CRICKET | Page 5 FFORMULAORMULA 1 | Page 9 Hyderabad Wolff cautions knock out his drivers KKR with a ahead of 22-run win Monaco race

Thursday, May 26, 2016 TENNIS Sha’baan 19, 1437 AH Murray made to GULF TIMES grind out another win in fi ve sets SPORT Page 11

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Jaish survive scare to book fi rst quarters appearance A 4-2 win by 10-man Lekhwiya not enough as Lamouchi’s side advance with a 6-4 aggregate

AFC

l Jaish booked their place in the quarter-fi nals of the 2016 AFC Champions League yesterday, but not before being given the frightE of their lives in a 4-2 loss against compatriots Lekhwiya that saw Sabri Lamouchi’s side advance with a 6-4 aggregate win. Lamouchi’s team had won the fi rst leg 4-0 but El Jaish were not assured of their place in the next phase of the competition until Romarinho scored his side’s second with 20 minutes to go and after Lekhwiya had been reduced to 10 men following the expulsion of Chico Flores. Alain Dioko Kaluyituka gave Le- khwiya the lead before Sardor Rashidov levelled for El Jaish. However, two goals from Ismail Mohamed and a penalty from Nam Tae-hee gave Djamal Belma- di’s side real belief they could complete a remarkable turnaround. However, Romarinho’s goal – a fi ne drive from outside the area – sealed El Jaish’s place in the quarter-fi nals, the fi rst time the club has qualifi ed for Above: Lekhwiya’s Mohamed the last eight of the AFC Champions Musa (left) and El Jaish’s League. Romarinho vie for the ball Needing to win by four goals, Le- during the AFC Champions khwiya made a rapid start and, with just League round of 16 second eight minutes on the clock, Kaluyituka leg match in Doha yesterday. struck from close range after Karim PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Boudiaf glanced Ali Hassan Afi f’s cross into his path. Left: El Jaish’s Sardor Rashidov But with eight minutes left in the (right) celebrates after scor- half, Rashidov had levelled on the night reduced further when El Jaish goal- visitors had scored again, Nam netting ing his team’s first goal with for El Jaish, knocking the ball home af- keeper Khalifa Ababacar misjudged from the spot after Mohamed Methnani teammate Romarinho in yes- ter Romarinho’s pass. Boudiaf’s long ball forward and Mo- had handled in the area. terday’s match at Doha’s Jassim With only 45 minutes remaining in hamed stroked the ball into an empty But just when the seemingly impos- Bin Hamad Stadium. the tie and with little left to lose, Le- net after controlling the pass on the sible was on the verge of happening, El khwiya came out for the second half edge of the area. Jaish steadied themselves with a goal Right: Lekhwiya’s Chico Flores with all guns blazing. Mohamed tap- Lekhwiya’s challenge looked to be from Romarinho in the 70th minute, (left) is shown a red card ping in from close range after Ali Afi f’s at an end on the hour mark, however, with the Brazilian hitting a low shot by referee Ahmed Abu Bakar low cross three minutes after the re- when Flores was sent off for a second from 20 yards into the bottom right al-Kaf (right) for his challenge start. bookable off ence when he upended corner of Amine Lacmote’s goal to send on El Jaish’s Yasir Isa (second Four minutes later, the deficit was Yasir Isa, but by the 65th minute the Lamouchi’s team through. from left).

FOCUS Shoot-out drama as , Shandong reach quarters

AFP spot-kick in the fi rst leg — seemed to In the South Korean capital, FC Seoul Seoul have earned 10-man Sydney their fi rst started with a 1-0 defi cit from last appearance in Asia’s last eight. week’s fi rst leg but they levelled the tie But with the scores at 2-1 on the when Dejan Damjanovic capitalised on C Seoul came back from the night, and 3-2 on aggregate after last a defensive howler on 29 minutes. brink to win a dramatic penalty week’s 1-1 draw, Hao’s long-range shot Both sides had their chances but it shoot-out yesterday as Hao swerved past Janjetovic and into the top wasn’t until extra time that the strikers FJunmin’s last-minute thunder- corner, stunning the Sydney crowd. made their mark, as Seoul’s Brazilian for- bolt also put Shandong Luneng into the “There’s a lot of disappointments in ward Adriano plundered his 11th goal of AFC Champions League quarter-fi nals. football and there’s a lot of happy times the campaign in the 94th minute. In a breathless night of action, Go – this is an extremely disappoint- It looked like it would be enough – Yo-Han struck in the dying seconds ing time for the players,” an emotional until Urawa’s Lee struck twice in three of extra time against Urawa Red Dia- Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold said minutes, fi rst with his head and then monds — the fourth goal of the ex- afterwards. with a volley, to put the Japanese visi- tra periods — to force the shoot-out, “It took a great goal to beat us... all I tors within touching distance of the last which Seoul won 7-6. can say is, these things happen in foot- eight. Urawa’s Yoshiaki Komai was the fall ball,” he added. However, two minutes into stop- guy when his stuttering run-up and page time at the end of the second ex- shot was easily saved by Yu Sang-Hun, ADRIANO’S 11TH tra period, Go unleashed a left-footed before Seoul’s Kim Dong-Woo stroked Sydney got off to a dream start when shot which crept past Urawa’s Shusaku the decisive spot-kick. Brandon O’Neill’s low free kick crept in Nishikawa and forced the penalty kicks. The 2013 runners-up were seconds the second minute, before Walter Mon- from elimination after Tadanari Lee tillo equalised 10 minutes later. RESULTS scored twice in three minutes deep into Sydney made a sensational start to Round of 16 (2nd leg) extra time, before Go’s fi erce shot in the the second period when, with less than Sydney FC (AUS) 2 (O’Neill 2, Grant 122nd minute for 3-2 on the night and a minute gone, Rhyan Grant blasted 46) Shandong Luneng (CHN) 2 (Montillo 3-3 on aggregate. them 2-1 ahead from the right side of 12, Hao Junmin 90) It wasn’t the only action-packed last- the box after being teed up by Milos Aggregate score 3-3, Shandong win on 16 second leg as Hao’s rocket with sec- Ninkovic. Janjetovic’s penalty stop away goals onds left against Sydney FC locked up the from Diego Tardelli, after Zac An- FC Seoul (KOR) 3 (Damjanovic 29, scores at 3-3 on aggregate but put China’s derson saw red for a foul, appeared to Adriano 94, Go Yo-Han 120+2) Urawa Shandong through on away goals. have put Sydney through, but their joy Red Diamonds (JPN) 2 (Lee 112, 115) Goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic’s late faded when Hao’s last-minute sizzler Aggregate score 3-3, FC Seoul win 7-6 Shandong Luneng players celebrate their win over Sydney FC after the final whistle in AFC Champions League round of 16 penalty save — after he also stopped a swerved into the top corner. on penalties second leg match in Sydney yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 2 Thursday, May 26, 2016 FOOTBALL

Another Neville set to Spurs striker Kane sees Mourinho can deliver Arsenal confirm deal for Benitez agrees to stay at leave Valencia partnership with Vardy exciting football: Scholes Gladbach's Xhaka Newcastle on new deal

Phil Neville is leaving his job as Valencia assistant Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane believes Jose Mourinho will bring attacking flair back Arsenal announced the signing of Switzerland Rafael Benitez has agreed to stay as Newcastle coach and hoping to become a manager in his he and Leicester City marksman Jamie Vardy will to Manchester United, having learnt from the midfielder Granit Xhaka from Borussia United’s manager to try to return the club to own right following his brother Gary’s sacking provide England with one of the most formidable mistakes of Louis van Gaal, the club’s former Moenchengladbach yesterday. The Premier the . Benitez had the option as head coach at the end of March. The former strike partnerships on display at next month’s midfielder Paul Scholes has said. The Portuguese League side said the deal has yet to be off icially of exercising a break clause after Newcastle’s England international announced his intention Euro 2016 tournament in France. Kane edged out coach, who was sacked by Chelsea in December, ratified, but terms have been agreed with the relegation but will continue on a three-year to depart the day after Pako Ayestaran signed a Vardy by a single goal in the race for the Premier has agreed personal terms with United to 23-year-old. Xhaka has represented Switzerland contract. He has, however, insisted on changes. two-year contract extension to stay on as Valencia League golden boot after netting 25 times. take over from Van Gaal, according to reports 41 times and helped Gladbach to a fourth place He has written guarantees regarding the budget coach. “I think obviously with the naming of The pair both scored in England’s 2-1 friendly by Sky TV. “The fans at Man United demand finish this season, bringing with it Champions and areas of control, including recruitment. Pako as the manager I will be leaving the club win over Turkey in Manchester on Sunday. “We entertaining football, and I’m sure Mourinho will League football. “Granit Xhaka is an exciting These follow talks with Newcastle’s owner, Mike and looking for other opportunities,” Neville was should be considered among the best strikers come and try and give it,” Scholes told British young player, already with good Champions Ashley, and the managing director, Lee Charnley. quoted as saying by British media. “It’s football. in Europe. We’re up there, we’re confident, we’re media. The former midfielder, who won 11 league League and experience,” said Benitez could not prevent Newcastle from Hopefully in the future when I am a manager, I will both scoring goals and long may it continue,” titles with United, was an outspoken critic of Van Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Arsenal have relegation despite winning three and drawing want to bring my own staff with me. Kane told British media. Gaal’s time at the helm. confirmed Xhaka’s contract will begin on July 1. three of his final six matches last season.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Mata unlikely Real Madrid stars to be a Special Juan thriving under for Mourinho

Reuters A possible scenario, now that London Mourinho is set to hold the reins at United, would see France in- ternational Pogba returning to uan Mata has as much to his fi rst club as one of the linch- Zidane’s free reign fear as any Manchester pins of a new-look team. United player after, ac- Daley Blind is another United cording to Sky TV reports, player whose role will come un- ‘I think when you have been a player you have a way of focusing on things in JoseJ Mourinho agreed personal der scrutiny. terms to succeed Louis van Gaal It seems inconceivable Mour- football that is diff erent to a coach who hasn’t been’ in the Old Traff ord hot seat on inho would entertain the thought Tuesday. of deploying Blind in the same AFP “It is a game we’d all love to play... well The Spain midfi elder was jet- central defensive role he occu- Madrid tisoned by Mourinho at Chelsea pied under Van Gaal. Ronaldo trains ahead in January 2014 despite being a Mourinho prefers hard-as- of fi nal darling of the crowd, having won granite centre halves like John ust fi ve months into his fi rst sen- the Player of the Year award in Terry of Chelsea, Real Madrid’s ior managerial role, Real Madrid Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo his two previous seasons at the Pepe and former Stamford coach Zinedine Zidane is already alleviated concerns over his fitness Stamford Bridge club. Bridge stalwart Ricardo Car- living up to the unenviable task ahead of Saturday’s Champions Mata is an astute attacking valho, players that rely on their ofJ matching his credentials as one of the player who is always liable to defensive attributes rather than League final against Atletico Madrid fi nest players of his generation. as the three-time World Player of the chip in with an important goal, eye-catching skill at the back. Fourteen years on from the sumptu- Year returned to training yesterday. as he showed when scoring Unit- Blind, knowing perhaps that it ous volley that rippled a rain-soaked net Ronaldo limped off towards the end ed’s equaliser in their 2-1 FA Cup might be tricky to win Mourinho at Hampden Park in Glasgow to hand of training on Tuesday after suff ering fi nal win over Crystal Palace at over, wanted Van Gaal to stay at Real their ninth European Cup over Bayer a knock on a persistent left thigh Wembley on Saturday. United. Leverkusen, he can become just the sev- problem. Real’s all-time record scorer He does not fi t the bill, how- “I always worked well with enth man to win the Champions League missed three games last month ever, for a prototype Mourinho him and would have been keen as a player and a coach with victory over due to injury and was also left out a midfi elder. He lacks defensive that the co-operation lasted Atletico Madrid at Milan’s San Siro on practice match on Saturday by coach attributes because he has no longer,” said the Dutchman after Saturday. Zinedine Zidane as a precaution. pace, is weak in the air, cannot breaking off from training with A repeat of the outcome when Real met Ronaldo is aiming to break his own tackle and is heavily reliant on the national squad who are pre- Atletico in the only other Champions record of 17 Champions League goals his left foot. paring for a friendly against Ire- League fi nal between two clubs from the in a season in Milan having already “It is one thing to play with land tomorrow. same city two years ago would see Real netted 16 in the competition so far Ramires and Oscar closing down “Even though there was extend their dominance as the most suc- this campaign. The Portuguese set opponents on each side and Mata so much being written about cessful club in the competition’s history his record mark with a goal from the as a number 10 behind a striker him losing his job over the last with an 11th win. penalty spot as Real beat Atletico 4-1 with his clever assists, clever months, he always looked to pro- Zidane was also a part of the 10th. Two after extra-time in Lisbon two years passes and fantastic actions be- tect and shelter us.” years ago in Lisbon he cut an animated ago in the only other final between cause he has great talent,” said Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mem- fi gure as assistant coach to Carlo An- two sides from the same city. Mourinho in September 2013. phis Depay, Ashley Young and celotti as Sergio Ramos’s stoppage time “But it is another thing to adapt Adnan Januzaj are other United header rescued Real before Los Blancos No Atletico player to the way we want to play.” players who may be understand- cut loose in extra-time to win 4-1. No matter how skilful they ably apprehensive about Mour- That was the Frenchman’s fi nal match would make Real’s might be, Mourinho demands all inho’s impending arrival. as Ancelotti’s aid as he delved into the XI, Bale says his midfi eld players track back The Old Traff ord fans have third tier of Spanish football with Real’s when the team lose possession to never really taken Marouane Fel- youth team Castilla to cut his teeth as a Gareth Bale would not pick any form a solid defensive shield. laini to their hearts but the Bel- coach of his own merit. Atletico Madrid player over one of Within months of selling Mata gium international is powerful The leap when he was then promoted his teammates, the Real Madrid for- to United, the Portuguese re- in the air and combative on the to the top job at the Santiago Bernabeu to ward said, as the two Spanish sides placed him at Chelsea with Cesc ground and may be someone the replace the sacked Rafael Benitez after an prepare to square off in Saturday’s Fabregas. Portuguese can work with. ill-fated seven-month spell in charge in Champions League final. Atletico’s The Londoners won the Pre- As for another possible mar- January seemed steep. defence conceded just 18 goals last mier League at a canter in Fab- quee signing, media reports A very Real Madrid solution to a very Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane (foreground) walks on the pitch during a training season in the league, fewer per game regas’ fi rst season at Stamford have persistently linked Sweden Real Madrid problem, many concluded. session on the Open Media Day at Real Madrid sport city in Madrid on Tuesday. (AFP) than any other team in Europe’s Bridge but in the latter part of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic with Zidane was one of club president Floren- top five leagues. But when Bale was the campaign Mourinho was re- a move to United from Paris St tino Perez’s fi rst ‘Galactico’ star signings duced respect and results from Madrid’s lona and Bayern Munich. asked to create an ideal 11 from both luctant to employ the Spaniard in Germain. when he joined for a world record fee in often unmanageable, ego-driven dress- Replacing an unloved disciplinarian teams, he said he would pick Real a holding role alongside Nemanja Ibrahimovic teamed up with 2001. ing room. in Benitez has also been a contributory Madrid players every time. Asked Matic, thrusting him further for- Mourinho at Inter Milan and has After giving Benitez the shortest of “With Zizou’s arrival we have im- factor to Real’s stars embracing him with by radio station Cadena Cope if he ward where his defensive short- always spoken highly of the Por- leashes, Perez bet on stardust over stabil- proved hugely,” said three-time World open arms. Every compliment aimed his would pick Atletico’s Jan Oblak, who comings were less noticeable. tuguese. ity once more. Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo. way seems like another dart meant to tar- equalled the record for the Mourinho would have liked “Mourinho is the disciplinar- However, this time it seems to have “I think everybody feels the fun comes nish Benitez. fewest goals in a season, or Real’s to sign the more combative Paul ian,” said the Swede. “Everything worked. Zidane has won 21 of his 26 back a little bit when he arrived,” added “I think when you have been a player Keylor Navas, Bale said: “Keylor, 100 Pogba from Juventus after win- with him is a mind game, he likes games in charge, not only taking Real to Toni Kroos. you have a way of focusing on things in percent.” Asked which said had the ning the league but Chelsea’s ad- to manipulate. just their second Champions League fi nal Fortune has also favoured Zidane. The football that is diff erent to a coach who best midfield and defence, he added: vances fell on deaf ears, and the “Such tricks were new for me, in 14 years, but also pushing Barcelona all embarrassment of being thrown out of the hasn’t been,” said Ramos. “Real Madrid, everyone Real Madrid.” club endured a woeful start to all the time doing one thing to get the way in a La Liga title race decided by Copa del Rey for fi elding an ineligible play- “Perhaps, that’s why although he has the season that eventually led to another thing, all the time trig- just a point when Real trailed their eternal er before his appointment has ensured Real only been in charge for a short time, it I can’t,” he added on Tuesday with a smile the manager’s sacking in Decem- gering me. I like these games and rivals by 12 in February. have been fresher at the business end of the seems like he has for 30 years.” that laid bare he would still feel more ber 2015. it worked for me.” “I have a lot to learn, the desire I have to season than many of their rivals. Zidane’s slender frame and amiable comfortable as a midfi eld maestro than learn is tremendous and I am convinced I Moreover, a run of Roma, Wolfsburg attitude still give off the vibe of a player sidelined observer. am going to improve,” Zidane insisted on and an underwhelming Manchester City rather than a man weighed down by the Yet, despite the change from player, to Tuesday. Yet, his easy-going nature and has been a far easier road to Milan than pressure of leading the richest club in the assistant and now coach, the constant drive reputation as a player have instantly pro- that faced by Atletico in seeing off Barce- world. to win the Champions League remains.

