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Sunday, April 2, 2017 GOLF Rajab 5, 1438 AH Tiger Woods GULF TIMES will not play in the Masters SPORT Page 6 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE Qatar’s al-Attiyah wins special stage in Abu Dhabi Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah, Englishman Sam Sunderland and Kuwait’s Fahad al-Musallam claimed the fastest times in the car, motorcycle and categories respectively at the short super special stage held yesterday

By Our Correspondent Standings Abu Dhabi 2017 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – positions after SSS: atar’s Nasser Saleh al-Atti- yah, Dubai-based English- CARS man Sam Sunderland and 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mat- Kuwait’s Fahad al-Musallam thieu Baumel (FRA) claimedQ the fastest times in the car, Toyota Hilux Overdrive 1min 46.7sec motorcycle and quad categories on the 2. Martin Prokop (CZE)/Jan Tomanek two cross-over laps of the very short (CZE) Ford F-150 Evo 1min 51.1sec super special stage of the Abu Dhabi 3. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin Desert Challenge, held at the Al-Forsan Zhiltsov (RUS) Mini All4 Racing International Sports Resort, yesterday. 1min 51.6sec Behind the early pace-setters in their 4. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT)/Xavier respective categories, former Czech Panseri (FRA) WRC star Martin Prokop (Ford) and Mini All4 Racing 1min 51.7sec Russian Vladimir Vasilyev (Mini) and 5. Aron Domzala (POL)/Szymon were second and third quickest in the Gospodarczyk (POL) Toyota Hilux cars behind al-Attiyah’s Toyota Hilux. Overdrive 1min 52.7sec Sheikh Khalid al-Qassimi’s fi rst com- petitive kilometres in his new Abu BIKES Dhabi Racing Peugeot 3008 DKR re- 1. Sam Sunderland (GBR) KTM 450 sulted in a cautious sixth. Rally Factory 1min 47.5sec Frenchman Antoine Meo (KTM) and 2. Antoine Meo (FRA) KTM 450 Rally Chile’s Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) Factory 1min 48.1sec rounded off the top three on two wheels 3. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI) Husqvarna behind Sunderland’s factory KTM. 450 Rally 1min 50.2sec Aussie Lee Stephens pushed hard on 4. Matthias Walkner (AUT) KTM 450 his KTM 500 EXC to fi nish sixth, but is Rally Factory 1min 50.6sec not eligible for the FIM World Champi- 5. Pierre Alexander Renet (FRA) onship. Husqvarna 450 Rally 1min 51.3sec Yamaha-mounted al-Musallam, the winner of the recent Dubai Interna- QUADS tional Baja’s quad section, snatched a 1. Fahad al-Musallam (KUW) 4.8-second lead over Dutchman Kees Yamaha Raptor 700R 1min 49.2sec Koolen, while Peru’s Alexis Hernandez 2. Kees Koolen (NED) Barren Racer Ponce was third quad home. One 690 1min 54.0sec Cars were fl agged away from the 3. Alexis Hernandez Ponce (PER) start by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Yamaha Raptor 700 R 1min 54.8sec al-Nahyan, Minister of Culture and 4. Maxim Antimirov (KAZ) Knowledge Development and Chair- Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah in action at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge yesterday. Honda TRX 700 1min 56.4sec man of the General Authority for Youth 5. Lucas Innocente (ARG) and Sports Welfare, and event founder was handed to the duo of Koolan and Prado. Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed al-Malki, First blood in the T3 section went to Dhabi Waste Management, Rotana and Yamaha Raptor 700 R 1min 57.6sec and ATCUAE President Mohammed Guatemala’s Rodolfo Schippers. Quads meanwhile, switched his Isuzu D-Max the Frenchman Patrice Garrouste in his Centro Hotel – Yas Island, the Qasr Al- Ben Sulayem. and motorcycles ran in pairs in reverse from T2 to the T1 category, but Colom- Polaris RZR 100. Ahmed al-Maqoodi, Sarab Resort and Al-Forsan Circuit. “It’s all systems go now for everyone order, although local rider Mohammed bian driver Antonio Marmolejo suf- the winner of the 2016 Dubai Interna- Today the real meat of the desert ac- “It’s all systems go now for for the next fi ve days,” said Ben Su- al-Balooshi was given the task of being fered mechanical issues and was not tional Rally, was second. tion gets underway with the fi rst of fi ve everyone for the next fi ve layem. “We had a competitors’ brief- the fi rst bike and moving ahead of Pablo able to start at the 11th hour. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is selective sections of 276.59km. The days. We had a competitors’ ing at Yas Marina this morning and Quintanilla for the ceremonial start on Seven cars started the event in the T2 taking place under the patronage of stage starts to the east of Arjan, south briefi ng this morning and our our team emphasised, once again, the his Ride to Abu Dhabi Team KTM. category for series production cross- Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al-Nahyan, of Abu Dhabi, and fi nishes 19km to the team emphasised, once again, importance of safety and personal well Qatar’s Mohammed al-Meer and country vehicles and the fastest time the Ruler’s representative in Al-Dafra north of Hameem on a major truck road the importance of safety and being on the rally, as we head deep into Khalid al-Mohannadi were non-start- fell to Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Saeidan in his region, and has invaluable support from en route to the event’s purpose-built personal well being on the some of the most beautiful desert ter- ers from the original entry list and Toyota Land Cruiser by a mere tenth of a Al Dafrah Region Municipality, Abu bivouac near the remote Qasr Al Sarab rally, as we head deep into rain on the planet.” Dubai-based American dentist Mike second from the local driver Mansoor al- Dhabi Municipality, the UAE Army, desert resort. some of the most beautiful Twenty-fi ve motorcycles, 14 quads Ziegler was demoted to a national cat- Helai. Defending FIA T2 World Champi- Abu Dhabi Police, National Ambulance This is situated close to the desolate desert terrain on the planet” and 34 cars left the start and the honour egory running behind the last T3 car af- on Adel Hussein fi nished several seconds Service, Yas Marina Circuit, ADNOC, Rub Al-Khali and the Saudi Arabian — Mohammed Ben Sulayem of running fi rst on the road for the stage ter homologation issues with his Toyota behind in his Nissan Patrol. Abu Dhabi Aviation, Al-Ain Water, Abu frontier.

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Lekhwiya take on El Jaish in crunch clash By Sports Reporter for the remainder of the season with a hopes of their local rivals. Jaish coach Doha shoulder injury. “We proved this sea- Sabri Lamouchi spoke with the local son that we can play without key play- media ahead of the match. ers. Our strength is our squad. It’s not a “The preparations have gone well, able-toppers Lekhwiya are just major blow for my side. I have players we played two friendly games. We have three wins away from lifting who can step up and cover his absence. a fully fi t side and we are ready for the their fi fth Qatar Stars League Hopefully we will show this again to- diffi cult match. Lekhwiya have won title. They take on El Jaish in morrow.” everything in Qatar, and my side is mo- oneT of the standout fi xtures of round tivated for this game,” said Lamouchi. 24. Red Knights coach Djamel Belmadi MENTAL STRENGTH “We just want to focus on ourselves spoke with the local media ahead of the “We are used to the situation of inter- and we want to fi nish the League crunch match. national players being away for two strongly. At the end of the day if Le- The Algerian boss opened up the weeks, but that’s a regular feature with khwiya or Al Sadd win the League it press conference stressing the impor- a team like ours. Psychologically, the doesn’t matter to my side” added Lam- tance of the tie against their local rivals. Qatar national team players are a lit- ouchi when asked about his side’s say in “Three games left till the end of the tle down but now they are back with the destination of the QSL title. season and it’s just a two-point diff er- the club, they can start again and focus Lamouchi ended the press confer- ence between us and Al Sadd. It’s a key on lifting the League title” added Bel- ence with a word on his Uzbekistan game for us and we have a big desire to madi when asked if the absence of in- international winger Sardor Rashidov win this match.” ternational players aff ected Lekhwiya’s who has enjoyed his best season to date Belmadi also revealed that he was preparation for the match. in the QSL. “Rashidov has the quality confi dent his side could continue their As for El Jaish, they can confi rm their to be the best player in Qatar. He is fast form in the League, despite leading place in the Qatar Cup with a victory and has the quality to change the game scorer Yusef El Arabi being ruled out Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi (left) and Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi. PICS: Othman Iraqi whilst simultaneously denting the title and a match at any time” Gulf Times 2 Sunday, April 2, 2017 FOOTBALL

QATAR STARS LEAGUE Al Wakrah demoted aft er defeat at the hands of Khor Al Kharaitiyat boost survival chances with 2-0 win over Al Ahli; Al Shahania come from a goal down to beat Al Arabi 4-1

