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Tuesday, April 27, 2021 FOOTBALL Ramadan 15, 1442 AH Atletico Madrid lose GULF TIMES to hand initiative to Barcelona SPORT Page 3 FOOTBALL Excitement mounts ahead of Arab Cup Qatar 2021 draw Single-leg play-off matches, which will be held later this year, between the 14-lowest ranked teams have been decided

By Sports Reporter Doha

head of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 draw today, the qualifying matches for the tournament have been de- Acided. Of the 23 nations involved, the 14 lowest-ranked teams according to the April edition of the FIFA World Rank- ings will participate in single-leg play- off s ahead of the tournament, which will be held later this year.

Play-off matches

Oman (80) vs Somalia (197) Lebanon (93) vs Djibouti (183) Jordan (95) vs South Sudan (169) Bahrain (99) vs Kuwait (148) Mauritania (101) vs Yemen (145) Palestine (104) vs Comoros (131) Libya (119) vs Sudan (123) World ranking in brackets

The play-off s were decided accord- ing to the rankings, as follows: Oman The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 matches will be played at six FIFA World Cup Qatar (80) vs Somalia (197), Lebanon (93) vs Today’s draw will be conducted at Opera House in the Katara Cultural Village today. 2022 tournament venues. Djibouti (183), Jordan (95) vs South Su- dan (169), Bahrain (99) vs Kuwait (148), already qualifi ed for the tournament: group stage and knockout rounds. The Today’s draw will be conducted Manolo Zubiria. portant opportunity to test operations Mauritania (101) vs Yemen (145), Pales- host nation Qatar (58), Tunisia (26), 16 teams will be split into four groups by four FIFA legends: Wael Gomaa A limited number of offi cials will at- and facilities ahead of Qatar 2022. Both tine (104) vs Comoros (131), and Libya Algeria (33), Morocco (34), Egypt (46), of four, with the top two from each pro- (Egypt), Nawaf al-Temyat (Saudi Ara- tend the draw, in line with Qatar’s Cov- tournaments will take place in a similar (119) vs Sudan (123). Saudi Arabia (65), Iraq (68), the United gressing to the quarter-fi nals. Matches bia), Haytham Mustafa (Sudan) and id-19 protocols. Information on broad- timeslot, with the fi nals of each sched- The seven winning teams will join the Arab Emirates (73) and Syria (79). will be played at six FIFA World Cup Younus Mahmood (Iraq), along with casting the draw will follow today. uled to take place exactly one year apart nine highest-ranked teams who have The tournament will consist of a Qatar 2022 tournament venues. FIFA’s Director of Competitions, The FIFA Arab Cup is seen as an im- – on December 18, Qatar’s National Day.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW Al Sadd edge closer to last 16 berth Al Duhail ready for Al Shorta AFC med Jadoua headed in his cross as they eye next round Riyadh but to Al Sadd’s dismay, the ef- fort was ruled out for off side. AFC Foolad’s Chimba and Patosi Riyadh l Sadd placed them- formed a dangerous duo in the selves in pole posi- fi nal third, and the exchange of tion in Group D of the passes between the two in the l Duhail SC will aim to 2021 AFC Champi- 81st minute almost gave the tighten their grip on Aons League with a 1-0 win over Iranians their equaliser but the the Group C lead when Foolad Khouzestan FC yester- Brazilian struck right at Al Sadd they play Al Shorta in day. goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham. Athe 2021 AFC Champions League The result, coupled with Jor- today. dan’s Al Wehdat’s stunning win AL RAYYAN SCORE LATE With challengers Esteghlal FC over Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia in EQUALISER TO DRAW 1-1 and Al Ahli Saudi FC facing off the other Group D match, means WITH FC GOA in Group C’s other tie with both the Qataris lead the standing Ali Ferydoon struck in the 89th needing victory, a win for Qa- with 10 points going into the fi - minute as Qatar’s Al Rayyan tar’s Al Duhail against Al Shorta nal matchday against Al Nassr, salvaged a 1-1 draw with India’s will take them to 11 points and Al Duhail head coach Sabri Lamouchi. who are second on eight points. FC Goa in Group E of the AFC closer to the automatic slot to the Foolad’s hunt for top spot, Champions League yesterday. Round of 16. “What we are looking forward was Fahad Youssef scoring their however, came to an end al- The late leveller was a huge Esteghlal and Al Ahli Saudi to is getting the three points but fi rst goal of the tournament and though the Iran side can still blow for debutants FC Goa, who are tied on seven points while Al everything is possible in football. with nothing to lose, Ilic will urge advance to the last 16 if they fi n- had looked like they were head- Shorta are still in search of their The AFC Champions League is his team to give it their all against ish among the three best second ing for a historic fi rst win for an fi rst after four defeats. not an easy competition but our the group leaders. placed teams. Al Sadd’s Nam Tae-hee celebrates his goal during the AFC Champions Indian club in the group stage of Al Duhail opened their 2021 target is to win matches. “The previous four matches Al Sadd, who came into the tie League match against Foolad Khouzestan FC yesterday. the continental showpiece after AFC Champions League cam- “We will be putting the best were hard for us in terms of com- having defeated Jordan’s Al We- Jorge Ortiz had given them an paign with a 2-0 win over Al formation for tomorrow’s match petition in this tournament,” said hdat in back-to-back matches, tosi seven minutes later. Al Sadd should have opened early lead. Shorta and head coach Sabri because we must be serious and Ilic. “We have two remaining started brightly, dominating pos- For Al Sadd, the fi rst half was the scoring at the hour-mark Brandon Fernandes sent a Lamouchi will not be expecting eager to get the three points. We matches and we want to change session in the opening minutes a story of missed opportuni- when the Foolad goal was deep cross from the centre to his side to slip up in their second are preparing the players well the image that we had previously. but Foolad goalkeeper Mohsen ties, especially so for Baghdad left wide open after Foroozan Ortiz whose eff ort was blocked meeting, not when the Qatari are and they are physically and men- “The match against Al Du- Foroozan was on form, cutting Bounedjah who was always a failed to hold onto the ball, but by Al Rayyan goalkeeper Soud unbeaten in four matches. tally ready for the match.” hail will be very diffi cult because out the Qatari passes and crosses step too late, as the Algerian Bounedjah’s strike was safely al-Hajri. The Spanish midfi eld- Al Duhail’s attacking players The stats don’t favour Al Shor- they are one of the best teams in into the box with ease. failed to connect to any of the swept away by defender Moussa er, however, regained possession have served them well and with ta going into their penultimate the group. It might be diffi cult to Foolad, needing all three crosses into the area.. Coulibaly. from al-Hajri’s poor clearance Al Shorta struggling to fi nd goals, 2021 AFC Champions League tie play against them but we must points to stand a chance of The stalemate continued well The Qatar champions’ per- and slotted the ball home from Lamouchi will surely set his team against the group leaders. work very well in order to have a a first place finish, matched into the second half, with Al sistence, however, paid off four close range to give FC Goa the up with three points the target. Aleksandar Ilic’s side looked good ending in the competition. the Qataris’ aggression but Sadd holding the lion’s share of minutes later when Nam Tae- lead just three minutes in. “We want to win the match in to set to claim their fi rst point of “We will be making some couldn’t get their shots on tar- possession and the Foolad de- hee rose high to head home al- FC Goa will play UAE’s Al order to remain at the top of the the tournament in the Matchday changes in the formation but it get with Sasan Ansari rattling fence began showing signs of Haydos’ curling cross to end the Wahda FSCC in their fi nal group group,” said Lamouchi. “There is Four encounter against Al Ahli will not be a lot. We have some the side netting in the 26th cracking as Mohammed Waad stalemate. match on Thursday while Al no doubt that the match will not Saudi but were denied by Abdul- injuries in the team and we minute, before Zobeir Niknafs found space between the back- The Korea Republic player Rayyan will aim to end their be easy and we respect Al Shor- rahman Ghareeb’s strike 11 min- worked hard in order to regain missed with his shot after a line but his shot lacked the fi re- then almost turned provider in campaign with a win against ta a lot because they are a good utes from time as they fell 2-1. the positive mood of the players perfect set-up by Ayanda Pa- power to challenge Foroozan. the 69th minute when Moham- Iran’s Persepolis FC. team. A positive note for Al Shorta after the last defeat.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, April 27, 2021 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Man United’s Bailly signs new three-year Hazard’s woes leave contract Real Madrid nostalgic

