SPORT Saturday 21 April 2018 PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 Pacquiao targets Arsene Wenger more bouts after to end 22-year KL showdown Arsenal stay Qatar Cup: High-flying Al Duhail wary of Al Gharafa threat in semis FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Al Duhail may have been enjoying a golden form, coach Djamel AlAl Gharafa’sGharaffa’s DutchDutch Belmadi is wary of Al Gharafa threat star WesleyWesley SSneijderneijder as the two teams clash in the second semi-final of Qatar Cup tomorrow at Al Sadd Stadium. Belmadi’s team enters the pres- tigious tournament as overwhelming favourites, after they won the QNB Stars League (QSL) without losing any match. The ‘Red Knights’ have also been maintaining perfect record at the AFC Champions League. “We are desperate to win more TODAYTODAYY FIRST SEMI-FINAL titles and Qatar Cup is one of them,” Belmadi told a pre-match press con- Al Duhail players celebrate after scoring a ference at Al Sadd Stadium. QNB Stars League match in this file photo. VS “Our team has been displaying strong performances despite the busy At Al Sadd Stadium match schedule and we are ready for (Youssef) Msakny to be with us,” he have a team capable of pulling off a lost this seasonsooonn ini thethhehe QNBQNQNBB Kick off at 7.00pm. this important tournament too. We said. win. Al Gharafa are a transformed side Stars League,”,” hehe said.sasaidiid.d.d TOMORROW have a lot of important work to do Al Duhail star Karim Boudiaf said: after the recruitment of Wesley Sne- “I took overveerer thetthhehe technicaltectteecchnhnichnicicicaall SECOND SEMI-FINAL because we have decisive matches “The Cup matches are different than ijder, Assim Madibo and Mehdi responsibilityy ofof AlA GharafaGhGGhahaharafrarrafaafafaa inin next month in additiondto toteto the Emir leagueleague gamesgames because no one can Taremi.”Taremi. the second phasehasaseasa e ata a tittimemmee wwhenhheheneenn Cup.” predictpredict the result. We Meanwhile,Meanwhile, Al GharafGharafaa we had a toughghh ttimeimimeme bbyy tthehehe e endnndd VS Although Belmadiadi reposed conficonfi-- coach Bulent Uygun waswa of the first half.haalf.f However,Hoowwevweweveveer,errr,, thetthhhee dence in his in-formm siside,de, tthehe AAlgerianlgerian alsoalso conconfidentfident ooff a googoodd available playersyeere s prppresentedreesssenenntetedt d tththeirhheeeiir was quick to warn hhisis plplayersayers of comcom-- show frofromm hihiss teateamm best and ourr ambitionaammbmbittiot on waswwaas toto At Al Sadd Stadium Kick off at 7.00pm. placency against fast-improvingast-improving Al against Al Duhail. reach the topp four.fofouur.. TheThThe QatarQQatQataataataar Gharafa, who haveve shown a huge “The Qatar CupCup isis Cup is cruciall fforoorr aallllll cclubs.lublulububss. WWee stride in the second halhalff of the seasoseason.n. a very important com-com- are seeking thethe titletitt tlt e andaannd arareare “Al Gharafa will be very tough and petitionpetition and all clubsclubs counting onn ourouour fansfafanansns too strong especially sincesince they have are looklookinging forward ttoo support us. many good performancesormances in the winning the title. I hophopee “We haveve a nnumberumumbmbembbbeerofr off second phase of QSL.QSL. Also,Also, AAll luckluck will be onon ourou injured players,yerrss, somesosomme withwwithh Gharafa won their lastlast group- side.side. WWee aarere minor injuriesess whilewhhillee othersoottthheerss stage match in thethe AFC ffacingacing AlA have serious ininjuriesnjuuriies ssusuchcch aass Champions League.e. Duhail,D uhail Almahdi Ali andaannd TThThaThamerhahammerr Belmadi’s team enters the Qatar Replying to a qquery,uery, whowho hadhad Jamal. They maym y notnonot playplaplayaayy Cup as overwhelming favourites, the coach said Al DuhailDuhail notno this match. WeWe arearre allalll have a good benchnch focused on thehee AlAl DuhailDuDuhahailh ill having won the QNB Stars League strength who can fillfill game and aree confidentccononnfifideentn (QSL) without losing any match. The the vacuum of injureded of winning. ‘Red Knights’ have also