SPORT

Tuesday 23 May 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 to return from Rooney may have to Ronaldo leads Baku Games leave United to Real Madrid to with 12 medals extend career: Neville 33rd La Liga title QSL champs Lekhwiya ready for 'tough match' in Tehran

Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula

atar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya are expecting a feisty contest Nam Tae-hee against Iranian hosts Perse- Qpolis when the two sides clash in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League today. Let’s make it The game will take place at Iran's iconic Azadi Stadium where the QSL title winners will play in front of an empty stadium since the Asian ruling a double body has penalised the home club for improper fan behaviour witnessed during a separate clash. "We are facing a difficult encoun- celebration, ter with Persepolis. This is pretty much the case when you face Iranian teams," Lekhwiya coach said says Tae-hee yesterday. "Such games are always very dif- Lekhwiya players in action The Peninsula ficult and complex," Belmadi said during a training session in during a press conference. this file photo. "They have a good team. They ewly-crowned Qatar Football Associa- have strong players with a lot of expe- tion (QFA) Player of the Year Nam rience. Some of their players play for NTae-hee believes his club, Lekhwiya SC, the Iranian national side," Belmadi has it in them to reach the final of the AFC said. Champions League this year, thereby giving "So I expect it to be a tough game, people of Qatar another reason to rejoice fol- not just for us but for both the teams," lowing the successful launch of the redeveloped the Algerian coach added. Khalifa International Stadium. "We don't focus on who is going to After beating an accomplished field – com- play before or during a game. What prising of Al Sadd duo Hernandez and we are looking at is how we play on Hassan Al Haydos to his first QFA award – the the pitch," Belmadi said in response to South Korean international told www.sc.qa that a question. the people of Qatar fully deserved the redevel- When asked about the absence of oped Khalifa International Stadium. Lekhwiya coach Lekhwiya and Persepolis officials display team jerseys Al Moiz and Youssef El Arabi, Belmadi Djamel Belmadi “They have got back their home of football, said: "Each team has to go through ahead of their AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash. redeveloped as a 2022 World Cup stadium and such situations. Injuries are part and they deserve it,” said the 25-year-old playmaker, parcel of the game. We have to find their overall fifth QSL title win last whose club take on Iranian giants Persepolis at replacements for these two and move month, said his team feels ready the imposing Azadi Stadium in Tehran today. on." despite the absence of some players. Persepolis, Lekhwiya meet “It would therefore be befitting if one of Belmadi, who guided Lekhwiya to "We studied them well. Their team Qatar’s football clubs does well on the Asian has good defenders and some good stage this year,” he continued. AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE players," Belmadi said. for the first time since 2015 “We have built up some experience in the "We have certainly studied each Asian Champions League over the years and ROUND 16 - FIXTURES OF FIRST LEG and every player of Persepolis," he The Peninsula Lekhwiya, though, as the unbeaten believe we can reach the final this year. Today: said. "What we are doing is that we are Qatari team strolled through on top “Persepolis are a tough opponent but we Guangzhou Evergrande FC (CHN) vs looking at our performances and how close contest is expected when of Group B. can return to taking a lead from the first Kashima Antlers (JPN) my players adapt to my plans," he said. Persepolis take on Lekhwiya in The two sides last faced off in leg. We believe we can trouble top clubs from At Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou Lekhwiya midfielder Talal Al Athe first leg of the 2017 AFC the group stage in 2015, when Perse- China and those from Asia’s major footballing Muangthong United (Tha) vs Kawasaki Qahtani said his team is eyeing a quar- Champions League Round of 16 at Azadi polis played out a 3-0 win at home, nations such as Iran, Japan and Korea this year.” Frontale (JPN) ter-final berth. Stadium today as the sides go head to only for Lekhwiya to gain revenge Evidence from the group stages of Asia’s At Thunderdome Stadium, Nonthaburi "It will be a tough match for both head for the first time since 2015. with the same scoreline in the return premier club competition supports Tae-hee. Persepolis FC (IRN) vs Lekhwiya SC (QAT) sides but we have come here to win. Persepolis advanced to the fixture. After sharing points in Iran, Lekhwiya At Azadi Stadium, Tehran We are confident about a win," Al knockout round following