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Monday, May 14, 2018 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 28, 1439 AH Salah steers Liverpool GULF TIMES into Champions League at Chelsea’s expense SPORT Page 2

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Al Sadd face uphill task against Al Ahli in last 16 The Qatari side won the first leg 2-1 at home, but also conceded an away goal which could prove costly for them

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Sadd face a tricky away en- counter in Jeddah as they take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in the second leg of the AFC AChampions League Round of 16 match today. The Qatari side won the fi rst leg 2-1 last Monday in Doha, but also con- ceded an away goal which could prove costly for them. The return leg will be played at King Abdullah Sports City and Sadd will have an uphill task to de- fend their one-goal lead. Boualem Khoukhi netted twice in the opening 30 minutes to give Al Sadd a 2-0 lead at the interval last Monday, but Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira is Mohannad Aseri pulled one back just expecting a tough game in Jeddah. after the restart with a goal to ensure a nervy aff air in Jeddah. Al Sadd head The Saudi team created 16 chances in coach Jesualdo Ferreira was frustrated the fi rst leg, but managed only to con- with the result at home and said it will vert one. be a diffi cult to match in Jeddah. “We did not defend well. Pedro’s re- “This is not a good result. Al Ahli will turn will be a good thing for us in the be tough to play against in front of their away game. I am not pessimistic, I’m fans, especially as they need just one realistic. The game in Jeddah is going goal to qualify. This is a tough for us and to be extremely diffi cult,” said Ferreira. I am very disappointed,” said Ferreira. Sadd’s fortunes will heavily depend The Portuguese manager has plenty on the performance of legendary mid- of experience of knockout football with fi elder Xavi. The former Barcelona Boualem Khoukhi (second right) scored a brace in Al Sadd’s win over Al Ahli in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 first leg match at home last Monday. European giants Benfi ca and Porto and star completed 64 successful passes, he feels his side missed a trick in not the highest number in the fi rst leg and last team from West Asia to lift the con- ing to advance to a second successive the second but luck was not always on to progress to the next round, thanks to putting the tie to bed. will have to marshal the midfi eld once tinental title, when they were crowned quarter-fi nal. The Saudi side’s best our side.” four away goals Ferreira will be hoping his men can again. Sadd faced little trouble qualify- champions in 2011. The Qatari side’s performance on the continent remains Al Ain most likely have to post a play without any fear in a stadium ing to the knockout stages from Group domestic campaign came to a close a runners-up fi nish in 2012. The hosts AL DUHAIL IN CONTROL three-goal winning margin in order to which is expected to be full packed in C but were pipped to the top spot by over the weekend following a 0-1 defeat caretaker coach Fathi al-Jabal said: “We Meanwhile, QNB Stars League cham- advance past a side who boast the best support of the home team. Sadd will Persepolis. Al Ahli, meanwhile, were to Al Duhail in the Amir Cup semi-fi nal achieved our fi rst objective of scoring a pions Al Duhail have one foot in the record on the continent in the 2018 welcome Pedro Correia to the starting unbeaten as they won four and drew to mean the AFC Champions League goal away from home. This could be of quarter-fi nals after they defeated 2016 campaign. Duhail have completed a XI after the defender sat out the fi rst two matches to qualify. It promises to remains their last hope of rounding of great importance in the return leg.” runner-up Al Ain 4-2 in the fi rst leg. domestic double by winning the league leg due to suspension. Ferreira believes be an enthralling aff air. their season with silverware. “It was a tough game between two The second leg will be played at the and Qatar Cup. And they are in for a Pedro’s return will fi ll out the defensive Sadd are targeting a fi rst last-eight Al Ahli, who welcome Salman Mu- good teams but we conceded the two Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha treble by reaching the Amir’s Cup fi nal, loopholes that were exposed by Al Ahli. appearance since 2014and remain the washar back from suspension, are aim- goals in the fi rst half. We came back in tomorrow, Djamel Belmadi favourites beating Al Sadd in the semi-fi nal.

SPOTLIGHT Msakni, Tae-Hee and Xavi in contention for best player award ill it be Al Duhail’s Nam Youssef El Arabi and captain Youssef Tae-Hee again? Or will Msakni, who ended up as the best scor- his captain Youssef Msa- ers in the QNB Stars League with 26 kni upstage him this time? and 25 goals respectively. WOr Al Sadd’s Spain and Barcelona great Last season’s Most Valuable Player Xavi Hernandez bag the coveted award? award was a clear proof of his great These three players have been voted skills, potential and talent. as fi nalists for this season’s Best Player Award by the Qatar Football Associa- XAVI HERNANDEZ (AL SADD) tion’s (QFA) Awards Committee. Xavi Hernandez is the greatest star to Bassam al-Rawi, Almoez Ali (both Al have descended on Qatar football in Duhail) and Salem al-Hajri (Al Sadd) terms of credentials and achievements. are vying for the Best Under-23 Player Xavi, a FIFA World Cup winner with Award, while Michael Laudrup (Al Spain in 2010, is Al Sadd’s regular cap- Rayyan), Jesualdo Ferreira (Al Sadd) tain ever since he joined them in 2015 and Djamel Belmadi (Al Duhail) are in after winning the La Liga and Champi- contention for the Best Coach Award. ons League with Barcelona that season. The winners will be announced at the He thus ended a 17-year career in the end-of-season ceremony at the Qatar Catalan club’s fi rst team, during which National Convention Center in Educa- he won eight league titles and four tion City on Thursday, 17th May. Champions Leagues. QNB Stars League team coaches, Qa- The midfi eld maestro led Al Sadd tar national team coach, Qatar Olym- to a cup double last season when they pic team coach, team managers, media won the Qatar Cup and Emir’s Cup. representatives, representative of QFA, This time, his contributions were big representative of Qatar Stars League as The Wolves ended up as runners-up Management, as well as president and in the QNB Stars League and reached Board members of the QFA participated The winner will be announced at the end-of-season ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Center in Education City on Thursday, 17th May. the knockout stage of AFC Champions in the fi nal voting process. League. Xavi, easily the most highly- Here is a a look at Msakni, Nam and one less than teammate and Moroccan The technical and physical aspects FIFA World Cup in Russia. Valuable Player last season, is among decorated player ever to grace the Qatar Xavi chances for the prestigious award striker Youssef El Arabi. released by STATS, the offi cial statis- the core group of players Algerian Stars League, was a leader of a talented Together, they contributed 51 of tics and fi gures provider for the QNB NAM TAE-HEE (AL DUHAIL) coach Djamel Belmadi is counting on. Barcelona side that featured fellow La YOUSSEF MSAKNI (AL DUHAIL) Duhail’s tally of 86 goals, the most by Stars League, revealed that Msakni Nam Tae-Hee is a vital cog in the ma- The midfi elder also played a signifi - Masia products Carles Puyol and An- Youssef Msakni played a key role in any side. The nearest was Al Sadd’s 68 had an outstanding season. However, chine of this season’s QNB Stars League cant role in Al Duhail’s brilliant run in dres Iniesta. Duhail’s triumph in this season’s QNB goals. The Tunisian attacking midfi eld- Msakni missed Al Duhail’s triumphant and Qatar Cup champions Duhail. The the AFC Champions League, where His style is considered as an em- Stars League with an unbeaten record. er was named the best player in four campaign in the Qatar Cup as he is out South Korean playmaker is among the they were the only team with an all-win bodiment of the pass and move method He played the captain’s role to perfec- months (September, November, De- with a cruciate ligament injury. He was best presently plying their trade in the record in the group stage. taught in the Barcelona system, and it tion and fi nished as the second-best cember and February) and that speaks operated upon in the US and still needs country. Nam was the main man behind was eff ective enough to help Barcelona scorer in the tournament with 25 goals, volumes for his performance. rest. He will also miss the forthcoming Nam, who was adjudged the Most the goal-scoring spree of teammates to many titles. Gulf Times 2 Monday, May 14, 2018 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE SERIE A Crotone stall Lazio’s CL Salah steers Liverpool ambitions AFP Rome

