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Saturday, May 20, 2017 TENNIS Sha’baan 24, 1438 AH Sharapova faces GULF TIMES 10-match marathon to win Wimbledon SPORT Page 5 FOOTBALL / EMIR CUP Sadd fi rst to taste glory at new-look Khalifa stadium

Al Sadd players and off icials celebrate with the Emir Cup trophy after beating Al Rayyan in the final at the recently-renovated Khalifa International Stadium in yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and Shemeer Rasheed Wolves down Rayyan 2-1 to lift their 16th Emir Cup title

By Sports Reporter Doha

n the end, the wolf pack proved to be stronger than the lions. The fi rst-ever Emir Cup held at the new Khalifa International Stadium yes- Iterday saw Al Sadd defeat Al Rayyan 2-1 in a keenly-contested aff air. This his- toric fi nal, which was preceded by the inauguration of the stadium itself, was an action-packed aff air. And it took an injury-time goal for Sadd to win the trophy. Rayyan had taken the lead through Rodrigo Tabata in the 49th minute. Sadd drew level when Hassan al-Hay- dous converted a penalty in the 56th minute. And then in the 91st minute, Hamroun Jugurtha produced a great fi nish to ensure that it was his team’s Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira (centre) celebrates his team’s victory in the Emir Cup final yesterday. Al Sadd’s (right) with FIFA president Gianni Infantino (left) and Personal name on the trophy. Representative of HH the Emir HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani (centre). The 45th edition of the Emir Cup fi - In the ninth minute, a crucial save straight at Xavi’s feet but the Spaniard Al-Haydous calmly converted the pen- nal had promised to be a lively aff air be- from Rayyan keeper Oumar Barry denied hit straight at Rayyan keeper Barry. alty and Sadd were level. players produced moments of magic. could have scored the equaliser but he cause of the two teams involved. Both the opening goal. But after coming that close it was In the 61st minute, Rayyan coach The fi rst came from Xavi. The Sadd couldn’t connect properly inside the Sadd and Rayyan are known for their Sadd were starting to look more lethal. Rayyan who took the lead. Tabata got Michael Laudrup brought on key strik- skipper controlled the ball with a back box and the chance was wasted. attacking style of play. They also had But in the 14th minute it was Rayyan who the ball inside the box and though his er Sebastian Soria in place of Ahmed heel, took it forward with a header Sadd were the favourites coming into two of the biggest and loudest sets of could have taken the lead. Skipper Tabata fi rst shot was blocked by Sadd keeper Alaaeddine. And Rayyan could have and laid down a great through pass. this match and they proved their met- supporters in . And that was on delivered one of this trademark freekicks Saad al-Dosari, the Rayyan skipper was taken the lead in the 69th minute if not Jugurtha got to the end of it, ran down tle once again. They have secured a do- display yesterday. but it was just wide of the goal. able to dispatch the rebound into the for the brilliance of the Sadd keeper. the right fl ank, got past one defender mestic double with this triumph. They Right at the start itself, just three Things settled into stasis after this. back of the net. Rayyan fans were delir- Gonzalo Viera header looked like it was and then, as he was being pressurised had won the and now have minutes into the game Rayyan defender Both teams enjoyed a fair share of pos- ious at their team having taken the lead. going into the goal till al-Dosari pushed by Keder, fi red a great shot into the roof the prestigious Emir Cup against their Musaab Keder managed a strong run session but neither goalkeeper had The tempo of the game picked up af- the ball out just in time. of the net in the 91st minute. name. This is the second trophy for down the left fl ank but his eventual much to do. ter that with Sadd eager for the equal- In the 77th minute, Bounedjah had a Just minutes before the goal, Jugurtha Xavi and coach Jesualdo Ferreira. cross was poor. Three minutes later, The second half began with promise iser. And that came in the 56th minute. chance but his shot was defl ected over had pulled up in the fi eld and was going This is a win the Wolves will remem- Sadd had the ball inside the Rayyan goal for Sadd. Rayyan defender Mohamed Bounedjah was fouled inside the box the bar. to be substituted. But he carried on and ber for a long time to come, having be- but the goal was disallowed because of Abdalmtaal, in trying to head the ball and Italian referee Rocchi Gianluca had Then, just when it looked like the Sadd will be very thankful that he did. come the fi rst team to win a trophy at off -side. clear from inside the box, delivered it no hesitation in pointing to the spot. match would go into penalties, two In the 93rd minute, Sergio Garcia the new Khalifa International Stadium. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, May 20, 2017 FOOTBALL

Sights from the Emir Cup fi nal at Khalifa International Stadium

PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and Shemeer Rasheed

Al Sadd’s Hamroun Jugurtha celebrates his goal. Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata (left) in action against Al Sadd yesterday.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks to the media ahead of the Emir Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan. Gulf Times Saturday, May 20, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

EPL FOCUS Guardiola not keen on diving clampdown Four-goal Kane AFP they do for football.” Guar- Manchester, United Kingdom diola’s main frustration with referees this season is that, in his view, they are less likely to award ep Guardiola has fouls than offi cials in Spain and questioned the need Germany. to ban players for div- However, he also feels that ing, suggesting in- referees fi nd it increasingly helps Tottenham Pstead that it would be better to diffi cult to keep up with the concentrate on giving Premier fast pace of top-level football, League referees help by using and has suggested that they more video technology. need the assistance of video Guardiola believes referees technology. He said: “Sooner need more assistance from or later that is going to happen. television because they fi nd it The technology will help the diffi cult to keep up with play referees to be more fair about punish Leicester because the game is so quick. what happens in the game to The Football Association has make fewer mistakes because passed new rules to come into there are a lot of mistakes. ‘I am in the driving seat but there’s still one more game. I am not resting on my laurels’ force in England next season, “Football today is quicker, which will allow them to use it’s faster. Before referees arrive television evidence to sanction to see a situation, the players divers. Under the new set-up, a are much, much faster that’s panel will review footage each why they need technology.” money to examine cases of al- Guardiola, meanwhile, has leged diving, with suspensions warned Chelsea that City will to be given to any player unani- give them a much closer run mously found guilty. However, next season. The former Bar- Manchester City manager celona and Bayern Munich Guardiola, who has repeatedly manager has suff ered a frus- expressed reservations about trating fi rst year in England, the quality of offi ciating at and is destined to end a season Premier League matches this without a trophy for the fi rst season, has suggested that the time as a coach. football authorities should fo- His team go into tomorrow’s cus their attention elsewhere. fi nal Premier League match at Asked if he thought it was Watford lying 15 points behind necessary to tackle diving, Antonio Conte’s champions. Guardiola said: “No, because Guardiola believes too many everybody makes mistakes. Are home draws this season — we going to review the referees? seven in all — have stopped his No. It sometimes happens. team from mounting a proper “It doesn’t matter what I title challenge. He has called say. My infl uence and my opin- on his players to make sure ion don’t count. Whatever none of their rivals can pull they decide, we’re going to ac- away so easily next season. cept and we’re going to accept Guardiola said: “We were the bans and the cases. I think not in the title race until the diving is not the most impor- end. Normally the big teams tant thing to improve. There always fi ght until the end, and are many other things we can after that you can win or lose. improve. The referees, the ref- “In the Premier League, we erees they know everything. didn’t fi ght until the end for the They are the bosses in those results because two teams were terms. I adapt to the rules, the better than us and we dropped federation, FIFA, UEFA, what a lot of points at home.”

