FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 BBOXINGOXING | Page 6 Barcelona Matthysse hold on for vows fi ght ‘to 2-2 draw at the death’ vs Celta Vigo Pacquiao

Thursday, April 19, 2018 TENNIS Sha’baan 3, 1439 AH Djokovic battles past GULF TIMES Coric, Nadal through in Monte Carlo SPORT Page 4

MANATEQ QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY ATHLETICS Epic showdowns on cards as big names Al-Attiyah pips De added to Doha Villiers in super Diamond League special stage Qatar’s Adel Abdulla takes a 42-second lead over rivals in the T2 category

By Sports Reporter Doha

atar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and French co-driver Mat- thieu Baumel got the better of Germany’s Thomas Rohler threw an incredible 93.90m in the men’s a strong fi eld through a varied javelin event at last year’s Doha Diamond League. Qand challenging opening 4.84km super special stage of the Manateq Qatar Cross- By Sports Reporter and world bronze medallist and Country Rally at the Losail International Doha teammate Petr Frydrych. Also Circuit late yesterday afternoon. in the mix are reigning Olympic The performance earned the defending silver medallist, Julius Yego of FIA World Cup champion a slender lead he 2018 IAAF Diamond Kenya, and another rising star, of 5.76 seconds to take into the fi rst of League series will kick 20-year-old Neeraj Chopra of four demanding desert selective sections off in Doha with unmiss- India, who is the 2016 Under today morning. Cars tackled the stage able action on May 4 at 20 world champion, 2017 Asian in reverse order and al-Attiyah saved QatarT Sports Club as a multitude champion and record-holder, the best until last with a time of 4min of global champions go head to and recent gold-medallist at the 13.35sec. head in the women’s pole vault 2018 Commonwealth Games. South African de Villiers settled in well and men’s javelin events. Caster Rohler last year wowed the in the second of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Semenya will be headline the crowds in Doha as he threw an South Africa Hiluxes and sealed second women’s 1500m, fresh off her incredible 93.90m to move him position, while Poland’s Jakub Przygonski 2018 Commonwealth Games to second on the world all-time rounded off the top three. 800m/1,500m double on the list behind world-record holder Fellow countryman Aron Domzala Gold Coast. Jan Zelezny, beating the meeting was fourth and FIA World Cup leader Doha’s large Greek commu- record, IAAF Diamond League Martin Prokop fi nished the stage in fi fth nity will have plenty to cheer record and German national place. Dutchman Erik van Loon took a for as reigning Olympic, world, record in the process. However, maximum stage penalty of one hour after European and Diamond League just two months later 2017 Eu- crashing in the stage. The Overdrive Rac- champion, Katerina Stefanidi, ropean Athlete of the Year, Vetter ing mechanics will need to work to repair Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah has a slender lead of 5.76 seconds going into today’s desert selective section. once again leads the fi eld. Ste- overtook Rohler to claim the sec- the Toyota before the restart today. fanidi will face stiff competition ond world all-time position after Qatar’s Adel Abdulla delighted home 9. Santiago Navarro (ESP)/Pwsdro Lopez from 2018 world Indoor champi- he threw 94.44m in Luzern. The crowds by romping into a 42-second T2 (ESP) Yamaha XYZ 1000R (T3) 5min on, and Olympic and World silver world champion has continued category lead over main Saudi Arabian 13.21sec medallist, Sandi Morris of the this scintillating form into 2018 rival Ahmed Shegawi. The QMMF and 10. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser al-Kuwari USA; recently crowned Com- where he has already thrown Ooredoo-backed Nissan Patrol driver (QAT) Nissan Patrol Y62 (T2) 5min monwealth gold and silver med- 92.70m at the European Throw- posted a time of 5min 18.81sec to snatch 18.81sec allists, Alysha Newman of Can- ing Cup in Portugal in March. the early advantage in the section for se- ada and Eliza McCartney of New Qatar’s 2017 Islamic Solidar- ries production cross-country vehicles. BIKES/QUADS Zealand respectively; 2017 world ity Games champion 22-year- Russia’s Yuliya Migunova-Khegay was 1. Maciej Giemza (POL) KTM 450 Rally championship bronze medallist old Ahmed Bader will also line third and Romania’s Laurentiu Claudiu Replica 4min 36.65sec and 2013 Under 18 world cham- up looking to gain further ex- Barbu fi nished in a distant fourth. 2. Kees Koolen (NLD) Barren Racer BR pion, Robeilys Peinado of Vene- perience competing against the Spaniard Santiago Navarro moved into 1690 5min 08.98sec zuela, and 2013 European Indoor world’s best. an impressive 18.33-second T3 category 3. Aleksandr Maksimov (RUS) Yamaha champion and British record- Caster Semenya of South Af- lead over Frenchman Claude Fournier. YFM 700R 5min 12.44sec holder Holly Bradshaw. rica will be diffi cult to beat in the Series rival José Luis Pena Campo of Stefanidi has dominated the women’s 1500m off the back of Spain was a mere 1.43 seconds behind MANATEQ QATAR NATIONAL BAJA pole vault for the past two years her dominant victories in both and Italy’s Michele Cinotto completed STANDINGS but it is Sandi Morris who has the 800m and 1500m at the Gold the stage in fourth. CARS (top 10) shown outstanding form already Coast Commonwealth Games Spaniard Fernando Alvarez survived a 1. Abdulaziz al-Bshayer (KWT)/Faisal this year. In March, Morris broke recently. The 2017 world bronze slight indiscretion after running wide to Zeidan (KWT) Can-Am Maverick X3 4min Stefanidi’s unbeaten streak of 19 medallist in 1500m, and two- fi nish the stage in eighth overall with his 41.40sec straight victories that had lasted times Olympic and three-times South Racing Volkswagen Amarok. Qatar’s Adel Abdulla is competing the T2 category. 2. Mohammed al-Attiyah (QAT)/Zaenal over a year when she won this world champion in 800m, also Nineteen cars were offi cially permitted Abidain (QAT) Can-Am Maverick X3 4min year’s World Indoor Champion- won the 2017 Diamond League to start the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country 4min 41.40sec in his Can-Am Maverick 4min 13.35sec 52.61sec ships in Birmingham with a cham- trophy over 800m following an Rally and 14 lined up in the Manateq Qatar X3. Al-Attiyah’s cousin Mohamed al-At- 2. Giniel de Villiers (ZAF)/Robert Howie 3. Ahmed Allouh (QAT)/Tamer Issa (JOR) pionship record of 4.95m. Stefa- opening victory at the Doha Dia- National Baja, in addition to the four that tiyah held second and Qatar’s Ahmed Al- (ZAF) Toyota Hilux 4min 19.11sec Can-Am Maverick X3 5min 06.86sec nidi fi nished with bronze with a mond League last May. Semenya were eligible from the main event. The two louh rounded off an all Can-Am top three. 3. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul 4. Abdullah al-Rabban (QAT)/Dionislos jump of 4.80m. Morris also has a will return to Doha looking for non-starters in the QCCR were Khaled al- Today, competitors tackle the fi rst of (BEL) MINI John Cooper Works Rally 4min Nikitopulos (QAT) Baja 5min 13.54sec superior personal best of 5.00m another victory over the longer Suwaidi and Ravil Maginov. the desert selective sections – a menac- 19.83sec 5. Nayef al-Nasr (QAT)/Jassim Mohammed to Stefanidi’s 4.91m, and is one of distance this year and her clos- Polish Orlen Team rider Maciej Giemza ing 358.15km examination of navigational 4. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Marton Falahi (QAT) Can-Am Maverick T3 5min only three women to be a member est competition will likely come prepared to tackle the Qatar deserts as a skills, patience and endurance. (POL) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 4min 17.34sec of the exclusive 5 metre club. from 2016 World Indoor bronze lone FIM-sanctioned motorcycle entrant The stage starts 48.48km south-west of 23.71sec 6. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser al-Kuwari Another fascinating show- medallist and U20 World indoor with an opening time of 4min 36.65sec in Losail and winds its way through the re- 5. Martin Prokop (CZE)/David Pabiška (QAT) Nissan Patrol Y62 (T2) 5min down will be in the men’s jave- record holder, Gudaf Tsegay of the super special stage. Dutchman Kees mote western wastelands of Qatar before (CZE) Ford F-150 Evo 4min 24.52sec 18.81sec lin as reigning Olympic cham- Ethiopia, and third- and fi fth- Koolen pipped quad rival Russian rival crossing the bottom of the country to fi n- 6. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Alexei Kuzmich 7. Khaled al-Feraihi (SAU)/Ali Hassan pion Thomas Rohler of Germany ranked athletes in 2018, Winny Alexsandr Maxsimov by 3.46 seconds to ish 93.75km away from rally headquarters - (RUS) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 4min Obaid (ARE) Nissan Patrol 5min 24.89sec goes up against all three medal- Chebet of Kenya and Rababe lead the category heading into the desert. close to the former bivouac at Sealine. 29.26sec 8. Muneef al-Salmani (SAU)/Abdullah al- lists from London 2017, which Arafi of Morocco respectively, The National Baja competitors will 7. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin Remal (SAU) Nissan Patrol 5min 29.17sec includes world champion and and 2013 800m world champion, only tackle shortened versions of the fi rst STANDINGS Zhiltsov (RUS) MINI One 4min 35.53sec 9. Hamed bin Eid al-Thani (QAT)/Feres Al- teammate Johannes Vetter, Eunice Sum, also of Kenya. and fourth desert stages today and on CARS (top 10) 8. Fernando Alvarez (ESP)/Sergio Lafu- louh (QAT) Nissan Patrol 5min 45.23sec world silver medallist and Dia- Tickets are on sale now online Sunday. Kuwait’s Abdulaziz al-Bsheyer 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu ente (UGY) Volkswagen Amarok 5min 10. Mohammed al-Meer (QAT)/Jaber Abu mond League champion, Jakub here and in Virgin Megastores drew fi rst blood with the fastest time of Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 13.17sec Jabri (QAT) Nissan Patrol 5min 48.98sec Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, across Qatar. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, April 19, 2018 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA FIFA plans to revamp Club WC, scrap Barcelona hold on for Confed Cup Lisbon: FIFA has laid out plans to replace the Confederations Cup with an expanded Club World Cup that would only be held every four years from 2021, a source said yesterday. draw at Celta Vigo According to a letter Gianni Infantino, the president of world football’s governing body, sent to the heads of the Barca extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points, with Atletico to face Real Sociedad today continental confederations, and that has been seen by AFP AFP, the Confederations Cup Madrid would cease while the club tournament would no longer be played annually in De- ionel Messi was thrown on as a cember. It would now be held substitute but 10-man Barcelo- every fourth June in the year na were relieved to escape with a before a World Cup — just as draw as Celta Vigo came within the Confederations Cup was. La whisker of infl icting the Catalans’ fi rst Last year’s Confedera- league defeat of the season on Tuesday. tions Cup in Russia — won by Messi was introduced after an hour Germany — would therefore at the Stade Balaidos and looked to have be the last. The competi- inspired another Barca victory when tion would last 18 days. The Paulinho gave the visitors a 2-1 lead four new format means the club minutes later. competition would interfere But Sergi Roberto was sent off for less with the rest of the preventing Iago Aspas sprinting clear football calendar, particularly and in the 82nd minute the former Liv- in Europe. erpool striker made it 2-2, albeit with a FIFA also faces the prob- large slice of luck given the ball brushed lem that while its principal his hand on its way into the net. tournament, the World Vigo pushed for a late winner and Cup, is immensely lucrative should have had it when substitute Lu- and popular, neither the cas Boye went through one-on-one but Confederations Cup nor the he took too long and Marc-Andre Ter Club World Cup have been Stegen made a crucial stop. “I think we remotely as attractive to fans deserved to win the game,” Celta Vigo or sponsors. coach Juan Carlos Unzue said. Clubs from the six confed- Earlier, a superb strike from Ous- erations take part in the Club mane Dembele had been cancelled out World Cup, but the gulf in by Jonny Castro’s close-range fi nish as quality can be embarrassing- Barcelona stretched their record un- ly large and only sides from beaten run to 40 La Liga games. They Europe or South America also extend their lead at the top of the have ever won it. Although table to 12 points, which could be cut to Brazilian sides claimed the nine if Atletico Madrid beat Real Socie- first three editions, only one dad today. “You always have to accept of the last 11 has not been a point but our intention was to win,” won by a European team — Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said af- inaugural winners in 2000, terwards. “When we lost Sergi, we had Corinthians triumphed for diffi culties but it is one more point. We the second time in 2012. need only two more victories and we In the United Arab Emir- have to fi ght for them.” ates in December, Real With one eye on Saturday’s Copa Madrid became the first club del Rey fi nal against Sevilla, Valverde to retain the trophy when made several changes to his Barca start- they beat Brazilians Gremio. ing line-up as the likes of Messi, Luis The changes dovetail with Suarez, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (right) vies for the ball with Celta Vigo’s Facundo Roncaglia during the Spanish La Liga match on Tuesday night. (AFP) FIFA’s desire to build on plans Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic were already unveiled by UEFA, all rested. “There were players who the 39th minute. Coutinho played wide for Coutinho and by the 64th, Barca minutes, sent off for tugging back Aspas Boye in behind but his teammate was the European federation, came from playing a lot of games and to Paco Alcacer whose return ball was were ahead. when the striker was in on goal. denied by Ter Stegen and the chance and CONCACAF, which runs I thought it suited us,” Valverde said. bouncing as Dembele controlled and Dembele did well to make space Aspas bent the resulting free-kick was lost. football in North and Central “Let’s see if we can give our fans some sent a dipping half-volley into the cor- down the right and as goalkeeper Ser- just over the bar but eight minutes from America and the Carib- joy on Saturday.” ner. On the stroke of half-time, how- gio Alvarez failed to collect, Paulinho the end he was celebrating as Ter Stegen SPANISH LA LIGA RESULTS bean, for a Nations League Ter Stegen, Philippe Coutinho and ever, Vigo were level. Andre Gomes gave was perfectly placed to divert towards could only parry Emre Mor’s cross and Deportivo La Coruna 0 Sevilla 0 to replace friendlies in the Dembele were the more established the ball away and then, after the break the corner, with Alcacer perhaps even as the ball spun up, it brushed Aspas’ Celta Vigo 2 (Castro 45, Aspas 82) Barce- international calendar. The in- names selected and Dembele took his developed, allowed Maximiliano Gomez feathering a fi nal touch. Roberto had chest, hand and fl oated into the net. lona 2 (Dembele 36, Alcacer 64) augural UEFA Nations League chance, capping an excellent attacking to fi re in a cross, which Castro bundled also been introduced on the hour, re- Barca were now holding on and Vigo Villarreal 2 (Víctor Ruiz 42, Bacca 55) will begin in September. display with a brilliantly taken goal in in. Messi came on in the 60th minute placing Gomes, but he lasted only 11 should have won it when Aspas played Leganes 1 (Brasanac 82)

