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FOOTBALL
Griez grows
in stature
without Leo
and friends
at Camp Nou
Conundrum
for Valverde
PAGES 2 & 9
TUESDAY | 27 AUGUST 2019 | N.2793

PSG STRIKE OUT

Mbappe and Cavani face race to be fit for start of Champions League
next month while Neymar’s future remains shrouded in doubt
PAGE 7

Pictures: Getty Images

Cricket: Aftermath of Ashes Test for ages that saw all-rounder stoke the fires – Page 4-5

www.sport360.com facebook.com/sport360 @Sport360 @Sport360 Sport360

2 TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019

Picture: Getty Images

Shin it to win it: Antoine Griezmann showed what he can do in a Barcelona shirt without the injured trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele.

How to Griez the wheels

Frenchman’s display against Betis suggests Barca are better off benching Suarez for good

L
ionel Messi out; Luis Suarez
out; Ousmane Dembele out.
The footballing gods threw
down a challenge to Antoine
Griezmann on Sunday night: prove
you can step up and be The Man for
Barcelona.
Griezmann answered the
call magnificently, scoring two
well-taken goals – a Suarez-style
first-time volley from a right wing
cross and a Messi-style left-footed
curler into the far corner from the
edge of the box – to propel his team
to a highly entertaining 5-2 victory
over Real Betis at the Camp Nou.
He did not only impress with his
goals, however, also producing a
highly influential all-round per-
formance by linking play superbly,
regularly dropping deep into mid-
field and drifting out to the flanks
to maintain the team’s high tempo
by finding his new colleagues with
deft first-time passes.
And, as you would expect from
someone who spent five years un-
der the tutelage of Diego Simeone
at Atletico Madrid, Griezmann
also did more than his fair share
of defensive work, leading Barça’s
pressing with apparently endless
COMMENT
Football with Andy West
b @andywest01  editorial@sport360.com
reserves of energy.
All told, Griezmann looked very
much like a man on a mission on
Sunday night, and by the end of
the evening he had certainly ac-
complished all his tasks and more
– even providing an instant front
page photo for the global media
with a glitter-tossing celebration
after his second goal.
Now the stardust is starting to
settle, however, his compelling
display leaves manager Ernesto
Valverde with a question which is
simple enough to ask but carries
layers of complexity in the answer:
what happens next?
Before too long, Messi, Suarez
and Dembele will be fit and ready
to play, with the veteran South
American duo very much expecting
to immediately regain their places
in the starting line-up.
Griezmann, we can be sure, will
regain his place. But it won’t be
the same place he occupied to such
great effect on Sunday night as
the central figure of a three-man
forward line. That would require
Suarez to move out to the left wing
and Messi to hog the right touch-
line in the same manner as Rafinha
and Carles Perez this weekend,
which is very hard to envisage.
Instead, Suarez will return to the
centre forward position with Messi
in the inside-right spot he has
occupied for much of the last five
years, leaving Griezmann to occupy
the vacant area on the left of the
Perhaps Griezmann’s
performance was the
beginning of a new
era for Suarez, one
in which he becomes
a supersub and a
rotation option
attack (unless, of course, Neymar is
recruited in the interim…but let’s
not go down that particular dead
end for now).
This tactical set-up would vastly
alter the role Griezmann would
be expected to play. Rather than
floating freely from a central
starting point with a full license
to roam in associative play before
returning to the penalty area as
the main target for crosses – as he
did with his opener on Sunday –
he would be tasked with the more
limited demands of a left winger.
He can, of course, still be an ef-
fective and important performer
from that position, but not the
shining focal point as he was
against Betis.
And it’s not only Griezmann’s
playing position which could be
affected by the return of the senior
duo, because they would be hard
pushed to replicate the all-action,
high-energy approach exhibited
by Perez and Rafinha from their
wide roles this weekend.
The question this leads to,
perhaps, is whether Suarez and
Griezmann will be able to play to-
gether? Messi, without doubt, will
be an unquestionable starter and
it’s easy to imagine him playing off
Griezmann in a central role while
two from Rafinha, Perez, Dembele,
Sergi Roberto and, yes, Neymar
busy themselves down the flanks.
But where does Suarez fit into
this without significantly impact-
ing upon both Griezmann’s indi-
vidual effectiveness and the overall
style of the team?
Perhaps he doesn’t. Perhaps Sun-
day’s show-stopping performance
from Griezmann was the beginning
of a new era for the Uruguayan, one
in which he becomes a supersub
and a rotation option.
The man to decide all this, of
course, is Valverde. How bold is he
prepared to be?

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4 TUESDAY
Ashes 2019
019
Early setback
Stokes fire
in Ben’s belly
England all-rounder has outdone himself once again
By Julian Guyer b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
Many sporting careers contain
their share of ups and downs but
few can match the highs and lows
that have come the way of Eng-
land’s Ben Stokes.
He became a national hero for the
second time in just over a month
when his astounding 135 not out
saw England to an incredible one-
wicket win in the third Ashes Test
at Headingley on Sunday.
Stokes’s ball-striking that yield-
ed 11 fours and eight soaring sixes
was impressive but so too was the
maturity he demonstrated during
five-and-a-half hours at the crease,
with the all-rounder taking 50 balls
to score his first two runs on Sat-
urday when it was vital England,
then three down, did not lose any
more wickets.
It had been a similar story in the
World Cup final, where an expert-
ly paced 84 not out saw England
tie the 241 total of his native New
Zealand at Lord’s before a seem-
ingly exhausted Stokes then hit the
Super Over runs that helped his
team to a narrow win.
But “maturity” was not the word
associated with Stokes when, in the
early hours of the morning follow-
ing a one-day international against
the West Indies in Bristol in Sep-
tember 2017, he became involved in
a fight outside a nightclub that led
to his arrest.
Although eventually cleared of
a criminal charge of affray, the im-
mediate fall-out from the incident
saw Stokes stripped of the England
vice-captaincy and not be consid-
ered for selection for the 2017/18
Ashes tour – a series where, in his
absence, the team meekly subsided
to a 4-0 series defeat by Australia.
BEST OF THE BEST
Was it the greatest Test knock in a
chase? Was it the greatest innings
of all time? Was it the greatest Test
of all time?
Ben Stokes’ outlandish 135 not
out that clinched a series saving win
in the third Ashes Test at Leeds for
England is without doubt one of the
finest ever efforts in Test cricket.
So where does Stokes’ innings
stand among all-time great knocks
in the fourth innings? Here are three
equally, maybe even more, great
knocks in a chase in Tests.
Brian Lara – 153*
WI v Australia, 1999
The Windies needed 308 to win the
Barbados Test. The hosts’ batting
was Brian Lara and nothing much
Tale of redemption: Ben Stokes.
Stokes already knew about on-
field setbacks – he had been the
bowler who when asked to defend
19 in the last over of the 2016 World
Twenty20 final in Kolkata, was
promptly hit for four successive
sixes by opposing all-rounder Car-
los Brathwaite as the West Indies
turned a seemingly certain defeat
into a memorable win.
But having come back from that
reverse, the knowledge the court
case nearly cost him his England
career seems to have inspired
Stokes to even greater heights since
returning to international duty.
Stokes was born in Christchurch,
New Zealand but moved to Brit-
ain as a boy when his father Ged, a
former Kiwi rugby league interna-
tional, got a job coaching Working-
ton in northwest England.
He was soon on the radar of coun-
ty side Durham, making his debut
as a teenager and appearing for
England at Under-19 level, where
his abilities as a left-handed bats-
man, lively paceman and excellent
fielder all became quickly apparent.
Having blotted his copybook by
else. Against
an attack that
had Glenn
McGrath, Ja-
son Gillespie,
Shane Warne
and Stuart
MacGill at
their peak, the
Windies’ bat-
ting crumbled
in the final
innings.
No batsman
apart from Lara crossed the 40-run
mark. From 105-5, Lara carried the
home hopes on his shoulders, hitting
19 fours and one six.
McGrath took 5-92 from 44 overs and
Lara kept him at bay. He went after the
leg-spinners, scoring half the required
27 AUGUST 2019
04
wickets and a century in
Leeds Test for Stokes
being sent home for a breach of dis-
cipline from a tour of Australia with
the second-string England Lions
in 2013, Stokes was included in the
senior squad for the 2013/14 Ashes
‘Down Under’.
Australia whitewashed England
5-0 but a rare moment of joy for the
tourists came with Stokes’ defiant
maiden Test century in Perth.
Stokes, however, missed the 2014
World Twenty20 in Bangladesh
after reacting to a dismissal in
Barbados by punching a dress-
ing room locker and sustaining a
broken wrist.
A difficult year followed and such
was his loss of form he was omitted
from England’s squad for the 2015
World Cup, where the team’s woe-
ful first-round exit paved the way
for their triumph four years later.
Stokes, however, was soon back
in the fold and in January 2016 his
remarkable 258 off 198 balls against
South Africa in Cape Town saw
him score England’s quickest Test
double century.
His all-format talent also meant
Stokes, now 28, become a million-
aire twice over in the lucrative Indi-
an Premier League Twenty20 tour-
nament, yet there has never been
a doubt about his desire to play
for England.
Nor is he one for looking back,
with Stokes making it clear after
Pictures: Getty Images
Sunday’s innings that England still
had a job to regain the Ashes.
Asked if his life had been differ-
ent a year ago, Stokes answered:
“That was a year ago. A long time
ago.”
runs himself as the Windies clinched final innings against an attack of Dale double ton
a one-wicket win. It was the ultimate Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and a red-hot from Graham
one-man show as the Windies took an Duanne Olivier. No other Sri Lankan Thorpe set-
unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match batsman reached fifty in the chase; it ting hosts
series. was all about Perera. New Zealand
Kicking into overdrive after the fall of a target of
Kusal Perera – 153* the ninth wicket for 226, Perera ended 550 to win
up smashing an unbeaten 153 off 200 the Christch-
SL v SA, 2019 balls with 12 fours and five sixes. He urch Test.
In February this added 78 runs for the last wicket. The With just
year, the odds stunning win laid the foundation of a one batsman
were stacked historic Test series win. reaching fifty
against Sri Lanka and regular
when they took Nathan Astle – 222 batsman Chris Cairns injured
on South Africa and forced to bat at No11, Astle
in the Durban NZ v ENG, 2002 launched into the most audacious
Test. This one ended in defeat. But for the knock ever played. Hitting 28 fours
The islanders sheer audacity of the innings, Astle’s and 11 monstrous sixes, Astle hit 222
had been in dis- assault has to rank as one of the most of just 168 balls to take the Kiwis to
array for some incredible innings ever played. 451. It remains the fastest double
time and faced a target of 304 in the It was an incredible game, with a quick century in history.
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019
England star’s heroics immortalised on race course
By Ashley Iveson b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
Quick-thinking 11-time champion
trainer Paul Nicholls was ahead of
the game as he reserved the horse
name Onethreefivenotout in hon-
our of Ben Stokes’ century which
won the third Ashes Test for Eng-
land at Headingley.
The big-hitting all-rounder led
an astonishing fightback against
Australia on Sunday to ensure this
summer’s Ashes stay alive at 1-1
with two to play.
Last month, leading owner Max
McNeill reserved the name Cham-
Quick thinking: Trainer Paul Nicholls. pagnesuperover for a horse trained
All-time great: Stokes is one
the biggest match-winners
of the modern era.
“It would be a nice
name for one of our
owners” – Nicholls on
name ‘Onethreefivenotout’
by Olly Murphy after – again
thanks to Stokes – a thrilling Lord’s
World Cup final went England’s
way against New Zealand.
It was Nicholls who moved quick-
est this time, following another
nail-biting afternoon - although he
has not yet chosen a horse who will
be assigned the name.
Nicholls said: “I was watching
the match at home, like most peo-
ple across the country, and I just
Feeling the pain: Langer said Australia need to be smarter with their reviews.
Australia’s DRS calls
come under scanner
By Staff Reporter b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
Australia coach Justin Langer
wants to see an improvement in the
way they use the decision review
system after Ben Stokes was given a
lifeline en route to helping England
level the Ashes.
Stokes anchored an England
record fourth-innings chase of 359
with one wicket to spare as the
all-rounder produced a breathtak-
ing 135 not out at a sun-drenched
Headingley to square the series
at 1-1.
He was given a major let-off with
two runs still required when Nath-
an Lyon struck his pad but, when
umpire Joel Wilson kept his finger
down, Australia were left count-
ing the cost of burning their last
remaining review in the previous
over bowled by Pat Cummins when
ball-tracking showed all three reds.
A deflated Langer lamented
Australia’s use of DRS in recent
weeks though he was reticent to
criticise Wilson for his blunder
following a breathtaking climax to
the third Test.
The former Australia opener
said: “We’ve been really poor at it
this whole series. We’ve talked a lot
about getting better at our reviews.
Certainly we have control of that.
“We’ve got a way we go about it
but sometimes you don’t quite get
it right. The one off Pat Cummins
was getting pretty desperate at the
end and that often happens. That’s
just how it works out.
“It’s 1-1 in the series and we’ve
been so close - one more wicket and
thought it would be great to get in
quickly and reserve the name.
“I wouldn’t say I go out of my way
to watch cricket. But I like watching
the big matches, and obviously this
was so exciting – it was incredible
to watch.
“I haven’t actually committed the
name to a particular horse yet. I’ve
got a few ideas, but we’ll sit on the
fence for the time being.
“I just thought it would be a
nice name for one of our owners,
and we have it reserved now - which
is great.”
Stokes fever has, of course,
gripped the country as cricket rules
the front and back pages for the sec-
ond time in as many months - and
5
09
reviews by Australia in field
during Ashes, zero upheld
we’re 2-0 up and feeling pretty good
about ourselves but that’s sport and
we’ll pick ourselves up.
“We’re all feeling it. My gosh,
you’ve got no idea how much that
hurts losing, you have no idea. But
whether you’re the captain, coach
or a senior player, you’ve got to
get up.”
Steve Smith is on course to make
his return to Australia’s ranks for
their tour match against Derby-
shire later this week following a
concussion that sidelined the talis-
manic batsman at Headingley.
Should he come through un-
scathed then he is certain to feature
in the fourth Test at Old Trafford,
which gets under way on Septem-
ber 4, having contributed 144,
142 and 92 in his three previous
innings.
His replacement Marnus La-
buschagne has contributed three
successive half-centuries in Smith’s
stead though the rest of Australia’s
top six flattered to deceive in their
last outing.
Langer said: “We can’t fit them all
in, that’s one issue we’ve got.
“One thing I do know is that
we’re not batting well enough at the
moment. I said at the start of the se-
ries that the team who bats best will
win the Ashes.
“We’ve got some real questions
to ask for the practice game and for
the fourth Test match.”
officials at Carlisle Racecourse have
made sure they too are part of it.
Carlisle is the Durham star’s lo-
cal course, and will honour him by
offering free entry for Thursday’s
meeting to any racegoers with ‘Ben’
or ‘Stokes’ in their name.
Carlisle’s general manager Molly
Dingwall said: “I’m not a big cricket
fan, to be honest, but I got mas-
sively into it over the weekend - if
you can’t like cricket after a day like
that, then you’re never going to!
“I believe Ben Stokes moved
up here when he was around 12
and grew up in the Carlisle region.
To watch any sportsman do what he
did on Sunday is just phenomenal,”
Dingwall added.
6 TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019

