SPORT Friday 3 May 2019 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 McIlroy celebrates All eyes on birthday Semenya at Diamond at happy League season hunting ground opener in Doha Xavi to retire at end of the seasonason

REUTERS record 767 appearances for Al Sadd since leaving Barca through the club’s famed La Championshiponship triumtriumphsphs in BARCELONA Barca and 133 for Spain, con- in 2015. Masia academy and soon 2008 andnd 2012, eventuallyeventually firmed his retirement plans in “It has been a privilege to became the heartbeat of the retiring fromrom the national team Barcelona and Spain an open letter sent to members play football until 39 years of team’s midfield, winning eight after a ddisappointingisappointing 2014 midfielder Xavi Hernandez of the Spanish media. age and now I would like to La Liga titles and four Cham- World Cup.up. (pictured) will retire at the “This is my last season as finish the season on a high by pions League crowns before Last monthmonth he helped Al end of the season to move a player but I am looking winning the Emir Cup and by joining Al Sadd. Sadd winin the QNB Stars into coaching, calling time on forward to seeing what the getting to the next phase of the He was one of the key League, thehe country’s top flflightight a trophy-laden career future holds for me as a Asian Champions League.” players when Spain won their division, aandnd hhasas reacreachedhed tthehe spanning two decades. coach,” wrote Xavi, who has Xavi made his debut for first and only World Cup in quarter-finalsfinals ofof thethe Amir Xavi, who has made a been playing for Qatari side Barca in 1998 after coming 2010 as well as their European Cup withh tthehe team.

Mumbai in play-offs after super over win IANS MUMBAI

In yet another nail-biting clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL), three-time champions Mumbai Indians held its nerves to become the third team to qualify for the play-offs after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Super Over at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. It was Manish Pandey’s ‘never give up’ effort which Al Sadd’s players celebrate after Baghdad Bounedjah scored their fourth goal as Al Gharafa players look dejected during their Amir Cup quarter-final match played at helped Hyderabad, who were the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday. chasing a 163-run target, tie the score and take the contest to a Super Over. However, Hyderabad could only manage eight runs before Mumbai over- hauled the target with ease and Amir Cup: Title chasing Al Sadd, three balls to spare. Earlier, Pandey’s (71 unbeaten off 47) last-ball six denied Mumbai a thrilling win Al Duhail storm into semi-finals as his fighting knock along with Mohammed Nabi’s valuable (31 FAWAD HUSSAIN of the tournament with a 4-2 Khouki opened account for the But when things begun to get Star striker Youssef El Arabi off 20) effort helped Hyderabad THE PENINSULA victory, after Al Duhail advanced Wolves with a header from a close tense, Bounedjah made it 4-2 for was the scorer, who did no level the score in the stipulated in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win range off a lofty pass by Afif in the Al Sadd in the start of injury time mistake to push the ball past 20 overs. QNB Stars League winners Al Sadd over a spirited Al Shahania in the 17th minute, beating goal-keeper for his 41st goal of the season, and goal-keeper Amer Ahmed from Chasing the 163-run target, and defending champions Al first quarter-final. Yousof Hassan. secure victory for the Wolves. a close range, after a brilliant pass Hyderabad openers Wrid- Duhail kept their chances of Al Sadd, the newly-crowned Captain Xavi Hernandez, who Coach Jesualdo Ferreira’s Al from Shoya Nakajima from the dhiman Saha (25 off 15) and playing the highly-anticipated QSL champions continued to yesterday confirmed his plans to Sadd will meet the winners of right. Martin Guptill (15 off 11) handed Amir Cup final at Al Wakrah dominate their opponents, with retire as a footballer at the end of quarter-finals between Al Arabi The goal prompted Al Sha- a fine start as the visitors raced Stadium intact, registering feared striker Baghdad Bounedjah this season, designed the second and Al Rayyan, which is scheduled hania to look for a leveler and Al away to 30 runs in the first three convincing victories in their scoring a brace besides a goal goal for Al Sadd with a brilliant today. Duhail took full advantage of their overs. Jasprit Bumrah came with respective quarter-finals at each from Boualem Khouki and pass to Bounedjah in final minute Earlier in the first quarter- compromised defense, doubling the first breakthrough for Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium QFA Player-of-the-Year Akram of the first half. The striker made final, coach Rui Faria’s Al Duhail the lead with a goal in 79th Mumbai, sending back Saha in yesterday. Afif, taking them into the no mistake as he had just goal- had to wait for 57 minutes to get minute. Paulo Edmilson struck a the fourth over. Al Sadd overcame a late semi-finals. keeper to beat to give Al Sadd a their first goal of the match against brilliant kick on the left corner, Just when the hosts added fightback to knock Al Gharafa out After a fast start to the match, 2-0 lead in the first half. stubborn Al Shahania, who