Going Through Turf Times! a Lot of Nationals Are Also

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016 VOLUME XI ISSUE NO.15 QR2.00 www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

P 10 | FOOTBALL P 24 | VOLLEYBALL ALL SET FOR FINAL PUSH ARABI WIN EMIR’S CUP QATAR’S FIRST Qatar are set to undergo a camp in Al Arabi defeat El Jaish in straight ENGLISH SPORTS Austria as they prepare for the final sets in the Emir’s Cup title clash WEEKLY round of World Cup qualification. to seal a domestic treble.

CLASHCLASH OFOF TITANSTITANS PAGES 8-9

DSP EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

EXCITEMENT NOW JUST A TOUCH AWAY

OutlookThe writer can be contacted at [email protected]

Unhealthy criticism will only spread a shroud of gloom

ĈĈASPIRE Academy’s talent scouting they were given opportunities to play. the fact that the academy’s talent scouting and and assessment strategies are one I think Caixinha’s comments were unfair and assessment strategies are one of the best in the of the best in the world unwarranted. He hasn’t taken enough pains to study world. It has also succeeded in creating its own the history of football development in Qatar. It may platform to give enough exposure to budding tal- T A TIME when all stakeholders, includ- be recalled that in the mid-1970s, we were relying on ents by taking over a couple of clubs in Europe. ing the Qatar Football Association (QFA), British coaches like Frank Wignal and John Cardone All these experiments have helped us reap rich AASPIRE Academy and various clubs, should to nurture our talents. But soon, we realised that our dividends in recent times. join hands and work in unison to shape a strong players’ physical attributes didn’t suit the English Unhealthy criticism and pessimism will only national team in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, style and we opted for Latin American expertise. undermine the relevance of even the best of insti- it’s quite disturbing to note that some individuals And it was under the tutelage of legendary Brazilian tutions and spread a shroud of gloom. Caixinha are singing different tunes. Evaristo de Macedo (four spells from 1979 to 1994) should’ve refrained from pointing a finger at the I’m referring to the interview given to an Arabic that we managed to make a mark, first in the region ASPIRE Academy, that too at a time when things daily by Al Gharafa coach Pedro Caixinha, who and then at the continental level. are looking rosy for Qatar football. was critical of the ASPIRE Academy’s football pro- Still, it took another decade for us to realise that ject. The Portuguese said the Aspire model wasn’t if we’re to make any impact on the world stage, the ideal one for Qatar, adding the academy boys then we need to bring together all our young tal- lacked competitive exposure and that they were ents under one roof and develop them. It’s against only continuously training. He observed that the this backdrop that the ASPIRE Academy was estab- academy products looked like fish out of water lished. Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi and failed to integrate with club teams whenever And the model has clicked and no one can deny Editor-in-Chief

Aspiring athletes need absence didn’t affect them in the support of society final against Al Gharafa. It shows INBOX that they’ve a strong bench. Your cover story headlined ‘Aspire, Mohammed Hassan, Doha. perspire, inspire’ (Doha Stadium Plus,

Editor-in-Chief Dr Ahmed Al Mohannadi P.O. Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar May 11) made an interesting read. Grand comeback Tel: +974 44138065, Fax: +974 44138597 ASPIRE Academy Director General Managing Editor Kumar Ravi WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016 VOLUME XI ISSUE NO.14 QR2.00 www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com P 8 | FOOTBALL P 26 | MOTORSPORT ROARING LIONS NASSER HAS IT EASY QATAR’S FIRST Qatar Stars League champions Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah easily Ivan Bravo was right in pointing out What a grand comeback it has been Senior Editor/Writer ENGLISH SPORTS Rayyan blank Kharaitiyat to reach wins the third round of Middle East Aswin Abraham the Emir’s Cup semifinal in style. Rally Championship in Jordan. WEEKLY Editorial: Tel: +974 44138522, Fax: +974 44138593 FOLLOW US Senior Sports Writer that producing champions is a long by Aries Merritt (Doha Stadium Plus, N Ganesh e-mail: [email protected] Sports Writers and difficult process. May 11). Sajith B Warrier Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 ASPIRE, The society should not only be It looked at one stage that the kid- Mohammad Amin-ul Islam e-mail: [email protected] PERSPIRE, Sarath Pookkat Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 patient, but also support the ath- ney transplant surgery would bring

e-mail: [email protected] INSPIRE!PAGES 16-19 Photographers Mohan lete. It should make him comfortable the career of the London Olympics

Vinod Divakaran and confident, and hail his success. 110M hurdles winner to an early end.

Fadi Al Assaad Mohammed Riyaz, Doha. However, the American has taken

DSP EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Mohammed Dabboos P 20 | POSTER P 28 | CHESS it in his stride and worked his way LEICESTER CITY P 22 | ATHLETICS Making the Pacing for Rio right move DSP Photos Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution A K BijuRaj UK £1, Europe €2 | Oman 200 Baisas | Bahrain 200 Fils | Egypt LE 2 | Lebanon 3,000 Livre | Kuwait 250 Fils | Morocco Dh 6 | UAEDh 5 | Yemen 75 Riyals | Sudan 1 Pound | KSA 2 Riyals | Jordan 500 Fils | Iraq $1 | Palestine $1 | Syria LS 20 Cut above the rest back. Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Graphic Designers Abhilash Chacko At the Doha Diamond League, P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. Publishing and Distribution Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 Gopakumar K Printed at ASPIRE Printing Press El Jaish won the Emir’s Cup, their Merritt finished sixth after getting Joice Michael third trophy at the domestic level, off to a terrible start, but his per- e-mail: [email protected] www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus Technical support Shaheen Mohammed to prove that they’re a cut above formance, more significantly the Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar e-mail: [email protected] Abdul Naser M www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar the rest in Qatar handball (Doha confident words afterwards, proved Stadium Plus, May 11). that he has it in him to be back on www.facebook.com/dohastadium www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar © Stories and photographs appearing in this publication may not be reproduced without the permission of A majority of the Jaish players are the podium soon. ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution. Qatar internationals, but even their Jacob Samuel, Doha. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 3

OutlookThe writer can be contacted at [email protected]

Unhealthy criticism will only spread a shroud of gloom

e-mail: [email protected] INSPIRE!PAGES 16-19 Photographers Mohan lete. It should make him comfortable the career of the London Olympics

Vinod Divakaran and confident, and hail his success. 110M hurdles winner to an early end.

Fadi Al Assaad Mohammed Riyaz, Doha. However, the American has taken

DSP EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Mohammed Dabboos P 20 | POSTER P 28 | CHESS it in his stride and worked his way LEICESTER CITY P 22 | ATHLETICS Making the Pacing for Rio right move DSP Photos A K BijuRaj UK £1, Europe €2 | Oman 200 Baisas | Bahrain 200 Fils | Egypt LE 2 | Lebanon 3,000 Livre | Kuwait 250 Fils | Morocco Dh 6 | UAEDh 5 | Yemen 75 Riyals | Sudan 1 Pound | KSA 2 Riyals | Jordan 500 Fils | Iraq $1 | Palestine $1 | Syria LS 20 Cut above the rest back. Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Graphic Designers Abhilash Chacko At the Doha Diamond League, Publishing and Distribution Gopakumar K Printed at ASPIRE Printing Press El Jaish won the Emir’s Cup, their Merritt finished sixth after getting Joice Michael third trophy at the domestic level, off to a terrible start, but his per- www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus Technical support Shaheen Mohammed www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar to prove that they’re a cut above formance, more significantly the Abdul Naser M www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar the rest in Qatar handball (Doha confident words afterwards, proved Stadium Plus, May 11). that he has it in him to be back on

© Stories and photographs appearing in this publication may not be reproduced without the permission of A majority of the Jaish players are the podium soon. ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution. Qatar internationals, but even their Jacob Samuel, Doha. 4 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 5 Extra time

FIFA President (Gianni) Infantino has dropped the mask of a reformer. He’s showing his real motives and his real personality. For me, it’s falling back to the worst times of Blatterism. He’s trying to establish total control. Prof Mark Spieth, former chairman of FIFA’s Independent Governance Committee. IVAN ZAYSTEV CLEAN-UP ACT STAR OF THE WEEK A total of 31 athletes could miss the forthcoming Rio Games after returning positive re-tests as

the International Olympic Committee comes down hard on drug cheats. DSP/ Mohan

HE International Olympic Com- all efforts to ensure the full co-opera- mittee (IOC) has decided to step tion in the WADA investigation. Tup the fight against drugs cheats “All these measures are a powerful as 31 athletes from six sports could be strike against the cheats. They show banned from this year’s Rio Olympics once again that dopers have no place after 454 samples were re-tested from to hide. The re-tests from Beijing and ‘Had a good time the 2008 Beijing Games. London as well as measures we’re tak- No names would be made public at this ing following the worrying allegations on and off court’ stage until athletes had been informed against the Sochi lab are the other major and a second sample, or B-sample, is steps to protect the clean athletes. The TALIAN spiker Ivan Zaystev, who tested as well. played a stellar role in Arabi’s Emir’s The IOC Executive Board which met ICup volleyball triumph, is a colourful in a special session on Tuesday, how- The IOC also said it character on and off the court. When ever, agreed unanimously to initiate he was not busy firing smashes, the proceedings immediately. would start re-testing London Games bronze medallist, who The fight to protect the clean ath- Sochi 2014 Winter was signed by the Qatari club for cup letes does not stop there, with 250 more Games samples. competitions, found time to visit the results from retesting of samples from beautiful landmarks in Doha and enjoy the 2012 London Games to come up his maiden trip to Qatar. shortly. The IOC also said it would start aim is to stop any drug cheats from com- re-testing Sochi 2014 Winter Games ing to Rio Games,” said IOC President ЂЂDid you enjoy your maiden stint samples after allegations of tarnished Thomas Bach. in Qatar? cases were made recently by Grigory The IOC Executive Board also threw ЃЂOf course, I’ll cherish this for a long Rodchenkov, Russia’s former head of weight behind ‘Global Declaration Against time. I had a good time both on and off anti-doping agency. Corruption’, which was adopted at the the court. It’s a great feeling to have gold The IOC has already requested the recent International Anti-Corruption medal around my neck on my first visit ššThomas Bach Russian Olympic Committee to undertake Summit in London. AFP/ Josep Lago to this country. I made a video on Italian great Juantorena Osmany to promote a contest on Instagram and it was a great experience. Ranieri achieves Leicester stars bask in victory parade MAX VERSTAPPEN ЂЂHow did you get interested in another feat volleyball? ЃЂThe sport runs in my genes. My father EICESTER City’s inspirational EICESTER City’s players celebrated ESS than eight months after passing podium, but then to win straight away, it’s only last week, to the chequered flag. Vyacheslav had won the Moscow Olympics manager Claudio Ranieri has their English Premier League his driving test on his 18th birthday, an amazing feeling,” said Verstappen, who “I’m still learning the car,” he said. “Before gold medal while mother Irina was a pro- Lpicked up another piece of sil- Lsuccess with a victory parade on LMax Verstappen raced into the record likened the last 10 laps with Ferrari’s 2007 I got into the car, I didn’t even have a hole fessional swimmer. When I was a child, verware after being elected Manager of an open-top bus through the streets of books as Formula One’s youngest winner. champion Kimi Raikkonen in his mirrors to for my drink tube. I still had to make it.” I was initially hooked to ice hockey. But the Year by England’s League Managers the Midlands county town in front of “It feels amazing,” the Dutch youngster “driving on ice”. The son of former Grand Prix driver Jos, one day, I accompanied my father to a Association (LMA). about 250,000 ecstatic fans last Monday. said after finally coming down from the He suffered some cramp as well as rising Verstappen has racing in his blood and the volleyball court and fell in love with the The 64-year-old Italian, who led Supporters had begun lining the top of last Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix excitement as he saw his name on the big confidence and maturity of someone who sport at first sight! Leicester to English Premiership League podium. screens, but made himself focus on the has been on and around wheels for as (EPL) triumph, becomes only the sec- “I can’t believe it. I was targeting a tyres and taking a car, that he first drove long as he can remember. » e-mail: [email protected] ond non-Briton to win the award after The players waved Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger, who was honoured in 2002 and 2004. and smiled as they Inside Ranieri was also crowned EPL Manager passed the thousands of the Year. thronging the streets. He succeeds Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe, who won last year’s LMA award ššLeicester City players celebrate on the open-top bus with the trophy. after steering Bournemouth to pro- streets from midday to see their motion from the Championship heroes and Italian manager Claudio the streets on their way from Jubilee name and the players re-enacted being for the first time in the club’s Ranieri display the gleaming trophy Square in the city centre to a special presented with the trophy. 12 26 31 history. that had seemed an unlikely prize at stage erected in Victoria Park where “What we’ve achieved this season Ranieri was also named the start of the season when they were they lapped up the adulation of the has been fantastic and the boys, the Italian Manager of the 5,000-1 outsiders. adoring Foxes faithful. staff, fans, everyone has contributed Year in his homeland The players waved and smiled as The players were individually intro- to it. It has been a fantastic season,” last month. they passed the thousands thronging duced to the fans, who cheered every said captain Wes Morgan. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 5

‘Had a good time on and off court’

TALIAN spiker Ivan Zaystev, who played a stellar role in Arabi’s Emir’s ICup volleyball triumph, is a colourful character on and off the court. When he was not busy firing smashes, the London Games bronze medallist, who was signed by the Qatari club for cup competitions, found time to visit the beautiful landmarks in Doha and enjoy his maiden trip to Qatar.

ЂЂDid you enjoy your maiden stint in Qatar? ЃЂOf course, I’ll cherish this for a long time. I had a good time both on and off the court. It’s a great feeling to have gold medal around my neck on my first visit AFP/ Josep Lago to this country. I made a video on Italian great Juantorena Osmany to promote a contest on Instagram and it was a great experience. MAX VERSTAPPEN ЂЂHow did you get interested in volleyball? ЃЂThe sport runs in my genes. My father ESS than eight months after passing podium, but then to win straight away, it’s only last week, to the chequered flag. Vyacheslav had won the Moscow Olympics his driving test on his 18th birthday, an amazing feeling,” said Verstappen, who “I’m still learning the car,” he said. “Before gold medal while mother Irina was a pro- LMax Verstappen raced into the record likened the last 10 laps with Ferrari’s 2007 I got into the car, I didn’t even have a hole fessional swimmer. When I was a child, books as Formula One’s youngest winner. champion Kimi Raikkonen in his mirrors to for my drink tube. I still had to make it.” I was initially hooked to ice hockey. But “It feels amazing,” the Dutch youngster “driving on ice”. The son of former Grand Prix driver Jos, one day, I accompanied my father to a said after finally coming down from the He suffered some cramp as well as rising Verstappen has racing in his blood and the volleyball court and fell in love with the top of last Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix excitement as he saw his name on the big confidence and maturity of someone who sport at first sight! podium. screens, but made himself focus on the has been on and around wheels for as “I can’t believe it. I was targeting a tyres and taking a car, that he first drove long as he can remember. » e-mail: [email protected] Inside 12 26 31 6 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 7 Football

RESULTS PRE-QUARTERFINALS Verratti undergoes Melbourne Victory (AUS) drew Jeonbuk Motors (KOR) 1-1 surgery at Aspetar FC Tokyo (JPN) bt Shanghai SIPG (CHN) 2-1 Lekhwiya (QAT) lost to El Jaish (QAT) 0-4 Al Nasr (UAE) bt Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRN) 4-1 TALY and Paris Saint-Germain mid- Al Hilal (KSA) drew Lokomotiv (UZB) 0-0 fielder Marco Verratti underwent a Igroin surgery at Qatar’s orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital Aspetar last Monday. ACADEMIES are “Marco Verratti undergoes successful surgery,” PSG tweeted. One of the best Italian players of his generation, Verratti’s last season with the Ligue 1 club was hit with injuries. The The big win has put us stocky player will also miss his national closer to the quarterfinals. team’s Euro Championship campaign But there’s still another in France, starting on June 10. match to play. We won’t “Operated on by the doctors Ulrike underestimate our Muschaweck, Gilles Reboul and Zarko EFFECTIVE TOOLS opponents who’ll be giving Vuckovic. The operation was a success,” their best to come back. PSG announced on their website. “PSG wish Marco a speedy recovery Al Gharafa’s Portuguese coach Pedro Caixinha says institutions like Aspire are needed to develop talents. Sabri Lamouchi, El Jaish coach. DSP/Mohan and look forward to seeing him back šşLekhwiya’s Ismail Mohammed challenges El Jaish’s Romarinho. to his best for both club and country,” it added. DSP Caixinha said he was trying to under- Academy products, he said, “Of course, N Ganesh stand the psychology of his players and the Aspire programme is very good and also more about the country and its foot- seems to have produced good results Jaish have one foot in quarterfinal ball system in total. as well. But I need to study more, per- “I need to know more about the coun- haps a little deeper, about it before I ORTUGUESE coach Pedro Caix- try, its culture and above all the football make any assessment or talk about an Of course, the Aspire programme ATAR’S El Jaish have one foot To add to Belmadi’s worries, Lekhwiya effort came off the left post, he tapped inha, who joined Al Gharafa four- system. I’ve been here for only four-and- alternative system. is very good and seems to have in the quarterfinal of the AFC lost Youssef Msakni and Mohammed home the rebound. Pand-a-half months ago, said he “My only concern is whether the young- produced good results as well. QChampions League after de- Tresor (both shoulder injury) in the Lekhwiya captain Karim Boudiaf was studying Qatar’s youth development sters are staying a bit too longer with the But I need to study more, perhaps feating local rivals Lekhwiya 4-0 in the second half and they look doubtful for gifted Jaish the second goal when he system in detail as he aims to rebuild I need to know more academy. I don’t have any problems if a little deeper, about it before first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday. blundered with a back pass. the team in the pre-season with several they’re training with the national team.” I make any assessment or talk Djamel Belmadi’s men are left with a Hamdallah, who was a constant tor- young players. about the country, its Caixinha said sports academies like mountainous task in the return leg mentor, easily beat the challenge of culture and above all about an alternative system. El Jaish had lost to ASPIRE Academy product Yousef Aspire were needed to identify budding My only concern is whether the on May 25. his marker Ahmed Yasser and slotted Hassan, a member of the Asian Under- the football system. talents and develop a strong founda- Brazilian forward Romarinho netted a Belmadi’s men in the home through the legs of keeper Amine youngsters are staying a bit too Emir’s Cup semifinal 19 Championship-winning Qatar team tion in them. longer with the academy. I don’t brace (17th and 86th) while Abderrazak Lecomte. in 2014, must have provided him with “Sports academies are the most have any problems if they’re Hamdallah (44th) and Mohammed earlier last week. Methnani headed home the third the necessary confidence as the lanky a-half months and my top priority is to effective tools to develop and improve training with the national team. Methnani (54th) found the target in while Sardor Rashidov beat right-back goalkeeper delivered straightway on know my players better, their mental- young talents by strengthening their between. Mohammed Mousa before squaring the replacing experienced hands Qasim ity and goals,” said Caixinha. foundation, inculcating noble values Pedro Caixinha Jaish, who looked timid in their 1-2 Friday’s Emir’s Cup final against Al Sadd. ball for Romarinho to tap in. Burhan and Abdulaziz Ali towards the When pointed out that almost all and improving their basic skills, apart loss to the cops in the Emir’s Cup sem- Romarinho put Jaish ahead when the Meanwhile, a superb brace by Kota end of the Qatar Stars League season members of the Qatar team, which from instilling a sense of professional- ifinal earlier last week, were a trans- ball fell kindly for him after the rival Mizunuma rocked Shanghai SIPG as

as Gharafa’s first choice. won the Asian U-19 title, were ASPIRE ism,” he said. DSP formed lot and hardly gave their rivals defence failed to deal with a Murad Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side lost 1-2 to Divakaran DSP/Vinod any leeway. Neji cross from the right. Though his FC Tokyo. DSP šşMarco Verratti FIFA’s planning chief is excited about compact Qatar World Cup

IFA is excited about the concept on Thursday, is organised in partner- of a compact World Cup in Qatar, ship with the Supreme Committee for Faccording to its Head of Planning Delivery and Legacy (SCDL). It discusses and Infrastructure Jurgen Muller. the latest trends in stadium technolo- Speaking at the World Stadium Congress gies, outlines the best venue and event on Tuesday, Muller, who is also the FIFA security systems, shares best-practice Qatar 2022 World Cup venue official in charge of the 2022 World Cup, legacy programmes, and makes trans- Al Rayyan Al Rayyan won the award for the best design at the said, “There’re benefits other than the parent the social and economic growth Stadium World Stadium Congress on infrastructure that can’t be underes- that sporting excellence and tourna- Tuesday. timated. FIFA is excited about comments can bring to society. It has attracted design wins Al Rayyan Stadium Project pact World Cup in Qatar, where fans šşJurgen Muller architects and contractors, as well as award Manager at the Supreme can watch up to four matches a day. tournament stakeholders. Committee for Delivery and I’m sure there’ll be some real passion- SCDL Competition Venues Deputy Legacy Abdulla Al Fehani received the award. ate fans who’ll go to all matches. nation has to bear. FIFA tries to keep Executive Director Othman Zarzour “It’s a reconfirmation of our “The requirement in terms of space, it low. We want the investment to be a made presentations on the World Cup ş şPedro Caixinha commitment to excellence in dimension and quantity at the stadi- boost or catalyst for things the country venues being built in Qatar. creating innovative designs,” ums will be high. There’s often a gen- would’ve done anyway.” Doha Stadium Plus is a media part-

DSP/Mohan said Al Fehani. DSP eral criticism about the cost the host The four-day event, which will conclude ner of the event. DSP Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 7

ATAR’S El Jaish have one foot To add to Belmadi’s worries, Lekhwiya effort came off the left post, he tapped in the quarterfinal of the AFC lost Youssef Msakni and Mohammed home the rebound. QChampions League after de- Tresor (both shoulder injury) in the Lekhwiya captain Karim Boudiaf feating local rivals Lekhwiya 4-0 in the second half and they look doubtful for gifted Jaish the second goal when he first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday. blundered with a back pass. Djamel Belmadi’s men are left with a Hamdallah, who was a constant tor- mountainous task in the return leg El Jaish had lost to mentor, easily beat the challenge of on May 25. his marker Ahmed Yasser and slotted Brazilian forward Romarinho netted a Belmadi’s men in the home through the legs of keeper Amine brace (17th and 86th) while Abderrazak Emir’s Cup semifinal Lecomte. Hamdallah (44th) and Mohammed earlier last week. Methnani headed home the third Methnani (54th) found the target in while Sardor Rashidov beat right-back between. Mohammed Mousa before squaring the Jaish, who looked timid in their 1-2 Friday’s Emir’s Cup final against Al Sadd. ball for Romarinho to tap in. loss to the cops in the Emir’s Cup sem- Romarinho put Jaish ahead when the Meanwhile, a superb brace by Kota ifinal earlier last week, were a trans- ball fell kindly for him after the rival Mizunuma rocked Shanghai SIPG as

formed lot and hardly gave their rivals defence failed to deal with a Murad Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side lost 1-2 to Divakaran DSP/Vinod any leeway. Neji cross from the right. Though his FC Tokyo. DSP šşMarco Verratti FIFA’s planning chief is excited about compact Qatar World Cup

