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Tuesday, May 28, 2019 TENNIS Ramadan 23, 1440 AH Serena survives GULF TIMES scare in Paris, wins 800th match SPORT Page 2

SPOTLIGHT Villa win ‘richest game’ in football

AFP called former Chelsea and Eng- London land teammate Ashley Cole as well as Tom Huddlestone into his starting side. n Aston Villa side Cole replaced suspended managed by one life- Scott Malone at left-back, while long fan in Dean Smith midfi elder Huddlestone took Aand captained by an- over from Duane Holmes, in- other in Jack Grealish ended jured in the semi-fi nal victory their three-year exile from the over Leeds. Premier League yesterday with Villa’s Smith, made one un- a 2-1 win over Derby County in enforced change by bringing in the Championship playoff fi nal winger Albert Adomah instead at Wembley. of Andre Green, who dropped A year after losing to Fulham down to the bench. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his first round match against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann in Paris yesterday. He won in straight sets. in the same fi xture, Villa were Smith’s side, who had already celebrating a return to Eng- put seven goals past Derby with- lish football’s lucrative top- out reply in two regular season TENNIS/ FRENCH OPEN fl ight that will be worth at least league meetings this season, £170mn ($216mn) and as much were much the better side for as £200mn ($253mn) to the Bir- the fi rst half. mingham club. And their dominance was Anwar El Ghazi put Villa duly rewarded a minute before ahead with a header on the the interval when a precise cross stroke of half-time before John by Egypt’s Ahmed Elmohamady McGinn capitalised on a goal- evaded the Derby defence and keeping error to score Villa’s allowed Netherlands Under-21 Nadal, Djokovic second just shy of the hour international El Ghazi, who had mark. lost his marker, to run in at the Derby substitute Jack Marri- far post and score with a stoop- ott ensured a nervous fi nish for ing header. Villa with a goal nine minutes It was a goal celebrated by from time but it could not pre- the massed ranks of Villa fans at vent County losing in the play- Wembley that included Britain’s off s for the fourth time in six Prince William. cruise through at seasons. For Smith, whose fa- Villa doubled their lead in the ther is suff ering from dementia, 59th minute. this was a poignant victory. El Ghazi’s shot was defl ected “I went to see my old man on high into the air and Derby goal- Friday and I managed to get his keeper Kelle Roos, who waited eyes open for two minutes and for the ball to drop so he could I said to him ‘next time you see complete a catch instead of at- me I’m going to be a Premier tempting a punch, was left Roland Garros League manager’,” Smith told fl oundering as McGinn steered Sky Sports. “He smiled and the ball into the net. ‘IT’S ALWAYS AMAZING TO PLAY HERE, THE NEW CHATRIER IS VERY NICE’ nodded, for me that’s enough.” But at 2-0 down, a desper- Meanwhile an elated Greal- ate Derby raised their game and ish said: “I’m speechless. It was pulled a goal back nine minutes AFP view when Nadal broke after a The Danish 13th seed had re- such a hard game, but when I from time. Paris lengthy game to take a 2-1 ad- tired injured from her two pre- look around and I’ve got John, Florian Jozefzoon’s cross was vantage in the third, and the vious matches in the lead-up Anwar, I believe. It means the nodded back in by Jayden Bogle, Spaniard completed the job on to Roland Garros, and fell away world to go up, we know where and substitute Marriott rolled efending champion his fi rst match point as world badly after a strong fi rst set. this club belongs. a shot into the far corner, al- Rafael Nadal got his bid number 184 Hanfmann blasted “I think she got very lucky at “I’ve stayed here and we’re though Martyn Waghorn may for a record-extending long. the start of the second set and back there now. I’ve led my have got the very last touch. 12th French Open title Djokovic laid down an early took advantage of the opportu- boyhood team to the Premier Injuries and stoppages meant offD to the perfect start by brush- marker in his bid to hold all four nities she got,” said Wozniacki. League.” Villa, the 1982 European cham- ing aside German qualifi er Yan- Grand Slam titles simultane- Sixth seed and two-time El Ghazi added: “We know pions, had to come through sev- nick Hanfmann, while world ously for the second time, pow- Wimbledon champion Petra and felt the pressure. This club en minutes of additional time. number one Novak Djokovic ering past Polish youngster Hu- Kvitova was forced to pull out has to be in the Premier League But they held their nerve to was also a comfortable victor in bert Hurkacz. before her scheduled opener and it deserves to be there.” join Norwich City and Sheffi eld the fi rst round at Roland Garros The 15-time major champion against Sorana Cirstea with Rams boss Frank Lampard, in United in next season’s Premier on Monday. impressed in a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 tri- a left arm injury, but said she his fi rst season as a manager, re- League. Nadal, a 17-time Grand Slam umph and will face Swiss lucky should be fi t for Wimbledon, champion, cruised to a 6-2, loser Henri Laaksonen in round which starts on July 1. 6-1, 6-3 victory on the rebuilt two. “(I’ll be out for) two to three Court Philippe Chatrier to set “I was very solid. I’m happy weeks, so I’ll do some fi tness up a clash with another German with my game today,” said the and everything that I can do to qualifi er — world number 114 top seed. “It’s a long tourna- prepare my body for the tennis Yannick Maden — in round two. ment... But I just want to con- on the grass,” said the Czech. Nadal had suff ered three con- centrate on my next match.” Dutch fourth seed Kiki secutive semi-fi nal defeats ear- Twelve months ago, Djokovic Bertens looked in fi ne fettle, lier in the clay-court season, dropped out of the world’s top 20 though, beating home player but appeared to fi nd his best after a shock quarter-fi nal loss Pauline Parmentier 6-3, 6-4. in an Italian Open title success to Marco Cecchinato and even Elsewhere in the women’s sealed with victory over old rival pondered skipping Wimbledon, draw, Australian eighth seed Djokovic, while his French Open but he has instead reclaimed his Ashleigh Barty saw off American win-loss record now reads 87-2. place at the top of the game. Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-3. “It’s always amazing to play The 22-year-old Hurkacz, In the men’s event, three- here, the new Chatrier is very who has claimed three wins over time Grand Slam champion Stan nice,” the second seed said. “It’s top-10 players this season, had Wawrinka progressed with a been an important place in my no answer to the 2016 French 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-3 win over career. Open winner, as Djokovic sealed Slovakian Jozef Kovalik. “I played a good tournament a second-round spot without Australian Alex De Minaur, in Rome which was very im- breaking sweat, hitting 27 win- seeded 21st, beat the United portant for my confi dence. Now Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his first round match ners. Earlier yesterday, former States’ Bradley Klahn 6-1, we’ll see.” against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. world number one Caroline 6-4, 6-4, although Georgian The 32-year-old Nadal raced Wozniacki collapsed to a 0-6, 15th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili into a 3-0 lead in the opening set just 40 minutes. ners past his beleaguered oppo- 6-3, 6-3 loss to Russian world and Russian 12th seed Daniil before a second break of serve in The second set was over in a nent. number 68 Veronika Kuderme- Medvedev both exited the tour- Aston Villa’s Mile Jedinak and assistant manager John Terry celebrate the eighth game sealed it after fl ash as Nadal crushed nine win- The winning line honed into tova in the fi rst round. nament. with the trophy after winning the playoff against Derby County. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 28, 2019 TENNIS/FRENCH OPEN

CLOSE SHAVE SPOTLIGHT Black and white’s all right Serena survives for stylish Barty

Reuters but with her confi dence soaring Paris she seems primed to rectify that record this year. “A little bit scratchy, but solid scare in fi rst round ustralian eighth seed enough when I needed it,” was Ashleigh Barty is not her verdict after her victory. “I ‘I made lots of mistakes in the first set and I just said ‘good luck, Serena’ known for extravagant think overall, not knowing Jess Aoutfi ts, preferring to let overly well, I was able to fi gure it AFP Diatchenko, who knocked Maria her tennis do the talking on court, out when I needed to. Paris Sharapova out of Wimbledon but she made an impression on “There were moments in the last year, broke Williams twice both counts as she began her match when it was tighter, but I in the opening set in the fi fth French Open campaign in style was able to be really solid again erena Williams survived and seventh games, claiming the yesterday. and do the basics well.” a fi rst-set scare before opener on a third set point. Barty was far too good for While Barty, and former run- defeating Russia’s Vita- Williams fi red four aces in the American Jessica Pegula, win- ner-up Sam Stosur, will shoulder lia Diatchenko 2-6, 6-1, set but also 14 unforced errors. ning 6-3 6-3 on Roland Garros’s Australian women’s hopes, Alex 6-0S to reach the second round Suddenly, she was staring at so-called bullring court kitted De Minaur, the men’s 21st seed, of the French Open yesterday. only her second fi rst round loss out in a black and white striped scored his fi rst French Open main The 37-year-old American, at a Slam after her 2012 defeat in zebra kit. draw victory yesterday to snap a who is attempting to equal Mar- Paris by Virginie Razzano. “I don’t mind it. I think it looks fi ve-match losing streak dating garet Court’s all-time record But she stormed back to level pretty good against the clay,” Mi- back to February. of 24 Grand Slam titles, racked the encounter, cutting the errors ami champion Barty told report- The 20-year-old has been up her 800th career main draw by half and breaking in the sec- ers of her new Fila kit. struggling to overcome a groin win with her victory in front of a ond and sixth games of the set. “It’s very cool. They’ve kind of injury on the slippery European half-full Court Philippe Chatri- She swept through the decid- released it sporadically over the claycourts, but he was in com- er. er, breaking in the fi rst, third and year. I think it pops. manding form to beat Bradley “There is always a lot fear for fi fth games. “I picked it up and I was like, oh Klahn 6-1 6-4 6-4 on Monday. a fi rst round match,” said Wil- Serena Williams of the US serves the One year after her ‘Black wow! Obviously when I put it on, “To be able to fi nally sort of liams who eventually raced to ball to Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko Panther’ catsuit caused contro- it’s not as out there as I thought it end this drought I’ve been hav- victory, taking 12 of the last 13 during their first round match on day versy, Williams returned to Ro- would be. But I’m happy to wear ing, it hasn’t been easy,” he told games. two of French Open yesterday. land Garros, dressed in a zebra- whatever.” reporters. “I made lots of mistakes in striped cape emblazoned with The 23-year-old Queenslander “I really felt like I needed a win the fi rst set and I just said ‘good the words ‘mother, champion, has enjoyed a stunning year so far, just for me personally and men- luck, Serena’. queen, goddess’ all translated reaching the quarter-fi nals of the tally. Things hadn’t really gone “I was strong after that... now into French in a nod to her hosts. Australian Open then claiming my way, but it’s good to see the I feel like I need to go and prac- Once the cape was removed, the best title of her career in Mi- results fi nally get back. And to tice.” Williams revealed a black and ami. There was a slight concern be back at 100%, that the main Williams, the 2002, 2013 and white zebra-stripe print dress. when she pulled out of the Stras- thing. 2015 champion in Paris, will face 2018, making the last 16 where now-infamous meltdown over- Since Melbourne, Williams She fell foul of tournament bourg tournament last week with “It was safe to say that I was either Japan’s Kurumi Nara or she had been set to resume her shadowed Naomi Osaka’s ti- had been unable to fi nish the organisers last year with her an arm injury but she showed no very pumped to start today.” Dalila Jakupovic of Slovenia for bitter rivalry with Maria Shara- tle triumph, followed her Paris three tournaments she had en- one-piece black outfi t which she sign of it against Pegula. De Minaur will face a stern test a place in the last 32. pova. heartbreak. tered — retiring in the third said she needed to wear to boost Barty has never been past of his form and fi tness in round Williams won her most recent An arm injury torpedoed that Her Australian Open cam- round of Indian Wells and with- her circulation. the second round in fi ve previ- two against Spain’s 57th ranked major at the Australian Open in meeting and stalled her assault paign in January ended in a drawing after winning a round Williams had suff ered life- ous visits to the French Open Pablo Carreno Busta. 2017 while pregnant. on a fourth title in Paris. quarter-fi nal loss to Karolina in Miami, and after winning one threatening blood clots when She returned to Grand Slam Defeat in the 2018 Wimble- Pliskova despite having led 5-1 round in Rome due to a right she gave birth to her daughter tennis after giving birth to her don fi nal and US Open cham- in the fi nal set and holding four knee injury. Alexis Olympia in 2017. daughter at Roland Garros in pionship match, where her match points. Yesterday, the 83rd-ranked