leaving goalie Amer Ahmed another 17 runs, Bumrah struck Afif found the target in 74th blocked several attacks by the helpless. again to account for the other Al Sadd’s skipper Xavi Hernandez vies for the ball possession minute to extend Al Sadd lead to home team in the first half. The Red Knights didn’t have Hyderabad opener in the sixth against an Al Gharafa player during their Amir Cup quarter-final 3-0 before Al Gharafa staged a Al Shahania were looking to do much to retain their lead to over, leaving them at 57/2. match yesterday. fightback to make it 3-2 after goals good in defense until a well coor- ensure their place in the semi- Krunal Pandya was then suc- from Iranian star Mehdi Taremi dinated attack by Al Duhail earned finals, where they will meet the cessful in making further (78th minute) and substitute Amro them the opener in the 57th winners of today’s quarter-finals inroads in the visiting batting Abdulfattah (89th minute). minute. between Al Ahli and Al Sailiya. line-up as he claimed Kane Wil- liamson (3 off 7) soon, which Al Duhail’s Youssef El Arabi (centre) scores reduced Hyderabad to 65/3. against Al Shahania yesterday. Krunal struck again to dismiss Vijay Shankar (12) while his brother Hardik Pandya also joined the party, sending back Abhishek Sharma (2) cheaply, which left the visitors reeling at 105/5 in 14.3 overs. With eight needed of the final two deliveries, Pandey took a couple in the second last delivery before slamming Hardik for a maximum at long-on to keep the contest alive. Opting to bat, Mumbai rode opener Quinton de Kock’s valiant knock of 69 (unbeaten) off 58 balls to post 162/5. Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians: 162/5 (Quinton de Kock 69, Rohit Sharma 24; Khaleel Ahmed 3/42) Sunrisers Hyderabad: 162/6 (Manish Pandey 71 not out, Mohammad Nabi 31; Hardik Pandya 2/20) FRIDAY 3 MAY 2019 SPORT 17 Taking initiative - on and AL Sadd player Xavi Hernandez off the pitch, Xavi way XAVI HERNANDEZ initiated during Qatar’s suc- lacing my boots for the last style which we were able to DOHA cessful bid for the 2022 FIFA games of an unforgettable career develop over many years World Cup™ in 2010, is using the which has spanned over 21 years through the influence of Johan Football is an incredible tool to power of football to positively and taken me to every corner of Cruyff, La Masia and the Bar- bring people together and impact lives and create sus- the world. celona way of playing football. I change lives for the better. In tainable social development in It has been a fantastic end to love to see teams taking the ini- March I had the privilege of communities such as the one my playing career here in Qatar. tiative on the pitch, playing visiting India for the first time, where Umesh lives. Winning the Qatar Stars League attacking football and going back and I was inspired by the story In Mumbai, we inaugurated this month was the title which was to the essence of what we all love of Umesh Rathod, the football- the construction of a Generation missing. Since I arrived here, we about this game since our crazy 15-year-old that I met in Amazing community football have won everything and only the childhood days; having pos- Mumbai. pitch which will serve him and league was missing, so I’m very session of the football. Umesh faces daily difficulties those living in the area including happy for this fantastic Al Sadd I have been privileged to in the slum community where Poonam, a 19-year-old female Club team which worked so hard achieve everything that I was able he lives, where access to water football player who is giving and deservedly won the title. to do over the past two decades, is limited and some children are back to her community through As a sportsperson, you never and by extension it is also our duty sent to work and forced out of inspirational coaching sessions get tired of winning. Once you to take the initiative off the pitch education from an early age to for young kids. have won a title you always want and give back through football support their families. Ever since I was a child I to win more. We have a very wherever we can. This is why my His parents insisted that have this consciousness that good generation of football work with Generation Amazing is Umesh stays in school and football is my passion. It is my players in Qatar, many of them so important to me, and I look encouraged him to follow his life. The experience to visit India from the exciting young Qatari forward to continuing my work passion to play football. He intro- was marvelous. The feeling national team which won the with this wonderful programme, duced me to his family and when you are a child is one of Asian Cup earlier this year. and the magnificent project that showed me his house, his medals freedom, and to be able to con- It is a privilege to have been is Qatar 2022. and his trophies. He was very tribute an opportunity to these able to play football until the age Umesh is one of over happy about the visit, and the children in India makes me very of 39, and now I would like to 250,000 young people we have same went for me. I could tell happy and proud. Football can finish the season on a high by reached to date. Generation almost instantly the he has the change the world, without a winning the Amir Cup and Amazing has built 28 community right