Messi strikes QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune twice as QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Barcelona edge in thriller page 13 TUESday, MAY 4, 2021

Neymar wants to be PSG’s ‘first warrior’ in Man City battle

DPA ed: “Even if I have to die on Berlin the pitch.” The stats Neymar alludes Neymar has issued a rally- I think that every Parisian to certainly do not make for ing call to Paris Saint-Ger- has to believe in us. comfortable reading for those main ahead of their Cham- I’ll be the first to do so. of a PSG persuasion. pions League semi-final There have been 47 pre- showdown with Manchester I’m on the front line and vious instances of English City, claiming he is ready to I’ll be the first warrior to clubs winning the first leg “die on the pitch”. go into battle for the of Champions League or Eu- PSG slipped to a 2-1 de- team. I’m going to give ropean Cup tie away from feat in last week’s first leg at home. On each occasion, Parc des Princes, Kevin De the best of myself and they have progressed. Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez I’ll do everything I can City have won each of overturning Marquinhos’ to qualify, whatever their past six Champions first-half opener. League matches and have 10 An impressive opening to happens. Even if I have out of 11 victories this season, the contest from Mauricio Po- to die on the pitch. with a goalless draw at Porto chettino’s men subsided, with the only blemish. City exerting almost complete PSG’s Brazilian star Neymar A seventh win would edge control on proceedings after ’s men ahead of the interval. ian has to believe in us. I’ll be Manchester United (1965-66), Neymar cut an increas- the first to do so. Leeds United (1969-70) and ingly isolated figure, while at- “I’m on the front line and Arsenal (2005) as the outright tacking partner Kylian Mbap- I’ll be the first warrior to go English record holders for the pe failed to attempt a single Neymar (right) on the Paris Saint-Germain team flight to Manchester for the second leg semi-final of the UEFA Champions League against into battle for the team. longest winning run in Europe’s shot after starting a match for Manchester City on Tuesday. “I’m going to give the best premier club tournament. the first time in hisC hampi- of myself and I’ll do every- PSG have played City four ons League career. task that awaits at the Etihad beaten finalists returning to Manchester City, but we have of winning is,” Neymar told thing I can to qualify, what- times in European competi- The world’s most expen- Stadium, although he has not the showpiece. “We have a to believe, no matter what the PSG’s in-house channel. ever happens.” tions and are yet to beat the sive player is aware of the tall given up hope of last season’s very difficult match against stats or our percentage chance “I think that every Paris- With a chuckle, he add- Manchester side. Advantage City, Chelsea but PSG, Real unlikely to give up fight DPA Berlin Paris Saint-Germain’s star French player Kylian Mbappe (right). Manchester City and Chel- sea hold narrow advantages as they look to set up an all- Neymar and Mbappe England Champions League final but can take nothing for granted in their semi-final sec- showdown excites ond legs this week. City host Paris Saint-Ger- main on Tuesday having won Manchester City 2-1 in the French capital while Chelsea have the potential defender Stones edge on away goals at home to Real Madrid having secured a DPA a calf issue during the initial 1-1 draw at the record 13-time Berlin encounter. champions. “To come up against two The last of seven one-na- John Stones is relishing world-class players is excit- tion finals was in 2019 when the prospect of tangling with ing for us as defenders. To test Liverpool beat Tottenham Neymar and Kylian Mbappe ourselves, show our ability Hotspur but Chelsea have pre- once more as Manchester City and show how we can adapt vious experience of one when eye a place in the Champions to the challenge ahead to keep they lost on penalties to Man- League final. them quiet. chester United in 2008. Pep Guardiola’s side came “I think we did that really, City, despite being on from behind to claim a 2-1 win really well in the second half the verge of a third Premier over Paris Saint-Germain last of the previous game City are League title in four years, are week at the Parc des Princes, in the semi-finals for the first still relative newcomers to putting them in a strong posi- time since 2016, with a slew the last four of the elite event The Paris Saint-Germain team on its flight to Manchester for the second leg semi-final of the UEFA Champions League against Manchester City tion for Tuesday’s return at the of knockout stage disappoint- while PSG were beaten final- to be played in Manchester on Tuesday. Etihad Stadium. ments having afflicted them ists last season. PSG’s all-star attack was under Guardiola. “This club doesn’t have may feel glad simply not to be a hard time,” he added. largely nullified, centre back However, Stones feels much experience at this stage out of the tie. Today’s Action Chelsea stunned Bayern Marquinhos having headed setbacks versus Monaco, Liv- of the competition,” admitted “In football you need to be- (At Manchester) Munich to win the 2012 con- them into an early lead, and erpool, Tottenham and Lyon coach Pep Guardiola, who won lieve,” said PSG coach Mauri- tinental crown and with their especially so after half-time. over recent seasons will serve two Champions Leagues with cio Pochettino, who led Spurs Manchester City vs women’s team also in the final of Mbappe failed to attempt to sharpen collective minds as Barcelona in 2009 and 2011 to the final two years ago. PSG (10pm) their Champions League against a single shot for the first time PSG aim to overturn the deficit. but hasn’t made a final since. “We will try to win and (In London) Barcelona are two games away in a Champions League game “I do think