CCRICKETRICKET | Page 4 Sri Lanka sack Malinga as World Cup captain

Thursday, April 18, 2019 FOOTBALL Sha’baan 13, 1440 AH Messi demands GULF TIMES more from Barca despite 3-0 win SPORT Page 2

SPOTLIGHT QOC chief attends Olympic Refuge Foundation meeting Qatar SC stay in QNB Stars League with playoff win

By Sports Reporter remained alert to defl ect the Doha ball for a corner by diving to his left. Qatar SC scored in the 38th ussein Ali struck in minute through Hussein Ali’s the 38th minute as slick fi nish from close range. Qatar Sports Club Jugurtha Hamroun hood- pipped Muaither winked his marker from the SportsH Club 1-0 in a playoff left fl ank and quickly slotted yesterday to retain their place the ball into the open space in- in next season’s QNB Stars side the rival box. League. Hussein Ali, stationed close Qatar SC had fi nished 11th to Muaither SC’s goalmouth, in the league, while Muaither jumped and defl ected the ball were the runners-up in the into the net with his right knee second division. and fortunately for him and A huge group of fans cel- his side, the ball slipped into ebrated Qatar SC’s victory in the net with keeper Gheith al- the winner-takes-all clash at Mohannadi in no position to HE Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (fourth from left) with delegates at the Olympic Refuge Foundation meeting in the Al Duhail Stadium. stop the move. Lausanne, Switzerland, on Monday. At bottom HE Sheikh Joaan is seen with IOC President Dr Thomas Bach. After some dramatic moves, Muaither SC nearly pulled including the referee’s de- off an equaliser two minutes QNA sioner for Refugees Filippo cision to use VAR to clear later when Diawara headed Lausanne Grandi, who is also vice chair Muaither SC’s Ibrahim Ahmed from close range, but his de- of the foundation, and other of a possible handball in- fl ection narrowly missed the top officials. fringement inside his own box, far post in what was a danger- E Qatar Olympic During the meeting they the game moved at a fast pace ous move. Committee (QOC) reviewed the ongoing projects in the fi rst 30 minutes. When the teams walked off President Sheikh in a number of refugee camps Just a minute after the half- the pitch at half-time, Qatar HJoaan bin Hamad which is organised by the hour mark, Muaither SC’s SC dominated the stats sheet al-Thani participated in the foundation, in co-operation Mamadou Diawara unleashed by enjoying 62 per cent of ball third meeting of the Olympic with the United Nations High a powerful low shot some 25 possession. Refuge Foundation execu- Commissioner for Refugees yards away from the goalline. Qatar SC held off Muaither tive office, which was held on and different organisations The ball swerved a little, but SC challenge in the second half Monday in Lausanne, Switzer- and partners of the Olympic Qatar SC keeper Jassim al- as well, with al-Hail thwarting land. movement. They also reviewed Hail, who had a good game, Ibrahim Ahmed and Diawara. The meeting was chaired by future projects which aim to International Olympic Commit- support refugees through tee (IOC) President Dr Thomas providing sports facilities FOCUS Bach, who is also Chair of the and activities and developing Olympic Refuge Foundation. required establishments for The meeting was attended by refugees to play sports around United Nations High Commis- the world. (QNA) Qatar supports Arab World FOOTBALL/LIGUE 1 Institute with Nantes keep PSG 250,000 euros waiting for title A Diego Carlos brace and Majeed Waris’ tap-in inflicted a third loss on Thomas Tuchel’s side

AFP minutes later Alves appeared Nantes, France to have calmed Parisian nerves with his wonder strike. There looked to be little on aris Saint-Germain when the Brazilian collected failed to the seal the Leandro Paredes’ simple pass, Ligue 1 title for the but he quickly lashed an un- third match running stoppable dipping drive past yesterdayP after falling to their Maxime Dupe to score his first second defeat in a matter of Ligue 1 goal this season. days, 3-2 at Nantes. However just three minutes A Diego Carlos brace and after the opener Diego Carlos The ambassador of the State of Qatar to France Sheikh Ali bin Majeed Waris’ tap-in inflicted was allowed too much space to Jassem al-Thani (L) handing over the cheque for 250,000 euros a third league loss on Thomas nod home Valentin Ronger in- to president of the Arab World Institute Jack Lang. Tuchel’s side, who were ham- swinging corner. mered 5-1 at second-placed PSG continued to strug- he State of Qatar pro- ticipated in the opening of Lille on Sunday and drew with gle despite the odd flash from vided fi nancial sup- the exhibition, which was at- Bordeaux the previous week, Moussa Diaby, and the hosts port worth 250,000 tended by French Minister despite Dani Alves’ stunning grabbed a deserved second just euros to the Arab of Foreign Aff airs Jean-Yves opener and substitute Metehan before the break. TWorld Institute for the Arab Le Drian, a number of Arab Guclu pulling one back late on. Coulibaly was at the heart world and football exhibition ambassadors accredited to However PSG, who were of it, brushing Thilo Kehrer off which kicked off on Tues- France, besides French and without dropped Kylian the ball on the left flank, before day in Paris and will run until Arab VIPs from the sports Mbappe and missing a host cutting back to Samuel Mout- July 21. The Ambassador of fi eld. Qatar showcased the of other first-team players oussamy, whose mis-hit shoot the State of Qatar to France designs of its eight stadi- through injuries and suspen- evaded the dozing PSG defence Sheikh Ali bin Jassem al-Tha- ums which will host the 2022 sion, remain 17 points clear and found Waris for the sim- ni handed over the cheque to World Cup. The Qatar pavil- with six games left and could plest of tap-ins. president of the institute Jack ion received great interest and win their sixth title in seven Nantes’ French midfielder Nantes turned the screw Lang. admiration from the audience. years at the weekend. Valentin Rongier (R) and seven minutes after the break The president thanked Qa- The State of Qatar has con- Depleted PSG had to thank Ghanaian forward Majeed from another corner, this one tar for its support for the in- tinued contributions to sup- Gianluigi Buffon 12 minutes in Waris celebrate the team’s met by a Nicolas Pallois flick- stitute, which creates space port the activities of the Arab when he managed to push away third goal against PSG in on that crept through a sea of for interaction between Arab World Institute in Paris and in Kalifa Coulibaly’s header from Nantes yesterday. legs to Carlos, who unwittingly and French cultures. 2015 had allocated $2mn for point-blank range, and seven knocked in the third. The ambassador had par- its development. (QNA) Gulf Times 2 Thursday, April 18, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Ronaldo is not enough as Juventus crash out

AFP as Juventus shares plunged 15% “We were missing four or fi ve “Ajax deserved to qualify and ture,” Agnelli said. Turin, Italy yesterday on the Milan stock ex- players.” you saw that on the pitch,” said “We played a great return change. For the fi rst time since 2010, Juventus president Andrea Ag- match against Atletico, and just “Not even a huge investment Ronaldo will not be in the Cham- nelli, who said Allegri would be a few years ago Juventus were ven Cristiano Ronaldo like Ronaldo was enough to win a pions League semi-fi nals. continuing as coach. 43rd in the European rankings, was not enough for Ju- title that Juve have been search- And he held his head in his Ironically Agnelli — who is also today we are fifth and this is the ventus to end their 23- ing for since 1996,” the sports hands in despair as he slumped to president of the European Clubs sign of the progress that con- Eyear wait for the Euro- daily added. the pitch at the Allianz Stadium. Association (ECA) — is the driv- tinues. pean title as they crashed out in Juventus have lost fi ve times He had single-handedly lifted ing force behind moves to change “A few years ago, the Cham- the Champions League quarter- in the fi nal since 1996 when they Juventus into the quarter-fi nal the Champions League and make pions League was a dream, this fi nals for a second consecutive won their last title, at the ex- with a stunning hat-trick in the it even harder for teams from summer it was a goal and it will year. pense of Ajax. second leg against Atletico Ma- smaller countries, like Ajax, to be next year too.” Juventus splashed out 100mn Ronaldo was bought to change drid. qualify. Ronaldo was a heavy invest- euros ($117mn) on the fi ve-time that and was handed an annual But he was unable to lift his Agnelli, 43, stressed that the ment with the club announcing Champions League winner last salary of 31mn euros. He has won team to a Champions League title team was growing. expected losses for this season, summer and the Portuguese star the title fi ve times and scored he had won in the three previous “For our part, we are aware of having gone 19.2mn euros into headed in his 126th Champions a 97th-minute penalty for Real seasons and in 2014 with Real having been in the Champions the red for the 2017/2018 cam- League goal to put the home team Madrid against Juventus last sea- Madrid, as well as with Man- League quarter-fi nals for fi ve or paign. in front on Tuesday. son in the quarter-fi nals. chester United 11 years ago. six years and are proud to con- Ajax, meanwhile, reached their But a devastating young Ajax Coach Massimiliano Allegri He holds the record for Cham- tinue this path,” said Agnelli. fi rst semi-fi nal since 1997. team, spearheaded by 19-year- said he had no regrets, blaming to increase our chances of win- in the best condition, when you pions League goals with 126. Although Juventus are on “You could see that Juve were old defender Matthijs De Ligt, injuries for the team’s failure to ning the Champions League, but reach the quarter-fi nal, you need That total includes 65 goals in the course to seal an eighth consecu- a little scared of us and so were ran riot in the second half in Tu- progress. in football one plus one does not every player. knockout rounds, another record. tive Serie A title next weekend, Real Madrid,” said coach Erik ten rin to seal a famous 3-2 aggregate “Football isn’t maths,” said Al- always make two, it can also be “We’ve been in a bit of an Rival Lionel Messi is second they are out of the Coppa Italia, Hag. “It is very diffi cult to play victory. legri. either six or zero. emergency situation for a while on 110 goals after his double for which they had won the four pre- against our style of football, as “Apocalypse,” read the head- “Ronaldo gave us a lot dur- “I have always said that you and that can only be sustained Barcelona against Manchester vious seasons. we have very technically-gifted line in daily Corriere dello Sport, ing the season. We signed him have to arrive at the right time for so long. United on Tuesday. “I’m looking at the big pic- players.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRAISE ‘Messi always gets us out of Messi demands trouble’ — Valverde