attitude and charater to doubt. reaching the next stage in the football pitches across the Middle deal with any situation, and In Umesh I saw the hap- Asian Champions League. This East and Asia, creating pro- football will help him greatly. piness which he has for football, is my last season as a player, but grammes which empower and Our encounter in Mumbai which took me back in time, to I am already excited for what the educate young people to become was just one example of how the sensation of wanting to near future holds as a coach. leaders in their communities Generation Amazing, the human succeed in football. Over the You will see that my through the unifying power of and social legacy programme coming four weeks, I will be coaching philosophy reflects the the beautiful game. Captain Messi Liverpool have no time to lick showing Barca the way

AFP wounds after Barcelona loss BARCELONA Lionel Messi has shown many AFP unstoppable,” admitted Klopp. different faces during his spell- LONDON A second leg at fortress binding career but in Barce- Anfield is still to come, but lona’s win over Liverpool on Liverpool have no time to fret ending a 29-year wait to win the Wednesday, the dominant one over their chastening Champions Premier League was always Liv- was of a leader. League defeat at the hands of erpool’s primary target for the Barca were not at their best Barcelona as they scramble to season. at Camp Nou, instead made to prevent their season from Now into his fourth season sweat and suffer against a Liv- fizzling out without any in charge, Klopp has still to win erpool side that were just as silverware to show for it. a trophy with Liverpool. dangerous in the first half and After the hammer blow of But if his maturing side were then dominant for at least a two late Lionel Messi goals at the denied by individual brilliance 20-minute period in the second. Camp Nou, which gave Bar- in Barcelona, it is the collective But when his team were celona a 3-0 win in the first leg class of City, led by former Barca struggling, Messi delivered, two of the semi-final, Jurgen Klopp’s boss Pep Guardiola, that looks goals in seven minutes turning men must raise themselves for likely to deny them a much- turn a disappointing night into the challenge of Newcastle in the desired title. a disastrous one for Liverpool Premier League on Saturday. For the seventh game in a and leaving Barcelona with one Despite already posting a row, Liverpool would go back on foot in the Champions League club record points tally of 91 with top with a victory over New- final. two games remaining, a Liv- castle, led by their former “In these moments, he is erpool defeat would give Man- manager Rafael Benitez. unstoppable,” Jurgen Klopp chester City the chance to retain However, with City on a said. “I knew before that he was the title at home to Leicester on 12-game Premier League a world-class player and I saw Monday. winning run, Liverpool still need it again. I am not surprised.” Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (right) challenges Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto during the UEFA “They don’t have to think the champions to slip up either “I am always surprised,” Champions League semi-final first leg match at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on Wednesday. about the next game against Bar- at home to Leicester or away at said Ernesto Valverde. celona, now we play Newcastle,” Brighton on the final day of the “I don’t know how he does said Klopp after Wednesday’s Liverpool had more pos- that was very passionate, very and Mohamed Salah missed huge season to stand a chance of it.” defeat in Spain. session and shots on goal as lively and in a lot of moments chances, the magic of Messi winning the title. In the end, 3-0 seemed “That’s all our focus. We go they pressed and penned the creative and direct. swung the tie heavily in Barca’s “I think mentally, we harsh, lacking the away goal to the hotel, have a proper sleep, Spanish champions back, par- “There will be a moment favour. shouldn’t be affected,” said Liv- Liverpool deserved and get up in the morning, fly home ticularly after Luis Suarez had when I can convince the boys If Messi’s first goal 15 minutes erpool defender and Professional requiring now a comeback in and then prepare for come back to haunt his former again how important this game from time was opportunistic, his Footballers’ Association player the second leg at Anfield that Newcastle. club with the opening goal in was for us for our development second was out of this world. of the year Virgil van Dijk. would surely rival the 2005 “Whatever happens, these the 26th minute. because I really think it was the The Argentine’s 600th goal “I won’t be. It was a tough miracle in Istanbul. boys, I couldn’t be more proud “I can work really well with best away game we played in the for Barcelona was fired into the game but we have a big game at Mohamed Salah and Sadio of them.” There was plenty for this game. I will use this game to Champions League. That’s a very top corner with unerring the weekend and we are still in Mane terrorised Barca’s Klopp to be proud about in Cata- show the boys what is possible,” important message for us, not for accuracy from a long-range the race. We want the same per- defence, the latter perhaps even lonia despite a first