FOOTBALL | Page 2 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 5 Ulloa nudges Kohli’s maiden leaders T20 ton in vain Leicester as Lions win by closer to title 6 wickets

Monday, April 25, 2016 MOTOGP Rajab 18, 1437 AH Masterful Rossi GULF TIMES gets start to fi nish win in Spain GP SPORT Page 8

FOOTBALL / QATAR CUP Lekhwiya outclass QSL champions Al Rayyan ‘After losing QSL title we were determined to make amends and today’s win gives us confidence going into the final’

By Sports Reporter Doha

l Rayyan’s dream of a domes- tic treble this season came unstuck in spectacular fash- ion at the Sheikh Jassim bin AHamad Stadium when they crashed to a 3-1 defeat against Lekhwiya in the fi rst semi-fi nal of the Qatar Cup yesterday. Jorge Fossati’s side had swatted away all comers to dethrone Lekhwiya in the Qatar Stars League with much to spare, but ever since that they seem to have completely lost the plot, lurching from one defeat to another. So much so that they failed to win any of their fi ve remaining matches in the QSL, and yesterday their jinx continued in the four-team Qatar Cup when their defi ciencies were thoroughly exposed by Djamel Belmadi’s Lekhwiya. Lekhwiya were clinical after the break and were 3-0 up before Rayyan got a late consolation from Nathan. In truth, the opening 45 minutes were tight and tetchy as both teams looked for a foothold in the tie. Lekhwi- ya looked the better side in the open- ing exchanges, controlling the ball and making the most of the few chances they carved open. The best of which fell to midfi elder Karim Boudiaf after a fi ne cutback from wingback Khalid Muftah, but the Le- Lekhwiya’s Mohamed Muntari (left) celebrates his goal with teammate Youssef Msakni during the Qatar Cup match against khwiya captain’s shot ballooned over Al Rayyan yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil & Shemeer Rasheed Lekhwiya’s Nam Tae Hee (right) celebrates his goal. the bar. The fi rst half ended evenly poised at 0-0. marked his eleventh goal of the season, In the second half, Belmadi’s side and ensured Lekhwiya’s place in the came out on the front foot and duly Qatar Cup fi nal on April 29 against ei- took the lead on the 49th minute. A ther Al Sadd or El Jaish. long ball from Boudiaf was met by a Nathan gave the Al Rayyan faith- well-timed run of Yousef Msakni. The ful something to cheer about after he Tunisian international then nodded headed the ball into the goal from a the ball past onrushing Al Rayyan goal- corner. However, it was too little too keeper Omar Barry. late for Al Rayyan, who were simply Al Rayyan immediately went looking outclassed by their opponents on the for an equalizer and captain Rodrigo night. Tabata drew a sharp save from Lekhi- Coach Belmadi was pleased with the wya stopper Ivanildo Santos. performance of his players. Al Rayyan where masterfully spooked Rayyan coach Lekhwiya coach “It was one of the best performances by Lekhwiya on the break in the 56th Jorge Fossati Djamel Belmadi by the team in recent months. After minute, eff ectively ending the contest. losing our Qatar Stars League title we Speedy 22-year-old Mohamed Mun- He then side-stepped Al Rayyan goalie Al Rayyan looked shell-shocked dominance on the evening with a third The diminutive midfi elder scythed were very determined to make amends tari made a run into the opponent’s Bari before a composed fi nish from the and tried to create chances but where goal of the highest quality, thanks to his way past three Al Rayyan defend- and today’s win gives us confi dence box and received an incisive diagonal Qatari international gave Lekhwiya a denied by a resilient Lekhwiya back- South Korean international Nam Tae ers and fi nally sidestepped the keeper going into the fi nal and thereafter the ground pass from his captain Boudiaf. 2-0 lead. line. The Red Knights underlined their Hee. to send the ball into the goal. The strike Emir Cup,” he added.

PREVIEW Jaish to face off against Sadd in today’s semi- fi nal

By Sports Reporter hope to end the season with trophy as Doha they go into the match against the Sol- diers. Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira has fter the two teams played out said that the game is a fi nal for his team. a draw in the last game of the “We are getting into a big situation in Qatar Stars League (QSL), El which you don’t have another chance. Jaish and Al Sadd go head-to- We have to win. This is very important Ahead in the Qatar Cup semi-fi nal at the for us as players and coaches as we take Al Sadd Stadium today. this as a fi nal and we don’t have other El Jaish ended the QSL season as chances to make up for it,” Ferreira said. runners-up with 48 points. The Sol- “Qatar Cup is very important in this diers will hope to win this time around country and winning two games will and book their spot in the Qatar Cup give you the championship. But in Emir fi nal for a third time. Cup we have three games, as we quali- El Jaish head coach Sabri Lamouchi fi ed for quarter-fi nals. For us, as Al stressed that this match was a lot dif- Sadd, we always have pressure even in ferent than the league match. “It is a El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi (centre) at a press conference on Saturday; (right) Al Sadd coach Jesual Ferreira (centre). PICTURES: Anas Khalid the QSL and I love tough games. It feels Cup game and it’s diff erent than the good when you beat a strong team,” last game of the league,” he said. “This good reaction to anything coming from “The numbers are not very important. advantage of Al Sadd’s defensive weak- weakness,” added the forty-four-year- added the Portuguese tactician. is our chance to end the season with a Al Sadd because if we don’t have this We drew our last game with them and nesses. “Yes there is a weakness in Al old tactician. “We want to get out of the season trophy. We are looking forward to win spirit we will not have enough to quali- they kicked us out of the Emir Cup last Sadd and we also have our weaknesses With that thrilling 2-2 draw in the with a title. This is a very important the match and get out of this season fy for the fi nal.” season. They are a very good club with and they will try to take advantage. The last QSL game, Sadd secured the third game and it will be very open because with at least one trophy.” Speaking about the statistics which a very good team.” fi rst step is to work hard, good team spot in the league and booked their both teams are very eager to win the ti- He added: “I wish the players have a favour Jaish over Sadd, Lamouchi said, Lamouchi hopes that they can take work and the second step is to fi nd their place in the Qatar Cup. The Wolves will tle,” said the 69-year-old. Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 25, 2016 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS Villa fl ops won’t Ulloa nudges leaders be protected from fan backlash

Leicester closer to AFP I can’t be led down that road. London I can’t succumb to that and I won’t. It is diffi cult circum- stances for everybody and I don’t elegated Aston Villa’s want to be accusing the fans beleaguered players of anything because they keep face three more weeks turning up. title, Arsenal held of public humiliation “They are trying to voice their beforeR their nightmare season opinions in certain ways about comes to an end. certain players. But we are pro- But Villa caretaker manager fessional people, the garden is Ranieri’s side are eight points clear of Spurs, who host West Bromwich today Eric Black has no plans to shield not always rosy and you have to any of his highly-paid but under- respond and that’s all we can do. achieving troops from their fate “I’m not here to tell the fans in the fi nal fi xtures. Angry Villa what to do. They have had the fans have targeted goalkeeper worst season in recent history for Brad Guzan, defender Joleon this club. They have seen poor Lescott and midfi elder Leandro performances and poor results Bacuna for particular ridicule, and they have every right to voice with the trio’s every touch booed their anger.” during Saturday’s 4-2 defeat at Two goals from Dusan Tadic home to Southampton. helped Southampton to a victory But Black, who was also criti- that was more comfortable than cised by supporters for his sub- the scoreline suggested. He add- stitutions, insists the abuse di- ed to Shane Long’s opener while rected at players and himself will Sadio Mane made it 4-2 late on not infl uence his team selection after Ashley Westwood had twice for the remaining three games. pulled Villa within one goal. “When you’re bottom of the Southampton still harbour league with 16 points and you’re hopes of qualifying for the Eu- relegated, whether you’re in the ropa League and manager Ronald right frame of mind I don’t know, Koeman said: “What you like is, but I can only pick on what I see,” at the end of the season, to play Black said. for something. “That is always “People will have to judge better than when the season is things for themselves but I can over. We are winning again and only pick it on 37 years of football putting the pressure on them. experience. That is all I go on. I “That’s what we like to do can’t pick it on what journalists and we have to do it next week. say or what supporters say. “That Liverpool have a tough sched- would be unprofessional of me ule with the Europa League and and there would be no point in that’s always diffi cult to keep me being here if we just had a the momentum in the Premier lottery and picked the team. “I League. That’s good because we am standing there so I will take are close but we need more wins, it. That is not a problem.” we know.” Black admitted he could have Jay Rodriguez made his fi rst no complaints about the hostile start for the Saints since Sep- atmosphere that greeted Villa in tember and Koeman was de- their fi rst home game since their lighted with his contribution. fi rst relegation for 29 years was “Everyone knows Jay played confi rmed last weekend. twice in the under-21s and in the “I can understand the fans’ last two matches he came from frustration and the fans will the bench,” said Koeman. defi nitely have their ideas on the “Today was the last step he team and the players they want to makes by starting. Normally it’s see,” he added. a player who can score goals and “I think that multiplies be- what he needs is game time. It cause of the circumstances but was a good opportunity to start.”

Leonardo Ulloa celebrates with Shinji Okazaki after scoring the second goal for Leicester City as Swansea substitute Madou Barrow (left) looks on dejected yesterday. (Reuters)

AFP draw with West Ham United last week- it 2-0 on the half-hour by heading in fourth, fi ve points above Manchester Leicester end, which had raised the possibility Danny Drinkwater’s free-kick and killed United, but having played a game more. of nerves getting the better of Ranieri’s the game off in the 61st minute when he The point was of much greater use miracle men. toed in a cross from Jeff Schlupp, who had to Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland, who eicester City need just fi ve points Vardy is likely to miss next Sunday’s sprinted into the box from halfway. climbed out of the relegation zone on goal to complete a fairytale Premier trip to Manchester United, having ac- The fourth goal, in the 85th minute, diff erence at the expense of Norwich City. League title triumph after Leon- cepted a Football Association miscon- was the work of Leicester’s substitutes, “With four games to go it is in our ardo Ulloa scored twice in a 4-0 duct charge over his angry reaction to with Demarai Gray sparking the move by hands now,” said Allardyce, whose side Lhome victory over Swansea City yester- his dismissal against West Ham, but the sprinting to the byline on the right and had won 3-0 at Norwich in their previ- day. With top scorer Jamie Vardy sus- one-sided victory over Swansea proved sending a cross into the box. ous game. “Our performances are good— pended, his stand-in Ulloa stepped up that Leicester do not need their talisman From Andy King’s back-post header, excellent last week and very good today. with a brace of goals at the King Power to succeed. “I’m happy because this team Gray saw a close-range volley parried by Hopefully we can get enough points to Stadium, either side of goals by Riyad is unbelievable,” Ulloa said. “We played Fabianski, but Albrighton followed in to stay out of trouble.” Mahrez and substitute Marc Albrighton. so well. We miss Jamie Vardy because he lift the rebound into the roof of the net. RESULTS It lifted Claudio Ranieri’s side eight is a good player, but we can still play well Leicester’s win defi nitely sounded the Sunderland 0 Arsenal 0 points clear of second-place Totten- and I enjoy playing with this team and death knell on the title aspirations of Ar- Leicester City 4 (Mahrez 10, Ulloa 30, 60, ham Hotspur, who host West Bromwich with these team-mates. We played a re- sene Wenger’s Arsenal, whose goalless Albrighton 85) Swansea City 0 Albion today, and means that they can ally good game and it is a massive three stalemate at Sunderland did little to help Playing today: (1900 GMT) Tottenham vs claim the title by winning at Manches- points. It is good for me because I needed their push for a top-four fi nish. West Brom ter United next Sunday if Spurs fail to confi dence and after the last goal I was Sunderland left-back Patrick van Aan- Played Saturday: beat West Brom. Leicester’s victory had more confi dent, but I am more pleased holt came closest to breaking the dead- Aston Villa 2 (Westwood 45+1, 85) Southamp- the added eff ect of ending the title bids about the three points.” lock at the Stadium of Light with a fi rst- ton 4 (Long 15, Tadic 39, 71, Mane 90+4) of both third-place Manchester City and Leicester’s they made an ideal start half free-kick that hit the post, while Bournemouth 1 (Elphick 36) Chelsea 4 fourth-place Arsenal, who were held to a against Francesco Guidolin’s Swansea both teams had penalty appeals for hand- (Pedro 5, Hazard 34, 90+1, Willian 71) 0-0 draw at struggling Sunderland. as Ashley Williams’s careless clearance ball turned down. Liverpool 2 (Sturridge 2, Lallana 30) Newcas- Vardy’s dismissal, after he was shown struck Mahrez, who calmly stroked his Arsenal, for whom Jack Wilshere made tle 2 (Cisse 48, Colback 66) a second yellow card for diving, had been 17th goal of the season past visiting goal- his fi rst appearance of the season after Manchester City 4 (Fernando 35, Aguero 43- Angry Aston Villa fans have targeted defender Joleon Lescott (right) the chief talking point of Leicester’s 2-2 keeper Lukasz Fabianski. Ulloa made recovering from a broken fi bula, remain pen, Iheanacho 64, 74) Stoke 0 for particular ridicule. (Reuters )