all those things “All I want is for us to be our- score goals. Of course we are from a unique double. where he has completed 90 that have happened, us going selves in the second leg. under a little bit of pressure, Chelsea vs Real Real are competing on two minutes, with Stones and cen- out, have made us a stronger “We are good playing a but in football you need to try.” Madrid (10pm) fronts as they are also part of tral defensive partner Ruben team,” he said. certain way, we cannot do it Pochettino is hopeful Kylian a remarkable four-way domes- Dias taking plenty of plaudits “The disappointment of differently.” Only once before Mbappe can to join Neymar tic title race in La Liga. Karim for their display. getting knocked out in harsh have City reached a Cham- in attack. The French forward sary to reach the final. Thomas Tuchel was named Benzema’s brilliant equalizer “It’s never easy, whoever circumstances is hard to take pions League semi-final, in missed Saturday’s league win Having already lifted the manager mid-season and he cancelled Christian Pulisic’s we come up against. On the and something we have had 2016 under coach Manuel over Lens, but has been named League Cup, the Champions said he is “very happy with this opener last week. big occasions it matters the to use season-on-season - es- Pellegrini, and lead thanks to in PSG’s travelling squad. Gu- League offers a potential tre- group in the semi-final,” even “We’re alive and we’re go- most,” Stones told reporters pecially this season - as fuel Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad eye will also make the trip de- ble but they could meet Chel- if Mateo Kovacic and Antonio ing to the second leg with the at a Monday news conference, to go and motivate us to make Mahrez scoring in the second spite being suspended. sea in the final, the side who Ruediger are injury doubts. idea of winning,” said coach after Mbappe was confirmed that next step and get our goal, half after Marquinhos gave Guardiola is likely to con- ended their quadruple dreams “We feel ready for a big Zinedine Zidane, who led the as a member of PSG’s travel- which is to win the Champions PSG the lead. tinue his heavy rotation in with FA Cup semi-final defeat. fight and I’m pretty sure that team to three successive Eu- ling party despite sustaining League.” But with Idrissa Gueye be- pursuit of the “perfect perfor- The Londoners have ex- we need a big performance be- ropean triumphs 2016-2018 ing sent off for the hosts, PSG mance” he says will be neces- celled since German coach cause Real Madrid will give us during his first spell as coach.

Semi second leg harder than the final, says Guardiola Pep Guardiola believes his Man- Barca’s title defences at the senior players available with the completely different, it doesn’t chester City players are facing penultimate hurdle in 2010 exception of back-up defender mean it’s easier, it’s completely the toughest task in European and 2012, while La Liga heavy- Eric Garcia, who is laid low with different.” football as they take on Paris weights Real Madrid, Barca and a sickness bug. Not that Guardiola feels his pre- Saint-Germain in the semi-finals Atletico accounted for Bayern “You play with the result of the vious years sampling the highs of the Champions League. Munich in the semis across first leg, you play with the mind and lows of the Champions Guardiola is a two-time winner Guardiola’s three seasons in here [thinking] final, final, final. League will have much bearing dating back to his Barcelona Bavaria. Sometimes you can forget what against Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure a decade ago, but knows “From my experience, the semi- you have to do. side, nor City’s own trials, the semi-final stage can be final is always difficult,” he told “Always in my experience the having finally snapped a run of particularly unforgiving. a pre-match news conference, second leg of the semi-final is three consecutive quarter-final Mbappe (L) and Stones during the UEFA Champions League first leg Inter and Chelsea ended having confirmed City have all the difficult one. The final is exits. (DPA) semi-final at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on April 28.(AFP) Sports Tuesday, May 4, 2021 13 Man Utd promise sets new sanctions for fans involved in violent rules to prevent European behaviour

DPA by illegal means. London “Reports in mainstream Super League repeat and social media that protest- Manchester United will ers were able to access the ban any fans found to have stadium and pitch via a gate DPA been involved in criminal or vi- opened by club staff are com- London olent behaviour during protests pletely incorrect,” added the which forced the postponement statement. The Premier League has tak- of their Premier League match “After breaking through en action to prevent its clubs at home to Liverpool. barriers and security on the threatening to break away A number of support- forecourt, some protesters again in response to the failed ers forced their way into Old climbed the gates at the end European Super League plans. Trafford prior to Sunday’s of the Munich tunnel, then Six top-flightteams, in- scheduled 4.30pm kick-off as forced access to a side door in cluding Manchester United a demonstration against club the stand, before opening an and Liverpool, announced on owners the Glazer family esca- external door that let others April 18 they were joining the lated into incidents of damage through to the concourse area newly-formed ESL, only for it and violence. and the pitch.” The Manches- to collapse amid intense pres- Two police officers were ter United Supporters Trust sure within 48 hours. injured, with one “attacked has written an open letter to A new set of measures with a bottle and sustaining Joel Glazer demanding the put in place by the Premier a significant slash wound to owners engage in supporter League on Monday includes his face, requiring emergency consultation to avoid