona announced Matudi, who played in the 2018 World Cup yesterday that defender fi nal when France beat Croatia 4-2, won three Jean-Clair Todibo Serie A titles, one Italian Cup and the Italian has tested positive for Super Cup at Juventus. He also won four Ligue coronavirusB but has not been in 1 titles during six years at PSG, having previ- contact with the squad travel- ously played for French clubs Troyes and Saint ling to Lisbon for the Champi- Etienne. Matuidi played 98 games for Juventus ons League quarter-fi nal against in Serie A and 133 times in all competitions, Bayern Munich. second only to Argentine forward Paulo Dybala “Following PCR tests con- (134). He helped Juventus win a ninth Serie A ducted this Tuesday afternoon title in a row this season. But the club’s failure on the group of nine players due to advance past the Champions League last 16 to begin the pre-season today, led to the sacking of coach Maurizio Sarri after is scheduled to start behind closed doors on the one of them has tested positive a single season. He has been replaced by former weekend of Sept 5-6, with Chelsea beginning for COVID-19,” Barcelona said Juventus and Italy star Andrea Pirlo. their title defence at Manchester United. The in an initial statement in which men’s Premier League season starts on Sept 12. they did not name Tobido. “The DE LIGT TO MISS START OF SEASON player has not been in contact AFTER SHOULDER SURGERY LIVERPOOL SET FOR RECORD PAYDAY with any of the senior team play- Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt will miss AS CLUBS AGREE TO DELAY CUTS ers who are scheduled to travel to the start of next season after undergoing Liverpool will receive a record 175mn pounds Lisbon this Thursday to compete shoulder surgery which will sideline him for ($228.45mn) payout for winning the Premier in the Champions League.” three months, the club said. De Ligt spent his League after all 20 clubs in England’s top-fl ight Barca added that Frenchman 21st birthday undergoing “stabilisation surgery agreed to postpone any reductions caused Tobido “has no symptoms, is in on his right shoulder” in Rome, the club said, by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the good health and has been quar- adding that the procedure was “a complete Times. The newspaper reported that teams will antined at his home”. Tobido, success”. De Ligt moved from Ajax Amsterdam, receive their entire payout for last season and 20, moved to Barcelona from Leipzig’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann attends a training session in Lisbon yesterday. (AFP) who he captained to the Champions League rebates to broadcasters, which could amount to Toulouse in January last year semi-fi nals in 2018-2019, to Turin at the start 330mn pounds ($430.49mn), would be spread but has only made a handful of AFP perience isn’t as big a factor as it wary of the “physical” presence of last season for a fee of around 75mn euros out over future campaigns. If the rebate was appearances for the Catalan gi- Lisbon might have been.” of Madrid’s centre-backs Jose ($82mn). After a clumsy start to life in Turin applied, Liverpool’s prize money would have ants and spent the second half of Nagelsmann is without his Gimenez and Stefan Savic. with penalities conceded because of handballs been reduced by 21mn pounds, the Times said, this season on loan at Bundesliga main goalscorer Timo Werner, “We obviously want to look the Dutch international often saved the club, citing fi nancial expert Swiss Ramble. side Schalke. “I inform you that I eipzig head coach Julian who scored 34 times last season get down the sides and move the particularly in the title run-in after the lock- The 2019-20 season was the fi rst of a three- have tested positive for covid-19, Nagelsmann said yes- including four in the Champions ball out wide to fi nd gaps in their down, with veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini year cycle in which international broadcast I am asymptomatic and I feel terday that he believes League before joining Chelsea in backline”. out for much of the season injured. revenue would be allocated to clubs based on fi ne. I am at home following the the new format of the June. In his absence, Leipzig’s Leipzig could potentially face where they fi nished in the table instead of it proper health protocols,” Tobido LChampions League will level the forward line is likely to be led by Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, FA CONFIRMS MEN’S AND being split equally between the teams. The said