FORMULA 1 | Page 4 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 6 Bottas ends All-round Hamilton Daredevils run for fi rst tame Kings XI career pole by 51 runs

Sunday, April 16, 2017 FOOTBALL Rajab 19, 1438 AH Kompany leads GULF TIMES by example for ruthless City SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL Draw in last match fails to dampen Lekhwiya party Shahania managed to snatch a point with just two minutes left to play thanks to a Fahad Khalfan penalty

By Sports Reporter The Red Knights continued to Doha dominate in the second half and were awarded a penalty when Yousef Ayman was bundled ekhwiya had to be content with down by Al Shahania defender a draw in their last Qatar Stars Fahad Saket. Unfortunately for League match of the season them, Abdurahman Mohamed’s Lagainst Al Shahania but that eff ort from 12 yards went well didn’t dampen their enthusiasm at the wide awards ceremony where they were pre- sented the Falcon Shield, the symbol of supremacy in domestic football. Lekhwiya who dominated the early ex- QSL CEO Hani Ballan and Qatar changes, and could have taken the lead Football Association Vice-President after Qatar international Almoez Ali Saoud al-Mohannadi were among the took advantage of the Shahania defen- top offi cials who graced the fi nal day of sive error. However, his shot fl ew wide. the QSL at the Abdulla bin Khalifa Sta- Djamel Belmadi’s side continued to dium after Lekhwiya were held to a 2-2 enjoy most of the possession, and had draw by Al Shahania. further opportunities to score but de- The Lekhwiya players partied late fender Khalid Radwan and striker Ab- into the night, clicking selfi es with fans dulrahman Mohaeed squandered their and family. Having already won the ti- chances. However, on the stroke of tle with a match to spare, they relief and half-time, Lekhwiya deservedly took joy on their faces was enough testimo- the lead, with the best move of the ny to the hard work they had put in this game. A lofted ball fell to Almoez Ali, season under coach Djamel Belmadi. who calmly picked out Edgar Da Silva The tie saw four penalties awarded in who slotted home from close range. the second half and in what was a back Lekhwiya took a one goal lead into half- and forth game, Shahania managed to time. snatch a point with just two minutes The Red Knights continued to domi- left to play thanks to a Fahad Khalfan nate in the second half and were award- penalty. ed a penalty when Yousef Ayman was Both teams elected to fi eld second bundled down by Al Shahania defender string sides for the game, with bigger Fahad Saket. Unfortunately for them, challenges lying ahead. Shahania are Abdurahman Mohamed’s eff ort from 12 set to take on Qatar SC in a relegation QFA Vice-President Saoud al-Mohannadi presents the QSL Falcon Shield to Lekhwiya’s Karim Boudiaf and Mohamed Mousa on the last day of the tournament at yards went well wide. play-off on Wednesday while Lekhwiya the Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday. Bottom, Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi celebrates with the Falcon Shield as star performer Nam Tae-Hee obliges a fan. Against the run of play, Al Shaha- are preparing for the Qatar Cup and Pictures: Noushad Thekkayil nia found the leveller when the referee their AFC Champions League matches. pointed to the penalty spot for the sec- Unsurprisingly, it was the youthful ond time in the match. Oryxes attacker Yousef Hani Ballan was pulled down in FINAL STANDINGS the box, and Nabeel Anwer stepped up and slotted away to level the scores at Teams P W D L F A Pts 1-1. Lekhwiya SC 26 19 6 1 79 33 63 Lekhwiya began to dominate again Al Sadd 26 18 7 1 77 23 61 and took the lead for a second time Al Rayyan 26 15 6 5 53 27 51 from the penalty spot. This time Ab- El Jaish 26 13 6 7 45 40 45 durahman Mostafa stepped up and the Al Gharafa 26 12 4 10 42 43 40 youngster confi dently placed the ball Umm salal 26 9 10 7 32 35 37 into the bottom right-hand corner to Al Kharaitiyat 26 10 4 12 27 32 34 give his side a 2-1 lead. Al Sailiya SC 26 8 7 11 32 45 31 Shahania pushed hard to get back Al Arabi 26 8 4 14 39 56 28 into the tie and found parity just two Al Ahli 26 7 6 13 33 45 27 minutes from time. Substitute Fahad Al Khor SC 26 6 7 13 25 38 25 Khalfan was bundled down and Shaha- Al Shahania 26 3 13 10 30 53 22 nia’s number 11 picked himself up and Muaither 26 5 5 16 23 46 20 slotted past Claude Amin to level the tie Al Wakrah 26 2 9 15 29 50 15 at 2-2 at the very death.

BOTTOMLINE Sanhaji, Haydoos score as Al Sadd beat Jaish

By Sports Reporter A couple of minutes later, El Jaish’s Sadd, playing on home soil, Gharafa. Al Kharaitiyat scored twice Doha Brazilian defender Lucas Mendes pro- scored two goals in the fi rst half in the first half to emerge 2-0 win- duced a close-range header but the through Hamza Sanhaji and star ners against the Cheetahs. Sanjar ball again missed the Al Sadd goalpost striker Hassan Haydoos Tursunov and Rachid Tiberkanine l Sadd picked up three as the home side averted another dan- were the goal-scoring heroes for the points with a clinical display gerous move from the men in maroon. Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb Thunders. against El Jaish, winning 2-1 Despite the early inroads by El Jaish, was red carded in the 33rd minute for After a sluggish start to the pro- Aat Al Sadd Stadium. It was Al it was Al Sadd who took the lead. In an out-of-box foul against Romarinho ceedings, both teams picked up mo- Sadd’s 18th win of the season in which the 10th minute, Hamza Sanhaji – sta- of Jaish. Substitute Muhannad Naim mentum around the 10th minute of Jesualdo Ferreira’s men lost only one tioned near the El Jaish box – received was called in as a replacement goal- the match when Al Kharaitiyat opened game. a pass from captain Xavi near the half keeper by Al Sadd coach Ferriera and the scoring. Unmarked Uzbek forward Sadd, playing on home soil, scored line. With a couple of defenders close he straight away produced a diving Tursunov charged into the Al Gharafa two goals in the fi rst half through by, Sanhaji defl ected the ball past El stop on the following direct free-kick box before calmly slipping the ball past Hamza Sanhaji and star striker Hassan Jaish goalkeeper Khalifa Abucar for taken by Rashidov. goalkeeper Yusuf Ali for his team’s fi rst Haydoos. El Jaish, coached by Sabri his seventh goal of the season for the In the 67th minute, El Jaiah’s striker goal. Lamouchi, reduced the defi cit through former QSL champions. Rashidov hammered one home from Al Kharaitiyat pushed on for a sec- Uzbek forward Sardor Rashidov in the Al Sadd added their second goal close range, slotting the ball into the ond and duly raced to a 2-0 lead when second half. through a penalty kick in the 25th net with a fi rst-time volley on a lob Tiberkanine, the Moroccan midfi elder, With Qatar national coach Jorge Fos- minute national team striker Hassan ball. It was Rashidov’s 15th goal of the converted a penalty kick in the 40th sati watching from the stands at Al Sadd Haydoos beat the goalkeeper from the season. minute. Al Gharafa pushed hard to get Stadium, El Jaish captain Seydou Keita spot kick with ease, much to the dis- Al Kharaitiyat shock Gharafa 2-0 back into the tie during the second defl ected a ball from close range in the may of El Jaish coach Lamouchi who Al Kharaitiyat wrapped up their half, however Al Kharaitiyat held out third minute of the match but the ball Al Sadd skipper Xavi is hassled by El Jaish’s Mohamed al-Yazidi during their last followed the proceedings from inside QSL season on a positive note, win- to pick up a well deserved win against sailed past the Al Sadd goalpost. QSL match yesterday. the dugout. ning their round 26 battle against Al their opponents Gulf Times 2 Sunday, April 16, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT PREVIEW Mourinho summons Milestone man strength for Chelsea Kane keeps Spurs in title hunt File picture of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. AFP thriving under Conte, as typifi ed London by the form of Eden Hazard. ‘Our job was to get three points and we got three points. Now if they (Chelsea) fail, Hazard, who played like a ghost under Mourinho last sea- we’re there. Now the pressure is on Chelsea to try to win at Old Traff ord’ anchester United son, will arrive at Old Traff ord manager Jose Mour- seeking to reach the milestone inho must rally a of 15 goals in a league campaign fatigued and found- for the fi rst time since he signed Mering team this weekend as he from Lille in 2012. rekindles an increasingly thorny For his part, Conte has sought rivalry with his former club to play down any suggestion of Chelsea, the Premier League tension between himself and leaders. Mourinho. United have drawn fi ve of their “I have zero problems (with last six home games and go into Mourinho),” he said. “It’s only a today’s Old Traff ord showdown sporting competition between on the back of a leggy 1-1 draw at him and me. Anderlecht in the fi rst leg of their “There is a game of football. Europa League quarter-fi nal. I want to try and win with my They are far from ideal condi- team. He wants to try and win tions in which to be preparing an with his team. It’s normal to be ambush of the champions-elect, at confl ict during the game, but but despite his protestations that it only a sporting confl ict.” is “just one more game”, Mourinho is likely to be highly motivated. MATA BLOW Sacked by Chelsea midway While Chelsea are no longer the through last season’s car-crash free-wheeling team seen in the title defence, he has had two weeks before Christmas, having deeply unpleasant experiences gone nine league games without on his two trips to Stamford a clean sheet, they boast a formi- Bridge this season. dable record against United. In October, he saw United They are unbeaten in the thrashed 4-0 and made a public teams’ last 12 encounters, show of taking Chelsea manager stretching back to a 3-2 home Antonio Conte to task over his defeat against a side managed by touchline exhortations, accusing Alex Ferguson in October 2012. the Italian of trying to “humili- Conte also has the luxury of ate” him. being able to pick from a full February’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat squad, after Victor Moses made was a closer aff air, but brought his return from a toe problem with it barracking from the fans in last weekend’s 3-1 victory at who had once sung his name. Bournemouth. In response to their taunts of Life is nowhere near as rosy for “Judas!”, he raised three fi ngers Mourinho, who must weigh his — one for each of the Premier priorities ahead of Thursday’s League titles he won over his two return leg against Anderlecht. spells as Chelsea manager. David de Gea is expected to “When they have somebody return in goal, having missed that wins four Premier Leagues United’s last two games with a Tottenham’s Harry Kane celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during their EPL match against Bournemouth at White Hart Lane yesterday. for them, I become number two,” hip problem. he said after. “Until this mo- But Phil Jones (foot) and Chris AFP try to win at Old Traff ord.” Standings the thick of the action with a volley that ment, ‘Judas’ is number one.” Smalling (knee) remain out and London Spurs appear the only team capable was blocked by Steve Cook. Mourinho cannot have en- Juan Mata has been ruled out for of denying Chelsea the title and will get Tottenham 4 (Dembele 16, Son 19, Kane Dembele also looked in the mood, un- joyed watching the players who the rest of the season with a groin a chance to measure themselves against 48, Janssen 90+2) Bournemouth 0 leashing a fi erce eff ort from Kyle Walker’s seemed to down tools under him injury. arry Kane scored his 20th goal the leaders in next weekend’s FA Cup lay-off that was parried by Artur Boruc, of the Premier League cam- semi-fi nal at Wembley. Crystal Palace 2 (Cabaye 54, Benteke and in the 16th minute he put his side in paign as Tottenham Hotspur Kane, 23, is the fi rst Spurs player to 70) Leicester 2 (Huth 6, Vardy 52) front. Three minutes later it was 2-0. LIGUE 1 crushed Bournemouth 4-0 have scored at least 20 league goals in Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere, lustily Hyesterday to cut Chelsea’s advantage at three successive seasons since the great booed by the Spurs faithful, saw a pass Everton 3 (Jagielka 49, Mee 71-og, the summit to four points. Jimmy Greaves in the late 1960s. Lukaku 74) Burnley 1 (Vokes 52-pen) blocked by Eric Dier and Kane’s clever Mousa Dembele, Son Heung-Min and In another milestone, Spurs have now fl ick freed Son to scamper in and drill a Nice beat Nancy 3-1, Vincent Janssen were also on target on a won 12 consecutive home games in the Southampton 0 Manchester City 3 shot between Boruc’s legs. sunny spring afternoon at White Hart Lane top fl ight within the same season for the (Kompany 55, Sane 77, Aguero 80) The half-time interval brought only that saw Spurs record seven successive fi rst time in their history. temporary respite for Bournemouth, who secure C’League spot league wins for the fi rst time since 1967. While Bournemouth remain seven Stoke 3 (Arnautovic 6, Crouch 66, found themselves a further goal behind Chelsea responded last weekend after points above the relegation zone, they Shaqiri 80) Hull 1 (Maguire 51) within three minutes of the restart as Kane Spurs had trimmed their lead, beating will watch this weekend’s remaining scored his 13th goal in 12 league games. Bournemouth 3-1, but Antonio Conte’s games involving the teams below them Sunderland 2 (Khazri 26, Borini 90) Boruc was also tested by Eriksen, Son men face a less than straightforward trip with a degree of anxiety. West Ham 2 (Ayew 5, Collins 47) and Ben Davies as Pochettino urged his to Manchester United on Sunday. “We know we need more. We’ve men to keep attacking from the touchline. “Our job was to get three points and known all along,” said beaten manager Watford 1 (Capoue 42) Swansea 0 Bournemouth belatedly registered a we got three points,” said Spurs manager Eddie Howe. shot on target in the 74th minute through Mauricio Pochettino. “The danger is if everyone says, ‘You’re Charlie Daniels, but Spurs had the last “Now if they (Chelsea) fail, we’re safe.’ We’ve got to focus the players’ Making his fi rst start in fi ve weeks af- word as goal-shy substitute Janssen bun- there. Now the pressure is on Chelsea to minds that we’re not.” ter an ankle problem, Kane was quickly in dled in from a stoppage-time corner.

