NBA | Page 5 MOTORSPORT | Page 6 Gritty Celtics Dixon takes stun Cavs to Indy 500 pole, reduce series Alonso to defi cit start in fi ft h

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 27, 1438 AH La Liga win is GULF TIMES bigger than World Cup for Zidane SPORT Page 3 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEMISE Former MotoGP champion Hayden Lekhwiya eye dies aft er accident Persepolis scalp These two sides have met previously in this competition, in 2015. During that time, both teams had won by a similar 3-0 margin respectively in their home matches

This file photo taken on January 10, 2012 shows former Ducati rider Nicky Haiden during a press conference in Italy.

Agencies rider to achieve the feat – before Rome a move to the MotoGP World Championship for 2003. He took two podiums that year, at Motegi merican former Mo- and Phillip Island, as a rookie. toGP champion Nicky More podiums followed in 2004 hayden hit by a car in before Hayden took his fi rst pole a bicycle accident in and Grand Prix victory at Laguna AItaly last week, has died of severe Seca in 2005. The following year, brain damage, the Italian hos- the “Kentucky Kid” became the pital where he was treated said MotoGP World Champion as he yesterday. beat Valentino Rossi to the pre- Hayden, 36, who won the mier class crown, securing the 2006 MotoGP world title, suf- title in the last round of the year fered severe chest and head inju- in Valencia. ries in the accident, which hap- He moved to Ducati in 2009 pened while he was training on and, later, the Aspar team, be- his bicycle in central Italy, south fore racing his last full season of the seaside resort of Rimini. in MotoGP in 2015. He was then A true Champion on and off inducted into the MotoGP World track, Hayden will be deeply Championship Hall of Fame at missed. the season fi nale in Valencia. The 2006 world champion, The next challenge for the ‘Ken- File picture of the Lekhwiya team during a training session. The Red Knights play against Iran’s Persepolis in their AFC Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash. WorldSBK race winner, fi ancé, tucky Kid’ was WorldSBK, where uncle, brother, son, friend or Hayden took a number of podi- By Sports Reporter from Tehran. These two sides have met victory over Al Fateh. the Lekhwiya defence to hold fort and for simply the “Kentucky Kid” who ums and his fi rst win in the class Doha during the group stages of the same com- Midfi elder Nam Tae-Hee is the top that players like Mohamed Musa, Chico rose from American dirt track in his rookie year, besting diffi cult petition in 2015. During that time, Perse- scorer for Lekhwiya in this competition Flores and Ahmed Yasser will have to step to the absolute pinnacle of his conditions at Sepang to join an- polis had played out a 3-0 win at home, so far, having netted four times so far. up and deliver. sport, Hayden was known for other exclusive club as he became ekhwiya will be eager to continue only for Lekhwiya to gain revenge with The South Korean, who recently won the Meanwhile Persepolis are looking to many things to many people, and a winner in both MotoGP and their Asian Champions League the same scoreline in the return fi xture. Qatar Football Association’s Player of the make it fourth time lucky in the Round of put his name to an astounding WorldSBK. form when they face Iran’s Perse- The Red Knights have faced Iranian op- Year award, is a crucial cog in this team. 16 after being eliminated in each of their number of achievements both Hayden raced his last laps for polis today in their Round of 16 ponents in Esteghlal Khuzestan during the Another player who coach Djamel Bel- three previous appearances. within racing and beyond its Red Bull Honda World Superbike fiL rst-leg clash. The Qatari side have been group stages. After sharing points in Iran, madi will want to deliver is striker Yousef The hosts’ tournament-leading scorer limits – key amongst which was team at Imola on May 14th. undefeated in their AFC Champions Lekhwiya defeated Khuzestan 2-1 in Doha El Arabi. The Moroccan won the Mansour Mehdi Taremi has netted seven times, in- his moniker as ‘the nicest man in Hayden will be deeply missed League campaign this season and will be what was a tough contest. A similar result Muftah award for being the top scorer in cluding a hat-trick against Al Wahda to Grand Prix racing’. A true com- by the paddocks he has graced hoping that that trend continues today at would do just fi ne for the Qatari side. the QSL and his goal scoring prowess will seal second place in Group D. petitor with an incredible com- throughout an incredible career, the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. come in handy for Lekhwiya. They also Lekhwiya will have to nullify the Tare- mitment to his sport, and a true his millions of fans around the In the group stages Lekhwiya were UNBEATEN RUN have the services of Yousef Msakni who mi threat if they have to progress. The family man dedicated to the peo- world, and by all those closest to dominant, scoring 15 goals and notching Lekhwiya will take confi dence from their had opened the scoring during Lekhwi- Qatari side has the quality to do so. Now ple around him. him. We wish to pass on our sin- up four wins to top Group B. They won last outing in this competition where ya’s 3-0 win over Persepolis in 2015. The to see if they can convert that into a result First riding on the dirt in his cerest condolences to his fam- the Qatar Stars League on the domestic they had comfortably defeated Saudi Tunisian has the ability to provide the on the pitch today. native USA, Hayden then con- ily, friends, team and colleagues front but lost in the Qatar Cup and Emir Arabia’s Al Fateh 4-1. Also boosting their crucial breakthrough. tinued his career on tarmac and as we sadly bid farewell to the Cup semi-fi nals. cause will be the return of infl uential Belmadi’s boys will have to put in a TODAY’S FIXTURE was crowned AMA Supersport “Kentucky Kid” far too soon – a Lekhwiya have the advantage of play- midfi elder Karim Boudiaf after having disciplined performance in Tehran and Persepolis (IRN) v Lekhwiya (QAT) Champion in 1999. Next came true legend of the sport, and to ing the second leg at home and they will being suspended but Almoez Ali misses then take advantage of the home ground Venue: Azadi Stadium, Tehran the AMA Superbike crown in all those who knew him. be keen to return with a positive result out after he picked up a booking in the and close out the tie. It will be crucial for Kick-off : 6pm 2002 – becoming the youngest (motogp.com)

BOTTOMLINE Let’s make it a double celebration: Tae-hee By Sports Reporter Cup stadium and they deserve it,” said box and QFA Under-23 Player of the Year Such was his consistency, his pass Doha the 25-year-old playmaker, whose club Almoez Ali scored the winner. completion rate even outshone one of take on Iranian giants Persepolis at the Nam Tae-hee was full of praise for the most widely admired passers of the imposing Azadi Stadium in Tehran to- his young Lekhwiya teammate and QFA ball the game has ever seen – Xavi, who ewly-crowned Qatar Foot- day. Best Under-23 Player of the Year Al- came in second at 89.2%. ball Association (QFA) Player “It would therefore be befi tting if moez Ali Nam Tae-hee has won four QSL titles of the Year Nam Tae-hee one of Qatar’s football clubs does well Nam, who has won four QSL ti- during his six years at Lekhwiya believes his club, Lekhwiya on the Asian stage this year,” he contin- tles during his six years at Lekhwiya, However, he had nothing but praise S.C.,N has it in them to reach the fi nal of ued. “We have built up some experience praised his young Qatari teammate. for the Barcelona legend, who was the AFC Champions League this year, in the Asian Champions League over He said: “Almoez has shown a lot of quoted in the South Korean media the thereby giving people of Qatar another the years and believe we can reach the promise this season and I am happy at day before the award talking highly reason to rejoice following the success- fi nal this year. the speed of his development. He richly about Nam. ful launch of the redeveloped Khalifa “Persepolis are a tough opponent deserves his award. “Xavi deserved the award,” said Nam. International Stadium. but we can return to Doha taking a lead “There are other talented youngsters “He played all the games and helped Al After beating an accomplished fi eld from the fi rst leg. We believe we can in my club and in other QSL clubs and Sadd win two cup competitions. It feels – comprising of Al Sadd duo Xavi trouble top clubs from China and those I am sure they will all come of age by great to win my fi rst ever Player of the Hernández and Hassan al-Haydous to from Asia’s major footballing nations 2022 and help Qatar fl y the fl ag of Asia Year trophy with Xavi and Haydoos also his fi rst QFA award – the South Korean such as Iran, Japan and Korea this year.” in front of the world.” in contention. I have very high regard international told www.sc.qa the peo- Evidence from the group stages of Lekhwiya’s opponents will be well for both of them.” ple of Qatar fully deserved the redevel- Asia’s premier club competition sup- aware of the South Korean, whose sea- The South Korean star signed off by oped Khalifa International Stadium. ports Nam. son has been phenomenal. saying he is focused on the Persepolis QFA Player of the Year Nam Tae-hee After sharing points in Iran, Lekhwiya He registered 14 goals and nine as- challenge. An example of the dedica- believes his club, Lekhwiya S.C., has it defeated Esteghlal Khuzestan 2-1 in Doha sists in his 25 QSL appearances during tion, commitment and professional- in them to reach the fi nal of the AFC in Group B in a tough contest. After the the 2016-17 campaign and, according ism that has made the 2017 QFA Player Champions League this year Iranian champions of 2015-16 had taken to Qatar Stars League analytics pro- of the Year one of the league’s leading “They have got back their home of the lead, Nam equalised with a scintillat- vider STATS, had a passing accuracy of lights, and a fan’s favourite over the football, redeveloped as a 2022 World Lekhwiya midfielder Nam Tae-hee receiving the QFA player of the year award. ing left-footed strike from the edge of the 91.6%. past six years. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, May 23, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Wenger accepts uncertainty over his position hurt Arsenal For the first time since 1997 Wenger’s team have missed out on qualifying for the Champions League

