OOLYMPICS|LYMPICS Page 2 GGOLFOLF | Page 7 Skateboarders Spieth shares look forward PGA Byron to changing Nelson lead minds in Japan aft er 63

Saturday, May 15, 2021 FOOTBALL Shawwal 3, 1442 AH Tuchel aims to GULF TIMES harness Chelsea ‘anger’ in FA Cup fi nal SPORT Page 3 SPOTLIGHT Japan expands emergency as opposition to Olympics grows ‘I think the Olympics this time is about whether we prioritise life or a ceremony and event called the Olympics’

AFP Tokyo

apan expanded a coronavi- rus state of emergency yes- terday, just 10 weeks before the Olympics, as campaign- ersJ submitted a petition with more than 350,000 signatures calling for the Games to be scrapped. With Tokyo and other areas already under emergency orders until the end of May, three more regions — including northern Hokkaido, which will host the Ol- ympic marathon — now join them. Lawyer Kenji Utsunomiya shows off placards as he attends a news “Today, we decided to add conference after submitting a petition calling for the Tokyo 2020 Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiro- Olympics to be cancelled to Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike shima to the area under the state (not in picture) at the Tokyo Metropolitan Off ice Press Club in Tokyo. of emergency from May 16 to 31,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga was “really remote”. port teams will be arriving having said. “We want to provide this feeling been vaccinated.” In these regions, “the popu- of certainty,” Parsons said. In Japan, however, one of the lation is relatively big and the “Because we see that the anger country’s most prominent busi- number of new cases is very rap- comes from this concept that it’s nessmen, SoftBank CEO Masay- idly increasing”, he said. the Japanese population’s safety oshi Son, said he is “afraid” of the The widening emergency, versus the Games. I believe they Games going ahead. aimed at combatting a fourth wave can coexist.” “I am very much afraid of hav- putting Japan’s medical system In recent days, organisers have ing the Olympics,” he told CNBC. under strain, comes with public held a string of successful test “Not just Japan, but many opinion fi rmly opposed to holding events, including with interna- countries they’re having still a big, the Games this summer, fearing tional athletes, which they say tough situation, I don’t know how further infections. shows their protocols will work. they can support sending ath- Kenji Utsunomiya, a former World Athletics chief Sebastian letes.” candidate for Tokyo governor, Coe, who attended test events Several top Japanese sports urged Games organisers to “pri- in Japan last week, said no major stars, including tennis Grand oritise life” as he submitted the sports event so far has been a “su- Slam-winner Naomi Osaka and 351,000-signature petition to city A man wearing a protective face mask walks next to wall decorations promoting the Olympics in Tokyo yesterday. per-spreader”. Masters golf champion Hideki authorities. “The world does need to keep Matsuyama, have expressed reser- “I think the Olympics this time organisers and the national gov- demic, but organisers say virus to avoid putting strain on the med- rules, we’re discussing measures moving,” Coe wrote in the Daily vations about holding the Games is about whether we prioritise life ernment. countermeasures will keep the ical system,” she told reporters. including deportation,” he said. Mail. during the pandemic. or a ceremony and event called the “Holding the Olympics under athletes and Japanese public safe. Addressing fears about the tens In an interview with AFP, Inter- “At a time when football, rugby, Utsunomiya said his petition Olympics,” Utsunomiya said, urg- these circumstances means pre- Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashi- of thousands of journalists and national Paralympic Committee tennis and athletics are all back would continue to gather signa- ing Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike cious medical resources have to moto told reporters she was aware offi cials expected to enter Japan chief Andrew Parsons acknowl- functioning, and crowds slowly tures “until the cancellation is to push for cancellation. be set aside for the Games,” Utsu- of the concerns, but insisted “very along with the Olympic athletes, edged Japanese “anger” over the returning, it would seem odd to announced”, and brushed aside The petition is also being sent to nomiya warned. stringent antivirus measures” Suga said rulebreakers could face Games. But he said strict rules, pull stumps on an Olympic Games the cost of scrapping the massive the International Olympic Com- Thursday saw a doctors’ union would be in place. tough punishments. including daily testing and limited where the protocols will be tough- event. mittee and International Paral- warn it was “impossible” to hold “We have to create a fi rm bubble “There are restrictions on be- movement for athletes, meant the er than in any other walk of life and “People’s lives are more impor- ympic Committee, as well as local the Games safely during the pan- and take the necessary restrictions haviour. For those who violate the chance they could infect anyone many competitors and their sup- tant than money,” he said.

BOTTOMLINE FOCUS World champion Al-Attiyah maintains slender Julian Alaphilippe lead in Andalucia Rally to skip Tokyo Games atar’s Nasser Saleh al-At- tiyah retained the overall lead in the Andalucia Rally Qin Spain yesterday despite fi nishing third in the second leg. Al-Attiyah and his French co- driver Matthieu Baumel were hold- ing a narrow 1 minute 26-second lead with two legs remaining. Local favourite Carlos Sainz closed the gap on al-Attiyah by win- ning yesterday’s second leg held be- tween Seville and Cordoba. Sainz, driving a Mini Cooper with co-driv- er Lucas Cruz, fi nished the 339km route in 3:16.24 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed al-Rajhi and Germany’s Dirk Von Zitzewitz were second in a time of 3:17.32, just Reuters uninck-Quick Step team, not to seven seconds ahead of al-Attiyah Paris make myself available for selection and Baumel. Both the pairs were for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics,” behind the wheel of Toyota Hilux Alaphilippe wrote on Instagram. Overdrive. rench world road race “It is a personal, well-consid- Meanwhile, Nasser’s brother Kha- champion Julian Alap- ered decision,” added the 28-year- lifa al-Attiyah continued his impres- hilippe will skip the Olym- old, who is becoming a father next sive run by topping the T4 category pic road race for personal month. for the second successive day. Kha- reasons,F he said yesterday. Alaphilippe, who was fourth in lifa and his co-driver Xavier Panseri “After giving it a lot of thought, the Olympic road race in 2016, will timed 03:38:05 seconds in their Can I have decided, after agreeing with however be at the start of the Tour Am Maverick XRS. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel in action at the Andalucia Rally in Spain yesterday. the national coach and my Dece- de France on June 26 in Brest. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, May 15, 2021 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS From ‘delinquents’ to Olympic stars: Paralympics skateboarders look chief tries to calm to change minds ‘anger’ over Games ‘The last thing that we want to do is jeopardise the Japanese health system’

Issei Sakurai of Japan competes during a skateboarding test event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo yesterday.

AFP Skateboarding is one of four Tokyo new sports at the Tokyo Games, along with surfing, sport climbing and karate, as Olym- kateboarders are often pic chiefs try to reach a younger frowned on as rebels and audience. “delinquents” in Japan, Star-in-the-making Brown but the Tokyo Olympics will compete in the women’s couldS turn them into heroes. park competition after recover- When skateboarding makes ing from a horrifi c crash that left its debut at the Games, Japanese her with a broken skull. skaters stand to gain new respect “I see her on Instagram and as athletes, rather than being seen other social media a lot, and I as a public menace, they said. think she’s a great skater,” said Brazilian athletes and staff travelling to Tokyo for the Olympics pose after receiving their Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine yesterday. “You see stories on the news 14-year-old Azumi Fujieda. about people getting angry about “If lots of people start watch- AFP “We understand the feeling of Paralympians are currently ex- Games organisers have held still formulating its stance on skating in the streets,” Akira ing her, I think it will help moti- Tokyo uncertainty,” Parsons said in an pected to be vaccinated by the a series of test events in recent the issue. Tanaka, 20, told AFP at a test vate me and make me think I can interview from Brazil. Games, but that fi gure may rise weeks, with only one virus case “It’s a very consistent opinion event at the Olympic competi- do it too.” “And normally when there after organisers struck a deal detected from more than 700 coming from the athletes. We tion venue. This week’s test was held be- aralympics chief An- is uncertainty there is fear, and with Pfi zer/BioNTech. athletes and over 6,000 related need to work out the processes “I think if the skaters who ap- hind closed doors, for corona- drew Parsons said the sometimes fear becomes anger.” “The last thing that we want staff. and that’s what we’re doing at pear at the Olympics can change virus reasons, at park and street chances of athletes But he said extensive coun- to do is jeopardise the Japanese But some athletes complained the moment.” that image, it will mean some- courses fully exposed to Tokyo’s spreading coronavirus termeasures, including multiple health system at this very mo- that the restrictions were too The Games will be the fi rst thing.” glaring summer heat. Pare “really remote” as he at- pre-arrival tests and daily test- ment,” he said, calling for “in- harsh, with US sprinter Jus- in history with overseas fans Skate parks and ramps are few “It was hot,” Tanaka said Fri- tempted to douse Japanese “an- ing in Japan, make the chance novative solutions” to avoid tin Gatlin saying he hoped they barred, and a ruling on domes- and far between in Japan, some- day, when temperatures reached ger” over the Tokyo Games. of spreading the virus “really adding pressure. would “be just a little more le- tic spectators is expected next times placing skaters at odds 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahren- Speaking to AFP, the Inter- remote”. Concerns about the burden nient about where we can go” month. with pedestrians in crowded city heit) — far below the peaks ex- national Paralympic Commit- “We want to provide this feel- on overstretched Japanese med- when the Games begin. But regardless of specta- streets. pected at the summertime Ol- tee (IPC) president said strin- ing of certainty,” he said. ical workers have been raised Parsons insists that the meas- tor numbers, Parsons sees this But the perception that skate- ympics. gent virus countermeasures “Because we see that the an- regularly in recent weeks, with ures are “proportional”, and summer’s Games as “the most boarders are badly behaved does “There was a lot of heat get- will keep athletes and the Japa- ger comes from this concept a doctors union on Thursday ruled out any loosening. important Paralympics in his- not ring true, said 16-year-old ting refl ected off the surface.” nese public safe. that it’s the Japanese popula- warning it was “impossible” to “The number one priority is tory”. Sota Tsuji after skating on the But Tsuji, who is aiming Parsons was speaking just tion’s safety versus the Games. I hold the Games safely during a the health and safety of every- “Persons with disability have Olympic course. to compete at the 2024 Paris over 100 days before the Paral- believe they can coexist.” pandemic. one in the Games. I don’t think been disproportionately aff ect- “Skateboarding is strongly as- Games, had praise for the newly ympics opens on August 24, and Olympics organisers say re- Regions around Tokyo have we can relax any of those re- ed through the pandemic, and it sociated with delinquents, but built site. with 10 weeks to go before the cent test events held with in- also rejected requests that they strictions.” has highlighted a lot of inequali- it’s not really like that and I hope “It really lends itself to doing Olympics start on July 23. ternational athletes prove their set aside hospital beds for athletes Another major issue is like- ties,” he said. the Olympics can show that,” tricks, and I think they will be As the Games approach, Japan countermeasures work, and who may become sick, and a fu- ly to be protests by athletes, “The athletes understand Tsuji said. able to put on a great competi- is battling a fourth virus wave while vaccination will not be a rore erupted over an Olympic re- which the International Ol- that what they do in the field of “It’s a cool, aggressive sport, tion. I want to skate on it again,” and public opinion remains requirement, many athletes are quest for volunteer nurses, though ympic Committee has already play will help put persons with and it would make me happy if he said. fi rmly opposed to hosting them already inoculated. reports suggest a call for volunteer banned. disabilities back into the inclu- people could see that.” Yesterday’s test event was this summer. Parsons said at least 60 % of doctors was oversubscribed. But Parsons said the IPC was sion agenda.” Stars like America’s Nyjah closed to the public, and or- Huston and 12-year-old Sky ganisers are set to decide next Brown, who is Japanese-born month how many domestic BOTTOMLINE but represents Britain, could fans — if any — can attend the become household names at the Games. Overseas spectators Games. have already been barred. Turkey drops off F1 calendar, Aussie swimmers McKeown, McKeon set 2021 pace

