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Tuesday, May 22, 2018 FOOTBALL Ramadan 6, 1439 AH Iniesta bows out with GULF TIMES Barca win thanks Coutinho strike SPORT Page 4 Al Duhail celebrate domestic treble

Al Duhail players and off icials celebrate their domestic treble — QNB Stars League, Qatar Cup and Amir Cup — at their club on Sunday evening. PICTURES: Jayan Orma

FIA WORLD CUP FOR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLIES Qatar’s al-Attiyah heads to critical rally in Kazakhstan ‘It’s a case of pushing for the win and the 60 points and then seeing how it all pans out and aff ects the championship’

By A Correspondent Aktau City, Kazakhstan

verdrive Racing’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah faces a cru- cial test of his nerve when he takes part in Rally Kaza- khstan,O round fi ve of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, a series that he has won for the last three years. The event takes place from May 27 to June 2. The decision to miss two rounds of this year’s championship in the Unit- ed Arab Emirates was exacerbated by a cruel non-fi nish at his home Qatar Cross-Country Rally last month and the -based driver fi nds himself in eighth position in the Drivers’ Cham- pionship and, more importantly, 114 points behind Polish series leader Jakub Przygonski. Al-Attiyah and French navigator Matthieu Baumel won the fi rst four stages in Qatar until a technical is- sue cost them a potential victory and the two-time Dakar winner knows the enormity of the task awaiting him if he is to win the FIA World Cup for a fi fth time this year. The duo did, however, claim victory in Kazakhstan’s inaugural round of the series last year. “I made a calculated decision not to go to the UAE and I guess success hinged this season on winning in Qa- tar,” said al-Attiyah. “That was not meant to be, that’s motorsport, and the non-fi nish there has made it vital that I win in Kaza- khstan. I like the new rally here very much and really enjoyed the stages and the terrain last year. “It’s a case of pushing for the win and the 60 points and then seeing how Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (also inset) heads into crucial Rally Kazakhstan showdown. it all pans out and how that aff ects the championship.” Cruiser to win the category and finish luck after retiring from the Italian Baja 280.35km heads south from Aktau City 30 heads deeper into the area east of CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (top 10) Yasir Seaidan returns to action in seventh overall. last year and then being forced to fi ght to a Caspian Sea Resort in Kenderly, Kenderly. Stage four runs for 398.57km 1. Jakub Przygonski (POL) 144 pts Central Asia with Russian naviga- Seaidan currently holds fourth place back from early problems to fi nish 30th a tourist destination located around and skirts around the nearby oil city of 2. Martin Prokop (CZE) 113 pts tor Alexei Kuzmich after tacking the in the Drivers’ Championship stand- overall in the Rally of Morocco. 210km south-east of Aktau. Zhanaozen before returning to Aktau 3. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) 111 pts recent event in Qatar with French- ings behind Przygonski, Martin Prokop This year’s Rally Kazakhstan will be This plays host to the event’s bivouac City. 4. Yasir Seaidan (SAU) 58 pts man Laurent Lichtleuchter. Seaidan and Vladimir Vasilyev. fought out over a revised route featur- for the second, third and fourth legs. The remaining two stages of 5. Ahmed al-Shegawi (SAU) 39 pts finished on the podium at Losail last The French duo of Ronan Chabot and ing six long and demanding selective Second day action on May 29 takes 298.04km and 148.52km head north out 6. José Luis Pena Campo (ESP) 36 pts month, after overcoming the rigours Gilles Pillot crew the third Overdrive sections and around 1,900km of com- place on a stage of 414.12km that loops of Aktau City, with the last one passing 7. Claude Fournier (FRA) 31 pts of the event’s complex navigation, Racing Toyota Hilux. Chabot retired petition in a compact route through the through the deserts to the east around along the shoreline of the Caspian Sea 8. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT) 30 pts and also enjoyed his visit to Kaza- from 15th position in the Dakar Rally on far west of the country. the town of Senek, before the third before the ceremonial fi nish in the city 9. Aron Domzala (POL) 24 pts khstan last season in a T2 Toyota Land medical grounds and is due some better The opening timed section of timed section of 327.47km on May on June 2. 10. Cyril Despres (FRA) 24 pts Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Liverpool’s Klopp seeks fi tting fi nale to long road to Kiev ‘It was a very exciting journey so far and now we want to bring it to the best possible end’

AFP Liverpool

iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is quietly confi dent his side can upset the odds by preventing Real Madrid from claiming a Lthird consecutive Champions League title on Saturday, to cap a stunning sea- son engineered by the German. Klopp’s men started their Cham- pions League campaign in a playoff against Hoff enheim just to make the group stages back in August. Now, after plundering 46 goals in 14 games, Liv- erpool have made it back to the Cham- pions League fi nal in Kiev for the fi rst time in 11 years. “I don’t want to talk about confi - dence, but we feel good and think we deserve to be where we are because the boys really showed up in all the diff er- ent games,” said Klopp yesterday. “It was a very exciting journey so far and now we want to bring it to the best pos- sible end.” By contrast, Madrid are featuring in their fourth fi nal in fi ve years. But Klopp believes Liverpool can compen- sate for their lack of experience com- pared to the European champions with other qualities that have characterised their run to the fi nal. “If there is an experienced market, they should sell it because then they would be even more rich than they are already,” Klopp added of the Spanish giants. “Experience is very important in life but not the only important thing in life, and especially in football. It is an advantage to be more experienced, but you can level it with desire, with readiness, attitude, work rate and that is what I love in football.” Liverpool will be back in the Cham- pions League next season no matter the Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp watches as his players go through a training session at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) outcome in the Ukranian capital as they held on to fi nish fourth in the Premier “It’s a very good moment for the proved signifi cantly since being paired a-lifetime opportunity. “We have the fi elder Emre Can, who has missed the tion. But let me put it this way, 10 days League despite a late-season blip in club, for us, for the boys because we with club record £75mn ($100.6mn) biggest chance in our lives. For some of past two months with injury, returned ago I didn’t think it is possible he could form as the physical toil of their Euro- have fi nished the season in the best way signing Virgil Van Dijk in January. us, maybe it’s the only one,” he added. to training ahead of Saturday’s Cham- do what he did today. It looked good. It pean exertions showed. we could,” he added. “It felt really good “I feel personally much more confi - “We have something to catch, (for the) pions League fi nal against Real Madrid. was really positive but we have to wait,” Klopp took his squad on a warm and then having the time to prepare the dent when you know you have a really whole squad it is the fi rst time in the fi - Can trained with the Liverpool squad he told reporters. “The door is open — weather training camp in Marbella game is really good. We could do a lot good partner next to you and he showed nal of the Champions League. We know yesterday and his return to fi tness is a he is really desperate to be a part. We last week. And he believes a two-week of things and didn’t have to rush it or already at Southampton that he is one what we are playing for and how hard it boost for Klopp whose midfi eld options shall see,” Klopp added. break between their 4-0 thrashing of compress it into two or three sessions. of the best defenders in the Premier was from day one.” have been restricted by injury to Alex James Milner, who missed the fi nal Brighton to ensure a top-four fi nish It was good recovery time.” League,” Lovren said of Van Dijk’s in- Oxlade-Chamberlain. game of the season and the fi nal is the perfect preparation Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is fl uence. BOOST FOR LIVERPOOL AS CAN But Klopp cautioned about Can’s against Brighton & Hove Albion with a to ensure Liverpool’s high-energy style one of Klopp’s many success stories And Lovren urged Liverpool not to RETURNS TO TRAINING potential involvement in the game in muscle problem, also took part in the can be fully utilised on Saturday. this season as the Croatian has im- miss out on what could be a once-in- Liverpool’s German international mid- Kiev. “It depends always on the reac- training session.