FA CUP Wickham sends Palace to fi nal showdown with United AFP Watford’s failure to reach their fi rst FA Cup Tottenham midfi elder crumpled to the turf London fi nal for 32 years will increase speculation with what looked like a knee injury following about the future of manager Quique Sanchez an off -the-ball collision with Bolasie. Flores after reports the Hornets’ poor form It could have been even worse for lethargic rystal Palace will face Manches- in 2016 could lead to his sacking after one Watford before half-time when Nathan Ake ter United in their fi rst FA Cup fi nal season in charge. After a superb fi rst half of avoided conceding a penalty despite block- for 26 years after Connor Wick- the season, Palace had plunged dramatically ing Wilfried Zaha’s cross with his hand. Little ham sealed a 2-1 win over Watford in 2016, with only one win from their last 18 had been seen from Deeney in the fi rst half, atC Wembley yesterday. Alan Pardew’s side league games. so it was an encouraging sign for Flores when swept into an early lead in the semi-fi nal But despite their struggles, Pardew’s men the striker threatened with a header soon af- through Congo forward Yannick Bolasie be- were enjoying their best Cup run for over ter the interval. fore Watford’s Troy Deeney equalised soon two decades and they took just six minutes to Bolasie remained a man possessed and he after the interval. seize the initiative. Yohan Cabaye whipped a tore down the left fl ank before drilling a low Palace were the better team for long peri- corner towards the near post where Damien shot that Pantilimon saved with his legs. But ods and Wickham settled it midway through Delaney fl icked a back header towards the far Watford were more dangerous now and in the the second half to give his club a chance to post for the unmarked Bolasie to head home 55th minute they won the corner that brought avenge their 1990 FA Cup fi nal loss against from virtually on the line. their equaliser. Deeney’s got the ball before United, who are looking to win the competi- Bolasie’s sixth goal of the season was an Dann and he angled a fi ne glancing header tion for the fi rst time since 2004 after beat- emotional moment for the forward, who past Wayne Hennessey for his 11th goal of ing Everton on Saturday. It was an especially hadn’t forgotten the frustration he felt in the season. Yet Watford’s joy was short-lived Crystal Palace’s Connor sweet moment for Palace boss Pardew, who 2013 when he was an unused substitute dur- as Palace regained the lead only six minutes Wickham (right) celebrates was a member of the Eagles team beaten by ing Palace’s Championship play-off fi nal win later. What should have been a situation that with Joel Ward after scoring Alex Ferguson’s United in 1990 when Lee over Watford at Wembley. posed no danger proved fatal for the Hornets their second goal. (Reuters) Martin scored the replay winner after the Costel Pantilimon had to make an alert as they went to sleep from a Palace throw, al- fi rst match ended in a 3-3 draw. save when Cabaye aimed for the far corner lowing Papa Souare time for a high cross that Pardew has proved something of a good and not long after that the France midfi elder, Ake was slow to react to as Wickham towered luck charm for Palace in the FA Cup and he at the heart of all Palace’s best moments with above him to head past Pantilimon. celebrated taking the club to only their sec- his smooth passing, tested Watford’s goal- Watford substitute Adlene Guedioura al- ond fi nal in the competition 26 years after keeper with a dipping free-kick. most forced extra-time when he scuff ed wide scoring the winner against Liverpool the last Adding to Watford’s problems, Etienne in the last minute, but Palace held on for their time the south Londoners won a semi-fi nal. Capoue was stretchered off after the former moment of glory. Gulf Times Monday, April 25, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Blanc to stay, says PSG PSG beat Lille to retain chairman

Paris: Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser al-Khelaïfi has said that Laurent Blanc will remain as coach of the club next season despite failing once again to get past French League Cup the quarter-final stages of the Champions League. “We have given him a two-year contract extension. A moment of madness from Lille goalkeeper Enyeama allowed di Maria to roll in the winner He will be staying with us for next year,” Al-Khelaifi said after the 2-1 win over Lille in the French League Cup final on Saturday. Despite signing a new con- tract in February taking him through to June 2018, Blanc’s position with the club’s Qatari owners came under threat with the loss to Manchester City in the last eight of Eu- rope’s top club competition. But Blanc led PSG to a runa- way fourth straight win in the league and into the French Cup final before the League Cup success. Blanc has been head coach at PSG since 2013 after two years in charge of the French national side.

DORTMUND WILL COPE IF HUMMELS GOES, SAYS CEO Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says the club will cope if captain and Germany star Mats Hummels opts to leave in the summer. “We have always found solutions and we will find solutions again,” said Watzke after reports that Hummels is the latest Borussia star to be off ered a contract at rivals Bayern Munich. “It doesn’t matter what a player decides to do, we have shown in the last five years that we can replace everyone.” AFP 16 minutes to play for his 15th goal of the season. Blanc opted to play Lucas Moura alongside Zla- trations perfectly by levelling in the 49th minute. The 27-year-old has a year Paris Laurent Blanc’s men now have three trophies tan Ibrahimovic and Di Maria up front, leaving Sirigu, who has only been fi rst-choice keeper left on his Dortmund contract, this term with a French Cup fi nal against Mar- Edinson Cavani on the bench, while the returning in the cup competitions in his fi nal campaign in but last week Hummels’ seille to come, as they look to ease the pain of their Marco Verratti was named among the substitutes. France, was left apoplectic at his defenders after father refused to rule out a en-man Paris Saint-Germain beat Lille 2-1 Champions League quarter-fi nal defeat to Man- PSG should have taken the lead just 21 seconds full-back Sidibe grabbed his sixth goal of the sea- return to Bayern, from whom in the French League Cup fi nal at the Stade chester City. “My players, even at 10 against 11, in, but after being set up by Ibrahimovic, Di Maria son with a low free-kick that split the wall in two. he joined Borussia in 2008. de France on Saturday to remain on course wanted to win that game,” coach Blanc told televi- drilled his shot from only 10 yards out straight at Things went from bad to worse for PSG when Hummels could follow for a domestic clean sweep of titles. sion channel France 2, after his team won the fi nal Enyeama, who made an excellent save. they were reduced to ten men after Rabiot hacked Germany’s World Cup winner TThe Ligue 1 champions took the lead fi ve min- for the third year in a row. Lille, who came into this match on a six-game down the marauding Boufal. The deciding goal was Mario Goetze, who left Borus- utes before half-time in contentious circumstanc- “We have a season to fi nish in the league and the winning streak, grew into the contest and PSG one of the most bizarre of the season, and Nigerian sia for Bayern in 2013, and es, with Javier Pastore’s shot passing through the French Cup on May 21, when we can end on a good goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu had to be alert to pre- keeper Enyeama was at fault. striker Robert Lewandowski, legs of an off side Layvin Kurzawa on its way into note. Now we have already won the League Cup, I vent Marquinhos from putting through his own A long clearance from Sirigu was nodded who quit in 2014, on what is the net. But Lille hit back shortly after the restart hope my players will be focused and motivated for net after Mounir Obbadi’s pass caused panic in the through for Di Maria by Lille’s Adama Soumaoro, becoming a well-worn path when Djibril Sidibe fi red a free-kick through the the French Cup.” defence. The holders though broke the deadlock but despite having defenders covering, Enyeama from Dortmund to Munich. wall and into the net. PSG thrashed Bastia 4-0 12 months ago to seal a when a corner was only cleared as far as Pastore. raced 30 yards out of his goal to give the PSG for- But Borussia hope to keep The capital city side were dealt a huge blow when record fi fth League Cup title, while Lille were play- The Argentine’s scuff ed volley took a wicked de- ward the simple task of knocking the ball past him hold of Hummels. Adrien Rabiot was shown a second yellow card ing in the fi nal of the competition for the fi rst time. fl ection to beat Enyeama, whose furious appeals and into a gaping net. “We are having confiden- for a cynical foul on the impressive Sofi ane Bou- “It’s very hard, we are very disappointed,” said that Kurzawa was interfering with play from an Frederic Antonetti’s Lille had chances to equal- tial discussions with Mats,” fal with 20 minutes remaining. But a moment of Lille winger Boufal. “We must congratulate Paris, off side position were waved away. ise, with Soumaoro heading wide from a free-kick Dortmund’s director of sport madness from Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama even with ten, they proved they are a great team. Enyeama had to be dragged away from the offi - and Obbadi seeing his volley bounce agonisingly Michael Zorc said. allowed Angel Di Maria to roll in the winner with We were beaten by the stronger side.” cials at the interval, but Lille channelled their frus- past the post, but PSG held on.

BUNDESLIGA SERIE A Gladbach stay in hunt for Sassuolo remain in Europa League Champions League berth contention with Torino victory

AFP AFP Berlin Milan

orussia Moechengladbach remain in late strike by Marcello Trotta put the hunt for a return to the Champions the icing on the cake as Sassuolo League next season after their convinc- maintained their surprise bid for ing 3-1 win over Hoff enheim yesterday. a place in the Europa League with BGladbach bowed out of this season’s Champi- aA shock 3-1 away win at Torino. Elsewhere ons League having fi nished bottom of the group, Sampdoria and Bologna claimed precious but the win over Hoff enheim boosts their hopes wins, over Lazio and Genoa respectively, to for next season. The result keeps Andre Schu- move further away from the relegation zone bert’s Gladbach fi fth in the Bundesliga table, with three games left in the campaign. but just one point from fourth, which carries a Leaders Juventus were to be crowned Champions League’s qualifi er place. champions if they beat Fiorentina later last Gladbach took the lead at Borussia Park on night and Napoli concede defeat to Roma in seven minutes when Hoff enheim defender Jer- today’s late game. But yesterday’s fi xtures emy Toljan beat Andre Hahn to the ball, but were all about top fl ight survival and the on- stabbed it into his own net. Gladbach doubled going fi ght for Europa League places. their tally when Brazilian forward Raff ael’s shot Sassuolo remain in seventh, one place be- was blocked by Hoff enheim goalkeeper Oliver hind AC Milan in the last possible Europa Baumann, but Mahmoud Dahoud slammed home League spot, ahead of the Rossoneri’s match the loose ball just before the break. today against Carpi, who are fi ghting for Hoff enheim’s Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric, their Serie A survival. on loan from Leicester City, pulled a goal back af- Sampdoria’s abysmal season under Vin- ter the Gladbach defence was pressed into a mis- Moenchengladbach’s Raff ael (left) and Tobias cenzo Montella took a turn for the better with take on 54 minutes. But Gladbach’s Hahn made Strobl of Hoff enheim vie for the ball during the a 2-1 defeat of Lazio, who opened the scoring sure of the three points just seven minutes later Bundesliga match yesterday. (AFP) on three minutes thanks to Filip Djordjevic. when he fi red home Dahoud’s fi nal pass with a Fernando levelled on 20 minutes and Mo- shot which gave Baumann no chance. On Saturday, Bayern stayed seven points clear bido Diakite’s strike 12 minutes from time Hoff enheim remain three points clear of the at the top of the table with a 2-0 league win at sealed a win that left the hosts eight points relegation places under manager Julian Nagels- Hertha Berlin thanks to goals by Arturo Vidal and clear of the drop zone. Bologna are one place mann, the youngest ever coach in Germany’s top Douglas Costa. behind, also on 40 points, after goals from fl ight. The 28-year-old has dragged them out of RESULTS Emanuele Giacchierini and Sergio Floccari the bottom three since taking charge in February. Borussia Moenchengladbach 3 (Toljan 7-og, Dahoud sealed their 2-0 home win over Genoa. After consecutive defeats, their victory will 45, Hahn 61) Hoff enheim 1 (Kramaric 54) Elsewhere, Marco Borriello’s second- boost Gladbach’s confi dence ahead of next Sat- Played Saturday half strike was enough for Atalanta in a 1-0 Inter Milan’s Stevan Jovetic (left) fights for the ball with Udinese’s defender Molla Wague urday’s away clash at Bayern Munich. Wolfsburg 0 Augsburg 2 (Finnbogason 1, Altintop 57) home win over Chievo that left the hosts nine during the Italian Serie A at the San Siro Stadium in Milan. Inter won 3-1. (AFP) Pep Guardiola’s Bayern will be confi rmed as Stuttgart 0 Dortmund 3 (Kagawa 21, Pulisic 45, points clear of the danger zone. the fi rst team to win four straight German league Mkhitaryan 56) Earlier goals by Alberto Gilardino and Ale- conceded their second consecutive defeat Atalanta 1 (Borriello 55) Chievo 0 titles if they beat Gladbach at the Allianz Arena. Cologne 4 (Modeste 4, 35, Risse 52, 75) Darmstadt 1 ksandar Trajkovski secured a crucial 2-0 win after last week’s 5-1 hammering at Chievo Bologna 2 (Giaccherini 12, Floccari 63) Genoa 0 But the visitors are chasing a rare double over (Gondorf 12) for Palermo yesterday in a relegation battle and remain second from bottom, two points Sampdoria 2 (Fernando 20, Diakite 78) Lazio 1 Bayern having beaten the Bavarian giants 3-1 at Hertha Berlin 0 Bayern Munich 2 (Vidal 48, Costa 79) that has dimmed Frosinone’s hopes of stay- behind Palermo and Carpi with three games (Djordjevic 3) Borussia Park last December. Ingolstadt 2 (Morales 10, Hartmann 25) Hannover 96 ing in Italy’s top fl ight. Palermo, claiming remaining. Verona, at a further eight points Torino 1 (Peres 7) Sassuolo 3 (Sansone 2, Peluso Guardiola’s Bayern play Atletico Madrid away 2 (Sakai 58, Kiyotake 82) their fi rst league win since the end of January, adrift in last place, will be virtually relegated 75, Trotta 94) in the Champions League’s semi-fi nal, fi rst-leg, Schalke 2 (Choupo-Moting 14, Sane 29) Bayer remain third from bottom and will be hoping if they fail to beat an ailing AC Milan today. On Saturday: Inter Milan 3 (Jovetic 36, 75, Eder on Wednesday and are chasing a repeat of their Leverkusen 3 (Brandt 54, Bellarabi 56, Hernandez 60) Carpi, on the same points but one place above RESULTS 90+5) Udinese 1 (Thereau 9) 2013 treble of European, German league and cup Played Friday: Hamburg 2 (Lasogga 5, 32) Werder them, stumble at home to Empoli today. Frosinone 0 Palermo 2 (Gilardino 56, Trajkovski Today’s matches: Roma v Napoli (1300), Verona crowns. Bremen 1 (Ujah 65) Frosinone, in their fi rst season in Serie A, 90+2) v AC Milan (1500), Carpi v Empoli (1845) Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 25, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Guardiola ready Sakho’s doping probe for tight tussle at Atletico overshadows Europa return leg on May 3. AFP Munich “We will have to fi ght for every centimetre and need to be switched on from the very fi rst ayern Munich are pre- minute,” said Bayern’s World paring for a tough fi ght Cup winner Mario Goetze. in Wednesday’s Cham- “We’ll have to play cleverly League semi-fi nal pions League semi- and need to put in our best per- fiB nal, fi rst-leg, with coach Pep formance.” Guardiola braced for a battle Bayern rotated their squad in Defender Sakho is expected to ask for his B sample to be tested royal at Diego Simeone’s Atleti- Berlin with centre-backs Medhi co Madrid. Bayern hold a sev- Benatia and Serdar Tasci unlike- AFP en-point lead in Germany’s top ly to start in Madrid. London fl ight and warmed up for their Nevertheless, Bayern have Madrid mission with a 2-0 win not conceded a goal in their last at Hertha Berlin on Saturday as three games since drawing 2-2 iverpool’s big week has been given Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa at Benfi ca in the quarter-fi nals an unwanted injection of ten- supplied the goals. of the Champions League a fort- sion by Mamadou Sakho, who has Bayern will claim a record night ago. been sidelined by the club while fourth straight Bundesliga title if Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was Lhe is investigated by UEFA over a possible they beat Borussia Moencheng- pleased with his back four after doping violation. ladbach at home on Saturday, Berlin drew another blank and France centre-half Sakho, who has but fi rst they need to overcome they have leaked just one goal in been a key player in recent weeks, was Atletico at Madrid’s Estadio Vi- their last seven league matches. left out of the team that drew 2-2 against cente Calderon stadium. “When we rotate, it’s really Newcastle at Anfi eld on Saturday and is Guardiola made seven chang- important that our game still being sidelined by the club, with the fi rst es to his starting line-up in works, so we wanted to put in leg of their Europa League semi-fi nal Berlin as his side produced just another good defensive display,” against Villarreal looming on Thursday. six shots on goal in the German said Neuer. Jurgen Klopp’s side, who surrendered capital and he expects a tougher Defensive midfi elder Arturo a two-goal lead against a Newcastle team test in Madrid. Vidal is Bayern’s man of the mo- managed by their former Champions “It will be a completely dif- ment, having scored in each of League-winning coach Rafa Benitez, are ferent game,” said the Spaniard, their last two league games, plus also pursuing the top-fi ve fi nish in the who has now reached the last netting home and away against Premier League that would guarantee Eu- four of the Champions League Benfi ca in the quarter-fi nals ropa League action next season. seven times as a coach: four of Europe. Bayern’s hot-shot “There’s nothing to say about missing times with Barcelona and three striker Robert Lewandowski has Mamadou,” Klopp said. “There’s a state- with Bayern. “It’s diffi cult to al- scored 38 goals this season, eight ment and that’s all we can say at the mo- ways play at 100 percent and I of which came in the Champions ment. We’ll know more next week prob- understand if the players already League. ably.” had an eye on Wednesday’s game He is looking forward to taking Sakho, whose involvement for France against Atletico.” on Atletico’s back-four, which at Euro 2016 is now in doubt, is expected Atletico are locked in a three- has only conceded six goals in to ask for his B sample to be tested, with way battle with Barcelona and their ten Champions League the deadline for the request set for Tues- Real Madrid for the Spanish games so far. “I hope we can day. Sakho’s absence—he is technically league title and Bayern need a bring a good result back to Mu- still available, so it is Liverpool’s deci- good performance away to stand nich, I’m looking forward to it,” sion not to select him rather than UEFA’s a chance ahead of the semi-fi nal said the Poland international. directive—could hardly have come at a more diffi cult time for Klopp, who will also discover this week whether Divock Origi has a chance of returning to action this season. The Belgian striker, again one of the in-form players who has helped Liver- pool creep up the Premier League table of late, is awaiting a decision on the ankle Liverpool’s centre-half Mamadou Sakho, who has been a key player in recent weeks, is being sidelined by the club while he is ligaments he damaged in the 4-0 victory investigated by UEFA over a possible doping violation. (Reuters) over Everton that preceded Saturday’s disappointment against Newcastle. in the fi rst minute and might also have admitted his half-time team talk had the the best and we needed to react so I told If the medics conclude on Wednesday earned a penalty when Cheick Tiote’s desire eff ect on his relegation-threatened them similar to what I said in the past: that Origi will need surgery to correct desperate challenge halted Sturridge’s team. ‘Nothing to lose’. the damage, then he will be ruled out not dangerous run into the penalty area with Benitez is always reminded of the 2005 “We had to fi ght and show more char- only of the climax to Liverpool’s season the score at 2-1. Champions League fi nal, when Liverpool acter and I think the players had a fan- but also Belgium’s challenge in Euro 2016. Klopp, who will look to Sturridge pri- came back to win against AC Milan from tastic reaction. Liverpool were playing Origi has contributed 10 goals this sea- marily to establish a fi rst-leg lead against 3-0 down at the break, whenever the well and it was diffi cult to stop them. But son from only 15 starts, and his absence Villarreal on Thursday, said: “Ninety subject of his former club come up and he this was diff erent (to Istanbul). That was for Liverpool would be an even more minutes is no real problem for him now. was asked what he said to his players at a fi nal, one game, and now it is a race in bitter blow for Klopp if Daniel Sturridge “Before it was 60 minutes here, 30 the break at Anfi eld. which we have to keep going. were not in such fi ne form. minutes there, but he is in the best shape “I have answered this question a lot of “We have to do our job and see what The England striker, who has seen his he has been in for a few months. For us, times,” said Benitez, whose team are one happens with the other games but at least campaign ravaged by injury, contributed that’s very important.” point from safety with three games re- we showed character and the belief is still a superb opening goal against Newcastle Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Benitez maining. “We knew the fi rst half was not there, which is crucial for us.” Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola

LA LIGA NY CITY SLUMP TO LOSS AS PIRLO Suarez makes history as Barca thump Gijon DROPPED

Reuters New York: New York City FC boss Patrick Barcelona Vieira’s shock decision to omit Italian star Andrea Pirlo from his squad failed to pay off Saturday in a 2-0 Major League Soccer defeat uis Suarez became the fi rst La Liga to the Union in Philadelphia. player to score four goals for the sec- Vieira stressed that Pirlo wasn’t injured, and ond game in a row as Barcelona, helped his absence was strictly a coach’s decision. by three penalties in the second half, “I’m just trying to choose the best team to win Lstayed top by hammering Sporting Gijon 6-0 football matches, regarding the team we’re go- on Saturday. ing to play against—on how we can hurt them Elsewhere, Gareth Bale made up for the ab- and how we can defend their strengths,” the sence of Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring twice as former France star said. Real Madrid came back from two goals down Vieira shook up his midfield, dropping Mix to win 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano while Atletico Diskerud, Thomas McNamara and Pirlo in Madrid kept up their title hopes with a 1-0 favor of Federico Bravo, Kwadwo Poku and home victory over Malaga. Mikey Lopez. Diskerud and McNamara were Atletico coach Diego Simeone could be fac- on the bench and came on as substitutes, and, ing a three-game touchline ban after being overall, Vieira said he was happy with how his sent off at halftime when a ball was thrown on players performed. to the pitch from the technical area. “Andrea wasn’t here today. He may be Suarez moved ahead of Ronaldo as the involved in the game on Wednesday (against league’s top scorer on 34 goals after netting Montreal),” Vieira said. “But to be honest, I was four times, twice with penalties, in the space really pleased and happy with the way Mikey, of 25 second-half minutes. Bravo and Poku played. I was really pleased Sporting had defender Ognjen Vranjes sent with the midfield.” off in the 85th minute after picking up a sec- City dominated possession, but of 13 shots ond booking for fouling Neymar who scored only one really threatened. Pirlo had started the subsequent spot kick. The league leaders the club’s first six matches this season. and Atletico have 82 points, with Barca top He joined City last season on a free transfer because of a superior head-to-head record. from Juventus after another Serie A crown and Real are third on 81 points with three games a run to the UEFA Champions League final. remaining. Lionel Messi’s stooping header Since an opening-day win over Chicago, City put Barca ahead on 12 minutes but Gijon, who have drawn three and lost three. are third from bottom, missed two chances to “I personally believe we dominated the equalise before halftime. Barcelona’s Luis Suarez scores a goal past Sporting Gijon goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar. (Reuters) game,” Vieira said. “I personally believe we cre- Suarez eased Barca nerves by tapping home ated enough chances to score goals. But we Andres Iniesta’s low cross in the 63rd minute ing lots of goals helps lift our confi dence,” said pounced on more poor defending from the Bilbao 2 (Susaeta 88, San Jose 90+1) weren’t ruthless enough in front of the goal to before converting twice from the spot. coach Luis Enrique. “We have turned round a visitors. Bale started the revival, heading in a Sevilla 2 (Gameiro 67, Coke 80) Real Betis 0 put the ball in the back of the net. The prolifi c Uruguayan, who also scored very negative run that nobody expected.” 35th-minute corner before Zinedine Zidane’s Played Saturday “And we gave two goals away,” he added of four times and provided three assists in Ronaldo missed his fi rst league game of the side drew level six minutes after the break Rayo Vallecano 2 (Embarba 7, Miku 14) Real the first-half strikes by the Union’s Chris Pon- Wednesday’s 8-0 thrashing of Deportivo La season due to a muscle strain and Real suf- through substitute Lucas Vazquez. Madrid 3 (Bale 35, 81, Vazquez 51) tius and C.J. Sapong. “Philly didn’t really create Coruna, grabbed another goal in the 88th fered another blow ahead of their Champi- Welshman Bale netted again nine minutes Atletico Madrid 1 (Correa 62) Malaga 0 them. We gave it to them.” In Montreal, the minute, drilling in a pass from Messi. ons League semi-fi nal against Manchester from time, collecting a misplaced pass from Barcelona 6 (Messi 12, Suarez 64, 74-pen, 77-pen, Impact welcomed Didier Drogba back to the Barca have now scored 14 goals in their last City in midweek when Karim Benzema was a Rayo defender before powering the ball past 88, Neymar 86-pen) Sporting Gijon 0 Eibar 1 starting lineup for the first time this season— two league games after picking up just one injured against Rayo. Real were 2-0 down in- goalkeeper Juan Carlos. (Gonzalez 7) Deportivo la Coruna 1 (Cartabia 71) but he was eff ectively checked by Toronto in a point from their previous four matches. side 14 minutes after Adrian Embarba scored RESULTS On Friday: Las Palmas 4 (El Zhar 45+1, Viera 49, 2-0 Toronto FC victory. “It was vital we won and doing it by scor- from close range and Venezuelan striker Miku Levante 2 (Casadesus 13, Etxeita 67-og) Athletic Bigas 56, Wakaso 75) Espanyol 0 Gulf Times Monday, April 25, 2016 5 CRICKET

IPL/ GUJARAT LIONS vs ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE Kohli’s maiden T20 ton in vain as Lions win by 6 wkts New franchise Gujarat Lions, after starting the 2016 IPL season with three wins on the trot, have now won four of their five matches, while the Bangalore’s inconsistencies continue, with two wins and three defeats to their name

Agencies Rajkot

he Gujarat Lions won their fourth match of the IPL 2016 season with a six-wicket win over Royal Chal- lengers Bangalore in Rajkot yesterday. The new franchise, after winning their fi rst three, Thave now won four of their fi ve matches, while the RCB’s in- consistencies continue, with two wins and three defeats to their name. Virat Kohli, arguably the best batsman in the world in this format, and across the other formats for that matter, scored a century–a feat that had eluded him in this format until now, which was made all the more special considering it came on his idol Sachin Tendulkar’s birthday. It was to no avail, however, as a blistering start from the Lions paved the way for what turned out to be a comfortable chase in the end. RCB, after winning the toss and choosing to bat fi rst, were slow going at fi rst, with the score on 76-2 after 10 overs and 115-2 after 15, but another 104 runs were piled on in the fi nal 10 overs, thanks to Kohli and Lokesh Rahul. AB de Villiers scored 20 as he put on a 51-run stand with Kohli, but the tempo increased when Rahul strode out, as he scored 51 from 35, while Kohli smashed 14 runs off the final three balls to get him to the milestone. Needing 181 for victory, the Lions, who decided to leave Dale Steyn out of this game, got off to a scorcher. That was main- ly thanks to Brendon McCullum, who raced to 42 off just 24 balls, including 25 runs off the sixth and fi nal Powerplay over. There are not many batsmen who can go toe-to-toe with the Royal Challengers captain. He averages 110 and strikes at 141 in Twenty20s this year. So Lions had to work together, and work as perfectly as possible. The Rajkot pitch was slow and strokeplay wasn’t particu- larly easy. With the new ball, you can always bank on runs though. McCullum and Dwayne Smith, who replaced Steyn, belted 72 runs from the fi rst six overs, a record for this season, to provide a fi ne start to the chase. Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik built a sensible half-cen- tury stand, using the long boundaries at the Rajkot stadium to scamper twos as often as possible to keep the asking rate in check. Karthik, who was 28 off 26 when that partnership was broken in the 16th over, accelerated to 50 off 39 balls and was unbeaten when the winning runs were struck with three balls to spare. The man to get McCullum was Tabraiz Shamsi, and the Titans chinaman bowler was easily the best bowler on the night, with fi gures of 1-21 from his four overs, which included 11 dot balls. The rest of the bowlers failed to step up, despite RCB’s vic- tories this season having come from defending their totals. West Indian Dwayne Smith scored 32 from 21, before Dinesh Karthik turned a potentially tricky fi nish to the match into an easy one with a half-century off 39 balls. Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Dwayne Bravo hit the winning runs with three balls to spare. Virat Kohli celebrates after reaching his century in yesterday’s IPL match Brief scores against Gujarat Lions in Rajkot. (AFP) Gujarat Lions 182 for 4 in 20 overs (D Karthik 50*, B McCul- lum 42) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 180 for 2 in 19.3 overs (V Kohli 100*, L Rahul 51*) by six wickets IPL/ RISING PUNE SUPERGIANTS vs KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS Pietersen IPL season Knights scrape home by 2 wickets over aft er calf injury ormer England batsman He is toying with the idea of Kevin Pietersen will miss an improbable comeback with seemed set to go for the big shots in Agencies the remainder of the Indian the country of his birth once he is the later overs. F Pune Premier League (IPL) season due eligible to represent South Africa Thisara Perera launched one six to a calf injury, the flamboyant next year. “Yes, it is a thought in my before Rajagopal Sathish foxed him stroke-maker has said. head,” Pietersen said earlier this olkata Knight Riders won a with a slightly slower delivery. At The 35-year-old faced only one month. “If it happens, it happens, if it match after almost throw- 99-5 with fi ve overs left, the Super- ball in Rising Pune Supergiants’ doesn’t, it doesn’t. Obviously, playing ing it away to climb to the giants needed to step on the gas. Ra- match against Royal Challengers international cricket is something I top of the table of the In- hane, meanwhile, started hitting his Bangalore on Friday but retired have done for a very long time.” dianK Premier League yesterday. straps as he got past fi fty and took hurt after he damaged the muscle Pune are currently second bot- The two-time IPL champions Pune towards a competitive score. when he turned sharply back to tom in the IPL standings with only edged past IPL fi rst-timers Rising However, Sunil Narine had Rahane the crease when he aborted an one win from four matches and Pune Supergiants by two wickets caught and bowled off the first ball attempted single. captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for their fourth win in fi ve matches of the 17th over as the opener de- “Over & out, India! Injuries are said Pietersen’s injury could be a this season. parted for a fi ne 67 off 52 balls. all part of the job! Horrible tear “blessing in disguise” for the team, Before yesterday’s game in Pune, Albie Morkel made his impact felt in my calf!” Pietersen said on his who have 10 more regular season Kolkata had won three games out of as he smashed consecutive maxi- Instagram account. matches remaining. three while bowling fi rst. The trend mums off Narine in the same over, “Sad to be leaving a really great “We’re playing with six bowlers, continued as they chased again and before he chopped on an Umesh Ya- bunch of boys, but looking forward yet our death bowling isn’t great,” won to top the table in a tournament dav delivery off the fi rst ball of the to being back with my family! Dhoni said after the defeat by where chasing teams have now won following over. London bound for a summer off ! Bangalore. “Maybe we can look to 17 out of 20 matches. The fi nal over changed the mo- Vacation till November!” bring in (all-rounder) Albie Morkel Chasing a target of 161—the Su- mentum as Pune skipper MS Dhoni Sacked by England in 2014 after or Mitch Marsh in the next game. pergiants had posted 160 for fi ve turned it on in typical fashion. The repeated run-ins with the team With the kind of players we’ve got, in their 20 overs after being sent skipper took 17 off the final over management, Pietersen has not it has always been diff icult to drop in—Kolkata were coasting at 111 for from Morne Morkel, smashing two 3 before they slumped dramatically, fours and a maximum to fi nish un- completely abandoned hope of a someone. We need to strengthen losing fi ve wickets in 30 balls, and beaten on 23 off 12 balls. return to international cricket. our bowling line a bit.” only sealed victory when Umesh Yadav was adjudged the Man of Yadav struck a huge six with fi ve the Match. “I was told by my captain runs needed off the last four balls. that I have to express myself. Car- The innings was earlier marshalled rying my form from the last game. by Surya Kumar Yadav who scored a I could not fi nish the game but feel composed 60 off 49 balls. happy that it came in a winning Earlier, opening batsman Ajinkya cause. The fi rst eight overs would Rahane top-scored with 67 to help have been crucial because later it Pune post a competitive total which was diffi cult for the batsmen to cap- they almost managed to defend. italise. Winning against this chal- Pune got off to a relatively rocky lenging side on this wicket, it shows start, losing Faf du Plessis off the -fi good signs for the later challenges,” nal delivery of the fourth over with said Yadav. the score on 24. A ripping delivery from left-arm spinner Shakib Al Brief scores Hasan shot past the outside edge of Rising Pune Supergiants 160 for Du Plessis’ bat to disturb the timber. 5 in 20 overs (A Rahane 67, S Smith Rahane and Australian skipper 31, MS Dhoni 23*) lost to Kolkata Kevin Pietersen is helped off the field after retiring hurt during Rising Steve Smith steadied the ship with a Knight Riders 162/8 in 19.3 overs Pune Supergiants’ IPL game against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Suryakumar Yadav hits a boundary as Rising Pune Supergiants 56-run stand for the second wicket. (S Yadav 60, Y Pathan 36; A Morkel Pune last Friday. In this season, Pietersen had scored 73 runs from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks on during their IPL clash in Pune yesterday. Yadav, who was Smith was run out for 31 off 28 balls 2/36, R Bhatia 2/19, T Perera 2/28) by four innings at an average of 36.50 and strike rate of 119.67. (BCCI) adjudged the man-of-the-match, top-scored for his side with a 49-ball 60. (AFP) in the 13th over and at 80-2, Pune two wickets Gulf Times 6 Monday, April 25, 2016 SPORT

