Messi’s motivation spurs Barcelona to want more, says teammate PAGE 18 WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2019

Qatar qualify for ACC Western Region U-19 semi-finalPAGE 19 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BARCELONA VS LIVERPOOL Al Sadd’s Afif named Best Player of the Year at QFA Awards

Winners pose with their awards after the Qatar Football Asoociation (QFA) Awards ceremony for the 2018/19 Season at the Qatar National Convention Center in Doha on Tuesday. Baghdad Bounedjah wins Mansoor Muftah Award after record- breaking season with 39 goals

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QATAR and Al Sadd star Akram Afif won the Best Play- er of the Year at the 2018/19 Qatar Football Association (QFA) Awards held at the Qatar National Convention Center on Tuesday. The 22-year-old Afif fin- ished the season with 26 goals, becoming the first Qa- tari to reach such goalscoring milestone. Afif’s teammate Baghdad Bounedjah bagged the Man- soor Muftah Award for Best Sami Trabelsi receives a Special Recognition Award for his work with Goalscorer after helping Al Al Sadd’s Akram Afif with the Best Player of the Year award. Al Sailiya Club. Al Duhail’s Bassam al Rawi wins the Best U-23 Player award. Sadd clinch a record-extend- ing 14th league title with 39 ed a treble of awards as head emerged winner ahead of Al the Wolves to their first title management and the techni- championships,” the state- Al Sailiya’s head coach goals. Bounedjah’s goal tally coach Jesualdo Ferreira be- Sailiya’s Sami Trabelsi and Al since 2012 also hailed Afif and cal staff,” Ferreira said. ment added. Sami Trabelsi was also rec- shattered the single season came only the second coach Shahania’s Pepe Murcia. Bounedjah for their awards. “This award is also for the Al Duail’s Bassam al Rawi ognised for his excellent job goal record of 27 in the Qa- to win multiple Coach of the “I am delighted to be “The best coach award re- players and the administra- was voted the Best U-23 play- over the years and steering tari league set by Brazilian Year award behing Jorge Fos- awarded the Best Coach of the flects the value of the effort I tive system. It’s not just my er after enjoying a successful the Peregrines to their first and former Al Gharafa striker sati after he scooped the pres- Season this year,” said Fer- have made with the members prize. season at the heart of the na- AFC Champions League qual- Clemerson de Araujo in 2008. tigious honour. Ferreira who reira told Al Sadd website. of the technical staff as well “The award gives us the tional team’s defence and for ifiers after finishing third in Al Sadd further complet- was adjudged the best in 2016, The Portuguese who led as the harmony between the motivation to win more the Red Knights. the league this season. Rain washes out thriller, RCB knocked out of 2019 IPL IANS was unbeaten on 11 runs while duced to five overs per side af- another nine runs, smashed a 13- fair, Kohli and de Villers started packed back Gurkeerat Singh ball 28 to keep his side on the the Bangalore innings on a high Mann (6 off 3), who was fol- ROYAL Challengers Banga- hunt before falling to Yuzvendra as they clobbered Varun Aaron lowed by Parthiv Patel (8 off 5). lore’s (RCB) last hope of making Chahal (1/0) in the fourth over. for 23 runs in the first over. The While trying to go for the maxi- it to the Earlier, despite a flying Bangalore skipper then ham- mum, Heinrich Klaasen (6) and (IPL) play-offs finally ended on start, Bangalore could only mered Gopal for 12 runs in his Pawan Negi (4) also fell soon, Tuesday after their contest with manage to put 62/7 in the allot- first three balls before becoming leaving Bangalore at 61/7 in five was aban- ted five overs. a victim of the leggie. overs. While doned at the M. Chinnaswamy was the star Kohli while trying to clear (2/6) accounted for the Stadium due to continuous rain. for the visitors after he claimed the fence handed a catch to of Klaasen and Negi, Jaydev With the result, both the the second hat-trick of this Livingstone at long-on. Gopal Unadkat (1/9) picked Parthiv in teams were awarded a point year’s edition. The leg-spinner then went on to add more sor- the fourth over. each. Chasing a 63-run target accounted for the wicket of rows in the Bangalore camp in a rain-hit contest, which was RCB skipper (25 off as he scalped de Villiers and BRIEF SCORES: Royal Challengers Bangalore 62/7 in 5 overs (Virat Kohli reduced to five over per side, 7), AB de Villers (10 off 4) and Stoinis in the next two deliv- 25, AB de Villiers 10; Shreyas Gopal the visitors were at 41/1 in 3.2 (0) in the sec- eries to put the hosts in deep 3/12) vs Rajasthan Royals 41/1 in 3.2 overs when rains washed out ond over to apply brakes on a trouble, leaving them reeling overs (Sanju Samson, the match. fine start by Bangalore. at 35/3. 11; Yuzvendra Chahal 1/0) Match aban- Umpire and groundstaff run for cover as rain delays the start of the IPL match between Royal Challengers doned due to rain Opener Liam Livingstone With the match being re- Just as Bangalore could add Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals at The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Tuesday. (AFP) Sports Wednesday, May 1, 2019 17