Reuters Barcelona

arcelona coach Ernesto more aft er Barca Valverde praised Lionel Messi for settling his side down after a nervy startB against Manchester United and inspiring the Catalans to a 3-0 victory to reach the Cham- pions League quarter-fi nals. Marcus Rashford struck the blow away United crossbar for the visitors in the second minute at the Nou Camp ‘We cannot come out like that in a Champions League match. Five bad minutes can knock you out’ but Messi scored twice in the space of fi ve minutes later in the AFP fi rst half to put Barca at ease. Barcelona Philippe Coutinho’s stunning strike completed a dominant 4-0 aggregate victory. ionel Messi lit up Camp “Messi always gets us out of United coach Ole Gunnar Sol- Nou and devastated trouble and we’re not going to skjaer meanwhile backed Barca Manchester United be- apologise for having him,” Val- to conquer the continent again. fore fi ring a warning to verde told a news conference. “With the quality they’ve got, LBarcelona that they cannot start “Leo always turns up in the the front three they’ve got, and slowly again. important games, not just in the players they can bring on like Barca were superior to United big moments but throughout the Dembele and Malcom, I wouldn’t in all departments for the best whole game. He is always capable bet against them,” Solskjaer said. part of 80 minutes on Tuesday, a of scoring but he also drives the “They would be favourites to 3-0 win perhaps even fl attering team’s attack.” win the whole tournament.” for their opponents, who were Valverde said his side were He added Messi’s majestic two down in 20, both goals be- relieved to fi nally hurdle the display underlined why is he re- longing to Messi. quarter-fi nal barrier after three garded as the best player in the By the time Philippe Coutinho successive exits in the last eight, world alongside Cristiano Ron- had curved in a third to send Er- particularly after last season’s aldo. nesto Valverde’s side into the 3-0 second-leg defeat to AS “He’s an exceptional talent, Champions League semi-fi nals, Roma after winning the fi rst leg him and Cristiano have been United’s stirring opening was 4-1. the best players in the world the long-forgotten, except by Barce- “We had a lot of hope for this last decade and he showed why lona’s captain. tie, it was a long time since we we think that and why this team “We put on a spectacle,” said have been in the semi-fi nals and have won the Champions League Messi. “But we came out cold we had a very painful defeat last so many times,” added the Nor- and looked nervous in the fi rst year,” he said. wegian. fi ve minutes. We cannot come “You never know what can “If you give him space and out like that in a Champions happen in football, they have a time around the goal he’ll cre- League match. Five bad minutes very good team and they could ate and score goals. Whenever can knock you out.” have caused us problems, so he gets the ball around the box “We have shown who we are,” we made sure we were focused he will be decisive and unfortu- Messi added, and in some ways, and played with intensity so we nately for us he was the winner they were a perfect picture of would make it through.” for them.” their season. Thrust into a po- sition of comfort by their mes- meric number 10, Barca put on Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg FOCUS an exhibition of attacking, pos- match against Manchester United at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Tuesday. session football, all tricks, fl icks and bicycle kicks. But there was also a nervous- Costa suspected of ness at the start, seen briefl y United condemn racist abuse of Young against Lyon in the previous London: Manchester United black player, this time Ashley round too, that suggests their have condemned racist abuse of Young, targeted with racist tax fraud in Spain desperation to win this tourna- their defender Ashley Young abuse on social media after ment for the fi rst time since 2015, on social media in the aftermath tonight’s Champions League AFP before he joined Chelsea from and win it for Messi, does not of their Champions League game. Madrid Atletico in 2014. Costa, who has weigh lightly. elimination at Barcelona. “Again, we’re left asking @Twitter- both Brazilian and Spanish citi- “We had a lot of motivation for Young was targeted on Twitter UK the same question — when zenship, returned to Atletico in this tie, I can’t deny it,” said Val- following United’s 3-0 quarter- will you take serious action to tletico Madrid striker 2018. verde. “Especially after not being final second-leg defeat on tackle the rampant discrimina- Diego Costa is the lat- Spanish public prosecutors in the semis for a long time and Tuesday. tion on your platform?” est star to fall foul of must decide whether they will after last year’s painful defeat. The foul abuse of Young brought Twitter was swift to respond, Athe Spanish authori- act on the tax offi ce’s suspicions We were extremely focused.” swift condemnation from United, confirming that the posts con- ties for possible non-payment of and fi le a lawsuit against Costa, And United’s early threat was who said in a statement: “Man- cerned had violated its abusive taxes on image rights, a Spanish El Mundo added. genuine. Their knack of breaking chester United utterly condemns behaviour policy and that the ac- newspaper reported yesterday. The news comes a week af- through central midfi eld, with racist social media comments count holders would be required “The tax administration ac- ter Costa was slapped with an only space and a backpedalling posted around yesterday’s to remove them before they cuses the Atletico striker of fraud eight-match ban by the Spanish Barca defence ahead of them, ex- Champions League fixture. could tweet again. totalling 1.1mn euros related to Football Federation (RFEF) for posed a fragility against pace and “We are working to identify indi- to working to make football free on aggregate. Premier League stars Mohamed taxes related to his image rights insulting and grabbing referee counter-attack that has never viduals involved and we will take from all forms of discrimination.” Anti-discrimination campaigners Salah, Danny Welbeck, Raheem in 2014,” daily newspaper El Gil Manzano during the fi rst half been far away. the strongest possible action we The 33-year-old was partially at Kick It Out called upon the social Sterling, Michy Batshuayi, Mundo reported. of Atletico’s 2-0 defeat to Barce- Liverpool carry a 2-0 lead over can against them. fault for Barcelona’s first goal media platform to act following a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Contacted by AFP, a spokes- lona on April 6. Porto into their second leg in “There is no place for racism as his clearance was blocked, series of incidents. and Moussa Sissoko have all man for the tax offi ce refused to The ban means Costa will not Portugal on Wednesday and if it within our game, or in society as leading to Lionel Messi scoring The organisation said via its own received abuse over the same comment. saying he could not play again this season as Atleti- is to be them in the semi-fi nals, a whole, and we are committed as the hosts went on to win 4-0 Twitter account: “Yet another platform in recent years. comment on “specifi c taxpayer co have been knocked out of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmi- fi les”. the Copa del Rey as well as the no and Sadio Mane might justi- were, mysteriously, his fi rst in a Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. “If you Real Madrid and Atletico can see off Liverpool or Porto and Two football superstars Lionel Champions League. fi ably feel there is a weakness to quarter-fi nal since 2013. give him time and space, he will Madrid’s failings have ensured then Manchester City, Totten- Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo He is just one of several fa- exploit. “It was a streak he was always score.” the price has been small, with ham or Ajax at Atletico’s Wanda have already paid substantial mous footballers who have fallen “We have had fi ve diffi cult going to break,” said Sergio Bus- When Messi pledged to bring Valverde able to rest 10 play- Metropolitano on June 1. fi nes in Spain for the same of- foul of Spain’s tax authorities in minutes because they started quets. He also has potentially “that beautiful cup back to Camp ers against Huesca last weekend If it is to be three consecutive fence. A third star, Neymar, is recent years. strong,” said Valverde. “But then three extra games now to reduce Nou” at the start of the season, and still see his team sitting nine English opponents, Messi might reportedly being investigated in A Spanish court in January there were another 85 minutes the gap on Cristiano Ronaldo’s the sense was of reordered pri- points clear. be pleased. He is now the fourth Spain over his taxes. handed Portuguese striker Ro- where we were not too bad.” unbeaten 126, after Juventus orities, that he and Barcelona An eighth league title in 11 highest scorer against the Pre- The tax offi ce suspects the naldo a suspended two-year Most defi ciencies can be recti- were knocked out by Ajax. would push harder in Europe, years will become a double if they mier League’s top-six sides, with 30-year-old Costa “concealed prison sentence for committing fi ed by Messi, whose 109th and “You can plan as many tactics even if it came at the expense of beat Valencia in the fi nal of the 24 goals, despite never having income” from a sponsorship deal tax fraud when he was at Real 110th goals in the Champions as you like,” said United’s coach their form in La Liga. Copa del Rey, and a treble, if they played in the Premier League. he signed with Adidas shortly Madrid. Gulf Times Thursday, April 18, 2019 3 SPORT

FOOTBALL EUROPA LEAGUE Ramsey in Italy rehearsal ahead of Ajax stars take Juventus move