AFP for age of Galacticos London anchester United Hazard played for 15 minutes against Real Betis on Saturday, his second appearance in three months defender Eric Bailly has signed a new AFP Real Madrid, poor results sharpening three-year contract the sense of loss from Ronaldo’s depar- Mthat ties him to the Premier Madrid ture and a growing urge for the club to League club until 2024 with the replace him with a superstar who could option of a further 12 months. I’ll try,” said Eden Hazard when handle the responsibility. The Ivory Coast international asked in his fi rst press confer- Hazard seemed the perfect fi t and was due to be out of contract ence at Real Madrid if he could even though, at 28, Madrid were signing at the end of next season and now become the best player in him a couple of years later, they were there had been speculation he the“ world. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel confi dent he would deliver. That he is would leave Old Traff ord after Messi were the immovable duo but still, still to do so is not only a great shame for struggling to hold down a regu- the suggestion was not that Hazard set- him and but also for fans all over lar place. The 27-year-old has tle for third, a position he had already the world, who have been denied seeing struggled with several injuries come to hover around following seven one of the most enchanting footballers since arriving from Villarreal in brilliant years for Chelsea. of his generation shine for the world’s 2016, with Harry Maguire and Hazard had been the Premier most successful club. Victor Lindelof often Ole Gun- League’s outstanding attacking talent It has been restrictive too for Real nar Solskjaer’s preferred centre- and at Real Madrid, where the demands Madrid, whose own insecurities were back pairing. would be higher and the supporting cast laid bare last week as the club tried But he has delivered some of more prestigious, it was not out of the to force through the European Super his best displays for United this question there could be more to come. League. Perez’s obsession with the season, reaching 100 career ap- He could replace Ronaldo, fi ll Ma- project is driven by a desire to keep up pearances for the club. drid’s creativity gap, launch a new era with the likes of Manchester City and “I’m very happy. This deci- and perhaps even win the Ballon d’Or. Paris Saint-Germain. sion is something I didn’t have to “If everything goes well, why not?” said In the two years before Hazard think about,” Bailly told United’s Hazard. “It’s in my head but I’m not moved to Madrid, PSG signed Neymar website. “I love this club and thinking of it every day.” and Kylian Mbappe. Barcelona bought I love playing for Manchester Almost two years later, Hazard counts Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dem- United. I’m happy and so are my it as a blessing to make it through a bele, while Atletico Madrid acquired family, everything is good. Now single match without another mus- Joao Felix. Liverpol bought Virgil van the moment with my injury has cle creaking let alone an entire season Dijk. To hesitate was to risk being left passed and I’m fi t and feel good, worthy of international acclaim. Real behind. Real Madrid would love to be and that’s it. A new contract Madrid face Chelsea in the fi rst leg of able to claw back some of the 100mn is like a new challenge and I’m the Champions League semi-fi nals to- euros they spent on Hazard to help with ready for this.” day and it would be a huge surprise if he a fresh assault for Mbappe’s signature United manager Solskjaer were to start against his former team. this summer, but who would make an said: “I am pleased that Eric has Hazard came off the bench against off er for the Belgian now? And how signed this new contract. He is Real Betis on Saturday to play his fi rst much? still learning and improving all of 15 minutes in almost three months. “He For a while Zinedine Zidane planned the time under the coaches here. played with spark, with energy,” said around Hazard, tweaking the team to Eric has improved his robustness Zidane. “We’re going to need him.” suit him when he was fi t. But Hazard since my time as manager and he When asked about the merits of Real special type of glamour,” said Perez. “It the spate of superstar signings in the And then the emphasis shifted, a has become an irrelevance in recent will continue to play a signifi cant Madrid’s ‘Galactico’ signings such as lets the whole world know you have a fi rst decade of the century dwindling to change in approach directing Madrid’s months, as Zidane’s side try to move part in the squad. Hazard, the club’s president Florentino world-class player in every position.” just two or three in the second. Gareth attention to younger talents, not always on without him while Perez continues “He possesses fantastic speed, Perez said they are as much a projection But the time when Real Madrid could Bale came in 2013 and a year later James cheap to buy, but always with potential to count the cost of a transfer he must timing of tackle and has that ag- of power as a way of bringing in a better aff ord to poach the word’s best play- Rodriguez, the break-out player of the and the possibility of sell-on value. The hope one day comes good. Chelsea gression which, of course, you striker or right-back. “It creates a very ers every summer are now long gone, 2014 World Cup, followed. 2018-19 season was a miserable one for would be a great place to start. need as a centre-back.”

FOCUS COMMENT Chelsea’s Tuchel criticises Champions ‘Absurd to think Real could be League reforms: ‘quantity, not quality’ banned from Champions League’ AFP games in a stalemate with Real AFP against the changes to the Champions Madrid Betis on Saturday, leaving them London League, saying the current format made it two points behind La Liga leaders the most popular club competition in the Atletico Madrid with fi ve match- world. eal Madrid coach es to play. helsea manager Thomas Tuchel “More and more and more games, is no Zinedine Zidane yes- The capital club host Osasuna has launched a scathing attack on one thinking about us players?” the Ger- terday hit back at calls this weekend before the second the new Champions League format, man international tweeted. “The new UCL for his club to be banned leg against Chelsea at Stamford saying coaches and players had not format is just the lesser of the two evils in fromR the Champions League for Bridge, and then face league title beenC consulted on plans to add more games comparison to the Super League.” their part in the failed European rivals Sevilla in Madrid on May 9. to an already packed schedule. City play Paris Saint-Germain in the fi rst Super League proposals, saying “We are alive in both competi- UEFA last week approved changes to its leg of their semi-fi nal tomorrow. UEFA had the suggestion was “absurd”. tions, we are not going to choose fl agship club competition, which will take agreed to change the current format of 32 The Spanish giants were one one over the other,” added Zi- eff ect from 2024, but the announcement teams split into eight groups of four under of 12 major European clubs to dane, who led Madrid to the La was overshadowed by the launch and sub- pressure from many of the biggest clubs be- launch the ill-fated Super League Liga and Champions League sequent collapse of the European Super hind the ESL project. last week, with the club’s presi- double in 2017. League (ESL). The number of teams partici- As well as ensuring more matches be- dent Florentino Perez insisting “We have had lots of diffi cul- pating in the group stage of the Champions tween the European elite, two places in the the project could still go ahead ties but we have always showed League will increase from 32 to 36, with each Champions League will also be set aside despite nine of the teams with- that we are capable of lifting our- side guaranteed at last 10 matches. each season for clubs with the best historical drawing within 72 hours of the the rest is stuff we can’t control, selves. Now we have a month of Chelsea were one of the 12 clubs to sign up record in the competition, who have failed initial announcement. but my opinion is that we want to the season left and we are going to the ESL project, which would have put an to qualify in any given season. UEFA threatened the clubs see Real Madrid in the Champi- to compete until the end, what- even greater strain on players, with a mini- UEFA had threatened sanctions against with “consequences” before the ons League next year.” ever happens.” mum of 18 regular-season games for all the the clubs involved in the ESL proposals, plans fell apart, but Zidane said Real chief Perez has been Eden Hazard returned from clubs involved. The Blues and the other fi ve very hard for me to be excited at all. All these including potentially throwing them out of any thoughts of a Champions widely criticised for his part in injury as a 77th-minute substi- Premier League clubs who had signed up for discussions about Super League made us the Champions League. But Tuchel insisted League ban were misplaced. “I creating the Super League. “The tute against Betis, having made the breakaway league quickly withdrew fol- forget we have a new format of Champions the players and coaches of Chelsea and Ma- have already given an answer to president knows what I have in only one other brief substitute lowing a fi erce backlash against the propos- League very soon. drid, who were one of the leading drivers of this. It is absurd to think we could my heart and we are here to pre- appearance since January. “He als from fans, players and authorities. “Did they ask any coach, any player about the plan, had earned the right to remain in not be in the Champions League. pare for tomorrow’s game. Now didn’t feel anything. We are Tuchel welcomed Chelsea’s U-turn on the this? They did not ask me. We have so many the competition. It is absurd, enough said,” the is not the time to talk about any- pleased to have Eden with us. He ESL but, speaking ahead of today’s Champi- new formats with the Nations League and a “We deserve to be in the semi-fi nal, like Frenchman insisted ahead of his thing else,” said Zidane. will bring a lot to the team,” said ons League semi-fi nal against Real Madrid, world championship for clubs coming soon. Real Madrid deserve to be in the semi-fi nal,” side’s semi-fi nal fi rst leg against The La Liga champions are Zidane, who will also have mid- said not enough focus had been placed on So much stuff , more games, more teams in said the former Paris Saint-Germain boss. Chelsea today. bidding for a record-extending fi elder available after the reforms to the existing competition. the European Championship in the summer. “We don’t deserve because of political in- “A lot is being said about this 14th European crown this sea- a recent muscle injury. “I’m not sure if I like it because I can This is not more quality, just more games.” fl uence, or because of size, or our shirts, or at the moment from outside and son and host an in-form Chelsea However, full-back Ferland only see more games out of it,” Tuchel said. Manchester City midfi elder Ilkay Gun- our logo. We deserve because we came a long from within. What we need to side in the fi rst leg. Real slipped Mendy has been ruled out of the “More games in the schedule we have. It’s dogan has also spoken out in strong terms way.” focus on is tomorrow’s game. All to a second draw in three league Chelsea fi rst leg.