CYCLING Poels claims fi rst Monument for Team Sky

AFP “The weather was even snowing, Albasisni tucked in behind him but Dan Martin, second and third respec- Liege it was a really hard day. I like the last didn’t have the strength to pull past as tively behind Valverde at the midweek (categorised) climb, we got away there. Sanchez wilted and Costa settled for Fleche Wallonne race. It was really hard conditions. I didn’t third. They would eventually have to set- out Poels handed Team feel super any more but everybody was “I did a little dig, it was a good one,” tle for 22nd and 46th respectively, with Sky their fi rst ever Monu- really tired.” said Poels of the fi nal uphill drag before Martin almost two minutes off the ment success by winning The route had to be altered due to the tight left-hand bend that ushered pace. Liege-Bastogne-Liege the treacherous conditions caused in the fi nish. “After the corner I went Onto the Cote de la Roche-aux- Wyesterday. by snow, with 5km from the original full (gas) and it worked!” Faucon with 20km left, the fi eld really While Sky had established them- course removed and a 30km section A seven-man breakaway braved the started breaking up. selves as perhaps the dominant Grand through a forest bypassed. cold, snow, rain and even hail at times With 18km to go Colombian Carlos Tour outfi t since their creation in 2010, Albasini made an attack on the fi nal on a miserable day to be spending al- Betancur—a teammate of Valverde— winning the Tour de France three times categorised climb on the hilly course, most six and a half hours in the saddle. went on the attack but was reeled in in four years with Bradley Wiggins and the Cote de Rue Naniot with around Inside the fi nal 50km, the breaka- 2km later. Chris Froome, they had never mas- 2.5km left. way group, which at one point held On Saint-Nicolas Russian Ilnur Za- tered the biggest one-day classics. Costa, Samuel Sanchez and Poels a 10-minute lead, started to split up. karin and Italian Diego Rosa got a gap That all changed yesterday as Po- were the only riders able to follow that On the tough La Redoute climb 40km but it didn’t last long either. els outsprinted Switzerland’s Michael dig as pre-race favourite Alejandro Dutch Wout Poels of from the fi nish, there were just two left It was Albasini who fi nally made a Albasini and Rui Costa of Portugal at Valverde—a three-time former win- Team Sky (left) races in Alessandro De Marchi and Nicolas signifi cant attack stick with just three the end of the gruelling 248km Ar- ner—was caught out. Valverde fi nished with Portugal's Rui Edet. riders able to stay with him. dennes classic raced in freezing condi- down in 15th at 12secs. Da Costa in the 102st But Valverde’s Movistar team were Many felt he’d be the best sprinter tions that included showers of snow at Poels fi rst attacked the leading Liege-Bastogne-Liege turning the screw in the chasing pelo- come the fi nish but specialist climber times. group of four on the fi nal drag up to 253km cycling race ton. Poels simply proved fresher. “It’s really nice, I’m really happy. I the fi nish in the Liege suburb of Ans yesterday. (AFP) De Marchi and Edet held on un- “He did a great sprint,” Albasini honestly can’t believe that I won today, before opening out the sprint in the fi - til 24km left having spent more than said of Poels. “After 250km it’s fresh- so I’m really happy,” Poels told Belgian nal 250m and holding on to win in 6hr 200km in the lead as Etixx took up the ness that counts more than a sprinter’s TV after his win. 24min 29secs. pace-setting for Julien Alaphilippe and ability.”

BOXING SPOTLIGHT Porte on the slow burner aft er ‘disaster’ Golovkin destroys AFP only the second time, although Brussels his ambitions are limited. He’s more interested in the pre- Tour stage races such as the ichie Porte believes Tour of Romandie and then the he has managed his Criterium du Dauphine. eff orts better this “For me it’s more about year as he builds up to having a good hit-out before Wade to retain title July’sR Tour de France. Romandie. I’ve done this race The 31-year-old Tasmanian twice and never fi nished so it had been in fl ying form over would be nice to fi nish! But I ‘His power is real. I tried to get comfortable but once he hits you it makes it very the fi rst few months of 2015, think I’m in quite good form winning three stage races in just coming from altitude on hard to get comfortable. I could have done maybe one or two things diff erently Paris-Nice, Volta a Catalunya (Mount) Etna. We’ll just have and Giro del Trentino. to see what happens. but he’s a great champion and he’s got everything you need to be a great champion’ He’d also taken second in the “I don’t think the team’s Tour Down Under and fourth at putting any pressure on me to the Volta ao Algarve, but there- perform and we’ve still got a after his season unravelled good team here even though and he pulled out of the Giro Phil’s (former winner Philippe d’Italia after hurting his leg in a Gilbert) out. crash before being far from his “It would be a dream to best at the Tour de France. win it but realistically I’ve This year, though, he be- not done any specifi c training lieves he’s building up his form for this race. I think guys like at the right pace as he aims for (compatriot) Simon Gerrans Tour and Olympic glory in the and these guys, obviously this summer. “Obviously last year is a massive aim for them but the aim was always the Giro for me it’s really: try and get and it was a disaster! But this through it and prove that I can year it’s been much (better), fi nish a long race.” it’s been the old slow-burner,” ‘La Doyenne’, meaning ‘the said the BMC rider. oldest’, as the race is known, “You change teams and is 253km long and will aff ord (have) a new coach but I’m re- Porte an opportunity to catch ally happy with the way things up with his old friends from are going with David Bailey, Team Sky, in particular Briton my new coach at BMC. Chris Froome whom he helped “It’s all for July and August— to win two Tour de France titles. after the Tour there’s the Ol- “I haven’t seen that much ympic Games and I really want of him but I’m pretty sure he’s to be there. This time last year also in the same boat and just I was in incredible shape—I about to ramp up the training,” think I’d won nine races al- said Porte, who will be one of ready, so this year’s been a lot Froome’s rivals in the defence more low-key. But it’s starting of his Tour crown in July. It’s to get serious now: the Tour’s always good to line up against only 10 weeks away.” my old mates and teammates Porte was in Belgium to ride at Team Sky and have a good the Liege-Bastogne-Liege for ding-dong battle,” added Porte.

SNOOKER Ding holds upper hand over Trump,

Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan knocks down Dominc Wade for the second time on way to a second round TKO during his unified middleweight title fight on Saturday. (AFP) Selby into quarters

AFP knockouts, entered the ring to loud roars, Golovkin’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, went contest at Los Angeles’s iconic Forum AFP ments two years ago. Los Angeles with the stadium reverberating to chants of further, insisting the Kazakh could lay sports arena in Inglewood. Sheff ield The 29-year-old has en- “Triple G, Triple G” throughout. claim to being the best pound-for-pound Two judges scored it 119-109 in Gonzal- listed the services of Wales’ Wade, unbeaten in 18 fi ghts prior to the fi ghter in the world after a 16th consecutive ez’s favor with the third card marked at 120- 1979 world champion Terry orld middleweight champion contest, entered to the strains of Prince’s title defense. 108. The scores did not fl atter the cham- ing Junhui held all Griffi ths in his bid to win the Gennady Golovkin confi rmed “1999”, a homage to the music superstar “I think it’s obvious who the pound for pion. It was Gonzalez’s fourth defense of the aces in his second sport’s premier prize. his status as the most devas- who regularly played concerts at the Forum pound number one is,” Sanchez said. “I the title he won after beating Japan’s Akira round tie with Judd In other action, title favour- tating fi nisher in boxing on before his sudden death last week. don’t think there’s ever been a fi ghter, in Yaegashi in Tokyo two years ago. Trump, the Chinese ite Ronnie O’Sullivan trails in WSaturday, demolishing American chal- Yet a lyric from the song—“Trying to run any era, in any weight division that has After a cagey fi rst round, Gonzalez be- Dstar leading 6-2 after yesterday’s his second-round clash with lenger Dominic Wade inside two rounds to from the destruction”—was to prove eerily dominated his weight division at a cham- gan to gain the upper hand from the second morning session at the World Barry Hawkins 5-3. score his 22nd consecutive knockout. prescient for Wade, who was in trouble al- pionship level the way Gennady has. He onwards, hounding Arroyo around the ring Championships in Sheffi eld. In a late Saturday fi nish, The 34-year-old Kazakh star delighted a most from the opening bell as Golovkin went makes good fi ghters look amateurish.” and peppering his opponent with fl urries The pair split the fi rst four world number one Mark Selby packed house of 16,353 fans at Los Angeles’s about his assignment with ruthless effi ciency. Sanchez, who works with Golovkin at his of precise shots to the body and head. frames, 2011 runner-up Trump repelled qualifi er Sam Baird famous Forum sports arena with an explo- Golovkin dropped Wade for the fi rst time mountain training camp in Big Bear, north- Gonzalez rocked Arroyo with a jolting levelling the score at 2-2 when 13-11. World number 59 Baird sive performance to overwhelm Wade. near the end of the fi rst, fl ooring the Amer- east of Los Angeles, said he believed the left midway through the third round that he compiled a break of 106. But reeled off four consecutive The Los Angeles-based Golovkin is aim- ican with as he countered a left hook. Kazakh had not yet demonstrated the full left the Puerto Rican wobbling before clos- Ding was stung into action, win- frames to claw his way back to ing to become the biggest draw in boxing Although the blows that felled Wade did power of his punching. ing with another combination. ning the next four to reach the level at 11-11 in the late night following the retirements in the past year not appear to carry much of a sting, there “I don’t think he’s ever hit someone 100 Arroyo’s task was made harder in the break in dominant form as he thriller before Selby secured of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacqui- was no ambiguity about the strength of the percent,” Sanchez said. “I think he may have fourth round when the sole of one of his closes in on a quarter-fi nal slot. the two frames required to ao—and Saturday’s spectacular win only barrage he uncorked in the second. hit someone 100 percent in the gym, but I boots fl ew off , leaving him clearly distract- He made his fourth century book his quarter-fi nal ticket. enhances his box offi ce appeal. Wade found the canvas once again after don’t think he’s done it in a fi ght. That situ- ed as Gonzalez dominated again. of the tournament in the sixth Already into the last eight Golovkin is hoping to secure a superfi ght another venomous hook from Golovkin left ation will come when someone tests him.” Arroyo however appeared determined frame, making 112 following were Hong Kong’s Marco FU, against Mexican middleweight champion, him doubled over. not to become Gonzalez’s 39th knockout Trumps’ break. Scottish veteran Alan Mc- Saul Canelo Alvarez, who fi ghts Britain’s Wade rose and fought on but two left Gonzalez retains flyweight crown victim, and did well to continue to evade For Trump there is a sense Manus and former champion Amir Khan in Las Vegas next month. uppercuts followed by a right sent Wade Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua enhanced trouble as the champion stalked him re- of history repeating itself, as Mark Williams of Wales. Golovkin threw down the gauntlet after crashing to the fl oor once more from where his reputation as one of the world’s best lentlessly around the ring. he had to pull off a great es- On Saturday, two-time his latest knockout performance, challeng- there was no return. pound-for-pound fi ghters on Saturday With Gonzalez comfortably ahead going cape to reach the second round snooker World Championship ing Alvarez or Khan to meet him. “His power is real,” the outclassed Wade after easily defeating Puerto Rico’s McWil- into the later rounds, Arroyo needed some- against Ding’s fellow country- fi nalist Ali Carter crashed out “It doesn’t matter who wins,” he said said. “I tried to get comfortable but once he liams Arroyo to retain his World Boxing thing special to produce an upset. man Liang Wenbo after falling in the last 16 to Alan McManus of Alvarez and Khan’s May 7 fi ght. “I feel hits you it makes it very hard to get com- Council fl yweight crown. But after going toe-to-toe with Gonzalez 7-3 behind. Ding, who had to 13-11, after letting a 9-7 over- great. I’m here now, and I’m here to stay. fortable. I could have done maybe one The 28-year-old champion improved towards the end of the 11th, Arroyo was un- qualify for the Crucible after night lead slip. The 45-year- I’m not going anywhere. Give me my belt, or two things diff erently but he’s a great his record to 45-0 (38 knockouts) to claim able to conjure the knockout required to dropping out of the world’s top old Scot McManus reeled off give me my belt! Let’s fi ght.” champion and he’s got everything you need a unanimous decision over the game but depose the champion, who held on with 16, won a record-equalling fi ve four frames in a row before Golovkin, who improved to 35-0 with 32 to be a great champion.” outclassed Arroyo in a bruising 12-round relative ease for the win. major professional tourna- closing out the victory. Gulf Times Monday, April 25, 2016 7 SPORT