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Neymar vows to work harder than Germany’s Ginter mulled ever to be ready for World Cup quitting aft er bomb attack

AFP the attack. A shell-shocked Dortmund team, clearly Berlin still struggling to process the dramatic events, lost the home leg 3-2 and then 3-1 away to Monaco the following week. orld Cup winner Matthias Ginter told Ginter revealed tears of relief were shed in the a German court yesterday that he con- Dortmund dressing room following the home de- sidered quitting football in the wake of feat, less than 24 hours after the attack. “We cried last year’s bomb attack on the Borussia in the dressing room and were glad it was over,” he WDortmund team bus. “We are always exposed to a admitted. PSG’s Brazilian footballer Neymar great risk,” said Ginter, clearly still carrying the ef- Ginter, who now plays for Borussia Moencheng- takes part in a promotional event fects of the April 11, 2017 attack. ladbach and won the 2014 World Cup with Ger- in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (AFP) “I have also thought about whether it is still many, says he is still traumatised. “When there is worthwhile to take this risk again and again. Noth- a loud bang at big events, I always eye people with ing is 100% secure, that’s why I did not want to give backpacks,” he said. “While walking, I look for up something which is fun.” Ginter, 24, was testi- slow-moving trucks and I prefer to change to the fying in the trial of German-Russian Sergei Wen- other side of the street.” ergold, who has admitted to detonating explosions in an elaborate bid to make a fortune on the stock market. He wanted to cash in on so-called put op- tions, essentially bets on a falling share price. The 28-year-old electrical technician faces 28 counts of attempted murder as well as setting off explosions and causing serious bodily harm. A tearful Ginter broke down in court in Dort- mund while testifying. He was describing the mo- ment the blasts hit the team bus on the way to their Champions League quarter-fi nal, fi rst leg at home to Monaco. The attack left his then teammate Marc Bartra, who now plays for Real Betis, with a frac- tured wrist. Reuters on May 17 and then I’ll be free to play,” he Neymar, who joined PSG for a fee of “Shortly before we left for the match, I was talk- Sao Paulo told reporters at a news conference in Sao 222mn euros ($275mn), said he was appre- ing to Marc Bartra,” Ginter told the court. “He knew Paulo. hensive about kicking a football again after the left-back from Monaco and gave me some tips. “I had an exam last week, it is all per- almost three months out. “I expect to go (to I sat in the left rear (of the bus). Then there was a njured Brazil striker Neymar has tar- fect, evolving well, so I hope that continues the World Cup) in a better state than before,” loud bang.” geted May 17 for a return to training so I can get back as soon as possible... I am he said. Ginter stopped abruptly to cover his face as he and vowed to work harder than ever to having treatment every day, and from the “Of course, doubts exist and I feel them sobbed and needed several minutes to compose be ready for this year’s World Cup in moment I start training I am going to work too sometimes, but that’s normal for a guy himself. “Everyone was lying on the fl oor (of the IRussia. The Paris St Germain player, who harder than I ever worked because this is a who has had the fi rst surgery of his career. bus). Splinters fl ew in. There was smoke inside. became the world’s most expensive foot- dream that’s coming up, it’s a World Cup. It’s very diffi cult for me not playing and not Marc cried out. We did not know what was going to baller when he joined the club from Barce- I’ve waited four years for this chance, it’s training. I have to work even harder but I am happen next,” he said. lona in August, had an operation on his foot close and I hope to get there in great shape.” going to have enough time to arrive in form The triple blast last April 11 shattered the team after being injured in a French league game Neymar played for Brazil at the 2014 for the World Cup, to prepare. It was hor- bus’s windows, with a police offi cer also suff er- against Olympique de Marseille on Feb. 25. World Cup but missed the catastrophic 7-1 rible getting injured but I am more rested, ing inner ear damage. Prosecutors say the three He has been receiving treatment in Brazil semi-fi nal defeat by Germany through in- that’s the upside. We have to see the positive fragmentation bombs each contained up to a kilo- and said he expects to be training exactly jury. Brazil struggled in the two years im- side of things.” gramme (2.2 pounds) of a hydrogen peroxide mix- a month before the fi ve-times champions mediately after their home World Cup but After opening their Group E World Cup ture and around 65 cigarette-sized metal bolts. play their World Cup opener against Swit- have since rebounded and go to Russia as campaign against Switzerland, Brazil face One of them ended up lodged in Bartra’s head- Former Borussia Dortmund footballer Matthias zerland on June 17. joint favourites with bookmakers along with Costa Rica on June 22 and then Serbia fi ve rest. Despite the traumatic experience, the home Ginter reacts in the courtroom of the district court “I get my fi nal exam, if I’m not mistaken, Germany. days later. Champions League clash was played the day after in Dortmund, western Germany. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, April 19, 2018 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP VAR could be used Bayern cruise into in Champions League by 2019 EFA president Ale- for the PFA Players’ Player of the ksander Ceferin said Year award, also made the team. yesterday that the Chelsea had a lone representa- German Cup fi nal video assistant referee tive in defender Marcos Alonso. U(VAR) system could be intro- PFA Team of the Year: David de duced to the Champions League Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Mueller, the man of the match, scored twice and helped set up the visitors’ first goal by the 2019-2020 season. Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, Slovenian Ceferin has taken a David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Chris- AFP cautious approach to the use of tian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Berlin VAR despite it being used in the Salah, Sergio Aguero. Italian and German leagues this season. SPAIN STRIKER ASPAS SET homas Mueller shone as Bayern FIFA have also approved its TO MISS THREE WEEKS Munich romped to a 6-2 semi- use at the upcoming World Cup Spain and Celta Vigo striker Iago fi nal win at Bayer Leverkusen in Russia. “Realistically speak- Aspas will be out for around on Tuesday night to reach the ing, in the 2019-2020 season we three weeks with a hamstring TGerman Cup fi nal and keep their treble could have it in the Champions injury, his club have confi rmed. dreams alive. Leverkusen are up to third League and at the European Aspas felt the pain in his right in the Bundesliga, but trail champions Championship,” Ceferin said in leg after he scored a late equal- Bayern by a massive 24 points and the an interview with Italian daily iser in Celta’s 2-2 draw at home gulf in the league table showed up clearly Gazzetta dello Sport. to Barcelona on Tuesday. in this semi-fi nal. “The Champions League is The 30-year-old underwent “We were very eff ective and the team like a Ferrari or a Porsche. You an ultrasound scan , which worked really well together,” beamed Mu- can’t drive it right away, you revealed the extent of the dam- eller after Bayern’s masterclass in attack- need training and testing offl ine. age. Aspas, who is La Liga’s top ing football. “We really deserved it, the Everyone has to understand how Spanish scorer with 19 goals this team performance was great. Of course it works. At the moment not season, is now set to miss league we want more (titles), we can feel that everything is clear for the fans games against Valencia, Villar- something is possible this season,” he and referees, we cannot allow real and Deportivo La Coruna. added as Bayern eye winning the Cup for that, and I’ve seen some comical the 19th time in the club’s history. situations in Germany, the FA ENGLAND NEED ‘A MIRACLE’ Mueller, the man of the match, scored Cup and Italy. For the top of the TO WIN WC: WALKER twice and helped set up the visitors’ fi rst top of our sport we need the top England defender Kyle Walker goal for Javi Martinez after only three of the top rules. We must solve believes it will take “a miracle” minutes. Robert Lewandowski added a the problems, not try to please for his country to win this year’s second, his 36th goal in 40 games this someone.” World Cup. Gareth Southgate’s season, when left unmarked in the area And European football’s men were unbeaten in qualifying as Munich raced into a 2-0 lead after chief added that he had “some for the fi nals in Russia, topping just nine minutes at the BayArena in concerns about the World Cup, Group F by eight points. Leverkusen. Bayer captain Lars Bender where we’ll have referees who But it was only two years gave the hosts hope with a 16th-minute have never offi ciated with VAR. ago that England suff ered a header while the Bayern defence ap- humiliating exit from Euro 2016 pealed for an off side call which never MAN CITY DOMINATE PFA at the hands of football minnows came. Leverkusen’s Germany winger Ka- TEAM OF THE YEAR Iceland and Walker told talk- rim Bellarabi could have equalised when Players from newly-crowned SPORT radio: “I hope we can go he twice forced Bayern goalkeeper Sven Premier League champions as far as we can go, but we need Ulreich into refl ex saves, but it stayed 2-1 Manchester City dominated the to be realistic. To win the World at the break. Professional Footballers’ Asso- Cup is going to be a miracle, but Bayern stormed away in the second ciation’s (PFA) Team of the Year we have got the players to do it. half as their star-studded attack turned announced yesterday, occupying A lot of us play in probably the on the style. Mueller, a constant menace fi ve out of 11 spots. best league in the world.” to the Leverkusen defence, netted his fi rst City defenders Kyle Walker The Manchester City full- on 52 minutes after good work from Thi- and Nicolas Otamendi, mid- back added: “We’ve got the ago Alcantara, who hit their third eight fi elders David Silva and Kevin players to do it, but have we got minutes later. The Spain international De Bruyne as well as all-time the experience going further ran across goal and pulled back a sublime top scorer Sergio Aguero were along in competitions? No, we shot which wrong-footed Leverkusen named in the side. haven’t. Not in recent years. We goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Arjen Robben Tottenham Hotspur had three need to be realistic. There are a made it 5-1 when he fi red home unmarked Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. (Reuters) players on the list, includ- lot of good teams out there and in the area on 64 minutes. ing England striker Harry our record in tournaments has Jamaica winger Leon Bailey, a second- When a Thiago pass played him into Having already wrapped up a sixth Bayern host Real Madrid in the Cham- Kane, who made the team for a not been fantastic.” half replacement, pulled a goal back for the area, Mueller shielded the ball with straight Bundesliga title, Bayern will now pions League semi-fi nal a week on third straight year along with England have won the World Leverkusen with a stunning free-kick on his body, then spun around his marker to face either Schalke or Eintracht Frank- Wednesday before the return leg in Ma- Manchester United goalkeeper Cup just once, when they 72 minutes. But Mueller extinguished any bang his shot past Leno on 78 minutes. furt, who meet in Wednesday’s other drid on May 1. “When we play like we did David de Gea. Liverpool forward triumphed on home soil in 1966 hopes of a fi ght-back with his second and Mueller was cheered off by visiting Mu- semi, in the cup fi nal in Berlin on May 19. today, it will even be hard for Real,” added Mohamed Salah, who has 40 after beating the then West Bayern’s sixth as the attacking midfi elder nich fans when he made way for James “We are delighted that we are going to Ulreich as Bayern eye a repeat of their goals across all competitions Germany 4-3 after extra-time in scored a classic striker’s goal. Rodriguez on 80 minutes. Berlin,” said Bayern goalkeeper Ulreich. 2013 treble. this season and was nominated a fi nal at Wembley.