BOTTOMLINE

Nice’s Ivorian midfielder Jean Michael Seri celebrates after scoring.

Kompany leads by example matches more than Monaco, AFP AFP right, he tried an 18-yard volley, turned the ball to the near post, Paris who host Dijon later on Saturday Southampton which went about the same dis- where Steven Davis got his head in between the two legs of their tance wide. to it only to nod it too high. Champions League quarter-fi nal For 15 minutes Southampton Ten minutes into the sec- ocket-sized midfi elder against Borussia Dortmund. incent Kompany were barely a factor in the game ond half, City fi nally made the Jean Michael Seri netted For Nice the result also means marked his return to as City passed the ball round and breakthrough. twice in the second half Lyon in fourth are 19 points be- the Manchester City through them. It might have come from Na- as Nice came from be- hind them with just 18 points to line-up with a rare goal In the 36th minute, Aguero’s vas’s rising shot from 25 yards hindP to beat Nancy 3-1 yesterday play for, and so they will repre- Vas his side climbed to third in the attempted cross looped up off that forced Forster to touch the and secure a crack at next sea- sent France in the Champions Premier League with a 3-0 win Cedric Soares and David Silva, ball over the bar, but instead it son’s Champions League. League for the fi rst time next at Southampton yesterday. running in, seemed certain to came from the resulting corner. Junior Dale gave struggling season. Pep Guardiola’s team were score, only to half-volley into Gabbiadini missed Silva’s Nancy the lead at the Allianz Again Favre’s men did it the in control for long periods at St the side-netting. kick from the left and Kompany, Riviera but Mikael Le Bihan lev- hard way as for the fi fth straight Mary’s, but it wasn’t until the The next error seemed to be making only his third appear- elled before the break and Ivory game they fell behind. 55th minute that City captain made by referee Neil Swarbrick ance of 2017, muscled his way Coast international Seri took Valentin Eysseric made a hash Kompany put them ahead with when he awarded a corner after past Ryan Bertrand and headed centre stage in the second half, of clearing his lines following a his fi rst goal since August 2015. Southampton goalkeeper Fra- past Forster from six yards be- scoring one of his goals from the Nancy corner on 26 minutes and Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero ser Forster rushed out of goal as fore celebrating wildly. penalty spot. the visitors took full advantage, made sure of the three points Sane charged through. City doubled the lead in the Lucien Favre’s side have been Julien Cetout’s ball across the with further goals in the 77th Swarbrick ruled that a swipe 77th minute with a goal of dev- hit by injuries to key players in face of goal being turned in at the and 80th minutes respectively. of Forster’s right glove had made astating simplicity but clinical recent weeks and 13-goal top far post by Dale. With Manchester United be- contact with the ball, but replays execution. Kevin De Bruyne ex- scorer Mario Balotelli was ab- But the hosts were back level ginning to breathe down their showed little evidence of that changed passes with Silva just sent due to another suspension, 10 minutes before the interval necks in the pursuit of a top- and suggested that he had hit inside his own half and ran clear but they dug deep to extend their as Younes Belhanda’s superb four place and with games in Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany celebrates after scoring. Sane’s foot and that a penalty before sliding the ball to his left unbeaten run to 10 matches. pass found Le Bihan, who took a hand, City needed this result, should have been awarded. for Sane to fi nish. Nice, who have lost just twice in touch and fi red home to mark his only their second league win in plagued campaign for the Bel- Then he made himself a yard If Southampton had a hope Three minutes later and the the league all season, remain very fi rst start since September 2015 six matches, to move one point gium defender. of space on the right of the at that point, it was probably scoreline more fairly refl ected much in title contention as they sit with a goal. above Liverpool. Aguero might have scored penalty area but pulled his shot that Claudio Bravo, preferred in City’s dominance. just a point behind leaders Mona- PSG won 2-0 at Angers on Fri- It was an especially cathartic twice in the fi rst four minutes. across goal. City’s goal to Willy Caballero, De Bruyne collected Navas’ co and defending champions Paris day with Angel Di Maria scoring moment for Kompany, who was First he escaped his marker at Neither miss made Aguero would make an error, and after pass on the right and chipped Saint-Germain. both goals, including a majestic making only his fourth league the far post but could only volley more reluctant to shoot. he could only fl ap at a cross from the ball across for Aguero to However, they have played a free-kick, to make it 14 league start in yet another injury- Gael Clichy’s cross wide. From a corner-kick on the the left, James Ward-Prowse re- head in. game more than PSG and two games unbeaten. Gulf Times Sunday, April 16, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

LA LIGA BUNDESLIGA Bartra tributes as rattled Dortmund Isco winner takes bounce back in style Ronaldo-less Real six points clear ‘You know what I think of Isco, he is player I like a lot and his place is here. I feel like I Dortmund’s players hold the jersey of Dortmund’s Spanish defender am unfair with those that don’t play, but it is always going to happen’ Marc Bartra who was injured during the bus attack.

AFP AFP injury, needed just three minutes Madrid Berlin to open the scoring in front of a sell-out crowd of 81,360 and a heavy police presence at Signal sco struck at the death to send Real orussia Dortmund play- Iduna Park. Madrid six points clear of Barcelona ers and fans paid tribute Frankfurt drew level on 29 at the top of La Liga after twice com- to defender Marc Bartra minutes when Marco Fabian’s ing from behind to beat Sporting Gi- Bas they beat Eintracht speculative shot hit the top-right Ijon 3-2 yesterday. Frankfurt 3-1 yesterday in their corner, but Sokratis restored Madrid can all but secure a fi rst league fi rst Bundesliga match since the the hosts’ advantage before the title in fi ve years with victory when they midweek bomb attack on their break with a thunderous eff ort host Barca next weekend. team bus. that barely deviated as it fl ew But not for the fi rst time this season Germany winger Marco Reus past Frankfurt goalkeeper Lukas they needed a late show after Duje Cop scored on his return after six Hradecky. and Mikel Vesga put Sporting in front weeks out on an emotional after- Aubameyang netted his 26th early in both halves. noon for the club. league goal this season late on to Isco’s fi ne individual eff ort and a tow- Sokratis Papastathopoulos secure the points and make him ering header from Alvaro Morata ensured and leading scorer Pierre-Em- the division’s joint top scorer neither lead lasted more than a few min- erick Aubameyang were also on alongside Bayern Munich’s Rob- utes. target in a home victory which ert Lewandowski. And Isco sealed the comeback when he allowed Thomas Tuchel’s side to drilled home from the edge of the box. all but wrap up a top-four fi nish RB INTO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE “I am happy for him. He has the char- and boost morale at the end of a With runaway league lead- acter to do what he did today,” said Ma- traumatic week. ers Bayern at Bayer Leverkusen drid boss Zinedine Zidane. “The players showed incred- on Saturday evening, second- The Spanish international is yet to ible character and deserve the placed RB Leipzig trimmed the agree a new contract with his current best possible compliment,” said gap at the top to seven points deal expiring at the end of next season. Tuchel. with a 4-0 home thrashing of And Zidane insists he wants Isco to Three bombs containing piec- Freiburg. stay despite his lack of starts and interest es of metal rocked the Dortmund Yussuf Poulsen gave RB an from Barcelona. bus on the way to Tuesday’s early lead before putting Timo “You know what I think of Isco, he is Champions League home quar- Werner in behind the Freiburg player I like a lot and his place is here.” ter-fi nal match against Monaco defence to net his 16th league Zidane made nine changes from the and left Spanish international goal this season just before the side that beat Bayern Munich in the fi rst Bartra hospitalised. break. leg of their Champions League quarter- The fi rst leg was eventually Guinea midfi elder Naby Keita fi nal in midweek. played on Wednesday but Dort- netted with a superb shot on 51 Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema mund lost 3-2, their players later minutes before Diego Demme hit were left out of the squad entirely along- admitting they were still shell- their fourth. side the injured Gareth Bale, while Toni shocked by the attack. Leipzig, in their fi rst top-fl ight Kroos, Luka Modric and Marcelo had to The team was buoyed before campaign, are now guaranteed a settle for a place on the bench. kick-off yesterday as Bartra was top-four fi nish and a crack at the “I feel like I am unfair with those that released from hospital following Champions League next season. don’t play, but it is always going to hap- surgery on a broken wrist. “It was another important step. pen,” added Zidane. “There are 24 players The Dortmund squad held his Now we want to achieve more and that can play in all positions. It is the dif- number fi ve shirt aloft as they fulfi l our next dream,” said Werner fi cult part of this job.” celebrated in front of their home with one eye on Europe. Cop missed a late penalty with the fans after the fi nal whistle. chance to snatch a draw when the sides “During the 90 minutes it was Results last met in November. easier than on Wednesday,” said However, the Croatian made amends captain Marcel Schmelzer. Dortmund 3 Frankfurt 1 when he fi nished off a lovely Sporting “We had a goosebump mo- Mainz 1 Hertha Berlin 0 move by volleying home Vesga’s scooped ment in front of our South Stand. Wolfsburg 3 Ingolstadt 0 pass to put Sporting in front after 14 We’re trying to talk a lot about Augsburg 2 Cologne 1 minutes. Real Madrid’s Francisco “Isco” Alarcon (L) celebrates with teammates Marcelo and James Rodriguez after scoring a goal. it (the attack) in order to proc- Hoff enheim 5 Bor. M’bach 3 The lead lasted just three minutes as ess it and I hope it will get better Leipzig 4 Freiburg 0 Real responded with a wonder goal of another clear chance to take the lead. sive defi ciencies were quickly exploited Results quickly.” Leverkusen 0 Bayern 0 their own. Home goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar some- by the European champions as Morata Reus, back from a hamstring Isco received Lucas Vazquez’s pass in- how turned Nacho’s header just out of towered above his marker to head home Deportivo la Coruna 2 (Joselu 47, side a crowded penalty area but somehow the reach of Morata, who was awaiting to Danilo’s cross. Mosquera 67) Malaga 0 dribbled past two Sporting defenders be- apply the fi nal touch for a tap-in. Madrid then peppered the Sporting Sporting Gijon 2 (Cop 14, Vesga 50) SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP fore curling the ball into the top corner. Sporting went straight up the other goal, but didn’t make the breakthrough Real Madrid 3 (Isco 17, 90, Morata 59) Despite dominating possession for the end to retake the lead as Vesga looped a until the fi nal minute as Isco’s eff ort from Atletico Madrid 3 (Carrasco 30, 47, remainder of the fi rst half Real had to measured header into the far corner. the edge of the area had too much power Filipe Luis 61) Osasuna 0 wait until early in the second period for Once again, though, Sporting’s defen- for Cuellar. Rangers down Partick,

