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Sunday, May 13, 2018 FORMULA 1 Sha’baan 27, 1439 AH Hamilton ends GULF TIMES Vettel’s pole run in Spain SPORT Page 7 FOOTBALL Tabata’s brace powers Rayyan into Amir Cup fi nal ‘We have to enjoy playing in the final. We have to be at our best to beat Duhail and win the title’

By Sahan Bidappa Doha

odrigo Tabata’s brace powered Al Rayyan to a 3-0 win over Al Gharafa and into the fi nal of the Amir Cup. RAt the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday, Tabata was at the heart of Rayyan’s impressive performance as they cruised past Gharafa in the semi- fi nal. Michael Laudrup’s men, who lost in the fi nal to Al Sadd last year, face a mighty challenge this time too as they face Al Duhail in the title clash at the Khalifa In- ternational Stadium on May 19. Djamel Belmadi’s Duhail are un- beaten this year and will be going for a historic domestic treble, having already won the QNB Stars League and Qatar Cup trophies this season. Rayyan were thrashed 1-6 by Ghara- fa the last time the two sides met in the league. And Rayyan came into the match vowing to prove a point and re- Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup. deem their season. They had dream start when Taba- ta put them ahead in just the second minute of the game. Gharafa gifted Rayyan possession in the midfi eld, al- lowing Tabata to run into the edge of the box, where he picked up Sebastian Soria on the right fl ank. Soria, after getting past two Gharafa defenders, re- layed it back to Tabata, who fi red Rayy- an in front. Tabata was the key to his team’s eve- ry attacking run as the attacking mid- fi elder tormented Gharafa on the night. If not for goalkeeper Qasim Burhan’s timely interventions Gharafa would have been at least three goals behind in the fi rst-half. In the 31st minute, Burhan parried away a shot from Soria, who then shot Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata celebrates after scoring a goal against Al Gharafa during their Amir Cup semi-final at Jassim Bin over the bar again two minutes later. Hamad Stadium yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and Shemeer Rasheed Both the chances were set up by Tabata. Burhan was again called into action ceived a wonderful pass from Tabata, able to stop a powerful shot. their energy bit, looked a threat in the just before the half-time, when he had who played a long ball from the half line. Alaaeldin, who had scored the win- fi nal ten minutes and had at least three to dive to his left to save Yohan Mollo’s With only goalkeeper to beat, Myong- ner in the 88th minute against second clear chances. In the 86th minute, Al Gharafa coach Bulent Uygun. low shot. jin expertly chipped it over Burhan to division side Mesaimeer in the quarter- Tabata hit straight to the keeper after Rayyan began the second-half as put Rayyan in the cruise mode. fi nals, once again looked a threat in the a pass from Mollo, but he wasn’t to be with the victory. “I was a bit surprised enjoy the final against Duhail. “We they did the fi rst-half and doubled Gharafa immediately raised their match. But his teammates let him down denied in the next minute. Tabata put at how we dominated the game. We have to enjoy playing in the final. We their lead in the 47th minute courtesy a game and looked to have pulled a goal and cut an isolated fi gure as the match the match to bed with Soria again mak- had a great support from the fans and it have to be at our best to beat Duhail clever fi nish from Koh Myong-jin. back through substitute Ahmed Alaael- went on. ing the assist. helped us to put a good show,” he said. and win the title,” the manager from The South Korean midfi elder re- din, but Rayyan keeper Omar Bari was Rayyan players, who had dropped Rayyan coach Laudrup was delighted Laudrup called on his players to Denmark said.

ATHLETICS / DIAMOND LEAGUE Qatar’s Haroun races to third in Shanghai meet

By Sports Reporter Makwala ran 44.23 seconds, while fi ghting for the last 100 metres, but I the lead on the straight, 22-year-old Doha 2017 World Championship bronze was stronger and I knew it. I come from Cheruiyot‘s long stride saw him go fi rst medallist Haroun fi nished a creditable the same village as (David) Rudisha, late to stop the clock in 3:31.48 – the 44.51. he was always my example. Now I take fastest time by anyone this year. atar’s Abdalelah Haroun fi n- “I felt really good today and had over.” Cheruiyot never doubted his kick. “I ished in the top three for the some fun. To set a meet record of 43.99 Poland’s Marcin Lewandowski beat was sure I was going to win the race,” he second straight Diamond feels so good. I felt I had the race in the the chase to fi nish third in 1:45.41. said. League meet even as Steven last 120m,” Gardiner said after the win. “I needed to run a good time, and this GardinerQ of the Bahamas raced to a Second-placed Motswana athlete race is good for the Diamond League CHERUIYOT TAKES 1,500M 400m victory yet again yesterday. added: “Was a good race, not so tough, An equally entertaining men’s 1,500m points.” Gardiner had raced a world lead- was fi ne. I ran a season best, that was saw another Kenyan prosper in a home Tefera recorded a personal best of ing 43.87 seconds in Doha earlier this my plan, I did and that’s good. I also straight battle. 3:31.63, taking him to eighth on the month, beating 21-year-old Team Qa- had to win it, but I collapsed a bit on A hot pace was set from the start, world U20 all-time list, and fi nished tar member Haroun, who ran 44.50, the end. Next race I’ll catch him (Gar- Cornelius Kiplangat leading them more than a second ahead of Iguider. ahead of third-placed Isaac Makwala diner).” through 800 metres in 1:53. Young (44.92) of Botswana. Meanwhile, Kenya’s new 800m ace Ethiopian Samuel Tefera found himself RUSSIA’S LASITSKENE CLINCHES Yesterday, in Shanghai, Common- Wycliff e Kinyamal lit up a muggy night at the front after the pacer dropped out, HIGH JUMP wealth Games champion Makwala was in the Shanghai Stadium. the world indoor champion looking Russian high jumper Maria Lasitskene off the mark in a fl ash, but Gardiner Commonwealth champion Kinyamal startled before taking up the running. clinched the title clearing 1.97 metres. stayed not too far behind. The World went inside 1:44 for the second time in Abdelaati Iguider gave chase as Timo- Lasitskene is the winner of the 2017 Championship silver medallist picked his career to win in a meeting record, thy Cheruiyot, who had been in second, Diamond League fi nals. The Shanghai up speed in the fi nal quarter of the race world lead and personal best of 1:43.91, sat in third. tournament was the 39th competi- and posted 43.99 seconds, his second fi nishing 0.04 ahead of Jonathan Kitilit. The 2017 Diamond League cham- tion in a row for the Russian athlete, in (From left) Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun and Bahamas’ sub-44 timing in as many races this “A PB and meeting record, the race pion Cheruiyot moved through the fi - which she won gold medals, reported Steven Gardiner in action during the men’s 400m event at the Shanghai Diamond season. was fi ne,” said Kinyamal. “We were nal bend, and although Tefera still held Tass news agency. League meet yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 2 Sunday, May 13, 2018 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Liverpool bid to seal top-four spot as Klopp calls for focus

Arsene Wenger bids farewell to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (right) with star Arsenal after 22 years in charge as midfielder Mohamed Salah. the Gunners boss finishes his long goodbye with a trip to Huddersfield

AFP especially for a place in the Champions London League, is not in our hands. But we have to try to get three points against New- castle, then to drop something positive urgen Klopp has warned Liver- for us,” Conte said. pool to forget about the Cham- Chelsea have an FA Cup fi nal date pions League fi nal as they aim with Manchester United on May 19 but to qualify for next season’s tour- this could be Conte’s last league game namentJ by holding off Chelsea on the with the Blues after two stormy seasons fi nal day of the Premier League cam- marred by his feud with the club over paign. Klopp’s fourth-placed side sit their failure to back his transfer plans. two points clear of fi fth-placed Chel- Refusing to take the blame for Chelsea’s sea and, given their vastly superior woes, Conte said: “We’re struggling to goal diff erence, they should seal a top- take a place in the Champions League. four fi nish if they avoid defeat against But we play in a very tough league Brighton today. where there are six top teams fi ghting A Liverpool win at Anfi eld would for a place. It’s not automatic that you render Chelsea’s result at Newcastle fi nish every season in the top four.” irrelevant and condemn last season’s Third-bottom Swansea look certain champions to play in the Europa League to relegated when they face Stoke at for the fi rst time since 2013. Unbeaten the Liberty Stadium. Carlos Carvalhal’s at home in the league this season, Liv- side are three points behind fourth- erpool are odds-on to achieve their bottom Southampton, who secured a goal. But Reds boss Klopp is aware of crucial win over the Welsh club in mid- the dangers of complacency, espe- week and have a signifi cantly better cially with the Champions League fi nal goal diff erence than their relegation ri- against Real Madrid serving as a poten- vals. It would take a big Swansea victory tial distraction to his players. “We need against already-relegated Stoke and a to be completely focused on this game,” heavy defeat for Southampton at home Klopp said. to Manchester City for Carvalhal’s men “Yesterday a lot of people wished me to make an improbable escape. luck for the Champions League fi nal on “At the end we are not in a good posi- May 26 and maybe two or three people tion but we have a tiny chance to stay in said ‘Good luck on Sunday’. The boys the Premier League and we will do our face so many challenges and we need to best. We are breathing badly, but we are show it again. A lot of things can hap- still alive,” Carvalhal said. pen in football. It’s exciting. We will Arsene Wenger bids farewell to Arse- try everything to make sure that next nal after 22 years in charge as the Gun- ting his standards slip in recent years. did my best job in that period. points record by reaching 97 with their TODAY'S FIXTURES (ALL 1400 GMT) year we play in the Champions League ners boss fi nishes his long goodbye with Asked what he rated as his biggest Not the most glamorous maybe, but win against Brighton in midweek and Burnley v Bournemouth, Crystal Palace again.” a trip to Huddersfi eld. Since Wenger’s achievement with Arsenal, Wenger the most diffi cult.” shattered the record for goals scored in v West Brom, Huddersfield v Arsenal, Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Hud- impending departure was announced said: “I would say from 2006 to 2015 it With the title wrapped up weeks ago, a season as they hit 105. Liverpool v Brighton, Manchester United dersfi eld on Wednesday was a hammer last month, the Frenchman has been was certainly the period where I needed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola Now City head to Southampton v Watford, Newcastle v Chelsea, South- blow to their top-four hopes and Blues on a bittersweet trip down memory to be the strongest. When you build has kept the champions motivated looking to cap their memorable season ampton v Manchester City, Swansea v boss Antonio Conte admits the odds are lane, lauded for winning three Premier the stadium (Emirates) to work with by asking them to rewrite the record by securing the win that would give Stoke, Tottenham v Leicester, West Ham stacked against them. “The situation, League titles and also criticised for let- restricted resources, I personally feel I books. City broke the Premier League them 100 points. v Everton

