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Monday, April 16, 2018 FOOTBALL Rajab 30, 1439 AH Mourinho slams GULF TIMES United as they hand title to City SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL / AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Seize the chance, Laudrup

‘A win today will mean a lot to us as it will take tells Al Rayyan Al Rayyan to the knockouts for the first time’

Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup (centre) addresses a press conference on the eve of their AFC Champions League match against Al Ain yesterday. PICTURES: Anas Khalid and Shemeer Rasheed

By Sports Reporter the Qatar Stars League last week, and do most of the attacking duties. Al- Doha Laudrup was oozing confi dence at his though we will miss Hamdallah I am press conference yesterday. confi dent I can deliver what is need for “We are fully prepared for the match the team,” said the Uruguay-born So- l Rayyan coach Michael against Al Ain. It is the last game for us ria. Laudrup has challenged his in the group and we are ready to show Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic said his players to seize their chance we are among the top 16 teams in Asia,” time will try to exploit the absence of to make history when they the Dane said. Hamdalla in the Al Rayyan squad Atake on UAE giants Al Ain in their last “A win today will mean a lot to us as “Hamdallah’s absence will surely AFC Champions League Group D game it will take Al Rayyan to the knockouts hurt Al Rayyan. We are sorry for his in- at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium today. for the fi rst time in history. We have jury and I wish him a speedy recovery The match begins at 6.45pm. only one chance to do that. I am con- but when a key rival player is injured, Al Rayyan players celebrate a goal during their Qatar Stars League match against Al Ahli in Doha last week. With Iran’s Esthelglal already con- fi dent the players will be at their best it defi nitely helps the other team,” said fi rmed for the last 16 knockout phase tomorrow. They know they are capable Mamic. The two-time continental champi- of the lucrative event with nine points of beating any side on their day.” “We always play attacking football. ons, who are without suspended duo Al Sadd clash with Persepolis today and a match in hand, the Al Rayyan-Al The coach however added that Al That’s our style. Last year we lost in Roozneh Cheshmi and Omid Ebrahimi, Ain clash will decide the second team Ain, too, are no pushovers. the quarter-fi nals but this year we aim warmed up for the game with a 1-1 draw Persepolis can finish as table-toppers a place in the last 16. from the group to make the cut, leaving “We respect Al Ain. They have play- to progress farther. This is one of the against Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz last in Group C of the 2018 AFC Champi- The hosts, who are without the sus- either with little scope for error. ers of a high calibre such as Omar Ab- toughest groups of the tournament. It’s week. ons League if they overcome Al Sadd pended Shojae Khalilzadeh, drew 1-1 The Emiratis, however are slightly dulrahman and Brazilian Caio among not surprising qualifi cation has gone Runners-up last year, Al Hilal’s form at the Azadi Stadium here today. with Pars Jam Bushehr on Wednes- better off with seven points from fi ve others but we are ready for a tough down to the wire.” has dropped dramatically this time The Iranian side have won both of their day although they have already been matches so far and need only a draw, match.” Meanwhile, Al Hilal take on Esteghlal round and their 2-1 defeat in Al Ain on home games and secured their place crowned Iranian champions. while Al Rayyan, who have just six Star Al Rayyan striker Sebastian So- at Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in an- Matchday Five confi rmed their early in the next round following a scoreless The visitors’ last Qatar Stars League points, will need three points to be- ria also exuded confi dence, saying he other Group D match. elimination. draw away at Nasaf two weeks ago. game was a 9-1 victory over Al come the third team from Qatar – after welcomed the additional pressure on Esteghlal are already assured of a The Saudi side go into the game on Al Sadd currently occupy first posi- Kharaitiyat just over a week ago as Al Duhail and Al Sadd – to secure their him due to the injury of Abdelrazzaq place in the next round having beaten a high, though, after a 4-1 win over Al tion and two more goals from striker they brought a poor recent domestic spot in the round of 16 this season. Hamdallah. Al Rayyan 2-0 in early April, but the Fateh secured the Saudi Pro League title Baghdad Bounedjah in a 2-1 victory run to an end. They will be without The hosts go into the game on the “I relish such a situation. In the ab- Iranian side must avoid defeat to win on Thursday. Ali al- Bulayhi misses the over Al Wasl in early April confirmed the suspended Abdelkarim Hassan. back of a 4-1 victory over Al Ahli in sence of Hamdallah I’ll be required to the group. game through suspension.

MANATEQ QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY Qatar’s Adel Abdulla aims for fi rst T2 victory at home

By Sports Reporter al-Kuwari have left nothing to chance T2 in other countries, but I seem to lead unlike last year when we had many Doha in their meticulous preparations for here and then have a technical problem. problems in the early races. the fi ve-day test of man and machine in I want to leave here with the champion- “All deserts demand respect. If you the punishing Qatar deserts. They had ship lead and to represent my country think you are stronger than the terrain, atar’s Adel Abdulla admits planned to test the car yesterday after- and my sponsors in a winning way. then you will have problems. We need his goal is to win the T2 cat- noon. “Navigation is diffi cult here, but to keep the car safe. It’s not about win- egory for the fi rst time in this Adel fi nished third in T2 in Baja Rus- both Nasser and myself are navigators. ning stages here. Our dunes are not so week’s Manateq Qatar Cross- sia, and second in both the Dubai In- I can help Nasser if he needs it, if we big like Abu Dhabi, but they are very CountryQ Rally (QCCR). ternational Baja and Abu Dhabi Desert think we are losing the way. He is do- tricky in some places. We need to have The fourth round of the FIA World Challenge in his rental cars. That ena- ing a very good job anyway. We look at a good strategy in place and keep to that Cup for Cross-Country Rallies gets bled the former QCCR quad winner to the positives things, but we do have dif- plan.” underway with a ceremonial start at amass 69 championship points. The fi cult navigation here with many tracks Adel Abdulla’s campaign to win back Katara tomorrow evening and a super QX Rally Team driver now trails series in the desert. I think we have good ex- the FIA T2 Championship title he fi rst special stage at the Losail International leader and arch rival Ahmed Shegawi perience, especially as I was here from secured in 2016 comes with valuable Circuit the following evening, before by just six points, as the pair prepare to 2011 to 2014 with the quad. I had four support from the Qatar Motor and Mo- four desert selective sections from lock horns again in Qatar. good years to look at the terrain and the torcycle Federation (QMMF), Ooredoo Thursday to Sunday. Adel said: “We have been renting stages. Qatar and Nissan Qatar. Driving his own Nissan Patrol Y62 for three cars from the beginning of the “Ahmed (Shegawi) is a good driver the fi rst time this season — after renting season. I had a Toyota Land Cruiser, and a friend of mine. We will have a OVERALL T2 STANDINGS (TOP 3) a car on the opening three rounds of the then a Nissan Y62, then a Y61 and now good fi ght together. If we can get the 1. Ahmed al-Shegawi (SAU) 75pts FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Ral- my own car. I have never won here and Qatar’s Adel Abdulla (second from right) and co-driver Nasser al-Kuwari (second championship lead, we will be more 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT) 69pts lies — the Qatari and navigator Nasser am hoping for a good result. I have won from left) on the podium at the Dubai International Baja in March. confi dent going forward to Kazakhstan, 3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS) 42pts Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 16, 2018 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE Mourinho slams United as they hand title to Man City Rodriguez’s 73rd minute header gave West Brom a stunning victory after they arrived at Old Traff ord

AFP “Eight titles are eight titles and three Manchester, United Kingdom Premier Leagues are three Premier Leagues. I know how to win and I be- lieve in myself. I think with my experi- ose Mourinho applauded Man- ence you don’t win titles with incon- chester City’s sistency. title success, but lambasted “You win titles with consistency at Manchester United after West every level, not just the performance BromwichJ Albion’s shock 1-0 win yes- level but the mental level and the day terday. In order to prevent City from by day. Everything must be consistent being crowned champions for a few until the last day. One of the things we more days, United had to avoid defeat have to improve is our consistency.” against bottom club Albion at Old Traf- The fi rst half was a terrible advert for ford. But Jay Rodriguez’s 73rd minute the English top-fl ight. Jake Livermore header gave West Brom a stunning vic- had one decent eff ort saved by David tory after they arrived at Old Traff ord De Gea and Lukaku smashed an eff ort having lost nine of their previous 10 right into Ben Foster’s face but that was games. about it. The second half was not much It is ironic that United came back better but Foster did wonderfully well from 2-0 down against City themselves after 66 minutes to tip a Lukaku ef- last weekend to win 3-2 and delay City’s fort around the post before the visitors party, only to surrender so tamely on resistance was then unexpectedly re- home soil. warded with 17 minutes remaining. Mourinho claimed afterwards that Nemanja Matic panicked at the de- he had not been happy after the City livery of a Chris Brunt corner and he result because he knew they would win knocked the ball back inside to Rod- the league regardless and he accused riguez, who could not miss from three some of his players of getting carried yards out. After sacking Alan Pardew at away. “I don’t know if I was the fi rst or the start of the month, Darren Moore second or third but I congratulate them has been handed the West Brom until face to face when I had the chance,” the end of the season. Mourinho said. Although the West Brom board are “I knew that sooner or later they believed to want somebody with more would be (champions) and if I was in experience, Moore certainly did his their position I would be very upset if West Bromwich Albion’s Jay Rodriguez (left) celebrates with teammate Jake Livermore after scoring against Manchester United in the Premier League. (Reuters) chances of becoming the next full-time someone said they won the title be- boss no harm, even if avoiding relega- cause Manchester United lost against doesn’t make me feel super happy and potent performers such as Juan Mata, fewer than City this season and Mour- his squad’s lack of consistency, but the tion looks a lost cause. West Brom. They won because they in my opinion aff ected for sure some of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis inho has not managed to get his side former Chelsea boss made it clear he “West Brom is a club I care about a were the best team, they lost only a few the people that was too happy.” Sanchez, yet the Premier League table, to click, despite being able to bring on believes he can return United to the lot,” he said. “I want to bring a family points. Probably because I won eight United’s afternoon was sympto- which shows them 16 points behind further talent such as Marcus Rash- summit of English football. atmosphere to the club. Everybody is championships, I was not in the moon matic of their entire season. Their City, does not lie. ford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Mar- “I trust in my work, that is for sure — equal at the football club and we’re all with the victory against them. That squad is crammed full of wonderfully United have scored a full 30 goals tial. Mourinho pulled no punches about I have no reason not to trust,” he said. in it together.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Pep the perfectionist Newcastle defeat ‘story of our delivers a Manchester season’: Arsenal boss Wenger AFP masterpiece Newcastle, United Kingdom

