FFORMULAORMULA 11| Page 4 CC’WEALTH’WEALTH GGAMES|AMES Page 6 Vettel St. Lucia takes pole and India position celebrate in China Games fi rsts
Sunday, April 15, 2018 FOOTBALL Rajab 29, 1439 AH No stopping Salah as GULF TIMES Liverpool ease past Bournemouth SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL/ AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CROSS-COUNTRY RALLYING Knockout berth at Qatar gears up for fi erce stake as Al Rayyan battles in clash with Al Ain FIA W Cup Tabata urges fans to turn up in large numbers to support the team
File photo of Qatar’s T2 champion Adel abdulla in action.
By Sports Reporter horns with Saudi Arabian cham- Doha pionship rival Ahmed Shegawi in the T2 or showroom category, while Russia’s Yuliya Migunova- atar’s Nasser Saleh al- Khegay and Romania’s Laurentiu Attiyah and his French Claudiu Barbu off er European re- co-driver Matthieu sistance. Q Baumel head a truly Frenchman Claude Fournier international fi eld of competi- tops the T3 entry in his Polaris tors from 18 countries set to chal- RZR 1000. He faces competition lenge for honours in their various from the likes of Spain’s Jose Luis categories at next week’s Qatar Pena Campo, and Santiago Nav- Cross-Country Rally, round four arro, Russian Ravil Maginov and of the FIA World Cup for Cross- Italy’s Michele Cinotto. Country Rallies and round two of Following KTM’s decision to the FIM Cross-Country Rallies tackle an event in Morocco at the World Championship. same time as the event in Qatar The event is being hosted by and Honda’s decision to change the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle its competition programme this Federation (QMMF) and compet- season to concentrate on prepa- itive action gets underway with a rations for the Dakar Rally (in- timed super special stage at the cluding next week’s Merzouga Losail International Circuit on Rally) the door is left wide open Al Rayyan star Rodrigo Tabata (C) has urged fans to turn out in large numbers. File picture. Wednesday, April 18. for Poland’s Maciej Giemza to Al-Attiyah and South African snatch maximum FIM champi- By Sports Reporter ing already booked their spots. pole position should they avoid defeat in the Iranian teammate Giniel de Villiers are onship points in the motorcycle Doha “Yes it’s a make-or-break situation where only a win capital. Persepolis, meanwhile, claimed a scoreless both previous Dakar Rally win- category. Dutch businessman will matter but we are motivated for the match against draw in Uzbekistan against Nasaf to seal their passage ners and drive a pair of South Kees Koolen again locks horns Al Ain,” Laudrup said during the Emir’s Cup draw on to the last 16 for the second successive year and a third African-built Toyota Hiluxes en- with Russian rival Alexsandr he enticing prospect of a fi rst-ever spot in the Wednesday. consecutive home win would see them leapfrog the tered by Toyota GAZOO Racing Maxsimov in the quads. last 16 phase of the AFC Champions League “Al Ain are a tough side. We drew with them 1-1 2011 champions. South Africa. They are running The QMMF is also running a should be ample motivation for Al Rayyan as when we met in the tournament in the fi rst leg in Feb- Elsewhere, Al Wasl will look to pick up their fi rst alongside another three Toyotas National Baja for motorcycles they take on the UAE’s Al Ain in a do-or-die ruary. But this time we are playing at home and we points of a disappointing campaign when they host being managed by the Belgian and cars behind the FIA and FIM- clashT in Doha tomorrow. would like to take advantage of the situation.” Nasaf in Dubai, where their Uzbek visitors are aiming preparations company Over- sanctioned event. Competitors Al Rayyan, for all their achievements on the do- Captain Rodrigo Tabata said the team’s greatest as- to claim their fi rst points on the road. drive Racing. Saudi Arabia’s Ya- will attend from several of the mestic scene, have never gone past the group stage of sets are their fans. Only fi rst place remains up for grabs in Group A after sir Seaidan, Dutchman Erik van GCC countries. Fourteen cars and the lucrative continental tournament, and have been “They always turn out in large numbers to support wins for Al Ahli and Al Jazira on Matchday Five saw the Loon and Poland’s Aron Domzala fi ve bikes will take part, in addi- presented with a golden opportunity to deliver the us. It will be great to see that again,” he said. sides avoid a nail-biting fi nal round of fi xtures. drive the additional three V8-en- tion to four cars from the main knockout blow in front of their passionate supporters Iran’s Estheglal have already qualifi ed for the last 16 Three points behind table-toppers Al Ahli, though, gined cars. rally, which are eligible for both in Doha. with nine points from fi ve matches, while Al Ain are Al Jazira would claim top spot with a two-goal win or Although Toyota has the larg- events. All but two last 16 berths from West Asia have been second on seven and Al Rayyan third on six. Al Ain just even a 1-0 victory over the Saudi side when the pair est team in Qatar on this occa- taken, with the remaining two to be decided tomorrow need a draw while Al Rayyan need three points which clash in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. sion, X-raid will be hoping to 2018 Qatar Cross-Country Rally — and on Tuesday when the curtain falls on the group will give them a slight chance of topping the group if Al Ahli have been in fi ne form on the continent and upset the applecart with a single leading entrants: stage of the tournament. Estheglal lose to Al Hilal. remain unbeaten, having won three and drawn two, MINI John Cooper Works Rally 201. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/ The qualifi cation berths from Groups A and C have Meanwhile, in Group C, a top-of-the-table clash and the Jeddah side will progress as group winners entered for Poland’s Jakub Przy- Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux already been decided, but there remain some intrigu- between Persepolis and Al Sadd tomorrow in Tehran should they avoid defeat. gonski. Russian driver Vladimir Overdrive ing match-ups in Groups B and D as Zobahan and will decide which of the sides advances to the Round Third-place Al Gharafa travel to bottom side Trac- Vasilyev also drives a G-Energy 202. Martin Prokop (CZE)/David Lokomotiv, and Al Rayyan and Al Ain battle it out. of 16 as group winners, with the pair having already torsazi Tabriz in the day’s other Group A game, when Team MINI One at the business Pabiska (CZE) Ford F-150 Evo Should Al Rayyan beat former champions Al Ain, sealed their respective qualifi cations. the Iranian hosts will need to post a four-goal winning end of the fi eld. 203. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom they will become the third team from Qatar to have Al Sadd confi rmed their progression with a 2-1 vic- margin to have any chance of leapfrogging the Qatari Surprisingly, perhaps, a Ford Colsoul (BEL) MINI John Cooper Works made the knockout stage – Al Duhail and Al Sadd hav- tory over Al Wasl two weeks ago and will advance in side. currently leads the points’ stand- Rally ings: Czech driver Martin Prokop 204. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstan- has made a superb transition tin Zhiltsov (RUS) MINI One from the WRC over the last two 205. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Alexei Kuz- Zidane sick of Real ‘robbery’ jibes aft er Juve game seasons and won the recent Abu mich (RUS) Toyota Hilux Overdrive Dhabi Desert Challenge in a Ford 206. Erik van Loon (NLD)/Wouter Reuters, Madrid Real for Mehdi Benatia’s challenge has people are saying these things.” Cristiano fend my players. We deserved to qualify, F-150 Evo designed and devel- Rosegaar (NLD) Toyota Hilux Overdrive been described by some sections of the Ronaldo’s converted penalty against without any doubt. We did very well and oped by the experienced Miroslav 207. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Mar- Italian — and even Spanish media — as “a Juventus sent Madrid into a semi-final we’re in the semi-finals.” Zapletal, himself a front-running ton (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive eal Madrid coach Zinedine robbery”. showdown with Bayern Munich despite Real are fourth in the Liga standings privateer in the FIA World Cup 208. Giniel de Villiers (ZAF)/Robert Zidane is furious with the “It’s a disgrace. I’m very very disap- losing the second leg 3-1, keeping them and could be 18 points behind runaway for many years. Howie (ZAF) Toyota Hilux continuing fallout from his pointed that people keep talking about on track for a third consecutive Champi- leaders Barcelona by the time they play There are further T1 entries 210. Jose Luis Pena Campo (ESP)/Rafael side’s Champions League for Spain’s Fernando Alvarez, Tornabell (ESP) Polaris RZR 1000 (T3) a robbery. We have to stop accusations ons triumph in the competition. against Malaga. quarter-fiR nal victory over Juventus, Oman’s Abdullah al-Zubair, Du- 211. Ahmed Shegawi (SAU)/Laurent like this,” Zidane told a news conference Zidane said he believed the attacks on his But they are pursuing a 13th European suggesting that people are annoyed at yesterday ahead of his side’s Liga game team were motivated by their continued Cup, which would make them the first bai-based Georgy Gomshiasvili, Lichtleuchter (FRA) Nissan Patrol Y61 the club’s phenomenal success. at basement side Malaga today. domination in Europe. team to win the trophy three years in a Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Al-Feraihi (T2) Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri “Everyone can have their opinion, and “When people talk about a robbery you row since Bayern Munich between 1974 and a late Toyota entry for Qatar’s 212. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser Al- was still complaining yesterday about his I won’t respond to what the players are realise that we are annoying a lot of and 1976. “There are people that are Khaled Al-Suwaidi, who makes Kuwari (QAT) Nissan Patrol Y62 (T2) side’s 4-3 aggregate defeat, saying too saying, but all I’ll say is that no-one (in the people with what we are doing,” said the anti-Madrid and we can’t change that,” his fi rst appearance in the QCCR 214. Fernando Alvarez (ESP)/Sergio much injury time had been played, while media) can talk to me about a robbery. Frenchman. added Zidane. “We just keep on doing with British navigator Marshall Lafuente (UGY) Volkswagen Amarok the decision to award the late penalty to “I’m furious about that. I can’t believe “We can’t change that, but I’ll always de- what we do.” Clarke. 215. Claude Fournier (FRA)/Sébastien Qatar’s Adel Abdulla will lock Delaunay (FRA) Polaris RZR 1000 (T3) Gulf Times 2 Sunday, April 15, 2018 FOOTBALL
PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Burnley’s Dyche Salah hits 40 as sees only positives Liverpool avoid Euro hangover Chelsea maintained their faint hopes of a top-four finish by scoring three times in eight minutes to come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Southampton
AFP London