LEGENDARY FOOTBALL COMMENTATOR SPOTLIGHT MOTSON TO HANG UP MIKE Brazil’s Neymar to resume London: Legendary BBC com- that this was going to be my record book which she keeps mentator John Motson retires last season.” dutifully and diligently every today after half a century of Motson, whose anorak-style day of the season with all the training today: PSG loyal service that made him knowledge was a perfect foil to teams, matches, appearances, and his trademark sheepskin the more cultivated approach goalscorers, newspaper cut- coat a fixture of English football of fellow BBC commentator tings, you name it — she’s got it fans’ weekends. Barry Davies, says he has never all in one big volume.” Neymar had an operation on The 72-year-old — who has changed his modus operandi, Motson, who among many his right foot two months ago, commentated on 29 FA Cup and his wife Annie has always memorable lines came up for a broken bone. (AFP) finals and six World Cup finals played a key role. with “The Crazy Gang has — will receive a special award “I’m old-fashioned, I’m a beaten the Culture Club,” when from Crystal Palace and man- dinosaur,” said Motson, who unfashionable Wimbledon beat ager Roy Hodgson in recogni- was awarded the Off icer of the star-filled Liverpool in the 1988 tion of his longevity after the rain or blizzards bedecked in Order of the British Empire FA Cup final, says it may not be final whistle has been blown on sheepskin, says he is sanguine (OBE) for his services to sports the last one hears from him. Palace’s game with relegated about the end being in sight. broadcasting by Queen Eliza- “The voice is still working, it’s West Brom. “At the moment I’m perfectly beth II in 2001. still strong, so if there is a way I Motson, who in the days balanced and quite cool about “I don’t work off a computer could use it or someone could when the gantry was exposed it,” Motson said. “I’m not going and I don’t delve into the club come up with a route I could go to the elements was viewed to make a really big deal of it websites, my research is based down, I suppose I would have shielding himself from pouring — I’ve known since September mainly on my wife’s wonderful to think about it.”

LIGUE 1 Thauvin keeps Marseille’s hopes alive Reuters main home shirt amid growing sia. “Everything’s going well, AFP Paris speculation that he could leave thank God, but there’s always Paris the French champions at the end this fear when you come back of the season. “Proud to wear the and I need to get rid of that fear razil forward Neymar new jersey and to continue giving as soon as possible to arrive at lorian Thauvin snatched 10-man will resume training to- you joy,” the 26-year-old striker, the World Cup,” the 26-year-old, Marseille a thrilling 3-3 draw at day after foot surgery as who is recovering from foot sur- who has been out since the end of Guingamp on Friday night to keep he bids to be fi t for next gery, posted on his verifi ed Twit- February, said. their hopes of reaching the Cham- Bmonth’s World Cup, his club ter account. The interview with Zico, a pionsF League with a top-three fi nish in Paris St Germain said yesterday. Media reports claim that Ney- great from Brazil’s 1980s team, France alive. The Europa League fi nalists The striker had an operation on mar has told PSG directors he took place last week, just before are behind Monaco, who occupy third, on his right foot two months ago, wanted to leave the club after Neymar returned to France. He goal diff erence and are one point adrift of after suff ering a suspected break only one season. The most recent still hopes to be completely re- second-placed Lyon, who can now secure on Feb 25. “Neymar will start articles say the Brazilian wants to habilitated by the June 14 start their Champions League spot with a win at his physical preparation with move to Spanish giants Real Ma- of the World Cup. Brazil’s open- Strasbourg late last night. the ball tomorrow,” PSG said in drid, who originally tried to sign ing game is against Switzerland Marseille will have two chances to qualify a statement. “Today’s checks him in 2013 before he opted to on June 17. “The idea is that he for Europe’s premier competition next week have shown a quite satisfactory join Barcelona from Santos. can return to working on the fi eld in Wednesday’s Europa League fi nal against consolidation of the lesion on his Spanish newspaper Marca re- from next week provided that Atletico Madrid in Lyon, and if they lose fi fth (metatarsal).” ported on Friday that the player’s he responds favorably to tomor- that, on the last day of the Ligue 1 season on Neymar, who joined PSG father and agent, Neymar Sr, had row’s test,” Brazilian team doc- May 19. The away side raced into a 2-0 lead from Barcelona in August 2017 told PSG his son wanted to leave tor Rodrigo Lasmar said in Paris. at the Stade de Roudourou inside 14 minutes for a world-record 222mn euros immediately. It said his father Neymar said that at fi rst his re- through Valere Germain’s header and Thau- ($265.11mn), underwent surgery met Real directors in December turn to competitive levels was vin’s 25th goal of the season. But Clement on March 3, but he is expected to on the day Cristiano Ronaldo re- “complicated. Grenier pulled one back for Guingamp and Guingamp’s Jordan Ikoko (left) vies for the ball with Marseille’s Florian Thauvin. (AFP) be fi t for the World Cup in Russia, ceived the Ballon d’Or in Paris. “I was always afraid of making equalised from the penalty spot in the 52nd which starts on June 14. Meanwhile, Neymar also ad- complete movements and I’d end minute after Lucas Ocampos’ handball. vin swung in a perfect cross for Germain, 14th minute. Having missed the last two mits “fear” ahead of his return up compensating”. The star also Guingamp moved in front in the 70th and the forward leapt highest to plant a Argentinian winger Ocampos created months of the season, he was for the World Cup after a lengthy lauded his PSG teammate Kylian minute as Jimmy Briand scored another magnifi cent header past Guingamp goal- space on the wing, and crossed for Thauvin likely to be at the Parc des Princ- layoff following surgery for a Mbappe, who is just 19, as “the spot-kick after goalkeeper Steve Mandanda keeper Karl Johan Johnsson and into the to continue his remarkable campaign with a es late last night when PSG, who broken bone in his foot. In an best in the world for his age”. was controversially sent off . But Thauvin bottom corner. neat header. were playing Stade Rennais in interview published on former “He’s a phenomenon. I’ve al- struck again to salvage a point and ensure With a home match against Amiens on The 25-year-old former Newcastle fl op, Ligue 1, were handed their cham- Brazil legend Zico’s YouTube ready told (Brazil midfi elder) Marseille’s fi ght to fi nish in the top three will the fi nal day of the season, this looked to be capped three times by France, is now fi rmly pions trophy. Earlier, Neymar channel, Neymar said he is in a Casemiro that he’ll have to take at least go to the fi nal day of the campaign. the tougher of Marseille’s remaining match- in the running to receive a call-up to Didier posted a picture of himself wear- race against time to get mentally care of him” if Brazil face France Marseille got off to a dream start as Thau- es, but they stretched further clear in the Deschamps’ World Cup squad on Thursday. ing the 2018-19 Paris St Ger- ready for the tournament in Rus- in Russia. Gulf Times Sunday, May 13, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Stoeger Hamburg relegated aft er quits as Dortmund coach 55 seasons in Bundesliga eter Stoeger announced yesterday he was step- ping down as Borussia Hamburg were doomed to relegation as Wolfsburg thrashed Cologne to finish third from bottom Dortmund coach, after leadingP the Bundesliga club to a Champions League place. “That was my last competitive game in charge of Dortmund,” Stoeger said after his side’s 3-1 defeat to Hoff enheim yesterday. The decision, he continued, had been made “some time ago”, together with the club hierar- chy. “A new impulse with a new coach will be good for the club,” said Stoeger. Stoeger took over from Peter Bosz last December, and was tasked with guiding Dortmund to a top-four fi nish and a place in the Champions League. He completed the task on Saturday, as Dortmund fi nished fourth despite defeat to Hoff enheim. OGC Nice manager and former Borussia Moenchengladbach coach Lucien Favre is the fa- vourite to succeed Stoeger.