By David Hytner The Guardian Kroenke rules rsene Wenger has described the “psy- out Arsenal sale chological environment” in which Ar- senal have had to perform since Janu- Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke ary as “absolutely horrendous” and responded yesterday to speculation about a acceptedA for the fi rst time that the lack of clarity possible takeover by insisting his company over his personal situation had contributed to it. KSE UK’s shares in the English Premier Arsenal defeated Everton 3-1 on the fi nal day League club “are not, and never have been of the Premier League season but, with Man- for sale”. chester City and Liverpool winning against In a brief statement to the London Stock Watford and Middlesbrough respectively, there Exchange, headlined “Response to media was no late surge into the Champions League speculation”, KSE said: “KSE UK Inc notes places. the recent media speculation concerning For the fi rst time since 1997 Wenger’s team its shareholding in Arsenal Holdings PLC have missed out on Europe’s elite competition and confirms that its shares are not, and and the fans inside the stadium turned on Stan never have been, for sale. KSE is a commit- Kroenke, the majority shareholder, chanting ted, long term investor in Arsenal and will that they wanted him out of the club. It emerged remain so.” on Friday night that Kroenke had turned down The statement came after last Financial a £1bn takeover bid from Alisher Usmanov, who Times reported that Russian billionaire holds a 30% stake in the club and has suggested Alisher Usmanov had made a $1.3bn that he would like to shake things up. (£998mn, 1.1bn euros) bid to take control Wenger defended Kroenke, saying it was not of Arsenal from Kroenke. Uzbekistan-born his fault the squad had fallen short, but he ad- Usmanov owns 30% of Arsenal League club mitted that the often toxic atmosphere around and is said to have recently made the off er the club had been a factor in the worst league in a letter to American sports entrepreneur campaign of his near 21-year tenure. For the fi rst Kroenke, who controls a 67% stake. time he has fi nished outside the top four places. Usmanov, who made his fortune in the The fans have been divided over whether steel industry, had seen a previous bid for Wenger should stay on when his contract ex- Arsenal rejected. His criticism of Kroenke’s pires in the summer and there have been protests passive ownership style was echoed by against him since the season began to unravel increasing numbers of Arsenal fans this with the home defeat by Watford on 31 January. season, who were unhappy with what they Wenger is expected to continue and there will be saw as the board’s willingness to settle for clarity after the FA Cup fi nal against Chelsea on on-field mediocrity so long as commercial Saturday. The lack of it throughout the season, stability was maintained. however, has cast long shadows. Both ‘Silent Stan’, as Kroenke has been “I believe that since January we played in a disparagingly nicknamed by some support- very diffi cult environment for diff erent rea- ers, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sons,” Wenger said. “Some you know about – came under fire during s Premier League and it is very diffi cult for the group of players to campaign that ended with the Gunners cope with that – and [there are] some other rea- finishing fifth on Sunday. sons we will talk about another day. But the psy- Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger (right) and his assistant Steve Bould watch their team's match against Everton in London on Sunday. (AFP) chological environment for the group of players to win the next one. When did the lack of clar- was absolutely horrendous. understand why [there is] the question [about] the post-match lap of appreciation – he said he the chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, wants to make ity aff ect the team? It’s a good question. I can- “It has been diffi cult and, certainly, my per- that commitment. We are professional and a wanted the players to have “the quiet lap of hon- various structural tweaks, including to scouting not give you the answer today. I will give you an sonal situation has contributed to that. But I am part of that is to perform when the environment our they deserved” – and he was vague and eva- and coaching. answer one day. But not today.” professional and, as long as I am somewhere, I is not positive. We have not to look there as an sive about the reasons for the lack of clarity over “I don’t understand what you want to hear Wenger said he did not know whether Kroenke do my job until the last day. You could not ques- excuse but I just say it’s a fact it doesn’t help.” his situation. It is understood the off er of a two- from me but my situation will be sorted out had attended against Everton. “I respect Stan tion my love or my loyalty to this club because Wenger was asked whether he accepted the year contract has been on the table for months. soon,” Wenger said. “So let’s prepare for the Cup Kroenke a lot. He is not at fault if we did not I said no to every club in the world to stay here responsibility for being a cause of the nega- He was asked whether the terms had changed at fi nal. We won eight of our last nine games, de- reach the Champions League. It is the technical with very restricted fi nances for years. So I don’t tive mood. “Yes, of course.” He did not join in any point. It has emerged, more recently, that spite the lack of clarity, so we have just to focus department who is responsible for that.”

FOCUS ROUND-UP United manager Mourinho Rooney may have to leave United to extend career: Neville bets the house on Europa glory Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney may have to leave the club to extend his career “at the AFP highest level”, former United defender Phil Neville London has said. Rooney has made 42 appearances in all competitions this season, most of them as a substitute, with manager Jose Mourinho relying on hough he denies it, Manchester top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic before a knee injury United manager Jose Mourinho ended the Swede’s campaign. has gambled the club’s season on Neville does not expect Rooney to start in the the outcome of tomorrow’s Europa Europa League fi nal against Ajax Amsterdam TLeague fi nal against Ajax in Stockholm. tomorrow, with local media linking his former club Having missed out on Champions League Everton to re-sign United’s all-time top scorer in qualifi cation via the Premier League, United the upcoming transfer window. must beat Ajax at the Friends Arena to se- “You hope (Rooney doesn’t leave) but the way cure a return to Europe’s elite competition. the season’s gone, particularly since Christmas, Mourinho has made his priorities clear in he’s not been involved as much as he’d probably recent weeks by resting players for league have liked,” Neville said. “He wants to play in the fi xtures, but he claims United’s injury prob- biggest games and when it comes to Wednesday lems left him with no choice. night I’d be surprised to see him in that start- “It was not a gamble. It was a simple de- ing eleven. If he wants to continue playing at the cision,” said Mourinho, who picked a team highest level — week in, week out — and be the fi rst with an average age of 22 years and 284 days name on the team sheet, then he’ll probably have to for Sunday’s season-ending 2-0 home win go and play his football elsewhere.” over Crystal Palace. United, who fi nished sixth in the Premier League “When we lost players in a period of 17 this season, have an opportunity to claim qualifi ca- matches in seven weeks, it was the impos- tion for next season’s Champions League if they sible job. It was not a gamble, just a conse- win Europe’s second-tier competition in Stock- quence of our situation.” Mourinho won the holm. Neville believes the clash with the Dutch UEFA Cup, as the Europa League was pre- side will defi ne Mourinho’s campaign at Old Traf- Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney with is his viously known, with Porto in 2003, but the ford. The Portuguese already won the League Cup sons Kit and Klay after the match against Cyrstal two-time Champions League winner has in February to become the only United manager to Palace at Old Traff ord on Sunday. (AFP) been publicly dismissive of the competition claim silverware in his fi rst season. in recent years. Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho made his priorities clear in recent weeks by resting over what “practical measures” could be taken to Upon returning to Chelsea in 2013, Mour- players for league fixtures, but he claims injury problems left him with no choice. (Reuters) FOOTBALL CHIEFS QUESTION WEMBLEY reduce the problem. Millwall have a long history of inho said of the tournament, which the AFTER MILLWALL FAN INVASION crowd problems and in 2013 their supporters were London club had won the previous season: Champions League?” Victory tomorrow Peter Bosz’s exciting young team have car- English football chiefs said yesterday they would criticised after some fought among themselves “I don’t want to win the Europa League. It would enable United to complete their col- ried the club to a fi rst European fi nal since voice concerns to Wembley stadium over the way during the FA Cup semi-fi nal defeat to Wigan, also would be a big disappointment for me.” lection of trophies. a 4-2 loss on penalties to Juventus in the Millwall fans ran onto the pitch following Satur- at Wembley. United’s performances during this sea- They can also become only the fi fth club deciding match of the 1995-96 Champi- day’s League One playoff victory, raising fears that son’s tournament suggest their players were — after Juventus, Ajax, Bayern Munich and ons League. Ajax won the previous season’s such invasions are on the rise. FORMER DISNEY CEO EISNER CLOSE not sure how much they wanted to win it Chelsea — to have won the Champions Champions League and famous fi gures from The EFL condemned “unsavoury scenes” at the TO BUYING PORTSMOUTH either. They lost their fi rst two away games, League, the Europa League and the now de- their 1990s golden team have helped to re- end of Millwall’s 1-0 win over Bradford City when American billionaire businessman Michael Eisner against Feyenoord and Fenerbahce, needed funct European Cup Winners’ Cup. store the club to former glories. Edwin van hundreds of fans burst past stewards. A small is poised to take control of Portsmouth after the extra time to beat Anderlecht in the quarter- The fi nal will not, however, be a glorious der Sar and Marc Overmars are on the board number then taunted Bradford players as they went ex-Premier League club’s Supporters Trust (PST) fi nals and were given a scare by Celta Vigo in homecoming for United’s Swedish striker of directors, while Dennis Bergkamp is one to the dressing rooms. Millwall manager Neil Har- voted to sell its 48.5 per cent share yesterday. the semi-fi nals. Zlatan Ibrahimovic. of Bosz’s assistants. ris ordered all supporters from the pitch and the The decision paves the way for the former Walt Now that the trophy is within touch- He will watch from the stands, along with There is even an on-pitch link in the form club’s players condemned the behaviour. Disney CEO to complete a summer takeover of the ing distance, Mourinho has started to paint fellow injury victims Luke Shaw, Marcos of 18-year-old winger Justin Kluivert, son of The end-of-season playoff s are particularly largest club under fan ownership in England, add- the tournament in a diff erent light. He has Rojo and Ashley Young, after sustaining Patrick, who scored the only goal in the 1995 emotionally charged, as teams seek promotion in a ing another colourful chapter to one of football’s already masterminded a League Cup suc- knee ligament damage during the semi-fi nal Champions League fi nal against AC Milan. one-off game at English football’s national stadi- most famous old names. cess and has suggested Europa League glory second leg win at home to Anderlecht. “I feel no pressure,” says Bosz, a former um. Next Monday Reading play Huddersfi eld in the Portsmouth, who were founded in 1898, have would mean United have had a more suc- Mourinho has confi rmed that Sergio midfi elder capped eight times by the Neth- Championship playoff to reach the Premier League. a gold-plated heritage, winning the title twice in cessful season than trophy-less top-four Romero will continue to start instead of erlands. “Everyone dreams of these games, Security will be tight for a game which is often re- 1949 and 1950, and the FA Cup in 1939 and 2008. rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool. David de Gea in goal, while Jones and Chris so there’s no pressure, just a big opportu- ferred to as English football’s most lucrative, with They have always enjoyed strong local support but In the words of defender Phil Jones: Smalling are vying for the right to replace nity. They have a bigger budget for sure and at least 100mn pounds on off er to the winners. The a series of fi nancial problems under foreign owners “People will say we’ve not had a good sea- suspended centre-back Eric Bailly. Ajax ap- if they feel pressure because of that, then EFL said it had witnessed an “increased number culminated in relegation from the Premier League son, but would you rather fi nish second and proach the game with none of the cloying OK. We like to play good football and hope of pitch invasions” at various grounds this season in 2010, administration and further tumbles down win nothing or win two cups and be in the pressure that United must contend with. to win.” and will work with clubs and supporter groups the divisions. Gulf Times Tuesday, May 23, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Thousands fl ock to La Liga win is bigger than Madrid as Real celebrate title