NBA TITBITS News Popovich in Sixers overpower in brief talks about Jamaica’s World Challenge meeting Raptors, level series cancelled due to financial issues returning KINGSTON: Jamaica’s only international invitational athletics meeting has been cancelled for financial reasons, officials said FIELD LEVEL MEDIA on Monday, with one athlete’s agent concerned it could affect NEW YORK their preparations for this year’s world championships. Nuggets put it across Blazers as Jokic nets 37 points The meeting, where multiple-Olympic champion Usain Bolt GREGG Popovich, the longest- ran his first sub 10-second 100 metres in 2008, had been tenured coach in the big four scheduled for Saturday in Kingston. pro sports in the United States, “It is with regret that we inform you that due to budget is- hinted Monday he is in negoti- sues the 2019 staging of the Jamaica International Invitational ations to return to the San An- IAAF World Challenge Meeting has been cancelled,” a state- tonio Spurs for a 24th season. ment on the meeting’s website said. “I’ve never talked about my Warren Blake, chair of the meeting’s organising committee contract in all these years. I’ve and president of the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Associa- never had an agent. I’ve never tion, told Reuters he was optimistic the meeting, held since talked about the contract,” 2004, would return next year. Popovich said seriously before ending the discussion of his contract with a joke. Wimbledon hikes prize money by 11.8 “My contract is basically percent my business, but I’ll break the rule this time. I’m currently in LONDON: Wimbledon prize money will total 38 million pounds negotiations, and I could very ($49 million) for this year’s championships, a rise of 11.8 well end up with the Portofino percent, the All Club announced on Tuesday. Flyers or the Positano Pirates. The men’s and women’s singles champions will receive I think it’s one-third Positano, 2.35 million pounds each -- 100,000 more than in 2018. one-third Portofino and one- Continuing a theme of recent years, organisers have again third San Antonio.” significantly raised the prize money for early-round losers. Popovich’s contract expired Prize money for qualifying and rounds one to three in the Saturday after the Spurs’ 90-86 singles will rise by 10 percent with 45,000 pounds now the Game 7 loss to the Denver Nug- compensation for a first-round singles exit. gets in the first round of the Wimbledon’s total prize money for 2019 surpasses the Western Conference playoffs. 62.5 million Australian dollars ($44 million) at this year’s open- But in speaking with reporters ing Grand Slam in Melbourne but is still lower than the $53 on Monday, the 70-year-old million prize pool at last year’s U.S. Open. sounded like a coach very much The French Open recently announced an 8 percent in- looking ahead to next season. crease in prize money for next month’s event, taking it to 42.6 The Spurs have won five NBA million euros ($48 million). titles during his tenure. Wimbledon’s prize money has trebled in the last decade. This year’s Wimbledon Championships will see Court One’s new retractable roof in operation for the first time. Donovan to coach The completion of the three-year project, which includes a Thunders for fifth season new two-level public plaza, will increase seating capacity on the Oklahoma City General second-biggest show court to 12,345. Manager Sam Presti said that Wimbledon greats John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova Billy Donovan will return for Philadelphia 76ers guard Jimmy Butler (23) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends in game two of the will be among the players taking part in a test event for the a fifth season as coach of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Monday. The 76ers beat the Raptors 94-89. (USA TODAY SPORTS) new Court One roof on May 19. Thunder in 2019-20. The tournament will not feature “shot clock” this year, The Thunder have com- AFP game one. “I told them I had to Toronto’s Danny Green time, pulled away after the although it is likely to be rolled out in 2020, according to club piled a 199-129 (.607) record LOS ANGELES come out and redeem myself. then missed a potential break, taking a 93-84 lead into CEO Richard Lewis. in the regular season under “More than anything we game-tying three-pointer and the final period. Shot clock, an on-court display counting down the 25-sec- Donovan, but they are just 4-12 JIMMY Butler scored 30 got back, we guarded,” Butler Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris Portland, led by 39 points ond limit for a server to start the next point, has already been in the past three postseasons. A points as the Philadelphia added, saying defense would grabbed the rebound. from All-Star guard Damian introduced at the U.S. and Australian Opens. 4-1 series loss to the Portland 76ers turned the tables on the be key going forward in the Harris was fouled and Lillard, trimmed a 12-point Tiebreaks will be employed at 12-12 in the deciding sets of Trail Blazers this year marked Raptors in Toronto on Mon- series. sealed the win with two free deficit to 101-96 with 8:02 left all matches for the first time this year -- meaning all four Grand Oklahoma City’s third straight day with a 94-89 victory that “When we let our defense throws. in the game. Slams have different deciding set formats. first-round exit since Kevin knotted their NBA playoff se- dictate our offense we’re such a Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard Denver responded with an Durant left for the Golden ries at one game each. great team,” he said. “We can’t led all scorers with 35 points. 8-0 scoring run, ignited by Ma- State Warriors in free agency The 76ers, beaten 108- let it be the other way around.” Pascal Siakam added 21 and son Plumlee’s dunk. in 2016. 