MOURINHO’S ASSISTANT FARIA TO LEAVE MAN UNITED Manchester United assistant coach Rui Faria is to leave the club at the end of the season, the Premier League giants an- nounced yesterday just a week after Jose Mourinho said he would not force him to stay. Mourinho said on the United website that 42-year-old Faria, who he has worked with since 2001, was ideally situated now to become a manager in his own right. Faria is one of the names Hamburg’s players are dejected after their relegation from the German first division Bundesliga yesterday. (AFP) who have been linked with fi ll- ing the large vacuum being left AFP were doomed to relegation as Wolfsburg sparkstadion, which displays how long goals from Timo Werner, Dayot Up- tunnel. The 72-year-old will return to by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Berlin thrashed Cologne to fi nish third from the club have been in the top fl ight, amecano and Ademola Lookman helped retirement after next weekend’s Ger- “17 years... in Leiria, Porto, bottom. Wolfsburg will go into a rel- must now fi nally be switched off . “I am Leipzig to a frantic 6-2 win over Hertha man Cup Final against Eintracht Frank- London, Milan, Madrid, London egation playoff with Holstein Kiel, who so disappointed,” said Hamburg coach Berlin. furt. “We wanted to send Heynckes off again and Manchester,” said amburg were relegated from fi nished third in Germany’s second tier. Christian Titz. For Bayern Munich, who wrapped with a win, but we have another chance Mourinho. “Training, playing, the Bundesliga for the fi rst The day started disastrously for “I was convinced that we could win up the title last month, yesterday was to do so next week,” said defender Nik- travelling, studying, laughing time in their history yester- Hamburg, as Joshua Guilavogui fi red the game today, and that it would be supposed to be a day of celebration, las Suele. and also a few tears of happi- day, as a 2-1 win over Borussia Wolfsburg ahead in the opening minute enough to stay up. The team and most of as they were presented with the Bun- ness. 17 years and the kid is now HMoenchengladbach proved too little too against Cologne. the fans gave us a worthy send-off from desliga trophy for the sixth season in BUNDESLIGA RESULTS a man. The intelligent student is late. A proud run of 55 season in Ger- In Hamburg, Aaron Hunt put the the top fl ight.” a row. Bayern, though, were unable to Bayer Leverkusen 3 (Alario 2, 18, Brandt 56) now a football expert, ready for a many’s top fl ight came to an ugly end home side in front before Josip Drmic At the other end of the table, Hof- give coach Jupp Heynckes an appropri- Hanover 96 2 (Fuellkrug 90, Harnik 90) successful career as a manager.” as Hamburg fans set off a fl urry of fi re- equalised for ‘Gladbach. fenheim pipped Bayer Leverkusen and ate send-off in his fi nal home game, as Bayern Munich 1 (Tolisso 21) VfB Stuttgart 4 United — who round off works, releasing a cloud of black smoke Jonas Hector brought Cologne level RB Leipzig to a Champions League they stumbled to a shock 4-1 defeat to (Ginczek 6, 55 Donis 42, Akolo 52) their Premier League campaign across the Volksparkstadion, forcing just after the half-hour mark with an place next season as they beat Borus- Stuttgart. Freiburg 2 (Hoefler 50, Kleindienst 65) against Watford yesterday and play to be suspended just minutes from exquisite chip, but Divock Origi, on loan sia Dortmund 3-1 to third place. Dort- Ruthless on the break, the visitors Augsburg 0 then face Chelsea in the FA Cup full time. from Liverpool, restored the lead for mund goalkeeper Roman Buerki gifted tore through Bayern, as Daniel Ginczek, Hamburg 2 (Hunt 11-pen, Holtby 64) Borus- fi nal — wished him well after his “This is an enormously painful mo- Wolfsburg and edged Hamburg closer Hoff enheim possession with a dreadful Anastasios Donis and Chadrac Akolo all sia Moenchengladbach 1 (Drmic 28) two years at the club. “#MUFC ment for everyone at the club, which to disaster. Lewis Holtby’s curling strike clearance on 26 minutes, allowing An- found the net on the counter-attack. Hertha Berlin 2 (Ibisevic 4, Kalou 65) RB announces that assistant man- has lost one of its defi ning character- kept Hamburg’s hopes alive, but when drej Kramaric to fi re the home side in “The defeat was frustrating, but we still Leipzig 6 (Upamecano 2, Lookman 8, Au- ager Rui Faria is to leave the club istics,” said Hamburg president Bernd Bobby Wood was sent off 20 minutes front. Marco Reus equalised for Dort- have every reason to celebrate,” said gustin 22, 56, Werner 49, Bruma 82) at the end of the season ,” the Hoff mann. The six-time German from time, their fate seemed sealed. mund after half-time, but goals from Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich. Hoff enheim 3 (Kramaric 26, Szalai 63, Kad- club tweeted. Faria, like Mour- champions, who won the European Cup Minutes later, Robin Knoche headed Adam Szalai and Pavel Kaderabek fi red Bayern celebrated with the custom- erabek 73) Borussia Dortmund 1 (Reus 58) inho, never played top-level in 1983, are the only team to have played in Wolfsburg’s third, and when Josip Hoff enheim into Europe’s elite. ary on-fi eld showers of confetti, as Mainz 1 (Gbamin 12) Werder Bremen 2 football, but became a signifi cant in every Bundesliga season since the Brekalo added a fourth in stoppage Lucas Alario grabbed a brace as injured players Arturo Vidal, Manuel (Kainz 23, Gebre Selassie 79) part of his fellow Portuguese’s league’s inauguration in 1963, earning time, Hamburg’s fate was sealed. After Leverkusen eased to a 3-2 win over Neuer and Jerome Boateng joined their Schalke 1 (Burgstaller 27) Eintracht Frank- coaching staff after meeting the them the nickname “dinosaur”. a 15-minute delay due to crowd trouble, Hanover, as both they and Leipzig se- teammates on the pitch. Heynckes was furt 0 future United manager during a Although Hamburg battled to vic- the game briefl y resumed. cured a Europa League place. Two spared the traditional beer shower for Wolfsburg 4 (Guilavogui 1, Origi 54, Knoche seminar day at Barcelona’s Camp tory over Moenchengladbach, they The famous digital clock in the Volk- strikes from Jean-Kevin Augustin and the coach, as he disappeared down the 71, Brekalo 90) Cologne 1 (Hector 32) Nou stadium in 2000.

FOCUS LA LIGA Aussie Jedinak gives Villa upper hand Atletico warm up for Europa AFP London fi nal with win over Getafe AFP eteran Australian Mile Jedinak’s Madrid header proved the diff erence as Aston Villa beat Middlesbrough 1-0 in their Championship play- oke’s early goal proved Voff fi rst leg clash yesterday. The 33-year-old enough for Atletico midfi elder, who joined Villa from Crystal Madrid to claim a 1-0 Palace in 2016, headed past Darren Ran- win at Getafe yesterday dolph in the 15th minute to give Villa the up- Kas they extended their lead over per hand heading into Tuesday’s second leg. Real Madrid in the race to fi nish Derby lead Fulham by the same scoreline second in La Liga. Atletico goal- but have to travel to London for tomorrow’s keeper Jan Oblak also saved a late second leg of their semi-fi nal. It turned out penalty from Faycal Fajr as Diego to be a dour battle between sides managed Simeone’s men warmed up for by two of the more experienced managers in Wednesday’s Europa League fi - the business — Middlesbrough’s Tony Pulis nal against Marseille by denting and Villa’s Steve Bruce. Getafe’s hopes of playing conti- Pulis will curse his players for not putting nental football next season. a player at the back post which could have Simeone resisted the tempta- prevented Jedinak’s header going in from a tion to rest players for the fi nal corner. Villa poured on the pressure search- in Lyon and was rewarded as his ing for a second goal with another header side moved six points clear of from Jedinak being turned round for a cor- Aston Villa’s Mile Jedinak (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against third-placed Real with one game ner by Randolph and Albert Adomah’s shot Middlesbrough in the Championship Play-Off first leg semi-final yesterday. (Reuters) to go, before the European cham- Atletico Madrid’s Koke (right) celebrates with Antoine Griezmann hitting the side netting. pions were hosting Celta Vigo after scoring a goal during the La Liga match against Getafe at the Scotland international Robert Snodgrass when former Middlesbrough goalkeep- repeat of their play-off semi-fi nal defeat late last night. Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe, Spain. (AFP) went close with a header as Middlesbrough ing coach Leo Percovich was greeted by the against Reading last season, Fulham will The capital club got off to a tried desperately to weather the storm. Riverside crowd. Two of his daughters were need to improve their fi nishing in the return quick start in the local derby, as home team a 2-2 draw. Man- Canales 25, Willian Jose 78-pen) The hosts fi nally got an eff ort on target in killed in a car crash in Brazil in December at Craven Cottage if they are to keep their Koke collected Antoine Griez- agerless Sevilla, who reached Leganes 2 (Rico 26, Guerrero 53) the 37th minute, but Britt Assombalonga’s and he returned to Middlesbrough to thank promotion bid alive. mann’s pass and drove a low shot this season’s Champions League Alaves 3 (Guidetti 43, El Haddadi 60, header was well saved by Sam Johnstone. Boro fans for their support. Derby defender Curtis Davies said: “It’s into the bottom corner to score quarter-fi nals, now have to beat Ibai 77) Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain Ireland international Randolph produced good to have a lead going into the second leg his fourth goal of the campaign in Alaves next weekend to secure 79) an equally good save to touch Snodgrass’s ADVANTAGE DERBY AS and we’re a clean sheet away from Wembley. the eighth minute. a spot in Europe’s second-tier Real Betis 2 (Bartra 5, Loren 81) sublime curling eff ort from outside the pen- JEROME DOWNS FULHAM “They’re going to have to come out, hope- Getafe missed a chance to stay competition. Elsewhere, Samu Sevilla 2 (Ben Yedder 57, Kjaer 79) alty area onto the post. Middlesbrough, who On Friday night, Cameron Jerome put Derby fully we can get on the break and take a cou- just two points adrift of seventh- Castillejo scored twice as Villar- Deportivo La Coruna 2 (Borja 58, fi nished fi fth in the table, seven points be- in control of their Championship play-off ple of chances and seal the tie.” placed Sevilla in the chase to real beat relegated Deportivo La 88) Villarreal 4 (Castillejo 2, 45, low Villa, barely produced a chance in the semi-fi nal against Fulham as the striker Fulham missed out on automatic promo- qualify for the Europa League, Coruna 4-2 to leapfrog Betis into Trigueros 31, Cheryshev 90+2) second-half with just Fabio’s header seven clinched a 1-0 win in the fi rst leg. Jerome tion to the Premier League by just two points as Fajr’s 77th-minute spot-kick fi fth, with Denis Cheryshev also Eibar 1 (Charles 5) Las Palmas 0 minutes from time forcing Johnstone into a struck late in the fi rst half at Pride Park to after being pipped by Cardiff on the fi nal was kept out by Slovenian Oblak. netting a day after being recalled Getafe 0 Atletico Madrid 1 (Koke 8) save. However, Villa held on and Bruce re- give Derby a crucial lead to take into the sec- weekend of the regular season. The Cottag- Sevilla would have wrapped to the preliminary Russian World Girona 0 Valencia 1 (Vietto 61) mains on course to maintain his dreams of ond leg in west London tomorrow. ers fi nished third in the Championship — 13 up a top-seven fi nish with vic- Cup squad. Playing today (kick-off times a fi fth promotion to the Premier League and “Thankfully of late it’s been a purple points ahead of sixth-placed Derby, who tory in their derby at Real Betis, GMT) the third time through the play-off s. The patch for myself and I’ve been able to con- needed to win their last match to book their but Loren’s equaliser with nine LA LIGA RESULTS Espanyol v Malaga (1415), Levante v match was preceded by a moving moment tribute,” Jerome said. Hoping to avoid a place in the play-off s. minutes to play snatched the Real Sociedad 3 (Oyarzabal 18, Barcelona (1845) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, May 13, 2018 CRICKET

