FOOTBALL | Page 3 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 5 Three-way Bangalore title race buck the trend in Barca’s with win hands: Suarez against Pune

Saturday, April 23, 2016 TENNIS Rajab 16, 1437 AH Nadal and Nishikori GULF TIMES close in on Catalan face-off SPORT Page 7

SEALINE CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY Fine wins for al-Attiyah, Sunderland and Casale ‘It was good to control the race all the way. We had the speed if we needed it. After two races I have 120 points’

By Sports Reporter Losail

atar’s Nasser Saleh al-At- tiyah, Dubai-based Eng- lish rider Sam Sunder- land and Chile’s Ignacio CasaleQ emerged unscathed from the fi nal 350.94km selective section of the Sealine Cross-Country Rally to confi rm memorable victories in the car, motor- cycle and quad categories at Losail yes- terday. The fi nal stage was won by the rally runners-up, Yazeed al-Rajhi, Pablo Quintanilla and Rafal Sonik, but they began the fi fth section too far behind to realistically challenge for victory and the stage wins were minor consola- tions. Al-Attiyah recorded a second out- right win with Overdrive Racing and the Toyota Hilux in the space of four weeks and a fi fth win in six years. The triumph marked a third successive Bikes category winner Sam Sunderland (right) and runner-up Pablo Quintanilla win for his French navigator Matthieu pose together at the finish line. Baumel and gives the entire team a comfortable lead in the FIA World Cup final place in the top 10 and the spoils in T3. 3. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin after three rounds. The X-raid Mini Kiwi Emma Gilmour, French girl Zhiltsov (RUS) Mini All4 Racing 16hr All4 Racing crew of al-Rajhi and Timo Charlotte Berton and Spain’s Cristina 27min 04sec Gottschalk won the fi nal stage and fi n- Gutierrez all started the fi nal day in 4. Yuriy Sazonov (KAZ)/Dmytro Tsyro ished 12min 03sec behind the Toyota. three QMMF-backed T1 Nissan Patrols (UKR) Hummer H3 Evolution VIII 17hr Behind al-Rajhi, G-Energy Team and just one car reached the fi nish to 28min 42sec Mini driver Vladimir Vasilyev rounded cap a memorable week in the deserts 5. Jutta Kleinschmidt (DEU)/Philipp off the car podium in third overall, al- for the girls running under the watchful Beier (DEU) X-raid CBRA 17hr 50min though the St. Petersburg-based driver eye of Kleinschmidt and their ‘mother’, 15sec was 1hr 11in 13sec behind al-Attiyah. the veteran WRC and Cross-County “It was a good day for us. This is an navigator Fabrizia Pons. Bikes (top five) important win in Qatar,” said al-Atti- Gilmour retired when the wheel hub 1. Sam Sunderland (GBR) KTM 450 Rally yah. “I am quite happy. It was good to Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (right) and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel celebrate the Sealine win. broke again and she shed the same 19hr 14min 07sec control the race all the way. We had the wheel as she had on Thursday, Berton 2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI) Husqvarna speed if we needed it. After two races I metres and Sunderland held on to give all week, and it’s not been easy. I knew ean back into contention for the FIM succumbed to an oil leak, but Gutierrez 450 Rally 19hr 23min 45sec have 120 points. Now we prepare our- KTM a fi fth win in Qatar in six years by he was going to catch me today. I could world title. His winning margin was struggled on to reach Losail in an unof- 3. Helder Rodrigues (POR) Yamaha selves for the smaller races. To win at the margin of 9min 38sec. relax a bit and then we rode together to 31min 49sec. fi cial 22nd overall after missing some of WR450 19hr 44min 53sec home is fantastic.” “It was really good. It has been a the fi nish.” Saudi’s Yasir Seaidan and French the rally with front diff erential issues. 4. Juan Carlos Salvatierra (BOL) KTM Chilean Pablo Quintanilla made lot of work over the last six months Yamaha’s Helder Rodrigues rounded navigator Sébastien Delaunay survived 450 Replica 20hr 08min 29sec Sunderland work mightily hard for to come back after the broken femur,” off the podium. two fl at tyres on the penultimate stage OVERALL STANDINGS 5. Pierre Alexander Renet (FRA) Husq- the second biggest win of the talented said 27-year-old Sunderland. “I missed Ignacio Casale rode a superb race on to press home their T2 advantage into Cars (top five) varna 450 Rally 20hr 14min 34sec young Englishman’s career. The Chil- Dakar and sitting at home watching was his Yamaha Raptor 700 SE to clinch a the fi nal day and snatch the FIA T2 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Mat- ean started fi fth on the road, passed really a tough time for me mentally and crushing victory in the quad category World Cup lead after three rounds. The thieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Over- Quads three of his rivals and then caught Sun- physically. I’m really happy. The team and break Rafal Sonik’s stranglehold Saudi had won the T3 section at Sealine drive 15hr 15min 51sec 1. Ignacio Casale (CHI) Yamaha Raptor derland to halve the overnight defi cit. have been so supportive through all this on success in Qatar. It marked the back in 2013 and fi nished a fi ne ninth 2. Yazeed al-Rajhi (SAU)/Timo 700 SE 22hr 02min 08sec Neither rider could aff ord the slightest time and I owe everything to them. It’s fi rst victory on the Sealine event for a this week. Gottschalk (DEU) Mini All4 Racing 15hr 2. Rafal Sonik (POL) Honda TRX 700 mistake over the closing nervy kilo- been a tough race, fi ghting with Pablo Yamaha of any kind and puts the Chil- Pietro Cinotto beat his father Carlo to the 27min 54sec 22hr 33min 57sec

ASIAN SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP Lertsattayathorn takes out Advani to set up fi nal vs Shehab

By Sports Reporter a sweat while winning his semi-fi nal Doha match. The cueist won the fi rst two frames but the lost the third one, be- fore regrouping to win the next three here is no stopping Kritsanut against Sarkhosh. Lertsattayathorn. The diminu- The fi nal will be held today from tive Thai scalped another big 11am and will be a best-of-11 frames af- fi sh as he stormed into the fi nal fair, with the winner awarded a guaran- ofT the 32nd Asian Snooker Champion- teed two-year professional tour card by ship at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker World Snooker. Federation (QBSF) Academy yesterday. The champion will take home $3,500 In the quarter-fi nals on Thursday, and the runner-up $1,750. The losing Lertsattayathorn had ousted former semi-fi nalists will collect $500 each. IBSF World Champion Mohamed The organisers also have lined up cash Asif of Pakistan. Yesterday, he did no awards for the highest break and maxi- harm to his growing reputation as the mum break. 27-year-old knocked out India’s ace The cueman with the highest break cueist Pankaj Advani in the last four. (over 100 pts) will pocket $500 and Adavni, being the top seed and mul- Mohammed Shehab of the UAE will face Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn (right) of Thailand in the Asian Snooker Championship title today. those with maximum break (above 147) tiple world champion in both billiards is set to go home with $1,750. and snooker was heavily favoured 00, 00-99, 71-05, 18-99 ,77 28, 66-31), pocket the second frame 64-21. horn won the seventh and eighth frame for the way he played,” the 30-year-old to end the title drought at the Asian with breaks of 58 and 142 coming in the In the third frame, Lertsattayathorn 77-28 and 66-31 to book his place in the Bangalorean said. Semi-finals results Championship — where he had fi nished second and third frames respectively. started at the table and scored a century fi nal against UAE’s Mohamed Shehab, Advani was already looking ahead to Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn (Thailand) runner-up on three occasions. The semi-fi nal lasted for four hours break of 142 winning the frame. How- who put it easily past Amir Sarkhosh the season. “I am looking forward to beat Pankaj Advani (India) 5-3 (86(58)- However, Lertsattayathorn had other with the fi fth frame itself lasting for ever, the fourth frame belonged to Pan- 5-1 in the other semifi nal. the next tournament in Abu Dhabi next 46, 21-64, 142(142)-00, 00-99(94), 71-05, ideas in an encounter where he frus- more than an hour. With a match that kaj who won it 99-0 with a break of 94. Advani, while disappointed at his month and I am glad to have started 18-99(90), 77(62)-28, 66-31) trated Advani with his tactical ploy. In was matched frame-to-frame till the Losing the fi fth frame, 71-5, in the loss, heaped praise on Lertsattayat- with the snooker season with a lot more Mohamed Shehab (UAE) beat Amir the best of nine frames match, Lertsat- sixth, Advani lost the fi rst frame to his sixth frame, Pankaj scored a 90 break horn. “The match didn’t go my way in store,” he added. Sarkhosh (Iran) 5-1 (93-15, 91-26, 33- tayathorn won 5-3 (86-46, 21-64, 142- Thai opponent 46-86 but moved on to to win the frame 99-18. Lertsattayat- but credit is due to my Thai opponent Meanwhile, Shehab hardly broke 101(97), 92-00, 54-43, 101(57)-13) Gulf Times 2 Saturday, April 23, 2016 FOOTBALL WC 2022 an opportunity to create benchmark on workers’ rights: Infantino ‘I am convinced that this will be the World Cup of unity, respect and tolerance. This will be the tremendous legacy that 2022 will leave not only to Qatar and Middle East, but to the whole world’

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (second from left) with QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad al-Thani (left), Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Secretary General Hassan al-Thawadi (second from right) and Nasser al-Khater, Assistant Secretary General of Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, during yesterday's press conference in Doha. PICTURE: Jayaram