AFP times in a row with Sevilla from Paris 2014-16, praised the unyielding commitment shown by Ramsey, a fan favourite at the Emirates, European farewell aron Ramsey will get an in his fi nal months at the club. advance taste of life in “It was not easy for him after Italy as Arsenal look to he signed (for Juventus) to fi n- fi nish off Napoli in to- ish thinking about his future, day’sA return leg of their Europa but his focus is to help us and League quarter-fi nal tie, ahead his attitude has been amazing of his summer move to Serie A towards each training session,” giants Juventus. said Emery. tour to next stop The Welsh midfi elder, out of “He wants to do something contract with Arsenal in June, important for the support- ‘We want to keep this team together but we know the market power of the big clubs’ will end an 11-year association ers, and I want to do something with the Gunners after agree- important with him in his last ing a jaw-dropping deal with matches here with his Arsenal Juve reportedly worth £400,000 heart.” (From L) Ajax’s Joel Veltman, Lasse Schone, Donny van ($515,000) per week over four Chelsea, the 2013 Europa de Beek and teammates celebrate with fans after defeating seasons. League champions, will be Juventus in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg Reduced to a bit-part player expected to overcome Slavia football match in Turin on Tuesday. under Unai Emery, Ramsey’s re- Prague at Stamford Bridge af- cent form — he has three goals ter a narrow 1-0 victory in the in his last six starts — has helped Czech capital. him regain a regular spot in the Maurizio Sarri’s side lost Arsenal side. ground in the race for a top-four The 28-year-old, set to fol- fi nish in the Premier League fol- low in the footsteps of country- lowing a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, men John Charles and Ian Rush but the Blues are unbeaten in 14 by switching England for Tu- Europa League games. rin, excelled in last week’s 2-0 Nevertheless, the Italian has win over Napoli and struck the warned his players not to under- opening goal. estimate Slavia, who are hunt- “We’ve given ourselves a great ing a second Czech title in three opportunity in the fi rst leg — seasons. now it’s important to stick to- “We need to think that the gether and hopefully see out this second leg will be diffi cult be- quarter-fi nal,” said Ramsey. cause these opponents are really “They’ve proved that they’re very dangerous also away,” said a quality team and are second in Sarri. Serie A, so they’re a tough team Benfi ca head to Germany with to play against. a 4-2 advantage over Eintracht “From a few years back, we Frankfurt thanks to a hat-trick know that they’re a tough team by 19-year-old starlet Joao Felix to play against and it will be a in the fi rst leg in Lisbon. diffi cult place to go.” Felix became the youngest With Ramsey set to join soon- Portuguese and Benfi ca player to-be Juventus team-mate Cris- to score three times in Europe, tiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and surpassing the great Eusebio. Neymar as one of the best paid players in the world, the Welsh- Fixtures (all times 10pm Qatar man’s Arsenal farewell could co- Time;1st leg scores in brackets) incide with the fi nal in Baku on Today May 29. At London “I haven’t thought about that Chelsea (ENG (1) v Slavia Prague but hopefully,” said Ramsey, (CZE) (0) AFP headed it perfectly in the cor- Yet Ajax started the season with another largely homegrown fered permanent brain damage who departed Cardiff for Arse- At Frankfurt, Germany Turin, Italy ner,” De Ligt said. knowing that even though their team that mixed experience with after a heart attack playing for nal after appearing in the 2008 Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) (2) v Ajax fi nished runners-up to team was built round youth, they the precocious talents of Edgar Ajax in 2017 aged 20. FA Cup fi nal. Benfica (POR) (4) PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch had to win now. Davids, Clarence Seedorf and Nouri used to wear No 34 “We’ve started this fi rst leg At Naples, Italy nce every genera- league last season and had to “In terms of budget, we Patrick Kluivert. and van de Beek scored the Ajax well so hopefully we can fi nish Napoli (ITA) (0) v Arsenal (ENG) tion, Ajax rediscover fi ght through three qualifying are at the bottom of the list in Ajax reached the fi nal in 1996 equaliser on Tuesday in the 34th the job and get ourselves in the (2) the eternal formula rounds, starting against Dynamo this phase of the Champions and the semi-fi nals in 1997, los- minute. The club, who lead the hat for the next round.” At Valencia, Spain Oof youth and cut a Kiev on July 29 last year. League,” said Edwin van der Sar, ing both to Tuesday’s conquer- Dutch league on goal diff erence, Arsenal coach Emery, who Valencia (ESP) (3) v Villarreal Champions League swathe Tuesday’s victory means they the club’s chief executive. “But ers Juventus. are chasing their 34th national won the Europa League three (ESP) (1) through expensively assembled have played 16 games in this Ajax is a big name in football. “Weird, this is weird. I wasn’t title. teams of mature stars. season’s competition, losing In an interview with AFP in even born then,” said de Ligt of “After scoring in the 34th On Tuesday in Turin, the only once, at home to defending February, van der Sar — a former the club’s fi rst semi-fi nal ap- minute, I thought of him,” said Dutch side did not just upset champions Real Madrid in the Ajax youth product who left, in- pearance in 21 years. van de Beek. “I will never forget Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus. last round. They responded with itially for Juventus, and has now Reaching the last four should this.” By the end they were completely a memorable 4-1 second-leg returned to his fi rst club — said: be worth at least 12mn euros “It was meant to be this way.” outplaying the perennial Serie A victory at the Santiago Berna- “You want to build your own ($13.5mn) to Ajax. “Of course we can win the champions, winning the match beu. team for the highest level and “I don’t care about that mon- Champions League. It would be 2-1 and the tie 3-2 on aggregate. The Ajax team is underpinned that happens more with teams ey,” said Van der Sar. “Of course strange if I didn’t believe in that. “I think we should have scored by experience, but once again that stay together.” we have to pay players. But this We form a close team and fi ght fi ve,” said 21-year-old Donny on Tuesday it was homegrown But this Ajax team is already is football, that’s what it’s all for each other. If one has a hard van de Beek. youngsters who caught the eye. starting to break up. about. We play the way Ajax time, then the other gets up.” The midfi elder turned the tide In addition to van de Beek and De Jong has agreed to join wants and has to play, the way Ajax’s role as an incubator with a fi rst-half equaliser when de Ligt, 21-year-old Frenkie de Barcelona next season and the people know us.” of young talent for richer clubs Juventus were on top. Jong sparkled in midfi eld and highly-coveted De Ligt is also “It’s really cool that all the means that every European Teenage centre-back and 22-year-old David Neres, a Bra- likely to leave. pieces of the puzzle fall togeth- campaign brings encounters the team’s captain Matthijs de zilian who joined Ajax in 2017, “We want to keep this team er,” said Van der Sar. “This is with old friends. Ligt, just 19 himself, rose above glinted in attack. together but we know the market what you have been working for.” Van de Beek said he has a two Juve defenders to smash in “We have so much potential power of the big clubs,” said van In their moment of glory, slight preference for Tottenham, the winning header in the 67th in the team and we’re still quite der Saar. “I was a player as well.” some Ajax players thought of who lead Manchester City 1-0 minute. young and you see us grow in Van der Sar was the goalkeep- one of the stars of their genera- going into Wednesday’s second “The ball was high and I every game,” De Ligt told the er in the last Ajax team to win tion who was absent. Attacking leg because “many Ajax players thought, I am going for it. I UEFA website. the Champions League in 1995 midfi elder Abdelhak Nouri suf- play at the Spurs. That’s nice.”

BOTTOMLINE Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey. Al Shaqab to conduct internal FOCUS First draw for 2022 competition for student riders World Cup held Reuters continent’s qualifying tourna- By Sports Reporter 17-year-olds. We believe these Hong Kong ment, which features the region’s Doha events will not only help us eval- 12 lowest ranked national teams. uate the progress of our riders, The tiny Pacifi c Ocean island- but also instil in them a greater he draw for the fi rst ers from Guam, who caused sev- he Equine Education measure of confi dence and pro- phase of Asia’s qualify- eral upsets in the early rounds of Department (EED) of vide them with valuable experi- ing round for the 2022 qualifying for Russia 2018, will Al Shaqab, member of ence.” World Cup fi nals featur- take on Bhutan while Pakistan TQatar Foundation, is all Al Shaqab is passionately com- ingT the continent’s lowest ranked are slated to meet Cambodia. set to host the Al Shaqab Equine mitted to nurturing and promot- nations was made yesterday, Malaysia will play fellow South Education Department Second ing Qatar’s renowned equine even though FIFA has yet to de- East Asians East Timor while Internal Competition today. The legacy. Viewing equine educa- cide how many teams will par- Laos take on Bangladesh, Macau one-day event, which will be held tion as a vital community asset, ticipate in the tournament. face Sri Lanka and Brunei face off at Al Shaqab’s state-of-the-art the centre off ers a diverse range FIFA president Gianni Infan- against Mongolia. equestrian facilities, is open to of riding lessons, equine training, tino continues to promote his The winners of the two legged student riders of all skill levels, and equestrian camps, to educate plan to expand the tournament ties, which will be played on June 6 including Beginner, Intermedi- and promote horsemanship. from 32 to 48 teams and poten- with the return on June 11, will ad- ate, Lead Rein, and Show Class. Al Shaqab’s popular EED has tially share the hosting duties vance to the next phase of the com- With horse riding becoming lum followed at Al Shaqab. It of major competitions. Mohamed Sultan al-Suwaidi, attracted several youngsters in- originally awarded to Qatar with petition, which will be determined increasingly popular in Qatar, has been organised for riders to Participants in the Second In- manager, Equine Education De- terested in riding, and there has other nations in the Middle East. at the offi cial draw for the 2022 the demand for riding lessons at show they have completed a cer- ternal Competition will take part partment at Al Shaqab, said: been more than a 200% increase Oman and Kuwait have been ap- World Cup fi nals in Qatar in July. Al Shaqab has risen signifi cant- tain skill level, while also help- in dressage and showjumping, “Horse riding has several signifi - in riding school applications. By proached as potential co-hosts, 2022 World Cup First ly. The centre conducts regular ing to increase their ability and two important Olympic equine cant advantages. It instils in the conducting events and competi- with a decision to be made at the Round Draw: Mongolia v Bru- training sessions, with instruc- experience. In addition, the EED disciplines. While showjumping rider leadership skills as well as tions such as the Second Internal FIFA congress in Paris on June 5 over nei Darussalam; Macau v Sri tions being made available for all expects that by implementing has always been a favourite among the profi ciency required in quick Competition for its riders, and the fi nal number of participants and Lanka; Laos v Bangladesh; Ma- skill levels, starting with students the high standards of its school Qatari riders, dressage has been decision making and strategic showcasing the school curricu- format of the competition. laysia v Timor-Leste; Cambodia aged six and older. system, its technical staff will be steadily gaining distinction in re- thinking. The upcoming compe- lum, Al Shaqab hopes to further Despite the uncertainty, Asian v Pakistan; Bhutan v Guam. The upcoming equine com- further trained and developed in cent years, and more young riders tition is open to all our student encourage and inspire the next football offi cials conducted the Matches to be played on June 6 petition is part of the curricu- the organising and management are competing in the discipline. riders, from the youngest to the generation of riders. draw for the fi rst round of the and June 11. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, April 18, 2019 CRICKET

