MONDAY, MAY 9, 2016 SPORTS

Villarreal sign first Qatari national in history : Teenage forward Akram Afif is set teams in Spain.” He added that he would born in Doha, is no stranger to Spanish During the current season he scored taking place from later this year. Villarreal to become the first player from ever aim for the first team next season. football having played for Villarreal and six times in 16 appearances for Eupen, currently lie fourth in La Liga and have to play in La Liga and possibly the “Villarreal will play the Champions League Sevilla’s youth teams. who subsequently have gained promo- already secured qualification for next sea- Champions League after being signed by next season so we’ll try to be a difficult tion to Belgium’s top division. Eupen son’s Champions League. Spanish club Villarreal. Afif yesterday team to beat in La Liga and go as far as we Proficient player director Christoph Henkel said in a state- They will be placed in the tournament described his transfer as a “dream” after his can in all competitions,” said the young Since 2015, Afif has been playing for ment posted on the club’s website that he play-off round before the main group move was confirmed by his parent club Al history-maker. Al Sadd, the Doha club for KAS Eupen, a Qatari-owned team in the was sorry to see Afif leave but the club stage. Several other young Qataris play in Sadd and the Spaniards. which Barcelona great Hernandez Belgian second division. Eupen is owned “wished him luck and success in his future Europe, but it is thought that only one oth- “It is a dream come true for me to be now plays, took to social media on by Qatar’s renowned , career”. A fast and technically proficient er Qatari has appeared in a major league. the first Qatari player in La Liga,” Afif said Saturday evening to say it had reached a which has spent millions trying to devel- player, Afif made his debut for the Qatari Hussein Yasser made one appearance for in an interview with the Supreme deal with Villarreal. op young Qatari sports stars over the past national side last year during the country’s English club Manchester City in the 2005/6 Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the And in a statement on its website, sub- decade. Afif is a product of Aspire. His record 15-0 trouncing of Bhutan in an AFC season. Yasser was in his early 20s when he body organizing the Qatar 2022 World sequently retweeted by Afif, Villarreal also transfer to arguably the strongest World Cup qualifier. He is likely to feature made his only appearance during a defeat Cup. “I am very happy to sign for Villarreal, confirmed that an agreement had been European league could be seen as a major in Qatar’s make-or-break matches for the on penalties to Doncaster Rovers in the they are a big team and one of the best reached “in principle”. The 19-year-old, coup for Aspire. 2018 World Cup in Russia, with qualifiers League Cup. —AFP

Leicester fans continue to celebrate their title

LEICESTER: A growing number of broken together, we’re always in touch with each beer bottles crunched beneath their feet as other. That just shows how much as a unit thousands of Leicester supporters contin- we all are as a team and it shows in our per- ued singing past midnight on the city’s formances week in, week out.” But even High Street yesterday. “Champions of Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri publicly England,” the chant went, “we know what accepts that this season could well be a we are.” one-off high-point for the team, which has Few around the world will not know. only lost three league games in the title Singing it perhaps reminds Leicester fans charge after starting out as 5,000-1 long- that the past year is real and not some shots and relegation candidates. improbable sporting fantasy. It was little Rival managers are wondering if under- surprise that Leicester Royal Infirmary dogs winning the league will become the reported twice the usual number of new norm. Arsenal is enduring a 12-year patients being admitted during the title drought despite significantly out- Saturday night revelry, mostly for minor spending Leicester, which has completed a injuries or alcohol-related incidents. seven-year rise from the third tier to win its People were urged to avoid seeking first championship. “Maybe a team that medical attention unless it was urgent, with nobody expects now will come next season the hospital tweeting that it is “feeling the and surprise everyone,” effect of the (Leicester) game yesterday. If Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. you don’t need to come to A&E please “All the English clubs have the money to don’t.” Yesterday marked Leicester’s seventh buy now. You’ve got West Ham moving into day as one of the unlikeliest champions of a new stadium with more potential with England since the country’s leagues were the finances that brings. Tottenham are cre- established in the 19th century. ating a new stadium as well. “So in a few The solid silver trophy, years the potential in England will be much GLASGOW: Celtic players celebrate winning the League after the match against at Celtic Park. — AP topped by a golden crown, was presented more shared than everywhere else and you the previous evening to the Leicester play- can get more surprises.” ers after they overwhelmed Everton in a 3- One Manchester United fan turned up at 1 win with a display that showed they are Leicester on Saturday with a poster saying: Celtic clinch championship taking the final two games of the campaign “A trophy earned not bought.” Wenger, seriously. though, points out that Leicester’s owners - Thai retail group King Power - are wealthy. with win over Aberdeen ‘We are brothers’ It’s just that Leicester hasn’t spent heavily “It’s unbelievable - you’ve seen the team on players to upset the established elite spirit that we’ve got,” said top-scorer Jamie like Arsenal. “Let’s not forget Leicester are GLASGOW: Celtic clinched