Kvitova gets FOCUS all clear for Wimbledon ‘Frustrated’ Wozniacki says opponent Two-time Wimbledon cham- pion Petra Kvitova said she got ‘lucky’ in Roland Garros win expects to be fit for the grass- court season despite pulling AFP “She had a few net chords took it game by game and tried out of the French Open with a Paris and good shots on some of the to be more aggressive,” said left arm injury yesterday. important points at the start of the Russian. For Wozniacki The Czech, who was seeded the second set. now, her focus will turn to the sixth at Roland Garros, will be ormer world number “It’s defi nitely frustrating. grass-court season, in which out for “two to three weeks”. one Caroline Woz- You want to win, you work she has struggled in the past “It means no tennis, of course, niacki was left “frus- hard and you want to see re- — never having reached the as it’s my left forearm,” said the Ftrated” after collaps- sults. Wimbledon quarter-fi nals. Australia’s Ashleigh Barty plays a forehand return to Jessica Pegula big-hitting left-hander. ing to a 0-6, 6-3, 6-3 loss to “It hasn’t been a great year “I haven’t had the best in Paris yesterday. “Maybe I can play rightie. Two Russian world number 68 Ve- for me so far, so I’m going to lead-up to this tournament,” to three weeks, so I’ll do some ronika Kudermetova yesterday work hard and try and turn it she said. “I had a calf injury fitness and everything that I and told her opponent she “got around.” so haven’t really been able to FIRST IMPRESSIONS can do to prepare my body lucky”. The 22-year-old Kuderme- play or practise for a couple for the tennis on the grass.” The Danish 13th seed had tova cruised to victory in the of weeks. My calf now feels Kvitova had been due to play retired injured from her two decider on a sparsely-popu- good so that’s a positive so I’m Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in previous matches in the lead- lated Court Philippe Chatrier defi nitely going to go back and Teenager Parry her opening Roland Garros up to Roland Garros, but to claim the biggest win of her work hard and get ready for the match on Court Suzanne looked to have found form in a career. grass season.” Lenglen later in the day. “I am one-sided opening set. She will face either Ka- It was the fi rst time Woz- triggers Mauresmo so disappointed to have to Last year’s Australian Open zakhstan’s Zarina Diyas or niacki had lost in the opening announce my withdrawal from champion lost her way in the French wildcard Audrey Albie round of a Grand Slam tourna- Roland Garros,” Kvitova wrote second set, though, making in the second round, having ment since Wimbledon three comparison in Paris on Twitter. 10 unforced errors, but said portunities she got,” said Woz- only made her main-draw de- years ago. “I have had pain in my left her opponent was fortunate to niacki. but at a Grand Slam event with “I just have to try and stay Reuters forearm for a few weeks and turn the match around. “I ran out of steam in the a fi rst-round Australian Open positive, and obviously it’s not Paris last night an MRI confirmed a “I think she got very lucky end and made some unforced loss in January. as easy to stay positive when Grade Two tear.” at the start of the second set errors that I don’t usually do, “I was a little bit nervous at things aren’t going your way,” and took advantage of the op- so that was very frustrating. the start of the match, but I she added. ne victory at the French Open and a single- handed backhand was BOTTOMLINE all it took for 16-year- oldO wildcard Diane Parry to draw comparisons with former world number one and fellow Frenchwoman Amelie Maures- mo. Parry, ranked 457th in the WTA ‘I can make history again’: rankings, beat Belarussian world number 102 Vera Lapko 6-2 6-4 to advance into the second round. It was her fi rst win in the main draw of a Grand Slam or WTA Novak eyeing 2nd ‘Djoko Slam’ event. The result was a welcome win AFP is on June 9. triumphs at the 2018 US Open for French women at Roland Gar- Paris “I put myself in a situation and the Australian Open ear- ros yesterday after both Pauline where I can actually make his- lier this year. Parmentier and Alize Cornet tory of tennis again and obvi- “It’s quite (a) different situ- were sent packing. orld number one ously I have very high ambi- ation for me now than it was 12 Parry, who grew up on the edge Novak Djoko- tions for this tournament,” months ago, obviously. Very of Roland Garros in Boulogne- vic said that he said Djokovic. different,” the 32-year-old Billancourt, was immediately “can make history “It’s not a secret. But at the added. A single break in the asked if she was like Mauresmo the fact that it was a big match in again”W as he looks to hold all same time, it’s not the first opening game of the match considering she also plays with a the French Open. I tried to be as four Grand Slam titles simul- time that I’m facing these kind proved enough for Djokovic to single-handed backhand. cool and relaxed as possible.” taneously for the second time, of circumstances. It’s not the take the first set, and the Serb “It’s Amelie Mauresmo that Being the youngest female after easing into round two at first Grand Slam in my career. raced through the second in taught me. I love it. I’m very hap- French player to win a match in the French Open yesterday. I have played so many. under half an hour. py to have a one-handed back- the main draw here since a then Djokovic laid down an early “I know it’s two weeks po- The 22-year-old Hurkacz, hand,” she said. 15-year-old Cornet in 2005, marker at Roland Garros, pow- tentially long, and I just need who has claimed three wins “I’m one of the very few play- Parry now has to deal with the ering past promising Polish to be in my lockdown mentally, over top-10 players this sea- ers to have one, so I stand out weight of expectations. youngster Hubert Hurkacz and just do things that have son, had no answer as Djokovic thanks to this.” “It’s true that there are expec- 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in his opening worked for me in the past.” sealed a second-round spot Parry usually goes to train in tations. We’re French. We play at match. Twelve months ago, Djoko- after another dominant set on the neighbouring Centre Nation- the French Open. There are ex- The Serbian is one of only vic dropped out of the world’s his first match point. al d’Entrainement with an elec- pectations,” said Parry. three men, along with Don top 20 after a shock quarter- “I’m focused, I’m deter- tric scooter. Yesterday, she made “I’m trying not to think about Budge and Rod Laver, to have final loss to Marco Cecchinato mined, and sharp from the an exception, allowing her moth- this and to focus on my game won four straight Slam tourna- at Roland Garros and even blocks. That’s what happened,” er to drive her to the stadium. “I and what I have to do. I try not ments, after his first, and so far pondered skipping Wimble- he said. tried to approach this match as a to think about everything around only, French Open title in 2016. don, but he has instead re- “Even though I never played run-of-the-mill match so as not me and what other people might Now he can follow in Aus- claimed his place at the top of him (before), never faced him to have too much pressure on my think.” tralian great Laver’s footsteps the game. He won his second in (an) official match, I still felt shoulders,” she explained. She next faces Belgian 20th by achieving the feat twice Wimbledon last July and fol- he can be a great threat if I al- “I tried to roll out my usual seed Elise Mertens or Slovenian with victory in the final in Par- lowed it up with back-to-back low him to play his tennis.” game. I tried not to think about Tamara Zidansek. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 28, 2019 3 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT WARM-UP Khawaja guides Roy completes Australia to easy win over Sri Lanka Reuters “Guys are putting their hands Southampton up, and it will be a brutal selec- tion call come our fi rst game. We have specifi c plans against Af- England warm-up pener Usman Khawaja ghanistan, they have some world shrugged off injury con- class players.” cerns to guide Australia Sri Lanka were off to a steady to a fi ve-wicket win start after opting to bat fi rst but overO Sri Lanka in their fi nal World wickets at regular intervals from Cup warm-up match yesterday. Australian spinners in the middle Australia’s disciplined bowling overs meant they failed to post a performance restricted Sri Lanka big score. Opener Lahiru Thir- rout of Afghanistan to 239-8, but they looked to have imanne carved out a composed suff ered a blow when Khawaja half-century but his dismissal limped off after being hit on the by off -spinner Nathan Lyon knee while fi elding. sparked a middle-order collapse Hosts fast bowler Wood cleared for World Cup opener against South Africa He later emerged to open the as Sri Lanka slipped from 110-2 batting alongside captain Aaron to 161-6. AFP Finch and continued his push All-rounder Dhananjaya de London for a spot in the Australian top Silva (43) shared a 64-run sev- order with a 105-ball 89. Shaun enth-wicket stand with Thisara Marsh (34), Glenn Maxwell (36) Perera (27) to ensure Sri Lanka ason Roy sealed an England and Marcus Stoinis (32)failed to breached the 200-run mark, thrashing of Afghanistan as the build on solid starts but wicket- before Mitchell Starc rattled his tournament hosts cruised to vic- keeper-batsman Alex Carey and stumps in the 47th over. tory in their fi nal match before the Pat Cummins ensured Australia Fast bowler Pat Cummins WorldJ Cup. Roy made 89 not out on his chased down the total with 31 was Australia’s most economi- Surrey home ground yesterday as Eng- balls to spare. cal bowler, collecting 1-23 from land hammered outsiders Afghanistan Finch, who deployed eight eight overs, while leg-spinner by nine wickets with nearly 200 balls to bowlers on a chilly day in South- Adam Zampa collected 2-39 spare. ampton, was pleased with prepa- from nine overs. England, two days after losing their rations ahead of their World Cup previous practice match to world cham- opener against Afghanistan on BRIEF SCORES pions Australia, returned to winning Saturday. “Feels like we are ready Sri Lanka 239 for 8 (Thirimanne ways in convincing fashion ahead of their to go,” Finch said. “Practice 56, Zampa 2-39) lost to Australia tournament opener against South Africa games are great to keep ticking 241 for 5 (Khawaja 89, Vandersay at the Oval on Thursday. the boxes and ensure we are do- A target of 161 was never likely to test ing our basics well. 2-51) by five wickets England, with Roy proving as much in a 46-ball innings that included 11 fours and four sixes. Before play started, England were boosted by the news that fast bowler Mark Wood had been passed fi t to face South Africa after a foot injury and that one-day captain Eoin Morgan was back in the team following a fractured fi nger. Durham quick Wood left the fi eld early while running in to bowl during Satur- day’s warm-up defeat by Australia in Southampton after suff ering a foot in- jury. Wood’s injury-plagued career has been blighted by a history of repeated an- kle problems but hospital scans saw the 29-year-old given the all clear for Thurs- day’s opening match of the World Cup, against South Africa at the Oval. Wood was scheduled to bowl during the warm-up immediately before yesterday’s practice match against Afghanistan but did not play any part in the fi xture itself. Wood has been one of England’s quickest bowlers of recent years. But fears over his ability to stay fi t for prolonged periods re- main and he has bowled a mere 13.1 overs since the start of the season in a bid to re- duce his workload prior to the World Cup. Meanwhile, Morgan did not fi eld, how- England’s Jason Roy plays cut shot during the ICC Cricket World Cup warm-up match against Afghanistan in London. (Reuters) ever, and was not required to bat with the only wicket Afghanistan took com- ending some late resistance from Nabi. Afghanistan lost their next four wickets England at bay before he was last man out ing when Jonny Bairstow was stumped by Opener Noor Ali scrapped his way to in a mere seven deliveries, Hashmatul- when a thick edge off Archer carried to Rahmat Shah off Mohamed Nabi for 39. 30 before he played on to all-rounder Ben lah and Najibullah Zadran carelessly run Bairstow on the boundary. Roy ended the match in the 18th over of Stokes. Hashmatullah could not get going out, Gulbadin Naib holing out to Moeen England’s reply with a six over midwicket. and that prompted Asghar Afghan to at- Ali and Rashid Khan steering Root to slip BRIEF SCORES Earlier, Jofra Archer and Joe Root tack the occasional off -spin of Test cap- for a golden duck. Afghanistan were in Afghanistan 160 all out in 38.4 overs took three wickets apiece as Afghani- tain Root. danger of being dismissed for under 100 (M Nabi 44, Root 3-22, Archer 3-32) lost to stan slumped to 160 all out. Fast bowler But, having missed out on a fi rst-ball before Nabi, with 44, helped the last two Australia’s Usman Khawaja plays a pulls shot during the World Cup England 161 for 1 in 17.3 overs (Roy 89*, Archer struck twice with the new ball to full toss, Asghar tried to drive Root over wickets add 68 runs. Nabi’s defi ant hit- warm-up match against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, Nabi 1-34) beat by nine wickets dismiss Hazratullah and Rahmat before the top but found Roy in the deep instead. ting, which included three sixes, kept southern England, yesterday. (AFP)