Football Ĉ COVER STORY CLASH OF TITANS Fifteen-time champions Al Sadd enjoy a slight Lekhwiya showed enough spirit to put it past Jaish, who had recently edge when they take on first-time finalists beaten them in the Qatar Cup final. Yet coach Djamel Belmadi will have Lekhwiya in the Emir’s Cup title clash on Friday. some concerns. Despite enjoying the bulk of possession, their two goals against Jaish came through set pieces. ĈşHolders Sadd beat Rayyan a record 15 times. They will have a Striker Alain Dioko hardly made any in the semifinal slight edge over first-time finalists impact. Belmadi will also be without Al Haidous, the ĈşLekhwiya rally to get the Lekhwiya. But that should not worry lanky forward Mohammed Muntari better of El Jaish the cops, who have challenged Qatar’s as he suffered a knee injury and was game changer most successful club in recent years. pulled out, having spent only a few Having failed to claim any title this minutes after replacing Dioko. L SADD goalkeeper Saad Al season, both teams will be equally des- Sadd are looking good and riding Sheeb won the man-of-the- N Ganesh perate to win, but their preparation high on confidence. Xavi was excep- Amatch award for his steady has been totally different. tional and got everything right against performance against Al Rayyan and Xavi Rayyan while Al Haidous formed a won plaudits for his perfect midfield perfect foil for him. orchestration, but it was Hassan Al L SADD and Lekhwiya go into Sadd are looking good The Qatar international’s brilliant Haidous who once again turned Friday’s Emir’s Cup final with second goal, when he met with a Xavi the game changer, scoring two and riding high on Adifferent credentials, but the pass on the right and drilled it home fine goals in as many minutes. fine form both teams currently are confidence. Xavi was from inside the box, was proof of The Qatar forward brooked enjoying, after their low-key start to exceptional as well. their chemistry. no answer from Rayyan the season, should make it an excit- Sadd’s game was not just about goalkeeper Omar Barry ing contest. the duo. while beating him to In last week’s semifinals, holders Al While Lekhwiya sweat over the fit- They were organised in his right with a pow- Sadd, down to 10 men in injury time, ness of Youssef Msakni and Mohammed defence and their counter- erful kick from the defeated Qatar Stars League champi- Tresor, who both were injured in their attacks, led by Baghdad spot. His second ons Al Rayyan 3-2 while Lekhwiya also 0-4 drubbing at the hands of El Jaish Bounedjgah, were fast. effort was a screamer claimed a come-from-behind 2-1 win in the AFC Champions League pre- They would be quite a as Xavi slipped a pass over Qatar Cup winners El Jaish, who quarterfinal on Tuesday, Sadd will be handful for Lekhwiya, to him on the right off too ended the game one man short. a lot fresher. who can also expect a quick counter-attack. şşXavi Sadd, playing the title clash on home However, sometimes midweek games a parisan fan crowd. Sadd coach Jesualdo Hernandez turf, have lifted the most-coveted cup can help a team sustain the momentum. DSP Ferreira showered praise on Al ŠŠNam Tae-Hee Haidous. “For me, Al Haidous is one who has the quality to play in Europe,” said Ferreira. “He’s a fighter. He always puts team above him. He can play as a striker and ‘We believe we can Belmadi has full winger. He has got the character and he can be a reference for all Qatari play- win the trophy’ faith in his players ers,” said the Portuguese. DSP

L SADD coach Jesualdo Fer- the season, we deserve to be in the EKHWIYA coach Djamel Belmadi things difficult, but it’s something we’ve reira said his players had the final. Our ambition is to win and is confident that team spirit will to live with. I trust my technical and Aambition and belief to win we believe we can win the trophy,” Lhelp them defeat Al Sadd in the medical staff. I also believe in my play- the Emir’s Cup, having gone through said Ferreira. Emir’s Cup final. ers, who’ve the spirit to push their lim- several tough moments this season. “A lot of players know what “It’s true that we’ve never reached the its. I believe we’ve the ability to win.” Sadd started as one of the favourites an Emir’s Cup triumph final of this amazing competition. So South Korean midfielder Nam Tae- to win the league title, but failed to get tastes like. For me, it’ll whenever I prepared the team, I used Hee, who brilliantly tucked home a KICK-OFF their act together. Though they replaced be a first-time expe- to remind my players about that. We’re free-kick and bagged the man-of-the- FRIDAY, MAY 20 Housseine Amouta with Ferreira half- rience to be in the expecting a strong final against Al Sadd. match award against El Jaish in the Al Sadd vs Lekhwiya, Al Sadd Stadium, 7pm. way through, the Portuguese too ini- final of this event. We want to win the Emir’s Cup. It’s an semifinal, said, “Reaching the tially found it tough before winning But I’m not over- important tournament for us,” said final for the first time is itself a his players’ confidence. awed because I’ve Belmadi. big motivation. It wasn’t easy And when they take on Lekhwiya on managed teams in Asked about the impact the addi- for us, considering that we’ve Friday, the momentum is with Sadd. several finals in tional game (AFC Champions League been playing too many games “It was tactically a good performance my career. We’ve pre-quarterfinal against El Jaish) they towards the end of the sea- from our boys against Al Rayyan. For all the capacity,” said played on Tuesday would make on the son. We’ll put our best foot the problems we had suffered during Ferreira. DSP players, the Algerian said, “It has made forward against Sadd.” DSP DSP Photos 8 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 9

L SADD coach Jesualdo Fer- the season, we deserve to be in the EKHWIYA coach Djamel Belmadi things difficult, but it’s something we’ve reira said his players had the final. Our ambition is to win and is confident that team spirit will to live with. I trust my technical and Aambition and belief to win we believe we can win the trophy,” Lhelp them defeat Al Sadd in the medical staff. I also believe in my play- the Emir’s Cup, having gone through said Ferreira. Emir’s Cup final. ers, who’ve the spirit to push their lim- several tough moments this season. “A lot of players know what “It’s true that we’ve never reached the its. I believe we’ve the ability to win.” Sadd started as one of the favourites an Emir’s Cup triumph final of this amazing competition. So South Korean midfielder Nam Tae- to win the league title, but failed to get tastes like. For me, it’ll whenever I prepared the team, I used Hee, who brilliantly tucked home a KICK-OFF their act together. Though they replaced be a first-time expe- to remind my players about that. We’re free-kick and bagged the man-of-the- FRIDAY, MAY 20 Housseine Amouta with Ferreira half- rience to be in the expecting a strong final against Al Sadd. match award against El Jaish in the Al Sadd vs Lekhwiya, Al Sadd Stadium, 7pm. way through, the Portuguese too ini- final of this event. We want to win the Emir’s Cup. It’s an semifinal, said, “Reaching the tially found it tough before winning But I’m not over- important tournament for us,” said final for the first time is itself a his players’ confidence. awed because I’ve Belmadi. big motivation. It wasn’t easy And when they take on Lekhwiya on managed teams in Asked about the impact the addi- for us, considering that we’ve Friday, the momentum is with Sadd. several finals in tional game (AFC Champions League been playing too many games “It was tactically a good performance my career. We’ve pre-quarterfinal against El Jaish) they towards the end of the sea- from our boys against Al Rayyan. For all the capacity,” said played on Tuesday would make on the son. We’ll put our best foot the problems we had suffered during Ferreira. DSP players, the Algerian said, “It has made forward against Sadd.” DSP DSP Photos 10 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 11 Football

QATAR SQUAD GOALKEEPERS Amine Lecomte Lekhwiya Bonacic named new Omar Barry Al Rayyan Saad Al Sheeb Al Sadd Khalifa Abubaker El Jaish DEFENDERS coach of Al Ahli Boualem Khoukhi Al Arabi Ahmed Yasser Lekhwiya Pedro Miguel Musaab Khedir ROATIAN coach Luka Bonacic, several titles,” said Bonacic. Al Sadd Abdulkarim Hassan who last managed Qatar’s Al “We’ve several good players and we Ibrahim Majed CShahaniya, joined Al Ahli on can compete with even the strongest Abdulrahman Abkar El Jaish a one-year deal. opponents in the Qatar Stars League. Yasser Abubaker Mohammed Mousa The 61-year-old was close to replac- Our aim will be to finish among the top Lekhwiya Khaled Muftah ing his compatriot Zlatko Kranjcar at MIDFIELDERS Ahli in February, but the club man- Karim Boudiaf agement decided to elevate assistant Ahmed Maksoud Lekhwiya I look forward to the coach Yousef Adam. The Qatari did a Luiz Martin next season with Ahli, Hassan Al Haidous ššAkram Afif commendable job, taking the team all Ali Asad Al Sadd the way from the relegation zone to a who’re one of the oldest Rodrigo Tabata convincing sixth-place finish. clubs in Qatar. Majed Mohammed Bonacic, who was in Doha last week El Jaish ‘Afif possesses the Ahmed Moein to sign the contract, said he was look- Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Wakrah quality to deliver ing forward to the new season. four. I think it’s a realistic target,” said FORWARDS Sebastian Soria “I look forward to the next season Bonacic, who has almost three decades Al Rayyan at Villarreal’ Ahmed Alaaedin with Ahli, who’re one of the oldest clubs of experience in coaching, including ššLuka Bonacic DSP/Fadi Al Assaad Ismail Mohammed DSP Lekhwiya in Qatar and have a history of winning in the region. ššQatar players during a training session. Mohammed Muntari ATAR coach Daniel Carreno said his young ward Akram QAfif, who joined Villarreal in the previous week, had the qualities Barca to play in to succeed in the star-studded and technically-superior Spanish League. Doha on May 24 Carreno, who drafted Afif into the senior team, said, “Akram has the chance to OUTH American star trio of put up a strong performance at Villarreal. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and GEARING UP for final push Our support will always be there to help SNeymar, who the world fondly him in his next phase of life. He has refers to as MSN, are expected to steal Qatar are set to undergo a camp in Austria as they prepare for the final round of World Cup qualification. joined a strong team and he has the the spotlight when newly-crowned quality to deliver,” said Carreno. DSP Spanish League winners Barcelona take on Saudi Arabian league champions Al come to a close. Rayyan’s marauding felt it would be too hot to start then. Ahli in a friendly in Doha on May 24. N Ganesh form in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) “The start of the season varies across The game is organised as a part of the had left Lekhwiya, El Jaish and Al Sadd, countries and in Qatar it is in September. sponsorship deal the two clubs have who contribute most players to the Two rounds of league action in August Qatar to play with Qatar Airways. national team, frustrated, but all have would’ve been good for us. But we four friendlies Barcelona will reach Doha on May FTER Friday’s Emir’s Cup final, looked competent and confident over should also consider the Gulf region 23 and return straight after the match. Qatar will leave for Austria for the last two months. It has enabled and its weather. Now the league will in August It will be the first Doha trip of the Aa week-long camp to kick- Carreno to stick to his preferred squad start on September 15. It has its pos- ššHani Taleb Ballan awards the winners. Catalan side, who had signed a multi- start their preparations for the final and also pick youngster Ahmed Moein, itives and negatives. We’ll now look ATAR will play four friendlies, million dollar deal with Qatar’s national round of 2018 World Cup qualification for the best things that work for us,” two against European oppo- air carrier. DSP starting in September. They will also said Carreno. Qnents, to fine-tune their prepa- play a friendly against Euro-bound Daniel Carreno ruled The Uruguayan said he always wanted rations for the World Cup qualifiers Al Waab amateur champs Albania on May 29. to support clubs. against Iran and South Korea. In the Asian Zone qualification’s out talks of any clash “Nobody can complain that we After hosting a yet-to-be-decided final round, 12 teams will fight it out of interests with Qatar aren’t supporting our clubs. If you team early in August, Daniel Carreno’s L WAAB clinched the Qatar Ibrahim Shahin Al Sulaiti was also present. in two groups, with the top two from Stars League clubs. had noticed, players joined 48 hours men will play Thailand on August 24, Amateur League (QAL) title for Hani said, “QAL is an important event each qualifying for the Russia finals before our game against Hong Kong,” also in Doha. Athe second time in three years. on our football calendar. We’re happy and the third-placed sides going into said Carreno as if to dismiss talks of “We’ll play two games in Europe They ended up with a tally of 75 points to see the commitment shown by the double leg play-off. The winners will who has been impressive with Jaish. any clash of interests with the clubs in August, between 14 and 18,” said from 30 matches while Al Afai finished teams and players. Our vision is to keep take on CONCACAF play-off winners Carreno had wanted the next QSL as he sets out for his most testing time Carreno. runners-up with 70. developing football as we get ready for for a berth in the finals. Qatar are in season to start in the first week of of his spell as Qatar coach. Qatar’s last match on The winners and runners-up collected the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Group A, alongside Iran, South Korea, August to ensure that his players got Qatar, currently 83rd in FIFA rank- European soil was in a purse of QR150,000 and QR100,000 “The tournament is an important plat- Uzbekistan, China and Syria. match fitness by playing at least two ings, are desperate to book a maiden June last year when they respectively. form for people who love football. To Addressing a Press conference last rounds before facing group favour- World Cup berth at the Russia finals lost 0-1 to Scotland Qatar Stars League CEO Hani Taleb develop this wonderful game, all seg- week, Qatar coach Daniel Carreno ites Iran and South Korea (both away) as it will be their last chance to earn in a friendly in Ballan awarded the winners while ments of the society have to be engaged,” looked relieved, perhaps with on September 1 and 6 respectively. one before automatically qualifying as Edinburgh. DSP QAL Organising Committee Chairman he added. DSP the way the season has However, the clubs objected as they hosts for the 2022 edition. DSP

Qatar Stars League club Al recently extended the contract The start of the season varies across countries and in Qatar Gharafa sign Gharafa signed South Korean of Portuguese coach Pedro it is in September. Two rounds of league action in August midfielderHan Kook-Young Caixinha for another season. would’ve been good for us. But we should also consider the Han from from relegated Qatar Sports Han, who joined Qatar SC Gulf region and its weather. Now the league will start on Club on a three-year deal. in the 2014-15 season, is a Qatar SC The 26-year-old became talented and hard working September 15. It has its positives and negatives. the first pre-season signing player who is also good at ššThe likes of Lionel Messi, left, and Luiz Daniel Carreno, Qatar coach. of the Cheetahs, who had executing set-pieces. DSP Suarez are to be seen in action in Doha. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 11

Bonacic named new coach of Al Ahli

ROATIAN coach Luka Bonacic, several titles,” said Bonacic. who last managed Qatar’s Al “We’ve several good players and we CShahaniya, joined Al Ahli on can compete with even the strongest a one-year deal. opponents in the Qatar Stars League. The 61-year-old was close to replac- Our aim will be to finish among the top ing his compatriot Zlatko Kranjcar at Ahli in February, but the club man- agement decided to elevate assistant I look forward to the coach Yousef Adam. The Qatari did a next season with Ahli, ššAkram Afif commendable job, taking the team all the way from the relegation zone to a who’re one of the oldest convincing sixth-place finish. clubs in Qatar. ‘Afif possesses the Bonacic, who was in Doha last week to sign the contract, said he was look- quality to deliver ing forward to the new season. four. I think it’s a realistic target,” said at Villarreal’ “I look forward to the next season Bonacic, who has almost three decades with Ahli, who’re one of the oldest clubs of experience in coaching, including š in Qatar and have a history of winning in the region. DSP šLuka Bonacic ATAR coach Daniel Carreno said his young ward Akram QAfif, who joined Villarreal in the previous week, had the qualities Barca to play in to succeed in the star-studded and technically-superior Spanish League. Doha on May 24 Carreno, who drafted Afif into the senior team, said, “Akram has the chance to OUTH American star trio of put up a strong performance at Villarreal. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Our support will always be there to help SNeymar, who the world fondly him in his next phase of life. He has refers to as MSN, are expected to steal joined a strong team and he has the the spotlight when newly-crowned quality to deliver,” said Carreno. DSP Spanish League winners Barcelona take on Saudi Arabian league champions Al Ahli in a friendly in Doha on May 24. The game is organised as a part of the sponsorship deal the two clubs have Qatar to play with Qatar Airways. four friendlies Barcelona will reach Doha on May 23 and return straight after the match. in August It will be the first Doha trip of the ššHani Taleb Ballan awards the winners. Catalan side, who had signed a multi- ATAR will play four friendlies, million dollar deal with Qatar’s national two against European oppo- air carrier. DSP Qnents, to fine-tune their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers Al Waab amateur champs against Iran and South Korea. After hosting a yet-to-be-decided team early in August, Daniel Carreno’s L WAAB clinched the Qatar Ibrahim Shahin Al Sulaiti was also present. men will play Thailand on August 24, Amateur League (QAL) title for Hani said, “QAL is an important event also in Doha. Athe second time in three years. on our football calendar. We’re happy “We’ll play two games in Europe They ended up with a tally of 75 points to see the commitment shown by the in August, between 14 and 18,” said from 30 matches while Al Afai finished teams and players. Our vision is to keep Carreno. runners-up with 70. developing football as we get ready for Qatar’s last match on The winners and runners-up collected the 2022 FIFA World Cup. European soil was in a purse of QR150,000 and QR100,000 “The tournament is an important plat- June last year when they respectively. form for people who love football. To lost 0-1 to Scotland Qatar Stars League CEO Hani Taleb develop this wonderful game, all seg- in a friendly in Ballan awarded the winners while ments of the society have to be engaged,” Edinburgh. DSP QAL Organising Committee Chairman he added. DSP

Qatar Stars League club Al recently extended the contract Gharafa sign Gharafa signed South Korean of Portuguese coach Pedro midfielderHan Kook-Young Caixinha for another season. Han from from relegated Qatar Sports Han, who joined Qatar SC Club on a three-year deal. in the 2014-15 season, is a Qatar SC The 26-year-old became talented and hard working the first pre-season signing player who is also good at ššThe likes of Lionel Messi, left, and Luiz of the Cheetahs, who had executing set-pieces. DSP Suarez are to be seen in action in Doha. 12 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 13 Football

COACHES SPEAK KEYS TO TRIUMPH RESULTS Malaga bt Las Palmas 4-1 Survived Messi’s Vallecano bt Levante 3-1 injury absence Espanyol bt Eibar 4-2 When five-time World Betis bt Getafe 2-1 Player of the Year Lionel Gijon bt Villarreal 2-0 Treble, troubletrouble andand escapeescape toto Messi went down with knee Athletic Bilbao bt Sevilla 3-1 We set out at the start ligament damage against Atletico Madrid bt Celta Vigo 2-0 Las Palmas in September Deportivo Coruna lost to Real Madrid 0-2 of the season to win all An underwhelming feeling prevails at Barcelona ruling him out for two Granada lost to Barcelona 0-3 trophies, as nobody had months, the time seemed Valencia lost to Real Sociedad 0-1 ever done. ripe for Barca’s title rivals to despite title win as they fall short of their capitalise. Instead, inspired However, in their two Sometimes by the remaining two stars league meetings, Barca STANDINGS ultimate aim of winning back-to-back trebles. people of stellar front three, Luis reacted from conceding Barcelona 38 29 4 5 112 29 91 think not Suarez and Neymar, Barca first to win 2-1 for six points Real Madrid 38 28 6 4 110 34 90 fired their way to the top of that prevented Diego Atletico Madrid 38 28 4 6 63 18 88 winning the table in Messi’s absence Simeone’s men from Ĉ Villarreal 38 18 10 10 44 35 64 ĈBarca lost to Atletico lost three league games in a row and were with five wins from six winning a second title in one is a Athletic Bilbao 38 18 8 12 58 45 62 in Champions League games. By the time Messi three years. knocked out of the Champions League, disaster. But Celta Vigo 38 17 9 12 51 59 60 quarterfinal and that left a bitter taste, because we set foot back on the pitch we know how in El Clasico, Barca were Bounceback from Sevilla 38 14 10 14 51 50 52 felt we deserved to win it,” Luis Suarez ĈĈThree straight league difficult it is to win trophies. already leading 3-0 before spring slump Malaga 38 12 12 14 38 35 48 said last week. “But we stayed together We’ll celebrate this, we going onto complete a 4-0 Barca looked set to Real Sociedad 38 13 9 16 45 48 48 defeats almost derailed rout. wrap the title up weeks as a team and we never lost our con- Real Betis 38 11 12 15 34 52 45 their campaign enjoy our team and the ago during a 39-game fidence.” Las Palmas 38 12 8 18 45 53 44 style in which they play. In Insatiable Suarez unbeaten run that saw Valencia 38 11 11 16 46 48 44 Javier Mascherano accused his team- history, just two teams have For the first time in seven them lead Atletico and years, the Pichichi trophy Real by nine and 12 points Espanyol 38 12 7 19 40 74 43 mates of getting caught up believing previously won consecutive Richard Martin victory! awarded to La Liga’s top respectively. However, a Eibar 38 11 10 17 49 61 43 their own hype. doubles. We always give scorer was not won by Messi run of one point from a Deportivo Coruna 38 8 18 12 45 61 42 “There comes a point when every- possible 12, including three ourselves high objectives, or Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Granada 38 10 9 19 46 69 39 thing is distorted and your surround- Suarez’s 40 La Liga goals is consecutive league defeats Gijon 38 10 9 19 40 62 39 ings make you lose your way,” said and we’ll keep doing that. a record for anyone other for the first time in 13 years than Messi or Ronaldo, who set up a thrilling three-way Vallecano 38 9 11 18 52 73 38 ESPITE winning a 24th Spanish Mascherano. Luis Enrique, Barcelona. have taken goalscoring to fight for the title. Barca’s Getafe 38 9 9 20 37 67 36 title and with a King’s Cup final “Things were going well and every- barely believable figures response since then of five Levante 38 8 8 22 37 70 32 Dagainst Sevilla to look forward one spoke about winning another tre- over the past decade. The wins from five, scoring 24 to on May 22, a feeling of deflation still ble as if it was the easiest thing in the Uruguayan has 59 in 52 goals without reply in the games in all competitions process has been one of TOP SCORERS lingers around Barcelona after falling world, when it was really an exception.” and, more crucially, has champions. 40 Luis Suarez Barcelona short of their lofty pre-season ambitions. Attention has already turned to next come up big when Barca 35 Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid They had aspired to be the first team season and Barca are reported to be needed him most. He Prime Pique 26 Lionel Messi Barcelona scored 12 in 10 games Suarez, Messi and Neymar to win back-to-back trebles and the Neymar Barcelona during Messi’s injury layoff hogs the headlines after 24 We’re a little disappointed, Karim Benzema Real Madrid first side to lift the Champions League and 14 in the last five a 133-goal season. Yet, at but now we’re only thinking 22 Antoine Griezmann Atl Madrid two years in a row, but a sudden loss Media speculation matches of the league the other end of the field of form cost them dear. about Milan (Champions season to prevent the title Gerard Pique’s return to 20 Aritz Aduriz Athletic Bilbao being one of the best Atletico Madrid knocked them out continues to link Barca League final). slipping out of Barca’s grasp. centre-backs in world in the Champions League quarterfinal with Paul Pogba and After 38 football has proven just as ROLL OF HONOUR and will face Real Madrid in the final Paulo Dybala. league Comebacks against important. Last 10 La Liga champions — a match Barca’s players will watch games, Atletico 2016 Barcelona It is hard to think of a with a degree of envy. we can’t 2015 Barcelona tougher task in European 2014 Atletico Madrid The 0-2 loss at Atletico was sand- on the verge of exercising their buy- change football than coming 2013 Barcelona from behind against wiched between defeats by Real Madrid, back clause to secure former academy the fact 2012 Real Madrid Real Sociedad and Valencia, seriously player Denis Suarez back from Villarreal the continent’s meanest Barcelona are defence in Atletico Madrid. 2011 Barcelona endangering Barca’s chances of win- for €3.25m. champions. They deserved Barca and Bayern Munich 2010 Barcelona ning a La Liga title they had looked Barca will need to add more play- to win the league, but I take found that to their cost 2009 Barcelona in being eliminated from 2008 Real Madrid certain to retain a month previously. ers though if they are to compete on my hat off to my lads. The glum atmosphere gripping all three fronts next season, with their the Champions League. 2007 Real Madrid Barcelona in April was difficult to over-reliance on a fixed starting 11 a Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid. envisage when the players set off for possible cause for their slide in form in the March international break boast- the final phase of the campaign. ing a long unbeaten run that was even- Media speculation continues to link tually ended by Real at 39. the club with Juventus pair Paul Pogba The media had described a feeling and Paulo Dybala, yet Barca are unlikely Suarez demonstrates his fortytude! of ‘euphoria’ around the club while to spend seismic amounts of money coach Luis Enrique declared before on one player while they struggle to the Champions League quarterfinal agree a new shirt sponsorship deal. UIS Suarez has progressed from Messi and Neymar, a trio who have deliv- just his goals, but his work and charac- draw, “The only team I wouldn’t want Of equal importance will be negoti- his impressive debut La Liga cam- ered 90 of Barcelona’s 112 league goals. ter — is why we decided to sign him,” to meet is Barca.” ating new and improved contracts for Lpaign to produce the most prolific He is also the most willing to close said Barca manager Luis Enrique. How quickly the mood changed. Suarez, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets season of his career and fire Barcelona down opponents and run into space “There’s no other forward in the world “Everything happened all at once. We and Neymar. šĈšFrom left, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi scored 90 of Barcelona’s 112 league goals to lead their title charge. to a second straight title. like him. He’s a vital player for us.” It was fitting that the Uruguayan With Messi missing for two months should score a hat-trick in the com- Suarez is the first player with a knee injury and Neymar’s form BARCA’SBARCA’S CRUCIALCRUCIAL VICTORIESTRIUMPHS fortable 3-0 victory at Granada last week dropping dramatically in the final two to clinch the title, taking his tally to 40 other than Ronaldo and months, Suarez has been the most con- goals in 35 games. Messi to finish as La Liga sistent of the three attackers. He has September 12, 2015 November 21, 2015 February 14, 2016 April 20, 2016 May 14, 2016 He is the first player other than Cristiano top scorer since 2009. also played more minutes than any Lionel Messi started on the bench, Messi watched on from the bench once Barca blew open a tight game with a Having suffered three consecutive Suarez was the hero once more as he but came on to score the winner after more for the first hour on his return magnificent 20-minute spell to score leagueleague defeatsdefeats forfor thethe firstfirst timetime inin struck a hat-trick to take his tally for Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to finish as Barca player. 2-1 a stunning Neymar free-kick had 4-0 from knee ligament damage, but Barca 6-1 four goals of stunning quality to see off 8-0 1313 years,years, BarcaBarca bouncedbounced backback inin 3-0 the season to 59 and become the first La Liga top scorer since 2009, but his Ever since scoring in a 1-0 win at vs cancelled out Fernando Torres’s opener. vs still landed an early blow in the title race vs a valiant Celta Vigo. vs stunningstunning fashionfashion withwith aa demolitiondemolition vs player other than Messi or Cristiano contribution to Barca’s triumph goes and, naturally, he has shown himself to Athletic Bilbao in Barca’s opening league from which Madrid and, in particular, of Deportivo inspired by four goals Ronaldo to win the Pichichi trophy as Atletico Real Celta Vigo Celta Vigo Granada beyond his goals and 16 assists. be the player who is keenest to throw game, Suarez has been irrepressible, Madrid Madrid beleaguered coach Rafael Benitez never and three assists from Suarez. La Liga’s top scorer in seven years. recovered. For Suarez is the hardest working of himself into any physical battle. scoring six league hat-tricks and dom- the feted MSN partnership he forms with “What Luis Suarez does for us — not inating games. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 13

Suarez demonstrates his fortytude!