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Wakrah crashed out of the top fl ight after Al Khor con- demned them to their 14th Adefeat in 24 games in the Qa- tar Stars League yesterday. Their 2-0 loss means they have just 14 points in their kitty, confi rming their demotion to the Qatargas League next season. Jean Fernandez’s Al Khor proved too strong for Wakrah, with goals in either half by Madson and Mouchine Iajour sealing the outcome of the match. Madson gave Al Khor the lead in the 37th minute, the diminutive forward making a smart turn and smashing the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal with a left-footed strike. Al Khor had most of the possession in the fi rst half and made the best of their chances. Al Wakrah, however, were unfortu- nate not to score despite having some clear chances especially when Moroc- can midfi elder Mouhcine Moutouali sent the ball wide when he was one-on- one with the goalkeeper. In the 67th minute it looked like Maher Yousef was going to equalise for Wakrah. However, after a brilliant counterattack- ing run and fi nding himself in front of Al Khor players celebrate Mouchine Iajour’s goal during their Qatar Stars League match against Al Wakrah (right, in blue and black) yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed, Jayaram, Noushad Thekkayil goal with just the keeper to beat, he sent his shot wide of the target. Al Khor made Wakrah rue their missed chances when they added a sec- ond goal. Madson got himself an assist as his pass from the half-way line found an unmarked Mouchine Iajour, who ran with the ball towards the box and played it round the ‘keeper, Hassan Id- ris, before sending it into the net. Meanwhile, Al Kharaitiyat defeat- ed Al Ahli 2-0 to boost their survival chances. Al Kharaitiyat broke the deadlock in the 40th minute courtesy of a goal by January signing Rachid Tiberkanine. The Moroccan powerhouse received a cross from the right and headed it straight to the goalkeeper, Amer al- Dossary who spilled the ball into the goal. In the second half, Kharaitiyat kept on the pressure on Al Ahli and were re- warded with a second goal in the 50th minute. Saoud Nasser got himself on the score sheet after he scored from a tap-in. After a corner-kick landed to Rachid Al Kharaitiyat’s Saoud Nasser (centre) celebrates his goal against Al Ahli yesterday. Tiberkanine, he shot the ball towards the goal and it was slotted home from In just the 6th minute, Luis Jimenez Shahania box, the Chilean midfi elder fi ne style. close range in by midfi elder Nasser. – stationed inside the Al Shahania box missed the target with his close-range Just three minutes into the second With the win Kharaitiyat are now on – tapped a pass to Ezekiel who easily shot. The miss would prove crucial as half, Al Shahania jumped to a 3-1 lead. 28 points while Yousef Adam’s men re- slotted the ball home from close range Jassim Jaber helped Al Shahania draw Substitute Fahad Khalfan showed plen- main on 24. with goalkeeper Jassim Adel unable level with a tap-in in the 32nd minute. ty of pace to outrun his marker, former Al Shahania also gave their survival to block the move. It was the Nigerian With just a minute to go before the Qatar national team midfi elder Talal al- hopes a boost, coming from a goal striker’s 6th goal of the season as the break, Shahania’s Iranian striker Rahim Balooshi, before calmly slotting the ball down to register an impressive 4-1 over Dream Team celebrated the early goal at Zahivi was quick to fi re a swinging shot into the net in the 48th minute. Al Arabi. Nigerian striker Imoh Ezekiel Al Arabi Stadium. from just outside the edge of Al Arabi Igor Štimac’s side rounded off a nefi had given Al Arabi the lead in the 6th Al Arabi could have doubled their box into the top half of the net. Al Arabi performance when striker Eduardo minute but Al Shahania retained their lead in the 12th minute when Jimenez goalkeeper Rajab Hamza attempted a Santos pounced on an Al Arabi defen- composure to hit back with four goals received a long ball from the fl ank but dive to his right but the ferocious pace sive error to slot in from a fair distance, over the next 84 minutes. after dodging his marker inside the Al on the ball saw Al Shahania take lead in confi rming the 4-1 win for the Oryxes. Al Shahania’s Fahad Khalfan (centre) celebrates his goal against Al Arabi.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT In-form Umm Salal next for Gharafa Sadd take on Rayyan By Sports Reporter Doha

l Gharafa will take on an in- form Umm Salal side today as title race hots up evening. Caretaker coach Habib ASadeq spoke ahead of the match, and By Sports Reporter Doha thanked the Al Gharafa club manage- ment for the opportunity. “I would like to thank the club ad- l Sadd need a win over their ministration for the confi dence they local rivals Al Rayyan if they have placed in me. I am here to con- are to stay in the title race. tinue the good work of the last coach, “It’s going to be a close and have a strong fi nish to the season,” Agame. No one knows who will win be- said Sadeq, who is no stranger to the cause it’s a Clasico. I hope that my side side having been a caretaker coach on a will perform against our rivals Al Rayy- number of previous occasions. an,” coach Jesualdo Ferreira. Talking about the competition, the “It was good to have the professional Tunisian said, “We have three games players with us over the international against sides who are battling relega- break, Including Abdulkarim Hassan. tion and we need a good result. We have I hope that the returning players from prepared the team well in the interna- international duty can hit the ground tional break. I am confi dent we can get running and start strongly in the Cla- a good result.” sico,” the Portuguese said. He added: “Umm Salal are a good side, Asked if he felt any pressure about they are solid defensively. Umm Salal are the title race, he said, “I don’t feel any Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup (left) and Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira. looking to fi nish ahead of us in the league, Umm Salal coach Mahmoud Jaber (left) and Gharafa’s caretaker coach Habib Sadeq. pressure from this game, and the situ- and we will be trying to stop them on ation. In fact I enjoy it.” maintain our third place in the league,” a chance in the league. I think it will be Sunday. We will be looking to work as a the month award, but this award is for predict the performance of the side, As for Al Rayyan, the 0-5 defeat in Laudrup said. a good game, we have improved since team. First we will focus on the upcoming the whole team and they deserve it,” the but we hope that Umm Salal can do their last match would weigh heav- “April is going to be an exciting the last game and I believe that they re- match and then look forward to the fi nal Egyptian said. well in this game. Players like Yannick ily on the mind of head coach Michael month with the end of the league, two spect us. two games of the season.” “We will continue after a long break. Sagbo and Baba Malick have recovered Laudrup. big games in the Champions League “Looking at the result on its own last Umm Salal are currently on a six- Al Gharafa are a strong team and still from injuries and will be back in the “We have a big game against Al Sadd, and hopefully two games in the Qatar time against Al Sadd does not show the game undefeated streak in the QSL, have a chance to get into the fourth squad which will aid the side. We will who are a great team and are rightly Cup,” the Danish coach added. whole story; it was a competitive game with head coach Mahmoud Jaber pick- place. They will be aiming to beat us, be looking to continue with our form in looking to fi ght for the title. We are Talking mind games, Laudrup sug- until the second half. I don’t believe ing up the QSL coach of the month and I am expecting a tough challenge the league. Our aim now is to improve looking to do better than we did last gested the pressure will be on his op- in revenge but we want to get a result award for February and March. for my side,” Jaber said. our position in the league and get ready time against Al Sadd whilst looking to ponents. “Al Sadd need to win to have against Al Sadd.” “I am happy to receive the player of “Matches after the break, you cannot for the Emir Cup.” Gulf Times Sunday, April 2, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

EPL CHAMPIONSHIP Ritchie winner keeps Newcastle on Chelsea’s lead cut top but Rotherham as Zaha strikes for are relegated Palace; Spurs win Zaha’s headline-grabbing display against Chelsea followed a week of headlines about his decision to switch international allegiances from England to Ivory Coast last year