AUGSBURG SACK HERRLICH, BRING BACK WEINZIERL FOR SEASON CLIMAX Berlin: side convinced that he’s absolutely the last coaching job saw him sacked by League semi-finals. “I am very happy liga side announced. There has been The contract originally ran until sacked coach yesterday right man for FCA during our current Stuttgart after a six-month stint in April that I can continue my journey with intense speculation about the future 2022,” the club said in a statement. and replaced him with former boss situation.” 2019, with the club relegated from the Paris Saint-Germain,” Navas said in a of Leipzig coach The Bayern coaching job could be Markus Weinzierl in an attempt to Weinzierl enjoyed a hugely success- top flight in the play-off a month later. video posted on PSG’s social media in recent days, with Kicker reporting up for grabs after current boss Hansi avoid relegation. A four-match winless ful spell with the club between 2012 platforms. Mauricio Pochettino’s men he has asked the club to terminate his Flick said he wants to quit at the end of run has seen Augsburg slip to just four and 2016 before leaving for an ill-fated NAVAS EXTENDS PSG host Manchester City in the first leg of contract so he can join Bayern Munich. the current campaign. The 33-year-old points above the relegation play-off spell at Schalke. He led Augsburg to a DEAL UNTIL 2024 the Champions League last four today Leipzig said that Kroesche would leave Nagelsmann is widely tipped to take spot with three games remaining in the fifth-placed Bundesliga finish in 2015, Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has signed before the return fixture on May 4. after “intensive discussions regarding that job, with German media reports season. taking them into the Europa League, a contract extension that keeps him the club’s future”. suggest Salzburg coach “During our detailed analysis, we where they lost in the last 32 to six-time with Paris Saint-Germain until 2024, LEIPZIG SPORTING DIRECTOR “RB Leipzig and sporting director could take over at Leipzig. came to the decision that we needed to European champions Liverpool. the French champions announced TO LEAVE AFTER Markus Kroesche have mutually come Oliver Mintzlaff , Leipzig’s chief ex- change our coach,” said sporting direc- Augsburg could have guaranteed yesterday. Costa Rica’s Navas, 34, who ‘INTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS’ to the decision to end their collabora- ecutive off icer, said Kroesche’s duties tor Stefan Reuter. “We had long and safety with a victory over 16th-placed joined the Parisians from Real Madrid RB Leipzig’s sporting director Markus tion and terminate Kroesche’s contract would be taken over by Florian Scholz positive conversations with Markus Cologne on Friday, but instead in 2019, has started all the club’s games Kroesche will leave the club at the end by mutual agreement at the end of the and Christopher Vivell until the end of Weinzierl over the weekend and were slumped to a 3-2 home loss. Weinzierl’s on their way to this year’s Champions of the season, the German Bundes- 2020/21 season. the season. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 27, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Henry and Shearer inducted into Premier Atletico lose to hand League Hall of Fame AFP castle. “When you look at some London of the unbelievable players to have graced the Premier League, week in, week out, year in, year initiative to Barca hierry Henry and Alan out, I feel very honoured to join Shearer were yesterday the Hall of Fame,” said the former named as the fi rst play- England captain. 'Those who have the mental strength will be closer to winning the title' ers inducted into the “All I ever wanted to be was a Toffi cial Premier League Hall of professional footballer. It was AFP Fame in recognition of a com- my dream to do that, my dream Madrid bined 435 goals and seven Golden to win trophies and my dream to Boot awards. score at St James’s Park, to wear Arsenal’s all-time top scorer the number nine black-and- tletico Madrid’s title hopes suf- Henry won two Premier League white shirt and it was fantastic. I fered a setback on Sunday night titles under Arsene Wenger enjoyed every minute of it.” as a shock 2-1 defeat at Ath- and was part of the “Invinci- The Premier League said the letic Bilbao handed Barcelona bles” team that went unbeaten Hall of Fame “recognises and theA upper hand in a thrilling race at the throughout the 2003/04 title- celebrates the exceptional skill top of La Liga. Real Madrid’s draw with winning campaign. France’s and talent of individuals who Real Betis on Saturday gave Atletico the record goalscorer and 1998 have graced the Premier League chance to pull further clear but instead World Cup winner scored more since its inception in 1992”. they ended the weekend with their lead than 20 Premier League goals in “Alan Shearer and Thierry reduced, a loss at San Mames the latest fi ve consecutive seasons between Henry are two world-class twist in Europe’s most unpredictable do- 2001/02 and 2005/06. players who lit up the Premier mestic chase. “To be inducted alongside League throughout their time in Barca had earlier beaten Villarreal by Alan Shearer as the two fi rst in- the competition,” said Premier the same scoreline, with Antoine Griez- ductees into the Premier League League chief executive Richard mann’s quick-fi re double becoming all Hall of Fame is more than spe- Masters. the more valuable after another Atletico cial,” said Henry. “When I was “Both players were capable of slip. Sevilla have largely been overlooked young, I was just trying to make scoring every kind of goal, in- as possible champions in Spain but they sure I could get a pair of boots cluding some of the best we have are right in the mix as well now after a 2-1 and now we’re talking about the ever seen.” win over Granada puts them just three Hall of Fame.” A shortlist of 23 additional points off the top and one behind Real Shearer, who won the title nominees will be announced Madrid. Yet Barcelona were the biggest with Blackburn in 1995, is the later today, with fans invited to winners, with Ronald Koeman’s team Premier League’s record goal- vote to help select the remaining able to go top of the table if they win scorer, netting 260 goals in 14 six inductees to the 2021 Premier their game in hand at home to Granada seasons for Blackburn and New- League Hall of Fame. on Thursday, even if Atletico might have a way back given they are still to play at Camp Nou on May 8. Real Madrid host Sevilla a day later. “There are four of us in that race and now emotionally, those who have the mental strength will be closer to winning,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. “We still know that we depend on ourselves.” Atletico have fi rst place, for now at least, but they might be the least con- vincing of all the contenders. Losing to Athletic Bilbao means they have won only Athletic Bilbao’s Inigo Martinez (centre) scores against Atletico Madrid during the La Liga match on Sunday. (Reuters) six of their last 14 league games, with the momentum gained from consecu- fl icked header found its way inside the backpass to make it two. Helped by a off , with midfi elder Fernando pictured tive wins over Eibar and Huesca proving back post with 13 minutes left. Sime- red card for Villarreal’s without his shirt on in the stands, shak- short-lived. one pumped his fi sts, urging his players shortly after the hour, Barcelona held on ing his head in disbelief. Marcos Acuna The way some of Simeone’s players to seek a winner, but instead there was a for a crucial win. had to put his boots, socks and shinpads dropped to their knees at the fi nal whis- sucker-punch from Athletic, Inigo Mar- Sevilla, meanwhile, pushed their case back on. “The referee stopped it because Thierry Henry (left) and Alan Shearer. tle suggested this result, psychologically, tinez darting free in the box and powering for the title and guaranteed their place in he thought time was up and then he told could be diffi cult to recover from. Alex a superb header past Jan Oblak with four the top four but their win over Granada us he’d made a mistake,” said Sevilla’s Berengeur had already nodded in Ander minutes remaining. will be remembered for the bizarre way Lucas Ocampos. “It was fi nished. I’ve ROUND-UP Capa’s cross in the eighth minute and Barcelona are surely now favourites it ended. Both teams were made to come never seen anything like it. We had basi- Athletic should have doubled their ad- to add a La Liga title to the Copa del Rey back out and play another minute after cally taken our kit off .” vantage in the second half but Oihan San- they won earlier this month. Villarreal referee Ricardo de Burgos admitted he Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui said: cet fi red over. Luis Suarez, Joao Felix and struck fi rst through blew too early for full-time. “The really important thing is Sevilla has Italian clubs who break Thomas Lemar all came on and Atletico but Griezmann equalised with a sumptu- Sevilla’s players had already left and achieved something historic. The eff ort grabbed a lifeline when Stefan Savic’s ous lob before capitalising on a misplaced some of them had started to take their kit of these players has been extraordinary.” away to be banned from : Federation boss he Italian football to the licenses of the clubs and federation (FIGC) said into the regulatory texts of the yesterday that clubs FIGC. The new regulation was who join a breakaway adopted unanimously, includ- Yilmaz-inspired Lille fi ght back to retake top spot Tleague would be banned from ing by the managing director of AFP all domestic competitions Inter, Giuseppe Marotta, who Paris including Serie A. Three Serie sits on the FIGC federal council A clubs — Juventus, Inter Milan as a representative of the league, and AC Milan — were among 12 according to a report. urak Yilmaz scored twice and set major European sides who were The three Italian clubs have up another as Lille staged a bril- involved in the plans to launch since continued to defend the liant comeback to claim a thrill- a European Super League last idea of reform in European ing 3-2 victory at title rivals Lyon week. “(Clubs) who plan to play football. onB Sunday night and reclaim top spot in in competitions outside of FIFA “Football is no longer a game Ligue 1 from reigning champions Paris or UEFA will lose their affi lia- but an industrial sector and it Saint-Germain. tion to our championship,” FIGC needs stability,” argued Juventus The away side trailed by two goals president Gabriele Gravina said club president Andrea Agnelli shortly before half-time, but Yilmaz after a meeting yesterday. last Wednesday. inspired an unlikely fi ghtback to send Inter Milan announced their Lille one point clear of PSG with four withdrawal from the proposed UEFA TO PROBE IBRA’S matches remaining. Monaco are just a Super League last Wednesday ALLEGED BETTING point further back in third after Wissam after the departure of the ‘big COMPANY INVESTMENT Ben Yedder’s late goal grabbed a 1-0 win six’ English clubs. UEFA announced yesterday it at Angers, but fourth-placed Lyon’s title But Juventus and AC Milan will investigate Zlatan Ibrahi- challenge appears all but over, sitting six were less clear, acknowledging movic’s alleged involvement points off the pace. the failure of the plans without in a betting company. The “Scoring just before half-time gave us specifying hether or not they 39-year-old Sweden forward, a lot of confi dence, we knew we could were leaving the project. who signed a new one-year deal go all the way,” Lille’s other goalscorer “It is obvious that if, on with AC Milan last week, has Jonathan David said. June 21, the closing date for invested in Malta-based site Lyon struck fi rst in the 20th minute as Lille’s Burak Yilmaz (second left) is congratuled by teammates after scoring against Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday. (AFP) applications for registration, Bethard according to newspaper Islam Slimani drilled Maxence Caqueret’s some wanted to participate in Aftonbladet. cut-back into the roof of the net. The time when Yilmaz smashed a free-kick low Turkish international Yusuf Yazici’s hobbling off injured early on shortly after competitions of a private nature, UEFA said “Further informa- hosts’ doubled their lead in comical cir- into the top corner to score his 11th league fl ick-on to bear down on goal and clip a being denied in a one-on-one by home they would not take part in our tion regarding this matter will be cumstances 10 minutes before the inter- goal of the campaign. The visitors lev- cool fi nish over Lyon goalkeeper Anthony goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni. championship,” said Gravina in made available in due course.” val as confusion in the Lille defence end- elled on the hour mark as Yilmaz broke Lopes. But Ben Yedder, who replaced Jovetic, a statement. “At the moment, Last April, the Swedish ed with the ball ricocheting off captain clear of the Lyon defence and squared for Monaco, who edged PSG to the title in found space with 11 minutes to play and we have no information on who publication claimed Ibrahimovic Jose Fonte and into his own net. David to convert a simple tap-in. 2017, remain well in the hunt. Niko Ko- lifted the ball over Bernardoni to grab stayed and who left the Super risked punishment for his stake, But Christophe Galtier’s men gave The 35-year-old sealed the victory in vac’s Monaco were frustrated for long his 18th league goal of the campaign and League.” which contravenes UEFA and themselves hope on the stroke of half- the 85th minute, latching onto his fel- periods at Angers, with Stevan Jovetic clinch a precious three points. The new rule will be added FIFA’s rules.

FOCUS Spotify’s Daniel Ek joins forces with Arsenal legends in bid to buy club By Nick Ames and Will Unwin Kroenke family, who are under mount- a state of deep unrest, he perceives an Kroenke’s son, reinforced at a fans’ fo- behind fourth-placed Chelsea – must The Guardian ing pressure after Arsenal’s attempt opportunity to take things much fur- rum last Thursday that his family have win the Europa League if they are to to join the doomed Super League last ther with his boyhood club. “no intention” of walking away. “I still play European football next season. week, to sell up. Ek had used Twitter Stan Kroenke, who owns Kroenke believe we’re fi t to carry on in our posi- When approached, Arsenal of- he Spotify owner Daniel Ek is to express interest in a deal on Friday Sports & Entertainment, is thought to tions as custodians of Arsenal,” he said, fered no comment on a potential bid. preparing a bid to buy Arsenal evening, writing: “As a kid growing up, want at least £2bn if he is to consider pledging to build trust between the There was better news for the embat- with assistance from the club’s I’ve cheered for Arsenal as long as I can selling the club he has run since April ownership and support. tled Arteta when, as expected, the former players Thierry Henry, remember. If KSE would like to sell Ar- 2011 and some sources place that fi gure However, the involvement of three club confi rmed Folarin Balogun has TDennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira. senal I’d be happy to throw my hat into considerably higher. Ek’s personal for- revered former players may ramp up signed a new long-term contract. The The Guardian understands Ek began the ring.” While at a very early stage, tune is estimated to be around £3.4bn pressure for an agreement to be made 19-year-old striker had been sought by making inquiries about a potential pur- that process has begun. although fi gures close to the nascent with Ek. a number of European clubs, who could chase over the weekend and that an an- Although Ek has never entered the consortium say he would have little Around 3,000 Arsenal supporters have signed him on a free this summer. nouncement about an offi cial approach football market before, he is under- problem amassing the sum necessary protested against the Kroenkes’ owner- Balogun is yet to make his Premier could be made as soon as next week. stood to have shown speculative inter- to tempt Kroenke into selling. ship outside the Emirates Stadium be- League debut but has scored twice in the Ek has asked the club legends Henry, est in other Premier League clubs in the Any deal may nonetheless be ex- fore Friday’s defeat by Everton, a result Europa League this season and Arteta Bergkamp and Vieira for help in assem- past. That did not go further than very tremely diffi cult to do given Josh that eff ectively meant Mikel Arteta’s has given him assurances of greater bling a package that could persuade the early-stage talks but, with Arsenal in Kroenke, the club director and Stan side – who are currently 10th, 12 points fi rst-team involvement from 2021-22. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, April 27, 2021 SPORT