a repeat additional rules and regula- hospital treatment”, while bot- of the scenes at Old Trafford tions and an owners’ charter tles and barriers were thrown and has put forward a four- that all club owners will be outside the ground according point plan to advance this. required to sign up to - com- to Greater Manchester Police. “None of us want this to mitting them to the core prin- United are continuing to continue. We all have better ciples of the competition. work with police to identify things to do. So we need to find “The actions of a few clubs fans involved but, according a way forward,” said the letter cannot be allowed to create to their sanctions policy, dam- from MUST, who have given a such division and disruption,” aging property or disorderly Friday deadline for a response. a Premier League statement behaviour warrants a one to United insist they remain read. six-game ban. “committed to dialogue and “We are determined to es- Abusive or aggressive be- engagement with our fans tablish the truth of what hap- haviour towards staff, police through the Fans Forum and pened and hold those clubs or anyone else in a working other appropriate channels”. accountable for their decisions capacity or any other criminal The postponement has and actions. We and The FA activity can lead to indefinite given Premier League plan- are pursuing these objectives Fans during their protest against Manchester United’s owners, inside English Premier League club Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium in suspensions. ners a headache as United are quickly and appropriately, Manchester, England, on Monday. (AFP) The PA news agency un- scheduled to play every mid- consulting with fans and Gov- derstands the club is focusing week until the end of the sea- ernment.” with Government that would its efforts on those who com- son, meaning the most likely The Premier League in- A new set of measures put in place by the Premier League on Monday allow us to prevent any similar mitted offences and sanctions option is to stage the match sisted events during the last includes additional rules and regulations and an owners’ charter that threat in the future so that we will not necessarily be applied on the weekend of the FA Cup two weeks had “challenged all club owners will be required to sign up to - committing them to the can protect the English foot- to fans who merely entered the final (May 15/16), with Liv- the foundations and resolve of ball pyramid. stadium or went onto the pitch. erpool’s game against West English football”. core principles of the competition. The fallout of the Europe- “The club has no desire Brom brought forward to ac- Fan protests in the days an Super League boiled over to see peaceful protesters commodate that. that followed the ESL an- our game, our clubs and their (while) breaches of these rules to ensure any return threat on Sunday when Manches- punished, but will work with , nouncement, on top of wide- fans from further disruption and the Charter will be subject of a breakaway division was ter United supporters broke the police to identify those which is investigating inci- spread criticism from the foot- and uncertainty. to significant sanctions. thwarted. into Old Trafford to protest involved in criminal activ- dents at Old Trafford, took a balling world, resulted in most “Additional rules and The Football Association A spokesperson for the against the Glazer family, ity, and will also issue its own dim view of fans’ behaviour. of the 12 European clubs - in- regulation to ensure the prin- revealed an official inquiry governing body said: “Since with their plans to join the sanctions to any season ticket “We understand their frus- cluding all six Premier League ciples of the Premier League into the formation of the ESL we became aware of the Eu- competition one source of holder or member identified, trations. However, we cannot sides - involved in the pro- and open competition are pro- and the involvement of the ropean Super League our pri- frustration towards the Red per the published sanctions condone the violent and crimi- posed breakaway pulling out. tected, a new Owners’ Charter six English clubs - which also ority and focus has been on Devils’ ownership. policy,” said a statement. nal behaviour that took place A statement continued: that all club owners will be included Arsenal, Chelsea , preventing it from happening, It resulted in the postpone- United have also rejected before the scheduled Man- “The Premier League, sup- required to sign up to, com- Manchester City and Totten- both now and in the future. ment of United’s home match claims staff opened gates to al- chester United v Liverpool ported by The FA, is taking the mitting them to the core prin- ham - got under way last week. “In particular, we have with Liverpool while two po- low protesters inside Old Traf- match, which the FA is now in- following actions to protect ciples of the Premier League, It also reiterated its desire been discussing legislation lice officers were injured. ford and say entry was gained vestigating,” said a statement.

LA LIGA THRILLER Messi shines as Barcelona edge Valencia