Sydney: Kaylee McKeown “I just trusted myself a bit more clocked the fourth quickest in the first 100m today to get out Austria gets second race women’s 200 metre backstroke a little faster which did hurt a lot time ever yesterday while Emma in the back-end but I did a really Reuters organisers had asked the sport McKeon swam the year’s fastest good solid time, so I’m happy London to consider holding the race 100m freestyle as the Australian with that,” she told reporters. later in the season, should that pair stepped up preparations for “It’s always our plan to put as be possible. the Tokyo Olympics. much pressure on as we can at ormula One scrapped China’s race in Shanghai is in McKeown, 19, smashed her own these meets to get the most race plans to hold the Turk- a similar position, not offi cially Commonwealth and Austral- practice we can.” ish Grand Prix in June cancelled but also not on the ian record by touching in 2min Australia’s Olympic trials are Fdue to Covid-19 travel calendar. 04.31sec at the Sydney Open, in Adelaide next month, with restrictions and announced “We continue our talks with the number one time in the McKeown’s key challenger, Austria would host two races the Formula One management world over the last 18 months. triple Olympian Emily See- in a row with the French Grand and our preparations without It was a warning shot to Ameri- bohm, touching second Friday Prix moving forward a week. letting up, and we are always can world record holder Regan in 2:07.06. McKeon, part of The French race at Le Cas- ready for a race,” said Vural Ak, Smith, who owns the best time Australia’s gold-medal-winning tellet will now be on June 20, chairman of the Istanbul cir- in history (2:03.35) set in 2019. 4x100m relay team at the 2016 kicking off a ‘triple header’ of cuit operator Intercity. Smith also holds the second Rio Olympics, was also on fire, three grands prix on successive “The Formula One leadership quickest ahead of 2012 Olympic upsetting sprint star Cate Camp- weekends, the Liberty Media- is also very keen on holding a champion Missy Franklin, with bell to take the women’s 100m. owned sport said in a statement race here. We hope to repeat McKeown now claiming fourth Her 52.29 was a world-best for yesterday. the honour we had in Turkey and fifth. 2021. The Red Bull Ring will host last year again this year.” the newly-inserted Styrian Austria opened the season in Grand Prix on June 27 and the July last year when it also host- Becky Downie handed special Austrian Grand Prix on its orig- ed two races in a much-reduced inal July 4 date. 17-round calendar limited to trial aft er brother’s death “We were all looking for- Europe and the Middle East. London: British Gymnastics will give world silver medallist Becky ward to racing in Turkey but French Grand Prix manag- Downie a special chance to qualify for her third Olympics after the the travel restrictions in place ing director Eric Boullier rec- sudden death of her brother Josh before last weekend’s final trial have meant we are not able to ognised the date change would for Tokyo. be there in June,” said Formula Lewis Hamilton speaks during the Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park circuit last November. have an impact on spectators Downie’s sister Ellie, who also competed at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro One chief executive Stefano and commercial partners. Games, has decided to take time out of the sport, however. Domenicali. cuit had been added to the was switched from Istanbul to lowed only in “the most ex- He assured ticket holders that “We felt it important in such an unprecedented situation to take “Formula One has shown calendar only last month to Portugal. treme circumstances” and bookings remained valid for the time to look at how we might be able to grant an extension to the again that it is able to react replace the cancelled Cana- Turkey was last week put on anyone returning has to pay for new dates, with refunds avail- selection window to allow for a further opportunity to complete quickly to developments and dian Grand Prix in Montreal on Britain’s travel ‘red list’, cre- compulsory hotel quarantine. able for those unable to attend. the trial,” British Gymnastics said in a statement. fi nd solutions and we are de- June 13. ating a problem for Formula The race was due to follow on Formula One said 17,000 Cov- “In such diff icult circumstances we feel strongly that this is the lighted that we will have a dou- Its removal comes a day after One with seven of the 10 teams immediately after the Azerbai- id-19 tests had been conducted right thing to do.” ble header in Austria meaning the Champions League soc- based in England. jan Grand Prix but that race in this season up to last weekend’s Neither sister took part in the trial in Cardiff after their 24-year-old our season remains at 23 races.” cer fi nal between English sides The red list designation Baku now stands alone. fourth round in Spain with 15 brother suff ered a heart attack during a cricket nets session. Turkey’s Istanbul Park cir- Chelsea and Manchester City means travel to Turkey is al- Formula One said Turkish GP positive cases, a rate of 0.1%. Gulf Times Saturday, May 15, 2021 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Qatar to face Panama in Gold Cup opener on July 13 AFP preliminary knockout games on July possible preliminary round qualifi ers Miami 2-3 and July 6 to decide three berths in — Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, French group stage matches. Guiana and Montserrat. The Mexicans Six-time winner United States and will also play Curacao on July 14 and El atar face Panama in their defending champion Mexico, an eight- Salvador on July 18, both in Dallas. opening fi xture of the CON- time winner, will open the 16th Gold Costa Rica, the top seed in Group C, CACAF Gold Cup at the Cup against qualifi ers, “We look for- will open on July 12 at Orlando against BBVA Stadium in Houston ward with great anticipation to watch- one of the other four qualifi ers — Ba- onQ July 13. The Asian champions are ing the best men’s national teams in our hamas, Guatemala, Guyana and Guad- in Group D and will play their other confederation compete for the Gold eloupe. The Ticos will also face Suri- matches against Grenada on July 17 and Cup title,” CONCACAF president Vic- name on July 16 and Jamaica on July 20, Honduras on July 20, also in Houston. tor Montagliani said. both in Orlando. Qatar are guest participants with the The United States, seeking a third In a new wrinkle this year, the last Felix Sanchez’s side using the tourna- title in fi ve tries as it prepares for 2022 matches in each group will be played si- ment as preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, will open July multaneously. The two top teams from World Cup, which they will host. 11 at Kansas City, Kansas, in a Group B each group advance to knockout stages, The biennial North American show- match against either Bermuda, Barba- with the quarter-fi nals to be staged July down kicks off July 2 at Fort Lauderd- dos, Haiti or St. Vincent and the Gren- 24 at Glendale, Arizona, and July 25 at ale, Florida, with preliminary round adines. The Americans will also face Arlington, Texas, in NFL stadiums. qualifying matches ahead of the group Martinique on July 15 and Canada on Teams from Group A will face teams stage and knockout rounds that lead to July 18, both in Kansas City. from Group D in Arizona with Group B the August 1 fi nal at Las Vegas. Twelve Mexico will open in Group A on July and C teams meeting in Texas. Semi- teams will compete in two rounds of Qatar are participating in the CONCACAF Gold Cup as a guest team as they prepare for next year's FIFA World Cup at home. 10 at Dallas against one of four other fi nal matches will be staged on July 29.

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS Klopp plans Mane talks aft er Liverpool Liverpool beat United forward’s snub AFP London

iverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he will speak to boost Champions to Sadio Mane after the Senegal forward snubbed Lhim following Thursday’s 4-2 win at Manchester United. Klopp left Mane on the bench for the fi rst 74 minutes of the crucial Premier League clash, deciding to start Diogo Jota instead. League chances Following Mane’s brief sub- stitute appearance, Klopp ap- proached him at the fi nal whistle Klopp’s men still need to win their remaining three games to guarantee a place in the top four to celebrate a crucial victory in the race to qualify for the Cham- AFP pions League. But Mane refused Manchester to respond to the German and was caught on television walking towards the tunnel while shak- iverpool kept their chances of a ing his head. place in next season’s Champi- Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s ons League in their own hands trip to West Bromwich Albion, with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Klopp said he was not angry with LManchester United at Old Traff ord on Mane but would speak to the Thursday night. 29-year-old about the show of Jurgen Klopp’s men still need to win dissent. “If somebody shows me their remaining three games to guaran- 5mn times respect and one time tee a place in the Premier League’s top not, what is then more impor- four, but cleared the biggest hurdle in tant?” Klopp said. their path with a fi rst victory away to “The world is in a situation United since 2014. when you make this one time Roberto Firmino scored twice ei- bigger than necessary. That’s ther side of half-time after Diogo Jota unfortunately the case. If you cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’s early had seen me as a player what I opener for the home side. Marcus Rash- did out of emotion it was insane ford’s strike set up a grandstand fi nish, — and I’m a completely normal but Mohamed Salah secured a vital win guy, but it happened to me. We in the fi nal minute as Liverpool moved will talk about it, then it will be up to fi fth in the table. “We are still in sorted. That’s all.” the game, still in the race. That is all we Klopp suggested immediately could do tonight,” said Klopp. “It was after the match that his late de- necessary. Without this result we don’t cision to start Jota may have have to talk about it.” prompted Mane’s reaction. The The clash between English football’s move paid off as Jota scored Liv- two most successful clubs had been erpool’s equaliser, sparking their postponed 11 days ago as United fans fi rst win over their arch-rivals at stormed the pitch and clashed with Old Traff ord since 2014. police amid protests against the club’s The Liverpool boss does not owners. A peaceful protest took place expect any lingering fall-out before kick-off as supporters again from the incident as Liverpool voiced their anger at the Glazer family. try to secure a top four-fi nish Distrust of the Americans has been in the Premier League. “Do you reignited by United’s part in a failed Eu- want these things to happen? ropean Super League (ESL) project, that No,” he said. “But it’s not the fi rst collapsed within 48 hours last month time in my life and I’m afraid to due to a backlash from fans, players, Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino (centre) scores against Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Traff ord, Manchester, on Thursday night. (Reuters) say it won’t be the last time.” governments and governing bodies. After failing to defend the United and Liverpool were report- Thursday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made ments of the game. We created our own der-Arnold’s free-kick to give Liverpool Mason Greenwood an equaliser. Salah Premier League title, Liverpool edly two of the leading drivers behind 10 changes from a 2-1 defeat to Leices- downfall.” the lead in fi rst-half stoppage time. fi nally eased Liverpool’s nerves in the are trying to salvage a troubled the project that sought to guarantee top ter on Tuesday which sealed the title for In stark contrast to the cagey encoun- That was Firmino’s fi rst goal for 16 90th minute as he sprinted clear to slot season with Champions League level European football for 15 founder City. ters between these two sides that have games and the Brazilian had another home his 30th goal of the season. qualifi cation. Fourth-placed members every season without the need The Norwegian restored the majority become the norm in recent seasons, the two minutes into the second-half with The Reds now need victories against Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal on to qualify on the pitch. of his regular starting line-up for Unit- early goal sparked a wide open game a tap in after Henderson could only spill West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace Wednesday has opened the door Both clubs have struggled at times in ed’s fourth game in seven days, but the with chances at either end. Fernandes’s Alexander-Arnold’s shot. But Liver- over the next 10 days to guarantee their for the Reds, who are four points the past decade to secure the riches of presence of Harry Maguire was badly shot was turned into his own net by Nat pool’s defensive problems that have be- place in the Champions League for a behind with a game in hand. Champions League football via a top- missed with the United captain side- Phillips in his desperate attempt to clear set their season reappeared in the fi nal fi fth consecutive season at the expense With Chelsea playing third- four fi nish in the Premier League. lined by an ankle injury. on 10 minutes. quarter. of one of Leicester and Chelsea. The placed Leicester next week, Liv- United’s place in Europe’s premier “Of course you are going to miss him, Phillips made amends for his ear- Rashford halved United’s defi cit with Foxes and the Champions League fi nal- erpool will be almost certain of a club competition next season is as- but he’s out and we’ve got to deal with lier error in the equaliser as his shot an accurate fi nish from Edinson Cav- ists face off in the Premier League on top-four fi nish if they win their sured, although they failed to secure that,” said Solskjaer. “They deserved was fl icked in by Jota to equalise before ani’s through ball. Moments later Phil- Tuesday, three days after they contest last three games against West second spot behind Manchester City on the win. We conceded goals in key mo- Firmino bulleted home Trent Alexan- lips had to clear off his own line to deny the FA Cup fi nal at Wembley. Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