UIS Suarez has progressed from Messi and Neymar, a trio who have deliv- just his goals, but his work and charac- his impressive debut La Liga cam- ered 90 of Barcelona’s 112 league goals. ter — is why we decided to sign him,” Lpaign to produce the most prolific He is also the most willing to close said Barca manager Luis Enrique. season of his career and fire Barcelona down opponents and run into space “There’s no other forward in the world ššFrom left, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi scored 90 of Barcelona’s 112 league goals to lead their title charge. to a second straight title. like him. He’s a vital player for us.” It was fitting that the Uruguayan With Messi missing for two months should score a hat-trick in the com- Suarez is the first player with a knee injury and Neymar’s form BARCA’S CRUCIAL TRIUMPHS fortable 3-0 victory at Granada last week dropping dramatically in the final two to clinch the title, taking his tally to 40 other than Ronaldo and months, Suarez has been the most con- goals in 35 games. Messi to finish as La Liga sistent of the three attackers. He has April 20, 2016 May 14, 2016 He is the first player other than Cristiano top scorer since 2009. also played more minutes than any Having suffered three consecutive Suarez was the hero once more as he league defeats for the first time in struck a hat-trick to take his tally for Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to finish as Barca player. 13 years, Barca bounced back in 3-0 the season to 59 and become the first La Liga top scorer since 2009, but his Ever since scoring in a 1-0 win at stunning fashion with a demolition vs player other than Messi or Cristiano contribution to Barca’s triumph goes and, naturally, he has shown himself to Athletic Bilbao in Barca’s opening league of Deportivo inspired by four goals Granada Ronaldo to win the Pichichi trophy as and three assists from Suarez. La Liga’s top scorer in seven years. beyond his goals and 16 assists. be the player who is keenest to throw game, Suarez has been irrepressible, For Suarez is the hardest working of himself into any physical battle. scoring six league hat-tricks and dom- the feted MSN partnership he forms with “What Luis Suarez does for us — not inating games. 14 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 15 Football

RESULTS BEST GOALS Arsenal bt Aston Villa 4-0 Arsenal finish second Chelsea drew Leicester 1-1 his team’s 3-1 against Crystal Everton bt Norwich 3-0 Palace in January confirmed Newcastle bt Tottenham 5- 1 his emergence as the most Southampton bt Cry Palace 4- 1 exciting young talent. In the as Tottenham falter Stoke City bt West Ham 2-1 84th minute, and with the Swansea drew Man City 1-1 score 1-1, Harry Kane’s cross Watford drew Sunderland 2-2 field pass to the left flank West Brom drew Liverpool 1-1 was headed back to Alli by RSENAL’S difficult season City, 10 points adrift of the champions. Christian Eriksen. He took one touch to keep the ball airborne ended with a smile when Ol- Wenger has been heavily criticised STANDINGS CHRISTIAN and another to flick it over the ivier Giroud’s hat-trick lifted during a campaign in which Arsenal A As of Sunday BENTEKE head of Mile Jedinak and, then them to a 4-0 win over Aston Villa last led the table at the start of the year and, Leicester 38 23 12 3 68 36 81 Liverpool smashed a crisp right-foot volley into the bottom-left Sunday that secured second place in Arsenal 38 20 11 7 65 36 71 Belgium striker Christian corner. the English Premier League table. Tottenham 38 19 13 6 69 35 70 Benteke endured a dismal Man City 38 19 9 10 71 41 66 Arsene Wenger’s team took advan- debut season at Liverpool Arsenal said farewell Southampton 38 18 9 11 59 41 63 tage of Tottenham Hotspur’s 5-1 defeat following his £32.5m transfer to two long-serving Man United 37 18 9 10 46 34 63 from Aston Villa, but he netted at Newcastle United to finish in the West Ham 38 16 14 8 65 51 62 a stupendous scissors kick top two for the first time since 2005. players, Tomas Rosicky Liverpool 38 16 12 10 63 50 60 in their 1-3 defeat against French striker Giroud put Arsenal and Mikel Arteta. Stoke City 38 14 9 15 41 55 51 Manchester United at Old Chelsea 38 12 14 12 59 53 50 Trafford in September after ahead after five minutes with a neat Everton 38 11 14 13 59 55 47 substitute Jordon Ibe sent a header from Nacho Monreal’s cross and Swansea 38 12 11 15 42 52 47 cross into the box from the ššLeicester manager Claudio Ranieri walks out to a guard of honour from the Chelsea players and staff before their game at Stamford Bridge. the home team dominated possession. with their traditional rivals struggling, Watford 38 12 9 17 40 50 45 right that was headed into the Giroud added Arsenal’s second goal appeared to have their best chance of West Brom 38 10 13 15 34 48 43 air by United centre-back Daley Crystal Palace 38 11 9 18 39 51 42 Blind at the near post. 12 minutes from time before completing winning the league for the first time JAMIE VARDY Bournemouth 37 11 9 17 44 64 42 Leicester his hat-trick with a fine left-footed finish. since 2004. Sunderland 38 9 12 17 48 62 39 Mark Bunn diverted Mikel Arteta’s shot Meanwhile, Arsenal said farewell to Newcastle 38 9 10 19 44 65 37 The pick of Jamie Vardy’s 24 goals, which fired Leicester to into his own net in stoppage time as two long-serving midfield players, Czech Norwich 38 9 7 22 39 67 34 Aston Villa 38 3 8 27 27 76 17 the title, was a thunderbolt at Arsenal finished runners-up to Leicester Tomas Rosicky and Spaniard Arteta. the King Power Stadium that inspired his side to 2-0 victory over Liverpool. Riyad Mahrez released Vardy with a high ball from deep inside his own half. The England international striker, running in behind CUCO MARTINA Mamadou Sakho, allowed the DEAD MAN FLYING! Southampton ball to bounce once before unleashing a ferocious, dipping Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri gets a champion’s welcome at his former club Chelsea. Cuco Martina opened the shot that flashed over Simon scoring in memorable fashion Mignolet and into the net. in Southampton’s stunning 4-0 demolition of Arsenal to HE “dead man” walked back into in 2004 to take over from Ranieri. League semifinals under Abramovich, become the first player from the Stamford Bridge last Sunday So, surely, the Italian could have been was at his diplomatically charming best Curacao to score in the English top flight. Ryan Bertrand’s Tand was offered the warmest forgiven for feeling just a smidgeon of as he lapped up all the fuss before and cross from the left was headed welcome by his old executioner, who satisfaction that he was now back at the after the 1-1 draw. clear at the near post by Per was now happy to embrace him as a Bridge in charge of the fairytale outsid- Asked what the Russian owner had Mertesacker, but Martina “champion”. said to him, Ranieri said, “Welcome to Next season will be brilliantly used the outside of his right foot to steer the ball Twelve years since Claudio Ranieri the champions!” difficult. This was a home. called himself “a dead man walking” Ranieri had taken Ranieri and his side were given a guard fairytale. I hope the next when recognising sagely that new Chelsea of honour by the Chelsea players and one won’t be a nightmare. DIMITRI PAYET owner Roman Abramovich would sack Chelsea to second in he was then presented with a silver sal- We’ll continue to fight. West Ham him as manager, the Italian returned the EPL and Champions ver from the Blues’ former Italian goal- Claudio Ranieri, Dimitri Payet turned the Boleyn to his old club as the all-conquering League semifinals. keeper Carlo Cudicini. Leicester City manager. Ground into his own personal hero of Leicester City. playground following his close- There certainly appeared to be no season move from Marseille. EPL TOP SCORERS Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy The France international scored hard feelings as Ranieri admitted that, ers Leicester, who had, quite astound- his best goal in last month’s 25 Harry Kane Tottenham Vardy has been named Premier League along with all Chelsea fans and play- ingly, taken Chelsea’s title. Jamie Vardy Leicester 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. 24 Player of the Season after his ers, Abramovich had given him a “fan- Of course, Ranieri is better than that, Sergio Aguero Man City From a free-kick around 22 Romelu Lukaku Everton Player pivotal role in their title-winning yards, Payet used his right tastic welcome back”. though. The man, who was a popular 18 DELE ALLI 17 Riyad Mahrez Leicester campaign. The East Midlands club, Tottenham instep to whip a magnificent, Earlier this season, Abramovich had for figure with Chelsea fans, taking them 16 Olivier Giroud Arsenal of the which announced the award in a curling shot over the wall and Jermain Defoe Sunderland tweet, defied the odds to lift their ššOlivier Giroud scores Arsenal’s first goal against Aston Villa. Dele Alli’s sensational effort in into the top-right corner. the second time sacked Jose Mourinho, to a runner’s up spot in the English 15 the chosen one he had earmarked back Premier League and the Champions Odion Ighalo Watford Season first top-flight crown.

BEST MATCHES

Leicester City Liverpool beat Liverpool drew Newcastle drew Leicester City Pellegrini aims parting shot at City beat Man City 3-1 Norwich City 5-4 Arsenal 3-3 Man United 3-3 beat Aston Villa 3-2 Rarely can a goal from Sergio Aguero Liverpool took the lead through Few teams in the league can surpass The match was a six-goal thriller. Claudio Ranieri’s side gave an early have been greeted with such apathy, Roberto Firmino before Norwich Arsenal for their jarring ability to Wayne Rooney’s penalty and Jesse indication of their title credentials with ANUEL Pellegrini aimed what at Swansea City in his final game in final charge had fallen flat. but the sound of the Manchester City hit back with goals from Dieumerci combine moments of jaw-dropping Lingard’s strike seemingly put Man a stirring September fight back. Villa felt like a surprise parting shot charge to outline his belief that their “One of the most difficult things to -fin star’s irrelevant late strike barely being Mbokani and Steven Naismith before brilliance and astounding ineptitude. United in control before Georginio should have strolled to victory after Mat Manchester City last Sunday form dropped amid a changed atmos- ish this season was after they announced acknowledged by the chastened half-time. Wes Hoolahan’s penalty Liverpool playmaker Roberto Firmino Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic’s doubling the lead they held at half- home support told the story of a gave them a 3-1 lead, but Liverpool scored twice in the first 20 minutes penalty levelled the scores. Rooney’s time through Carles Gil’s 63rd-minute by saying his life had been made difficult phere at the club. this club will change manager next sea- defining day in the title race. It was scored three in 20 minutes from either side of Aaron Ramsey’s equaliser sublime long-range second restored goal, but Richie de Laet and Jamie by the club’s decision to announce in During the campaign the dignified son,” said Pellegrini. “Of course, it’s clear Claudio Ranieri’s side were more Jordan Henderson, Firmino and for Arsenal. Olivier Giroud netted his side’s advantage in the 79th, only Vardy equalised before Nathan Dyer’s February that Pep Guardiola would take Chilean had been keen to play down not easy when you’re at that moment than capable of completing their James Milner with 15 minutes to go. twice for the Gunners to put them 3-2 for Newcastle defender Paul Dummett 89th minute strike left Villa in a spot over as manager next season. the idea that the early revelation of involved in all competitions for the fairytale title bid. Robert Huth gave the Sebastien Bassong looked to have ahead by the 55th, but Liverpool’s Joe to salvage a draw in the last minute. of bother. Foxes an early lead and Riyad Mahrez rescued a point for Norwich in the Allen slammed home a 90th-minute Pellegrini chose the moment City the Spaniard’s arrival had derailed his players to read every day that ‘11 play- doubled the lead before Huth sealed 92nd, but substitute Adam Lallana equaliser. sealed fourth place in the English team’s progress. But last week, Pellegrini ers will go out, these are coming, these the points. volleyed home a 95th-minute winner. ššManuel Pellegrini Premiership League with a 1-1 draw sounded frustrated that his planned are finished’.” Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 15

DIMITRI PAYET West Ham

Dimitri Payet turned the Boleyn Ground into his own personal playground following his close- season move from Marseille. The France international scored his best goal in last month’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. From a free-kick around 22 DELE ALLI yards, Payet used his right Tottenham instep to whip a magnificent, curling shot over the wall and ššOlivier Giroud scores Arsenal’s first goal against Aston Villa. Dele Alli’s sensational effort in into the top-right corner.

BEST MATCHES

Leicester City Liverpool beat Liverpool drew Newcastle drew Leicester City beat Man City 3-1 Norwich City 5-4 Arsenal 3-3 Man United 3-3 beat Aston Villa 3-2 Rarely can a goal from Sergio Aguero Liverpool took the lead through Few teams in the league can surpass The match was a six-goal thriller. Claudio Ranieri’s side gave an early have been greeted with such apathy, Roberto Firmino before Norwich Arsenal for their jarring ability to Wayne Rooney’s penalty and Jesse indication of their title credentials with but the sound of the Manchester City hit back with goals from Dieumerci combine moments of jaw-dropping Lingard’s strike seemingly put Man a stirring September fight back. Villa star’s irrelevant late strike barely being Mbokani and Steven Naismith before brilliance and astounding ineptitude. United in control before Georginio should have strolled to victory after acknowledged by the chastened half-time. Wes Hoolahan’s penalty Liverpool playmaker Roberto Firmino Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic’s doubling the lead they held at half- home support told the story of a gave them a 3-1 lead, but Liverpool scored twice in the first 20 minutes penalty levelled the scores. Rooney’s time through Carles Gil’s 63rd-minute defining day in the title race. It was scored three in 20 minutes from either side of Aaron Ramsey’s equaliser sublime long-range second restored goal, but Richie de Laet and Jamie clear Claudio Ranieri’s side were more Jordan Henderson, Firmino and for Arsenal. Olivier Giroud netted his side’s advantage in the 79th, only Vardy equalised before Nathan Dyer’s than capable of completing their James Milner with 15 minutes to go. twice for the Gunners to put them 3-2 for Newcastle defender Paul Dummett 89th minute strike left Villa in a spot fairytale title bid. Robert Huth gave the Sebastien Bassong looked to have ahead by the 55th, but Liverpool’s Joe to salvage a draw in the last minute. of bother. Foxes an early lead and Riyad Mahrez rescued a point for Norwich in the Allen slammed home a 90th-minute doubled the lead before Huth sealed 92nd, but substitute Adam Lallana equaliser. the points. volleyed home a 95th-minute winner. 16 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 17 Football

RESULTS Ibra breaks PSG SERIE A Chievo Verona drew Bologna 0-0 scoring record Guardiola signs off Empoli bt Torino 2-1 Genoa lost to Atalanta 1-2 ARIS Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Lazio lost to Fiorentina 2-4 Palermo bt Verona 3-2 Ibrahimovic celebrated his last in style at Bayern Udinese lost to Carpi 1-2 Pgame at the Parc des Princes by AC Milan lost to AS Roma 1-3 breaking the club’s goal record in a top- ššRobert Lewandowski Juventus bt Sampdoria 5-0 flight season in the French champions’ EP Guardiola signed off his three Napoli bt Frosinone 4-0 Sassuolo bt Inter Milan 3-1 4-0 win against Nantes last week. years in the Bundesliga in style as The Spaniard received a BUNDESLIGA The Sweden striker, whose contract PBayern Munich scored a 3-1 win Lewandowski Mainz drew Hertha 0-0 with PSG has not been renewed, scored over bottom-side Hanover last week. standing ovation after Leverkusen bt Ingolstadt 3-2 a double to take his tally to 38 goals, The Bavarians had sealed their 26th Bayern Munich bt Hanover 3-1 a presentation from the tops ’em all Dortmund drew Cologne 2-2 one more than Carlos Bianchi’s tally German league title in the previous 75,000 fans. Augsburg lost to Hamburg 1-3 in the 1977-78 season. round itself and their 28th win in 34 AYERN Munich striker Robert Hoffenheim lost to Schalke 1-4 The game was briefly interrupted league games triggered party scenes Lewandowski netted his 30th Darmstadt lost to Moen’gladbach 0-2 Wolfsburg bt Stuttgart 3-1 in the 10th minute as the crowd gave at the Allianz Arena. Manchester City next season. BBundesliga goal of the season Werder Bremen bt Frankfurt 1-0 Ibrahimovic a standing ovation. The Spaniard received a standing “It has been a great day. Normally, to finish as the top scorer for the sec- LIGUE 1 He will play his last game with PSG ovation after a presentation from the games like these are unpleasant and ond time. Angers lost to Toulouse 2-3 when they take on Olympique Marseille 75,000 fans as Bayern became the first boring because the concentration is The Poland hot-shot reached the Monaco bt Montpellier 2-0 Caen bt Bordeaux 1-0 in the French Cup final on May 21. club to win the Bundesliga four times lacking a bit, but that was a great game 30-goal landmark in giving Bayern an En Avant lost to Nice 2-3 in a row. with a lot of intensity,” said Guardiola. early lead at the Allianz Arena against Troyes drew Marseille 1-1 This was Guardiola’s 20th trophy His final game as Bayern coach will be Hanover. Lorient bt Ajaccio 1-0 as a coach after 14 in four years with the German Cup final against Borussia Lewandowski’s tally saw him fin- PSG bt Nantes 4-0 Rennes lost to Bastia 1-2 Barcelona and now six in three years Dortmund on May 21 in Berlin where his ish five clear of nearest rival Pierre- St Etienne lost to Lille 0-1 in Munich before leaving to coach side could send him off with a double. Emerick Aubameyang, who scored 25 Reims bt Oly Lyon 4-1 league goals for second-placed Borussia Dortmund. STANDINGS SERIE A AFP/Peter Steffen AFP/Peter Lewandowski, who will lead Poland Juventus 38 29 4 5 75 20 91 ššVfB Stuttgart coach Jurgen Kramny consoles the players after their loss to Wolfsburg. at Euro 2016 in France next month, is Napoli 38 25 7 6 80 32 82 the first foreign striker to score 30 goals AS Roma 38 23 11 4 83 41 80 Inter Milan 38 20 7 11 50 38 67 in the German league. Fiorentina 38 18 10 10 60 42 64 It is also the first time a player has Sassuolo 38 16 13 9 49 40 61 reached the magic mark since Cologne’s AC Milan 38 15 12 11 49 43 57 ššZlatan Ibrahimovic Dieter Mueller scored 30 in the 1976- Lazio 38 15 9 14 52 52 54 Chievo Verona 38 13 11 14 43 45 50 77 season. Empoli 38 12 10 16 40 49 46 Lewandowski will also receive the Genoa 38 13 7 18 45 48 46 Bundesliga’s Golden Cannon for the Torino 38 12 9 17 52 55 45 second time in his career having scored Atalanta 38 11 12 15 41 47 45 ‘Not keen to play Stuttgart slip Bologna 38 11 9 18 33 45 42 20 goals for Borussia Dortmund in the Sampdoria 38 10 10 18 48 61 40 again for France’ 2013-14 season. Palermo 38 10 9 19 38 65 39 Ex-Manchester United striker Javier Udinese 38 10 9 19 35 60 39 Carpi 38 9 11 18 37 57 38 RANCE international Franck Hernandez finished fourth, just behind Frosinone 38 8 7 23 35 76 31 Ribery said he had no desire to Bayern’s Thomas Mueller, as he scored Verona 38 5 13 20 34 63 28 Freturn to the national side despite 17 goals in his first season at Bayer BUNDESLIGA rumours that he had been keen to earn ššPep Guardiola holds the Bundesliga shield. Leverkusen. Bayern Munich 34 28 4 2 80 17 88 Dortmund 34 24 6 4 82 34 78 a place in the European Champion- to second tier Leverkusen 34 18 6 10 56 40 60 ship squad. Moen’gladbach 34 17 4 13 67 50 55 The Bayern Munich forward retired The former champions get relegated after losing at Wolfsburg while Schalke 34 15 7 12 51 49 52 from international game ahead of the Mainz 34 14 8 12 46 42 50 Hertha 34 14 8 12 42 42 50 2014 World Cup, but had rediscovered Werder Bremen beat Frankfurt to avoid drop. Italy coach Conte acquitted of fixing Wolfsburg 34 12 9 13 47 49 45 his fitness in the Bundesliga in recent Cologne 34 10 13 11 38 42 43 months. Hamburg 34 11 8 15 40 46 41 “I’ve no desire to play for France,” clubs faced their second relegation “The relegation hits us very hard. We’ll N ITALIAN judge last Monday The inquiry followed alleged attempts Ingolstadt 34 10 10 14 33 42 40 Augsburg 34 9 11 14 42 52 38 said Ribery. Karolos Grohmann after 1975. now need some time to process all of acquitted Antonio Conte, the to manipulate matches in Serie B, the Werder Bremen 34 10 8 16 50 65 38 “I told coach (Didier) Deschamps Daniel Didavi’s 78th-minute goal gave this. We had enough chances in the Afuture coach of English Premier Italian second division, and the third- Darmstadt 98 34 9 11 14 38 53 38 that he must take the best players to them a glimmer of hope, but Andre past weeks to get points, but failed to League club Chelsea, for allegedly do- tier Lega Pro during the 2010-11 sea- Hoffenheim 34 9 10 15 39 54 37 Frankfurt 34 9 9 16 34 52 36 the Euro, but not that I want to return Schuerrle sealed Wolfsburg’s win in grab them.” ing nothing to halt a 2011 match-fixing son, with some Coppa Italia matches Stuttgart 34 9 6 19 50 75 33 to the national team. I left that chapter ORMER champions VfB Stuttgart the final minute with his second goal Borussia Moenchengladbach sealed scandal while he was in charge of Siena. also involved. Hanover 34 7 4 23 31 62 25 behind me with my resignation in 2014, were relegated from the Bun- of the game. fourth place with a 2-0 win at Darmstadt Conte, who will coach Italy’s national Meanwhile, Carpi were relegated after LIGUE 1 and since then I’ve only thought of my Fdesliga for the first time in 41 98 and will go into the Champions squad during this year’s European just one season in Serie A despite a 2-1 PSG 38 30 6 2 102 19 96 Oly Lyon 38 19 8 11 67 43 65 career at Bayern,” he added. years after losing 1-3 at VfL Wolfsburg League playoffs. Championship before taking up his win at Udinese last Sunday with their Monaco 38 17 14 7 57 50 65 šAntonio Conte last week. Moenchengladbach Borussia Dortmund, 10 points behind new post at Chelsea, was acquitted š swift return to the second tier con- Nice 38 18 9 11 58 41 63 Werder Bremen staged a last-gasp Bayern in second place, managed a because the accusations of sporting firmed by Palermo’s 3-2 victory over Lille 38 15 15 8 39 27 60 escape with Papy Djilobodji’s 88th- sealed fourth place 2-2 draw at home to Cologne while fraud were baseless, Judge Pierpaolo Hellas Verona. St Etienne 38 17 7 14 42 37 58 with a 2-0 win against Caen 38 16 6 16 39 52 54 minute strike giving them a 1-0 win Bayer Leverkusen, who secured third Beluzzi said. Tiny Carpi were playing in the fifth Rennes 38 13 13 12 52 54 52 over visiting relegation rivals Eintracht Darmstadt 98. place weeks ago, rounded off the sea- The 46-year-old, who has already It was a full acquittal... division just six seasons ago and despite Angers SCO 38 13 11 14 40 38 50 Frankfurt. son with a 3-2 comeback win over vis- served a four-month match ban imposed What matters is that for rounding off their maiden campaign in Bastia 38 14 8 16 36 42 50 him, this story is over. Bordeaux 38 12 14 12 50 57 50 While Werder kept their place in the itors Ingolstadt. by the Italian football federation (FIGC) the top flight with victory, they ended Montpellier 38 14 7 17 49 47 49 Bundesliga, their opponents go into a The 2007 Bundesliga champions Schalke 04 crushed Hoffenheim 4-1 in connection with the same case, has 18th in the table. They finished a point Marseille 38 10 18 10 48 42 48 playoff against Nuremberg, who fin- ended up with the worst ever defen- away to clinch a Europa League spot. always denied any wrongdoing. adrift of Udinese in 17th and Palermo Nantes 38 12 12 14 33 44 48 ished third in the second division. sive Bundesliga record, having let in 75 Mainz 05 battled to a 0-0 draw at “It was a full acquittal... What mat- Conte played more than 400 games above them. Lorient 38 11 13 14 47 58 46 En Avant 38 11 11 16 47 56 44 Stuttgart, who needed a win to have goals and having also scored a record Hertha Berlin to finish sixth and snatch ters is that for him, this story is over,” for Juventus and went on to manage the Miroslav Klose marked his final Lazio Toulouse 38 9 13 16 45 55 40 a chance at earning the playoff place, seven own goals in the process. the last automatic Europa League spot Francesco Arata, one of Conte’s law- club to three successive Serie A titles outing with a goal but was unable to Reims 38 10 9 19 44 57 39 quickly fell two goals behind in the first “It’s an extremely bitter and sad day,” from the hosts, who will go into the yers, said. “We talked to Conte on the from 2012 to 2014 before taking over help the Rome club avoid a 2-4 home Ajaccio 38 8 13 17 37 58 37 ššFranck Ribery half as one of the Bundesliga’s founding said Stuttgart coach Juergen Kramny. competition’s qualifying rounds. phone and he was very happy.” Italy’s national squad. defeat by Fiorentina. Troyes 38 3 9 26 28 83 18 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 17