AFP RESULTS/STANDINGS London Liverpool ...... 3 Everton ...... 1 Burnley ...... 0 Tottenham Hotspur .....2 ilfried Zaha rocked Chelsea Chelsea ...... 1 Crystal Palace...... 2 as Crystal Palace breathed Hull City ...... 2 West Ham United ...1 new life into the Premier Leicester City ...... 2 Stoke City ...... 0 League title race with a Manchester Utd0 West Brom ...... 0 stunningW 2-1 win over the leaders at Watford...... 1 Sunderland...... 0 Stamford Bridge yesterday. Southampton .....0 Bournemouth ...... 0 In a frantic start, the Ivory Coast winger cancelled out Cesc Fabregas’s Today opener and teed up Christian Benteke Swansea City v Middlesbrough 1230 GMT for the winner as Chelsea lost at home Arsenal v Manchester City 1500 GMT for the fi rst time since September 16. Reuters “We’ve worked hard to get into Second-place Tottenham Hot- P W D L F A Pts London this position. We just need to spur took advantage by winning 2-0 at 1 Chelsea 29 22 3 4 60 23 69 continue to work hard, stay fo- Burnley to trim Chelsea’s lead to seven 2 Tottenham 29 18 8 3 57 21 62 cused and keep the same mental- points. 3 Liverpool 30 17 8 5 64 37 59 att Ritchie struck a ity that we have done throughout “I’m stunned. They’re top of the 4 Man City 28 17 6 5 54 30 57 second-half winner the season, because we’re in a league. No-one would expect us to come 5 Man United 28 14 11 3 42 23 53 as Newcastle United great position at the top of the here and do that,” said Zaha, whose side 6 Arsenal 27 15 5 7 56 34 50 survived a Wigan league.” have won four games in a row. AthleticM fi ghtback to win 2-1 Newcastle remain a point clear 7 Everton 30 14 8 8 52 33 50 “We know there’s talent here. We just 8 West Bromwich30 12 8 10 39 38 44 and remain a point clear at the of Chris Hughton’s Brighton and needed to work together. Everyone is 9 Stoke City 30 9 9 12 33 44 36 top of the Championship, while Hove Albion, who have 80 points seeing it now.” 10 Southampton 28 9 7 12 33 36 34 Rotherham’s relegation was con- after bouncing back from their Liverpool closed to within 10 points 11 Bournemouth 30 9 7 14 42 54 34 fi rmed with a 1-0 home defeat by 2-0 defeat at Leeds United ahead of Chelsea, albeit having played a game 12 Watford 29 9 7 13 34 48 34 Fulham. of the international break to beat more, after sinking Everton 3-1 in the 13 Leicester City 29 9 6 14 35 47 33 Newcastle took the lead in the Blackburn Rovers 1-0, courtesy Merseyside derby. 14 West Ham 30 9 6 15 41 54 33 36th minute when Dwight Gayle of Glenn Murray’s second-half But Manchester United lost ground in 15 Burnley 30 9 5 16 31 44 32 netted his 22nd goal of a produc- strike. the race for top-four places following a 16 Crystal Palace 29 9 4 16 38 47 31 tive season, but Wigan, who had Brighton’s victory establishes frustrating 0-0 draw at home to West 17 Swansea City 29 8 3 18 36 63 27 scored only once in their pre- a nine-point gap between them Bromwich Albion. 18 Hull City 30 7 6 17 28 59 27 vious fi ve matches, responded and third-placed Huddersfi eld 19 Middlesbrough 28 4 10 14 20 33 22 through Michael Jacobs’ dinked Town after their shock 1-0 home A creditable 2-2 draw in Austria 20 Sunderland 29 5 5 19 24 51 20 eff ort in the 50th minute. defeat by Burton Albion, while was followed by two frustrating 1-1 However, Newcastle have re- Reading leapfrogged Leeds Unit- stalemates at home to Georgia and peatedly demonstrated their ed into fourth after a 1-0 win at Serbia, Wales being pegged back ren Fletcher almost snatched victory for resolve in their testing title race the Madejski Stadium. aft er having taken the lead in both West Brom with a shot that David de Gea this season, and Ritchie restored At the other end of the ta- those games pushed against the bar. their lead seven minutes later ble, Rotherham’s relegation to “We have a lot of draws this season,” when he headed home after his League One was confi rmed with Zaha’s headline-grabbing display Mourinho told the BBC in a spiky post- initial eff ort came back off the a 1-0 home defeat by Fulham, against Chelsea followed a week of match interview. woodwork. who move up to sixth after Sone headlines about his decision to switch “Teams come here just to defend. “We’ve got seven games left Aluko scored the only goal of international allegiances from England Goalkeepers come here to be man of and we have to keep on winning,” the game. Rotherham escaped to Ivory Coast last year. the match. We cannot score a goal even Ritchie told Newcastle’s offi - relegation last season, but their His side fell behind in the fi fth minute when we are one-on-one.” cial website (www.nufc.co.uk). latest loss was their eighth on when Eden Hazard crossed from the left Leicester City’s resurgence continued “You’ve just got to have the de- the bounce, and their last victory for Fabregas to score at the near post. with a 2-0 home win over Stoke City that sire to get over the line. was in mid-January. But Zaha levelled matters in the ninth Crystal Palace’s Ivorian-born English striker Wilfried Zaha celebrates after scoring gave Craig Shakespeare a fi fth successive minute, drilling home through a posse against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday. victory since succeeding Claudio Ranieri of defenders, and two minutes later his as manager. pass freed Benteke to dink a cocky fi nish and Harry Winks, who was taken to hos- Ronald Koeman felt Liverpool’s protests The champions prevailed through a Lazio see off Sassuolo with late own goal over Thibaut Courtois. pital with a potentially serious ankle in- were excessive. glorious 25-yard strike from Wilfred Rome: Lazio maintained their Simone Inzaghi used all three Despite losing defenders James Tom- jury. “I don’t like coaches from the bench Ndidi and a sharp Jamie Vardy volley, hopes of a third-place finish in substitutes in a bid to get the kins and Scott Dann — Tomkins’s re- Philippe Coutinho scored a dazzling the whole time shouting to referees leaving them six points clear of the rel- Serie A after an 83rd-minute winner. placement — to injury, Sam Allardyce’s goal and made another for Divock Origi and linesmen, making a big show about egation zone. own goal from defender His final change paid off as patched-up Palace side gallantly held on as Liverpool overcame Everton at An- tackles,” he said. “They were crazy. It’s a Bottom club Sunderland remain seven Francesco Acerbi gave them a Cristiano Lombardi sent in a low to stay four points clear of the bottom fi eld. man’s sport.” points from safety after Miguel Britos’s 2-1 comeback win at Sassuolo cross which Acerbi inadvert- three. Sadio Mane put Liverpool in front in Victory lifted Liverpool to third place, header earned Watford a 1-0 win at Vic- yesterday. ently sent trickling over the line. “This is football. We must accept this the eighth minute, drilling in following a two points above fourth-place Man- arage Road. Domenico Berardi had given The home side had two chances result,” said Chelsea manager Antonio one-two with Roberto Firmino, but was chester City — who visit Arsenal on Sun- Andy Robertson and Andrea Ranoc- the home side the lead from the to snatch a late equaliser, Conte. later forced off by a knee injury. day — having played two games more. chia wiped out Andy Carroll’s opener penalty spot in the 26th minute, however, with winger Lorenzo “In every game in England, anything Matthew Pennington equalised, but Manchester United now lie four points as third-bottom Hull City came from before Italy international Ciro Pellegrini striking the bar with a can happen. The league is so strong.” Coutinho strolled past him to restore off the Champions League positions in behind to win 2-1 at home to West Ham Immobile pulled Lazio level header and Berardi firing wide Tottenham kept their title hopes fl ick- Liverpool’s lead with a fi ne, curling ef- fi fth place after being held to an eighth United. two minutes before halftime, in stoppage time from inside ering after Eric Dier scored from close fort and then teed up Origi, Mane’s re- draw of the season at Old Traff ord by It left Marco Silva’s side below fourth- ghosting into the box to score the area. range and Son Heung-Min converted a placement, to slam home Liverpool’s West Brom. bottom Swansea City on goal diff erence his 18th league goal of the Lazio are fourth on 60 points, cross from Dele Alli in the second half at third. Anthony Martial and Marouane Fel- alone. campaign. three behind third-placed Burnley. Everton midfi elder Ross Barkley was laini squandered good chances for Jose South-coast rivals Southampton and Lazio came out far stronger Napoli, who play leaders and However, victory came at the cost of fortunate to avoid a red card for a crude Mourinho’s men either side of half-time. Bournemouth meet at St Mary’s in the after the interval and coach champions Juventus today. injuries to midfi elders Victor Wanyama foul on Dejan Lovren, but his manager But former United midfi elder Dar- late game.

BOTTOMLINE Wenger still the man at Arsenal: Kallstrom

Reuetrs is around the club. Everyone calls him ‘boss’ — it “It’s the money. Football is steered a lot by Stockholm was impressive. You felt that he was Arsenal, that money, for better or worse,” Isaksson said. “They no-one made a decision without the boss ap- would never have made that journey if they proving it,” the 34-year-old said. hadn’t had the kind of fi nanciers who came into ome Arsenal fans may be calling for his Asked if and when Wenger would be forced out the club. It might sound tough but it’s true.” he head but Arsene Wenger is still the man of the club where he has spent over 20 years, the added. Kallstrom agrees, although he says it’s not for the Emirates, former Arsenal mid- Swede declined to speculate. just buying players that has made the diff erence. fi elder Kim Kallstrom has told Reuters “Impossible to say. It depends on how the end “At the same time you need competent people, Sahead of the Londoners’ Premier League clash of the season goes, but given how Chelsea look, and I think they’ve done that well. City, Chelsea with Manchester City today. it’s unlikely that they’ll win anything,” he said. — they’ve got a huge injection of capital, but they Arsenal are sixth, seven points behind fourth- Kallstrom and Isaksson, who have long been have also invested in infrastructure and the or- placed City, and badly need a win if they are to close friends off the pitch and shared a room ganisation, brought in good people,” he said. stake a claim for a place in next season’s Cham- when playing for Sweden’s national side, both Now in the twilight years of their careers, the pions League. made their names with Djurgarden before de- pair are back together — and not ready to hang up Kallstrom and goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson parting for French side Rennes in 2004. their boots just yet. — who once played between the sticks for City — They left in 2006, Kallstrom going to Olym- “One hopes that it’s positive that we fi nish our have both returned to Stockholm club Djurgar- pique Lyon for six years while Isaksson spent a careers here and not in Denmark or somewhere den as they wind down their careers. two-year spell at City where the pace of the Eng- else,” Kallstrom says. “He (Wenger) is under a bit of pressure at the lish game made a lasting impression on him. “In my little world that feels positive, and it’s moment, but within the walls of Arsenal he’s still “It’s the intensity. Every game is full-on. In about having a little gas left in the tank — but it’s the man,” Kallstrom said as the pair were inter- other leagues I’ve played in some games are at a going to be tough. There’s a lot of good players viewed ahead of their fi rst game of the Allsven- slower pace, but in England it’s full-on the whole and teams in the Allsvenskan,” he said. skan season on Monday, against newcomers time,” Isaksson explained. For Isaksson, the fi nal few years are about Sirius. Having spent half a season under the The 35-year-old goalkeeper was at City as helping younger players coming through. 67-year-old at Arsenal, Kallstrom, who spoke to their fortunes started to improve, but he says the “It’s good for them that we come here with a Wenger in French during his time there, clearly diff erence between the team he played for and the little experience that they can learn from,” the has enormous respect for him. one that eventually became champions in 2012 35-year-old said. “We have to still have the fi re “What is most impressive about him is how he and 2014 was an obvious one. for it.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, April 2, 2017 FOOTBALL

BUNDESLIGA SPOTLIGHT ‘Impeccable’ Messi, Pique miss Lewandowski’s Granada trip treble for Bayern delights Ancelotti