AFP show a ruthless streak of his own along the way. rsene Wenger admit- Manchester, United Kingdom Claudio Bravo’s series of costly errors in goal saw ted Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat him replaced by the excellent Ederson to give City at Newcastle was “the a far more stable platform from which to build. story of our season” af- ess than 12 months ago Pep Guardio- Critics point to the enormous sums City have terA the Gunners crashed to a fi fth la feared he could be facing the sack at splashed on players before and during Guardiola’s consecutive away defeat in the Manchester City after his fi rst trophyless reign, with nearly £500mn ($700mn) spent on Premier League. Wenger’s side season in an almost impeccable coaching transfer fees in the past two seasons alone. But took an early lead through Alex- Lcareer. Now he has added to three league titles in the secret to Guardiola’s success is also taking the andre Lacazette, but Ayoze Perez both Spain and Germany by conquering England raw talent at his disposal and harnessing it into equalised before Matt Ritchie in a style that has provoked comparisons with the something even more special. bagged the second half winner at greatest sides ever seen in the Premier League. “A manager like that brings the best out of St James’ Park yesterday. Used to the highest of demands from his spells you, he makes sure to tell you when you’re in the Newcastle’s fourth successive at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Guardiola be- wrong,” said Raheem Sterling, who has fi nally de- win ended Arsenal’s unbeaten lieved other clubs may have been more ruthless livered on his abundant potential, scoring 21 goals run of seven games in all compe- after City fi nished 15 points behind Chelsea in this season. titions. “It’s been the story of our third in the Premier League last season. While moulding the prodigious talents of Ster- season, 70% possession, 1-0, lots But City were never likely to cut Guardiola ling, Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane, Guardiola has of chances and then you wonder Newcastle United manager adrift so quickly having waited so long to land him also kept City’s old guard from two previous Pre- how you lose the game,” Wenger Rafael Benitez (left) and in the fi rst place. mier League title triumphs. Forced to battle for said. “We didn’t put our chances Jamaal Lascelles celebrate That patience has been rewarded in spectacu- his place in the team with Jesus, City’s all-time to bed and made unbelievable after the win over Arsenal. lar fashion as City wrapped up the title with fi ve top scorer Sergio Aguero described the Catalan mistakes. These players are qual- (Reuters) games to spare to match Manchester United’s as the best coach he has ever had after netting in ity and we need to forget about record for the earliest Premier League title win the League Cup fi nal in February to deliver Guar- today and focus on next game” in 2000/2001. While Guardiola has admitted to diola’s fi rst trophy at City. Asked about Arsenal’s wretch- the Champions League if they jo Shelvey’s long pass picked out mier League debut with a goal. doubts over his future last season, he never wa- Guardiola’s magic comes from a mix of relent- ed away form, Wenger said: “It’s win the competition. With little Dwight Gayle in the Arsenal area Iwobi lashed narrowly wide vered in the way he wanted his side to play. less work on the training ground and intensive a lot about the head and some- to play for in the league, Arsenal and, with Gunners defender Shk- from long-range as Arsenal “Last season many times when I was asked — study of his opponents. In the book “Pep Con- times there is no rationality in it. were unable to fi nd enough mo- odran Mustafi out of position, he chased their fi rst away point of it works to play my way and I said ‘I am going to fi dential” chronicling Guardiola’s fi rst season at It doesn’t make sense. We have mentum to maintain their recent was able to lay off to DeAndre 2018. But it was Newcastle who insist’, I never had a doubt about that,” Guardiola Bayern, Catalan author Marti Perarnau describes to be realistic. We came out of revival, even though Lacazette Yedlin.Perez made a perfectly- landed the knockout blow in the said recently. Mocked at times in the British me- Guardiola’s process of burying himself in his it with no points and overall we opened the scoring in the 14th timed run to meet Yedlin’s cross 68th minute. More sloppy Arse- dia for stating he does not train players how to study for hours until he fi nds his “eureka” mo- thought we should have got three minute. Just moments after he with a fi ne fi nish that fl ashed by nal defending let in Islam Slimani tackle, questions were raised whether Guardiola’s ment of how to defeat the opposition. points.” was left writhing on the turf fol- Petr Cech at his near post. The and his header was fl icked on by style, learned at the knee of the legendary Johan “He is obsessive, he would keep going until he The sixth-placed Gunners are lowing a crunching challenge Spanish forward’s third goal in Perez to Ritchie, who beat Cech Cruyff at Barcelona, was compatible with the got it right,” added Xavi. “He demands so much 13 points behind fourth-placed from Kenedy, Lacazette exacted his last three appearances was a from close-range. more physical approach of the Premier League. from himself. And that pressure that he puts Tottenham with only fi ve games revenge. clinical eff ort, but Wenger would Ritchie clearly saves his “For those of us brought up on those ideas, who on himself, those demands are contagious — it remaining in the race to qualify Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been furious with how eas- goals for the big occasion, hav- have internalised them so deeply, it’s like a reli- spreads to everyone. He wants everything to be for the Champions League. Re- ran onto a long ball into the New- ily Newcastle carved open his ing scored the winner against gion,” former Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez perfect.” Having beaten all before him at Barca alistically, Arsenal already had castle area and picked out Laca- defence. Manchester United in February. said of his old coach. “Pep is a purist.” and Bayern, Guardiola now has his masterpiece in no chance of making the top four zette, who stretched to volley Calum Chambers could have Kenedy, on loan from Chelsea, Guardiola has proven his point, but he had to Manchester too. and Wenger had been prioritising home at the far post for his 13th restored Arsenal’s lead before came close to putting the result their Europa League campaign goal of a diffi cult fi rst season fol- the interval, but the defender beyond doubt with a looping ef- for several weeks. Arsenal saw lowing his move from Lyon. shot wide from Mustafi ’s knock fort that hit the crossbar with off CSKA Moscow in the Europa Alex Iwobi almost doubled Ar- down. Ritchie tested Cech before Cech beaten. Lacazette should League quarter-fi nals on Thurs- senal’s lead moments later with a 18-year-old Arsenal midfi elder have equalised in the closing day. They face Atletico Madrid in stinging strike that forced a good Joe Willock’s poor fi nish wasted stages, but he shot into the side- the last four and will qualify for save from Martin Dubravka. Jon- an opportunity to mark his Pre- netting.

Thauvin keeps Marseille in mix for Europe

Paris: Florian Thauvin struck a late winner Troyes back in front just after half-time as the final Champions League spot, while as Marseille twice came from behind to beat the veteran skipper followed up a rebound Monaco are four points ahead of the chasing struggling Troyes 3-2 in yesterday after Yohann Pele had saved from Grand- duo. Marseille could also return to Europe’s and stay in the hunt for a Champions League sir. But a clinical finish from Greece striker elite competition next season by winning place. Marseille were reeling after Samuel Kostas Mitroglou made it 2-2 with quarter of the Europa League, where they will face Grandsir headed Troyes ahead with just 37 an hour to play, and Thauvin volleyed home Austrian outfit over two legs for a seconds gone at the Stade de l’Aube, but his team-leading 17th league goal on 86 place in the May 16 final. Paris Saint-Germain Clinton Njie’s scuff ed eff ort soon pulled the minutes to cap a dramatic victory. will reclaim the French title late last night if visitors level. Rudi Garcia’s Marseille remain level on they beat reigning champions Monaco at The 41-year-old Benjamin Nivet fired points with third-placed Lyon, who occupy the Parc des Princes. Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SERIE A LA LIGA Atletico stroll Juve take advantage past Levante AFP hit for Levante, who stay 17th, Madrid fi ve points clear of the relegation aft er Donnarumma zone. Simeone’s side now face Real Sociedad on Thursday and ernando Torres marked Real Betis on Sunday before the the announcement of fi rst leg at but his Atletico Madrid de- they arrived here with only two parture with a goal after wins from their last fi ve matches. brilliance foils Napoli Fcoming off the bench to score in Torres enjoyed the biggest a 3-0 win over Levante yester- cheer of the afternoon and fol- day. Six days after confi rming lowed his brilliant fi nish by he will be leaving his boyhood blowing the crowd a kiss and Costa set up all three goals as Juventus beat Sampdoria to go six points clear club at the end of the season, waving both hands. It promises Torres rolled back the years with to be a long farewell. The Span- a volleyed fi nish the 34-year-old iard is unlikely to face Arsenal would have been proud of in his but Griezmann almost certainly prime. will and his goal was his 19th It was also his 100th goal in La in La Liga this season, coming Liga. “Fernando is an icon here,” without Diego Costa, who is still Atletico coach Diego Simeone nursing a thigh strain. said. “Whether he is scoring The visitors’ resistance was goals or not, winning titles or broken in the 33rd minute when not, he has a place in the club that Vitolo weaved inside to the edge has been earned by respect, hard of the penalty area and slipped work and having an identity with the ball left to Correa. the club. That will not change Correa surprised the cluster because of one more goal.” of shuffl ing defenders by cutting Torres’ grievance this term has back onto his right foot before been a lack of playing time and using the space to guide the ball he was a substitute again at the into the corner. Wanda Metropolitano, replac- After the interval, as Sime ing Antoine Griezmann, who Vrsaljko volleyed in a cross fi rst was also on target. Angel Correa time from the right and Griez- opened the scoring in the fi rst mann fi nished fi rst time into half. A comfortable victory cuts the top corner. That was his last the gap behind leaders Barcelona signifi cant contribution, be- back to 11 points and restores fore making way for Torres just some momentum for Atletico, before the hour, and Koke was with their Europa League semi- also spared the last 30 minutes, fi nal against Arsenal less than a replaced by Gabriel Fernandez. fortnight away. The result also Simeone’s confi dence was clear guarantees Atletico a place in the but Torres had the fi nal say, the Champions League for a sixth veteran sweeping home an in- consecutive season. stinctive volley from Correa’s This was something of a free cross to wrap up a routine win.

AC Milan’s Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma dives to make a save during the Italian Serie A match against Napoli at San Siro stadium in Milan yesterday. (AFP)

Reuters fi rst-choice goalkeeper at the age of 16, are less brilliant in attack but it was still a Sassuolo in front before Diabate turned in Milan was making his 100th Serie A appearance good performance.” Danilo Cataldi’s cross to give Benevento at 19 years and 49 days and his save from Juve, who wiped out a 3-0 fi rst leg defi - their fi rst away point of the season, al- Napoli substitute Arkadiusz Milik must cit against Real on Wednesday only to lose though they stayed 11 points adrift at the C Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi rank among his fi nest so far. to a stoppage time penalty, went ahead on bottom. Donnarumma foiled title chal- Milik seemed certain to score when the stroke of halftime when Mario Man- Fiorentina’s run of six successive wins lengers Napoli with a stunning Lorenzo Insigne’s header found him alone dzukic volleyed home Costa’s cross. The ended in a 0-0 draw at home to SPAL stoppage time save in a 0-0 in front of goal but Donnarumma showed Brazilian winger, who had replaced the who are 17th with 28 points, just above drawA yesterday and Juventus took full ad- extraordinary refl exes to turn his low injured Miralem Pjanic two minutes ear- the drop zone. Bologna’s Adam Nagy, 22, vantage by beating Sampdoria 3-0 to go shot around the foot of the post. Napoli lier, also provided the cross for Benedikt scored his fi rst-ever professional goal in a six points clear at the top of Serie A. produced their usual slick passing and Hoewedes to head the second on the hour, 2-0 win over one-from-bottom Verona. Substitute Douglas Costa set up all pinned Milan in their own half for long then went on a brilliant solo run to set up three goals as Juve put their bitter Cham- periods but lacked imagination and vari- the third for Sami Khedira. ITALIAN SERIE A RESULTS pions League exit at the hands of Real ety in the fi nal third. Sixth-placed Milan Elsewhere, Benevento forward Cheick Fiorentina 0 SPAL 0 Madrid behind them and took a big step had a goal by Mateo Musacchio ruled out Diabate notched his third successive Bologna 2 (Verdi 31, Nagy 90+4) Verona 0 towards a seventh successive title. Juve for off side in the first half. brace in a 2-2 draw at Sassuolo. Diabate, AC Milan 0 Napoli 0 have 84 points with Napoli on 78 followed “It was an extraordinary save by an on loan from Turkish side Osmanlispor, Sassuolo 2 (Politano 41, 64) Benevento 2 by Lazio and AS Roma, who were meeting extraordinary goalkeeper,” said Napoli put Benevento ahead with a delicate chip (Diabate 22, 72) in their derby in the late kickoff , on 60. coach Maurizio Sarri. “The team is do- in the 22nd minute. Juventus 3 (Mandzukic 45, Howedes 60, Atletico Madrid’s (left) vies with Levante’s Jose Donnarumma, who became Milan’s ing what it has to do, at the moment we Matteo Politano scored twice to put Khedira 75) Sampdoria 0 Campana during the Spanish La Liga in Madrid yesterday. (AFP)