Wenger says Arsenal future to be decided end May Arsene Wenger says his at a board meeting. “One of future as Arsenal manager them is, of course, what is will likely be decided at the happening with the manager, club’s board meeting after the future, the players who Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane celebrates scoring his third goal, their fifth, during the English Premier League match against Leicester City in Leicester. (AFP) the May 27 FA Cup final. The have to come in, the renewal 67-year-old has just two of contracts. You don’t miss Reuters ed Hull City. curled in the fourth with a neat matches remaining before his problems in a board meeting. London “I wanted to get one or two low shot from 25 metres after Liverpool can attract top talent: Klopp contract expires but has yet “Of course I will be there. At goals at least and take it (the bat- some dazzling footwork. to announce publicly if he will the moment I think we should tle for the Golden Boot) to the The unstoppable Kane then Liverpool are a more attractive destination for top players than sign fresh terms to remain at focus on short term and what’s rampant Harry Kane fi nal game,” the England striker put the icing on the cake with a few years ago and clinching Champions League football for the north London club, where going on on Sunday and in netted four goals and told Sky Sports after fi ring Spurs more clinical fi nishing in the next season would be the “icing on the cake”, manager Juergen he has been in charge for 20 the cup final.” Wenger faces livewire Son Heung- ahead and rifl ing in a second half closing stages, condemning Klopp said yesterday. If Liverpool beat relegated Middlesbrough years. The Frenchman has an uphill task to continue Min scored twice as hat-trick. Leicester to their fi rst home de- at Anfield tomorrow they will finish at least fourth in the Premier been away questions a proud record of finishing TottenhamA Hotspur thrashed “I am in the driving seat but feat after fi ve successive wins as League and guarantee a Champions League qualifying spot, a feat over his future for the last inside the Premier League top Leicester City 6-1 in an action- there’s still one more game. I am Tottenham celebrated their 11th they have achieved only once in the past five campaigns. few months, but confirmed four in all of his full seasons at packed Premier League clash on not resting on my laurels but I win in the last 12 games. Klopp added that the way the team has evolved since he took a meeting held in the days the helm. Arsenal go into the Thursday. hope to get four more. Spurs manager Mauricio Poc- charge will also appeal to potential recruits. following the final against final round of league fixtures The match was a eff ectively a “Hopefully I can get the chetino heaped praise on Kane “This view has changed,” the German told a news conference, Chelsea — he will be looking in fifth, needing to beat dead rubber with Spurs already Golden Boot and hopefully (Tot- and stressed he was in no mood referring to Liverpool having limited options in recent transfer to win a record eighth FA Everton at home and hope assured of fi nishing second be- tenham goalkeeper) Hugo Lloris to sell him to potential bidders. windows partly due to the lack of Champions League football. Cup — will be when his fate either Liverpool or Manches- hind champions Chelsea but can get the Golden Glove (for the “He is great, he is one of the “We are a really interesting project.... The base is still there, still the is discussed. Asked when the ter City slip up to allow them Kane produced a superb indi- most clean sheets).” best strikers in the world,” said size and power of this club, and then there’s the players’ perspec- board meeting is scheduled to gatecrash the Champions vidual performance to go top of Son set up Kane for a 25th- the Argentine. “He will try to tive. And that’s really changed. “We feel this but they (potential for, Wenger replied: “I think it League places. the scoring chart as in-form Son minute opener and made it 2-0 keep going in the next game and signings) have to see it before they make a decision.” is after the FA Cup final.” After that, Wenger will pre- also impressed. with a fi rst-time shot on the try to fi nish in the best way. Klopp took charge in October 2015 and has made just two big When pushed on whether pare his players for a third FA Having taken his tally to 26 turn in the 36th minute as the “It is very clear we will keep money purchases so far, paying a reported 34 mn pounds ($44 that is when a decision on Cup final in five years. league goals to move above Ever- visitors dominated the opening the players we want to keep and mn) for Sadio Mane and 25 mn pounds for Georginio Wijnaldum, his future will be finalised, he A number of vocal Arsenal ton’s Romelu Lukaku (24) and half with some crisp passing. we will maybe sell the players we but plans for next season are already underway. said: “Yes. You have certainly supporters have been lead- Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez (23), Ben Chilwell pulled one back want to sell. We are so, so calm “We are working hard not only on the pitch,” he added. “We are a to know that there are many ing protests in recent weeks Kane vowed there would be no for Leicester after the break about our key players. They are club without financial problems. We have money to spend but we aspects of a football club against Wenger remaining in let-up in the fi nal game of the before Kane made it 3-1 with happy here, we have an exciting always thought it made sense to think before we spend. which have to be discussed charge beyond this season. season when Spurs visit relegat- a close-range header and Son project.”

SPOTLIGHT Conte plans fi tting farewell for ‘champion’ Terry

AFP season he has been very important to win Mourinho’s fi rst spell as boss in 2004-05 London this title. For this reason I think I have to and 2005-06. take my time and to make the best decision Cahill is in line to succeed Terry as cap- for him.” tain next season and Conte also said. Ca- ntonio Conte is planning a fi t- This season’s Premier League title was hill has led Chelsea for the majority of the ting farewell for John Terry as the Terry’s fi fth with Chelsea and he said follow- campaign with Terry, who is leaving the Chelsea legend prepares for his ing the Watford win that retirement was one club at the end of the season, starting only Stamford Bridge send-off against of the options he is considering. But Conte fi ve league games. ASunderland tomorrow. believes he can play on, with Bournemouth “Gary is our vice- this season. He Terry will leave Chelsea at the end of this and West Ham reported to be interested in his put the armband on every time John didn’t season and his last appearance at Stamford services. play,” Conte told reporters before his team Bridge, in a blue shirt at least, promises to “John has all the possibilities to continue host relegated Sunderland on Sunday. be an emotional experience for the defend- his career,” Conte said. “For sure, Gary has good prospects of er. The 36-year-old has hardly played for “We all know that he is preferring to play being captain, but now it’s important to Chelsea this season after losing his place, regularly and for this reason he has decided fi nish the season. but he started in the league for the fi rst time to leave. He wants to play regularly, every “To start to think about next season is since September in Monday’s 4-3 win over week. very dangerous because we have diff erent Watford. “I think he has the possibility to do this, targets still to reach.” He will lift the 15th major trophy of his because he’s still strong. I think in the mo- The Italian refused to dwell on signing career after the Sunderland match as Chel- ment I called him to play he showed this. a new contract at the club, saying Chelsea sea play the last game of their Premier When you arrive at this point of your career are focused on securing personal and col- League title-winning season before switch- it’s very important to feel yourself, to feel lective milestones up for grabs in the fi nal ing their attention to next weekend’s FA your body, to feel your mind, to feel if you two games of the season. Cup fi nal against Arsenal. Terry would love have still desire, still will to fi ght to arrive “We reached an important target, to win his 717th appearance to come from the start every day and work very hard. the league, and now on Sunday we have rather than the bench and Conte said: “John “If you feel this, it’s right to continue to two targets. To try to win the 30 games in is a champion and he deserves the best. play, to continue your career. John has all this league and then to help the goalkeep- “It will be a surprise. It’s impor- these characteristics.” er (Thibaut Courtois) to win the golden tant to make the best decision and to Victory for Chelsea over the relegated glove,” said Conte. “Then we have the FA fi nd the best solution for him, for his Black Cats would be a record 30th win in a Cup (fi nal) against Arsenal. Every single career. Premier League season, breaking their own player, the coaches and the manager, we Chelsea’s English defender John Terry (L) heads the ball during the English Premier League match against “He’s a legend for this club and in this mark from the fi rst two campaigns of Jose have the time to discuss with our club.” Watford at Stamford Bridge in London on May 15. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Saturday, May 20, 2017 FOOTBALL

SERIE A SPOTLIGHT Neymar left out of Brazil squad Secure scudetto now: for Argentina friendly

