TUESDAY 21 MAY 2019 SPORT 21 We have to accept that it has been a bad season. We can’t TENNIS forget it. Football is motivation Zidane promises a WTA events in Ireland vs Afghanistan at ... Next season this is going to different Real Madrid Nuremberg, Strasbourg Belfast; Scotland vs Sri next season. change. ACTION ATP event in Lyon Lanka at Edinburgh TODAY’S Al Attiyah eyes success in Kazakhstan

THE PENINSULA BELGIUM Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah on his way to victory in Qatar in February in this file picture. INSET: Al Attiyah.

The 2019 FIA World Cup for Cross- Country Rallies resumes with next week’s Rally Kazakhstan (May 26 to June 1). Overdrive Racing will field a formidable line-up of three Toyota Hiluxes for Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Dutchman Bernhard Ten Brinke. Now in its third year as a counting round of the world’s premier off-road series, Rally Kaza- khstan is also the longest round of the series in terms of its six days of punishing special stages and 1,860.13km to be driven against the clock in a slightly modified route that still features tricky sand dunes, camel grass, rocky terrain, vast high-speed plains, steppes and difficult navigation. The opening two rounds of the series in Qatar and Abu Dhabi threw up their fair share of surprises. Al Attiyah heads to Aktau City on the shores of the Caspian Sea tied for the lead in the Drivers’ Championship with Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel, despite missing the “We are feeling confident. I have Ten Brinke is determined to second round of the series. Al Attiyah taken part in three other rallies in bounce back into title contention FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies won his home event and his French Qatar, Morocco and Jordan since the with Belgian co-driver Tom Colsoul Standings after round 2: rival prevailed in the Abu Dhabi first round and have enjoyed the in the third Hilux. 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT) 30pts Desert Challenge. Both drivers now stages in Kazakhstan before. It is not The Dutchman finished sixth in We are feeling confident. 1. Stephane Peterhansel (FRA) 30pts have 30 points and are four clear of an easy rally and the stages are long Qatar after earlier on-stage delays 3. Reinaldo Varela (BRA) 26pts I have taken part in three the Brazilian T3 front-runner and demanding. But we will try our and then a crash in Abu Dhabi ruined 4. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) 24pts other rallies in Qatar, Reinaldo Varela. best for the win.” a potential runner-up finish behind 5. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (SAU) 21pts Alongside French co-driver Mat- Saudi Arabian driver Yazeed Al- Peterhansel. The crew have already Morocco and Jordan 5. Khalid Al-Qassimi (ARE) 21pts thieu Baumel, Al Attiyah has already Rajhi teams up with German co- shown their competitiveness this since the first round and 7. Casey Currie (USA) 17pts won the Dakar Rally this year for driver Dirk von Zitzewitz in the season a. 8. Aron Domzala (POL) 16pts have enjoyed the stages Toyota and was the winner of the second Overdrive Toyota. Al-Rajhi The Automotorsport Federation in Kazakhstan before. It first Rally Kazakhstan to be a round is equal fifth in the Drivers’ Champi- of the Republic of Kazakhstan have 9. Yasir Seaidan (SAU) 12pts of the FIA series in 2017. onship after finishing second to Al made some minor changes to the 10. Bernhard Ten Brinke (NLD) 10pts is not an easy rally and 10. Fedor Vorobyev (RUS) 10pts the stages are long and “It is important that we take the Attiyah in Qatar and retiring from the route for the six days of selective sec- win here, or at least finish high up on Abu Dhabi event with mechanical tions that start out of Aktau City and 12. Martin Prokop (CZE) 6pts demanding. But we will the podium, because this is a short issues. He can also call upon the fact then head south towards the border 13. Camelia Liparoti (ITA) 5pts try our best for the win: championship this year with the loss that he gained experience from with Turkmenistan and a bivouac for 13. Mohammed Al-Meer (QAT) 5pts Al Attiyah of Turkmenistan and just Morocco winning this event last year with four nights at the Kenderley resort to come in October,” Al Attiyah said. German co-driver Timo Gottschalk. on the Caspian Sea.