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Relaxed Tuchel embraces PSG challenge Sarri undecided if he AFP will remain at Napoli Paris oach Maurizio Sarri Iraq is now “eager to organise is still uncertain if a major footballing event and aris Saint-Germain did not waste he will stay at Napoli to show that it is ready at all time turning the page on Unai after leading them to levels”, Iraqi Football Associa- Emery’s time in charge, and the secondC place in Serie A with a tion spokesman Kamel Zaghir arrival of the fresh-faced Tho- club record points haul. “It’s a said confi rming Basra would Pmas Tuchel marks the start of a new era. complicated situation,” he told host the tournament between Less than 24 hours after Emery bowed reporters after his team beat 12 Arab countries. For years, out as the Ligue 1 champions played out Crotone 2-1 in their fi nal game Iraq has been busily building a soporifi c goalless draw in Caen without of the season to fi nish with 91 and upgrading stadiums and a host of their biggest names, Tuchel ap- points from 38 games. campaigning for its return to the peared at the Parc des Princes for the fi rst “I can’t say that I will go ahead international fold. FIFA’s deci- time. and try again with this group sion followed an international The German looked confi dent and re- because I still don’t know if they friendly between Iraq and Saudi laxed as he was unveiled to the French will stay together. I don’t know Arabia in the ultra-modern sta- media and then photographed on the if the club intends to use buyout dium in Basra on February 28. pitch on a perfect Parisian spring evening. clauses to off er the players to the Iraq has not played com- After a year out following his departure big clubs.” petitive internationals on home from , where he won Napoli, who fi nished four turf since its 1990 invasion of the 2017 German Cup, the 44-year-old points behind Juventus, have Kuwait. The ban, covering all was linked to the Premier League. managed two runners-up spots but domestic matches, stayed in But he was clearly seduced by the and one third place in Sarri’s place after the US-led invasion French capital. three seasons in charge, also of 2003 that toppled dictator “This is Paris, it’s magnifi cent, the city becoming the fi rst team to amass Saddam Hussein. of love, the city of light. It is a romantic more than 90 points and not win city and a city for adventure,” he said. “I the title. Juventus have won the WEST BROM MANAGER would love our supporters to fall in love last seven Serie A titles, includ- MOORE RELISHES with the team and that the brightest play- ing this season. “I don’t think I CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE ers play here.” would go to another Italian club. West Bromwich Albion manager Tuchel spoke mainly in excellent Eng- If I have to change (clubs), I will Darren Moore expects a “gruel- lish, but he showed a willingness to speak go abroad,” added the chain- ling” campaign in the Champi- in French and a grasp of the language that smoking 59-year-old. “I know onship next season but believes his predecessor never reached in his two the president needs an answer so his experience of playing in years in charge. Emery won seven out of he can start making plans.” the second-tier will benefi t his eight domestic trophies in his time at the Club president Aurelio De players. Moore’s impressive run helm, but his credit expired with Cham- Laurentiis said that it was time as caretaker boss in the fi nal six pions League exits against Barcelona and for Sarri to make up his mind. games of the season was the only Real Madrid in the last 16. bright spot in an otherwise dis- Tuchel’s own experience of the highest Paris Saint-Germain’s newly-appointed coach German Thomas Tuchel smiles during a press conference on Sunday. (AFP) IRAQ TO HOST appointing campaign for West level is limited, meaning many were sur- INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL Brom as they fi nished bottom of prised by his appointment. “I want to have an atmosphere where a Neymar’s possible departure after just At home, PSG’s main rivals next season TOURNAMENT the Premier League. And he was not in the mood for making Cup game is on the same level as a Cham- one injury-hit season prove to be nothing will be the same. Lyon and Monaco are Iraq is to host a West Asia Foot- The 44-year-old was ap- promises. “It’s too early to talk about it,” pions League game. You cannot predict more than that. In any case, Tuchel is in boosted enormously by qualifying direct- ball Federation championship pointed manager on a permanent said the German, who will not offi cially the results, so it makes no sense to talk no doubt his limited track record will not ly for the Champions League group stage, in the southern city of Basra in basis. “I’m extremely proud,” start work until pre-season training be- too early, but if you ask me in spring I will prevent him from settling into a dressing while Marseille will hope to be stronger November, the fi rst international Moore said. “I accepted the off er gins in early July. tell you very clearly if we are ready or not.” room of stars, from the world’s most ex- again after falling just short, coming tournament to be staged in the instantly. I’m really looking for- “Of course we have the most exciting Tuchel has admitted his admiration for pensive player to Kylian Mbappe, Thiago fourth in the league and losing the Europa country since the 1990s. Iraqi ward to the job ahead. I got my players, we are one of the biggest clubs Pep Guardiola, although he insisted he Silva and Marco Verratti. League fi nal. authorities late Sunday hailed head down, worked extremely in one of the most exciting cities, and would impose his own style in Paris. He “I am not afraid at all of stars because It remains to be seen how quickly WAFF’s invitation to host the hard for the six or so weeks in this attracts the best players. But to be in will wait anxiously in the hope that UEFA in my experience they are the hardest Tuchel settles, but his side will be clear tournament, following the deci- charge.” Former defender Moore the end where everybody wants to be, it’s do not complicate his task by imposing workers and know exactly what it takes to favourites to dominate in France again sion in March of world football’s made 104 appearances at West not about talking before the fi rst training sanctions for potential breaches of their be successful. I am very happy to have the next season. He will not be as relaxed as governing body FIFA to lift a Brom between 2001 and 2006, session has happened or the fi rst game is Financial Fair Play rules. opportunity now to win titles with this this, though, if he oversees another poor three-decade ban on Iraq host- twice helping them gain promo- played. And he will hope that rumours over kind of team.” showing in Europe. ing international football. tion to the top fl ight. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Nainggolan ends Chelsea’s Morata Belgium career aft er WC snub Reuters against fellow World Cup fi nal- misses out on Spain Tubize, Belgium ists Portugal in Brussels. Giving himself an extra couple of weeks until FIFA’s last squad adja Nainggolan ended deadline would give the likes of his international career experienced Barcelona defender yesterday after Belgium time to prove coach Roberto Martinez his fi tness. Third in the world World Cup squad leftR the AS Roma midfi elder out rankings and hungry for the suc- of his squad for next month’s cess that has eluded them de- World Cup in . Despite spite boasting some of Europe’s past clashes over discipline, most gifted players, England’s Three more Chelsea players, Alonso, Pedro and Fabregas were also not included Martinez insisted he took what Group G opponents head to Rus- he knew was an unpopular deci- sia with Premier League stars AFP sion for the good of the team. including Chelsea forward Eden Madrid “Very reluctantly my interna- Hazard and midfi elder Kevin De tional career comes to an end,” Bruyne from champions Man- the 29-year-old Nainggolan chester City. helsea striker Alvaro Morata was wrote on Instagram an hour af- Manchester United striker left out of Spain’s World Cup ter Martinez made public a deci- also makes the squad, announced yesterday. sion which he had broken to the preliminary squad despite re- Morata paid the price for a dis- player in person the night before cent injury issues, along with appointingC debut season in the Premier in Rome. Martinez said his of- 32-year-old Manchester City League as Spain coach Julen Lopetegui fensive strategy since he took skipper Vincent Kompany in picked Iago Aspas and Rodrigo Moreno over following the team’s Euro defence. Among fresher faces up front, along with Atletico Madrid’s 2016 disappointment no longer given a chance are winger Adnan Diego Costa. off ered a role to Nainggolan, Januzaj from and “The decision is always diffi cult be- despite his huge part in Roma’s 21-year-old Monaco midfi elder cause of the talent of the players we have,” charge to the Champions League Youri Tielemans. Lopetegui said. “We have opted for three semi-fi nals this year. other players who had diff erent assets The player himself, who also BELGIUM’S 28-MAN and including four players up front was announced plans to retire last PROVISIONAL SQUAD not something we wanted to do.” year after Martinez left him out, Goalkeepers: Thibaut Cour- Three more Chelsea players also made clear he saw a clash of per- tois (Chelsea), missed out as Marcos Alonso, Pedro and sonality as an issue. “I’ve always (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (VfL Cesc Fabregas were not included in the done everything I could to repre- Wolfsburg), Matz Sels (Newcastle 23-man group. Morata’s absence was the sent my country. Being yourself United). stand-out decision, however, even if it can be bothering” he said. Defenders: was not an entirely surprising one given In his native Dutch, he said; (Tottenham), Christian Kabasele the 25-year-old’s dramatic dip in form. “Unfortunately, being REAL is (Watford), (Lazio), After scoring seven goals in his fi rst not enough for SOME PEOPLE”, (Paris Saint-Ger- seven games for Chelsea, a back injury adding that the decision to quit main), Thomas Vermaelen (Barce- seemed to aff ect his confi dence. Morata international soccer gave him lona), (Tottenham), has scored only three times in 22 games “much pain in my heart”. (Los Angeles), since the turn of the year. Martinez, who also sprung a Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Vincent “I’ve talked to the players I had to talk surprise by not naming his fi - Kompany (Manchester City) to,” Lopetegui said. “I’m not going to nal 23-man squad, declined to Midfielders: name anybody, but there are players who give details of what he called an (Manchester United), had to fi nd out from me that they were “honest” talk with the player, (Tianjin Taida), not going to be on the list.” who cemented his popularity (Manchester City), In contrast, Aspas and Moreno have among fans at Euro 2016 where (Chelsea), Nacer Chadli (West Bro- been in excellent form for Celta Vigo and Belgium reached the quarter- mwich Albion), Leander Dendon- Valencia respectively, with Aspas the top fi nals. But his decision was tac- cker (Anderlecht), Thorgan Hazard Spanish scorer in on 22 goals. Cos- tical. “We know that Radja has (Borussia Moenchengladbach), ta is expected to start when Spain open up a very important role in his club Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), against Portugal in Group B on June 15 but and we cannot give him that role Youri Tielemans (Monaco) Aspas, with his speed and direct running, in our squad,” Martinez told a Forwards: Moussa Dembele remains an attractive option. news conference. (Celtic), (Chelsea/ Alonso only made his debut in a friend- Contrary to expectations, Dortmund), ly against Argentina in March and lost out Martinez listed 28 players yes- (Crystal Palace), to Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal. Fabregas fell terday. These will be whittled (Atletico Madrid), Romelu Lukaku behind Spain’s impressive wealth of op- down to the fi nal 23 for Russia on (Manchester United), tions in midfi eld, which will include Ser- June 4, two days after a friendly (Napoli) gio Busquets, Saul Niguez, Koke, Thiago Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata (left) and Pedro were both left out of Spain’s World Cup squad. (Reuters) Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Isco, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez. Spain’s group of defenders. United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa A Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara Midfielder Radja Manchester United’s superstar David “I’ve had several doubts, making a list rrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao). (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester Nainggolan played de Gea was included as expected, along of 23 is very diffi cult,” Lopetegui said. Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul a huge part in with fellow goalkeepers Pepe Reina and “But we have decided this was the most Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Alvaro Odriozola Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Roma’s charge to Kepa Arrizabalaga. balanced decision and the one we think (Real Sociedad), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid). the Champions Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta did will help us most at the World Cup.” Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Forwards: Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), League semi-finals make it in, as did Monreal. Dani Carvajal, Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Diego Costa (Atleti- this year. (AFP) Alvaro Odriozola, Gerard Pique, Sergio SPAIN SQUAD: (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea). co Madrid), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Ramos, Nacho and Jordi Alba complete Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid).