a tense Influential midfielder Karim defeated Esteghlal Khuzestan 2-1 in Doha in (Kick-off at 6.00pm Qatar time) Qahtani said. Match day Six in Group D as Mehdi Boudiaf returns from suspension for Group B in a tough contest. After the Iranian Esteghlal Khouzestan (IRN) vs Al Hilal When asked about the clash being Taremi bagged a hat-trick in a 4-2 the champions, champions of 2015-16 had taken the lead, Tae- (KSA) played at an empty stadium, Al Qahtani victory over Al Wahda to secure the but misses out after he hee equalised with a scintillating left-footed At Seeb Sports Complex, Muscat said: "We played in the Champions second spot. picked up a booking in the 4-1 vic- strike from the edge of the box and QFA Under- League before big fans and we were There were no such worries for tory over Al Fateh two weeks ago. 23 Player of the Year Almoez Ali scored the Tomorrow: not affected by it. Similarly the absence winner. Jeju United FC (KOR) vs Urawa Red of the fans from the match tomorrow He registered 14 goals and nine assists in Diamonds (JPN) will not affect us because we will play level. We have international stars in named Qatar Player of the Year on Sat- his 25 QSL appearances during the 2016-17 cam- At Jeju Sports Complex, Jeju against Persepolis and not the fans." our line-up. I hope we succeed and urday - to produce a winning paign and, according to Qatar Stars League

Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) vs Jiangsu (CHN) "We have quality players who are reach the quarter-finals," he said. performance today. analytics provider STATS, had a passing accu- At Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai capable of facing all conditions and Lekhwiya will be hoping their star The two teams play the return racy of 91.6%. we have professionals of the highest Korean striker Nam Tai-hee - who was clash on May 30 in Doha. Such was his consistency, his pass comple- tion rate even outshone one of the most widely admired passers of the ball the game has ever seen – Xavi, who came in second at 89.2%. “Xavi deserved the award,” said Nam. “He Fossati names squad ahead of key clashes played all the games and helped Al Sadd win two cup competitions. It feels great to win my The Peninsula QATAR SQUAD World Cup qualifying matches. first ever Player of the Year trophy with Xavi The Qatar squad does not include and Haydoos also in contention. I have very atar football coach Jorge Fos- Meshaal Abdullah, Ahmed Abdel Maqsoud, Lekhwiya players since the Qatar high regard for both of them.” sati yesterday named a , Yasser Abu Bakr, Khalifa Stars League (QSL) champions are Nam will brush shoulders with the Qatar Q 16-player squad for a friendly Abu Bakr, Hassan Al Haydos, , away in Tehran for their round 16 national team captain again on June 13 in Doha against the UAE on June 6, the Qatar , Pedro Miguel, Abdul Karim game of the AFC Champions League. as his national team seeks to clinch a berth in the Football Association (QFA) has Hassan, Ali Asad Allah, Khadar, Moussa The Lekhwiya players will join the 2018 FIFA World Cup, thereby continuing an

confirmed. Harun, and Omar Bari. Qatar squad once they get back to uninterrupted streak of playing in the world’s big- Qatar will host the UAE before Coach: Jorge Fossati Doha, QFA said yesterday. gest tournament stretching back to Mexico 1986. playing the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qatar currently are at the bottom The South Korean star signed off by saying qualifying match against South Korea of Group A with 4 points. Iran lead the he is focused on the Persepolis challenge. An in Doha on June 13. The Asian Zone Group B clash against Thailand. The group with 17 points, followed by example of the dedication, commitment and pro- Group A game will be the 8th for Qatar June 6 friendly is aimed to give Qatar South Korea (13 points), Uzbekistan fessionalism that has made the 2017 QFA Player in this phase. and the UAE some much-needed (12 points), Syria (8 points) and China Jorge Fossati of the Year one of the league’s leading lights, and The UAE is also preparing for their practice ahead of their 2018 FIFA (5 points). a fan’s favourite over the past six years. SPORT TUESDAY 2323 MAYMAY 20172017 25

Penguins toy Celtics rally to with Senators to take 3-2 series lead beat Cavaliers New York Agencies Los Angeles NBA RESULTS with just 11 points on four-of-13 AFP shooting and was held scoreless oaltender Matt Murray Result from Sunday's NBA Conference final in the fourth quarter. He also picked up his second playoff game (All series best-of-seven): very Bradley rattled had five turnovers. career postseason Eastern Conference G in a game-winning Kyrie Irving paced the shutout as the Pittsburgh Pen- At Cleveland

three pointer at the Boston 111 Cleveland 108 Cleveland offense with 29 points guins thrashed Ottawa 7-0 in