‘He scored three goals and set up two more, what more AFP can I say about him? I am happy to have a striker like Berlin ’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) talks to Barcelona’s that who scores in more or less every game’ arlo Ancelotti showered praise on Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez as they arrive at a training session Robert Lewandowski after the strik- at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, er’s hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s 6-0 near Barcelona, yesterday. Results thrashing of Augsburg left him level in Cthe race to be the Bundesliga’s top scorer. he launched a fresh dig at rivals AFP Hertha Berlin ...... 1 Hoff enheim ...... 3 The home win ensured runaway league Barcelona Real Madrid, saying he didn’t like Bayern Munich ....6 Augsburg ...... 0 leaders Bayern remained 13 points clear at the the club’s “values” after Spain’s Schalke ...... 1 Bor. Dortmund ...... 1 summit while Augsburg dropped into the rel- friendly win over France in mid- SV Hamburg ...... 2 Cologne ...... 1 egation places. arcelona boss Luis En- week. Freiburg ...... 2 Werder Bremen ...... 5 Lewandowski, last season’s Bundesliga top rique claimed Lionel However, his absence is more Leipzig ...... 4 Darmstadt ...... 0 scorer, has 24 league goals this campaign, just Messi’s behaviour to- likely a precaution as a book- Eintracht Frankfurt .0 Bor...... 0 like Aubameyang, who scored for Borussia wards referees is “im- ing would rule him out of Se- Dortmund in their 1-1 draw at Schalke in the Bpeccable” despite the Argentine villa’s visit to the Camp Nou on 150th Ruhr Valley derby. racking up suspensions for club Wednesday. The Poland international has now scored 36 and country. “It is just to give a rest to a vital goals in all competitions for Bayern, including Messi is banned for the fi rst player for us,” added Enrique. four hat-tricks, this season. time in fi ve seasons for Sunday’s “He has gone away with the Lewandowski also proved he can provide La Liga trip to Granada just days national team and played every goals by setting up Thomas Mueller for Bay- after being slapped with a four- minute. ern’s second, his backheel then let Thiago Al- game suspension for insulting an “We understood that with cantara stab home their fourth. assistant referee during Argenti- such a dense calendar to come, “Lewandowski did what he normally does,” na’s World Cup qualifi er against above all in April, he needs a beamed Bayern coach Ancelotti, with his team Chile. rest.” now unbeaten in their last 20 games dating “He is always highly respect- And Enrique is hoping Messi back to November. ful with referees, there is zero and Pique will be refreshed for “He scored three goals and set up two more, confl ict, he doesn’t create con- tougher tests to come against Ju- what more can I say about him? I am happy to troversy,” Enrique said yesterday. ventus in the Champions League have a striker like that who scores in more or “That is something to admire and potentially decisive clash less every game.” for a player that is always under with Real Madrid on April 23. His opening strike was a trademark Lewand- pressure and has the eyes of the “We would like to always be owski goal as Thiago’s pin-point pass put him world on him. able to call up Messi, but we have behind the defence, with the Pole trapping the “For me his behaviour is im- to look on the bright side. ball and curling home with his left foot on 17 peccable.” “They are players that are minutes. The trip to Granada kicks off overloaded with minutes He then delivered the cross for Mueller to an action-packed April for Barca (throughout the season) and deservedly net only his third league goal of the with nine games in 28 days. these small breaks are good for season, after the Germany star had twice hit With that in mind, Enrique them.” the woodwork in the opening 36 minutes. also left out Gerard Pique from Barca trail Madrid by two Lewandowski held off a defender to make it his 18-man squad. points at the top of La Liga, but 3-0 on 55 minutes following Franck Ribery’s Pique grabbed the headlines as Real also have a game in hand. superb fi nal pass, and his delightful backheel to Thiago gave the Spain midfi elder a simple tap-in on 62 minutes. BREATHER The Poland star completed his hat-trick with a header on 79 minutes before Mueller grabbed his second a minute later, although the latter then hobbled off injured. Ramos rested In Gelsenkirchen, Aubameyang kept pace with Lewandowski by netting his 24th goal in as many league games as he fi red home Shinji as Real battle Kagawa’s fi nal pass on 53 minutes against Schalke. Just as he did when scoring in the Ruhr derby fi xture pile-up in February 2015, the fl amboyant Gabon strik- er, Dortmund’s self-styled ‘Batman’, donned a black mask to celebrate. Reuters means we’re going to need every However, the hosts equalised when Thilo Madrid one. We’re all prepared for this Kehrer, 20, slotted away his fi rst Bundesliga fi nal stretch.” goal in only his 12th game to the delight of the Among those games are a two- home fans. eal Madrid Ser- legged Champions League quar- Schalke were denied a penalty in the dying gio Ramos will be rested ter-fi nal against Bayern Munich, stages when the ball struck Dortmund defend- for today’s game against a local derby against Atletico er Marc Bartra’s hands. Alaves as the La Liga Madrid and a “Clasico” against The decision so incensed Markus Weinzierl leadersR try to cope with a gruel- arch-rivals Barcelona on April 23 that the Schalke coach was sent to the stands ling fi xture list that will see them that could determine the desti- as the draw left Dortmund fourth in the table play nine games in April. nation of the title. with Schalke ninth. The defender has scored seven “It’s the same as always, every After back-to-back defeats before the inter- league goals this season, help- player is vital to us and they know national break, second-placed RB Leipzig em- ing Real produce late escape acts that, there will be some that play phatically returned to winning ways with a 4-0 against Barcelona, Deportivo La more than others but we need romp against bottom side Darmstadt, who had Coruna and Real Betis, and he every player to work hard and Bayern Munich’s Polish striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring his his third goal against Augusburg. midfi elder Sandro Sirigu sent off . has played eight full games in contribute every day from now the last fi ve weeks, including 90 until the end of the season,” Zi- minutes for Spain against Israel dane added. BOTTOMLINE and France. “The fi xture pile up won’t “He is going to rest and that’s change our objectives, we know all there is to it, he has played a that everything is at stake in this lot recently and every player is fi nal stretch and we are prepared important,” Real coach Zinedine for the challenges of trying to Zidane told reporters on Satur- win the league and the Champi- day. ons League.” No contact over Argentina job, “We have said that there are no Real are two points clear of substitutes and no regular start- Barcelona in the standings and ers in our team and that’s even have a game in hand on their ri- more true now because we have vals in pursuit of their fi rst title insists Sevilla boss Sampaoli nine games in 28 days and that since 2012.

qualifiers due to suspension. AFP Thai coach quits aft er World Cup bid failure Madrid Reports in Argentina suggest coach Edgardo Bauza will be sacked in the com- ing days with Sampaoli being lined up to Bangkok: The coach of Thai- land endured a thrashing on evilla boss Jorge Sampaoli in- take over at the end of the season. land’s national football team the world stage as it failed to sisted yesterday he has not been “It’s unfair on everyone because there’s has shocked fans by resigning win a match in the final round approached to take over Argen- a coach working there and I haven’t spo- from his post after leading of the World Cup qualifiers. Stina. ken to anybody,” added Sampaoli. the War Elephants through It was only the second time However, Sampaoli refused to quash Samapoli had also been linked strongly a disappointing 2018 World Thailand has made it to the rumours over his future after sporting with the Barcelona job once Luis Enrique Cup bid. final qualifying round. director Monchi announced he will leave steps down at the end of the season. Kiatisak Senamuang, a former But the team suffered es- the club at the end of the season. And he refused to confi rm that he will star Thai striker who has pecially brutal 4-0 and 3-0 “I am only focused on the game on remain at Sevilla next season after high- coached the team since 2014, defeats last month from Japan Sunday against Sporting (Gijon) and it’s ly respected sporting director Monchi announced the move on his and Saudi Arabia respectively. something that they have to resolve in brought an end to his 17-year stint in the Instagram account late Friday. Kiatisak, better known by his Argentina,” said Sampaoli. role this week. “I am ceasing my role as head nickname “Zico” had garnered “I have had no contact on this subject.” “We will see how the project looks go- coach of the Thai national respect for steering the team Argentina are struggling to qualify for ing forward,” said Sampaoli. team,” he wrote beneath a to a host of regional successes next year’s World Cup in Russia after a “He (Monchi) has promised me a meet- photo of the players. during his tenure. 2-0 defeat to Bolivia on Tuesday left them ing to see if I can help or not in the future.” “I want to thank all football- Under his direction the War fi fth in South American qualifying. Despite a recent dip that saw Sevilla ers, everyone in my team and Elephants reclaimed their Fifth place would only be good crash out of the Champions League last all football fans including my status as Southeast Asia’s enough for a playoff against the winner 16 to Leicester City and fall out of con- family, who have always sup- top team and took home two of the Oceania section and the two-time tention for the La Liga title, Sampaoli has ported me,” he added. back-to-back Suzuki Cups in world champions will be without Lionel still enjoyed a largely successful debut The move comes after Thai- 2014 and 2016. Messi for three of their remaining four season in European club management. Gulf Times Saturday, April 2, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA AIM Thunder’s Westbrook Cavs stop rot but eyes NBA history still trail Celtics,