BOTTOMLINE Simeone wants to cap Atletico rebuilding with C'League

DPA good, and we are very optimistic about manded more eff ort, commitment and Madrid Saturday.” passion from everyone at the club. Rarely has a football team been so Simeone’s defend-in-depth and play- completely transformed, so quickly, by on-the-break tactics have hardly en- iego Simeone aims to climax one particular coach. In January 2012, deared him to football’s purists. his rebuilding of Atletico Ma- when Simeone returned to Atletico seven However, even his fi ercest critics can- drid by winning the club’s fi rst years after bowing out as a player, the not hide their admiration for a man who Champions League, on Saturday club was in dire straits, just above the rel- managed to steer his modest outfi t past againstD crosstown rivals Real in Milan. egation zone and mired in pessimism and European aristocrats like Barcelona and The Champions League is the only tro- frustration. Bayern Munich. phy still missing from Simeone’s cabinet, The “Man in Black” — as Simeone is “Simeone already knows everything after guiding his beloved club to the Eu- known due to his choice of clothes — im- about football, while I still have a lot to ropa League in 2012, the Spanish Cup in mediately set about restoring optimism learn,” Real boss Zinedine Zidane said 2013 and the Spanish Liga in 2014. working team was beating Real 1-0 with and expectation at the club he had helped four days before the showdown. “Saturday is a crucial day for Simeone. just two minutes of injury time left, when to the Spanish league and cup double in Simeone and Zidane have only faced This could be the day when he completes Sergio Ramos headed in a late equal- 1996, as a never-say-die midfi eld warrior. each once so far as coaches, in March his revitalization of Atletico by giving the izer for Real, who went on to crush weary Not even the most fervent Atletico fan when Atletico battled out a crafty, hard- club it’s fi rst ever Champions League,” Atletico 4-1 in extra time. expected the “Simeone Revolution” to working 1-0 league win at Real’s Santiago Radio Marca said. “That was really cruel for us,” Simeone bear fruit quite so quickly, as the Argen- Bernabeu. Simeone came agonizingly close to recalled two years later, while preparing tine taskmaster quickly weeded out the Round One, therefore, to Simeone, Juan Mata was jettisoned by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in January giving Atletico their fi rst Champions for Saturday’s rematch in Milan. “But our players that didn’t impress him, brought with the watching world eager for Round 2014 despite having won the Player of the Year award in his two previ- crown two years ago in Lisbon. His hard- results against Real this season have been in fresh-faced replacements - and de- Two to begin Saturday in Milan. ous seasons at Stamford Bridge. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, May 26, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

EURO 2016 SPOTLIGHT Swedes hope Ibra Spain need the keeps on scoring in France

Reuters strikes in qualifying, including Stockholm three of the four goals that downed spine to reign again Denmark 4-3 on aggregate. However, Ibrahimovic’s he- aving secured their roics in front of goal have been 'Our objective is to think beyond the two European Championships we’ve won' spot at Euro 2016 by frequently wiped out by a soft- beating Scandinavian centred defence that struggles Reuters rivals Denmark in a against pace and counter-at- thrillingH two-legged playoff , tacks. Barcelona Deep-lying Iniesta aims for more glory Swedish fans hope Zlatan Ibrahi- Known for his loyalty, Hamren movic and company will hit the still includes ageing stalwarts or all Vicente del Bosque’s con- ground running in France. such as Sebastian Larsson and fi dence that he has the right bal- The Swedes crashed out at the Kim Kallstrom in his squad but ance of experience and youth opening stage of Euro 2012 and, he is gradually introducing new to return Spain to their familiar with Italy and Belgium in their players. Fplace on the winner’s rostrum, questions group this time round, a victory These include six of the side remain about his best starting line-up in their opening Group E game who were victorious at last year’s ahead of Euro 2016. against Ireland on June 13 would U21 European Championships On the surface, Spain’s qualifying go a long way towards help- in the Czech Republic, and a record of nine wins out of 10 going into ing them to make the knockout number of players with Cham- the tournament looks impressive but they stages. pions League experience with rarely delivered performances to suggest “The team that wins that game Malmo FF. they could pick up a third successive ti- has a good chance of advancing. Celta Vigo forward John Gui- tle or banish the memories of their 2014 A victory there might be enough detti has won plenty of praise in World Cup failure. to go through,” Sweden coach Spain and Emir Kujovic topped No-one will be keener to prove the Erik Hamren told Reuters. the scoring charts in Sweden’s doubters wrong than Del Bosque in what The Swedes struggle against in 2015, netting 21 looks to be his last hurrah as Spain’s higher-ranked teams and man- goals as his unfancied IFK Nor- coach. aged just two points from a pos- rkiping side won the title. Once again he can call on trusted stal- sible 12 in qualifi cation against They also have plenty of cover warts Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, group winners Austria and run- on the wings and at full back but Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Cesc ners-up Russia to fi nish in third it is choosing the best pairings at Fabregas, all regulars before or since spot. the centre of defence and in cen- the 2010 World Cup triumph, this time To make an impact at Euro tral midfi eld that will give Ham- blending them with a new generation of 2016 they will need captain and ren his biggest headaches. young players such as Manchester United record international goalscorer With the manager due to step goalkeeper David de Gea, Atletico Madrid Barcelona’s Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta holds his son Paolo next to his daughter Valeria as he speaks during celebrations Ibrahimovic to continue to fi nd down after the tournament and midfi elder Koke and Juventus striker Al- at Camp Nou in Barcelona on Monday. The likes of Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Cesc Fabregas are expected to play alongside a new the net on French soil. rumours that Ibra’s interna- varo Morata. generation of players in Vicente del Bosque’s Spain team at Euro 2016. (AFP) Virtually unstoppable in four tional retirement is looming, the “I really believe in the veterans who seasons in France’s , the Swedes will want to mark what have spent a long time with us and Reuters man a standing ovation on his most Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said 34-year-old Paris Saint Germain seems like the end of an era with we trust the newcomers, who give the Barcelona recent visits to the Bernabeu. recently that the midfielder was “in the striker netted 11 of Sweden’s 19 qualifi cation. squad impulse and fresh blood,” said Del With his trusted midfield companion form of his life”. Bosque. Xavi Hernandez retired from interna- Named best player at Euro 2012, Iniesta “Our objective is to think beyond the ndres Iniesta, the driving force tional football, Iniesta is the last archi- is set for his sixth major tournament two European Championships we’ve behind Spanish triumphs at the tect of the ‘tiki-taka’style of fast-moving with Spain in France. At the age of 32, it won, because people are only going to Alast two Euros and scorer of the passing football which Spain mastered could well be his last. value what we do in the next one.” goal that delivered their only World to dominate the world game between He is likely to captain the team in their Another triumph will require a set- Cup in between, will hope to provide 2008 and 2012. opening group game against Czech Re- tled spine to his team, yet there remains further inspiration as his country target He has also evolved his game in recent public if, as expected, Ike Casillas drops uncertainty over who will start as cen- a record fourth European Championship years, dropping deeper and dictating to the bench. tral striker and in goal, where the man- triumph. the play rather than just fuelling the As Spain try to rise again after their ager must decide whether to demote The virtuoso midfielder’s extra-time attack. His influence on games is more painful early exit from the World Cup Iker Casillas in favour of De Gea, whose strike against the Netherlands in Johan- subtle now, yet it is no less important. two years ago, the elegant pass master consistently outstanding performances nesburg in 2010 earned him universal “Iniesta has unique peripheral vision. He is best placed to orchestrate another in the last three seasons contrast with devotion in Spain, with even Real is a magical player,” said Barca coach triumph and reassert their credentials the long-standing captain’s waning Madrid supporters giving the Barcelona Luis Enrique earlier this year, while among football’s elite. powers. Up front, the situation is equally fl uid. Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz is At the back there remains an alarm- with Barcelona. After leaving out Diego Costa and Paco in the form of his life at the age of 35 and ing lack of depth to cover for Sergio Injury to either would be a major head- Alcacer -- top scorer in qualifying -- Del scored more goals than any other Span- Ramos, who appears to have hit form at ache because the inclusion of Barcelona’s Bosque is likely to opt for Morata as fi rst- iard in the campaign but there are doubts the right time after an inconsistent sea- Marc Bartra, who has played relatively choice striker, although he made just 16 about whether his physical, direct style son, and Gerard Pique, who arrives on little fi rst-team football this season, sug- Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic attends a training session at league starts for Juventus. fi ts in with Spain’s possession game. the back of another brilliant campaign gests experienced cover is not at hand. Stockholm Stadion yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS Manchester set for derby delight if Mourinho comes: Schweinsteiger

Reuters “There is already a lot of enthusiasm in Man- United in 12 years. It is a fi tting end for him.” Germany, drawn in Group C along with Ascona, Switzerland chester. Each player would like to train under That success, however, could not gloss over a Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland, are look- Mourinho. It will be something special (for the season in which United fi nished fi fth in the Pre- ing for their fi rst continental trophy in 20 years, city).” mier League, missing out on Champions League with the last of three Euro titles back in 1996. anchester should brace itself for Van Gaal was fi red on Monday a year before qualifi cation, and where dull performances had “I am doing well at the moment and I am very some fascinating local derbies if his contract was due to end and just two days af- the fans booing their own team even after vic- optimistic,” Schweinsteiger told reporters. “The Jose Mourinho joins United, mid- ter United beat Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup, tories. good thing is that I can deal with these situa- fi elder Bastian Schweinsteiger their fi rst trophy in three years. tions. I have had diffi cult times before.” Msaid yesterday. Schweinsteiger heaped praise on the Dutch- LOEW OPTIMISTIC Schweinsteiger, who had an injury-plagued The Germany international declined to com- man, saying he admired Van Gaal, having de- At the camp, Germany coach Joachim Loew fi rst season at United and played just 18 league ment on reports that the former Chelsea and veloped a special relationship with him over the said that 31-year-old Schweinsteiger, who has games, also had to race to get fi t for the 2014 Real Madrid manager had agreed terms with years. 114 caps, could train fully in terms of running World Cup with Germany winning the trophy United to succeed the sacked Louis van Gaal. The midfi elder played for two seasons under and sprinting but would need a few days before for the fourth time. However, he said every player would want to both Van Gaal and later Guardiola at the Bayern starting to work with a ball. “There is a plan for me and I follow it by the work under the Portuguese coach who will go Munich club. World Cup winners Germany were without hour,” he said. “It worked two years ago. Maybe head-to-head with Pep Guardiola who has al- “Louis van Gaal and me have had a special stalwarts Mats Hummels and Schweinsteiger as I was even worse back then than today. Little by ready agreed to join rivals Manchester City. relationship,” the Germany captain said. “My they began preparing for Euro 2016 yesterday. little I will move forward.” The two had their share of run-ins in 2011-12 transfer to United (in 2015) also had to do with “Physically he (Schweinsteiger) has done every- Central defender Hummels picked up a calf when Guardiola coached Barcelona and Mour- him. I cannot speak badly about someone I have thing asked of him. Sometimes he trained as much muscle injury in Borussia Dortmund’s German inho was in charge at Real Madrid. to thank for so much. as three times a day,” Loew said of the Manches- Cup fi nal defeat by Bayern Munich on Saturday. “It looks like there will be an interesting city “I admire him as coach and personality. De- ter United player who has been out of action since “He has a muscle fi bre tear in his calf and will duel if Mourinho joins United,” Schweinsteiger spite a diffi cult period with injury (and) bad March with a knee injury. “He has a good basis be out for a few days. At the moment the only told reporters at Germany’s training camp. luck we still managed to lift a trophy not won by now and I am optimistic for the coming weeks.” thing possible is treatment,” Loew said.

