GOLF | Page 6 Pan claims fi rst tour title with one-shot win over Kuchar

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 18, 1440 AH Mbappe to stay GULF TIMES with PSG aft er fl attening Monaco SPORT Page 2

ASIAN ATHLETICS Double delight for Qatar as Samba, Abubaker dazzle ‘To start the season with a 47.51 is amazing. I am so happy to win the first medal for Qatar in the championships’

By Mikhil Bhat RESULTS (ALL FINALS) Doha WOMEN Triple Jump 400m Hurdles 1. Rulsan Kubranov (UZB) 16.93m o what did Abderrahman 1. Thi Lan Quach (VIE) 56.10 secs 2. Yaming Zhu (CHN) 16.87 Samba do after winning 2. Aminat Yusuf Jamal (BRN) 56.39 3. Xiaolong Xu (CHN) 16.81 Qatar’s fi rst medal, a 3. Saritaben Gayakwad (IND) 57.22 Sgold, at the 23rd edition 400m of the Asian Athletics Cham- 800m 1. Yousef Karam (KUW) 44.84sec pionships in a championship 1. Gomathi Marimuthu (IND) 2:02.70 2. Abbas Abubaker (BRN) 45.14 record time of 47.51 seconds? 2. Chunyu Wang (CHN) 2:02.96 3. Mikhail Litvin (KAZ) 45.25 He said he hoped to shave a 3. Margarita Mukasheva (KAZ) second off that time by the end 2:03.83 800m of the season. Women’s Long Jump 1. Abubaker Haydar Abdalla (QAT) “I am doing what I did last 1. Minjia Lu (CHN) 6.38m 1:44.33 year. I started the season with 2. Ayaka Kora (JPN) 6.16 2. Ebrahim al-Zofairi (KUW) 1:46.88 47.9, and ended with 46.98. This 3. Ya Xin Yue (HKG) 6.15 3. Jamal Hairane (QAT) 1:47.27 time, I have started with 47.51,” the 23-year-old said at the press Hammer Throw Shot Put conference, and with a smile 1. Zheng Wang (CHN) 75.66m 1. Tajinder Pal Singh Toor (IND) fl ashing across his face added, “I 2. Na Luo (CHN) 72.23 20.22m hope to fi nish with 46.5.” 3. Akane Watanabe (JPN) 63.54 2. Jiaxiang Wu (CHN) 20.03 It was not just Samba who 3. Ivan Ivanov (KAZ) 19.09 smiled, but also the fellow med- 100m allists, runner-up Chieh Chen 1. Olga Safronova (KAZ) 11.17sec 100m of Chinese Taipei and bronze 2. Xiaojing Liang (CHN) 11.28 1. Yoshihide Kiryu (JPN) 10.10 sec winner Jabir Madari Palliyalil of 3. Yongli Wei (CHN) 11.37 2. Lalu Mohamed Zohri (INA) 10.13 India, perhaps at the enormity 3. Zhiqiang Wu (CHN) 10.18 of the task of competing with Men the Qatari who tipped to win 400m Hurdles Today’s Schedule (All Finals) the IAAF World Championships 1. Abderrahman Samba (QAT) 47.51 5:10pm Pole Vault (Women) gold in the 400m hurdles in secs 5:50pm 3,000m Steeplechase Doha later this year. 2. Chieh Chen (TPE) 48.92 (Women) To the uninitiated, the world 3. Jabir Madari Palliyalil (IND) 49.13 6:35pm High Jump (Women) record in the men’s 400m hur- 6:48pm Triple Jump (Women) dles is a 46.78 by Kevin Young, Qatar’s Abubaker Haydar Abdalla (L) celebrates winning the men’s 800m final with third placed Jamal Hairane. Javelin Throw 7:40pm 4x100m (Women) set at the Barcelona Olympic 1. Chao-Tsun Cheng (TPE) 86.72m 7:50pm 4x100m (Men) Games, and Samba is only the 2. Shivpal Singh (IND) 86.23 8:15pm 4x400m (Mixed) second athlete after the Ameri- 3. Ryohei Arai (JPN) 81.93 8:49pm 10,000m (Women) can to dip under the 47-second mark when he ran a 46.98 in Paris last year. When Chen was asked why he smiled when Samba spoke of his target, he said, “Because he can do it.” Yesterday, Samba faced some headwind at the start, but with sunglasses and confi dence, he tore through the fi rst part of the race, changed the number of strides between the hurdles in the latter stages of the race, and fi nished with a championship record of 47.51m. Chen, behind him, had dipped under 49 seconds for the fi rst time with a 48.92, while Palliya- lil too ran a personal best 49.13. Qatar’s Bassem Hemeida nar- rowly missed out on a medal fi n- ishing fourth in 49.45. “I am so happy today. It was a very good race. To start the sea- son with a 47.51 is amazing. I am so happy to win the fi rst medal for Qatar in the championships, and I hope that we win a lot more,” Samba said. “The plan was to push hard in the fi rst 300m. After the seventh hurdle I changed from 13 steps between the hurdles to 14. I also had to deal with a headwind in Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba flies over a hurdle on way to gold in the 400m hurdles on the second day of the Asian Athletics Championships the fi rst metres of the race. It is at the Khalifa Interantional Stadium yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and agencies a good time, but I can go faster.” Abubaker Haydar Abdalla qualifi ed for a major fi nal yet, sweep,” Hairane said, referring Yousef Karam won Kuwait’s the women’s 100m champion- doubled Team Qatar’s gold tally hopefully I will be able to make to the trio leading the pack till fi rst gold at this edition when ship record twice yesterday, fi rst with a blistering run in the men’s it here in Doha at the World the fi nal straight, with Abdalla in he won the men’s 400m in a na- running a 11.21 in the semifi nal, 800m fi nal, posting a personal Championships,” Abdalla said the front throughout. tional record of 44.84 seconds before returning two and a half best and a world-leading time of after the win. “We didn’t make it, but of yesterday. hours later to shave it further 1:44.33. Defending champion Ebrahim course we feel happy with gold Karam, who had qualifi ed down to 11.17 in the fi nal for a The win also meant that the al-Zofairi of Kuwait ran a season and bronze. A World Champion- for the IAAF World Athletics gold. Kuwait’s Yousef Karam poses with the gold medal after winning the 22-year-old now holds both the best 1:46.88. ships’ fi nal is what I am looking Championships with a 45.04 Zheng Wang threw champion- 400m. outdoor and indoor continen- Jamal Hairane, silver medallist for this season.” run on Sunday, dipped under ship record 75.66m in the wom- tal titles, following his victory at the last edition, won the third In the absence of world cham- the 45 second mark for the fi rst en’s hammer throw for China’s China’s second gold of the best of 2:02.70 in the women’s in Tehran at the 2018 Asian In- medal for the hosts fi nishing the pion Mutaz Barshim, Qatar’s time a day later. Abbas Abubaker third gold of the championships. day was won by Minjia Lu, who 800m. Asian Games champion doors. race with a bronze, beating com- hopes in the men’s high jump (45.14) of Bahrain and Mikhail Compatriot Na Luo was the only jumped a 6.38m in the women’s Tajinder Pal Singh Toor stayed “I ran hard from gun to tape patriot Abdirahman Saeed Has- rest on Mahmat Hamdi, who Litvin (45.25) of Kazakhstan won other athlete to go past the 70m long jump for a victory. true to his favourite tag with a and in the end I was rewarded san at the fi nish line. qualifi ed for tomorrow’s fi nal by silver and bronze respectively. mark with a 72.23 for her silver, Gomathi Marimuthu won In- gold-winning eff ort of 20.22m, with a new personal best and “We followed our coach’s plan clearing 2.16m on his fi nal at- Kazakhstan’s Olga Safronova, while Japan’s Akane Watanabe dia’s fi rst gold of the champion- his season’s best, in the men’s a world leading time. I haven’t with the aim to make a clean tempt. second in the 2017 edition, set won bronze with a 63.54. ships when she ran a personal shot put. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, April 23, 2019 FOOTBALL

LIGUE 1 FOCUS PSG must be patient Mbappe to stay at in Champions League quest, says Tuchel

Reuters PSG aft er fl attening Paris aris St Germain must remain patient in their quest for a Champions League title despite their recentP failures, coach Thomas Tuchel said after they celebrated Monaco in title party their sixth Ligue 1 title in the last seven seasons on Sunday. PSG were already crowned as Mbappe took his league tally for the season to 30 following his treble on Sunday runaway champions after sec- ond-placed Lille’s goalless draw at Toulouse earlier on Sunday and they went on to celebrate in the evening with a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick earning them a 3-1 home win against Monaco. But despite this achievement, the last-16 Champions League elimination by Manchester Unit- ed in March still looms large with the club having spent over one billion euros on transfers since Qatar Sports Investment took over in 2011. “The Champions League is a big goal for the club but even Juventus have been waiting for it for so long,” warned Tuchel, referring to the Serie A champi- ons who have not won since 1996 despite reaching the fi nal on fi ve occasions since then. PSG have been stuttering lately, picking up only one point from their three previous outings before Sunday’s celebrations, The 20-year-old France strik- but the return of Neymar and er is now looking to collect an- Edinson Cavani from injury have other trophy when PSG take on boosted the team’s morale. Stade Rennais in the French Cup “We are disappointed by the fi nal next Saturday at the Stade United tie but football contin- de France. “We have another title ues, it’s easy to say but I’m go- to get. Even if we expected more ing to say it, football continues,” from the Champions League, we said Mbappe, who has scored 30 must stay focused,” added the league goals this season. young World Cup winner.