RESULTS SERIE A Chievo Verona drew Bologna 0-0 Guardiola signs off Empoli bt Torino 2-1 Genoa lost to Atalanta 1-2 Lazio lost to Fiorentina 2-4 Palermo bt Verona 3-2 in style at Bayern Udinese lost to Carpi 1-2 AC Milan lost to AS Roma 1-3 ššRobert Lewandowski Juventus bt Sampdoria 5-0 EP Guardiola signed off his three Napoli bt Frosinone 4-0 Sassuolo bt Inter Milan 3-1 years in the Bundesliga in style as The Spaniard received a BUNDESLIGA PBayern Munich scored a 3-1 win Lewandowski Mainz drew Hertha 0-0 over bottom-side Hanover last week. standing ovation after Leverkusen bt Ingolstadt 3-2 The Bavarians had sealed their 26th Bayern Munich bt Hanover 3-1 a presentation from the tops ’em all Dortmund drew Cologne 2-2 German league title in the previous 75,000 fans. Augsburg lost to Hamburg 1-3 round itself and their 28th win in 34 AYERN Munich striker Robert Hoffenheim lost to Schalke 1-4 league games triggered party scenes Lewandowski netted his 30th Darmstadt lost to Moen’gladbach 0-2 Wolfsburg bt Stuttgart 3-1 at the Allianz Arena. Manchester City next season. BBundesliga goal of the season Werder Bremen bt Frankfurt 1-0 The Spaniard received a standing “It has been a great day. Normally, to finish as the top scorer for the sec- LIGUE 1 ovation after a presentation from the games like these are unpleasant and ond time. Angers lost to Toulouse 2-3 75,000 fans as Bayern became the first boring because the concentration is The Poland hot-shot reached the Monaco bt Montpellier 2-0 Caen bt Bordeaux 1-0 club to win the Bundesliga four times lacking a bit, but that was a great game 30-goal landmark in giving Bayern an En Avant lost to Nice 2-3 in a row. with a lot of intensity,” said Guardiola. early lead at the Allianz Arena against Troyes drew Marseille 1-1 This was Guardiola’s 20th trophy His final game as Bayern coach will be Hanover. Lorient bt Ajaccio 1-0 as a coach after 14 in four years with the German Cup final against Borussia Lewandowski’s tally saw him fin- PSG bt Nantes 4-0 Rennes lost to Bastia 1-2 Barcelona and now six in three years Dortmund on May 21 in Berlin where his ish five clear of nearest rival Pierre- St Etienne lost to Lille 0-1 in Munich before leaving to coach side could send him off with a double. Emerick Aubameyang, who scored 25 Reims bt Oly Lyon 4-1 league goals for second-placed Borussia Dortmund. STANDINGS SERIE A Lewandowski, who will lead Poland Juventus 38 29 4 5 75 20 91 at Euro 2016 in France next month, is Napoli 38 25 7 6 80 32 82 the first foreign striker to score 30 goals AS Roma 38 23 11 4 83 41 80 Inter Milan 38 20 7 11 50 38 67 in the German league. Fiorentina 38 18 10 10 60 42 64 It is also the first time a player has Sassuolo 38 16 13 9 49 40 61 reached the magic mark since Cologne’s AC Milan 38 15 12 11 49 43 57 Dieter Mueller scored 30 in the 1976- Lazio 38 15 9 14 52 52 54 Chievo Verona 38 13 11 14 43 45 50 77 season. Empoli 38 12 10 16 40 49 46 Lewandowski will also receive the Genoa 38 13 7 18 45 48 46 Bundesliga’s Golden Cannon for the Torino 38 12 9 17 52 55 45 second time in his career having scored Atalanta 38 11 12 15 41 47 45 Bologna 38 11 9 18 33 45 42 20 goals for Borussia Dortmund in the Sampdoria 38 10 10 18 48 61 40 2013-14 season. Palermo 38 10 9 19 38 65 39 Ex-Manchester United striker Javier Udinese 38 10 9 19 35 60 39 Carpi 38 9 11 18 37 57 38 Hernandez finished fourth, just behind Frosinone 38 8 7 23 35 76 31 Bayern’s Thomas Mueller, as he scored Verona 38 5 13 20 34 63 28 17 goals in his first season at Bayer BUNDESLIGA ššPep Guardiola holds the Bundesliga shield. Leverkusen. Bayern Munich 34 28 4 2 80 17 88 Dortmund 34 24 6 4 82 34 78 Leverkusen 34 18 6 10 56 40 60 Moen’gladbach 34 17 4 13 67 50 55 Schalke 34 15 7 12 51 49 52 Mainz 34 14 8 12 46 42 50 Hertha 34 14 8 12 42 42 50 Italy coach Conte acquitted of fixing Wolfsburg 34 12 9 13 47 49 45 Cologne 34 10 13 11 38 42 43 Hamburg 34 11 8 15 40 46 41 N ITALIAN judge last Monday The inquiry followed alleged attempts Ingolstadt 34 10 10 14 33 42 40 Augsburg 34 9 11 14 42 52 38 acquitted Antonio Conte, the to manipulate matches in Serie B, the Werder Bremen 34 10 8 16 50 65 38 Afuture coach of English Premier Italian second division, and the third- Darmstadt 98 34 9 11 14 38 53 38 League club Chelsea, for allegedly do- tier Lega Pro during the 2010-11 sea- Hoffenheim 34 9 10 15 39 54 37 Frankfurt 34 9 9 16 34 52 36 ing nothing to halt a 2011 match-fixing son, with some Coppa Italia matches Stuttgart 34 9 6 19 50 75 33 scandal while he was in charge of Siena. also involved. Hanover 34 7 4 23 31 62 25 Conte, who will coach Italy’s national Meanwhile, Carpi were relegated after LIGUE 1 squad during this year’s European just one season in Serie A despite a 2-1 PSG 38 30 6 2 102 19 96 Oly Lyon 38 19 8 11 67 43 65 Championship before taking up his win at Udinese last Sunday with their Monaco 38 17 14 7 57 50 65 new post at Chelsea, was acquitted ššAntonio Conte swift return to the second tier con- Nice 38 18 9 11 58 41 63 because the accusations of sporting firmed by Palermo’s 3-2 victory over Lille 38 15 15 8 39 27 60 fraud were baseless, Judge Pierpaolo Hellas Verona. St Etienne 38 17 7 14 42 37 58 Caen 38 16 6 16 39 52 54 Beluzzi said. Tiny Carpi were playing in the fifth Rennes 38 13 13 12 52 54 52 The 46-year-old, who has already It was a full acquittal... division just six seasons ago and despite Angers SCO 38 13 11 14 40 38 50 served a four-month match ban imposed What matters is that for rounding off their maiden campaign in Bastia 38 14 8 16 36 42 50 him, this story is over. Bordeaux 38 12 14 12 50 57 50 by the Italian football federation (FIGC) the top flight with victory, they ended Montpellier 38 14 7 17 49 47 49 in connection with the same case, has 18th in the table. They finished a point Marseille 38 10 18 10 48 42 48 always denied any wrongdoing. adrift of Udinese in 17th and Palermo Nantes 38 12 12 14 33 44 48 “It was a full acquittal... What mat- Conte played more than 400 games above them. Lorient 38 11 13 14 47 58 46 En Avant 38 11 11 16 47 56 44 ters is that for him, this story is over,” for Juventus and went on to manage the Miroslav Klose marked his final Lazio Toulouse 38 9 13 16 45 55 40 Francesco Arata, one of Conte’s law- club to three successive Serie A titles outing with a goal but was unable to Reims 38 10 9 19 44 57 39 yers, said. “We talked to Conte on the from 2012 to 2014 before taking over help the Rome club avoid a 2-4 home Ajaccio 38 8 13 17 37 58 37 phone and he was very happy.” Italy’s national squad. defeat by Fiorentina. Troyes 38 3 9 26 28 83 18 18 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 19 Football

Scala quits over ‘Bidding for 2026 new Congress World Cup must decision be bullet-proof’

IFA has accepted Domenico Scala’s HE 2026 World Cup bidding resignation as Chairman of its process must be “bullet-proof”, FAudit and Compliance Committee TFIFA President Gianni Infantino with immediate effect, said a statement said last week. Gibraltar and from football’s world governing body “It is absolutely crucial for FIFA’s cred- Kosovo get last week. ibility that we’ve a bullet-proof bidding ”FIFA regrets that Scala has misin- process in place for 2026,” he told the membership terpreted the purpose of the decision annual Congress of world football’s taken by the Congress. It was made to governing body in Mexico City. osovo and Gibraltar were ac- ššFIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho permit the council to appoint mem- Earlier, FIFA announced a four-stage during the opening ceremony of the FIFA Congress in Mexico City. cepted as members of FIFA as bers on an interim basis to the vacant bidding process for the tournament Kfootball’s governing body in- positions of the new committees so with a final decision in May 2020. creased its number of affiliated football that they can start fulfilling their roles associations to 211. FIFA has already as part of the ongoing reform process ššSenegal’s Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura addresses FIFA congress. THE FOUR-PHASE BIDDING FIFA engages legends said that both teams would be able until the next Congress in 2017,” said PROCESS to take part in the 2018 World Cup the statement. 1. A consultation phase that will run until May 2017 qualifying competition, which starts 2. An “enhanced phase for bid preparation” FIFA said the measure allowed for the between June 2017 and December 2018 IFA President Gianni Infantino, And who better than you, given that in September. swift removal of members who have 3. A bid evaluation between January 2019 and in his drive to enhance engage- you have dedicated your lives to either Kosovo, who joined European govern- breached their obligations. February 2020 Fment with key stakeholders in playing or coaching,” said Infantino. ing body UEFA last week, was elected 4. The vote in May 2020. “The council fully respects the inde- The consultation phase will look at four main the game, held a first informal ‘think Former Chelsea and Real Madrid despite strong opposition from Serbia. pendence of the Audit and Compliance areas: tank’ session with the FIFA Legends coach Jose Mourinho welcomed the It was not immediately clear whether and the Ethics committees, and any 1. Human rights and environmental protection team to hear their views on current initiative. “This is the first time that Kosovar players who have already played 2. Ability to exclude bids that do not meet techni- suggestions to the contrary are with- Women’s cal requirements football affairs last week. FIFA has called on players, which is for another national team would be out merit. Scala has made unfounded 3. Review of stance on joint bids “I would like to have your views on great and very much appreciated by allowed to switch nationalities. claims which’re baseless. FIFA is focused 4. Whether to increase the World Cup to 40 teams. topics that are important for football. us,” he said. FIFA rejected an application from the on reform and the path forward as evi- British territory of Gibraltar in 2014, denced by the appointment of a new but the Court of Arbitration for Sport FIFA Secretary General. Pending the (CAS) last week ordered it to recon- appointment of a new Chairman of the sider and accept the request. Audit and Compliance Committee, current Deputy Chairman Sindi Mabaso empowerment Where old habits die hard Koyana will serve as acting head,” it added. FIFA names United Nations’ humanitarian expert Fatma Samba According to FIFA, the appoint- also given $1,000 in spending money. Brian Homewood ments of all members of the its Audit Diouf Samoura of Senegal as its first female secretary general. FIFA sources said that Rooms at the Presidente are booked and Compliance Committee and judi- for about $400 a night. Members of ciary bodies are subject to strict eli- efforts were being made the FIFA Council, the world govern- gibility checks by the independent who has worked on some of the most She speaks French (her mother to persuade delegates to ing body’s board, stayed at the plusher Review Committee, whose members Keir Radnedge challenging issues of our time. tongue), English, Spanish and Italian. In FEW steps from the entrance leave their bubble. Four Seasons hotel where rooms typ- are elected by the Congress. Former “She has a proven ability to build her current UN role, she has wide-rang- to Mexico City’s imposing ically cost $675 a night, according to European Court of Justice Advocate and lead teams, and improve the way ing responsibilities including budgeting, A Presidente Hotel, where FIFA hotel booking websites. General Miguel Poiares Maduro, for- organisations perform. Importantly for human resources, and procurement. delegates stayed during last week’s predecessor. FIFA sources said that efforts were mer Indian High Court judge Mukul IFA took a dramatic step forward FIFA, she also understands that trans- In a statement Samoura said, “Today Congress, a boy of around 10-years- But last week’s Congress in Mexico made to persuade delegates to leave Mudgal and former Sporting Cristal last week by announcing Senegal’s parency and accountability are at the is a wonderful day for me. I’m hon- old was seen selling tamarind balls City looked as extravagant as any held their bubble, but having them walk a Indonesia are President Felipe Cantuarias Salaverry FFatma Samba Diouf Samoura as heart of any well-run and responsible oured to take on the new role. I believe covered in chilli powder from a cart for under Blatter. few hundred yards took some effort. allowed back will form the first independent Review new secretary general in succession organisation. this role is a perfect fit for my skills 10 Mexican pesos ($0.55) each. FIFA confirmed it paid all the expenses Some were seen walking the 500M Committee. to Jerome Valcke at its Congress in “It’s essential for FIFA to incorporate and experience. FIFA is taking a fresh The spicy, tangy sweets are a local for each of its 209 member associations from their hotel to the Congress open- to global fold Earlier last week, Scala, who led Mexico City last week. The role has fresh perspectives, from outside the approach to its work, and I’m eager to specialty yet are unlikely to have been to bring a three-man delegation, flying ing ceremony at the city’s 10,000-seat reforms to clean up scandal-plagued been undertaken on an interim basis traditional pool of football executives, play a role in making that approach tasted by the FIFA delegates. The guests business class and staying in five-star National Auditorium, considered one of NDONESIA’S suspension from in- FIFA, quit, saying its independent by finance director Markus Kattner. as effective and lasting as possible.” of world football, inside the plush hotel, accommodation. Each delegate was the world’s best entertainment venues. ternational football for government watchdog committees had lost their Samoura has been working as United were perhaps sipping lattes for eight Iinterference in the country’s football independence. He said the reform of Nations Development Programme Samoura will undergo times the price. federation has ended after almost a FIFA had been undermined following Resident Representative in Nigeria. FIFA COUNCIL FIFA has often been known for lav- year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino an eligibility check and, The FIFA Council, which replaces the hitherto a resolution by its Congress in Mexico In appointing a black woman from 24-member Executive Committee, is a non-exec- ishing a five-star lifestyle on its dele- said last week. City last week. the developing world, FIFA President all being well, will take utive, supervisory and strategic body that sets the gates and officials. When former pres- However, the FIFA Congress con- vision for FIFA and global football. The final dead- Gianni Infantino, in one fell swoop, over early next month. line to elect the new additional Council members ident Sepp Blatter went to an event in firmed the existing suspensions for has ticked a host of progressive diver- in accordance with the FIFA Statutes and the FIFA Zurich with the city’s mayor, he arrived Kuwait and Benin over government Governance Regulations is September 30, 2016. sity boxes. The first meeting of the Council in its new com- in a chauffeur-driven limousine while interference in their football associ- As required under FIFA statutes, as we continue to restore and rebuild position is scheduled to take place in Zurich on the politician came and went by tram. ations. Samoura will undergo an eligibility our organisation. No one exemplifies October 13 and 14, 2016. But after Gianni Infantino was elected Infantino said the decision on The Council consist of 37 members check and, all being well, will take over what we need more than Fatma does, president of the scandal-plagued body Indonesia, one of Asia’s biggest mar- 1 President, elected by the Congress early next month. and we’re thrilled that she has joined 8 vice-presidents in February, one of his first pledges was kets, was taken by the FIFA Council Infantino praised Samoura’s integrity, our team,” he added. 28 other members to make FIFA more humble, suggest- after the government agreed to lift a and said the FIFA Council was particu- Since starting her UN career as a sen- ing, among other things, that federa- decree considered to constitute unac- larly impressed with her operational ior logistics officer with the World Food CONFEDERATION QUOTA tion officials no longer wore suits to ceptable interference in the football experience, as well as her expertise in Programme in Rome in 1995, Samoura CONMEBOL 1 vice-president and 4 members matches. federation. AFC 1 vice-president and 6 members governance and working in multi-cul- served as country representative or UEFA 3 vice-presidents and 6 members The early signs were promising as “The government of Indonesia has tural environments. director in six countries: Republic of CAF 1 vice-president and 6 members he flew to Britain for his first official advised us that the decree that was caus- Infantino said, “Fatma is a woman Djibouti, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, CONCACAF 1 vice-president and 4 members engagement by a budget airline rather ing the suspension had been lifted,” ššDomenico Scala with international experience and vision Madagascar and Nigeria. OFC 1 vice-president and 2 members than the private plane favoured by his ššDancers perform at the opening ceremony. said Infantino. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 19

‘Bidding for 2026 World Cup must be bullet-proof’

HE 2026 World Cup bidding process must be “bullet-proof”, TFIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week. Gibraltar and “It is absolutely crucial for FIFA’s cred- Kosovo get ibility that we’ve a bullet-proof bidding process in place for 2026,” he told the membership annual Congress of world football’s governing body in Mexico City. osovo and Gibraltar were ac- ššFIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho Earlier, FIFA announced a four-stage during the opening ceremony of the FIFA Congress in Mexico City. cepted as members of FIFA as bidding process for the tournament Kfootball’s governing body in- with a final decision in May 2020. creased its number of affiliated football associations to 211. FIFA has already THE FOUR-PHASE BIDDING FIFA engages legends said that both teams would be able PROCESS to take part in the 2018 World Cup 1. A consultation phase that will run until May 2017 qualifying competition, which starts 2. An “enhanced phase for bid preparation” between June 2017 and December 2018 IFA President Gianni Infantino, And who better than you, given that in September. 3. A bid evaluation between January 2019 and in his drive to enhance engage- you have dedicated your lives to either Kosovo, who joined European govern- February 2020 Fment with key stakeholders in playing or coaching,” said Infantino. ing body UEFA last week, was elected 4. The vote in May 2020. The consultation phase will look at four main the game, held a first informal ‘think Former Chelsea and Real Madrid despite strong opposition from Serbia. areas: tank’ session with the FIFA Legends coach Jose Mourinho welcomed the It was not immediately clear whether 1. Human rights and environmental protection team to hear their views on current initiative. “This is the first time that Kosovar players who have already played 2. Ability to exclude bids that do not meet technical requirements football affairs last week. FIFA has called on players, which is for another national team would be 3. Review of stance on joint bids “I would like to have your views on great and very much appreciated by allowed to switch nationalities. 4. Whether to increase the World Cup to 40 teams. topics that are important for football. us,” he said. FIFA rejected an application from the British territory of Gibraltar in 2014, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last week ordered it to recon- Where old habits die hard sider and accept the request.