Sigurdsson included in Iceland’s squad despite injury London: Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson semi-finals as dark horses, the Croatians Israelis. has been named in the Iceland squad have failed to advance to the knockout But there was uproar from fans and for next month’s World Cup in Russia rounds in three appearances at the tour- confusion reigned over the issue, with despite the midfielder missing the end nament. Croatia start their World Cup Shojaei returning to the national squad of the league season with a knee injury. campaign against Nigeria on June 16. in March and Haji Safi never actually Sigurdsson, Everton’s record signing Squad: banned. Iran is unable to openly discuss after his move from Swansea City last Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic (Monaco), the ban on facing Israelis because it year, has not played since picking up the Lovre Kalinic (Gent), Dominik Livakovic breaches international sporting regula- injury against Brighton and Hove Albion (Dinamo Zagreb). tions. in the Premier League on March 10. Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Iran’s national team has been Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who ), Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), Ivan coached for the past seven years by Por- enjoyed an impressive campaign with Strinic (Sampdoria), Dejan Lovren (Liver- tugal’s , a former enforcer Burnley, and Cardiff City’s Aron Gun- pool), Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid), Josip for Alex Ferguson at Manchester United narsson have also been included in the Pivaric (Dynamo Kijev), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer and one-season boss at Real Madrid. 23-man squad for the country’s first Leverkusen), Matej Mitrovic (Bruges), Duje Queiroz has led Iran to its first back- World Cup appearance by Iceland coach Caleta-Car (Red Bull Salzburg). to-back appearances at the World Cup, Heimir Hallgrimsson. Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), but will be hoping to improve on its Iceland, with a population of 340,000 Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Mateo Kovacic winless appearance in Brazil. and a pool of only around 100 profes- (Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Iran, nicknamed “Team Melli”, had an sional footballers, are the smallest Forwards: Alfred Finnbogason (FC Augs- Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Filip Bra- unbeaten run in qualifiers, becoming country to have qualified for a World burg), Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson (FC daric (Rijeka). the first to book their place from the Cup. They made their debut at a major Rostov), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Reading), Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), Asian Football Confederation. But they tournament at Euro 2016 where they Albert Gudmundsson (PSV Eindhoven). Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan), Nikola Kalinic face a tough group in the World Cup, beat Austria and England and finally lost (AC Milan), Andrej Kramaric (Hoff enheim), with Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The to hosts France in the quarter-finals of CROATIA’S DALIC CUTS WORLD Marko Pjaca (Schalke), Ante Rebic (Eintra- squad announced this weekend could BOTTOMLINE an extraordinary campaign. CUP SQUAD TO 24 PLAYERS cht Frankfurt). still change, in case of injury, up to a Iceland will kick off their campaign Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has slashed final deadline on June 4. against 2014 World Cup runners-up his provisional World Cup squad to IRAN LEAVES OUT Iran World Cup squad Argentina in Moscow on June 16. 24 players from 32 and axe one more BELGIUM-BASED STRIKER Goalkeepers: (Perse- Guerrero gets FIFPro’s Croatia and Nigeria are the other two player by the June 4 deadline for next Iran announced its 24-man squad for polis), Rashid Mazaheri (Zob Ahan), Amir teams featuring in Group D. month’s tournament in Russia. the 2018 World Cup late Sunday, surpris- Abedzadeh (Maritimo/POR) Iceland Squad: There were no real surprises with ingly omitting striker Kaveh Rezaei, Defenders: Ali Gholizadeh (Saipa), support in doping ban Goalkeepers: Hannes Thor Halldors- household names such as Luka Modric, but with plenty of expectation after an (Esteghlal), Milad Moham- son (Randers FC), Runar Alex Runarsson Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic and Ivan unbeaten run through qualifying. The madi (Akhmat Grozny/RUS), Mohammad AFP latest example of a World Anti- (FC Nordsjaelland), Frederik Schram (FC Perisic expected to carry Croatia’s main biggest shock was the decision not to Khanzadeh (Padideh), Morteza Poura- Lima Doping Code that too often leads Roskilde). hopes of reaching the knockout stages. take Rezaei, the 26-year-old coming off liganji (Alsaad/QAT), to inappropriate sanctions, es- Defenders: Kari Arnason (Aberdeen), The Croatians, drawn in Group D with a blistering season for Belgium’s Charl- (Esteghlal), (Ostende/BEL), pecially when it has been estab- Ari Freyr Skulason (Lokeren), Birkir Mar Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland, will play eroi, scoring 16 goals in 39 games. Roozbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal) eru striker Paolo Guer- lished that there was no intent to Saevarsson (Valur), Sverrir Ingi Ingason friendlies against Brazil on June 3 at But Iran has strong choices up front, Midfielders: Ehsan Haji Safi (Olympiacos/ rero has received the cheat”. It recalled that both FIFA (FC Rostov), Hordur Magnusson (Bristol Anfield and Senegal on home spoil in including , who GRE), Karim Ansarifard (Olympiacos/GRE), backing of players’ union and the Court of Arbitration City), Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson (Levski Sofia), Osijek on June 8. became the first Iranian to top the scor- (AEK Athens/GRE), Mahdi FIFPro ahead of a meet- for Sport (CAS) had agreed that Ping with FIFA’s president to try to 34-year-old Guerrero did not Ragnar Sigurdsson (FC Rostov). Uncapped 21-year old defender Duje ing table of a major European league Torabi (Saipa), (Esteghlal), Midfielders: Johann Berg Gudmundsson Caleta Car or 26-year old midfielder Filip with 21 goals for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. (Amkar Perm/RUS) overturn a drugs ban that could knowingly ingest the substance (Burnley), (Aston Villa), Baradaric, who has made three appear- Also making the squad are Masoud Forwards: Alireza Jahanbakhsh (AZ Alk- keep him out of the World Cup. and that there was no perform- Arnor Ingvi Traustason (Malmo FF), Emil ances, are likely to be left out of the final Shojaei, 33, and Ehsan Haji Safi, 28, who maar/NED), Ashkan Dejageh (Nottingham FIFPro said the 14-month ban for ance-enhancing eff ect. Guer- Hallfredsson (Udinese), Gylfi Sigurdsson 23-man squad. However, both will be on were supposed to have been banned for Forest/ENG), Mahdi Taremi (Al-Gharafa/ taking cocaine was “unfair and rero, who says he accidentally in- (Everton), Olafur Ingi Skulason (Kardemir the plane to Russia if long-serving cen- life last summer after playing an Israeli QAT), (Heerenveen/ disproportionate” and said its gested the cocaine in tea, said in a Karabukspor), Rurik Gislason (Sand- tre back Vedran Corluka fails to recover team for their Greek club Panionios. Iran NED), (Ostersunds/SWE), representatives wanted to meet message on Facebook that he was hausen), Samuel Fridjonsson (Valerenga), form a niggling calf injury. does not recognise the Jewish state and (Rubin Kazan/RUS), Vahid FIFA as well to plead 34-year-old hopeful his meeting with FIFA (Cardiff City). Having reached the 1998 World Cup bars its athletes from appearing against Amiri (Persepolis) Guerrero’s case. supremo Gianni Infantino could FIFPro said the ban was “the lead to a breakthrough. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 22, 2018 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA Iniesta bows out with Barca win thanks to Coutinho strike ‘It has been a privilege and a pleasure to defend and represent this club, for me the best in the world’

AFP Barcelona

ndres Iniesta waved goodbye to Barcelona on Sunday night and his supposed successor scored the winner as Philippe Coutinho’sA superb strike sealed a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad. Iniesta, with a tear in his eye, walked off to a standing ovation from the Camp Nou when substituted in the second half, having unfastened his captain’s arm- band and handed it to Lionel Messi. If Messi is to become Barca’s new leader, Coutinho is the player marked out to assume Iniesta’s creative re- sponsibilities and it was perhaps fi tting the Brazilian proved the diff erence on a night almost entirely devoted to his 34-year-old team-mate. After his number eight had come up on the fourth offi cial’s board, Iniesta fi rst hugged Messi and then embraced the rest of his colleagues. He clapped the crowd, blew them a kiss, before ex- haling and ducking into the dug-out. An extravagant post-match cer- emony followed, celebrating both Ini- esta and the winning of La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Barca’s players returned to the pitch all wearing shirts with Ini- esta’s name on their backs. “It is a dif- fi cult day,” Iniesta said in a speech to the crowd. “But it has been a wonder- ful 22 years. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to defend and represent this club, for me the best in the world. I will keep you in my heart forever.” Barca’s players then huddled beneath Iniesta and tossed him into the air. “I feel privileged,” coach Ernesto Valverde said. “Just as they all do to have been a part of it. He is a unique, unrepeatable player. There is none like him.” Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta and teammates celebrate with the La Liga trophy after their final league match against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain on Sunday night. (Reuters) After 22 years at the club and 16 in the fi rst team, Iniesta’s 674 appear- goals read ‘Gracies Per Tant’, ‘thank you 14 ahead of their nearest rivals Atletico Ernesto Valverde stayed true to his on Dembele. Navas, nowhere near the space on the left of the penalty area and ances for Barcelona is bettered only by for so much’. Madrid and 17 clear of Real. word that he would rest Messi, who ball, caught Dembele’s right foot and curled a trademark shot inside the far Xavi Hernandez, who was also on the Iniesta exchanged pennants with The one blot on the night was an in- only came on for the fi nal 23 minutes. Suarez was booked for his complaints corner. pitch before kick-off to join in the trib- Xabi Prieto, the 34-year-old midfi elder jury to Ousmane Dembele, who had to Early on, Gerard Pique miscued when to referee Jose Munuera. That was his last signifi cant contri- utes. Real Sociedad welcomed Iniesta who is also calling time after 15 years in go off in the 53rd minute after sustain- left free at a corner and Ivan Rakitic Dembele fi nished the half but was bution before being replaced by Messi, with a guard of honour while the crowd the fi rst team of Real Sociedad. Prieto ing an injury to his right foot towards headed wide but otherwise Real Socie- taken off shortly after the interval as who almost set up a second only for formed an impressive mosaic to spell came on in the 88th minute to great ap- the end of the fi rst half. Dembele was dad were fairly comfortable in the fi rst Denis Suarez came on to replace the Denis Suarez to squander the fi nish. out ‘Infi nit Iniesta’ on the two sides of preciation from the visiting support. seen being handed an ice pack on the half. Nelson Semedo wanted a penalty French forward. Finally, Iniesta was replaced in the the Camp Nou, with an infi nity sym- There was also a football match to bench, with France now facing an anx- after he was tripped by Alberto De La Coutinho’s goal came rather out of 82nd minute by Paco Alcacer and the bol, doubling up as number eights, at win and Barcelona’s victory means ious wait for the diagnosis before the Bella and Luis Suarez wanted a harsher the blue but was no less impressive fans did not stop chanting the veteran’s the ends. A giant fl ag behind one of the they fi nish top of La Liga on 93 points, start of the World Cup. punishment when Raul Navas lunged in for the fact as he wiggled his way into name until the fi nal whistle blew.