Warriors rally late Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook. AFP “I always thought he was a Los Angeles great basketball player,” Robert- We needed this game, we needed to get this win. We’ve got to keep building from son told ESPN.com. “I think he’s been tremendous for the team, here and not look back. I’m excited about it: said Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving klahoma City Thunder his fans and also for television.” guard Russell West- Westbrook was more con- AFP brook edged closer to cerned with the lesson the Los Angeles NBA history with his Tunder can take from the tough 39thO triple-double of the season defeat as they hurtle toward the on Friday, but it wasn’t enough to playoff s. he Cleveland Cavaliers snapped hold off the San Antonio Spurs. “I think this is huge, especially a three-game skid on Friday, but The Spurs, who trailed by as so they will know what games the Celtics’ own narrow many as 21 points in the third will be like,” Westbrook said. victory maintained their slender quarter, rallied for a 100-95 vic- “Every night is going to be like Tlead over the reigning NBA champion tory in Oklahoma City. this and they have to be ready.” Cavs atop the Eastern Conference. Kawhi Leonard scored 20 of his Russell’s triple-double binge The Cavs will have hoped to put a mis- team-high 28 points in the second has put him at the forefront of erable March in the rear-view mirror half and pulled down 10 rebounds the Most Valuable Player discus- with their 122-105 victory over the hap- to fuel the Spurs comeback. sion. less Philadelphia 76ers. “It’s what I have been seeing But Leonard staked his claim LeBron James scored 34 points, Kyrie from him for 74 games,” San An- to featuring in that conversation Irving added 24 and Kevin Love contrib- tonio’s Manu Ginobili said. “The — and had plenty of help with uted 18 in the victory, which followed on kid can play. He is strong and he’s 17 points from Pau Gasol and 14 the heels of a three-game losing streak. hard-nosed and he’s going to from LaMarcus Aldridge. “We needed this game, we needed to keep going. In the second half, he It was Aldridge who put the get this win,” admitted Irving after the really stepped up and made some Spurs ahead by one point with Cavs completed a 7-10 March. huge plays.” 56.1sec remaining. The Cavs had lost three stright, and Westbrook, conversely, strug- Oklahoma City’s Steven fi ve of their previous seven going into the gled down the stretch. Adams and Aldridge then ex- contest, but Irving said the turnaround, He connected on just eight of changed layups and the Spurs led with the playoff s a fortnight away, was 22 from the fi eld and turned the 96-95 with 18.7sec to play. under way. ball over eight times. After a timeout, Westbrook “We’ve got to keep building from here He nevertheless produced 32 drove into the lane, where his and not look back,” he said. “I’m excited points, 15 rebounds and 12 as- layup was blocked. about it.” sists. Leonard produced a three- The Cavs struggles opened the door He is two triple-doubles shy point play to seal the game. for the Celtics, and they have seized their of matching Oscar Robertson’s “They were just playing with opportunity. NBA record 41 in a season, with a more sense of urgency than we Two free throws from Al Horford with seven games to play. did,” Westbrook said. “Guys have 1:22 remaining proved the diff erence in Robertson himself says he’s to be ready to step up and they Boston’s 117-116 victory over the Orlando rooting for Westbrook to get the played with a little bit more sense Magic, which kept them one-half game record. of urgency than we did.” ahead of the Cavs atop the East. The Celtics’ 15th win in their last 17 home games wasn’t certain until Amir BASEBALL Johnson contested Elfrid Payton’s drive in the closing minutes. Payton missed, and Horford grabbed the rebound. Champs Cubs on new Isaiah Thomas scored 35 points and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James gives instructions to a teammate during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers. handed out seven assists for the Celtics, who notched their 49th win of the season Curry said defensive intensity was NBA results NBA record of 41 triple-doubles in a sea- mission as Indians, — their most since the 2010-11 campaign. the key. “Even against a high-octane of- son. “It was a crazy fi nish,” Thomas said. fense like Houston, try to keep them un- (home team in CAPS) But he said he’s more concerned that “But we kept our composure and got der a hundred points — make it tough on GOLDEN STATE 107 Houston 98 the defeat taught his Thunder teammates Red Sox re-load stops when we needed it.” them,” he said of the Warriors’ mindset. UTAH 95 Washington 88 what kind of challenges they’ll face when James Harden led Huston with 17 San Antonio 100 OKLAHOMA CITY 95 the playoff s roll around. WARRIORS RALLY PAST ROCKETS points. MILWAUKEE 108 Detroit 105 (OT) “Every night is going to be like this and Western Conference leaders Golden State He pulled down 12 rebounds and hand- MEMPHIS 99 Dallas 90 they have to be ready,” he said. notched a 10th straight win, throttling ed out eight assists, but missed 14 of his NEW ORLEANS 117 Sacramento 89 The Memphis Grizzlies are headed Houston’s potent off ense as they rallied 18 shots overall as the Rockets lost their NY Knicks 98 MIAMI 94 back to the post-season for the seventh late for a 107-98 victory over the Rockets. third straight and dropped a half-game CLEVELAND 122 Philadelphia 105 straight year after a 99-90 victory over The Warriors used a 12-0 fourth-quar- closer to Utah in the battle for the third BOSTON 117 Orlando 116 the Dallas Mavericks. ter scoring run that included 10 points seed in the West. TORONTO 111 Indiana 100 Mike Conley scored 28 points and Zach from their bench players. The Warriors maintained a 3 1/2 game CHARLOTTE 122 Denver 114 Randolph added 22 for the Grizzlies, who They held the Rockets scoreless for al- lead over the San Antonio Spurs atop the were assured of a playoff berth with the most seven minutes of the fi nal period as West. win and Denver’s 122-114 defeat at Char- they notched their second win over Hou- The Spurs, with 28 points from Kawhi of the hard-fought victory. “We didn’t lotte. ston in four days. Leonard, 17 from Pau Gasol and 14 from play good for 30 minutes of the game. But Grizzlies fi rst-year coach David Stephen Curry led the Warriors with a LaMarcus Aldridge, withstood Oklaho- we bounced back, we played aggressive, Fizdale said he was relieved to clinch the game-high 24 points. ma City guard Russell Westbrook’s 39th we stayed together.” playoff berth with six games remaining. Klay Thompson had 20 points and triple-double of the season to beat the Westbrook fi nished with 32 points, 15 “There were moments during the sea- eight rebounds for the Warriors, who had Thunder 100-95. rebounds and 12 assists. son when there was a lot of doubt,” he 49 points from their reserves. “We needed one like this,” Ginobili said He’s within sight of Oscar Robertson’s said. File picture of Chicago Cubs players during a spring training game.

NHL Reuters million deal. New York Along with the expected re- turn to health of talented out- fi elder Michael Brantley and he World Series cham- rotation members Carlos Car- pion Chicago Cubs rasco and Danny Salazar at full are on a new mission strength, the Tribe are clear Kings win but playoff spot dims Tin 2017, aiming to end favorites to win the American MCT Instead they’re excelling, with Results another drought by repeating League Central again. Vancouver Friday’s win giving them con- as Major League Baseball’s best Cleveland may need all those secutive victories for only the Penguins 4 Rangers 3 with another Fall Classic crown edges, however, with the Boston second time since the fi rst week Devils 1 Islanders 2 in the season starting today. Red Sox expected to be an Amer- he respirator has been of February and giving them Blue Jackets 1 Blackhawks 3 The long-suff ering Cubbies ican League postseason force unplugged and the last consecutive wins on the road for Sharks 2 Flames 5 turned the baseball world upside from the East. rites administered. But the fi rst time since January. Blues 1 Avalanche 2 down last season, ending North Boston’s blockbuster deal with Tthe Los Angeles Kings’ The Kings went ahead to stay Kings 2 Canucks 0 American pro sports’ longest the White Sox brought them postseason hopes aren’t dead in the second period on another Capitals 3 Coyotes 6 wait for a championship by get- dazzling left-hander Chris Sale just yet. milestone goal by Iginla, who ting to the winners’ circle for the to join a rotation that includes Even with Friday’s 2-0 win redirected a hard Alec Martinez fi rst time in 108 years. reigning AL Cy Young winner over to the Vancouver Canucks, shot from the left faceoff circle support for Jonathan Quick, the Now the Cinderellas are fa- Rick Porcello and former win- their road to the playoff s remains around Vancouver goalie Ryan goalie who went down in that vorites to win again and become ner David Price, although he will a painfully narrow one. With Miller for the 625th goal of his fi rst game with a groin injury the fi rst repeat champions since miss the start of the season due the St. Louis Blues and Calgary career, tying Joe Sakic for 15th on that kept him out four months. the New York Yankees made it to injury. Flames clinching postseason the all-time NHL list. He made a season-high 35 saves three in a row in 2000. The Red Sox will be with- berths Friday, only the Nashville “That’s one that’s defi nitely Friday _ 14 in the decisive second The Cubs help kick off the six- out slugging designated hitter Predators remain within reach of very special to me,” Iginla said of period _ to post his second shut- month regular season on Sunday David Ortiz, who retired, but the Kings. the goal, his second game-win- out and end a personal three- with an Opening Night contest Boston still boast a dangerous And even they aren’t that ner in three nights. game losing streak. against long-time rivals the St. lineup that may get a boost from close. Tyler Toff oli doubled the lead In those three losses, the team Louis Cardinals. a slimmed down Pablo “Kung Fu The Kings trail Nashville by at the end of a 3-on-2 breakaway backed Quick with only one goal. Cleveland’s Indians, who took Panda” Sandoval at third base. eight points with fi ve games – Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (R) congratulates four minutes later. Jake Muz- Now the Kings return to Sta- the Cubs to extra innings of a The AL West looks competi- worth a maximum of 10 points goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) for the win. zin started the play, digging the ples Center for four games, three climactic Game Seven to de- tive with a Texas rivalry loom- – to play. If they win all fi ve and puck out along the boards in the against teams that have already cide MLB’s championship, top ing between the Rangers and the Nashville loses its fi nal fi ve, the “I said it from Day One, after “We’re not going to give up,” Kings end, then hitting Toff oli clinched playoff berths, before a bunch of worthy contenders fortifi ed Houston Astros, both Kings go to the playoff s. If the the fi rst period of the fi rst game said Jarome Iginla, whose pow- near the blue line. fi nishing the regular season standing in their way. looking for their fi rst World Se- teams fi nish even in points, the when our goalie went down, that er-play goal midway through Toff oli did the rest, skating against the division-leading Taking over the dubious hon- ries triumph. Kings move on based on the we were going to just have to try the second period proved to be deep into the Canucks’ zone, then Ducks in Anaheim. Nashville our of replacing the Cubs as the Houston showed they mean NHL tiebreaker: more regula- to stay in the race,” Kings Coach the game-winner. “We’ve got to waiting for defenseman Luca Sbi- plays three of its fi nal fi ve on longest suff ering franchise since business by adding catcher Brian tion and overtime wins. Darryl Sutter said. “That’s all we make sure that we do our part. sa to go to the ice inside the right the road, but two of those are their last championship, the In- McCann and veteran outfi elders However, any combination of can do.” In one week things can happen. circle before fi ring the puck over against Dallas and Winnipeg, dians made a bold move for a Carlos Beltran and Josh Reddick to Nashville wins and Kings losses And as long as they’re in the Teams can go cold. It happens. him and off the crossbar for his teams that have already been fi rst title in 69 years by signing a youthful roster featuring young that total two will send the Pred- race, the Kings appear determined “We’ve just got to focus on 15th goal of the season. eliminated from postseason former Blue Jays slugger Edwin stars Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa ators to the postseason. to make things interesting. ourselves. So nobody’s quitting.” The two goals were welcome contention. Encarnacion to a three-year $65 and the emerging Alex Bregman. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, April 2, 2017 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Record-setting Kang seizes PGA Tiger Woods won’t Houston Open lead