SERIE A Hibs promoted

AFP for a shot that defl ected out. Glasgow From the ensuing corner, To- ral had a thumping strike cleared off the line. Confi dence began to angers saw off Partick grow in the Rangers ranks and only Zapata’s late strike helps Milan Thistle 2-0 yester- a fi ne save from Cerny kept out day to keep alive their Danny Wilson’s powerful header Rslim hopes of fi nishing from a Barrie McKay corner. runners-up to already-crowned Rangers’ pressure was reward- Scottish Premiership champions ed when Miller opened the scor- salvage Chinese-owned derby and arch Glasgow rivals Celtic. ing in the 39th minute. AFP “We kept on pushing till the served the draw,” said Montella. A scrappy fi rst half at Rang- James Tavernier’s cross from Milan end and maybe we were “Our fi rst half hour was good, ers’ Ibrox ground ended with the right found Miller in the a little bit lucky, but when we created chances, but we the home side on top thanks to centre of the box and his header you consider Inter were weren’t clinical enough. At this a header from stand-in captain bounced into the turf and high ristian Zapata hit a dra- lucky to level late in our last level you have to be clinical when Kenny Miller. over Cerny into the net. matic late leveller as AC derby, we feel we deserved you get two or three chances.” Spanish midfi elder Jon Toral Some great play from two Milan snatched a 2-2 the draw,” said Montella The draw left Milan sixth, one scored his fi rst league goal since loan Rangers helped the home draw with Inter Milan at point behind Atalanta in fi fth joining on loan from Arsenal in side double their lead in the 54th theC San Siro yesterday in the city’s group Suning since June 2016, and the fi nal Europa League January to double Rangers’ ad- minute. fi rst Chinese-owned derby. had further chances early in qualifying place. vantage early in the second half. Emerson Hyndman cut in Long-suff ering Milan fans the second half and although Inter remain seventh, still two Victory saw the Gers remain from the right and played a had reason to feel positive on keeper Samir Handanovic was points behind their city rivals, nine points behind second-place pass to Toral, who played a fi rst Easter weekend after the club decisive more than once, the and coach Stefano Pioli lament- Aberdeen after the Dons defeated time ball back into the on-loan was taken over by Chinese-led big Slovenian was left stranded ed: “We didn’t win because we St Johnstone 2-1 at McDiarmid Bournemouth midfi elder’s path. consortium Rossoneri Sport In- when Alessio Romagnoli met didn’t wrap up the game. Park, with the Ibrox encoun- The American then danced vestment Lux two days ago in a Suso’s cross at the back post to “We had chances to score the ter marking the end of Thistle’s round a couple of challenges be- multi-million euro deal. hit what initially seemed a late third goal, and didn’t take them. eight-game unbeaten run. fore dinking the ball back to To- But until Zapata’s bun- consolation on 83 minutes. I think with a little bit more con- The fi rst 25 minutes at Ibrox ral for the Spaniard to curl a shot dled eff ort hit the crossbar and Inter looked nevertheless to be centration we’d be going home were punctuated by fouls and beyond Cerny. bounced over the line following heading for a win that would have with the three points.” misplaced passes as both sides Meanwhile Hibernian gained a corner in the seventh minute taken them up to sixth, one point struggled to fi nd any sort of promotion back to the top fl ight of added-on time, the Rossoneri ahead of Milan as both clubs fi ght Results rhythm in this Glasgow derby. following a three-year absence were on their way to defeat. for a Europa League place. With Rangers’ forward line so as the Edinburgh club secured Despite a brilliant start from But Nerazzurri hopes were Inter Milan 2 AC Milan 2 ineff ectual, it was Myles Beer- the Championship title with a Vincenzo Montella’s visitors to dashed when Bacca got on the Roma 1 Atalanta 1 man who became his side’s most 3-0 win over Queen of the South. the clubs’ shared ground — Car- end of Suso’s corner to set up Palermo 0 Bologna 0 potent force. los Bacca fi ring just over and on- AC Milan’s defender from Colombia Cristian Zapata celebrates with Zapata for a messy winner bun- Cagliari 4 Chievo 0 The teenage Maltese defender Results loan Everton man Gerard Deu- teammates after scoring a goal yesterday. dled home from a tight angle. Torino 1 Crotone 1 ran at the retreating Thistle rear- lofeu hitting the upright in the “We kept on pushing till the Fiorentina 1 Empoli 2 guard and with some time and Dundee 0 Hamilton 2 opening minutes — Inter were ball past goalkeeper Gianluigi when he strolled in unmarked to end and maybe we were a little Pescara 0 Juventus 2 space he sent a defl ected shot Motherwell 4 Inverness CT 2 more clinical when it mattered. Donnarumma on 36 minutes. poke Ivan Perisic’s cross past the bit lucky, but when you consider Genoa 2 Lazio 2 whizzing past Tomas Cerny’s post. Rangers 2 Partick Thistle 0 Antonio Candreva did well to Inter captain Mauro Icardi had 18-year-old goalkeeper. Inter were lucky to level late in Sassuolo 2 Sampdoria 1 And the 18-year-old then St Johnstone 1 Aberdeen 2 hold off his marker and chip a long the hosts 2-0 up on 44 minutes Inter, owned by Chinese our last derby, we feel we de- found space just outside the box Gulf Times 4 Sunday, April 16, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Ecclestone admits he Alonso Indy 500 deal wanted too high fees ‘barking mad’, says for new F1 venues Horner