azio were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Crotone into Champions League yesterday and now host Inter Milan next week Lin a decisive fi nal day battle for Champions League football. In the match of the day, Juventus were playing at Roma late last night in a clash which could see the Turin giants be crowned Se- at Chelsea’s expense rie A champions for a seventh consecutive season. Juventus need just a point to seal the Scu- Swansea’s seven-season stay in Premier League comes to an end as they were relegated detto even if second-placed Na- poli lose at Sampdoria. AFP Roma, in third, are assured of London their Champions League berth next season after Inter Milan lost 2-1 to Sassuolo at the San Siro on ohamed Salah set a new Saturday. There was a lot at stake Premier League record of 32 for both Lazio — bidding to seal goals in a 38-game season to elite European action — and Cr- guarantee Liverpool’s place otone who desperately needed a Mback in the Champions League next result to move away from the rel- season by beating Brighton 4-0 at An- egation zone. Lazio have been hit fi eld yesterday. by the injury of top Serie A scorer Victory for Liverpool meant it didn’t Ciro Immobile, but the Romans matter what fi fth-placed Chelsea did nevertheless took the lead when at Newcastle, but they failed to put Senad Lulic converted a penalty any sort of pressure on the Champions on 17 minutes after he was fouled League fi nalists by succumbing limply in the box by Mario Sampirisi. to a 3-0 defeat at St. James’s Park. Nigerian forward Simy At the other end of the table, Swan- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates after being grabbed the equaliser after half sea’s seven-season stay in the Premier awarded the golden boot award for most goals and hour for the southerners League came to an end as they were rel- scored in the Premier League this season. (AFP) with Federico Ceccherini add- egated to the Championship after a 2-1 ing a second after the break. defeat by Stoke. Liverpool are aiming Sergej Milinkovic-Savic grabbed for a sixth European Cup when they face a point for Lazio six minutes they might of Real Madrid in the Cham- from the whistle to leave their pions League fi nal on May 26. fortunes down to next week’s But Jurgen Klopp’s men know even if showdown in the Stadio Ol- they fall short in Kiev, they will be back impico. Lazio are three points in the Champions League next season ahead of fi fth-placed Inter and as they blew Brighton away. “I’m re- will go through with a draw. A ally proud of the boys, a nearly perfect win would give Inter the berth season,” said Klopp. “We had no chance and send Lazio into the Europa to challenge Man City so the only thing League. you can go for is a Champions League Crotone are third from bot- spot. It is a big thing.” tom, but fi ve teams are involved Salah eased any nerves by swivelling in a battle to the wire to avoid to strike his fi rst goal in four games on joining Verona and Benevento 26 minutes to take his tally in all com- in Serie B. Sixth-placed AC mi- petitions this season to 44. “Now we are lan drew 1-1 at Atalanta to secure in the Champions League next season a Europa League slot as both and I won the award too, so (I’m) very teams had a man dismissed in proud,” said Salah on being awarded the regional derby. The Bergamo the Golden Boot prize for the Premier side are seventh, which qualifi es League’s top scorer. for the tournament’s prelimi- Dejan Lovren made the game safe nary rounds, while Fiorentina sit with a towering header just before half- broken the Premier League record for since March for United’s winner, whilst World Cup in fi ne form. Arsenal gave PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS three points behind them before time and Salah then turned provider for wins, points and goals this season and Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane both struck Arsene Wenger a parting gift in his fi nal Burnley 1 (Wood 39) lost to Bournemouth visiting Milan next weekend. Dominic Solanke to slam home his fi rst set another landmark by becoming the twice at Wembley as Tottenham came game as manager after 22 years in charge 2 (King 74, Wilson 90); Crystal Palace 2 Liverpool goal. Liverpool were allowed fi rst side in English top fl ight history to from 3-1 down to beat Leicester 5-4 and by winning their fi rst points away from (Zaha 70, Van Aanholt 78) bt West Brom 0; SERIE A RESULTS to rest easy with Salah and Sadio Mane reach 100 points as Gabriel Jesus struck hold off Liverpool to finish third. home in the Premier League in 2018 Huddersfield 0 lost to Arsenal 1 (Aubam- Verona 0 Udinese 1 (Barák 20); withdrawn before Andy Robertson add- a dramatic late winner to beat South- Kane cancelled out Vardy’s early with a 1-0 win at Huddersfi eld. eyang 38); Liverpool 4 (Salah 26, Lovren Torino 2 (Belotti 68, De Silvestri 87) ed a fourth. Chelsea gave themselves ampton 1-0. opener before Riyad Mahrez restored “Of course it is very emotional af- 40, Solanke 53, Robertson 85) bt Brighton SPAL 1 (Grassi 22); Bologna 1 (Verdi no chance of usurping Liverpool into That also meant City set a record Leicester’s lead and Kelechi Iheanacho’s ter 1,235 games for the same club,” said 0; Manchester United 1 (Rashford 34) bt 12-pen) Chievo 2 (Giaccherini 48, fourth as they slumped to a 10th Pre- Premier League margin of victory of 19 smashed home a third for the visitors Wenger. “To enjoy it we had to win it. Watford 0; Newcastle 3 (Gayle 23, Perez Inglese 60); Fiorentina 0 Cagliari 1 mier League defeat of the season in the points from Manchester United, who early in the second-half. Erik Lamela Winning football games is what makes 59, 63) bt Chelsea 0; Southampton 0 lost (Pavoletti 37); Crotone 2 (Simy 29, north-east. Dwight Gayle and two goals won 1-0 over Watford at Old Traff ord. scored twice and saw another eff ort de- me happy and the boys did it.” to Manchester City 1 (Jesus 90); Swansea 1 Ceccherini 61) Lazio 2 (Lulic 17-pen, for Ayoze Perez piled ever more pressure England manager Gareth Southgate will fl ect in off Christian Fuchs for an own Club record signing Pierre-Emerick (King 14) lost to Stoke 2 (Ndiaye 31, Crouch Milinkovic-Savic 84); Atalanta 1 (A. on Chelsea boss Antonio Conte just six name his World Cup squad later this goal to put Spurs in front before Vardy Aubameyang netted his 10th goal in 13 41); Tottenham 5 (Kane 7, 76, Lamela 49, Masiello 90+2) AC Milan 1 (Kessie 60) days ahead of what could be the Italian’s week, and there was plenty of encour- levelled with his 20th league goal of the games since joining in January by fi n- 60, Fuchs 53-og) bt Leicester 4 (Vardy 4, Played Saturday: Benevento 1 fi nal game in charge in the FA Cup fi nal agement for Southgate as his three of campaign. ishing off the sort of free-fl owing move 73, Mahrez 16, Iheanacho 47); West Ham 3 (Diabaté 87) Genoa 0; Inter Milan 1 against Manchester United. his strikers were on target. However, Kane had the fi nal say with that Wenger has made his trademark as bt (Lanzini 39, 82, Arnautovic 63) Everton (Rafinha 80) Sassuolo 2 (Politano Champions Manchester City have Marcus Rashford scored his fi rst goal his 41st of the season to head to the Gunners boss. 1 (Niasse 74) 25, Berardi 72)

WENGER SEES FUTURE AWAY SPOTLIGHT FROM ENGLISH FOOTBALL Guardiola delighted as City reach 100 points Huddersfield, England: An AFP emotional Arsene Wenger said Southampton, United Kingdom farewell to Arsenal and prob- ably England yesterday after playing down the prospect of ep Guardiola saluted his managing another club in the “incredible” Manchester Premier League. City as the champions Wenger watched his team became the fi rst Premier PLeague side to reach 100 points beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 in their final game of the season thanks to a 1-0 win at Southamp- and his last match in charge ton yesterday. Guardiola’s team after nearly 22 years at the have been focused on rewriting North London club. the record books since clinching The 68-year-old Frenchman the English title almost a month reflected on his “human experi- ago and they added one last land- ences” in his time at Arsenal mark achievement on the fi nal on a day of mixed emotions, day of the season. while he also spoke about his Gabriel Jesus struck with vir- enjoyment of England and its tually the last kick at St Mary’s to football culture. Yet when the take City to the century mark in prospect of managing another suitably dramatic fashion. Guar- Premier League club against diola’s wild celebration with his Arsenal was raised, Wenger backroom staff showed what it said that scenario was unlikely. Arsene Wenger waves to the fans before his last match as meant to the Spaniard for City “I am not ready for that at Arsenal manager yesterday. (Reuters) to achieve yet another astonish- Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring against Southampton yesterday. (AFP) the moment, that would be ing feat. “It’s incredible, I don’t very diff icult. I think on that England again was posed, football, that is why I stayed have words, 100 points!” Guar- seen them ranked along with the matter in their battle to avoid rel- post with a defl ected eff ort be- day I would stay at home. I Wenger said: “I don’t know. such a long time,” he added. “It diola said. “When you win for best teams in the history of Eng- egation as third bottom Swansea fore John Stones’ header from the don’t know, at the moment, I Maybe it is better I go some- has changed me a lot — it is dif- 100 points it’s something special lish football. lost against Stoke, ensuring Mark resultant corner was tipped over don’t envisage that,” he said. where else.” ficult to understand, when you for the club. I think it’s a record City fi nished 19 points clear of Hughes’ side avoided the drop by by Alex McCarthy. Wenger confirmed that he Wenger said he had fallen don’t live in this country, how that will stay for a long time. All second placed Manchester Unit- three points. Guardiola introduced young- had already received ap- in love with England, which deep the love is for the game. season we didn’t surrender, we ed — the biggest title-winning City are due to celebrate their sters Brahim Diaz and Phil Foden proaches to manage other added to the impression that It was a fantastic experience never gave up and tried until the margin in the Premier League era title success with an open-top late on, ensuring both players clubs but had not yet explored the Frenchman was saying for me.” end. It was an amazing fi nish — to emphasis the gap between bus parade through the streets of have registered fi ve appearances those options. goodbye to his adopted home, Whatever he does next, from Gabriel.” the runaway champions and the Manchester today. But they had to earn a Premier League med- “Yes I had off ers, of course, as well as his club. “I feel Wenger said it will be diff icult City’s 100-point haul comes chasing pack. no intention of letting the im- al — with Foden becoming the but at the moment I did not that I got a lot of respect not to match the emotions he has after they set a new Premier “Numbers are numbers, they pending party distract them on youngest ever winner at 17 years even speak to anybody of the only from our fans but from experienced with Arsenal. League points record by beat- are the consequence of the way the south-coast. and 350 days old. many off ers,” he said. “You can- England,” he said. “I would reit- “Where do I go from here? That ing Brighton in midweek, taking we played. We didn’t play perfect City controlled fi rst-half pos- The game appeared to heading not come out of such a long erate — I loved English football is the diff iculty, when you have them past the total set by Chel- for 38 games but most of the time session before Saints defender for a draw but, six years to the day process and the next morning but as well I learned to love experienced such intensity sea in 2004-05. They have also we were so good,” Guardiola add- Wesley Hoedt headed against since Sergio Aguero’s last-sec- say ‘yes, I go somewhere else’, England over 22 years. You for such a long time,” he said. scored the most goals in a single ed. “We were better than our op- Claudio Bravo’s crossbar from a ond title-winning goal for City it is impossible.” don’t stay in a country like that “It will be diff icult.(But) even Premier League campaign (106), ponents and the records we broke Dusan Tadic corner. against QPR, Jesus found space in But when the question of if you don’t like it. It is a special not managing the club, I will won the most games (32) and came from the way we played.” Guardiola’s men pushed hard the fi nal moments to lift the ball whether he will manage in country and special even for remain a fan of the club.” amassed the most consecutive Fortunately for fourth bottom in the second half and Raheem over McCarthy and spark may- victories (18) in a season that has Southampton, the defeat didn’t Sterling struck the righthand hem among the travelling fans. Gulf Times Monday, May 14, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

PSG chairman says Neymar to stay next season

Paris Saint-Germain Chairman Nasser al-Khulaifi confirmed that Brazilian star Neymar is staying with the team next season, following reports he could join Real Madrid next season. Al-Khulaifi said in a press statement that Neymar will not leave the Paris club, saying he was 2000 percent confident the player will stay with the club next season. He added that the ru- mours were started by Spanish media outlets since October. He highlighted that the player himself announced he will continue with the French club. The 26-year-old Brazilian joined St Germain in the summer of 2017 from Barcelona in a deal worth 222 million euros, mak- ing him the most expensive player in football history. QNA

Paris Saint-Germain’s Spanish head coach Unai Emery (right) speaks after receiving the Ligue 1 trophy as Paris Saint-Germain’s president Nasser al-Khelaïfi (centre) looks on at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Thiago Silva holds Ligue 1 trophy on the podium after at the end of the Ligue 1 Paris. (AFP) match against Rennes at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (AFP)

LIGUE 1 Lyon blow chance to secure CL spot, Monaco go second Bahoken scores as Strasbourg saves place in top flight Strasbourg’s players celebrate aft er defeating AFP set-piece into the top corner in the fourth minute Lyon in their Ligue 1 match at the Meinau stadium Paris of added time. in Strasbourg, France. (AFP)