FOCUS PREMIER LEAGUE Shaqiri City could dominate frustrated Tottenham held by Brighton by Stoke’s English football for AFP Brighton, United Kingdom relegation years, says Conte scrap arry Kane stepped up his bid to Reuters game more. Conte accepts the win the Premier League’s golden London: Stoke City winger London odds are stacked against his boot as Tottenham warmed up Xherdan Shaqiri has ex- team but has urged his players to for the FA Cup semi-fi nals with pressed his frustration at fi ght for a top-four spot until it’s aH 1-1 draw at Brighton on Tuesday night. the club’s ongoing struggle helsea boss Antonio mathematically impossible. Kane fi red Tottenham ahead in the 48th to avoid relegation from the Conte believes Man- “We have to try until the end minute when his close-range shot defl ect- Premier League, saying he chester City could dom- to reach this target,” the Italian ed in off Brighton defender Bruno. had hoped to be competing in inate English football for manager added. “If we want to be It was Kane’s 26th of the season and the top half of the table rather aC long time after Pep Guardio- realistic with fi ve games to go, it’s kept him in with a chance of catching Liv- than the bottom. la’s side were crowned Premier not simple to reduce the gap, but erpool’s Mohamed Salah, who sits ahead The Swiss international League champions. City won the we must have the will to fi ght, the of the Tottenham striker on 30 goals in enjoyed trophy-laden spells at league title last weekend with desire to take this target. Why the race to fi nish as the Premier League’s FC Basel and German giants fi ve games to go and boast a com- not? We have an important game top scorer. But Mauricio Pochettino’s side, Bayern Munich, where he won manding 16-point lead over sec- against Burnley, a really strong who face Manchester United at Wembley two league titles and collected ond-placed Manchester United. team having a fantastic season, on Saturday, left the Amex Stadium frus- a Champions League winners “Manchester City is one club and it won’t be easy to get three trated after conceding an equaliser two medal, before moving to Inter that can continue to dominate, points.” minutes after Kane’s opener. Milan and eventually Stoke to win, not only in England, but Conte also added that January Albion drew level when Pascal Gross in 2015. also to fi ght for the Champions signing Emerson Palmieri will slotted home a penalty awarded for Serge While the Potters secured a League,” Conte told reporters make his fi rst Premier League Aurier’s foul on Jose Izquierdo. Totten- ninth-placed finish in Shaqiri’s ahead of Chelsea’s league trip to start for Chelsea at Burnley. The ham have gone two games without a league debut season, the club slipped Burnley today. 23-year-old left back has made victory, but they are still in pole position to 13th a year later and are “They have the possibility to two league appearances from the to qualify for next season’s Champions currently second from bot- do this. It is a very strong club, bench since joining the club from League via a top four fi nish. tom, five points adrift of safety they have an important squad AS Roma for a reported fee of They are in fourth place, eight points after winning just six of 34 with great players and are a club 17.6mn pounds ($25mn). ahead of fi fth placed Chelsea, who have matches. that want to invest and improve. “Tomorrow Emerson will only fi ve matches left to close the gap. “Of course I’m frustrated,” There are a lot of things that are play... he’s ready in the physi- “It was a diffi cult game, the fi rst half was Shaqiri said. “Everyone has right.” cal and tactical aspect,” Conte even and the second half we started really been frustrated all season. Chelsea face an uphill task to said. “I don’t know if he is ready well. We scored but in the next section we We are a better team than qualify for next season’s Cham- to play two (matches) in three conceded,” Pochettino said. “We created where we are at the moment. pions League as they trail fourth- days. For sure he will play against chances but not enough to win the game. I have more ambition to play placed Tottenham Hotspur by Burnley.” Chelsea face South- The draw is a little bit disappointing be- at higher levels than the bot- eight points, even if Mauricio ampton in the FA Cup semi-fi nal cause the intention was to get all three.” tom of the table. Everyone Pochettino’s side have played a at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Brighton are eight points clear of the wants that but we have to bottom three and should be safe from rel- Brighton’s Beram Kayal (let) and Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen vie for the ball do more to make it happen. egation at the end of their fi rst season back during the English Premier League match in Brighton, southern England. (AFP) I don’t know the reason (we in the top-fl ight. With the FA Cup repre- haven’t), you have to ask the senting Tottenham’s last chance of silver- City was tough mentally and physically. Pochettino’s men took the lead when a sport directors. “I chose Stoke ware this season, Pochettino — yet to win “We have a squad good enough to win poor pass from Gross, followed by indeci- because the coach who called a trophy in his four years with the north games. This result was not because we ro- sion from Gaetan Bong, allowed Son to slip me said they were going to London club — made six changes from the tated the team. Everyone is ready to play into the area. The South Korean did well to make a good team and try team beaten 3-1 by Manchester City on but Brighton was a very diffi cult opponent keep control and the ball eventually broke in the future to play more in Saturday. and we need to give credit to them.” for Kane to sweep home. the front of the table. This Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld Lucas Moura, given his fi rst league start However, Brighton were back on level hasn’t happened.” Shaqiri has was handed his fi rst league start since Oc- as part of Pochettino’s switches, threat- terms in the 50th minute as Izquierdo enjoyed his most productive tober in place of Davinson Sanchez, while ened with a powerful drive from distance won a penalty by inducing Aurier’s rash season as a Stoke player, scor- Dele Alli, Kieran Trippier, Mousa Dembele as Tottenham tried to take control. Totten- challenge. Regular Brighton penalty taker ing seven goals and providing and Eric Dier were rested. Pochettino de- ham winger Son Heung-Min went closest Glenn Murray, who has missed twice from six assists in 32 league appear- fended his selection, saying: “We were to breaking the fi rst-half deadlock with a the spot this season, stepped aside to allow ances, but the club have failed thinking of giving the team fresh legs be- low shot which forced a fi ne save from Al- German midfi elder Gross to shoot under to mirror his form. cause Saturday’s game against Manchester bion goalkeeper Mat Ryan. Hugo Lloris’s dive. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, April 19, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS CRICKET India’s Kohli keen on county stint ahead Djokovic battles past of England tour