SERIE A SPOTLIGHT De Vrij foul helps his future team Hazard targets title to Inter seal Champions League spot hint at Chelsea stay

AFP phies. We will be ready next sea- London son,” Hazard said. “I think all of the players and the club want one thing and den Hazard dropped a that’s to win the title. Of course hint he is willing to stay we will see if we can bring in at Chelsea next season as some new players. But we will be the FA Cup winner set his focused on winning the title.” sightsE on more silverware. Haz- Hazard has two Premier ard scored the fi rst-half penalty League titles with Chelsea since that fi red Chelsea to a 1-0 win arriving in 2012. But he knows over Manchester United in Sat- Chelsea need signifi cant im- urday’s FA Cup fi nal at Wembley. provement to emulate those The 27-year-old has two years victories after they fi nished fi fth remaining on his current con- — 30 points behind champions tract with the Blues, but last Manchester City, who became week the Belgium playmaker the fi rst English top-fl ight team admitted he wanted to see who to reach 100 points en route to Chelsea signed in the close-sea- the title. son before agreeing to a new deal. “If City keep playing like this, That sparked renewed talk that it is going to be hard, but you Hazard would consider leaving FA Cup triumph — the fi rst time never know in football,” Hazard Stamford Bridge, with Real Ma- he has won the competition — said. “It is always hard to win the drid among the clubs interested might have given him pause for league one season and then win it in his services, following Chel- thought as he targeted the Pre- again the next year. Can winning Inter Mlina had to win in order to take third place from Lazio who had a superior head-to-head record and needed just to draw. sea’s failure to qualify for next mier League title next term. “We the FA Cup in the last game be season’s Champions League. have a lot of top players, players taken into the start of next sea- AFP yellow card. “All players are professionals, I to discuss the matter. We will see what is But Hazard’s role in Chelsea’s who are used to winning tro- son? Yes, of course.” Milan don’t think he fouled me on purpose,” Icardi best for Inter. They know what I think and said. they will also make a decision. “He tried to stop me scoring, it was just “The target was the Champions League, nter Milan captain Mauro Icardi said it destiny. We’ll certainly try to improve, be- we achieved it and will go from there. We’ll was “just destiny” that his future team- cause a side like Inter cannot aff ord to be so have more options on the transfer market Pogba evasive over Man United future mate Stefan de Vrij gave away a penalty inconsistent,” said the Argentine of a cam- now and the club will try to do something. on Sunday night that helped Inter seal paign which saw Inter go unbeaten until De- Last year, they did all they could and im- Paris: Paul Pogba has refused a cast-iron commitment. together. I had a few little prob- Ia Champions League place at the expense cember 16 before struggling in the second proved the squad. I would be very happy to to rule out a move away from “You can never be sure of lems too... football is sometimes of Lazio. Dutch international defender De part of the season. play for Inter but if my future is meant to Manchester United, hinting at anything,” he said. “But contrac- all about the mental side. He put Vrij has confi rmed he is leaving Lazio at the “That’s the fi rst thing we need to sort out. be somewhere else, then I will evaluate the strains in his relationship with tually, it’s sure, yes. I can never me on the bench and I gave my end of the season which fi nished on Sunday, We had a great start to the season, then there opportunities. I am very happy here at Inter Jose Mourinho after a diff icult look far into the future. It also response on the pitch. I always with Inter reportedly set to announce his was a collapse. We put in these performanc- and I even bought a new house here in Mi- season at Old Traff ord. The £89 depends how it goes with the give everything I’ve got.” signing on a free transfer. es that are either fantastic or terrible. We lan.” mn ($119 mn) France interna- club, how things work out.” And Pogba said being handed Sunday’s match in the Stadio Olimpico must try to fi nd a middle ground.” Both Inter and Lazio fi nished on 72 points tional has had a tricky second Pogba also discussed his rela- the captain’s armband in certain was a direct clash between two teams fi ght- Icardi’s goal was his 100th for Inter and fi ve points behind third-placed Roma who season back at United, being left tionship with Mourinho, saying matches had helped him. “I was ing for Champions League football next sea- put him joint top of the Serie A scorers this beat Sassuolo 1-0 on Sunday, but Inter out of the side or substituted the pair did not have to have the made captain by Mourinho, it son. Lazio, in fourth before the game, need- season on 29 alongside Lazio’s Ciro Immo- clinched fourth on head-to-head record. early many times. perfect bond to work together was the first time for me with a ed only a point against fi fth-placed Inter to bile. “Finally these goals are worth some- Inter return to Europe for the fi rst time since On other occasions man- professionally. “There were club and that is important for return to the Champions League for the fi rst thing. To return to the Champions league the 2011-2012 season, along with Juventus, ager Mourinho has publicly times where I wasn’t playing, I me,” he said. “It also made me time in a decade. is the best news possible for us,” said the Napoli and Roma. questioned his contributions, was on the bench,” he said. grow as a leader in the France But the hosts threw away a 2-1 lead with 15 25-year-old striker who has been linked Lazio go into the Europa League along while transfer talk refuses to “There was a lot of talk, peo- team.” minutes to go. De Vrij fouled Icardi to con- with a move to Real Madrid. with AC Milan who sealed direct access to die down. Asked by French tel- ple thought it wasn’t working Pogba has been linked with a cede a penalty converted by the striker on But he said he could opt to stay in the San the group stage with a 5-1 rout of Fiorentina, evision station Canal Plus if he out, but a coach and a player move to hometown club Paris 78 minutes, with Matias Vecino heading in Siro now that Luciano Spalletti’s side have who fi nish eighth. Atalanta took seventh would remain a United player, don’t have to be best friends, we Saint-Germain but said such a the winner three minutes later after Lazio returned to the Champions League after a place and a spot in the Europa League quali- the 25-year-old declined to give don’t have to go to restaurants move was not possible. captain Senad Lulic was sent off for a second six-year break. “We now have two months fying rounds despite a 1-0 defeat at Cagliari. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Ohtani strikes out 9 as Angels end skid Curry silences Ohtani, who starred with the AFP Los Angeles Nippon Ham Fighters in the Ja- pan League, has impressed since arriving Stateside aiming to be- hohei Ohtani delivered come the Major Leagues’ fi rst another Sunday afternoon slugger-pitcher since legend gem, striking out nine in 7 Babe Ruth’s heyday a century 2/3 solid innings as the Los ago. At the plate he’s averag- critics as Warriors AngelesS Angels snapped a fi ve- ing.321 with six home runs and ‘My approach to every game game skid with a 5-2 victory over 17 runs-batted-in. the Tampa Bay Rays. Dansby Swanson’s two-run is the same - you don’t get The Japanese two-way sensa- single with the bases loaded in tion was again impressive on the the ninth inning capped a six- too high on the highs, or too mound, giving up two runs on run rally and gave Atlanta a wild six hits before departing in the win over Miami at SunTrust low on the lows’ eighth inning. Park. rout Rockets Ohtani, 23, became the third Swanson had been 0-for-8 AFP American League player since since returning from the disa- Oakland, United States 1908 to record six or more bled list on Saturday. He drove strikeouts in six of his fi rst sev- a 2-2 pitch from reliever Tay- en career games as a pitcher, ron Guerrero (0-2) into the left tephen Curry si- joining the Cleveland Indians fi eld corner to bring home Tyler lenced his critics with a Herb Score (1955) and the New Flowers and Kurt Suzuki with 35-point display as the York Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka the tying and winning runs. Golden State Warriors (2014). Swanson struck out to start thrashedS the Houston Rockets Ohtani needed 20 pitches to the inning, but the Braves be- 126-85 to take a 2-1 series lead get through the fi rst inning. He gan to peck away against reliever in the NBA Western Conference gave up a double in the second Brad Ziegler. Ronald Acuna Jr. fi nals on Sunday. and a fi rst-pitch home run to drove in a run with a sacrifi ce Curry, targeted relentlessly Johnny Field in the third. fl y, Freddie Freeman’s hustle on by Houston as the Rockets lev- From there, he retired 12 an infi eld single plated another, elled the series in game two, straight Rays batters. He gave up and Nick Markakis drove in a overcame a sluggish fi rst-half two singles and two fl y balls to run with a single to center fi eld. display to lead a Warriors blow- the warning track in the seventh, Miami brought in Guerrero, who out in game three. and he was pulled after giving up walked Flowers and surrendered The two-time NBA Most his second hit if the eighth. an RBI hit to Suzuki. He walked Valuable Player exploded for Ohtani’s 110 pitches were Johan Camargo to load the bases 18 points alone in a devastat- seven more than his last outing. with two outs, setting up Swan- ing spurt of scoring in the third He improved to 4-1 with a 3.35 son’s game-winning heroics. quarter that took the game away earned-run-average. from Houston. The Angels put up their fi ve RESULTS The reigning champion War- runs on four hits, taking advan- Angels 5 Rays 2 riors now have the opportunity tage of seven walks to provide Braves 10 Marlins 9 to take a commanding 3-1 lead enough backing for Ohtani. Cubs 6 Reds 1 with a further victory in front of “It’s huge that we got out of Cardinals 5 Phillies 1 their home fans in game four on this losing streak and personally Red Sox 5 Orioles 0 Tuesday as they chase a fourth I got the win, so it was a really Mariners 3 Tigers 2 (11 innings) straight NBA fi nals appearance. good game,” Ohtani said. Mets 4 Diamondbacks 1 Curry was relieved to have Rookie Justin Anderson got he Giants 9 Rockies 5 rediscovered his scoring touch, fi nal out of the eighth, and then White Sox 3 Rangers 0 even if he had been unfazed by Blake Parker worked the ninth. Twins 3 Brewers 1 the criticism of his game two Parker, who began the season Padres 8 Pirates 5 performance. as the Angels closer, may have Athletics 9 Blue Jays 2 “That’s what I expected to worked his way back into that Astros 3 Indians 1 do,” Curry said afterwards. “My role with improved results in the Dodgers 7 Nationals 2 approach to every game is the past few weeks. Yankees 10 Royals 1 same – you don’t get too high on the highs, or too low on the lows. “I’m just thankful I managed to hit some shots tonight, even- tually. But there’s a long way to go. I’m just going to stay fo- cused on that.” Warriors coach Steve Kerr meanwhile said he had never doubted Curry even after a shaky fi rst half display. “We’ve seen this so many times with Steph,” Kerr said. “All it takes is one. I was never concerned. This guy’s a two- time MVP and he bounces back from bad games as well as any- body I’ve ever seen. It didn’t surprise me.” Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry shoots the ball against Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (right) and guard Eric Gordon during the first-half in game three of the Western Conference finals of the 2018 NBA Playoff s at Oracle Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports ‘They gave us a haymaker’ The win was a record 16th up here and this next one we’ve quarter, building momentum mark burst of scoring. suddenly fi nding his range and straight playoff victory at home got to go get it. “We played soft, steadily to go 31-22 clear. Eight unanswered points raising the roof with a three- for the Warriors at Oracle Are- actually, and you can’t do that While Curry had a slow start suddenly saw the Warriors jump pointer past the covering Hard- na. Perhaps more signifi cantly, with these guys.” to the night, making just one of into a 21-point lead at 64-43. en followed by an impish one- the 41-point margin of defeat As well as Curry, every other seven three-point attempts in The Rockets responded handed layup to make it 80-56. was Houston’s heaviest in a Warriors starter made double the fi rst half, Durant gradually bravely to the onslaught, going A Durant three-pointer playoff game. fi gures, with Kevin Durant fi n- began to impose himself. on a 10-2 run to slash the home rubbed salt into the wound and Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni ishing with 25 points and Klay The towering forward had side’s lead to 13 points. But just took Golden State 27 points admitted his team had been Thompson 13. 15 points in the fi rst half, and when it looked as if the Rockets clear. From there it appeared battered - but insisted they Rockets star James Harden pushed the Warriors’ lead to were hauling themselves back the only question to be settled could recover. meanwhile was kept relatively 54-41 with just under 30 sec- into contention, the Warriors would be the margin of victory, “They gave us a haymaker quiet, with 20 points, while onds left in the half. Durant was exploded with a 13-0 run that but the Warriors showed no in- and we went down,” D’Antoni Chris Paul fi nished with 13. in the thick of the action early saw them surge into a 27-point clination to ease up, with Quinn Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws the ball said. “We’ve got short memo- The Warriors had edged into in the third quarter, as the War- lead. Cook adding 11 points off the against the Tampa Bay Rays during their MLB game at Angel Stadium ries, it’s 2-1. We’ve got to get one a nine-point lead in the fi rst riors stitched together a trade- Curry was the architect, bench in fi ve minutes. of Anaheim. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NHL Vegas ‘Golden Misfi ts’ into Stanley Cup fi nal AFP by other franchises. long-range eff ort fl ying into the roof of Los Angeles The hodgepodge nature of the team has the net to make it 1-1. led to players from the franchise cheerful- Luca Sbisa then helped the Knights take ly referring to themselves as the “Golden a 2-1 lead in the second period, with his he Vegas Golden Knights moved Misfi ts”, but they have hardly put a foot shot from distance defl ecting off Reaves within sight of making National wrong through their debut campaign. to silence the home crowd at Winnipeg’s Hockey League history on Sun- “It’s insane. If you go back to the begin- Bell MTS Place arena. day, completing a 4-1 series vic- ning of the season, your goal is always to The Knights then produced a superb Ttory over the Winnipeg Jets to become the make the playoff s,” said Knights defence- defensive performance in the face of re- fi rst expansion team in 50 years to reach man Deryk Engelland. lentless Winnipeg pressure in the third to the Stanley Cup Finals in their debut sea- “But if I were to guess I would be sitting close out a famous victory. son. here doing this right now, you would be a “The whole mentality of this team is A defl ected goal in the second period little sceptical at the time. next man up,” Reaves said. from Ryan Reaves clinched a 2-1 victory “But once we got rolling, we saw we “We’ve got a deep team, we’ve got a lot for the Knights, who were written off as have a team that can do some damage ... of good players. 500-1 no-hopers before the start of sea- It’s been an amazing ride. We just want to “You look at the season this team had son but who could now become the fi rst keep it going now.” even before I got here, everybody’s step- expansion team ever to win the Stanley ping up. The guys that weren’t playing, Cup at the fi rst attempt. ‘Next man up’ myself included, we stayed ready.” The newly minted Western Conference Against the Jets on Sunday, the Knights While the Knights celebrated, the de- champions from Nevada will face either again produced another fi ercely deter- feat ensured Canada’s long wait for a the Tampa Bay Lightning or Washington mined performance, embodied by a defi - Stanley Cup crown will continue. Capitals in the fi nals of the NHL show- ant display from goaltender Marc-Andre The spiritual homeland of ice hockey piece. The Lightning could claim the Fleury who stopped 31 of 32 shots. The has now not won the Stanley Cup for 25 Eastern Conference crown with victory Knights’ relentless harrying of Winnipeg years, with the Montreal Canadiens the over the Capitals on Monday in game six helped force the opening goal. last team to win the coveted NHL crown of a series they lead 3-2. Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey care- in 1993. Neutrals will almost certainly be root- lessly turned over possession under pres- “It just seemed like every time we ing for the Knights however. sure from Joel Armia, with his pass de- grabbed some momentum, they took it,” Barely a year ago the team’s roster had fl ecting into the path of Knights forward Jets forward Blake Wheeler said of the not been assembled, and the franchise Alex Tuch who rammed home the opener Knights. “You have to give them a ton of Vegas Golden Knights right wing Ryan Reaves (No 75) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the compiled their squad from players who for 1-0. Morrissey made amends for his credit for doing that. It’s the sign of a good Winnipeg Jets in the second period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoff s at had mostly been overlooked or discarded error with 2min 47sec left in the fi rst, his team.” Bell MTS Centre. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 22, 2018