ohamed Salah took his tally for a remarkable debut season Burnley’s Ashley Barnes is shown a yellow card by referee Martin at Liverpool to 40 goals as Ju- Atkinson for a foul on Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel during their rgen Klopp’s men suff ered no EPL match yesterday. Mafter eff ects from their eff orts in reach- ing the Champions League semi-fi nals Reuters carry on after that, fantastic, we in midweek with a routine 3-0 win over Burnley, England will see where it goes,” he added. Bournemouth. Yesterday’s win saw Burnley Victory edges Liverpool ever closer move to 52 points, a nine-point to securing a return to the Champions urnley manager Sean lead over eighth-placed Leices- League next season as they closed to Dyche has said the po- ter with fi ve games to play. within one point of Manchester United in tential challenge of Seventh place will be enough second and re-established their 10-point Bplaying European foot- to qualify for the Europa League lead over fi fth-placed Chelsea. ball next season could only be a unless Southampton win the FA Chelsea maintained their faint hopes positive for the Lancashire club. Cup. The Saints face Chelsea in of a top-four fi nish by scoring three times The Clarets have not played the semi-fi nals next weekend. in eight minutes to come from 2-0 down in European competition for 51 Burnley last played in Euro- to win 3-2 at Southampton in a result years and only returned to the pean football in 1966-67, when warmly welcomed by Saints’ relegation Premier League in 2016 but a 2-1 they reached the quarter-fi nals rivals. win over Leicester City yester- of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, Huddersfi eld and Crystal Palace took day gave them a stranglehold on losing to German side Eintracht full advantage with vital wins over Wat- seventh place which could bring Frankfurt 3-2 on aggregate. ford and Brighton to leave Southampton Europa League qualifi cation. The Clarets reached the Eu- fi ve points off safety. “It can’t be a negative, how ropean Cup quarter-fi nals in Manchester City can move to within can that be a negative? Five- 1961. Dyche suggested it would one win of sealing the title later on Sat- and-a-half years ago (we were) be hard for a small-town club urday should they end a run of three 16th in the Championship, im- such as Burnley to improve on consecutive defeats in all competitions possible to be a negative, im- seventh place in the future. against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. possible,” said Dyche whose “On an ongoing basis eve- Two of those reverses came at the side got a fi fth straight win with rything is a challenge for us. I hands of Liverpool, who cruised into goals by Chris Wood and Kevin don’t think we will be in a po- their fi rst Champions League semi-fi nal Long. Many clubs fi nd the Eu- sition, I will be surprised if this for a decade 5-1 on aggregate against the ropa League a burden in terms club can grow into a position runaway Premier League leaders. of the number of matches they where it is not. Because there is Klopp showed his intent from the off at have to play, the distances they a reality to clubs like Burnley,” Anfi eld by making just one change from must travel and the scheduling he said. the side that beat City 2-1 at the Etihad of matches before they return to “It is unlikely it can get so in midweek as captain Jordan Henderson the bread-and-butter of the do- powerful fi nancially where returned from suspension. mestic league but Dyche is a fan. you become one of the top six, And he was rewarded with a character- “For us, Burnley Football which probably all of us think istic fast start as Sadio Mane swept home Club, even being spoken about are going to be in the top six or his 19th goal of the season after Asmir Be- (for European football) it is a around, certainly not in relega- govic spilled his fi rst attempt. long, long way from where we tion trouble,” added Dyche, Liverpool were rampant in the fi rst 45 were at the end of last season,” “Are we moving forward? Yes. minutes but failed to add to their advan- added Dyche. Can the club move forward and tage with Salah surprisingly profl igate in “You get 40 points (in the Pre- build? Yes, it already is doing. front of goal. mier League) with two (games) Can you just take it for granted? However, on the day he was nominated to go and it is a big sigh of relief. Absolutely not. Nothing is to be for the PFA Player of the Year award, the This season, (we) achieved 40 taken for granted here.” Egyptian made amends in style to seal the and then had the mentality to three points 21 minutes from time when he looped a header over Begovic from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross. Torino settle for point at 10-man Chievo
Roberto Firmino then rounded off a perfect afternoon for Liverpool’s prolifi c Milan: Torino suff ered a set- aged 92. front three by drilling low past Begovic back in their push for European He escaped the Superga air Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah football next season with a disaster due to a knee injury celebrates after scoring against goalless draw at 10-man Chievo on May 4, 1949, when the flight Results Bournemouth yesterday. yesterday ending their three- returning from a friendly game match winning streak. in Lisbon crashed killing all his Burnley 2 (Wood 6, Long 9) Leicester 1 for a third in stoppage time. club either side of Eden Hazard’s leveller. thrilling 3-2 win over Brighton at Selhurst Defender Mattia Bani was sent teammates. (Vardy 72) Victory for Liverpool was another blow “As long as it is mathematically pos- Park with Wilfried Zaha scoring twice. off two minutes from time for a Both sides had chances to Crystal Palace 3 (Zaha 5, 24, Tomkins 14) to Chelsea’s hopes of Champions League sible we will believe we can reach the top Huddersfi eld look well set for just a foul on Kevin Bonifazi, but the break the deadlock with Brighton 2 (Murray 18, Izquierdo 34) football next season. four,” said Giroud as Chelsea closed to second ever season in the Premier League side from Verona held on to Torino’s Daniele Baselli’s searing Huddersfield 1 (Ince 90+1) Watford 0 But they did at least keep themselves within seven points of Spurs in fourth. as Tom Ince netted in stoppage time beat earn a precious point in their eff ort flying wide, while Chievo’s Liverpool 3 (Mane 7, Salah 69, Firmino 90) in the running with a spirited comeback “We have got fi ve fi nals to play, after that Watford 1-0 and open up a seven-point battle against relegation. Fabrizio Cacciatore missed Bournemouth 0 at St Mary’s after falling behind to goals we will see.” lead on the bottom three. A minute’s silence was held when alone in front of an open Southampton 2 (Tadic 21, Bednarek 60) from Dusan Tadic and debutant Jan Crystal Palace had been set to drop into Swansea couldn’t make home ad- before the game for Italian goal after 75 minutes. Chelsea 3 (Giroud 70, 78, Hazard 75) Bednarek. the bottom three on goal diff erence prior vantage count against Everton, but also defender Sauro Toma, the only Torino lost Nicolas Nkoulou to Swansea 1 (Jordan Ayew 71) Everton 1 Olivier Giroud came off the bench to to Chelsea’s comeback. opened up a fi ve-point lead on South- surviving member of the leg- a muscular problem with Bani’s (Naughton 43-og) fi nally kickstart his Chelsea career with However, they now enjoy a six-point ampton just above the relegation zone endary Grande Torino football header from a corner flying his fi rst two Premier League goals for the cushion over Southampton thanks to a with a 1-1 draw. team, who died on Tuesday over the bar.
BOTTOMLINE SHORTLIST Buff on a ‘role model for 20 years’ City trio, Salah, AFP the things he did, in a situation Real Madrid, we’re thinking Kane nominated for Milan as tough as Wednesday night’s, about Sampdoria,” continued that is understandable and I Allegri. challenge anyone to react dif- “We’ve got Napoli breath- Player of the Year uventus coach Massi- ferently. ing down our necks, so we have miliano Allegri has de- “It’s always easy to judge to keep pushing and fi nd some AFP However, the Belgian may be fended Gianluigi Buf- from the outside. more psychological energy. London beaten to the award by Salah’s fon and labelled him “a “The referee had a very good This is an objective that cannot free-scoring form. roleJ model for over 20 years” game for 90 minutes, he really be repeated, a seventh consec- The Egyptian has scored 40 after the goalkeeper saw red did. He then slightly lost his utive Scudetto. We absolutely anchester City’s times in all competitions, in- against Champions League way at the end, like when you cannot let that slip.” Kevin De Bruyne, cluding in each leg as Liverpool conquerors Real Madrid for a pull up a Monopoly card with Meanwhile, Allegri said he Leroy Sane and dumped City out of the Champi- furious rant at the referee. an unpredictable twist, but had not yet spoken to club David Silva lead a ons League quarter-fi nals 5-1 on Buff on was sent off for dis- these things can happen. bosses concerning his own fu- Msix-strong cast that also includes aggregate. sent in the fi nal minute of the “I don’t know if it was cor- ture with the Turin giants. The the prolifi c Mohamed Salah and Salah leads the way in the race quarter-fi nal, second leg in rect or not, I don’t care, but 50-year-old signed a new deal Harry Kane for the 2017-18 Pro- for the Premier League golden Madrid after confronting Eng- Buff on was also sent off and last year until 2020. fessional Footballers’ Associa- boot with 29 goals to Kane’s 25. lish referee Michael Oliver over therefore denied the opportu- “I haven’t met (club) Presi- tion Player of the Year award. Sane and Kane are also on the his decision to award the hosts nity to save the Cristiano Ron- dent (Andrea) Agnelli yet, we Manchester United goalkeeper shortlist for the Young Player of a penalty in time added-on. aldo penalty. Gigi’s reaction is usually meet between March David de Gea is the other nomi- the Year award alongside City Cristiano Ronaldo slotted to be understood.” and April. We need to talk nee. goalkeeper Ederson and forward in the hosts who lost 3-1 on he called Oliver “a murderer” his way” in a tense fi nale. Juventus play Sampdoria on about what we have to do or we De Bruyne is expected to be Raheem Sterling, Manchester the night, but advanced to the with “a rubbish bin” in place of “For over 20 years, Gianluigi Sunday as the Serie A champi- should do next year. City’s leading candidate hav- United striker Marcus Rashford semi-fi nals 4-3 on aggregate. a heart. Buff on has been a role model ons bid for a seventh straight “I’m still young, I want to ing contributed a league-high and left-back Ryan Sessegnon, The 40-year-old Juventus But Allegri said Buff on’s both on and off the pitch,” Al- title with Napoli four points coach. Matches like that in 15 assists and seven goals from who has starred in Fulham’s push captain has come under fi re outburst was “understand- legri said yesterday. behind in second. Madrid increase your desire to midfi eld as Pep Guardiola’s have for promotion from the Champi- for a post-match rant in which able” after Oliver “slightly lost “If on one occasion he said “Enough talk now about continue.” marched towards the title. onship. Gulf Times Sunday, April 15, 2018 3 FOOTBALL
SPOTLIGHT BUNDESLIGA Barcelona set new Volland hat-trick as record aft er 39 Leverkusen hammer games unbeaten Frankfurt ‘The value of these three points is great, they are three points of gold’ DPA Berlin converted a through-ball from Julian Baumgartlinger fl icked on by Havertz in the 71st, and com- evin Volland scored pleted the treble with almost a hat-trick as Bayer identical goals into the empty off Leverkusen took an- Karim Bellarabi in the 77th and Kother step towards 88th. Champions League football next “It was an important game, a season with an impressive 4-1 six-point game, and we won. We over rivals Eintracht Frankfurt were there when it mattered after yesterday. the break, and that includes my- Volland was on target in the self,” Volland told Sky TV. Frank- 71st, 77th minute and 88th af- furt keeper Lukas Hredecky said: ter Julian Brandt had headed the “It was a strange week. We want- opening goal. Frankfurt got a ed to get points here points.” temporary equaliser from Marco Hamburg had hoped to fol- Fabian the day after confi rma- low up on their 3-2 win against tion that their coach Niko Kovac Schalke but were overwhelmed would move on to champions by Hoff enheim who led in the Bayern Munich in summer. 18th when Gnabry ran past Rick Leverkusen remained fourth van Drongelen and poked home which off ers the last available between the legs of Goalkeeper Champions league berth, but Jan Pollersbeck. with 51 points are now fi ve clear It was 2-0 nine minutes later Hoff enheim, Frankfurt and RB from Szalai who tapped in a low Leipzig. Hoff enheim beat second cross from Nico Schulz, and last SV Hamburg 2-0 from Serge Hamburg were eventually lucky Gnabry and Adam Szalai while not to lose by a bigger margin. Leipzig are at Werder Bremen to- The Northern Germans remain day in the tight race for Europe. fi ve points behind Mainz in the Elsewhere, VfB Stuttgart drew relegation play-off spot and their 1-1 with lowly Hanover and Davie hopes, and those of Cologne who Selke scored a brace as Hertha are another point back, would ef- Berlin reached the milestone of fectively end if Mainz beat 15th- 1,000 Bundesliga home goals ranked Freiburg on Monday. with a 2-1 comeback victory Cologne led in Berlin from over bottom side Cologne. Ko- Leonardo Bittencourt but Selke vac was the centre of attention levelled in the 49th into the far in Leverkusen where the hosts left corner and tapped in Marwin stormed to their second 4-1 of Plattenhardt’s sharp low cross the week — the other on Monday four minutes later for the winner. in Leipzig. In Stuttgart, Niklas Fuellkrug In-form Brandt opened the headed a stoppage-time equalis- scoring in the 20th with a loop- er for visiting Hanover after Erik ing header off Kai Havertz’ cross Thommy had opened the scoring into the far left corner, only for for the hosts with a long range Barcelona’s Luis Suarez celebrates scoring their first goal the unmarked Fabian to level blast into the top right corner. against Valencia yesterday. three minutes. But Volland then
