SPORT

Thursday 1 June 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Warriors' dynastyy Manchester City Batsmen in focus as at stake as Cavs set Guardiola EnglandEngla and Bangladesh look for repeat treble target gear up for opener We were unlucky Nadal, Djokovic march on not to qualify says, Lekhwiya's Oliveira as Muguruza survives The Peninsula atar Stars League champions Lekhwiya's assistant Paris coach Bruno Oliveira says his side was unlucky not AFP Q to qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC Champi- ons League on Tuesday. rench Open title rivals Persepolis progressed to the last eight stage thanks to Rafael Nadal and Novak a Chico Flores own goal in the second leg of the last 16 Djokovic stormed into match. the last 32 yesterday, After a goalless draw in the first leg in Tehran last week, while women's defend- Persepolis grabbed a crucial away goal midway through Fing champion Garbine Muguruza the first half at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium when Vahid survived a second-round scare. Amiri released Mehdi Taremi, whose low ball across goal Nadal outclassed Dutchman was diverted into his own net by Flores. Robin Haase 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 in one Oliveira blamed the loss to the lack of focus by the hour and 49 minutes on Court players. Philippe Chatrier to continue his "We had aimed to continue with the splendid perform- quest for an incredible 10th Roland ance we had in the away match. Play in the first half was Garros triumph. limited to the midfield and the (own) goal we conceded "I was more or less under con- affected us and caused confusion for our players and trol during the whole match, so I'm affected their performance," Oliveira said at a press con- very happy. Winning in straight ference after the match. sets is always good news," said "In the second half, we had many chances that we Nadal. could not convert as we were not focussed and luck was "I think I did a lot of things well not on our side. Everyone is sad to lose the match and crash this afternoon." out of the AFC champions League . Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with ball boys after winning his match against Portugal's Joao The Spaniard will face "We respected the Iranian team , it is a big team and Nikoloz Basilashvili for a place Sousa at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open yesterday. has some special players. We excelled until the goal, and in round four after the Georgian although we came up with several attacks we could not matched his best ever run at a Goffin sailed through, but French battle out there," said Muguruza, slow start to ease into the third latch on to the opportunities." Grand Slam. hopes suffered a huge blow as who beat Serena Williams in last round with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Defending champion Djoko- 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga year's final. Japan's Kurumi Nara. AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS vic battered Portugal's Joao crashed out to Renzo Olivo in his "I knew that losing to her not Williams, the 2002 runner-up Sousa 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 to make it opening match. long ago I did something different who turns 37 next month, will play four wins in as many meetings Serving to stay in the contest this time. I think something differ- Belgium's Elise Mertens in the third ROUND OF 16: SECOND LEG with the world number 59. when darkness halted their tie ent in a good way. round. The second seed plays Argen- on Tuesday, Tsonga was broken "I have a different spirit here, "Do I sense (the draw) is open? Kashima Antlers (JPN) 2 (Pedro Junior 28, Kanazaki 90+1) Guangzhou tina's Diego Schwartzman for a immediately when play resumed I'm going to fight for every ball to I just am really focused on me and Evergrande (CHN) 1 (Paulinho 55) place in the last 16. as the Argentine world number 91 try and win," she added. nothing's a given, or else I'd win 2-2 on aggregate, Evergrande go through on away goals "I think the first two sets went wrapped up a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), American qualifier Bethanie every match," said Venus, who has very well, the third was more dif- 6-4 win. Mattek-Sands halted Petra Kvito- sister Serena in Paris supporting her. Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 4 (Kobayashi 31, Hasegawa 32, Eduardo Neto ficult," said Djokovic. Reigning champion Muguruza va's comeback, defeating the Caroline Wozniacki dished out 40, Rhayner 79) Muangthong United (THA) 1 (Teerasil 89) "Generally, I felt better than survived another tough examina- popular Czech 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) a chastening 6-0, 6-0 thrashing Kawaski win 7-2 on aggregate the first round, so that's exactly tion from 53rd-ranked Anett in her first tournament since a hor- to Canadian qualifier Francoise what I wanted." Kontaveit, who beat the Spaniard rifying knife attack in December. Abanda in just 52 minutes. Lekhwiya (QAT) 0 Persepolis (IRI) 1 (Chico Flores 23-og) Sixth seed Dominic Thiem in Stuttgart last month. "I'm disappointed, for sure. I The 20-year-old blamed the Persepolis win 1-0 on aggregate charged into round three with a Muguruza has endured a dif- came here to win the matches," exertions of coming through three routine win over Simone Bolelli, ficult 2017 and again found herself said twice former Wimbledon qualifying rounds in order to reach Al Hilal (KSA) 2 (Khribin 16, al-Dawsari 82) Esteghlal Khouzestan (IRI) 1 sweeping the Italian aside 7-5, in trouble after falling a set and a champion Kvitova. the main draw. (Nong 12) Al Hilal win 4-2 on aggregate 6-1, 6-3. break behind against the "But I really fought. I mean, "I wasn't impressed at all," The Austrian, who is the only Estonian. after the match, I didn't feel that Abanda retorted when asked if she AET - Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) 3 (Koroki 18, Lee 33, Moriwaki 114) player to defeat Nadal on clay But the fourth seed recovered bad as normally I probably do. was struck by anything in Wozni- Jeju United (KOR) 0: Urawa win 3-2 on aggregate this season, will meet American to claw out a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-2 "I'm still happy I'm here and acki's game. 25th seed Steve Johnson next as win and book a third-round clash playing. The fairy-tale ended. "As I told you, fitness-wise and Jiangsu Suning (CHN) 2 (Hong Jeong-Ho 75, Wu Xi 90+3) Shanghai SIPG he looks to build on last year's with Yulia Putintseva of Now, in upcoming weeks, I think physically, I was tired. (CHN) 3 (Elkeson 34, Yang Xiaotian 43 OG, Hulk 90+4) run to the semi-finals. Kazakhstan. it will be business as usual." "I think that she played her sec- SIPG win 5-3 on aggregate Grigor Dimitrov and David "I knew it was going to be a Venus Williams shook off a ond match. I played five matches."