GUEDES DOUBLE BOOSTS VALENCIA’S TOP-FOUR PUSH Madrid: A brilliant double from duced a brilliant breakthrough Goncalo Guedes saw Valencia moment with stoppage time move into fifth place in La Liga almost complete. as they recorded an impres- As he picked up the ball sive 2-1 victory at Real Betis just outside the box, there Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (left) scores during the French Ligue 1 match against Monaco at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Sunday night. (AFP) on Sunday to move into closer appeared little danger but the contention for the fourth and Portugal forward skipped past AFP off in Paris and allowed the capital club to ond half substitute, having a late strike The Parisians have struggled with key final Champions League place. the challenge of Marc Bartra Paris celebrate the title after missing chances correctly ruled out for off side, meaning injuries in recent weeks and they lost Guedes struck almost identi- and arrowed a low shot into the to seal it in their previous three matches. that their famed front three are back to- Italian international midfi elder Marco cal eff orts from outside the box bottom right-hand corner past “I’m happy, the season isn’t fi nished gether after months apart. Verratti with what looks like a knock to either side of halftime to move Pau Lopez. ylian Mbappe committed his yet, and I want to score more,” said Mbappe has thrived in the absence of his left ankle. PSG took the fi eld wearing a Marcelino’s side on to 52 points, Three minutes after the future to newly-crowned Ligue Mbappe. The 20-year-old is targeting his strike partners, and gave his side a 2-0 shirt with a large image of Notre Dame re- leapfrogging Betis’s local rivals restart, Guedes produced a 1 champions Paris Saint-Ger- the domestic double ahead of next week’s fi rst-half lead with two neat fi nishes, the placing the usual sponsor’s logo.”Notre- Sevilla in the process. carbon copy of the finish after main on Sunday after sweeping French Cup fi nal against Rennes after fi rst coming in the 15th minute and the Dame” replaced the player names on the Getafe, who earlier on Sun- Betis failed to clear a corner. Kaside Monaco with a hat-trick in a 3-1 his side crashed out in the last 16 in the second seven minutes before the break back of the shirts. day beat Sevilla 3-0, currently Giovani Lo Celso halved the win that also saw the return of superstar Champions League. after a beautiful pass from Dani Alves. The iconic Paris cathedral was dam- occupy fourth place with 54 deficit from the penalty spot strike partner Neymar. “We’re disappointed for what hap- The World Cup winner then put the aged in a spectacular blaze last Monday. points. with 13 minutes remaining to “I’m here, I’ve signed up to the project,” pened with Manchester United, but the three points beyond doubt when he The club said that they would put a lim- Valencia, who have lost just set up a grandstand finish for said Mbappe, who has been linked with game goes on,” added Mbappe, referring tapped in Alves’ low cross nine minutes ited edition of the shirts on sale on line one of their last 22 games in all Betis during which Rodrigo was Real Madrid, said. “Good for Real Madrid to his team throwing away a 2-0 fi rst- after the break. Aleksandr Golovin rolled during the match for 100 euros each. The competitions and have reached sent off for a second yellow if there is Zizou (Madrid manager Zined- leg lead to the Premier League outfi t. home a consolation for the away side, club said the money “will be donated to the semi-finals of the Europa card off ence and Kevin Gameiro ine Zidane), I will watch their matches as “We obviously expected more from the who remain in trouble in 16th place and associations related to fi refi ghters”. League and Copa del Rey, were forced a smart save from Lopez an admirer.” Champions League but we can’t let our- are only four points away from the relega- The capital club also posted a “Hom- good value for the victory even on the break. Mbappe took his league tally for the selves be demoralised.” tion play-off spot. mage to Notre Dame” video on their web though they ended with 10 men Ultimately Betis, whose fans season to 30 following his treble on Sun- Neymar’s return at the start of the sec- “We’ve not been in the best of form site in which players praised the team- after the dismissal of Rodrigo. voiced their displeasure with day, which came just hours after PSG were ond half replacing Layvin Kurzawa is the but we played well today. We won again, work of the Paris fi re brigade and made They caused their hosts coach Quique Setien through- crowned champions for the sixth time in cherry on the cake for Thomas Tuchel’s and that’s important,” said Tuchel. “The a gesture that imitates the two famous numerous problems through- out the second half, were seven years when closest challengers Lille side, who had been without the Brazilian Champions League is a huge goal, but a towers that form part of the cathedral’s out an entertaining first half unable to find an equaliser. The dropped points. Their goalless draw at superstar since January 23 with a right club like Juventus has been waiting more facade. that saw both teams share the Andalusian side remain in ninth Toulouse left them 16 points behind PSG foot injury. Edinson Cavani also returned than 20 years to win that trophy, and The club said it was also using Sun- chances until Guedes pro- place on 43 points. with only fi ve games to play before kick- to action for injury-ravaged PSG as a sec- that’s Juventus.” day’s game to thank the fi refi ghters.

MLS BUNDESLIGA New York City blank Reus helps Dortmund keep heat on Bayern AFP Rooney’s DC United Berlin

AFP Washington aptain Marco Reus played through pain to inspire Borus- sia Dortmund to a 4-0 win omanian midfi elder over Freiburg on Sunday night Alexandru Mitrita and andC keep them on the heels of Bundes- Brazilian striker Heber liga leaders Bayern Munich. Reus took scored to power New a knock to his knee in a heavy challenge YorkR City FC over Eastern Con- from Freiburg’s Janik Haberer in the sec- ference leader DC United 2-0 on ond half, but fi red Dortmund to victory Sunday in the Major League Soc- with a goal and two assists to keep them cer. Wayne Rooney-led United a point behind Bayern. remained atop the East despite After a heavy defeat to Bayern two falling to 4-3 with two drawn, weeks ago and a nervy win over Mainz last but their 14 points are under as- Sunday, Reus insisted the display showed sault with Toronto on 13 with that his team were back to their best and three games in hand and Colum- ready to take the fi ght to Bayern in the ti- bus and Philadelphia on 13 with tle race. “The last few weeks didn’t quite one match in hand. City won for go as we had hoped, but it was important only the second time this season that we stuck together in the diffi cult mo- against one loss and fi ve drawn. DC United forward Wayne ments,” the Dortmund captain said. “We Mitrita opened the scoring in Rooney takes a free kick. still believe we can be champions and we Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus celebrates after scoring against Freiburg in Bundesliga match on Sunday. (Reuters) the 35th minute on a left-footed want to keep the pressure on Bayern until shot from the heart of the pen- last month from Croatian club the very end.” after two weeks out injured, then set up urday, before Bayern travel to take on Nu- main rooted to the bottom of the table, alty area. City missed a golden HNK Rijeka, left-footed home Dortmund needed three points on Reus for Dortmund’s second eight min- remberg the following day. Elsewhere on six points adrift of the relegation play- chance in fi rst-half stoppage a shot from the left side of the Sunday after Bayern beat Werder Bremen utes after half-time. Sunday, Hanover slipped further towards off place. “A point is too little. We could time after United’s Leonardo Jara box following a corner to give 1-0 on Saturday. Far from buckling in a Lucien Favre’s side survived a hand- relegation despite holding Hertha Berlin have got more from the game today be- fouled NYCFC’s Anton Tinner- City an insurance goal in the 56th nail-biting title race, Dortmund delivered ful of Freiburg chances before a brutal to a 0-0 draw away from home. cause Hertha were not at their best,” said holm in the penalty area. minute. Elsewhere, the Los An- one of their most confi dent recent per- counter-attack saw Reus set up Mario Davie Selke and Ondrej Duda both Hanover coach Doll, who nonetheless But Maximiliano Moralez geles Football Club dominated formances. A silky move in the box saw Goetze to make it 3-0. Paco Alcacer com- missed golden opportunities to win the praised his team’s mentality. “The lads hit the right post and the visi- Seattle Sounders FC at home, Dortmund take the lead after 12 minutes, pleted a perfect afternoon for Dortmund, game for Hertha, who nonetheless broke are showing on the pitch that they want tors lead remained only 1-0 at clobbering the visitors en route with Raphael Guerreiro and Marco Reus converting a late penalty after a Pascal a fi ve-game losing streak. Waldemar to fi ght, and we have managed to create a half-time. Brazilian striker He- to a 4-1 win. Carlos Vela scored linking to provide Jadon Sancho with a Stenzel handball. Dortmund face local Anton and Florent Muslija came close good atmosphere around the team. The ber, who joined New York only twice in the rout. tap-in. Guerreiro, returning to action rivals Schalke in the Ruhr derby next Sat- for Hanover, but Thomas Doll’s side re- fans aren’t booing us.” Gulf Times Tuesday, April 23, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Spurs focused on Brighton and not Ajax: Pochettino United’s foundations London: Tottenham Hotspur are focused solely on today’s Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Al- bion and not on their Champi- ons League semi-final against Ajax Amsterdam next week, at risk unless Solskjaer manager Mauricio Pochettino said yesterday. Tottenham maintained their grip on third place de- spite a 1-0 defeat at Manches- ter City after Arsenal failed to capitalise following a 3-2 rids club of ‘weeds’ defeat by Crystal Palace. Chel- sea and Manchester United are also in the hunt and, with all four clubs separated by Pogba and Matic’s failure to shore up midfield has been a key factor to United’s miserable run three points, Pochettino said their primary focus was on AFP the battle for the top four and London not on their first European Cup semi-final since 1962. “We are not thinking le Gunnar Solskjaer said of Ajax,” Pochettino told prior to the humiliating 4-0 reporters. “We showed at thrashing by Everton there Manchester City that we’re would not be wholesale thinking in the ‘today’ and changesO to Manchester United person- that competition, the Premier nel in the close season, but Gary Neville, League. Now our energy is in for one, believes he should think again. Brighton. It’s so clear that we United’s millionaire stars such as Paul have two objectives, one is to Pogba and David de Gea put up a display be in the top four at the end described by the British press yesterday of the season and the other is as “abject”, “an apology” for a perform- to beat Ajax. But we need to ance, with the team derided as being go step-by-step, the players generally “rudderless” and “spineless”. know it. I think the behaviour However, whilst it came fi ve years to and the mentality is perfect.” the day when a 2-0 defeat by the same Pochettino, already missing opponents cost David Moyes his job, it injured striker Harry Kane, is not Solskjaer who is being targeted will also be without central but the under-performing Pogba and midfielders Moussa Sissoko his team-mates. The World Cup-win- and Harry Winks. Both players ning midfi elder, after a series of encour- suff ered groin injuries and are aging performances when Solskjaer doubtful for the first leg of the fi rst assumed the reins in December, semi-final at White Hart Lane has returned to being the non-exist- next Tuesday. ent presence so often the focus of Jose “Moussa Sissoko is not Mourinho’s ire — although it was the going to be fit, maybe for the Portuguese coach who was sacrifi ced. next two weeks,” Pochet- His and Nemanja Matic’s failure to tino said. “We hope he can shore up midfi eld has been a contrib- recover before but I’m not uting factor to United’s miserable run so optimistic. Harry Winks, of six defeats in their last eight games we don’t know because it’s a and fi ve successive away losses — their problem that is one day very worst run on the road since 1981. good, next day not very good. Seldom can a Manchester der- It’s about assessing each day, by — they host title-chasing City on we hope he’ll be available for Wednesday — have been less eagerly Tuesday but we’re not sure.” anticipated by United fans. Neville, However, Pochettino was United to the core and an integral mem- bullish on goalkeeper Hugo ber of Alex Ferguson’s side that accrued Lloris’s return after the eight Premier League crowns and two Frenchman missed the league Champions League trophies, was exco- game at City with a muscle in- riating in his criticism of the players. jury. “Lloris, I hope yes, we are “If you’ve got weeds in the garden, going to assess,” Pochettino you’ve got to get rid of them,” said Nev- added. “We have a training ille, who has become a respected pundit Manchester United’s Paul Pogba (left) and Nemanja matic are dejected after their loss to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday. (Reuters) session and we hope it’s not a for Sky Sports. “There’s some Japanese big issue, we hope he’s going knotweed at that football club and it’s sucked into the vortex of supine per- jaer the job on a permanent basis — as But Neville has been slow to criticise ing on the counter-attack, only he was to be available.” attacking the foundations of the house. formances. “They showed no heart, no the subsequent results appear to be re- his former teammate Solskjaer. The more popular because the results were Tottenham may have lost It needs dealing with properly. I don’t desire and no will to win. They were fl ective more of his unsuccessful stint in man dubbed ‘Red Nev’ after he led a going in his favour. “Ole has brought in a to Manchester City in their need to name names, you know who woeful,” Jenas wrote in his column for charge of Cardiff . players’ strike with England due to their level of happiness and excitement back second game at the Etihad they are.” the BBC website. “Everyone was guilty. Indeed, just as his and the team’s for- anger over Rio Ferdinand being dropped to the fans,” retorted Neville. inside 72 hours but they Former England midfi elder Jermaine Even Marcus Rashford, who has got one tunes have dipped, the man who was because of a missed drugs test, took to “At least that’s something because, remain firmly in the hunt for a Jenas, who has also turned to punditry of the best attitudes of anyone at the seen as his major rival for the job has the barricades when another unloved to be fair, it has been diffi cult in the last top-four finish in the Premier since hanging up his boots, turned on club, got sucked in by what I would de- seen his stock rise. Mauricio Pochet- former United boss, Louis van Gaal, three or four years to watch what we’ve League after both Arsenal the players as well. The 36-year-old scribe as a vacuum of negativity.” tino’s star has sparkled again thanks to criticised Solskjaer a few weeks ago. seen.” Even Neville might be rethinking and Manchester United lost said such is the negativity in the team United fans may be wondering if the Tottenham’s epic win over Manchester Van Gaal said Solskjaer was like that statement in the wake of Sunday’s as well at the weekend. that even the younger talents have been board jumped the gun in giving Solsk- City in the Champions League. Mourinho in parking the bus and rely- humiliation.

