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TUESDAYTUES 8 JUNE 2021 MbappeMba will stay at PSG next season, says club'sclub President Nasser Al Khelaifi WhereWher can he go? What club, in terms of ambition, can compete withwith PSGP today? All I can say is that things are going well and I hopehope we can reach an agreement (on a new contract).

NasserN Al Khelaifi Sport |19

FRENCH OPEN: ORDER OF PLAY T. Zidansek vs P. Badosa; E. Rybakina vs A. Pavlyuchenkova; A. Zverev vs A. Fokina; S. Tsitsipas vs D. Medvedev Joint Asian Qualifiers: Al Annabi confirm top spot in Group E after 1-0 victory Al Haydos stars as Qatar edge Oman THE PENINSULA/AFC — DOHA minute following a foul on Almoez Ali as Al Haydos struck Captain Hasan Al Haydos coolly from the spot to give yesterday scored from a penalty Qatar a 1-0 lead going into the as Qatar edged Oman 1-0 in a break. thriller to seal top spot in Group Oman began the second half E of the Asian Qualifiers for the very much in a defensive mode FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and as Qatar started aggressively in AFC Asian Cup China 2023 at a bid to extend their lead. the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Salah Al Yahyai, however, Al Annabi held nerves in the had a good chance to draw final stages of the match, that Oman level in the 52nd minute saw Oman making desperate when he collected the ball just attempts for an equaliser, to inside the box following a swift confirm their top position in the counter attacking move but group. Abdelkarim Hassan was quick Qatar finished with 22 to foil his attempt. points, 10 points clear of Oman’s confidence grew as second-placed Oman, who still the match wore on but the have two games to play - equaliser was out of reach as against Afghanistan on Friday Qatar captain Hasan Al Haydos celebrates Qatar held on for the win. and Bangladesh four days later. after scoring a goal against Oman at the Earlier yesterday, India Oman, who lost 2-1 to Qatar Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. defeated Bangladesh 2-0 to in October 2019, started the PIC: HUSSAIN SAYED revive their Asian Qualifiers for match strongly and were the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 unlucky not to find the back of and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Group E campaign. the net within the first minute game with Hatim Abdelaziz and opportunity when he fired his Oman continued to frustrate Sunil Chhetri struck twice after Abdul Aziz Al Muqbali’s Al Haydos marshaling the effort just wide. their opponents as Branko in the closing minutes as India India defeated Bangladesh 2-0 shot from inside the area was midfield. It was a one sided affair as Ivankovic’s men foiled Qatar’s boosted their hopes of sealing to revive their Asian Qualifiers easily saved by goalkeeper Saad Felix Sanchez-coached Qatar continued to pile on the every attempt at goal with Al a place in the third round of the for the FIFA World Cup Qatar Al Sheeb. Qatar came close to scoring in pressure but their finishing in Haydos given no room to Asian Qualifiers for the AFC 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China That would prove to be the seventh minute when front of goal left much to be operate inside the final third. Asian Cup China 2023. The win 2023 Group E campaign. Oman’s only meaningful Abdelkarim Hassan lost his desired as Mohammed Muntari However, Oman resistance took India to third in the attempt at goal as Qatar marker inside the area but the and Hassan Al Heidos both finally cracked when they con- standings with a match to play imposed their authority in the midfielder wasted the wasted opportunities to score. ceded a penalty in the 39th against Afghanistan on June 15. : Djokovic and Nadal beat Al Shamal, Al Gharafa Italian teens to reach quarter-finals eye Arab

AP — PARIS even if they are leading a set or Super Cup two sets to love, as it was the For two sets and more than two case today, I still like my hours at the French Open chances,” said the top-seeded glory yesterday, Djokovic, who is 34, “because found himself being outplayed I feel like I’m physically fit and QNA — DOHA by a 19-year-old opponent I know how to wear my from making his Grand opponent down.” The third Arab Super Cup for Slam debut. Nadal, who turned 35 last handball will be a Qatari And yet, to hear Djokovic week, trailed 5-3 early on affair as Al Gharafa and Al tell it afterward, he had the kid against the 18th-seeded Jannik Shamal are set to meet today right where he wanted him. Sinner, who served for the first at Duhail Sports Hall. Which turned out to be true. set at 5-4. Al Gharafa will feature also faced an “I was playing a very good in this year’s