FP Twenty20 matches, three ODIs New Delhi and fi ve Tests. It has been widely reported in Indian press that Kohli would irat Kohli says he is join English county side Surrey Coric, Nadal through keen to play county for a brief stint in June. cricket to get used to Surrey’s director Alec Stewart ‘The first set was a real battle, he was playing a little better than me I think at the beginning’ conditions on English had expressed interest in sign- soilV ahead of India’s tour of the ing Kohli after reports the Indian AFP country later this year. cricket board would allow their Monte Carlo, Principality of The Indian skipper - the sec- top batsman to skip a one-off Test Monaco ond-ranked Test batsman in the against Afghanistan starting June world and the best in one-day 14. Kohli had stressed the need internationals - had an unchar- for getting used to local condi- ovak Djokovic needed acteristically ordinary spell dur- tions after India, the world’s top 10 match points to see ing the England tour in 2014. Test team, lost a series to South off Borna Coric in the The prolifi c run-getter man- Africa 2-1 in January. Monte Carlo Masters aged just 134 runs in 10 innings, “If players get an opportunity Nsecond round yesterday, while a far cry from the average 53.40 then why not,” he said of Indians world number one Rafael Nadal over 66 Tests, including 21 taking whatever chances they get eased past Aljaz Bedene 6-1, 6-3. centuries, that earned him the to hit abroad. But speculation of Djokovic, playing only his moniker “King Kohli”. Kohli’s debut in county cricket fourth tournament since Wim- He wants to avoid a repeat of has rubbed some the wrong way. bledon last July after struggling his poor form on English soil, Former England paceman Bob with a right elbow injury, over- and plans to train there to pre- Willis said England risked losing came some late nerves to win pare for India’s tour starting July. Test matches at home if “we’re 7-6 (7/2), 7-5. “Playing county cricket will accommodating all these visit- Djokovic is working with help me improve my game,” the ing players”. long-time former coach Marian 29-year-old batsman told In- “I can’t stand overseas play- Vajda for the fi rst time in almost dian TV channel NDTV. ers in county cricket,” he told a year after splitting from An- “I think it makes things more Sky Sports. “The only way to im- dre Agassi, and the 30-year-old challenging and more competi- prove our Test team is to have as has looked rejuvenated in Mo- tive and there are no guarantees many England-qualifi ed players naco after early exits in Indian whether you are going to do well playing in the County Champi- Wells and Miami. The Serbian even if you go in advance. It’s just onship as possible. will next face Austrian fi fth seed about giving yourself more op- “Instead, they’re going to pay Dominic Thiem with a possible portunity to get used to the con- Kohli, presumably, fi ve fi gures a quarter-fi nal against defend- ditions that you are not used to.” match so he can hone his skills in ing champion Nadal, who plays The all-important series will English conditions before a Test Karen Khachanov in the last 16 see India play England in three series. It’s a nonsense.” on Thursday, up for grabs. The fi rst game set the tone for the rest of the match, with FOCUS 12-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic eventually holding after nine minutes of bruising baseline rallies that included a Serena and Murray on missed break point for Coric. Both players saved break points in their opening service games, French Open entry list but the Croatian could not fend off Djokovic for long as the two- AFP with a third-round defeat to Ve- time Monte Carlo winner moved Paris nus at Indian Wells followed by a 3-1 ahead when the 21-year-old fi rst-round exit at the hands of Coric mishit a smash. Naomi Osaka in Miami. But he dug deep to break back ormer world number one She can enter the French Open thanks to two backhand un- Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his Monte Carlo Masters Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his Monte Carlo Masters Serena Williams was of- on a ‘protected ranking’ despite forced errors from Djokovic. match against Borna Coric in Monaco yesterday. (AFP) match against Aljaz Bedene in Monaco yesterday. (AFP) fi cially entered on the her current position of a lowly Djokovic was rock solid in a Roland Garros entry list 445 in the world. tie-break, though, as Coric be- with an impressive 7-5, 6-2 win yesterdayF in what would be her Nadal thrashes Bedene came ragged, dumping a simple Nadal started his bid for an over Russian Daniil Medvedev. Sharapova to make grasscourt return fi rst Grand Slam event since the Murray, a former number short ball into the net and fi ring 11th Monte Carlo title with a The former world number in Birmingham 2017 Australian Open. one, has not played at all a backhand long to gift his op- comfortable victory over Slov- four, who has struggled over the Also appearing on the main since the Wimbledon ponent the fi rst set. The former enia’s Bedene. last year with a right wrist injury, Former world number one Maria Sharapova will compete at the draw line-up in the men’s event quarter-fi nals and world number one was show- The 16-time Grand Slam win- followed up his fi rst-round vic- Birmingham Classic grasscourt event in the lead-up to Wimble- is Andy Murray, who hasn’t underwent hip surgery in ing the ferocity and accuracy of ner, like Djokovic, is looking for tory against Tomas Berdych with don, Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) announced yester- played since last year’s Wimble- January. The 30-year-old old in his groundstrokes and he a record 31st Masters title, and a solid display on centre court. day. The June 18-24 tournament is set to be the Russian’s first on don and was widely expected to Briton was runner-up at the had the better of three straight he swatted aside Bedene for the “The fi rst set was a real battle, grass since she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2015. return to action at a grass court French Open in 2016 breaks to take control. loss of only four games. Nad- he was playing a little better than Sharapova, who won the Birmingham title in 2004 and 2005, event in the Netherlands the But the 39th-ranked Coric al brought up set point in the me I think at the beginning,” said was granted a wildcard at the event last year before a thigh week after the French Open in World number one Rafal Nad- saved two match points on his opener with a trademark, curling Nishikori. injury forced her to skip the grasscourt season. The five-time June. al, who will be seeking an 11th own serve, before fi ghting back forehand up the line, before seal- “I just tried to stay calm and grand slam winner has failed to rediscover her best form after Williams, 36, is a three-time Roland Garros title, leads the from 40-0 down as Djokovic ing the set with a drop shot. not do anything too crazy and returning from a doping ban last year and split with coach Sven champion in Paris with titles men’s entry list which, as ex- struggled to get over the line as Bedene, who switched his al- stay calm at the baseline.” Groeneveld following a first-round exit at the BNP Paribas Open in 2002, 2013 and 2015, making pected, does not feature Roger he served for the match. legiance back to Slovenia from Russian Khachanov cruised last month. The defeat in California was the first time Sharapova up her 23 career major triumphs. Federer who is sitting out the A succession of wild back- Britain earlier this year, put up past Gilles Simon 6-2, 6-2, while had lost three consecutive matches since 2003 and the Russian The American only returned to clay court season for a second hands and a tame forehand into some resistance in the second 11th seed Roberto Bautista Agut has since withdrawn from the Miami Open with a forearm injury. action in the Fed Cup fi rst round successive year. the net saw four more match set, but Nadal broke through in beat Feliciano Lopez in straight The 30-year-old joins a strong field in Birmingham, including Wim- in February after 13 months away Murray, a former number one, points come and go, before Coric game seven. sets. Last year’s runner-up Al- bledon champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain, British number one from the sport to give birth to has not played at all since the levelled the set at 5-5 as Djokovic The 31-year-old Spaniard bert Ramos-Vinolas slumped Johanna Konta and Czech Petra Kvitova, who lifted the trophy at her fi rst daughter and get mar- Wimbledon quarter-fi nals and blasted wide and long. wrapped up a comfortable vic- to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat by Philipp the Edgbaston Priory Club last year. ried. underwent hip surgery in Janu- He rediscovered his compo- tory in the Monaco sunshine Kohlschreiber, whose fellow “Maria is one of the biggest stars of her generation and a former She lost the ‘dead’ doubles ary. The 30-year-old Briton was sure, though, to break again and with another break as Bedene hit German Jan-Lennard Struff champion in Birmingham, so it will be great to see her back on the rubber with sister Venus in that runner-up at the French Open in fi nally complete the job at the a forehand into the net. joined him in the last 16 by see- grass courts of the Edgbaston Priory Club,” tournament director Fed Cup tie against the Dutch. 2016. He is expected to warm-up 10th time of asking as Coric sent Japan’s Kei Nishikori contin- ing off Italian 13th seed Fabio Patrick Hughesman said in a statement. Serena’s return to the WTA for Wimbledon at the Rosmalen a backhand fl ying long. ued his comeback from injury Fognini. tour has also not gone smoothly grass court event from June 11.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE KKR record facile 7-wicket win over Rajasthan AFP to get into the groove, smashing a six most economical bowler in the IPL so Jaipur off Laughlin over deep midwicket us- far, hitting him for four back-to-back ing the depth of the crease to good fours straight up. The India Test team eff ect. vice-captain swept and drove the West olkata Knight Riders (KKR) Narine was run out soon after the Indian mystery spinner with aplomb to stretched their winning run Powerplay in which the visitors had garner 18 runs off the over. to two games by registering raced to 53/1, while Uthappa fell two Rahane looked in sublime form as he a facile seven-wicket vic- short of a half century, holing out to smashed Mavi for a fl at six down the Ktory over Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Ben Stokes who took a brilliant catch at wicket in the next over as Short also Premier League (IPL) clash at the Sa- the long-on boundary off Gowtham’s milked the U-19 World Cup winner for wai Mansingh Stadium yesterday. bowling. a boundary. After six overs, RR were After restricting RR to 160/8, the two- Earlier, KKR bowlers picked up 48/0. time champions, who also won against wickets at regular intervals to restrict RR then lost two quick wickets. Delhi Daredevils by 71 runs in their last RR to 160/8 in 20 overs. Narine had an First, Karthik eff ected a brilliant div- game, rode on Robin Uthappa’s 36-ball off day leaking 48 runs in four overs ing run out to get rid of the dangerous 48 (6x4, 2x6) to set up the chase and without taking a wicket but in-form Rahane off Nitish Rana, breaking the eventually win with seven balls to spare Rana put his hand up to remove open- 54-run opening wicket stand between posting 163/3 in 18.5 overs. ers Ajinkya Rahane (36; 19b 5x4 1x6) him and Short. Skipper Dinesh Karthik (42 not out; and D’Arcy Short (44; 43b 5x4 1x6) Sanju Samson followed suit soon af- 2x4, 2x6) and Nitish Rana (35 not out; while Tom Curran shaved off the lower ter, picking out Kuldeep at deep mid- 2x4, 1x6) combined for an unbro- order with two scalps in two deliveries. wicket off Mavi and just when Short ken 61-run partnership for the fourth For the hosts, Short was the top- was looking to accelerate, Rana castled wicket to ease past the line. Karthik hit scorer but never got going while explo- him with a slider in the next over to a six off Ben Laughlin to secure the win sive England wicketkeeper-batsman break the 36-run third wicket partner- in style. Jos Buttler helped them reach a fi ght- ship with Rahul Tripathi. KKR never looked in trouble despite ing target with a 18-ball, 24 not out. The inaugural IPL winners never re- losing out-of-form Australian open- In the last over, young fast bowler covered from there and were short by er Chris Lynn (0) in only the second Shivam Mavi (1/40) bowled three wide 10-20 runs. ball of their innings, with off -spinner balls and Chris Lynn dropped Dhawal Krishnappa Gowtham (2/23) fl attening Kulkarni (3) but he was later run out. Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals 160/8 his stumps with a ball that spun sharp- The visitors, choosing to fi eld fi rst in 20 overs (D’Arcy Short 44, Ajinkya ly into the batsman who tried to cut. after skipper Karthik won the toss, Rahane 36; Ntiish Rana 2/11, Tom Cur- Uthappa and Narine then came to- were given a good start by wrist spin- ran 2/19) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders gether for a 69-run stand for the fi rst ners Piyush Chawla (1/18) and Kuldeep 163/3 in 18.5 overs (Robin Uthappa 48, wicket. Uthappa looked in imperious Yadav (1/23) who combined well to leak Dinesh Karthik 42 not out, Nitish Rana form, hitting Jaydev Unadkat for three just nine runs in the fi rst three overs. 35 not out; K Gowtham 2/23) by seven Kolkata Knight Riders’ Nitish Rana plays a shot during the 2018 Indian Premier League match against Rajasthan Royals at the fours in the fi fth over. Narine took time Rahane then took on Narine, the wickets. Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, April 19, 2018 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Disappointing run Wizards spellbound fails to dampen Ohtani enthusiasm