NBA NHL Ducks beat Predators, Hornets power take 3-2 series lead past Heat, 96-80, move within 2-1 Sami Vatanen #45 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts after scoring against ‘Our intensity, our defense, our communication, our organization was so much better the Nashville Predators in the third period of Game Five. It’s a good win and it gives us a chance’ MCT tanen made it 3-1 when he exited Anaheim the penalty box and got a stretch pass from Jakob Silfverberg. The defenseman streaked in eing at home fi nally mat- on a breakaway to beat Rinne at tered in this Western 8:34 of the third. Miikka Salo- Conference fi rst-round maki scored on a rebound with playoff series and the 6:31 left but Fowler restored the BDucks repaid the faith and devo- two-goal edge with a power- tion of a packed Honda Center play goal from Vatanen and Co- crowd. David Perron, Ryan Gar- rey Perry. Silfverberg and Ryan butt, Sami Vatanen and Cam Getzlaf also had two assists. The Fowler all scored goals and Freder- game stayed scoreless after a pe- ik Andersen made 27 saves Satur- riod largely because of the work day to lift the Ducks to a 5-2 Game by Andersen in goal. He’s looked 5 win over the Nashville Predators, more like the Great Dane in net putting them one win away from since being called upon to start moving to the second round. Game 3 in Nashville. The Ducks got the fi rst home Andersen pitched a 27-save win by either team in the series. shutout to get the Ducks back They’ve now entered familiar in the series and then backed playoff territory with a 3-2 series his teammates with 30 saves in lead and the chance to close out a Game 4 triumph that pulled the series in Game 6 Monday in them even. He was there for them Nashville. again to open Game 5. The best of Ryan Kesler fi nished off the Nashville’s 13 shots on him came victory with an empty-net goal when Josi let loose a one-time after Predators goalie Pekka shot on an odd-man rush, only Rinne had been pulled for an ex- to see Andersen slide to his left to tra attacker. Ryan Johansen’s goal deny the super-skilled Predators broke the ice in the second period defenseman. It took Johansen’s but Perron scored just 22 seconds expertly placed top-shelf shot later on a point shot that hit on the backhand to fi nally get off Nashville’s Roman Josi and something by him. And it was hopped over the 6-foot-5 Rinne the fi rst point for Johansen since and bounced in behind him. his assist on James Neal’s goal 35 Garbutt gave the Ducks the seconds into Game 1. lead for good with some fi ne in- dividual work, winning a puck Results battle with the Predators’ Shea Weber and Mike Fisher before Predators 2 Ducks 5 tucking the puck inside Rinne Blues 3 Blackhawks 6 Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts after scoring during the second half in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoff s against the Miami Heat. and the post for a 2-1 edge. Va-

MCT An 18-0 third-quarter Hornets surge Results the way, with 2:01 left in the third period. Charlotte paced by fi rst-round pick Frank Kamin- Charlotte then went into the fourth up, BASEBALL sky settled any notion of a Heat sweep, Heat 80 Hornets 96 75-58. with Cliff ord moving to a big lineup in Thunder 119 Mavericks 108 Kaminsky began to fi nd his scoring here is home Heat and then there Batum’s absence that put Heat centre Clippers 88 Trail Blazers 96 range after Spoelstra shifted Wade onto is this. And that has what looked Hassan Whiteside into foul trouble and Kaminsky in order to allow Deng to de- Maeda baffl es so simple after Charlotte Hor- the Heat on their heels for the fi rst time fend Hornets point guard Kemba Walker. nets forward Nic Batum went in the series. Game 2 loss, the Hornets went big, mov- As part of that process, Heat point guard Tdown with a foot injury now looking like “We were due for a run and it fi nally ing Al Jeff erson into the starting lineup Goran Dragic was shifted defensively Rockies, carries something far diff erent. happened,” Kaminsky said. at center and Kaminsky into the lineup onto Courtney Lee. After blowing past the Hornets at As a matter of perspective, after scor- at power forward, with Marvin Williams The Heat went into halftime down 49- AmericanAirlines Arena in the fi rst two ing 67 and 72 points in the fi rst half of the shifted to small forward and Cody Zeller 44, with Charlotte with a 17-5 bench scor- Dodgers to 4-1 win games of this best-of-seven fi rst-round fi rst two games of the series, the Heat this removed from the fi rst fi ve. ing advantage over the fi rst two periods. NBA playoff series, the Miami Heat time had only 58 going into Saturday’s “Playing bigger, watching it, I think The Heat had scored 67 and 72 points turned into something closer to the team fourth quarter. size has been a diff erence for us,” Cliff ord in the fi rst half of the fi rst two games of that struggled on the road over the sec- “We played a lot harder. We played a said. “But the big thing tonight, we were the series. ond half of the regular season, falling, lot smarter,” Cliff ord said. “But this isn’t more intense.” Lin had 13 points and Jeff erson 10 after 96-80, Saturday night at Time Warner about winning one game. This is about The Heat stayed with their regular the break for Charlotte, with Deng’s 12 Cable Arena. winning a series.” lineup and rotations, including Amar’e leading the Heat. The victory moved the Hornets within Both teams featured balanced scor- Stoudemire as their fi rst big man off the The Heat committed eight turnovers 2-1 in the series, with Game 4 at 7 p.m. ing, but guard Jeremy Lin helped shift bench. in the fi rst half that led to nine Charlotte Monday back on the Hornets’ court and the balance in Charlotte’s favor with 18 But this time the Heat’s reserves points, while the Hornets committed now a Game 5 assured Wednesday at 8 points off the bench. missed the shots the Hornets had ceded only two fi rst-half turnovers, with the p.m. at AmericanAirlines Arena. For the Heat, there were 19 points from the fi rst two games, the percentages Heat failing to score off either. “Our intensity, our defense, our com- Luol Deng, 17 from Dwyane Wade and 13 clearly catching up to Erik Spoelstra’s The Heat’s fi rst true adversity of the munication, our organization was so points and 18 rebounds from Whiteside, team. series arrived with 7:39 to play in the much better,” Hornets coach Steve Clif- but no game-changing performances. The Hornets’ 18-0 run pushed them to second period, when Dragic, struggling ford said. “It’s a good win and it gives us With Batum out after straining his left a 71-53 lead late in the third period, with at 2-of-7 from the fi eld to that stage, was Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda. a chance.” foot in the fourth quarter of Charlotte’s Whiteside called for his fourth foul along forced to the bench with his third foul. MCT pad his team’s advantage. Maeda Denver would pick up one last out in the BOTTOMLINE seventh before leaving the game after 94 pitches. He struck out he fi rst 16 outs Los Ange- eight as he lowered his earned- les Dodgers starter Kenta run average to 0.36. Maeda recorded in a 4-1 “This guy knows how to pitch,” victory demonstrated his Ellis said. “This guy knows how craftsmanship,T his ability to fl um- to win.” Mavericks on brink of elimination Colorado scored a run after mox his opponents, navigating the Colorado Rockies lineup without Maeda left. Kenley Jansen col- MCT So lopsided has this series completely fell asleep for the fi - yielding a hit. lected the 150th save of his career Dallas been that the Mavericks never nal fi ve minutes of the quarter. The next two outs showed in the ninth. led in Games 1, 3 or 4. The Thunder scored on 10 of his mettle, a quality the Dodg- Only one man has thrown a In Game 2, they were ahead their fi nal 11 possessions of the ers could only guess at when the no-hitter at this ballpark. His irk Nowitzki tried his for 20 minutes, 24 seconds. So quarter. team signed him to an eight-year name was Hideo Nomo. He wore best. But even his turn- they have trailed in 171:36 of the The Mavericks spent the next contract this winter. The com- Dodgers blue when he achieved the-clock-back night 192 minutes in the series. three quarters trying to make up bination of the two qualities, the milestone Sept. 17, 1996. wasn’t enough for the And yet, they were within the defi cit. the skill and the poise, will only Maeda altered his approach MavericksD to avoid reaching the 105-95 with 4:42 left on Satur- Most of the time, they kept heighten expectations for Maeda slightly to combat the elements. brink of elimination. day, which is not an unthinkable it interesting with heart and as the summer approaches. Thus He leaned on his changeup. He Oklahoma City continued rally, particularly on your home smarts. far he has answered every chal- also operated with “the best to pummel the Mavericks with court. They had a chance to bite The manpower diff erence was lenge and solved every riddle. fastball command he’s had since superior depth, relying not so further into the lead after Serge hard to handle, however. “You look at the sample of four I’ve seen him,” Roberts said. He much on Russell Westbrook or Ibaka missed a 3-pointer, but The Mavericks lost Deron games,” Manager Dave Roberts struck out Trevor Story in the Kevin Durant as Enes Kanter Wesley Matthews and Nowit- Williams just 89 seconds into said, “and he’s obviously exceeded fi rst inning with a curveball and and Steven Adams for a 119-108 zki missed and Kanter converted the game. He had to leave the every expectation we’ve had.” Carlos Gonzalez in the next at- victory in Game 4 Saturday at on the other end to make it a game after trying to run down a After his bid for a no-hitter bat with a slider. American Airlines Center. 12-point lead with under four loose ball. He had missed all of evaporated in the mountain air “He just doesn’t scare off ,” The Mavericks will trudge minutes left. Game 3 and it was clear that he with one out in the sixth, Maeda Roberts said. “He just continued to Oklahoma City on Monday Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) in action And that was that. probably shouldn’t be playing loaded the bases after two more to make pitches.” down 3-1 in the best-of-seven during game four of NBA Playoff s at American Airlines Center. It was by far the most enter- with the sports hernia that has singles. The tension mounted, series. They must win the re- taining game of the series as the hindered him for the last month. but Maeda refocused to erase Results maining three games to get out the Thunder fended off a strong Wasted was Nowitzki’s great- Mavericks fought for their life With J.J. Barea, Raymond Fel- Nolan Arenado and Gerardo Par- of a series that they were heavy Mavericks’ push. ness as he piled up 27 points and and the Thunder time and again ton and Devin Harris trying to ra. Maeda skipped into the dug- Mets 8 Braves 2; Cubs 5 Reds underdogs in to begin with. Westbrook? He was huge with eight rebounds. He got a rousing came up with key plays when- deal with Westbrook, the Mav- out after fi elding Parra’s inning- 13; Phillies 10 Brewers 6; Kanter was fabulous, carving 25 points and 15 assists. But Du- ovation when he left the court in ever the Mavericks got within ericks were fi ghting a battle they ending groundout. Orioles 8 Royals 3; Pirates 1 up the Mavericks in the paint for rant had a relatively quiet night the fi nal minute. Raymond Fel- striking distance. simply could not win. Along the way he turned to Diamondbacks 7; Dodgers 4 28 points. He got loads of help before getting ejected for a fl a- ton tried to be Dirk’s sidekick. As it turned out, a 20-5 blitz But while Westbrook was a recognise catcher A.J. Ellis, who Rockies 1; Cardinals 11 Padres from Adams with 14 points and grant-2 foul in the fi nal minute But there simply wasn’t enough to close out the fi rst quarter was monster all night, the Thunder shepherded him through the 2; Mariners 2 Angels 4; Marlins eight rebounds, including nine of the game when he conked Jus- help in the paint against the the Mavericks’ biggest mistake. also got a great boost from cen- fi re. Ellis also delivered a two- 2 Giants 7 points in the third quarter when tin Anderson in the head. Thunder. They were tied at 13 and then tre Adams. run homer earlier in the night to Gulf Times 8 Monday, April 25, 2016 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Spanish Grand Prix results - collated MOTOGP 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 45:28.834, 2. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/ Yamaha) at 2.386, 3. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 7.087, 4. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 10.351, 5. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Suzuki) 14.143, 6. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Suzuki) 16.772, 7. Andrea Iannone (ITA/ Ducati) 26.277, 8. Pol Espargaro (ESP/Yamaha Tech3) 30.750, 9. Eugene Laverty (IRL/Ducati Aspar) 32.325, 10. Hector Barbera (ESP/ Masterful Rossi Ducati Avintia) 32.624

Championship standings (after four races) 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 82 points, 2. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/ Yamaha) 65, 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 58, 4. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 40, 5. Pol Espargaro (ESP/Yamaha Tech3) 36, 6. Mav- erick Vinales (ESP/Suzuki) 33, 7. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Suzuki) 32, 8. Hector Barbera (ESP/Ducati Avintia) 31, 9. Eugene Laverty (IRL/ gets start to fi nish Ducati Aspar) 28, 10. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 25

MOTO2 1. Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex) 44min 58.624sec, 2. Jonas Folger (GER/ Kalex) at 2.480, 3. Alex Rins (ESP/Kalex) 8.113, 4. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) 10.659, 5. Johann Zarco (FRA/Kalex) 14.594, 6. Thomas Luthi (SUI/Kalex) 16.019, 7. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) 16.352, 8. Dominique Aegerter (SUI/Kalex) 18.433, 9. Luis Salom (ESP/Kalex) win in Spain GP 21.502, 10. Xavier Simeon (BEL/Speed Up) 31.300

Championship standings (after four races) ‘I think this was the perfect weekend because we start to go faster from Friday 1. Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex) 72 points, 2. Alex Rins (ESP/Kalex) 62, 3. Johann Zarco (FRA/Kalex) 56, 4. Thomas Luthi (SUI/Kalex) 53, 5. morning. We worked very well with the bike, during the race it was fantastic...’ Jonas Folger (GER/Kalex) 47

MOTO3 1. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 41min 29.882sec, 2. Nicolo Bulega (ITA/ KTM) at 3.336sec, 3. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Mahindra) 3.441, 4. Jorge Navarro (ESP/Honda) 3.513, 5. Jakub Kornfeil (CZE/Honda) 13.728, 6. Joan Mir (ESP/KTM) 14.933, 7. Romano Fenati (ITA/KTM) 13.993, 8. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda)14.052, 9. Jules Danilo (FRA/ Honda) 14.409, 10. Philipp Oettl (GER/KTM) 14.588

Championship standings (after four races) 1. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 77 points, 2. Jorge Navarro (ESP/Honda) 62, 3. Romano Fenati (ITA/KTM) 47, 4. Nicolo Bulega (ITA/KTM) 36, 5. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Mahindra) 34

NASCAR Strong fi nish buoys little-known Matt DiBenedetto’s career

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Italian rider Valentino Rossi celebrates his victory on the podium of the MotoGP race during the Spanish Moto Grand Prix at the Jerez racetrack.