FOCUS World Cup organisers happy with security London: Britain may be dealing pers were shot dead in mosque people killed in a suicide bomb Kiwis to test death bowling against Windies with a national threat level of attacks in the New Zealand city attack after a concert by the “severe” but off icials are con- of Christchurch while more than American singer Ariana Grande Reuters ance at the top of the innings in aries in the last 10 overs. Taking The Oval pitch supported fident they have the security 250 people died in Sri Lanka in Manchester two years ago. London Saturday’s six-wicket win over wickets at the top will be a key New Zealand’s bowlers against measures in place for a Cricket as a result of suicide bombings McCracken, explaining the India, Jurgensen said the warm- component but at the back end India but Jurgensen did not ex- World Cup in England and Wales on Easter Sunday. “When those security position regarding the up match against Jason Holder’s of the innings you want to not pect the ball to swing or seam rated a “moderate” security risk. incidents happened so close to World Cup, added: “The UK na- power-hitting West side today should give them the leak too many boundaries and as much in the tournament, Recent terror attacks in the tournament, quite under- tional threat level sits at ‘severe’, Indian side will pro- chance to work on fi nishing off keep scores to a modest total.” predicting that opening bowl- cricket playing nations have standably that did cause some which means an attack is likely. vide the perfect op- an innings as well. Jurgensen added that he was ers might only get assistance for heightened safety concerns nervousness,” Jill McCracken, But we also work with security portunity to test bowl- “They’ll put us under pres- pleased with the way Trent their fi rst two overs. regarding the World Cup, which the World Cup safety and services to assess the impact of ingA tactics in the fi nal ‘death’ sure and I think that will be key Boult, who took three early “It was a good start against features 48 one-day inter- security director, told reporters the tournament itself and they overs ahead of the cricket World for us, especially for the bowl- wickets, bowled against In- India but we can’t get too ex- national matches in 46 days at the Oval. have come to us with a bespoke Cup, New Zealand bowling ers,” Jurgensen said. “One key dia, with his performance also cited,” Jurgensen said. “We need starting with tournament hosts Public events in Britain have threat for the event which is coach Shane Jurgensen has said. area for all teams in this tour- showing how vital it was to ex- to keep trucking on and working England against South Africa on not been immune from terror in- ‘moderate’ — the second lowest While New Zealand’s bowl- nament is how you bowl at the ploit what swing is available our way through the tourna- Thursday. In March, 51 worship- cidents in recent years, with 23 on the scale of risk. ers produced a superb perform- death and limiting those bound- during the tournament. ment. It’s a long campaign.”