AFP Blair and Aaron Baddeley. Los Angeles “I putted pretty good yes- terday, putted really good to- day,” Kang said. outh Korea’s Kang “Plus I teed off the fi rst off , play the Masters Sung scorched the and the greens are just pure, Tournament Course at nobody really had them. The the golf Club of Hou- putter just kept making the ‘I have no timetable for my return, but I will continue my diligent eff ort to recover’ stonS on Friday, fi ring a nine- putts.” under par 63 for a record-set- Kang fi nished equal 18th at ting second-round lead at the last year’s US Open in his only AFP Houston Open. major start, but hasn’t posted Washington The 29-year-old, who en- a victory since the 2013 Korean tered the week ranked 202nd Open. in the world, opened the sec- A victory on Sunday would iger Woods announced on Friday ond round one shot off the lead see him grab a last-gasp berth he had lost his battle to be fi t for the held by American Rickie Fowl- at the Masters, the fi rst ma- Masters, saying he was “not tourna- er. He produced seven birdies jor of the year that tees off ment ready” for the fi rst major of the and an eagle at the par-fi ve next Thursday at Augusta Na- Tyear and did not have a timetable for his re- eighth hole, where he rolled in tional. turn. a 30-footer. “It’s not in my head,” Kang Woods, whose 14 major titles include four Kang’s 16-under total of 128 said of that tantalizing possi- Masters green jackets, has not played since broke the 36-hole tournament bility. “I’ll go play. Whatever withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic on record by a stroke. happens, happens.” February 3 with ongoing back spasms. His six-stroke advantage Fowler arrived at the 15th He made his comeback in December after heading into the weekend is tee just four behind Kang. But missing all of the 2015-16 season in the wake of the largest 36-hole lead on he dropped three shots in two back surgery. But his return has run aground, PGA TOUR this season, and holes with a double bogey at 15, with the 41-year-old withdrawing from the the largest ever at the Hou- and a bogey at 16. Genesis Open in Los Angeles in February, the ston Open. Americans Hudson A raft of highly ranked play- Honda Classic and the Arnold Palmer Invita- Swaff ord and Russell Henley ers failed to make it to the tional in March. both carded 67s to share sec- weekend of the fi nal Masters He even cancelled a planned press confer- ond on 134. tuneup. ence at the Los Angeles tournament, saying Fowler’s one-under 71 - That included fi fth-ranked doctors had advised him to “limit all activi- which included six birdies as British Open champion Henrik ties” as he tried to get his balky back on track. well as three bogeys and a dou- Stenson, sixth-ranked Jordan “Unfortunately, I won’t be competing in ble-bogey - left him alone on Spieth and seventh-ranked this year’s Masters,” Woods said on his web- 135, one stroke in front of Zac Adam Scott. site. “I did about everything I could to play, but my back rehabilitation didn’t allow me the time to get tournament ready. FOCUS “I’m especially upset because it’s a special anniversary for me that’s fi lled with a lot of great memories. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I won my fi rst green jacket.” Konta, Wozniacki Woods’s historic 1997 victory at Augusta National, when he was 21 years old, was a watershed for golf. He became the fi rst black Tiger Woods lines up a putt on the 1st green during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines prevail to set up golfer to win a major, the youngest to capture Municipal Golf Course on January 26, 2017. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports the Masters and he shattered records in win- ning by 12 strokes with an 18-under par total. Miami Open fi nal Woods won his second Masters in 2001, Tiger’s historic ’97 Masters win still resonates completing the “Tiger Slam” of four major Reuters championship victories in a row. Before Tiger Woods became a legend endorsement income helping him crack before four birdies and an eagle let him Miami with 14 major titles or saw his golf career $1 billion by some estimates, and moved play the back nine in 30 to stand fourth No timetable for return dimmed by injury, he was a 21-year-old him four major wins shy of the record 18 on 70 after round one. His 2002 victory made him the fi rst back- who made history with an amazing won by Jack Nicklaus. “Well, he started off terrible. It wasn’t ohanna Konta became to-back winner since England’s Nick Faldo in Masters triumph. An infamous sex cheating scandal re- a good front nine,” Fowler said. “It was the fi rst British woman 1989 and 1990. Woods last won the Masters in And 20 years later, that epic 1997 victory vealed in 2009 led to divorce while knee something I remember, it was record to reach a Miami Open 2005, and his announcement on Friday marks at Augusta National remains a turning and back injuries dimmed his once- setting, him going out and getting his fi nal when she outlasted the third time in four years that he will miss AmericanJ veteran Venus Wil- point for the sport, the man and even mighty drives, leaving his future career first green jacket. the tournament. the course. in doubt at 41. “It was impressive what he was able to liams 6-4 7-5 in the early hours He sat out the 2014 Masters with a back A crestfallen Woods confirmed Friday But his legacy lives on. Augusta National do the next 63 holes after going out the of Friday morning. The clock Johanna Konta of Great Britain injury, fi nished 17th in 2015, then missed last that he had lost his battle to be fit for was lengthened and a “second cut” way he did. Something to take from that. had ticked past midnight and celebrates after winning the year as part of his 15-month post-surgery ab- Augusta, two decades after a victory added in the wake of Woods, technology Something you have to learn a little bit is most of the crowd had long since semi-final against Venus Wil- sence from competition. whose eff ects are still felt today, two advances and players becoming fitter you just never give up. “That’s probably departed before Konta eventu- liams in Key Biscayne, Florida. His last major title came at the 2008 US decades later. to answer the challenge Woods threw one of my most memorable tourna- ally put away the 36-year-old (Getty Images/AFP) Open, and the 2015 Masters marks the last golf popularity and prize money have at them to reach peak physical levels. ments, just because I was eight, so it was Williams after more than two time Woods made the cut at a major. reached new heights thanks to the extra Beyond that, the youth that watched on right in my prime. I watched it multiple hours of attrition on the Cran- be her. It really could have gone Promoting his book about his 1997 Mas- attention and fans Woods brought to television as Woods electrified the golf times and it definitely did not look like don Park hardcourt. either way.” The fi nal will be ters victory, Woods said on television’s Good the sport with his shot-making skills and world in 1997 at Augusta were inspired he had a chance to win, if you looked at The 10th seed will play Konta’s second of the season Morning America program in March that charisma. to become champions themselves, his him after nine holes.” Caroline Wozniacki in Sat- after the world number 11 won he was unable to train enough to prepare for “There’s no doubt that we feel what legacy in their success as well. urday’s fi nal after the Danish the Sydney International in the rigours of playing four rounds at a major Tiger Woods has done for the game of Won by ‘ridiculous amount’ 12th seed won an even longer January, with the Briton meet- event. But he indicated on Friday he continues golf every week we tee it up, how he has ‘Tiger really got me into golf’ Not everyone, however, was paying semi-fi nal, 5-7 6-1 6-1 against ing Wozniacki for a second to work toward a return to competition. transcended the sport, brought so many “I was nine years old and getting into attention. “That’s the one where he won second seed Karolina Pliskova time following her third round “I have no timetable for my return, but I more people to the fan base,” Northern golf,” Australian star Jason Day recalled. by a ridiculous amount of golf shots? to kick off the day’s action. win over the Dane at this year’s will continue my diligent eff ort to recover, and Ireland star Graeme McDowell said. “My dad had this turn-knob TV with I was only 10. I wasn’t into golf at that “Thanks to everyone who Australian Open. want to get back out there as soon as possible,” “The biggest athletes in the world, Tiger bunny ears and you had to move the time,” said reigning Masters champion stayed. Good morning by the Konta predicted a marathon said Woods, whose 14 major titles are second and (NBA legend) Michael Jordan, are antenna to get the right picture and it Danny Willett of England. way,” Konta joked in a court- fi nal against Wozniacki, who on the all-time list to the 18 of Jack Nicklaus. maybe bigger than their sport.” was like really early in the morning. World number one Dustin Johnson, who side interview at an almost capitalised on her renowned His 79 career PGA titles are three shy of Woods became the first black golfer to “I remember him walking up the 18th grew up only an hour’s drive from Au- empty stadium after the pair endurance and made fewer Sam Snead’s all-time record. Woods said that win a major, the youngest to capture and he had obliterated the field... Tiger gusta, was 12 when Woods won in 1997. traded eight breaks of serve in a unforced errors in wearing he would be in Augusta, Georgia, to attend the the Masters at age 21 and he shattered really got me into golf, that moment “I have no idea where I was. Probably at baseline slugfest. “To be hon- down Pliskova, despite frit- pre-tournament Champions Dinner. records to win by 12 strokes with an when he won the ‘97 Masters and I home,” Johnson said. est it was so incredibly close, tering away three set points in “Augusta National has been a very impor- 18-under par 270 total for 72 holes. started playing more.” “I remember watching it. Could I tell you so many back-and-forths in the opener. The result exacted tant place to me and my family for over 20 His triumph touched off “Tigermania” Rickie Fowler recalled the fightback the shots he was hitting? No. But I do every point of every game. I a measure of revenge for Woz- years, and while I’m disappointed, it will be as his popularity and the sport’s profile nature for Woods in 1997 after he played remember watching him win. It was a feel very fortunate I was able niacki, who was beaten by the good to be back there on Tuesday,” Woods soared. He became an epic pitchman, the front nine of the first round in 40, long time ago, 20 years ago. Wow.” to take advantage of a couple big-serving Czech in the Doha said. more opportunities than may- fi nal last month.