Curtains come down on Ramadan Sports Festival of Aspire Zone Foundation Raptors claw back with win Bucks

AFP LOS ANGELES NBA Play-off Result from NBA Eastern Kawhi Leonard scored eight of Conference play-off final on his 36 points in the second Sunday in Toronto (series overtime period on Sunday to best of seven): lead the Toronto Raptors to a Toronto 118 Milwaukee 112 gritty 118-112 victory over the (2 OT) Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA (Milwaukee lead series 2-1) Eastern Conference finals. The Raptors, who dropped the first two games of the best- basket -- but Leonard and the of-seven series in Milwaukee, Raptors roared back. Leonard’s clawed their way back to 2-1 in steal and dunk put Toronto front of home fans and will try ahead 112-109 and his driving to level the set when they host bank shot gave Toronto a game four. 114-110 lead with 32.4 seconds Pascal Siakam scored 25 remaining. points and Spanish center Leonard played a key role in The winners in different sports pose for a picture with officials of Aspire Zone Foundation during the concluding ceremony of the Marc Gasol added 16 for the limiting Antetokounmpo and Raptors, who got off to a Nurse said his defensive play Ramadan Sports Festival (RSF) at Aspire Zone. The festival involved a series of 12 sporting evening competitions and tournaments in quick start and led much of was “probably the biggest key a wide range of sports including basketball, football, volleyball, hockey, table tennis, fitness challenges, wall-climbing and walking. the night but had to battle to of the game.” During this year’s RSF, more than 800 female and male participants took part in the various sporting events. put the Bucks away. “Not only did he just play “We just played a lot good, but he made some huge tougher,” Raptors coach Nick plays with some steals and rip- Nurse said. aways and break aways,” Nurse “We were up guarding, we said. Blues on brink of Stanley Cup final were physical. We were ready “Offense was hard to come to play tonight.” Milwaukee’s by there for both teams for a Most Valuable Player finalist while and any time you can get AFP Martin Jones made 35 saves Schwartz who knocked it into Giannis Antetokounmpo a steal and a break out it’s a huge LOS ANGELES NHL Semi-final for the Sharks, but it wasn’t the open net. struggled to just 12 points on momentum play.” play-off enough to prevent them from Tarasenko was pulled down five-of-16 shooting. Toronto had a chance to Jaden Schwartz scored a hat trick Results on Sunday from the dropping two straight games for by Brent Burns on a breakaway Antetokounmpo’s 23 win it in regulation, but they and Jordan Binnington made 21 semi-finals of the National the first time since they lost and converted a penalty shot at rebounds helped the Bucks stay let a 96-91 lead slip away in the saves on Sunday as the St. Louis Hockey League play-offs games three and four of the first 6:53 to push the lead to 3-0. in touch, but he didn’t reach final 1:13 of the fourth quarter. Blues beat the San Jose Sharks (all series best-of-seven): round against the Vegas Golden Schwartz scored a 5-on-3 double figures in points until the Milwaukee guard Khris Mid- 5-0 to move one win away from Western Conference San Knights. power-play goal 2:19 into the middle of the fourth quarter and dleton’s putback basket from his the NHL Stanley Cup final. Jose 0 St Louis 5 (St Louis Oskar Sundqvist put St. Louis third period to make it 4-0 and he produced eight of the Bucks’ own miss with 2.2 seconds left With the victory in San Jose, lead series 3-2) up 1-0 at 5:50 of the first period. completed his second hat trick 20 turnovers. in regulation forced overtime. the Blues took a 3-2 lead in the After being outshot 11-4 in of the playoffs at 16:02 on a Antetokounmpo fouled out The Raptors led 103-99 with best-of-seven Western Con- the first, the Blues outshot San one-timer. in the first minute of the second 1:29 remaining in the first extra ference final. playoff shutout and Vladimir Jose 36-10 over the final two. The winner of the series overtime period. session. They can reach the champi- Tarasenko had a goal and two The pressure paid off as will take on the Boston Bruins Moments later the Bucks But Malcolm Brogdon onship series for the first time assists for the Blues, who Schwartz made it 2-0 at 3:05 of in the Stanley Cup final, after managed to edge ahead 105-103 floated in a shot and George Hill since 1970 with a home win on improved to 7-2 on the road in the second when Tarasenko’s Boston swept the Carolina Hur- -- taking the lead for the first drained two free throws to tie it Tuesday. the playoffs with their 11th post- shot was partially blocked by ricanes in the Eastern Con- time since Antetokounmpo before Leonard’s jump shot fell Binnington recorded his first season win. Jones -- the puck falling to ference final. scored the game’s opening short. 