Former Formula One commer- cial boss Bernie Ecclestone has admitted he overcharged new race venues in order to Bottas grabs fi rst make money for the owner- ship company. Ecclestone told autosport.com in a report published yester- day that the F1 product was not worth the sums paid, and that fees should be reduced in the future. career pole, ends “I charged them too much for what we provide... On my watch, we didn’t deliver the show that we charged people Red Bull team chief Christian for,” he said. Horner described his McLaren Ecclestone, 84, was speaking counterpart Zak Brown as at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the “barking mad” on Friday for first race he is attending since agreeing to allow Fernando Hamilton’s run being removed from power by Alonso to miss the Monaco new F1 owners Liberty Media, Grand Prix and race in the who took over from CVC in the Indianapolis 500. ‘He’s been working so hard and today he was just quicker and he did a better job. off -season. Sitting alongside the “If we could reduce the fee American at a scheduled news The first sector was my weaker point. That’s how close qualifying should always be’ they pay they could then conference for team princi- charge less for tickets and sell pals ahead of this weekend’s more tickets. So if you want to Bahrain Grand Prix, Horner look after the fans, that’s the launched a savage appraisal way to do it,” he said. of his rivals’ decision. Asked why he had not cut fees “It is a diff icult one for Fern- himself, Ecclestone said: “I ando as he is having a tough know I could have done, but time,” said Horner. I was trying to make money “And Zak has this problem. He for the company, that was my has a depressed driver on his job.” hands and he is trying to keep Ecclestone was meanwhile him motivated. also quoted as saying that he “He has come up with this idea would not have allowed Fern- to send him to Indianapolis, ando Alono’s excursion into but he must be barking mad. IndyCar racing in May, making It is the nuttiest race I have the Spaniard skip the Monaco ever seen. Grand Prix where Jenson “No testing. He is just going to Button will take his place at jump in the car. Turn One is a McLaren. proper turn as well — it is not “I would have said wait until easy flat all the way around. Grid your contract finishes and So, personally, I think he needs then you can do what you to see a psychiatrist.” 1. Bottas (Mercedes) like but you are in the middle Horner said he would not have 2. Hamilton (Mercedes) of Formula One and you are allowed any of his drivers to 3. Vettel (Ferrari) a Formula One driver,” ESPN leave the team during a sea- 4. Ricciardo (Red Bull) quoted Ecclestone as saying. son to race in another series. 5. Raikkonen (Ferrari) “I believe if a driver com- 6. Verstappen (Red Bull) ... Also reveals scant mits to a team, it’s a bit like 7. Hulkenberg (Renault) contact with the new disappearing with another 8. Massa (Williams) F1 bosses girlfriend halfway through the 9. Grosjean (Haas) year and then coming back. 10. Palmer (Renault) Former commercial supremo “It doesn’t seem to be the 11. Kvyat (Toro Rosso) Bernie Ecclestone returned to right thing to be doing. 12. Stroll (Williams) the Formula One paddock on “Perhaps if the races didn’t 13. Wehrlein (Sauber) Friday, for the first time since clash — or do it at the end of 14. Ocon (Force India) he was ousted in January, and his F1 career, but, obviously, 15. Alonso (McLaren) revealed how little involve- McLaren have got this ap- 16. Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso) ment he has had with the new proach, which is perhaps dif- 17. Vandoorne (McLaren) management. ferent to ours. But, hey, good 18. Pérez (Force India) The 86-year-old, who ran for them.” 19. Ericsson (Sauber) Formula One for decades, said Brown said he backed Alonso 20. Magnussen (Haas) he had yet to meet the sport’s to rise to the challenge of the new commercial manager famed Indy 500. Sean Bratches. “Fernando’s not scared. It’s Mercedes Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland celebrates pole position after the qualifying session yesterday at the Bahrain Grand Prix. “Never met Sean, I met obviously going to be a (motorsport manager) Ross challenge but he wants a chal- AFP “That’s how close qualifying should “I was very happy with my fi rst lap, Magnussen of Haas. (Brawn) for 10 minutes this lenge,” said Brown. Manama always be. It forces us to be on the limit.” crossed the line and then looked up and In Q2, Indy 500-bound two-time year and I knew Ross from the “He’ll have a car capable of Bottas’ lap was comfortably faster than saw both (Mercedes) were ahead,” said champion Fernando Alonso took it easy. past obviously and I feel sorry running at the front. He’ll be Rosberg’s pole time last year of 1:29.493, Vettel. “When I got the time, I was a bit After another Honda power-unit fail- for (chairman) Chase (Carey) extremely prepared and I cool, calm and collected Valt- but the overall speed of the new era ‘fat- down to be honest. Four-tenths is a lot ure, he decided not to bother at all and being thrown in the deep end,” think he’s going to put on a teri Bottas claimed his fi rst pole ter-and-faster’ machines was less nota- more than I expected.” was unzipping his overalls without seek- the 86-year-old told reporters good show. Everybody is go- position yesterday when he beat ble in the desert heat than it had been at ing a place in the top ten shootout. at the Bahrain Grand Prix. ing to be watching.” his Mercedes team-mate Lewis the two previous races. ALONSO TAKES IT EASY The McLaren man qualifi ed 15th behind Asked whether he was acting McLaren’s decision to let HamiltonA with a well-controlled fastest lap Hamilton, who was seeking his sev- Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fourth the four who were eliminated — Daniil Kv- as a consultant to them, he Alonso go to Indianapolis was in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. enth successive pole position and third in for Red Bull ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in yat of Toro Rosso, Canadian rookie Lance replied that “they’ve never widely greeted as a welcome The 26-year-old Finn, who joined the a row this season, gave his team-mate a the second Ferrari, Max Verstappen in Stroll of Williams, Pascal Wehrlein of Sau- asked me anything” although breath of fresh air by many team as replacement for retired 2016 generous hug after the session. the second Red Bull and Nico Hulkenberg ber and Esteban Ocon of Force India. he had spoken to Carey earlier others in the paddock before world champion Nico Rosberg, made the Rosberg was amongst the fi rst to con- who qualifi ed seventh for Renault. Another impressive lap from Hulken- on Friday as well as several Horner’s outburst. most of a less competitive fi nal lap by the gratulate the pole sittter. “Congrats Valtteri Felipe Massa was eighth for Williams berg secured him the fi fth-best lap and a times in recent weeks. Alonso will be replaced at the Briton to claim the prime starting posi- Bottas 1st pole! Great lap. Happy for all you ahead of Romain Grosjean of Haas and place in the shootout for Renault. “I’m busier now than I have Monaco Grand Prix by 2009 tion for Sunday’s race. guys at Merc,” tweeted the German. Jolyon Palmer in the second Renault. Team-mate Palmer grabbed 10th to been in the past, with the world champion Jenson But- “Obviously, I am really happy,” said Three-time champion Hamilton who The conditions at the start of qualify- secure Renault’s fi rst double showing in same sort of things. I’m still ton, the team confirmed on Bottas. “It took a few races, but hopefully shares the championship lead with Se- ing were cooler, and calmer, than they Q1 since the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix. busy,” added the Briton Friday morning. it’s the fi rst of many.” bastian Vettel, and who had been quick- had been earlier in the day. As the shootout began, the Red Bulls Bottas clocked a best lap of one minute est until the fi nal runs, was unable to fi nd The air temperature was down to 29 led the two Mercedes out for their fi nal and 28.769 seconds in the fi nal sec- the extra speed he needed on his second degrees Celsius and the track 31, down by fl urry, Ricciardo starting with a 1:30.007. onds and it was, as Hamilton admitted, run in Q3 to retain pole position. six and eight degrees respectively com- That time was overhauled by Bottas LPGA too good for him to beat. Hamilton had Four-time champion Vettel was third pared to the earlier free practice session. in 1:28.844 — the fi rst man inside Ham- clocked 1:28.792. fastest for Ferrari, unable to make an im- The fi rst qualifying session saw exits ilton’s 2016 pole lap — and then by the “He’s been working so hard and today pact on the two Mercedes men who took for Carlos Sainz, who lost power with Briton in 1:28.792. Vettel was four-tenths he was just quicker and he did a better job,” the front row. his Red Bull, and Stoff el Vandoorne of down for Ferrari after the fi rst runs, Unheralded Jang said Hamilton. “The fi rst sector was my It was the sixth consecutive year in McLaren, Sergio Perez of Force India, which saw Raikkonen adrift by a similar weaker point. I’ll work on it for tomorrow. Bahrain that Mercedes won pole. Marcus Ericsson of Sauber and Kevin gap before the fi nal drama unfolded. takes the lead GOLF AFP “I travelled so long to play Los Angeles this tournament, so I try to tell myself just to suck if up and have a good time and ang Su-Yeon, who needed play a good round today” Donald, DeLaet use hole-outs to share lead a sponsor invite to get into the event, fi red a bogey- elled so long to play this tourna- Reuters the tee, hitting just seven fair- certainly bailed me out,” Donald, free 65 to grab a three- ment, so I try to tell myself just to ways yet grabbing a share of the 39, told Golf Channel. shotJ lead heading into the fi nal suck if up and have a good time New York lead in his quest to take the next “The greens are very small round of the weather-plagued and play a good round today.” step after four runner-up fi n- and you’re not going to hit all Lotte Championship on Friday. Sharp is seeking her fi rst ca- hort game maestro Luke ishes here. of them, so you need to be good South Korea’s Jang reached a reer USLPGA Tour victory. Donald and Canadian “It was a little bit of a strug- around the greens. I proved that total of 17-under 199 and is aim- She had a chance at having Graham DeLaet both gle today, but my short game the last couple of holes.” ing to become the fi rst sponsor’s second place all to herself but holed-out on Friday on DeLaet, seeking his fi rst PGA invite to win on the US LPGA made bogey on the fi nal hole. theS way to grabbing a share of Tour victory after three second- Tour since New Zealand’s Lydia “I didn’t even know what I was Scoreboard the lead on 10-under-par after place fi nishes and three thirds, Ko captured the Canadian Wom- shooting really. I was just kind of two rounds of the RBC Heritage Leading key second-round vaulted up the leaderboard with en’s Open four years ago. on autopilot,” said Sharp. “I was in South Carolina. scores on Friday from the PGA a red-hot run around the turn. Canada’s Alena Sharp (66) very happy with how I played.” Donald found the hole on a Tour’s RBC Heritage tourna- “I had a nice little stretch in and Cristie Kerr (62) of the US World number one Ko fi red a short pitch shot, nipping the ment in Hilton Head, South the middle of my round. I birdied are tied for second at 14-under seven-under-par 65 on Friday ball off the grass short of the Carolina (USA unless noted): eight, then there was the ninth. 202 in the tournament which has with no bogeys, and is seven green into a mound and making At 10, I missed an eight-footer featured weather delays in each shots adrift of Jang. it pause after one big bounce be- 132 - Graham DeLaet (CAN) 65- for birdie, and I birdied 11 and of the fi rst three rounds. fore the ball trickled into the cup 67, Luke Donald (ENG) 65-67 12,” he said. Chun In-Gee of South Korea Key scores for birdie at the last to complete 134 - Ian Poulter (ENG) 66-68, DeLaet is one of eight players fi red a seven-under 65 for fourth a four-under 67. Webb Simpson 66-68 to have accumulated $10 million place and Thailand star Ariya Ju- Leading scores after the third That tied the English former 135 - Bud Cauley 63-72, Pat Pe- in earnings without a victory. tanugarn is also still in the hunt round (USA unless noted): world number one with early rez 68-67, Jason Dufner 68-67, Donald said winning on Sun- after shooting a 70 take sole pos- 199 - Jang Su-Yeon (KOR) starter DeLaet, who holed out Nick Taylor (CAN) 69-66, Sam day would bring vindication. session of fi fth. 67-67-65 a wedge shot from 109 yards to Saunders 65-70 “Would be a little bit of com- Ryu So-Yeon is alone in sixth 202 - Cristie Kerr 71-69-62, eagle the par-four ninth on his 136 - William McGirt 68-68, ing back to what I really feel like I after a 69. “I had a great feeling Alena Sharp (CAN) 67-69-66 way to 67 on the Harbour Town Russell Knox (SCO) 70-66, can play,” he said. for my shots and putting today,” 204 - Chun In-Gee (KOR) 70- layout. Luke Donald of England hits in action during the 2017 RBC Heritage. Wesley Bryan 69-67, Patrick “The last couple of years have she said. “Because I had to fi nish 69-65, Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) European Ryder Cup stalwart Cantlay 70-66, Kevin Kisner been a struggle, but I still feel up the second round this morn- 69-66-70 Ian Poulter of England and 2012 under 134, one stroke better followed an opening 63 with 72. 72-64, Ollie Schniederjans like I’ve got some good years in ing and playing another 18 I was 206 - Ryu So-Yeon (THA) 68- US Open winner Webb Simpson than fi ve players including fi rst- Donald leaned heavily on his 68-68 me. I need to try and fi nish it off a little bit tired, but I know I’m so 69-69 were two shots back at eight- round leader Bud Cauley, who short game as he lost control off this weekend.” far away from home and I trav- Gulf Times Sunday, April 16, 2017 5 SPORT