BOTTOMLINE Fit-again De Mathieu calf injury Bruyne on track adds to French defensive woes The playmaking abilities of a France to deploy 90,000 security for Euro 2016 fit-again Kevin De Bruyne, who Versatile Barcelona defender Jer- has made a strong recovery emy Mathieu will miss France’s AFP would be deployed, along with 13,000 safety at the “fan zones” -- which will from a knee injury, will be key to first warm-up match for Euro Paris private security guards. accommodate seven million people -- Belgium’s hopes of success at the 2016 on May 30 after injuring Some of the 10,000 soldiers deployed will be in the hands of private security European Championship. his calf, coach Didier Deschamps around France since last year’s jihadist agents. De Bruyne, who will celebrate his said yesterday, adding to con- rance said yesterday it will deploy attacks in Paris will also be used to secure “Fan zones are secure spaces,” he said. 25th birthday during the tourna- cerns over the hosts’ back line. more than 90,000 police and se- the matches, he said. “I took the decision to impose security ment in France, has turned in a France are already without curity guards for Euro 2016, vow- “Our objective is for the Euro to be a big pat-downs at entrances, to use metal series of impressive perform- first-choice centre back Raphael ing to do “everything possible to festive gathering, but we owe the French detectors and to ban bags inside. If there ances for Manchester City since Varane, who was ruled out of the avoidF a terrorist attack” during the foot- the truth. Zero percent precaution means were no fan zones, fans would regroup in returning from injury at the start tournament earlier this week, and ball tournament that starts next month. 100 percent risk, but 100 percent precau- an ad hoc setting and the risk (of an at- of April and, together with Eden fellow central defender Mamadou The announcement followed chaos on tion does not mean a zero percent risk,” tack) would be greater.” Hazard, presents a dynamic at- Sakho following his suspension Saturday at the Stade de France national he said. Despite the beefed-up measures, the tacking force for the Red Devils. for failing a drugs test last month. stadium when smoke bombs were set off “We are doing everything to avoid a interior minister said there was no par- De Bruyne is delivering on the po- The French squad, which will be during the national cup fi nal, sparking terrorist attack, and we are preparing to ticular threat against the football tourna- tential first spotted at Racing Genk, pared down from 31 to 23 by Sun- panic. respond.” ment. where he was a regular in the day, take on Cameroon in a friend- Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve The Stade de France, which will host “At this time we do not have a spe- team that won the championship ly in Nantes on Monday. Varane told the sports daily L’Equipe that the the opening game and fi nal, was targeted cifi c threat to a specifi c team or a specifi c in 2011. De Bruyne is approaching was replaced in the squad this match between Paris Saint-Germain and by suicide bombers during the attacks player, a specifi c match, or a specifi c fan 40 caps, four of which came in the week by Sevilla’s Adil Rami, who Marseille should not be considered a test French Interior minister Bernard by the Islamic State group on the French zone,” he said. World Cup finals in Brazil two years has not played for the national for Euro 2016. Cazeneuve speaks at a press conference capital in November. The assailants tried He added that protests would not be ago. His five goals for Belgium in team for three years despite pre- “They were not the same spectators, in Paris yesterday. (AFP) unsuccessfully to get inside the security banned but did not rule out possible dis- the Euro 2016 qualifiers, as they viously winning 26 caps. “He felt not the same organisers, nor the same se- perimeter. order as the country is gripped by a major finished top of Group B, were he had a problem with his calf. It’s curity deployment,” he said. on June 10 with matches to be played at 10 labour strike. equalled only by Hazard. “I’m ex- not serious as such, but I will wait “However, what happened will be venues around the country. NO ‘SPECIFIC THREAT’ “It remains an open possibility... that pecting he will give us extra speed. a few days to get more details. He taken into account” ahead of the month- Cazeneuve later wrote on Twitter that Cazeneuve said security inside the sta- security cannot be guaranteed by law and He is a real weapon,” said Belgium won’t be available for (the game) long football tournament, which kicks off 77,000 police and paramilitary police dium is the responsibility of UEFA, while order forces.” coach Marc Wilmots. in Nantes,” Deschamps said. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, May 26, 2016 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Australia close to Men only? Not any more Gillespie swoop

AFP as women fl ock to IPL Sydney ustralia is close to ‘The presence of so many female owners attracts lot of eyeballs from our female target audiences’ poaching Jason Gillespie from Eng- lish cricket to be the nationalA team’s new full-time KINGS XI PUNJAB CO-OWNER PREITY ZINTA fast bowling coach, a report said yesterday. Head coach Darren Lehmann has been on the look-out for a replacement since Craig McDer- mott stepped down at the end of the World Twenty20 in India this year. He said last month that the highly-regarded Gillespie, who has been head coach at York- shire for four years and was last year touted as a candidate for the England coaching job, was high on his list. At the time, the former Aus- tralian fast bowler said he was committed to the reigning Eng- lish county champions. But the Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that discussions about bringing him home were now at an advanced level and his services could be secured next month. “We’re speaking with a number of candidates but by no means is anything confi rmed,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson said in response. The Herald said the pend- ing appointment would propel Gillespie into the frame to even- tually replace Lehmann, along- side frontrunner Justin Langer. Ex-Tasmania quick Adam Griffi th is temporarily fi lling the bowling coaching role for Aus- tralia’s upcoming one-day tri- series in the West Indies, which also includes South Africa. Former South African pace spearhead Allan Donald then takes over for their Test tour of Sri Lanka. Donald has said he is inter- ested in the job full-time with reports also mentioning former Australian pacemen Ryan Har- ris and Andy Bichel, along with New Zealand’s Shane Bond, as possible contenders.

AFP Verma is one of a growing number Bollywood glamour crease in the number of viewers among against England. Chopra, who played New Delhi of female fans either buying tickets to A glance round the IPL grounds sug- housewives and now approximately more than 150 times for her coun- India’s glitzy Twenty20 tournament or gests around a third of fans are female. 30 percent of women watch cricket,” try, said old habits die hard in some watching on television where the voices “I would defi nitely say the number Cargill’s chief marketing offi cer Neeli- quarters but viewers generally ap- s women fl ock to the stands of women commentators are increas- of women watching the game has in- ma Burra told AFP. peared to becoming more comfort- and take prominent positions ingly being heard alongside their male creased in India,” Colonel Menon from “The presence of so many female able with the idea of women calling the in commentary boxes and counterparts. private company Skidata, which pro- owners attracts lot of eyeballs from our game. boardrooms, cricket’s richest Former India women’s captain An- vides crowd data to the IPL, told AFP, female target audiences. “I wouldn’t say they (cricket broad- Twenty20A league is no longer solely a jum Chopra, ex-England seamer Isa although he was unable to provide exact “And look at the number of women casters) are opening doors but I would man’s world. Guha and the Australians Lisa Sthale- fi gures on the ratio of female to male in the stands, look at the way women look at it that there are more opportu- The days of male-dominated crowds kar and Melanie Jones have been spectators. are involved in the game.” nities being created for women crick- spending as much time ogling cheer- regulars in this year’s IPL commen- While the cheerleaders who cel- Although it is nearly three decades eters and that’s a positive sign,” Chopra leaders on the boundary as taking in ac- tary booths, sidelining male veterans ebrate every four and six do still attract since the Barbadian lawyer Donna told AFP. tion in the middle have been consigned of cricket broadcasting such as Harsha interest from male fans, many spec- Symmonds became the fi rst female “We do get a mixed response, but to the past as the 2016 edition of the Bhogle. tators’ eyes are drawn instead to the commentator to cover Test cricket, from last year to this year, I have per- reaches a climax The commentators are part of an IPL women celebrities populating the ex- women often still have to contend with sonally received much more positive with Sunday’s fi nal. strategy to attract more women, with ecutive boxes or team dugouts. sexism from players or male colleagues. feedback. “This perception of women not be- the aim of increasing ticket sales, do- They include Bollywood actress The West Indian Chris Gayle caused “So I would probably think that it’s ing cricket-savvy is so passe,” said mestic television viewing ratings home Preity Zinta, who co-owns the Kings outrage at this year’s Big Bash League a similar thing for the other women as Reena Verma as she took her seat for a and overall revenues. XI Punjab, and Nita Ambani, the wife T20 league in Australia when he tried well who are also commentating and recent match between the Delhi Dare- “We want families to come, we want of the country’s richest man Mukesh to chat up a television reporter live presenting the sport.” devils and in the women and girls to come, it’s not the Ambani and who is the principal of the on air. Bhavna Rajput, a housewife tak- Indian capital. usual cricket fan that we are trying to Mumbai Indians franchise. ing in the match at Delhi’s Feroz Shah “I know where a gully or point is. I can connect with,” an IPL offi cial told AFP Sponsors have been taking note, Studio sexism Kotla stadium, said the IPL’s high-oc- also tell the diff erence between a leg- on condition of anonymity. with the agricultural food producer The Australian player Ellyse Perry tane action and Bollywood glamour as spinner and a chinaman,” said the part- “The whole thing is targeted to draw Cargill Foods India tying up with the was left squirming in 2013 when the epitomised by Zinta beat anything on time teacher, illustrating her knowledge equal number of female and male fans new Rising Pune Supergiants team to former international Michael Slater television. of cricket’s idiosyncratic jargon to de- and that’s the reason why some of the have the logo of its Gemini sunfl ower quizzed her on TV about a swimwear “Three hours of racy cricket is better scribe fi elding positions and bowling Sony (TV) presenters are female,” he oil on players’ helmets. shoot when she had been invited on air than three hours of weepy dramas,” she styles respectively. said. “The last few years has seen a big in- to talk about the women’s Ashes series said.

OPINION Kohli declares De Villiers the ‘best in world’

AFP the match. “That should end a lot of Bangalore debates as to who is the best going Nehra undergoes successful knee surgery around. No question about it,” added Kohli, who has been dubbed the new Veteran pacer Ashish Nehra, who was ruled out of the irat Kohli has declared AB king of cricket by Indian media. ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament with de Villiers the best batsman RCB faced a hostile spell of bowl- a hamstring injury, has undergone a successful knee in the world after the South ing from Gujarat medium-pacer surgery in London. African single-handedly (4-14) to lose their The 36-year-old, who represented the Sunrisers Hydera- Vsteered his Indian Premier League openers early in Kohli and Chris bad franchise in the cash-rich league, had sustained a side into this season’s cricket fi nal. Gayle (9) in front of a raucous home high-grade tendon injury and the Board of Control for Captain Kohli, whose rare batting crowd. Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical team, after assessing failure on Tuesday put Royal Chal- De Villiers, who has been involved his injury, recommended that he consult an orthopaedic lengers Bangalore (RCB) in a tight in an all-time record breaking 229- specialist in London. spot in their 159-run chase, saw De run stand with Kohli in this edition, The Delhi left-armer underwent surgery on Tuesday. Villiers turn things around with his then rose to the occasion to smash Former India batsman and Sunrisers team mentor VVS unbeaten 79-run blitz in Qualifi er 1. fi ve fours and as many sixes in 47 Laxman, took to social networking site Twitter to inform RCB were in a precarious posi- balls to snatch victory. about Nehra’s successful surgery. tion at 68 for six before De Villiers “Come the big game, the big man “Nehra ji had a successful operation last night in Lon- stitched an unbeaten 91-run seventh stands up. I just bow down to him, don. Wishing him a speedy recovery,” Laxman wrote stand with Iqbal Abdulla to that was probably one of the best yesterday. The Delhi pacer, who formed a formidable trio stun table-toppers Gujarat Lions. knocks under pressure I’ve seen,” - alongside Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman and “Unbelievable, can’t believe I’m said Kohli. - for the Hyderabad team, took the winning captain,” Kohli, who Bangalore will now face the win- nine in eight matches before sustaining the leads the run chart with a record 919 ner of Qualifi er 2 in the title clash on injury in a league match against Kings XI Punjab. in 15 games this season, said after Sunday at the same venue. (R) with AB de Villiers. Gulf Times Thursday, May 26, 2016 5 CRICKET

IPL Sunrisers Hyderabad knock out ‘Didn’t have big partnerships. Someone needed to play a Yuvi kind of cameo, it was an unbelievable innings’

Agencies New Delhi

he Sunrisers Hyderabad will face the Gujarat Li- ons in the IPL qualifi er to see who will face the TRoyal Challengers Bangalore in the fi nal, after the Sunrisers beat the Kolkata Knight Riders by 22 runs in New Delhi yesterday. Ironically, KKR beat the Sun- risers by 22 runs in the reverse fi xture in their last group game just three days ago, and it was that defeat that prevented the Sunrisers from fi nishing in the top two. While the Sunrisers were forced to go the long way around, they are now one match away from reaching their fi rst ever IPL fi nal, while KKR have been denied the chance to win a third title in fi ve years. The Sunrisers’ 162-8 looked ominous at fi rst, as KKR have been a good chasing side throughout the tournament, evident from the fact that they’ve chosen to bowl fi rst after every toss they’ve won, including this one. It was a very patchy start from David Warn- er’s charges, however, as Shikhar Dhawan fell to Morne Morkel for 10, while Warner departed for a run-a-ball 31. They’d scored 11 half-centuries between them going into this clash. They had their middle order to thank for getting them back on track, as Moises Henriques, fresh from his call-up to the Australia Test squad, plundered 31, while seasoned campaigner scored 44. There were useful contribu- tions from Deepak Hooda (21) and Bipul Sharma (16) to hand them a competitive total. Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gamb- hir were typically quick off the blocks in response, but they were dealt an early blow as Uthappa fell for 11. They were fi rmly on track from there, though, as Gambhir and powerful New Zealander Colin Munro put on a brisk 32. Then the game-chang- er came, as Yuvraj produced an excellent bit of fi elding. Sunrisers Hyderabad captain (C) celebrates the wicket of Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir (R) with teammates during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 eliminator match at the With one stump to aim at from Feroz Shah Kotla Cricket Stadium in New Delhi yesterday. (AFP) point, a quick single turned into a wicket, as a direct wicket sent ered. and Surya- charts in the tournament with runs out there. All the bowl- wicket to bat on, 160 was chase- Someone needed to play a Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh 44, Kuldeep 3-35) Munro running all the way back kumar off ered some brief hope another bout of wickets in fast ers bowled well, and we fi elded able. I thought Colin’s run-out kind of cameo, it was an un- beat Kolkata Knight Riders to the pavilion. That proved with a 46-run stand, but Bhuv- succession to leave the Knight really well,” the Man of the was a turning point,” KKR skip- belaievable innings,” he said. 140 for 8 (Manish Pandey 36, the catalyst for a fl urry of quick neshwar Kumar lifted himself up Riders short. Match Moises Henriques said. per Gambhir said. BRIEF SCORES Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-19) beat wickets, and KKR never recov- to the top of the wicket-taking “I still feel like I left a lot of “I thought it was a very good “Didn’t have big partnerships. Sunrisers Hyderabad 162 for 8 by 22 runs.