Fabinho takes Monaco second yon blew the chance to secure a place in next Monaco left it late, but Fabinho’s spot-kick was season’s Champions League as Strasbourg enough for a 1-0 win over Saint-Etienne which staged a thrilling late comeback to snatch a means only an unlikely series of results next week 3-2 victory and ensure safety in Ligue 1 on would deny them Champions League qualifi ca- LSaturday. tion. Leonardo Jardim’s hosts were the better side Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) had to swallow their and could have sealed all three points earlier in the fi rst home defeat in 42 league matches, falling 0-2 second half, but were denied by Jonathan Bamba’s to Rennes in the penultimate round. Fourth-placed goalline clearance and a brilliant double save by Marseille’s 3-3 draw at Guingamp on Friday had left their former keeper Stephane Ruffi er. the door open for Lyon, but instead they lost second Just as Lyon were being pegged back to 2-2 over place to Monaco on a dramatic evening as Fabinho’s 500km away in Strasbourg, Brazilian Fabinho calm- 90th-minute penalty grabbed the principality club ly slotted into the corner for a vital win. “I’m not victory over Saint-Etienne. (concerned) with the other matches, I’m always fo- Lyon led with only a minute of normal time to cused on my match,” said Jardim. “I knew that Lyon play, but Joia Nuno Da Costa’s header and Dim- lost after the match, but I forget that. What matters itri Lienard’s brilliant injury-time free-kick gave to me is my team and I was happy with our victory.” Strasbourg a famous victory. Monaco, who are now Neymar watched on as PSG, who were handed two points clear of Lyon with one game remaining, the Ligue 1 champions trophy, slumped to a low- visit lowly Troyes on the fi nal day of the season on key 2-0 loss at home to Rennes, having wrapped up May 19, when OL host Nice and Marseille – just one the domestic treble with a French Cup fi nal victory point further back – face Amiens. over minnows Les Herbiers in midweek. Strasbourg, who stunned champions Paris The visitors broke the deadlock as veteran mid- Saint-Germain at their Stade de la Meinau earlier fi elder Thiago Motta conceded a penalty in his fare- this season, claimed a shock 22nd-minute lead as well match at the Parc des Princes. Lyon fell apart at the back. Mouctar Diakhaby, fi ll- Rennes winger Benjamin Bourigeaud beat Kevin ing in for the suspended Marcelo at centre-back, Trapp from the spot to score his 10th Ligue 1 goal of inexplicably allowed a simple ball forward to reach the campaign, before Adam Hunou took advantage Stephane Bahoken. of slack defending by Presnel Kimpembe to slam The Cameroonian did the rest, drilling a shot home a magnifi cent volley. The hosts quickly for- through the legs of Lyon goalkeeper Mathieu Gorge- got their poor performance on the night, though, lin – also playing in place of suspended fi rst-choice lifting the Ligue 1 trophy in front of their fans af- stopper Anthony Lopes. ter a dominant season that has seen them score 108 Lyon were gifted a chance to level shortly after goals in 37 games despite fi ring a blank on Saturday. half-time as Nabil Fekir tumbled to the ground Departing coach Unai Emery thanked the fans with Strasbourg centre-back Pablo Martinez in and the club, despite paying for his failure to win close attention, before picking himself up to slam the Champions League. “This PSG project is very home his 18th league goal of the season. Teenager strong,” said the Spaniard. “We have to go on with Houssem Aouar raced through with 17 minutes to patience, consistency and hard work to get the play, slotting home his sixth goal of the season to Champions League in the future, so go PSG.” put Lyon on the brink of a return to Europe’s pre- Elsewhere, Lille completed their escape from rel- mier competition. But Bruno Genesio’s men fell to egation as a double from South African Lebo Moth- pieces at the death, with Da Costa heading home iba grabbed a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over in the 89th minute and Lienard sending a searing Dijon.

LA LIGA Bale gives Zidane Champions League fi nal hint AFP will be a headache to put a team together goal of the campaign in the eighth minute. Madrid for the Champions League fi nal.” Getafe missed a chance to stay just Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale celebrates aft er scoring a Isco made it 3-0 for Real after 32 min- two points adrift of seventh-placed Se- goal against Celta Vigo during their La Liga match in utes before Moroccan midfi elder Achraf villa in the chase to qualify for the Europa Madrid on Saturday. (Reuters) areth Bale scored twice as Real added the fourth, seven minutes into the League, as Fajr’s 77th-minute spot-kick Madrid routed Celta Vigo 6-0 on second half. was kept out by Slovenian Oblak. Saturday to give coach Zinedine On a miserable night for mid-table Simeone admitted the challenge posed Zidane a selection headache for Celta, Sergi Gomez put through his own by Marseille would be diff erent to that en- Gthe Champions League fi nal. net on 74 minutes, leaving German in- countered at Getafe. With Cristiano Ronaldo again side- ternatonal Toni Kroos to tuck away Real’s “We will face a team who are very en- lined with an ankle injury, Welsh star Bale sixth goal after 81 minutes. thusiastic, with very good attacking play- stepped into the limelight with two fi rst- Real stay in third place in the table on ers. They are a team that work well at the half strikes to push his case for a starting 75 points, 15 behind champions Barcelona tactical level,” said the Argentine. spot in the European showpiece against and three back from city rivals Atletico Sevilla would have wrapped up a top- Liverpool in Kiev in two weeks’ time. with one game left to play. seven fi nish with victory in their derby at Bale opened his account after 13 min- Earlier Saturday, Koke’s early goal Real Betis, but Loren’s equaliser with nine utes on Saturday, picking up a sweetly- proved enough for Atletico to claim a 1-0 minutes to play snatched the home team timed through ball from Luka Modric to win at Getafe and remain on course to fi n- a 2-2 draw. score. ish in second place. Managerless Sevilla, who reached this His second on the half-hour mark saw Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak also season’s Champions League quarter-fi - him dash to the byline before tucking the saved a late penalty from Faycal Fajr as nals, now have to beat Alaves next week- ball to one side of a defender and then un- Diego Simeone’s men warmed up for end to secure a spot in Europe’s second- leashing a sharp left-footed drive into the Wednesday’s Europa League fi nal against tier competition. corner of the net. Marseille by denting Getafe’s hopes of Elsewhere, Samu Castillejo scored Bale celebrated by dedicating his per- playing continental football next season. twice as Villarreal beat relegated Depor- formance to his third son Axel Charles The capital club got off to a quick start tivo La Coruna 4-2 to leapfrog Betis into who was born on Tuesday. in the local derby, as Koke collected Anto- fi fth, with Denis Cheryshev also netting a “It’s better for everyone to be over-mo- ine Griezmann’s pass and drove a low shot day after being recalled to the preliminary tivated and ready,” admitted Zidane. “It into the bottom corner to score his fourth Russian World Cup squad. Gulf Times 4 Monday, May 14, 2018 CRICKET

DEBUT TEST Ireland rally aft er Pakistan enforce follow-on on Day 3 Joyce was 39 not out and Ireland captain Porterfield unbeaten on 23 at close of play after they were both dropped off Mohamed Amir

AFP Dublin Ireland’s Ed Joyce in action yesterday. (Reuters)