defeat in 20 added Klopp. the world outside.” free-kick. formance without conceding the the game’s stand-out player games. “It was brave performance However, while Sadio Mane “In these moments he’s goals.” during a breathless opening 45 minutes, in which both teams might have scored two or three. But while Liverpool’s Sevilla, Valencia eye Champions League riches deadly duo have an impressive 50 goals between them this season, Suarez and Messi have REUTERS Sevilla host Leganes on from a combination of Sevilla, who earned 48 years ago, have the fourth- 75, their knack of finding, cre- BARCELONA Friday hoping to make up for appearance money, bonuses and million euros for reaching the lowest budget in La Liga and ating and converting chances their shock 1-0 defeat at Girona the television pool in the Cham- quarter-finals last season, rou- qualifying for Europe’s top unparallelled and, in this first With Barcelona already crowned when they became the first team pions League even if they go out tinely sack coaches who fail to competition for the first time leg, decisive. champions, the focus in Spain to lose away to the Catalans in in the group stage. take the team into the Cham- would cover two-thirds of their Between Mane firing over has shifted to a thrilling three- six months, while on Sunday Clubs can earn an additional pions League, and they ousted annual wage bill, estimated at from eight yards and Salah way battle for La Liga’s final Getafe host Girona after a frus- 2.7 million for every game they Pablo Machin in March when 47.5m hammering the post, Messi Champions League berth, with trating 2-1 surrender at Real win, while getting into the their top-four hopes were Elsewhere in Spain, Barca tapped into an open net and Getafe, Sevilla and Valencia Sociedad. knockout phase would see them looking bleak. visit Celta Vigo and will be arced a free-kick, past the right eyeing game-changing prize Valencia, who endured a coin another 9.5 million, in The money would have the expected to rest players in hand of Alisson and into the top money worth at least $34m. chastening last-gasp defeat at addition to increased matchday biggest impact at Getafe, preparation for their Cham- corner. With three games to go, home to Eibar last weekend, revenues. however, who have only pions League semi-final second It was his second goal on little-known Getafe have 55 visit bottom club Huesca on Valencia have reached the existed in their current form leg at Liverpool, while second- the night and 600th for Bar- points along with Sevilla but Sunday but could be feeling the Champions League final twice, since 1983 and play in a placed Atletico Madrid visit celona, after 683 games, 14 cling on to the coveted fourth effects of their Europa League in 2000 and 2001, and returning stadium holding only 17,000 Espanyol. years to the day since his first. spot due to their superior semi-final first leg away to to Europe’s premier competition spectators, which would look Real Madrid, who slumped He now has 12 goals in this sea- head-to-head record, while Arsenal. would boost their plans to finish grossly out of place in the to an embarrassing 10th league son’s Champions League, only Valencia are sixth on 52 but UEFA’s revenue distribution building their new stadium, Champions League. defeat of the campaign last week two short of his best in 2012. have the best head-to-head model means La Liga clubs can which will require an extra 150m The Madrid outfit, who at lowly Rayo Vallecano, host “He’s a fantastic player, it’s record of the trio. receive at least 30 million euros euros. returned to the top flight two Villarreal. obvious,” Virgil van Dijk said. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 3 MAY 2019

‘Senna Day’ Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum NBA PLAY-OFFS reacts after a play in the fourth quarter McIlroy celebrates against the Denver Nuggets in game two held on F1 of the second round of the 2019 NBA great’s 25th play-offs in Denver on Wednesday. birthday at happy death hunting ground anniversary

REUTERS however, prepare differently AFP CHARLOTTE for June’s US Open at Pebble SAO PAULO Beach by playing immediately Rory McIlroy is back in North beforehand at the Canadian The Interlagos racing Carolina at the site of his first Open, instead of following his circuit held a ‘Senna Day’ PGA Tour victory, focused on past routine of having the to celebrate the life of winning the Wells Fargo week off. Formula One great Ayrton Championship again, though The decision to play his Senna on Wednesday to with one eye turned towards way in -- he will also contest mark the 25th anniversary the next two majors which are the Memorial tournament in of the Brazilian’s death. looming quickly in view. Ohio a fortnight before -- The event began with McIlroy is part of a strong comes following a poor recent a fun run around the field at Quail Hollow in Char- record at the US Open since famous circuit in Sao Paulo lotte, joined by world number winning it in 2011. where the three-time two Justin Rose and defending “I’ve been pathetic at the world champion had twice champion Jason Day for the U.S. Open so I’ve changed that tasted victory at the Bra- PGA Tour event. up to make that my third zilian Grand Prix in front The Wells Fargo will be event in a row,” said the of his adoring public in McIlroy’s only