BOTTOMLINE Zaman: Pakistan’s World Cup weapon AFP their bitter rivals by a 180-run since that century I have become head coach Mickey Arthur and Karachi margin at the Oval to lift the tro- famous,” he said. “But with that chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. phy. fame comes responsibility and They instantly selected Fakhar Since then Fakhar has been the I have become more mature and as an attacking option and he has akhar Zaman was still lynchpin of Pakistan’s batting now I realise the importance of paid them back by averaging a establishing himself in and will be expected to anchor playing my part. That will be my stunning 51.31 in his 36 ODIs. “ the Pakistan team when the line-up when the World Cup top priority in the World Cup.” I saw a game changer in Fa- Jasprit Bumrah’s no-ball gets under way in England on Luck has been on the unas- khar,” recalled Inzamam. “We inF the Champions Trophy fi nal May 30. “That no-ball made me. suming left-hander’s side since had to fi nd someone to replace triggered his unlikely rise from I had a dream before the fi nal that he defi ed his father’s advice Sharjeel and after watching Fa- navy sailor to World Cup talis- I will be dismissed off a no-ball not to play cricket in his native khar we thought ‘here is our man. India appeared to have and it proved to be true,” Fakhar Mardan. Fakhar joined the Paki- man’. He lived up to that promise made the perfect start in the 2017 said. “Initially I was very sad as stan Navy but cricket remained and we see him as an anchor in Champions Trophy showpiece I had promised my parents to do his dream. He kept his hand in the World Cup.” when Zaman edged to wicket- well in that match.” by playing for the navy team and The 29-year-old, called “sol- keeper M S Dhoni off Bumrah. Fakhar’s role in that famous crucially benefi ted from a stroke dier” by his teammates for his However, the Indian fast bowl- victory against India came in just of good fortune to fulfi l his wish navy connection, smashed Pa- er had overstepped the crease his fourth ODI and made him of playing for the national side. kistan’s fi rst double century in a and Zaman, who had scored just a household name in Pakistan. Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan one-day match in Zimbabwe last three at the time, was given a re- But he said the recognition has was banned in a spot-fi xing case year and knows what is required prieve that he made the most of, not distracted him as he focuses during the second edition of the of him in his country’s World reaching his fi rst one-day inter- on inspiring Pakistan’s bid for a Pakistan Super League in 2017, Cup campaign. national century. second World Cup win and fi rst just three months before the “My job is to score runs and I Fakhar changed the game with since 1992. Champions Trophy. Fakhar’s ag- am doing that so I know that hard a crisp 114 to help Pakistan beat “I was very lucky and ever gressive batting had impressed work will pay off ,” he said. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 28, 2019 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT Law goes crackers for fi rst LPGA win Na claims third US “So that’s something that Reuters Washington I’m going to carry forward for the coming weeks. Obviously have a big one next week. This n course for her was kind of the perfect way to maiden LPGA Tour prepare, I guess.” victory on Sunday, The “big one” is the biggest Bronte Law’s fi nal of all - the US Women’s Open. PGA Tour title at roundO at the Pure Silk Cham- She failed to make the cut in pionship started to go pear- 2017 and did not play last year shaped at the turn as searing but hopes to be vying for the ‘Every year I come here I know I had a heat sapped her strength and title at next week’s tourna- her swing started to fail her. ment in South Carolina. chance to win and I knew before my career Thankfully, crackers saved “I don’t think you have to the day. “I honestly don’t think change anything just because was over I was going to definitely win here’ that I ate enough on the front the title of the event changes,” Colonial nine,” said Law after seal- she said. “I’ll go out there and AFP ing a two-stroke win in Wil- I’ll prepare as I did this week. Los Angeles liamsburg, Virginia. “It’s golf, so hopefully I can “I would’ve kicked myself carry on this momentum into had that been the issue, but next week and play some more evin Na fi red a fi nal-round 66 at I could feel myself getting a solid golf and kind of be in Colonial Country Club on Sun- little tired. When I get tired I contention again. That’s what day to win the US PGA Tour’s swing a little under the plane I live for. The feeling when you Charles Schwab Challenge by and start losing those shots have a shot at winning is ex- Kfour strokes over fellow American Tony out right.” actly why I play the game.” Finau. The 24-year-old had picked Na continued his mastery of the classic up four shots in her fi rst eight LEADING FINAL-ROUND course in Fort Worth, Texas, starting the holes on Sunday to grab the SCORES day with a two-shot advantage that was outright lead but the fi rst signs 267 - Bronte Law (ENG) 65-68- never really challenged. of trouble came at the ninth 67-67 Na’s six birdies included a 33-footer at where she pushed her drive 269 - Madelene Sagstrom the fourth and a 20-footer at the eighth. right and ran up a bogey. (SWE) 68-66-69-66, Brooke M. He rolled in a 12-footer at the 72nd hole The next two holes saw her Henderson (CAN) 66-71-64-68, to cap his four-under par round with a leak drives to the right again, Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 68-67-65- birdie for a 13-under total of 267. and while she managed to save 69-69 “It feels great,” said Na, who celebrated par the Englishwoman was in 270 - Hsu Wei-ling (TPE) 72- with his toddler daughter, Sophia, in his danger of letting the round get 67-65-66 arms. Na, 35, boasts an impressive record away from her. 271 - Azahara Munoz (ESP) at Colonial, where he thrust himself into “On hole 11 I think it was I 71-69-67-64, Carlota Ciganda contention with a second-round 62. That told my caddie, I need some (ESP) 69-65-68-69 was his third score of 62 or better on the food. I was kind of getting so 272 - Jennifer Song 65-68- course, where he matched the record of caught up in the moment that I 68-71 61 on the way to a fourth-place fi nish last really didn’t eat enough. 273 - Cristie Kerr 70-70-70-63, year. “I think I had a crackers or Katherine Perry 66-73-66-68 He said he eyed the club’s “wall of something. I don’t really like to 274 - Caroline Masson (GER) champions” on the fi rst tee Sunday, “and eat when it’s that hot. I man- 69-69-67-69, Ashleigh Buhai in my head I engraved my name on it. aged to force some food down (RSA) 68-67-70-69 “Every year I come here I know I had a my throat and I was fi ne after 275 - Feng Shanshan (CHN) chance to win and I knew before my ca- that.” 75-67-69-64, Park Hee-young reer was over I was going to defi nitely win Law had been on the brink of (KOR) 68-73-68-66, Minjee Lee here,” added Na, who believes the com- her fi rst LPGA Tour title three (AUS) 68-73-67-67, Amy Olson pact course is one of “seven or eight” that weeks ago in San Francisco but 70-68-70-67, Jessica Korda 69- off er him a chance to win on the US tour lost out in a playoff at the Me- 68-71-67, Gaby Lopez (MEX) without a big-hitting game. diheal Championship to Kim 68-72-67-68, Hur Mi-jung It was the second win in less than a Sei-young. (KOR) 68-71-68-68, Charley year for the 35-year-old Na, a Las Vegas Bouncing back from that Hull (ENG) 68-69-69-69 resident who was born in South Korea but disappointment so quickly, 276 - Gemma Dryburgh (SCO) came to America when he was just 8 years and holding it together on 66-75-70-65, Hannah Green old. He last won at the 2018 Greenbrier Sunday when the heat was on, (AUS) 70-69-70-67, Ko Jin- event in July, and his best fi nish this sea- proved she had what it takes to young (KOR) 71-68-69-68, Aus- son prior to Fort Worth was a tie for fi fth compete on the elite women’s tin Ernst 68-70-70-68, Haru at the WGC Match Play in March. circuit, Law added. Nomura (JPN) 69-67-71-69 Na was also given a 1973 fully restored blue Dodge Challenger as one of his perks for winning the tournament which he quickly turned over to his caddie Kenny Harms. On Tuesday before the tourna- ment started, Harms asked Na if he could have the car if they won the tournament. Na agreed. “I don’t know how my caddie convinced me to give him the car, but he’s a good salesman, I guess. He sold me into it. But I’m more than happy to give it to him. He deserves it. I got something cool- er right here,” said Na holding his trophy. Finau, who was among a group of fi ve players to start the round two shots be- hind Na, moved within one shot of the leader with his birdie at the second. He was two adrift on the back nine but the gap widened when Na birdied 14 and Finau bogeyed 16. Finau fi nished with four birdies and two-bogeys in a two-under 68 for 271. It was a further stroke back to American Andrew Putnam (66) and Tai- Kevin Na of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort wan’s Pan Cheng-tsung (69). Worth, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP)

LEADING SCORES 274-Rory Sabbatini (SVK) 68-66-73-67, 68-70-65-72 278-Jimmy Walker 67-74-70-67, Adam 267-Kevin Na 70-62-69-66 Ryan Palmer 68-69-68-69 276-Peter Uihlein 67-73-67-69, Brian Gay Long 70-69-71-68, Billy Horschel 72-69- 271-Tony Finau 64-68-71-68 275-Russell Knox (SCO) 71-68-71-65, 69-71-67-69, Charley Hoff man 70-71-63-72, 69-68, Brandt Snedeker 74-67-68-69, 272-Andrew Putnam 69-70-67-66, Pan Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 71-66-69-69, Nick Jim Furyk 69-66-68-73 Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 69-70-68-71, Kevin Bronte Law of England holds the championship trophy after winning Cheng-tsung (TPE) 68-67-68-69 Watney 67-68-70-70, Jordan Spieth 277-Josh Teater 68-70-71-68, Matt Every Tway 68-70-69-71, Scott Piercy 70-68-68- the Pure Silk Championship presented by Visit Williamsburg on the 273-Jonas Blixt (SWE) 67-64-74-68 65-70-68-72, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 70-69-69-69 72, Austin Cook 72-67-65-74. River Course in Williamsburg, Virginia. (Getty Images/AFP)

FOCUS Sugar Ray says boxing not dead, rival Duran not so sure Reuters fi ghting the best and let them be ing really well and making a lot the fi ght, the only fi ght Leonard Los Angeles the judge,” he told Reuters. of money.” said he ever went into angry. The Duran, 67, made it clear he did Leonard said Duran, whose two would face off in a rematch not think much of the current relentless, aggressive fi ghting later that year in a fi ght dubbed merican boxing great crop of fi ghters. style and punishing punches “No Mas” after Duran shocked Sugar Ray Leonard says “No respect,” he said through earned him an astounding 103- the world by quitting midway that while the sport an interpreter when asked about 16 career record, is among the through the eighth round. may not be the na- the personalities who populate best he ever faced. Leonard successfully changed tionalA obsession it was during the ring today, such as heavy- “People ask me that all the his tactics in the rematch, mov- his prime, it is still healthy, an weight world champion Antho- time, who hit you the hardest?” ing constantly and taunting Du- assertion disputed by longtime ny Joshua and WBC heavyweight Leonard said. ran in ways that unnerved the rival-turned-friend Roberto titleholder Deontay Wilder. “And a lot of times I say Rob- champion. Duran. “We were born in the time pe- erto Duran because Duran hit me Duran said he was forced to In a joint interview to promote riod of the real fi ghters,” he said. so hard - and so many times in stop fi ghting due to overwhelm- a new fi lm on the Panamanian’s “If you compare today’s box- so many illegal places - that it ing muscle pain that he said was career, entitled “I Am Duran”, ers to the boxers like us from felt like a few people in the ring,” connected to the rapid weight the former enemies traded barbs back in those days, these guys he said, fl ashing his trademark loss he went through to make the - and laughs - about the state of would have never won.” smile. weight for the rematch. the sport as well as the nature of Duran, who fought his way “He was so quick and so elu- Duran, who is known for his their historic battles which cap- out of poverty to become an icon sive. Just an amazing, amazing acerbic wit and love of a good tivated the sporting world in the in his native Panama, said he champion.” time, had packed on the pounds 1980s. did, however, like Mexican Saul Leonard, who won 36 and while celebrating his win over “Boxing is not dead like some “Canelo” Alvarez, who currently drew one of his 40 fi ghts, said he Leonard. But time heals all say it is,” said Leonard, who lost holds three of the four middle- lost the fi rst meeting with Du- wounds and Leonard says he is his WBC Welterweight title to weight titles. ran, a 15-round unanimous de- happy to call him a friend, even if Duran in the “Brawl in Montreal” “I admire the Mexican kid who cision, in part because he chose it took some getting used to. in 1980 before winning it back in obviously is doing very well. I al- to stand toe to toe with Duran “It seems so surreal when I an infamous rematch later that ways think that Americans are instead of relying on his superior see him because the fi rst thing I same year. the ones making the big bucks speed. want to do is do this,” said Leon- “But the sport itself has to here in this sport,” he said. Leonard has said he wanted ard, putting up his fi sts. fi x itself. Don’t just say you’re “However, we have Canelo to hurt Duran after he made “But in all sincerity, I love this the best - show the people or now. He’s not only a Mexican disparaging remarks about Le- guy. This guy made me the fi ght- the fans that you are the best by but he’s also a Latino who’s do- onard’s wife in the lead up to er I am today.” American boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 28, 2019 5 SPORT

MLB NFL Patriots tight end Watson says Woodruff dominates he faces 4-game ban for PEDs

Reuters Phillies as Brewers New York ew England Patriots tight end Ben Watson was suspended four games for violat- Los Angeles Dodgers beat ing the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, a punishment he knew was Pittsburgh Pirates 11-7 to complete Ncoming when he came out of retirement this off - season. avoid sweep three-game series sweep In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, Watson said his doctors prescribed him Bio Identi- cal Testosterone Cypionate - a substance he knew to be banned in the NFL - in March after he’d made what he thought was a permanent decision to re- tire. Nine days after fi rst taking it, Watson was test- ed by the league. That was about a month before he would change his mind and decide to keep playing. “I complied (with the test) out of habit, never thinking in that moment I’d want to come back,” he said in the statement. “...Considering myself pre- viously retired, I had forgotten all about my test in March until I got a letter on May 3 saying my results were positive. I was devastated and for obvious rea- sons didn’t want to proceed.” Watson said he told interested teams about the test, and the Patriots agreed to sign him earlier this month despite the pending suspension. “This is not how I would want to enter a new locker room and attempt to earn my role on a new team,” the statement added. “However, I respect the regulations that have been collectively bar- gained to promote fairness on the fi eld of play and accept the discipline associated with my infrac- tion.” Watson, 38, hasn’t missed a game since 2013. He will sit out contests against Pittsburgh, at Miami, against the New York Jets and at Buff alo before be- ing eligible to play in Week 5 at Washington on Oct. 6. When he does play, it will be his fi rst appearance for the Patriots since 2009, after playing six sea- sons with the team that drafted him 32nd overall in 2004. Watson also spent three years in Cleveland and four of the last fi ve in New Orleans. Last season, he caught 35 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games (four starts) with the Saints. Watson has 530 receptions for 5,885 yards and 44 touchdowns in 195 career games (135 starts).