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Pacer Amir proves his fi tness as Buttler relishing Pakistan draw fi nal ‘another Test debut’ warm-up match ‘It’s a fantastic surprise and an incredible opportunity with England aff orded to me’

AFP London

os Buttler had said get- ting a recall to England’s Test squad feels as if he Mohamed Amir had been given “another debut”.J unreliable guide to how a team AFP Buttler played the last of his 18 London will perform in Test matches. Tests in December 2016, against It is only two years ago since India in Chennai. Pakistan, albeit with now re- But despite becoming a white- ohamed Amir ap- tired batsmen Misbah-ul-Haq ball specialist in the intervening peared to prove his and Younis Khan in the side, 18 months, he has been included fi tness as Pakistan drew a four-Test series in Eng- in England’s squad for the fi rst drew their fi nal land 2-2. They also upset the Test against Pakistan at Lord’s Mwarm-up match ahead of the odds to beat arch-rivals India starting Thursday. start of their two-Test series in the fi nal of last year’s Cham- It is Buttler’s form in the against England. pions Trophy one-day tourna- Indian Premier A two-day game against ment at The Oval in London. League, rather than English Leicestershire was always That 2016 series also saw cricket’s fi rst-class County likely to end in a draw and that the now injured Yasir Shah Championship that has pro- was the case as the Midlands play a key role and the per- pelled him back into the Test county fi nished on 226 for six formance of the leg-spinner’s arena following a run of fi ve in reply to Pakistan’s fi rst in- teenage replacement Shadab successive fi fties, including two nings 321 for nine declared. Khan could now have an im- unbeaten 90s, for the Rajasthan Amir was one of several portant bearing on this year’s Royals. fi rst-choice players rested shortened campaign. Now he is set to bat at number from this match ahead of the Pakistan look likely to stick seven in the fi rst of a two-Test fi rst Test at Lord’s starting with the same side that beat series against Pakistan. Thursday after suff ering a re- Ireland with England, who “It’s a fantastic surprise and currence of a longstanding failed to win a single one out of an incredible opportunity af- knee problem during Paki- seven Test during their recent forded to me,” Buttler told re- stan’s preceding fi ve-wicket tours of and New porters at Lord’s yesterday. victory over Test debutants Zealand, recalling talented “Any time you turn up here Ireland in Malahide, Dublin ball-striker Jos Buttler to a re- at Lord’s it’s special, and all of completed on Tuesday. shaped batting line-up. those emotions are arriving to- The left-arm quick did Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali day. It feels like another debut however bowl at a lively pace believes they can take 20 Eng- really,” he added. “It wasn’t par- on the side of the square dur- land wickets at Lord’s. ticularly on my radar.” ing the lunch break and is un- The opener, who hit 73 on Buttler, 27, admitted he had derstood not to have suff ered Saturday, said: “Good bowl- contemplated that his Test ca- any adverse reaction. Amir, ers always take advantage of reer might be done and dusted. now 26, saw his cricket career early-summer conditions and “You always think maybe that almost ended for good after he we have good bowlers.” race is run and will never happen England’s Jos Buttler (right) with Chris was caught up in a spot-fi xing He added: “That’s the way again,” the innovative ball-strik- Woakes during a net session at the Lord’s scandal during a 2010 Test we’re thinking. We want to er added. Cricket Ground in London yesterday. against England at Lord’s. play attacking cricket, we “It’s not that you live with re- (Reuters) He was given a jail sentence want to take 20 wickets. grets, but you defi nitely miss it. by an English court and a fi ve- That’s why we are going with “To get that call the overriding “It’s going to be a challenge, ‘Pinnacle’ Tests are still the pinnacle.” his hundred at The Oval in 2005, year ban by the International fi ve bowlers and hopefully this emotion was excitement...Turn- but from the conversations I’ve Asked if playing Test cricket And Buttler was adamant that Mumbai or Sri Lanka. Cricket Council, but made his side will do well. ing up here on England duty to had with Joe and Ed Smith, it’s was still the “ultimate” level of Tests remained the measure of a “He played some fantastic return to the world stage two “It’s a team game and eve- play a Test match is unbeliev- very much that they want me to the sport, Buttler replied: “Yes player’s worth as he refl ected on white-ball knocks. I think he was years ago. rybody will have to play a able.” play the way that suits me and it is. And I think it always will be the career of Kevin Pietersen, the player of the tournament when In Amir’s absence, Paki- part,” said Azhar. Buttler has not played a fi rst- in the fashion they believe will for players of my generation.” former England batsman. England won the (2010) World stan still had several front- “As a senior player I need class innings since appearing get the best out of me in that Buttler also cited the example “It was really interesting Twenty20 – but for those guys, line bowlers playing against to make sure I do what I can for Lancashire against Essex in number seven role,” Buttler said. of India captain Virat Kohli sign- when Kevin Pietersen retired, I it was Test matches they were Leicestershire, who kept the to build a platform so we have September. But he insisted he “For me it’s about expressing ing for Surrey to prepare himself remember watching Ian Ward talking about, and I think people tourists at bay thanks to a fi fty enough runs on the board to had no plans to radically alter his myself, trusting my instincts for a Test series in England later speak to David Lloyd (on Sky still feel that Test matches are from Ateeq Javid. help the bowlers. It’s never approach for Test cricket, hav- and allowing that to fl ourish this season. Sports). the real true test of cricketers. That Pakistan failed to dis- easy to play in England. It’s ing been encouraged to play his rather than fi ght it,” added But- “Virat signing for Surrey to “They were talking about his “I won’t leave with any regrets miss Leicestershire, a Second always challenging but we are natural game by England’s new tler, who averages just over 31 in get used to playing in England, to career, and all they spoke about if it doesn’t work out, but I feel Division county, may be re- prepared to do our best. It’s a national selector Ed Smith and a Test career that has yielded six play well in Tests, shows that in was his Test match knocks... his like the best players can play all garded as disappointing but big opportunity, especially for captain Joe Root. fi fties. the forefront of players’ minds, hundred against South Africa, formats. tor fi xtures are a notoriously the younger players.”

