Sport FRIDAY 7 MAY 2021 15 Australians in Stars of the racing season announced IPL head for THE PENINSULA – The Leading Thoroughbred horse of the season is Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Noor Maldives, NZ The leading owners, trainers, jockeys and Al Hawa, winner of H H The Amir Trophy horses for the 2020-2021 racing season (QA Gr1). players wait have been announced. Al Azraq Stable’s sprinter Bint Saffian, With QR3.9m in prize money, Khalifa a three-time winner this season, is the bin Sheail Al Kuwari emerged as the Leading Thoroughbred Mare. to exit India Leading Owner (overall and non-sheikh) Injaaz Stud’s Hellenistique, the REUTERS – NEW DELHI from the season with 28 wins from 230 Derby (QA Gr1) hero, is the Best 4yo runs. Khalifa bin Sheail Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Alban de Mieulle, Thoroughbred Colt while Hassan Ali The Indian Premier League’s Alban de Mieulle, trainer of the Al Kuwari, Leading Owner Leading Qatari Trainer Leading Trainer Alabdulmalik’s She’s Our Queen, runner Australian cohort is headed for leading purebred Arabian horse Tayf of up in Qatar Oaks (QA Gr3), is the Best the Maldives after the tourna- Umm Qarn, celebrated 60 winners from 4yo Thoroughbred Filly. ment’s abrupt suspension over 313 runs and has been named the Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Al the coronavirus crisis in the Leading Trainer of the Season. Biddah Mile (QA Gr2) winner Devious south Asian nation, said Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, handler of Company and Sawda Natheel Stakes Sourav Ganguly, the chief of 50 winners including the 'Leading Local topper Unbutton won the Best 3yo Thor- the Indian cricket board. Thoroughbred Mare' Al Faisaliya of Al oughbred Colt and Filly titles International cricketers Sakab Stud, is the Leading Qatari Trainer. respectively. started heading home on Italian rider Alberto Sanna, who Al Jeryan Stud’s Al , four-time Wednesday after the previous guided Noor Al Hawa to H H The Amir winner, including Al Rayyan Breeders day’s halt of the Twenty20 Trophy (QA Gr1) victory, is the Leading Cup is the Leading Local Thoroughbred competition, as India grapples Jockey, while Faleh Bughanaim, the Saleh Salem Horse. with a sweeping second wave Qatar Gold Trophy (QA Gr1) winner Al Marri, Leading Qatari Alberto Sanna, Faleh Bughanaim, Umm Qarn’s Equinoxe, winner in of infections. astride Seeyoubyme of Hassan Ali Alab- Apprentice Jockey Leading Jockey Leading Qatari Jockey French King Cup and Qatar Derby and The Board of Control for dulmalik, is the Leading Qatari Jockey. Qatar Oaks winner Al Khisah snapped Cricket in India (BCCI) has Finishing 12th overall and the respectively. H E Sheikha Iman bint AJS Berline won the Best 4yo Local up the honours as the Best 4yo Local promised safe return passage Leading Qatari Apprentice Jockey is Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s two- Purebred Arabian Colt and Filly titles Thoroughbred Colt and Filly for every foreigner involved Saleh Salem Al Marri, who rode 20 time winner Saad and Al Jeryan Stud’s respectively. respectively. in the lucrative eight-team winners this season. league. The Leading Purebred Arabian Mare Noor Al Hawa, the Tayf, the Leading Cricket Australia said on of the season is H E Sheikha Yasmeen Leading Thoroughbred Purebred Arabian Horse Wednesday their players bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s horse of the Season would wait either in Sri Lanka Mon’nia, the H H The Amir Sword (Gr1 or in the Maldives before they PA) heroine. Mohammed bin Hamad were allowed back in. Aus- Khalifa Al Attiyah’s Sir Monlau won the tralia has banned travellers Qatar Silver Sword last month to emerge from India, even its own cit- as the Best 4yo Purebred Arabian Colt, izens, until May 15. while H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Former Australia batsman Al Thani’s two-time winner Divine Michael Hussey will not be Princess is the Best 4yo Purebred joining his compatriots, Arabian Filly. however, after contracting Umm Qarn’s Qatar Silver Trophy COVID-19. He must stay in iso- topper Sealine and two-time winner lation and register two neg- Abida have been named the Leading ative tests for the virus before Local Purebred Arabian Horse and Mare he is allowed to leave India. IPL’s New Zealand con- tingent will fly home on Friday, the