start between Northern Irishman, who turns 1991 and 1993. the first and second majors of 30 on Saturday. Karting races were also McCollum shines as the year -- last month’s “Three missed cuts in a on the program, as well as Masters and this month’s PGA row, it is pathetic.” laps of the track in a spe- Championship. More immediately, cially commissioned The betting favourite at McIlroy, who turns 30 super-touring McLaren, Augusta National, where he tomorrow, hopes to celebrate the British team with Blazers level series had a chance to complete the his birthday in style at the which Senna won the career Grand Slam of majors, place where he scored his world title in 1988, 1990 AFP CJ McCollum scored 20 managed to haul down 14 he never contended en route breakthrough PGA Tour and 1991. LOS ANGELES points as the Portland rebounds throughout the game. to a tie for 21st behind winner victory in 2010 with a final- Senna died after a Trail Blazers held off a “I thought we pressured him Tiger Woods. round 62. crash at the San Marino GP CJ McCollum scored 20 points late rally from the Denver a little bit more,” Stotts said. McIlroy does not plan to He shot 61 in the third at the Imola circuit on May as the Portland Trail Blazers held Nuggets to score a “He didn’t get the clean looks make a reconnaissance trip round en route to winning in 1, 1994 at the age of just 34. off a late rally from the Denver series-leveling victory that we gave him in game one. to PGA venue Bethpage BlBlackack 2015,2015, making him the only “He was the example Nuggets to score a series- He got too many offensive beforebefore the May 16-19 chacham-m- twicetwice winnwinnerer of the event.event. of someone who wasn’t leveling victory in their NBA in their NBA Western rebounds in the fourth though. pionship in New York, whwhereere afraid to fight to realize his Western Conference play-off Conference play-off duel. We were very fortunate that we hehe expects lengthlength ooffff dreams and who was duel on Wednesday. weren’t hurt as badly as we the tee to be moremore proud of being Brazilian,” McCollum led the scorers in McCollum led the scorers could have been.” Game three importantimportant said Bianca Senna, the late a hard-fought 97-90 victory on in a hard-fought 97-90 in the series takes place in thant h a n racer’s niece who looks the road at Denver’s Pepsi Center victory on the road at Portland on Friday. precision.precision. after the Ayrton Senna to tie the best-of-seven series at Denver’s Pepsi Center Nuggets coach Mike Malone “I’ve“ I ’ ve Institute, which is involved 1-1. Portland talisman Damian said Denver had struggled to nevernever donedone to tie the best-of-seven in education projects in Lillard had a relatively quiet match Portland’s physical thatthat forfor a PPGAGA socially disadvantaged night, restricted to just 14 points series at 1-1. approach in the first half. beforebefore aandnd areas. after shooting five-of-17 from “In that first half they were II’ve’ve donedone Fans could admire par- the field. final period. That, however, was the aggressor, they were much pprettyretty wwellell at aphernalia from Senna’s However, double-digit con- the cue for a sustained Denver more physical,” Malone said. tthem,hem, so just career, as well as try out tributions Enes Kanter, Zach assault, with the Nuggets slowly “But I’m extremely proud of treatingtreating it like race simulators that Collins, Rodney Hood and Al- chipping away at the Portland the way they came back in the anyany other reproduce his greatest Farouq Aminu helped Portland lead. second half. But we’ve got to do event,”event,” hhee totoldld triumphs. get over the line. A driving layup from Nikola it for 48 minutes and that was reportersreporters on “He was my biggest “I really liked our approach Jokic put Denver within five the most disappointing thing Wednesday,Wednesday, hero. I was 10 the day he in the first half, particularly the points at 95-90 with 34 seconds about tonight -- we brought it in referringreferring to his died and still today I try to first quarter,” Blazers coach left on the clock. the second half but in the first 20122012 andand 20142014 imitate his style when I’m Terry Stotts said. But a foul by Mason Plumlee half it was not there.” victories.victories. on track,” said Marcos Vin- “I thought we were a lot gifted two free throws to Hood, Stotts, meanwhile, had “I“I would icius Martins, a driver who better offensively than in game who coolly drained both raised eyebrows earlier, wearing assumeassum e took part in “Senna Day.” one. We did a better job on the attempts to take the Blazers a bowtie on the sidelines during BethpageBethpage is It is a homage to a man ball. I liked the tone we set for 97-90 clear with 17 seconds the game. The Blazers coach going to feelfeel who was voted Brazil’s most of the game.” remaining. revealed it was a tribute to video likelike a normalnormal greatest sportsman (with The Blazers looked to be Jokic led the Denver scorers co-ordinator Jonathan Yim, who PGAPGA Tour 47 percent of the vote) by cruising towards a comfortable with 16 points while Jamal was injured in a car crash with set-up.set-up. YouYou’re’re some distance ahead of victory after a dominant first Murray added 15. Paul Millsap his family last week. notnot reareallylly going football great Pele (23 half, surging into a 50-35 lead