22 SPORT TUESDAY 21 MAY 2019 Asif, Amir and Wahab named in Pakistan World Cup squad Phil Simmons AFP LAHORE PAKISTAN SQUAD Sarfraz Ahmed (), Fakhar Grieving father Asif Ali, whose Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, 18-month-old daughter died at the Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, weekend, fit-again Mohammad Amir , Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, and were all included yesterday in Pakistan’s final 15-man Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Simmons to quit squad for the World Cup. Mohammad Hasnain, , Asif, whose daughter Noor Fatima Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi as Afghanistan had been undergoing cancer treatment in the US before her death “We thought that during the coach after Cup on Sunday, is set to rejoin the World England series we lacked experience Cup squad after her funeral in Lahore, in our bowling and that is why we chief selector Inzaman-ul-Haq said have included Riaz in the squad,” he AFP at a press conference in Lahore. said. NEW DELHI “We are with Asif in this tough The 33-year-old Riaz, a veteran time. He will return to Pakistan and of two World Cups in 2011 and 2015, Former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons then go back before the warm-up played the last of 79 ODIs against will step down as Afghanistan coach after the matches,” he said. India in the Champions Trophy in the cricket World Cup, saying his goal had been Spearhead Amir was left out of UK two years ago. reached by taking the minnows to the 50-over the preliminary squad after a run of There were heartbreaks for fast showpiece. poor form, but was included in the bowler Junaid Khan, all-rounder Simmons, who took over in December 2017, final list despite not playing in the Faheem Ashraf and opener Abid Ali, said he will not renew his contract after the last four one-day internationals who were all included in the prelim- World Cup in England and Wales. against England due to chicken pox. inary squad but failed to reach the “I have thought about it and I have actually Pakistan lost the five-match final 15. given the ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board) my series 4-0 on Sunday with the first For Junaid the news was partic- notice that I will not be renewing my contract,” match washed out due to rain. ularly galling after he had already Simmons told ESPNcricinfo. Pakistan selectors were forced to been shut out of playing in a World “I will move on to something different once recall another left-arm paceman, Cup twice: though he made the squad my contract expires on July 15.” Riaz, after their bowling conceded in 2011 he did not play, and he had With Simmons as coach, the war-torn more than 350 in all four matches to withdraw in 2015 due to injury. nation clinched a berth in the 10-team World against England. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan also Cup after beating West Indies in the final of a Haq said Riaz was being given a recovered from a blood virus and will qualifying tournament last year. chance due to his experience. join the squad. Simmons also guided Afghanistan in their Mohammad Amir debut in in India last year. They beat Ireland to register their first Test win in March. “I signed up originally for 18 months and I Arthur upbeat despite 4-0 series defeat think I have done a lot in this period. It is time for me to move on to something else now. To want to get to the World Cup -- that was ACB’s AFP goal at the time they appointed me,” said the LEEDS 56-year-old Simmons. “My goal is always to leave things better Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur than when I joined: the way we practise, the (pictured) insisted his side would I know there’s not too way we think about the game, the way we benefit from a 4-0 one-day series many teams who will assess other teams. I’ve tried to help the players defeat by World Cup hosts England in all those areas.” when the showpiece tournament arrive in England as Simmons’ decision to quit comes at the back starts later this month. prepared as we are in of the ACB’s controversial change in the side’s England, the world’s top-ranked terms of the competition leadership, which brought an end to Asghar ODI side, triumphed by 54 runs in we’ve played against and Afghan’s four-year captaincy stint across all Sunday’s finale at Headingley as, not formats. Gulbadin Naib was appointed ODI for the first time this series, Paki- match-fitness: Pakistan captain, while Rahmat Shah and Rashid Khan stan’s bowling and especially their coach Mickey Arthur were put in charge of the Test and T20I teams fielding