Call to Develop Young Players

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 VOLUME XI ISSUE NO.13 QR2.00 www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

P 8 | FOOTBALL P 18 | ATHLETICS MISSION SUCCESS ROYAL BATTLES QATAR’S FIRST Sabri Lamouchi-coached Jaish turn Qatari high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim ENGLISH SPORTS the tables on Lekhwiya to win their is to fight with a bunch of world-beaters WEEKLY second Qatar Cup in three seasons. at the Doha Diamond League meet.

PAGES 22-23

DSP EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW P 24 | TABLE TENNIS Call to develop young players

P 26 | volleyball Rayyan supreme at Qatar Cup

P 20 | POSTER DIAMOND LEAGUE TOP GUNS

EXCITEMENT NOW JUST A TOUCH AWAY

OutlookThe writer can be contacted at [email protected]

Inspire our athletes, especially women, to excel on world stage

ĈĈThe QOC is working hard to support said, “The key isn’t the will to win. Everybody has the country’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony participation of women in sport at that. It’s the will to prepare to win that’s impor- of the London Olympics four years ago, the QOC all levels and in all structures tant.” I think it’s here that we Qataris are fortu- had sent a strong message to its critics that it nate to have a wise leadership to guide and sup- doesn’t discriminate women in the name of gen- HEN Pierre De Coubertin founded port us in our preparation to win. der or any other barriers. the International Olympic Committee The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), under One of the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030 is Won June 23, 1894, and staged the first the inspirational leadership of HE Sheikh Joaan social development and it encompasses a system modern Games in Athens in 1896, it was seen as bin Hamad Al Thani, is sparing no efforts to pre- to bolster women’s role in society and empower the focal point for a social movement that would pare our biggest-ever contingent for the Olympics, them to be active community members. help make the world a better place by propagat- set to start at Rio de Janeiro on August 5. I would like to remind all Qatari citizens that ing the humanitarian philosophy of Olympism. The QOC has announced a list of 23 athletes, it’s our duty to support our athletes, especially Much water has flown under the bridge, but who have already achieved the qualifying marks women, by encouraging them in their pursuit importantly, both the spirit of Olympism and the for the Games. With more events forthcoming, of excellence. Games have survived, overcoming many chal- the number is certainly going to increase. lenges. The most heartening thing this time is the rise Another Olympics is round the corner. With in the number of women athletes. I’m happy to just three months to go, athletes from across note that the QOC is working hard to encourage the world are working hard to accomplish great and support participation of women in sport at things. For them, the Games are a manifestation all levels and in all structures, including man- of the strength of human spirit. agement, administration and coaching. Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi Former US basketball coach Bobby Knight once By choosing female shooter Bahiya Al Hamad as Editor-in-Chief

Clubs must connect City is absolutely astonishing (Doha with communities Stadium Plus, April 27). INBOX Mahrez, voted player of the year The cover story on mismanagement by the Professional Footballers at Qatari football clubs made an inter- Association, has been in a class of Doha Stadium Plus Editor-in-Chief Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi P.O. Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar esting read ( , April his own. Every time he receives the Tel: +974 44138065, Fax: +974 44138597 27). Despite excellent infrastruc- ball in the opposition half, there’s Managing Editor Kumar Ravi WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 VOlUME Xi iSSUE NO.12 Qr2.00 www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com P 8 | FOOTBALL P 22| BASKETBALL IT’S LEKHWIYA VS JAISH ARMYMEN’S CUP OF JOY QATAR’S FIRST Lekhwiya face Jaish in the Qatar Cup El Jaish come back strongly in the last ture and a quality field, the game in expectation among fans even as rival Senior Editor/Writer ENGLISH SPORTS final for the third successive season as two quarters to beat Al Gharafa in the Aswin Abraham they beat Rayyan and Sadd respectively. final and retain the Emir’s Cup. WEEKLY Editorial: Tel: +974 44138522, Fax: +974 44138593 FOLLOW US Senior Sports Writer Qatar suffers from a lack of passion- defenders panic. N Ganesh e-mail: [email protected] Sports Writers ate fan following. Without fans, the Leicester would do well to keep Sajith B Warrier Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 Mohammad Amin-ul Islam e-mail: [email protected] game is nothing and clubs as well him in their ranks, but if they can PIECESPAGES 6-7 Sarath Pookkat Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 as authorities should find ways to do that, the Foxes are going to chal- e-mail: [email protected] Photographers Mohan attract them to venues. lenge for the title next time as well.

Vinod Divakaran In a country like Qatar, where expa- Chris Smith, Doha.

Fadi Al Assaad triates outnumber nationals, clubs

Mohammed Dabboos MISSING P 20 | POSTER should ensure that they connect with P 18 | FOOTBALL ANTHONY P 24 | MOTORSPORT Winning a habit SPECIAL MARTIAL Dune bashing! STORY The art of being rebellious DSP graphics/ Joice Michael Joice DSP graphics/ Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution A K BijuRaj UK £1, Europe €2 | Oman 200 Baisas | Bahrain 200 Fils | Egypt LE 2 | Lebanon 3,000 Livre | Kuwait 250 Fils | Morocco Dh 6 | UAEDh 5 | Yemen 75 Riyals | Sudan 1 Pound | KSA 2 Riyals | Jordan 500 Fils | Iraq $1 | Palestine $1 | Syria LS 20 different communities. Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Graphic Designers Abhilash Chacko P K Suresh, Doha. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah has become P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. Publishing and Distribution Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 Gopakumar K Printed at ASPIRE Printing Press so used to winning rallies across the Joice Michael Middle East that it just feels like the e-mail: [email protected] www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus Rise of Mahrez Technical support Shaheen Mohammed norm (Doha Stadium Plus, April 27). Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar e-mail: [email protected] Abdul Naser M www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar Riyad Mahrez’s rise from a substitute He won again at the Sealine Rally at a relegation-threatened team in and it seems he’s destined to retain www.facebook.com/dohastadium www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar © Stories and photographs appearing in this publication may not be reproduced without the permission of the English Premier League to the the FIA Cross-Country World Cup. ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution. shining light of champions Leicester Hassan Musthafa, Doha. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 3

OutlookThe writer can be contacted at [email protected]

Inspire our athletes, especially women, to excel on world stage

Vinod Divakaran In a country like Qatar, where expa- Chris Smith, Doha.

Fadi Al Assaad triates outnumber nationals, clubs

Mohammed Dabboos MISSING P 20 | POSTER should ensure that they connect with P 18 | FOOTBALL ANTHONY P 24 | MOTORSPORT Winning a habit SPECIAL MARTIAL Dune bashing! STORY The art of being rebellious DSP graphics/ Joice Michael Joice DSP graphics/ A K BijuRaj UK £1, Europe €2 | Oman 200 Baisas | Bahrain 200 Fils | Egypt LE 2 | Lebanon 3,000 Livre | Kuwait 250 Fils | Morocco Dh 6 | UAEDh 5 | Yemen 75 Riyals | Sudan 1 Pound | KSA 2 Riyals | Jordan 500 Fils | Iraq $1 | Palestine $1 | Syria LS 20 different communities. Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Graphic Designers Abhilash Chacko P K Suresh, Doha. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah has become Publishing and Distribution Gopakumar K Printed at ASPIRE Printing Press so used to winning rallies across the Joice Michael Middle East that it just feels like the www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus Rise of Mahrez Technical support Shaheen Mohammed www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar norm (Doha Stadium Plus, April 27). Abdul Naser M www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar Riyad Mahrez’s rise from a substitute He won again at the Sealine Rally at a relegation-threatened team in and it seems he’s destined to retain

© Stories and photographs appearing in this publication may not be reproduced without the permission of the English Premier League to the the FIA Cross-Country World Cup. ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution. shining light of champions Leicester Hassan Musthafa, Doha. 4 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 5 Extra time

WINNERS’ VOICE No. I think no (to repeat the feat), but of course we want to continue to build. When I came, the project was to build a very good foundation and slowly grow up together and in three, four years to fight for Europa, then Champions League. Claudio Ranieri, manager of newly-crowned English Premier League champions Leicester City. SABRI LAMOUCHI We’re delighted. It was difficult, a really hard game, we had a great opponent in front of us STAR OF THE WEEK and we had to both defend and try to score. That’s what we did. They were REUTERS/ Ralph Orlowski better, but we ššFrom left, Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres, Stefan Savic, Saul Niguez and Teye Thomas acknowledge crowd’s cheers after beating Bayern Munich. scored an away goal, which was important. We need to keep grounded and first of all think of the Liga before the final. ‘I liked Zidane as Antoine Griezmann, striker. a man, player’

It has been a match of ABRI Lamouchi has shared the much suffering. We were French national team dressing overwhelmed. We Sroom with legendary Zinedine couldn’t find Zidane, and played opposite him first a way to put in Ligue 1 and then in the Italian Serie the SIEGE! pressure on A. Lamouchi, who currently manages them. It has Qatar’s El Jaish, is an admirer of Zizou Atletico Madrid reach the Champions League final by beating been a siege, and is happy to see him making a big but sometimes impact on Real Madrid as their coach. Bayern Munich on away goal despite losing the second leg. you can’t play the ЂЂZidane is one match away game you want. But it’s also from managing Real in the nice to win having suffered. League home game at Bayern Champions League final... Ѓ Karolos Grohmann Antoine Griezmann once before his move to Manchester Fernando Torres, striker. ЂI’m really happy to know him person- City for next season, started with ally and to have played with him. He’s again became Atletico’s defender Jerome Boateng, who doing a really good job. It’s unbelieva- We knew it would be tough, hero, scoring his seventh returned from a three-month REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov ble that four months after taking charge, TLETICO Madrid reached the goal of the competition. injury break, and Franck Ribery, difficult and first half we were he has a chance to take Real to another Champions League final for the himself back from an injury. bad. They scored, they won the Champions League glory. Asecond time in three seasons on With a newly-discovered inten- first half 1-0 and in the second Tuesday, going through on away goals levelled through Antoine Griezmann’s sity, the Bavarians were dominant period we knew ЂЂAre you a fan of Real now that after a 1-2 defeat at Bayern Munich, seventh goal of the competition in the in the first half, successfully navi- we needed to NICO ROSBERG Zidane is their coach? in which both sides missed a penalty, 54th. Robert Lewandowski set up a dra- gating through the Spaniards’ high score at least ЃЂNo, I’m not a Real fan. I’m always for with the tie finishing 2-2 on aggregate. matic finale with goal in the 74th, but pressing game and grabbing their one goal and good football. When Real do a fine job, I Atletico, who will face either city rivals it was not enough. first chance with a Lewandowski we did that. I ICO Rosberg became only the to take his fourth win of the 2016 season “I’m very happy. I really enjoyed it. I kept love them. I liked Zidane as a man and Real Madrid, who beat them in the 2014 Thomas Mueller missed a first-half pen- header in the 12th. wasn’t happy fourth driver in Formula One and the 18th of his career. concentrating, pushing fast. If you slow player, and now rate him high as a coach. final, or Manchester City, who meet in alty for Bayern and Atletico’s Fernando The Poland striker narrowly failed to concede, Nhistory to record seven successive He won the final three races of 2015 down, that’s when you make mistakes. the second semifinal on Wednesday, also Torres had an 85th-minute spot-kick to connect inside the box while Arturo but that’s football. wins when he cruised to victory ahead of and is now unbeaten since defending “Lewis did a great job to come up ЂЂWhat’s most special about spoiled Bayern’s treble chances after the saved as Bayern suffered a third straight Vidal’s left-footed effort was plucked Luckily at half-time, it was Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in three-time world champion Hamilton to second so quickly from 10th and I Zidane? Spaniards won the first leg 1-0 last week. elimination by a Spanish team at this out of the air on its way to the top just 1-0 and we scored in the last Sunday’s incident-filled Russian Grand triumphed in last year’s United States know he’s right on it and he’ll always be ЃЂI would say humility and hard work. Bayern took the lead with a Xabi stage in their three seasons under Pep corner by keeper Jan Oblak. second half. Prix. Grand Prix to secure the championship. motivated,” he said. He’s a genius when it comes to football. Alonso goal in the 31st minute, but Guardiola. The keeper came to the rescue again The 30-year-old German started “It has been an awesome weekend for Rosberg’s win increased his lead in the Yet, he puts in a lot of efforts. Atletico, coached by Diego Simeone, Guardiola, in his final Champions in the 20th, denying Lewandowski. Jan Oblak, goalkeeper. from pole and produced an imperious me and the car has been fantastic,” said drivers’ championship to 43 points, ahead performance as he pulled clear of the field Rosberg. of Hamilton, after four of this year’s 21 races. » e-mail: ganesh @dohastadiumplusqatar.com Spanish curse for Guardiola’s Bayern Inside

S THERE anything about Pep Guar- semifinal of the Champions League Champions League triumph ended in diola’s Bayern Munich that make by a Spanish team. humiliation, Real Madrid went on to Ithem vulnerable against Spanish In the 2013-14 semifinal, Bayern win the title, beating city rivals Atletico 28 opponents? were embarrassed by a marauding Real in the final. 10 When Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid Madrid, who plundered four goals in a In 2014-15, Guardiola’s second sea- advanced to the final after getting the bet- scintillating second-half display in the son at the club, they were again beaten ter of Bayern on away goals on Tuesday, second leg in Munich for a 5-0 aggre- by the eventual champions, this time

AFP/ Christof Stache AFP/ Christof it was the third consecutive time the gate victory. Barcelona registering a 5-3 aggregate š 31 šPep Guardiola argues with Atletico Madrid’s Juanfran. Bavarian giants were stopped in the As Guardiola’s first attempt at the victory. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 5

No. I think no (to repeat the feat), but of course we want to continue to build. When I came, the project was to build a very good foundation and slowly grow up together and in three, four years to fight for Europa, then Champions League. Claudio Ranieri, manager of newly-crowned English Premier League champions Leicester City. SABRI LAMOUCHI STAR OF THE WEEK

‘I liked Zidane as a man, player’

ABRI Lamouchi has shared the French national team dressing Sroom with legendary Zinedine Zidane, and played opposite him first in Ligue 1 and then in the Italian Serie A. Lamouchi, who currently manages Qatar’s El Jaish, is an admirer of Zizou and is happy to see him making a big impact on Real Madrid as their coach.

ЂЂZidane is one match away from managing Real in the Champions League final... ЃЂI’m really happy to know him personally and to have played with him. He’s doing a really good job. It’s unbelieva-

REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov ble that four months after taking charge, he has a chance to take Real to another Champions League glory.

ЂЂAre you a fan of Real now that NICO ROSBERG Zidane is their coach? ЃЂNo, I’m not a Real fan. I’m always for good football. When Real do a fine job, I ICO Rosberg became only the to take his fourth win of the 2016 season “I’m very happy. I really enjoyed it. I kept love them. I liked Zidane as a man and fourth driver in Formula One and the 18th of his career. concentrating, pushing fast. If you slow player, and now rate him high as a coach. Nhistory to record seven successive He won the final three races of 2015 down, that’s when you make mistakes. wins when he cruised to victory ahead of and is now unbeaten since defending “Lewis did a great job to come up ЂЂWhat’s most special about Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in three-time world champion Hamilton to second so quickly from 10th and I Zidane? last Sunday’s incident-filled Russian Grand triumphed in last year’s United States know he’s right on it and he’ll always be ЃЂI would say humility and hard work. Prix. Grand Prix to secure the championship. motivated,” he said. He’s a genius when it comes to football. The 30-year-old German started “It has been an awesome weekend for Rosberg’s win increased his lead in the Yet, he puts in a lot of efforts. from pole and produced an imperious me and the car has been fantastic,” said drivers’ championship to 43 points, ahead performance as he pulled clear of the field Rosberg. of Hamilton, after four of this year’s 21 races. » e-mail: ganesh @dohastadiumplusqatar.com Inside 10 28 31 6 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 7 Football

Growing grass for 2022 World Cup Yousef does star

DSP/ Fadi Al Assaad in 2014, towards the end of Qatar Stars Zola’s first season as Al Arabi coach ended ššThe Qatar Under-19 team members during a training session. League after seasoned duo of Qasim when Al Kharaitiyat pipped them 4-2 on Burhan and Abdulaziz Ali proved incon- penalties after regulation time ended 2-2. sistent. And Yousef came up with two Elsewhere, Al Ahli defeated Al Khor vital saves in the shoot-out. 3-2 while Al Sailiya beat Al Khor 3-2. DSP Umm Salal, after taking the lead in the 45th minute through Ali Mohammed KICK-OFF and defending it successfully deep into QUARTERFINALS the second half, had pushed Gharafa SATURDAY, MAY 7 to the brink. Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Rayyan, Al Arabi Stadium, 6.30pm. Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd, Al Arabi Stadium, 9pm. But Umm Salal’s experienced defender SUNDAY, MAY 8 DSP/AK Bijuraj Juad Ahnach gifted the Cheetahs a life- Al Sailiya vs Lekhwiya, Lekhwiya Stadium, 6.30pm. ššAl Gharafa goalkeeper Yousef Hassan celebrates with GUNNING FOR GLORY line when he conceded a penalty for Al Ahli vs El Jaish, Al Arabi Stadium, 9pm. team-mates following their victory over Umm Salal. The Qatar Under-19 boys, after initial hiccups, look ready to retain the AFC Under-19 Championship title. Al Sadd emerged as champions of the Qatar Futsal League last week. In the deciding Sadd Qatar Futsal play-off at the Qatar SC Indoor Hall, they defeated arch-rivals Al Rayyan 5-2 in shoot- Al Rayyan drawn But despite being handed a tricky route Bahrain keen to out after regulation time and extra time ended 2-2. Mohammad Amin-ul Islam in the qualifiers, Qatari boys bounced League champions The winners were decided through play-off after Sadd and Rayyan were tied at the into tough group back as they opened their campaign make AFC U-19 top of the table with 69 points. DSP with a 7-1 rout of Kyrgyzstan, before ATARI club Al Rayyan found beating Lebanon and Oman 4-0 and 2-1 event a big hit themselves in the company of WO years ago, Qatar beat North respectively to finish on top of Group D. All the groups are strong, especially Qfive-time champions Movistar Korea1-0 in the final at the Thu- Sayed Issa and Khalid Muneer Majeed ours. All four teams are AHRAIN Football Association Inter (Spain), Benfica (Portugal) and Twunna Youth Training Centre top-scored with three goals apiece, but equal. You can’t predict President Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Magnus Futsal (Brazil) in Group B after Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, to win it was the team’s ability to share the things especially BAl Khalifa said preparations the draw for the 15th Intercontinental their maiden AFC Under-19 Cham- workload that caught the eye and that in age-group were on track to make the AFC U-19 Cup futsal was made at the ASPIRE pionship. will be their main strength in the final competitions. But Championship one of the best ever Academy on Tuesday. A lot of things have changed since I’ve confidence in my in its history. Tasisat Daryaei (Iran), Dynamo then as the core players of that side were players that they’ll prove The tournament’s draw was held last Moscow (Russia), Carlos Barbosa (Brazil) promoted to the U-23 Olympic team week in Manama, where Qatar were and FC Barcelona Lassa (Spain) form Qatar start as one of the themselves and come out winners. along with Spanish coach Felix Sanchez, placed in Group C along with Japan, Group A. The tournament will be held who had groomed them during their favourites, but Japan, Oscar Cano, Qatar coach. Yemen and Iran while the hosts are in from June 24 to 29. early stages at the ASPIRE Academy. Yemen and Iran can Group A in the company of Thailand, “We’ve the honour of organising this And Qatar fielded a fairly new squad prove tough opponents. DRAW South Korea and Saudi Arabia. tournament for the next five years. It in the qualifiers in Doha last October, as GROUP A GROUP B GROUP C GROUP D He exuded confidence that Bahrain showcases our strong commitment to the likes of Ahmed Moeen and Akram Bahrain North Korea Qatar Uzbekistan would deliver an exceptional tourna- not only develop futsal, but also to pos- Afif had already left. round in Bahrain in October. Thailand UAE Japan China ment. itively impact the game in Asia, Europe South Korea Iraq Yemen Australia The new team found the going tough Qatar definitely start as one of the Saudi Arabia Vietnam Iran Tajikistan “We’re looking forward to hosting and South America,” said Qatar Football as Qatar fared poorly at the GCC U-19 favourites, but it remains to be seen the tournament. We’ll try to make it Association General Secretary Mansoor Championship in Doha, where they how they can overcome challenges from one of the best ever,” said Shaikh Ali. Al Ansari. DSP QATAR AT AFC QATAR’S failed to cross the group stage. The teams like Japan, Iran and Yemen in U-19 C’SHIP FIXTURES “Historically, this is the biggest tourna- squad, under Portuguese coach Joao Group C. Qualified October 14 ment Bahrain will host. We pitched for Pereira, was a hastily-stitched one and The top two teams from four groups as Group D winners Vs Iran this event to put the spotlight on our THE DRAW Appearance October 17 GROUP A GROUP B did not look ready. will qualify for the quarterfinals, with 13th Vs Yemen country’s football. We hope the com- Tasisat Daryaei (IRI) Al Rayyan (QAT) Expectedly, Pereira was relieved of his the semifinalists booking their place Best performance October 20 petition will be a successful one. We Dynamo Moscow (RUS) Benfica (POR) duties and ASPIRE Academy Football at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Champions 2014 Vs Japan also want our team to do well in the Carlos Barbosa (BRA) Magnus Futsal (BRA) Director Roberto Olabe stepped in. Korea next year. DSP competition.” FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) Movistar Inter (ESP) Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 7

Growing grass for 2022 World Cup Yousef does star

ATAR is growing a dozen types of grasses at a research and turn for Gharafa Qdevelopment area close to the Aspire Zone, with one of them set to be used for the pitches for the 2022 OUNG goalkeeper Yousef Hassan ‘handling’ the ball inside the area while World Cup which the country will host. did the star turn as seven-time trying to keep away an Adel Ahmed Currently, the turfs are being tested Ychampions Al Gharafa rallied to cross from the right. in different conditions and shades to beat Umm Salal 4-2 on penalties, after Slovakian forward Vladimir Weiss determine which is best suited for the a 1-1 deadlock in regulation time, and dutifully converted it in the last min- Middle East’s first World Cup. set up a quarterfinal meeting with Al ute as he placed the resultant spot- “We’re looking for the best type of Sadd in the Emir’s Cup. kick into the right bottom corner. grass that can survive in the region. Gharafa coach Pedro Caixinha had Caixinha picked out Yousef for We’re looking for the best of the best,” started fielding young Yousef, a member special praise while congratulating said Supreme Committee for Delivery of Qatar’s triumphant Under-19 team the team. and Legacy’s Sports Turf Manager Yasser at Asian Championship in Myanmar “Yousef is a very talented player. He Abdulla Mulla. has great potential and I’m sure he’ll All the grasses were flown in from be an asset for Qatar at the 2022 FIFA abroad, particularly the United States. Caixinha picked out World Cup. I congratulate him as well The trials started last year and a final as other players who showed charac- decision will be taken next year. DSP Yousef for special praise ter to pull off the win,” said Caixinha, while congratulating the who added that he was looking forward team for the win. to meeting fellow Portuguese Jesualdo Ferreira when they take on Sadd. Meanwhile, Italian coach Gianfranco in 2014, towards the end of Qatar Stars Zola’s first season as Al Arabi coach ended League after seasoned duo of Qasim when Al Kharaitiyat pipped them 4-2 on Burhan and Abdulaziz Ali proved incon- penalties after regulation time ended 2-2. sistent. And Yousef came up with two Elsewhere, Al Ahli defeated Al Khor vital saves in the shoot-out. 3-2 while Al Sailiya beat Al Khor 3-2. DSP Umm Salal, after taking the lead in the 45th minute through Ali Mohammed KICK-OFF and defending it successfully deep into QUARTERFINALS the second half, had pushed Gharafa SATURDAY, MAY 7 to the brink. Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Rayyan, Al Arabi Stadium, 6.30pm. Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd, Al Arabi Stadium, 9pm. But Umm Salal’s experienced defender SUNDAY, MAY 8 DSP/AK Bijuraj Juad Ahnach gifted the Cheetahs a life- Al Sailiya vs Lekhwiya, Lekhwiya Stadium, 6.30pm. ššAl Gharafa goalkeeper Yousef Hassan celebrates with line when he conceded a penalty for Al Ahli vs El Jaish, Al Arabi Stadium, 9pm. team-mates following their victory over Umm Salal.