been maintaining Youssef Msakny. We are not perfect record at the AFC Champions “I have hugee afraid of Al League. On the other hand, Al Gharafa confidence in all Al Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi (left) Duhail, but have shown a huge stride in the second my players. I and Al Gharafa coach Bulent Uygun we respectect half of the season. wished for them.” Al Rayyan down Police to complete treble THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Volleyball giants Al Rayyan completed a trophy treble this season when they outplayed Police 3-1 in a thrilling Qatar Cup final which took place at the Qatar Volleyball Association Indoor Stadium yesterday. Al Rayyan sealed the first two sets 25-22, 25-21 before the Policemen fought back to turn the third set in their favour (23-25). But the strong Al Rayyan outfit proved to be too much for their opponents as coach Carlos Schwanke’s men sealed their third title in the 2017- 2018 season with a score of 28-26 in the fourth set. Al Rayyan won the Super Cup final against Police last November before clinching the Qatar Vol- leyball League title earlier this month. Coach Schwanke gave credit to his players for the splendid show throughout the season. “We won the Super Cup as well as the Qatar Volleyball League this Al Rayyan’s Marcus smashes the ball past the Police season in addition to the Qatar Cup defence during their Qatar Cup Volleyball final played and I would like to compliment our at the Qatar Volleyball Association Indoor Stadium in Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee presents the entire team for the outstanding per- Doha yesterday. Al Rayyan won 25-22, 25-21, 23-25 Qatar Cup trophy to Al Rayyan skipper during the presentation ceremony following their victory formance,” the jubilant Al Rayyan and 28-26. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula coach said after yesterday’s win. against Police yesterday. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 21 APRIL 2018

Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger waves to the fans following the English match against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London in this May 15, 2016 file picture. Wenger to end 22-year Arsenal stay AFP sharp end of the Champions always confusing what he is and won the league again four League. doing at the minute and his years later. Despite their con- LONDON: Arsene Wenger “After careful consideration legacy,” Henry told Sky Sports. stant presence in the Champions announced yesterday he is and following discussions with “Once you announce you are League Wenger was never able bringing down the curtain on 22 the club, I feel it is the right time leaving people are going to talk to end Arsenal’s quest to win the years at Arsenal that have been for me to step down at the end about your legacy and his legacy competition for a first time. They full of trophies but tarnished by of the season,” Wenger said in a is untouchable.” closest they came was in 2006 struggles in recent years to chal- statement posted on the club’s “Let’s not get lost in cele- when a young side was edged out lenge for the Premier League website. brating the end of his era,” he 2-1 in the final by Barcelona. title. “I am grateful for having had added. “The team has to win the That season was also Arse- The 68-year-old arrived at the privilege to serve the club for Europa League, it would be an nal’s final campaign at Highbury the London club in 1996 a rel- so many memorable years.” amazing achievement and but the promise that moving to ative unknown but leaves widely Wenger arrived at the Arsene never won in Europe the 60,000-capacity Emirates hailed as the greatest manager Emirates with Ferguson’s United before so it would be a great way Stadium would allow the club to in Arsenal’s history after three at the peak of their powers but to give him a good exit.” compete financially with the Premier League titles and a immediately threw down the Arsenal’s majority share- biggest spenders in England and record-breaking seven FA Cup gauntlet, winning the Premier holder Stan