PREMIER LEAGUE LA LIGA Klopp praises Liverpool’s will Zidane bemused as Spanish press round on Bale to keep chasing down Man City Reuters Madrid AFP Cardiff , United Kingdom eal Madrid coach Zined- ine Zidane is bemused iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp by his team’s fans’ at- lauded his side’s desire to cede no titude towards Gareth ground in the title race by beating BaleR after they booed the Welsh relegation threatened Cardiff 2-0 on forward during Saturday’s 3-0 La LSunday to return to the top of the Premier Liga victory over Athletic Bilbao. League. Georginio Wijnaldum’s opener just When quizzed on why a player before the hour and James Milner’s penalty who has won four Champions secured a ninth consecutive win in all com- Leagues in fi ve seasons in Ma- petitions for Klopp’s men and moved them drid — including scoring deci- two points ahead of Manchester City, who sive goals in two of the fi nals — is have a game in hand, at the top of the table. given such a hostile reception by “It’s really massive. We spoke a lot about fans Zidane said; “I don’t know. this game, how special it is, how special the Honestly, I don’t understand it.” situation is for the opponent,” said Klopp, Bale came on as a substitute who bemoaned the dry state of Cardiff ’s after being left out from the start pitch under baking temperatures. “It was Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (right) with defender Virgil van Dijk. (Reuters) for the second consecutive game not a game for playing around. It was a bat- by Zidane and irked the Bernabeu tle of will, who wants it more.” Brighton to close within three points of played in by Jordan Henderson. faithful by missing a one-on-one City travel to Manchester United tomor- safety. If Neil Warnock’s men are to defy There was little reason for Liverpool to chance. The reaction was in stark row in what appears the toughest hurdle left the odds to stay up, it is upcoming games panic at half-time as their previous four contrast to the one that greeted signed to take Bale’s place in the value. He’s a very expensive for the English champions to clear and deny against already relegated Fulham and Crys- Premier League games had also been won Isco, who came on to the pitch squad. A scathing opinion piece player and given the way football Liverpool a fi rst Premier League title in 29 tal Palace they will need to win, but they with second-half goals and so it proved at the same time as Bale to much in the paper went further. “Ma- is, there’s many players who are a years. The Reds remain poised to pounce if did not make life easy for Liverpool. “There once more. Trent Alexander-Arnold bagged delight from the stands. drid, or rather their president, level below salary wise who con- Pep Guardiola’s side fail to pick up maxi- is not a weakness in them,” said Warnock. his 10th assist of the season as the England For his part, Bale shrugged off have been procrastinating with tribute a lot more.” mum points in their remaining four games. “They are miles ahead of anybody these two international’s corner was pulled back for missing the presentable oppor- Bale. He fi nished last season as In 2016, Bale was given a new However, unlike when Liverpool visited teams (Liverpool and City). I’m just glad we Wijnaldum to lash into the net fi rst time in tunity by unselfi shly teeing up a substitute for not playing well deal through to 2022 that made Old Traff ord in a 0-0 draw early in Ole Gun- don’t have to play either of them again.” a routine Klopp revealed was crafted by the Karim Benzema for his hat-trick enough and it will happen again him the third-best paid player in nar Solskjaer’s caretaker reign in charge, The visitors should have taken the lead players at half-time. but that did not saved him from this season,” it said, omitting to world football, but injuries — he City look to be catching United at the right midway through the fi rst-half when their A corner at the other end should have a mauling by local media yes- mention Bale’s two goals, includ- has missed 86 games since join- time as the Red Devils were thrashed 4-0 front three clicked together for the fi rst time brought Cardiff level when Sean Morrison terday. “The intention is to sell ing a stunning overhead kick, in ing the club — and a perceived by Everton on Sunday. “Man Utd was in as Mohamed Salah fed Sadio Mane and the seemed to have the simple task of nodding him, but there’s no off ers forth- last year’s Champions League failure to assimilate with Spanish a much better moment when we played Senegalese’s pass put Roberto Firmino clean into an empty net as Alisson got caught coming,” read the front page of fi nal with the game fi nely poised. culture have drawn criticism. them,” added Klopp. “But even if United through on goal. However, the Brazilian underneath a corner, but he mistimed his Marca, accompanied by a picture “He keeps on saying ‘good “The club aren’t too optimis- gets a point or something, we still have to blazed over with just Neil Etheridge to beat. header and the ball instead bounced to of the 29-year-old Bale looking morning’ rather than ‘buenos tic about being able to sell him so play games after that. We just have to stay Salah has found his form in front of goal at safety off his back. And Morrison was the sullen. “They’re now open to the dias’ when he arrives at the train- are willing to listen to a loan of- focused on our things.” the right time for Liverpool’s bid for a Pre- Cardiff villain once when he was adjudged idea of loaning him out,” the pa- ing ground; that’s if he even says fer,” Marca said. “They want to While Liverpool were cruising into a sec- mier League and Champions League double. to have brought down Salah inside the area, per continued. anything,” Marca said. rid themselves of Bale’s salary, ond successive Champions League semi- However, after scoring in three of his past even if the Egyptian’s fall to the fl oor was The same newspaper reported “The thing is that Bale’s lack or at least a part of it and add an fi nal in midweek, Cardiff gave their chances four games, Salah could not keep that streak theatrical. “The last bit was a great 9.9 dive, recently that Chelsea’s Belgian of sporting value is also now on option to buy like they did with of survival a huge boost with a 2-0 win at going as he fi red too close to Etheridge when wasn’t it,” argued Warnock. forward Eden Hazard will be a par with his lack of economic James Rodriguez to Bayern.” Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, April 23, 2019 CRICKET

IPL WORLD CUP Paceman Hassan surprise pick in World Cup discard Afghanistan squad

Reuters the ‘dark horse’, and they named Mumbai three specialist world class slow bowlers in Rashid Khan, Moham- mad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rah- fghanistan named fast man. Rashid, 20, is the top-ranked Pant hits 78 to help bowler Hamid Hassan, bowler in the shortest Twenty20 who last played for the format and third in the list of side in July 2016, in their bowlers for the 50-over format. 15-manA squad for the Cricket “It has been a six-month prep- World Cup yesterday. aration process for the ICC Crick- Hassan, 31, has played 32 one- et World Cup,” Ahmadzai said. day internationals for the war- “The mission is to play inspira- torn nation and was also part of tional cricket in the tournament; Delhi take top spot Afghanistan’s maiden appearance I know there are strong teams but at the 50-over World Cup in Aus- we will do our level best to achieve tralia and New Zealand four years our goals. ‘FEELS REALLY GOOD TO MAKE YOUR TEAM WIN A CRUCIAL MATCH’ back. “As chief selector, it is my duty “Luckily for us, the comeback to select a competitive team. of senior fast bowler Hamid Has- However, there were some chal- san is a good news,” Afghanistan lenges that we needed to handle. chief selector Dawlat Ahmadzai We selected the best squad con- said in a statement. sidering factors such as experi- “However, we will take into ac- ence, fi tness, team balance, cur- count his form and fi tness during rent form and conditions. upcoming practice matches.” “We hope to play great cricket Earlier this month, Afghanistan without any fear and with a fi ght- replaced long-serving ODI cap- ing spirit in the tournament.” tain Asghar Afghan with Gulbadin Naib as part of wholesale changes Squad: Gulbadin Naib (captain), to the team’s leadership structure Mohammad Shahzad (wicket- across formats. keeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazrat- While several senior players ullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar questioned the timing of the lead- Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, ership changes before the May Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shin- 30-July 14 World Cup, Afghan wari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid kept his place in the squad. Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, The spinners are the biggest Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rah- strength of Afghanistan, touted as man.