d Joyce and William Porterfi eld restored a measure of batting pride in Ireland’s inaugural TestE with an unbroken opening partnership after the hosts were made to follow-on by Pakistan at Malahide yesterday. But come the third day’s close, Ireland remained in trouble at 64 without loss in their second innings - still 116 runs adrift of Pakistan’s 310 for nine declared after a meagre 130 all out fi rst time around. But with Mick Jagger, a life- long cricket fan, among the crowd - the Rolling Stones play a concert at Dublin’s Croke Park on Thursday - the openers at least gave Ireland some satis- faction in a day dominated by Pakistan. Joyce was 39 not out and Ire- land captain Porterfi eld un- beaten on 23 at close of play af- ter they were both dropped off Mohamed Amir. Joyce, out for four in the fi rst innings, was on nought when he edged Amir low to the left of wicket-keeper Sar- fraz Ahmed, with the diving Pa- kistan captain unable to cling on to the chance. And Porterfi eld had made just three when Azhar Ali made a mess of a routine catch at third slip. Pakistan’s Shadab Khan (second left) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Ireland’s Stuart Former England one-day in- Thompson on day three of Ireland’s inaugural Test at Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin yesterday. (AFP) SCOREBOARD ternational Joyce, at 39 the old- est Test debutant since Austral- tionals had gathered to celebrate the ball that did for Joyce may the follow-on avoidance target Pakistan 1st Innings (overnight: 268-6) N. O’Brien lbw b Abbas ...... 0 ia’s Bryce McGain made his bow the team’s elevation to the elite have pitched outside the line, of 161. Azhar Ali c Porterfield b Rankin ...... 4 P. Stirling c Babar b Faheem ...... 17 aged 36 in 2009, cashed in with level of the men’s game. there was little doubt about the They needed to be within 150 Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Murtagh ...... 7 K. O’Brien c Imam-ul-Haq b Amir ...... 40 some elegant shots including a Meanwhile Gary Wilson, who Abbas delivery that had fellow runs of Pakistan, rather than the Haris Sohail c Porterfield b Thompson ...... 31 S. Thompson b Shadab ...... 3 cover-driven boundary off Mo- injured his arm batting in the opener Andrew Balbirnie lbw for usual 200, after rain had washed Asad Shafiq c Balbirnie b Rankin ...... 62 T. Kane c Babar b Shadab ...... 0 hammad Abbas. nets and so came in down the a duck. out the whole of Friday’s fi rst Babar Azam c Stirling b Murtagh ...... 14 G. Wilson not out ...... 33 The paceman took four wick- order, made 33 not out to help day. Sarfraz Ahmed c Stirling b Thompson ...... 20 B. Rankin c Sarfraz b Abbas ...... 17 ets for 44 runs as Ireland’s fi rst ensure South Africa’s 84 against The paceman took four This was the fi rst time Paki- Shadab Khan lbw b Murtagh ...... 55 T. Murtagh c Imam-ul-Haq b Shadab ...... 5 innings was wrapped up inside England at Port Elizabeth in 1889 wickets for 44 runs as Ireland’s stan had enforced the follow-on Faheem Ashraf c N O’Brien b Thompson ...... 83 Extras (b8, lb1, w1) ...... 10 48 overs. Abbas struck twice in a remained the lowest total by a innings was wrapped up inside in a Test in 16 years since they Mohamed Amir c N O’Brien b Murtagh ...... 13 Total (all out, 47.2 overs, 203 mins) ...... 130 30-minute spell before lunch to side in their maiden Test innings. 48 overs. Abbas struck twice beat New Zealand by an innings Mohamed Abbas not out ...... 4 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Joyce), 2-5 (Balbirnie), 3-5 leave Ireland fi ve for three after The batting of Ireland, the 11th in a 30-minute spell to leave and 324 runs at Lahore in 2002. Rahat Ali not out ...... 0 (Porterfield), 4-7 (N O’Brien), 5-36 (Stirling), 6-61 Sarfraz’s well-timed declara- nation to play men’s Test cricket, Ireland fi ve for three Pakistan resumed on their Extras (b1, lb10, nb4, w2) ...... 17 (Thompson), 7-61 (Kane), 8-73 (K O’Brien), 9-107 tion. was always likely to prove deci- overnight 268 for six. Total (9 wkts dec, 96 overs, 407 mins) ...... 310 (Rankin), 10-130 (Murtagh) Ireland were in danger of sive in the outcome of this one- Porterfi eld then fell for one Shadab and Faheem Ashraf Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Azhar), 2-13 (Imam), 3-71 Bowling: Amir 10-5-9-2 (1w); Abbas 11-4-44-4; Rahat marking their debut with the off match. when Amir uprooted his off - extended their seventh-wicket (Haris), 4-104 (Babar), 5-153 (Shafiq), 6-159 (Sarfraz), 7-0-18-0; Faheem 5-2-18-1; Shadab 13.2-3-31-3; Haris lowest completed innings to- Former England one-day stump with what became the century partnership to 117 before 7-276 (Shadab), 8-304 (Faheem), 9-306 (Amir) 1-0-1-0 tal by any side in the 141-year international Joyce, arguably last ball before lunch. Shadab was lbw to Murtagh, who Bowling: Murtagh 25-5-45-4; Rankin 21-3-75-2 (1nb); Ireland 2nd Innings (following-on) history of Test cricket - New Ireland’s greatest batsman, ap- Leg-spinner Shadab Khan took four for 45. Kane 20-2-86-0 (1nb); Thompson 22-4-62-3 (2nb, E. Joyce not out ...... 39 Zealand’s 26 against England at peared to be a victim of the fact continued his fi ne all-round Faheem, dropped several 1w); K O’Brien 6-1-20-0 (1w); Stirling 2-0-11-0; W. Porterfield not out ...... 23 Auckland in 1955. the Decision Review System was display by taking two wickets in times, was in sight of the notable Ireland 1st Innings Extras (b1, nb1) ...... 2 But Kevin O’Brien’s belliger- not being used because cricket three balls to leave Ireland 61 for feat of a hundred on Test debut E. Joyce lbw b Abbas ...... 4 Total (0 wkts, 26 overs, 114 mins) ...... 64 ent 40 spared them that embar- Ireland had decided they could seven. And when he had last man when he was caught behind off W. Porterfield b Amir ...... 1 Bowling: Amir 3.2-2-2-0; Abbas 6-2-13-0; Rahat 6-2- rassment on a day when more not aff ord the $50,000 cost. Tim Murtagh caught at short medium-pacer Stuart Thomp- A. Balbirnie lbw b Abbas...... 0 18-0; Faheem 6-2-15-0 (1nb); Shadab 4.4-1-15-0. than 100 former Ireland interna- But while replays suggested leg, Ireland were 31 runs shy of son for 83, the innings’ top score.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Buttler shines as Rajasthan beat Mumbai IANS Rayudu, Watson help Chennai beat Hyderabad by eight wickets Mumbai Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya (left ) looks on as Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler jumps in air to Chennai Super Kings rode on opener Ambati Ray- Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Williamson propelled celebrate aft er scoring the winning run during udu (100 not out) and Shane Watson (57) heroics Hyderabad to a competitive total. After receiving nglish batsman Jos Buttler continued their IPL match in Mumbai yesterday. (AFP) to hammer Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets an early jolt, the in-form visiting batsmen feasted his red-hot form with a 94 not out as yesterday and maintain their second spot in the on the Chennai bowlers, smashing most of them Rajasthan Royals thumped Mumbai Indian Premier League). to various parts of the ground. Put in to bat, the Indians by seven wickets yesterday Following the win at the Maharashtra Cricket As- visitors lost Alex Hales (2) cheaply as the opener toE boost their chance of qualifying for the In- sociation Stadium, Chennai are virtually through to chipped an away swinging length ball from Deepak dian Premier League (IPL) play-off s. the play-off s with 16 points. In pursuit of Hydera- Chahar to Raina at cover-point in the fourth over. After Mumbai posted 168/6, thanks to bad’s 179/4, it was the Chennai openers who gave His dismissal saw Williamson joining Dhawan in opening batsmen Suryakumar Yadav (60) and their side a flying start, forging a match-winning the middle as the duo slowly and steadily started Evin Lewis, Buttler registered his fi fth con- 134-run partnership. Rayudu meanwhile, also building Hyderabad’s innings, taking their side past secutive fi fty, which contained fi ve sixes and slammed his maiden IPL ton facing 62 deliveries, the 50-run mark in 8.3 overs. nine fours, to guide his team to seven-wicket smashing seven fours and as many hits into the After managing to put just 62 runs on board in the victory with two overs to spare. stands. On the other hand, Watson’s knock off 35 first ten overs, the Hyderabad batsman switched The loss left three-time champions Mum- balls contained five boundaries and three sixes. gears to accumulate 38 runs off the next three bai stranded at 10 points from 12 games, while Chennai started the proceedings straightway as overs to touch the three-figure mark. Rajasthan took their tally to 12 after 12 games. the openers gathered 28 runs in the first three Meanwhile, Dhawan also bought his fifty off 38 The Jaipur-based outfi t needs to win its overs. deliveries. The duo then went on to add another remaining two games to qualify for the play- The duo fully utilised the powerplay overs as Chen- 41 runs off the next three overs to inch towards a off s, while Mumbai’s fate is not in their hands nai put 53 runs on board in the initial six overs. The fighting total. With Chennai struggling to break the and will have to depend on the performances hosts went on to hammer the visiting bowlers as partnership, it was Dwayne Bravo who came with of other teams. Rajasthan bowlers did well to bag fi ve the second wicket to keep the visitors in the the openers lifted Chennai to 93 runs at the end of the much-needed breakthrough in the 16th over. The result at the Wankhede Stadium was wickets over the next six overs to make a hunt. 10 overs. Meanwhile, the Australian all-rounder also Hyderabad lost their well-settled batsmen in decisive since the winner not only bagged strong comeback. Jofra Archer was the most It was a perfect partnership as Rahane got his fifty. consecutive deliveries as Bravo pegged back a two valuable points, but also derail the loser’s impressive of the bunch, giving away a mere played a run-a-ball knock, Buttler dealt in Hyderabad got the much-needed breakthrough in good-looking Dhawan through his slower one. challenge for the race to the knockouts. 16 runs in his four overs while claiming the with fours and sixes to get the things going. the 14th over when Watson fell short of the crease Straightway in the first ball of the 17th over, Shardul Asked to bat fi rst, Mumbai were off to a crucial wickets of Suryakumar and Rohit The stand was broken after Rahane failed as skipper Kane Williamson’s throw from extra- Thakur sent back the visiting skipper, which left steady start with Evin Lewis and Suryakumar Sharma. Fellow pacer Ben Stokes bowled well to clear Suryakumar at mid-off boundary off cover ended the all-rounder’s innings. Hyderabad at 141/3. coming up with an opening partnership of 87 in the late stages to return fi gures of 2/26. a ball from Hardik Pandya in the fi rst deliv- Incoming batsman Suresh Raina fell cheaply, Manish Pandey and Deepak Hooda then added 20 runs off 64 balls. Indian pacers Jaydev Unadkat and Dhawal ery of the 14th over, with Rajasthan’s score at contributing just couple of runs, with Chennai’s runs for the fourth wicket before Thakur struck to Lewis, who narrowly survived being Kulkarni also got a wicket each as Mumbai 104. scorecard reading 137/2 in 14.1 overs. send back Pandey (5) in the 19th over. caught by Stuart Binny in the third over, seemed in real danger of failing to cross the Later, Buttler continued his good work and Rayudu was then accompanied by skipper Mahen- Hooda chipped in with a 11-ball unbeaten 21 while made good use of the reprieve to blast his 150-run mark. found good support from Sanju Samson, who dra Singh Dhoni (20 not out off 14 balls) and the Shakib Al Hasan remained not out on 8 to take the way to 60 runs off 42 deliveries. His quick- However, Hardik Pandya helped the hosts played a quickfi re knock of 26 off 14 balls. pair played sensibly to help their side recover from visitors to a fighting total. fi re knock included four boundaries and as to a competitive total with a late charge, Samson hit Hardik for two sixes in the 18th the consecutive blows. Denying any more wickets For Chennai, Thakur bagged a couple of wickets many sixes. scoring 36 runs off 21 balls before holing out over as Rajasthan romped to victory. to the visitors, the duo added the remaining 43 conceding 32 runs while Bravo and Chahar settled Suryakumar, who also got an early let- to Stokes in the penultimate ball of the in- runs for the third wicket in the next five overs to for one wicket each. off , being dropped by Krishna Gowtham off nings. Brief scores: Mumbai Indians: 168/6 in 20 inch Chennai closer towards the play-off s. Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings 180/2 (Ambati Dhawal Kulkarni early in the second over, During the chase, Rajasthan had a poor overs (Evin Lewis 60, Suryakumar Yadav For Hyderabad, Sandeep Sharma bagged a wicket Rayudu 100 not out, Shane Watson 57; Sandeep went on to post a steady 38 off 31 deliveries. start, losing D’Arcy Short (4) to paceman Jas- 38, Hardik Pandya 36; Jofra Archer 2/16, conceding 36 runs while the others remained Sharma 1/36) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (Shikhar Although the opening duo gave the hosts a prit Bumrah in the fi rst over. Ben Stokes 2/26) vs Rajasthan Royals: 171/3 wicketless. Dhawan 79, Kane Williamson 51; Shardul Thakur strong platform for a big total, the rest of the However, Buttler and Ajinkya Rahane (37 in 18 overs (Jos Buttler 94 not out, Ajinkya Earlier, a 123-run partnership between opener 2/32) by eight wickets. Mumbai batsmen failed to capitalise. off 36) stitched together a 95-run stand for Rahane 37; Hardik Pandya 2/52). Gulf Times Monday, May 14, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Schebler’s 3-run HR leads Reds past Dodgers Champions Warriors Cody Bellinger hit a solo home Reuters Los Angeles run for the Dodgers in the third inning, his fi fth of the season. The drive, deep into the seats cott Schebler hit a go- in right fi eld, ended a 1-for- ahead three-run home 13 slide. It was Bellinger’s fi rst run in the sixth inning home run since May 1 against the on Saturday as the visit- Arizona Diamondbacks. face season-best ingS Cincinnati Reds pushed their The Dodgers made it 2-0 in the win streak to fi ve games with a fourth on an RBI single from Joc 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Pederson, who was 0-for-11 on Dodgers. the homestand heading into the Schebler, a former Dodger game. After a two-out RBI single who was acquired in a December from Jesse Winker cut the Dodg- 2015 three-team trade that also ers’ lead to 2-1 in the fi fth, Max included the Chicago White Sox, Muncy delivered an RBI double Rockets in West fi nal hit his third career home run in the bottom half to make it 3-1 against the Dodgers and fourth Los Angeles. The Dodgers left ‘I like where we are. Our guys have rings. That’s a good position to be in’ this season. 11 runners on base as the Reds’ Reds starter Homer Bailey (1- bullpen fi nished off the victory 5) proved adept at escaping trou- with four scoreless innings. ble, giving up three runs on 10 In taking the fi rst three games hits over fi ve innings. He loaded of the four-game set, the Reds the bases in the fi rst inning and won their fi rst series at Dodger put two aboard in the second but Stadium in seven tries, going worked out of both jams. Scooter back to 2011. David Hernandez Gennett had three hits, but his followed Bailey with 2 1/3 score- run of consecutive games with a less innings, while Jared Hughes home run ended at four, one shy recorded the fi nal fi ve outs for of tying a franchise record. his fi rst save. The Dodgers scored single runs in the third and fourth in- RESULTS ning to take a 2-0 lead and led Yankees 7 Athletics 6 3-1 after fi ve before the Reds Braves 10 Marlins 5 took advantage of the Los Ange- Cubs 8 White Sox 4 les bullpen. Astros 6 Rangers 1 Dodgers starter Ross Stripling Indians 6 Royals 2 gave up two runs on six hits over Nationals 2 Diamondbacks 1 5 1/3 innings, with a career-high Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 2 seven strikeouts. Pirates 6 Giants 5 With Stripling at 79 pitches in Reds 5 Dodgers 3 the sixth, the Dodgers replaced Rockies 4 Brewers 0 the spot starter with JT Chargois Padres 2 Cardinals 1 (13 innings) (1-1), who gave up three runs on Tigers 4 Mariners 3 (Game 1) four hits while recording just one Mariners 9 Tigers 5 (Game 2) out. He also allowed an inherited Orioles 6 Rays 3 (Game 1) runner from Stripling to score. Rays 10 Orioles 3 (Game 2)