at finished with 14 points. “On Wednesdays, Jon would to havehave to ddoo Rory McIlroy percent), in a poll con- the break. - Defensive effort - Stotts wear bowties to the game, so aanythingn y t hing ducted in his home town They opened up a 17-point meanwhile praised the defensive tonight was bowtie Wednesday,” different.”different.” of Sao Paulo in 2014. lead early in the third quarter, effort that restricted Jokic, but Stotts said. “I think bowties are He will, will Amongst the gems and led by 14 heading into the was unhappy that the Serbian undefeated this year.” from the Senna collection fans could admire karts he raced during childhood as well as racing suits, helmets and trophies from Finch tips Warner to dominate World Cup his professional career that garnered 41 GP victories. AFP the first time at a training camp they’ve both captained a lot of SYDNEY in Brisbane on Friday. Finch did cricket and are very good cap- Azam’s ton not expect any problems re-inte- tains on the field,” he said. lifts Pakistan Australia captain Aaron Finch He’s coming back grating them into the team, even “It would be really naive of believes David Warner though the former captain and me not to lean on them.” Finch (pictured) will enter this year’s with a huge hunger, deputy will have to defer to a also revealed he feared for his in tour stroll World Cup desperate to prove not just to perform new leadership team. own spot on the team after a himself as the disgraced batsman well for his franchise, He said he would consult the recent barren run, although he AFP prepares to rejoin his team- pair about on-field tactics. believed he had now returned to LONDON mates after a ball-tampering but to dominate “I’ll be using them as much form. ban. international cricket asas I can tacticallytactically bbecauseecause “In“In thethe backback ooff your mindmind Pakistan batsman Babar Azam Warner has been in red-hot again: Australia you’reyou’re tthinking,hinking, ‘Gee, tthehe WorWorldld smashed his first Twenty20 form in the India Premier League captain Aaron Finch Cup isn’t far away,away, as a captain hundred to inspire his country’s after completing a 12-month sus- I coucouldld bbee llefteft out ooff tthehe squasquad’,”d’,” 58-run win over Leicestershire pension for cheating, averaging hehe said.said. in a tour match on Wednesday. 69.20 in 12 innings, including a knowknow howhow destructivedestructive hehe can “Then“Then you start Azam hit two sixes and 13 century and eight fifties. be,”be,” hhee saisaid.d. puttingputting unrealisticunrealistic fours in his 63-ball innings of Finch expected the fiery “I“I think havhavingingngg pressure on yourselfyourself 101 at Grace Road. batsman to also dominate on the timetime offoff to toto perperform.”form.” FinchFinch He put on an opening stand international stage, providing a spendspend wiwithth hadhad an uunsuccessfulnsuccessful of 104 with Fakhar Zaman, who massive boost for Australia as the hish i s spellspell in tthehe Test sisidede scored 52 from 30 balls, as the reigning champions chase a sixth familyfamily lastlast year, averaging tourists reached 200 for six in World Cup trophy. anda n d 27.8027.80 in fivfivee their 20 overs. “He’s coming back with a getg et matches,matches, andand con-con- Ben Mike was the pick of huge hunger, not just to perform awaya w a y ceded that at 3322 hishis the Leicestershire attack with well for his franchise, but to fromfrom thethe careercareer in the long-long- three for 38, including the dominate international cricket game formform game was wicket of Azam. again,” Finch said. ((waswas over.over. In reply, Leicestershire got “When you have your dream important).”important).” “My“My chanceschances to off to a poor start as the home taken away from you for 12 WarnerWarner andand playp Test cricket side were reduced for 39 for months, I can imagine there’s formerformer AusAus-- againagain havehave three in the sixth over. something inside you that burns traliant r alian probablyprobably slippedslipped Wickets continued to fall at A poster bearing a photo of really strongly.” Finch said the captcaptainain away,”away,” he said. steady intervals and the only Brazilian’s F1 driver Ayrton ban, imposed after Warner mas- SteveSteve Smith,Smith, ““I’mI’m stistillll very partnership of note came late Senna signed by fans is terminded the “Sandpaper-gate” whowho waswas gratefulgrateful for the on when Mike and Callum Par- displayed during a ceremony scandal in Cape Town last year, alsoalso bbannedanned opportunity...opportunity... I’m kinson put on 59 for the ninth marking the 25th anniversary had given the 32-year-old a overover the OKOK withwith that wicket before Leicestershire of his death. chance to refresh his game. cheatingcheating scandal, will officiallyofficially becausebecause I gavegave it were dismissed for 142 in 19.2 “He’s a super player, we rejoinrejoin the AustralianAustralian squad forfor everythingeverything I could.” overs. FRIDAY 3 MAY 2019 SPORT 19