AFP Sunday, away to Malaga. perhaps an awkward trip to Celta Vigo Pique, already booked, endured a dif- Madrid, Spain “The value of these three points is on Tuesday, stand in the way of Barce- fi cult 45 minutes and as he and Marc- great, they are three points of gold,” Val- lona fi nishing the league campaign as Andre ter Stegen dallied at the back and verde said. invincibles. the latter’s skewed pass fell to Carlos arcelona set a new La Liga record “The week has been hard and that hard “Records are there to be broken,” Sua- Soler. Soler played in Rodrigo Moreno by extending their unbeaten run week aff ects everyone, including the fans. rez told beIN Sports. “The public can but Ter Stegen made up for his mistake to 39 games with a 2-1 victory “We have not lost much but the game be angry about the Champions League, by pushing the shot onto the bar. over Valencia yesterday. the other day was important and you have like us, but this is a recognition of the Barcelona started the second half like BLuis Suarez and Samuel Umtiti were the feeling that we have disappointed great season we are having in the league, they began the fi rst though and fi ve min- both on target as Barca passed the 38 people. You want to repay them.” which now seems to have been forgot- utes after the restart, they doubled their matches Real Sociedad managed with- There is no doubt Barca’s shock defeat ten.” advantage. out defeat between 1979 and 1980. Dani in Italy still lingers, and may still, even if Despite their exertions in Rome, Val- Umtiti beat Gabriel Paulista to Parejo gave Valencia brief hope with an the Catalans secure the fi rst part of an verde resisted the temptation to rest Coutinho’s corner and while his header 87th-minute penalty. expected domestic double by winning key players, with Philippe Coutinho and was parried by Neto, Valencia’s goalkeep- The win at the Camp Nou, which was the Copa del Rey next weekend. Paulinho coming in for Ivan Rakitic and er could only push it in off the post. more comfortable than the scoreline But it should take little away from Nelson Semedo. Valencia’s belief was dwindling and suggested, also eases fears that Tues- their faultless form in the league, which Barca showed few signs of lost confi - two acrobatic volleys, from Lionel Messi day’s Champions League collapse against means the last time they tasted defeat dence early on and after 15 minutes they and then Andres Iniesta, almost added Roma could aff ect Barcelona’s march to outside a cup competition was against took the lead, Coutinho drifting in from a spectacular third, as the fi rst fl ew just the league title. Malaga just over 12 months ago. the right and, after spotting Suarez’s an- over and the second was parried by Neto. Ernesto Valverde’s side are now 14 This was already a club record run, gled run, poking a superb pass in behind. There was time for a tense fi nish after points clear at the top of the table, before now eight games better than the 31 un- Suarez took the fi nish fi rst time and substitute Ousmane Dembele brought second-placed Atletico Madrid play their beaten Pep Guardiola’s brilliant team swept the ball inside the near post. down Jose Gaya in the area and Parejo’s game in hand against Levante today. strung together in the season of 2010-11. Valencia, however, found a foothold feeble penalty squirmed under the body Frankfurt’s Argentinian defender David Abraham (R) and Valencia stay third, one point ahead It would now seem only the home Cla- and arguably were the better side by the of Ter Stegen. But Barca’s morale-boost- Leverkusen’s German forward Kevin Volland vie for the ball during of Real Madrid, who are also in action on sico against Real Madrid on May 6, and end of the half. ing win was never really in doubt. their Bundesliga match in Leverkusen, western Germany, yesterday.
BOTTOMLINE Areola demands respect if PSG win Ligue 1
AFP Areola is a “child of the club.” His Oblak, Milan’s teenage phenomenon against Real Madrid,” he said “They Paris parents came to France from the Phil- Gianluigi Donnarumma and Chelsea’s have the experience in this competi- ippines and he was born and grew up Thibaut Courtois are among the many tion. I’m not saying we don’t, but they in Paris, playing for the “Little An- rumoured to be on their way to sup- have the habit of winning. That was hen Paris Saint-Germain gels” youth team on the Left Bank be- plant Areola. perhaps the diff erence.” host Monaco today seek- fore joining PSG at the age of 13. “If the club is looking for someone Areola has been called up to the ing to seal the Ligue 1 title, “Playing for my club, that’s ex- else, that’s not my choice,” he said. French squad by Didier Deschamps, Alphonse Areola will be ceptional and I’m clearly living my “But if they announce someone else is although he has yet to make an appear- Wliving his dream, but the young ’keeper dream,” he said. “Now, chasing tro- coming in, I will be even more moti- ance he is likely to make the cut for the still faces challenges. First, he has to phies, that’s even better. vated.” PSG’s spending means Areola France squad going to the World Cup keep out Monaco, who last season Areola went out on loan for three is playing behind one of the most ex- this summer. ended PSG’s run of four consecu- consecutive seasons at Lens, Bastia pensive lineups in football history after “I believe in my ability to be in the tive titles and this time sit second, 14 and Villarreal. He returned last sea- the club added Neymar, Dani Alves and 23,” he said. “But nothing can be taken points behind with six rounds to play. son and was initially behind the Ger- Kylian Mbappe last summer. for granted... until the list is out, I will “Last year they took the title from man Kevin Trapp. Areola took over “It brings even more renown to the not be sure.” us and that hurt us because this club and kept four clean sheets in eight club when great players come in, even “To be part of the squad is already is in the habit of winning the league games but then came a disastrous if there have been always very, very huge and to be part of the 23 going to every year,” the 25-year old told AFP run when he let in 10 goals on 11 shots great players here,” he said. “But the the World Cup would be even more in an interview. “So it’s even more as PSG failed to win in three straight arrival of two experienced players, and magnifi cent.” Hugo Lloris, who has 96 symbolic against them. We have the league games in December. one who is going to become a force was caps, and Steve Mandanda (26 caps) chance to bring the title back to Par- “I had no doubts, doubt is a big a plus for the club.” were the other two goalies in the last is.” word and it’s for the weak, let’s say,” Those players were bought with the France squad in March. “Last season a new coach and new he said. “I continued to work. I did not Champions League in mind, but af- “I am behind two legends.” Asked if players had come in and it was neces- let go. Some might have gone down, ter edging Bayern Munich to win their the Brazilian contingent were the most sary to adapt,” he said. “This season Paris Saint-Germain’s French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola poses at the Camp des but I’m proud to say that I managed group, PSG were eliminated in the fi rst likely to bring World Cup medals back we have gelled.” loges in saint-Germain en Laye, western Paris. to come through it.” This season Are- knock out round by the two-time de- to PSG, Areola laughed.“No. Us, the He also wants outsiders to treat a ola has become the regular starter but fending champions. French. There are some nice teams French league title for PSG with re- “People are trivialising this title be consistent and perform well over he is not an established star of the “We won our group, which was the but, look, I am French and I am for the spect. too much,” Areola said. “You have to the entire season.” sort PSG covet. Atletico Madrid’s Jan objective, but then we were drawn team.” Gulf Times 4 Sunday, April 15, 2018 SPORT
FORMULA 1 INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Delhi Daredevils register thrilling win Vettel fl ies to pole as over Mumbai Indians
IANS For Mumbai, left-arm spinner Mumbai Krunal Pandya bagged couple of wickets for 21 runs while left- arm pacer Mustafi zur Rahman iding on opener Jason scalped one for 25. Hamilton struggles Roy’s (91 not out) scin- Earlier, put in to bat, Mumbai tillating knock against was off to a fl ying start as open- three-time champions ers Suryakumar Yadav and Evin MumbaiR Indians, Delhi Daredev- Lewis put a 102-run opening ils registered their maiden win partnership. While Suryakumar in the ongoing edition of the In- smashed 53 off 32, Lewis hit a dian Premier League (IPL) at the quick 28-ball 48, comprised of Wankhede stadium yesterday. four six and as many boundaries. at Chinese GP Chasing a mammoth 195-run Leggie Rahul Tewatia struck in target, the match went down the ninth and 11th over to get rid ‘It wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but we’ll go tomorrow and see what we can do’ to the fi nal ball, however, Roy off the two in-form openers. held his nerve to hand his side a After their fall, wicketkeeper- thrilling victory. batsman Ishan Kishan and skip- Needing 11 off the final over, per Rohit Sharma (18) shared a Roy hit a cover drive for four in crucial 57-run stand for the third the fi rst ball followed by a six wicket, which helped the host to over fi ne leg. He however, missed cross 150-run mark. the next four deliveries making it Apart from Ishan, who played a one-run, one-ball aff air. quick-fi re cameo of 23-ball 44, He fi nally took a single off and Rohit, no other Mumbai the fi nal ball to help Delhi com- batter was able to survive for plete a thrilling seven-wicket long and went back cheaply to win against Mumbai. Roy forged fi nish at 194/7 in their allotted some crucial partnerships with 20 overs. For Delhi, pacer Dan- other batters which helped Delhi iel Christian, Tewatia and pacer taste success in their third match Trent Boult bagged two wicket of the season. apiece while spinner Shabaz Na- While he shared a 50-run deem scalped one. partnership with skipper Gau- tam Gambhir (15) for the opening Brief scores: Mumbai Indians: wicket, the opener also stitched 194/7 (Suryakumar Ydav 53, Evin a crucial 69 and 60-run part- Lewis 48; Daniel Christian 2/35) nership with Rishabh Pant (47) against Delhi Daredevils: 195/3 and Shreyas Iyer (27) respec- (Jason Roy 91 not out, Rishabh tively. Pant 47; Krunal Pandya 2/21).