95 in the Eastern Conference Sixers coach Brett Brown Kyle Lowry scored 20. Portland’s CJ McCollum second-round series opener, praised Butler as the team’s But the five total points was then whistled for a fla- Paul fined thwarted the Raptors’ second- “rock.” for Toronto’s reserves were grant foul when he caught a Yates has unfinished Houston Rockets guard half comeback bid, notching dwarfed by the production of driving Jokic in the face, and Chris Paul was fined $35,000 their first win in Toronto since Philadelphia’s bench: 13 points the Serbian made both free for “aggressively confront- November 2012 to head home RESULTS from James Ennis, 10 from throws. business in Giro ing and recklessly making for game three on Thursday all Results from the second round of the NBA Greg Monroe and three from Plumlee then slammed contact with a game official” square. playoffs on Monday (all series best-of-seven): Jonah Bolden. home a miss by teammate AFP faded on the third to finish Sunday, according to Kiki Van- Butler added 11 rebounds Malik Beasley and Beasley PARIS 21st, more than an hour-and- DeWeghe, the NBA’s executive and handed out five assists for Eastern Conference Jokic leads Nuggets rebounded another miss and a quarter behind winner Chris vice president of basketball op- the Sixers, who led 51-38 at Philadelphia 94 Toronto 89 The Denver Nuggets, two made a layup as the Nuggets FOR Simon Yates, the Giro Froome. erations, but Paul will not be halftime despite 13 first-half (Series tied 1-1) days removed from their first- seized a 109-96 lead with 6:11 d’Italia, which starts in Bolo- “I felt I was close last year suspended. turnovers. round, game-seven victory left to play. gna on May 11, is unfinished but ran out of gas,” he said. Paul received his second The Raptors, who trailed Western Conference over the San Antonio Spurs, Denver were in control business. In the run-up to this year’s technical foul and an automatic by as many as 19 in the first Portland 113 Denver 121 opened their Western Confer- from there, although Jokic “I’m going back to try to race, his Mitchelton-Scott ejection when he argued with half, closed the deficit to 61-60 (Denver leads series 1-0) ence second-round series with and coach Mike Malone said finish it,” the British rider told team tweeted a photo of Yates an official about a non-call with late in the third quarter. a 121-113 home victory over the they had plenty of room for AFP on Tuesday from Andorra on the ground still wearing the 4.4 seconds remaining in the But they missed six of their Portland Trail Blazers. improvement before they host where he lives and works. leader’s pink jersey at the close fourth quarter of the Rockets’ first seven shots in the final pe- “That was James Butler,” Serbian center Nikola Jokic game two on Wednesday. Last season finished with of one of the stages that ended 104-100 loss to the Warriors in riod and the 76ers held on for Brown said. “That was the scored 37 points, pulled down “We kind of went into the a breakthrough victory in the his Giro hopes. Oakland, Calif. the win. adult in the gym.” nine rebounds, handed out six game a little sloppy, slow, we Tour of in September. “I’ve been working towards Paul’s outburst came after Butler scored 12 of his 30 Embiid, battling a stomach assists and blocked two shots. didn’t play a lot of defense,” But that followed a spectacu- this all year,” Yates said. James Harden appeared to be points in the fourth quarter. ailment as well as the nagging Both teams came out fir- Jokic said. lar collapse in the Giro in May. Yates and Mitchelton- fouled by Draymond Green That included a three-pointer knee pain that troubled him in ing, the Trail Blazers connect- Malone also felt the Nug- Yates had built a lead of al- Scott did not falter in Spain. while attempting a 3-pointer. off an assist from center Joel the first round, scored just two ing on 63.6 percent of their gets were lacking defensively, most a minute with four days “It came together beauti- After a scramble for the ball Embiid that put the Sixers up baskets. The second couldn’t first-quarter shots and Denver especially in the early going. to go. Then the race returned fully,” Yates said. We had per- ended up in a ruling of pos- 88-81 with 2:14 to play. have been better timed as he making 61.9 percent of their “We got the win, and when to the mountains for three fect tactics.” session for the Warriors, Paul “My team had a lot of faith drove to bank in a shot that put shots as the first period ended you know you haven’t played stages. He said that winning his argued and made contact with in me tonight,” said Butler, the 76ers up 92-89 with 24.3 tied 32-32. your best basketball that’s a He faltered on the first, first grand tour was one of his an official. who scored just 10 points in seconds remaining. Denver, up 58-55 at half- good feeling,” Malone said. crumbled on the second and long-term objectives. Berger recalls hard racing and playing frogs prank on Senna

where did you find the snake?’. race, (former F1 supremo) that in our sport, at this time, The 25th death anniversary of Bernie (Ecclestone) came and this happens and you have to Last eye contact said ‘well, he’s out of the car’ cope with it,” he said. Brazilian racing great today The Austrian was racing and in our language, ‘out of the Williams, with star de- for Ferrari at Imola, qualifying car’ means he’s OK. So I didn’t signer Adrian Newey, won the REUTERS sometimes, but in general third with Senna on pole for even ask,” he recalled. 