World Cup will be a challenge for Bangladesh bowlers, warns Walsh Dhaka: West Indies great and their variations to be successful. Bangladesh bowling coach “Most of the wickets will be docile Courtney Walsh yesterday warned and flat. We have to work on our that bowling conditions in Britain variations and execution,” he said. would make the upcoming World “Everybody studies one another Cup a tough test for the South these days. So they know our Delhi Capitals cricketer Rishabh Pant celebrates after hitting the winning runs against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur yesterday. Asian side. strengths and weaknesses. Like- The ten-team tournament will run wise, we also know theirs.” AFP Delhi outplay Rajasthan Royals “I won’t lie that the thought balls days after being replaced could have. I thought (Chris) from May 30 to July 14 in England Walsh will be overseeing a Bang- Jaipur, India by six wickets in Jaipur. wasn’t running through my as Rajasthan captain by Aus- Morris and (Kagiso) Rabada and Wales. ladesh pace bowling unit already He smashed six fours and mind, but I just focus on my tralia’s Steve Smith to guide executed well in the backend,” “It will be a big challenge,” Walsh grappling with injury problems. four sixes including the win- process and that’s what I was his team to 191 for six. Smith, said Smith. told reporters in Dhaka. “There are The Caribbean star revealed that ishabh Pant yesterday ning hit over the fence during doing,” said Pant. who made 50 off 32 balls, “(For Delhi) Shikhar played going to be some good cricket three of his five charges — Mus- said the thought of his 36-ball unbeaten knock as Pant, who is often accused struck his second successive a magnificent knock, and wickets, which are batting-friendly. tafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain missing out on World Delhi achieved their target of of throwing away his wicket, half-century after taking over Rishabh is a powerful young We have to be intelligent, and try and Mohamed Saifuddin — were R Cup selection was on 192 in 19.2 overs. built crucial partnerships, in- the leadership role on Satur- man, and he plays the ball in to execute well. injured. his mind as he hit a match- “Feels really good to make cluding an 84-run third-wick- day. His knock on the weekend strange spots.” Meanwhile the “We have to read the conditions “We need to get them back into winning 78 to lead Delhi Capi- your team win a crucial match,” et stand with Prithvi Shaw, came in a winning cause. IPL announced that the final and the surfaces we play. Some bowling, within the right frame tals to the top of the Indian Pant said after receiving the who made 42. Indian opener Rahane and Smith put on of the world’s most popular places the ball might swing more of mind, and be sharp enough to Premier League table. man of the match award. Shikhar Dhawan laid the plat- 130 runs for the second wick- T20 league will be played on than the others. We have to assess do a bit of bowling in Ireland and The 21-year-old Pant, who Dinesh Karthik was pre- form for Delhi’s comfortable et after Sanju Samson fell for May 12 in Hyderabad. when we get there.” Walsh, who be ready for the World Cup,” he was not picked in the prelimi- ferred as second wicket keeper chase as he hit 54 off 27 deliv- nought in the second over of The first qualifier is sched- played four World Cups for the said. Bangladesh will open their nary 15-man Indian squad for in the Indian squad, but Pant eries. the innings. uled on May 7 followed by the West Indies between 1987 and campaign against South Africa on the 50-over showpiece event said he had tried to concen- Earlier Ajinkya Rahane “We probably didn’t finish eliminator the next day and 1999, tipped the bowlers to rely on June 2 at the Oval. in England and Wales, helped trate yesterday’s match. struck an unbeaten 105 off 63 off with the bat as well as we the second qualifier on May 10.

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Kuldeep’s loss of form Pakistan don’t mind a headache for India

Reuters staying under the radar Mumbai uldeep Yadav is ex- AFP pected to lead India’s Lahore slow-bowling attack in the World Cup but Khis poor form in the ongoing akistan captain Sarfraz Indian Premier League (IPL) Ahmed said yesterday could become a headache for that being underdogs in Virat Kohli’s men with just over Pnext month’s World Cup a month left before the 50-over eases the pressure on his young tournament. team, who leave for the tourna- The left-arm wristspinner ment this week. sits at seventh in the bowlers’ Pakistan will play three warm- rankings in one-day interna- up matches before taking on joint- tionals, one spot ahead of spin- hosts England in a fi ve-match bowling colleague Yuzvendra one-day series and a Twenty20. Chahal. The 1992 World Cup winners The duo have emerged as start their campaign against the India’s frontline spinners and West Indies in Nottingham on named in the 15-man World May 31. Cup squad alongside left-arm Sarfraz he would prefer his side spinner Ravindra Jadeja. to go into the tournament under The wily 24-year-old has the radar. 87 wickets from 44 ODIs at an “Look, when we go as favour- enviable average of less than ites, then it’s a problem, but if we 22. He took 12 wickets in the go as underdogs then other teams 2017 edition of the IPL and fi ve feel the danger, so I think being more last year but has endured underdogs is good for us and eases Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed (L) and their South African coach Mickey Arthur pose prior to a press nightmare this season. the pressure,” Sarfraz told a press conference in Lahore yesterday. Kuldeep has taken four conference in Lahore before they wickets in nine matches at an India’s Kuldeep Yadav. depart for England and Wales yes- arch-rivals Pakistan and India ons Trophy against India in 2017 hard,” he said, adding that they economy rate of 8.66 while terday. Sarfraz, 31, was among fi ve scheduled for Manchester on June with a stunning 180-run victory in have “a good team, both in talent bowling 33 overs for the Kolka- team’s loss on Sunday. sault by England all-rounder key players rested for the white- 16 promises to be one of the most the fi nal. and attitude”. ta Knight Riders, who have lost “Kuldeep’s not been bowl- Moeen Ali on Friday left him wash ODI series defeat by Aus- tense of the tournament. “We have beaten India in a big- “The initial thing is to qualify fi ve matches on the trot and are ing as well as he would have broken. tralia last month to freshen up the Pakistan and India, who both ger event recently so we will have for the last four and take it from placed sixth in the eight-team liked, as we would have liked as The left-handed Moeen squad before the competition. possess nuclear weapons, came to that advantage,” said Sarfraz. there, so I think we have the po- league. well. That’s why we gave him smashed Kuldeep for three He was handed a four-match the brink of all-out war recently He said the theme of Pakistan’s tential to certainly go all the way He was dropped for Sunday’s a break, that’s the only reason sixes and two fours in a 27-run suspension in January by the In- after fresh sparring over the dis- World Cup mission is “we have, but before that we have to play outing against Sunrisers Hy- that we haven’t played him this over before falling on the last ternational Cricket Council after puted region of Kashmir, adding we will”, citing the team’s previous very well,” South African Arthur derbad after the mauling he re- game.” delivery, leaving the bowler he made a racist comment about to the intensity of the match. But glories. Along with the Champi- added. ceived against Royal Challeng- Despite the diff erence in teary-eyed and dejected on the South Africa’s Andile Phehluk- Sarfraz played down the hype, ons Trophy two years ago, Paki- Pakistan have named two ex- ers Bangalore on Friday during formats, the IPL is the only fi eld. Bangalore and India cap- wayo during an ODI. saying all games are important. stan won the 1992 World Cup and tra players in their squad for the which he took 1-59 in his four competitive cricket left before tain Kohli was at the other end All ten teams will play each “For us all nine matches are the 2009 World Twenty20. fi ve-match one-day series against overs. the World Cup-bound Indians witnessing Kuldeep’s misery other in the tournament starting important so we will take every “I think these are exciting times England, with paceman Mohamed “Defi nitely a form issue, he leave for England. and would hope his ace spinner on May 30 with England taking match as a match against India,” for Pakistan cricket and for the Amir and batsman Asif Ali in ad- didn’t stand up for us in the Kuldeep has always looked will regain both his guile and on South Africa in the opening he said of Pakistan’s bitter rivals — team,” said Mickey Arthur, who dition to the 15 for the World Cup. previous game. That’s why we to be attacking, tempting bats- confi dence before India begin fi xture. The top four teams will who have won all six of their previ- took over as head coach in May But they have until May 23 to had to give him a break and get men with his fl ighted deliveries their quest for their third World qualify for the semi-fi nals. ous World Cup clashes. 2016. “We leave on a journey fi nalise their squad for the tourna- him back fresh,” KKR captain and in the process conceding Cup title with a match against The high-voltage clash between But Pakistan took the Champi- for which we have worked really ment. Dinesh Karthik said after his some extra runs, but the as- South Africa on June 5. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 23, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Romine lift s Yankees past Kansas City Celtics sweep Pacers Royals in 10 innings