My swing is coming back slowly, says Amir Mohammed Amir

Rizwan Rehmat England. Hopefully I will do to give his side the edge. Championsns TrTrophyroopphyy oopenerppenen r The Peninsula well," the left-arm paceman "I don't have one particu- against archchh-rivals-rrivi alals India.InInddia. said. lar batsman that I look at "Like yyoyouou sassaid,aidd, I amm vveryerry akistan's premier fast Pakistan landed in England My line and length bowling to. My attempt will be excited aheadheaad off tthehe PPakistan-akakisstan-n bowler Mohammed Amir a little over two weeks ago and are getting better. to get wickets so that we could India game.mee. HHoHopefullyoppeefuf llly I wiwillll Phas insisted that his Amir said it was a right move. get the opposition out as soon get a chancencce toto playplplaayy inin thethe feared swing is slowly return- "Yes, this camp will defin- I think the as possible," Khan said. playing XI,"I,", AAlili ssaid.aia dd.. ing in his deliveries after he itively help the players. These confidence that I "Whatever effort was When aaskedskkeed aaboutbout hhisiss produced long spells during the are tough conditions since it have now will help needed from our side, we have preparations,onns, AlAlii sasaid:idd: "II Test series against hosts West has rained a lot here during given during the training ses- try to stickk ttoo babasicsassiicss aandnd Indies earlier this month. the last few days. But the good me during our sions," Khan said. "We are keep myselfself calmcac lmm mostmosst Amir, 25, bowled 129 overs thing is that in the coming Champions Trophy doing more than our given of the times."ess.". in the three-match Test series days, sunny conditions have matches since ability," he said. He added:ded: "I hhaveave bebeenenen bagging 13 wickets as Pakistan been predicted and when you playing conditions When asked about Paki- trainingg produced a memorable send- bowl or train in tough weather stan's first game against India, hard off for captain Misbah Ul Haq conditions, you do well dur- will be helpful in he said: "We must take this as with our and veteran batsman Younis ing sunny days," Amir England. any other match since there's batting Khan. explained. no need to put pressure on coach. I "I bowled few long spells. "The 10-day gap we've had yourself. I will try to get as have That gave me confidence. My here, will be helpful to us. Last many wickets as possible." scored a feweww runs.runs.. swing is coming back slowly," season we were in England a Khan said the wet weather I haven't bbebeenene aableble too ggetett Amir said in an interview yes- month in advance and that team that handles pressure prediction for June 4 was not runs for thehee nnationalationan l teteamamm terday as Pakistan prep up for helped us to do well in the Test well usually takes the game. a concern. but I intendd ttoo imimproveproove mym the Champions Trophy which series. The boys are doing We beat the West Indies in the "You see, we can't control batting." starts in England today. well," Amir said without giv- ODIs. The wickets were slow the weather. What we can do Ali said:aidi : "W"WeWe hahavevvee "Even my line and length ing away any details. but we did well. I hope our is play attractive cricket. What been workingking hhardaard ata tthehee are getting better. I think the When asked about the batsmen will do well here the fans can do is to wish us gym and ono thethee field.fieldd. Wee confidence that I have now will Pakistan-India clash in the also." well," the left-arm pacer said. are undergoingrgoingng sstrenuoustrrenenuousus help me during our Champions Champions Trophy, Amir said: Amir's pace partner Junaid Pakistan's new bowling all- fielding drillsrillls andanand therettherere iss funfunun Trophy matches since playing "I think India-Pakistan games Khan said he would be look- rounder Hassan Ali said he can't activity amongamomongng juniorsjunioorsr andandn conditions will be helpful in are always about pressure. The ing at picking up early wickets wait for the start of the team's senior players."ayeerrs."" SPORT THURSDAY 1 JUNE 2017 25 Marrero NBA finals: Warriors' dynasty propels Red Sox at stake as Cavs look for repeat to win

Oakland AFP Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (left) and By the Agencies Cleveland Cavaliers's LeBron James. eBroneBron JaJamesmes has the numbers ight-hitting Deven Mar- CClevelandleveland Cavaliers rero belted a pair of poisedpoised for a champion-champion- L home runs and had five shipship repeat in his Cleveland's Tyronn Lue is trying RBIs to help Chris Sale escape sseventheventh consecutive to become only the second with a victory in his return to LNBA Finalsals while Kevin 2 coach to win titles in his first two Chicago as the Boston Red Durant hasas sparkedsparked a NBA seasons as a head coach, follow- Sox went deep six times and historic GGoldenolden ing John Kundla of the Minneapolis outslugged the White Sox 13-7 State play-off-off Lakers in 1949 and 1950. on Tuesday night. run inn Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a search of The number of consecutive years three-run homer and an RBI his first that Golden State and Cleveland double, and Xander Bogaerts title. 