1996 and 1997 championships. LONDON when I think about Ayrton I Williams, on the fateful May 1. The race re-started and Berger has no doubt that had like to think about this era -- The weekend was already Berger retired soon after. Back Senna lived, the record books GERHARD Berger can joke maybe the best era in Formula a grim one, with the death of at the garage, the Austrian was would have looked very differ- about how he plagued Ayrton One.” The well-polished prac- Berger’s compatriot Roland stunned to hear Senna was ent. Senna with frogs, and tossed tical jokes played by the pair, Ratzenberger in qualifying and fighting for his life. He and fit- “Racing is racing, and it the Brazilian’s briefcase out of McLaren teammates from Brazilian Rubens Barrichello ness trainer Josef Leberer flew went back to normal quite a helicopter over Monza, but 1990-92, are very much part crashing heavily on the Friday. to the hospital in Bologna and soon,” he said. “But some- there comes a point in every of the legend, however, and But Berger also remem- were invited in to the operat- times I would think and say tale where the laughter stops. still raise a laugh when Berger bers a smile in the midst of it. ing theatre. ‘If Ayrton would be still in Triple world champion relates them. “As a Ferrari driver you always “They were still doing the Williams when the Newey Senna died after crashing at It- The Austrian once said he bring the big style in Imola something on his head so it time came... I don’t think you aly’s Imola racetrack 25 years taught Senna how to laugh, and I remember the people was covered. Honestly I think would see for five years any of ago on Wednesday and Berger and the Brazilian showed him were all shouting. I was out he was dead already,” said the others winning’. is wary of too much focus on how to drive. McLaren teammates Ayrton Senna (left) and Gerhard Berger chat of the car and he (Senna) was Berger. “We stood in front of “His dream was always the pranks that framed their An old favourite is the tale after a race. still in the car, he was laughing him for a while and then we to go to Ferrari,” added the friendship. of how Senna’s passport pho- under the helmet. So that was left.” 59-year-old, who now over- “We had bloody hard rac- tograph was replaced with Dennis and then-wife Lisa. bag full. I think 50. So I asked my last eye contact with him.” sees the DTM German Tour- ing at the time. Really hard,” a pornographic image, then “I went running in the Lisa Dennis to help me. We After a safety car period, Back on track ing Car series that starts at the Austrian, a winner of 10 unwittingly presented to im- evening and there was this golf had dinner and I picked up Ay- Senna crashed at Tamburello Berger considered his fu- Hockenheim this week. grands prix and survivor of a migration. Questioned later by course and these big things rton’s room key and we went to -- where Berger had his acci- ture and was back on track in “He always told me ‘Ger- fiery crash at Imola in 1989, police, Berger blamed Senna’s jumping around. So I went to his room and put these bloody dent -- while leading Michael Monaco two weeks later. hard, I want to be one day in told reporters at a recent lunch. old rival Alain Prost. the concierge, gave him $100 frogs everywhere.” Berger’s Schumacher’s Benetton. Berg- “These things are all very Ferrari but I just have never “And then just to remem- The frogs appeared dur- and said bring me some,” follow-up, when a furious Sen- er, driving past, saw nothing to hard. You lose a colleague and seen the moment where they ber frogs, you feel no good. ing a holiday in Australia with grinned Berger. na confronted him the next worry about. in this case I lost a friend. But have been good enough that I I’m happy to tell (the story) Senna, McLaren boss Ron “He brought me a whole morning, was to enquire: ‘And “When they stopped the on the other side we all know know I can deliver’.” 18 Wednesday, May 1, 2019 Sports Ooredoo announces sponsorship for Amir Cup for 10th straight year

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OOREDOO have announced it is to repeat its sponsorship of the popular Amir Cup for the tenth year in a row, acting as Participating young footballers with their trophies at the Aspire Football Skill Development Centre closing tournament. Official Telecommunications Sponsor again this year. The announcement was made at a press conference held Aspire concludes Football Skill at Ooredoo’s Headquarters in the presence of Mustafa Jameel al Qatami, Senior Director Mar- keting Communication at Oore- Development Centre season doo, and Khalid Mubarak al Ku- wari, Director of Marketing and TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK reflects Aspire Academy’s com- coaches from the Academy who the standard of football and Communication at QFA. Ooredoo Senior Director Marketing Communication Mustafa Jameel DOHA mitment to supporting the de- refereed the matches and over- the success of all the teams The prestigious Amir Cup al Qatami and QFA Director of Marketing and Communication Khalid velopment of local athletes. saw the students’ participation. this year. This year’s event has pits Qatari football teams from Mubarak al Kuwari. A large numbers of enthusiastic In a series of closely fought, Commenting on the tourna- introduced us to a number of the first and second divisions young footballers representing competitive matches young ment, Saeed Ali al Marri, Foot- very talented young players. of the Qatari football league ated with the event as Official with this being our 10th year 16 independent and interna- footballers from grades 1 and 2 ball Operations Manager, said; Participation and levels of in- against one another. Telecommunications Sponsor of working together. Our pres- tional schools in Qatar took part took part in a series of matches. “This year’s tournament has terest continue to grow, and we Ooredoo is set to host two for 2019. Supporting sporting ence today reflects the impor- in a closing tournament and Amongst the grade 1 age reached a fantastic conclusion had 120 schools compete in this activations during the event; events that promote a healthy, tance of the ongoing co-opera- ceremony to mark the end of group, Simaisma Primary In- and this closing