IFA President Gianni Infantino of sustainable and fair working condi- all World Cup tournaments and will be convinced about Qatar’s long-term concluded his two-day visit to tions for all workers in Qatar. led by FIFA and include stakeholders, to vision: “First of all I’d like to congratu- Qatar yesterday with a visit to “We are aware of our responsibili- ensure what we say will be delivered. It late President Infantino on his elec- the 2016 Workers Cup semi- ties and our duties, and if we can help will put an additional layer of monitor- tion, and wish him all the best on his fiF nals and talked to members of the achieve changes beyond football then ing and control, because it is important. journey as FIFA President. press afterwards at the QFA Techni- we will do so. I was very pleased to see If positive things are going to happen “The journey with him over the past cal Centre in Doha. He was joined on the personal commitment of the Prime anyway, which I’m convinced of, then two days has been an honour, to have stage by QFA President Sheikh Hamad Minister and all the relevant authori- this body will have an easy task. the President on this visit to see fi rst bin Khalifa bin Ahmad al-Thani, and ties in Qatar. “We know there are challenges, we hand the preparations for this World Supreme Committee for Delivery & “We will take the Qatari authorities understand that it is a process but we Cup. We have been able to show him Legacy (SC) Secretary General Hassan by their word, the concrete actions will will move ahead. Of course I discussed the vision which the Qatar 2022 LOC al-Thawadi. Here are the highlights be the real testament of their will. The the changes to the Kafala legislation this and the QFA have been committed to, from yesterday's press conference: policy has been decided by the high- morning with HE the Prime Minister, not only in terms of infrastructure, but “It is a great pleasure for me to be est authorities, the regulation is put in this is also something which has to be also on workers’ welfare and the coun- here in Qatar today and yesterday, in place and the enforcement is under- acknowledged, respected and enforced. try’s overall commitment. the capacity of President of FIFA, the way. There is a clear commitment at “We are speaking about thousands “We recognise the challenges ahead organisation which will organise with the highest level. This has an impact and thousands of people, but without of us, the issues we face along the way, the Qatari people a great World Cup in in Qatar but also the whole region, the the World Cup none of this would even but our commitment remains stead- 2022. We are looking very much for- other Gulf countries which are also have been discussed. I am convinced fast on achieving our objectives to ward to that.” said Infantino. looking at their legislation. that this World Cup in 2022 will have leave a lasting social legacy. “Yesterday I had the opportunity to “We will not just sit and wait. We will an absolutely tremendous impact. “We welcome the approach of FIFA visit Khalifa International Stadium, a step up our eff orts in overseeing the ef- “In a particular time where in the to add an independent monitoring body, historic site for Qatar. We met with HH forts of the Supreme Committee, to world we need to speak about respect, which will add to our independent mon- the Emir and HE the Prime Minister, and make sure all obligations are fulfi lled. I inclusion, I am convinced that this will itor, Impactt, and oversee the progress the QFA President as well as the Secretary have proposed concretely an initiative, be the World Cup of unity, respect and taking place on the ground. It exempli- General of the Supreme Committee. which they have also welcomed. This is tolerance. This will be the tremendous fi es the spirit of what international tour- “I have also visited Labour City and the creation of a new oversight body led legacy that 2022 will leave not only to naments can and will achieve. have been following very closely the by FIFA, including independent mem- Qatar and the Middle East, but to the “We are on schedule to deliver on discussions on human rights, in par- bers, and key stakeholders, to oversee whole world,” were the FIFA chief’s our promises, in terms of infrastruc- ticular with regards to the World Cup all FIFA competitions. This oversight encouraging remarks. ture, legacy projects, and other ini- in Qatar. Over the past two days I have body will validate the quality and ef- QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khal- tiatives which showcase the breadth been able to personally witness what fectiveness of the due diligence process. ifa bin Ahmad al-Thani said it was an hon- of vision we have and the importance has been done, and I am confi dent we “Transparency is always the key, so our to have the FIFA President in Qatar: we put on 2022 in Qatar, the fi rst World are on the right track. we will issue progress reports to this ef- “We would like to welcome FIFA President Cup in the Arab and Islamic world, and “An encouraging example of this is fect. FIFA has the primary responsibil- Gianni Infantino to Qatar. It is an honour what it can achieve. the Supreme Committee’s responses to ity to serve the game, however human to have him here with us, and we wish him “Progress will be made on the the issues raised by Amnesty Interna- rights issues in construction are a global all the best as President of FIFA. I look ground, in terms of our social com- tional in their recent report, with many challenge, and everybody has a shared forward to working closely together in the mitments and workers’ welfare. We of those issues already being tackled responsibility in this. We are taking our future with FIFA and to continuously en- are making sure that this World Cup before the report was published. The responsibility very seriously, and we are hancing our co-operation.” achieves its goals to act as a catalyst for Gianni Infantino poses with the Workers Cup trophy yesterday. The hosting of the FIFA World Cup is an op- committed to playing our part. SC Secretary General Hassan al- positive change, not only in Qatar but FIFA President also witnessed a semi-final match of the tournament portunity to set a benchmark in terms “The oversight body will be related to Thawadi said the FIFA chief was also in the region.” (www.sc.qa) (below) on the concluding day of his two-day visit to Qatar. (AFP) Gulf Times Saturday, April 23, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA SPOTLIGHT Three-way title race PSG continue bid for total fi rmly in Barca’s dominance

AFP last two matches likely to be the Paris two cup fi nals. PSG are on course for a third successive French League Cup hands, says Suarez aris Saint-Germain face and are the record fi ve-time win- an in-form Lille side ners of the competition, while in the French League Lille have never lifted the trophy Cup fi nal at the Stade and will be playing in the fi nal for Catalan giants lead Atletico solely thanks to their superior head-to-head record Pde France today, as they look to the fi rst time. complete part three of a possible Lille will be tough opponents AFP domestic clean sweep of titles. today though, after a recent re- Barcelona Laurent Blanc’s side are on surgence in form under the tute- track to repeat their haul of last lage of new coach Frederic An- season when they won the French tonetti. Earlier this season they aving scored four and provid- Cup and League Cup, the Ligue 1 were struggling for goals and ed three assists as Barcelona title, as well as the season-open- embroiled in a relegation battle, roared back into form with an Lionel Messi has failed to score ing Champions Trophy. but a thumping 5-1 semi-fi nal 8-0 thrashing of Deportivo la the last seven times Barcelona The capital city club’s main win over Bordeaux sparked them HCoruna in midweek, Luis Suarez has re- aim this term was to conquer Eu- into life. have been eliminated from fused to contemplate any other outcome the Champions League, rope, only to be beaten by Man- A six-match winning streak, than Barca retaining their La Liga title. while Neymar (right) too was chester City as they bowed out during which they have scored The Catalan giants lead Atletico Ma- disappointing at Madrid. (AFP) at the quarter-fi nal stage for the 16 goals, has propelled them to drid solely thanks to their superior head- fourth year in a row. within just four points of the to-head record with Real Madrid just one But after wrapping up the Champions League places with point back in third with four games to go. Ligue 1 title in record time, PSG four Ligue 1 games remaining. However, having taken just one point are just two wins away from “We will not hide, we know from their previous four league matches, successfully defending their where we’re coming from and Suarez believes Barca are fully back on cup trophies, after setting up a things will not totally change just course for a 24th La Liga title. “We need- mouthwatering French Cup fi - because we have won six match- ed that victory. We came off the back of nal against arch rivals Marseille es,” Lille midfi elder Florent Bal- many games suff ering and, as we are hu- by beating Lorient on Tuesday. mont told sports daily L’Equipe. man, the defeats hurt,” he said. Talismanic striker Zlatan Ibra- “We are nothing but outsiders “It is in our hands and if we win all our himovic grabbed the winner in for this fi nal. PSG have so many games what the others do doesn’t bother the 75th minute with his 42nd great players. us. The normal thing would be that none goal of a fantastic farewell sea- “We know very well that if we of us slip up. We are the leaders and we son. are just average that will not be are convinced we are going to win it. We The rest of the campaign still enough. We must play the per- aren’t contemplating anything other appears full of possibilities for fect match, but we have nothing than winning.” the league champions, but Blanc to lose.” Lionel Messi and Neymar were also on is under pressure to at least The prodigious talent of Sofi ane target against Deportivo as Barca’s star match the feats of 12 months ago. Boufal has shone through for Lille front three responded in style to their The French coach is still in recent weeks, with the Moroccan critics as fatigue appeared to catch up sweating on the fi tness of key winger scoring a stunning volley as with the South American trio in the past midfi elder Marco Verratti, who part of a hat-trick in a 4-2 win at month after a hugely demanding season has been out since February 20 Gazelec Ajaccio last Saturday. as Barca competed in six competitions. with a groin problem, for the Portuguese international And Suarez reserved special words of Lille clash, while David Luiz may striker Eder has also chipped in support for Neymar, whose perform- miss out with an ankle injury. with fi ve goals since joining on ances and off -fi eld attitude had been the Luiz’s absence would mean loan from Swansea City in Janu- target for particular criticism during Bar- that Marquinhos partners cap- ary, and suddenly the team look ca’s slump. “It hurts that people put the tain Thiago Silva in central de- to be a far more potent force. responsiblity on him for the defeats. He fence, as he did in the European Antonetti with be without is a boy with feelings and he’s my friend,” exit to Man City. central defender Renato Civelli added the Uruguayan. “We all try to sup- Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu as the Argentine starts a three- port one another. He is showing by his at- looks set to leave the club at the game ban, although winger titude that he won’t give up.” end of the season after being re- Mounir Obbadi should be fi t to Barca will be back to full strength for placed as number one by German start after returning to action the visit of a Sporting Gijon side fi ghting Luis Suarez believes Barcelona are fully back on Kevin Trapp, but he could still from the bench in Corsica at the to avoid relegation at the bottom of the course for a 24th La Liga title. (Reuters) make an indelible mark with his weekend. table today with Gerard Pique to return from suspension in central defence. However, Barca could be third by the time they kick-off with Real Madrid in playing well and we have to continue like action away at Rayo Vallecano and Atleti- this till the end of the season.” co Madrid hosting Malaga earlier today However, it is Atletico who appear to TESTS CONFIRM RONALDO ahead of their Champions League semi- have the easiest run-in of the three title fi nals in midweek. contenders with three of their remaining HAS THIGH STRAIN Cristiano Ronaldo is a major doubt for four at home. Real’s trip to Vallecas after limping off in Atletico have won eight of their last Madrid: Three-time World Player of the Madrid are just one point behind La stoppage time of their 3-0 win over Vil- nine with Fernando Torres scoring in fi ve Year Cristiano Ronaldo suff ered only a Liga leaders Barcelona and Atletico larreal on Wednesday with a minor ham- consecutive games for the fi rst time in his thigh strain after limping off in Real Ma- Madrid with four games remaining string problem. career to lead their late season title push. drid’s 3-0 win over Villarreal in midweek, in a tight three-way race for the title. The three-time World Player of the Diego Simeone’s men will, though, also the club confirmed yesterday. “All good. Thanks for your support,” Year has been an ever-present for Madrid be without a key player in inspirational “Following tests carried out today on Ronaldo had posted to his over 55 mil- in La Liga this season, but is unlikely to be central defender Diego Godin as he suf- Cristiano Ronaldo in the Sanitas La Mo- lion followers on social media network risked just three days before Real travel to fered the recurrence of a hamstring prob- raleja University Hospital, he has been Instagram on Thursday. Manchester City for the fi rst leg of their lem in Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Athletic diagnosed with a muscle strain in his Before hobbling off towards the semi-fi nal. However, with Zinedine Zi- Bilbao. right thigh,” Madrid said in a statement. end of Madrid’s eighth consecutive La dane’s men in sensational form having “His recovery will continue to be as- Liga win to remain just a point behind won their last eight La Liga games, mid- FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) sessed.” Real refused to state how long leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, fi elder Luka Modric believes they have Today: Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid (1400), the Portuguese will be sidelined. How- Ronaldo had played all but one minute the strength in depth to cope with Ronal- Atletico Madrid v Malaga (1615), Barcelona ever, widespread reports in the Spanish of Real’s previous 43 La Liga and Cham- do’s absence. “We are Real Madrid and we v Sporting Gijon (1830), Eibar v Deportivo la sports press said he will miss today’s pions League games this season. have the squad to fi ght for the two titles,” Coruna (2005) trip to Rayo Vallecano, but will be fit in And Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane said the Croatian. Tomorrow: Levante v Athletic Bilbao (1000), time for Madrid’s Champions League admitted he should have taken more Paris Saint-Germain are on course for a third successive French “We have a tough game at Vallecas fi rst Sevilla v Real Betis (1400), Getafe v Valencia semi-final, first leg away to Manchester precaution to rest the 47-goal forward in League Cup and are the record five-time winners of the competition, and then we will think about the Cham- (1615), Villarreal v Real Sociedad (1830) City on Tuesday. recent weeks. while Lille have never lifted the trophy and will be playing in the final pions League. We are full of confi dence, On Monday: Celta Vigo v Granada (1830) for the first time. (AFP)