NHL Rangers lose to Canadiens on Radulov’s OT goal

By Steve Zipay ers, up 1-0 on Tanner Glass’ fortuitous With the Canadiens pressing, both Newsday goal midway through the period, took the Staal and Nick Holden chased a puck be- momentum after the intermission, and hind net, and Chris Kreider followed, but held the Canadiens to just 15 shots in the Brendan Gallagher, an irritant all night, ll the pressure was on the Cana- fi nal two periods and the Blueshirts took retrieved it and quickly fed Byron, un- diens and they responded. Game 1, 2-0, as Lundqvist made 31 saves. touched by Derek Stepan, and his snap Having lost Game 1 at Bell Game 2 started as if a continuation of shot went over Lundqvist’s right shoulder Centre on Wednesday, the sec- Wednesday’s tilt, with 53 hits in the fi rst at 15:42 for a 2-1 lead. ondA game of the fi rst-round series with 20 minutes, but more odd-man rushes in The chippiness continued in the sec- the Rangers on Friday raised the ante, and the fi rst period than all of Game 1. Price ond, with punches, shoves and slashes the Canadiens were a desperate team. kicked away a chance by Marc Staal, trail- after the whistle until a brawl involving all After all, according to Elias Sports Bu- ing the play and Ryan McDonagh shot 10 skaters erupted at 7:05, which resulted reau, teams that led 2-0 in a best-of-seven wide past the post, and Price then stopped in a Habs power play. Lundqvist stopped Stanley Cup playoff series had a 305-48 Grabner from the right circle at 2:45. a handful of shots, and then rookie Jimmy series record, or won the series 86.4 per- The Canadiens began a more aggres- Vesey set up Nash coming down the left cent of the time. sive forecheck, sending three forwards in side, and the veteran wired a top corner Trailing 3-2 with time winding down, and crashed the net, rattling the Blueshirt shot past Price to pull the Blueshirts into goaltender Carey Price was pulled and the coverage. With Lundqvist’s broken stick a tie at 9:58. Canadiens rallied as the Blueshirts tried to shoveled to the corner, Jeff Petry’s wrister Brendan Smith won a determined bat- protect the slim lead. from the right circle went through traffi c tle along the left boards in the Canadiens Tomas Plekanec’s defl ection with 17.3 and in for a 1-0 lead on the fi rst Habs shot zone and got the puck loose to Derek seconds remaining in regulation tied the on goal at 4:05. Lundqvist lost his stick for Stepan, who found Zuccarello at the right score and Alex Radulov’s jam-in with 1:26 a second time about fi ve minutes later, but post for a redirect past Price at 14:47 and left in overtime won it, 4-3. Henrik Lun- the puck was cleared out of danger. Dan a 3-2 edge. dqvist made 54 saves and was stellar in de- Girardi then misplayed a one-timer and All that was left was to hang on, and feat. Game 3 is at Madison Square Garden Paul Byron broke in alone, to be denied by without a stick yet again and scrambling on Sunday night. Lundqvist, keeping the defi cit at 1. back after wandering to his right, Lun- The Rangers had won an NHL-best 28 On another breakaway, Grabner tied the dqvist denied Alex Galchenyuk point road games this season, but are 20-16-4 score. Nikita Nesterov fumbled the puck blank with 3:15 left. at home. near the red line, and it was scooped by In Game 1 on Wednesday, the Habs, fi n- Grabner. Price came out to challenge, and RESULTS ishing check after check to the delight of as he was backing up, Grabner went right Canadiens ...... 4 Rangers ...... 3 Alexander Radulov of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his overtime goal with teammates against the New York the crowd, dominated the fi rst period, fi r- and fl ipped a high backhand in at 13:48. It Penguins ...... 4 Blue Jackets ...... 1 Rangers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff s. The Mon- ing 16 shots on Lundqvist. But the Rang- was his second goal of the series. Blues...... 2 Wild ...... 1 treal Canadiens defeated the New York Rangers 4-3 in overtime. (Getty Images/AFP)

MLB NBA Golden Warriors seek redemption aft er last Mariners overcome year’s fi nals collapse

Reuters dy on Thursday anointed the San Francisco Warriors the champions before the fi rst playoff game had even been played. he Golden State War- “Golden State is your cham- homer-turned-single riors enter the NBA pion. It won’t be close,” Van playoff s this weekend Gundy told ESPN’s The Lowe looking for redemp- Post podcast. Ttion after last season’s shock- “No one is gonna push them. ing defeat in the Finals, where It’s over.” the team blew a 3-1 lead to The Warriors faced similarly the Cleveland Cavaliers in the high expectations going into best-of-seven series. last year’s playoff s after they in win over Rangers Despite the unprecedented won an NBA-record 73 games championship series collapse, during the season, which made expectations for the Warriors their inability to claim the title ‘The most important thing is to give those guys a rest. They have carried the load all season’ to win the title this year are sky all the more shocking. high, and for good reason. Even that disappointment In the off season they added could pale in comparison to By Ryan Divish one of the league’s premier this year should the team fail to The Seattle Times scorers, former league Most win it all. Valuable Player Kevin Durant, “For the Warriors, it’s obvi- who quickly adapted to the ously championship or bust,” iven the current state of team’s fast-paced and unself- Turner Sports analyst Reggie the Seattle Mariners to ish brand of basketball. Miller and Hall of Fame shoot- start the season, hav- Despite an injury to Durant ing guard told reporters on ing a three-run homer late in the season that kept Thursday. Gturned into an RBI single and a him sidelined for 19 games, the “You don’t go out and get three-run lead dropped to just team fi nished with NBA’s best Kevin Durant and be happy to one run, seemed like a perfect overall record, ensuring home get to the Conference Finals or recipe for yet another heart- court advantage throughout the NBA Finals and lose. They breaking loss in what has been a the playoff s. have to win a championships. frustrating April. Durant returned to the Period.” Instead, the Mariners perse- starting lineup earlier this Turner Sports analyst and vered through the bad break and month and has shown no sign former coach Kevin McHale hung on for a win. of lingering problems from the said Durant will be key to help- Given a brilliant start from Fe- knee injury, boosting the War- ing the Warriors fi nish off close lix Hernandez and the go-ahead riors’ odds of winning. games, something they were homer turned to single from Westgate Las Vegas Super- unable to do in Game Seven Mitch Haniger and a save from book on Thursday listed the of last year’s Finals when they Edwin Diaz, Seattle picked up a Warriors as 1-2 favorites to surrendered their lead late in 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers bring Oakland their second the fourth quarter to LeBron on Friday night. championship trophy in three James and the Cavs. Haniger’s roller coaster of years. “KD makes them better. emotions came in the seventh ESPN analyst and former He’s a closer,” McHale told inning. He had barely fi nished NBA head coach Jeff Van Gun- reporters. getting congratulations from his teammates in the dugout fol- lowing what was initially ruled a three-run homer to left fi eld Knicks exec Jackson says when the fi rst replay appeared on Anthony better off elsewhere the Mariners’ massive screen. At that point, it became clear that The New York Knicks’ increasingly uneasy relationship with Car- he should stop celebrating and melo Anthony appears to be nearing an end after club president get ready to return to the fi eld. Phil Jackson said Friday the star forward would be “better off What appeared to be his team- somewhere else”. high fourth homer of the year – Speaking at a press conference after a season in which the an ultra-important three-run Knicks failed to make the playoff s for a third straight campaign, homer to break a 1-1 tie – was Jackson indicated nine-time All-Star Anthony wasn’t a good fit going to be taken away. for the team’s rebuilding plans. The fl y ball that appeared to “I think the direction with our team is that he would be better off become a souvenir in Edgar’s somewhere else,” Jackson said. Cantina had not quite en- Tensions mounted between Jackson and Anthony in January, tered the establishment. It was when a columnist known to be a confidant of Jackson wrote that stopped short like an underage the player had outlived his usefulness in New York. kid with a fake ID. The would- The two met in a bid to hash things out, with Anthony reportedly be homer hit off the top of the Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (No 12) turns a double play as Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger (No 17) is out at telling Jackson he wanted to stay put. wall and bounced back in. The second during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Anthony, who has a no-trade clause in his contract and would fi rst of many replays showed it have to sign off on any deal, admitted this week he found the hitting on the edge of the area They left the inning with just 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with Jurickson Profar to start the ter to tie the game at 1-1. back and forth during the season wearing. painted high-visibility yellow the one-run lead. Facing lefty his fi rst homer of the season. He inning. “If somebody was talking bad about you indirectly at your job, and bouncing back in. Dario Alvarez, Cano popped had gone 10 games and 44 plate Carlos Gomez popped up a Results what would you do?” he said. Not only was the homer taken up to shortstop. The Rangers appearances without breaking bunt in front of the mound, but San Francisco .8 Colorado ...... 2 “You would feel a certain way. You would want that person to away, but because Guillermo brought in right-hander Jeremy out the “Boomstick” as he likes the ball had enough backspin LA Dodgers ...... 7 Arizona ...... 1 come straightforward with you.” Heredia was tagging at fi rst base Jeff ress to face Cruz. It resulted to call it. on it that when it hit the infi eld Seattle ...... 2 Texas ...... 1 Jackson’s comments came a day after the Knicks exercised their and only got to second base on in broken-bat double play to end But that changed on a 3-2 grass between the mound and Houston ...... 7 Oakland ...... 2 option to keep the coaching legend as team president for the the play when the ball bounced the inning. pitch from his former teammate home plate, catcher Mike Zunino Kansas City .....7 LA Angels ...... 1 remaining two years on his contract. back in, Haniger was given just Hernandez delivered his best Perez. Cruz scalded the 96-mph couldn’t make a play on it. That White Sox ...... 2 Minnesota .....1 Jackson, 71, and the team could have gone their separate ways a single. outing of the young season, fastball over the middle of the put runners on fi rst and second Atlanta ...... 5 San Diego .....2 during the off -season under the terms of his five-year deal. Following the almost three- showing excellent command and plate, hitting a low line drive that with no outs. Detroit ...... 7 Cleveland .....6 Jackson is the most successful coach in NBA history, having led minute delay and plenty of boo- the pitch effi ciency the Mariners cut through the frigid night air, It looked as if Hernandez Milwaukee ....10 Cincinnati .... 4 the Michael Jordan-inspired Chicago Bulls to six NBA champion- ing from the crowd of 41,855, the have craved to see from him. leaving its own trail of steam, as might get out of the jam when Miami ...... 3 NY Mets ...... 2 ships between 1989 and 1998. Mariners had to try and get back Hernandez pitched 7 1/3 in- it cleared the wall in centre. Shin-Soo Choo hit into a check Tampa Bay ...10 Boston ...... 5 He followed that with five NBA titles between 2000 and 2010 at the two runs they had lost to the nings, giving up one run on six Hernandez couldn’t quite swing 5-4-3 double play to Kyle Baltimore ...... 6 Toronto ...... 4 the Los Angeles Lakers. replay. They still had runners on hits with no walks and three make the 1-0 lead stand-up. His Seager at third. But with Profar NY Yankees .....4 St. Louis ...... 3 He retired from coaching in 2011 before joining the Knicks as an fi rst and second with no outs and strikeouts. He threw just 89 lone run allowed came in the top on third, the ultra-hot Nomar Washington ....3 Philadelphia 2 executive in 2014. Under Jackson as team president, on an an- Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz pitches with 63 strikes. of the sixth. With a 1-0 lead, he Mazara bounced a single up the (10 innings) nual salary of $12 million, the Knicks have gone 80-166. coming to the plate. Cruz provided the Mariners a gave up a bloop single to left to middle past a diving Taylor Mot- Pittsburgh ...... 4 Chicago Cubs2 Gulf Times 6 Sunday, April 16, 2017 SPORT