Kroenke paid tribute the continent failed to materi- triumphs. League and FA Cup double in to a man of “unparalleled class”, alise. Instead, Wenger was much A combination of picture shows Arsenal’s manager Frenchman Wenger, who completed the 1998, before repeating the feat with the club saying a successor criticised for his unwillingness Arsene Wenger during a signing announcement in London on June Premier League and FA Cup four years later. would be found “as soon as to spend the money needed to double in his first full season in But perhaps the most 17, 1997 (left) and UEFA Europa League match against AC Milan in possible”. keep up as booming TV revenues England, was hailed as an inno- remarkable achievement of his London on March 15, 2018. Wenger took charge with saw Premier League rivals splash vator in his early years and his long reign was going through a Arsenal in the doldrums in the cash in an arms race. spiky clashes with former Man- full league season unbeaten in pointing league campaign. behind the team to finish on a October 1996, but quickly set Arsenal even sold a host of chester United boss Alex Fer- 2003-04, with his “Invincibles” Their only realistic chance of high,” said Wenger. “To all the about a revolution in English star players such as Henry, Cesc guson became the stuff of legend. playing a captivating brand of qualifying for next season is by Arsenal lovers take care of the football by overhauling players’ Fabregas and Robin van Persie. Yet despite cup success in fluid football. winning the second-tier Europa values of the club. My love and diets and bringing an end to the And the fans’ frustration con- recent years, fans have become But after an incredible 19 League -- the Gunners face support for ever.” drinking culture that had dogged tinued to grow as, even after increasingly frustrated by the successive years in the Cham- Spanish giants Atletico Madrid Arsenal’s all-time record the club. loosening the purse strings to club’s inability to challenge the pions League, Arsenal, in sixth in the semi-finals -- and Wenger goalscorer Thierry Henry said Results soon arrived on the buy Mesut Ozil in 2013 and Alexis likes of Manchester City and place in the Premier League, has urged the fans to get behind Wenger’s recent lack of success pitch as Wenger’s men beat an Sanchez a year later, Arsenal still Chelsea for the Premier League could miss out for the second the club. should not tarnish his legacy. all-conquering Manchester failed to compete for the title or title and a failure to reach the consecutive year after a disap- “I urge our fans to stand “Recently people were United side to the title in 1997-98 the Champions League. United, Spurs seek Juve, Napoli Chelsea’s Victor Moses (not pictured) clash in FA Cup success scores their second goal against Burnley Serie A title in the English Premier blockbuster AFP FA CUP SEMI-FINALS League at Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain, on Today Thursday. AFP LONDON: Manchester United Manchester United vs Tottenham (1615 GMT) head into today’s FA Cup semi- Tomorrow final against Tottenham MILAN: Napoli coach Chelsea vs Southampton (1400 GMT) Hotspur needing to keep their Maurizio Sarri warned his hopes of silverware alive to side are heading to Turin save their season. performance in United’s shock tomorrow determined to end However, Spurs are just as defeat against West Brom that Juventus’ long reign as the hungry as they aim to end a gifted the title to City last kings of Italian football. decade-long wait for a trophy weekend. Juventus could have sealed and confirm their consistent “Top performance. Top per- a seventh consecutive title at improvement under Mauricio formance. Obviously the per- home this weekend but for a Pochettino. formance against City was 1-1 draw at lowly Crotone and Jose Mourinho’s men special, coming with two goals,” Napoli’s 4-2 fightback against tightened their grip on the said the United boss of Pogba, Udinese reignited the Scudetto Premier League runners-up who was retained in the side Successive wins for Chelsea title race. spot this week