FOCUS Compton accepts England future is on the line

AFP tant he remained true to his own ness is contributing to an Eng- Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom style at No 3. land victory. England assistant coach “Take the Durban Test match, Paul Farbrace was adamant at I know I contributed to that vic- ick Compton believes Headingley that Compton had tory.” there’s still a place for no need to radically alter his his ‘old-fashioned’ game. ‘Glamour’ approach to top-order Compton, speaking at the The Middlesex batsman in- Nbatting, even though he accepts Riverside yesterday, said that sisted he had received no guar- he is playing for his England was the message he had received antees about his international place heading into tomorrow’s from team management. future. second Test against Sri Lanka at “I’m very clear on that,” said “I don’t think there’s any as- the Riverside. Compton at an event staged by surances in top-level sport...It Compton was out for a duck series sponsor Investec. comes down to weight of runs.” in England’s crushing innings “We’ve an exciting team of As for his style at the crease, and 88-run win at Headingley stroke players. It’s my role to Compton added: “The way the last week as Alastair Cook’s men get myself in and try and shield game’s going I think people are went 1-0 up in the three-match some of those players from the drawn towards a certain glam- series. new ball and if I get in, to make our. Some players provide that That followed a tour of South sure I get a big score.” and people want to see more of Africa where Compton, in his Compton, despite two hun- that. second spell as an England bats- dreds against New Zealand, was “That’s great, we’re in the en- man, managed just 245 runs in dropped by England in 2013 after tertainment business. I suppose four matches. Often described being reduced to near stroke- watching Ben Stokes’s 200 (at as an “intense” cricketer, Comp- lessness when facing the Black Cape Town in January) is better ton’s style of patient accumula- Caps at Headingley in 2013. than watching Compton’s 80. tion is at odds with the modern- “I probably didn’t take my “If I sat on a couch and wanted day trend for aggressive batting chances with two hands,” said to watch someone bat, I would in all formats. Compton. “Maybe with one, rather watch Brian Lara, or my The 32-year-old, who aver- one-and-a-half hands.” late grandfather, or Ben Stokes. ages 30 in 14 Tests at a mod- Compton made a useful 85 “But I feel like I have made the est strike rate of 35 runs per against South Africa in Durban, best of what I’ve been given.” 100 balls, accepts that England the city where he was born and He added: “If you put me team-mates Ben Stokes and brought up, to help England to on a fl at wicket against Jonny may be easier on a 241-run win in the fi rst Test in Bairstow (who made a brisk 140 the eye, as indeed was his grand- December. against Sri Lanka at Headingley father Denis Compton – not “It would have been nice per- last week) he is going to score just one of England’s greatest sonally to have kicked on and quicker than I am. batsmen but one of their most got some big scores and that’s “But likewise I think there are dashing. something that grated with me,” areas where I will add something But Nick Compton, born in he said. else, and it’s not always going to South Africa but latterly educat- “But the thing that gives me be fl at. I just have to do what I’m ed in England, said it was impor- the most enjoyment or happi- doing better.” Gulf Times 6 Thursday, May 26, 2016 SPORT

FOCUS Scandal-hit seeks crumbs of comfort from IOC

AFP Lamine Diack, Japanese offi cials will Eisuke Hiraoka said they have no in- sailing venue. Tokyo be more grateful than ever for the usual Murofushi makes one last throw for Rio tention of seeking the whereabouts of Tokyo has been hit by a series of IOC platitudes. Singapore-based consultant Ian Tan controversies since beating Istan- However, Coates and his team are Reuters to work. It won’t be like when I was Tong Han, allegedly the initial recipi- bul and Madrid in September 2013 in eleaguered Tokyo 2020 Olym- likely to face tough questions over Tokyo younger. I have to give it all I’ve got on ent of the payments. the race to host the coveted Summer pic organisers will be hoping the alleged bribery suspicions despite the day of the meet. It’s still there. I just “We don’t think it’s appropriate for Games. Prime Minister Abe pulled the for some warm words of com- strong denials of any wrongdoing by have to find a way to bring it to the fore.” us to contact the suspect under French plug on the original plan for the new fort from the International Tokyo 2020 bid leaders, who acknowl- lympic hammer throw gold med- Murofushi became the field event’s and Singaporean investigations,” Olympic stadium last year amid public OlympicB Committee when senior of- edge the money was paid but stress it Hiraoka said, provoking criticism from anger over its $2 billion price tag. allist Koji Murofushi will return oldest world champion when he won fi cials arrive for talks. was a legitimate consultancy fee. Oafter a two-year absence from at Daegu in 2011 at the age of 36. After opposition lawmakers that the JOC Further embarrassment followed Controversy has once again cast a Allegations the payments were competition to bid for a place at the Rio winning his 20th national title in 2014, probe may unearth few facts to prove when Tokyo organisers ditched their shadow over Japan’s preparations for improper, fi rst reported by Britain’s de Janeiro Games at the age of 41. he declined to compete last year, citing Tokyo’s bid activities were “clean”. 2020 Games logo after allegations of the 2020 Games after French prosecu- Guardian newspaper two weeks ago, Murofushi, who won gold at the 2004 his hope for a new generation of Japa- Takeda has refused to disclose de- plagiarism and the threat of legal ac- tors launched an investigation into $2 sent shockwaves through Japan. Prime Athens Games and bronze at London nese throwers to emerge. tails of the consultancy contract to tion from a Belgian designer who million in payments allegedly paid to Minister Shinzo Abe ordered full co- four years ago, will compete at Japan’s He is following in the footsteps of his lawmakers, citing a “confi dentiality claimed it too closely resembled the help Tokyo secure the Olympics. operation with French authorities after national athletics trials in Nagoya next hammer-throwing father Shigenobu obligation”. emblem of a theatre in Liege, Belgium. John Coates, chairman of the IOC’s being grilled by opposition leaders in month, Kyodo news reported. Murofushi, a triple Olympian who was He told lawmakers that the pay- However, those fi ascos pale in Tokyo 2020 co-ordination commis- Japan’s parliament. “As an athlete, I want to keep compet- flag-bearer for Japan at the 1984 Los An- ments “were compensations for a comparison to accusations of murky sion, attempted to defl ect attention “For Japan, as a democratic coun- ing until I no longer can,” the news geles Games and competed well into his consultancy contract, and we’d never payments made to Tan of Singapore away from potentially sticky issues on try, the use of bribes and dirty money agency quoted Murofushi as saying. 40’s. Shigenobu long held the national thought that the money would be sent fi rm Black Tidings, who said to be an previous visits, such as last year’s row brings dishonour to the country,” said “I have to find a way to make the time record until his son broke it in 1998. to Mr. Diack”. associate of Diack’s son Papa Mas- over the cost of the main stadium. Katsuya Okada, president of Japan’s With the Rio Olympics less than sata Diack. The junior Diack received As scandal-hit Tokyo organisers Democratic Party. “We need to clarify three months away, regular co-ordi- cash transfers from Asia in July 2013 sweat over the French probe into cash all the facts.” bid team, has ordered its own probe. meeting today on the sidelines of the nation activities have been postponed and bought 130,000 euros ($145,000) funnelled into a Singapore bank ac- The Japanese Olympic Committee JOC offi cials said yesterday its probe IOC visit. to later in the year and replaced by an worth of luxury items including count, said to have been paid to the (JOC), headed by Tsunekazu Takeda, team, comprising two lawyers and a Questioned by opposition lawmak- executive meeting, although Coates watches, a source close to the French son of disgraced former athletics chief the same man who fronted the Tokyo certifi ed accountant, will hold its fi rst ers in parliament, JOC board member is expected to inspect the Tokyo 2020 investigation said.

SQUASH Russian high-jumper Chicherova ‘shocked’ by positive dope test

Mom’s the word AFP Moscow

ussian high-jump Olympic champion Anna Chicherova (pictured below) yesterday vowed to clear her name Rafter testing positive for doping at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, casting doubt on her participation in Rio. Russia’s Olympic Committee (ROC) said on Tuesday that 14 for Elshorbagy, El of its athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, including Chich- erova and nine other medallists, tested positive in new tests on samples given during the Games, as Moscow faces allegations of state-organised doping. “For me it’s the most complete shock. I can’t explain how it could have happened,” said Chicherova, who hopes to com- pete in August’s Rio Games if Russia’s team is allowed to enter. Chicherova is the reigning Olympic high-jump champion Sherbini shocked after winning gold in London in 2012. She won the bronze in Beijing. “I was always sure what supplements and medicines I ‘She has played such a big role in my career. She comes to every tournament was using,” she said. “I hope I can defend my name as clean.” The announcement came after the International Olympic and she is more like a manager. I’m lucky to have a woman like that in my life’ Committee (IOC) said that 31 athletes from 12 countries had failed doping tests of their samples from the Beijing Games. While Russia has not off icially named its athletes, a list was aired on Match TV channel and Chicherova confirmed she had indeed received notification that her sample showed evidence of banned substances. She described her present situation of waiting for the final results after a second sample is tested on May 31 or June 1 in Switzerland as “very painful and unpleasant”. The Russian athletics federation said on Tuesday that if al- lowed to compete at Rio, it would bar any athlete found to have used doping in previous years. The world athletics governing body IAAF is set to rule next month whether to lift Russia’s provisional suspension from Rio over evidence of state- sponsoring doping. A delegation from the IAAF is set to visit Russia for the final time before deciding whether it can take part in the Olympics, the Russian athletics federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin said. The latest doping revelations came as Russia is reeling from damning accusations by the former head of Russia’s anti-doping laboratory at the Sochi Winter Games, Grigory Rodchenkov. He told the New York Times of a systematic state- organised scheme to get round anti-doping rules, including at least 15 medallists at the 2014 Sochi Olympics as well as the sports ministry and the FSB security service. The Russian athletics doping scandal was earlier brought to light by whistle-blowers, including runner Yulia Stepanova and her husband Vitaly Stepanov, a former employee of Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA.

Nour El Sherbini of Egypt (right) plays a backhand against her compatriot Raneem El Welily during their match at the PSA World Series Finals squash tournament in Dubai. (AFP) Russian minister expects lift of IAAF ban

AFP The bustling Alexandrian was My mother will quite often help taining high speed encounter to successful player next faces an- ussia expects to have the federation made the right Dubai always in control against Castag- me during tournaments and she fellow Egyptian Raneem El Welily. other former world number one, a ban on its athletics decision by recommending a net, even though the movement has also been with me at train- It was not a major surprise, Laura Massaro, who produced a Rteam lifted for the Rio rule change the previous day and dynamism of the rallies took ing sessions. She knows the for Welily was the world’s top- performance full of good move- de Janeiro Olympics in August, under which athletes who have orld number one the crowd’s breath away. other players and watched their ranked player herself for a spell ment and bold shot selection to deputy sports minister Yuri Yuri been found guilty of doping in Mohamed Elshor- Once the Frenchman made a matches, and she loves the sport. last year, and her creative style win 11-7, 13-11 against Nouran Nagornykh was quoted as say- the past will not be allowed to bagy made a point blank interception from It’s always better with her.” suited the shorter best-of-three Gohar, the world junior cham- ing yesterday. compete in Rio. whirlwind start to within six feet of the front wall, Elshorbagy next plays Miguel games format very well. El Sher- pion from Egypt. Nagornykh said he believes Butov added that the move Whis bid to win the World Series but even that was not enough to Angel Rodriguez, the fi fth-seed- bini can still qualify if she wins Massaro had to make a clever the ruling athletics body IAAF only applies to the Olympics fi nals and created another kind of get the ball away for a winner. ed Colombian, who scored his her next two matches, front court angle to prevent the will lift the ban, imposed in while athletes who have served storm, of applause from specta- Earlier, Elshorbagy made it fi rst ever win over Nick Matthew, Later Nicol David, who could fi erce hitting 18-year-old from November over allegations of sanctions can compete at other tors, by praising his mother who even clearer that he would not be the 35-year-old three-times win this title for a third succes- levelling at one-game all, and widespread doping, at a June 17 events. “The latest decision coaches him. at the pinnacle but for his mum, former world champion from sive time despite the women’s enjoyed a crucially fortunate meeting in Vienna. means that we ourselves want The 25-year-old Egyptian tri- claiming that without her help England, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9. event’s three-year absence, be- moment when a Gohar lob just “It is in the interest of the to be maximally sure that no umphed 11-4, 11-6 in a physically he would have lost his last big fi - Matthew, who contemplat- gan with an enterprising 11-6, touched the line, which is out in IAAF and the Russian athletics doping scandals will accom- explosive battle with Mathieu nal, at El Gouna three weeks ago ed retirement after the Brit- 13-11 win over Amanda Sobhy, squash, on another game point. federation that the strongest pany our athletics team in Rio, Castagnet, the seventh-seeded when he was two games down ish Open two months ago, still the fi rst American to reach the Afterwards the 32-year-old athletes compete at Olympic provided that it goes to the Frenchman, and then told the against the world champion from looked hampered by the ankle world’s top eight. Englishwoman said she believes Games,” Nagornykh was quoted Olympics,” Butov said. crowd how Basma Hassan had France, Gregory Gaultier. injury which has troubled him for David adapted well to the re- she saved her career here in Du- by Russian media as saying. Russia has been rocked by made his pre-eminence possible. “When I lost the second game nearly a year. quirements of the shorter for- bai three years ago when she Nagornykh added that the Rus- doping allegations in athletics “She has played such a big my mother came to me,” Elshor- However, the other world mat, attempting more forays to reckoned she was not getting any sian federation ARAF is cooper- and other sports, and accord- role in my career,” Elshorbagy bagy revealed. number one, Nour El Sherbini, the front than usual, and denying better. “Three weeks’ holiday ating and working according to ing to Tass, 14 Russians are explained. “She comes to every “She said, ‘I don’t mind you by contrast, was beaten. The Sobhy a crucial game point at 10- here helped me make up my mind the conditions set by the IAAF. among 31 athletes caught using tournament and she is more like losing, but don’t come off court 20-year-old, who recently won 11 in the second game with the to go on, and my best achieve- ARAF secretary general forbidden substances in retests a manager. I’m lucky to have a and let me down. Just fi ght for both the world and British Open help of a skilful volley drop shot. ments have come since then,” she Mikhail Butov, meanwhile, told of 454 samples from the 2008 woman like that in my life.” every point now.’ And it worked. titles, lost 12-10, 17-15 in an enter- The women’s game’s most said. “So it’s nice to be back.” the Tass news agency that Olympics. Gulf Times Thursday, May 26, 2016 7 SPORT

NBA Wilting Warriors need to fi nd quick solution to their Westbrook, Thunder playoff problems Reuters Washington

he Golden State Warriors are fast becoming a pale shadow of the 73-win Tteam that stormed through the regular put defending champs season and there is no shortage of theories as to why the league’s most dominant team are now on the verge of playoff elimination. After Oklahoma City pummelled the War- riors 118-94 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series on Tuesday, questions poured in like Thunder fast-break points. on verge of elimination Is the team’s talismanic MVP Stephen Curry healthy? Did Draymond Green buckle under the pressure of his near suspension? Oklahoma can punch a ticket to the Finals with a road win in the best-of-seven series tonight Is Golden State finally being crushed by the burden of fulfilling a record campaign? Following their latest setback, the first consecutive losses of the season for the Russell Westbrook (left) of Oklahoma City Warriors, the defending NBA champions did Thunder drives against Stephen Curry of their best to deflect questions demanding an the Golden State Warriors during Game 4 explanation for their demise. of Western Conference Finals in Oklahoma “We had a tremendous season and did City on Tuesday night. (AFP) something no one has done before. We’re proud of that. But in the playoff s, everyone starts 0-0, so there’s no extra pressure,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters. On the court, however, the fun-loving War- riors of the regular season appear to have been transformed into a struggling unit, devoid of form or fluidity against a highly motivated opponent. Curry buried half-court shots on com- mand as he claimed a second consecutive MVP award but he has been outplayed by Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook in the conference finals, prompting inquiries about the right knee he sprained last month. “I’m fine,” said Curry, who has made just 13-of-37 shots in his last two games. “In our locker room it’s frustration and trying to figure out how we can get back to being ourselves,” he added. The Game 4 spotlight was also shining on Green after he avoided a suspension despite kicking Thunder centre Steven Adams in the groin during Sunday’s 133-105 blowout loss. The team’s emotional leader, Green was sub- dued during a six-point, six-turnover night. “That’s the first time in my life I haven’t responded to critics,” Green said of his disap- pointing display. “That’s been my story. I haven’t (responded) so I need to do that.” When the Warriors pushed past the historic 72 wins of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls it felt inevitable that they would cap that feat with a second straight title. Now the odds are stacked against them and the reason for the turnaround in fortunes appears much simpler than the combined battle against pressure and health. The Thunder are bigger, faster and at this moment, better than Golden State and it does not require a deep investigation to uncover that. “(OKC) is outplaying us right now and we have to come up with answers,” Kerr admitted. Those answers need to be found quickly with Game 5 coming up in Oakland tonight.