let them down. respectively. Yet the match was the first time Simmons said that he had not been con- in a completed innings this campaign prepared as we are in terms of the sulted about by the ACB and the national where Pakistan, bowled out for 297, Birmingham at the 2017 Champions we were a 280 team. We’ve dispelled competition we’ve played against selection committee. had failed to post a total of 340 or Trophy -- an ODI tournament they that, that’s given our unit a and match-fitness,” explained “No, I was not aware of it. I was not given more. bounced back to win by defeating massive amount of confidence in the Arthur, previously a coach of both any reasons. It was the decision of the Afghan- But Sunday’s game did see Babar their arch-rivals in the final. dressing room.” his native South Africa and istan Cricket Board and the selectors,” Simmons Azam follow up his 115 at Trent “We were beaten hands down at Moreover, Arthur was adamant Australia. said. Bridge on Friday with 80, while Edgbaston that day and I didn’t really the series against World Cup “All I know is the players are very “How can I take it? I can’t change it. So I captain Sarfraz Ahmed made 97 know where to turn because there favourites England would help determined to do well. Every time have to just get on with what I have to do and before being run out in unusual wasn’t a hell of a lot of positives out Pakistan. they go out there they play for 210 make sure the squad is preparing in the same fashion by -keeper . of that day,” said Arthur. “The other thing is we’ve played million people. way I wanted them to prepare barring the (cap- Arthur insisted he was in a much “We sit here having taken a huge against a team who are number one “We’ll be ready -- come the first taincy) change.” better mood now than he had been amount of positives out of this series. in the world in their own game against the West Indies, we’ll Afghanistan will begin their World Cup after Pakistan suffered a humiliating “I thought our batting has gone conditions. be ready. campaign against defending champions Aus- 124 run-opening defeat on the Duck- to another level. “I know there’s not too many “I’m as confident we’ll do well as tralia on June 1. worth/Lewis method by India in “People, coming to England, said teams who will arrive in England as I’ve ever been.” Hazlewood snub the Morgan holds the key as England right decision: Langer face tough final squad selection REUTERS MELBOURNE AFP off-breaks of ? If they per’s view could yet be some- England coach at the end of a Australia coach Justin Langer LEEDS, UK do, is that man -- who thing of a casting vote. season also featuring a home (pictured) has defended the has spent much of his county “If it got down to a bit of a Ashes series, added: “Unfortu- decision to leave Josh The final places in England’s career as a specialist top order stalemate in discussions, in the nately one or two guys have to Hazlewood out of the World Cup World Cup squad could come batsman but used as a spin- four years that I’ve been here the miss out. “That’s just the way it squad, saying the paceman down to the personal preference bowling all-rounderrounder against captain gets a big say,”say, saidsaid is in professional sport.”sport. lacked match fitness as he of white-ball captain Eoin Pakistan or HampshireHampshire left-left- BaylissBayliss aheadahead ofof thethe ffinalinal Dawson was forcedforced recovers from a back injury. Morgan (pictured), according to armer Liam DDawson,awson, wwhoho ddidid selectionselection meeting. “He’s into an earlyearly exit fromfrom Hazlewood, who partnered coach . not feature in thethe rrecentecent series.series. gotgot to be the one comcom-- England’sEngland’s off-season left-arm quicks Mitchell Starc stress fracture in his back and Tournament hosts England, Another question thethe ffortableortable withwith going out tour ofof Sri LanLanka.ka. and Mitchell Johnson during while he’s just starting to get up bidding to win the World Cup for selectors will hhaveave to cconsideronsider is oonn the fieldfield wiwithth the But whilwhilee hehe ddidid Australia’s 2015 World Cup and running in the nets now - I the first time, have risen to the whether Davidd WiWilley,lley, thethe onlyonly otherother 10 pplayers.layers. TThehe notnot playplay against triumph, expressed his frus- think he’s played six white ball top of the one-day international left-armer amongmong England’sEngland’s captaincaptain hhasas a very bbigig Pakistan,Pakistan, BayBaylissliss insisteinsistedd tration last week at first missing games in the last 18 months - rankings since their dismal early seam-bowling options, has done say.”say.” he hadhad bbeeneen far from forfor-- out on a place in the initial squad that’s T20 and one-day cricket. exit at