BOTTOMLINE Tuchel aims to harness Chelsea ‘anger’ in FA Cup fi nal against Leicester

AFP focus, focus only on this match, focus Wembley showpiece. Croatia star Ko- Premier League encounter, with the Arsenal, will be making their fourth ap- London on us and play on the edge.” vacic has missed nine matches with a Blues boss describing them as “two fi - pearance in the competition’s denoue- But he added: “I will not get carried hamstring problem while Kante was nals”. “There’s the fi nal for the cup and ment in the last fi ve years. away with emotions tomorrow. I am kept out of the Arsenal match due to a the fi nal for the top four,” he said. Rodgers also has Leicester’s top-four homas Tuchel said he would fully focused to prepare my team better painful Achilles issue. Leicester, two points above Chel- ambitions, but the chance to create lead an “angry” Chelsea into than we did two days ago.” “The whole group is available, Kova sea in the Premier League, will pose history will be his only focus at Wem- today’s FA Cup fi nal after de- The former Paris Saint-Germain is with us again,” said Tuchel. “It’s huge a signifi cant threat to Tuchel’s ambi- bley. “We have earned the right to be feat by Arsenal dented their manager has steered Chelsea to both because Mateo has everything that we tions under the astute guidance of boss in the fi nal and we will arrive with an TPremier League top-four hopes. the FA Cup and Champions League fi - need in midfi eld. He has experience, Brendan Rodgers. The Foxes are aiming opportunity to make our own history. The Blues boss admitted prepara- nals in just four months at the helm. power, acceleration, deceleration, he to win the FA Cup for the fi rst time in We feel we’re in with a chance and if tions for the match against Leicester at They are fourth in the Premier League can dribble the ball and beat players. their fi rst fi nal appearance since 1969. we can play to our level we have a great Wembley would be made easier by his and still in a strong position to qualify He’s fast, he has physical ability and No club have appeared in more FA chance,” Rodgers said. After a success- team’s frustrations following Wednes- for next season’s Champions League, he’s experienced in big games and in Cup fi nals without lifting the trophy ful spell at Celtic, former Liverpool and day’s 1-0 defeat. but Wednesday’s defeat at Stamford the Premier League. When we missed than Leicester, who have lost four times Swansea boss Rodgers has burnished “We all feel that anger on ourselves Bridge makes their task tougher, giving N’Golo and Mateo in the same match in the showpiece match. In contrast, his reputation with his impressive work on the missed opportunity and the per- Liverpool fresh hope. we lacked a lot of quality, energy and Chelsea have won the FA Cup eight at Leicester. Winning his fi rst major formance that night against Arsenal,” Tuchel welcomed the availability of experience.” times, with their last victory coming trophy in English football in front of a he said. “So it’s a good thing, in that it’s midfi elders Mateo Kovacic and former Tuchel’s side will face third-placed against Manchester United in 2018. The crowd of 21,000 at Wembley would be easy to prepare. Now the challenge is to Leicester star N’Golo Kante for the Leicester again on Tuesday in a crucial Blues, beaten in last year’s fi nal against another feather in Rodgers’ cap. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, May 15, 2021 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Dani Alves rejoins Brazil for World Cup qualifi ers Haaland, Sancho score Rio de Janeiro: Brazil coach Tite recalled 38-year-old veteran Dani Alves yesterday for their World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Para- guay on June 4 and 8. It will be the first international ap- pearance since October 2019 two each as Dortmund for the Sao Paulo wide player, who was named player of the tournament when Brazil won the Copa America that year. Alves, who won trophies with Sevilla, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain before returning to Brazil in 2019, clinch German Cup could play in his fourth World Cup next year. So too could 36-year-old Chelsea defender Defeat dashed Leipzig coach Nagelsmann’s hopes of winning the first senior title of his coaching career Thiago Silva, also named to the squad. The June matches will also mark the return to the Selecao of Manchester United midfielder Fred, who had not been called up for national team duty since the 2018 World Cup. Unsurprisingly, Paris Saint- Germain striker Neymar will also feature again for the five-time world champions. Brazil are in first place in South American qualifying for Qatar, with 12 points from four matches. Argentina are second with 10 points and Ecuador in third with nine. After the next round of qualifiers, South American teams will switch gears for the Copa America, which kicks off on June 13 and will be hosted for the first time by two countries, Argentina and Colombia.

LISBON GREENLIGHTS UK TOURISTS AHEAD OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL British tourists will be able to visit Portugal from Monday after Lisbon lifted restrictions introduced in January to keep the spread of Covid-19 in check, the government said yesterday. Lisbon’s move came after London had placed Portugal on its ‘green list’ of countries to visit with- out having to self-isolate on Borussia Dortmund’s captain Marco Reus (centre) lifts the trophy as his teammates celebrate after winning the German Cup in Berlin on Thursday night. (AFP) return home. Portugal said Britons could AFP lacsi, but failed to get his shot away. “I two years coaching RB Leipzig to take around Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gu- wards with Sorloth and South Korea’s visit as long as they could Berlin don’t know what happened, I am sure I the helm at Bayern Munich next season. lacsi. Dortmund converted their second Hwang Hee-chan for Yussuf Poulsen show a negative PCR test am going to look back on this game and RB Leipzig, who were only founded in shot on goal when Haaland made it 2-0 and Christopher Nkunku, who made result for Covid-19 within 72 regret not getting my hat-trick,” San- 2009, are also waiting for a fi rst major on 28 minutes. an immediate impact. Just 25 seconds hours of their arrival. The adon Sancho and Erling Braut cho admitted. “Next time I will shoot title having also lost the 2019 German He sprinted onto Reus’ pass, beat after the break, Nkunku’s chip clipped country is traditionally a top Haaland both netted twice fi rst — sorry Dortmund fans.” Cup fi nal to Bayern. “I’m proud of the Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano, Dortmund’s crossbar from Amadou summer destination for Brit- Thursday night as Borussia Dort- Spain midfi elder Dani Olmo pulled team, but it’s not good to lose a fi nal,” who will follow Nagelsmann to Bayern Haidara’s cross while Poulsen fi red two ish holidaymakers. mund won the German Cup with a goal back for Leipzig, before Haaland admitted Nagelsmann. “We were a bit next season, and curled his shot around chances wide. An added attraction is that anJ emphatic 4-1 win over RB Leipzig grabbed his second in the dying stages too passive in our own box and we had Gulacsi. It took Leipzig until seven min- At the other end, Thorgan Hazard, a the northern city of Porto will to spoil Julian Nagelsmann’s hopes of despite slipping as he connected. Dort- to much to do at 3-0 down.” utes before half-time to create a clear half-time replacement for Jude Belling- host the May 29 Champions leaving with a title. mund lifted the German Cup for the Haaland returned to the Dortmund chance when Haaland’s Norway team- ham, squandered a chance to make it League final between Man- Dortmund turned on the style at Ber- fi fth time in the club’s history. line-up after a leg injury kept him out mate Alexander Sorloth fi red into the 4-0 with the goal at his mercy with an chester City and English Pre- lin’s Olympic Stadium, converting all of “It’s unbelievable, I am proud of the of the two previous games, including side netting. Sancho grabbed his second hour gone. Olmo pulled a goal back on mier League rivals Chelsea. their three fi rst-half shots on target to morale the team has shown in the last Saturday’s 3-2 home win over Leipzig just before the half-time whistle when 71 minutes when he slotted home from Thousands of English football sweep Leipzig aside as Sancho netted few weeks,” said captain Marco Reus in a dress rehearsal for the fi nal. Sancho, he tapped into an empty net from Reus’ the edge of the area. fans can be expected to de- twice either side of a superb Haaland as Dortmund have also recently got who also scored twice on Saturday, put pass after Dortmund opened Leipzig’s Sancho squandered a late chance to scend on the venue although goal. “I am very happy that I could score back into the Bundesliga’s Champions Dortmund ahead with just fi ve minutes defence before the VAR confi rmed there claim his hat-trick when he waited a governing body UEFA has to two goals and set up one for Haaland,” League places. gone. After Dortmund captain Marco was no off side. Leipzig were much im- fraction too long after rounding Gulacsi date only confirmed that up Sancho said. The England winger could Defeat in Berlin dashed Nagelsmann’s Reus robbed Kevin Kampl of posses- proved in the second-half. and scuff ed his shot before Haaland to 6,000 tickets will be made have claimed a hat-trick late on after hopes of winning the fi rst senior title of sion, the ball was worked to the edge of With his side 3-0 down at half- netted his second to send the title to available to each club. rounding Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gu- his coaching career before leaving after the area, where Sancho curled his shot time, Nagelsmann swapped both for- Dortmund.