but a title battle despite seven changes. “You are stronger but we with champions Manchester “But this performance was will come to Turin to play the AP City never materialised and a very similar level. So top per- tomorrow’s FA Cup semifinal at the duo linked well. Morata game,” Sarri warned Juventus they limped out of the Cham- formance. He can do it.” Wembley eight days after should have made it 2-0 in the as his side look to add to their pions League in the first Mourinho won the League LONDON: Victor Moses has not beating the same opponent 3-2 second half when he sprinted titles in 1987 and 1990. knockout stage. To add to the Cup and Europa League in his touched the heights he did in in the league, took control early clear of the Burnley defence but “I saw the team playing frustrations of the beleaguered first season at Old Trafford and Chelsea’s Premier League- on at Burnley and it came as no the Spain striker missed the with great sharpness again. boss, speculation over the even delivering just the FA Cup winning campaign last season surprise when Antonio Conte’s target with only Pope to beat We are mathematically future of Paul Pogba has dom- would be a poor return in the but he was back to his best on men went in front after 20 and was soon replaced by sub- second, the goal is reached, inated headlines in recent eyes of fans who hoped for a Thursday. minutes. stitute Eden Hazard. now we can have fun.” weeks. Premier League push this The Nigerian international Moses, who performed so The home team made Napoli have reduced the Often deemed surplus to season.But United have a proud set up the first goal and scored well last season after being con- Chelsea pay for that mistake deficit to four points on requirements by Mourinho this tradition in the competition, the second himself as Chelsea verted from a winger to a fast- when deflected Juventus with five games to season, Pogba showed what he with 12 wins in their history, just won 2-1 at Burnley to move raiding wing-back, was sent gal- Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s play. But history does not is capable of by scoring twice one behind Arsenal. within five points of London loping clear down the right and long-range drive beyond goal- favour Sarri’s side who have to help United temporarily Spurs are third on the list rival Tottenham, which occupies when goalkeeper keeper Thibaut Courtois in the always lost in the Allianz delay City’s title party in a with eight FA Cup wins, but the fourth and final Champions failed to get a hand on his cross, 64th minute. Stadium. Despite attempts to thrilling 3-2 Manchester derby haven’t won the trophy since League qualification place with defender Kevin Long turned the Moses then settled Chelsea minimise the scope of the win a fortnight ago. 1991, or any silverware since four matches left. ball into his own net from close nerves in the 69th minute when direct clash, the game should He impressed Mourinho the League Cup in 2008. In the night’s other match, range. he beat the unsighted Pope at decide the championship once more in Wednesday’s 2-0 Tottenham are, though, on Southampton was unable to Chelsea fielded two centre- his near post with a firm right- with a seven-point advantage victory at Bournemouth, but in the brink of qualifying for the ease its relegation worries after forwards - Alvaro Morata and footed shot from 10 meters. probably meaning a seventh between times was substituted Champions League for the third a 0-0 draw at Leicester. Chelsea, Olivier Giroud - in tandem for Conte praised the way his consecutive Scudetto for and heavily criticised for his straight season. which meets Southampton in the first time in seven years and two strikers played together. Juventus. SATURDAY 21 APRIL 2018 SPORT 23 Al Attiyah regains outright lead in Qatar Cross-Country Rally

Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah drives during the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally yesterday.

Qatar’s Adel Abdulla competes in the T2 category of the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally, yesterday.