the 2015 edition in Aus- enough to see off tthehe llateate cchargeharge TheThe Australian,Australian, ggottenotten bbyy EngEngland.land. for England and then being “We know he’s a great tralia and New Zealand. of newly-qualifiedified Sussex quicquickk who willwill standstand “He’s“He’s beebeenn overlooked as Jhye Richardson’s bowler. He’s a brilliant bowler, And having completed a 4-0 . downdown as in conversconversa-a- replacement. but it was just such bad timing ODI series defeat of Pakistan at Willey, Denlyenly andand Dawson tionstions forfor the Richardson, ruled out with for him.” Headingley on Sunday, they could all be vyingying for one place, last sixsix a shoulder injury, was replaced World champions Australia appear to be confident about the with the decisionion ffacingacing SmitSmith,h, monthsmonths oorr by namesake Kane Richardson, head into the tournament on the bulk of their World Cup squad, fellow selectorctor JamesJames more, cer-cer- with Starc, Pat Cummins and back of an eight-match winning with national selector Ed Smith Taylor and Baylissayliss -- alsoalso tainly,”t ainl y,” Nathan Coulter-Nile the other streak, including series wins announcing the chosen 15 at a member of thethe panelpanel -- sasaidi d pace bowlers picked. away to Pakistan and India. Lord’s today. But there still seems by no means Bayliss.Bayliss. “He just hasn’t been playing Much of the focus on Aaron to be some doubt about the straightforward.rd. any cricket,” Langer said in Finch’s team will follow former identity of at least one of England’s But with MorganMorgan possiblypossibly England of the 28-year-old captain and David bowlers for the tournament. having to put hhisis trust in one ooff Hazlewood, who has claimed 72 Warner, who are back in the Do they need a back-up the trio at whathat couldcould bbee an in 44 ODI matches. squad after serving 12-month slow bowler to supplement the important stageage of the toutour-r- “He’s come off a second bans for ball-tampering. leg-spin of and the nament, Baylississ said the skiskip-p- TUESDAY 21 MAY 2019 SPORT 23 Aspetar research PSG say star Mbappe to reveals causes link to lower stay at club next season

AFP If the project doesn’t move limb injuries PARIS beyond that, I’m leaving,’” said Alonzo. THE PENINSULA French champions Paris Saint- This term, Mbappe has DOHA different shoe outsole types. Germain yesterday insisted that stepped up another gear with Warm season grass tested star striker Kylian Mbappe would Neymar out injured for much of Aspetar, the orthopaedic and with the soft ground shoe stay at the club next season, the campaign, but his demand sports medicine hospital and (screw-in metal studs) showed despite the World Cup-winner for further authority could place the region’s sports medicine the highest magnitude of rota- hinting that he could leave. him on a collision course with research hub, recently tional traction while cool The 20-year-old said on the Brazilian. published new research season grass tested with an Sunday that he wanted more “This request for accounta- assessing variation in the artificial ground shoe (small “responsibilities, maybe at PSG, bility poses questions because it shoe-surface traction of six round moulded studs) showed maybe elsewhere” after winning comes two weeks after the same different football shoe models. the lowest. the Ligue 1 player of the season statements from Neymar. There The study covered a full Commenting on the award. must not be a spat at PSG playing season in Qatar, podiatry research, Athol But PSG said in a statement between leaders or groups with encompassing climatic and Thomson, Research Scientist on Twitter: “Strong ties have the Brazilian side of the dressing grass species variations, in and Podiatrist at Aspetar, said; united PSG and Kylian Mbappe room and the others,” warned pursuit of Aspetar’s mission “These objective data should for two years and that story will Alonzo. to deliver outstanding athlete allow for more informed continue next season. Mbappe backed up his care. footwear choices for football “It’s a highly anticipated excellent 2018 World Cup, where Increased rotational played in warm/hot climates moment to also write, together, he scored four times as France Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe delivers a traction is linked to increased especially for players a big page in the history of our won the trophy, by netting 38 speech after receiving the best hope player award, on Sunday, risk of lower limb injury returning from serious injury club, in which each major player times for PSG this season, hence Aspetar is studying such as anterior cruciate lig- will have to take his share, all the during the 28th edition of the UNFP (French National Professional although he needs to