Green Bay Packers great Bart Starr dies Legendary Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr, who anchored the Packers dynasty of the 1960s and was Most Valuable Player of the first two Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff throws the ball in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Miller Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Super Bowls, died on Sunday at the age of 85, the NFL team said. in his shortest outing of the season, allowing a 1-5 homestand. Los Angeles starter Kenta Starr won an unprecedented five NFL champi- AFP RESULTS Los Angeles three runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings. He ex- Maeda (6-2) and Pittsburgh starter Chris onships as Green Bay’s starting quarterback, Twins 7-0 White Sox ited after allowing Woodruff ’s double. Archer (1-5) each pitched fi ve innings. Maeda leading the Packers to the title in 1961, 1962, 1965, The Phillies lost for the third time in their allowed three runs and fi ve hits, with four 1966 and 1967. randon Woodruff retired the fi rst 15 A’s 7-1 Mariners last 10 games as shortstop Jean Segura saw strikeouts and no walks. Archer gave up four “We are saddened to note the passing of our hitters, allowed one hit in eight dom- Royals 8-7 Yankees the majors’ longest active hitting streak runs and six hits, with three strikeouts and husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Bart inant innings and the Milwaukee Rockies 8-7 Orioles ended at 16 games. Milwaukee jumped ahead six walks. Seager led off the second with a Starr,” the Hall of Famer’s family said in a state- Brewers averted a three-game sweep when Gamel capped a seven-pitch at-bat by fi rst-pitch homer, his fi fth, to center for a 1-0 ment. toB the visiting Philadelphia Phillies with a 9-1 Brewers 9-1 Phillies homering in the third. The Brewersadded Dodgers lead. It was Los Angeles’ 80th homer “He battled with courage and determination victory on Sunday afternoon. Braves 4-3 Cardinals two in the fourth when Grandal homered on of the season. Pittsburgh took a 2-1 lead in to transcend the serious stroke he suff ered in Woodruff (7-1) improved to 6-0 in his last Dodgers 11-7 Pirates the second pitch of the inning and Woodruff the bottom of the second on Reynolds’ fi fth September 2014, but his most recent illness was eight starts and picked up his league-leading doubled. Yelich hit his latest homer off Vince homer, a two-run shot to right. too much to overcome. Red Sox 4-1 Astros seventh win. He lost his perfect game bid and Velasquez in the fi fth, and Grandal followed Los Angeles regained the lead in the fi fth, “While he may always be best known for his suc- shutout when Andrew Knapp opened the Angels 7-6 Rangers with an RBI groundout before Perez homered 4-2, on Beaty’s two-run single and an RBI cess as the Packers quarterback for 16 years, his sixth with a homer. Rays 6-3 Indians and Woodruff singled. fi elder’s choice by Seager. true legacy will always be the respectful manner After allowing Knapp’s fi rst homer, Wood- Milwaukee third baseman Mike Mousta- Frazier hit his third homer, a shot to centre, Reds 10-2 Cubs in which he treated every person he met, his ruff retired the next nine hitters and ended kas was ejected in the seventh inning by third to close it to 4-3 with two outs in the fi fth. humble demeanor, and his generous spirit.” his outing by fanning Knapp on a 98-mph Blue Jays 10-1 Padres base umpire Mike Estabrook. Estabrook was Against relievers Montana DuRapau and The five titles won in seven years by Packers fastball. Woodruff struck out a career-high Nationals 9-6 Marlins the plate umpire Saturday and tossed Ryan Dovydas Neverauskas, the Dodgers sent 11 teams led by Starr and coach Vince Lombardi 10 hitters and fi nished every inning with Mets 4-3 Tigers Braun and manager Craig Counsell. batters to the plate and racked up six runs remain the most successful such span in NFL a strikeout. He fanned Bryce Harper and Meanwhile Corey Seager and Joc Pederson in the sixth. Pederson led off with his 15th history. Odubel Herrera three times apiece to high- D’backs 6-2 Giants homered and Matt Beaty drove in four runs homer and later singled in the sixth run of the Among the accomplishments of those years, light a 97-pitch outing. The Brewers pro- Sunday for the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, frame for a 10-3 advantage. Starr is best remembered for the game-winning duced their eighth one-hitter in team his- kee rebounded nicely from Saturday’s 7-2 who outslugged the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-7 Los Angeles catcher Austin Barnes was quarterback sneak that delivered victory in the tory and fi rst at Miller Park. It was their fi rst loss. Yasmani Grandal and Hernan Perez also on Sunday to complete a three-game series hit by a pitch in that sequence. He stayed in December 31, 1967 game against the Dallas Cow- one-hitter since CC Sabathia allowed only an homered as Milwaukee tied a season-high sweep. Justin Turner was 5-for-5 with a walk to run the bases but left after that because of boys dubbed the “Ice Bowl”. infi eld single at Pittsburgh on Aug 31, 2008. with fi ve homers and collected 12 hits. and three runs scored during his fi rst career groin soreness. Colin Moran, Elias Diaz and That triumph at frigid Lambeau Field epitomized It also was the Brewers’ fi rst one-hitter in Woodruff , who is hitting .370 (10-for-27), fi ve-hit game for the Dodgers, who over the Melky Cabrera each had an RBI base hit in the grit of the Lombardi-era Packers. Milwaukee since Danny Darwin against the drove in a pair of runs. He had an RBI double past three seasons are 17-2 against Pittsburgh the bottom of the sixth as the Pirates pulled “That’s the sign of a champion,” Cowboys tackle Minnesota Twins on Aug 19, 1985. in the fourth and then contributed a run- and have won 10 straight. to within 10-6. Beaty’s RBI single in the sev- Ralph Neely told the Green Bay Press-Gazette Christian Yelich hit his major league- scoring single to cap a four-run fi fth that Los Angeles fi nished its road trip with a enth made it 11-6, and Gregory Polanco’s RBI after the contest. leading 21st homer, Ben Gamel recorded his helped Milwaukee race out to a 7-0 lead. 6-2 mark. Bryan Reynolds and Adam Frazier double in the ninth made it a four-run margin “They needed a score, and Starr got it for them.” fi rst career multi-homer game as Milwau- Philadelphia starter Zach Efl in (5-5) turned homered for Pittsburgh, which concluded and closed out the scoring.

NBA Aft er loss, Antetokounmpo walks off podium into off season DPA in a row to Toronto, doubling its longest slide four assists. “What I did was trust my team- Los Angeles of the season. The Bucks lost Game 3 in dou- mates,” he said. ble overtime. “That’s what I’ve been doing the whole They dropped Game 5 at home after year. If we lose by doing that, by trusting one f Giannis Antetokounmpo was as eff ec- opening a 14-point lead and Game 6 after another, by moving the ball, by doing what tive at closing out games as interviews, holding a 76-61 advantage late in the third we’ve been doing all year, by trusting our the Milwaukee Bucks might be headed to quarter.“We knew that they were going to habits, it’s okay.” the NBA Finals. make a run,” Antetokounmpo said. While Antetokounmpo trusted his team- IThe “Greek Freak” walked off the podium “But obviously we weren’t able to rebound mates, Raptors superstar Kawhi Leonard took on Saturday night after the Bucks blew a big the ball and get out in transition and get the the game into his own hands. The former Fi- lead and lost Game 6 of the Eastern Confer- easy points. That’s why we lost the lead.” nals MVP with San Antonio scored 15 of his 27 ence fi nals, 100-94, to the host Toronto Rap- Toronto scored the last 10 points of the points after the Bucks opened their 15-point tors, who reached the Finals for the fi rst time third period, and Antetokounmpo spent the lead and willed his team to victory. in franchise history. fi rst 90 seconds of the fourth quarter on the “He knows what he’s going to do. He has To be fair, Antetokounmpo had answered bench as the rest of Milwaukee’s lead melted confi dence in himself,” Antetokounmpo six questions following the most diffi cult loss away. The Bucks were plus-3 during An- noted. “And he has the experience. He’s been of his career. The last straw was a question tetokoumpo’s 39 minutes but minus-9 when here before. He’s been to the Finals multiple that he had already been asked twice with he rested. “I don’t think Giannis playing 44 times.” diff erent phrasing. minutes is the solution,” Bucks coach Mike Before walking off the podium and into the “Man, obviously when you’re up 2-0, that Budenholzer said. off season, Antetokounmpo vowed that this doesn’t mean nothing,” Antetokounmpo said “Obviously I want to be out there. I want to experience will make him and the Bucks bet- earlier in the interview. play,” Antetokounmpo said. “I love playing. ter. “I think it’s just the start of a long jour- “You’ve got to learn how to come out and But I trust my coach.” ney,” he said. close out games, especially after Game 3.” Down the stretch, Antetokounmpo was in- “We’re going to get better. We’re going to The Bucks won a league-best 60 games eff ective, scoring just three points on 1-of-5 come back next year and believe in who we this season led by Antetokounmpo, the likely shooting with no assists while facing con- are, believe in what we’ve built this year, and Most Valuable Player. Milwaukee won 10 of stant double-teams. Overall, he had 21 points hopefully we can be in the same situation and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Marc Gasol of the Toronto Raptors during the its fi rst 11 playoff contests before losing four on 7-of-18 shooting with 11 rebounds and be the ones moving forward.” second-half in game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in Toronto. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 28, 2019 SPORT