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Sri Lanka sack Bairstow, Warner Malinga as World Cup captain

AFP but he does not get along well Colombo with some of the senior players.” Sri Lanka has also suff ered a star as Hyderabad string of defeats under his lead- ri Lanka yesterday axed ership. Lasith Malinga as captain Karunaratne was the only for the upcoming World choice left to take the reins, after Cup, and announced Test veteran former skipper Angelo skipperS Dimuth Karunaratne Mathews opted out of becoming was being brought in to lead the captain owing to diff erences with side. the coach Chandika Hathurus- rout Chennai Chairman of selectors Asantha inghe. de Mel said they wanted “some- Karunaratne, 31, came to Six-wicket win at home sends Sunrisers to fifth spot in the points table body who can get the team to- prominence as skipper when he gether” at the event in England led the team to a historic 2-0 win IANS and Wales. in South Africa this year — the Hyderabad Sri Lanka play their fi rst game fi rst Asian team to beat South against New Zealand on June 1. Africa in a home Test series. De Mel admitted that the Sri Sri Lankan selectors are to onny Bairstow and David Lankan team were struggling meet today to decide the fi nal Warner struck blister- with “a lot of issues inside”. squad for the World Cup, which ing half-centuries to help The team — winners of the 1996 starts May 30. Sunrisers Hyderabad World Cup — has been riven with Malinga and Mathews are con- (SRH)J break their losing streak personality clashes and discipli- sidered certainties to keep their in the ongoing Indian Premier nary troubles in recent years. places in the squad despite hav- League (IPL) as they defeated On the sacking of Malinga, de ing been kept out of leadership Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six Mel said: “He was OK as captain duties. wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi Inter- national Stadium here yesterday. SRH reached the 133-run target with 19 balls to spare to move to the fi fth spot in the points table. Chasing the target, SRH got off to a fl ying start as both Warner and Bairstow continued with their rampage and collect- ed 66 runs in 5.4 overs before the Australian got out after scoring an explosive 25-ball fi fty which included 10 fours. Skipper Kane Williamson, who came in next, couldn’t stay much at the crease and became the victim of leg-spinner Imran Tahir at his individual score of 3. However, Bairstow stayed at the other end to continue his prolifi c run in the ongoing IPL and collected boundaries at will. The explosive England opener remained unbeaten at 61. The 44-ball inning was studded with three fours and three sixes. The visitors surely missed the experience of MS Dhoni — who had to sit out because of a back injury — especially while de- SUPPORT fending the target. In Dhoni’s absence, Suresh Raina cap- tained the side. It was for the fi rst time since 2005 that Dhoni WI rope in Sarwan to had missed an IPL match. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Jonny Bairstow (right) plays a shot during the 2019 Indian Premier League Twenty20 match against Chennai Super Earlier electing to bat, Chennai Kings in Hyderabad, India, yesterday. (AFP) started off slowly with openers work with batsmen Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis 79 runs for the fi rst wicket be- the wicket and some brilliant fi ve wins from their eight games BRIEF SCORES: Chennai Super fetching just 14 runs in the fi rst fore both of them got out at their bowling performance by the SRH they have played. Kings 132 in 20 overs (Faf du Reuters can get them to improve in this four overs. Thereafter, they tried individual scores of 45 and 30. bowlers, the visitors amassed SRH will now take on Kolkata Plessis 45, Shane Watson 31; Bengaluru area. It’s not an overnight fi x, but to up the ante and hit some lusty Thereafter, the Chennai innings just 30 runs in the fi nal fi ve overs Knight Riders at the same venue Rashid Khan 2 for 17) lost to it’s important to share ideas with blows to take the team’s score to fell apart and they lost wickets and crawled to 132-5 in their stip- on April 21, while CSK will travel Sunrisers Hyderabad 137 for 4 them, so they have something to 41 at the end of powerplay. in a heap only to put pressure on ulated quota of 20 overs. It was to Bengaluru to lock horns with in 16.5 overs (Jonny Bairstow 61, est Indies have build on.” Both Watson and du Plessis themselves. the second defeat for the CSK in Royal Challengers Bangalore the David Warner 50, Imran Tahir 2 brought on board West Indies head coach Floyd looked in great touch and added Owing to the slow nature of nine games, while SRH now have same day. for 20) by six wickets. former top order Reifer said it was important to batsman Ramnaresh have a “fi nisher” like Sarwan WSarwan to help prepare their working with the batsmen. players for the 50-over World “We’re hoping he can help the Surprise pick Jayed hopes to get in World Cup swing Cup in England and Wales. batsmen get a better understand- Sarwan, who scored nearly ing of how to fi nish games — the AFP Jayed told reporters. during this time I had the opportunity 12,000 international runs across mindset, how to approach bat- Dhaka “But when I heard that I was included in to play a lot of cricket at diff erent levels. formats, joined the camp in Bar- ting fi rst, how to approach batting the squad, it came as a real surprise,” he So I don’t think it will be a big problem,” bados where West Indies are cur- last,” Reifer said. “He fi tted in very added. he said. rently preparing for the tri-na- well. He did a lot of talking and a urprise pick Abu Jayed said yester- Seaming English pitches could help Jayed seems to be cover for injury-prone tion series with Bangladesh and lot of work with the batsmen.” day his swing bowling could be just Jayed. pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman and Ireland in Dublin next month. West Indies have also added Swhat Bangladesh needs to make an “Bowling in these countries is ideal for Rubel Hossain, who has a side strain. “I’ve come here to act as kind former Pakistan spinner Mush- impact at the looming World Cup. me because I can swing the ball there. Taskin Ahmed was favourite to be the of a mentor to the players and taq Ahmed and former fast bowl- The 25-year-old, who has never played Since swing is my main weapon, I am re- extra pacer after returning to top form in try my best to assist them in ers Corey Collymore and Roddy a one-day international for his country, country will face in the 50-over tourna- ally hopeful of doing well,” Jayed said. January. But a ligament injury sidelined any technical ways and with any Estwick to their coaching staff admitted he was as taken aback as any- ment that starts in England and Wales Jayed has played five Test matches and him and his slow return to fitness finally shortcomings where I think they for the two tournaments. one when he was named in the 15-man on May 30. four Twenty20 internationals and he counted against him. can improve,” Sarwan said in a The two-times champions be- Bangladesh squad on Tuesday. “I was hoping to be among the 20 proba- rejected suggestions that his 50-over Bangladesh open their World Cup cam- Cricket West Indies statement. gin their World Cup campaign But he insisted that his style of bowling bles because I played really well in two inexperience could be a hindrance. paign against South Africa at the Oval “Our batsmen have strug- on May 31 against 1992 winners could prove crucial in the conditions the matches here in the Premier League,” “I have been playing for 10 years and on June 2. gled... with rotating the strike, Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Not- so I’m trying to see how best we tingham.

BOTTOMLINE England’s Archer takes aim at Pakistan as World Cup looms AFP He completed a three-year deserve it and my job is to do my before the World Cup before we London qualifi cation period on March very best against Pakistan. make the fi nal decision in just 17 after the England and Wales “Of course I want to play in the over a month.” Cricket Board changed its resi- World Cup, but if it doesn’t hap- As for Woakes’ comments, ofra Archer insisted his dency rules. pen for me I’m not going to get former England batsman Smith focus was on Pakistan fol- Under the previous system, he upset.” added: “He said specifi cally he lowing an England call-up would not have been eligible un- Archer and another Barbados- did not think the inclusion of that could see him make a til 2022 after a seven-year resi- born Sussex player, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer would disrupt the lateJ charge into the hosts’ World dency. were both added to the 15-man squad, that’s also the view of Cup squad. “I was fully prepared in my squad that played a one-day se- the captain, Eoin Morgan, and Dynamic all-rounder Archer mind that it was going to be a ries in the West Indies earlier this (coach) Trevor Bayliss.” was included yesterday in a 17- seven-year job,” said Archer. year. England have retained Kent man squad for next month’s one- “When I found out I was quali- Archer has been impressing in batsman Joe Denly, who was in day internationals against Paki- fi ed more quickly it was obvi- the Indian Premier League, tak- their ODI squad in the Carib- stan and Ireland. ously a bit of a shock but also ing three for 15 for the Rajasthan bean, even though it is 10 years The Barbados-born rising exciting. Royals — where his teammates since he last played a match at star, was, however, left out of the “But the goal has never include England’s Jos Buttler and this level. 15-man preliminary World Cup changed, which has always been Ben Stokes — against Kings XI England, top of the ODI rank- squad. to become the best cricketer I can Punjab on Tuesday. ings, are seeking their fi rst men’s But the Sussex paceman could and hopefully play for England Stokes recently described World Cup title following three have as many as six one-day in- whenever I was eligible.” Archer as one of the most “natu- losing appearances in the fi nal — ternationals — one against Ire- The prospect of Archer play- rally gifted” bowlers he had seen the last in 1992. land and fi ve against Pakistan as ing at the World Cup has caused and England chief selector Ed They face Ireland in Dublin on well as a Twenty20 against Paki- concern among several more Smith told reporters at Lord’s af- May 3 before their home series stan — to force his way in before established England rivals for a Rajasthan Royals’ Jofra Archer (right) in action during the ongoing Indian Premier League. (AFP) ter yesterday’s squad announce- against Pakistan. the fi nal World Cup squad dead- pace-bowling berth amid sug- ment: “Jofra Archer is a very The World Cup is set to begin line of May 23. gestions it could damage team probably wouldn’t be fair, mor- ‘DON’T STEP ON ANYONE’S the situation by saying: “I don’t exciting cricketer and there was with England’s match against Archer, 24, has an English fa- morale, with all-rounder Chris ally, but at the same time it’s the TOES’ want to step on anyone’s toes, the a broad desire to give him the South Africa at The Oval on May ther and holds a British passport. Woakes saying Tuesday: “It nature of international sport.” Archer, however, tried to defuse squad selected for the World Cup opportunity to play for England 30. Gulf Times Thursday, April 18, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA FOCUS Retired Nowitzki could see himself as Murray late show coach in a few years