Warriors’ MVP Stephen Curry has failed to fire in the playoff s DPA we have to move on to the next game,” vers en route to suff ering consecutive Added Thomson: “We have to play within 80-74 with 4:48 left in the Oklahoma City said Westbrook after collecting his losses for the fi rst time this season af- with desperation like our lives are on the third period. fi fth career playoff triple-double. “It’s ter Sunday’s 133-105 Game 3 blowout. line and go from there. We have to play “I told myself we’re not going to go the fi rst team to four, so we have to go “I just missed them,” said Curry, like the world champs Thursday night.” very far if I don’t push myself to be he Oklahoma City Thun- back to the drawing board and fi gure referring to his frosty 6-of-20 fi eld OKC came out fi red up and went on aggressive,” Thompson said. “I told der put the defending NBA what we need to do to close it out.” goal shooting. “It’s a terrible night to an early 16-0 blitz capped by a thun- myself just have one of those quar- Champs on the ropes with Kevin Durant netted 26 points, have that happen but I’ll be better.” derous Westbrook dunk and corner ters. We’re already down by so much, another blowout win on Serge Ibaka and Andre Robertson had The Warriors will look to keep triple to open up a 28-15 advantage. why not go out there gunning and get TTuesday. Russell Westbrook had 36 17 apiece for the third-seeded Thun- their magical NBA-record 73-win Golden State fi nished the quarter on to the rim as much as possible.” points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, der, who stayed in front in the second season alive with history against an 11-2 burst to pull within 30-26. OKC regained control and opened as the Thunder rolled the visiting half after leading by 19 at the break. them. Only nine teams have ever ral- The Thunder dominated the sec- up a 101-85 advantage on a Robert- Golden State Warriors 118-94 to take “We were trying to play simple bas- lied to win a series after falling into a ond quarter 42-27 behind West- son triple before cruising home with a commanding 3-1 lead in the West- ketball,” Durant said. “Defensively, we 3-1 hole. brook’s 16 to go up by 19 at the break. the convincing win front of the more ern Conference fi nals. did a good job keeping our hands up.” “The series is not over and we be- Westbrook led the way with 21 points than 19,000 cheering fans at sold The Thunder can knock out the Klay Thompson scored 26 points, lieve in ourselves,” Curry explained. while Durant had 18. out Chesapeake Energy Arena. “This Warriors and punch a ticket to the 19 in the third quarter, but league “It’s a terrible feeling not stepping The Thunder took a 94-82 lead team is outplaying us right now and Finals with a road win today in the MVP Stephen Curry had just 19 for up and playing our game. I think into the fourth quarter despite we have to come up with answers,” best-of-seven series. the top-seeded Warriors, who com- we’re a special team and this is not Thompson getting loose for 19 con- Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s “I think we’re in a good place but mitted a post-season-high 21 turno- how we’re going to go out.” secutive Warriors points to pull as simple as that.”

NHL/ STANLEY CUP Penguins force Game 7 with Lightning victory

The Sports Xchange to pull Tampa Bay within a goal with Tuesday on a goal by defenseman Kris Tampa, Florida 7:17 to play. After 11 shots in the fi rst Letang, just his second of the playoff s, two periods, Tampa Bay had 18 in the off a drop pass from Conor Sheary third alone. with 12:20 left, beating Vasilevskiy to he Penguins stayed alive in Boyle’s fi rst goal went in off Pitts- the top left corner of the net. the Eastern Conference fi - burgh’s Phil Kessel, who had tried to Pittsburgh jumped ahead late in nals with a 5-2 win over the redirect it but put it in the net off a the fi rst period, taking advantage Tampa Bay Lightning in wide shot with 14:30 left. That was of a 5-on-3 power play that had the TGame 6 at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Boyle’s fourth goal of the postseason, Lightning’s top two defensemen in setting up a series decider back in and he scored again, taking a pass the penalty box. Pittsburgh. from defenseman Slater Koekkoek Anton Stralman was called for in- Pittsburgh goaltender Matthew and fi ring a shot to the top left corner terference after a hit on Pittsburgh’s Murray took a shutout into the third of the net and past Murray. Tom Kuhnhackl with 2:51 left, and period, then held on as Tampa Bay Pittsburgh continued to stun the when Victor Hedman looked to clear pulled within a goal, with more shots Lightning with late-period goals, the puck, it sailed over the glass on in the third period than in the fi rst scoring twice in the fi nal 90 seconds the far end of the ice for a delay pen- two combined. of periods to take a 3-0 lead into the alty and 1:19 of 5-on-3 hockey. Pittsburgh’s Bryan Rust got a third period. Sidney Crosby made it The Lightning killed off most of breakaway goal with 2:08 left and a 3-0 game, scoring with just 25 sec- the double advantage but, with 1:14 Nick Bonino added an empty-netter onds left in the second as he weaved left, Kessel scored, taking a pass from with 53 seconds left to pull away. past two Lightning players and then Crosby out of mid air that caromed The Penguins will be back on home shot the puck through the legs of past Vasilevskiy for the 1-0 lead. ice for Game 7 tonight, where Tampa goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy for his sixth Tampa Bay looked to have taken Bay have won two of three games in goal of the post-season. the lead with 14:48 left on a goal this series, with the winner advanc- Two nights earlier, Pittsburgh had a from Jonathan Drouin, but an offi cial ing to the Stanley Cup fi nals. 2-0 lead in the second period, only to review showed that Drouin was off - The Lightning trailed 3-0 in the see the Lightning rally to tie the game side, his back skate had not crossed Pittsburgh Penguins players celebrate a goal against Tampa Bay third period when they got a spark and win in overtime. The Penguins the blue line but was up off the ice, so Lightning during Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Finals. (AFP) from Brian Boyle, who scored twice had extended their lead to 2-0 on the goal was waived off . Gulf Times 8 Thursday, May 26, 2016 SPORT

FOCUS Canadian golfer Lyon’s roar echoes 112 years on

Reuters Games in St. Louis. nadian record in the pole-vault and Two years after taking up golf as a pulled through. When Egan’s tee shot turn at the August 5-21 Rio Games but Toronto After pulling off a massive upset would go on to represent his country 38-year-old, Lyon remarkably won the on the 16th hole landed in an adjacent said he has not been able to get talks over Chandler Egan, who at the time at cricket, scoring 238 for his fi rst of his eight Canadian amateur ti- pond, Lyon’s par was good enough started with anyone at the Interna- was a 20-year-old reigning US ama- club, which stood as a Canadian record tles despite an unorthodox swing that a to clinch a 3&2 victory, one that is tional Olympic Committee. 46-year-old golfer beating teur champion, a playful Lyon turned for nearly 40 years. New York columnist described as akin commemorated to this day with a Wigle expects to be watching his competitors more than half himself upside-down and walked on He got his fi rst taste of golf when to “using a scythe to cut wheat”. plaque on that tee box. great grandfather’s Olympic reign his age in a virtual monsoon his hands to receive his Olympic medal a friend, who noticed Lyon’s cricket By the time he arrived at the Glen After being crowned Olympic cham- come to an end from his home, with to win an Olympic gold medal and trophy. teammates were late for practice, in- Echo Country Club in St. Louis, where pion, a humble Lyon told a Toronto a glass of scotch in hand, but is happy aA mere eight years after taking up the “It was something we always knew vited him to put down his bat and play golf was on the Olympic programme newspaper: “I am not foolish enough that Lyon’s story is being told. sport sounds like something straight about and we knew that it wasn’t that some golf on a neighbouring course. for a second time, Lyon was hardly to think that I am the best player in the “One of the great advantages of golf out of a fairytale. highly publicised and he wasn’t really Lyon played nine holes that day, striking fear in his younger opponents. world, but I am satisfi ed that I am not coming back into the Olympics is that But the almost forgotten story of lit- that well known,” Lyon’s great grand- swinging the club like a cricket bat and But the determined Canadian, the worst.” the majority of Canadians are now be- tle-known Canadian insurance sales- son, Sandy Somers, told Reuters at outdriving his friend while struggling who was the longest driver in the The Canadian headed to Britain to ing introduced to one of their greatest man George Lyon, a Scotch-swigging Lyon’s former golf club in Toronto. with his short game. That experience tournament, captured the imagina- defend his title at the 1908 London Ol- athletes ever,” Wigle said before out- multi-sport athlete, has been salvaged “We started talking about it again was enough to lure Lyon into the sport tion of many onlookers as he advanced ympics but a dispute over player eligi- pointing one of many diff erences be- thanks to golf’s return to the Olympics when it was announced that golf was and the next day he asked to become a through each gruelling round and bility resulted in all the British entrants tween Lyon and today’s top golfers. in August after a 112-year absence. returning to the Olympics and it just member of the club. into the fi nal where he was thought withdrawing from the golf competi- “Jordan Spieth has been play- Lyon, who died in 1938 at the age of sunk in, he’s the defending champion. “He was certainly a natural athlete,” to have no chance against sweet- tion. Lyon was told the gold medal was ing golf since he was three and was 79, is the reigning Olympic champion It’s a fabulous story.” Michael Cochrane, author of ‘Olym- swinging Egan. his by default but he refused to accept trained by the world’s greatest all after having defi ed the odds by navi- Lyon excelled at each sport he pic Lyon: The Untold Story of the Last With both players having to cope a medal not won fairly in competition. the way through. Sports psycholo- gating a 36-hole Monday qualifi er fol- played, including baseball, rugby, Gold Medal for Golf’, told Reuters. “I with driving rain on a cold and gloomy Lyon’s great grandson Ross Wigle gists, this and that... George’s sports lowed by fi ve consecutive days of 36- football, hockey, track and fi eld and don’t think you can compare it to any- day, it was Lyon, his body hardened would love to be involved in some ca- psychologist was probably a glass of hole matchplay at the 1904 Summer especially cricket. At 18, he set a Ca- thing that’s going on (in sports) today.” by years of athletic endeavour, who pacity when golf makes its Olympic re- scotch,” he added.

CYCLING/ GIRO D’ITALIA Tyson lands knockout blow against professionals at Rio

Reuters It’s just going to happen. These Beijing guys will be fast for three or four rounds, and these guys are not going to be accustomed to Kluge steals in for ike Tyson has that,” he added. branded the Amateur Tyson, who is the youngest MInternational Boxing boxer to win the WBC, WBA Association’s (AIBA) decision and IBF heavyweight titles, also to let professional fighters take revealed he was a fan of his part in the 2016 Rio Olympics namesake, Tyson Fury, and was as “ridiculous” and “foolish”. impressed by the Briton’s victory Professional boxers would over Wladimir Klitschko last year. surprise stage win, feature at the Olympic Games Fury caused a huge boxing as long as a constitutional upset in beating Klitschko change went through in June, by unanimous decision in AIBA said earlier this year. November and inflicted the Former world heavyweight 40-year-old Ukrainian with his champion Tyson, who as an am- first loss in 11 years. Fury is set ateur won gold at the 1981 and to defend his WBA Super and 1982 Junior Olympic Games, WBO heavyweight crowns in a Steven keeps pink said yesterday that professional rematch with Klitschko in Man- boxers would be stunned by chester in July but has courted the fast-paced fighting style of controversy with his comments the amateur fighters. outside the ring. Today’s 18th stage is a giant 240km slog back into the Alps between “It’s ridiculous, it’s foolish, Tyson, who is no stranger and some of the pro fighters to controversy himself, sees Muggio and Pinerolo and ends with a 5km climb at an average 10.5 are going to get beat by the nothing wrong with Fury’s amateurs. It’s just going to actions. “One guy, Tyson Fury, percent gradient, before a spectacular daredevil descent to finish line happen, I really believe that,” I like to watch him because he the 49-year-old told Reuters TV has my name and stuff ,” Tyson in China, where he is attending said. “Everybody says ‘ah, he’s the 33rd IBF convention. a bum’, but I like him. He (beat “If they are like the amateur Klitschko), so what are you go- fighters that I was fighting in ing to say? That this guy is still the 80s... they are going to a bum but he beat the greatest beat some of the champions. fighter in the last 15 years?”