also given $1,000 in spending money. Brian Homewood FIFA sources said that Rooms at the Presidente are booked for about $400 a night. Members of efforts were being made the FIFA Council, the world govern- to persuade delegates to ing body’s board, stayed at the plusher FEW steps from the entrance leave their bubble. Four Seasons hotel where rooms typ- to Mexico City’s imposing ically cost $675 a night, according to A Presidente Hotel, where FIFA hotel booking websites. delegates stayed during last week’s predecessor. FIFA sources said that efforts were Congress, a boy of around 10-years- But last week’s Congress in Mexico made to persuade delegates to leave old was seen selling tamarind balls City looked as extravagant as any held their bubble, but having them walk a Indonesia are covered in chilli powder from a cart for under Blatter. few hundred yards took some effort. allowed back 10 Mexican pesos ($0.55) each. FIFA confirmed it paid all the expenses Some were seen walking the 500M The spicy, tangy sweets are a local for each of its 209 member associations from their hotel to the Congress open- to global fold specialty yet are unlikely to have been to bring a three-man delegation, flying ing ceremony at the city’s 10,000-seat tasted by the FIFA delegates. The guests business class and staying in five-star National Auditorium, considered one of NDONESIA’S suspension from in- of world football, inside the plush hotel, accommodation. Each delegate was the world’s best entertainment venues. ternational football for government were perhaps sipping lattes for eight Iinterference in the country’s football times the price. federation has ended after almost a FIFA has often been known for lav- year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino ishing a five-star lifestyle on its dele- said last week. gates and officials. When former pres- However, the FIFA Congress con- ident Sepp Blatter went to an event in firmed the existing suspensions for Zurich with the city’s mayor, he arrived Kuwait and Benin over government in a chauffeur-driven limousine while interference in their football associ- the politician came and went by tram. ations. But after Gianni Infantino was elected Infantino said the decision on president of the scandal-plagued body Indonesia, one of Asia’s biggest mar- in February, one of his first pledges was kets, was taken by the FIFA Council to make FIFA more humble, suggest- after the government agreed to lift a ing, among other things, that federa- decree considered to constitute unac- tion officials no longer wore suits to ceptable interference in the football matches. federation. The early signs were promising as “The government of Indonesia has he flew to Britain for his first official advised us that the decree that was caus- engagement by a budget airline rather ing the suspension had been lifted,” than the private plane favoured by his ššDancers perform at the opening ceremony. said Infantino. 2015-16 LA LIGA FC BARCELONA CHAMPIONS

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

AFP/ Jorge Guerrero AFP/ Jorge Guerrero 22 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 23 Hockey

One tends to believe that hockey is played only by expatriates in Qatar, but Going through turf times! a lot of nationals are also

DSP Photo taking it up. The schools are also showing great Qatar Hockey Federation’s Technical Director Maggid Abu Taleb speaks about the need to keep the the country in the last 10 years. Several šЂFrom left, Qatar Hockey Federation Development Director Mohammed Al Enazi, former Oman Qataris are showing interest while the Hockey Federation General Secretary Mohammed Redha Al Lawati and Hassan Al Qadi. interest. We help them by passion alive at a time when the sport is suffering due to lack of infrastructure. national team has done reasonably well our coaches to train their in regional tournaments. Qatar won a physical education teachers. bronze at the West Asia Cup in 2013. Hassan Al Qadi, ЂЂOutdoor hockey hasn’t happened ЃЂSchools are the backbone of any devel- We also finished runners-up in the ‘We’re working hard Qatar Hockey Federation President. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW for almost two years now... opment project. The QHF is focusing on Qatar Friendship Cup, which also fea- ЃЂWe don’t have any outdoor facilities spreading the game using schools’ indoor tured Pakistan, India and Malaysia. right now. The basic need is synthetic facilities. A lot of schools have been par- Last year, at the Asia Cup (indoor) in to develop the sport’ turf. But the QHF can’t sit waiting for a ticipating in our annual festival, which Doha, Qatar came third on their debut. Mohammad Amin-ul Islam new venue. Hence we decided to host started in 2013 as an 18-team affair. In Our target is to qualify for next year’s LIST OF SCHOOLS Al Andalus our activities indoors by starting a league 2014, 10 were added. World Cup. HE launch of the Qatar Hockey further reach out to schools. Abdul Rahman bin Jasim Last year 13 more joined while this Federation (QHF) in 2009 gave “In seven years after the QHF was Dukhan English ЂЂDo you think international events time we’re expecting 18 additional Tthe sport a big fillip in the coun- formed, we’ve achieved that target. We’re Ali bin Abu Talib HE demolition of the Al Rayyan The QHF is focusing on schools. We’re hoping to see hockey are needed to popularise the sport? try. working hard to develop the sport at Doha Independent Stadium, which housed the only included in the QOC’s Schools Olympic DSP Photo ЃЂYes, definitely. In the past, when we In 2012, the Qatar national team played the grass-roots level. Al Karana Independent spreading the game Tsynthetic turf in Qatar, in 2014 Programme next year. had astroturf field at the Rayyan Stadium, their first-ever Tests against Oman and “We’re starting an educational pro- Khalid bin Walid FROM THE ALBUM has brought outdoor hockey action to using schools’ indoor the QHF had organised several interna- Brazil. Subsequently, Qatar also hosted gramme for teachers of 18 schools in Abu Bakr Al Siddiq a halt, but it has not stopped the Qatar facilities. ЂЂAre the universities involved? tional competitions. They really helped several international competitions. June with the co-operation of the Asian Imam Shafi’i Independent Five big events Qatar hosted at the Abi Obaida Independent Hockey Federation (QHF) from doing ЃЂYes, the QHF is also working with some popularise the game. It’s one way to boost “One tends to believe that hockey Hockey Federation and FIH Academy. Al Rayyan Stadium. Al Shamal Independent its bit to keep the game alive. of the universities to promote the game. the sport’s profile. is played in Qatar only by expatriates. We’ll invite the teachers to join our basic December, 2006 Asian Games Al Jamilah Independent Two years after the last Qatar League last year. This year, Qatar University qualified for The federation is trying to bid for Actually, a lot of Qataris are taking it up. Level 1 course. The best teachers will be Al Razi Independent was held, the QHF started the indoor With the Qatar Olympic Committee’s the quarterfinal of the league. They’ve a 2008-14 Qatar League next year’s Asia Cup (indoor). If it mate- Schools are also showing great interest. selected and sent abroad for advanced Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib Independent league at the German International (QOC) support, and the co-operation of good side and, if encouraged well, they January, 2010 Pakistan vs the Netherlands rialises, it’ll be a great opportunity We help them by sending our coaches courses,” Al Qadi said. Al Yarmouk Independent School. the Aspire Zone and several schools, the can do well in future tournaments. four-match Test series to take the sport to the next level. We to train their physical education teach- “We want to have zonal teams and Al Shahania Independent QHF Technical Director Maggid Abu sport is kept still alive in the country. hope to have a synthetic turf soon. Then ers,” said QHF President Hassan Al Qadi, annual competitions besides the inter- Rawdat Rashid Independent November, 2012 FIH World League Taleb spoke to Doha Stadium Plus about ЂЂDo you think Qatar hockey is on we can resume our outdoor league as adding that one of their aims was to school league,” added Al Qadi. DSP Al Zubaira Independent its development programme and the ЂЂCan you tell us about the QHF’s the right path? December, 2012 Asian Champions Trophy well as host international tourna- sport’s future overall. development programme? ЃЂYes, the sport has developed a lot in ments. DSP Wanderers and QHF helps players gain Al Shamal ‘A’ Polish experience enter semifinal

ANDERERS, Mesaieed HE Memorandum of Under- Hockey Club, Al Shamal standing signed by the Qatar W‘A’ and Al Shamal ‘B’ quali- THockey Federation (QHF) and fied for the Qatar League (indoor) Wielkopolska, Poland, has helped some semifinal last week. national players to feature in the Pol- Mesaieed will face Al Shamal ‘B’ in ish League. the first semifinal while Wanderers Qatar international Sohail Mustafa take on Al Shamal ‘A’ in the other last- represented WKS Gurnwald Poznan four clash on Thursday. who played in the quarterfinal of the United Hockey Qatar, Sri Lanka Europe Hockey League in Amsterdam, Malays, Gateway Hockey Club, Doha Hockey has developed a lot the Netherlands, in March. Hockey Club and Qatar University were in the country in the last 10 “Playing in Europe will help the boys the other teams divided into two groups years. Several Qataris are gain a lot of experience. The game is still played in a round-robin league.

showing interest while the in its adolescence in Qatar and such DSP Photo The top four teams from each group national team has done opportunities are good for them,” said šЂMohammed Abdul Nazer qualified for the quarterfinals while reasonably well in regional QHF General Secretary Mohammed Gateway HC finished last in their group. tournaments. Qatar won a Abdul Nazer. Defending champions Wanderers, bronze at the West Asia Cup Poland finished second in 2003, 2007 shape,” said QHF Technical Director who have won the outdoor league a in 2013. We also finished and 2011 at the indoor World Cups and Maggid Abu Taleb. record four time, may prove quite a runners-up in the Qatar they are one of the best teams in out- Meanwhile, Qatar will vie for hon- handful for Al Shamal ‘A’ in the semi- Friendship Cup, which also door version. ours in the 50th Pragchoma Cup in final after crushing United HC 12-1 in featured Pakistan, India and “We can’t stop our activities just Prague, Czech Republic, in November. the quarterfinal last week. DSP Malaysia. because we don’t have an outdoor They will also take part in the Moscow venue. We want our players to get bet- Elktrostal Cup, in December, where they QUARTERFINAL RESULTS Maggid Abu Taleb, Qatar Hockey ter by engaging throughout the year. will play friendlies against Russia, Iran Federation technical director. Al Shamal A bt Qatar University 10-5 By playing in European league for 10 and Kazakhstan. It will be followed by Wanderers bt United Hockey Qatar 12-1 months in a season which is about the Poland Friendship Cup. Qatar will Mesaieed HC bt Sri Lanka Malays 8-6

DSP Photo 44 weeks of action both indoor and also be seen in action in the Mason Cup Al Shamal B bt Doha Hockey Club 6-5 šЂMaggid Abu Taleb discusses a point with Qatar team players. outdoor, our players will be in better in Denmark next January. DSP 3-3 after regulation time. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 23

One tends to believe that hockey is played only by expatriates in Qatar, but Going through turf times! a lot of nationals are also

DSP Photo taking it up. The schools are also showing great the country in the last 10 years. Several šЂFrom left, Qatar Hockey Federation Development Director Mohammed Al Enazi, former Oman Qataris are showing interest while the Hockey Federation General Secretary Mohammed Redha Al Lawati and Hassan Al Qadi. interest. We help them by national team has done reasonably well our coaches to train their in regional tournaments. Qatar won a physical education teachers. bronze at the West Asia Cup in 2013. Hassan Al Qadi, We also finished runners-up in the ‘We’re working hard Qatar Hockey Federation President. Qatar Friendship Cup, which also featured Pakistan, India and Malaysia. Last year, at the Asia Cup (indoor) in to develop the sport’ Doha, Qatar came third on their debut. Our target is to qualify for next year’s LIST OF SCHOOLS Al Andalus World Cup. HE launch of the Qatar Hockey further reach out to schools. Abdul Rahman bin Jasim Federation (QHF) in 2009 gave “In seven years after the QHF was Dukhan English ЂЂDo you think international events Tthe sport a big fillip in the coun- formed, we’ve achieved that target. We’re Ali bin Abu Talib are needed to popularise the sport? try. working hard to develop the sport at Doha Independent ЃЂYes, definitely. In the past, when we In 2012, the Qatar national team played the grass-roots level. Al Karana Independent had astroturf field at the Rayyan Stadium, their first-ever Tests against Oman and “We’re starting an educational pro- Khalid bin Walid the QHF had organised several interna- Brazil. Subsequently, Qatar also hosted gramme for teachers of 18 schools in Abu Bakr Al Siddiq tional competitions. They really helped several international competitions. June with the co-operation of the Asian Imam Shafi’i Independent Abi Obaida Independent popularise the game. It’s one way to boost “One tends to believe that hockey Hockey Federation and FIH Academy. Al Shamal Independent the sport’s profile. is played in Qatar only by expatriates. We’ll invite the teachers to join our basic Al Jamilah Independent The federation is trying to bid for Actually, a lot of Qataris are taking it up. Level 1 course. The best teachers will be Al Razi Independent next year’s Asia Cup (indoor). If it mate- Schools are also showing great interest. selected and sent abroad for advanced Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib Independent rialises, it’ll be a great opportunity We help them by sending our coaches courses,” Al Qadi said. Al Yarmouk Independent to take the sport to the next level. We to train their physical education teach- “We want to have zonal teams and Al Shahania Independent hope to have a synthetic turf soon. Then ers,” said QHF President Hassan Al Qadi, annual competitions besides the inter- Rawdat Rashid Independent we can resume our outdoor league as adding that one of their aims was to school league,” added Al Qadi. DSP Al Zubaira Independent well as host international tournaments. DSP Wanderers and QHF helps players gain Al Shamal ‘A’ Polish experience enter semifinal

ANDERERS, Mesaieed HE Memorandum of Under- Hockey Club, Al Shamal standing signed by the Qatar W‘A’ and Al Shamal ‘B’ quali- THockey Federation (QHF) and fied for the Qatar League (indoor) Wielkopolska, Poland, has helped some semifinal last week. national players to feature in the Pol- Mesaieed will face Al Shamal ‘B’ in ish League. the first semifinal while Wanderers Qatar international Sohail Mustafa take on Al Shamal ‘A’ in the other last- represented WKS Gurnwald Poznan four clash on Thursday. who played in the quarterfinal of the United Hockey Qatar, Sri Lanka Europe Hockey League in Amsterdam, Malays, Gateway Hockey Club, Doha the Netherlands, in March. Hockey Club and Qatar University were “Playing in Europe will help the boys the other teams divided into two groups gain a lot of experience. The game is still played in a round-robin league.

in its adolescence in Qatar and such DSP Photo The top four teams from each group opportunities are good for them,” said šЂMohammed Abdul Nazer qualified for the quarterfinals while QHF General Secretary Mohammed Gateway HC finished last in their group. Abdul Nazer. Defending champions Wanderers, Poland finished second in 2003, 2007 shape,” said QHF Technical Director who have won the outdoor league a and 2011 at the indoor World Cups and Maggid Abu Taleb. record four time, may prove quite a they are one of the best teams in out- Meanwhile, Qatar will vie for hon- handful for Al Shamal ‘A’ in the semi- door version. ours in the 50th Pragchoma Cup in final after crushing United HC 12-1 in “We can’t stop our activities just Prague, Czech Republic, in November. the quarterfinal last week. DSP because we don’t have an outdoor They will also take part in the Moscow venue. We want our players to get bet- Elktrostal Cup, in December, where they QUARTERFINAL RESULTS ter by engaging throughout the year. will play friendlies against Russia, Iran Al Shamal A bt Qatar University 10-5 By playing in European league for 10 and Kazakhstan. It will be followed by Wanderers bt United Hockey Qatar 12-1 months in a season which is about the Poland Friendship Cup. Qatar will Mesaieed HC bt Sri Lanka Malays 8-6 44 weeks of action both indoor and also be seen in action in the Mason Cup Al Shamal B bt Doha Hockey Club 6-5 outdoor, our players will be in better in Denmark next January. DSP 3-3 after regulation time. 24 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 25 Volleyball

Al Arabi manager Jassim Al Kuwari felt regaining the Qatar League crown Coach Zohair ‘Regaining after a three-year gap was the highlight of the season in which they won a domestic treble. gracious in loss league title Arabi had played second fiddle to arch-rivals Al Rayyan in the last three seasons in the Qatar League before wresting it for a record 25th time. L JAISH coach Zohair Belhadj was season’s “That virtually set the tone for the season. Though we’ve won cup events, has always been magnanimous highlight’ the league title has been eluding us for some time. From the beginning of Ein victory and gracious in defeat. the season, our top priority was to regain the league,” said Al Kuwari. DSP The Armymen raised hopes when they beat Al Rayyan in the semifinal, but Al Arabi brought them back to earth. Zohair, who called Arabi ‘true winners’, looked at the positives of the season. “I’m happy with my team’s overall performance this season. When you look at the report card, we featured in three finals and emerged as winners in one,” said the Tunisian, who took over Red fury! from Italian Ljumobir Travica midway Al Arabi defeat El Jaish in straight sets in the through the season. Emir’s Cup final to seal a domestic treble. While Arabi played their 28th Emir’s Cup final, it was maiden appearance for Jaish and Zohair was quick to admit ĈĈAl Arabi had regained very important season for us. We had that experience was a big factor. the league title after a made some mistakes in the Qatar Cup. “Usually, our strength has been in gap of three years We corrected our errors in the Emir’s fighting back and resisting the rivals. Cup final and we’re really very proud Sadly, we couldn’t do it in the final. I ĈĈIt was the record 22nd to have won it again,” said Arabi coach think our team was physically drained triumph for the Reds Mawia Lajnef. after playing three long semifinals. It was the eighth encounter and sec- Moreover, it was our first Emir’s Cup ond final between the two teams this final. We aren’t used to such pressure,” Sajith B Warrier season, with Arabi going into the match he added.

with a 4-3 advantage. The former Qatar coach also called DSP/Mohan The winners were richer by QR500,000 for fewer matches next season. ššAl Arabi’s Ivan Zaytsev smashes during the final against El Jaish. “From December, we’ve been playing RECORD 22nd Emir’s Cup continuously. I think we played close triumph and a domestic tre- Al Arabi’s effortless win to 40 matches in five months which is A ble. Al Arabi are surely back a huge number. In between, some of to their best. over El Jaish was further our players were on national duty as Zaytsev, Arabi’s cutting edge Their effortless 25-19, 25-21, 25-17 proof of the domination well. The domestic calendar has been a win over El Jaish at the Ali Bin Hamad of the champion club. cramped one and I think the authorities Al Attiyah Arena last week was further must’ve a rethink over it,” he said. DSP TALIAN Ivan Zaytsev provided the points in the final and made the differ- proof of the domination of the cham- cutting edge for Al Arabi in their Zaytsev, who has ence between the two sides. pion club, nicknamed the Reds. while runners-up collected a purse of Iemphatic Emir’s Cup triumph. No “It was really very good match for In November, they won the Super QR250,000. wonder he won the Most Valuable Player Russian roots, was a us because of our high level of moti- Cup, beating last year’s league cham- Prior to the tournament, Arabi had award and a purse of QR10,000. bronze medallist at the vation. We were confident that if we pions Al Rayyan while in April, they signed Italy international Ivan Zaytsev Zaytsev, who has Russian roots, was 2012 London Olympics. play to our strengths we’ll win the title. regained the Qatar League crown after and Brazilian professional Yoandry Leal a bronze medallist at the 2012 London Our service was the key. By delivering a gap of three years. Hidalgo to boost their ranks while the Olympics and has mostly plied his trade strong serves, we limited the options The only aberration was the Qatar seasoned trio of Ibrahim Saeed, Seif with Dynamo Moscow. medal on my first visit to Qatar. The Qatar for their setter. Cup semifinal loss to Jaish. Lemjid and Ahmed Bassim were at Arabi roped him for the Qatar Cup Cup semifinal loss was a bitter pill for “We showed a lot of aggression with Arabi had also lost to Jaish in the low- their usual best. and Emir’s Cup. While Zaytsev’s debut us to swallow. However, we settled our the serves which upset Jaish. Everything profile season-opening Association “We had more balance in the team ended with a defeat to El Jaish in the Qatar scores against Jaish, winning the big- began with our strong service. This helped Cup, in which national team players than before. We played at a high tempo Cup semifinal, he came back strongly gest domestic event in Qatar’s volley- us stop their spiker Simon Robertland did not compete. and with a lot of aggression. We also to propel them to Emir’s Cup triumph. ball calendar,” said Zaytsev. as their setter boosted a lot of balls from

“By God’s grace, we proved we’re showed our bench is strong,” said Arabi’s DSP/Mohan ššZohair Belhadj “I’m happy to return home with a gold The two-metre tall player scored 16 three metres wide,” he added. DSP the best in Qatar. This has been a senior player Ibrahim. DSP šĈQatar Olympic Committee Secretary General Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari awards the winners. Cuba’s Leon in love with Lions WHAT THEY GOT ROLL OF HONOUR Last 10 champions Cup triumph. think they’re a great team with a lot of QR10,000 Al Arabi 2016 Sebastian Jacob Leon, who joined Zenit in 2014, felt talented players,” said Leon. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 2015 Al Arabi 2014 Al Arabi he had improved both as an individ- Asked how he felt about the tourna- QR500,000 Ivan Zaytsev (Al Arabi) 2013 Al Rayyan ual and team player during his time ment this time, Leon said, “This time Al Arabi 2012 Al Rayyan in Russia. I’m very sorry to say that I’m not at all 2011 Al Arabi ILFREDO Leon Venero, Although Leon was disappointed as convinced with some of the referee- RESULTS RESULTS 2010 Al Rayyan FINAL FINAL 2009 Al Arabi born on July 31, 1993, is one Rayyan lost to El Jaish in the semifinal ing decisions. I believe that it played Al Arabi bt El Jaish 25-19, 25-21, 25-17 Al Arabi bt El Jaish 25-19, 25-21, 25-17 2008 Al Arabi Wof the most gifted players of the Emir’s Cup, there were lots of a huge role in our semifinal result in BEST-OF-THREE SEMIFINALS 2007 Al Rayyan in the world. positives for him to take home. the Emir’s Cup.” BEST-OF-THREE SEMIFINALS Al Arabi bt Police 25-20, 25-17, 25-20 Al Arabi bt Police 25-20, 25-17, 25-20 Al Arabi bt Police 25-17, 25-18, 25-21 The Polish-Cuban, who currently “The competition isn’t as fierce as The spiker was already looking for- Al Arabi bt Police 25-17, 25-18, 25-21 QR250,000 Al Rayyan bt El Jaish 25-21, 12-25, 22-25, 25-18, 17-15 plies his trade with Russian club Zenit it’s back in Russia, but I played a few ward to the forthcoming season. Al Rayyan bt El Jaish 25-21, 12-25, 22-25, 25-18, 17-15 El Jaish bt Al Rayyan 25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-8 El Jaish El Jaish bt Al Rayyan 25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-8 Kazan, played the cup tournaments great games in Qatar. I’ve surely been “Yes, of course, I would certainly love El Jaish bt Al Rayyan 27-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19 El Jaish bt Al Rayyan 27-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19 for the second straight time with Al able to grow as a player. This is the sec- to come back and play for Rayyan,” ššAl Rayyan’s Wilfredo Leon Venero was adjudged the Most Valuable Player in the Qatar Cup. Rayyan, guiding the Lions to Qatar ond time I’m playing for Rayyan and I said Leon. DSP Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 25

Al Arabi manager Jassim Al Kuwari felt regaining the Qatar League crown Coach Zohair ‘Regaining after a three-year gap was the highlight of the season in which they won a domestic treble. gracious in loss league title Arabi had played second fiddle to arch-rivals Al Rayyan in the last three seasons in the Qatar League before wresting it for a record 25th time. L JAISH coach Zohair Belhadj was season’s “That virtually set the tone for the season. Though we’ve won cup events, has always been magnanimous highlight’ the league title has been eluding us for some time. From the beginning of Ein victory and gracious in defeat. the season, our top priority was to regain the league,” said Al Kuwari. DSP The Armymen raised hopes when they beat Al Rayyan in the semifinal, but Al Arabi brought them back to earth. Zohair, who called Arabi ‘true winners’, looked at the positives of the season. “I’m happy with my team’s overall performance this season. When you look at the report card, we featured in three finals and emerged as winners in one,” said the Tunisian, who took over from Italian Ljumobir Travica midway through the season. While Arabi played their 28th Emir’s Cup final, it was maiden appearance for Jaish and Zohair was quick to admit that experience was a big factor. “Usually, our strength has been in fighting back and resisting the rivals. Sadly, we couldn’t do it in the final. I think our team was physically drained after playing three long semifinals. Moreover, it was our first Emir’s Cup final. We aren’t used to such pressure,” he added.