CRICKET Napoli go fourth at Juventus’ expense Aussie stars leave IPL Rome: Napoli climbed above Juventus into fourth place in Serie A with a 2-0 win at relegation-threatened Torino yesterday thanks to early goals from Tiemoue Bakay- oko and . as India virus toll grows Gennaro Gattuso’s side went level with the champions on 66 points, The world’s richest cricket league has faced criticism for continuing in empty stadiums during the crisis but leapfrogged them in the standings due to their AFP a good space,” he told the SEN WA radio superior goal diff erence, as New Delhi station. the two sides’ head-to-head Cricket Australia said it was in con- record is even. tact with IPL players, coaches and com- Third-placed AC Milan wo Australian cricketers be- mentators and was listening to their also have 66 points but were came the latest stars to pull out “feedback” as well as to advice from the facing Lazio late last night, of the Indian Premier League Australian government. “Our thoughts while Atalanta in second are yesterday as top bowler Pat are with the people of India at this dif- two points further ahead in TCummins said he was told the competi- fi cult time,” a statement said. a close race for Champions tion was being kept going to provide “a Cummins, one of the most expensive League qualification. few hours of joy and respite” during In- foreign imports into the league, said Bakayoko fired home a dia’s growing coronavirus crisis. he had felt “helpless” watching events swerving shot from the edge Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson in India. “There has been quite a bit of of the box after 11 minutes, are returning to Australia for “personal discussion over here as to whether it and Napoli had their second reasons”, their Royal Challengers Ban- is appropriate for the IPL to continue two minutes later when Osi- galore team said, joining Rajasthan Roy- while Covid-19 infection rates remain mhen’s eff ort was deflected als bowler Andrew Tye who fl ew back high,” he said on Twitter, announcing a into the bottom corner. on Sunday. $50,000 donation to buy oxygen equip- The visitors came close India star Ravichandran Ashwin ment. to making the win more also withdrew to support his family on “I am advised that the Indian gov- comfortable as Piotr Zielinski Sunday as the country staggers under ernment is of the view that playing the and eff orts 350,000 new infections and almost IPL while the population is in lockdown rattled the post either side of 3,000 deaths each day. Ashwin, 34, a provides a few hours of joy and res- the break, before Torino mid- key Test and ODI player, said he would pite each day at an otherwise diffi cult fielder Rolando Mandragora be taking a break from playing in the lu- situation for the country.” The Kolk- picked up a second yellow crative T20 franchise tournament with ata Knight Riders bowler urged other card late on. Torino remain the Delhi Capitals team. “privileged” players to also donate. 16th with 31 points, level with “My family and extended family are While Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Cagliari and Benevento below putting up a fi ght against #COVID19 Ponting described India’s coronavirus them, but Davide Nicola’s side and I want to support them during these situation as “quite grim”, social media have a game in hand. tough times,” Ashwin tweeted. “I expect commenters have been divided over On Sunday, Cagliari moved to return to play if things go in the right the IPL carrying on. The Express Pub- out of the Serie A relegation direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals.” lications newspaper group said it had zone with a 3-2 win over Eu- England batsman Liam Livingstone stopped reporting the competition until ropa League semi-finalists AS left the Royals last week just before a “semblance of normalcy is restored”. Roma at the Sardegna Arena, Britain imposed a travel clampdown “In such a tragic time, we fi nd it in- stretching their winning run on India as its hospitals became over- congruous that the festival of cricket is to three games. Leonardo whelmed and shortages of oxygen and on in India,” the group said. Senior jour- Semplici’s side moved to 31 hospital beds grew. nalist Sharda Ugra hit out at the IPL in a points and above Benevento A handful of players, including India column for the Hindustan Times saying into 17th place on goal diff er- star Axar Patel, tested positive for coro- the IPL was “bubble-wrapped into tone ence. There are now three navirus before the tournament. The deafness” oblivious to “the suff ering points separating both teams world’s richest cricket league has faced outside its gates.” from Fiorentina in 14th. criticism for continuing in empty sta- Australian coach David Hussey, who Teams level on points are diums during the crisis, with a leading is helping Kolkata, said some players ranked by their head-to-head newspaper group accusing it of “com- and staff had lost family in the pandem- record at the end of the mercialism gone crass” as it suspended Rajasthan Royals’ bowler Andrew Tye flew back to Australia on Sunday. (Reuters) ic. “Everyone’s pretty nervous about season, making Benevento’s coverage on Sunday. what’s going on over here,” he said. clash with Cagliari in two IPL organisers were anxious to hold the United Arab Emirates because of the weeks. The Australian players are said Tye, who fl ew back on Sunday, said “From a Kolkata point of view, we’re weeks’ time hugely signifi- the tournament — said to generate bil- pandemic risk. Players are being tested to have left because of fears that they other players had asked him how he got desperate for the tournament to keep cant, after Filippo Inzaghi’s lions of dollars for the Indian economy every two days in bio-secure bub- could become stuck as their country home. “Other guys are just happy to going, purely because everyone’s in side won their last meeting — after last year’s event was moved to bles where they will be based for eight clamps down on travel from India. make sure I’m OK and make sure I’m in lockdown, there’s not much else to do.” 2-1 in January.

ROUND-UP IPL Zimbabwe recall Taylor for Test Morgan, bowlers shine in Kolkata’s win series against Pakistan imbabwe have recalled Mthethwa’s threat, which batsman Brendan was due to be made offi cial on Taylor and picked fi ve Friday, followed the failure of the uncapped players in their members’ council to endorse the Z16-man squad for the two-Test principle of a board comprised of series against Pakistan that a majority of independent direc- starts at the Harare Sports Club tors at a special general meeting on Thursday. on April 17. Taylor did not feature in Zim- Sunday’s statement said babwe’s previous series against details of the new governance Afghanistan in the United Arab structure would be made public Emirates due to ill health, but when the legal process had been provides some much needed completed. experience, especially in the absence of middle-order bats- ICC NAMES QUALIFIED man Craig Ervine, who has a calf TEAMS FOR 2022 injury. COMMONWEALTH GAMES Pakistan-born all-rounder Australia, India, New Zealand, Sikandar Raza, who has also Pakistan, South Africa and been a stalwart of the middle England have all qualifi ed for the order in recent years, misses out 2022 Commonwealth Games in as he receives treatment for a Birmingham, England as cricket bone marrow infection. returns to the event next year, The fi ve uncapped players are the International Cricket Coun- all-rounders Luke Jongwe and cil (ICC) said. Roy Kaia, left-arm seamer Rich- Women’s cricket will feature ard Ngarava, top-order batsman at the Games for the fi rst time, Milton Shumba and fast bowler and cricket for the second time, Tanaka Chivanga, who at the age after a men’s one-day interna- Kolkata Knight Riders’ Pat Cummins (centre) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Punjab Kings’ KL Rahul during the of 27 has only played three fi rst tional (ODI) competition, which Indian Premier League match in Ahmedabad yesterday. (Sportzpics for IPL) class matches to date. The fi rst was staged in Kuala Lumpur in test will start on Thursday, with 1998, was won by South Africa. Agencies long-on by Shahrukh Khan. short-side boundary against Narine but Ra- the second scheduled for May Athletes from the Carib- Ahmedabad, India Andre Russell joined the KKR skipper but hul Tripathi took a magnifi cent catch in the 7-11 at the same venue. bean represent their individual the big-hitter was run-out, courtesy a di- deep to provide KKR their fourth wicket. Squad: Sean Williams (cap- countries at the Games and a rect-hit from Arshdeep from the short third Pooran smashed Varun Chakravarthy for tain), Regis Chakabva, Tendai qualifying tournament for those olkata Knight Riders (KKR) regis- man. Morgan took on Hooda and smashed a six and a four on consecutive deliveries. Chisoro, Tanaka Chivanga, Luke nations will decide which team tered their second victory of the a four and a six over extra-cover in the 16th But KKR pulled back the things once again, Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Kevin Kasuza, reached on a new governance takes West Indies’ spot. The fi nal season after beating the Punjab over while Dinesh Karthik provided the fi n- dismissing Henriques and Pooran. Wellington Masakadza, Prince model. place in the tournament will Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier ishing touch with two fours as KKR chased While Narine, who was back to bowl the The agreement came two be allocated to the winners of a KLeague in Ahmedabad yesterday. down the total with fi ve wickets in hand. 14th over, disturbed the timber to dismiss Masvaure, Tarisai Musakanda, qualifying event to be held by Blessing Muzarabani, Richard days after the country’s sports An unbeaten 47 from Eoin Morgan and Earlier, PBKS, who made one change to Henriques, Chakravarthy got Pooran out minister Nathi Mthethwa gave Jan. 31, 2022. a crucial 41 by Rahul Tripathi helped KKR their playing XI, bringing in Jordan to re- after the left-hander misread the spinner’s Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Milton notice that he would withdraw “Cricket is a sport that is successfully chase the target with three place Fabian Allen, were put in to bat fi rst on delivery and was castled. Shahrukh Khan, Shumba, Brendan Taylor, Donald recognition of Cricket South synonymous with the Com- overs to spare after the bowlers restricted a fresh surface. Mayank Agarwal got things who was joined by Jordan, clobbered a mas- Tiripano. Africa, a move which could have monwealth and we are so excited PBKS to 123. KKR were in early trouble after going after a quiet fi rst over, with a six sive six against Narine but the Punjab Kings resulted in CSA being suspended to have it back in the Games for they lost two wickets in the fi rst two overs against Cummins, followed by a four from were struggling at 95/6 with three overs to SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET from the International Cricket the fi rst time since the men’s with openers Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill PBKS skipper, KL Rahul. go. The right-hander was back to the pavil- ‘AVERTS’ CRISIS Council. competition at Kuala Lumpur,” back in the pavilion. Rahul smacked his fi rst six of the innings ion after trying to go aerial and was followed South African cricket stepped According to the statement, Commonwealth Games Fed- In the very next over, Sunil Narine got out off Cummins but was on his way the next by Ravi Bishnoi, after PBKS batsman got out back from the brink of an in- a meeting of CSA’s two factions eration President Dame Louise after Ravi Bisnoi took a brilliant diving catch ball after trying to clear the ropes again as in a similar fashion against Cummins. ternational crisis when offi cials resolved that a new memoran- Martin said. at deep mid-wicket. the Punjab Kings were 37/1 after the end of Jordan added some useful runs after announced late Sunday evening dum of incorporation would “The debut of women’s T20 Morgan counter-attacked straight away powerplay. smashing Cummins for a four and a six fol- that the diff erences between the be adopted within 48 hours in cricket will be a historic mo- after the left-hander smacked a four and a PBKS then lost the wickets of Chris Gayle lowed by two huge sixes off Prasidh Krishna. two rival factions battling for terms of South Africa’s Compa- ment for Commonwealth Sport six in the fourth over against Shami. Trip- and Hooda in quick succession. While Gayle governance of the game had been nies Act. and a wonderful showcase for athi, on the other hand, creamed two fours edged a delivery off Shivam Mavi, Hooda BRIEF SCORES resolved. “The members’ council and women’s sport across the world.” against Arshdeep Singh as KKR recovered played it straight to Morgan at point off Punjab Kings 123/9 in 20 overs (M Agar- In a joint statement issued the board are very pleased to The 2022 Commonwealth after a poor start. Tripathi further capital- Prasidh Krishna’s bowling. wal 31, C Jordan 30, P Krishna 3/30, S Narine shortly before midnight, Cricket announce that a crisis has been Games, which will attract 4,500 ised and scored 13 off Chris Jordan’s rstfi Mayank, who was joined by Nicholas South Africa’s members’ council averted and agreement has been athletes from 72 nations and ter- over, including three fours. Deepak Hooda Pooran, pulled Prasidh Krishna for a six as 2/22, V Chakravarthy 1/24) lost to Kolkata and interim board announced reached on all those outstanding ritories, is scheduled to run from came to the rescue for PBKS and broke the PBKS were looking to up the ante. Knight Riders 126/5 in 16.4 overs (E Mor- that agreement had been issues,” said the joint statement. July 28-Aug. 8 next year. partnership after Tripathi was caught at The right-hander tried to target the gan 47 not out, R Tripathi 41). Gulf Times Tuesday, April 27, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Bumgarner spins seven-inning Durant returns to no-hitter at Braves