AFP because we start to go faster from Friday Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the #83 E.J. Wade Construction Toyota. Jerez morning,” added Rossi. “We worked very well with the bike, MCT Xfi nity Series in 2014 as a devel- during the race it was fantastic, so I have Richmond opmental driver for JGR. alentino Rossi led from start to to thank all the team, especially my crew.” Around that time, J.D. Gibbs fi nish with a masterly ride to Rossi’s fast start ensured there was no ran across Ron Devine, BK Rac- win the Spanish Grand Prix in drama at the fi rst corner before gradually t was late last Sunday af- ing’s majority owner. Jerez yesterday ahead of world pulling away to win by over two seconds. ternoon and Carl Edwards “Ron, this guy (DiBenedetto) Vchampionship rivals Jorge Lorenzo and However, Lorenzo was left frustrated at had just a few minutes ear- is special,” Devine recalled Gibbs Marc Marquez. a tyre problem he believed cost him victory. lier won the Food City 400 as saying. “You should get him.” Rossi remains third in the MotoGP “Rossi was a bit faster than me in the Iat Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speed- Devine did. In 2015, DiBene- standings despite his fi rst win in 10 races, beginning of the race, but in the middle way. During his post-race news detto drove 33 Cup races for BK but the Italian moves to within 24 points of I could keep the distance and when I was conference, Edwards fi elded a Racing. He did well enough, with championship leader Marquez and seven catching him suddenly the tyres on the question about the performance an 18th at Talladega serving as points of Yamaha teammate Lorenzo. straight when I went through the gears of Matt DiBenedetto, a little- that season’s highlight. Victory in Spain was especially sweet starting spinning like I had a wet tyre,” known driver from California But it was nothing compared for Rossi after he lost out on the title last he said. who had fi nished sixth. to his sixth-place fi nish at Bris- year in the fi nal race of the season in Va- “It is a pity because at the end of the race “They fi nished sixth?” Ed- tol, an accomplishment so lencia amid claims Marquez had deliber- I was very strong and I could probably won wards said, eyebrows raised. meaningful that it moved some ately obstructed Rossi in the fi nal races of the race with a big margin, but because of “Man, that’s unbelievable. of his crew members to tears. the season to aid his compatriot Loren- the spinning I couldn’t do more and I had Yamaha’s Rossi (front) competes with teammate Jorge Lorenzo (R) and Honda’s Marc That’s probably tougher than “I was so excited for those zo’s title challenge. to slow down to fi nish the race.” Marquez (back) during the Spanish Moto Grand Prix at the Jerez racetrack. what we did.” guys,” DiBenedetto said. “When “I had good pace, I had a good start and Marquez was momentarily pushed Edwards is one of NASCAR’s I went into the race shop last a win like this is a special taste,” said Rossi. down to fourth at the start by his Honda was happy to settle for third on a week- those two guys were faster today,” he said. top stars, a driver for Joe Gibbs week, they were all telling stories The seven-time world champion has teammate Dani Pedrosa, but quickly re- end where he struggled to match the pace “The most important thing is that we Racing, one of the sport’s most about the weekend and they’re now won nine races across all categories covered to ensure his place on the podi- of the Yamahas. are leading the championship, so for that powerful teams. DiBenedetto all smiling and saying, ‘Man, I in Jerez, but this was his fi rst success um for the fourth time in as many races “I pushed behind Lorenzo, but I tried reason I am happy. might best be described as a jour- was crying, too, don’t worry!’” since 2009. this season. one, two, three times then I thought, ok, “In front of all these fans I expected a neyman who is driving this year “I think this was the perfect weekend And the two-time world champion 16 points is good for the championship and better race, but today was impossible.” for Charlotte-based BK Racing, “They fi nished sixth?” a two-driver team that is one of Edwards said, eyebrows the sport’s minnows. DiBenedetto raised. “Man, that’s FORMULA 1 will start 36th in Sunday’s Toyota unbelievable. That’s probably Owners 400 at Richmond Inter- tougher than what we did” national Raceway. But when DiBenedetto turned DiBenedetto’s strong fi nish at in a career-best performance like Bristol has brought him and BK he did at Bristol, those kinds of Racing some welcomed atten- words from a driver like Edwards tion from the media and poten- I still have the skills to beat the mean a lot. tial sponsors. “I think that what he was As his wife Taylor told him: meaning by that — that it’s cool “Man, you get to feel popular this — is they understand our situ- week.” ation and that we’re a smaller But there’s more to it than best , says McLaren’s Alonso team and not working with the that. DiBenedetto’s sixth-place same resources they do,” said fi nish was also the highest in BK By Agencies Spaniard had looked set to make “If you put me in the same DiBenedetto. “They’re all kind of Racing’s three-plus season his- Shanghai the fi nal phase of qualifying last car, in the same moment, expected to win, the powerhouse tory. time out in China before an ill- in the same track with teams. But surely it’s never easy “It’s a big motivation short timed red fl ag stoppage. anyone, I think I will beat to win in the Sprint Cup Series.” term and long term,” said team- e may not have tasted “Now that the car has the po- them. Maybe I am not the Like several NASCAR driv- mate David Ragan, who has two victory in almost three tential to be competitive and to best in all the sections, but I ers before him – such as Jimmie pre-BK Racing career victories. years, but Fernando be even in Q3, when you have will beat them” Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Jeff “It defi nitely creates some mo- Alonso remains con- that shot and you miss it because Gordon – DiBenedetto, 24, is a mentum. Obviously, you have Hvinced that he has the ability and of a red fl ag, you are massively I thought in the moment that it native of California who moved to start somewhere. You have ambition to win a third world ti- frustrated because you don’t was the right one. to North Carolina to fi nd a spot to fi nish sixth, before you fi n- tle, if McLaren are able to pro- know when that opportunity “So once you are clear with in NASCAR. After DiBenedetto ish third or before you win these duce a truly competitive car. will come again,” he admitted. yourself and happy with yourself and his family settled in Hickory races. It’s just the next step. It’s “I feel always confi dent about Despite his recent lack of sil- in that moment, to see things and he established himself on the not a grand slam, but it’s the next beating anyone,” Alonso told F1 verware, Alonso also dismissed later is always pointless, you late-model circuit, he was no- base over, closer to home plate.” broadcasters Sky. “I don’t be- suggestions that his victory - know there is nothing you can ticed by J.D. Gibbs, who is now And others, like Carl Edwards, lieve that I’m better than any- and even title - tally might have do. I’m happy with everything.” president of JGR. are paying attention. one on pure speed in qualifying. been higher had he made diff er- Alonso took his two drivers’ DiBenedetto continued to “These guys are all so good,” I don’t believe that I’m better ent decisions throughout his F1 championships with Renault in drive on the late-model circuit Edwards said. “On TV it might than anyone (in) wet condi- career, and said he ‘defi nitely’ 2005 and 2006, winning a total and, at the age of 16, became the look like, oh, those guys are tions, dry conditions, qualify- had another drivers’ champion- of 17 Grands Prix during his two youngest driver to win a race at struggling or, oh, that’s a lapped ing, race… ship in him. stints with the French squad. He Bristol. car, whatever. They’re only a half “…but if you put me in the File picture of Mclaren driver Fernando Alonso. “No regrets,” he insisted. “I won a four further times dur- Maintaining his relationship a tenth (of a second) off or a tenth same car, in the same moment, never regret anything that I do. ing his ill-fated 2007 season for with Gibbs, DiBenedetto pro- off . It’s just unreal how hard eve- in the same track with anyone, tions, but I will beat them.” season, Alonso has scored just 11 You learn with things, you grow McLaren, before securing an- gressed through the ranks, win- rybody goes. I think I will beat them. Maybe Since moving from Ferrari to points. However, the team appear up with things, and in the mo- other 11 victories with Ferrari. ning races in the K&N Pro East “A good fi nish in this series is a I am not the best in all the sec- McLaren for the start of the 2015 much improved this year, and the ment that I made all the choices (Formula1.com) Series before moving into the real accomplishment.” Gulf Times Monday, April 25, 2016 9 SPORT

LONDON MARATHON British astronaut completes London marathon from space station British astronaut Tim Peake marathon in under 3 hours successfully ran a marathon and 20 minutes, was held by in space yesterday, 400 elastic straps attached to his kilometres above the London shoulders to stop him floating marathon taking place at the away from the treadmill, the Wins for Kipchoge same time. European Space Agency said. “It was fantastic this morn- “The conditions are tougher ing,” Peake told the European than on the ground,” Peake’s Astronauts Centre (EAC) in Co- trainer at the EAC, Patrick logne, Germany, after finishing Jaekel, said. with a record time of 3 hours “It’s like running a marathon and 35 minutes. with a 20-kilo rucksack on The 43-year-old astronaut’s your shoulders,” Jaekel said. and Sumgong finishing time sets a new Peake has been orbiting earth record for the fastest mara- in the space station as part thon in space, beating the pre- of a six-month stay since he vious record from astronaut and two other astronauts Sunita Williams taking part in were launched on a Russian the Boston marathon in 2007. rocket from the Baikonur Peake used a specially space centre in Kazakhstan in adapted running machine to December. The British astro- boost Kenya take part in the 42-kilometre naut made his country’s first run from the International spacewalk earlier this year Space Station. during a mission to undertake ‘With six kilometres to go it was a tie between going for the world record time and The former test pilot, who repairs to the outside of the winning. I am happy I have ran the course very well’ once completed the London orbital structure.

CONTROVERSY India’s sports stars dismayed at Salman Khan move

AFP months before the release of his New Delhi new fi lm “Sultan” in which he plays a wrestler. Former Olympian Milkha ndia’s sports stars reacted Singh, known as “the Flying with dismay yesterday after Sikh” and considered a sprint Bollywood’s Salman Khan legend in India, said the govern- was appointed goodwill am- ment should intervene to over- Ibassador for India’s Olympic team turn the decision. in the Rio Games later this year. “India has produced so many Khan, who was cleared last sports persons who have given year of killing a homeless man in their sweat and blood for the a hit-and-run crash, was named country,” Singh told the Press by the Indian Olympic Associa- Trust of India news agency. tion (IOA) on Saturday to boost “I want to ask has Bollywood public support for the team in a ever made any sportsperson country obsessed with cricket. an ambassador for any of their But Olympic wrestler Yo- mega events?” said Singh, who geshwar Dutt questioned how fi nished fourth in the 400-me- a fi lm star was qualifi ed to pro- tres fi nal at the 1960 Olympics mote the country’s athletes, in Rome after starting favourite. suggesting the appointment of The IOA defended the deci- well-known sports persons in- sion, saying young people iden- stead—including those who had tifi ed with the 50-year-old actor represented their country. who is one of Bollywood’s big- “Everybody has the right to gest box offi ce draws. promote movies in India, but Khan, acquitted of culpable Olympics is not a place to pro- homicide in December, won mote fi lms,” Dutt, who won support from other well-known bronze at the 2012 Olympics in sports people including shooter Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge reacts after winning the elite men’s race of the 2016 London Marathon yesterday. (Below) Kenya’s Jemima Sumgong wins the elite women’s race. London, said on Twitter. Abhinav Bindra, who won gold “Can anyone tell me what in 2008 in Beijing. AFP I’ve been undergoing and I’m happy with thon victory since Rotterdam three years is the role of good will ambas- “If Salman Khan can promote London the course record today. ago and followed runner-up fi nishes in sador? Why are you fooling the the Olympics, it makes strategic “The crowd is what pushed me. It is a Boston, Chicago and New York. public?” he said. sense,” he told the NDTV news wonderful crowd in every kilometre, ex- She posted an unoffi cial time of two Khan’s appointment comes channel. liud Kipchoge and Jemima Sum- cept in the tunnel, they cheer you and it hours 22 minutes and 58 seconds, fi ve sec- gong gave a timely boost to the keeps you moving.” onds ahead of Tufa with third place going tarnished reputation of Kenyan For Biwott it was the second time he to Florene Kiplagat of Kenya in 2:23:29. athletics on Sunday with coura- has fi nished runner-up in London after “When we were heading to the fi ve Euro gold a stepping stone for geousE wins in the men’s and women’s 2014. He was fourth behind winner Kip- kilometre mark to take water, we made Marin’s Olympic dream London Marathons. choge last year. His time of 2:03:51 was a a mistake of maybe crossing each other,” Kipchoge set a new course record for personal best said Sumgong of her fall. Spain’s two-time world the men in winning the full-distance Former Olympic and world track “I was just concentrating on my run- champion badminton queen London race for the second straight year. champion over 5,000 and 10,000 kms ning. It was very painful on my head, my Carolina Marin is hoping to The 31-year-old former track star Bekele showed a return to form after a shoulder and my knee. But I feel OK now. sweep aside the competition clocked an offi cial time of 2hrs 03mins niggling series of injuries. I enjoyed it.” to retain her title at the 25th 04secs, the second fastest run in history The Kenyan double in London will European championships in over the distance, just seven seconds shy SUMGONG WINS DESPITE A FALL boost morale back home after the shock- the La Roche-sur-Yon, western of the world record set by fellow Kenyan Earlier Kenya’s Sumgong survived a bad waves that came from 40 Kenyan athletes France, this week. Dennis Kimetto at the Berlin Marathon in fall late in the race to win the women’s testing positive for banned substances Marin lost her world number September 2014. broken Kimetto’s world best time. London Marathon for the fi rst time. over the past fi ve years. one status to Thailand’s Ratch- Kipchoge broke clear of another Ken- Kipchoge is the fi rst man to win back- Sumgong banged the side of her head The east African nation’s government anok Intanon last week, but is title would be the perfect yan, Stanley Biwott, with about three to-back London marathons since Martin off the road when three runners went has subsequently moved to avoid a po- still the hot favourite for gold preparation as she builds up kilometres to go and sprinted home well Lel of Kenya in 2008. down after tripping each other up at a tential ban from the Rio Olympics by as the only female European for her biggest challenge of ahead of Biwott with track legend Kenen- “With six kilometres to go it was a tie drinks station, but she rejoined the lead- passing a new law last week to make dop- player in the world’s top 10. her career—to land gold at the isa Bekele of Ethiopia in third. between going for the world record time ers and eventually outpaced last year’s ing a criminal off ence. However, Marin believes she is Rio Olympics in August. He celebrated by raising his fi nger as he and winning. I am happy I have ran the winner, Tigist Tufa of Ethiopia, over the None of Kenya’s current top marathon more than capable of handling “I will go for it at the European made the fi nal turn but appeared to real- course very well,” he told the BBC. last mile. runners have been implicated in the dop- the pressure. “The pressure Championships and I hope to ise just before the line that he could have “I am really happy with the programme It was the Kenyan’s fi rst major mara- ing scandals. depends on how you know be on the top of the podium,” how to handle it. It is clear she added. that the Asians are the best “Clearly it won’t be easy RUGBY SEVENS because it is the dominant because nothing is, but I am sport there,” said Marin. desperate to be on top once “The pressure is diff erent more and use that confidence against the Europeans. Right in preparing for the Olympics. now I am the favourite and “I come into the European everyone looks at me like that, championships in very good but it is a diff erent type of shape. It is one of the objec- New Zealand’s Savea withdraws pressure to facing the Asians.” tives of my season and I want Moreover, a second European to approach it ambitiously.” from Olympic contention NHL participation in future Winter Olympics reportedly in doubt