BUNDESLIGA SCOTTISH CUP Naldo screamer seals Schalke Celtic rout Rangers to reach fi nal AFP Motherwell in this season’s Scot- tin handed Celtic their second Glasgow tish League Cup fi nal. in the 38th minute. Martin’s at- The Scottish Premiership tempted clearance from Kieran win over arch-rivals Dortmund leaders are 37 points clear of Tierney’s cross went straight to eltic will face Mother- Motherwell, who beat Aberdeen McGregor, who quickly curled well in the Scottish Cup 3-0 in the other semi-fi nal on the ball past Foderingham. fi nal after the hold- Saturday. Interim Rangers boss Any thoughts of a comeback ers thrashed arch rivals Graeme Murty was left to rue a ended when McCrorie pulled RangersC 4-0 yesterday. Brendan damaging defeat that could ruin back Dembele as he raced through Rodgers’ side cruised to victory his chances of landing the Ibrox on goal in the 52nd minute. After in the semi-fi nal at Hampden job on a permanent basis. McCrorie was given his march- Park thanks to goals from Tom Murty had revealed Rangers ing orders, Dembele dinked his Rogic, Callum McGregor, Moussa players cheered when they heard spot-kick down the middle for Dembele and Olivier Ntcham. they would play Celtic in the his seventh goal in nine Old Firm Rangers had Ross McCro- semi-fi nals, but that optimism derbies. Forrest bent a shot wide rie sent off when they were two quickly turned sour. Rogic struck of the target before Rangers sub- goals down as they lost against in the 22nd minute when he took stitute Jason Holt conceded a their Glasgow neighbours for the a pass from James Forrest and penalty for a foul on Patrick Rob- eighth time in their last 10 meet- turned back on to his right foot, erts in the 78th minute. ings in all competitions. Celtic, leaving McCrorie for dead, be- Ntcham despatched the spot- who have won the Scottish Cup fore shooting past Rangers goal- kick into the corner of the net to 37 times, are chasing a domes- keeper Wes Foderingham. keep Celtic on course for a sec- tic treble, having already beaten Rangers defender Russell Mar- ond successive treble.

Schalke’s Naldo (second left) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund. (AFP)

AFP “To win the derby towards the free-kick fi zzed towards the top play, Schalke were awarded a Berlin end of the season is a real high- corner. “We need to look at what free-kick around 30 metres light,” Schalke sporting director went wrong in the fi rst 45 to 60 from goal. Caligiuri rolled the Christian Heidel said. “It was a minutes today,” Reus said. “We ball to Naldo, who blasted it into 30-metre rocket from deserved victory.” didn’t play well in that period.” the bottom corner to secure vic- Naldo fi red Schal- Always a fi ercely contested The home side had the bet- tory. Dortmund’s misery was ke 04 to a 2-0 vic- derby, there was even more at ter of the fi rst half, however, compounded in stoppage time, tory over-arch rivals stake than usual in yesterday’s and could have taken the lead when striker Michy Batshuayi BorussiaA Dortmund yesterday game, with just one point sepa- on the stroke of half-time when was carried off on a stretcher and strengthened their grip on rating second-placed Schalke Yevhen Konoplyanka curled a after clashing with Benjamin second place in the Bundesliga. from third-placed Dortmund low shot around the far post. Stambouli. Naldo’s superb strike sent the before kick-off . Victory saw Konoplyanka had better luck RB Leipzig closed to within blue half of the Ruhr region into Schalke pull four points clear fi ve minutes after the break as three points of Dortmund in raptures as Schalke recorded of third place, while Dortmund he fi red Schalke in front. the race for the fi nal Champi- their fi rst win over Dortmund drop to fourth. Set free by Daniel Caligiuri on ons League spot in Germany since September 2014. Schalke came close after just the counter-attack, the Ukrain- with a draw 1-1 against Werder The Brazilian, who scored a fi ve minutes, Dortmund goal- ian smashed a powerful shot Bremen. last-minute equaliser in Schal- keeper Roman Burki diving at past Burki to give his side a well ke’s dramatic 4-4 draw with full stretch to turn Alessandro deserved lead. Dortmund ral- RESULTS Dortmund earlier in the season, Schoepf’s shot around the post. lied in the last 20 minutes, with Schalke 2 (Konoplyanka 50, Naldo was the hero again on Sunday, At the other end, Marco Reus chances falling to Christian 82) Borussia Dortmund 0 as he secured three points for forced a fl ying save from Ralf Pulisic and Reus. Werder Bremen 1 (Moisander 28) Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos (centre) clashes with Celtic’s Scott Brown as referee Bobby Madden attempts to his side late in the second half. Faehrmann as his long range Yet with eight minutes to RB Leipzig 1 (Lookman 50) intervene during the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Britain. (Reuters) Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 16, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS pick fi ve uncapped players for Fit-again Nadal ready Ireland, England Tests