CRICKET/IPL ATHLETICS Ethiopia’s Berhanu Hayle seeks a Kolkata on top of Boston repeat

Reuters ton will be a very interesting Boston race to watch.” Making a farewell appear- ance will be Meb Kefl ezighi, thiopian runner Lemi who gave Boston an emotional the table with easy Berhanu Hayle will de- boost when he became the fi rst fend his Boston Mara- American man to win in three thon title in a wide decades in 2014, one year after openE race on Monday against a pair of brothers of Chechen a men’s fi eld that includes the origin killed three people and fi rst American champion in injured more than 200 at the three decades and no clear fa- fi nish line with a pair of home- vourite. made bombs. win over Hyderabad Berhanu Hayle won last Kefl ezighi, 41, plans to retire year’s race in two hours 12 from competition after No- minutes 44 seconds after pull- vember’s New York City mara- ‘I think we can take a lot of confidence especially after this win’ ing away from twice champion thon. and countryman Lelisa Desisa, “It will be very emotional to who is not competing this year. get to Hopkinton (where the IANS The last men’s repeat win- race starts), but I’m excited. I Kolkata ner was fi ve-time champion know the course and I’m 100 % Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of healthy,” he said. Kenya, who completed a triple Galen Rupp, who won mara- olkata Knight Rid- in 2008. An Ethiopian woman, thon bronze at the Rio Olym- ers zoomed to the top Atsede Baysa, will also be de- pics but has had foot problems of the Indian Premier fending her title after winning this year, and Jared Ward, who League (IPL) table rid- in 2:29:19. wrote his masters thesis on King on Robin Uthappa’s gritty Berhanu Hayle’s main chal- marathon pacing, join a large half-century and disciplined lengers will include country- US contingent. bowling performance to beat man Sisay Lemma, who ran Strong women contenders Sunrisers Hyderabad by 17 runs 2:05:16 in Dubai last year, and include Kenyans Gladys Cher- at the Eden Gardens yesterday. Kenyans Geoff rey Kirui who ono, Edna Kiplagat and Brigid After a shaky start being put in ran 2:06:27 in Amsterdam last Kosgei. to bat by visiting captain David year and Emmanuel Mutai, These women will be rac- Warner, Uthappa stemmed the who was second in New York ing in part because of Kathrine rot with a brilliant 68 (39b 5x4 and Chicago, and has the fi eld’s Switzer, who became the fi rst 4x6) to help the men in purple fastest personal best of 2:03:13. woman to fi nish the then all- post 172/6. The hilly Boston course usu- male Boston race with a bib 50 Sunrisers, in their run chase, ally leads to slower times than years ago. lost wickets at regular intervals other major marathons. Switzer, 70, will wear the with David Warner (26; 30b, 4x4, “Any move (Berhanu Hayle) same number — 261 — when 0x6) and Yuvraj Singh (26; 16b, makes will be taken serious- she steps to the line to race 2x4, 2x6) top-scoring for the ly by the others,” said Scott again on Monday. “I will put on visitors who batted very poorly Douglas, a contributing editor the full regalia: the bib plus the to fi nish at 155/6 in 20 overs. Na- at Runner’s World. “With no eye liner, mascara and lipstick,” man Ojha (11) and Vipul Sharma clear standouts this year, Bos- she said. (21) were at the crease at the end. The defending champions made a steady start with Warner Sock avoids upset to reach Houston semis and Shikhar Dhawan (23; 22b 4x4; 0x6) stiching to together a High seeds John Isner and Sam Querrey were sent packing in 46-run stand off 40 deliveries. three sets, while No. 1 seed Jack Sock survived a scare at the ATP But once the spinners came Tour’s Houston event Friday. to the party, both the openers Second-seeded Isner was ousted by fellow American Ernesto departed in quick succession. Escobedo 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5) and third-seeded Querrey First, Dhawan holed out at long lost 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to Brazilian eight-seeded Thomaz Bellucci in the on to Yusuf Pathan who in the quarter-finals. end conceded just just two runs Sock avoided an upset, advancing to the semi-finals with a 7-6 in his fi rst over. (8/6), 1-6, 6-4 victory over Feliciano Lopez of Spain. Soon, Warner - not a great The 20-year-old Escobedo beat former tournament winner Isner player of spin - fell to the guile of Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir (C) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Shikhar despite posting just 10 aces to his opponent’s 35. chinaman Kuldeep Yadav. Dhawan during the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday. (AFP) Fourth seed Steve Johnson eased through to the semis with a The southpaw could not read 6-2, 6-4 victory over Spanish fifth seed Fernando Verdasco. him from the fi rst ball and fi nally ish Pandey (46; 35b, 3x4, 2x6) had slapped Ashish Nehra down Karnataka brought up his half- four outings, while Sunrisers Escobedo, who is ranked No. 91 in the world, will face Bellucci picked out Chris Woakes at long stitched together a 77-run stand the wicket. Bhuvneshwar looked century, sweeping Rashid to deep have four in their kitty from the in the semi-finals. Escobedo is competing in his first clay-court off for an easy catch less than one for the third wicket. dangerous in his fi rst spell of two midwicket where Shikhar Dha- same number of matches. tournament and just his ninth ATP Tour event overall. month after falling to the same Openers Sunil Narine (6; 9b, overs (2-0-7-1) getting the ball wan misjudged a diffi cult catch Gambhir seemed confi dent “I can’t believe it,” Escobedo said. “To do it here in Houston, it’s bowler while playing for Aus- 1x4) and skipper Gautam Gam- to swing away from the right attempt. personifi ed during the presenta- amazing. (It’s) such a relief. Past years I’ve been training so hard tralia against India in the fourth bhir (15; 16b, 2x4, 0x6) departed hander. Together with Pandey, the duo tion ceremony post the game. and now it’s paying off .” Test at Dharamsala. early to leave the hosts tottering Just when it looked like Gam- who play their domestic cricket “Quality side would try and Isner was trailing 6-5 in the third set when he fought off three Moises Henriques (13; 10b, at 40/2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar bhir was about to continue from together, tore apart Sunrisers. win in any situation whether it match points and then blasted an ace to force the tiebreak. 2x4, 0x6) followed suit in the (3/20) bowled wonderfully well where he had left against Kings Uthappa, in the process, be- is bowling fi rst or batting fi rst. He hammered two consecutive aces in the tiebreak to pull within next over, playing a uppish drive with a superb fi rst spell that XI Punjab, Afghanistan leg-spin- came the third batsman after We were a good chasing side, but 6-5 but Escobedo clinched the victory with his 10th ace. off Woakes which the England yielded 2-0-7-1. ner Rashid Khan (1/29) continued Gambhir and Yusuf Pathan to a win like this gives us so much “After the second set, I just refocused and told myself to keep on bowler latched onto in his follow Coming in at No.3, Uthappa his purple patch with the KKR score 1500 runs for KKR. confi dence,” Gambhir said, after going, be patient and it’s gonna happen,” Escobedo said. through well. used all his experience to engi- captain trying to cut a straight Cutting (1/41) fi nally got his bowlers pegged the holders Sock, who posted his first ATP Tour title here two years ago, is Deepak Hooda (13; 7b, 1x4, neer a crafty 68 (39b 5x4 4x6) one that skidded off the surface Uthappa out - his legcutter forc- to at 155/6 in reply to the hosts’ seeking his third title of the year after winning in Auckland, New 1x6) failed to shine also, miss- along with Manish Pandey who and clattered into his stumps. ing the 2007 T20 World Cup 172/6. Zealand and Delray Beach, Florida. He survived a tough first set ing the line off Narine’s delivery was guilty of a slow start - scor- After the Powerplay, KKR winning player to mistime his “Lot of people regard us as a in his match and then bounced back after Lopez dominated the for Uthappa to eff ect an easy ing only 13 in his fi rst 18 balls -to were in a spot of bother at 40/2 pull with Rashid running from chasing side and I think we can second set. stumping. fi nally score a 35-ball 46 (3x4, with Pandey joining Uthappa in deep midwicket to long on to take a lot of confi dence especial- Just when Yuvraj looked set 2x6). The pair stitched together a the middle. take the catch. ly after this win.” Schiavone, 36, into Bogota final for a match-winning knock 77-run third wicket partnership. Uthappa upped the ante af- Bhuvneshwar halted Pandey Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone shrugged smacking Umesh Yadav for Narine failed to repeat his he- ter the break, hitting Moises from scoring a fi fty, getting the BRIEF SCORES off her 36 years to reach the Bogota final on Friday, despite her a six and four in consecutive roics of two days ago as a fi ery Henriques and Vipul Sharma back of him as Pathan remained Kolkata Knight Riders 172 for 6 modest world ranking of 168. The Italian, champion at Roland balls, Woakes got the back of Bhuvneshwar uprooted his -- both being inducted in the unbeaten at 21 off 15 with Surya- (Uthappa 68, Pandey 46, Bhu- Garros in 2010, downed Sweden’s Johanna Larsson 7-5, 6-4 and the southpaw with a slower cut- off -stump with an in-swinging fi rst XI in place of Mustafi zur kumar Yadav and Colin Grand- vneshwar 3-20) beat Sunrisers will face Lara Arruabarrena, the world number 65, in Saturday’s ter that substitute Rishi Dhawan yorker to which the leg-spinner Rahman and Vijay Shankar - for homme falling to Nehra and Hyderabad 155 for 6 (Warner 26, final. Arruabarrena defeated Spanish compatriot Sara Sorribes pouched at long on. had no answer. two and a six respectively. The Bhuvneshwar respectively. Yuvraj 26, Narine 1-18, Kuldeep 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in her semi-final. Earlier, Uthappa and Man- In the previous over, Narine clean-hitting right-hander from KKR now have six points from 1-23) by 17 runs.