FOCUS Backlash as ‘Milan’ perform ‘Haka’ before Serie A match

AFP right now if they used the f****** Haka clubs in the days following such inci- Milan to promote Nivea products. Genuinely dents but due to a “technical problem” disgusted,” said one Twitter user, @ only released details of the punishment Jamorushton. Another, @88NTaylor on Thursday. truggling Serie A giants AC Mi- said: “AC Milan doing the Haka last It means a section of the third row of lan were left red-faced amid night man. Jesus wept ???? I am cring- seating at the ground will be closed for a social media backlash that ing now can’t imagine how bad it must Inter’s next home game, against Udi- mocked the club for a bizarre have been in the stadium.” nese is today, although a repeat of such pre-matchS ‘Haka’ ritual dance prior to Milan’s failure to beat a team cur- incidents will “lead to the closure of the a Serie A game on Thursday. rently struggling to stay in Italy’s top entire third row of seating in the sta- Seven-time European champions fl ight was the bottom of the barrel for dium”, said a statement. Milan hosted relegation-haunted Carpi disgruntled fans of a team that will miss Inter were also slapped with a 15,000 at the legendary San Siro stadium look- the Champions League for the third euros fi ne for the supporters’ racist be- ing for a win to boost their bid to qualify year in succession. haviour. It is not the fi rst time Koulibaly for next season’s Europa League. has been subject to racism this season. But fans were left baffl ed in the lead- RACIST INTER FANS FORCE The towering Senegal international up to kick-off when two ‘teams’ of PARTIAL STADIUM BAN fell victim to monkey chants while players—dressed to look like AC Milan Inter Milan have been hit with a par- playing at Lazio in February, an inci- and Carpi—appeared on the pitch. tial stadium ban after Napoli’s Senegal dent that prompted thousands of Na- After both teams ran down the end of defender Kalidou Koulibaly was the poli fans to don masks depicting the the pitch, the ‘Milan’ team proceeded to victim of racist abuse at the side’s last defender in their following home game. perform a Haka—the ritual war dance league meeting, Serie A offi cials have Meanwhile, Frosinone midfi elder usually performed by New Zealand’s All AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli (right) controls the ball during the Serie A football match AC against Carpi. (AFP) announced. Yussif Raman Chibsah will miss three Blacks prior to their rugby games. Koulibaly was subject to sporadic of the season’s last four league games With electronic advertisement for a well-known men’s face cream. amid yet another disastrous season for tively seeking a buyer for either a ma- monkey chants from groups of hardline after being handed a three-game ban hoardings blazing the message: ‘Men, Several of Milan’s players currently the club. Indeed, Milan fans around the jority or minority share in the club. ultra fans in the Curva Nord section of for insulting the referee during a 5-1 this is your ritual’, it quickly became ap- appear in television adverts for Nivea world voiced their disgust at the depths In a series of posts on the micro- the San Siro two weeks ago when Na- defeat to Chievo last weekend that parent the ‘players’ were actors and the cream, although Thursday’s display did to which Milan, and football, has plum- blogging site Twitter fans unleashed poli lost 2-0. saw the Ghanaian sent off for a second dance all part of a publicity campaign little to smoothe the concerns of fans meted. Owner Silvio Berlusconi is ac- their fury. “I’ll stop following Milan Serie A offi cials usually sanction bookable off ence. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, April 23, 2016 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE BUNDESLIGA Bayern hope to Harry Kane warns make history in Berlin Leicester playing AFP stay in contention for a Champi- Munich ons League place next season. Bayern will again be without Arjen Robben, who has a groin homas Mueller has de- injury, although Germany de- scribed each of Bayern fender Jerome Boateng is back in Munich’s remaining training after tearing his groin in catch up suits Spurs games as a ‘little fi nal’ January. asT they could wrap up a historic Germany goalkeeper Manuel fourth consecutive Bundesliga Neuer, 30, signed a contract ex- title at Hertha Berlin today. tension on Wednesday to stay For the second weekend in a row, Tottenham, kick off 24 hours after Leicester No club has ever won four with Bayern until 2021. straight titles, but Pep Guardi- Dortmund face a tricky match ola’s Bayern have a seven-point as Stuttgart are desperate for lead with four games remain- points and are just two places ing. They need to beat Hertha, away from the relegation places and hope second-placed Borus- after dropping 13 points in their sia Dortmund lose at Stuttgart, last fi ve games. to have their title victory con- Stuttgart’s last win over Dort- fi rmed. It would be a welcome mund was back in January 2010. boost ahead of next Wednesday’s Borussia booked their German trip to Spain to face Atletico Ma- Cup fi nal berth with a 3-0 win at drid in the semi-fi nal, fi rst leg of Hertha Berlin on Wednesday. the Champions League. But Dortmund are waiting on Berlin’s Olympic Stadium has the fi tness of Pierre-Emerick been a happy hunting ground for Aubameyang, who missed the Bayern in recent seasons, having semi-fi nal win in Berlin with a won their 2010 and 2014 Bun- foot injury. desliga titles there. There is an important bat- They will return to the capi- tle for Germany’s Champions tal on May 21 to face Dortmund League places on tonight when in the German Cup fi nal. Bayern out-of-sorts Schalke host third- are in the running to repeat their placed Bayer Leverkusen. 2013 treble of European, league The Royal Blues of Gelsen- and cup titles in Guardiola’s third kirchen have picked up just one and fi nal season before joining point from nine in the league, Manchester City next season. while Leverkusen have won their Should they also reach the last fi ve without conceding a Champions League fi nal in Milan goal. Seventh-placed Schalke are on May 28, Bayern will have eight only outside the Europa League games left this season to win places on goal diff erence, but are three trophies, starting in Berlin. six points from a direct Champi- “It’s always been the case that ons League spot with time run- the last few weeks of the season ning out. were always the most impor- Hamburg are without sus- tant,” said Mueller, who scored pended goalkeeper and captain both goals in Tuesday’s 2-0 cup Rene Adler with Pierre-Michel semi-fi nal win at home to Wer- Lasogga, Albin Ekdal and Nico- der Bremen. lai Mueller injured for Friday’s “But the next few will be even north German derby against more important, if we keep pro- Werder Bremen. Both sides are gressing. It means we face a lit- battling relegation with Bremen tle fi nal every three days or so.” two points from safety and Ham- Bayern have been fl at in their last burg only three points above the seven games, dating back to their bottom three. dramatic 4-2 win over Juventus in mid-March when they came FIXTURES (ALL FIXTURES 1330 from 2-0 down at home to win GMT UNLESS STATED) their Champions League quar- Today: Wolfsburg v Augsburg, ter-fi nal, second leg. Stuttgart v Dortmund, Cologne v Tottenham Hotspurstriker Harry Kane insists the perceived burden of having to follow Leicester is actually a bonus because it gets his team’s juices flowing. (AFP) “I believe we can play better— Darmstadt, Hertha Berlin v Bayern and will play better,” said captain Munich, Ingolstadt v Hannover 96, AFP gets you ready, gets you fi ring,” Kane said. dismissal and the shock of conceding two In a fi xture with signifi cant implica- Philipp Lahm ahead of their trip Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (1630) London “With more performances like against late goals showed their desire to fi nish off tions at both ends of the table, Arsenal to Berlin. Hertha have taken only Tomorrow: Borussia Moenchengla- Stoke, I’m sure we’ll push them all the the most unlikely title bid of all time. travel to Sunderland on Sunday. one point from their last three dbach v Hoff enheim, E. Frankfurt v way. All we can do is keep doing what Just 12 months ago, Leicester were en- The third placed Gunners bolstered league games and are fi ghting to Mainz (1530) arry Kane has warned lead- we’re doing. We want to win all four of gaged in a battle for relegation and they their bid for a top four place with an ers Leicester that title-chasing our games.” started this season as 5,000-1 outsiders Alexis Sanchez-inspired win over West Tottenham are happy to play While Leicester will be without the for the title. “We showed great character. Brom on Thursday, but they still have lit- catch up as the race for the Pre- suspended Jamie Vardy on Sunday af- I love to play with this team because we tle margin for error against a Sunderland Hmier League crown enters the fi nal fur- ter his dismissal for diving against West all fi ght together until the last minute,” side desperate for points in their fi ght to long. For the second weekend in a row, Ham, Tottenham have no such issues Ulloa said. “I didn’t think about the pres- avoid relegation. second placed Tottenham, who host West with the in-form Kane, who scored twice sure of the situation. After I scored I felt Sunderland are one point from safety Bromwich Albion on Monday, kick off 24 against Stoke to take his tally to a Premier how important the goal was. The feeling and with fourth bottom Norwich not hours after Leicester, with Claudio Rani- League leading 24 goals this season. was so good.” playing this weekend, they would climb eri’s side at home to Swansea tomorrow. Vardy’s ban could be extended after the Manchester City warm up for their out of the bottom three with a draw or But Kane insists the perceived burden England striker accepted a Football As- Champions League semi-fi nal fi rst leg win against the Gunners. Liverpool, back of having to follow Leicester is actually sociation charge of misconduct for his against Real Madrid by hosting Stoke in in the hunt for a European berth after a bonus because it gets his team’s juices angry reaction to the red card and Kane a less glamourous but still signifi cant their midweek demolition of Everton, fl owing. That Kane and company have no knows that would be a huge blow for the encounter. Tuesday’s clash with Real has host second bottom Newcastle, who are problem dealing with the pressure of try- leaders, who face Manchester United, the star power, but Manuel Pellegrini’s two points from safety. ing to overhaul Leicester was clear to see Everton and Chelsea in their fi nal three fourth placed side also need to ensure “We are all happy and hopefully we can last Monday when they won 4-0 at Stoke matches. “Obviously Leicester have got they qualify for next season’s Champions keep this good momentum going. We still to take advantage of the leaders’ draw some tough games coming up,” he said. League via a top four fi nish. have a lot to play for,” Liverpool midfi eld- with West Ham the previous day. “They’re in the driving seat. All we can do They are two points ahead of fi fth er Lucas said. Mauricio Pochettino’s team are now is keep winning.” placed Manchester United, who play in FIXTURES (1400 GMT UNLESS STATED) fi ve points behind Leicester with four Vardy’s replacement against Swansea is the FA Cup semi-fi nals against Everton Today: Aston Villa v Southampton, Bourne- matches remaining and England forward likely to be Leonardo Ulloa, who came off today, so there is no room to be distracted mouth v Chelsea, Liverpool v Newcastle, Kane is hoping this weekend’s crucial the bench to score the last-gasp penalty by the Madrid match-up. “Now almost Manchester City v Stoke (1145 GMT) fi xtures follow a similar pattern. “Watch- that rescued a draw against West Ham. everybody is back (from injury) and it Tomorrow: Leicester v Swansea (1515 GMT) Thomas Mueller's Bayern Munich’s need to beat Hertha, and hope ing all the football over the weekend and Ulloa believes the way Leicester avoid- gives a diff erent feeling in the group,” City Sunderland v Arsenal (1305 GMT) second-placed Borussia Dortmund lose at Stuttgart, to have their title having to wait until Monday night to play, ed defeat despite the stress of Vardy’s midfi elder Kevin de Bruyne said. On Monday: Tottenham v West Brom (1900) victory confirmed today. (AFP)