Reuters Treble-chasing Allegri Rio de Jameiro eymar and several other top Brazilian ‘We only need one more win. I want to see the stadium filled to the brim because it will be decisive’ players have been left out of the national squad for friendlies next month against Argentina and Australia, coach Tite said Non Friday, giving them a long summer break for AFP Rome the fi rst time since 2013. The Barcelona striker has played a major tournament every summer since the World Cup in 2014 and he, along with Liver- oach Massimiliano Allegri pool’s Roberto Firmino, who is suff ering from a has urged treble-chasing muscle strain, were left out Tite’s reformed squad. Juventus to settle nerves Regulars Marquinhos, Miranda, Marcelo and ahead of their Champions Dani Alves were also spared the trip Down Under. LeagueC fi nal with Real Madrid next In their place, Monaco centre back Jemerson month by securing the Serie A title, and Corinthians midfi elder Rodriguinho were and another league and Cup double, called up for the fi rst time. Shaktar striker Taison, on tomorrow. who has played just six minutes of international With only two Champions League football, was another surprise inclusion. titles to their name in eight at- David Luiz will return in defence and Gabriel tempts, the Turin giants are deter- Jesus was recalled after two months out injured mined to make amends for their 3-1 at Manchester City. Brazil will play Argentina on defeat to Barcelona in 2015 when June 9 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and face they face 11-time champions Real in the host nation at the same venue four days later. Cardiff on June 3. SQUAD Juventus took one step towards Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Valencia), Weverton a third successive league and Cup (Atletico-PR), Ederson (Benfica) Defenders: double on Wednesday with a com- David Luiz (Chelsea), Gil (Shandong Luneng), prehensive 2-0 Cup fi nal win over Jemerson (AS Monaco), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Lazio, Dani Alves and Leonardo Bo- Paulo), Thiago Silva (PSG), Alex Sandro (Juven- nucci on the mark for the champions tus), Fagner (Corinthians), Filipe Luis (Atletico during a formidable display at the Madrid), Rafinha (Bayern Munich) Midfielders: Stadio Olimpico. Fernandinho (Manchester City), Giuliano (Zenit), But Juve’s slip at Roma last week, Lucas Lima (Santos), Paulinho (Guangzhou Ever- where they looked jaded on their grande), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Renato way to a 3-1 reverse that has added Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Rodriguinho (Corinthi- unexpected spice to the season’s fi - ans), Willian (Chelsea) Forwards: Diego Souza nale, left a bitter taste in Allegri’s (Atletico-PR), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), mouth. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Taison (Shakhtar Given Juventus are facing relega- Donetsk). tion-threatened Crotone, the odds should be fi rmly in the hosts’ favour. But the Calabrians’ late-season German policewoman is fi rst eff orts to beat the drop — they are top-fl ight female referee currently one point from Empoli and the safety zone — has produced A 38-year-old German policewoman will next a turnaround in form in recent season become the first female referee in weeks. Europe’s top leagues after she was promoted to “We’ve claimed our fi rst trophy off iciate in the Bundesliga yesterday. of the season, now we want the sec- Bibiana Steinhaus has previously been a fourth ond,” Allegri said after seeing Juven- off icial for Bundesliga matches and although a tus become the fi rst Italian team to German FA (DFB) referee since 1999, she knows win three successive Cup fi nals, two the spotlight will be on her when she takes of which came under his watch. charge of a top-flight game. “For every referee, “Now, we want the second on whether a man or a woman, it is always a big Sunday against Crotone, who have goal to be able to whistle in the Bundesliga,” she taken 17 points from their last seven told DFB.de. Steinhaus, girlfriend of Englishman games. It will be a diffi cult match, so Howard Webb, 45, who refereed the 2010 World I want to see a clinical performance Cup final, said: “I have worked very hard for like tonight’s.” this in the last few years and suff ered a few set- Failure to do so could see Juve’s backs. “I was quite speechless when I got the chances of keeping their hopes of a call. On one hand it was confirmation after all treble, last achieved in Italy by Inter the hard work, but also a great incentive to keep Milan while under Jose Mourinho working. Of course, I am aware that I will be the in 2010, hinge on the fi nal day of first female referee in the Bundesliga and will be the season. Next weekend, Juve are Juventus’ coach Massimiliano Allegri kisses the trophy after winning the Italian Tim Cup final at the Olympic stadium in Rome on Wednesday. (AFP) closely watched by the media and the public,” away at Bologna, Roma host Genoa she added, having refereed 80 second-division and Napoli are at Sampdoria and Al- Strootman returns from a two- one point behind AC Milan and helm again but should leave inju- qualifying for the Europa League. games since 2007. legri added: “We only need one more game ban, for simulation, while a Europa League place, are miss- ry-hit captain Mauro Icardi on the “I am used to this pressure and am convinced I win, and we absolutely want to do it Dzeko, who leads the chase for the ing Spanish midfi elder Borja Valero bench in place of Eder. Fixtures (all times GMT) will find my feet quickly in the Bundesliga. on Sunday. top scorer’s ‘Capocannoniere’ award through suspension. At the San Siro last week, the Today “I don’t seek out public attention and my col- “I want to see the stadium fi lled to on 27 goals — two ahead of Andrea Lazio have already qualifi ed for entire ‘Curva Nord’ section which Chievo v Roma (1600), Napoli v leagues know me well enough to know that.” the brim because it will be decisive.” Belotti (Torino) and Dries Mertens the Europe League but welcome em- houses Inter’s ‘ultras’ left the sta- Fiorentina (1845) Her role as a police off icer means Steinhaus is Roma, only four points off the (Napoli) — trained this week follow- battled Inter Milan looking to make dium after 25 minutes of a shock 2-1 Tomorrow well used to giving clear instructions in a no- pace, travel to Chievo for Saturday’s ing his recovery from a calf injury. amends for their midweek Cup loss loss to Sassuolo “to have lunch” — Empoli v Atalanta, Genoa v Torino, nonsense manner. early game looking to keep the pres- Napoli, in third at one point be- with victory in their fi nal home according to a banner they left be- Juventus v Crotone, AC Milan v Bo- “My style during a game is characterised by sure on and buoyed by the return of hind Roma, host Fiorentina in Sat- game of the season. hind — to protest Inter’s dire season. logna, Sassuolo v Cagliari, Udinese intensive communication,” she said. Dutch midfi elder Kevin Strootman urday’s late fi xture a week after a 5-0 Less than two weeks after Ste- Sitting four points behind city v Sampdoria (all 1300), Lazio v Inter “I like to give an early indication of what I ex- and trophy-chasing striker Edin rout at Torino. fano Pioli was sacked by Inter, youth rivals Milan, the Nerazzurri need Milan (1845) Monday Pescara v pect and set the players good guidelines.” Dzeko. Fiorentina, in seventh and only team coach Stefano Vecchi is at the to beat Lazio to have any chance of Palermo (1845)

LIGUE 1 COMMENT ‘Could not snub Marseille eye European return ‘dream’ Argentina job’

AFP points, six ahead of PSG. They Reuters Paris can match the capital club’s sin- Madrid gle-season record of 30 wins in Saturday’s fi nal game at Rennes. ith Monaco, PSG, Monaco CEO Vadim Vasi- evilla coach Jorge Sampaoli said yesterday a fi rm off er to Nice and Lyon lyev said Thursday the club’s coach Argentina would be too tempting to turn down, guaranteed to fi n- main objective however was to adding negotiations between his native country and the ish in the top four keep 18-year-old striker Kylian La Liga club were well advanced. Win France’s Ligue 1, the remain- Mbappe who has scored 26 goals. SThe Argentine FA, which sacked Edgardo Bauza in April af- ing point of interest is between Keeping Ligue 1 Coach of the ter just eight games in charge, have identifi ed Sampaoli as their Marseille and Bordeaux, bidding Year Leonardo Jardim may also choice to take over the national team and revitalise a faltering for the fi nal Europa League spot. be a challenge. 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. Champions Monaco and run- “Leonardo Jardim is the per- The South American heavyweights sit fi fth in their group and, ners up PSG are in the Champi- fect coach for our project,” Vasi- with just four matches left to play, are in danger of missing out ons League group phase, Nice lyev told CNN this week. “We’ve on a place in Russia. in the third qualifying round, done all this together.” “My dream from a young age has been to manage my national Lyon are in the Europa League PSG host Caen on Saturday team... My country has the clear intention of off ering me the while a point separates fi fth- with nothing to play for after job,” Sampaoli told a news conference. placed Marseille and Bordeaux in their Champions League defeat Emphasising he had yet to sign a contract, he added: “I’d only sixth. to Barcelona and getting pipped leave here if it were to go and take over my country. It is an off er Marseille have been regal- to the Ligue 1 title. that I would not be able to refuse.” vanized since being bought by Their Brazilian full-back Sampaoli interrupted a long career in South America after American businessman Frank Maxwell admitted the club was coaching Chile to the 2015 Copa America trophy and, in his only McCourt last October as new hurting on Thursday. “You have season in European soccer, has taken Sevilla to fourth place in coach Rudi Garcia has brought to congratulate them (Monaco). the league, their best showing since 2010. a sense of purpose to a team who Our start to the season penalised He also steered the club to the last 16 of the Champions League drew 1-1 with Bordeaux in their Marseille’s French forward Bafetimbi Gomis (left) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammate Florian us. What hurt us most was the for the fi rst time since 2010. penultimate game last week. Thauvin during the French L1 match against Bordeaux in Bordeaux on Sunday. (AFP) defeat in Barcelona. It still hurts But they were eliminated in an under-par 3-2 aggregate de- “There are no calculations today,” he said. feat to England’s Leicester City, part of a late-season run that necessary, we need to win our last the players since the Bordeaux misses out through suspension, themselves off bottom spot a brought just three wins in 13 games and saw them surrender match and hope Marseille slip game, we need to fi nish the job. but Florian Thauvan goes into month ago. They are now in the Today (1900 GMT) third place in the league to Atletico Madrid. up,” Bordeaux midfi elder You- Bastia will do us no favours,” he the game boosted by a France in- third-bottom spot which off ers a Angers v Montpellier, Guingamp “This situation is something that is getting resolved now, not nousse Sankharé said. Marseille said. “But we are fi fth, and if we ternational recall. home and away play off with the v Metz, Lille v Nantes, Lorient v earlier because we had a lot to play for. We can now talk about take on second bottom Bastia but qualify for the Europa League Bordeaux also host a relega- third placed side in Ligue 2. Bordeaux, Lyon v Nice, Marseille (Argentina)... because we achieved our objectives, but it’s not in Marseille coach Garcia has no this will be a totally unexpected tion threatened side in Lorient, Monaco won the title Wednes- v Bastia, Nancy v Saint Etienne, my hands,” Sampaoli said. sympathy for the Corsicans. turnaround.” who are looking to pull off a last- day when an 11th straight league PSG v Caen, Rennes v Monaco, “If they don’t sort things out then I won’t be going anywhere. “I’ve been hammering it into Star striker Dimitri Payet weekend escape after dragging victory bumped them up to 92 Toulouse v Dijon. I’m not leaving them for another club.” Gulf Times Saturday, May 20, 2017 5 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Sharapova faces Nadal targets French 10-match marathon to win Wimbledon Reuters decision takes the heat off the London Wimbledon wildcard commit- tee which meets on June 20 and Open aft er shock could technically still off er her aria Sharapova will automatic entry into the main probably have to win draw. 10 matches to claim However, in light of the deci- a second Wimbledon sion of French Tennis Federa- Mtitle this year after deciding yes- tion (FFT) on Tuesday to snub terday not to request a wildcard Sharapova for a French Open defeat to Thiem for the championships. wildcard, they would have been The 30-year-old returned under pressure to follow suit. from a 15-month doping ban last Sharapova was initially banned ‘Tomorrow I’ll be in Mallorca fishing or playing golf. I’m going to rest a little bit’ month and has failed to gain a for two years after testing posi- high enough ranking for auto- tive for then newly-banned heart matic entry into the 128-strong condition drug meldonium at the main draw. 2016 Australian Open. The Court Set to enter the top 200 on of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) re- Monday, however, she is eligible duced the sanction to 15 months, to play in the qualifying event saying she was not an “inten- the week before in Roehampton, tional doper”. where she would need to sur- The U.S.-based player called vive three rounds just to take her her punishment “unfairly harsh” place in round one at the All Eng- saying she had not realised mel- land Club. Russian Sharapova, donium, a product she had used the 2004 champion and former legally for much of her career, world number one, announced had been added to the World the news on her website. Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) “Because of my improved banned list. Her comeback ranking after the fi rst three tour- has been aided by wildcards in naments of my return, I will also Stuttgart, where she reached the be playing...in Roehampton, and semi-fi nals, Madrid and Rome. will not be requesting a wild- Several players have voiced card,” said Sharapova, who has their disapproval at Sharapova’s received a wildcard for the Wim- return, most noticeably Cana- bledon warmup event in Bir- da’s Eugenie Bouchard who said mingham. Sharapova should have been Sharapova could have secured banned for life, calling her a a place in the Wimbledon main “cheater”. Bouchard beat Shara- draw by right had she reached the pova in Madrid. Sharapova will semi-fi nals at the Italian Open in have to break new ground if she Rome, but she withdrew injured is to win Wimbledon this year as during a second round match no qualifi er has won the women’s against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. singles title. American Alexandra “I have already started getting Stevenson came closest when she treatment on the injury I sus- reached the semi-fi nal in 1999 tained a few days ago in Rome, before losing to Lindsay Daven- and will begin my preparation as port. John McEnroe reached the soon I get better,” the fi ve-times men’s singles semi-fi nals as a grand slam champion said. Her qualifi er in 1977.