edition as the Italian who’s just 19 in the player with a big future,” Nadal winner of the Arab Club fourth round - and also took a said. Championship for handball bit of time to get going. But 13-time French Open in its 35th edition, which was Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates Nadal’s trouble lasted all of champion Nadal took eight held in the Jordanian capital, after winning his fourth round eight games and less than 45 games in a row and, after a blip back in 2019. match against Italy’s Jannik Sinner. minutes yesterday before he in the second set, resumed his Al Gharafa defeated BELOW: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic took control, ran his Roland excellent play and closed his ’s GS Petroliers in action during his fourth round Garros streak to 35 consecutive 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 win on a 10-game 36-32. match against Italy’s Lorenzo sets and joined Djokovic in run. Meanwhile, Al Shamal Musetti. reaching a record 15th quarter- Musetti, a talented Italian was crowned champion of final at the clay-court major so good at the outset with his the 15th Arab Handball tournament. one-handed backhand and tre- Championship for Cup After dropping a pair of tie- mendous touch, is hardly used winners, which was held in breakers, Djokovic suddenly to this best-of-five-set format last year. Al Shamal went from a big deficit to his at the majors and he took a next in a reprise of a 2020 beat Al Arabi in the final best . He grabbed 13 medical timeout after the semifinal. 33-31. games in a row before Lorenzo fourth. Schwartzman saved seven In the press conference, Musetti stopped playing Djokovic wound up 9 for 9 set points in the opening set Al Gharafa coach Shawky because of lower back pain and on his break-point chances and Monday on the way to elimi- Balqasem confirmed his cramps while trailing 6-7 (7), with a 53-30 edge in winners. nating Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 teams readiness to meet Al- 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-0, 4-0. The top-seeded Djokovic (9), 6-4, 7-5. Shamal for the third Arab “I like to play young guys never has been beaten at In women’s play, 17-year- Super Cup. in best-of-five, because I feel Roland Garros by someone old American Coco Gauff He added that this type ranked as low as the No. 76 became the youngest player of competition benefits from FRENCH OPEN RESULTS Musetti. since 2006 to reach the experience, something Al Men’s Singles Fourth Round Djokovic’s only previous women’s quarter-finals at any Gharafa has given the team (9), Italy, def. Roger Fed- loss against a teen at the French tournament by has participated in it before. erer (8), Switzerland, walkover. Open came back in 2006 overwhelming No. 25 seed Ons For his part, Amr Jalal, Diego Schwartzman (10), Argentina, def. against a guy named Nadal. Jabeur 6-3, 6-1 in under an coach of Al Shamal, said that And Djokovic entered the day hour. his team will be ready for the Jan-Lennard Struff, Germany, 7-6 (9), 6-4, 14-0 in the fourth round at the Gauff now meets Barbora Arab Super match against Al 7-5. place. Krejcikova, who reached her Gharafa, adding that he likes Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Lorenzo Mu- Plus, consider Djokovic’s what he is: Someone with , withdrew first major quarterfinal with a his team’s chances. setti, Italy, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-0, 4-0, ret. recent form: He was 10-0 in plenty of promise but not much Sunday in order to let his sur- 6-2, 6-0 victory over Sloane He said that, during his Rafael Nadal (3), Spain, def. Jannik Sinner Grand Slam matches in 2021 experience. gically repaired right knee and Stephens, the 2017 US Open month in charge, he has (18), Italy, 7-5, 6-3, 6-0. and hadn’t ceded more than Djokovic’s 49th major the rest of his 39-year-old body champion and 2018 French worked to improve the Women’s Singles Fourth Round four games in any set in Paris quarterfinal will come against recover with an eye to Wim- Open runner-up. chemistry between his Barbora Krejcikova, Czech Republic, def. - let alone an entire set - while another Italian, No. 9 seed bledon, which starts June 28. Maria Sakkari, who is players on the court. Sloane Stephens, United States, 6-2, 6-0. dropping a total of just 23 Matteo Berrettini, who Just as Nadal vs. Sinner was seeded 17th, beat No. 4 Sofia The coach also said that Coco Gauff (24), United States, def. Ons games until yesterday. Even- advanced without needing to a rematch from last year in Kenin, last year’s runner-up, he is well aware of Al Jabeur (25), Tunisia, 6-3, 6-1. tually, Djokovic earned his fifth swing his racket once Monday. Paris - Sinner also served for 6-1, 6-3. Sakkari’s quarter-final Gharafa’s abilities,