Reuters New York

ustin Romine hit a game-winning single with one out in the out of playoff s as bottom of the 10th inning as the host New York Yankees re- corded a 7-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday afternoon after blowing a fi ve-run lead in the eighth. ‘We’re going to heal up AMike Tauchman and Gio Urshela opened the inning by drawing walks from Jake Diekman (0-1), who was replaced by Ian Kennedy. a little bit and be ready After the runners were sacrifi ced to second and third by pinch hitter Thairo Estrada, Romine won by lifting a fl y ball over center fi elder Billy for the next round’ Hamilton’s head. Raptors roll on After getting his hit, Romine was mobbed at fi rst base by his team- mates. Zack Britton (1-0) nearly was injured and pitched a scoreless top of the 10th. He appeared in pain after diving back to fi rst to com- plete a pickoff against speedy pinch runner Terrance Gore but stayed in the game after throwing two warmup pitches and struck out the next two hitters. Romine forged a 6-6 tie with a single off Wily Per- alta in the eighth that occurred after Chad Green and Adam Ottavino coughed up a 5-0 lead. Green exited after load- ing the bases and Ottavino RESULTS allowed a two-run dou- Braves 11-5 Indians ble to Adalberto Mondesi to make it 5-2. Ottavino Rangers 11-10 Astros then allowed a game-ty- Cubs 2-1 D’backs ing, three-run homer to Yankees 7-6 Royals Gordon and a solo shot to Hunter Dozier on consecu- Dodgers 6-5 Brewers tive pitches. Before the wild Red Sox 4-3 Rays sequences of the late in- Cardinals 6-4 Mets nings, the Yankees carried a 5-0 lead into the eighth Blue Jays 5-4 Athletics behind the dominance of Padres 4-3 Reds left-hander James Paxton Angels 8-6 Mariners and a three-run homer by Nationals 5-0 Marlins Clint Frazier in the fi fth off Kansas City starter Jorge Rockies 4-1 Phillies Lopez. Twins 4-3 Orioles Paxton allowed three Giants 3-2 Pirates hits and struck out 12 in six-plus scoreless innings, Tigers 4-3 White Sox exiting after allowing the fi rst two hitters of the seventh to reach. The win occurred after Aaron Judge became the 13th Yankees’ player to land on the injured list due to a strained left oblique that manager Aaron Boone described as “pretty signifi cant.” Paxton produced his 13th career double-digit strikeout game and followed up 12 strikeouts against Boston on Tuesday by dominating again. Paxton became the second Yankee to get at least 12 strikeouts in consecutive games, matching current television analyst David Cone. Cone did it June 7-14, 1998, against the Miami Marlins and Cleveland Indians respectively. Lopez allowed fi ve runs (four earned) on eight hits in seven innings. New York held a 2-0 lead through four and a half innings. DJ LeMahieu opened the game with a double and scored on a passed ball by catcher Martin Maldonado in the fi rst. Mike Ford dou- bled for his fi rst career hit with two outs in the second and scored on a single by Romine. Meanwhile Josh Donaldson homered in his fi rst two at-bats and Max Fried tossed 6 1/3 strong innings as the visiting Atlanta Braves breezed to an 11-5 rout of the Cleveland Indians on Sunday night. Donaldson drove in four runs while Freddie Freeman had a pair of RBI singles to highlight his three-hit performance. Ozzie Albies had Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoff s at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, a two-run single and joined Freeman in scoring twice for the Braves, Indiana. (Getty Images/AFP) who saw each member of the starting lineup record at least one of the team’s 16 hits. Donaldson provided the fi reworks by depositing a 1-1 AFP deal for the Magic and the Clip- his 3-point attempts. Marcus “We came in with that mindset ries. In Orlando, Leonard scored slider from starter Shane Bieber (2-1) over the wall in center fi eld for a Los Angeles pers. There have been 11 teams Morris, another reserve star, to put our foot on the throttle 34 points and the Raptors beat solo homer in the fi rst inning. The 2015 American League Most Valu- to successfully rally from a 3-1 scored 18 points and grabbed and not let go,” Thompson said. the Magic. Pascal Siakam and able Player wasn’t done, launching a 1-2 fastball from Bieber deep into series defi cit in a best-of-seven eight rebounds for the Celtics, “We let go in game two and we Norman Powell each scored 16 the bleachers in left fi eld for a three-run shot in the second inning. he Boston Celtics swept series, and of those, only three who won despite poor shooting won’t do that the rest of the for the Raptors, who can ad- their way past Indiana, pulled it off by winning a game from top stars and 16 turnovers. playoff s. I really believe that.” vance with a home win in game while the Golden State seven on the road which is what Kyrie Irving went 4-of-13 After winning both games in fi ve on Tuesday. and Toronto registered they would have to do. from the fl oor, 0-of-4 from Los Angeles, the Warriors can Aaron Gordon scored 25, Evan Troad victories over Orlando and The Celtics captured their 3-point range, and fi nished wrap things up in game fi ve on Fournier scored 19 and Nikola the Los Angeles Clippers to take fi rst best-of-seven series sweep with 14 points and seven assists Wednesday in Oakland. Vucevic added 11 for the Magic, commanding leads in their fi rst since 2011 and advanced to a while Al Horford was 4-of- Thompson scored 27 of his who committed 17 turnovers round playoff series on Sunday. second-round matchup with 19 from the fl oor, 1-of-6 on 32 points in the fi rst half for the that became 21 Toronto points. Gordon Hayward scored a either the Milwaukee Bucks or 3-pointers, with 14 points and Warriors. Stephen Curry had And now the Magic’s season team-high 20 points as the Detroit Pistons. 12 rebounds. an off night shooting 3-for-14, and the Clippers are squarely on Celtics defeated Indiana 110- “Any time you 4-0 a team, “It was a scrappy series, de- including 1-of-9 from 3-point the brink. 106 on Sunday to complete a you feel great,” Hayward said. fensive series, physical series,” range, and fi nishing with 12 fi rst-round NBA playoff sweep “We’re going to heal up a lit- Hayward said. “Proud of our points. Shai Gilgeous-Alex- RESULTS FROM THE FIRST of the host Pacers. tle bit and be ready for the next team for fi ghting. We fought ander scored a season-high 25 ROUND PLAYOFFS Kevin Durant and Klay round.” through it. It was a great team points for the Clippers. Dani- (all series best-of-seven) Thompson steered the Warri- The Bucks, who had the win.” lo Gallinari scored 16 after a Eastern Conference ors to victory over the Clippers NBA’s best regular-season The Celtics led 73-72 enter- scoreless fi rst quarter. Boston 110 Indiana 106 113-105, and Kawhi Leonard put record, own a 3-0 series edge ing the fourth quarter but the Lou Williams came off the (Boston wins series 4-0) on a show as the Raptors routed on Detroit and can complete a Pacers had taken an 82-80 edge bench to score 12 and Patrick Toronto 107 Orlando 85 Orlando 107-85, putting divi- sweep of their own on Monday. when Boston unleashed a criti- Beverley also had a dozen and (Toronto leads series 3-1) sion winners Golden State and Hayward came off the Boston cal 15-3 run to seize command. a team-high 10 rebounds in the Western Conference Toronto up 3-1 in their series bench to lead seven double-fi g- Elsewhere, Durant scored 33 loss. The Warriors have led by at Golden State 113 Los Angeles New York Yankees’ Austin Romine hits a game winning sacrifice and on the brink of advancing ure scorers, hitting 7-of-9 shots points and the Warriors who least eight points after the fi rst 105 fly in the tenth inning to beat the Kansas City Royals 7-6 at Yankee to the next round. Here’s the from the fl oor and all three of held on to beat the Clippers. quarter in every game of the se- (Warriors lead series 3-1). Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NHL Sharks’ Hertl forces Game 7 against Golden Knights Reuters the best-of-seven series at three on his glove side. Marchessault wrist shots in the slot just sec- Las Vegas games apiece after consecu- tied it midway through the sec- onds apart that Jones stopped. tive Sharks victories. Game 7 is ond period when he backhanded Vegas fi nished with a 59-29 Tuesday night in San Jose. a rebound of a Shea Theodore shot advantage, including an 8-1 omas Hertl scored a Logan Couture also scored for shot over Jones’ right pad. It was edge in the second overtime. short-handed goal with San Jose, which won a double- Marchessault’s third straight Meanwhile Power-play goals 8:43 remaining in the overtime playoff game in Las Ve- game with a goal. by Brad Marchand and Torey second overtime, and gas for the second straight year. Vegas dominated the ac- Krug in the fi rst period sparked TMartin Jones made a franchise- Jones, pulled in four of his tion from midway of the second the Boston Bruins to a 4-2 road record 58 saves as the San Jose previous eight games against period to the end of the third, win against the Toronto Maple Sharks forced a Game 7 in their the Golden Knights at T-Mobile outshooting the Sharks, 25-3, Leafs on Sunday to force a Game Western Conference quarter-fi - Arena, also set a career-high over one 22 1/2-minute span 7 in their opening-round Stanley nal series with the Vegas Golden with the 58 saves, 10 more than and 17-4 in the third period. Cup playoff series. Tuukka Rask Knights with a 2-1 victory on his previous mark. The best chance for the Golden made 22 saves for Boston. Sunday night in Las Vegas. Jonathan Marchessault scored Knights came with four minutes Needing a win to force a de- With Barclay Goodrow in the a goal, and Fleury stopped 27 of to go when Tomas Nosek broke in ciding game at home Tuesday penalty box for slashing Brayden 29 shots for the Golden Knights. free up the middle for an appar- in Boston, the Bruins regrouped McNabb, Hertl took a stretch San Jose took a 1-0 lead with ent breakaway, but Brenden Dil- after falling behind early, took a pass from Marc-Edouard Vlasic nine seconds to go in the fi rst lon dove at the last minute and lead and then held on to tie the at the Vegas blue line and then period on Couture’s fourth goal swiped the puck off Nosek’s stick best-of-seven series at 3-3. The fi red a wrist shot from the top of the playoff s. Timo Meier before he could get a shot off . Bruins have won their last two se- of the left circle that beat Marc- poked the puck away from Vegas Both teams had excellent ries with Toronto in seven games, Andre Fleury on his blocker side defenseman Deryk Engelland chances to win it in the fi rst including a fi rst-round set last for the game-winner. in the neutral zone to Couture, overtime. Meier had a shot that spring. The Maple Leafs last beat The goal was the fi rst short- who then carried the puck into went by Fleury but was saved at Boston in a playoff series in 1959. handed winner in a multi-over- the Golden Knights’ zone. He the goal line by the skates of de- time game in NHL history. It deked Nate Schmidt and then fensemen Colin Miller and Jon RESULTS Shark’s Tomas Hertl (right) celebrate with Logan Couture after scoring a game-winning goal in the second came on San Jose’s only shot of fi red a wrist shot from the top Merrill before it could trickle in. Boston 4-2 Toronto overtime period of the Game Six of the Western Conference first round NHL Stanley Cup Playoff s at T- the second overtime and evened of the left circle that beat Fleury Marchessault had two close-in San Jose 2-1 Las Vegas Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The series is now even at 3-3. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, April 23, 2019 SPORT