NFL Orleans Payton would ‘absolutely’ consider signing RB Peterson

Reuters told reporters Saturday, “which I New York still say there was none. I think a ton of him. “...He’s a tough player, war- Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Andre Iguodala (right) and Kevin Durant (left) after he made a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during hile he reiterated rior and a great worker, and we Game Five of the Western Conference semi-finals of the 2018 NBA Playoff s at ORACLE Arena in Oakland. (Getty Images/AFP) the team doesn’t have a good relationship.” currently plan to Peterson told NFL Network on AFP The Rockets, sparked by NBA game,” said outspoken Golden dala and 3-point sharpshooter ‘They have to be sign a veteran run- Thursday that he would be open scoring champion James Hard- State forward Draymond Green. Klay Thompson in a starting ready for us’ Wning back, New Orleans head to a return to the Saints, who will Washington en, were 2-1 against Golden “Their team is built to beat us, lineup dubbed “Death” or “The Harden averaged 30.4 points, coach Sean Payton said he would be without veteran Mark Ingram State in the regular season and their obsession. Hamptons Five.” 8.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds a “absolutely” consider bring- for the fi rst four games due to a efending NBA cham- went a league-best 65-17 over- “Obviously you want to build A rose by any other name is game while Durant and Cur- ing back Adrian Peterson if the PED suspension. pion Golden State, all, seizing a home-court ad- your team to beat the defend- still tough to beat. ry each averaged 26.4 points Saints do add a back. He has yet to draw signifi cant seeking a third title vantage in the series. ing champs because that’s usu- “They are taking the chal- for Golden State this season New Orleans signed Peterson interest on the free agent market in four seasons, faces After being ousted from the ally how you’ve got to go to get lenge and they are embracing and Thompson contributed to a two-year deal last off sea- but has been clear that he plans seasonD wins leader Houston in playoff s by the San Antonio a championship. Understand- it,” Kerr said. “We seem to be 20 while Green is adding 13.1 son and traded him to the Ari- to continue his career. a tantalising playoff showdown Spurs in three of the past four able. That stuff has been said at our best when we are threat- points, 11.5 rebounds and nine zona Cardinals in October, after The 33-year-old Peterson also between a powerhouse Warriors seasons, the Rockets added star for about a year now. It’s time ened. And we’re defi nitely assists in the playoff s. Cardinals back David Johnson told NFL Network he is com- squad and a Rockets team as- guard Chris Paul and 3-point to play.” threatened.” For Paul and Rockets coach hurt his wrist and then-rookie pletely healthy and has had his sembled to beat it. threat P.J. Tucker to join Trevor Green says the Warriors are Curry has made a solid return Mike D’Antoni, it’s a chance Alvin Kamara emerged for the neck cleared by three diff erent “I like where we are. Our guys Ariza, then watched Swiss big all about adding another title, after missing several weeks with for their fi rst NBA Finals berth. Saints. Peterson played in just specialists. have rings. That’s a good posi- man Clint Capela enjoy a career- not ousting imitators. knee and ankle injuries. Harden made his alongside six games for the Cardinals He has missed 19 games due to tion to be in,” said Golden State best season with 13.9 points and “We won two champion- “I feel good. I feel confi dent Durant with Oklahoma City in before a season-ending neck injury over the past two seasons coach Steve Kerr, whose War- 10.8 rebounds a game. ships in three years. We’re not in what I’m able to do,” Curry 2012. Now they all want to bring injury, and he was released in after playing in all 16 games in riors open the best-of-seven “It’s going to be a fi ght,” about to run off talking about said. “I continue to get better, the Rockets their fi rst NBA title March. 2015. Western Conference fi nals at Capela said. “This team is going how bad we want to play some- continue to get my timing right, since 1994 and 1995. Some have speculated the split Payton said he hopes to get Houston today in search of a to be hard. There are going to be body,” Green said. “We want to continue to get back to the nor- “They are the champs. It’s between the Saints and Peterson some of the Saints’ young backs, fourth straight trip to the NBA a lot of adjustments after every win another championship and mal rotations.” going to be tough,” said Rock- was not amicable, with many like Boston Scott, Trey Edmunds Finals. game. It’s going to be a chess it don’t matter who is in the way Golden State led the NBA in ets forward Luc Mbah a Moute. pointing to a tense moment be- and Jonathan Williams, more “We’re going in here knowing game.” of that.” scoring just ahead of Houston “We have what we need. We’re tween Payton and Peterson at work in Ingram’s absence. we’re the defending champs, The clash between the two this season. Now the Warriors ready. They have to be ready for the end of the second quarter of To the chagrin of fantasy own- knowing we got a couple cham- off ensively explosive teams has ‘We’re definitely rank as the top defensive squad us as well. We showed all season their Week 1 game at the Minne- ers everywhere, Payton doesn’t pionships here the last few been anticipated since the start threatened’ in the playoff s just ahead of we match up well with them. sota Vikings. want to compensate for Ingram’s years. Let’s go get another one. of the season. Past NBA Most Valuable Play- the Rockets. “We’re going to be “We were the best team in the “This gets back to the notion absence by piling on reigning of- It’s a nice feeling to have to go “You wanted us. You got ers Kevin Durant and Stephen ready,” Capela said. “Everybody league all year but that’s not our that we had some type of any fensive rookie of the year Alvin into a series with.” us. Now you’ve got to play the Curry join Green, Andre Iguo- is excited about it.” goal. Our goal is to go further.” argument at Minnesota,” Payton Kamara’s plate.

NHL Jets topple Golden Knights in West series opener AFP erees. series shifts to Las Vegas. Los Angeles Mark Scheifele, with his league- “We know the next game is going leading 12th goal of the post-season, to be harder. It is going to get harder and Dustin Byfuglien also scored for and harder but it was nice to get the atrik Laine and Joel Armia Winnipeg who reached the National fi rst one out of the way,” Laine said. scored 46 seconds apart in Hockey League semi-fi nals series by Brayden McNabb and William the fi rst period as the Winni- knocking off the Nashville Predators, Karlsson scored for the Golden peg Jets rolled over the Vegas the best team in the league during the Knights who weren’t even in exist- GoldenP Knights 4-2 in the opening regular season. ence a year ago but got this far in game of their Western Conference Wheeler, who had three assists, is their inaugural season on hard work fi nal series. one of 11 American-born players on and desire. The Jets pounced on the expan- the Jets. The Golden Knights looked the sion Golden Knights from the open- “I have always felt a special con- rustier of the two teams as they had ing puck drop on Saturday, scoring nection to the people here. But I am six days off after eliminating the San three times on their fi rst eight shots no diff erent than any of the other Jose Sharks in six games. against a shell-shocked Vegas goal- guys,” he said in the Canadian prairie Fleury was not his normal self, tender Marc-Andre Fleury. city. giving up a goal to Byfuglien just 65 “We did a good job of getting a Scheifele, who scored his league- seconds into the contest in front of a good start,” said Jets captain Blake leading 12th goal of the post-season, white-clad pro-Jets crowd of 15,300 Wheeler. “They are a great team. now has four more goals than any at the Bell MTS Place arena. Fleury, They have so much speed. It is going other player remaining in the play- who had a playoff best.951 save per- to be a long, tough series.” off s. centage coming into the game, fi n- Finnish forward Laine scored on Armia had his second goal of the ished with 22 saves. the powerplay at 6:49 of the fi rst postseason waved off only to have it “We had a week off . Sometimes period to make it 2-0 and the Jets’ restored by a challenge, which over- getting your legs under you takes a roaring start continued when Armia turned the initial goaltender interfer- few minutes and they took advan- made it 3-0 at 7:35 after a successful ence call on the ice. tage,” Fleury said. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (right) is congratulated by teammates including Joel Armia (second right) and An- challenge by the Jets’ coaching staff Game two of the best of seven se- Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck drew Copp (third right) after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the Western Conference Final of the Stanley Cup overturned a no-goal call by the ref- ries is tonight in Winnipeg before the stopped 19 shots. Playoff s at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, May 14, 2018 SPORT