Al Sadd emerged as champions of the Qatar Futsal League last week. In the deciding Sadd Qatar Futsal play-off at the Qatar SC Indoor Hall, they defeated arch-rivals Al Rayyan 5-2 in shoot- Al Rayyan drawn out after regulation time and extra time ended 2-2. League champions The winners were decided through play-off after Sadd and Rayyan were tied at the into tough group top of the table with 69 points. DSP ATARI club Al Rayyan found themselves in the company of Qfive-time champions Movistar Inter (Spain), Benfica (Portugal) and Magnus Futsal (Brazil) in Group B after the draw for the 15th Intercontinental Cup futsal was made at the ASPIRE Academy on Tuesday. Tasisat Daryaei (Iran), Dynamo Moscow (Russia), Carlos Barbosa (Brazil) and FC Barcelona Lassa (Spain) form Group A. The tournament will be held from June 24 to 29. “We’ve the honour of organising this tournament for the next five years. It showcases our strong commitment to not only develop futsal, but also to pos- itively impact the game in Asia, Europe and South America,” said Qatar Football Association General Secretary Mansoor Al Ansari. DSP

THE DRAW GROUP A GROUP B Tasisat Daryaei (IRI) Al Rayyan (QAT) Dynamo Moscow (RUS) Benfica (POR) Carlos Barbosa (BRA) Magnus Futsal (BRA) FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) Movistar Inter (ESP) 8 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 9 Football MISSION SUCCESS El Jaish turn the tables on Lekhwiya to win their second Qatar Cup in three seasons.

Majed Mohammed won a penalty at N Ganesh the other end and Jaish’s prolific scorer Abderrazak Hamdallah dutifully converted it in the 89th to give them their second Qatar Cup in three seasons. š L JAISH coach Sabri Lamouchi The Armymen thus exacted revenge ЂAhmed Moen had strongly believed his players on Lekhwiya, who had defeated them Edeserved at least one title this in last year’s final. season as a reward for all their good Jaish dished out a fine performance. ‘Ahmed will play work. And they earned it, defeating Lekhwiya 2-1 in the Qatar Cup final at in ’22 World Cup’ DSP/Mohammed Dabboos the Al Sadd Stadium last week. Armymen thus exacted šЂQatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani awards the Qatar Cup to El Jaish players Wesam Rizik, second left, Mohammed Methnani capped Jaish’s and Abdulrahman Abkar as El Jaish Sports Club Vice-President Nasser Mohammed Al Ali looks on. HMED Moen was one of the fluent start to the game when he found revenge on Lekhwiya, standout performers in El ššEl Jaish’s Yousef Muftah, right, challenges Al Ahli’s Eslam Hussain. the back of the net with a glancing who had defeated them AJaish’s win over Lekhwiya in header from a corner in the 30th min- in last year’s final. could not capitalise on it. In fact, all due to injuries. League’s pre-quarterfinal, where they the Qatar Cup final. ute. Lekhwiya came back stronger post three goals came from dead balls. But Jaish worked their way back to will again take on Lekhwiya over two The midfielder, adjudged the best resumption and equalised in the 77th It was the first title in Sabri Lamouchi’s finish as runners-up in the QSL and legs. They could also meet the cops in player in Qatar’s triumphant campaign when Alain Dioko converted from the Their defence was organised and midfield coaching career. Winning the trophy in also progress to the AFC Champions the Emir’s Cup semifinal on May 13.DSP at the AFC Under-19 Championship in El Jaish go down to spot after Murad Naji conceded a pen- composed and creative, always showing his only other job, at Ivory Coast’s helm, Myanmar in 2014 and did a commenda- alty for bringing down Khaled Muftah the willingness to support attack and was too tough an ask as he had man- ble job at the Asian U-23 Championship in the area. defence. They did well while playing a aged them at the World Cup in Brazil. at home last January, belied his age Ahli, Al Ain advance When it looked the game would possession game and looked lethal on “But I’m a young coach,” Lamouchi Winning the Qatar Cup is the result of hard and experience to perform convinc- meander towards a direct shoot-out, the counter-attack even though they replied with a smile when asked about it. work we put in over the season. My special ingly well last season. The Frenchman had indeed come congratulations to all our players. I Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi was all L JAISH, who had already booked an eye on their Emir’s Cup quarterfinal close to lifting a trophy last season by also thank our coaching staff and praise for the youngster. their berth in the pre-quarterfinal against Al Ahli on May 8, rested many taking Jaish to the final of the Qatar fans. We all got the chance to “I like Ahmed, he’s clever, smart and Eof the AFC Champions League of his first-choice players. Cup as well as Emir’s Cup. technically good. He runs a lot. I’m sure watch an interesting final, which as Group D winners, went down 0-2 Ahli started impressively and, with In the first phase of the Qatar Stars reflected all good things about he’ll play at the 2022 World Cup. But to Al Ahli in Jeddah in their last group 16 minutes on the clock, Mohammed League (QSL) this season, they looked Qatar football. if he continues to work hard, he can match on Tuesday. Al Fatil headed just over the bar. Eight the best team to stop Al Rayyan before become the captain of the team,” said Second-half goals from Marquinho minutes from the interval, Muhannad fading out halfway through, mainly Khamis Al Kuwari, El Jaish Sports Club General Secretary. Lamouchi. DSP and Osama Hawsawi ensured Ahli full Al Asiri also saw his headed attempt points, but it was not enough for Christian sail just over the target. In between, Gross’s men as they finished with nine Wagner Ribeiro twice tried his luck from outside the area, only to see the ball sail wide. Our victory was logical: Lamouchi In the pre-quarterfinal, The introduction of Greece midfielder Giannis Fetfatzidis on resump- Jaish will take on tion turned the game in the home side’s It was a really good game. We controlled I’m a winner and we, as a team, always Qatari rivals Lekhwiya favour, yet they had to wait until the INTERVIEW the first half. It was difficult in the second work hard to achieve it every time. It on May 17 and 25. 62nd when Marquinho scored from a and we had to play on counter-attack. was difficult against Lekhwiya, but we Saoud Mubarak pass. But we could win and that was the most deserved it. We’re celebrating and will Former Al Hilal defender Hawsawi ABRI Lamouchi was a happy important thing. I’m sure it’ll bring hap- start our Emir’s Cup preparations. We’ll points, one behind Al Ain, who con- stooped to head the ball home in the man after El Jaish regained the piness to everybody at the club. It was a be up against in-form Al Ahli in the quar- firmed their berth with a 2-0 victory 85th minute following Fetfatzidis’s cor- SQatar Cup. He congratulated his good game, especially with a lot of emo- terfinal. against Uzbekistan’s Nasaf. ner from the left. DSP players for keeping their cool during tions towards the end. For me, our vic- In the double-leg pre-quarterfinal, Jaish the emotional moments towards the tory was logical. ЂЂHow good a feeling is it to beat will face off with Qatari rivals Lekhwiya COLLATED RESULTS end and believed his boys deserved Lekhwiya play more forward and Lekhwiya? on May 17 and 25. Lekhwiya will host Melbourne Victory (AUS) bt Gamba Osaka (JPN) 2-1 the title. wide. They’re also good at finding space. ЃЂI’m really happy to have beaten Uzbekistan’s FC Bunyodkar in their Suwon Bluewings (KOR) bt Shanghai SIPG (CHN) 3-0 We had to work a lot and defend well. Lekhwiya. We’ll be playing them in the G Evergrande (CHN) bt Sydney FC (AUS) 1-0 final Group C match on Wednesday. ЂЂWhat’s your feeling on regain- Congratulations to all my players. AFC Champions League pre-quarterfi- Urawa Reds (JPN) drew Pohang Steelers (KOR) 1-1 Tuesday’s game did not rise to the Pakhtakor (UZB) bt Al Jazira (UAE) 3-0 ing the Qatar Cup? nal and maybe in the Emir’s Cup final expected level mainly due to the hot Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRI) lost to Al Hilal (KSA) 1-2 ЃЂI’m really happy for the players, ЂЂWhat’re your plans for the too. They’re a strong team. DSP

and humid conditions. In addition, Al Ain (UAE) bt Nasaf (UZB) 2-0 DSP/ Mohammed Dabboos club and fans. As I had said, our play- Emir’s Cup? Al Ahli (KSA) bt El Jaish (QAT) 2-0 š Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi, keeping ššLekhwiya’s Khaled Muftah, left, challenges El Jaish’s Sardor Rashidov. ers deserved to win at least one trophy. ЃЂNow, I want to win the second trophy. » [email protected] ЂSabri Lamouchi 8 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 9 Football MISSION SUCCESS El Jaish turn the tables on Lekhwiya to win their second Qatar Cup in three seasons.

TIMELINE 2015 Leicester lost 3-4 at Tottenham Hotspur to find themselves Vardy story can inspire dreamers bottom, seven points adrift. They won four of their 29 March 21 games. Jamie Vardy scored his second goal of the season that eventually produced five goals in 37 appearances. N YEARS to come when people recall by Sheffield Wednesday for being too The remains of King Richard III, discovered under a how Leicester’s City intrepid Foxes small, he was playing for Stocksbridge March 26 Leicester car park, are reburied in the city’s cathedral A conviction for assault which was seen as the turning point in the club’s fortunes. Iturned sporting logic on its head to Park Steels, earning money in the sev- The fightback begins with a 2-1 home win over West Ham meant Vardy played April 4 become champions of England it will enth tier of English football and working United. be Jamie’s Vardy’s rags to riches tale with an electronic tag 10-hour shifts at a carbon fibre factory. A 1-0 victory at relegation rivals Burnley makes it four-in-a- April 25 row and hauls Leicester out of the bottom three. that may sound the most implausible. on his ankle. A conviction for assault meant he A goalless draw at Sunderland confirms Leicester will It will also offer hope to the thou- played with an electronic tag on his ankle. May 16 remain in the league with a game to spare. sands of young dreamers tossed aside It smacked of another hard-luck story, Leicester end the season in style by thumping Queens Park Rangers 5-1. Having won four of their first 29 games, every year by English football’s shiny in the weed-strewn wilderness of the but scroll his career forward, through May 24 they won seven and drew one of their final nine to finish academies. lower leagues, that rejection as a teen- FC Halifax and Fleetwood Town and a 14th in the 20-team league. Because Vardy, whose goals have fired ager does not represent a dead-end on Football League debut for Leicester at Nigel Pearson, hero of the city a month before, is fired June 30 Leicester to the English Premier League the pathway to glory. the age of 25, and Vardy is the hero of amid rumours of a fallout with the club’s Thai owners. Italian Claudio Ranieri is appointed manager of his 15th crown, proves there are gems lurking Six years ago, having been discarded one of sport’s greatest upsets. July 13 club. Leicester kick off the new season with a 4-2 home win Aug 8 over Sunderland. Leicester’s six-game unbeaten start to the season is RESULTS ROLL OF HONOUR Sept 26 brought to an emphatic end with a 2-5 home defeat by Chelsea drew Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Last 10 EPL champions Arsenal. Man United drew Leicester City 1-1 2015-16 Leicester City Leicester won 3-0 at Newcastle United and go top of the Nov 21 Southampton bt Man City 4-2 2014-15 Chelsea league. Swansea City bt Liverpool 3-1 2013-14 Man City 2016 Arsenal bt Norwich City 1-0 2012-13 Man United After a relatively dry spell of a defeat and two draws Everton bt AFC Bournemouth 2-1 2011-12 Man City Leicester are back to winning ways with a 1-0 success at Jan 13 Newcastle United bt Crystal Palace 1-0 2010-11 Man United title rivals Tottenham. Stoke City drew Sunderland 1-1 2009-10 Chelsea A scrappy 1-1 draw at Aston Villa is enough to put Leicester Watford bt Aston Villa 3-2 2008-09 Man United Jan 16 back on top of the table, ahead of Arsenal on goal differ- West Bromwich lost to West Ham 0-3 2007-08 Man United ence. 2006-07 Man United The beginning of “phase two” as, with opponents wising STANDINGS up to Leicester’s quick-fire counter-attacking game, they Feb 27 Leicester stands Leicester City 36 22 11 3 64 34 77 are forced to tough it out, starting with a scruffy 1-0 win at Tottenham 36 19 13 4 67 28 70 EPL TOP SCORERS Norwich City. to earn fat purse Arsenal 36 19 10 7 59 34 67 25 Harry Kane Tottenham An impressive 2-0 victory at Sunderland means Leicester Man City 36 19 7 10 68 38 64 23 Sergio Aguero Man City April 10 kept five successive clean sheets and are seven points Man United 35 17 9 9 43 31 60 22 Jamie Vardy Leicester City šLeicester City captain Wes Morgan, second left. celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Manchester United. clear with five games remaining. Leicester City are on course for Ĉ West Ham 35 15 14 6 60 43 59 18 Romelu Lukaku Everton Trailing 1-2 at home to West Ham, with Vardy sent off, a windfall of more than $220m Southampton 36 16 9 11 53 39 57 17 Riyad Mahrez Leicester City Leicester are handed a last-gasp penalty lifeline that for winning the English Premier April 17 Liverpool 35 15 10 10 59 48 55 Jermain Defoe Sunderland Leonardo Ulloa grabs to snatch a 2-2 draw, lifting the roof League (EPL). 14 Chelsea 35 12 12 11 55 48 48 Odion Ighalo Watford off the King Power stadium. The money would come from Stoke City 36 13 9 14 38 52 48 Olivier Giroud Arsenal Leicester shrugged off the absence of suspended Vardy to 12 April 24 the EPL’s huge TV revenues, Alexis Sanchez Arsenal hammer Swansea City 4-0. Everton 35 10 14 11 55 49 44 playing in the Champions League, Diego Costa Chelsea Tottenham were held 1-1 at home by West Bromwich Watford 35 12 8 15 36 42 44 new sponsorship and higher gate Swansea City 36 11 10 15 37 50 43 Marko Arnautovic Stoke City April 25 Albion, leaving Leicester needing a maximum of three 11 receipts, the Repucom sports data Gylfi Sigurdsson Swansea City points from their last three games to secure title. West Bromwich 36 10 11 15 32 46 41 Troy Deeney Watford Leicester drew 1-1 at Manchester United to inch closer to firm said. AFC Bournemouth 36 11 8 17 43 63 41 May 1 Shane Long Southampton the trophy. Their spectactular rise has seen Crystal Palace 36 10 9 17 36 46 39 Sadio Mane Southampton Spurs needed to win all three of their remaining games their TV audiences increase by Newcastle United 36 8 9 19 39 64 33 to have a chance of taking the honours, but after leading more than 23 per cent around the Sunderland 35 7 11 17 40 58 32 10 Graziano Pelle Southampton May 2 2-0 against Chelsea, they are pegged back to 2-2 and title globe, which increases their value Norwich City 35 8 7 20 35 61 31 Andre Ayew Swansea City goes to Leicester. with potential sponsors. Aston Villa 36 3 7 26 27 72 16 Dele Alli Tottenham Hotspur

lustre city! KEY PLAYERS Claudio Ranieri turns back the clock, banking on a direct approach, to make Leicester champions.

ĈĈLeicester’s average Second-placed Spurs needed to win among English sides in the 1980s, yet for the Premier League and only mid- possession is one of the to extend the title race to the penulti- Leicester’s approach had been almost table German sides Darmstadt (10.7) lowest in the league mate weekend, but fell short, meaning discarded from the modern game. and Ingolstadt (7.8) are more willing rank outsiders Leicester completed the A report last month by the Football to go direct. most unlikely triumph. Observatory research group at the The long ball, so long associated with Toby Davis It was Leicester’s first top-flight cham- International Centre for Sports Studies in less skilful and more physical sides, has pionship success and the statistics been used ruthlessly by Leicester to of their stunning campaign tell an target the pace of striker Jamie Vardy, astonishing tale of how Leicester have whose 22 goals have played a huge Leicester’s approach KASPER SCHMEICHEL WES MORGAN N’GOLO KANTE RIYAD MAHREZ JAMIE VARDY ARKING back to a previous era turned the clock back by shunning pos- part in propelling the club to the Goalkeeper Centre-back Central midfielder Winger Striker and ripping up a text book full of session and glorying in the long ball to a had been almost summit. discarded from the Hreceived wisdom, Leicester City’s pacey striker, while spurning rotation in Leicester have averaged 45.4 per Son of the legendary Manchester Morgan joined the club from A £5.6m capture from French Mahrez symbolises the fairytale Vardy has become the snarling remarkable success has been founded favour of a settled, almost self-select- modern game. cent possession in their league United and Liverpool goalkeeper local rivals Nottingham Forest side Caen last year, Kante has journey that the club have face of the team. The wiry on a footballing philosophy that many ing side. matches this season. Peter Schmeichel, Kasper in January, 2012, and was astonished observers with overtaken over the past 12 Yorkshireman’s rags-to-riches had consigned to the dustbin. Leicester have played more long balls Their title rivals, in contrast, performance highlighted the quickly installed as captain. his relentless energy, driving months. Signed from Le Havre tale has seen him rise from non- remarkable goalkeeping lineage Despite lacking pace, he is an runs and extraordinary knack for just £400,000 in January league obscurity to top-flight Leicester City were crowned Premier than almost any team in Europe, their Switzerland said Claudio Ranieri’s have all sought to dominate the in the family. Just like his father, authoritative presence. With for recovering possession. 2014, the rakish, velvet-footed record-breaker. Despite scoring League champions with two games to average possession is one of the lowest side have played more long balls ball. Arsenal hogged possession Kasper has turned into a leader Robert Huth, he has formed Legendary former Manchester Algerian flitted in and out of the 22 goals, he looks poised to spare after Tottenham Hotspur, miss- in the Premier League and they have this season than all but two teams the most, averaging almost 56 of men and developed into a an old-school central defensive United manager Alex Ferguson team as Leicester fought to stay miss out on the Golden Boot, ing midfielder Dele Alli who was given started fewer players over the campaign in Europe’s big five leagues. per cent, but Manchester City dominant personality within the partnership founded upon described him as “by far the best in the division, but this season he but he created EPL history in a three-match ban for violent conduct, than any of their title rivals. With 6.9 per cent of Leicester’s (55.2), Manchester United (55.1) Leicester squad. strength, astute positioning and player in the EPL”. has been a sensation with his 17 the autumn by scoring in 11 were held to a 2-2 draw at Chelsea last To many eyes, it is a simple formula passes being classified as long by and Tottenham Hotspur (54.7) aerial dominance. goals and 11 assists. consecutive games. Monday. for success and one that was common the study, the Foxes blaze a trail are not far behind. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 11

TIMELINE 2015 Leicester lost 3-4 at Tottenham Hotspur to find themselves Vardy story can inspire dreamers bottom, seven points adrift. They won four of their 29 March 21 games. Jamie Vardy scored his second goal of the season that eventually produced five goals in 37 appearances. N YEARS to come when people recall by Sheffield Wednesday for being too The remains of King Richard III, discovered under a how Leicester’s City intrepid Foxes small, he was playing for Stocksbridge March 26 Leicester car park, are reburied in the city’s cathedral A conviction for assault which was seen as the turning point in the club’s fortunes. Iturned sporting logic on its head to Park Steels, earning money in the sev- The fightback begins with a 2-1 home win over West Ham meant Vardy played April 4 become champions of England it will enth tier of English football and working United. be Jamie’s Vardy’s rags to riches tale with an electronic tag 10-hour shifts at a carbon fibre factory. A 1-0 victory at relegation rivals Burnley makes it four-in-a- April 25 row and hauls Leicester out of the bottom three. that may sound the most implausible. on his ankle. A conviction for assault meant he A goalless draw at Sunderland confirms Leicester will It will also offer hope to the thou- played with an electronic tag on his ankle. May 16 remain in the league with a game to spare. sands of young dreamers tossed aside It smacked of another hard-luck story, Leicester end the season in style by thumping Queens Park Rangers 5-1. Having won four of their first 29 games, every year by English football’s shiny in the weed-strewn wilderness of the but scroll his career forward, through May 24 they won seven and drew one of their final nine to finish academies. lower leagues, that rejection as a teen- FC Halifax and Fleetwood Town and a 14th in the 20-team league. Because Vardy, whose goals have fired ager does not represent a dead-end on Football League debut for Leicester at Nigel Pearson, hero of the city a month before, is fired June 30 Leicester to the English Premier League the pathway to glory. the age of 25, and Vardy is the hero of amid rumours of a fallout with the club’s Thai owners. Italian Claudio Ranieri is appointed manager of his 15th crown, proves there are gems lurking Six years ago, having been discarded one of sport’s greatest upsets. July 13 club. Leicester kick off the new season with a 4-2 home win Aug 8 over Sunderland. Leicester’s six-game unbeaten start to the season is RESULTS ROLL OF HONOUR Sept 26 brought to an emphatic end with a 2-5 home defeat by Chelsea drew Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Last 10 EPL champions Arsenal. Man United drew Leicester City 1-1 2015-16 Leicester City Leicester won 3-0 at Newcastle United and go top of the Nov 21 Southampton bt Man City 4-2 2014-15 Chelsea league. Swansea City bt Liverpool 3-1 2013-14 Man City 2016 Arsenal bt Norwich City 1-0 2012-13 Man United After a relatively dry spell of a defeat and two draws Everton bt AFC Bournemouth 2-1 2011-12 Man City Leicester are back to winning ways with a 1-0 success at Jan 13 Newcastle United bt Crystal Palace 1-0 2010-11 Man United title rivals Tottenham. Stoke City drew Sunderland 1-1 2009-10 Chelsea A scrappy 1-1 draw at Aston Villa is enough to put Leicester Watford bt Aston Villa 3-2 2008-09 Man United Jan 16 back on top of the table, ahead of Arsenal on goal differ- West Bromwich lost to West Ham 0-3 2007-08 Man United ence. 2006-07 Man United The beginning of “phase two” as, with opponents wising STANDINGS up to Leicester’s quick-fire counter-attacking game, they Feb 27 Leicester stands Leicester City 36 22 11 3 64 34 77 are forced to tough it out, starting with a scruffy 1-0 win at Tottenham 36 19 13 4 67 28 70 EPL TOP SCORERS Norwich City. to earn fat purse Arsenal 36 19 10 7 59 34 67 25 Harry Kane Tottenham An impressive 2-0 victory at Sunderland means Leicester Man City 36 19 7 10 68 38 64 23 Sergio Aguero Man City April 10 kept five successive clean sheets and are seven points Man United 35 17 9 9 43 31 60 22 Jamie Vardy Leicester City clear with five games remaining. Leicester City are on course for West Ham 35 15 14 6 60 43 59 18 Romelu Lukaku Everton Trailing 1-2 at home to West Ham, with Vardy sent off, a windfall of more than $220m Southampton 36 16 9 11 53 39 57 17 Riyad Mahrez Leicester City Leicester are handed a last-gasp penalty lifeline that for winning the English Premier April 17 Liverpool 35 15 10 10 59 48 55 Jermain Defoe Sunderland Leonardo Ulloa grabs to snatch a 2-2 draw, lifting the roof League (EPL). 14 Chelsea 35 12 12 11 55 48 48 Odion Ighalo Watford off the King Power stadium. The money would come from Stoke City 36 13 9 14 38 52 48 Olivier Giroud Arsenal Leicester shrugged off the absence of suspended Vardy to 12 April 24 the EPL’s huge TV revenues, Alexis Sanchez Arsenal hammer Swansea City 4-0. Everton 35 10 14 11 55 49 44 playing in the Champions League, Diego Costa Chelsea Tottenham were held 1-1 at home by West Bromwich Watford 35 12 8 15 36 42 44 new sponsorship and higher gate Swansea City 36 11 10 15 37 50 43 Marko Arnautovic Stoke City April 25 Albion, leaving Leicester needing a maximum of three 11 receipts, the Repucom sports data Gylfi Sigurdsson Swansea City points from their last three games to secure title. West Bromwich 36 10 11 15 32 46 41 Troy Deeney Watford Leicester drew 1-1 at Manchester United to inch closer to firm said. AFC Bournemouth 36 11 8 17 43 63 41 May 1 Shane Long Southampton the trophy. Their spectactular rise has seen Crystal Palace 36 10 9 17 36 46 39 Sadio Mane Southampton Spurs needed to win all three of their remaining games their TV audiences increase by Newcastle United 36 8 9 19 39 64 33 to have a chance of taking the honours, but after leading more than 23 per cent around the Sunderland 35 7 11 17 40 58 32 10 Graziano Pelle Southampton May 2 2-0 against Chelsea, they are pegged back to 2-2 and title globe, which increases their value Norwich City 35 8 7 20 35 61 31 Andre Ayew Swansea City goes to Leicester. with potential sponsors. Aston Villa 36 3 7 26 27 72 16 Dele Alli Tottenham Hotspur

KEY PLAYERS

KASPER SCHMEICHEL WES MORGAN N’GOLO KANTE RIYAD MAHREZ JAMIE VARDY Goalkeeper Centre-back Central midfielder Winger Striker

Son of the legendary Manchester Morgan joined the club from A £5.6m capture from French Mahrez symbolises the fairytale Vardy has become the snarling United and Liverpool goalkeeper local rivals Nottingham Forest side Caen last year, Kante has journey that the club have face of the team. The wiry Peter Schmeichel, Kasper in January, 2012, and was astonished observers with overtaken over the past 12 Yorkshireman’s rags-to-riches performance highlighted the quickly installed as captain. his relentless energy, driving months. Signed from Le Havre tale has seen him rise from non- remarkable goalkeeping lineage Despite lacking pace, he is an runs and extraordinary knack for just £400,000 in January league obscurity to top-flight in the family. Just like his father, authoritative presence. With for recovering possession. 2014, the rakish, velvet-footed record-breaker. Despite scoring Kasper has turned into a leader Robert Huth, he has formed Legendary former Manchester Algerian flitted in and out of the 22 goals, he looks poised to of men and developed into a an old-school central defensive United manager Alex Ferguson team as Leicester fought to stay miss out on the Golden Boot, dominant personality within the partnership founded upon described him as “by far the best in the division, but this season he but he created EPL history in Leicester squad. strength, astute positioning and player in the EPL”. has been a sensation with his 17 the autumn by scoring in 11 aerial dominance. goals and 11 assists. consecutive games. 12 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 13 Football