F1 RUGBY Pocock expected to announce 2019 ‘Average’ Hamilton retirement - report

Reuters a blow with the New South Melbourne Wales Waratahs utility back expected to miss the rest of the Super Rugby season with a allabies fl anker knee injury. feels he can do better David Pocock is Hunt went down with a sus- expected to con- pected medial ligament injury I guess that’s kind of similar to other seasons but without doubt it’s going to improve...’ fi rm that 2019 will in the fi rst minute of a 23-15 Wbe his last season in Australian loss to the Jaguares on Satur- Reuters Rugby when he fronts a media day. Monaco conference today, a report on While the team are still the Rugby Australia website awaiting the results of a scan, Rugby.com.au said yesterday. Waratahs assistant coach Ste- ewis Hamilton has won The 31-year-old openside ve Tandy gave a gloomy prog- four grands prix and fi n- is struggling with a long-term nosis when asked whether ished second in the other calf injury and has played only Hunt was out for the rest of two and yet the Formula for three matches for the ACT the season. LOne leader feels his performance Brumbies in Super Rugby this “Yeah, I should imagine so so far this season has been all a season. unless something remarkable bit average. Rugby.com.au said Pocock happens,” Tandy told reporters Rivals may want to take that was set to confi rm 2019 would at training in Sydney on Mon- with a pinch of salt, or go and be his last season with the day. lie down somewhere secluded, Canberra-based Brumbies, “It’s just really disappoint- because on paper the Briton has though he was expected to play ing for Karmichael and the never had it so good. in Japan’s Top League after the team. Hamilton has also started on World Cup in the east Asian “You’re obviously losing a pole position twice, unleashed a nation. player with a lot of experience blistering lap around the streets Brumbies coach Dan McK- and his physical presence, of Monaco at the weekend, and ellar conceded last week that and what he brings to the set one fastest lap. Pocock may have already training week is obviously a He has taken a record from played his last Brumbies game big miss.” Michael Schumacher with his as he prepares for one last tilt Frozen out by Queensland 59th pole for a single team, one at winning a World Cup in Reds coach Brad Thorn last more than the German great Michael Cheika’s Wallabies. season, Hunt was thrown a managed at Ferrari, and with 77 “The Brumbies medical staff lifeline by Waratahs coach wins is closing in fast on Schu- and the Wallabies medical Daryl Gibson and was seen as macher’s record 91. The fi ve staff will have a chat over the a chance to win back a spot in times world champion’s own as- next few days and we’ll come Michael Cheika’s squad for the sessment, with 15 races remain- to some sort of clarity there Rugby World Cup in Japan. ing, is that he can and will do around where he heads over However, the 32-year-old better. the next few weeks,” McKellar seems unlikely to have any “I defi nitely feel it’s been quite said. more chances to impress Chei- an average performance from “It’s all the things we’ve got ka before he picks his squad myself, maybe above average but to look at to see whether he for the Rugby Championship generally quite average for the plays Super Rugby or whether starting in July. fi rst six races,” he told reporters he now puts his attention to- The Waratahs’ loss to the on Sunday. wards the World Cup. Jaguares has all but killed off “I feel like I’ve got the best I “Those are things we’ve got their playoff s chances in a could get. I’ve arrived prepared - to discuss between the Brum- dreary season after their run to the best prepared I could be - but bies and the Wallabies.” last year’s semi-fi nals. in terms of extracting the true The 77-test Pocock is re- Sitting third in the Aus- performance from the car, I feel nowned as one of the world’s tralian conference behind the like I’ve struggled a little bit in best fetchers but has struggled leading ACT Brumbies and these six races. Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (left) receives his trophy by Prince Albert II of Monaco on the podium after the Monaco Formula 1 with a string of serious injuries the Melbourne Rebels with “I guess that’s kind of simi- Grand Prix at the Monaco street circuit in Monaco. (AFP) since returning from a sabbat- three rounds left in the regu- lar to other seasons but without ical last season. lar season, the Waratahs had doubt it’s going to improve...” wrong, with Hamilton on the Meanwhile Karmichael already lost the services of Hamilton has a habit of sav- Wolff expects Bottas to be fi red up by Monaco setback wrong tyres after an early pit- Hunt’s hopes of a return to Wallabies fullback Israel Folau ing the best to last, calibrating stop when the safety car was the Wallabies squad ahead of after he was sacked for a con- things early on and then hitting Mercedes expect an angry Valtteri Bottas to come diff erent driver to the man who failed to win any- deployed, but he put in a cham- the World Cup have been dealt troversial social media post. the equivalent of a turbo button back strongly after losing ground to team mate thing in 2018. He has two wins and three second pion’s drive to secure victory. after the August break. Lewis Hamilton in the Formula One championship places as well as Sunday’s third, which was still his It helped that Monaco is a The 34-year-old has won four through no fault of his own in Monaco on Sunday. first Monaco Grand Prix podium appearance. track where it is almost impos- Uzbek weightlift er Nurudinov of the last fi ve world champion- The Finn is now 17 points behind the five-times “I think he has shown huge resilience and determi- sible to overtake, and that the ships with Mercedes, after a fi rst world champion after finishing third in Monaco nation in these last races,” commented Wolff . chasing Max Verstappen was disqualifi ed from London Olympics title with McLaren in 2008, but following a pitlane collision with Red Bull’s Max “The speed (in qualifying) was mind-boggling yes- stuck in the wrong torque mode this year he is looking as com- Verstappen early in the race. terday and I have no doubt about it that it’s going for much of the race, but Hamil- Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Nurudi- Weightlifting Federation “for petitive as he has ever been. Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty for to annoy the hell out of him and he’s going to come ton laid the groundwork by tak- nov has been disqualified further follow-up.” the unsafe release, a sanction that dropped the back very, very strong in Montreal.” ing pole. from the London Olympics The International Olympic ROSBERG RIVALRY Dutchman from second to fourth. Bottas said his race had been ‘a bit of a Sunday By the time he fl ies to Canada, weightlifting competition Committee stores and regu- In 2014, when German team Hamilton won, his fourth victory of the season, drive’ after the impact with Verstappen left him after attending the funeral in after being found guilty of larly re-tests samples from mate Nico Rosberg was Ham- with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel promoted to second with a puncture. Vienna of the team’s non-exec- doping, the Court of Arbitra- past Games with methods ilton’s main rival and Mercedes after Verstappen’s drop. utive chairman and triple cham- tion for Sport (CAS) said that did not exist at the time. also won the fi rst six races, the “Valtteri lost a second place, three points, and Mer- pion Niki Lauda, Mercedes could yesterday. Nurudinov finished It also carries out tests for Briton retired from the Austral- cedes (lost) a one-two,” said team principal Toto have taken another step forward. fourth in the 105-kg category substances that were previ- ian season-opener before win- Wolff on Sunday evening. “Going into the next race, a in London and went on to ously unknown in order to ning four in a row. “From Valtteri’s point of view, he will be gutted. lot of analysis will be made and win gold at the Rio de Janeiro protect clean athletes and the The following year he was He had the pace on the weekend, he could have particularly towards trying to Olympics four years later. integrity of the competition. triumphant in only three of the been on pole in terms of raw speed and today P2 understand the tyres better and CAS said that its anti-doping Nurudinov could not im- fi rst six, while in 2016 even- (second) was the minimum I think. And that P2 was deliver better in terms of our division found that Nurudinov mediately be reached and tual champion Rosberg won the taken away from him. “The Valtteri of 2019 is going processes,” he said. “And on my tested positive for the banned the Uzbeki Weightlifting opening four. to get out of it stronger,” added the Austrian. side, trying to work even better substance dehydrochlormeth- Federation told Reuters it had Hamilton managed two wins Bottas has still finished on the podium in every with my engineers to try and ex- yltestosterone. It said he was no immediate comment. in the fi rst six races in 2017, when race so far this season, with Mercedes taking five tract more from my car. disqualified from the event CAS said that Mikalai Novikau Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was successive one-twos until Monaco, and has been a “I know the guys back at the “with all resulting conse- of Belarus, who finished more of a threat, and last year factory are working on develop- quences, including forfeiture eighth in the 85kg category, was a similar story with a lucky ments, so obviously at the next of any medals, points and/or tested positive for dehydro- victory in Azerbaijan and an- nising that the past had become I’ve had and get back to the form ally say but I am very, very fo- race I think we will probably prizes.” chlormethyltestosterone and other in Spain at the same stage. something of a blur. that I have within me. cused on making sure I rectify have a new engine...so the car CAS said the case would be stanozolol and had also been “I do anticipate things will get “I hope, at some stage, that “Whether that’s the next race any of those (issues).” will continue to move forwards referred to the International disqualified. better,” he said, while also recog- I’m able to crack the issues that or 10 races from now, I can’t re- Sunday could have gone badly as we will.”

MOTORSPORT Pagenaud wins Indianapolis 500 and a job Reuters “If you really believe it, be- “He’s on our team. He’s one of Indianapolis lieve it hard, and if you work hard our drivers.” enough, anything can happen.” The IndyCar Series moves Having worked so hard to earn next week to Detroit for a dou- oger Penske had heard a spot on IndyCar’s top outfi t, bleheader of races with Pa- the ‘scuttlebutt’ and Pagenaud was not going to give genaud leading the driver surely Simon Pagenaud it up without a fi ght. standings. On top one week, a must have heard the The son of a grocer, the les- philosophical Pagenaud under- whispersR that his job was on the sons of his youth in Montmo- stands he might fi nd himself on line in the run up to Sunday’s In- rillon have served Pagenaud well the bottom the next but believes dianapolis 500. as he climbed the motor racing results are not always a refl ec- The Frenchman put an em- ladder to the top North Ameri- tion of ability. phatic end to the rumours, send- can open wheel series. “Obviously in racing you need ing a clear message that he is not “It’s been tough to get to the a little bit of luck on your side,” just a member of the powerhouse top level of racing,” said Pa- said Pagenaud. “You need every- Team Penske but at the moment genaud. “Especially when you thing to go your way. It did today. its top driver after winning “The come from a non-racing family. I could do nothing wrong, quite Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. “I had nobody in racing. I had frankly. And sometimes I can’t The victory, which gave Pen- to learn it all on my own. But ac- do anything right. ske his 18th Indy 500 win, fol- tually I think it’s an advantage “That doesn’t mean I lost my lowed up a win at the Indiana- because I had no choice, it was talent, that doesn’t mean my polis Grand Prix two weeks ago, either going to work or I was team is not doing a good job. capping a perfect May by the done.” It’s just you have to accept that 35-year-old Frenchman. Following the race Penske there’s a little bit of mystery out “That’s pretty much my trait, made it clear his team, which there that you can’t control. All that’s my character I never give includes Australian Will Power you can do is the best you can.” up until it’s over,” said Pagenaud, and American Josef Newgarden, recalling how one year he found is not fi nished with Pagenaud 350 sponsors to keep racing. and he will be back in one of his Simon Pagenaud of Penske “That’s what saved me, saved cars next season. Chevrolet poses with the my career at one point. “What do you think? Abso- Borg-Warner Trophy after the “That’s what always helped lutely,” said Penske, when asked Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis, me and I always believed. if Pagenaud would be back. Indiana. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, May 28, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