score five ways to reduce rotational ament rupture at the knee. while working for the squad.” Football players Union) trophy ceremony. in the last league game of the traction between the players’ Warm season grass species Mbappe’s comments on season against Reims next shoe and the playing surface and high temperatures Sunday, with Real Madrid explained. He has been regularly until 2023, Mbappe is said to be weekend to snatch the European leading up to the FIFA World produce playing surfaces with reportedly attempt to lure him linked with a potential move to in discussions with the club over Golden Shoe from Lionel Messi. Cup Qatar 2022. high traction.” to Spain, appeared a calculated Madrid since breaking through an extension, but was his “I tell myself that even if I To conduct the study, “Therefore, players should move. with Monaco’s 2017 Ligue 1 title- message a play to strike an lose, I lose to Messi, one of the experts loaded different choose lower traction shoes “I said what I had to say. winning team, but instead made improved deal, which reportedly greatest players in history,” he football shoes onto a portable to minimise risk of their foot When you’re on stage you can the switch to PSG, initially on pays him €20m per season? said. shoe-surface traction testing becoming trapped on the send messages, I think I got mine loan, and then for €180m. Former PSG goalkeeper “To think that maybe I kept machine to assess how the surface during turning or across. If I keep talking it would But since Zinedine Zidane’s Jerome Alonzo, who played for up with him until the last game, studs of each shoe release cutting movements,” he added. be too much and that’s not the return to the Real dugout earlier the club between 2001 and that’s a source of pride too, but from the surface during a Using innovative research message I want to send,” Mbappe this year, rumours about Mbappe 2008, believes Mbappe is angling it’s not over.” rotational traction test. techniques and clinical joining his fellow Frenchman at for a greater say in the club’s Mbappe became only the Testing was repeated at expertise both in the hospital the Santiago Bernabeu have planning, after a disappointing second teenager in history last five individual time points to and on the playing field, intensified. season which saw Thomas year, after Brazil legend Pele, to collect data across one season. Aspetar is constantly involved French sports daily L’Equipe Tuchel’s side again fail in the score in a World Cup final during Surface mechanical properties in ground-breaking research Strong ties have led with the headline “trophy for Champions League. France’s 4-2 triumph over (surface hardness and soil to help athletes reach their full the shock sentence” following “I have more of an Croatia. moisture) and climate data potential. united PSG and Kylian Mbappe’s ambiguous remarks, impression that he’s someone His global stardom -- surely (temperature and humidity) The centre’s findings are Mbappe for two years while Spanish media described important at the club who says, eye-catching for the likes of Real were collected during each published in international and that story will it as a “bombshell” after picking ‘Guys, I want to vouch for the -- was shown when he became test to study any relationship peer-reviewed publications up on the fact it was the first time project but it needs to move only the fourth footballer to with shoe-surface traction. and the team regularly continue next season: the striker has hinted he could along a little. I want to stay for a feature on the cover of Time The research concluded presents their knowledge at PSG statement leave Paris. long time but give me the means magazine in October, after Messi, rotational traction varied sub- forums and conferences held Under contract with PSG to become European champion. Neymar and Mario Balotelli. stantially across different by the world’s leading stake- months of the year, different holders in sports medicine grass species, and with and exercise sciences. Kroos extends Real deal until 2023

REUTERS disappointing season in which MADRID they finished third in La Liga and Toni Kroos were knocked out of the Cham- Real Madrid’s Germany pions League in the last 16. midfielder Toni Kroos has “No player reached their top renewed his contract until the level like in previous years,” end of the 2022-23 season, the Kroos told reporters yesterday, Spanish club announced having won three consecutive yesterday. Champions League titles from The 29-year-old Kroos was 2016-2018. expected to leave the Santiago “We’re humans and that’s Bernabeu according to Spanish normal after winning three media reports but he has instead Champions Leagues. What’s not has extended his stay for another normal is to win three in a row, it four years. seemed impossible and we did it. Real are expected to sell “But we’re motivated for next from Bayern Munich in 2014 and Zidane and I know what his idea Neymar (left) is assisted by Aspetar experts as he checks a several players in the close season. I’m happy to stay at has made 233 appearances, is. I will be important (in the shoe model in this file picture. season as they overhaul the Madrid four more years.” winning 11 trophies. team), I can’t say anything else,” squad following a bitterly Kroos signed for the club “I spoke to (coach Zinedine) added Kroos. Season over, Real Madrid face turbulent summer