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel (left) and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen celebrate after securing Ferrari one-two in Chinese Grand Prix qualifying in Shanghai yesterday. (AFP)
Reuters hai since Brazilian Rubens Bar- enough,” said Raikkonen after cuit where overtaking is easier Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) Shanghai richello started the inaugural the session. “It wasn’t exactly than most. Red Bull’s Max Ver- Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) Chinese Grand Prix from the what I wanted, but we’ll go to- stappen qualifi ed fi fth ahead of 3rd row front in 2004. morrow and see what we can do.” team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) ormula One champion- The Italian glamour team last Bottas’s time was more than who made it out on track just in Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) ship leader Sebastian won in China in 2013. half a second slower than Vet- time, with the former champi- 4th row Vettel pumped in a stun- “Thank you guys, great quali- tel’s. ons working furiously to change Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) ning late lap to snatch fying, great car,” said Vettel, who Vettel has a 17-point lead his engine after it blew in the fi - Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) poleF position from team mate also started from pole in Bahrain over Hamilton after winning the nal practice session. 5th row Delhi Daredevils’ Jason Roy (left) celebrates with teammate Shreyas Kimi Raikkonen as Ferrari domi- last weekend, over the team ra- opening two races of the season. Nico Hulkenberg was seventh Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) Iyer after winning the 2018 Indian Premier League match against nated Chinese Grand Prix quali- dio. “Really enjoyed that one.” The Briton, second in Austral- for Renault ahead of Force In- Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai yesterday. (AFP) fying yesterday. Raikkonen locked out the ia and third in Bahrain, had gone dia’s Sergio Perez. Carlos Sainz 6th row The German lapped the 5.4- front row for Ferrari for the sec- into the weekend determined to in the other Renault was ninth Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) km Shanghai circuit in one ond time in succession. claw back at least some of his with Romain Grosjean rounding Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) SPOTLIGHT minute, 31.095 seconds - a track The Finn had led the defi cit to the German at a track out the top 10 for Haas. 7th row record - to pip his Finnish team timesheets as the drivers em- that Mercedes have dominated There was more misery for Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) mate by a mere 0.087 seconds barked on their fi nal fl ying laps in recent years. former champions Williams, the Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/ and take his 52nd career pole. and appeared set to clinch pole The 33-year-old, like Vettel a only team yet to score a point af- McLaren) Williamson guides Title rival Lewis Hamilton position after going fastest in the four-times champion, has taken ter two races, who failed to make 8th row qualifi ed fourth, ending the ses- opening two sectors. an unprecedented fi ve wins in it through the fi rst phase and had Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro sion with a time slower even Vettel, who put in an error- Shanghai but recognised that Canadian Lance Stroll 18th and Rosso) SRH to win over KKR than third-placed Mercedes strewn fi rst attempt, then pulled his chances of a sixth had taken Sergey Sirotkin 16th. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) team-mate Valtteri Bottas after out just enough through the fi nal a knock. 9th row IANS fullish delivery that the 28-year aborting his fi nal fl ying lap on a corners to deny the 38-year-old “I don’t know if we can chal- The starting grid Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) Kolkata old could not pick. chilly afternoon. what would have been his fi rst lenge, we’re half a second be- 1st row Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) Then Williamson and Shakib Yesterday’s pole was Vettel’s pole since last year’s Monaco hind today,” he said, hoping that Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 10th row stitched together a 59-run stand second in three races this sea- Grand Prix. expected warmer conditions Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber) kipper Kane Williamson for the fourth wicket before the son and Ferrari’s fi rst in Shang- “It was okay but not good on Sunday would help at a cir- 2nd row Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) led from the front with a latter was caught in two minds classy 44-ball 50 as Sun- whether to defend and hit, los- risers Hyderabad (SRH) ing his leg stump in the process coastedS to a fi ve-wicket victory to Piyush Chawla (1/20). But CRICKET against Kolkata Knight Riders there was no stopping William- (KKR) in a rain-hit game at the son who brought up his fi fty. Eden Gardens yesterday. Williamson’s stay was cut short Chasing a modest 139 to win, by Mitchell Johnson whose full- New Zealand captain William- ish delivery on the leg stump was son mixed caution with aggres- fl icked on to square leg where M. Pallonji win fi rst division title sion (4x4, 16) as Bangladesh all- Andre Russell took an easy catch. By Sports Reporter rounder Shakib Al Hasan gave Earlier, India pace spearhead Doha him good support with a 21-ball Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered 27. Yusuf Pathan (17 not out) hit crucial blows as SRH made the the winning runs with a six over most of a hour-long rain break . Pallonji defeated Alliance by 51 runs in square leg off Andre Russell as and some excellent catching by the fi nal of the fi rst division of the Gulf the visitors reached the target Manish Pandey to restrict KKR Lights Cricket Tournament. with six balls to spare. This was to a modest 138/8. Kumar (3/26) Batting fi rst, Pallonji batsmen scored SRH’s fi rst triumph at the Eden - back after recovering from a M203 runs in the allotted 20 overs after losing nine in fi ve attempts and their third sore back - was ably supported wickets. Rauf scored 40 runs with the help of fi ve straight victory this season. by pacer Billy Stanlake (2/21) and sixes, while Ayub scored 34 runs. Alban and Sau- Local boy Wriddhiman Saha Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib desh contributed 22 and 21 runs, respectively. Wa- (24; 15b 5x4 0x6) gave SRH a Al Hasan (2/21). heed and Thannu took four and two wickets respec- fl ying start before Sunil Narine Pandey took two outstanding tively for the Alliance. Naseer, Nizam and Rameez (2/17) got his back in his very catches to send Nitish Rana (18; claimed a wicket each. fi rst delivery with a fullish deliv- 16b 2x4 1x6) and Andre Rus- In reply, Alliance batsmen were bundled out for ery down the leg side which took sell (9; 5b 0x4 1x6) - back in the 152 runs in 18.1 overs. Thannu scored 30 runs off a feather edge off the India Test hut as SRH bowlers took control nine balls with the help of four sixes and a bound- stumper’s bat to Dinesh Karthik after a rain-induced halt when ary, while opener Ifzal scored 25 runs. Sandeep also who took a sharp catch. KKR were going steady at 52/1. added 21 runs. Raziq and Firdus took two wickets Narine also castled Shikhar For the hosts, opener Chris each. Naveed, Rauf, Praveen and Vikram claimed a Dhawan (7; 7b 1x4 0x6) with an Lynn (49; 34b 7x4 1x6) was the wicket each. overpitched ball which the India top-scorer as skipper Dinesh Alban of M. Pallonji was declared man of the southpaw tried to defend and Karthik laboured to a 27-ball 29 match. the ball sneaked under his bat. At hitting two fours and a six. CRCC Warriors’ Mazhar and Mohsin of Al Jazeera the end of Powerplay, SRH were Media Network were adjudged best batsman and 46/2 still needing 93 runs for Brief scores: KKR 138/8 in 20 best bowler of the tournament. Firdos of M. Pallonji victory. Chinaman Kuldeep Ya- overs (Chris Lynn 49; Bhuv- won the best all-rounder award and Neeraj was de- dav (1/23) accounted for former neshwar Kumar 3/26, Shakib Al clared best wicket-keeper of the tournament. KKR batsman Manish Pandey, Hasan 2/21, Billy Stanlake 2/21) Managing Director of Gulf Lights Sanaullah dis- M. Pallonji Skipper Neeraj, his teammate Naveed and manager Chidananda Nayak receive winners’ trophy from Managing who was brilliant in the fi eld tak- lose to SRH 139/5 (Kane William- tributed the prizes. Director of Gulf Lights Sanaullah. ing two superb catches, with a son 50; Sunil Narine 2/17). Gulf Times Sunday, April 15, 2018 5 SPORT
MLB Frazier’s two homers propel Mets to ninth straight victory Mets winning streak is their longest since an 11-game run in April 2015 and are off to the best 12-game start in team history.