Freezers next in line as Hamburg sport suff ers aft er Olympics veto ormer European cham- sors, was enough to convince pions SV Hamburg may owners Anschtz Entertainment Fhave avoided relegation Group (AEG) to carry on. from football’s Bundesliga AEG Europe president Tom again but that has been the Miserendino called the crowd- only good news for profes- funding eff ort “astonishing” but sional sport in the northern insisted his company was no German port city lately. longer prepared to retain two It has, in fact, all been down- teams in the German top flight, hill since residents vetoed a the other being record champi- bid for the 2024 Olympics in a ons Eisbaeren Berlin. referendum in November 2015. The Freezers had the fourth- In January, the 2013 Cham- best attendance in the league pions League handball winners with an average of more than HSV Hamburg went bankrupt 9,000 per game but at the same and withdrew from the league; time ran up a deficit of around women’s volleyball team VTA 2 million euros per season, Hamburg did not request a new which AEG no longer wanted to first-division licence in April; and balance. The Freezers then tried top-flight ice-hockey team Ham- in vain to find a new strategic burg Freezers had also not been partner for the team. Germany’s Roger Kluge celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the Molveno to Cassano d’Adda 17th stage of the 99th Giro d’Italia, Tour of Italy, yesterday. (AFP) registered for next season by “We are no longer ready to the Tuesday midnight deadline. balance losses of this mag- AFP veno and Cassano d’Adda was allist in the last world champi- said after the race. tain stages. The Cyclassics cycling race nitude. We are aware of the Cassano d’Adda, Italy raced in glorious sunshine and onships, won with relative ease The German also said he was Pink jersey wearer Kruijswijk could also take place for the consequences of this decision, was an opportunity for the over- ahead of Italy’s Giacomo Nizzo- gunning for a track medal in was, meanwhile, enjoying the last time in August, with the just as of the diff iculties this all contenders to relax in the lo, who has come second in nine omnium at the Rio Games. “Any limelight. “Lots of other riders current sponsor withdrawing creates for the club employees, erman IAM rider Roger pack as a breakaway formed and Giro stages without ever having medal will do, but if it’s a gold it’ll came over and congratulated and a new sponsor yet to be the players, the management Kluge got ahead of the was eventually reeled in with a won, while another German Ni- be like today. That is, I’ll be hap- me. I wouldn’t say I had won the found. These developments and the fans,” Miserendino said. pack in the fi nal kilo- few kilometres left to seemingly kias Arndt was third. piest man in the world,” he said. Giro yet though and for now I’m are bad news for sport in the Freezers managing director metre to bamboozle set up a bunch sprint. The IAM man admitted after One man who looked far from just taking it one step at a time,” whole of the country, where it Uwe Frommhold said the recent Gthe sprint teams and steal a stage Just as the escape ended, the race he had initially followed happy yesterday was overall Kruijswijk said. is becoming more and more wave of financial and vocal win on a fl at run in the 17th stage however, Filippo Pozzato made Pozzato to help form a team fourth-placed Vincenzo Nibali, Today’s stage is a giant 240km diff icult to attract sponsors and support, including from boxing of the Giro d’Italia yesterday. a powerful counter-attack and sprint lead-out train, but that the Astana leader, home hope slog back into the Alps between investors outside the number world champion Wladimir There was no change in the was only followed by Kluge as his team’s sprinter had failed to and pre-race favourite. Muggio and Pinerolo and ends one sport of football. Klitschko and German football overall standings with Dutch- the sprint teams, stripped of emerge from the pack. “I had a good day and it was with a 5km climb at an average Not even a crowdfunding star Thomas Mueller, showed man Steven Kruijswijk still lead- many of the top contenders “Then I saw that Pozzato was an easy stage apart from that 10.5 percent gradient, before a eff ort initiated by Freezers “how much the people in Ham- ing Esteban Chaves by 3 minutes such as Marcel Kittel and Andre just ahead of me, I was going stressful fi nish,” he explained. spectacular daredevil descent to captain Christoph Schubert, burg and ice-hockey fans in the 03 seconds and veteran Span- Greipel who have pulled out, fast and overtook him at full pelt At 4 minutes 43 seconds, the the fi nish line. The race for the which garnered more than half whole of Germany wanted to iard Alejandro Valverde by 3min failed to put in a concerted eff ort round the last corner, with 50 best Nibali can realistically hope pink jersey continues in earnest a million euros (dollars), plus a continue seeing professional ice 23sec in third. to close them down. metres to go I turned around and for is a place on the podium, if all with two big days in the moun- similar sum from various spon- hockey in Hamburg”. The 196km run between Mol- Kluge, an omnium silver med- realised I was going to win,” he goes to plan in the fi nal moun- tains on Friday and Saturday. Gulf Times Thursday, May 26, 2016 9 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FORMULA 1 Haryanto has funding until 11th Wolff cautions his race, says manager

Reuters Monaco

ndonesian Formula One drivers ahead of driver Rio Haryanto needs more money to keep his seat at the Manor Racing team, Ibut he is safe for the fi rst half of the season, his manager said on Wednesday. “The sponsorship is all paid for up until the 11th race,” Piers Monaco race Hunnisett told Reuters at the Monaco Grand Prix.”No problem there. That’s fully paid. It’s just Rosberg will try to match Senna in Monaco while Hamilton tries to stop him. But it the process in Indonesia with the File picture of Rio Haryanto. government.” had better not be as close as in Barcelona, warns Mercedes boss Toto Wolff The Formula One season has Hunnisett said.”There’s a possi- a record 21 races this year, with bility that Pertamina may come Haryanto making his debut as up with some additional funds. Indonesia’s fi rst grand prix driv- “Formula One is all very new er. Sunday’s Monaco showcase is to Indonesia, it will be incredible the sixth round. if Rio didn’t fi nish the season,” he Haryanto earlier acknowl- said.”I’m quite confi dent he will edged there were “rumours” that be there for the year. he would only be able to do half But in all governments, not the season but hoped to stay. just Indonesia, it’s never easy or “My management are working straightforward.” really hard to get the full season,” Hunnisett told Reuters in Feb- he told reporters. ruary that Haryanto, 23, had a Hunnisett said he spent all contract for the full season. last week in Indonesia talking to Since then, however, there has would-be sponsors and govern- been considerable speculation ment offi cials and was confi dent about how much money he still the shortfall would be made up. has to bring to the British-based “I think in the next couple team to ensure the contract is not of weeks, and hopefully before terminated. Canada (the seventh race on June Indonesian media has put the 12), we’ll get something con- total needed at 15 million euros fi rmed,” he said. ($16.72 million). Haryanto’s primary spon- One crowd-funding initia- sor is state-owned oil company tive, backed by the Indonesian Pertamina, which so far has con- government and local telecoms tributed fi ve million euros ($5.57 companies, aims to raise money million) towards the funding through text messaging. needed to secure the race seat at Haryanto has 514,000 follow- the sport’s smallest team. ers on Twitter, more than many “The news in Indonesia is established F1 racers. huge, all the ministers support Indonesia has a population of Rio, the media and the public,” around 250 million.

AIM Knox aiming to crown his rise with Ryder Cup spot File picture of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver Nico Rosberg (L) and teammate, British driver Lewis Hamilton after last season’s Monaco Grand Prix. AFP 71 holes. DPA It’s a pretty normal culture - we deal with “The drivers know how we oper- by mistake, eff ectively cost him the race - Wentworth “So really, I’ve had four re- Monte Carlo setbacks together and move on.” ate. The team is responsible for giv- and has made him even more determined ally good tournaments since Aside from their boss, Hamilton and ing them the best possible cars and to come out on top this time around. then, and to be honest, I expect Rosberg will be wary of the stiff est com- they are responsible for getting “I’ve not had the best run of results cotland’s Russell Knox is to make the team now. If I keep unday’s Monaco Grand Prix sees petition they have faced in around two- the best out of them - and bringing in Monaco in recent years - but last year aiming to crown his rise playing the way I’m going, I think Formula 1’s drivers hit the streets and-a-half years in the shape of Ferrari’s them home. showed I have the pace to do the job,” he up golf’s world rankings I can do it and I sure hope I do.” of the principality again - and two Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s 18-year-old said.”I’m approaching this weekend with by cementing a place in Knox was still a member of the of its most high-profi le stars will wonderkid Max Verstappen, the sensa- and second practice being Thursday only one result in mind.” Europe’sS Ryder Cup team at Ha- PGA Tour when he won the WGC doS so with a warning ringing in their ears. tional winner of the Spanish Grand Prix. rather than Friday, though qualifying is If Hamilton is to win his third Formula zeltine in September. so it does not count towards his Two weeks after the much-discussed Despite that, the two drivers were held as usual on Saturday before Sun- 1 Championship in a row, it’s imperative The 30-year-old, who is based Ryder Cup. collision between Mercedes team-mates bullish about their chances this weekend day’s race. he make up ground on Rosberg. in the United States, won the He is currently 33rd on the Eu- Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in - Rosberg unsurprisingly so, given he’s Hamilton, for his part, prepared for Already 43 points behind, the English- WGC Champions tournament ropean list and 17th on the World Barcelona, team boss Toto Wolff has cau- won the race for the past three years. the showdown on the streets with a trip man’s most recent win came last October in China last November and has points list with a combination of tioned his drivers to bring their cars back “It’s one of my home races next in Mo- down the red carpet at the Cannes Film in the United States Grand Prix in Austin. followed that up with a string the two used to pick nine of the intact this time around. naco - the ultimate driver’s track,” Ros- Festival, where he arrived at the premiere Rosberg, by contrast, will be looking to of impressive fi nishes including team with Clarke selecting three “Barcelona was tough to take,” Wolff berg said.”It’s where I grew up and where of La Fille Inconnue hand-in-hand with emulate his hero, Ayrton Senna. second places at the Heritage wild cards. said.”We came away upset at an oppor- I still live today, so that always makes it a the Russian model and actor Irina Shayk. The legendary Brazilian is the only and the recent Irish Open. Knox needs more good results tunity missed - but this is racing. special weekend. The British driver revealed on his Face- driver to have won four times in a row in He was ranked 85th in the to force his way into an automat- “The drivers know how we operate. “It’s been amazing to win there for the book page that he’d told Shayk he wanted Monaco and Rosberg’s fi rst memories of world six months ago but is now ic spot but thinks his big WGC The team is responsible for giving them past three years - but I know it will be to play James Bond one day and that she motor racing are of Senna, in his yellow up to a career high of 23rd mak- win could tilt Clarke to off ering the best possible cars and they are re- tough to repeat that with Lewis, the Fer- should be his Bond girl. helmet, taking the chequered fl ag. ing him the second-highest him a wild card even though it sponsible for getting the best out of them raris and the Red Bulls all so strong now. He neglected to name his choice of Mercedes boss Wolff , meanwhile, will ranked player at the European does offi cially add to his chances. - and bringing them home. “I’m feeling confi dent, so bring on the Bond villain. be happy should either of his drivers win PGA Championship which starts Knox was a one of a group of “When we let them down, we apolo- battle.” An error by Hamilton’s team last year in it - and if they both bring their cars back at Wentworth on Thursday. players who had dinner with gise - and the same goes the other way. The Monaco race is unique with fi rst Monaco, which saw him called into the pits in one piece. After winning his WGC Knox Clarke at The Players’ Cham- switched to the European Tour pionship to discuss the match from the PGA Tour to try and against the United States. BOTTOMLINE force his way into the Darren He added: “Arguably, I’m Clarke’s European team and in- higher up because my win didn’t sists his bid is on track. count. “It’s a huge goal now. After I But obviously Darren knows won in China, it was realistic to that. make the team, but at the same “But it didn’t count points- time, there’s still a lot to be done. wise, so hopefully I’ll make Donald hoping for happy return “I’ve fi nished second three enough points to qualify auto- times since that. I played good matically. AFP towards getting back that form a goal of mine. I would love to be enough to be right up there at I won that tournament, and no Wentworth, United Kingdom that is starting to show in the on that team. The Players’ Championship for one can take that away from me.” past couple months. “A win this week would go a “If you look at the course, the long way to get me right in the ngland’s Luke Donald is greens are very undulating. They mix and I would love to make hoping a return to one are quite fast this year. The pen- that team on my own without Westwood keen to build on Masters of his happiest hunting alty for missing in the bunkers is having to force Darren to make grounds will spark a rise pretty severe. any kind of pick. showing in Ryder Cup year upE the world rankings and help “They are very deep bun- “You just keep kind of work- Former world number one Lee with his poor results leaving him make Europe’s Ryder Cup kers. You have to think your way ing on your game and I’ve start- Westwood hopes his strong him as low as 67th in the world team for the fi fth time. around this course a little bit. ed to see some good results, and finish at last month’s U.S. rankings earlier this year. Donald is playing in the Euro- There’s some strategy. For some keep doing that and hopefully Masters proves to be the cata- “When you haven’t played well pean PGA Championship, which of those reasons, this course has that will be good enough.” lyst for the Briton to get back for a long time, then you do starts at Wentworth on Thursday, been very kind to me.” Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter to his best, adding that poor start to have doubts in your an event he won in 2011 and 2012. Donald played his fi rst Ryder and Donald could all be relying form had led him to question mind,” Westwood told British That win fi ve years’ ago got Cup in 2004 but missed out at on captain’s picks to make the his ability to compete at the media. Donald to the top of the rank- Gleneagles two years’ ago when team but Donald says there is life top level. “Playing well at the Masters ings for the fi rst time and he re- Europe beat the United States in the veterans yet. The Briton only just qualified was a kick I really needed. Ob- gained the number one spot with under Paul McGinley. “Obviously between myself, for the season’s first major by viously any time you play well his triumph in 2012. Lee and Ian, we’ve probably virtue of a top-50 ranking but in a tournament, especially Donald is currently 76th in the CAPTAIN’S PICKS played 15 Ryder Cups or more. his two-under total at Augusta the stature of the Masters, it global list - meaning he is not Current captain Darren Clarke We’ve obviously had our time, was good enough to tie for gives you a lot of confidence exempt from the major cham- could have a handful of rookies but I think we still believe that second alongside Jordan and belief.” pionships - but a good showing in his side - Danny Willett, Mat- we have some more time in us. Spieth, three shots behind The 43-year-old finished 10th this week could put him back in thew Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan “It’s only natural you have compatriot Danny Willet. at last week’s Irish Open on his golf’s big-time. File picture of Luke Donald of England. and Rafa Cabrera-Bello are close some of the younger guys com- It was a welcome return to return from a five-week break, And Donald thinks Went- to qualifying - and would like to ing up, and through watching form for Westwood, who is still boosting his chances of quali- worth is the perfect place to get told reporters at Wentworth. “Ob- feel comfortable around. see one or two more experienced some of us and gaining inspira- searching for a first win since fying for a 10th straight Ryder back on the winner’s podium af- viously there are a lot of points up “I would love to have a good players make the cut for the tion, they are starting to play re- recording a third Indonesian Cup appearance at Hazeltine ter nearly three barren years. for grabs and this is an event I’ve week here. If I could even throw match at Hazeltine. ally well and have a lot of belief Masters triumph in April 2015, in September. “It’s an event I love playing,” he had some previous success at and in a win, it would go a long way Donald added: “Obviously it’s in themselves,” he said. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, May 26, 2016 TENNIS

FRENCH OPEN ROUND-UP Karlovic oldest Japanese-New Yorker man to reach Osaka searching for third round for 25 years