SPOTLIGHT All-round Daredevils tame Kings XI by 51 runs

IANS skipper Zaheer Khan at extra- four. Left-arm spinner Axar Pa- in line and length in the early New Delhi cover after facing fi ve balls and tel, 44 from 29 balls raised Pun- part of the innings. sending the ball to the boundary jab’s hopes for a little by lofting Young Samson started the on- once. the likes of Mishra, Anderson slaught from the fi rst over when elhi Daredevils rode on an With the team struggling at and Zaheer for three sixes but he fl icked medium pacer San- all-round eff ort to regis- 31/3, David Miller (24) and Eoin it was too late for the visitors as deep Sharma for four down the ter their second succes- Morgan (22) put on 33 runs for the asking rate kept on legs before adding another to sive win, beating Kings the fourth wicket to take the vis- mounting. bring up eight runs. XID Punjab by 51 runs in an Indian itors past the 50-run mark. For Delhi, Morris was the pick Billings on the other hand, Premier League (IPL) match at the Morgan and Miller batted cau- of the bowlers with fi gures of started with a pull over mid-on Feroz Shah Kotla yesterday. tiously, striking the occasional 3/23 while Nadeem and Cum- off Mohit Sharma before meting Chasing a mammoth 189, boundaries to take the Pun- mins took two wickets apiece. out special treatment to pacer Punjab could never recover from jab side to 64 before Australian Mishra and Anderson chipped in Varun Aaron, slamming three the three early jolts for just 31 pacer Pat Cummins packed back with one wicket each. consecutive boundaries in his runs and were restricted to 137/9. the South African after facing 20 Earlier, Daredevils rode on fi rst over. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz balls and hitting three fours. opener Sam Billings’ half cen- Playing his fi rst match of the Nadeem rocked the visitors with Leg-spinner Amit Mishra tury and a breezy unbeaten 39 season, Shreyas Iyer (22) raised two early wickets - Manan Vo- then jolted Punjab with the key from New Zealand’s Corey An- 41 runs with Billings for the third hra (3) and wicketkeeper Wrid- wicket of skipper Glenn Maxwell derson to post 188/6 after win- wicket. dhiman Saha (7) - before South for a duck in the very next over. ning the toss and electing to South African all-rounder African all-rounder Chris Mor- Mishra couldn’t have asked bat. Morris struck an 8-ball 16 to ris dealt another blow with the for a better occasion to claim his Anderson’s electrifying knock help Delhi cross the 150-run wicket of opener Hashim Amla 50th wicket at the Feroz Shah came from just 22 deliveries and mark before Sandeep induced (19) inside the fi rst fi ve overs. Kotla as Punjab were found tot- included three fours and as many him to pull a short ball only to Amla looked good during his tering at 65/5 midway through sixes after Billings set the plat- fi nd Mohit’s safe hands at the brief 12-ball stay, slamming four their innings. form with a 40-ball 55. square leg boundary. boundaries before a fl ick off a Miller then survived a low Delhi were off to a flier with slower full toss from his country- catch by Zaheer off Corey An- the opening duo of Billings and BRIEF SCORES man Morris landed on Sam Bill- derson but failed to capitalise last match’s centurion Sanju Delhi Daredevils 188 for 6 (Bill- ings’ hands at deep square leg. and got out to the same bowler Samson (19) putting on 53 runs. ings 55, Anderson 39*) beat Saha, however got out to a trapped in front off a full toss Both mostly dealt in bounda- Kings XI Punjab 137 for 9 (Miller Delhi Daredevils wicket-keeper Rishab Pant (R) and Shahbaz Nadeem (C) celebrate the wicket of Kings XI stunning low catch by Delhi after facing 28 balls and hitting a ries as the Punjab bowlers erred 24, Morris 3-23) by 51 runs. Punjab’s Vohra with Sam Billings (L) during the IPL match in New Delhi yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Sunday, April 16, 2017 7 SPORT

TRACK CYCLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE MIDDLE EAST Al Zubair claims maiden win, Frijns Last-gasp Thomas fi nishes second

Agencies corner and maintain the lead to Sakhir, Bahrain win the last race of season 8.” Yesterday’s third place fi nish means that ahead of the fi nal eenage sensation Al race tomorrow Ireland’s Ryan storms to omnium Faisal al-Zubair won Cullen has secured the over- the penultimate race all drivers’ championship for of Porsche GT3 Cup the fi rst time in his career. The ChallengeT Middle East Season Irishman has been a model of 8 in spectacular fashion at the consistency and deserves his Bahrain International Circuit, part in regional motor-racing Sakhir, as part of the offi cial history. 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bah- Speaking after his fi rst Por- gold for France rain Grand Prix weekend. sche title Ryan Cullen said: A remarkable maiden vic- “I’m really happy with my tory came courtesy of a near performance today, I fell back ‘We are focused on Tokyo 2020. In two or three years we will be one strong team’ fl awless performance from to sixth on the fi rst corner, but pole. The Omani responded to managed to overtake two cars the intense fi nal round pres- in the fi rst lap. I tried to push AFP sure to claim the vital race win for second but knew if I stayed Hong Kong by 0.678 seconds in the 10-lap where I was, I would win the race over rivals Charlie Frijns championship so there was of Qatar in second and Ryan no need to risk it. I felt under enjamin Thomas said Cullen of Ireland third. pressure today because in mo- France had their sights Despite the strong race torsport you never know what fi rmly fi xed on the next result for Frijns and fi nish- is going to happen even if you Olympics after he broke ing ahead of rival Cullen, the only need a few points to win it. hisB country’s gold medal drought Doha-resident will be left “It means so much to win and claimed his fi rst major ti- with mixed emotions as sec- the championship this season. tle at the Track Cycling World ond place is not good enough I’ve worked really hard since Championships yesterday. to keep his hopes of winning November and wanted to get The 21-year-old won his fi rst a fi rst drivers’ championship the most out of myself, and rainbow jersey in thrilling style, alive. The highest Frijns can prove what I can do against a with a charge on the last lap of now fi nish is second, which tough grid of competition. My the fi nal race of the four-event would still represent a best worst position has been fourth, omnium to snatch victory by two ever season. so I’ve remained consistent points. After the race Frijns said: which is another very impor- It came on a busy penultimate “Today’s race was good. Once tant factor for me. It’s great to night in Hong Kong when Rus- we got the green light, I didn’t be able to take this form and sia won two gold medals and the have the best of starts unfortu- confi dence into the Porsche women’s madison, which cy- nately. But neither did a couple Supercup over the summer and cling chiefs want included in the of others on the front of the I am hoping to end my season Olympics, made its world cham- grid which meant I didn’t re- with a win tomorrow.” pionships debut. ally lose or gain anything posi- Debutant Al Zubair stole the Thomas’s victory gave France tion wise. I came out of the fi rst show on the biggest stage in only their second medal of turn in second place and put as Middle Eastern motorsport by the competition, but he said a much pressure on Al Faisal Al establishing an early lead and youthful French team was start- Zubair as I could, I managed taking advantage of his qualify- ing to gel ahead of the Tokyo to pass him early on, but he did ing position in a race that beau- 2020 Olympics. well to take the position back. tiful illustrated the competitive “It’s a new generation. We are “It was a good battle be- present and exciting future of all young. We are focused on To- tween myself and Al Zubair, it Porsche racing in the region. kyo 2020,” he said. just shows what this champi- After the race he said: “The “In two or three years we will onship can do for young driv- win today almost makes this be one strong team.” ers, Al Faisal al-Zubair has a perfect season for me. I said Thomas was second in the come in as a rookie, and to win halfway through the season standings after the scratch, tem- a race in his fi rst season is in- that I thought I had the pace to po and elimination races, and credible for him. win a race, and to do it on the he was level on points with New “For me, losing the cham- last weekend is a dream come Zealand’s Aaron Gate before the pionship to Cullen is very bad true. I can’t wait until tomor- fi nal sprint in the 100-lap points but I expected this before the row and hopefully seal the race. Gold medallist France’s Benjamin Thomas (C) is flanked by Silver medallist New Zealand’s Aaron Gate (L) and Bronze medallist Spain’s Albert weekend, as he only needed silver championship and end “I never panicked. I was con- Torres Barcelo (R) as they pose during the medal ceremony for the men’s Omnium at the 2017 Track Cycling World Championships in Hong a few points to secure the ti- my debut season with the best fi dent. During the last sprint, I Kong yesterday. (AFP) tle. Congratulations to Ryan, possible results.” knew if I beat Aaron Gate I would he has had a very solid season The fi nal outcome of this be world champion,” he said, madison is unbelievable, to be bronze-medal race. Russia’s “I have two bronze, two silver, 2. Harrie Lavreysen (NED) and a performed well in every year’s championship is de- calling his victory “a bit special. the fi rst world champion,” said Daria Shmeleva won the 500m but never gold and never this jer- Final for bronze race. Tomorrow is the last race termined over the eleven best “The world championships Kopecky. women’s time trial with a time sey and it was my dream,” 1. Ethan Mitchell (NZL) of the season and I’m starting results of the season, with all did not start well for France. We of 33.282sec, 0.1sec faster than said Dmitriev, the fi rst Russian 2. Ryan Owens (GBR) in pole position, I hope I can drivers allowed to drop their only got one medal and the day Russian triumph Germany’s Miriam Welte, while winner in the event since Women’s 500m time trial keep the position after the fi rst worst result. passed and there was no med- The event at Hong Kong Velo- Russian defending champion the dissolution of the Soviet 1. Daria Shmeleva (RUS) als, no podium. It was a bit hard,” drome featured plenty of wheel- Anastasia Voynova took bronze. Union. 33.282sec, 2. Miriam Welte (GER) Thomas said. to-action and Australia’s Alex- Shmeleva, 22, moves on to “The next goal is the Olympics +0.100, 3. Anastasia Voynova Earlier, Belgium’s Lotte Ko- andra Manly twice hit the deck three career rainbow jerseys af- and gold.” (RUS) +0.172 pecky and Jolien D’Hoore be- after collisions with her team- ter she successfully defended He added: “I hope my victory Women’s madison came the fi rst women’s madison mate, Amy Cure. her team sprint title alongside helps to put some kids on the 1. Lotte Kopecky/Jolien D’Hoore world champions when they “I must admit after our second Voynova earlier this week. bike and do some sports — not (BEL) 44pts fi nished the 160-lap race with crash, I thought we were out of “I know that I’m a world for winning, just for health. 2. Elinor Barker/Emily Nelson 45 points, ahead of Britain and the medals,” said Cure. champion in two events here, “This is my biggest reason for (GBR) 34 Australia, who survived two America’s Chloe Dygert won but it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Shme- doing what I’m doing now.” 3. Amy Cure/Alexandra Manly wipe-outs to take bronze. the women’s individual pursuit leva said. “If you ask me tomor- (AUS) 25 The International Cycling Un- by more than seven seconds over row morning probably I can tell RESULTS Women’s pursuit ion is lobbying for Olympic in- Australia’s Ashlee Ankudinoff , you what I feel.” Men’s omnium Final for gold clusion for the madison, where clinching her fi rst individual In the men’s sprint, Russia’s 1. Benjamin Thomas (FRA) 1. Chloe Dygert (USA) 3:24.641 teams of two riders swap in and world title. Denis Dmitriev, 31, fi nally broke 149pts, 2. Aaron Gate (NZL) 147, 2. Ashlee Ankudinoff (AUS) out and sprint for points every Her fellow American Kelly through for his fi rst major title 3. Albert Torres (ESP) 138 3:31.784 10 laps. Catlin also beat an Australian, with victory over Dutch rider Men’s sprint Final for bronze Faisal al-Zubair (C), Charlie Frijns (L) and Ryan Cullen pose on the “It’s a dream to become a two-time defending cham- Harrie Lavreysen in the gold- Final for gold 1. Kelly Catlin (USA) 3:30.365 podium of the penultimate race of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge world champion. Doing it in the pion Rebecca Wiasak, in the medal fi nal. 1. Denis Dmitriev (RUS) 2. Rebecca Wiasak (AUS) 3:31.173 Middle East Season 8 at Sakhir, Bharain, yesterday.