3have played each other in the had four hits, including a solo The epicpic NBA Finals, a first in the league's homer. Mitch Moreland had squads collideollide in 71-year history. a two-run homer, Mookie an unprecedentededented Betts hit a solo shot and Sam third consecutivesecutive The number of back-to-back- Travis had three of Boston's NBA Finalsls start-start- to-back finals rematches in 16 hits. ing todayday at 4 major North American sports Sale (6-2), who spent his Oakland, with the leagues, once each in the NFL, NHL and first seven seasons with Chi- host Warriorsiors an odd- Major League Baseball now joined by cago, allowed six runs (five smakers favouriteavourite in thethe the NBA. earned) on 10 hits in five hotly anticipatedcipated best-of-seven innings -- his shortest, shak- showdownn against a Cleveland Four-time NBA Most Valuable iest outing this season. The team thatt made the greatestgreatest Player LeBron James of the lanky left-hander, traded to comebackk in Finals historyhistory to 7 Cleveland Cavaliers will become the Red Sox last December for defeat themm a year agoago. the seventh NBA player to compete in four prospects, struck out "They are a great team. They his seventh consecutive NBA Finals. The nine to boost his major- are the champs," Warriors coach only other players with at least seven league-leading total to 110. Steve Kerr said. "We're trying to NBA Finals appearances in a row played Nationals 6, Giants 3 take what they took from us last for the Boston Celtics in the 1950s and Left-hander Gio Gonzalez year." 1960s, with Bill Russell making the pitched into the seventh The Warriors spoiled James' record 10 in a row. inning and aided his own fairytale return to Cleveland cause with an RBI single to from Miami by downing an The Warriors and Cavaliers help Washington outlast San injury-hit Cavaliers squad for the feature a combined 11 play- Francisco. 2015 crown, their first in 40 11 ers who have been named The incident-free game years. NBA All-Stars, the most in an NBA Finals began hours after the National Golden State then won a matchup since the Los Angeles Lakers League announced that record 73 regular-season games faced Philadelphia in 1983. Nationals outfielder Bryce and seized a 3-1 finals lead Harper and Giants reliever before James sparked Cleveland The Warriors are the first Hunter Strickland were sus- to victory in the final three team in NBA history to win pended four and six games, games to claim the title, leading 12 their first 12 playoff games. respectively, for their roles in every major statistical category a fight late in Washington's in an unprecedented, Herculean Two-time NBA MVP 3-0 victory on Monday. feat. Stephen Curry's No. 30 Indians 9, Athletics 4 "You have to appreciate the 30 jersey leads the list of Trevor Bauer struck out position that you're in because most popular league jerseys for the sec- a career-high 14, the most by it's never, ever guaranteed," gone 12-1 in the play-offs with in the day," Cavaliers coach of all time, things of that nature, ond consecutive year. an American League pitcher Warriors guard Stephen Curry an average win margin of 13.6 Tyronn Lue said. it doesn't matter to me. this season, and rookie Bra- said. "That's something that points, James becoming the all- The decider last year was the "Comparing between peo- The number of years since dley Zimmer had a double, a we've learned." time NBA playoff top scorer in most watched NBA game since ple either living or still playing the last North American home run and a career-high The third chapter of the tril- the process. icon Michael Jordan won his or not playing, it's great for bar- 61 major sports league had four RBIs as Cleveland ogy has seen the Warriors sign "We have another level," sixth and final crown in 1998. bershops, but for me I'm just teams meet three times in a row in the defeated Oakland. superstar free agent forward James said. "And we believe we James, who is 3-4 in finals trying to leave a legacy behind final, that coming with Detroit and Mon- Bauer (5-4) pitched seven Durant and again lead the league can get there." appearances, uses Jordan's feats so I can inspire the next group treal in the NHL Stanley Cup Final from innings, giving up three runs in wins. Golden State made a Not since the Boston Celtics as a measuring stick to motivate of kids." 1954-56. on seven hits and a walk. He record 12-0 run through the first and Los Angeles Lakers in the his own bid to become That legacy could use and three relievers combined three playoff rounds, winning by 1980s has the NBA seen a rivalry legendary. another title. But barring his way for 19 strikeouts. Jason Kip- an average of 16.3 points. so intense, this one involving "It has nothing to do with is a Golden State squad out to 90,000,000 nis also homered and Jose "We're excited," Durant said. seven of the past eight NBA Most passing him in rings, passing him prove they are the super team The number of combined followers of Ramirez had his third consec- "But we're not satsified." Valuable Player award winners in points, passing him in MVPs. dynasty of the era, not the Cleveland's LeBron James, the most fol- utive three-hit game for The Cavaliers struggled to a in James with four, Curry with It's just my personal goal to keep Cavaliers. lowed NBA player on social media, on Cleveland. 