RESULTS Malaga bt Levante 3-1 MEDIA SCAN Athletic Bilbao bt Celta Vigo 2-1 We’ve the privileged Deportivo lost to Getafe 0-2 Espanyol bt Sevilla 1-0 Valencia lost to Villarreal 0-2 situation, says Enrique Atletico Madrid bt Vallecano 1-0 Granada bt Las Palmas 3-2 Real Betis lost to Barcelona 0-2 Medical chaos Sociedad lost to Real Madrid 0-1 ARCELONA coach Luis Enrique at Real Madrid Sporting Gijon bt Eibar 2-0 believes the Spanish champions Btook a big step towards retain- Real Madrid have been made to look BIG GUNS ALL FIRE STANDINGS the fool when it comes to medical ing their title as they overcame 10-man Barcelona 36 27 4 5 104 29 85 issues for quite a while now. Atletico Madrid 36 27 4 5 60 16 85 Betis 2-0. And Cristiano Ronaldo’s current Real Madrid 36 26 6 4 105 32 84 Barca inch closer towards defending La Liga Enrique’s men still need to win their injury has once again fully exposed Villarreal 36 18 10 8 44 31 64 two remaining games to be assured of Athletic Bilbao 36 17 7 12 55 44 58 the club’s bad management. Cover title by getting the better of Real Betis. Celta Vigo 36 16 9 11 50 57 57 winning the league after Atletico Madrid ups, improvisation, lack of information Sevilla 36 14 10 12 49 43 52 and Real Madrid were also victorious. and widespread disagreement are Malaga 36 11 12 13 34 33 45 Only Barca’s superior head-to-head unfortunately nothing new at the from inside the area. Valencia 36 11 11 14 44 44 44 Spanish giants where the awful Las Palmas 36 12 7 17 44 49 43 communications only serve to Richard Martin Bale, who scored twice as Real came Sociedad 36 11 9 16 42 47 42 exacerbate the chaos as Ronaldo from two goals down to win 3-2 at Rayo Eibar 36 11 9 16 46 56 42 The Catalans have conducting his own medical tests. Vallecano, again delivered when it mat- Real Betis 36 10 11 15 31 50 41 tered, nodding in Lucas Vazquez’s cross Espanyol 36 11 7 18 36 67 40 responded like Deportivo 36 7 18 11 43 59 39 A LIGA leaders Barcelona moved in the 80th. champions by scoring 16 Granada 36 9 9 18 42 65 36 closer to retaining their crown It was the Welshman’s ninth headed Vallecano 36 8 11 17 48 70 35 goals in three games. Lwith a lacklustre 2-0 away win goal in the league this season, more Sporting Gijon 36 9 8 19 37 61 35 over 10-man Real Betis, thanks to goals than any other player in Europe’s top Getafe 36 9 8 19 35 64 35 from Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez. five leagues, and earned Madrid the Levante 36 7 8 21 34 66 29 record separates them from Atletico Atletico Madrid kept pace as substi- points despite a frustrating afternoon with Real Madrid just a point behind tute Antoine Griezmann fired them to against the side who beat Barcelona in third. a 1-0 home win over struggling Rayo earlier this month. “I’ve the sensation that it’s closer ššLuis Enrique Vallecano while Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale With Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim all the time,” said Enrique. “The scored in a 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad next game we’ve is a derby against matters in their own hands. that leaves them still a point behind. Espanyol and I’m sure the Camp “This is a very difficult league with We were up against a difficult Barcelona remain at the summit on Nou will be rocking.” three teams in the fight to win it. I think Suarez surges ahead Luis Suarez scored his opponent, but I’m happy 85 points, level with Atletico but having Barca threw away a nine- all three of us are playing at a good level, in Pichichi race a superior head-to-head record, while 35th goal of the La Liga with the work we did and point lead over Atletico having a great season and I don’t think Real are third with 84 points and two season to finish Real to pick up the points. It was with three consecutive any of the three are going to slip up, Luis Suarez has now taken a games of the season left. Betis off in the 81st. great to see a player of his La Liga defeats follow- therefore we’ve to do our job. We’ve the commanding lead in the race for the Pichichi top-scorer award, Betis had centre-back Heiko (Gareth Bale) importance ing a 39-game unbeaten privileged situation,” he said. score a goal (ahead of having scored four more La Liga Westermann sent off in the 35th minute run. However, the Catalans Barca were given a huge help - goals than injured for a second booking and Ivan Rakitic Benzema injured, it was again up to Bale the Champions League have responded like cham- ing hand by two clear Betis errors as Real Madrid star pounced on a defensive mishap to put to lead the line, with coach Zinedine semifinal). pions by scoring 16 goals Heiko Westermann chopped down Ivan Cristiano Ronaldo. His 35th goal of the Barca ahead five minutes after the break. Zidane making five changes after the 0-0 Zinedine Zidane, without reply in their three Rakitic to rightly see a second yellow league campaign Luis Suarez then scored his 35th goal at Manchester City in the Champions Real Madrid coach. league games since to keep card before half-time. of the La Liga season to finish Betis off League semifinal in midweek. came after 81 minutes last week, in the 81st, meaning Barca can guar- Bale missed several chances before as Barcelona antee a 24th league title with wins at finally breaking the deadlock with 10 returned to the home to Espanyol and away to Granada. minutes remaining, leaping at the near summit with a 2-0 win after seeing Barcelona struggled to break down post to glance Vazquez’s cross into the both Real and Atletico Madrid pick Betis even after Westermann was dis- top corner for his 19th goal of the league Rakitic defends winning ugly up three points earlier in the day. missed, but a misunderstanding between campaign. Ronaldo’s absence has given the defender German Pezzella and goal- Meanwhile, Villarreal secured their Uruguayan striker the opportunity to assert himself in the race. keeper Antonio Adan allowed Rakitic place in the Champions League qualify- ARCELONA midfielder Ivan to tap in from close range and break ing round with a 2-0 win at local rivals Rakitic embraced the art of The pitch didn’t help us. the deadlock. Valencia, guaranteeing fourth place in Bwinning ugly after they beat Suarez then made up for missing a La Liga. Samu Garcia and Adrian Lopez 10-man Real Betis 2-0 to move closer Betis knew what they clear chance earlier in the second half scored in the first half following assists to retaining their La Liga title. wanted with that. It was by finishing off Lionel Messi’s low pass from Roberto Soldado. Barca were far from their sparkling best very hot and difficult. against Betis after thrashing Sporting Barcelona’s Bravo Gijon 6-0 and Deportivo La Coruna suffers calf strain 8-0 in their previous two games, but “If you’re top of the league with two were helped by Heiko Westermann’s games left, then you’ve to win however Barcelona have confirmed that sending off in the 35th minute for a you can. We always want people to be Claudio Bravo suffered a calf strain during their 2-0 win over Real Betis. second booking. happy with our play, but now we’ve to Marc-Andre ter Rakitic put Barca ahead by pounc- win the league,” he added. Stegen replaced ing on a misunderstanding between Barca coach Luis Enrique rejected him in goal for the Betis keeper Antonio Adan and German suggestions his team had played poorly. final few minutes Pezzella in the 50th and Luis Suarez “I think that people have become of the game. made sure of the points in the 81st. used to us being so good that they’ve “FC Barcelona “I don’t really care if we shine or not lost sight of what competitive football goalkeeper Claudio Bravo suffered a as long as we win,” said Croatia inter- is,” said Enrique. calf strain in his national Rakitic. “I don’t think we suffered at all, given right leg towards the end of the game “The pitch didn’t help us and Betis the pressure you’re under in these games, with Real Betis. The Chilean called to

knew what they wanted with that. It The first half was a bit of a battle but, in del Pozo REUTERS / Marcelo be substituted by Ter Stegen with just

REUTERS/ Vincent West REUTERS/ Vincent REUTERS/ Albert Gea was very hot. It was a difficult pitch, the second, we were the better team,” ššBarcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, left, celebrates with Jordi Alba a few minutes of the match left,” said ššReal Madrid’s Gareth Bale, right, attemps a header against Real Sociedad. ššBarcelona’s Luis Suarez... on cloud nine. but I think we deserved the victory. he explained. after scoring against Real Betis. a club statement. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 13

knew what they wanted with that. It The first half was a bit of a battle but, in del Pozo REUTERS / Marcelo be substituted by Ter Stegen with just was very hot. It was a difficult pitch, the second, we were the better team,” ššBarcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, left, celebrates with Jordi Alba a few minutes of the match left,” said but I think we deserved the victory. he explained. after scoring against Real Betis. a club statement. 14 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 15 Football

RESULTS Genoa 36 12 7 17 41 46 43 Ibrahimovic nets Hanover player SERIE A Bologna 36 11 8 17 33 44 41 Genoa lost to Roma 2-3 Atalanta Bergamo 36 10 11 15 38 45 41 double to give dies in car crash Napoli bt Atalanta Bergamo 2-1 Sampdoria 36 10 10 16 48 53 40 Udinese 36 10 8 18 33 57 38 AC Milan drew Frosinone 3-3 Carpi 36 8 11 17 34 53 35 PSG big victory Empoli drew Bologna 0-0 OUNG Hanover 96 striker Palermo 36 9 8 19 35 63 35 Juventus bt Carpi 2-0 Niklas Feierabend died in a Frosinone 36 8 7 21 35 71 31 Lazio bt Inter Milan 2-0 Verona 36 4 13 19 30 59 25 ARIS Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibra- Ycar accident last Sunday. The Palermo bt Sampdoria 2-0 BUNDESLIGA himovic scored two goals and set 19-year-old had signed his first con- Sassuolo bt Verona 1-0 Bayern Munich 32 26 4 2 75 15 82 Chievo drew Fiorentina 0-0 Pup another as the runaway Ligue tract as a professional for the club in Borussia Dortmund 32 24 5 3 80 31 77 Udinese lost to Torino 1-5 1 champions thrashed Stade Rennes February. Bayer Leverkusen 32 17 6 9 52 36 57 BUNDESLIGA B M’gladbach 32 15 4 13 63 49 49 4-0 last week. Feierabend was a back seat passen- Werder Bremen bt Stuttgart 6-2 Hertha Berlin 32 14 7 11 41 40 49 Four second-half goals at the Parc ger along with two other young people, Mainz drew Hamburg 0-0 Schalke 04 32 14 6 12 46 47 48 Leverkusen bt Hertha Berlin 2-1 des Princes allowed PSG to equal their who were also killed in the accident Mainz 32 13 7 12 43 41 46 Bayern Munich drew Borussia M’gladbach 1-1 own record for the most points in a sea- that involved just one car. The vehicle Cologne 32 10 11 11 36 40 41 Dortmund bt Wolfsburg 5-1 FC Ingolstadt 04 32 10 10 12 30 37 40 son — 89 — with two games remaining. left the road and crashed into a tree. Hanover lost to Schalke 1-3 ššStefan Petrovski VfL Wolfsburg 32 10 9 13 43 48 39 Ibrahimovic joined in a second-half The tragedy left everyone at the Hoffenheim bt Ingolstadt 2-1 Hamburg SV 32 10 8 14 37 44 38 scoring frenzy when he picked up a cross club in deep shock, a statement on Darmstadt lost to Frankfurt 1-2 FC Augsburg 32 9 10 13 40 48 37 from Argentine Angel di Maria and sent Hanover’s website said. “We’ll never Augsburg drew Cologne 0-0 Hoffenheim 32 9 10 13 38 49 37 it beyond the reach of goalkeeper Benoit forget you, Niklas,” it added. LIGUE 1 SV Darmstadt 98 32 8 11 13 36 50 35 Lightning kills Angers lost to Oly Marseille 0-1 Costil in the 54th minute. The youngster had trained with the Werder Bremen 32 9 7 16 49 65 34 Monaco bt Guingamp En Avant 3-2 Eintracht Frankfurt 32 8 9 15 33 51 33 Four minutes earlier, the Swedish recently relegated Hanover’s first team Australian teen Caen drew Bastia 0-0 VfB Stuttgart 32 9 6 17 48 69 33 striker had helped to set up Maxwell over the winter and had been on the Troyes lost to Bordeaux 2-4 Hanover 96 32 6 4 22 29 59 22 for the opening goal and Ibrahimovic bench for two Bundesliga matches, TEENAGE Australian goalkeeper Lorient lost to Lille 0-1 LIGUE 1 Nantes bt Nice 1- 0 PSG 35 28 5 2 93 18 89 scored again himself with a left-footed AFP / Giuseppe Cacace although he had yet to make his debut. has died three weeks after be- Oly Lyon bt Ajaccio 2-1 Oly Lyon 36 18 8 10 60 38 62 ššAC Milan’s Mario Balotelli, right, evades Frosinone’s Matteo Ciofani. drive in the 78th to take his league-lead- A ing struck by lightning during St Etienne drew Toulouse 0-0 Monaco 36 16 14 6 54 44 62 ing tally to 34, his best ever in a season. a training session with his football Stade Reims lost to Montpellier 2-3 St Etienne 36 17 7 12 42 34 58 Edinson Cavani added the fourth club in Malaysia. PSG bt Stade Rennes 4-0 Nice 36 16 9 11 53 39 57 Lille 36 14 14 8 38 27 56 goal in injury time as PSG, who won Stefan Petrovski, an 18-year-old Stade Rennes 36 13 13 10 51 50 52 the League Cup for the third consec- reserve keeper for second tier side STANDINGS Angers 36 13 11 12 38 34 50 utive time last weekend, all but extin- Melaka United, had been in a coma SERIE A Nantes 36 12 12 12 32 38 48 Juventus 36 28 4 4 69 18 88 guished the seventh-placed visitors’ in intensive care since being struck Caen 36 14 6 16 36 51 48 Napoli 36 23 7 6 74 31 76 Montpellier 36 13 7 16 47 45 46 hopes of playing in Europe next season. by lightning when standing near goal- AS Roma 36 21 11 4 77 40 74 Bordeaux 35 11 13 11 46 55 46 Meanwhile, nine-time champions posts, Australian state media said. Inter Milan 36 19 7 10 47 34 64 Oly Marseille 36 9 17 10 46 41 44 Olympique Marseille secured their top- “On behalf of the Australian Fiorentina 36 17 9 10 56 40 60 Bastia 36 12 8 16 33 41 44 flight status with a 1-0 victory at Angers football community, FFA sends their Sassuolo 36 14 13 9 45 39 55 Guingamp 36 11 10 15 45 53 43 AC Milan 36 14 12 10 47 40 54 Lorient 36 10 13 13 46 55 43 last Sunday. deepest condolences to the Petrovski Lazio 36 14 9 13 47 47 51 Ajaccio 36 8 13 15 37 53 37 Marseille had previously gone 11 games family, friends and team-mates,” Chievo Verona 36 13 10 13 43 42 49 Stade Reims 36 9 9 18 40 55 36 without a win, slipping as low as 16th. governing body Football Federation Torino 36 12 9 15 50 51 45 Toulouse 36 7 13 16 41 53 34 Michy Batshuayi’s 24th-minute strike Australia said. Empoli 36 11 10 15 37 46 43 Troyes 36 3 8 25 27 81 17 š was enough to see off Angers, taking šNiklas Feierabend Marseille up to 13th, eight points clear of 18th-placed Stade de Reims. Marseille sustained a title challenge JEERED Hummels seeks before an end-of-season slump last Bavarian party is put on hold term, ending the campaign in fourth move to Bayern and missing out on Champions League Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats qualification by two points. AYERN Munich’s party was Hummels told his club he wanted Elsewhere, Olympique Lyon and AS wrecked by Borussia Moencheng- to join Bundesliga leaders Bayern Monaco remain level on points in the OFF THE FIELD Bladbach who held them 1-1 at Munich after the season ends. race for second place after home victories the Allianz Arena last week, forcing Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz over Ajaccio and Guingamp respectively. AC Milan draw boos from home supporters after playing out a dull, the Bavarians to wait at least a week to Rummenigge had disclosed that his Rachid Ghezzal scored direct from a clinch a fourth straight Bundesliga title. club was already in talks with the corner as second-placed Lyon beat rel- Bayern, needing a win to wrap up Dortmund skipper over a move. drab and dreary draw with lowly Frosinone in the Italian Serie A. Dortmund confirmed in a egation-threatened Ajaccio 2-1 while the championship, were made to pay statement that the 27-year-old Monaco survived a late wobble to see for their complacency as they rotated Germany international, who is under off Guingamp 3-2 at home. ARIO Balotelli missed a penalty Milan’s season has gone from bad but Jeremy Menez made no mistake their team and sat back after Thomas contract till June, 2017, had submitted as AC Milan, jeered off the field to worse since they fired coach Sinisa in stoppage time to rescue a point for Mueller had given them an early lead. an official transfer request. Mafter a dismal first half, drew Mihajlovic three weeks ago and it reached the hosts. Bayern still remain firm favourites “Hummels has communicated his 3-3 with lowly Frosinone in Serie A last a new low when they lost to bottom-of- There was also time for Balotelli to for the title with their remaining games desire to leave the club and wants Sunday while Palermo’s late survival bid the-table Verona. smash a shot against the bar with the away to mid-table Ingolstadt and at to join Bayern Munich next season,” Dortmund said on their website. continued with a 2-0 win over Sampdoria. It looked even bleaker at halftime at last kick of the game. Milan dropped home to relegated Hanover 96. “Bayern has not made an offer. As a Fourth-placed Inter Milan’s lingering to seventh below Sassuolo, who beat Bayern coach Pep Guardiola fielded a precaution, it’s pointed hopes of Champions League next sea- Verona 1-0. weakened side, leaving regulars Philipp out that no exit clause has been agreed and son ended when they lost 0-2 at Lazio, Palermo, who changed eight coaches, Lahm, Javi Martinez, David Alaba, REUTERS/ Kai Pfaffenbach Mario Balotelli the player is logically ensuring that Roberto Mancini’s team overcame a subdued Sampdoria after Xabi Alonso, Arturo Vidal and Robert ššBorussia Moenchengladbach’s Mahmoud Dahoud and Andreas Christensen, right, can no longer finish in the top three. squandered the first Franco Vazquez scored in the first half Lewandowksi out of the side. challenge Bayern Munich’s Mario Goetze. tied to Borussia Dortmund until June Juventus notched their 25th win in 26 when his effort was and Nenad Krsticic turned the ball into Even so, Bayern took a sixth-min- 30, 2017.” league games by beating lowly Carpi 2-0. saved by Bardi. his own net with five minutes left. ute lead when Mueller met Joshua Despite the defeat, the debutants Juventus midfielder Hernanes and Kimmich’s corner with a low header themselves. The 75,000 capacity home Borussia Dortmund closed the gap to stayed 17th, one place above the rele- Simone Zaza scored in each half to which bounced past several players crowd, clearly believing the match was five points by thrashing VfL Wolfsburg gation zone, with 35 points, but are only San Siro as Frosinone led 2-0, but Milan, increase Carpi’s relegation worries. and went in off the foot of the post. a formality after seeing their team win 5-1, helped by two second-half goals ahead of Palermo on goal difference. under interim coach Christian Brocchi, Juventus have 88 points from 36 games, However, the hosts allowed Gladbach 14 of their previous 15 home league from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Frosinone, also in the top flight for hit back after the break with the help 15 clear of Napoli. to take the initiative and there were games this season, were stunned when Bayer Leverkusen’s 19-year-old winger the first time, are four points adrift of of two penalties awarded for handball. Lazio’s 37-year-old striker Miroslav even some whistles from the Allianz Andre Hahn equalised midway through Julian Brandt scored for the sixth league ššParis Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, right, vies with Stade safety in 19th and look set to go straight Balotelli squandered the first when Klose gave them an eighth-minute lead Arena crowd as Bayern’s defenders the second half. game in a row to set them on the way Rennes’ Ludovic Baal. back to Serie B. his effort was saved by Francesco Bardi, at home to Inter with a delicate finish. at one point passed the ball amongst In other matches, second-placed to a 2-1 victory over Hertha Berlin. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 15

RESULTS Genoa 36 12 7 17 41 46 43 Hanover player SERIE A Bologna 36 11 8 17 33 44 41 Genoa lost to Roma 2-3 Atalanta Bergamo 36 10 11 15 38 45 41 dies in car crash Napoli bt Atalanta Bergamo 2-1 Sampdoria 36 10 10 16 48 53 40 Udinese 36 10 8 18 33 57 38 AC Milan drew Frosinone 3-3 Carpi 36 8 11 17 34 53 35 Empoli drew Bologna 0-0 OUNG Hanover 96 striker Palermo 36 9 8 19 35 63 35 Juventus bt Carpi 2-0 Niklas Feierabend died in a Frosinone 36 8 7 21 35 71 31 Lazio bt Inter Milan 2-0 Verona 36 4 13 19 30 59 25 Ycar accident last Sunday. The Palermo bt Sampdoria 2-0 BUNDESLIGA 19-year-old had signed his first con- Sassuolo bt Verona 1-0 Bayern Munich 32 26 4 2 75 15 82 Chievo drew Fiorentina 0-0 tract as a professional for the club in Borussia Dortmund 32 24 5 3 80 31 77 Udinese lost to Torino 1-5 February. Bayer Leverkusen 32 17 6 9 52 36 57 BUNDESLIGA B M’gladbach 32 15 4 13 63 49 49 Feierabend was a back seat passen- Werder Bremen bt Stuttgart 6-2 Hertha Berlin 32 14 7 11 41 40 49 ger along with two other young people, Mainz drew Hamburg 0-0 Schalke 04 32 14 6 12 46 47 48 Leverkusen bt Hertha Berlin 2-1 who were also killed in the accident Mainz 32 13 7 12 43 41 46 Bayern Munich drew Borussia M’gladbach 1-1 that involved just one car. The vehicle Cologne 32 10 11 11 36 40 41 Dortmund bt Wolfsburg 5-1 FC Ingolstadt 04 32 10 10 12 30 37 40 left the road and crashed into a tree. Hanover lost to Schalke 1-3 ššStefan Petrovski VfL Wolfsburg 32 10 9 13 43 48 39 The tragedy left everyone at the Hoffenheim bt Ingolstadt 2-1 Hamburg SV 32 10 8 14 37 44 38 club in deep shock, a statement on Darmstadt lost to Frankfurt 1-2 FC Augsburg 32 9 10 13 40 48 37 Hanover’s website said. “We’ll never Augsburg drew Cologne 0-0 Hoffenheim 32 9 10 13 38 49 37 forget you, Niklas,” it added. LIGUE 1 SV Darmstadt 98 32 8 11 13 36 50 35 Lightning kills Angers lost to Oly Marseille 0-1 The youngster had trained with the Werder Bremen 32 9 7 16 49 65 34 Monaco bt Guingamp En Avant 3-2 Eintracht Frankfurt 32 8 9 15 33 51 33 recently relegated Hanover’s first team Australian teen Caen drew Bastia 0-0 VfB Stuttgart 32 9 6 17 48 69 33 over the winter and had been on the Troyes lost to Bordeaux 2-4 Hanover 96 32 6 4 22 29 59 22 bench for two Bundesliga matches, TEENAGE Australian goalkeeper Lorient lost to Lille 0-1 LIGUE 1 Nantes bt Nice 1- 0 PSG 35 28 5 2 93 18 89 although he had yet to make his debut. has died three weeks after be- Oly Lyon bt Ajaccio 2-1 Oly Lyon 36 18 8 10 60 38 62 A ing struck by lightning during St Etienne drew Toulouse 0-0 Monaco 36 16 14 6 54 44 62 a training session with his football Stade Reims lost to Montpellier 2-3 St Etienne 36 17 7 12 42 34 58 club in Malaysia. PSG bt Stade Rennes 4-0 Nice 36 16 9 11 53 39 57 Lille 36 14 14 8 38 27 56 Stefan Petrovski, an 18-year-old Stade Rennes 36 13 13 10 51 50 52 reserve keeper for second tier side STANDINGS Angers 36 13 11 12 38 34 50 Melaka United, had been in a coma SERIE A Nantes 36 12 12 12 32 38 48 Juventus 36 28 4 4 69 18 88 in intensive care since being struck Caen 36 14 6 16 36 51 48 Napoli 36 23 7 6 74 31 76 Montpellier 36 13 7 16 47 45 46 by lightning when standing near goal- AS Roma 36 21 11 4 77 40 74 Bordeaux 35 11 13 11 46 55 46 posts, Australian state media said. Inter Milan 36 19 7 10 47 34 64 Oly Marseille 36 9 17 10 46 41 44 “On behalf of the Australian Fiorentina 36 17 9 10 56 40 60 Bastia 36 12 8 16 33 41 44 football community, FFA sends their Sassuolo 36 14 13 9 45 39 55 Guingamp 36 11 10 15 45 53 43 AC Milan 36 14 12 10 47 40 54 Lorient 36 10 13 13 46 55 43 deepest condolences to the Petrovski Lazio 36 14 9 13 47 47 51 Ajaccio 36 8 13 15 37 53 37 family, friends and team-mates,” Chievo Verona 36 13 10 13 43 42 49 Stade Reims 36 9 9 18 40 55 36 governing body Football Federation Torino 36 12 9 15 50 51 45 Toulouse 36 7 13 16 41 53 34 Australia said. Empoli 36 11 10 15 37 46 43 Troyes 36 3 8 25 27 81 17 JEERED ššNiklas Feierabend Hummels seeks Bavarian party is put on hold move to Bayern

Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats AYERN Munich’s party was Hummels told his club he wanted wrecked by Borussia Moencheng- to join Bundesliga leaders Bayern OFF THE FIELD Bladbach who held them 1-1 at Munich after the season ends. the Allianz Arena last week, forcing Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz the Bavarians to wait at least a week to Rummenigge had disclosed that his clinch a fourth straight Bundesliga title. club was already in talks with the Bayern, needing a win to wrap up Dortmund skipper over a move. Dortmund confirmed in a the championship, were made to pay statement that the 27-year-old for their complacency as they rotated Germany international, who is under their team and sat back after Thomas contract till June, 2017, had submitted Mueller had given them an early lead. an official transfer request. Bayern still remain firm favourites “Hummels has communicated his for the title with their remaining games desire to leave the club and wants away to mid-table Ingolstadt and at to join Bayern Munich next season,” Dortmund said on their website. home to relegated Hanover 96. “Bayern has not made an offer. As a Bayern coach Pep Guardiola fielded a precaution, it’s pointed weakened side, leaving regulars Philipp out that no exit clause has been agreed and Lahm, Javi Martinez, David Alaba, REUTERS/ Kai Pfaffenbach the player is logically Xabi Alonso, Arturo Vidal and Robert ššBorussia Moenchengladbach’s Mahmoud Dahoud and Andreas Christensen, right, Lewandowksi out of the side. challenge Bayern Munich’s Mario Goetze. tied to Borussia Dortmund until June Even so, Bayern took a sixth-min- 30, 2017.” ute lead when Mueller met Joshua Kimmich’s corner with a low header themselves. The 75,000 capacity home Borussia Dortmund closed the gap to which bounced past several players crowd, clearly believing the match was five points by thrashing VfL Wolfsburg and went in off the foot of the post. a formality after seeing their team win 5-1, helped by two second-half goals However, the hosts allowed Gladbach 14 of their previous 15 home league from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. to take the initiative and there were games this season, were stunned when Bayer Leverkusen’s 19-year-old winger even some whistles from the Allianz Andre Hahn equalised midway through Julian Brandt scored for the sixth league Arena crowd as Bayern’s defenders the second half. game in a row to set them on the way at one point passed the ball amongst In other matches, second-placed to a 2-1 victory over Hertha Berlin. 16 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 17 Football

Platini hopes to have his ban overturned Luka has remained humble, despite his success, and that’s extremely rare to Brian Homewood master see. He’s so normal, which is such an important word in the crazy world we USPENDED UEFA president live in. As a player, Michel Platini said he was more Modric is unique Soptimistic of having his six-year of the game because he sees ban from football overturned after what’s going to šЂGianni Infantino his appeal hearing at sport’s highest happen on tribunal last week, with a decision due Former Croatia and AC Milan star midfielder the pitch within a week. before Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Zvonimir Boban says his country can do really anyone else. who like Platini has been banned for six Infantino rebuilding years for ethics violations, was among Zvonimir Boban the three people who gave evidence at well at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. on Croatia and Real Madrid the eight-hour hearing at the Court of midfielderLuka Modric. trust with corporates Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. ĈĈBoban is doing his can you tell us about the city? CAS Secretary General Matthieu Reeb doctorate in comparative ЃĈI think every Russian should be proud said a decision would be announced literature in Zagreb of Moscow. It’s awash with history and understand what we had achieved. Croatia at least six under an expanded format. by May 9 “at the latest” by its panel of there’re unbelievably beautiful build- was in the World Cup finals for the first Do-Gyun Kim and FIFA has struggled to find new spon- three judges. ĈĈHe also writes for Croatian ings everywhere — a real treasure. The time and came third immediately. This Juarawee Kittisilpa sors since its crisis erupted and Asia’s “I’m even more optimistic after (this and Italian newspapers Luzhniki Stadium left a big impression can happen once in a lifetime. Perhaps financial muscle could see the region hearing) because, sincerely the team VERY Croat has a place for Russia on me. In a way the stadium reminds me we could’ve achieved even more, but my play a bigger role. that came, and you saw that we were in his heart, says Zvonimir Boban. of the old Wembley. I think that the 2018 mistake in the semifinal against France Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors numerous, was very good,” Platini, one EAnd he is a man who knows what World Cup will be one of the most mem- cost us. These things happen. IFA PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino Corp, South Korea’s two largest automak- of the finest players of his generation he is talking about. orable in history. But I also value other memories, like reiterated the possibility of more ers and affiliates of the Hyundai con- and also a former coach of his coun- Russia and Croatia have always been shaking hands with the opponents or FWorld Cup spots for Asia during glomerate, have extended their part- try’s national side, told reporters out- particularly close in footballing terms ЂĈCroatia beat Russia 3-1 in a giving a hand to the player who fell a visit to Seoul and Bangkok, press- nership with FIFA until 2022. side CAS headquarters. as well. Ivica Olic, Stipe Pletikosa and friendly recently. Wha’re your on the ground. When I was young, I ing his case for an enlarged 40-team China has also shown its ambition If Platini is absolved, he would be Vedran Corluka are just a few stars of the thoughts on Russian team? didn’t make much of such moments, tournament. on the global football stage with Dalian free to resume his duties as UEFA presi- Croatian national team to have left a big ЃĈCroatia dominated throughout the but I do now. Infantino, who met with sponsors dent and attend Euro 2016 in his native impact in the Russian Premier League. game. We scored three but, honestly, it Hyundai Motor Group in South Korea France in an official capacity in June ЂЂWho’re the favourites for the The bond between the two nations grew could’ve been more. I hope Russia are able last week, said his visit was aimed at I believe we’ve to and July. even closer in 2007 following Croatia’s to improve their performances. They need World Cup in 2018? rebuilding trust with corporate partners “If I’m president of UEFA, I’ll be at pace in defence and more well-rounded ЃЂThe winners always come from one and presenting his vision of a “new FIFA”. increase the number of every game at Euro 2016,” he said. But, play in midfield, but let’s not forget that of the big teams. The top national teams World football’s scandal-hit govern- teams... because we’ve referring to a possible defeat, he added, to be more inclusive. Let’s not forget that the the current Croatia side are a serious pros- don’t always play the best football, but ing body is in the midst of the worst “I’m going to go on holiday, wait and pect for any team. they always compete better than the crisis in its 112-year history, with more maybe I’ll be definitively on holiday, current Croatia side are rest. Competing is in their genes. If a than 40 individuals and entities, includ- or retired. Then, the story is over, abso- a serious prospect for ЂĈDo you think this Croatia side lesser national team gets to the knocking many former FIFA officials, charged Wanda Group, the country’s biggest com- lutely, it’s over. any team. can hit their peak at Russia 2018? with corruption-related offences in the mercial property developer, becoming ЃĈThis generation definitely has a lot of United States. the first Chinese top level sponsor of promise, but is yet to achieve anything For teams like Brazil, Infantino, elected in February to replace FIFA recently. shock 3-2 victory away against England at a big tournament. It could be the last the disgraced Sepp Blatter, said that add- In Bangkok later, he was asked whether in a EURO 2008 qualifier that meant chance for many of them, Luka Modric Argentina and Germany, ing eight more teams to the World Cup Thailand had a shot at hosting a World Russia and not England made it to the for example. If you take each player indi- getting out of the group from 2026 was “perfectly justified”. Cup. finals of the tournament. vidually, they’ve got football intelligence is just the first step. “Football is not only Europe and South Infantino said it should try but that it Boban, the legendary former Croatia and bags of character. Yet, Croatia as a America. Football is the world,” he said. was becoming “increasingly difficult to and AC Milan midfielder, was in Moscow team are always missing something on “I’m not a dictator so I can’t impose any- hold a World Cup,” adding that he saw recently alongside FIFA President Gianni the big stage. Our time may come in 2018. out rounds, they already have an excuse thing, but I’m trying to convince eve- more scope for co-hosting by more than Infantino. Boban has been up to a lot because they’ve already exceeded expec- ryone. I believe we’ve to increase the one country. since finishing his playing career. He ЂĈCould they surpass Croatia’s tations. The players celebrate as if they’ve number of teams... because we’ve to Addressing the FIFA crisis, he said, has a master’s degree in history and is success at France 1998, when your won a trophy. be more inclusive.” “In FIFA we went through a difficult

currently getting his doctorate in com- team finished third? AFP/ Philippe Huguen For Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Asia has four automatic spots at the time. We’ve approved reforms, we’ll parative literature in Zagreb. ЃĈI really hope so, but there’s every šĈ Zvonimir Boban, who captained Croatia at the 1998 World Cup, in action against hosts France. other big national teams, getting out of World Cup, with a fifth up for grabs in bring back transparency, we’ll bring He also writes for Croatian newspaper chance that 1998 was just a special and the group is just the first step. They’re an inter-confederation play-off, and back good governance, we’ll bring back Sportske Novosti as well as Italian daily unrepeatable year for Croatian football. set on winning the tournament. Infantino said the number could rise to compliance.” šЂ Michel Platini Gazzetta dello Sport. Boban, who has Unfortunately, that success weighs heavily he’s a fantastic player and a fantastic guy. is everything to him. He gives every- When they win the next stage, the play- also been in front of the camera working on the team which is unfair because every Luka has remained humble, despite his thing for the team, perhaps even too ers go straight on the bus with serious as a football analyst for Sky TV in Italy, generation lives in its own era. You can’t success, and that’s extremely rare to see. much, and that’s what sets him apart. faces and start thinking about the follow- spoke to www.fifa.com about the future demand that the current crop matches the He’s so normal, which is such an impor- ing game. That’s why they always win. FIFA has been told to reconsider Gibraltar’s for admission were not met. application for membership, after the British The GFA had argued that its application was ЂĈYou’ve won many titles at AC CAS says FIFA of both Croatian and Russian football. achievements of a prior generation that tant word in the crazy world we live in. Germany, Brazil and Argentina are territory’s football association partially won “improperly rejected”, said CAS, which ordered Milan, but was the success at once managed to achieve some success. As a player, Modric is unique because he always favourites. I wouldn’t include must reconsider an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport FIFA to submit the application to the FIFA ЂĈYou’ve spent two days in sees what’s going to happen on the pitch France 1998 your brightest foot- Italy in this bracket: they don’t have the (CAS), but stopped short of directly awarding it Congress, which also has the power to grant the Russian capital visiting the ЂĈModric named you his World before anyone else. ball memory? quality they had before. Gibraltar membership. membership. Luzhniki Stadium which will host Cup idol. What can you say about You might say that individually he ЃĈThe 1998 tournament was really some- But even now, the Italians are always The Gibraltar FA (GFA) appealed against a Gibraltar became a member of the European the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Modric? could produce more than he does at thing special. When we returned home, it the Italians. You can’t write them off com- application FIFA Executive Committee ruling in 2014 that governing body UEFA in 2013 after a long battle opening match and final. What ЃĈI’m really proud to hear that because the moment, but playing for the team was madness in Croatia. We didn’t quite pletely. rejected its application, saying the requirements in which it faced opposition from Spain. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 17

Platini hopes to have his ban overturned Luka has remained humble, despite his success, and that’s extremely rare to Brian Homewood see. He’s so normal, which is such an important word in the crazy world we USPENDED UEFA president live in. As a player, Michel Platini said he was more Modric is unique Soptimistic of having his six-year because he sees ban from football overturned after what’s going to šЂGianni Infantino his appeal hearing at sport’s highest happen on tribunal last week, with a decision due the pitch within a week. before Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, anyone else. who like Platini has been banned for six Infantino rebuilding years for ethics violations, was among Zvonimir Boban the three people who gave evidence at on Croatia and Real Madrid the eight-hour hearing at the Court of midfielderLuka Modric. trust with corporates Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. CAS Secretary General Matthieu Reeb said a decision would be announced understand what we had achieved. Croatia at least six under an expanded format. by May 9 “at the latest” by its panel of was in the World Cup finals for the first Do-Gyun Kim and FIFA has struggled to find new spon- three judges. time and came third immediately. This Juarawee Kittisilpa sors since its crisis erupted and Asia’s “I’m even more optimistic after (this can happen once in a lifetime. Perhaps financial muscle could see the region hearing) because, sincerely the team we could’ve achieved even more, but my play a bigger role. that came, and you saw that we were mistake in the semifinal against France Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors numerous, was very good,” Platini, one cost us. These things happen. IFA PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino Corp, South Korea’s two largest automak- of the finest players of his generation But I also value other memories, like reiterated the possibility of more ers and affiliates of the Hyundai con- and also a former coach of his coun- shaking hands with the opponents or FWorld Cup spots for Asia during glomerate, have extended their part- try’s national side, told reporters out- giving a hand to the player who fell a visit to Seoul and Bangkok, press- nership with FIFA until 2022. side CAS headquarters. on the ground. When I was young, I ing his case for an enlarged 40-team China has also shown its ambition If Platini is absolved, he would be didn’t make much of such moments, tournament. on the global football stage with Dalian free to resume his duties as UEFA presi- but I do now. Infantino, who met with sponsors dent and attend Euro 2016 in his native Hyundai Motor Group in South Korea France in an official capacity in June ЂЂWho’re the favourites for the last week, said his visit was aimed at I believe we’ve to and July. World Cup in 2018? rebuilding trust with corporate partners “If I’m president of UEFA, I’ll be at ЃЂThe winners always come from one and presenting his vision of a “new FIFA”. increase the number of every game at Euro 2016,” he said. But, of the big teams. The top national teams World football’s scandal-hit govern- teams... because we’ve referring to a possible defeat, he added, don’t always play the best football, but ing body is in the midst of the worst to be more inclusive. “I’m going to go on holiday, wait and they always compete better than the crisis in its 112-year history, with more maybe I’ll be definitively on holiday, rest. Competing is in their genes. If a than 40 individuals and entities, includ- or retired. Then, the story is over, abso- lesser national team gets to the knocking many former FIFA officials, charged Wanda Group, the country’s biggest com- lutely, it’s over. with corruption-related offences in the mercial property developer, becoming United States. the first Chinese top level sponsor of For teams like Brazil, Infantino, elected in February to replace FIFA recently. the disgraced Sepp Blatter, said that add- In Bangkok later, he was asked whether Argentina and Germany, ing eight more teams to the World Cup Thailand had a shot at hosting a World getting out of the group from 2026 was “perfectly justified”. Cup. is just the first step. “Football is not only Europe and South Infantino said it should try but that it America. Football is the world,” he said. was becoming “increasingly difficult to “I’m not a dictator so I can’t impose any- hold a World Cup,” adding that he saw out rounds, they already have an excuse thing, but I’m trying to convince eve- more scope for co-hosting by more than because they’ve already exceeded expec- ryone. I believe we’ve to increase the one country. tations. The players celebrate as if they’ve number of teams... because we’ve to Addressing the FIFA crisis, he said, won a trophy. be more inclusive.” “In FIFA we went through a difficult For Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Asia has four automatic spots at the time. We’ve approved reforms, we’ll other big national teams, getting out of World Cup, with a fifth up for grabs in bring back transparency, we’ll bring the group is just the first step. They’re an inter-confederation play-off, and back good governance, we’ll bring back set on winning the tournament. Infantino said the number could rise to compliance.” šЂ Michel Platini When they win the next stage, the players go straight on the bus with serious faces and start thinking about the following game. That’s why they always win. FIFA has been told to reconsider Gibraltar’s for admission were not met. CAS says FIFA application for membership, after the British The GFA had argued that its application was Germany, Brazil and Argentina are territory’s football association partially won “improperly rejected”, said CAS, which ordered always favourites. I wouldn’t include must reconsider an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport FIFA to submit the application to the FIFA Italy in this bracket: they don’t have the (CAS), but stopped short of directly awarding it Congress, which also has the power to grant quality they had before. Gibraltar membership. membership. But even now, the Italians are always The Gibraltar FA (GFA) appealed against a Gibraltar became a member of the European the Italians. You can’t write them off com- application FIFA Executive Committee ruling in 2014 that governing body UEFA in 2013 after a long battle pletely. rejected its application, saying the requirements in which it faced opposition from Spain. 18 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 19

Allyson Felix of the US was forced to withdraw from Doha Diamond League after Felix withdrawal suffering a minor ankle injury in training recently, taking some sheen off the 100M race. The reigning 200M Olympic champion and 400M World title-holder, with a number of takes some other World and Olympic medals to her credit, is one of the most successful athletes in Doha having won 11 gold medals so far. “I always love competing in Doha and I am sad Athletics sheen off 100M that I won’t be starting my season there this year,” said Felix. Taylor ready to cut Teddy down to size

take that energy to the US Olympic INTERVIEW Trials and prepare myself for Rio.

LYMPIC triple jump champion ЂЂIs there anything you’ve done ROYAL BATTLES differently in training this year? Christian Taylor is one of the High jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim is set to lead Qatar’s challenge at the Doha Diamond League. Otop names expected to dazzle ЃЂThe biggest difference is the speed. at this season’s IAAF Diamond League’s I feel my strength as I’m getting older is first meeting in Doha on Friday. speed. I’ve always been very young in second-highest jumper of all time, just Asbel Kiprop, Elijah Motonei Manangoi 2004, captured his fourth straight world But the 25-year-old American will the event, and able to get away with a Sarath Pookkat behind Cuban legend Javier Sotomayor. and Silas Kiplagat lined up alongside title last year after three successive sil- have to face a tough challenge, espe- lot of imperfections. The jumps weren’t Now it is all about staying free of inju- Djiboutian Ayanleh Suleiman and ver medal finishes. The 33-year-old will cially from close rival Teddy Tamgho always the prettiest, but because I was ries and peaking rightly and what bet- Ethiopian Aman Wote. be gunning for his fourth win in Doha of France. ter place to start than his home town. In 110M hurdles, Jamaican Omar after victories in 2009, 2010 and 2014. Last year in Doha, Taylor touched a HE opening leg of the Diamond Another Qatari, Abdalelah Haroun McLeod will be keen to extend his run Among women, Dafne Schippers of personal best of 18.04M, but was still To be able to say I almost League series in Doha has royal is fast emerging as a force to be reck- after clocking the fastest time of the the Netherlands will be the favourite to denied by Cuba’s Pedro Pablo Pichardo, jumped 18M off both legs Tbattles lined up across the board, oned with in 400M. The Doha meeting year (13.08sec) at Iowa, US, last week. win 100M gold after American Allyson who jumped 18.06M to win gold. but for Qatar, what happens in the will test his credentials as the field also “As a fan of the sport, I’m always Felix withdrew at the last moment. However, Taylor gained revenge at is great. My weak leg is high jump pit at the Qatar Sports Club amazed by the sprints and hurdles field Ever-improving Schippers, who started the Beijing World Championships in no longer my off leg. Stadium on Friday is probably what assembled in Doha. I’m excited to be a concentrating on sprint events only a August, regaining his title by soaring matters the most. As a fan of the sport, I’m part of the 2016 constellation and look couple of years ago, won the out to 18.21M, a jump which moved That is where Mutaz Essa Barshim, forward to the event,” said McLeod. 200M world title in Beijing him to second ever in the list behind one of the faster jumpers, I was able to Qatar’s brightest medal prospect at this always amazed by the Reigning Olympic champion and world last year with a sterling Jonathan Edwards of Great Britain. pull through. Now that the strength is summer’s Rio Olympics, will fight with sprints and hurdles field record holder Aries Merritt of the US, 21.63 run and is the name Ahead of his return to Doha, Taylor catching up with it, I can continue to a bunch of world-beaters including assembled in Doha. who finished fifth at Iowa on return- to watch out for in Rio talked to IAAF about his plans for the challenge myself to get faster and faster. 2015 world champion Derek Drouin ing from a kidney transplant surgery, as well. year and why a renewed emphasis on and London Olympics silver medallist is another big name in the discipline. Two-time reigning world speed may help him surpass the world ЂЂYou spoke a lot last year about Erik Kynard for glory and momentum. features former Olympic and two-time Meanwhile, two-time Olympic cham- champion Zuzana Hejnova record. adjusting to your new take-off Mutaz is going through the most world champion LaShawn Merriitt (USA) pion Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya and his is the biggest name in women’s leg, and now that you’ve had a important period of his career. The as well as Isaac Makwala (Botswana). young compatriot Jairus Birech, who 400M hurdles, but the 29-year-old ЂЂHow has your training been full year to do it, how do you feel? London Olympic gold medallist has Kenyans and Ethiopians have domi- last year won his second successive Czech will have to face tough challenge going and were you pleased with ЃЂThe first year of changing legs (2014) proved his calibre time and again at nated middle and long-distance races Diamond Race Trophy, lead the field from Kemi Adekoya. The Bahraini, who your first competition of the year was a little rocky, a little rough, but I was both indoor and outdoor arenas around and it is going to be no different in Doha in 3,000M steeplechase. raced to world indoor gold in 400M in (17.11M in Nassau, Bahamas)? grateful to have that off-year. To be able the world and his stunning effort of this time either. The 1,500M, which is Kemboi, who regained his Olympic Portland recently, had won the cate- ЃЂIt’s Olympic year again, and the meet to jump further off the new leg was a 2.43M in Brussels in 2014 makes him the sure to be a cracker, will have Kenyans title in London after first winning it in gory in Doha two years ago. in the Bahamas was a great way to get huge confidence booster. To be able to The women’s 3,000M is another event the ball rolling. Chris Brown and I got say I almost jumped 18M that is sure to witness a fierce battle for together and made a great triple jump off both legs is great. The IAAF Diamond League has been held annually in Doha since supremacy. In one of the most anticipated field. To come out with a 17.11, I’m very My weak leg is no 2010 and is well-established as one of the series’ top meetings. All showdowns, Almaz Ayana, the 5,000M pleased with that. The bar was set very longer my off leg; these years, we brought to Doha dozens of star athletes. We raised winner at the World Championships high in Doha last year, going over 18M, now it’s truly my the awareness of our sport and engaged, inspired and motivated in Beijing last year, will take on Vivian so now I know 17 isn’t going to cut it. best leg. a growing number of young athletes. Some of them have come of Cheruiyot, who returned from mater- age and are now ready to compete against their idols. nity leave last season to strike world ЂЂLast year’s triple jump in Doha Dahlan Al Hamad, Qatar Athletics Federation President. gold in 10,000M. DSP was an unforgettable event. Do you think history could repeat itself? ЃЂI like to believe every time we step on the track SCHEDULE Femi wants to Diamond race triumphs DIAMOND LEAGUE CALENDAR it’s going to be some- 5.41pm Girls’ 4x100M relay and 27 meet victories make thing special. 5.45 Women’s pole vault win at home 6 French pole vaulter Renaud I enjoy the competition, rising to the 5.45 Women’s shot put 5.52 Boys’ 4x100M relay Home favourite Femi Seun Lavillenie the most biggest occasion. I’m really hoping Pichardo May May May May June 6.03 Girls’ 100M Ogunode will undoubtedly be the star in the league’s history makes an appearance there in Doha too, 6.10 Women’s triple jump biggest attraction in the men’s 6 14 22 27, 28 2 but as of now, I believe it’ll be between 6.13 Boys’ 100M 200M in Doha. Doha (QAT) Shanghai (CHN) Rabat (MAR) Eugene (USA) Rome (ITA) Teddy Tamgho and I. Though I don’t 6.23 Men’s 100M paralympics The Asian record holder, who won champions and 80 like to put distances out there, it’s pos- 6.30 Men’s discus throw a sprint double at the continental medallists from past sible to have another 18M showing. 6.33 Men’s 800M (regional) games inIncheon in 2014, is capable of Men’s high jump 38 Olympic Games and 7.00 making big strides in his pet event. ЂЂYou’ve always used the 7.04 Men’s 400M “I really want to give local fans a Diamond League world indoor and outdoor June June June July July 7.15 Women’s 100M win,” said Ogunode, who clocked 9.91sec en route to championships will Diamond League to prepare 7.25 Men’s 1,500M winning 100M at the Asian Championships Wuhan, 5 9 16 15 22, 23 for major championships. How compete at the Doha Birmingham (GBR) Oslo (NOR) Stockholm (SWE) Monaco London (GBR) 7.39 Women’s 400M hurdles China, last June and capped his 2015 campaign important will it be for you this 7.50 Men’s 3,000M steeplechase with a 19.97 victory in Brussels, both Asian records. Diamond League meeting year leading up to the Olympics? 7.50 Men’s triple jump The 24-year old, voted the best male athlete at ЃЂI’m so grateful for a league like this, 7.55 Women’s javelin throw the last Asian Games, is never short of confidence, a circuit like this. It brings together all 8.09 Men’s 200M but will have a tough fight on hand as the field athletes (125 men and 81 August August September September 8.21 Women’s 800M includes Panama’s Alonso Edward, the Diamond women), representing 50 the top athletes. Everyone who’s in the 8.34 Men’s 110M hurdles Race winner in the event in 2014 and 2015, and 25 27 1 9 IAAF Diamond League are the people 8.45 Women’s 3,000M 206 nations from five continents, Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade, who won in Doha in Lausanne (SUI) Paris (FRA) Zurich (SUI) Brussels (BEL) who’re in world or Olympic finals. Men’s 4x400M relay 9.05 2014. DSP will be seen in action Hopefully I’ll be jumping 18M, then Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 19

Allyson Felix of the US was forced to withdraw from Doha Diamond League after Felix withdrawal suffering a minor ankle injury in training recently, taking some sheen off the 100M race. The reigning 200M Olympic champion and 400M World title-holder, with a number of takes some other World and Olympic medals to her credit, is one of the most successful athletes in Doha having won 11 gold medals so far. “I always love competing in Doha and I am sad sheen off 100M that I won’t be starting my season there this year,” said Felix. Taylor ready to cut Teddy down to size

take that energy to the US Olympic INTERVIEW Trials and prepare myself for Rio.