THE PENINSULA Tomorrow we need to make a good time in the dunes at the LOSAIL: Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al start of the stage.” Attiyah and French co-driver “It is a tough race with the Matthieu Baumel overcame hefty navigation and a lot can happen,” penalties that were added to said Przygonski. their overall time to regain the “We know there are tough outright lead with the fastest penalties for missing waypoints. time on the 340.54km selective Today was quite a tough stage. section of the Manateq Qatar We had to be really focused. In Cross-Country Rally yesterday. the beginning we were quite fast The Toyota Hilux driver and, in the middle, we were too started the day with a stage lead slow. of 16min 07sec, but incurred 15 “We lose some time with the minutes of time penalties for navigation and then we pushed missing a waypoint and a further for the last 100km and gained two for a speeding violation. some time. Still the fight is on. He came under fierce One small mistake in navigation pressure early in the day’s special and you can lose all the time. The fourth quickest time enabled the Michele Cinotto and Spaniard QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY in the north of Qatar from closest dunes may be an advantage to defending FIA T2 World Santiago Navarro. 2018 Qatar Cross-Country Rally – positions after SS3 Polish rival Jakub Przygonski in Nasser. He knows the area and Champion to hold fifth position. Russian quad rider Alexsandr an X-raid-run MINI John Cooper they are not big dunes. He may Poland’s Aron Domzala held Maksimov extended his Cars Works Rally, but the former win some time there but, at least, fourth in the third of the Toyotas. advantage over Dutch rival Kees 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 7hrs 03min 17sec enduro rider ceded time from we will have his line.” FIA World Cup leader Martin Koolen to 40min 19sec after a 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) MINI John Cooper Works Rally 7hrs 10min 48sec then on and now trails the Qatari Vladimir Vasilyev benefited Prokop completed the day with measured run at the front of the 3. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) MINI One hrs 29min 04sec by 7min 26sec. from time penalties for both the sixth quickest time to entire field. Polish Orlen Team 4. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Marton (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 7hrs 53min 30sec The day’s 340.54km selective Yasir Seaidan and Aron Domzala, maintain a similar place in the rider Maciej Giemza safely nego- 5. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Alexei Kuzmich (RUS) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 8hrs 08min 56sec section began to the north of but that did not detract from an overall standings. He remains on tiated the special after falling 6. Martin Prokop (CZE)/David Pabiška (CZE) Ford F-150 Evo 9hrs 02min 12sec Losail and passed around the excellent stage performance by track for a vital haul of champi- behind the leading cars and the northern extremities of the the Russian in his G-Energy onship points. top quad to remain on course for 7. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Nissan Patrol Y62 (T2) 10hrs 13min 48sec country before cutting across the Team MINI One. He carded the Dutchman Erik van Loon maximum FIM World Cup points. 8. Claude Fournier (FRA)/Sébastien Delaunay (FRA) Polaris RZR 1000 (T3) 11hrs 11min 02sec

uppermost deserts to run down third quickest time to move up suffered a gentle roll shortly after Giemza opened the stage on the western coast to finish off the to a similar position in the overall the fourth passage control and his motorcycle for the second Bikes/Quads Al-Kharsaah Road, west of Doha. rankings. lost the chance of a top-five stage day, as Koolen shadowed quad 1. Maciej Giemza (POL) KTM 450 Rally Replica 11hrs 54min 08sec Al Attiyah said: “We did a Despite his own time pen- finish. He will incur hefty pen- rival Maksimov after dropping 2. Aleksandr Maksimov (RUS) Yamaha YFM 700R 14hrs 25min 49sec good job today after the road alties, Saudi Arabia’s Yasir alties before the restart on Sat- 42min 53sec to his Russian rival penalties and we push for the last Seaidan was in an excellent pace urday after waiting for a fellow after the previous day’s fuel 3. Kees Koolen (NLD) Barren Racer BR 1690 15hrs 06min 08sec 180km. We feel a piece of the for much of the day’s stage in his competitor to tow the Toyota pump issues. 