GOLF RAMADAN SPORTS FESTIVAL Aspire Zone Foundation to Pan claims fi rst tour provide exclusive activities for ladies his Ramadan, As- QWSC female employees. pire Zone Founda- Meanwhile, Alanoud al-Me- victory by one tion (AZF) will off er snad, member of the RSF2019 women the exclusive organising committee, said: Topportunity to play sports in “AZF off ers something for its world-class venues during everyone in all its recreational the upcoming Ramadan Sports sports and community events. Festival. We aim to target all members of During this year’s Ramadan the community so that they can Sports Festival (RSF2019), enjoy bits of activities during stroke over Kuchar AZF jointly with Qatar Wom- Ramadan, and we always en- en’s Sport Committee (QWSC) courage women to come down ‘It’s still really hard for me to believe. I am very, very happy that I finally did it’ will organise two competi- to enjoy the competitions.” tions, one in basketball and Al-Mesnad added that one in handball. Each compe- youngsters can also enjoy ac- tition will see teams of six fe- tivities dedicated to their age male players compete. A large groups, including fi tness chal- number of sportswomen have lenges, and wall climbing for already registered. both genders. Commenting on the Ram- From football to basketball adan Sports Festival, Lolwa al- and handball, the RSF2019 Marri, President at The Qatar will once again off er men and Women’s Sport Committee, women opportunities to com- said: “We have been working pete and enjoy themselves, closely with AZF in organis- while a wide range of youth ing sports events for a number events. of years. Building on the large AZF will also organise ta- turnout and the success of ble-tennis activities for peo- previous years, we will co- ple with disabilities in various organise handball and basket- categories, which witnesses a ball competitions exclusively large turnout every year. for ladies to encourage them The success of AZF ac- to take part in sports activi- tivities in previous years has ties during the holy month of motivated the organisation Ramadan. to continue diversifying its Al-Marri added that the off ering to better accommo- QWSC will be responsible for date all parts of Qatar society the technical aspects of the throughout the year. This year, competitions that will take the Ramadan Sports Festival place in the Ladies Sports Hall will be sponsored by Saleh Al at Aspire Zone, also organising Hamad Al Mana Co, Aseel Wa- Yoga sessions for both AZF and ter and Esqalar Sports.

Member of the RSF2019 organising committee Alanoud al-Mesnad. Pan Cheng-tsung of Taiwan is presented with a jacket after winning the 2019 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP)

Reuters Pan told CBS television after the LEADING SCORES AFTER FINAL ROUND Championship, has earned spe- Folau code of conduct hearing set for May 4 Washington victory. cial US PGA Tour membership “That’s why I came to the US, 272-Pan Cheng-tsung (TPE) Troy Merritt 69-67-72-69, KJ for the remainder of the 2018-19 A code of conduct hearing – with an extra day set aside that’s why I went to college to go 71-65-69-67 Choi (KOR) 70-66-69-72, Rory campaign, the tour announced to determine the fate of Wal- in case needed. West is an aiwan’s Pan Cheng- through all the necessary steps 273-Matt Kuhar 69-69-68-67 Sabbatini (SVK) 67-69-68-73, yesterday. labies fullback Israel Folau will employment law expert and tsung held steady when to be here. “I am very, very happy 274-Patrick Cantlay 67-72-66- Ian Poulter (ENG) 70-67-67-73 Bjerregaard, 44th in this be held on May 4 after Rugby senior counsel, while East- it counted and won his that I fi nally did it.” 69, Scott Piercy 67-70-68-69, 278-Brian Stuard 68-70-72-68, week’s world rankings, joins Australia’s decision to sack man specialises in workplace fi rst PGA Tour tourna- Pan took the lead with a nine- Shane Lowry (IRL) 65-68-71-70 Zach Johnson 69-69-72-68, England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, him over anti-gay comments, discrimination. Boultbee is a mentT with a one-stroke vic- foot birdie, his fi fth of the round, ranked 33rd this week, in the 275-JT Poston 71-71-67-66, Jason Kokrak 69-68-72-69, Joel it was announced yesterday. lawyer and highly-regarded tory over Matt Kuchar as world at the 16th after a bogey at the Seamus Power (IRL) 68-72-68- Dahmen 70-68-71-69, Eddie special member status for this The devoutly religious Folau sports administrator. They will number one Dustin Johnson 15th. “I knew I needed two more 67, Kevin Streelman 69-69-69- Pepperell (ENG) 71-69-68-70, season. was informed last week consider the case and decide stumbled badly on the back nine birdies coming in to make sure I 68 Peter Malnati 67-72-69-70, The move allows players to be of plans to terminate his what punishment, if any, is ap- at the RBC Heritage in South had the W,” the former Univer- 276-Sam Burns 67-70-69-70 Webb Simpson 69-73-65-71, eligible for unlimited sponsor multi-year, multi-million-dollar propriate – ranging from a fine Carolina on Sunday. sity of Washington golfer said. “I 277-Kevin Na 67-72-71-67, Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) 68-69- exemptions for the remainder of contract after posting on to a suspension or the sack. Pan, who goes by the initials hit good shots on 16, and 17 and Michael Thompson 68-71-69-69, 70-71, Trey Mullinax 66-68-71-73. the season as they work toward social media that “hell awaits” Folau asserted on his CT, collected a birdie and two 18 I hit really good shots.” earning US PGA Tour playing homosexuals. Super Rugby’s Instagram account that “hell pars on his last three holes to Victory, however, was not as- rights for next season. all-time record try scorer had awaits” “drunks, homosexuals, shoot a four-under par 67 and sured until Cantlay, Piercy and pionship. Kuchar, a winner at Johnson had begun the round After seven starts this sea- the choice of accepting the adulterers, liars, fornicators, end a tense fi nal round at 12-un- fi rst and second-round leader Hilton Head in 2014, made a run with a one-stroke lead but had son, Bjerregaard’s best fi nish is decision or challenging it thieves, atheists, idolators”. der 272. Lowry completed play. at another title with three bird- three bogeys and two double bo- fourth at the WGC Match Play, through a tribunal, and opted It sparked widespread Kuchar, fi nishing ahead of The number one ranked ama- ies in fi ve holes before a bogey geys to drop seven shots in a fi ve where he edged Woods 1-up for the latter. “Rugby Australia criticism, including from key Pan, used a birdie at the last to teur for part of 2013 stayed ready at the seventh. He regrouped for hole stretch on the back nine at in the quarter-fi nals just two has today confirmed the code Wallabies sponsor Qantas, also shoot 67 and waited as Pan, for a possible playoff by hitting birdies at 13 and 15 before a an- Harbour Town Golf Links on weekends before the American of conduct hearing for Wal- with the scandal following a ranked 113 in the world, held balls on the practice green, fi nal- other bogey at 17. Hilton Head Island. He fi nished captured his 15th career major labies and Waratahs back similar one last year in which steady at the end. Patrick Can- ly raising his arms triumphantly “It was so much fun that back with a six-over 77 to tie for 28th. title at the Masters. Israel Folau will commence he escaped sanction. tlay (69), Scott Piercy (69) and after being told he had won. nine,” said Kuchar, who ended Bjerregaard has made 10 PGA on Saturday, May 4,” the Rugby Australia chief Raelene Ireland’s Shane Lowry (70) tied “It’s still really hard for me to his round with a sixth birdie. DENMARK’S BJERREGAARD starts with three top-25 show- governing body said. It will be Castle has said Folau had for third at 10-under. believe,” said Pan, who had won “To have a chance, to be play- EARNS SPECIAL PGA ings, including a share of 21st in heard behind closed doors in been repeatedly warned “It’s something when I was twice on the PGA Tour Canada in ing some good golf, make a MEMBERSHIP his Masters debut. Sydney by a three-member about his social media use younger I always dreamed of. 2015 and fi nished second twice handful of birdies, and see how Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard, He raises the total of US tour panel - John West, Kate but ignored the overtures and Watched Tiger (Woods) playing in PGA Tour events, including much I could do out there sure who ousted Tiger Woods from players from outside the United Eastman, and John Boultbee refused to apologise. growing up,” the 27-year-old last year’s Wyndham Cham- was fun.” last month’s WGC Match Play States to 90 from 27 nations.

