WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 SPORTS

Atletico Madrid returns to lead AP Global Football 10 LONDON: Atletico Madrid led the “Diego Simeone’s men then kept with Manchester City in the Champions was third. “Saul Niguez scored the 6.Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 43. Associated Press Global Football 10 pace with Barcelona atop La Liga.” League and beating Real Sociedad, most beautiful goal of this Champions 7.Gonzalo Higuain, 36. yesterday after two victories in a week Leicester was second. The Foxes drew 1- while Borussia Dortmund was fourth League season and decided the first 8.Eden Hazard, 33. maintained its bid to win the 1 with Manchester United, but won the after thrashing Wolfsburg 5-1 and leg of the semifinals for Atletico,” 9.Adrian, 26. Champions League and Spanish English title after Chelsea held Barcelona was fifth after winning 2-0 at Francois Colin of De Standaard in 10.Antoine Griezmann, 22. league. Atletico edged Bayern Munich Tottenham to a 2-2 draw on Monday. “I Real Betis. Villarreal, Southampton, Paris Belgium said. Pierre Emerick- Teams: 1-0 in the Champions League semifi- wish Leicester had won the Premier Saint-Germain, Juventus and Sporting Aubameyang, Wes Morgan, Zlatan 1.Atletico Madrid, 89 points. nals before beating Rayo Vallecano by League title on the field and of their Lisbon round out the top 10. Sadio Mane Ibrahimovic, Gonzalo Higuain, Eden 2.Leicester, 74. the same score to stay level on points own doing rather than by having is at the top of the player vote after scor- Hazard, Adrian and Antoine Griezmann 3.Real Madrid, 67. with Spanish league leader Barcelona. Tottenham play to a tie,” Tom ing a hat trick as Southampton beat City complete the top 10. Associated Press 4.Borussia Dortmund, 54. “Atletico Madrid love upsetting the Timmermann of the St. Louis Post- 4-2 on in the on Sunday. Global Football 10 Players: 5.Barcelona, 53. big boys. They did that to Bayern Dispatch in the United States said. “Not Saul Niguez was second after his 1.Sadio Mane, 76 points. 6.Villarreal, 50. Munich, eking out a 1-0 win ... thanks that it minimizes Leicester’s title in any goal for Atletico against Bayern in the 2.Saul Niguez, 68. 7.Southampton, 47. to their hard work and determination,’ way - but doing it in a crowded stadium Champions League handed Diego 3.Gareth Bale, 61. 8.Paris Saint-Germain, 37. Umaid Wasim of Dawn newspaper in could have been a priceless moment.” Simeone’s side a first-leg advantage, 4.Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, 57. 9.Juventus, 31. Pakistan said. Real Madrid was third after drawing and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale 5.Wes Morgan, 51. 10.Sporting Lisbon, 25. Leicester’s owners vow to keep unlikely title-winners together

BANGKOK: The owners of English soccer cham- pions Leicester City say they will resist attempts by more glamorous rivals to lure away their title- winning players, after an unlikely triumph that has captured the imagination of fans worldwide. Duty-free magnate Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha became the first Thai owner of an English Premier League title-winning team on Monday night, when the only club capable of catching them, Tottenham Hotspur, were held to a 2-2 draw by Chelsea. Leicester’s journey from 5,000-1 outsiders to English champions has captivated soccer lovers everywhere, but also prompted predictions that the team could be broken up in the off-season as bigger clubs look to poach their best players. LEICESTER: Leicester City’s Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki (L) is cheered by crowds of “We are not the team that will sell players for waiting fans as he arrives for lunch at an Italian restaurant in the centre of Leicester money,” said Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, the yesterday. — AFP club’s vice chairman and Vichai’s son, in com- ments reported by Thai website Manager. “So, I can confirm that we will keep all major Forsooth! Joy for Richard III players with the team, such as , , N’Golo Kante or Kasper as Leicester shock the world Schmeichel.” Next season, in addition to defend- ing their Premier League title, Leicester - who LONDON: There was no shortage of superla- answer is when we turned over Man City 3-1 were playing in the second tier of English foot- tives yesterday after little Leicester City were at their place back in February, when my ball when Vichai’s King Power Group took over in LEICESTER: Leicester City’s Thai owner and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (C) is cheered crowned champions of the world’s richest Foxes went five points clear of chasing 2010 - will compete in UEFA’s lucrative by crowds of waiting fans as he arrives for lunch at an Italian restaurant in the centre of soccer league. New fans sprung up world- hounds. Champions League. At least one prominent sup- Leicester yesterday, the day after Leicester