DPA deserved to win. Barcelona “We dominated the game against a touch opponent. We’re Lionel Messi struck twice alive in La Liga, we are very to earn Barcelona a thrilling close, we’re up there.” 3-2 win at Valencia on Sun- Barcelona host Atletico Ma- day, to keep them in the hunt drid next Saturday, while Real for La Liga. Madrid welcome Sevilla on Sun- Real Madrid’s French defender Raphael Varane (right) during the Atletico Madrid and Real day. UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match against Chelsea Madrid both won on Saturday, “We’re not looking at the at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of raising the pressure on Ronald other teams, we’re focusing on Madrid, on April 27. (AFP) Koeman’s side. ourselves,” added Schreuder. Barcelona, who could have “Next week won’t be a de- gone top of the table last Thurs- finitive game, there are four Injured Varane set to miss day but lost at home against more to go. We believe in our- Granada, started well with Pedri selves to win La Liga. Chelsea second leg firing wide and “We’ve reduced the dis- denying Ronald Araujo. tance to Atletico since Janu- DPA Varane played in the first They were without their ary and have been compet- Berlin meeting with Chelsea last coach after he was dismissed ing well over the last three week, a game that ended in a during the 2-1 defeat for row- months.” Real Madrid look set to be 1-1 draw as Karim Benzema ing with the fourth official, Elsewhere Yeremi Pino’s without Raphael Varane for the scored to cancel out Christian and Koeman’s assistant Alfred strike helped Villarreal to a 1-0 Champions League second leg Pulisic’s 14th-minute opener. Schreuder directed the team win over Getafe, leaving the against Chelsea after confirm- His potential absence will be from the touchline. Madrid side in a precarious ing the defender has an injury a blow for Zidane as he plans for Valencia took the lead early position. to his right abductor muscle. the return fixture on Wednes- in the second half with Gabriel Jose Bordalas’s team are Varane did not feature in day, though Madrid have pros- Paulista heading home from 15th and four points above the second half for Madrid in pered without him in the com- a corner after Marc-Andre ter Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi scores a goal during the Spanish League match against the relegation zone with four Saturday’s 2-0 win over Os- petition already this season. Stegen was caught out. Valencia at the in Valencia on Monday. Barcelona won 3-2. (AFP) matches remaining. asuna, Nacho coming on to Nacho partnered Eder Mil- However Messi fired Bar- , 17th, take his place. itao in both legs of the quarter- celona level from close range, ted the third with a spectacu- screamer from distance to set “In the first half we played moved a point clear of the rel- Madrid boss Zinedine Zi- final against Liverpool, the pair after he missed a penalty and lar free-kick. up a thrilling finale, but Barce- well but couldn’t get a goal, egation zone with a 1-1 draw dane remained hopeful that helping to keep a clean sheet at the ball ricocheted back to him It was the Argentine’s 28th lona held on to pull level on 74 they defended solidly. against Real Betis. the France international may Anfield as Madrid progressed as Pedri’s effort was blocked. league goal of the season, plac- points with Real Madrid, while “The game against Grana- Granada fell to a 1-0 home be fit to play at Stamford 3-1 on aggregate. Antoine Griezmann sent ing him as the runaway top Atletico are top on 76. da was nothing like this one, defeat by Cadiz, thanks to Ru- Bridge, yet the club’s official However, Zidane could Barcelona ahead when Cilless- goalscorer. “We showed character, we reacted well at one down ben Sobrino’s 39th-minute medical update on Monday also have Sergio Ramos avail- en could only parry Frenkie de Carlos Soler pulled a goal the reaction was good,” said and believed in what we were strike, and had Roberto Solda- was less optimistic. able again - the club captain Jong’s header, and Messi net- back in the 83rd minute with a Schreuder. doing, showed character and do sent off late on for dissent. Los Blancos announced returned to training last week, they will continue to monitor though did not feature in the the hip issue and did not indi- league fixture against Osasuna cate an expected return date. and has not played since suf- “Following the tests car- fering an injury while on inter- Quick read ried out today on our player national duty with Spain at the Raphael Varane by the Real end of March. Europa League final in Poland to be played in front of fans in Gdnansk Madrid medical services, he Madrid are winless in their has been diagnosed with an previous four away games Berlin: The final of theE uropa League in Gdnansk later this month can take place with up to 9,500 fans following agreement with Polish authorities, European football ruling injury to the right abductor against English opponents body UEFA said Monday. The stadium can use up to 25 per cent of its capacity for the May 26 final with foreign fans having to observe coronavirus rule for entry into Poland muscle. His recovery will be in the Champions League, and restrictions when there. Tickets went on sale on Monday and are available until Friday. The semi-final second legs are this Thursday when Manchester United defend a 6-2 monitored,” a short statement scoring only two goals across lead away to Roma and Arsenal attempt to overcome a 2-1 deficit at home to Villarreal.(dpa) from the club read. those games. 14 Tuesday, May 4, 2021 Sports

MADRID OPEN Super Barty slides past Swiatek to make last 8 A view of Roland Garros. WTA Madrid Roland Garros to have Two French Open champi- ons, one winner: world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty got the better reduced capacity at of Iga Swiatek at the Mutua Madrid Open on Monday to 1,000 spectators reach the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event, 7-5, 6-4. DPA 65 per cent and 5,000 fans Both players came into Paris from June 9 as quarter-finals the match with streaks at in the slam are set to get un- stake: Barty boasted 13 con- France’s Sports Minis- der way, Blanquer told France secutive wins on red clay go- ter Jean-Michel Blanquer 3 TV channel as reported by ing back to her maiden Grand on Sunday said that Roland French press agency AFP. Slam victory in Paris in 2019, Garros will have a double The French Open has been while Swiatek had won 18 limit of 1,000 spectators per delayed by a week to start May consecutive sets on the sur- court and one third capacity 30 in a bid to ensure the tour- face dating back to her own amid an easing of coronavi- nament is played in front of triumph last fall. rus restrictions. the