p15_Layout 1 5/11/14 9:44 PM Page 1 MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014 SPORTS Kovac comes to the rescue Consolation win for Porto Gatlin wins IAAF 100m race ZAGREB: Former Croatia captain Niko Kovac came to his country’s rescue PORTUGAL: Porto completed an unhappy season with a consolation 2-1 TOKYO: Former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin overcame strong head- last October, his lack of managerial experience offset by skills on the pitch home win over champions Benfica in a devalued Portuguese classico on winds to sprint to his second 100m victory in as many weeks at an IAAF to see Croatia through to the World Cup finals. Saturday while Olhanense were relegated after five seasons in the top World Challenge meeting in Tokyo yesterday. Berlin-born Kovac carved a reputation in his playing days for hard work flight. Belenenses made sure of survival with victory over Arouca. Pacos de He broke away from the pack halfway through to clock 10.02 seconds and discipline, attributes he used to good effect to guide a struggling side Ferreira lost 4-2 at home to Academica Coimbra and were forced into a rel- with fellow American Mike Rodgers second at 10.11 and Christophe past Iceland in the qualifying play-offs. The 42-year-old inherited from pre- egation playoff, one season after reaching the Champions League qualify- Lemaitre of France third at 10.31 in the Seiko Golden Grand Prix, the third vious coach Igor Stimac a Croatian side that had come under pressure for ing round. leg of the second-tier tour organised by the International Association of trailing a distant second behind Belgium in their qualifying group. The goals all came in the first half at the Dragao as Ricardo and Jackson Athletics Federations (IAAF). “It felt windy but after I got past the 50 mark, I just One point from their last four games was the spur that triggered Martinez scored for trophy-less Porto and Enzo Perez replied with a penalty wanted to stay relaxed,” said the 2004 Athens Olympic champion, who won his Croatian Football federation president Davor Suker’s SOS to Kovac. for understrength Benfica. first 100m of the season in 10.11 seconds eight days ago at the Jamaican His arrival was enthusiastically welcomed by players and fans Europa League finalists Benfica, who have also won the League Cup and Invitational, another World Challenge event. Gatlin, who grabbed the bronze at alike. Kovac, whose brother Robert was also a Croatian interna- could complete a domestic treble by winning the Portuguese Cup on May the 2012 London Olympics and finished second to Jamaica’s world tional, hung up his boots in 2009, having won 83 caps and 18, rested several regulars as they met their arch-rivals for the fifth time this record holder Usain Bolt at last year’s world championships, said he scored 15 goals for his country between 1996 and 2008. He had season. They had previously beaten Porto in the semi-finals of the would just try to go faster and “put together a good race” this sea- spells with Hertha Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Portuguese Cup, a two-legged tie, and the League Cup, when they won on son. He is aiming to “get the balance between having a good start Hamburg and Red Bull Salzburg. penalties. Olhanense, who had Per Kroldrup sent off after 34 minutes for a like today and finishing hard like I did in Jamaica”. “I want to work Kovac captained his country from 2004 onwards, partic- second bookable offence, finished bottom of the 16-team table after losing on my start and get my feet under me more and build up ipating in the European Championship in Portugal that 3-1 at Vitoria Setubal. Zequinha gave Vitoria a second-minute lead and, momentum” like Bolt does, the 32-year-old said. “I want to year and in Austria and Switzerland in 2008, as well as although Federico Dionisi levelled for the Algarve-based visitors, Kroldrup’s be able to go out there and do the same thing and I think I’ll the 2006 World Cup in Germany. —AFP dismissal proved the turning point.—Reuters be an even more worthy opponent.”—AFP Kaymer in tie Egypt’s Ashour eyes British Open defence for Players lead HULL: Ramy Ashour is looking to put an injury-plagued year behind him and become the first Egyptian in 50 PONTE VEDRA BEACH: Martin Kaymer tle bit difficult to attack the flags. We didn’t years to defend the British Open title in Hull starting bogeyed the par-four last to drop back into play great, but we kept it very well togeth- today. The past year has been an uphill battle for the a tie for the lead with playing partner er. So it was okay.” charismatic 26-year-old from Cairo who relinquished his Jordan Spieth after the pair had duelled in World Open title six months ago because of the latest of Saturday’s third round of the Players LAVISH PRAISE many injuries. But Ashour credited his ‘genius’ fitness Championship. Germany’s Kaymer, who Former world number one Kaymer, coach Paul Sciberras and Thierry Lincou, the retired for- had been a stroke in front of the chasing whose only PGA Tour victory came at the mer world number one from France, with getting him pack overnight, overshot the 18th green highest level with his playoff success at the back on track. with his approach, chipped up to nine feet 2010 PGA Championship, was lavish in his “I was kind of lost when I got injured again and want- and missed the par putt to card an even- praise for Spieth, who is bidding to become ed to find a solution once and for all,” said Ashour, whose par 72 on a breezy afternoon at the TPC the youngest ever Players winner. successes at the World Series finals in March and the El Sawgrass. “He’s one of the best players out here Gouna Open in April have suggested he is back in form. That left the German at 12-under 204, right now, so I think he deserves as much “I believe they are the ones who made the difference level with American young gun Spieth (71) attention as possible,” Kaymer said of the in my movement and my physicality. I have to thank them who had appeared likely to bogey the final 2013 PGA Tour rookie of the year. “He’s a both.” As a result Ashour may now be unofficial favorite hole when his tee shot sailed right into a young player, very mature and I hope he for the world’s oldest squash title, even though his three- tree line from where he struck his second has a long career ahead of him. month absence from competition has caused him to slip shot 56 yards short of the green. “He’s just very good in short game and to number three in the seeds. After his third had nestled on the fringe he hit some very good chips and pitches “It’s such an honor to be associated with such a 13 feet past the flagstick, the 20-year-old today, some very important putts to keep respectful, down to earth, humble legend like Thierry, and Spieth nervelessly drained the par putt to his round going. I am very grateful for his time, effort and passion,” Ashour remain at 12-under and pumped his right “I look forward to tomorrow. It’s going to said. fist in delight. be a good day whatever will happen. PONTE VEDRA BEACH: Martin Kaymer, of Germany, hits from the fifth tee during the “He spoke to his genius professor, Paul Sciberras, and Spaniard Sergio Garcia, the 2008 Players Jordan, he’s a very nice guy and we had third round of The Players championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass. —AP for the first time I have someone who helps my body and champion, was a further three strokes back some good chats, even though obviously my fitness in a deliberate, precise, academic way.” This the turn on Saturday. the Masters last month. after carding a 69, level on 207 with both of us want to win tomorrow.” may help Ashour to parade the skills which extended a “I got a lot of great bounces, got a lot of Americans Gary Woodland (70) and Australian John Senden (68). Spieth, who clinched his maiden PGA magnificent unbeaten run to 49 matches last year. great breaks today for not having my best George McNeill (69) and Australian Matt “I just didn’t hit a good putt,” Kaymer Tour title at last year’s John Deere Classic, is However another Frenchman, Gregory Gaultier, could told reporters of his bogey at the last to aiming to eclipse Adam Scott as the day of ball-striking or really putting well. Jones (69) were four shots off the pace at “I’m very excited about where my eight under, three ahead of U.S. Open make life difficult. Already the only player from France end a tricky day for scoring at the TPC youngest winner of the Players ever to have won the British Open, Gaultier overcame Sawgrass where the sun-baked greens Championship. Australian Scott was aged game’s at. I think it will be back there champion Justin Rose (73), who was tomorrow, striking the ball better, finding penalised two shots after his ball moved on Ashour in the Windy City Open final in Chicago in March, were running fast and firm.