Maria Sakkari (17), Greece, def. Sofia Kenin career comeback from two sets That’s because the man the first set in that one before opponent will be 2020 expressing his great respect (4), United States, 6-1, 6-3. down by limiting his mistakes Berrettini was supposed to face, losing in three - Nadal will play champion Iga Swiatek or Marta for the team. and making Musetti look like 20-time Grand Slam champion No. 10 seed Diego Schwartzman Kostyuk. TUESDAY 8 JUNE 2021 SPORT 19 Mbappe will stay at PSG next season: Al Khelaifi Mushrooming REUTERSREUTERS — PARISPARIS Mbappe, who scored 42 I can say is that things are T20 leagues a goals in all competitions for PSG going well and I hope we can Paris St Germain fforwardor this season, has a contract at the reach an agreement (on a new threat to KylianKylian MMbappebappe wiwillll stastayy at the French club until June 2022 but contract). I will be clear, Mbappe is LigueLigue 1 club next seasoseason,n club has been linked with a move to “This is Paris, this is his going to stay in Paris. We international presidentpresident Nasser AlAl KhelaifiKh La Liga’s Real Madrid. country. He has a mission, not will never sell him and he said,said, responding to mmedia “I will be clear, Mbappe is only to play football, but to will never leave on a free game, says speculationspeculation aboutabo the going to stay in Paris,” Al promote Ligue 1, his country (transfer). Mbappe has FrenchFrench iinterna-nt Khelaifi told L’Equipe news- and his capital.” tional’st i on paper. “We will never sell him PSG ended the season everything he needs in Du Plessis future.futu and he will never leave on a with only one major trophy, Paris. free (transfer). Mbappe has the French Cup, after losing everything he needs in Paris. the Ligue 1 title by one point Nasser Al Khelaifi REUTERS — DUBAI “Where can he go? What to Lille and crashing out in the PSG President club, in terms of ambition, can Champions League The proliferation of domestic Kylian Mbappe compete with PSG today? All semi-finals. Twenty20 leagues poses a threat to international cricket and the game must find a way to balance both, according to South Africa’s former captain Faf du Plessis (pictured). Lebanon’s Melki looks forward to All top cricket playing nations - including Australia, India, England, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - have their own T20 leagues. ‘amazing’ FIFA World Cup in Qatar The West Indies, which groups several Caribbean islands and other territories, also has its THE PENINSULA — DOHA continued: “The teams will have own league. their training base and be able “I think it’s a threat for the Every footballer dreams of to travel to all the stadiums international game - the playing at the FIFA World Cup™ within about half an hour. They power of the leagues that are – and for players with links to will be able to focus purely on growing year by year,” du the Middle East and , football without having to Plessis, who is a familiar face the next edition of the tour- worry about travelling, which in such franchise leagues nament provides particular will make it more relaxing.” himself and is in Abu Dhabi for motivation. Robert Alexander Melki is hoping to expe- the Pakistan Super League T20 Michel Melki is one such player. rience Qatar 2022 as a player. competition, told a virtual The defender is fully focused on To achieve that, the defender news conference on Sunday. making his dream a reality by will need to lead Lebanon “If it becomes a choice appearing at Qatar 2022 with through the current stage of moving forward into the Lebanon. World Cup qualifying. future, then it can be a real Melki, who was born in Drawn in a group con- threat for the international Sweden to a Swedish mother taining the Korea Republic, Sri game.” Du Plessis pointed out and Lebanese father, has Robert Alexander Melki of Lanka and Turkmenistan, the how several West Indies developed a unique perspective Lebanon (left) in action during Cedars need to finish in the top players chose franchise cricket on Qatar 2022 thanks to playing the AFC Asian Cup Group E two in order to have a chance over national duty and felt his club football in the Gulf match against of making it to the third group several South African crick- nation. in Dubai in this January 12, stage. eters could go down that road. After starting his career in 2019 file photo. PIC: SC “We have a chance to go “Maybe in 10 years time, Sweden, the 28-year-old joined through, so if we get to the next cricket will be almost like Qatar Stars League side Al Khor Shahania in Qatar’s second completed soon, Lusail will host distance between stadiums is round, anything