TEST FOCUS Stokes goes from MVP to Royal Shadab and Faheem disappointment

Reuters an incident in Bristol last Sep- New Delhi tember, costing him a place on England’s Ashes tour of Aus- tralia. The player has pleaded ourth months after not guilty and will face trial in revive Pakistan in splashing out $1.97 August. million to secure Hoping to help Stokes redis- the services of Ben cover his best form, Rajasthan StokesF, Rajasthan Royals can- tried the middle-order bats- not be faulted for regretting man as an opener in Friday’s the splurge as they struggle to match against Chennai Su- stay afl oat in this year’s Indian per Kings but the all-rounder Premier League (IPL). made just 11 before losing his Ireland’s debut Test Stokes, then with Rising middle stump to Harbhajan Pune Supergiant, set alight Singh. Tourists mount recovery after plunging to 159-6, two wickets each for Murtagh, Rankin, Thompson last year’s tournament with However, Rajasthan and his scintillating batting, crafty England team mate Jos Buttler AFP bowling and electric fi eld- said the switch in order was Dublin Pakistan’s Shadab Khan plays a shot during day two of ing, making him the obvious primarily due to a hamstring Ireland’s inaugural Test against Pakistan at Malahide choice for the league’s Most issue. cricket club in Dublin yesterday. (AFP) Valuable Player (MVP) honour. “(Rajasthan mentor) Shane hadab Khan and debu- England and world cricket’s Warne sort of said ‘why don’t tant Faheem Ashraf both premier all-rounder’s Midas you go at the top and play with scored maiden Test fi f- touch has deserted him since some freedom and try and see ties as Pakistan fought joining Rajasthan, however, if that comes off ’ because he backS in Ireland’s inaugural Test with the 26-year-old still felt like he was going to fi nd match in Dublin yesterday. looking for his fi rst fi fty in this it hard in the middle with his Pakistan were 268 for six when year’s tournament, while the running,” explained Buttler. bad light and then rain brought wickets have also dried up. Bought at a relatively mod- the second day at Malahide to a But it may still not to be est $680,000, Buttler has pro- premature close. too late for Stokes, according vided better value for money Shadab, in just his second to England team mate Chris for Rajasthan, the wicketkeep- Test, was 52 not out and left- Woakes. er-batsman hitting his fourth hander Faheem 61 not out, with “He is a world class player,” consecutive half-century on their unbroken seventh-wicket Woakes, who is among a dozen Friday to keep the side alive in stand so far worth 109 runs after English players in this year’s the playoff race. they had come together at 159 for IPL, told reporters on Friday. Opening the innings with six. “Probably has not played Stokes, Buttler went on to Pakistan, sent into bat by Ire- as well as he would have liked smash an unbeaten 95 to an- land captain William Porterfi eld, throughout the tournament chor Rajasthan’s chase in lost two wickets in successive but I never write him off . Jaipur against IPL heavy- balls to be 13 for two, but con- “Still four games left and weights Chennai. cerns that Ireland would pay for more if they qualify. He’s a Asked if it was his best doing without a specialist spin- fantastic player. If you slip Twenty20 knock, the 27-year- ner were eventually proved to be off your game against him, old said, “Defi nitely, especially well-founded. he will punish you,” the Royal in the IPL. I have hit my straps Middlesex paceman Tim Challengers Bangalore player and it’s always special when Murtagh led Ireland’s attack added. you’re not out.” with two wickets for 33 runs Stokes did suff er a setback Rajasthan, currently sixth from 17 overs, with Boyd Rankin off the pitch when he was in the eight-team league, visit taking two for 58 in 17 overs. charged with aff ray following Mumbai Indians today. There was drama at an initially sun-drenched Malahide right from yesterday’s fi rst ball of this amptonshire, square-drove SCOREBOARD Balbirnie at square leg. stand-alone match. Murtagh for a stylish four. And when Pakistan cap- Azhar Ali dug out a Murtagh But it did not take long for Ire- Pakistan 1st Innings tain Sarfraz Ahmed (20) was delivery and called for a quick land to make a stunning double Azhar Ali c Porterfield b Rankin ...... 4 caught by Stirling in the slips off legside single. strike on a pitch off ering some Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Murtagh ...... 7 Thompson, the tourists were 159 Non-striker Imam-ul-Haq, sideways movement. Haris Sohail c Porterfield b Thompson ...... 31 for six. But Shadab and Faheem like Faheem making his Test de- Rankin, the 15th man ever, and Asad Shafiq c Balbirnie b Rankin ...... 62 turned the tide in style. but, found himself sandwiched the fi rst since Kepler Wessels Babar Azam c Stirling b Murtagh ...... 14 Faheem, however, did have between wicket-keeper Niall (Australia and South Africa) 25 Sarfraz Ahmed c Stirling b Thompson ...... 20 a break when, on 36, he edged O’Brien and Kane in a heavy col- years ago, to play Test cricket for Shadab Khan not out ...... 52 Rankin only for a diving Niall lision as he scrambled to com- two nations after making a lone Faheem Ashraf not out ...... 61 O’Brien to miss the catch and plete the run. appearance for England in 2014, Extras (b1, lb10, nb4, w2) ...... 17 give the obscured Gary Wilson The 22-year-old was left fl at had an uncertain Azhar (four) Total (6 wkts, 76 overs, 327 mins) ...... 268 at fi rst slip no chance of taking on the ground and needed sev- edging to Porterfi eld at second Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Azhar), 2-13 (Imam), 3-71 (Haris), 4-104 (Babar), the ball. eral minutes’ treatment on the slip. That left Pakistan 13 for one 5-153 (Shafiq), 6-159 (Sarfraz) Duly reprieved, he went to fi f- fi eld, but he recovered to face the off the last ball of the eighth over. Bowling: Murtagh 17-4-33-2; Rankin 17-3-58-2 (1nb); Kane 18-2-84-0 ty in just 52 balls, including sev- second ball of the match, with Barely had the crowd’s cheers (1nb); Thompson 16-2-51-2 (2nb, 1w); K O’Brien 6-1-20-0 (1w); Stirling en fours, with Shadab following Imam playing and missing. subsided, then Pakistan were 2-0-11-0. him to the landmark in 89 balls. Imam, the nephew of Paki- 13 for two off the very next ball, When Stirling did come on, a stan selection chief and former with Imam lbw for seven to a well-set Faheem launched the Test batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, Murtagh delivery that came back for a legside boundary. Pakistan, by Paul Stirling at second slip. part-time spinner over long-on scored a hundred on his one-day into him. 67 for two at lunch, lost their third Shafi q went on to complete for six. international debut against Sri After a few near run-outs, Pa- wicket soon afterwards when a 107-ball fi fty when he pulled Bad light saw the players leave Lanka last year. kistan’s third-wicket duo settled Haris was caught in the gully by Rankin for a single. the fi eld at 5:27pm local time The left-hander, who came in. Porterfi eld off Thompson. But with the towering Rankin, (1627 GMT) and 20 minutes into this match following fi fties Shafi q square-cut Kane for Babar Azam (14), pushing hard bowling from around the wicket, later, after a thunderclap and a in Pakistan’s two warm-up fi x- four, with left-hander Haris So- at a Murtagh delivery that left a similar shot proved Shafi q’s heavy downpour, play was aban- tures, against Kent and North- hail glancing Stuart Thompson him off the pitch, was well-held undoing when he found Andrew doned for the day.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE KKR register convincing win over Kings XI