Russia’s Maria Sharapova. (AFP)

Austria’s Dominic Thiem celebrates after defeating Spain’s Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters at the Foro Italico in Rome yesterday. (AFP)

AFP going to rest a little bit, I think I deserve all aspects. He played long, he played very HALEP TO MEET BERTENS IN SEMIS Rome it,” said Nadal. “Then from Monday and aggressive, hitting the ball very strong In the women’s, Romanian sixth seed Tuesday I will start to prepare for Ro- with high intensity. Simona Halep and Dutchwoman Kiki land Garros. It’s an important event for “In general I was not able to push him Bertens will face off in the semi-fi nals afael Nadal will set his sights me. If you do things well, you have more back. He got a lot of points, maximum, after coming through their respective on winning a 10th French Open chances in Roland Garros. I hope to play more times than me. And that’s the key quarter-fi nal matches. title, after a day of “fi shing or my best tennis in Roland Garros.” of this game. It’s obvious I didn’t play my Halep surged into the last four for the golf”, following his shock defeat Nadal, given a fi rst round bye, played best match.” Nadal suggested the intensi- third time after a 6-2, 6-4 win over Es- toR Dominic Thiem in the Rome Masters only three games of his second round ty of a clay court season that has seen him tonian qualifi er Anett Kontaveit. Halep, quarter-fi nals yesterday. Nadal, a former match with Nicolas Almagro before his play his best tennis on the surface for the who reached the French Open fi nal in seven-time champion in the Italian capi- unseeded compatriot retired injured past two years had been to blame. “I’ve 2014, now meets Bertens after the 15th tal, had dominated the Austrian to win on Wednesday. The 30-year-old made been playing a lot. It’s diffi cult, every day. seed, ranked 20th in the world, ousted the Madrid Masters fi nal last week. amends for his comparative lack of play- Madrid then Rome back-to-back, after Australian qualifi er Daria Gavrilova 6-3, But the Spanish fourth seed had no an- ing time with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Ameri- Barcelona. It’s not easy playing every day 6-3. American Venus Williams, seeded swer to the eighth seed’s aggressive ap- can Jack Sock on Thursday. for the last four weeks.” ninth, faces Spanish third seed Garbine Murray, Wawrinka will be ready proach and impressive range of shots on But from the outset against Thiem, Rising German star Alexander Zver- Muguruza for a place in the last four, a shocked centre court as Thiem raced to Nadal looked in trouble. The Austrian’s ev earlier reached the semi-fi nal with while Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, seeded at French Open: Djokovic a 6-4, 6-3 victory in 1 hout 51 minutes, serve, precision and movement were near a 7-6(4), 6-1 defeat of world number eighth, faces Czech second seed Karolina Rome: World number two Novak Djokovic expects Stan Wawrinka ending Nadal’s 17-match winning run. fl awless and soon had Nadal hitting shots six Milos Raonic. Zverev, 20, will face Pliskova. and Andy Murray to lift their game at the French Open despite fail- Thiem will now meet the winner of the wide of the mark. As the centre court John Isner for a place in the fi nal after ing to make an impact so far in the clay court season. quarter-fi nal clash between four-time crowd steadily got behind the 23-year- the American beat Croatian Marin Cilic QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS Murray lost to Fabio Fognini earlier this week in the second round winner Novak Djokovic, seeded second, old upstart, Nadal’s confi dence waned. 7-6(3), 2-6 7-6(2). Men: Dominic Thiem (AUT x8) bt Rafael of the Italian Open, while Wawrinka became the latest high-profile and unseeded Argentinian Juan Martin Before the two-hour mark, Thiem “It’s another stepping stone in my ca- Nadal (ESP x4) 6-4, 6-3; Alexander Zverev casualty at the event after suff ering a straight sets defeat to del Potro. Nadal, meanwhile, said he in- avenged his Madrid Masters defeat, reer,” Zverev said. “I feel like I have played (GER x16) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x5) 7-6 (7/4), American John Isner on Thursday. Djokovic is wary of the threat tends to have a free weekend before ram- breaking Nadal in their fi nal game when very well today. I returned very well. So 6-1; John Isner (USA) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x6) Wawrinka poses at Roland Garros having lost to the Swiss in the ping up his preparations for Roland Gar- the Spaniard hit a wayward return. “I I’m happy to be in the semis and play- 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 7-6 (7/2) final two years ago. ros from Monday. didn’t play very well,” added Nadal. “I ing John tomorrow, who I know very well Women: Kiki Bertens (NED x15) bt Daria He also expects Briton Murray to be ready despite five victories “Tomorrow I’ll be in Mallorca fi sh- want to congratulate him because he was from our Saddlebrook (Florida) days. It’s Gavrilova (AUS) 6-3, 6-3; Simona Halep (ROM from his last 10 matches. ing or playing golf, or another thing. I’m better than me this afternoon. Great, in going to be a great match.” x 6) bt Anett Kontaveit (EST) 6-2, 6-4

CYCLING QATAR SUPER STOCK 600 Gaviria wins again to continue stunning Giro d’Italia debut Reuters Tortona, Italy

olombia’s Fernando Gaviria contin- ued to take the Giro d’Italia by storm when he timed his sprint to perfec- tion to win the 13th stage yesterday, takingC his tally to four victories in the race. The Quick Step-Floors rider came from no- where at the end of the 167km stage from Reggio Emilia to Tortona to blast through a gap and cross the line fi rst. Mashel al-Naimi (pictured) was the fastest in Free Practice 1 of Qatar Super Stock 600 at the Gaviria, making his Grand Tour debut, also Losail International Circuit yesterday. In FP2, Saeed al-Sulaiti was the fastest. The sixth and final won the third, fi fth and 12th stages and leads round will be held today. the points classifi cation. He became the fi rst Colombian to win four stages at the same Giro. Dutchman Tom Dumoulin (Team Sun- web) retained the overall leader’s pink jersey Colombian Fernando Gaviria, of the Quick Step team, celebrates as he crosses the finish line after arriving safely in the peloton. to win the 13th stage of the 100th Giro d’Italia cycling race in Tortona, Italy. (AFP) RESULTS FROM THE 13TH STAGE 1. Fernando Gaviria (COL/QST) 3hr 47min 45sec, duel with overall leader Rafal Majka to claim by 25 seconds while Talansky is fourth in the 2. Sam Bennett (IRL/BOR) same time, 3. Jasper the fi fth stage at the Tour of California. overall standings, 44 seconds off the lead. Stuyven (BEL/TRE) s.t., 4. Roberto Ferrari (ITA/ Facing a challenging climb up Mount Baldy, RESULTS UAE) s.t., 5. Ryan Gibbons (RSA/DDD) s.t., 6. Ru- the two cyclists separated themselves in the 1. Andrew Talansky (U.S./ Cannondale) 3:43:15” 2. diger Selig (GER/BOR) s.t., 7. Sacha Modolo (ITA/ fi nal stretch where Talansky moved in front Rafal Majka (Poland / BORA) ST 3. George Ben- UAE) s.t., 8. Caleb Ewan (AUS/ORI) s.t., 9 Andre on the fi nal left-hand corner to earn the win nett (New Zealand / LottoNL) +2” 4. Ian Boswell Greipel (GER/LOT) s.t., 10. Viacheslav Kuznetsov for his Cannondale Drapac team. Pole Majka, (U.S./ Team Sky) +5” 5. Brent Bookwalter (U.S./ (RUS/KAT) s.t. riding for Bora-Hansgrohe, will take a six- BMC Racing) +8” 6. Sam Oomen (Netherlands second lead over Lotto NL-Jumbo’s George / Sunweb) +20” 7. Lachlan Morton (Australia / In the Qatar Touring Cars Championship, Abdullah al-Khelaifi was the second fastest and with TALANSKY WINS STAGE FIVE, Bennett into Friday’s 15-mile individual time Dimension Data) +27” 8. Tao Geoghegan Hart that he secured the championship. Al-Khelaifi now has 154 points and second placed Mansour al- MAJKA RETAINS OVERALL LEAD trial at Big Bear Lake. Team Sky’s Ian Boswell, (Britain / Team Sky) +40” 9. Robert Gesink (Neth- Hajri has 124 points meaning that he cannot overtake Al-Khelaifi today in the final round of races. American Andrew Talansky prevailed in a who fi nished the stage fourth, trails Majka erlands / LottoNL) 10. Sepp Kuss (U.S./ Rally) +56” Gulf Times 6 Saturday, May 20, 2017 SPORT