buzzer as the Boston and Kevin Love added 28 points Game 5 of the Eastern Con- (Cleveland leads series 2-1) Celtics clawed their and 10 rebounds. Tristan ference Final on Sunday, wayA back into the Eastern Con- Thompson scored 18 points. pushing the Senators to the ference final with a 111-108 win the fourth team in history to The Cavaliers shot just two- brink of elimination. over Cleveland on Sunday. start the playoffs 11-0. of-17 from three-point range in Pittsburgh lead the series Boston cut the Cavaliers "I didn't have it tonight," the second half but still led by 3-2 and can clinch a spot in series lead to 2-1 as their James said. as many as 21 points in the third. the Stanley Cup Final on improbable victory came despite "We have been playing so Cleveland dominated the Tuesday in Ottawa. the absence of star guard Isaiah well, but when another team is Celtics so thoroughly in the first Murray, making his sec- Thomas, who is out for the playing that well then you know two games that not many gave ond start after being injured remainder of the NBA season that the team that gets the last Boston a chance on Sunday, most of the postseason, made with a hip injury. shot is going to win." especially without their top 25 saves. "Everybody had to step up Smart scored a career-high player Thomas in the lineup. His Ottawa counterpart, their game, especially with one 27 points and Bradley added 20. But Cleveland coach Tyronn Craig Anderson, got pulled of our brothers down," Thomas' "The key for us was to chip Lue expected Boston to battle to twice and gave up four goals Mubarak Shannan of Qatar, shows off his bronze he won in replacement Marcus Smart said. away," said Bradley of the Celt- the end."They have a scrappy on 14 shots. "We haven't really had a ics, who made 18 three-pointers team," he said. Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust tennis at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku yesterday. great shooting performance this for the game. "We needed to get Coming into Sunday's con- and Phil Kessel each had a Qatar finished with 12 medals at the 11-day event. series, but tonight was one of stops and make plays on the test, the Cavaliers had lost just goal and an assist, and Carter those nights. We fought and offensive end." one game at home to an East- Rowney and Evgeni Malkin came out with the victory." Al Horford added 16 points ern team in the playoffs dating each added three assists for Qatar to return Game four of the Eastern and Kelly Olynyk contributed 15 to 2015. Pittsburgh. Conference finals is Tuesday. off the bench for the Celtics, who "You have to have some type "We're a confident group," Cleveland not only surren- were beaten by an average of of adversity to be successful," said Penguins defenseman from Baku Games dered a 21-point lead in game 28.5 points in the first two James said. Olli Maatta. "We know we three but blew chances to set a games. "So I am happy it happened have the potential to do that. playoff record for consecutive The Celtics also kept Cava- now. We have to regroup and Obviously, seven in a game is with 12 medals wins (14) dating to game five of liers superstar LeBron James in get back to playing desperate a lot, but at the same time, we last year's finals, and to become check Sunday. James finished basketball." know we have enough skill and we're a really good group, The Peninsula titles and adding one from the so we can definitely do that wushu martial arts, but that still in a game." atar finished with 12 med- left them four golds adrift at Adding injury to insult, als at the Islamic 75-71. Ottawa played the third QSolidarity Games which The Turks had the consola- period without captain and concluded in Baku yesterday. tion of ending up with the team leading postseason On the final day, Qatar's highest overall - gold, silver and scorer Erik Karlsson, center tennis player Mubarak Shan- bronze - medal haul with 195 Derick Brassard and defense- nan bagged the bronze medal. to 162. man Cody Ceci. Qatar thus finished the Iran had a strong finish to There was no immediate 11-day competition in the 16th the Games, lifting eight of the update on their status. place with two gold, three sil- last 11 golds, six of those com- Maatta, who scored his ver and seven bronze. ing in wushu and they first career playoff goal in Turkmenistan took the 15th consolidated third place in the Game 4, struck again for a 1-0 spot in the medals standings medals list with 39 golds and Pittsburgh lead at 8:14 of the while Nigeria followed Qatar. 98 in total. first period when sent a slap Hosts Azerbaijan topped the They were simply unstop- shot past Anderson's blocker medals table after a relentess pable in the wushu sanda from above the left circle. 