Reuters ager for rugby Neil Sorensen . ver tournament with sevens The NHL’s participation in The NHL’s participation Wellington “He could well have made a specialists, though have strug- future Winter Olympics is in future Games has been huge impact at Rio as he’s a classy gled to dominate the tackle area under threat in negotiations uncertain for some time, with player and he proved that again in without the Super Rugby play- between the league and the commissioner Gary Bett- ew Zealand’s rugby Wellington and Sydney. However, ers, who are typically bigger due International Olympic Com- man saying during the Sochi sevens side suff ered we understand his reasons. to the greater contact in the 15- mittee, US media reported Olympics in 2014 that more a major blow in their “As we said from the outset man game. Saturday. negotiations were needed to preparations for the of our Rio programme, playing The express pace of play- ESPN.com reported that the decide if the league’s stars NRio Olympics after loose forward sevens was very much a personal ers from the United States and NHL, the NHL Players Associa- would take part in 2018. Ardie Savea opted to withdraw choice for players.” South Africa has also left them tion and the International Ice League owners find it diff icult from contention in order to con- Savea was impressive in his exposed out wide at times, while Hockey Federation met last to shut down competition for centrate on the 15-man game. two tournament appearances for they have also been hit hard by week, with the international more than a fortnight in the The 22-year-old openside the All Blacks sevens side, prov- injuries with at least fi ve core governing body reporting middle of the NHL season fl anker had played in two tour- ing a handful at the breakdown members having problems that the IOC doesn’t want to and are also worried about naments in the sevens World in securing turnover ball. His ahead of Rio. reimburse some of expenses injuries like the one suff ered Series in Wellington and Sydney ability to break tackles and run Fiji lead the World Series on previously paid for the North by Canada’s John Tavares in before returning to Super Rugby with the pace of a back was also 147 points, having also won American league and players Sochi. duty with the Hurricanes. important for the team. three tournaments. South Africa who took part in the Games. However, the NHL could work Savea had been expected to be New Zealand won both the are second on 139 with New Zea- The IOC has helped cover ex- out a deal to play in the 2018 available for the fi nal two tour- File picture of New Zealand’s Ardie Savea (right). Wellington and Sydney tourna- land third on 135 points. penses such as insurance for Games in South Korea and the naments in Paris and London ments in which they had all of Kenya won the latest stop on players and travel costs since 2022 Olympics in Baeijing in next month, which would have land Rugby said on Sunday he that we can no longer call on the their Super Rugby players avail- the 10-city circuit in Singapore NHL players began taking part a bid to expand interest in the ruled him out of Super Rugby for would not vie for selection. services of such a great sevens able. last week. It was their fi rst tour- in Nagano in 1998. sport in Asia. at least a month, but New Zea- “We’re naturally disappointed player,” said NZR’s general man- They also won the Vancou- nament victory. Gulf Times 10 Monday, April 25, 2016 SPORT

TENNIS RUGBY Carter eyes World Cup, Euro double as Nadal equals Vilas Racing tame Tigers

AFP ed. Leicester had a couple of let- Nottingham off s when Racing centre Goosen missed with a long-range pen- alty and Carter’s snap drop-goal ew Zealand great Dan attempt drifted wide. 49-title clay record Carter will have the The Tigers did though then chance to add the Eu- enjoy a spell of concerted pres- ropean Champions sure but excellent Racing de- ‘The fact I had a good percentage of first serves allowed me to play better’ NCup title to the World Cup he fence, led by several powerful won earlier this season after tackles from former All Blacks Racing 92 beat an error-riden back-row Chris Masoe, kept Leicester 19-16 in the semi- them at bay. Having absorbed fi nals of the continental club that pressure, Racing forced a competition yesterday. turnover and then won a 25-me- Former All Blacks fl y-half tre penalty which Carter duly Carter, international rugby un- kicked to put them 10-0 up in ion’s all-time leading points the 20th minute. scorer, kicked 11 points after Rac- Leicester then scored next, ing captain Maxime Machenaud with fl y-half Freddie Burns’s crossed early on for a try at Not- penalty reducing Racing’s lead to tingham City’s Ground. seven points. Burns’s break then South African centre Johannes helped Leicester advance deep Goosen’s long-distance pen- into Racing territory but the alty seven minutes from time put stand-off suff ered a knee injury Racing two scores in front. in the process and hobbled off Leicester wing Telusa Veainu’s soon afterwards. Replacement converted try late on set up a Owen Williams then kicked a grandstand fi nish but ultimately 37th-minute penalty with his the Tigers, who had made the fi rst touch of the match. short journey across the East However, there was still time Midlands from their Welford left in the half for Leicester to Road base, paid the price for too concede a penalty on the edge many knock-ons. of their 22, after World Cup fi - Racing will now face another nal referee Nigel Owens spotted English club in Premiership lock Dom Barrow handling in a leaders Saracens when they con- ruck, and Carter restored Rac- test their fi rst major European ing’s seven-point lead. Leicester fi nal in Lyon on May 14. though forced a scrum penalty Best known as the home of early in the second half which Wil- Nottingham Forest football club, liams kicked to bring the Tigers the City Ground was staging its within four points of Racing. The second major European rugby scrum was an eagerly contested semi-fi nal, with Tim Stimpson’s area and when Leicester and Eng- last-minute 58-metre penalty land prop Dan Cole gave away a sealing Leicester’s 13-12 win over penalty, Carter made no mistake Llanelli in 2002. Racing, who from 35 metres in the 50th minute. stopped French rivals Toulon’s Nevertheless Leicester, playing dreams of a fourth successive the more ‘open’ rugby that has European crown in the quarter- become their hallmark under the fi nals, were in the last four of the guidance of coach Aaron Mauger, tournament for the fi rst time. the former New Zealand centre, Rafael Nadal poses with his trophy as he celebrates his victory over Kei Nishikori in the final of the ATP Barcelona Open in Barcelona yesterday. (AFP) Yet with a wealth of inter- continued to attack from deep national stars at their disposal, with the likes of Tonga’s Veainu Reuters “It’s been a great three years, Racing didn’t lack big-game testing the Racing defence. But Barcelona even though I lost today,” said Kerber defends Stuttgart title experience and they opened the experienced Tigers back-row re- Nishikori. scoring in just the third minute. placement Tom Croft’s knock-on “I feel very comfortable here, Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber final took just 81 minutes. “I haven’t had a day Two powerful charges by ended a promising move. afael Nadal equalled every year I feel very excited, so I picked up her second title of 2016 with a 6-4, off here and no time to enjoy my results, so I’ll former All Blacks wing Joe Roko- It appeared Leicester’s care- Argentine legend Guill- hope I can come back next year.” 6-0 victory over qualifier Laura Siegemund for definitely do that now.” coko saw him shake off some lessness had been punished by ermo Vilas’s record of Neither of the top two seeds back-to-back wins in Stuttgart yesterday. Having not dropped a set en route, this was lacklustre Leicester tackles. a try from Goosen but Owens, 49 clay-court titles had even dropped a set on their “It’s amazing to be able to defend my title Siegemund’s debut in a WTA final and Kerber’s From the ensuing close- after consulting replays, disal- withR his ninth Barcelona Open route to the fi nal. range ruck, France scrum-half lowed the score for a forward here,” beamed Kerber after her repeat success first since the Australian Open. Kerber beat her after overcoming defending Nishikori started brightly, but in the WTA claycourt tournament. “I had goose- Germany Fed Cup team-mate Annika Beck in Machenaud burrowed over for a pass by Masoe to Machenaud champion Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-5 produced an error-strewn game bumps, it’s simply been a perfect week.” the second-round, then Spain’s Carla Suarez- try that fl y-half Carter convert- earlier in the move. yesterday. to hand Nadal the early break for In an all-German final, Kerber claimed her first Navarro in the quarters and Petra Kvitova in Fresh from winning the Monte 3-1 in the fi rst set. win since her Melbourne triumph in January the semi-final. But the world number three got Carlo Masters last week, Nadal The World number six bat- with an impressive display against Siegemund. off to a false start when she found herself 3-0 has now won his opening 10 tled back with a number of sear- The qualifier had beaten seeds Simona Halep, down in the tight first set before fighting her matches of the European clay- ing forehands to level at 3-3, but Roberta Vinci and Agnieszka Radwanska, all way back. She then raced into a 2-0 lead in the Qatar beat UAE court season ahead of his quest Nadal crucially dug himself out a ranked in the world’s top ten. second as Siegemund had to briefly receive to land a record 10th French huge hole at 0-40 to move ahead “I have never felt so much emotion out on the treatment. Open in June. 4-3 in his next service game. tennis court as I have in the last few days,” Kerber then dominated the 28-year-old Siege- Nishikori was left to rue a se- And another wayward game said Siegemund, a trained psychologist who is mund, who will shoot up the world rankings ries of missed break-point op- from Nishikori handed Nadal the working towards her doctorate. from 71 to 42 on the back of her performances portunities as the Japanese’s break he needed to seal the set “It happened exactly as I feared it would: God in Stuttgart, and kept finding her shots on the 14-match winning streak in Bar- 6-4. pulled the plug on me,” she added, after the baseline to quickly race to a 4-0 lead. celona came to an end. Nishikori did manage to break “I think I served well which at the fi rst opportunity in the was very important. The fact I second set, but this time Nadal had a good percentage of fi rst responded with his best tennis of serves allowed me to play better,” the match to surge to within two said Nadal. games of victory at 4-1. “In the second set I let a lot of Yet, a topsy-turvy fi nal had opportunities go, but I am very another twist as an inspired happy to have resisted mentally Nishikori’s range of depth and and happy to win.” well-timed drop shots saw him Nishikori had made the most break back to level at 4-4. of shock Nadal defeats to claim Nadal missed out on his fi rst the title in the past two years, match point at 5-4, but didn’t but despite some stiff resistence have to wait long as Nishikori in just over two hours on court off ered up two more in his next he slipped to a ninth defeat in service game and sealed his own Qatar defeated UAE 18-7 in their second match of GCC Junior 10 matches against the 14-time fate when a forehand found the Women Handball Championship yesterday. Grand Slam champion. net.

QATAR CUP VOLLEYBALL: JAISH BEAT ARABI TO SET UP GAME 3, RAYYAN ELIMINATE POLICE

El Jaish (in maroon) came back from behind to beat Qatar Volleyball League champions Al Arabi (in white) 3-2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-11) in the second game of the best-of-three Qatar Cup playoff yesterday. In the first game on Friday, Arabi had won 3-0. (Right) In the other playoff game, Al Rayyan (in red) eliminated Police (in blue) by winning their second consecutive game 3-2 (24-26, 25-16, 27-25, 21-25 15-10). PICTURES: JAYARAM Gulf Times Monday, April 25, 2016 11 GOLF