Reuters now fi nds himself without a ma- Paris jor coach and in a slump with no- right words in Paris where to turn. “I’ve lost a lot of confi dence roatian Ivo Karlovic in myself,” Dimitrov told Dubai’s became the oldest Sport 360 after a fi ve-set Roland ‘Oh my god, I have to work on my Japanese. This is terrible’ man to reach the third Garros loss to Viktor Troicki. Cround of a grand slam “It’s not easy to come off losing AFP for 25 years when the 37-year-old those close matches. In the past Paris came through a marathon fi ve- I’ve been winning them. That setter against Australian Jordan gives you a lot of confi dence and Thompson at the French Open motivation, overall I’ve lost a lot aomi Osaka has three dreams – to meet yesterday. of that,” added the former top 10 Serena Williams, play at the Olympics Karlovic, seeded 27, banged player, now ranked 36th. and learn to speak Japanese, the lan- down 41 aces in a 6-7(2), 6-3, “I’ve been there before but Nguage of her own country. 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 12-10 victory this time it’s just kind of diff er- Osaka made the French Open third round yes- against the 22-year-old wild- ent. Sometimes it’s just really terday having not played the tournament before card. He broke serve at 10-10 and scary. But I’m positive and happy and failing to win a match at all on clay this sea- sealed a memorable victory with to come out and work and work son. After beating Croatian veteran Mirjana Lucic- a volley after four hours and 31 and work, that never scares me. Baroni, the 18-year-old faced questions from Eng- minutes, the longest match of What scares me is that I’m really lish-speaking reporters and answered nervously in this year’s tournament so far. not fi nding a way and usually I’m English. She then listened patiently to questions Jimmy Connors reached the pretty good at bouncing back, fi red at her in Japanese, but again replied in English third round at the French and whether it’s from a loss or some- with a smattering of Japanese words thrown in for U.S. Opens in 1991, aged 38. thing else. A lot of losses have good measure. Karlovic will face either second always motivated me - just right “Oh my god, I have to work on my Japanese. This seed Andy Murray or France’s now it’s not happening.” is terrible,” she told her compatriots having asked Mathias Bourgue for a place in Dimitrov won his last match in for Japanese translations of words she was using. If the last 16 at Roland Garros for an Istanbul semi-fi nal on April she had misunderstood, she playfully slapped her the fi rst time. 30, then went into meltdown as forehead in exasperation. Her confusion is under- he smashed his racquet set a day standable. FORMER TOP 10 DIMITROV later and handed over the fi nal Osaka was born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother STRUGGLING WITH SLUMP to Argentine opponent Diego and a Haitian father. But when she was three, the One-time prodigy Grigor Dim- Schwartzman. family moved to New York where her father’s fam- itrov admits his tennis is stalling “I’m just fi ghting to fi nd a ily live, hence her tendency to get tongue-tied as he lost for a third straight time solution. I’m disappointed, when confronted with the language of the country in a French Open fi rst round. very disappointed, it’s my third in which she was born. “It’s a country that I love,” The Bulgarian once promoted as French Open in a row that I’m said Osaka as she pondered playing the Olympics “baby Federer” has failed miser- losing in the fi rst round, it’s not in Rio this year. That may remain a distant dream ably to live up to the hype over like I’m playing bad on clay or as her world ranking is currently at 101 and she is the past half decade or more and anything.” only the number four in Japan behind Misaki Doi, Nao Hibino and Kurumi Nara. Serena Williams remains an idol for the 5ft 11in (1.8m) Osaka who made the third round with a 6-3, 6-3 win over world number 52 Lucic-Baroni. The Croatian had fi rst played Roland Garros in 1999 when Osaka was just 18 months old. It’s the second successive Grand Slam event where Osaka has made the third round having achieved the same mark as a qualifi er at the Australian Open in Janu- ary. There it took former world number one Victo- ria Azarenka to stop her. This time around, Osaka admits she took a peek at the draw and was shat- tered to see Serena Williams in the other half. “I was disappointed but then I’m like, okay, so maybe I have a chance to win my rounds then,” said Osaka. “I haven’t really seen Serena that often. Which I don’t know if I’m sad or happy, because then I don’t have to like be all freaked out.” Having been as high as 92 in the world in April, Osaka’s next aim is to reach the top 75 and then aim for better. But fi rst she has to get past Romanian sixth seed Simona Halep tomorrow for a place in the last 16. “She’s someone I have watched on the TV a lot. So it’s the same thing as Australian Open, Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic returns the ball to Australia’s Jordan Thompson I play someone big in the third round and I’ll try to Naomi Osaka returns the ball during her French Open second round match against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia at during their men’s second round match at the French Open in Paris have fun,” she said. Roland Garros in Paris, France yesterday. (Reuters) yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS Muguruza Who’s saying what and sidelights from the French Open provides “I haven’t really seen Serena that often. Which stability I don’t know if I’m sad or happy, because then I don’t have to like be all freaked out.” Paris: With three of the top seven Japanese teenager Naomi Osaka on her seeds out of the women’s draw in the desire to play the world’s top player. first round at the French Open, there was no guarantee Garbine Muguruza “There are dangerous questions. I mean, people would stroll into the third round at who know psychology and throw negative stuff Roland Garros yesterday. at you. Now I say, Okay, s**t question, no an- The Spanish fourth seed, however, swer. Next question, please.” barely broke sweat as she swept France’s Stephane Robert on aside French wildcard Myrtille handling the media Georges 6-2, 6-0 on a sun-bathed Court Philippe Chatrier. On Monday, “They emailed me and asked me if I wanted to third seed Angelique Kerber, fifth go. I said, That’s a no-brainer; absolutely.” seed Victoria Azarenka and seventh America’s Shelby Rogers on being invited to seed Roberta Vinci were knocked out the White House to meet President Obama. in the first round. “When you look at the recent ‘It’s the only time when being old is okay.” tournaments, things have been very Ivo Karlovic, 37, defeated Jordan Thompson erratic and unpredictable. The play- 12-10 in the fi nal set to become the oldest ers have had some tough matches,” man to make the third round since Jimmy Muguruza told reporters. “I don’t Connors in 1991. think it’s like the men where when you play (Novak) Djokovic you know “Do you want the truth? I need to talk to my you’re going to lose. It’s not the same agent, and then I’ll come back and tell you what thing in women’s singles at all.” he’s told me to say.” Muguruza, who reached the France’s Benoit Paire preferring to get ad- quarter-finals at Roland Garros in vice on who his next coach may be. the past two years, will next face either Russian 27th seed Ekaterina “They e-mailed me and asked me if I wanted to Makarova or Belgium’s unseeded go. I said, That’s a no-brainer; absolutely.” Yanina Wickmayer. “I think the first America’s Shelby Rogers on being invited to rounds are the toughest ones. You the White House to meet President Obama. Switzerland’s Martina Hingis (left) speaks to her teammate Sania Mirza of India during their women’s first round doubles match against Russia’s Daria have to be very motivated. You Kasatkina and Alexandra Panova at the French Tennis Open in Paris yesterday. Hingis and Mirza won 7-6, 6-4. (AFP) really have to play at your very best “I have waited for this for such a long time. This and give what you have, the best in is why I play tennis.” WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? to be some logic,” said the world number 52 who looking for tips ahead of their second round store,” she said. Tearful Mathias Bourgue after losing in fi ve Richard Gasquet was asked if he has a girlfriend fi rst played at Roland Garros in 1999. clash Wednesday. According to @WTA_Insider, And she gave some of her sets to Andy Murray. and, if not, was he on the lookout for one. Vesnina jokingly said: “Don’t mind me”. It didn’t best tennis against Georges. The “I was prepared for a lot of things, but not for BOYS ZONE matter as Rogers won. Venezuela-born player, looking to SIDELIGHTS that question. But none of the above,” said the Richard Gasquet and Bjorn Fratangelo were become the first Spanish woman to BOURGUE’S CHOC ABSORBER Frenchman. both former junior champions at Roland Gar- SUNDAY TO WEDNESDAY lift the Suzanne Lenglen Cup since Bourgue was seen nibbling a Twix chocolate ros and met for the fi rst time on the main tour The fi rst round of the French Open started on Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1998, bar in his match against Murray – although he CODE CALLING on Wednesday. Gasquet was junior champion in Sunday but highly-rated German teenager Al- broke in the sixth game and wrapped would have preferred a Mars. Mirjana Lucic-Baroni was knocked out by Japa- 2002; Fratangelo in 2011. exander Zverev only completed his opening tie up the opening set by winning the “I felt I wanted to have some sugar, because I nese teenager Naomi Osaka in straight sets in on Wednesday afternoon. Suspended due to last 12 points. She showed no sign of was tired. I just asked for it. Gilles Simon told me a match were she received a code violation for SPIES LIKE US darkness on Tuesday, Zverev came back to de- weakness in the second set, allowing if you feel tired, take one Coke and one Mars bar, ‘coaching’. She argued that her team were was Russia’s Elena Vesnina jokingly eavesdropped feat Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France 5-7, 6-2, her opponent just five points. so that’s what I wanted to do.” just encouraging her, not coaching. “There has on Shelby Rogers’ press conference on Monday 7-6 (8/6), 7-5. Gulf Times Thursday, May 26, 2016 11 TENNISSPORT

FRENCH OPEN Murray made to grind out another win in fi ve sets After pocketing the third set, Bourgue, reduced to tears by the end, had break points for a 1-0 lead in the fourth

AFP into the last 32 with a 6-3, 6-3, Paris 6-3 victory over Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov. Nishikori, the 2014 US Open runner-up, goes on to econd seed Andy Murray face former world number seven survived his second suc- Fernando Verdasco of Spain. cessive fi ve-set French Eighth-seeded Canadian Open battle to reach the Milos Raonic had few prob- thirdS round yesterday, avoiding lems with Adrian Mannarino of what would have been his worst France, winning 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), Grand Slam loss in eight years. 6-1. Australian 17th seed Nick Murray, three times a semi-fi - Kyrgios needed just 70 minutes nalist, wore down France’s world to beat Dutch lucky loser Igor Si- number 164 Mathias Bourgue, jsling 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. who had never won a tour-level match before this week, 6-2, 2-6, KYRGIOS, GASQUET 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 and goes on to face MEET AGAIN 37-year-old Ivo Karlovic for a He will now meet French ninth place in the last 16. seed Richard Gasquet who de- After coming back from two feated fellow former boys cham- sets to love down to beat Radek pion Bjorn Fratangelo of the Stepanek, also 37, in the fi rst United States 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. round in a tie played over two Gasquet and Kyrgios have met days, the British star had looked at the last two Wimbledons with down and out once again yester- the Australian saving nine match day. After pocketing the third set, points in 2014 before losing a 22-year-old Bourgue, reduced to controversial rematch last year tears by the end, had break points when he was accused of ‘tank- for a 1-0 lead in the fourth. ing’ a game. But once they were squan- In the women’s event, sec- dered, the Frenchman’s chal- ond seed Agnieszka Radwanska, lenge quickly wilted as the physi- a quarter-fi nalist in 2013, beat cally stronger Murray raced away Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, with 12 of the last 15 games. “He the Strasbourg champion last was excellent today. He dictated weekend, 6-2, 6-4. the points and made me run. He’s Spanish fourth seed Gar- going to have a fantastic future,” bine Muguruza defeated French said Murray after escaping what wildcard Myrtille Georges 6-2, would have been his worst loss at 6-0 and next tackles Belgium’s the majors since a fi rst round exit Yanina Wickmayer. Sixth seed at the 2008 Australian Open. Simona Halep, the losing fi nal- “At the end of the third set, I ist to Maria Sharapova in 2014, just thought ‘what happened?’. came back from 4-1 down in the I was 6-2, 2-0 ahead. He was fi rst set to beat Zarina Diyas of then unbelievable and I found Kazakhstan 7-6 (7/5), 6-2. it hard just to win points. But Halep, 24, will next face Ja- I have played these matches pan’s Naomi Osaka, the world 101 many times. I just tried to fi ght who has reached the third round through.” at a major for the second succes- As an indication of his strug- sive time having also enjoyed a gles, yesterday was the fi rst time run to the last 32 in Australia. since the US Open in 2005 that Osaka, 18, knocked out Murray had played two suc- 34-year-old Mirjana Lucic- cessive fi ve-set matches at the Baroni 6-3, 6-3 which would Slams. Bourgue was seen nib- have been a relief to Halep who bling a Twix chocolate bar dur- lost to the world number 52 ing the match to boost his energy Croatian at the French Open last Great Britain’s Andy Murray returns the ball to France’s Mathias Bourgue during the men’s second round match at the French Open in Paris yesterday. (AFP) - having asked originally for a year and US Open in 2014. Mars. Petra Kvitova, the 10th seed, “(French player) Gilles Simon saw off Taiwan’s Su-Wei Hsieh told me if you feel tired, take one 6-4, 6-1 in a much more com- FRENCH OPEN RESULTS Order of play Coke and one Mars bar, so that’s fortable outing than her opener (x denotes seeded player): Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3; Fernando (TPE) 6-4, 6-1; Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x13) (times GMT, prefix number what I wanted to do,” he said. against Danka Kovinic where she Men's first round: Alexander Zverev (GER) bt Verdasco (ESP) bt Ivan Dodig (CRO) 6-2, 6-1, 6-3; bt Heather Watson (GBR) 6-1, 6-3; Anastasia denotes seeding, all matches Karlovic, the 27th seed, de- had been just two points away Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), Nick Kyrgios (AUS x17) bt Igor Sijsling (NED) 6-3, Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x24) bt Cagla Buyukak- second round): feated Australian wildcard Jordan from defeat. 7-5 6-2, 6-1; Richard Gasquet (FRA x9) bt Bjorn cay (TUR) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1; Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) Court Philippe Chatrier (play Thompson 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 7-6 Kvitova, a semi-fi nalist in Second round: Milos Raonic (CAN x8) bt Adrian Fratangelo (USA) 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3; John Isner bt Ekaterina Makarova (RUS x27) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2; starts at 0900) (7/3), 6-7 (4/7), 12-10, unleashing 2012, next faces Shelby Rogers of Mannarino (FRA) 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 6-1; Andrej Martin (USA x15) bt Kyle Edmund (GBR) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4; Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP x4) bt Myrtille Georges Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) v 41 aces and 102 winners. Karlovic the United States. Russian 13th (SVK) bt Lucas Pouille (FRA x29) 6-3, 7-5, 6-3; Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) bt Benoît Paire (FRA (FRA) 6-2, 6-0; Simona Halep (ROM x6) bt Zarina 8-Timea Bacsinszky (Switzerland) is the oldest man in the French seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, the Jack Sock (USA x23) bt Dustin Brown (GER) x19) 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2; Ivo Karlovic (CRO x27) bt Diyas (KAZ) 7-6 (7/5), 6-2; Naomi Osaka (JPN) bt 4-Rafael Nadal (Spain) v Facundo Open third round since 38-year- 2009 champion, was too strong 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2; Albert Ramos (ESP) bt Marco Jordan Thompson (AUS) 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) 6-3, 6-3; Samantha Bagnis (Argentina) old Jimmy Connors in 1991. De- for Britain’s Heather Watson Trungelliti (ARG) 6-3, 6-4, 7-5; Gilles Simon (FRA 6-7 (4/7), 12-10; Andy Murray (GBR x2) bt Mathias Stosur (AUS x21) bt Zhang Shuai (CHN) 6-3, 6-4; Suzanne Lenglen Court (0900) fending champion and third seed winning 6-1, 6-3. x16) bt Guido Pella (ARG) 4-6, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4), Bourgue (FRA) 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 Lucie Safarova (CZE x11) bt Viktorija Golubic Malek Jaziri (Tunisia) v 7-Tomas Stan Wawrinka defeated New Kuznetsova will now face Fed 6-4; Viktor Troicki (SRB x22) bt Dusan Lajovic (SUI) 6-2, 6-2; Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) bt Berdych (Czech Republic) York-born Taro Daniel of Japan Cup teammate Anastasia Pav- (SRB) 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-0 - retired; Jérémy Chardy Women's second round: Annika Beck (GER) Johanna Larsson (SWE) 7-5, 7-6 (8/6); Barbora 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v Steve 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-4 and goes on lyuchenkova who saw off Cagla (FRA x30) bt Adam Pavlásek (CZE) 6-4, 6-2, 6-4; bt Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5; Strycova (CZE x30) bt Polona Hercog (SLO) 6-4, Darcis (Belgium) to face France’s Jeremy Chardy. Buyukakcay, the fi rst Turkish Stan Wawrinka (SUI x3) bt Taro Daniel (JPN) Shelby Rogers (USA) bt Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-4; Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x2) bt Caroline 1-Serena Williams (U.S) v Teliana Japan’s fi fth seed Kei Nishikori, a woman to win a match at a Grand 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-4; Kei Nishikori (JPN x5) bt 6-4, 6-2; Petra Kvitova (CZE x10) bt Su-Wei Hsieh Garcia (FRA) 6-2, 6-4 Pereira (Brazil) quarter-fi nalist in 2015, coasted Slam, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Close but no cigar for proud Bourgue Wawrinka picks up the pace