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Chennai, Hyderabad look to seal fi nal berth IANS Daredevils. young South African , who Mumbai Interestingly, it was the CSK who grabbed 4 for 10 to take the man of the halted Sunrisers’ six-game winning match award on Sunday. With Shardul streak with a comprehensive eight- Thakur, Chahar and s the 11th season of the Indian wicket drubbing on May 13 in Pune. doing their bit on the pace bowling Premier League (IPL) nears Much of the credit for the Orange front, CSK will hope for veteran Har- its climax, all eyes will be on Army’s entry into the playoff s goes to bhajan Singh leading the spin attack the top two sides – Sunrisers the consistency of skipper Kane Wil- with left-armer in the HyderabadA (SRH) and Chennai Super liamson, who sits second in the lead- middle overs. Kings (CSK) – locking horns in the ing run-getters’ list with 661 runs and The match timings for the play- fi rst qualifi er today at the Wankhede the bowling unit leg by paceman Bhu- off s have been advanced by one hour, Stadium here for a place in the May 27 vneshwar Kumar and Afghan spinner which means the match will start at fi nal. Rashid Khan. 7pm. Ahead of the clash, a women’s Both Chennai and Hyderabad fi n- Besides Williamson, Shikhar Dha- exhibition game will take place at ished the league stage on 18 points, but wan (437 runs) has lately come good 2pm with top Indian and foreign play- the Kane Williamson-led side got their with the bat but it is the middle order ers taking part in the contest at the neck ahead to the No.1 spot with a su- comprising Manish Pandey, Wriddhi- Wankhede. perior net run-rate and today’s winner man Saha, Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al will be guaranteed a place in the fi nal Hasan, who needs to share the respon- TEAMS at the same venue while the loser gets sibility of building on the platform set : Mahendra a second chance in the second qualifi er up by the top order. Sunrisers’ bowling Singh Dhoni (Captain & WK), Suresh in Kolkata on May 25. this season have been extraordinary Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, , Going in to the match, the Mahen- with Rashid and Shakib as well as the Harbhajan Singh, Dwayne Bravo, dra Singh Dhoni-led CSK hold a slight pace trio of Bhuvneshwar, Siddarth , Ambati Rayadu, edge as they have got the better of their Kaul and Sandeep Sharma, combining , K.M. Asif, Kanish Seth, southern rivals twice in the league well to defend paltry totals. Lungi Ngidi, Dhruv Shorey, Murali stage this season. The yellow brigade Today, Sunrisers will once again Vijay, Sam Billings, Mark Wood, Kshtiz have been on a roll since making their hope that their bowling will do the Sharma, , Chaitanya Bish- comeback to the IPL fold after serving trick against an in-form Chennai top noi, , , Shardul a two-year-ban, and have rarely lost order comprising the likes of Ambati Thakur, N agadeesan, David Willy. the momentum this season with the Rayudu, who has been their standout Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kane Wil- old guards and new sensations fi ring performer with 586 runs and had in liamson (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, in unison. fact taken the game away with a scin- Manish Pandey, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, In their fi nal league game at their tillating hundred when the two teams Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Siddharth adopted home ground in Pune on Sun- last met. Kaul, Deepak Hooda, Khaleel Ahmed, day, CSK rode on ’s gutsy Rayudu’s opening partner Shane Sandeep Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, half century to not only romp home Watson has also been in top form, ac- Shreevats Goswami (WK), Ricky Bhui, by fi ve wickets but also stop Kings XI cumulating 438 runs from 13 matches, , T Natarajan, Sachin Punjab from entering the play-off s. while Suresh Raina, skipper Dhoni and Baby, Bipul Sharma, Mehdi Hasan, On the other hand, the Sunrisers have all-rounder Deepak Chahar have been Tanmay Agarwal, Alex Hales, Carlos been on a three-game losing run, hav- the backbone of CSK’s middle order. Brathwaite, Rashid Khan, Shakib Al ing already sealed their play-off spot In the bowling front, the former Hasan, Mohamed Nabi and Chris with a victory on May 10 against Delhi two-time champions will bank on Jordan. Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni (left) and Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 22, 2018 7 SPORT

GOLF BADMINTON Great Dane Axelsen leads 5-0 rout in Wise beyond his Thomas Cup

AFP Bangkok years, Aaron claims orld badminton number one Viktor Axelsen led Den- mark’s Thomas Cup W5-0 win over Algeria yesterday, as Japan’s women also breezed past Canada without dropping a set. fi rst PGA Tour win Axelsen was in unforgiving form, losing just 12 points in a ‘I felt oddly calm all day long and to pull that off , bogey free, was awesome’ 16-minute destruction (21-4, 21- 8) of Youcef Sabri Medel to begin Reuters the rout of Algeria. Cary, North Carolina Anders Antonsen dispatched Mohamed Abderrahime Belarbi 21-5, 21-9 in the second singles 20 minutes to outplay Jacob outh African-born American Aaron match, while Denmark’s doubles Schueler 21-9, 21-6, providing Wise became the youngest winner on pairs also blitzed their unfancied India a 3-0 lead. the PGA Tour in more than a year when rivals. Arun George and Sanyam he clinched a three-shot victory at the Elsewhere in Group D, Malay- Shukla handed India an unas- AT&TS Byron Nelson in Texas on Sunday. sia steamrolled Russia 5-0 with sailable 4-0 lead as the pair got The 21-year-old, playing with a poise beyond Lee Chong Wei setting the tone the better of Simon Wing and his years in only his 26th start on tour, eased in the fi rst game during a 21-9, 21-16, 20-22, 21-8 away from Marc Leishman and carded a closing 21-6 win against Vladimir Mal- in the 43-minute long aff air of six-under-par 65 to take his maiden title. kov. men’s double game. “I was super calm. I was more nervous yes- Nozomi Okuhura got Japan’s In the fi fth and fi nal game, terday oddly enough,” Wise said in a greenside women off to another fl yer, beat- Lakshya Sen wrapped up the interview at Trinity Forest in Dallas. ing Canada’s 21-16, proceedings on a winning note Two weeks after fi nishing equal second in 21-17, and helping her country as he registered a 21-5, 21-14 win Charlotte, Wise started the fi nal round tied prevail 5-0 for the second day in over Kai Chen Teoh in the men’s with Leishman but notched six birdies in a a row. single issue to help India white- seven-hole stretch from the fourth in front of Japan’s women are tipped to wash Australia 5-0. a gallery including former US president George unseat China at this year’s Uber Earlier in the day, the India W. Bush. Cup, with a strong singles and women’s badminton team also He was never challenged thereafter and fi n- doubles line-up. came all guns blazing to thrash ished at 23-under 261, well clear of Australian But China, who have relin- Australia 4-1 in the second group Leishman whose fi nal-round 68 was only good quished the cup only once in match of the tournament. enough for second place on 20-under. the last 10 tournaments, made Barring the women’s doubles PGA Tour rookie Wise, who moved with his a strong start to their defence, match, the Indian team led by parents to the US at the age of three, had an out- dominating France 5-0. ace shuttler Saina Nehwal won standing amateur career and won the American Olympic champion Liu Xueri all their matches. collegiate championship in 2016 before turning made a successful 21-9, 21-13 re- Saina kicked off the proceed- pro. turn from a knee injury against ings with a straight game win He said his runner-up fi nish in Charlotte had Katia Normand. over Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen. boosted his self belief and helped him deal with She outclassed her opponent 21- the pressure down the stretch on Sunday. INDIAN SHUTTLERS TASTE 14, 21-19 in the 35-minute open- “I felt oddly calm all day long and to pull that SUCCESS ing match, and provide India a off and play as good as I did, bogey free, was Indian shuttlers enjoyed a suc- 1-0 lead. awesome,” Wise said. cessful outing as both the men’s However, Australia equalised He is the fi rst 21-year-old to win on tour Aaron Wise poses with the trophy after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday. (AFP) and women’s teams hammered the issue in the women’s doubles since Kim Si-woo at last May’s Players Cham- their Australian counterparts aff air as and pionship. yesterday. defeated Meg- Wise’s performance certainly impressed six- Jutanugarn makes it 15 diff erent winners from 15 events While the men’s team white- hana Jakkampudi and Poorvisha times major champion Nick Faldo, who off ered washed Australia 5-0, the eves S Ram 21-13, 21-16 within half an up some free advice. Reuters She said she had adopted a fatalistic outclassed their opponents 4-1 hour. “With a swing like that, don’t mess with it,” Cary, North Carolina approach to the final round. earlier in the day. In an another women’s singles Faldo said during the CBS coverage. “I did not feel that much pressure In the men’s singles clash, match, Vaishnavi Reddy Jakka Scores on Sunday were low after heavy because I did a great job today. So World No. 9 HS Prannoy handed bought back India in the contest morning rain took the fi re out of the course and riya Jutanugarn made it 15 whatever, I’m going to win or lose,” a straight game defeat to Antho- as she hammered Jennifer Tam delayed the start of play by four hours. diff erent winners in 15 events she said. ny Joe. Prannoy took 32 minutes 21-17, 21-13. South African Branden Grace took full ad- Aon the LPGA Tour this year It is the first time since 1991 that the to beat his opponent 21-19, 21-13 Later, another women’s pair vantage of the conditions to match his career- when she triumphed in a three-way season has gone so long without a to hand India 1-0 lead. comprising Sanyogita Ghorpade low round of 62 on his 30th birthday. playoff at the Kingsmill Championship repeat champion, according to the Arjun M.R. and Ramchandran and Prajakta Sawant extended “To come in with nine under is pretty special, in Virginia on Sunday. LPGA Tour. Shlok followed Prannoy to beat India’s lead by beating Louisa Ma a great birthday present,” said Grace, who tied Ariya rolled in a 12-foot birdie at the at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg. Former world number one Ariya be- Australia’s duo of Sawan Seras- and Ann-Louise Slee 21-19, 21-11 for third on 19-under. second extra hole to beat Japan’s In a tournament shortened to 54 came the second Thai winner on the inghe and 21-11, in the second doubles match. Grace made history at the British Open at Nasa Hataoka, after the pair had elimi- holes due to wet weather, Ariya shot a LPGA Tour this year after her older 21-15 in the 27-minute aff air of Anura Prabhudesai, 19, fi nally Royal Birkdale last year when he became the nated South Korean Chun In-gee with closing five-under-par 66 for a 14-un- sister Moriya claimed the LA Open in men’s doubles game. sealed the issue for India 4-1 as fi rst player to shoot 62 in a major champion- matching birdies at the first extra hole der 199 total. April. In an another men’s single she got the better of Zecily Fung ship. match, B Sai Praneeth took just 21-6, 21-7 in just 18 minutes.