FOCUS MLB Martinez sets up Tigers WADA could lift victory over Orioles Agencies New York

ictor Martinez hit a go- ahead, two-run homer in his Russia anti-doping fi nal game of the week, and JD Martinez supplied a three- Vrun blast as the Detroit Tigers edged the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 on Thursday ‘There is a huge amount of afternoon. Victor Martinez’s long ball in the work being done’ fi fth erased a 4-3 defi cit. Manager Brad suspension Ausmus said Victor Martinez would be placed on the paternity list after AFP the game and miss the weekend series Montreal against the Texas Rangers. He will re- 10th home run with Drew Butera and turn to Orlando, Florida, for the birth Alcides Escobar aboard in the fi fth off of his fourth child. rookie Jordan Montgomery (2-3). It was orld Anti-Doping Agency J.D. Martinez’s homer was his third just Moustakas’ second homer off a president Craig Reedie of the three-game series, as the Tigers left-hander this season. said Thursday the body took two out of three from the Orioles. could lift its suspension Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Seth RESULTS Wof Russia’s drug-testing authority Smith homered for the Orioles. Tigers 6, Orioles 5 later this year after nearly two years on Danny Duff y picked up first vic- Royals 5, Yankees 1 the blacklist. tory since April 14, and Mike Moustakas Pirates 10, Nationals 4 The Russian Anti-Doping Agency belted a three-run homer as Kansas City Rockies 5, Twins 1 (Game 1) (RUSADA) has been suspended since Royals defeated New York Yankees 5-1. Twins 2, Rockies 0 (Game 2) 2015 in the wake of the report by Rich- Duff y struck out a season-high 10 over Rangers 8, Phillies 4 ard McLaren which uncovered wide- seven scoreless innings. He gave up only Cubs 9, Reds 5 spread doping in Russian sport. three singles — one was a bunt — and Brewers 4, Padres 2 Reedie however said RUSADA had threw 69 of 108 pitches for strikes. Duff y Blue Jays 9, Braves 0 taken concrete steps to clean up its (3-3) had been 0-3 with two no-deci- Athletics 8, Red Sox 3 image and could resume testing next sions in his previous fi ve starts. Mariners 5, White Sox 4 month based on compliance criteria Moustakas hit his team-leading Dodgers 7, Marlins 2 requested by WADA. “There is a huge amount of work being done,” Reedie told a press con- NHL ference following WADA’s Foundation Board meeting. “The board decided if we receive, and I’m sure we will, the necessary infor- Perry pots winner, mation... that the Russian anti-doping agency would be able to resume its test- ing program,” Reedie added. Ducks level series 2-2 Russia’s commitment to comply with WADA’s demanded improve- AFP ments was called into question by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Craig Reedie (centre) and director general Olivier Nigli (left) speak at a press Los Angeles appointment of former pole vault star conference in Montreal on Thursday. (AFP) Yelena Isinbayeva as head of the su- pervisory board of RUSADA last De- testing program,” Reedie said, adding against drugs. a step in the right direction. orey Perry scored his third cember. that RUSADA could resume its work The body would “allow greater ef- “For clean athletes, this is the fi rst overtime winner of the 2017 Isinbayeva had been sharply criti- “hopefully” in early June. fi ciency to ensure that tests improve,” glimmer of hope after months of postseason to lift the Ana- cal of the McLaren report, claiming it In a separate development Thursday, Fourneyron said. pushing for reform,” Tygart said in a heim Ducks to a 3-2 win over unfairly targeted Russia in what she WADA announced the creation of a new However, Fourneyron conceded that statement to AFP. theC Nashville Predators in game four of described as a “political act.” independent testing body but admitted international sports federations could “The devil will be in the details, of their NHL playoff series. McLaren’s report had uncovered it could not compel sports federations to choose whether or not to come under course, but it’s an improvement on the Perry fi red a shot from the far boards vast evidence of doping across Rus- come under its authority. the jurisdiction of the testing body. status quo.” towards the goal and it appeared to de- sian sport which took place with the “It is not legally possible to force Fourneyron said the ITA’s board of fl ect off the stick of Predators defense- connivance of RUSADA. ‘GLIMMER OF HOPE’ them to join,” Fourneyron said. directors would comprise fi ve mem- man P K Subban to give Anaheim the The scandal led to Russian track The International Olympic Commit- It means that powerful sports federa- bers — a chairman, an IOC represent- win and a 2-2 tie in the Western Con- diffi cult than it had to be as they blew a and field athletes being barred from tee (IOC) has backed the plan for an tions which already have their own test- ative, a representative from an inter- ference fi nals series. two goal lead in the third period by al- the Rio Olympics last year follow- independent testing authority (ITA) ing regimes may choose not to join. national federation, an athlete and a “Our of the corner of my eye I saw lowing the Predators to tie it with just ing a ban from the International As- and said it would be operational in Nevertheless the announcement doping expert. Nate (Thompson) come from bench so 35 seconds remaining in regulation in sociation of Athletics Federations time for the 2018 Winter Olympics in was welcomed by representatives of A WADA representative will sit on I just threw the puck towards the net. front of a crowd of 17,000 at Bridge- (IAAF). Pyeongchang, South Korea. the anti-doping establishment. the ITA board but purely in an advi- It hit someone and went into the net,” stone Arena. “What has been done at this stage Valerie Fourneyron, chairman of Travis Tygart, the chief executive of sory capacity without voting rights. said Perry. Perry said the Ducks have a list of is really important and I am grateful WADA’s Medical Committee, headed the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) The director general of the agency Perry, who is coming off one his worst qualities each player must possess to to the Foundation Board for provid- a working group to study the creation and a long-time advocate of a fully would be appointed by the board of di- regular seasons of his all-star career, has be successful and overcoming hardship ing, subject to Russia’s roadmap, its of the new testing agency. She said it independent, properly funded global rectors and funding would be provided now scored overtime goals in all three of is chief. “We have a list we go through green light for the resumption of the was a “piece of the puzzle” in the fi ght drug-testing body, said the move was by the IOC. the Ducks playoff series and now has four every single day. Adversity is one of goals and 11 points in 14 games. them,” Perry said. “You can’t sit back Game 5 is today in Anaheim. and play it safe and hope to win. Not in GOLF Once again the Ducks made it more this league.” Barnes, Hahn share early lead at Byron Nelson LPGA KINGSMILL CHAMPIONSHIP

AFP “I played solid, kept the hole in Birdie binge puts Dallas, Texas front of me even though I didn’t hit many fairways,” Barnes said. Johnson two-putted from 90 feet Thompson on top ames Hahn fi red a bogey free on the 18th hole to stay a part of his six-under 64 to take a share group. AFP Lydia Ko, trying to hang onto the world of the lead with fellow Ameri- “I felt like I hit a lot of good shots Washington number one ranking, shared fi fth on 67 can Ricky Barnes after the fi rst and ended up in really bad spots due with Australia’s Sarah Jane Smith and Jround of the USPGA Tour’s Byron Nel- to the wind conditions blowing re- Italy’s Giulia Molinaro. son tournament on Thursday. ally hard and it’s gusty, which made it merican Lexi Thompson fi red Thompson, who started on the back Hahn, who is seeking his third win on tough,” Johnson said. a six-under-par 65 Thursday nine, birdied the par-4 11th and made her the Tour, tallied six birdies with no bo- “It was tough to judge the distance, to grab a one-stroke lead af- lone bogey of the round at the par-3 17th. geys at the Four Seasons Resort course. tough putting, tough all around.” ter the opening round of the She answered with a birdie on the Matt Kuchar, Jhonattan Vegas of World No. 6 Jordan Spieth and LPGAA Kingsmill Championship at Wil- fi rst hole, her second nine of the round, Venezuela, Jason Kokrak and Cameron fourth-ranked Jason Day of Australia liamsburg, Virginia. then ran off her birdie binge starting at Tringale are two strokes back after headlined a list of 12 players at 68. The 22-year-old US star made a run of the par-5 third and ending at the par-5 carding 66s. fi ve birdies in a row on her second nine of seventh. Thompson hit 17 of 18 greens World number one Dustin Johnson, LEADING ROUND I SCORES the day to stand one stroke ahead of three in regulation. She only missed hitting Bud Cauley, Brooks Koepka, John Huh, 64 - James Hahn (USA), Ricky Barnes compatriots — Gerina Piller, Brittany the green on No. 12. Sean O’Hair, Ryan Armour and Peter 2016 Wells Fargo Championship, “I had a great conversation with my (USA) Lincicome and Angel Yin. Thompson is playing in her third Malnati were tied for seventh after found the fairway on 12 of 14 chances caddy on almost every hole trying to 66 - Matt Kuchar (USA), Jhonattan “The second nine was pretty crazy,” tournament since losing a playoff in the shooting 67s. and hit all but one green in regulation. leave ourselves the best opportunity Vegas (VEN), Jason Kokrak (USA), said Thompson, who arrived on the fi rst ANA Inspiration for being penalised Scores in the afternoon averaged “It’s playing tough out there,” for a birdie.” Cameron Tringale (USA) tee for Wednesday’s pro-am by para- four strokes for a rules violation spot- more than two strokes higher than Hahn said. “You know, once you start Barnes, the 2002 US Amateur 67 - Bud Cauley (USA), Brooks Koepka chuting out of an airplane. “I hit some ted by a person watching the tourna- the morning group, as winds swirled counting up your strokes in the middle champion, went on an up-and-down (USA), John Huh (USA), Sean O’Hair great shots and rolled a few good putts, so ment on television. around the Texas course. of the round it’s kind of when things go ride, as his scorecard featured eight (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Peter (it) defi nitely helps out my confi dence.” Ko posted fi ve birdies and one bogey Hahn, whose last win was at the haywire. birdies and two bogeys. Malnati (USA), Ryan Armour (USA) South Korean-born New Zealander in the opening round.