IANS KKR never let their foot off the gas and Kohli, De Villiers take RCB to victory Indore scored 139 runs in the last 10 overs. In the fi nal over, 17 runs came off Barinder Sran Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers produced a batting masterclass as Royal (1/48) as Shubman Gill remained un- Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Delhi Daredevils by five wick- olkata Knight Riders outbatted beaten on 16 off 8 balls along with Javon ets in their Indian Premier League encounter yesterday. Kings XI Punjab in a high-scor- Searles (6), making his IPL debut. Chasing a challenging target of 182 runs, RCB lost openers Parthiv ing aff air, registering a 31-run For the hosts, purple cap holder Aus- Patel and Moeen Ali within the first three overs. victory yesterday to stay in the tralian pacer Tye (4/41) was by far the pick But the jubilant Delhi crowd soon fell silent as Kohli and De Villiers Khunt for the Indian Premier League (IPL) of the bowlers. took over. play-off s. During the chase, Punjab looked on The duo needed just 64 deliveries to put together a partnership of Determined to end their two-match course riding Rahul’s 29-ball 66 (2x4, 118 runs as RCB wrested the upper hand. losing streak, Kolkata posted this edition’s 7x6) but Narine (1/44) got the better of Kohli amassed 70 runs in a 40-ball hurricane knock which included highest total of 245/6, thanks to opening him. Russell (3/41) dismissed compatriot seven boundaries and three massive hits into the stands. batsman Sunil Narine’s 75 off 36 and skip- Chris Gayle (21; 17b; 2x4, 1x6) and Mayank Experienced leg-spinner Amit Mishra finally got rid of Kohli with a per Dinesh Karthik’s 50 not out off 23. Agarwal (0) in the fourth and fi fth ball of delivery that turned away sharply after spinning. The RCB captain West Indian all-rounder Andre Rus- the sixth over when they were cruising at was fooled by the extra bit of turn as Delhi wicket-keeper Rishabh sell, who scored a brisk 31 off 14, took 57/0. Pant latched onto the outside edge. two wickets in two balls, while Narine Karun Nair failed to aid Punjab, scoring But the visitors were well on their way to victory by that point with 45 removed the dangerous Lokesh Rahul (66 three runs before being dismissed by Rus- runs needed off 40 balls. off 29) as Kolkata poured cold water on sell, with the northern outfi t at 79/3. De Villiers went on to remain unbeaten with a 72-run blitzkrieg which Punjab’s ambitious run-chase. Few overs later, Rahul, who was going came off a mere 37 balls. The South African star, who brought up the Skipper Ravichandran Ashwin (45 off hammer and tong, was bowled by Nar- winning runs in style with a six off pacer Trent Boult, hit four bounda- 22) and Aaron Finch (34 off 20) tried their Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine plays a shot during the Indian Premier League match ine as he missed the ball, which then hit ries and six sixes during his stay in the middle. best but Kolkata’s huge total was way out against Kings XI Punjab in Indore yesterday. (AFP) his legs before rolling on to the stump, as Despite yesterday’s victory, RCB continue to be second from bottom of reach, with Punjab managing 214/8. Punjab lost their fourth wicket for 93 runs with eight points from 11 matches. Delhi continue to flounder at the The win at the Holkar Stadium saw boundary. The dashing Australian was re- hit Sharma who snaffl ed a good catch at in nine overs. 10th and last spot with a mere six points from 12 games. Kolkata move to the fourth spot having moved by the brilliant Tye to bring Robin backward point. Later, Australian opener Aaron Finch Earlier, asked to bat first, Delhi rode some power packed batting by 12 points from 12 matches. Kings XI re- Uthappa (24; 17b; 2x4, 1x6) to the crease. Russell was promoted to No 4 to keep (34; 20; 3x6) tried to stage a comeback but Pant and talented teenager Abhishek Sharma to post a challenging mained third with 12 points from 11 games. Along with Narine, the pair helped KKR the onslaught going and together with Javon Searles (1/52) took his wicket. total of 181/4. Pant plundered 61 runs off 34 balls to help Delhi over- In the match, Kolkata gathered the to 106/1 after 10 overs. Narine was severe Karthik, the duo took the bowlers to the Kings XI could never recover from there come some early hiccups. early momentum, with Narine setting the to Barinder Sran (1/48) in the 11th over, cleaners in a 76-run fourth wicket part- on, succumbing to their second defeat on The 17-year-old Abhishek gave the finishing touches to the innings, stage for a big score, his whirlwind innings hitting him for two sixes and a four. nership off just 31 balls. While 19 runs the trot. Skipper Ashwin played a good- smashing his way to 46 runs off just 19 balls to give the hosts a studded with nine fours and four sixes. The West Indian mystery spinner- came off Axar Patel’s 15th over, off -spin- looking 22-ball 45 cameo but it was too very good chance to clinch the fourth win of a rather forgettable KKR were given a good start by opener turned-batsman brought up his second ner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was taken for 21 little too late. campaign. Chris Lynn 27 (17b; 2x4, 2x6) and Nar- fi fty of the season in 26 balls and looked runs in the next. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the most successful among the ine with the visitors racing to 59/1 after set for a hundred. But medium pacer An- Tye took Russell’s wicket to break the Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders: RCB bowlers with figures of 2/28. six overs. Lynn looked tentative from the drew Tye had other plans as he sent both quickfi re partnership as Karthik also fell 245/6 in 20 overs (Sunil Narine 75, Dinesh Brief scores: Delhi Daredevils: 181/4 in 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 61, outset, almost chopping the ball onto his Narine and Uthappa back in the hunt to Sran but the damage was already done. Karthik 50; Andrew Tye 4/41) beat Kings Abhishek Sharma 46 not out; Yuzvendra Chahal 2/28) vs Royal Chal- stumps in only the second and third ball in one over. While Narine nicked be- In between, Nitish Rana also chipped XI Punjab: 214/8 in 20 overs (Lokesh lengers Bangalore 197/5 in 19 overs (Virat Kohli 70, AB de Villiers 72 of the match off Mohit Sharma. On both hind a brilliantly executed short delivery, (11) before Mohit Sharma (1/40) took his Rahul 66, Ravichandran Ashwin 45; Andre not out; Trent Boult 2/40). occasions, the ball went to the fi ne leg Uthappa mistimed slower one to Mo- wicket. Russell 3/41, Prasidh Krishna 2/31). Gulf Times Sunday, May 13, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Mets stun Phillies with back-to-back LeBron seeks eighth HRs in ninth

Reuters tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his Philadelphia 11th save. Conforto and Asdrubal Ca- brera had two hits each. ichael Conforto and Odubel Herrera’s fi rst-inning NBA Finals in a row Devin Mesoraco hit homer stood up for eight innings home runs on con- thanks to Jake Arrieta and Tom- secutive pitches in my Hunter. Mthe ninth inning Friday night as Arrieta allowed fi ve hits and the New York Mets stormed back two walks while striking out fi ve to stun the Philadelphia Phillies, over 7 1/3 innings – his longest 3-1, at Citizens Bank Park. outing since signing with Phila- The Mets won for just the delphia in February. as Cavs face Celtics eighth time in 24 games since The Mets got just two runners an 11-1 start. The Phillies had beyond fi rst base in the fi rst eight ‘LeBron is on just a ridiculous run. We know it will be quite a challenge’ a four-game winning streak innings. snapped. Herrera and Scott Kingery had The Phillies were two outs two hits apiece for the Phillies, away from extending their win- who threatened often against ning streak – and possibly mov- Mets starter Steven Matz. ing into fi rst place in the Nation- The left-hander allowed fi ve al League East for the fi rst time hits and four walks while strik- since the fi nal day of the 2011 ing out three in fi ve innings but season – when Wilmer Flores induced two double plays and singled off Hector Neris (1-3). forced Philadelphia to strand fi ve Conforto hit an 0-1 pitch runners in scoring position. barely foul into the right fi eld seats but left no doubt two RESULTS pitches later, when he blasted a Reds ...... 6 Dodgers ...... 2 two-run homer off the adver- Mets ...... 3 Phillies ...... 1 tising signage along the second Blue Jays...... 5 Red Sox ...... 3 deck in right fi eld. (12 innings) Mesoraco, who was acquired Brewers ...... 11 Rockies ...... 10 from the Cincinnati Reds on (10 innings) Tuesday afternoon in exchange Cubs ...... 11 White Sox ...... 2 for former ace right-handed Nationals ...... 3 Diamondbacks 1 pitcher Matt Harvey, followed Rangers ...... 1 Astros ...... 0 with his fi rst hit for the Mets, Twins ...... 5 Angels ...... 4 who scored as many runs on two Athletics ...... 10 Yankees ...... 5 pitches as they had in the previ- Pirates ...... 11 Giants...... 2 ous 31 innings. Royals...... 10 Indians ...... 9 The rally made a winner out Marlins ...... 6 Braves ...... 3 of AJ Ramos (2-2), who threw a Orioles ...... 9 Rays ...... 4 perfect eighth. Jeurys Familia Cardinals ...... 9 Padres ...... 5

FOCUS Raptors part ways with coach Casey

Reuters Conference, but a sweep by the Toronto Cleveland Cavaliers in the sec- ond round had Casey rumoured to be on the hot seat. wane Casey’s run with The 61-year-old has led the the Toronto Raptors is Raptors to the playoff s each of over after seven sea- the past fi ve seasons, though sons, the team an- the repeated postseason failures nouncedD Friday. have begun adding up. During an afternoon news The Raptors battled past LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game three of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against Toronto Raptors in Cleveland on May 5, (AFP) conference, Raptors president the Washington Wizards in six Masai Ujiri showed some emo- games in the fi rst round, set- AFP ing Eastern conference top seed three years, all against Golden ‘Head of the snake’ the Cavs, is sidelined after left tion in explaining just how dif- ting up a matchup with LeBron Washington Toronto in the second round. State. He’s 3-5 in the fi nals Add JR Smith and Kyle Kor- knee surgery. fi cult the decision was for him. James’ Cavaliers for the third “LeBron is on just a ridicu- overall, having also lost with the ver’s 3-point shooting, Tristan Isaiah Thomas, obtained “What an unbelievable human consecutive postseason. lous run,” said Celtics coach Cavs in 2007. “Every time we Thompson’s rebounding and from Boston in the Irving deal, being,” Ujiri said of Casey, before The result was more of the eBron James is on the Brad Stevens. “We know it will come to the playoff s he has that the Celtics, who boasted the was traded to the Los Ange- calling the decision, “the hardest same, as the sweep marked the verge of reaching the be quite a challenge.” edge,” Cavs coach Tyronn Lue NBA’s best defensive numbers, les Lakers in February as the thing I’ve done in my life.” second consecutive year the NBA Finals for an eighth James has averaged 24.0 said of James. “He’s a special will be challenged to shut down Cavaliers went dealing, landing “I’ve never met anybody that Cavs took four straight from the consecutive season, but points, 10.3 rebounds and 8.3 player, and we all know that. James and silence his support- guard George Hill from Sacra- classy in my life,” Ujiri added. Raptors without losing in the Lhis Cleveland Cavaliers face a assists against the Celtics this What he does for us is big.” ing crew. mento, Larry Nance Jr. from the In a statement announcing Eastern Conference semi-fi nals. familiar and formidable obsta- season as Cleveland won two of The 33-year-old playmaker, “We know where the head of Lakers and Rodney Hood from Casey’s release earlier in the day, Toronto won two games in losing cle in the Boston Celtics. three meetings. whose dream came true in 2016 the snake is,” said Celtics centre Utah in a bid to fi nd the right Ujiri said: “After careful con- to Cleveland in the conference The Cavaliers visit Boston on “At the end of the day, you as he sparked the Cavaliers to Aron Baynes of Australia. “We combination for another deep sideration, I have decided this fi nals in 2016. Sunday for the opening game have to do whatever it takes to ending Cleveland’s 52-year know what we have to focus on. playoff run. is a very diffi cult but necessary Casey leaves as the winnin- in the best-of-seven Eastern win,” James said. “It doesn’t pro sports title drought, is the But he has got a lot of great role Boston’s Al Horford and Love step the franchise must take. As gest coach in franchise history, Conference Finals, with the matter how it happens.” maestro of a deep corps of role players around him and some will battle inside while Hill and a team, we are constantly trying with the team going 320-238 un- winner to face either regular- “King James” would share players led by forward Kevin other guys who can really create the Celtics’ Terry Rozier fi gure to grow and improve in order to der his watch. Casey was named season pace-setter Houston or fourth on the all-time list by Love, whose aggressive play has as well.” on another tussle in the back- get to the next level. We celebrate Coach of the Year by his peers in defending champion Golden reaching his eighth consecu- been ignited by a scoring spark. The Celtics assembled a su- court. But in the end it will everything Dwane has done for the National Basketball Coaches State in the NBA Finals. tive NBA Finals, two shy of Bill “More than anything just perteam in the off -season to likely come down to James, who the organisation, we thank him, Association on Wednesday. Four-time NBA Most Valu- Russell’s record run from the seeing the ball go through the threaten Cleveland’s reign in torched the Celtics in last year’s and we wish him nothing but the able Player James has carried 1960s Celtics dynasty team and hoop has been big for me,” Love the East, in part thanks to a ma- East fi nals for 29.6 points, 6.4 best in future. He was instrumen- the Cavs on his back at times, trailing nine in a row by Rus- said. “Just staying in attack jor trade with the Cavaliers that rebounds and 6.8 assists a game. tal in creating the identity and averaging 34.3 points, 9.4 re- sell teammates Sam Jones and mode, miss or make on the of- hasn’t brought a lasting impact. “He has been doing this a culture of who we are as a team, bounds and 9.0 assists in 11 Tommy Heinsohn. fensive end, making the right The Celtics lost Gordon Hay- long time,” Boston guard Mar- and we are so proud of that.” playoff games for the Cavaliers, James went 2-2 in the fi nals decision playing hard and then ward to a broken leg against the cus Smart said. “He’s, if not the The Raptors won a franchise- who edged Indiana in a seven- with Miami from 2011-2014 on both ends on the glass just Cavaliers in the season opener. greatest, one of the greatest to record 59 games this season to game fi rst round before sweep- and 1-2 with Cleveland the past trying to clean up as best I can.” And Kyrie Irving, obtained from do it.” earn the No 1 seed in the Eastern