11-day long battle with neigh- events, underlining their The Penguins scored a bours Turkey. supremacy by winning all of power-play goal when Sid- Oddly enough, the Azeri their bouts and storming to six ney Crosby deftly tipped a team came up empty handed of seven gold medals shot by Trevor Daley off in terms of gold medals on the available. Anderson's right arm at 12:03 final day of action, the only time Azerbaijan had to settle for of the first period to make it that had happened during the three silvers at the Baku Sports 2-0. Games. Hall after losing all of their At 16:04, a Nick Bonino But on the back of a superb finals to the implacable shot glanced in off Rust's leg Sunday which culminated in Iranians. for a 3-0 lead. Anderson, who football gold, Azerbaijan were The only gold to escape the Jaylen Brown (70 of the Boston Celtics drives against Kyle Korver (26) of the Cleveland had allowed three goals on 13 all but assured of top spot. Iranian stranglehold came in Cavaliers duringduring GameGame ThreeThree ofof their the 2017 2017 NBANBA EasternEastern ConferenceConference Finals at Quicken Loans shots, was replaced by Mike Turkey edged closer by the 48kg division, in which Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, yesterday. Condon. bagging both tennis singles there was no Iranian fighter. Russia gets Winter Rugby Players' union slams Paralympic warning plan to extend English season London banned from the 2016 Rio AFP Olympics. The IPC established a task force to monitor and London the Premiership final played at ussia have been warned assist the Russian Paralympic AFP the end of June, rather than the they will be barred from Committee (RPC) in a process end of May as happens now. Rsending a team to the of reforming its procedures. But ngland's Rugby Players' Premiership Rugby chief 2017 World Para Athletics while encouraged by aspects of Association hit out yester- executive Mark McCafferty, said Championships in London and the RPC's "progress," Craven Eday at a "detrimental" plan the new set-up would "signifi- the 2018 Winter Games unless told reporters: "With 291 days to extend the top-flight Premier- cantly reduce or eliminate "something dramatically to go until Pyeongchang 2018, ship season to 10 months, saying overlaps between the interna- changes" regarding doping. there is not a moment to waste. it was not "viable" and would tional and club game", adding The International Paralympic "The IPC task force will next jeopardise the welfare of this was good news for club fans Committee (IPC) issued a blanket update the IPC governing board players. as their teams would not be ban on all Russian competitors at last in September and if the obliga- There have long been con- missing "important players for year's 2016 Rio Summer Paralym- tions have not been fully met by cerns about the toll an significant chunks of the pics. IPC president Philip Craven then, it will be very difficult for increasingly physical and fast- season". said Russia also faced the very the (Russian Paralympic Com- paced professional game is McCafferty, who insisted real possibility of being mittee) to have its suspension taking on players, with worries player welfare was a "priority", excluded from July's event in lifted in time to enter its athletes about concussion-related inju- stressed the 32-game season British & Irish Lions Maro Itoje during training at Carton House, London and the 2018 Paralym- into the Paralympic Winter ries a particular issue. limit would remain in place. pic Winter Games in Games." At the same time there has County in Kildare, yesterday. But the unimpressed RPA said Pyeongchang as well. Clearly, with this timeline been an attempt to bring greater Monday in a strongly-worded Russia were suspended by in mind, unless something dra- harmony between club and global calendar from 2020, responded by saying the 2019/20 statement that "extending an the IPC in August last year fol- matic changes in the next few international fixtures worldwide, which raised the possibility that domestic season would be already arduous season from nine lowing revelations of weeks, the Russian Paralympic with rugby union traditionally a European-based players could extended to provide more club months to ten has serious impli- widespread doping uncovered Committee will not be able to winter sport in both the north- be left with an 11-month season rugby after the Six Nations con- cations for players, given the in a report by Professor Rich- enter its athletes for the 2017 ern and southern hemispheres. once overseas Test tours were cludes in March. potential increase to the game, ard McLaren, which also saw World Para Athletics March saw World Rugby taken into account. The season will still start at training and psychological loads the track and field team Championships." announce plans for a new Premiership Rugby the beginning of September with they face". 26 SPORT TUESDAY 23 MAY 2017 ICC World League: Qatar to start campaign against Cayman Islands

Fawad Hussain The Peninsula