GOLF FOCUS Lagergren beats Simpson leads Lorenzo-Vera in Sicilian playoff

Reuters Lagergren needed just one ex- Players by seven tra hole to seal the victory after Bengaluru an inch-perfect approach ensure he made a birdie from eight feet. ‘I feel like I’ve been confident, I’ve been weden’s Joakim Lager- “I’ve been waiting for this mo- gren clinched his fi rst ment my whole career,” he said. working hard, and I’m really hungry. I’m European Tour title at the I’ve just been fi ghting so hard to Rocco Forte Sicilian Open get to here, it’s just awesome. hungry to get back in the winner’s circle’ afterS nailing a clutch putt for “When you’re just missing out strokes birdie at the fi rst playoff hole to a few times you really want to get edge Frenchman Mike Lorenzo- that fi rst win and it feels like you Reuters Vera yesterday. really need to get over that fi rst Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Overnight leader Lorenzo-Ve- step to then really continue and ra began the fi nal round at Ver- get more and more. This is a big dura Golf Club with a two-shot step for me.” ebb Simpson put further advantage but Lagergren made a Lagergren and Lorenzo-Vera daylight between himself charge up the leaderboard with fi nished one shot clear of Eng- and his rivals at the Players four birdies in his fi rst nine holes. lishman Andy Sullivan and Championship on Saturday A 14th-hole bogey meant the Australia’s Lucas Herbert, who Wby carding a third-round 68 to open up a 26-year-old signed for a three- matched the lowest round of the seven-stroke lead at TPC Sawgrass. under-par 68 before Lorenzo- week with a 63. Denmark’s Lucas New Zealander Danny Lee shot 70 to Vera sank a crucial birdie on the Bjerregaard fi nished at 14-under, move into second place on 12-under 204, 17th to share the lead at 16-under one shot ahead of Frenchman Ju- with world number one Dustin Johnson overall after four rounds. lien Guerrier. (69) another two strokes behind in third. Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth carded matching best-of-the-day 65s to jump RUGBY into a tie for ninth on eight-under-par, though they still trail the leader by 11. They were scheduled to play together yesterday in a pairing that should draw All Blacks prop Moody bigger crowds than Simpson and Lee. Starting the day fi ve strokes clear, Simpson increased his advantage with a cops two-match ban solid 68, the highlight of which was hol- ing out from a bunker for eagle at the par- AFP sioner, who reviewed video of the fi ve 11th Christchurch, New Zealand incident, believed Moody should The 2012 US Open champion’s 19-un- have been red carded and the der total of 197 matched the tournament committee initially deemed the 54-hole record held by Greg Norman. ll Blacks prop Joe blow merited a mid-range pun- Simpson is also within sight of the big- Moody was yesterday ishment of a four-week ban. gest victory margin at the tournament — banned for two weeks “However, taking into account seven strokes by Steve Elkington in 1997. for a blow to the head mitigating factors including the No golfer has surrendered a lead of ofA NSW Waratahs midfi elder player’s excellent judicial record, more than six strokes in the fi nal round of Kurtley Beale, leaving him free to good character and guilty plea at a PGA Tour event, though Simpson will play in next month’s Test series the earliest possible opportunity, be keen to avoid the same fate at Alex Ce- against France. the foul play review committee jka here nine years ago. Moody’s penalty was lightened reduced the suspension to two Cejka held a fi ve-stroke lead after 54 because of his immediate guilty weeks,” chairman Nigel Hamp- holes but shot a closing 79 to plunge to plea when he appeared before a ton said. equal ninth. foul play review committee. Moody will miss matches “I’ve been a pro since 2008 and you The 31-Test Canterbury Cru- against the Auckland Blues never know when a week like this will saders frontrower was cited for and Wellington Hurricanes be- come,” Simpson said, adding that he Webb Simpson plays a shot from a bunker on the 18th hole during the third round of The Players Championship at the Stadium hitting Beale above the neck with fore being available to play the wanted to erase the mistakes from his Course of TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) his forearm just before scoring a Waikato Chiefs on June 2, a game and post a clean fi nal round. critical try in Saturday’s Super week before the fi rst Test against The 32-year-old, who has four PGA green and made some long putts, and to theirs. nised in a local coff ee shop on Saturday. Rugby clash. France. Tour victories, was as surprised as any- get to (19-under), I think you’ve got to do “But it doesn’t surprise me at the same He planned to return on the fi nal day, The incident, missed by match Queensland Reds captain one with his score and said he would have that,” he said. time because I feel like I’ve been confi - when perhaps people will take notice. offi cials, led to Moody’s try Scott Higginbotham received been happy with Lee’s 12-under total if he “Certain guys it’s not surprising that dent, I’ve been working hard, and I’m re- Lee said he was not going to be looking which sparked a scoring spree as a three-week suspension for a had been off ered it before the start of the they play well a lot, like Jason Day and ally hungry. I’m hungry to get back in the at what Simpson was doing on Sunday. the Crusaders fought back from similar incident earlier in the event. Rory (McIlroy) and Spieth and these guys, winner’s circle.” “I’m going to just keep my head down 0-29 down to win 31-29. season in a match against the “I’ve holed out a few times from off the but I certainly haven’t had a career like The leader said he had gone unrecog- and play my game,” he said. The match citing commis- Melbourne Rebels.

Just like good old days as Woods rediscovers magic

Reuters since 2015. holes, before adding a lone bogey. have shot today, which was kind of “It’s just a matter of playing and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida It was also his best score under par At eight-under 208, he finished the nice,” he said. executing and putting the shots since 2013, though he has played day 11 strokes behind Simpson, who “To be eight-under through 12, real- together,” he said. only sparingly in the ensuing five shot 68 for a record seven-stroke istically, I probably could have got a “Eventually I was going to put all the t was just like the halcyon years while nursing a serious back lead over New Zealander Danny couple more out of it and got to 10 pieces together and today for the days of a previous era as Tiger injury. Lee. (under) for the day. most part I did that.” IWoods carded his best ever After making the cut with nothing Saturday’s performance was the “Today I felt more comfortable with Caddie Joe LaCava was not sur- score at TPC Sawgrass, a seven-un- to spare on Friday, Woods teed latest positive sign for 42-year-old my overall warm-up. I felt I had bet- prised by the quality of his boss’s der-par 65, in the third round of the off trailing halfway leader Webb Woods, a two-times winner of the ter control of hitting it right-to-left iron game. Players Championship on Saturday. Simpson by 14 strokes on another Players Championship, who is try- and left-to-right, and consequently “If he can drive it well I’m never Woods, a 79-times winner on the perfect morning. ing to regain sharpness after last today I was able to shape the golf really worried about his iron game,” PGA Tour, was in control of all “I finally got off to a good start,” said year’s successful spinal fusion. ball both ways.” LaCava said, while at the same time facets of his game and wielded Woods, who sent waves of excite- “It was nice to see a few putts go Woods has displayed patience, tempering expectations. a hot putter to record his lowest ment through the massive gallery in. I hit a lot of quality shots and outwardly at least, in his quest to “It’s one round so you don’t want to numerical score on the PGA Tour with eight birdies in the first 12 65 was probably as high as I could return to his best. get too far ahead of yourself.”

BOXING SPOTLIGHT Lomachenko stops Linares for third world title Vargas battles

AFP Lomachenko said. “But he’s good.” through cuts to New York Lomachenko quickly pulled himself together, his hand and foot speed mak- ing the diff erence against his bigger op- retain WBC title asyl Lomachenko stopped Jorge ponent. Linares in the 10th round on “Going into this fi ght, we knew Loma AFP early rounds, he hurt Armenia’s Saturday to claim the World was a huge talent,” said Lomachenko’s New York Hovhannisyan with a right hook Boxing Association lightweight promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank. “Af- in the ninth round at the Turn- Vworld title and a slice of boxing history at ter this fi ght, we know now that he’s a ing Stone Casino in Verona, New Madison Square Garden. fi ghter.” exico’s Rey Vargas York. Ukraine’s Lomachenko survived a By the eighth round he’d opened a cut retained his World Vargas was coming off a sixth-round knock-down to set a record over Linares’ left eye, and he was remorse- Boxing Council title twelve-round unanimous deci- in claiming a world title in a third weight less in targeting the vulnerable spot. with a unanimous sion over undefeated Oscar Ne- division in just his 12th professional fi ght. Lomachenko, whose storied amateur Mdecision over Azat Hovhannisyan grete in December. Lomachenko fi nished off the tightly career included two Olympic gold med- in a bloody showdown between Hovhannisyan, who is trained contested bout with a fi erce burst in the als, improved to 11-1 with nine knockouts. a pair of super bantamweight by the legendary cornerman 10th, capped by a vicious left to the body Linares fell to 44-4 with 27 wins inside fi ghters on Saturday night. Freddie Roach, dropped to a that sent Linares down. the distance. Vargas made his third straight record of 14-3. “I prepared for the last few rounds, and Lomachenko, 30, added the WBA light- successful defence of the title He was fi ghting for his fi rst my father told me, ‘You need to go to the weight belt to a resume that includes a despite fi nishing the 12-round world title and the loss ended his body,’” Lomachenko said. victory over Gary Russell Jr. for a feather- fi ght with blood streaming down eight-fi ght win streak. Venezuela’s Linares slowly got to his weight world title in just his third pro bout. both sides of his face, the result In the other title fi ght Satur- feet, but referee Ricky Gonzalez waved it In his seventh fi ght, Lomachenko of headbutts in the eighth and day, rising star Jaime Munguia off at 2:08 of the 10th to give Lomachenko moved up to super featherweight and 12th rounds. crushed America’s Sadam Ali a victory by technical knockout that end- knocked out Roman Martinez to take his Vargas, who is now a perfect to take the WBO junior middle- ed Linares’ 13-fi ght winning streak. belt and set the record for fewest fi ghts 32-0 in his career, won on all weight title with a fourth-round Linares said he thought he could have In this June 11, 2016, picture, Vasyl Lomachenko holds the championship belt after needed to win a world title in two weight three judges’ scorecards includ- stoppage. continued and would be eager for a re- defeating Roman Martinez by knockout in their Junior Lightweight WBO World classes. ing one who had it 118-110. The Munguia, who had a substan- match. Championship bout at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Among other fi ghters to win world other two scored it 117-11 and tial size and punching power ad- At the time of the stoppage, Lo- titles in three divisions, Australian Jeff 116-112. vantage, easily won the lopsided machenko was up by two points on one was a far cry from Lomachenko’s last four one more lesson in boxing,” said Lo- Fenech did so in his 20th bout while He fought the fi nal four rounds bout. The 21-year-old Mexican judge’s card, Linares was up by two on fi ghts in which all of his opponents quit machenko, who was sent to the canvas by greats such as Oscar de la Hoya (22 fi ghts), with blood fl owing freely but the fl oored Ali twice in the opening another and one judge had it tied. on their stools. a straight right to the nose late in the sixth Floyd Mayweather (34) and Manny Pac- cuts above his eyes did not seem round, once in the second and The bout, before a crowd of 10,429 in “I want to say thank you to Jorge Lin- round. quiao (41) needed even longer to achieve to aff ect his vision that much. again in the fourth before the Madison Square Garden’s main arena, ares, he’s a great fi ghter and he gave me “I knew about this punch,” southpaw the feat. After piling up points in the referee put a halt to the slaughter. Gulf Times Monday, May 14, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS CYCLING Yates wins Zverev powers Giro stage nine to extend past Thiem to win overall lead