NHL Capitals cruise past Lightning to win series opener AFP “We had a good start. We playoff s by eliminating Boston “Obviously we wanted to go Los Angeles didn’t give them much,” said and New Jersey in just fi ve games after them in the fi rst period. Ovechkin, who is playing in the each. Stamkos said there were “We tried to take it to them fi rst Conference fi nals of his sto- no excuses for coming out fl at in in their building and carry that lex Ovechkin and Jay ried career. “All four lines played game one after a long layoff be- momentum throughout the Beagle scored in a well in the fi rst period and we tween series. game.” three-minute span need to do the same in the next “For whatever reason they The Lightning had a high- straddling the fi rst and game and the rest of the series.” were quicker to the pucks, better light-reel goal disallowed with secondA periods as the Washing- Game two of the best-of-sev- disciplined and better on special seven seconds left in the fi rst ton Capitals manhandled the en NHL series is Sunday in Tam- teams and that is a good recipe that would have tied the game. Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 in the pa. Czech defenceman Michal for success,” Canadian forward Russian forward Nikita Kuch- opening game of the Eastern Kempny, with the fi rst of the Stamkos said. “We were a step erov took a long pass at the Conference fi nals. game and his fi rst of the postsea- behind and you can’t do that blueline and broke in alone and The Capitals seized control of son, and Lars Eller, of Denmark, against a quality opponent at then, as he was falling, somehow Friday’s contest on a bizarre se- also scored for Washington, a this time of the year.” chipped the puck over a sprawl- quence that included a Tampa team playing their fi rst NHL ing Holtby. goal waived off for a too-many- semi-fi nal series in two decades. Quick start Television replays clearly men-on-the-ice penalty. The Lightning are in the Con- Goaltender Braden Holtby showed the Lightning had an Just two seconds later, the ference fi nal for the third time in made 19 stops for Washington, extra skater on the ice which al- Capitals scored on the power- four years but it didn’t look like facing a meagre two shots in the lowed Kucherov to get so open play in front of a crowd of 19,090 it Friday as they pulled starting fi rst period from the lacklustre for the stretch pass. at Tampa’s Amalie Arena. goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy at the Lightning team. So instead of the game being end of the second period with Washington dethroned the PLAYOFF RESULT tied 1-1, Washington took a 2-0 the score 4-0. two-time defending champion (Series best-of-seven): lead into the intermission on Steven Stamkos, on the power Pittsburgh Penguins in six games Eastern Conference Ovechkin’s powerplay goal and play, and Ondrej Palat scored to advance to the fi nal four. Semi-finals then jumped out to a 3-0 cush- goals in the third period for the “We just carried it over from At Tampa, Florida ion when Beagle scored, only Lightning, who had an easier the Pittsburgh series,” said Washington ...... 4 Tampa Bay ...... 2 Alex Ovechkin (No 8) of the Washington Capitals celebrates with his teammates after defeating the Tampa Bay 2:40 into the second period. time getting to this stage of the Beagle. (Washington leads series 1-0) Lightning in game one of the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals playoff s in Tampa. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Sunday, May 13, 2018 SPORT

GOLF RUGBY World Cup chief Gilpin confi dent of Simpson matches ‘great’ tournament

Reuters have responded really well, so Tokyo we are really happy with the team camp selection process,” stressed Gilpin. ith a little under The other signifi cant course record, Tiger 500 days to go change from six months ago is until the start of that tickets have now been on the 2019 Rugby sale since mid-January, with WWorld Cup, tournament direc- World Rugby delighted by tor Alan Gilpin believes Japan more than 1.2 million applica- -the fi rst nation outside of tions so far. Gilpin estimates rugby’s traditional heartland that 65 percent of those have to host the event - is right on been domestic. just makes the cut track to stage a “great” event. “It shows fantastic de- In autumn last year, Gilpin mand and it is not just the Ja- Simpson shoots 63 despite double-bogey, takes record five-shot halfway lead expressed nervousness at the pan matches, it is not just the challenges that still lay ahead knockout matches, it is across Reuters for organisers, yet he now be- all the venues,” he said. Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida lieves huge strides have been With the tournament set to taken towards hosting a suc- be staged at 12 venues, from cessful tournament. Sapporo in the north to Ku- ebb Simpson “I genuinely think we are mamoto in the south, organ- matched the course right where we want to be,” isers hope to give visitors an record of nine- Gilpin told Reuters on Friday. opportunity to explore Japan under-par 63 at “It is exciting to see it com- beyond the usual tourist trails. WTPC Sawgrass on Friday, despite ing to life and we are confi dent “There is a huge amount of suff ering a late double-bogey, it will be a great tournament local pride in each of the cities to open up a fi ve-shot lead on next year. in terms of the matches they 15-under at the halfway point of “Six months ago we had are hosting,” said Gilpin, who the Players Championship. some concerns, particularly also oversaw the 2015 World Patrick Cantlay (68), South around ensuring the environ- Cup in England. African Charl Schwartzel and ment for the teams was going “There are also some su- New Zealander Danny Lee (both to be what it needed it be for perb narratives around some 66) were a distant second on rugby’s leading competition – of the host cities. For example, 10-under, while Tiger Woods the very best.” at Kamaishi, which we always (71), at one-under 143, made the To alleviate those fears, knew might be the story of the cut with nothing to spare, as did World Rugby put forward tournament. Jordan Spieth (68) and Justin new recommendations and “The two matches that will Thomas (70). demanded more world-class take place there will be very Simpson was on the verge of options for team bases for the special and so there is a huge smashing the course record after six-week tournament that be- demand for those matches.” reeling off six straight birdies but gins in September 2019. The Kamaishi Recovery came to grief at the island-green Since then, 51 team bases Memorial Stadium, located par-three 17th. have been proposed and ac- in the region ravaged by the After some indecision on the cepted by the tournament’s 2011 earthquake, is the only tee he pushed his shot right and organising committee, leaving stadium being built specifi - his ball took a huge bounce off the 16 already-qualifi ed teams cally for this event. It will host a railway sleeper and ended up satisfi ed. its fi rst match in August and in the water. “I was in-between “The organising commit- two matches during the World clubs,” he said. tee, host cities and prefectures Cup. “I tried to smash a sand wedge and blocked it a little bit. It’s a bit of a bummer.” Still, the 2012 US Open champion could hardly complain after equalling the 63 previously shot by Fred Couples, Greg Norman, Robert Castro, Martin Kaymer, Jason Day and Colt Knost. Simpson found his birdie streak from the 11th hole almost amusing. “You start just kind of laugh- ing,” said Simpson, whose halfway score of 15-under 129 matched the tournament record set by Jason Day two years ago. Webb Simpson plays from a bunker on the eighth green during the second round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass Stadium “Everything is going in. You Course at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports feel like no matter what, you’re going to make it, and I grew birdies were there to be had. 25 fi nish in seven starts at the dropped to 62nd after an indif- Noren (SWE) 66-69 up on an easy golf course, so “I didn’t quite swing it right tournament, said all facets of ferent couple of seasons. 136 - Jason Day (AUS) 69-67, it reminded me of being back today, and I didn’t quite have his game had been strong, and “My last two years, maybe Steve Stricker 67-69, Xander home, shooting low numbers. the shape, ball fl ight,” said the that he had started playing bet- even two and a half years, have Schauff ele 68-68 “It’s rare as a golfer where eve- 14-times major champion. ter since receiving some recent been pretty frustrating,” he said, 137 - Jimmy Walker 69-68, Matt rything is working well, driving, “With these greens as soft as advice from compatriot Louis adding that he was now using an Kuchar 66-71, Sergio Garcia iron play, chipping and putting, they are, I didn’t take advantage Oosthuizen to focus on swing instructor for the fi rst time in his (ESP) 68-69, Bryson DeCham- FOCUS and today everything came to- of the opportunities I had today tempo. career. beau 70-67, Dustin Johnson gether. But at the same time to really shoot a good number.” “If I can keep the right tempo 66-71, Adam Scott (AUS) 69-68 you’re at TPC Sawgrass, so you Woods at least fared better going, I’m going to keep hitting Leading scores after second 138 - Billy Horschel 68-70, know that trouble is everywhere, than four-times major champi- good shots,” said the 33-year- 129 Webb Simpson 66-63 Jon Rahm (ESP) 68-70, Henrik Springboks scrap ban as you guys saw with me on 17.” on Rory McIlroy (74), who found old, who has won only twice in 134 - Charl Schwartzel (RSA) Stenson (SWE) 68-70, Harold the water for a double-bogey at 173 starts on the PGA Tour, most 68-66, Patrick Cantlay 66-68, Varner 71-67, Brice Garnett 69- WOODS STRUGGLES the 17th and missed the cut by signifi cantly the 2011 US Mas- Danny Lee (NZL) 68-66 69, C.T. Pan (TPE) 68-70, Keegan on overseas-based Woods said he could not quite two strokes. ters. Once ranked as high as sixth 135 - Chesson Hadley 66-69, Bradley 69-69, Rory Sabbatini get it together on a day when Schwartzel, without a top- in the world, Schwartzel has Charles Howell 68-67, Alex (SA) 67-71 players before SPOTLIGHT England Test series