Reuters Arizona tacked on another run Chicago when Eduardo Escobar led off the third with a home run off the foul pole in right. It was his sev- adison Bumgarner enth homer in the past 16 games. power Nets, Hawks was swarmed by It was obviously the best start his teammates after of the season for Bumgarner. He pitching seven no- had not made it past the fi fth in Mhit innings as the Arizona Dia- any of his previous four starts. mondbacks beat the host Atlanta Blessed with a 5-0 lead before Braves 7-0 to sweep a two-game taking the hill, Bumgarner was doubleheader Sunday afternoon. aggressive as he threw 98 pitches Because it was a seven-inning with 73 going for strikes. He fi n- snap losing streak game, it will not count as an of- ished with seven strikeouts. fi cial no-hitter, but it goes down Smyly had his shortest stint of as a complete-game shutout for the season. After giving up seven ‘It was a good start. Hopefully, I’ll build on this game and keep going’ the four-time All-Star. runs in his previous two games Bumgarner faced the mini- combined, he surrendered fi ve AFP mum and only allowed Los Angeles one baserunner. It came RESULTS on a second-inning error by shortstop Nick Ahmed. D’Backs 7-0 Braves evin Durant scored 33 points in He retired 17 straight to Padres 8-7 Dodgers his return from a three-game end the game. The game injury absence as the Brooklyn ended when Marcell Ozu- Red Sox 5-3 Mariners Nets solidifi ed their hold on fi rst na fl ew out to right. Rockies 12-2 Phillies placeK in the NBA Eastern Conference with “Feels good,” Bumgar- Indians 7-3 Yankees a 128-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns. ner said in brief postgame Orioles 8-1 A’s Durant came off the bench early in the comments to Bally Sports second quarter and showed little rust Arizona. “I want to thank Royals 4-0 Tigers after being out with a thigh injury. In 28 the shadows in Atlanta. Pirates 6-2 Twins minutes of playing time, Durant shot 12- I also want to thank Rob Mets 4-0 Nationals of-21 from the fl oor in a Sunday after- Manfred for making these noon clash between two of the best teams seven inning games.” Blue Jays 1-0 Rays in the NBA. In the 14 innings of White Sox 8-4 Rangers “It was a good start. Hopefully, I’ll baseball at Truist Park D’Backs 5-0 Braves build on this game and keep going,” Du- Sunday, Atlanta totaled rant said. just one hit. Arizona took Angels 4-2 Astros Kyrie Irving scored a team-high 34 the fi rst game of the dou- Cardinals 5-2 Reds points, going 30-plus for the 15th time bleheader 5-0, as Zac Gal- Brewers 6-0 Cubs this season, and Blake Griffi n fi nished len pitched a complete- with 16 for Brooklyn, who improved to game shutout. Freddie Giants 4-3 Marlins 41-20 for a one and a half-game lead over Freeman got the only hit, a the second-place Philadelphia 76ers in single, in the sixth. earned runs in four innings Sun- the Eastern Conference standings. In the second game, the Dia- day, giving up six hits with four mondbacks jumped all over At- strikeouts. lanta starter Drew Smyly (0-1) RESULTS in the fi rst inning, putting up PADRES RALLY, EDGE Indiana 131-112 Orlando fi ve runs before the Braves even DODGERS IN 11 INNINGS Atlanta 111-104 Milwaukee stepped to the plate. The run- Eric Hosmer delivered a sacrifi ce scoring barrage started when fl y in the 11th inning to give the Golden State 117-113 Sacramento Pavin Smith led off with a home San Diego Padres an 8-7 victory Washington 119-110 Cleveland run to right. over the Los Angeles Dodgers Brooklyn 128-119 Phoenix Runners were in scoring po- on Sunday and a series victory sition after Carson Kelly moved on the road during a memorable Memphis 120-113 Portland to third on Asdrubal Cabrera’s four games between the National Charlotte 125-104 Boston double. Carson Kelly then came League powerhouses. home on a groundout by Wyatt The Padres’ third victory in Mathisen. David Peralta’s home four days came after they rallied Jeff Green and Joe Harris scored 10 run to right-center plated Ca- late with six runs from the sev- points each for the Nets, while DeAndre brera to make it 4-0, but Arizona enth to ninth innings in order to Jordan had 12 rebounds in front of the wasn’t done just yet. send the game into extra innings. pandemic-limited crowd of 1,700 at Bar- Ahmed reached on an error Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a home clays Center arena. and moved to second, coming run for the Padres, his fi fth in the Devin Booker scored 36 points for home on a double to right from fi nal three games of the series. Phoenix, while Deandre Ayton scored 20 Josh Rojas. He has seven on the season. points with 13 rebounds, as the Suns lost two straight for the fi rst time since late Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (left) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul in the third quarter at the Barclays Center in January. New York. (USA TODAY Sports) “I thought we started off pretty well, they just continued to make shots,” Book- outscored the Suns 31-27 in the fi nal know, one of my favourite things about kets for Atlanta, who snapped a six-game er said. “I think we had a lot of miscom- quarter after trailing by as many as 13 in him is how much he just loves to play bas- losing skid. munications on a lot of our switches and the second period. ketball,” Griffi n said. “So you know when Giannis Antetokounmpo fi nished with that’s that.” They have won six of 10 games with he’s sitting out it’s just like killing him, 31 points and 14 rebounds and Khris Torrey Craig tallied 20 points while Harden out of the lineup. so just to see that joy of just being able to Middleton tallied 23 for the Bucks, who point guard Chris Paul was held to just 14 The Nets led by just fi ve, 97-92, at the play basketball again is fun for us.” dropped to 37-23. points on fi ve of 11 shooting. end of the third but a three-pointer from In Atlanta, Bogdan Bogdanovic The Hawks also got 20 points from Phoenix, second in the West behind the Durant stretched the lead to 102-92 early equalled his season-high of 32 points as Kevin Huerter and 18 points from John Utah Jazz, dropped to 42-18 and are now in the fourth and they held off Phoenix the Atlanta Hawks came from behind to Collins. Atlanta was playing without 2-2 on a fi ve-game East coast road trip the rest of the way. beat the Milwaukee Bucks 111-104. leading scorer Trae Young for the second with another contest on Monday against Durant scored 10 points in the third Lou Williams scored all 15 of his points consecutive game due to an ankle injury. the red-hot New York Knicks, who have quarter, then had the fi rst fi ve of the in the fi nal quarter, including three three- Elsewhere, guard Devonte’ Graham won nine straight. fourth to give Brooklyn its fi rst double- pointers during a 19-6 run by the Hawks. poured in 24 points to lead a balanced Madison Bumgarner of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a pitch Brooklyn, who were without injured digit lead at 102-92. Bogdanovic was 12-for-21 from the attack as the Charlotte Hornets beat the in the third inning of game 2 of a doubleheader against the Atlanta James Harden for the 10th straight game, “The thing I love the most is that we all fi eld and six-for-11 on three-point bas- Boston Celtics 125-104. Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (AFP)