ceremony is the year’s tournament – double last a Shop On Wheels at the final active lifestyle and benefit the tion between the two entities, the end of the season for Aspire dependent School ran out over- ideal way to celebrate the dis- year’s number.” match at Al Wakra stadium, communities in which we oper- and we are looking forward Academy’s Football Skill Devel- all winners, with Abu Hanifa tinguished footballing champi- Also commenting on their and a giant screen at Katara ate is a key part of our corporate to extending the scope of our opment Centre (FSDC). school coming second and Arab ons of our 2018 – 2019 season. participation, Ahmed Abdulka- showing all the matches of the social responsibility strategy. joint work, especially with the The tournament was organ- International school coming It provides young players with rim al Hammadi, a event. There will be a drive- We’re looking forward to some services Ooredoo is providing ised in partnership with the Su- third. great opportunities to showcase from the Community Police through food festival – Ghabka awesome football from Qatar’s during this even, which will preme Committee for Amongst the grade 2 age their talents to the country’s top Department at the Ministry of Ramadan – along with the gi- top teams, and wish them all the add value to the tournament & Legacy, the Ministry of Inte- group, Simaisma Primary Inde- clubs.” Interior said, “These types of ant screen, also sponsored by best of luck in the competition!” from a commercial, marketing rior (MoI), Community Policing pendent School also triumphed, Bruno Pereira, Coach of events are ideal for young play- Ooredoo. Meanwhile, Khalid and media perspective.We are Department at MoI and the Qa- with Al Khor Independent the Football Skill Development ers to develop their skills and Speaking on the event, Mubarak al Kuwari, Director delighted to be continuing this tar Football Association (QFA). school attaining second place Centre (FSDC) Administration experience a positive, competi- Mustafa Jameel al Qatami, Sen- of Marketing and Communi- partnership, and are looking The tournament provides a and Compass International said: “At Aspire Academy, we’re tive environment. I believe that ior Director Marketing Com- cation, QFA, said: “There is no forward to working with Oore- platform for the country’s pas- School coming third. focused on providing young- it’s important too for parents to munication at Ooredoo – said: doubt that the partnership be- doo, not only for the Amir Cup sionate young players to show- The ceremony was attended sters with the best opportuni- encourage participation in such “We’re delighted to be sponsor- tween Ooredoo and the Amir but also for other local tourna- case their footballing skills and by a number of senior officials ties to hone their competitive events, as they are a great way to ing the Amir Cup for yet anoth- Cup is a long-standing, mu- ments and our national team fulfill their sporting potential. It from Aspire Academy as well as skills. We’re very pleased with nurture talent in children.” er year, and proud to be associ- tually beneficial partnership, as well.” Messi’s motivation spurs on Barca, says Rakitic

AFP BARCELONA L’pool upbea t over Firmino’s fitness IVAN Rakitic has said Lionel Messi’s desire to win the Cham- to face Barcelona Marek Hamsik (left) in action during a Chinese Super League match. pions League is proving an in- spiration for Barcelona ahead AFP of their Champions League LONDON Former Napoli captain semi-final first leg against Liv- erpool on Wednesday. LIVERPOOL are increasingly Hamsik struggling to At the start of the season, confident Roberto Firmino Messi stood on his home pitch will be fit to face Barcelona. and pledged to bring “that The Brazil forward missed adapt to Chinese league beautiful cup back to Camp Friday’s 5-0 Premier League Nou” after three consecutive win over Huddersfield with AFP surprised by the number of years of Barca crashing out in a small muscle tear, but was SHANGHAI fouls in the CSL and how much the quarter-finals. still included in the 23-man playing time is lost because of They will host Liverpool squad selected by coach Ju- MAREK Hamsik says that he is that and disputes with referees. this week, four days after cel- rgen Klopp and took part in struggling to settle in Chinese Hamsik, who spent 12 ebrating winning La Liga on team training on Tuesday football and admitted he has years at Napoli including a Saturday, and with a Copa del before flying to Spain later in problems communicating with stint as captain, said the big- Rey final to come next month the day. his Dalian Yifang team-mates. gest problem he faces in against Valencia. It means a “We all knew from the The 31-year-old, Napoli’s is the language barrier. treble is in their sights. beginning it would be a race,” all-time leading goal-scorer, “Many times I want to “Whenever our captain Barcelona players during a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in Barcelona on Tuesday Klopp told Liverpool’s website left Serie A for the Chinese communicate with my team- says something the rest of us ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Barcelona. (REUTERS) when commenting on Firmi- Super League (CSL) in Febru- mates, for example on pitch, follow,” said Rakitic at a press no’s fitness. ary but has failed to find the but because of the language conference on Tuesday. “We want to be in the final games like this.” rivals have felt it and we hope “We don’t have to make a net or provide an assist in six I can’t, so I can only use ges- “Leo has been a La Liga but we have to understand the Liverpool coach Jurgen it will be the same tomorrow.” decision today because there’s games. tures,” he