FOCUS UNWTO secretary-general praises AZF facilities uring an offi cial visit to Qatar, today was unique and confi rmed the opin- World Tourism Organization ion I have heard from plenty of renowned (UNWTO) Secretary-General, athletes that have had the chance to visit Zurab Pololikashvili, stopped at Aspire Zone Foundation and witnessed AspireD Zone Foundation (AZF) to witness its one-of-a-kind distinguished facili- the sporting organisation’s renowned ties fi rst hand. The organisation’s mix of a global facilities and get a closer look at the medical hospital, academic school and in- vital role its member organisations – As- ternational standard venues makes it one pire Academy, Aspetar, and Aspire Logis- of the world’s foremost sporting institu- tics – play in supporting the sports sector tions. I congratulate the State of Qatar for and professional athletes in Qatar and constructing something as impressive as around the world. Aspire and wish it all the success for the Pololikashvili and his accompanying future.” delegation were welcomed by the Direc- Pololikashvili added; “I was also de- tor General of Aspire Logistics, Abdullah lighted to have been able to visit one of the Nasser al-Naimi, who led the tour and venues that will host matches at the next helped them all explore the world-class FIFA World Cup, where I understand they facilities at AZF. are expecting over a million tourists, all As well as visiting Aspire Academy of whom will have the opportunity to ex- and Aspetar, the Orthopaedic and sports plore Qatar and its rich culture, traditions medicine hospital, the tour also included and hospitality. I’m excited that the World a stop at Khalifa International Stadium, Tourism Organization will be able to work Qatar’s fi rst 40,000-seater tournament with Qatar’s National Tourism Council in ready venue that will host games during the build up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. to ensure tourists understand what Qa- Pololikashvili expressed his admiration tar is like and what they can expect from to what he had seen at AZF at the conclu- the fi rst FIFA World Cup to be held in the Director General of Aspire Logistics Abdullah Nasser al-Naimi (right) gifted a memento UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili during sion of the tour and said; “My experience Middle East.” to UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. his Aspire Zone Foundation visit. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 23, 2019 7 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Djokovic extends lead as world no. 1, Fognini Bad boy to model climbs rankings

AFP tual champion Fabio Fognini. Paris The 31-year-old Italian reached a career-high rank- ing of 12th after claiming his ovak Djokovic maiden Masters trophy with a family man: Fognini stretched his lead straight-sets win over unher- over Rafael Nadal at alded Serbian Dusan Lajovic in the top of the ATP Sunday’s fi nal. Fognini jumped Nrankings yesterday, after the six spots to close on the top 10, Spaniard’s failed bid to win a while Lajovic climbed 24 places 12th Monte Carlo Masters title. to 24th. Naomi Osaka of Japan Djokovic, winner of the remained top of an unchanged last three Grand Slam tour- top 10 in the latest world rank- ‘has everything now’ naments, is now over 3,000 ings released by the WTA. points clear of rival Nadal de- Australian Open champion ‘You feel happy because when you do your work and you do it great and win... I have to be happy’ spite a quarter-fi nal defeat by Osaka leads on 5,967 points Daniil Medvedev in the Princi- with Romania’s Simona Ha- AFP pality last week. lep trailing on 5,782. Ahead of Monaco World number two Nadal the WTA tournament starting dropped ranking points after Monday in Stuttgart, the only his title defence ended with a change in the rankings were e may have once been shock semi-fi nal loss to even- outside the top 40. thrown out of the US Open for a misogynis- tic attack on a female Humpire and indulged in a blister- ing rant at tennis’s NextGen, but Fabio Fognini insists his bad boy image is now a thing of the past. “I have everything in my life. I’m healthy, I have a baby, I have a wife,” said the 31-year-old Italian whose recently discov- ered maturity off the court has now been mirrored on it with a maiden Masters title secured in Monte Carlo on Sunday. The player, born just over the border on the Italian Mediterra- nean coastline, beat Dusan Lajo- vic 6-3, 6-4 in the millionaires’ playground to lift his fi rst Mas- ters trophy. Courtside was his wife Fla- via Pennetta, a former US Open champion towards whom he spent the week happily blowing kisses while shaping hearts with his hands during breaks in play. Fognini married Pennetta in 2016 and one year later they be- came parents to baby son Fred- erico. Now a model family man, Fognini is concentrating more on Novak Djokovic. his tennis than his temper. “They are with me all the time,” said Fognini, who knocked RANKINGS out 11-time Monte Carlo cham- pion Rafael Nadal in the semi- ATP TOP 20 2,041 (-1) fi nals, of his family. 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 18. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) “You feel happy because when 11,160 pts 1,930 (-1) you do your work and you do 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,085 19. Gael Monfils (FRA) 1,875 it great and win... I have to be 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 20. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) happy.” 5,770 1,820 The fi rst Italian to lift the 4. Roger Federer (SUI) 5,590 SELECTED: 24. Dusan Lajo- Monte Carlo honours since 5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) vic (SRB) 1,515 (+24) Nicola Pietrangeli in 1968 no 4,675 longer strikes fear into chair um- 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) WTA TOP 10 pires and line offi cials. 4,115 (+1) 1. (1) Naomi Osaka, Japan, The new family-friendly ver- 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 3,690 5,967 points sion of Fognini even came back (-1) 2. (2) Simona Halep, Roma- onto court on Sunday nearly an 8. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) nia, 5,782 hour after his win to meet with 3,240 3. (3) Petra Kvitova, Czech cheering ballboys and ballgirls, 9. Juan Martin del Potro Republic, 5,645 who engulfed him in a mass hug. (ARG) 3,225 4. (4) Karolina Pliskova, It was all a far cry from his in- 10. John Isner (USA) 3,085 Czech Republic, 5,580 famous US Open meltdown two 11. Marin Cilic (CRO) 2,845 5. (5) Angelique Kerber, years ago. 12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,840 Germany, 5,220 After falling to countryman (+6) 6. (6) Elina Svitolina, Ukraine, and qualifi er Stefano Travaglio in Winner Italy’s Fabio Fognini poses with the trophy after winning the Monte Carlo ATP Masters against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic Series in Monaco 13. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 5,020 the fi rst round, Fognini launched on Sunday. (AFP) 2,730 (-1) 7. (7) Kiki Bertens, Nether- a series of rages, calling Swedish 14. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) lands, 4,640 umpire Louise Engzell a “troia sport’s so-called NextGen of is bullshit. Winning 10-8 in American clay swing, saying the “Sometimes they do not say 2,505 8. (8) Sloane Stephens, (whore)”. promising youngsters as “bulls- the fi fth on court 27, you have young stars should be scheduled ‘hi’, they believe they are stars. 15. Borna Coric (CRO) 2,480 United States, 4,386 He was fi ned $24,000 before hit” to go through that – not play- on secondary match courts until I was pretty crazy as a teenager, (-2) 9. (9) Ashleigh Barty, Aus- being eventually disqualifi ed “There is such a fuss made ing against Federer on Court they proved themselves. but as the time went on I got 16. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2,050 tralia, 4,275 from the Grand Slam event. about them, I don’t like it, I don’t Philippe Chatrier.” “I see the current generation used to the rules. (-1) 10.(10) Aryna Sabalenka, At last year’s French Open, agree. He returned to the topic in in a diff erent way than mine and “Younger tennis players are 17. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) Belarus, 3,520 he labelled the attention on the “This Next Generation thing February during the South the previous one. not humble.”

FED CUP Former foes unite to lead France into fi nal vs Aussies AFP 2-6, 6-2 to pull France level. In a tense a tournament that Romania have yet to Paris deciding rubber, Halep, whose doubles win. ranking is in the 400s, committed a “It felt like playing at home, that was double fault to concede the break in the how I was able to fi ght to the end. I won rance set up a Fed Cup fi nal ninth game of the fi nal set before Garcia it for the fans who came here.” against Australia on Sunday held her nerve to serve out the victory. Halep’s win over Garcia, her sixth when Caroline Garcia and Kris- “We prepared ourselves as best as we in seven meetings, took almost three tina Mladenovic, who once were could, we had a good training session at hours with the crucial break in the fi nal barelyF on speaking terms, teamed-up to the beginning of the week, and we were set coming in the eighth game when the crown a 3-2 victory over Romania. ready, maybe at the beginning we made French number one served up back-to- Former Roland Garros doubles some mistakes,” said Garcia. back double faults. champions Garcia and Mladenovic beat “We really made the eff ort from start Australia made the championship Simona Halep and Monica Niculescu to fi nish together, it was intense on the match when Ashleigh Barty and Sa- 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to secure the winning court from the fi rst point of the week- mantha Stosur battled past Victoria point and a fi nal date against Australia end to the last. But it was a great week- Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, in November. Victory was a diplomatic end and we can really be proud.” 3-6, 6-2. coup for France coach Julien Benneteau France, who won the last of their two The tie was sent into the crucial dou- who teamed up Garcia and Mladenovic titles in 2003, will travel to Australia for bles match after two-time Australian for the fi rst time in Fed Cup since 2016 the fi nal. Open champion Azarenka crushed Sto- after which the pair had a bitter fall- sur 6-1, 6-1 in the reverse singles, after ing out which led to a self-imposed Fed AUSSIES IN FIRST FINAL Barty swept past Sabalenka 6-2, 6-2. Cup exile for Garcia, her country’s top IN 26 YEARS “I could not have picked two more player. Six-time champions Australia, whose perfect athletes to compete. Ash and “Every match was incredible,” said most recent title was in 1974, reached a Sam are superstars,” said captain Alicia Benneteau. “I am so proud of them. It fi rst fi nal in 26 years by seeing off Bela- Molik who will look to inspire a fi rst ti- was always my intention to put them rus 3-2 in Brisbane in a tie also settled tle since 1974 for Australia in the fi nal. together – and it was not hard to do.” by a three-set deciding doubles rubber. Barty called making the fi nal “unbe- Earlier Sunday, French Open cham- Halep gave Romania a lead on Satur- lievable” while Stosur said it was “su- pion Halep won her second singles day by seeing off Mladenovic 6-3, 6-1 per exciting”. of the weekend, seeing off Garcia 6-7 before Garcia swept past Mihaela Bu- “We knew it was going to be a tough (6/8), 6-3, 6-4 for a 2-1 lead in the zarnescu 6-3, 6-3 to level the tie. one and we just so happy with how we semi-fi nal. “I knew it would be more diffi cult played,” added Stosur. “All the girls Veteran Pauline Parmentier then beat than yesterday,” said Halep after regis- have worked so hard throughout the France’s Kristina Mladenovic (right) and Caroline Garcia celebrate after winning the fifth rubber of the Fed Cup semi-final a hobbling Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3, tering a ninth successive singles win in year and we really stick together.” against Romania in Rouen. (AFP)