LYMPIC triple jump champion ЂЂIs there anything you’ve done Christian Taylor is one of the differently in training this year? Otop names expected to dazzle ЃЂThe biggest difference is the speed. at this season’s IAAF Diamond League’s I feel my strength as I’m getting older is first meeting in Doha on Friday. speed. I’ve always been very young in But the 25-year-old American will the event, and able to get away with a have to face a tough challenge, espe- lot of imperfections. The jumps weren’t cially from close rival Teddy Tamgho always the prettiest, but because I was of France. Last year in Doha, Taylor touched a personal best of 18.04M, but was still To be able to say I almost denied by Cuba’s Pedro Pablo Pichardo, who jumped 18.06M to win gold. jumped 18M off both legs However, Taylor gained revenge at is great. My weak leg is the Beijing World Championships in no longer my off leg. August, regaining his title by soaring out to 18.21M, a jump which moved him to second ever in the list behind one of the faster jumpers, I was able to Jonathan Edwards of Great Britain. pull through. Now that the strength is Ahead of his return to Doha, Taylor catching up with it, I can continue to talked to IAAF about his plans for the challenge myself to get faster and faster. year and why a renewed emphasis on speed may help him surpass the world ЂЂYou spoke a lot last year about record. adjusting to your new take-off leg, and now that you’ve had a ЂЂHow has your training been full year to do it, how do you feel? going and were you pleased with ЃЂThe first year of changing legs (2014) your first competition of the year was a little rocky, a little rough, but I was (17.11M in Nassau, Bahamas)? grateful to have that off-year. To be able ЃЂIt’s Olympic year again, and the meet to jump further off the new leg was a in the Bahamas was a great way to get huge confidence booster. To be able to the ball rolling. Chris Brown and I got say I almost jumped 18M together and made a great triple jump off both legs is great. field. To come out with a 17.11, I’m very My weak leg is no pleased with that. The bar was set very longer my off leg; high in Doha last year, going over 18M, now it’s truly my so now I know 17 isn’t going to cut it. best leg.

ЂЂLast year’s triple jump in Doha was an unforgettable event. Do you think history could repeat itself? ЃЂI like to believe every time we step on the track DIAMOND LEAGUE CALENDAR it’s going to be something special. I enjoy the competition, rising to the occasion. I’m really hoping Pichardo May May May May June makes an appearance there in Doha too, 6 14 22 27, 28 2 but as of now, I believe it’ll be between Doha (QAT) Shanghai (CHN) Rabat (MAR) Eugene (USA) Rome (ITA) Teddy Tamgho and I. Though I don’t like to put distances out there, it’s possible to have another 18M showing.

June June June July July ЂЂYou’ve always used the Diamond League to prepare 5 9 16 15 22, 23 for major championships. How Birmingham (GBR) Oslo (NOR) Stockholm (SWE) Monaco London (GBR) important will it be for you this year leading up to the Olympics? ЃЂI’m so grateful for a league like this, a circuit like this. It brings together all August August September September the top athletes. Everyone who’s in the 25 27 1 9 IAAF Diamond League are the people Lausanne (SUI) Paris (FRA) Zurich (SUI) Brussels (BEL) who’re in world or Olympic finals. Hopefully I’ll be jumping 18M, then Ĉ ATHLETES TO WATCH OUT TOP GUNS FOR AT THE DOHA MEET.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Age 400M 400M LASHAWN MERRITT (US) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015 Beijing 2013 Moscow 2013 Moscow 2011 Daegu 2009 Berlin 2009 Berlin 2007 Osaka 2005 Helsinki 2008 Beijing 2008 Beijing 29 years TOP HONOURS OLYMPICS 4x400M relay 4x400M relay 400M 4x400M relay 4x400M relay 400M 4x400M relay 4x400M relay 4x400M relay 400M Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Age 1,500M ASBEL KIPROP(KEN) DAFNE SCHIPPERS(NED) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008 Beijing 2008 Beijing 2015 Beijing 2013 Moscow 2011 Daegu 26 years TOP HONOURS OLYMPICS 4x400M relay 1,500M 1,500M 1,500M 1,500M Bronze Silver Gold Age WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013 Moscow 2015 Beijing 2015 Beijing 23 years TOP HONOURS Heptathlon 100M 200M 100M 100M Gold Bronze Age 3,000M ALMAZ AYANA (ETH) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013 Moscow 2015 Beijng 24 years TOP HONOURS 5,000M 5,000M OMAR MCLEOD(JAM) Gold Age WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS TOP HONOURS 2016 Portland 22 years 110M HURDLES 110M HURDLES 60M PIOTR MALACHOWSKI(POL) Age Gold Silver Silver Silver Age Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Silver Silver Silver WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 32 years 2015 Beijing 2013 Moscow 2009 Berlin 2008 Beijing 3,000M STEEPLECHASE 3,000M STEEPLECHASE KEMBOI (KEN) TOP HONOURS 33 years 2004 Athens 2012 London 2009 Berlin 2011 Daegu 2013 Moscow 2015 Beijing 2003 Paris 2005 Helsinki 2007 Osaka WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OLYMPICS DISCUS THROW DISCUS THROW TOP HONOURS OLYMPICS EZEKIEL 3,000M steeplechase 3,000M steeplechase 3,000M steeplechase 3,000M steeplechase 3,000M steeplechase 3,000M steeplechase 3,000M steeplechase 3,000M steeplechase 3,000M steeplechase Discus throw Discus throw Discus throw Discus throw OMAR MCLEOD (JAM) 110M HURDLES

Age 22 years TOP HONOURS WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Gold 2016 Portland 60M

EZEKIEL KEMBOI (KEN) 3,000M STEEPLECHASE

Age 33 years TOP HONOURS OLYMPICS ALMAZ AYANA (ETH) Gold 2004 Athens 3,000M steeplechase Gold 2012 London 3,000M steeplechase WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 3,000M Gold 2009 Berlin 3,000M steeplechase Gold 2011 Daegu 3,000M steeplechase Age 24 years Gold 2013 Moscow 3,000M steeplechase TOP HONOURS Gold 2015 Beijing 3,000M steeplechase WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Silver 2003 Paris 3,000M steeplechase Gold 2015 Beijng 5,000M Silver 2005 Helsinki 3,000M steeplechase Bronze 2013 Moscow 5,000M Silver 2007 Osaka 3,000M steeplechase

PIOTR MALACHOWSKI (POL) DISCUS THROW

Age 32 years TOP HONOURS OLYMPICS Silver 2008 Beijing Discus throw WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Gold 2015 Beijing Discus throw Silver 2009 Berlin Discus throw Silver 2013 Moscow Discus throw 22 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 23

Olympics Ĉ COVER STORY

QATARI HEROES SPEAK Nada excited to represent

I took up motor sports first, but shooting is my Qatar for second time passion and I treasure my Olympic medal the Nada Mohammed Wafa Arkaji is thrilled to represent most. When I won bronze at the London Games, it Qatar at the Olympics for the second time. The 21-year- was something I had wanted for 20 years and the old, who debuted at the London Games four years ago, will take part in 100M butterfly at the Rio Games in feeling wasn’t like anything I had experienced. You’re August. representing your country, everyone is supporting “It’s a dream for any athlete to be at the Olympics. you. Rallying is more for me and my team. It’s a personal achievement for me to be once again representing Qatar at the Games,” said Nada, who Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, shooter. competed in 50M freestyle in London. “Competing against some of the best swimmers in the world have definitely boosted my confidence.” She came fourth in heats with a time of 30.89sec, Olympics is the greatest Being the first Qatari woman to which was a new personal best. sports event on earth. represent my country at the Olympics Asked how she balances education and swimming, Rio is going to be my was such a great honour Nada said, “I’m enjoying my life as a student and second Olympics and gives me such swimmer. Education hasn’t affected my training. I still and I’m really excited pride. I want to inspire practise six days a week. It’s a challenge, but I’m loving it,” she said. DSP to go there and a lot of women, represent my country especially from the for a second time. That’s younger generations really big. I’m looking to be the best they Qatar and France forward to it and I want to can be. I encourage go there, perform well and them not to be afraid and drawn into represent my country in the take risks. They should just be confident best way possible. and do what they love. same group The Qatar Olympic Committee, under the effective and highly-inspirational leadership Mutaz Essa Barshim, high jumper. Nada Mohammed Wafa Arkaji, swimmer. LYMPIC and world champi- of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, is gearing up for the Rio Games in earnest. ons France and Qatar, who Ofaced off in the final of the 2015 World Championship in Doha, will meet again in the group stage of Ĉ ĈQatar set to make ninth its various teams and athletes to do well variety of events throughout the year to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. appearance at the on the world stage in earnest. encourage the community to exercise Record Qatari women Both sides are in Group A following quadrennial event HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, and promote the concept of sport for all. the draw held at the Future Arena in a role model in inspiring Qatar’s youth, “This (2016) is a milestone year for the Olympic Park in Barra de Tijuca, the was elected as the QOC’s president last Olympic sports in Qatar and we encour- participants for Brazil home of handball during the Games, Special Correspondent year and the country’s march towards age the whole nation to get behind our last week. greater sports achievement has gained teams as they compete to qualify for Argentina, Croatia, Denmark and further momentum since then. Rio 2016. We’re already very proud of ATAR will send a record num- de Mission to Rio Mohammed Al Tunisia are the other teams in the group Sheikh Joaan is very active in sports our teams and I hope that everyone will ber of female athletes to the Fadala said two female athletes would while Group B consists of Brazil, Euro HEN Qatari athletes march management and he personally oversaw join us by sharing our pride, celebrat- QRio Games, the officials said definitely compete in Brazil and they 2016 winners Germany, Egypt, Sweden, on to the pitch at the Ma- the organisation of the IHF Handball ing our passion for sport and uniting as they unveiled the country’s largest were trying to finalise others. Slovenia and Poland. Wracana Stadium in Rio De World Championship last year in in support of the teams on their jour- ever Olympic squad last week. “It could be more. We hope to get Qatar are being coached by legend- Janeiro for the Opening Ceremony of Doha and also recently attended the ney,” Sheikh Joaan said recently. Four female athletes — swimmer more athletes to go to Rio,” said Al ary Spaniard Valero Rivera. the Olympics on August 5, it will mark 30th meeting of the Chairmen of GCC Secretary General Dr Thani Nada Arakji, sprinter Noor Al Malki, Fadala. Twelve teams in both men’s and the country’s ninth participation at Olympic Committees in Riyadh. He Abdulrahman Al Kuwari also recently table tennis player Aya Majdi and The Rio Olympics will see female women’s categories qualified for the the Games. underlined the significance of the coun- participation hit new heights, with Olympics. Qatar’s journey in the quadrennial try’s participation at the Rio Olympics, around 45 per cent of all athletes set In the women’s section, Olympic, Summer Games started at Los Angeles This is a crucial year for saying, “The Olympic Games are the The Rio Olympics to be women, the highest number world as well as European champi- in 1984, but the country had to wait till pinnacle of every athlete’s career and since the movement began in Athens, ons Norway will compete with hosts Olympic sports in Qatar will see female Xyxyx xyx xyx xyx xyx the Barcelona edition in 1992 to win its qualifying itself needs many years of Greece, in 1,896. This year, around Brazil, Angola, Spain, Montenegro and and we encourage the participation in the xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx first medal — Mohammed Suleiman hard work, dedication and commit- 5,600 women athletes are expected Romania in Group A. nation to back our teams. Games hit new heights. DSP xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx clinching a bronze in the men’s 1,500M. ment. Our athletes are true role mod- to participate. Group B comprises the Netherlands, Qatar drew a blank four years later els for our nation and we hope they’ll Asian Champions South Korea, Argentina, xyx xyx xyx xyx xyx in Atlanta, but won a bronze again in inspire a new generation of heroes to Sweden, Russia and France. DSP 2000 at Sydney through weightlifter Saif also has interests in equestrian sports, follow in their footsteps.” shooter Bahiya Mansour Al Hamad Said Asaad. Then at both Athens (2004) with several of his horses winning top The QOC last week announced the (who was also the flagbearer) had BOUND FOR RIO and Beijing (2008), they failed to figure competitions around the world. He was list of athletes who have qualified for represented Qatar at the London List of Qatari athletes qualified for the in the medals tally. However, in 2012, also conferred with the ‘CSR Person of the Rio Olympics. Games in 2012. Rio Olympics so far. the Gulf nation won two bronze med- the Year 2015’ by the Qatar University Qatar’s iconic sportsman Nasser will Qatar’s senior officials said they Mutaz Essa Barshim als — shooter Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah last December. once again spearhead the country’s hoped to improve on that figure in Mohammed Al Garni Ashraf Amjad Mohammed ATHLETICS and high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim Sports forms a top priority in Qatar’s challenge at Rio. Nasser, who won a Brazil. Abduelah Haroun making it to the podium. National Vision 2030, which reflects bronze in skeet shooting at London, “I think the number will increase,” Femi Seun Ogunode But Qatar’s stature in the world of the great interest paid by the country will return for his sixth consecutive said Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary Musaab Abdulrahman Balla sports has grown much bigger than to the comprehensive and sustainable Olympic Games and is keen to improve General Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Ali Al Rumaihi Kuwari Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani the four bronze medals they have in development of the society. No won- upon his 2012 mark. Mutaz, who in . “This year we’ll have more Khalid Al Emadi EQUESTRIANISM their kitty so far. Doha has become a der, the QOC, under the astute leader- 2014 was just 2cm away from Cuban than before. Women are now train- Faleh Al Ajmi major sports hub in the world and the ship of Sheikh Joaan, focuses a lot on Javier Sotomayor’s 23-year-old world ing to be leaders in athletics.” Bassem Hassan spotlight is firmly on the country ever increasing the participation of commu- record, is another strong gold medal London was the first Olympics Hamad Al Attiyah since it won the right to host the 2022 nities in sport, improving the planning hope for Qatar. where Qatar sent female ath- HANDBALL Men’s team Noah Al Khulaifi SWIMMING FIFA World Cup. It has also put Qatar of public and specialised sports facil- The country will also pin its hopes letes, the eighth Games in which Nada Mohammed Wafa Arakji under some pressure to perform and ities, and intensifying the process of on the Men’s Handball team, which the country had competed. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah SHOOTING the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) building and management of talents. won the 2015 World Championship With qualification in some Rashid Hamad Al Athba šĈHE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani has taken up the challenge of preparing The QOC is as keen as ever to organise silver medal. DSP events continuing, Qatar’s Chef TABLE TENNIS Li Ping Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 23

QATARI HEROES SPEAK Nada excited to represent

Mutaz Essa Barshim, high jumper. Nada Mohammed Wafa Arkaji, swimmer. LYMPIC and world champions France and Qatar, who Ofaced off in the final of the 2015 World Championship in Doha, will meet again in the group stage of variety of events throughout the year to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. encourage the community to exercise Record Qatari women Both sides are in Group A following and promote the concept of sport for all. the draw held at the Future Arena in “This (2016) is a milestone year for the Olympic Park in Barra de Tijuca, the Olympic sports in Qatar and we encour- participants for Brazil home of handball during the Games, age the whole nation to get behind our last week. teams as they compete to qualify for Argentina, Croatia, Denmark and Rio 2016. We’re already very proud of ATAR will send a record num- de Mission to Rio Mohammed Al Tunisia are the other teams in the group our teams and I hope that everyone will ber of female athletes to the Fadala said two female athletes would while Group B consists of Brazil, Euro join us by sharing our pride, celebrat- QRio Games, the officials said definitely compete in Brazil and they 2016 winners Germany, Egypt, Sweden, ing our passion for sport and uniting as they unveiled the country’s largest were trying to finalise others. Slovenia and Poland. in support of the teams on their jour- ever Olympic squad last week. “It could be more. We hope to get Qatar are being coached by legend- ney,” Sheikh Joaan said recently. Four female athletes — swimmer more athletes to go to Rio,” said Al ary Spaniard Valero Rivera. Secretary General Dr Thani Nada Arakji, sprinter Noor Al Malki, Fadala. Twelve teams in both men’s and Abdulrahman Al Kuwari also recently table tennis player Aya Majdi and The Rio Olympics will see female women’s categories qualified for the underlined the significance of the coun- participation hit new heights, with Olympics. try’s participation at the Rio Olympics, around 45 per cent of all athletes set In the women’s section, Olympic, saying, “The Olympic Games are the The Rio Olympics to be women, the highest number world as well as European champi- pinnacle of every athlete’s career and since the movement began in Athens, ons Norway will compete with hosts qualifying itself needs many years of will see female Greece, in 1,896. This year, around Brazil, Angola, Spain, Montenegro and hard work, dedication and commit- participation in the 5,600 women athletes are expected Romania in Group A. ment. Our athletes are true role mod- Games hit new heights. to participate. DSP Group B comprises the Netherlands, els for our nation and we hope they’ll Asian Champions South Korea, Argentina, inspire a new generation of heroes to Sweden, Russia and France. DSP follow in their footsteps.” shooter Bahiya Mansour Al Hamad The QOC last week announced the (who was also the flagbearer) had BOUND FOR RIO list of athletes who have qualified for represented Qatar at the London List of Qatari athletes qualified for the the Rio Olympics. Games in 2012. Rio Olympics so far. Qatar’s iconic sportsman Nasser will Qatar’s senior officials said they Mutaz Essa Barshim once again spearhead the country’s hoped to improve on that figure in Mohammed Al Garni Ashraf Amjad Mohammed ATHLETICS challenge at Rio. Nasser, who won a Brazil. Abduelah Haroun bronze in skeet shooting at London, “I think the number will increase,” Femi Seun Ogunode will return for his sixth consecutive said Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary Musaab Abdulrahman Balla Olympic Games and is keen to improve General Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Ali Al Rumaihi Kuwari Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani upon his 2012 mark. Mutaz, who in . “This year we’ll have more Khalid Al Emadi EQUESTRIANISM 2014 was just 2cm away from Cuban than before. Women are now train- Faleh Al Ajmi Javier Sotomayor’s 23-year-old world ing to be leaders in athletics.” Bassem Hassan record, is another strong gold medal London was the first Olympics Hamad Al Attiyah hope for Qatar. where Qatar sent female ath- HANDBALL Men’s team Noah Al Khulaifi SWIMMING The country will also pin its hopes letes, the eighth Games in which Nada Mohammed Wafa Arakji on the Men’s Handball team, which the country had competed. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah SHOOTING won the 2015 World Championship With qualification in some Rashid Hamad Al Athba silver medal. DSP events continuing, Qatar’s Chef TABLE TENNIS Li Ping 24 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 25

It was a tight match. Jaish were too strong. They had two Chinese professional players Li Ping and Yan An. We just couldn’t match them. Table tennis Ferenc Fischer, Al Sadd coach.

Semifinal defeat big blow to Sadd

OLDERS Al Sadd could not live up to the expectations and Hwere defeated by El Jaish 3-1 in the Emir’s Cup semifinal last week. Qatar Sports Club defeated last year’s runners-up Al Arabi, also by an identical margin, in the other last-four match. The defeat was a big blow to Sadd, CLARION CALL the tournament’s most successful side Former Qatar Under-15 coach Yan Hong Jun, who now manages the El Jaish senior team, talks about with four titles to their credit. “It was a tight match. Jaish were the importance of developing young players and need for a change in the attitude towards the sport. too strong. They had Chinese professional players Li Ping and Yan An. We just couldn’t match them,” Sadd’s ЃЂI’m just a coach. It’s up to the Qatar Hungarian coach Ferenc Fischer told DSP/Mohan EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Table Tennis Association (QTTA) to decide Doha Stadium Plus. on who should train the wards. Ranked 18th in the world, Yan easily dispatched Ahmed Al Awlaqi 11-3, ЂЂAl Sanadi, Al Najjar and 11-5, 11-6 in the opening game while Li Mohammad Amin-ul Islam Mohammed Abdulwahab had overcame Wang Hao 11-9, 10-12, 12-10, done well recently at the ITTF 11-8 to give the Armymen a strong start. cadet and junior events, but they “I think Jaish are the best team this continue to struggle at the top season. They’ve won the league and L JAISH’s Chinese coach Yan Hong level... Qatar Cup. It was difficult to stop them,” Jun is a renowned name in the ЃЂAl Sanadi, Al Najjar and Abdulwahab ššMembers of the El Jaish team with Khaleel Ahmed Al Mohannadi, right, and other QTTA officials on the podium. Fischer added. Esport. During his stint as the Qatar are outstanding talents. I’ve had handled Though Abdulrahman Al Najjar Under-15 coach, he had played a key them and taught them the best techniques brought Sadd back into the game role in developing youngsters, like Jassim when I was the Under-15 coach. They later when he defeated Ahmed Khaleel Al Al Sanadi and Abdulrahman Al Najjar. joined the ASPIRE Academy. Mohannadi 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 14-12, Yan In an exclusive interview with Doha El Jaish sweep domestic titles wrapped up the best-of-five-game tie Stadium Plus, Yan exuded confidence ЂЂDo you think hosting a World with a clinical 11-8, 12-10, 11-5, 11-5 that Qatar could produce a lot of good Championship can help develop victory against Wang. players if a proper system was in place. the sport? L JAISH won the Emir’s Cup deciding game against Abdulwahab represent Qatar at the forthcoming “We’ll try to do well in the next season. He welcomed international tournaments ЃЂIt’s always good to have international for the first time, beating Qatar and that gave me a lot of satisfaction,” Rio Olympics, blanked Al Saadi 11-5, Let’s hope for the best,” said Fischer. DSP and said it was necessary to build a pool competitions. There’s no doubt about it. ESports Club 3-0 at the Al Arabi Ahmed told Doha Stadium Plus. 11-4, 11-3 while Jaish captain Ahmed of talented players. But the QTTA must also create a pool of Indoor Hall last Sunday. Jaish’s world No.18 Yan set the ball had it easy against Abdulwahab 11-7, extremely-talented players. It must intro- The triumph capped a memorable rolling with a 11-5, 11-6, 11-13, 14-12 11-6, 12-10 to shut out Qatar SC’s fee- ЂЂDo you think the presence of spect why and how other nations are pro- season for the Armymen, who had ear- ble challenge. Chinese players in local tourna- lier won the league as well as singles Meanwhile, Qatar Table Tennis ments will develop the sport? and doubles titles at the Qatar Cup. Association chief Khaleel Ahmed Al Ѓ We’re delighted to have ЂIn Qatar, almost all sports, including The parents aren’t that Ahmed Khaleel Al Mohannadi led Mohannadi said it planned to send football, basketball and handball, fea- Jaish’s charge. They were also served won our maiden Emir’s Li to training camps in Germany and ture overseas players. Table tennis clubs serious about sending well by Yan An and Li Ping while Qatar Cup. I hope we sustain China. also follow the same and there’s nothing their children to table SC were represented by Chen Hao, the momentum. “It’s a great honour for Qatar that Li wrong in it. Having foreign players, mainly tennis coaching. Mohammed Al Saadi and Mohammed will be the only player from the Gulf Chinese, can definitely boost the confi- Abdulwahab. region competing in this year’s Olympic dence of Qatari players. They can prac- “We’re delighted to have won our win against compatriot Chen in the Games. We’re planning to organise tise together with technically far superior ducing players while it’s lagging behind. maiden Emir’s Cup. We made history first game. He made his intentions camps for him in Germany and China. Chinese and help them improve their game. Having a set of good players at your dis- by making a clean sweep of domestic clear by racing to a 2-0 lead in just If he gets lucky in the draws, I think

posal is the most important thing. That titles this season. I hope we sustain 16 minutes. he’ll go far and we can expect a medal,” DSP/Mohan ЂЂWhat future do you see for should be the priority. the momentum next year. I won the In the second match, Li, who will said Al Mohannadi. DSP ššYan An Qatar table tennis? ЃЂI’ve been in Doha for more than 10 ЂЂEl Jaish have won four titles, years now. The main drawback that I’ve including their maiden Emir’s observed is there’s no support from fami- Cup, this season. What’s the secret lies. The kids are interested only in studies of your success? Made in China for rest of the world! as most of them think playing the sport ЃЂI took over Jaish in 2012. I’m really happy doesn’t given them a chance for a bright I could lead them to their maiden title. N CHINA, the competition for national Qatar at the Rio Olympics in August, teams wanted to excel, they must have future. Hence, the parents aren’t that seri- It was an eventful season for the team. team berth is so fierce that some of understands the situation well. their own players as well. ous about sending their children to table We really played well. I also congratu- Ithe best players in the world find “This is a common picture. There’re “If they want to build a strong squad, tennis. late the team management. It couldn’t themselves out of the team. a lot of Chinese talents and the com- they should develop local players,” said In China, if you play the sport well, you have been possible had it not been for Hence, some top players, who dream petition is intense. Some find it hard to the world No.28. can get admission in top colleges and its support. Right from the start of this of becoming world champions, opt earn a national berth. In order to real- After moving to Qatar last year, Li universities on sports quota. I strongly season, we ensured that we’ve a strong to play for other countries. This has ise their dreams, they represent other won the singles title at the GAC Group feel the system needs to change here squad. become a common practice now. countries,” said Li, who won a mixed ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk, too. Young players must not feel out of By hiring Chinese professionals as Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, Wang Yuegu doubles gold with Cao Zhen for China beating Germany’s Ruwen Filus 11-5, place just because they play some sport. well as retaining experienced player and Li Jiawei are some Chinese play- at the 2009 World Championships in 11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9 and become like Khaleel Ahmed Al Mohannadi, we ers who changed their nationality in Yokohama, Japan. the first Chinese player representing ЂЂCroat Jakov Krivic is the current were a difficult side to beat. I wish the recent years and they had even defeated The 30-year-old said that having a Gulf stage to secure such an acco- national coach. Do you think hav- team maintains consistency in all future China in the women’s finals at the 2010 Chinese players in their teams could lade. DSP

DSP/Mohan ing a Chinese at the helm will help competitions, particularly at the GCC DSP/Mohan World Team Championships in Moscow. help countries develop and promote š šЂYan Hong Jun Qatar? and Arab tournaments. DSP šLi Ping El Jaish’s Li Ping, who will represent the game. However, he felt that if such » [email protected] Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 25

It was a tight match. Jaish were too strong. They had two Chinese professional players Li Ping and Yan An. We just couldn’t match them. Ferenc Fischer, Al Sadd coach.