SPOTLIGHT BASKETBALL Selex and Masters Club post Pilipinas Beton emerge as fi rst wins in Ramadan T20 cricket Inter Nations League champs By Sports Reporter Doha By Sports Reporter Doha elex capped their fi ne chase with a seven-wick- ilipinas Beton beat et victory against Khyber Lebanon QCAVS 96-89 in the Ramadan Twen- in the fi nals of the fi rst ty20S Cricket Tournament at the ever SBP-PIBAQ Inter Asian Town Cricket Stadium in PNations Basketball League at Industrial Area. the Al Gharafa Stadium. The Qatar Cricket Associa- The QCAVS were without tion, under the presidency of their potent scorer, Ahmed Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari, is host- Sherin of Selex and Talha (right) of Masters Club were adjudged Man Takesh, while Beton missed the ing the event for all the divisions of the Match in their respective matches. services of their court director, to promote the sport and keep Ronnie Cajayon, and shooter, the players in competitive shape. Ashraf hit 24 in 12 balls, while Shi- lect 31 not out, including three Eric Tamayo. According to QCA Operations hab added 26 off 20 deliveries. fours. Lebanon QCAVS began strong manager Manzoor Ahmad, eight Later, Asif Abdullah and Sher- For Khan Youngsters earlier, with skipper Amer Anouti at- out of Premier and Division A in joined hands at 99 for three Adnan Shah (25 in 22 balls, a six tacking the basket at every op- teams will be clubbed in one cat- in 12 overs and blasted 60 runs and a four) and Waqas (24 in 17 portunity. egory, while 20 teams from the for the unbroken fourth-wicket balls, four fours) were the prin- This caught Pilipinas Beton Division B and C comprise the stand to see Selex home with an cipal scorers. Adnan Gul was the by surprise as they fell by 16 second category. QCA Domestic over to go. third player to reach double fi g- early in the fi rst quarter. With Cricket head Gul Khan Jadoun is Abdullah smashed four sixes ures with 15. Talha (three for 26) the height advantage in Leba- supervising the event with match and two boundaries in his fi ery 53 and Khalid (two for 22) caused non’s favour, the Filipinos were referees Syed Hassan Raza and not out off 36 balls. Sherin, who the main damage to the rival side. frustrated as all their attempts Pilipinas Beton players and off icials pose with the trophy after they won the SBP-PIBAQ Inter Nations Amin Ul Islam. Mohamed Na- was also adjudged Man of the were heavily contested. Basketball League at the Al Gharafa Stadium. PICTURE: Ronnie Castro seem, umpiring coordinator, is Match, hit an unbeaten 26 in 15 BRIEF SCORES In the second quarter, Pilipi- being assisted by Jamshaid Ah- balls, including a couple of sixes Khyber 155 for eight in 18 nas Beton were composed, pa- their lead reached double fi g- mid-range jumpers by Jayson atic’s Albin Pjanic was the Most mad. and four boundaries. overs (Murad 47, Sanka 39, Khalid tiently moving the ball to fi nd ures early in the fourth. Leba- Tiongson as they secured the Defensive Player of the Confer- Khyber had put up 155 for Masters Club cruised past 27; Sherin 3 for 38, Shihab 2 for open shots. Kemuel Proceso non QCAVS called a timeout to 96-89 win. ence. The Best Coach of the Con- eight in 18 overs in the B-C divi- Khan Youngsters by seven wick- 22) lost to Selex 159 for three in 17 drained a couple of three- weather the storm as they stead- Tiongson top-scored for ference was awarded to Renato sions match against Selex. Murad ets in another match with Man of overs (Asif Abdullah 53 not out, pointers to start a 12-2 run. ily trimmed the lead to three. Beton with 19 points and was Dinglasan of Pilipinas Beton. cracked two sixes and seven fours the Match Talha and Ali sharing Sherin 26 not out, Shihab 26; Gul With three seconds remaining In the ensuing play, Leba- chosen the Finals MVP. Man- The SBP-PIBAQ Inter Na- to reach 43 in just 23 balls, while a fi ne 85-run unbroken stand for Hayat 2 for 40, Waqas 1 for 17) by in the second quarter and Leba- non’s towering center, Marwan daly paced the QCAVS with his tions Basketball League was Sanka clobbered fi ve fours in his the fourth wicket. seven wickets. Man of the Match: non still leading by 6, Nino Gelig Suleiman hurt his knee on a game-high 31 markers. organised in cooperation with 39 off 32 balls. Khalid’s 27 with After restricting the rivals at 116 Sherin (Selex) made a buzzer-beating three to loose ball scramble. Individual awards were given Qatar Basketball Federation, two sixes and two fours in seven for nine in 18 overs, Masters Club Khan Youngsters 116 for nine halve the defi cit at the half. This enabled Pilipinas to at- at the end of the game and the the Philippine Embassy in Qatar balls lifted the team past the 150- faced a few moments of worry in 18 overs (Adnan Shah 25 in 22 A minute into the second half, tack inside the paint, but Leba- Mythical Five awardees were and the Samahang Basketbol ng mark. when they lost three wickets for balls, Waqas 24 in 17 balls; Talha Beton tasted lead for the fi rst non launched an 8-0 run which Andrija Stojancev of Qavana Pilipinas Inc. Sherin was the most success- 32. However, Ali and Talha dug in 3 for 26, Khalid 2 for 21) lost to time, with Proceso increasing brought them within 2 with fi ve Adriatic, Roy Awwad of Leba- PIBAQ’s 25th Conference is ful bowler for Selex with three and hit the required runs to fashion Masters Club 117 for three in 14.3 the lead to 6 with a three-point- minutes to go. non Sharks, Gelig of Pilipinas sponsored by Ooredoo, McDon- for 38 and Shihab got two for 22. the victory in 14.3 overs. overs (Ali 57 not out, Talha 31 er. However, a fall on his back After Lebanon’s George Man- Beton, Takesh and Mandaly of ald’s, Philippine Airlines, Happy Chasing a stiff 156-run target, Ali’s 57 not out in 48 balls had not out; Obaid 2 for 41, Riaz 1 for meant that he had to be taken to daly fi red triple three-pointers, Lebanon QCAVS. Journey Travels and Season Selex started positively through two sixes and fi ve boundaries, 16) by seven wickets. Man of the the hospital for treatment. Beton followed them up with a Gelig was adjudged as the Con- Restaurant, with FilipiKnows as openers Asif Ashraf and Shihab. while Talha took 30 balls to col- Match: Talha (Masters Club) But Beton surged forward as triple by Tristan Cristobal and ference MVP while Qavana Adri- PIBAQ’s media partner.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

CYCLING SPOTLIGHT Qatar’s al-Muft ah re-elected to ISF’s Briton Froome executive committee