Reuters Dodgers’ three-game sweep of the D- ANGELS 5, ROYALS 4 New York backs in the 2017 NLDS. Arizona’s 10-3 Ian Kinsler’s eighth inning sacrifi ce record gives it the best 13-game start in fl y scored Shohei Ohtani with the go- franchise history. ahead run as Los Angeles edged by odd Frazier hit two solo homers Kansas City. Kinsler had three hits Friday night, including the go- ROCKIES 2, NATIONALS 1 and scored a pair of runs. Albert Pujols ahead shot in the bottom of the Carlos Gonzalez homered and later hit homered and drove in three runs. fourth inning, as the streaking a tiebreaking sacrifi ce fl y as Colorado Reliever Justin Grimm (0-2) took the TNew York Mets won their ninth straight defeated host Washington. loss, surrendering two runs on three by beating the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-5, Gonzalez gave the Rockies a 1-0 hits, a sacrifi ce fl y and sacrifi ce bunt. at Citi Field. lead in the fourth on their fi rst hit of Former Kansas City reliever Blake Frazier reached base in all four plate the game. He crushed a 2-0 pitch from Wood (1-0) picked up the win. appearances for the Mets, whose win- Washington starter Tanner Roark (1-1) ning streak is their longest since an into the seats in right-center for a 438- MARLINS 7, PIRATES 2 11-game run in April 2015. At 11-1, they foot solo homer. Outfi elder JB Shuck returned to the are off to the best 12-game start in team In the sixth, Gonzalez drove in DJ majors with four hits and scored twice history. The Mets scored what proved LeMahieu on a sacrifi ce fl y to right for to lead host Miami past fi rst-place to be the decisive runs in the fi fth, when the deciding run. Washington’s An- Pittsburgh. It was Shuck’s fi rst appear- Jay Bruce delivered an RBI double and thony Rendon exited in the top of the ance in the majors since playing with Adrian Gonzalez lofted a sacrifi ce fl y seventh after fouling a ball off his left the Chicago White Sox in 2016. He fi n- before Bruce raced home on a wild pitch big toe in the fi fth. X-rays postgame ished 4-for-4. to give New York a 6-2 lead. Yoenis were negative. The Nationals have gone Miami’s Justin Bour added two Cespedes had two hits, including an 2-8 since starting the season with four knocks, including a two-run homer, his RBI single in the fi rst, while Asdrubal straight wins. third in three games. Miguel Rojas had Cabrera extended his hitting streak to three hits, Derek Dietrich had two and 11 games by going 2-for-4. CARDINALS 5, REDS 3 Lewis Brinson broke an 0-for-26 slump Yadier Molina homered and drove in with a sixth-inning single. ASTROS 3, RANGERS 2 three runs Friday night while Luke Pinch runner Derek Fisher scored on Weaver took a shutout into the seventh BLUE JAYS 8, INDIANS 4 a two-base fi elding error in the eighth inning as visiting St. Louis continued Teoscar Hernandez, just recalled from inning, and Houston eked out a win Cincinnati’s early-season struggles. Triple-A Buff alo, doubled in the go- over visiting Texas. Marwin Gonzalez It was the second straight win for St. ahead run in the seventh inning, and stroked a one-out single off Rangers Louis, while Cincinnati fell to an MLB- Toronto went on to defeat host Cleve- reliever Kevin Jepsen (0-2) and, with worst 2-11 with its sixth straight loss. land. Hernandez was promoted Friday Fisher running on the play, Texas center Over six-plus innings, Weaver (2-0) after third baseman Josh Donaldson fi elder Drew Robinson whiff ed fi elding permitted four hits and two runs with a went on the disabled list with right the ball, allowing Fisher to score from walk and seven strikeouts. shoulder infl ammation. fi rst base. Bud Norris pitched the ninth to gar- The Blue Jays overcame a 4-0 disad- Fisher pinch-ran for Evan Gattis, ner his second save, fanning pinch hit- vantage to tie the game at 4 on a three- who walked. Astros right fi elder George ter Tucker Barnhart with the tying runs run homer by Aledmys Diaz in the Springer homered twice against Rang- aboard to end it. fourth inning. The loss stopped a fi ve- ers starter Cole Hamels. Houston start- game winning streak by the Indians (8- er Gerrit Cole allowed two runs on three BRAVES 4, CUBS 0 6), who are 6-2 at home. hits with a career-high 14 strikeouts New York Mets third baseman Todd Frazier (right) celebrates with catcher Jose Loboton after hitting a home run against the Anibal Sanchez pitched six solid in- over seven innings. He became the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning in New York on Friday night. (USA TODAY Sports) nings and Preston Tucker slugged a PHILLIES 2, RAYS 1 second pitcher in major league history three-run homer as visiting Atlanta Jorge Alfaro singled in the go-ahead run with 11-plus strikeouts in each of his jar ripped a pair of extra-base hits and ez’s second homer of 2018 and his fi rst 1/3 innings, and Daniel Descalso drove beat Chicago in a Wrigley Field mati- with two outs in the top of the ninth fi rst three starts of a season, joining scored twice and Ronald Torreyes add- since a two-run, inside-the-parker on in four runs, as Arizona extended its nee. Sanchez (1-0) allowed three hits inning, and Philadelphia won for the Nolan Ryan (1973). ed three hits and an RBI for New York. Opening Day. Rodriguez (1-0) gave up regular-season winning streak over in his second outing for Atlanta and sixth time in seven games in beating The Yankees became the fi rst team in fi ve hits and two walks and struck out Los Angeles to 10 games by holding snapped a personal six-game losing host Tampa Bay. YANKEES 8, TIGERS 6 MLB history to have fi ve diff erent play- eight in his second start this year. JD on for a road victory. Greinke fought streak to record his fi rst win since beat- Scott Kingery doubled with one out Aaron Hicks hit a pair of home runs, ers notch a multi-homer game during Martinez (2-for-4) and Mookie Betts through an undisclosed injury, requir- ing the Yankees on Aug. 1, 2017. in the ninth inning off Alex Colome (0- including one inside-the-park, and the fi rst 14 games of a season. (1-for-4) each had an RBI for Bos- ing a visit from team trainers after just He also recorded his fi rst win as a 2) before Alfaro hit a grounder between New York handed host Detroit its fi fth ton, which won for the 11th time in 12 fi ve pitches, to give up four runs on fi ve National Leaguer since beating the third base and shortstop that Matt straight loss. Hicks, who just came off RED SOX 7, ORIOLES 3 games. At 11-2, the Red Sox matched hits with one walk, his fi rst free pass in Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 17, 2012, Duff y got a glove on but could not cor- the 10-day disabled list after recov- Eduardo Nunez socked a three-run the 1918 team for the best start in fran- three starts. while pitching for the then-Florida ral. Phillies closer Hector Neris pitched ering from an intercostal strain, also homer and Eduardo Rodriguez held his chise history. The Diamondbacks have swept the Marlins. Sanchez struck out six and around a two-out walk in the ninth in- walked twice and drove in three runs. former team to one run over six innings Dodgers three consecutive times since walked one while throwing 94 pitches, ning for his second save as the Phillies Brett Gardner had two hits, two as Boston beat visiting Baltimore to DIAMONDBACKS 8, DODGERS 7 Aug. 29 of last year, but the regular- as the Braves recorded their fi rst shut- won the fi rst game of a six-game road runs scored and an RBI, Miguel Andu- open a four-game series. It was Nun- Zack Greinke struck out seven over 6 season streak was interrupted by the out at Wrigley Field since Aug. 22, 2011. trip.
NHL BASKETBALL Haula delivers for Vegas Gharafa, Shamal enter Emir Cup semis
By Sports Reporter Doha
l Gharafa and Al Shamal advanced to the semi-fi nals of the Emir Cup basketball tournament with al- most identical wins over Al Rayyan andA Al Ahli respectively at the Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. A fi ne 30-point eff ort by Sammy Monroe was the highlight as Al Gharafa saw off Al Rayyan 92-83, while Hrvoje Pulijko excelled with 34 for Al Shamal as they edged out Al Ahli 91-84. Al Gharafa took the fi rst quarter honours against Al Rayyan, leading 20-16, but the latter fought back to edge ahead 45-42 at the end of the second period. Al Gharafa, however, came up with 28 points in the third quarter while restricting their rivals to just 18 and took a seven-point advantage (70-63) into the fi nal 10 minutes. That proved handy as Al Gharafa with- stood some tense moments to clinch the match comfortably. Preston Knowles and Abdulrahman Sadd Jonathan Quick (left) of the Los Angeles Kings blocks a Vegas Golden Knights’ shot as Dion Phaneuf of the with 23 and 22 also excelled for the winners. Kings and Erik Haula (right) of the Knights look for a rebound. (AFP) For Al Rayyan, Terrel Von Stoglin’s match- high 40 points went in vain. Reuters fi rst career playoff goal for Vegas. 19 shots, snapping a streak of In the second match, Pulijko scored 21 of Las Vegas It was the 64th career playoff three consecutive playoff shut- his 24 points from the three-point mark to Al Shamal edged out Al Ahli 91-84 in the Emir Cup basketball tournament yesterday. victory for Fleury, which moved outs. It marked the most goals help Al Shamal oust Al Ahli. him past Curtis Joseph into 12th that he has allowed in 17 career Al Shamal led 21-16 after the fi rst quarter with some excellent play later to wrap up the minic James with 18 also made signifi cant rik Haula scored at the place for all-time playoff wins. home playoff games. only to be overtaken at the end of the sec- match with a fair degree of comfort. contributions for the winners, while Chris- 15:22 mark in the sec- ond. However, they improved their position Mathew Bryan-Amaning with 19 and Do- topher Jones top scored for Al Ahli with 35. ond overtime to give the FLYERS 5, PENGUINS 1 JETS 4, WILD 1 Vegas Golden Knights a Travis Konecny, Sean Coutu- Goalie Connor Hellebuyck came 2-1E victory over the Los Ange- rier, Shayne Gostisbehere, Nolan within a minute of notching a les Kings and a 2-0 lead in the Patrick and Andrew MacDonald shutout against visiting Min- Western Conference fi rst-round each scored one goal and Phila- nesota in Game 2 of the Western Lion-hearted Tiger Roll wins Grand National series of the Stanley Cup playoff s delphia defeated Pittsburgh to Conference quarter-fi nals. on Friday night in Las Vegas. even the best-of-seven playoff Tyler Myers, Paul Stastny, Aintree, United Kingdom: Tiger Roll, the mother recently but his thoughts were for The Wings, while the Irish completed a Haula took a pass from James series at one game apiece at PPG Andrew Copp and Patrik Laine smallest horse in the field, was described champion flat jockey Pat Smullen, who has cleansweep of the top