Semifinal defeat big blow to Sadd

titles this season. I hope we sustain 16 minutes. he’ll go far and we can expect a medal,” DSP/Mohan the momentum next year. I won the In the second match, Li, who will said Al Mohannadi. DSP ššYan An Made in China for rest of the world!

N CHINA, the competition for national Qatar at the Rio Olympics in August, teams wanted to excel, they must have team berth is so fierce that some of understands the situation well. their own players as well. Ithe best players in the world find “This is a common picture. There’re “If they want to build a strong squad, themselves out of the team. a lot of Chinese talents and the com- they should develop local players,” said Hence, some top players, who dream petition is intense. Some find it hard to the world No.28. of becoming world champions, opt earn a national berth. In order to real- After moving to Qatar last year, Li to play for other countries. This has ise their dreams, they represent other won the singles title at the GAC Group become a common practice now. countries,” said Li, who won a mixed ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk, Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, Wang Yuegu doubles gold with Cao Zhen for China beating Germany’s Ruwen Filus 11-5, and Li Jiawei are some Chinese play- at the 2009 World Championships in 11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9 and become ers who changed their nationality in Yokohama, Japan. the first Chinese player representing recent years and they had even defeated The 30-year-old said that having a Gulf stage to secure such an acco- China in the women’s finals at the 2010 Chinese players in their teams could lade. DSP

DSP/Mohan World Team Championships in Moscow. help countries develop and promote š šLi Ping El Jaish’s Li Ping, who will represent the game. However, he felt that if such » [email protected] 26 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 27 At a glance

FOCUS ON ASPIRE BEACH VOLLEYBALL 66 talented youngsters Stars Team emerge champions welcomed OLDERS Stars Team showed worked hard as a team and that helped HE ASPIRE Academy organised impeccable resilience to defeat Notorious DIG defeated us triumph for the second straight time,” its annual Scholarship Ceremony HQatar University 1 2-0, in the Khallouf told Doha Stadium Plus. Hyper Spikers to Tlast week to welcome 66 talented final and retain the title in the Aspire Notorious DIG’s Diana Janicsek said, youngsters, who will embark on an Tournament at the Aspire Zone last emerge winners in the “It was really windy which made it a audacious six-year journey that could week. Voliq beat Qatar University 2 women’s category. bit difficult. Hyper Spikers are my old change their lives forever. 1-0 to finish third. team, so I had mixed emotions while More than 200 people, including Meanwhile, Notorious DIG defeated beating them.” Director General Ivan Bravo, Deputy Hyper Spikers 2-0 to triumph in the happy with the triumph. The event, organised by the Aspire Director General Ali Salem Afifa, offi- women’s category. Spiker Girls beat “ We played really well. We remained Zone Foundation, offered amateur play- cials from the academy as well as feder- Raglimo 1-0 to come third. focused throughout the tournament. ers an opportunity to showcase their ations, teachers and parents, attended Stars Team’s Abdulaziz Khallouf was It feels great to have lifted the cup. We skills in a fun atmosphere. DSP ššThe victorious Stars Team members.

the ceremony. DSP/Mohan “We’re part of a huge society and ššKhalid Ali Al Mawlawi, right, presents the trophy to Al Rayyan team members. we’ve always been very keen to promote both sports and education with VOLLEYBALL equal importance. We’ve brilliant pro- Itorio races to impressive fessionals who specialise in the field of sports, aviation, medicine and sci- start-to-finish victory ence. Students with recognised potential have been selected to join us and they’ll be able to develop personal- PORTING the silks of Khalifa bin ity, performance, attitude, teamwork Sheail Al Kuwari, Itorio (Oratorio- Mohammed Jassim Al and much more through the activi- SImage Of) went on a successful ties they’re about to indulge in over Rayyan triumph start-to-finish mission while reigning Ghazali-trained Itorio the next years,” said Afifa. supreme at the Al Gharafa Cup, a Thor- was brilliantly ridden Mohammed Madar, a national team Man of the final Wilfredo Leon Venoro leads from the front as Rayyan oughbred Handicap for horses rated by Marvin Suerland. squash player who now pursues Civil 85 and above at the Qatar Racing and Engineering at the Qatar University, edge El Jaish in a five-set thriller to lift the Qatar Cup. Equestrian Club last week. said, “I graduated from the academy Mohammed Jassim Al Ghazali-trained final furlong to win by seven lengths. in 2006 after spending six wonderful Itorio was ridden by Marvin Suerland. Stablemate Sahara Sand was second years. The academy concentrates on on their experience to pull off the decid- ššAl Shaqab Racing Consultant Harry Herbert, right, General Manager Khalifa bin Mohammed Beach Samba finished second ahead ahead of AJS Mezna and Mannaa Al N Ganesh Al Attiyah, second right, and Frankie Dettori celebrate the triumph. everything, not just sports, with experts The triumph should ing set and match. of Crescent and Skate. Naif. The winner clocked a time of 1min, ready to help students anytime, any- Rayyan collected the trophy and win- Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Gannas (AF 19.62sec for the six-furlong trip. where.” taste sweeter for Rayyan, ners’ purse of QR300,000 from Qatar HORSERACING Albahar-Karreema) put up an impres- Al Murqab Stud’s Soebroto Director of Football Roberto Olabe having narrowly lost the Volleyball Association President Khalid sive display while shedding his maiden (Henrythenavigator-Antoniette) was said, “We’re a big family, we spend a lot L RAYYAN won their first title league title to Al Arabi. Ali Al Mawlawi while Jaish bagged status with an emphatic victory in the a comfortable winner of the Class 6 of time with our children. It’s an inevi- of the season when they beat QR150,000. three-year-old Purebred Arabian Maiden Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, run over table road to success. It’s our objective AEl Jaish in the Qatar Cup final Arbutina said, “It was a very interest- Al Shaqab’s Galileo Plate. a mile. and responsibility to develop champi- last week. another upset when they took the first ing final with a lot of stars present. My Mohanad Al Yaqout-saddled AJS Soebroto kept at bay the challenge ons be it in sport or life.” In a five-set thriller at the Ali bin set. However, Rayyan quickly regained players did well, especially in block and Gannas (Brett Doyle up) led all the way of Atlantic Sea and won by one-and- A discussion involving graduates, Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, GCC cham- composure and won the next two sets defence. I’m proud of them for the way Gold steals spotlight and drew away from the field in the a-half lengths. DSP students and various directors of the pions Rayyan came from a set behind to rather easily. Igor Arbutina’s men paid they handled the situation. We were academy and a separate question-and- defeat Jaish 21-25, 25-14, 25-17, 32-34, the price for letting the rivals off the close to defeat, but our boys played RESULTS answer session in order to build a closer 18-16. hook in the fourth set, but they relied superbly and snatched victory.” DSP L SHAQAB Racing’s Galileo home. He galloped out WEDNESDAY THURSDAY relationship between the parents and The triumph should taste sweeter Gold triumphed in the QIPCO really strong and did ŢšFrankie Dettori Asaaf (Evert Pheiff er) 1, Al Adaam 2, Al Ashqar AJS Gannas (Brett Doyle) 1, Sahara Sand 2, AJS rides Galileo to 3, Hamza 4. Won by: 3 1/2, 10, 3. Time: 1:58.14. Mezna 3, Mannaa Al Naif 4. Won by: 7, 5. Shd. faculty members were also held. DSP for the Lions, having narrowly lost the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket it really well,” said Race 1 A Trained by: Zuhair Mohsen. Owned by: Ali Time: 1:19.62. Trained by: Mohannad Al Yaqout. ŢšAl Rayyan’s Wilfredo Leon Venoro blocks a smash by El Jaish’s Robertlandy Simon. victory. league title recently to arch-rivals Al in England last week. Dettori. Khalfan Mohammed Ali Sheban Al Suwaidi. Owned by: Al Jeryan Stud. Broadway Icon (Yanis Aouabed) 1, Rose Arabi. Frankie Dettori-ridden Galileo Gold Al Shaqab Racing Soebroto (Marvin Suerland) 1, Atlantic Sea 2, Zafonic 2, Atori 3, Habob 4. Won by: Nk, 6, 1/2. Neutron Bomb 3, Wailess 4. Won by: 1 ½, 3, ¾. Injury to in-form Russian Dmitriy accelerated decisively at the 400M post General Manager Khalifa Race 2 Time: 1:55.22. Trained by: Hamad Ahmed Al Time: 1:37.01. Trained by: Zuhair Mohsen. Owned Ilinykh ahead of the final seemed to and left his rivals behind. bin Mohammed Al Attiyah Jehani. Owned by: Ahmed Hassan Al Malki by: Al Murqab Stud. dampen Rayyan’s morale, but his replace- The success was the first one for the expressed happiness. Al Jehani. Al Fouz (Richard Mullen) 1, Muthmerah 2, AJS Daryan Al Naif (Marvin Suerland) 1, Rawaa 2, ment Wilfredo Leon Venoro rose to the Qatari silks of Al Shaqab Racing in a “Galileo Gold wasn’t the Al Zubara 3, Al Doctor 4. Won by: 1 1/2, Hd, Al Rafeaa 3, Kasser 4. Won by: 2 ½, 1 ¾, 5. Time: Race 3 occasion and led from the front. In hind- European classic race. top favourite. He had to defy Shd. Time: 1:20.39. Trained by: Jassim Ghazali. 2:04.44. Trained by: Yousef Bentahar. Owned by: sight, his all-round game made a telling odds with other odds-on favour- Owned by: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Ahmed Al Thani. Nu Form Fire (Darren Williams) 1, Cueca 2, Half French Encore (Stephan Ladjadj) 1, Astley Hall 2, impact. The Cuban-Polish player was ites. Pressure was already there on Turn 3, Izghawa 4. Won by: Nk, Shd, 1. Time: Black Beach 3, 4. Shaka Zulu 3. Won by: 2, ¾, 1. Race 4 adjudged man of the final and bagged us at Al Shaqab Racing team. We 1:11.43. Trained by: Hadi Al Ramzani. Owned by: Time: 1:09.73. Owned by: Hassan Ali Abdulmalik. We were looking forward Al Zekreet Racing. Trained by: Deborah Mountain. a cash prize of QR2,000. were looking forward to winning to winning this title Al Khattaf (JP Guillambert) 1, AJS Buraq 2, Kalahari Kingdom (Brett Doyle) 1, Polaris 2, Step Season-opening QVA Cup winners this title and confirming our com- Bahia Du Barthas 3, Abeah 4. Won by: 3, 2, To The Shears 3, Alpha Bravo 4. Won by: Nk, ½, Hd. Jaish, who stunned mighty Arabi on and confirming our mitment to continue victories at Race 5 Shd. Time: 1:18.01. Trained by: Jassim Ghazali. Time: 1:10.85. Owned by: Sheikha Rowdha bint Owned by: Abdullah Mohammed Al Kuwari Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani. Trained by: Mohamed their way to the final, raised hopes of commitment. Europe’s premier racecourses,” Sons. Jassim Al Ghazali. said Al Attiyah. Makinson Lane (Yanis Aouabed) 1, One More Courtofversailles (Darren Williams) 1, Sunley “That’s why our happiness is so Roman 2, Dardawan 3, Poyle Judy 4. Won by: Pride 2, The Smart One 3, Topsy Turvy 4. Won by: RESULTS Race 6 3, 1/2, 2 1/2. Time: 1:54.07. Trained by: Hamad Nk, 2 ½, Shd. Time: 1:52.93. Trained by: Rashid Al Dettori, winning his third 2,000 great to win this race. We hope to Ahmed Al Jehani. Owned by: Ahmed Hassan Jehani. Owned by: Khalid Rashid Al Qashash Al QATAR CUP FINAL Al Malki Al Jehani. Mohannadi. Al Rayyan bt El Jaish 21-25, 25-14, 25-17, 32-34, 18-16 Guineas, said, “It was brilliant. I had continue such victories and add Istibdad (Richard Mullen) 1, Mutazz EMIR’S CUP FIRST ROUND a lot of faith in this horse and knew he more titles, especially as there Itorio (Marvin Suerland) 1, Beach Samba 2, (Tadgh O’Shea) 2, Zameer 3, 4. Samjida (JP Crescent 3, Skate 4. Won by: ¾, Nk, Nk. Time: Qatar SC by Al Khor 25-19, 25-12, 27-25 would be in the first three. My main are plans for Galileo Gold to run Race 7 Guillambert). Won by: 7, 3 1/2, 3 1/2. Time: 1:34.75. Trained by: Mohamed Jassim Al Ghazali. Al Shamal bt Al Ahli 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23 1:15.68. Trained by: Jassim Al Ghazali. Owned thought was he stays very well and I in several world-class races this Owned by: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari. ššAli Salem Afifa Al Sadd bt Al Wakrah 25-13, 25-14, 25-16 wanted to be the first to make my way season,” he added. by: Injaaz Stud. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 27

BEACH VOLLEYBALL Stars Team emerge champions

OLDERS Stars Team showed worked hard as a team and that helped impeccable resilience to defeat Notorious DIG defeated us triumph for the second straight time,” HQatar University 1 2-0, in the Khallouf told Doha Stadium Plus. final and retain the title in the Aspire Hyper Spikers to Notorious DIG’s Diana Janicsek said, Tournament at the Aspire Zone last emerge winners in the “It was really windy which made it a week. Voliq beat Qatar University 2 women’s category. bit difficult. Hyper Spikers are my old 1-0 to finish third. team, so I had mixed emotions while Meanwhile, Notorious DIG defeated beating them.” Hyper Spikers 2-0 to triumph in the happy with the triumph. The event, organised by the Aspire women’s category. Spiker Girls beat “ We played really well. We remained Zone Foundation, offered amateur play- Raglimo 1-0 to come third. focused throughout the tournament. ers an opportunity to showcase their Stars Team’s Abdulaziz Khallouf was It feels great to have lifted the cup. We skills in a fun atmosphere. DSP ššThe victorious Stars Team members. Itorio races to impressive start-to-finish victory

PORTING the silks of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, Itorio (Oratorio- Mohammed Jassim Al SImage Of) went on a successful start-to-finish mission while reigning Ghazali-trained Itorio supreme at the Al Gharafa Cup, a Thor- was brilliantly ridden oughbred Handicap for horses rated by Marvin Suerland. 85 and above at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club last week. Mohammed Jassim Al Ghazali-trained final furlong to win by seven lengths. Itorio was ridden by Marvin Suerland. Stablemate Sahara Sand was second ššAl Shaqab Racing Consultant Harry Herbert, right, General Manager Khalifa bin Mohammed Beach Samba finished second ahead ahead of AJS Mezna and Mannaa Al Al Attiyah, second right, and Frankie Dettori celebrate the triumph. of Crescent and Skate. Naif. The winner clocked a time of 1min, Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Gannas (AF 19.62sec for the six-furlong trip. HORSERACING Albahar-Karreema) put up an impres- Al Murqab Stud’s Soebroto sive display while shedding his maiden (Henrythenavigator-Antoniette) was status with an emphatic victory in the a comfortable winner of the Class 6 three-year-old Purebred Arabian Maiden Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, run over Al Shaqab’s Galileo Plate. a mile. Mohanad Al Yaqout-saddled AJS Soebroto kept at bay the challenge Gannas (Brett Doyle up) led all the way of Atlantic Sea and won by one-and- Gold steals spotlight and drew away from the field in the a-half lengths. DSP

RESULTS L SHAQAB Racing’s Galileo home. He galloped out WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Gold triumphed in the QIPCO really strong and did ŢšFrankie Dettori Asaaf (Evert Pheiff er) 1, Al Adaam 2, Al Ashqar AJS Gannas (Brett Doyle) 1, Sahara Sand 2, AJS rides Galileo to 3, Hamza 4. Won by: 3 1/2, 10, 3. Time: 1:58.14. Mezna 3, Mannaa Al Naif 4. Won by: 7, 5. Shd. 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket it really well,” said Race 1 A Trained by: Zuhair Mohsen. Owned by: Ali Time: 1:19.62. Trained by: Mohannad Al Yaqout. victory. in England last week. Dettori. Khalfan Mohammed Ali Sheban Al Suwaidi. Owned by: Al Jeryan Stud. Broadway Icon (Yanis Aouabed) 1, Rose Frankie Dettori-ridden Galileo Gold Al Shaqab Racing Soebroto (Marvin Suerland) 1, Atlantic Sea 2, Zafonic 2, Atori 3, Habob 4. Won by: Nk, 6, 1/2. Neutron Bomb 3, Wailess 4. Won by: 1 ½, 3, ¾. accelerated decisively at the 400M post General Manager Khalifa Race 2 Time: 1:55.22. Trained by: Hamad Ahmed Al Time: 1:37.01. Trained by: Zuhair Mohsen. Owned and left his rivals behind. bin Mohammed Al Attiyah Jehani. Owned by: Ahmed Hassan Al Malki by: Al Murqab Stud. The success was the first one for the expressed happiness. Al Jehani. Al Fouz (Richard Mullen) 1, Muthmerah 2, AJS Daryan Al Naif (Marvin Suerland) 1, Rawaa 2, Qatari silks of Al Shaqab Racing in a “Galileo Gold wasn’t the Al Zubara 3, Al Doctor 4. Won by: 1 1/2, Hd, Al Rafeaa 3, Kasser 4. Won by: 2 ½, 1 ¾, 5. Time: Race 3 European classic race. top favourite. He had to defy Shd. Time: 1:20.39. Trained by: Jassim Ghazali. 2:04.44. Trained by: Yousef Bentahar. Owned by: odds with other odds-on favour- Owned by: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Ahmed Al Thani. Nu Form Fire (Darren Williams) 1, Cueca 2, Half French Encore (Stephan Ladjadj) 1, Astley Hall 2, ites. Pressure was already there on Turn 3, Izghawa 4. Won by: Nk, Shd, 1. Time: Black Beach 3, 4. Shaka Zulu 3. Won by: 2, ¾, 1. Race 4 us at Al Shaqab Racing team. We 1:11.43. Trained by: Hadi Al Ramzani. Owned by: Time: 1:09.73. Owned by: Hassan Ali Abdulmalik. We were looking forward Al Zekreet Racing. Trained by: Deborah Mountain. were looking forward to winning to winning this title Al Khattaf (JP Guillambert) 1, AJS Buraq 2, Kalahari Kingdom (Brett Doyle) 1, Polaris 2, Step this title and confirming our com- Bahia Du Barthas 3, Abeah 4. Won by: 3, 2, To The Shears 3, Alpha Bravo 4. Won by: Nk, ½, Hd. and confirming our mitment to continue victories at Race 5 Shd. Time: 1:18.01. Trained by: Jassim Ghazali. Time: 1:10.85. Owned by: Sheikha Rowdha bint Owned by: Abdullah Mohammed Al Kuwari Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani. Trained by: Mohamed commitment. Europe’s premier racecourses,” Sons. Jassim Al Ghazali. said Al Attiyah. Makinson Lane (Yanis Aouabed) 1, One More Courtofversailles (Darren Williams) 1, Sunley “That’s why our happiness is so Roman 2, Dardawan 3, Poyle Judy 4. Won by: Pride 2, The Smart One 3, Topsy Turvy 4. Won by: Race 6 3, 1/2, 2 1/2. Time: 1:54.07. Trained by: Hamad Nk, 2 ½, Shd. Time: 1:52.93. Trained by: Rashid Al Dettori, winning his third 2,000 great to win this race. We hope to Ahmed Al Jehani. Owned by: Ahmed Hassan Jehani. Owned by: Khalid Rashid Al Qashash Al Guineas, said, “It was brilliant. I had continue such victories and add Al Malki Al Jehani. Mohannadi. Istibdad (Richard Mullen) 1, Mutazz a lot of faith in this horse and knew he more titles, especially as there Itorio (Marvin Suerland) 1, Beach Samba 2, (Tadgh O’Shea) 2, Zameer 3, 4. Samjida (JP Crescent 3, Skate 4. Won by: ¾, Nk, Nk. Time: would be in the first three. My main are plans for Galileo Gold to run Race 7 Guillambert). Won by: 7, 3 1/2, 3 1/2. Time: 1:34.75. Trained by: Mohamed Jassim Al Ghazali. 1:15.68. Trained by: Jassim Al Ghazali. Owned thought was he stays very well and I in several world-class races this Owned by: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari. wanted to be the first to make my way season,” he added. by: Injaaz Stud. 28 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 29 At a glance