on Twitter. “I really want to playing fi eld in their quarter- Denmark’s Yussuf Poulsen and who play Barcelona tomorrow, in WOMEN’S COMMUNITY SHIELD Times also said top fl ight teams had agreed to go back to training, but now it’s fi nal with experienced European Czech Republic striker Patrik the Champions League fi nal, but DOUBLE-HEADER AT WEMBLEY make solidarity payments to English Football time to stay home until the virus competitors Atletico Madrid. Schick, who is carrying a knock, Nagelsmann refused to think too This year’s Community Shield will feature the League (EFL) clubs in addition to the 125mn is over.” Leipzig, founded in 2009, but Nagelsmann was keeping his far ahead. “Of course an all-Ger- fi rst-ever double header with both men and pounds in advance payments agreed in April. Barca, who were beaten to the are in the Champions League’s cards close to his chest. man fi nal would be brilliant for women’s games to be played at the Wembley Spanish title by Real Madrid, knock-out stages for the fi rst “We don’t have Werner and Germany, but we aren’t thinking Stadium on Aug. 29, the Football Association DAVIES SITS OUT BAYERN face Bayern in the ‘Final Eight’ time in the club’s brief history I won’t say who will start,” said further ahead than tomorrow.” (FA) announced. TRAINING WITH GROIN STRAIN played behind closed in the Por- and face Atletico today. In con- Nagelsmann. “But we have play- Atletico coach Diego Sime- The fi rst game will feature Women’s Super Bayern Munich’s teenage forward Alphonso tuguese capital tomorrow. trast, the La Liga side reached ers who didn’t play when Werner one, meanwhile told his side not League (WSL) champions Chelsea and FA Davies missed a training session in Portugal the 2014 and 2016 Champions was here who will now get their to dwell on their last-16 victory Cup holders Manchester City in the women’s yesterday ahead of the Champions League League fi nals, losing both times chance.” over Liverpool in March which edition, which returns for the fi rst time since clash against Barcelona because of a “slight to Real Madrid, and won the Eu- Leipzig were still in Germany’s knocked out the defending 2008 when Arsenal defeated Everton 1-0. groin problem”. Bayern head coach Hansi Flick ropa League in 2012 and 2018 un- third tier as recently as 2013- champions. This will be followed by the men’s game confi rmed the 19-year-old sat out the session der head coach Diego Simeone. 14 and this is arguably the big- “A lot of months have passed, between Premier League champions Liverpool as “a safety measure” ahead of the European However, the Champions gest game in the history of the and all the excitement and tur- and FA Cup winners Arsenal. Manchester quarter-fi nal in Lisbon. League’s new format — one-off fl edgling club. “If you look at moil that arose after the win over City won last season’s Community Shield by The Canadian teenager has had an outstand- knock-out games instead of two- our side, we have a few players Liverpool has died down a bit be- defeating Liverpool 5-4 in a penalty shootout. ing season at left-back and having already lost leg ties — sees both teams step who have played more than four cause of the 100-plus days we’ve Both matches at Wembley will be played with- right-back Benjamin Pavard to injury, Bayern into the unknown. “We know or fi ve years at this club,” said been in quarantine,” said the Ar- out fans in attendance to curb the spread of the boss Flick was taking no risks. that they have a lot of experi- Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. gentine yesterday. novel coronavirus. Davies’ participation in Friday’s clash is not ence over two legs, but anything “It’s another chance to show our “Then with La Liga it all seems The women’s game will mark the start of the thought to be in danger. However, a possible can happen in just one game,” strength in Europe. We have a like far away now. It will remain domestic campaign after the 2019-20 WSL alternative would be Bayern’s record sign- Nagelsmann said yesterday. “We lot of confi dence and we’ll try to part of the history of Atletico season was abandoned because of the Covid-19 ing Lucas Hernandez, who cost 80mn euros will all be thrown into cold water, show our qualify for the semis.” Madrid. But now, a new journey pandemic, with Chelsea awarded the title on a ($94mn) from Atletico Madrid, but has strug- because of this situation, so ex- Nagelsmann revealed he is begins tomorrow (Thursday).” points-per-game basis. The new WSL season gled with injury this season.