four with Anibale Fly. Neal inside the blue line and then Paints Arena. scored for the Jets, who contin- as having the “heart of a lion” after winning been diagnosed with a tumour. “This one’s There was to be no historic win for any of came in alone on the right side Philadelphia goaltender Brian ued the home-ice dominance the Grand National at Aintree yesterday in for Pat Smullen,” said 38-year-old Russell. the three women jockeys in the race, the of the net, where he deked Kings Elliott, who struggled might- that they displayed during the a thrilling finish. Tiger Roll — giving jockey “He’s tough as nails.” more fancied Katie Walsh on Baie des Iles goalie Jonathan Quick and fi red a ily in Game 1, allowing fi ve goals regular season. Davy Russell his first win in 14 attempts — O’Leary won the Grand National with never really featured while Bryony Frost shot through his pads for his sev- on 19 shots, was stellar this time The Jets have won the fi rst two had to hold off an unbelievable late surge Rule The World in 2016 in equally emotional finished fifth on Milansbar. enth career playoff goal. around with 34 saves. The Flyers games of the series at home. The from fellow Irish raider Pleasant Company circumstances after trainer Mouse Morris Race favourite Total Recall made a shock- The game was the longest ever were soundly beaten 7-0 in Game Wild’s Zach Parise scored on a to take victory. Tiger Roll, owned by Ryanair had lost his son earlier that year. “This ing error at the third and again later on the played by a team in its inaugural 1 and responded in a big way as power play with 44.8 seconds chief Michael O’Leary, gave trainer Gordon horse is small but he has the heart of a first circuit to lose any chance of winning season, and the longest in Kings Ivan Provorov and Couturier remaining for Minnesota’s goal, Elliott his second win in the race having lion,” said O’Leary.”He is extraordinary but leaving it to his unfancied Willie Mullins’ sta- franchise history. each had a pair of assists. coming on the team’s third shot won it in 2007 with Silver Birch. Russell, he has a master trainer in Gordon.” blemate Pleasant Company to nearly pull Marc-Andre Fleury had 29 Penguins goaltender Matt of the period. That made the who was once sacked by O’Leary, lost his Elliott also trained third-place Bless off a remarkable victory. saves and Alex Tuch scored his Murray scuffl ed with 15 saves on Wild 1-for-4 on power plays. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, April 15, 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
SPOTLIGHT Worth the wait: St Lucia and India celebrate Games fi rsts ‘In the last two editions of the Commonwealth Games I got bronze so I was determined to work hard this time to win gold’
AFP It was a red-letter day for In- Gold Coast, Australia dia, after Manika Batra became the country’s fi rst women’s sin- Farmer’s son Chopra reaps historic javelin gold for India gles table tennis champion by Neeraj Chopra became India’s first javelin cham- ngland’s sprinters put stunning Singapore’s Yu Mengyu pion at the Commonwealth Games and joined the Jamaica in the shade and in the fi nal. country’s small band of athletics gold medallists India’s Neeraj Chopra poses with his gold Saint Lucia celebrated “My aim was to win a gold with a mighty throw of 86.47m yesterday. medal aft er winning the men’s javelin throw their fi rst-ever gold medal for India and I did it!” A farmer’s son from a village outside of Delhi, the fi nal during the 2018 Gold Coast Common- medalE as the Commonwealth beamed Batra. “Here at the Com- 20-year-old said staying relaxed was the key after wealth Games at the Carrara Stadium on the Games came to a head yesterday. monwealth Games it is the best he won by nearly four metres from Australia’s Ham- Gold Coast yesterday. (AFP) On a busy fi nal day of full com- table tennis I have ever played.” ish Peacock on the Gold Coast. petition, a farmer’s son became Sanjeev Rajput claimed India’s With his surprise win, Chopra becomes only the India’s fi rst javelin champion seventh shooting victory, and third Indian man to win athletics gold at the Com- as Saint Lucia’s Levern Spencer Sumit Malik and Vinesh Phogat monwealths, after Milkha “Flying Sikh” Singh in made history in the high jump. made it fi ve gold medals for the 1958 and Vikas Gowda in 2014. Spencer, twice a bronze-med- country in wrestling. “I don’t remember which throw it was. I tried to get allist, leapt 1.95 metre to win a Five-time world amateur my personal best but I got my season best,” said battle with England’s Morgan champion Mary Kom, immor- the junior world champion, after falling just one Lake and fi nally bring gold to the talised in a 2014 Bollywood fi lm, centimetre short of his best throw yet. tiny Caribbean island - 56 years led India to a three-gold haul on “In my desperation for a personal best, I tried so after their Games debut. a busy fi nal day of boxing. hard that I tumbled over in my last two attempts,” “It’s a really good feeling and Australia’s Skye Nicolson added Chopra, who is trained by former world I am happy I’m the one making dedicated her featherweight gold record-holder Uwe Hohn. history for my country,” said the to her late brother, who was an “I’ve tried to enjoy myself here and not focus on 33-year-old, competing at her Olympic and professional boxer any negatives. You definitely get distracted by fi fth Commonwealth Games. before his death in a car crash in that.” “In the last two editions of 1994. Chopra, who used to dabble in cricket as a child, the Commonwealth Games I got Malaysia’s two-time winner was one of several Indian successes on the final bronze so I was determined to Lee Chong Wei set up a men’s day of full competition, following Mary Kom’s box- work hard this time to win gold.” badminton decider against In- ing win and Sanjeev Rajput’s victory in the 50m England shot to 4x100m relay dia’s K Srikanth, a week after rifle three positions. double, impressing the watching losing to the world number one His path to gold was made a little easier after Usain Bolt so much the towering in the mixed-team fi nal. India former world champion and Olympic silver medal- Jamaican tweeted that he was will fi nish with at least one more list Julius Yego of Kenya failed to qualify for final having second thoughts about badminton gold medal today as P round. his retirement. V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal clash “I’ve been totally relaxed here, I’ve enjoyed myself,” “They need him to beat us for the women’s title. said Chopra, flashing the smile that had a sun- now! Last time in Glasgow we Elsewhere, South African div- soaked Gold Coast crowd eating out of his hand. gave the baton ahead of him and er Julia Vincent recovered from “Most of the time people put too much pressure on they can’t handle us without an embarrassing spill from the themselves before the competition, thinking about him,” English anchor Harry Aik- board to fi nish sixth in the three- food and sleeping and what not. ines-Aryeetey fi red back. metre springboard fi nal. “One shouldn’t be too serious in life, it’s good to Australia’s Chloe Hosking be disciplined but you should not overdo food Skye high couldn’t contain her excitement restrictions,” he added, waxing lyrical on a host of With 17 gold medals available after winning road cycling gold. subjects. before the closing ceremony to- And Australia hammered Eng- “I tried to be natural because I was completely day, Australia are the runaway land 99-55 in the women’s bas- confident in how I’ve prepared myself. leaders with 75, ahead of Eng- ketball fi nal despite losing tour- As competition continued on Saturday, India had 21 land’s 42 and India’s 25, on the nament top-scorer Liz Cambage, gold medals to lie third on the overall table, behind medals table, which combines who was ejected by offi cials in hosts Australia and England. able-bodied and para events. the second quarter.
Saint Lucia’s Levern Spencer (centre), England’s Morgan Lake (left ) and Australia’s Nicola Mcdermott pose with their high jump medals.(AFP)
India’s Manika Batra poses on the podium with her gold medal during the awards ceremony for the women’s singles table tennis. (AFP)
2018 CWG medals table (top 10)
G S B T G S B T 1. Australia 75 55 57 187 6. New Zealand 12 16 14 42 2. England 42 40 41 123 7. Wales 10 12 14 36 3.I ndia 25 16 18 59 8. Scotland 9 13 21 43 4.Canada 15 39 27 81 9. Nigeria 9 8 6 23 5. South Africa 13 11 13 37 10. Cyprus 8 1 5 14
BADMINTON Saina sets date with Sindhu in singles fi nal IANS 14 minutes. Earlier, London bronze medallist medal in the mixed doubles partnering Sat- Gold Coast, Australia Saina defeated the World No.18 Scottish 21- wik, even as H S Prannoy suff ered defeat in 14, 18-21, 21-17 in a pulsating semi-fi nal con- the men’s singles bronze-medal playoff . test that lasted for an hour and fi ve minutes. In the men’s singles, World No 1 Srikanth orld No 3 P V Sindhu set up an Saina opened up a 5-0 lead early in the fi rst set his date with World No 7 and Malaysian all-Indian women’s singles fi nal game before Kirsty managed to open her ac- legend Lee Chong Wei in the summit clash . with World No 12 Saina Nehwal count to trail 8-11 midway. Coming back, While Srikanth registered an easy 21-10, in women’s badminton com- there was no stopping the Indian who raced 21-17 straight games victory over England’s Wpetition at the 21st Commonwealth Games to a 17-13 lead before closing the game in 21 Rajiv Ouseph, Chong Wei overcame World yesterday. minutes. No.11 Prannoy 21-16, 9-21, 21-14. Prannoy While Sindhu thrashed Canada’s Michelle The second game also started on similar then lost to World No.22 Ouseph 21-17, 23-25, Li in straight games 21-18, 21-8 in the semi- lines with Saina opening up with a 4-0 lead 9-21 in the men’s singles bronze medal match fi nal, Saina overcame a stiff contest from before stretching it further to 11-3 at the at the Carrara Sports Arena here. Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour winning by 21-14, breather. Saina continued her domination in In the men’s doubles, Satwik and Chirag 18-21, 21-17, and set her date with her com- the second half but Kirsty came back strong- thrashed Sri Lanka’s Sachin Dias and Bu- patriot in the summit clash today. ly to square things at 15-15. waneka Goonethilleka 21-18, 21-10 to enter Both Sindhu and Saina kept their unbeat- From there on, Kirsty never looked back the fi nal, where they will take on English pair en run alive and their victories over lower- and managed to lead for the fi rst time at 18- of Chris Langridge and Marcus Ellis today. ranked opponents went on expected lines. 