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

ASIAN CLUB VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Al Rayyan prove too strong for Taichung Bank with some powerful spikes. Taichung at 22-24, but shortly after that home Agencies Bank responded with fi ne attacks from fans jumped for joy, seeing a spike from Taipei, Chinese Taipei talented Wu, but their fi ghtback was the Qataris go wide. Taichung Bank short-lived as the Qataris attacked re- snatched the thrilling set 25-22. lentlessly from all angles to win the fi rst Going down one set, Rayyan were ndomitable Al Rayyan proved a cut set 25-16. just never-say-die as they struck back above Taichung Bank as the Qataris Rayyan still dominated the second in the fourth set with thundering at- pulled out a dramatic 3-1 (25-16 25- set, with Youssef Oughlaf carrying out tacks from Costa and Oughlaif and 17 22-25 25-15) win in their last top- terrifi c jump serves which allowed the scintillating blocks from Andre Franca Ieight playoff match at the 2019 Asian host side diffi culties to receive. As the and Birama Faye to lead the host side Men’s Club Volleyball Championship Qataris surged ahead Taichung Bank all the way. As the Qataris raced to a at the University of Taipei (Tianmu) with seven points ahead at 21-14, the 24-15 lead, Youssef Oughlaf slammed Gymnasium yesterday. hosts held their nerves and hit back a strong hit to eventually stop the Taic- Brazilian Marcus Costa emerged as with combination attacks and effi cient hung Bank’s good run. Rayyan captured the top scorer of Rayyan after contrib- drops to narrow the margin to 16-24. the set 25-15 and match. uting 17 points for the Qataris including Taichung Bank saved one set-point be- “It was a diffi cult match because the 14 attacks from 23 attempts, while Ka- fore going down 17-25. home team had a special energy and mil Rychlicki added 13 points including Taichung Bank clawed their way they are a young team. My team had nine kills from 16 attempts. Wu Tsung- back into the match In the third set. to use a strong point to end their en- Hsuan led Taichung Bank with 14 An enormous stuff block from Chen ergy since if we let them go, they would points including 10 kills and three aces. Cheng-Chi received a round of ap- come confi dent and too strong to cope Playing in front of their faithful fans, plause from the crowd inside the ven- with tactically. So, we used our strong Taichung Bank, powered by star spiker ue, while Wu Tsung-Hsuan worked serves to weaken their reception. Ahead Wu Tsung-Hsuan, tried hard to tacti- wonder with his exceptional attacking of the match, I was also expecting a cally and technically match the mighty skill as the left-hander methodically hard match because Taichung Bank are Rayyan, led by the 206cm-tall, power- tore the Qatari defence apart with his a young team with talents. So, we had to ful hitter Kamil Rychlicki from Luxem- precise cross-court spikes to lead Tai- beat them from the fi rst set. My game bourg and Brazilian Marcus Costa, but chung Bank to a three-point clear at plan for the next match is to do our best the the superb duo showed their he- 21-24. However, a powerful jump serve one at a time and move forward with roic eff orts as they used their incredible from Wu went wide, giving the Qa- confi dence,” Rayyan’s head coach Car- Al Rayyan players celebrate after winning a point against Taichung Bank during their last top-eight playoff match at the reach and leap to punish the host team taris another chance to come up nearer los Schwanke. Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship in Tianmu, Taipei, yesterday.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Al Duhail aim to continue Xavi, Bounedjah unbeaten run against Al Ain By Sports Reporter Doha

l Duhail coach Rui fashion Sadd win Faria was confi dent his team can extend their unbeaten run against AlA Ain when the two sides meet in the AFC Champions League Group C match at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium today. over Pakhtakor The two sides met three times in the past 12 months in the com- petition, and Al Ain are yet to get a win in three attempts. Al Duhail Al Sadd top Group D with seven points after four matches emerged triumphant on both oc- casions in the 2018 round of 16, brushing aside the Emiratis with a scoreline of 8-3 on aggregate. in the toughest group in the com- any result other than the three Two weeks ago, Al Duhail were petition. The team is fully pre- points will further complicate Al unable to defend a two-goal lead pared for the match. The result of Ain’s position at the bottom of in Doha as Jamal Maroof and this match will not determine our the Group, especially should Al Marcus Berg clawed back the qualifi cation for the next round, Hilal defeat Esteghlal in the other diff erence for Al Ain and the tie but it’s very important for us to fi xture today. Should Juan Carlos ended in a 2-2 draw. get all three points.” Garrido’s side fail to reach the “The game will be a tough one Al Duhail are in second place in knockout stage, it would be their but all our matches in the group the group, having won, lost and fi rst AFC Champions League are diffi cult,” said Faria. “We are drawn one match each. However, group stage exit in six years.

FOCUS Wahda’s Leonardo scores four goals to stun Rayyan

Al Sadd's Baghdad Bounedjah is ecstatic after scoring the winner against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in the AFC Champions League Group D match at Al Sadd stadium yesterday. PICTURE: Anas al-Samaraee

AFC and Persepolis rounding the group off with draw his side level at the half-hour mark. Doha four points at the bottom. Xavi nearly scored his third free-kick in Al Sadd needed just 10 minutes to take the two matches in the 75th minute. The Span- lead through Xavi who, just as in the pre- ish midfi elder rifl ed from 30 yards out, but oals from Xavi and Baghdad vious game, curled a free-kick into the top Kuvvatov stretched to make the save at the Bounedjah earned Qatar league corner of Sanjar Kuvvatov net. Dostonbek top corner. champions Al Sadd a hard-fought Khamdamov had a golden chance to equal- Two minutes later, the Uzbek goalkeeper 2-1 home victory over Uzbekistan’s ise for Pakhtakor when Egor Krimets’ cross was again well-positioned to deny Xavi. GPakhtakor in the 2019 AFC Champions found him in space inside the Al Sadd box. This time the Al Sadd captain received al- League Group D yesterday. Khamdamov volleyed from close range, but Haydos’ pass inside the box and fi red but Al Wahda’s Leonardo De Souza (centre) vies for the ball with Al Rayyan’s Ahmed Mohamed Alsayed (left) The two teams had played out a 2-2 draw a his ball passed just wide of the upright. Kuvvatov punched the ball away to safety, and Lucca during the AFC Champions League group B match in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (AFP) fortnight ago in Tashkent and a single point Farrukh Sayfi ev crossed for Marat Bik- keeping his side in the game once again. separated them before kick-off , as Pakhta- maev whose header was tipped over the bar The winning goal for Al Sadd came three AFC by Al Wahda defender Ahmed Leonardo pounced on a loose ball kor topped the group with fi ve points. But by Saad al-Sheeb in the 29th minute. Just a minutes before the end of the 90 through Abu Dhabi Rashid. The ball, however, fell to inside the box and drilled home yesterday’s win propelled Al Sadd to top of minute later, Pakhtakor got their equaliser. Bounedjah. The 2018 AFC Champions Rivas who hit it fi rst-time into his fi fth strike of the competi- Group D with seven points. Khamdamov’s in-swinging cross was nod- League top goalscorer dispossessed Pakhta- the bottom corner. Al Wahda’s tion, making it 3-2 in the 56th Meanwhile, Pakhtakor freeze at fi ve ded on by Sherzod Azamov into the path of kor defender Azamov and exchanged passes eonardo was the star of response was instant, pulling minute. Eight minutes from points, slipping down to third place, with Al Krimets at the far post and the Pakhtakor with Xavi before slotting home his second in the show, netting all four one back through Leonardo. The time, Leonardo completed his Ahli now moving to second with six points captain headed it into the back of the net to this edition of the competition. goals for Al Wahda as they Brazilian collected the ball from hat-trick, tapping in from point- came from behind to de- Mansor al-Harbi’s pass and drib- blank after Tagliabue had fed the Lfeat Qatar’s Al Rayyan 4-3 in the bled past two defender before ball to Khalil Ibrahim down the LOCAL CRICKET AFC Champions League Group B placing the ball composedly into right to cross low for the Brazil- yesterday. the back of the net. With three ian who was left with the easiest Al Wahda had come from be- goals inside the fi rst eight min- of fi nishes to bring Wahda level. hind to defeat Al Rayyan 2-1 in utes, the game continued at a fast The former Al Ahli winger still Arshad slams ton in Fireox’s huge victory Doha two weeks ago and top the pace. Rim Chang-woo and Se- had more tricks up his sleeve, group with six points. So, the re- bastian Tagliabue missed chanc- snatching the winner and his aqlain Arshad’s batting onslaught Dharmang led CBQ’s chase as he made 81 turn fi xture off ered a chance for es for Al Wahda before the fourth fourth of the night in the last set up a huge 129-run victory for Fire- runs in 70 balls, while Abbas contributed 47 the Qataris to catch their oppo- goal of the fi rst half arrived. minute. Ismail Matar’s cross ox Unit against Commercial Bank Qa- off 41 balls. But once they were dismissed nents. The visitors came racing Jumaa intercepted a poor de- from a set-piece was headed tar in a Premier Division match in the CBQ collapsed for 291 in 42 overs. Mohd off the blocks and were in front fensive clearance from Wahda across the mouth of the goal by QatarS Airways Cricket Tournament. Ashan picked three wickets for 81, while Mo- within 120 seconds through Se- and supplied the ball to Koh substitute Hussain Abbas for Le- After Fireox Unit won the toss and decided hamed Mirza and Bhatti shared four scalps. bastian Soria. Buoyed by the Myong-jin whose cross on the onardo who was perfectly posi- to bat fi rst, Arshad smacked fi ve sixes and 16 goal, Gilson de Souza’s men con- volley found Rivas at the far post. tioned to nod home the winning boundaries to compile 142 in just 91 balls to BRIEF SCORES tinued to push forward and were The former Al Hilal and Al Itti- goal for the Clarets to the joy of help his team to a massive 420 for seven in 50 Fireox Unit: 420 for seven in 50 overs (Saqlain rewarded for their attacking in- had striker applied the fi nish to the home crowd. overs. Mohamed Amir made 30-ball 61, while tent with a second goal in the make it 3-1 to Al Rayyan midway With the result, Al Wahda re- Arshad 142, Waqas Bhatti 63, Talal 62, Mohd Talal scored 62 off 40 deliveries and Waqas sixth minute. through the opening half. tain their place at the top of the Amir 61; Zaheer 3/107, Abbas /47) bt CBQ 291 all Bhatti fi nished with 63 off 62 balls. Zaheer Left-back Mohamed Jumaa There was more of the same group with nine points. Al Rayy- out in 42 overs (Dharmang 81, Abbas 47; Mohd gave away 107 runs for three wickets, while crossed for Gelmin Rivas and the in the second half and it was Al an, meanwhile, slip to the bottom Ahsan 3/81, Mohd Mirza 2/37, Bhatti 2/36) Abbas picked one for 47. Venezuelan’s header was blocked Wahda who scored the next goal. of Group B with three points.