News
ws

NZ shine in fading light

Kiwis defeat Sri Lanka by an innings in dying moments of second Test to level series

By Dave James b @Sport360

 editorial@sport360.com

New Zealand kept their cool to

clinch a hard-fought and compre-
hensive innings-and-65-run victo-
ry against Sri Lanka in fading light
in the second Test Monday and lev-
el the two-match series 1-1.
Victory was achieved with
an hour left on day five when
Lasith Embuldeniya edged a short
delivery from Trent Boult to Kane
Williamson at gully.
Sri Lanka were bowled out
for 122 runs after New Zealand
declared their second innings
on 431-6 with a first-innings lead of
185.
The game went to the last hour of
day five at Colombo’s P. Sara Oval,
and although 19.4 overs remained
when tail-ender Embuldeni-
ya was the last man dismissed,
umpires could have called off play at
any time with the light fast
deteriorating.
New Zealand’s bowlers were
hurrying through their deliveries
knowing too well that they were

Pictures: Getty Images

“The experience
in Galle was good,
although we lost the
game” – Williamson
Clinical: New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo.

racing against time.
The first four days’ play had
been severely affected by rain, wet
ground conditions and bad light,
but surprisingly the final day stayed
clear despite a 30-minute delayed
start. Sri Lanka had given away the
initiative to New Zealand after los-
ing five wickets for 32 runs before
lunch, but a terrific fightback by
wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella
kept their hopes of salvaging a draw.
Dickwella, who wasn’t able to
keep wicket having sustained a
cut on his left little finger, showed
plenty of character during a 51-run
knock that lasted for three-and-a-
half hours.
It was his 13th half-century in
Test cricket.
There was little support from the
rest of Sri Lanka’s batsmen, with
skipper Dimuth Karunaratne’s 21
being the second-highest score.
Suranga Lakmal and Dickwella
had batted for over an hour, but
the stand was broken when Lakmal
gloved one to close-in fielder Tom
Latham after tea.
Sri Lanka were still counting
on Dickwella when he fell for his
famous sweep shot.
The 26-year-old relies heavily on
the shot to score his runs, but on
this occasion he had stayed away
from taking undue risks.
Ajaz Patel switched ends and
came on from the Air Force Flats
side, and as Dickwella shaped to
play the sweep shot, Latham at
short leg moved to his left and posi-
tioned himself in the perfect place
to snap up the chance.
Dickwella could hardly believe
his luck before walking off dejected.
‘Very happy’
Latham’s close in fielding was
Man of the match: Tom Latham.
brilliant and so was his batting,
particularly his battles with Sri
Lankan spinners.
The opening batsman was named
Man of the Match for his 154, a sev-
en-hour vigil in which he faced 251
deliveries and was involved in two
hundred plus run stands.
Tim Southee, Boult, Patel and
William Somerville claimed two
wickets each while Colin de Grand-
homme claimed the big wicket of
Angelo Mathews.
“The experience we had in Galle
was good, although we lost the
game, for us to build up and to make
improvements for this game,” New
Zealand skipper Kane Williamson
told reporters.
“There were some superb indi-
vidual performances. To score at a
fast rate on day four was important
because of the amount of time that
we had lost in this game.”
Williamson praised the bowl-
ers, adding that Sri Lanka were “an
extremely tough team to beat”.
“We were close in Galle but not
close enough. It was nice to touch
on key areas and win this match
and very happy with the result,”
he added. Williamson’s Sri Lankan
counterpart Dimuth Karunaratne
criticised his team’s approach, say-
ing they were “too defensive” and
played into New Zealand’s hands.
“We could have shown more in-
tent. Dickwella batted well but he
received little support from the rest
of us,” he said.
Karunaratne is known for his
rescue missions but the opener was
forced to bat after the fall of the
fifth wicket as he had stayed away
from the field due to quadriceps
strain on day three.
“Had I opened the innings, it
would have helped me to hold one
end up and you never know,” he
added. “We could have stitched a
couple of partnerships. All in all
it was a very disappointing effort
from our boys.”
Sri Lanka have now lost six out of
their last eight Tests at the venue.

Five-star Bumrah proves mettle in Antigua

By Ashish Peter b @Sport360 India a thumping 318-run win in
the first Test.
after a total of 111 international ap-
pearances.
 ashishpeter@sport360.com

Jasprit Bumrah’s meteoric rise in

Brilliant: Jasprit Bumrah.
the Test format shows no signs of-
stopping nearly 18 months since he
made his debut in South Africa with
the India pacer adding another five-
wicket haul to his name against the
West Indies on Sunday.
The 25-year-old was literally un-
playable at Antigua in the second
innings with his eight overs fetch-
ing five wickets while leaking just
seven runs. Bumrah’s sensational
spell saw West Indies fold for 100
runs in the second innings to hand
With his figures of 5-7 at Antigua,
Bumrah has now picked up five-
wicket hauls in South Africa, Eng-
land, Australia and the West Indies
and that too in his maiden tours to
the four countries.
It is a feat which has not been at-
tained by any other Asian bowler in
history with even the likes of Wasim
Akram, Waqar Younis, Muttiah Mu-
ralitharan and Anil Kumble falling
short of claiming that honour.
Bumrah’s latest achievement
came days after he brought up a
half-century of Test dismissals in
just his 11th appearance in the for-
04
five-wicket hauls in four Test
tours for Bumrah
mat. No other Indian pacer in histo-
ry has reached the mark as quickly
as Bumrah who is showing signs
that he is on his way to becoming
the greatest fast bowler ever pro-
duced by the nation.
The Ahmedabad-born pacer now
has a career bowling average of
20.63, 21.88 and 20.17 in the Test,
ODI and T20 formats respectively
which is nothing short of stellar
After the win in Antigua, Bumrah
said he was glad to raise his game
in the second innings after strug-
gling in the first due to rust and a
stiff back.
Four of his victims were clean
bowled, showing his new-found
ability to swing the ball both ways.
“I’ve been working a lot on this
aspect of my game and I am re-
ally happy to see how it worked out
today,” he said.
“I was a bit stiff in the first
innings but it all came out well
today. I just have to keep on learn-
ing my craft.”
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019 7
Ligue 1

Tuchel
wants
Neymar
to stay
By Staff Reporter b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com

Paris Saint-Germain coach Tho-

mas Tuchel reiterated his desire
to keep Neymar at the club after
seeing both Edinson Cavani and
Kylian Mbappe hobble out of Sun-
day night’s 4-0 win over Toulouse.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting,
who replaced Cavani barely 10 min-
utes into the match, chose a good
time for his best display in a PSG
shirt as he scored two and played a
key role in Mathieu Goncalves’ un-
fortunate own goal, but it could still
prove a costly night for the champi-
ons.
Cavani left the pitch clutching

Pictures: Getty Images

his thigh while Mbappe pulled up
while running down the channel
and reached for his hamstring.
“I cannot give details yet about
the injuries of Cavani and Mbappe,”
Tuchel said on Canal+. “We do not
Torn apart: Kylian Mbappe is given treatment after tearing his hamstring against Toulouse. yet know if it’s serious and if they
will miss the Champions League.”

PSG left decimated by

Asked if the situation increased
the need for clarity over the future
of Neymar, currently sidelined but
repeatedly linked with a return
to Barcelona or a move to Real

injuries to forward line

Madrid, Tuchel said: “Leonardo
(sporting director) knows very well
that I want to keep Neymar.
“The situation is not clear and