country’s cricket Al Shaqab Racing’s Salt Lake gets board said. Skipper Kane Williamson and three others will stay in off the mark at Fontainebleau India until next week before THE PENINSULA – FONTAINEBLEAU of the field. Later, she was clearly trav- departing for England, New elling very easily when making headway Zealand Cricket said in a Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Salt Lake in the final bend. statement. (FR) (Olympic Glory x Orayda) lost her She easily took the measure of her The players in the squad maiden tag on her third career outing when rivals in the straight and asserted by a for a Test tour of England, she won the Prix des Cyprès, a race for length and three quarters. which includes the inaugural three-year-olds over 2600 metres at The E. Libaud-trained and Eddy Har- World Test Championship Fontainebleau, France on Wednesday. It douin-ridden Bluebell (FR) (Mawatheeq x final against India from June also marked her first attempt in claiming Unmatched) was the runner-up. 18 to 22, are set to go straight class. The L. Larrigade-trained and Clement to Britain after the conclusion The filly, trained by Francis-Henri Cadel-ridden Tete D’or (FR) (Rajsaman x of the IPL. Jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot guides Al Shaqab Racing’s Salt Lake (FR) to Graffard and ridden by Pierre-Charles Blue Hollow) was a further head behind Williamson, Kyle Jamieson victory at Fontainebleau racecourse in France. Pic: @Scoopdyga Boudot, initially bided her time at the back in third. and Mitchell Santner, along with the team physiotherapist, were unable to secure an exemption to travel to Britain until May 11, so they will City look to Tuchel says Chelsea will face remain in New Delhi until then. Fast bowler Trent Boult, clinch title who is also in the test squad, City with confidence in final has been given permission by REUTERS – MANCHESTER NZC to join the rest of the REUTERS – LONDON benchmarks cohort on today’s flight to New Manchester City will be crowned Premier and we wanted Zealand. League champions if they beat Chelsea Chelsea manager Thomas to close the gap Eight England players today in a game which is now a dress Tuchel said their Champions to City,” Tuchel returned to London on rehearsal for the Champions League final. League final opponents told reporters. Wednesday, with three more Victory at the Etihad Stadium would Manchester City are the “This one set to follow them over the allow Pep Guardiola’s City side to open “benchmark” in Europe, but match in the next day or so. The players up an insurmountable 16-point lead over his team will head to the title semi-final we face a period of quarantine in second-placed Manchester United, who clash in Istanbul equipped did that with a approved hotels. have just five matches remaining. with the confidence that they very impressive But while the title is now a formality can beat Pep Guardiola’s side. performance for City, the Chelsea game takes on extra Goals by Timo Werner and we need significance after the two clubs earned and Mason Mount sent that again. It Pakistan their places in the May 29th Champions Chelsea into the title clash gave us belief League final in Istanbul. with City as they outclassed and confidence Chelsea manager considering City were hugely impressive in a 2-0 13-times champions Real for every game Thomas Tuchel and win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday Madrid 2-0 in the semi-final after that, the bench react at the UAE to host which secured a 4-1 aggregate victory and second leg at Stamford Bridge because it’s the end of their Champions their first ever place in Europe’s biggest on Wednesday for a 3-1 highest level League semi-final remaining club game. Chelsea comfortably dealt with aggregate triumph. you can face.” second leg match Real Madrid on Wednesday with a 2-0 Chelsea knocked City out Former Paris St against Real Madrid on victory at Stamford Bridge setting up the of the FA Cup semi-final with Germain boss PSL matches Wednesday. all-English final. a 1-0 win earlier in the season Tuchel took Thomas Tuchel has had an extraor- but Tuchel said that per- over from the REUTERS – LAHORE dinary impact on Chelsea since joining formance does not neces- sacked Frank Lampard in “So yes, we’ll arrive with felt huge support from day the club three months ago and can also sarily