SERIE A FIFA U-2O WORLD CUP Qatar lose to Ukraine Atalanta qualify for in a tight contest By Sports Reporter appearances in competition his- Tychy, Poland tory (2001, 2005, 2015 and 2019). However, they have yet to reach the quarter-fi nals. atar lost their second Meanwhile, late goals in each successive match at half helped Uruguay outlast the FIFA Under-20 Honduras 2-0 at Lublin Sta- Champions League World Cup in Poland dium as La Celeste secure their yesterdayQ after going down to place in the knockout stage. The Ukraine 0-1 in Poland. Bruno road to the knockout rounds be- Miguel’s boys had to lost Nigeria came much clearer on Sunday in their Group D opening match. for Groups A and B. With two of Now they have to beat USA on three group stage matches played Thursday in their fi nal group to for eight teams, two sides can al- keep their last 16 chances alive. ready count themselves among as Milan miss out The tournament’s 24-team for- the fi nal 16. mat allows the four best third- Italy clinched a place in the placed countries from the groups Round of 16 at Poland 2019, hav- to also progress and Qatar will ing recorded back-to-back wins Genoa and Fiorentina stayed in Serie A after a nerve-wracked goalless draw be hoping that they can sneak over Mexico and Ecuador. Their through. latest conquest in Bydgoszcz was AFP Defender Denys Popov scored workmanlike, with captain And- Rome his second consecutive winning rea Pinamonti putting Gli Azzur- goal as Ukraine won a tight con- rini ahead early and their heady test yesterday, which confi rmed defence doing the rest. talanta won at Sassuolo on Sun- their place in the knockout phase Senegal made it two victories day night to secure their fi rst ever After an evenly-contested fi rst in two games by converting a pair Champions League spot and In- half, Popov headed home in the of penalties against Colombia, ter Milan joined them while en- 59th minute on a second-chance also solidifying a spot in the last suringA Empoli were relegated after a fran- opportunity from an initial cor- 16. The Lions of Teranga boast tic second half in the San Siro. AC Milan ner for the Ukrainians. Serhii Bu- a three-point cushion on top of ended up fi fth despite winning at SPAL. letsa provided the delivery for his Group A with Poland as their fi - Genoa and Fiorentina stayed in Serie A af- second assist of the competition. nal group stage opponent. ter a nerve-wracked goalless draw. Things went from bad to worse On Sunday Japan put together The evening started with Inter, Ata- for Qatar as captain Nasir Peer perhaps an even more impressive lanta, AC Milan and Roma battling for was shown a straight red card for performance, shutting out the the two remaining Champions League a late tackle on Maksym Chekh. touted Mexico attack to the tune spots and Empoli knowing that if they Ukraine have now advanced to of 3-0 in Gdynia for their fi rst won they would survive. Because their the Round of 16 in all four of their win of the competition. ground is being redeveloped, Atalanta had to cede home advantage and play at Sassuolo where they quickly fell behind. Duvan Zapata levelled before half-time. After Sassuolo lost their scorer Do- menico Berardi, who received a red card for his part in the mass brawl that ended the fi rst half, Atalanta comfortably sealed third as goals by Alejandro Gomez and Mario Pasalic completed a 3-1 win. “It’s been an extraordinary season,” Atalanta president Antonio Percassi said. “My fi rst hug was for (coach Gian Piero) Gasperini, for a lifetime. It’s already a given that he’ll still be here next season.” Milan took a two-goal lead at SPAL, with goals by Hakan Calhanoglu and Franck Kessie, but Francesco Vicari and Mohamed Fares replied. Meanwhile at the Roma’s Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi waves at the fans during his farewell after 18 years at his hometown club after Serie A San Siro, after a goal-less fi rst half, Inter match against Parma at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on Sunday night. (AFP) brought on Keita Balde. The striker broke the deadlock with a four. Five minutes later, Radja Nainggolan farewell to captain and local hero Daniele after the 2-0 defeat. solo goal six minutes later, earning a yel- changed that when he pounced on a re- De Rossi who came off to rapturous ap- He leaves having also won four Italian low card for ripping off his shirt in cel- bound to put Inter ahead. plause with nine minutes to play. Cups and re-established the Old Lady as ebration. The home team had a chance In a frantic fi nish, Empoli came close Earlier on Sunday, Massimiliano Al- a force in Europe, reaching two Champi- to increase their lead when Mauro Icardi several times with Inter centre-back Ste- legri ended his Juventus career in disap- ons League fi nals and signing Cristiano tumbled over Empoli goalkeeper Bartlo- fan de Vrij defl ecting one shot onto his pointing fashion as the champions were Ronaldo last summer. “I’ll come back miej Dragowski. After a delay for video own bar. In added time, with Dragowski undone by two late strikes at Sampdoria to work when I have the opportunity... I review, Icardi missed the penalty. A few in the Empoli attack, Inter rolled the ball to fi nish the Serie A season with a fi ve- need to fi nd a team with which I can enjoy minutes later in Ferrara, Kessie rolled in a into the empty net, but Balde had pulled match winless streak. myself and do a good job,” he added. penalty to put AC Milan back in the lead Dragowski back in the build-up. The goal Despite a poor fi nal few weeks they still Sampdoria’s 36-year-old striker Fabio against SPAL. They held on to win 3-2. was disallowed and Balde earned a second fi nished 11 points ahead of second-placed Quagliarella failed to add to his 26 goals Back at the San Siro, Salih Ucan’s low yellow card. Yet the 2-1 win was enough Napoli, who ended their underwhelming but still fi nished as the Serie A top scorer, cross from the right reached Hamed to save Inter and doom Empoli. campaign beaten 3-2 at Bologna on Sat- three ahead of Zapata. Torino fi nished Traore unmarked in front of goal and he The wins of the three teams above urday. “I feel good because I ended fi ve their exciting campaign in seventh place, Valerii Bondar of Ukraine (right) challenges for the ball with levelled to lift Empoli out of the relega- them meant Roma fi nished sixth despite incredible years by winning the title... level on points with Roma, following a 3-1 Abdulrasheed Umaru of Qatar during the FIFA U-20 World Cup group tion places and push Inter out of the top beating visiting Parma 2-1. They also bid tomorrow a new era begins,” Allegri said win over Lazio. D match in Tychy, Poland. (FIFA)

SPOTLIGHT Belotti recalled, Balotelli out of Italy squad Milan: Torino forward Andrea first-ever Champions League ITALY SQUAD Belotti has been recalled but qualification. Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno, Kane would be ready ‘tomorrow’ Marseille’s Mario Balotelli was Cagliari forward Leonardo Pierluigi Gollini; Salvatore Sirigu, left of Italy’s 33-man squad Pavoletti has been preferred up Antonio Mirante named yesterday for Euro 2020 front along with Belotti, Stephan qualifiers against Greece and El Shaarawy, and Sampdoria’s Defenders: Francesco Acerbi, to play Champions League fi nal Bosnia next month. Fabio Quagliarella, 36, the top Cristiano Biraghi, Leonardo Belotti, who has been absent scorer in Serie A with 26 goals Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, By David Hytner from the Azzurri since last Sep- this season. Mattia De Sciglio, Emerson The Guardian tember, was included on coach In defence are Chelsea’s Palmieri, Alessandro Florenzi, Roberto Mancini’s list, with Emerson Palmieri, Torino’s Armando Izzo, Gianluca Mancini, AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Armando Izzo and Juventus pair Alessio Romagnoli, Leonardo arry Kane has made it plain he will Donnarumma ruled out with a Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Spinazzola be fi t for the Champions League fi - hamstring injury. Chiellini. Midfielders: Nicolo Barella, nal against Liverpool on Saturday, Balotelli, who has scored eight Youngsters Moise Kean, Fed- Federico Bernardeschi, Bryan going so far as to say if the game goals in 15 games since joining erico Chiesa, Nicolo Barella and Cristante, Jorginho, Lorenzo Hwere tomorrow, he would be available. The the French club in January has Lorenzo Pellegrini have been Pellegrini, Stefano Sensi, Marco Tottenham striker’s fi tness has been a major not featured on the international included ahead of the European talking point since the ankle ligament injury stage since September. Under-21 Championships. Verratti, Nicolo Zaniolo he suff ered in the fi rst leg of the quarter- Roma’s Antonio Mirante, Italy play Greece on June 8 in Strikers: Andrea Belotti, fi nal against Manchester City on 9 April. It who received one call-up under Athens before welcoming Bosnia Federico Chiesa, Stephan El was the fi fth time in three seasons Kane had former Italy coach Antonio to Turin on June 11. Shaarawy, Vincenzo Grifo, Ciro damaged ankle ligaments. Previously, the Conte, comes in for Donnarum- The Azzurri are top of Group Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, England captain has been out for between ma, with Atalanta goalkeeper J — which also includes Finland, Moise Kean, Leonardo three and seven weeks with the problems. Pierluigi Gollini also handed Armenia and Liechtenstein — Pavoletti, Matteo Politano, Kane returned to full training last Friday a first call-up after his side’s after two wins from two. Fabio Quagliarellaea and, assuming all goes well, he hopes to be in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI for Ma- drid. The manager has so far given nothing away as to whether he intends to start with Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry FOCUS Kane. The player’s upbeat fi tness bulletin Kane takes part in a training also represents good news for England, who session yesterday. (AFP) contest the inaugural Nations League fi nals, which begin on 6 June. Referee hopes bizarre goal is his last Kane said: “If the fi nal was tomorrow, Reuters lower-league game. cial, remains on the fi eld of play I would be fi t to play. I feel good. I’m back ers and a few unhappy players when we meet chester City in the quarter-fi nal and Ajax in Amsterdam “The ball hit my foot. I tried and a team starts a promising at- [training] with the team and there have been up but we’ve always said when we meet up the semi-fi nal – both on away goals. Spurs to get my leg out of the way but tack, or the ball goes directly into no problems so far. I’ve been in full training, with England, it’s into England mode. survived at City when Raheem Sterling had I couldn’t do it on time,” said the goal or the team in possession doing everything. I’m at a place now where “If I’m good enough to play one game what stood to be a stoppage-time winner ome football teams gripe Paarhuis, who had a tough time of the ball changes”. I’m ready to go for any game. The manager [against Liverpool], then I’m good enough ruled out after VAR review while they edged about playing against explaining why the goal should Play is to be restarted with a will assess it and decide. But, so far, I feel to play as many games as I can [with Eng- through in Amsterdam after Lucas Moura’s 12 men when a referee’s stand to the home side. dropped ball. good and ready. land]. After my last injury, I came back and 96th-minute goal. decisions go against “The players of Harkemase Paarhuis says he sees the fun- “Having the three-week gap after the end played six or seven games on the spin. There “I watched the City game at home and themS but few have more cause Boys were asking: ‘What’s hap- ny side of the incident and has of the [Premier League] season defi nitely are no worries from my point of view. when Raheem scored, one of my mates just for complaint that Dutch side pening here?’ But in these cases been inundated with messages. helped. From when it happened, I could “ We’ll probably have four weeks off in the left the room and all of a sudden we’re call- Harkemase Boys, who were left the referee is a so-called ‘dead “My mobile is full of quips from put a plan in place to be ready for this game. off -season and in those weeks, it’s for me to ing him back,” Kane said. “It was just crazy. fuming when a whistler scored element’ and that means I had no people across the football world. We’ve had longer than we had for the other do a lot of rehab, continue the process and I was in the directors’ bit for the Ajax game, against them on Saturday. option but to award a goal.” You can believe some of them ankle injuries and it’s worked out well. I’m not just switch off . When you look at the in- surrounded by Ajax fans. Slowly, it started Footage of Maurice Paarhuis In the end the goal mattered have approached me to become a in a good place.” juries, a lot of them have been contact, tack- to change in the second half and right at accidentally scoring for Hoek little as Harkemase Boys ran striker for their team.” Kane said he had chatted to Gareth South- les. I’ve been unfortunate but, of course, the end I said to Davinson [Sánchez], let’s against Harkemase Boys has at- out 4-2 winners, and while the Paarhuis has been a referee gate, the England manager, over the week- when something happens four or fi ve times, go down and be with the team. Then, all of tracted almost 5mn views on game’s laws dictated that the goal since the age of 16 but also played end. “He wanted to wish me luck for this you always look to see if there are any im- a sudden, we scored and we jumped up and Twitter (@HarkemaseBoys). had to stand a change is being at amateur level. “It’s not my fi rst week,” Kane said. “He knows it’s a massive provements you can make.” sprinted down the tunnel to be there when The referee told Dutch news- brought in next season. The ball goal, I got a couple as a player,” he game for our players and the Liverpool team, Kane gave an insight into the emotions the game was over. It was an amazing expe- papers yesterday he had no op- will be deemed out of play “... added.”But I hope that it is both as well. I guess he’ll have a few happy play- he felt when he watched Spurs beat Man- rience.” tion but to award the goal in the when it touches a match offi - my fi rst and last as a referee.”

