SPORTS Friday, February 3, 2017 21 Nasan Island triumph Manama mm an Nasan Island came from a game down Uto defeat Naruna Island 2-1 in the first semi-final of the RJ Investments Holding New-look Group Team Doubles Tennis Tournament 2017 at the Bahrain Tennis Club in Juffair, under the patronage and head of the group, Rashad Janahi. In the first rubber, Ali Juve await Alasfoor and Isa Sammak defeated Aziz Janahi and Mohammed Ghulam 9-0 games to give Naruna the lead. The second rubber saw resurgent Inter Abdul Rahman Janahi and over the giants Mattar Yousuf equal the tie it-again following their 2-1 Fixtures (all GMT) for Umm an Nasan when Fcould be restricted to success last Saturday Mohammed Mosawi had to starting on the bench as September. v Napoli (1945) retire and playing partner Umm an Nasan Island ’s new- Inter last beat Sunday Venkat Subramaniyam with look Juventus bid to stretch Juventus in Turin in AC Milan v Sampdoria (1130), the score at 5-0 games. their 27-game unbeaten run at November 2012, yet Atalanta v Cagliari, In the deciding rubber, A R home against on Pioli’s men are on an Chievo v Udinese, Janahi and A Janahi came from Sunday. eight-match winning a set down to beat Alasfoor Empoli v Torino, Allegri has both streak and exciting and Subramaniyam 5-7, 7-4, Marchisio and key defender new Inter midfielder Genoa v Sassuolo, 7-5 for Umm an Nasan’s place back from Pescara v Lazio (all 1400), in the final. injury lay-offs that have says Nerazzurri Palermo v Crotone (1700), In the second semi-final, hampered their bid for a record hopes of another Juventus v Inter Milan (1945) Halat Nuaim Island bt Jedda sixth straight title. exploit are high. Tuesday Island 2-0, thanks to a first After conceding only two Napoli will Roma v Fiorentina (1945) rubber win for Rico Cifra and defeats in a tough two-month leapfrog Roma -- Ahmed Jassas by 9-4 against period, the Turin giants host who host Fiorentina Ahmed Dhaif and Mohammed Stefano Pioli’s resurgent Inter Tuesday in a fixture moved welcomes Sharaf, then wrapped up the Halat Nuaim Island Team armed with a four-point lead due to security concerns -- into defender tie when Khalid Janahi and on Roma in second, and a game second place to sit three points back from the African Cup Karim Hajjar got the better Bahrain’s islands split into three final line-up. in hand on their five closest behind Juventus with a win of Nations although the fans’ of Khalid Qayoom and Salam groups of five teams playing on The final match between pursuers. at Bologna in Saturday’s only biggest cheer could be reserved Janahi 9-1. a round-robin basis with the Umm an Nasan and Halat But although reportedly fit to fixture. for Polish striker Arkaduisz The championship has three group winners and best Nuaim is set for tomorrow start, Marchisio isn’t needed so Napoli Milik, who has fully recovered featured 15 teams named after runner-up making up the semi- starting at 6pm. desperately yet. coach from a cruciate knee ligament Juventus have run riot in injury suffered last October. the past three games, all wins, Bologna v Napoli Muharraq Club in which injuries to defenders traditionally produces forced Allegri to move away fireworks, the sides claiming congratulated from his preferred 3-5-2 to a four wins apiece and playing more offensive 4-2-3-1. to a 2-2 draw in their last Manama Ronaldinho And from the fans, nine meetings at the Dall’Ara H Shaikh Khalid bin there have been few stadium. AC Milan coach Hamad Al Khalifa, grumbles. HFirst Deputy President Despite Juve meanwhile faces a of the Supreme Council being outplayed defensive crisis ahead for Youth and Sports, during a 2-1 defeat of Saturday’s San Siro President of Bahrain at Fiorentina a clash with Sampdoria, Athletics Association returns! fortnight ago, with has congratulated the striker Gonzalo and president, members and Higuain has hit both ruled out for attendees of Muharraq the net six times up to a month and Club on the occasion of in his past five compounding woes winning the Prince Khalifa league outings. after midfieler bin Salman Basketball Cup In the past three games Giacomo title, following a 73-58 the Argentine has benefited Bonaventura’s victory last night over from the three-pronged season was Nuwaidrat Club at Khalifa support of , ended by a torn Sports City in Isa Town. and Mario thigh muscle. Shaikh Khalid praised the Mandzukic. (AFP) performance of both teams. And with niggling doubts on Marchisio, and Sami Khedira and Cuadrado offering Barcelona flexibility in midfield, panish giants Barcelona Allegri is expected announced a 10-year to deploy roughly Sdeal for legendary former the same front line player Ronaldinho to act as years at the Camp Nou, has representative of the club Sunday. an ambassador for the club not played since a short spell at different events during the It looks yesterday. at Fluminense came to an end next 10 years,” Barca said in a ominous for The Brazilian, who won the in September 2015. statement. Inter, who World Player of the Year twice “Barcelona and Ronaldinho Ronaldinho, 36, will also hope to secure as well as two La Liga titles have reached an agreement be part of a Barca legends their second and the 2005/06 Champions so that the Brazilian star will team that will play exhibition Juventus’ coach from Massimiliano Allegri successive win League with Barca in five become an ambassador and matches across the world.