largest possible number of To extend her own streak Blanquer told local televi- fans while guaranteeing health to 14 straight and snap sion that, to start, each court and safety amid the pandemic, Swiatek’s, Barty rallied from will allow a maximum of 35 organizers said. a slow start and relied heav- per cent capacity and have a The finals of the clay court ily on her serve to secure vic- limit of 1,000 spectators, an grand slam are now June tory: the Aussie rallied from a improvement on the 2020 12/13, encroaching into the al- 3-0 down in the opening set, French Open when 1,000 ready short grass court season. and was never again broken fans were allowed across the Wimbledon will begin in after that. grounds per day. London just two weeks later The top seed did not even The limit will be raised to from June 28 as planned. face a break point for the du- ration of the opener after she pulled level, and crucially, lat- er rallied from a 0-40 deficit to Poland’s Iga Swiatek (right) congratulates Australia’s Ashleigh Barty after their 2021 WTA Tour Madrid Open singles match at the Caja Magica hold for 4-2 in the second set in Madrid, Spain, on Tuesday. (AFP) Hertha Berlin return after having broken Swiatek in the third game. “Always playing Ash, it’s more times than any other with clutch serving to get out Jabeur was unfortunately cur- Though she landed just 56 great challenge. It will be woman, having lifted the tro- of that game. tailed after the Tunisian pulled to action with draw percent of her first serves in great matchup. I really will phy in 2011, 2015 and 2018. Bencic’s results on clay up while chasing down a fore- the match, Barty won nearly enjoy it. I’m really looking Her comfort in the Caja Magi- have yet to match her achieve- hand at 3-3 in the second set. DPA Hertha last played on April 10 80 percent of the points played forward for it.” ca was evident through a clean ments on other surfaces, but After a medical timeout at the Berlin due to a coronavirus outbreak behind it. She cleaned up her first set in which the Czech the Swiss player tends to find changeover, Jabeur resumed but are in action again imme- serve in the second set, too, by Kvitova, Bencic book conceded only six points be- her form in certain tourna- play, but two points later was Hertha Berlin returned to the diately at home to midtable raising her first-serve percent- QF berths hind serve, and never faced a ments. Two of her four career unable to continue. pitch from coronavirus quaran- Freiburg on Thursday. age from 46 to 65 percent. No.9 seed Petra Kvitova break point. After capturing clay quarterfinals have now In a tight first set, Jabeur tine on Monday and claimed a “The fitness coach hunted With the win, Barty also battled into her sixth career the Kudermetova serve in the come in Madrid, where she had impressed with some 1-1 draw away to Mainz to kick- us through the flat,” Hertha improved her 2021 record quarterfinal at the Mutua Ma- second game, Kvitova never was a semifinalist in 2019. wonderful forehands, and had start what will be a frantic bid midfielder Sami Khedira said against Top 20 players to 9-0, drid Open with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 looked like losing her lead. The other two were both in advanced to double set point to avoid relegation. of the time in quarantine. and advances to a quarterfinal win over Veronika Kuderme- Though Kvitova missed a Charleston. Bencic ascribes on the Bencic serve at 5-4. But Lucas Tousart’s 36th min- Relegation six-pointers at meeting with No.9 seed Petra tova, while No.8 seed Belinda break point to take a similarly this to the speed of the courts Bencic saved both with bold ute header from a free-kick home to Arminia Bielefeld (15th) Kvitova. Bencic moved into the last early hold of the second set, in these events. winners, and dominated the gave Hertha a lead which last- and Cologne (16th) sandwich an Barty and Kvitova have eight after a right thigh injury the pattern continued. The “For sure I think Charles- ensuing tiebreak with clean, ed only four minutes before apparent must-win midweek played nine times, with the forced Ons Jabeur to retire two-time Wimbledon champi- ton it’s the green clay, so it’s aggressive play to take the Mainz levelled through a bril- trip to relegated Schalke before Czech holding a slim 5-4 edge trailing 7-6(2), 4-3. on lost three points in her first little bit faster than the nor- lead. She will next face either liant curling shot by Phillipp there is finally a recovery period all-time. Their lone meeting “Definitely it was a tough four service games, while re- mal clay,” she said. “Madrid, wildcard Paula Badosa or Mwene from 20 metres. going into their last game of the on clay came a staggering nine one,” said Kvitova afterwards. peatedly putting Kudermetova it feels of course like clay, qualifier Anastasija Sevastova. Hertha remain second- season at Hoffenheim. years ago at the French Open “It was about serving a lot. under pressure. When Kvitova but it feels a little bit more “I felt terrible for her,” said last, two points from the play- Hertha substitute Krzysz- and was won by Kvitova, 6-1, Was just the one break in each hammered her best winner like indoor. The center court, Bencic. “She’s such a nice per- off and three from safety, as tof Piatek somehow turned 6-2—but that’s a match that set. I’m really glad I managed of the match to reach double it’s very open. But the other son. We are good friends. You they started a do-or-die burst wide eight minutes from time neither player will put much most of it mentally. Veronika break point at 4-4, she seemed courts, the one I played today never want this to happen to of five games in 13 days to as the guests missed a crucial stock in. was really in the fire. Since all but home and dry. and the one I played my first anyone. For sure I wish her make up for lost time. win and Mainz, 12th and six “We played on clay, but it she won Charleston, she