International Association of Athletics Federations President, Sebastian Coe (centre) addressing the gathering during a press conference held at the InterContinental Doha The City, yesterday, ahead of the opening round of the 2019 Diamond League which will be held today. Qatar Athletics Federation President Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, three-time world shot put champion Tom Walsh, world pole vault champion Sam Kendricks, Triple European sprint champion Dina Asher-Smith, 100m hurdles Olympic champion Brianna Rollins-McNeal and Olympic long jump champion Tianna Bartoletta were also present. Qatar have All eyes on Semenya at Diamond ‘double reason’ to League season opener in Doha celebrate: ARMSTRONG VAS which in less than five months years trying to get the new IAAF summer as number four on the success, following his five wins THE PENINSULA time will host the IAAF World rules thrown out, is scheduled to world rankings in her non-spe- on the circuit in 2018. Athletics Championships Doha take part in Doha, two days after cialist event, and is expected to Timothy Cheruiyot heads the Dr Thani Controversial South African 2019. losing her appeal against the pick up where she left off in the 1500m field as the 23-year-old athlete Caster Semenya leads a Her event is expected to regulations. long jump discipline. world silver medallist from Kenya THE PENINSULA cast of six reigning world cham- feature highly in the most The 28-year-old two-time The men’s shot put is growing looks to repeat his world number DOHA pions, eight reigning Olympic eagerly-anticipated on show. Olympic and three-time world in prestige in international ath- one ranking last summer. champions and winners of nine The South is set to compete 800m champion has shown an letics, courtesy in part to three Elsewhere on the track, Brit- Qatar Athletics Federation 2018 Diamond Trophies who will in what could be her last 800- impressive range already this men who will each compete today. ain’s triple European sprint President, Thani Abdul- compete in the opening leg of the metre race at the Diamond year, with superb lifetime bests Three-time world champion, champion, Dina Asher-Smith rahman Al Kuwari Diamond League meeting in League meeting in Doha today over 200m and 5,000m and Tom Walsh of New Zealand is opens her 2019 campaign and the yesterday welcomed the Doha at the KhalKhalifaifa InternationalInternational beforebefore thethe InternationalInternational Associ-Associ today,today, sshehe wwill defend the two-lap joined by US duo, Ryan Crouser 23-year-old should enjoy a suc- cream of world athletics Stadium today. ationation of AthAthleticsletics FFederationsederations racerace she wwono here in the 2016 and and Joe Kovacs in a mouth- cessful first career outing in Doha. competing in today’s Doha AllAll eyeseyes will be (IAAF) imposesimposes contro-contro- 20172017 seasons,season respectively. watering duel. Walsh - the 2018 Olympic 100m hurdles Diamond League to the on Semenya, versialversial nnewew rulesrules limlim-- Meanwhile,Meanw a cast In the other world leader indoors and out - champion, Brianna McNeal is Khalifa International thethe 1,500m iting testosterone in tracktrack event,even Hellen Obiri will has competed six times already aiming to turn the tables on her Stadium. winnerwinner in femalefemale athletes. The contestcontest the 3,000m event and the this season but he enters the Doha 2018 runner-up position here, The state-of-the-art DohaDoha lastlast double Olympic Kenyan is anothera in scintillating shot circle for the first time, as will and the 27-year-old American’s venue for the 2022 FIFA yearyear - atat champion,champion, who form, followingfollow her recent IAAF Olympic champion, Crouser - season is already up and running, World Cup will also host thethe venue hashas sspentpent WorldWorld crosscros country Champion- who was the top global protag- having contested four ‘flat’ races. the IAAF World Champi- shipsships victory.victor onist indoors this winter. In the 200m, there will be onships from September 27 TodayToday wwill be the 29-year-old Back on track in the men’s Turkey’s world champion, Ramil to October 6 and Al Kuwari Kenyan’sKenyan’s debutde track race of 2019 800m, Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir Guliyev - the 28-year-old looks said Qatar athletics Feder- andand thethe 22012 world indoor opens his season and will look to to improve on his third-place ation has double reason to 3,000m3,000m cchampionh and Olympic continue the dominance he position here last year. celebrate. 5,000m5,000m silver medallist is showed last year on the IAAF On the in-field, world silver “With 10 years of favouritefavourite to add to her 2014 Doha Diamond League circuit, medalist Daniel Stahl of Sweden history already written in win.win. CateriCaterinen Ibarguen - the 2018 including victory in Doha but the is expected to dominate the discus the track and field event in IAAF WorldWorld female Athlete of the 23-year-old will face 2012 throw competition. The 26-year- the city and five more Year - tatakesk to the long jump Olympic silver medallist, Nijel old ended 2018 as world number years to come at least, this runwayrunw as the Olympic Amos of Batswana and the USA’s one and he opens his season year Qatar celebrates ath- tripletr jump champion Donavan Brazier. today. letics at its best,” said Al alsoa opens her cam- World champion, Sam Ken- And Olympic 400m hurdles Kuwari, talking at the pre- paign for 2019. dricks is the main attraction in the champion, Dallilah Muhammad event press conference. The 35-year-old pole vault and the 26-year-old has already been in 400m ‘flat’ “Qatar Athletics Feder- Columbian two-time American will be hoping