7-10 record in March, closing the two and Durant with one. me motivated," James said. "You That's why a historic 12-0 Facebook (23.1 million), Twitter (36.4 Astros 7, Twins 2 season 12-15 with four consec- "A lot of people wanted to guys want to have the conver- playoff start won't mean much million) and Instagram (30.5 million). Jose Altuve had four hits, utive losses. But Cleveland has see Boston and the Lakers back sations about who's the greatest if it doesn't culminate in a crown. Alex Bregman homered and Mike Fiers pitched six strong innings in his second chance in the rotation as Houston Three more Russian beat Minnesota. Isinbayeva quits as RUSADA chief Altuve's two-run single in the fifth broke a 2-all tie and sent Houston to its eighth win to closed cities where it says ath- athletes get IAAF in nine games. Fiers (2-2) Reuters letes continue to evade testing, allowed two runs, five hits access to athletes' biological pass- and three walks while strik- wice Olympic pole vault cham- ports, and the implementation of green light to compete ing out eight. pion Yelena Isinbayeva a conflict of interest policy. Yankees 8, Orioles 3 T(pictured) has resigned as Isinbayeva's appointment last Paris Luis Severino had another chair of the Russian Anti-Doping December outraged WADA AFP dominant outing, and Brett Agency (RUSADA), the Interfax news because she was an outspoken Gardner and Matt Holliday agency reported -- a move that may critic of the decision by the Inter- hree female Russian athletes were given the green each hit a pair of solo hom- help Russian athletes return to inter- national Association of Athletics light yesterday to compete internationally as neu- ers as New York routed national competition. Federations (IAAF) to ban Russian Ttrals, ' governing body announced. Baltimore. Isinbayeva was under pressure athletes from inter- The International Association of Athletics Federa- to quit as head of RUSADA's super- national competition. tions (IAAF) said its doping review board had agreed RESULTS visory council after the World That decision kept the athletes, that the applications of Kseniya Aksyonova (400m), Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) how WADA would respond to including Isinbayeva, from com- Vera Rebrik (javelin) and Vera Rudakova (400m hur- Washington 6 San Francisco 3 called for her removal, one of four Wednesday's development. peting in the 2016 Olympics. dles) met the exceptional eligibility criteria to compete San Diego 6 Chicago Cubs 2 steps it said were necessary for RUSADA was stripped of its Isinbayeva retired soon in international competition as neutral athletes while LA Angels 9 Atlanta 3 RUSADA to retrieve its right to WADA accreditation after a report afterwards. the Russian national federation (RusAF) remains Kansas City 1 Detroit 0 oversee the testing of Russian published in November 2015 While formally banned, some suspended. Boston 13 Chicago White Sox 7 athletes. accused it of systematically violat- Russian athletes hope to compete "Their participation as neutral athletes in interna- Houston 7 Minnesota 2 "I will work and implement ing anti-doping regulations. internationally as neutrals. tional competition is still subject to formalities for eligibility Texas 9 Tampa Bay 5 anti-doping programmes. I am A majority of Russian athletes Fifteen athletes, including 2015 under IAAF rules being completed and subject to accept- NY Mets 5 Milwaukee 4 simply transferring my seat to a are set to miss the world champi- world champion hurdler Sergey ance of their entries by individual meeting organisers," Miami 7 Philadelphia 2 new chairman," Interfax cited Isin- onships in London in August if a Shubenkov, have so far been IAAF said in a statement. Seattle 10 Colorado 4 bayeva as saying yesterday. separate but related ban against cleared to compete in international Aksyonova, 400m champion in 2013, was Toronto 6 Cincinnati 4 Isinbayeva added she would the country's athletics federation competitions after satisfying the part of the Russian 4x400m relay team that finished fourth Arizona 3 Pittsburgh 0 remain a member of RUSADA's stays in place. IAAF's doping review board that at the 2015 world championships, while Rebrik LA Dodgers 9 St. Louis 4

supervisory council despite her Other changes WADA is they have been training in an envi- finished 24th in the javelin in China and former world NY Yankees 8 Baltimore 3 resignation as chairwoman. demanding from RUSADA include ronment that passes the necessary youth and junior gold medallist Rudakova made the semi- Cleveland 9 Oakland 4 It was not immediately clear drug testers being allowed access anti-doping requirements. finals of the 400m hurdles. 26 SPORT THURSDAY 1 JUNE 2017 Arsenal hand Wenger new contract