re- But Kudermetova has round, the roof is not so big - the best recovery. But overall Coach Pal Dardai said he points above the bottom three was many, many years ago so ally play great. She will be big been getting used to winning so it feels very indoor and very I thought we played a great complimented his Hertha with three games remaining, I’m not counting then,” Kvi- champion. in 2021. Her 22 match victo- close. The court plays fast. It’s match. There was no breaks at team after a game which was edged closer confirming safety. tova said. “She has a game “I would say whole match ries are second only to World a little bit of altitude here. It’s all in the whole match. I think “well played, well fought. The hosts will also rue Jean- for clay. She’s sliding. She’s I was not relaxed, but calm I No.1 Ashleigh Barty’s 23, and good conditions. They suit me. her serving was great. I think “We have said before a Paul Boetius hitting the bar ear- playing lots of slice and every- would say. That’s how I man- her year was highlighted by a It’s for sure a faster clay than it was a good level. I’m defi- point is important for us, three ly on but had luck that Stefan thing... She likes clay a little bit aged to bring it to the win, I maiden title in Charleston last normally.” nitely happy with how I played better, but we’ll take it with us,” Bell was not shown a second a more than me probably. I like would say.” month. Kudermetova demon- A high-quality first-time and everything. But for sure I he told . “A draw yellow card for the foul that led Madrid. So who knows, right? Kvitova has won in Madrid strated her winning instincts encounter between Bencic and didn’t want to win like this.” was deserved for both teams.” to Hertha’s opener. West Brom slip closer to relegation following Wolves draw DPA note ahead of the break when London collected a short corner and his cross was West Bromwich Albion headed down by Diagne be- slipped closer to Premier fore being hastily cleared by League relegation despite Romain Saiss. Mbaye Diagne earning a 1-1 Wolves, though, made the derby draw with Wolverhamp- hosts pay when they grabbed a ton Wanderers on Monday. lucky opener in first-half stop- The striker struck in the page time. second half but the Baggies Vitinha’s flickallowed Nel- The Aspire Academy in Doha. still need a minor miracle to son Semedo to advance into stay in the English top flight. the area and he poked the ball They remain second bot- towards Silva. Aspire Athletics Academy tom and are 10 points from reached it be- safety with just four games left fore the striker but only suc- to hold preparatory camp having fallen behind to Fabio ceeded in seeing his clearance Silva’s first-half fluke. cannon off Silva’s standing leg The Baggies could now be and loop in over Johnstone. for students in Antalya relegated before they go to Ar- It was a fortuitous goal but senal next Sunday. one which summed up Albi- QNA April, and consisted of stu- Wolves, who sit 12th, also on’s often calamitous defend- Doha dents athletes Saeed Othman failed to hit top gear in a for- ing this season. Al Absi and Nayef Mubarak gettable derby. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Portuguese striker Fabio Silva slides in the rain during the English Premier West Brom’s Diagne had The technical department of Al Rashidi in the field of speed Desperately missing an League match between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Hawthorns in West been starved of any decent athletics at Aspire Academy racing, Hamza Al Sweisi, Mo- atmosphere, the game strug- Bromwich, England on Monday. (AFP service but Conor Townsend approved a preparatory camp hammed Ashoush, Ammar Al gled to find real rhythm and it finally delivered the perfect for its athletic students in the Absi and Khaled Saeed Al Hajj was hard to see where aimless vival fight. Dara O’Shea with Matt Phil- desperately-needed impetus. cross for the striker to power city of Antalya, Turkey. in shooting competition. Albion would get the win from Boss had lips after just 33 minutes in The home side did at in from close range on 62 This preparatory program Last Thursday, the Aspire to maintain their unlikely sur- seen enough and replaced an attempt to give the Baggies least create one chance of minutes. comes within the framework Academy mission for endurance of preparing for a set of up- sport left for Turkey for a camp coming events, especially the that extends from April 29 to 2021 World Athletics U20 May 21, and included Muham- Championships, scheduled to mad Samir, Omar Hamid and Valencia sack coach after 2-3 loss to Barcelona be held in the Kenyan capi- Al Hafiz Madani. This camp is tal Nairobi, during the period the first of its kind after a long DPA without a win in La Liga. er replied. having also been in caretaker manent Valencia coach since from August 17-22. break from Outdoor camps due Berlin Valencia took the lead They will likely avoid the charge three times and held resigned The start of the Turkish to the Coronavirus pandemic. in Sunday’s game through drop, but still have work to the position permanently after eight La Liga games in camp for students of the As- The shooting team re- Valencia have sacked Javi , only for a do as Valencia sit just six once in 2016-17. 