AFP for us,” Haq said. Lahore “If we look at his numbers for the last two years, he has more than any other bowler akistan included fi ve for Pakistan. He was our strike for title defence uncapped players in bowler. He played a big part in all the 16-man squad an- the games we won.” ‘I feel that I’m playing well. I had some good days of practice here, playing some good sets’ nounced yesterday for Haq said selectors had tried Ptheir Tests against Ireland and strengthen the side’s batting, AFP England starting next month, which was weakened after the Monte Carlo, Principality of with an eye on the World Cup retirement last year of Misbah- Monaco next year. ul-Haq and . The fi ve include openers Fa- The 32-year-old batsman khar Zaman, 28, and Imam- Fawad Alam failed to make the afael Nadal said yes- ul-Haq, 22. Batsmen Usman squad again despite his strong terday that he is fi t and Salahuddin and Saad Ali, and domestic form. ready to defend his allrounder are Mohamed Amir will lead the Monte Carlo Masters the other three uncapped mem- pace attack, for which Rahat Ali titleR and the number-one rank- bers of the squad. was recalled, but there was no ing this week, as he returns to “The World Cup next year is in place for Wahab Riaz. the ATP Tour after injury. England. So we’ve decided to call Sarfraz Ahmed, the , is The 31-year-old made his up several young players to give the only specialist wicketkeeper comeback from a hip injury them exposure to those condi- in the squad. with two wins in Spain’s Davis tions,” chief selector Inzamam- Ireland will play their fi rst- Cup quarter-fi nal victory over ul-Haq said at a press confer- ever Test against Pakistan from Germany last weekend, hav- ence. May 11-15 in Dublin. Pakistan ing not played previously since “This is a great opportunity will then play two Tests against January’s Australian Open. for us, particularly our batsmen, England - at Lord’s (May 24-28) Nadal was forced to retire from to gain experience in this condi- and Headingley (June 1-5). his last-eight clash with Marin tions.” Cilic in Melbourne, but recently Pakistan suff ered a major Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), usurped Roger Federer at the top setback last week when ace leg- Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Sami of the world rankings after his spinner Yasir Shah was ruled Aslam, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar great rival’s early exit in Miami. out of the tour with a hip bone Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, “I feel that I’m playing well. I fracture. Shah was replaced with Usman Salahuddin, Saad Ali, had some good days of practice teenager Shadab Khan, who has Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, here, playing some good sets,” only played one Test. Mohamed Amir, Hasan Ali, Rahat Nadal said ahead of the start of “Yasir’s absence is a big loss Ali, Mohamed Abbas. the claycourt season. “That helps me. I love this event. I always feel comfort- EMIR CUP BASKETBALL able here. I’m enjoying being here in Monte Carlo in an event that always brings me to the best feelings possible. It’s hopefully Stover shines as Arabi going to be my fi rst event of the year that I can fi nish. And I’m excited about that.” sweep past Al Khor The 16-time Grand Slam champion is bidding for an in- By Sports Reporter to climb. credible 11th title in Monaco and Doha For Al Khor, Dominique Lacy his third in a row, but knows that was the top scorer with 23, while anything less than that would Khobi Williamson had 13. see him lose the number-one icholas Stover al- In another quarter-fi nal spot to the absent Federer. tally of Monte Carlo crowns, he most single-handedly match, Al Wakrah eased past Nadal had been due to return will have to do it the hard way af- Shot clock probably a negative for fans, says Nadal swept Al Arabi into the Al Sadd 72-63 with Demarius at Acapulco in February, but ter being handed a diffi cult draw. semi-fi nals of the Emir Bolds’ 29 points the top score for was forced to withdraw before Former world number one NCup basketball tournament, the winners. World number one Rafael Nadal said yesterday (Djokovic) a couple of years ago in the final (US his opening match and admit- Novak Djokovic, who has twice that the introduction of a shot clock could cause Open 2013), you cannot expect a good point if his 42-point eff ort proving Despite the margin of vic- ted that it was tough to miss the beaten him in the fi nal in the problems, especially after particularly gruelling you have 25 seconds on the next point,” said the too much for Al Khor at the Al tory being only nine points, it American hardcourt season. principality, is a potential quar- points. 16-time Grand Slam champion. Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. was Al Wakrah who were ahead “I knew when I was going to ter-fi nal opponent. Ahead of A 25-second shot clock is set to be used at the US “Maybe for the business it’s better but in my Such was Stover’s domination throughout the match. be ready. The problem is that it a possible string of physically Open later this year, in order to stronger enforce opinion for the good show and the show that the that the second-best scorer in Al Wakrah led 28-8 after the takes time,” the Spaniard added. demanding claycourt matches, rules on how long a player can take between people get more involved, it’s probably more a the Al Arabi side was Khalid Suli- fi rst quarter, and although Al “Australia was a tough mo- Nadal admitted another injury points on serve. Nadal is one of the slowest top- negative thing.” man Abdi with 16, while none of Sadd put up a good fi ght in the ment, of course, being in that setback is always a possibility. ranked players, and was docked a first serve for The shot clock was trialled during US Open the others managed double fi g- second, scoring 25 points, they quarter-fi nal, winning the “Well it happened twice so taking too much time during a match en route to qualifying last year, and was also used at the ures in their 80-63 victory. couldn’t sustain the momentum. match and having that problem, you never know,” he said. “Be- his 10th French Open triumph last year. 2017 NextGen Finals in Milan and the exhibition Of his 42 points, 15 came from Bolds scored 12 points from having a good chance. ing honest, I am not practising “For me it’s not the ideal thing but if the sport is International Premier Tennis League. the three-point mark as Al Arabi the three-point mark, and he “But I took the right time to thinking about if that comes moving that way or they want to move that way, “I played only with the shot clock in IPTL and it dominated throughout, never was well supported by Adamu have the right rest. I did all the back or not. the only thing I can do is accept it and play,” said was only 20 seconds. In some cases it was work- allowing their rivals to mount a Saaka and Erfan Ali Saeed who things that the doctors told me. “I had injuries in my life, as the Spaniard ahead of his Monte Carlo Masters ing well and some cases not,” said world number challenge. contributed 14 and 11, respec- Then I felt great practising in you know, more than what I ex- title defence. “That’s why I am here, to play tennis three Marin Cilic. Al Arabi led 19-9 after the fi rst tively. Acapulco, playing very well, but pected, but the good thing is and to accept all the rules. “Some ball boys were ready for that, some were 10 minutes and 40-29 at the end For Al Sadd, Darrius Oldham then just the day before... I felt that when I came back I was not “The positive thing is probably you will control better, some were not. I think it needs to be of the second. At one point they top scored with 20, while Nasser it again. So that’s the real thing. afraid about what was going on.” the time between points but in the negative slightly balanced but I think it can be good for held a 25-point lead (80-25), Khalifa al-Rayes had 16 and Ba- “For me mentally the second one The 36-year-old Federer ruled thing... In my experience, on the tennis court, tennis to have something like that.” leaving Al Khor with a mountain bacar Dieng 13. was even harder than what hap- himself out of the whole of the the crowd gets more crazy, the crowd gets more Rising German star Alexander Zverev also pened in Australia, even if Aus- claycourt season, after skipping emotional and enjoys the match with more pas- brushed off any concerns, pointing out that he tralia was a Grand Slam and was the same period last year and go- sion when you play good points.” is one of the quickest players on tour alongside an opportunity lost. The second ing on to win Wimbledon. Nadal argued that it would be tougher for players Australian Nick Kyrgios. one was frustrating because I did Djokovic is playing for the fi rst to recover between lengthy rallies if restricted Mischa Zverev overcame a mid-match blip to all the things the right way.” time since splitting from coach to just 25 seconds, especially in front of a vocal defeat Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime Andre Agassi and gets his cam- crowd. “It’s obvious that sometimes when you 6-2 6-7(4) 6-1 and reach the second round of the Tricky path to final paign underway against fellow play a rally with 56 shots as I did with Novak Monte Carlo Masters yesterday. If Nadal is to extend his record Serb Dusan Lajovic yesterday.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Rajasthan beat Bangalore by 19 runs IANS Punjab end Chennai’s slamming 96 runs in eight Bengaluru winning run overs. But after their wickets, Kings XI Punjab defeated no other batsman took advan- Chennai Super Kings by four tage of it and failed to score ajasthan Royals (RR) runs here yesterday to end runs, thanks to the Chennai defeated Royal Chal- southern outfi t’s winning run. bowlers’ disciplined bowling. lengers Bangalore (RCB) Put in to bat, Punjab wasted Rahul fell in the eighth over by 19 runs here yester- their solid start but managed when the scoreboard was read- dayR to register their second win to post a challenging total of ing 96. After adding a few more in three matches of the Indian 197/7. In reply, Chennai batters runs, Gayle also departed, Premier League tournament. failed. courtesy pacer Shane Watson, Rajasthan put up a huge score Apart from Ambati Rayudu in the 12th over. The West In- Al Arabi’s Nicholas Stover tries to block an Al Khor player during of 217 for four wickets, riding on (49) and skipper Mahendra dian batsman slammed seven their Emir Cup basketball tournament quarter-final at the Al Gharafa Sanju Samson’s blistering 92 not Singh Dhoni (79 ), no boundaries and four sixes. Sports Club yesterday. out off 45 deliveries. RCB man- other batsmen seemed com- Mayank Agarwal (30) and aged to score 198/6 as the south- fortable in-front of Punjab’s Yuvraj Singh (20), then tried ern outfi t suff ered its second loss bowlers and went cheaply to to maintain the pace set by the in three games. Samson shared lose the game. openers but in the process both Andujar thrashes Edmund to win title crucial partnerships with Ben Big names like Shane Watson departed after a good start. Spain’s Pablo Andujar won the in one hour 22 minutes. Stokes (27 off 21), Jos Buttler (23 (11), Murali Vijay (12), Sam Bill- Aaron Finch was out on a Grand Prix Hassan II claycourt off 14) and Rahul Tripaathi (14 not ings (9) and Ravindra Jadeja golden . title in Marrakech for the third Mertens wins title in Lugano out off fi ve), as Rajasthan capi- (19) failed to score handsomely Karun Nair (29) and skip- time when he easily beat Brit- Belgium’s Elise Mertens, the talised on a strong start provided in a big run chase. Towards the per Ravichandran Ashwin (14) ain’s Kyle Edmund 6-2 6-2 yes- world number 20, won the third by captain Ajinkya Rahane (36 off end, Dhoni tried to pull off the tried to stretch their team’s terday. Second seed Edmund WTA tour title of her career 20). things single-handedly but total to the 200-run mark but was playing in his first ATP on Sunday by beating Aryna RCB’s reply was very strong, failed and his 44-ball unbeaten failed and departed one after Tour final but was no match Sabalenka of Belarus in straight launched by the 77-run second- innings went in vain. the other. for Andujar who repeated his sets, 7-5, 6-2, in the Lugano final. partnership between For Punjab, Andrew Tye For Chennai, Shardul Thakur triumphs of 2011 and 2012 when Mertens, the second seed, had Virat Kohli (57 off 30) and De scalped two wickets. and Imran Tahir scalped two the event was staged in Casa- enough energy after coming Kock (26 off 19). But losing the Earlier, Kings XI Punjab wickets each. blanca. Twenty sixth-ranked through two three-set matches pair and AB de Villiers (20 off 18) Rajasthan Royals batsman Sanju Samson in action during the 2018 failed to make the most of the Edmund’s firepower made little on Saturday just to make it to meant that the game tilted in fa- Indian Premier League match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at fl ying start given by openers Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab impact on the slow surface the final. vour of the visitors. the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore yesterday. (AFP) Chris Gayle and Lokesh Rahul 197/7 (Chris Gayle 63; Imran and he struggled badly on It is her second title of the and settled for 197/7. Tahir 2/34) against Chennai serve, dropping his six season after she won in Hobart Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals: Chahal 2/22, Chris Woakes 2/47) Singh 47 not out; Shreyas Gopal Rahul (37 runs in 22 balls) Super Kings: 193/5 (Mahendra times as he slumped to defeat. in January in the build-up to the 217/4 (Sanju Samson 92 not out, vs Royal challengers Bangalore: 2/22, D’Arcy Short 1/11, Ben and Gayle (63 runs in 33 balls) Singh Dhoni 79; Andrew Tye Andujar, 32, wrapped up victory Australian Open. Ajinlya Rahane 36; Yuzvender 198/6 (Virat Kohli 57, Mandeep Stokes 1/32). gave the hosts a rousing start, 2/47) Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Bruins cruise past Maple Leafs for Warriors rout Spurs; 2-0 series lead

Reuters game, the fi rst man-advantage Boston tally in eight attempts for To- ronto in the series. Pastrnak completed his hat avid Pastrnak had his trick with 1:36 remaining in the Raptors, Sixers win fi rst career playoff hat fi nal period. trick as the Boston Toronto’s Nazem Kadri served Bruins took a 2-0 se- the fi rst of his three-game sus- ‘We played well. We played hard. We need to do even better next time’ riesD lead with a 7-3 win over the pension for his hit on Boston’s visiting Toronto Maple Leafs in Tommy Wingels in Game 1. Game 2 of the Eastern Confer- Wingels (undisclosed injury) ence quarter-fi nals Saturday skated on Saturday morning, but night. did not play. Riley Nash (facial Pastrnak also had three as- laceration) also missed the game sists, giving him a new personal for the Bruins. high for points in a game, regu- Ryan Donato made his NHL lar season or Stanley Cup Play- postseason debut in place of off s. He now has four goals this Wingels. Donato’s father, Ted, postseason after he scored once also played for the Bruins, mak- in Boston’s Game 1 victory. ing them the second father-son David Krejci (2nd playoff goal), duo to both make a postseason Jake DeBrusk (1), Kevan Miller appearance for Boston. (1) and Rick Nash (1) also scored Meanwhile Logan Couture led goals and Tuukka Rask made 30 the off ense with a goal and an saves for Boston, which has out- assist, and goalie Martin Jones scored Toronto 12-4 in the series. responded from a fi rst-minute Mitchell Marner (1), Tyler Bo- gaff e with a 28-save perform- zak (1) and James van Riemsdyk ance as San Jose claimed another (1) each scored for Toronto. Leafs road victory over Anaheim. goalie Frederik Andersen allowed The Sharks won both games in three goals on fi ve shots before Southern California to take a 2-0 being replaced by backup Curtis lead in the best-of-seven West- McElhinney (23 saves) with 7:47 ern Conference opening-round left in the opening period. series. Game 3 of the series is today in Anaheim’s Jakob Silfver- Toronto. berg opened the scoring on the After scoring four times in game’s fi rst shot just 40 seconds the fi nal two periods of Game 1, into the aff air at Honda Center. the Bruins picked up where they The Sharks got the next three left off with fi rst period goals goals, from Marcus Sorensen, from Pastrnak (at 5:26), DeBrusk Couture and Tomas Hertl, be- (9:46) Miller (12:13) and Nash fore the Ducks got one back from (15:00). Hampus Lindholm in the second Toronto stopped the bleeding period. Neither team scored in with goals from Marner (1:22) the third period. and Bozak (9:02) in the second sandwiched around a tally from RESULTS Krejci (3:46). Pastrnak’s second Bruins ...... 7 Maple Leafs ....3 goal came at 12:34 of the third Nashville ...... 5 Colorado ...... 4 and made it 6-2. Tampa Bay ...5 New Jersey .....3 Van Riemsdyk scored a power Boston ...... 7 Toronto ...... 3 play goal with 5:07 left in the San Jose ...... 3 Anaheim ...... 2

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (right) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills in the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2018 NBA playoff s at Oracle Arena in Oakland. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