said. champion 10 times in 15 years last few years weren’t the best Klopp has caused a stir by dis- Liverpool have lost only no game today, we can wait. Hamsik was dropped for Dalian have won just once and of course, after seeing him for us,” Rakitic said. “We have missing the idea his players once in the Premier League “It looked good so far, but Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at top-of- in seven CSL matches and lift the cup with such happi- to learn from that.” could be intimidated at Camp this term and are still fighting I have until tomorrow to make the-table Beijing Guoan and there is uncertainty about the ness, that motivates everyone. The pressure is particularly Nou, which he described as with Manchester City to win that decision,” added the Ger- did not even make the bench. future of Yannick Carrasco, the “If Leo is happy to win eve- intense for Messi, whose four “just a stadium”. the title. man. “I am not particularly sat- Belgian international winger ry title, it makes us even more Champions League titles in- Rakitic believes Barcelo- Mohamed Salah, Sadio Meanwhile Fabinho was isfied with my performances,” who was an unused substitute eager too. We know we’re Bar- clude only one in the last seven na’s home advantage is signifi- Mane and Roberto Firmino passed fit after the midfielder the Slovakian international in the weekend’s heavy defeat. ca, we have to give everything seasons and still fewer than the cant. “I understand he wanted already boast 68 goals this sea- missed the 5-0 thrashing of midfielder told CCTV. Hamsik said that “every- and following the best player five of Cristiano Ronaldo. to take a bit of pressure off his son between them. Huddersfield following a head “I have always tried my one (at Dalian) has room for in history gives us more confi- Asked if Messi has to win players, he wants them to see “We need to stop them run- injury sustained in the previ- best to help the team but I’ve improvement, including my- dence to do that.” the Champions League this it as another stadium. All I can ning at our defence,” Rakitic ous game against Cardiff. not encountered a situation self”, but he is determined to A domestic double last year, coach Ernesto Valverde say is playing at Camp Nou is said. “We are going there to “Every human being needs like this before. make the move to northeast season could not make up for said: “Nobody has to do any- a different thing, something score but we mustn’t lose our time and he needed that time, “There are big differences China work. failure in Europe, after a 3-0 thing. We embrace the chal- special and you have to respect heads.” but if the Huddersfield game between Chinese and Euro- “Loyalty -- whether on the defeat by Roma ensured Bar- lenge to win but there is no ob- that.” “We know how valuable a had been a day later he could pean football, but I will try to football field or in life -- is very celona were left watching Real ligation. Every team that starts Valverde added: “Our fans clean sheet is but our aim is to have played,” Klopp said. overcome this and adapt.” important so I will definitely Madrid triumph again. in September wants to play in can be decisive. We feel it, our win,” said Valverde. Hamsik said that he was do my best,” he added. Qatar youth team jet to Slovakia for training Ex-Man United player O’Shea camp ahead of FIFA U-20 World Cup to retire at end of season AFP also played more than 100 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Mohammed Yasser al Sibai, LONDON times for Ireland. DOHA Mohammed Emad Ayash Ab- “A fabulous playing career bas, Issa Ahmed, Khalid Mo- FORMER Manchester Unit- is coming to a close -- today, THE Qatar youth team have hammed Salah and Yousef ed defender John O’Shea on his 38th birthday, John left for Slovakia for a prepa- Ayman Farhat. will retire at the end of the O’Shea has announced he is ration camp for the 2019 Other players include, Ab- season, Championship club to retire at the end of the sea- FIFA U-20 World Cup in Po- dulrahman Ibrahim, Karwan Reading announced on son,” tweeted Reading. land starting from May 23 to Sherif Badr al Din, Muham- Tuesday. The Republic of “Just a very small part of June 15. mad Wad al Bayati, Ahmed Ireland international won his playing days have been The team will play in Group Suhail, Hashim Ali Abdullatif, five Premier League titles at John O’Shea spent with the Royals, but he D alongside , Nigeria Yousuf Abdul Razzaq Yousif, Old Trafford, as well as the has amassed a medal collec- and the United States. Andrea Siabutra, Nasser Ab- FA Cup and the Champions season of his playing career tion that any player would be The 26-man team was se- del-Salam al Ahraq, Bahaa League. at Reading after a seven-year extremely proud of, winning lected by head coach Bruno mam al Amin Ahmed, Ab- Mohamed Khaled al Naimi, Mamdouh, Abdullah Nasser On his 38th birthday, stint at Sunderland. As well almost everything possible Miguel. dullah Saaie, Salah Zaka- Shaheb Mamdouh al Leithi, al Mursi and Nayef Abdul Ra- O’Shea announced his retire- as making nearly 400 ap- during almost 20 years as a The team includes: Ham- ria, Khaled Walid Mansour, Nasser Saleh al Yazidi, Ahmed him al Hadrami. ment, having spent the final pearances for United, O’Shea professional footballer.” Sports Wednesday, May 1, 2019 19 Warner fires warning Qatar make it to ACC shots ahead of WC Western Region U19 cricket semi-finals The local players rally to beat Maldives in last game TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK BRIEF SCORES DOHA BRIEF SCORES Standings QATAR will take on tough Qatar beat Maldives by 28 runs GROUP A M W L Nr Pts NRR Qatar: 239 for 8 off 50 overs (S.Tameem 90; M.Tholal UAE 3 3 0 0 6 +5.027 rivals