Reuters alongside 30-40 fans at a base- Tokyo, Japan ball-themed bar located in the by rampant Raptors, shadow of the iconic Tokyo Dome stadium, where the group hohei Ohtani had his gathered hoping to see a player least productive night who has also hit three home runs on the mound since the continue his dream start. Japanese two-way star’s “We have seen increases in high-profiS le move to Major social media, ratings in China, League Baseball, but the heavy in Chinese Taipei and in Korea,” Celtics down Bucks loss his Los Angeles Angels ab- Small added. “I think Asia has sorbed on Tuesday is unlikely rallied behind Shohei Ohtani.” DeRozan, with 37 points, four assists and five rebounds, spearheads Toronto off ense to dampen support at home or There was plenty of Angels across Asia. and Ohtani-related gear avail- AFP Following the 23-year-old’s able at a shop adjacent to the bar, Los Angeles stellar start to the season with where sales staff stressed how both bat and ball in a rookie hard it had been to ensure the campaign that has already seen shelves were stocked enough to eMar DeRozan scored 37 points him compared to Hall of Famer keep up with demand. as the Toronto Raptors over- Babe Ruth, backing for Ohtani in Small added that offi cial mer- whelmed the Washington Wiz- his homeland has increased with chandise sales for the fi rst month ards 130-119 to take a 2-0 lead in each passing week. of the MLB season would not be theirD best-of-seven Eastern Conference However, after winning his available for a couple of weeks. NBA playoff series Tuesday. fi rst two starts, Ohtani’s Midas The unique aspect of Ohtani A record-breaking fi rst-half perform- touch deserted him on Tuesday compared to other Japanese ex- ance laid the foundations for the Rap- when he was withdrawn after ports is his ability to both pitch tors, who had surged into a 76-58 lead at just two hand blister-hampered and bat to a high standard, mean- half-time to leave Washington chasing an innings, throwing 34 strikes in ing he has the potential to become 18-point defi cit after the break. 66 pitches as the Boston Red Sox a once-in-a-lifetime talent. DeRozan, who also contributed four romped to a 10-1 victory. “Clearly the excitement that assists and fi ve rebounds, spearheaded a Despite this performance, exists in Japan right now for Sho- rampant Toronto off ense, which saw six Major League Baseball believe hei is really amazing,” Small said. players fi nish with double-digit points they have found the next Asian “It is the fi rst time that some- tallies. star to help spread the popularity one has really changed the game, “I just let the game come to me,” DeRo- of their brand across the conti- pitching and hitting at the same zan said afterwards. nent. time is very unique, very special “It’s not like I go out there thinking I “(Television) Ratings right so people are excited about that.” have to score 30 or 40 points. Tonight I now are triple what they were Small added he could not just wanted to be aggressive.” last year across all of our games, promise that the Angels would Jonas Valanciunas scored 19 points, so clearly this story is resonating be able to play in Tokyo for a cou- while C.J. Miles had 18 off the bench as with fans throughout Japan and ple of years, but that Ohtani may Toronto took a fi rm grip on the series with really throughout Asia,” MLB return to his homeland later this game three set for Washington on Friday. Vice President for Asia Jim Small year to pitch for an MLB All-Star “We’re strong as a team, it’s not about told Reuters. team in exhibitions against the individual players,” Valanciunas said. Small watched the game Japanese national side. “We did it as a team tonight. We were great defending, helping each other. It’s a team sport and when you play together and support each other it’s fun.” Washington’s resistance was led by John Wall with 29 points, but the Wiz- ards were rarely in the contest, save for one late rally as the top-seeded Raptors eased up. Wall had given Washington hope of a recovery after draining two free throws to take the Wizards back to within fi ve points at 108-103 in the fourth quarter. But Toronto slammed the door with a rapid burst of scoring to take the game away from the Wizards for good as the clock wound down. Earlier, the Raptors wasted no time in forging ahead during a lop-sided fi rst DeMar DeRozan (centre) of the Toronto Raptors tries to get a shot off over Ty Lawson (left) of the Washington Wizards during Game half. Toronto powered into a 24-11 mid- Two of the Eastern Conference First Round in Toronto, Canada, on Tuesday. (AFP) way through the fi rst period and were soon 34-13 up. the rest of the season. Brown said. Jrue Holiday scored 33 points for the Toronto maintained a 20-point cush- But the Boston club produced a domi- “We’re confi dent as ever. Teams have Pelicans — including 12 in a fourth quar- NFL ion through most of the fi rst half, and nant display to seal a win that puts them been writing us off all year and we just ter rally — to guide New Orleans home, they quickly passed their franchise record fi rmly in the driving seat in the best-of- keep proving people wrong.” with Anthony Davis adding 22. points tally of 63 to fi nish on 76 as the seven series. Terry Rozier had 23 points with eight CJ McCollum led the scoring for the half-time the buzzer sounded at the Air Jaylen Brown shouldered the off ensive assists on a night when six Celtics put up Blazers with 22 points, while Damian Lil- Rodgers frustrated Canada Center. burden in the absence of Irving, scoring double fi gures. lard was eff ectively nullifi ed by the Peli- Elsewhere Tuesday, second seeds Bos- 30 points in 33 minutes on court. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the scoring cans defense, scoring just 17 points. ton shrugged off their injury crisis to Brown said the Celtics had been un- for the Bucks with 30 points, with Khris with lack of personnel down Milwaukee 120-106 to take a 2-0 fazed by the raft of injuries that has Middleton adding 25 in a losing eff ort. RESULTS lead in their fi rst round series. threatened to derail their season. Portland, New Orleans took a 2-0 lead Toronto 130 Washington 119 The Celtics are still reeling from con- “I don’t pay attention to that — ul- in their series against the Trail Blazers Boston 120 Milwaukee 106 infl uence: report fi rmation that star Kyrie Irving will miss timately we just want to win games,” with a 111-102 victory on the road. New Orleans 111 Portland 102 Reuters cap hit of $20.6mn ranks 15th. New York The six-time Pro Bowler spoke NHL to reporters for the fi rst time this off season on Tuesday as reen Bay Packers quar- the Packers get their off season terback Aaron Rodgers conditioning programme un- has lingering discontent derway. On the subject of a con- over some of the team’s tract extension, he said he thinks Goff season moves and his lack of “there’s interest on both sides Fleury leads Golden Knights to input regarding changes that di- in getting something done,” but rectly impact him, according to a added there is “nothing to report Yahoo Sports report. right now” on the subject. Yahoo’s Charles Robinson As to whether he desires more quoted a league source saying input on personnel decisions, historic sweep of Kings Rodgers is both “frustrated” Rodgers didn’t address the Yahoo and “emotional” over his lack of report specifi cally, but he noted Reuters The score came after Fleury made a big save communication with the front the importance of having faith in New York on Dustin Brown. Vegas then broke out on a offi ce prior to major off season the team’s front offi ce. three-on-two rush ending with Reilly Smith moves, most prominently the “You have to trust the proc- sending a crossing pass to McNabb, who fi red fi ring of quarterbacks coach Alex ess,” he said. “And the process arc-Andre Fleury made 31 saves a one-timer from the dot in the right circle Van Pelt and release of wide re- works....They’re paying me to for his 12th career playoff shutout into the upper right corner of the net. ceiver Jordy Nelson. play quarterback to the best of as the Vegas Golden Knights be- The Kings pulled Quick with 1:05 remain- “Both of those decisions [with my abilities, and their job de- came the fi rst expansion team in ing and had one good chance, but Brown’s Nelson and Van Pelt] were made scriptions are to handle those Mthe 100-year history of the National Hockey shot from the slot went just wide of the right without him,” a league source type of things, so I think you just League to sweep a playoff series in its first side of the net. close to Rodgers told Robinson. act accordingly in those situa- season with a 1-0 victory over the host Los All four games were decided by one goal, “In both situations, he had no tions.” Angeles Kings on Tuesday night at Staples including two games by 1-0 scores to be- infl uence with [the front offi ce] Rodgers also elaborated on the Center. gin and end the series. Another was decided before anything went down.” departures of players and coach- Ex-King Brayden McNabb scored the lone in overtime, 2-1, as Vegas allowed just two Per Robinson, the issue is es like Nelson and Van Pelt, say- goal for Pacifi c Division winner Vegas, which even-strength goals in the series. something Rodgers is keeping on ing it’s diffi cult to see people he’s won the best-of-seven series 4-0. The Golden “It was a close series right from Game 1,” his mind as he prepares for his built relationships with leave. Knights will play the winner of the San Jose Fleury said. “They were all one-goal games, next contract extension. “From a personal standpoint, Sharks-Anaheim Ducks series in the semifi nals right? Again tonight till the end it was a close “I know he’s thinking about that’s the toughest part,” he said, of the Western Conference playoff s. game. Happy that it’s over. Happy that we that stuff when it comes to the “You’re in this business for a long “It’s nice,” Fleury said of making expansion- won with this group.” next contract because he should time and you start relationships club history. “Obviously all season we haven’t Kings center Anze Kopitar, who had one have earned a voice by now,” the with coaches and players.... played to beat records and stuff . We always goal and one assist in the series, said of his source continued, per Robinson. That’s the toughest part about started to focus on the next game and try to team’s playoff failure, “Our season’s done. Of “In other places with quarter- the whole thing is losing guys win that game. Obviously this is awesome, you course it’s frustrating. backs, consideration is given to over the years.” know, but it’s playoff s. It’s nice to win, but it “I don’t think it’s all (Fleury). Obviously those guys. I think Aaron wants Later Tuesday, Rodgers sent doesn’t matter if it’s a sweep or Game 7. It’s just you can’t win the series scoring three goals to be engaged in some deci- out a sarcastic tweet that appears nice to move up to round two.” total. For sure give him credit. I think he sions. But that’s just not the way to be aimed at the Yahoo report. It was the 66th career playoff victory for was playing really well but we also had some it works [in Green Bay]. I think He retweeted and commented on Fleury, a key member of three Stanley Cup chances that we didn’t score on. We just that’s obviously frustrating and a Packers.com story about him championship teams with the Pittsburgh didn’t score enough goals.” it’s going to keep coming out.” by writing, “I feel like the title of Penguins. He moved past Dominik Hasek Quick fell to 9-5 in elimination games in Rodgers, 34, still has two years this article needs more click bait. into 11th place on the NHL’s all-time list for his career. remaining on his contract, which Come on GBP, make something playoff wins for a goaltender. made him the league’s highest up, or talk to some unnamed Jonathan Quick stopped 20 shots for Los RESULTS paid quarterback when he signed sources close to me or something Angeles. Washington 3 Columbus 2 (OT) it in 2013. His annual average to beef up the clicks,” including McNabb netted the fi rst playoff goal of his Winnipeg 2 Minnesota 0 Marc-Andre Fleury (right) of the Vegas Golden Knights makes a save against of $22mn currently ranks ninth the hashtags #relax and #fak- career at the 4:04 mark of the second period. Las Vegas 1 Los Angeles 0 Jeff Carter of the Los Angeles Kings during the NHL game on Tuesday. (AFP) among NFL QBs, and his 2018 enewstuesday. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, April 19, 2018 SPORT

BOXING SPOTLIGHT Pacquiao not closing the door on long-time Matthysse vows trainer Roach