give his team the upper January and has guided self-confidence... in Istanbul. one. I’m very grateful to be on The Pakistan Cricket Board look forward to an FA Cup final against hand heading into the Cham- Chelsea from ninth to fourth With no injuries, just the pos- the sideline with this team,” (PCB) is considering the United Leicester City on May 15. They reached pions League final. place in the league. itive energy to win.” Tuchel he said. Arab Emirates as a venue to that final by beating Manchester City in “But it gives us a good “We had huge challenges said all the sacrifices he had “This was an energetic stage the remainder of the the semi-final and that result is fresh in feeling, the confidence that in the Premier League and we made since January, including performance... The job isn’t Pakistan Super League (PSL) Tuchel’s mind. Chelsea also have plenty we played that semi-final on came out of it very strong and being away from his family, done yet. We’re in two finals Twenty20 tournament but the to play for tomorrow as they look to the edge, we used it... for me showed our mentality and were worth it. and the sacrifice that I, per- country’s COVID-19 body will secure a top-four finish and guarantee a Bayern Munich with Man- quality in all of these “I was part of an amazing sonally have made, has been take a final call, the governing place in next season’s Champions League. chester City are the matches,” Tuchel said. club from the first day, and I worth it since day one.” body said yesterday. The PCB’s flagship tour- nament was suspended after 14 games in March after seven Barca aim to leapfrog Atletico but Real lie in wait individuals, including six players, tested positive for REUTERS – BARCELONA however, who are second on 74 with a February, also letting Real and then conclusion when Atletico won 16 of their COVID-19. superior head-to-head record over both Sevilla back in to the picture. first 19 games but their results began to The governing body had After staging a stunning revival to rein of their rivals. On Sunday Real host Barca missed a glorious chance to go decline after a number of players caught said last month that the PSL in leaders Atletico Madrid, Barcelona can Sevilla, who are fourth on 70 and still top last week when they threw away a COVID-19. would resume on June 1 and finally go top of La Liga when they host alive in the race. 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at home to Granada If emotional will is to prove decisive the remaining 20 games would Diego Simeone’s side on a mouthwa- Barcelona trailed Atletico by 13 but will finally go above Atletico with then Real Madrid could be the best take place in Karachi’s tering weekend as the four teams in the points in January, leading coach Ronald victory over Simeone’s side, who have equipped, having overcome the worst National Stadium, with the title race come face to face. Koeman practically to rule out their title not won at the Camp Nou since 2006. injury crisis in the league to still stand a final on June 20. Atletico lead the standings with 76 chances and pin his hopes on winning “It was unthinkable in January that chance. Few teams are as obstinate as ESPNCricinfo reported that points after 34 games heading into the Copa del Rey instead. Barcelona could go toe-to-toe with Zinedine Zidane’s side although their all six PSL franchises had tomorrow's crunch game away to Barca, The Catalans pulled themselves back Atletico with the chance to go top,” said mental resolve will be tested again asked the PCB to move the who are third on 74. into contention with a resurgent run of former Barca player Javier Mascherano after they were comprehensively tournament to the UAE, which An Atletico slip up will only play into 16 wins from 19 games in 2021, while at a La Liga event. beaten by Chelsea to exit the Cham- also hosted last year’s Indian the hands of champions Real Madrid, Atletico began to run out of steam in The title looked like a foregone pions League on Wednesday. Premier League (IPL). Sport

FRIDAY 7 MAY 2021 Tuchel saysy Chelsea will face City with confidence in final WeW had huge challenges in the Premier League and we came outo of it very strong and showed our mentality and quality in alla of these matches. So yes, we’ll arrive with self-confidence... iin Istanbul. With no injuries, just the positive energy to win.