2018 Qatar Cross-Country Rally – positions on SS3: right rear tyre coming off Overdrive Toyota and was back on to its wheels. Al Attiyah and Przygonski Cars because of the heat, but we running a mere two seconds Qatar’s Adel Abdulla stayed were followed by Domzala, Van 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 3hrs 07min 36sec decided to continue. I am quite behind Al-Attiyah at one point. out of trouble over the treach- Loon and Seaidan on to the road 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) MINI John Cooper Works Rally 3hrs 15min 55sec happy to have a good stage. He lost some time late on but the erous terrain and maintained a heading north to the start of the 3. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) MINI One 3hrs 17min 04sec safe pace to extend his T2 cat- stage in the cars. 4. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Alexei Kuzmich (RUS) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 3hrs 19min 16sec egory lead in a Nissan Patrol Y62 Race officials had been backed by the QMMF and working on time penalties from 5. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Marton (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 3hrs 34min 38sec Ooredoo. All his rivals suffered the previous stage during the 6. Martin Prokop (CZE)/David Pabiška (CZE) Ford F-150 Evo 4hrs 11min 14sec long delays in the desert. morning and missed waypoints A focused Adel said: “We and a crucial two-minute decide to push again today to speeding penalty for Al Attiyah from his rivals, as Al-Attiyah 33sec. Seaidan was second make even more of a gap. We threw the overnight leader board overtook Koolen near PC2 and quickest through PC4 but were pushing hard, but fast and into turmoil. began to close in on the leading stopped for several minutes after clean. When we reached some Al Attiyah was awarded 15 bike and quad. the checkpoint and Van Loon tough places we slowed down minutes of time penalties for Przygonski dropped time to also lost considerable time and then we pushed again. We missing a waypoint, in addition reach the second checkpoint waiting for another crew to help had only one flat tyre and we to the speeding penalty, and this 4min 01sec behind the Qatari, them put their inverted Toyota stopped to change it - no other dropped the Qatari 53 seconds who has a virtual outright lead back in its wheels. problems. The navigation was behind Przygonski in the overall of 3min 08sec restored. Prokop Al Attiyah safely negotiated really tricky, particularly at the standings. lost 17 minutes between the the remaining 120km and beginning and in the middle of There were waypoint pen- checkpoints and Abdulla’s T2 reached the stage finish in a time the stage. alties of 15 minutes too for advantage grew to a virtual 56 of 3hrs 07min 36sec to record the “Nasser (Al Kuwari) did a Seaidan and Domzala and it minutes after Al-Shegawi lost stage win. Przygonski came good job. We work together to meant Vasilyev climbed to third more time. home second and now trails the share information and we are overall and Domzala fell to Al Attiyah’s virtual overall defending champion by 7min happy. When you go very slow fourth, as the cars began the third lead was 4min 24sec through the 26ec. you make mistakes, but we will stage. Numerous other drivers motorcycle refuelling point at Today, the penultimate stage take no risks now. We will try to were awarded time penalties PC3, although the performance of 324.98km starts to the south find a good way to finish. The further down the field as the dif- of the day was coming from of Doha to the west of the indus- dunes tomorrow are in our area. ficulty of navigation in Qatar Seaidan. The Saudi passed the trial town of Mesaieed and then We are able to deflate the tyres began to take its toll. control point just two seconds heads south through the sand and stop and put the pressure Seaidan and Van Loon were slower than Al-Attiyah. dunes, north of the Inland Sea, back, so no need to take risks.” the pace-setters through PC1, The Qatari reached PC4, before turning north through the Frenchman Claude Fournier although Przygonski managed after 220.94km, in 2hrs 04min middle of the country and then Polish Orlen Team rider Maciej Giemza in extended his advantage in T3 to gain another nine seconds on 16sec but his main Polish rival heading up the western coast to action at the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country after further delays for Spain’s Al Attiyah. Maksimov overtook ceded more time and the virtual finish at Al-Wabra, west of Rally, yesterday. José Luis Pena Campo, Italy’s Giemza and began to edge away overall difference grew to 8min Doha. SATURDAY 21 APRIL 2018 SPORT 21

7.00PM 6:30PM I think I played a great match, Rafael Nadal FOOTBALL BASKETBALL my best match of the tourna- After qualifying for the Qatar Cup - First semi-final Emir Cup final ment for sure and one the best Monte Carlo Masters Al Sadd vs Al Rayyan Al Rayyan vs Police I’ve played on clay for a while. semi-finals. At Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium At Al Gharafa Indoor Stadium