London American majority share- website, Wenger appealed to ARSENE WENGER AFP holder Stan Kroenke said: "Our fans: "Let's be together to sup- Factfile on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger after ambition is to win the Premier port our players, to support the the club announced he had signed a new two-year ong-serving Arsenal League and other major trophies club and all give our absolute contract yesterday: manager Arsene in Europe. best to be at the level that we Name: Arsene Wenger Wenger has signed a "It's what the fans, players, want to be." Date of birth: October 22, 1949 new two-year contract, staff, manager and board expect Arsenal's Wembley win Place of birth: Strasbourg, France the club announced and we won't rest until that is against Chelsea gave them a Age: 67 Lyesterday, ending months of achieved. third FA Cup in four seasons and Playing career speculation about his future. "Arsene is the best person to made Wenger the first manager Position: defender Wenger has presided over a help us make that happen. He in history to have won the tour- Clubs: Mutzig (1969-73/FRA), Mulhouse (1973-75/ gruelling season, which saw his has a fantastic track record and nament seven times. FRA), ASPV Strasbourg (1975-78/FRA), RC Stras- team fail to qualify for the Cham- has our full backing." It is now 13 years since the bourg (1978-81/FRA) pions League, but masterminded Wenger's new contract last of his three Premier League Honours a stunning FA Cup final win over brings to an end the most trau- title wins, however, while he has Ligue 1: 1979 Chelsea last weekend. matic season of his near 21-year presided over a remarkable Managerial career The 67-year-old French- Arsenal tenure. seven successive last 16 exits in Clubs: Nancy (1984-87/FRA), Monaco (1987-94/ man's new deal, which will take Arsenal missed out on the Champions League. FRA), Nagoya Grampus Eight (1995-96/JPN), Arse- his tenure up to 23 years, is Champions League qualification His key objectives for the nal (1996-date/ENG) believed to have been rubber- for the first time in 20 years and close season will be to tie star Honours stamped during a board meeting were thrashed 10-2 on aggregate duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ligue 1: 1987-88 on Tuesday. by Bayern Munich in the Cham- Ozil to new contracts and French Cup: 1990-91 "I love this club and I am pions League last 16. strengthen his squad for the rig- Emperor's Cup: 1995 Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger is pictured on the J-League Super Cup: 1996 looking forward to the future He has come under greater pitch ahead of the English Premier League football match ours of a Europa League with optimism and excitement. pressure from supporters than campaign. Premier League (3): 1997-98, 2001-02, 2003-04 against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, We are looking at what we do ever before, with fans holding Wenger said Arsenal would FA Cup (7): 1997-98, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004- southern England in this January 3, 2017 file picture. well and how we can be stronger 'Wenger Out' placards, boycott- only look to sign "top, top qual- 05, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2016-17 everywhere," Wenger told Arse- ing home games and chartering ity" players and said having a Community Shield (6): 1998, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2015 nal's website. planes to trail banners calling for But he has been deeply hurt being unambitious. I think that's "very heavy squad" meant "we Individual awards "This is a strong group of him to go. by the criticism he has received, ludicrous," he said. might lose some players". J-League Manager of the Year: 1995 players and with some additions The dissent reached a cre- branding the conduct of some "You don't fire good people, "We're committed to mount- Premier League Manager of the Year: 1998, 2002, we can be even more scendo during a run of seven supporters a "disgrace" and say- you don't fire people who are ing a sustained league challenge 2004 successful." defeats in 12 games between late ing it created a "horrendous world-class, you don't fire peo- and that will be our focus this League Managers' Association (LMA) Manager of Arsenal said Wenger and January and early April. atmosphere" around the team. ple who are driven to improve." summer and next season," he the Year: 2002, 2004 chief executive Ivan Gazidis had Wenger's switch to a back Gazidis defended the board's He added: "Together, we are added. "I am grateful to have the International Federation of Football History and conducted "a full review of our three enabled Arsenal to end the decision to stand by Wenger. much, much stronger than we support of the board and Stan in Statistics (IFFHS) World Coach of the Decade: on and off-the-pitch activities" season in style, winning seven "I think in football, the judge- are when we are arguing and doing everything we can to win 2000-2010

to identify areas for improve- of their last eight league games ments are so black and white trying to prove who's right and more trophies. It's what we all BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award: ment in view of a title before toppling Chelsea in last that often, if you don't fire your who's wrong." want and I know it's what our 2002, 2004. challenge. Sunday's FA Cup final. manager, then you're seen as In an interview on Arsenal's fans around the world demand."