Reuters to put his feet up and enjoy a Berlin glass of wine and a slice of cake, something he could not do for years as a professional player. etired NBA champion “In the past week I had some inspires Nuggets as Dirk Nowitzki, who cake and I also had my fi rst glass spent 21 seasons at the of wine after 10 years of absti- Dallas Mavericks, could nence,” he said. “I was really seeR himself returning to basket- warm inside after only a few sips. ball as coach or manager in a few That felt good.” years time, the German said. Nowitzki holds the record for The 40-year-old future Hall having played the most seasons of Famer ended his sparkling for the same club and is sixth in Raptors, Blazers win career last week after more than the all-time scorers list of the two decades at the Mavericks NBA. Nagging injuries, however, ‘He’s a young player, out there struggling trying to play the right way. I didn’t foresee the with whom he was crowned NBA took their toll on his body and champion in 2011 and was a 14- continuing his career past the fourth quarter he was going to have, but I knew in my heart he needed these minutes’ time All Star. current season was impossible. “After one or two years I can “What I did not want to hap- see myself being happy... as a pen under any circumstance coach or a manager,” Nowitzki was to say goodbye and be sit- told Germany’s Die Zeit news- ting at home, thinking ‘damn, paper in an interview to be pub- you would really like to play now. lished yesterday. Why did you do this’,” he said. “I would like to be a mentor for “But my body was not good. a young player and... accompany To be honest my foot where I had them through their career in my surgery last year was not well very own way.” throughout the year. I knew it For now, Nowitzki is content would not be getting any better.”

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks became emotional during video of his highlights before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, on April 10. (AFP)

DEVELOPMENT Warriors’ Cousins Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (right) controls the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan defends in the third quarter in game two of the first round of the 2019 NBA playoff s at the Pepsi Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports expected to miss AFP quarters. Benching Murray for forward Paul Millsap add 20. heart. It’s a hell of a win.” on Tuesday, the Portland Trail Los Angeles the fi nal period was never an Monte Morris chipped in with 11 RAPTORS, BLAZERS ROMP Blazers took a stranglehold on option, Malone added. points from the bench. Elsewhere Tuesday, Kawhi Le- their series with Oklahoma City rest of postseason “I was going with him,” San Antonio, who led 59-49 onard scored 37 points and Pas- Thunder, forging into a 2-0 lead amal Murray led a dra- Malone said. “It’s so important at half-time, saw DeMar DeRo- cal Siakam delivered a double- with a one-sided 114-94 win. Reuters at 1-1. Cousins was injured while matic late fi ghtback as for all of our guys, but especially zan top the scoring, with 31 double as the Toronto Raptors C.J.McCollum and Damian New York trying to run down a loose ball the Denver Nuggets for Jamal. He’s a young player, points. LaMarcus Aldridge add- defeated the Orlando Magic 111- Lillard once again shepherded 3 1/2 minutes into the team’s scored a series-levelling out there struggling trying to ed 24 points but only one other 82 to level their Eastern Confer- the Blazers to victory. McCol- eventual 135-131 loss to the 114-105J victory over the San play the right way. I didn’t fore- player, Derrick White, managed ence series. lum fi nished with 33 points, olden State centre De- Clippers. Antonio Spurs on Tuesday in see the fourth quarter he was to crack double digits, adding 17 The Raptors, who were jolted eight rebounds and fi ve assists Marcus Cousins is ex- With the Warriors leading their Western Conference play- going to have, but I knew in my points. by a shock defeat in game one on while Lillard added 29 points, pected to miss the rest 11-9 and the Clippers possessing off duel. heart he needed these minutes. Malone said the turning point Saturday, came roaring back to four rebounds and six assists. of the postseason with the ball just past the half-court Murray, who had missed a He needed to be out there. had come during a third quarter dominate the Magic throughout Thunder star Russell West- Ga signifi cant quadriceps injury line, Cousins defl ected a pass potentially game-winning jump timeout with the Nuggets trail- on their way to a comfortable brook fell just short of a triple sustained in the Warriors’ loss and sent it down the court to- shot in Denver’s defeat in game ‘HE CAME THROUGH’ ing by 16 points. win. double with 14 points, 11 assists Monday night, Yahoo Sports re- ward the Warriors’ bench. one on Saturday, erupted for 21 “And I needed to show him that The Denver coach said he After opening up a 51-39 and nine rebounds. Paul George ported Tuesday. Trying to run down the ball points in the fourth quarter as I believe in him. If I pulled him, urged his team to take inspi- lead at half-time, the Raptors led the OKC scoring with 27 The report, however, comes before it went out of bounds, the Nuggets grabbed a vital win he’s thinking ‘Does coach really ration from the Los Angeles cut loose in a devastating third points. Game three in the series before the results of an MRI Cousins stumbled and went in Denver. believe in me? Does he have my Clippers’ record comeback on quarter, outscoring Orlando by takes place in Oklahoma City on Cousins is scheduled to undergo down without being touched, The 22-year-old Canadian, back?’. Monday, when they overturned 39-27 to take 90-66 lead head- Friday. Tuesday morning. and immediately grabbed his who had looked out of sorts “So I had to stay with him. a 31-point defi cit to defeat the ing into the fourth quarter. Yahoo reports team offi cials left quad. He walked off and throughout, made eight of nine Make or miss, he’s our guy. I care Golden State Warriors. Leonard was the architect RESULTS are holding out hope that Cous- to the lockerroom on his own fi eld goal attempts in the fourth about him. He came through in “I reminded them we had 18 for the Raptors’ potent off ense, (all series best-of-seven): ins, who went down with the power. quarter to tie the series at 1-1 a big way.” minutes to go. I reminded them making 15 of 22 fi eld goals on his Eastern Conference non-contact in the fi rst quarter “There’s a pretty signifi cant ahead of game three in Texas on Murray’s late burst of scoring what the Clippers did last night, way to 37 points, four rebounds Toronto 111 Orlando 82 of Game 2 against the Los Ange- quad injury,” Warriors coach Thursday. proved the diff erence on a night and how much basketball we and four assists before a raucous (Series level 1-1) les Clippers, could return for the Steve Kerr said after the game. Nuggets head coach Mike when four other Denver players had left,” he said. home crowd at the Scotiabank Western Conference NBA Finals, provided the Warri- “We’ll get an MRI. But he’s Malone said he had never fi nished with double fi gures. “But I said it’s only going to Arena. The series now heads Portland 114 Oklahoma City 94 ors make it that far. going to be out for... I’ll just say a doubted Murray’s ability to de- Gary Harris had 23 points, happen though if we believe, back to game three in Orlando (Portland leads series 2-0) The Warriors blew a 31-point while because I think it’s unclear liver despite scoring only three while Nikola Jokic added 21 for we commit and we fi ght, and we on Friday. Denver 114 San Antonio 105 lead against the Clippers, right now how long he’ll be out. points in the opening three Denver, who also saw power attack. And the guys took it to In the other playoff game (Series level 1-1) evening their fi rst-round series It’s signifi cant.”

SPOTLIGHT Williams interviews to be Lakers head coach By Tania Ganguli Erik Spoelstra’s staff . He also is expected to Buss hired Johnson, a man she consid- Los Angeles Times interview for the Cavaliers’ head coaching ers family, in spring 2017 after fi ring general job. manager Mitch Kupchak and removing her That job belonged to Lue until he was fi red brother Jim from his role as executive vice ew answers have emerged about what after an 0-6 start this season. Rumours have president of basketball operations. She cre- the Los Angeles Lakers’ power struc- persisted that he’s the Lakers’ top choice. Lue ated a diff erent position for Johnson – presi- ture will look like moving forward, coached LeBron James in Cleveland and they dent of basketball operations. Johnson and but general manager Rob Pelinka won a championship together in 2016 during Pelinka, who previously was Kobe Bryant’s continuedF the process of fi nding a new head his fi rst season as coach. agent, worked together for 2 { seasons. coach. While Pelinka is in charge of the coaching When Johnson quit, he gave three reasons. Pelinka met with 76ers assistant Monty search, the Lakers don’t appear to be pursu- He said he was tired of the “backstabbing Williams in Philadelphia on Tuesday, in the ing any additional front offi ce executive to fi ll and whispering” that comes with the job, middle of their playoff series, with plans to the void left by Magic Johnson’s abrupt res- he said he wanted to be free to communicate meet with former Cleveland Cavaliers coach ignation. That could change since people fa- with players on other teams, and he said he Tyronn Lue on Friday, according to people miliar with the organisation said owner Jean- didn’t want to ask Buss to fi re Luke Walton, familiar with his plans but not authorised to ie Buss was shocked at Johnson’s resignation who spent three seasons as the Lakers’ head speak publicly. and has taken the last week to determine how coach. At some point this week, Pelinka also to proceed. Three days later, the Lakers and Walton is expected to meet with Juwan Howard, Johnson and Buss spoke after Johnson held mutually agreed to part ways, with another his former college teammate at Michigan. an impromptu news conference to resign be- job waiting for Walton in Sacramento. The Howard played for the Miami Heat from 2010 fore the Lakers’ fi nal game of the regular sea- Kings announced Walton as their head coach to 2013 and, upon retiring, joined Heat coach son, without off ering any warning to Buss. Monday. 76ers assistant coach Monty Williams. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, April 18, 2019 SPORT