atar will take on Cay- man Islands in their opening match of ICC World League Divi- Qsion 5, according to Scott Dixon details revealed by the Interna- tional Cricket Council for the eight-nation tournament to be Dixon wins Indy played in South Africa in September. Qatar have been placed in pole as Alonso Group A in the competition, which also includes Italy and makes debut Guemsey while Group B com- prises Jersey, Vanuatu and Indianapolis Ghana with one team from Euro- Reuters pean qualifiers also to join the group. ew Zealand's Scott The Al Anabi’s opening Dixon won the pole for match is scheduled on Septem- Members of Qatar cricket team pose for a group photo along Nnext week's Indy 500 ber 3 before their clash against with the top Qatar's cricket officials at Hamad International when he posted the fastest Italy the following day. Airport, in this May 2, 2017 file photo. average speed at the Indian- Qatar will play their last apolis Motor Speedway on group match on September 6 Sunday. against Guemsey with the final Two-time Formula One of the tournament penciled in on they clinched the World Cricket which came after a consistent “ Definitely, the South Africa event was keeping the players champion Fernando Alonso, September 9. League Asia Division 1 earlier performance from the side, tournament will be tougher than busy. the only rookie in nine-car The Inam-ul-Haq side got this month in Thailand. It was the which saw them winning five of the previous challenge and we “We will also have training shootout, will start from the promotion to the group after first major title win by Qatar, their six matches. will have to do the preparations sessions after the tournament. second row in fifth position Qatar’s vice-captain Moham- accordingly,” he added. We will continue our training as the Spanish driver makes ICC WORLD LEAGUE DIVISION 5 GROUPS med Rizlan who played key role After coming from Thailand, during Ramadan,” he said before his Indy debut. in the triumph said the national most of the Qatar’s national informing that plan for the prep- Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 Group A: Qatar, Italy, Guemsey, Cayman Islands team will be looking for a repeat players have been engaged in the arations will be finalised on May winner, was joined on the Group B: Jersey, Vanuatu, Ghana, Europe Qualifier of their Thailand performance ongoing Qatar Airways Division 25 in a team meeting. front row for the May 28 race Qatar's group fixtures in South Africa. A Twenty20 tournament with “The meeting will also be by Ed Carpenter and last “ It (Thailand title) was just their respective clubs. attended by the top cricket offi- year's champion Alexander Sept 3: Qatar vs Cayman Islands the start as we are determined Rizlan, who will lead his cials. There may be international Rossi.

Sept 4: Qatar vs Italy to win more laurels at interna- team - Galfar Al Misnad – to their series or friendly games as part "It feels damn good," the Sept 6: Qatar vs Guemsey tional stage,” Rizlan told The third consecutive final in the of our preparations for the ICC 36-year-old Dixon said after Peninsula. tournament on Friday said the tournament,” Rizlan added. he posted an average speed of 232.164 miles per hour (373.632 kph) during his four laps. "This is job one. Obviously Indoor hockey to make debut at AZF Ramadan Festival the real deal is coming up in a week's time. That's when we're going to push even The Peninsula The tournament will feature harder and capitalize more." two groups of five teams, com- Alonso was competitive n its sixth Ramadan Sports peting head to head in the group in the race, posting a 231.300 Festival, Aspire Zone Foun- stages, before moving ahead to mph average speed that Idation (AZF) will unveil the knock-out stages. briefly put him in the lead. Qatar’s first indoor hockey tour- AZF launched a cricket tour- "This is the biggest race in nament for men, with 8 teams nament designed to appeal to the world," he said. "I'm look- set to compete in knock-out members of the Asian commu- ing forward to next stages. nity in the country given that Sunday." Running for three days in cricket is one of most popular He said he was feeling Aspire Dome, the world’s larg- sports among Asian expatriates more comfortable in the est multi-purpose arena, the in Qatar. cockpit of an IndyCar and tournament follows the great Other sporting tournaments said participation in the race success of the Asian Nations Cup included in this year’s festival by European Formula One Indoor Hockey Championship programme are football, futsal, drivers like himself and Rossi 2017 which took place in April. volleyball and basketball. was good for motorsports. Commenting on this new The last month's Asian AZF will also hold table ten- "I don't think that we tournament, Abdullah Aman Al Nations Cup Indoor nis competitions for people with need to separate too much F1 Khater, Events Manager at Aspire Hockey Championship special needs and is organising or IndyCar or rally or stock Zone Foundation, said: “The which was played at the a