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Al Rayyan eye Xavi bids farewell as Al Sadd full points in away match

THE PENINSULA lose; Al Duhail hold Al Hilal TASHKENT

THE PENINSULA The Lokomotiv Stadium will be TEHRAN home to the Group B fixture between PFC Lokomotiv and Barcelona legend Xavi Hern- Al Rayyan SC today. andez bid adieu to his illustrious The two teams that are playing career with a defeat as Al looking to end a frustrating Sadd SC suffered a 2-0 loss to 2019 AFC Champions League Persepolis FC in their final group campaign on a positive note. game of AFC Champions League Just as in 2018, both Loko- 2019. motiv and Al Rayyan have Al Sadd had already booked exited at the group stage. For a spot in the Round of 16 of the the Uzbeks it is the third year ACL, but their hopes of presenting in a row they have not been a parting gift for one of world able to advance to the knockout football’s modern greats came stages. creating down at the Azadi Two weeks ago, both teams Stadium in Tehran as 2018 still had their chances intact runners-up Persepolis decided ahead, but Al Rayyan suc- to bow out on a high. cumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the In the final outing of his illus- hands of Al Ittihad, while Loko- trious career, 39-year-old Xavi motiv surrendered a one-goal continued to be the prime cre- advantage to lost 3-1 at Al ative force for Al Sadd. Five Wahda. minutes in, the Spaniard collected Al Rayyan find themselves the ball at the centre circle and rooted the bottom of the group supplied a through pass for with just three points. Their Baghdad Bounedjah who looked Al Sadd’s Spanish midfielder Xavi receives a gift from only victory came in the reverse to lob over Alireza Beiranvand, Persepolis President, Iraj Arab (left) in Tehran yesterday. fixture in Doha, when Lucca but the Persepolis goalkeeper Borges and Gelmin Rivas turned stretched and made the save with the table on Lokomotiv, who his fingertips. the group. Persepolis had only Catalonia. The 39-year-old match, Al Duhail hit on the moving the ball out to Al Burayk had taken an early lead through Persepolis’ first attempt of the pride to play for in the final match moved to Qatar in 2015 and has counter to score from the first then Eduardo whose backheel Diorjon Turapov. match produced the opening goal of their ACL 2019 campaign as spent four seasons in Asia real opportunity. Ahmed Yasser pass found Hattan Bahebri. The match will be the last in the 16th minute. Torabi col- they finished third in the group winning the Qatari domestic sent a cross-field pass for The Saudi international mid- for coach Gilson de Souza in lected Ahmad Noorollahi’s pass after collecting only seven points league, Emir of Qatar Cup and Abdullah Al Ahrak who broke the fielder set up Gomis to drive an charge of Al Rayyan, after the 30 yards from goal and unleashed from six group games while Qatar Cup. offside trap and pulled the ball effort from the edge of the box Brazilian announced his a thunderous drive into the top Xavi’s Al Sadd and Uzbekistan Xavi also won 133 interna- back for Youssef El Arabi to hit into the bottom corner for his and intention to step down at the corner of Saad Al Sheeb’s net to side Pakhtakor Tashkent pro- tional caps for Spain winning the first-time into the top corner in Al Hilal’s second of the night. end of the season and pursue a put the hosts in front. gressed to the knockout stages. 