2016 with just one win to his pire athletics academy was turned from a camp in Antalya, Gracia as coach. Lionel Messi double sand- points clear of the relegation Gracia, who was only ap- name (12.5 per cent) Valencia for the first batch, which in- Turkey, which was extended His dismissal comes fol- wiched by an Antoine Griez- zone with four games to go. pointed last July, had a win host Real Valladolid in a key cluded shooting and speeding from the 12th of last April to lowing a 3-2 loss to Barce- mann effort to put Barca in will return for a percentage of 23.53 in the game at the bottom of the ta- students, between 12 and 26 the 26th of the same month. lona that made it six games command before Carlos Sol- third spell as interim boss, league, the lowest for a per- ble at Mestalla on Sunday. Sports Tuesday, May 4, 2021 15 Cherif and Ahmed making case as one of the best in world the Qataris together in a 4-star Qataris ranked event and just their second as a team, following their triumph third following in a 1-star tournament in Doha in February. Cherif and Ahmed Sunday’s have won more medals than any other men’s team in 2021, Cancun triumph with two golds and two silvers in five tournaments. QNA/FIVB “It’s the first gold for us in Lausanne/Mexico a four-star event and it feels amazing. To make it to three The International Volleyball finals in three weeks and to get Federation (FIVB) on Mon- the gold at the end, it’s unbe- day announced that the first lievable. We just kept fighting, Qatari beach volleyball team that’s what we did,” he added. of Cherif Younousse and Ah- Cherif and Ahmed are mad Tijan has made a big leap certainly making a case to be in the international rankings, considered the No. 2 team in now being third in the world the world as we inch closer to- with 3040 points (for the best wards the Tokyo Olympics. teams that played over the “We trust the process,” past 365 days). Cherif said after the win over The FIVB confirmed that Russia. “We know it’s a long this ranking is based on the process, so we just tried to best 4 results from the last 6 focus on our play each game recognized FIVB tournaments and we are really thankful to played over the course of a be here with the gold. It’s been whole year. so long, three weeks, and we’re In terms of the interna- tired, but we just tried to keep tional rankings of teams, the our focus as high as we could.” Qatari national team contin- And the result was as high ued to rise in the world rank- as it could get. Mol and Sorum ing, and came in eighth place were the only other team to with 5280 points, according to Cherif Younousse and Ahmad Tijan (centre) on the podium after winning the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour4-star Cancun Hub 3rd Event in Mexico on Sunday. win multiple medals in Can- the rankings updated on Mon- cun. Only Qatar won medals day by the FIVB. after gaining 7,400 points. the FIVB. ball World Tour 4-star events After losing back-to-back the final tournament on Mexi- in all three. As for the classification According to the announced Cherif and Ahmed will at the Playa Delfines, the Qa- finals to Norway’s Anders can sand with a 2-0 (21-15, “I feel so amazing about of the teams that will qualify classification, the Qatari leave the Cancun Hub with taris climbed another step on Mol and Christian Sorum, the 21-12) win against Russians this,” Tijan said. “This is his- directly for the next Olympic team guarantees one of the gold medals around their the podium on Sunday as they 25-year-old Cherif and the Konstantin Semenov and Ilya tory. Three finals in three Games in Tokyo, Japan, the seats that qualify directly for necks. Silver medallists in the won the third and final tour- 26-year-old Ahmed remained Leshukov. weeks and at the end, we get Qatari team is ranked fifth the Olympiad, according to first two FIVB Beach Volley- nament in Mexico. strong and secured the title of It was the first victory for the gold, it’s unbelievable.” Jayawickrama bags eleven as Sri Lanka win Test, series

ANI Scoreboard Pallekele Sri Lanka (1st innings): 493-7 dec Bangladesh (1st innings): 251 Ramesh Mendis and Praveen Sri Lanka (2nd innings): 194-9 dec Jayawickrama made light Bangladesh (2nd innings: Overnight 177-5) T. Iqbal c Dickwella b Mendis...... 24 work of Bangladesh’s middle S. Hassan c Lakmal b Jayawickrama...... 34 and lower-order as Sri Lanka N. Shanto b Jayawickrama...... 26 won the second Test by 209 M. Haque b Mendis...... 32 runs on the fifth morning here M. Rahim c de Silva b Mendis...... 40 at the Pallekele International L. Das lbw Jayawickrama...... 17 With the second COVID-19 wave rampant across India, there have also been reports of some foreign play- Cricket Stadium on Monday. M. Hasan c Nissanka b Jayawickrama...... 39 ers being wary of the situation and how they will return home at the end of the 14th edition of the IPL. With this win, Sri Lanka T. Islam c Dickwella b de Silva...... 2 won the two-match Test series T. Ahmed c Karunaratne b Mendis...... 7 1-0. Jayawickrama returned S. Islam not out...... 0 A. Jayed lbw Jayawickrama...... 0 RCB-KKR clash postponed with five wickets while Mendis Extras: (b3, lb2, nb1)...... 6 scalped four wickets for the Total: (All Out in 71 overs)...... 227 hosts in the second innings. Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Iqbal), 2-73 (Hassan), due to COVID-19 cases Resuming on the fifth day at 3-104 (Shanto), 4-134 (Haque), 5-171 177/5, Bangladesh was given an (Rahim), 6-183 (Das), 7-206 (T. Islam), 8-227 ANI ation. The game is set to be ID-19 wave rampant across early jolt in just the third over of (Ahmed), 9-227 (Hasan), 10-227 (Jayed). New Delhi postponed,” the official said. India, there have been reports the day as Praveen Jayawickra- Bowling: Lakmal 4-2-14-0, Mendis 28-2- Sydney Morning Herald of some foreign players be- ma had Liton Das (17) adjudged 103-4, Jayawickrama 32-10-86-5, de Silva 7-1-19-1 (1nb). The Indian Premier League also reported that Australia ing wary of the situation and leg-before wicket. Result: Sri Lanka won by 209 runs. (IPL) clash between Kolkata pacer Pat Cummins is also un- how they will return to their Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Series: Sri Lanka 1-0. Knight Riders (KKR) and well and he is currently under- respective countries at the end Islam then got together at the Player of the Match: Praveen Jayawickrama Royal Challengers Bangalore going self-isolation. of the 14th edition of the IPL. crease to form a 23-run stand (SRI); Player of the Series: Dimuth (RCB) slated to be played lat- India registered a slight But IPL COO Hemang Amin for the seventh wicket. Karunaratne (SRI). er on Monday night has been dip in COVID-19 cases as it has assured all players and However, Sri Lanka broke postponed and a new date for registered 3,68,147 new coro- support staff that the Board the partnership in the 62nd desh to 227/9. With this scalp, the fixture will be communi- navirus infections and 3,417 of Control for Cricket in In- over as Dhananjaya de Silva Jayawickrama registered his cated in due course. related deaths in the last 24 dia (BCCI) will ensure their sent Taijul (2) back to the pa- 10th wicket in the match. This development comes hours, informed the union smooth return at the end of vilion, reducing Bangladesh to In the very same over, Abu after two KKR players -- Varun health ministry on Monday the league. 