volleyball tournament for car. I mean, at the end of the Ramadan Sports Festival provide Aspire Dome was a huge ladies in collaboration with day, it's just motorsports." an ideal outlet for people who success. Qatar Women Sports Commit- Wind and track temper- are looking to maintain active tee. The Ramadan Sports Festival atures that reached 114 lifestyles during the month of will be held during the first two degrees Fahrenheit (45.6C) Ramadan." weeks of Ramadan (June 01-14). made for challenging racing Al Khater added, “We have During the two weeks, conditions, which caused decided to include the indoor thousands of members from the Japan's Takuma Sato to brush hockey tournament in this year’s the indoor hockey was widely available to people in Qatar.” The three-day cricket tour- local community are expected up against the wall twice dur- Ramadan activities following the popular among residents in In addition, the much-antic- nament will take place on Aspire to participate in sports tourna- ing his run. massive success of the Asian Qatar. Adding a new sport each ipated cricket tournament will Zone’s Warm-up Track, from the ments taking place across The 40-year-old still Nations Cup 2017 that was held year to our program expands the resume this year, following last 6th until the 8th day of Aspire Zone’s world class sport- posted an average speed of in Aspire Dome. To our surprise, list of sporting opportunities year’s big success. Ramadan. ing facilities. 231.365 mph, good for fourth. Rooney may have to leave United to extend career, says Neville

London to re-sign United's all-time top in Stockholm. Neville believes the Reuters scorer in the upcoming transfer clash with the Dutch side will window. define Mourinho's campaign at anchester United captain "You hope (Rooney doesn't Old Trafford. The Portuguese Wayne Rooney may have leave) but the way the season's already won the League Cup in Mto leave the club to gone, particularly since Christ- February to become the only extend his career "at the highest mas, he's not been involved as United manager to claim silver- level", former United defender much as he'd probably have ware in his first season. Phil Neville has said. liked," Neville told Sky Sports. "The whole season has been Rooney has made 42 appear- "He wants to play in the big- based on trying to qualify for the ances in all competitions this gest games and when it comes to Champions League and, ulti- season, most of them as a substi- Wednesday night I'd be surprised mately, they wanted to finish as tute, with manager Jose Mourinho to see him in that starting eleven. the Premier League winners, but relying on top scorer Zlatan Ibra- "If he wants to continue play- now they've got the chance to himovic before a knee injury ing at the highest level - week in, win the Europa League," Nev- ended the Swede's campaign. week out - and be the first name Phil Neville ille said. Neville does not expect on the team sheet, then he'll prob- "The pressure is on United... Rooney to start in the Europa ably have to go and play his have an opportunity to claim so it will be interesting to see how League final against Ajax Amster- football elsewhere." qualification for next season's the players cope with the pres- dam tomorrow, with local media United, who finished sixth in Champions League if they win sure of being the team that's Wayne Rooney linking his former club Everton the Premier League this season, Europe's second-tier competition expected to win." TUESDAY 23 MAY 2017 SPORT 27

Five key La Liga win is players in bigger than World Real Madrid's Cup for Zidane triumph Madrid AFP Madrid AFP inedine Zidane claimed winning La Liga as Real Madrid coach on Sunday surpasses his eal Madrid ended a Zstellar achievements as a player and even five-year drought lifting the Champions League in his debut season Rwithout a La Liga title as coach last year. by winning the Spanish top Madrid claimed the Spanish title for a 33rd flight for a record 33rd time time as Cristiano Ronaldo struck his 40th goal of with a 2-0 win over Malaga the season and Karim Benzema slotted home early on Sunday. Here is a look at in the second-half to secure a 2-0 win at Malaga. five of the players central to "It is the happiest day of my professional life the success of Zinedine by a distance," Zidane said after landing Madrid's Zidane's men over the course first title in five years. of the season. "Right now I would like to stand up here and dance," he added in a press conference interrupted SERGIO RAMOS by Marcelo, Danilo, Casemiro, Lucas Vazquez and Madrid's captain is a leader Real Madrid players celebrate after Alvaro Morata drowning their boss in with both words and actions winning La Liga on Sunday. Real Madrid champagne. at both ends of the field. won their 33rd La Liga title and first for Zidane won the World Cup, European Cham- Ramos has become a spe- five years after defeating Malaga 