The former Qatar coach also called DSP/Mohan for fewer matches next season. ššAl Arabi’s Ivan Zaytsev smashes during the final against El Jaish. “From December, we’ve been playing continuously. I think we played close to 40 matches in five months which is a huge number. In between, some of our players were on national duty as Zaytsev, Arabi’s cutting edge well. The domestic calendar has been a cramped one and I think the authorities must’ve a rethink over it,” he said. DSP TALIAN Ivan Zaytsev provided the points in the final and made the differ- cutting edge for Al Arabi in their Zaytsev, who has ence between the two sides. Iemphatic Emir’s Cup triumph. No “It was really very good match for wonder he won the Most Valuable Player Russian roots, was a us because of our high level of moti- award and a purse of QR10,000. bronze medallist at the vation. We were confident that if we Zaytsev, who has Russian roots, was 2012 London Olympics. play to our strengths we’ll win the title. a bronze medallist at the 2012 London Our service was the key. By delivering Olympics and has mostly plied his trade strong serves, we limited the options with Dynamo Moscow. medal on my first visit to Qatar. The Qatar for their setter. Arabi roped him for the Qatar Cup Cup semifinal loss was a bitter pill for “We showed a lot of aggression with and Emir’s Cup. While Zaytsev’s debut us to swallow. However, we settled our the serves which upset Jaish. Everything ended with a defeat to El Jaish in the Qatar scores against Jaish, winning the big- began with our strong service. This helped Cup semifinal, he came back strongly gest domestic event in Qatar’s volley- us stop their spiker Simon Robertland to propel them to Emir’s Cup triumph. ball calendar,” said Zaytsev. as their setter boosted a lot of balls from ššZohair Belhadj “I’m happy to return home with a gold The two-metre tall player scored 16 three metres wide,” he added. DSP Cuba’s Leon in love with Lions

Cup triumph. think they’re a great team with a lot of Sebastian Jacob Leon, who joined Zenit in 2014, felt talented players,” said Leon. he had improved both as an individ- Asked how he felt about the tourna- ual and team player during his time ment this time, Leon said, “This time in Russia. I’m very sorry to say that I’m not at all ILFREDO Leon Venero, Although Leon was disappointed as convinced with some of the referee- born on July 31, 1993, is one Rayyan lost to El Jaish in the semifinal ing decisions. I believe that it played Wof the most gifted players of the Emir’s Cup, there were lots of a huge role in our semifinal result in in the world. positives for him to take home. the Emir’s Cup.” The Polish-Cuban, who currently “The competition isn’t as fierce as The spiker was already looking for- plies his trade with Russian club Zenit it’s back in Russia, but I played a few ward to the forthcoming season. Kazan, played the cup tournaments great games in Qatar. I’ve surely been “Yes, of course, I would certainly love for the second straight time with Al able to grow as a player. This is the sec- to come back and play for Rayyan,” ššAl Rayyan’s Wilfredo Leon Venero was adjudged the Most Valuable Player in the Qatar Cup. Rayyan, guiding the Lions to Qatar ond time I’m playing for Rayyan and I said Leon. DSP 26 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 27 At a glance

GYMNASTICS MOTORSPORT HORSERACING Qatar’s Abdulaziz upbeat about his It’s a Qatari show in Newbury! Portugal chances ODOLPHIN’S Belardo emerged General Manager Nasser Sherida Al in pursuit of stars FTER two podium finishes in as the winner in the second edi- Kaabi thanked Al Shaqab Racing for Sponsoring such type as many races, Abdulaziz Al Gtion of the Group 1 Al Shaqab sponsoring Al Shaqab Lockinge Day. of races enhances the Aspiring children fight for honours at the Qatar Artistic Championships. AKuwari is in a buoyant mood Lockinge Stakes, the richest race run at “Sponsoring such type of races as heads to Portugal for the World Rally the Newbury Racecourse in England, last standing of Qatar’s enhances the standing of Qatar’s eques- Championship’s support category race week, where Qatari horses fared well. equestrian sport. trian sport,” said Al Kaabi. (WRC2) beginning at Guimaraes on Qatar Olympic Committee President “It’s one of the top-class racing events Mohammad Amin-ul Islam Thursday. ššQatar... tough times ahead. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani in the UK. In addition, HE Sheikh Joaan’s The Qatari and his Irish co-driver awarded the winners. The Mile cate- authoritative winner of the Al Zubarah presence demonstrated Qatar’s com- Killian Duffy finished second in the gory of the QIPCO British Champions London Gold Cup for Roger Charlton mitment to horseracing,” he added. Middle East Rally Championship’s recent BEACH HANDBALL Series saw a field of 13 in action. and Oisin Murphy. Meanwhile, Al Shaqab Racing’s HE annual Qatar Artistic Cham- Jordan leg and third in the WRC2’s pre- Earlier, Mehmas, sporting the colours Carrying the Qatar Racing silks for the Al Mourtajez won the Qatar Coupe pionships at the Al Khawla bint vious round in Argentina. Qatar in tough of Al Shaqab Racing, emerged trium- first time, Imperial Aviator was always d’Europe des Chevaux Arabes while TAl Azwar Indoor Hall last week The Argentina effort was scant reward phant in the Olympic Glory Conditions travelling strong behind the leaders its colt Mekhtaal registered a pillar-to- saw young boys and girls fight for for Abdulaziz, who was on course for a group at Worlds Stakes. The two-year-old is now unbeaten and picked up in impressive fashion post victory in Prix Hocquart (Gr2), in honours. crushing victory before being held up in two starts, having won on his sea- for Oisin Murphy to claim a four-and- the races, organised as part of the tie-up Children from four gymnastic clubs in the dust. The Skoda Fabia R5 driver ATAR have been drawn into son’s debut at Chester recently. a-half-length victory over Cartago. between Qatar Racing and Equestrian (Khawla, Asma, BH Gymnastics, Al Khor), collected 15 points on his season debut Group B along with defending Qatar Racing’s Imperial Aviator was an Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Club and Deauville Racecourse. DSP schools and junior national team vied and a strong finish in Portugal would Qchampions Brazil, Ukraine, for honours in the event, which was a help him make amends. Egypt, USA and Bahrain for the Seventh part of the FIG age-group programme “It’s going to be a tough rally in World Championship, to be held in for juniors. Portugal. Though the route is almost Budapest, Hungary, from July 12 to 17. As Doha prepares to host the FIG identical to the one we had last year, Hungary are pitted in Group A, which Artistic World Championships in 2018, rocks and deep ruts present an alto- also features Italy, Spain, Thailand, the Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) gether different hazard for us,” said Argentina and Australia. is making all efforts to further popu- Abdulaziz, who had finished fifth last The International Handball Federation larise the sport. time. (IHF) conducted the draw at the “Our aim is to attract young gym- A Thursday afternoon ceremonial Millenaris Event Centre in Budapest start at Guimaraes will be followed by an last week. evening super special stage at Lousada IHF Beach Handball Working Group Gymnasts from four circuit. The first full day heads north Chairman Giampero Masi, Hungarian for stages around Ponte de Lima, near Handball Federation Vice-President clubs, schools as well as the Spanish border. Saturday’s route is Katalin Palinger and Deputy General junior national team the longest, covering a total distance Secretary Gabriella Horvath oversaw competed in the event. of 1,683km while Sunday’s leg has just the draw ceremony. DSP three stages. “Sandy roads ensure grip is at a pre- nasts. This was a great promotion for mium for the early starters, so we’ve the sport and, for the first time, we had to be careful about that,” added the HANDBALL

competitors from schools and clubs DSP/Mohan 36-year-old, who is backed by Qatar’s besides the national team,” QGF Assistant ššA boy tests his skills on parallel bars. Ministry of Youth and Sports. DSP Qatar getting ššHE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, centre, with winners of the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. Secretary Abeer Al Buainain told Doha Stadium Plus. is to promote the sport at the grass- QGF Technical Secretary Anis Saoud ready for Rio She said the competition was an roots level,” she added. added, “Some of our gymnasts are really opportunity to observe some of the Abeer, who is also a competitions good. With proper training and moti- ORLD Championship sil- BEACH VOLLEYBALL promising boys and girls. manager, expressed happiness at the vation, they can easily become future ver medallists Qatar, who “The federation has a dedicated pro- development. stars. As more and more schools show Ware eyeing a podium at the gramme for schools. The tournament “Such tournaments are of real help to interest to groom youngsters, we’re Rio Olympic Games, are preparing in encourages these educational institu- find talent. We’ll be selecting the best hopeful the national team will bene- earnest at a training camp in Madrid. Cherif, Pereira bow out in last 16 tions to showcase their students’ tal- to train with the national teams,” said fit soon. I’m sure the sport will grow It will conclude on May 27. ent at national competitions. Our aim Abeer. further.” DSP In Rio, Qatar are paired along with world champions France, Croatia, ATAR’S top pair of Cherif You- Denmark, Tunisia and Argentina in nousse and Jefferson Pereira The other Qatari pair The Qatar Gymnastics Federation’s aim is RESULTS Group A. Qcrashed out in the round of 16 of Julio Cesar Jr and to attract young gymnasts. It was a great ALL-AROUND Group B comprises hosts Brazil, sur- in the FIVB World Tour Antalya Open Tamim Kareeb 110.80 BOYS prise Euro 2016 winners Germany, Egypt, in Turkey last week. Ahmed Tijan failed to promotion for the sport and for the first Rakan Al Harish 108 8-10 get past the group stage. time, we included schools and clubs Asr Al Kiki 107.85 Sweden, Slovenia and Poland. They lost to the top-seeded Dutch duo besides our national team members. Mohammed Abdullah Hadi 110.60 The draw for the Rio Games was held of Reinder Nummerdor and Christian 11-13 Mohammed Ashraf 50.75 at the Future Arena in the Olympic Park Varenhorst 16-21, 15-21 in the $150,000 Abeer Al Buainain, Qatar Gymnastics Federation Yousef Al Yafai 50.70 Zeenat Shehab 37.575 in Barra de Tijuca recently. prize money tournament, which is against the top Dutch players, who’ve Assistant Secretary. GIRLS Shami Hamad 36.625 Coached by Barcelona legend Valero also a qualifying event for the Rio competed in the Olympics ,” said UNDER-8 Fajr Al Basti 36.525 Rivera, Qatar have been in good form in Olympics. Jefferson. Jenin Ahmed 49.10 Some of our gymnasts are really good. With proper Jory Shahata 47.60 recent times winning the international The other Qatari pair of Julio Cesar “The important thing was to gain 9-10 training and motivation, they can be future stars. As Noora Kareem 46.95 friendly tournament held at home last Jr and Ahmed Tijan failed to get past confidence and keep it up for the rest more schools show interest to groom youngsters, Zeenat Halwat 47.85 month where they beat strong South the group stage. of the season. The match was tough 11-13 Erin Tamou 46.80 American teams like Brazil and Argentina Cherif and Pereira, seeded 15th, were and that’s what we were looking for — we’re hopeful the national team will benefit soon. I’m Shahad Shojaei 46.35 sure the sport will grow further. Maefa Daebrai 47.55 en route to the title. playing the Dutch rivals for the first to play against teams that’re stronger 13-15 Kellian Baiji 45.50 They are also the current Asian cham- time in their career. than us. That’ll help us down the road,” Anis Saoud, Qatar Gymnastics Federation Technical Secretary. Anisa Phillips 41.85 ššAbdulaziz Al Kuwari pions. DSP ššJefferson Pereira in action. “It was a good experience playing he added. DSP Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 27

HORSERACING It’s a Qatari show in Newbury!

ODOLPHIN’S Belardo emerged General Manager Nasser Sherida Al as the winner in the second edi- Sponsoring such type Kaabi thanked Al Shaqab Racing for Gtion of the Group 1 Al Shaqab sponsoring Al Shaqab Lockinge Day. Lockinge Stakes, the richest race run at of races enhances the “Sponsoring such type of races the Newbury Racecourse in England, last standing of Qatar’s enhances the standing of Qatar’s eques- week, where Qatari horses fared well. equestrian sport. trian sport,” said Al Kaabi. Qatar Olympic Committee President “It’s one of the top-class racing events ššQatar... tough times ahead. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani in the UK. In addition, HE Sheikh Joaan’s awarded the winners. The Mile cate- authoritative winner of the Al Zubarah presence demonstrated Qatar’s com- gory of the QIPCO British Champions London Gold Cup for Roger Charlton mitment to horseracing,” he added. BEACH HANDBALL Series saw a field of 13 in action. and Oisin Murphy. Meanwhile, Al Shaqab Racing’s Earlier, Mehmas, sporting the colours Carrying the Qatar Racing silks for the Al Mourtajez won the Qatar Coupe Qatar in tough of Al Shaqab Racing, emerged trium- first time, Imperial Aviator was always d’Europe des Chevaux Arabes while phant in the Olympic Glory Conditions travelling strong behind the leaders its colt Mekhtaal registered a pillar-to- group at Worlds Stakes. The two-year-old is now unbeaten and picked up in impressive fashion post victory in Prix Hocquart (Gr2), in in two starts, having won on his sea- for Oisin Murphy to claim a four-and- the races, organised as part of the tie-up ATAR have been drawn into son’s debut at Chester recently. a-half-length victory over Cartago. between Qatar Racing and Equestrian Group B along with defending Qatar Racing’s Imperial Aviator was an Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Club and Deauville Racecourse. DSP Qchampions Brazil, Ukraine, Egypt, USA and Bahrain for the Seventh World Championship, to be held in Budapest, Hungary, from July 12 to 17. Hungary are pitted in Group A, which also features Italy, Spain, Thailand, Argentina and Australia. The International Handball Federation (IHF) conducted the draw at the Millenaris Event Centre in Budapest last week. IHF Beach Handball Working Group Chairman Giampero Masi, Hungarian Handball Federation Vice-President Katalin Palinger and Deputy General Secretary Gabriella Horvath oversaw the draw ceremony. DSP

HANDBALL

Qatar getting ššHE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, centre, with winners of the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. ready for Rio

ORLD Championship sil- BEACH VOLLEYBALL ver medallists Qatar, who Ware eyeing a podium at the Rio Olympic Games, are preparing in earnest at a training camp in Madrid. Cherif, Pereira bow out in last 16 It will conclude on May 27. In Rio, Qatar are paired along with world champions France, Croatia, ATAR’S top pair of Cherif You- Denmark, Tunisia and Argentina in nousse and Jefferson Pereira The other Qatari pair Group A. Qcrashed out in the round of 16 Group B comprises hosts Brazil, sur- in the FIVB World Tour Antalya Open of Julio Cesar Jr and prise Euro 2016 winners Germany, Egypt, in Turkey last week. Ahmed Tijan failed to Sweden, Slovenia and Poland. They lost to the top-seeded Dutch duo get past the group stage. The draw for the Rio Games was held of Reinder Nummerdor and Christian at the Future Arena in the Olympic Park Varenhorst 16-21, 15-21 in the $150,000 in Barra de Tijuca recently. prize money tournament, which is against the top Dutch players, who’ve Coached by Barcelona legend Valero also a qualifying event for the Rio competed in the Olympics ,” said Rivera, Qatar have been in good form in Olympics. Jefferson. recent times winning the international The other Qatari pair of Julio Cesar “The important thing was to gain friendly tournament held at home last Jr and Ahmed Tijan failed to get past confidence and keep it up for the rest month where they beat strong South the group stage. of the season. The match was tough American teams like Brazil and Argentina Cherif and Pereira, seeded 15th, were and that’s what we were looking for — en route to the title. playing the Dutch rivals for the first to play against teams that’re stronger They are also the current Asian cham- time in their career. than us. That’ll help us down the road,” pions. DSP ššJefferson Pereira in action. “It was a good experience playing he added. DSP 28 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 29

Another grass-court tournament will be added to the calendar next year after the Turkey to host ATP announced that a World Tour 250 event would be staged in Antalya, Turkey. The tournament will take place from June 25 to July 1 and give players another ATP tourney event to prepare for the Wimbledon. Next month, the WTA will hold a brand-new next year grass-court event in Mallorca. Antalya, one of the seven grass-court tournaments Tennis on the ATP Tour in 2017, will be staged at the Kaya Palazzo Belek resort. Murray sounds early warning to rivals

NDY Murray enjoyed the perfect 29th birthday present last The triumph puts Briton ASunday, puncturing Novak Djokovic’s air of dominance by beating Murray into the world the out-of-sorts Serb in straight sets in No.2 spot ahead of Swiss the final of the Italian Open in Rome. ace Roger Federer. Just a week after Djokovic had beaten Djoker & ace! him in the final of the Madrid Open, Serbian world No.1 Novak Djokovic is the firm favourite at the French Open starting on May 22. the Scot gained his revenge over the Djokovic and it was his first victory in world No.1 in another clay-court final their six duels on clay. with a superb 6-3, 6-3 win. Murray was aggressive from the start But going by the current form, the Djokovic was not at his best and in and even when Djokovic appeared to be 28-year-old, who has lost just three a grumpy mood, complaining on sev- fighting back in the second set, Murray matches this season, could still con- eral occasions to the umpire about the saved break points in successive games

sider himself as the favourite in Paris REUTERS/ Alessandro Bianchi slippery court surface on a damp day to begin imposing himself again. as is clear from his words. ššSerena Williams at the Foro Italico. At the end, Djokovic capitulated with “My confidence level is high because Yet, the defeat, just his third of the surprising swiftness, hitting a couple of the many matches I’ve won this year entire season, could not be totally put of errant forehands and a double fault on clay and all other surfaces. So I don’t down to hints of weariness from Djokovic at 3-5 down before Murray conjured feel that I’m doubtful or that I’m shaken Williams not invincible, as he told Murray afterwards, “Well done up one inspirational backhand win- up by this loss,” said Djokovic. Andy, you were just too good.” ner from way beyond the tramlines As three-time Roland Garros cham- After Murray announced an amica- to lift the title. pion Mats Wilander, who is currently but still firm favourite ble split from coach Amelie Mauresmo, The triumph puts Murray into the a commentator at Eurosports, said, this was only the second time in their world No.2 spot ahead of Roger Federer “Djokovic needs to win the French last 14 meetings that he had beaten in the latest ATP rankings. Open to become one of the greatest OR a while, the women’s game players of all time. I think Novak can has all been about Serena Wil- MOST ROLL OF HONOUR and most probably should win it.” Fliams vs the rest of the world. FRENCH Last 10 French Open champions His potential rivals are Murray, who But her surprise defeat to Roberta Vinci OPEN MEN Stan Wawrinka (SUI) in the semifinal at Flushing Meadows CROWNS 2015 2014 Rafael Nadal (ESP) last year dispelled the notion that she MEN 2013 Rafael Nadal (ESP) French Open is the only was invincible. 2012 Rafael Nadal (ESP) That was followed by a shock loss to 2011 Rafael Nadal (ESP) ĈĈMurray and Slam which the world Angelique Kerber in this season’s first 2010 Rafael Nadal (ESP) Nadal are No.1 has not won in his 2009 Roger Federer (SUI) Grand Slam final in Australia. Fitness 2008 Rafael Nadal (ESP) Djokovic’s distinguished career. was also a cause for concern for Wil- 2007 Rafael Nadal (ESP) main rivals liams, who pulled out of the Premier 2006 Rafael Nadal (ESP) Mandatory Tournament in Madrid. WOMEN 2015 Serena Williams (USA) is back as world No.2, and Rafael Nadal, However, in an ominous sign of return- 2014 Maria Sharapova (RUS) Sajith B Warrier a perpetual favourite on clay courts. ing to form, the American, who had 2013 Serena Williams (USA) Nadal might not be the same player he gone almost nine months without a title, 2012 Maria Sharapova (RUS) was years ago, but his prowess on clay broke her duck at Rome last week and 9 2011 Li Na (CHN) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) is unmatchable and Djokovic admit- braced herself for the Roland Garros 2010 Rafael 2009 Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) HE dust from the build-up events ted it after taming him in the quarter- title defence. Nadal 2008 Ana Ivanovic (SRB) has settled and it is time for final at Rome. “Honestly, clay has always been one (2005, 2006, 2007 Justine Henin (BEL) 2007, 2008, big guns to stand up, with the “Certainly winning against Nadal on of my favourite surfaces. I’ve always 2006 Justine Henin (BEL) AFP/ Tiziana Fabi T 2010, 2011, second Grand Slam of 2016 beginning clay doesn’t happen often. It’s one of the loved it more than grass,” said Williams. 2012, 2013, ššAndy Murray at the Roland Garros on May 22. ultimate challenges if not the ultimate None of her rivals is in good form. 2014) TOP 10 RANKINGS The French Open is the only Slam thing we’ve in sports,” said Djokovic, Germany’s Kerber is yet to come to ATP 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) which world No.1 Novak Djokovic has who improved his head-to-head record terms with her new-found stardom WOMEN 2. Andy Murray (GBR) not won in his distinguished career. against the Spaniard to 26-23. while 2015 French Open finalist Lucie 3. Roger Federer (SUI) The Serb reached the final at Parisian Japan’s rising star Kei Nishikori is Safarova has fallen from the pedestal. 4. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) Back to winning ways clay three times including last year when another player to watch out for. While Simona Halep, the winner at Madrid 5. Rafael Nadal (ESP) he suffered a surprise defeat to Stan Wawrinka will need to lift his game to and runner-up at Roland Garros in 2014 is 6. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 7. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) Wawrinka. defend the title, Roger Federer, who is unpredictable. So too is the case with per- 8. Tomas Berdych (CZE) N THE women’s category of the clay-court appearance of the season, Djokovic’s preparations suffered a coming back from an injury, can never petual Grand Slam contenders Garbine 9. Milos Raonic (CAN) Italian Open, Serena Williams had it was enough to confirm she is in fine major blow last Sunday when he lost be ruled out of reckoning. Muguruza and Agnieszka Radwanska 10. Richard Gasquet (FRA) Ito overcome a stubborn effort from shape for Roland Garros, with plenty to Andy Murray in the Italian Open title But this being an Olympic year and while two-time Wimbledon champion WTA Madison Keys to win the first all-Amer- of room also for improvement. 1. Serena Williams (USA) clash, the last tune-up event before the with the ‘Golden Slam’ beckoning, it is Petro Kvitova is hardly a threat on clay. 2. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) ican Tour final for four years. For Keys, it was a major breakthrough French Open. Djokovic who holds all the aces. DSP Victoria Azarenka looks the player who 7 3. Angelique Kerber (GER) The world’s best player, who won to reach only her third final and the can pose a challenge to Williams. The 4. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, was so impressed with youngster gave her opponent enough Belarusian, won three titles this season, Chris 5. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) her 21-year-old compatriot that she trouble for Williams. 6. Simona Halep (ROM) My confidence level is high because of the many matches I’ve including a straight-set win over the Evert 7. Roberta Vinci (ITA) predicted Keys could become a future Keys broke Williams’s serve in the world No.1 in the Indian Wells final in (1974, 1975, world No.1. opening game and, able to match the won this year on clay and all other surfaces. So I don’t feel that 1979, 1980, 8. Belinda Bencic (SUI) I’m doubtful or that I’m shaken up by the defeat in Rome. March, and provided she stays injury- 1983, 1985, 9. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) It was Williams’s fourth triumph world No.1 for power, she pushed the free, is a genuine threat to Williams’s 1986) 10. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) in Rome in 14 years, her 70th career top seed into a tie-breaker in the first Novak Djokovic quest for a 22nd Grand Slam crown. DSP title in all and her first since winning set before succumbing. Williams took in Cincinnati nine months ago. control in the second set to wrap up

AFP/ Pedro Armestre Even though this was her first victory after one hour and 24 minutes. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 29

Another grass-court tournament will be added to the calendar next year after the Turkey to host ATP announced that a World Tour 250 event would be staged in Antalya, Turkey. The tournament will take place from June 25 to July 1 and give players another ATP tourney event to prepare for the Wimbledon. Next month, the WTA will hold a brand-new grass-court event in Mallorca. Antalya, one of the seven grass-court tournaments next year on the ATP Tour in 2017, will be staged at the Kaya Palazzo Belek resort.