NHL Zibanejad nets hat-trick as Rangers slug Sabres

Reuters past Sabres netminder Dustin Tokarski (23 Los Angeles saves). However, less than 1:30 later, the Sabres equalized on Skinner’s backhander off a rebound. The Rangers went back on top with 7:58 left ika Zibanejad recorded his third hat- in the opening frame as Fox delivered a perfect trick of the season early in the second cross-slot pass to Kakko, who one-timed the period and Kaapo Kakko scored twice puck in with authority. Zibanejad made it 3-1 for the New York Rangers, who con- when he redirected Artemi Panarin’s laser of a Mtinued their recent home success with a 6-3 win pass, amid a triangle of Buff alo defenders, past over the Buff alo Sabres. Tokarski with 2:50 left in the fi rst. Zibanejad had two goals in the fi rst period and Zibanejad completed his hat trick just 2:05 into another early in the second for his seventh ca- the second. Taking a pass from Pavel Buchnevich reer hat trick, raising his 2020-21 goal total to 19. (two assists), Zibanejad pushed the puck through Adam Fox had three assists to extend his career- his legs while in stride and threw it on net and in. high total to 41 – most among NHL defensemen Olofsson pulled one back for Buff alo with his – for the Rangers (25-18-6, 56 points), who are power-play drive from the slot at the 14:47 mark 9-2-1 at home since the beginning of March and of the second. But Kakko converted through traf- four points back of Boston for the fourth and fi nal fi c with 12:54 to go in regulation to make it 5-2. playoff spot in the East Division. Reinhart’s 21st of the season past New York goalie Igor Shesterkin (31 saves) made things somewhat interesting with 9:26 left to play, but RESULTS Kevin Rooney’s empty-netter clinched it for the Penguins 1-0 Bruins Rangers. These teams meet for the fi nal time in 2020-21 Rangers 6-3 Sabres on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Lightning 4-3 Blue Jackets Meanwhile Jake Guentzel scored his team- Flyers 4-3 Devils high 21st goal in the third period and goaltender Tristan Jarry stopped all 30 shots he faced as the Pittsburgh Penguins held on for a 1-0 win over Both of Kakko’s two-goal games this season the visiting Boston Bruins on Sunday. have come against the Sabres. Pittsburgh leapfrogged Washington into fi rst New York is 5-1-1 this season versus Buff alo place in the East Division with its fourth straight (13-29-7, 33 points), which got goals from Jeff win and fi fth in its past six games. Skinner, Victor Olofsson and Sam Reinhart, but Boston, fourth in the East, missed a chance to lost for the fourth time in six games. move to within three points of the Penguins and Zibanejad opened the scoring 4:49 into the one of the New York Islanders. The Bruins lost game on a pass from rookie Alexis Lafreniere, their second straight game following a season- Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers is congratulated by teammates after he scored a hat-trick in the second period against the Buff alo Sabres when he drove the puck from the high slot and best six-game winning streak. at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, April 27, 2021 SPORT

GOLF RUGBY Wales to host NZ and South Africa in Aussies Leishman, autumn internationals

Reuters are looking forward to welcom- London ing all four sides to Cardiff .” The schedule for the ales will look to 2021 series: Smith clinch PGA end a 68-year win- Oct. 30: Wales v New Zealand less run against Nov. 6: Wales v South Africa New Zealand when Nov. 14: Wales v Fiji Wthey host the All Blacks as part Nov. 20: Wales v Australia of their autumn internationals this year, the Welsh rugby Union HUGET’S CAREER (WRU) said yesterday. POTENTIALLY OVER AFTER Wayne Pivac’s side will host ACHILLES TEAR Tour Zurich Classic four test matches at Principal- Former France winger Yoann ity Stadium, kicking off their Huget is likely to have played campaign against New Zealand the fi nal game of his career after ‘THAT BACK NINE WAS BRUTAL. BUT WE HUNG IN THERE AND WE WON’ on Oct. 30 as they seek their fi rst Toulouse said yesterday he had win in the fi xture since 1953. torn his Achilles tendon. Wales then face world cham- Huget, who announced in No- AFP pions South Africa on Nov. 6. vember he will retire at the end Los Angeles The Springboks won the last of the campaign, suff ered the in- meeting between the two sides jury during the weekend’s Top 14 at the 2019 rugby World Cup in win over Racing 92. ustralia’s Marc Leish- Japan, but Wales have triumphed The 33-year-old was helped man and Cameron on each of the last four occasions off the fi eld by club offi cials on Smith parred the fi rst the two sides have met at Princi- Saturday and television images playoff hole Sunday pality Stadium. showed his leg in a cast as he left toA win the US PGA Tour Zurich Six Nations champions Wales the stadium in crutches. Classic of New Orleans over the then take on Fiji on Nov. 14 be- “Thoughts today with @ South African duo of Louis Oost- fore concluding their campaign Huget14, who has had surgery on huizen and Charl Schwartzel. against Australia six days later. a ruptured Achilles tendon,” the Both teams fi nished Sunday’s “There is no doubt this is a record 20-time French champi- foursomes fi nal round at TPC huge autumn series fi xture list ons tweeted. Louisiana at 20-under 268. and we are already looking for- “Some of his best photos from When they returned the par- ward to it, especially with the the 2020-21 season,” they added fi ve 18th to play the fi rst hole of prospect of having supporters in a post with images of Huget. sudden death in alternate-shot back at Principality Stadium,” The former Bayonne three- format, Oosthuizen put his tee Pivac said. “It will be a big cam- quarter, who played the last of shot into the water guarding the paign against quality opposition, his 62 Tests at the 2019 rugby right side of the hole, opening but we see it as another oppor- World Cup, will miss this Sat- the door to Leishman and Smith. tunity to test ourselves... As a urday’s European Champions The Australian pair had start- group we haven’t faced a South- Cup semi-fi nal with Bordeaux- ed the day one stroke behind ern Hemisphere side yet... so we Begles. Oosthuizen and Schwartzel but pulled level after three birdies on the front nine. NFL After the South Africans bo- geyed the 10th, Leishman and Smith gained a two-shot lead with a birdie at the 11th, only to Falcons open to surrender it with bogeys at 13 and 15 – where Oosthuizen and Schwartzel’s birdie was just the trading WR Jones fourth of the day at the tough par-four. Reuters An unlikely birdie at 16 – Budapest where Smith was in the water off the tee but Leishman holed a 23- foot chip – saw the Australians ulio Jones could be com- pull level again. ing soon to the trading They stayed that way as both block as the Atlanta Fal- teams – playing together in the cons entertain inquiries fi nal group – bogeyed 17 and aboutJ the wide receiver’s avail- parred 18. ability. “It’s been a pretty cool week,” Multiple reports yesterday in- said Smith, who notched his dicated that teams are knocking third PGA Tour title and his and the Falcons are listening, but second Zurich Classic crown. Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman hold up the trophy after winning the Zurich Classic tournament. (USA TODAY Sports) contract hurdles exist that might teamed with Sweden’s Jonas prevent a trade prior to June 1. Blixt to win the tour’s only team Jones, 32, caught 51 passes for event in 2017. Leading scores aft er foursomes fi nal round 771 yards and three touchdowns of 96.2 receiving yards per game “That back nine was brutal,” in nine games in 2020. His low was the best in NFL history. Smith said. “But we hung in (x-won at first playoff hole) (USA/USA) 63-73-65-69, Keith (ENG/ENG) 65-73-65-69, Thomas (SWE/ENG) 65-68-70-70, Charley production was a byproduct of But the hamstring injury de- there and we won.” 268-x-Marc Leishman/Cameron Mitchell/Brandt Snedeker (USA/ Pieters/Tom Lewis (BEL/ENG) Hoff man/Nick Watney (USA/USA) injuries. railed his 2020 season and Ryan The Aussie teammates had Smith (AUS/AUS) 63-72-63-70, USA) 66-71-64-69, Keegan Bra- 67-70-63-72, Bubba Watson/ 64-74-65-70, Brice Garnett/Scott The seven-time Pro Bowl se- clicked with Calvin Ridley. The fun with the format all week, Louis Oosthuizen/Charl Schwart- dley/Brendan Steele (USA/USA) Scottie Scheff ler (USA/USA) Stallings (USA/USA) 62-75-64-72, lection has three years left on his third-year pro caught 90 passes Leishman paying tribute to zel (RSA/RSA) 63-71-63-71 63-73-64-70 64-69-66-73 Justin Suh/Doug Ghim (USA/ contract, including $15.3 million for 1,374 yards and nine touch- Smith’s increasingly famous 269-Richy WerenskiPeter Uih- 271-Jon Rahm/Ryan Palmer 273-Xander Schauff ele/Patrick USA) 65-73-63-72, Tyler Duncan/ for the 2021 season and $11.53 downs. He’s owed just $1.9 mil- mullet hairstyle by donning a lein (USA/USA) 65-69-68-67 (ESP/USA) 65-71-65-70 Cantlay (USA/USA) 64-74-68- Adam Schenk (USA/USA) 64-73- million for 2022 and 2023. lion in the fi nal year of his rookie mullet wig prior to Saturday’s 270-Billy Horschel/Sam Burns 272-Danny Willett/Tyrrell Hatton 67, Henrik Stenson/Justin Rose 63-73 A trade could be agreed to this contract but the Falcons are four-ball third round. week without involving 2021 planning to exercise his fi fth- The demands of the fi nal- draft picks if the Falcons pre- year option for 2022. round alternate-shot format left “Not very often you get to cel- in the water at 16. “Cam actu- he said. “It was nice to make zel said. “It probably could have fer to execute the deal June 2 to New head coach Arthur Smith little time for frivolity, but both ebrate together,” he said. ally hit a really good tee shot that, settle us down a little bit gone any way out there today.” lower the cap hit and assign the played a brand of power football Smith and Leishman said team- “You celebrate with your cad- there and just the wind got it a and we were able to fi nish it off Americans Richy Werenski charge to next year. with the Tennessee Titans that ing with a friend for a victory die and your team, but to be able bit more than we thought,” said in the playoff .” and Peter Uihlein fi nished third Between Jones, Matt Ryan and might not require as much pe- was special. to do it with a fellow player and Leishman, who after the drop Despite the disappointment, after combining for a 67 for 269. defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, rimeter fi repower. “We had such a good week on a mate, it’s as good as it gets, re- stepped up and chipped in for a both Oosthuizen and Schwartzel Keith Mitchell and Brandt more than $70 million in 2021 The Falcons are also in prime and off the golf course,” Smith ally.” birdie that pulled them level. were pleased with their round in Snedeker moved as low as salary cap space is consumed by position this week with the No. said. “Something I’ll never for- With that camaraderie in He was so busy celebrating the demanding foursomes for- 20-under before fi nishing with a three contracts. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft get for sure.” mind, Leishman said he had no with Smith, Leishman said, he mat. 69 that left them on 270 along- Jones and Ryan have been one to fi nd a suitable replacement – Good as it gets – Leishman intention of giving Smith “a lit- forgot to get the ball out of the “The idea was to give our- side Billy Horschel and Sam of the most prolifi c combina- with either Florida tight end called the experience “amaz- tle jab or something” after his hole. selves as many birdie putts as we Burns and Keegan Bradley and tions in NFL history. Entering Kyle Pitts or LSU wide receiver ing.” teammate dunked his tee shot “Louis had to throw it to me,” can and we did that,” Schwart- Brendan Steele. last season, Jones’ career average Ja’Marr Chase.