FOCUS LA LIGA Monaco end fourth-division Real Madrid keep pressure on Atletico AFP Rumilly-Vallieres’ Cup fairytale Madrid

AFP Paris eal Madrid kept the pressure on Atletico Madrid by thrashing Gra- nada 4-1 on Thursday to reduce the onaco ended the gap to two points at the top of La fairytale French Cup Liga,R with two games left to play. run of fourth-tier A draw or defeat for Real Madrid would Rumilly-Vallieres on have given Atletico the chance to win the ti- MThursday with a 5-1 semi-fi nal tle on Sunday by beating Osasuna but goals win setting-up a fi nal clash with from Luka Modric, Rodrygo, Alvaro Odrio- Paris Saint-Germain. Rumilly- zola and Karim Benzema secured a comfort- Vallieres, who are based in the able victory at Los Carmenes. sleepy Alpine region of Hau- Atletico could still be crowned champions te-Savoie, on the border with this weekend if they overcome Osasuna and Switzerland, were only formed Real Madrid fail to win away at Athletic Bil- in 2018. They had to play nine bao but the Spanish title race has been full rounds in the cup since October of surprises and still nothing is guaranteed. with wins including one walko- “We’re still in it,” said Real coach Zinedine ver and three victories on pen- Rumilly Vallieres Ferhat Yuce (right) fights for the ball with Monaco’s Zidane. “There are two games left, we have alties. On Thursday, they briefl y Aurelien Tchouuameni during the French Cup semi-final. (AFP) to deliver and today we delivered.” dreamed of a fi nal showdown Even third-placed Barcelona are still in Granada’s Portuguese defender Domingos Duarte (left) vies for the ball with Real Madrid’s with mighty PSG when they took Monaco formed a guard of zilian incur a suspension. The the running, even if Tuesday’s 3-3 draw Croatian midfielder Luka Modric in the La Liga on Thursday night. (AFP) the lead after just 20 minutes honour for their unheralded op- world’s most expensive player away at Levante leaves them needing an in- through Alexi Peuget’s eff ort. ponents after the game. was shown a yellow card not credible swing of results if they are to over- Zidane has been as loyal as ever to his age- with a sliding challenge near the half-way But seven minutes later, Mo- The fi nal takes place in Paris long after coming on as a late turn a four-point defi cit in two games. ing core this season but necessity has forced line. Rodrygo advanced into the penalty area naco, who are third in Ligue 1 and on Wednesday where Monaco substitute in the last-four tie in The theme of Real Madrid’s challenge in him to turn to look elsewhere and it remains and drove into the far corner. still in with a chance of the title, will be looking to avenge their Montpellier, triggering a one- recent weeks has been survival, their squad to be seen whether he shows more trust in Madrid’s dominance faded after the break were level when Arthur Bozon defeat to PSG in the last fi nal game ban that had been hanging stretched to its limits by injuries and absen- the likes of Miguel and Marvin in future. and Granada briefl y threatened a come- put through his own goal. Aure- they played — a 1-0 extra-time over him since he was sent off in tees but a particularly youthful team pro- The veterans delivered again too, the back, a long ball forward not dealt with by lien Tchouameni made it 2-1 by loss in 2010. PSG squeaked past a Ligue 1 match against Lille last duced a vibrant display to see off a Granada 35-year-old Modric adding a goal to an- Eder Militao, giving Luis Suarez the chance the interval before Wissam Ben Montpellier 6-5 on penalties in month. PSG could still appeal side that earlier this month beat Barca at other instrumental performance, in what to shoot and Jorge Molina to tap in the re- Yedder (55th minute), Cesc Fab- their semi-fi nal on Wednesday. the ban, thereby potentially re- Camp Nou. Zidane started three 20-year- was his 55th appearance of the season. Ben- bound. But the tension was never really al- regas (78) and Aleksandr Golovin Spot kicks were required after the leasing him to play against Mo- olds and a 19-year-old in what was arguably, zema scored his 29th goal of the campaign lowed to build because four minutes later, (82) completed the formalities. two sides were all square at 2-2 naco in the fi nal at the Stade de given the stakes, the club’s most important and 22nd in La Liga, which leaves him two Madrid made it three. Eden Hazard, on off “We will remember the magi- after normal time in Montpellier. France, which will go ahead be- league game of the season and his young- short of his record. Madrid were excellent the bench, miscontrolled Modric’s pass but cal moments of our adventure hind closed doors. sters delivered. in the fi rst half and took the lead in the 17th recovered with an impressive pull-back for such as the departure for the sta- SUSPENDED NEYMAR TO The former Barcelona su- The 19-year-old Miguel Gutierrez started minute when Miguel cut in the from left the arriving Odriozola to fi nish. dium with thousands of people in MISS FRENCH CUP FINAL perstar, who last week signed a at right back and gave a spectacular assist and scooped a superb pass into the path of Thirty seconds after Granada kicked off , the town,” said Rumilly-Vallieres Neymar, though, will not play for contract extension to keep him for Modric’s opener while the 20-year-old Modric, who held off Domingos Duarte and they conceded a fourth, their goalkeeper Rui coach Fatsah Amghar. “It’s a mo- PSG in next week’s French Cup in Paris until 2025, scored the Marvin Park played at left back and made fi red in at the near post. Silva making a mess of Casemiro’s launched ment that will remain unforget- fi nal after a booking in Wednes- only goal when PSG beat Saint- the recovery that led to the 20-year-old Ro- Rodrygo added a second just before half- pass forward, with the ball spilling out to table.” day’s semi-fi nal saw the Bra- Etienne in last season’s fi nal. drygo adding a second. time, profi ting after Marvin had freed him Benzema, who had an open net. Gulf Times Saturday, May 15, 2021 5 SPORT

NBA Rodriguez group reportedly poised to buy NBA Timberwolves Suns keep Blazers waiting, Spurs punch play-in ticket Heat dominate 76ers 106-94 to deny the Sixers a chance to secure top seed in East Former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez and tech mogul Marc Lore are close to completing a $1.5bn deal to buy AFP the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves, multiple US media outlets Los Angeles, United States reported on Thursday. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, 80, has an agreement on the sale of the NBA team and the WNBA’s Lynx, although neither party evin Booker drained two free has publicly announced an agreement. The Star Tribune, citing throws with 2.4 seconds re- an unnamed source, reported that Rodriguez and Lore are 50-50 maining to lift Phoenix to a 118- partners in the deal, which would have to be approved by the 117 victory over Portland that NBA’s Board of Governors. Taylor has said that any deal to sell the keptD the Suns in the hunt for the top seed team would include a commitment to keep the club in Minnesota. in the NBA Western Conference playoff s. ESPN reported that Taylor, who bought the club in 1994 for $88mn The narrow victory in a tense duel that to prevent them from moving to New Orleans, has said he intends saw 25 lead changes along with 18 ties to continue to run the club for two more seasons, eventually prevented the Trail Blazers from offi cially handing over full control in 2023. locking up their playoff spot. Veteran point guard Chris Paul paced the Suns with 26 points, one of seven Free agent CB Dre Kirkpatrick visiting Phoenix players to score in double fi gures. Pats: report Forward Mikal Bridges and reserve Cameron Payne had 21 points apiece and Veteran cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick is visiting the New England Booker fi nished with 18 as the Suns with- Patriots, NFL Network reported on Thursday. The 31-year-old free stood a 41-point performance from Blaz- agent started 11 of his 14 games with the Arizona Cardinals in ers guard Damian Lillard that was sup- 2020 following an eight-year run with the Cincinnati Bengals. He plemented by 27 from CJ McCollum. registered 56 tackles and three interceptions with the Cardinals, Lillard’s driving layup with 34.7 sec- boosting his career totals to 358 tackles, 13 picks and three sacks onds remaining put the Trail Blazers up in 113 games (78 starts). He has returned two interceptions for 117-114, but Bridges narrowed the gap touchdowns in his career, one against Baltimore’s Joe Flacco with two free throws. in 2013 and another against Denver’s Peyton Manning in 2014. After a Lillard miss from three-point Cincinnati selected Kirkpatrick in the first round (17th overall) of range, Booker handed the Trail Blazers a the 2012 NFL Draft out of Alabama. lifeline as he was whistled for travelling as he tried to spin away from Carmelo An- thony, giving Portland the ball. Denver Broncos cut WR DaeSean The Blazers couldn’t take advantage, Hamilton: report however, Robert Covington missing two free throws. The Suns had a last in- The Denver Broncos have cut wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton bounds chance after a timeout and after after failing to find a trade partner for the three-year player, NFL Portland’s Norman Powell was called for Network reported on Thursday. Hamilton, 26, was scheduled to a foul Booker stepped up and made two make $2.183mn this season in a crowded depth chart. Hamilton free-throws to settle it. finished fifth on the team in receiving yards (293) in 2020. With “That’s a good team we played over Devin Booker (third from left) of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with teammate Dario Saric (centre) after the win over Portland Trail Courtland Sutton (ACL) scheduled to return this season, Hamilton there,” Paul said. “We knew Dame was go- Blazers in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, on Thursday. (AFP) would be buried behind Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler ing to get going late and we held them off .” as well. Hamilton had 81 career receptions for 833 yards and Lillard scored 24 of his 41 points in the in Memphis. lyn Nets atop the East. five touchdowns in 46 games (nine starts) for the Broncos, who fourth quarter, but his trademark “Dame RESULTS In Miami, the Heat were in control The Milwaukee Bucks moved within selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Time” heroics weren’t enough for a Port- throughout, taking a 9-6 lead early in one game of the idle Nets for the second land team that dropped to sixth in the West, LA Clippers 113-90 Charlotte the fi rst quarter that they wouldn’t relin- seed with a 142-133 victory over the Indi- Yankees put Torres on Covid list as a half a game behind Dallas with one game Milwaukee 142-133 Indiana quish. ana Pacers. remaining against Denver on Sunday. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 21 Two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Atlanta 116-96 Orlando eighth vaccinated positive The Suns, meanwhile, are one game points, fi ve rebounds and four assists. Player Giannis Antetokounmpo scored behind Utah for fi rst in the West with two Miami 106-94 Philadelphia “I think we’re getting to where we’re 40 points, pulled down 15 rebounds and New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres was named Thursday games to play. New York 102-98 San Antonio ready for the playoff s,” Butler said. “I like handed out six assists for the Bucks, rid- as the Major League Baseball club’s eighth vaccinated positive Elsewhere, the Miami Heat dominated Memphis 116-110 Sacramento our chances against anybody, honestly. ing roughshod over a Pacers team that Covid-19 case and placed on the coronavirus injured list. The US the Philadelphia 76ers 106-94, denying Nobody intimidates us.” had just 10 players in uniform because of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking into the Sixers a chance to secure the top seed Chicago 114-102 Toronto Tobias Harris paced the 76ers with 21 injuries. the outbreak of “breakthrough” vaccinated positives after the in the Eastern Conference. Denver 114-103 Minnesota points while MVP candidate Joel Embiid Antetokounmpo connected on 14 of 18 Yankees received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine last The defending Eastern Conference Phoenix 118-117 Portland managed just six points on three-of-nine shots from the fi eld, throwing down nine month. The Yankees were allowed to relax certain Covid-19 proto- champion Heat notched a fourth straight shooting in the face of Miami’s suff ocat- dunks. cols after 85 percent of the organisation was vaccinated, including victory with the post-season approach- ing defense. “Honestly, I was like he could have laid not having to quarantine after close contact with a virus-positive ing, although they remained in fi fth Despite falling in New York, the Spurs Heat veteran Udonis Haslem, at almost it in but he was trying to make a state- person. Torres, who had Covid-19 in the past off -season, joined a place in the East with two regular-season grabbed a spot in the play-in tourna- 41 the oldest active player in the league, ment,” Bucks guard Jrue Holiday said. set of Yankees positives that includes pitching coach Matt Blake, games remaining. ment, in which the seventh through 10th- made a brief but memorable season de- “And I’m with that. Make a statement. I third-base coach Phil Nevin, first-base coach Reggie Willits and They are half a game behind the placed teams in each conference will bat- but, coming off the bench to play 2 min- loved it.” four members of the Yankees’ travelling staff . The coaching and fourth-placed Atlanta Hawks, who beat tle for the fi nal two playoff spots. utes and 40 seconds before he was ejected Khris Middleton scored 22 points and staff positives are all under quarantine protocol in Tampa, Florida. the Orlando Magic 116-93 on Thursday. in the second quarter after a tussle with Brook Lopez added 21 for the Bucks, who The New York Knicks remained in sixth GIANNIS STATEMENT Philadelphia’s Dwight Howard. pushed the lead to double digits in the place after their 102-98 victory over the San Antonio advanced when the Sacra- The 76ers lost their second straight but third quarter when they out-scored the San Antonio Spurs. mento Kings fell 116-110 to the Grizzlies remained one game in front of the Brook- Pacers 40-30. FOCUS NHL NHL playoff s Avalanche rout Kings to clinch Presidents’ Trophy open today while