the Scottish Celtic Park it is difficult, but the players deserve a the despairing Collin in goal. Vardy, whose double on Saturday took his not poor,” Wenger said. “But they’ve done Premiership championship for the fifth time in a lot of credit for not folding and giving up and There was no let-up from Celtic in the second tally to 24 for the season. “It is a scandal extremely well with less resources and their row as they survived a nervy finish to seal a 3-2 coming back fighting strong,” McInnes said. half as stand-in captain Lustig made it 3-0. how we all are together. We literally are like efficiency level between money spent and win over nearest challengers Aberdeen at “We let them know we were there and Callum McGregor showed good skill to cut in brothers. “When training and matches are results are by far the best in Europe, and Parkhead yesterday. The Glasgow giants got off weren’t going anywhere and they had a fight from the right and cut the ball back into the finished, we’ll all go out and have food you have to give them credit for that.” —AP to the perfect start as Patrick Roberts’ sensation- but ultimately we just fell a bit short.” Celtic path of Lustig who swept the ball into the net. al strike fired them into a seventh minute lead. showed they weren’t content to settle for just Aberdeen almost pulled one back when a The on-loan Manchester City winger added a the point they needed to seal the championship mistake from substitute Efe Ambrose allowed second in the 20th minute before stand-in skip- as they played with an intensity and tempo that to race in on goal but his initial per made it 3-0 four minutes after has been lacking at times during the season. strike was palmed away by ‘keeper Craig Gordon the break. The Dons, who have pushed the and the winger fired the rebound into the side Hoops close this season, pulled one back Unstoppable strike netting from a tight angle. through Niall McGinn in the 57th minute before It was Roberts who got the party started as However, Hayes made amends soon after ’s header reduced the deficit he fired Celtic in front. The on-loan Manchester when he played in McGinn, who prodded the further. City winger was allowed to drift in from the right ball under Gordon from 10 yards out to pull one However, Celtic hung on to claim the victory and left the Aberdeen defense trailing in his back for Aberdeen. The goal gave the Dons, who that moves them 12 clear of Aberdeen with two wake before unleashing an unstoppable strike had previously looked down and out, a massive games remaining and seals their 47th top flight past Adam Collin from 25 yards. lift and they soon reduced the deficit further title. “It was good to beat Aberdeen to show we The England under-19 international almost through Considine. Ambrose was booked for a are the best team in the country,” out-going repeated the feat minutes later as he was once foul on Graeme Shinnie and the Dons defender Celtic manager Ronny Deila said. “We played again given time and space on the edge of the rose to meet the subsequent free-kick from very well in the first 60 minutes and we got a bit box but this time his effort was charged down McGinn and bullet his header beyond Gordon. edgy in the end but I’m happy we got the three by Ash Taylor and deflected wide. However, Aberdeen should have been level in the 76th points and got everything over the line.” Roberts wasn’t to be denied for long. Leigh minute when Logan got on the end of another Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes felt his Griffiths found him just inside the box with a McGinn free-kick but the defender sent his players deserved credit for the fight they perfectly-weighted pass that split the Dons header whizzing wide of the target from close showed. “At 3-0 with 40-odd minutes played at defense and he curled a first-time shot beyond range. —AFP

Newcastle’s fate in Sunderland’s hands NORWICH: Norwich City’s Swedish defender Martin Olsson (L) vies with Manchester United’s Spanish midfielder Juan Mata during the English Premier League football BIRMINGHAM: Newcastle United will be helpless this match between Norwich City and Manchester United at Carrow Road. — AFP week to control their own destiny in the scramble for Premier League survival and could be down before they kick another ball. Yet manager Rafa Benitez insists his Van Gaal wants two more wins side have not given up hope despite a huge change in momentum in the relegation scrap on Saturday. as Champs league hope lives on Newcastle’s goalless draw at already-relegated Aston Villa combined with local rivals Sunderland’s dramatic 3- NORWICH: Louis Van Gaal is targeting two injuries to either at this stage but it was a 2 win against Chelsea means the Magpies’ immediate more victories in his Manchester United blow for everybody because we had to future is out of their hands. One victory for Sunderland side’s final Premier League games of the change my plans,” said Van Gaal. “With in either of their final two games against Everton and season as they continue their quest for a up front after Anthony was Watford will condemn Newcastle to Championship foot- Champions League spot. Juan Mata’s sec- injured in the warm-up we had to adapt ball next season and even a point for the Wearside club ond-half goal against second-from-bottom but he did the job today. When players are will leave Benitez’s side needing to beat Tottenham Norwich City secured a 1-0 win at Carrow out of the team, it can be hard to fill the Hotspur on the final day to stay up. Road on Saturday that left United fifth in void but we did that today. “Especially here “It is bad and simple,” said Benitez after seeing his the Premier League and one point behind it is a tight pitch and it’s a battle to draw side lack the cutting edge to beat Villa, the Premier fourth-placed Manchester City who host out points like that, but they all count at League’s worst team. “We have to wait and after try to Arsenal yesterday. the end of the season. win depending on what they do during the week,” the Anything other than victory for City “I was expecting them (Norwich) to Spaniard added. “I think it can be done. Obviously it EINDHOVEN: Fans of PSV Eindhoven celebrate in the street after their team won the would put United’s bid for a top-four finish press more but they let us play. Our focus depends on them (Sunderland) more than us but still, if Dutch league title.