HANDBALL SWIMMING Open water event proves a big hit

HE Open Water Championship turned out to be a huge success, GENERAL Twith as many as 200 swimmers taking part in the competition at the Doha Corniche last week. Seminar on The event was held in 18-25, 26-30, Jaish champions Intl Sports 31-35, 36-40, 41-45 and 46-50 age-group categories. Armymen complete a double as they defeat Lekhwiya in the final to win the Qatar Cup. Arbitration Qatar Swimming Association President Khaleel Al Jabir, General Secretary Ali on May 10 ššParticipants at the World Rugby Level 1 Course. Al Jabir and Board member Ahmad Al L JAISH claimed the Qatar Cup Neama attended the event. DSP by defeating Lekhwiya 27-23 in HE Qatar Olympic Academy, in RUGBY Ethe final at the Qatar Handball co-operation with the Court of Association Complex in Duhail last week. TArbitration for Sport (CAS), will It was Jaish’s second title of the sea- organise the “Seminar of International GYMNASTICS son after their league triumph. Sports Arbitration” at its premises on QRF hosts referee course Jaish overcame Al Rayyan 31-27 while May 10. QGF condoles Lekhwiya beat Al Gharafa 26-19 in the At the seminar, experts will shed light semifinals. on the importance of arbitration in sport, Seif’s death highlight legal procedures at FIFA and Mohammad Amin-ul Islam The Armymen dominated the match It’s important to foster and went into the interval with a 15-9 speak about the jurisprudence of CAS HE Qatar Gymnastics Federation lead. Lekhwiya did try their best to hit in football-related matters. local players and keep (QGF) condoled the passing back, but the Jaish defence stood firm. Matthieu Reeb (CAS Secretary General), them in the game once Taway of international gymnastics Goalkeeper Darko Stanic had a great Dr Jan Kleiner (lecturer of international HE Qatar Rugby Federation (QRF) they retire from sport. federation (FIG) Executive Committee match and denied the Asian champi- sports law at the University of Zurich), organised the World Rugby Level member and Arab Gymnastics Federa- ons many scoring opportunities. Dr Abdullah Al Hayyan (a member of T1 Officiating Course. ASPIRE tion President Lekhwiya matched Jaish shot for shot the International Court of Arbitration Academy officials as well as players and keep them in the game once they Seif Abu Adel, for Sport) and Michele Bernasconi (teach- of Camels 1 and 2 teams attended it. retire from active sport. We’re focusing who died last ing assistant at the University of Zurich) “The QRF had requested Asia Rugby on educating Qatari players in differ- week of a heart are the speakers at the event, which is Our club always enter to organise a referees’ course for local ent roles such as coaching, refereeing attack. surely going to generate lot of interest. players. The continental body viewed and management. That way, they’ll be Seif was every competition with The topics discussed will be “The Court it as a step in the right direction,” said associated with the sport.” also the head the only intention of of Arbitration for Sport: History, struc- Rugby Development Consultant and The ASPIRE Academy, a partner of of Kuwaiti fed-

clinching the title. DSP/Mohan ture and landmark cases”, “The typical Co-ordinator Gaith Jalajel. the QRF, also praised the efforts. eration. ššMembers of the victorious El Jaish team with the Qatar Handball Association officials on the podium. football-related dispute: FIFA and CAS “As many as 14 people, including play- “As a partner and co-host, it’s imper- “He did a lot Procedure” and “The Jurisprudence of ers and officials, attended the course. It ative we too know what the sport is all for the sport’s and goal for goal in the beginning and deserved to triumph. It’s the third time importance. It shows we’re on the right CAS in football-related matters”. consisted of theory and practical ses- about and how it’s played. The course development had even taken a 3-2 lead by the 10th we lifted the Qatar Cup. Our club always path,” he said. Qatari girls triumph A round-table on the importance of sions, where they all took turns at offi- will allow players to understand the in the region. We’re deeply saddened,” arbitration in sport will also be held. minute. But they found their touch enter every competition with the only Al Kuwari urged his players to keep Qatar won the inaugural GCC Junior Women’s ciating,” he added. fundamentals from a referee’s point of said QGF President Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi. in the last 10 minutes of the half to intention of clinching the title. But with- their feet on the ground and use this Handball Tournament at the Aspire Dome last For registration, log on to www.qoa. QRF General Secretary Ali Al Malki view,” said Aspire representative Subait “It’s a terrible loss for all those associ- score six goals in quick time to keep out the great efforts put in by our play- year’s fine display as a springboard to week. qa. DSP said, “It’s important to foster local players Al Hasawi. DSP ated with the sport.” DSP the pressure on the cops. Thereafter, ers, achieving it would’ve been diffi- achieve more glory in future. In the decider, they defeated Bahrain 16-11 to Lekhwiya struggled as Jaish unleashed cult,” said Al Kuwari. “We’ve the Emir’s Cup on our way take their tally to six points. The UAE were the quick counter-attacks. “Our management and support staff and we must stay focused. It’s impor- third team in the tournament. The event, held under the aegis of the GCC CHESS Jaish Handball Head Khalid Saif Al also did a great job. We won the league tant that we shouldn’t become com- Women Sport Organising Committee, was Kuwari congratulated the team mem- title without losing a single game which placent,” he added. hosted by the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee, bers on winning their second trophy speaks volumes about our strength and Meanwhile, Al Wakrah beat Al Quiyada in association with the Qatar Olympic of the season. commitment. And following it up with 30-26 to claim the Federation Cup at Committee and Qatar Handball Association. “We were keen on winning and we the Qatar Cup triumph is of immense the same venue. DSP DSP Adnan wins Toyota Under-16 Rapid Championship

ANADIAN Adnan Habib claimed After the success of Second Qatar MOTORSPORT the Toyota Under-16 Rapid Masters last year, the QCA announced CChampionship organised by in February that it would host the FIDE the Qatar Chess Association (QCA) World Rapid and Blitz Championships. Nasser confident of doing well in Jordan last week. Rapid and Blitz Worlds were held last India’s Bilal Ahmed Moosa and Qatar’s Saleh Al Hor finished second and third ATAR’S Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah record and would like to win again and respectively in the three-day compe- The rapid version was is confident of putting up a This event has a special continue my quest for another Middle tition. a big draw as we could Qfine display at the Jordan Rally, East title,” he said. “The rapid version was a big draw as the third round of the FIA Middle East place in my memories Nasser and other leading drivers in we could make out from the huge turn- make out from the huge Rally Championship, scheduled to be and was one of the most the fray started arriving at the Dead Sea out. The good response, particularly turnout. held on the sunbaked shores of Dead demanding rounds. last week. It is seen as one of the most from kids, shows the sport is getting Sea and Jordan Valley from Thursday popular rounds of the WRC by many popular,” said QCA General Secretary to Saturday. of the leading drivers such as former Mohammed Al Medaikhi. “It was a pos- year in Berlin, Germany, where world “This event has a special place in my Championship (WRC),” said Nasser. winners Mikko Hirvonen, Sebastien itive sign for this version. It’ll help us champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway memories and was one of the most “The stages can be slippery, techni- Loeb, Sebastien Ogier and members promote the World Championship, (standard format) won both catego- ššNasser Saleh Al Attiyah demanding rounds of the World Rally cal and unforgiving. I’ve an impressive of the world’s media. DSP which we’ll be hosting in December.” ries. DSP ššParticipants with the Qatar Chess Association officials at the awards ceremony. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 29

SWIMMING Open water event proves a big hit

HE Open Water Championship turned out to be a huge success, GENERAL Twith as many as 200 swimmers taking part in the competition at the Doha Corniche last week. Seminar on The event was held in 18-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45 and 46-50 age-group Intl Sports categories. Arbitration Qatar Swimming Association President Khaleel Al Jabir, General Secretary Ali on May 10 ššParticipants at the World Rugby Level 1 Course. Al Jabir and Board member Ahmad Al Neama attended the event. DSP HE Qatar Olympic Academy, in RUGBY co-operation with the Court of TArbitration for Sport (CAS), will organise the “Seminar of International GYMNASTICS Sports Arbitration” at its premises on QRF hosts referee course May 10. QGF condoles At the seminar, experts will shed light on the importance of arbitration in sport, Seif’s death highlight legal procedures at FIFA and Mohammad Amin-ul Islam It’s important to foster speak about the jurisprudence of CAS HE Qatar Gymnastics Federation in football-related matters. local players and keep (QGF) condoled the passing Matthieu Reeb (CAS Secretary General), them in the game once Taway of international gymnastics Dr Jan Kleiner (lecturer of international HE Qatar Rugby Federation (QRF) they retire from sport. federation (FIG) Executive Committee sports law at the University of Zurich), organised the World Rugby Level member and Arab Gymnastics Federa- Dr Abdullah Al Hayyan (a member of T1 Officiating Course. ASPIRE tion President the International Court of Arbitration Academy officials as well as players and keep them in the game once they Seif Abu Adel, for Sport) and Michele Bernasconi (teach- of Camels 1 and 2 teams attended it. retire from active sport. We’re focusing who died last ing assistant at the University of Zurich) “The QRF had requested Asia Rugby on educating Qatari players in differ- week of a heart are the speakers at the event, which is to organise a referees’ course for local ent roles such as coaching, refereeing attack. surely going to generate lot of interest. players. The continental body viewed and management. That way, they’ll be Seif was The topics discussed will be “The Court it as a step in the right direction,” said associated with the sport.” also the head of Arbitration for Sport: History, struc- Rugby Development Consultant and The ASPIRE Academy, a partner of of Kuwaiti fed- ture and landmark cases”, “The typical Co-ordinator Gaith Jalajel. the QRF, also praised the efforts. eration. football-related dispute: FIFA and CAS “As many as 14 people, including play- “As a partner and co-host, it’s imper- “He did a lot Procedure” and “The Jurisprudence of ers and officials, attended the course. It ative we too know what the sport is all for the sport’s CAS in football-related matters”. consisted of theory and practical ses- about and how it’s played. The course development A round-table on the importance of sions, where they all took turns at offi- will allow players to understand the in the region. We’re deeply saddened,” arbitration in sport will also be held. ciating,” he added. fundamentals from a referee’s point of said QGF President Ali Ahmed Al Hitmi. For registration, log on to www.qoa. QRF General Secretary Ali Al Malki view,” said Aspire representative Subait “It’s a terrible loss for all those associ- qa. DSP said, “It’s important to foster local players Al Hasawi. DSP ated with the sport.” DSP

CHESS Adnan wins Toyota Under-16 Rapid Championship

ANADIAN Adnan Habib claimed After the success of Second Qatar the Toyota Under-16 Rapid Masters last year, the QCA announced CChampionship organised by in February that it would host the FIDE the Qatar Chess Association (QCA) World Rapid and Blitz Championships. last week. Rapid and Blitz Worlds were held last India’s Bilal Ahmed Moosa and Qatar’s Saleh Al Hor finished second and third respectively in the three-day compe- The rapid version was tition. “The rapid version was a big draw as a big draw as we could we could make out from the huge turn- make out from the huge out. The good response, particularly turnout. from kids, shows the sport is getting popular,” said QCA General Secretary Mohammed Al Medaikhi. “It was a pos- year in Berlin, Germany, where world itive sign for this version. It’ll help us champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway promote the World Championship, (standard format) won both catego- which we’ll be hosting in December.” ries. DSP ššParticipants with the Qatar Chess Association officials at the awards ceremony. 30 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 31

Jamaican Omar McLeod clocked the fastest time of the year McLeod, James (13.08sec) to win the 110M hurdles at the Drake Relays in Iowa last week as Olympic champion Aries Merritt finished fifth clock year’s on his return from a kidney transplant. Meanwhile, Olympic champion Kirani James too clocked the fastest time of the At a glance fastest times year (44.08) to win the 400M.

‘We wouldn’t let MOTORSPORT GOLF Hamilton down’ Stuard shines in rain-hit New Orleans ERCEDES team boss Toto Wolff denounced social me- Mdia conspiracy theorists after OURNEYMAN Brian Stuard An was ousted from the play-off after final hole for a par. a Russian Grand Prix where Germany’s clinched his first PGA Tour title recording a bogey on the first extra hole, Li Haotong kept the China Open title in Nico Rosberg won his seventh race in Jwith a gripping play-off victory also the 18th. local hands for the second year in a row a row and world champion team-mate over fellow-American Jamie Lovemark by conjuring up a bogey-free 64, to clinch Lewis Hamilton endured more engine and South Korean An Byeong-Hun at his maiden European Tour title by three shots last Sunday. problems. MERCURIAL! the weather-plagued Zurich Classic of The 33-year-old Stuard Wolff said he was speaking out because New Orleans last Monday. some of the abuse directed at the Formula The 33-year-old sealed the win on the sealed the win on the round two shots behind overnight leaders Rosberg makes it seven in a row as Hamilton ensures a Mercedes 1-2. The 20-year-old Hunanese began the final One team could impact on engineers second extra hole at the TPC Louisiana, second extra hole at the Felipe Aguilar (69) and Lucas Bjerregaard and other employees. the par-five 18th, after laying up in two, TPC Louisiana. (70), but carded a blemish-free round for “I don’t want to even ignore this bunch ORMULA One championship and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel being only Vettel (nine in 2013 with Red Bull) hitting a superb third shot to three feet a winning total of 22-under at the Topwin of lunatics who think that we would leader Nico Rosberg chalked up shunted into the wall by Red Bull’s and the late Italian Alberto Ascari ahead and knocking in the birdie putt. Golf and Country Club. harm a driver who’s our driver, who has Fhis seventh win in a row at the Russian Daniil Kvyat, Rosberg had an of them. Lovemark parred the hole after over- The trio had finished the 54 regulation Meanwhile, Jenny Shin made a sizzling been a double world champion for us,” Russian Grand Prix last Sunday, with untroubled run from pole to chequered Only champions Schumacher, Britain’s shooting the green with his second and holes at 15-under-201, An firing a seven- Wolff told reporters. “He (Hamilton) team-mate Lewis Hamilton fighting flag for his 18th career win. Nigel Mansell and Brazilian Ayrton failing to reach the putting surface with under 65, Stuard a 69 and Lovemark two-stroke victory at the Texas Shootout start to the final round on her way to a hasn’t let us down, and we wouldn’t let back from 10th on the grid to seal a The German equalled the achievement Senna had won the first four races ššBrian Stuard en route to his victory. his third. closing with a 68 after three-putting the in Irving. him down. This is a mechanical sport Mercedes one-two finish. of compatriot Michael Schumacher in in a season before Rosberg joined and these things happen.” In a race that started with chaos, winning seven successive races, with them. Despite the Briton’s success with “It felt very special out there,” said Mercedes, there have always been some Rosberg, who led all the way and also SQUASH BADMINTON who believe the German manufacturer set the fastest lap, after being congrat- really wants a German champion. ulated by Russian President Vladimir El Sherbini Lee gives Chen Putin. Triple world champion Hamilton makes history hardly any Wei! was 25 seconds behind Rosberg, with RESULTS Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen finishing third in Malaysia ALAYSIA’S Lee Chong Wei 1.Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1:32:41.997 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes +00:25.022 after winning a battle with fellow Finn defeated his rival and world 3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 00:31.998 Valtteri Bottas, who started on the front OUR El Sherbini stormed back MNo.1 Chen Long of China last 4. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Williams 00:50.217 row, in the Williams. from a two-game deficit to de- Sunday in the final of the Asia Badmin- 5. Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams 01:14.427 The podium was Ferrari’s 700th since Nfeat top seed Laura Massaro ton Championships. the championship started in 1950. 6-11, 4-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8 and become The 33-year-old world No.2 beat Chen STANDINGS DRIVERS Rosberg, who won the last three the youngest ever woman squash world 21-17, 15-21, 21-13 in the closely-fought 1. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 100 races of 2015 and now the first four champion last week. final that lasted an hour and 22 minutes 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 57 of 2016, leads Hamilton by 43 points The 20-year-old Egyptian’s victory at in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. 3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 43 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull 36 in the standings with 17 races remain- the PSA World Women’s Championship in Chen won seven straight points in 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 33 ing and the Briton facing an increas- Malaysia also vaulted her past Massaro the first set before Lee finished off with CONSTRUCTORS ingly daunting challenge. to the top of world ranking. ššColombia’s Nairo Quintana celebrates his triumph. six straight points for the win. Chen 1. Mercedes 157 “Lewis is going to come back of “I’m dreaming, I didn’t imagine I then bounced back in the second set, 2. Ferrari 76 3. Red Bull-TAG Heuer 57 course, he’s on it and as motivated could win this match,” said El Sherbini. but Lee won by a large margin in the 4. Williams-Mercedes 51 as ever,” said Rosberg. “We’ll just take She had looked like a champion all CYCLING third with 21-13. 5. Haas-Ferrari 22 ššGermany’s Nico Rosberg shoots a selfie with the trophy and the Mercedes team. it race by race.” week. In the semifinal, Lee easily defeated In the quarterfinal, she crushed Nicol two-time Olympic gold medallist Lin David — the defending world champ Quintana on a roll at Dan while Chen crushed Tian Houwei who had dominated the sport over the of China in straight sets. TENNIS past decade — ending the Malaysian’s In the women’s singles, China’s Wang bid for a ninth world title. Tour de Romandie Yihan defeated Li Xuerui of China 21-14, She then swatted aside her compa- 13-21, 21-16 in an hour, clinching her Almagro wins in Estoril triot Nouran Gohar in the semifinal to third Asian title. set up a rematch of the 2013 final that OLOMBIAN climber Nairo achieved a podium finish in a one was won by Massaro. Quintana of the Movistar team week World Tour stage race while to end long title drought Cwon the Tour de Romandie last Quintana’s team-mate Ion Izagirre Sunday after a breakaway win in the came third at 23sec. ššLucie Safarova fifth and final stage over 177.4km from Elsewhere, popular French veteran ICOLAS Almagro ended a title smashed three rackets on his way to los- Ollon-sur-Villars to Geneva for local rider Thomas Voeckler secured over- drought lasting four years last ing the Istanbul Open final to Argentinian talent Michael Albasini. all victory in the Tour de Yorkshire last NSunday when the experienced Diego Schwartzman. Safarova captures In freezing rain, an early breakaway Sunday with a sprint finish triumph in the Spanish clay-courter defeated younger Second seed Dimitrov was one set formed and, with the main contenders 198km final stage from Middlesbrough compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta 6-7 (6- ahead and 5-2 up in the second before Prague Open more concerned with keeping track of to Scarborough. 8), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 to win the Estoril Open. Schwartzman, the world No.87, fought each other, Orica’s Albasioni won in a The 36-year-old Direct Energie rider No.2 seed Lucie Safarova threw down The victory in nearly three hours of back to win the his first ATP title 6-7(7- 14 aces as she edged past No.4 seed sprint with the last few escapees. demonstrated all his vast experience in struggle marked the first title for 30-year- 5), 7-6 (6-4), 6-0. Samantha Stosur, in the battle of Quintana, perhaps the sport’s best the professional saddle as he outfoxed old Almagro since winning Nice on clay In Munich, home hero Philipp former French Open finalists, 3-6, 6-1, climber, moved top of the overall stand- and outsprinted nearest rival Nicolas in May, 2012. Kohlschreiber won the ATP tourna- 6-4 to capture the J&T Banka Prague ings when he left the field trailing in Roche to take the title by a mere six The world No.71 has spent much ment for the third time after downing Open title. last week’s second stage. seconds overall. of the last few seasons coming back Austria’s Dominic Thiem in the final. Meanwhile, Timea Bacsinszky Runner-up in the 2015 Tour de France Meanwhile, British rider Simon Yates, clinched her first title of 2016 with a from injury, but he boosted his grow- Having won the 2007 and 2012 titles, Quintana went into the stage with a a strong contender to make Olympic straight-sets win over Marina Erakovic ing confidence with the approach of Kohlschreiber, who hails from Augsburg, in the Rabat Open. 19-second overall lead on up and com- cycling team, will not be provisionally Roland Garros by lifting the 13th tro- ran out the 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4) win- The top-seeded Swiss cruised to ing French climber Thibaut Pinot. suspended after failing a drugs test, phy of his career. ner after a huge tussle in the final which a 6-2, 6-1 win over her New Zealand Pinot managed second overall, international governing body Union ššNicolas Almargo Meanwhile, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov lasted just under two and a half hours. opponent. ššNour El Sherbini the first time the 25-year-old has Cycliste Internationale said last week. ššLee Chong Wei Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 31

GOLF Stuard shines in rain-hit New Orleans

OURNEYMAN Brian Stuard An was ousted from the play-off after final hole for a par. clinched his first PGA Tour title recording a bogey on the first extra hole, Li Haotong kept the China Open title in Jwith a gripping play-off victory also the 18th. local hands for the second year in a row over fellow-American Jamie Lovemark by conjuring up a bogey-free 64, to clinch and South Korean An Byeong-Hun at his maiden European Tour title by three shots last Sunday. the weather-plagued Zurich Classic of The 33-year-old Stuard New Orleans last Monday. The 33-year-old sealed the win on the sealed the win on the round two shots behind overnight leaders The 20-year-old Hunanese began the final second extra hole at the TPC Louisiana, second extra hole at the Felipe Aguilar (69) and Lucas Bjerregaard the par-five 18th, after laying up in two, TPC Louisiana. (70), but carded a blemish-free round for hitting a superb third shot to three feet a winning total of 22-under at the Topwin and knocking in the birdie putt. Golf and Country Club. Lovemark parred the hole after over- The trio had finished the 54 regulation Meanwhile, Jenny Shin made a sizzling shooting the green with his second and holes at 15-under-201, An firing a seven- failing to reach the putting surface with under 65, Stuard a 69 and Lovemark two-stroke victory at the Texas Shootout start to the final round on her way to a ššBrian Stuard en route to his victory. his third. closing with a 68 after three-putting the in Irving.

SQUASH BADMINTON El Sherbini Lee gives Chen makes history hardly any Wei!