Reuters Reuters Twice a Grand Slam cham- controlled the second set but Paris Paris pion, Wawrinka needed fi ve was a break down in the third sets to scrape past Lukas Rosol before fi nishing with a fl our- in the opening round and found ish to secure a third round clash athias Bourgue got exactly what efending French himself in trouble in the fi rst set against French 30th seed Jer- he expected in his second-round Open champion Stan against Daniel when he trailed emy Chardy. match against Andy Murray at Wawrinka avoided a 4-6 in the tiebreaker. “Mentally I’m right there,” the French Open yesterday- he repeat yesterday of The danger was averted with Wawrinka, who beat top- Mlost, but the French wildcard left the Philippe hisD fi rst-round scare, though he a sledgehammer groundstroke ranked Novak Djokovic in last Chatrier Court confi dent he’ll do better one was still made to work hard in a winner followed by consecutive year’s fi nal, said. day. Bourgue, the French number 16, is ranked straight-sets win over Japan’s aces, and he wrapped up the set “I always try to win in three 164th in the world, but he led the British sec- Taro Daniel. The Swiss third with an angled smash. Kitted sets. But at the end of the day I ond seed two sets to one. He won 16 points in seed won 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-4 on out again in a dazzling fl uores- do whatever I can to move on to a row in an eight-game winning streak that a sunny Court Suzanne Leng- cent yellow shirt, Wawrinka the next round.” helped him claim the second set in impressive len and is now on a six-match fashion. He lost 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 as he winning streak on clay, having eventually ran out of gas. warmed-up for Roland Garros “Losing against Murray is what I was by winning the title in Geneva expecting, so I wasn’t really that tense,” last week. Bourgue told reporters. “Then when I got the Progress was by no means break, and then again, I all of a sudden was straightforward against a skil- able to relax and sort of play with the crowd. ful opponent ranked 93rd in the I was able to manage and stay on top of my world and Wawrinka has yet emotions. This makes me realize how much to switch to his A game. But he progress I have made over the past six, seven says it’s there when he needs it. months.” “If you look at the fi rst two Murray got off to a solid start, opening a matches, for sure I’m not play- 6-2 2-0 lead and there was no indication of ing my best tennis, but I know I the coming meltdown. “I’m not sure I have have my best tennis in me,” the ever had such a game level. It’s interesting. I 31-year-old Wawrinka, playing didn’t feel like I was on the edge. I felt good,” in his 45th consecutive Grand said Bourgue. “Once again, he wasn’t playing Slam tournament, told report- very rapidly. I felt he was giving me time to ers. “I’m happy to get through play, so I decided to just accept the rallies and of the winning shots I was able to make.” said the Scot. I was trying to fi nd a way. It in three sets. For sure there were every once in a while, you know, make a big Murray could only manage 12 points in the wasn’t like I was not there mentally, but I just some ups and downs, it could shot. I did. At that point the overall game level second set. “There won’t be many sets in the couldn’t fi nd the court. I was missing balls.” have been better, but in general was very high. I’m quite satisfi ed about some year where that’s the case, so it’s fairly rare,” Next up for Murray is Croatian Ivo Karlovic. I think it’s been a good day.” Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka beat Taro Daniel of Japan. (Reuters)

Thursday, May 26, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ATTRACTION Record entry for Ramadan Sports QNB signs on Xavi as Festival at Aspire Zone brand ambassador ‘I am pleased with this partnership with QNB Group, which has become an icon for excellence in the banking sector for its unique services’

Action from last year’s Ramadan Sports Festival.

By Sports Reporter events such as Ladies Tennis and Doha Remote-Controlled Car Rac- ing open longer, giving a larger number of enthusiasts the op- ith a large number portunity to be a part of the RSF. of interested teams The Ladies Tennis tournament having signed will take place over the course of Wup for the Aspire three days in Aspire Zone’s out- Zone Foundation (AZF) Ram- door tennis courts, and will be adan Sports Festival (RSF) within split into two categories includ- record time, registration for sev- ing adult females (18 years and eral tournaments within the fes- up) and junior females (14-17 tival has come to a close ahead of years old). The tournament of- the deadline. fers female tennis enthusiasts RSF, which is taking place the opportunity to practice their from 5-19 Ramadan (June 10-24) favourite sport during the Holy at Aspire Zone, is an annual sport Month in a joyous and competi- and fi tness festival that coincides tive atmosphere. with the Holy Month of Ram- AZF has also dedicated a full adan which sees thousands of day to the Remote-Controlled members from the local commu- Car Racing tournament, which nity participate in sports tour- is open to members of the com- naments across Aspire Zone’s munity between ages 10-17 years world class sporting facilities. old. The tournament returns to Commenting on the prepara- AZF’s RSF programme of activi- tions for RSF, Abdullah Aman ties following its inclusion in the al-Khater, Chairman of the Ra- 2014 edition of RSF. madan Organising Committee at AZF said: “Our preparations for Football will take place over RSF are moving full steam ahead, eight days, while basketball and the community’s widespread will run for five excitement towards the festival – The football tournament will demonstrated by the closing of take place over eight days in the registration in a number of tour- Aspire Zone Warm-Up Track, naments – gives us the added where 12 teams with 15 players incentive to present the best per team will compete across four festival ever. The RSF is a unique groups, with the fi rst place win- opportunity for members of the ner from each group qualifying to local community to be active the fi nal rounds of competition. during the Holy Month of Ram- Matches will run over 60 minutes, adan, and contributes towards with two halves per match and a AZF’s eff orts to promote a sports 10-minute break in between. By Sports Reporter and current ’s Al Sadd Sports Club “Spanish soccer star Xavi is Xavi is also famous for being a legen- culture amongst members of the In the meantime, 12 teams with Doha midfi elder Xavi Hernández Creus. considered one of the best dary playmaker with FC Barcelona for local community, encouraging eight players per team will com- “Spanish soccer star Xavi is consid- playmakers in the international over a decade, in which the club achieved them to adopt fi t and healthy pete in the basketball tournament, ered one of the best playmakers in the soccer, just as our Group excels in 4 great accomplishments, namely win- lifestyles year-round. Registra- which is running in Aspire Dome NB, a leading fi nancial insti- international soccer, just as our Group the international banking sector ning the UEFA cup 4 times from 2008 to tion for a few individual sports over the course of fi ve days. tution in the Middle East and excels in the international banking sec- as the leading fi nancial institution 2012. The player also won the 2010 FIFA tournaments such as Ladies Ten- Africa, has announced yester- tor as the leading fi nancial institution in in the Middle East and Africa as World Cup with his national team, as well nis and Remote-Controlled Car Cricket tournament for the first Qday the signing of a contract the Middle East and Africa as well as the well as the most valuable brand in as the UEFA Euro twice. Racing is still ongoing, and we time at the warm up track with international star soccer player Xavi most valuable brand in the region. That the region. That is why our Group The Group’s presence through its sub- would like to take up this oppor- For each annual RSF, AZF in- Hernández, by which Xavi will be brand is why our Group chose Xavi as its brand chose Xavi as its brand ambassa- sidiaries and associate companies ex- tunity to encourage enthusiasts troduces new tournaments as ambassador for the Group. ambassador,” said Yousef Darwish, com- dor,” said Yousef Darwish, tends to more than 27 countries across in these sports to register and part of its eff orts to accommo- The contract will give QNB exclusive menting on the occasion. commenting on the occasion three continents providing a compre- join us during the Holy Month, date as many members of the rights to use Xavi’s image in its promo- He added that the agreement included hensive range of advanced products and bearing in mind that registration community as possible, catering tional materials and campaigns to pro- Xavi’s appearance as a QNB brand am- tor for its unique services, as well as its services. The total number of employees closes at the end of May”. for varying interests. mote the Group’s products and services, bassador in many promotional and mar- great and much appreciated eff orts to is more than 15,300 operating through The success of the past four as well as in its events and sponsorships keting campaigns, as well as QNB events support CSR projects and initiatives in all more than 640 locations, with an ATM Registration in individual editions of the RSF has driven the and any other marketing materials and and sponsorship events in Qatar and the societies in which it operates.” network of more than 1,400 machines. sports tournaments continues Foundation to grow the number promotional campaigns in the Middle abroad. He stated that the materials will Xavi deservedly won the Player of the QNB also sponsors many CSR ini- until the end of the Month and type of off ered activities, East and Africa, as well as India, China, be appearing soon in chosen Middle East Year award during the Euro 2008 and tiatives across its international network The football, basketball and which now includes cricket. Southeast Asia, and the bank’s branches and Asian markets. 2009 UEFA Cup Finals. Xavi also played through a distinguished CSR strategy cricket tournaments received The newly introduced cricket and representative offi ces in these areas. On his part, Xavi commented on his on the Spanish national squad that won that focuses on 6 main areas: culture and widespread excitement, reach- tournament will be held for two In a special event to celebrate the oc- signing of the contract with the Group, the 2010 World Cup, earning many nick- arts; economic and international aff airs; ing full capacity in record time. days at Aspire Zone’s Warm-Up casion, Yousef Darwish, QNB’s GM – saying: “I am pleased with this partner- names from his admirers and soccer fans health and the environment; social and Based upon this, the RSF Or- Track. The cap of seven compet- Group Communications, signed the con- ship with QNB Group, which has become worldwide, including “the maestro” and humanitarian aff airs; sports and educa- ganising Committee decided to ing teams also reached capacity tract with the former Barcelona player an icon for excellence in the banking sec- “the king”. tion and youth. keep the registration door for in record time.

BOTTOMLINE Challenge 22 a chance to give something back to the region, says leading academic

By Sports Reporter the stadiums in Qatar, but it is not only says, has proved invaluable. Doha for football stadiums – it can also be “It was always abstract research that used in airports and many other places I was involved in. We didn’t have time that require entry systems.” to implement it is as a product,” she rogrammes like Challenge 22 Dr Somaya also said that providing a continued. are providing people from the platform for local scientists, entrepre- “What is important and exciting Middle East the opportunity to neurs and inventors is equally as im- about Challenge 22 is that it has given Pmake a telling contribution to portant, as the country strives to reach us the chance to develop our idea into the future of the region and ‘give back’ its vision of becoming a knowledge- a product – and it is a challenge for us to their countries, according to a prom- based economy by 2030. because I am doing this for the fi rst inent Qatar University (QU) academic. “I think it’s very important to Qatar time. I have 20 years’ experience in re- Dr Somaya al-Maadeed, head of if we get the chance to develop these search, but I don’t have experience in computer science at the university’s ideas here,” she continued. “It’s impor- product development. College of Engineering, is a winner of tant that we are providing people in this “The SC came to Qatar University the 2015 edition of the Supreme Com- country with the facilities, mentorship to discuss Challenge 22. I had several mittee for Delivery & Legacy’s innova- and support to be able to do so. That is ideas already, and because it was the tion competition. something that Challenge 22 does very mid-year break, fortunately I had time As a proud Qatari, she says the pro- well. to think about what I wanted to do and gramme has given her, and many others “QU supports a number of research write the proposal.” like her, the opportunity to contribute projects. The outcome is mostly re- ous research projects over the next 12 Although unable to go into specifi c to the growth of her home country. search papers on these projects. In very years. details about her project due to a pend- “Of course I want to see my project rare cases some get patents from this Her life’s work has centred around ing patent, Dr Somaya was keen to em- become successful and commercial- project. So what do we do next? That is biometrics in areas such as handwrit- phasise just how valuable the business ised,” she told www.sc.qa. “But what is the question. ing, face and fi ngerprint recognition. In development assistance she has re- most important to me is to see a prod- “We must develop these ideas into 2015 her ‘Smart Identity Management ceived has been to her. uct from Qatar grow and be used across products and help to take Qatar from for Smart Stadiums’ project allowed “Shortly after that I found out I the world. an economy based on oil and gas to a her to take this vast catalogue of re- would go through to the next stage, and “This would be a perfect example knowledge-based economy. Qatar is search to the next level, as she became it was then that I was put in touch with of Qatar turning towards knowledge- focused on this, and this is what Chal- a winner of the inaugural Challenge 22 to a consultant, because I did not have based success. I’ve received a lot sup- lenge 22 also helps with.” competition. any experience in writing a business port from the state – in terms of schol- After completing her undergraduate As well the fi nancial, logistical and plan,” she added. arships and academic funding – so I and master’s degrees in Qatar, Dr So- promotional opportunities Challenge “This mentorship part of the pro- would love to give back. maya travelled to Nottingham, England 22 provides to winners (and fi nalists), it gramme really helped me advance the “My dream is of course to see my to complete a PhD. She returned to her also off ers business development men- proposal, and it was available even be- product developed and implemented in homeland in 2004, and undertook vari- torships. Something which, Dr Somaya fore I became a winner.”