Reutres the 35-year-old. Manila Pacquiao to launch own cryptocurrency anny Pacquiao has Philippine boxing icon Man- fi ght ‘to the death’ not decided on the ny Pacquiao said yesterday he fate of his long-time would launch a cryptocurrency American trainer to connect with fans, but also MFreddie Roach, the Filipino backed the regulation of virtual said as he prepares for his bout currencies. against Argentine welterweight Pacquiao, one of the world’s champion Lucas Matthysse for most successful boxers, is the the World Boxing Association latest athlete to launch a vir- against Pacquiao (WBA) crown in July. tual currency, following Floyd “First, I would like to clarify Mayweather and former Eng- ‘Obviously he is still a very great fighter but since the knockout of Marquez, I think about that issue with Freddie land striker Michael Owen. The Roach,” the 39-year-old eight- Singapore-based Global Crypto he is not the same fighter anymore. He is not in his prime anymore’ division world champion told Off ering Exchange (GCOX), in a news conference yesterday to which Pacquiao has invested, promote the fi ght which will take said it would unveil the “PAC To- place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ken” later this year, which would “Freddie and I... we’re like a allow fans to buy the Filipino close family, and I didn’t make star’s merchandise and interact any decision yet about Freddie with him via live-streaming. Roach, but if, assuming, I will “It can be a way to be in touch make a decision about Freddie with the fan base and (there are) Roach and choose Buboy Fern- a lot of things we can do with andez as head coach for this this cryptocurrency,” Pacquiao fi ght, I’m still not closing the told AFP. door with Freddie. Forbes magazine last year list- “We just want to try and ex- ed the boxer - once dirt-poor - perience how Buboy will handle as the world’s 20th highest-paid this one fi ght and after that we athlete of all time, with career go back to Freddie,” said Pacqui- earnings of $510 million. ao, who last fought in a unani- His venture comes as govern- mous points loss to Australian ments across Asia take a more Jeff Horn in July last year. critical look at cryptocurren- Matthysse, who beat Thai- cies following wild fl uctua- land’s Tewa Kiram to win the tions in recent months and the vacant WBA welterweight belt high-profi le hacking of Japanese in January, said he would fi ercely crypto exchange Coincheck. defend the title. Lawmakers in the Philippines “Sure, you know, Manny’s have proposed legislation that won so many titles. He’s done so would impose stiff penalties for much in boxing. I’ve only won crimes committed using crypto- one title and I’m not going to currencies. Pacquiao, who is a give it up. I’ll die for it if I have to. member of the Philippine Sen- “He’s had a great history in ate, also backed the regulation of boxing and this is my time, this cryptocurrencies. is my time, and I’m going to de- “It is already regulated in oth- fend this title until death,” added er countries,” he said.

Sniff er dogs join war on doping in UK Sniff er dogs and a 50 percent most experts believe does not Philippine Senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao (left) poses with welterweight world title holder Lucas Matthysse for their upcoming WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title fight increase in tests are among the reflect the true prevalence of in Kuala Lumpur, during a news conference in a hotel in Manila yesterday. (Reuters) wide-ranging new measures to doping - UKAD knows testing is be used in UK Anti-Doping’s war only part of the answer, which AFP referring to the Filipino’s sen- “I will defend this title to the Matthysse for his part told on Roach. on drug cheats. is where its “innovations com- Manila sational 2012 knockout loss to death.” AFP Pacquiao “changed his The bout will also mark Pac- UKAD has been given an addi- mission” comes in. Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao has not fought style a little bit” after the Mar- quiao’s fi rst venture as a pro- tional £6.1 million ($8.7 million) “We are looking at innovative “He is not in his prime any- since he lost his World Box- quez KO, though he is not guar- moter, instead of having his by the British government over disruptive activities that could orld champion more,” the Argentine added. ing Organization welterweight anteeing a knockout. long-time American impresario the next two years, boosting its range from somebody in a Lucas Matthysse Pacquiao, 39, will fi ght Mat- crown in a shock points defeat “Both of us fi ghters are very Bob Arum handle that end of the annual budget to £11 million. UKAD jacket at an event, as yesterday vowed a thysse for the WBA welter- to Australia’s Jeff Horn last year, aggressive. We’re gonna fi ght business. Speaking to journalists at an obvious deterrent, to using fi ght “to the death” weight belt on July 15 in Malay- and has not knocked out an op- toe-to-toe and it’s gonna make “Bob Arum is in charge of the launch of its strategic Sniff er dogs to detect money Win his July title defence against sia’s capital Kuala Lumpur. ponent in nearly nine years. He for a great fi ght,” he said. American pay-per-view and plan for 2018-22, UKAD chair or doping products,” Pearce Manny Pacquiao, describing the The Filipino has 59 wins with insisted, however, that he was The Kuala Lumpur bout that’s it,” Pacquiao told AFP. Trevor Pearce said the extra said. Philippine boxing legend a di- 38 knockouts in his career, and far from fi nished. “That is what will likely mark the fi rst time After the Matthysse fi ght, money had enabled the agency “If we were allowed access minished star. is currently a Senator in the I am trying to prove this coming in 15 years that Pacquiao will Pacquiao told reporters he to hire around 10 new staff there’s no reason why those But the 35-year-old Argen- Philippine parliament. July 15 that Manny Pacquiao is be fi ghting without his long- wants to take on Vasyl Lo- and set a target of 6,000 sorts of tactics couldn’t be tine - who took the vacant Many in the country believe not done yet in boxing,” he said. standing US trainer Freddie machenko, the Ukranian super- publicly-funded tests a year by applied to those seeking to World Boxing Association wel- he will one day run for presi- “I keep on fi ghting because Roach, who expressed hurt last featherweight WBO champion. 2022. track performance-enhancing terweight title in January - said dent, but Pacquiao has insisted boxing is my passion and I love week after saying ties have been He is currently considered These extra tests, he said, substances into events or it was still a “dream-come- that he is happier in the ring raising the fl ag of the Philip- cut. The boxer suggested yes- by many to be the world’s top would provide a greater deter- facilities. true” and “an honour” to face than in politics. pines.” terday that role might go to his “pound-for-pound” fi ghter, an rent, allow UKAD to test sports “If athletes know they will be at Pacquiao, winner of eight un- But Matthysse - who has 39 In a separate interview with own friend and compatriot Bu- unoffi cial honour Pacquiao once it has previously not had the an event it may have an eff ect. precedented world titles in dif- wins with 36 knockouts in 43 AFP, Pacquiao described Mat- boy Fernandez, at least for the held. resources to cover, go further We are now exploring this with ferent weight classes. matches - said he was not fazed thysse as an “aggressive fi ghter”. Matthysse bout. “That’s one of my plans, down the pyramid and produce the (National Crime Agency).” “Obviously he is still a very by the status of his opponent. “He keeps on coming, which “We just want to try and ex- fi ghting Lomachenko, and also more data for its eight-strong UKAD’s director of operations great fi ghter but since the “Sure, Manny has won so is good for me”. perience that Buboy will handle my plan is to have a fi ght here in intelligence and investigations Pat Myhill said the use of dogs knockout of Marquez, I think many titles... I (have) only won He said he plans to improve this one fi ght and after that go Manila. So either Lomachenko unit. is only one of 32 “disruptive he is not the same fi ghter any- one title. I am not going to give his footwork, head movement back to Freddie,” Pacquiao said, or anybody as long as it’s here in But with fewer than one in 50 techniques” his team has come more,” Matthysse said at a joint it up. I will die for it if I have to,” and work on more combinations stressing he had yet to decide Manila, no problem. It’s going to tests coming up positive - a rate up with. news conference in Manila, he said. to counter the champion. and was “not closing the door” be exciting.”