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Japan’s Ikeda wins Panasonic Open Barnes moves one AFP Tokyo

apan’s Yuta Ikeda won the Panasonic Open by three strokes yesterday after shooting a brilliant six-under- par 65 in the fi nal round. The 30-year-old made the turn in just 29 and closed stroke clear in Texas Jwith his sixth birdie of the day to capture his 15th career title with a winning total of 13-under 271 at the $1.25 million event sanctioned by the Japanese and Asian tours. ‘This is why you play the game, right? Come in on Sundays and have a chance to win’ Asian Tour money leader Marcus Fraser fi nished in a tie for second with South Korean K.T. Kim after both fi red rounds of 68. Local favourite Ikeda, born a stone’s thrown from the AFP Chiba Country Club, southeast of Tokyo, began the day two San Antonio, Texas behind overnight leader Shiv Kapur of India. But a fl urry of birdies and an eagle on the par-fi ve second swept him to the top of the leaderboard in the spring sun- icky Barnes, bidding for shine. Kapur, who was looking to end an 11-year title drought a fi rst US PGA Tour ti- on the Asian Tour, fell away following a costly double-bogey tle, fi red seven birdies on the fi fth hole and the Delhi golfer fi nished with a 72 for an in a fi ve-under par 67 on eight-under 276 total. SaturdayR to take a one-shot lead “It’s nice to win my fi rst title since turning 30 (last Decem- after three rounds of the Texas ber),” Ikeda told reporters after pocketing a cool $270,000. Open. “I played a great front nine and that momentum carried Barnes, 35, closed with a bogey me through. The early birdies put pressure on the rest of the on the TPC San Antonio Oaks guys.” course, where he pulled his tee shot left. But his 11-under total of 205 was enough to keep him one in front of second-round leader Three share lead in stormy Shenzhen Brendan Steele, who seized solo second with a birdie at the last South Korea’s Lee Soomin, France’s Alexander Levy and that capped an even par 72 for Lee Slattery from England shared the lead yesterday as the 206. storm-hit Shenzhen International went into a fifth day at “I took advantage of my good Genzon Golf Club. shots, converted on my birdies After more than six and a half hours were lost on days one and then obviously a bad fi nish, and two due to thunderstorms, another extended break on bad swing at the end,” Barnes Sunday meant the final round could not be completed. said. “But actually, I still even hit The stage is now set for a shootout Monday at the course in a good putt there—overall if you southern China’s Guangdong province. would have told me fi ve-under Lee, Levy and Slattery were all 14 under on the back nine today, I would have taken it.” when play was stopped due to darkness, the European Tour Barnes said he’d try to stick to reported on its website. his game plan on Sunday as he Lee and Slattery had completed 13 holes and Levy faces pursues a fi rst tour title. a birdie putt on the 13th green when play gets under way “This is why you play the game, again at 6.30am. right? Come in on Sundays and Lee is seeking a first European Tour win in just his sixth have a chance to win,” he said. event, while Levy eyes a second success on the course after Steele, who claimed his only winning the Volvo China Open in 2014. PGA Tour title in San Antonio in 2011, got a close-up view of Barnes’ game last week in South Carolina and thought it was “looking really good”. His own birdie at the par-fi ve 18th lifted him a stroke clear of England’s Luke Donald and Charley Hoff man, but Steele said he was “really struggling”. “I was able to make enough re- covery shots to not make many mistakes and I was able to be pa- tient enough and make a couple of birdies at the end,” he said. Former world number one Donald, who shared second at the Heritage last week, carded a 68. Hoff man, a three-time winner on the US tour, signed for a 70 to join him on 207. “I played pretty solid golf, Ricky Barnes takes his second shot on the especially my last nine holes,” second hole during the third round of the Valero Donald said. “It was a good solid Texas Open at TPC San Antonio AT&T Oaks round. Course in San Antonio, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) “Sure feels good to be back in contention again and having chances to win. That’s why we work hard to get in these posi- down at the ball,” he said. Leading third-round scores (IRL) 70-71-68, Martin Piller 70- Kevin Chappell 71-70-70, Harold tions,” added Donald, who failed “But I think I was just looking 205-Ricky Barnes 68-70-67 68-71, Jon Curran 70-68-71 Varner 69-72-70, David Hearn to qualify for the Masters this for that one good tournament to 206-Brendan Steele 64-70-72 210-Kevin Streelman 70-71-69, (CAN) 73-71-67, Brandt Snedeker year and hasn’t won on the US or kind of get under my belt and gain 207-Luke Donald (ENG) 69-70-68, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 74-70-66, 70-69-72, Stuart Appleby (AUS) European Tour since 2012. some confi dence. I felt like my Charley Hoff man 66-71-70 Ryan Palmer 68-70-72, Mark 67-70-74 “I switched putters last week, game has been pretty good this 208-Patrick Reed 65-73-70 Wilson 69-69-72, Scott Langley 212-Abraham Ancer (MEX) 73- Soomin Lee of South Korea tees off during the final round very similar model, same head, season, just haven’t been getting 209-Billy Horschel 70-72-67, Nick 69-68-73 69-70, Rob Oppenheim 73-68-71, of the Shenzhen International at Genzon Golf Club in diff erent shaft going in it, little much out of it. Nice to see things Taylor (CAN) 75-68-66, Chad Col- 211-Chris Kirk 71-71-69, Luke List Shawn Stefani 72-69-71, Jason Shenzhen. (AFP) diff erent look when I’m looking turning around a little bit.” lins 73-69-67, Padraig Harrington 71-72-68, Bryce Molder 70-71-70, Gore 70-70-72.

LPGA CLASSIC Nomura maintains three-shot Swinging Skirts lead

AFP South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace sive on the front nine. But I start- San Francisco, California and South Korean Choi Na-Yeon ed with two bogeys on the back shared second on 209 and Choi nine—it was getting harder on the signing for a 71. back nine.” apan’s Haru Nomura main- The last time she led entering Pace and Choi were followed tained her three-shot lead the fi nal round she went on to win by a group of fi ve players on fi ve- in the Swinging Skirts the Women’s Australian Open in under 211 -- Canadian Brooke LPGA Classic on Saturday, February—beating world number Henderson, Scotland’s Catriona fiJ ring a one-under par 71 in the one Lydia Ko by three shots for a Matthew, South Korean Ryu So- third round in San Francisco. fi rst LPGA title. Yeon and American Gerina Piller. On another breezy day, Nomura Two-time defending champion Ryu led after the fi rst round and had three birdies and two bogeys Ko was unable to make a move, had a share of second on Friday, to build a 54-hole total of 10-un- carding a one-over 73 to fi nish the but fell back with a 73. Hender- der 206. day tied for eighth at four-under son carded a 69, Matthew a 71 and Nomura found 11 of 14 fair- 212 with Australian Min-Jee Lee Piller 72. ways as she maintained the lead (74). she held overnight. She reached “My game wasn’t really up to it LEADING THIRD-ROUND 11-under after a birdie at the 10th today,” Ko acknowledged. “It was SCORES hole but gave back a shot with a pretty average. I felt like chipping, 206-Haru Nomura (JPN) 65-70-71 bogey at 12 before fi nishing with short game-wise, it was good, but 209-Lee-Anne Pace (RSA) 71-69- six consecutive pars. I wasn’t making the putts that 69, Choi Na-Yeon (KOR) 68-70-71 “You could say it’s confi dence, needed to go in for birdie or those 211-Brooke M. Henderson (CAN) but what I feel right now is, I feel crucial par saves, so I think that 71-71-69, Catriona Matthew (SCO) very comfortable about golf,” was the diff erence from today to 68-72-71, Gerina Piller 70-69-72, Nomura said. “I just want to have yesterday. Ryu So-Yeon (KOR) 63-75-73 fun. I’m not thinking about trying “There was only two birdies 212-Lydia Ko (NLZ) 68-71-73, Min- to beat someone, it’s really about and three bogeys, so there wasn’t jee Lee (AUS) 73-65-74 having fun.” a lot happening in my round. But I 213-Chun In-Gee (KOR) 71-74-68, Nomura’s day did include a defi nitely think it could have been Hur Mi-Jung (KOR) 72-72-69, Tif- tense moment over a possible worse,” she added.” fany Joh 70-73-70, Brittany Lang rules infraction, after a viewer Choi said the fi rm greens made 69-70-74 notifi ed offi cials she may have it diffi cult in the blustery weath- 214-Feng Shanshan (CHN) 74-69- “built a stance” in a greenside er. “It was tough,” she said. “The 71, Ryann O’Toole 69-73-72, Julie bunker on the sixth hole. greens were so fi rm and a lot of Yang (KOR) 72-68-74 After a discussion between the holes have front pins so it’s hard to 215-Sakura Yokomine (JPN) 73- rules committee, Nomura and her stop the ball around the pin. 72-70, Jenny Shin (KOR) 72-73-70, caddie it was determined that no “I made a lot of par putts out Park Hee-Young (KOR) 74-70-71, Haru Nomura of Japan tees off on the second hole during round three of the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic at Lake Merced Golf Club in San breach occurred. there, and I was a little aggres- Oh Su (AUS) 70-71-74 Francisco, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Monday, April 25, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOOTBALL Al Gharafa, Al Khor reach Emir Cup round three Wakrah edge out Shamal in a penalty shootout while Kharaitiyat beat Qatar SC for a spot in the third round

Al Khor players (in blue) celebrate a goal against Mesaimeer during their Emir Cup match at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. Khor won 2-1. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Action from the match between Al Kharaitiyat (in blue) and Qatar SC (in black and yellow). PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed

By Sports Reporter victory which saw the teams needing Doha a penalty shootout to decide a win- ner. Abdulrahman Mesaad and Abdul- wo second half goals secured Al rahman Mohammed scored for the Khor a place in the third round winners. of the Emir Cup as the Northern Al Wakrah will now meet Al Sailiya side managed to cancel out a 0-1 in the second round of the Emir Cup Tdefi cit and beat Mesaimeer 2-1 at Suhaim on Thursday at the Grand Hamad Sta- bin Hamad Stadium. The win ensured Al dium. Khor will face Al Ahli in the third round of The two teams presented a feisty the competition next Thursday. contest, engaging in rough tackles for Soud Nasser gave Mesaimeer a de- ball possession. served fi rst-half lead from close range However, the stalemate was ended – but they were then indebted to the when Al Wakrah players dominated the woodwork as it denied Al Khor’s of- penalty shootout. fense two glorious chances in the clos- Simultaneously, Al Kharaitiyat ing stages of the fi rst half. reached the third round of the Emir Al Khor rallied after a passive fi rst 45 Cup after Mahmoud Saad’s goal gifted minutes that saw them face the possi- them victory over Qatar Sports Club. bility of an early season fi nale; however, Al Kharaitiyat, just about deserved they drew level with 11 minutes left victory, with Hassan Abdelfatah and when Korean Ha Do Park took advan- company going close on several occa- tage of some poor defending from Me- sions throughout the 90 minutes of saimeer’s end to slot the ball home from play. Conversely, it was a largely disap- the edge of the six-yard box. pointing display from Qatar SC, who As the game looked destined for pen- despite the attempts of coach Sebastiao alty shootouts to decide the winner, a Lazaroni to recuperate, continued to trademark corner kick from Antoinio An Al Gharafa player (second from right) takes a shot at Muaither goalmouth during their Emir Cup second round match on Saturday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed break the hearts of their loyal just days was converted by defender Nayef al- after being relegated from the Qatar Buraiki to put an end to the match and In another round two match-up, sev- Muaither. Vladimir Wies scored the lone KHARAITIYAT, WAKRAH reach the third round. In the game Stars League. an abysmal season forMeasimeer who en-time champions Al Gharafa advanced goal on 53 minutes to pit his side against ADVANCE TOO played at Suhaim bin Hamad Sta- Al Kharaitiyat will now take on Al were earlier relegated from the Qatar to the next stage following a narrow 1-0 Umm Salal for Thursday’s match in a re- Al Wakrah on Saturday edged Al dium, Wakrah – six time Emir Cup Arabi in the third round of the compe- Stars League. victory over Qatargas League champions peat for 2008 Emir Cup fi nal. Shamal 2-1 on penalty shootouts to finalists – couldn’t force an outright tition.

LOSAIL 600 CUP & QATAR TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP Annual Qatar Open Water swimming to Double wins for al-Khater, Karama kick off Friday QNA Doha By Sports Reporter Doha atar Swimming Association will atar’s Fadhel al-Khater and organise the an- Palestinian driver Omran Ka- nual Qatar Open rama raced to a double in the WaterQ Swimming Cham- second round of Losail 600 pionship on Friday, April CupQ and the opening round of a new 29, in Doha Corniche. car championship, Qatar Touring Car The race is open for all, Championship (QTCC), respectively, both individuals, teams, on Saturday. male and female. In the fi rst race, al-Khater, who got The results of the club the pole position in the qualifying, led swimmers and teams will throughout the race with compatriot be separated. Ali al-Shamari the only rider able to get The competition will be close to the former. divided into 13-14 years Al Shamari, however, had a gear prob- old (2km distance), over lem in the last lap and had to retire from 15-17 years old (3km dis- the race, and al-Khater took the victory. Qatar’s Fadhel al-Khater won the second Losail 600 Cup race ahead of second- Palestinian driver Omran Karama won the first race of the Qatar Touring Car tance) and over 17-years- With al-Shamari out of the race, Abdul- placed Sheikh Soud al-Thani and third placed Abdullah al-Qubaisi. Championship ahead of Qatar’s Abdullah al-Khulaifi and Italy’s Peter de Vido. old (1.5km) age groups. lah al-Qubaisi fi nished second. Individual club result “It was a good race and there was a than the fi rst one, with the weather im- under Qatar’s racing licence, won both The second race was more exciting nice battle with the rest of the drivers. will be counted for the good chance for a win today because provement and we enjoyed a lot. I had the races. as the starting grid was in reverse order The temperature was cooling down, so fi rst two swimmers only, some riders didn’t ride today. The time to fi x my bike for the second race In the fi rst race, Qatar’s Abdulla al- of the fi nishing order of Race 1, which we were more relaxed and many thanks while the clubs teams re- weather was too hot but I am very happy after my crash in the qualifying and I Khulaifi took the lead within the fi rst meant that Karama started from the to Losail Circuit Sports Club for this sults for the fi rst three with my victory as it is very good for the am very happy with my second position fi ve laps, but lost the advantage to the back of the grid. championship. I am looking forward to Qatari swimmers. The championship,” al-Khater said. and this is very good for the champion- Palestinian rider in the sixth. By the second lap, the Palestinian had the next round,” Karama said. fastest total times of the The third position in the podium was ship points,” Sheikh Soud said. Karama did not relinquish his lead risen up to third place, and eventually De Vido fi nished second in the sec- fi rst three swimmers from for British rider Ian Maund. Al-Qubaisi found his way to the po- right till the checkered fl ag. moved up front by the third. ond race, while Australian driver Adam each club will be the fi rst Al-Khater took the victory in the sec- dium yet again with a third place fi nish. For al-Khulaifi , this was the fi rst time Yet again, Karama did not relinquish Spence completed the podium. place winner. ond race too, while Sheikh Soud al-Thani Al-Khater leads the championship that he had participated in a car cham- his lead once he got ahead. In the standings, Karama has 22 If two Qatari swimmers fi nished second. Sheikh Soud had crashed with 50 points, followed by al-Qubaisi pionship at the circuit and was very “I am very excited, two races and points, followed by De Vido with 17 and of one team do not arrive, in qualifying and didn’t have time to fi x with 47 and Sheikh Soud with 42 points. happy to fi nish the race in second place. two wins in one day; the fi rst podium al-Hajri with 15 points. then the results will not be his bike in time for the fi rst race. In the new Qatar Touring Car Cham- Italian driver Peter de Vido fi nished in for me… it is amazing. The reverse grid Action in these two racing series counted as that of a team. “The second race was much better pionship, Omran Karama, who is racing third place. was great, we had a lot of fun and very resumes on May 7.