ChelseaC manager Thomas Tuchel Sport | 15

TODAY'S FOOTBALL FIXTURES: PREMIER LEAGUE: Leicester City vs Newcastle United; SPANISH LA LIGA: Real Sociedad vs Elche Al Sadd emerge Qatargas U-23 League champions

Al Sadd players and officials celebrate with the Qatargas U-23 League champions trophy at the Al Sailiya clinch QFA Cup title end of the 22nd round of the competition. Al Sadd sealed the title with two rounds to go after gaining an unassailable lead over their closest rival Al Gharafa. Al Sadd ended the competition Al Sailiya players and officials celebrate after winning the QFA Cup final against Al Markhiya at the Hamad at the top of the standings with 60 points, 12 points ahead of Al Gharafa, the runner-up with bin Khalifa Stadium. Brazilian Bizera scored the game’s only goal in the 74th minute as Al Sailiya collected 48 points. Qatar SC finished third with 43 points. their second title this season after winning the Ooredoo Cup at the expense of Al Rayyan in March.

QHL: Three-way Nadal reaches battle for the title as final Madrid quarters, round begins

QNA – DOHA Barty into final The 18th and final round of the Qatari Handball League (QHL) will start AP – MADRID tomorrow with three matches being in his first tour- scheduled. Rafael Nadal got through another young opponent nament since Qatar will take on Al Ahli while and showed signs he was getting closer to his best taking a few Al Shamal will square off with Al form on clay as he defeated Alexei Popyrin 6-3, weeks off Gharafa. In other match tomorrow, 6-3 to make it to the Madrid Open quarterfinals after a slow Al Sadd will face Al Rayyan. yesterday. start to his The tour will be completed next Nadal overcame eight aces and saved five year. Sunday with Al meeting Al break points against the Australian. The five-time “There were some Khor and Al Wakrah clashing with Madrid champion cruised past Spanish teenager good, long rallies. I was many, Al Arabi. Carlos Alcaraz in the second round on Wednesday. many times out of breath,” Thiem Al Wakrah top the ranking before “There is a lot of young, good players. (It’s) said. “It was perfect for me to get back a little the last round with a score of 45 something normal that is happening,” said Nadal, bit the match rhythm, to run down a lot of balls. points, followed by Al Duhail in who at 34 is 13 years older than Popyrin. “And, As it’s my first tournament, as it’s my way back, a second place with 44 points, then Al yeah, I’m excited that at my age I am able to keep buildup for the next week, it was great for me.” Arabi in third place with 43 points, playing against all of them. They are good. They American John Isner used 29 aces, including Al Gharafa in fourth place with 39 are talented. They have a great future. For me it’s two consecutive to clinch the deciding tiebreaker, points. Al Rayyan are fifth with 33 amazing to be where I am with my age competing to defeat sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev 7-6 (4), 3-6, points while Al Sadd occupy sixth with them still.” 7-6 (4) and reach the quarters. place. Nadal struggled at times against the aggressive In the women’s tournament, top-ranked In the final round, attention is style of the 76th-ranked Popyrin but was able to Ash Barty cruised into the final with a 6-4, directed to the two confrontations, stay in control for most of the match on the Magic 6-3 win over wild-card entry Paula Al Duhail with and Al Box center court. Badosa, the first Spanish woman to reach Wakrah with Al Arabi, specifically “I knew he was coming with confidence, he the semifinals in Madrid. as they will determine the has this energy that the young players have,” Nadal “I know it’s been a big tournament champions. said. “From what I could do, it was a good match, for her, she’s played an exceptional level It is noteworthy that Al Rayyan and I’m happy to make it to the quarterfinals again of tennis,” Barty said. “She served par- hold the record for the number of here.” ticularly well, being able to control the court wins in the Qatari General Handball Third-ranked Daniil Medvedev lost to Cristian with her forehand. I think that was a challenge League for men, winning the title 14 Garin 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-1. The Chilean broke serve today. I was trying to neutralize that as best I times, followed by Al Sadd, who twice in the third set to reach his