AFP Madrid

housands of Real Madrid World Cup for Zidane fans, many decked in the famous white team jersey, converged in 'It is the happiest day of my professional life. Right now I would like to stand up here and dance' theT centre of the Spanish capi- tal to celebrate the club’s 33rd AFP league title after a 2-0 win over Madrid Malaga on Sunday. Elated fans cheered and lit fl ares when the squad arrived on an open-top inedine Zidane claimed winning La Liga as bus bearing the word “Campe- Real Madrid coach on Sunday surpasses his ones” (champions) on the side stellar achievements as a player and even at the club’s traditional celebra- lifting the Champions League in his debut tion spot, the Plaza de Cibeles, as Zseason as coach last year. confetti rained down. Madrid claimed the Spanish title for a 33rd time Team captain Sergio Ramos as Cristiano Ronaldo struck his 40th goal of the and other players decked in season and Karim Benzema slotted home early in white shirts with the number the second-half to secure a 2-0 win at Malaga. 33 on the back fi lmed the crowd “It is the happiest day of my professional life by with mobile phones from the top a distance,” Zidane said after landing Madrid’s fi rst of the bus, which was escorted by title in fi ve years. “Right now I would like to stand police on horseback. Ramos took up here and dance,” he added in a press conference to a walkway over the plaza’s interrupted by Marcelo, Danilo, Casemiro, Lucas fountain and draped the statue Vazquez and Alvaro Morata drowning their boss in of the goddess Cybele with the champagne. club fl ag just as Queen’s anthem Zidane won the World Cup, European Cham- “We Are the Champions” blared pionships and Champions League as one of the out from loudspeakers. greatest players of his generation, but said the Real Madrid left-back Marce- extra responsibility that comes with being coach lo then tied a team scarf around made his achievements all the greater. the statue as the crowd cheered. “As coach of Real Madrid you know what the “We have to win the Champions expectations are,” he added. “I have experienced it League now. We are counting as a player and that is why I say it is the happiest on all of your support. Let’s Go! day of my professional life because being a coach Thank you very much,” Portu- changes everything. I have won everything with guese striker Cristiano Ronaldo this club, this shirt but to win La Liga is the best of said atop the walkway before all. I live what I am doing with passion and what I singing along with the crowd. have enjoyed the most is today because after nine Ronaldo and French striker or 10 months we have won La Liga.” Karim Benzema scored the two Zidane’s role in restoring Madrid to the top of goals which gave Real their win Spanish football was hailed by Ronaldo as the Por- over Malaga and their fi rst Span- tuguese claimed just his second league winners’ ish league title since 2012. The medal in eight seasons since joining the Spanish club will pursue a third UEFA giants. “He has managed things very intelligently Champions League victory in along with his assistants,” said Ronaldo. “The four seasons in the fi nal against proof is there, we have won a very diffi cult league Juventus, who on Sunday se- against one of the best teams in the world in Barca cured third successive Serie A and for me Zidane has done a phenomenal job.” and Coppa Italia double, in Car- Madrid could go onto complete a fi rst La Liga diff on June 3. and Champions League double for 59 years when “This is great and on June 3 they face Juventus in the Champions League fi - against Juventus it will be even nal on June 3. And Real’s run to the title was most better,” said 37-year-old Real certainly a squad eff ort with Ronaldo sidelined or supporter Emilio Guillen as he rested for nine games — all of which they won. Real Madrid players celebrate after winning the La Liga title in Madrid on Sunday. (Reuters) celebrated with friends at Pla- “On a collective level I think it is my best sea- za de Cibeles. If Real win the son at Real Madrid,” added Ronaldo. “Everyone Champions League, it would be has played minutes and all the squad have contrib- ‘I’M NO DEVIL’, BLASTS ANGRY RONALDO the club’s fi rst La Liga and Eu- uted.” Madrid edged out reigning champions Bar- ropean champions cup double in celona by just three points after the Catalans came Madrid: Despite the joy of helping seal Real win over the Galicians on Wednesday insinuat- ily, I have a mother, a son, and I don’t like that they nearly six decades. from 2-0 down to beat Eibar 4-2 on Sunday. Madrid’s 33rd La Liga title on Sunday, Cristiano ing Celta had been off ered bonuses to damage say stupid things about me.” Many fans heaped praise on And Zidane highlighted his side’s response from Ronaldo slammed his treatment by the media, Madrid’s title charge, Ronaldo turned on the press Ronaldo was happier when talking about his Real coach Zinedine Zidane, losing a thrilling El Clasico 3-2 to Barca with the saying he is not “the devil” he is made out to be. pack. “People say things about me without know- contribution on the field to Madrid’s first La Liga the former French international last kick of the ball last month by winning their Ronaldo scored his 40th goal of the season inside ing a thing and it bothers me. You (the media) say title in five years as his early strike at La Rosaleda who took over the club for his last six league games as the key to the title. “The two minutes as Madrid won 2-0 at Malaga to things about Cris without knowing the truth,” said was his 14th goal in his last nine games. “I’ve fi rst head coaching job less than last six games, but for sure the last three have been depose Barcelona as Spanish champions. the World Player of the Year. “I am not a saint, but prepared to be in top shape for the end of the two years ago. The team will be key,” added the Frenchman. “To win 4-1 at home However, when questioned about a gesture I am also not a devil like many people think I am. I season,” he added. “I’ve helped the team with my welcomed to Madrid city hall on (against Sevilla), 4-1 away (at Celta) and then 2-0 he made to Celta Vigo players in Madrid’s 4-1 don’t like this type of thing because I have a fam- goals, my decisions and for that I am happy.” Monday for a ceremony to cel- today is spectacular.” ebrate their Spanish league win.