17 before closing the game in 23 minutes. In the women’s doubles action, Ashwini and Sindhu started with a slender 11-10 lead In the decider, Saina gathered herself to Sikki bagged the bronze medal, beating Aus- midway into her fi rst game against the Ca- surge ahead with a 7-2 lead before Kirsty re- tralians Setyana Mapasa and Gronya Somer- nadian, before extending to 14-11 and then to duced the defi cit to trail 7-11 midway. Com- ville 21-19, 21-19. 19-15. The Indian, however allowed the Ca- ing back, Saina never allowed the Scottish The Indian duo earlier had lost to Malay- nadian to sneak in a few points towards the girl to settle down. sia’s Mei Kuan Chow and Vivian Hoo 21-17, end but managed to wrest back the lead and Indian star shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and 15-21, 4-21 in the semi-fi nals. Ashwini and clinch the tie in 22 minutes. the men’s doubles pair of Satwik Rankireddy Satwik had a poor day in the mixed doubles. The second game witnessed a complete and Chirag Shetty reached the fi nals while They fi rst lost 22-20, 18-21, 16-21 to Eng- domination from the Rio Olympics silver the women’s doubles combine of Ashwini land’s Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith in the medallist, breezing away with a 11-4 lead at Ponnappa and N. Sikki Reddy bagged the semi-fi nal. The Indian pair then lost 19-21, the break before stretching her lead to 18-8 bronze medal. 19-21 to Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Goh of India’s Saina Nehwal hits a return against Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour during their women’s singles semi-final and eventually closing the contest in mere Ashwini, however, failed to grab a bronze Malaysia in the bronze medal playoff . at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, April 15, 2018 7 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
ATHLETICS HOCKEY Indian men lose bronze medal playoff Jamaica’s vaunted thought variation between Ro- IANS Gold Coast, Australia hidas and Varun fetched India a much-needed equaliser. Scores levelled at 1-1, the third quarter ndia’s men’s hockey team was closely fought. While India lost 1-2 to England in the began on an attacking note with bronze medal playoff at the Lalit taking a shot on goal in the 21st Commonwealth Games 31st minute, Mandeep couldn’t sprinters fail to fi re, Iyesterday. fi nd the right defl ection to score. Sam Ward’s penalty corner Although India’s attack picked conversion led to England’s fi rst up steam, defensive errors on goal in the 6th minute. But India their part gave away two crucial restored parity 20 minutes later penalty corners in the 39th and with a successful penalty corner 42nd minutes. While, Ward’s conversion from Varun Kumar. fi rst attempt was brilliantly Ward gave England again the saved by PR Sreejesh, England England rule relays lead in the 43rd minute, employ- relied on their No.1 drag-fl icker ing a reverse-hand drive past PR yet again in the 43rd minute to ‘It was against us, had to pull in some guys at the last minute. For me, it was catch up’ Sreejesh after his initial drag- take the strike. fl ick was blocked by runner Amit This time, though fi rst rusher Reuters Rohidas. Rohidas successfully blocked the Gold Coast, Australia India had problems in defence drag-fl ick, but on rebound Ward throughout the tournament and used a strong back hand shot to it was no diff erent on Saturday. once again fi nd the right corner ohan Blake had to set- Though India had good ball of the post that helped England tle for a second bronze possession in the initial min- regain the lead. and Elaine Thompson a utes of the fi rst quarter, England Down by a goal, India desper- single silver as Jamaica’s were far more dominating with ately looked for opportunities to vauntedY sprinters failed to fi re intense attack, making spaces score but England’s defence was in the relays on the fi nal day of in the striking circle. First it was relentless, not wanting to repeat athletics at the Commonwealth the experienced Barry Middle- what happened in their previous Games yesterday. ton who took a potential shot on tie when India scored in the last England won both 4x100m re- goal in the fourth minute but was two minutes of the match. lays with Zharnel Hughes fi nally slightly off the mark. Forward Akashdeep Singh getting his hand on a gold medal An Indian infringement gave took an ambitious shot on goal in the men’s race after losing the away the fi rst penalty corner of but missed the mark in the 45th 200 individual title through dis- the match. Though Ward’s at- minute. Seconds later, skipper qualifi cation, his team crossing tempt was blocked away by India’s Manpreet attempted a shot but in 38.13 seconds. fi rst rusher Rohidas, in his second couldn’t convert into a goal. Former world champion Blake attempt Ward kept it low as he England, meanwhile, won was left with too much to do on successfully found the right cor- two penalty corners in the 50th the anchor leg and was unable ner of the post, taking a 1-0 lead. and 54th minutes, but on both to run down England’s Harry Stung by conceding the open- occasions diff erent variations Aikines-Aryeetey or Akani Sim- ing goal, India failed to gather couldn’t help in stretching their bine, who helped South Africa to any kind of rhythm. With good lead by two goals. silver to add to his 100m gold. man-to-man marking by Eng- Two minutes from the end of “It was against us, had to pull land, making successful forays the match, India claimed a fi eld in some guys at the last minute. into the striking circle for the goal after Akashdeep thought For me, it was catch up. Always Indian forwards was hard to nudged home but a video refer- playing catch up,” said Blake, come by. After several attempts, ral by England was upheld say- who managed only third af- India’s fi rst breakthrough, how- ing there was a obstruction for ter stumbling in the individual ever, came in the 26th minute the goalkeeper to react. It also 100m. when Mandeep Singh and La- denied India a penalty corner “I feel great. Bronze, I got two lit Upadhyay worked in tandem while the English defence stuck bronze, I didn’t have to get any- to win the team’s only penalty together to keep the lead to win thing.” corner of the match. A well- the match. Late replacements were no Reuben Arthur, Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey of England celebrate winning the 4x100m relay gold yesterday. (Reuters) problem for the English women and long jumper Lorraine Ugen and Kenya (4), pending Sunday’s WRESTLING sensationally held off Olym- marathons. Blake ‘hiding’ from Bolt after Games hiccup pic 100m and 200m champion Middle distance running suc- Thompson on the home straight cess for Kenya is much more Jamaica’s Yohan Blake admitted Saturday that Bolt false-started in the final, played down to win gold in 42.46 seconds. commonplace and there were he was doing his best to avoid sprint legend the significance of his surprise Commonwealth Inam bags fi rst gold “I was told that I had to run so one-twos for the East African Usain Bolt after his Commonwealth Games flop defeat by South Africa’s Akani Simbine. I was like, ‘Okay, I can’t disgrace nation in the men’s 1,500m, in the 100 metres. “If everybody saw what happened, I slipped at myself today,” said Ugen, who where Elijah Manangoi won Bolt, who retired last year after dominating the start and couldn’t recover,” he said. for Pakistan was drafted into the team at the gold, and the women’s 5,000m, the sport for almost a decade, had joked to his “It was a pretty easy race for me to win - I last moment. where Hellen Obiri took the title. countryman that he would not be able to return was in record-breaking shape and I’m still in Agencies low the opponent to earn a single “Bianca (Williams) gave me Isaac Makwala performed his to Jamaica unless he won the title. After Blake that shape. But sometimes a mistake can cost Gold Coast, Australia point and won the contest 6-0 in the baton and it was, ‘Okay, go, trademark push-ups with his slumped to third in last Monday’s final on the you.” just two rounds. go, go.’” Botswana team mates after win- Gold Coast, Bolt arrived in Australia looking to Blake had very little opportunity to prove his He had earlier defeated Jayden Defending the gold in the ning the 4x400m relay to add to poke a little fun at his former team-mate. point with a makeshift Jamaica team in the restler Mohamed Lawrence in the fi rst bout before women’s 4x400m relay saved the individual title he won in the “I know Usain is going to trouble me a lot be- 4x100m final, where England and South Africa Inam has once again overpowering India’s Somveer in some face for the Jamaicans and one-lap sprint. cause he expected me to get gold,” said Blake were too far in front by the time Warren Weir kept Pakistan’s fl ag the quarterfi nal and Alexander unlikely titles in the women’s England’s Hughes would have after taking bronze in the 4x100m relay. had passed him the baton. high by winning Moore in the semi-fi nal on his steeplechase, men’s discus, been in the same position had Wthe Gold medal at the Common- way to the Gold medal. “I’m going to hide from him when I go back “I knew the odds were against us coming in be- women’s shot put and women’s his fl ailing arm not caught rival home,” added Blake, confirming that Bolt had cause some guys pulled out at the last minute,” wealth Games Wrestling compe- This is Pakistan’s fi rst gold triple jump helped put them sec- Jereem Richards as they crossed yet to catch up with him at the Commonwealth he said, referring to the late withdrawal of tition yesterday. medal at the Gold Coast Com- ond in the track and fi eld medals the line in the 200m fi nal. “We Games village. former world record-holder Asafa Powell. The 29-year-old Inam, also monwealth Games and overall list. came out here to do our very best “He tried to contact me but I hid my phone. I Blake pulled no punches when asked about the a gold medallist of Delhi Com- fi fth medal. Two other wrestlers Australia, boosted by four today,” said Hughes. just wanted to focus on the 4x100m but I know state of Jamaican sprinting with Bolt now out of monwealth Games in 2010, Mohamed Bilal and Tayyab Raza paralympic golds and a string of “I told them ‘look, once we re- he’s coming to see me later so I’m going to the picture. completely outclassed his op- won the bronze while weightlift- fi eld titles, topped the table with focus, I’m ready to go’. I’m just as hide.” “We were dominating for a while but we are go- ponent Melvin Bibo of Nigeria in ers Talha Talib and Nooh Butt 10 golds ahead of the Jamaicans hungry as my teammates. That’s But Blake, who bagged a world title in 2011 after ing through a transition period,” he said. the fi nal of 86kg weight category. also received Bronze medals in (7), England (5), South Africa (5) how we managed to win today.” The Pakistani wrestler didn’t al- their respective categories.