Murray sounds early warning to rivals

NDY Murray enjoyed the perfect 29th birthday present last The triumph puts Briton ASunday, puncturing Novak Djokovic’s air of dominance by beating Murray into the world the out-of-sorts Serb in straight sets in No.2 spot ahead of Swiss the final of the Italian Open in Rome. ace Roger Federer. Just a week after Djokovic had beaten him in the final of the Madrid Open, the Scot gained his revenge over the Djokovic and it was his first victory in world No.1 in another clay-court final their six duels on clay. with a superb 6-3, 6-3 win. Murray was aggressive from the start Djokovic was not at his best and in and even when Djokovic appeared to be a grumpy mood, complaining on sev- fighting back in the second set, Murray eral occasions to the umpire about the saved break points in successive games

REUTERS/ Alessandro Bianchi slippery court surface on a damp day to begin imposing himself again. ššSerena Williams at the Foro Italico. At the end, Djokovic capitulated with Yet, the defeat, just his third of the surprising swiftness, hitting a couple entire season, could not be totally put of errant forehands and a double fault down to hints of weariness from Djokovic at 3-5 down before Murray conjured Williams not invincible, as he told Murray afterwards, “Well done up one inspirational backhand win- Andy, you were just too good.” ner from way beyond the tramlines After Murray announced an amica- to lift the title. but still firm favourite ble split from coach Amelie Mauresmo, The triumph puts Murray into the this was only the second time in their world No.2 spot ahead of Roger Federer last 14 meetings that he had beaten in the latest ATP rankings. OR a while, the women’s game has all been about Serena Wil- MOST ROLL OF HONOUR Fliams vs the rest of the world. FRENCH Last 10 French Open champions But her surprise defeat to Roberta Vinci OPEN MEN Stan Wawrinka (SUI) in the semifinal at Flushing Meadows CROWNS 2015 2014 Rafael Nadal (ESP) last year dispelled the notion that she MEN 2013 Rafael Nadal (ESP) was invincible. 2012 Rafael Nadal (ESP) That was followed by a shock loss to 2011 Rafael Nadal (ESP) Angelique Kerber in this season’s first 2010 Rafael Nadal (ESP) 2009 Roger Federer (SUI) Grand Slam final in Australia. Fitness 2008 Rafael Nadal (ESP) was also a cause for concern for Wil- 2007 Rafael Nadal (ESP) liams, who pulled out of the Premier 2006 Rafael Nadal (ESP) Mandatory Tournament in Madrid. WOMEN 2015 Serena Williams (USA) However, in an ominous sign of return- 2014 Maria Sharapova (RUS) ing to form, the American, who had 2013 Serena Williams (USA) gone almost nine months without a title, 2012 Maria Sharapova (RUS) broke her duck at Rome last week and 9 2011 Li Na (CHN) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) braced herself for the Roland Garros 2010 Rafael 2009 Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) title defence. Nadal 2008 Ana Ivanovic (SRB) “Honestly, clay has always been one (2005, 2006, 2007 Justine Henin (BEL) 2007, 2008, of my favourite surfaces. I’ve always 2006 Justine Henin (BEL) AFP/ Tiziana Fabi 2010, 2011, loved it more than grass,” said Williams. 2012, 2013, ššAndy Murray None of her rivals is in good form. 2014) TOP 10 RANKINGS Germany’s Kerber is yet to come to ATP 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) terms with her new-found stardom WOMEN 2. Andy Murray (GBR) while 2015 French Open finalist Lucie 3. Roger Federer (SUI) Safarova has fallen from the pedestal. 4. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) Back to winning ways Simona Halep, the winner at Madrid 5. Rafael Nadal (ESP) and runner-up at Roland Garros in 2014 is 6. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 7. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) unpredictable. So too is the case with per- 8. Tomas Berdych (CZE) N THE women’s category of the clay-court appearance of the season, petual Grand Slam contenders Garbine 9. Milos Raonic (CAN) Italian Open, Serena Williams had it was enough to confirm she is in fine Muguruza and Agnieszka Radwanska 10. Richard Gasquet (FRA) Ito overcome a stubborn effort from shape for Roland Garros, with plenty while two-time Wimbledon champion WTA Madison Keys to win the first all-Amer- of room also for improvement. 1. Serena Williams (USA) Petro Kvitova is hardly a threat on clay. 2. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) ican Tour final for four years. For Keys, it was a major breakthrough Victoria Azarenka looks the player who 7 3. Angelique Kerber (GER) The world’s best player, who won to reach only her third final and the can pose a challenge to Williams. The 4. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, was so impressed with youngster gave her opponent enough Belarusian, won three titles this season, Chris 5. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) her 21-year-old compatriot that she trouble for Williams. 6. Simona Halep (ROM) including a straight-set win over the Evert 7. Roberta Vinci (ITA) predicted Keys could become a future Keys broke Williams’s serve in the world No.1 in the Indian Wells final in (1974, 1975, world No.1. opening game and, able to match the 1979, 1980, 8. Belinda Bencic (SUI) March, and provided she stays injury- 1983, 1985, 9. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) It was Williams’s fourth triumph world No.1 for power, she pushed the free, is a genuine threat to Williams’s 1986) 10. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) in Rome in 14 years, her 70th career top seed into a tie-breaker in the first quest for a 22nd Grand Slam crown. DSP title in all and her first since winning set before succumbing. Williams took in Cincinnati nine months ago. control in the second set to wrap up Even though this was her first victory after one hour and 24 minutes. 30 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 31 At a glance

MOTORSPORT Tale of two Red Bulls Max Verstappen’s win at the Spanish GP offers little solace to Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. OLYMPICS ‘Bid payments Alan Baldwin were legitimate’

AYMENTS made by the Tokyo ššFemi Seun Ogunode 2020 Olympics bid committee AX Verstappen’s stunning Pthat have been questioned in victory on his Red Bull debut media reports were legitimate con- ATHLETICS Mhas given team-mate Daniel sultant’s fees and were checked by Ricciardo something to think about, auditors, two Japanese officials who according to 1997 world champion led the successful bid said last week. Femi continues impressive run Jacques Villeneuve. The Guardian newspaper reported The 18-year-old Dutchman became that the Tokyo bid team had made pay- Formula One’s youngest race winner at ments totalling more than $2m to a ATAR’S Femi Seun Ogunode improve those this season.” for a false start as Omar McLeod pro- last Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix, with Singapore bank account it said was continued his impressive form Olympic and world men’s 800M duced the year’s first sub 13sec per- Australian Ricciardo finishing fourth linked to Papa Massata Diack, son of Qwith a second-place finish, champion David Rudisha had a dis- formance (12.98) to take his second after a strategy error by the team was disgraced former international ath- behind American Justin Gatlin, in 100M appointing outing as he finished Diamond League win this season. compounded by a late puncture. letics chief President Lamine Diack. at the IAAF Shanghai Diamond League In pole vault, American Sam Kendricks Ricciardo, winner of three races in ššMax Verstappen cruises to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix. In a statement, bidding committee last week. set a personal best (5.88M) to beat world 2014 when, like Verstappen, he moved ex-president Tsunekazu Takeda and Gatlin led from the start and won in I had a bad start, as record holder and Olympic champion up from Toro Rosso to the main Red ex-director general Nobumoto Higuchi 9.94sec, with Femi, the quickest over Renaud Lavillenie and world cham- always. I’ve to work on Bull team, had led after Mercedes pair Red Bull put Ricciardo, who had led RESULTS said, “The Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee 100M this year with 9.91 in Florida last pion Shawn Barber in a major upset. Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton col- for 31 laps, on a three-stop strategy at 1. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1:41:40.017 Mercedes in turmoil can confirm that it paid an amount for month, clocking 10.07. this. The rest of the race Meanwhile, sprint king Usain Bolt took lided on the opening lap. the Circuit de Catalunya while keep- 2. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari at 00:00.616 the professional services received for “I had a bad start, as always. I’ve to was okay. his first stride towards the goal of an 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 00:05.581 after collision “The critical point now is what’ll hap- ing Verstappen on what turned out to 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 00:43.950 the following consultation work includ- work on this. The rest of the race was unprecedented Olympic hat-trick with pen with Ricciardo,” said Villeneuve, be a winning two. 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Williams 00:45.271 ing; the planning of the bid; tutoring okay, I’ve no complaints about that,” an easy victory (10.05) at the Cayman Formula One championship leader Nico Rosberg’s who took pole and almost won on his Ricciardo, famed for having the big- on presentation practice; advice for said Femi. “Competing in China is fifth, with Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich Invitational. STANDINGS hopes of an eighth win in a row disappeared after a race debut with Williams in 1996 as gest smile in the sport, said after the DRIVERS collision with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton on international lobbying communica- good for me, great to be here. I’m the snatching an unlikely win in 1:45.68. “I’m just glad I got out of that one a fresh young team-mate to Britain’s race he felt victory had been snatched 1. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 100 the opening lap of the Spanish Grand Prix. tions; and service for information and Asian record holder of 100 and 200M American Aries Merritt, the Olympic injury-free, it’s a season-opener so you Damon Hill. away from him. 2. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 61 Britain’s triple world champion Hamilton had started media analysis. and have the world lead, for sure I’ll 110M hurdles champion, was disqualified never know what to expect,” Bolt said. 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 57 on pole position, with Rosberg alongside on the front “Right now it’s the reverse situation “It’s not hard to see Max on the podium, 4. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 48 row at the Circuit de Catalunya. of when he arrived (at Red Bull) and but it’s hard for me not to be there, 5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull 48 The German, aiming to make it five successive wins (Sebastian) Vettel was the driver, except that’s the biggest disappointment,” CONSTRUCTORS for the season, passed Hamilton around the outside of Vettel had four world championships said Ricciardo. “It didn’t make sense,” 1. Mercedes 157 BADMINTON CRICKET 2. Ferrari 109 turn one and the Briton was then squeezed on to the and he doesn’t. he added of the decision to switch to 3. Red Bull-TAG Heuer 94 grass as he tried to regain the lead at turn three. “His smile will not carry him now,” a three-stop strategy after Ferrari had 4. Williams-Mercedes 65 His car skewed sideways and smashed into 5. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 26 Lee, the ultimate added the Canadian. done so with Vettel. Rosberg’s, with both drivers ending up in the gravel. smash hit! Kohli, De Villiers run ORMER world No.1 Lee Chong riot in record stand š GOLF Wei’s 408kmph missile at last šCraig Reedie Fyear’s Hong Kong Open has been recognised as the most powerful smash IRAT Kohli and his Royal Chal- WAR ON DOPING Tiger-esque Day! in badminton since September, close lengers Bangalore team-mate to the top speed clocked by the fastest VA B de Villiers smashed scintil- Rio too distant a production car in the world. lating centuries in their Indian Premier ORLD No.1 Jason Day drew win the PGA Tour’s flagship event, after Currently ranked two in the world, League match to break a string of records. dream for Russia comparisons with Tiger Steve Elkington (1991 and 1997), Greg Lee’s smash topped the list, according to India’s Kohli struck a 55-ball 109 WWoods after an emphatic Norman (1994) and Adam Scott (2004). data supplied by Hawk-Eye Innovations, while South Africa’s De Villiers scored HE head of the World Anti-Doping four-stroke victory at the $10.5m Play- Scott called Day’s recent run ‘Tiger- which provides instant-review services an unbeaten 52-ball 129 to power Royal Agency said that Russia’s anti- ers Championship in Florida, US, last esque’, and Day spoke of his friend- at major tournaments. Challengers to a record 144-run victory Tdoping authority was unlikely Sunday. ship with the 14-time Major champion. Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen was mar- over Gujarat Lions last week. to be declared compliant with world Day was never seriously tested in the “It hasbeen an amazing journey for ginally behind Lee with a 407 kph mis- In front of a roaring crowd in Bangalore, sports rules before the Rio Games. final round en route to his seventh vic- me to idolise him (Woods) as a junior sile in the semifinals of the Malaysia the formidable duo scored only the “As far as the Russian anti-doping tory in his past 17 starts, a hot streak growing up, and now I’m good mates Open this year. second ever centuries by batsmen in agency is concerned, I think it highly that few other than Woods can boast with him and get to pick his brain about Thailand’s Ratchanok the same innings in Twenty20 cricket. ššVirat Kohli, right, celebrates his unlikely that that organisation would be in the modern era. what he did when he was dominat- Intanon, the second-ranked Kevin O’Brien (119) and Hamish century with A B de Villiers. compliant by the time of the games in He displayed a stellar putting touch to ing,” Day said. in women’s badminton, is Marshall (102) scored centuries together Rio,” WADA President Craig Reedie said. card 71 and finish at 15-under-par 273. Meanwhile, South Korean Wang Jeung- not too far behind for Gloucestershire against Middlesex cricket. A report on Russia’s compliance American Kevin Chappell (69) bird- hun claimed his second European Tour and clocked 372kph in 2011. The pair smashed their own record of with doping rules would be sent to the ied two of the final three holes to claim title in as many weeks by overhauling in the semifinals of the Kohli and De Villiers added 229 215, which they notched up while play- International Olympic Committee which the runner-up spot on 11-under. overnight leader Siddikur Rahman to same tournament in for the second wicket, the high- ing for Bangalore against the Mumbai would then rule on whether the coun- ššJason Day celebrates the win with his family. Day, 28, is the fourth Australian to win the Mauritius Open by one shot. Malaysia. est partnership in the history of T20 Indians during the 2015 IPL season. try’s athletes can take part in Brazil. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 31

OLYMPICS ‘Bid payments were legitimate’

AYMENTS made by the Tokyo ššFemi Seun Ogunode 2020 Olympics bid committee Pthat have been questioned in media reports were legitimate con- ATHLETICS sultant’s fees and were checked by auditors, two Japanese officials who led the successful bid said last week. Femi continues impressive run The Guardian newspaper reported that the Tokyo bid team had made payments totalling more than $2m to a ATAR’S Femi Seun Ogunode improve those this season.” for a false start as Omar McLeod pro- Singapore bank account it said was continued his impressive form Olympic and world men’s 800M duced the year’s first sub 13sec per- linked to Papa Massata Diack, son of Qwith a second-place finish, champion David Rudisha had a dis- formance (12.98) to take his second disgraced former international ath- behind American Justin Gatlin, in 100M appointing outing as he finished Diamond League win this season. letics chief President Lamine Diack. at the IAAF Shanghai Diamond League In pole vault, American Sam Kendricks In a statement, bidding committee last week. set a personal best (5.88M) to beat world ex-president Tsunekazu Takeda and Gatlin led from the start and won in I had a bad start, as record holder and Olympic champion ex-director general Nobumoto Higuchi 9.94sec, with Femi, the quickest over Renaud Lavillenie and world cham- said, “The Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee 100M this year with 9.91 in Florida last always. I’ve to work on pion Shawn Barber in a major upset. can confirm that it paid an amount for month, clocking 10.07. this. The rest of the race Meanwhile, sprint king Usain Bolt took the professional services received for “I had a bad start, as always. I’ve to was okay. his first stride towards the goal of an the following consultation work includ- work on this. The rest of the race was unprecedented Olympic hat-trick with ing; the planning of the bid; tutoring okay, I’ve no complaints about that,” an easy victory (10.05) at the Cayman on presentation practice; advice for said Femi. “Competing in China is fifth, with Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich Invitational. international lobbying communica- good for me, great to be here. I’m the snatching an unlikely win in 1:45.68. “I’m just glad I got out of that one tions; and service for information and Asian record holder of 100 and 200M American Aries Merritt, the Olympic injury-free, it’s a season-opener so you media analysis. and have the world lead, for sure I’ll 110M hurdles champion, was disqualified never know what to expect,” Bolt said.

BADMINTON CRICKET Lee, the ultimate smash hit! Kohli, De Villiers run ORMER world No.1 Lee Chong riot in record stand š Wei’s 408kmph missile at last šCraig Reedie Fyear’s Hong Kong Open has been recognised as the most powerful smash IRAT Kohli and his Royal Chal- WAR ON DOPING in badminton since September, close lengers Bangalore team-mate to the top speed clocked by the fastest VA B de Villiers smashed scintil- Rio too distant a production car in the world. lating centuries in their Indian Premier Currently ranked two in the world, League match to break a string of records. dream for Russia Lee’s smash topped the list, according to India’s Kohli struck a 55-ball 109 data supplied by Hawk-Eye Innovations, while South Africa’s De Villiers scored HE head of the World Anti-Doping which provides instant-review services an unbeaten 52-ball 129 to power Royal Agency said that Russia’s anti- at major tournaments. Challengers to a record 144-run victory Tdoping authority was unlikely Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen was mar- over Gujarat Lions last week. to be declared compliant with world ginally behind Lee with a 407 kph mis- In front of a roaring crowd in Bangalore, sports rules before the Rio Games. sile in the semifinals of the Malaysia the formidable duo scored only the “As far as the Russian anti-doping Open this year. second ever centuries by batsmen in agency is concerned, I think it highly Thailand’s Ratchanok the same innings in Twenty20 cricket. ššVirat Kohli, right, celebrates his unlikely that that organisation would be Intanon, the second-ranked Kevin O’Brien (119) and Hamish century with A B de Villiers. compliant by the time of the games in in women’s badminton, is Marshall (102) scored centuries together Rio,” WADA President Craig Reedie said. not too far behind for Gloucestershire against Middlesex cricket. A report on Russia’s compliance and clocked 372kph in 2011. The pair smashed their own record of with doping rules would be sent to the in the semifinals of the Kohli and De Villiers added 229 215, which they notched up while play- International Olympic Committee which same tournament in for the second wicket, the high- ing for Bangalore against the Mumbai would then rule on whether the coun- Malaysia. est partnership in the history of T20 Indians during the 2015 IPL season. try’s athletes can take part in Brazil. 32 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 33 Movers&Shakers Kaleidoscope

Ooredoo signs Should Kyrgios go deal with QFA Ooredoo announced a new three- year sponsorship deal with the to Rio Olympics? Qatar Football Association (QFA). It will become the official tel- š HE war of words between Nick šTyson Fury ecommunica- Kyrgios and his national Olympic tions company for Tcommittee has continued, with Fury sparks new all QFA events. The the Australian tennis player launching agreement was signed by Ooredoo Qatar Chief Operating Officer a poll on social media as to whether he controversy Yousuf Abdullah Al Kubaisi and šĈFrom left, Mohamed Al Sadah, Gokhan Ogut, Fikret Orman and Mahmud Awad at the signing ceremony. should be selected for the Rio Olympics. QFA General Secretary Mansoor Al Kyrgios and the Australian Olympic ORLD heavyweight cham- Ansari. ššChan Yuen-Ting Committee have been at loggerheads pion Tyson Fury caused over Rio since team chef de mission Wfresh controversy after Kitty Chiller suggested the hotheaded suggesting that rape and bestiality Blazing a trail 21-year-old and his Davis Cup team will one day be made legal in his latest mate Bernard Tomic could miss out foul-mouthed video rant. in Hong Kong due to their on-court behaviour. The British boxer also suggested any- Kyrgios, who was backed by Tennis one who disagreed with him, was likely RINGING THE ONG Kong trailblazer Chan Australia as having made a “concerted to have been “brainwashed by those NTT supports Yuen-Ting became the first effort” to improve his behaviour, posted who own all the banks, all the papers, Hwoman coach to take a men’s an on-court photo of himself on his all the TV stations”. World Triathlon football team to a top-flight title, thanks Facebook page and asked his followers Information and communications to her toughness that earned her the whether they thought he should go to Rio. ššNick Kyrgios technology firm NTT Group has been nickname ‘beefball’. CHANGES announced as the new global part- Chan, 27, led Eastern Sports Club to ner of International Triathlon Union Povetkin lands in Ĉ the Hong Kong’s Premier League tri- ĈThe tie-up with its Turkish Vodafone Qatar’s smart stadium technol- and ITU World Triathlon Series for umph in April for the first time in 21 dope trouble counterpart will help ogy proposition and ensure its practical Expertise offer 2016 and 2017. As per the deal, NTT years. It was her debut season as head Beckenbauer’s grandson Vodafone Qatar’s smart implementation. will have exclusive rights in com- coach which earned her a Guinness USSIAN Alexander Povetkin’s stadium proposition Vodafone Turkey CEO Gokhan Ogut munications and system integra- for stadiums tion, especially in its home country World Record as the first woman coach World Boxing Council’s heavy- said, “We feel quite excited about the pros- leaves Bayern academy of Japan. ever to win a men’s championship title Rweight title fight with champion pects of exporting smart infrastructure Vodafone is committed towards in a top national football league. Deontay Wilder has been delayed after Aswin Abraham to Qatar. The arena will act as a model bringing expertise and inno- Her path into the game began as a UCA Beckenbauer, the teenage leaving Bayern, where his grandfather he tested positive for meldonium. for Vodafone Qatar for its technologi- vation in telecommunications 13-year-old when she started watch- grandson of Germany legend won three European Cup titles and played The bout was scheduled for Saturday cal proposition at the eight World Cup infrastructure to support the ing Manchester United games on TV LFranz Beckenbauer, is leaving more than 400 Bundesliga games. in Moscow. stadiums.” 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and, in particular, their England legend Bayern Munich’s youth academy for Stephan Beckenbauer, son of the “Povetkin used meldonium until ODAFONE Qatar made a big leap The Vodafone Arena has already become and the country’s National David Beckham, her childhood crush, Schalke after the tragic death of his 70-year-old legendary defender and September last year when it wasn’t into the country’s sports scene an example to the world with its smart Vision 2030. whom she swooned over as ‘handsome’. father. Luca’s father, died of a brain tumour in banned,” said promoter Andrei Ryabinsky. Vlast week by joining hands with infrastructure and digital transforma- Vodafone Qatar Chief Mainova energy “I think no matter what your age or “Luca has been toying with the idea July 2015, aged just 46, having worked Povetkin, 36, has a record of 30 wins its Turkish counterpart to accelerate the tion. It features a unique five-layer func- Operating Officer Mohamed Al your gender is, all you need is hard work, for some time,” said Franz. as a coach in Bayern’s academy. and only one defeat to his name while transfer of knowledge, expertise and tioning — system and telecoms rooms, Sadah told Doha Stadium Plus for Ironman you’re nothing if your team isn’t per- The 15-year-old defender will play for His grieving son now wants to make a unbeaten American Wilder has finished technological knowhow. seamless connectivity, interactive dis- in Istanbul, Turkey, it was keen forming,” said Chan. Schalke’s Under-17 team next season, fresh start away from the Bavarian giants. 35 of his 36 bouts with KOs. An agreement to this effect was signed plays as well as videowalls, digital com- to import extensive expertise Mainova became the title sponsor by senior officials of Vodafone in Qatar pass of matches and value-added services and innovation to the smart sta- of Ironman long-distance triathlon race. The contract, until 2018, will and Turkey as well as Besiktas football such as in-game comfort of spectators, diums which the country is con- see the July 3 race being renamed structing for the World Cup. club at its Vodafone Arena in Istanbul. location-based services, special statis- as the Mainova Ironman European Accordingly, state-of-the-art services tics and enhanced visual experiences. “We’ve offered our technologi- Championship in Frankfurt, Germany. and solutions from Turkey’s first smart Vodafone, which launched its Qatar cal expertise to be used at the The agreement came hot on the Southampton goalkeeper England rugby player Maro Ljupko Petrovic, who led stadium, revamped by Vodafone in 2013 operations in 2009, has more than 20 stadiums being constructed for heels of Mainova’s deal to become Fraser Forster has signed a Itoje was named European Red Star Belgrade to the the 2022 World Cup. We plan to the Frankfurt Marathon’s title sponsor new five-year contract that Player of the Year for 2016 after European Cup title in 1991, by spending a total value in excess of years of Machine-to-Machine experience. until 2018. will keep him at the club a startling season. The 21-year- will return for a second $150m and also became a novelty in entire Vodafone Qatar COO Mohamed Al bid for technology implemen- until 2021. The England old Saracens player capped stint as Levski Sofia coach. Europe, will be imported into one of the Sadah, Chief Business Officer Mahmud tation at all eight venues and international joined the Saints a European Champions Cup Petrovic will replace Stoycho world’s fastest-growing football markets Awad, Vodafone Turkey CEO Gokhan Ogut hope to become a part of the from Celtic in 2014 and has winning campaign by being Stoev, who quit last week. in Qatar, which is gearing up to host the and Besiktas FC Chairman Fikret Orman unforgettable experience,” said been impressive on his return crowned man-of-the-match in “I’m coming back. Levski are FIFA World Cup in 2022. attended the ceremony. It was followed Al Sadah. DSP from a serious knee-injury the English club’s 21-9 victory one of my favourite clubs,” PAK Lighting DSP this season, keeping six clean over Racing 92 in Lyon. Petrovic said. The tie-up will help develop and enhance by a tour of the sprawling facility. sheets in a row. powers City English Premier League club Manchester City strengthened their DIDAS is ending its shirt sponsor- year to partner fewer teams. It has commercial presence in China by adidas ship deal with English Premier also been moving away from sports West Indies great Schalke 04 coach ’s hopes of joining signing up Guangzhou-based PAK Curtly Andre Ivan Morales League football side Chelsea six federations and towards individual has been replaced left the club his two brothers as a world A Lighting, which will conduct vari- Ambrose Breitenreiter curtails years early as part of a shift to partner stars, who can promote the brand on by Roderick Estwick as the following their 4-1 victory champion were dashed when ous activities for spectators, begin- team’s bowling consultant. at Hoffenheim last week the Mexican lost to title- fewer clubs. social media. ning with the club’s pre-season Estwick, the Barbados Pride which secured their Europa holder Lee Haskins in their Chelsea Chelsea, who won the Premier The German company says it wants tour of China this summer. The club bowling coach, joins in League qualification. Schalke International Boxing Federation League title last season, have had a to cut the portion of its marketing has also signed a sponsorship deal with Internet TV start-up Whaley as time for the upcoming Tri- announced just before their bantamweight clash in Cardiff. shirt deal poor run of form which means they budget for sports deals to below 45 its official television partner in the Nations one-day series against final Bundesliga game of the Erik Morales was a four-time will not compete in European foot- per cent in 2020 from about half Australia and South Africa. season that Breitenreiter would world champion while Diego country. ball next season under new boss now as it increases spending on not see out the second year of Morales won the World Boxing his contract. Organisation super flyweight Antonio Conte. pushing the brand directly on social crown. Adidas said the Chelsea move was media, in stores and at grass-roots » Courtesy CSM Sport & Entertainment, in line with a shift in strategy last sports events. www.csm.com, @FastTrack_ME Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 33 Kaleidoscope