SPOTLIGHT Higgo cruises to second European Tour title AFP LEADING SCORES Gran Canaria, Spain South Africa’s Garrick Higgo (par 70/GBR & IRL unless 61-62-68 poses with trophy aft er winning stated): 263-Joachim B. Hansen (DEN) the Gran Canaria Open. outh Africa’s Garrick 255-Garrick Higgo (RSA) 65-64- 63-67-66-67 Higgo continued his bril- 63-63 264-Marcel Schneider (GER) liant start to life as a Eu- 258-Maximilian Kieff er (GER) 68-66-65-65, Richard Bland ropean Tour professional 63-65-68-62 64-66-68-66, Jack Senior 66-65- byS sealing his second victory on 259-Jeff Winther (DEN) 67-66- 67-66, Darius van Driel (NED) the circuit at the Gran Canaria 62-64 66-65-67-66, Joost Luiten (NED) Open on Sunday. 261-Sam Horsfield 69-61-65-66 63-68-66-67, Matthias Schwab The 21-year-old, who won 262-Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) (AUT) 65-63-66-70, Matthieu last year’s Portugal Open on just 65-61-70-66, Connor Syme 71- Pavon (FRA) 66-64-64-70 his seventh European Tour start, eased to a three-shot triumph in the Canary Islands. ian Kieff er, who lost in a play-off July 2019 after returning from Higgo, the world number 110, in Austria on his last outing, put an event in the United States. He started the fi nal round with a some pressure on with an eight- was suspended by the tour after two-shot lead and managed to under 62, but had to settle for being charged with sexual as- stay out in front and fi nish on second again. sault, being drunk on an aircraft 25-under-par for the tourna- Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen, and common assault, but was ment. He could rise to as high as part of Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup- cleared to return less than a year 65th in the rankings on Monday. winning team, fi nished tied-fi fth later after his trial was delayed “It’s unreal. I can’t put it into on 18-under in his fi rst start of the until at least December 2021 due words, it feels amazing,” Higgo year after struggles with injury to the coronavirus pandemic. told europeantour.com. “I am just and Covid-19. The 31-year-old has pleaded going to keep going forward. I am Olesen is still waiting to stand not guilty to all three charges playing next week, the week after trial on charges including sexual Olesen led at the halfway stage, and see where my game goes.” assault after being arrested at but fell back over the weekend In-form German Maximil- London’s Heathrow Airport in with rounds of 70 and 66. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 27, 2021 7 SPORT

FOCUS First Arab woman basketball referee to stand tall at Olympics

AFP on 3 competition popular on pub- “I have refereed men’s games a deeper understanding of the Cairo, Egypt lic courts around the world before in the past and I have had a lot of rules”. the format was added to the Tokyo success running them which gar- “My family has been com- Olympic programme in 2017. nered the confi dence of Egypt’s pletely supportive,” she added. hen 3-on-3 basket- Games are played on a half refereeing committee... It’s the ball makes its debut court with one basket, as op- usual for me.” ‘FEELING RESPONSIBLE’ at the Tokyo Olym- posed to the traditional end-to- Gamal fell in love with the “Being the fi rst Arab and African pics, referee Sarah end full-court play in the fi ve game at fi ve years old learning woman refereeing 3 on 3 games WGamal will also be making a break- against fi ve game. To win, a team from her older sister. at the Olympics is a positive. through, as an Arab and African must reach 21 points fi rst or out- “I was fi ve when I started There’s no pressure on me and I woman offi ciating at the Games. score their opponents over two hooping. That helped me to or- am confi dent that this step will Wearing a black veil embla- 10-minute halves. ganise my time between studying pave the way for other Arab and zoned with a sports company’s and training. It’s all thanks to my African women referees,” she logo, Gamal stands tall among NO FEAR OF MEN mother, who ran a tight ship, un- said. the high-fl ying male players at Gamal has had plenty of experience til I reached university and stud- “There’s nothing that really Alexandria United Club, a pow- blazing a trail for aspiring women ied civil engineering,” she told to scares me, but I do feel responsi- erhouse of Egyptian basketball referees and players including at AFP. ble,” Gamal added. with a rowdy fanbase. the FIBA World Youth Cup in 2018 “It was diffi cult, especially She stressed that her family “From the start of my journey in Belarus and at the African Wom- since it’s a fi eld that requires are fi ne with her travelling during as a referee, I haven’t heard one en’s Championship in 2017. studying hard and exerting a lot a global pandemic provided she negative comment or faced any “The veil hasn’t aff ected my of eff ort mentally,” she said. takes precautions. obstacles to me being a veiled refereeing in any tournament so She is eager to show off her “My family are a bit worried woman. The veil for me is normal far and to prove it I’m ready to take skills and experience at the Ol- when I travel... but that has not and doesn’t cause any problems,” on the Tokyo Olympics,” she said. ympics. diminished their enthusiastic the 32-year-old told AFP. “My thinking is focused on train- “My family is still beaming support to me,” Gamal said. The International Basketball ing and proper preparation to per- with the news of my selection. As she prepares to hit the court Federation (FIBA) changed its form at this important event.” It’s a great reward for all the sweat in Tokyo, Gamal has her sights on rules in 2017 to allow players to Working in a male-dominated and tears I’ve had to go through in her next goals. wear the hijab (veil) under certain industry as a civil engineer in recent years,” said Gamal “I want to make it to the men conditions. Alexandria, she is not afraid of She started as a player and and women’s World Cups and to To attract a younger interna- offi ciating male athletes on hard- In this April 17, 2021, picture, Egyptian referee Sarah Gamal watches players during a basketball match switched to refereeing at 16 “be- maintain the trust the interna- tional fanbase, FIBA adopted the 3 wood courts. between Al-Ittihad and Al-Geish in Alexandria, Egypt. (AFP) cause I had a great passion for tional body has put in me so far.”

MOTORSPORT OLYMPICS Tokyo 2020 defends request F1 adds sprint for nurses as virus spikes AFP Tokyo, Japan

okyo Olympics organis- ers have defended their request for 500 nurses qualifying to at the pandemic-delayed Tmega-event, after accusations of diverting crucial medical re- sources. Reports about their request to the Japanese Nursing Associa- tion sparked a furious response among social media users yester- 3 races in 2021 day, the day after a coronavirus state of emergency was imposed Domenicali had earlier said a sprint race would be at the British GP in the capital. Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto Agencies confi rmed the reports but said Bengaluru/Milan discussions were still ongoing, and that organisers would strive to “come up with a feasible way ormula One said yester- of securing that many nurse re- Muto Toshiro, CEO of Tokyo 2020, attends a press conference after an day it will debut a new sources”. executive board meeting in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. (Reuters) sprint qualifying format “One of the key assumptions at three races in the 2021 is you should not deteriorate the “This isn’t a joke, people will port for the Games, with polls seasonF after it was unanimously service level in the local commu- die because of the Olympics,” showing a majority of Japanese approved, with the events to be nity by pulling out these nurses, wrote one user. support cancellation or further hosted at two European and one and I have made this point very “Are you looking to kill front- postponement. non-European Grands Prix. clear,” Muto told reporters. line medical workers?” wrote Overseas spectators have al- The new format will have a Parts of Japan have seen a re- another. ready been banned from the event qualifying session after the fi rst cent resurgence in Covid-19 cas- Muto denied that the request over fears of the virus spreading, free practice session on Friday es, driven by more infectious new was made “behind the scenes”, and a decision on how many do- to determine the grid for sprint variants. and said “careful and meticulous mestic fans will be allowed into qualifying on Saturday. A virus state of emergency discussions” would be needed to venues is expected soon. The results from sprint quali- came into force in Tokyo and fi ne-tune the details. Japan has had some success fying — where drivers will com- three other regions on Sunday, “We need to come up with a containing Covid-19, with just pete over 100km — will deter- less than three months before the way to coexist,” he said. “That’s over 10,000 deaths despite never mine the grid for Sunday’s race Olympic opening ceremony on what I mean with being fl exible imposing strict lockdown meas- while the top three fi nishers also July 23. with working hours and shifts ures. receive three, two and one point The hashtag “request for 500 and so on. We are consulting But cases surged over the win- respectively. nurses” was trending on Twit- about that.” ter and have rebounded since the “I am delighted that all the ter in Japan yesterday, with many Organisers are already strug- previous state of emergency was teams supported this plan,” For- users scathing. gling to drum up public sup- lifted in March. mula One president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement. “It is a testament to our unit- Nine test positive for Covid-19 at Covid fear sees Tonga look to ed eff orts to continue to engage Indian women’s hockey camp Europe for Olympic qualifi er our fans in new ways while en- suring we remain committed to Nine members of the Indian women’s hockey Tonga announced yesterday it would select the heritage and meritocracy of Formula One president and CEO Stefano Domenicali. (AFP) team, including seven players, are isolating after Europe-based players rather than their off icial our sport.” testing positive for Covid-19 over the weekend, sevens squad for the June Olympic rugby sevens Domenicali had earlier said SPECTATORS COULD menicali told Sky TG24. incredible physical desire for For- the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said yesterday. qualification tournament in Monaco. Tonga Rugby one of the sprint races would be RETURN FOR MONACO GP, “In the next Grands Prix of mula One, not just on television.” The players and staff were tested on Saturday Union said that although they have a specialist at the British Grand Prix at Sil- SAYS F1 CHIEF Portugal and Spain, unfortunate- During the season-opening when they arrived at the training base in Bengalu- sevens squad based in New Zealand, there was verstone in July. A limited number of spectators ly we will not have anyone, but Bahrain GP in March, a few spec- ru where they will prepare for the Tokyo Olympics less risk using 15-a-side internationals who would The next race weekend is the could be allowed to attend the Monaco is presented as the fi rst tators who were vaccinated or in July. The players who tested positive include not be returning immediately to Tonga after the Portuguese Grand Prix from Monaco Grand Prix on May 23, where a limited number of people cured of Covid-19 were able to team captain Rani Rampal, Savita Punia, Sharmila tournament. The Pacific island is one of the few April 30-May 2. Domenicali revealed on Sunday. should be admitted on Sunday. witness Lewis Hamilton’s win. Devi, Rajani, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur and countries to successfully keep out the virus. Send- Defending champion Lewis However, no fans will be al- “It gives us hope for the fu- Monaco announced 10 days Sushila. The team’s video analyst Amutha Prakash ing a team from New Zealand would require the Hamilton of Mercedes leads lowed at the races in Portugal next ture, because if the situation ago an easing of health restric- and scientific adviser Wayne Lombard also tested players to spend two weeks in managed isolation the 2021 standings after two weekend and Spain on May 9. improves there will be a gradual tions in the Principality, but positive. SAI added that all nine individuals are on their return. The third option of sending a team races with 44 points, one point “We are monitoring the situ- reopening and fans will have the without a decision on the Grand asymptomatic and isolating at its National Centre from Tonga was ruled out because they did not ahead of Red Bull’s Max Ver- ation on a daily basis, which is opportunity to participate.” Prix, the fi fth round of this sea- of Excellence. want to risk bringing the virus into the island. stappen. changing hour by hour,” Do- The Italian added: “There is an son’s calendar.