SANCHEZ SINKS WEST BROM TO FOCUS SETTLE ARSENAL NERVES Man Utd eye FA Cup solace London: In-form Chilean for- mathematically alive, but with ward Alexis Sanchez struck leaders Leicester City 10 points twice as Arsenal defeated West above them, the north London Bromwich Albion 2-0 on Thurs- club’s chief objective over against shell-shocked Everton day to re-assert their hold on their final four games will be to a Champions League berth in hold off fifth-place Manchester AFP and they will travel to London which United last lifted in 2004, to play if selected against his the Premier League. United, who they lead by four London with renewed confi dence. allied to a top-four fi nish in the old club today. While the worm Booed off following Sunday’s points. “We are further than last Premier League would strength- may be turning, albeit slowly, 1-1 draw at home to Crystal West Brom, who have lost year,” Van Gaal said of his side’s en Van Gaal’s hand greatly as he for Van Gaal, the same can- Palace, Arsenal delivered a three successive games for the hasing a gilded fi nale to FA Cup progress. “Then it was approaches the fi nal year of his not be said of Everton manager more clinical display at the first time this season, remain a diffi cult season, Louis the quarter-fi nal, now it is the three-year contract. Roberto Martinez, who is living Emirates Stadium as Sanchez 10 points clear of the relega- van Gaal’s Manchester semi-fi nal. It means we are bet- Furthermore, United’s line-up through the blackest days of his took his tally to five goals in tion zone, but they are unlikely United face an Everton ter than last year. “We are in the in recent weeks has demonstrat- Goodison Park tenure. A run of teamC reeling from Merseyside semi-fi nal and still in the race for ed the commitment to youth seven games without victory in four games, and 16 for the to feel completely safe until season, with a first-half brace they register another victory. derby humiliation in today’s fi rst fourth. That was our aim.” that helped Van Gaal land the job the league has defi nitively ended from outside the box. “We were off it tonight,” said FA Cup semi-fi nal at Wembley. A long, dark English winter in the fi rst place. Everton’s European ambitions After consecutive draws, Ar- beaten manager Tony Pulis. Van Gaal found himself back is threatening to burst into a far Marcus Rashford, the 18-year- and Wednesday’s 4-0 thrash- senal manager Arsene Wenger “The players have given me in the media’s crosshairs follow- more pleasant spring for Van old striker who only made his ing at Liverpool left the Spaniard will have been relieved to see everything this year. ing a 3-0 defeat at Tottenham Gaal, who is seeking to steer debut in February, continues to looking exposed. Martinez has his team record their 500th “We have played well at all of Hotspur earlier this month, but United to a fi rst FA Cup fi nal play, and score, with the cool- tasted FA Cup glory once be- Premier League victory, which more confident. In the first half the big teams this year, but not not for the fi rst time this season, since they lost 1-0 to Chelsea in ness of a seasoned professional fore, memorably leading Wigan lifted them above Manchester he was exceptional. tonight. Sometimes you have his side responded with a timely 2007. Uncertainty surrounding and his displays have been sup- Athletic to a shock 1-0 victory City and into third place. “Of course we have regrets. to take defeat on the chin.” burst of wins. the Dutchman’s Old Traff ord plemented by the verve of fellow over Manchester City in the 2013 “We did the job in a serious We had two draws when we Rumours of a mass boycott Victory at West Ham United future continues to swirl, with forwards Anthony Martial, 20, fi nal, and he has called on his way. We played well techni- should have won the game by disgruntled Arsenal fans in their FA Cup quarter-fi nal re- Jose Mourinho and Tottenham and 23-year-old Jesse Lingard. players to re-focus as quickly as cally and the only regret is several times and when you do were not fully borne out, but it play provided the spur for back- Hotspur manager Mauricio Po- The trio’s displays have meant possible. we should have scored more that, you pay for it.” was possible to discern some to-back league wins over Aston chettino continually touted as that captain Wayne Rooney, FIXTURES goals,” Wenger said. “It looks The result also served to 10,000 bare seats as this re- Villa and Crystal Palace that potential successors in the Brit- back in action after a knee injury, Today (1615 GMT): Everton v Man- like Sanchez is back sharper, keep Arsenal’s title challenge arranged fixture kicked off . have bolstered United’s quest for ish press. has had to drop into a midfi eld chester United Tomorrow (1500 Champions League qualifi cation But success in the FA Cup, role, which is where he is likely GMT): Crystal Palace v Watford Gulf Times Saturday, April 23, 2016 5 CRICKET

FOCUS Determined Yuvraj sets 2019 World Cup goal Reuters World Cup win on home soil in 2011. One of the cleanest strikers of the “It was pretty disappointing,” Yu- of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai But later in 2011 he was told he had a ball, as England fast bowler Stuart vraj said on the sidelines of sportwear Sourav Ganguly and V V S Laxman in golf ball-sized non-malignant tumour Broad found out when he was bludg- brand Puma’s launch of a new collec- their batting order. in his lungs. It was later re-diagnosed eoned for six sixes in an over during tion of shoes. But Yuvraj, who played the last of nce a limited-overs giant, as a cancerous condition called “medi- the 2007 World Twenty20, Yuvraj cut “You have an injury before the World his 40 Tests in 2012, is not ruling out Yuvraj Singh has been in astinal seminoma”. a sorry fi gure at the crease during his Cup semi-fi nal and I was preparing to another run in the format with India and out of the Indian team That started a phase of comebacks 21-ball 11 against Sri Lanka in the 2014 play the World Cup for a while. slated to play about 12 matches in the in recent years but the all- for the hard-hitting middle-order World T20 fi nal. “(The 50-over World Cup in) 2019 next 12 months at home. rounderO believes he still has enough batsman, once considered a certainty Many blamed that knock for sap- would be a goal for me to achieve,” “Defi nitely, I am a big underachiever cricket in him to look forward to the in the international limited-overs for- ping India’s momentum and wrote off added Yuvraj, who plays for the David in Test cricket,” Yuvraj said. 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. mats. Yuvraj’s international ambitions in the Warner-led Hyderabad franchise in “But I can’t really take out anything The 34-year-old left-handed bats- “I think it’s the passion for the wake of the defeat. the Twenty20 Indian Premier League. because I didn’t have many opportuni- man has seen it all in an international game,” Yuvraj told Reuters when asked But he again went back to the do- “But for that I need to work very ties. career that started as an 18-year-old in what kept him going. “I don’t want to mestic circuit and scored enough to hard and I would have to perform very “We had lot of greats playing in the the 50-over ICC KnockOut Trophy in sit one day and think ‘Oh, I should have earn a spot in the squad for the recent outstandingly. I will try and look for- team. For seven years of my career I was 2000. played a few more years’. World T20. ward to do that. If I can reach 2019 it mostly the 12th man for test matches. He was crucial for India during “I want to end where I feel this is He injured his ankle in India’s fi nal will be huge for me.” “When I actually had a spot, I got their 2007 World Twenty20 victory in it and this is how much I would have Super 10 match against Australia and For the early part of his career it was diagnosed with cancer. So it’s been un- South Africa and was also player-of- played. Given the opportunity, I still was ruled out of the semi-fi nal against virtually impossible for Yuvraj to break fortunate but I’ve been lucky that I’ve the-tournament in the team’s 50-over feel I have a few more years to excel.” West Indies, which India lost. into a Test-playing 11 boasting the likes been able to play again.” INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Gayle raises eyebrows with ‘Blush’ baby name

est Indian batsman and kind messages. Blush won’t Chris Gayle has Blush, my baby.” Wraised eyebrows The destructive left-handed RCB buck the trend by saying he named his baby batsman received a number daughter “Blush”, a nod to an of congratulatory messages infamous sexism scandal which from fans and the cricketing engulfed him in January. The fraternity. Gayle missed a game self-proclaimed “Universe Boss” for his Indian Premier League left many people wondering franchise, Royal Challengers whether the name was genuine Bangalore, but he may be back after his partner Natasha Ber- in action as early as tomorrow. with win over Pune ridge gave birth this week. The big-hitting Jamaican is yet Gayle was pilloried over his re- to fire for the Virat Kohli-led side After posting a competitive 185-3, Bangalore restrict Pune Supergiants to 172-8 mark, “Don’t blush, baby” when and has scored just a single run he asked an irate Australian TV from his two outings so far. presenter for a date live on air Royal Challengers Bangalore during the Big Bash League. players celebrate the fall The 36-year-old was fined of Rising Pune Supergiants $10,000 by his club Melbourne opener Ajinkya Rahane’s Renegades and later made an wicket during their IPL clash apology of sorts, describing his in Pune yesterday. (AFP) comments as “a simple joke”. But on Thursday he posted on Instagram: “We would like to welcome the arrival of our beautiful daughter ‘Blush’ to this world 2 hours ago”. He later said on Twitter: “Thank you all for the sweet Amother surgery for England seamer Wood