TENNIS Federer, Nadal to meet again for Miami crown

Reuters line, I felt like I had to learn how to 18th Grand Slam title at the Aus- Miami fi ght in matches, and there I showed tralian Open he won at Indian Wells it to myself and my team that I could and on Friday he came through an do it,” he said. “It was against some- extraordinary battle with Nick Kyr- he greatest rivalry in Tennis body who ended up being my big- gios, edging a contest decided by resumes today in the fi nal gest rival. It’s defi nitely going to be three tie-breaks. of the Miami Open when very special playing Rafa here again. Roger Federer and Rafael “Of course I’m thrilled for him as ‘Something important’ TNadal meet at the venue where it all well that he came back as well as he Nadal has had an easier route began. did after the comeback, the strug- to the fi nal enjoying a relatively It was 13 years ago, at Crandon gles that he had last year,” Federer straightforward two-set semi-fi nal Park on Key Biscayne where the two added. Nadal leads the head-to- win over Italian Fabio Fognini on fi rst faced each other on a court in head meetings 23-13 but they are Friday. He is also fi red up by the an ATP Tour event. A 17-year-old tied 9-9 on hard courts and Fed- fact that while this will be his fi fth Nadal beat his Swiss opponent, al- erer has had the better of the most Miami fi nal, he has yet to win the ready the world number one, 6-3, recent meetings, triumphing in the Florida tournament. “It just helps 6-3 in the third round of the tour- Australian Open fi nal in January to add something important for me nament. One year later, on April 3, and the fourth round at Indian Wells and that’s it,” Nadal said. 2005, the pair met again in Miami, last month. “It feels like old times. Federer will start as favourite but this time in the fi nal of the tourna- We’re playing each other every as he looks to complete the Indian ment when Federer came back from week now. We can’t get enough of Wells/Miami sweep for the third two sets down to win the fi ve-set each other,” joked Federer. “Hope- time says he didn’t expect to go all contest. Federer says the memory of fully it’s not our last match.” the way in his second straight event. what he calls “that epic match” re- It is the fi rst time Miami will have “(I thought) semis would be an mains vivid and was a crucial chap- a fi nal between two players over 30 unbelievable run,” he said. “Here we ter in his development as a player. but no-one is expecting anything are in the fi nals and I get a chance to “The fi nal was unbelievable. It but the highest quality intense win the tournament. “Still I feel like was a turning point in my career, to competition, especially with Feder- there is a mountain to climb in Rafa. be quite honest. For me to be able to er enjoying such a rich run of form. He’s not won it yet before. He’s focus for, I don’t know how long we After a six month lay off from in- defi nitely feeling fresher than I feel played, maybe four hours, smashing jury, the Swiss has returned looking right now. But that’s not a problem. Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates defeating Nick Kyrgios of Australia in the semi-finals in Key Biscayne, Florida. Rafael Nadal (R) forehand after forehand down the as good as ever. After winning his I’ll be ready on Sunday.” of Spain celebrates defeating Fabio Fognini of Italy in the other semi-final. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, April 2, 2017 7 SPORT

CRICKET BADMINTON Sindhu sets up title clash with Marin Kulasekara claims 4 AFP whoever will play the best on New Delhi that day will win,” she added. The lanky Sindhu, who out- played her senior compatriot ndia’s PV Sindhu yester- Saina Nehwal in the quarter- day stormed into the fi nal fi nals, has slowly emerged as of the India Open badmin- India’s star shuttler. ton tournament to set up Sindhu displayed admi- to help SL level series Ian exciting women’s singles rable maturity against world title clash with top-seeded number four Hyun in the last- Carolina Marin in New Delhi. four encounter, as she fought ‘We lost the match in the first 10 overs, both with the bat and ball’ Sindhu, 21, served past sec- back after losing the second ond-seeded Sung Ji Hyun of game in front of a raucous South Korea 21-18, 14-21, 21-14 home crowd. AFP in the semi-fi nals that lasted “She came back in the third Colombo one hour and 16 minutes at the but I told myself if she can win Siri Fort Sports Complex. so many points why can’t I and Third-seeded Sindhu’s title so I believed in myself. We have uwan Kulasekara claimed showdown with Spain’s Marin to prepared for all situations,” four as has echoes of the 2016 Rio Ol- said Sindhu. beat Bangladesh by 71 ympic fi nals which saw the In- Earlier third-ranked Marin, runs in the third one-day dian settling for silver. 23, had an easy semi-fi nal out- Ninternational, securing a 1-1 draw “I hope it is not a repeat just ing to outplay Japan’s Akane in the three-match series in Co- a rematch... It will be a new Yamaguchi, seeded fourth, lombo yesterday. game, new conditions, new 21-16, 21-14. In men’s action, , Dilruwan style,” Sindhu told reporters. third-seeded Viktor Axelsen Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna all “At Dubai fi nals we played of Denmark eased past Hong chipped in with two wickets and I beat her but she defeated Kong’s NG Ka Long Angus 21- each helping the home side to me at PBL (Premier Badminton 12, 21-13 to book his berth in successfully defend 280-9 at League) but this time it will be the Superseries fi nal. Sinhalese Sports Club ground. at Delhi so I will have support,” Axelsen, ranked fourth in Kulasekara claimed 4-37 as she said. the world, will meet seventh- the visitors were bowled out for “She might know my game seeded Chou Tien Chen of 215 runs in 44.3 overs, avoiding and I might know her... We Chinese , who beat Dan- their fi rst series loss to Bangla- both will have this feeling that ish player Anders Antonsen 21- desh. Shakib Al Hasan remained we won against each other. So 17, 21-14. the top scorer with 54 runs while Mehedi Hasan hit 51 — his maid- en ODI fi fty. Put into bat fi rst by Bangla- Pacquiao eyes July 2 Horn fight desh captain Mashrafe Mortaza earlier, top-scored with 54 and added 52 off 40 balls to give Sri Lanka a competitive score. Bangladesh went onto the back foot soon after they start- ed their chase losing their fi rst three wickets for just 11 runs.

Lakmal put Bangladesh in dire straits when he hit Mushfi qur Rahim on the back foot for an lbw — the fi rst ball he faced

Kulasekara, who was not part of Sri Lanka team in their 90- run loss in the opening match, led the way for home side strik- ing twice in his fi rst two overs. Lakmal put Bangladesh in dire straits when he hit Mushfi qur Rahim on the back foot for an Sri Lanka’s celebrates after he dismissed Bangladesh batsman Sabbir Rahman during the third and final ODI at The Sin- lbw — the fi rst ball he faced. halese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo yesterday. (AFP) Shakib and Philippines boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is negotiating a July (38) rebuilt the inning with a 77- captain out for 35 runs, putting SCOREBOARD 2 fight with unbeaten Australian Jeff Horn, the Filipino world run stand for the fourth a brake fi nally on their run-rate. champion’s camp said yesterday. but Dilruwan put Sri Lanka Mendis, who scored a century Sri Lanka Bangladesh “We are working out the details for the fight on July 2,” Pac- back in control removing both in the abandoned second match, D. Gunathilaka c Mahmudullah b Mehedi ...... 34 Tamim Iqbal c &b Kulasekara ...... 4 quiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told AFP by text message. batsmen. The game ended as a tried to rebuild the innings with U. Tharanga b Taskin ...... 35 Soumya Sarkar St Chandimal b D. Perera ...... 38 Arum had been originally quoted in international media say- contest when Shakib drove Per- former captain Dinesh Chandi- K. Mendis c Mushfiqur m Mustafizur...... 54 Sabbir Rahman c Chandimal b Kulasekara ...... 0 ing the 38-year-old Filipino dubbed “Pac-Man” will get into the era straight to Danushka Gu- mal, but two successive run outs D. Chandimal run out ...... 21 Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Lakmal ...... 0 ring with Horn, 29, in April, possibly in Australia. nathilaka at cover to leave Bang- hurt them again. M. Siriwardana run out ...... 12 Shakib al-Hasan c Gunathilaka b D. Perera ...... 54 The Australian state of Queensland also off ered to host the ladesh 118-6. Chandimal was run out for A. Gunaratne c Mahmudullah b Mortaza ...... 34 Mosaddek Hossain b Prasanna ...... 9 fight in Brisbane. Bangladesh earlier did a com- 21 when Mushfi qur Rahim col- T. Perera c Taskin b Mortaza...... 52 Mahmudullah C Chandimal b Lakmal ...... 7 Pacquiao and British boxer Amir Khan had announced mendable job in the fi eld to re- lected a Taskin throw from deep S. Prasanna c Mahmudullah b Mustafizur ...... 1 Mehedi Hasan c Tharanga b Kulasekara ...... 51 separately in February that they would fight on April 23, with strict the home side to less than point to break the stump. Mush- D. Perera c Tamim b Mortaza ...... 15 Mashrafe Mortaza c & b Prasanna ...... 16 a source from the Filipino’s camp saying the bout would be in 300 runs despite an initial ham- fi qur did a smart job once again N. Kulasekara not out...... 1 Taskin Ahmed c Gunaratne b Kulasekara ...... 14 the United Arab Emirates. mering by openers Gunathilaka to run out Milinda Siriwardana S. Lakmal not out...... 2 not out ...... 1 However, the Pacquiao-Khan fight bizarrely fell through, with and Upul Thranga. for 12 before he took a catch Extras ( lb2, w17) ...... 19 Extras (lb 2, w14) ...... 16 Arum describing the reported $38mn UAE deal to the Los “We lost the match in the fi rst off Mustafi zur Rahman to end Total ( nine wickets. 50 overs) ...... 280 Total (all out, 44.3 overs) ...... 210 Angeles Times last month as “pie in the sky”. 10 overs, both with the bat and Mendis’ defi ant innings. Fall of wickets: 1-76 (Gunathilaka), 2-87 Fall of wicket: 1-4 (Tamim), 2-10 (Sabbir ), Koncz did not disclose the proposed Pacquiao-Horn prize ball. 280 was defi nitely chasea- With Bangladesh making (Tharanga), 3-136 (Chandimal), 4-161 (Siri- 3-11(Mushfiqur), 4-88 (Soumya), 5-111 (Mosaddek). money or the venue, telling AFP the fighters’ purse was “no- ble,” Bangladesh skipper Mortaza regular breakthroughs, Perera wardana), 5-194 ( Mendis), 6-216 ( Gunaratne), 6-118 (Shakib), 7-127 ( Mahmudullah), 8-155 ( Mor- body’s business”. said in the presentation ceremony. launched a counter attack to race 7-230 ( Prasanna), 8-275 ( D. Perera), 9-277 (T. taza), 9-209 ( Mehedi), 10-210 (Taskin) World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Pacquiao Spinner Mehedi Hasan broke to his second half-century in the Perera) : Kulasekara 7.3-0-37-4, Lakmal 8-0-38-2 (w4), D. is in the twilight of a glittering career that won him unprec- their 76-run stand as Gunathila- series before he fell to Mortaza Bowling: Mortaza 10-0-65-3 (w5), Mustafizur Perera, 10-1-47-2 (w2), T. Perera 2-0-14-0, Gunaratne 2-0- edented world titles in eight weight divisions. ka gave a catch to Mahmudullah in the fi nal overs. The two teams 10-0-55-2(w1), Mehedi 10-1-49-1(w1), Taskin 8-1- 16-0, Prasanna 10-1-33-2 (w3), Siriwardana 5-1-23-0 He briefly retired last year as he won a seat in the Philippine after making 34 runs off 38 balls. will now play two Twenty20 50-1(w5), Mahmudullah 1-0-5-0, Shakib 8-0-41-0, Man of the match: Thisara Perera senate, but made a successful comeback against Jessie Var- Taskin Ahmed beat Tharanga internationals, respectively on Mosaddek 3-0-13-0 Man of the series: Kusal Mendis gas in Las Vegas in November. with pace to bowl the Sri Lanka April 4 and 6, in Colombo.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Hanyu dethrones Fernandez to win world title