SPOTLIGHT Herta dominates in IndyCar St. Petersburg victory AFP Newgarden’s Penske teammate, TV interview. Britain’s Jack Harvey, driv- Miami, United States was third. “Sorry if I can barely talk, I’m ing for Meyer Shank racing, was For 21-year-old Herta and so winded,” he said after the race fourth and reigning IndyCar Newgarden, it was a swift turna- in hot, humid conditions. “I’m champion Scott Dixon of New olton Herta shrugged round from disappointing fi n- so happy to rebound from Bar- Zealand was fi fth for Chip Ga- off a disappointing In- ishes in the season-opener last ber and get the momentum going nassi. dyCar season opener week at Barber Motorsports Park this season that we need, which is It was a tough day for Herta’s and won the Grand Prix in Alabama, where Herta fi nished a championship season.” Andretti Autosport teammates. ofC St. Petersburg in dominant 22nd and Newgarden 23rd. Herta said he was “nervous” Alexander Rossi fi nished sev- style on Sunday. Herta held off Newgarden on about the late challenge from eral laps down after tangling with The Andretti Autosport driver two late restarts after full-course Newgarden, the winner of the Graham Rahal on the 37th lap. started from pole and led 97 of 100 cautions, during which his lead past two St. Petersburg races who Seven-time NASCAR Cup laps on the 1.8 mile street circuit that had swelled to as many as 10 was racing on fresher, softer tires. champion Jimmie Johnson, mak- in St. Petersburg, Florida, beating seconds dwindled. “I thought they were going to ing the jump to open-wheel rac- two-time IndyCar champion Josef He hung on for his fourth In- be better, but they ended up be- ing this season, had two mishaps, Newgarden by 2.4933sec. dyCar victory. ing similar,” he said. “I was able hitting the tire barrier on lap 16 France’s Simon Pagenaud, “What a great job by every- to hold him off , and oh man, I and after rejoining multiple laps the 2016 IndyCar champion and body,” Herta said in a post-race can’t even speak right now.” down spinning.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

Qatar’s Younousse-Tijan reach beach volleyball fi nal in Cancun

Qatar’s Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse celebrate their victory over Adrian Carambula and Enrico Rossi of Italy in the semi-final of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Cancun Hub 2nd Event in Cancun, Mexico, on Sunday. The Qatari duo won the game 2-0 (21-10, 21-16) to secure their place in the final, where they will meet the Norwegian pair of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum.

TENNIS FOCUS Comeback queen Barcelona test a Barty savours ‘phenomenal’ platform for success week in Stuttgart Reuters 2020 season rather than rejoin Melbourne, Australia the Tour appears to have paid off , with the Australian returning to the kind of form that led to the orld number one 2019 French Open title and world Ashleigh Barty number one ranking. in clay season: Nadal said her tennis had Although suff ering a surprise reached a new level defeat to 25th seed Karolina Mu- ‘I hope that the victory is going to help me to raise a little bit my level’ Wduring a “phenomenal” week in chova in the Australian Open Stuttgart where she pulled off quarter-fi nals and a fi rst-round Reuters three successive comeback wins exit at the Adelaide Interna- Barcelona, Spain to claim her second title on clay. tional in February, Barty caught The Australian, who turned 25 fi re after departing home shores, on Saturday, defeated fi fth seed defending her Miami Open title orld number two Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-0 6-3 in three weeks ago. Rafael Nadal said the fi nal to hoist her third WTA Sabalenka was her 10th suc- his gruelling 6-4, trophy this season and cement cessive win over top-10 oppo- 6-7 (6), 7-5 win her place at the top of the rank- nents dating back to her 2019 Wover Stefanos Tsitsipas in the ings. WTA Finals title in Shenzhen. Barcelona Open fi nal on Sunday The Sabalenka win followed Barty capped a stellar week at could prepare him for long bat- victories over fourth seed Elina the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart tles ahead in the European clay- Svitolina and sixth seed Karolina by teaming up with American court season. Pliskova after conceding the fi rst Brady to win the doubles, beating The 34-year-old, who set in each. top seeds Desirae Krawczyk and claimed a record-extending 12th “This week has been phenom- Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Barcelona title, suff ered a back enal for me,” Barty said in her “Tennis is a strange sport at injury in Melbourne earlier this post-match media conference. times,” Barty said. “Even though year before he was beaten by “We’ve played a lot of tennis, a you can be a set down, I didn’t Tsitsipas in the Australian Open lot of matches. feel I was very far off . quarter-fi nals. “And I’ve certainly felt like I’m “I think it’s important to just Following a spell out on the taking my tennis to kind of a new continue to work in the right di- sidelines, the 20-times Grand level, in a sense of being able to rection, try to do right things... Slam champion returned to ac- be calm and play with freedom And if you don’t (get the result), tion at Monte Carlo this month, and play without consequence you just keep going for the next going out in the quarters. in a way, just going out there and time. But the Spaniard, who will be try to bring my best every single “I think that’s a massively im- looking for a 14th French Open point.” portant attitude to have.” crown when the claycourt Grand Barty’s decision to stay home The WTA Tour continues at Slam begins on May 30, showed during the pandemic-blighted the Madrid Open this week. he was returning to his battling best on Sunday, saving a match point before going on to winning his fi rst title of 2021. At three hours and 38 min- utes, it was the longest best-of- three-set ATP Tour fi nal since statistics started being tracked in 1991, the governing body of Spain’s Rafael Nadal poses with the trophy after winning the ATP Barcelona Open on Sunday. (AFP) men’s tennis said. “I haven’t been able to play a “I really believe I can play bet- on-court emotions in the heat of Nadal, a Real fan despite his it was “a disaster, a disaster. lot of competitive matches for ter than what I’m doing on clay battle but he was overheard by uncle Miguel Angel making over “La Liga’s over,” a despondent the past couple of months. It’s and I hope that the victory is go- courtside microphones venting 200 appearances for arch-rivals Nadal added. true that matches like today ing to help me to raise a little bit his frustration over his soccer Barcelona, was seen speaking to “Madrid need goalscorers, make me feel better physically my level that I need to fi ght for club Real Madrid’s disappoint- umpire Mohamed Lahyani about they need a forward,” said the and more ready for long battles,” the next couple of events that ing weekend result. his team’s 0-0 home draw with Swedish umpire. “Amongst Nadal told reporters. I’m going to play.” As the Spaniard prepared on Real Betis on Saturday and was other things,” said Nadal with a “I think I’ve been able to Nadal will next be in action at a practice court for Sunday’s less than impressed with what sigh. play better and better during the Madrid Open in early May. Barcelona Open fi nal success he saw. Real’s 0-0 draw with Betis the whole week in every single against Stefanos Tsitsipas, the “Hala Madrid, but this year’s means they sit in second place match and today was a bit bet- REAL FAN NADAL LAMENTS 20-time Grand Slam champion not so good, another 0-0 and on 71 points, two behind league ter than yesterday. I have room ‘DISASTROUS’ BETIS DRAW was frank in his assessment of we’re two points off the top” leaders Atletico Madrid. Third- Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in action during the Tennis Grand Prix final to keep improving. I wasn’t per- WITH UMPIRE Real’s stuttering La Liga title de- Lahyani said to Nadal, who placed Barca also have 71 points against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka (not pictured) in Stuttgart, Germany, fect. Nadal might be renowned for his fence. shook his head and replied that but with a game in hand. on Sunday. (Reuters)

PLAN UPDATE ATP chief wants a grass Masters 1000 event Andreescu out of Madrid Open

Reuters every year. “I like the concept of a strong Bengaluru, India A Masters 1000 tournament Masters 1000 leading into Wim- aft er positive Covid-19 test has never been held on grass bledon. We have a grand slam on since the series’ inception in grass but not a Masters 1000. Reuters which is set to begin Friday, but in her left knee a month later. he ATP is exploring the 1990 and the events organised “It is obviously going to have New York, United States was told upon arrival that she She was unable to return to possibility of staging in the build-up to Wimbledon to be discussed by everyone but had produced a positive test. competition until February this a Masters 1000 event are ATP 500 and ATP 250 tour- that could be a way of bringing a “I am feeling good, I’m rest- year, losing in the second round on grass in Britain in naments in Germany, Britain, big event to the UK.” orld number six Bi- ing and continuing to follow of the Australian Open, and Tthe lead-up to Wimbledon in and the Netherlands. This year’s grasscourt season anca Andreescu is the health protocols and safety earlier this month made a tear- the future, the chairman of the “I personally like the concept was cut short by a week follow- out of the Madrid guidelines,” she said. “I look for- ful exit from the Miami Open men’s tour Andrea Gaudenzi of having an ATP Masters 1000 ing the postponement of the Open after testing ward to getting back out on the fi nal against world number one said. tournament on grass the week French Open due to the Cov- Wpositive for Covid-19, the Cana- court very soon.” Ash Barty, after tumbling on the Masters 1000 events are of Queen’s and Halle,” Gaudenzi id-19 pandemic. dian confi rmed on social media The announcement marked court and injuring her foot. among most prestigious tour- told The Times. The claycourt Grand Slam on Sunday. yet another disappointment for The WTA has said it will en- naments after the four grand “It is something I have pro- will begin on May 24 and fi nish The 20-year-old said she test- Andreescu, who won her maiden courage players to receive the slams, with three held on clay posed to the stakeholders and to on June 13, two weeks before the ed negative twice before fl ying Grand Slam title at the US Open in Covid-19 vaccine but would not and a further six on hard courts the board. expected start of Wimbledon. to Madrid for the tournament, 2019 only to suff er a torn meniscus require it for competition.