NHL SPOTLIGHT Wilson strikes deal with Seahawks to Blue Jackets and become highest-paid player in NFL history

By Bob Condotta extension completed with the The Seattle Times Seahawks. Wilson was already Islanders complete under contract for the 2019 season, though the new deal nce again, the Sea- will drop his base salary to $5 hawks and Russell million this year, with four Wilson made dead- years then added on, mean- line. This time, they ing he could not become a free alsoO made NFL contract history. agent until following the 2023 Just as they did in 2015, the season, when he would be 35 Stanley Cup sweeps two sides came to an agree- years old. That means in total, ment on a new contract on Wilson will earn $157 million ‘That’s how it goes. You have a historic regular season, and we had a historic playoff ’ the night of a deadline set by over the next fi ve seasons, an Wilson, with Seattle agreeing average of $31.4 million. late Monday to a four-year, That also puts Wilson ahead $140 million contract exten- of Rodgers, who when includ- sion that keeps him with the ing current years on his con- Seahawks through the 2023 tract averages $29.1 million season and makes him the over six years. highest-paid player in the his- And according to NFL Net- tory of the NFL. work’s Ian Rapoport, the Sea- ESPN initially reported the hawks “stuck to their struc- terms of the deal and a league ture” in not fully guaranteeing source confi rmed the numbers future base salaries, which to The Seattle Times. The con- had been viewed as a poten- tract also includes a $65 mil- tial sticking point. Rapoport lion signing bonus that is also reported that there are also the highest in NFL history. roster bonuses of $5 million for The average of $35 mil- each of the fi nal two seasons of lion per season in new money the deal. surpasses the $33.5 million of The contract agreement Green Bay quarterback Aaron puts an end to months of un- Rodgers, who had been the certainty over Wilson’s fu- highest-paid player in the ture that included rumours NFL. that he wanted to be traded or The signing bonus also was asking for a contract that breaks the record of $57.5 mil- would include clauses never lion received by Rodgers in a before seen in NFL history. contract he signed last August. But as the talks wore on The contract includes total over the weekend and into late guarantees of $107 million, Monday night, Wilson also which also would be the most made it clear to those around in NFL history, and includes a him that what he wanted most no-trade clause. was to stay in Seattle. And it all marks a signifi - “Russell loves this town, cant raise for Wilson, who this team, and these fans,” was entering the fi nal season Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, of a four-year, $87.6 million told the Seattle Times early on deal signed on the day train- Tuesday morning. ing camp opened in July 2015, “Part of the compromise agreed to late the night before. involved his aff ection for all That deal made Wilson at the things Seattle. The idea of time the second-highest paid playing anywhere else was not player in the NFL at $21.9 mil- nearly as appealing as playing lion per season, just behind right here, the place he and his Rodgers at $22 million. family call home.” Pierre-Luc Dubois (right) of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of Game Four of the Eastern Confer- This time, the two sides Wilson broke the news of ence first round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup playoff s at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. PICTURE: Getty Images/AFP got the contract done as the the agreement in unique fash- clock struck midnight sending ion, with a tweet sent at 12:44 AFP to a campaign which had prom- fourth straight game to tie it at In just 10 days, the Lightning game. It sucks,” Tampa Bay cap- Monday into Tuesday, a source a.m. Tuesday in which he Los Angeles ised so much after a regular-sea- 1-1 in the fi rst period shortly af- went from No 1 to done. tain Steven Stamkos said. saying the two sides worked wrote “SEATTLE Let’s get it” son which saw them accumulate ter Jake Guentzel had put Pitts- When the season ended on The Lightning never found an all day with Wilson having set that then included video while a record-equalling 62 wins. burgh ahead. April 6, the Lightning had 62 answer for Blue Jackets goalie a deadline of April 15 to get an in bed with his wife, Ciara. he Tampa Bay Lightning Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Brock Nelson put the Isles 2-1 wins, tied for most-ever in NHL Sergei Bobrovsky, who had a .932 were sent crashing out of Pittsburgh Penguins were shut ahead in the 1st period before history. On Tuesday night, the save percentage. Tampa’s goalie, the Stanley Cup playoff s down once again by the New Josh Bailey made it 3-1 in the Lightning were out of the play- Andrei Vasilevskiy had a series on Tuesday as the Co- York Islanders, losing 3-1 to bow second. Robin Lehner made 32 off s, outscored 19-8 by the Co- save percentage of .856 and a Tlumbus Blue Jackets completed a out of the playoff s at the fi rst saves for New York. lumbus Blue Jackets in a four- 3.82 goals-against average. stunning fi rst round clean sweep hurdle with a 4-0 sweep. Penguins star Sidney Crosby game sweep. In the regular season, Vasilev- with a 7-3 victory in Ohio. The Pens, back-to-back was unable to mask his disap- “When you have the amount skiy posted a .925 save percent- The Lightning entered the Stanley Cup champions in 2016 pointment after the loss. of points we had, it’s a blessing age and a 2.40 GAA. playoff s as proud owners of the and 2017, were comprehensively “It’s obviously frustrating,” and a curse, in a way. You don’t The Lightning also convert- Presidents’ Trophy, the honour beaten as the Islanders swept a Crosby said. “I haven’t had a lot of play any meaningful hockey for a ed just one of six power-play handed to the NHL franchise best-of-seven series for the fi rst time to digest it. Just disappoint- long time. Then all of a sudden, chances into a goal, and the Blue which fi nishes the regular sea- time since 1983. ing. I think we felt good about our you have to ramp it up. It’s not an Jackets scored on fi ve of 10 op- son with the best record. “We wanted to play a cer- game coming into the playoff s and excuse. It’s reality,” Cooper said portunities. But the Florida outfi t became tain way,” Islanders coach Barry were playing some good hockey. after Game 4. Cooper off ered no excuses. only the third Presidents’ Tro- Trotz said. “And then got off to a rough “That’s how it goes. You have “We couldn’t fi nd our game. phy winning team to suff er a “We talked about culture and start, but still felt like we had a a historic regular season, and we It’s that clear. For six days in clean sweep in the postseason as identity. We tried to create that chance here coming home.” had a historic playoff .” April, we couldn’t fi nd it,” Coop- Columbus completed a 4-0 se- with what we felt we had. The Lightning had 128 points er said. “It’s unfortunate be- ries win a the Nationwide Arena. “We didn’t know a lot about ‘WE COULDN’T FIND on the season, but when the horn cause it puts a blemish on what Pierre-Luc Dubois had a goal our goaltending. We didn’t know OUR GAME’ sounded Tuesday to end Game was one helluva regular season.” and two assists while Alexandre a lot about our defense.... Getting In the aftermath of a stunning 4 in a 7-3 defeat, none of that Texier scored twice for Colum- everybody to play for each other is ouster in the fi rst round of the mattered. They became the fi rst RESULTS bus, who will play either the a hard thing. “Understanding that Stanley Cup Playoff s, Tampa Bay squad to lead the NHL in points Columbus 7-3 Tampa Bay Boston Bruins or the Toronto you just do your job, do it well, do Lightning coach Jon Cooper said and not win a game in a seven- Islanders 3-1 Pittsburgh Maple Leafs in the second round. it for the guy next to you.” his team lost the momentum game, opening-round series. The Lightning meanwhile were Jordan Eberle was the cata- built during the regular season “If we had the answers, we Las Vegas 5-0 San Jose left refl ecting on an abrupt end lyst for the Isles, scoring for the and never recovered. would have found a way to win a

MLB Paxton leads Yankees to shutout win over Red Sox Reuters their most runs in a home game this season. RESULTS New York Frazier hit a solo homer off Sale (0-4) to start the fourth after the Yankees built a 2-0 Yankees 8-0 Red Sox lead on RBI singles by DJ LeMahieu and Luke ames Paxton struck out 12 and pitched Pirates 5-3 Tigers Voit in the third. eight dominant innings of two-hit ball Phillies 14-3 Mets Tauchman had an RBI double off Sale in to outpitch Chris Sale, and the New Astros 9-1 Athletics the fourth and then slugged a three-run York Yankees rolled to an 8-0 victory homer off Erasmo Ramirez in the sixth. After overJ the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night at D’backs 9-6 Braves Tauchman’s fi rst career homer, Torres made Yankee Stadium. Dodgers 6-1 Reds it 8-0 by opening the seventh with his fourth Paxton (2-2) delivered his best showing Cubs 4-0 Marlins homer of the season. as a Yankee by thriving in the fi rst meeting The Yankees won hours after Greg Bird between the rivals since the Red Sox won Blue Jays 6-5 Twins (left plantar fascia tear) became their 12th Games 3 and 4 of the American League Divi- Rays 4-2 Orioles player to land on the injured list. sion Series last October. Indians 4-2 Mariners Sale dropped to 0-4 for the second time in The left-hander allowed only doubles to his career, allowing four runs on seven hits in Xander Bogaerts in the fourth inning and Giants 7-3 Nationals fi ve innings. Jackie Bradley Jr. in the eighth. He allowed White Sox 5-1 Royals “I just fl at-out stink right now,” Sale told four baserunners while producing the long- Rangers 5-0 Angels reporters. “I don’t know what it is. When est start by a Yankee this season. you’re going good, it’s good. When you’re go- Rockies 8-2 Padres Paxton recorded his 12th career double- ing bad, it’s pretty bad.” digit strikeout game and struck out six Brewers 8-4 Cardinals The Red Sox fi nished with three hits. They straight hitters from the fi nal out of the sixth lost for the ninth time in their fi rst 12 road until Bradley doubled with two outs in the against Texas. On Sunday, Paxton admitted games, and their 6-12 record is their worst eighth. he was tipping his curveball last Wednesday 18-game start since opening 1996 at 3-15. After Bradley doubled, Paxton retired in Houston. This time, he stayed away from Mookie Betts on a fl y ball to right. the pitch. Paxton threw only fi ve curveballs Paxton reached only two three-ball counts and relied mostly on four-seam fastballs and New York Yankees starting pitcher James all night - both to Betts. He also produced 20 his cutter. Paxton pitches against the Boston Red Sox swings and misses, and his 110 pitches were Clint Frazier, Mike Tauchman and Gleyber during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. eight shy of his career set Aug. 26, 2014, Torres homered for the Yankees, who scored PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times Thursday, April 18, 2019 7 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Qatar’s Dr Yousuf al-Kazim elected fi rst Nadal steamrolls vice-president of ABC to opening Monte ‘It was a great start, it’s good to be back here. I can’t pretend to not have pain at all, Carlo win but professionals normally play with pain’ AFP Monte Carlo, Principality of Monaco