Mbappe out for four weeks, Cavani for three as problems mount in capital

By Jed Court b @jedgore The capital-city giants sit three

 editorial@sport360.com
Paris Saint-Germain lost star strik-
ers Edinson Cavani and Kylian
Mbappe to injuries on Sunday as
the French champions’ problems
continued to mount despite a 4-0
thrashing of Toulouse.
It was confirmed on Monday that
Mbappe will be out for four weeks
with a left hamstring injury and
Cavani for three weeks with a hip
injury, which were both sustained
during the game.
Thomas Tuchel’s men, who lost
at Rennes last time out, had already
seen the start of their season domi-
nated by the Neymar transfer saga.
The Brazilian was once again
left out of the squad at the Parc des
Princes amid rumours of a move
to Real Madrid or return to Barce-
lona, and Tuchel saw his strikeforce
totally dismantled as Cavani and
Mbappe both hobbled off – as did
centre-back Abdou Diallo.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
scored a second-half double, but
only after coming on as a substi-
tute for the injured Cavani, while
Mbappe also departed the scene
after pulling up following a trade-
mark burst into the box.
“These are different injuries,
in different actions,” said Tuchel.
“There’s not a single explanation,
we have to look for all the possible
reasons.
“I’m disappointed because we’re
talking about that when we’ve been
very strong.”
points behind early Ligue 1 pace-
setters Rennes, who made it three
wins from three by beating Stras-
bourg 2-0.
Tuchel responded to last week-
end’s defeat by making three chang-
es to his starting XI, including drop-
ping captain Thiago Silva to the
bench. Mbappe twice came close to
settling any early nerves in the first
four minutes, but was denied both
times by Toulouse goalkeeper Bap-
tiste Reynet.
With Neymar looking increas-
ingly likely to be heading to the exit
door, PSG’s woes deepened when
they lost another member of their
fabled ‘MCN’ forward line as Cavani
left the pitch in the 14th minute to
be replaced by the usually much less
potent Choupo-Moting.
Motoring: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored twice for PSG.
Silva was introduced before half-
time as Diallo, a close-season sign-
ing from Borussia Dortmund, also
broke down injured.
The home side started the sec-
ond period well, though, and it was
Choupo-Moting – whose stint at
PSG has so far been best known for
a shocking miss last season against
Strasbourg – who turned past one
defender, span around another, and
drilled into the bottom corner.
Visiting left-back Mathieu Gon-
calves scored a calamitous 55th-
minute own goal by slicing a tame,
bouncing ball away from Reynet’s
gloves and into the roof of the net.
A difficult night for PSG got
worse when Angel Di Maria, who
would be expected to step up in
the possible absences of Neymar,
Cavani and Mbappe, saw a penalty
comfortably saved by Reynet.
But former Stoke player Choupo-
Moting suggested he may be able to
shoulder some of the burden, slot-
ting in his second and PSG’s third
with 15 minutes remaining before
Marquinhos’ late header added fur-
ther gloss to the scoreline.
Earlier on Sunday, Rennes
backed up their shock win over PSG
last weekend with victory at Stras-
bourg.
Julien Stephan’s side, who also
stunned PSG to win last season’s
French Cup, saw off 10-man Stras-
bourg thanks to goals in either half
from Clement Grenier and M’Baye
Niang to maintain their 100-per-
cent start to the season.
Monaco’s miserable form con-
tinued as they blew a 2-0 half-time
lead to be held to a 2-2 draw by fel-
low strugglers Nimes in the prin-
cipality despite goals from close-
season signings Islam Slimani and
Wissam Ben Yedder.
The referee threatened to halt
the game due to Nimes fans insult-
ing French league chiefs with offen-
sive language.
The league has mooted the idea
of introducing a list of banned
words in stadiums in an attempt to
combat bad language, but Nimes
supporters hit back by telling them
to “go f*** yourselves”.
A message over the PA system
was read out to fans warning them
to stop the chants or the game could
be stopped, before the match con-
tinued with the Monaco supporters
joining in with their Nimes coun-
terparts.
Needed: Neymar.
must be closed as soon as possible.
He is a great player and he is very
important to us.”
PSG, who suffered a shock loss
to Rennes last week, still looked off
their game for much of the first half
but – after an incredible solo ef-
fort from Choupo-Moting early in
the second half – they found some
rhythm and soon put the result be-
yond doubt.
“We played a lot of balls in the
opposing area, we played well with
a lot of seriousness and intensity,”
Tuchel said. “The result is deserved.
“Choupo-Moting was incredible.
He is a player who can help us. He
does not play his favourite position
but he has quality and I hope now
he has a lot of confidence.”
Marquinhos headed in PSG’s
fourth seven minutes from time,
but Tuchel had hoped to keep the
34-year-old on the bench, only for
Abdou Diallo to limp off five min-
utes before the break.
“He was used too much in the ear-
ly matches,” Tuchel said. “Without
(Thilo) Kehrer’s injury he should
have been on the bench in Rennes.
“He is playing like a 25-year-old
even if he is not 25. We must respect
recovery periods.”
8 TUESDAY
Premier League
A stick or twist list
Five Premier League stars who may be playing elsewhere by next week
Sold Trafford? Paul Pogba has made public his desire to leave Manchester United, though it is unlikely the club will let him go without a replacement.
By Dan Gillott b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
While the Premier League trans-
fer window closed before the start
of the new season, most European
teams can continue their summer
spending until September 2.
That means a number of players
in England could still be lured away
to the continent in the coming days.
Here are five who may well find
themselves turning out for a differ-
ent club next month.
Alexis Sanchez
The Chile international could never
had imagined how badly his career
could wane after moving to Man-
chester United. Sanchez, 30, left
Arsenal for Old Trafford in Janu-
ary 2018 but poor form and nig-
gling injuries have seen him score
only three Premier League goals.
Inter Milan have been linked with
a move and United boss Ole Gunnar
STAT ATTACK
New assist king?
Following an injury-
ravaged season last
term, Kevin De Bruyne
has begun this cam-
paign in fine form. It may
not have been his most
eye-catching assist for Sergio Aguero
to break the deadlock at Bournemouth,
but it was his 50th in the Premier
League. Having played only 123 games,
the Belgian playmaker has reached
the milestone in record time. Mesut
Ozil was previously the quickest to the
mark, taking 141 appearances while Eric
Cantona took 143.
Solskjaer has conceded Sanchez
could leave for Italy if the right of-
fer is made.
Christian Eriksen
Real Madrid have been long-term
suitors of the Tottenham midfield-
er and boss Mauricio Pochettino
admits he does not know if Eriksen
will play for the club again.
The 27-year-old is out of contract
next summer and could walk away
for nothing – with Madrid seeming-
ly ready to pay to get him through
the door now. Eriksen was on the
bench for Sunday’s surprise home
defeat to Newcastle and came on
for what could prove to be the last
of his 280 appearances for a side he
joined in 2009.
Paul Pogba
A summer move away from Man-
chester United looked a near cer-
tainty for France midfielder Pogba.
He did little to dampen speculation
as it seemed he was destined to
James hunted
Manchester United’s sum-
mer signing Daniel James
has received bookings
in successive games for
simulation and is gaining
a reputation as a diver.
However, his reprimand on Saturday at Old
Trafford seemed rather harsh.
The Welshman’s blistering pace is
always going to draw challenges from op-
posing defenders and following this week-
end, no one in the league has been fouled
more times (11). Aston Villa’s John McGinn
has been brought down the same number
of times, but has played 75 minutes more.
leave the club for a second time as
the likes of Real Madrid and former
club Juventus were linked with his
signature.
But Pogba started the season in
Solskjaer’s side – missing a penalty
in a recent draw at Wolves – and it
seems like that is where he will stay
for now, barring any late drama.
Tiemoue Bakayoko
Signed from Monaco in the sum-
mer of 2017, Bakayoko’s Chelsea ca-
Playmaking full-back
Trent Alexander-Arnold
was in a personal duel all
last season with team-mate
Andy Robertson for assists.
He finished the campaign
with a flurry and hasn’t
looked back, assisting twice in three
games so far this term.
His assist for Joel Matip against Arsenal
marked his ninth his last 10 league games,
a phenomenal return for a defender. Of
course, his quality from set-pieces has
helped him along the way but that doesn’t
take away from the sheer number of
chances he creates.
27 AUGUST 2019
Deal or no deal: Jurgen Klopp.
Jurgen’s
future is
cloudy
past 2022
By Staff Reporter b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
has cast further doubt on him ex-
tending his stay at Anfield.
The German has already had one
contract renewal to take him up to
2022 and Fenway Sports Group is
keen to tie him down to another.
Klopp joined Liverpool in 2015
and, having spent exactly seven
years at previous clubs Mainz
and Borussia Dortmund, there is
Pictures: Getty Images
already speculation he could
walk away from the Reds in three
seasons.
Last week he said he did not know
what would happen “in two or three
years” and his latest comments will
only increase concerns the Cham-
pions League-winning coach has a
reer has certainly not gone to plan.
The midfielder struggled for
definite end point in mind.
form in his first campaign in Eng-
land before being shipped out on “Who can now say
loan to AC Milan last season. Now if he can give it his
the 25-year-old looks set to land a all in three years’
similar move away from Stamford time?” – Klopp
Bridge, with former club Monaco
reportedly in the driving seat to
sign Bakayoko on a temporary deal. Asked if he would take some
time off after he finishes at Anfield,
Shkodran Mustafi Klopp told German sports maga-
Mustafi remains Arsenal’s fifth- zine Kicker: “It looks like it. Who
most expensive player of all time can now say if he can give it his all in
and holds the record for the most three years’ time?
money the Gunners have ever in- “If I decide for myself that I can’t
vested in a defender. But the Ger- go on any more, I’ll take a break and
man has never won over the ma- in that year I’d have to make a defi-
jority of Arsenal supporters with nite decision (over my career).
performances laced with mistakes “I have absolute energy, but I
and uncertainty. have one problem; I can’t do ‘a lit-
The late signing of David Luiz tle bit’. I can only do ‘all or nothing’.
from Chelsea now means an exit is “But the chances are very high
likely, especially given he has yet to that my energy levels will go up
feature for Arsenal this season and again (after a year’s break), and that
head coach Unai Emery has public- I can then do the job the way I want
ly told Mustafi to seek out a move. to.”
Pepe gets past Barnestorming start
It’s finally happened. Virgil There’s an argument to
van Dijk has been dribbled be made that Ashley
past in the Premier League, Barnes is one of the best
ending a run of 50 games finishers in the league.
as an immovable object. The Burnley striker
French recruit Nicolas scored his fourth goal of
Pepe was the chosen one as he beat the the season against Wolves and is prov-
Dutchman during Arsenal’s loss at Anfield. ing to be incredibly efficient.
Van Dijk was last dribbled past in March Only Aguero (16) and Sadio Mane
2018 by Newcastle’s Mikel Merino. It’s fit- (15) have scored more goals in the
ting that the man to beat him after nearly league than the 13 Barnes has managed
a year and half is also starting to look like in 2019.
one of the best dribblers in the league. He’s also very accurate with his
No player has completed more than efforts and has a conversion rate of
his 11 dribbles so far this season. nearly 50 per cent.
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019 9
La Liga
a

Valverde
delighted
with new
signing’s
response
By Staff Reporter b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde

said Antoine Griezmann “reacted
perfectly” to the call of duty, scor-
ing twice as the side beat Real Betis
5-2.
The Frenchman was unable to
find the net in his Barca debut as
the side went down 1-0 to Athletic
Bilbao – and Valverde called for
Griezmann to be more involved in
the game at the Camp Nou.
The World Cup winner duly
responded with a brace and an
assist as Barcelona – without inj-
ured Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and
Ousmane Dembele – came from

Pictures: Getty Images

behind to secure all three points.
Valverde, quoted in Marca, said:
“I have to recognise that it was an
important day for him due to the
injuries we had. He reacted per-
fectly. He dropped into the midfield
Left-foot wizard: Antoine Griezmann filled the hole left by Lionel Messi with two excellent goals against Betis. to help and he made an impact. We
know that if attacking players track

Griezmann’s lead role

back, we have a better chance of
winning.”
The home side found themselves
a goal down early on when Nabil
Fekir opened his account for Betis