can happen,” soccer, where you have your in 2019 before moving to Al division earlier this year. During matches during every stage of just 75km by road – meaning Melki said. world events and in between his spell in Qatar, Melki has the tournament, including the everyone will be in the thick of “We are a good team and you just have these leagues observed significant develop- final on 18 December 2022. “I the action throughout the have improved over the last five around the world,” the ments in the country. haven’t seen it from the inside, tournament. years. We have our games in 36-year-old said. “The stadiums are really but I think Lusail Stadium looks “For fans, it’s going to mean June [in Korea Republic], so if “There needs to be a way The stadiums are really cool cool – all of them. They are all amazing,” Melki said. that you can almost see all the we succeed there, we will see somehow you can try and – all of them. They are all unique in their own way. I’ve “The whole stadium games in the tournament how we do in the next round.” work with both. unique in their own way. I’ve played in some of the new sta- complex looks really nice.” because everybody is going to Lebanon’s tournament aspi- “Otherwise, I think the played in some of the new diums and it’s really something The defender’s time in Qatar be in the same place,” he said. rations also include the FIFA strength of other tournaments qatar2022.qa. stadiums and it’s really else,” Melki told has also given him an under- “It’s going to be a big cele- Arab Cup™, which will be is growing insanely quick at “Almost all of the stadiums are standing of the compact nature bration, as it’s not going to be staged in Qatar later this year. the moment. It is right now something else. done now – there’s been so of the country. spread out. It’s something we On 23 June, in Doha, Lebanon potentially a danger for inter- much progress over the last With everything situated in have never seen before at a will play Djibouti in a one-off national cricket.” Robert Alexander Michel couple of years.” close proximity, Melki believes World Cup.” play-off for a spot in Group D The batsman identified Melki One venue Melki is keen on fans and players alike will make Melki, who played for Swe- alongside African powerhouses defending champions West visiting is the 80,000-capacity the most of this unique World den’s U21 side before switching Algeria and , plus the Indies as the favourite at this Lusail Stadium. Set to be Cup experience. The longest his allegiance to Lebanon, winner of Libya versus Sudan. year’s T20 World Cup to be organised by India. “If you look at teams with good firepower and expe- Belgium not counting on De Bruyne for Euro opener rience, you have to look at West Indies and the fact that they have brought back all REUTERS — BRUSSELS our match against Croatia and is their players, almost given Kevin De Bruyne had a small surgery already in the mood. “He will now them a directive to try and be Belgium are not counting on Kevin De build up slowly. But it makes a big dif- the team that wins three Bruyne (pictured) being ready to play on the injury last week but had always ference that he is part of the group.” times,” he said. in their first European Championship been planning to only join up with While De Bruyne’s participation “All the guys you wouldn’t group game against Russia in St Belgium one week ahead of the Euro was uncertain, captain Eden Hazard have seen playing much ofof Petersburg on Saturday, coach 2020 kick off in order to have a break returned on Sunday in a 1-0 win over internationalinternational cricketcricket willwill bbee Roberto Martinez said yesterday. after a long club season. Croatia for his first international in back - Dwayne The midfielder joined the rest of some 18 months, coming on for the BBravo,ravo, the Belgian squad yesterday at their last eight minutes after an injury- AndreA n d r e base in Tubize but was sent straight plagued club season. Russell.”Russell.” for more medical tests, after a double “He will only join up with us in “It didn’t matter how many facial fracture suffered in the Cham- training when the medical staff say minutes Eden played, but that he pions League final. so. But I’m not really counting on played. That’s a big step mentally. He had a small surgery on the Kevin to be ready for the first game,” “I’m happy with how he came in. injury last week but had always been Martinez told a news conference. He picked up the pace of the game planning to only join up with Belgium But the coach said he was quickly. When will Eden be ready for one week ahead of the Euro 2020 kick delighted to see De Bruyne arrive. 90 minutes? That’s hard to say. The off in order to have a break after a “The highlight of the day,” said most important thing is that he is med- long club season. Martinez. “He looks ready. He watched ically ready,” said Martinez. beIN Sports gets set for thrilling summer of sports