— AFP in their own hands. FA Cup finalists United now is recovery, we have got to prepare they cannot win the next game then in our last one we head to West Ham tomorrow before com- right mentally as there will be a good will have to fight, try to get three points and see what pleting their league season against atmosphere there (West Ham) and hopeful- can happen. “Everybody is disappointed. It’s normal now Bournemouth. ly we will get the job done there as well.” so the only thing you can say is to try to be ready for PSV retain title as Ajax “Obviously the main thing for us was to Norwich will now need Sunderland and training and recovering and ready for the week, because get the three points today and we did that Newcastle to slip up if they are to have any we still have to play a game and we want to get three falter on tense final day well,” United manager van Gaal said. “I chance of avoiding relegation. points. “The important thing is that if they (Sunderland) thought we looked comfortable. It was Alex Neil’s side have lost four games in a don’t get the result we have to be ready.” much-needed and now we can concentrate row, without scoring in any of them and if AMSTERDAM: PSV Eindhoven retained the beaten in their last 13 meetings dating on the West Ham game. “They (Norwich) Sunderland beat Everton on Wednesday, ‘Anxiety’ Dutch league title after rivals Ajax back to 2000. Amin Younes gave Ajax a sat back deep and let us play, they made it the Canaries will be playing in the Sunderland’s victory against Chelsea leaves them in Amsterdam blew their chance when they 16th-minute lead to set them on their way tough for us,” the Dutchman added. Championship next season. “That the box seat for survival with more points, more games failed to beat second-bottom De but Bryan Smeets equalized for De (Saturday’s) game is a repeat of a our sea- left and more inviting fixtures than their fierce rivals. Graafschap in a dramatic final round of Graafschap 10 minutes after halftime when Injury worries son,” said Norwich manager Neil. “There Norwich could also still survive and send both north- matches yesterday. PSV won 3-1 at PEC he drilled the ball into the corner of the net Victory came at a price as Van Gaal was have been so many times where we have east clubs down, but the Canaries, like Newcastle, are Zwolle to move to 84 points from 34 from the edge of the area. forced to re-think his plans when 15-goal been in the game, played pretty well. now hoping for two poor Sunderland results. games, two more than Ajax who were held Ajax had almost 60 percent possession attacker Anthony Martial was injured in the “I thought the first 10-15 (minutes) we And Benitez admitted that the tension of fighting to to a 1-1 draw when victory would have and 21 shots on goal, but a precious sec- warm-up. Wayne Rooney moved further played well and applied good pressure. We survive got to his side at Villa Park. “We didn’t play well, made them champions on goal difference. ond eluded them. De Graafschap now forward as the main attacking threat and it had a really good chance and had a couple maybe because we had too much anxiety. The players Luuk de Jong netted twice for PSV to enter the relegation playoffs along with was Rooney who capitalized on Sebastian of bits and pieces around by the box. were too tense and we couldn’t do what we wanted. “In take his season tally to 26 goals, one Willem II, who could not escape the bottom Bassong’s mistake to tee-up Mata for the “Generally when teams have that spell, the second half there was a better reaction and the behind AZ Alkmaar’s Vincent Janssen at three despite a victory at Roda JC. Excelsior winner. Martial is a doubt for the West Ham that’s when they get the goal. We didn’t get team had some chances and at least we were there the top of the scorers list, after Jurgen Rotterdam claimed a 2-0 win at relegated game as is full back Matteo Darmian who the goal but I thought we limited close to the box, pushing and pushing.” Locadia had given them an early lead. It Cambuur to secure their survival while was stretchered off in the first half follow- Manchester United and they didn’t really Villa fans revelled in Newcastle’s misfortune; the was a comfortable victory for manager third-placed Feyenoord sealed a 1-0 home ing a clash with Norwich defender Ivo hurt us in anyway shape or form. “John chance to make life more miserable for another huge Phillip Cocu to ensure back-to-back league victory over NEC. They will play in the Pinto. Darmian’s knee injury was the more Ruddy didn’t have a save to make until the club the only thing left to amuse them after their own titles at the expense of Ajax who will Europa League next season along with AZ serious of the two and the Italian’s partici- goal went in. And that is off the back of dismal campaign. Fans booed their usual targets, includ- remember this day for many years as one Alkmaar who finished fourth. Utrecht, pation at the European Championships in another mistake that has happened quite a ing Joleon Lescott and Leandro Bacuna and several hun- of missed opportunity. , Groningen and PEC France, which start in June, could be at risk. few times for us this year. “It is not over but dred staged a protest against the Birmingham club’s They led the league for most of the sea- Zwolle will contest the Europa League play- “We don’t know the extent of the it is a major blow.” — AFP hierarchy before kick-off.—AFP son, only to falter against a team they have off competition. — Reuters