Reuters sible the chance to show what Cape Town they can do for the Boks.” It was not immediately clear if the ban on overseas players Swede Kokocinski clinches outh Africa have was being scrapped perma- scrapped a ban on nently or just until the end of picking overseas- the next World Cup. based players, open- Erasmus is likely to grab the ingS the way for new coach opportunity and bring back maiden Asia Tour title in Dhaka Rassie Erasmus to name a full- scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, con- AFP ally pleased with how I played strength side to take on Eng- sidered among the outstand- Dhaka here”, Kokocinski said in com- land in their three test series ing performers in this season’s ments published on the tourna- next month. English Premiership. ment’s offi cial website. Governing body, SA Rugby, De Klerk had won 11 caps weden’s Malcolm Kokoc- “I have been playing well the ended the overseas-based before he left the Lions to play inski secured his maiden last couple of months. I knew my player policy just over a year for the Sale Sharks. Asian Tour title when he game was good so I just had to stick after bringing it into eff ect. The decision also off ers Sa- fi red six-under-par 65 in to my game plan and hit some good The rule prevented the racens prop Vincent Koch and theS fi nal round to win the AB Bank shots coming down the stretch. Springboks from selecting Wasps’ Juan de Jongh a chance Bangladesh Open by three shots in “I stayed patient out there. I was overseas-based players who to get back into the Spring- Dhaka yesterday. playing well all week so I knew a had fewer than 30 test caps. bok squad. Erasmus’s fi rst Kokocinski overturned a three- good round will come sooner or The measure was an at- test in charge is against Wales shot defi cit from the third round to later,” he added. tempt to stem a growing tide of in Washington, DC on June 2, cap a winning total of 14-under- England’s Jack Harrison, who players leaving South Africa to a week before South Africa’s par 270 at the Kurmitola Golf Club. led the event after the third round, sign more lucrative contracts fi rst clash against England. The 26-year-old Swede takes endured two closing bogeys for at clubs in Britain, France, Ire- The new coach has just over home a winner’s purse of $54,000 a 71 on the fi nal day to settle land and Japan. a year to prepare for the next in the $300,000 event courtesy of for a share of second place with It was set to be lifted next World Cup in Japan, where the his breakthrough victory on the New Zealand’s Ben Campbell with year in preparation for the Boks meet defending cham- Asian Tour. an overall score of 11-under par 2019 World Cup. pions New Zealand in their Kokocinski has become the third 273. “Rassie is in his last year of opening game in Yokohama on consecutive fi rst-time winner at “I can’t complain with a tied- preparation before the World Sept 21, 2019. the Bangladesh Open, following second place fi nish in my fi rst start Cup, so he can select any over- A talent drought contin- Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuaypra- on the Asian Tour. A little bit dis- seas-based player,” SA Rugby ues to be a major concern for kong and Jazz Janewattananond in appointed for not getting the win president Mark Alexander told South African rugby. 2016 and 2017 respectively. but there is always a winner and a reporters. The weakness of the South The Thailand-based golfer is loser. Overall, it was a great week “He has just 18 tests in African rand means local the second Swede to win in three and I am very happy,” said Harri- which to prepare for the World teams cannot compete with weeks on the Asian Tour, following son. Cup, so we gave him grace. off ers from other top leagues Alexander Bjork at the Volvo China American John Catlin shared “Rassie has already spoken with the Free State Cheetahs, Open. third place with Zamal Hossain to a few players who are play- who have just completed their “This win means a lot to me. I Mollah, who emerged as the high- ing overseas. From now until maiden season in the PRO-14, don’t have a status on the Asian est-ranked local player, after fi n- Malcolm Kokocinski of Sweden with the trophy after winning the Bangladesh Open at the Kurmitola the World Cup, he wants to set to lose 11 players to over- Tour before this week. So I am re- ishing on nine-under-par 275. Golf Club in Dhaka yesterday. (AFP) give as many players as pos- seas clubs. Gulf Times Sunday, May 13, 2018 7 SPORT

FORMULA 1 CYCLING Hamilton ends Froome slips again in Giro Vettel’s pole run as Carapaz Briton has been on pole in Spain for three years in a row and four of the last five takes stage Reuters Barcelona AFP The 24-year-old held on de- Montevergine di Mercogliano, Italy spite the tricky conditions, fi n- ormula One world champion ishing seven seconds ahead of a Lewis Hamilton seized pole po- large chasing pack containing all sition at the Spanish Grand Prix ace favourite Chris favourites. yesterday in a Mercedes one-two Froome of Sky once “I’m very happy and emo- thatF ended Sebastian Vettel’s bid for a again slipped on the tional. It’s my fi rst Grand Tour fourth in a row. eighth stage of the Giro victory,” said Carapaz, who is The Briton, leading his Ferrari rival by d’ItaliaR yesterday as Richard wearing the white jersey for the four points after four races, put in two Carapaz became the fi rst Ecua- best young rider. blistering fi nal laps at an overcast Circuit dorian stage winner of the race. “I had good legs from the bot- de Catalunya to take the top slot in a track Briton Simon Yates kept the tom of the climb. I had to try record one minute 16.173 seconds. overall leader’s pink jersey. from far out because I had lit- Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas was The Sky rider’s rear wheel tle chance of winning a sprint. second, in 1:16.213, with Vettel third and lost grip on a hairpin turn fol- I chose the right moment from 0.132 off the pace. lowing a storm before the fi nal 2km to go. “I needed this pole, I haven’t had a pole climb 5.5km from the fi nish line “It’s still a long way to Rome for a while. It’s a Mercedes one-two,” to further dent the confi dence and I’m yet to understand what said Hamilton, whose last pole was in the of 32-year-old in a race he hasn’t else I can achieve but this is al- Australian season-opener in March. competed in since 2010. ready beautiful.” “It was important for me to get back Froome got back on the sad- Italy’s Davide Formolo (Bora) into a good position with qualifying, as dle to fi nish in the leading group fi nished second followed by it’s usually a strength of mine.” with Movistar’s Carapaz crossing France’s Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), The four-times world champion’s the line to win the stage in what who crossed in third to move up time, on a track that has been smoothed is his fi rst Grand Tour race. in the overall standings to fourth, and resurfaced since last year, was nearly It was the second stumble 41sec behind Yates. three seconds quicker than his 2017 mark by Froome who also fell on the “I wanted to ride at the front of 1:19.149. morning of the fi rst stage in Je- because of the rain in the fi nal,” The Briton has now been on pole in rusalem — again on his right side said Yates. Spain for three years in a row and four of — before losing time in a nerve- “I would have liked to take the last fi ve. Yesterday’s was the record wracking arrival at Caltagirone some bonus seconds but I got a 74th pole of his career and came at a track on the fourth stage and suff ering little boxed in. However, it’s still that has historically favoured the top on the volcanic slopes of Mount a good day for us, I think. It was a qualifi er. Etna on the sixth stage. slippery but it was okay. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen qualifi ed To see him grimace as he Yates said he was feeling con- fourth with the Red Bull pairing of Max crossed the line at the monastery fi dent when asked if he could go Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo lining of Montevergine di Mercogliano all the way in this year’s race. up fi fth and sixth for their fi rst race since near Naples in pouring rain, it “I think so,” said the 25-year- they collided in Azerbaijan two weekends looked as if the seed of doubt had old from Manchester. “I feel real- ago. crept into the head of four-time ly good and I just need some good “I was happy with the lap... I was feel- Tour de France winner. luck. I have great teammates to ing good. I looked at the tower and I saw Despite his mishaps, however, help me do this so I don’t see why my name didn’t go up, but we expected Froome remains within touching not.” Mercedes to be strong so we will see what distance of Yates as he sits ninth “Tomorrow will be a bit more happens tomorrow,” Vettel said. 1min 10sec behind the Mitchel- diffi cult,” added Yates of Sun- Danish driver Kevin Magnussen quali- Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton takes a selfie after taking the pole position for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the ton rider. day’s ninth stage which fi nishes fi ed seventh for Haas, ahead of Spaniards Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on the outskirts of Barcelona yesterday. (AFP) By contrast Yates was the wear- at 2,135 metres altitude at Gran Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz for er of the pink jersey having con- Sasso d’Italia with a gruelling McLaren and Renault respectively. “We just need new parts as soon as however, as a result of a collision in Az- Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) trolled the situation during the 26.5km climb at Campo Impera- That marked the fi rst time Sainz had possible and to keep going in this direc- erbaijan. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) long climb towards Montevergine, tore, where Benito Mussolini was outqualifi ed his German teammate Nico tion.” 6th row negotiating winding roads in som- imprisoned in 1943. Hulkenberg this season and left Alonso Frenchman Romain Grosjean rounded SPANISH GRAND PRIX GRID Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) bre conditions through forests of The overall standings re- as the only driver on the grid with a 5-0 out the top 10 for Haas. 1st row Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) beech and chestnut. mained unchanged with defend- record over his teammate, Stoff el Van- New Zealand’s Brendon Hartley did Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7th row Carapaz made a well-timed ing champions Tom Dumoulin of doorne. not take part in qualifying for Toro Rosso Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) break 1.4km from the line after the Netherlands remains second It was also the fi rst time a McLaren, after crashing heavily in fi nal practice. 2nd row Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber) over fi ve hours of racing in the overall 16sec behind Yates with now with Renault engines and with an “I’ll have a good sleep and come back Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 8th row 209km run up through southern Colombian Esteban Chaves third eye-catching new nose and front wing, tomorrow fresh, anything is possible,” he Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) Italy from Praia a Mare. 26sec off the pace. had reached the decisive fi nal session this said. 3rd row Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) season. His absence saved former champions Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 9th row “The top guys are still too high up so Williams the embarrassment of fi lling the Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) we need to close that gap, but I’m pleased back row of the grid with Russian Sergey 4th row Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) that all the updates we brought here seem Sirotkin and Canadian Lance Stroll in Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) 10th row to be delivering as we expected,” Alonso 18th and 19th. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) said. Sirotkin has a three-place grid penalty, 5th row Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso)