Ed Smith named Nadal brushes off Thiem to England selector REUTERS reach semis in Monte Carlo LONDON: Former England batsman Ed Smith has been appointed as the team’s new national selector, the England and Wales Cricket Board AFP Spain’s Rafael (ECB) announced yesterday. Nadal in action Smith, 40, featured in three tests for England MONTE CARLO: Rafael Nadal crushed against Austria’s and retired in 2008 having also played first- fifth seed Dominic Thiem 6-0, 6-2 to Dominic Thiem class cricket for Kent and Middlesex, where he romp into the Monte Carlo Masters during their was captain. semi-finals yesterday as he stepped singles tennis He replaces James Whitaker, who left the up his bid for an 11th title in style. match at the position as part of a revamp of the team A tight match had been antici- Monte-Carlo ATP selection process in March after five years in pated, but Nadal produced one of the Masters Series the role. most dominant wins of his career as tournament Smith will choose another independent Thiem fell to pieces in the Monaco in Monaco selector to work alongside him in a three-man sunshine. yesterday. panel with England coach Trevor Bayliss. The Austrian didn’t get on the “I was very happy with what I was doing scoreboard until the 10th game, previously but the chance to be at the forefront drawing loud cheers from the crowd. of this development in English cricket was too But it was a ruthless performance good an opportunity to turn down,” Smith said from the 16-time Grand Slam in a statement. champion, who has to successfully defend the title this week to remain ahead of Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings. Australia to find “I think I played a great match, my best match of the tournament for sure Lehmann’s and one the best I’ve played on clay for a while,” said Nadal. replacement in The Spaniard is now just two wins away from a record 31st Masters title, after winning 32 consecutive sets on ‘coming weeks’ clay. AFP Nadal will face Grigor Dimitrov in his 13th Monte Carlo semi-final today, The 31-year-old brought up match but the Bulgarian will need a massive point with a searing forehand winner, SYDNEY: Cricket Australia said yesterday a improvement from his win over David and completed a 68-minute demo- Djokovic to continue decision on who will replace national coach Goffin if he’s to stand a chance of lition as Thiem fired a backhand into Darren Lehmann will be made “in coming claiming a second career victory the net. Dimitrov benefitted from a weeks”. against the 10-time champion. second-set collapse by Goffin to reach injury comeback The CA Board met and discussed the process Nadal started as if he knew Thiem the semi-finals for the first time with through which a new coach, as well as the was a potential threat, holding to love a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory. at Barcelona Open captain and deputy of the men’s one-day team before breaking the 24-year-old at the The 26-year-old Bulgarian got the will be named prior to the team’s tour to England first time of asking. better of a nervy Goffin in a repeat of AFP in early June. Thiem was not serving at the same last year’s ATP Tour Finals final. Board chairman David Peever said recom- level he managed in his win over two- Fourth seed Dimitrov edged a tight mendations for preferred candidates for the time champion Novak Djokovic on opening set after failing to serve for it BARCELONA: Former world number one Novak Djokovic will leadership positions will be ratified before being Thursday, and although he staved off as Goffin produced a poor service continue his comeback from injury at the Barcelona Open next publicly announced. five break points in game four, he game at 5-4 down, before the Belgian week, tournament organisers announcedounced “The Board has asked management to dumped a forehand into the net to gift recovered to race into a 5-1 lead in the yesterday. provide recommendations regarding candidates Nadal a 4-0 lead. second. The Serbian was beaten in three setss for the men’s head coach, ODI captain and ODI Thiem was struggling, but Nadal But Goffin wasted three set points by Austrian Dominic Thiem in the Montee vice-captain,” Peever said in a statement. barely missed a shot in a near-perfect on his own serve as he tightened up Carlo Masters third round on Thursday,, “The Board is anticipating receiving these opening set that he wrapped up with on the most important points, and but said he was pain-free for the firstt recommendations in the coming weeks, with a another strong return. Dimitrov broke twice to force a time in two