PREMIER LEAGUE BOTTOMLINE Moyes quits Sunderland What next for Barca aft er losing La Liga? AFP AFP threatening to “slap” a female reporter. Madrid London It is his third successive short-lived stint at a club, following previous disappointments at Manchester United, where he lasted just 10 arcelona face a summer of reconstruc- avid Moyes has resigned as Sunderland months, and Real Sociedad. tion after their grip on the La Liga title manager following their relegation from “I pursued the services of David Moyes for a was ended by newly-crowned cham- the Premier League, the club announced considerable period prior to his appointment last pions Real Madrid. Here is a look at yesterday. The 54-year-old Scot suc- summer, which makes the announcement of his fiB ve key issues the Catalans have to address in ceededD Sam Allardyce last July and oversaw a departure diffi cult for everyone concerned,” said the coming months to gain ground on their ri- desperate season that saw Sunderland fi nish 16 Sunderland chairman Ellis Short. vals from the Spanish capital. points adrift of safety at the foot of the table. “Having worked tirelessly throughout the “I would like to thank (chairman) Ellis Short campaign to avoid relegation from the Premier NEW DEAL FOR MESSI and the board for giving me the opportunity to League, David has chosen to leave the club with- Undoubtedly Barca’s number one priority is manage Sunderland and the fans for always being out compensation, which is testament to his to ensure that Lionel Messi’s future remains so passionately supportive of their club,” Moyes character. In the days ahead we will take some at the Camp Nou. Barca’s failure to win La said in a statement. “I wish the players and my time for refl ection and then focus on recruitment Liga or the Champions League this season has successor well in their eff orts towards promotion and pre-season as we prepare for our Champion- been no fault of Messi. back to the Premier League.” ship campaign. We wish David well in the future.” The fi ve-time World Player of the Year has Sunderland’s relegation to the Championship Moyes was dissatisfi ed with Sunderland’s been at his brilliant best in carrying his side after 10 years in the top fl ight was confi rmed fol- close-season transfer dealings and set the tone for large parts of the campaign — most nota- lowing a 1-0 home defeat by Bournemouth last for their campaign early in the season when he bly in scoring twice to win a thrilling El Cla- month. Moyes informed Sunderland offi cials of said he was preparing for a relegation battle. Sun- sico 3-2 away to Madrid last month. his decision to leave at a meeting in London yes- derland sank into the bottom three in September Messi’s contract is up in June 2018 meaning terday. His departure completes a sorry few weeks and did not move off the foot of the table from he could freely speak to other clubs as early for the former Everton manager, who has been January onwards, fi nishing the campaign with as January about moving on a free transfer. charged by the Football Association after jokily only six wins to their name. Thankfully for Barca that doesn’t seem like- Barcelona’s number one priority is to ensure that world's best footballer Lionel Messi's (left) ly with Messi very much settled at the club future remains at the Camp Nou. (Reuters) where he has spent his whole career. How- ever, by allowing his contract to run down, it in style in recent years from Guardiola’s team ventus at the end of last season and his scin- will cost the Barca board a fortune to tie Messi of metronomic passers built around Xavi and tillating form allied to Barca’s inability to re- down which could impact on their ability to Andres Iniesta in midfi eld, to a top heavy side place him has been another stick with which make moves in the transfer market. reliant on the fi repower of Messi, Luis Suarez to beat Barca’s beleaguered board. and Neymar up front. Sergi Roberto has deputised as best he can, APPOINT A NEW COACH With Xavi gone and Iniesta playing a far but he remains a converted midfi eld player Luis Enrique took the heat out of the debate more limited number of games at 33, Barca’s and exposed defensively when faced with real surrounding his future back in March by an- attempts to fi nd successors for two of the quality. nouncing he will not stay on as coach for next greatest players in the club’s history have season after three years in charge. understandably ran into problems. Andre INJECTION OF YOUNG BLOOD Plenty of high-profi le names were then Gomes has so far proven to be an expensive Barca also missed out on the title because Ma- linked with the job, but all signs indicate the mistake at 35mn euros ($39.2mn), as has Arda drid were able to fi eld a team fi lled with young Barca hierarchy will opt for the understated Turan and graduates from the club’s acad- back-ups for various games down the stretch option of Athletic Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde emy like Rafi nha and Denis Suarez are better to rest their fi rst team stars without suff ering as the man to step into the breach. in wider roles. Losing Thiago Alcantara to any dip in performance. By contrast, Barca Valverde doesn’t have the glamour the likes Bayern Munich four years ago is now coming face the problem of fending off the ageing of Enrique or Pep Guardiola had when tak- back to bite as fi nding a true midfi eld gem to process with most of their key men. ing the job, but like them he is a former Barca gradually fulfi l Iniesta’s role will be an expen- Messi, Suarez and Gerard Pique all turn 30 player and has a wealth of experience in La sive and challenging process. this year, whilst Javier Mascherano and Ini- Liga as a coach with over 400 games in charge esta are already well beyond that mark. of Bilbao, Espanyol, Valencia and Villarreal. RIGHT-BACK A PRIORITY Indeed, only Neymar, Samuel Umtiti, Rob- Before the midfi eld, Barca’s fi rst priority in erto and Marc-Andre ter Stegen can count RECONSTRUCT THE MIDFIELD the transfer market is a right-back. Poor themselves as regulars with their prime years David Moyes oversaw a desperate season that saw Sunderland finish 16 points adrift of safety. (AFP) Barcelona have undergone a dramatic change planning also let Dani Alves go for free to Ju- still ahead of them. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, May 23, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS FOCUS Zverev joins top 10 aft er Rome win No sign of an end to AFP win-loss record on clay this Paris year, failed to see off the first set as Rogers saved three set points to win 7-6. ermany’s Alexander The Dane was trailing 0-1 in Zverev broke into the the second set when she called Top 10 of the latest for a medical timeout, and later ATP rankings released served a pair of double faults French men’s title Gyesterday after stunning world before deciding to withdraw. number two Novak Djokovic to World number 55 Rogers, win the Rome Masters. who reached the quarter-fi nals The 20-year-old Zverev at Roland Garros last year, will claimed his maiden Masters face China’s Wang Qiang in the 1000 title on Sunday with a round of 16 today. Wang de- straight sets win over four-time feated Risa Ozaki of Japan 6-4 Rome champion Djokovic. It was 3-6 6-3 in her opening round drought in Paris just a fourth career title and third match on Sunday. this year for Zverev who moves up seven places to ten ahead of New mum Azarenka to ‘For the French Open especially you need to be in top shape physically and mentally’ the French Open at Roland Gar- return for Wimbledon ros from May 28 to June 7. Former world number one The top ten remains un- Victoria Azarenka said Mon- Reuters changed with Britain’s Andy day she will return earlier than Paris Murray world number one planned to compete at Wim- ahead of Serb Djokovic, the bledon this July, seven months reigning Roland Garros cham- after giving birth to son Leo. o French man has lifted pion. Argentine Juan Martin “My training has been pro- the Musketeers’ Cup del Potro moves up four places gressing well and I feel ready in over three decades to 30th after reaching the Rome to start competing... plus Leo and there is no sign of quarter-fi nals. kinda said he wants to see Nthe frustrating and painful wait London and Wimbledon,” the ending for one of tennis’s lead- Injured Wozniacki drops 27-year-old Belarusian wrote ing nations at this year’s French out of Strasbourg on Twitter. “I will be fi nalising Open. Former world number one my schedule before Wimble- A lack of consistency at the Caroline Wozniacki’s prepara- don in the coming days - I plan highest level, fragile bodies and tion for next week’s French Open to play one of the grasscourt an outstanding generation bar- suff ered a huge blow after she events prior to Wimbledon! I ring their way make it diffi cult retired injured from her open- will keep you updated!” to imagine a French successor to ing-round match against Amer- Wimbledon starts on July their last men’s singles champi- ican Shelby Rogers at Strasbourg 3 with grasscourt warm-up on Yannick Noah any time soon International yesterday. tournaments beforehand at at Roland Garros. Top-seed Wozniacki, who Mallorca, Spain; ‘s-Hertogen- After it became an interna- started the match with a 4-3 bosch in The Netherlands. tional tournament in 1925, the fi rst eight titles went to French men — but since then, they have Danes master India in Sudirman Cup claimed only two titles, Marcel Bernard winning in 1946 and Australia Denmark overcame score as Timothy Lam got the Noah in 1983. early resistance to beat India better of Anthony Joe, 21-14 “If you want a chance to win and make a successful start 21-18. Serasinghe and Chau the French Open, you need to to their BWF Sudirman Cup ensured the lead once again arrive full of confi dence, hav- badminton campaign on Aus- beating Kyle Emerick/Darren ing won great matches on the tralia’s Gold Coast yesterday. Yang in men’s doubles before surface and, let’s face it, it is not India had the chance to win Wendy Chen got the third happening with the French male the opening mixed doubles point for the hosts in women’s players,” former French techni- but lost a three-game struggle singles against Jennie Lai. cal director Patrice Hagelauer, before the Danes went on Mapasa returned with Gronya the coach who led Noah to the to win the Group 1 tie 4-1. “It Somerville in the women’s title, told Reuters. was their experience that doubles to overcome Annie “For the French Open espe- made the diff erence,” India’s Xu/Kerry Xu, 21-15 21-18 to give cially you need to be in top shape Yannick Noah: The last Frenchman to win the French Open. Ashwini Ponnappa said. the Australians a 4-1 win. physically and mentally. “We made some silly mistakes Singapore, another prime “Gael (Monfi ls) played the (Cedric) Pioline, Monfi ls, (Rich- Pressure is a factor, too, ac- came to the net so much. Today, ing with a laugh: “I am happy at the end. It was really close contender for top honours in odd semi-fi nal but then you’ve ard) Gasquet, Tsonga, but never cording to Wilander. their best surface generally isn’t with my life, my work as a com- today.” Group 2, eased past Austria already reached your maximum players who started Roland Gar- “No person in tennis can un- clay.” mentator for Eurosport — I have Ajay Jayaram had a 3-2 career 5-0 in sub-group 2B. Macau and in the quarter or semi-fi nals, ros with the favourite tag. derstand the pressure on a player Even if Noah remains the last made the fi nals of every grand record against Viktor Axelsen China also wrapped up their they hold on for a set or two.” It was the case for Yannick, it’s from Britain, the US, from Aus- French man to win a grand slam slam since 2002.” going into their men’s singles sub-group 3A tie against Since Noah beat Mats Wilan- not the case anymore,” Hage- tralia nor especially, I think, singles title, France have at least Wilander still thinks that no encounter, but the Dane was Guam without losing a match. der 34 years ago, only the mer- lauer added. from France,” he told Reuters. enjoyed more success on other French man is close to winning too strong in a 21-12 21-7 vic- Results curial Henri Leconte has reached “In the last 15 years, incredible While Noah was a pure clay- surfaces, even if it all ended in again on the red dirt in Paris. “I tory in just 27 minutes. Group 1 the fi nal of the claycourt grand things happened, notably Rafa courter, none of the actual anti-climax. Arnaud Clement think the longer it (the drought) Hosts Australia overcame a Denmark bt India 4-1 slam, losing in straight sets to Nadal winning the French Open French men are real specialists of reached the Australian Open fi - goes on, the harder it gets. setback in the men’s singles Chinese Taipei bt Russia 4-1 the same Swede in 1988. nine times. the slowest surface. nal in 2001, Tsonga also made Yannick transcended sport in to beat USA in their sub-group Thailand bt Hong Kong 3-2 In the last 10 years, only “The Big Four generation “I think French players are the fi nal in Melbourne in 2008, the way that Andre Agassi did, 2B tie, with Sawan Serasinghe Group 2 Monfi ls (2008) and Jo-Wilfried (Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak more complete now. I don’t think while Pioline reached the fi nals and Bjorn Borg,” said Wilander. and Setyana Mapasa winning Australia bt USA 4-1 Tsonga (2013 and 2015) have Djokovic and Andy Murray) also you have seen a true French clay- of both the US Open (1993) and “Kids who would otherwise both their matches. Singapore bt Austria 5-0 given some hope to the vocifer- complicated things. These guys courter since Yannick Noah,” Wimbledon (1997). have played soccer wanted to Serasinghe and Mapasa took Group 3 ous home support when they are monsters. It never happened Wilander said. Would Wilander be tempted play tennis. But the longer it goes the mixed doubles over Vin- Macau bt Guam 5-0 reached the last four. in the history of tennis, even at “Yannick was so athletic and to coach a French man to try to without a grand slam champion, son Chiu/Jamie Subandhi, but Sri Lanka bt Tahiti 5-0 “Since 1983, we’ve had great the time of the Musketeers when moved so well. That’s why he take him to Roland Garros glory ? the smaller the pool of kids you the Americans levelled the Slovakia bt Fiji 5-0 talents — Leconte, (Guy) Forget, there were fewer players.” was a claycourter even though he “No!” he said, before add- infl uence.”

CYCLING It’s climbers vs Dumoulin as Giro heads upwards

AFP arrears to 2:41. Bergamo, Italy But Quintana is unlikely to return the fa- vour if Dumoulin — who has impressed so far on the easier climbing stages — is left be- n array of punishing climbs on the hind him, and Nibali will be even less chari- fi nal week of the Giro d’Italia stand table on the descents. between time trial specialist Tom Nibali, the defending champion who held Dumoulin making history as the off the threat of Colombian Fabio Duarte fiA rst Dutch winner of the race’s pink jersey. to win a snow-hit penultimate stage and But with a lead of over two and a half seal his maiden pink jersey at Tre Cime di minutes on Colombian climbing specialist Lavaredo in 2013, sits fourth overall at 3min Nairo Quintana, and nearly four minutes on 40sec behind Dumoulin. Italy’s two-time champion Vincenzo Nibali, Like Quintana, Nibali has few options if triumph on the coveted 100th edition of the he is to launch a late challenge for the main Italian race is now Dumoulin’s to lose. prize. “The third week will be very diffi cult,” “Whoever is behind Dumoulin has noth- Dumoulin has repeated every day since he ing to lose. They have to attack him,” said took the race lead from Quintana with a Nibali’s Bahrain teammate Joaquim Rod- crushing time trial victory at Montefalcone riguez while on a visit to the race on Sunday. on stage 10. Nibali, though, has looked below his usu- And the towering Dutchman, with the al best on the climbs featured so far, admit- smouldering fi lm star looks, isn’t far wrong. ting Sunday: “On the climbs we’ve done so After a third and fi nal rest day on Monday far, I’ve paid the price. But I can’t give any the pink jersey battle moves up a consider- more than I have.” able notch Tuesday on a 16th stage which A renowned downhill specialist known as heralds the fi rst of fi ve consecutive days in ‘Il Squalo’ (The Shark), Nibali could now try the high mountains. and take a chunk out of his rivals on some of Quintana, the 2014 champion and a the many, long, technical descents to fea- two-time runner-up at the Tour de France, ture in the coming days, while hoping his should be in his element and hoping his Mo- climbing form improves. vistar team — as they have done so far — set Especially as the Giro d’Italia, which has the kind of punishing pace on the climbs never been won by a Dutchman, will be de- that leave rival teams short of support rid- cided by a fi nal-day time trial from Monza ers. to Milan. Over 39.8 km last week, Dumou- On Sunday the diminutive Colombian lin was 2:53 faster than Quintana and 2:07 thanked Dumoulin for slowing the pace of quicker than Nibali. the peloton when he crashed on a descent Nibali added: “It’s not over, but I have a 36 km from the fi nish line in Bergamo, so he fairly big defi cit to Dumoulin. If he ends up could catch up. winning (the race) when we get to Milan, I’ll “It was a nice gesture from a big rival shake his hand.” and a great person,” said Quintana, who The race resumes Tuesday with a 222km recovered suffi ciently to fi nish second, just 16th stage from Rovetta to Bormio which behind Luxembourg’s Bob Jungels but six features a 12.6 km to the Mortirolo pass and seconds ahead of Dumoulin to reduce his two ascents of the Stelvio climb. Tom Dumoulin poses by the pool in Boario Terme yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, May 23, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA NHL Penguins pulverize Senators to take Celtics stun Cavs to 3-2 series lead

The Sports Xchange update on their status. Ottawa Maatta, who scored his fi rst career playoff goal in Game 4, struck again for a 1-0 Pitts- reduce series defi cit oaltender Matt Mur- burgh lead at 8:14 of the fi rst ray picked up his period when sent a slap shot second career posts- past Anderson’s blocker from ‘You let a team grab momentum like that, you almost know that last shot is going in’ eason shutout as the above the left circle. GPittsburgh Penguins thrashed The Penguins scored a Ottawa 7-0 in Game 5 of the power-play goal when Sidney Eastern Conference Final on Crosby deftly tipped a shot by Sunday, pushing the Senators Trevor Daley off Anderson’s to the brink of elimination. right arm at 12:03 of the fi rst Pittsburgh leads the series period to make it 2-0. 3-2 and can clinch a spot in the At 16:04, a Nick Bonino shot Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday glanced in off Rust’s leg for a in Ottawa. 3-0 lead. Anderson, who had Murray, making his second allowed three goals on 13 shots, start after being injured most was replaced by Mike Condon. of the postseason, made 25 However Anderson went saves. His Ottawa counterpart, back in for Condon after just Craig Anderson, got pulled 1:28 on the bench — only to give twice and gave up four goals on up another goal before the end 14 shots. of the fi rst when Scott Wilson Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust scored from a sharp angle at and Phil Kessel each had a 18:17 for a 4-0 Pittsburgh lead. goal and an assist, and Carter Condon was in net for the Rowney and Evgeni Malkin start of the second period and each added three assists for he was greeted by Matt Cul- Pittsburgh. len’s tip-in of a pass from Mark “We’re a confi dent group,” Streit at 1:54 for a 5-0 Penguins said Penguins defenseman Olli lead. Maatta.”We know we have the Kessel had a tap-in from potential to do that. Crosby at the left post for a Obviously, seven in a game power-play goal and a 6-0 lead is a lot, but at the same time, 50 seconds into the third. we know we have enough skill Daley scored Pittsburgh’s and we’re a really good group, third power-play goal at 8:40 so we can defi nitely do that in of the third for a 7-0 lead. a game.” “It was just that kind of Adding injury to insult, night,” said Anderson. Ottawa played the third pe- “They were going. They riod without captain and team were going good. They got the leading postseason scorer bounces. They got the good Erik Karlsson, center Derick plays. They made some good Brassard and defenseman Cody shots. Top to bottom, it just Ceci. There was no immediate wasn’t good enough.”

Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics looks to pass against JR Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half during Game Three of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)

Agencies “If it goes in or doesn’t go Jae Crowder amassed 14 points worth one (game). It wasn’t shot was going to go in because Los Angeles in, they have a timeout left. So and 11 rebounds, and Kelly Oly- worth four.” of how the game was just played when it bounced around, I was nyk contributed 15 off the bench The Cavs led by as many as throughout the second half.” actually hoping it went in, obvi- for the Celtics, who were beaten 21 points in the third quarter on James was ineff ective, scoring oston Avery Bradley’s ously, but not completely disap- by an average of 28.5 points in Sunday but they shot 2-for-17 just 11 points on 4-of-13 shoot- three-pointer in the last pointed that it was bouncing up the fi rst two games. from three-point range in the ing with six turnovers. second of Game Three there.” When the two teams left Bos- second half. He was held scoreless in the touched every part of The Celtics came into the con- ton after Game Two, the Cavs The Celtics made 18 three- fourth quarter and was limited to theB rim before bouncing in, giv- test missing star player Isaiah had beaten the Celtics by 44 pointers for the game. Cleveland three points in the second half. ing the Celtics an improbable Thomas, who is out for the re- points for the most lopsided win also committed 16 turnovers that “I didn’t have it,” James said. 111-108 road win over the Cleve- mainder of the post-season be- in Eastern fi nals history, a de- Boston turned into 14 points. Kyrie Irving led the Cavs with land Cavaliers in the Eastern cause of a hip injury, and aware feat that both stung and inspired The Celtics gave the ball away 29 points, and Kevin Love added Conference fi nals on Sunday. that the Cavaliers had lost just Stevens’ side. nine times, leading to fi ve Cava- 28 points and 10 rebounds. The surprise loss means one home game to an Eastern “We’ve got guys that have liers points. Tristan Thompson scored 18 Cleveland leads the best-of-sev- team in the playoff s since 2015. chips on their shoulders,” Ste- “You let a team grab momen- points to go with 13 boards. en series 2-1 ahead of Game Four However, Thomas’ replace- vens added.” A lot of these guys tum like that, you almost know Cleveland blew a chance to set in Quicken Loans Arena today. ment, Marcus Smart, scored a have been overlooked, and this that last shot is going in,” James a playoff record for consecutive “Thank God it’s bouncing on career-high 27 points and hand- is their fi rst opportunity to really said. wins (14) dating to Game Five of Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ron Hainsey (R) celebrates the rim because that’s taking ed out seven assists, and Bradley play a meaningful role. “It was like, you already knew. last year’s NBA Finals and be- with goalie Matt Murray after beating the Ottawa Senators in time,” Celtics coach Brad Ste- had 20 points. “We knew that while Friday As soon as the ball went out of come the fourth team in history game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley vens told reporters. Al Horford added 16 points, was a 44-point disaster, it was his hands, you kind of knew that to start the playoff s 11-0. Cup Playoff s at PPG PAINTS Arena. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

MLB Red Sox avoid sweep, beat Athletics 12-3

By John Hickey sitting nine games out of fi rst in the West cession until a two-out walk in the seventh. East Bay Times before Miami arrives in town Tuesday. By that time, the A’s were staring at a 6-3 The defensive issues that have haunted defi cit. the A’s cropped up immediately Sunday. Boston had gotten even against Triggs he A’s fell short in their eff ort to pull First up was right fi elder Mark Canha’s on an RBI single from Betts in the fi fth and off what would have been a once- throwing error in the fi rst inning. It came a subsequent hit-and-run single with Pe- in-almost-a-century feat with a on a Dustin Pedroia single to right that droia slapping a ball in the area vacated by 12-3 loss to the Red Sox Sunday. should have seen base runner Mookie Betts shortstop Adam Rosales and Betts racing TNo A’s team had swept a Red Sox team stop at second base. all the way around to score as the Red Sox in a four-game series in exactly 85 years _ Instead Betts came all the way around moved back in front 4-3. dating back to May 19-21, 1932 when the to score and Pedroia fi nished at second. An inning later it was 6-3 as Mitch More- middle of the then-Philadelphia lineup in- He took third on a wild pitch from Andrew land homered for the third time in the se- cluded Hall of Famers Mickey Cochrane, Al Triggs and scored on a sacrifi ce fl y. ries, this time with a man no. It was the 19th Simmons and Jimmy Foxx. The last time the A’s had seen Rodriguez homer of Moreland’s career against Oak- Oakland had a chance to win the game was about 12 months ago. That time around land, a half dozen more than he has against after Chad Pinder’s fourth home run in the Rodriguez had a no-hitter going until there any other team. last eight games came off Red Sox’s lefty were two out in the eighth inning. Sunday Eduardo Rodriguez with Oakland taking a was diff erent, with Rajai Davis starting the RESULTS 3-2 lead. A’s off with a hit to open the bottom of the Blue Jays 3 Orioles 1 Rodriguez sealed off the A’s off ense at fi rst. Yankees 3 Rays 2 that point and a combination of potent That’s not to say Rodriguez was any eas- Pirates 1 Phillies 0 Boston bats and porous A’s defense led the ier to hit this time around. But Pinder dou- Angels 12 Mets 5 way to a Red Sox win. The A’s made three bled with two out in the second and scored Nationals 3 Braves 2 errors and contributed a wild pitch to the on Josh Phegley’s single up the middle to Rockies 6 Reds 4 day’s proceedings. Both are ongoing sto- get one run home. Cardinals 8 Giants 3 ries for the A’s, who lead the Major Leagues Pinder was in the middle of it once again Royals 6 Twins 4 (1st game) with 42 errors in 44 games and have 23 wild in the fourth inning. Ryon Healy singled Twins 8 Royals 4 (2nd game) pitches, tied with Seattle for the American with one out and Pinder hit the fi rst pitch Indians 8 Astros 6 League lead. he saw on a line over the left fi eld wall. The Cubs 13 Brewers 6 More than that, the A’s had a chance to homer was is second in as many games as Red Sox 12 Athletics 3 get to within two games of.500 and chop he attempts to secure some everyday play- Padres 5 Diamondbacks 1 another game of their defi cit to AL West ing time. Rodriguez reverted to his previ- White Sox 8 Mariners 1 leading Houston, but now head into Mon- ous form against Oakland after the homer, Dodgers 6 Marlins 3 Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland hits a two run homer on a fly ball to centre field against the day’s off day with a 20-24 record awhile however, retiring the next 10 batters in suc- Rangers 5 Tigers 2 Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at Oakland Coliseum. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, May 23, 2017 SPORT

GOLF FORMULA ONE Monaco return poses no pressure, Horschel defeats Day says Button Reuters Woking, England

enson Button says he feels no pressure ahead of his one- on fi rst hole of playoff off Formula One comeback with McLaren in Monaco this weekend because he has nothing riding on it. “If I get to Turn Two and I feel totally out of my depth, I ‘It was a pretty good week, but obviously I’m disappointed that I didn’t get the win’ Jwill drive off into the sunset and not come back,” the 37-year-old Briton told reporters yesterday, smiling as he said it. “So it is fi ne. It is not a problem. I have no pressure.” AFP The 2009 world champion and former Monaco winner left For- Dallas mula One at the end of last season, handing over his seat to Belgian rookie Stoff el Vandoorne, and has moved to California where he has focused on triathlon. He is returning for the showcase race as a merican Billy Horschel replacement for Spaniard Fernando Alonso. parred the fi rst play- The Spaniard is missing the race around the streets of the Medi- off hole to beat world terranean principality in order to compete in the Indianapolis 500 number four Jason Day on the same day, with the double champion qualifying fi fth on onA Sunday to win the PGA Byron Sunday. McLaren are the only team yet to score a point this sea- Nelson tournament, registering son, their Honda-engined car beset by engine problems and lack his fi rst victory since 2014. of performance. Horschel came into the tour- But Button did not have to worry about that as he immersed nament having missed four himself in the McLaren simulator at the team’s Woking headquar- consecutive cuts but turned his ters. fortunes around with some in- He said negotiating Monaco’s tight and twisty street circuit in credible putting this week at the the virtual world, which replicates every bump and curve and can TPC Four Seasons resort near be adjusted for diff erent conditions, still had its diffi culties, how- Dallas. ever. “I also fell in the port twice today, and hopefully that’s not Australia’s Day missed a short going to happen,” he said. putt on the 18th hole that would “After Turn One, you go up the hill and I fell off on the right hand have extended the playoff to side. And rolled. I’ve never rolled in the simulator before — but I hand Horschel the victory. rolled. Lucky enough, the impact isn’t as big as in reality but you “That’s not the way I wanted still get a jolt and a bit of G-force.” to win it,” said Horschel.” Four Despite McLaren’s problems, Alonso managed to qualify sev- missed cuts to come in here and enth at the previous race in Barcelona and Button saw that as a I played this well — someone is positive sign that the car could be competitive in Monaco with new looking out for me.” updates coming. Both Horschel and Day fi n- “What a step forward,” Button said.”He obviously did a great lap ished 72 holes on 12-under par but it shows how much improvement the team has made. 268. Day fi red a two-under 68 It is massive. Sunday while Horschel shot 69, “If Alonso can put it seventh in Barcelona then we should be each fi nishing one stroke ahead looking sweet for Monaco,” he said, adding one caveat: “First of all of American James Hahn, who I’ve got to see if I still know what to do when I get in the car on was third after shooting 71. Thursday.” American Jason Kokrak fi nished fourth on 270. Russia risk Pyeongchang Horschel had the top putting 2018 Paralympic ban over doping: IPC percentage this week while world number four Day had Reuters London Russia risk missing out on the 2018 winter made 95% of his putts inside fi ve Paralympics if the country’s suspended Paralympic Committee feet this season before missing (RPC) does not meet obligations for reinstatement after last what appeared to be a routine year’s ban over doping, the International Paralympic Committee four-footer to drop the playoff . said yesterday. Russia did not compete in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro “When you’re in the position Paralympics with the entire team suspended over the country’s like that, you have to go for it and doping scandal that also saw dozens of Russians banned from try to win,” Day said. competing in the Rio Olympics. Russia’s athletics federation is “I can’t just lag it down there also still banned while the country’s anti-doping agency remains two feet short and keep going non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s standards. back and forth. Overall, it was a “Although we are pleased with the progress to date, a number of pretty good week, but obviously key criteria still need to be met,” International Olympic Commit- I’m disappointed that I didn’t tee President Philip Craven told a news conference. get the win.” “At the moment there are a lot of good plans with timelines on Day, Horschel and Hahn all paper, but we now need to see plans in action and delivering played in the fi nal group, creat- concrete results. With 291 days to go until...Pyeongchang, there is ing a match-play type scene. not a moment to waste.” He said the IPC would receive an update Horschel’s two-putt birdie on by its task force on Russia in September. “If the obligations have the par-fi ve 16th moved him back not been fully met by then, it will be very diff icult for the RPC to into a tie for the lead with Day have its suspension lifted in time to enter its athletes into the while Hahn’s par on the hole all Paralympic Winter Games.” Craven said Russia would need to but ended his chances. Both Day restore confidence, while RPC and Russian authorities needed to and Horschel parred 17 and 18. put measures in place to avoid what was revealed as systematic, “I came here without any type state-backed doping in the WADA-commissioned report by Rich- of momentum, and the only ard McLaren. He said part of Russia’s obligation was also to off er thing I can hang my hat on was an off icial response that would specifically address the findings my practice sessions for the last Billy Horschel poses with the trophy after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. (AFP) of the McLaren report. “The RPC and Russian authorities need to several months have gone well build trust in their actions and prove to us all that from now on leading to the tournaments,” Joel Dahmen (67), Matt Kuchar Garcia, who won his fi rst major 68 66-65, Joel Dahmen 68-70-68- sport really is about morals over medals and not the other way Horschel said. (69) and Cameron Tringale (72) title last month at the Masters, 269 - James Hahn 64-70-64- 67, Matt Kuchar 66-71-67-69, round. “As IPC president I want to get this situation resolved as Danny Lee of New Zealand were another stroke back. shot 74 and fi nished in a tie for 71, Jason Kokrak 66-62-72-70, Cameron Tringale 66-68-67-72 quickly as possible,” Craven said. (68), American Sean O’Hair World number one Dustin 20th. Danny Lee (NZL) 70-70-64-68 274 - Marc Leishman (AUS) “Russia is a great sporting nation and the Paralympic Movement (68), An Byeong-Hun of South Johnson never made a serious 272 - Sean O’Hair 67-69-68-68, 68-71-68-67, Dustin Johnson 67- would like to see Russia back competing as soon as it can prove it Korea (69) and American Bud run and fi nished tied for 13th at Leading scores after final An Byeong-Hun (KOR) 68-66-69- 67-71-69, Tony Finau 75-65-65- has met the reinstatement criteria in full.” Cauley (70) shared fi fth on 272. 274. 268 - x-Billy Horschel 68-65-66- 69, Bud Cauley 67-67-68-70 69, Chad Campbell 68-67-68-71, Canada’s Nick Taylor (65), Defending champion Sergio 69, Jason Day (AUS) 68-69-63- 273 - Nick Taylor (CAN) 69-73- Jason Dufner 69-68-65-72

INDYCAR SPOTLIGHT Thompson takes Dixon takes pole, Alonso starts fi ft h wire-to-wire win

AFP urday running for the pole and ers and they ordered an engine Washington the others completing the last switch, which came in 90 min- at Kingsmill eight rows. utes to beat a deadline, adding to That’s how American Ryan the stress on Alonso. The Sports Xchange ew Zealand’s Scott Hunter-Reay had the fourth- “With everything that has Williamsburg Dixon captured pole best run of the day at 231.442 happened today being among position for the 101st but will only start on the inside the top 5 is a dream!” Alonso Indianapolis 500 with of row four. “It was crazy. It was posted on Instagram, adding, exi Thompson earned her fi rst win of the year, shooting Na dramatic four-lap qualifying white knuckle the whole time,” “15 days ago I would never have a 6-under-par 65 on Sunday to complete a wire-to-wire run Sunday while Formula One he said. “It didn’t feel like I took thought about fi ghting for the victory at the LPGA Kingsmill Championship in Wil- racer Fernando Alonso booked a a breath.” pole. Thanks to the whole team!! liamsburg, Virginia. second-row start. Dixon’s third career Indy 500 Now another week of learning LIn carding her third 65 of the tournament, Thompson breezed Dixon, who won his only Indy pole after 2008 and 2015 came and race next weekend.” to a fi ve-shot victory over Chun In-gee of South Korea, fi nishing 500 crown in 2008 from pole, after the team gambled and Alonso said he felt there was at 20-under 264 — a tournament record. Thompson was playing shocked even himself by driv- trimmed out downforce. It paid more he could have gotten out in her third event since her stunning defeat at the ANA Inspira- ing his Honda-powered car off but left Dixon on edge as he of the car as he learns with every tion, when she was hit with a four-shot penalty during the fi nal around the 2.5-mile (4km) Indi- watched rivals attack his time, Indy lap. “I felt a little more con- round and eventually lost in a playoff in the year’s rstfi major. anapolis Motor Speedway oval at some nudging the outer wall fi dent on the track,” he said. “I The 22-year-old American never gave her opponents an open- 232.164mph (373.631km/hr). with tires in their speed quest. think I they changed the engine ing on Sunday. Starting her round three shots ahead of the fi eld, He then watched rivals try in “This place is nerve wrack- in record time and the car per- Thompson recorded six birdies in her bogey-free round, includ- vain to bump him from the inside ing, especially when you see formed well.” ing a pair at Nos. 1 and 3 to pad her lead. front row spot in next Sunday’s everybody going around, touch- Australian driver James Davi- Thompson, ranked fi fth in the Rolex World Rankings, notched IndyCar classic. ing the wall,” Dixon said. “These son, grandson of a four-time her fi rst victory on the LPGA Tour since the 2016 Honda LPGA “When I saw that fi rst lap Verizon IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon poses with his family by his extremes, the highs and lows, it’s Australian Grand Prix champi- Thailand. Chun also got off to a fast start with three birdies in the (at 232.595mph) I was a little car after winning the pole for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis emotional. The emotions you get on, was named by car owner Dale fi rst seven holes to whittle the defi cit to two shots, but Thomp- shocked myself,” Dixon said. “It 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports here are crazy.” Coyne to replace injured French son birdied No. 9 and added birdies at the 12th, 14th and 15th to feels damn good. That’s how last-man Carpen- racer Sebastien Bourdais, who pull away. But this was job one.The pole at 231.300 and will open in the defending champion Alexan- ter felt after failing to overtake underwent successful surgery It was the third runner-up fi nish of the season for Chun, is its own race. The signifi cance middle of the second row. der Rossi, the outside row one Dixon. “If you told me we would after suff ering multiple pelvic whose bogey-free 67 left her four shots in front of the third- is big. But the most important “This is the biggest race in the starter. have done what we did I would fractures and a broken right rib place fi nisher Angela Stanford. thing is the race. Let’s bring on world,” Alonso said. “I felt that Alonso will be fl anked in row have thought that would have in a crash during a qualifying at- Stanford had four birdies and an eagle, at the par-5 15, in her next week.” the fi rst time I came here. Now two by Japan’s Takuma Sato to been on the pole,” he said. “But tempt Saturday. closing round of 66 to fi nish one shot ahead of Danielle Kang, Spaniard Alonso, a two-time getting up to speed, with all the the inside and American J.R. when I saw Dixon’s time, I knew The Honda-powered entry, who fi nished alone in fourth place at 10-under 274. F1 champion who will skip next fans, I feel it’s even more amaz- Hildebrand to the outside. it was going to be hard to beat.” which turned Saturday’s fastest Carlota Ciganda of Spain carded a 67 to fi nish in a tie for fi fth week’s Monaco Grand Prix to ing. I can’t wait for next Sunday.” The 33-car fi eld was fi lled in Alonso had the fastest morn- two laps above 231mph, will start with Sei Young Kim (71) of South Korea at 275. Americans Ryann seek a checkered fl ag as an In- American Ed Carpenter was two sessions based upon Satur- ing practice time but diagnostic last after not posting a qualify- O’Toole (69) and Gerina Piller (69) were another shot back in a dyCar rookie, settled for fi fth second at 231.664, edging US day times, the fastest nine Sat- readings worried team lead- ing time. tie for seventh with Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom (70). Gulf Times Tuesday, May 23, 2017 7 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT SA look for Rabada to topple England once more

By Ali Martin during the 2-1 series defeat at said Domingo, whose side beat The Guardian home in November when Rabada Northamptonshire on Sunday in picked up 15 victims as Faf du their second warm-up fi xture of Plessis’s side induced a hefty – if the tour. “He’s a fantastic pros- nglish crowds will miss all too brief – spell of antipodean pect for us and we’re expecting out on the thrill of watch- soul-searching. really big things from him this ing Dale Steyn snake in One-day cricket kicks off the tour. He’s got pace and he’s got a to bowl this summer but South African tour of England wonderful head on his shoulders, inE Kagiso Rabada, Russell Do- and a three-match series start- with a great outlook on life. mingo, the South Africa coach, ing at Headingley on Wednesday “If he takes his shirt off you believes his side possess a strike that leads into the Champions can see why he doesn’t get too bowler for whom similar modern Trophy. many injuries – he’s an un- greatness is possible. This, too, is a format Rabada believable athlete. We have to Rabada turns 22 this Thursday has enjoyed in his early career, manage it because he’s a fantas- and yet his cricketing CV is al- with his 57 wickets at 25 runs tic bowler who plays all formats ready one pointing in this direc- apiece the most by any quick for us and we have to be careful tion, having spent the two and a since the last World Cup and how we play him because he’s a half years since his Proteas debut including a hat-trick on debut special cricketer.” in late 2014 claiming 150 interna- against Bangladesh in a six- Michael Holding has spent tional wickets across all formats wicket haul. some time passing on advice in as the fast bowling cognoscenti Little wonder, then, that an informal capacity and the purr about an easy, athletic ac- with Steyn out of the entire trip West Indies great insists the man tion and batsmen trudge off with through injury and Kyle Abbott team-mates call “KG” must not an accepting nod of the head. having defected to Hampshire be overburdened at such a young In Test cricket the highlights at the start of the year, the head age, but this repeated warning South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada in action during a reel from his 71 wickets in 17 coach views the 6ft 2in right- has only ever related to workload practice match against Sussex. (Reuters) caps includes 13 against England armer from Johannesburg as his – he wants Rabada to be a shock, in Centurion last year, while key man this summer. not stock bowler – rather than Australia woke up to his charms “He could be as good as Steyn,” hype.