Reuters New York, United States Canadian teams wait

AFP Boston was powered by Brad yson Jost scored two goals and Washington, United States Marchand, who scored 29 goals the Colorado Avalanche clinched this season, while the Capi- home-ice advantage throughout tals were sparked by Russian the Stanley Cup playoff s with a anadian teams will still star Alex Ovechkin, who scored T5-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings on be completing the regu- 24 goals this season and with Thursday in Denver. lar season while the Na- 730 career goals rank six on the The Avalanche won the Presidents’ tional Hockey League NHL’s all-time list. Trophy for the fi rst time since 2000-01, Cplayoff s begin today with the Penguins star Sidney Crosby, the last season in which they won the Boston Bruins visiting the Wash- a three-time Stanley Cup cham- Stanley Cup. ington Capitals. pion and two-time Olympic gold Andre Burakovsky had a goal and an A campaign truncated due to medalist with 24 goals and 38 as- assist, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Covid-19 saw seven Canadian sists, will lead Pittsburgh against Joonas Donskoi each scored for the Ava- clubs put into one division play- the Islanders. lanche (39-13-4, 82 points), who will play ing each other to avoid US-Can- Defending champion Tampa the St. Louis Blues in the fi rst round of the ada virus travel restrictions. Bay will open on Sunday against playoff s. The Toronto Maple Leafs, the Florida Panthers but it was Conor Timmins and Mikko Rantanen chasing their fi rst Stanley Cup the Carolina Hurricanes who each had two assists, and Colorado goalie since 1967, boast the NHL’s top captured the Central division Jonas Johansson made 21 saves. goal scorer in Auston Matthews title, the team’s fi rst divisional Colorado went 5-3-0 against the Blues with 41. crown since winning its only this season. They have already clinched Stanley Cup in 2006. Rantanen logged fi ve assists in the last the all-Canadian division crown The Hurricanes, who begin two games to fi nish with the team lead in over second-place Edmonton, their fi rst-round series at home points at 66 (30 goals, 36 assists). Nathan powered by center Connor Mc- Monday against Nashville, are MacKinnon, who sat out the fi nal two Colorado Avalanche centre Tyson Jost (centre) celebrates his goal during the second period of the NHL game against the Los David, who has 33 goals and a ignited by Sweden’s Sebastian regular-season games due to an unnamed Angeles Kings at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, United States, on Thursday. (USA TODAY Sports) league-best 71 assists. Aho, who has 24 goals and 33 as- injury, wound up with 65 points (20 goals, The Leafs won’t open against sists this season. 45 assists). 5-1 lead. ing the lead to 4-1 at 16:50. Montreal in a fi rst-round show- The Vegas Golden Knights Sean Walker scored and Troy Grosenick Jost scored Colorado’s fi rst two. RESULTS Burakovsky fi nished off the second- down until Thursday while Ed- had the most wins in the NHL made 38 saves for Los Angeles (21-28-7, He netted a wrist shot from just above period barrage by scoring with 1:02 left to monton and Winnipeg open this season, capturing 40 of 56 49 points). The Kings matched their sea- the circle to tie it 1-1 at 9:46, then cut to St. Louis 7-3 Minnesota make it 5-1. their best-of-seven series on games, but Colorado could still son high with their fi fth straight loss (0- the net and redirected a shot from Ran- Calgary 4-1 Vancouver Grosenick was making just the fourth Wednesday. top them for the West division 4-1) and were outscored 11-1 in the fi nal tanen to make it 2-1 at 11:38. Colorado 5-1 Los Angeles start of his NHL career. He made his only The Bruins and Capitals both crown on tiebreakers. two games against the Avalanche. Grosenick made fi ve straight saves be- other start this season against the Anahe- lost out in the East division to The eventual division cham- The Kings scored with 45 seconds left fore Bellemare came in behind on a re- im Ducks on March 10, when he made 33 the Pittsburgh Penguins, who pion will open against St. Louis in the fi rst period to take a 1-0 lead, but bound and pushed in the puck to make it ing for the second consecutive game. saves in a 5-1 victory. His other two NHL will begin their fi rst-round series starting on Monday with the the Avalanche scored fi ve times over the 3-1 at 14:26. He batted the puck into the net after it starts came during the 2014-15 season against the New York Islanders runner-up opening on Sunday fi nal 10:14 of the second period to grab a Donskoi joined Bellemare by also scor- caromed in the air off Grosenick, stretch- with the San Jose Sharks. on Sunday. against Minnesota. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, May 15, 2021 SPORT

MLB NFL Tom Brady Sr ‘salivating’ over Brewers’ Burnes sets Bucs-Patriots clash

Reuters “We expect to beat the Patriots New York, United States rather handily, frankly.” The son quickly took to social media and off ered a much diff er- strikeout record in om Brady appears to be ent view of the game. bracing for an awkward “It’s like when your high Burnes sets record for reunion when his Tampa school friends meet your col- Bay Buccaneers visit his lege friends,” Brady, 43, wrote on consecutive strikeouts without Tformer team, the New England Twitter. Patriots, on October 3. The younger Brady will return a walk, extending his run to 58 The quarterback’s father, Tom to his former NFL home as a sev- loss to Cards Brady Sr, had a much diff erent en-time Super Bowl champion, Reuters take, however. his latest coming last year in his New York, United States The father is anxiously await- fi rst season with the Buccaneers. ing his son’s return to Gillette “I think that the fans at Gil- Stadium in Foxborough, Mas- lette will embrace him until the olan Arenado had three hits and sachusetts, after the latter spent opening kickoff , and then they’re drove in a run as the visiting St. the fi rst 20 seasons of his NFL gonna boo the hell out of him, Louis Cardinals posted a 2-0 career with the Patriots. which is great,” Brady Sr said. win over the Milwaukee Brew- “I saw the schedule come out “I think the fans appreciate Ners in the rubber match of a three-game last night, and I started salivat- everything he’s done. I assume series on Thursday. ing when I saw that we play the that the fans have appreciated Arenado’s two-out single off right- Patriots in the fourth game of the everything he’s done for them hander Corbin Burnes (2-3) in the fi rst in- season and that we’re coming up for 20 years, but at the same time ning scored Tommy Edman, who singled here to make our record 4-0 after they’re Patriots fans, they’re not to lead off the game. the fourth game,” Brady Sr said Buccaneers fans. So while you’re Burnes set the all-time record for con- on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Bos- rooting for Tommy, you’re root- secutive strikeouts without a walk, ex- ton on Thursday morning. ing against the Buccaneers.” tending his run to 58 before issuing his fi rst free pass of the season in the fi fth in- ning. The old mark of 56 was held by Ger- SPOTLIGHT rit Cole (2021) and Curt Schilling (2002), with Cole’s streak still active. The old record for strikeouts without a walk to begin a season was 51, held by Amor, Ryles leave Kenley Jansen (2017). Jack Flaherty (7-0) struck out six and gave up four hits over six innings for St. Jones’ England Louis, which won for the 15th time in its last 20 games. coaching team ROCKIES 13-8 REDS Josh Fuentes homered among his three Reuters departure of Amor and Ryles. hits and drove in a career-high four runs, Bengaluru, India Amor was previously England Garrett Hampson also went deep, and men’s sevens head coach be- host Colorado beat Cincinnati. tween 2013 and 2019, and also led Chi Chi Gonzalez threw seven shut- ngland attack coach Si- Team GB to a silver medal at the out innings, Yonathan Daza had three mon Amor and skills 2016 Rio Olympics. hits and Ryan McMahon, Connor Joe and coach Jason Ryles have “My 7-1/2 years with the RFU Raimel Tapia had two hits each for Colo- Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family left their roles in Ed- has been a fantastic experience,” rado. Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, on Thursday. (AFP) dieE Jones’ backroom staff , the he said in a statement. Jonathan India had two hits in the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said “Leading the England Sevens eighth inning, including a three-run and J D Martinez had his team-leading INDIANS 4-2 MARINERS yesterday. programme to success, includ- homer, while Tyler Stephenson also OTHER RESULTS 33rd RBI for the Red Sox. Boston re- Zach Plesac pitched eight innings of two- Amor and the RFU have mu- ing all we achieved culturally, homered for the Reds. Cincinnati center claimed a share of the major league lead hit, two-run ball as Cleveland won at tually decided to part company, and bringing together the men’s fi elder Nick Senzel left in the third in- White Sox 4-2 Twins in wins with 23. Seattle. The right-hander, who had been while Ryles has decided to stay in and women’s game, is some- ning with a left heel contusion and Mike Blue Jays 8-4 Braves Ex-Red Sox fi rst baseman Mitch More- on the losing end of two no-hitters this Australia with his family due to thing I look back on with real Moustakas left in the fi fth inning with an Nationals 5-1 Phillies land went 2-for-4 for the A’s and Matt season, held the Mariners hitless through the Covid-19 pandemic. pride. apparent hand injury. Olson drove in the lone run for Oakland, the fi rst seven innings. After winning the Six Na- “I will always be grateful to Marlins 5-1 Diamondbacks which had won four of fi ve and seven of Plesac (3-3) walked three and struck tions and Autumn Nations Cup Eddie for providing me with the ASTROS 4-3 RANGERS (11) Rays 9-1 Yankees its last 10. out two. Emmanuel Clase got two outs in in 2020, England have suff ered opportunity to coach my coun- Myles Straw scored on a wild pitch with Tigers 4-3 Royals the ninth but then walked the next three a severe slump in form in recent try’s senior XVs team and to fur- two outs in the 11th inning as Houston GIANTS 3-1 PIRATES batters to load the bases. Bryan Shaw months and fi nished fi fth in the ther develop my skills amongst claimed a walk-off victory over visiting Steven Duggar homered and Anthony came on to strike out Luis Torrens for his Six Nations, which led to an in- some of the best and most ex- Texas. inning. Foltynewicz gave up eight hits DeSclafani allowed one hit over fi ve fi rst save of the season. depth RFU review. perienced players and coaches in With the bases loaded and Chas Mc- and three walks while striking out three. scoreless innings as visiting San Francis- Franmil Reyes and Jose Ramirez hit The review was completed the game.” Cormick facing a 1-2 count, Texas left- co downed Pittsburgh in a series opener. home runs for the Indians, who spoiled last month with the RFU stand- For the summer matches hander Brett Martin uncorked a curveball RED SOX 8-1 ATHLETICS Mike Yastrzemski added an RBI triple the major league debut of Logan Gilbert ing by Jones, who has a contract against Scotland A, United that handcuff ed catcher Jonah Heim and Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run home run for the Giants, who have won three games (0-1). through to the 2023 World Cup States and Canada, Jones will allowed Straw to score from third base. and fi nished with three RBIs as host Bos- in a row. DeSclafani (3-1) walked one and The Seattle right-hander allowed four in France. take charge of the England at- Houston managed just three runs in ton snapped a three-game losing streak struck out fi ve. The only hit he gave up runs on fi ve hits in four innings, with no However, the fallout from tack, before a new appointment fi ve innings off Mike Foltynewicz, all of and avoided a three-game sweep by Oak- was Jacob Stallings’ single in the fi rst. walks and fi ve strikeouts. The Mariners England’s poor Six Nations title is made ahead of the autumn in- them coming on a bases-clearing double land. Will Craig homered for the Pirates, got a two-run homer from Dylan Moore defence has now resulted in the ternationals. by Jose Altuve with one out in the second Bobby Dalbec added a two-run homer who are 3-11 in their past 14. in the eighth.

SUPER RUGBY Reds crash in trans-Tasman opener, Hurricanes score 10 tries

AFP tahs lost their ninth straight Wellington, New Zealand game in going down 64-48 to the Hurricanes, scoring seven tries but conceding 10. ewly-crowned Aus- It was the highest aggregate FOCUS tralian champions score ever between the two Queensland Reds re- teams and the most points the ceived a harsh reality Wellington-based side have Ncheck when Kiwi also-rans Ota- scored against them. South Africa planning go Highlanders outclassed them “Didn’t expect that score- yesterday as the Hurricanes beat line,” said Hurricanes skipper the NSW Waratahs in a 17-try Dane Coles. “We got some good to stage Lions tour thriller on the opening day of tries but our defence needs Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. some work.” The Highlanders scored six All Black Julian Savea scored behind closed doors tries to three in Dunedin for a the opener after just three min- 40-19 win in the new-format utes in a well-executed move AFP SA Rugby said the fi xtures, tournament, which pits Aus- from a lineout. Johannesburg, South Africa including the three-Test series tralian and New Zealand clubs But in a confi dence-booster against the Springboks, were be- against each other for the fi rst the Waratahs struck straight ing organised on the basis they time since the pandemic ended back with Alex Newsome outh Africa rugby chiefs would take place without fans the old Super Rugby competi- breaching the defence. said yesterday they were present. tion. It was end-to-end action and planning for all matches “We are hopeful that restric- The Reds, fresh from a thrill- Billy Proctor added a second try on the British and Irish tions on attendance at sports ing win over ACT Brumbies in for the visitors after an electric LionsS tour to be played behind events will be relaxed but, for the the Super AU fi nal, were com- counter-attack, only for the closed doors, with the coronavi- moment, we are planning for an prehensively outplayed, un- Waratahs to reply with Angus rus pandemic forcing changes to event behind closed doors,” said derlining the challenge facing Bell crossing. the schedule. SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Australian teams against their Ben Donaldson nailed a A revised itinerary for the eight Roux. well-drilled Kiwi counterparts. penalty for the home side to fi xtures has been published, with “If that requirement changes, “It’s very frustrating, the put them in front before Jor- alterations made to reduce travel then we’ll assess the options Highlanders were very good Action from the Super Rugby match between Otago Highlanders (in black) and Queensland Reds (in die Barrett then Coles and and create stable team bases. available and make the necessary tonight, they pressured us and maroon and blue) in Dunedin, New Zealand, yesterday. (Twitter/SuperRugby) Proctor scored three more “All eight matches of the tour decisions based on the restric- made the most of our mistakes. quick tries as the Hurricanes will be played in Gauteng or Cape tions in place.” Unfortunately we kept making soon after. But the Highlanders Suliasi Vunivalu scored two unknown again — there were took control, going to the Town to minimise the risks of South Africa is Africa’s worst them in the wrong areas,” Reds responded with relentless at- spectacular, carbon-copy tries tries to each side in the fi rst fi ve break 33-24 ahead. disruption that could be caused virus-hit country, accounting co-captain Liam Wright said. tacks and were rewarded when at the beginning of the second minutes and it was a real ding- In a breathless second half, by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said for about a third of all cases in They scored the opening try Ash Dixon barged over for their half for the Reds, but the High- dong battle in that fi rst half,” Savea, Brayden Iose, Peter Um- a joint statement from SA Rugby the region. in just 35 seconds when centre second try. landers retained a comfortable said Highlanders skipper Aaron aga-Jensen, Asafo Aumua and and the Lions. South African Health Minister Scott Gregory crossed after Reds Winger Sio Tomkinson buff er as Dixon scored his sec- Smith. Pepesana Patafi lo all bagged There is one team change in the Zweli Mkhize warned last week halfback Kalani Thomas turned made it 21-7 at the break, with ond and late eff orts from Liam tries for the visitors with Harry revised schedule, with the Johan- of a looming third wave of infec- over the ball. Queensland’s co-captain James Coltman and Ngantungane ‘DIDN’T EXPECT THAT’ Johnson-Holmes, Lachie Swin- nesburg-based Emirates Lions re- tions likely to coincide with the Thomas redeemed himself O’Connor failing to return for the Punivai earned the win. In an incredible clash at the Syd- ton and Jack Maddocks dotting placing the SA Invitational side in upcoming southern hemisphere when he stretched out to score second half after a head knock. “You had that feeling of the ney Cricket Ground, the Wara- down for the Waratahs. the tour opener on July 3. winter. Gulf Times Saturday, May 15, 2021 7 SPORT

GOLF Spieth shares Byron Nelson lead aft er bogey-free 63 Three-time major winner sank a 55-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th to match JJ Spaun atop the leaderboard after 18 holes

AFP “The roar was pretty electric. It’s just birdie there was kind of cool. It’s almost Washington fun. It’s just awesome feeling the sup- like the nerves that you feel fi rst shot at port. We’re not necessarily doing it for a major, Ryder Cup, and just to make a the roars, but it’s a cool bonus at the birdie just calmly, I thought that gave ne week before playing for a end when it caps off a round like that.” me a lot of confi dence to start out.” career Grand Slam, home- Spaun, seeking his fi rst PGA title, Spieth was out for four weeks after town hero Jordan Spieth fi red began on the back nine and sank nine the Masters, half of the time after con- a bogey-free nine-under par birdies, none of them from beyond tracting Covid-19. “First round walking 63O yesterday to share the lead at the US just over six feet. “Played really solid. since the Masters,” Spieth said. “I no- PGA Byron Nelson tournament. Took advantage of the soft conditions,” ticed it in my legs. It’s just one of those Three-time major winner Spieth Spaun said. “You try to attack when things. For me I noticed it in my swings sank a 55-foot eagle putt on the par- you can. You kind of swing away. I just coming down the stretch. Just got lazy 5 18th at TPC Craig Ranch to match stayed in the moment, made some good in my lower body. On 18 I just said, This American JJ Spaun atop the leaderboard putts, and eventually I’m signing for is the last one you got to do today. Let’s after 18 holes at McKinney, Texas. 9-under.” give it everything you got, and roasted a “It broke left to right at the begin- Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello shared 3-wood and capped it off with the putt.” ning and the rest of it was straight,” third on 64 with Americans Aaron Spieth said of his fi nal shot. “I’m just Wise, Doc Redman and Joseph Bram- trying to get to tap-in and cap off a lett. A pack on 65 included England’s LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES Luke Donald, Spain’s Sergio Garcia, good day, and I kind of started leaning (USA unless noted, par-72): because I thought it was going to miss Irishman Seamus Power and South Af- left and it just kind of fell in the left side rican Charl Schwartzel. 63 — JJ Spaun, Jordan Spieth of the hole.” Spieth sank a 12-foot birdie putt at 64 — Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP), Aaron It was a sizzling start for the 27-year- the opening hole, went on to birdie four Wise, Doc Redman, Joseph Bramlett old Dallas native, who will try to com- of the fi rst six holes and made another 65 — Ben Martin, Seamus Power (IRL), plete a career Grand Slam next week at the par-5 ninth from just outside six by winning the PGA Championship at weeks. He tapped in or birdie at the par- Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Luke Donald Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Spieth 5 12th, sank a six-footer to birdie 13 and (ENG), Sergio Garcia (ESP), Sam Burns, snapped a four-year win drought dat- made four pars before his closing eagle. Mark Hubbard, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN), ing back to the 2017 British Open by “I could certainly look back and say Alex Noren (SWE), KH Lee (KOR), capturing the Texas Open last month, I missed a couple pretty easy putts, but Charles Howell, Michael Gligic (CAN) winning the week before the Masters, I also made the one on 18,” said Spieth, 66 — Marc Leishman (AUS), Sebastian where he shared third. who was nervous at the fi rst tee. “I had Munoz (COL), Brandt Snedeker, Pad- Jordan Spieth hits an approach shot on Spectators were backing Spieth nerves on number one like it was the raig Harrington (IRL), Adam Schenk, the 13th hole fairway during the round and unleashed a massive roar when he fi rst shot of the season. I didn’t practice Roger Sloan (CAN), Jonas Blixt (SWE), one of the Byron Nelson championship in dropped the fi nal putt. “I think late in for three weeks straight, which is very Bo Hoag, Scott Brown, Wyndham Clark, McKinney, Texas on Thursday. (AFP) the round they got some swing juice in unusual. Normally two days off is the Kim Si-woo (KOR), Ted Potter, Rhein them, and that certainly had something most during a season, so I was pretty Gibson (AUS), Kris Ventura (NOR), to do with it,” Spieth said. nervous getting started. To make the Dylan Meyer

SPOTLIGHT CRICKET Pepperell leads at British Masters England coach Silverwood to take a break

AFP London during Sri Lanka and Pakistan ODIs

AFP ngland’s Eddie Pepperell London was in position to win the British Masters for the second time in four ngland cricket coach Chris yearsE after moving to the top of Silverwood will “pass on the reins” the leaderboard heading into the to assistants Graham Thorpe and fi nal round. Pepperell holed from Paul Collingwood during the up- 40 feet for a birdie on the 18th comingE one-day series at home to Sri Lanka at The Belfry to record a third- and Pakistan as he bids to get “refreshed” round score of 68. amid a congested fi xture schedule. At 10 under par, Pepperell England have a busy home campaign, enjoyed a one-shot lead over which also includes T20s against Sri Lanka Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and Pakistan, as well as seven Tests — two and Calum Hill, the Italian pair against New Zealand and fi ve against India of Edoardo Molinari and Gui- — ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup in In- do Migliozzo, Poland’s Adrian dia and the 2021/22 Ashes tour of Australia. Meronk and South Africa’s Dean Silverwood, having been ever present Burmester. England’s Eddie Pepperell plays a shot during the third round of the during three months away with the squad England’s Andy Sullivan and British Masters in Sutton Coldfield, Britain. (Reuters) on tours of Sri Lanka and India at the start of Dave Coupland were part of a the year, believes the rest and rotation policy four-strong group on eight un- MICKELSON RECEIVES 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 England are adopting with their players also der, with tournament host and SPECIAL EXEMPTION and 2013. applies to the coaching staff , with ‘bubble’ Former Masters winner Danny INTO US OPEN If Mickelson should win the cricket continuing to taking place in the Willett and former Ryder Cup Five-time major winner Phil US Open, he would join Tiger shadow of the coronavirus pandemic. teammate Chris Wood another Mickelson has received a rare Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gene “I’ll be passing the reins on for the ODI stroke adrift. special exemption into the 121st Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Gary series,” Silverwood told reporters. “Thorpey Pepperell was in the world’s US Open, where he will try to Player as the only players to cap- will do one and Colly will do the other and top 35 after winning this event complete a career Grand Slam, ture all four major titles in their I’ll use it as my break in between to refresh at Walton Heath in 2018, but has the US Golf Association said. careers. Mickelson has won 44 and get ready for what is ahead of us.” fallen down the rankings and The 50-year-old American career US PGA Tour titles and Silverwood, now in charge of picking the began the week 210th. “I think left-hander has never won the played on 12 Ryder Cup and 12 team after England abolished Ed Smith’s confi dence returns quite quickly, US Open but has fi nished second Presidents Cup teams. position of national selector, said he had you don’t have and build a team that way,” Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and although I’ve been awful to be a record six times and will make The only other US Open spe- to take a break to ensure he was at his best. explained Silverwood, who played just Moeen Ali would all normally come into honest so I don’t feel that confi - his 30th start in the event when cial exemptions issued in the past “You saw that during the winter that we six Tests for England compared to the 168 consideration. dent,” Pepperell said. it is staged June 17-20 at Torrey 10 years were to South African tried to do that with our players to the best shared by Thorpe and Collingwood between Following the IPL’s recent suspension in “I’ve still got things going on Pines, near Mickelson’s San Di- Retief Goosen in 2016, American of our ability. It’s equally as important we do them. But he admitted stepping back from the face of the worsening Covid-19 crisis in in the swing that I can feel aren’t ego home. Jim Furyk in 2018 and South Af- that with the staff .” the fray would be diffi cult. “I do fi nd it hard India, the players’ mandatory 10-day isola- where they once were and can Mickelson won the Masters in rican Ernie Els in 2018 and 2019. Silverwood said he planned to leave his to switch off but I’ll do my best...I will defi - tion period expires at the weekend. But that cause me aggro, so the game still 2004, 2006 and 2010, the PGA Hale Irwin is only player to win deputies and captain Eoin Morgan in charge nitely have a week...My missus has already leaves them with just over a fortnight until feels diffi cult. I remember the Championship in 2005 and the on a special exemption, doing so of selection for the Sri Lanka and Pakistan booked us a little getaway up in Norfolk the fi rst Test against New Zealand at Lord’s. game feeling easier when I was British Open in 2013. His last in 1990. It will be the fi rst major ODIS. “If I am giving them responsibility, I (eastern England) somewhere.” Ben Stokes is injured and fast bowler Jofra playing better a few years ago. top-10 eff ort in a major was at at Torrey Pines since Woods won have to learn to back off ,” said Silverwood. Meanwhile, England’s Indian Premier Archer is starting to make his comeback, That’s what I’m trying to get the 2016 British Open. Mickel- the 2008 US Open in a playoff “As players, they played a lot more in- League players are unlikely to be rushed Ollie Robinson and Craig Overton could be back to and I’m confi dent I will.” son was a US Open runner-up in over Rocco Mediate. ternational cricket than me, so you sur- back from quarantine for next month’s Tests in contention after impressing in the early round yourself with the things that maybe against New Zealand. Jos Buttler, Jonny rounds of the County Championship.

FOCUS South Africa, Australia, Pakistan to tour West Indies Slim chance IPL can be completed St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda: West cure safety protocols, with players and FIXTURES: Indies will prepare for the defence of their team off icials undergoing regular tests for West Indies v South Africa: June 10-14, 1st in UK, Middle East: Rajasthan owner T20 World Cup crown with three home Covid-19. A CWI release said it is yet to be Test, St Lucia; June 18-22, 2nd Test, St Lu- series between June and August against decided whether fans will be allowed at the cia; June 26, 1st T20, Grenada; June 27, 2nd Reuters The pandemic also forced the already playing too much crick- South Africa, Australia and Pakistan, Cricket stadiums. T20, Grenada; June 29, 3rd T20, Grenada; London BCCI to move the 2020 edition of et. The calendars are incredibly West Indies (CWI) announced yesterday. The Proteas, whose 2020 tour was July 1, 4th T20, Grenada; July 3, 5th T20, the IPL to the United Arab Emir- packed, particularly this year Over the course of three months, the shelved because of coronavirus, are due Grenada ates where matches were held in after Covid. Boards from around West Indies will play four Tests and three to arrive on June 1 and play two Tests in here is a “small possibil- Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah the world are trying to get as ODIs but the main emphasis is on the 15 St Lucia before travelling to Grenada for West Indies v Australia: July 9, 1st T20, ity” that the remainder between September and Novem- many competitions and as many T20s which form part of their preparation the five T20s. It is the first time that South St Lucia (D/N); July 10, 2nd T20, St Lucia of the suspended Indian ber. Badale said fi nding space on test matches as possible.” ahead of the World Cup which is scheduled Africa has played a bilateral series in the (D/N); July 12, 3rd T20, St Lucia (D/N); July Premier League (IPL) the calendar would be the biggest Warwickshire, Surrey and the to take place in India in October/November. West Indies since 2010. 14, 4th T20, St Lucia (D/N); July 16, 5th T20, Tseason can be played in the Unit- obstacle with India set to host Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) “To host three international teams back- Australia’s white ball-only tour in July St Lucia (D/N); July 20, 1st ODI, Barbados ed Kingdom or the Middle East the T20 World Cup in October. have off ered to host the IPL’s re- to-back in five territories is unprecedented, includes five T20s in St Lucia and three day/ (D/N); July 22, 2nd ODI, Barbados (D/N); later this year, Rajasthan Royals “There is a possibility, a small maining 31 matches in Septem- and putting these fixtures together was night ODIs in Barbados which will count July 24, 3rd ODI, Barbados (D/N) owner Manoj Badale said. possibility, that in September ber. an enormous Covid-related logistical chal- towards the ICC ODI Super League and West Indies v Pakistan: July 27, 1st T20, The popular Twenty20 tour- there might be something in the Sourav Ganguly, head of the lenge,” said CWI CEO Johnny Grave in a qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Barbados; July 28, 2nd T20, Barbados; July nament was suspended indefi - UK or possibly something in the Indian board, said earlier this statement. Pakistan play five T20s in Barbados and 31, 3rd T20, Guyana; August 1, 4th T20, nitely earlier this month after Middle East either side of the week Covid-19 restrictions “We must thank the visiting teams for Guyana and two Tests in Jamaica in August. Guyana; August 3, 5th T20, Guyana; August several personnel tested positive T20 World Cup but it’s going to meant it was impossible to stage agreeing to travel at this challenging period CWI said it had not yet determined whether 12-16, 1st Test, Jamaica; August 20-24, 2nd for Covid-19 amid a devastating be a real challenge,” Badale told the remaining games in India for world cricket.” fans would be able to attend matches in Test, Jamaica second wave of novel coronavi- reporters. where the number of infections The entire summer will follow biose- person. rus cases in the country. “In my opinion, the players are have climbed above 24mn.

Saturday, May 15, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Al Shaqab Racing’s Lusail proves promising prospect

Agencies Sheikh Mohamed’s Khateer Alkhalediah makes it two wins York, England Agencies Waregem, Belgium l Shaqab Racing’s Lusail made a winning debut when he won the Constant Secu- lready victorious at the same rity ebfstallions.com Maiden Waregem racecourse on Stakes,A a 1,200m race for two-year- AMay 1, the representative of olds in York, England, on Thursday. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Trained by Richard Hannon Junior Khalifa al-Thani, Khateer Alkhalediah and ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Lusail confirmed that good impression showed his courage in the fi nal stages as by following up in the HH Sheikha he pushed his way forward to challenge Fatima Bint Mubarak Cup, a mile for the leader, the Tim Easterby-trained four-year-old and older Purebred and David Allan-ridden Mattice, and Arabians, in Waregem, Belgium, on Fabien Lefebvre (right) rode Khateer Alkhalediah to victory in the HH Sheikha outpoint him by three-quarters-of-a- Wednesday. Fatima Bint Mubarak Cup in Waregem, Belgium, on Wednesday. length. The Charlie Appleby-trained Trained by Elisabeth Bernard, the and William Buick-ridden Albahr was five-year-old ridden by Fabien further back. managed one win in seven career further length behind in third. Lefebvre, got home by one-and-a-half This was Khateer Alkhalediah fourth starts. He is the brother of Jalab Lusail was bred by the Tally-Ho Stud Andrea Atzeni (second from right) rides Lusail to victory in the Constant Security lengths from the Postema-mulder career outing, having made his debut Al Alkhalediah. The latter won Prix and was purchased as a yearling at the ebfstallions.com Maiden Stakes in York, England, on Thursday. (Racingfotos) S.-trained and Vanderbeke K.-ridden at Pau in France on February 2. Shadwell Manganate at Deauville, Tattersalls sales. With this win under Picasso. The Wolters Cjm-trained and Bred by Al Khalediah Stables, Khateer France and was second in the his belt in his fi rst start ever, the bay der the Al Shaqab Racing banner, as underscored by the fact that his initial Neuville L.-ridden Pytha took minor Alkhalediah is a son of Laith Al Shadwell Dubai International Stakes colt further underlined the qualities of he topped the fi rst season sires’ list in crop yielded a record 56 winners for a honours – three-and-a-half lengths Khalediah and Edèle De Carrère, who (Group 1 PA) at Newbury. his sire Mehmas, who also raced un- 2020, an achievement that was further fi rst season sire.