in the imitation game

on 15 minutes but Griezmann

Barca star reveals he copied Messi and LBJ after stunning display vs Betis

By Tom Allnutt b @tomallnuttafp big reaction,” Griezmann said. “We

 editorial@sport360.com
Antoine Griezmann copied Lionel
Messi for the goal and LeBron
James for the celebration but it was
his night for Barcelona on Sunday
after he scored twice in a 5-2 win
over Real Betis.
Griezmann imitated the basket-
ball superstar by tossing confetti
into the air to celebrate his second
at Camp Nou, a curling effort into
the corner that he said was inspired
by watching Messi.
“I saw Leo do this in training, so I
tried to copy him,” said Griezmann.
“And for the celebration, I like the
ritual that LeBron did so we tried to
do it as well.”
Yet Griezmann was the star, if
only for the night with Messi in the
stands, the Argentinian still short
of fitness following a calf injury.
A brilliant Barcelona perform-
ance also delivered a resounding
response to the doubts arising from
their defeat by Athletic Bilbao last
weekend, among them a reliance
on Messi, the need for Neymar and
the future of Ernesto Valverde as
coach.
But as Carles Perez, Jordi Alba
and Arturo Vidal made it three, four
and five, the gloom was forgotten,
along with Nabil Fekir’s opener in
the 15th minute, that had Betis level
at half-time.
“After a defeat, there is always a
really wanted to play another game
and when so many players are miss-
ing, the team steps up.”
Loren Moron slammed a late
strike into the top corner for Betis
but by then the game was up as
Barca ensured no further ground
was lost on Atletico Madrid, who
beat Leganes 1-0 earlier on Sun-
day, or Real Madrid, who were held
to a 1-1 draw on Saturday by Real
Valladolid.
Timely display
Barcelona will hope to have Messi
back for the trip to Osasuna next
weekend but with Luis Suarez and
Ousmane Dembele both out for
longer, Griezmann’s statement dis-
play was timely.
Main men: Goalscorers Griezmann, Carles Perez (r) and Vidal celebrate.
Whether it also affects the club’s
attempts to prise Neymar from
Paris Saint-Germain remains to be
seen.
“I have to admit today was an
important day for Antoine,” said
Valverde.
The crowd also enjoyed a goal
from the 21-year-old Perez, making
his first Barca start, and a substi-
tute appearance from Anssumane
Fati, who at 16 became the second
youngest player ever to play for the
club in La Liga.
Sergio Busquets was at fault for
Betis’ opener as he gave the ball
away, allowing Fekir to drive in his
debut goal since he moved from
Lyon in July.
But Barca were undeterred and
after Rafinha missed an excellent
chance to equalise, Griezmann took
over, volleying in on the stretch
four minutes before half-time, past
the weak hand of Dani Martin.
If Griezmann’s first owed some-
thing to the goalkeeper, his second
was unstoppable. He collected the
ball 25 yards out and used Sidnei as
a marker to bend his shot around
the defender and inside the far post.
Griezmann ran to the corner
where confetti was poured into
his hands. He threw it into the air
above his head. Barca were relent-
less as Perez steered a third into
the bottom corner and Alba made
it four, latching onto a superb Bus-
quets pass inside the full-back.
There was still time for two scin-
tillating strikes, the first from Vi-
dal, who was slid in by Griezmann,
and the second by Loren, who was
given too much space. It was no
more than a consolation.
Barcelona stay behind Atletico,
who maintained their perfect start
with another 1-0 victory, this time
over Leganes as Vitolo came off the
bench to score a second-half win-
ner at Butarque.
Joao Felix, Atletico’s ¤126 mil-
lion-buy from Benfica and much-
hailed replacement for Griezmann,
was again quiet but delivered the
match’s most memorable moment.
The 19-year-old’s perfectly-timed
pass set Vitolo free while Felix had
been picked out by Kieran Trippier,
who was faultless on his second
Atletico start.
Big expectations: Ernesto Valverde.
equalised shortly before half-time
and curled in a superb second early
in the second half which had Suarez
and Messi beaming their approval.
Goals from Carles Perez and
Jordi Alba made sure of the points
before Griezmann – signed for
more than £100m – set up sub-
stitute Arturo Vidal for the fifth,
although the best, and last, goal of
the night was a 25-yard screamer
from Betis’ Loren Moron.
Speaking after the game to the
club’s website, Griezmann said:
“Well, this is a tricky stadium for
me. There’s not many in Spain
where I haven’t scored and this was
one of them.
“So I’m really happy for the goals,
the way the team played and for the
atmosphere.
“I know that people are expect-
ing a lot of me, my first game wasn’t
great so I just wanted another game
to come along.”
10
Serie A
Courageous: Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic surprised everyone by leaving hospital the morning of the fixture to take charge on the touchline.
Cancer can’t stop the
‘warrior’ Mihajlovic
Despite weeks of chemo treatment Bologna boss makes bench for draw
By Emmeline Moore b @emmelinemoore
 editorial@sport360.com
A cap on his head and wear-
ing a Bologna shirt, coach Sinisa
Mihajlovic courageously joined his
players for their Serie A opener in
Verona on Sunday despite undergo-
ing treatment for leukaemia.
It was a personal victory for the
Serb, but the match ended 1-1 with
Bologna settling for a point despite
promoted Verona finishing the
match with ten men.
Mihajlovic was diagnosed with
“acute leukaemia” six weeks ago
but the 50-year-old has continued
working as Bologna coach.
His presence at the game in Vero-
na has come as a surprise as he has
been hospitalised in Bologna for the
past month undergoing treatment.
It had initially been reported he
was set to follow the match from a
special box in the stands in Verona.
But when all the players took the
pitch, Mihajlovic came in, without
the mask covering his mouth he
had been wearing in the afternoon
when he left the hospital.
His face was gaunt and thinner
following weeks of treatment.
“We were shocked, we didn’t ex-
pect it, even though he had prom-
ised us,” midfielder Andrea Poli
told sports broadcaster DAZN.
“We were impressed, but we are
happy that he is here with us, he
shows an exceptional courage. We
were excited when he arrived at the
hotel.”
“Warriors recognise each other
from afar. My love,” his wife Ari-
anna Rapaccioni wrote on social
media.
Nicola Sansone converted a pen-
alty for Bologna after 15 minutes
just after Verona defender Pawel
Dawidowicz was sent off.
But a Miguel Veloso free kick put
10-man Verona, returning to Serie
A after a one-year absence, back
level after 37 minutes.
AC Milan stumbled at the first
hurdle with a 1-0 loss at Udinese
with fellow European hopefuls
Roma held 3-3 at Genoa.
Both teams have changed coach-
es during the summer with Marco
Pistolero misfires: AC’s Krzysztof Piatek didn’t register a single shot on target.
Giampaolo replacing Gennaro Gat-
tuso on the Milan bench and Roma
coached by Paulo Fonseca.
The seven-time European cham-
pions were lacking inspiration in
Udine, against a home side who fin-
ished 12th last term after fighting to
avoid relegation.
Milan’s forward line of Krzysztof
Piatek – third top scorer in Serie
A last season – Brazilian Suso and
Spaniard Samu Castillejo, failed to
muster a single shot on target.
The breakthrough came on 72
minutes when new Brazilian sign-
ing Rodrigo Becao connected with
a Rodrigo De Paul corner to head
past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the
Milan goal.
In Rome, Genoa fought back
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019
MLS
Zlatan
weaves
through
El Trafico
By Staff Reporter b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice
but LAFC prevented the LA Gal-
axy star spearheading more derby
success as a thrilling Major League
Soccer encounter ended 3-3.
While Bob Bradley’s Black and
Gold have a giant lead at the top
of the standings, the Galaxy have
dominated the El Trafico derby
and their Swedish star looked set to
be the scourge of their rivals once
more.
Ibrahimovic, ever the showman,
made the most of his two early goals
in the fifth edition of the Los Ange-
les derby at the bouncing Banc of
California Stadium, where Cristian
Pavon added another early goal for
the visitors.
Pictures: Getty Images
But Latif Blessing’s first-half
double gave LAFC hope and, while
their wait for a derby win contin-
ues, Carlos Vela ensured a share of
the spoils as a pulsating encounter
ended level.
Kevin Costner, James Corden
and Natalie Portman were among
the stars in attendance for a clash
as intense as it was enthralling.
Just 105 seconds were on the
clock when Ibrahimovic fired home
in front of the North End hosting
LAFC’s 3,252 loud fans, who did
despite Cengiz Under scoring
after just six minutes for the hosts
with Edin Dzeko and a superb
Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick also
giving Roma the advantage.
Striker Andrea Pinamonti pulled Showman: Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Genoa level with a Domenico Cr-
iscito penalty and a Christian Ko- not enjoy the striker celebrating in
uame goal on 70 minutes giving the a manner Megan Rapinoe would be
visitors a point. proud of. The goal set the tone in a
City rivals Lazio came away 3-0 breathless half. Blessing levelled
winners from Sampdoria thanks to for LAFC from close range in the
a Ciro Immobile double in either 12th minute, only for the Galaxy
half, bringing his tally to 101 goals superstar to put the visitors back
in Serie A. ahead when put past Favio Alvarez.
Atalanta -- in the Champions Ibrahimovic stood arms out-
League after finishing third last stretched after all too easily
season -- won 3-2 at SPAL with Luis rounding goalkeeper Tyler Miller
Muriel scoring a second-half brace. and blew the home fans a kiss – a
Simone Zaza also bagged a brace moment compounded as Pavon
for Torino in a 2-1 win over Tori- struck home the Galaxy’s third with
no, who bounced back from their just 16 minutes played.
Europa League defeat at home to It was an extraordinary start to a
Wolves. match that swung from one end to
Promoted Brescia, playing with- the other, with former Hull forward
out new signing Mario Balotelli Adama Diomande going close for
who is sitting out a ban, earned a LAFC before Blessing managed to
1-0 win at Cagliari thanks to an Al- reduce the deficit on the stroke of
fredo Donnarumma penalty on 54 half-time. LAFC were back within
minutes. a goal of the Galaxy and returned
Champions Juventus and sec- from the break with the bit between
ond-placed Napoli both got off to their teeth. Their intent brought
winning starts on Saturday. about a 53rd minute equaliser as
Juventus beat Parma 1-0 without Vela coolly directed home.
coach Maurizio Sarri who is recov- Diego Rossi saw a close-range
ering from pneumonia, with Na- strike blocked and Diomande
poli edging a seven-goal thriller at fluffed his line from the resulting
Fiorentina 4-3. corner, with substitute Brian Rod-
Inter Milan, fourth last season, riguez trying his luck as the home
hosted promoted Lecce on Monday. side pushed for a historic winner.
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019
News
Revenge is a dish best
served with cold cash
Rory beats two demons by winning Tour Championship, claims FedEx Cup
In the pink: Rory McIlroy in action during the final round of the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
By Phil Casey b @pcaseyafc
 editorial@sport360.com
Rory McIlroy exorcised two
demons at the same time after win-
ning the Tour Championship and
FedEx Cup title for the second time
in four years to pocket the US dol-
lars 15million (£12.3million) first
prize in Atlanta.
McIlroy carded a closing 66 at
East Lake to finish 18 under par,
four shots ahead of American Xan-
der Schauffele.
World number one Brooks Koep-
ka, who held a one-shot lead after
the completion of the delayed third
round, ran up a double bogey on the
seventh and carded a hat-trick of
bogeys on the back nine to slip into
a tie for third with Justin Thomas.
A year ago McIlroy played along-
side Tiger Woods in the final round
as the 15-time major winner was
victorious at East Lake and just
weeks he ago he partnered Koepka
on the last day of the WGC-FedEx
St Jude Invitational, carding a 71 to
the American’s closing 65.
“I didn’t enjoy that walk last year
like everyone else did, I played ter-
ribly,” admitted McIlroy, who joins
Woods as the only two-time FedEx
Cup winners. “I got myself in the
final group and never took the fight
to Tiger.
“Going up against the number
one player in the world today, he
got one over on me in Memphis and
I wanted to sort of try to get some
revenge today so to play like that
alongside Brooks and get the win,
win the FedEx Cup it’s awesome.
“It’s amazing how different
things can be in a year.”
McIlroy began the week by ques-
tioning the radical format which
saw the player with the most FedEx
Cup points after the BMW Cham-
pionship (Thomas) starting on 10
under par.
The second-highest points earn-
er began at eight under, the third-
ranked player at seven under and
so on, on a sliding scale down to the
players in 26th to 30th who started
Strong grip: The Northern Irishman’s victory saw him net $15m.
“He got one over on
me in Memphis and
I wanted to get some
revenge” – McIlroy
on level par. McIlroy started on five
under par and could therefore have
shot the lowest 72-hole score and
still not have won the title, but in
the end his total of 13 under was the
best in the field by three.
“My goal today was to go and
shoot the lowest score of the week,”
McIlroy added.
“I made those two bogeys on 14
and 15 and a huge par save on 16 and
then was able to birdie the last two.
“Such a cool way to end what
11
KO blow: Ko Jin-young.
Flawless
Ko storms
to Canada
triumph
By Staff Reporter b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
World number one Ko Jin-young
of South Korea stormed to a five-
shot victory in the Canadian Pacific
Women’s Open on Sunday, produc-
ing her fourth consecutive bogey-
free round to claim the 16th title of
her professional career.
The 24-year-old from Seoul
delivered another flawless per-
formance at Magna Golf Club out-
side Toronto in the latest milestone
of a season which has included two
major championship victories at
the ANA Inspiration and Evian
Championship.
In addition to her major wins, it
was also Ko’s second LPGA Tour
title of 2019, following her victory
at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup
in March.
Ko’s final round eight-under-par
Pictures: Getty Images
64 left her at 26 under, five shots
clear of final round partner Nicole
Broch Larsen, who finished with a
three-under-par 69 to close on 21
under for second.
In a see-saw final round, it was
Broch Larsen who made the first
move, notching a birdie on the
has been for me a great season. I’ll
look back on this season and there’s
opening hole to move to 19 under
before Ko recorded her first birdie
been a lot of good things I’ve done of the day to regain a share of the
and I’ll try to improve again for next lead on the sixth.
year. Ko then moved a shot clear with
“I’ve given myself so many chanc- a further birdie on the eighth be-
es. To win three times is awesome. I fore Broch Larsen responded with
feel like I could have won more but her second birdie as both players
to win the FedEx Cup again, to keep reached the turn at 20 under.
giving myself chances even when I But Ko gained a decisive advan-
was getting knocked back, I’m very tage on the 10th, making another
proud of myself and I’m going to en- birdie as Broch Larsen bogeyed,
joy this one tonight.” suddenly handing the Korean a two-
McIlroy began the final round a shot cushion that she never relin-
shot behind playing partner Koep- quished. Three more birdies on the
ka and both men opened with five 11th, 14th and 15th holes moved Ko
straight pars before making a birdie to 24 under for the tournament, and
on the par-five sixth, but the turn- although Broch Larsen managed
ing point came at the next as Koep- back-to-back birdies on the 13th and
ka made a double bogey following 14th holes, the Korean remained
a lost ball off the tee and McIlroy three clear with three to play.
holed from 20 feet for birdie. Another birdie on the 17th left
Koepka responded superbly to Ko four shots ahead heading to the
birdie the next as McIlroy enjoyed 18th tee, and she nervelessly rolled
a major stroke of luck when his in her eighth birdie of the day from
pulled approach hit a tuft of grass 10 feet to seal the win.
on the edge of a drain and stopped Behind the duel at the top of the
short of the water. leaderboard, Lizette Salas pro-
Birdies on the 12th and 13th duced another low-scoring round
took McIlroy four shots clear and with an eight-under-par 64 but it
although he bogeyed the next two was not enough to overhaul Broch
holes and had to hole from eight Larsen or Ko. Salas finished tied for
feet on 16 to avoid an unwanted hat- third on 19 under par.
trick, McIlroy effectively sealed Canada’s defending champion
victory with a birdie on the 17th and and crowd favourite Brooke Hend-
rounded off the week in style with erson carded a three-under-par 69
another on the par-five 18th. for a share of third alongside Salas.
12 TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019

US Open
n News

Team player: Novak Djokovic.