IPL FOCUS Scotland enjoy landmark victory Johnson key to Mumbai over Sri Lanka

AFP “It was one of those days, if London it goes your way you have just got to keep riding that wave. “Quite often in the past we yle Coetzer and Mat- would have gone into our shell success, says Sharma thew Cross both and not felt that we were up to scored hundreds as the task, but out there trying Scotland beat Sri Lan- to put them on the back-foot ‘You will hear Bumrah talk about him in the future and how Johnson was helpful to him’ Kka by seven wickets at Becken- most certainly showed we were ham, southeast England, for a up for the task. historic success on Sunday. “I am pleased for the guys AFP The victory was Scotland’s out there to get that historic Hyderabad Mumbai Indians’ Parthiv Patel (C) and Mitchell Johnson (L) celebrate with teammates fi rst over a full member of the win.” aft er their IPL victory against Rising Pune Supergiant in Hyderabad on Sunday. (AFP) International Cricket Council Sri Lanka chose to bat and — one of the sport’s leading 10 looked on course for a decent eteran paceman Mitch- Test nations — in any format. total as opener Kusal Per- ell Johnson, who took Sunday’s fi xture was not a era made a near run-a-ball 57 key wickets in Mumbai full one-day international but while Dinesh Chandimal top- Indians’ IPL fi nal tri- nothing could take the shine scored with 79 and Chamara Vumph over Rising Pune Super- off Scotland’s day in a fi xture Kapugedera added 71 including giant, has been hailed as an in- that forms part of Sri Lanka’s four sixes. fl uential force off the fi eld too by preparations for next month’s But Scotland’s Alasdair captain Rohit Sharma. Champions Trophy ODI tour- Evans and Stuart Whittingham The 35-year-old Australian nament in England and Wales. checked Sri Lanka’s progress struck two crucial blows in the The last time the teams met, with three wickets apiece. fi nal over to drive Mumbai to a Sri Lanka thrashed Scotland by Scotland then enjoyed an one run victory in Hyderabad on 148 runs in Hobart during the ideal start to their run chase Sunday. Pune, who required 11 to 2015 World Cup. as Coetzer and Cross set about win off the 20th over, buckled as But this time Scotland held the Sri Lanka attack. Johnson snagged two successive Sri Lanka to 287 in their 50 Coetzer was eventually out wickets, including a dangerous overs and then saw Coetzer when caught by Sri Lanka Steve Smith on 51. (118) and Cross (106 not out) captain Angelo Matthews off Johnson (3-26), India’s Jasprit lay the platform for a success- Thisara Perera for 118, which Bumrah (2-26) and Sri Lankan ful chase with a superb open- came off 84 balls and included veteran Lasith Malinga (0-21) ing partnership of 201. 15 boundaries as well as four choked Pune of runs in the fi - “It’s been a great day,” Co- sixes. nal three crucial overs, denying etzer told the Cricket Scotland Sri Lanka then collected a them their target. website. “Firstly the sun was couple of cheap wickets, but Johnson, who retired from shining and we played a great Cross made sure there was no international cricket in 2015, game of cricket, particularly to signifi cant collapse with an was not fi rst choice for Mum- restrict them to less than 300 unbeaten 123-ball innings. bai’s playing XI but an injury to which was an outstanding per- Sri Lanka and Scotland meet Mitchell McClenaghan saw him formance. again today. star in the fi nal two matches. “We have got some proven match winners in our squad. It Sangakkara picture perfect with another ton comes in healthy when the team who was key to Supergiant’s requires them the most,” Sharma surge to the play-off s before be- FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM THE 10TH IPL Not content with scoring started the day on 92 for said. ing recalled to play for England. one century at Lord’s in a seven, were bowled out for “Mitchell McClenaghan, who Stokes — whose $2.16mn Big buy Stokes a ‘perfect fit’ match where his portrait was 115 and off ered little more was playing well for us, was contract broke the IPL signing Ben Stokes finally repaid the $2.16 million worth of faith Rising Pune Supergiant placed in him. The Eng- unveiled in the Pavilion, Sri resistance in slumping to 148 injured and unfortunately he record for a foreign player — lishman was the most expensive foreigner ever signed for the IPL and the best paid player this season. Lanka great Kumar Sangakka- all out second time around in couldn’t fi nd a place in the fi nals, scored 316 runs in 12 matches, He was key in Pune’s impressive campaign to reach the knockout phase. After some poor early per- ra added another for Surrey reply after Essex had made but we always knew we had a with a highest of 103 not out, and formances the Stokes’ deal was questioned, but the 25-year-old eventually hit 316 runs in 12 matches, against county champions 360 featuring 124 from former great back up in Johnson, who is took 12 wickets. with a high of 103 not out. He also took 12 wickets to bust the big buy, big waste tag. Pune skipper Steve Middlesex on Sunday. England Test captain Alastair again a proven customer. Smith heaped praise on Stokes, terming him a “perfect fit” for the team. The veteran left-hander’s 114 Cook.Australia’s George “He has done it for Australia Johnson only played fi ve had been the cornerstone of Bailey, the Hampshire captain, and for Mumbai as well. He has games for Mumbai this Foreign interest on the rise the visitors’ first-innings 313. briefly kept Essex at bay been in this atmosphere as well. I season, with younger Big guns like Chris Gayle and David Warner have always raised the IPL entertainment quotient but the Sangakkara topped that on with 32. Meanwhile former could happily rely on him when I quicks Bumrah (20 wick- influx of England players this year made it even more cosmopolitan. IPL teams welcomed them with Sunday with an unbeaten England batsman Jonathan needed (him) the most.” ets) and New Zealand’s open arms at the February auctions and the eight-strong English contingent was double the number 116 in a total of 191 for four Trott compiled 175 out of Johnson, who played a key McClenaghan (19 wickets) last season. Stokes, Eoin Morgan (Kings XI Punjab), Chris Woakes (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Jos Buttler that saw Surrey erase their Warwickshire’s 413 to leave role in Mumbai’s 2013 IPL (In- carrying the pace attack (Mumbai Indians) were important performers for their teams. The season also saw the first Afghan play- London rivals’ lead on the the visitors on top against dian Premier League) triumph, ers signed up, with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi going to Sunrisers Hyderabad. “The participation third day of this First Division Somerset at Taunton. At the returned for a second stint af- “We would have loved having of players from around the world makes it the biggest draw,” said IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla. County Championship clash close Somerset were 94 for ter being picked in the February Ben Stokes the full time Surrey ended the third day four, with ex-England batsman auctions. but we knew he would not IPL picks up the pace of four 96 runs in front after Marcus Trescothick unbeaten Johnson only played fi ve be there. We did not spend too Fast bowlers are back. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Jaydev Unadkat (Rising Pune Super- Middlesex made 411 built on on 41 and having surpassed games for Mumbai this season, much time lamenting that,” said giant) and Mitchell McClenaghan (Mumbai Indians) made up the top three in the IPL bowlers rankings Dawid Malan’s 115 and 112 25,000 first-class runs in the with younger quicks Bumrah (20 Fleming, a former New Zealand and the impact of seamers was evident this season. While Kumar took 26 scalps to get the purple cap from captain James Franklin, process. wickets) and New Zealand’s Mc- captain. for highest wicket taker in season 10, Unadkat (24 wickets) was instrumental in Pune’s success. Mumbai the former New Zealand In the Second Division, a player Clenaghan (19 wickets) carrying “From his point of view, he also rode on McClenaghan’s incisive bowling in the first six overs and fellow pacemen Jasprit Bumrah all-rounder. Sangakkara was with one of the most evocative the pace attack. would have loved this situation. and Mitchell Johnson’s ability to choke the opposition in the dying overs. “It’s a huge achievement for not the only experienced left- surnames in English cricket But despite playing limited He is a big game player. Playing fast bowlers to have made an impact in T20 cricket which is not an easy format for the quicks,” former hander in the runs on Sunday. was in the runs for Worcester- games, the Australian also played in the fi nal, whatever competi- India paceman Chetan Sharma told AFP. West Indies great Shivnarine shire. Brett D’Oliveira, the third a role behind the scenes, Sharma tion it is, it is special.” Chanderpaul made 106 out generation of his family to play said, working closely with bowl- However he was “proud” of Match fixing ghost returns of Lancashire’s 264 for six at for the Midlands county after ing coach Shane Bond to sharpen the team for turning around their Just when the match-fixing spectre seemed to have disappeared from the world’s most lucrative cricket stumps in their Roses clash grandfather Basil, the former Mumbai’s fast bowlers. fortunes after fi nishing seventh league, a betting ring was busted after a Gujarat Lions-Dehli Daredevils game. Three suspected bookies against Yorkshire at Old Traf- England batsman, and father “To have him throughout the in last year’s tournament. were arrested at the hotel used by the teams in Kanpur. While the Indian board boasted of their anti- ford after a maiden first-class Damian, made 150 and shared season is fantastic. He’s been “We are not a skilled side in corruption team working overtime to keep the league clean, the presence of fixers in the hotel raised century from paceman Jack an opening stand of 243 with talking to younger bowlers, the IPL. In this campaign, we eyebrows. A spot-fixing scandal in 2013 led to the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals being Brooks had helped take the Daryl Mitchell (120) as Worces- sharing his experience, all those have had some players stand up suspended in 2015 for two seasons. visitors to a total of 448 for tershire posted 323 for three things have helped our young- from nowhere. We take real pride eight declared. Essex went to in reply to Derbyshire’s 275. sters,” said Sharma. “You will in that,” said Fleming. IPL rain rules cause a cloud the top of the table by routing South Africa’s Colin Ingram hear (Jasprit) Bumrah talk about “We have created an environ- Debate erupted over the IPL’s rain rules after an eliminator between holders Sunrisers Hyderabad and Hampshire inside three days made 72 not out as Glamorgan him in the future and how John- ment where some players excel. Kolkata Knight Riders ended at 1.27 am. Rain stopped play after the Sunrisers managed a modest 128-7 at Chelmsford to win by an battled to avoid defeat by Not- son was helpful to him.” Jaydev (Unadkat) has been ex- in 20 overs and Kolkata were then given a revised target of 48 in six overs. Many believe the current innings and 97 runs. Jamie tinghamshire, while compa- traordinary, so has been Rahul Duckworth-Lewis method should not be used in the 20 over format as it gives an undue advantage to Porter took seven wickets triot Colin Ackermann scored Missing Stokes Tripathi and (Manoj) Tiwary. the team batting second -- Kolkata won by seven wickets. But the bone of contention remained the IPL in the match, including a 89 as Leicestershire were all Meanwhile Pune coach Big stars have stepped up at key ruling of not having a reserve day for play-off s except the final and thus allowing the match to stretch to career-best five for 24 in the out for 420 in a rain-aff ected Stephen Fleming rued the ab- times. Ben Stokes was fantastic get a result. Kolkata paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile said: “You can’t be playing cricket at 2 am”. first innings. Hampshire, who clash against Kent. sence of England’s Ben Stokes, for us.”