AFP 76ers trounced the Miami Heat what we’re capable of. But we born rookie Ben Simmons fi n- Serge Ibaka led the Raptors San Francisco 130-103. know, and we intend to show ished with 17 points, 14 assists with 23 points and 12 rebounds New Orleans dug deep to de- that.” and nine rebounds while J.J. while Wright added points 18 feat Portland 97-95 in the late The Warriors struggled down Redick led the scoring with 28 and DeMar DeRozan netted 17. he Golden State War- Western Conference game. the stretch of the regular season points. Lowry contributed 11 points and riors fi red a warning to Earlier, the host Warriors up- and fi nished with only the third- Miami led 60-56 at half-time nine assists. their rivals as the NBA dated star guard Curry’s left knee best record in the NBA behind but were unable to respond to a John Wall led Washington playoff s got under way sprain before playing, saying he Western Conference leader second-half onslaught from the with 23 points and 15 assists Ton Saturday, routing the San was making progress and will be Houston and Eastern Confer- in-form 76ers, who have now while Markieff Morris added 22 Antonio Spurs 113-92 to serve re-evaluated next Saturday. ence pace-setter Toronto. won 17 games straight. points and 11 rebounds. In the notice they will not be de- Curry, who missed Golden “Everybody kept our indi- The Sixers outscored the late Western Conference game, throned easily despite Stephen State’s last 10 regular-season vidual games on point,” Durant Heat 74-43 in the second half, Anthony Davis scored 35 points Curry’s knee injury. contests after the March 23 set- said. making full use of an off ensive to lead New Orleans to a series- Klay Thompson scored a back, will intensify his rehabili- “At the end of the season, our line-up that saw fi ve players opening win over the Trail Blaz- game-high 27 points on 11-of- tation work in the next few days minds weren’t on it. They were fi nish with double-fi gures. ers in Portland. 13 shooting, including 5-of-6 with more running and lateral on the playoff s. Today they were At Toronto, the Raptors from 3-point range, and Kevin movement, the team said in a on the present.” snapped a streak of losses in all RESULTS Durant added 24 points, eight statement. JaVale McGee scored 15 points nine prior playoff openers in First-round playoff games rebounds and seven assists to Curry averaged 26.4 points, and played aggressive defense club history. (all series best-of-seven): power Golden State. 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds for while Green had 12 points, 11 as- “It’s big for us. We got the job Eastern Conference “We played well. We played the Warriors, who have played sists and eight rebounds. done,” said Raptors star Kyle At Toronto hard. We need to do even better without several top players dur- Reserve Rudy Gay led the Lowry. “Now we’re just going to Toronto 114 Washington 106 next time,” Durant said before ing the season due to injuries. Spurs with 15 points while try to continue to build on that.” (Toronto lead series 1-0) praising Thompson’s long- Despite the setbacks, Golden LaMarcus Aldridge and Bryn The Raptors struggled into At Philadelphia range heroics. State won 58 games and are Forbes each added 14 for San the fourth quarter against a Philadelphia 130 Miami Heat “Klay knocked down shots. solid contenders for a third title Antonio. Wizards squad that had the 103 He was really good. He was pen- in four seasons and fourth con- most losses of any playoff team (Philadelphia lead series 1-0) etrating as well,” Durant said. secutive trip to the NBA Finals. Simmons shines in and split four regular-season Western Conference “We won’t always make shots “We’re a championship ball Sixers rout games against Toronto. At Oakland, California at that rate but we need to play club. We know what it takes this At Philadelphia, the 76ers But Raptors reserve Delon Golden State 113 San Antonio 92 good defense like that as well.” time of year in order to win,” overcame a spirited fi rst half Wright scored fi ve points and (Golden State lead series 1-0) In Saturday’s other games, said Warriors forward Dray- display from Miami before C.J. Miles added a 3-pointer in At Portland, Oregon David Pastrnak (right) of the Boston Bruins celebrates with Patrice Eastern Conference top seed mond Green. stamping their class on their a 10-0 Toronto run in the fourth Portland Trail Blazers 95 New Bergeron after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during Toronto outlasted Washington “We’re primed for this. A lot series opener with a devastating quarter for a 105-96 lead the Orleans Pelicans 97 the first period of their game during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup 114-106 while the Philadelphia of people have tended to forget second half display. Australian- Wizards never overcame. (New Orleans lead series 1-0) playoff s at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Getty Images/AFP)

MLB Ramirez homers in winning return to Red Sox lineup Reuters en earned) on 10 hits – including two inning as the Chicago Cubs erased Boston homers – and a walk in 3 2/3 innings. an eight-run defi cit to beat the At- The right-hander was 5-1 with a lanta Braves 14-10 on a cold, wet and 3.15 ERA in seven starts at Fenway windy Saturday at Wrigley Field. anley Ramirez launched a Park before Saturday. Atlanta led 10-2 heading into the two-run homer and fi n- Pedro Alvarez drove in a pair of bottom of the sixth inning before ished with three RBIs in runs and Chance Sicso added an RBI the bullpen unravelled. The Cubs his return to the lineup as for Baltimore, which suff ered its fthfi scored a run in the sixth and two in Hthe host Boston Red Sox spoiled Alex loss in seven games. Boston starter the seventh, then exploded for nine Cobb’s debut with the Baltimore Ori- Hector Velazquez (2-0) earned the in the eighth inning to complete the oles in a 10-3 rout Saturday after- victory with fi ve innings of two-run comeback. Baez found the gap in left- noon. ball, giving up six hits and walking center fi eld to clear the bases and tie Ramirez missed the series-open- one while striking out fi ve. The Red the game 10-10, and Braves reliever ing 7-3 win with a bruised right Sox lost All-Star right fi elder Mookie Sam Freeman walked in two runs to wrist after being hit by a pitch in Betts to a foot injury in the fi rst inning give Chicago the lead in the eighth. Wednesday’s game against the New during a collision at home plate. Betts The Cubs scored twice more on a wild York Yankees. He returned and hit was diagnosed with a left foot contu- pitch and an error. third Saturday, going 2-for-5 with a sion and his X-rays came back negative. strikeout. Andrew Benintendi also Boston scored three runs in the fi rst RESULTS had three RBIs and J.D. Martinez hit and four in the fourth to build a 8-0 Diamondbacks 9 Dodgers ...... 1 a solo homer and drove in two runs lead before Baltimore scored twice in Mariners ...... 10 A’s ...... 8 total for Boston, which continued its the fi fth. Single runs in the sixth and Brewers...... 5 Mets ...... 1 off ensive onslaught with a seventh seventh for the Red Sox put any hopes Nationals ...... 6 Rockies ...... 2 straight game with six or more runs of an Orioles comeback to rest. Red Sox ...... 10 Orioles ...... 3 for its 12th victory in 13 attempts. Boston ace left-hander Chris Sale Angels ...... 5 Royals ...... 3 Cobb (0-1), a Massachusetts native (1-0, 1.06 ERA) opposes Baltimore Pirates ...... 1 Marlins ...... 0 who spent his fi rst six MLB seasons right-hander Dylan Bundy (0-1, 1.35 Phillies ...... 9 Rays ...... 4 with Tampa Bay before signing with ERA) in the third game of the week- Padres ...... 5 Giants ...... 4 Baltimore, struggled mightily in a end series Sunday afternoon. Cubs ...... 14 Atlanta Braves .10 park in which he has fared well his- Meanwhile Javier Baez hit a three- Rangers ...... 6 Astros ...... 5 Boston Red Sox designated hitter Hanley Ramirez hits an RBI double during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at torically. He allowed eight runs (sev- run double to highlight a big eighth Cardinals ...... 6 Reds ...... 1 Fenway Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Monday, April 16, 2018 SPORT

COMMONWEALTH GAMES SPOTLIGHT India end CWG on high with seven Marathon collapse medals on fi nal day sours fi nal day Australia top the medals table with 80 golds, followed by England (45) and India (26)

AFP Gold Coast, Australia

marathon runner’s dramatic collapse struck a sour note on the last day of the Common- wealth Games yesterday as hostsA Australia fi nished runaway winners on the medals table with 80 golds. IANS of a glittering career. Organisers defended the medical re- Gold Coast, Australia The last two games were to- sponse but criticised bystanders for tally one-sided as the veteran snapping pictures of a stricken Callum Malaysian star handed out a Hawkins, who keeled over two kilometres he star badminton trio masterclass in placement and (just over a mile) from victory. of Saina Nehwal, PV deception. Srikanth was virtu- In temperatures nudging 30 degrees Sindhu and Kidambi ally reduced to a spectator as Lee Celsius (85 Fahrenheit) in Gold Coast, Srikanth were the cen- piled on the points. Scotland’s Hawkins wobbled and went Ttre of attraction as the paddlers The men’s doubles team of down twice, lying prone for some time continued to snatch medals as Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag before help arrived. the Indian contingent ended its Shetty also settled for the silver campaign at the 21st Common- medal after going down 13-21, “I was also concerned about the wealth Games (CWG) on a high 16-21 to England’s Marcus Ellis behaviour of a small number of yesterday. and Chris Langridge. bystanders who chose to take im- India bagged a total of seven In squash, defending cham- ages. This is not in keeping with the medals on the fi nal day. India pions Dipika Pallikal and Joshna spirit of GC2018,” chief organiser fi nished the Games with 26 gold, Chinappa settled for the silver Mark Peters said 20 silver and 20 bronze medals. medal in women’s doubles after This year’s total of 66 medals is losing 9-11, 8-11 to New Zea- “I like many others was distressed to the third highest haul for India in land’s and Amanda see a wonderful athlete like Callum col- the history of the CWG. Landers-Murphy. lapse during the closing stages of today’s In the medal table, India is This was Joshna’s fi rst and marathon,” said chief organiser Mark Pe- only behind Australia (198 med- Dipika’s second medal at Gold ters. als) and England (166 medals). Coast after taking silver in the “I was also concerned about the be- India’s best performance till mixed doubles with Saurav Gho- haviour of a small number of bystanders date came at home during the sal. “Might have fallen short on who chose to take images. This is not in 2010 Delhi Games, which pro- both my fi nals but what a magi- keeping with the spirit of GC2018.” duced a tally of 101 medals – 38 cal week it’s been for me. Thank TV commentators and viewers blasted Former Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt plays the DJ desks during the closing ceremony of the in Gold gold, 27 silver and 36 bronze. you to both my partners for hold- Hawkins’ wait for medical assistance, Coast, Australia, yesterday. (Reuters) The second highest medals ing me together through these 2 while many also criticised the bystanders tally of 69 came at 2002 in Man- weeks. #cwg2018,” Dipika wrote who took pictures. half to clinch it 17-12 in the fi rst extra period chester: 30 gold along with 22 on Twitter. Marathon world record-holder Paula and avenge New Zealand’s defeat to Aus- silver and 17 bronze. Veteran table tennis star Ach- Radcliff e tweeted that there were “big tralia in the 2016 Olympic title decider. Saina and Sindhu were involved anta Sharath Kamal bagged the questions” for the organising committee Heavy favourites Australia were also in an intense, high tempo women’s men’s singles bronze medal beat- and medical staff . stunned by England in gripping fashion singles fi nal. Saina, 28, displayed ing England’s Samuel Walker 11- “That should never happen,” she said. when Helen Housby scored the winning superb form to clinch a 21-18, 23- 7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10. It was Australian winner Michael Shelley ran goal in the last second to make it 52-51. 21 victory for the second CWG the veteran’s third medal here, past the prone Hawkins just as help ar- However, Australia thrashed Canada singles title of her career. Her after the men’s team gold and the rived. The Scottish runner was taken to 87-47 in the men’s basketball fi nal, Shelley maiden CWG singles gold came at silver in the men’s doubles. hospital but was not in a serious condi- won the marathon and David Palmer and the 2010 Games in New Delhi. Meanwhile, Manika Batra tion. Zac Alexander were crowned men’s dou- For Sindhu, this was the sec- grabbed her fourth medal at this The Games have been painted by or- bles squash champions on the fi nal day. ond CWG singles medal of her year’s CWG. She bagged bronze ganisers as Australia’s chance to burnish Helalia Johannes won the women’s career, the fi rst being bronze at in the mixed doubles table tennis its image for sportsmanship after a Test marathon in 2:32.40, becoming Na- Glasgow 2014. competition in the company of cricket cheating scandal which shocked mibia’s fi rst female gold medallist at the Srikanth was involved in an Sathiyan Gnanasekaran. the nation. Commonwealth Games. equally entertaining men’s sin- Manika and Sathiyan defeated Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei fought back gles fi nal against Malaysian leg- veteran compatriots Sharath and WOMEN’S RUGBY THRILLER from a game down to beat India’s newly end Lee Chong Wei. Although Mouma Das 11-6, 11-2, 11-4 in the The hosts concluded the 11-day Games, crowned world number one Kidambi Sri- Srikanth dominated the opening play-off for the third position at involving 71 nations and territories, with kanth in the men’s badminton fi nal. game, Lee showed his true class the Oxenford Studios here. India 80 gold medals, way ahead of England’s Saina Nehwal won an all-Indian wom- later to register a 19-21, 21-14, 21- pocketed a total of eight medals 45 and India’s 26. The tally also includes en’s badminton fi nal against P.V. Sindhu, 14 victory for the fi fth CWG title in table tennis. para events. and Singapore fi nished with table tennis But Australia suff ered setbacks on the success in the men’s singles and mixed last day when their women’s rugby team, doubles. FOCUS the Olympic champions, lost a sudden- The fi nal events played out a few hours death thriller against New Zealand in the before the closing ceremony, where Gold Callum Hawkins of Scotland lies on the ground as Michael Shelley (right) of Australia inaugural fi nal. Coast will hand the baton to 2022 hosts runs past during the men’s Marathon Final at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, scored from inside her own Birmingham. Australia, yesterday. (Reuters) NZ stun Fiji to seal