BOXING Indian trail-blazer Kom fi nally bags C’Wealth gold AFP “If I am still super-fi t in another Gold Coast, Australia year I will try,” she added of another tilt at a maiden Olympic gold. ‘For both of us’ - boxer dedicates “If I am not enough fi t, maybe I will gold to late brother ndian boxing star Mary Kom retire.” opened up on the heartache she Kom, who went from a poor village Australia’s Skye Nicolson dedicated her victory to the tragic late faced returning to competition life to sports stardom and celebrity, brother she never met as England topped the final medals table after having children as she cap- has three sons - twin boys aged 10 and in Commonwealth Games boxing yesterday. Itured her fi rst Commonwealth Games another of fi ve. In front of her watching parents and a willing home crowd on title yesterday at the age of 35. They are not boxing fans. Australia’s Gold Coast, the 22-year-old Nicolson benefited from a Mother-of-three Kom, the sub- “It’s very hard,” said Kom, refl ect- debatable split-points decision in her featherweight final against ject of a Bollywood fi lm in 2014, won ing on returning to the boxing ring the unfortunate Michaela Walsh of Northern Ireland. a unanimous points decision over after the birth of her youngest child. Boxing is in the blood of her family but Nicolson never met Northern Ireland’s Kristina O’Hara “My husband and parents are very either of her brothers Jamie and Gavin after they were killed in a in their light-fl yweight fi nal on Aus- supportive, but if I wasn’t strong that car crash in 1994 while on their way to training. tralia’s Gold Coast. would not be possible. Nicolson was born a year later and feels particularly close to It is Kom’s fi rst Commonwealth “I’m still strong from here and Jamie, who was an Olympic and then professional fighter with a medal of any colour and burnishes a here,” said Kom, pointing to her heart big future before his life was cut short. heaving trophy cabinet that already and her head. Several sportswomen Her parents say that she looks and boxes like Jamie, who won includes an Olympic bronze from have returned to competition at these Commonwealth bronze in 1990. London 2012 and fi ve amateur world Commonwealth Games following the “I had a little chat with them (the deceased brothers) before I championship titles. high-profi le case of tennis star Serena went in (the ring) and they were definitely in there with me,” The trail-blazer, known in India as Williams. Nicolson, the face of Australian boxing at these Games, said. “Magnifi cent Mary”, celebrated with Double Olympic shot put champion “I won that medal for both of us and I’m so stoked,” she added, a victory parade on her coach’s shoul- Valerie Adams gave birth last October referring to Jamie, who was the same age Nicolson is now when ders and she had tears in her eyes af- and won silver on Friday, while Van- he died. He also fought at the same weight and, like his sister, terwards. uatu beach volleyball player Miller was an awkward southpaws. Kom, devastated not to gain a wild- Pata won bronze in front of her seven- Jeff Horn, Australia’s WBO welterweight world champion, was in card for the 2016 Rio Olympics, gave month-old toddler, Tommy. Kom, the crowd to see the hosts seal three golds at Oxenford Studios, mixed signals about whether she who has spoken repeatedly at the where Hollywood blockbusters including the latest in the “Pi- would now target the Tokyo 2020 Games in Australia about the prob- rates of the Caribbean” movie series were shot. Games and a fi rst Olympic gold. lems facing women and girls in India, Australia’s medal tally included bronze for Taylah Robertson, “That is diffi cult to say, but I will try,” said being away for long periods for even though she lost her only bout, having been given a bye into said Kom, who is already older than competition and to train was chal- the semi-finals of the seven-woman flyweight class. most of her opponents. lenging emotionally. The beaten Walsh, who had appeared to have the better of the Part of the problem is that at the “Willpower, mentally strong,” she bout with Nicolson, begrudgingly accepted silver, covering her Olympics there is no light-fl yweight said, asked how she coped with it. face at one point during the medal ceremony, tears in her eyes category, meaning Kom would have “That’s really required being a and her face red and puff y. It was a nearly day for the Walsh to step up to fl yweight, which would woman, especially leaving the fam- India’s MC Mary Kom poses with her gold medal after beating Northern Ireland’s Kristina O’Hara in family: brother Aidan also finished with silver after losing to the mean fi ghting bigger and stronger ily, leaving the children, they are very their women’s 45-48kg final boxing match during the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Oxenford classy Pat McCormack of England in the welterweight class. opponents. small.” Studios on the Gold Coast yesterday. (AFP)
Sunday, April 15, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT
SPOTLIGHT Salmeen rides Guilder’s Empire of the Sun to glory The dynamic pair continued their sizzling form to pocket another title in front of a packed audience at Souq Waqif
By Sports Reporter Doha
almeen Sultan al-Suwaidi made it two wins in a row as the Qa- tari rider clinched the Big Tour class, the feature event of the 11thS leg of Hathab Equestrian Series yesterday. On Friday, Salmeen had won the Me- dium Tour title with Guilder’s Empire of the Sun. Yesterday, the dynamic pair continued their sizzling form to pocket another title in front of a packed audi- ence at Souq Waqif’s western square. Salmeen and his veteran gelding Guilder’s Empire of the Sun fl ew around the course to fi nish in 36.38 seconds, for which the rider won QR7,500 in prize money. The victory more importantly will give Salmeen valuable points to be in the race for the overall title of the 12- leg Hathab series. Rashid Towaim al-Marri fi nished The Big Tour podium winners pose with the off icials. nearly two seconds behind the winner as he combined Beyonce to come home in 38.29 secs for a runner-up place. The third spot went to Cyrine Cherif astride Gerlin VD Waterkant, the pair taking 44.68secs to fi nish their round but also committed a fault. In the Open Class, Mohamed Sultan al-Suwaidi emerged triumphant with his nine-year-old gelding Numero Uno T. The duo’s winning time was 54.82secs well ahead of rest of the com- petitors. Mohamed took home QR3,750 for his victory. Awad Alqahtani on Ge- renice of Colors fi nished second, fol- lowed by Hamad Nasser al-Qadi astride Galwaybay Merbreaker in third. With yesterday’s Hathab Series, the six-day Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi rides Guilder’s Empire of the Sun to victory in the Big Tour Class during the 11th leg of the Hathab Mohamed Sultan al-Suwaidi poses with his horse Numero Uno T and his children concluded. The event attracted large Equestrian Series at Souq Waqif yesterday. PICTURES: Lotfi Garsi after winning the Open Class title. audience, with families particularly thronging the venue to watch top Qa- the Qatar Olympic Committee. 1. Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi. Horse: tari rider and horses in action. The championship is jointly organ- Guilder’s Empire of the Sun. Time: Over the six days, top Arabian horses ised by Al Shaqab and Qatar Equestrian 36.38secs. Prize money: QR7,500 were auctioned; the Arabian Peninsula Federation. 2. Rashid Towaim al-Marri. Beyonce. championship and pony races were also The series, which carries a total prize 38.29ses. QR6,000 held. The equine extravaganza was or- money of QR1 million, was launched 3. Cyrine Cherif. Gerlin VD Waterkant. ganised by the Private Engineering with the aim of improving the standard 44.68secs. QR4,500 Offi ce, in co-operation with the Qa- of horse riding among Qatari youths, tar Equestrian Federation, Racing and while also encouraging the involve- Open Class, Table A, One round against Equestrian Club and Al Shaqab, mem- ment of private stables and individual the clock, Art. 238.2.1, 115/125 cm, Prize ber of Qatar Foundation. horse owners to increase awareness of Money: QR15,000 Meanwhile, the popular Hathab se- horsemanship as part of Qatar’s history 1. Mohamed Sultan al-Suwaidi. Horse: ries has one more leg to go with the 12th and tradition. Numero Uno – T. Time: 54.82secs. Prize and fi nal round scheduled to be held money: QR3,750 at Al Shaqab indoor arena from April RESULTS 2. Awad Alqahtani. Gerenice of Colors. 26th to 28th. Hathab, meaning ‘Canter’ Big Tour – Table A, Competition with 56.49secs. QR3,000 in Arabic, is an initiative of HE Sheikh winning round, Art 276.2.1, 2.3, 130/140 3. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi. Galwaybay Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, president of cm, Prize Money: QR30,000 Merbreaker. 57.54secs. QR2,250 With the Hathab Series, the six-day Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival concluded yesterday.
FOCUS QMMF agrees two-year deal with Manateq Kharaitiyat stay in QNB Stars League to support motorsport events in Qatar l Kharaitiyat proved they be- advantage of a disorganised rival defence Ibara and Kuwaiti midfi elder Sultan al-An- Doha: The Qatar Motor and Mo- longed to the QNB Stars League. and beat his marker Mohamed Faris before zi, while professional player Youssoupha torcycle Federation (QMMF) has The Thunders remained in Qatar unleashing a placing shot. Mbengue, who played for Al Khor last sea- reached a two-year agreement football’s top fl ight by defeating Tiberkanine was Kharaitiyat’s top scorer son, started on the bench. with Manateq to support all AlA Wakrah 2-1 in play-off at the Al Ahli Sta- in the just-concluded QNB Stars League Kharaitiyat doubled their lead through motor sports activities in Qatar, dium yesterday. with 13 goals. He was also the sixth-best Majid’s solo eff ort and Bassey reduced the starting with the Qatar Cross- The play-off was between QNB Stars goal getter. Al Wakrah had more possession margin for Wakrah with a free-kick that Country Rally. The fourth round League’s 11th-placed team Al Kharaitiyat in the fi rst half and they continued to enjoy went in past a diving goalkeeper Ahmed of the FIA World Cup for Cross- and Second Division runners-up Al Wakrah. it in the second even though the opponents Sofyan. Had the play-off tie ended in a draw Country Rallies and Round Two Rachid Tiberkanine in 17th minute and succeeded in creating more chances. after regular time, an extra time of 30 min- of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies Majid Salmeen in 72nd minute scored the Play was briefl y stopped around the hour utes would have been allowed. If the dead- World Championship will be goals for Al Kharaitiyat, while Anthony mark when Anyas got injured on his head lock still continued, it would have been de- held at the Losail International Bassey pulled one back for Al Wakrah in following a clash with his defender Faris cided in tie-breaker. Circuit and takes place from the 86th minute. Al Kharaitiyat players’ joy when they tried to avert an Kharaitiyat dan- Al Kharaitiyat had fi nished their league April 17 to 22. knew no bounds, whereas their Al Wakrah ger. Kharaitiyat, coached by Syrian Yasser engagements with 16 points after losing Manateq is a Qatar Govern- QMMF President Abdulrahman al-Mannai (left) with Manateq’s CEO counterparts were crestfallen at the fi nal Sebaei who replaced Tunisian Ahmed Al big-time to Al Sadd (1-9) in the last round. ment organisation and has Fahad al-Kaabi after the signing of an agreement. whistle despite dominating the game with Ajlani in the second phase of the league, had Al Wakrah fi nished second behind Al Sha- formed a strategic partnership 56 per cent ball possession. Tiberkanine leading their charge, supported hania in the Second Division whose cham- with the QMMF to support all ment under the Qatar National Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Kharaitiyat surged ahead when Tiberka- by Anwar Diba and Uzbek Sanjar Tursunov. pions directly qualify for the QNB Stars motor sporting events and Vision 2030. One of the policies Federation,” he added. nine latched on to a long through ball and Bassey was the livewire in the ranks of League. Al Shahania were relegated to the activities for the next couple is to look way beyond the 2022 Manateq’s CEO Fahad al- neatly fi nished past Al Wakrah goalkeeper Al Wakrah, coached by Spaniard Marquez Second Division last season after losing the of years. The company has a World Cup and to establish non- Kaabi added: “We are proud to Mohamed Enyas. The Moroccan striker took Lopez. They also had the services of Prince play-off to Qatar SC by a lone goal. vision to promote economic oil related industries in Qatar. sign the sponsorship agree- diversification for the benefit of “Running an event as com- ment with the QMMF to be title Qatar and a mission to create a plex as the Qatar Cross-Country sponsor of all its rallies for the world-class business environ- Rally requires a considerable coming two years. These events ment that enables domestic amount of logistical expertise attract thousands of fans of all and foreign investors to deliver and co-operation between ages. Manateq always demon- products and services to local, many diff erent companies and strates its continuous support regional and international Government departments,” said for Qatar National Vision 2030 markets. QMMF President Abdulrahman and would always promote the The company was estab- al-Mannai. nation’s aim to become a global lished in 2011 under the chair- “We are delighted to be work- sports’ destination and to host manship of HE Sheikh Ahmed ing closely with Manateq and world class sporting events. We bin Jassim al-Thani, the Minister look forward to seeing the event extend our best wishes to all the of Economy and Commerce, continue to develop as part of competitors who will be taking and is a vital cog in the eff ort to the portfolio of motor sporting part in the Qatar Cross-Country achieving economic develop- events that are staged by the Rally and the Baja.”
Al Kharaitiyat beat Al Wakrah 2-1 in play-off at the Al Ahli Stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil