Kohli sees positives in lower order despite NZ drubbing PAGE 19 MONDAY, MAY 27, 2019

Allegri era ends with a whimper as Juventus fall at Sampdoria PAGE 18 FIFA UNDER-20 WORLD CUP QATAR VS UKRAINE (7 PM) FORMULA ONE: MONACO GRAND PRIX Abdulrasaq urges teammates to rise to the occasion Qatar to play against Ukraine That was the hardest tonight race I think I’ve had. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK I was fighting with the DOHA spirit of Niki (lauda). QATAR forward Yousif Abdul- He’s been truly an rasaq has urged his teammates influential person in to avoid mistakes made in their our team and we clash against Nigeria on Fri- day and to focus on their sec- miss him. ond match of the FIFA U-20 – Lewis Hamilton World Cup against Ukraine to be played on Monday. Nigeria won the Group D Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton points at the name of late Formula One legend Niki Lauda on his helmet after winning the Monaco opening match 4-0 against Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Monaco street circuit on Sunday. (AFP) Qatar on Thursday. “Our start was not success- ful. We played against a strong side but that doesn’t mean we won’t compete well. We were caught up in mistakes and I Hamilton holds on urge my teammates that we don’t commit the same mis- takes,” Abdulrasaq said on Saturday before the team’s training session. to win for Lauda Qatar play Ukraine next followed by a match against the United States on May 30. Qatar’s Yusuf Abdulrasaq in action against Kingsley Michael of Nigeria had created a sombre mood. “I know we will fight in our during their FIFA Under-20 World Cup 2019 Group D match in Tychy, Brit driver resists remaining group matches. Our Poland, on Friday. (EPA-EFE) ‘Terrible’ car foils Leclerc coaching staff is trying their heavy pressure to Leclerc, near the back of the best to work with the boys countries from the groups to secure emotional grid following Ferrari’s quali- ahead of the next two match- also progress. fying bungles, was 13th after es,” he added. Meanwhile Qatar coach triumph two laps and 12th on lap eight “We want to reach the next Miguel has said Qatar will re- when he swept inside Gros- round of the tournament and group quickly after battling AFP jean at Rascasse. As rain fell, for that to happen, we must be against ‘one of the best teams MONACO his Monegasque fans leapt in win the next two matches,” the in the world’. celebration. centre forward added. “We played against Nigeria LEWIS Hamilton resisted in- But a lap later, trying to pass The draw and the results (five-time winners) who are tense race-long pressure on Nico Hulkenberg’s Renault, he from the first match day in one of the best teams in the Sunday to secure a narrow, made contact and spun, punc- Groups C and D have meant World Cup,” Miguel said on dramatic and emotional victo- turing his right rear tyre against that this second set of games Friday. “The physical fitness ry for Mercedes at the Monaco the barriers. Leclerc limped could already be decisive. win over Qatar) and Ukraine differences were clear between Grand Prix. back to the Ferrari pits as a In Group C, Uruguay (af- (2-1 over USA). the two sides. The defending five-time safety car was deployed. ter a 3-1 over Norway in the While those four teams “We still have two matches world champion and current “The tyres are starting to opener) and New Zealand (5-0 are eyeing up their Round- to go. We fought well and our series leader, who came home fall apart,” warned Hamil- over Honduras) could secure of-16 tickets, that does not fighting spirit was good. less than a second ahead of Red ton, before Mercedes double- their spots in the Round of 16 mean the end of the road for “We did not stop attack- Bull’s Max Verstappen, said he stacked his pit-stop with Bot- with wins over Honduras and the others, even if they suffer ing despite the fact that we survived the Dutchman’s late tas. Verstappen came in with Norway respectively. a second defeat. The tourna- conceded goals. We remained attacks by “fighting with the them and was released along- Group D sees a similar ment’s 24-team format allows positive and that is impor- spirit of Niki (Lauda)”. side Bottas, forcing the Finn situation for Nigeria (a 4-0 the four best third-placed tant,” the Qatari coach said. He lifted his red helmet into the barriers as he stole in tribute to the three-time Lewis Hamilton receives his trophy from Prince Albert II of Monaco second place. champion Austrian and non- on the podium after the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix at the The stewards gave Ver- executive chairman of Mer- Monaco street circuit on Sunday. (AFP) stappen a five-second penalty, French Fries cedes who died on Monday. announced on lap 22. By then, Verstappen, who was in- in tribute to Lauda for the po- an influential person in our Leclerc’s cameo was done, the volved a pit-lane collision with dium ceremonies. team and we miss him.” showman retiring with his Valtteri Bottas during the race, “Lewis, it’s James... In- Verstappen’s Red Bull “terrible” car. Not quite cricket: Germany’s Otte set was classified fourth after tak- credible drive,” said Mercedes’ team-mate Pierre Gasly came Verstappen’s collision with ing a five seconds penalty. This strategist James Vowles be- home fifth ahead of Carlos Bottas had caused a puncture for biggest payday against Federer elevated four-time champion fore team boss Toto Wolff told Sainz of McLaren, Daniil Kvy- for the Finn who had to pit again Sebastian Vettel to second for him: “That was for Niki.” at and his Toro Rosso team- for new hard tyres. He re-joined : is unique at “It will be a big match for me,” Ferrari and lifted the luckless “That was the hardest race mate Alex Albon. fourth behind Vettel as Hamil- Roland Garros as the only Ger- added Otte, who is already as- Bottas to third in the second I think I’ve had,” said Hamil- Daniel Ricciardo, last ton led the rampant Dutchman. man to count a former English sured 64,000 euros by getting Mercedes. Both joined Hamil- ton. “I was fighting with the year’s winner for Red Bull, was Verstappen pushed Hamil- Test cricketer as an inspiration. to the second round in Paris. ton in donning red ‘Niki’ hats spirit of Niki. He’s been truly ninth for Renault ahead of Ro- ton, who complained his front His other idol is , “I am looking forward to it.” main Grosjean of Haas. left was “opening up”, to maxi- the man he will face in the But Otte then admitted: “I It was Hamilton’s third mum concentration. second round in Paris. would be surprised if Roger 2019 MONACO GP RESULTS win in Monaco and the 77th By lap 42, Hamilton led Otte, the world number 145, knows my name!” win of his career opening up a him by six-tenths with Vettel made the first round at the For 35-year-old Jaziri, Sunday’s 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) clear lead in the title race. third, 1.7 seconds adrift, ahead as a lucky loser de- match was an opportunity lost. 1:43:28.437 (Fastest lap 1:16.167) The result extended Mer- of Bottas. “I feel like I have the spite being beaten in qualifying. “It’s not easy to prepare against Points: 25; 2. Sebastian Vettel The 25-year-old made the most a player you have never seen,” (Ferrari) +0:02.602 (1:16.277); 18; cedes’ run of season-opening wrong tyre on,” said Hamilton, 3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) wins to six, but brought an end running on mediums. “No, it’s of his second chance by see- the Tunisian said +0:03.162 (1:15.163); 15; 4. Max to their sequence of one-two all fine,” replied Mercedes. ing off experienced “You don’t know how he plays, Verstappen (Red Bull) +0:05.537 triumphs, buoying up Ferrari “I think I’m in big trouble of Tunisia 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-0 on you try and check on Google and (1:16.229); 12; 5. Pierre Gasly (Red Bull) +0:09.946 (1:14.279) 11; 6. despite another mixed week- guys,” Hamilton repeated, on Sunday to book a place in the YouTube but there’s nothing. Carlos Sainz Jr (McLaren) +0:53.454 end that saw local hero Charles lap 50, to be told Mercedes had second round of a Slam for the Germany’s Oscar Otte in action “I was too up and down today. (1:15.891); 8; 7. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Leclerc, who started 15th, re- no intention of pitting again. first time. As well as his victory, against Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri at My forehand, which is my best Rosso) +0:54.574 (1:16.200) 6; tire in the opening stages. Lapping back markers had it was his name-checking of the French Open on Sunday. (AFP) shot, wasn’t working very well 8. Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso) +0:55.200 (1:15.607) 4; 9. Daniel At the start, Hamilton led slowed him, allowing the top Mark Benson, who played one and he upped his game.” Ricciardo (Renault) +1:00.894 Bottas through Sainte Devote four to close within four secs. Test match for England as an England against India in 1986 Jaziri, the world number 94, had (1:15.697) 2; 10. Romain Grosjean and up the hill, the pair main- Hamilton’s dramas inten- opening batsman before going and spent 15 years featuring for not played since Estoril a month (Haas) +1:01.034 (1:16.746) 1; 11. taining a Silver Arrows one- sified, but engineer Pete Bon- on to become an umpire, that Kent, scoring more than 18,000 ago due to injury. He admitted Lando Norris (McLaren) +1:06.801 (1:16.746) 0; 12. Kevin Magnussen two ahead of Verstappen into nington stayed calm. “These proved equally as eye-catching. runs. Otte, however, admitted that losing a chance to face (Haas) 1:16.992; 13. Sergio Perez Casino Square. tyres are dead. We’re going to Benson is also the father of that he has yet to catch the Federer in the next round was (Racing Point) 1:16.613; 14. Nico Sporting a new red helmet lose this race Bono,” he radi- the man who is soon to marry cricket bug. “Cricket’s not that disappointing. “Roland Garros Hulkenberg (Renault) 1:16.276; 15. in tribute Lauda, Hamilton oed again. Otte’s sister Luisa. “I have big for me, sorry.” is the most watched George Russell (Williams) 1:17.038; 16. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) raced with all the elan shown Yet he stayed half a sec- known him for a long time and Before Sunday, Otte had won event in Tunisia and the Arab 1:16.379; 17. Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa in securing his 85th pole on ond ahead and resisted a have got to know him quite just one match on the main tour world and I would have loved to Romeo) 1:16.436; 18. Robert Saturday while his team wore lunge from the Dutchman well,” Otte told AFP. “I know in eight years. His earnings this play Roger here,” said Jaziri who Kubica (Williams) 1:17.388; 19. about his career which was very year are $54,000 and $327,000 has made the second round Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) black armbands and, like many on lap 76. They touched, but 1:16.299; Retired: Charles Leclerc others, carried messages on continued, Hamilton cutting impressive and I always keep in in his career compared to in Paris on three occasions. (Ferrari) 1:19.151. their cars, a poignant sight af- the chicane to retain the ini- touch with him.” Federer’s $3.1 million in 2019 “It was a good opportunity, but ter a pre-race minute’s silence tiative and win. Benson played his only Test for and $123.6 million overall. maybe next time.” (AFP) Sports Monday, May 27, 2019 17

FRENCH OPEN AT ROLAND GARROS ‘Edgy’ Federer marks Paris return with victory, Kerber crashes to debutant AFP PARIS

ROGER Federer marked his return to Roland Garros af- ter a four-year absence with I felt great playing on a straight sets win over Italy’s this court. It looks very on Sunday, admitting he “felt on edge”, attractive, so congratulations as ’s hopes to everyone involved. of completing a career Grand Hopefully I can play here Slam suffered a quick kill. Federer, a 20-time ma- again for my next match. jor winner, hadn’t played the tournament since 2015 when Roger Federer he reached the quarter-finals. However, on Sunday, it was as if the 37-year-old had never been away as he swept to a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour 41 minutes on a packed, rebuilt Court Philippe Chatrier. It was his 60th suc- Russia’s celebrates winning her first round match cessive first round win at a against Germany’s Angelique Kerber on Sunday. (REUTERS) . “I felt on edge at the start, DAY ONE RESULTS my heart was beating crazily,” said Federer, who hailed the Men 1st rd Women 1st rd new-look stadium which has (GRE x6) bt Garbine Muguruza (ESP x19) bt (USA) (GER) 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 been 90% rebuilt in readi- (BOL) bt (IND) (SWE) bt Magdalena Rybarikova ness for the installation of a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 (SVK) 6-3, 6-4 retractable roof for 2020. (BUL) bt Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 6-3, (UKR) bt (USA) 6-2, “I felt great playing on this 6-0, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 7-6 (7/5) (AFP) Marin Cilic (CRO x11) bt (ITA) 6-3, (UKR x9) bt (USA) 6-3, court. It looks very attractive, Roger Federer in action against Lorenzo Sonego during their men’s singles first round match on Day 1 of in Paris on Sunday. 7-5, 6-1 6-3 so congratulations to every- (FRA) bt (ITA x16) (SUI x15) bt (FRA) 6-1, one involved. Russian teenager Anastasia “I didn’t have many ex- ny’s Maximilian Marterer “It’s cute,” said the Span- 2-6, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 6-4 “Hopefully I can play here Potapova. pectations coming in,” said 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4). iard. “It’s not small, but it’s, (ARG) bt Jirí Veselý (CZE) 7-6 (7/3), (GER) bt (RUS) 6-3, 6-3 6-3, 6-0 Anastasia Potapova (RUS) bt Angelique Kerber (GER again for my next match.” Kerber slumped to a 6-4, Kerber, who was broken six you know, cosy.” (ITA x29) bt Pablo Andújar (ESP) 6-7 x5) 6-4, 6-2 That match will be against 6-2 defeat to 18-year-old Po- times in the match which New court unveiled Other winners on the first (3/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 Markéta Vondrousová (CZE) bt Wang Yafan (CHN) 6-4, German lucky loser Oscar tapova who was making her brought the curtain up on the The new Court Simonne day included Japanese sev- (NOR) bt (LAT) 6-2, 7-6 6-3 Otte who won just his second French Open debut. newlook Chatrier arena. Mathieu, a 5,000-capacity enth seed , a (7/2), 6-0 Petra Martic (CRO x31) bt (TUN) 6-1, 6-2 Oscar Otte (GER) bt Malek Jaziri (TUN) 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-0 (FRA) bt (FRA) 6-3, 7-6 match in eight years on the “Kerber is actually one Potapova’s first win over semi-sunken arena enclosed quarter-finalist in 2015, who Roger Federer (SUI x3) bt Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) 6-2, (7/3) tour by seeing off Malek Jaziri of my idols, and when I was a top 10 player gives her a by greenhouses, was officially eased past ’s Quentin 6-4, 6-4 Kristína Kucová (SVK) bt (RUS) of Tunisia 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-0. young I was looking for her second round clash against unveiled on Sunday. Halys 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. Kei Nishikori (JPN x7) bt (FRA) 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 6-4, 6-2 “I would be surprised if game,” said the 81st-ranked 19-year-old Marketa Von- It forms part of the 350 However, Italian 16th (AUS) bt (FRA) 3-6, 6-3, Karolína Plísková (CZE x2) bt (USA) 7-6 (12/10), 6-3 6-2, 6-3 Roger knew my name,” said Russian who hit 28 winners drousova of the Czech Re- million euro upgrade of the seed Marco Cecchinato, the Laslo Djere (SRB x31) bt Albert Ramos-Vinolas(ESP) Otte, the world number 145. past her German opponent. public. entire site which will also see man who sent Novak Djoko- 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) Federer broke serve five Kerber, 31, has now lost Greek sixth seed Stefa- the demolition of the Court 1 vic crashing out in the quar- times and fired 36 winners six times in the French Open nos Tsitsipas, who stunned ‘bullring’ after the 2018 tour- ter-finals in 2018, fell at the the tournament with a thigh dro Davidovich Fokina. past 24-year-old Sonego, the first round. Federer on his way to the nament. first hurdle. injury, just a day after finish- Second seed Karolina world number 73 who made The German left-hander semi-finals Spain’s Garbine Mugu- Cecchinato lost to 37-year- ing runner-up to Benoit Paire Pliskova closed play on the quarter-finals at the Mon- had come into Roland Garros and beat 11-time Roland Gar- ruza, the 2016 champion, had old Frenchman Nicolas Ma- in Lyon. Chatrier with a 6-2, 6-3 win te Carlo Masters. carrying a right ankle injury ros champion in the honour of opening pro- hut – who has slipped to 253 The 18-year-old was seed- over Madison Brengle of the German fifth seed and which forced her to pull out , also made the second ceedings against America’s in the world -- 2-6, 6-7 (6/8), ed 25 and had been due to face United States. reigning Wimbledon cham- of the Italian Open and retire round. Taylor Townsend and the 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Australia’s Ninth seed Elina Svito- pion Kerber saw her hopes of from her second round tie in The 20-year-old sixth 19th seed marked the occa- Canada teenager Felix Au- but his place has been taken lina saw off 38-year-old venus a career Grand Slam ended by Madrid. seed brushed aside Germa- sion with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 win. ger-Aliassime withdrew from by Spanish lucky loser Alejan- Williams 6-3, 6-3.

India’s Gunneswaran happy with ‘milestone’ despite defeat Dimitrov calls Agassi, Stepanek

AFP the build-up to the tourna- the sport from a country yet to Gunneswaran will now link-up a ‘great package deal’ PARIS ment. really fall in love with tennis. turn his attentions to the grass- “It’s definitely a milestone,” “It definitely is more diffi- court campaign as the quest AFP four Stepanek. INDIAN number one Pra- he said. “I’ve worked a long cult to break through (coming for ranking points continues, PARIS “We have a pretty special jnesh Gunneswaran said on time to get to this place and ob- from India) when you don’t with a packed schedule poten- relationship. We’ve known each Sunday that he was pleased to viously I would’ve liked a dif- have as a good a system or as tially including appearances at GRIGOR Dimitrov described other for a crazy amount of have achieved a “milestone” in ferent result today. much competition,” he said. Stuttgart, Queen’s, Antalya and his coaching link-up with US years,” said 28-year-old Dim- making his French Open main- “But it’s not the end of the “In my case I think the Wimbledon. legend Andre Agassi and mer- itrov after his 6-3, 6-0, 3-6, 6-7 draw debut, despite falling to world and I just have to keep main reason I took this long All eyes back home will fo- curial Radek Stepanek as a (4/7), 6-4 win over Tipsarevic. a one-sided loss to Bolivia’s getting better, put my head was because I was injured for cus on India’s cricket stars in “great package deal” on Sunday. “We’ve started to speak a lit- Hugo Dellien. down and keep working. a long time so it took me four the next two months as they Dimitrov said that the duo tle bit more and potentially try The 29-year-old played his “That’s what got me this far or five more years than it might bid for a third World Cup title, have injected some much- to set up the exact weeks or how maiden Grand Slam opening- and I’m hoping that it will con- have taken had I not had the and Gunneswaran thinks lead- needed “positive enthusiasm” many weeks we can do, but all round match earlier this year tinue.” injury. ing athletes from other sports into his rollercoaster career that is in the air now a little bit. at the Australian Open, but The world number 86, “I think the kind of break- can inspire him to improve his after needing five sets to defeat “Him and Radek are get- this was the first time he had Gunneswaran is the sixth- through we’re talking about tennis career. Janko Tipsarevic in the first ting along so well. So it’s a great directly qualified for a major as highest ranked male player in would have to be some kind of “It shows that we can be round of Roland Garros. package deal.” a result of his ranking. India’s history as the nation superstar -- not someone who competitive at the highest level, Agassi, the champion at Dimitrov, a former world India’s Prajnesh Gunneswaran Despite a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 de- continues its search for a ten- is top 100 or 80 in the world, in badminton also we’re really the French Open in 1999, has number three who is currently returns the ball to Bolivia’s Hugo feat, Gunneswaran was keen to nis superstar. it’ll have to be someone who’s competitive. We have world linked up with Bulgarian Dim- down at 47 in the world, won Dellien during their men’s singles look at the positives after strug- He says that it is difficult to top 10. Someone like a (Japan’s champions so it shows we have itrov for Roland Garros along- the last of his eight career titles match on Sunday. (AFP) gling with a shoulder injury in reach the highest echelons of Kei) Nishikori, but from India.” what it takes to make it.” side former world number at the ATP Finals in 2017.

Toronto Raptors comeback from 2-0 down to clinch series 4-2; to meet Golden State in Finals Kawhi shines as Raptors rally past Bucks to reach first NBA final

AFP kept fighting all game. The calls Leonard also hit another “My teammates have my back. LOS ANGELES were not going our way, but we dynamic three-pointer from I was on the bench to start the kept striving and striving.” his favourite corner spot on the fourth quarter and they came KAWHI Leonard finished with The victory has galvanized floor with three minutes left to back. It was a collective effort.” 27 points and a career high 17 the Canadian city’s sports fans make it 95-90. Antetokounmpo tallied a rebounds as the Toronto Rap- and touched off a wild cel- - ‘So special’ -He shot nine double double with 21 points tors advanced to their first NBA ebration among the crowd of of 22 from the field and had and 11 rebounds for the Bucks, final with a 100-94 win over the 19,800 in the arena and tens of seven assists for the Raptors, who lost in the NBA playoff top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. thousands more in the down- who roared back to win four semi-finals after finishing with The Raptors won the series town “Jurassic Park”, who straight games after falling into the best record in the regular 4-2 as Saturday’s contest at watched the game on a giant an 0-2 hole to begin the series. season. Scotiabank Arena was a mir- screen. Pascal Siakam tallied 18 “The game plan was to ror image of game five, featur- Canadian Prime Minister points, Kyle Lowry finished double-team me and not allow ing a strong start by Milwau- Justin Trudeau said he will be with 17 and Fred VanVleet me to get into a rhythm,” Ante- kee before Toronto came back cheering on the Raptors. came off the bench to score 14 tokounmpo said. “We weren’t in the fourth quarter to close “History made! @Raptors, points in the win. able to rebound the ball and get it out with several clutch plays it’s time to bring that cham- “I’ve been here seven years easy points in transition and down the stretch. pionship to Canada! #WeTh- and this means a lot,” said that’s why we lost the lead.” The Raptors reached their eNorth,” Trudeau tweeted on Lowry. “This group is so spe- Leonard said they were first finals in their 24-year his- Saturday. cial.” looking forward to putting tory where they will face the Leonard won the head- Toronto was down by 15 their winning streak on the line two-time defending champion to-head battle against Gian- points at one stage in the third and hosting the Warriors for Golden State Warriors. Game nis Antetokounmpo, even quarter before Leonard and his the first two games of the final. one of the best-of-seven final is dunking over the mighty supporting cast cut the deficit “Man, they are the champi- Thursday in Toronto. “Greek Freak” with six min- to five entering the fourth. ons. We got to go in there with “I just took it one possession utes left in the fourth to give Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard holds the NBA Eastern Conference Championship trophy after the “We thrive at it. We enjoy mental focus and enjoy the mo- at a time,” Leonard said. “We Toronto a 87-79 lead. NBA Eastern Conference Finals against Milwaukee Bucks in Toronto on Saturday. (EPA-EFE) the moment,” Leonard said. ment,” he said. 18 Monday, May 27, 2019 Sports Bayern ready for next step with Kovac after double triumph DPA ment of support for Kovac, umph is also a farewell gift for BERLIN fuelling speculation over his After Pep Guardiola’s three Franck, Arjen and Rafinha. position despite a contract years in charge, the short At the end of the day it’s just BAYERN Munich returned until 2021. spell of just over a season been a very good season,” said home on Sunday to continue After Saturday’s defeat of by Carlo Ancelotti, the two-goal man-of-the match celebrating their 3-0 Ger- Leipzig in Berlin’s Olympic return until the end of the Robert Lewandowski, who man Cup final win over RB stadium, Bayern chairman now has a record six goals in Leipzig and a 12th league Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said 2017-2018 season by Jupp German cup finals. and cup double. Kovac’s job was “never ques- Heynckes and an at-times Midfielder Thomas Muel- The victory guarantees tioned” but added: “At the awkward season under ler said: “We’ve won quite a coach Niko Kovac stays at the end of the day we have to win Kovac, it will be a summer few things, but this was some- helm after a first season in the titles, that is expected from all of taking stock for Bayern. thing special, not only because which the 47-year-old former of us. The coach plays a cen- three great players are leaving Croatia international’s tenure tral role here.” us, but also because of the dif- was not always certain. Kovac, who has now won chester City winger Leroy Sane, ficult phase during the season. In late November when successive cup titles after last Chelsea winger Callum Hud- “To bounce back like this Bayern slipped to nine points year’s success with Eintracht son-Odoi has also been a tar- is stunning, it takes enor- behind Borussia Dortmund Frankfurt, has three trophies get, while Leipzig striker Timo mous willpower.” and fifth in the league the signs in his first season, including the Werner is also being linked Despite the defeat in their were that Kovac had one game Super Cup in August. with a move. first cup final, Leipzig can left to put things right or would One blot was the last 16 exit The final was a definite meanwhile look back “proud- be shown the door. to Liverpool in the Champions farewell for wingers Franck ly” on a successful third Bun- A 5-1 defeat of Benfica in League, with the manner of the Ribery and Arjen Robben and desliga season after finishing the Champions League prob- defeat at home also putting fur- Bayern Munich players celebrate with the trophy after the German Cup (DFB Pokal) final against RB Leip- defender Rafinha, while Je- third for direct Champions ably saved him, and since the ther doubts in the minds of the zig at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Saturday. (AFP) rome Boateng’s future is uncer- League qualification, coach winter break Bayern have club’s management. tain after the central defender Ralf Rangnick said. been beaten just once in the After Pep Guardiola’s three it will be a summer of taking players like Kingsley Coman gets under way. French de- lost his place in the side. Rangnick now steps up- league as it became Bundes- years in charge, the short spell stock for Bayern. and Serge Gnabry and disap- fender Benjamin Pavard Ribery could celebrate a stairs to focus on the sport liga business as usual. of just over a season by Carlo While Bayern’s ambitions pointing veterans who will now and Lucas Hernandez have club record of 24 titles in his 12 director job, with Julian Yet in the final weeks of Ancelotti, the return until the remain another Champions be leaving the club. already been signed and it is years at Bayern after making a Nagelsmann arriving from the season and despite sealing end of the 2017-2018 season by League title, last won in 2013, The change will continue clear others will follow. late appearance - like Robben - Hoffenheim as the club posi- a 29th German championship Jupp Heynckes and an at-times Kovac has had to balance a with the arrival of new play- Bayern have made no se- from the substitutes’ bench. tions itself as a challenger to there had been no clear state- awkward season under Kovac, transition, integrating young ers before the new season cret of their interest in Man- “Of course the cup tri- Bayern’s league dominance. Cup defeat leaves Barcelona with questions about identity & coach

Any successor to Valverde Barca coach would be charged with im- Valverde has never provement, which could only mean winning the Champions been loved at Camp League, a reassertion of iden- Nou, the question tity and, now, rejuvenation. It would be unfair on Va- marks hanging over lencia’s determined, gutsy performance to say this final him to do with was a game Barcelona never issues less tangible wanted to play. Team Astana rider Dario Cataldo But for 30 minutes before celebrates as he crosses the finish than results half-time, they were flat, dis- line to win stage fifteen of the heartened by Kevin Gameiro’s 102nd Giro d’Italia on Sunday. (AFP) AFP opener and, in the end, defeat- SEVILLE, SPAIN ed by Rodrigo heading in again 13 minutes later. Cataldo wins THE backing from Barcelona’s Each time, Valverde’s club president Josep Maria players looked beaten, 15th stage of Bartomeu came but it was not drained of the conviction that as convincing as before. made them champions, in- Last week he said coach stead gazing into space and Giro d’Italia Ernesto Valverde was “trusted wallowing in self-pity. completely” but as Valencia’s “We’re down, we can’t hide AFP players danced on the pitch at it,” said Valverde. COMO, ITALY the Estadio Benito Villamarin, When Barcelona won the tossing the Copa del Rey be- league with three games to ASTANA’S Dario Cataldo tween them, his support felt Valencia’s players celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2019 Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) final against Barcelona ta the Benito spare last month, Bartomeu won the 15th stage of the Giro more reserved. Villamarin Stadium in Sevilla on Saturday. (AFP) felt confident enough to de- d’Italia on Sunday outsprint- “Ernesto has a contract for clare: “We want the treble”. ing the other survivor of a next season,” Bartomeu said. loved at Camp Nou, the ques- Bartomeu must now decide If it looked like he was put- long breakaway, fellow Ital- “He’s the coach. I don’t think tion marks hanging over him if Valverde can take Barcelona ting pressure on his players, it ian, Mattia Cattaneo in Como. this defeat is his fault.” to do with issues less tangible where they desperately want to was because they believed too. Richard Carapaz, the over- When asked about Val- than results. go, to victory in the Champions They took a 3-0 lead over Liv- all leader, finished 11 seconds verde’s future on Friday, Lionel After all, in La Liga, they League, and if not, who could. erpool, with a potential final behind with Simon Yates and Messi indicated he wanted him finished this season 19 points There is a summer sale to come against either Ajax or Vincenzo Nibali, but Primoz to stay, the captain’s approval ahead of Real Madrid, whom on super-coaches but none Tottenham. Roglic, who came off his bike perhaps even more significant they beat by an aggregate score of Massimiliano Allegri, Jose Beat a Valencia side still on the final descent, lost 40 than that of the president. of 10-2 over four matches, and Mourinho or Antonio Conte are struggling even to make seconds to the Ecuadorean. “I honestly believe the 11 clear of Atletico. proponents of the Barca DNA. La Liga’s top four and all While Cataldo and Catta- boss has done an impres- Instead, his sceptics com- At the other end of the three major trophies would neo of Androni played cat and sive job during his time in plain about style, seen as spectrum is Quique Setien, be theirs. It seemed within mouse up the final straight for charge,” said Messi. “I would overly-rigid, and suitability, a football purist regularly touching distance. the stage victory, the heavy- like him to continue.” a 55-year-old in charge of his linked in the past, except he Instead, 41 almost fault- weight contenders were fight- But that was before the sixth club, sensible and states- has just parted ways with less weeks have been undone ing a desperate battle for sec- 2-1 final defeat to Valencia manlike, but lacking the fizz Real Betis for failing to match in less than three. onds behind them at the end on Saturday, which, despite a for a coach of Barcelona. style with results. When the final whistle of the 232-kilometre stage. second-half surge, inspired by The two arguments are Lionel Messi gestures during the match against Valencia on Saturday. (AFP) Or former midfielder Xavi, blew, Valencia’s staff and Nibali of Bahrain Merida Messi and his goal 17 minutes linked and, until now, lacked with a sense of destiny and substitutes rushed on, past attacked throughout the clos- before the end, leaves a title- evidence to give them weight. ond on Saturday night, the said Gerard Pique. very real adoration of the fans. Barcelona’s players, some of ing stages and only Carapaz winning season swamped in But perhaps doubts can be players may have begun to “But we expected to do a He has the trophies too but whom sank to their knees. and two Britons, Yates, of disappointment. self-fulfilling and when Rod- believe them too. much better year. The taste is fewer days, let alone clubs, as Others just trudged off, eager Mitchelton Scott, and Hugh Valverde has never been rigo headed in Valencia’s sec- “It has been a good year,” bitter-sweet.” a fully-fledged coach. for it all to be over. Carthy of Education First, managed to stay with the Ital- ian. They finished just 11 sec- onds behind Cataldo. Yates Quick read snatched third to pick up a Allegri era ends with a whimper as Juve fall at Sampdoria four-second bonus. “I wanted to see how the Dortmund CEO rules others responded,” Nibali out Sancho transfer AFP Saturday thanks to an acrobatic Milan and Roma – who are also said at the finish adding he ROME Federico Santander header two bidding farewell to captain and was happy he was “able to do BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund minutes from the end. local hero Daniele De Rossi – something.” CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has MASSIMILIANO Allegri ended Allegri rested a host of first- will duke it out for the final two Carapaz increased his lead categorically ruled out selling his Juventus career in disap- choice players, including star top-four positions, with Atal- to 47 seconds over Roglic. Ni- England starlet Jadon Sancho pointing fashion on Sunday af- attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, for anta favourites to qualify for the bali is another minute further ahead of next season. Sancho, ter the champions were undone the meaningless fixture, which Champions League for the first back in third. 19, has been linked with a num- by two late strikes at Sampdoria gave the league’s leading scorer time in their history. “Among those in conten- ber of Europe’s top clubs after to finish the Serie A season with Fabio Quagliarella the chance Meanwhile Serie A’s head- tion for the victory, there is an explosive second season in a five-match winless streak. to extend his lead at top of the to-head tiebreaker format also Carapaz,” the Ecuado- Dortmund, but in an interview A scuffed finish from Gre- scoring charts. means that 15th-placed Fioren- rian said but accepted Nibali with Bild newspaper on Sunday, goire Defrel six minutes form The 36-year-old, who is tina are in real danger of being had taken the initiative on the Dortmund boss Watzke said they the end and a superb stoppage- strongly linked with a move relegated. stage. “It was a mistake, on my would not let the English winger time free-kick from Gianluca back to Napoli, the club he sup- Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri during the match against Sampdoria Chievo, who had three part and on Roglic’s part, to leave. “It is safe to assume that Caprari sank Juve, who picked ported as a boy, failed to add to at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, Genoa on Sunday. (REUTERS) points deducted for false ac- give him so much space.” Jadon will not play for Dortmund up just three points after secur- his 26 goals but should still be counting before the start of the The Movistar rider said for the next ten years,” said ing their eighth straight league assured his place as top scorer just after the break from Iago 66th minute, but with 10 min- season, ended the campaign Nibali was a threat. Watzke. “But in terms of the title late last month. as he is four ahead of AC Milan Falque and Sasa Lukic set Wal- utes left Lorenzo De Silvestri with 17 points following Satur- “I think he’s very strong,” present day, we have very clear However despite a poor young gun Krzysztof Piatek and ter Mazzarri’s side, who a few clipped home on the rebound to day’s non-event at the Stadio Carapaz said. “I think I’m go- agreements. Jadon is not on the final few weeks they still fin- Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata. weeks ago were pushing for seal the points and keep Torino Benito Stirpe. That is the lowest ing to be seeing a lot of him this market and he is guaranteed ished 11 points ahead of sec- Earlier, Torino finished Champions League football. seventh, level on 63 points with in the three-points-for-a-win week. We both want to finish to be a Dortmund player next ond-placed Napoli, who ended their exciting campaign in fine Former Toro man Ciro Roma ahead of the capital club’s era since the league returned to on the podium, so it should be season.” (AFP) their underwhelming campaign fashion on Sunday with a 3-1 Immobile pulled one back for match with Parma. 20 teams in 2004, with Pescara quite a spectacle for the people beaten 3-2 defeat at Torino on win over Lazio. Quickfire goals Lazio with a super strike in the Atalanta, Inter Milan, AC getting 18 in 2016/17. watching on the TV.” Sports Monday, May 27, 2019 19 MODEST START BY QATARI DRIVER KHELAIFI Australia expected ‘ruthless’ TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA England fans, says Lyon QATARI champion driver Ab- AFP and a one-day series over here dulla al Khelaifi, who wants LONDON Australia duo Smith and and haven’t experienced any- to use the early races in the Warner were given a torrid thing else. They’re ruthless TCR Europe Championship AUSTRALIA spinner Nathan time by the Southampton and there’s not much love. to learn something, managed Lyon insists his team were crowd during their World They haven’t changed their 18th and 19th spots in the two prepared for the “ruthless” Cup warm-up victory over lines in the last 12 months.” races of the second round in reaction from England fans England cricketers go- Hockenheim, Germany. to Steve Smith and David England on Saturday ing back several generations Starting in the 22nd place Warner. might be surprised at Lyon’s in Cupra TCR, QMMF Rac- Australia duo Smith and soundtrack that Warner and characterisation, particularly ing by PCR Sport’s Khelaifi Warner were given a torrid Smith will need to get used given the heckling that takes focused on saving his tires till time by the Southampton to as the World Cup pro- place in Australia. the end and his strategy paid crowd during their World Cup gresses and then gives way Lyon played the provoca- off as the recovered a few plac- warm-up victory over Eng- to the Ashes series against teur in 2017 when he talked es to get the 18th place in the land on Saturday. England. of ending English careers and first race, clocking 23:14.284, It was the shamed pair’s But neither man seemed to rounded on former wicket- over 17 seconds off winner first appearance against the fret over the welcome, Smith keeper Matt Prior. Josh Files (Hyundai i30 N English since the end of one- with a match-winning 116 and “I’m very competitive and TCR). year bans for their role in the Warner making 43, and Lyon I don’t think I’m going to In the second race on Sun- sandpaper ball-tampering was far from shocked by what change very much,” he said. day, he got the 19th spot. He scandal in South Africa that he heard. “I will play the cricket I’ve took 25:47.387. JSB Compe- plunged Australian cricket “It was as expected - always played and make sure tition’s French driver Julien into crisis in 2018. they’re ruthless over here,” I wear my heart on my sleeve. Briche won the race in Peugot There were audible boos, he said. I will be competing against 308 TCR, clocking 25:16.667. jeers and chants of “cheat”, a “I’ve had two Ashes tours whoever we’re playing.” Kohli sees positives Steve Smith warns of more runs to come REUTERS I went out to bat but it didn’t had elbow surgery earlier this in lower order despite LONDON get to me,” Smith said. year and he said it was still on “I guess everyone is enti- the mend. CHANTS of “cheat” accompa- tled to their opinion in how “The elbow is coming nied Steve Smith as he came they want to treat people but along pretty well,” Smith said. New Zealand defeat out to bat against England it’s just water off a duck’s back “I haven’t really had to test it on Saturday but the Australia to me. I was just trying to keep yet throwing-wise. batsman was unfazed by the “I’d say I’m about 80 per- REUTERS with New Zealand experienc- hostile reception and says he is cent throwing-wise but I’m LONDON ing a similar boost in 2015 focused firmly on maintaining “But I’m not reading too hoping it can progress a little when they played all of their his form ahead of the Cricket much into it. They are just bit more in the week leading INDIA skipper Virat Kohli pool matches, quarter-final World Cup. practice games but hope- up to the World Cup.” Smith preferred to highlight the posi- and semi-final at home before Smith, who was stripped fully I can keep up the added that the injury would tives from their six-wicket de- the final in Melbourne, which of the captaincy and served a form as we head into the not affect him bowling his feat to New Zealand in a Crick- they lost by seven wickets to 12-month ban for ball-tam- real stuff. legpsinners if required during et World Cup warm-up on Australia. pering, scored a century in the tournament in England Saturday and was particularly “I think that’s what makes Australia’s 12-run win over and Wales. pleased with the performance England the favourites,” Tay- England in a warm-up game my head down, move straight Five-times champions of the lower order. lor said. “They know these con- in Southampton, continuing ahead and do my job.” Smith, Australia face Sri Lanka in Twice champions In- ditions very well. his run of good form since re- who played mostly in domes- their final warm-up match in dia slumped to 39-4 in the “But there is a lot of cricket turning to the side. tic Twenty20 tournaments Southampton on Monday be- 11th over before all-round- and some good cricket need- The 29-year-old scored 89 around the world and some fore their World Cup opener ers Hardik Pandya (30) and ing to be played before we even not out and 91 not out against club cricket in Sydney before against Afghanistan in Bristol Ravindra Jadeja (54) offered think about semi-finals and New Zealand in warm-up his ban ended in late March, on June 1. some resistance. finals. games in Brisbane earlier All out for 179 in the 40th “If you get off to a good this month before scoring 116 over, India were then unable start and get onto a bit of a roll from 102 balls on Saturday. to contain New Zealand’s bats- and make the semi-finals then Prior to his ban for his role men and a 114-run stand from you’re only two wins away in a ball-tampering scandal skipper Kane Williamson (67) from lifting the trophy.” Open- during a test series against and Ross Taylor (71) helped ing bowler Trent Boult, who South Africa, Smith had them to victory with nearly 13 India’s Virat Kohli during the ICC World Cup warm-up match against took 4-33 off 6.2 overs against scored 383 runs in 15 one-day overs to spare. New Zealand at The Oval, London on Saturday. (REUTERS) India, added that pitches internationals innings at an “The one thing we spoke around England and Wales average of 29.46, well below about in a tournament like the in the later half of our innings New Zealand have moved were already starting to look his career average of 41.84. World Cup is, you could easily as well.” to temper expectations ahead dry, which would aid batters as “I was actually a little bit have your top order out for not Jadeja said they were not of the Cricket World Cup after the tournament progressed. disappointed with my one day too many, so the lower order worried despite the batting their victory over India with “It was nice to see it swing- form (before the ban),” Smith has to look forward to that and collapse. conditions likely to be more ing around a little bit and I told reporters. “So it was nice I think Hardik batted really “The wicket was soft in the conducive to batting during would like to see that every- to spend a bit of time in the well,” Kohli said. first 15-20 overs but it got bet- the tournament. where but there are some good middle. “MS (Dhoni) absorbs the ter and better,” said the left- The 35-year-old Taylor, wickets around the country ... “But I’m not reading too pressure really well and Jadeja hander. however, said New Zealand (and) I think the other wickets much into it. They are just got a few runs as well, so I think “Coming from India where had the benefit of exploiting a look quite dry,” Boult said. practice games but hopefully from that point of view, we got you play on flat, low-bounce green-topped pitch early on, “The biggest challenge I can keep up the form as we a lot out of this game, which is wickets, suddenly you’re in which saw them reduce Virat will be when its not swinging head into the real stuff. what we wanted to. The lower England and batting first on a Kohli’s side to 39-4 in the 11th or nipping around a little bit, “I am feeling composed order getting some runs that spongy wicket. over. then how do we take wickets ... and calm at the crease and was the biggest positive.” “It was difficult ... but noth- “It is a warm-up and you (because) we know what early hitting the balls I want to, to Kohli, who made 18 before ing to worry, we’ll do whatever have to take what you want out wickets does to any batting the boundary. Hopefully I can losing his stump to Colin de little bit of tuning is needed.” of it,” Taylor told reporters. side.” keep it up.” Smith’s compo- Grandhomme, said The Oval India begin their bid for a third “Time out in the middle for New Zealand play West sure did not slip even when surface got easier to bat on as World Cup title against South most of the batters is crucial.” Indies in another warm-up in the home crowd heckled him the game progressed. “It’s go- Africa in Southampton on Taylor added that familiarity Bristol while India face Bang- over the ball-tampering scan- Australia’s Steve Smith plays a shot during the 2019 Cricket World ing to be very different when June 5. with conditions should benefit ladesh in Cardiff, with both dal. Cup warm-up match against England at the Rose Bowl in batting second and we saw that Conditions exploited tournament hosts England, games on Tuesday. “I heard a few things when Southampton, southern England, on Saturday. (AFP)

South Africa’s final Haleem stars in QS Tec’s Division 2 title-victory WC warm-up with Windies washed out TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK lected 49 runs take the team awards. Rajkumar Selvarajan, DOHA past 100-mark. The final over Credit & Inventory Controller, REUTERS was quite productive for them Ramesh Natarajan, Deputy BRISTOL HALEEM’S brilliant bowl- with Fouzan hammering Mi- Accounts Manager, and Vin- ing fired QS Tec to overcome lan for 20 runs off just four cent Vimaldas, Product Man- SOUTH Africa made a con- Serandib by three runs in a deliveries. ager Tools & Equipment, were fident start before their final nail-biting finish and bag the Fouzan top-scored with also present during the closing World Cup warm-up against Division II Final of the 25th 29 runs in his allotted 12 ceremony. the West Indies at the County Gulf Incon - Metabo Ramadan balls with two sixes and three Guests of Honour were Ground in Bristol on Sunday Cricket Tournament 2019. boundaries. Farhan Sr. and Shahid Mehboob, Qatar na- was washed out by rain. At the Old Ideal Indian Farhan Jr. contributed 17 and tional team coach, Gul Khan, Hashim Amla hit a con- School Ground, QS Tec, after 15, respectively. Chanaka, Ma- QCA Head of Domestic Crick- fidence-boosting 51 runs and electing to bat first, set a 104- faz and Chamara took a wicket et, QCA official umpires Tahir Quinton de Kock contributed run target for the rivals. Hal- each. Mehmood and Mohammad 37 off 30 balls as South Africa eem dealt out early blows and Serandib started with a Naseem and Qatar Veterans reached 95 without loss off 12.4 his four for 16 helped his team bang during the chase and Cricket officials attended the overs before the wet conditions pull off the thrilling victory. mustered 19 runs in the first prize distribution. put pay to any further play. QS Tec saw off the three- over itself. Chanaka was on Vote of thanks were for- over Powerplay with a steady fire and hit 17 of them. But warded to Adnan al Mannai, Abandoned 27 for one but faced tough Haleem stalled their charge in Managing Director, Gulf In- CARDIFF: The World Cup time in the next six overs when the second over and removed con, and Marcel Cenia, Gen- warm-up match between Pa- they could manage only 27 three players. First he sent Sajjad Ahmed Khan, Senior Sales and Marketing Manager, Gulf Incon – Metabo, presents the winner’s eral Manager, Metabo Middle kistan and Bangladesh in Car- more runs for the loss of two back both openers and ended trophy of the Gulf Incon-Metabo Ramadan Division 2 cricket to QS Tec’s players during the prize East, Prateek Yadav, Business diff on Saturday was called off wickets. Farhan Sr excelled in the over with disposing of distribution ceremony in Doha. Development Manager, Me- without a ball being bowled the beginning and struck 17 Serandip captain. tabo. due to rain. Bangladesh play runs in his stipulated 12-ball Serandib at the end of tough. Serandib sought to Chanaka was the highest was declared the man of the one more warm-up game batting limit. mandatory Powerplay could ease up the pressure and with run-maker with 17, including final as well. SPECIAL AWARDS against India on Tuesday while But in the final three only score 29 runs for three 16 runs in the last over, they two sixes and a four. Mafaz Sajjad Ahmed Khan, Sen- Best batsman: Irshad of Al Fardan Pakistan have no more warm- overs, Farhan Jr. and Fouzan wickets. QS Tec then restrict- could just manage 100 for six and Nifros added 15 runs each. ior Sales and Marketing Man- Best bowler: Firdous of Alliance up matches to play, kicking changed the complex of the ed the rivals. Towards the wickets, losing the match by Haleem was the star bowler of ager, Gulf Incon – Metabo, Best all-rounder: Farhan Jr. of Q.S. Tec. off their World Cup campaign match. They cut loose and col- end, the run rate became quite three runs. the day with four for 16 and presented the trophies and Best wicket-keeper: Mafaz of Serandib against West Indies on Friday.