BOTTOMLINE rugby double

AFP Zealand in the inaugural sevens Gold Coast, Australia in 1998 and again in 2002. Etene Nanai-Seturo opened Valued and included, Para integration a big hit the scoring for New Zealand af- ew Zealand shut out ter two minutes and Vilimoni Reuters among Para-athletes for emulating the Olympic champions Koroi’s conversion gave them a Gold Coast, Australia process at the Olympic Games. Fiji 14-0 to seal a gold 7-0 lead. Tournament topscorer “We don’t really want to be integrated, medal double at the weaved through a we’re Paralympians and they’re Olympi- NCommonwealth Games after woeful Fijian defence, slipping he beaming smile on the face of ans,” said Kelly Cartwright, an amputee winning the inaugural women’s tackles to score New Zealand’s James Arnott said everything who won long jump gold at the 2012 Para- title in extra-time yesterday. second try near the posts for a about what winning an athletics lympics and competed in the power-lift- New Zealand’s fi fth victory in 14-0 advantage. medal at the XXI Commonwealth ing on the Gold Coast. six fi nals at the Games came af- Fiji lost Sevuloni Mocenacagi TGames meant to him. “We have a disability, we are diff er- ter their women’s team downed to a yellow card for a high hit but On a balmy Friday evening, 35,000 ent but we are athletes. I think the Para- Australia 17-12 in sudden-death. had a let-off during his absence fans had packed into the Carrara Stadium lympics represents that. We just need to Kelly Brazier’s sudden-death when Ware was over the try-line to watch Caster Semenya seal the mid- boost the profi le of the Paralympics and try from inside her own half but spilled the ball. dle distance double and New Zealander get that showcased around the world a bit sealed the thrilling victory for The Kiwis comfortably wound attempt to win a fourth more.” the Kiwi women. down the clock for victory and successive shot put gold. The support for Para-athletes from the The men’s fi nal wasn’t any- the gold medal. Tucked into the programme between Gold Coast crowds has been vocal and where as exciting as the clinical England stormed back from the 3,000 metres steeplechase and the wheelchair-bound local Kurt Fearnley New Zealanders killed off the 0-14 down at half-time with heptathlon 800 metres heats was Ar- said the backing he received winning game with two early converted skipper Tom Mitchell scoring the nott’s 100 metres sprint. silver in the wheelchair 1,500m “almost tries against a ragged Fiji. winning try to take the bronze As the crowd roared their support, blew my head off ”. “We watched the women go medal 21-14 over South Africa. the Englishman made a great start out of The veteran, who brought the curtain into overtime and their win at the The women’s gold medal de- his blocks only for Nigeria’s Suwaibidu down on his career with a marathon gold end really inspired us to get the cider was a re-match of their Galadima to storm past him with a blis- on Sunday, was hopeful that the raised double,” skipper Tim Mikkelsen 2016 Rio fi nal with Australia tering fi nish to claim gold. Suwaibidu Galadima (right) of Nigeria and James Arnott (left) of England in action profi le of the Para-athletes could also said. “Not many guys in this winning the fi rst-ever Olympic “All of a sudden I saw the guy to my left during the men’s T47 100m final in Gold Coast, Australia, on Friday. (Reuters) open a broader discussion about disabil- team would know the feeling of gold medal 24-17. come through and I was a bit like ‘woah’,” ity in Australian society. a gold medal. I got one in Delhi “I guess the last time we played Arnott told Reuters. the movement of his left shoulder and im- the Commonwealth, then our athletes “Let’s have this conversation on a (2010) and was part of the team them it was the pinnacle event at “But I held my form and I came away pacts on his ability to sprint, would not need to be truly representative,” said the greater level and let’s make sure we can do that lost in Glasgow, so to get this the Olympics,” Kiwi Theresa Fit- with a silver medal so I’m really happy.” disagree with the Jamaican great. American, a former senior executive at something positive for what’s happening win is amazing.” zpatrick said. “We were just a lit- Later, Arnott was awarded an identical “It’s just amazing to the see the able- the International Paralympic Committee right here,” Fearnley said. Fiji, who won last week’s Hong tle bit short but I’m really proud of silver medal to the one Adams received, bodied and the paras coming together, (IPC). “It’s working, it’s good, it’s the right Kong sevens, were bidding for our whole team. It feels so good. on the same podium where Semenya we’ve all become friends, it’s just been one “If you value people, you include them, thing to do. Now let’s use it as a pivotal their fi rst Commonwealth gold I guess we know that we are very stood to receive her 800m gold medal. big team-bonding experience,” he said. it’s that simple. But it also needs to be moment. Tomorrow morning have that after taking silver behind New similar teams, we don’t give up.” While Adams and Semenya’s next mul- “I’ve been exchanging tips with the legitimate sport and I think the perform- yarn wherever you are.” ti-sports Games will be the 2020 Tokyo able-bodied sprinters. Them to me, me to ances here speak for themselves.” A few nights later, Arnott described Olympics, though, the goal on the hori- them as much as I can,” he added with a the whole experience of racing amputee zon for Arnott is the Paralympics Games laugh. “It’s just been one of the best ex- NO OLYMPIC INTEGRATION Galadima and winning a medal in the T47 2018 CWG medals table (top 10) that follow. periences I’ve ever had.” From a handful of exhibition wheelchair 100m as “surreal” and said he was look- This is the Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Games Federation races in Victoria in 1994, the Paralympic ing forward to a few more days hanging G S B T G S B T where Paralympic athletes are not just chief executive David Grevemberg be- element of the Commonwealth Games out as a proud member of the England 1. Australia 80 59 59 198 6. South Africa 13 11 13 37 included but fully integrated in the teams, lieves the full integration is essential if has grown to 38 medals in seven sports on team. 2. England 45 45 46 136 7. Wales 10 12 14 36 and their events in the programme. the Games are to refl ect the mission of the Gold Coast. “It’s just fantastic, you get to come 3. India 26 20 20 66 8. Scotland 9 13 22 44 Usain Bolt last week described it as “bril- the movement. However, quite apart from the im- across the other side of the world,” 4. Canada 15 40 27 82 9. Nigeria 9 9 6 24 liant” and Arnott, who was born with a “Truly if we want a Games that is practicality of merging two already huge grinned the 21-year-old. 5. New Zealand 15 16 15 46 10. Cyprus 8 1 5 14 condition called Erb’s palsy which restricts representative of all the people across events, there appears little enthusiasm “And it’s all for the sport.” Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 7 SPORT

FOCUS GOLF Rahm wins Spanish Qatar Airways Open aft er leaping ahead of Dunne, Elvira