afael Nadal charged out of the blocks yesterday to hammer Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-1 inR his opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters. The 11-time champion Dr Yousuf al-Kazim. showed no sign of the knee problems which forced him to QNA countries eligible to vote in the quit ahead of an Indian Wells Bangkok 42-nation general assembly. semi-fi nal against Roger Fed- Three members secured the erer a month ago. vice-president’s position in this The 32-year-old had ex- resident of Qatar Boxing election, representing South Ko- pressed pre-tournament cau- and Wrestling Federa- rea, China and Thailand. tion regarding the health of tion (QBWF) and chair- Dr Yousuf al-Kazim expressed his knee – a worry which ap- man of the Arab Boxing satisfaction with the confi dence peared to be groundless after a PFederation Dr Yousuf al-Kazim the confederation’s general as- 76-minute masterclass. was elected fi rst vice-president sembly put in him and hoped “I’m happy for this very posi- of Asian Boxing Confederation that he will continue his eff orts tive start. I had good feelings on for a term of four years. to develop boxing in Asia at all court,” he said. Al-Kazim was elected in levels. Nadal collected the open- Thailand’s capital Bangkok af- In a statement to Qatar News ing fi ve games of the afternoon ter a strong competition with 13 Agency (QNA), al-Kazim said in 17 minutes as he set the tone candidates from Thailand, India, the confi dence earned by the for another dominant display in Uzbekistan, Jordan, Mongolia, members of the general assem- the principality. He was equally China, Palestine, Afghanistan, bly is coming from their belief in in control during the second Iran, Laos, Singapore, Sri Lanka the success of QBWF policies in set, where he saved three break and South Korea. the development of the game, as points in the fourth game and The Qatari candidate se- well as the reputation of Qatari two more in the sixth. cured 22 votes out of 36 Asian sport everywhere. “It was a great start, it’s good to be back here,” the 17-time Grand Slam winner said, keep- ing talk of his knee to a mini- Folau to fi ght Rugby Australia mum. “I can’t pretend to not sacking over comments have pain at all, but profession- als normally play with pain,” Israel Folau has requested a condemned the player’s social Nadal said. code of conduct hearing to chal- media stance. “It’s part of the sport at the lenge Rugby Australia’s decision But the independent three- highest level and it’s no limita- to sack the Wallabies fullback person tribunal could choose tions at all. I was able to move over anti-gay comments, of- not to find Folau guilty of a code well and be confi dent with the ficials announced yesterday. of conduct breach, or issue him things that I did.” The 30-year-old, who was issued a suspension instead that could Bautista Agut has now lost to a code of conduct breach by the see him return to the game. his Spanish countryman in all governing body on Monday, had That would force Rugby three of their meetings, while sparked an uproar last week Australia to decide whether to Nadal improved his incredible for posting on his Instagram tear up his lucrative Aus$4 mil- record here to 69-4 as he takes account that “Hell awaits” lion (US$2.9 million) four-year aim at a fourth consecutive title homosexuals. contract that was signed in at the event. “Israel has responded formally February. “This is just the fi rst match today to request a Code of Folau – who has played at an and it’s been a very positive Conduct hearing which, under elite level in three diff erent foot- start,” Nadal said. “The results the circumstances, was not an ball codes – had said in February say that.” Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a backhand return to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut during their Monte-Carlo ATP Masters match in Monaco unexpected outcome,” Rugby that playing in the tournament Roland Garros fi nalist Do- yesterday. (AFP) Australia chief Raelene Castle was a key reason why he had minic Thiem, who lost to Nadal said in a statement. re-signed with the Wallabies and in Paris last June, beat Slova- teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime. Miami, as well as in Marrakech him and his opponent before fi - “If all these are combined, With the hearing likely to be Waratahs. kia’s Martin Klizan 6-1, 6-4. The German, locally based, last week. nally advancing in 78 minutes. then I have nothing to fear and delayed by two imminent public On Sunday Folau, Super Rugby’s Thiem, who won the Indian reached the third round as he “I’ve been training well but The third seed will next I have nothing to be afraid of holidays, Folau’s decision has record try-scorer, told the Wells title over Federer, made a tamed the 18-year-old who haven’t been able to take that face Italy’s Fabio Fognini, who when I’m on the court. thrust the governing body into Sydney Morning Herald he was successful switch to his favour- broke through for a Miami into matches. reached the third round when “This is the fi rst big clay a protracted and diff icult situa- ready for life without rugby, say- ite surface as he prepares for the semi-fi nal last month. “I live just 500 metres from French opponent Gilles Simon court tournament, not everyone tion just five months before the ing, “I live for God now”. pre-French Open sequence of The 21-year-old Zverev here, I’m comfortable on this withdrew because of back prob- is very well prepared for that. World Cup in Japan. “Whatever His will is, whether events. Fourth seed Thiem won played the semi-fi nals in Monte court. I’m starting to feel better lems. It’s been a long hardcourt court Rugby Australia has made it that’s to continue playing or with a break in the fi nal game Carlo a year ago but has yet to about my game. Greek sixth seed Stefanos season before the clay.” clear that his presence in the not, I’m more than happy to do after Klizan held a 40-0 lead. hit his stride this season. That “I’m really ready for the clay Tsitsipas moved ahead, defeat- Britain’s Cameron Nor- sport is no longer tenable, what He wants me to do,” Folau may be starting to change. season.” ing Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 7-5. rie defeated Marton Fucso- Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said. Rugby league, the sport in UPBEAT ZVEREV “This is the fi rst time this Zverev swept the opening “I need to maintain my focus, vics of Hungary 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, has declared that he would which Folau started his career, is Alexander Zverev rediscovered season I’ve felt really healthy,” set in 30 minutes but had to my concentration, my aggres- while Pierre-Hugues Herbert not select Folau again and na- also turning its back on him. traces of his best form with a said Zverev, who lost prema- get through a series of three sive mindset when I’m on the stunned 2018 fi nalist and fi fth tional team sponsor Qantas also 6-1, 6-4 defeat of Canadian turely at both Indian Wells and straight breaks of serve between court,” Tsitsipas said. seed Kei Nishikori 7-5, 6-4.

CRICKET QDC win Engineers Corporate Cup By Sports Reporter Doha

atar Design Consor- tium (QDC) defeated Galfar Al Misnad in the fi nal of the KEF organ- isedQ Engineers Corporate Cup 2019 at the Ideal Oval. With the help of a fi ne un- beaten knock by Manu Vijayan (62) QDC scored 131 runs in their 20 overs. In reply Galfar batsmen failed to achieve the target as they were restricted to 128 runs. Gulfar captain Raneesh scored match-high 80 runs. Vijayan was declared man-of- the-match and player-of-the- tournament for his all-round performance. Galfar’s Vishnu Chandran was declared best batsman and his team-mate Ghanshyam Verma adjudged the best bowler of the tournament. The other participating teams were – L&T, Powerman Inter- national, Mannai Corporation, Castle Constructions, Omega Engineering, Global Auto Parts, Coastal Qatar, Almoyyed Air- conditioning, Technosteel & Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC).

Thursday, April 18, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING 3X3 BASKETBALL AJS Wathanan Two Qatar teams dominant in for Doha Masters feature win Trainer Ghazali enjoys three winners, De Mieulle saddles two

(From left) Liman player Alksandar Ratkov, FIBA 3x3 director Ignacio Soriano, Qatar Basketball Federation secretary-general Ali al-Malki and Doha player Nedim Muslic at a pre-event press conference on the eve of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Doha Masters yesterday. PICTURES: Othman Khalid