Serbia say
Djok’s still
a team
player
By Staff Reporter b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com

World number one Novak Djoko-

Pictures: Getty Images

vic will compete with Serbia in the
revamped Davis Cup this Novem-
ber in Madrid, the country’s tennis
federation confirmed on Monday,
ending doubts about the star play-
er’s appearance.
Tough stuff: Karolina Pliskova was on the court for 106 minutes before finally battling past Czech qualifier Tereza Martincova. “We have fantastic news: Novak

No stroll through the

will participate in the final tourna-
ment in Madrid. I had the opportu-
nity to discuss it with him in New
York,” Serbia’s team coach Nenad
Zimonjic said in a statement.
The Serb is currently defend-

Meadows for Pliskova

Aspiring No1 toils in opener, men’s No7 seed Nishikori eases through
By Jim Slater b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
Czech third seed Karolina Pliskova
struggled into the second round of
quest for a 24th Grand Slam sin-
gles crown against Russia’s Maria
Sharapova, a five-time Slam win-
ner, in the night feature in Arthur
Ashe Stadium, where 20-time
Grand Slam champion Roger Fed-
“Not happy that I lost three
breaks of serve in a row. That’s
not possible for next time,” Plisk-
ova said. “I’m happy I could get
through. And happy to win in two
tie-breaks. That hasn’t happened
ing his title in New York at the US
Open.
“It’s a huge boost to have Novak.
I am very happy to see him join
the team after a long absence,”
Zimonjic added.
The 32-year-old, who led Ser-
bia to a maiden Davis Cup in 2010,
hasn’t played in the tournament
since 2017, when Serbia qualified
battling three-set win over Daria
Kasatkina.
for the semi-finals by defeating
Spain 4-1.
Cheered on by Avengers star Tom However, last year he did not
Hiddleston, the British number one seem to show much enthusiasm
produced some fine shot-making as
the end game arrived for Kasatkina,
the Brit progressing 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

the US Open on Monday while 2014
runner-up Kei Nishikori of Japan
needed only 47 minutes to advance.
Pliskova, who has a chance to
finish the Flushing Meadows fort-
night as world number one, held
off 138th-ranked Czech qualifier
Tereza Martincova 7-6 (8/6), 7-6
(7/3) after an hour and 46 minutes.
“It’s tough to play Tereza,” Plisk-
ova said. “We never played and
especially tough to play in the first
round. “Not my best performance
today for sure, and she made some
great shots.”
Seventh seed Nishikori reached
the men’s second round 6-1, 4-1,
when 205th-ranked Argentine
qualifier Marco Trungelliti retired
with a back injury.
“It’s a little bit sad to see. He’s a
great player,” a consoling Nishikori
said of his stricken opponent. “For
me, I played great tennis from the
beginning and I’m happy with the
way I played today.”
Matches played overnight includ-
ed top-seeded defending champion
Novak Djokovic of Serbia facing
Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena
and reigning French Open champi-
on Ashleigh Barty, the second seed
from Australia, facing Zarina Diyas
of Kazakhstan.
Serena Williams also opened her
erer will follow against Indian qual-
ifier Sumit Nagal.
Pliskova and her compatriot ex-
changed breaks of serve through
the first six games of their match,
Martincova breaking again for a 5-4
edge and coming within two points
of taking the set before Pliskova
rallied and broke back to equalise
at 5-5.
Pliskova took the first tie-breaker
with forehand winners on the final
two points, then squandered a 3-0
edge in the second set before taking
the final four points of the last tie-
break, smashing a service winner to
claim the match.
Open for business: Konta won in three sets against Kasatkina.
for a long time.”
Pliskova, Barty, Wimbledon
champion Simona Halep and top-
ranked defending champion Naomi
Osaka all have a chance to stand
atop the rankings at the end of the
US Open.
Osaka and Halep must win the
title to be number one. Pliskova
needs at least a quarter-final run
while Barty is the front runner,
defending fewer points from last
year’s Open than Osaka.
Konta bests Daria
Johanna Konta got her US Open
campaign up and running with a
“I’d lost my last two matches
to her and expected a long tough
match,” said Konta. “That’s what it
was and I’m pleased how I managed
to adapt.”
Konta, beaten in the first round
here for the last two years, elected
to receive and promptly broke her
opponent’s serve, aided with a cou-
ple of double-faults.
Konta’s solid service games kept
her out of trouble in the opening
set, wrapping it up in just 23 min-
utes. Kasatkina is a better player
than that, having been in the top
10 not so long ago, and she began to
show it in the second set.
Having finally found her range,
she came up with a couple of con-
fident holds followed by a break of
the Konta serve for 3-2.
The pressure was building on
Konta, who was fuming after a
Kasatkina forehand was called out
only for the umpire to overrule and
award the point to the Russian.
She reached boiling point mo-
ments later when her own forehand
was called out and overruled, only
for the point to be replayed.
Konta regained her composure,
though, and secured the crucial
break to lead 4-1 in the decider be-
fore completing an impressive win.
2010
year Djokovic led Serbia to a
first Davis Cup
for the new Davis Cup format, in
which 18 teams will be split into
three groups, with the winners and
two best runners-up to reach the
quarter-finals.
In October Djokovic said he was
unsure about his participation
given the competition’s proximity
to the rival ATP World Team Cup at
the start of the 2020 season.
“I just feel like the date of the
Davis Cup is really bad, especially
for the top players,” he said at the
time.
“Between the two, I will priori-
tise the World Team Cup, because
that’s a competition of ATP, but we
still have to obviously discuss with-
in my team personally.”
Serbia will play their first Dav-
is Cup match in Madrid against
Japan on 20 November, before
moving on to face France the
following day.
Before that, Djokovic is expected
to play in the London Masters, the
final of which is set for 17 Novem-
ber, according to the Serbian tennis
federation.
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019 13
Internationals

Best view is at the peak

England boss Jones credits off-field bonding as critical to helping side climb their ‘Everest’

By Duncan Bech b @duncanbech

 editorial@sport360.com

Eddie Jones insists England must

continue scaling their Everest as
he reflects on the off-field bonding
that has helped propel his team into
genuine World Cup contention.
Ireland were overwhelmed 57-
15 at Twickenham on Saturday in
a victory which sent records tum-
bling as a highest number of tries
and points scored against their Six
Nations rivals also contributed to
the greatest winning margin.
A mighty performance issued a
statement with one last warm-up
Test remaining – against Italy in
Newcastle on Friday week – before
the squad departs for Japan on Sep-
tember 8.
Having been involved in four pre-
vious World Cups, Jones compares
preparation for the tournament to
climbing a mountain.
And critical to reaching their
current position has been the so-
cial events held at a recent train-
ing camp in Treviso that may have

“You’ve got to keep

evaluating, keep
looking”
– Jones

seen Mike Brown and Ben Te’o lock

horns, but was invaluable for others.
“You have ideas in your head but
you never know exactly where you

Pictures: Getty Images

need to be because you don’t know
where the opposition are,” Jones
said.
“If we’re at the bottom of Mount
Everest, we’ve got to plan to be at
base camp three by now, but if eve-
ryone else is at base camp five, then
your plan is wrong.
“You’ve got to keep evaluating,
keep looking. The only thing you do
know is that you’ve got to keep going
forward and that’s hard.
“It’s like climbing a mountain, the
higher you get, the more uncomfort-
able it gets, the ground gets shaky,
your ears start to burn, your nose
starts to run.
“And that’s where we’re getting
into that territory because we’ve got
to push it forward again.”
Te’o and Brown were involved in
Getting stuck in: Eddie Jones has instilled the need for a team culture heading into the World Cup.
an altercation in north-east Italy
and were subsequently overlooked
for the World Cup squad.
“When you have the team togeth-
er for longer, the players can work
out problems and develop better
relationships,” Jones said.
“For an England side that is quite
a difficult thing because you’ve got
12 clubs that all have different phi-
losophies and the players are em-
ployed by the clubs. If someone pays
you money, you’re loyal to that club.
“To have time together as a team
and for them to work out differences
for a better relationship is massive
for us.
“In a Test week, it’s business all
the time because now we have time
to have other types of sessions.
England can get better
England return to Treviso this week
for the second of their two ‘heat
camps’, which Jones insists will be
like a “mini pre-season” as he pre-
pares to raise the intensity once
more, declaring “it’s the only way we
can get better”.
An eight-try demolition of Ire-
land – considered fellow title con-
tenders – has set minds racing over
what could unfold this autumn, but
number eight Billy Vunipola knows
what must happen next to justify
the hype.
“I would like to see that perform-
ance away from home. That is the
biggest thing for me. I have said it
to Eddie in the changing rooms,”
Vunipola said.
“It’s something we need to start
doing away from Twickenham.
“That is the biggest challenge
next, going to Japan and doing it
away from all our fans and the com-
forts of our home changing room.
“Our next game is against Italy
but our biggest game is against
Tonga.
“We need to put out performanc-
es like Ireland more consistently.”

Vunipola urges Red Rose to stay grounded

By Duncan Bech b @duncanbech against Ireland in the third of four
warm-up Tests and, while the sum-
term, we always want to improve.
There’s parts of our game that prob-
 editorial@sport360.com