Centrowitz dominates have a four-time Olympic champion bidding procedure for the Olympic division Bardiani, one of four “wild- Russell defends but can line them all up in the same night in front of you, you know it’s going to Winter Games in 2026. The group “has card” invitations to the 100th edition, if you want.” Farah in 1,500m be tough. It’s the first time I beat him. been tasked with exploring how to were stunned on the eve of the start in eyes Selby, Santa Cruz It is good for the confidence.” Brenda make the candidature procedure more Sardinia earlier this month following American Matthew Centrowitz, the Martinez, the 800-meter world cham- proactive, more collaborative and less news the riders had tested positive US southpaw Gary Russell defends his Crawford defends title 1,500 meter Olympic champion at the pion in 2013, won her race one minute, expensive in the future”, the IOC said. for growth hormones. They were im- World Boxing Council featherweight in Garden debut Rio Games, dominated Britain’s Mo Fa- 58.78 seconds, the fourth best time of Los Angeles and Paris are the two bid- mediately thrown off the race and now crown today against Colombia’s Oscar rah, the undisputed king of the 5,000 the year. ding cities for the 2024 Games, with face the sack after their “B” samples Escandon but is looking at rival cham- Unbeaten double world junior welter- and 10,000 metres, at the USATF Dis- both preferring to host the Olympics also tested positive for the perform- pions Lee Selby of Britain and Leo San- weight champion Terence Crawford tance Classic meet in Los Angeles on then. According to sources, the 95 ance enhancer. “With regards to the ta Cruz. Russell, 27-1 with 16 knockouts, defends his crowns against former Thursday night. The 27-year-old Cen- IOC meet in June on IOC members who meet in Lima in off icial communication received from enters the ring before a hometown Olympic champion Felix Diaz today at trowitz won the 1,500m race in a time 2024-28 candidature September could be asked to vote the UCI that confirms the positivity of crowd in suburban Washington after New York’s Madison Square Garden. of three minutes, 33.41 seconds over on hosts for both the 2024 and 2028 the analysis of B samples belonging taking the title by stopping Mexico’s Crawford, 30-0 with 21 knockouts, will Farah, who clocked a 3:34.19. American The executive board of the Interna- Games. to Stefano Pirazzi and Nicola Ruff oni, Jhonny Gonzalez in 2015 and retaining try to retain the World Boxing Council Christopher O’Hare finished third in tional Olympic Committee (IOC) will Bardiani CSF Pro Cycling announces it in April 2016 by stopping Mexico’s and World Boxing Organization titles 3:34.35. Despite winning the marquee meet next month to ponder whether it the start of proceedings to dismiss Patrick Hyland. But also on his mind by dispatching Diaz, 19-1 with nine matchup against his training partner is feasible to award the 2024 and 2028 Italian pair face sack both athletes, in accordance with the is trying to unify titles against one knockouts. “This is a really big fight to Farah, who holds the Olympic and Olympic Games when it meets in Lima for doping: team team’s ethics charter and the contract of his major rival champions, such me,” Crawford said. “Diaz is a worthy world titles in the 5,000 and 10,000, in September. A working group con- signed by all riders on the team,” said as Mexico’s Santa Cruz, 33-1-1 with 18 challenger and you can’t bring just any Centrowitz failed to improve on the sisting of the four IOC vice-presidents Disgraced Italians Stefano Pirazzi and a team statement yesterday. “Bardiani knockouts, or Welshman Selby, 24-1 fight to the Garden.” A victory could world’s best performance of the year will deliver two reports on June 9 Nicola Ruff oni face the sack by their reserves the right to proceed with with nine knockouts and on a 20-fight set up Crawford for a showdown with which is held by Kenyan Elijah Motonei looking into the candidature process, Bardiani team after confirmation of legal action against Pirazzi and Ruff oni win streak. “I want a unification bout Namibia’s Julius Indongo, 22-0 with Manangoi (3:31.90). “I am happy with one on the 2024 and 2028 Olympics positive doping tests that saw the pair to protect the image of the team and after this,” Russell said. “I’m ready for 11 knockouts, to create an undisputed my time,” said Centrowitz. “When you and a second on the reform of the thrown out of the Giro d’Italia. Second- its sponsor.” any of the other world champions. We champion in the 140-pound division. Gulf Times Saturday, May 20, 2017 7 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT Mumbai storm into IPL fi nal aft er easy win over Kolkata Sharma and Bumrah pick up their best T20 figures on the same day, combining to take 7 for 23

IANS Bengaluru

runal Pandya’s unbeaten 30-ball 45 and leg-spinner Karn Sharma took four to help record a facile six-wicket win over KKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Pre- mier League (IPL) second qualifi er clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium yesterday. Mumbai, who fi nished on 111/4 in 14.3 overs, will now take on Steve Smith’s Rising Pune Supergiant in the fi nal on Sunday. Chasing just 108, Krunal joined hands with skipper Rohit Sharma for a 54-run fourth wicket stand to steady Mumbai’s ship after early hic- cups which left them on 34/3 at one stage. Ro- hit (26) gave away his wicket cheaply, picking out Ankit Rajpoot at deep square leg off Nathan Coulter-Nile’s . KKR caused a fl utter among Mumbai ranks scalping three wickets inside the fi rst six overs. (2/34) was at the forefront of the early demolition, sending the dangerous Lendl Simmons (3) and Ambati Rayudu (6) back in the hut with a googly and a peach of a delivery re- spectively which beat Rayudu all ends up. At the end of Powerplay, Mumbai were in a spot of bother at 36/3. But once Rohit and Kru- nal saw off the initial few overs, it was Mumbai all the way as the latter played the role of ag- gressor with deft fours and lusty sixes to infl ict a 16th defeat on their rivals in the two sides’ 21st meeting. Krunal’s innings was laced with eight fours and no six. With him at the crease was Keiron Pollard ( 9) when Krunal hit the winning runs. Earlier, Mumbai leg-spinner Karn Sharma took four wickets to bowl out KKR for a paltry 107 in 18.5 overs. Karn (4/16) was brilliant on the Mumbai Indians leg-spinner Karn Sharma (third left) celebrates with teammates after dismissing batsman Colin de Grandhomme during the IPL Qualifier in Bangalore. (AFP) night taking the wickets of (10), Gautam Gambhir (12), Colin de Grandhomme ish delivery which the explosive Australian tried son (2/28) and Lasith Malinga (1/24), cut loose playing against the turn off Karn for Hardik their stand was broken by the excellent Karn, (0) and Ishank Jaggi (28) to derail KKR’s innings. to loft over mid-on but was picked up by Pol- with an uppish shot over deep midwicket for Pandya to pouch the ball at deep midwicket. taking the prized scalp of Jaggi. Chawla depart- Suryakumar Yadav (31) and Jaggi put a sem- lard. The men in purple, who usually score at a the fi rst six of the innings before Karn outfoxed Keeping veteran tweaker on ed adding just two to the total and Coulter-Nile blance of a fi ght with a 56-run association for brisk pace in the Powerplay overs, struggled to the West Indian spinner with a googly that saw the bench, Karn vindicated his captain’s faith in tonked Johnson for a six to bring up KKR’s 100 in the sixth wicket but could not script a turna- get going with the ball not coming on to the bat Parthiv Patel eff ect an easy stumping. Robin him by taking the wicket of Colin de Grandhom- the 17th over before getting out. round as the former fell in the 18th over look- even as Gambhir continued his good form hit- Uthappa (1) did not last long, being trapped me in the next ball, pinging the New Zealander BRIEF SCORES ing to accelerate. Umesh Yadav (2) was not out ting the fi rst four of the innings in the third over plumb by Bumrah, while trying to fl ick across on his backfoot for an easy leg before decision. Kolkata Knight Riders 107 all out in 18.5 overs as Rajpoot (4) was the last man to be dismissed. off Mitchell Johnson, playing in place of Mitch- the line. After six overs, KKR could muster just After 10 overs, KKR were tottering at 43/5. (Suryakumar 31, Karn 4-16, Bumrah 3-7) lost to Opener Chris Lynn (4) was sent back early by ell McClenaghan. 25/3, and captain Gambhir was out in the sev- In the next four overs, Suryakumar and Jaggi Mumbai Indians 111 for 4 in 14.5 overs (Krunal 45 medium pacer Jasprit Bumrah (3/7) with a full- Narine, kept quiet by Bumrah, Mitchell John- enth over. The southpaw looked good before sought to stem the rout, scoring 40 runs before not out, Chawla 2-34) by six wickets