his Doha form this season, so the 29-year- ation has double reason to world triple jump debut can provide a springboard old American should be the one celebrate. The completion Caster Semenya chchampion ended last to further IAAF Diamond League to watch there. of 10 years of Doha Diamond League and the completion of a new home of Qatar athletics, the Qatari sprinters unfazed by elite competitors Khalifa International Stadium. “It’s a privilege and THE PENINSULA challenges and I will simply be myself considering the importance of the honour to welcome the DOHA and do my stuff on Friday,” Barrow event to every Qatari athlete. world’s best athletes to said. “My major aim at the moment is Khalifa Stadium which will Despite competing on the interna- The Qatari who started out as a to be part of the IAAF World Champi- also host the World Cham- tional senior stage for the first time, footballer before venturing into ath- onships and I hope I will achieve that. pionship,” said Al Kuwari. Qatari representatives Jaber Al Mamari letics will, alongside his compatriot I believe the competition will be one International Associ- and Owaab Barrow are unfazed by Mamari, be up against an elite field of the best ever and all attendees are ation of Athletics Federa- the strength of the 200m field they will comprising of stars like reigning 200m assured of the best of hospitality and tions President Sebastian be up against at the 2019 IAAF Doha world champion, Ramil Guliyev and exciting times in Doha,” he added. Coe, three-time world shot Diamond League in the impressive Nethaneel MItchell-Blake, a 4X100m For Mamari, competing against the put champion Tom Walsh Khalifa International Stadium today. relay world champion. “big guys” is a great privilege and he of New Zealand, world “I count it a privilege competing “I’ve had very strong support hopes to be able to get helpful tips and pole vault champion Sam in the home stadium and I am ready starting out in my career especially techniques from them. Kendricks, British triple to push myself and achieve the best from the Aspire Academy and it’s been “Everyone passes through this European sprint champion result possible on Friday,” Barrow, great all this while. I’ve been privileged stage at one point or the other in life Dina Asher-Smith, 100m who won the gold medal in 110m to compete in Europe, Australia and and I think it is awesome sharing the hurdles Olympic champion hurdles at last year’s Youth Olympics of course - the Youth Olympics in same track with the top athletes. I am Brianna Rollins-McNeal in Buenos Aires said. Argentina is one of the major high- going to ask them some questions on Qatari athletes Owaab Barrow (left) and Jaber Al and Olympic long jump “It is good to be part of the com- lights of my career,” he said. Friday which will be useful for me and Mamari during a press conference held in Doha champion Tianna Barto- petition and I believe the experience The 18-year-old hopes to make I’m definitely going to give my best yesterday, ahead of the opening round of the 2019 letta also joined Al Kuwari is quite necessary for the advancement the cut for the IAAF World Champi- and who knows, a miracle can Diamond League. at the press conference. of my career. I am not afraid of onships in September, especially happen,” he said. IAAF Heritage Exhibition: Barrow accepts kit loans from legends Devers and Johnson THE PENINSULA titles at that discipline. Devers also competition artefacts from famous hurdles title at those same Atlanta DOHA won the 100m in Stuttgart for a champions which will be in the 1996 Olympic Games. memorable sprint/hurdles double. exhibition for six months. The The reception in the exhibition, At a reception at the IAAF Heritage Fellow US sprint hurdler Allen display will close on October 7, a which is located in the City Center World Athletics Championships Johnson sent his spikes from his day after the end of the IAAF Doha shopping mall, was held to Exhibition in Doha, Qatar’s Youth 1997 world 110m hurdles title, the World Athletics Championships celebrate the staging of today’s Olympic 110m hurdles champion second of his quartet of world titles, Doha 2019 (September 27 to Doha Diamond League meeting. It Owaab Barrow symbolically on loan to the exhibition. October 6). was therefore extremely fitting that accepted loans to the exhibition of Accompanied by his coach Lee Devers and Johnson each won as a finale to tonight’s formalities competition kit from two world and Christopher, the Aspire-based Olympic titles in their careers. that an IAAF Diamond League Olympic champion hurdlers. Barrow first watched clips of Devers was a two-time 100m sprint Trophy was permanently added to USA’s Gail Devers sent the bod- Devers and Johnson in action champion, winning in Barcelona the IAAF Heritage Collection. Petr Diamond League CFO Petr Stastny and Qatar’s Youth ysuit she wore when winning the before receiving their kit. Devers in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996. She Stastny, the CFO of the IAAF Olympics Champion Owaab Barrow pose for a photograph 1993 world 100m hurdles title in and Johnson’s items will now be also took a relay gold in 1996. Diamond League, made the with the Diamond Trophy. Stuttgart, her first of three world added to more than 140 other Johnson claimed his Olympic 110m handover of the trophy.