Reuters tournament,” Rahm told report- Madrid ers. “I’ve been blessed to be na- tional champion from 16 to all celebrates inaugural orld number four ages in Spain. To round my ama- Jon Rahm won the teur and pro career together in Spanish Open to this way and win the last one I Qatar Airways is Off icial claim his third Eu- had to win and join that prestig- Wropean Tour title yesterday after ious list of Spanish winners, it’s Airline Partner to Rome holding his nerve against fellow hard to explain how good it feels Spaniard Nacho Elvira and Irish- and how satisfying it is.” and Berlin events man Paul Dunne in a tight fi nale. The 23-year-old sneaked E-Prix in Rome Rahm began the day third on ahead overall after the fourth the leaderboard, two shots be- hole before Elvira got his nose in By Sports Reporter hind Dunne, who had set the front with an eagle on the fi fth. Doha pace in the fi rst three rounds, and Rahm, who had birdied three of one behind Elvira. the opening seven holes, bogeyed He signed off , however, with the ninth to open up a three-way fter expanding its highly-suc- an impressive fi ve-under 67 to tie at the top of the leaderboard. cessful sponsorship of the ABB win by two shots, fi nishing with Rahm and Elvira were both FIA Formula E Championship a 20-under-par total of 268, as tied at 19 under on the 15th and earlier this year, Qatar Airways Dunne and Elvira both carded a playoff beckoned, but Elvira hit thisA weekend celebrated its partnership in fi nal-day 71s. the water with his fi rst shot on Rome where the airline was represented Basque Country native Rahm the penultimate hole, leading to as the Offi cial Airline Partner of the 2018 returned to Spain less than a a double bogey. CBMM Niobium Rome E-Prix presented week after fi nishing fourth in the Rahm narrowly escaped the by Mercedes EQ, held on Saturday. Masters. water on the 17th and made it After much anticipation, the CBMM He was hunting a fi rst national into the clubhouse in a strong Niobium Rome E-Prix presented by Mer- title as a professional to add to position with a birdie on the fi nal cedes EQ arrived on the city’s streets his two previous European Tour hole, embracing his grandmother last week with a 1.76 mile track between wins in Dublin and Dubai last after completing the round. Cristoforo Colombo and the Palazzo dei year. That left Elvira or Dunne Congressi. As Offi cial Airline Partner, He becomes the sixth Spaniard needing an albatross on the 18th Qatar Airways hosted a lounge inside to win the Spanish Open since it to force a tie but that was too tall the Allianz E-Village, where families and became part of the European an order with Dunne getting a sport enthusiasts were able to take part in Tour in 1972, joining some illus- birdie to pip the Spaniard to sec- a variety of activities, including a photo trious company including Seve ond place. booth with fun pictures to share on their Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia and “It’s been amazing,” added social media channels and other compe- Miguel Angel Jimenez. Rahm. “It’s truly been the hard- titions. “When I made the decision to est Sunday I’ve ever had in any Qatar Airways Group chief executive come straight from Augusta it tournament that I’ve won be- Akbar al-Baker, said, “After an exciting wouldn’t be to just show up and cause the crowd wanted it so Formula E season last year, Qatar Airways walk around, I wanted to win this much and I wanted it so much.” is delighted to have renewed our part- nership not only as title sponsors for the E-Prix in Paris and New York, but also as GOLF / LPGA TOUR Offi cial Airline Partner to the Rome and Berlin events. “Formula E was a natural choice when an outstanding historic fi rst race in Rome, sponsorship of the Qatar Airways Paris E- Qatar Airways believes in the power of choosing an environmentally friendly we’re delighted to have Qatar Airways on Prix, which this year takes place on April sport in bringing people together, thus Henderson claims sporting partnership for Qatar Airways board as a partner for both E-Prix in Rome 28, as well confi rming the title sponsor- sponsors many top-level sporting events and we were especially pleased this year and Berlin, along with being title sponsor ship of the Qatar Airways New York City around the world. Apart from sponsoring to support the Rome E-Prix as we contin- for our events in Paris and New York – the E-Prix on July 14-15. The enhanced part- Formula E, Qatar Airways is also the Of- victory in Hawaii ue to celebrate enhanced ties with Italy, season fi nale double-header of the 2017/18 nership also revealed Qatar Airways as fi cial Airline Partner of FIFA, which in- where we fl y to Rome, Milan, Pisa and ABB FIA Formula E Championship.” the Offi cial Airline Partner to the exciting cludes 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, the AFP Championship in 2016. Venice from our home and hub in Doha.” As part of a new three-season deal, an- events that unfolded in Rome this week- FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA Women’s Los Angeles Henderson fi nished four shots Founder and chief executive offi cer of nounced in Doha in January this year, Qa- end, alongside the Berlin E-Prix, on May World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup ahead of Spain’s Azahara Munoz, Formula E Alejandro Agag added: “After tar Airways reaffi rmed its continued title 19 this year. Qatar. who had thrust herself into con- anada’s Brooke Hend- tention with a fi ve-under-par erson held her nerve to fi nal round 67, playing fl awlessly clinch the LPGA Tour to move up the leaderboard hav- Nawaf wins Qatar Top winners honoured Lotte Championship ing started the day six strokes off Cin Hawaii on Saturday, fi ring a the pace. Asian Junior Tennis at Katara Boxing three-under-par 69 to seal a The 30-year-old from Malaga Tournament title Championship four-shot victory. began slowly with four straight Henderson had stumbled bad- pars, but grabbed her fi rst birdie Qatar’s Rashid Nawaf confidently Top winners of Katara Boxing Cham- ly in Friday’s third round, drop- of the day on the par-fi ve fi fth claimed the second edition of Qatar pionship 2018 were crowned in a ping three shots in the closing hole. A further birdie at the ninth Asian Junior Tennis Tournament (U-14 festive sport scene on the closing day three holes to leave the chasing took her to fi ve under at the turn. year) after defeating India’s Aditya of the prestigious championship on pack just one shot behind on the However the charge began on Chopra 6-3, 6-2 in the final at Khalifa In- Saturday. In the 60kg event (Youth), par-72 layout at Ko Olina Golf the back nine, with consecutive ternational Tennis and Squash Complex Hamad al-Mahadi claimed the gold Club, Oahu. birdies at the 11th and 12th before on Saturday. Nasser al-Yafe of Qatar and medal, while Omar Zuhair and Abdulrah- But the 20-year-old from a further birdie on the 14th. Teem al-Azamah of Syria combined well man al-Kholaifi won silver and bronze Ontario shrugged off her third- But the Spaniard was un- to win the doubles title. The tournament respectively. In the 75kg event (Youth), round jitters to remain ahead of able to add to her birdie spree in was jointly organised by Qatar Tennis, Mhamood Arafat took the gold medal, the fi eld on Saturday, stretching the closing holes, leaving her in Squash and Badminton Federation in co- calendar as the federation is keen to pro- while Mohamed al-Shami seized the nied by senior QBF off icials, honoured her lead with two birdies on the the clubhouse waiting to see if operation with Asian Tennis Federation. vide the players of this age group with silver medal and Osama al-Joweini won the winners. The three-day event was front nine to make the turn at Henderson would falter. Qatar Asian Junior Tournament is one of the opportunity to develop their skills. bronze. Qatar Boxing Federation (QBF) organised by the Qatar Boxing Federa- two under, 10 under for the tour- China’s Feng Shanshan, Thai- the most important events on the QTSBF president Yousef al-Kazem, accompa- tion (QBF). nament. land’s Ariya Jutanugarn and There was a brief wobble with South Korea’s Park In-bee were a bogey on the par-three 12th but tied for third on seven under. Henderson hit back with a birdie American Mo Martin, who had BOTTOMLINE on the 14th followed by a birdie started the fi nal round one off the on the par-three 16th — where pace, saw her challenge evapo- she made a double-bogey 24 rate with a nightmare six-over- hours earlier — to close out her par 78. QFA-Chelsea Foundation coaching clinic concludes win with a 12-under-par aggre- The 35-year-old 2014 Brit- gate 276. ish Open winner from Pasadena, It was the sixth LPGA Tour win California, carded four bogeys By Sports Reporter to train in a learning environment which of the Canadian youngster’s ca- and a double-bogey as her quest Doha mimics the Chelsea way and give play- reer, which includes a victory as for a fi rst career LPGA win in the ers an opportunity to be taught various a teenager at the Women’s PGA United States continued. aspects of the game they may have not he QFA-Chelsea Foundation experienced before. The clinics will leave coaching clinic recently con- a legacy with these players which will CYCLING cluded at Aspire’s pitches 3 and hopefully promote a long term develop- 4, following the last and fi nal ment model.” Tclub session which was organised for the Fahad Thani al-Zarraa, Director of the young players and local coaches. Football Development Department at Danish Valgren takes The coaching clinic was organised by QFA commented: “I would like to thank the Qatar Football Association’s (QFA) everyone who made this coaching clinic Football Development Department in possible. Organised for the second con- Amstel Gold Race collaboration with Chelsea Foundation secutive time, the coaching clinic proved and Yokohama Tyres, the principal club to be successful and this success is due to AFP Belgian Michael Goolaerts, who partner. the continuous support received from the Valkenburg, Netherlands died after suff ering heart failure The coaching clinic wrapped up with QFA under the chairmanship of Sheikh during the Paris-Roubaix last a closing ceremony in which the players Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani. Sunday. and coaches received certifi cates of par- I would also like to thank Aspire Acad- enmark’s Michael Val- The only one of the ‘Ardennes ticipation. emy for hosting the second edition of this gren of Astana won the Classics’ to be run on Dutch soil The QFA Football Development De- coaching clinic and providing unlimited Amstel Gold Race yes- featured 34 small climbs over partment presented coaches from Chel- logistical support for the clinic.” terday, beating Roman constantly rolling terrain on nar- sea Foundation, representatives from He added: “The QFA Football Devel- KreuzigerD in a cat-and-mouse row country roads. Yokohama Tyres Middle East and Africa, opment Department has set a plan that fi nale after a rolling 263km race As expected, an early breaka- representatives from Ali Bin Khalifa Al focuses on the implementation of pro- from Maastricht. way formed and the nine front- Hitmi & Co., distributors of Yokohama grams and events during the current Italy’s Enrico Gasparotto was runners went on to build a lead of Tyres, appreciation shields for col- football season which will be targeted at third by a few seconds while pre- over 15 minutes. laborating with the QFA to organise the Co., distributors of Yokohama Tyres; and ing workshops for the QFA’s Professional diff erent segments, specifi cally the age race favourites Peter Sagan and A route change made a long- coaching clinic. Nilangshu Dey President of the Indian Coaches were held from 8 April at Al Duhail groups, to further develop football in Qa- Alejandro Valverde came fourth range victory bid more likely on The closing ceremony was attended by Sports Centre. Sports Club and Mesaimeer Sports Club tar. This was evident in the joint coaching and fi fth after being dropped by a Sunday, the race being stripped Mansoor al-Ansari, General Secretary of Held from April 7-11, Chelsea founda- and continued until 11 April, and the clubs’ clinic which allowed us to look into new lightning break around 1km from of its summit fi nish. the QFA; Mohamed al-Hashmi, Manager tion coaches delivered coaching on the sessions for the players took place at As- training styles and methods by learning the fi nish. It took the eff orts of Valverde’s and General Supervisor of the QFA-Chel- opening day to children from more than pire’s pitches 3 and 4 starting from 8 April from Chelsea Foundation’s experienced “The team was counting on Movistar team to reel in the ear- sea Foundation Coaching Clinic from 15 expatriate schools followed by inten- and continued until 11 April. coaches. The coaching clinic has greatly me,” said Valgren, who under- lier escapees, and that set the the Football Development Department sive coaching clinics to promising young Zak Wooster, Head Coach at Chelsea benefi ted our young players and coaches lined his classics form with a stage for a war of nerves between at QFA; Nawwaf Khalil, QFA-Chelsea players representing clubs under QFA Foundation commented: “It’s been great and we have seen how it refl ected posi- fourth-place fi nish at the recent the key remaining contenders. Coaching Clinic Operations Manager and coaching workshops to expat coaches to see the players showing their passion tively on everyone who took part in it.” Tour of Flanders. Valgren, who was second here from the Football Development Depart- who are sports teachers from various and love for football and demonstrating The week-long coaching clinic saw “In the escape I had the help in 2016, took a back seat while ment at QFA; Zak Wooster, Head Coach schools around Qatar, as well as coaching the skills and techniques that have been participation of more than 120 players of Jakob Fuglsang who was so Danish compatriot Fuglsang kept at Chelsea Foundation; Yusuke Tanaka, workshops to coaches from Qatari clubs. taught and developed. The level is defi - between the ages of 10 and 14. The clinic strong and after all his eff orts I Valverde, Sagan, France’s Julian Manager, Yokohama Tyres Middle East While the coaching workshops for ex- nitely on the rise and camps like this will was delivered by Wooster, four coaches had to win.” Alaphilippe and Belgian Tim and Africa; Karunakar Menon, Divisional patriate coaches were held on the opening hopefully help that even more. Coaching from Chelsea Foundation, and more than A minute’s silence was ob- Wellens on tenterhooks with a Manager at Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi & day at the Mesaimeer Sports Club, coach- clinics give the children an opportunity 74 coaches from Qatar. served at the start in memory of series of false breaks.