ROUND-UP ODI TRI-SERIES Pak’s Latif ‘given bat grips Sarkar and Mustafi zur help by bookie’ to indicate fi x fast bowler has so far played 36 T20 matches, Bangladesh rout Ireland AFP Lahore with 31 wickets including best fi gures of 4-9. Test skipper Jason Holder has been rested af- AFP partners in the fi rst 15 overs ter a gruelling battle against Pakistan which saw Andrew Balbirnie was surpris- he Pakistan Cricket Board yesterday said West Indies lose the Test, ODI and T20 series. ingly sent in at number four, it had seized bat grips given to Khalid La- “After the T20 Series against Pakistan (which was even though Niall O’Brien had tif by a bookmaker which the Islamabad lost 3-1) we felt that it was important to keep the dashing unbeaten 87 by scored a century in Ireland’s last United opener was allegedly supposed to same group together so that the coaches can con- inspired game against New Zealand, and it Tuse to indicate he would participate in a spot-fi x. tinue developing the young players,” said Court- Bangladesh to an eight- proved a mistake as he had scored The 31-year-old batsman stands accused of ney Browne, the chairman of the selection panel. wicket victory over only 12 before attempting to spot-fi x, accepting an off er by a “This coupled with the vast T20 experience of hostsA Ireland in the fourth match beat his defence. bookmaker which he did not report, and luring some of our senior players can help us to build a of the Tri-Series with almost 23 O’Brien again looked comfort- other players into the conspiracy. very formidable unit.” overs to spare yesterday. able, reaching 30 off 42 balls but His case is currently being heard by a three- West Indies, the defending world T20 cham- After dismissing Ireland for his attempt at hitting a second member tribunal convened to adjudicate on the pions, insisted they will not take Afghanistan just 181 in 46.3 overs, the Bang- six was intercepted inside the scandal which emerged during the Pakistan Su- lightly, especially as the Asian side are pushing ladesh batsmen did much as they boundary by Tamim who held a per League (PSL) in the United Arab Emirates in hard to be granted Test match status. “In devel- pleased with opener Sarkar hit- good catch above his head. When February and March. Fast bowler Mohammad Ir- oping a high performance unit there is never room ting 11 fours and two sixes in his Joyce miscued to the same fi elder fan and spinner Mohammad Nawaz have already for complacency and our expectation is to win 68-ball innings. He shared an in the same position in the next been banned for six months with six suspended, against a team that is ranked lower than us in the opening stand of 95 in 14 overs over, Ireland were 126 for fi ve and one month with one suspended, respectively ICC rankings,” added Browne. with and then 76 for only late resistance by George and fi ned after they confessed to failing to report The three games against Afghanistan will all the second wicket with Sabbir Dockrell with a resilient 25 off 50 meetings with bookmakers. take place at Warner Park in St Kitts — on June 2, Rahman who hit 35 from 34 balls. balls ensured Bangladesh did not Khalid and three other players — Sharjeel 3 and 5. The two teams will also play three one- Tamim saw much more of the have to bat before lunch. Khan, Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed — are dayers later in the month. strike in the fi rst wicket stand, The second half of the game also provisionally suspended on various charges WEST INDIES SQUAD: facing 54 balls for his 47. He gave proved a formality for the Tigers and face bans ranging from fi ve years to life if Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Samuel Badree, Ronsford only once chance, to wicket- who play New Zealand in their found guilty. “One (piece) of evidence is that we Beaton, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, keeper Niall O’Brien when he fi nal game on Wednesday. The seized the bat grips that (a) bookie had given and , Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, was 57, but by that stage Bangla- series continues tomorrow with they were seized from Khalid’s kit bag,” PCB law- Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, desh needed only 60 to win. Ireland’s fi nal game, against the yer Taff azul Rizvi told reporters. Kesrick Williams After scoring only one run in Black Caps. Spot-fi xing involves attempting to determine his fi rst two innings of the series, the outcome of a specifi c part of a match rather Sabbir made a cautious start but SCOREBOARD than the overall result, and is therefore harder he was quickly into his stride and Ireland innings to detect than match-fi xing. Khalid did not fea- only with the end in sight did E. Joyce c Iqbal b Islam 46 ture in Islamabad United’s opening game of the he play one shot too many and P. Stirling c Rahman b Rahman 0 league, against Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai on Feb- was caught on the mid-wicket W. Porterfield c & b Hossain 22 ruary 9 but is said to have passed on the grip to boundary. Kevin O’Brien took A. Balbirnie b Shakib 12 Sharjeel Khan. his 99th ODI wicket when he N. O’Brien c Iqbal b Rahman 30 Sharjeel is alleged to have played two dot balls had Tamim caught behind by his K. O’Brien c Hossain b Rahman 10 — balls from which a batsman does not score — brother and again G. Wilson c Rahim b Rahman 6 according to a pre-determined plan. Rizvi added bowled with good pace and was G. Dockrell c Rahim b Mortaza 25 that Khalid had met the bookmaker twice but the unlucky bowler when Sarkar B. McCarthy lbw b Islam 12 failed to report the meeting. was dropped. It was the Bang- T. Murtagh not out 5 On Thursday the head of International Cricket ladesh bowlers who set up the P. Chase c Rahim b Mortaza 0 Council’s Anti-Corruption and Safety Unit Sir comfortable chase with left arm Extras (1b, 4lb, 8w) 13 Bangladesh’s bowls during an ODI tri-nation series Ronnie Flanagan told the tribunal that Britain’s seamer Mustafi zur Rahman the Total (all out in 46.3 overs) 181 against Ireland at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin yesterday. (AFP) National Crime Agency had provided the initial pick of the impressive attack Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Stirling) 2-37 tip-off about fi xing attempts in the PSL. Khalid’s with four for 23. (Porterfield) 3-61 (Balbirnie) 4-116 , Mosaddek Hossain, lawyer Badar Alam meanwhile contested the neu- He was backed up by captain, (N O’Brien) 5-126 (Joyce) 6-134 (K Bangladesh innings Sunzamul Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, trality of the tribunal on the grounds that one of Mashrafe Mortaza, who took two O’Brien) 7-136 (Wilson) 8-171 (McCa- Tamim Iqbal c N O’Brien b K O’Brien Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain its members was a former PCB chairman. for 18 and debutant Sunzamul Is- rthy) 9-180 (Dockrell) 10-181 (Chase) 47 Fall of wickets: 1-95 (Tamim Iqbal) lam also claimed two wickets, his Bowling: Rubel Hossain 8-1-41-0 Soumya Sarkar not out 87 2-171 (Sabbir Rahman) WEST INDIES HAND BEATON fi rst being Ireland’s best batsman (2w), Mustafizur Rahman 9-2-23-4 Sabbir Rahman c Dockrell b Mc- Bowling: P. Chase 7-0-55-0 (3w), T. DEBUT IN AFGHANISTAN SERIES and top scorer for 46. (2w), Mashrafe Mortaza 6.3-1-18-2 Carthy 35 Murtagh 5-0-26-0 (1w), B. McCarthy West Indies yesterday called up uncapped fast Joyce had missed the fi rst two (3w), Mosaddek Hossain 6-0-21-1, not out 3 4-0-42-1 (2w), P. Stirling 2-0-14-0, K. bowler Ronsford Beaton into their 13-man squad Ronsford Beaton, the 24-year-old fast bowler games of the series with a back Shakib Al Hasan 9-0-38-1, Mah- Extras (3lb, 7w) 10 O’Brien 5.1-0-22-1 (1w), G. Dockrell to face Afghanistan in a three-match from Guyana, was the only uncapped member in injury but he had to play a rear- mudullah 3-0-13-0, Sunzamul Islam Total (2 wkts, 27.1 overs) 182 4-0-20-0 series next month. The tall 24-year-old Guyana West Indies’ 13-man squad. guard innings as he lost three 5-0-22-2 (1w) Did not bat: Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh won by eight wickets

Saturday, May 20, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Qatar’s Bader clinches gold in javelin at the Islamic Games High jumper Mahamet Allamine Hamdi wins silver medal, while Li Ping claims table tennis men’s bronze