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

RALLY KAZAKHSTAN Qatar’s al-Attiyah takes overall lead as al-Rajhi claims stage win Al-Attiyah and French navigator Baumel lead the event by 3 minutes 39 seconds from Przygonski of Poland

By Sports Reporter course to fi nish the stage in third place in T2. Kenderly, Kazakhstan Frenchman Claude Fournier was running near the rear of the fi eld and was the sole entrant in T3 after Patrice Garrouste’s unfortunate retire- audi Arabia’s Yazeed al-Rajhi put his day ment on Sunday evening. Fournier lost chunks one accident to the back of his mind to of time before PC1. Today, the rally will run at claim the fastest time on the second se- the third selective section of 421km, which is the lective section of Rally Kazakhstan be- longest of the entire event. tweenS Aktau City and Kenderly yesterday. But with the Mini All4 Racing driver already SS2 TIMINGS heavily penalised by 100 hours for missing most 1. Yazeed al-Rajhi (SAU)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) Mini of the opening day’s competitive action, Qatar’s All4 Racing (3hrs 55min 55sec) ace rally driver Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah – driv- 2. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel ing an Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux – was able (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive (4hrs 00min 11sec) to snatch the overall lead from Poland’s Jakub 3. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) Mini Przygonski. All4 Racing (4hrs 04min 46sec) Al-Attiyah and French navigator Matthieu 4. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Marton (POL) Toyota Baumel now lead the event by 3min 39sec from Hilux Overdrive (4hrs 06min 13sec) Przygonski in the second Mini. “To lead the rally 5. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SLO) is the most important thing,” said al-Attiyah at Hummer H3 Evo VII (4hrs 08min 47sec) the blustery Kenderly outpost adjacent to the 6. Antanas Juknevicius (LTU)/Darius Vaiciulis (LTU) Caspian Sea in southwest Kazakhstan. Toyota Hilux (4hrs 38min 58sec) “Yazeed is very far behind and he won the 7. Yerden Shagirov (KAZ)/Dmitro Tsyro (UKR) stage. But my target is to make a good race and Toyota Hilux (4hrs 40min 25sec) now we are leading by a good time. We try to 8. Yuriy Sazonov (KAZ)/Vitalyi Yevtyekhov (KAZ) keep going like this because this rally is very new Hummer H3 Evo VIII (4hrs 41min 45sec) and not easy. Never have we been in an area like 9. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) this, but we are quite happy. The dunes were not Mini All4 Racing (4hrs 42min 47sec) easy. Never in my life have I seen dunes like this,” The Qatari added. OVERALL POSITIONS AFTER SS2 Al-Rajhi was happy with his stage win. “Now 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel we are out of the rally (overall title) but we will (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive (6hrs 34min 03sec) try to enjoy and learn something. After 75km, I 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Tom Colsoul (BEL) Mini caught Nasser and Kuba (Przygonski). I pushed Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah, driving an Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux, in action at the Rally Kazakhstan yesterday. All4 Racing (6hrs 37min 42sec) from the start. At the fi rst dunes I see the dust 3. Aron Domzala (POL)/Maciej Marton (POL) Toyota and then, in the second dunes, I catch them and fi rst checkpoint caused numerous problems for with this. In the last 40kms, we had a puncture tained sixth. Lithuania’s Antanas Juknevicius Hilux Overdrive (6hrs 41min 55sec) we exit together. It was a nice stage. There was a the T2 drivers and the local amateur entrants. and fi nished the stage on a fl at tyre and we lose a benefi ted from the sixth quickest time to close 4. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)/Marek Sykora (SLO) lot of water in some places and the dunes were Flat tyres were Przygonski’s bugbear on a little bit more there. The speed was good and we the gap on Shagirov and Qatar’s Mohammed Hummer H3 Evo VII (6hrs 45min 35sec) so diffi cult,” said al-Rajhi. stage where even the scale of the dunes caught are still in game and will push tomorrow.” Abu Issa overcame delays early in the stage to set 5. Yuriy Sazonov (KAZ)/Vitalyi Yevtyekhov (KAZ) The day’s 368km stage wound its way in a the Pole by surprise. Fellow Pole Aron Domzala managed to fend the ninth quickest time and move into an unof- Hummer H3 Evo VIII (7hrs 21min 10sec) loop via the town of Ushtagan and south of the “Today we were opening the stage. It was re- off a strong challenge from the Hummer H3 fi cial eighth overall. 6. Yerden Shagirov (KAZ)/Dmitro Tsyro (UKR) remote oil and gas hub of Zhanaozen to fi nish ally nice, a long stage. In some places the kilo- driver Miroslav Zapletal to hold on to third place Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Saeidan managed to pull Toyota Hilux (7hrs 24min 14sec) 28.5km north of the Kenderly Sea Resort. metres were passing really slowly. There were in the second of the Overdrive Toyotas. further clear of Qatar’s Adel Abdulla after the 7. Antanas Juknevicius (LTU)/Darius Vaiciulis (LTU) There were two passage controls, near Ush- huge dunes. We did not expect dunes like this Last year’s winner Yuriy Sazonov consolidat- tricky sand dunes cost the T2 runners a lot of Toyota Hilux (7hrs 28min 13sec) tagan after 102.92km, and east of Zhanaozen at here in Kazakhstan. Then, we had two, almost ed his fi fth position with the seventh quickest time. AMFK President Marat Abykayev also lost 8. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT)/Xavier Panseri (FRA) 223.22km. A stretch of sand dunes before the three punctures. We lose about four minutes time and fellow Kazakh Yerden Shagirov main- time in the sand earlier in the stage and was on Mini All4 Racing (8hrs 25min 50sec)

SPOTLIGHT ZAYID WINS BRONZE IN TENNIS AT Al-Khelaifi clinches Qatar Touring ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY GAMES Baku: Mubarak Zayid won the men’s singles ten- nis bronze on the last day of the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games yesterday, as Qatar finished the Car Championship title event with impressive haul of 12 medals – two gold, three silver and seven bronze. Zayid waltzed through the opening set 6-0 against Amine Ahouda before the Moroccan retired in the second set to give the Qatari bronze medal at the Baku Tennis Academy. Earlier, Zayid had lost to Turkey’s Anil Yuksel 3-6, 2-6 in the semi- finals on Sunday. Altug Celikbilek and Ayla Aksu clinched the men’s and women’s singles gold medals in tennis. Turkey was already assured of gold in both singles as it was all Turkey finals. The Games came to a close with the hosts Azerbaijan topping the med- als table after an 11-day long tussle with neigh- bours Turkey. The next Solidarity Games will be held in Istanbul in 2021. Oddly enough, the Azeri team came up empty handed in terms of gold medals on the final day of action, the only time that had happened during the Games. But on the back of a superb Sunday which culminated in football gold, Azerbaijan were all but assured of top spot with a 75-68 lead and just 11 golds on off er yesterday. Turkey edged closer by bagging both tennis singles titles and adding one from the wushu mar- tial arts, but that still left them four golds adrift at 75-71. The Turks had the consolation of ending up with the highest overall – gold, silver and bronze – medal haul with 195 to 162. Mubarak Zayid of Qatar poses with his bronze Qatar’s Abdullah al-Khelaifi (right) receives the trophy from QMMF President Abdulrahman al-Mannai after winning the Qatar Touring Iran had a strong finish to the Games, winning medal in Baku yesterday. Car Championship title at the Losail International Circuit. eight of the last 11 golds, six of those coming in wushu and they consolidated third place in the in which there was no Iranian fighter. Turkey’s By Sports Reporter medals list with 39 golds and 98 in total. They Mehmet Demirci took advantage to dominate Doha Abdullah al-Khelaifi were simply unstoppable in the wushu sanda Kyrgyzstan’s Turatbek Sulaimankul in the final. in action. events, underlining their supremacy by winning Iran also won both gold medals in the table all of their bouts and storming to six of seven gold tennis, the final gold medals of the games to be atar’s Abdullah al-Khelaifi was medals available. decided. The men’s outfit of Alamian brothers crowned the Qatar Touring Car Azerbaijan had to settle for three silvers at the Noshad and Nima, as well as Afshin Noroozi, got Championship (QTCC) Cham- Baku Sports Hall after losing all of their finals to the better of Turkey 3-1, after the women’s trio had pion. He fi nished with total points the implacable Iranians. The only gold to escape claimed a gripping 3-1 victory over hosts Azerbai- ofQ 168 to clinch the title. the Iranian stranglehold came in the 48kg division, jan in the first final. In the fi rst race of the last round, Mah- moud al-Khalaf took the victory and se- cured the third overall position in the stand- ings. Al-Khalaf started from the third place on the grid and he kept this position until the seventh lap, when he managed to passed Mansour al-Hajri and jump to second place. Just two laps to go, al-Khelaifi had a prob- lem with his car and had to retire from the race in the 8th lap, which meant al-Khalaf won the race. Al-Hajri who came second. Al-Khalaf was pleased with his win at the end of race 1. “I am very happy to win this race, as I secured the third place in the standings. I am very thankful to QMMF and LCSC for supporting this championship. some sectors and slower in the others. I kept in the championship for the fi rst time. “In I feel bad from Omran and Abdullah they closing on him but he always managed to the beginning of the race two I had a nice couldn’t fi nish the race and hopefully they pass me on the straights, but fi nally I man- battle with Mahmoud, Abdulla, and Saadon are back for the second race,” al-Khalaf said. aged to fi nish in fi rst place. I was lucky to due to the reverse grid. Then we all settled In the second race, with the reverse grid, fi nish fi rst overall and secure the champion- in our position. The weather was really hot. al-Khelaifi had a great start and by the third ship before these two races, said the QTCC The third position was Ok for me to secure lap he was already leading the race. He winner. second place in the championship. It was crossed the chequered fl ag in front of Mah- Al-Khalaf fi nished in second position a nice ending for the championship,” said moud al-Khalaf by 5.007 seconds. and al-Hajri ended again in the podium in Mansour. “It is great to be back on podium. I had a a third place. Al-Hajri fi nished the cham- Trophies were presented by Abdulrahman The fourth Islamic Solidarity Games came to a close in Baku, Azerbaijan yesterday. The next Games great start and was in a long battle for fi rst pionship with 148 points and he was very al-Mannai, QMMF President and Abdulra- will be held in Istanbul in 2021. position with Mahmoud as he was faster in happy with this result as he was competing zak al-Kuwari, QMMF General Secretary.