Man United ranked as City set Guardiola treble target

Europe's most London League in the last 16. City also the Premier League and the owner) Sheikh Mansour drives AFP fell short in the FA and League Champions League and that me for it every day, but you look valuable club Cups in a rare season of under- remains our objective," Khal- at the organisation you see it in ep Guardiola (pictured) has achievement for Guardiola, who doon told City's website. Pep's eyes in everybody within London been challenged to win the was a serial trophy winner dur- "That ambition of winning our group. "Pep wants to win it AFP Ptreble by Manchester City's ing his spells in charge of the Champions League and all and that's what I love most ambitious owners as the Premier and Bayern Munich. hopefully doing it, that dream about him because that's how I Manchester United have League club aim to bounce back However, City chairman Khal- excites me very day and know- feel, we want to win it all. been rated as Europe's most from a disappointing doon Al Mubarak believes ing we can do it. "We might not be able to valuable club by a new report campaign. Guardiola's track record of 21 "The dream of doing the Tre- achieve it, but I can assure you, into the financial muscle of Guardiola's first season with trophies in his previous seven ble, yes. I want to do the treble, we're going to try to do that." the continent's top teams. City was a damp squib as they years as a manager proves this or else let's go for the quadru- Khaldoon insists the club's The report by profes- ended without a trophy after season will be a brief blip before ple! Why not? Abu Dhabi-based backers have sional services firm KPMG failing to push for the title and a more successful future. "We should have that aspi- put everything in place to deliver looked at the finances of 39 crashing out of the Champions "We will try to win ration. I have it, no doubt. (City silverware. clubs based on their popular- ity on social media channels, revenues for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, and success in European competitions. The clubs were then Elkeson seals all-Chinese grudge match ranked by enterprise value, an accounting measure used to assess how much it would Shanghai from Hong Jeong-Ho, who gifted leg 2-1, are into the last eight for Teixeira was everywhere The unlucky moment was cost to buy any given club or AFP him the opening goal, and Yang the second straight year after early on and in the sixth perhaps a bad omen for the company as it includes a busi- Xiaotian, who diverted a shot dominating a tie between two of minute, a rebound from the South Korean, who was at fault ness's total debt, with KPMG razilian striker Elkeson into his own net. the most expensive teams ever Brazilian's corner fell to Wu for the opening goal when he using its own formula to scored once and forced an Hong and Wu Xi scored late seen in Asia. who volleyed straight at the failed to deal with a through-ball reach these valuations. Bown goal as Shanghai SIPG headers to stir faint hopes for Elsewhere Ryota Moriwaki 'keeper. to Elkeson on 34 minutes. Despite two relatively downed Chinese rivals Jiangsu Jiangsu, before Brazil's Hulk scored in extra time as Urawa Another Teixeira corner As Hong checked his run, disappointing seasons on the Suning 3-2 to reach the AFC rolled in his fifth goal of the cam- Red Diamonds pulled off a stun- found central defender Hong, expecting goalkeeper Zhang pitch between 2014 and 2016, Champions League quarter- paign to leave the scores at 5-3 ning comeback by beating who first saw his header saved Sipeng to gather, Elkeson rushed United's value surged clear of finals yesterday. on aggregate. 10-man Jeju United 3-0 to book on the line and then hit the in and prodded home his finish, Real Madrid and Barcelona Elkeson profited from some Manager Andre Villas-Boas's their quarter-final spot. post as the ball came back to making it 1-0 on the night and last year, becoming the first kamikaze first-half defending SIPG, who won last week's first In Nanjing, Jiangsu's Alex him. 3-1 on aggregate. club to break the three bn euros mark for enterprise value. Bayern Munich remain in fourth place, while Manches- ter City edge past Arsenal to Aspire Zone Ramadan Sports take fifth spot, both with enterprise values of just under £1.7bn. Chelsea, Liverpool, Festival begins tomorrow Juventus and Spurs fill the next four positions, which The Peninsula the knock-out stages. Mean- The event encourages peo- means six of the 10 are from while, Aspire Dome ple to join their friends and the Premier League. spire Zone Foundation is multi-purpose halls will house family for a walk around Aspire In a statement, KPMG's ready to welcome over the men’s futsal tournament Dome’s cool and spacious global head of sports Andrea A1,300 participants to take until June 7, featuring twelve indoor pitches, from 3:00 pm Sartori said: "The aggregate part in the two-week Ramadan teams across four groups. The until 5:30 pm before Iftar, and value of Europe's leading Sports Festival. indoor hockey tournament, fea- from 8:30 pm until 11:30 pm football clubs suggests that The festival will kick off turing eight teams, will run until after Iftar. the overall value of football, tomorrow evening marking the June 8. Participants will be provided as an industry, has grown. start of four simultaneous sport- Separately, the men’s five- with pedometers to count the "While this is partially ing tournaments: indoor hockey, day volleyball tournament will number of steps taken inside the explained by football's broad- cricket, volleyball and futsal. be