Agencies Doha

avelin thrower Ahmed Bader won second gold medal for Qatar at the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games BakuJ 2017 yesterday. High jump- er Mahamet Allamine Hamdi also on the silver medal, while Li Ping picked up a table tennis men’s singles bronze to make it a successful day for Qatar. The 21-year-old Bader hurled the javelin at 83.45m for his gold medal, while Ivan Zaytsev of Uzbekistan claimed silver with 78.66m throw. The bronze went to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem for his throw of 76.33m. Bader is the fi rst-ever Qatari to compete in the javelin throw at Olympic Games. His qualifi - cation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games was remarkably his fi rst- ever senior participation and he was the youngest competitor in the discipline. With this three medals yesterday, Qatar now has 10 medals in all, including two Qatar’s Mahamet Allamine Hamdi is ecstatic after winning the silver medal in the high jump in Baku yesterday. gold, one silver and six bronze. Azerbaijan lead the tally with 66 gold medals and Turkey is at the second spot with 61 gold. In the table tennis, Qatar’s Hamdi also hogged the lime- Li Ping defeated Turkey’s light yesterday as he managed Ahmet LI 4-1 to win bronze. to win Qatar’s second silver of the Games with 2.2gm eff ort, his season’s best. He fi nished be- Qatar’s Ahmed Bader poses with the gold medal at the 4th Islamic hind Syria’s Majd Eddin Ghazal, Solidarity Games Baku 2017 yesterday. who scaled 2.28m for gold medal. Iran’s Keyvan Ghanbar Zadeh of signments without losing any world record tumbled by the lo- claimed the bronze with 2.24m. match. Tnquv Ngombro scored cal lad. Svechnikov, who was In the table tennis, Qatar’s match-high 11 points against celebrating his 19th birthday Ping defeated Turkey’s Ahmet LI Jordan, while Andulrehman Saad yesterday, launched a monster 4-1 (11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 11-2, 11- 7) in was the top scorer with 10 points throw of 70m in the men’s jave- 29 minutes for the bronze medal. against Mali. On the day one of lin F13 fi nal to become the proud In the semi-fi nals, Ping lost to the event, Qatar defeated Ivory owner of the world’s best dis- Iran’s Nima Alamian Darounko- Coast and Indonesia in its fi rst tance in the discipline. alei in a keenly-fought 50m en- two matches. It was a nice early present for counter 3-4 (7-11, 11-8, 7-11, Qatar’s wild-card holder Mu- the Uzbek, who notched up the 11-9, 11-6, 12-14, 81-11). Nima barak Zayid entered the men’s record with his second throw and lost to his compatriot in Noshad tennis singles quarter-fi nals de- was able to watch on as his rivals Alamyan Deronkolaei in the gold feating Ahmed Abdul Razak of tried in vain to catch him. match 3-4 (11-13, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, Malaysia 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in second Iran’s Sajad Nikparast man- 10-12, 16-14, 9-11). round match yesterday. Zayid aged 59.24m to take silver while In 3x3 basketball Qatar won his fi rst round match against his compatriot Seyed Er Hosseini matched in to the quarter-fi - Pakistan’s M Abid 7-5, 6-0. Liravi, the 2015 paralympic world nals. Yesterday, Qatar thrashed Disabled javelin star Aleksandr championship silver medallist, Jordan 21-8 and defeated Mali Svechnikov of Uzbekistan was completed the podium with an 20-11 to fi nish its Group B as- the toast of Baku, as the fi rst eff ort of 55.79m.

FOCUS MEET THE MAN BEHIND QATAR’S Must-win for Qatar’s defending RECORD-BREAKING PITCH AT KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM champ Abdulla at Rally Kazakhstan Doha: When the players stepped foot onto the new pitch at Khalifa International Stadium yester- day for the Emir Cup final, they were playing on grass perfected over two years of research, and Qatar’s Adel Abdulla thoroughly tested to provide the optimal playabil- in action. ity and durability for the biggest match of Qatar’s football season. For the man behind Qatar’s record-breaking grass, creating the perfect football pitch is more than a lifelong passion – it is a scientific undertak- ing perfected since the same venue hosted the 2006 Asian Games. “The grass which has been laid at Khalifa International Stadium was developed in Qatar at our turf nursery, and is our signature pitch which has been tested numerous times for playability, durability and others factors,” said Yasser al-Mulla, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Landscape & Sport Turf Management Senior Man- ager, standing on the pitch laid down last month in a record time of 13 and a half hours at the newly refurbished venue. “We performed 14 diff erent types of tests, including how fast the ball rolls across the surface, the height at which it bounces, and other ele- ments where we asked players for their opinion By Sports Reporter title. He and French navigator Sebastien De- Qatari enjoys a good run through the west- and feedback on the surface. We are confident Aktau City, Kazakhstan launay will use a Nissan Patrol Y62 prepared ern deserts of the eighth largest country by that we have developed the best ever grass for by TOK Sport. land mass on the planet. Rally Kazakhstan Qatar, which players from all over the world will Minor problems and persistent misfor- President Marat Abykayev and fellow coun- greatly enjoy playing on. We performed testing at asir Saeidan fell short of winning tune sees him arrive in Aktau City trailing trymen Kirill Chernenkov and Pavel Logi- our research and development centre at the turf the FIA T2 World Championship in Saeidan by 90 points after a non-fi nish at nov will also be hoping for podium fi nishes nursery on 24 diff erent types of grass, and came Yasser al-Mulla, senior manager at Supreme 2016, but the Saudi Arabian driver his home event in Qatar with the QX Rally on their home event. Abykayev lies eighth in to the conclusion that this is the ideal turf for the Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Landscape arrives on the shores of the Cas- Team Nissan last month. Second place in the points’ standings after his second posi- type of weather conditions we have here in Qatar.” & Sport Turf Management. pianY Sea to take part in the inaugural Rally Dubai was the best result so far this season tion in Baja Russia back in February. For al-Mulla, who has also been involved in Kazakhstan with a commanding 49-point for the Doha-based driver, although he has After weeks of dry weather, heavy rain the creation of Aspire Park and even gave Arabic now proud to have developed the pitch on which championship lead. The event gets under- set several fastest stage times. has lashed the area in the last few days, but names to diff erent trees, the journey to creating the players played yesterday, at the first venue way from Aktau City tomorrow. “I know that this rally is just so impor- the forecast is for brighter, warmer weath- the perfect pitch for 2022 started at the Doha to be completed ahead of the 2022 FIFA World The Toyota Land Cruiser driver has been tant,” said Adel. “I have to win, simple as er during the six days of competition. In a Asian Games in 2006. Cup Qatar. “It was a proud moment for me when a model of consistency this season and vic- that. I need the 50 points. I have to close the compact route of around 2,500km before “The rapid development and our quest to find the players stepped out onto the pitch,” al-Mulla tories in Baja Russia, the Abu Dhabi Desert gap at the top. There are plenty of events left the fi nish in Aktau City on May 27, over the perfect pitch started at the 2006 Asian Games concluded with a smile. Challenge and the Qatar Cross-Country yet, but it has not been my year so far.” 1,850km will be timed against the clock. in Doha, when we re-turfed the stadium and there- “Khalifa International Stadium has a special Rally and third position in the Dubai Inter- Mansoor al-Helai features on the origi- after created the first department in the region place in all Qatari hearts, and it makes me proud national Baja have put the Saudi fi rmly on nal entry list issued by the Automotorsport POSITIONS AFTER ROUND 4 tasked with creating the ideal grass for the pitches to have developed the new pitch for the venue course to win back the title for series pro- Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 1. Yasir Saeidan (KSA) 140pts here. I studied landscaping at Qatar University where we celebrated the first Gulf Cup win with duction cross-country vehicles that he lost but the Emirati and navigator Khalid al- 2. Mansoor al-Helai (ARE) 91pts and this is more than a passion for me – it is a Qatar in 1992, where the 1995 Youth World Cham- in the FIA appeal court after the 2016 sea- Kendi have not made the trip to Central Asia 3. Adel Abdulla (QAT) 50pts scientific undertaking which requires the highest pionships were hosted and the Asian Games were son had fi nished. Frenchman Laurent Lich- because of logistical diffi culties. 4. Ahmed al-Shegawi (SAU) 36pts professional dedication.” inaugurated in 2006. We are helping to create a tleuchter will co-drive. That means the son of the experienced 5. Mohammed al-Harqan (QAT) 30pts Al-Mulla is himself a passionate football fan legacy for other countries in the region to benefit Nissan’s Adel Abdulla knows that noth- Abu Dhabi driver Yayha al-Helai will not 6. Ahmed al-Malki (SAU) 27pts who fondly remembers some of the historic mo- from the knowledge and experience we are gath- ing short of victory will be suffi cient if the be able to challenge Saeidan and could well 7. Emil Khneisser (LEB) 24pts ments which have taken place at the venue. He is ering here in Qatar ahead of 2022.” SC.qa Qatari is to stand any chance of retaining his fall into the clutches of Adel Abdulla if the 8. Marat Abykayev (KAZ) 18pts