2-0. pionships and Champions League as one of the cialist in important late goals greatest players of his generation, but said the over recent seasons and extra responsibility that comes with being coach arguably scored Madrid's made his achievements all the greater. most important one of the "As coach of Real Madrid you know what the season deep into stoppage expectations are," he added. time to rescue a draw against Ronaldo leads Real "I have experienced it as a player and that is Barcelona at the Camp Nou why I say it is the happiest day of my professional back in December. life because being a coach changes everything. He repeated the trick a "I have won everything with this club, this shirt week later with a late win- but to win La Liga is the best of all. ner against Deportivo la "I live what I am doing with passion and what Coruna. I have enjoyed the most is today because after to 33rd La Liga title nine or 10 months we have won La Liga." CASEMIRO Zidane's role in restoring Madrid to the top of The biggest single tacti- Spanish football was hailed by Ronaldo as the Por- cal shift since Zidane was put Madrid Real Madrid players and officials celebrate atop their tuguese claimed just his second league winners' in charge and led a monu- AFP bus, surrounded by fans as it arrives at Cibeles Square medal in eight seasons since joining the Spanish mental turnaround in after winning the La Liga title on Sunday. giants. Madrid's fortunes over the eal Madrid won their 33rd La Liga title "He has managed things very intelligently past 18 months has been the and first for five years as Cristiano Ron- along with his assistants," said Ronaldo. promotion of tough-tackling aldo's 40th goal of the season helped "The proof is there, we have won a very dif- Brazilian midfielder Casem- seal a 2-0 victory at Malaga on ficult league against one of the best teams in the iro at the expense of more Sunday. world in Barca and for me Zidane has done a phe- glamorous names like James RRonaldo got Madrid off to the perfect start after nomenal job." Rodriguez. just two minutes before Karim Benzema's close- Madrid could go onto complete a first La Liga range finish sealed the title 10 minutes into the and Champions League double for 59 years when TONI KROOS second half. they face Juventus in the Champions League final Real's quiet assassin. Madrid beat out Barcelona at the top of the on June 3. Kroos has provided one of table by three points as the Catalans' come-from- And Real's run to the title was most certainly Real's most potent weapons behind 4-2 victory over Eibar in outgoing coach a squad effort with Ronaldo sidelined or rested all season with his superb Luis Enrique's last home game in charge wasn't for nine games -- all of which they won. set-piece delivery. enough for a third straight title. "On a collective level I think it is my best sea- The German has 17 "It is the happiest day of my professional life son at Real Madrid," added Ronaldo. assists to his name and rou- by a distance," said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. "Everyone has played minutes and all the tinely leads the way in terms "I have experienced it as a player and that is squad have contributed." of pass completion as he why I say it is the happiest day of my professional Thousands flock Madrid edged out reigning champions Barce- dominates the game from life because being a coach changes everything. lona by just three points after the Catalans came midfield. "I have won everything with this club, this shirt from 2-0 down to beat Eibar 4-2 on Sunday. but to win La Liga is the best of all." And Zidane highlighted his side's response ISCO Real needed just a point to be assured of the to Madrid as Real from losing a thrilling El Clasico 3-2 to Barca with So often the man to miss title and any lingering nerves were dispelled within the last kick of the ball last month by winning their out on the big occasion dur- seconds. last six league games as the key to the title. ing his Real career, Isco has Isco latched upon a poor clearance from Luis "The last six games, but for sure the last three made himself undroppable Hernandez and his sumptuous through ball freed celebrate victory have been key," added the Frenchman. in recent months in the Ronaldo to round Carlos Kameni and fire into an "To win 4-1 at home (against Sevilla), 4-1 away absence of Gareth Bale with empty net. (at Celta) and then 2-0 today is spectacular." a series of outstanding per- "On a collective level I think it is my best sea- Madrid atop the walkway before sing- formances. Most importantly, son at Real Madrid," added Ronaldo. AFP ing along with the crowd. the Spanish international has "Everyone has played minutes and all the Ronaldo and French LEADING SPANISH LA LIGA SCORERS added end product to his squad have contributed." housands of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema scored sublime array of skills on the Malaga's attitude ahead of the game had been fans, many decked in the the two goals which gave Real 37: Messi (Barcelona) ball. questioned after comments by their coach Michel Tfamous white team jer- their win over Malaga and 29: Suárez (Barcelona) Isco has had by a dis- that he would have preferred his former club had sey, converged in the centre their first Spanish league title 25: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) tance his most prolific season won the league before their visit to La Rosaleda of the Spanish capital to cele- since 2012. 