held in the Dome’s Volleyball Dome. Valuable prizes will be casting boom, the The three-day cricket tour- Hall until June 7, featuring eight awarded to those who take the internationalisation of the nament will start at 9:30 pm teams of nine players each. most steps by the end of the clubs' commercial operations, tomorrow at Aspire Zone warm- Aspire Zone Foundation and month. Aspetar, the orthopae- their investment into pri- up track and will run until its member organisation, Asp- dic and sports medicine hospital vately owned and modern Saturday. etar, are organising the ‘Walk in in Qatar has also launched the facilities, and overall more The tournament will feature the Dome’ Ramadan activity to ‘Healthy Ramadan with Aspe- sustainable management A file picture of the volleyball action at the Aspire Zone's two groups of five teams, com- engage the residents of Qatar, tar Experts’ campaign for practices are also key reasons volleyball hall. The two-week Ramadan Sports Festival begins peting head to head in group as part of their "Step into Health" professional and recreational for this growth." tomorrow. stages, before moving ahead to programme. athletes. THURSDAY 1 JUNE 2017 SPORT 27 Batsmen in focus as England and Bangladesh gear up for opener Robert Karlsson London remains. England were already AFP an unbeatable 2-0 up in the Karlsson named three-match series against South ngland and Bangladesh Africa and although Morgan was will look for a return glad the reverse had come before as Ryder Cup to form from their top- the Champions Trophy rather order batsmen as they than during the tournament, it vice-captain gear up to launch the remains a worry. EChampions Trophy at the Oval Bangladesh highlighted the Stockholm today. issue of under-performing open- Reuters On Monday, across London ers in dramatic style by at Lord's, England collapsed to collapsing to 84 all out in reply obert Karlsson has been 20 for six in five overs – the to Champions Trophy title-hold- appointed vice-captain worst start in one-day interna- ers India's 324 for seven in their Rof the European Ryder tional history – against the South final warm-up match at the Oval Cup team on the eve of the Africa new-ball duo of Kagiso on Tuesday. Nordea Masters tournament, Rabada and Wayne Parnell. Defeat by 240 runs was cer- which takes place this week "It certainly was a wake-up tainly not what they wanted. at Barseback Golf and Coun- call in the fact that you need to "You know, 84 obviously try Club in his native be able to adapt in different cir- doesn't look good," said Bangla- Sweden. cumstances," England captain desh captain Mashrafe The 47-year-old, who Eoin Morgan told reporters at the Mortaza. made his Ryder Cup debut as Oval yesterday. "You have to think what the a player in the victorious Even in June, early morning mistake was, so I think we can 2006 team and who took part cloud cover that aids swing is handle tomorrow especially." again in 2008, was revealed often a key part of English cricket The Champions Trophy as captain Thomas Bjorn's conditions. opener is set to feature several first appointment on the At Lord's, a green-tinged survivors on both sides from Ryder Cup website (www. pitch did not find favour with Bangladesh's 2015 World Cup rydercup.com). England's captain Eoin Morgan poses for a photograph with the trophy during a press Morgan but even on more placid win over England, when a hun- "To get the call from Tho- surfaces the issue of how best to dred from Mahmudullah and conference at the Oval in London yesterday, on the eve of their opening match of the ICC mas was very special and I'm bat under grey skies, which can aggressive seam bowling pro- Champions Trophy yesterday. Inset: Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza during the press looking forward to being part often set in all day in England, pelled the Tigers to a memorable conference of the Ryder Cup team again," Karlsson was quoted as success at the Adelaide Oval.That second-guessed ourselves or the anything can happen in the saying. defeat knocked England out of direction that we're going in, and game. So you never know." "It's a great honour to be the World Cup and led them to that's very powerful as a group Bangladesh come into the vice-captain and I'm very adopt a far more aggressive I think." Champions Trophy bolstered by much looking forward to the England are a very good side. Joe Root, approach to the one-day game But Mortaza said Bangladesh warm-up wins over New Zea- next 16 months." that, 'blips' like Monday apart, had it in them to spring a land and Ireland in Dublin this Known for his analytical Jason Roy, obviously captain Eoin has served them well in the surprise. month. approach to the game, Karls- Morgan is in good form, Ben Stokes, Jos intervening two years. "The thing is that we all "Whatever you have done son has 11 victories from more "Since then, we've been on a know that on a given day we can in the past gives you a little bit than 560 tournaments on the Buttler. But, it's cricket and anything can huge upward curve, and we've beat anybody. But we have to of confidence, but then you European tour and has fin- happen in the game. So you never know: been tremendously lucky in the start well." have to start again," said Bang- ished in the top ten in all four fact we have had a group of play- He added: "England are a ladesh coach Chandika of golf's major tournaments. Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza ers that have bought into a way very good side. Joe Root, Jason Hathurusinghe, the former Sri Following three straight of playing and enjoyed it, and Roy, obviously captain Eoin Mor- Lanka batsman. "So whatever European victories, the executed extremely well," said gan is in good form, Ben Stokes, we do first against England, we United States won the most Morgan. Jos Buttler. need to start well and that's what recent Ryder Cup on home "At no stage have we "But again, it's cricket and we are focusing on." soil in 2016, and the next event will take place at Le Golf National in Paris in Sep- tember 2018. Gavaskar plays down Kumble-Kohli rift Nicklaus says Woods 'needs London the same page. They will always will be nobody else applying for IANS be a little difference of opinion. the job. "So in my view, what our help' The coach is invariably some- the BCCI is doing is following laying down the rumoured one who belongs to an earlier procedure," the former India New York rift between India captain generation or the just finished captain said. Reuters PVirat Kohli and coach Anil generation," Gavaskar said at Gavaskar, the first batsman Kumble, legendary batsman an event here. to breach the 10,000-run mark olfing great Jack Nick- Sunil Gavaskar said yesterday "So the thought process, the in Test cricket, said Kumble's laus says Tiger Woods that some amount of misunder- approach, the attitude towards results over the last one year G (pictured) “needs all of standing between captain and the game is slightly different. show he has done nothing our help” after he was coach is understandable. "It might not be something wrong. arrested on a charge of driv- Kumble, who enjoyed a suc- actually happening on the field. "Kumble has done a very ing under the influence early cessful stint at the helm of the It could be something to do with good job as coach. I am simply on Monday. Indian team over a long season practice sessions or team com- going by the results and when A police report released which included 13 Test matches binations. I don't think that Sunil Gavaskar Anil Kumble you go by the results of last year, on Tuesday said Woods was at home against Australia, New should be taken too seriously you can say he has done noth- asleep at Zealand, England and Bangla- because these discussions are the players has also irked the the job. ing wrong," he said. the wheel desh, is under a bit of a cloud at healthy for the team," he added. Board of Control for Cricket in "Kumble was given a one- Gavaskar said a coach of a Mer- the moment. When reminded that Kohli India (BCCI) who have invited year contract. Now when that should be somebody who has cedes- Known to have a strict atti- enjoyed excellent relations with applications for potential can- contract is ending, the BCCI has long-term interests for Indian Benz tude towards discipline, the Kumble's predecessor Ravi didates to succeed the decided that they will follow cricket at heart. stopped legendary leg-spinner is report- Shastri, Gavaskar said: "I'm sure 46-year-old. Gavaskar. who procedure and advertise for a "A coach should be some- on a Flor- edly not on the best of terms if there were any difference was speaking at the Aaj Tak new coach. Since Kumble was body who has a vision for ida road with Kohli. they probably did not come to Salaam Cricket 2017 conclave given a direct entry into the Indian cricket. He should have and did "You will never have a sit- the fore." insisted that the BCCI is only process of selecting a new a vision that should take the not know where he was. uation where the captain and Kumble's demand for following procedure and coach, maybe nobody else will team ahead for the next 8 to 10 Woods, 41, has blamed the the coach in any country is on higher salaries for himself and backed Kumble to continue in apply for the post. Maybe there years," he said. incident on medications. Nicklaus said during a news conference on Tuesday ahead of his Memorial Tour- nament that he felt bad for the former world number Valentino Rossi Rossi targets Mugello return one. “Tiger’s a friend, he’s been great for the game of golf and Milan he was training in motocross. pain in my abdomen and chest is I think he needs all of our AFP Desperate to get back into still intense. help. We wish him well." contention after crashing out of "Fortunately I'm getting bet- “Tiger, I always thought, otoGP star Valentino the French Grand Prix at Le Mans ter by the day and that makes me was going to break my record. Rossi said yesterday he is two weeks ago and dropping to optimistic for the end of the week I don’t know what’s going to Mfighting to be fit in time third in the standings, the at Mugello. I want to be there happen (now),” Nicklaus said. for this weekend's world cham- 38-year-old star said he remains whatever it takes, and I'm fight- Woods, who has 79 PGA pionship race at Mugello after optimistic but won't fully know ing to be fit. It won't be easy, but Tour wins and 14 major titles, injuries sustained in a training if and when he trains on the track I still have a few days ahead of has competed in just 19 events accident. on Friday. me to recover. on the Tour since the end of Rossi, known on the circuit "It won't be easy to be there," "If I get the okay on Thurs- 2013 due to injuries. His goal as 'The Doctor', was discharged Rossi said yesterday in a website day, on Friday I will take part in of breaking the record of 18 from a Rimini hospital last week- report on Gazzetta dello Sport. the free training session to get a major championships held by end after treatment for chest and "Unfortunately I hurt myself clearer idea of my condition. I will Nicklaus looks increasingly stomach injuries suffered while while training in motocross, the do my best to be there." unlikely.