Tuesday, May 28, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Qatar squad arrives in Rio for Copa America By Sports Reporter Doha

he Qatar squad arrived in Rio de Janeiro yester- day, to kick off their fi nal phase of preparations Tfor the Copa America, which will take place in Brazil from June 14 to July 7. The squad consists of 28 play- ers selected by Spanish coach Felix Sanchez. The fi rst batch of players had left Doha on May 22 for the training camp in Texas. The second batch left Doha on Sunday, with players from Al Sadd, Al Duhail and Al Rayyan players boarding the fl ight after their fi nal round of AFC Cham- pions League matches. Sanchez’s men will train in Rio, before they lock horns with hosts Brazil in a friendly match at the Mani Garincha Stadium in Brasilia on June 5. They will also play another friendly on June 9, with the op- ponent yet to be determined. Sanchez will announce the fi nal list of 23 players following the friendly against Brazil. Asian champions Qatar will make their Copa America debut and are in Group B along with Argentina, Colombia and Para- guay. Japan and Qatar are the two guest teams in the 12-team tournament that also features Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia, Members of the Qatar team pose after their arrival at the Rio de Janeiro airport yesterday, ahead of the Venezuela, Chile and Ecuador. Copa America, which will take place in Brazil from June 14 to July 7.

SPOTLIGHT SPONSORSHIP Ooredoo supports Cech hopes to haunt Qatar football team oredoo announced yesterday its sponsor- ship of Qatar’s nation- al football team under aO two-year contract starting in 2019. Ooredoo will be sponsor- Chelsea in Europa ing the major upcoming tourna- ments, including Copa America. Ooredoo’s sponsorship of the national team follows the vic- tory of the team at the 2019 Asian Cup in an unprecedented achievement for Qatari football. League fi nal farewell Speaking of the sponsorship, Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud al-Thani, Chairman, Ooredoo, said: “As part of our ‘Now my sole focus is to win the Europa League with Arsenal’ social responsibility strategy and Ooredoo Chairman Sheikh our continuous support to Qatari Abdulla bin Mohammed bin AFP sports, we’re thrilled to be sup- Saud al-Thani. London porting our amazing national football team, who has deserv- their great support to the football edly won the Asian Cup 2019 and team, which highlights our dec- etr Cech will bring down the cur- accomplished a historic achieve- ade-long relationship with the tain on a glittering playing ca- ment for our country.” leading telecom brand. We look reer in strange circumstances as Sheikh Abdulla added: “In forward to more cooperation and the Arsenal goalkeeper faces his a few days, our national team work with our partner Ooredoo Pformer and potentially future employers will be participating in Copa to support Qatari football. This Chelsea in the Europa League fi nal to- America for the fi rst time and sponsorship demonstrates the morrow. Cech, 37, enjoyed the best years we wish them the best of luck. company’s commitment to sup- of his career at Stamford Bridge, win- We’re confi dent that the talented port Qatari sports in general, and ning 13 trophies including four Premier team members will do a great job football in particular.” League titles and the Champions League and will honour Qatari football Ooredoo is a key supporter of in 11 seasons with Chelsea before moving again.” the Football Federation, contrib- across London to Arsenal in 2015. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin uting eff ectively to supporting And his close relationship with Chelsea Ahmed al-Thani, President of the the UEFA Championships and owner Roman Abramovich looks set to Qatar Football Association, said: sponsoring many tournaments see him return to the Blues in the coming “I would like to thank Ooredoo for and events. weeks as the club’s new sporting director. Cech lost his status as Arsenal’s number one during Unai Emery’s fi rst season in INJURY CONCERN charge, with Bernd Leno taking over in the Premier League since September, but the Czech veteran has started all of Arse- nal’s knockout games to reach the Europa Kante misses training League fi nal. The success of Arsenal’s season de- pends not only on lifting a fi rst European but Chelsea refuse to trophy for 25 years in Baku, but also on ensuring Champions League qualifi ca- tion that will come with victory. Emery rule him out of fi nal therefore has the diffi cult decision on whether to give Cech a fi tting farewell, By Dominic Fifield or make the cold but calculated choice of The Guardian playing his fi rst-choice ‘keeper in Leno. “I’ll make a decision about my future after the last game,” said Cech as news helsea have not given up spread about his imminent return to hope of N’Golo Kante Chelsea. “Now my sole focus is to win the playing a part in the Europa League with Arsenal.” Europa League fi nal, Emery believes Cech has the experi- despiteC the midfi elder missing ence and professionalism to shut out any training yesterday to have treat- distractions arising from a potential re- ment on a knee injury. Kante was turn to his old club. “Speaking about Petr due to travel to Baku with the Cech, we can be here three days and it is squad yesterday afternoon and all positive things,” said Emery. his fi tness will be closely moni- “I only know him this year but he is tored before a decision is made as amazing. Amazing like a person, amaz- to whether he plays against Arse- ing like a goalkeeper. His past, his experi- nal tomorrow, with Ross Barkley ence, is awesome. He is here because he standing by to step in. deserves to be here. He was playing the Goalkeeper Petr Cech enjoyed the best years of his career at Stamford Bridge, winning 13 trophies including four Premier League Kante, who had only just re- last matches with a big performance. I titles and the Champions League in 11 seasons with Chelsea before moving across London to Arsenal in 2015. covered from a hamstring com- want to enjoy this fi nal with him and I am plaint that ruled him out of ham complex again on Monday a privileged coach to work with him.” later, but had to sport his now trademark ing Bayern Munich in the fi nal. The Eu- hit the same heights at the Emirates as in Chelsea’s previous two matches, and was apparently moving free- A man of many talents, the Czech helmet to protect his skull from further ropa League followed a season later, but his early days at Chelsea, but still went on twisted a knee while making a ly enough, though he sat out the speaks fi ve languages and his love of the damage for the rest of his career. It did Thibaut Courtois’s return from a three- to become the fi rst goalkeeper to register challenge in a training session team’s fi nal session before their drums saw him release a charity sin- not hold him back as Cech proved a reli- year loan spell at Atletico Madrid saw 200 Premier League clean sheets, refl ect- on Saturday. Although initial departure for Azerbaijan and re- gle earlier this month alongside Queen able last line of defence during a decade in Cech lose his place as Jose Mourinho’s ing his consistency over 15 years. impressions of his prospects had mains a doubt for the fi nal. Chel- drummer Roger Taylor. However, it was which managers came and went at Stam- number one. One more chapter of a fabulous career been far from positive, the injury sea’s options for the game have on the fi eld he truly shone despite a hor- ford Bridge. Another player may have been forced could still be written in Baku before Cech appeared to have settled by the already been limited after An- rifi c head injury in 2006 that fractured His crowning glory came saving pen- to look further afi eld for a new club, but hangs up his gloves. time the player reported back on tonio Rudiger, Callum Hudson- his skull and briefl y threatened his life. alties in extra-time and the shootout Cech’s close relationship with Abram- “My last dream was to play this Euro- Sunday afternoon to be assessed Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek After emergency surgery, Cech re- as Chelsea upset the odds to fi nally lift ovich saw the Russian billionaire clear the pean fi nal with Arsenal and the last step is by the medical department. were ruled out with long-term turned to the fi eld just three months the Champions League in 2012, beat- way for a move to Arsenal. Cech has not to win it,” he said. He drove himself into the Cob- injuries over the run-in.