Austrian is outplayed by AFP to stay optimistic,” insisted Team Gran Sasso, Italy Sky sports director Nicolas Por- Zverev, who collects his tal. “There are two long weeks third Masters 1000 title imon Yates won an up- coming up, so hopefully we will Madrid title hill mountain fi nish to have better days. Nothing is claim the ninth stage of done. AFP the Giro d’Italia yester- “They all deserve a good rest dayS to extend his overall race lead day and hopefully we can quickly Madrid as fellow Briton Chris Froome forget this stage. struggled. “In general, when you talk to lexander Zverev showed his Mitchelton rider Yates, wear- the riders you can tell everyone clay-court class by blowing ing the leader’s pink jersey, wants to win. They won’t switch away Dominic Thiem to win the crossed just ahead of France’s off , for sure this isn’t great news Madrid Masters yesterday. Thibaut Pinto and Colombian but they will keep fi ghting.” AZverev has long been marked out as a Esteban Chaves at 2,135 metres Yates extends his overall lead future star of the men’s game and his 6-4, altitude. to 32sec on Chaves with defend- 6-4 victory over Thiem suggests the Ger- The race included a gruel- ing champion Tom Dumoulin of man can be a major threat at the French ling 26.5km fi nal climb to the the Netherlands dropping one Open later this month. snowcapped Campo Imperatore, place to third at 38sec. Thiem had ousted Rafael Nadal in the where Benito Mussolini was im- Pinot accelerated with 1.5km quarter-fi nals on Friday and he too will prisoned in 1943. to go and was followed by a small be among the small group capable of pre- “I realise how big it is to win group including Yates, Chaves venting the Spaniard from claiming an my fi rst stage with the pink jer- and Ricard Carapaz who jostled 11th Roland Garros crown. sey,” said Yates, who became the for victory heading towards the But the Austrian was outplayed, and fi rst Briton since Mark Cavend- line. over-powered, by Zverev, who collects ish in 2013 to win a stage and only The 25-year-old Yates is com- his third ATP World Tour Masters 1000 the second after Robert Millar in peting in his fi rst Giro d’Italia, title, the most prestigious tier of knock- 1987 on the top of a mountain. and will spend Monday’s rest day out tournament beneath the four Grand “That one is for the boys who in the region of Pescara, 100km Slams. rode at the front all day,” added from Gran Sasso in the leader’s Zverev is now one of fi ve active players Yates. “It’s really nice. Since the pink jersey. to have won three, the others being Roger beginning of the day we believed Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy in the possibility of winning the STAGE 9 RESULTS (top 10) Murray. stage as well as defending the 1. Simon Yates (MIT) 5:54:13 Those four are all aged 30 or older, pink jersey.” 2. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) s.t. while Zverev is 21. Four-time Tour de France 3. Esteban Chaves (MIT) s.t. Ranked third in the world, Zverev is winner Froome was the big los- 4. D Pozzovivo (BAH) +4sec yet to transfer his talent and success in er of the day along with Italian 5. Richard Carapaz (MOV) +4 Masters events to Grand Slams, howev- champion Fabio Aru, as the pair 6. Davide Formolo (BOR) +10 er, where his best result remains reach- fell behind with two kilometres 7. George Bennett (LNL) +12 ing the fourth round at Wimbledon last to go. 8. Tom Dumoulin (SUN) +12 year. Froome lost over a minute on 9. Miguel Angel Lopez (AST) +12 On this evidence, that breakthrough is his rivals, as Yates rode to his fi rst 10. Giulio Ciccone (BAR) +24 surely close, with the crowd on Manolo stage win on the Giro, three days OVERALL STANDINGS (top 10) Santana court treated to an impressive after letting teammate Chaves 1. Simon Yates (MIT) 37:37:15 display of aggressive baseline hitting. take victory on Mount Etna. 2. Esteban Chaves (MIT) +32sec Thiem’s 21 errors to Zverev’s 12 were also Team Sky rider Froome fi n- 3. Tom Dumoulin (SUN) +38 key. Germany’s Alexander Zverev kisses the winner’s trophy after beating Austria’s Dominic Thiem in Madrid Masters final. (Reuters) ished 23rd on the day, 67sec be- 4. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) +45 The players in Madrid this week have hind the leading trio, and is trail- 5. Domenico Pozzovivo (BAH) +57 remarked on the quickness of the courts 2-0, Thiem’s only sniff came at 5-4 Another break in the fi rst game of the Instead, Thiem stayed in touch to make ing Yates by 2min 27sec in the 6. Richard Carapaz (MOV) +1:20 and that has suited Zverev, whose de- when he opened up 0-30 on the Zverev second meant Thiem was again playing Zverev serve out. A sumptuous half- overall standings. 7. George Bennett (LNL) +1:33 mon serve was almost untouchable in the serve. But his opponent did not waver, catch-up and Zverev could have moved volley opened up two match points and “It’s not what we hoped as 8. Rohan Dennis (BMC) +2:05 opening set. letting out a roar of relief after clinch- 3-0 clear had Thiem not saved two more Zverev took the fi rst when a fi nal Thiem (Froome) was looking good the 9. Pello Bilbao (AST) +2:05 After conceding an early break for ing the frame. break points. forehand fl oated long. last couple of days, but we need 10. Michael Woods (EFD) +2:25

Wawrinka beaten on return from injury in Rome

AFP in the way I move and the way I play.” doing okay, but now I need a lot of time one competes after suff ering his first Rome Wawrinka, 33, sat out the second half of to work on my fitness. Today was tough clay-court defeat in almost a year in 2017 after a knee operation following a but I’m really happy to see where I am the Madrid quarter-finals to Austrian first-round exit at Wimbledon in June. right now. Dominic Thiem. wiss star Stan Wawrinka struggled He then spent eight weeks on crutches “I’m close to my top level, I still need a The women’s tournament at the Foro on his return after almost three following surgery to repair the damage. lot of time to play matches.” Italico starts today, with two-time Smonths on the sidelines, falling He returned this year but has struggled Three Americans advanced on the first Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova to a first round defeat in the clay-court and was forced to withdraw during a day on the red clay in Rome with 13th withdrawing citing a muscular injury Italian Open yesterday. second round match in Marseille in seed Jack Sock beating Spaniard David after winning Saturday’s Madrid Open The three-time Grand Slam champion February against world number 193 Ilya Ferrer 6-3, 6-4, and Ryan Harrison oust- final, her second title in two weeks after lost 6-4, 6-4 to 55th-ranked American Ivashka of Belarus. ing Japan’s Yuichi Sugita 7-6 (5), 6-3. also taking the Prague Open. Steve Johnson. “I think when I came back in Australia it But 12th-seeded American Sam Querrey Four-time former Rome champion Ser- “I really only started to play tennis again was quite clear I wasn’t ready at all. But fell 6-2, 7-6 (7) to Germany’s Peter Go- ena Williams withdrew last week as she 12 days ago,” said Wawrinka, who was for me it’s important to play matches jowczyk while Italian wild card Lorenzo is struggling to be fit after having a baby broken in each set and hit 30 unforced to test myself playing against the top Sonego came back from a set down to last year. “After these incredible two errors to Johnson’s 17. “I’m happy with guys,” added Wawrinka with the French defeat France’s Adrian Mannarino 2-6, weeks of tennis my body needs to rest physically where I am right now. Open, which he won in 2015, just two 7-6 (4), 6-3. and recuperate,” said 28-year-old Czech “I had a lot of hesitation with my game weeks away. Seven-time Rome winner Rafael Nadal is Kvitova. World number one Simona Mitchelton-Scott’s British rider Simon Yates celebrates as he crosses and it obviously makes a big diff erence “It’s positive to see that the knee was the top men’s seed as the world number Halep is the top women’s seed. the finish line to win the ninth stage of the 101st Giro d’Italia in Gran Sasso, Italy, yesterday. (AFP)

Al-Athba wins skeet at Qatar Shooting M PALLONJI DAY/NIGHT CRICKET TOURNAMENT and Archery Championship ACC reign supreme in Div I fi nals By Sports Reporter Doha

sian Cricket Club (ACC) picked up a hard-fought victory in the Division I fi nals ofA M Pallonji Day/Night Crick- et Tournament 2018, beating CCRC Warriors by 4 wickets to lift the trophy at the West Bay Cricket Complex on Friday. ACC put CCRC to bat fi rst, and while the latter went at a steady rate putting up 62 runs for the loss of two wickets at the end of the fi rst eight overs, they kept losing wickets at reg- ular intervals to wind up with 124 runs in the allotted 15 overs. Daud was the top-scorer for ACC skipper Sameer and teammate Basheer receive the winners’ trophy from M Pallonji Regional ACC with 24 runs off nine balls General Manager Chidananda Nayak in the presence of M Pallonji Contracts Manager Sharad Reddy with two sixes and a boundary. and Qatar Veterans’ off icials after they won the Division I of M Pallonji Day/Night Cricket Tournament. Magsi also chipped in with 23 runs with two sixes. scoring 127 runs for their four- Man of the Finals while team- M Pallonji sponsored the Sayyed and Hamid took two wicket win. mate Adnan was adjudged Best Veterans’ Cricket League for wickets each for ACC, while Firoz and Sarfaraz scored 17 Batsman of the tournament. M the fourth time, with the co- Sagar, Sarfaraz, Adnan, Nilesh runs, while Abrar and Adnan Pallonji’s Alban was presented operation of Regional General Shooter Rashid Saleh al-Athba (back row, centre) put up an impressive performance to win gold in the and Saleem took a wicket each. pitched in with 15-run knocks. with the Best Bowler award, Manager Chidananda Nayak, men’s skeet event of Qatar Shooting and Archery Cup Championship 2018 at Losail Shooting Range on In reply, ACC started well Bunti claimed 2 wickets for Hanan XII’s Imran picked up who was the chief guest at the Saturday. Saeed Hamad Abu Sharb on silver, while Massoud Saleh took bronze. In the Archery event, scoring 76 runs in the fi rst CCRC while Ehfaz, Abbas, the Best All-Rounder Award, prize distribution ceremony. M Ahmed al-Abbadi clinched gold, while in rifle mixed event (men), Ahmed al-Ali seized the win. Shahd eight overs for the loss of four Daud and Fawu Khan scalped and CCRC Warriors’ Mazhar Pallonji’s Contracts Manager al-Darweesh sparkled to claim the victory in rifle mixed event (women). wickets. Finally, in the 13th one wicket each. was given the Best Wicket- Sharad Reddy was the guest of over, ACC reached the target, ACC’s Sayyed was adjudged keeper award. honour.