City won the English Premier League title. wide overnight, but few could explain the porter, a Thai monk who has regularly blessed Thousands celebrated and millions around the world watched in wonder as 5,000-1 under- season’s extraordinary events. A Bangkok JAMIE VARDY - PROLIFIC STRIKER the team during their astonishing rise, believes dogs Leicester City completed arguably the greatest fairytale in sporting history by becoming monk said the power of Buddhism had lifted ‘Tis a mystery to me, as ‘tis to you. For they will have few problems taking on the giants English Premier League champions. — AFP the Thai-owned club to victory, while some who can see into another’s mind or heart? of European soccer. fans closer to home gave thanks to King That villainous scribe Shakespeare tried that “I believe the power of Buddhism... given 5,000-6,000 at the start of the season, said cor- website was offering odds of 33/1 for Leicester Richard III, saying his reinterment in trick with me, yet ne’er came close to unrav- through the Buddhist monk and executives has porate relations manager Rattananuch to win the title again next season - and just 14/1 Leicester last year had sparked the magic. In elling the truth. All we know is that Jamie created teamwork and unity in the team,” Phra Lohachala. Many Thai fans have adopted for them to be relegated from the top flight. a soon-to-be-published book “King Power”, Vardy has been having a party for nigh on Prommangkalachan said. “With their clear Leicester as their second team. “We know that More than 1,000 fans had gathered at King which also happens to be the name of the nine months - and that this gestation period minds, it has brought concentration, ability, and we are not always the first team on their mind,” Power on Sunday for the team’s last match, group that owns the soccer club, a re-imag- is itself, God willing, about to whelp the par- determination for them to go to the internation- said Rattananuch. “But we are number-two and when the company laid on free food and beer. ined Richard III offers his Middle English ty to end them all! al arena. At the moment, they will be able to we are happy about that.” King Power is planning a celebration at the same analysis of Leicester’s rise to glory under thrive anyway because of their strong minds and For the Thai fans that Leicester have attract- venue in Bangkok when the team plays their manager . The author, who WHAT IS THE SECRET? they will continue to win on the international ed, the strong team ethic that saw them beat next game on May 7, Rattananuch said. writes under the king’s pseudonym, ‘Tis insolence unbound to ask a king a stage.” Vichai is a regular devotee of Phra, the 63- bigger-spending rivals to the title is part of the Replica shirts have sold out in Britain and answered questions from Reuters in lan- secret to divulge, so I would not tell you year-old assistant to the abbot of Bangkok’s club’s appeal. “They don’t need to have the big Thailand, a missed opportunity for Vichai and guage somewhere close to that of another even if I knew. But I will speculate a while, Traimitr Temple, and took him to Britain to bless shots or superstar players in the team, but they King Power and driving fans to Thailand’s coun- icon from the English Midlands, William and say that all were discards, misfits and the stadium and the team. rely on great teamwork,” said fan Korawit terfeit market. “Leicester shirts are selling as well Shakespeare, who wrote the tragedy seeming mediocrities before as stars in Thaemphet, outside King Power’s Bangkok as Barcelona shirts,” said Sompot Richard III and who died 400 years ago. Leicester’s glittering firmament they were SECOND TEAM headquarters. Many punters were skeptical of Thavornchareon, working at a sports shirt stall in reborn. And so they were bereft of the ego, Whilst the English Premier League is wildly Leicester’s success right up until they won the Bangkok’s weekend Chatuchak market. Shirts at Leicester’s fortunes changed conceit and queenly tantrums that foster popular across Southeast Asia, Thai fans had not title, and fans worry about their chances of the stall sell for 250 baht ($7.17), a fraction of the ‘Tis not a prince’s way to brag or boast, so discontent among more vaunted squads. A taken much notice of unfashionable Leicester repeating the success. “This is great but I think price of the official shirt 1,800 baht ($51.65). “I I beg your grace’s pardon if I demur. All I wonderful bunch of lads, forsooth, on whom before this season, preferring to follow estab- it’s only for this season,” said Thaweewat wish I had known they would do that well,” said shall say, when asked if king power brought may the Lord smile. lished names like Manchester United, Chelsea Ingkathanachai, a student who switched to fol- another vendor Net, whose shop in the shadow this miracle to pass, is this: look upon the and Arsenal. But the “Siam Foxes” support base lowing Leicester from Liverpool last season. of Bangkok’s National Stadium sells official mer- facts and figures pursuant on my reburial, HOW WILL LEICESTER FARE? has ballooned with the team’s success. The “I can’t believe next season they can be chandise and has run out of Leicester shirts. “I mayhap they speak eloquent enough for ‘Tis ne’er easy, as any medieval king will Leicester City Thai Facebook page had nearly champions again,” he said. “The big teams will be would have ordered hundreds at the start of the themselves. tell ye, when battle is joined across the seas. 600,000 likes as of Tuesday, compared with back.” Bookmakers seem to agree. Paddy Power’s season.”