ATHLETICS New, relaxed Farah ready to mix it in marathon Reuters European titles over 5,000 and track I was learning and improv- London 10,000 metres, Farah goes into ing step by step and it’s the same Sunday’s race not even ranked in the marathon,” he said. in the top 10. His only previous “That’s what it will take for me hether months of marathon, at London in 2014, to medal in Tokyo. If I can do two 120 miles-a-week produced an eighth-placed fi nish marathons a year and learn from altitude train- in just over two hours eight min- them, if everything goes well, ing will be enough utes, not even good enough to if you’re strong and you learn, I Wto transform Mo Farah into a challenge Steve Jones’s 33-year- think I’m of capable of 2:04 or world-class marathon runner old British record of 2:07:13. 2:03 in the right race.” will be revealed on the streets Twelve men in Sunday’s Since switching to the mara- of London on Sunday but the fi eld have run faster than Fa- thon last year Farah is no longer switch already seems to have rah, with Kenenisa Bekele and coached by Alberto Salazar and transformed his state of mind. Eliud Kipchoge, the second and his Nike Oregon project, which Farah has endured a prickly third-fastest men in history, is still under investigation by US relationship with the media, su- among those a full three minutes anti-doping authorities. ing one British journalist this quicker and defending champion Farah has previously said the year for repeating IAAF con- Daniel Wanjiru one of four with a split had nothing to do with ac- cerns over his blood passport 2:04-something to their names. cusations that Salazar bent and values, but he seemed a changed Olympic champion Kip- abused anti-doping rules and man as he looked ahead to Sun- choge’s best of 2:03:05 equates was because he wanted to re- day’s London Marathon. to him fi nishing more than a mile turn to England where he is now “I’m more relaxed, the change ahead of Farah and the Briton coached by Gary Lough, the from track has given me a massive was somewhat contradictory husband and former coach of boost and I’m enjoying it more when discussing his approach to women’s marathon world record than ever,” he told a news confer- the race. On the one hand he said holder Paula Radcliff e. ence on Tuesday two hours after “there’s only one way to run and Farah, who on Tuesday de- arriving from Ethiopia. that’s mixing it with the guys” but scribed Lough as a genius, is still “On the track I’ve won most he also described the race as part working with strength coach Dave of the medals I could win so each of a learning process in which the McHenry, who has never featured year to motivate yourself gets British record was his aim. in the allegations being investi- more diffi cult. You have to nd fi Farah’s long-term goal is the gated by USADA but who has been a new challenge, something that 2020 Olympics in marathon- involved with the Oregon Project gets you out of bed.” mad Japan and the 35-year-old for more than 10 years. Having spent close to a dec- Briton knows he must improve Farah said he had not spoken ade lining up as the favourite to dramatically to be in the medal to Salazar and not seen McHenry bag multiple world, Olympic and mix. “Through my years on the since October. Britain’s Mo Farah poses for the media during a photo call for the London Marathon near Tower Bridge in London. (Reuters) Gulf Times Thursday, April 19, 2018 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT BASKETBALL Al Arabi and Al Winks visits Aspetar Wakrah set up title clash at Emir Cup By Sports Reporter to take them to the second fi nal Doha since 2001, where they lost to Al Rayyan. for rehabilitation Later in the evening, Wakrah l Arabi and Al Wakrah defeated defending champions marched into the fi nal Al Gharafa 87-76 in the sec- ‘I have been really impressed by the facilities here, they really are world class’ of the Emir Cup basket- ond semifi nal with the help of a ball tournament yester- fi ne 32-point eff ort by Erfan Ali ottenham Hotspur midfi elder some silverware next season.” day.A At the Gharafa Sports Club, Saeed. Gharafa took six points Harry Winks paid a visit to Qa- He added: “We have got all the facili- Nicholas Stover scored 33 points (26-20) lead at the end of the tar’s world renowned orthopae- ties in place to achieve the goal of winning and dished fi ve assists as Al Arabi fi rst quarter and later maintained dic and sports medicine hospital, trophies. as well. We have a great set-up, defeated Al Shamal 96-79 in the the three-point advantage till the TAspetar, last week to continue his reha- a great team and great backroom staff . We fi rst semi-fi nal. third quarter. Wakrah came back bilitation as he recovers from an ankle have everything to be a successful club, so Arabi took the fi rst quar- strongly in the fourth to fi rst tie injury. The England international has es- going to the new stadium is going to be an ter honours leading 20-19, but the game at 67-67 and later won tablished himself as one of the top young exciting new chapter in the club’s history Arabi fought back to edge ahead it with 14 points. midfi elders in the Premier League over the and hopefully we can achieve some big 51-39 at the end of the second Earnest lee Ross Junior also past 18 months and is seeking to return to things there for the fans.” period. Arabi, however, came up contributed 19 points for the action before the end of the season to help The 22-year-old footballer, who made with 16 points in the third quar- winners, while Tod Edward Frank the North London club secure their place his senior international debut in the 1-0 ter while restricting their rivals O’Brien scored 23 points for in the next year’s Champions League. win in Lithuania last October, and looked to just eight points to take an Gharafa. Tottenham Hotspur and Aspetar an- a strong possibility at that stage to be in- eight-point advantage into the Al Gharafa and Al Shamal had nounced a medical partnership agree- cluded in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup fi nal quarter. Stover also excelled advanced to the semi-fi nals with ment in September 2016, which gives the squad, is confi dent that the senior Eng- from three-pointer mark, drill- almost identical wins over Al Premier League side priority access to the land team can impress at this summer’s ing three out of fi ve attempts. Rayyan and Al Ahli respectively. FIFA-accredited Medical Centre of Ex- World Cup. Khalid Sulaimen Abdi and Al Gharafa saw off Al Rayyan cellence in Qatar. He shared his thoughts saying, “We Williams Earl Byrd with 23 and 92-83, while Hrvoje Pulijko ex- Speaking about his visit to Aspetar, have got a fantastic squad and individual 19 points respectively also ex- celled with 34 for Al Shamal as Winks said: “I am here to ultimately try talent. We have a good manager in Ga- celled for the winners. For Al they edged out Al Ahli 91-84 on to get fi t and recover from an injury that reth, good staff and there is a great set-up Shamal, Matthew Byran-Aman- last Friday. I had for quite a while now and make use there to be able to go on and achieve big ing scored 28 points and Dominic The fi nal will be played on Sat- of the excellent facilities and staff to try things with the national team. Everyone Davon James netted 18 points urday, 21 April at 6:30pm. achieve full fi tness again. I have been re- is positive about the chances we have at ally impressed by the facilities here, they this summer’s World Cup. Everything is really are world class. To be totally honest going well in terms of training and our I’ve been a bit surprised of just how good qualifi cation process went as well as it the facilities here are. Aspetar also has could have done. Why not think big? fantastic staff that have helped me try to There is confi dence and belief there, so get me back to full fi tness. The combina- who knows.” tion of the facilities and staff makes it an Speaking about Qatar as a host nation ideal place for me right now. of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Harry Winks He added: “Aspetar is a great destina- said: “It’s going to be a fantastic place to tion to recover. First of all, you have nice host the World Cup for sure. The infra- weather for recovery, and also everything structure here, the facilities and the sta- to hand here. The staff have a wealth of diums…. Everything is in place to make experience with footballers and elite ath- it a wonderful tournament in 2022. An letes in general. For me it’s been brilliant amazing destination to come here and and I have really enjoyed my time here to have the World Cup. From what I’ve and hope to be back to match fi tness as seen so far, it’s a spectacular place and I soon as possible.” am looking forward to coming here either Tottenham Hotspur is currently fourth as a fan, or hopefully as a player with the in the Premier League table, which would England national team in a little over four guarantee Champions League football years’ time.” next season when they move into their Aspetar boasts one of the most ad- new £750mn state-of-the-art stadium vanced medical departments in the re- and Winks is relishing the prospect of gion, which is integral to the hospital’s playing at the club’s new home, which multidisciplinary approach to athlete will be the largest football club stadium management. Aspetar’s method focuses in London, particularly as he feels it can on assessment and treatment of injured accelerate the team’s recent excellent athletes by implementing personalised progress. injury treatment programmes. He said: “It’s exciting, a new stadium, Utilising an evidence-based model, it’s going to be big. It has been a great ex- Aspetar’s experienced practitioners aim perience playing at Wembley this season to return patients to their pre-injury life- and we had some fantastic results there. style as quickly and safely as possible and We are excited to move to our new stadi- has a proven track record of treating re- Al Wakrah beat the defending champs Al Gharafa in the semi-final of um and new home though as we go after gional and international athletes. the Emir Cup basketball tournament. PICTURE: Anas al-Samaraee

FOCUS University of Birmingham and Qatar cricket team arrives in Kuwait Aspire Academy conduct workshop Doha: Aspire Academy held a of motivation and sport coach- Birmingham about the Motiva- workshop for coaches in collab- ing. The programme supports tion in Sport and Exercise, said: for the Asian sub-regional qualifi ers oration with University of Bir- coaches in identifying how they “The workshop went really well. mingham’s Empowering Coach- might integrate the workshop’s Participants really engaged and ing TM, an innovative approach perspectives into personal they enjoyed the workshop, to coaching delivered through coaching style in training and which is the most important a series of workshops that competitions. thing from a motivational maximises the development of One of the major benefits of perspective. They were reflect- participants by fostering high the course is that the content ing on their practice and also levels of intrinsic motivation via and approach are theoreti- discussed with their colleagues the support of student-athlete’s cally-based and informed by the strategies they use to create sense of autonomy, belonging past research that has been an empowering climate.” and competence. conducted across the world for During the workshop, the The workshop was held more than 30 years. The main Academy coaches, sports at Aspire Academy over the goal of the workshop is to help scientists and medical staff were past three days and involved coaches better understand how introduced to several topics 50 participants from various to apply a certain set of princi- including understanding moti- sports disciplines as well as ples to help them optimise the vation and motivational climate; sports scientists, medical staff , coaching climate and, in turn, identification of coaching phi- and educators who collectively enhance the quality of student- losophy; how autonomy, belong- can create a climate that can athlete motivation. ing and competence form the positively influence student-ath- Commenting on the work- building blocks for high levels lete’s motivation and well-being. shop, Dr. Paul Appleton from of intrinsic motivation; and the The unique approach of this Empowering Coaching, who many elements that make up an workshop is based on theories teaches at the University of empowering climate.

BOTTOMLINE Kazi wins World Golf Cup Qatar cricket squad pose after they land in Kuwait for the Asian sub-regional qualifiers for the 2020 ICC Twenty20 World Cup. urkish Airlines brought its ever-growing World By Sports Reporter “Our main aim is to play hard teams competing during 2018 in Mohamed Awais Malik; Mohamed Golf Cup tournament Doha game and try to qualify for the fi ve regions – Africa (3 groups), Rizlan; Noman Sarwar; Qalandar to Doha Golf Club last next stage. The opponent teams Americas (2), Asia (2), East Asia Tweek. The Doha event was well Khan; Khurram Shahzad; Mo- are strong as well. We’re playing Pacifi c (2) and Europe (3). hamed Tanveer; Faisal Javed Khan; supported by the local business n 18-member Qatar the fi rst match against the UAE. The top 26 sides from these Gayan Buddika community and members of cricket squad yester- It is a tough match and it will set will then contest fi ve regional Coach: Simon Gough. Physio: Doha Golf Club were among the day arrived in Kuwait the ball rolling for our rest of the fi nals in 2019, with seven and Mohamad Jahangir. competitors. for the Asian sub- campaign. We’ve confi dence hosts then going on to compete In this year’s tournament, the regionalA qualifi ers for the 2020 in our team and talented play- in the 14-team 2020 qualifi ers FIXTURES winners of the qualifi ers pro- ICC Twenty20 World Cup qual- ers. We’ll take one match at a with Hong Kong, the Nether- 20 April: Kuwait vs Maldives; Qatar gressed to the Grand Finals in ifi cation tournament. time and let us see how we fare lands, Scotland, Ireland, Oman vs UAE; Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain Antalya in November, when they The squad is led by Inam-Ul there,” he said. and Zimbabwe. From this event, 21 April: Kuwait vs Qatar; Maldives have the chance to secure a place Haq and the head of delegation The seven-team qualifi ers, six will advance to the World vs in the Turkish Airlines Open pro- is Eisa Yaqoub al-Yaqoub, while co-hosted by Qatar and Kuwait, Championships in Australia and Bahrain; Saudi Arabia vs UAE am, will fl y Business Class and Gul Khan Jadoon is the team will start on April 20 and the will play against the top 10 ICC 23 April: Maldives vs Qatar; stay at a fi ve-star Hotel. manager. Speaking on the occa- opening day pits Kuwait against T20 ranked teams. Bahrain vs UAE; Saudi Arabia vs Fazal Kazi will represent Doha sion, Jadoon said: “We’re going the Maldives, Qatar against the Kuwait there after winning the com- to Kuwait with the best possible United Arab Emirates and Saudi QATAR SQUAD: 24 April: Maldives vs UAE; Saudi petition with 37 points, while was won by Des Reid and Yasmi- 75. Turkish Airlines World Golf team. The players are in good Arabia against Bahrain. Inam-Ul Haq (captain); Tamoor Saj- Arabia vs Kuwait 2016 Doha winner Uzma Mir was an al-Sharsharni for the women Cup has more than 8,000 invited shape due to their participation Twelve regional qualifi ers are jad (vice-captain); Zaheeruddeen 26 April: Kuwait vs United Arab runner-up, Dong Yoon Kim was on the 17th hole. guests competing in more than in the just-concluded T20 and being held by the International Ibrahim; Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry; Emirates; Bahrain vs Qatar; Saudi third. The Nearest the Pin com- Fazal Kazi also won the lowest 100 tournaments around the Qatar Cricket League. Cricket Council (ICC), with 61 Kamran Khan; Mohamed Nadeem; Arabia vs Maldives petition on the 8th hole for men gross score with an impressive world.