By Sports Reporter out that Qatar’s push to globalise Doha school sports has been paying dividends. “This is the result of the sup- prepares fi nal push bdulrahman al-Muf- port of the Qatar Olympic Com- tah, Executive Direc- mittee, the President of the fed- tor of the Qatar School eration, the Secretary and their Sports Federation untiring work. I am honoured to (QSSF)A was re-elected to the ex- represent Qatar in the executive ecutive committee of the Inter- offi ce of the International School national School Sport Federation Sport Federation. I will strive (ISF). hard to draw strategic decisions in ‘brutal’ Giro In the elections that took place that will serve school sports,” al- in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sun- Muftah said. Tour de France champ slipped to seventh after trailing home in 17th on Sunday day, al-Muftah secured 73 votes Qatar Olympic Committee to fi nd a place in the committee. (QOC) has shown a keen inter- AFP He was one of the 14 contestants est in school sports and has con- Milan to vie for six seats on off er. ducted School Olympics over the This is al-Muftah’s second past few years, which has seen consecutive term after he was participants from number of ritish pre-race favourite Chris voted to the ISF committee in schools in Qatar. QOC’s aim is Froome said yesterday he was 2016. Back then he was elected to implement Qatar’s vision and ready to fi ght until the fi nish line after the ISF election held in plans to develop school sports on to make up lost time in the fi nal Besancon, France. He has also a global level. Bweek of the Giro d’Italia. served as the member of the ex- The chairman and members “It’s been a brutal race, but it’s also ecutive offi ce of the Arab Union of the Board of Directors of the been a beautiful race,” said Froome, who for School Sports. Qatar Sports School Federation suff ered two falls in the race which start- Al-Muftah expressed his hap- congratulated al-Muftah for this ed in Jerusalem before a stunning stage piness after his victory, pointing election. win Saturday on the summit of the im- posing Monte Zoncolan. “This is bike racing at its best and it’s what people want to see. Real edge-of- the-seat stuff and unpredictable racing too.” Four-time Tour de France champion Froome slipped from fi fth to seventh place after trailing home in 17th on Sun- day in the Dolomites. He is trailing pink jersey wearer Simon Yates of Britain by nearly fi ve minutes go- ing into the fi nal week with the race fi n- ishing in Rome next Sunday. The 33-year-old said defending Giro champion Tom Dumoulin of the Nether- lands would be the man to beat in today’s 34.2 kilometre time-trial at Rovereto in Trentino, northern Italy. “If I gain anything on Tom Dumoulin I’ll be very happy. “He’s the world champion time-tri- allist, I don’t expect to gain anything on him tomorrow, but let’s see,” said Froome, Team Sky rider Chris Froome crosses the finish line to win the 14th stage of the Giro d’Italia at Monte Zoncolan on Saturday. (AFP) speaking on fi nal rest day. Froome took third place in the time- seems to be getting stronger. “I would have preferred to do bet- “When you see him gaining strength trial at the 2017 world championships “I’m not going to give up.” ter, sixth at Zoncolan and also yesterday on Zoncolan, you say that he’ll continue shortly after learning of his adverse dop- France’s Thibaut Pinot – fourth over- wasn’t suffi cient.” the next day. We were a little surprised. Al Arabi to play four friendlies ing test at the Vuelta a Espana which he all and 2min 37sec behind Yates – said he “For the moment he’s (Yates) really un- “We don’t really know what to think won, an aff air which is still pending. was pushing for a podium place after fi n- touchable but we know that the Giro is a about it. He can be capable of the best as in Slovenia “I’m going to give it everything I’ve got ishing fourth last year. race unlike others, there have been situa- well as the worst. There are two big steps and I’m certainly not going to expect an- “The level this year is higher,” he said. tion reversals in recent years. left. QNB Stars League side Al Arabi are scheduled to play four ything (to be easy) for the rest of this Giro. “Certain riders are stronger like (Do- “Until Saturday evening there is always “If he makes two big days like in Zon- friendly matches during their pre-season camp in Moravske “(The gap) is big, especially the way menico) Pozzovivo. Yates is much strong- hope.” colan, he can return in the race to the po- Toplice, Slovenia, from July 5-22. The games will be played on Simon has been riding, he hasn’t shown er than (Nairo) Quintana last year in the And he believes that Froome can never dium. It’s always better to have time back July 10, 14, 17 and 21, while the rival teams are yet to be decided. one moment of weakness so far and only mountains. be ruled out. on him.” The players will be back in Doha on June 30 for a few days’ training before they travel to Slovenia, where Croatian coach Luka Bonasic, whose services have been retained for one more TENNIS season, will seek to gain maximum advantage on the technical and physical fronts. Meanwhile, the Al Arabi team management decided to terminate the contract of Iraqi player Saad Natek, Croatian defender Ivan Fuchter and Ghanaian striker Kwame Karikari. Brazilian midfielder Diego Jardel is the only surviving overseas player from last season. The Dream Team had recently recruited Syrian defender Ahmed Saleh for the upcoming season. Roland Garros overhaul in full Al Arabi finished seventh in this season’s QNB Stars League with swing ahead of French Open 24 points. RANKINGS

Reuters Paris Nishikori needs success in Paris to reignite career Nadal regains No.1

egal challenges have pushed the Reuters his first match in Barcelona promised overhaul of Roland Gar- Tokyo before losing in the second spot from Federer ros back to 2020 but with con- round to Novak Djokovic struction fi nally well underway, in Madrid and falling to AFP 29th in the latest WTA rankings Lthis year’s French Open is poised to off er yesterday. t has been a long and the same opponent in the Paris fans a “nouvelSle” experience. frustrating road back to quarter-finals in Rome. While Sharapova was moving A stroll down the alleys of the venue Ifitness for Japan’s Kei After losing to Djokovic for up the charts Elina Svitolina re- reveals how far work has progressed, with Nishikori, who will arrive the second time in 10 days, afael Nadal regained the mained at number four despite the expansion continuing apace days be- at Roland Garros without Nishikori admitted “the third number one spot ahead her successful title defence in fore the tournament starts. an ATP title for more than set was close, but I think he of the French Open in Rome. Court Two is gone, enabling the mod- two years and desperate to played a little better than the world rankings yes- Beaten fi nalist Simona Halep ernisation of neighbouring Philippe terdayR after winning his eighth retains her number one spot with prove that his career has not me”. Chatrier, the Centre Court, which bar- already peaked. That sentiment could Rome Masters title. Caroline Wozniacki in second ring further delays will sport a new re- For much of the last decade describe Nishikori’s entire The victory saw Nadal over- and Garbine Muguruza in third. tractable roof two years from now. Nishikori has been the player career of being close but take Roger Federer, who is not For Sharapova, this latest jump The roof, which can be set up in 12 most likely to bring a first ultimately not having the playing the claycourt season this came after her 12-rung climb fol- minutes, will bring the French Open on men’s grand slam singles quality in the latter stages to year. lowing her progress to the quar- par with the other three grand slams — title back to Asia but the trouble the likes of Djokovic Former number one Novak ter-fi nals in Madrid the week the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and 28-year-old now risks being wrist injury in August that I need couple more weeks to and Nadal. Djokovic continued his fall, slip- before. the US Open. overtaken by South Korean ended his 2017 season and get used to playing on clay, Nishikori has beaten over- ping four places to 22nd. The Russian former world After this year’s tournament, which young gun Chung Hyeon. kept him out of the first as more damage to my wrist, whelming Roland Garros number one and fi ve time Grand runs from May 27-June 10, 80 percent of Reaching the 2014 US Open grand slam of the season in play more spin. favourite Nadal on two oc- SHARAPOVA ON THE RISE Slam champion is hitting her Philippe Chatrier will be destroyed. final remains his best result Australia. “But it’s not too bad.” casions — including to claim Maria Sharapova’s run to the stride just at the right time with “It is one of our biggest challenges,” at a major and his highest ca- He was also forced to pull out Perhaps as a result, Nishiko- Olympic bronze at Rio 2016 Italian Open semi-fi nals has the French Open starting next Gilles Jourdan, director of the expansion reer ranking of world number of Indian Wells in March due ri’s claycourt season has — but never on clay. earned her an 11-place jump to Monday. project, told Reuters. “The stands of the four came the following year. to illness, further hampering been hit so far despite the Twice a quarter-finalist at Centre Court will be destroyed so they Since winning Memphis his progress to full fitness. impressive showing at the Roland Garros — most re- can be rebuilt next spring and be ready for Open for the fourth time in “I am fit again,” the world Monte Carlo Masters, which cently last year when he lost 2019.” February 2016, Nishikori has number 24 said at the Madrid saw him lose to 11-times to Andy Murray — Nishikori A little further on, work on Court Si- lost seven finals in a row, Open earlier this month. champion Rafael Nadal in will be hoping to go at least monne Mathieu is almost complete. most recently at last month’s “Well, my wrist is not 100 the final. one stage further this time Named after France’s second-most Monte Carlo Masters. percent yet, but close to Days after that loss to Nadal, around as he looks to make a decorated female player, the arena will The Japanese sustained a playing enough tennis. I think Nishikori retired hurt during good career great. replace Court One, the stadium’s third- largest court, aff ectionately known as the “Bullring” because of its shape and The famed botanical garden is home FAREWELL TO THE BULLRING than a year, after the litigation finally atmosphere. to 6,000 square meters of greenhouses “There are three new courts: 7, 9 and 18, ended. The Bullring’s 5,000-seater replace- built in 1898 and contain works by the which will eventually become court 14,” Court One will be demolished only af- ment will be nestled among the area’s sculptor Auguste Rodin, and the Roland French tennis federation president Ber- ter the 2019 French Open, and Giudicelli graceful 19-century greenhouses, and Garros expansion has added more than nard Giudicelli said. plans to allow supporters with a general will be ready in time for the 2020 tourna- 1,300 sqm of greenhouses to the exist- Courts 7 and 9 have 1,500 and 550 access pass into the Bullring next year to ment. ing ones. seats, respectively, and are located in give them an opportunity to bid adieu to Concern for the greenhouses was at “For the moment, the construction front of the new village, allowing guests the arena. the heart of the fi erce opposition the works are taking a lot of space,” said to watch the action from the terraces. Fans with general stadium access are French Tennis Federation faced when it 73-year-old Jean-Pierre, who often walks Court 18 is a semi-sunken arena that usually allowed into all the courts apart announced the revamp, because the plan among the greenhouses. “We fear that can hold up to 2,200 spectators, making from Chatrier, Lenglen and Court One. involved expanding the venue into the the tournament will attract people there it the stadium’s fourth-largest in terms “It will be an occasion for a nice fare- picturesque Serres d’Auteuil. who will not respect the place.” of capacity. The court was built in less well party,” Giudicelli added. Maria Sharapova jumped 11 places to 29th in the latest rankings.