the United Arab Emir- 3-39) Saudi Arabia 3 2 1 0 4 +0.713 ates for a place in the final of Maldives: 211 all out off 48 overs (F.Yoosuf 131; Bahrain 3 1 2 0 2 -1.129 the ACC Western Region Un- A.Obaidullah 5-49) Iran 3 0 3 0 0 -4.605 der-19 Cricket Tournament at Player of the match: Faruhath Azyan Yoosuf (Maldives) GROUP B M W L Nr Pts NRR the Dubai International Sta- Qatar lost to Kuwait by 126 runs Kuwait 3 3 0 0 6 +2.32 dium on Wednesday. Kuwait: 258 for 5 off 50 overs (Gokul.Kumar 104, Qatar 3 2 1 0 4 -0.647 Qatar finished second in Govind.Kumar 81; S.Agarwal 3-38) Oman 3 1 2 0 2 +0.213 Group B behind Kuwait with Qatar: 132 all out off 37.2 overs (H.Khan 68) Maldives 3 0 3 0 0 -1.887 Player of the match: Gokul Sunil Kumar (Kuwait) two wins in three matches Wednesday’s fixtures and advanced to the last four Qatar beat Oman by one run (Semi-finals) stage, while the UAE won Qatar: 170 all out off 49 overs (S.Tameem 78; M.Raza SF1: UAE vs Qatar at DIS all their three contests and 3-35) SF2: Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait at SCS Oman: 169 all out off 50 overs (N.Poojari 46; B.Khan topped Group A. 3-34, S.Agarwal 3-34) Thursday (May 2): Rest day The other semi-final pits Player of the match: Syed Yousuf Tameem (Qatar) Friday (May 3): FINAL: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 at DIS Kuwait against Saudi Arabia. Kuwait also posted three wins in as many matches to finish cracking 104 and Goving Ku- on the top of their pool, while Qatar finished second in mar hitting 81, despite Shubh Saudi Arabia lost a match to Group B behind Kuwait Agarwal’s another three-wick- the UAE and finished with two with two wins in three et haul. Qatar collapsed dur- victories in three games. matches and advanced to ing the chase and suffered a Qatar have had an ex- the last four stage, while 126-run loss. citing progress to the best the UAE won all their Qatar however staged four bracket. In the opening a superb comeback in the match, Syed Yousuf Tameem three contests and topped last pool match and piled up played a brilliant knock of 78 Group A. 239 for eight after Tameem in his team’s pulsating one- smashed 90 runs. Though run triumph against Oman. three each. Faruhath Azyan Yoosuf Sunrisers Hyderabad’a David Warner used the 2019 Indian Premier League Cricket Tournament to get into a rich touch ahead of the Qatar, first, made 179 Qatar were under tremen- struck 131, Qatar contrived a World Cup. and Oman were restricted to dous pressure against Kuwait, splendid 28-run victory with 169 by Bismillah Khan and who amassed 228 for five in Afsarullah Obaidullah grab- IANS Exactly a year later, Warn- (a rare English-Aussie cama- matches when Sunrisers won Shubh Agarwal, who picked 50 overs with Gukul Kumar bing five for 49. NEW DELHI er announces his IPL return raderie which can be seen only the IPL in 2016. with a bang. On March 24, in IPL), won matches of Sun- “I have had time off to MARCH 24, 2018 changed the 2019, the opener hit a match- risers Hyderabad. work harder at my game. I put face of Australian cricket for- winning 85 for Sunrisers Hy- “When someone like the bat down for 16-18 weeks ever. In what seemed to be an derabad (SRH) against Kol- Warner bats like that, it’s very and just worked hard on be- innocuous post-lunch session kata Knight Riders (KKR). less margins for the bowler,” ing the best father and hus- on the third day of the third But this was not just a one-off Ajinkya Rahane had said af- band that has worked for me,” Test between and knock. In fact, this was just the ter SRH had beaten Rajasthan Warner said on Monday. Australia in Cape Town turned teaser of what was going to be Royals in March. Off to Australia to prepare on its head as Australia opener an amazing journey for the In a total of 12 matches for the World Cup, Warner’s was caught 32-year-old. that Warner has played in this destructive form has rung on camera rubbing the ball “There is a big difference edition, Warner has amassed alarm bells for all the nine with a yellow object which was because he (Warner) is a 692 runs at a magnificent av- other teams which are going later revealed to be sandpaper. world class player. For us, as erage of almost 70, including to participate in the showpiece Following an initial ban a franchise, we are so proud a swashbuckling 81 in his final event starting from May 30 in by the ICC, Cricket Australia of what he has achieved for outing against KXIP on Mon- England and . banned Bancroft for nine Sunrisers. He is not only a day. He scored eight fifties and “This World Cup, you’ll months while Australia skip- premier match-winner but his a century, thus announcing his see some high scores. Hope- per and deputy leadership skills are also un- return to competitive cricket fully the ball doesn’t swing as David Warner were banned matched,” SRH mentor VVS in a grand style. much. Obviously England are for 12 months each. The duo Laxman had said before the This was third consecutive the home team and they’re also had to miss the 2018 edi- start of the IPL 2019. IPL season for Warner where great. We’re world champions. tion of the Indian Premier And boy, didn’t Warner he had scored more than 600 I’m sure it’ll be great. I am League as the BCCI decided to prove the legend right? runs. In 2017, the Australian looking forward to it and this keep them away from the com- Match after match, Warner opener had scored 641 runs was a stepping stone to that,” petition taking into considera- kept on piling runs and along- from 14 matches in and had he signed off from this edition tion the ban from CA. side England’s Jonny Bairstow collected 848 runs from 17 of the IPL. Qatar’s team in the ACC Western Region Under-19 Cricket Tournament in the UAE.