LOSS Ex-Pakistan hockey captain Mansoor passes away

IANS Mansoor, who played for the coun- baz Ahmad expressed their grief over suff ering from heart ailment for the last Karachi try from 1986 to 2000, was a member the passing away of the legendary goal- three years. He had earlier also appealed of the Pakistan team that won gold at keeper. to the Indian government to issue him the 1994 World Cup in Sydney. He also “President and the Secretary General the necessary visa to travel to Chennai for akistan’s former hockey goal- won a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympic prayed to Almighty Allah to bless the de- heart transplant. keeper and captain Mansoor Games. parted soul with eternal peace and grant Mansoor appeared in 338 interna- Ahmed passed away at a city Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) courage to the bereaved family to bear the tionals between 1986 and 2000. He also hospital due to heart failure yes- president Brigadier (rtd) Khalid Sajjad loss,” a PHF statement read. played three Asian Games and won gold Pterday. He was 49. Khokhar and secretary-general Shah- Mansoor, a three-time Olympian, was in 1990 edition.

Al Sadd crowned Qatar Water Polo champions

Al Arabi reach GCC Club basketball semi-fi nals

Qatar’s Al Arabi confidently booked spot in the last four stage of the prestigious GCC Club Basketball Championship 2018 after beating Al Rayyan 74-67 in the quarter-finals clash held at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Oman on Friday. Qatar’s Al Arabi will lock horns against United Arab Emirates side, Al Sharja, in the semi-finals clash today. The event brought together seven clubs divided into two groups. Group A included Al Arabi (Qatar), Al Etihad (KSA), Al Muharraq (Bahrain), while group B included, Nizwa (Oman), Al Sharja (UAE) and Manama (Bahrain). The event is a qualifying tournament for the Asian Champions Cup, which will take place from September25-30. The top three teams from the Oman tournament will get spots in this continental event. Qatar to face Germany in FIVB World Tour in Switzerland Qatar’s beach volleyball team comprising Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan will face Germany in the FIVB World Tour in Lucerne, Switzerland. The Qatar team suff ered a shock 21-19, 21-19 defeat at the hands of USA in their second match held on Friday. The Qatari duo is looking ambitiously to bring glory for the country at this international beach volleyball gathering. On other hand, Qatar’s beach volleyball team duo Nasser al-Mir and Hamad Jassim al- Kuwari will participate in the Italy Friendly Tournament in prepara- Qatar Swimming Association president Khaleel al-Jabir and other off icials pose with Al Sadd team after they won the Qatar Water Polo Championship. PICTURE: Anas Khalid tion for the Arab Championship scheduled in Morocco.

Sunday, May 13, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

VOLLEYBALL / AMIR CUP Unstoppable Rayyan win sixth title with Amir Cup Schwanke’s men have chance to win yet another title this year when they head to Myanmar for Asian Clubs C’ship

Qatar Olympic Committee second vice president Dr Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari and Qatar Volleyball Association off icials pose with Al Ahli players and off icials.

Yesterday’s triumph maintained For Rayyan, French star Earvin were very good throughout the season Rayyan’s upper hand over Ahli. Com- N’Gapeth scored a game-high 22 and it refl ects in our performance,” he ing into yesterday’s fi nal, the two teams points, including 18 from his attack said. had clashed twice in a fi nal of a tourna- play. Marcus also played well to collect “We had a memorable time. This ment, with Rayyan winning the 1988- 13, while captain Mubarak Dahi Waleed is the sixth title of the season. Peo- 89 Amir Cup and the 1994-95 Heir added 11. ple think that our season has fi nished. Apparent Cup, which was changed to Geraldo Goiano was the best scorer However, we’re waiting to go to the Asia Qatar Cup a few season ago. for Al Ahli with 12, while Slovenia star Clubs Championship in two months, Rayyan suff ered only one loss this and N’Gapeth’s Modena Volley team- which is the most important assign- season – a defeat at the hands of Qatar mate Tine Urnaut scored 10. ment for us. Right now, we’re very ex- Sports Club during the Qatar Cup play- Schwanke gave credit for the titles to cited with another Amir Cup trophy,” off s but bounced back to knock out the his boys. “These players are amazing. I he said. rivals 2-1 to enter the fi nal and eventu- showed them the dreams, but they put Al Ahli coach Igor Arbutina chose to ally win it too. in a great eff ort. They tried to do bet- pick up some positives from the road to Al Rayyan players and off icials celebrate their Amir Cup victory with the trophy yesterday. PICTURES: M Shajahan “I’m proud of my team and of what ter in each session and every match. We the fi nal. we did in the season. I just told them did not expect a clean sweep. We took “We had a diffi cult season but we’re By Sports Reporter At the Qatar Volleyball Association Rayyan had opened the season with to work hard and the results will fol- the game to new levels by bringing to proud of reaching the fi nal of the most Doha Indoor Hall, Carlos Schwanke’s boys a Super Cup win over Police, and later low automatically. The result in the fi - matches what we did for hours in train- prestigious volleyball event in Qatar. maintained their domination over their continued the domination by grabbing nal tonight is proof of that. We won all ing. I am really very happy and proud of We played the semi-fi nals without rivals as they won the match 3-0 (25- three more domestic titles including the tournaments that we played in,” Al my team’s performance.” Geraldo. But the entire team played as l Rayyan defeated Al Ahli in 17, 25-18, 25-19) in 74 minutes to lift the the QVA League, the Qatar National Rayyan coach Carlos Schwanke said. However, Rayyan skipper Waleed one unit. I’m really happy about my straight sets to win the pres- prestigious trophy and earn QR500,000 Tournament and the Qatar Cup. They Rayyan have a chance to win yet an- praised the role of their Brazilian coach team. We did well to get past strong ri- tigious Amir Cup, their un- in prize money. Al Ahli, who were play- also emerged supreme in the Arab other title in July-August in Myanmar in the team’s success. vals like Police in the quarter-fi nals and precedented sixth title of the ing a fi nal after a gap of 22 years, received Clubs Championship defeating Tuni- this year when they will participate in “Our coach has done a wonderful job then Qatar Sports Club. I’m sure this season,A yesterday. QR300,000 as runners-up. sia’s Esperance in Tunis. the Asian Clubs Championship. with the team. He and his support staff will prove a big boost for the future.”

TENNIS / MADRID OPEN Thiem storms past Anderson to reach fi nal Kvitova wins third Madrid title

AFP was pretty far away before this week started. “There was a little bit of lack of confi dence Madrid Now I’m in the fi nals again, which is amazing in Monte Carlo and Barcelona,” he said. for me.” “It took me a while until I was moving my Thiem is playing in just his third tourna- best again, until I was playing my best again. ominic Thiem followed up his sen- ment since a right ankle fracture suff ered at I think the level of my game increased espe- sational victory over world number Indian Wells while US Open runner-up An- cially in this week.” one Rafael Nadal by easing past derson was competing in his fi rst semi-fi nal Later yesterday, Zverev was scheduled to Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-2 yesterday at Masters level, ending a run of 10 prior loss- play in his third straight Masters semi-fi nal. toD reach the Madrid Masters fi nal. es in quarter-fi nals at this level. Coming off a successful title defence in The fi fth-seeded Austrian, who ended The 24-year-old Austrian broke Ander- Munich last week, Zverev has faced just one Nadal’s 21-match and 50-set winning streak son in a nine-minute opening game which break point all week. on clay Friday, needed just 85 minutes to dis- was enough to secure the first set in 49 In the quarter-fi nals on Friday, he downed pose of his South African opponent, seeded minutes. John Isner to avenge his defeat to the Ameri- sixth. A double fault gave Thiem the decisive can in the Miami fi nal earlier this season. Thiem, the runner-up to Nadal in the 2017 break to open the second set and he broke Canada’s Shapovalov became the youngest Madrid fi nal and still chasing a maiden Mas- again for a 4-1 lead before securing victory player to reach the Madrid semi-fi nals with ters title, will face either German second seed with a service winner as he reached his 15th a fi esty three-set win over Britain’s Kyle Ed- Alexander Zverev or Denis Shapovalov of career fi nal and fi fth in a row on clay. mund. Canada in today’s championship match. Thiem said he is feeling stronger after his The 19-year-old Shapovalov, who lost to “I will try everything on Sunday. A Masters ankle injury as he builds up to the French Zverev in the Montreal Masters semi-fi nals Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova lifts the winner’s trophy after she won her third Madrid Open title 1000 title would mean a lot to me because Open later this month and has tried to forget last year, is assured of breaking the world top yesterday. The 10th seed won a marathon 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-3 over Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands. it’s obviously really tough to win one,” said recent losses to Nadal in Monte Carlo and his 30 as a result of his eff orts in Madrid. Kvitova, who was also the champion in Madrid in 2011 and 2015, has now claimed four titles in 2018 Thiem. shock exit at the hands of Greek teenager Ste- Before this week, he had never won a main after triumphs in St Petersburg, Doha and last weekend in Prague. (AFP) “To be honest, I thought also myself that I fanos Tsitsipas in Barcelona. tour clay-court match.