Monday, May 14, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING FORMULA 1 Sheikh Mohamed’s Hamilton wins in Teppal wins Gr1 at Spain, Vettel fourth ‘It’s an indicator that we will see many Qatari Longchamp successes overseas’

Agencies Paris

is Highness Sheikh Mo- hamed bin Khalifa al- Thani’s Teppal stayed unbeaten after winning Hthe Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) (Gr1) at Paris Longchamp yesterday. The fi lly travelled along the in- side rail not far from the leaders under Olivier Peslier and accel- erated well on the home straight. Even though the David Simcock- trained fi lly had only run twice before, she managed to resist the attacks of her rivals, imposing herself by a short neck. Coeur de Beauté took the second place, a head of Wind Chimes while Ca- pla Temptress came fourth. “I’m made up. It’s just nice to get a horse good enough to com- Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates with fans after winning the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de pete in a race like this and so to Catalunya in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona, yesterday. (Reuters) train a fi rst Classic winner is fan- tastic. We were hopeful before- Reuters While Hamilton pulled away cleanly at the hand as she’s very streetwise and Trainer David Simcock (right) and jockey Olivier Peslier (second from left) pose with their trophies on Barcelona start, and Vettel passed Bottas into the fi rst corner she was in good shape. We weren’t the podium after His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Teppal won the Poule d’Essai des for second place, there was carnage behind as Ro- overly fussed when the course was Pouliches at Longchamp in Paris yesterday. (Scoopdyga) main Grosjean spun his Haas in a cloud of smoke. changed and Olivier gave her a ewis Hamilton won the Spanish Grand The Frenchman then collected the Renault of great ride,” Simcock said. Prix in a commanding Mercedes one-two Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly’s Toro Rosso Teppal has made her seasonal yesterday to stretch his Formula One lead in a major smash, fortunately without injury, that comeback in this race and over a over Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel from four to brought out the safety car for the fi rst six laps. mile (1,600m). As a two-year old, L17 points. When racing resumed Vettel was fi rst of the she won twice over seven fur- The victory, from pole position in a race that leading group to pit but the Mercedes pair stayed longs. The fi lly has been entered stayed dry despite the threat of rain, was the Brit- out on what turned out to be a one-stop strategy, in the Coronation Stakes (Gr1) to on’s second of the season, 64th of his career and with Hamilton immediately smashing the lap be run on June 22 at Ascot. third at the Circuit de Catalunya. record. Finland’s Valtteri Bottas was second, a hefty When Vettel made his second stop during a ‘INDICATOR FOR FUTURE 20.5 seconds behind, with Dutch 20-year-old late virtual safety car period, after Esteban Ocon QATARI SUCCESSES’ Max Verstappen completing the podium for Red parked up his Force India by the side of the track, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Bull and Vettel fourth. it backfi red and he lost a place instead of gaining Club (QREC) chairman Issa bin Hamilton’s win followed on from the lucky vic- anything. Mohammed al-Mohannadi ex- tory that fell into his lap in Azerbaijan two weekends Verstappen, whose season has been littered tended his congratulation on ago, but yesterday had nothing to do with chance with collisions, also nearly wrecked his race when the big victory to His Highness and all to do with champions back to their best. he hit the rear of Canadian Lance Stroll’s Wil- Sheikh Mohammed. “This is more like it, let’s keep this up,” Hamil- liams and lost a front wing end-plate. “This victory came at an ex- ton told his celebrating team over the radio as he cellent time for Qatari horses,” he swept past the chequered fl ag. SPANISH GP RESULTS (top 10) said. “It gives an indicator that “Today the car and myself, I felt that synergy 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:35:29.972 the season will see many Qatari which I hadn’t been feeling for the whole year,” he 2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 20.593s successes overseas. It also con- added in a pre-podium interview after parking up 3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 26.873 fi rms the high standard of horses in pit lane. “It’s a good feeling. 4. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 27.584 running in such races, especially “We’ve got our Mercedes board with us... so it’s 5. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 50.058 as the French 1000 Guineas is great to have them all here and see that true force 6. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 1 lap one of the most important races within the team, strength in depth, so I hope we 7. Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault) 1 lap run in Paris and the runners are can continue.” 8. Fernando Alonso (McLaren) lap known for this high calibre, par- Hamilton now has 95 points to Vettel’s 78 after 9. Sergio Pérez (Force India) 2 laps ticularly as it is a group 1 race.” Jockey Olivier Peslier (foreground) rides Teppal to victory in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches yesterday. fi ve rounds of the 21-race championship. 10. Charles Leclerc (Sauber) 2 laps Al Shahania Stud director Ab- Mercedes regained the lead in the construc- dulrahman al-Mansour was pal- Khalifa al-Thani, owner of Al the near future, we will be there pal’s excellence adds to our con- tors’ standings from Ferrari, who had 2007 world DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (top 3) pably pleased with the win. “It is Shahania Stud, who is keen to in several races with high ambi- fi dence that there will be plenty champion Kimi Raikkonen retire from the race. 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 95 pts a good start for us in the Europe- own the best breeds, which in tions and expectations.” of victories by Qatari horses Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fi fth for Red 2. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 78 an races this season,” he said. “It turn adds to our excellence in QREC general manager Nasser overseas this season. We always Bull, ahead of Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen for 3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 58 is good to have a fi lly like Teppal. races. The last season, which has Sherida al-Kaabi too wished His look forward to realising results Haas and Spaniards Carlos Sainz (Renault) and This latest victory is a Group 1; just ended, was fantastic for Al Highness Sheikh Mohamed on up to the standard of Qatari rac- Fernando Alonso (eighth for McLaren). CONSTRUCTORS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (top 3) she will have a bright future. Shahania as we won the top rac- the win, adding, “We are very ing, and the talents and skills Mexican Sergio Perez was ninth for Force India 1. Mercedes 153 pts “I dedicate this victory to His es. We look forward to continu- happy with this victory, espe- showcased by Qatar’s horses in and Monegasque rookie Charles Leclerc took the 2. Ferrari 126 Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin ing such victories overseas. In cially as it is a group 1 race. Tep- various races.” fi nal point for Sauber. 3. Red Bull 80

SPOTLIGHT Jordan clinches Aspire embassies futsal title

By Sports Reporter to it. Taking part in such a tournament is Doha a great opportunity for embassy teams, and we thank our colleagues in Aspire Zone Foundation who were generous he 2018 Aspire Embassies Fut- hosts, as well as those from the Ministry sal Tournament concluded on of Foreign Aff airs who played an impor- Friday following a thrilling fi nal tant role in coordinating eff ectively be- between the teams represent- tween all the embassies.” Ting the Embassy of Jordan and Qatar’s Al-Hajri from Qatar’s Ministry of Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, which end- Foreign Aff airs said, “The Aspire Em- ed in a 7-1 win for the former. A team bassies Futsal Tournament has helped representing the Embassy of Sudan to solidify relationships between the fought hard to claim third-place after country’s various embassies. The lev- defeating Syria, 5-3. el of competition this year was very Mohamed Murad from the team strong, and we’re happy to have fi n- representing Qatar’s Ministry of For- ished the competition in second place. eign Aff airs was the tournament’s top But we’re defi nitely looking forward to goal-scorer, while Abdul Malek Bair- hopefully clinching next year’s title – a oudi from the Syrian team won the best win that we would dedicate to Qatar’s goalkeeper award. Minister of Foreign Aff airs, HE Sheikh The fi nal matches and awards cer- Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.” emony were attended by Amjad al- Ceesay of the Gambian embassy Mubaideen, Acting Chargé d’Aff aires said, “We didn’t take part as an em- of Jordan in Qatar; Said al-Hajri, As- bassy team this year. But we came to sistant Director of the Protocol Depart- the fi nal to express solidarity with our ment at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Af- colleagues and show our support for fairs; Yankuba Ceesay, the Deputy Head the tournament, because the idea is to of Mission at embassy of the Republic bring the diplomatic community to- of The Gambia; Alieu Manjang, First gether – which is a very positive step. Secretary at the embassy of the Repub- Aspire Zone Foundation and embassy off icials pose with the top three teams of the 2018 Aspire Embassies Futsal Tournament — embassy of Jordan, Qatar’s Ministry of The matches were great to watch, and lic of The Gambia; and Dr Mohamed Foreign Aff airs and embassy of Sudan respectively. we thank Aspire Zone Foundation for Sirajul Islam, Counsellor (Labour) at their eff orts and all those that played a the embassy of the People’s Republic of Events and Venues of AZF, and Alanoud participated in the second edition. The and the chance to make the most of a even bigger and better,” al-Kuwari said. part in organising this initiative.” Bangladesh. al-Misnad, Acting Head of Events, fi nal matches were thrilling, the audi- fun and relaxing environment. We be- Jordan embassy’s al-Mubaideen, ex- This year, the tournament featured Mohamed Mubarak al-Kuwari, Chief welcomed the visiting delegations. ence was in very good spirits and eve- lieve that we have achieved that, given pressing his strong support for the tour- 16 teams representing Algeria, Djibouti, Marketing Offi cer and Director of the The enthusiastic crowd played a big ryone who attended enjoyed a wonder- the response and levels of participa- nament, said, “The teams participating Ethiopia, France, India, Jordan, Kaza- tournament from Aspire Zone Founda- part in driving the teams on, loudly ful atmosphere. The main aim of this tion. We plan to continue this tourna- in this year’s event did a great job. Natu- khstan, Kenya, Somalia, South Africa, tion (AZF), along with other members cheering their support for the players tournament was to give diplomats and ment in the coming years and build rally, we’re very proud to win the title. Spain, Sudan, Syria and the United King- of the organising committee including throughout both games. representatives from the embassies an on the feedback that we have received It was a well-deserved victory since the dom, as well as a team from MoFA repre- Abdullah Aman al-Khater, Director of “We’re happy for all 16 teams that enjoyable experience outside of work from the fi rst two editions to make it team trained hard in the weeks leading up senting Qatar, and a team from AZF.