206/7. Sri Lanka’s Praveen Jayawickrama celebrates dismissing Bangladesh’s Jayed (0) was adjudged leg- Chakravarthy and Sandeep morning. With this, the cumu- In a letter to the players Mehidy and Taskin Ahmed Liton Das on the final day of the second and final Test at the Pallekele before wicket and this gave Sri Warrier tested positive for lative count of the cases has and support staff, accessed by tried their best to keep the Sri International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Monday. (AFP) Lanka a win by 209 runs. COVID-19. “Yes, the match gone up to 1,99,25,604. ANI, Hemang addressed the Lanka bowlers at bay, but to Jayawickrama returned has been postponed. Before the start of the tour- apprehension and concerns of no avail. Taskin (7) and Sri Lanka rama then had Mehidy (39) with figures of 5-86. In the The new date for the fix- nament, Delhi Capitals’ Axar the cricketers. He said that the Ramesh Mendis then got needed just two more wickets caught by Pathum Nissanka in first innings, Jayawickrama ture will be announced soon,” Patel had tested positive for tournament isn’t over for the into the act as he dismissed to register a win. Jayawick- the 71st over, reducing Bangla- had returned with six wickets. sources in the know of devel- COVID-19. Kolkata Knight Rid- BCCI till every player reaches opments confirmed to ANI. ers batsman Nitish Rana also home safely. Earlier on Monday, speak- tested positive, but he also re- So far, the IPL matches ing to ANI, a BCCI official con- turned a negative test before the have been played across four firmed that there are cases in start of the tournament. Few venues -- Mumbai, Chennai, Proud of representing Sri Lanka in 7 World Cups: Perera the KKR camp and the RCB groundstaff members at the Ahmedabad, and Delhi. camp isn’t too keen to take the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai The next leg is slated to be Thisara Perera represented Sri Lanka in 166 ODIs, field against them. had also returned positive tests, played in Kolkata and Bengal- Star all-rounder “Varun and Sandeep test- but all the 10 IPL matches went uru and then the playoffs will smashing 2,338 runs. In the 50-over format, he also ed positive and that made the smoothly in Mumbai. go ahead at Narendra Modi announces scalped 175 wickets. In his T20I career, he picked up RCB camp wary of the situ- With the second COV- Stadium in Ahmedabad. retirement 51 wickets while producing 1,204 runs. ANI goals and family life. highlight of my life,’’ Perera Colombo Perera thanked the team said in his letter as per SLC. captains he has served un- SLC wished the former Quick read Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara der during his international captain the very best in his fu- Slater slams Australian PM amid travel ban Perera has said he takes pride career, teammates, both ture commitments and dearly in the fact that he featured in past and present, the Execu- value the immeasurable ser- New DELHI: Former Aussie batsman turned commentator Michael Slater on Monday lashed out at seven cricket World Cups for tive Committees of Sri Lanka vices rendered by him to the the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison amid the travel ban as coronavirus continues to rage in his side during his 11-year long Cricket, management, and the game. India. Morrison had last week announced a ban on passenger flights fromI ndia till May 15 and he glittering career. staff of Sri Lanka Cricket, for The left-handed batsman also said that there would be no special privileges given to the Australian players in India. Slater, who Perera on Monday an- the support they extended to was known more for his antics was commentating in the ongoing IPL, accused the Australian PM of having “blood on his hands” and nounced his retirement from him during his career. in the white-ball format. termed the decision of travel ban as a “disgrace”. “If our Government cared for the safety of Aussies international cricket. “I take pride in the fact He represented Sri Lanka they would allow us to get home. It’s a disgrace!! Blood on your hands PM. How dare you treat us like The all-rounder in his ‘Let- for younger and more talented that I was able to represent in 166 ODIs, smashing 2,338 this. How about you sort out quarantine system. I had government permission to work on the IPL but I ter’ submitted to Sri Lanka players to take on the reigns. Sri Lanka in seven cricket runs. In the 50-over format, now have government neglect,” Slater tweeted. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia interim CEO Nick Hockley Cricket (SLC) announcing his The former Sri Lanka ODI World Cups and be a contrib- he also scalped 175 wickets. has said that there are no immediate plans for arranging charter flights to bring back Australian players retirement, said that he feels and T20I captain also said that uting member of the 2014 T20 In his T20I career, he picked once the Indian Premier League (IPL) concludes on May 30. (ANI) the time is right for him to this is also the right time for World Cup win against In- up 51 wickets while producing step aside and pave the way him to follow on his personal dia in Bangladesh. Easily the 1,204 runs.