— Reuters Yet under Ranieri’s wise aegis, I feel we shall Dare dream prosper in Champions League, for he is most When did I dare perchance to dream? ‘Tis well travelled and knows the European hard to be exact upon the point. Being a game inside out. Not that we want Is Leicester’s 5,000-1 upset greatest sporting shock? superstitious prince I would not tempt fate Barcelona or Bayern in the opening with outlandish hope too soon. The short round.— Reuters LONDON: At the start of the English football edly unbeatable Soviet hockey machine in the team. Yet, fantastically, Claudio Ranieri’s motley season last August, bookmakers in Britain were 1980 Olympic final, the fabled ‘Miracle on Ice’. crew have triumphed against the might and offering odds of 5,000-1 against Leicester City Every now and again these short, sharp shocks money of Manchester United and City, Chelsea winning the Premier League. 5,000-1? Now, let’s for the ages test our credulity. Last year the and Arsenal, the quartet who had carved up put that into perspective. The bookies offered sports world gasped as the South African the Premier League title for the previous 20 Five key players in odds 10 times more generous that the Loch Ness Springboks, eternal rugby powerhouses, were years. Which other sports teams have defied Monster would be discovered. Or more than beaten by Japan’s rising sons in the World Cup. such odds for month after month over an entire twice as generous that Kim Kardashian would The point about Leicester’s fairytale, though, season? In soccer, it happens rarely but always Leicester’s success become US president. It was only 2,000-1 that is that it was fashioned not on one day nor even wonderfully. Montpellier in France’s Ligue 1 Elvis would turn up alive and well. over one month of a tournament, like Denmark’s (2012), Kaiserslautern in Germany’s Bundesliga LONDON: For all the headline-grabbing N’Golo Kante (FRA; central midfielder) Should Presley materialize now, what price he wholly unlikely European Championship victory (1998) and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands’ exploits of top scorer Jamie Vardy and twin- A £5.6 million ($8.2 million, 7.2 million would be wearing the shirt of Leicester City, who in 1992 when they were drafted in as late substi- Eredivisie (1981) have been similarly unfashion- kle-toed winger Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City’s euros) capture from French side Caen last were crowned champions on Monday after tutes. The Foxes’ tale is one of sustained and fan- able conquerors. fairytale Premier League title success has year, Kante has astonished observers with his Tottenham Hotspur failed to beat Chelsea? For tastic improbability, stretching into incredulity, Perhaps the best comparison was when Italy been very much a collective effort. AFP Sport relentless energy, driving runs and extraordi- everybody has bought into the idea that, as that has nurtured a nation’s imagination and its boasted the strongest league in the world and, highlights five players who have played major nary knack for recovering possession. Leicester’s most celebrated son, former England love of an underdog for almost nine marvellous in 1985, modest little Hellas Verona, like roles in securing the east Midlands club’s first Legendary former Manchester United manag- captain Gary Lineker, has suggested: “We could months. Here were the no-hopers, the relegation Leicester a Cinderella club whose collective ever top-flight title. er Alex Ferguson described him as “by far the be celebrating the greatest sporting upset of all survivors who, with a makeshift collection of strength was greater than the sum of its mod- best player in the Premier League” and he was time.” There are countless contenders for that journeymen, bargain-basement signings and est parts, enchanted a nation by winning Serie (DEN; goalkeeper) shortlisted for the Professional Footballers’ accolade, from James ‘Buster’ Douglas knocking unlikely over-achievers all overseen by a likeable A’s ‘Scudetto’. In English football, Leicester’s feat A recent internet meme asserted that Association (PFA) Player of the Year award. He out the seemingly invincible world heavyweight coach that few fans wanted, downed the best has echoes of another unsung provincial since Liverpool last won a league title, Peter won his first France cap in March and is a boxing champion Mike Tyson in 1990 to a team and richest teams in a league dominated by a Midlands club, Forest who, in Schmeichel had joined Manchester United, near-certainty for a place in Didier of US soccer part-timers beating mighty England mega-wealthy elite. 