Billy Vunipola has urged England

Humble opinion: Billy Vunipola.
to stay humble as expectations over
their World Cup prospects height-
ened with Saturday’s 57-15 rout of
Ireland at Twickenham.
Eight tries were engineered
against a team also considered title
contenders for this autumn’s glo-
bal showpiece in a statement per-
formance that was tainted only by
the recurrence of Mako Vunipola’s
hamstring injury.
A greatest winning margin and
highest scoreline were posted
mer serves as the phoney war ahead
of the main event in Japan, England
will have sent a shiver through their
rivals. Billy Vunipola is wary of the
acclaim that will accompany the
outcome of their Twickenham
send-off, however.
“The biggest thing is for us to stay
humble. Now everyone is going to
pump up our tyres because we did
well this week, but it was only last
week that everyone was hammer-
ing us,” the Saracens No8 said.
“The biggest danger is the other
side of the coin. We need to keep
our feet firmly on the ground and
02
warm-up wins from three
games so far for England
keep working. At the moment we’re
in a good place but I don’t think a
good place can win you a World Cup
and we want to keep improving.
“We didn’t let up. There were
times that we could have taken our
foot off the accelerator, but this
showed we can take teams to a place
where they’re not comfortable.
“We’re pretty happy with it but
satisfied is probably the wrong
ably let us down.”
Manu Tuilagi was unstoppable
and Joe Cokanasiga helped himself
to two tries, but it was the pack who
really carried the fight to opponents
who missed the chance to claim
first place in the world rankings.
And Ireland’s surrender was
secured not only by the power of
England’s forwards, but also as a re-
sult of their willingness to prolong
moves through their crisp handling.
“We’re always trying to add
things to our game and having
props that can play with the ball in
hand,” Vunipola said.
14
NBA
World at his feet: Rui Hachimura will be a poster boy for Japan when Tokyo host the 2020 Olympic Games.
Rui has learned to love
standing out from rest
Mixed-race Japanese star relishes being unique after childhood challenges
By Natsuko Fakue b @natfukue
 editorial@sport360.com
Rui Hachimura says he gets his
height from his Beninese fa-
ther and his work ethic from his
Japanese mother – a combination
that has propelled him to basketball
stardom.
The 21-year-old made history in
June when he became the first Jap-
anese player to be selected in the
first round of the NBA draft, picked
up by the Washington Wizards.
And like tennis superstar Naomi
Osaka, Hachimura’s fast-growing
fame is raising the profile of bira-
cial sportspeople in a homogeneous
country where mixed-race children
still face prejudice.
Hachimura, who is six feet,
eight inches tall (203cm), will lead
Japan’s challenge at the basketball
World Cup in China, which begins
on Saturday.
He is also poised to be a poster
boy the hosts at the Tokyo 2020
Olympics. Big pressure for one so
young.
As a child Hachimura stood out
in Japan – and not just because of
his height.
“I inherited my body from my
father and my diligence from
my mother,” he said in a recent in-
terview with the Mainichi Shimbun
daily.
He now feels a sense of pride at
being biracial but admits to feel-
ing self-conscious about it when he
was a child.
“I even tried to hide from the
rest of the world,” he told the news-
paper, highlighting the problems
often experienced by so-called
‘haafus’ – mixed-race people in Ja-
pan – although attitudes are chang-
ing among younger generations.
Like millions of young boys in
baseball-mad Japan, the young
Hachimura first tried his hand as a
pitcher but he switched to basket-
ball at junior high school after one
of his friends insisted he should try.
“I was like, no, I’m not gonna
play basketball,” he told reporters
in June in New York. “But for two
weeks every morning, (my friend)
came up to me, ‘Let’s go play bas-
ketball.’ Then I was like, ok.”
It was an auspicious switch and
Hachimura proved a rare talent,
Show ‘em Wash you’ve got: Hachimura was taken by the Wizards in the NBA draft.
leading his high school to three
straight All-Japan tournament
wins and representing Japan at
junior level.
‘Black, but totally Japanese’
Hachimura’s talents were recog-
nised by Gonzaga University in the
western United States, where he
enjoyed an award-winning college
basketball career.
He admitted that the transition
from Japan to the college in Wash-
ington state, not far from the Cana-
dian border, was not easy.
“My first year in college was
very hard,” he has said, adding that
he spoke little English before he
moved to the US.
“The culture is different. I’m
black, but I’m totally Japanese. It
was hard to adjust,” he said.
He told the Mainichi he realised
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019
Sindhu’s
agony
turns to
ecstasy
By Sudhir Gupta b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu
said she won it for her country as
her long-awaited maiden world
title sparked jubilation back home.
Sindhu, 24, thrashed Japan’s
Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in
Sunday’s women’s singles final
as she was finally crowned world
champion after a string of near-
misses.
“I won it for my country and I am
very proud being an Indian,” said an
ecstatic Sindhu.
“I have no words to express, be-
cause I have been waiting for so
long. Last time, it was silver, before
that it was silver and finally I am
a world champion so I am really
really happy.”
Pictures: Getty Images
The Olympic silver medallist has
a large following in India where her
success has brought her a number
of endorsements, making her one of
the world’s highest-earning female
athletes.
With income of $5.5 million,
Sindhu was rated by Forbes maga-
zine as this year’s joint-13th highest
earner – the only badminton player
in the tennis-dominated list, and
the only Indian.
“The stupendously talented @
Pvsindhu1 makes India proud
“the time to feel embarrassed about
being different is over” and that he
wanted to inspire fellow ‘haafus’.
“I think there are many athletes
of mixed heritage now playing
basketball after watching me play. Millstone off her neck: Sindhu.
I want them to take on a bunch of
different challenges,” he said. again! Congratulations to her for
Like Osaka, the country’s first winning the Gold at the BWF World
tennis number one, Hachimura Championships,” Prime Minister
attracts huge media attention in Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter.
Japan. Indian newspapers carried front-
If Japan are to make an impact page photos of Sindhu, with the
at the upcoming World Cup, where Hindustan Times saying she had
they are in the same group as the helped India hit a “new sporting
mighty USA, Hachimura will need high”.
to justify the hype. “Sindhu’s victory puts India on
With the media attention has top of the world,” read a front-page
come the endorsements. headline in the Times of India.
Like Osaka, Hachimura has land- Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar
ed a lucrative tie-up with Japanese also congratulated Sindhu after she
noodle-maker Nissin. He also en- packed off Okuhara in 37 minutes.
dorses mobile company SoftBank “Amazing performance! Con-
Corp and Mitsui Sumitomo Bank, gratulations on becoming the 1st
and was on the cover of the May ever to win the BWF World Cham-
edition of GQ Japan. pionships! You have made India
Despite the hype Hachimura – proud, yet again,” Tendulkar wrote
who will wear the number eight on Twitter.
jersey at the Wizards (“hachi” It was Sindhu’s fifth medal at
means “eight” in Japanese) – has the world championships having
not forgotten where he came from. already won two silver and two
He disclosed that it was his junior bronze. She matches the record of
high school coach who encouraged China’s Zhang Ning with five world
him to shoot for the NBA. championship medals.
“He pointed at me and said, Prakash Padukone was the first
‘You’re going to the NBA’. And I was Indian to win a world champion-
stupid, I believed him,” he smiled. ships medal with men’s singles
After the draft, he called his old bronze in 1983, while Saina Nehwal
coach, saying: “I did it. This is all bagged women’s singles silver and
thanks to you.” bronze in 2015 and 2017.
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019
2019 AFC Champions League
A Clasic Saudi tie
Emotions will run high when derby rivals Ittihad and Hilal meet in Asia
Feeling blue: Al Hilal players celebrate this month after they defeated fellow Saudis Al Ahli Jeddah in the round of 16.
By Matt Monaghan b @mattmonaghan360
 mattmonaghan@sport360.com
Life in Saudi Arabia will pause
on Tuesday night when the latest
instalment of a football-obsessed
nation’s defining rivalry is played
out in the 2019 AFC Champions
League’s quarter-finals.
An electric King Abdullah Sports
City is guaranteed when Riyadh’s Al
Hilal emerge onto hostile territory
to meet Jeddah’s Al Ittihad. This
Saudi Al Clasico first leg pits the
Kingdom’s best supported and most
storied teams against each other,
with the ultimate prize a semi-final
berth against Saudi Professional
League holders Al Nassr or Spain
legend Xavi’s Al Sadd of Qatar.
Past and present
When it comes to collecting tro-
phies and winning hearts in Saudi
Equestrian
Showing well: Line Of Duty.
e Powerboats
Arabia, the Al Clasico contenders
are a class apart.
They share more than 100 pieces
of silverware, plus followings on so-
cial media counted in multiple mil-
lions.
For the trophy count, Hilal lead
by 60-48. Itti, however, possess two
of what the bereft Crescent crave
most – ACL crowns.
Stinging failure in Asia’s premier
club competition since its 2002
founding has created raw wounds
in the blue half of the capital.
The dysfunctional Tigers last
won the SPL in 2009, were near-
ly relegated for the first time in
2018/19 and finished 35 points
behind runners-up Hilal.
Plentiful reminders from Mon-
day’s hosts about their enviable
back-to-back successes from 2004-
05, however, will still severely ran-
kle. It could provide an invaluable
psychological edge.
Moulin mission for Godolphin’s Line of Duty
By Staff Reporter b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
Charlie Appleby will continue to
campaign Line Of Duty over a mile
after earmarking the Prix du Mou-
lin at ParisLongchamp as his next
target.
The son of Galileo will bid to
claim his first victory since winning
last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Turf, in the Group One prize on
September 8.
After suffering defeats in the
Dante and Derby, Line Of Duty
hinted at a return to form last time
West Asia – quarter-finals
Yesterday
Al Nassr L-L Al Sadd
Today
21:45 Al Ittihad v Al Hilal
September 16
19:45 Al Sadd v Al Nassr
September 17
21:00 Al Hilal v Al Ittihad
Saudis to the fore
Foreign stars hold huge sway in the
SPL.
But in the ACL, tables turn. A
cut in the foreign quartet from the
domestic seven to the continen-
tal four ensures that the calibre of
indigenous performers is pivotal.
This is where a notable – and
probably decisive – disparity
between Ittihad and Hilal emerges.
Saudi Arabia’s 2019 Asian Cup
squad contained one current It-
tihad player – now banned doper
03
place finish for Line of Duty at
Deauville on August 11
out when finishing third back over
a mile in the Prix Jacques le Marois
at Deauville.
Appleby said: “Line Of Duty put
up a good performance at Deau-
ville. It was pleasing to see him do it
the right way round, in finishing the
race rather than going backwards in
the last furlong.
“He will probably go back for the
15
s
No1 in Italy: Rashed Al Qemzi.
Al Qemzi
so close
to second
By Staff Reporter b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Qemzi
has taken a major step towards a
second UIM F2 World Champion-
ship title after an emphatic victory
in the Grand Prix of Italy.
The 2017 champion extended
his lead in this year’s series to 30
points over Dutchman Ferdinand
Zandbergen with a commanding
performance in Brindisi where he
dominated proceedings over two
days.
Al Qemzi will now aim to clinch
the world title during the Grand
Picture: Getty Images
Prix of Portugal in Ribadouro on
September 13-15, although he could
be kept waiting until the final round
in Abu Dhabi on December 5-7.
“After the yellow flag my
adrenalin was flowing as the pres-
sure was back on me, especially as
this was a very short circuit,” said
Fahad Al Muwallad – and imminent
signing Abdulaziz Al Bishi.
Al Qemzi.
“But I regained the lead and felt
Hilal boasted five regular start- comfortable after that and just
ers, with influential midfielder focused on staying ahead.”
Salman Al Faraj injured on tourna- Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al
ment’s eve. Tayer, who had been hoping for a
change in fortunes after qualifying
Yang’s shaky start in seventh place, went out after suf-
A noteworthy part of pre-season fering engine problems and then
for Hilal was new coach Razvan hitting a race buoy.
Lucescu’s ruthless replacement “The circuit was really too
of resident Australia centre-back crowded for a circuit just 1,650
Milos Degenek with FC Tokyo’s metres long,” said Al Tayer.
Jang Hyun-soo. “Nobody can reach a good speed
The former South Korea interna- when it’s like that and the race
tional’s superior comfort in posses- should be limited to 15 boats.”
sion was cited as justification. His
clumsy foul, though, to concede a
penalty in Friday’s SPL opening 4-2 Standings
Name Pts
victory versus promoted Abha put 1. Rashed Al Qemzi (UAE) 55
his defensive work in inferior light. 2. Ferdinand Zandbergen (NL) 25
On-song Ittihad attacker 3. Duarte Benavente (POR) 23
Romarinho – with four goals in 4. Ola Pettersson (SWE) 22
three run-outs this term – will have 5. Stefan Hagin (GER) 20
taken note.
Moulin. Ease in the ground will
help him, and the mile looks to be
A trip to France and return to the
top table is on the cards for Hun-
his trip. “
Having come to the conclusion
that Line Of Duty is best suited to
gerford Stakes winner Glorious
Journey, with Appleby identifying
the Qatar Prix de la Foret in Paris
a mile, Appleby feels his hand was on October 6 as his main aim.
rather forced to try him over fur- He said: “I was delighted with the
ther earlier in the campaign. performance, but the ease in the
He said: “We didn’t have a strong ground and seven-furlong trip were
three-year-old team, so we tried key. We always felt he had an engine
him at distances which extended there, and he deserved to win a race
him in the end in going the mile and like that.
a quarter, then the mile and a half. “He is in the Park Stakes (at Don-
“We felt we had nothing to lose caster) - but he would have a pen-
dropping back to the mile, and alty in that now, so it is unlikely,
thankfully that is what has rekin- unless the Foret looked particularly
dled a bit of form there.” punchy on entry level.”