ngland seamer Mark Wood has undergone a second opera- tion in five months on his troublesome left ankle, but off icials Ehope he will be able to return to action later in the English season. “Durham and England pace bowler Mark Wood has under- gone surgery on his left ankle,” said a statement issued by the Eng- land and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). “Following successful surgery to the front of his left ankle in November, a further procedure was undertaken yesterday to address ongoing issues at the back of the ankle. Wood will now undertake a period of rehabilitation and begin a back-to-bowling programme before returning to competi- tive cricket later this summer.” The 26-year-old Wood had to leave England’s tour of the United Arab Emirates before Christmas, because of the same ankle prob- lem. His operation means he is now set to miss England’s home series with Sri Lanka in May and June. But he could be available Agencies African Du Plessis tried to hit Kane Rich- something had to be given and it was the Sharma on the third-man boundary. when Pakistan arrive in the second half of the English season. Pune ardson over mid-off , but misjudged the new boy on the block, Tabraiz Shamsi, who De Villiers joined Kohli at the wicket and Wood had to scrap an intended comeback with Durham’s 2nd XI pace and Harshal Patel took an easy catch. got the breakthrough. they instigated the recovery–both batsmen after feeling pain again in his ankle. The Durham paceman made Kevin Pietersen faced one delivery, Rahane (60 off 46 balls, 8x4), failed to in sublime form in recent matches–contin- his international debut last year when he helped England regain second-wicket partnership of which he tried to defend, took off for the get to the pitch of the ball, swung, missed uing an all-out assault on the Supergiants the Ashes on home soil and has so far played eight Tests and eight 155 between captain Virat Kohli single, then pulled up lame and eventually and was stumped by wicketkeeper Lokesh attack. Ishant Sharma was taken for 47 off limited overs matches for his country. and AB de Villiers was the cor- had to leave the fi eld, retired hurt. Rahul. Dhoni was the next to go. Patel his four overs and Murugan Ashwin 29 off nerstone of the Royal Challeng- It was all going pear-shaped for the Su- fl oated one up, which the Supergiants cap- two overs. De Villiers reached his half-cen- ersA Bangalore’s 13-run win over the Rising pergiants. Steven Smith was deceived by a tain drilled and De Villiers patrolling the tury off 25 balls with four boundaries and Pune Supergiants in their Indian Premier slower delivery from Patel and was rapped long-off boundary took the catch. But the three sixes. Kohli required 47 balls for his Taylor leaves hospital League match, played in Pune yesterday. on the pad, but Smith had taken a few steps pair had compiled 91 for the third wicket. 50. It was the third century partnership in RCB’s win from the front was only the sec- out of his crease and Virat Kohli picked up Sri Lankan Thisara Perera, with a four matches this season for the pair. ormer England batsman hospital building on Thursday ond time it has been achieved in 16 matches the defl ection and threw down the stumps at swashbuckling 13-ball 34, nearly took the Kohli (267) and De Villiers (249) are James Taylor has been re- saying: “Well, that has been one this season. The Pune-based side, in their the striker’s end and despite a desperate full- game away from RCB, but Shane Watson now the leading run-scorers in the com- Fleased from hospital after hell of an experience! What a quest to chase down the 186 runs they re- legth dive, Smith was found short by inches. with two wickets in the penultimate over petition. The win, after two losses, helped completing the initial phase of beautiful day.” quired for victory after RCB had posted 185 The Supergiants had it all to do on 18 restored the balance of power, and Rich- move RCB up the ladder to third spot. treatment for the heart condi- Meanwhile a statement on for three, were restricted to 172 for eight. for two after 2.3 overs and a batsman back ardson ensured victory with two more Brief scores tion which cut short his career. Nottinghamshire’s website said: Prior to this match, 14 of 15 games in IPL in the hut with what looked like a pulled scalps in the fi nal over. The 26-year-old Nottingham- “James Taylor, the Nottingham- 2016 had been won by the team chasing. Ban- hamstring. Ajinkya Rahane and captain Earlier, after being invited to bat, Kohli Royal Challengers: 185-3 in 20 overs shire middle-order shotmaker shire and England batsman who galore bucked the trend again, having earlier MS Dhoni began the restoration process. and Rahul got the Royal Challengers in- (V Kohli 80 (63b), AB de Villiers 83 (46b); announced his retirement from was recently forced to retire defended 227 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rahane brought up his half-century nings off to a so-so start putting on 27. Perera 3/34) beat Rising Pune 172-8 in 20 cricket last week after being from cricket through illness, is Their chase lost impetus in the second in the 12th over off 37 balls with seven But Rahul, looking to loft Perera over overs (A Rahane 60 (46b), MS Dhoni 41 diagnosed with arrhythmogenic now continuing his recovery over of the innings, when they lost the boundaries. With the scoreboard pres- the covers in the fourth over, found the (38b), T Perera 34 (13b), R Bhatia 21 (11b); right ventricular cardiomy- at home. The 26-year-old has important wicket of Faf du Plessis. South sure mounting, the team needing 77 off 32, outside edge and was caught by Ishant Richardson 3/13, Watson 2/31) by 13 runs opathy (ARVC), a condition that undergone a preliminary proce- stops the right side of the heart dure in hospital and will contin- pumping blood properly and ue to be tested and monitored ROUND-UP may lead to sudden death. to determine future treatment. Taylor spent two weeks in Very best wishes to James from hospital but tweeted a photo- everybody at Trent Bridge as he India drops $42mn claim over aborted WI tour graph of himself outside the continues his recovery.” raised by the board. (We) would be satisfi ed India plans to host NZ in have not zeroed in on the venue. Things like AFP Kiwi batsman Guptill New Delhi by them coming and playing here.” a day/night Test this year dew factor, how the spinners bowl with the The West Indies players fl ew home pink kookaburra ball in Indian pitches, we from India in October 2014 when a long- ndia is planning to host its fi rst day/night will get an idea during the Duleep Trophy,” signs for Lancashire ndia’s cricket board has dropped a running pay dispute came to a head in the ITest match later this year as cricket’s glo- said Thakur. $42 million damages claim against the middle of the tour. bal powerhouse seeks to reverse a decline in New Zealand also played in the fi rst— ancashire have signed big-hitting New Zealand batsman West Indies over an abandoned tour in The two teams had been due to play attendances, according to senior offi cials. and so far only—day/night Test which was Martin Guptill for the beginning of their defence of the English 2014 after the new World Twenty20 fi ve ODIs, three Test matches and a T20 Anurag Thakur, the secretary of the In- staged by Australia in November last year. Ldomestic Twenty20 title. Guptill is due to arrive at Old Traff ord Ichampions agreed to return next year. international, but the tourists refused to dian board, said that matches in the do- Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand following the conclusion of his commitments with the Mumbai The huge damages claim lodged by the play on after the fi rst four ODIs with cap- mestic Duleep Trophy would be played in board’s head of operations, stopped short of Indians in the Twenty20 Indian Premier League and is set to play for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tain Dwayne Bravo leading a revolt by the the evening as a trial run and administrators confi rming an agreement on the match but Lancashire in the first six games of their Twenty20 campaign. had threatened to cripple its cash-strapped players. Bravo was subsequently sacked as would then decide which ground should host said the idea was exciting. The 29-year-old was the first New Zealand player to score a West Indies counterpart which has long skipper and has since been an outspoken the day/night Test against New Zealand. “India are quite defi nitive, which is quite double century in a one-day international and is the holder of the been at loggerheads with its own players. critic of the West Indies board. “We have decided that we will play one exciting because they seem quite commit- highest score in a 50-over World Cup after hitting an unbeaten 237 But BCCI president Shashank Mano- After captaining the West Indies to vic- day-night Test match with the pink ball ted to the idea. We hadn’t considered that it in the Black Caps’ quarter-final victory over the West Indies last year. har told Cricinfo the decision to waive the tory in the fi nal of the World Twenty20 in against New Zealand later this year,” Thakur would be an option so there is a bit of wa- “Martin is a formidable batsman, particularly in white-ball cricket, claim, fi led by his predecessor Narayanas- Kolkata earlier this month, current captain said in comments quoted in Indian news- ter to go under the bridge from our side,” and is currently ranked as the world’s third best batsman in T20 wami Srinivasan’s regime, had been made Darren Sammy took a swipe at the govern- papers and confi rmed by his offi ce. “Before Crocker told the Stuff .co.nz website. cricket,” said Lancashire coach Ashley Giles in a statement issued after the West Indies agreed to fulfi l their ing body over what he said was a lack of sup- that, the Duleep Trophy will act as a dress While India usually draws full houses for by the county. “He’s got the ability to take games away from the original commitments and the schedule for port for the players. rehearsal for the day-night Test match.” ODI and Twenty20s, Test matches are often opposition very quickly once he gets going and I’m sure our fans the tour should be fi nalised next month. The board slapped Sammy down but also New Zealand are slated to tour India in played out in front of half-full stadiums. will really enjoy watching him play,” the former England spinner “That is now sorted out because they are announced plans for talks with senior play- October to play three Tests and fi ve ODIs If India were to regular stage day/night explained. Guptill, who has previously played county cricket in going to come back and play here next year,” ers, many of whom have not played Test and Thakur said that “there are a number of Test, the BCCI—which is already the wealth- England for Derbyshire, added: “I hope I can make a real impact and said Manohar. “They have to complete cricket since 2014, turning out instead in factors that need to be taken into account” iest board in world cricket—could expect to help with their pursuit for another trophy in white-ball cricket.” those (unfi nished) games. That was a claim lucrative domestic T20 tournaments. before the board makes a fi nal decision. “We jack up the price for broadcasting rights. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, April 23, 2016 SPORT

MLB Chicago Cubs’ Arrieta pitches second no-hitter of career Arrieta got Suarez to fly out to right fielder Heyward for the final out, and the celebration was on around the mound