By Yash Mudgal Doha

Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (fourth from right) with the winners of Al Wakra Cup after AJS Wathanan won the 1900m race at Al Rayyan Park yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim wo Qatar teams — Katara and Doha — are all set By Sports Reporter to take part in the FIBA Doha 3x3 World Tour season- Topening Doha Masters, which will held at the Katara Amphi- JS Wathanan made theater today and tomorrow. his preference for the This is the fi rst World Tour course and distance event to be played in Doha, which clear when Jassim Mo- has previously hosted the FIBA hamedA Ghazali’s ward registered 3x3 All Stars. The 12 participating his third victory over 1900m at teams will compete for $75,000 the Al Rayyan Park dirt track in and points to climb up the World the Al Wakra Cup, yesterday’s Tour standings. feature race. Unlike last year, the Masters In the process, the Al Ghazali events winners will not qualify Stud gelding completed a treble directly for the World Tour Final. for the champion trainer, who The top 12 teams in the stand- looks set to take his sixth con- ings after the last Masters event secutive trainers’ championship in Utsunomiya, Japan, will head when the Qatari racing season to the fi nal, to be held at the same comes to a close next week. venue on November 2-3. In the Local Purebred Arabian “It’s a pleasure to be here in Handicap, the seven-year-old Qatar once again. We have been raced to a dominant win over coming to Qatar since 2013, very Hassan al-Matwi’s Nomas Al successfully. It is the fi rst time Qatar Basketball Federation president Ahmed Abdulrahman al-Muftah Shajaa with a little over six Anas al-Seyabi rides AJS Wathanan to Al Wakra Cup victory yesterday. we are organising World Tour in (left) and Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti signed lengths to spare. Qatar. This is the fi rst event of a sponsorship agreement yesterday. PICTURE: Anas Khalid AJS Wathanan was the second for Qatari riders only, he helmed gelding registered his fi rst ca- by: No, 4 ¾, Nk. Time: 1:58.53. the season and we have a record- winner on the day guided by Anas Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari’s reer victory. Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: high 12 teams for this season, Sad player Nikola Pavlovic and No.3 seed, Riga Ghetto from al-Seyabi, who had guided Osa- Lo De Nalane, saddled by Ghaz- Alban de Mieulle. which is an extended one,” FIBA French star Angelo Tsagarakis. Latvia, who lost the decider of ma Omer al-Dafea’s Hitchslap to ali, to a comfortable victory. RESULTS Race 5: 1. Al Huwailah (Al Moat- 3x3 director Ignacio Soriano said Local hopeful Katara makes it a the Bloomage Beijing Final to her fi rst career win in the card- The famous colours of Umm Race 1: 1. Hitchslap (Anas al- asem al-Balushi), 2. Musaiter Bu yesterday. very interesting group. Novi Sad last year, are in Pool opening maiden race. Qarn locked the top two spots Seyabi), 2. Show Of Strength Thaila (Ivan Rossi), 3. Admiral “We have top teams ready for After a bitter end to a brilliant C and face a mouth-watering Jockey Al Moatasem al-Bal- in the Purebred Arabian Plate (Ivan Rossi), 3. Leafy Moss (Jean (Tomas Lukasek), 4. Attaf (Math- the show, which will be held from 2018, where they stunningly clash against No.6 seed Moscow ushi registered two straight event for four-year-olds, with Baptiste Hamel), 4. Mixi Charm ieu Pelletan). Won by: 2 ¼, ¼, 1 April to October this year so that lost in the quarter-fi nals in the Inanomo while Balanga Chooks victories, one each with Ghazali Alban de Mieulle’s wards shin- (Ronan Thomas). Won by: Nk, ½, ¼. Time: 1:51.80. Owner: Injaaz the teams can get year-long ex- Bloomage Final in Beijing, Liman from the Philippines round out and his son, Mohamed. ing in the 1700m race yesterday. 1 ¼. Time: 1:12.19. Owner: Osama Stud. Trainer: Mohamed Jassim posure for more than US $1 mil- will be out to make an early state- the group. First up, it was Injaaz Stud In the penultimate race of the Omer al-Dafea. Trainer: Osama Ghazali. lion prize-money in the season,” ment and will play Katara to open Pool D looms as the group of fi lly Al Huwailah, who raced to day, Garraff ah, an impressive Omer al-Dafea. Race 6: 1. Lekhraib (Al Moatasem he said. the event today. death and will be a Slovenian her second straight victory in as maiden winner last month, was Race 2: 1. Lo De Nalane (Ali al-Balushi), 2. Stam Al Naif (Adnan Talking about the game’s de- However, Liman will be with- showdown with No.4 seed Piran many weeks, stepping up in dis- back with Ronan Thomas in the Khalid al-Mosallam), 2. Bint Hawa), 3. Fazan (Ronan Thomas), but in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics out their star player Stefan Sto- and No.5 seed Ljubljana head- tance from a six-furlong sprint saddle, and the two did well to Saff ian (Meteb Ali al-Marri), 3. 4. Muzn (Damien Morin). Won by: he said: “Yes… next year is Ol- jacic aka ‘Mr Robot’ who sus- lining. No.12 seed Mount-Royal to a 1700m Local Thoroughbred make it two in two yesterday. The China Club (Abdulla Mubarak 4 ¼, 2 ½, 3 ¼. Time: 1:18.92. Owner: ympic year so this season is im- tained a right calf injury and is U McGill from Canada — who Handicap in style. Mohamed’s colt beat stablemate Badda, also al-Maadeed), 4. Rock Bottom Al Ghazali Stud. Trainer: Jassim portant for the players to earn out for six weeks. won the FISU World University ward picked up a comfortable looking for a double and ridden (Yousef al-Hajri). Won by: 2 ½, 2 Mohamed Ghazali. ranking points.” “We are eagerly waiting for the League last year — will be look- win, going past the post a little by Mathieu Pelletan, by a length. ½, 2 ¾. Time: 1:12.23. Owner: Kha- Race 7: 1. Garraff ah (Ronan He also expressed his best start of the season and are ready ing to spoil the party. more than two lengths ahead The win was De Mieulle’s lifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Thomas), 2. Badda (Mathieu wishes for Qatar teams in the for it. We hope to start on a win- “I am very excited to see World of Tareq Essa Abdulla-trained second on the day. Jassim Mohamed Ghazali. Pelletan), 3. Tahar (Damien event. ning note,” Liman’s Alksandar Tour come to Doha. It will be my Musaiter Bu Thaila. Umm Qarn’s Husam, trained Race 3: 1. Nautical Mile (Ivan Morin), 4. Enjazaat (Tadgh “The entire world will be Ratkov said. fi rst time to play at this level. I In the Arabian Handicap by Alban de Mieulle, made good Rossi), 2. Noble Ancestry (Alexis O’Shea). Won by: 1, 5 ¾, 2 ½. watching Qatar this weekend. Liman’s main challengers for think it will be very challeng- sprint, al-Balushi guided Al use of a weight advantage to Pouchin), 3. Dheban (Mathieu Time: 1:59.56. Owner: Umm Qatar was 2014 World Cham- the title will be fellow Serbs Novi ing as all the top teams are here,” Ghazali Stud’s Lekhraib to an register his fi rst victory in Qatar, Pelletan), 4. Palmetto Dunes Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle. pion and again we expect Doha Sad, who remained unbeaten last Doha team’s Nedim Muslic said. impressive victory, winning the topping the graduation race for (Damien Morin). Won by: 1 ¾, Race 8: 1. AJS Wathanan (Anas teams to succeed in the event,” year. They won 32 straight games Speaking on the occasion, Qa- six-furlong run by a little more Arabians. ¾, Hd. Time: 2:02.73. Owner: Al al-Seyabi), 2. Nomas Al Shajaa he said. to stamp their authority, but this tar Basketball Federation secre- than four lengths. In the other Thoroughbred Jasra Stud. Trainer: Tareq Essa (Alexis Pouchin), 3. AJS Al Mo- Serbian team Liman, who won season they will have to step it up tary-general Ali al-Malki said, For the second straight week, Handicap, Al Jasra Stud’s Nau- Abdulla. heeb (Al Moatasem al-Balushi), three Masters events last year, another level to stay ahead of the “We welcome all the teams for Qatari apprentice rider Ali Kha- tical Mile avenged his close Race 4: 1. Husam (Ronan 4. AJS Al Maha (Tadgh O’Shea). have been seeded No.1 and will pack. the season-opener in Doha. We lid al-Mosallam rode a winner, defeat last week, by beating Thomas), 2. Jabal Aramoon Won by: 6 1/4, 4 3/4, 1/2. Time: be pitted in Pool A against Pasig Novi Sad are seeded second also have our teams and hope taking his season victory tally Ghazali’s ward, Noble Ancestry, (Anas al-Seyabi), 3. Bsheer 2:11.86. Owner: Al Ghazali Stud. Chooks from basketball-crazy and headline Pool B alongside they will do well in the tourna- to four, his best ever so far. In a by a little less than two lengths. (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. Baker De Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Philippines. The team will fea- Tokyo Dime from Japan and ment to start the season on a Thoroughbred Handicap sprints The Tareq Essa Abdulla trained Saularie (Yousef al-Hajri). Won Ghazali. ture familiar faces in ex-Novi Doha. good note.”

GOLF Amir Cup handball starts today Ikstrums fi res 7 birdies to claim ECGC Green Jacket QNA the final will be played on Doha Thursday, April 25. It is noteworthy that By Sports Reporter sion with a score of +1 (73). The the qualifying phase of Doha score could have been better with H the Amir Cup the HH the Amir Cup him fi ring an impressive 7 birdies Handball Champi- Handball Champion- throughout his round. Honship will begin ship is held between the he inaugural Education ECGC member Timothy Huff ord today with two qualify- teams who are ranked City Golf Club Masters took the fi rst place honours in the ing matches — Al Rayyan seventh to tenth in the Tournament took place Nett division with a score of -2 (70). vs Al Shamal and Al Ahli Qatar Handball League, recently with some great His round featured a nett eagle and vs Al Khor. namely Al Rayyan, Al Tscores from all the 55 participants. 8 nett birdies. The winner of Al Rayyan Ahli, Al Khor and Al The open tournament saw mem- The winners took home some ex- versus Al Shamal will Shamal. Two teams bers and visitors challenge for their cellent prizes from Banana Island face Al Arabi, while the are promoted to the very own green jacket. In line with Resort Doha by Anantara. winner of Al Ahli versus quarter-finals alongside the pristine golf course conditions Al Khor will face Al the top six teams in the that are seen on regular basis at Ed- RESULTS Sadd on Saturday in the league, which includes ucation City Golf Club (ECGC) and Gross quarter-finals. Al Wakrah, Al Duhail, Al Augusta National, the agronomy 1. Andrew Ikstrums 73 Qatar SC will play against Sadd, Al Gharafa, Al Arabi team ensured the greens had some 2. Jesse Payne 77 Al Gharafa and Al Wakrah and Qatar SC. Augusta-like speed to them tak- 3. Benjamin Coleman 80 will play against Al Al Wakrah won the Amir ing the Education City Golf Club Nett Duhail. Cup last season after greens up to 13 on the Stimpmeter. 1. Timothy Huff ord 70 The semi-finals will be defeating Qatar SC 27-22 Andrew Ikstrums took the fi rst 2. Ramon Fierros 70 played on Monday and in the final. place honours in the gross divi- 3. Raza Mehkary 70