THE PENINSULA — DOHA and Colombia, has now been moved ‘Euro Today’ – which will showcase to Brazil and will run from 13 June until highlights, previews and reactions of beIN Media Group, the global sports 10 July. Participating teams in this the tournament from 6 June until 12 and entertainment broadcaster and its year’s Copa America include Argentina, July. flagship sports channel beIN Sports Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, as well as ‘This Night’ is another daily gets set to host a thrilling summer of Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela, program with analysis, tactics and stats sports starting with the long-awaited among others. of both UEFA Euro 2020 and Copa UEFA Euro 2020 and the Copa America The beIN Sports’ MAX channels will America 2021 tournaments, which will 2021 live and exclusively to its millions be the exclusive home in the MENA be hosted by Hichem Al Khalsi and of viewers and subscribers across the region of all this summer’s UEFA Euro broadcast from midnight Mecca Time. Middle East and North Africa (MENA), 2020 and Copa America 2021 action. Viewers and subscribers across the from in the west to Oman in The UEFA Euro 2020 will be available MENA region will be excited to see their the east – and every country in exclusively on beIN Sports’ MAX 1 and favourite South American national between. MAX 2 for coverage, MAX 3 for teams this year as beIN SPORTS will The UEFA Euro 2020, which kicks English coverage and MAX 4 for French broadcast the Copa America 2021 with off from 11 June until 11 July 2021, is the coverage. Copa America 2021 coverage dedicated English and Arabic studios second biggest international football will be available in Arabic and English and special guests on beIN Sports MAX competition after the FIFA World Cup. on MAX 5 and MAX 6. 5 and MAX 6. A total of 24 teams will compete The global sports channel will start beIN will also bring an incredible for the coveted trophy, including heav- with pre-UEFA Euro 2020 programs 15 hour live daily studio coverage yweights England, France, Germany, and shows from 6 June until 10 June as during the tournaments featuring Italy, Netherlands, and Spain. The all beIN Sports MAX channels will talents such as Mohammad Aboutrika, UEFA Euro 2020 will also be played in revisit classic matches and stories from Hatem Trabelsi, Ruud Gullit, Arsene 12 cities, including London’s Wembley previous tournaments. ‘beIN Teams’, Wenger and Marcel Desailly as well as Stadium, Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, a show that discusses the top six groups Gianfranco Zola, Peter Schmeichel, Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena, and of the tournament with analysts, will beIN presenters, commentators and 2020 gets underway at 13:00 Mecca Bacary Sagna, Julio Cesar, current Munich’s Allianz Arena. start from 21:00 Mecca Time (GMT +3). analysts testing their knowledge of the Time in brand new state of the art Aston Villa full back Ahmed Al The Copa America 2021, which was The entertainment show ‘The UEFA Euros – will follow from 22:00. studios on beIN Sports’ MENA channels Mohammadi, Nader Elsayed and Badr initially set to be hosted by Argentina Questions’ - which features Daily coverage of the UEFA Euro with the daily show Eldin Aledresi amongst others. Sport TUESDAY 8 JUNE 2021 18 Half of Japan thinks Games NBA: Leonard stars as Clippers beat will go ahead, poll shows Mavs in Game 7 REUTERS — TOKYO REUTERS — NEW YORK Half of the Japanese public think the 2020 Olympics will Kawhi Leonard scored 28 Los Angeles became the sixth take place this summer, a points with 10 rebounds as the team in NBA history to lose the survey by the Yomiuri daily Los Angeles Clippers used a first two games of a series at newspaper showed yesterday, balanced attack to defeat the home and still advance. despite most people opposing Dallas Mavericks 126-111 on holding the Games during the Sunday in Game 7 of their NBA COVID-19 pandemic. first-round play-off series. The Olympics have already Marcus Morris Sr. scored 23 scored 18 points with 10 been postponed by a year amid points and Paul George added rebounds and Kristaps Por- concerns over how organisers 22 points with 10 assists as the zingis added 16 points with 11 can keep volunteers, athletes, fourth-seeded Clippers rebounds for the Mavericks, officials and the Japanese public advanced to the second round who had two chances to close safe when they begin on July 23 to face the Utah Jazz. Los