Reuters TWINS 8, BREWERS 1 Chicago Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta Miguel Sano had three hits and three RBI and throws the last pitch of a no-hitter during Ricky Nolasco went seven innings as Minnesota the ninth inning against the Cincinnati posted its fi rst road victory of the season. ake Arrieta tossed the second no-hitter Reds at Great American Ball Park. The of his career and the 15th in Chicago Cubs Cubs won 16-0. (USA TODAY Sports) RAYS 12, RED SOX 8 history in a 16-0 victory over the Cincin- Tampa Bay hammered former team mate David nati Reds at the Major League Baseball Price, blew a three-run lead and then rallied gamesJ on Thursday. past Boston. Steven Souza Jr snapped an 8-8 tie Arrieta got Eugenio Suarez to fl y out to right with an RBI double in the eighth inning and the fi elder Jason Heyward for the fi nal out, and the Rays protected that latest lead to win the rubber celebration was on around the mound. Arri- game of the three-game series. eta, who threw a no-hitter at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 30 last season, was greeted with hugs, DODGERS 2, BRAVES 1 high-fi ves and a Gatorade shower before exiting Yasmani Grandal delivered an RBI double in the the fi eld. Thursday’s result was never in doubt 10th inning to lift Los Angeles past Atlanta after as Kris Bryant hit two of fi ve Cubs home runs, a 10-inning win the previous night. including a grand slam. Bryant tied a career high Enrique Hernandez singled with one out and with six RBIs. Grandal, who entered the game as a pinch hit- ter in the eighth, followed with a two-base hit to ROYALS 4, TIGERS 0 the fence in left-center fi eld off Alexi Ogando. Edinson Volquez threw seven scoreless innings and Mike Moustakas homered as Kansas City ANGELS 3, WHITE SOX 2 blanked Detroit. Mike Trout’s off ensive revival continued with a Volquez (3-0) allowed fi ve hits, walked one two-run homer as Los Angeles salvaged a series and struck out fi ve, lowering his ERA to 1.46. He split with Chicago. pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth. Trout, now 5-for-6 in his last two games, Kelvin Herrera and Danny Duff y retired the broke a scoreless tie in the fi fth inning of the se- fi nal six batters to preserve the shutout. ries fi nale. He fi nished the game 2-for-2, scored once, walked twice and two RBI. ORIOLES 3, BLUE JAYS 2 Manny Machado continued his early hot streak DIAMONDBACKS 6, GIANTS 2 with two hits, the second a tiebreaking bloop Paul Goldschmidt had two hits and two RBIs, double in the eighth inning that gave Baltimore Yasmani Tomas hit his third home run of the a victory over Toronto. season and reliever Tyler Wagner pitched fi ve Darren O’Day (1-0) got the win after throw- scoreless innings for his fi rst career win as Ari- ing a scoreless eighth in which he struck out the zona beat San Francisco. side, and Zach Britton closed it for his fourth The Diamondbacks have won fi ve straight save. and seven of eight after completing a four-game Baltimore had come back from an early two- sweep of the Giants to move one game above run defi cit, missing several scoring opportuni- .500 for the fi rst time this year. ties before fi nally tying the game at 2-2 on a J.J. Hardy sacrifi ce fl y in the seventh. RANGERS 7, ASTROS 4 Texas completed a three-game sweep of Hou- A’S 7, YANKEES 3 ston, earning its fourth straight win overall. Rich Hill struck out 10 in six innings and Oak- Ian Desmond hit a three-run homer off Dal- land hit four home runs and to complete a three- las Keuchel to put the Rangers up for good at 3-1. game sweep of New York. Texas tacked on another run in the second on an Hill (2-2) allowed two runs (one earned) and RBI grounder from Delino DeShields and then three hits but constantly kept the Yankees off - pushed the lead to 5-1 on an Elvis Andrus triple balance with his curveball and fastball. He in the third. turned in his 10th career double-digit strikeout Houston got a run back in the fourth against game and second this season. A.J. Griffi n on a homer from Colby Rasmus, but Mark Canha, Khris Davis and Coco Crisp hit the Rangers kept scoring against Keuchel. solo homers for the A’s, and Chris Coghlan add- ed a two-run shot. PIRATES 11, PADRES 1 Allen over the wall in center fi eld for his sixth owed another impressive performance by Bryce It was his ninth career hit off Marlins right- Gerrit Cole tossed six scoreless innings to lead MARINERS 10, INDIANS 7 (10 INNINGS) home run of the season. Harper as Miami defeated Washington to split hander Tom Koehler—and six of them have been Pittsburgh past San Diego. Robinson Cano hit a two-out, three-run homer a four-game series. Harper extended his RBI homers. Cole (1-2) allowed four hits, did not walk a in the 10th inning to lift Seattle over Cleveland. MARLINS 5, NATIONALS 1 streak to eight games by hitting a solo home run Harper leads the major leagues with 22 batter and struck out seven as he dominated the Cano hit the fi rst pitch thrown to him by Cody Marcell Ozuna’s three-run homer overshad- to center fi eld in the fi rst inning. RBIs. Padres to avert a three-game sweep.

NBA KANE KEEPS BLACKHAWKS ALIVE WITH DOUBLE OVERTIME WINNER Harden’s game-winner lift s Chicago: Duncan Keith needed only three in this series before his overtime goal. words to describe the importance of Patrick “I don’t think I was very good in that first Kane’s goal 3:07 into the second overtime on overtime or very good at all tonight,” Kane said. Thursday that propelled the team to a 4-3 win “It’s one of those things I tried to tell myself just over the St Louis Blues. “Saved our season,” to get confidence going into that fifth period Rockets over Warriors Keith said. The defending Stanley Cup cham- and try to make some plays. I was fortunate pion Chicago Blackhawks were facing elimina- enough that the puck squeaked to the side and DPA tion in Game Five of their opening-round playoff I was able to wrap one in. When you get those Los Angeles series against the Blues before Kane decided he kind of opportunities, sometimes you come up was not ready for their season to end. big. Sometimes you get lucky too.” Kane, who had not scored a goal in the first The Blackhawks had appeared to take control ames Harden’s heroics four games of the series after scoring 46 in the of the game with three goals in the second, saved the Houston Rock- regular season, finally broke that drought when including a short-handed eff ort from Marian ets. Harden had 35 points, he deked through the slot and flipped a shot on Hossa—his 50th career goal in the playoff s—and including the game-win- goal that Brian Elliott got a piece of to knock a goal by Artemi Panarin with just 0.4 seconds ningJ jumper with 2.7 seconds wide. However, Kane swooped around the net left in the period. But the Blues, who had come left, and the Rockets took advan- and swept the rebound in on the backhand. from behind to win both Games Three and Four tage of Stephen Curry’s absence It was the fifth career overtime goal in the in Chicago, responded once again with two for a thrilling 97-96 victory over playoff s for Kane and the 49th of his career in goals in the third period. the top-seeded Golden State the playoff s. The five overtime goals ties Kane Robby Fabbri scored his first career playoff Warriors on Thursday in Game for third all-time in Stanley Cup history. goal before David Backes tied it 5:10 left in regu- 3 of their Western Conference “He’s a clutch player,” said Blackhawks coach lation. The Blues had a chance to win the game fi rst round playoff series. The Joel Quenneville. “Obviously, he’s a great player. when they got a power-play with 4:14 to go after Rockets pulled to within 2-1 with Not a lot of players can do what he did, or does.” Chicago was called for having too many men on game 4 to held tomorrow. The Blackhawks’ win cut the Blues lead in the ice, but could not score and the game went Houston coughed up a the series to 3-2 and sent it back to Chicago to overtime. 17-point cushion and trailed for Game Six, which will be played today. If a The Blues outshot the Blackhawks 11-7 in after Shaun Livingston stole a seventh game is necessary, it will be in St Louis the first overtime period but could not get pass from Trevor Ariza and fed on Monday. Kane has been a big reason why the the puck past Corey. “It was tough to give up Ian Clark for a layup to put the Blackhawks are now 8-1 when facing elimination another lead like that,” Crawford said. “But we Warriors ahead by one with 10.6 since the beginning of the 2013 playoff s, but he didn’t crack. We stuck with our game and we’re seconds left. was not happy with his contribution to the team excited to go back home now.” “Clark made the layup and I knew I had to get a bucket,” Harden said. “I had the confi - Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) dribbles the ball as Golden State Warriors forward dence to go out there make a play Draymond Green defends during the first round of the NBA Playoff s in Houston. (USA TODAY Sports) and I did it.” Harden quickly raced up the defender, he was able to get to points with as many boards. triples to regain the home court other end and calmly buried a his spot, get his shot and knock advantage. left-handed step-back jumper it down.” OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER Wesley Matthews topped Dal- over Andre Iguodala for the The defending NBA Champs 131, DALLAS MAVERICKS 102 las with 22 points, Ray Felton had diff erence-maker. “The last still had a shot to complete the Kevin Durant dropped in 34 18 and Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki shot was typical of what James comeback but Draymond Green points, Russell Westbrook had chipped in with 16 points despite does,” Rockets interim head fumbled the ball off his foot and 26 with 15 assists, and the third- a right knee bruise. Game 4 is to- coach JB Bickerstaff said. “The out of bounds. “He dropped the seeded Thunder rolled the sixth- morrow in Dallas. move we’ve seen before, the fi n- ball, it happens,” Warriors coach seeded Mavericks to grab a 2-1 ish we’ve seen before. You get Steve Kerr said. “Overall, it was lead in their Western Conference TORONTO RAPTORS 101, spoiled by it at times but in the a great eff ort by our guys to get fi rst round series. INDIANA 85 biggest moments you can’t help back into the game and win it. Turkey’s Enes Kantner netted DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry appreciate it. We thought we’d fi nd a way and 21 points, while fellow-reserve tossed in 21 points apiece, and “When he was coming across we almost did.” Dion Waiters added 19 for visit- the second-seeded Raptors re- Patrick Kane of Chicago Blackhawks the court with nine seconds left Donatas Montiejunas had 14 ing Oklahoma City, which shot gained home-court advantage celebrates after scoring the winning goal we saw the confi dence that he points and 13 rebounds for the a sizzling 58 per cent from the after bouncing the host Pacers against the St. Louis Blues. (AFP) was going to get it done,” Bicker- eighth-seeded Rockets, while fl oor and knocked down a fran- for a 2-1 lead in their Eastern staff added. “Against a very good Dwight Howard contributed 13 chise-playoff record 15-of-27 Conference fi rst-round series. Gulf Times Saturday, April 23, 2016 7 SPORT

Syrian amputee swimmer a WADA suspends Beijing anti-doping lab torch-bearer for Rio Games