1977-78, became English champions for the won five Premier League titles, retired, had a Deschamps’s Euro 2016 squad. 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. only time in their history a year after scraping son and his son, Kasper, was on the verge of These, though, were very different sensa- UNFASHIONABLE AND OVERLOOKED into the top flight. winning the league with Leicester. It was not Riyad Mahrez (ALG; winger) tions: one-off, one-day, never-to-be-repeated Leicester had been through more than a With a band of stalwarts supposedly past entirely accurate-Schmeichel Jnr was actually The impish inspiration behind Leicester’s flashes in pans; shocks fashioned over a couple century of league football without winning the their prime and the odd authentic champion born in 1986, four years before the last of success, Mahrez symbolizes the fairytale jour- of hours that live in the memory for a lifetime. top-flight title. Unfashionable and overlooked thrown in, such as goalkeeper Peter Shilton, a Liverpool’s 18 championship crowns-but it ney that the club have overtaken over the Such as the time a lineup of American college in the east Midlands, they had been overshad- magical mix was produced by the great highlighted the remarkable goalkeeping line- past 12 months. Signed from Le Havre for just students downed the professional and suppos- owed by their city’s Europe-conquering rugby alchemist, manager Brian Clough, who had age in the Schmeichel family. Whereas Peter £400,000 in January 2014, the rakish, velvet- worked a similar wonder with Derby County to was an acknowledged great, Kasper has tak- footed Algerian winger flitted in and out of win the title in 1972. What Clough’s Forest went on to achieve with back-to-back European Cup en his time to reach the top, with a formative the team 12 months ago as Leicester fought stint at Manchester City followed by a succes- triumphs was one of sport’s most monumental to stay in the division, but this season he has sion of loans and short-term spells before he accomplishments but that 1978 league win still been a sensation. His 17 goals-including stun- arrived at Leicester in 2011. Now 29, the did not have the same miraculous feel of ning strikes against Chelsea and Manchester Denmark international does not possess his Leicester’s as, at that time, they were the eighth City, and a hat-trick against Swansea City-and father’s extraordinary physicality, but he has different club in 12 seasons to lift the title. 11 assists set up countless wins and saw him been an ever-present for Leicester this sea- It felt possible back then-just as when become the first African to be elected as son, helping his low-scoring side record 15 Ipswich Town won the old second division England’s Player of the Year by his peers. vital clean sheets. and first division titles in successive years in “Riyad is our light,” said manager Claudio 1961 and 1962 — for a smaller club to gate- Ranieri. “When he switches on, Leicester Wes Morgan (JAM; centre-back) crash the elite over a season. These days, The rock at the heart of the Leicester change color.” though, it feels so unlikely that Leicester’s tri- defense, Morgan joined the club from local umph may even have put a new phrase in the rivals Nottingham Forest in January 2012 and Jamie Vardy (ENG; striker) sporting lexicon. One of Britain’s prospective was quickly installed as captain. Despite lack- Leicester’s talisman, the hard-running and rowing team for the Olympics, Jonny Walton, ing pace, he is an authoritative presence and prolific Vardy has become the snarling face of who hails from Leicester, recently mused with Robert Huth has formed an old-school Ranieri’s team. The wiry Yorkshireman’s rags- about his chances of striking gold and said he central defensive partnership founded upon to-riches tale has seen him rise from non- now lived by a new mantra. “It’s called: ‘Doing strength, astute positioning and aerial domi- league obscurity to top-flight record-breaker, a Leicester’,” he explained. “And I’m crossing nance. The Jamaica international, 32, scored a England international and Football Writers’ my fingers to ‘do a Leicester’ at the Olympics.” key header in a 1-0 win over Southampton in Association (FWA) Player of the Year in just In other words, making an impossible sport- April, during a run of seven clean sheets in four years, attracting the attention of ing dream possible.— Reuters nine games that effectively secured the title. Hollywood scriptwriters. —AFP Leicester city fans celebrate outside the King Power Stadium in Leicester yesterday. — AFP