out the series. They lost at after a fourth wave of Angeles became the sixth team home 104-97 in Game 6 on infections. in NBA history to lose the first Friday. Opposition lawmakers two games of a series at home Trailing 81-76 with 6:53 grilled Prime Minister Yoshihide and still advance. remaining in the third quarter, Suga and cabinet ministers in Sunday’s game was the first the Clippers went on a 21-2 run parliament yesterday over the time in the series the home to take a 97-83 lead, pushing decision to press ahead with the team came out with the victory. the advantage to double digits event after several polls showed It was the first time in NBA for the first time in the game. Team Japan celebrates after qualifying for the2020 Tokyo Olympics Surfing during the ISA World the public was not in favour. history the road team won the They closed out the third Surfing Games 2021 at El Sunzal Beach in Tamanique, El Salvador. Top government officials first six games of a play-off quarter on an overall 24-4 run repeatedly said that the gov- series. to take a 100-85 advantage. ernment would continue to and to protect our people’s lives of them. I believe we have Luka Doncic scored 46 Doncic was intent on work on coronavirus measures and health, I think that is the already missed the opportunity points with 14 assists in his first getting to the second round for a “safe and secure” Games, premise of holding (the to cancel,” she wrote in an career Game 7 of a play-off when he scored 29 points in the and that a decision on domestic Olympics),” Suga told opinion piece for Kyodo news series but was unable to carry first half on 10-of-14 shooting, spectators would be made this lawmakers. agency. the Mavericks across the finish including 4 of 6 from 3-point month. In a Yomiuri survey conducted About 3,500 out of over line. Dallas lost to the Clippers range. But he had just six points “Taking infection control from June 4-6, 50% of 40,000 “city volunteers” in the first round for the second in the decisive third quarter measures for athletes and respondents said the Games recruited by regional govern- consecutive season. and did not make any of his Games officials so athletes from would happen this summer; ments for the Olympics have Dorian Finney-Smith 3-point attempts. the world can safely participate 26% said they would take place pulled out, NHK reported. That without spectators. Some 48% adds to 10,000 volunteers who said the event would be had already withdrawn, cancelled. according to the organisers. In a Yomiuri survey conducted But most of the respondents One of the top trending topics from June 4-6, 50% of in the same poll said virus on Twitter in Japan yesterday respondents said the Games measures for athletes and par- public viewing sites, Saitama was news of Tokyo police would happen this summer; ticipants were inadequate, governor Motohiro Ono said investigating a death on the while public support for the yesterday. Ono said prevention city’s subway, which media 26% said they would take place Suga administration hit its of infection was more important reports said involved a senior without spectators. Some 48% lowest level, at 37%. than excitement. official at the JOC. said the event would be Foreign spectators are Japanese Olympic Com- Private broadcaster Nippon cancelled. already prohibited from the mittee board member Kaori Television, citing metropolitan Olympics and Japanese may Yamaguchi, a judo bronze med- police sources, identified the also be kept away from what allist at the 1988 Seoul Games, person as someone who But most of the respondents in organisers promise will be a added to rancour around Japan worked in the JOC’s accounting the same poll said virus sanitised “bubble” event to min- when she said on Friday her department and said his death imise contagion risk. nation had been “cornered” into was being treated as a measures for athletes and Local authorities have pressing ahead with the Games suspected suicide. participants were inadequate, scaled down Olympic torch and accused the JOC of riding The police said they were while public support for the relay events and host towns for roughshod over public opinion. investigating, but did not elab- Suga administration hit its Olympic athletes changed their “What will these Olympics be orate. A JOC representative said lowest level, at 37%. minds. for and for whom? The Games the committee was collecting Saitama prefecture decided have already lost meaning and information, but did not give Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (left) and forward Kawhi to cancel its plan to install two are being held just for the sake details. Leonard react during the match against the Dallas Mavericks.