Reuters been reviewed by WADA,” the agency said a “warning penalty” to swimmers Wang and corruption and its athletes could miss Reuters Olympic Committee (IOC) has Shanghai in a statement on its website (chinada.cn). Lizhuo and An Jiabao after they tested pos- the Rio Olympics. Athens said. They will be chosen from a State news agency Xinhua later quoted itive for the banned substance clenbuterol. pool of 43 prospective Olympi- the laboratory as saying that the false nega- A third swimmer Zhao Ying, who also tested ans identified by the IOC and he World Anti-Doping Agency tive results were caused by “technical errors” positive for clenbuterol in an out-of-compe- Headache for Archery Syrian amputee swim- supported with funds to train. (WADA) suspended the ac- because it had yet to update testing meth- tition test, was named but had not yet been World Cup after lab ban mer, granted asylum in The son of a swimming coach, creditation of Beijing’s National ods to meet WADA’s latest requirements. punished, the association said last month. A Greece, will be a torch- al-Hussein and many of his 13 Anti-Doping laboratory yesterday, The laboratory was also negligent in its The country’s anti-doping agency The suspension of China’s national anti- bearer for the 2016 Rio Games siblings swam competitively weeksT after launching a probe into drugs analysis, it said. “At present, the labora- courted controversy in 2014 after keeping doping laboratory has given next week’s and is to run with the Olympic from the age of five. He used allegations in Chinese swimming. tory is undergoing a complete review and a three-month drugs ban handed to Olym- stage of the Archery World Cup a major flame through a refugee camp in a 36-metre high suspension The laboratory, suspended for a maximum improvement of its detection methods, in pic 1,500 metres freestyle champion Sun headache, the sport’s chief Tom Dielen said Athens on Tuesday. bridge in the city of Deir ez-Zor of four months, has 21 days to appeal the order to meet WADA’s latest requirements,” Yang under wraps for six months. yesterday. The suspension poses major Ibrahim al-Hussein crossed as a diving board until it was de- decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport Xinhua quoted the lab as saying. China (five golds) finished second to the logistical problems for the competition the Aegean from Turkey to stroyed in 2013 during the war. (CAS). “The suspension, which takes eff ect China’s anti-doping programme has been United States (16) in the swimming medal ta- beginning in Shanghai on April 26. Greece on a rubber boat in 2014 His right leg was amputated immediately, prohibits the laboratory from under scrutiny in recent weeks following ble at the 2012 London Olympic Games and “It falls very badly for us because we have after having lost part of his leg in from the middle of the calf and carrying out any WADA-related anti-doping a British newspaper report that alleged are tipped to be a force at the Rio Games. this event in Shanghai,” Dielen, the archery a bombing in Syria, the Hellenic he walks with a prosthetic leg activities including all analyses of urine and Chinese swimming had covered up positive WADA also revoked the accreditation of federation’s secretary general, told AFP. Olympic Committee and the that a private doctor arranged blood samples,” WADA said in a statement. drugs tests ahead of Olympic trials for the a Moscow anti-doping laboratory in Russia “We’re in the process of looking at what United Nations refugee agency for him to receive for free. WADA said the laboratory could apply for Rio de Janeiro Games to avoid a “storm”. for failing to meet standards last Friday. we can do as testing will be carried out,” (UNHCR) said. Al-Hussein trains at a 2004 reinstatement before the four months was The Times report prompted WADA to The lab had been non-operational since the Belgian added. “We’re in contact with He has since been given Athens Olympics complex and up if it took remedial steps and tackled “non- investigate the allegations. China’s anti- WADA suspended it in November after an CHINADA (the Chinese anti-doping agency). asylum in Greece, the main also plays for a wheelchair bas- conformities”, without providing details. doping agency denied there had been a independent commission’s report identi- We’re going to have to send samples to route into Europe from 2015 ketball team that travels across China’s national anti-doping agency said cover-up and said they needed time to test fied systematic failures within Russia’s Tokyo, Bangkok or I don’t know where, but for more than a million people Greece for games. “My goal is the laboratory had submitted “two false secondary ‘B’ samples and conduct hear- anti-doping programme. we have to find a solution.” from conflict-wracked or poor to never give up but to go on, to negative results” during blind tests conduct- ings before releasing further information. Russia is currently suspended from The Beijing suspension follows similar countries in the Middle East, always go forward, and that I can ed by WADA in 2015. “The laboratory will The Chinese Swimming Association international track and field in the wake of WADA bans dished out to national testing Asia and Africa. achieve through sport,” he said. resume testing work after its changes have subsequently announced it had issued the report exposing widespread cheating centres in Russia and Portugal. Holding the Olympic flame will The Olympic torch was lit in be “an honour”, the 27-year-old Ancient Olympia in southern al-Hussein was quoted as saying Greece on Thursday, starting a by the UNHCR website Tracks. “I six-day relay across the country. TENNIS am carrying the flame for myself It will pass through the town of but also for Syrians, for refugees Marathon, which gave its name everywhere, for Greece, for to the endurance race, as well as sport, for my swimming and bas- the ancient Acropolis. ketball teams,” said al-Hussein The torch will arrive in Brazil who works in an Athens cafe and on May 3 for a 100-day relay trains several times a week. across that country, featuring Up to 10 refugees are to around 12,000 torch-bearers, Nadal, Nishikori close compete in Rio in August under ahead of the August 5 opening the Team of Refugee Olympics ceremony for the first Olympics Athletes (ROA), the International to be held in South America.

Ibrahim al-Hussein, a 27-year-old refugee from Syria, is seen during a in on Catalan face-off swimming training ses- The top two seeds book their spots in the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open sion in Athens. (Reuters)

DPA Barcelona Germany’s Angelique Tennis’ Integrity Unit says 48 Kerber makes a return to Spain’s Carla Suarez match alerts received this year afael Nadal and Kei Navarro during their Nishikori moved nearer quarter-final clash in he organisation tackling the threat of match-fixing in tennis has to a Catalan clay show- Stuttgart. (AFP) Treceived 48 alerts this year, mostly from the lower tiers of the down as the leading professional ranks. A briefing note from the Tennis Integrity Unit seedsR booked their spots in the (TIU) yesterday said 24 men’s matches on the Futures Tour and 10 semi-fi nals of the Barcelona women’s matches from the entry-level ITF circuit had aroused sus- Open yesterday. picion. One Grand Slam match triggered an alert and one from the Nadal was wary heading into WTA Tour but there were none from the men’s ATP Tour. The men’s his quarter-fi nal with danger- Challenger circuit, one rung below the main Tour, had seen 12. man Fabio Fognini after the Alerts are forwarded to the TIU from the betting industry when 12th seed beat him three times there is “unusual or suspicious activity” around a match. A full in- DEVELOPMENT in 2015, including the Barcelona vestigation can follow should the TIU believe corrupt activity was third round. Nadal ended last likely, although it said alerts were not necessarily indications of season 2-3 against the drop- wrongdoing. “Every alert received by the TIU is assessed and fol- shotting Italian, the last man to lowed up as an indicator that something inappropriate may have Kenyan anti-doping beat him on the clay of the Real happened,” the TIU said. “It is important to appreciate that an alert Club de Tenis. on its own is not evidence of match-fixing. There are many reasons Second-seed Nishikori got other than corrupt activity that can explain unusual patterns.” bill becomes a law through a 51-minute fi rst set but The reasons, it states, can be incorrect odds setting, player fatigue revved up his game afterwards or injury and playing conditions. There have been 24,110 professional Reuters cheating and corruption.” to beat Alexandr Dolgopolov matches played around the world this year, meaning only 0.2 percent Nairobi Kenya had been given a one- 7-5, 6-0 for his third straight of them had been flagged up by the betting companies. month extension on April 7 to semi-fi nal at the event. Asia’s Match-fixing allegations by the BBC and online BuzzFeed News comply with WADA regulations top player, undefeated in 13 broke before this year’s Australian Open with the TIU criticised for not enya’s President Uhuru or face sanctions that could in- consecutive Barcelona matches adequately investigating some 16 players repeatedly flagged over Kenyatta yesterday clude a ban from this year’s Ol- after winning the last two edi- suspicions they had thrown matches. Tennis governing bodies since signed into law an anti- ympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. tions, will play for the fi nal have set up an independent review panel to investigate allegations of doping bill required to “From today, anybody caught against French sixth seed Benoit Kavoid a ban from the Rio Olym- cheating must face the full force corruption in the sport and the eff ectiveness of existing procedures. Paire, who bounced back over That is expected to take around a year. In response to the suggestions pics for a nation famed for its of the law and we can now train Malek Jaziri 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. the TIU’s handful of full-time staff was insuff icient to deal with vast runners but tainted by a spate of knowing that the world will ac- Nadal had to hold off Fognini amounts of match data, the organisation has begun to beef up its doping cases in recent years. cept our results,” Asbel Kiprop, in the second set after the Span- operation. Yesterday it confirmed it will hire another data analyst and The athletics world has been three-time world 1,500m cham- iard lost his way while leading another investigator to join TIU director Nigel Willerton’s team. in turmoil since the World Anti- pion, told Reuters. a set and a break. With Fognini Doping Agency (WADA) issued The law, demanded by WADA, breaking back for 2-2, life sud- a report in November citing will criminalise doping in a denly got more complicated. at the Australian Open in January. of the same tournament in 2014, widespread use of doping in the country with a history of mid- Nadal lost serve again in the fi fth frequent practice partner. Saving Kerber cruises into semis Between her and a place in the but the German was in com- sport. About 40 Kenyan athletes dle and long-distance running game and found himself in a tie- four set-points in the 10th game fi nal stands two-time Wimble- mand this time around with 35 have been banned for doping in excellence, but tainted by recent breaker after his opponent saved to level at 5-5 and then breaking Defending champion Angel- don champion Petra Kvitova as winners to her opponent’s 16. the last three years. doping cases. “The world will three match points in the 12th for 6-5 put Nishikori into a win- ique Kerber delighted a German the fi fth-seeded Czech ousted Kerber raced off to a 3-0 lead Flanked by senior government now look at us diff erently,” said game—all with clean winners. ning position, with the number home crowd when she crushed Spanish third seed Garbine Mu- and clinched the fi rst set with offi cials and sportsmen and Julius Kirwa, who coached the But the form ran out for six claiming the win a game later. Spanish seventh seed Carla guruza 6-1, 3-6, 6-0. Kvitova another break in the eighth game women, Kenyatta was shown Kenyan team in last year’s World Fognini in the decider as Nadal Dolgopolov was felled by 32 un- Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-4 for a leads the series with Kerber 4-3. when Suarez Navarro’s back- signing the bill into law in a video Championships in Moscow. earned 5-0, was caught by a lob forced errors as he lost for the place in the Porsche Grand Prix The other quarter-fi nals pit top hand fell long. She got the break- released by the president’s offi ce. Athletics Kenya President for 1-5 and fi nished off the win a fi fth time without winning as semi-fi nals yesterday. seed Agnieszka Radwanska against through for 4-2 in the second, “Kenya is 100 percent commit- Jackson Tuwei said: “We can now point later from a Fognini error. much as a set against the seed. World number 3 Kerber Karolina Pliskova and sixth seed and, although she dropped serve ted to ensuring total compliance prepare well for the Olympics Nadal stands 49-3 at his home Paire beat Jaziri, the only un- claimed her fourth win in six Roberta Vinci against German for the fi rst time in the ninth with international regulations knowing we shall participate.” tournament. seeded quarter-fi nalist, after meetings with Suarez Navarro in qualifi er Laura Siegemund. game, wrapped up matters with on sports and athletics,” he said Kenya had missed a Febru- Nishikori needed almost an two hours of battle under cloudy 1 hour 12 minutes, remaining on Suarez Navarro beat Kerber another break in the next game at the signing ceremony, add- ary deadline to establish a legal hour to win the opening set skies and temperatures of an course for her second title of the in their only previous encoun- for victory on another backhand ing that the law is the continu- framework for its Anti-Doping against 11th seed Dolgopolov, his unseasonable 16-17 Celsius. year following a surprise success ter on clay, in the second round error from Suarez Navarro. ation of eff orts “to stand against Agency of Kenya (ADAK).