HEAD DOWN FOR A MEMORABLE NIGHT OF BOXING AND...
GET READY
TO RUMBLE
Pick of the day
UAE boxing fans can see
plenty of world class fights at
Caesars Palace on Sep 13
www.platinumlist.net
By David Cooper b @Sport360
 editorial@sport360.com
F
ollowing on from the success
of April’s fight card at Emir-
ates Golf Club, Ahmed A.
Seddiqi’s Round 10 Boxing Club,
in association with MTK Global,
bring you Rotunda Rumble in one
of the most luxurious surroundings
in the world.
With a multinational fight
card, which includes professional
boxers from every corner of the
globe including the UAE, Thailand,
China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Wales
and Pakistan, the Rotunda Rumble
promises an unforgettable night
at Caesars Palace in Dubai on Sep-
tember 13.
With the WBA International
super-bantamweight title up for
grabs on the night, fans will be
witness a new champion being
crowned.
One of the most talented fly-
weights in the world, Muhammad
Waseem (8-1), is itching to begin a
second assault on the summit of the
sport and will do so as the headline
act with an explosive performance
expected. With two Commonwealth
Games medals to his name as an
amateur, Waseem has already
fought in South Korea, Thailand,
Panama and Malaysia as a profes-
sional and, in Wittawas Basapean
What’s on where
ABU DHABI
GOLF
Yas Links Golf Course.
Spend some time at the
multiple award winning Kyle
Phillips designed Champi-
onship Links Golf Course
on Yas Island. A course
that has been designed to demand,
not deter. A course that will excite
and educate. Enjoy the floodlit par
3 Academy Course with practice
facilities, PGA teaching professionals,
Andalusian style clubhouse, award-
winning restaurant, Hickory’s, and so
much more. T: 02 810 7703;
W: www.yaslinks.com
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club. A tranquil
oasis in the capital. It provides
members and visitors with a relaxed,
friendly atmosphere. In addition to
the day/night exclusive golf experi-
ence, the club is also a fabulous
place for wining, dining and hosting
events, or watching a live horse race
during the racing season at the land-
Royal greeting: Emirati boxer Majid Al Naqbi (r) meets Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (l).
(34-10-1), he faces a Thai fighter
with big ambitions of his own.
A mouth-watering bout originally
made earlier in the year and post-
poned due to a training injury sus-
tained by Neslan Machado (16-0),
spectators who attend #Rotunda-
Rumble will be the beneficiaries.
Cuba’s Machado – nicknamed ‘El
Pitbull’ for reasons that will become
clear when you see him fight – is
trained by the legendary Jorge
Rubio and will need to apply all his
learning in what’s his biggest test
to date.
Ranked even more highly with
the WBA than Machado is teak-
tough Nicaraguan Alexander Mejia
(13-1), whose sole career defeat was
a controversial majority decision
against Hiroshige Osawa in Japan.
scaped pavilion. The well-established
Abu Dhabi City Golf Academy is also
known as the best golf
academy in the region
with more than 250
kids. The academy‘s
teaching facilities offer you the first
two-tiered driving range in the UAE,
long, and short game areas as well as
the computer-aided Swing Studio. T:
02 445 9600; W: www.adcitygolf.ae
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
KRUNCH! Family
Brunch at Saadiyat
Beach Golf Club,
the best outdoor
Brunch in Abu Dhabi; Every Friday
from 12:00 – 16:00.Entertainment,
games and fun activities for kids with
special Daddy’s and Mummy’s corner
– Adult Fun!
From as little as Dh85 for kids (6-12
years) and Dh225 soft, Dh325 house,
Dh425 bubbles for adults plus
6-years-old and below are free.
T: 02 557 8000;
E: events@sbgolfclub.ae;
W: www.sbgolfclub.ae
One of the best fighters Wales has
ever produced, Andrew Selby (11-1)
is expected to fulfil his undoubted
potential after recently signing with
MTK Global.
As he looks to bounce back from
a high-level defeat to Julio Cesar
Martinez Aguilar in Mexico, the
time seems perfect for Selby to
show the world what awaits and
make an example of Thailand’s
Worawatchai Boonjan (14-22-2) on
a big stage.
A proud product of Ahmed A.
Seddiqi’s Round 10 Boxing Club,
unbeaten Emirati boxer Majid Al
Naqbi (2-0) is the kind of fighter
fans simply love to watch.
The local lightweight wowed
fans at Emirates Golf Club on his
debut with a dramatic final-round
SPORTS CLUB & ACADEMY
Zayed Sports City. Wet ‘N Wild at
ZSC is a unique paintball experi-
ence perfect for
little ones. Using
coloured water to
douse your opposi-
tion, Wet ‘N Wild lets kids loose in
the massive desert scenario zone for
fun and age appropriate excitement.
It’s perfect for parties! Contact 02
403 4555 or paintball@zsc.ae.
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting &
Golf Club. Truly excellent facilities
and offering many
activities to keep
the whole family
entertained. If you’ve
got a real taste for any of our sports,
join our club and improve your
skills. If that is not enough, take
pleasure in our modern restaurants
that offer the best food quality
where a world of choice awaits you.
T: 03 768 4888;
W: www.aesgc.ae;
E: info@aesgc.ae
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019
stoppage win over Vladimir Lytkin;
a performance that won over count-
less new followers in Dubai and
admiration the world over.
Al Naqbi now bids to become the
first man to stop China’s Chunsheng
Zhang (2-3-1).
The great hope of Afghanistan
boxing Hasibullah Ahmadi (6-0) is
still just a teenager yet has put on
some remarkably mature per-
formances over the course of his
fledgling professional career. He
takes on Shidong Cai of China who
boasts an impressive 10-3-1 record.
What: Rotunda Rumble
Where: Caesars Palace, Dubai Star of the show: Pakistan’s
When: Friday, September 13 Muhammad Waseem (r) is one of
Contact: For more information, the best flyweights in the world.
visit www.platinumlist.net
DUBAI/SHARJAH/N EMIRATES
SPORTS ACADEMIES
Tennis & Country Club, Fujairah.
Situated in the beautiful and pictur-
esque Emirate of Fujairah along the
East Coast of
the United Arab
Emirates, and
only a short one hour drive from
Dubai, lies the Tennis & Country
Club, Fujairah. With new manage-
ment, a leader of hospitality in this
region and re-opening of the club
in October 2014, one can enjoy
the fresh revamp of diverse dining
options as well as interactive leisure
and sports facilities. form for their physical,
T: 09 224 4880 education and social
W: www.fujairahtennisclub.ae growth. Emphasis is
Spanish Soccer Kids. Give your always on fun and
child his first steps into football at importance is put on
the award winning programme at strengthening the
Dubai Sports City. Specific physi- parent-child bond through active
cal play for children aged four and parent participation. Sessions on
under.Spanish Soccer Kids gives Fridays and Saturdays.
little ones a fun start into football, T: 04 4481555. E: Football@dsc.ae
and provides a well-rounded plat- W: www.footballacademydubai.com
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019
ESM Rugby Academy (powered
by Dubai Exiles RFC) is designed to
introduce and enhance
rugby union skills
for pupils of all ages
between 4-19 years
and is hosted both
at GEMS Wellington
Silicon Oasis and the
famous Dubai Sevens Stadium.
Our program is powered by the
highly experienced and qualified
coaching team from Dubai Exiles
RFC, the region’s oldest and most
successful rugby club, and offers
young players immediate access to
structured and fun training sessions
designed to safely build their skills
and competencies in the game of
rugby.
The Dubai Exiles program for
younger players has developed a
number of highly successful teams
at all levels, and has seen sev-
eral of its players go on to achieve
representative honours for the UAE,
England, Wales and Scotland which
is why ESM Rugby Academy are
delighted to have partnered with
them to strengthen our offering to
students.
Locations: Silicon Oasis; The
Sevens Stadium.
W: https://esmacademies.ae/rugby-
academy
E: Rugby@esm.ae
T: 04-3697817
ESM Basketball Academy (powered
by PSSA) we train the best players
by focusing on basketball tech-
niques, skill development, strength
and conditioning. Our Academy’s
program is designed to develop the
complete basketball player and also
offers overseas basketball opportu-
nities and scholarship
programs.
With two age specific
programs for children
between 4 – 15years,
the young athletes
are trained by some of the best
coaches in Dubai. Our coaching
staff are experienced professionals
with verified credentials from FIBA
and were themselves past high-level
basketball players.
Academy players train at some of
the best facilities available for youth
basketball in the country.
Locations: Motor City; Sports
City; The Villa.
W: https://esmacademies.ae/basket-
ball-academy
E: Basketball@esm.ae
T: 04-3697817
CRICKET
ICC Academy. Now that summer
is here, don’t let the opportunity to
prepare for the new
cricket season pass!
The ICC Academy
is giving you the
opportunity to hone
your skills throughout the summer at
the #homeofelitecricket and benefit
from 60% off on venue hire of our
fully air conditioned indoor facilities
as well as the outdoor cage.
Call 04-448 1355 for more info!
ICC Academy. The Babyshop Sum-
mer Cricket Camp is a development
programme for cricket enthusiasts.
DUBAI/SHARJAH/NORTHERN EMIRATES
Held at the ICC Academy and
delivered by fully-qualified Level 3
coaches, the course
is designed to build
the foundations of
cricket athleticism
in its young partici-
pants, and features
many exciting opportunities to learn
all about cricket, play great games,
and win fun prizes! Sessions will be
held inside the fully air-conditioned
indoor center for both boys and girls
aged 7 to 10 years old, and will cost
650AED per week. The develop-
ment course for players aged 11-14
currently playing with a hard ball will
have two weeks of sessions and is
priced at 350AED +VAT. For informa-
tion or bookings call 04-4481355,
e-mail info@iccacademy.net,
or visit www.iccacademy.net
FACILITIES
Flip Out. The best kid’s birthday
party venue in Dubai. It seems that
there is only one
real choice for
your kid’s birthday
party venue this
year and that
is the largest
trampoline park, Flip Out. They work
closely with parents to ensure that
their kids have the absolute best
birthday ever. Have a look at the
birthday party packages that Flip
Out Dubai offers today if you want
your child to have an unforgettable
birthday. Let us flip your world. For
enquiries, call us on 600 567 568 or
send us an email on margie.riton@
flipout.ae
Dubai Stars® Sportsplex®. A premier
indoor facility equipped with multi-
sport courts, fitness
studio, kids’ recreational
area, meeting spaces
and ample locker and
dressing room facilities.
We offer programs for
people of all age groups
including academies for football,
basketball and badminton, and ses-
sions for karate, yoga, gymnastics
etc. We also provide event manage-
ment services such as birthday par-
ties, corporate and private events.
T: 04 285 3333;
E: info@dubaistars.ae;
W: dubaistars.ae
If you want to feature here, send details of your club or classes to
jessicasingh@sport360.com
17
TENNIS
Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.
Tennis academy set in the heart of
fabulous greenery. Floodlit interna-
tional standard
tennis and
basketball courts
for the whole
family, open
07:00-23:00 –
seven days a week. We offer lessons
for absolute beginners to club
standard players. Fully qualified
tennis coaches with over 20 years
experience. Equipment provided.
T: 06 548 7777;
W: www.golfandshootingshj.com
JA Tennis Academy. Whether you’re
a tennis ace looking for a new chal-
lenge or a wild card
looking to fine tune
your game, the JA
Tennis Academy can
take your game to
a whole new level.
Our professional ATP-
certified tennis coach conducts pri-
vate and group lessons for children,
beginners, advanced players and
professionals. Alternatively, bring a
friend or 3 and hire a court for your
own championship match on one of
our four floodlit tennis courts.
T: 04 814 5023 or
E: jagrs@jaresorts.com
ISM sports Academy. Established
in 2014 ISM provides professional
sports coaching
across the UAE. ISM
Sports has a team of
highly qualified and
motivated coaches
and offer the best
sports programmes available on the
market focusing on football, tennis,
dance, bootcamps and multi sport
camps. With brand new state of
the art tennis courts at Al Forsan
International Sports Resort in Abu
Dhabi and at school across Dubai
the coaches at ISM create a positive
learning environment through result
producing activities, enabling pupils
of all ages and abilities to reach
their own specific goals. At ISM we
believe, enjoyment is the key fac-
tor. Lessons are structured in a fun
based, educational way that devel-
ops life long skills and motivation.
W: www.ismsports.org
E: info@ismsports.org
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
FitRepublik. Offering a wide range
of MMA classes including boxing,
Muay Thai, karate,
taekwondo, Brazil-
ian Jiu- jitsu, kick-
boxing, judo and
mixed martial arts
many of which
take place inside the Octagon, the
grappling and striking areas. Loca-
tion: The Academies, Dubai Sports
City, next to International Cricket
Council Academy.
T: 04 556 1800;
E: info@fitrepublik.ae