TENNIS / ITALIAN OPEN CYCLING Ewan completes Giro sprint double as Valter retains pink Nadal shuts AFP Termoli, Italy

ustralia’s Caleb Ewan of the Lotto team sped to a second win at the Giro yesterday, two days af- out Madrid terA his fi rst success. The 26-year-old, nicknamed the ‘Pocket Rocket’ has set his sights this season on winning stages on the three big Tours — the Giro, Tour de France and Vuelta. Adding stage seven to stage slayer Zverev fi ve Ewan brings his tally to fi ve stage wins in total in the three- week Giro d’Italia. Spaniard will next play Opelka in the latter’s first Masters semi-final Ewan was quickest to react af- ter Colombian Fernando Gaviria AFP anticipated the sprint in the fi - Rome, Italy nal kilometre with the Austral- ian overtaking the UAE-Emirates Lotto Soudal’s Australian rider Caleb Ewan (left) wins the seventh rider in the fi nal 200 metres. stage of the Giro d’Italia in Termoli, Italy, yesterday. (Reuters) ine-time champion He fi nished ahead of Italian Rafael Nadal dis- Davide Cimolai and Belgian Tim “I felt lucky that I could en- STAGE 7 RESULTS (top 10) patched his Madrid Merlier in a stage contested in joy my day in the Maglia Rosa. 1. Caleb Ewan (AUS/LOT) 4:42:12 Masters slayer Alex- diffi cult conditions with strong The team always kept me in the 2. Davide Cimolai (ITA/ISR) Nander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to reach head winds over 181km run front. 3. Tim Merlier (BEL/ALP) the Italian Open semi-fi nals mostly along the Adriatic coast “I felt like a diff erent rider with 4. Matteo Moschetti (ITA/TRE) yesterday. from Notaresco. the jersey. I felt very respected in 5. Andrea Pasqualon (ITA/INT) Second-seed Nadal lost to “I knew it would be a good fi n- the peloton and I want to thank 6. Fernando Gaviria (COL/UAE) Zverev in the Madrid last-eight ish for me,” said Ewan. “Then it all the riders for their congratu- 7. Dylan Groenewegen (NED/JUM) last week, but ended his three- was a question of being smart lations. 8. Max Kanter (GER/DSM) match losing streak against the and a lot of team work too. All my “To pass through the beautiful 9. Filippo Fiorelli (ITA/BAR) German in the Foro Italico. guys went from a long way out. cities of Italy with people cheer- 10. Juan S Molano (COL/UAE) “It was an important victory “We had to stay in the front for ing for the Maglia Rosa, I had to for me against a great player,” the last 10km. pinch myself to realise that it was OVERALL (top 10) said the Spaniard. “The start of the climbing was really me.” 1. Attila Valter (HUN/FDJ) 26:59:18 The 34-year-old shook off his the most important part. It was a Italian Domenico Pozzovivo 2. Remco Evenepoel (BEL/DEC) marathon 3hr 30min quarter-fi - super hard fi nish and I had to go withdrew before the start of the +00:11 nal battle past Denis Shapovalov deep to win today. My legs were stage after hurting his left arm in 3. Egan Bernal (COL/INE) +00:16 on Thursday where he needed to Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Germany’s Alexander Zverev (not pictured) during their Italian absolutely burning.” a fall on Thursday. 4. Aleksandr Vlasov (RUS/AST) save two match points. Open quarter-final in Rome, Italy, yesterday. Nadal will play Reilly Opelka (below) next. (AFP/Reuters) Hungary’s Attila Valter of The 38-year-old was com- +00:24 Nadal powered to 4-0 before Groupama-FDJ held the leader’s peting for the 15th time in the 5. Louis Vervaeke (BEL/ALP) sixth seed Zverev held serve duction in 1973. pink jersey with an 11sec ad- Giro and finished overall 11th +00:25 with the 20-time Grand Slam Taylor Fritz, ranked 31, is the vantage on Belgian tyro Remco last year. 6. Hugh Carthy (GBR/EF1) +00:38 winner saving break point to top US player in the world, fol- Evenepoel while Colombian Egan Today’s eighth stage covers 7. Damiano Caruso (ITA/BAH) take the fi rst set. lowed by John Isner, 34th, and Bernal, the 2019 Tour de France 170km from Foggia to Guardia +00:39 The German rallied in the sec- Opelka, 47th. winner, is third a further fi ve sec- Sanframondi with valleys and 8. Giulio Ciccone (ITA/TRE) +00:41 ond set but Nadal saved eight “The only reason there is not onds behind. climbs which should suit the 9. Dan Martin (IRL/ISR) +00:47 break points to seal victory on his (an American in the Top 30) is “I wasn’t nervous,” said Valter. climbers. 10. Simon Yates (GBR/BIK) +00:49 fi rst match point after two hours. because Isner has taken some Nadal next plays big-serving time off , given the circumstanc- American Reilly Opelka for a es with his family and not being MOTOGP place in the fi nal for an 11th time able to travel with all of his fam- as he warms up for the French ily,” said Opelka. “He has a wife Open starting on May 30. and two little kids. It’s hard. Opelka, ranked 47, reached “If he’s travelling, we have Home hopes soar as Zarco and his fi rst Masters semi-fi nal with a guaranteed not only top 30, a 7-5, 7-6 (2) win over Argentine guaranteed top 20. But, I mean, qualifi er Federico Delbonis. it’s a weird year.” Quartararo set pace at Le Mans “It’s a big challenge against Opelka, who has won two a player who’s playing well and Nadal is two wins away from following his second title run in ATP titles — both on hard court, AFP fast already,” said Zarco, a two- just ahead of Italy’s Valentino has almost an unreturnable equalling Novak Djokovic’s Madrid last week. dismissed all the “negative” talk Le Mans, France time Moto2 world champion who Rossi in ninth. serve,” Nadal said of Opelka who record of 36 ATP Masters 1000 Opelka provided a boost for about rankings. has yet to win a race in MotoGP. The 42-year-old Rossi, a sev- has not dropped a set all week. titles. US men’s tennis yesterday, “It is what it is. We will be “It is clear that here in France en-time MotoGP champion, has “I’ve served well especially at He is also attempting to win booking his fi rst Masters semi- there. I’m not worried,” he said. ome hopes Johann Zar- we want to do well and when we endured a miserable start to the big moments, that’s been key, I 10 or more titles at a single event fi nal berth. “But me, Tommy, Frances (Tia- co of Ducati-Pramac do well, it makes you feel good.” season with just four points from stayed calm,” said Opelka, who for the fourth time, after Roland The success of the 23-year- foe), Fritz, we are all super tight, and Fabio Quartararo Quartararo’s second-fastest four races. has hit nearly 80 aces this week. Garros (13), Barcelona (12) and old from Michigan comes on a we all work hard. We respect the of Yamaha set the pace time comes just 10 days after However, the Italian is hoping to “I’ve made some adjustments Monte Carlo (11). week when no American men ones that support us uncondi- inH the second free practice ses- undergoing ‘arm pump’ surgery pass straight to Q2 today and po- on my serve recently and it has Zverev, 24, had been on a have featured in the Top 30 tionally, you know. That’s how sion for the French MotoGP at following problems with his right tentially a more infl uential spot on paid off .” seven-match winning streak, since the ATP rankings’ intro- we support each other.” the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans forearm which saw him slip to a the grid for tomorrow’s race. yesterday. 13th place fi nish last time out at “I am in the top 10 and also The second session took place Jerez. during practice I rode in a better FOCUS on a dry track after Jack Miller set “You can tell that there is way. I am more consistent and I the fastest time in the fi rst free something that is not normal, have a decent pace,” he said. practice on a wet surface earlier that I had an operation,” said the Reigning world champion Joan in the day. Frenchman who has won two of Mir of Suzuki was third quickest Barty retires injured, Pliskova in semis Zarco was 0.095sec faster than the season’s four races so far. in the morning session but fell his compatriot Quartararo, while “I felt that the scar was pulling twice in the afternoon to fi nish AFP right arm injury, the WTA said. her fi rst clay-court semi-fi nal Martic, ranked 25, ended the Spaniard Maverick Vinales was a little bit, a little more pain.” outside the top 10. Rome, Italy “The pain was becoming too where she will play fi fth-seed run of American Jessica Pegula 0.389sec back in third place also Spaniard Marc Marquez of There will be a further practice severe,” said Barty. “It was re- Elina Svitolina or Poland’s Iga 7-5, 6-4. on a Yamaha. Honda, the six-time world session today morning prior to ally important that I listen to my Swiatek, the reigning Roland Pegula had dispatched “It’s good to be able to be so champion, was eighth at 0.885, qualifying in the afternoon. orld number one body knowing we have a Grand Garros champion. number two seed Naomi Osaka Ashleigh Barty re- Slam in two weeks’ time.” Former Rome champion of Japan on her way to her fourth tired injured in the She added: “I’m confi dent in Karolina Pliskova rallied from a quarter-fi nal this season. complications to Finland, have obliged the cancel- Italian Open quar- my team. We know how to man- set down and saved three match “Just proud, I think mostly, Finland axed from MotoGP lation of the event,” said the FIM in a statement. Wter-fi nals yesterday, just two age this injury to know that in a points to advance to the semi- how I fought,” said Pliskova, calendar because of Covid The race was scheduled to take place on July 11 weeks before Roland Garros. couple of weeks it’ll be fi ne.” fi nals. who saved three match points at at the new KymiRing circuit which should have Top seed Barty, the 2019 Barty, 25, has won a Tour- Pliskova, winner in 2019 and 5-4 in the fi nal set before storm- The Finnish Grand Prix, which was due to take hosted its first MotoGP race last year. That too was French Open champion, was leading 27 matches in 2021, and runner-up last year, battled past ing back to victory after two place in July, has been cut from this year’s Mo- cancelled due to the pandemic. The Grand Prix of leading 6-4, 2-1 when she pulled is among the favourites for the Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, hours and 20 minutes. toGP calendar and replaced by the Styrian GP in Styria has been added to the calendar to make an up to receive treatment during French Open which starts in 7-5, 7-6 (1). “It was defi nitely a horrible August, the International Motorcycling Federa- Austrian double-header in August. The event will her match against American Paris on May 30. The ninth-seeded Czech will start for me. I’m just happy that tion (FIM) announced yesterday. “The ongoing take place at the Red Bull Ring on August 8, the Coco Gauff . Her retirement allowed meet Croatia’s Petra Martic for a I stayed in there and fought till Covid-19 pandemic, as well as resulting travel weekend before the Austrian GP. The Australian suff ered a 17-year-old Gauff to reach place in the fi nal. the end.”