GOLF Steele’s charge cut short by darkness, Hoff man clubhouse leader Reuters of his nine PGA Tour titles at the 2010 and the threat of lightning in the area Texas Greenbrier Classic, fi nished with bird- meant that fi ve hours and 55 minutes of Golf’s Olympic inclusion questioned aft er high-profi le no-shows ies in his last fi ve holes for a 67. play were lost over two separate stop- pages. Lee made the most of the bad ustralian swimming great Dawn not compete in Rio, where golf will re- backs on the Olympics, however, with merican Brendan Steele raced Ichihara takes lead in Japan weather as he recorded seven birdies Fraser reignited the debate turn to the Olympic programme after a world number two Jordan Spieth of to eight-under-par through 13 In Tokyo, Japan’s Kodai Ichihara pro- in a second consecutive blemish-free Aabout whether golf deserved to 112-year absence, because of scheduling the United States hoping to make the holes in the weather-hit fi rst duced a sparkling six-under-par 65 to round to get to 13-under par. be part of the Olympics after she criti- conflicts “and other commitments, both journey to Rio. round at the Texas Open in San take a surprise one-stroke lead into the cised compatriot Adam Scott’s decision personal and professional”. “When I was really young, I always AAntonio on Thursday, two strokes ahead weekend at the Panasonic Open yester- Nine-under Ryu storms clear to skip the Rio Games. Golf was brought in for the Rio de thought of the Olympians that walked in of clubhouse leader Charley Hoff man. day. The 33-year-old, who has battled In San Francisco, South Korea’s Ryu So- A gold medallist at the 1956, 1960 Janeiro Olympics onwards, along with the opening ceremonies as the greatest- Steele, the 2011 champion, fi red eight injury and the dreaded ‘yips’ in a cheq- yeon fi red a tournament-record nine- and 1964 Olympics, Fraser accused the rugby, with the International Olympic athletes-in-the-world type of thing,” birdies but had his round cut short by uered career, carded seven birdies against under-par 63 in the opening group to world number seven golfer of putting Committee eager to tap into new markets Spieth said. darkness after heavy rain wiped out a lone bogey to fi nish the second round start and end the day at the top of the money ahead of national pride. and win new viewers with the two sports. “But once I chose golf, I didn’t think three-and-a-half hours of play. Hoff - one clear of India’s Shiv Kapur (67) at the leaderboard after the fi rst round of the “Very sorry to hear that Adam Scott Scott is one of three high-profile golf- it would ever be a reality. To be one of man shot a six-under-par 66 with $1.25 million event in Chiba, southeast Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic. Despite cannot fit it into his schedule to play for ers to have withdrawn from the Games. those athletes ... I would never forget Australian veteran Stuart Appleby and of Tokyo. Fellow Japanese Azuma Yano being stirred by a wake-up call at around Australia at the Olympics,” Fraser, 78, Fiji’s former world number one Vijay that ceremony and that walk, walking American Peter Malnati a shot back fi red a 69 to fi nish two off the halfway 4 am, Ryu was bright and alert by the wrote on Facebook. “Well done Adam... Singh and South African Louis Oosthui- with the American flag ... it will be awe- on fi ve-under 67 while American left- pace at the tournament co-sanctioned time she hit the course and signed for a great to put your country on hold so that zen have also pulled out. some if I can make that team.” hander Steve Flesch carded a 68. by the Asian and Japanese tours. bogey-free round that gave her a two- you can fulfil your own schedule. How “I have always represented South European Solheim Cup player Melissa Hoff man, who led the Texas Open shot edge over Taiwan’s Candie Kung much money do you want in life? Not Africa with pride so didn’t make my Reid also harbour hopes of making it to after the fi rst round last year before Lee 3 shots ahead in Shenzhen and Japan’s Haru Nomura. China’s Xi Yu showing much for your country... I guess decision without a great deal of thought,” Rio. “I’d love to be a part of the Olympics,” fi nishing joint 11th, took advantage of Soomin Lee shot 65 to take a three-shot Lin and Christel Boeljon of the Nether- working three jobs a week to secure my 2010 British Open winner Oosthuizen the part-time snowboarder and soccer rain-softened conditions and barely lead on day two of the storm-suspend- lands share fourth on fi ve-under, while place as a Olympic swimmer has given said in a statement. “I would like to wish player told Reuters. “I pride myself on any wind as he piled up seven birdies ed Shenzhen International yesterday two-time defending champion and me the strength to say what I feel about our golfers and all other athletes compet- being a bit of an athlete and to be part and a lone bogey. He is bidding for his with 89 players still to complete their world number one Lydia Ko is among a sportsmen and women that do this.” ing in Brazil all the very best for success.” of something as special as the Olympics fourth career victory on the PGA Tour. rounds. Heavy rain made for a disjoint- quartet of players a stroke further back Scott announced this week he would Not all top players have turned their would be the highlight of my career.” Appleby, who won the most recent ed day in Guangdong. Thunderstorms after the New Zealander shot a 68.

Saturday, April 23, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

ASIAN RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION III WEST CENTRAL Qatar overcome Jammal and Lebanon to lift title ‘I am ecstatic for the team. Two weeks together as a full team, and we managed to win the division’

By Mikhil Bhat Doha

atar lifted the title in the Asian Rugby Championship Divi- sion III West Central when they beat a formidable Leba- Qnese team 25-19 in a nail-biting fi nish at the Aspire Warm Up track yesterday. Prolifi c kicker Karim Jammal, also the captain of the travelling Lebanese side, scored all his sides 12 points off penalty kicks in the fi rst half, before converting Martin Wahbe’s try in the second to amass a total of 14 points. And while Qatar fl y-half Paul Beard had a forgettable day in the kicking de- partment, four tries by the hosts sealed the deal. Lebanon, having won the division for three straight years, were always going to be tough for the Tom Featherstone- led Qatar side. Six minutes into the game it all proved right when Jammal got the fi rst points on the board courtesy a penalty from just inside the half. Four minutes later, the Lebanon number 12 was at it again, and the score read 0-6 in favour of the visitors. Six minutes down, a penalty kick by Beard bounced back hitting high on the post. However, three minutes later, Beard got hold of the ball off a botched Qayat players and off icials celebrate with the trophy after winning the Asian Rugby Championship Division III - West Central at Aspire Warm Up track yesterday. up Lebanese clearance near the try line and scored a try on the right corner. together as a full team, and we man- While his conversion kick fell short, aged to win the division. Big thank you Qatar were on board at 5-6. to (Qatar Rugby Federation president) Yet another penalty by Jammal ex- Yousef al-Kuwari, (QRF secretary gen- tended Lebanon’s lead to four at 5-9. eral) Ali al-Malki and the other guys In the 25th minute, Matthew Uffi nd- at Qatar Rugby Federation for asking all off a melee stretched out enough to me to come onboard and put a team get Qatar’s second try. This time, Beard together and coach. It is an honour to converted and Qatar took the lead for coach an international side, and it is an the fi rst time in the match at 12-9. even bigger honour to win it. Hopefully After Jammal levelled with another we can move rugby ahead in the coun- penalty kick, Qatar spent a nervous few try.” minutes as Lebanon found their way QRF president Yousef al-Kuwari at the doorsteps of their fi rst try just a said, “It was a very exciting year for us. minute and a half from the break. The But the best moment of it all came right hosts, however, managed to shut the at the end; winning the Asian West door twice within that short span, and Central title in the 15s for us is big news scores stayed at 12-12 at half-time. and we are very much excited. This win Three minutes into the second half, also makes sure that we have put our- Beard missed yet another straightfor- Lebanon captain Karim Jammal receives the runners-up trophy from Lebanese selves on the map of rugby in Asia.” ward penalty, but with Martin Wahbe ambassador to Qatar Hassan Najem. Qatar players take a selfie after their win. He added: “We have huge ambi- scoring a try and fl awless Jammal con- tions when it comes to rugby. Be part verting, the visitors were 12-19 ahead. again, but Qatar had closed in the gap to Another nervous few minutes for a bit nail-biting for me,” said Qatar those opportunities, you have to fi nd of World Rugby as associate members. Nineteen minutes into the second two at 17-19. Qatar ensued as the Lebanese attacked coach Aaron Palmer. those points somewhere else. We man- In the meantime, we also have sevens, half, with Qatar trying to build pres- Six minutes later, hooker Malcolm hard in search for a try, with Jammal “We missed too many kicks at goal, aged to cross the lines more time than which we will continue to focus on. We sure near Lebanese post, fl anker Jamie Reid got Qatar’s fourth try, and while also giving up a penalty kick in what which would have given us a bigger they did.” will also play major tournaments next Frost took off with the ball off a scrum Beard missed the conversion, he added turned out to be the fi nal play of the buff er, probably 12 to 14 points, which The New Zealander added: “But I am year. We will be participating in Dubai and got the third try for the home team. three points via a penalty three minutes match. would have made it lot more comfort- ecstatic for the team. Four weeks to- Sevens in the next season and other Beard’s conversion kick hit the post yet from time. “We did expect a close one. That was able. But that is rugby and you miss gether as a trial squad and two weeks Asian tournaments.”

BASKETBALL Jaish retain Emir Cup with win over Gharafa

El Jaish players celebrate with the Emir Cup trophy, Qatar Basketball Federation president Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and other off icials. (Right) Al Gharafa players receive the prize cheque after finishing runners-up. PICTURES: Othman Iraqi

By Sports Reporter fourth quarters to retain the trophy and over Al Rayyan was no fl uke and they ious Emir Cup is as good as it gets,” he El Jaish’s victory charge was led by 10 points, with Al Gharafa managing Doha win a whopping million riyals as prize were deserving title-winners after added. Leon Macklin who scored 18 points, only three in that department. money. extending their supremacy over Al The turning point of the match came but it was Adamu Saaka who provided Al Gharafa’s Osaro Adako, however, Both teams gave their all in a bid to Gharafa, who were looking for their in the fi nal fi ve minutes of the third pe- them with some vital bursts of energy was the highest scorer in the match l Jaish won the Emir Cup for close out the season in style after Al fourth Emir Cup title. riod when El Jaish hit a purple patch and momentum when they needed it with 22 points, while Dwayne Galloway the second year in succession Rayyan walked away with the league “It was not an easy game but we and worked their way to a 60-49 lead the most. had 19. None of the other Gharafa play- after posting a 72-63 win over and Qatar Cup titles. were determined not to let the trophy that left Al Gharafa with a mountain to Saaka scored 15 points with a trio of ers managed double fi gures. Al Gharafa in the fi nal here yes- However, Al Rayyan’s bid for a clean slip away from our hands,” said El Jaish climb in the last quarter. three-pointers while Turki Ali chipped “We tried hard but El Jaish proved terday.E sweep of the season fell fl at when they coach Hatem Mamlouk. With fi ve minutes remaining in the in with 12 and Fadi Abilmona contrib- the better team on the day,” said Al It was anybody’s game for almost were upended 2-0 by El Jaish in their “We were disappointed after losing match, Al Gharafa managed 11 points uted 11. Gharafa coach Koussay Hatem. “ I con- 30 minutes of the match but El Jaish best-of-three semis. out in the Qatar Basketball League and against El Jaish’s 10 but that proved too El Jaish were also served well by their gratulate both teams for their fi ne per- stepped up their eff orts in the third and Yesterday, El Jaish proved their win the Qatar Cup but winning the prestig- little too late in the end. bench with the substitutes producing formances,” he added.