2010 FIFA World Cup as well as the 15th minute. One minute into the three new challenge. Torabi then turned provider The Round of 16 matches in the 2008 and 2012 UEFA Euros Gomis pressed on Al Duhail minutes of added time, for Persepolis in the 67th minute, the West Zone are slated to be Meanwhile, a late strike from goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar, Edmilson took possession of AFC Champions breaking free down the left flank held in the month of August, substitute Khalid Muneer earned forcing him to concede a throw the ball inside Al Hilal box fol- and finding Alipour with a per- however, Xavi will not be taking Al Duhail SC a 2-2 draw against in which was quickly played, lowing a poor clearance. The League fectly weighted pass. Alipour rode field for the Qatar Stars League Al Hilal SFC at the Abdullah bin finding Mohammed Kanno who Brazilian used his trickery to off the initial tackle of Tarek club then in the summer. Khalifa Stadium in Doha fired from inside the box. get past his marker and sent a Results of the AFC Salman before drilling a low The Spanish midfielder is yesterday. Ababacar spilled his save into cross that was deflected off a Champions League effort through the legs of Al Sheeb Barcelona’s all-time record With a Round of 16 place the path of Gomis who pounced defender. yesterday to make it 2-0. appearance-holder in La Liga already in the bag, Al Duhail on the loose ball to fire home the Muneer controlled the ball The result means Al Sadd with 505 caps and also in all com- opted to rest the likes of Medhi equaliser at the half-hour mark. with his head and volleyed into Persepolis 2 Al Sadd 0 have to wait for the outcome of petitions with 769 appearances. Benatia and Almoez Ali. They After the break, Al Hilal con- the far corner, leaving Al Mayouf Al Duhail 2 Al Hilal 2 the second clash between Al Ahli He won eight La Liga titles and were also without the services of tinued on the offensive and helpless to save and earning his Al Ain 1 Esteghlal 2 and Pakhtakor to learn whether four Champions League trophies injured defender Bassam Al Rawi. started an side a hard-fought point right at they will finish first or second in during his 17-year-stay in After a cagey start to the attacking move the centre circle, the death. Halep shrugs off expectations Pliskova climbs to in French Open title defence second in rankings

AFP REUTERS Romania’s Simona Halep in action during PARIS PARIS the final against Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens at the Madrid Open on May 11. French Open champion Karolina Pliskova (pictured) climbed Simona Halep has said won’t five places in the WTA rankings be burdened by expectations yesterday to second after her Italian that she can repeat last year’s Open triumph at the weekend, with triumph and would rather Naomi Osaka’s world number one spot focus on enjoying the Grand now in the Czech’s sights. Slam which starts on Sunday. The 27-year-old saw off Briton The 27-year-old Johanna Konta to win her 13th WTA Romanian enters Roland title in Rome. Garros as favourite for the She will be the second seed at the title given the contrasting French Open, which starts on Sunday, form of some of the top as she looks to improve on her pre- star Stefanos Tsitsipas reached a names, including Japan’s vious best Roland Garros performance career-high ranking of sixth world number one Naomi -- a semi-final run in 2017. oyesterday after his run to the Italian Osaka, but her own claycourt Osaka’s lead in the rankings Open semi-finals last week. The preparation has not been remains in peril, although reigning 20-year-old failed to repeat his Madrid spectacular either. French Open champion Simona Halep last-four win over Rafael Nadal, as the World number three dropped down to third. 17-time Grand Slam champion went Halep could have knocked Pliskova’s rise has seen three-time on to lift his ninth Rome title. Osaka off top spot by winning Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber Nadal remains second in the the Madrid Open earlier this 19-year-old Czech this year when I have to defend a by former French Open and Petra Kvitova slip two places and rankings, a long way adrift of Novak month but lost in straight sets after a three-set loss at trophy at a Grand Slam,” champions Mats Wilander one spot respectively. Djokovic, with the pair facing a pos- to Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens Indian Wells. she told Romania’s Digi and Justine Henin to join an Serena Williams returned to the sible final clash at Roland Garros in in the final. However, the Romanian Sport TV station. “(I just elite group of players in top 10 after playing her first match three weeks’ time.The Spaniard beat A few days later, she fell said she did not feel any extra want to) be relaxed, enjoy retaining her crown, with since March in Italy, despite pulling Djokovic on Sunday in the Italian Open at her first hurdle in the pressure to retain her title at the tournament and try to three-times men’s champion out before her scheduled second- final. Roger Federer’s return to Paris Italian Open, losing to Roland Garros. win some matches. Nothing Wilander saying Halep round match with sister Venus. will see the 2009 champion arrive as Marketa Vondrousova -- “I have no expectations more!” versus Serena Williams Meanwhile, Greek rising the third seed. Halep’s second defeat by the because it’s the first time Halep has been backed would be “a dream final”.