Reuters fans helped me to produce this performance were attempted by 18 of the 24 men who today,” a beaming Hanyu told reporters after made up the free-skate fi eld. bagging his second world gold with a total of Incredibly, 24 of those jumps featured 321.59. during the fi nal 40 minutes of the competi- lympic champion ’s “I demonstrated everything I was capable tion when the top six took to the ice. exquisite all-round skating skills of, my whole package. I wanted to do fi ve Aged 17, Four Continents champion Chen allowed him to overhaul a mas- quads but did not have enough energy.” has been the leading advocate of the skill sive 10.66-point defi cit as he There was no need for Hanyu to take un- and he was aiming to top his own record of struckO gold to end Javier Fernandez’s two- necessary risks of adding another quad- landing fi ve in a single performance, which year reign at the ISU World Figure Skating ruple jump to his programme because his he achieved at this year’s US Champion- Championships yesterday. mesmerising performance to Jo Hisaishi’s ships. But the perils of the jump, which The so-called revolution by the next “Hope and Legacy” was absolutely fl awless. requires skaters to execute four complete generation of men’s fi gure skaters failed to Woven in with four soaring quad jumps aerial revolutions, was clear within seconds gather steam on the fi nal day of competi- were his intricate footwork, sublime spins of his routine as he fell on his opening Lutz. tion, with quad-jumping powerhouses and inventive choreography — skills that set He went on to attempt fi ve more quads, but , and Jin Boyang him apart from the chasing pack. landed only four. coming up short in their bids to overthrow After watching Hanyu draw a master- So had the gamble been worth it? the establishment. piece on ice with his blades, Orser was “I don’t feel very good about it,” said Although Hanyu’s Japanese teammate caught mouthing “Wow”, and it was a sen- Chen, who fi nished sixth. “I’m not going to Uno snapped up the silver and ’s Jin timent shared by the roaring Japanese fans lie. This wasn’t the programme I wanted to completed an Asian sweep of the medals, who showed their appreciation by hurling perform.” they could not match the grace and preci- an avalanche of Winnie-the-Pooh stuff ed It was a sentiment shared by Fernandez, sion that the 22-year-old champion brought toys on to the ice. who had been the odds-on favourite to to the ice. Despite the record score, Hanyu omi- complete a hat-trick of victories after wow- Two days after Hanyu’s gold-medal nously declared: “It’s great to beat my own ing the judges with his short programme on prospects appeared to be in jeopardy, when world record by three points but I can get Thursday. a landing on bended knee from his quad even higher scores.” That earned him a healthy 4.19-point Salchow left him trailing in fi fth place, the Coming into the fi nal world champion- lead over nearest challenger Uno going into Winnie-the-Pooh fan had his coach Brian ships before next February’s Winter Olym- Saturday’s free skate. Orser banging the side hoardings in celebra- pics, all the hype had been about the number But a fall on his quad Salchow and two tion as he racked up a world-record 223.20 of high-scoring quads the teenaged tyros further botched landings dropped the (L-R) Silver medallist Japans’s Shoma Uno, gold medallist Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu and bronze medallist Boyan points for the free skate. “After the short were cramming into their programmes. Spaniard out of the medals and into fourth Jin of China pose after the men’s event at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2017 in programme I was deeply depressed but my On Saturday, a jaw-dropping 47 quads place. Helsinki yesterday. (AFP)

Sunday, April 2, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

Ghathra Al Ruwais Point Race

Winners of Ghathra Al Ruwais Point Race, organised by Qatar Cyclists, celebrate on the podium on Friday. Men A category was won by Nasser al-Doseri, while Men B was topped by Mohamed al-Buainain. Among the Qataris, Ahmad al-Subaey was the winner, while Isora Sosa took the women’s category.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Aspire Academy Nakheel Landscapes U-18s defeat Olympiacos twice

By Sports Reporter As well as involving U-18s shine in Workers’ Cup teams, the latest Tri-Series foot- Doha ball tournament also featured competition between U-16s Organisers thinking of increasing number of teams next year spire Academy’s U-18 teams, with LA Galaxy running side defeated their out winners over Olympiacos counterparts from and hosts Aspire Academy in Greek club Olympiacos that competition. twiceA last week in the latest Tri- Gordon Kljestan, director of Series tournament. Soccer Operations at LA Galaxy In the fi rst match, Mohamed praised the Tri-Series tourna- al-Bayati’s converted penalty ment, and said, “This is a great gave the Academy team their competition and gives our play- fi rst win. ers useful international expe- In the second game, two days rience. The team from Aspire later, the visitors took the lead Academy were committed and through Athanasios Kostana- well organized and really gave sious eight minutes after the their all. The Academy team were starting whistle. However, their also well disciplined and you lead did not last long as Raben could tell they have been playing Boussafi equalised just two min- together for some time.” utes later. Substitute Eisa Pal- Olympiacos and LA Galaxy angi scored the second goal for visited Qatar at the same time as the Academy in the 47th minute senior international 2018 FIFA securing victory for the home World Cup qualifi cation matches team. were taking place. After the second win, Aspire Talking about youth develop- Academy U-18 head coach He- ment and building teams for the dider Abderrazak said, “Both future, Kljestan said, “Qatar as games against Olympiacos were a country has a very good sys- very competitive. The challenge tem for youth development and we faced and the experience of Aspire Academy is a great set competing was as important as up. If I could off er any words of Nakheel Landscapes players celebrate their win in the Workers’ Cup final against Al Asmakh Facilities Management in Doha on Friday. PICTURES: Othman Iraqi the results themselves. The way encouragement, I would simply our players responded to what say that with youth development QNA has developed by leaps and bounds since local league. He added that this was the success. He noted that the number of the opposition threw at them was is a process. Winning is not eve- Doha it was fi rst established. This was evident least that could be done for workers who teams this year increased from 24 to 32. very positive and encouraging rything at this point, it is about by the total number of teams participat- are passionately building the country’s He added that QSL will look to develop to see. I’m very impressed with bringing the players on. We are ing, which increased to 32 teams. He was infrastructure. He said that the goal of the the competition in diff erent ways next the team’s eff orts against such in a similar situation in America. akheel Landscapes won the delighted with the success of the fi fth competition since its establishment was year. For this year, he added, the goal was strong opposition. Olympiacos is Our league is only 22 year old and Workers’ Cup 2017, which is or- edition and noted that both fi nalists de- to engage workers in the country’s infra- to make the fans and players happy. one of the strongest academies in we cannot yet say that we are ganised by Qatar Starts League served to be there this year. Al-Khater was structure projects for the World Cup 2022. He noted that there was bigger interest Greece, if not the strongest, and amongst the best leagues in the (QSL) and sponsored by the Su- also thrilled with big number of fans who He noted that all the players who took in providing better training and physio- one of the best in Europe as well. world. Of course winning is im- Npreme Committee (SC) for and fl ocked to watch the fi nal; a testament to part this year, 600 of them, have been in- therapy to the players this year. He added Many players move to big teams portant, but it is a process and it Legacy, on Friday. the success of the competition this year. sured in case they get injured or suff er any that the participation of 600 players this from Olympiacos. To play against is going to take time and requires Nakheel won the title after beating Al He announced that they were studying accident. This was done to allow workers year was a new record. a side that is strong physically and patience too. So we are in a simi- Asmakh Facilities Management 3-0 in the increase in the number of participat- to play without fear or stress that their The Workers’ Cup has emerged as an technically is great experience. lar position in the US, and we the fi nal, which was played at Suhaim bin ing teams next year, in light of this year’s future could be harmed in any way. He integral part of Qatar’s domestic football I’m very pleased with the team’s share similar aims and objectives Hamad Stadium. After the fi nal, the play- interest from diff erent companies. He said that workers were one of the biggest calendar, with the fi nal day last year on 8 performance.” in terms of development.” ers were handed the medals and trophy by added that fi nalising such plans requires segments in the Qatari society, and social May drawing a crowd of 11,000 to Al Ahli QSL CEO Hani Taleb Ballan, SC assist- looking into a number of aspects, includ- responsibility made organising a com- Stadium. The 80-match competition ant secretary general Nasser al-Khater, ing the stadiums among other things. petition for them a must. He noted that was contested by 32 teams this year, eight SC’s chief of Advisory Unit and Special Ballan, meanwhile, expressed his de- they will start evaluating the competition more than in 2016. The 600 football- Projects Khalid al-Kubaisi, and Com- light at how the Workers’ Cup in its fi fth technically in order to develop it further loving workers from around the world got munication & Marketing director Hassan edition progressed. He said that prior to in the coming years. the chance to showcase their skills. Of the Rabia al-Kuwari. the start of the competition, they wanted For his part, al-Kuwari also expressed 32 teams that participated, 15 have a con- Al-Khater said that the competition matches this year to be on par with the his happiness that Workers’ Cup was a nection with the SC.

SC assistant secretary general Nasser al-Khater and QSL CEO Hani Ballan presented the medals, trophies and cheques to players and off icials.