19: Aspas (Celta Vigo) since joining from Malaga to give them a guard of honour. brate the club's 33rd league The club will pursue a 16: Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) four years ago with 10 league However, the hosts showed why they had title. third UEFA Champions 15: Álvaro Morata (Real Madrid) goals in 30 appearances. taken 13 points from their previous five games as Elated fans cheered and lit League victory in four sea- 14: Sandro (Malaga) the first half wore on. flares when the squad arrived sons in the final against 13: Gerard Moreno (Espanyol), Neymar (Barcelona), Rubén CRISTIANO RONALDO Keylor Navas produced a stunning save to pre- on an open-top bus bearing Juventus, who on Sunday Castro (Real Betis) Somehow still ques- vent Sandro Ramirez from doing former employers the word "Campeones" (cham- secured third successive Serie 12: Andone (Deportivo La Coruna), Gameiro (Atletico Madrid), tioned throughout the early Barca a favour with a superb free-kick. pions) on the side at the club's A and Coppa Italia double, in part of the campaign, Ron- Sandro then saw another fierce effort deflect traditional celebration spot, Cardiff on June 3. Willian José (Real Sociedad) aldo again came up with all inches wide off Keko, who then had a great chance the Plaza de Cibeles, as con- Many fans heaped praise 11: Bakambu (Villarreal), Ben Yedder (Sevilla), Benzema (Real the answers down the stretch himself when he headed over unmarked from 10 fetti rained down. on Real coach Zinedine Madrid), Enrich (Eibar), Juanmi (Real Sociedad) to lead his side over the fin- yards out. Team captain Sergio Zidane, the former French 10: KP Boateng (Las Palmas), Ferreira-Carrasco (Atletico ish line for just his second La However, Benzema made sure of the title early Ramos and other players international who took over Madrid), Isco (Real Madrid), Limones (Osasuna), Pedro Léon Liga title in eight seasons in in the second half when he swept home the loose decked in white shirts with the the club for his first head (Eibar), Piatti (Espanyol), Raúl García (Athletic Bilbao) Spain. ball after Kameni had saved Ramos's first effort. number 33 on the back filmed coaching job less than two The World Player of the In Barcelona, Enrique was given a warm send- the crowd with mobile phones years ago. Year proved his worth early off at the Camp Nou as he was greeted with a giant from the top of the bus, which in the campaign with a hat- banner reading: "One of us forever". was escorted by police on Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane trick at Atletico Madrid in And Barca at least salvaged some pride by horseback. is carried by his players as they Real's stand out display of fighting back from 2-0 down to avoid a first ever Ramos took to a walkway celebrate after winning La Liga title the first half of the season. defeat against Eibar. over the plaza's fountain and on Sunday. However, having been Japanese midfielder Takashi Inui had Eibar draped the statue of the god- used far more sparingly by dreaming as he hit a pair of sweetly struck half- dess Cybele with the club flag Zidane on league duty since volleys in off the underside of the crossbar either just before 3:00 am (0100 March, Ronaldo has had far side of half-time. GMT) as Queen's anthem "We more in the tank at the end However, David Junca turned into his own net Are the Champions" blared out of the campaign than in after Neymar had hit the post to start Barca's from loudspeakers. recent years and that tactic revival 25 minutes from time. Real Madrid left-back has borne fruit. Yoel Rodriguez produced an incredible save Marcelo then tied a team scarf Ronaldo scored five to deny Lionel Messi from the penalty spot around the statue as the crowd times against Sevilla, Celta moments later. cheered. Vigo and Malaga in the final Barca weren't to be denied a sixth straight win "We have to win the week of the season to again to end the season though as Luis Suarez bundled Champions League now. We end as Madrid's top scorer home from close range before Messi made amends are counting on all of your for the season with 25 La with his second penalty 15 minutes from time. support. Let's Go! Thank you Liga goals. And Messi rounded off the scoring with his very much," Portuguese 53rd goal of the season in stoppage time. striker Cristiano Ronaldo said