EMIR CUP BASKETBALL Al Wakrah and El Jaish post contrasting victories

By Sports Reporter their lead (64-46). Doha For Al Sadd, Faris Sadikovic scored 15 points, while Oumar Seck and Mohamed Ouiri had 14 yeni Olatokunbo scored and 11, respectively. a match-high 32 points In another match, El Jaish to help Al Wakrah post edged out Al Rayyan 92-86, a convincing 84-63 thanks largely to a brilliant fi - winA over Al Sadd in the Emir Cup nal quarter during which they last evening. scored 25 points. Ayeni, who played the full du- Leon Macklin was the star for ration of the game, made 11 of 26 the winners with 29 points with fi eld goal attempts and nailed all a fi eld goal percentage of 72.22. his nine free-throws to torment Saeed Irfan Ali, Atif El Hadry and Al Sadd. Hani Abilmona chipped in Thomas Blair added 25 points, with 17, 16 and 13 points, re- with nine coming from the spectively. three-point mark, besides pro- Al Rayyan led 24-17 at the ducing seven assists and fi ve end of the fi rst quarter but Jaish steals. turned the tables on them slowly Al Sadd just about managed to but surely. edge the fi rst quarter at 22-20, After tying the second quar- but Wakrah managed to restrict ter at 42 all, they edged the third them to just 10 points in the sec- period 67-63 before eventually ond and scored 23 points of their clinching victory. own to turn the match in their Onassis Bowles and Hassan favour. Mohamed with 20 and 19 re- With a 43-32 lead in after the spectively excelled for Al Rayy- second quarter, Al Wakrah had an. the perfect launching pad and Today, Al Shamal play Al Khor they took full advantage of it to at 5pm followed by a match be- put the result of the match be- tween Al Gharafa and Al Arabi at Al Wakrah’s Ayeni Olatokunbo (No 1 ) in action against Al Sadd during their Emir Cup basketball match yesterday. (R) In other match of the day El Jaish’s Leon Macklin (No 22) goes yond doubt by almost doubling 7pm. for the basket against Al Rayyan. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed

Sunday, April 16, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

SHOOTING RALLYING Qatar’s Adel Abdulla aims to get title Rashid and Sarah defence on track take gold, al-Attiyah settles for silver ‘The most important thing was I showed that I have not lost any of my touch’

By Yash mudgal ried about my fi tness for the next week’s Doha Sealine cross-country. Talking about his preparation, he said: “The level of the Qatari shooters is going ashid Masoud Jaralla and Sarah up. It was a good competition and prepa- Mohamed clinched the men’s ration for me ahead of some events. After and women’s Emir Cup skeet the Sealine rally, I’ll go to compete in the gold medals while London Ol- Cyprus World Cup and then the Islamic ympicsR bronze medallist Nasser Saleh al- Games in Baku.” Attiyah had to settle for silver. In the women’s section Sarah stated At the Losail Shooting Range yester- slowly but once in the fi nal she fl ourished day, Jaralla upstaged al-Attiyyah and in the windy conditions. 2015 winner Khalid al-Muhannadi to win “It was a great fi nal, I guess... I shot the gold. 46 out of 60. It was a nice performance. Jaralla, who was coming to the com- Before the fi nal, I and Reem were second By Sports Reporter ted Adel Abdulla. “Bad luck has petitive shooting after a gap of nine behind Lulwa with 69 each. I’d never Dpha set me back on the fi rst three months, qualifi ed for the fi nal in fi rst thought I’d win the title today. With each rounds. I don’t have any answers position with 122 targets and maintained stage, I shot well and in the gold medal for it either. Each rally is unique his supremacy in the gold medal round elimination, I managed to hit 10 out of 10 efending FIA World with its events and stories. in blustery conditions. In the end, Jar- in the windy condition to claim the title. Cup T2 champion “This is also an important alla (45+8) beat al-Attiyyah (44+7) for I’m very delighted with my perform- Adel Abdulla will be event for my sponsors, Ooredoo, the gold. Al-Muhannadi claimed bronze ance,” Sarah said. Daiming to get the de- Saleh Al-Hamad Al-Mana Co with 43. Sarah was followed by the former Emir fence of his title back on track and the QMMF. I am also rep- “I am very happy with the win today. Gold winner Rashid Masoud Jaralla (C), silver winner Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (L) and Cup junior champion Ammena al-Man- after a disappointing start to the resenting my country on this I was coming after a nine-month break Khalid al-Muhannadi pose on the podium. At bottom, the men’s junior winners. soori and Hanan Haji. season, when he tackles the Qa- home event so I am hoping to be as I was dealing with some personal is- The former Emir Cup junior champion tar Cross-Country Rally from lucky. sues. I am happy to beat shooters like Ameena shot 41 out of 60 to fi nish sec- Tuesday (April 17) through to “I don’t have any particular Nasser and Khalid in the Emir Cup as it is ond was also happy with her perform- Saturday (April 22). strategy except for pushing hard an achievement for me,” the 25-year-old ance, as she said: “It was tough competi- The Nissan Patrol driver fi nds from the very start and keep- Jaralla said. tion for me. I tried my best and won the himself unoffi cially 35 points ing the pressure on all the time. “I won many medals in Qatar before. second place and I’m very proud of it. For me, the most important thing was In 2014, I had won the junior title in the I showed that I have not lost any of my Emir Cup. So I’m really happy about this touchtouch,” said Jaralla. performance and the silver medal. This The 47-year-old shooter and rally is the best result for me so far. I’m glad driver al-Attiyah, who took time from his about my progress. This was my second busy rallying schedule to take part in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge two weeks I won’t give up so quickly,” al-Attiyyah event in the senior class. I’ll work hard event, took silver. ago and got injured, was satisfi ed with said. and try to improve my results in the fu- Al-Attiyah lauded the eff orts of Jaralla, his show yesterday. “I tried my best, but I wasn’t able to ture competitions.” saying: “It was a very good victory for “I was not up to the mark today, but I recover hundred percent. Anyway, it was In men’s junior skeet, Abdulla young Jaralla. I am happy for him as he am happy with my show considering I am a good round of shooting for me. It was Rashidan bagged the top prize. MM al- has a bright future ahead of him.” carrying an injury. I’ve pain in my back. good for me to reach the second place. I Khulaifi and HM al-Khulaifi claimed sil- Al-Attiyah, who crashed out of the My coach advised me to skip it. But I said have lost some weight and now I’m wor- ver and bronze medals respectively. adrift of the series leader after I need 50 points for the win. I the opening three rounds of the don’t know what will happen SPOTLIGHT series in Russia, Dubai and Abu with the other drivers and there Dhabi failed to deliver a result are a lot of participants in T2 that the Qatari had bargained this time. My rivals from last for. year are here and there are two Running with support from more in the same team who will Saleh Al-Hamad Al-Mana Co give him more confi dence and (Nissan Qatar), Ooredoo and some other local drivers.” Schroder, Alvarez to race for the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle The QMMF has received an Federation (QMMF), for his QX excellent entry in the T2 catego- Rally Team Nissan, Adel knows ry. Aside from the entry for Adel the importance of pushing hard Abdulla, there are entries for for the T2 win against a formi- the Saudi Arabian trio of Yasir the fi rst time in Qatar dable line-up of drivers entered Saeidan, Ahmed al-Malki and in the increasingly popular cate- Ahmed al-Shegawi, young Emi- By Sports Reporter 2012. overall, despite two days of delays. The with the Chilean driver Hernan Garces gory for series production cross- rati Mansoor al-Helai and four Doha Formerly known as the Sealine Cross- German is relishing the prospect of the and his navigator Juan Pablo Latrach. country vehicles. additional Nissan Patrols for the Country Rally, the event is organised by Qatar event and feels that the nature “Fernando is starting his campaign Technical issues and time Qatari quartet of Mohamed al- the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federa- of the terrain will be more suited to his with us in the Toyota in Qatar and is penalties meant that the Qatari Harqan, Rashid al-Mohannadi, outh Racing has entered cars tion (QMMF) and has built up a reputa- driving style, even though race offi cials looking for a good result,” said South and French navigator Sébastien Jamal Fakhroo and Mohamed for Germany’s Jürgen Schröder tion as being one of the toughest events are expecting temperatures to hover Racing’s managing director Scott Abra- Delaunay fi nished fi fth in the al-Meer. and Spain’s Fernando Alvarez in in the calendar in terms of diffi cult navi- around the high thirties and low forties ham. “He was fi ghting inside the top 10 recent Abu Dhabi Desert Chal- The competitive action gets Sthe Qatar Cross-Country Rally, gation and varied desert terrain. It is now Centigrade for much of the coming week. in Portugal last year and also featured lenge and, with double points underway with a timed super round four of the FIA World Cup for based at the Losail International Circuit, Alvarez is competing in his fi rst event of well in Baja Spain to fi nish eighth with on off er at both that event and special stage at the Losail mo- Cross-Country Rallies, taking place on north of Doha, although the competitive the season with South Racing. He and Pablo Monasterolo. It’s his fi rst time in the forthcoming rally in Qatar, tocross facility after the offi - April 17-22. Schröder and his son Maxi- action covers the length and breadth of Gennoni fi nished 13th overall at last Qatar. “Jürgen continues his World Cup it’s imperative that the Nissan cial pre-event press conference milian will crew a Nissan Navara, while the gas-rich state and passes through a year’s Baja Portalegre in Portugal and are challenge. It’s also his fi rst time in Qatar driver bounces back with a top on Tuesday. Over the next four Alvarez and Argentinean navigator Lu- broad range of desert landscapes. also hoping to tackle rounds of the FIA and he’s looking for a strong result after podium fi nish in his TOK Sport- days, there will be around 1,374 ciano Gennoni wheel out a Toyota Hilux. Schröder survived the intense heat and World Cup in Italy, Spain, Morocco and his fi rst experience in Abu Dhabi a week run car. kilometres timed against the Neither driver has tackled the fi ve-day daunting sand dunes of the Abu Dhabi Portugal later this year. or so ago. I am sure that he can repeat the “This rally is extremely im- clock in a route of just under Qatar event before, even though it has Desert Challenge earlier this month and South Racing achieved an excellent top 10 fi nish he earned in Morocco last portant to me in order to reduce 2,000 kilometres through the been a round of the FIA World Cup since reached the fi nish in a creditable 23rd eighth overall at the Qatar event last year year.” the gap with the leader,” admit- Qatar deserts.

EMIR CUP VOLLEYBALL

Defending champions Al Arabi (L) overcame Police 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 25-27, 25-23, 15-5) in the first of the best-of-three Emir Cup volleyball semifinal series at the Women’s Sports Committee Indoor Hall at the Aspire Zone yesterday. In the second semifinal (R), Al Rayyan defeated El Jaish 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-23). PICTURES: Jayaram