years. view to making appointments ahead of the ODI It was the 12th time Nadal had tie-break. Djokovic chose Barcelona instead ooff tour to the UK. whitewashed a set against a top-10 The world number five wrapped the event in Budapest. Wicketkeeper Tim Paine has been con- player, and he got the second set up victory in the breaker on his second It will be only his fifth tournamentent firmed as Test captain for the immediate future, underway with another love hold. match point to claim one of the best since Wimbledon last July after lengthyhy however his involvement in the five ODI and Thiem was wilting in the swel- wins of his career on clay and book a spells out with a right elbow injury. one T20I England campaign remains unclear. tering conditions and under the last-four date with Nadal. The 30-year-old, who is working withwith Former Test players Justin Langer, Jason pressure from the other side of the net, “Yes, for sure he’s the favourite. former long-time coach Marian Vajdaa for Gillespie and Ricky Ponting have all been linked and then back-to-back miscued fore- Yes, he has a great record. Yes, he’s the first time in a year, is now ranked 13 in as potential candidates to replace Lehmann. hands saw him lose an eighth straight the best player on clay. That definitely the world. game. The Austrian, a two-time doesn’t discourage me,” said The 12-time Grand Slam champion hashas onlyonly French Open semi-finalist, finally held Dimitrov. played the Barcelona Open once before,efore, his serve to trail 3-1 and deny Nadal “That excites me to get out on Sat- losing in the 2006 first round as an 18-year-ar- Ton-up Watson the first 6-0, 6-0 victory of his career urday and play my match, simple as old world number 178. Novak Djokovic on the ATP Tour. that.” shines as Chennai thrash Rajasthan Pacquiao targets more bouts Royals by 64 Runs THE PENINSULA after Kuala Lumpur showdown PUNE: A dominant Chennai Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 64 runs in their Indian Premier League encounter yesterday. REUTERS in Brisbane last July, said he With this win, CSK now have six points in expected the July 15 bout at the the IPL standings, with three wins. KUALA LUMPUR: Manny Axiata Arena to be “a real boxing Ben Stokes’ 37-ball 45 was the standout Pacquiao believes he has “a couple fight”. performance for the visitors as they struggled more fights” left in him before he “Matthysse’s style is very to build a partnership and keep the momentum retires, starting with his first aggressive. He’ll want to come going. contest for more than a year when inside and fight toe-to-toe. You Heinrich Klaasen (7) had a debut to forget, he faces Argentine WBA welter- won’t see running or dancing in the while Ajinkya Rahane managed just 16 runs. weight world champion Lucas ring,” said Pacquiao, who has a The CSK bowlers did their task right, with Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur this 59-7-2 record with four of those as many as four bowlers taking two wickets July. losses coming in his last nine fights. each. “Definitely this is not my last Matthysse (39-4), who will be While Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, fight,” the 39-year-old Filipino said making his first title defence, said Karn Sharma and Dwayne Bravo picked up at a news conference in the he expected a “big fight” but two wickets each, Imran Tahir and Shane Malaysian capital yesterday to believed he had what it took to Watson got one wicket each. promote the fight. keep his WBA welterweight crown. CSK will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad “I want my last fight to be in “I’m a pretty big puncher with (SRH) on Sunday, whereas Rajasthan Royals the Philippines, but I still have a both hands,” said the 35-year-old host Mumbai Indians later on the same day. couple more fights till I retire,” said Matthysse, who beat Thailand’s the former eight-division world Tewa Kiram with an eighth round Brief Scores: champion and serving senator in knockout to claim the vacant title Chennai Super Kings: 204/5 (Shane Watson his homeland. in January. Philippine boxing icon Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao (left) and welterweight world 106, Suresh Raina 46; Shreyas Iyer 3/20) Pacquiao, who returns to “But more importantly my con- title holder Lucas Matthysse pose for photographs during a press conference Rajasthan Royals: 140 all out (Ben Stokes action for the first time since losing ditioning... gives me confidence to ahead of their upcoming WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title fight, in Kuala Lumpur, 45; Dwayne Bravo 2/16, Deepak Chahar 2/30) on points to Australian Jeff Horn win this fight,” he said. Malaysia yesterday. Chennai Super Kings won by 64 runs