DUBAI/ SHARJAH/ N EMIRATES
FOOTBALL
Alliance Academy. Looking to join a
football club in Dubai that nurtures
decision makers & problem solvers?
Each member gets per-
sonalised attention from
highly qualified coaches.
We don’t tell our players
what do to; our unique
coaching methodology
puts players in a situation where
they are required to make decisions
and learn from their mistakes.
For boys and girls aged 4-18 years
old. W: AllianceFootballClub.com
E: info@alliancefootballclub.com
T: 056 3930007
Sunmarke School Jumeirah Village
Triangle
FCBEscola Dubai. Professional
football training for boys and girls
between the
ages of 4-18
years, super-
vised by our Spanish Technical Di-
rectors and FCB certified coaches.
Three branches in Dubai: Wellington
International School, Dubai British
School, GEMS Nations Academy.
Train like a champion at FCBEscola.
T: 055 887 6344/055 877 1648;
E: info@fcbescoladubai.com;
W: www.fcbescoladubai.com
Spanish Soccer Schools. Award
winning programme run by UEFA
accredited coaches
at Dubai Sports City
Football Academy, fea-
turing FIFA-accredited
natural and artificial
football pitches. Over-
seen by Real Madrid and Spain
legend Michel Salgado. Training
programmes for kids at Under-6,
Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Un-
der-14, Under-16 and Under-18 level.
Separate programmes available for
goal keepers as well.
Emphasis on play well for football,
play well for life. Programmes avail-
able at Dubai Sports City Football
Academy and International School
of Choueifat. Call 04 448 1555 or
email football@dsc.ae
La Liga Academy.
As the region’s only scouting acad-
emy, LaLiga Academy
UAE offers boys and girls
aged 5-18 the highest
standards of Spanish
football training, with a
pathway to professional
football careers at LaLiga clubs and
scholarships to the best universities
in the US and UK.
All Academy coaches are UEFA pro
certified LaLiga coaches from Spain,
delivering the trademark LaLiga
coaching approach that has created
the world’s best players, focusing on
football technique, skills and fitness
as well as physical, emotional and
mental strength development.
Convenient locations across Dubai
and Abu Dhabi. Register today.
Limited spots left.
W: ae.LaLigacademy.com;
M: 055 509 9489; T: 04 392 6610
SWIMMING
Prime Star. Provides swimming les-
sons for Beginners,
Intermediate, Ad-
vanced Level and
Adults. Beginning
at four years through to adults. We
provide Learn to Swim Program for
beginners, develop comfort in the
water, basic skills to prepare them
for swimming, water safety skills,
water confidence, stroke tuition and
corrections for intermediate, and
squad training for professionals.
Welcome to our swimming family.
Locations include Muhaisnah, Al
Qusais, Oud Mehta and Hamdan
Sports Complex. M: 055 200 7182;
E: info@primestaruae.com;
W: www.primestaruae.com
Nothing complex
about Sportsplex:
Dubai Stars.
Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.
Enjoy the sparkling crystal clear wa-
ters of the beautiful
infinity pool. Out-
standing relaxation
and idyllic views
of our stunning
golf course. We also have a pool
side bar with a wide range of foods
and drinks. Full range of swimming
courses available.
T: 06 548 7777;
W: www.golfandshootingshj.com
Hamilton Aquatics. Join Hamilton
Aquatics, the leading swimming
academy in the Middle
East, with over twenty
convenient locations
spread across Du-
bai. Experienced and
fully qualified to UK standards, our
teachers and coaches ensure the
best possible learning environ-
ment for swimmers. Our swimming
programmes start from just three-
months and go through to competi-
tive training at Olympic level. Our
new online system, Hamilton Bay,
makes registering, booking and
tracking your child’s swimming
progress easier than ever. Join our
swimming family today!
T: 04 450 8832;
E: enquiry@hamiltonaquatics.ae;
W: www.hamiltonaquatics.ae
Speedo Swim Squads. Fulfill your
swimming potential with Speedo
Swim Squads.
Join our
swimming
programmes at various locations
across Dubai. We cater for all ages
and abilities from six months to
three years in our Adult and Child
programme and from three years
through to adult in our teaching and
competitive training programmes.
High quality provision delivered by
fully qualified teachers and coaches
to UK standards.
T: 04 354 9525;
E: info@speedoswimsquads.com;
W: www.speedoswimsquads.com
FitRepublik Aquatics. An officially
registered and affiliated club with
the UAE Swimming
Federation, caters
to swimmers across
different ages and
levels. The Aquatics
club offers a wide range of classes
with Olympic level coaching in its
50-metre Olympic-sized swimming
pool. The club takes part in contests
on a national level in the UAE.
Location: The Academies, Dubai
Sports City, next to International
Cricket Council Academy.
T: 04 556 1800;
E: info@fitrepublik.ae
Absolute Swimming Academy.
All ages and
abilities excel with
Absolute Swim-
ming Academy.
We provide the full
range of swimming programmes at
convenient locations across Dubai,
Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emir-
ates to empower you to reach your
aquatic goals. Our highly experi-
enced specialist baby swimming
instructors will ensure that your baby
will love the water from as young as
six months. Locations in Academic
City, Al Barari, Al Barsha, Al Garhoud,
Jebel Ali, Jumeirah, Mirdif and Sheikh
Zayed Road.
T: 050 494 5041;
E: emma@absoluteswimminguae.com
W: www.absoluteswimminguae.com
MOTOR FACILITIES
Dubai Kartdrome. The Dubai
Kartdrome venue based in Motor-
city, features
two fantastic
facilities
boasting both indoor and outdoor
tracks with arrive and drive sessions
running daily, ensuring a great time
all year round. For those looking
for something completely differ-
ent, Indoor Kartdrome also features
futuristic Lasertag arena and Race-
Room Simulator sessions for groups
to enjoy. Karting costs starting from
AED 110 per person.
W: www.dubaiautodrome.com
T: 800 KARTING
Dubai Autodrome. Based in Motor-
city, Dubai Autodrome is a state-of-
the-art motor sport complex featur-
ing an FIA-sanctioned 5.39 km track
& extensive Karting facilities. The
venue also includes our Race & Drive
Centre, providing all those seeking
thrill and excitement the opportunity
to get behind the wheel of our range
of cars such as the Audi R8 V10 thrill,
drive a thoroughbred with a McLaren
Sprint Experience, or get to grips
with Drifting for the first time with
the Easy Drift Experience. Visit www.
dubaiautodrome.com to view our full
range of experiences available.
GOLF
The Els Club. Located at Dubai
Sports City, The Els Club prides
itself in offering the most innovative
facilities and for providing unparal-
leled hospitality to members and
guests. Backed by Troon Golf, the
world’s largest golf management
company, making this a truly five-
star golfing experi-
ence. The dining
experiences at
The Els Club Dubai
reflect Ernie’s own
eclectic tastes.
Book online at www.elsclubdubai.
com.
T: 04 425 1000;
For more information
reservations@elsclubdubai.com
JA The Resort Golf Course
The 9 Hole par 35 JA The Resort
Golf Course is situated
in the idyllic grounds
of the JA The Resort,
THE RESORT
Jebel Ali Beach Dubai, GOLF COURSE
and is both scenically
DUBAI
stunning and a fair and
exciting challenge to all player lev-
els. For bookings or more informa-
tion, please contact
+971 4 814 5023 or
golf.teetimes@jaresorts.com
W.jaresorts.com
Claude Harmon III Performance
Golf Academy. The Harmon family
have over 80
years of suc-
cess in golf
coaching, including multiple major,
US and European Tour winners.
Butch Harmon Dubai offers world-
class coaching that helps young
golfers up their game. The Junior
programme starting 1st October
offers golfers from 3 to 15 years old
a growth plan to excel and progress
through different level like Active
start, Fundamentals, Course Ready,
Tournament Ready, Recruit and
High School Programme.
The High School and Recruit pro-
grammes starting 16th September
have been expertly designed to nur-
ture and develop elite young players
aged 13-19 years old with the goal
of securing a golf scholarship at a
top US college. Both programmes
will enable exclusive access to The
Els Club golf course and person-
ally coached by the Butch Harmon
School of Golf Programme Direc-
tor, Justin Parsons, during weekly
individual golf lessons.
T: 044251040
E: info@ch3performancegolf.com
W: https://www.ch3performance-
golf.com
The Track, Meydan Golf Dubai.
Managed by leading Golf manage-
ment company Troon Golf, The
Track has proven to be a popular
choice among the golfers of Dubai.
With its unique pay and play struc-
ture, which is one of its kind, the
no-members approach has been
the reason for a welcoming and ac-
TUESDAY
27 AUGUST 2019
cessible environment to all levels of
golfers. Another aspect of its popu-
larity is its fully floodlit golf offering,
open till 23:00 to
beat the heat. The
course is designed by
renowned golf course
architect Peter Har-
radine and promises
great challenges and water features.
For beginners, the Meydan Acad-
emy by Troon has just the program
for you regardless of skill and age.
To top it all off, the 19th hole is one
of the best in Dubai at Qube Sports
bar with delicious menus to choose
from along with international sports
programming on its giant cube
projection screens. Open daily from
06:00 until 23:00. No membership
fee. Simply book a tee time to take
on the stunning 9-hole course. Low-
est green fee rates available online.
www.meydangolf.com
T: 04 381 3733
E: info@meydangolf.com
SHOOTING & ARCHERY
JA Shooting Club The only shooting
club in Dubai, JA
Shooting Club is an
indoor and outdoor
shooting academy,
built to exacting
international safety
standards. With pistol and clay
shooting as well as archery, this ex-
citing sport is perfect for beginners,
groups and experienced shooters.
For more information, please call
+971 4 883 6555 or
e-mail jasc@jaresorts.com
SQUASH COURTS
Elitesquash Middle East intends
to help you reach
your goals by
gaining maximum
results through
playing squash.
The world-class
coaching meth-
ods allow for effortless movement
around the court, so you can enjoy
your game and learn to be the best.
The flagship venue is at theSteigen-
berger Hotel, Business Bay and ac-
commodates both individuals and
groups. It has a brand new squash
court, located in a private facility.
Book your packages with expert
coaches from Dhs 80 for members
and Dhs 100 for non-members.
Tel: 04 369 0000
Steigenberger Hotel,
Business Bay, Al Abraj St.
W: www.elitesquash.me
HORSE RIDING
JA Equestrian Centre
Located within JA The Resort, Jebel
Ali Beach, Dubai, JA
Equestrian Centre
offers lessons for
beginners, regular
riders and those who
just haven’t been rid-
ing for a while.
For bookings or more information,
please contact
04 814 5611 or 050 189 0425 or
e-mail stables.ja@jaresorts.com
W.jaresorts.com
BEACH CLUB
JA The Resort, Jebel Ali Beach,
Dubai. Just 15 min-
utes from Dubai, this
5-star family resort
is home to an 800m
THE RESORT
pristine private
JEBEL ALI BEACH
DUBAI
beach and 4 tem-
perature-controlled
pools and over 30 thrilling activi-
ties. Discover our beach member-
ship packages and enjoy a world of
exclusive benefits and discounts.
For bookings or more information,
please contact
+971 4 814 5023 or
jatr@jaresorts.com
W.jaresorts.com
 19

NATURAL ELEMENTS SPA &

FITNESS, LE MéRIDIEN DUBAI

(Therapeutic Head Massage)

Indian head massage is an an-
cient therapeutic treatment using
warm herbal oil, that has been
practiced in India for thousands
of years part of the health care
practice of Ancient Indians. The
head massage focuses on your
head, neck and shoulders. It re-
lieves sleeplessness, restlessness
and insomnia.
Shiro Abhyanga Spring offer:
30% OFF on AED 230 – 30min
Call: 971 4 7022550
www.naturalelementsdubai.com
Open Daily 08:00 AM – 10:00 PM

FITREPUBLIK
FitRepublik is a full range state-of-
the-art fitness center in the heart
of Dubai Sports City. FitRepublik
offers a wide range of activities
in its facilities that suit people of
all ages and interests. Their range
of facilities include strength &
conditioning facilities (CrossFit,
studio classes, boot camp, Yoga,
Zumba), mixed martial arts (MMA)
facilities, gymnastics facilities
and swimming among others.
Activities for children and adults
are on offer including more
than 350 classes a week which
cover their many disciplines.
FitRepublik employs world
class athletes, including several
former Olympians and national
champions from across the globe.
Location:
The Academies,
Dubai Sports City,
next to ICC Academy.
Tel: 04 5561800.
E: info@fitrepublik.ae
SHERATON JUMEIRAH BEACH
RESORT
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach
Resort Health Club offers
an all-in-one package for all
wellness enthusiasts. Health
club members enjoy state-
of-the-art equipment at the
Sheraton Fitness, squash courts,
temperature-controlled outdoor
swimming pool for the adults and
kids, and private beach access
together with discounted services
in Armonia Spa and great deals in
Food and Beverage.
Sign up and avail exclusive
benefits and access:
• Private beach facing the Arabian
Sea • Two indoor glass Squash
Courts • Fully equipped Sheraton
Fitness • Sauna and Steam Room
for Ladies and Gents • Kids Club
(4-12 years old) • Outdoor Swim-
ming Pool (Temperature control-
led) • Covered Children’s Pool •
Beach Volleyball, Mini Football
Pitch, Table Tennis • 50% discount
for member + 1 Guest on Food &
Beverage. For more than 1 guest
and up to 8 guests per bill the
discount is 30% • 25% discount on
Water Sports • Kacy Salon: 30%
off on Hair Treatments and 50% of
on Nail Treatments • 20% discount
on Armonia Spa • 4 Complimen-
tary Vouchers per year plus 6
vouchers with 50% off for Pool &
Beach
Access on any 12 months new
membership or renewal Member-
ship starts at AED 3,500
(We offer Single, Couple, Family
Membership and special rates for
kids)
Non-Health Club members may
also avail of our daily pool and
beach access:
• Weekdays Adults AED 140.00
& Nanny/Child AED 90.00 (From
5-16 years)
• Weekends Adults AED 200.00 &
Nanny/Child AED 120.00
• Weekend rates apply to Fridays,
Saturdays & Public holidays.
Tel: 971 4 315 3854.
E: Recreation.Jumeira@sheraton.
com
WESTIN WORKOUT FITNESS
STUDIO, THE WESTIN DUBAI
As the weather gets hot, we are
excited to announce the opening
of our temperature-controlled
outdoor swimming pools as the
latest addition to this Wellness
destination – The Westin Dubai,
Al Habtoor City.
To mark this special occasion,
we are offering the first 50 ap-
plicants, 50 per cent off annual
membership at WestinWORKOUT
Fitness Studio when signing up.
Enjoy a number of benefits
including access to the outdoor
swimming pools and The Westin
Family Kids Club as well as dis-
counts on individual spa treat-
ments as a member.
Elevate energy levels at the
state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT
Fitness Studio or de-stress and
feel well in the dedicated yoga
studio. Steam room, sauna, hot
tubs and speciality showers en-
sure a variety of options for total
relaxation. This is a limited time
offer, call on 044373300 for more
information
E: heavenlyspaalhabtoorcity@
westin.com
FB: @HeavenlySpaAHC or follow
on Instagram @HeavenlySpa_
AHC!
EXHALE GYM AND SPA –
RAMADA JUMEIRAH HOTEL
In the ever busier daily life of
Dubai it is harder and harder to
find a quiet retreat – especially at a
reasonable price.
That’s why it makes a discovery
like the Exhale Gym & Spa at
the Ramada Jumeirah such a
pleasant surprise. The outstanding
team offer a menu of enticing
treatments including the Thai
Asian Blend Massage and the
Oriental Massage, and afterwards
a superb spa, steam room and
sauna to complete your journey
into wellness.
The Asian Wellness massage
is a thorough massage perfectly
designed to revitalise tired bodies.
The Hot Stone massage is more
focused on relaxation and easing
stiffness and increasing circulation
– and leaves you completely
uplifted by the experience.
After the treatments enjoy
the heated pool with spacious
pool deck and bar or the well-
appointed gym with the latest
workout equipment.
With all these benefits on offer
it’s clear you should make Exhale
your point of quiet stillness in the
buzzing activity of Dubai life.
Tel: 04 702 7000
E: info@ramadajumeirah.ae
CLUB MARQUIS
Situated at JW Marriott Marquis
Dubai, Club Marquis is your one
stop destination for all your fit-
ness and wellness needs.
Enjoy a 5-star health club of-
fering state-of-the-art strength
training, cardio and functional
equipment along with person-
alised fitness assessments and
yoga classes from qualified
instructors.
Timings: Open daily 7am to 10pm.
Tel: 04 414 6754.