Wawrinka & Murray demand Ramesan bags Gimelstob resignation Prime Sports

AFP double PARIS TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK THREE-TIME Grand Slam DOHA winner Stan Wawrinka echoed on Tuesday Andy Murray’s RAJATRAJ Ramesan of New calls for Justin Gimelstob to Vision Badminton Sport quit his role on the Association emerged the winner in the of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Prime Sports Badminton board after the American was Tournament under-14 cate- sentenced following assault gory, defeating Arjun Shine at charges. the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah “Players need to speak out. Arena. Justin Gimelstob has been con- The DPS-MIS eighth victed of a violent assault. It grade student defeated Arjun simply can not be possible for Shine in three sets 21-18, 11- anyone to condone this type of 21 and 21-19 to take sweet re- behaviour and worse support it. CDC Cricket Tournament winners CCRC and runners-up M Pallonji players with guests and officials after the prize distribution ceremony in Losail. venge of his loss to the same In any other business or sport player in the quarter-final we would not be discussing stage of the under-16 cat- this,” the Australian Open, US egory. Open and Wimbledon champi- CCRC clinch CDC cricket title first time The match lasted for one ons tweeted. hour and 15 minutes with Ra- “The council @ATP_Tour jatraj, emerging on top. need to do something about this TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK velopment Co. (CDC) has the Abbas conceded only four He went on to complete and finally end this conversa- DOHA distinction of being the oldest CCRC, who featured in six runs in a superb 19th over. a double in the tournament tion and shameful period in our sponsor of the Qatar Veteran’s finals earlier, found their Off the last over, M Pallonji when he won the Under-16 great sport,” the Swiss former CCRC held off M Pallonji by Cricket League since the be- seventh one lucky as they required 16 runs but they lost doubles championship along Rajatraj Ramesan of New Vision world number three added. eight runs in a thrilling end ginning in 1988. emerged the champions Ayub and the match by eight with his partner Aman Ali. Badminton Sport with his Gimelstob, himself an ex- and won the 30th CDC Crick- After being asked to bat for the first time. runs. Luck however ran out for winner’s trophy. professional tennis player, et Tournament 2019 Division first, CCRC openers Magsi and Sajeev hit 23, Ayub cracked him as he and his under-14 pleaded no contest to felony 1 title at the Losail Cricket Mohsin provided a brisk start Praveen (three for 17), who 41 runs in 26 balls with four partner Austin Togi lost the academy. battery charges and was given Complex. with 16 in the first two over. picked three wickets each and sixes and one four. Sardar got doubles final. New vision’s Head Coach three years’ probation and 60 CCRC, who featured in After Mohsin’s departure for 13 shot them out for just 141 in two for 11 runs, Abbas grabbed The sub-junior and junior Sahibjan said: “The success hours of community service six finals earlier, found their out of 17 on the board, new man 18.5 overs. Sudesh got one two for 21 runs and Sameer badminton championship was for Rajatraj is due to his tough by a Los Angeles court on seventh one lucky as they Asad and Magsi launched an scalp. accounted for two batsmen for held in different age groups training and the hard work he April 22. emerged the champions for onslaught on the rivals and the Magsi made 27, Asad got just 12 runs. from under-10 to under-18. does. All this has helped him Murray told the UK’s Sun- the first time. team raced to 66 in 6.4 overs. 38 runs and Muzammil hit 20. Asad of CCRC was ad- Rajatraj is trained at New achieve so much success in day Telegraph newspaper last Sanjiv Jain, Chief Finan- Magsi was removed by In reply, M. Pallonji, who judged the man of the final. Vision Badminton Sport the tournament.” weekend: “I don’t see how, cial Officer (CFO), Kader at Sadiq off a catch by Raziq made 62 for three in eight by former Qatar national The students at New Vi- with everything that has gone Construction Development at this stage and CCRC later overs, fumbled after a flour- Special Awards coach Manoj Sahibjan. Ashif sion Badminton Sport, Doha on, how it’s possible for him to Co. and Sai Manoj, General reached 97 for three midway ish. After Sajeev notched up Best batsman – Mohsin of CCRC Ameerjan, Anurag Anirud- - Qatar, are now preparing to remain in a position of author- Manager at Millennium Trav- of the innings. But their hopes 23, they started to lose wickets Best bowler – Sadiq of M.Pallonji han, Bichu Sureshkumar, participate in the Sub-junior ity or management at the ATP el, gave away the awards and of a big total were dashed regularly and needed 20 runs Best all-rounder – Suraj of CCRC Ashwin P C and Nebu Joseph and Junior All- Nation- right now.” trophies. Construction De- by Naveed (three for 11) and off the last two overs. Best wicket-keeper – Neeraj of M.Pallonji. are assistant coaches in the als Ranking Tournament.