Monday, April 16, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

FORMULA ONE FOCUS Shanghai Ricciardo triumphs as ‘disaster’ clouds title hopes: Verstappen clips Vettel Hamilton AFP Australian carves his way through the field from sixth, after taking on fresh tyres under a safety car Shanghai

AFP ewis Hamilton declared Shanghai his Chinese Grand Prix a “disaster” yesterday and said Mercedes would fi nd ed Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo cele- Lit tough to repeat their F1 cham- brated with a trademark cham- pionship victory unless they can pagne “shoey” after winning sort out issues with a car he feels a thrilling Chinese Grand Prix uncomfortable in. Hamilton fi n- yesterday,R just a day after engine trou- ished only fi fth in the Chinese ble nearly cost him a shot at qualifying. Grand Prix — a race he has domi- The Australian carved his way through nated — though he was bumped the fi eld from sixth place, after tak- up to fourth due to a 10-second ing on fresh tyres under a safety car, to penalty assessed on Red Bull’s storm to the sixth grand prix victory of Max Verstappen. Daniel Ric- his career. Red Bull’s Australian driver Daniel ciardo of Red Bull won, ahead of “I don’t seem to win boring races. Ricciardo celebrates on the podium Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate They’re all pretty fun,” said an elated after winning the Chinese Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas in second. Ricciardo, who fi lled one of his shoes in Shanghai yesterday. (AFP) Hamilton has yet to win a race with champagne on the podium and this season and is nine points be- chugged it in a signature “shoey” vic- hind Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in tory celebration. the Formula One driver’s stand- Ricciardo was quick to praise his me- ings. “Saturday and Sunday felt chanics for their work on Saturday. He like a disaster from my side,” he only made it into qualifying with about said. “It is clear from this week- a minute to spare after a blown engine in end we are not the quickest. We fi nal free practice. “Twenty-four hours have lost performance since ago I thought we might be starting at Melbourne and maybe even the back of the grid. So, fi rstly thanks more so this weekend. We are to the boys yesterday. Today is the real the second or third-fastest team reward for that work.” at the moment, so we have some Ricciardo took the lead with just 10 improving to do, but that’s not laps to go when he charged past then- impossible.” leader Valtteri Bottas, who ended up Vettel and Ferrari put cham- second in his Mercedes. Kimi Raikko- pions Mercedes on the defensive nen was third for Ferrari. Championship with a season-opening victory in leader Sebastian Vettel, who led from Australia, followed last weekend the pole until the fi rst set of tyre stops, by a close win in Bahrain. The dropped back to fi nish eighth after a result in Shanghai could mean collision with Max Verstappen, who more questions asked of Mer- was penalised 10 seconds for hitting cedes, even though they main- the German. Defending world cham- tain a one-point advantage in the pion Lewis Hamilton missed out on the constructors’ standings. “Who podium for the fi rst time this season, knows what the season holds? crossing the line fi fth behind Verstap- If it continues the way it is, it’s pen. He was promoted to fourth after due to mechanical problems. He faced Ferrari. Vettel seemed headed for the RESULTS 18. P Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso) at 1:06.330 going to be very tough to win,” the Dutchman’s penalty was applied. more heartache in Shanghai after his podium in third on lap 43 when Ver- 1. D Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 305 19. C Leclerc (MON/Sauber) at 1:22.575 Hamilton said. “But if there is “It is disappointing. We gave it every- Renault engine went up in smoke half- stappen clipped him on turn 14, sending kilometres in 1hr 35min 35.980sec 20. B Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso) at 5 laps an opportunity, and we were to thing we had,” said Hamilton’s team- way through the fi nal practice session them both spinning and several places (average speed 191 kph/ 118.6 mph) fi nish on top, it would mean even mate Bottas. “It felt like we should have on Saturday. down the race order. 2. V Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) at 8.894 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS more because it’s an even tough- had the victory, but not today.” Team boss Christian Horner had said It was the second straight weekend in 3. K Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) at 9.637 DRIVERS: 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 54 er season than before.” Red Bull’s win adds a fresh wrinkle they would need a “miracle” to get ready which the hard-driving Verstappen was 4. L Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) at 16.985 pts, 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 45, 3. Valtteri Hamilton said he “struggled” to a season in which Ferrari had surged again before qualifying began. They involved in a collision. He and Hamilton 5. M Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) at 20.436 Bottas (FIN) 40, 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) with his car in Shanghai. “Rather out in front, with Vettel stunning Ham- barely made it, with mechanics seen had a run-in in Bahrain, after which the 6. N Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) at 21.052 37, 5. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 30, 6. Fernando than blame it on strategy or any- ilton and Mercedes by taking the fi rst snapping pieces of the car’s body back Englishman was overheard lobbing an 7. F Alonso (ESP/McLaren) at 30.639 Alonso (ESP) 22, 7. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) thing else, I was uncomfortable two races of the season in Australia and into place with about a minute to spare. expletive at the young Dutchman. 8. S Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 35.286 22, 8. Max Verstappen (NED) 18, 9. Pierre in the car this weekend.” Bahrain. Mercedes have edged in front “This sport’s crazy. A week ago I had my “I don’t think I have to say anything 9. C Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) at 35.763 Gasly (FRA) 12, 10. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Said Bottas: “It’s very close be- in the constructors’ championship by head down after two laps. Frustrated at here,” a disgusted Vettel said over his 10. K Magnussen (DEN/Haas) at 39.594 11, 11. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL) 6, 12. Carlos tween Red Bull, Ferrari and us, so a single point from Ferrari, which saw the sport, frustrated at all the variables radio in an obvious reference to the 11. E Ocon (FRA/Force India) at 44.050 Sainz Jr (ESP) 3, 13. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) we need to make sure we keep de- Vettel’s lead at the top of drivers’ stand- involved in the sport,” Ricciardo said. Dutchman’s aggressive style. Ricciardo 12. S Perez (MEX/Force India) at 44.725 2, 14. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 1 veloping our car. Nearly winning ings cut to nine points by Hamilton. “But then when you have a day like this drove aggressively as well, taking ad- 13. S Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) at 49.373 both last weekend and this week- Ricciardo fi nally had something to and it’s worth 50 of those bad ones.” vantage of the tyre change during the 14. L Stroll (CAN/Williams) at 55.490 CONSTRUCTORS: 1. Mercedes 85 pts, 2. end is the worst feeling — but it celebrate after he just missed a podium It was a day to forget for Vettel, how- safety car to dart past Hamilton, Vettel 15. S Sirotkin (RUS/Williams) at 58.241 Ferrari 84, 3. Red Bull 55, 4. McLaren 28, 5. makes both me and the entire spot at home in Australia following a ever, who started from the pole next to and then Bottas in relatively short order 16. M Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) at 1:02.604 Renault 25, 6. Toro Rosso 12, 7. Haas 11, 8. team even hungrier. Thankfully grid penalty, and had to retire in Bahrain teammate Raikkonen in a lockout for to take a lead he would not relinquish. 17. R Grosjean (FRA/Haas) at 1:05.296 Sauber 2, 9. Force India 1 there are a lot more races to go.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Verstappen accepts blame Al Sadd keen to do an encore in Qatar Cup l Sadd have been a regular presence in the Qatar Cup and also in for collision with Vettel its earlier version Heir of course my fault,” Verstappen Verstappen last year, said the col- Apparent’sA Cup. They quali- Reuters Shanghai said. “It’s easy to say afterwards lision was needless. “I didn’t see fi ed this time after fi nishing as I should have waited, it probably him until very late, I left a little runners-up in the QNB Stars would have been the best idea but bit of room as well,” he said. “To League. The Wolves ended up ed Bull’s Max Verstap- unfortunately it happened.” be honest, I was expecting him on 49 points with 16 wins, one pen accepted blame for a The pair were seen talking to come earlier. I had no inten- draw and fi ve defeats. Chinese Grand Prix col- things through afterwards. The tion to resist because it was clear The Qatar Cup defending lision with Ferrari’s Se- Red Bull driver has damaged his with Daniel as well that there was champions will take on Al Rayy- bastianR Vettel yesterday but re- chances already this season, re- no point doing so. They were just an, whom they defeated 3-1 in jected a suggestion that he might tiring in Bahrain last weekend too fast on the fresh tyres, so I last year’s semi-fi nal. Al Sadd need to calm down his driving after a clash with Mercedes’ four didn’t want to compromise my beat erstwhile El Jaish 2-1 in the style. The 20-year-old Dutch times world champion Lewis race to the guys behind. title clash. driver was handed a post-race Hamilton. “And then obviously he did The second spot changed time penalty by stewards for his He lost out again yesterday a mistake, he locked up which hands between Al Sadd and Al botched attempt to pass the For- when he tried to pass Hamilton, happens. We had tailwinds down Rayyan, but Al Sadd occupied it Al Sadd went on to lose 1-2 to They made very limited and Akram Afi f. Al Sadd won mula One championship leader. who has already spoken of Ver- that straight the whole race. I regularly once the second phase Umm Salal in Week 20 and 0-1 changes to their squad this sea- the most number of games (16), That meant Verstappen, who had stappen’s inexperience costing guess he misjudged and sort of of the competition started. to Al Khor in Week 21 before fi r- son, with all four professional after Al Duhail (19). At the same the advantage of fresher tyres, Red Bull precious points. “Just compromised both of our result.” Al Sadd were very much in the ing on all cylinders against Al players — former Barcelona su- time, they had the best defence, dropped from fourth to fi fth in a at the moment it’s not going the The German said such a mis- QNB Stars League title race till Kharaitiyat in the last round, perstar and World Cup winner conceding only 25 goals, two race he could have won and that way I like, of course. take could happen to anyone Week 19, but the 3-4 defeat to winning 9-1. That was the big- Xavi Hernandez of Spain, Al- less than Al Duhail. They were went instead to Australian team But does it really mean I have making such split-second de- Al Duhail after a thrilling game gest victory margin in this sea- gerians Baghdad Bounedjah as the second best in terms of the mate Daniel Ricciardo. Vettel, to calm down? I don’t think so,” cisions. “But you have to ulti- dashed their hopes. Had Al Sadd son’s QNB Stars League. well as Jugurtha Hamroun and number of goals scored (68) winner of the season’s opening said Verstappen. “It’s just very mately have these things in mind beaten Al Duhail, things might Al Sadd performed consist- Iran international Morteza Mo- compared to Al Duhail’s 86. two races, fi nished eighth. unfortunate those things hap- and make sure you don’t crash,” have been diff erent as only two ently well throughout the tour- hammed — staying. Al Sadd can still look forward “I could see him struggling on pening. I just need to analyse he added. “He could have eas- points separated them going nament, but for the occasional Al Sadd recruited a number to many tournaments, such as the tyres and tried to brake late everything and try to come back ily taken his front wing off , get a into their face-off . Interesting- slips. There had been a remark- of players during the win- the Qatar Cup, Emir’s Cup and into the corner and locked the stronger for the next race.” puncture or whatever. And then ly, Al Sadd (27) were two points able improvement in their game ter transfer window, namely AFC Champions League. They rears a bit and hit him, so that was Vettel, who had issues with it’s game over for both of us.” behind Al Duhail (29) at the end technically under much-expe- Hamed Ismail, Ali Faridoun, are the holders of Emir’s Cup as of the competition’s fi rst phase. rienced coach Jesualdo Ferreira. Sami Sabit, Abdulkarim Hassan well.

QATAR CUP TROPHY TOUR BEGINS Doha: The Qatar Cup Trophy Tour started Vice-President Abdullah al-Mawlawi and a The tour will visit various places such as yesterday, with its first visit to Qatar Rail. number of off icials. The delegation gave a Hamad Port, Hamad Medical City, Aspire The tour delegation included Qatar Stars detailed brief of the Qatar Cup and the four Park and sponsor sites in the coming days. League Management’s Community Activi- competing clubs — Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al Star players from the competing teams are ties Head Abdulaziz al-Malki, Community Rayyan and Al Gharafa. expected to join the tour. Relations Off icer Nasser al-Kuwari, Head The visit proved to be a productive one The semifinals will be played on 21st of Media Abdullah Saleh al-Sulaiti, Media to Qatar Rail staff , who took photographs and 22nd April, and final on 27th April. All Off icer Mohammed Rashid al-Khanji as well with the trophy. Nasser said, “We’re highly matches will kick off at the Al Sadd Stadium as Al Rayyan player Abdulrahman al-Karbi satisfied with the visit to Qatar Rail. We’re at 7pm. and his Al Sadd counterpart Mohamed proud of such institutions. The staff made Al Sadd will play Al Rayyan in the first Waad. The delegation was welcomed by several queries about the tournament, the semifinal, followed by the encounter be- Sparks fly as Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo (right) overtakes Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel during the Formula Qatar Rail Marketing and Public Relations trophy, competition format and the like.” tween Al Duhail and Al Gharafa. One Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai yesterday. (AFP)