second Masters could.” have won it nine times, while Al 1000 quarterfinal. Badosa had been the only opponent to defeat Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action Ahly and Al Jaish won it four times, Earlier, US Open champion Dominic Thiem Barty since February. Barty has won 16 straight during the ATP Masters 1000 - Al Arabi, Al Duhail and Qatar twice, reached the last eight by defeating Alex de Minaur matches on clay and will be playing in her fourth Madrid Open at Caja Magica in and Al Gharafa and Al Wakrah once 7-6 (7), 6-4. The third-seeded Austrian is playing final this year, having won the previous three. Madrid, Spain. each. India optimistic as COVID-19 threatens T20 World Cup

REUTERS – NEW DELHI “We’ll see if the situation have a chance to be completed,” and we’ll be able to organise it in India. World Cup.” Even if it went ahead, he improves,” BCCI Treasurer Arun Singh Shanth told Reuters. Given the experience in other said, the tournament would have to be India’s cricket board is hoping it might Dhumal told Reuters by telephone. India are scheduled to play the countries,(the coronavirus surge is) played behind closed doors, as the IPL be able to squeeze the remainder of its “We have FTP and the T20 World five-day World Test Championship likely to come down. was in its last two seasons. lucrative Indian Premier League into Cup lined up this year. If there’s any final against New Zealand in South- “As of now, we are not even Last year’s T20 World Cup in Aus- a crowded calendar and is still window available, we’ll try and see if ampton next month, and a five-test thinking of it being held elsewhere.” tralia was postponed to 2022, a confident of hosting the T20 World Cup we can complete the league.” series in England in August and Sep- The ICC is, unsurprisingly, also decision that Cricket Australia said had later this year, a top official told The eight-team league with an tember. Resuming the IPL in India keeping a close eye on the pandemic cost them about $55 million, mostly Reuters yesterday. estimated brand value of $6.19 billion would depend on the worst of the pan- in India, which on Thursday reported from lost ticket sales. Already looking at a $270 million was postponed indefinitely on demic subsiding, of course, with the more than 400,000 coronavirus infec- “We’re all hoping that the situation revenue loss following the suspension Tuesday after personnel from four health crisis also threatening the short- tions over the previous 24 hours. (in India) improves,” CA interim chief of the IPL, the board faces a second franchises tested positive for form Twenty20 World Cup. Epidemiologist Giridhara R Babu executive Nick Hockley told reporters financial hammer blow if the COVID-19 COVID-19 amid a rampant second- The International Cricket Council believes Dhumal’s optimism might be in Sydney when asked if Australia pandemic prevents India staging the ICC wave of the virus. (ICC) have lined up the United Arab misplaced, telling Reuters he expected might step in as emergency hosts. tournament in October and November. Bhairav Shanth, the managing Emirates as the back-up T20 venue in a third wave in India later this year. “I know that the ICC are looking at The Board of Control for Cricket in director of global sport consulting firm case there is no improvement but “I don’t know whether we can contingency options as we speak, but India (BCCI), however, has not given up ITW, said the BCCI could still salvage Dhumal was confident there would be afford to have superspreader events I think we’re preparing to host the hope of cramming the 31 remaining IPL a large portion of their financial losses no need. in the winter or before winter,” he told postponed 2020 version in October matches into the season, despite the if they can find a window. “We will keep monitoring the sit- Reuters by telephone from and November 2022.” BCCI officials tight demands of cricket’s international “In that case, I think the hit on rev- uation but as of now we are going Bengaluru. have said 2021 T20 World Cup would schedule, known as the Future Tours enues will be marginal as the spon- ahead as per our original plan,” he said. “We should avoid any kind of remain their tournament even if it had Programme (FTP). sorship deals and ad campaigns will “Hopefully things will get better superspreader events, including the to be staged in the UAE.