Ooredoo signs deal with QFA

Ooredoo announced a new three- year sponsorship deal with the Qatar Football Association (QFA). It will become the official tel- ecommunica- tions company for all QFA events. The agreement was signed by Ooredoo Qatar Chief Operating Officer Yousuf Abdullah Al Kubaisi and šĈFrom left, Mohamed Al Sadah, Gokhan Ogut, Fikret Orman and Mahmud Awad at the signing ceremony. QFA General Secretary Mansoor Al Ansari. RINGING THE NTT supports World Triathlon

Information and communications CHANGES technology firm NTT Group has been announced as the new global partner of International Triathlon Union Ĉ ĈThe tie-up with its Turkish Vodafone Qatar’s smart stadium technol- and ITU World Triathlon Series for counterpart will help ogy proposition and ensure its practical 2016 and 2017. As per the deal, NTT Vodafone Qatar’s smart implementation. Expertise offer will have exclusive rights in com- stadium proposition Vodafone Turkey CEO Gokhan Ogut munications and system integra- for stadiums tion, especially in its home country said, “We feel quite excited about the pros- of Japan. pects of exporting smart infrastructure Vodafone is committed towards Aswin Abraham to Qatar. The arena will act as a model bringing expertise and inno- for Vodafone Qatar for its technologi- vation in telecommunications cal proposition at the eight World Cup infrastructure to support the stadiums.” 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar ODAFONE Qatar made a big leap The Vodafone Arena has already become and the country’s National into the country’s sports scene an example to the world with its smart Vision 2030. Vlast week by joining hands with infrastructure and digital transforma- Vodafone Qatar Chief Mainova energy its Turkish counterpart to accelerate the tion. It features a unique five-layer func- Operating Officer Mohamed Al transfer of knowledge, expertise and tioning — system and telecoms rooms, Sadah told Doha Stadium Plus for Ironman technological knowhow. seamless connectivity, interactive dis- in Istanbul, Turkey, it was keen An agreement to this effect was signed plays as well as videowalls, digital com- to import extensive expertise Mainova became the title sponsor by senior officials of Vodafone in Qatar pass of matches and value-added services and innovation to the smart sta- of Ironman long-distance triathlon race. The contract, until 2018, will and Turkey as well as Besiktas football such as in-game comfort of spectators, diums which the country is con- see the July 3 race being renamed structing for the World Cup. club at its Vodafone Arena in Istanbul. location-based services, special statis- as the Mainova Ironman European Accordingly, state-of-the-art services tics and enhanced visual experiences. “We’ve offered our technologi- Championship in Frankfurt, Germany. and solutions from Turkey’s first smart Vodafone, which launched its Qatar cal expertise to be used at the The agreement came hot on the stadium, revamped by Vodafone in 2013 operations in 2009, has more than 20 stadiums being constructed for heels of Mainova’s deal to become by spending a total value in excess of years of Machine-to-Machine experience. the 2022 World Cup. We plan to the Frankfurt Marathon’s title sponsor $150m and also became a novelty in entire Vodafone Qatar COO Mohamed Al bid for technology implemen- until 2018. Europe, will be imported into one of the Sadah, Chief Business Officer Mahmud tation at all eight venues and world’s fastest-growing football markets Awad, Vodafone Turkey CEO Gokhan Ogut hope to become a part of the in Qatar, which is gearing up to host the and Besiktas FC Chairman Fikret Orman unforgettable experience,” said FIFA World Cup in 2022. attended the ceremony. It was followed Al Sadah. DSP PAK Lighting The tie-up will help develop and enhance by a tour of the sprawling facility. DSP powers City

English Premier League club Manchester City strengthened their DIDAS is ending its shirt sponsor- year to partner fewer teams. It has commercial presence in China by adidas ship deal with English Premier also been moving away from sports signing up Guangzhou-based PAK ALeague football side Chelsea six federations and towards individual Lighting, which will conduct vari- curtails years early as part of a shift to partner stars, who can promote the brand on ous activities for spectators, begin- fewer clubs. social media. ning with the club’s pre-season Chelsea Chelsea, who won the Premier The German company says it wants tour of China this summer. The club League title last season, have had a to cut the portion of its marketing has also signed a sponsorship deal with Internet TV start-up Whaley as shirt deal poor run of form which means they budget for sports deals to below 45 its official television partner in the will not compete in European foot- per cent in 2020 from about half country. ball next season under new boss now as it increases spending on Antonio Conte. pushing the brand directly on social Adidas said the Chelsea move was media, in stores and at grass-roots » Courtesy CSM Sport & Entertainment, in line with a shift in strategy last sports events. www.csm.com, @FastTrack_ME 34 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 35

Spot shots Ĉ NEYMAR JR’S FIVE

Skyber qualify for world final

Skyber will represent Qatar in the world final of the Neymar Jr’s Five tournament in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in July. Forty four teams will vie for honours in the five-a-side event. In the national final at the Pearl Qatar last week, Skyber defeated Favor 3-2 on penalties. In the semifinals, Skyber beat Game Of Thrones 2-1 in tie-breaker while Favor got the better of Venus 2-1. The 16-team event also saw Shabab Maganees, Al Khor, Leicester City, Power Rangers, Al Rayyan, Spades, The Tigers, NWA Masters, Nojoom, No Name Team, Qatar and Ismailiy in action. Matches were of 10-minute duration and every time a team conceded a goal, it was asked to take out a player. DSP DSP/Mohan Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 35 DSP/Mohan 36 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 37

www.facebook.com/dohastadium www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.instagram.com/dohastadiumplus Society www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar Smash Academy event SPORT THIS WEEK TOP TWEETS BLAST FROM THE PAST INSTAGLOW Ĉ QATAR TONY GREIG 1977 Sacked over Kerry Packer ‘circus’ evokes good response WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 FRIDAY, MAY 20

CHESS FOOTBALL The Qatar Tennis Federation’s Secondary School Emir’s Cup final, Al Sadd vs season-ending Smash Academy Championship, 3pm onwards Lekhwiya, 7pm at Al Sadd Championship got under way at Khalid bin Waleed Boys Stadium. at the Khalifa International Preparatory School (till Complex last Monday. Besides Thursday). men’s, ladies and veterans TENNIS categories, competitions are Smash Academy being held in Under-18, U-14, Championship, 5.30pm at U-12, U-10, U-9 and U-8 sections Khalifa International Complex for both boys and girls. (till Monday). The Spanish Grand Prix last week A record 300 participants THURSDAY, MAY 19 saw the acrimonious rivalry between are seen in action at the Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg tournament, which will HOCKEY again grab the headlines after the conclude on May 23. The Indoor League semifinals, Mercedes drivers crashed against Mesaieed Club vs Al Shamal performance of national players HOCKEY each other and went out right at the B, 7.30pm; Wanderers vs Al start of the race. Though Formula will be closely monitored as the Shamal A, 8.30pm at German Indoor League, final, 3.30pm at tournament forms part of the International School. German International School. One dismissed it as just another selection process for Qatar’s racing accident, Twitter was quick to Asia/Oceania Zone Group 4 take sides. Davis Cup ties. Ĉ Ehab Awad sent the details INTERNATIONAL and photograph. Tobi Gruner @tgruener WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 Lauda blames Hamilton: “This is not CRICKET acceptable. Unnecessary risk by Lewis in turn 2 of a long race. We IPL in India (till May 29). Milindi stars in Birla’s triumph QCA to host have to talk to him about it.” #AMuS CYCLING An unbeaten 29 by Milindi the loss of three wickets from the school chess Tour of California (till Sunday), F1Nova helped Birla Public School beat stipulated 15 overs. Tour of Italy (till May 29). @F1Nova Al Khor International School Wenshuka then triggered tourney FOOTBALL Whether he was at fault or not, Lauda’s comments on Hamilton by 11 runs and win the Qatar collapse by claiming three wickets The two-day Qatar Europa League final, Liverpool has done nothing to help distance Cricket Association’s inter-school as Khor were bowled out for 112. Secondary School Chess vs Sevilla, Basel. N MAY 13, former England cricket captain Tony Greig was Mercedes from the conspiracy tournament. Jamshaid Ahmed sent the Championship will be ICE HOCKEY sacked for signing up players to Kerry Packer’s commercial Batting first, Birla made 123 for details and photograph. SATURDAY, MAY 21 morons. #F1 held on Wednesday and World Championships, St Ocricket series, which was then termed as ‘circus’. Thursday at the Khalid Petersburg (till Sunday). FOOTBALL With Greig’s help, Packer, the Australian media tycoon and owner Taki Inoue bin Waleed Boys School. SWIMMING English FA Cup final: @takiinoue of Channel 9 TV, recruited 50 top-class players by offering them sala- The event, organised Manchester United vs Crystal Re. incident between Hamilton ries of around AUS $30,000 a year for a three-year contract to play in by the Qatar Chess European Aquatics Palace; Scottish Cup final: Championships, London (till and Rosberg, Rosberg looks lost Association, features Rangers vs Hibernian; French a series of internationals in his native country. Sunday). Cup final: Paris Saint-Germain his speed. Even Taki Inoue can individual as well as The impact of his new World Series, dubbed a “circus” by the media, vs Marseille; German Cup final: understand Hamilton’s movement. team competitions. “A Bayern Munich vs Borussia 9 1 shocked 8 the cricket establishment and fans around the globe. Very normal!! maximum of six students Dortmund; Italian Cup final: AC 1 5 2 9 3His central6 role in the organisation of the breakaway troupe caused from each school can Milan vs Juventus Matt Gallagher much annoyance and conflicted with his role as England captain. As take part in the event. SUNDAY, MAY 22 4 1 @xMattyG May 15 Greig became the focal point for critics, he was removed from the The best three results will Why are they even debating who’s6 England captaincy. be counted for the team ATHLETICS fault it is? It is completely and utterly title,” said Tournament Rabat Diamond League. 8 5 2 4 7 Rosberg’s damn fault #F1 Director Mohammed FOOTBALL 4 9 Nasser Al Sayed. Spanish Copa del Rey final: Sajid Khalil sent Barcelona vs Sevilla in Madrid. 4 5 6 the details. MOTORSPORT 5 9 7 6 4 Italian MotoGP at Mugello. 6 7 TENNIS SUDOKU-525 ATP and WTA at French Open (till June 5). 9 1 8 TENNIS TUESDAY, MAY 24 ATP at Geneva and Nice; WTA Sudoku is a number- 1 5 2 9 3 6 Ђ ЂName the top scorer for newly-crowned at Strasbourg and Nuremberg SQUASH placing puzzle Solution-524 (till Saturday). Spanish football champions Barcelona World Series Finals, Dubai (till based on a 9x9 4 1 THURSDAY, MAY 19 May 28). grid with several given numbers. 9 8 5 3 6 2 1 7 4 CRICKET 6 The object is to 7 3 2 4 1 5 6 9 8 England vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, place the numbers Leeds (till Monday). Name 1 to 9 in the empty 4 6 1 9 8 7 3 5 2 8 5 2 4 7 GOLF squares so that each SEND YOUR ANSWER TO 6 1 7 8 2 3 5 4 9 EPGA at Irish Open; USPGA at row, each column 4 9 [email protected] Phone No Byron Nelson Championship, and each 3x3 box 3 5 8 1 9 4 7 2 6 Irving; LPGA at Kingsmill contains the same and be the lucky winner to get Championship, Williamsburg 2 4 9 5 7 6 8 1 3 4 5 6 e-mail (till Sunday). number only once. three months’ subscription of FRIDAY, MAY 20 5 7 3 6 4 9 2 8 1 5 9 7 6 4 DSP magazine for free. MOTORSPORT 1 9 6 2 5 8 4 3 7 Rally of Portugal (till Sunday). 8 2 4 7 3 1 9 6 5 6 7

9 8 5 3 6 2 1 7 4 7 3 2 4 1 5 6 9 8 4 6 1 9 8 7 3 5 2 6 1 7 8 2 3 5 4 9 3 5 8 1 9 4 7 2 6 2 4 9 5 7 6 8 1 3 5 7 3 6 4 9 2 8 1 1 9 6 2 5 8 4 3 7 8 2 4 7 3 1 9 6 5 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com 37

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SPORT THIS WEEK TOP TWEETS BLAST FROM THE PAST INSTAGLOW

TONY GREIG 1977 Sacked over Kerry Packer ‘circus’

The Spanish Grand Prix last week saw the acrimonious rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg again grab the headlines after the Mercedes drivers crashed against each other and went out right at the start of the race. Though Formula One dismissed it as just another racing accident, Twitter was quick to take sides.

Tobi Gruner @tgruener Lauda blames Hamilton: “This is not acceptable. Unnecessary risk by Lewis in turn 2 of a long race. We have to talk to him about it.” #AMuS

F1Nova @F1Nova Whether he was at fault or not, Lauda’s comments on Hamilton has done nothing to help distance N MAY 13, former England cricket captain Tony Greig was Mercedes from the conspiracy sacked for signing up players to Kerry Packer’s commercial morons. #F1 Ocricket series, which was then termed as ‘circus’. With Greig’s help, Packer, the Australian media tycoon and owner Taki Inoue @takiinoue of Channel 9 TV, recruited 50 top-class players by offering them sala- Re. incident between Hamilton ries of around AUS $30,000 a year for a three-year contract to play in and Rosberg, Rosberg looks lost a series of internationals in his native country. his speed. Even Taki Inoue can The impact of his new World Series, dubbed a “circus” by the media, understand Hamilton’s movement. 9 1 shocked 8 the cricket establishment and fans around the globe. Very normal!! 1 5 2 9 3His central6 role in the organisation of the breakaway troupe caused much annoyance and conflicted with his role as England captain. As Matt Gallagher 4 1 @xMattyG May 15 Greig became the focal point for critics, he was removed from the Why are they even debating who’s6 England captaincy. fault it is? It is completely and8 utterly 5 2 4 7 Rosberg’s damn fault #F1 4 9 4 5 6 5 9 7 6 4 SUDOKU-525 6 7 9 1 8

Sudoku is a number- 1 5 2 9 3 6 placing puzzle Solution-524 based on a 9x9 4 1 grid with several given numbers. 9 8 5 3 6 2 1 7 4 6 The object is to 7 3 2 4 1 5 6 9 8 place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty 4 6 1 9 8 7 3 5 2 8 5 2 4 7 squares so that each 6 1 7 8 2 3 5 4 9 row, each column 4 9 and each 3x3 box 3 5 8 1 9 4 7 2 6 contains the same number only once. 2 4 9 5 7 6 8 1 3 4 5 6 5 7 3 6 4 9 2 8 1 5 9 7 6 4 1 9 6 2 5 8 4 3 7 8 2 4 7 3 1 9 6 5 6 7

9 8 5 3 6 2 1 7 4 7 3 2 4 1 5 6 9 8 4 6 1 9 8 7 3 5 2 6 1 7 8 2 3 5 4 9 3 5 8 1 9 4 7 2 6 2 4 9 5 7 6 8 1 3 5 7 3 6 4 9 2 8 1 1 9 6 2 5 8 4 3 7 8 2 4 7 3 1 9 6 5 38 Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com WE WON’T LET YOU GET AWAY Hearsay FROM THE GAME Ibra gets Man United offer Catch every pulse of action... Stay tuned www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

WEDISH striker Zlatan Ibra- from TV rights. himovic will be leaving Paris Reportedly, United submitted a con- SSaint-Germain for English Pre- tract offer and appear the only club to mier League side Manchester United be able to match Ibrahimovic’s salary. next season. In fact, if former Chlesea manager Jose The deal is a priority for United in the Mourinho joins the club, the 34-year- transfer window. The project appears old may be prompted to join United feasible in view of the significant because they have earlieryxyxyxyxyx worked together yxy funds available and the huge sums at Inter Milan in 2008-2009.xy xy xyxyxxyy yxyxyxy yxyxy De Gea to leave if Van Gaal stays

ANCHESTER United goalkeeper David de Gea is unlikely to Mstay at the club next season if manager Louis van Gaal’s contract Gomes likely to is extended. According to media reports, the join Juventus Spaniard, who joined United in 2011, can move to Real Madrid for €50m after UVENTUS are likely to sign Va- it emerged the 25-year-old has become lencia midfielderAndre Gomes “disenchanted” with Van Gaal. Jfor a whopping £40m deal. However, the 64-year-old’s future is The 22-year-old, who has five caps Publishers: ASPIRE Printing, Publishing and Distribution already hanging by a thread after the for Portugal, has scored four times this P O Box: 24598, Doha, Qatar. club failed to seal Champions League season and provided 40 assists in all Marketing & advertising: Tel: +974 44138566 qualification, which may prompt De competitions for Valencia. e-mail: [email protected] Mourinho is in Gea to reconsider his decision. He joined the Spanish side last July Even if Van Gaal leads his side to for £11.5m when he had put pen to Distribution: Tel: +974 44138535/36, Fax: +974 44138597 FA Cup glory, where they face Crystal paper on a deal until 2020. However, www.twitter.com/dohastadiumplus www.facebook.com/dohastadiumplusqatar www.flickr.com/photos/dohastadiumplusqatar e-mail: [email protected] Palace in the final on Saturday, he is the Portuguese international’s value talks with Paris likely to be given the boot. quadrupled after his impressive performance this season. Saint-Germain Sri Lanka to host Pakistan-Windies series TO OUR PUBLICATION ORTUGUESE Jose Mourinho accompany his potential appointment. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may organise could move to French champi- PSG coach Laurent Blanc’s position its bilateral home series against the West Indies Pons Paris Saint-Germain unless was thought to be safe having signed in Sri Lanka in October. Subscribe Manchester United act quickly. a contract extension earlier this year. The series, which will have two Tests, three Yes, send to me Mourinho is the prime contender to However, PSG’s failure to make it One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20, was replace Louis van Gaal should United past the Champions League quar- initially scheduled to be held in the UAE, but the Name: ...... sack the Dutchman. terfinal has forced president Nasser PCB is now looking at Sri Lanka as an alternate But the former Chelsea manager Ghanem Al Kholaifi into a rethink. venue because of the high costs involved. After the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked Company: ...... considers PSG job as an excellent Mourinho’s Champions League at Lahore in 2009, the PCB has been hosting its Xhaka heading opportunity, particularly with the pedigree makes him the right can- home matches in the UAE. Address: ...... vast transfer budget that is likely to didate to replace Blanc. for Arsenal Telephone: ...... RSENAL are close to signing a deal with Granit Xhaka af- Fax: ...... Ater the Swiss agreed personal Murray-Lendl tie-up again terms with the English Premier League e-mail: ...... runners-up. Xhaka has been courted by Arsene Payment can be made by cash, cheque or DD payable to Estad Al Doha. NDY Murray is keen to work the veterans’ tour led to a split. Wenger’s side for several months and with Ivan Lendl again after his The academy is now closed and Murray is said to favour a move to the Emirates Asplit with Amelie Mauresmo. says he would be prepared for a com- Stadium instead of Manchester City, Lendl coached the British No.1 dur- promise to work with the eight-time who are also interested. SIX MONTHS ONE YEAR QR 50 (26 ISSUES) QR 100 (52 ISSUES) ing the most successful period of his Grand Slam winner. The 23-year-old wants any deal to be career between 2012 and 2014 when “I would love to work with Ivan, but completed before the Euro in France and SEND THIS TO the Scot claimed two Grands Slam the time was the issue,” said Murray. chief transfer negotiator Dick Law has and an Olympic gold. But conflicting “If it can work, then I would love to already drawn up an impressive financial The Distribution Manager, Doha Stadium Plus time commitments, with Lendl focus- do it. People who have been No.1 in package. But Borussia Monchengladbach P O Box: 24598, Tel: +974 44138527/44138567, Fax:+974 44138592/44138597, e-mail: [email protected] ing on setting up a tennis academy in the world know the amount of time it are stalling on finalising a deal until they South Carolina and playing more on takes to make an impact.” sign a replacement for Xhaka. WE WON’T LET YOU GET AWAY FROM THE GAME Catch every pulse of action... Stay tuned www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

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