Thursday, April 19, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING FOCUS Brazil legend Cafu Lerner rides Ishfaq hails impact of Champion SC’s fl agship CSR to dominant Trainer Jassim Ghazali saddles programme three winners, Ibrahim feature victory al-Malki two

Cafu recently toured the SC’s Legacy Pavilion in Doha.

wo-time FIFA World most excluded people, especially Cup winner Cafu says those experiencing high levels Generation Amazing, of deprivation. It also promotes the Supreme Commit- sustainable behaviours among teeT for Delivery & Legacy’s (SC) young people in Qatar and across fl agship corporate social respon- the region. sibility programme, is playing Generation Amazing fi rst in- a key role in changing the lives teracted with the Cafu Founda- of children from disadvantaged tion during the 2014 FIFA World communities. Cup when its ambassadors from During a recent tour of the across Asia met their counter- SC’s Legacy Pavilion in Doha, parts from Brazil. The youngsters the Brazil legend spoke of simi- took part in various events, in- larities between Generation cluding a friendly football match, Hamad Mohamed al-Khayareen (third from right) and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) deputy chief steward Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (right) with the winners of the Al Amazing and the Cafu Founda- with was won by the Generation Wakra Cup after Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Ishfaq won the 1900m race at the QREC yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim tion – an initiative he founded Amazing team. to support youngsters from the During the 2016 Olympics in By Sports Reporter al-Balushi), 2. Bachelorhood (Stephan marginalised communities in his Rio de Janeiro, Cafu visited the Doha Ladjadj), 3. Lahdan (Marvin Suerland), 4. home town of Jardim Irene, in Qatar Olympic Committee booth Truancy (Khadija Abdulwahed). Won by: Sao Paulo. which was set up to showcase the 2, 3/4, Nk. Time: 2:10.41. Owner: Shaheen “Generation Amazing and the culture and legacy of the 2022 heikh Khalifa bin Mohamed bin bin Khalid Shaheen al-Ghanim. Trainer: Cafu Foundation share the same FIFA World Cup hosts. Khalifa al-Thani’s Ishfaq con- Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. vision, mission and objectives,” During this visit, Cafu went tinued with his impressive mo- Race 4: 1. Nahaab (Saleem Golam), 2. Al said Cafu, who captained Bra- on to discuss the links between mentum as Marc Lerner helmed Watan (Marvin Suerland), 3. Look At Me zil to success at the 2002 FIFA Qatar and Brazil, as well as Gen- theS Pierre Deymonaz-trained colt to a World Cup. eration Amazing and the Cafu (Stephan Ladjadj), 4. Rawdat Al Khail fantastic victory in the 1900m Al Wakra (Harry Bentley). Won by: 3 3/4, 1 1/2, 1. “Sport in general, and foot- Foundation. Cup, yesterday’s feature on dirt at the Time: 1:51.32. Owner: Mohamed Abdulla ball in particular, play a major “The relationship is very im- Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Abdulmalik. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. role in achieving social inclu- portant for the beautiful cul- (QREC) yesterday. Race 5: 1. Al Dawoodea (Faleh Bugha- sion, and Generation Amazing, tural exchange between our two The 10-length victory over Ibrahim naim), 2. Baker De Saularie (Marc Lerner), like my own foundation, is aim- countries,” said Cafu. “It is most al-Malki-schooled Afreetah, ridden 3. Samhan Al Shajaa (Abdulla Hozam al- ing to achieve this through spe- important to give back to your by Saleem Golam, was second win in Marri), 4. Abercrombie (Saleem Golam). cial projects. We want to reduce neighbourhood, country or re- the row for the five-year-old, who has Won by: 4 1/4, 3, 1 1/4. Time: 1:59.50. social and economic disparity gion through football. As a pro- never finished outside the top three in Owner: Al Shaqab Racing. Trainer: Hossin among children and provide new fessional footballer, I was away his five races so far, including three vic- Mohamed Ashour. opportunities for young people for many years but I established tories. Race 6: 1. AJS Wathanan (Almotasem al- to have a better life through foot- the Cafu Foundation after my Champion Trainer Jassim Mohamed Balushi), 2. Bsheer (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. ball.” retirement to give children new Ghazali tightened his grip on the cham- Hareemah (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 4. Udai Launched in 2010 during Qa- opportunities. I am happy that pionship further with three winners on Marc Lerner rides Ishfaq to Al Wakra Cup victory at the QREC yesterday. Al Wajba (Harry Bentley). Won by: Shd, 22, tar’s bid to host the 2022 FIFA I am able to help others through the day, including two with Almotasem 15. Time: 2:13.25. Owner: Al Ghazali Stud. World Cup, Generation Amazing football.” al-Balushi astride. winners under Golam and Anas al-Sey- claimed Dancer (Adnan Hawa), 4. Reem Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. uses football for development Cafu, the most capped Brazil Shaheen bin Khalid Shaheen al- abi respectively. Seattle (Jean Baptiste Hamel). Won by: Race 7: 1. Shobrom (Anas al-Seyabi), 2. initiatives to address social is- international of all time with 142 Ghanim’s Sacred Way topped the 2000m Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim regis- 3 3/4, 1 1/4, 3 1/2. Time: 1:12.77. Owner: Catch A Wave (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Vic- sues in countries with an identi- appearances, also praised Qatar’s Thoroughbred Handicap event for horses tered his 18th victory this season astride Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Mohamed toy Laurel (Saleem Golam), 4. Burrishoole fi ed need, in line with the United hosting plan. rated 70 and below, before AJS Wathanan Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Dawoodea in the al-Attiyah. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Abbey (Harry Bentley). Won by: 3 1/2, 1 1/4, Nations Sustainable Develop- “It is marvellous to witness won the Purebred Arabian Handicap 1700m Purebred Arabian Plate race, Ghazali. 2 3/4. Time: 1:11.00. Owner: Rumailah Stud. ment Goals. Through the con- the wonderful transformation of event for horses rated 80 and below. while Hamad Ahmed al-Malki al-Jeha- Race 2: 1. Lawless Louis (Jean Baptiste Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki. struction of community football the country through the ongoing Ghazali’s fi rst winner of the day was ni-schooled Lawless Louis, with Jean Hamel), 2. Connery (Saleem Golam), 3. Race 8: 1. Ishfaq (Marc Lerner), 2. Afreetah pitches, the delivery of compre- mega projects related to the 2022 Daira Bridge who shed his maiden status Baptiste Hamel in the saddle, was the New Hope (Tomas Lukasek), 4. Mohsen (Saleem Golam), 3. Haddaj Dukhan (Jean hensive football for development FIFA World Cup,” said Cafu. “I under JP Guillambert’s ride. other winner on the day. (JP Guillambert). Won by: Hd, 1 3/4, 1. Baptiste Hamel), 4. Al Ghawja (Tadgh training and the involvement of am confi dent the tournament Al-Malki had fi ne day in the offi ce Time: 1:11.84. Owner: Hamad Ahmed O’Shea). Won by: 10 1/2, 1 3/4, Nk. Time: young people, the programme will be an impressive experience with two winners including, Mohamed RESULTS Hassan al-Malki al-Jehani. Trainer: Hamad 2:12.44. Owner: Sheikh Khalifa bin Mo- reaches some of the world’s for players and fans.” (SC.qa) Abdulla Abdulmalik’s Nahaab and Ru- Race 1: 1. Daira Bridge (JP Guillambert), Ahmed al-Malki al-Jehani. hamed bin Khalifa al-Thani. Trainer: Pierre mailah Stud’s Shobrom, both handicap 2. Royal Peace (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Ac- Race 3: 1. Sacred Way (Almotasem Deymonaz.

FOOTBALL / QATAR CUP Whenever we play Al Rayyan, it’s like a fi nal, says Al Sadd defender Hamed Ismail amed Ismail has won all do- too. We respect them. This is a knockout mestic titles in Qatar. Basically match and we’ve to be on top of our game. a right-back, he is a versatile Personally, I’m sad their top scorer (Ab- player who can also play in the derrazaq) Hamdallah will miss the game Hcentral defence and midfi eld, and that due to his ankle injury. He deserved to prompted Al Sadd to make him their fi rst play in the Qatar Cup. I hope he gets well Brazil legend Cafu (centre) takes part in a Generation Amazing event. signing this season in the January transfer soon. window. Hamed’s darting runs along the fl ank How do you see the match from the SPOTLIGHT often puts the rival defence in trouble. fans’ point of view? The former Qatar international repre- It goes without saying Al Sadd and Al sented Al Rayyan for several seasons and Rayyan enjoy a lot of support from the won a number of titles with them. He also fans, who’re passionate about the teams’ Ooredoo is Offi cial lifted HH The Emir’s Cup and Qatar Cup performances. Our technical and medical with Al Sadd. staff are doing a good job and we hope to The tall player, who has also donned delight our fans in the Qatar Cup. Telecom Partner for the colours of Al Arabi and the Qatar na- tional team, was recalled by Al Sadd from What’s the most memorable moment Doha Diamond League Al Arabi this winter till the end of this in your career? season in a bid to strengthen their de- Hamed Ismail (left) was Al Sadd’s first signing this season in the January transfer window. Winning the Qatar Stars League with By Sports Reporter leleh Haroun, 2017 Doha Dia- fence. Al Rayyan in the 2015-16 season tops my Doha mond League winner Abder- Ahead of Al Sadd’s Qatar Cup semifi nal the second phase changed things alto- How prepared are you to face Al memories, for I had won all other titles rahman Samba, and Olympian against Al Rayyan, Hamed spoke about gether. Al Duhail didn’t lose a game and Rayyan this time? in Qatar football. Al Rayyan are the team and world championship fi nalist various topics. it was hard to catch up with them. And Look, the honours were shared in the with whom I won all domestic titles. oredoo announced Ahmed Bader Magour. Excerpts: their players were playing together for Qatar Clasico, with Al Rayyan winning in yesterday that it will Talking about the event, Ma- so long. the fi rst phase and Al Sadd winning the Now that you’re back in Al Sadd, be the Offi cial Telecom nar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, Direc- First of all, how do you review Al second. We were ready for Al Rayyan the what’re your ambitions? Partner of the Doha tor of PR and Corporate Com- Sadd’s campaign in the QNB Stars How do you look forward to the Qatar second time and that refl ected on the re- I started at Al Sadd and I want to end DiamondO League on May 4 at munications, Ooredoo Qatar, League? Cup semi-fi nal against Al Rayyan? sult. So are we now. my career here. It’s a good feeling to rep- Qatar Sports Club. said, “We’re delighted to be sup- Overall, we’re happy that we fi nished I would rather call it a fi nal because resent Al Sadd. It’s also a good feeling The event, which opens the porting such a prestigious event as the runners-up despite the fact that whenever Al Sadd play Al Rayyan, be it in What’re the preparations like? that I’m an important player for them. I’ll annual IAAF Diamond League for Qatar and helping ensure a we faced many problems in the fi rst phase the league or a cup tournament, it’s like a Al Rayyan are always tricky opponents. try to maintain my form and shape, and season for track and fi eld stars, world-class competition is held. due to injuries and national team du- fi nal for obvious reasons. We’ve to be careful even though they’re stay focused. will see a host of the world’s top- We hope all visitors enjoy their ties. Eight players moved out of the club, not in the form that they were in the fi rst ranked male and female athletes time in Qatar and wish Team Qa- while only (Boualem) Khoukhi and Yasser What makes your clash with Al Rayy- half of the season. But then, who expect- How do you look at Al Sadd’s AFC compete for glory. tar the very best of luck.” (Abubacker) came in. an so special? ed AS Roma to eliminate powerful Bar- Champions League campaign? Apart from international Ol- This is the latest in a line of The Qatar Cup is an important title for celona in the UEFA Champions League It has been a hard way, but we’re happy ympic and world champions, sporting events Ooredoo will Did you expect to win the QNB Stars us players and also for fans. We’ve had quarter-fi nal recently? to have progressed to the Round of 16. Team Qatar will be represented support in 2018, as the company League title? time to recover and the team is set. We’ve With luck, we can go further in this year’s at this year’s event by world continue to invest in inspiring We were always in the race. I don’t to fi ght to reach the fi nal and we hope to How do you rate the Al Rayyan team? AFC Champions League. champion Mutaz Barshim, 2017 Qatar’s people to live active and believe that our defeat to Al Duhail in do well in the semi-fi nal. They’re a strong team. We’re good (QSL) world bronze medallist Abdal- healthy lives.