in Malaysia ALAYSIA’S Lee Chong Wei defeated his rival and world OUR El Sherbini stormed back MNo.1 Chen Long of China last from a two-game deficit to de- Sunday in the final of the Asia Badmin- Nfeat top seed Laura Massaro ton Championships. 6-11, 4-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8 and become The 33-year-old world No.2 beat Chen the youngest ever woman squash world 21-17, 15-21, 21-13 in the closely-fought champion last week. final that lasted an hour and 22 minutes The 20-year-old Egyptian’s victory at in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. the PSA World Women’s Championship in Chen won seven straight points in Malaysia also vaulted her past Massaro the first set before Lee finished off with to the top of world ranking. ššColombia’s Nairo Quintana celebrates his triumph. six straight points for the win. Chen “I’m dreaming, I didn’t imagine I then bounced back in the second set, could win this match,” said El Sherbini. but Lee won by a large margin in the She had looked like a champion all CYCLING third with 21-13. week. In the semifinal, Lee easily defeated In the quarterfinal, she crushed Nicol two-time Olympic gold medallist Lin David — the defending world champ Quintana on a roll at Dan while Chen crushed Tian Houwei who had dominated the sport over the of China in straight sets. past decade — ending the Malaysian’s In the women’s singles, China’s Wang bid for a ninth world title. Tour de Romandie Yihan defeated Li Xuerui of China 21-14, She then swatted aside her compa- 13-21, 21-16 in an hour, clinching her triot Nouran Gohar in the semifinal to third Asian title. set up a rematch of the 2013 final that OLOMBIAN climber Nairo achieved a podium finish in a one was won by Massaro. Quintana of the Movistar team week World Tour stage race while Cwon the Tour de Romandie last Quintana’s team-mate Ion Izagirre Sunday after a breakaway win in the came third at 23sec. ššLucie Safarova fifth and final stage over 177.4km from Elsewhere, popular French veteran Ollon-sur-Villars to Geneva for local rider Thomas Voeckler secured over- talent Michael Albasini. all victory in the Tour de Yorkshire last In freezing rain, an early breakaway Sunday with a sprint finish triumph in the formed and, with the main contenders 198km final stage from Middlesbrough more concerned with keeping track of to Scarborough. each other, Orica’s Albasioni won in a The 36-year-old Direct Energie rider sprint with the last few escapees. demonstrated all his vast experience in Quintana, perhaps the sport’s best the professional saddle as he outfoxed climber, moved top of the overall stand- and outsprinted nearest rival Nicolas ings when he left the field trailing in Roche to take the title by a mere six last week’s second stage. seconds overall. Runner-up in the 2015 Tour de France Meanwhile, British rider Simon Yates, Quintana went into the stage with a a strong contender to make Olympic 19-second overall lead on up and com- cycling team, will not be provisionally ing French climber Thibaut Pinot. suspended after failing a drugs test, Pinot managed second overall, international governing body Union ššNour El Sherbini the first time the 25-year-old has Cycliste Internationale said last week. ššLee Chong Wei 32 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 33 Movers&Shakers Kaleidoscope Comeback thoughts INFINITE COMFORT! Airweave backs LOYD Mayweather teasingly hinted that he might be tempted NFINITI unveiled its QX60 and delivered in 2015. From an exterior design Tokyo 2020 Fto return to the ring, but said QX50 premium crossovers in the The new Infiniti QX60 is perspective, QX50 has been Japanese mattress manufacturer ššMaurizio Zamparini only a “nine-figure” payday could lure ššGrant Hackett Middle East at a star-studded completely redesigned from the enhanced for 2016 with a new front I Airweave became a domestic spon- event in Dubai. exterior and also features a host and rear bumper and lower front him out of retirement. sor of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The 39 year-old, who walked away “The launch of the Infiniti of new features and technologies and rear fascia, new LED Daytime The company will be a second-tier Palermo chief from boxing eight months ago with a Wayward lifestyle QX60 and QX50 reaffirms our that enhance comfort, convenience Running Lights, signature Infiniti- official partner in the ‘beds and perfect 49-0 record, was on hand as commitment to enhance our and safety. Featuring Intelligent style double-arch front grille, new bedding’ category. Airweave had suspended a promoter of Badou Jack’s majority worries Hackett product line-up in the Middle East All-Wheel Drive, it is offered with a side mirrors with integrated LED also signed sponsorship deals with draw with Lucian Bute in a super mid- and around the world,” said Infiniti powerful and efficient 3.5-litre V6 turn signals and updated side sill British Swimming, British Athletics and Australian sailing team. AURIZIO Zamparini, the out- dleweight world title fight at the DC USTRALIAN long-distance- Middle East Managing Director gasoline engine. styling. spoken president of Serie A Armory in Washington. swimming great Grant Hackett Juergen Schmitz. “Both QX60 Mstrugglers Palermo has been He told Showtime TV that he was happy Aadmitted that binge drinking and QX50 feature an overhaul in handed a 20-day suspension by the in retirement, but he did not entirely was behind his altercation with another exterior design. The QX60 also Li Ning makes Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for close the door on a return to the ring. passenger on a flight recently and said features a number of interior and comments made about FIFA chief Gi- Would that be for the money or a he was seeking help to quit alcohol. technological advancements inroads into India anni Infantino. chance to take his record to a round The 35-year-old former Olympic while QX50 has made significant Chinese sportswear manufacturer Li Zamparini was punished for reportedly 50-0, Gray asked. champion was spoken to by police improvements with Ning signed a sponsorship agree- particular focus on rear claiming that Infantino won February’s “Both,” Mayweather said. “Right after the incident on a flight from the ment with the Indian Olympic presidential vote at the expense of Shaikh now, I’m happy on this side, but I’ve Australian Olympic trials in Adelaide legroom.” Association. It will Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa “only been talking with CBS and Showtime to Melbourne. Hackett admitted to a The premium see Indian athletes because he bought more votes”. and you just never know. But for now, dependence on prescription drugs in crossovers are a wear its clothing As well as the ban, the FIGC handed I’m happy. If I came back, it would’ve the past, but said the incident had come cornerstone for at the Rio Olympic Zamparini an €18,000 fine while Palermo to be a nine-figure payday and prob- after he had been drinking in the wake Infiniti’s business and Paralympic Games. The Chinese firm will pro- have been fined the same amount. ably a championship fight,” he said. ššFloyd Mayweather of his failure to secure an Olympic slot. in the region, vide official tracksuits, training gear with sales for and competition wear. both models contributing to almost 2,500 vehicles Weah again for presidency Smith for day-night Tests Energiedirect powers PSV IBERIAN international football (CDC) headquarters in capital Congo RICKET Australia (CA) bol- Smith, Proteas skipper A B de Villiers Dutch football club PSV Eindhoven star-turned-politician George Town to listen to the announcement. stered its campaign to host a said this week. signed a three-year shirt sponsor- LWeah, 49, said last week he would Liberia has spent more than a dec- Cday-night Test against South Meanwhile, in a major setback for Empowerment through sports ship deal with local energy company make a second bid for the presidency of ade rebuilding from a long civil war that Africa later this year by publishing an his Indian Premier League side Pune, Energiedirect.nl. The deal is reported the impoverished West African nation ended in 2003 and decimated infrastruc- interview with captain Steve Smith in the Aussie skipper pulled out of the to be worth at least €6m per season in an election next year. ture in the nation founded in the 19th which he backed the proposed fixture. tournament to head home for treat- ITH the aim of encourag- The signing is a major boost for plus performance-related bonuses. Chanting “You can have the whole Century by freed American slaves. South Africa’s players balked at an ment on a wrist injury. Adidas gaining ing more organisations to Save the Dream, an initiative of world but give me Weah,” thousands of “Having heard the cry of our peo- invitation to play a day-night match CA said Smith had laboured due to W empower young people Qatar-based International Centre for his backers packed onto the grounds of ple, I declare before you that I shall in Adelaide in November after discus- pain in his right wrist for the past week ground on Nike and promote intercultural dialogue Sport Security. It followed a recent his Congress for Democratic Change contest the presidency,” Weah said. sions with Australian players including while playing for Pune. through sports, the United Nations panel session, which saw several TAG Heuer ERMANY’S adidas gained Alliance of Civilisations and Save champion performers, including ground on stronger US rival the Dream signed a new deal at 1998 FIFA World Cup winner for partners EPL Nike at the start of this year, its Seventh Global Forum in Baku, France Christian Karembeu, share G TAG Heuer is the first reporting a jump in quarterly sales Azerbaijan. their experiences about how sports official time keeper and profits and raising its outlook The agreement will see the two changed their lives. and watch partner of Jim Furyk will end an injury Badou Jack retained his Show jumper Scott Keach for the year, sending its shares to organisations work together to It also discussed what role sports the English Premier absence of nearly eight months World Boxing Council super will make a comeback to the an all-time high. develop joint projects, including played for them in promoting peace, League (EPL) as it when he returns to competition middleweight world title with Olympics after a long gap moves away from at the PGA Tour’s Wells Fargo a majority draw against former of 28 years. Keach, who was Adidas is benefiting from collabo- education workshops, youth semi- breaking down barriers and encour- the traditional title Championship in, North Carolina, champ Lucian Bute last week. named in Australia’s team rations with celebrities such as Kanye nars and sports programmes. aging intercultural dialogue. sponsorship model. The Swiss watch US, starting on Thursday. Furyk Sweden’s Jack was unhappy for the August 5-21 Olympics West and Pharrell Williams, and has brand will enjoy on-screen pres- has been sidelined since he was with the judges after battling a alongside Edwina Tops- scored major fashion hits with retro ence in the form of a logo in global forced to withdraw at the BMW determined Bute for 12 rounds, Alexander, competed in his Superstar and Stan Smith sneakers. broadcasts of EPL matches. Championship last September convinced he had clearly won. previous Games at 1988 Seoul, The company, based in south- due to a bone contusion in his One judge scored it 117-111 in where he finished fifth place ern Germany, had already said it left wrist. Jack’s favour and two others in the team event and 23rd in made it 114-114. individual competition. had high hopes for 2016, thanks to a busy sports calendar including the Formula E is European Football Championship and Rio Olympics. Charged up! Former world No.1 Reigning Major League FIFA’s Ethics Committee Roger “For the group to have performed Federer pulled out of the Baseball batting champion banned former Caribbean Electric car racing championship so strongly, it means that brand adi- ongoing Madrid Open with a Dee Gordon of Miami Marlins Football Union (CFU) executive Formula E announced Charge, a back injury. The Swiss great was suspended for 80 games Lionel Haven from football for das is back in vogue across the board, UK-based auto technology com- travelled to the Spanish capital without pay after testing five years for failing to disclose not just football in Europe,”said mar- pany, as a new partner. Charge will for the tournament, but was positive for a performance- information related to cash ket analyst Mark Josefson. supply electric trucks at all Formula unable to practise last Monday enhancing substance. The payments at a CFU event in Adidas, which had raised its E events that will be used for the and announced his withdrawal. speedy second baseman, who 2011. The adjudicatory chamber guidance in February, said it now driver parade and for logistics both He, however, said he would led the majors in stolen bases of the committee imposed the on and off the track. expected currency-adjusted sales to be back for next week’s Rome last season, tested positive for ban and fined Haven, from the Masters. exogenous testosterone and Bahamas, 3,000 Swiss francs, it grow by about 15 per cent in 2016, compared with a previous forecast clostebol, MLB said. said in a statement. ššUNAOC High Representative Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser, left, and ICSS President » Courtesy CSM Sport & Entertainment, for a rise of 10 to 12 per cent. Mohammed Hanzab at the signing ceremony. www.csm.com, @FastTrack_ME Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 33 Kaleidoscope

INFINITE COMFORT! Airweave backs NFINITI unveiled its QX60 and delivered in 2015. From an exterior design Tokyo 2020 QX50 premium crossovers in the The new Infiniti QX60 is perspective, QX50 has been Middle East at a star-studded completely redesigned from the enhanced for 2016 with a new front Japanese mattress manufacturer I Airweave became a domestic spon- event in Dubai. exterior and also features a host and rear bumper and lower front sor of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. “The launch of the Infiniti of new features and technologies and rear fascia, new LED Daytime The company will be a second-tier QX60 and QX50 reaffirms our that enhance comfort, convenience Running Lights, signature Infiniti- official partner in the ‘beds and commitment to enhance our and safety. Featuring Intelligent style double-arch front grille, new bedding’ category. Airweave had product line-up in the Middle East All-Wheel Drive, it is offered with a side mirrors with integrated LED also signed sponsorship deals with and around the world,” said Infiniti powerful and efficient 3.5-litre V6 turn signals and updated side sill British Swimming, British Athletics Middle East Managing Director gasoline engine. styling. and Australian sailing team. Juergen Schmitz. “Both QX60 and QX50 feature an overhaul in exterior design. The QX60 also Li Ning makes features a number of interior and technological advancements inroads into India while QX50 has made significant improvements with Chinese sportswear manufacturer Li Ning signed a sponsorship agree- particular focus on rear ment with the Indian Olympic legroom.” Association. It will The premium see Indian athletes crossovers are a wear its clothing cornerstone for at the Rio Olympic Infiniti’s business and Paralympic in the region, Games. The Chinese firm will pro- vide official tracksuits, training gear with sales for and competition wear. both models contributing to almost 2,500 vehicles Energiedirect powers PSV

Dutch football club PSV Eindhoven signed a three-year shirt sponsor- Empowerment through sports ship deal with local energy company Energiedirect.nl. The deal is reported to be worth at least €6m per season ITH the aim of encourag- The signing is a major boost for plus performance-related bonuses. Adidas gaining ing more organisations to Save the Dream, an initiative of W empower young people Qatar-based International Centre for ground on Nike and promote intercultural dialogue Sport Security. It followed a recent through sports, the United Nations panel session, which saw several TAG Heuer ERMANY’S adidas gained Alliance of Civilisations and Save champion performers, including ground on stronger US rival the Dream signed a new deal at 1998 FIFA World Cup winner for partners EPL Nike at the start of this year, its Seventh Global Forum in Baku, France Christian Karembeu, share G TAG Heuer is the first reporting a jump in quarterly sales Azerbaijan. their experiences about how sports official time keeper and profits and raising its outlook The agreement will see the two changed their lives. and watch partner of for the year, sending its shares to organisations work together to It also discussed what role sports the English Premier an all-time high. develop joint projects, including played for them in promoting peace, League (EPL) as it Adidas is benefiting from collabo- education workshops, youth semi- breaking down barriers and encour- moves away from rations with celebrities such as Kanye nars and sports programmes. aging intercultural dialogue. the traditional title sponsorship model. The Swiss watch West and Pharrell Williams, and has brand will enjoy on-screen pres- scored major fashion hits with retro ence in the form of a logo in global Superstar and Stan Smith sneakers. broadcasts of EPL matches. The company, based in south- ern Germany, had already said it had high hopes for 2016, thanks to a busy sports calendar including the Formula E is European Football Championship and Rio Olympics. Charged up! “For the group to have performed Electric car racing championship so strongly, it means that brand adi- Formula E announced Charge, a das is back in vogue across the board, UK-based auto technology com- not just football in Europe,”said mar- pany, as a new partner. Charge will ket analyst Mark Josefson. supply electric trucks at all Formula Adidas, which had raised its E events that will be used for the guidance in February, said it now driver parade and for logistics both on and off the track. expected currency-adjusted sales to grow by about 15 per cent in 2016, compared with a previous forecast ššUNAOC High Representative Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser, left, and ICSS President » Courtesy CSM Sport & Entertainment, for a rise of 10 to 12 per cent. Mohammed Hanzab at the signing ceremony. www.csm.com, @FastTrack_ME 34 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 35 Spot shots

Ĉ QATAR CUP FOOTBALL FINAL Ĉ QATAR CUP VOLLEYBALL FINAL DSP/Mohammed Dabboos DSP/Mohan Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 35

Ĉ QATAR CUP VOLLEYBALL FINAL DSP/Mohan 36 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 37

www.facebook.com/dohastadium www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.instagram.com/dohastadiumplus Society www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar Aspire Global Citizenship SPORT THIS WEEK TOP TWEETS BLAST FROM THE PAST INSTAGLOW Ĉ QATAR AYRTON SENNA Day observed in style The Brazilian racing legend dies in 1994 a crash at San Marino Grand Prix WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 The ASPIRE Academy organised Fifth HORSERACING Aspire Global Citizenship Day at its indoor football pitch last week. Under Weekly races, 4pm onwards at Qatar Racing and Equestrian the motto ‘Different Nationalities, One Club. Heart, One Team’, this year’s event VOLLEYBALL promoted cultural and ethnic diversity among the academy’s students and Emir’s Cup, quarterfinals, 4.30pm and 6.30pm at Ali Bin presented a platform for cultural Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. exchange in a positive atmosphere. “Students belonging to more than THURSDAY, MAY 5 60 nationalities study at the academy. HORSERACING It presents a unique opportunity for the Weekly races, 4pm onwards at Leicester City completed a fairytale wards and faculty to learn about and Qatar Racing and Equestrian when Chelsea held title rivals interact with different cultures. This Club. HANDBALL Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford helps us develop well-rounded and Emir’s Cup, semifinal, 5pm FRIDAY, MAY 6 Bridge, giving Claudio Ranieri’s men well-educated sports champions,” said and 7pm, Qatar Handball Association Complex. an unassailable lead in the English ASPIRE Academy Director of Education Premier League. Their victory against and Student Care Badr Al Hay. VOLLEYBALL all odds makes it one of the most sent the details and Karim Jabsheh Emir’s Cup, semifinals, 4.30pm beautiful stories ever from the world photograph. and 6.30pm at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. of sports. Twitter was flooded with congratulatory messages, including SUNDAY, MAY 8 one from Italian Prime Minister FOOTBALL Matteo Renzi. Emir’s Cup, quarterfinals, Al Ambassador XII champs AZF Ramadan Sailiya vs Lekhwiya, 6.30pm at Lekhwiya Stadium, Al Ahli Ambassador XII retained the title at Quraishi, who remained unbeaten Sports Festival vs El Jaish, 9pm at Lekhwiya Stadium. Matteo Renzi the Indian Cricket Festival, beating on 25. ATHLETICS @matteorenzi Indian Community XII by four He was ably supported by registration Diamond League, 5.40pm MONDAY, MAY 9 It’s the greatest achievement in the onwards at the Qatar Sports wickets last week. Sanaullah (21), Vijees (18) and VOLLEYBALL history of English football, and it was Indian Community, put into bat, Ramesh (17). from Thursday Club Stadium. led by an Italian#insane.” Emir’s Cup, semifinals, 4.30pm scored 136 for three in 20 overs, with Abdullah Khamis Al Hamad, SATURDAY, MAY 7 and 6.30pm at Ali Bin Hamad Habib-un Nabi top-scoring (24). Assistant Secretary and Head The registration for the Al Attiyah Arena. Carlo Ancelotti FOOTBALL Mohammed Fuad contributed 21. of Sports, Qatar Police Sports ASPIRE Zone Foundation’s TUESDAY, MAY 10 @MrAncelotti RAZILIAN Ayrton Senna, hailed as one of the racing legends, Shinod Mon, Tariq Quraishi and Ravi Association, and Indian Ambassador (AZF) Ramadan Sports Emir’s Cup, quarterfinal, Al Congratulations to both Leicester Kharaitiyat vs Al Rayyan, was killed in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola near Shankar claimed a wicket each. Sanjiv Arora gave away the prizes. Festival will open on HANDBALL and my friend Claudio Ranieri for 6.30pm at Al Arabi Stadium, BBologna in Italy, on May 1, 1994. He was only 34. Ambassador XII reached the Naveed Munir sent the details Thursday and will continue their historic win of the Premier Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd, 9pm, Al Emir’s Cup, final, 7pm at Qatar Senna’s Williams FW16 Formula 1 car was travelling at a speed target in 19.1 overs, thanks to and photograph. till the month-end. Arabi Stadium. Handball Association Complex. League. Competitions will be held of 192mph when it ran wide at a curve and crashed into a concrete from June 10 to 24. Gary Lineker wall. Following the success @GaryLineker Winner of 41 Grand Prix, Senna was considered the finest motor-rac- Ĉ of previous editions, INTERNATIONAL Leicester City have won the Premier ing driver of his generation and still mourned by the fans world over. the AZF will organise League. The biggest sporting shock 1 7 3 A6 day before the fatal accident, Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger activities, which will of my lifetime, and it’s only my team. was killed nearly at the same spot — Tamburello curve. also include cricket and WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 GOLF 9 4 8 The two tragedies rocked the racing world while Brazilians, who remote-controlled car EPGA at Hassan II Trophy, Gareth Bale CRICKET 5 4 8 1 2 racing. The latter has been Rabat; USPGA at Wells Fargo @GarethBale11 regarded Senna as a demi-god, were crestfallen after hearing the sad reintroduced after 2014. IPL in India (till May 29). Championship, Quail Hollow; Gutted for @SpursOfficial but8 5 6news. 4 The events will be LPGA at Yokohama Tire Classic, congrats to @LCFC, amazing Senna’s body was flown home where about half a million people Prattville (till May 8). 4 9 6 8 1 5 7 held from 9.30pm until season!! Football. watched the coffin pass by at a state funeral in Sao Paolo on May 5. midnight. FRIDAY, MAY 6 7 6 9 4 8 Amal H Al Sheemy sent CYCLING the details. 9 4 7 8 3 Tour of Italy (till May 29). 7 3 2 SUNDAY, MAY 8 1 8 6 7 MOTORSPORT SUDOKU-523 MotoGP in France. 1 7 3 6 MONDAY, MAY 9

Sudoku is a number- 9 4 8 Ђ ЂName the coach of newly-crowned placing puzzle Solution-522 English football champions Leicester City? based on a 9x9 5 4 8 1 2 grid with several given numbers. 5 4 3 1 6 9 7 2 8 8 5 6 4 The object is to FOOTBALL 6 2 9 5 7 8 3 4 1 place the numbers Name Champions League semifinal 1 to 9 in the empty 8 7 1 4 3 2 6 9 5 4 9 6 8 1 5 7 second leg, Real Madrid vs SEND YOUR ANSWER TO Manchester City at Madrid. squares so that each 4 8 2 7 1 3 9 5 6 row, each column 7 6 9 4 8 [email protected] Phone No TENNIS and each 3x3 box 1 6 7 9 2 5 4 8 3 ATP and WTA at Madrid (till contains the same and be the lucky winner to get May 8). SWIMMING 9 3 5 6 8 4 1 7 2 9 4 7 8 3 e-mail number only once. three months’ subscription of THURSDAY, MAY 5 European Championships, London (till May 22). 7 1 4 8 5 6 2 3 9 7 3 2 DSP magazine for free. FOOTBALL TENNIS 3 9 8 2 4 1 5 6 7 Europa League, semifinals, ATP and WTA at Rome Masters 2 5 6 3 9 7 8 1 4 1 8 6 7 second leg. (till May 15).

5 4 3 1 6 9 7 2 8 6 2 9 5 7 8 3 4 1 8 7 1 4 3 2 6 9 5 4 8 2 7 1 3 9 5 6 1 6 7 9 2 5 4 8 3 9 3 5 6 8 4 1 7 2 7 1 4 8 5 6 2 3 9 3 9 8 2 4 1 5 6 7 2 5 6 3 9 7 8 1 4 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 37

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SPORT THIS WEEK TOP TWEETS BLAST FROM THE PAST INSTAGLOW

AYRTON SENNA The Brazilian racing legend dies in 1994 a crash at San Marino Grand Prix

Leicester City completed a fairytale when Chelsea held title rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, giving Claudio Ranieri’s men an unassailable lead in the English Premier League. Their victory against all odds makes it one of the most beautiful stories ever from the world of sports. Twitter was flooded with congratulatory messages, including one from Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Matteo Renzi @matteorenzi It’s the greatest achievement in the history of English football, and it was led by an Italian#insane.”

Carlo Ancelotti @MrAncelotti RAZILIAN Ayrton Senna, hailed as one of the racing legends, Congratulations to both Leicester was killed in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola near and my friend Claudio Ranieri for BBologna in Italy, on May 1, 1994. He was only 34. their historic win of the Premier League. Senna’s Williams FW16 Formula 1 car was travelling at a speed of 192mph when it ran wide at a curve and crashed into a concrete Gary Lineker wall. @GaryLineker Winner of 41 Grand Prix, Senna was considered the finest motor-rac- Leicester City have won the Premier ing driver of his generation and still mourned by the fans world over. League. The biggest sporting shock 1 7 3 A6 day before the fatal accident, Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger of my lifetime, and it’s only my team. 9 4was killed8 nearly at the same spot — Tamburello curve. The two tragedies rocked the racing world while Brazilians, who Gareth Bale @GarethBale11 5 4 8 1 regarded 2 Senna as a demi-god, were crestfallen after hearing the sad Gutted for @SpursOfficial but8 5 6news. 4 congrats to @LCFC, amazing Senna’s body was flown home where about half a million people 4 9 6 8 1 5 7 season!! Football. watched the coffin pass by at a state funeral in Sao Paolo on May 5. 7 6 9 4 8 9 4 7 8 3 7 3 2 SUDOKU-523 1 8 6 7 1 7 3 6

Sudoku is a number- 9 4 8 placing puzzle Solution-522 based on a 9x9 5 4 8 1 2 grid with several given numbers. 5 4 3 1 6 9 7 2 8 8 5 6 4 The object is to 6 2 9 5 7 8 3 4 1 place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty 8 7 1 4 3 2 6 9 5 4 9 6 8 1 5 7 squares so that each 4 8 2 7 1 3 9 5 6 row, each column 7 6 9 4 8 and each 3x3 box 1 6 7 9 2 5 4 8 3 contains the same number only once. 9 3 5 6 8 4 1 7 2 9 4 7 8 3 7 1 4 8 5 6 2 3 9 7 3 2 3 9 8 2 4 1 5 6 7 2 5 6 3 9 7 8 1 4 1 8 6 7

5 4 3 1 6 9 7 2 8 6 2 9 5 7 8 3 4 1 8 7 1 4 3 2 6 9 5 4 8 2 7 1 3 9 5 6 1 6 7 9 2 5 4 8 3 9 3 5 6 8 4 1 7 2 7 1 4 8 5 6 2 3 9 3 9 8 2 4 1 5 6 7 2 5 6 3 9 7 8 1 4 38 Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Hearsay www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Fossati to take charge of Arabi

RUGUAYAN Jorge Fossati, who under Italian coach Gianfranco Zola at helped Al Rayyan regain the the start of both phases of the league, yxyxyxyxyx yxy UQatar Stars League title with however, struggled for consistency Red Devils keen five matches to spare, is likely to take and finished a disappointing eighth xy xy xyxyxxyy charge of rivals Al Arabi next season. in the 14-team event. on Griezmann Fossati was the toast of Rayyan fans The men in red, who once boasted yxyxyxy yxyxy when he helped them end their two- a huge fan base, reportedly are eager ANCHESTER United scouts decade-long league drought. But the to follow in the footsteps of Rayyan are watching Atletico Madrid Lions failed to win a single match in and regain the league shield which Mstriker Antoine Griezmann as the competition since then and also they last won in the 1996-97 season. they plan a summer revamp. WE WON’T LET crashed out in the semifinal of the And they have found Fossati to be Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Qatar Cup, losing 1-3 to Lekhwiya. the ideal man to rebuild the team Saint-Germain are also keen on the Arabi, who showed glimpses of form and materialise their ambitions. DSP Frenchman, who has bagged 31 goals in Spain this season. YOU GET AWAY But United want a world-class striker and have put Griezmann alongside Rodgers drops Arsenal interested in Lewandowski Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on their wishlist — regardless of Louis FROM THE GAME Celtic hint van Gaal’s future. RSENAL are interested in signing Jose Mourinho is a big fan of ORTHERN Irishman Brendan Bayern Munich striker Robert Griezmann and is believed to be head- Rodgers announced he was ALewandowski if he decides to ing for Old Trafford despite his name Neager to return to management, leave the Bundesliga leaders. being linked with PSG. with Celtic a strong option. Lewandowski had recently hinted that The French giants are interested in Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution Rodgers has been out of work since he would like to taste life in England. the 53-year-old and he will also be in P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. being sacked by Liverpool last October His contract with Bayern has three more the running for the national team in Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 and has featured on the bookmakers’ years to run while his price tag would the summer if Didier Deschamps leaves e-mail: [email protected] short-list for Parkhead ever since Ronny be nothing less than £50m. his post after four years in charge of Deila announced he would leave at the But that would not deter Gunners, Les Bleus. Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 end of this season. who are short of attacking options with www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar e-mail: [email protected] And, finally breaking his silence on the both Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck vacancy, the former Watford, Reading often lacking sharpness. and Swansea manager hinted he would Manager Arsene Wenger will have in strongly welcome an approach to suc- excess of £150m to spend in the summer. ceed the Norwegian. ‘I’m just enjoying the rest, I’ve got no concrete offers at the moment, but certainly in the summer I want to get TO OUR PUBLICATION back to work,’ said Rodgers. Rodriguez heading for Juventus Subscribe EAL Madrid midfielderJames frustrated with a lack of playing time. Benitez might Yes, send to me Rodriguez could be making a Even though Premier League clubs Rmove to Juventus this summer, are also interested, Rodriguez report- replace Martinez Name: ...... as the Italian Serie A champions look edly has a preference for Serie Rafa to improve their squad. A. He has seven goals as many VERTON are considering Company: ...... This season, the Colombian inter- assists this season, despite Benitez as a replacement for national has appeared just 23 times missing six weeks through ERoberto Martinez if Newcastle Address: ...... in the league, and is understood to be an injury. United are relegated. Spaniard Benitez will part ways with Telephone: ...... Newcastle at the end of the season if they fail to secure their top-flight sta- Fax: ...... tus, which has alerted Everton who are now almost certain to change manager. e-mail: ...... 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ALL SPORTS, ONE STADIUM PAGES 22-23

Catch every pulse of action... Stay tuned www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com DSP EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW P 24 | TABLE TENNIS Call to develop young players

P 26 | volleyball Rayyan supreme at Qatar Cup

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